Joseph Famularo, superintendent of the Bellmore union Free School district, was honored on March 3, in albany as new York State Superintendent of the Year during the new York State Council of School Superintendents’ Winter institute.
The Town of Hempstead officials announced a new program Monday at the Merrick Golf Course that will allow qualifying, disabled veterans to play golf for free, at courses throughout the township.
The resolution was adopted at the Town Board meeting on March 12 and was officially launched Wednesday.
Joined by local veterans, golf enthusiasts and representatives from the Metropolitan PGA Foundation, Town Supervisor Don Clavin and other members of the Town Board, shared the
details of the program. Representatives from PGA HOPE — which stands for Helping Our Patriots Everywhere — were also present.
PGA HOPE is an adaptive golf program offered to veterans free of charge, to introduce to them to the game in effort to enhance their overall quality of life. While the program is open to all veterans, it is geared specifically towards those suffering with disabilities.
In the Town of Hempstead, there are two golf courses — a 9-hole course in Merrick, and an 18-hole course in Lido Beach. Each course has a driving range. Veterans currently pay $10 for every round of weekday golf, and $12 on the
Completing the necessary work in order to receive a Gold Award — the highest possible achievement in the Girl Scouts of the USA — is no easy feat. The project involves years of dedication to Scouting, as well as countless hours of planning and diligence.
IBut for Abigail Murnane, a senior at Sanford H. Calhoun High School, in the BellmoreMerrick Central High School District, the work came easy. She created a ball toss game for HorseAbility, an equine therapy facility in Old Westbury. HorseAbility provides professional equine-assisted activities for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Murnane, 17, told the Herald she began volunteering with HorseAbility, at 223 Store Hill Road, when she was in the seventh grade.
“When I got the opportunity to do the Gold Award, and I
could help out an organization with something, they were the first ones I thought of because I had been with them for so long,” Murnane said.
Murnane joined the Girl Scouts when she was in kindergarten, and has since been a member of Troop No. 2454, which is based in North Merrick and led by troop leader Jen Corrigan.
Murnane began planning her project about midway through the 10th grade, when she asked HorseAbility if they’d be interested in benefitting from her project.
Last summer, she filled out a Gold Award application, and worked with an advisor to get the project approved. She began working on the physical project in August 2023.
She came up with the idea of building a ball toss for the horse trails at the Old Westbury facility, as a way to help individuals with disabilities and sensory disorders undergoing different types of therapy
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Bruce Blakeman wants to ban transgender athletes who identify as female from participating in women sports on Nassau County playing fields. But Letitia James says he can’t do that.
So, the Nassau County executive is joining Mark Mullen — the father of a female athlete he says is protected by such a ban — to file a federal lawsuit contesting the state attorney general’s ceaseand-desist order halting Blakeman’s efforts to restrict who can be on a sports team.
“What the attorney general was asking us to do was a violation of federal Constitutional law and federal statutory law,” Blakeman told reporters in Mineola last week. “Our response was to file a lawsuit, for a declaratory judgment, requiring the attorney general to come before a federal judge and explain why this cease-and-desist order has been issued and the threat of sanctions and litigations against the county, when we in Nassau County are protecting women and girls, who are a protected class under the constitution, and under federal law.”
James sent her cease-and-desist letter to Blakeman on March 1, demanding he rescind his executive order banning transgender athletes identifying as female from participating in women’s
sports in county facilities. She called the executive order was transphobic and illegal under the state’s human rights and civil rights laws.
With the cease-and-desist, James ordered the county to rescind the executive order or face potential legal action.
“Not only will the order impact a wide array of Nassau-based teams and leagues, it will undoubtedly deter inclusive teams and transgender women and girls who participate in women’s and girls’ sports from other parts of the state who want to participate in sporting events and competitions in Nassau County,” James wrote.
A spokesperson from the attorney
general’s office reiterated that after Blakeman’s news conference, saying the laws protecting people from discrimination are not “up for debate.”
“The executive order is illegal,” the spokesperson said, “and it will not stand in New York.”
Blakeman cited the New York City Marathon as an example where males and females compete exclusively in their own classified groups.
“There is a reason for those classifications,” he said. “Males are bigger, stronger and faster. And it wouldn’t be a fair competition with females.”
The county’s action is consistent with the Constitution, Blakeman added, treat-
ing women and girls as a protected class under federal law.
“Transgender women who are biological males are not a protected class under federal law,” he said.
And because of that, Blakeman believes his order is not transphobic.
“Transgender athletes can compete freely here in Nassau County, and we welcome it,” Blakeman said. “If you’re a biological male and you identify yourself as a female, you can play against other biological males. Or, you can play in a co-ed league.”
Blakeman posed an idea with reporters of starting a transgender league, something he said his parks commissioner, Darcy Belyea, is open to.
Blakeman issued his executive order last month with County Legislator Samantha Goetz and sports activist Kimberly Ross standing by his side.
The executive order demands sports, leagues, organizations, teams, programs or sport entities operating in county facilities to first designate themselves based on gender makeup, and then only accept athletes who meet that criteria according to what was originally listed on their birth certificate.
While those born male would not be allowed to participate in female teams, the order does not ban someone born female from joining a male team, or for anyone who is transgender from participating on a co-ed team.
Parker Schug/Herald
March is Women’s History Month and, Eileen Kelly is using the celebration to honor women, and the female artists that came before her. Kelly will be displaying her paintings in the show entitled “It Takes Time To See,” inspired by female artists she admires, at the North Bellmore Public Library for the month.
A math teacher by training, Kelly holds degrees in both mathematics and computer science, and worked as a high school teacher for over 20 years. Kelly always used art as an outlet and as a passion, but never a formal study.
“I’ve always been very involved with inspiring people, inspiring the future, through knowledge, because I always tell everyone knowledge is power,” Kelly said. “So, I’m empowering you, whether it’s through math or with art.”
When the coronavirus pandemic began, Kelly left the classroom and found herself retired — putting all her focus into her art, even serving as a board member for the Art League of Nassau County.
Her work has been featured in galleries across Long Island and in private collections around the world.
Kelly founded her business, The Healing Arts at Artistic Aftermath, focusing on art therapy, life coaching, and reiki sessions — a type of energy healing using gentle touch to promote relaxation and reduce stress.
Currently, Kelly teaches workshops for adults at East End Arts in Riverhead and joined the teaching staff as a parttime professor at Hofstra University, teaching math once again and giving her the ability to continue to teach and inspire others in both realms
“I’m really happy to have my hands in both worlds now, because I love them both” she said.
Kelly said her work is inspired by “color, patterns, shapes, sequences, and symmetries.” Taking inspiration from the harmony of the natural world, her work embodies an expressionist process, portraying an emotional response while communicating an inner awareness.
Her artistic influences include the artwork of the postimpressionist movement by artists like Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cezanne, Paul Gauguin, Georges
Seurat, Henri Matisse, Georges Braque, and Pablo Picasso.
As a board member of the Art League of Nassau County, she was offered to do a solo show for the month of March and the pieces fell together perfectly, giving Kelly the opportunity to pay homage to the women visual artists that serve as her inspiration. Along with many of her other works, she created two specific larger paintings for the occasion.
The first of the two artworks is a selfportrait entitled “Flowers & Feathers,” created in homage to Frida Kahlo. As someone who prefers to inspire and champion others, Kelly stepped out of her comfort zone for this work, and she lets the painting do the talking.
“You see that everything else is really what comes to the forefront in that portrait,” Kelly explained. “I kind of brought myself to the center, but certainly not the center of the painting.”
The second piece, “It Takes Time To See,” was made specifically for this show, was inspired by artist Georgia O’Keeffe, and the show displaying her paintings at the MoMA last year entitled “To See Takes Time”.
“She would stop and look at the very minute details of these natural occurrences, and see shape, and symmetry, and the movement,” Kelly said. “And that’s what she was portraying. It’s a very abstract, close up, floral.”
On March 16 at 2 p.m. in the Meeting Room of the North Bellmore Public Library, there will be a Meet the Artist opportunity for Kelly’s show. For more information, visit NorthBellmoreLibrary.org.
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weekends. Non-veterans pay $20 on weekdays, and $23 on weekends.
“A number of our veterans have pointed out a great program in New York state called the Lifetime Liberty Pass, and it gives an added bonus for veterans who have a disability of 40 percent or more,” Clavin said. “I’m happy to announce that after the advocacy of our wonderful veterans, and of course Town Board members, we’ll be passing legislation where we will be adding the town facilities, particularly our golf courses, to the Lifetime Liberty Pass.”
The Lifetime Liberty Pass permits qualified New York state veterans with disabilities discounted use of state parks, historic sites and recreational facilities. It includes free vehicle entry to most state parks and other facilities.
To qualify, a veteran must reside in the state and have a 40 percent or greater service-connected disability, as certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans who have been awarded an allowance by the federal government towards the purchasing of an automobile because of their disability at any time in their life may also be eligible.
Once the pass is issued, it never expires.
“This is a piece of legislation that makes sense,” Clavin said. “How do you say thank you to the men and women
formerly only for the wealthy, who wanted to shelter their assets from taxes and pass more on to their heirs. But today estate planning is also needed by the middle class who may have assets exceeding one million dollars, especially when you consider life insurance in the mix.
Estate planning with trusts became popular starting in 1991 when AARP published “A Consumer Report on Probate” concluding that probate should be avoided and trusts should be used to transfer assets to heirs without the expense and delay of probate, a court proceeding on death. Trusts are also widely used today to avoid guardianship proceedings on disability, protect privacy, and reduce the chance of a will contest in court.
who put their lives out there? And now for those who have disabilities — they want to enjoy our town facilities, and they will.”
Town Councilman Dennis Dunne, who represents Levittown and parts of Bellmore, East Meadow, Merrick, Seaford and Wantagh, played a major part in introducing the program to the board. A United States Marine Corps veteran, who served in the Vietnam War, Dunne has been at the forefront of advocating for veterans while in public office. He was previously a Nassau County legislator, before his appointment to the Town Board in 2017.
“If you have a 40 percent disability or more, you’re entitled to this free pass,” he said. “We’re including our golf courses in it, which means a lot, because (there’s) a short period of time in our lives where we’re going to be able to physically play golf without the pain. This is for the guys and gals that are serving right now, and the guys and gals that have served, that still have the ability to get out on the course.”
Dunne said the program is all about helping people.
“I love what we’re all about — help-
As the population aged, life expectancies increased, and the cost of care skyrocketed, the field of elder law emerged in the late 1980’s to help people protect assets from the cost of long-term care by using Medicaid asset protection strategies.
We have been practicing “elder law estate planning” together for over thirty years to address these needs:
• Getting your assets to your heirs, with the least amount of court costs, taxes and legal fees possible.
• Keeping your assets in the bloodline for your grandchildren and protecting those assets from your children’s divorces, lawsuits and creditors.
• Protecting your assets from the costs of long-term care and qualifying you for government benefits to pay for your home care or facility care.
• Avoiding guardianship proceedings if you become disabled and probate court proceedings on death.
ing people, helping disabled (people) and especially helping the men and women who served our country,” he said.
Clavin said veterans who want to apply for the pass must also go through the state. Visit ParksNY.gov/Admission/Lifetime-Liberty-Pass.aspx for more information on the program and to learn how to apply.
“We’re working very closely with the state,” Clavin said. “If anybody ever has a question, where to get it from the state, you can talk to any of our teams
at any of our town facilities, and we’ll direct you there.”
Clavin said the program is just one small part of what the Town of Hempstead has done, and will continue to do for veterans.
“We can never do enough to thank our vets,” he said. “This is just a small step and if anybody has any other ideas about what we should be doing more of, we always will embrace it.”
For more on the town’s golf courses, visit HempsteadNY.gov/274/Golf-Courses.
at HorseAbility.
“When the kids are going around the trail on a horse, it gives them something to do, where they can throw the ball into the holes of the ball toss,” Murnane explained. “It’s supposed to help with sort of keeping them in the moment, and it’s sort of like a sensory thing, to just help them with their therapy.”
All Gold Award projects involve 80-hours of work, which, in Murnane’s case, was mostly dedicated to building the actual project. But she also had to complete Impact Hours, educating the community about the project.
“I did research on equine therapy and its benefits,” she said. “And I made a presentation, and approached a bunch of the PTA presidents of a bunch of local schools. And a bunch got back to me, so I started going to PTA meetings and presenting to the parents of the children that would benefit from equine therapy.”
While Girl Scouts are allowed to fundraise for their projects, Murnane received building supply donations from Ace Hardware, which allowed her to construct the ball tosses. She asked Carefree Racquet Club, her tennis club in North Merrick, to donate old and used tennis balls for the toss.
In late January, Murnane dropped off a ball toss for an indoor and an outdoor trail. While she hasn’t seen them in use
yet, managers of HorseAbility said they’d be able to send her videos, once the ball tosses were being utilized.
As a longtime volunteer at HorseAbility, Murnane said she believes that equine therapy truly benefits people with disabilities.
“I think it helps a lot with building confidence,” she said. “A horse is this big, strong animal, so if you’re able to control it, it makes you feel more confi-
dent, just being on and around horses.”
While Murnane has not yet decided where she’s going to college next year, she plans to study biology — which connects full circle to her Gold Award project.
“I think it’s interesting,” she said. “I’ve always liked science, and working with nature and animals — that kind of stuff — which does link back to HorseAbility, because the whole thing is about
being outside and working with animals.”
Murnane still has to complete her final paperwork for the project, discussing challenges she encountered. Later this spring, a ceremony will be held for Scouts who’ve completed their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.
“It was a lot of learning about how to build relationships and communication,” she said, reflecting on the experience as a whole.
For more on equine therapy and HorseAbility, visit HorseAbility.org.
Charlie Goldberg is back — and after reporting at the 21st Maccabiah Games in Israel in 2022 as a member of the team for the inaugural Maccabi Media Program for Maccabi USA — he made his way to Buenos Aires, Argentina for the 2023 Pan American Maccabi Games to do it all again this past December.
Doing this program will take you to the next level not only as a broadcaster, but a Jew.
The Maccabiah Games, originating in 1932, are an international Jewish and Israeli quadrennial event featuring multiple sports where the competition is comprised of Jewish athletes from all over the world, building Jewish pride, connection, and community through sports.
The games go beyond the Maccabiah Games in Israel. Competitions have been held in Australia, Latin America, and Europe, where the next games — the European Maccabi Youth Games — will be held in London in the summer of 2024. Often referred to as the Jewish Olympics, over 4,000 Jews came together for the games in Argentina, Goldberg shared.
“Right now Jews more than ever need to come together and really be proud of who they are,” Goldberg said. “The sense of Jewish pride really was inspiring.”
The Merrick native and Calhouh High School graduate is currently in his junior year of college at Syracuse University in the broadcasting program as part of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. He took part in everything from game commentary, to sideline and play-by-play reporting, to color commentary while in Argentina. Following his first experience with the Maccabi Media Program in Israel, he knew he wanted to be part of it again. After a two-day training camp where he learned about the equipment, schedule, and athletes, he and almost a dozen other members of the media team
entered the games.
Goldberg covered sports like futsal, soccer, basketball, hockey, table tennis, field hockey, and even rhythmic gymnastics. He created news packages about athletes and game results, reported play-by-play and sideline, and worked on color commentary. Though he specializes in news and entertainment, Goldberg has learned to excel in sports outside of his passion for professional wrestling, which he
“I really got to learn in a professional environment with super talented people,” Goldberg said. “I’m out of my comfort zone learning sports, and I’m learn-
ing with some of the most talented kids and mentors from around the globe. And I couldn’t be more honored to be in that crowd.”
Beyond the wealth of experience he gained, he also gained connections to fuel his future through his mentors whom he praises for their incredible influence through the games, resume writing, and even reaching out to potential internships.
“The improvement I made was massive,” he said. And, going back to Syracuse another semester, I’m using these techniques I’ve learned in the classroom and for Citrus TV, the student television station here at school.”
He continues his reporting skills at home as a Morning News Reporter at Syracuse University’s Citrus TV, a student run television station. Outside of school he is a play-by-play commentator for 1Up Wrestling, and a commentator for Immortal Championship Wrestling, ICW. If that wasn’t enough, he spent last summer as a production intern for NewsNation’s and “CUOMO” in New York City.
What’s next? His dream since he was nine is to be an on air talent for the World Wrestling Entertainment, the WWE, he said.
“Take risks, take a change on yourself,” Goldberg said. “My biggest fear in life would not be whether I end up achieving my dreams or not, though I obviously, hope to do so, its whether I tried my best or not.”
With the upcoming European Youth Games, applications are currently open and looking for those interested.
“Doing this program will take you to the next level not only as a broadcaster, but a Jew,” he said.
After just missing out on reaching its postseason conference tournament for a second straight year, the Hofstra men’s lacrosse team is sharply focused on extending its 2024 season into the month of May.
The Pride entered the final season game against Stony Brook in a win or go home scenario and fell 11-10 to its Long Island rivals and missed out on a tiebreaker for the final spot in the fourteam league tournament to compete for an automatic qualifier into the NCAA Tournament. The Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) preseason coaches poll projects Hofstra to finish fifth in the eight-team conference, which would leave Hofstra just shy once again of the postseason.
“After losing the tiebreaker two years in a row it doesn’t sit well with us,” said longtime Hofstra head coach Seth Tierney.
Hofstra enters the start of CAA play this weekend at 3-4 following a 21-9 loss to 18th-ranked North Carolina at home last Saturday in the program’s first meeting with the ACC power since 2018.
Junior attackman John Madsen (21 goals) and redshirt junior midfielder Rory Jones (16 goals) have paced the offense so far this season. Madsen, a Locust Valley High School graduate, tallied 27 points as a junior, while Jones neatly set a program record for goals in a game with eight in a season-opening 21-9 win against Wagner.
Madsen and Jones lead a deep Hofstra offense featuring multiple scoring options including Colton Rudd, Griffin Turner and Justin Sykes.
A key part of assuring Hofstra is in the offensive end of the field for much
of the game is the play of graduate student faceoff specialist Chase Patterson, who earned preseason All-CAA honors. Patterson led the CAA in faceoff win -
ning percentage at 59.5 percent last year and is at 60 percent through seven games this season.
“He’s been very self motivated and won some big face offs for us,” said Tierney of Patterson. “He very much thinks like a coach as even after a successful game he finds the negatives, he finds the ones that he missed and he continues to work each week to miss less and less.”
The defense is led by redshirt sophomore goalie Sean Henderson, who recorded 19 saves in a 17-13 victory against St. John’s on Feb. 13. Graduate student goalie Max May, a Hewlett High School product who previously played goalie at Muhlenberg College, serves as a solid backup behind Henderson and tallied three saves at the end of the Wagner game.
“They push each other every day in practice and no one can take a day off,”: said Tierney of his two top goalies. “Right now we are staying with what we’re staying with, but Max is right there ready to go to help the team when necessary.”
The starting defense in front of Hen-
derson features Henry Troy, Will Delaney and Blake Cooling. Graduate student long stick defensive midfielder is also a key component of the defense and earned All-CAA preseason accolades after playing 14 games at North Carolina last season.
The Hofstra defensive unit also features two local players in redshirt sophomore Ryan Kiernan, a Rockville Centre native and Chaminade graduate, along with junior short-stick defensive midfielder Chris Barry, an East Meadow High School alum.
The CAA season kicks off Saturday at Fairfield followed by a March 23 road trip to two-time defending champion Delaware. The conference home opener is set for March 30 against Monmouth at 1 p.m.
Hofstra’s late season schedule also includes an April 16 non-league game against Yale at 7 p.m., which will mark the program’s first meeting with the Ivy League school since 1995.
“They are a tremendous team with a lot of talent,” said Tierney of Yale. “It is another opportunity to sharpen our swords against a quality opponent.”
A pair of aspiring teachers are inspiring students to help others at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District. Student teacher Ryan Catalano and student observer Sarah Enderle both spearheaded community service projects that were quickly embraced by the Dinkelmeyer community.
Catalano and Enderle both took on passion projects as part of their participation in the graduate elementary education program at Molloy University. At Dinkelmeyer, where students embrace the district’s mission statement of “contributing to our global community with creativity and compassion,” they found willing participants.
Fifth graders donated new and used sports equipment to a drive run by Catalano, a sports enthusiast. Over two weeks, they filled two large boxes with bats, balls, sticks, protective gear and more for multiple sports.
“So many students got on board and were super excited to participate,” said Catalano, a student teacher in Melissa Halaris’ class for seven weeks. “It was a great opportunity for them to learn about the needs of other children around the world.”
The items will be given to Game Changers New York and shipped to low-income and high-needs communities across the globe.
“It felt good to donate because it’s going to help other kids around the world that don’t have the money
to buy this equipment,” said David Holmes, who donated several items include a basketball, baseball bats, helmets and shin guards.
“Just letting other kids play different sports, it makes me feel like I’m giving something to someone,” added Jake Duverneau, who contributed a football and handball.
John g. dinkelmeyer elementary School student teacher r yan Catalano organized a sports equipment drive with the fifth grade classes to collect items for children across the world.
Enderle’s project was to collect new and gently used books for The Book Fairies, a nonprofit organization based in Freeport that redistributes reading materials to under-resourced communities on Long Island. She is a student observer in Stephanie Meehan’s kindergarten class, and children from Dinkelmeyer’s three kindergarten classes were invited to donate.
Brookside Educational Center hosted its annual Day of Bonding on Feb. 16, which was aimed at connecting the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s in-house programs and external programs.
Brookside houses the district’s alternative high school program, MAP, as well as PREP Academy, a next-level education, recreational and vocational experience for students within the district through age 21. Brookside also has other building tenants that include a day care and
adult agencies. Through Brookside Buddies, a program that partners MAP and Prep Academy students to execute various activities throughout the day, student volunteers tended to a variety of games, crafts, snacks, photo booths and more for Day of Bonding visitors.
“It was completely run by everyone at Brookside and was a true team effort,” said Meadowbrook Alternative Program School Counselor Catrina Christensen.
Continuing a series exploring the impact pollution from air, noise and light has on our communities and way of life. Thoughts? Questions? Ideas? Email us at execeditor@liherald.com.
How can local representatives protect people from an invisible, ever-present hazard? That’s the question small governments across Nassau County have been trying to answer when it comes to noise pollution — all to varying degrees of success.
“Inevitably, you might be creating a standard that is unfair, that is inequitable,” said Kevin Walsh, an attorney who’s helped draft noise ordinances for municipalities like Malverne and Farmingdale. “Not because it isn’t applied equally, but because it hurts people that don’t have a problem with it.”
Noise pollution — excessive or frequent noise — is said to come with health risks like increased stress, hypertension and sleep disruption, according to the World Health Organization. But for some communities, dealing with excessive noise is nothing new.
Glen Cove’s noise ordinance, for example, has been largely unchanged since 1997, limiting noise that is “clearly audible at 50 feet.” Village ordinances for Sea Cliff — dating back to 1995 with updates more than a decade ago — define unreasonable noise as any constant, continuous or repetitive loud sound which “annoys” or “disturbs” the peace and comfort of neighboring residents.
But — despite what neighbors of barking dogs or chronic partiers may
wish — there is no legal definition of “annoying.” Noise ordinances often use subjective language, because noise pollution is a subjective experience, Walsh said. Sound that irks one neighbor may be hardly noticeable by another.
Finding a way to differentiate
“It’s difficult because it’s trying to regulate human behavior,” he said. “When you try to regulate people’s enjoyment of their existence like this, on relatively subjective degrees, it’s a problem.”
When someone wants to play music while their neighbor wants their child to go to sleep, where does law enforcement draw the line? The incongruous — yet equally defensible — interests are “making it more and more difficult to get a balance between what is acceptable noise and what is not,” Walsh said.
So, the question becomes, what is a fair standard to regulate noise? Do municipalities put the noise limit at the lower end to shield more sensitive people, and risk discouraging others from enjoying time outside?
Or do municipalities create more lenient ordinances that allow more noise, and risk leaving sensitive people unprotected?
“It’s a no-win situation, because, inevitably, you make one person happy. You’re making one person sad.”
Managing these conflicting expectations can result in local officials walking a tightrope. But Elena Villafane, Sea Cliff’s mayor, says that is an inherent part of serving the community.
“So, as with every local government, where you are managing how people reside in a community together, you’re always balancing a variety of interests.” she said. “Right now, we seem to be at a happy equilibrium.”
It’s a balancing act Glen Cove has had to grapple with.
“It is a very subjective criteria when one person’s noise pollution is another person’s ‘fun time,’ so to speak,” said Christopher Ortiz, deputy chief of the Glen Cove Police Department. “So, in that sense, it is difficult trying to precisely determine what is an excessive amount of noise, and it becomes kind of a gray area.”
And that “fun time” is on the rise, especially since Covid-19. People these days are spending more time in their backyards since the pandemic, Walsh said.
Malverne mayor Tim Sullivan noticed that trend as well.
“What we found is, during Covid, a lot of homeowners invested in their backyards,” Sullivan said. “Whether pools, or outdoor bars and kitchens and sound systems. The backyard has become a renewed entertainment focus of the home.”
Sound-measuring technology,
though, has dramatically improved in the decades since those original laws were passed, Walsh said — another reason why more governments across the county are passing updated noise ordinances.
Malverne’s noise ordinance, passed in December, limits outdoor music to 80 decibels — about the noise level of a vacuum cleaner — measured at the property line. Glen Cove considers 65 decibels — about the noise level of a conversation — “disturbing,” but also allows for subjectivity by employing a standard of whether the noise is “clearly audible” at 50 feet.
Too many variables?
But even something seemingly objective — such as a measurable standard like decibel level — presents new obstacles. A noise level that constitutes a nuisance to one neighbor may not bother another.
Sometimes, Walsh said, police will visit a property that is technically violating the noise ordinance, but the officer will personally find that the sound level or quality shouldn’t break the law.
So even with a measurable standard, enforcement is subjective.
And the actual sound level isn’t the only thing that matters — the source does, too.
Things like fire whistles and barking dogs polarize neighbors, Villafane said. Gas-powered leaf blowers are another malefactor that often earn their own section of noise ordinances.
The city ordinances also differentiate between how much noise various types of properties can make at different
times. For example, a private residence can be penalized for making 50 decibels or more of noise after 10 p.m., and before 7 a.m., while a commercial property operating at the same time would need to reach 70 decibels before neighbors can make a complaint.
These different standards for businesses and private residences can sometimes boil over in communities. Because Long Island is very much suburbia, Walsh said, the interests of commercial and residential parts of towns often conflict — commercial districts often create more noise, which is at odds with the interests of residential communities that typically neighbor them.
But the arguably biggest culprits of excessive noise may also be the hardest to manage. The constant drone of airplanes flying overhead is seemingly ever-present, but comes with its own challenges.
With John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports right next door, neighbors across the county are dealing with the near-constant drone of planes flying overhead.
The Town of Hempstead created the Town-Village Aircraft Safety and Noise Abatement Committee to deal specifically with this nuisance. But try as they might, local government has no sway over the conduct of airplanes — that’s all the Federal Aviation Administration.
“Everyone wants airlines to be safe,” said James Vilardi, the noise abatment committee’s executive director. “But is there a way to maintain the highest levels of airplane safety, and to accom-
modate the residents on the ground that are dealing with the airplane influence? We maintain that there is.”
The committee’s primary goal right now is to get accurate, specific decibel readings from FAA monitors.
The problem, Vilardi said, is the information the FAA provides right now is warped because the decibel readings are averaged out among neighborhoods.
But if the committee gets the raw data and finds that the decibels violate municipal or federal code, they can appeal to the FAA to make changes.
The FAA, however, is largely unwilling to even acknowledge the noise abatement committee.
“It’s difficult to make changes in their policy without them being willing to talk to us,” Vilardi said. “We’re pushing as hard as we can to get this data so we can have a real conversation with them.
“Unfortunately, it’s a problem that our residents face, that our local elected officials do not have the power to directly impact. “There’s no way that the supervisor — or the county executive, or even a congressman — can say ‘OK, stop flying over Franklin Square.’ Or ‘fly 20 feet higher.’
“They just don’t have the jurisdiction to do it.”
The timeline for progress is in the air, so to speak, until the federal agency finally has a dialogue with the town.
In the meantime, local governments are still striving for progress in the fight against noise pollution using new and updated noise ordinances. Although noise is largely inescapable, its excess can be mitigated when we focus on what we can control, experts say — local government’s responsibility to us, and our responsibility to each other.
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Antipasto
(choose one)
• Stuffed Mushrooms
• Mini Riceballs
First Course
• Penne Alla Vodka
• Baked Manicotti
• Baked Stuffed Shells
Small Feast- Half Tray Large Feast- Full Tray (choose one)
• Meat or Cheese Lasagne
• Stuffed Rigatoni Bolognese
• Pappardelle & Braised Short Rib (+$10)
(choose one) Salad
• Garden Salad
• Caesar Salad
• Girardinastro Salad
• Mesclun & Goat Salad
(choose one) Appetizer
• Mini Riceballs
• Stuffed Mushrooms
Main Course
• Penne Alla Vodka
• Baked Manicotti
• Baked Stuffed Shells
(choose one)
• Stuffed Pork Roast w/ choice of stuffing
• Boar’s Head Holiday Sweet Ham w/ brown sugar glaze
• Pappardelle & Braised Short Rib (+$5)
Side Dish
• Sauteed Broccoli
(choose one)
• Roasted Rosemary Potatoes
• String Bean Casserol
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes
(choose
one)
main course meats come raw, must be cooked 3-4lb Avg.
All
• Imported Italian Colomba
Spring is in our sights and we’re sure ready for its embrace. The arrival of St. Patrick’s Day on Sunday always is a welcome harbinger of the season. Enjoy some of the lively parades nearby, even a concert, and certainly bring St. Patrick’s Day into your home with some tasty Irish cuisine. Favorites include corned beef and cabbage, and, of course, soda bread.
Among these quintessential Irish foods, Irish Soda Bread is a tempting quick bread that everyone enjoys and is quite easy to make. It gets its name from the baking soda used as a leavener, instead of yeast. While the traditional version is made with only flour, buttermilk, salt and baking soda, consider adding a modern version to your repertoire.
• 3 cups pastry flour blend or unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• Heaping 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup currants or raisins
• 1 tablespoon caraway seeds, optional
• 1 large egg
• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
Topping:
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 tablespoon coarse white sparkling sugar
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x5 loaf pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the pastry blend or flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, currants, and caraway seeds.
In a separate bowl, or in a measuring cup, whisk together the egg and buttermilk (or milk and yogurt).
Quickly and gently stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Stir in the melted butter.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Draw your finger around the edge of the pan to create a “moat.” Drizzle the bread with the 1 tablespoon of milk; the moat will help prevent the milk from running down the sides of the loaf. Sprinkle with the coarse sugar.
Bake the bread for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean; the interior of the bread will measure 200°F to 210°F on a thermometer.
Remove the bread from the oven, loosen its edges, and after five minutes turn it out onto a rack to cool. Cool completely before slicing. Wrap airtight and store at room temperature.
Serve with hot tea and organic jam, Irish stew, traditional Irish cabbage dishes, or enjoy on its own!
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons caraway seed
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper, ground
• 1/2 cup shredded Irish Cheddar cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and seasonings in large bowl. Stir in cheese. Set aside. Mix eggs and buttermilk in medium bowl. Add to dry ingredients; stir until well blended. Spread in lightly grease 9-inch round cake pan.
Bake 30-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.
Tip: Make muffins instead of bread. Prepare dough as directed and divide among 12 greased muffin cups. Bake 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup white whole wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups currants (first choice) or raisins
• 1/2 to 2 teaspoons caraway seeds, to taste
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup buttermilk, yogurt, or sour cream
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted; or 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• sparkling white sugar, for topping
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a standard muffin pan; or line with papers, and grease the papers.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, currants or raisins, and caraway seeds.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk (or equivalent) and melted butter (or equivalent).
Quickly and gently combine the dry and wet ingredients; honestly, this won’t take more than a few stirs with a bowl scraper or large spoon. As soon as everything is evenly moistened, quit; further stirring will cause the muffins to be tough.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, filling the cups about 3/4 full; the stiff batter will look mounded in the cups. Top with sparkling white sugar, if desired.
Bake the muffins for 20 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove them from the oven. Tip the muffins in the pan, so their bottoms don’t get soggy. Wait five minutes, then transfer the muffins to a rack to cool. Serve them plain, or with butter and/or jam.
When virtuoso Irish playing jumps the pond running through the wide open fields of bluegrass and Americana, JigJam is born. This Offaly- and Tipperary-born band has started the Irish invasion of Americana with an injection of the magic of Scottish folk music. The lads — described as ‘The best Irish band in bluegrass’ and ‘sparkling, infectious’ — bring their footstomping vibe to Long Island for a lively St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Founding members from Offaly Jamie McKeogh (lead singer and guitar) and Daithi Melia (five-string banjo and Dobro) were joined by Tipperary-born Gavin Strappe (mandolin and tenor banjo) in 2016. They’ve since added Glasgow native Danny Hunter (fiddle) to make up this iGrass (Irish Bluegrass) quartet. With a sounded rooted in Irish music and Irish immigration, the Irish have found their prodigal son in JigJam.
Saturday, March 16, 8 p.m.
$38.14-$49.48. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at LandmarkOnMainStreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
The colorful YouTube sensation known as Blippi is ready to delight preschoolers when The Wonderful World tour visits Tilles Center. Families will dance, sing and learn with Blippi and special guest, Meekah, as everyone discovers how different cities are unique and special. Will there be monster trucks, excavators, and garbage trucks galore? You bet! So get ready to shake those wiggles out and O.J. Twist your way through this musical party. The lively show expands upon creator Stevin John’s engaging world that inspires curiosity in young families. Clad in his iconic blue and orange outfit, Blippi — along with best friend Meekah — clearly excites preschoolers with experiences that are relatable and accessible and make learning fun. Kids 4 and younger quickly respond to Blippi’s endearing personality as they explore the world around them through adventures that relate to everyday life, involving fire trucks, zoos, animals, and so much more.
Tuesday, March 19, 6 p.m. Tickets start at $32. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
The Ivy League of Comedy is the premier group of stand-up comedians touring America. Known for their elite brand of clever comedy, you’ve heard their brilliant comedic voices on latenight TV and Comedy Central. Now come see them live when Carmen Lynch, Ryan Reiss and Shaun Eli bring their act to the Madison Theatre, Saturday, March 23 , 8 p.m. Lynch, who made it to the semi-finals of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” is known for her deadpan delivery and riffs on life. A rising star from a bi-lingual family, who lived in Spain as a child, she’s appeared on a string of late night TV shows. Shes’s also appeared “Inside Amy Schumer,” “That Damn Michael Che,” “Life & Beth,” and the documentary “Hysterical.” Funnyman Reis, also a writer-actor, began his career while attending NYU, and quickly became a favorite act on the scene. He made his network TV debut on “Late Night With Seth Meyers.” His quit wit, instant likeability and unique way of engaging any audience have made him one of the most sought-after comics on the club circuit and a favorite audience warm up performer. Eli has rightfully been called one of America’s smartest comics. Whether it’s a story about dining with a vegetarian or successfully fighting a parking ticket in criminal court, master storyteller Eli shows you that there’s hilarity in the ordinary if you approach life with a comedic warp. Even job interviews. For just about anything he’s experienced he has hilarious stories at the ready. $45-$50. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at MadisonTheatreNY.org or (516) 323-4444.
Inspired by L. Frank Baum’s stories, this clever adaptation puts the audience front and center, literally, on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage, Friday, March 15, 10:15 a.m., noon, 6:15 p.m. (sensoryfriendly performance); Saturday, March 16, 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, March 20-21,10:15 a.m. and noon. Kids become cast members, singing dancing, and acting on stage alongside the professional cast. One of the museum’s most interactive shows, it received rave reviews in its prior run. Going beyond the traditional telling of the Oz stories, the performance uses personal journal entries and historic newspaper headlines to bring the history of L. Frank Baum and illustrator W.W. Denslow to life. Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion take the audience with them on this lively, playful trip down the yellow brick road. $10 with museum admission ($8 members), $14 theater only. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.
On exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “Urban Art Evolution,” is a comprehensive exhibit featuring a diverse range of compositions from the 1980s through the present by creators who were based in the rough and tumble downtown area of New York City known as Loisaida/LES (Lower East Side/East Village) and close surrounding neighborhoods.
Artists pushed the boundaries of what was considered “art” with a primary focus on street/graffiti art. The exhibit’s scope, guest curated by art collector/gallerist Christopher Pusey, offers an even broader view from other creative residents, who worked inside their studios but still contributed to the rich fabric of the downtown art scene from different vantage points and aesthetics.
Works include sculpture, paintings, photography, music, and ephemera from many noted and influential artists.
Opens March 23, on view through July 7. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Poet-essayist Elizabeth Schmermund, who is an assistant professor of English at SUNY Old Westbury, reads from her works, as part of Hofstra University’s Great Writers Great Readings series, Wednesday, March 27, 4:30 p.m.
Her work has appeared in The Independent, Mantis, and Gyroscope Review, among other venues. Her first poetry chapbook, “Alexander the Great,” is published by Finishing Line Press. Free and open to the public. Guthart Cultural Center Theater, Axinn Library, South Campus, Hempstead. Register in advance at events.hofstra. edu or call the Hofstra Cultural Center at (516) 463-5669 for more information.
Kids in grades K-2 can enjoy “Story Under the Stars,” featuring storytelling with Miss Lauren, Monday, March 18, 6:30-7:15 p.m. Bring your favorite toy and wear your comfiest pajamas for an evening of enchanting tales. Registration required. 1551 Newbridge Road. Visit NorthBellmoreLibrary.org or call (516) 785-6260 to register and for information.
Merrick’s Winter Flea Market is open every Sunday, now through March 31, 8 a.m.5 p.m., in the Merrick LIRR parking lot. Vendors pay $50 each Sunday for each vendor space, which is equal to two parking spaces. Pay upon arrival. Corner of Sunrise Highway and Merrick Ave. Visit NassauCountyFairs.com for more.
Friday car shows return, sponsored by The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores and the Town of Hempstead, Friday, weekly through Oct. 4 (weather permitting), at the Bellmore LIRR parking lot on Broadway.
See a variety of classic and custom cars. Spectators can enjoy the displays free of charge, while car owners are invited to showcase their vehicles for a nominal $5 admission fee. For more information, contact (516) 679-1875.
Mercy Hospital offers a peer to peer meeting for breastfeeding support and resources, facilitated by a certified breastfeeding counselor, every Thursday, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Bring your baby (from newborn to 1 year) to the informal group setting. All new moms are welcome, regardless of delivering hospital. Registration required. Call breastfeeding counselor, Gabriella Gennaro, at (516) 705-2434 to secure you and your baby’s spot. Mercy Hospital, St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre. For information visit CHSLI.org.
St. John Lutheran Church celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a children’s scavenger hunt and a photo op with the leprechaun, Saturday, March 16, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. with refreshments to follow the free community event. 2150 Centre Ave., in Bellmore.
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.
Plaza Theatrical welcomes spring with a lively tribute to The Temptations, Saturday, March 23, 7:30 p.m. Groove along with The Fellas, in their concert “Just My Imagination,” a powerful salute to the Motown icons. Enjoy all those great tunes, including “Just My Imagination,” “My Girl,” “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” and more. See the concert at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre. 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.
See some birds with the South Shore Audubon Society. All are welcome to join members for the next in its series of bird walks, at Mill Pond Park in Wantagh, Sunday, March 17, starting at 9 a.m. The Park is on the north side of Merrick Road, four blocks west of the Wantagh State Parkway. Meet at the gazebo. Walk leaders, other birders and nature enthusiasts are happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. Bring binoculars. The group will meet at the gazebo. To register, text your name and contact information to (516) 467-9498. No walk if rain or snow. Text regarding questionable weather. For more information, visit SSAudubon.org.
Join Nassau County Legislator Seth I. Koslow for community office hours at Merrick Public Library, Wednesday, March 20, 6-7:45 p.m. This is an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns and share feedback on matters affecting the Fifth Legislative District. Legislator Koslow aims to connect with constituents, providing an open forum for questions and discussions. 2279 Merrick Ave., Merrick. Contact Legislator Koslow’s office at (516) 571-6205 or via email at skoslow@ nassaucountyny.gov for more.
The Town of Hempstead is gearing up once again to a job fair — this one scheduled for Thursday, March 21 at the Freeport Recreation Center.
Appointments are already filling up for the event, set to run between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., at the center, located at 130 E. Merrick Road — all aimed to connect job seekers with prospective employers.
HempsteadWorks — a branch of the town’s occupational services department — has hosted the fair since 2021. Established more than 40 years ago, HempsteadWorks serves as a career center for not only the town, but also for Long Beach. Its primary mission is to provide access to training, develop skills, and share job opportunities across various industries, including health care, construction and manufacturing.
“Our primary goal is to help people within our township to better themselves, promote , careers that are up and coming, provide them access to training and skills,” said Nene Alameda, a business representative who works for the town.
“And if they don’t have those skills, we we give them access to occupational skills training.”
More than 85 such companies already
have registered to participate in the Freeport job fair, That includes prominent entities like the U.S. Postal Service, the New York Police Department, Mount Sinai Hospital, Brookhaven National Lab, Amazon, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
“We have the job fair to make sure that companies who are looking for people are partnered with people who are looking for jobs,” Alameda said.
The fair is experiencing radical growth in every iteration, Alameda adds, growing from fewer than 1,000 attendees in 2021, to more than 2,100 in its most recent outing. For next week’s event, more than 1,100 job seekers have
already signed up.
This rapid growth has produced long lines. To make everything more convenient, HempsteadWorks has instituted a time slot-based registration system, which job seekers can sign up for at HempsteadWorks.com/jobfair.
This registration system already was in effect last year, Alameda said, cutting down the wait from two hours to almost nothing.
The first hour of the fair, beginning at 9:30, is dedicated to veterans and people with disabilities. But no matter what time you sign up, attendees are advised to bring several copies of their resume.
Caroline Coyne, a 22-year-old Maris College graduate, says her current job hunt “has been pretty terrible.”
“It seems like there’s an oversaturation of applications because so many people are getting laid off and so many people didn’t get jobs during Covid when they were graduating,” she said. “So now, along with the 2022 graduates, you have the 2023 and the upcoming 2024. And everybody’s just trying to find their way at the same time.”
But, Alameda said, it’s important to remain optimistic and not despair.
“For every job seeker that’s out there, there (are) two positions,” she said. “Employers are in dire need of workers.”
In fact, the HempsteadWorks job fairs have likely helped at least 500 people find jobs directly in recent years. The end of pandemic-era benefits may also play a role in the sudden increase of people looking for work, as those bonuses and extra money are no longer available.
“As the largest and most diverse township in America, the Town of Hempstead is dedicated to leading the way in job creation and economic growth throughout the community,” said Town Supervisor Don Clavin, in a release.
“With dozens of employers participating in this year’s HempsteadWorks Job Fair, we encourage all job-seekers to come on down to the Freeport Recreation Center on March 21.”
Nicole Formisano/Herald
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS LEGAL
TITLE TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2016 SC6 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. HENRY OSORIO, JR., ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order
Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on March 22, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 26, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1294 Poplar Street, Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 56, Block 220 and Lot 19. Approximate amount of judgment is $243,284.88 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #611370/2018. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.
John G. Kennedy, Esq., Referee
Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff Firm File No.: 192529-1 144928
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF NASSAU
US Bank National Association, as Trustee for Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp., Home Equity Asset Trust 2006-7, Home Equity Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-7, Plaintiff
AGAINST
Robert Cullen a/k/a
Robert J. Cullen; Barbara Cullen a/k/a Barbara L. Cullen; et al., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 8, 2019 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side
Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 2, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 2032 Bergen Street, Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the
buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the west side of Bergen Street, Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 56 Block 142 Lots 819 & 820.
Approximate amount of judgment $867,267.40 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 011407/2014. 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.”
Jane Pastor Shrenkel, 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: February 7, 2024 145152
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SPECIAL DISTRICT MEETING
NORTH BELLMORE
PUBLIC LIBRARY
NORTH BELLMORE
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
that a Special Library District Meeting and Voting upon the appropriation of necessary funds and tax levy to meet the estimated expenditures of the North Bellmore Public Library for the fiscal year 2024-2025, and the election of one Library Trustee for a full five-year term, to the position currently encumbered by Barbara Fillios, whose term of office will expire June 30, 2024 will be held at the North Bellmore Public Library at 1551 Newbridge Road
North Bellmore, NY 11710 on Tuesday, April 9 from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and as much longer as may be necessary for all voters then present to cast their votes.
NOTICE IS FURTHER
GIVEN THAT:
1. Pursuant to Education Law Section 2020, personal registration of voters is required and no person shall be entitled to vote at said meeting and election whose name does not appear on the register of said Library; and
2. Any person shall be entitled to have his name placed upon such register provided he is known or proven to such Board of Registration to be entitled to vote at the meeting or election for which such registration is prepared to vote at general elections; and
3. Qualified voters may register at the North Bellmore Public Library on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Voters having previously registered for any Annual or Special Library or School District Election or Meeting, or who shall have voted at any Annual or Special Meeting or Election held or conducted at any time within the past four (4) calendar years prior to the preparation of the register, or who are registered to vote at any general election pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law of the State of New York are considered registered to vote. Such register will be filed in the office of the Director of the North Bellmore Public Library five (5) days preceding such Special District Meeting and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District during such days between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
4. In accordance with Education Law No. 2018-a, application for absentee ballots for the Library Special District Meeting may be applied for at the Library. Such application must be received by the Board of Registration at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or on the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. The Board of Registration shall make a list of all persons to whom absentee voters’ ballots have been issued, and have it available during regular office hours until the day of election. Such list shall be posted at the polling place during the election. No absentee vote ballot shall be canvassed unless it is received not later than 5:00 PM on the day of the election.
BUDGET
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER
NOTICE that a Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 7:00 PM at the North Bellmore Public Library for the purpose of discussion of the said expenditures of funds and the budget thereof.
Copies of the proposed 2023-2024 Library Budget will be available at the North Bellmore Library during regular library hours (9AM-8PM
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday; 10:30AM-8PM
Wednesday; 9AM-6PM Friday; 9AM-5PM Saturday; and 1PM-5PM Sunday) commencing fourteen (14) days immediately preceding the Special District Meeting of April 9, 2024 and at the polling place on the day of the Special District Meeting.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER
NOTICE that the candidates for the office of Library Trustee shall be nominated by petition. Each petition shall be
directed to the Library Board of Trustees and shall be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District, shall state the residence of each signer and shall state the name and residence of the candidate and specific vacancy for which a candidate is nominated, including at least the length of the term of office and the name of the last incumbent, if any.
In the event that any such nominee shall withdraw his candidacy prior to the election, such person shall not be considered a candidate unless a new petition nominating such person in the same manner and with the same limitations applicable to other candidates is filed with the Secretary of the Library Board of Trustees. No person shall be nominated by petition for more than one separate office. Each petition shall be filed with the Board of Trustees of the North Bellmore Public Library between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, not later than the thirtieth (30th) day preceding the day of the election, to wit: March 4, 2024 at 5 PM.
BY ORDER OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES
NORTH BELLMORE PUBLIC LIBRARY 145145
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO STUDENTS OF NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Bellmore Union Free School District parents are reminded that New York State Law requires a written transportation request annually by April 1st, from parents or guardians of students (grades Kdg.-6) who plan to attend private or parochial schools outside the school district in which they legally reside. Requests must be submitted prior to April 1, 2024, for the school year beginning September 2024. Transportation application forms for the 2024-25 school year are available at the Bellmore Union Free School District, Transportation Office, 580 Winthrop Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710 or on our website at www.bellmoreschools.org , under the “District” tab. Also please note that new students to the district must be registered in the Superintendent’s Office at the Winthrop Ave School even though they will be attending a private or parochial school outside the Bellmore School District.
145313
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE, FOR THE CIM TRUST 2016-2, MORTGAGEBACKED NOTES, SERIES 2016-2, V. IRENE A. FOSTER A/K/A IRENE FOSTER, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated June 26, 2023, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE, FOR THE CIM TRUST 2016-2, MORTGAGEBACKED NOTES, SERIES 2016-2 is the Plaintiff and IRENE A. FOSTER A/K/A IRENE FOSTER, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on April 5, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 2346 FOWLER STREET, BELLMORE, NY 11710: Section 56, Block 117, Lot 553: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT NORTH BELLMORE, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 606470/2019. Janine T. Lynam, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.
145323
LEGAL NOTICE
BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BELLMORE U.F.S.D.
MERRICK U.F.S.D.
NORTH BELLMORE U.F.S.D.
NORTH MERRICK U.F.S.D. TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU NOTICE TO BIDDERS: In accordance with provision of Section 103 of the General Municipal Law, the Board of Education of the Bellmore-Merrick
Transportation Consortium hereby invites the submission of sealed bids for:
Bellmore-Merrick Cooperative School Year UFSD Bids will be publicly opened and read at the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Business Office, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York, on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 10:00 am.
Specifications and Bid Forms may be obtained from the office of Tom Volpe, Director of Transportation, between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informalities in or to reject in whole or in part all bids or to accept any bid which in its judgment is in the best interest of the school district.
By order: Board of Education
BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BELLMORE U.F.S.D.
MERRICK U.F.S.D.
NORTH BELLMORE U.F.S.D. NORTH MERRICK U.F.S.D. 145467
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE REUNIÓN ESPECIAL DE DISTRITO BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DEL NORTE DE BELLMORE NORTE DE BELLMORE CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD
CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que se llevará a cabo una reunión especial del distrito de bibliotecas y una votación sobre la asignación de los fondos necesarios y la recaudación de impuestos para cubrir los gastos estimados de la Biblioteca Pública de North Bellmore para el año fiscal 2024-2025, y la elección de un administrador de la biblioteca para un período completo. mandato de cinco años, al cargo que actualmente ocupa Barbara Fillios, cuyo mandato expirará el 30 de junio de 2024 se llevará a cabo en la Biblioteca Pública de North Bellmore en 1551 Newbridge Road North Bellmore, NY 11710 el martes 9 de abril a partir de las 12:00: 00 p.m. a 8:00 p.m., y tanto más tiempo como sea necesario para que todos los electores presentes en ese momento emitan sus votos.
ADEMÁS SE DA AVISO DE
QUE:
1. De conformidad con la Sección 2020 de la Ley de Educación, se requiere el registro personal de los votantes y ninguna persona tendrá derecho a votar en dicha reunión y elección cuyo nombre no aparezca en el registro de dicha Biblioteca; y
2. Cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho registro siempre que dicha Junta de Registro sepa o demuestre que tiene derecho a votar en la reunión o elección para la cual dicho registro está preparado para votar en las elecciones generales; y 3. Los votantes calificados podrán registrarse en la Biblioteca Pública de North Bellmore el martes 26 de marzo de 2024 de 1:00 p. m. a 8:00 p. m. Votantes que se hayan registrado previamente para cualquier Elección o Reunión Anual o Especial de Biblioteca o Distrito Escolar, o que hayan votado en cualquier Reunión o Elección Anual o Especial celebrada o realizada en cualquier momento dentro de los últimos cuatro (4) años calendario antes de la preparación de el registro, o que estén registrados para votar en cualquier elección general de conformidad con el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York se consideran registrados para votar. Dicho registro se archivará en la oficina del Director de la Biblioteca Pública de North Bellmore cinco (5) días antes de dicha Reunión Especial del Distrito y estará abierto para inspección por cualquier votante calificado del Distrito durante dichos días entre las 10:00 A. m. y 4:00 p. m. 4. De acuerdo con la Ley de Educación N° 2018-a, la solicitud de voto en ausencia para la Asamblea Especial del Distrito de Biblioteca podrá solicitarse en la Biblioteca. Dicha solicitud debe ser recibida por la Junta de Registro al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la boleta se enviará por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección, si la boleta se entregará personalmente al votante. . La Junta de Registro elaborará una lista de todas las personas a quienes se les han emitido boletas de votantes ausentes y la tendrá disponible durante el horario de oficina habitual hasta el día de la elección. Dicha lista se publicará en el lugar de votación durante la elección. No se escrutará ninguna boleta de voto en ausencia a menos que se reciba antes de las 5:00 p. m. del día de la elección.
PRESUPUESTO TENGA EN CUENTA ADEMÁS que se llevará a cabo una audiencia pública el martes 26 de marzo de 2024 a las 7:00 p. m. en la Biblioteca Pública de North Bellmore con el propósito de discutir dichos gastos de fondos y su presupuesto. Copias del presupuesto de la
biblioteca propuesto para 2023-2024 estarán disponibles en la biblioteca de North Bellmore durante el horario habitual de la biblioteca (de 9 a. m. a 8 p. m. los lunes, martes y jueves; de 10:30 a. m. a 8 p. m. el miércoles; de 9 a. m. a 6 p. m. el viernes; de 9 a. m. a 5 p. m. el sábado; y de la 1 p. m.). -5PM domingo) comenzando catorce (14) días inmediatamente antes de la Reunión Especial de Distrito del 9 de abril de 2024 y en el lugar de votación el día de la Reunión Especial de Distrito.
TENGA EN CUENTA
ADEMÁS que los candidatos para el cargo de administrador de la biblioteca serán nominados mediante petición. Cada petición se dirigirá a la Junta Directiva de la Biblioteca y deberá estar firmada por al menos veinticinco (25) votantes calificados del Distrito, deberá indicar la residencia de cada firmante y deberá indicar el nombre y la residencia del candidato y la vacante específica. para el cual se nomina un candidato, incluyendo al menos la duración del mandato y el nombre del último titular, si lo hubiere. En el caso de que cualquiera de dichos candidatos retire su candidatura antes de la elección, dicha persona no será considerada candidato a menos que se presente ante el Secretario de Justicia una nueva petición nominándola de la misma manera y con las mismas limitaciones aplicables a otros candidatos. el Patronato de la Biblioteca. Ninguna persona podrá ser nominada mediante petición para más de un cargo separado. Cada petición se presentará ante la Junta Directiva de la Biblioteca Pública de North Bellmore entre las 10:00 a. m. y las 5:00 p. m., de lunes a viernes, a más tardar el trigésimo (30) día anterior al día de la elección, a saber: 4 de marzo de 2024 a las 17 horas.
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Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to mhinman@liherald.com
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Q. I’m planning to redo my whole backyard, and I live on a waterway. I plan to have a swimming pool, open bar, cabana with a shower room at the back of it, running water, outdoor kitchen and a fire pit. The yard is sloping to the water, so the seawall (bulkhead) will have backfill and then a concrete patio with stone paving on top. The question came up, and I’m wondering, can I rest the concrete patio on top of my seawall, or should the patio be built separately and have a separate foundation? I’ve seen where some bulkheads were damaged in a previous storm, so I’m wondering, before I spend all this money, which way to go?
A. I recently returned from an ocean voyage that included South America and Antarctica. During the trip, we were detoured away from ports that had been damaged by storms, and after seeing the aftermath of seawall damage, as far as a mile upriver from a port entrance, I have a profound respect for what Mother Nature can do to bulkheads, no matter where they are.
Your bulkhead is intended to take average to extreme horizontal loads from a body of water impacting it. Just remember, though, that just like bridges and skyscrapers being designed to work with the extreme impact of forces from wind and water, with built-in expansion joints and the ability to rock back and forth, so too is your bulkhead moving much of the time. Because you plan to put a rigid construction made of concrete and pavers next to that seawall, you’ll need to realize and work with the dynamic movement, and concrete isn’t flexible. It may be strong, but it has very little ability to resist being twisted, lifted and shifted.
You’re better off considering the bulkhead as a buffer that can lessen the impacts of water and wind and build your concrete structure separately, with its own supports and with engineered reinforcement to work with the natural movement. This means more foundation support, expansion joints, and internal reinforcement. Not working with nature will mean working through experimentation and, ultimately, failure.
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St. Patrick’s Day is in reality no longer a one-day festive occasion celebrated on March 17, but an almost three-week-long celebration full of parades, luncheons, dinners and parties.
On Long Island alone there will be more than two dozen parades and hundreds of events this month at Hibernian halls, bars, restaurants and community centers from western Nassau County to eastern Suffolk.
pETER KinGAnd, of course, New York City’s parade up Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, drawing a crowd of more than 500,000 and lasting more than seven hours, is the largest Irish celebration in the world.
As a proud Irish-American, I have marched in many St. Patrick’s Day parades over the years, including the
city’s, where I was grand marshal 39 years ago, and Huntington’s, last Sunday, where I was privileged to march with the grand marshal, a longtime family friend, Monsignor Steve Camp.
I remember around the time I was grand marshal in New York’s parade, there was discussion about whether, going forward, younger generations would continue to support it. The answer is a definite yes. Attendance is growing every year, and new parades are actually forming elsewhere. The Wantagh parade, for instance, which only began in 2019, draws overflow throngs all along the parade route, up and down both sides of Wantagh Avenue.
One beautiful pane in the stained-glass window that is America.
This increased interest and enthusiasm is a welcome development at a time when everyday life has become so frenetic and fast-paced, and institutions and traditions are under siege from some and ignored by others. Perhaps it is this societal turbulence that
moves good people to reach out for something that gives them and their families and friends a sense of stability and permanence. And I apply this to all ethnic groups and religions. While America is generally described as a melting pot, I prefer the late New York Gov. Mario Cuomo’s description of our magnificent country as a beautiful mosaic where each group maintains its uniqueness in the large stained-glass window that is America.
Parades are an expression of that uniqueness, and the mosaic. Whether it’s the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, Italians on Columbus Day, Germans on Steuben Day, Poles on Pulaski Day, Jews on Israel’s Day of Independence, Greeks on Greek Independence Day, Puerto Ricans on Puerto Rican Day or any of the many newer people in our country celebrating their heritage, these parades honor the traditions that combine to make America
such a shining city on a hill.
They also recall the travails and adversities each group had to overcome to become part of the American dream. For instance, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade represents so much more than the trivial stereotypes of green beer and leprechauns. The parade is always led up Fifth Avenue by the 69th Infantry Regiment (in which I proudly served), in recognition of this Army unit’s predominantly Irish membership protecting parade marchers from being attacked and St. Patrick’s Cathedral from being burned down by antiCatholic nativists in the 1860s.
All races, ethnic groups and religions can point to what they have achieved and what they have overcome in their American experience. That is why celebrating our heritage is celebrating America, which has made it all possible. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and God bless America.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
As a lawyer, I have the greatest respect for the American court system. Our country is one of the few in the world whose courts are not used for political vendettas, as is the case in Russia. That system is manipulated by one man, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and there are countless cases in which he has punished his political enemies by using the judicial system.
JERRY KREMER
There is no question that some judges appointed to our courts have philosophical or personal views that color their decisions. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who is hearing the case involving former President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents, has appeared to favor him on a number of occasions. Some judicial observers believe Cannon will find ways to stop Trump from being brought to justice before November’s election.
Many judges, including those appointed during Trump’s tenure, have
shut down multiple attempts to throw out the 2020 election results. Upward of 60 judges have overseen election fraud suits, and all of them have ruled against the team headed by former New York City Mayor Rudy Guliani. That gives me, and countless others, a degree of comfort.
Will it prevent any prosecution of Donald Trump before the election?
Regrettably, that doesn’t apply to members of the U.S. Supreme Court, which of late has been dominated by a majority that is willing to bend its decisions to fit its philosophy. Our country has had some Supreme Court majorities that have approached most of their big cases with strong personal views, but in the end have chosen more moderate positions.
During my lifetime, different Supreme Courts have been known as the Warren Court, the Burger Court, the Rehnquist Court. They get those label based on who the chief justice is, and whether the court is in fact guided by him. In the case of the current court, Chief Justice John Roberts has been unable, in most big cases, to steer the court to positions that fit his philosophy.
Because this court is so strongly
guided by its five ultra-conservative members, there is no doubt that the decisions it will make in some pending cases may have a strong impact on the November election. There are at least six cases yet to be decided that fit into that category. One, which will stir up the pro-choice movement, involves the legality of the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the abortion drug mifepristone. Considering that more than half of the women in America who have abortions use pills, if that legalization is overturned, it will likely lead to nationwide protests.
Another case in that arena involves the legality of restraining orders that prohibit granting gun permits to people with a history of domestic violence. It is universally agreed that spouses should be protected from a spouse with a history of violent conduct. But this court is so wedded to protecting the Second Amendment that it’s likely that it could rule in favor of gun owners.
Another case involving guns is the challenge to an executive order by then President Trump that makes it illegal to add a “bump stock” to a gun that
turns it into a machine gun. That order came about as the result of a mass killing at a Las Vegas concert. If you took a national poll on this issue, an overwhelmingly majority would express their opposition to the use of bump stocks. But this is another case in which the court could side with gun rights.
One of the biggest cases the Supremes will soon decide is whether a former president is immune from prosecution for an alleged crime he committed when he was in office. A federal court has written a lengthy opinion denying such immunity, but the Supreme Court has taken the case to put its own imprint on this issue. Some court followers have conjectured that it did so to prevent any prosecution of Trump before the election.
People unfamiliar with the courts often aren’t aware of how much mischief a court can create. But sadly, the current highest court in the land has shown that it is anything but a “supreme” court.
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.
nowledge will forever govern ignorance,” President James Madison once said.
“And a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”
Madison may not be the most wellknown of the Founding Fathers — not even getting the most prominent of roles in the hit musical “Hamilton” — but it’s hard to imagine an America without him. Not only was he an early advocate of the U.S. Constitution, but Madison is also credited as the author of the Bill of Rights — the first 10 amendments to the Constitution that address, among other things, the freedom of the press — and, by extension, the ability to arm ourselves with the very knowledge he championed.
So it’s fitting that Sunshine Week — this week, when we promote open government and the freedom of information — happens to include Madison’s birthday, March 16. But sadly, more than two centuries later, we still have a long way to go to ensure the transparency in government that the founders promised us.
Established by the American Society of News Editors nearly 20 years ago, Sunshine Week is an important reminder of the vital role transparency plays in a democratic society. It’s vital we protect the public’s right to know.
While New York might lead the nation in many different categories, one area in which the state is not a pioneer is government transparency. In fact, four states have the right to open government spelled out in their state constitutions,
according to the New York Coalition for Open Government, but none of them are New York.
A bill offered by Assemblyman Phil Steck and state Sen. Rachel May would fix that by enshrining access to public information as a fundamental right in the state constitution, because it’s a “necessary and vital part of democracy and public deliberation.”
“The right of the people to inspect and/or copy records of government, and to be provided notice of and attend public meetings of government, shall not be unreasonably restricted,” according to the legislation.
Yet even if that constitutional amendment passed, enforcement would be nearly impossible. Right now, the only way any of us can ensure that government is transparent is by taking it to court. But even if we win, courts are not required to also award attorneys’ fees unless someone “substantially prevails” in such a case — something that is quite subjective and hard to prove.
With that, governments can simply run up legal costs until someone exhausts their financial resources. And if there were a violation of open-government laws, it would never reach a judge.
Instead, the open-government coalition is pushing a bill from Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal that would create a hearing-officer system to adjudicate those issues and impose penalties.
It’s certainly not a new approach. The open-government coalition points out the small-claims assessment reviews for property tax assessment disputes, in which homeowners complete a simple
To the Editor:
I write to underscore the critical situation facing the Nassau University Medical Center, as reported in the Herald in recent weeks. Without restoration of state funding that was drastically cut from the hospital in 2020, this vital community resource could be lost.
NUMC stands as a cornerstone of our community, providing vital health care services to hundreds of thousands of patients annually, with a significant portion relying on Medicare or Medicaid. Reductions in state aid — not current leadership — have endangered the hospital’s ability to provide care for Long Island’s most vulnerable populations.
Despite these challenges, NUMC’s team has forged ahead, with those we serve remaining our top priority. Hospital leadership has initiated comprehensive reforms to improve financial health. These reforms are already demonstrating the hospital’s commitment to financial sustainability.
Unfortunately, NUMC, as a safety-net hospital, cannot overcome these challenges alone. It’s paramount for lead-
application, pay a filing fee, and then have their case decided by a hearing officer. More than 100,000 such complaints made their way through the system in 2020, costing just over $100 each. The same system is needed for disputes over government records, and Rosenthal is pushing just that. But she has yet to get any support from anyone in the state Senate.
The coronavirus pandemic introduced many of us to livestreaming online — especially when it came to government meetings. Now that we are on the other side of the pandemic, those online streams are not as common. Yet a bill from Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and state Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. would require all public bodies to not only broadcast their meetings, but record them, and leave them online for five years.
Even more important is a chance for members of the public to comment at meetings — something that is not guaranteed by the state’s open meetings law, and which a number of organizations don’t make time for. Unfortunately, there’s nothing in front of lawmakers yet to make this happen — but it’s needed.
Sunshine Week is important to remind us that we have some work ahead of us as citizens, but it’s also good to remind government officials that they need to prioritize transparency and accountability as well. It’s vital that we stay informed and engaged, and reach out to our lawmakers so that these bills — and others designed to make our government more open — will indeed see the light of day.
It’s a common refrain your wellmeaning, often younger friend or coworker might tell you to dampen your fears of getting older: “Age is just a number.”
Of course, to our inner cynics, these are just pretty words. But it’s true, isn’t it? Judging oneself based purely on one’s time spent on earth can lead to false conclusions. And if we struggle to extend this generous thinking to ourselves, imagine how hard it’s been for voters to extend it to this year’s presidential candidates.
Fate is pointing toward a rematch between President Biden and former president Donald Trump, the two oldest nominees in history — as they were when they faced off four years ago. Their age has given voters plenty to talk about.
In fact, age — and its toll on the physical and mental fitness of the candidates — has become a leading issue in the campaign.
Trump would be 82 at the end of a second term. Biden, who is already the oldest president in history, would be 86.
If current polls are correct, most Americans are less than thrilled about another four years of a geriatric presidency.
The endless media clips of incoherent garble, memory slips and puzzling public performances by both candidates have done little to quell fears. Instead, they’ve served as endless fodder for speculation and rumor, with words like “dementia,” “senile” and “incompetent” dripping from commentators’ lips.
Much of the panic is over-hyped, medical experts say. Forgetting things and stumbling over words are not, by themselves, telltale symptoms of cognitive decline, they explain — rather, symptoms of just being human.
they’re in a cohort all their own. They are “super seniors,” pushing the limits of an average lifespan while competing for the hardest job in the world.
It’s one thing not to judge people by their age, but quite another to ask the American public to ignore the effects of aging on these two people.
a merica today isn’t the America in which Biden and Trump came of age.
Age is a factor for the average senior managing the strains and pressures of a normal life, to say nothing of one who’s dealing with the unthinkable pressures of leading the free world. Can either Trump or Biden do it? Sure they can. But if the past few months are any indication of the next four years, it won’t be pretty.
ing to Pew Research. For a senator, it’s 65.
Is it any wonder that young people feel they have been shut out of a place at the decision-making table, and that their concerns don’t rank high among their representatives’ priorities?
Young people’s alienation from and skepticism about politics have created a vacuum of engagement that older politicians have exploited in their own interests, as evidenced by the culture war focusing on gender in universities and school board meetings — and by extension against young people, who are by and large more open than past generations to redefining such concepts.
They remind us that no president under 24-hour media scrutiny has been spared cringe-worthy moments. Who can forget the gaffes of President George W. Bush, a spring chicken compared with Biden and Trump?
Nonetheless, I think Americans do have a right to be worried.
The fact that we must consider the possibility that either man could die in office of natural causes should give us pause. Doctors tell us that both are exceptionally healthy for their age, but
ers in Albany to restore the funding in this year’s state budget. Without this essential aid, NUMC’s capacity to fulfill its mission will be in jeopardy.
I implore our governor, legislative leaders and local state legislators to prioritize our community’s health and well-being by reinstating funding for NUMC and ensuring its long-term sustainability.
CARMINe CARMONe Director of environmental services, NUMC LevittownTo the editor:
I am one of the growing number of American voters who are politically unaffiliated. I have no allegiance to either party or personality cult.
I believe that we have to have a functioning border system. There’s a difference between who I believe, and who former Congressman
Peter King believes, is to blame for the border crisis (“Reflections on the special election,” Feb. 29-March 6).
The Republicans have historically scuttled any attempts to resolve this issue. There really are many instances of this, but I’ll just list a few. In 2013, then House Speaker John Boehner refused to allow a comprehensive reform bill to come to the floor of the House. Recently, a bipartisan bill that had been worked on for months was voted down in the Senate by Republicans, after House Speaker Mike Johnson had numerous discussions with former President Donald Trump and said that it would be “dead on arrival” in the House.
During the Trump administration, one of the most disgraceful border policies separated minor children from their parents and put them in chain-link enclosures to provide photo opportunities for the Republicans. Now Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has spent more than $150 million to send migrants to socalled sanctuary cities so that other Republican officials can share in the fun. Perhaps that money would be better spent on helping the victims of the recent
The problem is bigger than just Trump and Biden — it’s a sign of deeper trouble with our politics. We complain about our leaders being too old, but we’ve paid too little attention to the other side of that coin: Where are our young leaders?
Socially and technologically, America today is not the America in which Biden and Trump came of age. Yet those in their 40s and younger are still passed up and overlooked for positions of power. The median age of a member of the U.S. House of Representatives is 58, accord-
Those generational differences are also evident in the sluggish pace with which the government has mobilized technology and legislation to combat climate change, despite the urgent cries of young people demanding change now.
And those differences are brutally obvious in the lack of progress toward rethinking the cost of education and housing, for which young people stand most to lose.
Our present discontent toward our aging leaders is neither inevitable nor forever. It’s something we’ve chosen by refusing to let our young people take the lead and have a say in their future.
Juan Lasso is editor of the Valley Stream Herald, Comments? jlasso@liherald.com.
wildfires in Abbott’s home state.
So, Mr. King, I don’t believe Republicans want to solve this problem, because they want to use it for political gains. What have you done to encourage your fellow Republi-
cans to solve it? Did you ever work on a bipartisan solution? Just asking.
