Franklin Square/Elmont Herald

Franklin Square/Elmont

HERALD Belmont opening delayed

Teachers spread love online

Nurses thank lIJ employees

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Vol. 22 No. 17

APRIl 23 - 29, 2020

Neighbors help those in need Elmont residents give away food might having similar problems as businesses stayed idle and the unemployment rate soared. David Schoenwadt’s back According to data from the hurt after he spent last Friday New York State Department of morning handing out food to Labor released on April 16, hundreds, if not thousands, of nearly 60,000 Long Islanders Elmont residents in need. But filed for unemployment insurstill, he said, “I feel so good.” ance the previous week prior, Schoenwadt had been food with more than 28,000 filing in insecure in the past, Nassau County. he noted, and the That is up more Elmont community than 4 percenthelped him get age points over through it. So, when the same period he heard that severlast year. al residents were The data also planning to distribshowed that the ute food to those number of unemChRIs RosADo who needed it amid ployment claims t h e c o r o n av i r u s Volunteer, f i l e d by t h o s e pandemic, he decid- Gateway Youth working in the ed to help out — Outreach care and social despite the fact that assistance indushe is at a higher tries — which risk of dying from Covid-19 due employed roughly 8.6 percent to a cancer diagnosis and heart of Elmont residents in 2000, disease. according to CityData.com — “I think it’s more important increased by more than 42,000 to be a good Christian,” Scho- statewide, and people working enwadt said, adding, “If I didn’t in the administrative and supdo this, I’d feel guilty.” port services industry — nearly Some 600 senior citizens in 10.3 percent of residents in 2000 Elmont have had trouble get- — filed an additional 32,000 ting food, according to State claims. Sen. Todd Kaminsk y, who Those people may have been tasked his staff and interns able to survive on savings for with calling seniors during the the past few weeks, said Allison pandemic, and local officials Puglia, vice president of agenand community activists said cy relations for Island Harvest, they feared that more people Continued on page 3

By MelIssA KoeNIg mkoenig@liherald.com

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his has been a complete community effort.

Courtesy Lisa Dawn Esposito

lIsA DAwN esPosITo Photoshopped her dog, Dustin, into Antonis Mor’s self-portrait.

Animal-inspired masterpieces F.S. woman Photoshops pets into paintings By MelIssA KoeNIg mkoenig@liherald.com

The spread of the Black Plague in the 14th century led, eventually, to the Renaissance. Now, during the coronavirus pandemic, one Franklin Square woman is creating art of her own — Photoshopping pets into Renaissanceera paintings. Lisa Dawn Esposito, who teaches graphic design at the High School of Arts and Technology in Manhattan, was inspired to spend her new-

found free time creating unique portraits after she saw similar ones selling for up to $600 on Facebook and Etsy. “I thought, that’s a cute idea,” Esposito, 40, said, “but who would pay that much?” So she decided to create her own, and sell them for only $25. She started about two weeks ago by taking photos of her three pets and Photoshopping her dog, Dustin, into Antonis Mor’s self-portrait; her cat, Brutus, into a selfportrait by Jacques-Louis

David; and her other dog, Waffles, into a painting of a knight of unknown provenance. Then, to cheer up her mother, Linda Andersen, while she was sick with Covid-19, Esposito decided to make portraits of Andersen’s dogs. They stayed by her while she suffered from a high fever for three weeks, and Linda Andersen, said she was “petrified that they were going to get sick.” But the dogs — which Continued on page 10

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April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020 Photos by Christina Daly/Herald

island haRvest pResident Randi Dresner directed residents down the line of food tables.

Hundreds volunteer to hand out food to those in need continued fRom fRont the nonprofit Long Island food bank, but as New York’s so-called pause continues, they may run out of resources. “We saw that there was a need in the community,” Puglia said at the food distribution event, in the parking lot at the intersection of Elmont Road and Village Avenue, for which Island Harvest provided 10,000 pounds of food. The organization held a similar event in Riverhead the week before, she said, and “had to turn away hundreds of people.” As a result, Puglia said, Island Harvest did not publicize the Elmont food giveaway as much as it had the one in Riverhead, in order to keep the turnout under control. But the April 17 event still attracted lines of residents stretching down Dutch Broadway. “It surpassed even what our expectations had been,” said Chris Rosado, a volunteer for the Gateway Youth Outreach board, who helped out at the event, noting the large number of people who walked to the parking lot and were willing to carry all of their food home. Rosado said he knew that there was a need in the community, and when residents Ralph Esposito told him that he, Tania Lawes and Patrick Boyle would be organizing the giveaway, partnering with Island Harvest, the American

Legion and the Racetrack Chaplaincy, Rosado knew he wanted to volunteer. “This has been a complete community effort,” Rosado, an Elmont native who now lives in Cold Spring Harbor, said. More than 200 Elmont residents and elected officials volunteered for the event, and not only handed out food but also directed traffic. But, Esposito said, no one was giving orders. “We work as a team,” he said. “Nobody’s a leader, nobody’s a boss.” In fact, Town Councilman Tom Muscarella could be seen directing traffic, while Kaminsky, State Sen. Anna Kaplan and Elmont School District Superintendent Al Harper loaded food into residents’ vehicles. Members of the Elmont Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Squad and American Legion Post 1033 also helped out, as did residents like Mary Jane Havrylkoff, who said she wanted to give back to the community that helped her family recover after their house burned down in December. The volunteers said they knew what they were doing was important. “It’s a hard time for everyone, but some more than others,” Kaplan said, adding, “In difficult times, we show our strength by standing together.” Fellow volunteer Pat Nicolosi agreed. “Everyone really broke their backs today,” he said.

Belmont’s RacetRack chaplaincy of America provided bags full of prepared meals for residents. Above, General Manager Karen Chavez sorted the meals with her team and brought bags to residents waiting in line. ReBecca sheehan, far left, the chief of staff for State Sen. Anna Kaplan, packed onions into bags at the food giveaway last Friday. pat Boyle, executive director of Gateway Youth Outreach, directed cars down the food receiving line.

Flashing lights installed at crosswalk on Nassau Boulevard

April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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By MeliSSa koenig mkoenig@liherald.com

Andrew Vardakis/Herald

The Franklin Square Public Library administration is asking patrons to send them their porch portraits.

Share your porch pictures The Franklin Square Public Library administration is asking everyone to take a photograph posing on their porch as a way for the community to come together. The photos would then be posted on the library’s Facebook page, so everyone can see their family and friends. To participate, simply take a family portrait in front of your house with any pets you may have. Try setting up a tripod

with a camera or smart phone, or ask a neighbor to take a photo and send it to you. The portraits can be serious, funny or motivational. Please send your photos to ebach@ franklinsquarepl.org. By sending the library your photos, you agree to have them posted on its Facebook and Instagram pages. Please also include your family’s name when submitting your photos.

Elmont firefighters get PPE With the generous help and donations from several local residents, State Sen. Todd Kaminsky recently delivered N-95 protective masks to the Elmont Fire Department. “Our first responders and essential workers are on the frontlines of this health crisis, putting their safety of the line to help protect the community,” Kaminsky said. “Providing them with this equipment so they can continue to do their jobs safely is the least we can do.”

When Marge Kelly took over as president of the Community League of Garden City South in 2018, she vowed to get a crosswalk installed on Nassau Boulevard. Four months ago, her dream came true, and now the Town of Hempstead has even installed flashing lights at the crosswalk to alert drivers to slow down. The boulevard is a two-way road, with one lane heading in each direction. There are no traffic signals between Cambridge and Terrace Avenues, Kelly explained, and if a driver is able to get through one, they will be able to pass the other. As a result, she said, when pedestrians try to cross the street from the parking lots on the northbound side to the businesses on the southbound side, “it’s like a game of Frogger.” To make the situation worse, Kelly said, young children often cross the street to get to the Garden City Dance Studio. She pointed out this and other issues on the road to County Legislator Laura Schaefer, Assemblyman Ed Ra and Town of Hempstead Councilman Tom Muscarella last July, as she led them down Nassau Boulevard from Terrace Avenue to Princeton Road. Ra said he noticed a lot of people were crossing the street, and proceeded to work with Shaefer to secure funding for a crosswalk on the boulevard. It was installed back in January, as the county Department of Public Works continues to study traffic mitigation techniques for the street. “It needed something,” Schaefer, a Republican from Westbury who commissioned the traffic study in 2018, said. “It’s a well-traveled road.”

Andrew Monteleone/Facebook

The Town oF Hempstead recently installed flashing lights at the crosswalk on Nassau Boulevard. But, Kelly said, people have continued to speed down Nassau Boulevard. So, she said, the Community League “pushed a little harder,” and got the Town of Hempstead to install flashing lights at the crosswalk earlier this month “Now that we see them,” she said, “we hope that people will slow down.” Ra noted he thinks they will help, as they have on other two-way roads, like Tulip Avenue, and Muscarella said the small business owners seem to appreciate the crosswalk, as well.

We thank you

oFFicerS liSa JohnSTon and John Lukas recently received protective masks. Courtesy Sen. Todd Kaminsky

Franklin Square/Elmont

HERALD HOW TO REACH US Our offices are located at 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530 and are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

MAIN PHONE: (516) 569-4000 ■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/franklinsquare or www.liherald.com/elmont ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: fseditor@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 214 E-mail: fseditor@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: circ@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460 ■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: sales@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643 The Franklin Square/Elmont Herald USPS 017066, is published every Thursday by Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Periodicals postage paid at Garden City, NY 11530 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to Franklin Square/Elmont Herald, 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Subscription rates: $36 for 1 year within Nassau County. Out of Nassau County: $58 for 1 year. Copyright © 2020 Richner Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

Herald Community Newspapers salutes our ‘hometown heroes’ While many of us have stayed at home to protect our families and loved ones, our health care workers, first responders and others on the front lines wake up each day and leave their families and loved ones behind to respond to those in need. In their selfless devotion to others, these courageous individuals expose themselves to risk for the people in our communities. These are people who stand out in times of crises. They might first responders going above and beyond or even a good neighbor helping another neighbor in need. The Herald joins our communities and readers in expressing our gratitude to these special people making a difference during this trying time. We are all thankful to our police officers, firefight-

ers, mail carriers, grocery employees, restaurant workers, delivery drivers and essential service providers who put themselves on the front lines of the crisis daily. We will share these outstanding stories of our local “hometown heroes” in a special pull-out section,” Salute to Covid19 Hometown Heroes,” in the April 30 editions of the Herald. The spirit and heart of Long Island are exemplified every day by the many outstanding individuals who often go unrecognized. The Herald honors them in this inspirational section. Get to know these amazing people who share their insights in their own words. Net proceeds from this special section will be used to partner with local businesses to provide meals and gifts to our local health care workers, first responders and patients.

County exec: Delaying school taxes could hurt sbrinton@liherald.com

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran spoke at length last Saturday about a proposal before the County Legislature to delay collection of school taxes that come due in May. Curran, a Democrat, said Monday that she would speak with Governor Cuomo about the possibility of pushing back school tax payments to June 1, but the Republican-controlled Legislature proceeded passed the measure that day. Many residents have been laid off or have seen their hours reduced, and so are looking for financial relief. Delaying school taxes, however, could have serious financial consequences for the county, Curran said. Curran explained that the county must guarantee all school tax collections, meaning if the school districts come up short in their collections, then the county must provide the funding to the districts — by law. She said the county is hurting financially, as are all municipalities. Sales and property tax collections comprise 67 percent of the county’s more than $3 billion budget. Sales taxes have plummeted during the pandemic, starving the county of one of its two primary revenue sources, Curran said. She worries about county employees, she said, and wants to ensure the

county maintains its force of first responders, including police officers and medics. The federal and state governments, she said, must step in to ensure the county has enough cash on hand to meet its financial obligations, including to its employees, so it can continue to provide essential services. In Nassau County, new hospitalizations declined throughout the weekend, as did ICU cases and intubations, Curran said. Over the weekend, the county was closing in on 30,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19. Many of them have resolved, the county executive said. She also said hospital “discharges continue to be robust,” indicating the county may be past the plateau. “We become more eager and ready to reopen our society,” she said, adding the county must begin planning to reopen marinas, golf courses and beaches, including the county-owned Nickerson Beach in Lido. Over the weekend, Gover nor Cuomo reopened marinas and golf courses. Curran said a strategy to reopen all of the economy must be developed. “I do believe we can strike the balance” between opening up society and controlling new infections, particularly among the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions, she said.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

By scott BriNtoN

Christina Daly/Herald

Nassau ExEcutivE Laura Curran said she worries that if school tax collections were delayed, the county might wind up paying the bill.

Covid-19 deaths decline over the weekend In Nassau County, new hospitalizations declined for the third straight day, as did ICU cases and intubations, County For the first time since the Covid-19 Executive Laura Curran said Saturday pandemic struck more than a month ago, afternoon. New York state saw sharp declines in the On Sunday, Cuomo appeared alongnumber of overnight deaths because of side Northwell Health President and the coronavirus, and Gov. CEO Michael Dowling to Andrew Cuomo was expressannounce plans to undertake ing cautious optimism over widespread, random antithe weekend that the state body testing to determine was past the peak of the dismore precisely New York’s ease. actual infection rate. He noted, however, that Overnight from Saturday relaxing social distancing into Sunday, 507 people died could lead to a second wave of the coronavirus in New of infection. York, Cuomo said at NorthThe number of deaths well’s Feinstein Institutes for because of the coronavirus Medical Research in dropped a little more than 14 Manhasset. That represented percent across New York an 8 percent drop in the overstate overnight from Friday night death rate. into Saturday, from 630 to New hospitalizations also 540, Cuomo said Saturday declined, from 2,000 the day afternoon. before to 1,300, a 35 percent It was the smallest numdrop. ber of overnight deaths the Gov. aNdrEW And new intubations, state had seen in a day since cuoMo whereby people are placed on early April, and represented ventilators to enable them to a 32 percent decrease in the breath, were down also. overnight mortality rate from April 9, If those statistics hold, Cuomo said, when the number of deaths from one day “we are past the high point,” and all indito the next peaked at 799. cations are the infection rate is “on the Cuomo noted, however, that the state descent.” still saw 2,000 new hospitalizations overStill, he said, “Thirteen hundred is a night, which, he said, was troubling. lot of people coming into the hospital

By scott BriNtoN sbrinton@liherald.com

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e just pray to God [the infection rate] remains down on the other side … We still have a long way to go.

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Governor: Marinas can open New York, Connecticut and New Jersey are allowing marinas, boatyards and marine manufacturers to open for personal use, provided they adhere to social distancing protocols and sanitize their facilities, Governor Cuomo announced Saturday afternoon. Chartered watercraft services or rentals will not be allowed, and restaurants at these sites will be limited to take-out or delivery.

system.” State officials are taking a breather with the infection rate appearing to stabilize. Cuomo described the crisis “as a mountain that just kept building and building and building,” and he said, he had “no idea where the top of the mountain” was. “We just pray to God,” he said, that the infection rate “remains down on the other side” of the mountain. He also noted, “We still have a long way to go.” The governor urged people to continue social distancing and practice sound hygiene. He worries that people will see the death and new hospitalization rates

“Throughout this pandemic, we’ve worked closely with our friends in neighboring states to implement a uniform regional approach to reducing the spread of the virus,” Cuomo said. “Aligning our polices in this area is another example of that strong partnership, and will help ensure there is no confusion or ‘state shopping’ when it comes to marinas and boatyards.” –Scott Brinton declining, and then attempt to return to life as normal too soon. That, he said, would jeopardize the progress the state has made over the past 40 days in containing the virus. In preparing for a reopening of New York’s economy, he said, the state needs greater testing, and it needs more federal funding. Cuomo estimated the state faces a $10 billion to $15 billion deficit. That money will have to be made up somehow. Without federal funding, cuts are likely, he said, noting school districts across the state could see their state aid slashed by 50 percent in 2020-21 without federal assistance.

April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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On the front lines with a Northwell ICU nurse By Scott Brinton sbrinton@liherald.com

Each time a patient comes off a ventilator in the intensive care unit at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset these days, the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” plays over the loudspeaker, alerting all staff and patients that a life has been saved. Elyse Isopo, an ICU nurse practitioner at North Shore, with 20 years experience, spoke of that moment during a 19-minute Facebook Live interview with Northwell Health video producer Rob Hoell on Thursday. It is an important moment for all in the ICU, as staff members work around the clock battling the Covid-19 virus, which, Isopo said, is yet to let up in the ICU. People throughout the ICU erupt in cheers and clapping when that Beatles song sounds, Isopo said, noting, “We need those wins, because it keeps us going.” The number of new hospitalizations across New York state, including in Nassau, appears to be declining, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and County Executive Laura Curran. The number of ICU patients where Isopo is at, however, continues unabated, she said, “because people who are hospitalized are getting sicker.” Working in the ICU, she said, “is scary, and real, and rewarding at the same time,” adding, “Everybody has been amazing. It feels like a family.”

Courtesy Northwell Health

northwell health icU nurse practitioner Elyse Isopo spoke with video producer Rob Hoell about what it’s like to battle Covid-19 on the front lines. One of the hardest parts that patients must endure is the sense of isolation from their families, because visitors are not allowed into the hospital, Isopo said. Patients receive iPads so they can connect with loved ones, but it is not the same as meeting face to face. If a patient appears near death, only then is family allowed in, she said. Isopo spoke of one recent case, a patient originally from Korea. The patient asked that Korean music be played in his

final moments, and so it was. “It was beautiful,” she said, “and we supported his dying process.” Such images, however, can also be haunting. “I don’t sleep very well at night,” Isopo said. She is married with children. Worried about potentially infecting her family, she is careful each night to remove her clothes and shoes and take a shower before entering her home. “After a long day,” she said, “it’s draining.”

Working in the ICU is tough, she said. “It’s very challenging. It’s very difficult. It’s very stressful,” she said. “Everybody is as critical as the next person and the next person. “It looks like a MASH unit,” she continued. “It’s bed after bed after bed … You walk in there, and you’re in the trenches.” Isopo said the community has come out in unexpected and welcome ways, showering the nurses and doctors with praise and parades and food. “Seeing everyone in the community looking at us like heroes is very overwhelming and very much appreciated,” she said. She emphasized, though, that “I never thought of myself as a hero.” The first responders in the field, the police and firefighters, are the heroes, she said. Isopo said she believes Northwell has provided adequate personal protective equipment to hospital workers throughout the crisis. At first, workers were limited to one N95 mask per week, but now receive a new one daily, she said. Many place surgical masks over their N95 masks as an extra layer of protection to keep fluids off them. In addition to masks, all workers receive paper scrubs, goggles, face shields and gloves. She ended by saying people should stay home to reduce the infection and hospitalization rates. “The more people stay home, that helps us,” she said. For the full interview, see liherald.com.

Catholic Health Services taking part in clinical trials By Jeff BeSSen jbessen@liherald.com

Catholic Health Services is taking part in two clinical trials designed to develop treatments for Covid-19. A Mayo Clinic trial is using what is called convalescent plasma donated by recovered Covid-19 patents to treat individuals who continue to fight the coronavirus. Convalescent plasma comprises parts of the blood of people who have had the virus and recovered. The second study involves using the medication remdesivir, which was originally developed to treat the Ebola virus and has been successfully used for other coronaviruses, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. The convalescent plasma study is being offered at CHS’s six hospitals. The remdesivir trial is taking place at St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center® in Roslyn and at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, CHS officials said. One 200 milliliters/6.8 ounces dose of the plasma has benefitted a portion of patients, according to the initial data. People who recover from Covid-19 do so, in part, because their blood contains antibodies that are able to fight the virus. Previous research of other viruses found that treating patients with plasma obtained from those who have recovered from the same virus leads to rapid improvement, CHS officials said. Using remdesivir to treat COVID-19 follows limited testing in the United States, Canada, China and other countries that led to an improvement in the condition of some patients. The treatment regimen using remdesivir takes place over 10 days and includes a 200-milligram dose on the first day and a 100-milligram dose on days two to 10.

Herald file photo

catholic health ServiceS of Long Island, which includes Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, above, is involved in two clinical trial seeking to develop a treatment for Covid-19. “Catholic Health Services is excited to be on the front lines and participate in these clinical trials for Covid-19,” CHS Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer Dr. Jason Golbin, stated in a news release. “Our clinical teams have spent several weeks caring for Covid-19 patients. It means a great deal to everyone to take part in these two cutting-edge research efforts.” Potential plasma donors must have a prior, verified diagnosis of Covid-19, but are now symptom-free and

fully recovered. Donors must also be at least 18 and weigh at least 110 pounds. The plasma can be administered only to a consenting Covid-19 patient or a patient whose family member offers consent. The treatment will be given to patients judged by a doctor to be at high risk of disease progression to severe or life-threatening. To donate plasma and for more information on the two clinical trials, call Catholic Health Services at (855) 247-4500.

Cuomo extends N.Y. PAUSE to May 15 By scott Brinton sbrinton@liherald.com

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ew York PAUSE has worked, [but] we’re not there yet.

couple can now marry by video in new York state On Saturday, Governor Cuomo issued a directive allowing marriages to be performed via videoconference to help reduce the infection rate amid the coronavirus crisis. Among other conditions, the order requires the following be met:

are present in the New York state jurisdiction where the marriage is to take place.

■ The couple to be wed must present valid photo ID during the videoconference.

Local town and city clerks may provide further guidance. If a couple’s marriage license has or will expire during the Covid19 pandemic, the state is waiving the 60-day waiting period to obtain a new license. It is also waiving all fees to obtain a second marriage license.

■ The town or city clerk, the witness(es), the person to solemnize the marriage, and the couple must interact with one another. No pre-recorded ceremonies are allowed. ■ The couple must affirm that they

■ The couple must send a legible copy of the signed marriage document by fax or email to the town or city clerk, the witnesses, and the person to solemnize the marriage on the same date it was signed.

–Scott Brinton

State releases data on nursing home deaths By James Bernstein jbernstein@liherald.com

The New York State Department of Health released a list of 22 nursing homes on Long Island, including homes in Long Beach, Glen Cove and Lynbrook, where residents have died from the coronavirus epidemic. The state said its list included only deaths that took place inside a facility or location where five people or more have died. State health officials said 22 residents at the Long Beach Nursing and Rehabilitation Center had died of the virus; eight at the Glen Cove Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, and six at the Lynbrook Restorative and Therapy Nursing facility. Across the state, a total of 1,135 nursing home or assisted living center deaths at 72 facilities, officials said. The Health Department lists say 128 deaths took place at a total of 11 nursing homes in all of Nassau County. The Health Department released the list after numerous complaints from the families of residents at the facilities, legislators and members of the media. Gov. Andrew Cuomo was asked repeatedly at his daily briefings about the coronavirus illness at nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the state. The governor had said the figures were being compiled. Cuomo ordered nursing homes to i m m e d i at e ly i n fo r m re l at ive s o f patients who test positive.

Herald file photo

the state health Department reported 22 cases of Covid-19 deaths at the Long Beach Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Administrators at the nursing homes in Long Beach, Glen Cove and Lynbrook have not released information about Covid-19 cases. But most all facilities have listed on their websites that they are sanitizing all areas within the

homes, maintaining social distancing among staff members, and noting that they are closed to outsiders, to protect the health of patients. Relatives have not been allowed to visit patients at the facilities, and many

told media outlets they had been unable to reach patients by phone. Administrators at the Long Beach, Glen Cove and Lynbrook facilities did not return calls seeking comment.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

lion of them are workers. New York on PAUSE — Policies Assure Uniform Safety for Everyone — Gov. Andrew Cuomo last Thursday has kept the infection and hospitalizaextended New York on PAUSE, a 10-point tion rates to manageable levels, the govplan that shuts down “non-essential” ernor indicated. “We slowed the infecbusinesses and schools and requires tion rate by our actions, and that’s why social distancing, through May 15. The we’re in a better position today,” he said. announcement came during Wi d e s p r e a d t e s t i n g , his daily briefing, when he including antibody blood also continued to lay out his sampling, is needed to better vision to reopen the economy track the infection rate and — and the challenges doing assure people that they are so will present. safe when returning to their Previously, New York on workplaces. Cuomo said the PAUSE was to end April 30. state would conduct 3,000 “New York PAUSE has random antibody tests in the worked,” Cuomo said, but he coming weeks. noted, “we’re not there yet,” Last Wednesday, Cuomo referring to the reduction in said he would like to see the Gov. andrew the Covid-19 infection rate economy reopen in phases, needed to allow all people to cuomo in close coordination with retur n to work and ease six other states — Delaware, social distancing requireConnecticut, Massachusetts, ments. New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode The governor said the state does not Island. yet fully know what the infection rate is. He asked on Thursday that employers To date, more than 500,000 people have begin to consider whether their workers been tested in New York, more than Cali- can continue to telecommute when their fornia, Florida and Michigan combined, workplaces reopen, as well as think Cuomo said. That figure, however, repre- about the configuration of their worksents a fraction of the state’s population spaces. How far apart might desks be — 19 million people live here, and 9 mil- spread apart, for example?

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April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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Senator freed from prison amid pandemic By Jill nossa jnossa@liherald.com

Former State Sen. Dean Skelos of Rockville Centre has tested positive for Covid-19 and will serve the remainder of his prison term at home, according to court papers filed last Wednesday. Skelos, 72, was reportedly in quarantine at the federal prison in Otisville, according to documents filed in federal court in Manhattan by Southern District prosecutors, and has been symptom-free since April 8. Prosecutors said that medical authorities at the prison have cleared his release. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons said Skelos is expected to be approved for furlough and home confinement once the U.S. Probation Department has approved his proposed residence. A release date had not been set as of press time Monday. L a t e l a s t m o n t h , S ke l o s

requested early release, citing fear of contracting the virus after another inmate tested positive. The motion, filed under seal, was opposed by federal prosecutors in papers filed publicly, saying that an application for release must first be filed with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, which can better assess his health situation. His medical condition was not made public at that point. Skelos has more than two years left on his 51-month sentence for extortion, wire fraud and bribery. Skelos was convicted in July 2018 of using his political power to secure roughly $300,000 in jobs and fees for his son Adam, also of Rockville Centre. They were each convicted on eight counts of conspiracy, extortion, and bribery. Adam Skelos was sentenced to four years in prison.

Herald file photo

former state sen. Majority Leader Dean Skelos of Rockville Centre has tested positive for Covid-19 and is expected to be released early to home confinement.

Trump lawyer, Lawrence native, to be released from prison By Jeff Bessen jbessen@liherald.com

Michael Cohen, a Lawrence native and former personal attorney for President Donald Trump, who was convicted of several felonies and sentenced to three years in prison in 2018, will be released because of the coronavirus pandemic after a 14-day quarantine period, prison officials said. He will serve the remainder of his sentence confined to home. He was serving his sentence and expected to be released in November 2021 from federal prison in upstate Otisville, where 14 inmates and seven staff members at the facility tested positive for Covid-19, as of press time. A federal judge had previously rejected Cohen’s request for a sentence reduction because of coronavirus on March 24. Cohen was found guilty of breaking campaign finance laws, tax evasion and lying to Congress, among other charges in 2018. He was also ordered to pay $1.39 million in restitution, forfeit $500,000 and pay a $50,000 fine. The guilty pleas to the federal felony charges resulted in his disbarment as a lawyer in New York state. Serving as Trump’s personal attorney, Cohen, 53, arranged sixfigure payments to a por n star known as Stormy Daniels, whose

Jeff Bessen/Herald

lawrence native michael Cohen who was serving three years in prison on multiple federal charges will be released because of the coronavirus outbreak. Above, testifying before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform last year. real name is Stephanie Clifford, and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, to buy their silence about their one-time affairs with the president. Cohen testified multiple times in front of Congressional commit-

tees on Capitol Hill last year, including the public hearing before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, before which he famously called his former boss a racist and a cheat, and admitted,” I am a fool.”

News brief Long Island Trauma Recovery Network to provide free therapy The Long Island Trauma Recovery Network will provide free therapy to health care workers, first responders, essential employees, their families, and those whose loved ones are facing or have died from the coronavirus. All services will be provided remotely by trained and licensed eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapists. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is a form of psychotherapy in which a trauma patient is asked to recall a distressing image. It has been proven to help address the trauma symptoms that medical professionals and first responders face. The Long Island EDMR Trauma Network will offer the Integrative Group Treatment Protocol, which provides individual EDMR therapy in a group setting. The program is administered to groups of people who have experienced the same type of trauma or who share a major life challenge. There will be several groups weekly, and some individual appointments are available. For more information, email LongIslandTrauma@gmail.com and contact Cathy Menzies, LCSWR Trauma Recovery Coordinator at (631) 466 - 7053 to register. –Melissa Koenig

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What’s up next door and around the corner

Photos by Christina Daly/Herald

HealtHcare workers at LIJ Valley Stream greeted well-wishers on April 14, during a parade in show of support for their efforts during the coronavirus outbreak.

A show of support for the workers at LIJ By Peter Belfiore pbelfiore@Liherald.com

NYsNa memBers Nancy Kaleda, left, Vladimir Sherman, Randy Lang and Nancy Joli, above. NYsNa loNg islaNd Team employee Joanna Solmonsohn readied her car before the start of the parade, at right. ValleY streamer george Schuchmann took part in the parade as well, below.

As hospitals across New York are inundated with Covid-19 patients, the state’s nurses and doctors have become front-line soldiers in the fight against the outbreak, doing everything in their power to keep those worst afflicted by the virus alive. At LIJ Valley Stream, it’s been no different. That was why on April 14, the New York State Nurses Association organized a car caravan rally outside the hospital in a show of support for the workers there. “It was an honor to stand on the steps of LIJ Valley Stream and receive the applause and warm messages from our community leaders and the nurses association,” said Terry Pando, chief nursing officer at LIJ. As the caravan of more than a dozen cars drove past, Pando along a crowd of her fellow nurses, donned in protective gear, gathered outside to receive the support, many with their cell phones out to record the event. Among the well-wishers was Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, who had

been invited after working with NYSNA to advocate on their behalf for more protective gear, which has reportedly been in short supply. “I thought it was important for me to be there to represent the community … to show our appreciation for the healthcare professionals at LIJ Valley Stream,” she said noting the hospital serves patients from a wide range of economic and racial backgrounds within her district, and that in addition to the physical dangers the nurses are exposed to caring for Covid patients, there is a psychological toll too as they watch many succumb to the disease despite their efforts. “It’s important to tell them that we know what you’re doing, to keep up the good fight and to let the authorities know that they need more support,” she said. Pando expressed gratitude for the outreach. “Thank you on behalf of our leadership team to everyo n e f o r yo u r s m i l e s , applause, food, flowers and care packages” she said. “We are Valley Stream strong together.”

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

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April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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F.S. woman crafts custom pet portraits continued from front Andersen refers to as “Sir” Rufus and “Princess” Sandy — remained healthy, and when her daughter gave her their portraits, Andersen said, “I just fell in love.” “It’s just a lovely way of portraying them,” she said. “As royalty.” Esposito then decided to share her talents with the larger Franklin Square community. On April 12, she posted on one of the community Facebook pages that “quarantine boredom has finally gotten to me,” and told residents to send her private messages if they were interested in purchasing the portraits. One of the first people to respond was Julia Schroeder, whose mother had seen a similar Renaissance-style pet portrait on television “and thought it was adorable,” Schroeder recounted. She decided to buy one of Esposito’s creations for her mother, which, she said, is “absolutely adorable, and I know my mother’s going to love it.” The portraits take Esposito about half an hour to make. She starts by finding out how the pet’s owner sees his or her pets — as a princess, prince, knight or king — and then looks for a suitable high-resolution painting on Google, which she then copies into Photoshop. All paintings from the Renaissance are now in the public domain. Once that’s done, Esposito removes the subject’s face and replaces it with the pet’s, adjusts the color and uses some filters “to make it look like a painting and not a photo,” she explained. The work, she said, helps cheer her up. Not only did she have to care for her

the artist’s process ■ Customers send Lisa Esposito eyelevel photos of their pets ■ Esposito finds out the gender of the pets, and how their owners view them ■ She looks for a suitable painting ■ She removes the subject’s face and replaces it with the pet’s face ■ She adjusts the color of the pet’s photo ■ She adds filters to make the pet look like it is part of the painting mother and stepfather while they were sick, but she also cares for three teenagers — two of whom attend H. Frank Carey High School and one who is in college and are all learning remotely, and continues to teach a graphic design class online. “It’s a lot of stress,” she said. “So this was a silly distraction.” “It makes me laugh,” Esposito added, noting that art is important for coping during events like a pandemic. “Art makes people happy — look what everyone turns to in a time of crisis,” she said. “Imagine quarantine without movies, music, virtual museums and concerts.” To purchase a customized pet portrait, message Esposito on Facebook or visit her graphic design Facebook page, Strange Sally 23 Art and Design.

her cat substituted for Jacques-Louis David in his self-portrait.

Photos courtesy Lisa Dawn Esposito

esposito photoshopped the head of her mother’s dog, Sandy, onto a princess’s body.

esposito commissioned this work for Julia Schroeder’s mother.

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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

GET ANSWERS YOU CAN TRUST WITHOUT LEAVING HOME. With so many questions about COVID-19, it’s hard to know where to turn for answers you can trust. If you or a loved one is feeling sick, use Mount Sinai NOW to access all of our virtual care options. TM

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Teachers inspire their students at a distance mkoenig@liherald.com

Every day, Elmont Memorial High School Principal Kevin Dougherty has been posting videos on Instagram and Twitter to keep his students updated on the Sewanhaka Central High School District’s efforts to continue education during the coronavirus pandemic. “It was kind of overnight we had to adapt to this new reality,” he explained, noting that he wanted to increase school spirit during these trying times, and reached out to the faculty to see if they wanted to get involved. That is when Assistant Principal Dayna Sotirhos asked him whether they could put together a video of teachers speaking to their students “just to show how much we really do care,” Dougherty recounted. Together, they took a week and a half splicing together photos and videos of Elmont Memorial High School staff telling their students how much they missed them. The end result was an almost eightminute long video set to songs such as “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars and “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten. It started with a short clip of Dougherty’s children cheering on the Elmont students, and included photos of teachers with their families and pets. In the video, Sotirhos also said she “can’t wait ‘til we’re all together again.” But the Elmont staff were not the only ones who made videos for their students. The Franklin Square Teachers’ Association also put together a video featuring

YouTube

YouTube

elMont MeMorial HigH School Principal Kevin Dougherty’s family cheered on students. photos of the staff holding hearts with inspirational messages. “We wanted to do something to inspire the kids,” President Annmarie Giarrizzo said of her and union representative Jancie Donaghy’s efforts, adding, “We figured this would be the best way to reach all our students.” So, she sent out an email to all of the FSTA members asking if they would like to contribute a selfie of themselves holding a heart. Unfortunately, however, there were some technical difficulties — 50 of the emails went to Donaghy’s spam folder. “I had a funny feeling we were missing some,” Donaghy, who put together the video, said. But after three attempts, they were successful and posted their video on Vimeo

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last week, which Giarrizzo said she thought came out “really cute.” “We had fun with it, and we were very happy to do it for our kids because we miss them,” she said, adding that she is now thinking of creating individual videos for each building. And at H. Frank Carey, the staff put together an almost 14-minute long video featuring teachers, coaches and even security guards sending inspirational messages to the school community, ending with Assistant Principal Christopher Carmody saying, “It’s the orange and bolack that binds us together,” and Principal Chris Fiore noting, “We’re all one big family, and remember — Carey never quits.”

Vimeo

H. FranK Carey Mathematics Chairperson Robert Pontecorvo’s dog wished his students well. JoHn street sCHool third-grade teachers Miss Congiusta and Mrs. Rizzo sent love to their classes.

NOW THERE’S AN EASY WAY FOR YOU TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL HEROES Donate at www.liherald.com/heroes Every dollar donated will be used to provide food & other goods to doctors, nurses, patients and other frontline essential workers in the local community. All food & items will be purchased from locally owned and operated businesses so we can support our business community, too Look for the HERALD HEROES special edition in your mailbox April 30 The Herald and Richner Communications family thank our amazing heroes! 1086961

April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

By Melissa Koenig

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Elected officials propose mortgage relief

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

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Local elected officials are proposing owners who are struggling to make measures to help residents who are m o r t g a g e p ay m e n t s d u e t o t h e struggling to make mortgage pay- COVID-19 pandemic,” Rice explained. ments as a result of the coronavirus “During this unprecedented crisis, Long Islanders should pandemic. b e s o l e ly fo c u s e d o n As part of the federal keeping their families Coronavirus Aid, Relief safe and healthy, not and Economic Security wor ried about losing Act, homeowners can their homes.” delay payments on fedAccording to a recent erally-backed mortgages study, a home costs Nasfor up to 180 days, and at sau County residents t h e s t at e l eve l , G ov. the average of 65 perAndrew Cuomo signed cent of their income. an executive order at Lawmakers argue that the end of March that those figures prove that grants forbearance for there is a need for 90 days. At the end of increased protections on the grace period, people both the federal and will have to make up the Todd Kaminsky state levels to ensure a missed payments, while financially viable future they are still dealing for people, while avoidwith the immediate ing another housing collapse, the lawfinancial effects of the pandemic. To solve this issue, State Sens. makers argued. “Our priority is protecting the peoBrian Kavanagh and Todd Kaminsky introduced a bill that gives homeown- ple of our districts and making sure that they come out of this crisis ers the ability to extend the life of their mortgage by however long their healthy and financially secure,” Kaminsky said. “This payments were in forbill will help ensure that bearance. So, if a mortoutcome and provide gage was scheduled to real relief for homeownend in July 2040, and ers.” the bor rower forgoes “Allowing homeownthree months of payers to postpone their ment during the panpayments to the end of d e m i c, t h e m o r t g a g e their loan will relieve p ay m e n t s wo u l d b e the financial stress that extended to September many are feeling,” Kava2040. nagh added. “This legisCong resswoman lation is par t of our Kathleen Rice said she larger effort to develop would also include prosolutions that will ease visions in the next fedthe burden by ensuring eral stimulus bill to Kathleen Rice t h a t N e w Yo r k e r s ’ expand forbearance homes — whether they relief to include those are renters or homeownwho do not have federally-owned or -backed mortgages, and to ers — remain secure. It will contribprohibit services from demanding a ute to a rapid recovery once the pubfull, one-time lump sum payment lic health crisis passes.” after the forbearance period ends. — Melissa Koenig “I’ve heard from countless home-

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“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities. We are a small business ourselves, so we understand the pain that small business owners are going through right now. We at the Herald want to do our part to make sure that members of our small business community can continue to promote themselves during this trying period.”

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WHO For all locally owned and operated small businesses on Long Island that have been negatively impacted by coronavirus.

WHAT A $500,000 grant program to support local small businesses. Each local business is eligible to receive up to $15,000 of matching grant funds, which can be used for Herald Community Newspapers print, digital and direct mail products in April through July 15, 2020.

WHERE Apply at www.liherald.com/grant.

WHEN Applications will be accepted until April 30, 2020 or until maximum grant funding has been distributed. Businesses will be contacted within two business days of submitting their application.

WHY Studies show that businesses that continue to market themselves during down times are the ones that fare the best long-term. This grant program will allow Long Island small businesses to continue promoting themselves and any new services they are offering during these unprecedented times.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: • Every dollar that a grant recipient spends on marketing in Herald products will be matched with a dollar of grant funding, up to the award amount, to be applied towards marketing costs. • Businesses must be locally owned and operated. • Grants range from $300 to $15,000. • Grants can be applied to any Herald Community Newspaper marketing product or service during April through July 15, 2020. • Grants applied to direct mail products are net of postage/mailing costs.

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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020 Nassau PBA/Facebook

nassau PBa donates pizza to 5th precinct cops The Nassau County Police Benevolent Association donated food from King Umberto to police in the 5th Precinct.

MSSN sees Covid-19 curve flattening By Briana Bonfiglio bbonfiglio@liherald.com

The curve of coronavirus cases at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside is flattening, according to Joe Calderone, the hospital’s vice president of corporate communications. As of Friday, the hospital had 290 patients being treated for Covid-19, down from 383 on April 13, which hospital officials said they believe was the peak. “The good news is the number has been steadily flattening,” Calderone said. “The social distancing that people are doing, as difficult as it is, is definitely producing results. We are really urging people to not let up.” Of those patients, 64 were on ventilators. MSSN has more than 100 ventilators available. In addition, Calderone assured that the facility has enough personal protective equipment, or PPE, for all hospital staff. “We purchased some [ventilators] ourselves and were able to get some through Mount Sinai Health System,” Calderone explained. “Our partnership with them has been incredibly helpful through this pandemic, supporting both in a clinical standpoint in terms of new drugs being tested and plasma therapy. They also have a very good, robust supply chain operation.” As of Friday, the hospital had 238 Covid-19 deaths, while 357 patients who were previously diagnosed with the virus

Courtesy MSSN

Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital officials said there has been a flattening of the curve in coronavirus cases, however, the community must still be vigilant in practicing social distancing. were treated and discharged. When cases began to climb last month, Department of Medicine Chairman Dr. Aaron Glatt spoke of the importance of social distancing during a Facebook Live session at the hospital. “I want to stress the single most important thing that everybody can do is really understand what social distancing means,” he said at the time. “That’s the

buzzword of 2020. That will be the word of the year.” One month later, Calderone urged residents to continue to heed that advice, even as the numbers continue to improve. While the toll the virus has taken is unprecedented and beyond what most hospital workers have ever seen, Calderone noted that there is still much they are grateful for. The hospital has received

food donations from more than 50 local businesses. “Many have come forward and funded food for the staff,” he said, “which is really helpful because they’re working 16-hour days and barely have time to take a break. This way, [the food] is readily available and they don’t have to think about it. “But really, it’s not about the food,” he added. “It’s the message that it sends to the staff that people on the outside recognize what’s happening inside this hospital and the incredible challenge the front-line workers have faced during this pandemic, putting themselves and families at risk to care for often critically ill Covid patients. It sends a great morale boost.” Nurses at Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital are also spreading positivity with their “message board of hope,” which they debuted in the hospital lobby last week. Nurses Teresa Ebehart, Angelica Hoyos and Christine Doud handcrafted the board, which displays the number of Covid-19-positive patients that have been discharged from the hospital, and how many coronavirus patients have been taken off ventilators at the facility. As each patient is discharged from MSSN, “Here Comes the Sun” is played as the board is updated. Each time a patient is taken off of a ventilator, the staff plays “Breath.” Mike Smollins contributed to this story.

April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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neighbors in the news

Public Notices

LFRA1 0423

LEGAL NOTICE In accordance with Section 103 of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York, notice is hereby given that the Board of Education of the Elmont Union Free School District will accept sealed offers at the Elmont Road School, Business Office, 2nd floor, 135 Elmont Road, Elmont, New York 11003, at which place said bids will be publicly opened and read, at the time and date specified, for the furnishing of the following: BID DESCRIPTION OPENING DATE OPENING TIME 7-20/21 Bread & Bagels 5/14/20 10:15 a.m. 8-20/21 Snacks & Ice Cream 5/14/20 10:30 a.m. 9-20/21 Paper Goods/Cleaning Supplies 5/14/20 11:00 a.m. 10-20/21 Produce 5/14/20 11:30 a.m. 11-20/21 Grocery 5/14/20 11:45 p.m. Specifications and bid forms for the above items may be secured at the School Lunch Office between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. on weekdays starting April 23, 2020 by appointment only. Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope. The outside of the envelope must be clearly marked with the Bid # and Description. If you should require additional information, please contact Ms. Diane Tool at (516) 326-5500 extension 42013. The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any and all offerings in part or whole and to waive any informality and to accept the offering which is in the best interest of the Elmont Union Free District. By Order of the Board of Education Dated: April 23, 2020 Diana Delahanty District Clerk 121626 LEGAL NOTICE action and to serve a answer the summons and SUPPLEMENTAL copy of your answer, or, if protect your property. SUMMONS–SUPREME the complaint is not Sending a payment to the COURT OF THE STATE OF served with this mortgage company will NEW YORK, COUNTY OF Summons, to serve a not stop the foreclosure NASSAU – notice of appearance, on action. YOU MUST CITIMORTGAGE INC the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) RESPOND BY SERVING A Plaintiff, -against-, within 20 days after the COPY OF THE ANSWER IFTEKHER HASSAN, If he service of this Summons, ON THE ATTORNEY FOR be living and if he be exclusive of the day of THE PLAINTIFF dead, the respective service (or within 30 days (MORTGAGE COMPANY) heirs-at-law, next-of-kin, after the service is AND FILING THE ANSWER distributes, executors, complete if this Summons WITH THE COURT. HELP administrators, trustees, is not personally delivered FOR HOMEOWNERS IN devisees, legatees, to you within the State of FORECLOSURE; New York assignees, lienors, New York); the United State law requires that creditors and successors States of America may we send you this notice in interest and generally appear or answer within about the foreclosure all persons having or 60 days of service hereof; process. Please read it claiming under, by or and in case of your failure carefully. SUMMONS through said defendant to appear or answer, AND COMPLAINT You are who may be deceased , judgment will be taken in danger of losing your by purchase, inheritance, against you by default for home. If you fail to lien or inheritance, lien or the relief demanded in respond to the Summons otherwise any right, title the Complaint. That this and Complaint in this or interest in or to the Supplemental Summons Foreclosure Action, you real property described in is being filed pursuant to may lose your home. the amended complaint, an order of the court Please read the Summons UNITED STATES OF dated September 6, 2016. and Complaint carefully. AMERICA-INTERNAL NOTICE-YOU ARE IN You should immediately REVENUE SERVICE and DANGER OF LOSING contact an attorney of NEW YORK STATE YOUR HOME – If you do your local legal aid office DEPARTMENT OF not respond to this to obtain advice on how TAXATION AND summons and complaint to protect yourself. FINANCE, TRAVIS SMITH, by serving a copy of the SOURCES OF AND DEVELL RANDALL, answer on the attorney INFORMATION AND Defendants - Index No. for the mortgage ASSISTANCE The State 14-002479. Plaintiff company who filed this encourages you to Designates Nassau foreclosure proceeding become informed about County as the Place of against you and filing the your options in Trial. The Basis of Venue answer with the court, a foreclosure. In addition to is that the subject action default judgment may be seeking assistance from is situated in Nassau entered and you can lose an attorney or legal aid County. To the above your home. Speak to an office, there are named Defendants–YOU attorney or go to the government agencies and ARE HEREBY court where your case is non-profit organizations SUMMONED to answer pending for further that you may contact for the Complaint in this information on how to information about

possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Department of Financial Services’ at 1-800-269-0990 or visit the Department’s website at http://www.dfs.ny.gov. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. We are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable Thomas A. Adams, J.S.C. dated September 6, 2016 and by Memorandum Decision of the Honorable Thomas A. Adams, J.S.C. filed on December 12, 2019. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage and covering the premises known as 236 Holland Avenue, Elmont, NY 11003 located at Section 32 Block 440 and Lots 123-125 Dated: March 19, 2020 Greenspoon Marder LLP, Attorney for Plaintiff, By: Holly Hamilton, Esq., 590 Madison Avenue, Suite 1800, New York, NY 10022 (212) 524-5000. Please respond to Cypress Creek office: Trade Centre South, 100 W. Cypress Creek Road, Suite 700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 (888) 491-1120. 121437

Courtesy Rescuing Families, Inc.

reScuing FamilieS, inc. is purchasing protective gear for first responders, health care professionals and to those living in group homes.

Rotary donates money for masks The Central Nassau County Rotary Club donated $1,900 to Rescuing Families, Inc. in Franklin Square. The nonprofit organization is purchasing protective gear for first responders, health care professionals and to those living in group homes, as well as for families with developmentally disabled children and adults. Please consider donating $3.80 to Res-

cuing Families to help provide more masks for the people that need them. To donate, visit: ■ RescuingFamiliesInc@gmail.com on PayPal ■ @Rescuing-Families on Venmo ■ Or mail a check to P.O. Box 146, Franklin Square, NY 11010

Courtesy Sen. Kevin Thomas

Senator Kevin thomaS and Imran Pasha, Chairman of the Federation of American Indian Relief, delivered 500 N95 masks to Nassau University Medical Center on April 14.

Sen. Thomas donates masks to NUMC Sen. Kevin Thomas partnered with the Federation of American Indian Relief (FAIR) and the Muslim Community of New York to donate 500 N95 masks to Nassau University Medical Center on April 14. “We are proud to donate personal protective equipment for these front line workers, who are putting their lives at

risk for us,” said Imran Pasha, Chairman of FAIR. The organization is dedicated to serving the poor and needy, with special focus on those in India. Thomas added, “It’s incredibly inspiring to see our community come together to support one another in times of need. We are here to support you in every way that we can.”

Nassau County is child care desert: official

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

By TimoThy DenTon tdenton@liherald.com

Much of Nassau County is a child care desert, resulting in billions in lost revenue, according to a study released on Friday by Nassau County Comptroller Jack Schnirman. The lockdown due to the Covid-19 virus has highlighted the issue, showing that many Nassau County families depend on schools to provide daycare for their older children. Care for younger children, however, has always been a challenge for many families. “Nassau County is a patchwork, varying widely from district to district,” Schnirman wrote in the study. “Despite nearly $9 billion in public school tax levies, only 10 percent of 4-year-olds have access to publicly funded pre-K programs, compared to universal access in New York City,” Schnirman wrote in the report. Both Seaford and Wantagh are considered child care deserts — any census tract where more than 50 children are without providers, or where providers are so scarce that they are able to serve less than one-third of the total need, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. More than 60 percent of New York State is considered a child care desert. Nassau County has a total of about 43,650 pre-K places, where more than 138,000 are needed, the study found, with minority and low-income families having the least access to pre-K programs. Averaging more than $15,000 per year, infant care represents about 12 percent of a median family’s income of $116,300. For a family earning $52,400, or 200 percent of the official federal poverty level for a family of four, infant care for one child represents nearly 29 percent of the family’s pretax income. According to the Census Bureau, “c=Child care is critical. It either propels or stalls the local economy.” Locally, “child care has one of the highest economic multipliers, with a return of $1.95 for every dollar invested,” Schnirman wrote. Of those who work part-time, lack of child care is

Herald file photo

nassau CounTy shows a wide disparity in access to affordable child care. the most commonly cited reason for not accepting fulltime work. Women make up 94 percent of the involuntary part-time workforce, due to child care concerns, Schnirman wrote, and 46 percent of Nassau County

families have no reliable child care. Child care is an $800 million industry on Long Island, employing roughly 9,000 workers.

Belmont Park delays horseracing season The opening of the Belmont Park’s spring-summer horseracing season will be delayed because of the Covid19 pandemic from April 24 to June 6, when the 152nd running of the Belmont Stakes is to take place, said New York Racing Association officials last week. The date of the Belmont Stakes is subject to change, however. “The Belmont Stakes is a New York institution and American tradition,” NYRA CEO and President Dave O’Rourke said. “We are committed to running the race in 2020 and aim to deliver an announcement in the very near future.” The racing season normally runs 51 days. “We are working closely with the New York State Gaming Commission and public health officials to determine a timeline for the resumption of live racing at Belmont Park,” O’Rourke said. “The

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health and safety of our racing community is paramount, and any decisions or necessary adjustments to the racing schedule and operations must reflect that priority. I’d like to thank New York’s horsemen and the backstretch community for their dedication and patience as we navigate these uncertain times together.” The Belmont backstretch, which is home to 585 workers who tend to the essential daily care of the more than 1,300 thoroughbreds stabled there, has remained open to the horses’ caregivers and operational for training. Owners are not permitted access to the backstretch until further notice. NYRA posted coronavirusrelated signs in English and Spanish across the backstretch, noting key information about social distancing and hand washing, and a hotline to call for workers feeling the onset of symptoms.

Herald file photo

BelmonT Park’s sPring/summer meet will not open April 24 as originally scheduled.

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Must be able to embrace a fast paced environment, with a diverse range of duties including sales order entry, and sales and marketing. . Computer proficiency is a must! Excel (including formulas). Word and Outlook. Strong writing, math and verbal skills necessary. Eligible for health benefits, 401k, and paid time off. Will consider part time. Qualified candidates should sent cover letter and resume to rglickman@liherald.com

COMBINED INSURANCE EXPANDING Long Island operation! Full time W2 sales agent opportunity full company benefits and leads provided. Call Bob (516) 567-7733 for immediate interview.

DISPATCH WANTED

No Experience Needed, we will train!!!!! F U L L T I M E M O N D AY - F R I D AY 11:30- 8:00 5-20 HOURS OF OVERTIME!! MEDICAL, DENTAL, 401K. 2 WEEKS VACATION, HOLIDAY PAY. $15.00 PER HOUR PLUS OVERTIME. APPLY IN PERSON AT: CALLAHEAD C O R P. 3 0 4 C R O S S B AY B LV D , QUEENS NY 11693 APPLY MONDAY- FRIDAY 12:00- 7PM JOB OPPORTUNITY $18.50 P/H NYC $16 P/H LI Up to $13.50 P/H UPSTATE NY CDPAP Caregiver Hourly Pay Rate! Under NYS CDPAP Medicaid program you can hire your family or friends for your care. Phone: 347-713-3553

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© 2018 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. All rights reserved. CENTURY 21® and the CENTURY 21 Logo are registered service marks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC. Century 21 Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated. It is your responsibility to ensure that the marketing materials you choose or create are compliant with real estate and other local laws in your area.

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April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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*If your property is currently listed with another brokerage, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the listings of other brokerages.

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things can become so complicated? On one hand, your mother simply changed her mind and didn’t have the porch built, and on the other hand, the building department simply wants paperwork from you that seems simple enough to get but isn’t that easy. I’m concerned that none of the children was given authority to act on your mother’s behalf, and you should seek an attorney to resolve the matters of her estate. As for the voiding of the permit, building departments are run by human beings with a heart, and you should write a letter so there’s a document on record explaining the situation. Sign it in front of a notary, and arrange to meet with a senior official before having more discussions with the building inspector. The premises will still need inspecting, to verify the work was never done. To prove the home has no more issues with permits required, to satisfy the bank and the buyer, a new building department search sheet should be requested, showing no open permits. The biggest problem is time, and this isn’t a real situation. In most cases it’s a made-up bank or buyer timeline, because your closing is dependent on another closing, and so on and so on. Because the search and a site review weren’t done early in the sales process, and because most people don’t really believe you need a permit to make changes to a home, great sleepless stress sets in and everyone is pointing fingers. It’s not unusual to get calls from people who need an ambulance architect — you know, the ones with the rotating light on the roof of their car and the siren blaring as they race to your home to start the process of satisfying the bank, their lawyers, etc. We see it all the time, and it’s avoidable if the seller calls an architect to check the home code compliance against recorded permit plans well before the sale has begun. Good luck.

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Q. My mother was admitted to a Florida nursing home and we have to sell her house. She has Alzheimer’s and is incapable of communicating. Our attorney had a title company prepare a report, and the title search showed that there’s an open permit for a porch, which my mom never had done for financial reasons, from about 10 years ago. When my brother and I, separately, called the building department and asked about it, we were told different things about canceling the unused permit. One person said to call a building inspector and have onte eeper them cancel it, but then I heard that I have to get my mother to write a letter saying she didn’t do the porch, and have it notarized. She isn’t able to understand or sign her name, and never gave us power of attorney to take care of things for her before her illness. What can we do?

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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

Is the permit valid, or not?

19

Stuff

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 REAL ESTATE

MERCHANDISE MART

Real Estate

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HErald

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Power Washing

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April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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516-569-4000 press 5, then 2

Answers

to todAy’s puzzle

21

opinions

s the nation emerges from the coronavirus lockdown and begins to return to a semblance of normalcy, many of our cherished institutions will face some harsh realities. Nowhere will this dose of reality be starker than for America’s colleges and universities. While our public school system will go through some wrenching times as it comes back to life, K-12 parents and students will not face the prospect of crushing debt and soaring costs that have been inflicted on consumers of Alfonse higher education. d’AMAto College students, in contrast, will return to campuses not only having missed most of a semester of classes; they will also struggle with exorbitantly high costs that will financially burden many of them for the rest of their lives. How did we come to this sad turn of events, in which college degrees that should create a pathway to opportunity and prosperity instead present a long road of debt and possible financial ruin? Today, tuition and costs at some private colleges hovers in the range of $50,000 to $70,000

M

per year. College grads carry debt that can run from tens of thousands of dollars for undergraduate degrees to over $100,000 for post-graduate degrees. As they struggle to cover this debt, buying a home often becomes a distant dream. Even buying a new car often gives way to making the monthly college debt payment. Total college student debt today exceeds $1.5 trillion. With the added burden of the current financial crisis, much of this debt is unsupportable. Student loan defaults on a large scale are likely unavoidable. And while the just-passed national financial rescue legislation provides some relief by postponing debt payment and interest for a time, the overall financial burden will remain. Predictably, some in Washington are calling for forgiving much, if not all, college debt. But like the other emergency financial measures passed by Congress, such relief couldn’t go on indefinitely. Future college students will continue to face high costs and mountainous loans. The cycle of debt and default will continue to loom on the financial horizon. The leaders of our higher education system have a moral obligation to break this vicious cycle. Just as the Federal Reserve system has taken extraordinary

C

measures to shore up the nation’s finances, colleges and universities should also take emergency action to ease the financial burden on their students. College administrators shouldn’t cry hardship and shirk from this responsibility. Nationwide, colleges are sitting on endowments of well over half a trillion dollars, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. They should seriously consider making these funds available to students to help pay down their current loans and reduce future tuition costs. If the Fed can tap into the national treasury for “quantitative easing” to lessen strains on our national economy, higher education treasuries can likewise tap into their great wealth to help ease their students’ money crisis. And going forward, it’s long past time for colleges and universities to get real about not just containing, but lowering their stratospheric spending. Too many campuses have become islands of extravagance and excess amid a sea of hardship in their surrounding communities. In just one glaring example here in New York, a college president makes $5.1 million a year, 35 times what the school’s professors make, on average, and equal to the tuitions of 99 students, according to the Chronicle

an’t colleges use their vast endowments to help students pay down debt?

of Higher Education. Yet the community in which the school is located is one of New York’s poorest, with finances so precarious that it hovers near bankruptcy. In that town, as in so many others, the college is literally the shining, distant fortress on the hill with the surrounding town languishing below. This college, and others like it, should take a hard look at themselves. Every expense should be examined, every bit of excess wrung out. The goal should be to reduce tuition and keep costs manageable over students’ academic careers. In the future, public policy in Washington and Albany must be to stop rewarding higher education’s financial excesses and incentivize affordability instead. Federal and state aid should increase only for schools that bring their costs down. That means fewer top-heavy college administrators tripping over each other, more professors teaching more than only 10 or 12 hours a week, and fewer extravagant campus building sprees. When students return to college this fall, they’ll return to a world changed by nature and hard times. If colleges want students to succeed, it’s time for them to lead. Al D’Amato, a former U.S. senator from New York, is the founder of Park Strategies LLC, a public policy and business development firm. Comments about this column? ADAmato@liherald.com.

A loving tribute to my irreplaceable elders

y aunt Sylvia Gentile Brownstein died April 11 in a nursing home in New Jersey, of Covid-19. She was 97 years old, and lived in a room at the facility with her husband of 74 years, Murray Brownstein. He was my mother’s older brother. The last time I saw him was seven years ago, when I visited him in Florida, and he insisted we go to a pub nearby because they were serving free ice cream to World War II veterans. A proud Navy vet who lied about his age to get into the service when he was 16, Uncle MurRAndi ray served on a kReiss minesweeper in the Pacific. Aunt Sylvia died alone, because Uncle Murray had become sick and unable to comfort her. Before the pandemic, which precluded visitors, they were cared for by their daughter, my cousin, who has shepherded them through these last difficult years. But only the ending was sad. Murray met Sylvia in Brooklyn just after the war. He fell in love, and defied

his Jewish family by marrying an Italian Catholic girl. Smart guy. She was a gem, loving and mildly crazy, so she fit right in, seeing as how everyone in our anxious, highly emotive clan is a notch off plumb. When I was a kid, Aunt Syl and Uncle Murray lived in Valley Stream and we lived in Cedarhurst, so the visits were frequent. Murray was a Garment District wheeler and dealer who won big and lost big over the years. Aunt Sylvia was a homemaker extraordinaire. She cleaned that house until it sparkled, every single day. And she was an outstanding cook. Her specialty was Italian food, and an invitation to their table was a gift. When she hosted Thanksgiving, the meal started with homemade minestrone, and was followed by eggplant parmesan, spaghetti and meatballs and veal cutlet parmesan. I don’t recall seeing anything green, as in a string bean, on the table. The last entry was the turkey, an afterthought, a gesture to the new world, fully dressed but largely ignored because we were all so stuffed from the Italian feast. I confess, I didn’t know Aunt Sylvia as

i

a woman. I have no idea what her dreams or joys or disappointments were. I do know she raised her kid sister, Madelaine, when their mother died very young. Madelaine joined Murray and Sylvia’s family, big sister to their own two kids. I wish I had gotten to know Aunt Syl better, but in those days, people kept to their roles: She was the elder aunt and I was the young niece. Uncle Murray was difficult, but she would never talk about anything as personal as her marriage. She had a twin sister, Anna, and I suspect that that was her most emotionally intimate relationship. They had a brother, too, Johnny, who went to the Naval Academy and was the pride of the family. Every Christmas of my childhood, we went to Aunt Syl and Uncle Murray’s for an event that was part celebration and part child abuse. As dinner drew to a close, we would hear someone stomping up the basement steps and the loud jingling of bells. Eight little kids immediately dived under the dinner table and began screaming, which sent the adults into fits of laughter. Not normal, right?

ndelible memories of holidays and birthdays with Aunt Syl and Uncle Murray.

The stomping came closer, our screaming got louder, and suddenly Santa burst through the basement door. We kids were traumatized. He was a terror in his wild white wig and garish Santa mask. None of us noticed that Uncle Murray had disappeared from the dinner table some time earlier. This intruder was the Santa from hell, and we were scared out of our socks. The elders, however, were greatly entertained, and so this became a cherished tradition, and we did it every year. I think I was finishing my junior year in college when I realized that Uncle Murray was Santa Claus. All of our childhood birthdays were occasions for big parties. Aunt Syl and the other aunts and uncles would raise a glass or three, and before long the women were dancing on the table and the men were telling stories about the war and the old Brooklyn neighborhood. It was a rich experience for a little kid who was all eyes and ears. I don’t know if Aunt Syl was a religious woman, but wherever she went, she wasn’t alone for long. The day after she passed, Uncle Murray died. He was 98. Copyright 2020 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

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For American higher education, it’s time to lead

22

Herald editorial

Franklin Square/Elmont

April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

HERALD Established 1998 Incorporating the Franklin Square/Elmont Record Peter Belfiore Editor Melissa Koenig Assistant Editor Donna laWlor Advertising Account Executive office 2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530 Phone: (516) 569-4000 Fax: (516) 569-4942 Web: www.liherald.com E-mail: fseditor@liherald.com Copyright © 2020 Richner Communications, Inc.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS Robert Richner Edith Richner Publishers, 1964-1987 ■ clifforD ricHner stUart ricHner Publishers MicHael Bologna Vice President - Operations ■ scott Brinton Executive Edtitor JiM HarMon

Copy Editor cHristina DalY Photo Editor tonY BellissiMo Sports Editor Karen BlooM Calendar Editor ■ rHonDa glicKMan Vice President - Sales ellen reYnolDs Classified Manager lori Berger Digital Sales Manager

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Small businesses need more federal help

et’s not mince words: The federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program, which was supposed to hurry loans to small businesses so they can make payroll and stay afloat, has been troubled from the start. With $349 billion in its coffers, the program, administered by the Small Business Administration, ran out of money last Thursday, leaving tens of millions of employers in the lurch, wondering whether they will be able to meet payroll at a time when so many small businesses are limping along because of the coronavirus pandemic. Small businesses are the lifeblood of Main Street America, employing 48 percent of our national workforce. In total, there are 28 million small businesses across the U.S., according to Forbes. They desperately need — and deserve — better, particularly in the hardest-hit regions like the Northeast. According to a CBS News analysis of SBA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, New York, which has by far the greatest number of cases of Covid-19 of any state, was fourth on the list of states to receive PPP loans. Meanwhile, businesses in Texas received more such loans than any other state, even though the Lone Star State has the 10th-largest Covid-19 caseload

in the U.S. Apparently, Texas processed loans faster than New York, as the money went from the federal government to banks on a firstcome, first-served basis, creating a race for funding. But that was unfair, because in places where need was greatest, like New York, businesses were struggling most to run their daily operations, and so were hamstrung in their ability to file for loans. The federal government should have set a date by which all loan applications were due, and then divided the money thereafter based on need. At the same time, some very big businesses received loans under the program. The owner of the Ruth’s Chris Steak House chain nabbed a $20 million loan, despite having more than 5,000 employees and $468 million in revenue last year. The PPP was supposed to have been limited to businesses with fewer than 500 employees, but Congress included an exception for hotels and restaurants. Most big-name chains did not apply for PPP loans, but others, including Potbelly, Kura Sushi and Shake Shack, did. (Shake Shack announced Sunday night that it would return its $10 million loan, citing confusion over the program’s regulations and

saying that other businesses needed the money more than it did.) There were other problems with the program. Big banks, for example, lent money to their own customers first, and then to others. Many required borrowers to already have an established line of credit with the bank to receive a PPP loan. The thing is, this was a federal government program, and no loan applicant should have received preferential treatment. At press time, Congress was negotiating a $300 billion extension of the program, which would bring the total expenditure to $649 billion. One Forbes analysis, however, estimated the PPP really needs as much as $850 billion to fully fund all of the small businesses now in dire need. We commend Congress for making money available to small businesses quickly. Sadly, however, the program has become another of many political footballs amid the coronavirus crisis. What’s lacking is national leadership. President Trump and Congress should be united in their desire to aid small businesses — now, not later. If the federal government doesn’t act fast, with one voice, our downtowns could soon become ghost towns, and that would be terrible for us all.

Thanks for all you’ve done, Governor Cuomo

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e have offered high praise to our first responders and medical workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, and no doubt, they deserve every bit of it. Check out our story this week on Elyse Isopo, a North Shore University Hospital Intensive Care Unit nurse practitioner. Her determination to save lives is evident in her every word, and her fear of spreading Covid-19 to her family at her home is palpable. Good people like her are truly heroes.

We must also acknowledge a hero of a different sort: Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who, despite finding himself in the epicenter of this unfolding international disaster, has provided levelheaded, science-based leadership that has served as a model for governors across the U.S. Cuomo quickly realized the magnitude of the pandemic and acted decisively, without political rancor. He has been careful not to mix up it with President Trump, even when the president appeared to be spoiling for a political fight with him last week.

letters The hypocrisy of stimulus checks To the Editor: All conservatives and Republicans across the country should return their federal relief checks so they do not become “unproductive, lazy welfare recipients” who are accepting “government handouts” and “something for nothing” — “parasites” who are being “subsidized” by the federal government.

It would be hypocritical for conservatives and Republicans to accept help from the federal government when they constantly oppose such assistance for the middle and lower classes who truly need it, and whom they look down their noses at. Now, many of them are in the shoes of those in need. Our allies in Western Europe and Canada have federal governments that do more to help their people than ours does. To quote Al Pacino in “And Justice for All”: “I have now concluded

Cuomo has not used this crisis to further his own brand. Rather, he has acted in the best interests of all New Yorkers, and this week we are seeing the results of his actions. The Covid-19 death toll is, as predicted, beginning to drop, as are the new hospitalization rate, the ICU admissions rate and the number of new ventilator intubations. Governor, thank you. We will surely need your steady guiding hand in the weeks, months and years ahead as New York recovers from this unexpected catastrophe.

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oPinions

rime Minister Winston Churchill offered those words as he led Great Britain during World War II, when citizens became accustomed to nightly bombings by the Nazis. We are in the midst of a different kind of war, against an invisible enemy known as Covid-19. And when people ask me when this grim period is going to end, unfortunately, the answer is that we don’t know. But as we in the Town of Hempstead continue to follow federal and state mitigation measures, such as social distancing, Don we appear to be CLaVin “flattening the curve.” By staying at home, you are doing your part to fight the spread of this virus. Those who have “essential” jobs, however, do not have that option. Indeed, those people are integral to winning the war on the coronavirus. Please be mindful of the rules and stay safe. At Town Hall, we have implemented a social media campaign urging residents

to practice social distancing and proper handwashing, and to wear masks and gloves. We are also providing information on sanitizing techniques. We proactively closed facilities to the public, including town offices and certain parks and public gathering spots. I’ve been working daily with my Town Board colleagues and our Coronavirus Task Force, led by Town Medical Director Dr. Dave Neubert, to make decisions that best promote public health. We’re also in constant contact with village officials, coordinating best practices and monitoring updates from state and local health officials. Rest assured, our dedicated CSEA Local 880 team of coworkers are working hard every day to serve residents and provide essential services safely. The town Building Department is still accepting paperwork via a drop box at Town Hall, sanitation workers are continuing to pick up garbage throughout our township, and many other departments are conducting day-to-day business on behalf of our residents. We encourage neighbors to contact the town via our

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hurchill’s words ring true for Town of Hempstead residents in a difficult time.

Letters my opening statement.” STEWART B. EPSTEIN Rochester, N.Y. Epstein is a retired college professor who lived in North Bellmore from 1960 to 1972. He graduated from Mepham High School in 1968 and Hofstra University in 1972.

It’s a good time for bird watching To the Editor: Why not bequeath a lifelong appreciation for bird watching to the next generation? We teach our children wood shop, pottery and contemptible games like dodgeball, but bird watching can give them a greater appreciation for our threatened environment. I’ve done the math, and it would only cost each taxpayer $10 to send every sixth-grader to the Cor nell School of Ornithology for two weeks. There, eminent cultural historians and acclaimed or nitholo gists would instruct them on bird-centric environmental discrimination and inculcate a profound respect and admiration for the avian world. When you consider the frivolities our town spends money on, this would be money well spent. Now well into my retirement, I still derive tremendous satisfaction from spotting the odd hummingbird on my afternoon walk. There is a comforting

public hotline, (516) 812-3600, to set up phone appointments with some of our departments. Other departments can be accessed via email. Please visit hempsteadtownny.gov for updates and how you can connect to town services. You can also call our Helpline, (516) 489-6000, from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday for assistance. We are doing everything in our power to make life a little easier for residents of America’s largest township during this difficult time. We waived all late fees and penalties for town water customers, and we’ve called on New York state to extend the second-half school tax payment deadline by 30 days, to June 11. And in preparation for getting people back to work in the near future, the town adopted a $40 million economic stimulus plan to undertake road improvements across our communities. I encourage you to join us for our series of Facebook Live sessions. Along with Dr. Neubert, a certified Emergency Department physician, and Councilman Anthony D’Esposito, a former fire chief

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

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‘Nourish your hopes, but do not overlook realities’

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and NYPD detective, we answer many of your questions and concerns about Covid-19. Our next session is scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m. Please check our Facebook page, @HempsteadTown, for ished i realitie future Facebook Live sessions and for be star town updates. I thank all of our first responders as univer Wh well the front-line workers in the fields of health care, law enforcement, government, media, public transportation, grocery, pharmacy, postal, delivery, food service and so many more. I also commend Dr. Dave Neubert and the town’s emergency management team for their continued work and dedication to the town work force, as well as to our residents. And I offer my condolences to all of the families who have lost loved ones during this pandemic. Let’s keep them all in our thoughts as we continue to do our part to stop the spread. Working together, we will continue to loosen the grip of Covid-19, from both a health and economic perspective. Please es not o semest be safe and healthy, and know that the Town of Hempstead is here for you dur- with ex financi ing this challenging time. rest of How Don Clavin is the Town of Hempstead events, supervisor. should and pr of debt tuition hovers

Framework by Christina Daly

sense of accomplishment in knowing that you can see what others cannot. Why deprive the next generation of this feeling of intellectual triumph? The beauty of birds is all around us, and once you learn more about them, your experiences with nature become so much richer. During this lockdown, I have noticed our ecosystem responding positively to reduced human inference, and more exotic birds flying out and about. What joy.

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and liv her hu stein. H The las ago, wh

ALWYN STANHOPE Bellmore

MTA ‘lock box’ isn’t really locked To the Editor: Governor Cuomo recently included in the approved state budget a provision that amends the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s $15 billion Congestion Toll Mitigation Revenue “lock box.” This provision was originally included to ensure that all proceeds would be used to help fund the MTA’s $51 billion 2020-24 Five-Year Capital Plan. Now these funds can instead be used against any future deficits in the MTA’s annual $17 billion operating expense budget. Language buried in the state budget also allows $10 billion in real estate mansion and internet sales tax revenue to be used for operations rather

At Sagamore Hill, one captivating reason to get out of the house — Oyster Bay

than capital expenses. Combined, these total $25 billion of the $51 billion Capital Plan funding. Cuomo has become the great train robber of capital transit funding. He has taken billions of this funding. His picture should be hung on a wanted poster at commuter and subway stations. Commuters can collect their reward by not electing him to

another term in 2022.

died al becom LARRY PENNER Before Great Neck visitor Penner is a transportation historian, writer daught ed them and advocate who worked for the Federal But Transit Administration Region 2 New York Mur Office for 31 years. after th

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April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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