________ Franklin square/elmont _______
HERALD
CommUNItY UPDAtE Infections as of July 2
9,206
Infections as of June 28 9,197
$1.00
Drugs, firearms uncovered in F.S.
Senator receives ‘vile’ hate mail
Breakfast for front-line heroes
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Vol. 23 No. 28
JUlY 8 - 14, 2021
‘There are no guarantees’ Franklin Square, Elmont resident cautious about Covid-19 By RoBERt tRAVERSo rtraverso@liherald.com
Courtesy Elmont School District
A ‘Fundae’ to end the school year Sixth-graders moving up at Clara H. Carlson School in Elmont played cornhole, among other games, during the school’s Sixth Grade Fundae on June 18.
Franklin Square and Elmont residents remain concerned about the coronavirus pandemic, but are eager to return to day-today life without restrictions. Gov. Andrew Cuomo rescinded New York state’s pandemicrelated regulations on June 15, after the state reached the target of 70 percent of the population at least partially vaccinated, set by the governor. The state’s capacity, social distancing, health screening and disinfecting requirements were canceled, although some federal restrictions remain in effect at schools and health facilities as well as on
public transportation. “I definitely think it’s a move in the right direction,” said Becky Owens, of Elmont, noting the drop in the infection rate and the increase in the vaccination rate across Nassau County. “I think the timing is right.” Owens added that although she remained concerned about the risks posed by Covid-19, she and others were looking forward to returning to everyday life without restrictions this summer. “I think it’s good that we’re timing it with the season,” she said. “It’s summer and people want to get out. I think people will be more comfortable out now, and it’s great for the econoContinued on page 10
Franklin Square hosts Declaration reading at Rath Park By RoBERt tRAVERSo rtraverso@liherald.com
Rath Park’s gazebo in Franklin Square was enveloped by American flags and banners as residents gathered for a public reading of the Declaration of Independence on June 26. The event was organized by the Franklin Square Historical Society and State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages’s office. “It’s so important that you actually hear the words of the Declaration of Independence,” Solages said. “It’s one thing to learn it in school or hear it a long time ago, but every year we should be reminded that our
forefathers had the intention of saying that this is a free country.” Solages spoke about the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic. For people to recover from the events of the past 15 months, she said, Long Islanders need to unify on the same level as the founders who signed the Declaration. “On the ground, I saw a lot of pain,” Solages said. “I saw a lot of people suffering, but I also saw a lot of good. I saw people putting the community before themselves. It’s all about making sure that we unite as one.” Community members who
took part in the reading of the nearly 250-year-old document expressed reverence for its legacy and meaning. U.S. Army veteran and Franklin Square native Len Scarola said that the nation’s founding document represented American culture and heritage. The ceremonial reading, he added, was important to a community grieving for those who died during the coronavirus pandemic. “Things like this are important for the community, especially in times like this, after the year we’ve had,” Scarola said. “All the people that we’ve lost, all our loved ones, it brings recogni-
tion. Honoring everyone that we’ve lost and everyone that’s served, that’s what we’re all about.” Others said that people need to preserve the memory of the Declaration of Independence and the efforts of the founding generation. “This event keeps the traditions of our country visible, especially for the younger
children,” said Adrienne McKenna, the Franklin Square Civic Association’s correspondence secretary. “What they did for our country, going blindly into forming our new country,” McKenna said, “I think they did a really remarkable job, since we’re still here all these years later, with Continued on page 4
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By RoBeRt tRaveRso rtraverso@liherald.com
Elmont Memorial High School teacher Benjamin Pesenti was named a 2021 recipient of the Inspiring Teacher Award presented by the National High School Musical Theater Awards. “NHSMTA focuses much needed attention on the meaningful work being done by dedicated teachers and students with wide ranging talents on and off the stage… and contributes to the development of future audiences for live performing arts in communities across America,” the organization’s website reads. Theater educators whose students are former “Jimmy Awards” recipients receive the award, which is named after the famed Broadway theatre owner and producer James M. Nederlander. Pesenti, who has taught chorus, AP music theory, general music and other theater classes at the high school since 2012, will be honored at a July 15 virtual ceremony. “It was definitely a big honor,” Pesenti said, despite acknowledging that he was aware he would receive the award after a student he taught won the award for best performance by an actress in 2019. He credited this student, Ekele Ukegbu, who took part in productions under Pesenti as musical director at the high school for several years, for securing the award for the high school. “The whole program goes into developing a student like that,” Pesenti said, touting the acumen of Ukegbu as a performer, student and person. He added that Ukegbu was easy to work with and guide to the level of performance needed to win the 2019 award. “She was just an amazingly
as an outlet for students to grow. “Their outlet is music,” she said, adding that helping s t u d e n t s express themselves is important to her, much like Pesenti. enjamin Pesenti “When kids Theater educator are in a show together or a Elmont Memorial choir together, High School they have this long-term, collective goal that they’re working on for months and months,” Pesenti explained. And then that final product is just an amazing feeling for everybody.” Pesenti said he was overwhelmed by being named the 2021 recipient of the award, and he credited the team effort by the school’s music department for earning the Jimmy Awards. I’m very humbled, and I feel like it’s more than just my victory -- it’s a team one,” Pesenti said. I’m beyond grateful and I really do see this as not just for me, but for my whole school, my whole department, because a music program is really a family,” Pesenti, who will be honored at the organization’s virtual awards ceremony on July 15, said. “It’s not just my accomplishment, it’s something that I share with the teachers that I’ve had that taught me, and all the other teachers and students that helped contribute to Ekele’s success.”
’m very humbled, and I feel like it’s more than just my victory -- it’s a team one.
Courtest Sewanhaka Central High School District
Courtesy National High School Music Theatre Awards
Pesenti, who has been teaching at Elmont Memorial High School since 2012, emphasized that the school’s music department worked together to win the Jimmy Award.
ekele UkegBU, a student at Elmont Memorial High School, won the Best Performance by an Actress award at the last National High School Musical Theater Awards ceremony in 2019.
hardworking student,” Pesenti said. “She just had this perfect balance between talent but also the work ethic and the kindness that comes along with being a kind person and working well with others, which is usually a challenge for other performers but not Ekele.” A lifelong musician, Pesenti, who is a pianist primarily, emphasized that his passion for teaching music and theater and encouraging the growth of students drove him to win this award alongside
Ukegbu. “I became an educator because I love music and every single day seeing how music leads my students to grow is what inspires me and keeps me happy,” Pesenti said. “It’s really amazing to see how music and the arts lead students to grow; it forces them to think differently, and it also builds this community.” Dr. Talonda Thomas, music chairwoman at the high school, similarly said in a previous Herald story that music serves
Yes, you’ve got a story to tell You’ve been through a lot in life – extraordinary experiences, robust emotions, hidden secrets, sad events, happy events. On occasion, you’ve thought to yourself, “I should write about what’s happened to me.” You may not even be sure why. Would you be writing a memoir for yourself, a story for your kids, a narrative for kindred souls? Or, possibly a book for publication? You ponder your idea for a while but before long your motivation evaporates. After all, who are you to write your life story? You’re not famous. You’re no genius. Maybe you convince yourself that there’s nothing interesting in your life anyway. Or perhaps you think the opposite – so much has happened that it’s all so confusing. Where would you even begin? My mission today is to encourage you to tell your story. First, I’ll tell you why. Then I’ll share with you how. Why Bother?
Do it for yourself.
Looking back on your life with a quiet, reflective mind will be a creative journey for you, helping you appreciate all you’ve been through.
Do it to connect with others.
Imagine what it would mean to you if those who came before you had written meaningful material about their lives. Wouldn’t you really appreciate knowing something about them other than the basic facts (when they were born, who they married, when they died)?
Do it to appreciate your past.
Do it to make your photographs come alive.
guest Column
So much has changed since you grew up. You’ve needed to adapt to the changes. What was hard for you? What was easy for you? What do you like about the way life is now? What do you miss about the way life used to be?
Do it for your kids and grandkids.
Surprise family and friends by writing a story about how significant they have been in your life. Imagine how much more meaningful those photos will be when you flesh them out with an interesting story about what you were feeling in those moments. HOW Would I even begin to write?
First a few don’ts.
Don’t intimidate yourself by thinking that you have to tell it all. If you want to keep some things secret, that’s fine. Or, if you’re itching to apadin share a secret or two, that’s fine too. Don’t intimidate yourself by thinking that you have to write a memoir about your whole life. That’s way too much! Choose the stories that are most interesting to you and begin.
Linda S
Even if they’re totally absorbed in their own lives, (except what you can do for them) have faith. One day they’ll outgrow their narcissism and will truly appreciate the stories you write.
Do it as a gift for a special someone on a special occasion.
now a few do’s.
Do decide how you’re going to write. You might begin by writing in a journal.
Some journals have prompts for you, like “What are you grateful for this week?” Such prompts can help you get going. Or, you might decide to create a document on your computer with a jazzy name like “my amazing life” or “wow, this is me!” Now that you’ve decided how you’ll write, you need to start writing. Not editing. Not evaluating. Just writing. Begin by picking a small topic. Perhaps it could be: “I want to tell you about an amazing event that happened last year” or “The best decision I ever made was …. If you find that the topic is too big, too complicated, too overwhelming, start over with a smaller, safer topic. Get in the groove. Everything is easier once it flows well. No need to write a best seller, you simply need to tell your story in your way. Keep shining a light on what you write, and you’ll become a brighter star to those who care about you! ©2021 Linda Sapadin, Ph.D., psychologist, coach and author specializes in helping people become the best they can be. Contact her at DrSapadin@aol.com. Visit her website at www.PsychWisdom.com.
FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — July 8, 2021
Elmont H.S. teacher wins theater award i
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Robert Traverso/Herald
STaTe aSSemblywoman michaelle Solages was the first of a long line of speakers who helped read the Declaration of Independence aloud at Rath Park on June 26.
Community leaders hope to keep Declaration alive conTinued From FronT our laws and our Constitution and all the things that they fought for.” Solages reflected on the cornerstone of the political system handed down by the founders who signed the Declaration of Independence: their sense of democratic, participatory government, and how important this remains today. She urged local residents to take part in local government in various capacities, such as by running for office or working for elected officials. “If you’re not happy with government, please approach your elected officials,” Solages said.
“Just participate in government, because that’s what our forefathers wanted.” Solages reiterated the need for unity amid the pandemic and emphasized that citizen involvement is necessary in order for the United States to keep improving. “They wanted us to be united as one,” Solages said of the founders. “We always need to remember that this is the land of the free and home of the brave. Our country initially wasn’t perfect, but we’ve always strived and worked together to make sure we get better.”
Photos by Christina Daly/Herald
NOMINATE a
Towanna Julien, a.k.a. Tori Jay, above, sang the national anthem and also read a portion of the Declaration.
Throughout the pandemic, healthcare workers, first responders, grocery and pharmacy personnel, and so many others, have been dedicated to supporting and assisting our community. They are true heroes who deserve our respect, praise and recognition. As many remain on the front lines in 2021, we invite you to nominate a Hometown Hero to be featured in Herald newspaper editions throughout the year.
Valley STream VFw Post 1790 members Nestor Garcia, U.S. Army Reserves, and Marine Edward Priest led the color guard, followed by Pack 372 and Troop 93.
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To nominate, go to LIHerald.com/NominateAHero today! ________
franklin square/elmont _______
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events and activities
Thursday, July 8
often as entertaining as the movies themselves Learn about this and more at the event. Registration is for Elmont Library cardholders. Noncardholder registration begins one week before if space is available. Masks and social distancing guidelines will be mandatory. Virtual registration is open to everyone. A link will be emailed before the program begins. CONTACT: adult reference 516-354-5280 x223 reference@ elmontlibrary.org.
Online Google Docs Program Virtually attend the Franklin Square library’s online program on Google Docs at 6:30 p.m. Learn how to use Google’s word processing program. Register with a valid email address on the library’s website. Poetry Workshop with Dr. Linda Opyr Join Dr. Linda Opyr, Poet Laureate of Nassau County and the author of six collections of poetry, in person at Elmont Memorial Library for a poetry workshop. The workshop will be held in meeting room 2 at 4:00 p.m. Participants in this workshop will have the opportunity to write poetry and share what they’ve written. Bring paper and a pen and the desire to expand your knowledge and enjoyment of writing good poems. Registration is required. Space is limited. CONTACT: adult reference 516-3545280 x223 reference@elmontlibrary. org. The workshop is also being held on August 12, September 9, October 7, November 18 & December 9. Computer Kindergarten for Grownups with Sharper Training Solutions Elmont Memorial Library cardholders may attend, at 10:00 a.m., a slowpaced, user-friendly class for firsttime computer users. Using Windows computers, this unique class covers the basics in a way that even the most inexperienced user will understand. We will cover turning the computer on, the desktop, using the mouse, opening and closing programs, understanding windows elements, getting out of trouble, and turning the computer off. Registration is required. CONTACT: adult reference 516-354-5280 x223 reference@ elmontlibrary.org.
Sunday, July 11 Pet Tails Join the Franklin Square Public Library for a program that ties into the summer reading program’s theme: “Tails and Tales!” Submit a story or memory of your favorite pet, along with a photo, and the library
l l l l l
Friday, July 16 Inside the Mind of a Whale,
Robert Traverso/Herald
Celebrating America in F.S. Rath Park was filled with local leaders for a reading of the Declaration of Independence on June 26.
will put them all in a binder for everyone to enjoy and vote for their favorite story. The lucky winner will get a Pet gift card. Stories and photos are due by August 20, 2021.
Monday, July 12 Passport Around the World: United States Students in grades 3-6 MAY join the Elmont Memorial Library on Zoom at 7:00 p.m. to learn about the culture, customs and food of the U.S. through activities and test their knowledge by playing Jeopardy. Registration is required, and registrants will be contacted when craft supplies are ready for pick up. You can earn 25 points toward your summer reading by attending this event. CONTACT: Children’s Department 516-354-5280 X
207 or childrenservices@elmontlibrary.org.
Tuesday, July 13 Online Tai Chi Program Virtually join Elaine Fleischman of Elmont Memorial Library to learn some basic Tai Chi. Register online on the library’s website.
Wednesday, July 14 Learn to Draw Faces with Kelly Gordon Join the Elmont Memorial Library between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Zoom to improve your drawing skills by learning the basics of drawing faces using simple lines and shapes during this live workshop with artist
Kelly Gordon. Register online on the library’s website to receive the Zoom link prior to the program.
Thursday, July 15 FAMOUS HOLLYWOOD ROLES AND HOW THEY WERE CAST, PART 2: 1960 - 2020 with Barry Rivadue Join the Elmont Memorial Library in meeting room 2 at 12:30 p.m. for an in-person (virtual is available, too) lecture on Hollywood. The end of the studio system made casting major roles a more unpredictable adventure. Unknown actors became stars, such as Peter O’Toole in Lawrence of Arabia, and he was not the first choice. Classics such as the James Bond series, The Godfather and Star Wars had colorful casting stories,
Join Elmont Memorial Library and the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum for a virtual-only lecture at 12:30 p.m. on the mind of whales. Whales rank among the most intelligent species on the planet. Marvel at the depth and complexity that sets whale behavior apart from other species, including sophisticated memory skills, advanced societal structures, and unique dialects. Find out what researchers have uncovered about whales’ thinking and their amazing behaviors in the wild – including tool use. Registration is required. A link will be emailed to you before the program. CONTACT: adult reference 516-354-5280 x223 reference@ elmontlibrary.org.
HAvING AN EvENT? Items on the Community Update pages are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to ngrant@liherald.com
State Sen. Todd Kaminsky announced he is running to be the next Nassau District Attorney. The Town of Hempstead announced the opening of cooling centers amid extreme heat on LI. Sewanhaka Central High School District schools held graduation ceremonies on June 26 & 27. The radio and TV host Sean Hannity is originally from Franklin Square. Send your letter to the editor to Nakeem Grant, at ngrant@liherald.com.
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FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — July 8, 2021
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HERALD Covid-19 BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS STEVE WANGEL
ANNE COFFEY
LYNBROOK Owner, The Kitchen Loft, Lynbrook
A
fter the pandemic first hit, I had the feeling of total and complete ineffectiveness, both in my business and as president of the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce. In the very beginning, there was no playbook and nowhere to turn for guidance. After making sure that I was able to procure assistance for the Kitchen Loft, I began to think about how to assist the shuttered businesses in Lynbrook. Iwent to work each day like usual and stayed at my showroom with the doors locked. I figured that the best that I could do was work with Mayor Alan Beach and others to gather and disseminate information. Lynbrook residents never cease to amaze me in how they come together for a cause. This time, their business community was in distress and they rose to the occasion. Now
MALVERNE Real estate broker, Coffey Realty Solutions
that we are almost back to normal, there is still some disarray. There is unprecedented demand for building materials, the price of gas has skyrocketed, which will undoubtedly domino into higher prices for all kinds of goods and services, many of which are still in short supply. Local businesses need to do even more to attract customers into their stores. They will need to increase their online presence and offer better customer service. Moving forward, there will be a business climate like we have never seen before. As it evolves, businesses must be able to recognize the new opportunities and respond with products and services to fulfill the new needs of their customer bases in a post-Covid world. Businesses must adapt to the new "bring it to me" desires of their customers.
HERALD HOMETOWN HERO
Nominate online at:
NOMINATIONS OPEN JULY 14 liherald.com/contests
T
he past year for me as a broker has been extremely interesting to say the least. I’m one of the first women mortgage brokers to open a mortgage company in New York state back in the 1980s. I’m 77 years old with four kids, and I’ve worn just about every house in this business as an appraiser, mortgages, real estates and I even taught at Molloy College. Fortunately, I didn’t have many problems during the pandemic. We came out of the gate in June, and I started with listings in September. We had all the new protocols in place on how to show a house, the importance of mask wearing, and so on. People are always asking me, "how’s the market?" But people have to realize that no matter what, people have to live somewhere. I think people realized that during this
pandemic, they should start thinking about buying and purchasing hard assets, and one of those assets is a house or a condo. What’s benefited the market to this point is low interest rates. I’ve worked in real estate for more than 40 years, and these days, homes are going so fast that there’s no time to make an appraisal. I’ve seen as many as 40 people lined up for a house, and this was for your average house, which is around $600,000. Because of this, a lot of parents are opening up their 401Ks to support their children. The way things are going in America right now, we just don’t know how strong the financial market will be going forward.
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THEIR FRONT-LINE STORIES IN THEIR OWN WORDS LUANNE PICINICH
MERRICK Owner Uniquely Yours Seaford
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niquely Yours has been open for a little over five years, we’re a women's clothing store. We have boutique-quality clothing at very affordable prices. My belief is that looking stylish doesn’t need to break the bank. I opened this store because I love shopping. The store is catered to real women, so we cater to every body type. My goal is to make them feel comfortable when they come in here. Women should never feel disappointed when they get something that doesn’t fit properly, whether they’re petite or plus-sized. When Covid hit, we had to shift our focus to more online orders and home-deliveries for our customers. That’s still ongoing, and we do free delivery all throughout Long Island and free shipping. We also do curbside pick-up and private shop appointments. We’re currently
MASSAPEQUA Owner Big Chief Day Camp East Meadow
trying to rebuild after being closed for about three months. I sold face masks while we were closed so everybody ordered online and then we delivered to the house. I hope to expand the business and to expand my online portion to the rest of the United States. It’s been more successful since the pandemic struck. The community is opening back up, but some women still aren’t comfortable shopping in-person. We really try to make shopping as personalized as possible. If someone comes in and they’re unsure what they’re looking for, we’ll pull clothes that we think will flatter them best. Because they’re our best model — customers wearing our clothes and feeling confident in them is the best complement to us.
HERALD HOMETOWN HERO
W
e never closed during the pandemic because parents work and every parent is essential. All of the other private nursery schools did close. I didn’t think the kids should be isolated at home. They needed to be in school and at camp so they could be children. Covid has nothing to do with them. I made up all sorts of procedures and made explanation videos. I had a UV machine and air purifiers for every room. Everyone had their temperature checked and they couldn’t bring personal items in, which included backpacks. They bought Big Chief backpacks which no one touched, except the teachers. A parent would pack it and drop it off on Friday and it would be isolated until Monday. I got the ideas from my head. I kept thinking, “How can I keep everyone safe.”
We were nervous, but sometimes you have to step up to the plate. No one ended up getting Covid. The majority of the children were from first responders but also people working in grocery stores. Ordinarily during the year, I get anywhere from 120 to 130 kids. We had 40 during Covid. But last summer we were open too and had 250 kids. I had parents who were doctors at the hospital. They weren’t eating because they were working the night shift. So, we arranged for food to be brought in three times a week for three weeks. Everything was individually wrapped and we brought it over ourselves. Covid aged me. And I have to admit it was tough at times. I think it made me aware of how precious life is.
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FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — July 8, 2021
LINDA RHOADS
HERALD
BUSINESS Covid-19 PROFESSIONALS
LISA SHER, LAUREN HARRIS MERRICK Owner, Let's Bag It Merrick
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et's Bag It and Let's Accessorize are two separate stores within one store. I own Let's Bag It and we sell one-of-a-kind handbags, giftware, clothing, beach bags, travel bags, back-to-school bags — any type of bag you can possibly imagine. I have a partner, Lisa Sher, who is in the same store as me — we split the space and expenses; it's a completely separate business but we feed off each other. So if somebody comes in and they want to buy a beach bag as a gift, they might want to get an anklet to go with it, and we both get a sale. Her business is Let's Accessorize. I used to live in Merrick and I live in Seaford now. Lisa is a Bellmore native and she literally moved to Plainview about a week ago. When we re-opened after Covid and our
customers came in, they were like, "Thank God you're still open." That made us feel so good. We've been very busy, and we've been very in tune with the market and what's going on out there. We have customers that still shop with us after 22 years, it's amazing. We had three stores at one point, and now we're back to our main store. We do a lot of exclusive-type stuff that no other stores have — personalization of handbags and jewelry, unique designers that no one else has, and we also make our own bags and jewelry which we only sell to our customers. We have two large online presences, LetsBagItOnline.com and LetsAccessorize.com. Being open 22 years, it's almost a miracle. We are so grateful that our community supported us through the pandemic.
HERALD HOMETOWN HERO Wikimedia Commons
EDITOR/REPORTER Locals remain cautious WANTED coronavirus Pandemic-related restrictions were lifted in New York state on June 15.
amid eased restrictions
The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers are seeking an editor and a reporter to cover the diverse hamlets of Nassau County’s South Shore. The ideal candidate in both cases is adept with news and feature writing and holds a bachelor’s or master’s degree in journalism, English or a related field. A newspaper internship or prior publishing experience is a must for the editor’s post, but not required for the reporter’s position. Work on a student newspaper or other publication is always a plus. Herald Community Newspapers, with a readership of roughly 200,000, is among the largest and most respected community news groups in New York State, covering 26 communities on Nassau’s South and North Shores. The group has consistently ranked among the top five community news groups in the New York Press Association’s annual Better Newspaper Contest, garnering hundreds of awards over the years. Herald alumni have gone on to work for many major media outlets, from Newsweek to The Daily Mail, and CNN to the BBC.
i
t makes sense to keep wearing our masks until there’s some more certainty.
Qualified candidates should email their cover letters and resumes to Executive Editor Scott Brinton, sbrinton@liherald.com.
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lack of certain protection from Covid-19 even with vaccinations. She said that her my.” “What New York has done is extraordi- skepticism was driven by an understandnary,” Cuomo said in a June 15 news ing of the brutal consequences of the panrelease. “Not only do we have the lowest demic. “Covid is real, and people have Covid positivity rate in the United States died, and it’s been very traumatic around the world,” she said. “For of America, we have hit 70 that reason, I’m going to percent vaccination ahead stay safe with my mask and of schedule. We successfully take it one day at a time.” deployed the weapon that Others welcomed the end will win the war, and New of pandemic restrictions. “I York led the nation.” think it’s good [for] everyMore than 75 percent of one,” said Vivian Yip, of adults in Nassau County are Elmont. “We need some norfully vaccinated, according malcy in our lives.” to County Executive Laura Yip emphasized that Curran’s office. Some resialthough she was glad to see dents are skeptical, however, the regulations lifted, she about whether New York Yvonne Peters was not opposed to wearing state and Long Island have Elmont a mask. “I don’t mind putbested the pandemic. ting a mask on,” she said. “It “If . . . people are still getting sick and are vaccinated, it makes doesn’t impact my life one way or the sense to keep wearing our masks until other.” But now that New York state has ended there’s some more certainty,” said Yvonne Peters, of Elmont. “There are no guaran- the restrictions, Yip said, she was eager to return to a normal world. “I’m looking tees.” Peters, who said she was not vaccinat- forward to it,” she said. “My family is as ed yet, expressed her concern with the well. All things in time.”
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TRAILBLAZER MICHELE DEAN
President and CEO Suffolk Federal Credit Union
EXCELLENCE IN HEALTHCARE EILEEN MAHLER,
PhD, RN, NE-BC Director of Nursing Education and Magnet Projects Mount Sinai South Nassau
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Let school districts decide on mask policy
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July 8, 2021 — FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD
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efore the end of the 2021 school year, parents, teachers and school board members throughout Long Island began requesting that the freedom to decide proper mask protocol be given to the school districts themselves. While Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that school districts are now allowed to decide for themselves if masks are necessary for children and staff during outside activities, he is still mandating that schools require masks indoors for staff and students. If Governor Cuomo refuses to lift his mandate for in-school masks because, as he says, the CDC guidance calls for masks to be worn for all indoor school activities, we ignore the reality that the CDC guidance, unfortunately, applies uniformly to all 50 states. The CDC guidance regarding masks inside schools has not taken into consideration the low rate of transmission in New York or all of the steps taken by the various school disaura tricts on Long Island to keep our students and staff safe. In fact, the New York State PTA has voiced their opinion on this matter and states that they will “continue to support a parent’s choice in whether or not their child will wear a mask in a school building, or outside on school grounds.” Furthermore, they have asked the CDC to reconsider their guidance on a state-by-state basis, which makes the most sense to me. This incremental shift in the state mandate regarding school masks seems to be an attempt to match the school guidance with the Governor’s mandates for summer camps in New York. Currently, the children attending summer camp in New York will not be required to wear a mask, indoors or outdoors, although it is strongly advised for the unvaccinated. In my opinion, there is no reason why there should be a one-size fits all with regard to our public or private schools. Regardless of New York State Health Commissioner, Dr. Zucker’s recent letter to the CDC and the confusion that it caused, it appears that even he wants to move forward with lifting a mask mandate for schools and
to let the individual districts decide their indoor and outdoor protocol on their own. This pandemic has demonstrated how resilient our schools and teachers have been in teaching our students. From immediately and suddenly introducing a program of remote learning, to implementing a hybrid model of in-person instruction combined with remote learning to a system of total inperson instruction, our schools and students have done the very best they could under the circumstances they have faced. It was no small task and they made it work! It is for these reasons that I believe the Governor should make the decision to allow each individual school district the same autonomy with regard to masks during indoor activities that he gave to them with regard to outdoor activities, whether it be at the end of this school year or the beginning of the new school year in September. Schools know the configurachaefer tion of their classrooms and their community better than the Albany bureaucracy. I think we can all agree that individual school districts will only go maskless indoors when the parents and staff of that school determine that they can safely do so. At the time of the writing of this article, at least three Long Island districts — Sachem, Patchogue-Medford and Massapequa — announced that they are ignoring the new guidance from the state’s education department and have made masks optional. Let’s support a system where other school districts aren’t forced into the same situation of choosing to ignore state guidance. Let’s give each school district the freedom to work with parents, students and staff to determine the policy that’s best for that individual school district.
Guest Column
Courtesy NCPD
Nassau poliCe disCovered drugs and unlicensed firearms inside the vehicle, parked on Franklin Avenue in Franklin Square.
Police uncover drugs, firearms in F.S. arrests By roBert traverso rtraverso@liherald.com
Nassau police detailed arrests made last month in Franklin Square for several counts of criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a controlled substance at a news conference held at the Nassau County Police Department building in Mineola. Anthony Cinelli, 26, of Miller Place, along with a passenger, were arrested after officers uncovered both drugs and unlicensed firearms inside Cinelli’s vehicle, which was parked on Franklin Avenue in Franklin Square. A polymer pistol frame, which Ryder deemed part of a “ghost gun,” or homemade firearm, was also inside Cinelli’s car, police said. “The NCPD CIRRT TEAM, out on the streets last night keeping you safe. Brave men and women risking their lives to
keep us all safe. Guns and drugs make for bad combination. Support your police they will always support you!” tweeted Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, adding a picture of the controlled substances and unlicensed firearms obtained by the police. 6.6 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms was also recovered by members of the police department’s Criminal Intelligence Rapid Response Team, Ryder said at the news conference. Cinelli faces 10 counts of weapons possession, four counts of unlawful possession of large capacity ammunition feeding devices and criminal possession of a controlled substance. The passenger, Marina Rubio of Farmingdale, also 26, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.
L
S
Schaefer is a county legislator for Legislative District 14, which comprises Garden City, Garden City South, Carle Place and portions of Westbury, Jericho, Hicksville, Bethpage, Plainview, West Hempstead, Hempstead and Franklin Square.
Cooling centers open, heat safety tips to follow With high temperatures and humidity impacting the region this week, Nassau C o u n t y E xe c u t ive L a u r a C u r r a n announced on Monday that three county cooling centers are open to the public. ■ Cantiague Park Administration Office, 480 West John St., Hicksville. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (conference room) For further information, call (516) 571-7058 ■ Community Room Mitchel Field Administration Building, 1 Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Uniondale. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (first floor. For further information, call (516) 572-0400 ■ Wantagh Administration Building, 1 King Road, Wantagh. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For further information, call (516) 571-7460 “With the temperature set to rise, the
combination of heat and humidity can become unbearable and dangerous for many of our residents,” Curran said. “I encourage all residents to take precautions and visit one of our cooling centers if they need relief from the heat.”
Heat safety tips
The Nassau County Department of Health is offering the following information for residents to protect themselves and others during high temperatures: ■ Check on relatives and friends, especially the elderly. ■ Increase time spent in an air-conditioned environment. ■ Drink fluids, especially water. Avoid beverages that contain alcohol.
■ Take cool baths. ■ Individuals especially at risk, such as the elderly or those with chronic illnesses, should refrain from physical activity, avoid being alone, keep their sleeping area well ventilated and avoid falling asleep in a hot room. ■ Eat light, but nutritious foods. ■ Avoid the sun at the hottest times of the day. ■ Wear a hat and light, loose-fitting clothing. The elderly, infants and many individuals with chronic medical conditions are at high risk for heat-related problems and should be very cautious about exposure. If any person experiences heat stroke or
exhaustion, get medical help immediately. Symptoms of heat-related illnesses may include headache, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, nausea, vomiting and low pulse rate. Other symptoms may include cold, pale and clammy skin, or hot, flushed dry skin. Also, do not leave children or pets in the car. Even in cool temperatures, cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly. Anyone left inside is at risk for serious heat-related illnesses or even death. Even with the windows cracked open, interior temperatures can rise almost 20 degrees within the first 10 minutes. Children and pets that are left unattended in parked cars are at greatest risk for heatstroke, and possibly death. When leaving your car, check to be sure everyone is out of the car. Do not overlook any children or pets that have fallen asleep in the car.
Focus on Mental Health
Adjusting to ‘normal’ post-pandemic July 8, 2021
FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — July 8, 2021
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Older adults navigate their return to normalcy By Karen Bloom This past year has intensified anxiety, stress, and isolation for seniors and family caregivers alike. Covid-19 has been a traumatic time for us all, and these feelings of trauma will not immediately go away when the world reopens. The pandemic forced many people into social isolation, but for millions of Americans — especially adults 50-plus — their isolation began long before the pandemic, and will continue after it ends. As of mid-May 2021, over 70 percent of America’s senior population had received their Covi-19 vaccines, bringing a collective sense of relief after enduring a tumultuous 15 months. Now, the weather has warmed up, it’s safer to gather, and spending time outside feels irresistible. In fact, for many seniors, getting outside, either to exercise or socialize, is important for nearly all aspects of health. Older adults who have felt isolated and lonely can once again begin to enjoy the activities they love. As senior centers and other programs directed at seniors resume operations, some older adults are finding the path back to their prepandemic activities anxiety-provoking and may be hesitant to do. Others are jumping right back in with great eagerness, planning meet-ups with friends and family and gladly filling up their social calendar. Joe Brand, Long Beach’s parks and recreation commissioner, says his department, among others, has been giving considerable thought in the last few months to the question of how seniors in the city could re-integrate after the pandemic.“We met with the seniors June 16,” he says. “We had well over 100 seniors attend the meeting. We set up the meeting especially for them. They came in droves. It was a beautiful day. We told them we’re going to offer classes for them — exercise classes, technology training classes and game like bingo.” He said no date has yet been set for the classes. Brand says there were “rumblings in the city” by some seniors who thought they were being
ignored as the end of the pandemic approached. “Part of the reason for the meeting was to assure them that they haven’t been forgotten about” Brand says. “We have been worried about them. What the seniors need most to help them after Covid is to provide them reasons to get out of their homes and see other people. For most of them, it’s getting out of the house. It was amazing to hear them say, ‘It’s so great to see you.’” “They want companionship,” he adds. “I’m a recreation guy, but meeting with the seniors is just like what I witness with the kids I coach,. They just want to get back to where they were.” For some, that getting back to where they were will be a gradual process. It’s important to understand that feelings of fear or anxiety are normal. We often consider vulnerability a weakness, but to move forward, according to mental health professionals, the first step is to normalize not being ok. “Due to the pandemic, there have been more fears and challenges, especially for adults ages 60 and over,” says Sherri Meagher, social worker at the Glen Cove Senior Center. “During the pandemic, people were facing isolation and loneliness, fears about contracting Covid or getting it again and fears about the variants. But some people are coming back and it’s an unprecedented time. There are more fears and anxiety that we’re dealing with.” Some healthy ways to deal with the anxiety, according to Meagher, are to reach out for support and help. Support groups, hotlines, mental health counselors, therapists and social workers are resources people can turn to, she said. Other ways to stay healthy include getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising. “Some peoContinued to Older Above photo: Many seniors report feelings of social isolation and anxiety in these post-pandemic times. The best way to feel good about socializing is to do it slowly. Rather than attending a card game with half a dozen people, choose one or two close friends to join you for a walk. Building up your social tolerance is key to having a smooth reintegration.
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FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — July 8, 2021
‘Normal’ may not seem the same It’s still the world we knew, but different
By Karen Bloom
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fter a year of anxiety and burnout, even anger, many people are struggling with returning to their pre-pandemic lives. Experts say that lingering traumatic effects from the pandemic may alter our collective behavior, despite our eagerness to embrace reopening and return to “normal.” While outwardly, there are signs that we’re moving forward with life as we knew it — airline bookings are up (along with the increased fares), restaurants are seeing an influx of eager patrons, entertainment venues, cultural institutions and sports stadiums are welcoming back visitors, etc. — there’s still anxiety associated with moving forward. Especially when it involves returning to the office, for the many who have been working at home since the onset of lockdown. Some experts are now calling this “the fourth wave” of the pandemic, citing that the mental health impacts will be profound and far-reaching. “They’re all very afraid,” says Loretta McManus, clinical director of Friends of Bridge, the Valley Stream-based counseling center.“Afraid to come back for treatment and to return to work. Our clients had to fill out forms to let us know about how they felt about coming back in, and 80 percent of them said they don’t want to be coming in. They’ve become used to the virtual world. You can do it from the comfort of your home; you don’t have to drive here. “One of the things, though, that I do understand,” she adds,“is a lot of our clients take public transportation and they’re very afraid of it. We’re always told how clean it is but it’s really not. Like many counseling agencies, Friends of Bridge is seeing more people reaching out for support.“So many of our clients and who weren’t our clients but are coming in now — we’re getting a lot of referrals right now — have mental health issues. They either lost their job, or being back there and commuting is very stressful.” “The amount of people who have relapsed, especially with alcohol, is high,’ McManus says. Another big stress factor for our clients is that there have been so many shootings in New York City and here on Long Island that have been attributed to the pandemic. It’s a very stressful time, especially for our clients.” The transition period that individuals and companies are facing as people return to a post-pandemic work environment “is anxiety provoking for a lot of people,” says Cindy Wolff, executive director of Tempo Group.“ “We recommend that people move at the pace they’re comfortable with.” For example, she says that as people go out more, even though there may not be a mask mandate in place, individuals can choose to wear one if it makes them comfortable. “For some, it is still a sense of comfort and normalcy,” she explains. Redefining the office post-pandemic All the discussion, within the news media and in the workplace, about leaving home behind getting back out there has dialed up the anxiety for many. For some, a return to the office, leaving zooming behind and business socializing cannot come fast enough. For others, the
thought of sharing an office again and all goes along with that, fills them with dread. Plus, now that we’ve become so comfortable with our home “office” routines, many simply don’t want to give that up. As companies begin to reopen offices, Wolff says,“It is important that they have open dialogues with their employees around safety and protocols.” Of course, every work setting will be different, but Wolff explains it is important to note that in general, people have gotten used to protocols, such as hand sanitizer and socially distanced spaces.“Being around people will also help with the return to work,” she says. Re-engaging with the physical workspace and colleagues “People think that change is so hard, but people are adaptable,” says Janet Kahn-Scolaro, PhD, administrative director of behavioral health at Mount Sinai South Nassau. “They adapted to working at home and so now the process of adapting back to going to the office is going to happen similarly. People are going to find that it is a familiar, sometimes comforting pattern to get back into. But, I think there’s going to be some anxiety, angst, and a bunch of new rules.” “There have been a lot of studies of folks after some kind of trauma — and I believe this is a worldwide trauma — and people who recover often find that they re-think what is important to them, she explains.“They have a way to prioritize their health and loved ones differently. Some things that seemed terribly important prior to this [Covid] may not seem so important anymore. And other things like your health and how fragile we are as human beings become apparent. So there is a re-ordering for a lot of people.” Back to work, back on the road or rails Then there is the commuting slog, which prior to the pandemic was already fatiguing and stressful for many — now even more so. “I do not think people will walk onto a crowded subway or LIRR train again without taking pause and thinking ‘Does this feel too much, too close, too fast?’, says Kahn-Scolaro. “And I think companies are aware of this and are working to create environments and schedules so people can ease back in.” “Being on a subway train where the door closes and you are literally on top of someone else is probably an experience that none of us are ready for. And I get that, however I also think that we have to have conversations about what the real risk is for us.” Wolff adds that this is something her staff has already begun to deal with, providing guidance to their clients. “Whatever mindful technique you used in the past,” she says.“Re-integrate that into your life.” Clearly, the process of readjustment is a daunting one. The world, for many of us, feels different now. Being fully comfortable is a process that will take time and will involve a re-examining of societal and institutional roles, including a re-evaluation of how the workplace functions. Reported by Jordan Vallone, Robert Traverso and Tom Carrozza Above photo: If you’re unsure how you will manage your re-entry to the post-Covid office, or everyday life in general, you are not alone.
Growing up during a pandemic Will our kids struggle to socialize after Covid-19? By Karen Bloom Our children have gone through an entire school year-plus since our lockdown last March. This has sure changed the way kids and teenagers have grown up. They have spent more time at home with only close family, minimal time hanging out with friends and haven’t been in crowded areas in a long time. Many parents started to wonder how this will impact their kids’ socialization skills as we emerge from the pandemic. Young children have been home with parents or other close family members during the Covid-19 pandemic, which means many have been taking a break from daycare or school. As for teens, Covid-19 made the teenage years, which can be difficult to begin with, only harder. Many teens have missed out on some of the biggest or most monumental moments of their young lives: prom, sporting events, senior-year activities, college transitions and so much more. Throughout the pandemic, parents have worried about what all this lack of socialization could be doing to kids’ development. As vaccine rollouts continue, it’s time to think about reacclimating kids to the wide world of inperson togetherness. Shari Lurie, senior director of mental health services at South Shore Guidance Center and EPIC Long Island, doesn’t anticipate much of an anxiety spike in kids with the return to postpandemic normalcy. “Kids obviously missed each other for a variety of reasons during this pandemic. I don’t see, depending on the age, much of an issue” Lurie says. “For preteens and teens, there’s not going to be much of a problem because they’ve really missed their friends. Their friends are an outlet for them emotionally. Friends are the main support for that age group,” Lurie says. “So I don’t foresee much anxiety around that. Other than maybe
a little bit of, “will they still be my friend,” but for the most part it’s going to be a very smooth transition. Kids are going to be very happy about it because this has been very hard on them.” Different age groups might have different times acclimating. “If you’re talking about really little ones who haven’t gotten the hang of socializing yet, they may have regressed a little bit and need some support from their parents or whoever adult is watching them help them get back into socializing,” Lurie says. Different circumstances result in different anxiety levels. “I think it may be hard for the kids who have been bullied,” Lurie says. “This break has been a reprieve for them.They’ve been home and not in that situation. I think those are the kids it’s going to be a struggle for.” Technology has certainly helped kids maintain connections.“With social media and technology and being able to FaceTime, it’s easier. If it was years ago before technology became more advanced I would say kids wouldn’t understand why they couldn’t see each other,” Lurie says. “For lowerincome or socioeconomic communities that may not have as much technology, they may struggle a little more.” “They crave being with each other and from the groups I’ve seen, they’re so happy to see each other in person,” Lurie adds. Pediatric psychologist Kate Eshleman, PsyD, shares tips for parents to bear in mind during the transition from online socializing to back to the playground. Temper your expectations First and foremost, don’t expect everything to go perfectly. “It’s imporContinued to Will Above photo: The kids are all right — or they will be anyway.
July 8, 2021 — FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD
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Mental health professionals overcome challenges throughout the pandemic and reopening By Nakeem Grant Therapists and counseling agencies found their services increasingly in demand as the pandemic took hold over our daily lives and they felt the weight of it just like their clients. Among the many providers, Rockville Centre’s Confide Counseling Center, which specializes in helping people overcome various forms of alcohol and substance abuse, faced a new challenge over the past year in aiding its clients. Confide managed to carry out its sessions via Zoom, but Wanda Florentino, executive director, said that most people were anxious to return in-person. Since liquor stores were deemed as essential businesses, Florentino said, a lot of people developed drinking habits. “It became a coping mechanism to deal with issues,” Florentino said.“For those that have been dealing with substance abuse for quite some time, they were kind of anxious to get back out there. The concern we had is that since they’ve been isolated for so long, the question is, do they have the tools and techniques to be responsi-
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ble?” In October of 2020, Confide made the decision to have its staff come in two days out of the week on opposite days. While it was easier to call the patients from home, Florentino said, dealing with paperwork was much more difficult. “This also allowed us to have patients come in-person and have their individual sessions,” Florentino said. “It was definitely creating some type of anxiety for everybody, because the job wasn’t being done completely from home.” Some of Confide’s clients, however, are reluctant to return in-person. Florentino said that many of its elderly clientele, who have compromised immune systems, feel more comfortable using telehealth. “I do see the benefits of telehealth, but I’m really hoping that this is not going to turn into something that’s going to hinder my patients Continued to Mental health Above photo: Confide, at 30 Hempstead Ave. in Rockville Centre, is now open for in-person sessions. Walk-in hours are available.
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Older adults navigate their return to normalcy ple find comfort in meditation and going within to find a peaceful place inside,” Meagher says. “Some people find comfort in religion, spirituality or a higher power. Friends and family can be a comfort also. Those wanting support, referrals or resources can call the senior center, she said, noting that her senior center, as well as other local centers, offers variety of programs people can utilize as well, from meditation and chair yoga to com munal lunches. “It’s a good opportunity to interact with people who are experiencing similar fears and anxiety,” Meagher says. “And there are many activities during the day. The socialization is here.” While a lot of members have returned to inperson activities there, not everyone is ready. “Some people are still being cautious, especially those with underlying health conditions, but we’re in touch with people and are doing the best we can,” she says. “People can call us at any time to discuss their fears. We’re here for them.” Social workers such as Meagher and others involved with the senior population are finding a lack of confidence among some in returning to (the new) normal. Today’s older adults are worried about what’s happened and what’s to come — about having a breakthrough case of Covid19 or being shamed for choosing to wear or not to wear a mask in a public space. All of this worrying is impacting senior confidence. If you’re hesitant to step back out into the world, you’re not alone. For those having trouble adjusting to your post-pandemic life, remember that it’s perfectly fine to adjust slowly, as and when you feel com-
fortable resuming your previous activities and lifestyle. Feelings of unease and concern are perfectly normal in this transitional period. Whether you’re worried about physically moving through a public space or socializing in person for the first time since 2020, a healthy dose of confidence can help you get reacquainted with the things you once loved. Older folks need to understand that it’s okay to be nervous when re-entering the world again, according to Dr. Dmitry Bogomolskiy, a fellowship-trained geriatric medicine physician at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Hospital.“It’s important to be self-aware of these feelings and how they play in your life,” Bogomolskiy says.“There is still so much unknown and it’s still important to take precautions.” Bogomolskiy advises the elderly to take precautions and not to rush the reintegration process. He says to start off by seeing your close family/friends and doing small things like taking socially distanced walks. Gradually take steps to overcome those other fears. “Everybody has different comfort levels on how fast to reintroduce themselves,” Bogomolskiy says. “It’s very individual-based and it’s okay to have anxiety. It’s important to keep yourself mentally and physically healthy.” Confidence is key to a smooth transition Some of seniors have been excited to get back into the world, while others are finding the re-entry process to be harder than expected. For most people, confidence is the key to a successful transition. But many seniors lose their confidence as they get older. Life-altering events, like retirement, health issues, and the loss of loved ones, can contribute to a loss in personal confi-
dence. For some, the pandemic just happened to be a perfect storm of these experiences. Over the past 15 months, seniors have had to learn new technologies in order to socialize. They’ve changed our day-to-day actions to be as health conscious as possible, even though health anxiety remains at an all-time high. Isolation, a key experience for many seniors in the pandemic, fuels low self-esteem, which can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression. The past year has shown us the senior population’s resilience, but it’s also taken a toll on mental and physical health. These feelings of anxiety can appear in a variety of settings. Many feel still feel anxious running errands and dining at restaurants. Below, we’ve detailed a few of the most common experiences we’ve heard about. While, some seniors continued to go to grocery stores throughout the pandemic, trips became shorter and more planned. Now that it’s safer to spend time in enclosed areas, many are struggling to perform the small talk that used to be part of routine interactions. On-site indoor dining was one of the biggest safety concerns for most Americans, according to the CDC. Now that people are back to dining inside, interacting with wait staff, as well as feeling comfortable eating in public, might feel strange and uncomfortable. No matter how well you may have fared throughout the pandemic, it is perfectly reasonable that the resumption of “normal” activities may bring a sense of dread or concern as we continue to move forward. Start small: If you haven’t left the house much over the last year, don’t just suddenly rip off the Band-Aid and walk into the most crowded
place you can find. Start small and plan a visit with a few friends or family. Then work your way up from there. It’s all about slowly confronting your sources of fear with a little more exposure each time. Doctors call it “exposure therapy.” Start soon: When something is making you anxious, you should confront the issue as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse your anxieties become. Not only does social isolation have short-term health implications, it can impact mental health long-term. This doesn’t mean you should throw a party, however, a little light outdoor socialization is a great way to start. Look at the big picture: Those who suffer the most from Covid-19 re-entry anxiety, should always try to look at the big picture. A good thing to do would be to ask yourself,“what truly makes me happy?” Most of the time the answer is “family,” “the outdoors,” and “returning back to life.” Let the big picture be a major motivator to overcoming fears that in comparison might start to seem small. Buddy up: If someone you know is in a similar phase of life like you are, get together and buddy up. You can support each other throughout the re-entry process. It’s always better to go through something together instead of facing an uphill battle alone. Help is available if you need it: For some people this will be a breeze. For others it takes a little bit more strength and determination. If you come to a roadblock, don’t be afraid to reach out to a mental health professional.
FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — July 8, 2021
Continued from Steps
Reported by Jill Nossa, Jim Bernstein and Darwin Yanes
LOVE WHAT YOU HEAR.
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Financial Marie Advisor L Taylor, AAMS®, CRPC®
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July 8, 2021 — FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD
HEALTH HEALTHMEMOS MEMO
“
Y
Living with a brain tumor, new treatment methods offer hope
ou have a brain tumor.” That’s a diagnosis that no one wants to receive. However, having a brain tumor now, asserts Ramin Rak, M.D., FAANS, a neurosurgeon at NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery, and Director, Brain & Spine Tumor Center, Mount Sinai South Nassau, is not the same as being Ramin Rak, M.D., FAANS, diagnosed with one 20, 10, Attending Neurosurgeon, or even five years ago. NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery “Recent advances in diagnosing and treating tumors of the brain,” he notes, “mean those words do not have the same meaning that they used to.” Dr. Rak points out that “we are finding tumors sooner, and in many cases, we’re able to address them before they cause a problem.” Improved MRI and targeting systems have allowed for more accurate minimally invasive biopsies. Once a tumor is identified, technology such as 3D computer stereotaxis, intraoperative functional MRI, and hand-held carbon dioxide lasers have improved the precision of surgical removal while minimizing damage to the surrounding normal brain. Another advanced treatment for brain tumor is the use of awake
craniotomy with functional mapping to preserve function while producing excellent clinical outcomes. With the patient awake during the procedure, Dr. Rak uses functional (fMRI) and electrophysiology to map the brain while a neuropsychologist leads the patient through a series of cognitive and language tests. That allows him to identify the sources of various functions in the eloquent brain to avoid them as much as possible during tumor resection. Dr. Rak has been performing awake craniotomy with functional mapping for a decade and is a regional leader in this procedure. “Awake craniotomy with functional mapping is individually designed care based on the patient’s needs, lifestyle, and profession,” Dr. Rak says. “I operate based on functionality by mapping the areas of the brain responsible for speech, language, and motor and sensory functions. The entire procedure is custom designed for each patient.” The advent of non-invasive options such a stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma Knife) have revolutionized the treatment of tumors once thought to be to be “inoperable.” Patients with multiple tumors, in particular, can benefit from the accuracy and precision of radiosurgery. This same technology is also used to prevent tumors that have been removed from growing back. Dr. Rak performs most of his radiosurgery procedures using the Gamma Knife at the Long Island Gamma Knife Center at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside which was the first on
Long Island to acquire the Gamma Knife system and has hosted thousands of procedures over nearly two decades. Dr. Rak’s colleague and partner, Michael H. Brisman, M.D., is the co-medical director of the center. Now more than ever, participation in clinical trials offers patients advanced treatment options while improving our knowledge of which methods offer the best results. Until recently, for example, medical treatment of brain tumors has been somewhat limited due to something called the “blood brain barrier” which prevents most drugs from affecting tumors within the brain. Remarkable advances in drug delivery options, as well as the drugs themselves, have allowed us to break down that barrier and begin treating these tumors directly. What was once described as suffering from a brain tumor has now become living with a brain tumor. Or, in some cases, without one. For more information, or to schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Rak, please call (516) 442-2250 or (631) 864-3900. Or visit, nspc.com.
100 Merrick Road, Suite 128W, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 • 844-NSPC-DOC Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.
HEALTH MEMO
HEALTH MEMO
I
Hearing loss linked to dementia
S
eniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing, a study by Johns Hopkins and National Institute on Aging researchers suggests. Compared with study participants with normal hearing, those with mild, moderate, and severe hearing loss had twofold, threefold, and fivefold, respectively, the risk of developing dementia over time. The more hearing loss they had, the higher their likelihood of developing the memory-robbing disease. “A lot of people ignore hearing loss
because it’s such a slow and insidious process as we age,” Dr. Frank Lin (of Johns Hopkins Medical Center) says. “Even if people feel as if they are not affected, we’re showing that it may well be a more serious problem.”
(516) 788-7830 ilovehearing.com
Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.
Declare your financial freedom
ndependence Day is almost here. It’s important to recognize all the liberties we enjoy in this country, but you may still need to work at one particular type of freedom – and that’s financial freedom. How can you achieve it? First, contribute as much as you can afford to your retirement accounts, such as your 401(k) or another employer-sponsored plan. And when your salary goes up, increase the amount you put into your 401(k) each year. Beyond your 401(k), you may also be able to contribute to an IRA, which also offers tax benefits, plus a wide array of investment choices. Another way to help preserve your financial independence is to protect your income, which could be jeopardized if you become ill or injured. Your employer may offer disability insurance, but if it’s not enough, you may want to consider private coverage. Here’s one more suggestion: Guard yourself against the high costs of long-term care, such as an extended nursing home stay. A financial professional can suggest an appropriate strategy. By addressing these areas, you can go a long way toward attaining your financial independence. Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C. Member SIPC.
Marie L. Taylor, CRPC, AAMS Edward Jones Financial Advisor 365 Hempstead Ave., West Hempstead 516-538-4338 • 866-400-4338 www.edwardjones.com marie.taylor@edwardjones.com
Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.
FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — July 8, 2021
Long Island Reach is a community based, multi-service agency prov 19 broad range of rehabilitative and treatment services for youth and Restore Your Hearing their families, serving residents of Nassau County. at I Love Hearing At I Love Hearing we use a special process to ensure that our clients receive the ideal hearing loss solutions for their needs. ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
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516-889-2332 516-889-2332 www.longislandreach.org overcome challenges throughout REACH offers programs for emotional and mental illness,in LONGBEACH BEACH | | FRANKLIN FRANKLINSQUARE SQUARE | | PORT PORTWASHINGTON WASHINGTON LONG
www.longislandreach.org LONG BEACH is | FRANKLIN SQUARE | PORT WASHINGTON Help just aand phone call away. psychiatri Your Hometown Hearingwww.longislandreach.org Center teletherapy,the pandemic reopening individual, group and family therapy,
516-889-2332 Continued from Helping evaluations and vocational counseling. Crisis hotline servic Long Island Reach Long Island Reach instead of helping them,” Florentino said. a tions. “We don’t know away. [what] kind of Help is just phone call Long Island Reach www.longislandreach.org 516-889-2332 operatingIn Monday through Thursday evenings. addition, both clients and Confide threat that poses on this community right celebrating 50 years 50 of helping helping families in need. celebrating 50 years of families need. members faced the challenge of manag- in now,” Florentino said. WASHINGTON LONG BEACH | FRANKLIN SQUARE | PORT Long Long Island Island Reach Reach celebrating years of helping in need. 516-889-2332 www.longislandreach.org ing sessions while dealing with familyfamilies One of the positives from this panmembers who were also stuck at home. demic, Florentino said, is that many of LONG BEACH | FRANKLIN SQUARE | PORT WASHINGTON www.longislandreach.org celebrating celebrating 50 50 years years of of helping helping families families in in need. need. “You have kids that are learning from Confide’s elderly clientele became tech Dank, Reach Jessica is Gibson, Dr. Amy Sapodin, Dr. Alison Hoffmann, Long Seth Island a community based, multi-service agency providing a Help is just a phone call away.
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Long Island Reach mode when yourIsland kids not logging onservices Florentinofor said youth it gave older generabroad range of rehabilitative and and Long Reach celebrating 50 years ofaretreatment helping families in the need. Long Long Island Island Reach Reachisisaacommunity community based, based, multi-service multi-service agency agency providing providing aaCounty. Zoom or stuff likeNassau that,” she said. tion a sense of independence. their families, serving residents of Nassau County. their families, serving residents of their families, serving residents ofbeing Nassau “Iyears think everybody of liked “ItCounty. was challenging helping them get Long Island Reach celebrating 50 ofofkind helping families in need. broad broadrange rangeof ofrehabilitative rehabilitativeand andtreatment treatment services servicesfor for youth youth and and Borrelli’s outside as a change a pace to have through that, but it was rewarding,” Long Island Reach is ayears community based, multi-service agency providing a conversations withof co-workers in-person Florentino said. “The now is to concelebrating 50 helping families ingoal need. their theirfamilies, families,serving servingresidents residents of of Nassau Nassau County. County. as opposed to just talking over the phone tinue to assist my staff with support, (516) 788-8028 | ilovehearing.com of rehabilitative andbased, treatment services for that youth and Long broad Islandrange Reach isor via a community multi-service agency providing email.” understanding the caseloads area a Outpatient Chemical Dependence Outpatient Chemical Dependence Outpatient Chemical Dependence Florentino said she doesn’t believe little different now. We are very eager to EAST MEADOW theiroffamilies, serving residents of Nassau County. broad range rehabilitative and treatment services for youth and Long Island Reach is a community based, multi-service agency a I Love Hearing that things will return to normal due to see our patients andproviding see new people from anxiety, depression, 30 Merrick Avenue REACH North, Suiteoffers 109, therapy for those suffering and Mental Health Services and Mental Health Services some of the division on Covid-19 vaccinacoming in to get their lives back in order.” and Mental Health Services their families, serving residents of Nassau County. broad range of Dependence rehabilitative and treatment services for youth and Outpatient Chemical Chemical Dependence East Meadow, New York 11554Outpatient loneliness and isolation, relapse prevention education along with REACH offers formental emotional and mental illness,including REACH offers programs for emotional and illness,including REACH offers programs for emotional and illness,including their families, serving programs residents ofmental Nassau County. teletherapy, individual, group and family therapy, psychiatric Outpatient Chemical Dependence teletherapy, individual, groupand andfamily familytherapy, therapy,psychiatric psychiatric and and Mental Health Health Services Services individual, group ongoing therapy andMental supportteletherapy, services.
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Maintaining Recovery During Covid-19
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Harriet Eisman Community School
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operating Monday through Thursday evenings. Scott K. Nigro HARRIET EISMAN SCHOOL • (516) 889-5575 LONGCOMMUNITY BEACH • (516) 889-2332 DirectorCOMMUNITY Scott K.Nigro Nigro HARRIET EISMAN SCHOOL (516) 889-5575 Joseph Smith, Ph. D. Joseph Smith, Ph. D. Scott K. FRANKLIN FRANKLIN SQUARE SQUARE •Executive •illness,including (516) (516) 767-1133 767-1133 HARRIET EISMAN SCHOOL • •(516) 889-5575 teletherapy, individual, group and family therapy, psychiatric REACH offersand programs for emotional andCOMMUNITY mental illness,including PORT WASHINGTON • (516) 505-1717 REACH offers programs for emotional mental Chairperson Joseph Smith, Ph. D. FRANKLIN SQUARE • (516) 767-1133 evaluations and vocational counseling. Crisis hotline services teletherapy, individual, and family therapy, psychiatric PORT PORT WASHINGTON WASHINGTON • •(516) (516) 505-1717 teletherapy, individual, group and family therapy,group psychiatric Scott K.505-1717 Nigro HARRIET EISMAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL • (516) 889-5575 Chairperson Chairperson PORT operating Monday through Thursday evenings. Chairperson REACH offers programs for emotional mental illness,including evaluations and vocational counseling. evaluations and and vocational counseling. Crisis hotline services Crisis hotline servicesWASHINGTON • (516) 505-1717
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July 8, 2021 — FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD
20
HEALTH MEMO
HEALTH MEMOS
With hearing loss and mental health linked, routine screenings are key
I
t’s easy to think of hearing loss as just a communication problem. But did you know it could have a profound impact on other aspects of your health? A growing body of research associates hearing loss with other serious conditions such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. All the more reason to stay on top of regular hearing screenings!
√ Does everyone around you seem to mumble when speaking? A “yes” to one or more of these questions could mean a hearing loss.
Take Charge The good news is that most hearing loss can be successfully managed with solutions such as hearing aids, which have evolved into small but powerful — and empowering — devices. Plus, research shows that Dr. Esther Fogel Know The Facts improved hearing may go hand in Owner/Audiologist Studies have found, for example, hand with lower odds of dementia, Comprehensive Audiology that: depression, and anxiety. √ Anxiety disorders are more prevalent with Most important, however, is to get regular increased severity of hearing loss. hearing checkups. Identifying hearing problems √ Untreated hearing loss is linked to cognitive early can go a long way toward protecting your decline, and the rate of decline increases with quality of life. aging. Appointments can be made by calling √ Odds of depression may be up to 4.5 times higher, (516) 387-4000 or emailing info@ depending on the level of hearing loss. comprehensiveaudiology.com. Follow us √ Risk of subjective cognitive decline may be up to on Facebook, Linkedin, Google, or Instagram 54% more, depending on the level of hearing loss. @comprehensive_audiology, or visit us at www.comprehensiveaudiology.com. Understand The Signs Recognizing some of the potential signs of hearing loss can be a first step toward better health. √ Are you frequently saying, “Huh?” or “What?” √ Is it tough to understand speech in noisy environments? √ Are you having difficulty following phone conversations? √ Do family members complain that your TV 261 Broadway, Lynbrook • (516) 387-4000 volume’s too high? www.comprehensiveaudiology.com Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.
HEALTH MEMO
F
Taking steps for a better life
or most people, the daily grind and living day-to-day can be a habit that lacks luster and excitement. Getting caught up in life’s responsibilities can keep us busy. Personal, family and professional obligations are a full time job. However, being busy does not mean we are living fulfilled lives. There is a difference between being busy with matters that lead us to satisfaction, achieving goals and wellness from being busy with fruitless acts that lead us nowhere. Dawn Attanasio — life coach, mother and North Bellmore resident — knows this, firsthand. She has been a doer and a busy person for a lifetime, yet there have been times where she neglected areas of her life; this led to disappointment and unhappiness. Finding balance and finding her true self led her to living her best life. We are the authors of our own stories. What will be your next chapter? Many people do not know what’s next because they do not take time to stop and think about goals, dreams, passions and purpose. Instead, they say “yes” to many activities and invitations, while saying “no” to time for selfcare and self-improvement. Taking time to be still, to reflect and to examine where you are in life and where you want to go is key. A life coach facilitates this process. A life coach is someone who listens to you and provides you with strategies for daily life and an action plan to achieve your goals. Dawn Attanasio (516) 633-0874 • www.purposefullifecoach.com Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.
HEALTH MEMO
Nassau Library System announces outdoor WiFi access at 25 locations
D
ay or night, WiFi Whenever is on! The Nassau Library System, a cooperative of the 54 independent public libraries serving Nassau County, has completed WiFi Whenever, a project that extends high-quality wireless broadband to outdoor spaces at 25 libraries and community partner organizations. This free service is available 24/7 at all participating locations. “The pandemic has proven that reliable access to the internet is now essential for full participation in the social, educational, and working aspects of life. With WiFi Whenever, Nassau’s public libraries are providing free internet access, even before and after operating hours, to anyone that needs it,” said Caroline Ashby, Director of the Nassau Library System. This new service will allow residents of Nassau County, including those who may not have strong connectivity options at home, to participate in virtual education, employment applications, job interviews, telehealth, and videoconferencing around the clock. “During the height of the pandemic, people sat in cars in the staff parking lot to be as close to the library as possible to get internet access,”
said Mamie Eng, Director of the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library in Valley Stream. “With the expanded reach of WiFi Whenever, they can be in the parking lot, on nearby benches, and in the park grounds around the library and still get internet access 24/7! For more information, and to find your local library, visit nassaulibrary.org.
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Will our kids struggle to socialize after Covid-19? Continued from Growing up
tant to have realistic expectations and recognize upfront that this is going to be hard — and that’s OK,” Dr. Eshleman says. As kids start socializing beyond their families, some unsureness is to be expected. After all, it’s been a while since kids, like the rest of us, had to interact with other people, and some of their people skills may be rusty. “Kids haven’t had to share with others, and they haven’t had to talk to unfamiliar adults,” Dr. Eshleman says, “so you may see some shyness or kids responding to other people in ways that aren’t typical of how they act around their families.” While not all children will experience difficulty transitioning back to in-person gatherings, some may. And those experiences may vary greatly from child to child. Watch for signs of stress and distress Keep an eye out for any changes in your kids’ behavior and mood, including mood swings and sleeplessness — but perhaps just as importantly, try not to jump to conclusions about what they mean. “As parents watch for changes in behaviors, we also have to careful how we interpret them,” Dr. Eshleman says. “It’s a good rule of thumb for anybody: Never assume we know what’s going on,” Dr. Eshleman says. Other ways to support your kids as they begin socializing again To try to get to the bottom of how your
kids are feeling, open the lines of communication — and start now, before they head back to the classroom. Always check in It’s important to make an effort to be available to your kids. Make sure you give them opportunities to be open and honest with you about how their feelings. This will help you learn more about their day-to-day lives and if you need to be concerned about anything and seek help. Acknowledge their feelings As a parent, make sure you acknowledge your teen’s feelings and let them know, their feelings of disappointment or anxiety are normal and expected. But, if you notice these feelings are impacting relationships or school performance, it might be time to seek out additional resources and provide them with someone else to talk with about their feelings and situations. Encourage activities It’s summer! School’s out! Encourage your kids to go outside, enjoy some sunshine and stay active. All these things can help them re-enter their lives. Reported by Mallory Wilson
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Nassau Neurosurgeons Michael H. Brisman, M.D. Trigeminal Neuralgia Brain Tumors
FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — July 8, 2021
MEET LONG ISLAND’S TEAM FOR BRAIN & SPINE CARE Suffolk Neurosurgeons William J. Sonstein, M.D. Spine Surgery
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Xavier P.J. Gaudin, D.O.
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Brian J. Snyder, M.D. Parkinson’s Surgery Epilepsy Surgery Pain Surgery
John A. Grant, M.D. Pediatric Neurosurgery Neurovascular Neurosurgery Brain Tumors
Paolo A. Bolognese, M.D. Chiari I Malformation Syringomyelia
Robert N. Holtzman, M.D. General Neurosurgery Spine Surgery
Neuropsychology
Yusef I. Mosley, M.D. Spine Surgery
Gad Klein, Ph.D.
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Anti-Semitic hate mail sent to Jewish, refugee state senator the message used a “profoundly misogynistic slur” to address the senator and referenced a well-known anti-Semitic and white supremacist phrase.
By RoBeRt tRaveRso rtraverso@liherald.com
State Sen. Anna Kaplan, who fled antiSemitic violence in her home country of Iran in 1978, received a “vile piece of hate mail using well-known white supremacist, anti-Semitic hate speech” on June 22, according to a statement released by the legislator’s office. The mail, which originally contained about Covid-19 vaccinations and was sent by Kaplan’s office to constituents, was sent back to senator’s office bearing a phrase commonly used by white supremacist and anti-Semitic groups “109 soon 110.” The Herald file photo
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July 8, 2021 — FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD
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phrase alludes to the anti-Semitic claim that Jewish people have been expelled from 109 countries and that the United States or another nation may soon expel Jewish people. “This incident is a sad reminder that Nassau County is not immune to hatred and white supremacy, and it’s our responsibility as a community to forcefully reject this evil whenever it reveals itself among us,” Kaplan, the first refugee to serve in the state’s senate, said. Kaplan, who represents New York State’s 7th District, which encompasses parts of Franklin Square and Elmont as well as Floral Park, said she never imagined that antiSemitism could take hold in the United States, which she called a “beacon of freedom across the world.” But Kaplan said she was not taken aback by the message. “The insurrection in Washington this past January however revealed to us all that we’re not immune from the sickness of violent extremism… I’m sad to say that I’m not surprised to have hate land on my doorstep in this way,” Kaplan said. The message was sent to Kaplan amid a rise in anti-Semitic threats and violence statewide. According to the Anti-Defamation League, an organization that works to counter anti-Semitism, anti-Semitic incidents rose 26 percent during 2020, a trend that has continued into this year. “We’ve seen an alarming rise in antiSemitic hate crimes here in New York, and that should concern every single New Yorker,” Kaplan said. State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, of Long Beach, has also spoken out against the rise in anti-Semitism. “We’ve seen a rash, especially in our state, of anti-Semitic and racist incidents over the last few years,” Kaminsky, who has pushed for legislation to teach middle and high school students about the history of anti-Semitism and the phrases and symbols that evoke it. The anti-Semitic message sent to Kaplan came after the senator released a June 15 statement critiquing a resolution on the Israel-Palestine dispute published by the union that represents CUNY professors. Kaplan said the resolution was “put out into the public square with little understanding for the harm they’re causing, and we need more people speaking out to denounce it.” “When people of good conscience fail to speak out against small acts of anti-Semitism, those acts begin to grow, become worse, and more frequent,” Kaplan said. “We must all speak out when we encounter anti-Semitism, and we must forcefully reject it at every opportunity,” she added. The incident was reported to the Nassau County Police Department and is being investigated, according to the June 22 statement released by the senator’s office. Kaplan also urged constituents to contact Bias Crimes Coordinator Chief James Bartscherer of the Nassau County Police Department to report anti-Semitic crimes. “I hope this incident can be a teaching moment for all of us to remember that we can never stay silent in the face of hate,” Kaplan said. “If people of good faith don’t stand up and condemn this behavior in the strongest of terms, I fear we will see the worst of our history repeated.”
23
FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — July 8, 2021 Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District
a BanneR on the breakfast display set up by the students urged the front-line workers to stay safe amid the pandemic.
Student Council raises funds to host breakfast for front-line workers By RoBeRt tRaveRso rtraverso@liherald.com
Members of the student council at Floral-Park Bellerose raised $1,000 through a
schoolwide fundraising event in order to host a breakfast on June 11 for frontline workers in the community. The fundraiser, called Hearts 2 Help, invited students to decorate the school’s
Public Notices
sidewalk with chalk hearts. Members of the student council decided to redirect the funds back into the community by hosting a breakfast for essential workers. The breakfast was held on the front lawn of the school, where members of the student council set up a display where
bagels, donuts, sandwiches, juices and more were offered to the frontline workers. Front-line workers were also given paper to-go bags inscribed with messages of thanks by the students.
LFRA1 0708
LEGAL NOTICE CITATION SURROGATE’S COURT, NASSAU COUNTY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, By the Grace of God Free and Independent TO:Natalie Reich, Brenda Goldstein Shaw, Howard Langer, Jasper Surety, Adrienne Levin, Grassi & Co., New York State Attorney General, and any and all unknown persons whose names or parts of whose names and whose place or places of residence are unknown and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained, distributees, heirs-at-law and next-ofkin of the said Norma Ducker, deceased, and if any of the said distributees named specifically or as a class be dead, their legal representatives, their husbands or wives, if any,
distributees and successors in interest whose names and/or places of residence and post office addresses are unknown and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained, A petition having been duly filed by Nassau County Public Administrator, who is domiciled at 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, New York 11501. YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, Nassau County, at 262 Old Country Road, Mineola, New York, on September 8, 2021, at 9:30 o’clock in the fore noon of that day, why the account of Nassau County Public Administrator, a summary of which has been served herewith, as Administrator of the estate of Norma Y. Ducker, should not be judicially settled. [X] Further relief sought (if any): 1.Releasing and discharging the Petitioner from all liability, responsibility and accountability as to all matters set forth in the account of proceedings; 2.Allowing the commissions of the Petitioner in the amount of $ 7,046.94 pursuant to SCPA 2307(1) and the reasonable and necessary expenses of the office in the amount of $ 1,511.73 pursuant to SCPA 1207(4); 3.Fixing and determining the attorney’s fees and disbursements of Mahon, Mahon, Kerins & O’Brien, LLC attorney for petitioner in the amount
of $ 19,518.00, of which $ 4,518.00 has been paid and $ 15,000.00 is unpaid; 4.Fixing and determining the accounting fees of Grassi & Co, CPA’s, PC in the amount of $ 4,975.00, of which $ 1,975.00 has been paid and $ 3,000.00 is unpaid; 5.Releasing and discharging the surety; 6.And why each of you claiming to be a distributee of the decedent should not establish proof of your kinship; and why the balance of said funds should not be paid to said alleged distributees upon proof of kinship, or deposited with the New York State Comptroller on account for the unknown next of kin of Norma Y. Ducker, Decedent, should said alleged distributees default herein, or fail to establish proof of kinship; and 7.Granting such other and further relief as to the Court is just and proper. Dated, Attested, and Sealed, HON. Margaret C. Reilly, Surrogate June 15, 2021 Seal Debra Keller Leimbach, Chief Clerk Richard T. Kerins, Esq. Attorney Name Mahon, Mahon, Kerins & O’Brien, LLC Firm (516) 538-1111 Telephone 254 Nassau Boulevard South, Garden City South, New York 11530 Address Email (optional) NOTICE: THIS CITATION
IS SERVED UPON YOU IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COURT’S ORDER DIRECTING ALTERNATIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS. NO IN-PERSON APPEARANCES SHALL BE HELD ON THE RETURN DATE OF THE CITATION. IF YOU WISH TO APPEAR TO ANSWER OR OBJECT TO THIS PROCEEDING, YOU MAY DO SO IN WRITING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ANNEXED NOTICE TO CITED PARTIES. NOTE: 22 NYCRR 207.7(C): PROOF OF SERVICE SHALL BE FILED ON OR BEFORE THE SECOND DAY PRECEEDING THE RETURN DATE. 126452
PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that an order granted by the Supreme Court, Nassau County, on the 10th day of June, 2021, bearing Index Number 21-000337, a copy of which may be examined at the office of the clerk, located at 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY grants me the right to assume the name of Metaire Valentim Pierre-Belizaire. The city and state of my present address are Elmont, NY: the month and year of my birth are July, 1997; the place of my birth is Bronx, New York ; my present name is Mateire Valentin Pierre-Belizaire. 126652
afteR they Raised over $1,000 through a schoolwide fundraising event, the student council at Floral Park-Bellerose School chose to host a breakfast for local front-line workers.
Join us… PRESSROOM/WAREHOUSE HELP LI Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME Pressroom/warehouse helper in Garden City.
EMAiL RESUMES OR cOntAct infO tO
careers@liherald.com
Forklift a plus/heavy lifting required. Day and night shifts.
1133619
LEGAL NOTICE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the regular meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Franklin Square & Munson Fire District scheduled for Tuesday, October 26, 2021, to be held at Fire District Headquarters, 833 Hempstead Turnpike, Franklin Square, New York, has been cancelled and rescheduled for Thursday, October 28, 2021, at 6:30 pm. BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS FRANKLIN SQUARE & MUNSON FIRE DISTRICT Attest: Kerry Santina Fire District Secretary June 28, 2021 126654
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We hire the smartest people who can solve the hardest marketing objectives with an arsenal of solutions and a smile through the journey.
(We said it was simple. We didn’t say it was easy.) to join our outside sales team, contact Rhonda glickman. send your resume today. rglickman@liherald.com, 516-569-4000 x250.
HIRING EVENT
COMMUNITY MAINSTREAMING THURSDAY JUlY 22nd, 2021 10am-2pm & 4pm-7pm 1025 OlD COUNTRY ROAD, SUITE 325, WESTBURY, NY 11590
POSITIONS AVAILABLE school nurse early childhood center (September start date. Retirees welcome to apply.)
DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAlS MEDICAl COUNSElORS RESIDENCE MANAGER ASSISTANT RESIDENCE MANAGERS DAY HABIlITATION WORkERS
teacher aides & teacher aide suBs (HS Diploma Required) Part-tiMe cleaners & suBs (day and evening positions)
NEED IMMEDIATELY
F/T P/T - PER DIEM FOR
nysed Fingerprint clearance required for all positions.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT HUMAN RESOURCES AT
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COMMUNITY MAINSTREAMING is A Non Profit Human Service Agency Seeking Dedicated Staff To Work With Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled Individuals.
salary, commission, bonuses and benefits. must have own vehicle and valid driver’s license.
HERALD Community Newspapers
Immediate Positions Available
$18.50 NYC, $17 L.I., up to $13.50 Upstate NY!
Positions available to work 1:1 with children/adults with developmental disabilities living at home in your community. Flexible part time, after school hours. Experience and driving preferred.
855-OHEL-JOB or apply online at
http://www.ohelfamily.org/careers. EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted $18.50 NYC, $17 L.I. up to $13.50 Upstate NY! If you need care from your relative, friend/ neighbor and you have Medicaid, they may be eligible to start taking care of you as personal assistant under NYS Medicaid CDPA Program. No Certificates needed. 347-713-3553 DAYCARE ASSISTANT: F/T. Must Have NYS ID. Bilingual Preferred. Will Train. 516-220-4269
D E N TA L R E C E P T I O N I S T / I N S U RANCE BILLER FT: Efficient, Personable Individual. Dental Experience Preferred. Good Phone/ Computer Skills. Knowedge Of Scheduling/ Insurance Billing Necessary. dental1292@gmail.com 917-435-7138
EDITOR/REPORTER
The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to sbrinton@liherald.com
If you need care from your relative, friend/ neighbor and you have Medicaid, they may be eligible to start taking care of you as a personal assistant under NYS Medicaid CDPA Program. No Certificates needed.
Phone: 347-713-3552
HANDYMAN TRAINEE/ ASSISTANT PROPERTY MANAGER - P/T, Repairs Gardening. Car Necessary. Reliable, Trustworthy, & Work Alone. 516-485-6738
MACHINE OPERATOR FT
Will Train. Precision Air Chuck Manufacturer. Northfield Precision Instrument. 4400 Austin Blvd. Island Park, NY 11558. Email resume to: sales@northfield.com Phone 516-431-1112
MEDICAL OFFICE HELP- Front Desk P/T. Computer Skills, Knowledge of Medical Terms. Island Park. Please Call 516-223-3117 516-236-3646. MEDICAL RECEPTIONIST P/T, Leading To F/T. Previous Experience With Patient Check In Collecting Copays, Verifying Insurance, Filing, EMR and Appointment Scheduling Knowledge Required. Good Phone and Computer Skills. Located in Island Park. Call 516-670-8800 or Fax Resume to 516-670-8809. Call Jim, Mgr.
PRIVATE DRIVER NEEDED
MECHANIC NEEDED
Weekly Hours Vary. Occasional Overnight Stay. Use Of Company Car. Background Check And DMV Check. Call For Details. Barbara 516-705-4804
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The North Bellmore U.F.S.D. is seeking
Part-time Teacher Aides: $17.25/hr Part-Time Lunch Monitors: $15.25/hr Substitute Teachers K-6: $100/per day Substitute Nurses: $28.98/hr
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Community Habilitation/Respite
Competitive Wages And Benefits. Email Resumes To info@osicomfort.com Or Call 516-763-1400 For More Information
North Bellmore U.F.S.D.
1137102
OHEL CHiLdrEn’s HOmE and FamiLy sErviCEs
For more information, call
Any Further Questions Contact HR Recruiter Esther Seidman 516-683-0710, Ext 256.
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July 8, 2021 — FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD
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Apply online at www.olasjobs.org Eldercare Needed HOME ATTENDANT for Elderly Lady. Monday-Friday 10am-3pm. East Meadow. Must Be Experienced. 631-827-0926.
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25
• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 • To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 Ronnie Gerber 516-238-4299
e s t. 1 9 1 1
HOME OF THE WEEK
Hewlett
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1137206
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HEWLETT
Y
ou will experience true comfort in this beautiful Center Hall Colonial home in Hewlett SD#14. This full 4-level home includes great living space. As you step inside, you'll find beautiful living areas that can accommodate gatherings of loved ones. High ceilings and wood floors create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Step out back into your fenced backyard to relax during a perfect summer day. Entertain guests by the in-ground pool with plenty of seating in your park-like private backyard.
1714 Huntley Pl, BA, NEW! Beautiful, Spacious 5 BR, 3 Bth Exp Ranch, Open Layout. Parklike 1/4 Acre, Full FBsmt. 2 Car Att Gar. SD#14 ......................................$999,000 1720 Union Ave, BA, NEW EXCLUSIVE! 3 BR, 2 Bth Ranch w/ Updtd Gran/Wood EIK, LR, DR & Den. Full Unfin Bsmt w/Hi Ceiling. 2 Car Att Gar. SD#14 ................$699,000 1602 Hereford Rd, BA, NEW! Move Right Into This Renovated 3 BR, 3 Bth Ranch with Full Fin Bsmt. Open Layout, Att Garage. LOW TAXES! SD#14 ................ $799,000 1610 Hilary Ct, BA, Beautifully Gut Renovated 4600 Sq Ft Colonial in Cul de Sac. 5 BR, 3.5 Bth with Full Fin Bsmt, 2 Car Att Gar. SD#20. Tax Grievance Filed ....................................................................REDUCED! $1,279,999 1390 Broadway #102, BA, 2 BR, 2 Bth Coop in Luxurious Hewlett Townhouse. LR/ DR, Updtd Kit & Office/Den. Elevator, 24 Hr Drman, Valet Pkg, Pool. Priv Storage Area. Great Location Near Shops & Trans ................................... REDUCED! $349,000
HEWLETT HaRBOR
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HEWLETT Bay PaRK
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WOOdMERE
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602 CHRISTIE STREET, S. HEMPSTEAD
OPE N HO U SE
SUNDAY JULY 11, 12:00 - 2:00
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Open Houses
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Helping you find your place in the world
Karen Elefante Licensed Real Estate Salesperson karen.elefante@compass.com 182 Seventh Street, Garden City, NY 11530 M: 516.398.5055 O: 516.408.2231
“Going Above & Beyond to find your Dream Home”
Rhonda Healy
M: (516) 236-7269
1135141
OneKey Multiple Listing Service
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1137177
Karen Elefante is a real estate agent affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by equal housing opportunity laws.
Apartments For Rent
HEWLETT HARBOR BA 267 Channon Rd, REDUCED! 7 BR, 4 Bth Exp Ranch w/ Full Fin Bsmt on Quiet St in SD#20. 2 Car Att Gar. Won't Last!...$1,149,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299
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Q. What is your take on why the building collapsed in Surfside, Fla.? I saw that there was an engineer’s report and wondered, don’t the engineers have a responsibility to fix the building when they see something wrong like this? When you build a building, don’t you have to follow the plans, and doesn’t anybody see the problems and do something to prevent this kind of nightmare?
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A. The real answer is simple, but the reasons for this building-collapse scenario are really complicated, mainly because wellmeaning people start out with the best of intentions but generally don’t follow good advice from people who have been educated, tested, licensed and regulated. Engineers are the backbone of our nation. If not onte eeper for them, the tooling and design that launched ships, planes, tanks and portable bridges would not have been successful, and we probably wouldn’t be reading or writing in this language right now. In a war, soldiers are trained to take orders, get that portable bridge assembled in six hours and drive those tanks to the front lines. There is a clear chain of command. In the real world, people request that building plans be made and building assessments be produced, and then people with little or no background meet on boards and councils and decide if something should be done. You will find that as each bridge and building collapse takes place, there’s the drama of search and rescue, but the public learns little about the technical reasons for failure, and so it goes. Did you ever hear the real, physical reason for the collapse of the World Trade Center towers — especially Tower 7, which collapsed later? Inevitably, buildings collapse for a general reason: structural failure. There are many, many technical reasons for structural failure, from simple water intrusion and deterioration to more complicated reasons such as harmonics due to vibration and wind pulse. Fire caused the WTC towers to collapse due to heat fatigue, although there are many other physical components that caused the chain reaction. The Surfside disaster reminds me of the Kansas City skywalk collapse, where poor decisions, no decisions and not listening to intelligent, qualified advice could have prevented death. What I understand, so far, is that the tools for action were there: poor design decisions or carrying out the work to slope decks around the pool area, exposed steel reinforcing was not repaired — it will be a long list. Again, putting people in positions of authority who have no background of training, testing and professional experience is the beginning of the cumulative problem. As our nation’s infrastructure of bridges, tunnels, roadways and water-treatment facilities continue to age, they show the signs of preventable failure. You have to ask yourself if anyone really is listening to the engineers. We professionals don’t physically build buildings; we plan them, asking ourselves along the way how they could fail so we can try to prevent failure. If poor workmanship or inadequate action follows, we see the consequences.
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Answers
to todAy’s puzzle
29
opINIoNS
I
n 2011, I had the pleasure of meeting then Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. He was visiting New York City to raise money for his re-election campaign. His state was considering the passage of a law legalizing the sale of marijuana, and Hickenlooper expressed to me his concerns over whether it would produce any serious money for the state and the impact of the law on his constituents. It’s now 10 years later, and 18 states have legalized the sale of cannabis to those JERRY over age 21. Hickenlooper is now a KREMER U.S. senator, and Colorado has earned almost $1.5 billion in tax revenue from marijuana sales since 2014. Reports from Colorado law enforcement appear to show that there hasn’t been a spike in driving arrests, and the state is spending millions of dollars on health care and fixing its roads and bridges. It is anticipated that Colorado and the 17 other states that
have legalized pot will be joined by at least six more states this year. Unlike the politics of wearing a mask during the coronavirus pandemic, there’s no such thing as red states vs. blue states when it comes to marijuana sales. Alaska, Arizona, Montana and South Dakota are among the Republican states that have made the leap, and others are getting in line. The main reason for this acceleration of state interest is just plain dollars. Many governors are afraid to impose income taxes or increase user fees, and taxes on cannabis are becoming the easy way to fill up the treasury. I offer no judgment on whether cannabis is good or bad for the public. There are lots of experts who oppose its legalization because they consider it a “gateway” drug that leads people to try more serious drugs. Only time and science will tell whether that’s a fact, but the rush to legalization is real. In April of this year, New York state joined the crowd, with the backing of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. But New York’s law stands out, and is
T
very different from those in the other 17 states. Unlike many states that have deposited the sales tax revenue in their general funds, New York has mandated how that revenues will be spent. Forty percent will be reinvested in communities that have high addiction and crime rates. Twenty percent will go to the state’s public schools, and forty percent will be directed to drug treatment and health services. This is the only tax program New York has that lays out where the dollars actually go. Cannabis legalization in New York is expected to become a major business development tool. Under the new law, there are nine types of licenses that will be available, ranging from growers to processors to retailers. Fifty percent of those licenses will be targeted to minority businesses and individuals, and the other half will be available to the public. Local governments will receive partial tax revenues from the sales, but they have the option to ban such sales before Dec. 31. It is projected that on Long Island alone, cannabis-related businesses will hire 7,000 new
here’s no such thing as red states vs. blue states when it comes to marijuana sales.
employees. The new law will also have a major impact on many businesses. Employee rights and conduct will be a major issue going forward, and those seeking cannabis for medical reasons will present challenges for hospitals, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and a variety of other adult-care operations. There is no doubt that law and accounting firms will benefit. (Full disclosure: My firm, Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, has a Cannabis Practice Group.) There are philosophical questions about whether government should be in the business of allowing marijuana sales to generate tax revenue — a so-called sin tax. But our country has been living off taxes on alcohol and cigarettes for decades, and without lottery money, many states would be in deep economic trouble. Perhaps we can learn to live with — and benefit from — another sin tax. Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? JKremer@liherald.com.
Is it fair to ban Trump from social media platforms?
C
“
ongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” I, for one, am comforted by the silence. I am relieved that the stream of misinformation, disinRANDI formation and KREISS general meanspirited lunacy has been plugged. For years, former President Donald Trump used social media platforms to connect with tens of millions of followers who appreciated his raw commentary. And now he can’t. Now his vitriol is reserved for public appearances. The drumbeat of news reporting his insulting, or inaccurate, or dangerous posts has been silenced by “oversight boards” and social media company officers. This raises the question of how much power over our rights
and freedoms we should relinquish to oversight boards. Despite the First Amendment to the Constitution, quoted above, and the child’s chant dating back to the 1800s, Trump has been banned from most popular social media, including Facebook, where he had 35 million followers; Twitter, 88 million; Instagram, 24 million; Snapchat 1.5 million; YouTube, 2.8 million, and Twitch, 1.5 million. He has no account on TikTok, or chances are that he’d be banned from that, too. I am relieved, and yet uneasy, about this silencing of anyone’s public voice, no matter how antithetical to commonly held values and views. The idea that someone would be banned from posting his or her ideas runs counter to our nation’s ideals. However, and it is a big however, the former president’s irresponsible posts became as dangerous as yelling “Fire!” in a theater, and likely led to the violence of Jan. 6. Still, tens of millions of people believe the Trump posts and read his false and inflammatory statements as gospel. If he talked crazy and was marginalized by an American public that saw through him, the narrative would be different. The
T
dilemma is that so many citizens believe what he has to say, even that the 2020 election was stolen from him, a provably false assertion. The danger of letting him back on social media is the prospect of another Jan. 6 insurrection or worse if he starts priming the pump again with coded support for violence against our government. Private companies, including Facebook and Twitter, have the right to ban people from their sites, because while the First Amendment states that while Congress may not limit free speech, it does not prevent private companies from setting their own standards and rules for participation. But having the right to ban someone from social media, especially a former president, is serious business. How do we know who the deciders of free speech will be on social media boards of the future? We are traversing new ground, with no precedents to follow. “The First Amendment only restrains government; it does not restrain a private company,” says Gene Policinski, senior fellow for the First Amendment at the Freedom Forum. “In fact, those companies have their own First Amendment
he danger of allowing him back on is the prospect of another Jan. 6, or worse.
right to determine, as would a newspaper, for example, what will appear on their sites.” Let’s look back at Trump’s social media history, including his leadership by tweet. It is a four-year-plus river of toxic speech, at times personally insulting to individuals, at times promoting Trump’s private businesses and interests, at times encouraging his followers to act on his behalf. According to David Byler in The Washington Post, the worst Trump tweet, among thousands, was his October 2020 post telling Americans they shouldn’t be afraid of the coronavirus. This wasn’t just false, Byler said, it became a public health catastrophe. At that point, Trump was just recovering from his own Covid infection, and some 200,000 Americans had died. We were in the throes of the worst pandemic in 100 years. In the case of social media and Trump, I’m relieved that the companies took away his microphone. But the better scenario would be to let him spew, shake out the cobwebs in his head and let the spiders fly. Then trust the good judgment of the American public to sort the truth from the lies. If only. Copyright 2021 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — July 8, 2021
The states, including New York, get into the pot business
30
Herald editorials
Franklin square/elmont
July 8, 2021 — FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD
HERALD Established 1998 Incorporating the Franklin Square/Elmont Record Nakeem GraNt Editor Nicole alciNdor Reporter rhoNda GlickmaN Advertising Account Executive
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Lessons learned from the pandemic
or nearly 16 months, Long Islanders remained in a state of suspended animation, unsure of their next moves while staring down a killer virus, anxiously awaiting the latest set of coronavirus pandemic protocols from Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Then, on June 23, it happened: Cuomo lifted the state of emergency declaration. We were suddenly free — for the most part — to resume living our lives as we had before Covid-19 ravaged New York. Other than having to mask up on public transportation and in hospitals, nursing homes and, for now, schools, people could return to their normal lives, maskless. More than 2 million New Yorkers contracted the potentially deadly disease from March 2020 to the present. Some 54,000 state residents — and more than 600,000 Americans — had died of it as of last Friday. Each life lost was precious. Collectively, the devastation was immea-
surable, a once-in-100-years tragedy that we will talk about for decades to come, passing stories from one generation to the next until the memory of this horrifying time fades from our collective consciousness. Such was the case with the flu pandemic of 1918-19, which killed 675,000 Americans. By the middle of the 20th century, the memory of those terrible two years had been erased from many Americans’ minds, enshrined, for the most part, only in news articles and books. Such is the case with any great tragedy. We cannot continue reliving it in our minds indefinitely. We must not, however, allow this society-altering year and a half to be forgotten easily. The victims must be remembered. At the same time, we must guard against another such pandemic for as long as we humanly can. The price that we paid for forgetting the pandemic of 1918-19 was steep indeed.
Had the federal government taken the threat of this virus more seriously from the beginning, tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of lives could have been saved. This lesson we cannot forget. In the near term, we must also not forget that, though we are no longer in a state of emergency, we are still vulnerable to this disease. More than 70 percent of New Yorkers had received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine as of last week, but variants lurked around the globe. We are still not entirely sure how effective the vaccines will be against the variants, though they appear to work well. If you have not been vaccinated, we’ll keep saying it: Please, please get your shot. The day after Cuomo lifted the state of emergency, eight New Yorkers died of the coronavirus. According to medical experts, most who are dying now are unvaccinated.
State must ensure THC products don’t target kids
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he New York State Department of Health should move immediately to ban cookies laced with the THC chemical delta-8, a natural hemp extract that is now legal under the state’s medical marijuana law. Natural and legal, perhaps, but it gives users a high just like marijuana. State lawmakers like Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a Democrat from Long Beach, and Long Beach school officials recently brought to light the sale of THC-containing cookies like Trips Ahoy! that are cleverly packaged to look like the familiar Chips Ahoy! cookies sold at your local supermarket. The THC-infused cookies are sold at specialty shops. Cookies like Trips Ahoy! send a bad
letters More on Brinton’s wild Long Island To the Editor: I loved Scott Brinton’s column on otters and other Long Island wildlife (“Long Island getting wilder by the day, (June 17-23). As a Bronx boy, I am in awe of the persistence of birds, insects and animals in the face of “development” by humans. We winter in south Florida. A few winters ago, we heard unidentifiable barking at night, emanating from the lake behind our property. The next morning, a lake otter paddled by our Florida room, barking loudly. Mystery solved. A bit later, while driving on a busy stretch
message to children, who can easily be fooled into believing the cookies are innocuous. They aren’t. This was one of the great fears associated with legalizing marijuana: that children would be targeted by the purveyors of pot. There was good reason to believe that. The tobacco industry had long targeted kids with cartoon characters like Joe Camel, until the Federal Trade Commission charged in 1997 that the character violated federal law. The beer industry went after kids with funny-looking frogs. We see children being targeted with
THC-infused gummies. A Florida 6-yearold recently overdosed after ingesting a THC-infused gummy labeled Hawaiian Punch. It looked much like any other bag of candy found on a supermarket shelf, except it was covered in red marijuana leaves. Recreational marijuana will become legal in New York next year. We must ensure that kids aren’t targeted with friendly-looking THC products before pot goes on sale statewide. Otherwise, marijuana legalization could very well become a bigger youth crisis than it already is.
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ummer vacation for students this year follows almost a year and a half of coronavirus shutdowns and precautions. The learning loss during school closures was significant, and unless steps are taken, the U.S. risks the education of a generation of young people. Covid-19 isn’t disappearing, but medical specialists are pushing for a full reopening of public schools this fall. Caution will be necessary; there will need to be regular cleaning aLan and inspections to ensure that ventisinger lation systems are working properly. When possible, children and staff should be vaccinated. Indoors, children in all grades should still wear masks. Research shows that when precautions are followed, reopening of classrooms won’t be the cause of serious viral outbreaks. The American Rescue Plan Act includes $122 billion for an Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. New York state is scheduled to receive about $9 billion from the fund if its recently submitted proposal is approved by the federal Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. The law mandates that 90 percent of the federal money go directly to help local educational agen-
cies, and at least 20 percent of those funds be used “to address learning loss through the implementation of evidencebased interventions and ensure that those interventions respond to students’ social, emotional and academic needs and address the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on underrepresented student subgroups.” New York’s 83-page school reopening plan stresses three priority areas that local school districts must address with the federal funds: academic performance gaps caused by school closings and problems with online instruction during the pandemic; the need for culturally responsive social and emotional support for returning students; and implementation of evidence-based interventions. Interventions are also stressed in the federal call for proposals. While school districts will have flexibility in how they use federal funds to achieve state priorities, the State Education Department is making recommendations. It identifies specific needs, including expanding fullday pre-kindergarten programs for 4-year-olds and increasing facilities funding for New York City charter schools whose enrollments rose during the pandemic. As an educator, I welcome the infusion of much-needed federal dollars, but I have major concerns about how the money will be used. I worry when school
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districts establish their own priorities. Before the pandemic, there were 370 schools in New York state listed as in need of support and improvement, an additional 43 placed in priority “receivership” and over 100 “targeted districts.” There were also districts like Hempstead and East Ramapo, in Rockland County, that required stateappointed special advisers because of their histories of poor academic performance and questionable financial activity. The requirement for evidence-based interventions in both the state proposal and the federal application reads suspiciously like a call for renewed highstakes standardized testing. This year, because of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, New York required students taking in-person classes to sit for English and math tests. The exams interfered with already reduced instructional time and were worthless because so few students took them, and because the state reused earlier exams that had been given to students for practice. We already know that many students are far behind because of interrupted education over the past 16 months. The pandemic should give us pause to reconsider the state’s questionable testing regime, which should not be automatically reinstituted. Covid-19 relief continues federal support for charter schools, including some highly suspicious operators. In Pennsyl-
elcoming federal money, but wondering whether it will be used wisely.
vania, online charter school operators received more than $200 million, even though students never attended in-person classes. In North Carolina, segregated “white” academy private schools have morphed into charter schools so they can collect federal and state dollars. During the pandemic, some charter schools were accused of double dipping, receiving federal money from funds earmarked for schools and money from programs designed to prevent layoffs of employees at small businesses. New York’s proposal calls for increased funding of poorly regulated charter schools that are already draining money from public schools. Hidden deep inside the $1.9 trillion federal pandemic rescue package, largely because of efforts by Sen. Chuck Schumer, is a giveaway to private and religious schools, a provision that seems to violate the fundamental wall of separation between church and state that dates back to the first decades of our country. In New York state, a number of religious schools have been investigated for failure to provide students with a required secular education. President Biden campaigned on the slogan “Build Back Better.” That goes for our schools as well.
FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — July 8, 2021
Building our schools back better
Dr. Alan Singer is a professor of teaching, learning and technology and the director of social studies education programs at Hofstra University. He is a former New York City high school social studies teacher and editor of Social Science Docket, a joint publication of the New York and New Jersey Councils for the Social Studies.
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Letters of road in Delray Beach, we stopped, halting traffic, to allow a young otter to cross the road. Even with water all around, otters are elusive. RICk HERmAN Lido Beach
East River tunnels need attention, too To the Editor: U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg forgot to visit the East River tunnels during their recent news conference and Hudson River tunnel tour on the proposed $11 billion Gateway Tunnel project. There are the $11 billion basic (two new tunnels plus rehabilitation of existing tunnels) or fullbuild $33 billion (including new track and platform capacity) versions of Gateway. The ongoing cancellation and
Framework by Christina Daly
combining of trains because of signal and other problems in the East River tunnels, along with other locations on all nine branches of the Long Island Rail Road, will continue for years. Amtrak will not initiate decades-overdue major repairs of the 110-year-old East River tunnels until 2025, two years after East Side access to Grand Central Terminal begins. This work on all four tunnels, including two that suffered significant damage in Superstorm Sandy in 2012, may not be completed until 2029. Until this work is over, it will be impossible to guarantee reliable Penn Station service for LIRR commuters. LARRY PENNER Great Neck Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously worked for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 NY office.
Sails furled, until tomorrow — Point Lookout
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