A cricket craze is sweeping Long Island as Nassau County prepares to hose the International Cricket Committee Men’s T20 World Cup in June. Young fans, like Abram Syed, 10, had a blast at the Criiio Cricket Social Festival on May 17 in Eisenhower Park. Story, more photos, Page 3.
The cricket world will have its eyes focused on Nassau County for the 2024 International Cricket Committee’s T20 World Cup in Eisenhower Park where, starting June 3, teams will play eight matches over 12 days attracting fans, and millions of viewers around the globe.
Since January, when the renderings for the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium were revealed, work to build and finalize the temporary, 34,000 seat venue in the heart of the county has been ongoing.
On May 15, the Herald, along with other media outlets in the New York-metro area, got a first look at the stadium, and heard from tourna-
ment leaders and ambassadors about what the community, and cricket fans, can expect during the tournament. Games will not only be played on Long Island through June 12, as teams will also take to the pitch in Texas, Florida, and various venues in the West Indies.
T20 chief executive Brett Jones, said it was a “special day” for everyone involved in the project over the last two years, but especially over the last fourth months in Nassau County.
“We’ve seen this incredible stadium literally grow out of the ground of where cricket has long been played here on Long Island, in Eisenhower Park,” he said.
The tournament breaks down teams into four groups, A through D. Only two teams from each
The East Meadow community has voted to approve a $251.5 million budget for the 2024-25 academic year in the East Meadow Union Free School District. The spending plan is $13 million larger than the current school year’s budget.
The budget was approved by 2,518 voters.
Its approval means the district can direct more funding toward its special education students, as well as see through several capital improvement projects.
added it’s important to look years ahead, to see how changes implemented will affect future school years.
I really think we
set ourselves up for being in a good place two or three years down the road.
PATRICK PIZZo assistant superintendentDuring the budget planning progress, assistant superintendent for business and finance Patrick Pizzo told the Herald that the district was facing some challenges, and considered tapping into its capital reserves in order to make ends meet.
Thanks to assistance from New York state, the district was able to finalize its budget without doing so.
When school districts create a budget for a school year, he
“I think we really set ourselves up for being in a good place two or three years down the road,” Pizzo said. On the education board, Nikole De Luca and Maria Talluto were both elected to the board of education, earning 1,920 and 2,002 votes respectively. They beat incumbent vice president Eileen Napolitano and firsttime candidate Dr. Razia Jayman-Aristide.
De Luca campaigned on a platform focused on district improvement. She wants to use her knowledge about education to benefit the board.
“I hope to use my background to be able to have a seat at the table when policies are made,” she said.
Talluto said as a taxpayer, wife, mother and teacher, she’s qualified for a role on the board.
“I feel that my priorities and beliefs are aligned with the community members of East Meadow.”
Cricket is a sport not many Americans are familiar with. Around the globe however, especially in Southeast Asian countries, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, and the West Indies, it is widely enjoyed, watched and played in a variety of adaptive ways.
With the International Cricket Committee Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled to take place in just a few weeks in Eisenhower Park, Nassau County hosted a Criiio Cricket Social Festival last week in Fields 2 and 3 of the park. The event, inspired by the ICC’s Criiio program, aimed to showcase cricket as a vibrant, inclusive sport that can be played anywhere, by anyone, at any time.
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game that is played traditionally between two teams of eleven players. The game originated in the 1500s in England and is played with a wooden bat, a hard leather ball, stumps and bails, as well as protective gear that includes helmets, pads, gloves and abdominal guards.
A common term heard when watching a game of cricket is “the pitch” — which is 22-yard-long strip in the center of the field. This is where most of the action takes place. There are three vertical stumps, topped with two horizontal bails, at each end of the pitch.
The objective is to score a run, and the simplest way to do that is when a “batsmen” or the person holding a bat hits the ball to the opposite side of the pitch. Players can be dismissed, or considered “out,” due to a variety of things. Some include when the ball hits the stump and dislodges a bail, when a ball is caught by someone without it bouncing, or if a ball strikes a batsman’s body before it hits the bat.
Balls are “bowled” to the person hitting it with a bat. A bowler aims to dismiss the batsmen and restrict the number of runs. Each bowler will roll one “over,” which means six legal deliveries from one end of the pitch. Fielders are positioned strategically around the field, to stop runs and dismiss batsmen. A “wicketkeeper” stands behind stumps to catch balls.
Games are broken down into “innings” — just like baseball, and the team with the most runs at the end of a match wins. An inning ends when ten players are out. Twenty20 cricket, or T20 — hence the name of the world cup — is the shortest format of international cricket play, limited to 20 overs per side. Each team will play one inning in this form of cricket, and only 120 balls will be bowled.
Here in the U.S., fans of baseball, basketball and other sports may play adapted versions of those games with their friends in an informal setting. Stickball, or three-on-three basketball games, are all modified versions of the original sport. For cricket, that’s Criiio. Criiio is a global campaign that promotes the joy of cricket in its most infor-
Young batsmen and bowlers surrounded a pitch in Eisenhower Park, to learn more about the beloved sport, as Nassau County prepares to host the Cricket World Cup in June.
mal forms — like backyard matches to beach cricket. By integrating Criiio into schools and community programs, the ICC aims to make cricket more accessible to youth around the world.
The Criiio Cricket Festival at the park on May 17 brought communities together. Dozens of people, from all over Long Island, came out to participate in the festivities. The event offered young enthusiasts — or those new to the sport — a firsthand experience of cricket during an exciting time. The festival, according to county officials, celebrated the spirit of cricket but also emphasized the sport’s ability to unite diverse groups through shared play.
Umer Aslam, who attended the social festival at the park, spoke with the Her-
ald about the excitement surrounding the upcoming tournament. Aslam lives in Dix Hills, and was sporting a local jersey for the LI Warriors in the Kings Cricket Club.
“We are super excited,” Aslam said. “I have been playing cricket since I was a kid. This is like a dream come true. I’ve managed to get the tickets for Pakistan versus Canada, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
The Cricket World Cup is watched by billions of people around the world, and many games in Eisenhower Park, including the highly anticipated match between India versus Pakistan, are expected to draw major crowds.
“It’s going to be a packed house,” Aslam said.
“During the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup there will be tens of thousands in attendance and over a billion viewers around
the world watching the World Cup matches being held here in Nassau County,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said. “This Criiio Cricket Social Festival creates an opportunity for our young people to participate in a workshop where they will learn more about this globally popular sport.”
The ICC provided Nassau County with 100 Criiio kits, which include equipment to play cricket, to be integrated in schools, so students across the county can learn about the game ahead of the tournament.
Cricket games are scheduled to be played from June 3 to June 12 in Eisenhower Park. The venture is entirely funded by the ICC and T20 World Cup USA. For more information on the upcoming festival, call (516) 572-0200.
Additional reporting by Tim Baker
The Town of Hempstead is taking a progressive approach to combatting water conservation issues on Long Island. Supervisor Don Clavin, joined by colleagues in government, as well as Frank Piccininni and Marshall Brown of the Long Island Conservancy, announced its plan to launch a new rain barrel program last week at the Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve in Merrick.
The initiative includes the installation of rain barrels in several town parks, including Levy Park, Baldwin Park, Echo Park, the Merrick Golf Course, Rath Park, Speno Park and Veterans Memorial Park. Hempstead residents can also purchase rain barrels at a discounted rate, making it easier for homeowners to contribute to the town’s water conservation efforts.
Overall, the program aims to promote water conservation and educate residents on the benefits of rainwater harvesting.
“It’s an initiative where you’re going to be able to collect rain in your house, utilize it to water your lawn, your flowerbeds, and save money — and at the end of the day, you’re doing the right thing for the environment.” Clavin told reporters at a news conference on May 17.
While the last several weeks — even months — have been exceedingly rainy, Clavin said, that doesn’t mean a drought won’t happen during the summertime. Just last year, there was a nationwide drought, where in some areas, people weren’t even allowed to water their lawns.
Town of Hempstead residents can place an order for a rain barrel no later that May 30 online at Hempstead.ComposterSale.com. They’ll receive a 55-gal-
Generally, parents leave their assets to the children thinking that the children will then take care of their children. Occasionally, parents want to bypass the children, either wholly or partially, and leave an inheritance directly to the grandchildren.
Inheritances to minors come in different varieties, such as bequests in wills and as beneficiaries or contingent beneficiaries on IRA’s, investment accounts, life insurance policies and annuities.
Although well-intentioned, inheritances to minors, without a trust, must go through a court proceeding on death. Minors, those under 18, cannot hold property in their names. In the proceeding, the judge appoints a legal guardian to protect the minor’s interest until age eighteen, at which time the beneficiary receives the asset. The expenses of the legal guardian will be paid out of the minor’s bequest. Generally, the legal guardian will use the funds for the child’s health, education, maintenance and support having regard to any other assets or resources of the
minor known to the guardian. Again, ready or not, the legal guardian must turn over the assets to the minor at age eighteen, a tender age in today’s world.
A better plan would be to leave assets to a minor beneficiary by creating a trust. You leave directions for the use of the funds, distribution at a stated age, such as thirty years old and, in the meantime, the trustee, a person you choose instead of a legal guardian chosen by the court, uses the money for the purposes enumerated above, either by giving money directly to the minor or by paying bills on their behalf.
Trusts avoid probate court proceedings entirely for the trust assets. You either put assets into the trust while you are living or, alternatively, you may name the minor’s trust as death beneficiary on bank accounts, investment accounts, IRA’s or the retirement plans, annuities and life insurance policies. The intention to benefit minor beneficiaries must be attended to with thoughtful planning to avoid having the good deed punished.
lon rain barrel, which must be picked up at the Four Towns Fireman Training Center between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on June 1 and 2. The training facility is just minutes away from Levy Park, at 1640 Merrick Road, Merrick.
Barrels cost $65, Clavin said, and through other retailers, barrels can cost upwards of $100.
“Residents want to reinvest in the environment,” Clavin said. “They want to do their part, and by teaming up with
them and giving these out at a discounted price, you’re seeing that end result.”
“Ask a staff member, and we’ll show you how simple it is,” he said.
The rain barrels, which resemble an average-sized garbage can, collect water through a filtered opening on the top. To use the water supply, a hose is hooked up at the bottom where there’s a small opening. All one has to do is turn the spicket of the hose, hold it in a downright position, and then utilize the supply that comes out to water their plants, flowers, grass and more.
Piccininni said the rain barrels also help combat nitrogen pollution, which causes major issues in the island’s bays.
“Our atmosphere is something like 78 percent nitrogen,” he said, “and when it’s dry, and especially when it’s raining, the nitrogen is just falling out of the sky, ending up in our storm drains and our waterways. The (Town of Hempstead) is taking an incredible step providing these rain barrels, because the nitrogen is going to kind of just stick on site in the rain barrels, and not get washed away downstream.”
“It’s an investment in our environment and our community,” Clavin said, “and really, that’s what it’s all about. These are just good, great initiatives that team up with people with a passion for the environment, with good government that wants to help the environment. There’s always solution.”
Jordan Vallone/Herald
Educators from school districts throughout Nassau County worked in partnership with the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents’ Curriculum Writing Committee during the last several months to develop lessons for students in grades K through 12 on tolerance and peace.
On May 13, participating teachers presented their final curriculum writing projects geared at effectively educating students on symbols and speeches of peace and hate, with the goal of ending incidents of hate and discrimination within Long Island schools. During the half-day program that took place at Nassau BOCES Robert E. Lupinskie Center for Curriculum, Instruction and Technology in Westbury, presentations covered the various topics of bias some students face and ways that educators can effectively address this subject with students. The lessons developed will be shared with all districts throughout Nassau County so that every district is consistent in the curriculum being provided in this area.
“We appreciate the dedication and attention to detail given in every curriculum writing project shared today,” said Maria Rianna, president of the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents and the superintendent of the Glen Cove City School District.
“Through this shared project, educators have developed innovative ways to cre -
ate a school environment where respect and inclusiveness are paramount for all students, teachers and staff throughout Nassau County school communities.”
The Nassau County Council of School Superintendents is a professional organization representing 56 Nassau County
school districts, including Nassau BOCES. The council extends its appreciation to all educators who served on the Curriculum Writing Committee, as well as committee co-chairs Vincent Randazzo, superintendent of Island Park Public Schools, and Mary O’Meara, superinten-
East Williston, Oceanside, Malverne and Garden City.
–Jordan ValloneMy mother may soon be applying for Medicaid. How does this affect funeral arrangements?
The latest Medicaid regulations now permit individuals to set aside a portion of their assets in an irrevocable trust account in order to have funds for future funeral expenses. When an individual approaches the time when Medicaid coverage seems likely, social workers generally advise families to look into this funeral pre-funding option.
Here’s how we can help:
• The Family will make an appointment with us to discuss just what we are to do when the death occurs.
• We discuss options and record their wishes not just about preferred funeral home services but cemetery, church, monument inscription, newspaper notices, etc. We inform the family of exactly what the funeral home and third party costs are at the present time.
• Funds to cover those expenses can then deposited in our FDIC insured PRE - PLAN Trust. The Trust pays sufficient interest to allow us to guaranty those future funeral home costs into the future.
• While the funds remain in the name of the individual going on Medicaid, eligibility to receive Medicaid coverage is not affected.
dent of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District. The council also extended its thanks to superintendents in Hicksville,
Courtesy Nassau County Council of School Superintendents
Baldwin Senior Lacrosse
IT WAS A NEAR-PERFECT regular season for the Bruins, who won 13 of 14 games and captured the Nassau Conference 3 title. And Ryan, who will play lacrosse at Hartwick College, was one of the biggest reasons for their success. She netted 52 goals, including the 100th of her career, and added 12 assists. She also had 87 draw controls. Ryan had eight points (six goals and two assists) May 6 as Baldwin sealed first place with a 14-13 win over Hicksville.
All things considered, while the team finished at .500, the East Meadow boys’ lacrosse team had a pretty good season.
The Jets’ coach, Joe Cataldo, was in his first varsity season with the program. In just one season, he took a team that went 1-14 in 2023 to 8-8 overall and 6-6 in Conference A this spring, without having seniors spread out all over the field.
“It was definitely a positive season, we took a step in the right direction, won a couple more games than last year,” he said. “They understood what I was asking as a new coach this year.”
Culture was a big emphasis in Cataldo’s freshman season at the helm, as well as locking down core basics and skills to make sure everyone was on the same page.
SOFTBALL (Farmingdale State College) Thursday, May 23 Nassau
BOYS
(Hofstra University) Friday, May 24
Nassau
“I think the guys definitely bought into the culture this year, understanding the responsibility of [going] all in, giving maximum effort [and] doing the right thing,” Cataldo said. “Helping these guys understand a little more of the game and how it’s played and the speed that it’s played at. Going back to the concepts of moving the ball, being in the right places, getting yourself available, moving without the ball, constantly being a target for your teammates to look for and not just standing around and watching other guys.”
Cataldo recognizes that he had a very young squad to work with: sophomore defender Ben Barbara, juniors Bryan Tauber and Jack Caracciola, and sophomore Thomas Prim-
is part of a young talented core for the Jets, who won seven more games than they did in 2023.
rose on the attack team. Similar story with defense: juniors Ryan Michel and Shaun Reilly were the anchors before anything reached the goalie. Sophomore Steven Ricotta was one of the main faceoff guys.
Junior Vincent Ronzo scored 10 goals. The common thread here: a lot of underclassmen got their fair share of minutes.
“Next year is a massive year for us,” Cataldo said.
“Even with that young team, I feel like this season gave them a sense of pride and confidence moving forward like ‘wow, even thoguth we were a younger squad, we still went
.500’ and it was like hope that next year and years to come we could be battling with some of these top teams.”
Cataldo said Tauber had a monster year for the Jets, with his 43 goals and 9 assists. Caracciola led the Jets with 33 assists and added 18 goals. Primrose had 25 goals.
Cataldo also highlighted senior Marchello Romano’s work, evidenced by 26 assists and 7 goals, going to show how much of a facilitator from the midfield position. “[Romano] could do it all, groundball machine and assisting,” he explained.
The highlight of it all, was seeing the growth and progress.
“ I felt like the morale was kind of down [when I started]… so I just feel like the highlights were just them buying into the program overall and showing that they can be a team to be looked at in this conference,” Cataldo said. “The fact that we can play with these teams, we can put numbers against these teams, and we can compete. It’s not just a roll-over, not-compete team. We do belong here, we are a competitive team in this conference.”
group will advance to the second round of the tournament. Group A features Canada, Ireland, India, Pakistan, and the United States — all of which will play games at Eisenhower Park.
The most highly anticipated game is India facing Pakistan on June 9. These countries consistently field some of the best cricket players in the world.
“We’re going to see over 200 million people joining in on TV screens,” Jones said, “and we’re expecting over 1 billion eyeballs to be watching TV and video clips throughout the tournament.”
Jones added that cricket fans will see a stadium that is “truly out of this world.”
“We’ve seen really, really amazing buy in from the locals — nearly seeing five sellouts across the eight games,” he said. “The real message to everybody is we want to make sure that cricket in the U.S. makes a real statement through this tournament. We know that it’s one of our biggest markets in the world. We want to make sure that this tournament in particular really is a celebration of the people that have stayed involved in the game of cricket in the USA for many years now.”
Nassau County not only boasts a population of 1.5 million people, County Executive Bruce Blakeman said, but extremely diverse.
“We have every race, every religion, and every ethnic group,” Blakeman said. “And we get along here and live in peace and harmony because we respect each other. And I think that’s one of the reasons why this event came to Nassau County, because I knew that we had the political will to get this done quickly, but also that we have a community that loves cricket — and a community that’s accepting of people from all places.
“This is something that wasn’t here 90 days ago,” he added of the stadium, “and it could only happen in Nas-
one of t20’s ambassadors is usain Bolt, the retired Jamaican sprinter, considered one of the best runners of all time. Bolt grew up loving cricket and spoke highly of the sport. down on the pitch in the stadium, he swung a cricket bat.
sau County, because we recognized the opportunity, and we took advantage of it.”
While games are played, road closures in and around Eisenhower Park will be in place. Games are expected to start at 10:30 a.m., and finish at 2:30 p.m. Park Boulevard and sections of Merrick Avenue and Charles Lindbergh Drive will be closed beginning at 6 a.m.
Fans will park in either the Nassau Coliseum’s lot in Uniondale, or at Nassau Community College in East Garden City. Shuttle buses will transport guests.
East Meadow High School backs up to Eisenhower Park, and several schools including W.T. Clarke Middle School and High School, and Bowling Green Elementary School are nearby, it was a concern for the East Meadow School District that the tournament and road
closures could affect school activities.
In a letter shared with families on May 13, Superintendent Kenneth Rosner said the district has been working closely with the Nassau County Police Department, Nassau County Department of Homeland Security, local county legislators and the department of Parks, Recreation and Museums to ensure the tournament has minimal impact on the school day.
“All East Meadow schools will follow their regular daily schedules,” he wrote. “The potential road closures should not impact bus routes.”
T20 World Cup Ambassador, Usain Bolt, an eighttime Olympic gold medalist from Jamaica, considered the greatest sprinter of all time, is a huge cricket fan and has been spreading the word about the world’s most watched sporting event.
“Cricket has always been first love for me,” he said during the stadium tour. “It’s something I grew up watching.”
Bolt shared a personal anecdote — he loved cricket so much; it took him a while to turn to sprinting as the sport he mastered.
“I have the opportunity now to be an ambassador, and to spread the great word about cricket, and bring everyone together to watch this wonderful sport,” he said.
Tickets for certain games are still available at Tickets.T20WorldCup.com, Jones said. Because there is such anticipation for the India-Pakistan match, Blakeman said the county will hold a viewing party in Cedar Creek Park in Seaford on June 9. Attendees can expect large screens, food trucks, giveaways and more.
For updates as the event approaches, and to learn more about how Nassau County is immersing the community in the game of cricket, visit NassauCountyNY. gov/5676/ICC-World-Cup-2024.
Richner Communications, Inc. — Long Island’s largest publisher of local media — has acquired the Amityville Record, Babylon Beacon, Massapequa Post and Beacon Smart Shopper, from CJ Publishers Inc.
These brands join family-owned Richner Communications, which now owns and publishes 27 community-focused hyperlocal newspapers through its Herald Community Media division, which serves large parts of Nassau County, as well as parts of New York City through the Pulitzer Prize-winning Riverdale Press in the Bronx, and The Jewish Star, which serves the Orthodox Jewish communities throughout the region.
The Amityville Record, Babylon Beacon and Massapequa Post date back to 1904, 1966 and 1951, respectively. Today, they serve the communities of the Village of Amityville, North Amityville, Vil-
Michael Hinman/Herald
For decades, the newspaper group that included the Amityville Record, Babylon Beacon and the Massapequa Post were published by Alfred and Carolyn James. Carolyn joins Herald Community Newspapers as an associate publisher.
ing the newspapers to remain “steadfast pillars within their communities under new guardianship.”
“In the pages of the June 19, 1991, editions of the Amityville Record, Babylon Beacon and Massapequa Post, we embarked on a journey, pledging to carry forth the legacy of those who came before us,” wrote James in a note to readers last week. “Now, nearly 32 years later, we stand on the precipice of change as Herald Community Newspapers — a stalwart in Nassau County’s weekly news landscape — assumes ownership of our beloved papers.”
The Richner and James families have a longstanding relationship. Richner Printing has printed the CJ newspapers for years and also prints other daily and weekly newspapers, specialty publications and newsletters throughout the tristate region, as well as general, high-volume commercial printing and mailing.
Like CJ Publications, Richner Communications is a proud family-owned business. Founded by Robert and Edith Richner in 1964, the company is today led by their son, Stuart Richner.
“We are excited to continue the great work of Carolyn, Al and their team, to ensure that the Amityville, Babylon and Massapequa communities have the critical news necessary to remain vibrant places to live and work,” Richner said. “Our company believes deeply in the importance of local journalism, and we look forward to introducing ourselves to our new readers.”
Carolyn James will assume the role of associate publisher at Richner Communications and will continue to oversee the four publications. The (516) 798-5100 phone number of CJ Publishers will remain the same, as will the newspapers’ websites of AmityvilleRecord.com, BabylonBeacon.com and MassapequaPost. com. James’ email address is now cjames@liherald.com.
Marinela Lizana Plaza, Cedarhurst
American Legion Post 339
I think of soldiers that fought in our wars to keep freedom, our liberties and America as we know it, how much we owe them and their memories. I have a friend, a member of my unit, who died, who I think about every Memorial Day.
Ralph Esposito, Elmont Veterans Service Agency
We pay tribute to those who gave all to make it possible for the rest of us to enjoy the freedoms we have today. I run the Elmont Memorial Day parade to remember those who gave it all and who made the supreme sacrifice.
Davian Savage, Lynbrook
American Legion Post 339
It’s a day to recognize the fallen military personnel over the course of many wars, and to remember their impact on the freedom we have today, and the ultimate sacrifice they made.
Howard Stillwagon, Glen Cove Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 347 (with Cruiser, his service dog) Memorial Day is to honor the fallen veterans of all wars but (personally) for the 20 young men I saw get killed in Vietnam from January to July of 1969. For us combat veterans, we know what it was like to see them lose their lives We never forget.
Gary Glick, Bellmore Jewish War Veterans
It’s a day of mourning for guys who have passed away or who were killed in the war — in all wars. My motto is to help veterans. It shouldn’t just be one day of taking care of veterans, it should be every day.
Long Island’s most anticipated new oceanfront community is now open. At The Breeze, each rental unit opens you to a world of uncompromising luxury amenities and an active, adventurous lifestyle.
On various dates throughout the summer, those looking to shop local and obtain goods from Long Island vendors can visit the Eisenhower Park Field 8 Art Craft and Gift Vendor Fair — where there’s truly something for everyone.
The event is hosted by Nassau County Fairs, and the first one for the season took place on May 11 and 12, just in time for Mother’s Day. There’s another round scheduled Jun 15 and 16, as well as August 31 and September 1.
With reasonably good weather, those planning to attend will be able to shop from 75 to 100 vendors, and vendors can expect upwards of 3,000 shoppers during the two-day event.
The Nassau County Fairs business model is simple: “Shop small, and shop local.” Vendors include artists, crafters, gift curators, neighborhood mom and pop stores, and so much more.
If vendors want to sign up for future fairs at Eisenhower Park, it costs $230 a day, or $380 for the weekend. Nonprofits and government organizations can register for $25. Food vendors are not allowed to participate in the Eisenhower fair.
Future fairs will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Those who plan to attend should go to 8 Park Boulevard in Westbury. Field 8 is adjacent to the intersection of Merrick Avenue and Stewart Avenue.
Whether you’re shopping for yourself, or someone else, attendees can be sure to find a variety of local products, all from local sources. For more on the Eisenhower Park fair, and others in the area, visit NassauCountyFairs.com.
–Jordan Vallone
The fair is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The next fair is scheduled for June 15 and June 16.
Parliament Funkadelic
HGeorge Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic revolutionized funk music in the 1970s, blending psychedelic rock with soulful grooves and creating an extravagant stage show that influenced generations of musicians. Their iconic sound and outlandish performances made them pioneers of funk, with hits like ‘Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)’ and ‘Atomic Dog’ cementing their legacy in music history.
By Karen Bloom
Here we are — ready to kick back and enjoy Memorial Day weekend’s prelude to summer. Besides the observances, parades and barbecues, that yearly trek to Jones Beach to watch the action overhead during the Bethpage Air Show is a beloved tradition for so many of us.
U.S.
Courtesy U.S. Navy
This year’s show — on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 — celebrates its 20th year with much fanfare.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels, headliners at the first Bethpage Air Show back in 2004, return to helm the spectacular two-day display of flying stunts. George Gorman, regional director of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation, enthusiastically says that “spectators are in for a real treat” this time around with 2024 being “a very special year for us.”
“Not only are we celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Bethpage Air Show, but we are also celebrating the 95th anniversary of Jones Beach State Park and the 100th anniversary of New York State Parks and the Long Island State Park Commission,” he notes.
The Blue Angels have strong ties to the region, flying Grumman Hellcats, built on Long Island for the team’s 1946 inaugural flight. The team then went on to fly other Grumman aircraft, including the Bearcat, Cougar and Tiger, one of which now hangs at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City.
Parliament Funkadelic (often abbreviated as P-Funk), led by Clinton, is known for their innovative and influential contributions to the genre, combining elements of funk, soul, R&B, and psychedelic rock. The collective originated in the 1960s, with Clinton serving as the central figure and creative force behind both groups. He’s recognized as the godfather of modern urban music.
Saturday, May 25, 8 p.m. $99.50, $79.50, $69.50, $54.50, $49.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY. com, (631) 673-7300
the American Airpower Museum Warbirds; along with Farmingdale State
College Flying Rams, flying several of their 22 college-owned aircraft, complete
The Skytypers, an air show favorite, combine the best of old and new. The team uses five of the remaining World War II-era NA SNJ planes left in the world,
team uses five of the remaining World War II-era NA SNJ planes left in the world, meticulously restored with the latest technology.
“These were Navy scout planes used on missions in World War II and the Korean War,” explains Larry Arken, the Skytypers’ longtime flight leader. “We’ve modernized them and give them plenty of TLC. We have to take care of our warbirds. They’ve got quite a military history; they’ve landed on aircraft carriers and as fighter trainers they trained the Greatest Generation.”
• May 25-26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
• $10 vehicle use fee
• Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh
• For up-to-date information, visit BethpageAirShow.com or text ‘Airshow’ to (516) 842-4400, to download the Bethpage Air Show mobile app
The distinguished squadron — back for its 10th headlining appearance — is joined by other elite military pilots, including the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, the U.S. Air Force’s A-10C Thunderbolt II Demo Team, and the U.S. Navy F-35C Demo Team. These expert aviators demonstrate the armed forces’ capabilities in fulfilling air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
The renowned Blue Angels Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron always delights air show visitors with unparalleled displays of flight precision, in keeping with the Navy’s time-honored tradition dating back to 1946. A total of 17 officers voluntarily serve with the Blue Angels, showcasing the precision and power of naval aviation. Each year, the team typically selects three tactical (fighter or fighter/attack) jet pilots, two support officers, and one Marine Corps C-130 pilot to relieve departing members.
As always, expert civilian performers join in the action. The popular Skytypers and their flight squadron of vintage World War II aircraft; Mike Goulian, North America’s most decorated aerobatic pilot; the Warbird Thunder team, piloted by former Skytypers members; Long Island’s aerobatic daredevil David Windmiller;
The Farmingdale-based Skytypers are, of course, a familiar sight along northeast beaches with their skytyped messages generated at an altitude of 10,000 feet with puffs of smoke in dot matrix-style letters. While those messages won’t be visible during the show this time around, the pilots are ready to entertain with their signature maneuvers.
“We’re thrilled that this is our 20th year with the show,” Arken says. “It’s so important to us as it’s our hometown show. For many of our friends, it’s the only time they get to see us (perform). We’re always excited to be here and put a smile on people’s faces. It’s great fun to fly down low and see everyone on the beach. This is a terrific event, and the pilots enjoy it as much as everyone on the ground.”
Flying at 500 feet, his team’s 18 minutes of precision skills always excite spectators. Among their favorite tricks is the “bomb burst,” in which the Arken’s planes come in at low altitude toward the spectators from five directions in a crisscross pattern.
“It almost looks like we’re going to hit each other,” he says. “It’s a real crowd pleaser.”
His team is a close-knit group of five pilots, with decades of military and professional experience, who honor the history and heritage of their refurbished aircraft.
“I consider us caretakers of these planes that had such a historical impact during World War II, “Arken says.”Everything we do is because we want to keep them alive for the generations to see them. We love flying these planes and bringing them to this show.”
The event is one of the largest air shows in the country. More than 240,000 people attended in 2022, when the Blue Angels last performed during a stormy weekend. Last year, more than 419,000 attended.
Aztec Two-Step 2.0 chronicles the extraordinary career of Simon & Garfunkel. The music speaks for itself, anchored by Rex Fowler, Aztec Two-Step co-founder and his wife, Dodie Pettit, an original cast member of Broadway’s ‘The Phantom of The Opera.’ Multiinstrumentalist Steven Roues, horn player Joe Meo, and drummer/ percussionist Peter Hohmeister round out the band. The show’s storyline was originally created by Pete Fornatale, the late great pioneer of progressive FM radio and author of Simon & Garfunkel’s Bookends biography. Now telling the stories, emceeing and directing is Fornatale’s protégé, Tony Traguardo, noted rock music historian, podcaster and founding board member of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame. Nostalgia and laughter abound, and a sing a-long is always in the mix.
Friday, May 31, 8 p.m. $42, $37. $33. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.
Chris Botti
Award-winning jazz trumpeter Chris Botti visits The Paramount, Sunday, June 2, 8 p.m. Botti has found a form of creative expression that begins in jazz and expands beyond the limits of any single genre. He has thoroughly established himself as one of the important, innovative figures of the contemporary music world. Coming to prominence with the 2001 recording of his Night Sessions CD, Botti gained a reputation as a versatile musician in both jazz and pop music for his ability to fuse both styles together. He’s been one of the most popular instrumentalists in the world for nearly three decades; he’s collaborated with some of the biggest superstars on the planet, including Sting, Paul
Lady
Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Steven Tyler, Andrea Bocelli, Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma, and others.
He knew his life’s dream was playing music after listening to Miles Davis play perform “My Funny Valentine” live from “Miles Davis – Four & More.” Before venturing out as a solo artist, Botti played in Carnegie Hall as part of the McDonald’s All American High School jazz band and went on tour with Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler and others. His time performing with musicians such as Paul Simon, Sting, Tony Bennett and Michael Bublé in and out of the studio inspired the distinct style Botti has to this very day. He’s topped the jazz charts with numerous award-winning albums, and performed with symphony orchestras and on prestigious stages from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House. After signing to Blue Note Records, Botti released his latest album, “Vol. 1.” In many ways, the album is a fresh start for the trumpeter. Having successfully crossed over from the underground jazz scene to pop stardom, Botti’s first album in over a decade finds him coming back to his roots, focusing on acoustic jazz and classic standards. $99.50, $89.50, $74.50, $64.50, $59.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.
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, Wednesday through Friday, May 29-31, 10:15 a.m. and noon; also Saturday, June 1, 11:30 a..m. and 2 p.m. Back by popular demand after a sold-out 2023 run, see Pigeon, Bus Driver, and some zany passengers sing and dance their way to help Pigeon find his “thing” in this upbeat comedy based on 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.
Simon, Barbra Streisand,
Gaga,
1
Old Westbury Gardens Director Maura Brush leads a 45-minute floral arranging class just for kids, Saturday, June 1, 1010:45 a.m., to explore their creative side. Fresh flowers will be used, and she will teach proper care and handling, water, and how to make sure your floral arrangement lasts and looks beautiful. Discuss flower names and fun facts about each flower. For ages 5-12. $30. Registration required. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.
Walk or run to support men and women in local law enforceiment at Eisenhower Park, Thursday, June 27. The David Lerner Association’s Long Island Police Appreciation Run 5K kicks off at 7 p.m., rain or shine, in Eisenhower Park Field 2. This event is presented by the Greater Long Island Running Club, visit GLIRC.org for more information.
Art
Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art, Saturday, May 25, 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.
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; assorted snacks and drinks provided. Bring games and cards. Lessons available. 1400 Prospect Ave. Call (516) 483 4205 forinfo.
‘Thomas & Friends’
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to experience its newest exhibit, Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails!, opening Saturday, May 25. eParticipate in fun activities celebrate the arrival of this traveling exhibit, 1-3 p.m., during the drop-in programs. Step onto the Island of Sodor, where visitors can climb aboard a large model of Thomas the Tank Engine, race trains along a giant track, work together to sort and load cargo and maintain engine.
Kids engage in a variety of STEM challenges from simple sorting and shape identification to more complex engineering obstacles. As they test their abilities, the smiling faces of Thomas, Percy, Victor and others are there to offer encouragement and remind children how “really useful” they all are. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
Plaza Theatrical brings back its acclaimed Broadway series. With the recent passing of Stephen Sondheim, regarded as one of the most important figures in 20th-century musical theatre for reinventing the American musical, Plaza honors him with a staging of “Into the Woods,” Friday, May 31, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, June 1, 2:30 p.m.; also Thursday, June 6, 2 p.m. See it at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre. 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $49, $45 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical. com.
Yard Sale
Browse among varied items at St. Francis Polish National Catholic Church’s yard sale, Friday, May 31 752 Harton Ave., East Meadow. No fee to attend. Call (516) 794-5189 for more information.
Meet up with friends and neighbors at East Meadow Community Day, 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.
Visit Borrelli’s Italian Restaurant for a psychic evening, Tuesday, June 11, 6-9 p.m. $65 per person, dinner includes a oneon-one private reading. 1580 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow. Make a reservation by calling (516) 794-0190. Presented by EPSConnection. com, visit the site for more information.
Breastfeeding Support Group
Mercy Hospital offers a peer-to-peer breastfeeding support and resources, Thursdays, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Bring your baby (from newborn to 1 year) to the informal group setting. Registration required. Call breastfeeding counselor, Gabriella Gennaro, at (516) 705-2434 to secure your baby’s spot. St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre. For information visit CHSLI.org.
Nassau County turned 125 earlier this year, and an eclectic grouping of politicians, artists and celebrities celebrated with the clinking of glasses at The Lannin catering hall at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow.
Last week’s party — hosted by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman — saw a packed room filled with dignitaries like Hempstead deputy town supervisor Dorothy Goosby and Valley Stream painter Mike Stanko, alongside celebrity guests like actor Vincent Pastore from “The Sopranos” television series, and singer Taylor Dayne.
“Nassau County was once known for agriculture, fishing, Gold Coast estates, and resort living,” Blakeman told attendees, during his toast. “Today, Nassau County is larger than 10 states in population. Our gross domestic product is larger than 146 nations in the United Nations. We are home to people of every race, every religion, every ethnic group, every lifestyle, and every ability. We are one of the healthiest — and thanks to our Nassau County Police Department, we are the safest.”
Tim Baker/Herald Nassau County Police Emerald Society Pipes & Drums took The Lannin hall by storm at Eisenhower Park in paying tribute to Nassau’s 125th anniversary. It was all part of an all-star gala last week hosted by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
drawing an invisible boundary between itself and the newly expanded city.
— the county’s historical value predates its official inception.
It’s partly the reason why those like former Nassau County Historical Society president Natalie Naylor treated the milestone as less of a cause for celebration and more as an opportunity to underscore serious challenges in preserving the county’s much longer heritage.
“Nassau County once had a wonderful system of museums that, over the years, has deteriorated with less and less funding, staffing and expertise,” she said, pointing to the “county’s declining financial support and interest over the decades” as a main concern.
Naylor also mentioned that long-proposed projects like working with the county to bring back the Nassau County Historical Museum — formerly based in Eisenhower Park that shuttered in 1991 — have failed to get off the ground.
But the county still sought to make history a focal point of the celebration, commissioning Valley Stream artist Mike Stanko to create a rendering of the Theodore Roosevelt County Executive Building in his signature “pop-realist” style.
Stanko chose the subject matter for his painting after touring the building with Blakeman, who personally requested him for the occasion.
“It’s the office of the county executive
When a 3-year-old demands attention, is bored, or insists that he’s right and he’s got to have what he wants, what does he do? He cries, screams, throws things, tells you what a bad parent you are. He wants what he wants; other people’s wishes be damned! Not pleasant as any parent of a 3-yearold will tell you! But luckily most kids outgrow this stage and move on as they learn to compromise with others and practice self-control.
But what happens if a kid never outgrows the toddler stage and keeps fighting like a 3-year-old? Strutting his power. Calling anyone who disagrees with him names. Insulting, ridiculing, threatening others. Demanding that things go his way. Such a kid (or now if he’s a full-grown adult) doesn’t hear you, validate you, or treat you respectfully. He creates distraction after distraction to avoid dealing with any issue he doesn’t want to deal with. Facts be damned! People on the other side of the fence be damned! His way is the right way! Living with this type of personality is a living hell. Ask anyone who has.
self-control, fighting fairly. His mode of arguing is deception, dishonesty, devaluing anyone who disagrees with him! Fail to prop him up and you’re history! You’re ridiculed as soon as you dissent. Talk about science and he shuts his ears! Present him with facts and he comes up with his own facts. BTW, did you know that the Covid death count has always been low - if you don’t count the blue states? And who the hell cares about the blue states?
They’re not our people! The only people he cares about (until he doesn’t) are those who love him! Who award him with cult-like adoration! Who view him as the Supreme Leader!
Like a little kid, he knows nothing about how to stop bickering. Indeed, he likes to pump it up.
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2016 SC6 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. JANET ROBERTS, ET AL., Defendant(s).
that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 197-5 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “ARTERIAL STOPS” at the following locations:
Now let’s look at a strange scenario. Imagine an adult who once had executive power and demands that it continues. It never should have been taken away from him! Never, never, never! He fights like a 3-year-old, not caring about anyone else but himself and those who are enabling him in the moment. Put him on trial and he’ll close his eyes and ears.
Everything said about him, especially by his ex-fixer, Michael Cohen, is a damn lie! Disagree with him and he has a tantrum, calling you names, throwing out insults, screaming on social media. He hasn’t the slightest idea about how to argue as a competent adult - listening to another’s perspective with practiced
So, how do you handle an adult toddler who keeps having tantrum after tantrum and resists all your good teachings? Well, maybe you mimic him! “What,” you may be thinking, “I thought when he goes low, we go high.” Yup, I agree; that’s a good idea. Still, sometimes reverse mockery works. Especially when someone has thin skin and does such foolish things that, finally, people get to see that the Emperor has no clothes. So, instead of calling him our ExPresident, perhaps we should refer to him as “Sleepy Toddler” or “America’s Oldest Toddler.” If you’ve thought of a better moniker for him, do let me know. Write to me at DrSapadin@aol.com and we’ll have a toddler-naming ceremony!.
©2024
Linda Sapadin, Ph.D., psychologist, coach, and author specializes in helping people improve their relationships, enhance their lives, and overcome debilitating anxiety, procrastination, and depression. Visit her website at PsychWisdom.com.
A homeless man was arrested on May 9 in East Meadow, after police say he exposed himself to two young females.
According to police officers, Ricardo Gray, 34, was in the parking lot of 2080 Hempstead Turnpike, and approached two 16-year-old girls, while exposing and touching his genitals. After a thorough investigation, officers located Gray on Hempstead Turnpike, and arrested him without incident.
Gray is charged with two counts of exposure to a person, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and
two counts of public lewdness. He was arraigned on May 10 at the First District Court in Hempstead.
Gray also had open Nassau County arrest warrants for criminal trespassing, criminal possession of a stolen property, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct.
Officers request anyone who feels they have also been victimized by Gray to please call 911. All callers will remain anonymous.
–Jordan VallonePursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 11, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 12, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1167 Warwick Street, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 7 and Lots 91-92. Approximate amount of judgment is $408,344.99 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #616060/2019. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.
Ellen Durst, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 201214-1 146621
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 4th day of June, 2024, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of
EAST MEADOW EAST MEADOW AVENUE (TH 129/24) - STOPAll traffic traveling south bound on Arnold Court shall come to a full stop.
EAST MEADOW AVENUE (TH 129/24) - STOPAll traffic traveling south bound on McKinley Avenue shall come to a full stop.
EAST MEADOW AVENUE (TH 129/24) - STOPAll traffic traveling south bound on Adelaide Court shall come to a full stop.
FRANKLIN SQUARE ADMONT AVENUE (TH 152/24) - STOPAll traffic traveling north bound on Paschal Avenue shall come to a full stop.
ADMONT AVENUE (TH 152/24) - STOPAll traffic traveling south bound on Paschal Avenue shall come to a full stop. ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.
Dated: May 21, 2024 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 146931
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU INDEX NO.: 608029/2021
DATE FILED: 6/25/2021 SUMMONS L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Plaintiff, -againstSHIRLEY MASSON, JEAN CLAUDE MASSON A/K/A JEAN CLAUD MASSON A/K/A JEANCLAUDE MASSON, FARAH MASSON, FRITZ MASSON, JOEL MASSON, MATTHIEU MASSON. PATRICK MASSON, EMMANUEL MASSON AKA MANNY MASSON, DAVID MASSON and MARIE MASSON, if they be living, if they be dead, their respective heirs-at-law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successors
in interest, and generally all persons having or claiming under, by, or through SHIRLEY MASSON, JEAN CLAUDE MASSON A/K/A JEAN CLAUD MASSON A/K/A JEANCLAUDE MASSON , FARAH MASSON, FRITZ MASSON, JOEL MASSON, MATTHIEU MASSON, PATRICK MASSON, EMMANUEL MASSON A/K/A MANNY MASSON, DAVID MASSON and MARIE MASSON, if they be dead, whether by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, including any right, title or interest in and to the real property described in the complaint herein, all of who and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff, NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWABS, INC., ASSETBASED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-7; LVNV FUNDING LLC A/P/O CITIBANK; PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12”, the last twelve 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.
TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action, to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with the summons, to serve notice of appearance, on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the date of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York), and in case of failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by
default for the relief demanded in the complaint.
TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Jeffrey A. Goodstein, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Nassau County, entered May 15, 2024 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office. THE OBJECT OF THE ACTION is to foreclose a tax lien and to recover the amount of the tax lien and all of the interest, penalties, additions and expenses thereon to premises k/a Section 11, Block 97, Lots 36-37. Plaintiff designates Nassau County as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the subject property.
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 tax lien holder 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 tax lien holder will not stop this foreclosure action.
YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (TAX LIEN HOLDER) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
Dated: June 24, 2021 LEVY & LEVY
Attorneys for Plaintiff 12 Tulip Drive Great Neck, NY 11021 (516) 487-6655 BY: JOSHUA LEVY, ESQ. #101450 146972
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
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
GRAPHIC DESIGNER F/T
Needed For Valley Stream
Digital/ Print Shop
Work Direct With Clients Digital/ Copy Shop Exp. Preferred Bilingual (Spanish) A Plus Call 516-285-8526
Email Resume: lmninvoice@gmail.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
MECHANIC NEEDED Auto Experience A Plus With Tools Must Be Reliable Will Train Right Person Minimum 40 Hours A Week Have Valid Drivers License Own Transportation Benefits Available Oceanside 516-764-2552 Fax Or E-mail Resume To: 516-678-9087 butchbpms@aol.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
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
RECEPTIONIST/ P/T: SEASONAL, Warm, Friendly, Excellent People Skills, Office Work/ Customer Service. $16-$24/ Hr. Beach Club. 516-239-2150
RESTAURANT HELP: 4- 5 Days/ Week. Weekends A Must. Starting At $16/ Hr. Great Location. Must Have Transportation. Please call 516-835-2819
WE HAVE THE HELP YOU NEED!!! HHA's, LPN's, Nurse's Aides Childcare, Housekeeping Day Workers No Fee To Employers Serving The Community Over 20 Years Evon's Services 516-505-5510
ADMINISTRATOR AVAILABLE To Work For You FT/ PT Immediately. I'm Experienced. RVC Vicinity. Call 516-536-6994
SANTA CRUZ SERAG Caregivers Provide The Best Male/ Female Caregivers In America. Certified HHA's, Professional. Experts In Dementia, Alzheimers, Parkinsons Cases. Live-in/Out. Gertrude 347-444-0960
LADY WANTS Other Lady For Doctor Visits and Some Shopping. Use Wheelchair. Call 516-354-6280
Industrial Property
ISLAND PARK / AUSTIN BOULEVARD 1000- 5000 Sq. Ft, Parking,1 Story, Driveins, Gas, Offices, Sprinklered, Near Railroad. Immediate. Price On Request.Tony 718-937-8100 Ext.101 CROSSTOWN REALTY
CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978
ISLAND PARK: 1 BR, ground floor, all renovated, water/heat included. No Pets. $2200/ month. 516-316-6962
LAWRENCE CENTRAL AVENUE 1BR, Eat-in-Kitchen, Move-in Condition. Suitable 3. No Smoking/Pets. Immediate! 917-975-7062
Cemetery Plots
BETH DAVID CEMETERY: Elmont, NY. 3 Plots. Separate Or All Together. Graves 18, 25, and 32. Purchase Separate $4000; Purchase Together $11000. Negotiable. Call 845-641-7316
Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Open layout. Den/family room and home office. First floor master bedroom. Updates include skylight. Security system. Taxes: $14,588.78
East Rockaway $660,000
Rhame Avenue. Colonial. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Partial finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Formal dining room. Den/family room. First floor master bedroom. Updates include cathedral ceiling and skylight. Security system.
Taxes: $16,008.46
Elmont $705,000
Butler Boulevard. Split Ranch. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Partial finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Formal dining room. Den/family room, home office and exercise room. Legal accessory apartment.
Taxes: $11,723
Hewlett Harbor $1,675,000
Hedge Lane. Split Level. 7 bathrooms, 4.5 bedrooms. Partial finished basement. Gourmet eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Formal dining room. Den/family room, home office, exercise room with sauna/steam room. Ensuite master bedroom. Security system. Private location at end of cul-de-sac.
Taxes: $26,542.42
Island Park $705,000
New York Avenue. Hi Ranch. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Eatin kitchen with granite countertops and pantry. Formal dining room. Den/family room and home office. Many upgrades including wet bar and wood burning stove.
Taxes: $9,741.41
Malverne $760,000
Orbach Avenue. Cape. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Partial finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Formal dining room. First floor bedroom. Updates include cathedral ceiling and skylight.
Taxes: $13,526.16
Merrick $1,300,000
Lake End. Road. Colonial. 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Lindenmere neighborhood. Finished walk-out basement. Gourmet eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and Bosch appliances. Formal dining room. Den/family room with natural quarry brick fireplace. Home office. Large ensuite master bedroom with cathedral ceiling and walk-in closet. Highend finishes include picture frame moldings and hi-hats throughout. Front porch with bluestone walkway. Rear Trex deck. New HVAC system.
Taxes: $19,440
Q. We are wondering what to do about our projects. Our building department told us that we probably didn’t need a permit after all for our kitchen, because we are only moving one wall and changing the cabinets to a new layout, but with the sink in the same location. At the same time, we are making changes to our business, which we know needs a permit because we are changing a warehouse space to offices, also with a kitchen and new bathrooms. In that case, we are being asked to provide a complete estimate, but not from the contractor (whom we haven’t chosen yet) but from our architect. Does that sound right to you, that the architect, and not the contractor, should provide the estimate with a breakdown of line items anyway?
A. Being put in this position, you wonder if your architect gave you any good advice. At the same time, the architect is wondering why they are being thrown under the bus in front of their client, who now does not trust them. The conflicts created here are by a party to the equation that separates itself less and less from health, safety and welfare and enters into the realm of “divide and conquer.”
The change made for your kitchen includes removing a wall. Unless your building department wants to lessen their control over such matters, you absolutely need a building permit. I am wondering if you told them the full scope of what you were doing. If you wrongly communicated or interpreted that you could do wall configuration or structural changes to your home, and told your building department that you were only changing the kitchen cabinets, you have misinformed, and then been misinformed in return. They only understand what you tell them.
Most people are not too eager to tell the whole story because of the concern over the amount of work they will have to file for, with expensive plans, so they diminish the amount of work, which then creates the friction you described. Regulations make everyone uneasy and often unhappy. It does not sound right to me, for example, that your architect would need to do the full breakdown cost estimate for your project, because it sets everyone up to be at odds with one another before the construction even starts. When the architect provides one set of numbers, which the unknowing owner sees as the cost and then the contractor provides their estimate, if the two are far off from one another, the conflict begins.
Either the architect’s number is too low or too high. Too low makes the owner challenge the contractor, who from then on will have nothing to do with the architect. Too high and the architect is made to look foolish. Unless the architect gets their numbers from the contractor and all agree, the project has been set up for failure by a third party. In both cases, communication and acceptance of facts is necessary. Good luck!
© 2024 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
*MICHAEL LO BAIDO CONSTRUCTION*
Cement Specialist, Brickwork, Interlock Bricks, Belgium Blocks, Stoops, Patios, Driveways, Sidewalks, Basement Entrances, Pavers, Waterproofing. Quality Work, Lic./ Ins. Owner Always Onsite Free Estimates 516-354-5578
Electricians
E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.
PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-866-448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling!
HANDYMAN
Repairs and Installations for the Household. Careful and Reliable and Vaccinated. Licensed and Insured. 30-Year Nassau County Resident. Friendly Frank Phone/Text 516-238-2112
E-mail-Frankcav@optonline.net
BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-855-399-2076
DO YOU NEED a Roof or Energy Efficient Windows & Help paying for it? YOU MAY QUALIFY THROUGH NEW RELIEF PROGRAMS (800) 944-9393 or visit NYProgramFunding.org to qualify. Approved applications will have the work completed by a repair crew provided by: HOMEOWNER FUNDING. Not affiliated with State or Gov Programs.
GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391
PLUMBER! PLUMBER! PLUMBER! FREE ESTIMATES! Heating, Repairs, Installations. $25 OFF New Customers. 24 Hour Emergency Response. 516-599-1011.
POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES: Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. . ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516-678-6641 Sprinkler Syst./Irrig.Wells
Health & Fitness
ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-855-399-2719
Attention: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-855-399-2582
HEARING AIDS!! HIGH-QUALITY rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-819-7060
Health Coverage
FREEDOMCARE. LET YOUR loved ones care for you and get paid! Paid by Medicaid. Choose family or friends as your paid caregiver. Check your eligibility today! Call FreedomCare now! 1-855-385-7556
Legal Services
INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are
to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider
FRANCISCO'S TREE SERVICE AND LANDSCAPING: Tree Removal, Stumps, Fertilization, Planting, Land Clearing, Topping. Free Estimates. Lic# H206773000. Office 516-546-4971, Cell 516-852-5415
Recently I had the opportunity to take part in a forum on President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms, hosted by Cornell University’s Institute of Politics and Global Affairs, which is directed by former U.S. Rep. Steve Israel. (Full disclosure: My daughter, Erin King Sweeney, works as an assistant to Israel at the institute.)
The event was held at upstate Hyde Park, the site of FDR’s birth, home, burial, library and museum, and it provided a perfect backdrop for the daylong series of discussions on the president who led the United States through the Great Depression and World War II.
As a history major and a political junkie who has read numerous books on FDR and his times, I found the forum interesting and rewarding. The most detailed and illuminating segment was the presentation by Andrew
Meier, author of the epic work “Morgenthau: Power, Privilege, and the Rise of an American Dynasty,” who focused on Henry Morgenthau, Roosevelt’s longtime friend and the U.S. Treasury secretary for almost 12 years.
What struck me the most while listening to Meier was a renewed realization of just how perilous those years were. The country’s fabric was being threatened internally by the corrosive economic and social dislocation of the Depression, and, of course, externally, our independence and freedom as a nation was imperiled by Hitler’s Nazi Germany and Tojo’s Imperial Japan. And in the years leading to the attack on Pearl Harbor, the American people were committed to America First and strongly opposed to any involvement in foreign wars.
Would we and our leaders have the same stamina and unity of purpose today?
reality of the Holocaust, which he had to confront as the only Jewish member of FDR’s cabinet. Yet somehow, Morgenthau, Roosevelt and, most important, the American people came through all this, emerging with the world’s strongest economy and most powerful military, and the forces of Nazism and Japanese imperialism defeated and crushed.
because that was still not known to Japan and would damage our war effort in the Pacific, Dewey complied in the national interest. That contrasted sharply with what I saw in the war against terrorism, when secret agreements we had with countries were disclosed on newspapers’ front pages for political benefit, without regard to national harm.
As treasury secretary, Morgenthau had to deal simultaneously with severe budget, economic and banking crises as well as the Herculean two-front war effort against Germany and Japan. Hovering over all this was the horrific
This made me wonder whether America and our leaders would have that same stamina and unity of purpose today. And whether there would be the same level of patriotism, putting country before party. I remember reading that during the 1944 presidential campaign, Thomas Dewey, the Republican nominee, learned that the United States had broken the Japanese code prior to Pearl Harbor. This raised the question of whether FDR had been negligent or actually allowed the attack to happen (which Dewey believed).
Yet when Army Chief of Staff George Marshall asked Dewey not to disclose that we had broken the code,
My last impression from the FDR forum was how important it is for Americans to remember the past and the lessons to be learned from it. To realize that the world did not begin the day before yesterday or the day you were born. That crises do not lend themselves to the easy black-and-white solutions of social media. As the philosopher George Santayana famously said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” America has had a difficult but proud history. A prouder history than any nation in the history of the world. A history we must do all we can to learn and never forget going forward.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Everyone agrees that there is a massive lack of bipartisanship in today’s political arena. Washington, D.C., is the poster child for warfare between Democrats and Republicans. Which is why my recent trip to Albany was a throwback to times gone by. I refer specifically to an event known as the Pilots Dinner. Every year, present and former members of the Assembly gather for the Pilots Dinner. Any member who has served in the Assembly for at least ten years is eligible to be a Pilot. This year’s event attracted over 100 people, with a mix of present and former members in one room.
While some members clustered in corners with their party allies, the vast majority of the crowd mingled with old friends and the new Pilots. Within minutes of my arrival, I was greeted with an enormous bear hug by former Nassau County Assemblyman George Madison. Madison is now an upstate retir-
ee, but he has a newfound appetite for politics, because his son-in-law is an Assembly member.
There’s no doubt that a gathering of any former colleagues is a sobering experience, because all of us change with the passage of time. Some members whom we recall were strong, vibrant personalities now show that time is not always kind to our bodies. But the past years of collegiality shone very brightly as I moved around the room.
Within a few minutes after I arrived, I spotted former Nassau Republican Assemblywoman Donna Ferrara. I got the anticipated warm hug as she spoke proudly about her two grown children. She asked me about my two younger daughters and my wife, Suzan, and there wasn’t a hint of partisanship. It was just a few moments of talking about times gone by.
nisced about great floor debates and past Assembly leaders such as Perry Duryea and Stanley Fink.
Then we were joined by former Republican Assemblyman Willis Stephens Jr. Will comes from a family with a long history of public service. His grandfather Mallory Stephens was chair of the Ways and Means Committee, as was his father, Willis Stephens, who’s now 99. I was also chair of the committee, and have a long history with the Stephens family.
A t the Pilots Dinner, recalling when there were no barriers to getting things done.
Before I could move on for some more hellos, I was tapped on the shoulder by former Republican Assembly Minority Leader Tom Reynolds, who’s now a Washington lobbyist. Tom served for 10 years in Congress, where he held a major leadership position. We remi-
Once the meet-and-greet portion of the dinner was over, the assembled members sat down for the formal program. Newly minted members of the Pilots were introduced, and both Republicans and Democrats were given warm receptions. Past and present party leaders made speeches, and there was a warm glow in the room. The younger members were given some history lessons about leaders of yesterday, and they learned that many things were accomplished by people they had never heard of.
One of the final highlights of the evening was the tribute to Speaker Pro Tem Jeffrion Aubry, who is retiring
after 31 years of service to his Queens community. Jeff, as we know him, offered a few barbs to both Democrats and Republicans, chiding them for some of their conduct during floor debates. One of his proudest accomplishments was his success in getting the home of the late Louis Armstrong turned into a public museum.
Perhaps most of this is of little or no interest to readers, given the absence of familiar names and the lack of a controversial subject. But the Pilots dinner sparked lots of conversation among the younger and newer attendees about a time gone by, when there were no barriers to getting things accomplished in government. It isn’t a fantasy to wish or hope for more bipartisanship in any government forum. Perhaps with the passage of time and the disappearance of the public figures who promote anger and hatred in government, we’ll get a new crop of people who will want to work together. At least, that is my wish.
Jerry Kremer was an Assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.
When we think about 125 years of Nassau County, we have to look back to when the newly expanded New York City enveloped Queens County into its new domain — well, not quite all of it.
The towns of Hempstead, Oyster Bay and North Hempstead were excluded from the plans to join the city — despite being part of Queens. The 55,000 people who lived in this part of Queens County were not happy, and they gathered at a Mineola hotel in late January 1898 to do something about it.
They decided it was time to create their own county — which they would call Nassau, for King William III, who reigned from the House of Nassau when this land was first settled, and whose house name was already used for some settlements on the island.
But convincing lawmakers in Albany wasn’t so easy.
The measure ultimately passed, however, and was signed into law by Gov. Frank Black on April 27, 1898, officially bringing Nassau County into existence as of Jan. 1, 1899.
Now, 125 years later, Nassau is New York’s fifth-largest county by population with nearly 1.4 million people — making it larger than both the Bronx and Staten Island — and the 29th largest in the nation.
Let’s make the most of this chance to learn from history
To the Editor:
Why do so many choose Nassau County to not only work in and visit, but also to call home? Especially with the bustling, never-sleeping New York City quite literally over the next hill?
That answer is simple: Big homes and big yards. Less noise and pollution. Quieter streets. Much lower crime rates. And superior schools — especially when it comes to public schools.
Where else can you jump in the ocean at Jones Beach, then head to Tanglewood Preserve, in Rockville Centre, to enjoy everything else nature has to offer, and finish your day exploring the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Uniondale?
Why just read about history when you can actually visit it? Like Sagamore Hill, in Oyster Bay — the home of Theodore Roosevelt, existing today pretty much the way it did when the 26th president lived there. There’s also Raynham Hall, also in Oyster Bay, which was a spy headquarters during the American Revolution.
The Rock Hall Museum, in Lawrence, brings Colonial times to life not just with the artifacts inside, but the 1767 mansion they are all housed in.
Even Eisenhower Park, in East Meadow, has made history. As the site of the former Meadow Brook Club, it hosted the first-ever national women’s golf tournament in 1895, won by Lucy Barnes — the wife of Charles S. Brown, who
As a history Ph.D. and a high school history and civics teacher, I was gratified to read Peter King’s column urging Americans to heed the lessons of history (“We should have learned more than we have from history,” May 9-15). Unfortunately, there is little that most Americans can do directly to help defend Israel and Ukraine from the evils that assault them, to reduce trade with China for the material goods we have no choice but to buy, or even to calm tempers on college campuses. But there’s one thing every American can easily do to help our politics, and that is vote this November, to preserve the norms essential to American democracy.
Before coming to power, Adolf Hitler made clear his intention to expel or exterminate Jews and create an Aryan Empire in Central Europe. Mussolini promised to use violence to cleanse Italian politics of leftists. Rodrigo Duterte campaigned in the Philippines on promises of summary mass executions of drug dealers. These men, and others like them, were brought to power by a combination of voters who were sadistic enough to want exactly what each one promised, and others who didn’t take their promises seriously, found the audacity titillating, or assumed that power itself would tame these leaders. But once in office, each leader set about doing precisely what he had promised. History’s lesson is that megalomaniacal politicians must be taken at their word.
Donald Trump repudiated the tradition of conceding power
would go on to found what is now the Brown Harris Stevens real estate company. The park also hosted the ninth PGA championship tourney in 1926, won by Walter Hagen — the “father of professional golf.”
There are also great places to shop, pretty much in every neighborhood. So many Nassau County businesses are family-owned. So many of them have been in families for generations. And you know it the moment you walk through their doors. The way you are greeted. The way you are served. It proves you don’t need to be a Roosevelt to be treated like royalty here.
But when it’s all said and done, Nassau County is all about all of us, the people. Our neighbors. Our doctors and nurses. Our school superintendents, principals and teachers. Our police officers. Our sanitation workers. Those who do good in public service. The men and women who volunteer — and put their own safety on the line — as firefighters and first responders.
“This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in,” Teddy Roosevelt once said. And that’s true not just for the United States, but also in our neighborhoods. And all of us here in Nassau County have shone for the past 125 years, and we look forward to shining for the next 125, too.
peacefully, a cornerstone of democracy. After losing the 2020 election, he and his henchmen assembled cadres of fake electors, spread demented conspiracy theories to confuse the public, and had Michael Flynn put out feelers for a declaration of martial law. Since the failure of his Jan. 6, 2021, coup attempt, Trump has campaigned on promises to turn the U.S. military against civilians, throw migrants into detention camps,
hijack Congress by withholding legitimately voted funds, and strip the independence of the judiciary in order to remove obstacles to these actions.
He has said he will countenance the tracking of women’s pregnancies by state governments and the invasion of NATO allies by Russia. It is beyond any well-informed person’s doubt that, in office, he will weaken the NATO alliance, give Vladimir
after months of contentious budget negotiations, the State Legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul recently agreed to a historic $237 billion state spending plan. The final budget compromise included the Legislature’s reversal of Hochul’s proposed funding cuts to education, as it instead allocated nearly $36 billion in public-school aid.
The state’s public-school funding model can best be described as a three-legged stool consisting of state aid, commercial taxes, and residential property tax revenue.
But even as New York makes historic investments in our schools with taxpayer dollars, many corporations and commercial properties are skipping out on their fair share of tax payments, leaving residents to pick up the hefty tab for education costs.
According to a 2023 report, public schools in the state lost at least $1.8 billion in revenue to corporate tax breaks, also known as tax “abatements,” in fiscal year 2021. Nassau County ranked among New York’s top 10 counties in total forgone school revenue, and recorded the second-highest number of approved corporate net tax exemptions.
DThe independent report, published by Good Jobs First, a pro-economic development research organization, found that a massive portion of corporate tax abatements occur when local industrial development agencies acquire properties and lease them to private companies in exchange for payments in lieu of taxes. Of course, these PILOTs are only a fraction of the corporate tax revenue that would help fully fund our education system.
to private companies, resulting in billions of dollars in lost commercial tax revenue for school districts across the state.
istricts are losing many millions of dollars to corporate tax breaks.
According to this analysis, the lost revenue for Nassau County public school districts included $3 million — or $1,031 per pupil — for the Mineola Union Free School District, $8.4 million — $1,668 per pupil — for the Westbury Union Free School District, and $12.6 million — $1,827 per pupil — in the Uniondale Union Free School District, the highest in Nassau County and the third-highest among public schools statewide.
PILOTs where tax revenue was intended for public school districts. The bill has gained significant support from labor organizations, teachers unions and good-government groups seeking to reform IDAs to better serve our schools. Fundamentally, the Good Jobs First report argues, IDAs should not have the power to waive commercial taxes that would otherwise benefit our schools. The report makes key policy recommendations toward this end, including expanding school and community representation on IDA boards, increasing transparency and accountability in reporting forgone tax revenues, and eliminating IDAs entirely.
Let’s recap: Industrial development agencies, which are essentially public entities, buy up properties and offer them tax-free, for pennies on the dollar,
Putin a green light to expand his conquests in Ukraine, and encourage leaders — from U.S. state and local officials to dictators around the globe — to copy his methods, including delegitimizing any election that does not favor him or his party.
History’s lesson is that if Trump wins, he will do all he says he will do, and likely worse. The next four years will consist of a struggle between Executive’s efforts to dismantle democracy’s guardrails, and other government branches’, federal and state, to preserve them. That’s why Americans should vote for Joe Biden this November, as well as for Democrats up and down the ballot, and only those Republicans who promise they will stand up, rather than acquiesce, to the installation of a Trumpist dictatorship in the United States.
ALEx DILLON CedarhurstTo the Editor:
I share Jerry Kremer’s unease with recent campus unrest (“The blemish of college demonstrations,” May 9-15), but I’m also uneasy with his conclusion that college administrators need “outside help” to prevent future “drama.” My dissent is reflected in Kremer’s comment about “publicity-minded government officials” like House Speaker Mike Johnson and Gov. Greg Abbott. Jeremy Suri’s two cents indicates the category of “offi-
cials” extends beyond government.
The solution is for all involved to return to their respective corners, to reset the bargain, including the media. It must be remembered that the hardfought-for principle of freedom of speech and its extension to the principle of academic freedom began as protections against government power to suppress. This is what is at issue. Academic freedom developed during the Enlightenment as societies, and governments, realized that valuable and beneficial knowledge emerge from organized study, the pursuit of knowledge.
Many did not accept this intellectual freedom as a good idea, not then and not now. This is what we see in the general MAGA disdain for science, disparagement of expertise, distrust of libraries. Lately these “officials” have been supported by university donors who want greater control over staffing, curriculum and knowledge, undermining the premise of academic freedom.
Some academics have taken their protected status for an enhanced right of free speech to engage publicly in promoting their work, which has drawn criticism as activism beyond the original remit. Some students, too, have exceeded their commission to become learned in the service of social improvement by attacking that very privilege.
The media is part of all this, and can constructively be more balanced. But the outside agitators, those various “officials” seeking greater influence, must withdraw. Then university administrators need to review, clarify, revise if necessary, the ground rules under which they function, their unique status and
The estimated $1.8 billion in lost school budget revenue could have been used for such essential investments as air conditioning in classrooms, athletic field renovations, wages for bus drivers, and teacher training for new technology.
Last year, the State Legislature introduced a bill that would prohibit IDAs from granting corporate tax breaks and
In Nassau County, residents pay among the nation’s highest property taxes, 60 percent of which are earmarked for our public schools. But if we are to achieve a fairer, more equitable education and tax system, we cannot continue to allow corporations to shortchange our school districts at the expense of hardworking families.
Karl A. Valere is chief of staff and senior policy adviser to Assemblyman Khaleel M. Anderson. He lives in Baldwin.
what they owe the greater society. They must assert their independence from outside interests.
Students, similarly, need reminding of concepts like noblesse oblige, of behavior that infringes on free speech, and how, especially for them, “civil discourse” should be considered a virtue.
The responsible media can seek less
drama and superficial speculation, and greater substance, and point out those who seek accommodation over those who prefer discord.
A very conservative suggestion to promote a very liberal goal.
