East Meadow Herald 05-02-2024

HERALD east meadow

company that focuses on sustainability, waste management and recycling.

Garden comes to life at Barnum Woods elementary

By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com

Barnum Woods Elementary School in East Meadow is showcasing a brand new vegetable garden, allowing students in its garden club to raise crops and take them home to eat.

“We’re very excited about this,” Melody Schiller, a teacher at Barnum Woods and head of the garden’s planning and management team, said. “It’s been a long time coming.”

The new garden was created in partnership with Reworld, formerly known as Covanta Energy, an environmental company that focuses on sustainability, waste management and recycling. The company is based in Westbury.

The school’s staff members wanted to create a garden for the students for many years, according to Schiller, but they ran into several obstacles, like finding the right soil, crop irrigation and selection of plants. The garden that ContinuEd on paGE 13

L.I. drinking water concerns on the table at meeting

By RACHEl BAMGBoSE Intern

A packed house attended a meeting on April 17 with the League of Women Voters of East Nassau to learn about the pressing issues of water quality and consumption on Long Island, igniting a call to action among concerned community members.

The LWV held the meeting at the Levittown Public Library, and invited Sarah Meyland to lead a presentation on the topic of water contamination and conservation. For more than 20 years, Meyland was a professor of sustainabili-

ty at New York University, with a background in water quality.

She also holds a degree in environmental law from St. John’s University and a master’s in water resource management from Texas A&M.

According to Meyland, toxic chemicals in drinking water are the key issue regarding water quality in Nassau County. She explained that chemicals, such as nitrates, herbicides, pesticides and pathogens, are frequently found in the water supply.

On Long Island, groundwater is the sole source of drinking water. Separated by sand and dirt, groundwater is stored

in geological formations called aquifers, which could store, transmit and yield usable quantities of water. As a result, chemicals that are used for farming often end up in the drinking water supply. Additionally, Nassau County has lateral saltwater intrusion due to excessive pumping and the relative distance between fresh and saltwater. This allows leaks of salt into freshwater aquifers responsible for 100 percent of the drinking water for Long Island.

Meyland added that quantity and overconsumption of water are the other issues facing Nassau County. Throughout Long

Island, water consumption fluctuates with the seasons and rainfall.

Those who attended the April 17 meeting voiced concerns about both the toxicity and why there is a lack of water. One member in the audience asked about putting too much fertilizer on their lawns, to which Meyland responded by

providing options for organic or slow release fertilizers that limits pesticides and herbicides but maintains healthy lawns.

“Too many swimming pools,” one audience member called out, jokingly. Meyland agreed that a chief reason for overconsumption is the many swimming pools in use during

Courtesy Lisette Pelligrino

Garden club students at Barnum Woods Elementary School in East Meadow recently received new planting beds from Reworld, an environmental

Just because a business is small doesn’t mean it isn’t important. The small businesses on our island are 50% of our economy. These businesses are part of the fabric of our communities. They’re vital. We’ve been proudly supporting our small businesses since 2014 with cost-saving programs and services. Show your support, too, by shopping locally during Small Business Week (and all year long). It’s no small thing to let them know they matter.

EMCon: Comics meets community spirit

Lovers of comics, anime, sci-fi, pop culture and more found a place to enjoy everything at the annual EMCon, held on April 20 and 21 at the East Meadow Public Library.

Like larger comic conventions, EMCon boasts an array of workshops, meet-and-greets and contests. Despite the similarities, returning guests and contributors love the size and intimacy of their own comiccon, right in the heart of East Meadow.

The weekend-long event was emceed this year by a dancer, entertainer and visual artist from New Jersey named “Peace.” He brought an infectious energy and style to his performance. He’s entertained crowds for years at various anime cons — stamping each one, including East Meadow’s, with his memorable brand of fun.

On both Saturday and Sunday, there was an artists block, so those visiting could meet extraordinarily talented artists who create things in the anime and manga styles. Many had their work for sale, along with original comics and additional merchandise.

Along with the artists block, there was a variety of workshops attendees could take part in, including a humor writing workshop led by Francis Bonnet, and a makeup workshop, led by Karen Gebbia.

And for the second year in a row, Mark Torres, who hosts “It Came From the Radio,” at the East Meadow library once a month, presented “Designated: The Radio Play,” a comic book adapted into a play, specifically for the radio. Guests could pick up a copy of the book beforehand, and read along with the show.

Musical guests, meet ups with performers, costume contests and more all made this year’s EMCon one to remember. For more on future events — or one’s like EMCon — visit EastMeadow.info.

–Jordan Vallone

Francis Bonnet behind his display. He also led a humor writing workshop during the event.

Mark Torres, host of ‘It Came From the Radio,’ manned a booth at EMCon, and also ran a radio play on Sunday.

Holden Leeds/Herald photos

A variety of artists and creators were on display at EMCon’s Artists Block, like Peter Vazquez.

Rich Drezen of DrezenMedia showed off some merchandise at his booth.

A beloved part of EMCon is its costume contest. Marina Kobasick, Beaumont Reyes, Stephen McDonald and Dennis Lang all participated.

Lavie Martinez, Isabella Morabito and Ash Sullivan were just one of many guests who stopped by EMCon last month, a comic convention.

B’nai Torah set for a musical performance

By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com

Temple B’nai Torah is bringing “a hard knock life” as its MainStage Players gear up for a musical performance of “Annie.”

Led by temple member Tom Reilly in his directorial debut, the musical will feature adults and children singing and dancing on stage. Based on the 1970’s Broadway production, the musical is the famous story of a charming redheaded orphan girl and her quest to experience the love and stability of a real family.

Reilly, who has been with the temple theater group for more than 18 years as a performer, said he always wanted to put on a production of “Annie.” With a mixture of fun, young talent and experienced adult performers, Reilly added that this year’s group provides the right opportunity for the musical.

“I think it’s the perfect make-up for the older cast and the younger ones in the middle, so it’s just good timing for this show,” Reilly said.

Rehearsals began in January, and Reilly said performers, who are also temple members, have been hard at work perfecting their performances. The young actors playing Annie and the other orphans have a large role in the

musical, according to Reilly, but he noted that the children have stepped up to the challenge.

Reilly’s wife, Lisa Shubin, the producer of the musical, said most of the children in the show have experience on stage, but also have at least one parent performing with them, creating a relaxed, family environment during rehearsals.

“It kind of flows naturally,” Shubin said of the rehearsals. “They figure out what they need to do, and they’re here because they want to put in the time and commitment.”

Playing the title role of Annie is 14-year-old Alyssa Abrons, who has been with the temple theater group for more than five years. Annie is her first major title role in a performance, which is made easier when working with friends and family, Alyssa said.

“I feel good about it,” Alyssa said of her role. “Everyone is supportive. They definitely let you relax, you have breaks, and they just try to make you succeed. It’s a really supportive environment, and that’s why I love doing shows here.”

Alyssa added that she is excited to perform on stage, even though her large role is more demanding in performance than the other actors. She said she is aware of the challenges in singing mul-

tiple songs in a row, but Alyssa understands the importance of pacing herself and rehearsing scenes over and over to get it just right.

“Singing multiple songs in a row, I try to take a sip of water or a small break in the middle, if I can,” Alyssa said.

Among the adult performers is Alisa Baroukh, who plays Miss Hannigan, caretaker of the orphanage where Annie and the other orphans live. Baroukh described Miss Hannigan as “an over-the-top, defeated personality,” with a wide range of emotional layers to act out.

“There’s a lot of yelling, a lot of pentup anger, and a lot of sadness that she really doesn’t let come out,” Baroukh said.

Baroukh, who has performed in temple stage plays since 1989, said this marks her first time in a singing role. She added that she was uncomfortable with the idea of singing on stage, but loved the role, so she took singing lessons. Her son, Elijah, 12, is also in the musical, playing an orphan and an apple seller.

Baroukh said she’s excited and honored to play a role that is legendary in musical theater circles.

“It’s such a memorable role because everybody feels for Annie,” Baroukh

said. “Annie is the sympathetic character. Everybody wants her to do well, everybody wants her to succeed, and Miss Hannigan’s the one that has to beat her down, so everybody remembers her.”

Thirteen-year-old Lila Minkowsky will play Pepper, a child at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage who is known for her sassy attitude. Lila described her character as a bitter child who picks on other kids in the orphanage. This is Lila’s fourth show with the temple, saying that each play she steps it up with more challenging roles.

“There’s nothing like the feeling of the spotlight on your face,” Lila said. “Sure, it comes with anxiety, but once you really make the character your own and put it in your shoes, you feel perfectly comfortable. It’s more a feeling of excitement and anticipation than anxiety.”

Both Shubin and her husband said everyone from actors and orchestra to choreographers and set designers have been top-notch throughout the production. “Between the makeup and the costumes, we really have a lot of people stepping up from within,” Reilly said. “We couldn’t do it without our volunteers.”

For advanced tickets and pricing, visit TBTWantagh.seatyourself.biz.

Charles Shaw/Herald

The MainStage Players, at Temple B’nai Torah in Wantagh, are rehearsing for four performances of ‘Annie: The Musical,’ starting this weekend.

‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’ at Clarke

W.T. Clarke Middle School’s Drama Club presented their musical production “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” from April 12 to 13.

The production featured talented students bringing the beloved characters from Charles M. Schulz’s “Peanuts” comic strip to life on stage.

The musical follows a day in the life of Charlie Brown and his friends, exploring themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the ups and downs of everyday life. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the energy and effort put in by the students.

The East Meadow School District congratulated Clarke’s Drama Club for putting on such a memorable show.

“basis” for calculating capital gains taxes is what you paid for the stock or the real estate. For real estate, the basis gets raised by the amount of any capital improvements you make to the property. When you sell your primary residence you may exclude the first $500,000 of gain if you’re a couple or $250,000 if you’re single. The $500,000 exclusion for a couple gets extended for a sale occurring up to two years after a spouse dies. For gifts you receive of appreciated stock or real estate during the donor’s lifetime, no capital gains tax is payable, however the donee receives the donor’s basis. It is generally considered better to wait, if possible, and pass the gift to the donee at death, due to the “stepped-up basis”. The basis of any inherited property is “steppedup” to date of death value. If the property is sold within six months of the date of death, then the sale price is deemed to be the date of death value.

If the property is going to be held for

some time it is helpful to get date of death values to establish the new basis. For real estate, this means getting an appraisal from a licensed real estate appraiser (not a real estate broker!). For stocks, you simply ask the company holding the stocks to provide this information.

When a spouse dies with jointly held property, there is a half of a step-up — the deceased spouse’s half gets stepped-up to date of death value, while the surviving spouse has the original basis. However, for a primary residence the capital gains tax exclusions discussed above continue to apply. With combined Federal and New York capital gains taxes reaching about 30%, it is essential to look at holding onto appreciated property until death (especially if you have taken depreciation on the property which can lower your basis to zero) and to look carefully at the estate plan to see if property should be transferred to a surviving spouse to get another step-up on the second death.

Courtesy East Meadow Union Free School District

W.T. Clarke Middle School’s Drama Club presented their musical production ‘You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown’ from April 12 to 13.

BRADY MAHLER

Baldwin Senior Lacrosse

A FOUR-YEAR STARTING attackman and twoyear captain who has never missed a high school lacrosse game, Mahler has picked up where he left off last spring after earning AllCounty recognition. He led the Bruins with 65 goals and 17 assists, putting him among the county’s offensive stars. So far this season he has a team-high 39 goals through 10 games. He is also a Top 10 student at Baldwin and earned academic All-American honors.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, May 2

Baseball: V.S. South at Malverne 4:30 p.m.

Softball: East Rockaway at Lawrence 5 p.m.

Softball: West Hempstead at Elmont

Girls Flag Football: Bell-Merrick at Long Beach

Baseball: MacArthur at Mepham

Baseball: Carey at Calhoun

Baseball: Kennedy at South Side 5 p.m.

Baseball: Seaford at North Shore 5 p.m.

Baseball: East Meadow at Baldwin 5 p.m.

Baseball: Uniondale at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Mepham at Lynbrook 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Clarke at Elmont 5 p.m.

Friday, May 3

Softball: MacArthur at Oceanside 5 p.m.

Softball: Massapequa at Calhoun 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: West Hempstead at Hewlett 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Kennedy at Clarke 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Wantagh at Long Beach 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Massapequa at South Side 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 4

Softball: MacArthur at Wantagh 9 a.m.

Girls Lacrosse: East Meadow at MacArthur 11:30 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: V.S. District at Freeport 1 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

East Meadow fresh for stretch run

By BRIAN KACHARABA sports@liherald.com

East Meadow’s girls’ lacrosse team will be well rested when it resumes its chase for a probable playoff spot this week.

The Jets had not played in 11 days when they took the field against Kennedy May 1 and entered the contest with a 6-2 Conference III record (6-4 overall). The mark is good for third in the division as the team tries for its third playoff berth in as many seasons under coach Nicolette Tortorici.

“We’re a young team and we have girls who are hard working and athletic,” Tortorici said. “We’ve definitely been successful. We’ve been happy with all of the outcomes and we’re looking forward to, hopefully, postseason play.”

Tortorici said she used the break to set up more defensive sets, offensive plays and special teams strategies and didn’t anticipate any rust once the schedule resumed.

East Meadow entered the break on a positive note after a 7-6 comeback win over New Hyde Park on April 19 to end a modest two-game losing streak. The Jets trailed 5-1 after the first quarter, but shut down the Gladiators the rest of the way and Kayla Lederer scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the final stanza to send the Senior Day crowd home happy.

“We were distracted in the beginning of the game, and then we realized that we were down a couple of goals and we knew we didn’t want to lose on Senior Day on our home turf,” Tortorici said. “The girls finally found the flow and we were able to pull out the win.”

Halle Lara has 12 goals in her last four games and leads the team with 25 and fellow senior Brooke Vislocky’s hat trick against New Hyde Park increased her goal total to 24 while pacing the Jets with 32 points. There were questions about whether Vislocky, an 11-goal scorer in 2023, would even play lacrosse this season after suffering a “very traumatic brain injury” midway through her basketball season.

“Not many girls her age would come back to playing a sport after something

Terry

Senior Dynastee Ramos’s 94 saves rank her among the county leaders, including a season-high 14 in a 14-9 win over Plainview.

like this,” Tortorici said. “Not only did she come back, she’s leading our team in points. We are so proud of how she’s handled the situation and overcame this obstacle. It’s a true testament to the type of person and player Brooke is.”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com. 4:21:36

The team is strong in transition thanks to Lederer (11-4-15) and midfielders Isabella Levin (2-10-12) and freshman Kate Barnett (2-3-5). Sophomore Jessica Stump has also contributed four goals and nine points.

The defensive corps has taken shape

with junior Shauna Gregorio and sophomore Guliana D’Alessandro stepping up in the absence of injured junior Alissa Valente. D’Alessandro has especially contributed in transition as well as gaining 50-50 ground balls.

Senior Dynastee Ramos’s 94 saves places her among the county leaders, which includes a season-high 14 in a 14-9 win over Plainview April 1.

After Kennedy, the Jets will close the season at MacArthur and Hewlett before hosting first-place Oyster Bay on May 9.

Uellendahl/Herald

Long Island’s top lawyers honored at gala

By Joseph D’Alessandro

It was a pleasant evening of celebration for more than 40 of Long Island’s best attorneys last month, with nearly 300 in attendance.

They gathered at The Heritage Club at Bethpage for the Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island awards gala, hosted by Kristen Thorne, the multi-Emmy-winning investigative reporter for WABC7, and host of Hulu’s crime docuseries “Missing.”

Even better, a portion of ticket proceeds were earmarked for Nassau Suffolk Law Services, which provides legal aid to those who can’t afford it in civil cases.

“Tonight, we come together to acknowledge the vital role of legal professional in protecting the rights of Long Islanders,” said Amy Amato, RichnerLive’s executive director. “We commend their dedication to serving our community, and recognize their significant contributions — both professionally, and through charitable endeavors — enriching the lives of those on Long Island.”

Winners were chosen from attorneys who prioritize those in need — whether by their choice of clientele, partnering with charities, or doing work pro bono, without charging the client. They represent many disciplines of law, including worker’s compensation, immigration, family and elder law, medical malpractice and cannabis practice.

“I’m very honored to get this award,” said Kristi DiPaolo, a senior associate at Cona Elder Law. “I love what I do, so it’s really an honor to be recognized.”

The most valuable part of the work by Marc Saracino — a senior associate at Campolo, Middleton & McCormick — is providing guidance. He donates to CMM Cares, which supports family programs on Long Island.

“You’re helping a lot of people out in the legal community who don’t really know what they’re doing,” Saracino said. “To the extent that I can provide services to them and expedite their legal issues, I think that’s rewarding.”

Jennifer Mone, a general counsel for Hofstra University, also serves on the board of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Long Island.

Hofstra’s mission is to “educate and contribute to the academic education and knowledge of the world,” Mone said. “So, we’re educating students. My role is providing excellent legal services in support of that mission.”

Eduardo Villacorta, founder of Villacorta Law Group, says the most rewarding part of his work is keeping families together.

“We believe in the American dream, and our mission is to make the American dream a reality for immigrants,” he said. “The most rewarding thing I can give is granting their papers, and legalizing them.”

Jeffrey Kimmel, managing partner of Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro — who also is an active member of Nassau Suffolk Law Services — says medical malpractice victims often face an uphill battle when facing large medical institutions.

“Unfortunately, most people who are victims of medical malpractice are from lower income communities that don’t have the best medical care,” he said. “And so they ended up being my clients, and more often than not, without my help, they wouldn’t really know what to do.”

Kelly Koster, a partner at Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano says a reliable attorney is essential. Her firm — which specializes in worker compensation and Social Security disability — also represents women of domestic violence pro bono.

“To young women that are striving to be attorneys, never give up your passion,” Koster said. “Keep your eyes on the goal, and don’t set a time limit, because there’s a time and a place for everything. You can always achieve what you’ve put your mind towards.”

Hon. Gail Prudenti a partner at Burner Prudenti

Law returned to work as an attorney after her career as chief administrative judge. Her firm is involved with the Katz Institute for Women’s Health at Northwell Hospital.

“I really think being an attorney is a vocation,” Prudenti said. “It’s not a job. And while it is a wonderful profession, you really have to be dedicated to being a problem solver. I think that sometimes, in this crazy world, we really need people who are thoughtful, who are kind, who are compassionate, and who are empathetic.”

Platinum sponsor for Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island was Villacorta Law Group. Centerpiece sponsor was Salenger Sack Kimmel & Bavaro.

Gold sponsors were Hofstra University and Mejias Milgrim Alavardo & Lindo.

Silver sponsors were Cona Elder Law, Meister Seelig & Fein, Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, The Rizzuto Law Firm, Stefans Law Group, Nixon Peabody, Davidov Law Group, Nassau County Women’s Bar Association, Touro University’s Jacob D. Fuchesberg Law Center, Schroder & Strom, Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, Goldstein & Bashner, Greenberg Traurig, Meyer Suozzi English & Klein, Nassau Community College Foundation, and Vishnick McGovern Milizio.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

The Schroder & Strom team were among those honored at the recent Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island gala.

Honorees Michael and Ilana Davidov of Davidov Law Group.

Holden Leeds/Herald

Kelly Koster, left, of Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano.

Bryan Lewis of Nixon Peabody.

Holden Leeds/Herald photos

Julie J. Wyetzner, from left, Amy Amato, honoree Kristi DiPaolo, Jennifer Cona, Melissa Negrin-Wiener and Julie Allegretti.

Nicholas Terzulli of Davidoff Hutcher & Citron.

Jeffrey Kimmel of Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro.

Joseph Trotti of Vishnick McGovern and Milizio.

Michael Antongiovanni of Meyer Suozzi English & Klein.

Honoree David Mejias.

Jennifer Mone of Hostra University.

Paul Millus of Meyer Suozzi English & Klein with Herald Community Newspapers publisher Stuart Richner.

Tim Baker/Herald photos Honoree and platinum sponsor Eduardo Villacorta.

Tiffany Graham of Touro University, Jacob D. Fuchesberg Law Center.

Donna Stefans of Stefans Law Group.

Bettina Hollis of The Rizzuto Law Firm.

Jewish War Veterans celebrate 128 years

The Jewish Water Veterans of the United States of America is celebrating its 128th anniversary this year — a momentous milestone, that reflects on all of the work of the veteran agency. Nassau County’s local Post 652 gathered for a luncheon on April 18 at Congregation Ohav Shalom to celebrate the anniversary.

Across the nation, there’s around 7,000 members of the Jewish War Veterans, often referred to JWV. It is the oldest active national veterans’ service organization in the U.S., and it was created after 1896 by American Civil War veterans to raise awareness of the contributions made by Jewish service members.

Nationally, the JWV defends the rights and benefits of all service members and veterans, combats antisemitism and supports the State of Israel in conflicts. It’s a leading veteran orga-

nization in the country, support and advocating for all uniformed service members, veterans and their families.

At the luncheon on April 18, the service organization was joined by several government officials, who presented the group with citations. In Nassau County, Post 652 embodies the work and mission of the Jewish War Veterans, often taking charge on initiatives.

One of the group’s largest efforts is to ensure that all veterans are aware of and have access to services that they’re entitled to upon the completion of their military career.

The celebration recognized all of the work Post 652 has done, and continues to do, in Nassau County.

For more on the Jewish War Veterans, the organization’s history, and Post 652, visit JWV.org.

–Jordan Vallone

Jewish War Veterans is celebrating 128 years in 2024. Post 652 recognized the milestone at a luncheon. Joel Greenberg, Gary Glick, Susan Helsinger and Ed Freeberg at the luncheon on April 18.

Holden Leeds/Herald photos

Post 652 was presented with citations in honor of the milestone by government officials, including Councilman Chris Carini and County Executive Bruce Blakeman, left.

The Jewish War Veterans is the oldest continuous veteran service organization in the U.S., established in 1896. David Cepler, above, by his display at Congregation Ohav Shalom.

Courtesy Mahira Ahmed

Students at McVey Elementary School recently put on ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ The play was directed by Charles Angeli, a math lab teacher at the school, with the help of Brianna Collura, an East Meadow High School senior.

McVey students shine in

‘Once Upon a Mattress’

By MAHIRA AHMED Intern

The McVey Elementary School’s theater club, called “The McVey Players,” retold the classic story of the “Princess and the Pea” on Feb. 7, in its production, “Once Upon a Mattress.”

The story of “Once Upon a Mattress” is rooted from the Broadway musical comedy created in 1959 with the music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer and book by Dean Fuller, Jay Thompson, and Barer.

Charles Angeli, a Math Lab teacher at McVey Elementary School, is the director of the McVey theater productions and orchestrated this year’s musical.

This current school year is his 24th directing these plays.

“A great aspect of the show is how it takes the story of ‘The Princess and the Pea’ and turns it into a comical retelling,” he said. “I thought this would be a great opportunity to direct the students to perform a little ‘over the top’ and to treat the characters in a live-action cartoon type of setting. The cast embraced the opportunity and really had fun with it.”

Angeli’s hard work to assemble a cast and teach students of all grades how to perform on stage in just a few months is no simple task. East Meadow High School senior Brianna Collura, an alumni of McVey elementary school, helped Angeli as assistant director for the school musical.

Collura has been active in theater productions ever since her first show at McVey, in the production of “High School Musical.” In high school, Collura participated in the school plays in her underclassmen years, and participated in a theater production in the Cultural Arts Playhouse in Merrick last year.

Over the past summer, Collura wanted to take a shift in her acting career and engage in a position of directing an ensemble. This year, she volunteered her time to work with the students at McVey and understand the work put into directing. “If the kids needed help with lines or learning the dance numbers, I would lead them first with Mr. Angeli, we would go over things and how he wanted things done,” she said.

Ameera Ahmed, a fifth grade student

who was part of the ensemble cast said, “When Mr. Angeli was focusing on the other crew, Miss Brianna would help us go over our lines.”

“I would give in my input to the kids,” Collura said. “I had a lot of freedom in telling the kids ‘okay I think you should do it this way’ or ‘I think the lines should be delivered like this instead of the way you just did it’.”

“There are so many positives about directing the students,” Angeli said. “I’d say one of the best things is seeing a student gain more confidence in their role and having the opportunity to watch the character on stage grow and develop. It is always amazing when a student who many consider to be shy not only auditions for the show, but also receives a part that enables them to shine on the stage.”

“(The musical) is also really good because you can be social with people,” Ahmed said.

The effort paid off, too. Timothy Lindow, a fifth grader, who played the role of Prince Dauntless in the show, said that he liked “just how comical his character is and just how funny it is to see the audience’s reaction of laughter.”

“I loved being able to watch my brother rule the stage as Prince Dauntless,” his older sister, Kaitlynn Lindow said.

The Lindow family has had a long connection with the McVey Players, as Timothy’s siblings have all participated either on stage or in stage crew. In fact, his dad, Andrew Lindow, built the large castle background for the stage of the musical.

“I am so proud to have a dad that is willing to put so much time into a school production,” Kaitlynn added.

Collura was surprised with a bouquet of flowers by Angeli and the McVey staff in recognition for her contributions. The staff at McVey Elementary school awarded Angeli a plaque of recognition for his time spent working with students in theater productions.

“The plaque may be presented to me, but it reflects the hard work and dedication of the students who participated as well,” he said.

This plaque was hung up on the walls of McVey, showcasing the school’s pride for productions, year after year.

THANK YOU!

The Empire State Local News Coalition—more than 200 local newspapers strong—is grateful to the State of New York for including a first-in-the-nation tax credit to support local journalism in the FY'25 state budget.

A special thanks to:

Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie

Assemblymember Carrie Woerner (Assembly Sponsor)

Communities throughout the Empire State appreciate your commitment to the free press and to democracy.

Governor Kathy Hochul

Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (Senate Sponsor)

Assemblyman David McDonough

State Senator Steve Rhoads Assemblyman John Mikulin

Assemblyman Ed Ra

State legislature allocates $56 million more for TAP

By NICOLE WAGNER nwagner@liherald.com

College tuition is something that can loom over a student’s head long after she graduates. But she and others are getting a little help from Gov. Kathy Hochul and state legislators, who earmarked an additional $56 million into the state’s Tuition Assistance Program.

More students applying for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form will have the opportunity to receive assistance through TAP. The program has been active since 1974, providing nearly $30 billion in financial aid to 6 million students in New York.

TAP is one of the largest need-based financial grants in the country. The program provided 234,000 students $662 million in TAP grants as recently as the 202223 academic year.

The minimum annual TAP award was increased from $500 to $1,000, capping out at just below $5,700. Income limit threshold qualifications were also increased for both dependent and independent students.

Those who may qualify include:

■ independent students with tax dependents,

■ students who qualified as an orphan, foster child or ward of the court any time since they were 13, and

■ dependent undergraduate students

with a household earning less than $125,000.

Independent students who are married without tax dependents who make less than $60,000 now qualify — up from $40,000 previously.

Independent students who are single without tax dependents who make less than $30,000 now qualify — up from $10,000 previously.

The TAP expansion was celebrated by Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, Assemblywoman Taylor Darling, former Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages and members of the Elmont community out-

side of Elmont Memorial High School last week.

“It is indispensable for families who are struggling with the affordability crisis in which we exist today,” Assemblywoman Solages said, emphasizing the importance for students to receive “a quality education at a good price.”

The TAP expansion is meant to help students and families, especially when facing the hardships brought by inflation.

“Turning the TAP on is exactly what we needed to do,” Darling said, adding that students have come to her to say they needed to drop out of school because they couldn’t afford things like a MetroCard or Long Island Rail Road ticket, day care, or

even to put food on the table.

Quincy Velez, a senior at the Elmont school, said he “definitely needed” the help that TAP provides. He receives $2,000 in aid from the program, which helps a lot coming from a single-parent household where going to college isn’t always a viable option.

“Now I can look for a school that is my first choice instead of it not being my first choice because of money issues,” said Velez, who has dreams of someday becoming a pilot.

Such a dream could be expensive, said Lynette Battle — Velez’s mother, and president of the school’s parent teacher association. Aviation school can cost as much as $75,000 per year, if not more. Expanding TAP can really make a difference.

“The struggle is real, and this is a breath of fresh air,” Battle said. “And now, the opportunities are much greater.”

To receive TAP, students must be in good standing on a student loan under any state or federal education loan program, or on the repayment of any state award, among other conditions.

Applications are now open through June 2025.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity,” Battle said. “I hope that every young person makes sure they fill out their FAFSA form, and makes sure they get everything done in a timely fashion, because now is the time.

“The TAP is turned on. Don’t wait until the TAP is off.”

Nicole Wagner/Herald

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages speaks with Elmont residents about the importance of the expansion of New York’s Tuition Assistance Program after the state allocated an additional $56 million to the program for the 2024-25 academic year.

Barnum students look toward a green future

Reworld has constructed at the school has three garden beds with trellises, a hydroponics and lighting system and fans for temperature control. Hydroponics is a technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient, rather than soil.

“Usually, they’re only able to see and grow one small plant,” Schiller said of Barnum’s garden club students. “Now they see how plants interact, how to make use of space, and how to sustain planting(s). They can see how to go from planting to harvesting, and all the things that are required to grow healthy food.”

For the new garden, planting season began about a month ago, and some of the plants have begun to produce vegetables — tiny cucumbers are sprouting on the vines, the first of many crops that will be harvested.

Some of the lessons that come with participation in the club are “understanding the importance of having food locally grown, instead of bringing it in from other areas, the impact on the environment, and learning about eating healthy,” according to Lisette Pelligrino, a teacher at Barnum and the club’s overseer.

The students must decide how they want to organize the garden, using research skills to determine how to organize the garden to maximize sunlight exposure and minimize overcrowding. Even if parts of the garden do not survive, the procedure provides a valuable learning experience.

“If it doesn’t work, then next year we know we have to plant differently,” Pelligrino said. “I tell them, ‘it’s like a laboratory.’ I like to create opportunities for them to learn something new, and as the program grows, there’ll be more interesting things that I can bring to the table for them.”

In June, the school will hold a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, unveiling the student garden to the East

Meadow community. “Their families are going to be invited also so that they can see the fruits of their work,” Pelligrino said of parents of children in the club

Crops being grown include peas, green beans, carrots, tomatoes, eggplants, and more, with harvests expected in the spring and fall. The vegetables are grown without pesticides, by using marigold flowers to deter pests, which makes it a self-sustaining ecosystem.

“We pretty much wanted to make something that was from start to finish that the kids can go ahead and utilize,” Fiori Iadevaia, Reworld’s safety and health program manager, said. “The main goal is that we wanted the kids to be successful from start to finish, meaning from planting a seed and seeing what can happen towards the end.”

Reworld has built other gardening facilities at East Meadow High School and Meadowbrook Elementary School, and other schools are showing interest in future projects. In addition to building the gardens, Reworld provides active support for gardens to assist students as they continue to work with the plants after the garden installation.

“We just didn’t build it and install it and say that was it,” Iadevaia said. “We want to give support throughout the entire year for this project and make sure it’s successful for the kids.”

“We look forward to returning and building, making it better, (and) not just walking away,” Maureen Early, Reworld’s lead communications affairs specialist, said.

Creating gardens at multiple schools can build a sense of community, Early added.

“As we develop this project at various schools, maybe we could have a competition between Barnum and Meadowbrook,” Early said. “Who can grow the biggest watermelon, just to kind of entice the kids and make it more fun, add a little competitive spirit?

“Our community outreach is different from most companies,” she added. “We don’t just write checks directly. At Reworld, we become one with our partners in the community. The enthusiasm that this project has brought to these young children and the administration at the school has been second to none.”

Lawrence Woodmere Academy

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Courtesy Reworld the three garden beds built for Barnum Woods elementary School.

Herald group wins 18 state NYPA awards

STAFF REPORT

It was a big night of wins for your local paper and all of Herald Community Newspapers as the New York Press Association honored the best of the best this past weekend.

The Herald papers earned 18 statewide awards overall at the event in Saratoga Springs, including four first places.

Creative director Jeffrey Negrin earned two of them — one for a Salute to Israel special section honoring the country on its 75th anniversary that he did with deputy editor Jeffrey Bessen, and the other for best special section cover he did for a Your Health & Wellness special section focused on mental health.

“Good editorial design in a mix of visual metaphor, eye-catching imagery and strategic typography,” judges from the Tennessee Press Association said. “This cover expertly made all three elements with ease. The use of a stark gray background was such a great decision for keeping the colorful main image large and incharge.”

Daniel Offner, a senior editor who leads the Rockville Centre Herald, earned a first place in religion coverage for his stories centered not just on the issues plaguing the Diocese of Rockville Centre, but also how many churches adapted to life after the Covid-19 pandemic.

First place also was awarded to The Riverdale Press in the Bronx for best editorial page, honoring former editor Gary Larkin and executive editor Michael Hinman.

“The editorial section is diverse, eye-catching and well-balanced in design,” judges said. “Topics are relevant to readers, well-written, and provide a wide variety of topics of interest.”

The Riverdale Press also earned a second place for coverage of crime, police and courts given to Larkin, reporter Eric Harvey, and former reporter Stacy Driks. Harvey won a second place of his own for best feature story on civil rights attorney Clarence Jones, who hosted Martin Luther King Jr., in his Riverdale home back in the 1960s, just in time for him to write his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

The Riverdale Press also won second place for the Past President’s Award for Editorial Excellence — an award the paper has regularly placed in over the

years, including first-place wins in 2020 and 2021.

This year, the judges called The Press a “strong newspaper with rich and newsy content from front to back” with an “engaging editorial page and eye-catching front pages.”

The Nassau Herald in the Five Towns won second place for advertising excellence, with special kudos to its special sections, its dance workshop ad designs, and for its annual Christmas wrapping paper project.

The Nassau Herald also won second places for special sections/niche publications-newsprint for RichnerLive’s Top Lawyers section, as well as best multiadvertiser pages for its Halloween section.

The Nassau Herald won third place in editorials

written by Bessen, Hinman and former Malverne/ West Hempstead Herald editor Mark Nolan. The editorials focused on project-based learning, a call to replace special political elections with gubernatorial appointments, and calling out the Nassau County Bridge Authority.

“Variety of editorials concern topics in which most readers are interested (like) education, elections and transportation,” judges said. “All three presented clearly, and were well-written.”

Nolan also won third place for column writing for the Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald.

Nolan’s column selection “covered a range of topics,” judges said, “and they were all smooth to read.” One that really grabbed the judges’ attention was on graduation rates, saying Nolan “explained the high number of graduates was misleading in a clear, simple way.”

Negrin won a third place of his own for best media kit and sales collateral, something the judges said should be a “model for media kits everywhere.”

“It’s truly humbling to receive acknowledgment from our peers in the newspaper community,” said Herald Community Newspapers publisher Stuart Richner. “My heartfelt congratulations to all of our winners. Nevertheless, our ultimate gratification stems from ensuring our readers receive the best and most comprehensive community news every single week.”

“Such a great honor for the sales staff to win two awards for advertising excellence,” said Rhonda Glickman, the sales vice president at Herald Community Newspapers. “It takes a great team, including finance, art, production, circulation, the press room, and the marketing staff to bring home these awards. Congrats to our editorial team and creative director for all their awards.”

Honorable mentions went to sports editor Tony Bellissimo for sportswriter of the year, the Rockville Centre Herald for advertising excellence, former East Meadow Herald editor Mallory Wilson for her coverage of education, Larkin for feature story, and photo editor Tim Baker for feature photo in the Malverne/ West Hempstead Herald.

Overall, more than 140 newspapers submitted 2,530 entries in 65 categories, and nearly 380 awards were handed out.

Susanna Ciurleo/Herald

More than 20 members of the Herald Community Newspapers team attended the annual New York Press Association Spring Conference in Saratoga Springs over the weekend, where the newspaper group earned 18 state awards.

Herald Community Newspapers creative director Jeffrey Negrin won first place for best special section cover design for his cover last May focusing on mental health for a Your Health and Wellness special section.

NYU Langone makes transplant history

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Lisa Pisano suffered from heart failure and end-stage kidney diseases — conditions that required routine dialysis. Because of that, the 54-year-old New Jersey resident wasn’t a candidate for either a heart or kidney transplant, because doctors feared it just wouldn’t help her long-term.

But those same doctors refused to give up. And last week, NYU Langone Health completed its first transplant surgery to combine a mechanical heart pump and a gene-edited pig kidney.

NYU Langone Health — which operates a hospital in Mineola — completed the first transplant surgery to combine a mechanical heart pump and a geneedited pig kidney,

More than 100,000 people are currently awaiting a transplant across the country, with most specifically looking for a kidney. More than 800,000 people suffer from end-stage kidney disease in the United States alone, yet just 1-in-30 were fortunate enough to undergo a transplant last year, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.

With little to no options, Pisano considered xenotransplant — which depends on animal organs to replace human ones in people.

“When the opportunity first came to me, I was like, ‘I got to try it,’” Pisano

Robert Montgomery prepares the surgical site for a medical history-making pig-tohuman transplant surgery by using sterile forceps and scissors for Lisa Pisano at NYU Langone Health’s Kimmel Pavilion in Manhattan.

told reporters through a video conference from her intensive care unit room.

“So, when this opportunity came, I was going to take advantage of it.”

The effort involved approval from NYU Langone’s review board and Food and Drug Administration clearance through its expanded access program. Also known as “compassionate use, “ the expanded access program is designed for patients with serious or life-threatening conditions.

“There are opportunities for us to

learn a lot,” Robert Montgomery, NYU Langone’s surgery department chair told reporters last week. “But obviously, the intent here is to try to preserve and save that person’s life.”

It otherwise would have taken years for Pisano to find the right match for a human kidney transplant. Montgomery, with the help of the United Therapeutics Corp., matched an investigational gene-edited pig kidney with a thymus, which was available.

Two surgical teams conducted the

series of procedures over nine days. On April 4, Pisano received a mechanical heart pump — a device known as a left ventricular assist device. On April 12, she received a gene-edited pig kidney, and the pig’s thymus gland.

Montgomery performed the transplant itself, while Nader Moazami — a cardiothoracic surgery chief at NYU Grossman School of Medicine — along with Deane Smith, director of mechanical circulatory support, performed the mechanical heart pump surgery at the Kimmel Pavilion in Manhattan.

NYU Langone officials described the overall procedure as the first reported organ transplant in a person with a mechanical heart pump, and second known transplant of a gene-edited pig kidney into a human.

Pisano expressed feeling “fantastic” after the procedures.

“I’ve felt the best I’ve felt in a long time,” she said. “I can’t thank anyone enough for that. My family, the doctors, nurses, staff — everyone here.”

Although uncertain about how she will react over time, Pisano acknowledged the treatment may prove beneficial for someone else — if not for her.

“Worst-case scenario, if it doesn’t work, it might work for the next person,” Pisano said.

“At least somebody is going to benefit from it. If not me, then who? Somebody.”

Courtesy Joe Carrotta, NYU Langone Health

Issues on L.I. have been prevalent for years

the summer months, also referred to as the peak demand period.

“We take 450 million gallons a day out of the aquifer system to meet the needs of Long Island,” Meyland said. “That’s a lot of water.”

Meyland explained that gallons are used to clean up contaminated sites, or are provided for irrigation, farming and commercial use.

Water use increases by 204 percent during the summer months, which is a huge part of the problem, Meyland said. During the winter months, with consistent rainfall it looks good for the groundwater divide. However, during hot summers and the peak demand period for pumping, that likelihood drops significantly, according to Meyland.

“We’re too extravagant in our water use… it takes time to achieve change in our water usage, so we have to start now,” Meyland said.

Wby the state legislature in 2023 to start a water conservation program, but the move was overturned due to a change in legislation, according to Meyland.

“If you look at the rest of the U.S, and how they respond to water issues, they’re doing way better,” Meyland said. “The amount of water (New York City) saved is equal to the daily amount of water we take out of our aquifer system. They made water conservation priority number one, and that’s what we need to do.”

e take 450 million gallons a day out of the aquifer system to meet the needs of Long Island. That’s a lot of water.

Sarah Meyland professor of sustainability, New York University

In 2016, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation encouraged all water suppliers to reduce their usage by 15 percent to minimize future damage to the water supply. However, none of the suppliers has managed to come close, Meyland said. About $6 million was set aside

The effect of drinking water on the health of residents is unclear without further research, according to Meyland, but the League of Women Voters said its goal is to bring awareness to this issue and work toward a healthier water system. Barbara Epstein, co-president of the East Nassau group, suggested getting involved with voting in local campaigns as a call to action against water quality issues on Long Island.

The league’s East Nassau group advocates for topics that affect residents in and around the county and encourages and educates residents on voter services. The group is also actively involved in following county government issues. For more information on what the league does, call (516) 431-1628.

Courtesy Metro

Water quality was on the table at a meeting last month with the League of Women Voters of east nassau.

STEPPING OUT

Familiar face leading

Co-founder Harrelson

honored with uniform patch

By Tony Bellissimo

The Long Island Ducks took the field for the 2024 Atlantic League baseball season opener April 25 with heavy hearts.

Bud Harrelson, the former Mets great who co-founded and coowned the Ducks, died Jan. 11 at 79 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He co-founded the Ducks franchise with Frank Boulton in 1998, and served as the league’s first president.

“Bud’s impact on Long Island will be felt through Ducks baseball for as long as we play,” Boulton says. “He was my partner in bringing professional baseball to Long Island following his outstanding playing career in MLB, and he made his mark on so many through his charitable giving, appearances and kindness. He was a one-of-a-kind human being, and he is missed greatly.”

The Ducks, who won their first game under new manager Lew Ford, are honoring Harrelson this season with a “3” patch on the front of their uniforms. Harrelson’s family was on hand for the opener, and threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Ford became the seventh manager in Ducks history, succeeding Wally Backman. A member of the 1986 Mets World Series team, Backman joined the Ducks prior to the 2019 season, and finished his Ducks career with a record of 284-232 (.550). The team made the playoffs three times, and advanced to two Atlantic League Championship Series (2019, 2021), winning it all in 2019.

Ford has spent the past 13 seasons on Long Island, the past nine as a player/coach.

“I am honored and excited,” Ford says. “I look forward to working with our exceptional staff and players to bring home a championship to Long Island.”

Ford’s 13 years with the Ducks are more than any other player in franchise history, and his run as a player/coach is the longest tenure in franchise annals as well. He has the most hits in team history with 1,036, ranking him third all-time in the Atlantic League. Additionally, he sits second all-time among Ducks players in batting average (.318, mininum of 1,000 at-bats), games played (877), runs batted in (511), runs scored (549), doubles (227) and total bases (1,541).

setting league singleseason records for hits (189) and games played (140) that season. In addition to his time with the Ducks, Ford spent parts of seven seasons at the Major League level, and in 519 big league games batted .268 with 35 home runs and 176 RBIs.

“Lew has been an outstanding representative of the Ducks organization over the past 15 years,” Boulton says. “He has earned this opportunity, and we are very excited to have him guiding our team on

Asbury Short Film Concert

The latest edition of the short film showcase is back at the Madison Theatre. With a lineup of classics from Asbury’s past combined with current international festival winners — and in many cases, featuring up-and-coming filmmakers — audiences can get a look at these ‘smaller’ films that don’t often get a big screen showing. The fast-paced evening includes local spotlight selection ‘Across’ from Long Islandbased filmmaker Laura Sweeney It tells the dramatic story of three World War II widows on a road trip together to try and find healing, but instead wind up learning tough secrets. Another stand-out is the 2011 Academy Award nominee, ‘The Crush,’ a quirky drama about an 8-year-old boy and his infatuation with his teacher, from Irish director Michael Creagh. Author, comedy writer and former Friar’s Club archivist Barry Dougherty serves as guest host.

Friday, May 3, 7:30 p.m. $25. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at MadisonTheatreNY.org, or call (516) 323-4444.

Atlantic League. Additionally, he sits second all-time among Ducks the field.”

The most accomplished player Ford will pencil into the lineup is Major League veteran outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., who signed April 4. He appeared in 1,182 MLB games, and won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2018. He totaled 109 homers, 449 RBIs and 69 stolen bases over an 11-year career.

The 47-year-old Central Islip resident played on the Ducks championship clubs in 2012, 2013 and 2019. He also helped lead the Flock to eight division titles and 11 postseason appearances as a player/coach. The outfielder was named the 2014 Atlantic League Player of the Year,

“Jackie is an exceptional talent with a wealth of experience in the game,” Ford says. “His resume speaks for itself. He’s excited to be here and we’re thrilled to have him.”

‘Cold Beer on a Saturday Night’

Bradley will patrol center field with speedy Nick Heath (42 steals) in left and Tyler Dearden in right. The infield features another former Major Leaguer, first baseman Frank Schwindel, who hit 22 in the bigs. Shortstop Ivan Castillo and third baseman Hector Gomez also have some MLB experience. Scott Kelly returns at second base, and Ford expects newcomer Rixon Wingrove to hit some dingers.

Behind the plate, Chance Sisco returns after belting 11 homers, including three in one game, with 33 RBIs in just 31

Bradley will patrol center field with speedy Nick Frank base, games.

“He’s a veteran catcher who calls a great game, and is a very productive hitter,” Ford says.

Stephen Woods Jr., who went 7-2 for the Ducks last season. There

Sisco will work with a starting pitching staff anchored by Stephen Woods Jr., who went 7-2 for the Ducks last season. There is also former MLB southpaw Wei-Yin Chen. A onetime teammate of Ford’s in Baltimore, Daniel Corcino, who spent the past two years with Lexington. And Chris Ellis, who got a taste of the Majors with 25 relief appearances.

“We have talented players and a great clubhouse,” Ford says.

Photos courtesy Long Island Ducksi

Photos (top): Catcher Chance Sisco had 33 RBIs in only 31 games last season.

(middle): Third baseman Hector Gomez is one of many Ducks with MLB experience.

(bottom): Long Island Ducks mascot ‘Quakerjack’ is a hit with fans of all ages.

Get a head start on beach season with Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band. We’re all eager for summertime to arrive, meanwhile Jimmy Kenny and his band come to the rescue on the Paramount stage again. Join in their ‘Ultimate Beach Party Tribute’ to Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band. Parrotheads, No Shoes Nation and the Zamily: It’s 5 o’clock somewhere so let’s ‘raise ‘em up and sing along. The Long Island-based band — guided by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals/ acoustic guitar, with Linn DeMilta (aka Lovely Linn), lead and backing vocals, Luis Rio, lead guitar/backing vocals, Frank Stainkamp, keyboard/ backing vocals, Dan Prine, bass, and drummer Mike Vecchione — have celebrated the beach country sounds of Buffett, Chesney and Zac Brown Band for more than a decade, spreading their vibe up and down the Northeast.

Saturday, May 4, 8 p.m. $35. $25, $20, $15. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com, or ParamountNY.com.

THE Your Neighborhood

Dance Theatre of Harlem

The acclaimed dance company visits Long Island on its 2024 tour, appearing on the Tilles Center stage, Friday, May 10, 8 p.m. With a storied history, the first Black classical ballet company, co-founded by dance icon and international superstar Arthur Mitchell, has toured the world, engaged communities and introduced young minds and bodies to the power of dance. With all its renown, this boundary-breaking, dynamic organization has maintained Mitchell’s core belief that ballet belongs to everyone. Now a singular presence in the ballet world, DTH presents a powerful vision for ballet in the 21st century.

The 18-member, multi-ethnic company performs a forward-thinking repertoire that includes treasured classics, neoclassical works by George Balanchine and resident choreographer Robert Garland, as well as innovative contemporary works that use the language of ballet to celebrate Black culture. Through performances, community engagement and arts education, the Company carries forward Dance Theatre of Harlem’s message of empowerment through the arts for all. The dynamic program and music by Michael Nyman; Balanchine’s “Pas de Dix, with music by Alexander Glazuno; “Take Me With You,” with choreography by Robert Bondara, featuring Radiohead music; “Return,” choreographed by Robert Garland, with James Brown and Aretha Franklin tunes. Tickets start at $64; available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville.

Family theater

Families will enjoy another musical adventure, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved children’s books, on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage, Friday, May 3, 10:15 a.m. and noon; Sunday, May 5, 2 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, May 7-10, 10:15 a.m. and noon. Back by popular demand after a sold-out 2023 run, see Pigeon, Bus Driver, and some zany passengers sing and dance their way to helping The Pigeon find his “thing” in this upbeat, energetic comedy based on four of Mo Willems’ popular Pigeon books.

Featuring a live band to bring Deborah Wicks La Puma’s jazzy score to life, audiences will thoroughly enjoy singing and flapping along with The Pigeon and friends. The audience is part of the action, in this innovative mix of songs, silliness and feathers. It’s an ideal way to introduce kids to theater and the humorous stories from Willems’ books. $10 with museum admission ($8 members), $14 theater only. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

On exhibit Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “Urban Art Evolution,” is a comprehensive exhibit featuring a diverse range of compositions from the 1980s through the present by creators who were based in the rough and tumble downtown area of New York City known as Loisaida/LES (Lower East Side/East Village) and close surrounding neighborhoods.

Artists pushed the boundaries of what was considered “art” with a primary focus on street/graffiti art. The exhibit’s scope, guest curated by art collector/gallerist Christopher Pusey, offers an even broader view from other creative residents, who worked inside their studios but still contributed to the rich fabric of the downtown art scene from different vantage points and aesthetics.

Works include sculpture, paintings, photography, music, and ephemera from many noted and influential artists. On view through July 7. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Baby shower for momsto-be

Mercy Hospital hosts this free event for expecting moms-to-be, Saturday, May 11, noon to 2 p.m., in the lower level cafeteria. With raffles, giveaways for mom and baby, and meet and greets with physicians, lactation specialists, mother/baby nurses, games and more. For moms only. 1000 N. Village Ave. Email Elizabeth.Schwind@chsli.org to register. For more information, visit CHSLI.org/mercy-hospital or call (516) 626-3729.

Community Day

East Meadow Community Day takes place on Saturday, June 8, at Speno Park in East Meadow. This family-fun event is the perfect way to wrap up spring. 745 East Meadow Ave., East Meadow. East Meadow residents should stay tuned for more information, and can email EMCommunityDay@gmail.com.

Mobile Office Hours

State Senator Steve Rhoads holds mobile office hours at East Meadow Public Library, Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m.-noon. This is a great way to meet with Rhoads about issues and questions affecting the 5th State Senate District. Appointments are required; walk-ins welcome if time permits. 1886 Front St. To schedule an appointment, call (516) 882-0630. during different days throughout the spring.

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art, Saturday, May 11, noon3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork.

Kids and adults connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. For ages 2-14. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for to register or call (516) 4849337.

Mah Jongg

Enjoy Mah Jongg and canasta, Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., at East Meadow Beth El Jewish Center. $5 contribution. No outside food allowed. Bring your own games and cards. Lessons available. 1400 Prospect Ave. Call (516) 483 4205 for more information.

Having an event?

On stage

Plaza Theatrical’s season continues with “Lady Supreme: A Diana Ross Experience,” Saturday, May 4, 7:30 p.m. Deanna Carroll, accompanied by top notch singers and musicians, covers the hits of the Supremes to Diana’s solo sensations in this spectacular tribute to the Supreme Diva.

She performs all of Diana’s biggest hits, with spot-on vocals, including “Endless Love,” “Someday We’ll Be Together,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Touch Me in The Morning,” and so many more. Get in the groove at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre. 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

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.

Storybook Stroll

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a storybook adventure, Saturday, May 4, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Stroll the gardens and listen to Antoine Ó Flatharta’s modern tale, “Hurry and the Monarch.” Later create a unique take home craft. For ages 3-5. Storybook Strolls start at the Beech Tree (next to Westbury House), and end at the Thatched Cottage. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information, visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.

Museum Gallery Tour

Join curator, art collector and gallerist Christopher Pusey for a tour of “Urban Art Evolution,” Nassau County Museum of Art’s current exhibition, Sunday, May 5, 3 p.m. Pusey, the exhibit’s guest curator, began art-making as a child and went on to pursue a career working in art galleries, and as an art dealer, in New York City. His particular interest in the art from this time and genre began with his first job at a Soho gallery in SoHo during the 80s, which had a division specializing in some of the East Village artists featured in this show. Free with museum admission. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org or call (516) 484-9337 for information.

Crawling caterpillar

Bring the kids to Long Island Children’s Museum and say goodbye to the traveling exhibit, “Very Eric Carle,” before it leaves the building, Sunday, May 12 Celebrate one of Eric Carle’s most beloved characters by making a crawling caterpillar to take home at the drop-in program. Suitable for ages 3+ Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. Visit LICM.org or call (516) 224-5800 for information.

Befriending Bugs

Families are invited Join Entomologist Jeffry Petracca on an adventure with insects at Old Westbury Gardens, Saturday, May 11, 1-3 p.m. Meet some of the biggest and most beautiful insects and spiders from around the world, including giant stick bugs, beetles, tarantulas and scorpions. Learn about each of their amazing adaptations and how they help them to carry out their unique ecosystem roles, even hold many of these animals. Suitable for ages 6-9. Registration required. $17 per child. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information and to register, visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

REUNIÓN ANUAL AVISO DE ELECCIÓN Y REUNIÓN ANUAL DE LA ESCUELA Y LA BIBLIOTECA

DISTRITO ESCOLAR EAST MEADOW UNION FREE CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK

POR EL PRESENTE, SE NOTIFICA que la reunión anual, la votación del presupuesto y la elección del Distrito Escolar East Meadow Union Free se realizarán el 21 de mayo de 2024 entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m. en cada uno de los distritos electorales escolares hasta ahora establecidos sobre los siguientes asuntos independientes:

1. Proposición 1 - Los gastos estimados para propósitos escolares (presupuesto escolar) para el siguiente año escolar, 2024-2025, y la autorización del gravamen y la recaudación de los impuestos necesarios de este gravamen.

2. Proposición 2 - Los gastos estimados para los propósitos de la biblioteca (presupuesto de la biblioteca) para el siguiente año escolar, 2024-2025, y la autorización del gravamen y la recaudación de los impuestos necesarios de este gravamen.

3. Cualquier otra cuestión o propuesta relacionada con los asuntos, los gastos o la autoridad para recaudar impuestos que se pueda presentar para una votación según la Ley de Educación.

POR EL PRESENTE, SE NOTIFICA que la votación sobre los gastos estimados para los propósitos de la escuela y la biblioteca para el año escolar, y la elección de los miembros de la Junta de Educación y la Junta de la Biblioteca se llevarán a cabo el 21 de mayo de 2024 en cada uno de los distritos electorales escolares hasta ahora establecidos. La VOTACIÓN será mediante boleta electoral en máquinas de votación en las sedes escolares designadas en cada uno de los distritos electorales escolares independientes hasta ahora establecidos, y las urnas estarán habilitadas para votar de 7:00 a.m. a 9:00 p.m. y durante el tiempo que sea necesario para que los votantes presentes puedan emitir su voto.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que, en esta votación y elección a realizarse el 21 de mayo de 2024, se elegirán dos (2) miembros para la Junta de Educación y un (1) miembro para la Junta de la Biblioteca como se indica a continuación: (a) Tres miembros de la Junta de Educación para un período completo de tres (3) años, desde el 1 de julio de 2024 hasta el 30 de junio de 2027.

(b) Un miembro de la Junta de la Biblioteca para un período completo de cinco (5) años, desde el 1 de julio de 2024 hasta el 30 de junio de 2029, para reemplazar a Janet Barsky, titular del último mandato.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA también que la elección se llevará a cabo de acuerdo con las Normas para la Organización de Reuniones y Elecciones adoptadas por la Junta de Educación y la ley vigente.

NOMINACIONES DE CANDIDATOS

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que los candidatos para los cargos de miembros de la Junta de Educación y de la Junta de la Biblioteca se nominarán mediante solicitud. Los candidatos a miembro en la Junta de Educación se presentan en general. Cada solicitud de candidato para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación se enviará a la secretaría del Distrito Escolar, a la atención del superintendente, y deberá estar firmada por al menos ochenta y cinco (85) votantes calificados del Distrito. Este número representa el 2% del número total de personas que votaron en la reunión anual del 16 de mayo de 2023. Incluirá la residencia de cada firmante, y también el nombre y la residencia del candidato.

Cada vacante para ser fideicomisario de la Junta de la Biblioteca se debe considerar una vacante específica e independiente. Se necesita una solicitud por separado para nominar a un candidato para cada cargo en particular. Cada solicitud de candidato para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de la Biblioteca se enviará a la secretaría del Distrito Escolar, a la atención del superintendente, y deberá estar firmada por al menos ochenta y cinco (85) votantes calificados del Distrito. Incluirá la residencia de cada firmante, el nombre y la residencia del candidato, e indicará la vacante específica en la Junta de la Biblioteca para la que el candidato está nominado. Esta descripción incluirá, por lo menos, la duración del mandato en el cargo y el nombre del último titular. Cada solicitud se presentará en la oficina de la secretaría del Distrito entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:30 p. m., y antes de las 5:00 p. m. del 22 de abril de 2024.

DISTRITOS ELECTORALES ESCOLARES ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que la Junta de Educación determinará y publicará, como hasta aquí se establece, los límites de los siguientes distritos electorales escolares, y el lugar de cada distrito electoral para el registro y la votación será el siguiente:

DISTRITO ELECTORAL

ESCOLAR N.º 1

Los límites del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 1 son los siguientes: Limita al norte con Hempstead-Bethpage Turnpike, al este con Wantagh State Parkway, al sur con North Jerusalem Road, al oeste con East Meadow Avenue desde la intersección de North Jerusalem Road hasta Lenox Avenue, al noreste hasta Eighth Avenue, al este hasta Newbridge Road, al norte hasta Hempstead Turnpike. Los votantes calificados del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 1 votarán en Parkway Elementary School ubicada en 465 Bellmore Road, en este Distrito.

DISTRITO ELECTORAL

ESCOLAR N.º 2

Los límites del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 2 son los siguientes:

Limita al norte con el lado sur de Hempstead Turnpike desde la intersección de Merrick Avenue hacia el este hasta la intersección de Newbridge Road. Limita al este con el lado oeste de Newbridge Road desde la intersección de Hempstead Turnpike, y continúa hacia el sur hasta la intersección de Eighth Avenue. Limita al sur con el lado norte de Eighth Avenue; continúa hacia el sudoeste hasta la intersección de Lenox Avenue y East Meadow Avenue; sigue hacia el noroeste en East Meadow Avenue hasta la numeración 604; prosigue hacia el oeste hasta Maitland Street; continúa hacia el sur hasta el lado norte de Lenox Avenue y hacia el sudoeste hasta el final sur de Benito, Patterson, Adelphi, Coakley y Albert Streets, y hasta el final oeste de Sidney Place, Powers Avenue y Kevin Place. Sigue al oeste hasta el lado este de Prospect Avenue, numeración 1530, y continúa hacia el noreste hasta la intersección de Chestnut Avenue; prosigue hacia el noroeste en el lado noroeste de Chestnut Avenue hasta la intersección de Front Street. Luego, sigue hacia el suroeste en el lado norte de Front Street hasta la intersección de Merrick Avenue. Limita al oeste con el lado este de Merrick Avenue desde la intersección de Front Street, y continúa hacia el norte hasta la intersección de Hempstead Turnpike. Los votantes calificados del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 2 votarán en McVey Elementary School ubicada en 2201 Devon Street, en este Distrito.

DISTRITO ELECTORAL

ESCOLAR N.º 3

Los límites del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 3 son los siguientes: Limita al norte con Hempstead Turnpike desde Meadowbrook

Parkway hasta Merrick Avenue, al sur hasta el punto de intersección del lado sur de Front Street y hacia el este hasta Chestnut Avenue. Limita al este con el lado oeste de Merrick Avenue. Sigue hacia el sur desde Hempstead Turnpike a Front Street hasta el lado sur de Front Street. Continúa hacia el noreste desde Merrick Avenue hasta el lado oeste de Chestnut Avenue, desde Front Street hasta Prospect Avenue, numeración 1489. Luego, en el sur incluye Marian Court, Dieman Lane, Flower Lane, Sherwood Drive, Andrea Road, el final norte de Cynthia, Wenwood y Bruce Drives, el final oeste de Cynron y Meadow Lanes y Midland Drive, y el lado sur de Lenox Avenue. Sigue por el este hasta East Meadow Avenue; continúa por el este en el lado oeste de East Meadow Avenue desde Lenox Avenue hasta Irving Place, al sur desde East Meadow Avenue, numeración 604, sigue hacia el sur hasta North Jerusalem Road. Limita al sur con North Jerusalem Road hasta el punto de intersección de Ennabrock Road, incluida Ennabrock Road hasta North Jerusalem Road; al oeste hasta Meadowbrook Parkway. Limita al oeste con Meadowbrook Parkway desde North Jerusalem Road hacia el norte hasta Hempstead Turnpike. Los votantes calificados del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 3 votarán en Barnum Woods Elementary School ubicada en 500 May Lane, en este Distrito. DISTRITO ELECTORAL ESCOLAR N.º 4

Los límites del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 4 son los siguientes: Limita al norte con Old Country Road hasta el punto de intersección de Wantagh State Parkway. Limita al este con Wantagh State Parkway y continúa hacia el sur hasta Oyster Bay Town Line, y luego al este hasta Newbridge Road. Continúa hacia el sur por Newbridge Road hasta Twig Lane. Limita al sur con Twig Lane; continúa al oeste hasta Wantagh State Parkway; luego, sigue hacia el sur hasta el lado norte de Hearth Lane en Friends Lane. Continúa hacia el oeste hasta la intersección del lado oeste de Carman Avenue; sigue hacia el sur hasta el lado norte de Salisbury Park Drive, y prosigue por el lado norte de Salisbury Park Drive en dirección norte desde Stewart Avenue hasta Old Country Road. Los votantes calificados del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 4 votarán en Bowling Green Elementary School ubicada en 2340 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, Nueva York, en este Distrito.

DISTRITO ELECTORAL

ESCOLAR N.º 5

Los límites del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 5 son los siguientes: Limita al norte desde el lado sur de Hearth Lane hasta Carman Avenue, al este hasta Wantagh Parkway, al norte hasta Oyster Bay Town Line, al este hasta el lado sur de Levittown Parkway hasta la intersección de Newbridge Road. Limita al este con el lado oeste de Newbridge Road, y sigue hacia el sur hasta Wantagh Parkway; continúa hacia el sur por Wantagh Parkway hasta la intersección de Hempstead Turnpike. Limita al sur con Hempstead Turnpike desde la intersección de Wantagh Parkway hacia el oeste hasta la intersección de Bly Road. Limita al oeste con Bly Road, y continúa hacia el norte y el este hasta Ava Drive; sigue hacia el norte y el este hasta Erma Drive, hacia el sur hasta Nottingham Road, hacia el este (incluso los tribunales en Florence y Jane) hasta el lado este de Carman Avenue; continúa hacia el norte hasta la intersección de Hearth Lane. Los votantes calificados del Distrito Electoral Escolar n.º 5 votarán en Meadowbrook Elementary School ubicada en 241 Old Westbury Road, en este Distrito.

REGISTRO PERSONAL DE VOTANTES

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que, para votar en la reunión y la elección del 21 de mayo de 2024, todos los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar deben estar registrados en los libros de registro del Distrito Escolar o en la lista oficial de votantes registrados e inscritos para la ciudad de Hempstead, condado de Nassau, emitido por la Junta Electoral del condado de Nassau. Las siguientes personas serán elegibles para votar: todas las personas que se hayan presentado personalmente para registrarse según la sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación, y todas las personas que se hayan registrado previamente en virtud del presente para cualquier reunión o elección anual o extraordinaria y que hayan votado en cualquier reunión o elección anual o extraordinaria organizada o realizada durante los cuatro años calendario previos al 2024 (es decir, 2020-2023). Además, todas las personas que estén registradas para votar de conformidad con las disposiciones de la sección 352 de la Ley de Elecciones del estado de Nueva York serán elegibles para votar. El registro de votantes que no se hayan registrado previamente y que sean elegibles para

votar se hará desde el 25 de abril hasta el 13 de mayo de 2024 inclusive, los días en los que la escuela esté abierta, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m. en la oficina de la secretaría del Distrito en el Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, Nueva York. El registro vespertino se realizará el miércoles 8 de mayo de 2024, en el vestíbulo principal del Salisbury School entre las 7:00 p. m. y las 8:00 p. m. El registro de votantes que no se hayan registrado previamente y que sean elegibles para votar también se hará el 6 de mayo de 2024, entre las 8:30 a. m. y las 12:30 p. m. en cada uno de los cinco distritos electorales, en los lugares indicados anteriormente.

La Junta de Registro se reunirá para preparar el registro del Distrito Escolar durante los horarios y las fechas que se especifican arriba, y cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en este registro, siempre y cuando, en esa reunión de la Junta de Registro, tenga derecho a votar, en ese momento o en lo sucesivo, en la reunión o elección escolar para la cual se prepara ese registro.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que la Junta de Registro también se reunirá durante la elección anual distrital en cada sede escolar donde se realizará la votación con el fin de preparar un registro para las elecciones distritales que se hagan con posterioridad.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que el registro de votantes preparado según lo mencionado anteriormente se presentará en la oficina de la secretaría del Distrito una vez finalizado. Allí, estará disponible para la inspección de cualquier votante calificado del Distrito, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m., durante los cinco días anteriores a la fecha establecida para la elección, e incluso durante este día, a excepción del domingo, y también estará disponible para su inspección el sábado solo de 9:00 a. m. a 11:00 a. m., solo por cita. Llame al 516-478-5735 para programar una cita.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que la presentación oficial del presupuesto sobre el presupuesto escolar adoptado se realizará el 8 de mayo de 2024 a las 7:00 p. m. en el Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, Nueva York. El 13 de mayo de 2024 a las 8:00 p. m., se realizará una audiencia pública de forma remota sobre el presupuesto propuesto para la biblioteca.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que el presupuesto escolar propuesto para

2024/2025 se encuentra disponible para los residentes del Distrito, si lo solicitan, a partir del 7 de may de 2024 en la oficina de la secretaría del Distrito en el Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, Nueva York. El presupuesto para la biblioteca propuesto para 2024/2025 se encuentra disponible para cualquier residente, si lo solicita, a partir del 7 de mayo de 2024 en el sitio web de la biblioteca.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que cualquier residente del distrito puede conseguir las copias del presupuesto escolar propuesto para 2024/2025 y el presupuesto para la biblioteca propuesto para 2024/2025, si los solicita, en cada una de las oficinas de las sedes escolares del Distrito, en las oficinas del distrito escolar, mencionadas a continuación, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m., todos los días salvo los sábados, domingos o feriados, durante los 14 días previos a la elección y reunión anual. El presupuesto escolar propuesto para 2024/2025 también estará disponible en el sitio web del Distrito Escolar. Barnum Woods Elementary School

500 May Lane East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Bowling Green Elementary School 2340 Stewart Avenue Westbury, N.Y. 11590

McVey Elementary School

2201 Devon Street

East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Meadowbrook Elementary School

241 Old Westbury Road East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Parkway Elementary School

465 Bellmore Road East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Woodland Middle School

690 Wenwood Drive East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

W. Tresper Clarke Middle School

740 Edgewood Drive Westbury, N.Y. 11590

W. Tresper Clarke High School

740 Edgewood Drive Westbury, N.Y. 11590 East Meadow High School 101 Carman Avenue East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Leon J. Campo Salisbury Center

718 The Plain Road Westbury, N.Y. 11590

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que, de acuerdo con la Sección 495 de la Ley de Impuestos sobre los Bienes Inmuebles, un informe de exención en el que se detallen las exenciones del impuesto sobre los bienes inmuebles estará disponible y se adjuntará a cualquier presupuesto provisional, preliminar o definitivo.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que, previa solicitud, cualquier residente puede conseguir las copias del presupuesto escolar propuesto para 2024/2025 y el

presupuesto para la biblioteca propuesto para 2023/2024 en una oficina de la biblioteca pública de East Meadow ubicada a 1886 Front St, East Meadow, NY, todos los días, salvo los domingos o feriados entre las 10:30 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m., durante los 14 días previos a la elección y reunión anual. El presupuesto para la biblioteca propuesto para 2024/2025 también estará disponible en el sitio web de la biblioteca pública de East Meadow. ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que la solicitud para una boleta electoral por ausencia o por el correo temprano se puede realizar en la oficina de la secretaría del Distrito, Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, Nueva York 11590, a partir de los treinta (30) días previos a la votación. La secretaría del Distrito debe recibir las solicitudes completas por lo menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la boleta electoral debe enviarse al votante por correo y un (1) día antes de la elección si la boleta electoral debe entregarse en persona al votante o a la persona designada por este. Al recibir una solicitud oportuna para una boleta electoral por ausencia o por el correo temprano, la secretaría del Distrito enviará por correo esta boleta a la dirección indicada en la solicitud a más tardar seis (6) días antes de la votación. La secretaría del Distrito debe recibir las boletas electorales por ausencia o por el correo temprano antes de las 5:00 p. m. del 21 de mayo de 2024. Habrá una lista disponible de las personas para las que se emitieron las boletas electorales por ausencia o por el correo temprano en la oficina de la secretaría del Distrito durante los cinco días previos al día de la elección, excepto el domingo, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m., y los sábados entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 11:00 a. m. solo por cita. Llame al 516-478-5735 para hacer una cita.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que los votantes militares que no estén registrados actualmente pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar. Los votantes militares que sean votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar podrán solicitar una boleta electoral militar. Los votantes militares pueden indicar su preferencia de recibir una solicitud de registro de votantes militares, una solicitud de boleta electoral militar o una boleta electoral militar por correo postal, fax o correo electrónico en dicho pedido de solicitud de registro, solicitud de boleta o boleta. Los formularios de registro de votantes militares y los

Public Notices

formularios de solicitud de boleta electoral militar deben recibirse en la oficina de la secretaría del Distrito antes de las 5:00 p. m. del 26 de abril de 2024. No se escrutarán las boletas electorales militares a menos que se entreguen nuevamente por correo postal o en persona en la oficina de la secretaría del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. el día de la elección.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que cualquier propuesta o consulta a colocarse en las máquinas de votación se presentará por escrito mediante solicitud firmada por al menos quinientos (500) votantes calificados del Distrito en la oficina de la secretaría del Distrito a más tardar treinta (30) días antes de la reunión anual, con excepción de las solicitudes relacionadas con una propuesta que se deba incluir en el aviso de la reunión anual. Las solicitudes relacionadas con una propuesta que se debe incluir en el aviso de la reunión anual se deben entregar sesenta (60) días antes de esta reunión. Los fideicomisarios o la Junta de Educación pueden rechazar cualquier propuesta si su propósito no se encuentra dentro de las competencias de los votantes, o si se requieren gastos para la propuesta, en caso de que esta no incluya la asignación específica necesaria.

REQUISITOS PARA VOTAR:

1. Ser ciudadano de los Estados Unidos.

2. Tener 18 años o más.

3. Ser residente del Distrito durante un período de 30 días o más inmediatamente antes de la elección en la que desea votar.

4. Estar registrado para votar.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que esta Junta convocará a una reunión especial en un plazo de 24 horas después de la presentación ante la secretaría del Distrito de un informe por escrito de los resultados de la votación con el fin de analizar y tabular estos informes de los resultados de la votación y declarar dicho resultado. Por el presente, y de acuerdo con la sección 2019-a, subdivisión 2b de la Ley de Educación, la Junta se designa a sí misma como un grupo de secretarios de mesa para emitir y escrutar los votos durante esta reunión especial de la Junta.

Fechado: 20 DE MARZO DE 2024POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN

DISTRITO ESCOLAR EAST MEADOW UNION FREE CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK

Judy E. Kandel Secretaria del Distrito 145970

LEGAL NOTICE

ANNUAL MEETING

NOTICE OF ANNUAL SCHOOL AND LIBRARY

MEETING AND ELECTION

EAST MEADOW UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting, budget vote and election of the East Meadow Union Free School District will be held on May 21, 2024, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. in each of the school election districts heretofore established on the following separate matters:

1. Proposition 1 - The estimated expenditures for school purposes (school budget) for the ensuing school year 2024-2025 and authorizing the levy and collection of the necessary taxes thereof.

2. Proposition 2 - The estimated expenditures for library purposes (library budget) for the ensuing school year 2024-2025 and authorizing the levy and collection of the necessary taxes thereof.

3. Any other questions or propositions as to matters or expenditures or authority to levy taxes that may be presented for a vote under the Education Law.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that voting upon the estimated expenses for school and library purposes for the school year and the election of members of the Board of Education and Library Board will be held on May 21, 2024, in each of the school election districts heretofore established.

VOTING will be by ballot on voting machines in the schoolhouses designated in each of the separate school election districts heretofore established and the polls will remain open for voting from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., and as much longer as may be necessary for all voters then present to cast their votes.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that at said vote and election to be conducted on May 21, 2024, two (2) members are to be elected to the Board of Education and one (1) member is to be elected to the Library Board as follows:

(a) two members of the Board of Education for a full term of three (3) years, commencing July 1, 2024, and expiring on June 30, 2027.

(b) one member of the Library Board for a full term of five (5) years, commencing July 1, 2024 to succeed Janet Barsky, incumbent, whose term of office expires on June 30, 2024.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the election shall be held in accordance with the

Rules for the Conduct of Meetings and Elections adopted by the Board of Education and applicable law.

NOMINATIONS OF CANDIDATES

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that candidates for the offices of member of the Board of Education and member of the Library Board shall be nominated by petition. Candidates for member of the Board of Education run at large. Each candidate petition for the office of member of the Board of Education shall be directed to the Clerk of the School District, care of the Superintendent, shall be signed by at least eighty-five (85) qualified voters of the District, said number constituting 2% of the total number of voters who voted at the Annual Meeting of May 16, 2023, shall state the residence of each signer, and shall state the name and residence of the candidate.

Each vacancy to be filled for trustee of the Library Board shall be considered a separate specific office. A separate petition shall be required to nominate a candidate to each separate office. Each petition for candidate for the office of member of the Library Board shall be directed to the Clerk of the School District, care of the Superintendent, shall be signed by at least eighty-five (85) qualified voters of the District, shall state the residence of each signer, shall state the name and residence of the candidate, and shall describe the specific vacancy on the Library Board for which the candidate is nominated, which description shall include at least the length of the term of office and the name of the last incumbent.

Each petition shall be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the District, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and not later than 5:00 p.m. on April 22, 2024.

SCHOOL ELECTION

DISTRICTS

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER

NOTICE that the boundaries of the following School Election Districts shall be as heretofore determined and published by the Board of Education and the place in each election district for registration and voting shall be as follows:

SCHOOL ELECTION

DISTRICT NO. 1

The boundaries of School Election District No. 1 are as follows:

Bounded on the North by Hempstead-Bethpage Turnpike; on the East by Wantagh State Parkway; on the South by North Jerusalem Road; on the West by East Meadow Avenue from the intersection of North Jerusalem Road to Lenox Avenue then northeast to Eighth Avenue east to

Newbridge Road, then north to Hempstead Turnpike.

The qualified voters of School Election District No. 1 will vote at the Parkway Elementary School located at 465 Bellmore Road in said District.

SCHOOL ELECTION DISTRICT NO. 2

The boundaries of School Election District No. 2 are as follows:

Bounded on the North by the south side of Hempstead Turnpike from the intersection of Merrick Avenue running easterly to the intersection of Newbridge Road. Bounded on the East by the west side of Newbridge Road from the intersection of Hempstead Turnpike running south to the intersection of Eighth Avenue. Bounded on the South by the north side of Eighth Avenue; running southwest to the intersection of Lenox Avenue and East Meadow Avenue; running northwest on East Meadow Avenue to number 604; running westerly to Maitland Street; running south to the north side of Lenox Avenue continuing southwest to the southerly ends of Benito, Patterson, Adelphi, Coakley and Albert Streets and the westerly ends of Sidney Place, Powers Avenue and Kevin Place going west to the east side of Prospect Avenue at number 1530 and running northeast to the intersection of Chestnut Avenue, proceeding northwest on the northwest side of Chestnut Avenue to the intersection of Front Street, then running southwest on the north side of Front Street to the intersection of Merrick Avenue. Bounded on the West by the east side of Merrick Avenue from the intersection of Front Street, running north to the intersection of Hempstead Turnpike.

The qualified voters of School Election District No. 2 will vote at the McVey Elementary School located at 2201 Devon Street in said District.

SCHOOL ELECTION DISTRICT NO. 3

The boundaries of School Election District No. 3 are as follows:

Bounded on the North by Hempstead Turnpike from Meadowbrook Parkway to Merrick Avenue, southerly to the point of intersection of the south side of Front Street easterly to Chestnut Avenue. Bounded on the East by the west side of Merrick Avenue running south from Hempstead Turnpike to Front Street to the south side of Front Street running northeast from Merrick Avenue to the west side of Chestnut Avenue from Front Street to Prospect Avenue to number 1489; then south including Marian Court,

Dieman Lane, Flower Lane, Sherwood Drive, Andrea Road, the north ends of Cynthia, Wenwood and Bruce Drives, the west end of Cynron and Meadow Lanes and Midland Drive and the south side of Lenox Avenue proceeding east to East Meadow Avenue; continuing east on the west side of East Meadow Avenue from Lenox Avenue to Irving Place, south from number 604 East Meadow Avenue running south to North Jerusalem Road.

Bounded on the South by North Jerusalem Road to the point of intersection of Ennabrock Road, including Ennabrock Road to North Jerusalem Road; west to Meadowbrook Parkway. Bounded on the West by Meadowbrook Parkway from North Jerusalem Road running north to Hempstead Turnpike.

The qualified voters of School Election District No. 3 will vote at Barnum Woods Elementary School located at 500 May Lane in said District.

SCHOOL ELECTION

DISTRICT NO. 4

The boundaries of School Election District No. 4 are as follows:

Bounded on the North by Old Country Road to the point of intersection of the Wantagh State Parkway. Bounded on the East by the Wantagh State Parkway running south to the Oyster Bay Town Line and then east to Newbridge Road, running south on Newbridge Road to Twig Lane. Bounded on the South by Twig Lane, running west to the Wantagh State Parkway, then running south to the north side of Hearth Lane at Friends Lane proceeding west to the intersection of the west side of Carman Avenue, proceeding south to the north side of Salisbury Park Drive and continuing on the north side of Salisbury Park Drive in a northerly direction from Stewart Avenue to Old Country Road.

The qualified voters of School Election District No. 4 will vote at the Bowling Green Elementary School located at 2340 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, NY, in said District.

SCHOOL ELECTION

DISTRICT NO. 5

The boundaries of School Election District No. 5 are as follows:

Bounded on the North from the south side of Hearth Lane at Carman Avenue easterly to Wantagh Parkway; north to the Oyster Bay Town Line; easterly to the south side of Levittown Parkway to the intersection of Newbridge Road. Bounded on the East by the west side of Newbridge Road running south to Wantagh Parkway; continuing south on Wantagh Parkway to the

intersection of Hempstead Turnpike.

Bounded on the South by Hempstead Turnpike from the intersection of Wantagh Parkway running west to the intersection of Bly Road. Bounded on the West by Bly Road running north and east to Ava Drive; running north and east to Erma Drive; running south to Nottingham Road; running east (including Florence and Jane Courts) to the east side of Carman Avenue running north to the intersection of Hearth Lane.

The qualified voters of School Election District No. 5 will vote at the Meadowbrook Elementary School located at 241 Old Westbury Road in said District.

PERSONAL REGISTRATION OF VOTERS

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER

NOTICE that all qualified voters of the School District must be registered in the School District Registration Books and/or in the Official List of Registered and Enrolled Voters for the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, issued by the Nassau County Board of Elections, in order to vote at the meeting and election on May 21, 2024. The following persons shall be eligible to vote: All persons who shall have presented themselves personally for registration in accordance with section two thousand fourteen of the Education Law and all persons who shall have been previously registered hereunder for any annual or special meeting or election and who shall have voted at any annual or special meeting or election held or conducted during the four calendar years prior to 2024 (i.e., 2020-2023).

In addition, all persons who are registered to vote pursuant to the provisions of section three hundred fifty-two of the Election Law of the State of New York shall be eligible to vote. Registration of voters not previously registered and eligible to vote shall take place from April 25 through May 13, 2024 inclusive, on the days when school is in session, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. in the office of the District Clerk at the Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, New York. Evening registration will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in the main corridor of the Salisbury School between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Registration of voters not previously registered and eligible to vote shall also take place on May 6, 2023, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., at each of the 5 election districts,

locations as listed previously.

The Board of Registration shall meet to prepare the Register of the School District on the dates and times above specified and any person shall be entitled to have their name placed upon such Register provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration, they are then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school meeting or election for which such register is prepared.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Board of Registration shall also meet during the annual district election at each schoolhouse where voting shall take place for the purpose of preparing a register for district elections held subsequent thereto.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Register of Voters so prepared as aforesaid shall be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the District upon its completion where it shall be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., on each of the five days prior and including the day set for the election except Sunday, and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., by appointment only. Please contact Judy Kandel at 516-478-5735 if you wish to make an appointment.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Official Budget Presentation on the adopted school budget will take place on May 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at The Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, NY. There will be a Public Hearing on the proposed Library Budget on May 13, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the proposed 2024/2025 school budget is available upon request to district residents commencing May 7, 2024, at the office of the District Clerk at the Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, N.Y. The proposed 2024/2025 library budget is available upon request by any resident commencing May 7, 2024, on the library website.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that copies of the proposed 2024/2025 school budget and of the proposed 2024/2025 library budget may be obtained by any resident of the district, upon request, at each of the offices of the schoolhouses in the District, at the school district offices, listed below, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., on each day other than Saturday, Sunday or holidays during the 14-day period preceding the annual meeting and election. The proposed 2024/2025 school budget

will also be available on the school district website.

Barnum Woods

Elementary School

500 May Lane

East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Bowling Green Elementary School

2340 Stewart Avenue Westbury, N.Y. 11590

McVey Elementary School

2201 Devon Street East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Meadowbrook

Elementary School

241 Old Westbury Road

East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Parkway Elementary School

465 Bellmore Road

East Meadow, N.Y. 11554 Woodland Middle School

690 Wenwood Drive

East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

W. Tresper Clarke Middle School

740 Edgewood Drive Westbury, N.Y. 11590

W. Tresper Clarke High School

740 Edgewood Drive Westbury, N.Y. 11590

East Meadow High School

101 Carman Avenue East Meadow, N.Y. 11554

Salisbury School

718 The Plain Road Westbury, N.Y. 11590

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER

NOTICE, pursuant to Real Property Tax Section 495, an exemption report detailing exemptions from real property taxation shall be available and appended to any tentative, preliminary or final budget.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that copies of the proposed 2024/2025 school budget and of the proposed 2024/2025 library budget may be obtained by any resident at the East Meadow Public Library located at 1886 Front Street, East Meadow, N.Y., on each day other than Sunday or holidays between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the 14-day period preceding the annual meeting and election. The proposed 2024/2025 library budget will also be available on the East Meadow Public Library website. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that an application for an absentee or early mail ballot may be made at the Office of the District Clerk, Salisbury School, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, NY 11590 no earlier than thirty (30) days before the vote. Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter and one (1) day before the election if the ballot is to be personally delivered to the voter or his/her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely request for an absentee or early mail ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application by no later than six (6) days before the vote. Absentee

Public Notices

and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 21, 2024. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots shall have been issued will be available in said Office of the Clerk on each of the five days prior to the day of the election between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., on each of the five days prior and including the day set for the election except Sunday, and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., by appointment only. Please contact Judy Kandel at 516-478-5735 if you wish to make an appointment.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district. Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district may submit an application for a military ballot. Military voters may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail in their request for such registration, ballot application or ballot. Military voter registration and military ballot application forms must be received in the Office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 26, 2024. No military ballot will be canvassed unless it is returned by mail or in person and received by the office of the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m. on election day.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that any proposition or questions to be placed upon the voting machines shall be submitted in writing by petition subscribed by at least five hundred (500) qualified voters of the District and filed in the office of the District Clerk at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting, except for petitions relating to a proposition which must be included in the notice of the annual meeting. Petitions relating to a proposition which must be included in the notice of the annual meeting must be submitted sixty (60) days in advance of the annual meeting. Any proposition may be rejected by the Trustees or Board of Education if the purpose of the proposition is not within the power of the voters, or where the expenditure of monies is required by the proposition, if the proposition fails to include the necessary specific appropriation.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTING:

1. A person shall be a citizen of the United States.

2. Eighteen or

more years of age.

3. A resident of the District for a period of thirty days or more next preceding the election at which he or she offers to vote.

4. Must be registered to vote.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that this Board shall convene a special meeting thereof within twenty-four hours after the filing with the District Clerk of a written report of the results of the ballot for the purpose of examining and tabulating said reports of the results of the ballot and declaring the result of the ballot. The Board hereby designates itself to be a set of poll clerks to cast and canvass ballots pursuant to Education Law Section 2019-a, subdivision 2b at said special meeting of the Board.

Dated: MARCH 20, 2024 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

EAST MEADOW UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK

Judy E. Kandel District Clerk 145968

HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT DE CICCO A/K/A

ROBERT DECICCO A/K/A

516-569-4000 x 232

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of formation of Newbridge Energy Consulting LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 1/27/2024. Office located in Nassau County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to 257 Newbridge Road, East Meadow, NY 11554. Purpose: any lawful purpose. 145896

ROBERT R. DECICCO; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES TO THE ESTATE OF ANGELA DECICCO A/K/A ANGELA DE CICCO A/K/A LENA DE CICCO, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; NEW YORK CITY PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; “JOHN” DECICCO AS “JOHN DOE #1”, “JOHN DOE #2” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last eleven names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Defendants.

Plaintiff designates NASSAU as the place of trial situs of the real property

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

Mortgaged Premises: 2637 LEXINGTON AVENUE, EAST MEADOW, NY 11554

Section: 51, Block: 313, Lot: 6

To the above named Defendants

may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT

THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $50,000.00 and interest, recorded on January 25, 2005, in Liber M28262 at Page 188, of the Public Records of NASSAU County, New York., covering premises known as 2637 LEXINGTON AVENUE, EAST MEADOW, NY 11554. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

NASSAU County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action.

Town of Hemsptead

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

INDEX NO. 612785/2023 COUNTY OF NASSAU

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Plaintiff, vs. NICOLAS R. DECICCO A/K/A NICOLAS

TO PLACE AN AD CALL 516-569-4000 x 232 Place a notice

RAYMOND DE CICCO, AS ADMINISTRATOR AND AS

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action,

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Dated: April 1st, 2024 ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC

Attorney for Plaintiff Matthew Rothstein, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675 146202

A reading program with a special guest Students at McVey Elementary School in East Meadow were visited by Town Clerk Kate Murray last month for the Pick a Reading Partner Program.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MASTR ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES TRUST 2007-1 MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-1, Plaintiff, Against KAREN JONES A/K/A KAREN B. JONES A/K/A KAREN B. LICHTENSTIEN, ET AL, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 03/24/2023, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on 5/22/2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 769 Van Buren Avenue, East Meadow, New York 11554, 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 East Meadow, Town Of Hempstead, County Of Nassau And State Of New York. Section 50 Block 436 Lot 4 The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $765,254.16 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 601311/2019 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.

Peter Kramer, Esq., Referee. 516-510-4020 MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573

Dated: 3/14/2024 File Number: 16-301208 CA 146198

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. MICHAEL J. ORLANDO, et al, Defts. Index #610738/2021. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered March 22, 2023, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on May 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a Section 45, Block 519, Lot 10. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. BRIAN J. DAVIS, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Dr., Great Neck, NY. #101347 146337

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the WANTAGH FIRE DISTRICT, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, on the TwentySecond day of April 2024, subject to permissive referendum as provided for by the General Municipal law. An extract of the resolution is as follows: The WANTAGH FIRE DISTRICT has by appropriate resolution established a certain capital reserve fund designated as the Capital Reserve Fund, established pursuant to Section 6(g) of the General Municipal Law, in an account for deposit of said Capital Reserve Fund entitled, “The Wantagh Fire District, Section 6(g) General Municipal Building and Grounds Capital Reserve Fund”; and; in which account is sufficient funds to accomplish the purposes

herein after set forth, namely, the Station 1 Apparatus Ramp & Boiler Replacement Project, including labor, material, inspection and delivery, incidental expenses, advertising, and attorney’s fees, in order to maintain the efficiency of the Wantagh Fire District in the discharge of their duties in preserving the lives and property of the residents of the community and the said project is deemed in the best interest of the residents of the Wantagh Fire District. The resolution further provides that there be transferred from the present Capital Reserve Fund entitled, “The Wantagh Fire District, Section 6(g) General Municipal Building and Grounds Capital Reserve Fund” of the Wantagh Fire District a sum not to exceed Eight-Hundred Fifty Thousand ($850,000.00) dollars and the District Treasurer is authorized to effect such transfer from time to time as necessary for the project.

This resolution is subject to a permissive resolution and shall not take effect until thirty (30) days, as provided by the General Municipal Law.

Dated: April 22nd 2024

By order of The Board of Fire Commissioner Brendan J. Narell Superintendent 146440

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the WANTAGH FIRE DISTRICT, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, on the 22nd day of April 2024, subject to permissive referendum as provided for by the General Municipal law.

An extract of the resolution is as follows: The Wantagh Fire District has by appropriate resolution established and maintains a certain capital reserve fund, established pursuant to Section 6(g) of the General Municipal Law, in an account for deposit of said Capital Reserve Fund entitled, “The Wantagh Fire District, Section 6(g) General Municipal “Firematic Equipment and Apparatus Capital Reserve Fund “ in local banks; in which account is sufficient funds to accomplish the purposes herein after set forth, namely, the purchase of one (1) Aerial ladder Truck as part of the Ladder 6911 Replacement Project including incidental expenses, advertising, engineering fees, labor, materials, inspections, delivery and attorney’s fees, in order to maintain the efficiency of the Wantagh Fire District in the discharge of their duties in preserving the lives and property of the residents of the Community and the said project is deemed in the best interest of the residents of the Wantagh Fire District. The resolution further provides that there be transferred from the present Firematic Equipment and Apparatus Capital Reserve Fund of the Wantagh Fire District a sum not to exceed Two Million, Four-Hundred Thousand ($2,4000,000.00) dollars and the District Treasurer is authorized to effect such transfer from time to time as necessary for the project. This resolution is subject to a permissive resolution and shall not take effect until thirty (30) days, as provided by the General Municipal Law.

Dated: April 22nd 2024 By order of The Board of Fire Commissioner Brendan J. Narell Superintendent 146439

Courtesy

Cablevision Lightpath, LLC seeks a Sr. System QA & Test Analyst to be responsible for testing tasks for complex or business-critical applications. Write test cases, create test plans, execute cases, and analyze results in accordance with established standards. Participate in design, planning, retrospective, and estimating exercises, and provide guidance to peers. Develop test scripts and test frameworks using the tools and technologies. Analyze multiple techniques and use-case scenarios and select appropriate approach. Identify defects, document critical application issues, and track them until resolution. #LI-DNI. The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Information Technology or related discipline, and 5 years of experience with business requirement analysis or testing for software development. Experience must include a minimum of: 5 years of experience with generating/executing test scenarios that confirm business needs fulfilled in full stack applications and integrations; 5 years of experience with API technologies to test and verify services, such as Rest, SOAP, or RMI; 5 years of experience with functional and non-functional software product testing standards methodologies; 5 years of experience with full software development lifecycle, including all stages of design and implementation of custom applications and COTS solutions; 5 years of experience leading and facilitating business scenario discussions; 5 years of experience responding to internal client inquiries, categorizing and communicating risks, and resolving defects with peers and management; 5 years of experience with Agile methodologies for software development, particularly Scrum; 5 years of experience with Selenium, LoadRunner, TestNg, Cucumber, JAVA, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, J2EE, Eclipse, AccelQ, Jenkins, JSP, Unix, Oracle, GITLab, C, objectoriented analysis and design, SQL, SOAP, and Web Services. Full-time remote work permitted. Job location: Bethpage, NY. Rate of Pay: $143,021.00 – $150,000.00 per year. To apply, please visit https://careers.lightpathfiber.com/jobs/, and enter Job Requisition ID 5242. Alternatively, please send your résumé, cover letter, and a copy of the ad to: Cablevision Lightpath, LLC, Attn: Karen U. Miles, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, NY, USA 11714.

Construction Project Manager: Full-time, Ronkonkoma, NY. Manage all phases of construction projects incl. schedules, potential road blocks & mitigate/avoid roadblock impact on construction project schedule; Manage site activties w/ Engrs & Supervisors, resolve on-site issues & ontime project schedule; Work w/ & update Project Planner on progress of each project; Manage all procured materials and ensure on-time delivery; Work with Commercial Team on bidding potential new construction projects. Reqts:Bachelor’s degree in Engineering & 6 mnths exp.Salary: $82,014 per year 40 hrs work per week.Mail resume to Sharooz Rostami, President, R Brothers Inc., 702 Celis Street, San Fernando, CA 91340.

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!

$20 - $25/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@bellautoschool.com

DRIVING INSTRUCTORS WANTED Will Certify And Train HS Diploma NYS License Clean 3 Years

$20 - $25/ Hour Call 516-731-3000

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours

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

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS

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

PROJECT ENGNEER (BELLPORT, NY): Anlyze & coordnte blueprnts & drawngs of steel manufactrer & heavy constrction contractr & prvide engneerng advce for desgn, constrction & structre. Reqs: Bach in Civil Engneerng or rel & 3 yrs exp as Project Engneer, Civl Engneer or rel pstion. Salary: $120,000/yr. Mail resume to: HR, Integrated Structures Corp, 4 Pinehurst Dr, Bellport, NY 11713.

EDITOR/REPORTER

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

HANDYPERSON WANTED

Immediate Opening at our Garden City Location DESIRED SKILLS: Electrical * Welding * Carpentry Mechanical * Plumbing Part Time/Fulltime (benefits available with full time) $18-$30 per hour based on experience Richner Communications, Inc 2 Endo Blvd Garden City, NY 11530 Send resume to careers@lixtherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 ext 211

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA

ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER: Fulltime, Ronkonkoma, NY. Understand client needs/requirements & communicate quality standards with production teams in accordance w/ AISC standards; devise, improve & review new product specs & procedures and train staff in accordance w/ AISC standards; set raw materials reqts & monitor compliance per AISC standards; supervise inspectors, technicians & operate per AISC standards; oversee product dev’t procedures for any quality deviation per AISC standards; inspect & approve final output; keep accurate documentation & do statistical analysis; document client feedback, prep reports & assist ext’l auditors/ inspectors. Reqts: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering & one year exp. Salary: $95,160 per year 40 hrs work per week. Mail resume to Lucky Damiao, President, SCE Detailing Group Inc.., 2165 5th Avenue, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779.

RECEPTIONIST/ P/T: SEASONAL, Warm, Friendly, Excellent People Skills, Office Work/ Customer Service, Beach Club. 516-239-2150

Structural Engineer: Full-time, Valley Stream, NY. Investigate/study sites for current/upcoming procurements; Design calculations for pipe flows, bridges, & other structures; Review/comment on construction docs, incl. shop drwngs, for constructability & other issues; Prepare quantity takeoffs & construction cost estimates; Verify compliance w/ project specs/contract docs; Develop engineering solutions for constrctn plans/dsgns. Reqts: Bachelor’s degree in Civ/Strctrl Engineering. Salary: $65,853 per year 40 hrs work per week. Mail resume to Muhammad Amray, President, ZOFS Engineering PC, 2 Columbine Lane, Valley Stream, NY 11581.

HomesHERALD

We’re not sure about my cousin’s advice

Elegant Old Canterbury

BQ. We are planning an addition and some interior changes, and read your column about taking out walls around our kitchen and dining room. My cousin is a contractor, and he has been making suggestions, some that are really good and some that I’m a little concerned about. At first he told me we could save a lot of money, and he knew many ways to do that. We are getting plans from his architect, who we’ve never met, and the cost is doubling. We’re wondering how to tell my cousin that we really need to back off or get other competitive prices. Have you any suggestions about what we should do? We don’t want to alienate or insult him, but we’ve tried to be honest about it, and are getting an uneasy feeling about where this is leading.

A. Over the 50-plus years I have been in the construction business, I have seen the result of this kind of relationship. Many were very successful, but mostly because clients were the controlling deciders, willing to take advice but able to recognize that it was their money that was making the project happen.

This is the same advice once given to me that in construction, the customer should play by the golden rule. You may know the biblical golden rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” but there is also the other golden rule — that he, or she, with the gold rules. In other words, as long as you haven’t paid, until satisfied, you still have some control over the project. Once you pay for something or let something continue that should have been addressed, you accept the conditions.

I have also seen, many times, where a relative or friend took advantage of the relationship and either took money without doing the work, did inferior work to keep an unrealistic budget, or never did the work at all. One young man called me at the suggestion of his cousin to do a restaurant. I initially sat with the cousin contractor and future restaurateur to discuss details. Subsequently, the contractor stopped showing up for meetings, but we worked through the project, trusting the cousin to follow plans and decisions despite his absence.

You should always be meeting with the architect to discuss the design. After obtaining permits and getting started, there was no communication for several months. I called to confirm that building inspections were made, and the restaurant was open, only to learn the unreachable cousin started but then ran off with the first $30,000. The restaurant did finally open a year later, with another contractor.

So be communicative, get other pricing and feel satisfied. Remember, you are in control and should play by the golden rule. You need to be directly involved with planning, permits and decisions, and be honest with your cousin, even if just to keep things under your control. Lose control, lose money, and your cousin. Good luck!

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Iam an avid reader. For as long as I can remember, I’ve chased the feeling of escape I find in a book I enjoy. Good books make you smile. But great books? They make you think. And I like to think.

As a junior in high school, I read “The Great Gatsby” for the first time, and was instantly enthralled. I decided at 16 it was the best thing I’d ever read, and I’ve yet to be persuaded otherwise. Why it took me as long as it did to pick up another one of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s works is beyond me. And it’s honestly a shame. I find, in the midst of my young adult years, that I finally understand why his words left an impression on me — but thanks to an entirely different book.

Let’s talk about “This Side of Paradise.”

It was Fitzgerald’s first novel, released in 1920, examining the life and morality of Amory Blaine, an attractive middleclass student. The story mostly details

Finding our side of paradise

Amory’s experiences in college at Princeton University and thereafter, exploring his relationships with friends, a Catholic priest, and several young women, who could only be thought of today as flappers — you know, fashionable ladies who flouted convention. Amory is arrogant, and certainly hard to like. Yet for some reason, I found myself enjoying his whimsical naivete when it comes to life.

The novel was an instant hit, becoming particularly popular among college students. Fitzgerald was just 23 at the time of its publication, the new face of “youth in revolt.”

Aromantic relationships that ended as quickly and poetically as they had begun.

It makes sense why some may not like “This Side of Paradise.” But I feel as though I completely understand Amory’s experiences. He loved to write. He loved to think. He wanted the best for himself, and he imagined a life that he felt was obtainable.

s a member of Gen Z, I know as well as anyone how the world views people my age.

It attracted criticism from so-called “social conservatives” because of the attention he brought to young people. Seen as immoral, undisciplined and self-indulgent, Fitzgerald’s generation sparked a wave of change — not only for young men, but certainly for young women.

While reveling in the wonders of his youth, Amory Blaine faced setbacks that changed the trajectory of his life. His parents died. His closest confidant, a monsignor, also died. And he had a handful of

T“Everything was hallowed by the haze of his own youth,” Fitzgerald writes of Amory, a simple yet powerful statement that affectively summarizes young adulthood.

Amory’s plight — and his enduring yearn to become someone that matters — is really what being young is all about, isn’t it?

As a 22-year-old — and a member of the infamous Gen Z — I know as well as anyone how the rest of the world views people my age.

We’re seen questionably — frowned upon, even. We think differently. Act differently. And want the best not only for ourselves, but also for the world around us. And when we watch things that we care about get stripped away, it’s hard not to feel angry.

We may swim against tides, but we

don’t act wiser than we are, because we can’t possibly know of things we’ve yet to experience.

In many ways, we’re just like Amory Blaine. You may not like what we have to say. You may question our morals and our actions, but I believe we live our lives with great intention.

“This Side of Paradise” isn’t Fitzgerald’s best work. It’s a great read, but as he got older and wiser, he produced better. He is regarded today as a great American novelist, but his debut was just a taste of what was to come.

“I know myself,” Amory cries at the end of the novel. “But that is all.”

Could there be any truer words?

People like me, people in my generation, are at the same point in our lives as Amory, or even perhaps Fitzgerald. We, too, are hallowed by the haze of our youth.

We aren’t asking you to agree with us, but rather to view us as you once viewed yourself.

We will become who we are meant to be, in time. And one day, we will find our side of paradise.

Jordan Vallone is a senior editor who writes for the Bellmore, East Meadow and Merrick Heralds. Comments? jvallone@ liherald.com.

Blakeman enthusiastically follows Trump’s lead

he political similarities between former President Donald Trump and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman are now impossible to miss. Which is probably just what Blakeman intends.

In his efforts to become Long Island’s leading MAGA man, Blakeman has adopted Trump’s combative and divisive style of leadership. Neither politician tries to find common ground on which to build effective policies. Both have acted as though they have strong mandates for right-wing programs, even though Trump got 3 million fewer votes in 2016 than did Hillary Clinton, and despite Blakeman having bested Laura Curran in 2021 by about 2,000 votes out of more than a quartermillion ballots cast.

Instead of governing consensually, Blakeman and Trump strive to intensify a culture war that threatens to erupt into physical violence.

Like the head of the national Republican Party, the Nassau County executive manipulates and exaggerates voters’ legitimate concerns in order to create an us-vs.-them dynamic. They both use inflammatory language to depict adver-

saries as not merely misguided, but mentally ill.

Who, for example, refers to the migrant crisis as “insanity”? And who denounces “crazy” progressive policies? Both the former president and the current county leader.

There have been other echoes of extreme rhetoric.

Trump in 2019 urged progressive female members of Congress to “go back” to countries “they originally came from.” Blakeman in January warned Kathy Hochul, New York’s first female governor, to “stay out of Long Island.”

Both strive to intensify a culture war that threatens to erupt into violence.

It’s easier, of course, to turn disagreements into confrontations than it is to work collegially toward compromises.

Blakeman has blamed “Albany Democrats” for an upsurge in crime in New York City and its suburbs. While horrifying assaults in the five boroughs have rightly stoked objections to bail reforms adopted by the State Legislature, it is misleading and irresponsible to suggest, as Blakeman has, that Nassau County had been experiencing a “crime epidemic” unleashed by Democratic-sponsored legislation. While rates of some crimes have indeed increased in the past three years, others have shown a decrease despite the easing of bail requirements. Rather than allaying unwarranted fears, Blakeman is heightening an

unfounded sense of public menace by forming a militia to be mobilized in cases of “emergency.” His move in March to recruit “provisional special deputy sheriffs” has drawn criticism from gun-control groups that say Nassau County should not be encouraging more of its residents to take up arms. This unrequested action also implies that Blakeman does not trust the county Police Department to protect the citizenry — despite his boast in a mass mailing earlier this year of having put 200 more cops on the streets.

Scapegoating is another tactic employed by demagogues such as Trump and Blakeman. It’s entirely reasonable to demand that the U.S. border be much more strictly enforced, but it’s not acceptable to refer to migrants as “animals,” a la Trump, or to denounce Hochul’s proposed spending of $2.4 billion for “illegal immigrants,” as Blakeman recently did in another of his countywide mailings. That money is intended to help house and feed the tens of thousands of migrants who have made their way mainly to New York City — not Nassau County — through no initiative on Hochul’s part.

Transgender Americans comprise another group susceptible to being stigmatized by pandering politicians. Blake-

man issued an executive order in February forbidding transgender females from taking part in competitive women’s or girls’ sports in county-owned athletic facilities. Again, there’s a reasonable basis for complaining that some former males have unfair physical advantages over many females. But when asked by a reporter how many transgender athletes have competed in his county, Blakeman said he didn’t know. The absence of any compelling reason to target a sexual minority has led opponents of this grandstanding stunt to call it “a solution in search of a problem.”

Blakeman, once more like Trump, aggravates grievances held by many voters as a way of diverting attention from his failure to fulfill promises on more substantive matters. In his 2021 campaign, Blakeman pledged to cut taxes “immediately” by $120 million. He did no such thing. Nor has he made good on a pledge to fix a “broken” assessment system.

Rather than plastering his name and face on taxpayer-financed mass mailings, Blakeman should help break the political fever that’s preventing Nassau County from becoming great again.

Kevin J. Kelley was a congressional staff member in the 1980s, and is a retired journalist and journalism professor who worked for newspapers in New York, Vermont and Kenya and taught at St. Michael’s College in Vermont. He lives in Atlantic Beach.

KEVIn J. KELLEY

JoRDAn VALLonE

HeraLd editoriaL

Celebrating N.Y.’s

Last month marked a pivotal moment for New York state — a moment that extended far beyond the numbers and legislative details of a state budget.

Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature delivered a beacon of hope for our communities by including in the state budget a groundbreaking initiative to support local news organizations in the form of a tax credit, modeled on the Local Journalism Sustainability Act.

At the heart of this legislation lies a profound acknowledgment: Local journalism is not just about reporting news; it’s about safeguarding the health of both our democracy and our communities.

State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, the bill’s sponsor in the upper chamber, aptly captured the essence of this endeavor, emphasizing that “a thriving local news industry is vital to the health of our democracy.” With bipartisan cooperation and a shared commitment to our communities, the initiative underscores the fundamental role that local journalists play in keeping our

Letters

D’Esposito gets his marching orders from you know who

To the Editor:

investment in local journalism

democracy vibrant and informed.

What does this legislation mean for our neighborhoods and towns? It means that we, as a society, are recognizing the value of — and investing in — the storytellers who bring our communities together: the journalists who uncover local stories, amplify diverse voices, and hold leaders accountable.

The Empire State Local News Coalition, founded earlier this year, spearheaded this legislative achievement by organizing more than 200 local newspapers across the state. The coalition’s tireless efforts moved the Local Journalism Sustainability Act to the forefront of legislative priorities.

“It is really an astounding legislative accomplishment,” Hoylman-Sigal told members of the New York Press Association last weekend in a Zoom appearance. “After stalling for years, our Local Journalism Sustainability Act really didn’t catapult into a top legislative priority” until “the founding of the Empire State Local News Coalition. That coalition … mobilized hundreds of newspapers and a broad range of stakeholders from around the country.”

Congressman Anthony D’Esposito disingenuously claims in his latest column, “Migrants get more government support than veterans” (April 18-24), that the Senate Democrats’ proposed border bill merely codified the existing “open border” policies, despite the Associated Press reporting on Feb. 15 that “The Senate’s border proposal was one of the toughest bipartisan bills to emerge on the issue in decades.”

Significantly, the lead negotiator for the Senate Republicans was James Langford, of Oklahoma, who is known to be one of the most conservative members of the Senate.

The bill collapsed, however, when former President Donald Trump called for the Republicans in Congress to kill it, because he feared it would enhance President Biden’s chances of being re-elected.

It’s long past time for Congressman D’Esposito, and the rest of the Republicans, to stop following the marching orders of Donald Trump and do what’s best for their constituents instead of what’s best for Donald Trump.

ROBERT TOLLE Cedarhurst

Trump selectively honors police

To the Editor:

Re Peter King’s column “The heartbreaking death of an NYPD hero” (April 11-17): How mature of Don-

Zach Richner, founder of the Empire State Local News Coalition — and a director of Richner Communications, the parent company of Herald Community Newspapers — expressed profound gratitude to the legislators who championed this cause. In addition to Hoylman-Sigal’s unwavering leadership, Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assembly sponsor Carrie Woerner all played pivotal roles in turning this vision into reality.

New York’s leadership on this issue sets a powerful example for the nation. Other states — blue, red or purple — now have a template to follow, as does the federal government, where the Community News and Small Business Support Act has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. While there is still work to be done in crafting the final regulations governing this tax credit, let’s celebrate this milestone. And let’s continue to champion the indispensable role of local journalism in shaping the future of our communities — and our nation.

ald Trump to demonstrate great “dignity and respect” to Detective Jonathan Diller’s family, who my

goes out to. But the question begs to be asked why Trump never showed an ounce of compassion to the families of the Capitol and Washington, D.C., police officers who died after Jan. 6? Not to mention the sur-

for who he is: a self-serving narcissist.

heart

viving Capitol police, who still suffer due to the trauma they experienced that day. Please wake up, people, and see Trump

JOSIE MARINO Lynbrook

We must secure our borders, reform immigration now

the United States must secure our borders and reform our broken immigration system. This demands immediate action, not delay tactics for political convenience. American citizens are owed this much. Our immigration system’s shortcomings have been a longstanding issue, with decades of inaction due to a lack of political will on both sides.

The U.S. Constitution explicitly assigns Congress the responsibility and power to fix this problem, yet the 118th Congress has been notably ineffective, the least productive Congress since the Great Depression. This stagnation is largely attributed to the prevailing hyper-partisanship and an inclination toward political theatrics over substantive legislative work.

The behavior exhibited within the halls of Congress — ranging from per-

How about a street naming?

To the Editor:

sonal attacks and physical altercations among members, to successive attempts to oust the speaker of the House, to catcalls at the State of the Union Address — underscores a departure from the principles of civility in government. Sadly, many of our representatives have embraced chaos and dysfunction as a substitute for governance. And in the wake of this chaos, the effort to solve the migrant crisis and its unprecedented impact on New York has been sidelined.

the Senate’s promising bipartisan border deal was dismissed as ‘disastrous.’

Fixing our complex immigration system requires a balanced approach that secures our borders while extending compassion to law-abiding immigrants. Although challenging, a solution is within reach through diligent effort and bipartisan collaboration.

The Senate’s bipartisan border security deal was a promising development, which laid the groundwork for meaningful reform. The bill proposed new measures to secure the border, streamline the asylum process, and end the broad

Letters

The financial outpouring for Detective Diller was outstanding. But I hope Peter King, with his relationship with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, will support renaming Detective Diller’s street in Massapequa in his honor. This would be a lasting tribute to him and his family.

RICH MORICCO East Meadow

Antisemitism, not Netanyahu, is the problem

To the Editor:

Re Jerry Kremer’s column “Netanyahu is a supporter of one party: himself”: Kremer supports Sen. Chuck Schumer’s view that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is more concerned about himself than about Israel. What Schumer has said has nothing to do with “Bibi’s” alleged corruption. What Schumer was really doing was attempting to placate the virulent antisemitism that has take root in the Democratic Party among radical Islamists. What is Netanyahu to do about Gaza?

Before the Oct. 7 massacre of 1,200 Israelis, Israel took a hands-off

release of migrants into communities. This initiative was crafted by Democrats and Republicans, and garnered support across the political spectrum. It was supported by the National Border Patrol Council — the union representing the men and women who protect our border. Despite some imperfections, the deal represented a significant step forward, embodying the essence of compromise and cooperation that is foundational to American democracy. However, opposition from figures like Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, who immediately criticized the bill as “disastrous” and who has held fast to a hyper-partisan position on immigration, exemplifies the obstacles to progress.

D’Esposito’s refusal to engage in any real attempt to move border solutions forward, coupled with his shocking recent praise of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for sending nearly 40,000 migrants to our state, highlight a disturbing trend of prioritizing partisan loyalty over constructive problem-solving.

The empty rhetoric and finger-pointing of elected officials like D’Esposito, characterized by a lack of commitment to real solutions, fail to serve the interests of Americans. In contrast, my approach in Congress will be to collaborate with all parties to achieve comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform. This includes enhancing border security by hiring more border patrolagents, deploying additional advanced “smart” technology and building strategic physical barriers. It also includes reforming the system to expedite the asylum and deportation processes and to provide clear paths to citizenship for hard-working, eligible people in search of better lives.

Performative politics and a refusal to engage with bipartisan solutions not only impede progress, but also betray the trust of the American people. The time for action is now, and it requires leaders willing to prioritize effective governance over partisan fealty and gamesmanship. Long Island, New York state and the entire nation deserve better.

Laura Gillen, a former Hempstead town supervisor, is a Democratic candidate in the 4th Congressional District.

Framework by Michael Ostrow

approach to Gaza. What did the people of Gaza do? They elected the terrorist group Hamas, which then used the aid that should have been used for the people of Gaza to build a huge underground system of tunnels — which some say is larger than the New York City transit system, in some places under hospitals (with human shields) — to acquire and store munitions and to use that system to launch attacks on Israel.

The massacre on Oct. 7 was the equivalent of 35,000 Americans being killed on Sept. 11, 2001. Do you think we would tolerate a foreign entity telling us what our response should be? Netanyahu is not the villain here. Hamas is. It has killed a number of hostages, and is holding others, including Americans. Israel’s rightful negotiating stance should be: the unconditional release of all hostages and the return of all bodies of the dead, or face total destruction. Israel has already demonstrated surgical restraint in dealing with the civilian population. Hamas was gutless because it targeted civilians and not the Israeli military.

Growing up in the late 1950s and early ’60s, we knew from our fathers of Hitler’s Holocaust. We knew what “Never again” meant. Yet here we are, 80 years later, and antisemitism has raised its ugly head, this time on American soil. For the radical Islamists there is no two-state solution. It has been offered time and again and refused. The first time was when Israel was created in 1947.

Former President Donald Trump is a strong supporter of Israel. He brokered the Abraham Accords. But for the radical Islamists, there is only one solution, the same as Hitler’s. They hate the Abraham Accords, because they don’t want peace. They can’t even tolerate a small Jewish state the size of New Jersey. As former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir said many years ago, there

will be peace only when the radicals love their children more than they hate the children of Jews.

Netanyahu does not threaten the existence of Israel; it is the mealymouthed apologists for Hamas in this country who are the threat to Israel.

At the Great Pyramid of Giza — Egypt

LaUra GiLLen

JOSEPH V. SCIFO Valley Stream

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