Baldwin Herald 01-19-2023

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Baldwin author releases first book

By ANDRE SILVA asilva@liherald.com

First-time author Kim Taylor, of Baldwin, has published “A Flag for Juneteenth,” a children’s story about the holiday, which is now available in bookstores.

Photos courtesy Erskine Isaac for Ivisionphoto

Taylor, 59, a supervisor in the speech department at Lexington School for the Deaf in Queens, is originally from Brooklyn. She has been making quilts and telling stories about Juneteenth, which became a national holiday in 2021, since she first learned about the event in 2014, and it

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LaVeda Davis appears in film set for February premiere

By ANDRE SILVA asilva@liherald.com

Actress LaVeda Davis, of Baldwin, has a supporting role in “Speak to Me,” a short film produced on Long Island that is set to make its premiere in Suffolk County next month.

Davis, 58, who is originally from Miami, is part of the cast of director Kurt “Rockmore” Damas’s independently produced film. Its trailer debuted on YouTube on Monday, and it will begin screening at Sayville Cinemas on Feb. 16.

“Working on ‘Speak to Me’ was really profound and magi-

cal,” Davis said. “The cast and crew is so talented, and they really came together to support each other.”

Damas, a 34-year-old writer, artist and entrepreneur from Bay Shore, is the film’s co-writer, director and producer, and it is his directorial debut. The film, he said, is about two friends dealing with the tribulations of life, and the expectations of maintaining what he describes as the “stereotypical emotional boundaries” of interpersonal relationships.

Damas said he shot the film last October, after being inspired to write it following the deaths

of one of his best friends, last January, and his 39-year-old uncle, last July. He recalled feeling isolated both times, and was thankful for his wife, friends and family, who helped him through the grief and despair. The combination of the vulnerability he felt and support he received, he said, prompted him to write the film.

In it, Davis portrays the mother of a man in his 20s, and her character is also a good friend of one of the leads, which she said gave her a chance to explore interpersonal relationships.

Davis said she got the part by applying to Actors Access, a pro-

gram in which actors can submit applications for roles, and was selected for an audition. She met Damas and his team on an online conference call, and was chosen for the role.

“There’s something that we say as actors: Everything was on the page. You just had to tap into it,” Davis said. “To perform a role as a mother, I used my own

experiences as a mother.” She has a 38-year-old son.

Davis has been acting since she was 6 in local and high school theater productions. After high school, she got an agent and found moderate success as an extra on movie and theater sets. She was a stand-in for the actress Maria McDonald in the

KIM TAYLOR’S BOOK, ‘A Flag for Juneteenth,’ was published by Neal Porter Books, in New York, and is available in bookstores and on Amazon. It was named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. CONTINUED ON

Author hopes children will fall in love with her story

inspired her to write a children’s novel using the historic date as the backdrop.

Taylor worked with the literary agency Serendipity, and “A Flag for Juneteenth” was published by Neal Porter Books, in New York, and is now available in bookstores and on Amazon. It was named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection by the commercial book club that is devoted to juvenile literature.

The novel’s main character is a young girl who goes to bed on June 18, 1865, looking forward to her 10th birthday the following day, and is awakened by Union soldiers riding onto the plantation where she lives in Galveston, Texas, and announcing that all enslaved people have been freed.

Her story, Taylor said, focuses on the bonds in the community of slaves, their love of that community and their celebration of their emancipation.

“I wanted young children to understand this important event in history,” she said. “My main focus when writing this book was to make kids curious about it, so that they can ask questions, so that they can want to read it in their classrooms, they can talk more about the event with their teachers and their families, and they can learn more about Juneteenth together.”

Taylor graduated from Brooklyn Tech High School in 1981 and then went to Brooklyn College, earning a master’s in speech language pathology in 1986.

She worked for the St. Francis School for the Deaf, in Brooklyn, as a speech teacher from 1986 through 1992, and was a speech therapist for the Nassau County Early Intervention program until 2015 before moving on to the Lexington School.

Taylor said she first learned about Juneteenth when she was invited to a church celebration of the event at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Central Nassau, in

Garden City, in 2014.

Slaves in Galveston received news that they had been freed nearly two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

Taylor said she was amazed by the celebration of a holiday she had never heard of, and recalled vendors at the church selling soul food, folk singers performing and people reading poetry. She left the church that day wanting to learn more about the event, and began combing through historical documents.

“I was never taught about it in school,” she said. “My family didn’t celebrate it, and I didn’t know anybody who

knew about the holiday.”

Newly inspired, Taylor began working on a story quilt depicting Juneteenth, which she said she was extremely proud of. She displayed it at several festivals and at the Unitarian Universalist church, and discovered that many of the people she talked with didn’t know the story of Juneteenth, either. So, in 2014, she decided to write a short story to accompany her quilt presentations.

“I didn’t really think of doing anything with the short story, because it was really just to help me supplement the quilt when showing it,” Taylor said.

In 2020, she found herself with free time amid the coronavirus pandemic, and she began to tweak the story, creating characters she thought young readers might be able to relate to.

She finished writing what turned into a novel that year, and sent it off to Serendipity and a couple of publishing houses that accept unsolicited manuscripts. Agents at Serendipity asked her to illustrate the story with quilts — which she would make, and then images of her creations would be scanned for use as illustrations. At first she refused.

“I just felt like it wasn’t something that I could really do,” Taylor said, “because illustrating is difficult enough when you’re painting or drawing the illustrations, but quilting them was going to be a really big job.”

In November 2021, Neal Porter Books decided to publish her story, but also wanted Taylor to make quilts to illustrate it, which she finally agreed to do. Over the course of 14 months, she completed 26 new quilts, each of them 15 inches square, and images of them appear throughout the book — including on the cover.

“I decided to try the illustrating, which took a year and two months,” Taylor said. “It was a really wonderful experience, even though I was terrified throughout the process because I had never created so many quilts before,”

Photos courtesy Erskine Isaac for Ivisionphoto

KIM TAYLOR WROTE, and created the illustrations for, ‘A Flag for Juneteenth,’ a children’s story about the holiday, which is now available in bookstores.

‘We just really couldn’t understand why’

By ANDRE SILVA asilva@liherald.com

Over 700 community members signed a petition demanding answers on why the school district chose to not renew Frank Chimienti as the high school’s head football coach, since its creation in early January.

Frank Chimienti, Baldwin High School’s former head football coach of Long Beach, learned his contract, as head coach of the high school’s football team would not be renewed in late December, a day he described as devastating.

Parents, students and other community members created a Change.Org petition in early January, which demands the school district reinstate Chimienti as head coach or tell the public why his contract was not renewed, garnering over 700 signatures in the first three days. At time of press, the petition has gathered 778 signatures, and has dozens of comments in support of the coach in the comment section.

Chimienti, 50, said he believed the support he’s received, as exemplified by the petition, shows the mutual love and respect for the Baldwin community and its players. He said he would have loved to continue working as the head football coach at Baldwin High School and is sorry that his relationships with the players, and parents of the team will come to an end. He said he’s had multiple players, and parents calling his phone, to find out why he wasn’t renewed as the head coach.

“You know you’re doing something special if you can turn around a football team in 17 months,” said Chimienti. “It’s a shame it can all go away over night. I got choked up reading some of the comments, some community members left for me on the petition”

Chimienti grew up in Long Beach and graduated from Holy Cross High School, and then graduated from CW Post with a

master’s degree in education in 1994, where he played football. He then took a job as a coach for CW Post’s football team for over ten years. He then took as a football coach at Valley Stream Central High School, Freeport High School, and was a football coordinator at Nassau Community College, before joining as Baldwin high School’s head football coach in Fall 2021.

It was horrible,” said Anthony Byron. “We just really couldn’t understand why he wasn’t reinstated, it feels unfair.”

Anthony Byron, a Baldwin High School senior and football player, said Chimienti “embodied the word passion.”

Byron said he doesn’t understand why Chimienti was not chosen to continue as head coach of the team because he brought out the best in his fellow teammates and helped turn the program into a successful one.

“He’s the only man I knew that would sacrifice so much just for football,” said Byron.

“He would leave his other jobs early, just to make sure he could practice with us.”

Byron said he and many other players were so distraught about the silence and confusion surrounding Chimienti, so over 20 members of the football team and their parents organized a small rally outside of the Baldwin School District building in early January, where they demanded answers from the school district. He said members of the school district refused to open their doors to the team, or listen to what they had to say — which he said made him feel frustrated, disappointed, and demeaned.

Davis Pace, of Baldwin, the father of Jack and Jessie Pace, two juniors at Baldwin High School, said he wants to know

why Chimienti was let go of, and reinstated as head coach of the football team where his son Jack Pace plays. Pace said Chimienti was an extraordinary head football coach and a role model to his children and other community members.

“He laid down the law in a forceful way, but in a way that created positive changes,” said Pace. “He was making better people, and better players.”

Pace said he doesn’t understand why Chimienti’s contract was renewed, especially because he was “turning the football program around” and his investment in Baldwin’s football players. Pace said Chimienti would hold each of his players to a high standard, and would even ensure that his player’s finished their homework and excelled in academics before getting to play on the field.

Pace said prior to Chimienti getting hired as head coach, his son Jack was “barely passing,” his classes — he said his son now finds success in his classes, which he attributes to Chimienti’s efforts.

Although he’s clearly beloved by many in the Baldwin community, some parents want to know why exactly Chimienti’s contract wasn’t renewed before signing the petition. Daquan Vann, a Baldwin school parent, said he initially thought Chimienti was a good pick for the high school’s football team but found him “unreasonable and controlling” during his tenure.

Vann said he began to view Chimienti with suspicion, when some players of the junior varsity football team, including his son who he asked to remain unnamed, wanted to wear pink on their uniforms in a show of support for breast cancer awareness. Vann said Chimienti vehemently

opposed the idea of his football team wearing pink on their uniforms. He said Chimienti only allowed the players to wear a small pink sticker on the back of their helmets, which he said was “barely visible” and “the size of a dime.”

Vann said Chimienti gave faulty reasoning for his opposition to the color pink being worn on uniforms, and was felt the small stickers adorned on the back of their helmets was a poor way of showing support for breast cancer survivors — like his wife Abigail Vann.

Chimienti said he had grievances with the Baldwin High School and did not see “eye-to-eye” with some members of the school district during his tenure. He said he fought tirelessly to secure a new football field for the foot players — deeming the current one inadequate.

He said it might have been his passion for football related issues, which he said “looks like anger to the unmotivated,” that gave him the appearance of controlling or anger at the district, although, he said he was not given a reason for his contract’s termination.

The school district said they could not comment on personnel matters and ensured the community that a new head coach will soon be picked for the team.

“Decisions such as these are difficult and involve many factors, much of which are not evident to everyone,” said the Baldwin School District. “Everyone is in agreement that finding a coach who can nurture the program and our students are of primary importance. Ultimately, we will do what we believe is in the best interests of all of our students and the program itself. Board policy and New York State law does not allow for discussion of an individual. Issues of personnel are confidential and therefore, cannot be discussed publicly. While we know this is difficult for some, the search for a new coach is underway to ensure a smooth transition.”

Courtesy Frank Chimienti

FRANK CHIMIENTI, CENTER, pictured with Baldwin football players, from left, Jake Davidson, Kwasi Bonsu, Rodney Mills, and Sean Platt, will not continue as head coach of the team, sparking questions from the community.

He laid down the law in a forceful way, but in a way that created positive changes.

DAVID PACE Parent, Baldwin High School

‘Speak to Me,’ produced on L.I., to premiere next month

television series “Miami Vice” in 1986, and appeared in an Isotoner glove commercial featuring former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino in 1987.

Davis moved to New York City in 1997, where she lived for eight years, before returning to Miami to care for her mother, who died in 2005. In 2018 she moved to Baldwin to continue her career as an actress.

Davis got her first major role in 2017, in a movie called “Adopted,” and last year

she starred in “Mama Duke,” a film about a middle-aged single mother released in April. She said she has two more films coming out this year, including a documentary web series, but she added that her ultimate goal is to work as an actress on episodic shows on television.

“Can you imagine them, the amount of people who pass away with their dreams still inside them?” she said. “There’s so many people who want to do something, and they talk themselves out of pursuing their dreams.”

The Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (“MAPT”)

For those who don’t qualify for long-term care insurance or can’t afford it, the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (“MAPT”) can protect your assets from the high cost of long-term care in your home or in a facility.

The MAPT sets up two roadblocks that Medicaid cannot break through. First, you cannot be your own trustee. Usually, one or more of the adult children act as trustee.

Secondly, you, as the creator of the MAPT, are entitled to the income only, not the principal. If you don’t have access to the principal (your home or other assets in the trust), then Medicaid doesn’t have access to the principal. The MAPT makes good sense for assets you’re not going to spend – like your home and investments you’re not using. As we often say, if you don’t need it to live on, then why not protect it for your family instead of losing it to pay for long-term care.

When you apply for Medicaid for nursing home care, if you’ve transferred any assets in the past five years, you are ineligible. The full protection of the trust only takes place five

years after you establish the trust. This is why you want to plan ahead. Under new rules to take effect in the next year or two, you will also need to have the MAPT in place two and half years in advance to be eligible for care in your own home.

The MAPT does not affect your lifestyle. You still receive your pension, social security checks, minimum distributions on your retirement plans, interest and dividends. You have the exclusive right to use and enjoy your home. You keep all your property tax exemptions. You can sell your house, buy a new one, or invest the proceeds, which remain in the trust, still protected.

The MAPT is also flexible. You can change trustees and you can change who you leave it to.

Although the MAPT is an irrevocable trust, not only does it have the flexibility mentioned above, but in New York there is a mechanism to revoke an irrevocable trust. All that is required is for all parties, you and your children, to sign. We even have a workaround just in case one of the children refuses to sign.

KURT DAMAS, CENTER and his crew filming ‘Speak to Me,’ which is about two friends dealing with the tribulations of life, and maintaining what Damas described as the ‘stereotypical emotional boundaries’ of interpersonal relationships.

Photos courtesy Kurt Damas

LAVEDA DAVIS, AN actress from Baldwin, appears in ‘Speak to Me,’ a short film set to premiere at Sayville Cinemas on Feb. 16.

‘Invent2Prevent’ recognizes collaborative

By ANDRE SILVA asilva@liherald.com

“Invent2Prevent” recognized the Baldwin High School’s student advocate organization for their plans to solve civic issues in December.

This year a group of over 30 high school students who aspire to be civic leaders joined together in September 2022 to create the Youth Change Leader Collaborative, The Baldwin High School’s organization which tackles and creates action plans on civic issues, which was recognized for their work and presentations on violence, antibullying and, cyber bullying awareness, by “Invent2Prevent,” a national competition which aims to empower schools and students by challenging them to create and implement products, tools, and initiatives to target issues in their communities.

Since Invent2Prevent’s inception in Spring 2021, more than 700 students have participated in teams competing at the high school and collegiate levels for awards of $5,000 for first place; $3,000 for second place; and $1,000 for third place. Top place collegiatelevel finishers also have the option to

enter into a one-year sustainment program.

Through this new extra-curricular activity, sophomores, juniors and seniors students researched and gathered data on five global issues — gun violence prevention, climate justice, immigration reform, health equity, documentation and journalism — and created a civic action plan.

Despite being new to the challenge, the Baldwin students were recognized with ‘Honorable Mention,’ placing the collaborative in the competition’s top five organizations, beating out dozens of participating advocacy groups, colleges and universities, and high schools.

“I am extremely proud of the YCLC on winning ‘Honorable Mention’ in the national Invent2Prevent Competition,” said Gabriella Franza, assistant director of instructional programs for Baldwin Union Free School District.

Franza said this project was a great example of the Baldwin High School’s student’s fervor for social change and activism. She said students involved in the project collaborated with teachers, business, and other advocacy groups to gather data and create real world solutions to violence.

The school district said students were required to participate in frequent video calls with “Invent2Prevent” staff, and then elected to develop curriculum based on a project, which focused on reducing gun and interpersonal violence, while also producing a 30-page curriculum report, a video about their project, as well as a 10-page research paper. In addition, the students collaborated with mentors from Amazon, Northwell Health, and the Nassau County Bar Association.

“This is a wonderful recognition for our kids who demonstrate passion, com-

mitment, and care for their school and the world around them,” said Neil Testa, principal of Baldwin High School. “They are true leaders in every way, and I am proud and confident to know that their work will make a difference.”

The school district said the youth collaborative will continue their work through afterschool meetings, special events and other projects in conjunction with the district’s School-to-Career program.

Photos courtesy Baldwin School District ‘INVENT2PREVENT’ RECOGNIZED OVER 30 Baldwin High School students in the Youth Change Leader Collaborative for their work and presentations on violence.

They are true leaders in every way, and I am proud and confident to know that their work will make a difference.

DR. NEIL TESTA Principal, Baldwin High School

EMMANUEL DEPAS, LEFT, Marie Pereira, Judith Hospedales and Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages, gathered at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building the day before the 13th anniversary of the 2010 Haiti earthquake to raise awareness for new immigration policy.

Migrating from Haiti, with a little support

By ANA BORRUTO aborruto@liherald.com

It’s been more than a decade since an earthquake devastated Haiti, killing more than 200,000 people, and leaving so many more thousands homeless. To this day, the Caribbean country continues to recover, all while facing other ongoing challenges such as limited access to health care, as well as poverty, political instability and violence.

While a lot of political talk in Washington is focused on what’s happening at the U.SMexico border, Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages has joined immigration law professionals to share details of an expanded program under the Biden administration intended to provide legal pathways to America for migrants from Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela as well as war-torn Ukraine.

“This is a positive development, and a humanitarian way to allow people to seek asylum,” Solages said. “We have witnessed so many people risking their lives in order to make it here in the United States.”

This new policy allows up to 30,000 individuals from these four countries to come to the United States per month for a period of up to two years —all receiving work authorization. These individuals must have an eligible sponsor, and pass a series of vetting and background checks.

To reduce overcrowding and wait times at U.S. ports of entry, those who are legal immigrants or citizens of the United

States can apply for someone in Haiti to come to America through an online application called the I-134A form, which gives that sponsor a chance to provide a declaration of financial support.

“They are basically asking you how are you going to take care of this person you are legally sponsoring, the person who is now called the beneficiary,” said Marie Pereira, founder of the Haiti Immigration Project. “Do you have the financial resources to take care of this person’s needs, from health to housing to clothing? Everything.”

Once the sponsor is approved, the beneficiary is required to submit their fingerprints and undergo an extensive background check. They also must be vaccinated for Covid-19, have a valid passport, and proof they are a Haiti native, Pereira added.

Those younger than 18 have to be accompanied by an adult who is their parent or legal guardian.

Judith Hospedales, an immigration law expert and formerly of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said with the influx of displaced migrants in various states, the administration is trying to cut back on the issues migrants face when they arrive to the border.

Many migrants are seeking asylum — meaning they fear for their safety, or they believe they could be harmed if they stay in their home country — and want protection from another nation, like the United States.

But there are many who may not qualify for asylum status. In that case, they can

Who can become a sponsor?

Anyone who has legal status to live in the United States can sponsor a Haitian immigrant to the United States by submitting a free I-134A application.

That legal status means being a U.S. citizen, green card holder, or someone with temporary protection status.

However, sponsors should be wary of trying to bring in strangers, said Judith Hospedales. The further apart

the relationship between the sponsor and the person looking to come from Haiti, the more difficult it will be to prove that a person can be a suitable sponsor and financially responsible for the beneficiary.

To learn more, visit tinyurl.com/ SponsorHaiti.

–Ana Borruto

apply for temporary protection status, more commonly known as TPS. This status is for certain individuals who cannot return to their countries of origin because of circumstances within the country, such as those same countries not having the resources or capacity to take back their citizens at that particular time.

Emmanuel Depas, immigration attorney, founder and first president of the Haitian American Lawyers Association in New York, said prospective sponsors must take this process very seriously. Solages emphasized the importance of working with professionals like Depas when going through the sponsorship process.

“You have to say ‘yes’ with caution and understand what you’re getting into,” Depas said. “In those two years, you’re going to have to support (beneficiaries) financially, socially and help them get them acclimated to U.S. culture.

“I implore you to develop patience throughout this process.”

The Haitian American population is one of the fastest growing demographics in Nassau County, Solages said, with many living in communities like Elmont,

Freeport, Uniondale, Valley Stream and Hempstead. According to the most recent census numbers, the total Haitian population was just over 850,000 nationwide, with nearly 155,000 living in New York alone.

Haiti itself has a little more than 11 million people.

Elsie Smith has lived in the United States for 52 years, spending the last decade in Elmont. She wants to sponsor six family members who now live in Haiti — a widower father, his sister and his four kids, whose mother passed away five years ago. The children had to stop going to school last September.

Smith is grateful for the humanitarian relief program as it will give these children better opportunities in the United States.

“This is something for a country that is suffering too much, and we have so much we can offer in this country,” Smith said, through tears. “I live in a house with six bedrooms all by myself — I will provide, (the father) can get his papers for work, and the four children can go to school.”

This is something for a country that is suffering too much, and we have so much we can offer in this country.

ELSIE SMITH Haitian Elmont resident

Ana Borruto/Herald

SPOTLIGHT ATHLETE

HERALD SPORTS

Baldwin works through challenges

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

Still impacted by a difficult offseason that saw three standouts go down with serious injures, Baldwin’s girls’ basketball is progressing as much as head coach Tom Catapano hoped considering the adversity.

The Lady Bruins, seeking an unprecedented ninth consecutive Nassau Class AA championship, won each of their first nine games including a sweep of the first half of the Conference AA-2 slate, going 7-0.

CAYLEE DEMEO

Carey Senior Basketball

A TWO-TIME ALL-COUNTY selection and last season’s Conference Player of the Year when she averaged 22 points per game, DeMeo joined elite company Jan. 7 when she scored her 1,000th career point. The milestone basket came in Carey’s win over Glen Cove and was part of a 28-point performance. She’s the third player in program history to reach 1,000 points and currently ranks second in Nassau County in scoring.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, Jan. 19

Gymnastics: Wantagh at North Shore 6 p.m

Gymnastics: Massapequa at South Side 7 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Port Washington at Baldwin 7 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 20

Girls Basketball: Malverne at West Hempstead 5 p.m.

Boys Swimming: So. Side/Lynbrook at Long Beach 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Lawrence at Clarke 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: V.S. Central at Oceanside 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: East Rockaway at Seaford 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: West Hempstead at Malverne 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Baldwin at Port Washington 7 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Seaford at East Rockaway 7 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Hicksville at Freeport 7 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Oceanside at V.S. Central 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 21

Boys Basketball: Jericho at MacArthur 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: New Hyde Park at Mepham 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: G.N. North at South Side 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Wantagh at V.S. North 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: North Shore at V.S. South 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: G.N. South at Long Beach 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Elmont at Sewanhaka 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: V.S. North at Wantagh 12 p.m.

“Everyone’s working hard and we’re coming along,” Catapano said.

Baldwin saw its three top returnees injured during the offseason. One is back full-time, and another on a part-time basis.

Senior All-County point guard Katelyn Simpson rejoined the lineup in midDecember. She’s a shutdown defender and facilitator, and someone who makes everyone else around her better, Catapano said. She’s averaging about 10 points per game and hit for 20 in just her second game back against Port Washington.

“Katelyn is having a nice senior year both offensive and defensively since she’s returned,” Catapano said. “We have a lot of youth around her, and her leadership is important.”

Senior center Dallysshya Moreno (AllState) and junior guard Renelle Grannum (All-Long Island) suffered torn ACL’s. The latter is slowly getting up to speed.

Grannum, who was arguably Baldwin’s best player down the stretch last winter and led it with 16 points in the Long Island Class AA championship game win over Longwood, was cleared a few weeks ago and is playing sparingly while wearing a brace. “Renelle still has a ways to go and is getting some court time here and there,” Catapano said. “She’s taking it day by day.”

Moreno is only five months beyond her injury and unlikely to play this season. She’s a dominant post player headed to Stony Brook University, averaged 15 points and 13 rebounds last winter and put up 24 and 20, respectively, in the state semifinal victory over Cicero-North Syracuse. “Dally is rehabbing and making progress every day,” Catapano said.

Sophomore Payton Dulin’s role has

changed as a result of the absences, the coach noted. “She’s been forced to do it all and she’s delivered,” Catapano said. “She’s scoring really well with a bunch of 20-point games and she’s on her way to becoming an elite defender.”

Dulin had 27 points in Baldwin’s 48-43 overtime victory over Francis Lewis in a game played at Chaminade High School on Jan. 7.

Sophomore Toni Smith and eighthgrader Chinaya Okogeri are now fixtures in the starting lineup. Smith posted a double-double (14 points and 12 rebounds) Jan. 11 to lead the Lady Bruins to a 65-52 victory

over Plainview in a showdown for first place in AA-2.

“Toni is a physical player and a tremendous rebounder,” Catapano said. “She plays with a high motor.”

Okogeri is a stout defender who showed her scoring ability with 15 points against Port Washington.

Junior Monique Echols and sophomore Madison Guillory are getting starting nods and also first calls off the bench, depending on the opponent, Catapano said. Echols adds to the defensive pressure, with Guillory providing much-needed size with Moreno sidelined.

Ron Manfredi/Herald

SOPHOMORE PAYTON DULIN is doing it all for the Baldwin and hit for 27 points in last week’s 48-43 overtime win over Francis Lewis.

Nassau GOP calls on George Santos to resign

By MICHAEL MALASZCZYK mmalaszczyk@liherald.com

U.S. Rep. George Santos has faced stiff opposition from his colleagues since arriving at Capitol Hill at the start of the new year. It looks like he won’t have an easy time at home, either.

Republican leaders from across the county gathered at GOP headquarters in Westbury last week calling on Santos to resign immediately amid his trail of fabrications on his work and education history, as well as the growing questions surrounding how he financed his campaign.

In fact, those in attendance — led by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman — went as far as declaring they would not work with Santos. Instead, they would direct constituent issues to newly minted U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito or U.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino. And if they can’t go there, local Republicans would reach out to U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer or Kirsten Gillibrand — both Democrats.

“I am joined here with my colleagues in calling on George Santos’s resignation, because he cannot serve anymore,” Blakeman said, calling the congressman a “pathological liar.”

“My office will have no interaction with George Santos or his staff until he resigns. “

D’Esposito — who joined Congress the same time as Santos — made it clear through a video link from Washington

that Santos is not fit to serve.

“I think that what’s most important as a public servant is treating the public with respect and gaining authority — something that all of you behind that podium have done,” D’Esposito said, referring to his fellow Republicans at the news conference. “George Santos does not have the ability to serve here in the House of Representatives, and should resign.”

State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick took particular issue with one of the claims Santos made during his campaign — that he was Jewish, and that he was descended from Holocaust survivors. Investigations by a handful of news outlets have questioned those claims, not finding any evidence of his grandparents being anything other than Catholic, and finding no record of them being in Europe during the World War II era.

“It is a great stain on the Republican Party of Nassau County that he worked with us,” Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said. “I am particularly offended also, as a representative of the Five Towns and the Orthodox community. What he did regarding his religious status was exceptionally offensive.”

But even as his fellow Republicans were delivering these calls for him to be removed, Santos told reporters outside his Washington office that he had no intention of leaving his position. He maintains that if the 142,000 voters who elected him decide he should go, then he

will go — but they won’t get the chance to express that until 2024.

“George Santos has no business serving in Congress,” Hempstead town supervisor Don Clavin said. “On behalf of all the board members — and frankly, the 750,000 residents living in the Town of Hempstead — it’s time to go. He’s a national joke. He’s an international joke. But this joke’s got to go. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Today.”

Those were sentiments shared by Clavin’s counterpart in Oyster Bay.

“George, I’m speaking to you,” town supervisor Joe Saladino said. “It’s time to step down.”

Santos has been under fire since a New York Times expose last month challenged pretty much everything he has said about himself throughout this recent campaign, and his 2020 unsuccessful run against Tom Suozzi. Everything from education, employment, philanthropic activity, and salaries simply don’t check out.

Nassau GOP chair Joseph Cairo has taken some heat through all this, with a number of people questioning how much he knew of Santos’ past, and why there wasn’t better vetting. Cairo believed the Republican establishment there had already checked out his claims.

“He’s disgraced the House of Representatives, and we do not consider him one of our congress people,” Cairo said.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy won’t personally take action to have Santos removed, saying it’s a decision voters should make. However, the congressman is under investigation at multiple levels — including potential criminal investigation about campaign finance.

Over the weekend, U.S. Rep. James Comer — the new House Oversight Committee chair — said if Santos is found to have broken campaign finance laws, he will be removed

Michael Malaszczyk/Herald NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE Bruce Blakeman says his office will have no dealings with U.S. Rep. George Santos.

Sands casino coming to Nassau Coliseum?

By JEFFREY BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com

A touch of Las Vegas could soon make its way to Uniondale’s Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum with hotels, performance stages, and even a casino.

The Las Vegas Sands, a resort company founded by late billionaire Sheldon Adelson, wants to develop what it calls a “multibillion-dollar flagship hospitality, entertainment and casino project” at the former home of the New York Islanders off the Hempstead Turnpike near the Meadowbrook Parkway. But the acquisition of up to 80 acres of the site would require state approval.

“The plan would include a casino accounting for 10 percent of the total project, outdoor community spaces, four- and five-star hotel rooms, and a world class live performance venue honoring the legacy of live music at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman shared on Twitter.

There also would be celebrity chef restaurants, convention space and ballrooms, along with a luxurious day spa, a swimming pool, and a health club.

“We strongly believe Long Island can be home to one of the region’s great entertainment and hospitality developments,” said Robert Goldstein, Las Vegas Sands chair and chief executive, in a news release.

Sands, which is worth more than $42 billion on the New York Stock Exchange, says it wants to collaborate with the surrounding communities to create a plan as a way to maximizes economic opportunity while protecting the quality of life. Part of that plan would include creating 12,000 construction jobs, and then employing 5,000 people.

But making such a collaboration work will require Sands to listen, County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams said.

“It is imperative for Sands resorts to conduct extensive community outreach, and then incorporate the feedback they receive into their proposal,” Abrahams said. That means not only talking to the people who live in the area, but also talking to officials at Hofstra University, Nassau Community College, as well as both Hempstead town and village.

Sands also needs to reach out to local fire departments, school districts, civic associations, chambers of commerce and others as a “necessary first step for addressing concerns and identifying opportunities.”

Scott Rechler is optimistic about a Sands development after nearly two decades of working to overhaul the Coliseum site.

“The plan envisioned by Sands is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create the kind of world-renowned entertainment and hospitality destination that has been

sought after by Long Islanders,” said Rechler, chief executive and chair of RXR Realty, in the release.

But not everyone shares that enthusiasm. Protesters have gathered outside the Coliseum opposing the casino component, which they say promotes multiple addictions. Others believe such a development would add to the existing traffic logjam while creating a blight on the environment.

And then there are people like Jay Goldmark from Woodmere who is OK with the plan.

“Surprisingly I have no absolutely no issue with them building a casino as long as they have absolutely no exemptions granted under any circumstances as far as any construction, sales or use taxes,” Goldmark posted on social media. “If they can afford to build for millions of dollars and fees etc., they surely can afford to pay the sales taxes. It will also create hundreds of jobs.”

THE LAS VEGAS Sands resort company is considering the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum property as a site for a new upscale casino. It’s championed by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, but being met with cautious optimism by others, like County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams.

Herald file photo

STEPPING OUT

those

Monster trucks invade Long Island

By Karen Bloom

onster truck madness is back on Long Island this weekend when for two action-packed days at Nassau Coliseum. In this version, families can watch their favorite Hot Wheels trucks come to life when the Hot Wheels ‘Glow Party’ lights up the arena, Jan. 21-22.

While geared to the younger generation of monster truck fans, there is nothing tame about this version. You’ll still experience all the action of the 12-foot-tall, 10,000-pound machines will that bring audiences to their feet, racing and ripping up a customdesigned track full of obstacles to soar over — or smash through — delighting onlookers. A laser light show adds to the spectacle — the trucks maneuver their way through their stunts in a darkened arena.

Their names — Gunkster, Race Ace, Mega Wrex, Bone Shaker, Tiger Shark, Bigfoot and Demo Derby — reflect the outrageous mix of racing and showmanship that enthrall both the drivers and their fans.

WHERE WHEN

• Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 21-22; times vary

• Tickets start at $40 adult, $24 child; $10 additional for Crash Zone (prices are subject to change); available at HotWheelsMonsterTrucksLive. com or NassauColiseum.com

• Located at Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale

“Big trucks, big engines, crushing cars, hanging out with the fans, I love it all,” says Eric Steinberg, 22. “It’s an indescribable adrenaline rush.”

It’s clear Steinberg loves his job. In fact, he doesn’t describe his role as a “job.” It’s his passion — what he was born to do.

Like his fellow drivers, Steinberg became enthralled with the big trucks at a young age. Missouri-born and raised, he was 3 years old when he went to his first monster truck event. From that moment on he was hooked.

“I just knew this is what I wanted,” he says. “Monster trucks are amazing, and caught my attention more than anything else. I looked up to the drivers as my heroes. I remember how I felt and that helped me transition to being a driver.”

Branford Marsalis

After some scheduling delay — in part due to the pandemic — the renowned saxophonist makes his long-awaited appearance at the Madison Theatre with his quartet. The NEA Jazz Master, triple-Grammy Award winner and musical polymath with his stellar ensemble — pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis and drummer Justin Faulkner — bring the brilliance that has made this quartet one of the most revered and influential in jazz. Marsalis is equally at home performing concertos with symphony orchestras and sitting in with members of the Grateful Dead, but the core of his musical universe remains the Branford Marsalis Quartet. After more than three decades of existence with minimal personnel changes, this celebrated ensemble is acclaimed for its uncompromising interpretation of a kaleidoscopic range of both original compositions and jazz and popular classics.

Friday, Jan. 20, 8 p.m. $40-$95. Madison Theatre, Molloy University campus, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. (516) 323-4444 or MadisonTheatreNY.org.

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company

monster truck world, was Steinberg’s entrée into the circuit. He debuted Gunkster, first created by Hot Wheels for its 2021 Monster Trucks Series collectibles, in 2022.

He’ll be in high gear with all his tricks, driving Gunkster through all the non-stop action, which includes a wheelie competition, long jumps, freestyle, and even motocross. And if that is not enough, there’ll be a special appearance by the car-eating, fire-breathing transforming robot Megasaurus.

Steinberg encourages everyone to come to the Crash Zone pre-show, Saturday, at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Sunday, at noon. Crash Zone gives fans access to the arena floor where they can view of the trucks up-close and meet the drivers, get autographs and take photos and, of course, check out some toy versions of the big trucks.

“Fans love it,” says Steinberg. “The kids are excited to see the trucks before the show. It’s all for them. For me, I always wanted to meet the drivers as a kid. I always looked up to them as my heroes. And now I want to be that hero. Meeting the fans is truly special and encourages us.”

hooked up with the Bigfoot

Determined to follow his dream, he enrolled in State Technical College of Missouri’s Automotive Technology HighPerformance Program. After his 2021 graduation, he hooked up with the Bigfoot team. Bigfoot, a name synonymous with the

Top photo: Gunkster, driven by Eric Steinberg, and other popular trucks, including Tiger Shark, will thrill fans with exciting car-crunching feats as they fly more than 35 feet in the air. Three stories tall and weighing more than 50,000 pounds, Megasaurus — at left — roars into the arena ready to chomp.

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company welcomes the coming of spring, the Year of the Black Water Rabbit. It’s a spectacular experience for all ages, combining traditional Chinese dance with modern flair. The Red Lions dance to a hip hop beat. The Golden Dragon brings good luck and fortune for the coming year. The ensemble also showcases a contemporary dance work, ‘Ashes of A Dead Frog,’ choreographed by legendary Polish Choreographer Jacek Luminski that was commissioned by Nai-Ni Chen almost a decade ago. Guest artists from the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York provide traditional and contemporary music on classical and folk Chinese instruments. Dancers, acrobats and musicians perform in festive costumes in red, gold, blue and purple colors symbolizing their prayer for a peaceful and harmonious New Year with plenty of prosperity and good fortune for everyone to enjoy and share.

Sunday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m. $52, $42, $32. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. (516) 299-3100 or TillesCenter.org.

Courtesy Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live

THE SCENE

Art talk

Grab your lunch and join Nassau County Museum of Art Docent Riva Ettus for her popular “Brown Bag Lecture” live, via Zoom, Thursday, Feb. 23, 1 p.m. She’ll discuss the current exhibition, “The Big Picture: Photography Now.” Participants are invited to ask questions at the end of the program. Register at least 24 hours in advance to receive the program Zoom link. Also Feb. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Virtual community assessment grievance workshop

Build a clay snowman

Baldwin Public Library invites children from kindergarten to second grade to build clay snowmen in the arts and crafts room, 2385 Grand Ave., Saturday, Jan. 21, 3 p.m. Register by calling (516) 2236228 or go to BaldwinPL.org.

Friends of the Brothers

Friends of the Brothers visit the Landmark stage with their dynamic tribute to the Allman Brothers, Friday, Jan. 27, 8 p.m. Their powerful celebration of the Allman Brothers, featuring musicians closely associated with the original band, continues the brotherhood with passion, committed to the ideals of every night being special and unique. Their first-hand experience with the Allman Brothers Band and their deep knowledge of the repertoire and the music’s roots and heritage allows them to play with an unrivaled depth. Hear songs from every stage of the Allman Brothers’ career, backed by a band of inspirational, veteran players. $33, $28. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

Jan. 27

Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé partners with the Nassau County Assessment Review Commission (ARC), Wednesday, Jan. 25, to host free virtual community assessment grievance workshops to inform residents about how to challenge their property taxes online. To participate, visit NassauCountyNY.gov/LD5 or contact Legislator Mulé’s office at (516) 571-6205 or email dmule@nassaucountyny.gov.

Story hour

Baldwin Public Library invites children from kindergarten to second grade for story time and a snack in the arts and crafts room, Monday, Jan. 23, starting at 4 p.m. To register call (516) 223-6228 or go to BaldwinPL.org.

Jan. 23

The Best of the Eagles

Get into the Eagles’ groove when the tribute band visits

The Paramount stage, Thursday, Jan. 26, 8 p.m.

With special guest Fleetwood Macked. This authentic recreation features individual bandmates taking on the persona of the original Eagles members. $39.50, $29.50, $19.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 7453000 or Ticktmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

Impact! Night with EMPR Network

EMPR Network invites local business professionals and entrepreneurs to join them at the Coalhouse Grill located on 844 Merrick Road, Monday, Jan. 23 , 6 p.m., for a networking event. Guests can make connections and explore business ideas. For more information email Patrick. EmprNetwork@gmail.com.

Having an event?

Forest Bathing

Take a meditative Forest Bathing walk, led by certified guide Linda Lombardo, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2-4 p.m. Based on the Japanese tradition of ShinrinYoku, a wellness practice developed in the 1980s, the walk, on the grounds of the former summer residence of Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim, inspires mindful connections with the natural elements of the woods for a range of healthful benefits. $40, $35. Pre-registration required. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901.

Items on The Scene 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 thescene@liherald.com.

Irie Alley Thursdays

The Baldwin Bowl and Lounge invites the community to dance and bowl every Thursday night to reggae and Afro beats at the bowling center, 2407 Grand Ave., 8 p.m.2 a.m. For information, visit BaldwinBowl.com.

On exhibit

Photography’s ascent in the art world is an international phenomenon. Nassau County Museum of Art’s star-studded exhibition spans the historical roots of the medium. View works by Ansel Adams and his generation and the thrilling, large-format color works of such contemporary masters as Cindy Sherman, Thomas Struth, James Casebere and Gregory Crewdson, among others. From the documentary to the painterly, images bear witness to the times. On view through March 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Jan. 23

Kids in the kitchen

Baldwin Public Library invites children from kindergarten to second grade for story time and a snack in the Children’s arts and crafts room, 2385 Grand Ave., on Monday, Jan. 23, starting at 4 p.m. To register call or go online at BaldwinPL. org.

The Pigeon Comes to Long Island!

Step into activities pulled directly from the pages of Mo Willems’ books, during opening weekend of Long Island Children’s Museum’s new exhibit, Sunday, Jan. 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in residence through May 14. Step into activities pulled directly from the pages of Mo Willems’ books, make art inspired by his work, engage in dramatic play and learn about the rich social and emotional lives of the author’s characters. Interact with Willems beloved characters: best friend duo Elephant and Piggie, faithful companion Knuffle Bunny, and The Pigeon. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

Gleason makes ID cards for ‘Hangout One’ members

Sean Gleason, of New York Life, met up with the Hangout One Happy Place to create child identification cards for its members at their building last week.

Sean Gleason, a financial services professional for New York Life, member of the Chamber of Commerce, and resident of Baldwin, partnered up with Angela Lucas, founder of the Hangout One Happy Place for to create child identification cards at the South Baldwin Jewish Center located on 2959 Grand Ave. on Jan. 10 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Gleason said its important for people to have an identification card in the case that someone finds himself or herself lost, or the victim of an accident. Although the card is not functional for any government uses, participants receive photo identification, with specific details about the cardholder, like medical issues and physical features.

with him and though New York Life’s Advanced Planning for Special Education — which allows parents to establish and plan for their children when they retire, or pass on. He said its also a great way for parents to get introduced to an financial advisor, who can help with other needs, such as college planning, family protection and retirement structure.

DECCLESIIS

mother of Hangout member Danielle Decclesiis,

Gleason said New York Life runs events like this at Little Leagues, middle schools, and most recently, the Long Island Nets G-League basketball games.

“Kids get a kick out of seeing their ID’s,” said Gleason. “And it’s a great way for parents to connect with me and our services.”

Gleason said the Child ID event is also a great way for parents to connect

Legislator host’s virtual workshop

Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé hosted Nassau County’s annual virtual community assessment grievance workshops to help homeowners reassess their homes last week.

Mulé partnered with the Nassau County Assessment Review Commission to host free virtual community assessment grievance workshops to inform residents about how to challenge their property taxes online on Jan. 10 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. virtually. She said the workshops have been done virtually since the dawn of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

During each virtual workshop, taxpayers who disagree with the assessed value of their property will learn how to navigate the online grievance process and dispute the assessment of their homes, free of charge. Residents had the opportunity to submit, via chat, any questions to the representative from Assessment Review Commission.

Residents who would like to participate in these virtual assessment grievance workshops should visit NassauCountyny.gov/LD5, for the next workshop on Jan. 25 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Nancy Decclesiis, mother of Hangout member Danielle Decclesiis, said she thinks the child identification event is a fantastic idea. She explained her daughter Danielle Decclesiis, is non-verbal, so if she got lost or into an

accident, she would have a very difficuklt time asking for help.

“If anything, god-forbid, ever did happen to her, they’d at least be able to identity her and contact me using the

information on the card,” said Decclesiis.

— Andre Silva

Courtesy Debra Mulé

NASSAU COUNTY LEGISLATOR Debra Mulé hosted Nassau County’s annual virtual community assessment grievance workshops to help homeowners reassess their homes, free of charge.

— Andre Silva

Andre Silva/Herald photos

SEAN GLEASON, OF New York Life, met up with the Hangout One Happy Place to create child identification cards for its members at their building last week

I f anything, godforbid, ever did happen to her, they’d at least be able to identity her and contact me using the information on the card.

NANCY

Baron inspires children, one poem at a time

By MARK NOLAN mnolan@liherald.com

Lindamichelle Baron wrote her first poem when she was 6. And it was a hit piece, making fun of her cousin Gerard’s big ears.

“I have a cousin named Gerard, I think his ears are very odd.”

Upon hearing those words, Gerard grew out his hair to cover his ears.

With that first venture into slant rhyme, Baron discovered the thrill — and impact — of the written word. “That’s when I saw the power of poetry.”

Poetry has been embedded in Baron’s life ever since. She leaned on writing to support her through teasing in elementary school, and ultimately made a career through verse.

Now 72, she is the first poet laureate for the Town of Hempstead. Her mission is to bring poetry to every corner, including Malverne — where she presented previously — and West Hempstead — where she has yet to recite her poems.

“This is just absolutely amazing,” said Baron, the author of three poetry books and an associate professor at York College.

She was ahead of her time, throwing shade at childhood rivals decades before social media existed. She eventually developed poetry that inspires. Blessed with an infectious laugh and sense of humor and wonderment about the world,

Baron infuses verse into just about everything she does.

Poetry has been the constant throughout her life.

“People who know me know I’ve been in the community and library and organizations for decades,” she said. “They know my energy, my love of life and language and people — it’s all embedded in my poetry.”

A former New York City teacher, Baron became a professor who teaches aspiring teachers. And she insists her students understand poetry shouldn’t be relegated to English class.

“So much of what I taught used poetry,” Baron said. “Even if it was math. Teachers would say they don’t have the time. You embed poetry into everything you do.”

Budget cuts cost Baron her city teaching job, leading her to become an educational salesperson until 1988. She made a name for herself throughout the tri-state area — not as a saleswoman, but for using rhymes to sell educational materials.

“I would use poetry in my presentations to teachers,” she said. “They saw that poetry can be used to extract contextual knowledge and get students to think critically. They kept asking me back.”

One of her books, “The Sun is On,” is recommended for middle schools by the state, and has sold more than 100,000 copies.

“So many people of so many different

backgrounds have embraced my poetry, and that makes me so happy,” Baron said. “So much of my poetry has connections to my background as a woman of African descent, but it does capture everybody.”

Living in Hempstead village, Baron has read poetry to many local groups over the years. Her desire is to bring poetry to more than just students.

“Poetry should not be conceptualized as stagnant on the page,” she said. “My goal is to promote the power of poetry and enjoyment of the gift of poetry to the entire community.”

As the town’s first poet laureate, Baron really won’t change much, if anything. She will continue to speak to children and adults at schools, libraries — pretty much anywhere and everywhere someone will listen to the beauty of poetry.

Town councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, who recommended Baron for the non-paying position, said the appointment would lead to a greater understanding of the positive power of poetry.

“Poetry is meaningful and beautiful,” Goosby said. “It’s a creative outlet that provides a way for people to express themselves.”

Baron will continue writing poetry as she always has, while paying homage to the many people who have helped her since she was young. Her father introduced her to Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Brooks, and the family of a child she babysat for as a teenager gave her an album of Maya Angelou reciting poetry.

Baron hopes to inspire others to enjoy poetry by honoring those literary role models and her heritage. When she sees a child’s face light up as she recites a poem, she realizes she is achieving her ultimate goal of making poetry accessible.

“That makes me so happy,” Baron said. “My poetry is for the entire community.”

Courtesy Lindamichelle Baron

LINDAMICHELLE BARON HAS been named the first poet laureate for the Town of Hempstead. She has written three poetry books, and spent a lifetime sharing the beauty of poetry with anyone willing to listen.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE

BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 1/25/23 at 9:30 A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M. 67/23. - 69/23. BALDWIN - Kedis Enterprises, LLC d/b/a KFC of America, Renewal of grants: Maintain one doublefaced illuminated detached ground sign; overall size 192 sq. ft.; overall height 18’; setback 10’ from Grand Ave. & 10’ from side property line with attached reader board (not permitted); Maintain menu board sign in conjunction with drivethru windows (not permitted); Maintain preview board sign in conjunction with drivethru windows (not permitted)., E/s Grand Ave., 500.15’ S/o Village Ave., a/k/a 1220 Grand Ave.

80/23. BALDWIN - Joseph Riso, Variance, height, construct 2nd detached 3car garage., E/s Earl Pl., 138’ N/o Stanton Ave., a/k/a 7 Earl Pl.

ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in Baldwin within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available a t

https://hempsteadny.gov/ 509/Board-of-Appeals

The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.gov/ 576/Live-Streaming-Video Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it. 136764

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT: SUFFOLK COUNTY. CRYSTALLYN INC LLC, Pltf. vs. VICTORINO NUNEZ A/K/A VICTORINO D. NUNEZ, et al, Defts. Index #13-013423.

Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale dated June 30, 2022 and order substituting referee entered in Sept. 7, 2022, I will sell at public auction on the north side front steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on February 14, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., prem. k/a 817 Southard Street, Baldwin, NY a/k/a Section 54, Block 482, Lot Group 18-19. Said property located in Baldwin, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of NY, known and designated on a certain map entitled, “Map of property at Baldwin, Nassau County, New York, owned by Lynbrook Land Company, surveyed 1904 by D.S. Denton, East Rockaway, L.I.” and filed in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on March 4, 1904 as Map No, 43, as and by Lots No. 18 and 19 in Block 1.

Approx. amt. of judgment is $1,124,052.07 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Foreclosure auction will be held “rain or shine.” If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the auction. MARK RICCIARDI, Referee.

MARGOLIN, WEINREB & NIERER LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 165 Eileen Way, Ste. 101, Syosset, NY. #100034 136595

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Nationstar Mortgage LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST Michael Bailey; Karen Bailey; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered November 30, 2017 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 February 22, 2023 at 2:00PM, premises known as 3500 Steven Road, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Baldwin Harbor, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 54 Block 581 Lot 25. Approximate amount of judgment $529,402.98 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of

filed Judgment Index# 004841/2016. 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.” Malachy Lyons, Jr., 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: December 14, 2022 74534 136708

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. Bank NA, successor trustee to Bank of America, NA, successor in interest to LaSalle Bank NA, on behalf of the registered Holders of Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities I LLC, AssetBacked Certificates, Series 2007-AQ1, Plaintiff AGAINST Cinthya E. Navarrete Medina a/k/a Cinthya E. Navarrete, Edison R. Ortiz Mendez a/k/a Edison Ortiz, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated December 3, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 26, 2023 at 2:00PM, premises known as 934 Pacific Street, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, SECTION: 54, BLOCK: 395, LOT: 2511 & 2513 . Approximate amount of judgment $726,027.56 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #006028/2016. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2.nycourts.gov /Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Ellen Durst, Esq., Referee

Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-032296-F01 74098 136291

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that a license number 1356280 for beer, cider, liquor and/or wine has been applied for by the undersigned* to sell beer, cider, liquor and/or wine, at retail in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 2428 Grand Avenue, Baldwin, New York 11510 County of Nassau for on premises consumption. Shoobee’s at the Hive, Inc. 136718

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS-SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NASSAU- MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC., Plaintiff, -againstNASSAU COUNTY PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR; LORI J. MILLMAN AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF GERTRUDE SCHEIGE; DEBORAH S. SHEIGE AKA DEBORAH GOLDMAN AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF GERTRUDE SCHEIGE; GARY E. SCHEIGE AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF GERTRUDE SCHEIGE; UNKNOWN HEIRS TO THE ESTATE OF GERTRUDE SCHEIGE, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; NASSAU COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; and JOHN DOE AND JANE DOE #1 through #7, the last seven (7) names being fictitious and unknown to the Plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants,

NCPD report two ‘serious accidents’ this weekend

The Nassau County Police Department reported two major “vehicular accidents” on two Baldwin roads last week.

The Nassau County Police Department’s First Precinct reported a vehicular accident on Jan. 14 at 9:59 p.m. in Baldwin. According to police a 26-year-old man, driving a 2005 Honda CRV, collided with a 44-year-old woman, driving a 2016 Kia Forte, at the intersection of Grand and Stanton Avenue.

The Nassau County Police said the collision caused the man driving the Honda to drive off the roadway and struck a commercial building located at 1655 Grand Ave., causing damage to the building’s exterior glass.

The male driver of the Honda, and his two passengers, a 26-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man, suffered minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital. The 26-year-old woman passenger in the Kia Forte suffered minor injuries and was also transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Police said the Town of Hempstead building inspector responded to the scene

to evaluate and secure the building and reported no other injuries.

Similarly, the department’s Homicide Squad reported a “serious vehicular accident” between a driver and a pedestrian on Forest Avenue in Baldwin last week.

According to Nassau County detectives, a 40-year-old man was operating a 2003 Ford Van, travelling southbound on Forest Avenue, where he struck pedestrian, a 21-year-old man, who was crossing Forest Avenue from west to east on Jan. 9 at 7:02 p.m. in Baldwin.

According to police, the pedestrian suffered severe head trauma, and was transported by an ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. Police have not yet released his identity.

Detectives said the driver remained at the scene of the accident, and police performed a break and safety check on the driver’s vehicle. Detectives said the investigation is ongoing.

— Andre Silva

Hagenlocher died at 94

A longtime contributor to the PostStandard, Welker Erich Hagenlocher, 94, of Chittenango, NY died peacefully at the Syracuse VA Medical Center this month.

Born in April 1928 in Baldwin, Long Island, he was the son of the late Erich and Margaretha (Zielka) Hagenlocher, of Berlin, Germany. His father was the 1926 Balkline Billiards World Champion, his mother's family owned the famed Cafe Zielka.

According to the Syracuse Post

Standard, Welker attended Charles E. Gorton High School in Yonkers, NY. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1944, serving aboard the USS Castle Rock in the Pacific Theater, and later joined the Merchant Marine.

He graduated SMU Class of 1952, with a bachelor of arts in Journalism, and then married Helen Freitas Martins in 1957. Together they had three daughters, Erica, Kirschen, and Gretchen.

— Andre Silva

persons or parties, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the mortgaged premises described in the Complaint; DefendantsIndex No. 002905/2016 Plaintiff Designates Nassau County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the subject action is situated in Nassau County. To the above named Defendants-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, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within 20 days after the

service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. That this Supplemental Summons is being filed pursuant to an order of the court dated December 14, 2022. 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 summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC) AND FILING THE ANSWER

WITH THE COURT. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable David P. Sullivan, J.S.C. Dated: December 14, 2022 Filed: December 16, 2022. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage and covering the premises known as 3408 Carey Lane, Baldwin, NY 11510. Dated: December 14, 2022 Filed: December 23, 2022. Pincus Law Group, PLLC., Attorney for Plaintiff, By: George J. Weissinger, Esq., 425 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, New York, NY 11556 (516) 699-8902 136724

ADMINISTRATIVE

Richner Communications - a rapidly growing multimedia company and publishers of the Herald newspaper grouphas several administrative job openings: Receptionist (P/T), Accounts Receivable/Billing Collections Clerk Multi-Media Coordinator (Hours Flexible) Qualified candidates are fast learners with good organizational and people skills - entry level ok.

Role requires working knowledge of Microsoft Office and ability to learn custom software programs. If you would like to join a communitydriven, fast-paced environment, please send your resume to: careers@liherald.com.

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 multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

CLEANING PERSON FT Needed For Local Cleaning Company. Will Train. If Interested Call Bill 516-678-5943

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS Assist General Contractor. Drivers License. Knowledge Of Construction. Call Mike. 516-887-8877.

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, Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING

FULL CHARGE BOOKKEEPER :

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MEDICAL ASSISTANT

REAL ESTATE

Open Houses

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HEWLETT BA, 1608 RIDGEWAY Dr, NEW Move Right Into This Completely Gut Renovated 4 BR, 3.5 Bth Col on 1/4 Acre Prop. New Kosher EIK, FDR, LR w/ Fpl, Den & Enclosed Porch. Full Fin Bsmt. 2 Car Att Gar. SD#20...$1,469,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

OUTSIDE SALES

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Open Houses

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HEWLETT 1534 BROADWAY #205, Open House By Appt! Extra Large 2000 Sq Ft, 2 Bedroom(Originally 3 BR), 2 Bath Condo in Prestigious Jonathan Hall with Doorman & Elevator. Updtd Wood/Quartz Kit, LR & DR. Washer/Dryer in Unit. Underground Pkg. Loads of Closets. Terrace Faces Back. Easy Ranch Style Living...$699,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Houses For Rent

BALDWIN GORGEOUS COLONIAL 2/3 Br. $3200. LOVELY RANCH 3 Br. 2 Ba. $3000. BEAUTIFUL TUDOR 3 Br., RVC Schools. $3300. Call Nancy Scarola Real Estate. 516-286-4310. 516-633-5300.

PRESS-ROOM/WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME Pressroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for a 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

NYS License Clean 3 Years Call 516-731-3000

EDITOR/REPORTER

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. 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 mhinman@liherald.com

Health Care/Opportunities

estate

IN BRIEF

V.I.Properties Welcomes Zina Israelov!!

We are happy to welcome Zina Israelov to Team Rozana and Sara at V.I.Properties. Zina Israelov is an accountant with over 15 years of experience, in a well-known and prestigious real estate company. She holds degrees from Queens College and Hunter College in accounting and psychology, respectively. What Zina loves most is spending time with her grandson and watching basketball with her two boys. She moved to the Five Towns about 15 years ago and it has been nothing but home since day 1. One of her beliefs is that honesty, reliability, and being personable are essential when building trust with clients. This philosophy has driven her to be motivated and committed in finding the perfect home for youwith an easy and smooth experience throughout. Contact Zina at 347-836-1907 or by email zi@rozana-sara.com

Realtors are encouraged to send briefs and photographs to: Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd.., Garden City, NY 11530.

Acre Prop. New Kosher EIK, FDR, LR w/ Fpl, Den & Enclosed Porch.Radiant Heated Flrs. Full Fin Bsmt. 2 Car Att Gar. MUST SEE!! SD#20 DRASTIC REDUCTION! $1,469,000 1534 Broadway #103, BA, Magnificent New Renovation! One of a Kind Ranch Style Living in Luxurious Jonathan Hall Condominium with Doorman & Elevator. Just Move into This Gut Rvated, Spacious 2 BR, 2 Bath Apt with Open Layout. Large Designer Eat in Kitchen

INTRODUCING.… 2697 Morton Avenue. This completely renovated and rebuilt, all new construction 4 bedroom, 2 full bathroom home features an all new eat in kitchen with quartz countertops, shaker cabinets and stainless steel appliances. This home boasts two brand new bathrooms, custom moldings, crown moldings and hardwood floors throughout. There is also a full finished basement with high ceilings, all new windows, siding, roof, electric, plumbing along with gas fired hydronic heating system, central air conditioning and driveway. You will enjoy low taxes and no flood insurance is required. $749,000.

A zoning variance for a bigger den?

Q. I wanted to add on to the den on the side of my house. The den has been there since 1930. The problem I’m having is that if I want to make the addition so that it’s in alignment with the current den, the side distance to my property line is too close, by 12 inches, according to my building department. They say that I have to match the code requirement that was adopted in 1938, so instead of having a straight wall going all the way back, I either need to make a jog in the wall or go for a zoning variance. It just doesn’t make sense. I’m not adding a monster-sized addition, just 10 feet by 10 feet on the side of my house, behind tall hedges. My neighbor doesn’t mind, so what can I do about this?

A. Not much, except decide whether you want a ridiculous-looking room with a jog in the wall or want to spend the money and time to go through the zoning variance process. When I see cases like this, I understand the intent of the law, but not the “spirit” of the law. The intent is to prevent the construction of buildings too close to a property line, based on historical catastrophes such as the London fire and the Chicago fire, both of which saw hundreds of lives lost and tens of thousands of buildings destroyed, mainly because of their closeness to one another and their ability to burn easily.

We live in a modern age in which materials have been tested, analyzed, certified and regulated to limit flame spread, and communities have been set up with strict guidelines to leave spaces between buildings for safety and appearance. But knowing, or not remembering, this, communities may invoke the strictness of the law like a stern punishment, or look at the separate conditions and merits of each case, deciding that your straight wall versus a jogged wall isn’t going to hurt anyone and, being located on the side or behind your house, isn’t going to detract from the character of the community.

Some building departments have been given the flexibility to make these decisions, to avoid throwing the baby out with the bathwater, and have the authority to give approval for minor issues. Some municipalities have even gone so far as to pass ordinances allowing the discretion of building departments to allow for the alignment of built structures, previously approved, on the first story. It makes sense not to put homeowners through an unnecessary hearing process, sometimes costing thousands of dollars and many months of delay, just so they can have a straight wall.

Allowing alignment with a previously approved part of a building isn’t the same as having a flammable wall too close to a property line or another building. In the long run, a variance will be worth it. Otherwise the weird wall shift won’t be understood or be beneficial to you. Good luck!

Apartments For Rent

CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978

MoneyTo Lend

© 2022 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

Ask The Architect Monte Leeper

MERCHANDISE MART

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Miscellaneous For Sale

TORO POWER-MAX SNOWBLOWER: Model #826OAE. New. Original $1300. Asking $900. Call Arnold 516-432-1492

FINDS UNDER $100

Finds Under $100

ADULT TRICYCLE: VERY good, with a few rust spots, valued at $250. $99.00 firm. 516-458-6729

ANTIQUE BLACKBOARD, FREE standing with carving, rolling scroll pictures, flip down desk, $99. 516 295-1548

ANTIQUE GOLD DECORATIVE mirror 19" x 45" wide ,carved crest. $50 (516) 295-1548

BOYS GAP FLEECE Hoodie: Camo, Size 12: New with tags. $15 917-420-581

CHRISTMAS DECOR: HUGE assortment. Call for details and pics $40 & under. 516-225-919

CRYSTAL STEMWARE (MACY'S). Gorgeous Wine , Water, Champagne. Brand new original boxes $95. 516-225-9191

Finds Under $100

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GIRLS CLOTHES SIZES 5, 8, & 10: New with tags. Tops, Jeans. $8-9 each. 917-420-5814

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MULTI MEDIA OAK Storage Cabinet, "New in Box" Half Price at $50 Firm. 516-486-7941

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Finds $100-$350

Cleaning Services

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Electricians

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Handyman

HANDYMAN

Repairs and Installations for the Household. Careful and Reliable and Vaccinated. Licensed and Insured. 30-Year Nassau County Resident. Friendly Frank Phone/Text 516-238-2112 E-mail-Frankcav@optonline.net

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OPINIONS

The Republicans have sent in the clowns

One of my all-time favorite comedians was Groucho Marx. He always had the right response to the question of the moment. He used to say, “No matter what you ask for, the answer is no.” That describes the crazy new Republican majority in the House of Representatives.

can candidates who have run for Congress have campaigned on the promise to make government smaller. They made it a point never to explain which programs they were after, because they knew specifics would kill them.

Democratic Senate will no doubt vote against such changes, but that would leave the country without a budget.

of the House majority.

JERRY KREMER

For decades, the federal government has been providing funds for Social Security, Medicare, Homeland Security and the Department of Defense. Most rational people will tell you that these are crucial parts of the government, but various members of the new majority have targeted these programs for extinction.

When asked why they would seek to end one of these key programs, the individual Republican members would answer, “Because I don’t like it.” The idea that many members of the new majority want to bring government to its knees should be a warning sign to every American.

The Republican effort to dismantle American government is nothing new to political observers. Hundreds of Republi-

Eliminating programs goes along with the entire package of rules that were just adopted by the House of Representatives under the leadership of its new speaker, Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy has wanted to be speaker for over a decade. In 2015 he lost the job to John Boehner, and Boehner gave it to Paul Ryan. This year, for McCarthy, the speakership was now or never.

To avoid never, he agreed to a set of rules changes that at best could be described as insane. At the top of the list is a rule that will allow any one of the 435 House members to make a motion to take away the speakership from McCarthy.

Another rule allows members to single out any federal agency and vote to eliminate its budget. Because the House is empowered to craft the government’s spending plan, this rule could wipe out the entire budget of the Defense Department or the allocation for Medicare, with little or no debate in the House. The

What spells more trouble is a requirement that any increase in the debt ceiling must be matched by reductions in federal spending, which could target Social Security and Medicare. What is the next ugly byproduct of McCarthy’s failure to give into the far-right mob?

Spending limits, counterbalanced by cuts in programs, would create the possibility that Congress would default on its requirement to pay the nation’s debt. A debt default could lead to a global meltdown and a downgrading of America’s credit rating. The Republican House majority threatened debt default under President Barack Obama, but in the end, the Republicans came to their senses and approved the borrowing to keep the government functioning.

Apparently, rules changes weren’t enough for the 20 or so fringe House members as McCarthy sold his soul. In addition to giving in to them on rules, he agreed to appoint them to key committees, including the powerful Rules Committee. In effect, the group of 20 will have more power than the other 202 members

It is important to explain the significance of the appointment of troublemakers to the Rules Committee. The committee has the authority to do virtually anything during the course of consideration of a measure, including deeming it passed. It can rewrite parts of a bill, or the entire measure. House members such as Lauren Boebert, of Colorado, can hold the committee hostage. It’s a recipe for disaster.

Some readers might call these observations partisan, but any student of government will tell you that all of these changes are a recipe for disaster. As an example of the thinking of this power cluster, Rep. Jim Jordan, of Ohio, was asked why he favored cuts in the Defense Department, and he answered that there are too may generals in the military, and we have to get rid of many of them.

When all of these so-called reformers announced their plans, I thought of the word “clowns,” and then the song “Send in the Clowns” popped up in my thinking. Clowns are funny, but not this group of them.

Jerry Kremer was an Assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.

Playing hide-and-seek with top secrets

Imagine my surprise when I opened my toaster oven to slide in a meatloaf and found a bunch of classified documents inside. Wow, I thought, secret docs are really popping up all over the place.

the documents were his because, well, just because. His team resisted turning them over, although the law demands that important papers get returned to the government after a president leaves office.

wizards.

People wondered if spies were hanging around Mar-a-Lago, hoping to read our nuclear codes over the dessert buffet. Or maybe someone was thinking about selling information to the other side, a kind of monetizing of the outgoing presidency.

Let me retreat a bit. After all, I did lose my most precious Covid-19 vaccine card just a week after I got the jab in January 2021. I awoke in the middle of the night and couldn’t remember where I had put it for super-safekeeping. I began to toss the room and the closet.

fight the government’s request to return the papers to safekeeping.

I once forgot to turn off the stove. Another time, I misplaced the code for my bicycle lock. Nearly every day I forget why I jumped up to run upstairs.

But shouldn’t the Secret Service, Homeland Security, the FBI, the president’s briefers and the CIA do better?

RANDI KREISS

The papers were in a folder that said Top Secret, so I read them immediately. Showing up in my oven makes them mine, right? Also, I took the extra precaution of declassifying them by chanting the order of the planets according to their distance from the sun, even Pluto, which is officially a nano planet. I mean, I don’t want to break any laws.

Just a few months ago, everyone was talking about a former president possessing bundles of classified documents, which he or someone close to him stuffed in various cabinets and closets in and around Mar-a-Lago, his golf club and happy place. The Justice Department, not known for leaping into action, actually raided the premises — that’s how worried it was that secrets may have fallen into the hands of spies. The former prez said

A special counsel was appointed by the DOJ to investigate the case of the purloined papers. Think: a kind of Wizard of Oz operating behind a screen.

Starting in early November, more secret documents were discovered, this time in offices and homes owned or formerly occupied by President Biden. He said he was surprised that classified material turned up under his watch, and his people did move with alacrity to give the paperwork back to the proper authorities in the government. Still.

Who is minding the store? How do secrets get passed around and land in somebody’s garage? A second special counsel was appointed. Now we have two

HAfter two days of misery, I tried to contact someone at the vaccine location. Someone there told me I had to appear in person, and even then I might not be successful. So I started all over again, searching my room and closets and, in case I really misplaced it, the fridge and the inside of my sneakers. On Day 4 I found the card exactly where I had put it originally, in a drawer. So I understand these lapses, but my vaccine card isn’t a nuclear code.

Biden apparently set down some papers and then forgot where they were, or when they needed to be returned to the government archives. More likely, he didn’t think about it all, and it was his staff that messed up.

Not so much with the other guy, who claimed possession of what were clearly classified papers and hired lawyers to

Hell, I did better hiding my diary from my sister when I was 12. No way MI-5 or the code breakers of Bletchley Park would have stashed spy secrets under a cushion.

I was surprised, but not really shocked, to find the eyes-only documents in my toaster oven. How to get rid of them? Roast? Convection bake? Air fry? I tried them all, and now I have a pile of ashes in my oven that I probably have to bake into another meatloaf, for security reasons.

This may not be the end of the story. All the president’s men and women somehow thought it was OK to store spycraft information in POTUS’s sock drawer or the ottoman at Camp David. Our government, bless its confused leaders, apparently subscribes to a special protocol for keeping secret documents secret, known as L.G.

That would be Loosey Goosey.

Copyright 2023 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

ell, I did a better job of hiding my diary from my sister when I was 12.

Twenty fringe House majority members have more power than the other 202.

We don’t need Albany’s concrete fist in Nassau

New York has lost Oyster Bay. Well, more accurately, the state has lost 300,000 people — the town’s population — in just a single year.

Only California lost more people from domestic migration in the past year, and it wasn’t by much. But at least according to census numbers, New York can only watch as an average of 820 people move to another state. Each day.

Those are the kinds of numbers you’d expect from a state that’s struggling financially. But New York is anything but. In fact, it’s hard to find a time when New York was more prosperous. It’s just a prosperity that far too many people can’t afford to take part in.

“Over the last 10 years, our state had created 1.2 million jobs, but only 400,000 new homes,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in her recent State of the State address.

Without a robust supply of homes, prices remain high. That’s great for developers and landlords, but bad for everyone else. The simple fact is, if our family members, friends and neighbors can’t afford to live in our communities, they’ll find a neighborhood where they can.

“Many forces led to this state of affairs,” Hochul said.

“But front and center are the local landuse policies that are the most restrictive in the nation. Through zoning, local communities hold enormous power to block growth.”

There are certainly benefits to such power, like preserving neighborhoods’ suburban single-family feel. But that feel isn’t cheap. The median sales price of homes in Nassau County in 2021 was $620,000, according to the state’s taxation and finance department. Outside New York City, the closest counties are Rockland, at $550,000, and Suffolk, at $510,000.

To afford a home like that, you’d have to

make at least $45 an hour — nearly three times the minimum wage. A typical salary in New York pays a little less than $25.

But you can’t work in New York if you can’t live in New York. And with the dearth of truly affordable housing, that just isn’t happening. It’s not that our local government officials don’t want affordable housing. It’s just that many don’t like the best way to create such housing: apartment buildings.

“Between full-on bans of multifamily homes, and onerous zoning and approval processes, they make it difficult — even impossible — to build new homes,” Hochul said. “Think about that. People want to live here, but local decisions to limit growth mean they cannot. Local governments can — and should — make different choices.”

Those choices need to begin here. Between 2010 and 2018, the governor said, counties like Nassau granted fewer building permits per capita than virtually all suburban counties across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Northern Virginia and Southern California.

“With less supply, demand drives up prices,” Hochul said. “And who gets squeezed? Middle-income families and low-income families.”

Yet, not to fear, Hochul has a plan to fix it. She calls it the New York Housing Compact, and its intent is to build 800,000 new homes in the state over the next decade, setting “clear expectations for the growth we need, while at the same time giving localities plenty of tools, flexibility and resources to stimulate growth.”

Doing that requires downstate localities like Nassau to increase their housing stocks by 3 percent every three years. That can happen through redevelopment of dilapidated sites like old malls and office parks, incentivizing new housing production, or simply updating zoning rules.

In return, Hochul said, the state will offer new funding for schools, roads and sewers while removing some of the bureaucratic barriers standing in the way of new housing.

But failure to meet these goals on Hochul’s timetable means facing the governor’s mighty concrete fist. Albany will override local authority, and implement what she calls a “new fast-track approval process” to get home construction under way.

That’s one step too far. Forcing such change by trampling local government not only creates a worse mess worse, but also sets a bad precedent for the kind of power the governor wields over these communities.

What the concrete fist needs is a velvet glove in the form of incentives, and good education on what properly planned housing can bring.

There is a constant fear of city encroachment on our suburban way of life, but even a good suburb finds room for everyone from every walk of life. How often do we hear friends talk about how much they enjoy visiting the vibrant town centers of places like Rockville Centre, Long Beach and Lynbrook? All of that is thanks to multifamily housing done right — not just for those who don’t necessarily make a lot of money, but for our young neighbors, who are just starting out in the world, and our older neighbors, looking to downsize and enjoy a simpler life.

This can happen by shining light on these successes, and how housing diversity grows neighborhoods rather than destroying them.

But let’s do it without the threats, without the negativity. Let’s provide the right incentives to make housing more affordable in our communities, and show why our Nassau County neighborhoods are indeed the best places to live.

LETTERS

Next

week,

a nationwide focus on school choice

To the Editor:

You likely don’t need me to tell you that children all over the country are suffering the academic consequences of the pandemic, and New York is no exception.

A 2022 survey revealed that 52 percent of American families were looking for a new school. To put it in personal terms, in a classroom of 25 students, 13 families are not satisfied with the education their children are receiving.

A great K-12 education for every child is no small undertaking, and we know there are many learning environments that help different students achieve their potential.

Every child is different — with different abilities, personality and needs. In a place like New

OPINIONS

Pence can persuade America he’s the president it needs

One thing I should have learned from my 28 years in Congress and the 15 years before that in the maelstrom of New York politics and government is that political life is very tough and all-consuming — especially at the national level.

become a major political force in New York.

(Full disclosure: I am a 77WABC contributor and co-host, and consider Mike Pence a good friend.)

The meeting with the former vice president was the latest of many that Catsimatidis has had with prospective national and statewide candidates and political heavyweights. Joining him were a number of executives, staff members and Sid Rosenberg, who hosts the station’s most popular show.

requisite photos with staff members, studio workers and technicians. Mike Pence handled it all with smiles and good humor. Then he was off to his next engagement with his four staff assistants.

would explain his lateness at the next meeting, and the meetings after that.

Mike Pence’s real challenges, though, as he thinks through a presidential run, are:

Now that I’m away from the incessant turbulence of campaigning, and can wake up in the morning knowing I can go back to sleep and not have to worry during the day about prying reporters or angry constituents, I am increasingly aware of how unnatural the political world can be — and usually is.

PETER KING

This was reinforced for me during a recent meeting and subsequent radio interview with former Vice President Mike Pence. The meeting was in the fifth-floor Manhattan office of the Red Apple companies headed by John Catsimatidis, one of New York’s most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders. Among John’s companies is 77WABC Radio, which has

It went well from the start. Though his questions about a possible presidential candidacy were probing, Catsimatidis made clear his admiration and respect for Pence. As did the participants. Pence’s demeanor was calm and relaxed, and his answers were thoughtful and coherent.

Following the 50-minute meeting, John, Mike Pence, Sid Rosenberg and I took the elevator down to the 77WABC studio on the second floor to record interviews with Sid for “Sid and Friends,” and with John and me for “Cats at Night.” On both floors, there were the

All of this sounds calm and rational. But think of how many times Mike Pence must go through this drill. How many business and political leaders, how many special-interest advocates and former politicians must Mike Pence meet, and how many radio and television interviews must he do, realizing that one word or expressed thought taken out of context could endanger — or even torpedo — his possible campaign?

How many big cities, suburban centers and small towns must he visit? How many early mornings and late nights will he have?

How will he keep to his endless schedule? I couldn’t help but notice the understandably tense looks on the faces of the Pence assistants trying to keep him at least reasonably close to his schedule without offending anyone at these meetings, while thinking about how they

■ Figuring out how to claim justifiable credit for his real contributions to the Trump-Pence administration while disclaiming the Trump excesses — particularly the shameful events of Jan. 6, 2021, when Pence acted with courage and honor.

■ Understanding how, in a time of political anger and rage, such a sharply divided nation can be persuaded to get behind a candidate of experience, knowledge and calm demeanor.

These challenges must be met while enduring the exhausting rigors of endless travel, interminable meetings, raising campaign funds, and unexpected news stories about the latest misadventures of Donald Trump. It won’t be easy. It will certainly be difficult. But I, for one, hope that Mike Pence stays in the arena, perseveres, and makes the run.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. A version of this essay previously appeared in The Hill.

LETTERS

York, families need the flexibility to choose the school that will set their child up for success — whether it’s a traditional public school, a public charter school, a public magnet school, a private school, online learning or home-schooling.

If it’s been a while since you had school-aged children, you may not realize just how different the landscape of options is than it was even a decade ago.

A 2022 survey by the Harris Poll revealed that since the pandemic, home-schooling and public charter schools were the first and second most popular options for parents who decided to switch their children’s schools.

What’s more, some six in 10 parents said their children were happier with the change.

On the other hand, interest in open enrollment in traditional public schools, as well as magnet schools, remains high. Private school choice programs have expanded in many states in the last few years, and learning pods and micro-schools are a new and growing option.

But time is of the essence. Due to the explosion of education options in many places, application deadlines often fall as early as

January for the next academic year.

The upcoming National School Choice Week — Jan. 22-28 — will streamline things for parents through a national public awareness campaign and thousands of events hosted by schools around the country.

Parents who have chosen a school they love can also empower others by sharing their own experiences.

All families can help their kids achieve academic success.

The first step is to choose the perfect school fit, and the best way to do that is by being aware of the local options and regulations.

To learn about the academic alternatives in New York, parents can visit SchoolChoiceWeek.com/ new-york.

While parents in New York and across the country are exploring and choosing schools next week, I hope they can count on all of our support.

FRAMEWORK

by Carol Vallone

SHELBY DOYLE Nashville,

Tennessee

Doyle is vice president of public awareness of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation.

Catching Cinderella up on the news 1,100 miles away — Walt Disney World, Orlando

He should claim credit for his contributions while disclaiming Trump’s excesses.