Bellmore Herald 10-05-2023

Months later, community still fighting hate

By RACHElE TERRANoVA rterranova@liherald.com

Bellmore and Merrick residents gathered once more last week, in response to the discovery of swastikas spray-painted on the playground of Chatterton Elementary School in late July.

Two 14-year-olds, one from Bellmore and one from Freeport, were arrested in connection with the incident in August.

A ‘barkin’ good time at F.D. parade

The North Bellmore Fire Department hosted the Sixth Battalion parade on Sept. 30, followed by a block party at the department’s headquarters for families to enjoy. Charlie, the department’s dog, was a crowd favorite. Story, photos, Page 10.

Dioxane found in Liberty water supply Company is taking proper steps to remove chemical

By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com

Liberty Water customers in the Merrick Service District received a notice from the company last month stating that the chemical 1,4-dioxane had been detected in the drinking water at a concentration that exceeded New York state’s maximum contaminant level of 1 part per billion.

“The MCLs are set well below levels known to cause health effects in animal studies,” the notice read. “Therefore, consuming water with 1,4-dioxane at the level detected does not post a significant health risk. Your water continues to be acceptable for all uses.”

Dioxane is a chemical that studies have found caused liver cancer in animals exposed to high levels throughout their lifetimes. Other types of cancer have been reported, although less consistently than liver cancer, Liberty said. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers dioxane a likely human carcinogen, based on the animal studies.

“At the level of 1,4-dioxane detected in your water, exposure from drinking water and food preparation is well below 1,4-dioxane exposures associated with health effects,” Liberty said.

It’s not just water that the chemical can be found in, environmentalists have previously told

At a Sept. 26 meeting at the Merrick Golf Course, led by the South Merrick Community Civic Association, community members met with rabbis, law enforcement officials and school superintendents to discuss what has been done since the incident — and what might come next.

Among the attendees were representatives of the Nassau County Peer Diversion Court, a diversion program run by the Department of Probation that is made available to juveniles involved in such incidents.

Arianne Reyer, special coun-

sel for adolescent and juvenile justice, and Michael Jasmin, Peer Diversion Court coordinator, told the gathering about the organization’s education, intervention and prevention tactics. This was presented as an option for the 14-year-olds arrested in the Merrick incident.

TThose who are charged with crimes but are 17 or younger, referred to as respondents, are eligible for Peer Division Court. Its cases are referred by the county’s family and district courts, as well as the probation department.

Once the case is deemed appropriate to be heard by Peer Diversion Court the parent or guardian of a respondent can volunteer their child to be adjudicated before one of its judges and a jury of young people. The court system is meant as an alternative to juvenile court proceedings.

The respondent also has the opportunity to present what he or she has learned from their

Continued on page 2

Tim Baker/Herald

School officials, county programs juggle what’s next

actions and its impact on their families and community.

After the case is deliberated by the peer jury, respondents receive sanctions they must complete, which may include writing essays, making public apologies or serving on a peer jury, to help another young person through the program. In an act of restorative justice and self-improvement, respondents take responsibility for their actions, and have a chance at a positive experience that is intended to make an impact on their lives.

Dealing with bias incidents

The Nassau County Police Department currently has a hotline, (516) 500-0657, on which the public can report bias incidents. People can call or text the number anonymously, or email combatbias@pdcn. org.

School officials said the Bellmore and Merrick communities are no strangers to these incidents. Students at the districts’ high schools, including Calhoun, Mepham and Kennedy, have worked with area religious leaders to discuss what they’ve seen.

Attendees made it clear that the acts of hate and bias in the school districts and beyond will not be tolerated.

Local school administration spoke on what is being done in the schools’ curriculums to help prevent these acts, starting with young students.

“This issue is a part of a larger issue of

people feeling that they don’t belong in a community, or other people don’t belong in a community,” Dominick Palma, superintendent of the Merrick Union Free School said. “So we start kindergarten now, and we have pre-K students. So when a 4-year-old walks in our building, we start working with them on developing appropriate social skills, developing respect for others, and understanding that they’re responsible for making everyone feel like they belong in our schools and in our greater community.”

Scott Bersin, the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, said that all six local district schools have “no Place for Hate” status, recognized by the Anti-Defamation League.

“That’s an honor given to only a select group of schools from the ADL,” Bersin said.

The schools regularly welcome Holocaust survivors to speak to students, and students visit the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County in Glen Cove.

“I can tell you that there is no interest in not taking a hard stance,” Bersin said. “We also educate, we send students, including these two students involved, to the (center) to meet with survivors and to be educated. We do that in every single hate situation. They’re willing to work with us.”

Courtesy NCPD

Swastikas were found spray-painted on the playground of Chatterton elementary School in late July. members of the merrick-Bellmore community have taken a hard stance against this incident at several meetings and discussions.

Crisis center takes strides against suicide

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

The Long Island Crisis Center held its 15th annual suicide prevention walk on the Long Beach Boardwalk this past Sunday.

The event, dubbed “Let’s Walk, Let’s Talk ... Stepping Together to Prevent Suicide,” unites those impacted by suicide, and raises funds so the crisis center can continue doing what it does best: remain a 24/7 center, that is there to help Long Islanders in times of need.

The Long Island Crisis Center is based in Bellmore, but Long Beach’s boardwalk has long been the site of the walk. The event brings together countless families and individuals who have either been personally affected by suicide, or wish to see a world without it.

“You need a place for people to come together to know that they’re there to talk about suicide, but that everybody there is accepting and has either been touched by it or is comfortable talking about it,” Theresa Buhse, the crisis center’s executive director said.

The crisis center was founded in 1971, and offers a multitude of services to the Long Island communities.

It operates several hotlines, including its generic crisis number, (516) 679-1111 and is the 988 for the Long Island region — which is the national suicide hotline number.

The crisis center also helps members of the LGBTQ community, through its subsidiary agency, PFY, which formerly stood for Pride For Youth. PFY, founded in 1993, is now known simply by its acronym.

“The LGBTQ population,” Tawni Engel, the associate executive director, said, “unfortunately has much higher rates of suicide as well as suicidal ideation. It’s kind of one of the reasons why we started PFY 30 years ago. People were calling the hotlines and looking for services.”

The walk kicked off with a short ceremony, that honored the crisis center’s Person of the Year — board treasurer Norman Kay.

As of Oct. 2, the crisis center raised over $45,000 through 2023’s walk.

“As much as it is a somber topic that we’re all coming together to address,” Engel said, “it’s also really kind of an uplifting day because we see all these families come together that have had this same, very unfortunate experience, but yet, they can help each other with each other’s stories.”

“I know it sounds funny, but we always say, ‘It’s always a great day — it’s always beautiful,’” Buhse said. “A good

majority of the people there have been touched by suicide personally. It’s a tough subject. Suicide, you know, it’s still taboo and not everybody is open to talking about it. I think what’s really special about this event is pretty much everyone there is somewhat on the same page, in that this is something that needs to be discussed, in order to be prevented.”

To learn more about the crisis center, the walk, and how to get involved, visit

LongIslandCrisisCenter.org.

Skye Margies/Herald photos

It was a beautiful day for families and friends to come together, and take strides against suicide, at the Long Island Crisis Center’s 15th annual suicide prevention walk on Oct. 1.

There’s opportunities at the walk for people to learn more about the crisis center’s work and ways to get involved.

ThEREs A BuhsE

Lisa Veglia, board president, Theresa Buhse, the executive director, Tawni Engel, the associative executive director, Norman Kay, board treasurer, who was awarded the Person of the Year Award, and Rick Wilson, board vice president.

Elaine Fenick and her niece, Cailey Bruno, took part in this year’s walk.

Protecting Your Future

with Michael and Suzanne Ettinger Attorneys-at-Law

Assisted Living

We recently had the opportunity to visit Sunrise of Dix Hills, an assisted living community — part of a group of Sunrise communities across Long Island, Brooklyn, Westchester and Rockland, New York. A number of things impressed us on our visit. Everywhere we went on our tour of the community, staff warmly greeted us as well as each other and the residents. Residents were actively engaged in group activities including playing games, listening to live music and doing art and crafts. It felt like summer camp for older adults. Lunch was surprisingly tasty with many choices and we were pleased to find the menu changes daily. We were also glad to see diners in groups of three or more. There was a resident cat who kept turning up and we also learned that residents’ own pets are allowed.

Before moving in, staff meets with the resident, their families and their physician to

determine appropriate care levels, likes and dislikes, and hobbies and interests to develop an Individualized Service Plan (ISP). The ISP is updated regularly according to a schedule.

Sunrise designs activities to support physical, mental and spiritual wellness through eight focus areas: exercise, excursions, art, music, education, intergenerational mentoring, community service and spirituality.

Sunrise also provides transportation services to residents for shopping, therapies, diagnostic testing, and doctor and dentist visits -- taking the burden off family members who often have to take time off work or are too far away to manage.

While many clients over the years have told us they would rather stay in their own homes, this often leads to loneliness, isolation and rapid cognitive decline. Being engaged with others has been proven to be one of the greatest tonics for increasing one’s “healthspan”.

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Bellmore’s Joe Famularo named state Superintendent of the Year

The New York State Council of School Superintendents has chosen Bellmore Public School District Superintendent Joe Famularo as their 2024 New York State Superintendent for the Year.

The council formally announced Famularo’s selection at its 2023 Fall Leadership Summit on Oct. 2 and will fully celebrate his accomplishments and present the award at its 2024 Winter Institute in Albany on March 4, 2024.

Joseph Famularo

As New York’s Superintendent of the Year, Famularo will represent New York as its nominee for the national Superintendent of the Year, awarded by the American Association of School Administrators in San Diego, CA in February 2024.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to be named New York State Superintendent of the Year by my esteemed colleagues,” Famularo said. “This recognition is a result of the unwavering support and collaborative spirit of the entire ‘Community of Learners’ in Bellmore, including our dedicated educators, staff, Board of Education mem-

bers, parents, and community partners. I am fortunate to belong to this extraordinary community, and this honor is a shared tribute, owing no small part to their remarkable contributions. Furthermore, it underscores the significance of the collaborative work I have had the privilege of undertaking with colleagues across the state, whose dedication and shared commitment to educational excellence have played a pivotal role in achieving this recognition.”

“We are exceptionally proud of Dr. Famularo for this well-deserved recognition as New York State Superintendent of the Year,” Board of Education President Maryanne Kelly said. “Affectionately known as ‘Dr. Joe’ among our staff, he has always been recognized as a multifaceted educator, musician, presenter, and author. Driven by his collaborative approach, he places children at the heart of our collective focus. We have been honored to have Dr. Joe as a valued member of the Bellmore Schools for 32 years, including the past 16 years of exemplary service as superintendent of schools.”

Officials are concerned about health effects

the Herald. Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, a Farmingdale-based advocacy group, said that it had completed a study on where else the chemical has been detected.

“We tested 80 common household products,” Esposito said in January. “We found surprisingly high levels of 1,4 dioxane in Tide laundry detergent, which had the highest level. It wasn’t just Tide, though. It was other laundry soaps and dish soaps, too.”

The state Department of Health has adopted a drinking water regulation that requires all public water systems to test for dioxane. If it is found above the maximum contamination level, the water suppliers must take steps to lover the level to meet the standard.

Liberty’s notice informed customers in the Merrick District, which includes Merrick, Bellmore, Wantagh, Seaford and parts of Levittown and Massapequa. The district is working with the Nassau County Department of Health to reduce levels of the chemical in the water supply.

The affected wells in the Merrick district are wells 3A and 4, both at the company’s Seamen’s Neck Road Plant, on the Seaford-Levittown border. The utility is constructing what it calls an advanced oxidation process treatment facility at the plant, which will treat the water. According to a progress report issued last year, the treatment facility is expected to begin operating by the end of 2023.

Liberty said it is required to update the state and county health departments on the status of the project each calendar quarter.

The impacted wells will continue to be operated in a “last on first off sequence” to minimize their use.

State Sen. Steve Rhoads, who represents communities in the Merrick Service District, wrote in a letter

Herald

Liberty Water sent a notice to customers stating that levels of 1,4-dioxane were found in the merrick district’s water supply. the company is taking measures to treat the water, but the pumps at its Seamen’s neck road plant are still in use.

sent to Gov. Kathy Hochul and James C. McDonald, commissioner of the state health department, that the notice was concerning.

“While we understand that traditional carbonbased filtration systems will not eliminate 1,4-dioxane and Liberty water will need time to construct a 1,4-dioxane treatment system, I am struggling to understand the thought process of the (Department of Health) in allowing the affected wells to continue in operation,” Rhoads wrote, “potentially exposing residents to a heightened danger which the DOH itself identified.”

Liberty, a private company, is currently asking the state’s Public Service commission for a 42 percent rate increase in the Merrick district. The proposal has been met with fierce backlash in a community where residents already pay as much as 1,300 percent more for their water than customers of public water suppliers.

Hochul signed a bill in November 2021 that created the South Nassau Water Authority, a public entity that has the power to take over Liberty. But the authority has faced some setbacks, including funding. A similar authority was created on Long Island’s North Shore, and earlier this year it received $2 million in state funding. The South Nassau authority, however, has received no financial assistance from the state.

Rhoads asked that the governor include his bill, S. 5173, in the 2023-24 executive budget, which would fully fund the South Nassau Water Authority, “allowing it to effectively work on behalf of over-burdened Liberty Water ratepayers to negotiate a public takeover,” Rhoads wrote in his letter.

“The legislation is sponsored as a ‘same as’ in the Assembly by Assemblywoman Taylor Darling as well as Assemblymen Brian Curran and David McDonough,” Rhoads wrote. “While inflation soars and New York becomes more and more expensive to live, work and raise a family, we as public servants must do everything in our power to ensure it remains safe and affordable for future generations.”

Public service hearings began on Sept. 15, giving Liberty customers an opportunity to voice their concerns over the rate increase. The public has until Oct. 19 to submit comments to the commission. Go to DPS. NY.gov and search case No. 23-W-0235 to learn how.

Liberty customers with questions about dioxane levels can contact the company, at (877) 26-6999, or the county health department, at (516) 227-9697.

Needlepoint Workshop Series

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Tuesdays, October 10, 17, 24 4:30pm-5:30pm

Registration begins 10/1 for BML cardholders and 10/9 for non-residents

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Tuesdays, November 14, 21, 28 7:00pm-8:00pm

Registration begins 11/1 for BML cardholders and 11/6 for non-residents

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JOEY GOODMAN

Calhoun Senior Football

IT WAS QUITE an afternoon for Goodman and the Colts Sept. 23 despite awful weather conditions. The rain, wind and Sewanhaka’s defense couldn’t stop Goodman from reaching the end zone five times as Calhoun evened its record in Conference II at 2-2. All five of his scores came on the ground, including three in the first quarter from 15, 10 and 78 yards. He added two touchdowns in the second and finished with 186 yards on only seven carries.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, Oct. 5

Field Hockey: Baldwin at Clarke 5 p.m.

Boys Soccer: MacArthur at Calhoun 5 p.m.

Boys Soccer: Roosevelt at South Side 5 p.m.

Boys Soccer: Malverne/ER at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Elmont at Carey 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Hewlett at East Meadow 5 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 6

Field Hockey: New Hyde Park at Long Beach 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Massapequa at South Side 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Seaford at North Shore 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: V.S. North at Lawrence 5 p.m.

Football: Wantagh at South Side 6 p.m.

Football: Oyster Bay at East Rockaway 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 7

Football: Hempstead at East Meaadow 3 p.m.

Football: Oceanside at Uniondale 3 p.m.

Football: West Hempstead at Lawrence 3 p.m.

Football: Malverne at North Shore 3 p.m.

Football: V.S. North at Kennedy 3 p.m.

Football: New Hyde Park at Mepham 3 p.m.

Football: Herricks at Long Beach 3 p.m.

Football: Manhasset at Calhoun 3 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a fall sport and earned an All-Conference award or higher last year. Please send the following information for consideration: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

Mepham shows considerable growth

By MICHAEL LEWIS sports@liherald.com

It’s been quite a rise for the Mepham girls’ soccer team.

After finishing the 2022 campaign without a victory, the Pirates have lost only once through last weekend’s games, en route to a 3-1-3 record, 2-1-3 in the AAA/AA2 conference.

Their success has been a combination of two things. Mepham moved down a conference, after many underclassmen got much needed experience to mature.

“We played the South Sides and Garden Citys,” coach Janine Bizelia said. “It was a challenge. We had a lot of sophomores who played a lot of minutes. Being young, it was a tough season but we have a lot of the same players back, a year older, and more comfortable playing with each other. We’re kind of getting a little bit more of a groove.”

The Pirates have been buttressed by a stellar defense that has limited opponents to only five goals in seven games. They have conceded two goals only once, in a 2-1 home loss to Calhoun on Sept. 20.

Junior goalkeeper Melanie Arcos has backstopped three shutouts. “She’s been tremendous,” Bizelia said. “She’s a very good leader in the goal. She denies many shots.”

In front of Arcos are four solid defenders - outside backs Addison Chiarello, a junior, and Kaitlyn Tansey, a sophomore, and center backs Camryn Volpe, a junior, and Ava Parisi, a sophomore.

“Kaitlyn is very strong for us. Sometimes we push her into the midfield, but she’s been the rock back there along with Camryn,” Bizelia said. “They just read things well and play for each other. They’re confident more going into this year, which is helping us keep goals out of our net.”

The lone senior on the squad is midfielder Ashley Felsberg, a varsity player since she was a freshman, who captains the Pirates along with Chiarello.

As good as the defense has been, the offense has struggled with eight goals in seven matches.

“We’ve had some games where we just can’t finish,” Bizelia said. “We’ve had a lot of opportunities and just can’t find the back of the net.”

Junior forward Ava West (2 goals) is the team’s leading scorer. “She’s a bull up there,” Bizelia said. “She’s just runs through people. She gets onto things.”

Junior Gabby Saraceni is the Pirates’ top midfielder. She scored in a 1-1 draw with visiting Plainview on Sept. 28.

Bizelia’s most memorable match wasn’t a win, but the loss to Calhoun. There was a good reason for that as the game was used as a fundraiser for

Junior midfielder Gabby Saraceni scored Sept. 28 in Mepham’s 1-1 draw with Conference AAA/AA2 rival Plainview.

Carsyn Volpe, the young brother of Camryn, who has cancer.

“It truly was a great event and day,” Bizelia said. “It was more than wins and losses that day. Unfortunately, we came out with a loss, but it was more than that. Coming together as a community, as a district, we helped raise money for him.”

Bizelia said that Camryn’s “outlet is playing and being with the team.”

“She’s been a great teammate, great leader,” she added. “We battle different things and she’s got that going on at home. She rises when asked to. It shows a lot of character on her part.”

Donovan Berthoud/Herald

Carini committed to improving quality of life

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Christopher Carini is a familiar face in the communities he represents on the Hempstead town council.

The Seaford Republican is a former police officer running for a second term. He ran the first time in 2019 after spending time with the Wantagh/Seaford Homeowners Association, a civic organization that combatted qualityof-life issues that mattered — like making sure potholes were filled, graffiti was removed, and neighborhoods kept safe.

These values followed Carini into office as one of the decision-makers in the country’s largest township. But he almost didn’t make it into office. Republicans had originally nominated Erin King Sweeney in 2019, but she dropped out late in the race, with Carini jumping on the ballot just six weeks before the election.

But that didn’t hinder him, winning the seat, and then focusing on sound budgeting and keeping taxes low.

“Since I’ve been in office, we have held the line on taxes,” Carini told reporters during a recent Herald Roundtable session. “We are proposing another budget for 2024 that will hold the line on taxes, and actually shrink our budget down to 2021 status. Because of our sound budgeting and our 25 percent reserve that we have, we now have a AAA bond rating — which is the highest rating you can have.”

Carini spearheaded the town’s quality-of-life task force, which evolved from the graffiti task force. Every weekday, dedicated crews travel around Hempstead to remove graffiti, collect trash and debris, and take down illegal signage from utility poles and fences.

“Quality of life — I keep expanding on that,” Carini said. “It’s gone from graffiti to illegal signs — and anything else that we could do — because I do feel our suburban landscape is deteriorating when we see an increase in graffiti, a lot of garbage, all over the place. If your neighborhood looks bad, you don’t feel good about your neighborhood.”

The town’s bond rating has allowed leaders to borrow money for successful renovations in a number of areas including Seamans Neck Park in Seaford, and Newbridge Road Park in Bellmore. Everything from new turf fields to playgrounds have been installed in the town’s green spaces — and there’s more work planned for the near future.

Carini remains adamantly against bail reform, believing it has “handicapped” the criminal justice system while making neighborhoods unsafe. He’s also against the state’s attempt to take away local zoning, which he says could lead to over-development in the suburbs.

“I believe that the most important thing for local officials is zoning,” Carini said. “They have their eyes and ears to the ground. They’re most in-touch with the local constituents. One-size-fits-all from Albany doesn’t work.”

Carini prioritizes being out in the communities he serves, and being available to his constituents when they have concerns.

“I go to as many civic meetings as I can,” he said. “I go to chamber meetings. I meet with my youth sports programs. I am very much in touch with my local communities.”

Carini’s district includes many areas that saw intense flooding during Hurricane Sandy, and the councilman says he helped see through major infrastructure projects to help storm drains better handle flooding.

Road improvements have been made all throughout the district, he added, and several coastal roadways have been raised to combat extreme weather.

There’s also been an influx of antisemitic incidents in his district — something Carini emphasizes is unacceptable, and something he and his colleagues in government will continue to combat. He’s helped keep people he represents reassured.

“I know how to talk to people,” Carini said. “And when people are upset, I can talk to them and hear their problems. I’m used to running around nights and weekends. I don’t mind working hard.”

Carini says he’s delivered on his campaign promises in the past, and this is something he intends to keep doing.

“I said I was going to hold the line on taxes, we did,” he said. “We got bond upgrading. We did this while we improved our parks, like I promised, while we improved our roadways.

“I said I was going to try to provide a cost-efficient government at a better price, and we did. I think I delivered on every one of my campaign promises, and I am going to continue with that in the future.”

Peña wants a more transparent Town Board

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Jasmine Peña never thought about running for municipal office.

The Freeport native is a first-generation American and college graduate, and a small business owner. Having worked on the Freeport mayoral campaign of her friend Carmen Piñeyro in 2020, Peña said she gave the idea of running for office “a good thought.”

“I did think about how Freeport, in particular, is not well represented,” Peña told reporters as part of a Herald Roundtable session. “We have a large minority and we don’t have the proper representation in the Town of Hempstead.”

Peña is the Democrat in the race who values family. She has spent most of her life in Freeport, growing up in a large family from parents who immigrated from the Dominican Republic. Large families are the norm when it comes Peña’s relatives: Her mom is one of 18 siblings, her dad one of 11.

“Most of us are in Freeport, which is why I decided to stay here,” she said. “We’re very family-oriented, so that’s always important.”

Peña earned her business administration and economics degree from Baruch College, and works as a financial analyst for Mizuho Securities. She owns a landscaping company that services the Plainview-Syosset area, as well as a deli, Peña Food Center, that she runs with her mom in Freeport.

“I’ve been helping small business owners and my community to obtain licenses and permits,” she said, “specifically for those that are not able to defend them-

selves in the English language. As a council member, I would have more power to do so — to give them the proper resources.”

Peña is a member of a newly founded nonprofit, the Long Island Latino Alliance, and is the president of the parent association in her daughter’s school.

Peña is concerned about mismanagement allegations at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter, located on Beltagh Avenue in Wantagh, that have long been brought

out of Town Board meetings.

“From my understanding, both the Democratic and Republican parties never did much for the animal shelter,” Peña said. “And it’s kind of sad. I’m a first-time candidate, first time in politics, And I’m coming in getting the heat, like, ‘You’re all the same.’ And I don’t want to be the same.”

Peña wants more regulations put in place at the animal shelter, ensuring it remains apolitical. Doing that means prohibiting employees from making local political donations.

And then there’s the environment.

“I want to address climate issues, as far as environmental initiatives from the Town of Hempstead — working with some of the residents to try to recreate green space in our area,” Peña said, in places “like the neglected Brookside Preserve.”

Peña also wants transparency from the Town Board.

“The town council, I want to say, is diverse,” she said. “But as far as interacting with the community and keeping them involved, I feel like it’s always vague. I only wish for more transparency — or at least for us to see them as one of us — so that people are not intimidated or feel uncomfortable addressing any issues.”

Combating the opioid crisis and finding affordable housing solutions, Peña said, are also topics she feels need to be better addressed.

“I feel like the youth needs to get more involved in politics,” Peña said. “I feel like a lot of the people that have been in politics have been there for a long time, and are not open-minded to current issues.

“I am going to do my best to represent our constituents.”

Charles Shaw/Herald

Christopher Carini is the incumbent Hempstead town councilman who, if re-elected, hopes to continue spearheading quality-of-life initiatives while improving infrastructure in the communities he serves.

Tim Baker/Herald Jasmine Peña of Freeport is running against Chris Carini for his Hempstead town council seat. If elected, she’d like to see better minority representation on the Town Board, as well as transparency on issues.

Kennedy H.S. claims victory at homecoming

After the rain forced the cancellation of the annual homecoming dance and tailgate traditions, Bellmore-Merrick’s John F. Kennedy High School football team was victorious during their Sept. 30 game against Division Avenue High School, 40-18.

The Kennedy pep band, led by Walter Avellaneda, provided musical entertainment throughout the game. Cheer and kickline teams performed for the crowd,

both during the game and at halftime. Members of the student government were on hand to sell Kennedy spirit wear and CHAMP students manned the snack shack.

The entire school community participated in a pep rally on Sept. 29. The dance and tailgate have been rescheduled for Oct. 27 and 28, respectively. During that game, the Athletics Hall of Fame will induct its third class.

Photos courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District John F. Kennedy High School’s football team won its homecoming game against Division Avenue High School on Sept. 30. Players celebrated after a big touchdown play.

The Kennedy cheerleaders kept the energy going at halftime.

Sixth Battalion takes part in fire department parade

Despite the morning rain, fire departments in the Sixth Battalion of Nassau County were able to have a successful parade on Sept. 30.

The morning was supposed to kick off with a hybrid drill competition at the Four Towns Fireman’s Training Center in Merrick, but the drill was canceled due to inclement weather.

The battalion is made up of 10 departments — Bellmore, North Bellmore, Merrick, North Merrick, Wantagh, Seaford, East Meadow, Levittown, Massapequa and North Massapequa. The department that hosts the parade rotates annually.

This year’s parade was hosted by the North Bellmore Fire Department, and departments marched down Newbridge Road, ending at the North Bellmore department headquarters.

The parade was followed by a block party, in which there were various forms of entertainment for fire department personnel and their families to enjoy.

— Jordan Vallone

Tim Baker/Herald photos

The North Bellmore Fire Department hosted this year’s Sixth Battalion Parade. Chief Nicolas White, Edward Woody Kraus, Chief of Department Nick Zaharis and Chief Michael Boland.

Nagi Alili and Leo Alili of Bellmore had fun at the block party celebration that followed the parade.

A truck from the Seaford Fire Department made its way down Newbridge Road to the North Bellmore Fire Department headquarters.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

The Wantagh Pipe Band played tunes while they participated in the Sixth Battalion’s parade.

Replica village will transform police training

By NICOLE FORMISANO nformisano@liherald.com

Nassau county is breaking ground on a new facility that officials say will transform police training like never before in the nation.

The $12 million project next to Nassau Community College — called Phase II Training Village — will replicate a village to mirror real-life communities. That includes everything from schools, banks and houses of worship — complete with role players — so police officers can get hands-on experience in a simulation before going out into the field of the real world.

“This is to take you out of the classroom and put you into that real-life scenario,” Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder told reporters last week. “No longer do you learn from a PowerPoint and a room that we say, ‘OK, pretend this is the mosque or this is a synagogue.’

“No, there will be a synagogue. There will be a mosque. There will be a church.”

The added realism of a village environment will allow police officers to learn a vital skill that was neglected in the past — a community-centric focus.

“Unfortunately, for the last 50, 60 years, we’ve trained only tactical,” Ryder said. “It’s always about tactics — keeping the officers safe, keeping the people safe, firing your weapons, using your baton, using your horses in crowd control situations.

“But now we’re going to police about community.”

The facility will be open to all agencies and departments in the region, not just the county police department. The village will be largely populated by NCC students participating in roleplays for a criminal justice credit.

Through the roleplay scenarios, officers learn how to

handle a variety of situations they may face on the job. Examples include confronting an armed homeless person, managing a group of protesting students, or helping a woman give birth while stuck in traffic.

“We are going to train our cops like no one else has ever trained them before in this country,” Ryder said.

“It’s about training for the community, so that we reflect what is needed and asked for by our community. And we do it right.”

Part of that community-centric focus is helping officers practice connecting people they encounter with government resources like social services. The new method of training is also in response to criticism the NCPD has received in recent years.

“We went through reform, we went through challenges and stuff in the community,” Ryder said. “It was asked of us to do better. Well, we’re going to do better.

“When it’s done, I get to sit down with the white kid, the Black kid, the Hispanic kid, the LBG person, the transgender person, the Jewish person, the Catholic person, the Muslim person, and they’re going to tell me what I did wrong.“I’m going to learn from them, but they’re going to learn from me.

“And that’s what the beauty of this is — whatever today’s society is, you’re going to have it in that village.”

The village is expected to be open and ready for use in 2025. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a project leader, promised it would open right on schedule.

“I want to make sure that if I’m not re-elected or I don’t run for office, it gets done before I leave office,” Blakeman said. “This will be a source of pride for not only our police department, but all the residents of Nassau County.”

This kind of comprehensive, multidimensional training will help create officers that can better serve their communities, Ryder added.

“If you take community and you consider that in your decision-making, you make better decisions,” the police commissioner said. “We are part of the community, the community is part of us. And that’s what this is all about.”

Nicole Formisano/Herald

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman promises to have the replica village police training facility planned for next to Nassau Community College completed by 2025.

STEPPING OUT

In tune with the Nassau Pops

Suzanne Vega

stars in a the return of the orchestra’s gala benefit concert

By Karen Bloom

Their absence has been sorely missed by Nassau Pops fans, CP Nassau, the concert’s beneficiary, and orchestra members. Now, after a three-year pandemic-imposed absence, Maestro Louis Panacciulli and his orchestra are back on the Tilles Center stage with their popular gala concert in support of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, next Sunday, Oct. 15. This year the orchestra welcomes Tony Danza and his band as their special guests.

STEPPING

Creative advocacy

The concert continues to feature the Nassau Pops signature blend of popular and classical music as well as an inspiring moment with Creation, the CP Nassau vocal team that has made their annual appearance a heartwarming tradition since 2004.

Acclaimed as a masterful storyteller, the singer-songwriter visits the Landmark stage for ‘An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories.’ She’s joined by her longtime guitarist, Gerry Leonard, performing a careerspanning show including favorites like Tom’s Diner, Luka and more. Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s when, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she sang what has been called contemporary folk or neo-folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs. Bearing the stamp of a storyteller who ‘observes the world with a clinically poetic eye’ (The New York Times), Vega’s songs have tended to focus on city life, ordinary people, and real-world subjects. Notably succinct and understated, her work is immediately recognizable — as utterly distinct and thoughtful.

“I’ve truly missed this concert,” says Panacciulli, the orchestra’s longtime musical director. “The orchestra is family, and this is one big lovefest. I’m so glad to be back at Tilles Center during our 40th season. It’s always exciting to be here. So many wonderful people have

The collaboration between the Nassau Pops and CP Nassau goes back to his mother, who was a member of the CP auxiliary in Valley Stream.

inspiring the orchestra’s crossed this stage.” for her idea

By Karen Bloom

“In the past, we had done benefits for Special Olympics, pop concerts for hospitals,” he recalls. “But the idea for doing this came one day when I was discussing with her the idea of doing a benefit concert for CP Nassau. I’m thrilled to carry on her legacy.”

And he’s delighted to return to Tilles Center.

Friday, Oct. 6, 8 p.m. $195 and $99 premium VIP packages, $61, $51, $41. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

Pat McGann

“Music crosses over all lines, whether you’re young or old, no matter if you’re on the right side of the aisle or the left. The Nassau Pops is back at full strength, doing what we set out to do — not only to make music, but to make a difference.”

WHERE

• Saturday and Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

“We knew it had to be special and are so fortunate to get Tony Danza to participate,” Panacciulli says. “He was very interested in working with a symphonic band.”

“We knew it had to be special and are so to

• Sunday, Oct. 15, 3 p.m. $59.50, $49.50, $37.50; available at NPSO.org/tickets • Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post Campus, Brookville. Information available at TillesCenter.org or NSPO.org

• Emily Lowe Hall Gallery, South Campus, Hempstead. For information and to RSVP, call (516) 463-5672, or visit Hofstra.edu/museum

Gipsy Kings

That’s where Creation comes in, the singers who participate in CP Nassau’s Adult Day Treatment Program. As part of the opening segment, they’ll perform “Sweet Caroline,” “Georgia on My Mind” and “God Bless the USA.”

“When We All Stand,” Hofstra University Museum of Art’s new exhibition, examines the collective power of the arts in society.

Singers David Tindal and Chris Wawrzonek have “grown up” with the orchestra.

Curated by Alexandra Giordano — the museum’s assistant director of exhibition and collection — the exhibit underscores artists’ civic responsibility and influence.

This collaboration brings a unique twist to Danza’s acclaimed cabaret show, “Songs and Stories.” Combining Danza’s wit, charm, storytelling — with a dash of soft shoe and even Danza on the ukulele — the “Taxi” and “Who’s the Boss” actor sings his favorite standards from the Great American Songbook while he interweaves stories about his life and personal connection to the music.

“It highlights the vital role that artists have in activating democratic values that promise equality and freedom, encouraging civic engagement, and cultivating unity,” Giordano says. “Artists often lead the charge and expose truths that may otherwise be ignored. The artists in this exhibition take a stand and call out injustices through their art and activism on issues such as immigration, gender, reproductive rights, mass incarceration, voting rights, racial bias, gun violence, and promises unfulfilled. They all combine the making of art with public service that has a grassroots approach in the hope of mobilizing their communities and the nation to ignite movement, create awareness, and inspire others to

Some might not realize that Danza, who grew up on Long Island and attended Malverne High School, is a well-established song and dance man, in addition to his acting chops in television, film and on stage.

“I’m filled with such a sense of gratitude that I can affect two lives by giving them a chance to perform in front of a full orchestra and a large audience,” Panacciulli says. “We share something special when we share music together. The audience gives them standing ovations every time. It’s so amazing to see what they can do.”

Pat McGann is quickly rising as of the sharpest stand-ups on the comedy scene. A relative latecomer to comedy, he began doing standup at 31 after realizing he was very good at selling packaging. He hustled his way to become house emcee at Zanies Chicago, where he distinguished himself especially adept at working the crowd. A husband and father three young children, McGann’s appeal stems from his quick wit and relatable take on family life and marriage. In 2017, McGann began touring as the opening for Sebastian Maniscalco, moving with him from clubs to theater, to arenas, including four soldout shows at Madison Square Garden. McGann’s relatively short, but impressive resume, includes Montreal’s famed Just For Laughs Festival, Gilda’s LaughFest, The Great American Comedy Festival, and more. McGann still calls Chicago home.

And for Panacciulli — a Franklin Square resident, who has been at the helm of the Nassau Pops since 1984 (and also serves as band director at Nassau Community College) — that moment defines this concert.

This exhibit, which runs through July 28, is in conjunction with Hofstra’s 13th presidential conference on the Barack Obama presidency coming up in April.

“He brings a lot of different things to the show,” Panacciulli says. “He draws in the crowd with ‘Angel Eyes,’ the big Frank Sinatra tune.”

“We always want to leave something behind after the notes have faded away,” he adds. “Creation is a by-product the wonderful work that CP Nassau does. It does my heart good to help them and give back to the community through the gift of music.”

“We were interested in the idea that the artist has a civic responsibility,” says museum director Karen Albert. “The initial idea for this exhibition was inspired by an Obama Administration White House briefing that took place on May 12, 2009, where more than 60 artists and creative organizers met with administration officials to discuss the collective power of the arts to build community, create change, and chart a pathway for national recovery in the areas of social justice, civic participation and

And throughout his 70-minute set, Danza is thoroughly enjoying himself.

“He always has a big smile on his face,” Panacciulli says. “He’s certainly having a good time. And I guarantee the audience will as well.”

Panacciulli gratefully acknowledges Long Island-based credit union Jovia, which has been the gala’s title sponsor since 2012. Proceeds from every ticket sold are donated directly to CP Nassau.

Mixing rumba, flamenco, salsa and pop, the Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes will have you moving to their irresistible rhythms and melodies from the very first song. Their fast flamenco guitar leads and rhythmic strumming are truly captivating. What really sets them apart is Nicolas Reyes’ gritty, intense and instantly recognizable vocals. You feel the passion in every note he sings. Since they debuted more than three decades ago, France’s most successful group has performed all over the world, earning gold and platinum albums along the way. Thirty years is an eternity in pop music, but the story of the Gipsy Kings has the depth to endure. Theirs is a music that extends through generations, to the sounds of their ancestors — Spanish Romani people who fled the Catalonia region during the Spanish Civil War — and reflects the vibrantly eclectic and peripatetic history of the gitanos.

Saturday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m. $40, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com ParamountNY.com.

while about personal Some might not realize that in addition television, clearly Panacciulli.

To that end, unlike other recent exhibits that showcased the museum’s permanent collection, Giordano reached out to contemporary artists who loaned the museum their selected works. Some 36 pieces are on view — representing all media — from Emma Amos, Molly Crabapple and the Equal Justice Initiative, For Freedoms, Miguel Luciano, Michele Pred, Hank Willis Thomas, and Sophia Victor.

The language of music is clearly special to

Yarn/Wire

Sunday, Oct. 8, 8 p.m. $99.50, $89.50, $69.50, $49.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY. com.

Now in its 18th year, Adelphi University’s ‘new music’ series welcomes Yarn/Wire. The intrepid New York-based piano-percussion quartet has forged a singular path with endlessly inventive collaborations,

Photos courtesy Nassau Pops

Tony Danza performs a selection of his favorite standards from the Great American Songbook. Critics laud his voice and showmanship.

Can art change the world? It’s a question that’s been at the focus of our collective culture for centuries. Now as society navigates the complexities of modern life, art as a path for social change is at the forefront of artistic expression.

Maestro Louis Panacciulli conducts the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra, which he refers to as his ‘family.’

THE

Emmet Cohen Trio

Multifaceted

American jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen is one of his generation’s pivotal figures in music and the related arts. He visits the Landmark stage, Friday, Oct. 13 , at 8 p.m. A recognized prodigy, Cohen began Suzukimethod piano instruction at age three, and his playing quickly became a mature melding of musicality, technique, and concept. Downbeat observed that his nimble touch, measured stride, and warm harmonic vocabulary indicate he’s above any convoluted technical showmanship. In the same spirit, Cohen himself has noted that playing jazz is about communicating the deepest levels of humanity and individuality; it’s essentially about connections with both musicians and audiences. In constant demand as a sideman, he leads his namesake ensemble, the Emmet Cohen Trio, and is a vibrant solo performer. Possessing a fluid technique, an innovative tonal palette, and an extensive repertoire, Cohen plays with the command of a seasoned veteran and the passion of an artist fully devoted to his medium. Cohen headlines regularly at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Village Vanguard and Birdland, among other prestigious venues. $48, $43, $38. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

On exhibit

View the landmark exhibition “Modigliani and the Modern Portrait,” at Nassau County Museum of Art. Devoted to the way that Modigliani powerfully re-defined the art of portraiture, the show includes his masterworks along with paintings and drawings by his Parisian contemporaries (Picasso, van Dongen, Laurencin). Modigliani’s enduring influence on artists even in our own time is shown in a selection of Contemporary paintings by such important figures as David Hockney, Eric Fischl, Elizabeth Peyton and others. The exhibition is being curated by Dr. Kenneth Wayne, founder of The Modigliani Project, which authenticates paintings and drawings (two of the works in the show have been recently approved by the committee). Through Nov. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Talking birds

The South Shore Audubon Society invites all to a lecture program, “Horseshoe Crabs: Blue-Blooded Laboratory Stars,” with Dr. John Tanacredi, at its monthly meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m., at Freeport Memorial Library. Dr. Tanacredi has tracked up to 115 locations for horseshoe crab breeding conditions and habitats on Long Island; he’ll discuss why they and their habitats are so important. A Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Director of the Center for Environmental Research and Coastal Oceans Monitoring at Molloy University, he is a founding member of the IUCN SSC Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group. 144 W. Merrick Road (at S. Ocean Avenue) in Freeport. For more information about the program or South Shore Audubon, go to SSAudubon. org.

Calhoun 40th Reunion

Sanford H. Calhoun High School has a 40th reunion celebration for the Class of 1983, Saturday, Oct. 21 , at 7 p.m. at the Massapequa Elks Club. 2162 Veterans Blvd., Massapequa. For more information regarding the upcoming event, contact calhoun83reunion@gmail.com, or join the Facebook page, @ Calhoun High School Class of 1983 Alumni.

Art classes

Nassau County Museum of Art welcomes those interested in improving their art skills or those who simply want to explore their creativity to participate in one of their many stimulating classes. The fall schedule includes Watercolor Florals: Beginner to intermediate levels (adults and teens 16+), Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Nov. 2-Dec. 14. $300, $270 members. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. For information and to register visit NassauMuseum.org or call (516) 484-9338.

Fall Harvest Fair

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Bellmore holds its Fall Harvest Fair, Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The church is actively searching for additional vendors to come to the fair. For more information, contact (516) 785-5029 or email gelcnb@aol.com.

Art talk

Grab your lunch and join Nassau County Museum of Art Docent Riva Ettus for her popular “Brown Bag Lecture,” now back on-site at Nassau County Museum of Art, Thursday, Oct. 19, 1 p.m. Enjoy an in-depth presentation on the current exhibition “Modigliani and the Modern Portrait.”

Participants are invited to ask questions at the end of the program and to join the 2 p.m. public tour of the exhibit. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Plant sale

Stop by the fall flower sale at the North Bellmore Public Library, Saturday, Oct. 14.

Pre-orders that were sent in by Sept. 6 can be picked up. There will be additional outdoor flowers, hose plants and décor to purchase, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 1551 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore. Visit NorthBellmoreLibrary.org for more.

Having an event?

Masquerade Ball Benefit Gala

Enjoy the spirit of the season at a Howloween Masquerade Gala benefiting Freeport-based Bobbi and the Strays animal rescue, Thursday Oct. 26, 7 p.m.-12 a.m., at Russo’s on the Bay. $125 ticket price includes four-course dinner, dancing, entertainment and raffles. All funds raised support sheltering and medical needs of the rescued dogs and cats. 162-45 Cross Bay Blvd., Howard Beach. For information, call (917) 2139840 or (718) 845-0779.

Concert time

Stop by the Bellmore Playhouse, Saturday, Oct. 21, 8 p.m., for a concert featuring Total Mass Retain, a Yes tribute band. 525 Bedford Ave., Bellmore. For more information and to get tickets, visit BandsInTown.com.

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.

Westbury House Tour

For many years visitors to Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens asked what was beyond the first floor corridor. Now beyond the door and discover “secrets of the service wing,” during a 60-minute guided tour, Friday, Oct. 6, noon-1 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 8, 1:30-2:30 p.m. and 3-4 p.m.; Monday, Oct. 9, noon-1 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 11-12, noon-1 p.m. Be introduced to the intensive labor required to create the lifestyle experienced by the Phipps family and their guests; tour the many rooms that were “behind the scenes” to create the formal dining experiences of early 20th century. Go along the corridors to the butler’s pantry and silver cleaning room then descend the 17 steps to the kitchen, scullery, and wine storage rooms located on the ground floor. Reservations required. 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information contact (516) 333-0048 or visit OldWestburyGardens.org.

Spooky Fest is back

A Halloween experience not to be missed, Spooky Fest is an outdoor adventure perfect for families who don’t want to be scared — or maybe just a little. Join in the fun at the Center for Science, Teaching and Learning, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout October. Along the way in the updated and beautifully lit up, Enchanted Walk you will see dinosaurs, aliens and friendly witches, costumed characters and more. Get your fortune told, make a craft and danceg with the Halloween DJ, along with face painting and the new Amazing Glow tent. For those who want to get a little scared, venture into the Dino Woods. Be on the lookout for the Zombie Robotic Dinosaurs. 1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre. Visit CSTL.org for more information.

Breastfeeding Support Group

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.

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Let us Know

News Brief items including awards, honors, promotions and other tidbits about local residents are welcome.

Photographs may be emailed as well. Deadline for submissions is noon Thursday, week prior to publication.

Send to jvallone@liherald.com

UNRESERVED JUDGMENT A lesson in life unfolded

In this back-to-school season, it’s interesting to note how often wisdom can be gained from unexpected sources.

Last week I was browsing through a book store with my high school sophomore granddaughter, while considering such self-help titles as “Using the Crowd to be Independent” and “Why Most Are Too Despicable to Recognize the

Universal Goodness in Others,” as well as “Seeing the World Naturally Through Rose-Colored Prescription Designer Lenses” and “How To BE As Unique AS Everyone Else,” my granddaughter couldn’t help but ask (in a voice apparently a bit too loud) how you can love life, get along with yourself and like others all at the same time.

With that, an elderly gentleman

ESTADO DE NEW YORK COMISIÓN DE SERVICIO PÚBLICO

CASO 22-T-0346 - Solicitud de Empire Offshore Wind LLC para un Certificado de Compatibilidad Ambiental y Necesidad Pública para la construcción de aproximadamente 12 millas [19 km] de líneas de transmisión desde el límite de las aguas territoriales del Estado de Nueva York hasta un punto de interconexión en el Pueblo de Hempstead, Condado de Nassau.

AVISO DE FOROS DE INFORMACIÓN PÚBLICA, AUDIENCIAS DE DECLARACIONES PÚBLICAS

El 17 de junio de 2022, Empire Offshore Wind LLC presentó una solicitud (Solicitud) para un Certificado de Compatibilidad Ambiental y Necesidad Pública de conformidad con el Artículo VII de la Ley de Servicio Público con el objetivo de construir, operar y mantener la parte de New York de las instalaciones de transmisión requeridas para interconectar su instalación de generación de energía eólica marina Empire Wind 2 propuesta con un punto de interconexión con el sistema de transmisión del Estado de New York en la subestación Barrett de 138 kilovoltios (kV) ubicada en Oceanside, en la ciudad de Hempstead, New York (el Proyecto NY). El 1 de agosto de 2023, Empire Offshore Wind LLC y EW Offshore Wind Transport Corporation (en conjunto, EOW) reformaron su solicitud y modificaron aspectos de su propuesta.

El Proyecto NY se extenderá en un total de aproximadamente 12,2 millas [19,6 km] dentro del Estado de New York e incluye varios componentes: dos cables submarinos de exportación de corriente alterna (HVAC) de alto voltaje de 345 kV de tres núcleos ubicados dentro de un corredor de cable de exportación submarino con un radio de aproximadamente 7,7 millas náuticas (nm) [14,2 km] desde el límite de las aguas del estado de New York a tres millas náuticas [5,5 km] de la costa hasta la recalada del cable; una recalada de cable en la ciudad de Long Beach; dos circuitos de cable de exportación terrestre de 345 kV, cada uno con tres cables de exportación terrestres HVAC de un solo núcleo dentro de un corredor de cable de exportación terrestre de aproximadamente 1,6 millas [2,5 km] desde la recalada del cable a la subestación terrestre; una subestación terrestre en Village of Island Park, dentro de la ciudad de Hempstead, que albergará importantes componentes de control para el sistema eléctrico y realizará funciones tales como regulación de voltaje, compensación de potencia reactiva y filtrado de armónicos; dos circuitos de cables de interconexión de 345 kV, cada uno con tres cables de interconexión HVAC de un solo núcleo dentro de un corredor de cables de interconexión de aproximadamente 1,7 millas [2,7 km] desde la subestación terrestre hasta la subestación recientemente propuesta de Hampton Road; la nueva subestación de Hampton Road en Oceanside en la ciudad de Hempstead, New York, que incluirá instalaciones de subestación que proporcionarán los conjuntos de interruptores y transformadores de 345 kV/138 kV necesarios; y cuatro circuitos de cable de líneas de entrada y salida de 138 kV, ubicados dentro de un corredor de cable de aproximadamente 0,1 millas [0.16 km] desde la subestación de Hampton Road hasta las líneas de transmisión existentes de Long Island Power Authority ubicadas debajo de Lawson Boulevard en Oceanside, New York.

Y SOLICITUD DE COMENTARIOS

(Emitido el 20 de septiembre de 2023)

Según la Ley del Estado de New York, la Comisión de Servicio Público (Comisión) puede adoptar o rechazar la propuesta de EOW, total o parcialmente, o modificarla. Al hacerlo, la Comisión considerará las aportaciones de las partes participantes y del público en general. Los jueces de Derecho Administrativo (ALJ, por sus siglas en inglés) Ashley Moreno y Tara Kersey presiden la recopilación de comentarios públicos y todas las pruebas relacionadas con el Proyecto NY. Como se indica en este Aviso, se llevarán a cabo audiencias de declaración pública para obtener comentarios del público sobre la propuesta de EOW.

TENGA EN CUENTA que las oportunidades para obtener información pública y comentarios sobre la solicitud de EOW se brindarán de la siguiente manera:

FECHA: 11 de octubre de 2023

UBICACIÓN: Ciudad de Long Beach, Ayuntamiento Cámara Comunitaria, 6to piso

1 West Chester Street Long Beach, New York 11561

HORA: Foro Informativo 1:00 p. m.

Audiencia de Declaración Pública

2:00 p. m.

HORA: Foro informativo 5:30 p. m.

Audiencia de Declaración Pública

6:30 p. m.

Durante los foros informativos programados, los mapas de la ruta propuesta estarán disponibles para su revisión, y los representantes del Departamento de Servicios Públicos del Estado de New York brindarán una descripción general del proceso de certificación de la Comisión. Luego, EOW presentará un breve resumen del Proyecto NY. A continuación, el público tendrá la oportunidad de hacer preguntas sobre el proceso y la solicitud pendiente ante la Comisión.

Una audiencia de declaración pública seguirá cada foro informativo, donde todos aquellos que deseen comentar sobre la solicitud de EOW tendrán la oportunidad de hacer una declaración en el expediente ante los ALJ. No es necesario concertar una cita con antelación, ni presentar material escrito para hablar en una audiencia. Se llamará a las personas a hablar después de completar una tarjeta de solicitud. Cada audiencia de declaración pública se mantendrá abierta durante un mínimo de treinta minutos y continuará abierta hasta que todos los que deseen hablar hayan sido escuchados o se hayan hecho otros arreglos razonables para incluir sus comentarios en el acta. Se realizará una transcripción literal

de cada audiencia de declaración pública para su inclusión en el expediente de este procedimiento.

Las personas con discapacidades que requieran adaptaciones especiales deben llamar a la Oficina de Gestión de Recursos Humanos del Departamento de Servicio Público al (518)474-2520 lo antes posible. Los usuarios de DTS pueden solicitar un intérprete de lenguaje de señas llamando a través del Servicio de Retransmisión de New York al 711. Se recomienda a las personas con dificultades para comprender o leer inglés que llamen al Departamento al (800) 342-3377 para obtener servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística con respecto a este Aviso.

Otras formas de hacer comentarios

Para aquellos que no puedan asistir o prefieren no hablar en las audiencias de declaración pública, existen otras formas de brindar sus comentarios a la Comisión. Los comentarios deben hacer referencia al “Caso 22-T-0346 – EOW2”.

Internet o correo: Visite www.dps.ny.gov, haga clic en “Búsqueda de archivos” (ubicado bajo el título “Archivos de la Comisión”), ingrese “22T-0346” en el campo “Buscar por número de caso” y luego haga clic en Cuadro “Publicar comentarios” en la parte superior de la página. Alternativamente, los comentarios pueden enviarse por correo a la Excma. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretaria, Comisión de Servicios Públicos, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York, 12223-1350.1 Todos los comentarios escritos pasarán a formar parte del expediente considerado por la Comisión y se podrá acceder a ellos en el sitio web del Departamento de Servicio Público buscando el número de caso, como se describe anteriormente, y haciendo clic en la pestaña “Comentarios públicos”.

Línea de Opinión Gratuita: Las personas pueden optar por enviar comentarios llamando a la Línea de Opinión de la Comisión al 1-800-3352120. Este número está configurado para recibir comentarios sobre casos pendientes de personas que llaman desde dentro del Estado las 24 horas del día. Estos comentarios no se transcriben literalmente, pero se proporciona un resumen a la Comisión.

Aunque los comentarios enviados a través de estos medios alternativos se aceptarán durante el transcurso de este procedimiento, se solicitan antes del 3 de noviembre de 2023.

La Solicitud se puede revisar en línea en el sitio web del Departamento de Servicio Público, www.dps.ny.gov. Para acceder a los documentos, haga clic en “Búsqueda de archivos” (ubicado bajo el título “Archivos de la Comisión”) e ingrese “22-T-0346” en el campo “Buscar por número de caso”

(FIRMADO) MICHELLE L. PHILLIPS Secretaria

1 Se recomienda enfáticamente la presentación electrónica.

leaning against the large-print shelf identified himself as a retired music teacher and asked me to remove from his wallet a folded song sheet and recite the lyrics aloud:

“If you wave at a wave when you’re at the shore, if you wiggle when you’re tickled but you beg for more, if rain is a game and you love when it pours, then life’s a song that’s just for you.

“If you embrace time and space with the zest of a teen, if you go with the flow and don’t make a scene, if you state the plate’s great though the portions are lean, then like’s a treat that’s just for you.

Ron Goldman

“If you try for the sky with your feet on the ground, if what’s tossed and thought lost you’ll search for it till it’s found, if you’re patient with the ancient as the new comes around, then life’s a poem that’s just for you.

“If you’ve heard just one word but one word is enough, if you play it as a you say it with no need to bluff, if you measure your treasure by your deeds not your “stuff,” then like’s a joy that’s just for you.

“If you hold dear the tear from another’s eye, of a friend you defend and you don’t ask why, if you still write the note though you’ll get no reply, then life’s a win that’s just for you.

“If you stay and you play even though you’re beat; if you smile every mile as you walk the street; if you care that a chair never gets a seat, then life’s a song just for you.”

As I finished reading, the educator turned to my grandchild and commented,” I’ve carried that item for 60-plus years. I can no longer see its print nor can I sing the melody. I hardly remember many of the lines, and, as you can see, I can’t even unfold and handle it. But I can still feel it, and value it, and try to live it and live up to it, and it keeps me alive and happy.”

And with that he strolled away, a very nice man who had taught us both the first (and probably the best) lesson of the new school year.

©Ron Goldman 2023

Author redefines motherhood through her superpower— selfishness

By RACHELE TERRANOVA rterranova@liherald.com

Parents wear many hats, and Merrick mom Jessica Dennehy is no exception. In fact, she seems to challenge the standard. Single mother, author, public figure, business owner, and former attorney— the list is almost endless. And she didn’t get here by accident; she got here by being selfish. And waking up at 4:30 in the morning.

As life with kids shifted Dennehy’s priorities, she felt it was time to take the leap and leave her former dream job of being a Wall Street attorney. When she did, she became a stay at home mom, co-business owner of a chain of luxury barber shops, went through a divorce, and as a result she began her journey of reconnecting with herself through becoming selfish.

“I think we all see selfishness as such a negative. But what it really is, is a tool. So if we use it the right way, it can create a life that’s happier and more holistic, no one wants a real work robot. If I go home, that’s all I am, my kids don’t get to see the dynamic characteristics that I have inside me, right?” Dennehy said of writing her latest book “Selfish is a Superpower” that was released on Sept. 15.

She found herself in the midst of single motherhood, encouraging her children to go out and follow their dreams. All the while she was realizing she was not leading them by example. At first, she assumed everything in her life would fall apart once she became selfish. Now, Dennehy exemplifies to her children that making selfish choices everyday is a tool. And in their own ways, they too are learning the benefits of being selfish. Dennehy found herself taking big work trips, speaking on stage, and writing books. Her children followed suit.

“They started to take more chances in their own little lives and try to level up in their own little lives. And so now when I started to question, ‘Should I do that thing I

want to do?’, I guess I have to! Because if I don’t, I won’t be leading by example. And so the example I set is, I do something for myself every day,” she said.

Sometimes, making selfish choices meant ice cream on the boardwalk after work or playing beach volleyball. Sometimes, like in the writing of “Selfish is a Superpower,” it came in the form of waking up at 4 in the morning to write so she could still do the things she loved while being a present parent once her children woke up.

Dennehy’s journey went beyond an internal shift in perspective. Her protective “armor” was in question just as crucially. She came to a realization that her harsh makeup and outfits were acting as a shield in the man’s world she used to work in, standing in as her confidence and alter ego. But it wasn’t who she really was.

“I realized, when I started to soften my look and soften my makeup, embrace my femininity, have pink hair, and have heels on all the time,” she said, “even when I’m at the barber shop, and just wear dresses when I feel like it, and not think too much about it, I started to open up my energy to people, asking me questions, coming up to me and talking to me, and interacting with me more.”

With her second book, Dennehy wants to give you permission. Permission to say no, permission to make room for yourself, permission to do things just for you— knowing that it doesn’t make you a bad spouse, parent, or friend. She hopes that in this book she can lead by example once more, guiding the way to see new possibilities in what you can accomplish through the strategies she used to do it for herself.

Being selfish is not easy, and she doesn’t claim it to be. But you will learn to say ‘yes’ and ‘no’, just for yourself.

“It can be hard, it could not feel right, it could feel a little uncomfortable,” Dennehy said. “But then you get to do what you want, things that you love with people that you love, and you become happier and that happiness becomes your motivation to make the next decision a little easier.”

STATE OF NEW YORK PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

CASE 22-T-0346 - Application of Empire Offshore Wind LLC for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the Construction of Approximately 12 Miles of Transmission Lines from the Boundary of New York State Territorial Waters to a Point of Interconnection in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County. NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION FORUMS, PUBLIC STATEMENT HEARINGS, AND SOLICITING COMMENTS (Issued September 20, 2023)

On June 17, 2022, Empire Offshore Wind LLC filed an application (Application) for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need pursuant to Article VII of the Public Service Law seeking to construct, operate, and maintain the New York portion of the transmission facilities required to interconnect its proposed Empire Wind 2 Offshore Wind Generating Facility to a Point of Interconnection with the New York State Transmission System at the Barrett 138-kilovolt (kV) Substation located in Oceanside in the Town of Hempstead, New York (the NY Project). On August 1, 2023, Empire Offshore Wind LLC and EW Offshore Wind Transport Corporation (collectively, EOW) amended its request and modified aspects of its proposal.

The NY Project will extend a total of approximately 12.2 miles within the State of New York and includes several components: two three-core 345kV high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) submarine export cables located within an approximately 7.7-nautical mile (nm) submarine export cable corridor from the boundary of New York State waters three nautical miles offshore to the cable landfall; a cable landfall in the City of Long Beach; two 345kV onshore export cable circuits, each with three single-core HVAC onshore export cables within an approximately 1.6-mile onshore export cable corridor from the cable landfall to the onshore substation; an onshore substation in the Village of Island Park, within the Town of Hempstead, which will house major control components for the electrical system and perform functions such as voltage regulation, reactive power compensation, and harmonic filtering; two 345-kV interconnection cable circuits, each with three single-core HVAC interconnection cables within an approximately 1.7-mile interconnection cable corridor from the onshore substation to the newly proposed Hampton Road substation; the new

Hampton Road substation in Oceanside in the Town of Hempstead, New York, which will include substation facilities that will provide the necessary breaker arrays and 345-kV/138-kV transformers; and, four 138-kV loop-in/loop-out lines cable circuits, located within an approximately 0.1-mile cable corridor from the Hampton Road substation to existing Long Island Power Authority transmission lines located under Lawson Boulevard in Oceanside, New York.

Under New York State Law, the Public Service Commission (Commission) may adopt or reject EOW’s proposal, in whole or part, or modify it. In doing so, the Commission will consider input from the participating parties and the general public. Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) Ashley Moreno and Tara Kersey are presiding over the gathering of public comments and all evidence related to the NY Project. As indicated in this Notice, public statement hearings will be held to obtain comments from the public concerning EOW’s proposal.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that opportunities for public information and comment regarding EOW’s request will be provided as follows:

DATE: Wednesday, October 11, 2023

LOCATION: City of Long Beach, City Hall Community Chamber, 6th Floor

1 West Chester Street Long Beach, New York 11561

TIME: Information Forum 1:00 p.m.

Public Statement Hearing 2:00 p.m.

TIME: Information Forum 5:30 p.m. Public Statement Hearing 6:30 p.m.

During the scheduled informational forums, maps of the proposed route will be available to review, and New York State Department of Public Service representatives will provide an overview of the Commission’s certification process. EOW will then present a brief summary of the NY Project. Members of the public will then have an opportunity to ask questions about the process and the application pending before the Commission.

Each informational forum will be followed by a public statement hearing where all those wishing to comment on EOW’s request will have an opportunity to make a statement on the record before the ALJs. It is not necessary to make an appointment in advance, or present written material to speak at a hearing. Persons will be called to speak after completing a request card. Each public statement hearing will be held open a minimum of thirty minutes and will be kept open until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements have been made to include their comments in the record. A verbatim transcript of each public statement hearing will be made for inclusion in the record of this proceeding.

Persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations should call the Department of Public Service’s Human Resource Management Office at (518)474-2520 as soon as possible. TDD users may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York Relay Service at 711. Individuals with difficulty understanding or reading English are encouraged to call the Department at (800)342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this Notice.

Other Ways to Comment

For those who cannot attend or prefer not to speak at the public statement hearings, there are

several other ways to provide your comments to the Commission. Comments should refer to “Case 22T-0346 – EOW2.”

Internet or Mail: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “File Search” (located under the heading “Commission Files”), enter “22-T-0346” in the “Search by Case Number” field, and then click on the “Post Comments” box at the top of the page. Alternatively, comments may be mailed to the Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York, 12223-1350.1 All written comments will become part of the record considered by the Commission and may be accessed on the Department of Public Service website by searching the case number, as described above, and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab.

Toll-Free Opinion Line: Individuals may choose to submit comments by calling the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is set up to receive comments about pending cases from in-State callers 24-hours a day. These comments are not transcribed verbatim, but a summary is provided to the Commission.

Although comments submitted via these alternate means will be accepted throughout the course of this proceeding, they are requested by November 3, 2023.

The Application may be reviewed online at the Department of Public Service website, www.dps. ny.gov. To access documents, click on “File Search” (located under the heading “Commission Files”), and enter “22-T-0346” in the “Search by Case Number” field.

(SIGNED) MICHELLE L. PHILLIPS Secretary 1 Filing electronically is strongly encouraged.

Photos courtesy 7 Seconds Media Jessica Dennehy empowers readers to use their own selfishness as a tool.

Rallying for public power, but PSEG pushes back

By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com

There’s a bit of a power struggle happening in Nassau County — and it quite literally has everything to do with power.

Dozens gathered in front of a closed office building in Seaford belonging to PSEG Long Island demanding the utility end its quasi-private management of the Long Island Power Authority and replace it with a fully public entity.

The coalition — which included community organizations, environmental groups, businesses, and various members of chambers of commerce — had already signed on to a letter addressed to Gov. Kathy Hochul and state legislators to help make that happen.

“It demonstrates the widespread support, both regionally and statewide, for a fully public LIPA,” said Ryan Madden, sustainability organizer for the Long Island Progressive Coalition.

Madden’s coalition hosted the recent event as part of its larger “Reimagine LIPA” campaign, calling for the public entity to become wholly locally controlled.

Madden describes the public-private PSEG model as expensive, unreliable and structurally flawed. Those flaws were made especially clear in 2020 when Tropical Storm Isaias swept through Long Island and left some 645,000 homes and businesses without power — some for as long as eight days.

Albany has been paying attention to the demands, however. Legislation was passed last year creating a commission tasked with developing a roadmap for a restructured LIPA. The Legislative Commission on the Future of Long Island released a draft report this past April detailing a key financial finding: That LIPA can save between $50 million and $80 million a year by operating

Charles

David Osorio joined Oceanside’s Jill Weber at a rally in front of a closed PSEG Long Island office in Seaford demanding the utility end its private-public partnership with Long Island Power Authority, and let distributing electricity be solely a public job. PSEG officials, however,

the local electric grid itself.

“It has shown that a fully public LIPA will lower rates and provide more transparency and accountability.” Madden said.

LIPA has been managed by PSEG Long Island since 2013 under a contract that runs through 2025.

Christopher Hahn, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of external affairs, told the commission during a hearing in Hauppauge a day after the rally that the public-private model is the best option for Long Island and the Rocka-

ways, and that LIPA — as a public entity — has already produced a muddy track record.

He cited a 175 percent jump in payroll since 2015, and increasing the organization’s debt from $7.6 billion to just under $13 billion. That has caused LIPA’s operating budget to grow an average of 25 percent each year for the past decade.

“Historically, empire building by government agencies — unchecked and unchallenged — does not produce efficiencies,” Hahn said, according to his written testimony. “And to believe this one would be different is just wishful thinking.”

Hahn also said the partnership provides the benefits of public power with accountability. Yet those who gathered in front of PSEG’s Seaford offices disagree.

“From Montauk to the Rockaways, Long Islanders are facing economic hardships and an affordability crisis that makes living and thriving here harder and harder each year,” Joseph Sackman, a member of the Long Island Activists, said at the rally. “With frequent and dangerous storms and an already outdated electric grid, we can add uncertainty and risks to life and property as well.”

John Hyland, a retiree member of the Professional Staff Congress — a union representing faculty and staffers at CUNY — says public power would prioritize serving the needs of the people.

“More transparency, accountability, lower rates, and a commitment to environmental sustainability and justice, are so important to Long Island communities.” he said.

“You cannot guarantee that a fully municipalized system will not drastically raise ratepayer costs, or that mismanagement and politics won’t run rampant,” PSEG’s Hahn said. “Are you willing to gamble our region’s electric grid with your constituents’ hard-earned dollars for a hypothetical savings of $3 per customer?”

Shaw/Herald

warn making the utility fully public will lead to rampant mismanagement.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

BELLMORE FIRE DISTRICT

PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED 2024 BUDGET

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Proposed Budget of the Bellmore Fire District of the Town of Hempstead, State of New York, will be presented to the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Bellmore Fire District, for its consideration.

A Public Hearing will be held at 8:00 p.m. at the Bellmore Fire District Office, 2450 Newbridge Road Bellmore, NY 11710, in the Town of Hempstead, State of New York on the 17th day of October 2023.

Pursuant to Town Law 181{3} {a}, the Board of Fire Commissioners must hold a public hearing on the budget, make the proposed budget available to the public prior to the public hearing, and allow the public to comment on the budget at the public hearing. This hearing must be held to allow maximum public participation in the hearing.

The purpose of the public hearing is to allow any person to be heard in favor of or against the proposed budget as it is submitted, or for or against any item or items contained in the proposed budget, and hearing all persons interested in the subject concerning same.

That a copy of the proposed budget is available at the Office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Hempstead at 1 Washington Street Hempstead New York 11550 and the Fire District Secretary at the Bellmore Fire District Office 2450 Newbridge Road Bellmore, NY 11710 where it may be inspected by any interested person during office hours (10: 00a.m-3:00 p.m.). The budget is also posted on the district website.

A special budget meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Bellmore Fire District will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 8:30 p.m. for any changes that may be needed to the 2024 budget. The meeting will be held at the Bellmore Fire District Office 2450 Newbridge Road Bellmore, NY 11710.

By order of the Board of Fire Commissioners

John Fabian, Secretary Bellmore Fire District 142263

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC

HEARING

NORTH BELLMORE FIRE

DISTRICT ANNUAL BUDGET FOR 2024

WHEREAS, on the 12th day of September 2023, pursuant to Sections 105 and 181 of the Town Law, the Board of Fire Commissioners of the North Bellmore Fire District confirmed that

the Annual Fire District Budget Hearing will be conducted with reference to the Annual Fire District Budget for fiscal year 2023 on Tuesday October 17, 2023 commencing at 6:30 p.m. at the Fire District Office located at 1500 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, New York and

WHEREAS, the Board of Fire Commissioners is required to adopt a proposed budget at least 21 days before October 17, 2023 so that it is available for inspection prior to the budget hearing.

NOW, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the North Bellmore Fire District has adopted a proposed Annual Fire District Budget for 2024 as of this date for purposes of discussion and review at the Budget Hearing to be held on October 17, 2023 and a copy of the proposed budget is available at the office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Hempstead and at the office of the North Bellmore Fire District at 1500 Newbridge Rd, North Bellmore, NY where it may be inspected by any interested person during normal business hours. In addition, copies of the proposed budget will be available for those in attendance on the night of said hearing.

NOW, therefore, BE IT

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the North Bellmore Fire District will hold the Annual Fire District Budget Hearing to be conducted with reference to the Annual Fire District Budget for fiscal year 2024 on Tuesday October 17, 2023 commencing at 6:30 p.m. at the Fire District Office located at 1500 Newbridge Rd, North Bellmore, NY .

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the aforementioned budget will be presented to the residents and taxpayers of the North Bellmore Fire District and to the Board of Fire Commissioners of the North Bellmore Fire District, for their respective consideration at this public hearing and for the purpose of considering the said resolution and hearing all persons interested in the subject concerning same on Tuesday October 17, 2023 commencing at 6:30 p.m. at the Fire District Office located at 1500 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, NY .

Dated: September 12, 2023

Seaford, NY

Board of Fire

Commissioners

North Bellmore Fire District

Town of Hempstead

ATTEST: George V. Kern

Superintendent 142264

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 67-2023

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held September 19th, 2023, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 67-2023, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 67-2023, amending Section 202-1 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at various locations.

Dated: September 19, 2023

Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.

Supervisor

KATE MURRAY Town Clerk

142247

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MASTR ASSET BACKED SECURITIES TRUST

2006-AM2, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES

2006-AM2 , Plaintiff, AGAINST ROSARIO TZIMAS A/K/A ROSARIO T. TZIMAS, BILL TZIMAS, et al.

Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on July 11, 2023.

I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 17, 2023 at 2:00 PM premises known as 2405 Wallen Lane North Bellmore, NY 11710 2405 Wallen Lane Bellmore, NY 11710.

Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Nassau County and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing.

All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in North Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Section 56, Block 491 and Lot 28.

Approximate amount of judgment $897,632.21 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #602164/2019.

Scott Siller, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLPAttorneys for Plaintiff - 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 141883

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of formation of Progressive Consult LLC. Art. Of Org. filed with the Secy of State of NY. SSNY on 3/2/23. Office located in Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent for service of process. SSNY shall mail process to 717 Clemons St, Bellmore, NY 11710.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

141885

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR FREMONT HOME LOAN TRUST 2005-D, MORTGAGE-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES

2005-D

Plaintiff, Against MICHAEL BROWN, et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 10/09/2018, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Front Steps of the Nassau County Courthouse, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501. This Auction will be held rain or shine on 10/25/2023 at 3:00 p.m., premises known as 1855 Madison Avenue, Bellmore, New York 11710, And Described As Follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Section 56 Block L Lot 21

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $992,729.74 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 5261/09

If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction.

Louis B. Imbroto, Esq., Referee.

MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 MIDLAND AVENUE, SUITE 205, PORT CHESTER, NY

10573

Dated: 8/4/2023 File

Number: 17-300073

RS

Merrick Avenue to install Field of Honor

For the second year in a row, Merrick Avenue Middle School will install its Flag Field of Honor in recognition of veterans.

The flags will be flown between Nov. 4 and Dec. 8 as a tribute to veterans. The proceeds from the sponsorships will be donated to Honor Flight Long Island for veterans, and the Bellmore-Merrick Com-

munity Cupboard.

The Mack Family, who have an eighth grade student attending Merrick Avenue, have secured supplies, storage and materials in order to aid in this field coming to fruition.

Email jessimack@gmail.com or call (516) 721-4175 for more information.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. ERIN BEGLEY, et al, Defts. Index #616380/2022. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered August 2, 2023, I will sell at public auction on the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on October 26, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. prem. k/a Section 56, Block 405, Lot 613-614. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. RON FERRARO, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Drive, Great Neck, NY. #100754 142050

LEGAL NOTICE

MIRIAM ORELLANA, AS ADMINISTRATRIX OF THE ESTATE OF MARCO ORELLANA, DECEASED, ET AL., Defendant(s).

142042

Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF THE RESIDENTIAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES TRUST V-D, Plaintiff, vs. MIRIAM N. ORELLANA AKA

Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August 23, 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 October 31, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 2307 Legion 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 63, Block 31 and Lot 320. Approximate amount of judgment is $624,688.04 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 2978/2017. 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.

Mark Stephen Ricciardi, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 201859-1 142128

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust, not individually but as trustee for Pretium Mortgage Acquisition Trust, Plaintiff

AGAINST Daniel Forth; et al.,

Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale

duly entered July 26, 2023 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 October 30, 2023 at

2:00PM, premises known as 2518 Bristol Drive, North Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 56 Block 239 Lot 62. Approximate amount of judgment $246,159.26 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 612468/2018. 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.”

Melissa D. Mohan, 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: August 23, 2023 142183

Search for notices online at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Avenue installed a Flag Field of Honor.

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

AUTO MECHANIC: Village of Malverne. Full Time. Experienced. Must have CDL. www.malvernevillage.org/job-postings

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department.

Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.

STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.

Salary Range is $15 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

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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

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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

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $15 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

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Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $31,200 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com

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Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS

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

Receptionist needed for Publisher and Self-Storage Facility located in Garden City. The ideal candidate should have excellent communications and customer service skills, be professional, dependable and have reliable transportation. Candidate should have computer knowledge and working knowledge of MS Office. Candidate MUST be reliable, punctual and be able to work a CONSISTENT schedule: Job Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Answering phones and greeting customers, assisting new customers by showing storage facility options and pricing, collecting payments from customers, contacting customers for late payments, applying payments and updating the customer files /data base and other general administrative responsibilities on an as needed basis. Hourly pay $15 to $17 plus eligible for Holiday Pay, PTO, Medical, Dental, 401k with company matching, plus other benefits. Qualified candidates should email their resume, cover letter and salary requirements. No phone calls please.

Email your resume to: careers@liherald.com

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Say I want to build a skyscraper . . .

Q. I’m doing a report for school on how buildings get designed. If you design a skyscraper, what are the things you have to do, and is it different for different kinds of buildings? Like, what do you have to do for a school or a house or a store to figure out what it will look like and how it gets built? My mom helped me with this question, but then we thought you might have more to say about it.

A. There are so many considerations when designing a building. You really have to think about many things all at once. First, you need to know as much as you can about where the building will be built. Is the site big enough, and are there going to be government limitations on how big the building can be? Those limitations include how tall it’s allowed to be, how far from the street, how close to the side and rear property lines and how much area, in general, can be covered by the building itself, and how much area must be open land for parking and lawn space.

Ronnie

Gerber 516-238-4299

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There are special areas, called zones, and each has different requirements, which is why you don’t see a shoe store or a skyscraper next to a house. You also have to know how hard the ground is to support the building, where rain will be collected, in what direction the sun rises and sets, how to resist wind, rain and snow, and whether there are trees that need to be removed. Nature plays a big role in the design of all aspects of buildings.

Next, you have to think about what materials the building should be made of. If there’s a limit on how much money can be spent, the materials, which all fit together like a big puzzle, have to be carefully selected to last the longest, prevent the building from moving too much and keep the weather out. Sometimes we plan buildings to limit how much wasted material there will be by using what are called modular materials, which are cut in factories and then assembled more quickly on the site, instead of picking materials that will need much more work (that is, labor) on the building site.

Labor costs, the money workers are paid, is the most expensive part of the building, so it’s very important to find ways to save money on how much time it will take to put all the parts together, whether it’s a house or a skyscraper.

Skyscrapers have many more parts, and because they’re very tall, they have to be stronger, since the wind is greater the higher you go in the sky. Every building has to be designed to resist fire from spreading quickly, to allow people to get out and to allow firefighters to put the flames out faster while being safe from the building coming apart. So, as you can see, there are many things to consider. More about the design next week.

with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

Ask The Architect

Monte Leeper

© 2023 Monte Leeper

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

Two major worries for candidates, in three words

Most people view politics as a simple business. There are winners and losers. But there are other factors that can determine who emerges as a victor or suffers defeat, and the public hears little if anything about them. I refer specifically to the terms “coattails” and “down ballot.”

The best example of the first phenomenon I can think of was last year’s race for governor of New York. The contest featured Democrat Kathy Hochul, who was well known for her activities as lieutenant governor under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. She had ascended to the governor’s office when Cuomo resigned. Her opponent was then U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, a military veteran who had also been a state senator. Thanks to a number of hot issues, such as bail reform, Zeldin came much closer to beating Hochul than anyone expected, with the highest percentage of the vote for a Republican gubernatorial nominee in 20 years.

After a brutal campaign, Hochul won by a margin of 5 percentage margins. Generally, Republicans running statewide usually have little or no chance to win, but Zeldin mounted a spirited campaign, using crime as his major issue, and he spent an enormous amount of time in four of New York City’s traditionally Democratic boroughs. His aggressive campaign turned out to be a big bonus for other New York Republicans.

Thanks to what we call the coattail effect, Zeldin helped no fewer than five Republican candidates for Congress win in what were traditional Democratic districts. Thanks to Zeldin’s efforts, those five winners helped the Republicans take control of the House of Representatives. In addition to the impact on congressional races, Republicans also won a number of Democratic Assembly seats in Brooklyn and Queens.

If you research state and federal campaigns, you’ll find very few examples of candidates at the top of the ticket sweeping other candidates into office. The first race that I can recall where there was a massive shift in power thanks to

the top candidate was President Lyndon Johnson’s campaign in 1964.

Johnson was opposed by conservative Republican Sen. Barry Goldwater of Arizona. Goldwater spoke for the extreme elements of the party, and as a result, Johnson was able to craft a campaign that helped elect hundreds of Democrats around the nation. Johnson’s effort was so strong that the Democrats were even able to unseat New York’s Assembly speaker, Joseph F. Carlino, with an unknown car dealer named Jerome McDougal.

Presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama were able to help a few members of their party limp to victory. But their triumphs had none of the magnitude of the Johnson landslide. Candidates for almost every office often hope that the nominee at the top of the ticket will somehow magically propel them into office.

Of course, in some cases, candidates at the bottom of the ballot have to worry that the party frontrunner doesn’t cost them their own elections. Being swept out of office by a weak designee at the top of the ticket isn’t a rare occurrence.

In 1972, Democrats chose the ultra-liberal Sen. George McGovern as their presidential headliner. McGovern won only one state, and caused the party to lose numerous down-ballot races.

In 1988, the Democrats chose Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis as their presidential candidate, and many candidates on the slate, including me, had to run strong individual campaigns to survive.

Both parties are already confronting the issue of whether their candidate for president will help or hurt them. Republicans are especially concerned about whether former President Donald Trump will head their ticket and cost them seats. And Democrats are worried about whether President Biden will have any impact on the party turnout.

As the 2024 races unfold, the highprofile candidates will be the subject of much of the discussion of winning and losing, but their parties will be just as concerned with coattails, and what the results will mean down ballot.

Jerry Kremer was a state 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.

When the press is under assault, so is the Constitution

An alarming trend is taking place that is undermining one of the pre-eminent tenets of our U.S. Constitution — freedom of the press. Faced with the prospect of bad publicity, people in positions of authority, in some cases with a particularly conservative political ideology, are using the legal system as a weapon in a war with an institution once seen as a bedrock of democracy and now perceived as an enemy.

more legal fees for the Pilot & Review. The Times reports that the paper’s publisher has no idea how she can afford to both fight both the legal case and pay her staff of four.

CHARLEs LAVinE

In Wisconsin, a small-town newspaper is on the verge of bankruptcy due to the expense of defending itself in a defamation suit filed by a now Republican state senator. As detailed in a New York Times story in 2021, the Wausau Pilot & Review published an article reporting that a prominent businessman, Cory Tomczyk, referred to a 13-year-old boy as a “fag” at a public hearing. Tomczyk subsequently sued the paper for defamation, but the case was dismissed in April of this year because he failed to meet the legal standard to establish a case. Tomczyk has appealed, resulting in

Meanwhile, in Kansas, one can’t help but see the link between the raid of a small newspaper’s offices and its investigation of the local police chief. As reported on NPR, on Aug. 11, the Marion Police Department confiscated computers, cellphones and a range of other material at the offices of the Marion County Record. While it had not published any stories, the Record had been looking into allegations of misconduct against the local police chief. The paper’s publisher told the Kansas Reflector that the message from police and the local political establishment was clear: “Mind your own business or we’re going to step on you.”

As in Wisconsin, the Kansas case is getting national attention. According to The Intercept, the raid was strongly condemned in a letter from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press to the Marion County Chief of Police, which was signed by 36 news media and press freedom organizations. The letter

states, “Newsroom searches and seizures are among the most intrusive actions law enforcement can take with respect to the free press, and the most potentially suppressive of free speech by the press and the public.”

This accounting of recent instances of press intimidation, by the Philadelphia Inquirer, makes clear that those above are by no means alone:

■ An Oklahoma sheriff caught on tape earlier this year discussing ways to murder reporters.

■ A government official in Las Vegas charged last year with murdering an investigative reporter who wrote stories about his bullying tactics of subordinates and his relationship with an employee.

■ The homes of two journalists in New Hampshire vandalized last year after stories detailed sexual assault allegations against the operator of an addiction treatment center.

■ Reporters threatened and harassed for covering the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

■ Some local governments have stopped

paying to print public notices in newspapers because of unfavorable coverage.

■ Elon Musk banned several reporters from the X social media platform, formerly known as Twitter, who aggressively covered his company.

And then, of course, there is arguably the ringleader in this war against responsible journalism, former President Donald Trump, who has accused the press of being an “enemy of the people,” according to The New York Times. The Times also reports that Trump has filed numerous unsuccessful defamation lawsuits against news organizations, the latest of which, a $475 million whopper against CNN, was thrown out by a federal judge for lack of merit.

This crisis has special significance for us Long Islanders. Marie Colvin was an award-winning hero journalist who lost her life covering war atrocities in Syria. She grew up in East Norwich. Marie used to say, “Be passionate, and be involved in what you believe in, and do it as thoughtfully and honestly as you can. … Our mission is to speak truth to power.”

We need to stand up and fight for independent journalism. Let us all speak ‘truth to power”!

Charles Lavine represents the 13th Assembly District.

A n institution once seen as a bedrock of democracy is now often a target.

Counting on strength at the top of the ballot, or concerned about weakness.

JERRY KREMER

HERALD

Change is needed after band bus accident

the horrific charter bus accident on Orange County’s Interstate 84 on Sept. 21 that claimed the lives of a band director and a retired teacher while injuring 16 members of Farmingdale High School’s marching band should be a wake-up call for change. The procedure for ensuring that a charter bus is safe for travel — an inspection, now conducted by the owner of the bus company — should be augmented by the school districts themselves whenever any trip involves our most precious cargo.

Many school districts hire charter bus companies they deem safe by considering past driving records, hiring practices and inspection procedures. A state transportation department spokesman told reporters after the accident that the charter bus, operated by Regency Transportation of Nesconset, had undergone its semiannual inspection in August, and passed.

While it isn’t clear whether there was another inspection before the bus left for the marching band camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania, investigators believe the crash was caused by a faulty front tire. One last inspection — especially by a qualified school district official — possibly could have found the problem, and the outcome of that day might have been quite different.

That’s already happening at schools in Glen Head, Glenwood Landing and Sea Cliff on the North Shore, where

Letters

Peter King should take mass transit

To the Editor:

their own transportation depot, built in 2006, conducts inspections by mechanics employed and contracted by the district. A bus must pass a second inspection before it can leave the depot.

North Shore Schools superintendent Chris Zublionis says that having the depot saves the district money, and brings in revenue when its employees work on buses from other districts. It also gives them all the control necessary to ensure that buses are safe.

The school district’s charter and regular yellow buses all have seat belts, as do yellow buses rented by other districts. Most charter buses have seat belts, too. Initial reports from the Farmingdale accident, however, indicated that none of the 40 students and four adults on the bus were wearing seat belts when it careened 50 feet down a steep slope near Wawayanda after crashing through a guardrail. Several of the injured passengers were ejected.

AAA spokesman Robert Sinclair says that bus passengers should wear seat belts, although many yellow buses from various school districts don’t have them.

“The expense of having them in a school bus is paid for by school districts,” Sinclair said, “and since school buses are the safest vehicle on the road, statistically — with very few crashes — schools may not want to incur the expense.

“It would have been beneficial,” he added, “if they had been wearing them

in this accident.”

But the benefits of wearing a seat belt on a bus aren’t as clear as, say, for a regular passenger car, Zublionis said. One theory is that a seat belt could stop a child from escaping from a bus in an emergency. But Zublionis — along with other superintendents the Herald spoke with — supports wearing one, although no school district requires students to do so.

That needs to change. Sinclair said that it’s far more common for seat belts to protect passengers in a charter bus accident than to be a detriment.

And it wouldn’t be hard to make the change. Before a bus departs, a chaperone or teacher could instruct students to buckle their seat belts, demonstrate how it’s done, and then ensure that they are properly secured — as airline flight attendants do before takeoff.

Taking simple steps like these is the least we could do in light of the Farmindale High tragedy. This is an opportunity for school districts to be proactive, and make a few changes — like taking control of bus inspections, and ensuring that seat belts are worn. And the state education department could help, too, by sending bus safety guidelines to schools.

Everyone — from parents to school districts to bus operators — wants to protect our children, whether they are in the classroom or on the road. Taking these common-sense steps will help ensure that this happens.

Note to former Congressman Peter King (“We’ve had great people working for us at the U.N.,” last week): Driving into Midtown Manhattan in midafternoon is never a good idea, and a particularly bad one when world leaders gather at the United Nations in late September.

Rather than spending a half-hour traveling five and a half blocks, Mr. King could have taken the subway to his destination. If he had ridden the Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central, the No. 6 train from there would have gotten him to WABC-AM’s studio on East 49th Street in about five minutes.

Imagine: no frustration, and plenty of time to read or nap. The train and subway would have been cheaper too, given Mr. King’s decision to spend at least $30 to park in a garage. Hopefully, congestion pricing will further encourage him, and thousands of other drivers, to opt for the vastly superior alternative of public transit.

KEvIN J. KELLEy Atlantic Beach

Steamrolling our communities is flat-out wrong

“i’m a steamroller, and I’ll roll over you and anybody else.”

Eliot Spitzer famously uttered those words to an Assembly member during Spitzer’s brief term as governor. He left the governor’s office in disgrace in 2008, but 15 years later, our current governor, Kathy Hochul, has unfortunately embraced that sentiment as it relates to our local governments.

Inexplicably, Hochul continues to push policies to strip local control from our communities, replaced by a one-size-fits-all approach determined by her and the radical New York City politicians who control the State Senate and Assembly.

Take the need for more housing — an issue that Democrats and Republicans agree needs to be addressed. But housing shouldn’t be the same in every community. High-density, multi-story apartment buildings fit nicely in New York City, but not as neatly in suburban communities, which predominantly comprise single-family homes. No homeowners want multi-story apartment building as their next-door neighbors.

No, we’re not sure Trump’s guilt would be enough

To the Editor:

I’d like to commend reader Brian Kelly for his thoughtful letter in last week’s issue, “Are we sure Trump’s guilt would be enough?” explaining how former President Donald Trump may escape conviction despite overwhelming evidence. I’d just like to add two things Mr. Kelly didn’t mention.

The first is that a “not guilty” verdict is not synonymous with “innocent.” When a jury foreperson announces “not guilty,” that means only that the jury did not feel the prosecution had a strong enough case to prove the defendant was guilty, even though he or she may clearly not be innocent.

The second is that Trump is only one part of a much bigger problem in our country. That problem is that so many people continue to support him regardless of what he says, how he behaves, or even how many times he is indicted. The most frightening thing is that Trump continues to soar in the

Apartment buildings can fit on Long Island, but they have to be located smartly — and that’s where local control is essential. The zoning process and public input — not an Albany mandate — enabled Farmingdale, Mineola and Patchogue to build consensus to increase their housing density and enhance their downtowns, while also maintaining their suburban quality of life. That’s truly smart growth.

But rather than embrace this approach, Hochul tries to steamroll our communities. The governor, who lives hundreds of miles away, proposes overriding local zoning laws and forcing the construction of high-density housing within a half-mile of Long Island Rail Road stations — a proposal that could double Nassau County’s population in just the next 10 years, overwhelming schools, emergency services and road, sewer and water infrastructure. Communities would be unable to determine for themselves how they grow, residents would have no say in what happens to their neighborhoods, and the suburban character of our neighborhoods — the reason many of us decided to live here in the first place — would be destroyed.

Bipartisan opposition stopped this destructive proposal from being includ-

polls. He may actually succeed in once again getting his hands on the reins of this country due to his base of supporters, who don’t seem to care which laws he has broken, and to the many citizens who just don’t care enough to vote.

PAM SINGER Malverne

We missed you, Randi

To the Editor:

Welcome back to Randi Kreiss (“I’ll be choosing my words even more carefully,” Sept. 21-27)! As a reader, I for one welcome her return, and hope her husband is doing well.

I’m sad to hear that she has decided to write her column monthly, as opposed to weekly, but it will give me something to look forward to. Perhaps the Herald can fill her space with other columnists from different stages in life — a Generation X-er and a parent navigating a life with children come to mind. Just a thought.

DEBBIE LEvINE Baldwin

ed in this year’s state budget, but Hochul remains committed to trying again, and we must again stand together in opposing her.

It isn’t our job to solve New York City’s housing crisis. We have one of our own, with seniors and young people leaving Long Island because they simply can’t afford to stay. Long Island’s housing plan should focus on sustaining our existing population, not expanding it, and those decisions must be made locally, with our input, not dictated to us by Albany and New York City politicians.

Public safety is another area where Hochul ignores our communities’ concerns. Albany’s disastrous cashless-bail policies, passed at the behest of the New York City politicians controlling the State Legislature’s leadership, have put people at risk, made it harder for police to do their jobs, and prioritized criminals over community safety. If politicians and judges in the city want to go easy on criminals there, that’s their choice — but that’s not what residents here want.

Finally, the city politicians who helped create the current migrant crisis by declaring us a sanctuary state, mirroring New York City’s sanctuary city status, now expect Nassau County,

which isn’t a sanctuary community, to shoulder part of the burden. After — unbelievably — not considering the possibility that offering illegal immigrants numerous free, taxpayer-funded benefits would be a highly attractive incentive for them to come here, Albany still has no plan to handle the unsustainable influx of more than 120,000 undocumented migrants.

Yet again, Hochul and her New York City colleagues are ignoring Nassau’s voice, and trying to force our already overtaxed residents to pay even more for something they expressly oppose. It’s time for the governor to demand that the Biden administration take control of our border. When you’re on a boat that’s taking on water, you plug the leak — you don’t try to build a bigger boat.

The steamroller approach didn’t work for Spitzer, and it ultimately won’t work for Hochul. Time and again, we have seen that one-party rule in Albany is failing our hardworking residents, and we need change. Our communities don’t want to be dictated to from Albany, or forced to become the sixth borough of New York City, as Albany continues to export the results of its failed policies to our suburbs. We expect and deserve to have a voice, and to be able to decide our own future. Hochul and her colleagues need to start listening.

Framework by Chelsea Gundrum

Steve Rhoads represents New York state’s 5th Senate District.

steVe rHoaDs

with her housing plan, Governor Hochul reminds us of a failed predecessor.

Vaxmobile Mount Sinai South Nassau’s

Mount Sinai South Nassau and the Town of Hempstead are bringing Flu vaccines to your community. Additional information about the mobile unit and its schedule are posted on the hospital’s Facebook page @MountSinaiSouthNassau

Town of Hempstead Senior Centers

Baldwin Senior Center – Monday, October 2

10am-2pm, 810 N. Grand Ave, Baldwin, NY 11510

Elmont Senior Center – Tuesday, October 3

10am-2pm, 138 Elmont Rd, Elmont, NY 11003

Lido Senior Center – Tuesday, October 10

10am-2pm, The Sands at Lido Beach, Lido Beach Town Park, 630 Lido Blvd Ste 2, Lido Beach, NY 11561

Green Acres Senior Center – Friday, October 13

10am-2pm, 400 Flower Rd, Valley Stream, NY 11581

Levittown Senior Center – Monday, October 16

10am-2pm, 555 N Newbridge Rd, Levittown, NY 11756

Merrick Senior Center – Wednesday, October 18

10am-2pm, 2550 Clubhouse Rd, Merrick, NY 11566

Uniondale-Hempstead Senior Center – Monday, October 30

10am-2pm, 840 Uniondale Ave, Uniondale, NY 11553

Bellmore Senior Center – Tuesday, October 31

10am-2pm, 2000 Bellmore Ave # A, Bellmore, NY 11710

Uniondale-Merrick Senior Center – Wednesday, November 1

10am-2pm, 750 Jerusalem Ave, Uniondale, NY 11553

Franklin Square Senior Center – Monday, November 6

10am-2pm, 1182 Martha Pl, Franklin Square, NY 11010

Merrick Senior Center – Wednesday, November 8

10am-2pm, 2550 Clubhouse Rd, Merrick, NY 11566

For more information, call Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Department of Community Education at 516-37 7-5333.