HERALD FREEPORT
Remembering the Pearses and their legacy of service
By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ
mrafiq@liherald.com
The Joysetta and Julius Pearse African American Museum of Nassau County stands as a living testament to the visionary leadership of the Pearses, a Freeport couple whose dedication to preserving Black history and empowering their community made a powerful impact.
In recognition of their extraordinary contributions, what was then the African American Museum of Nassau County was renamed in their honor in May 2021.
For nearly six decades, the Pearses served both Freeport and Greater Nassau County with distinction. Julius made history in 1962 as the first African-American officer in the Freeport Police Department. His early days on the force were fraught with discrimination, yet he endured.
“They just gave him a gun, they gave him a shirt that didn’t fit, and the guy at the office wouldn’t look at him in the face,” Anthony Richards, a friend of the Pearses’ and a museum attendant, said. Julius waited until his probation
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Freeport daycare owner rallies for childcare industry
By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
Janna Rodriguez, owner of Innovative Daycare Corp. in Freeport, joined hundreds rallying in Albany for Advocacy Day on Tuesday, urging lawmakers to address the pressing needs of New York’s childcare system.
The rally, led by the Empire State Campaign for Child Care and held in the New York State Capitol Building, draws childcare providers, parents and advocates to the state capital each year to make their case.
This year’s top priority is to secure $1.2 billion in workforce
compensation to support childcare providers and ensure that families can access affordable, quality care.
Rodriguez, a lifelong Freeport resident, runs Innovative Daycare, at 67 Centre St., a bilingual home-based childcare facility serving 16 children ages six weeks to 12 years.
“Ninety-five percent of our families use the child care assistance plan that New York state provides to be able to support our families, especially those that are most in need,” she said.
For years, families were unable to qualify for the assistance plan due to restrictive
income limits. Rodriguez explained that until October of 2023 a mother with one child could not earn more than $30,000 a year to qualify — an amount far below the cost of living on Long Island.
“Now for a family of two, you can make up to $53,000, so it’s a huge difference,” Rodriguez said. “There were many families, many moms that had two jobs that wouldn’t qualify because they literally made, you know, just $5,000 more a year.”
She emphasized that much work still needs to be done to make childcare more accessible. “We need to focus on long-
term investments and not putting Band-Aids on top of the crisis that we have,” she added.
As a regional lead for Nassau County in the Empire State Campaign for Child Care, Rodriguez has been at the forefront of lobbying efforts to address the childcare crisis.
“Most of the staff are making minimum wage, because
that’s the most that we can afford to provide with all of the costs that come with owning a small business,” she said, sharing that her three employees and three paid interns are currently compensated $16.50 an hour.
Childcare centers like Innovative Daycare face significant
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Reine Bethany/Herald
Joysetta and Julius Pearse in 2021, inside the museum renamed for them. The sign behind them denotes the genealogical organization they established.
SCHOOLS
School board celebrates student triumphs
The Freeport Public Schools Board of Education meeting on Jan. 22 highlighted the exceptional achievements of students throughout the district.
F reeport athletics, especially our varsity cheerleading
represent excellence, dedication, and the true essence of sportsmanship.
Fia Davis Superintendent
The event kicked off with a warm and energetic welcome from kindergarten students at Columbus Avenue Early Childhood Center.
The young performers greeted board members, Superintendent of Schools Fia Davis, and district administrators before charming the audience with a spirited rendition of “Play Another Happy Song” by Mike Wilson.
The meeting also celebrated the
accomplishments of the Freeport High School varsity cheerleading team, which earned recognition for their stel-
lar performances at the Nassau County Gameday Cheerleading Championship and the New York State Cheerleading Championships.
“Freeport athletics, and particularly our varsity cheerleading team, exemplify excellence, dedication and a true spirit of sportsmanship,” said Davis. “Their commitment, hard work and passion for cheer has led the team to incredible achievements and they continue to inspire us. The cheerleading team’s success reflects the outstanding support from coaches, families and peers, and we are beyond proud of them.”
Cheerleading Championship, improving on last year’s runner-up finish.
They also demonstrated their talent and perseverance by securing third
place at the New York State Cheerleading Championships in November.
Jonathan Bloom, director of health, physical education, athletics, and safety education, praised the team’s achievements.
“We are proud to recognize our varsity cheerleading team for their achievements this fall. Our team is one of the best in our district, Nassau County and even New York State,” said Jonathan Bloom, director of health, physical education, athletics and safety education. “I want to thank the coaches, students, and their families for their dedication to making our cheerleading team so exceptional.”
–Mohammad Rafiq
The Freeport High School varsity cheerleading team was recognized for the achievements during the fall season at the Jan. 22 board of education meeting.
Pictured, Superintendent of Schools Fia Davis, Freeport High School varsity cheerleaders with head coach Laurie Kolodny and team photographer Brian Truskolaski, Jonathan Bloom, director of health, physical education, athletics and safety education, and Assistant Coach Jessica Dean.
Photos courtesy of Freeport Public Schools
Superintendent of Schools Fia Davis with the students from Columbus Avenue Early Childhood Education Center at the Jan. 22 board of education meeting.
team,
Paul Vario makes his bold artistic debut
By MOHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
Paul Vario — grandson of his namesake Paul Vario, played by Paul Sorvino in the now classic film Goodfellas made his public art debut at Nunzi’s by the Water in Freeport, showcasing decades of creations that had previously been kept private.
A lifelong artist with a passion for abstract and figurative painting and drawing, Vario now feels that the time is right to reveal his art to the world
“I never stopped doing it, but this is the first time we’re actually showing,” Vario said. “I never showed my stuff to nobody. I’ve been doing art my whole life.”
We would definitely attend another of Paul Vario’s art events.
DOugl As CARtellI attendee
For Vario, art has always been intuitive.
“I start off with a line, a circle, a dash, and then I start scribbling, and all of a sudden, I’ll see something, and I go with it,” he explained.
Influenced by masters like Van Gogh, Picasso, and Paul Gauguin, Vario said, “You’ll see a little bit of that, a mixture of that, in all my stuff. But then I go my own way with it.”
His work, defined by vibrant abstractions, balances imagination and recognizable forms.
“I like to have something there that you’re looking at, and I’ll make it my way, not the way it exists in nature,” Vario said. “Nobody’s arm is shaped like that—I made it the way I wanted to make it.”
The event brought together folks from across the region, including Douglas Cartelli, who traveled from Connecticut with his wife.
“We were entertained by the display of art, and the fabulous espresso martinis at the gathering,” he said. “We would definitely attend another of Paul Vario’s art events.”
“I am just in awe of Paul Vario’s artistic talent,” said Sue Anne Nyenhuis, another attendee. “His artwork contains a story, along with all the subtle images that he weaves within his artwork, and it is just attention-grabbing.”
Based in Florida, Vario chose Freeport for his debut through the friendship his wife had with the ownership at Nunzi’s.
“I love my husband’s artwork and it’s exciting to see people’s reaction,” said Catherina Varo, Paul’s wife and a writer and artist in her own right.
“We are both excited about the 63rd Del Ray Affair on April 4th (to the) 6th in Delray Beach Florida,” she added. “We are both looking forward to meeting other artists and sharing our art with more people.”
Reflecting on his journey, he credited YouTube for inspiring his leap into the
One of Vario’s colorful abstract paintings, blending figurative elements with his distinct, expressive style.
commercial domain.
“I watch successful people on YouTube… and I look at their art, and I’m saying, ‘What am I doing?’” he said.
“I’d like to be known like the guys that mentored me, like Van Gogh,” he added. “Hopefully, it’ll happen while I’m still alive.”
While this event marks a new chapter for Vario, his art remains deeply personal. “It comes from my brain,” he said. “A little bit of their style, but it’s my style.”
–Mohammad Rafiq
A display of Vario’s art, featuring intricate drawings and paintings that span decades of his artistic journey and draw on influences such as Van Gogh, Gaugin, and Picasso.
Sue Anne Nyhenuis and Catherine Vario pose with two of Vario’s drawings.
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Paul Vario showcases one of his paintings at Nunzi’s by the Water in Freeport, marking his first public art exhibition.
Suit settled, Nassau County is redistricted
By JEFFREY BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com
Heading into an election year for all 19 Nassau County legislative districts, the lines have been redrawn after a lawsuit that originated in 2023 was settled last Friday.
The agreed-on new districts are considered a victory for Democrats.
“This is a tremendous victory for Nassau County,” Jay Jacobs, the New York state and Nassau County Democratic Committee chairman, stated in a news release. “The illegal map sought to disenfranchise communities of color and undermine our democratic principles. This settlement reinforces the fundamental rights of all voters and sends a clear message that such tactics will not be tolerated.”
County Democrats, along with 21 plaintiffs from throughout the legislative districts, filed the lawsuit, alleging that before they were redrawn, the districts were racist, gerrymandered and gave an unfair advantage to Republicans, who hold majority control in the Legislature.
The suit also claimed that voters leaning in one direction were being packed into two districts, while the rest were spread out in other districts as a way to “dilute their voting strength.”
“Once again, the Republican majority in the Nassau County Legislature did
something that was unconstitutional by imposing legislative lines that were unconstitutional,” County Legislator Carrié Solages, who now represents a district similar to when he was first elected in 2011, said. “I am very thankful to the Democratic Party for assembling a team of attorneys, experts on maps and data from across the country, at a cost of well over half a million dollars, in order to fight for a fair, legal map in Nassau County.”
Under the terms of the settlement:
■ The illegal redistricting map is nullified, addressing violations of the New York Voting Rights Act and Municipal Home Rule Law.
■ A new, fairer legislative map is established, including six majority-minority districts and an Asian Influence District, a substantial increase from the prior four majority-minority districts.
■ The voices of Black, Latino and Asian communities are amplified, ensuring that communities of color can elect candidates who represent their interests.
“After long negotiations, Republican attempts to change venue and even disqualify the judge presiding over the case, the Democrats arrived at a map that is fair and creates the opportunity for historic six minority majority districts,” Solages said.
Keeping The Lights On
1. Flow. A sedentary life causes brain deterioration. Blood flow to the brain keeps oxygen in your brain cells which gives them life. Keep moving, walking and get some exercise.
2. Energize. Junk food clogs your arteries and lowers energy, causing a sedentary lifestyle. Healthy food gives energy to your body and brain. Refuel and brighten the lights.
3. Recharge. Lack of enough sleep causes deterioration of the brain. Your brain needs downtime to recharge. Give it enough recharging and keep the lights burning bright.
4. Relax. Constant high stress has damaging effects on the brain and can lead to destructive habits which add further damage. Learn to control stress and let the lights shine.
5. Engage. Like muscles your brain needs exercise. Too often people, after retirement, retire their brains also so they atrophy. Stay engaged, exercise your brain with reading, puzzles and other challenges to keep the lights going on strong.
6. Love. When people grow isolated their brains lack stimulation and they grow dull. Stay connected with family and friends to brighten the lights.
7. Adventure. Many older people lose their zest for new adventures. You don’t need to climb Everest just break out of dull routines. Any venture out to new places turns up the lights.
8. Purpose. People can lose interest in life after they have retired, feeling they have no purpose. Look for opportunities to volunteer. Helping others keeps the lights flaming.
ETTINGER LAW FIRM
The districts on the new map
District 1: Rockville Centre, Roosevelt, South Hempstead, and portions of Baldwin and Hempstead.
District 2: Carle Place, New Cassel, Westbury, and portions of Hempstead, Uniondale, Hicksville and Jericho.
District 3: Elmont, Lakeview, Bellerose, Bellerose Terrace, South Floral Park, Malverne Park Oaks, and portions of Malverne, Valley Stream, North Valley Stream, West Hempstead and Franklin Square.
District 4: Long Beach, Lido Beach, East Atlantic Beach, Island Park, Harbor Isle, Barnum Island, Point Lookout and portions of Oceanside.
District 5: Portions of Hempstead, Uniondale, West Hempstead and Franklin Square.
District 6: Freeport, and portions of Baldwin and Oceanside.
District 7: Atlantic Beach, Bay Park, Cedarhurst, East Rockaway, Hewlett, Hewlett Bay Park, Hewlett Harbor, Hewlett Neck, Inwood, Lawrence, Woodmere, Woodsburgh, and portions of Oceanside, South Valley Stream and Valley Stream.
District 8: Garden City, Garden City South, Stewart Manor, and portions of Floral Park, Franklin Square, New Hyde Park and North New Hyde Park.
District 9: Mineola, East Williston, Garden City Park, Herricks, Manhasset Hills, North Hills, and portions of Floral Park, New Hyde Park, North New Hyde Park, Searingtown and Williston Park.
District 10: Albertson, Flower Hill, Great Neck, Great Neck Estates, Great Neck Gardens, Great Neck Plaza, Harbor Hills, Kensington, Kings Point, Lake Success, Manhasset, Munsey
Park, Plandome, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, Roslyn Estates, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock, Saddle Rock Estates, Thomaston, University Gardens, and portions of Roslyn Heights, Searingtown and Williston Park.
District 11: Baxter Estates, Glen Cove, Glenwood Landing, Manorhaven, Port Washington, Port Washington North, Roslyn Harbor, Sands Point, Sea Cliff, and portions of Glen Head.
District 12: Bellmore, Merrick, North Bellmore, North Merrick, and portions of Wantagh.
District 13: East Meadow, Salisbury, and portions of Levittown
District 14: Lynbrook, North Lynbrook, and portions of Valley Stream, North Valley Stream, Malverne and South Valley Stream.
District 15: North Wantagh, Seaford, and portions of Levittown and Wantagh.
District 16: Farmingdale, Old Bethpage, Plainview, and portions of Hicksville, Jericho, Syosset and Woodbury.
District 17: Bethpage, Plainedge, South Farmingdale, and portions of Hicksville and North Massapequa.
District 18: Bayville, Brookville, Centre Island, Cove Neck, East Hills, East Norwich, Greenvale, Lattingtown, Laurel Hollow, Locust Valley, Matinecock, Mill Neck, Muttontown, Old Brookville, Old Westbury, Oyster Bay, Oyster Bay Cove, and portions of Glen Head and Jericho.
District 19: East Massapequa, Massapequa, Massapequa Park, and portions of North Massapequa.
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Adapted from author Doug Armey, the following are keys to keeping your brain “lit” as you age.
Freeport
BRADY DELVALLE
V.S. South Senior Basketball
IT WAS A HISTORIC night for DelValle Jan. 17 when Valley Stream South faced Wantagh. The two-time All-County guard reached the 1,000point career milestone in the Falcons’ hardfought defeat. He also assumed the top spot in Nassau County this season for 3-pointers made with 44. A captain, he is averaging 17.4 points per game, which ranks him in the Top 20 in Nassau, and scored in double figures in all but one of the Falcons’ first 14 games.
GAMES TO WATCH
Thursday, Jan. 30
Gymnastics: South Side at Oceanside 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Port Wash at Farmingdale 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Manhasset at Kennedy 5
Wrestling: Oceanside at Freeport 6
Gymnastics: Lynbrook at North Shore 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: MacArthur at Baldwin 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Clarke at Hewlett 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Locust Valley at East Rockaway 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 31
Boys Basketball: Syosset at Uniondale 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Lawrence at Plainedge 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Oceanside at Massapequa 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Herricks at Mepham 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 1
Boys Basketball: Wantagh at Plainedge 12 p.m.
Boys Basketball: V.S. South at V.S. North 12 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Carle Place at West Hempstead 12 p.m.
Girls Basketball: V.S. North at V.S. South 12 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 3
Boys Basketball: Calhoun at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.
Wrestling: Long Beach at Calhoun 5:30 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Farmingdale at Massapequa 7 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a winter sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
Freeport tops visiting Oceanside
By PATRICK MOQUIN sports@liherald.com
Freeport boys’ basketball defeated Oceanside, 61-41, last Friday, bringing the 10-6 Red Devils one step closer to a surprise playoff berth in Nassau Class AAA.
The Sailors had a clear plan to set the tempo early, but Freeport point guard Noah Patterson ended the night as conductor with 21 points and six steals.
“When you have a good group of kids, you can do anything,” Patterson said. “This team is really good. ... Anything is possible. A lot of people doubt us, but when we really want to lock in, we can lock in. I think we’ll be great.”
To earn the resounding final score, Freeport had to overcome a highly uncomfortable start. Oceanside successfully contained Patterson through eight minutes and Shawn Browles, Freeport’s second highest scorer, briefly exited with an injury. The Red Devils had more fouls than field goals when they limped out of the first quarter with a meager 8-7 lead.
The outlook changed entirely early in the second quarter as Freeport began to find space for Patterson. Jacob Jordan came off the bench and drained three shots from beyond the arc in five minutes. Joshua Osei-Sefah earned two quick baskets in the paint.
Spreading Oceanside’s defense allowed Patterson to finally break through with a tricky reverse layup. The young star’s relentless defense was even more impactful, forcing the Sailors to commit multiple turnovers.
In an instant, the Red Devils were well ahead after a decisive 12-0 run. They didn’t look back from there.
As both teams tired, Patterson’s presence on the floor became overwhelming. Already up 28-12 coming out of the half, the five-foot-six sophomore went on another run, singlehandedly scoring nine unanswered points. Later on in the third, he reconnected with Browles, who returned to the game and finished with 11 points.
Patterson ended the night with an
win of the
exclamation in the fourth, putting a defender on skates at the top of the key and knocking down his third threepointer to put Freeport ahead 50-25. The Red Devils emptied their bench soon after to secure the 20-point victory.
“He has a high IQ and high motor,” Freeport head coach Daryl Johnson said of Patterson. “Everyone’s trying to play us with different defenses and we’re still finding ways to get him going.”
Despite making a defensive stand early, Oceanside only made three shots from the field in the first half and lost dozens of possessions to turnovers. The Sailors are now 1-14, but head coach Ed
Risener noted the team’s relative youth and clear areas for improvement.
“Patterson’s a really good player, so our focus defensively was to take him out of the game early,” Risener said. “I think we did that effectively, but offensively, we turned the ball over too many times to give ourselves a chance.”
Oceanside junior forward Josh Gamarra took better command of the paint in the second half, finishing as its highest scorer with 20 points. Jayden Major and Zach Minsky came off the bench with six and four points, respectively, while handling brutal matchups on Freeport’s perimeter.
Eric Dunetz/Herald Freeport and Bryan Thomas soared past Oceanside last Friday evening, 61-41, for its 10th
season.
New state tax credit for small businesses
By MADELEINE ROSEN Special to the Herald
The Lift Our Communities, Advertise Locally Act would provide small businesses with up to $4,000 for marketing in community media.
Small businesses in Freeport might soon be receiving some much-needed financial relief.
Earlier this month, State Sen. Monica R. Martinez and Assemblywoman Jen Lunsford introduced the Lift Our Communities, Advertise Locally Act, which would establish a new $10 million tax credit for small businesses advertising in local media outlets.
The LOCAL Act aims to support the marketing needs of small businesses — especially those that are minority-, woman- or veteran-owned, or that have 10 employees or fewer — while keeping investment in the media outlets that New Yorkers rely on everyday for critical information.
“The LOCAL Act is built upon one key principle - that knowledge is power,” said Legislator Seth Koslow about the proposed bill. “Not only will this proposal strengthen the diverse small businesses that power Nassau County’s economy, it will also allow media outlets to fulfill their essential role as a pillar of American democracy.”
“This legislation fosters a cycle of growth, allowing small businesses to
expand their reach while simultaneously supporting the media outlets that keep New Yorkers informed and engaged,” Martinez, the bill’s senate sponsor, said.
The legislation has already garnered staunch support from the media and business community alike. Led by
The Empire State Local News Coalition, which is composed of over 200 local newspapers across New York — including the Long Island Herald — the bill has received praise from business trade groups throughout the state, which view the proposal as a solution to increase investment in small busi -
nesses and sustain local news organizations.
“The LOCAL Act is a win-win-win for local businesses, local news, and local communities,” Zachary Richner, founding member of the Empire State Local News Coalition, said. “These institutions are intricately connected and work together to create the vibrant communities that New Yorkers love.”
The bill comes as the 2025 Legislative Session kicks off and negotiations begin on the State’s next fiscal year budget, which must be passed by both the Senate and Assembly and signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul by April 1. The tax
credit would need to be included in the State’s final spending plan.
“The LOCAL Act is about more than just advertising — it’s about investing in the economic health of our local communities and investing in the kind of local journalism that we need now more than ever,” Martinez’ fellow bill sponsor, Lunsford, said.
Under the LOCAL Act, a minority-, woman- or veteran-owned business, as well as any business with 10 employees or fewer, would be eligible to receive a refundable tax credit of 80 percent of its first $5,000 of local advertising for a maximum credit of $4,000 per year. The program would be capped at $10 million annually.
“Our small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and the LOCAL Act is a step in the right direction to ensure they thrive,” said State Assemblyman Noah Burroughs. “This is an investment in both our economy and the flow of critical information that keeps communities like Freeport connected and resilient.”
“We are excited to support local businesses,” said Stuart Richner, president of Richner Communications Inc. “By making advertising more accessible and affordable, the LOCAL Act will empower Long Island’s small businesses to reach new customers while ensuring that our local media outlets continue to connect and inform our residents.”
Courtesy Randy Milteer/Village of Freeport
The Lift Our Communities, Advertise Locally Act, introduced by State Sen. Monica Martinez and Assemblywoman Jen Lunsford aims to assist local businesses.
Court backs county transgender sports ban
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
New York State Supreme Court Judge Bruce Cozzens last week denied a request by the Long Island Roller Rebels, a women’s recreational roller derby league, to temporarily block a Nassau County law that restricts sports teams from using county facilities based on biological sex.
The Roller Rebels argued that Local Law 121-24 discriminates against transgender women by preventing them from participating in women’s sports. The league sought a preliminary injunction to stop the law’s enforcement while its lawsuit challenging the law continues.
The Long Island Roller Rebels are members of the Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby Association, which “welcomes all transgender women, intersex women, and gender expansive women to participate in its member leagues. The sex assigned at birth of any and all WFTDA participants is considered confidential and private,” according to court documents.
“I’m very happy that … Cozzens ruled that Nassau County’s local law banning biological males from playing on female sports teams is constitutional and that we did abide by the law,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said. “I’m gratified that we were the first in America to do it, and I think we set the tone for the rest of the nation.”
In a 12-6 vote along party lines, the County Legislature passed a bill on June 24 that bans individuals who were born male from taking part in women’s sports and on county-run facilities, regardless of their gender identity.
The county claimed the law was enacted to ensure fairness and safety in sports for biological women, and
argued that federal Title IX regulations protecting women’s sports support its position.
The court ruled that the Roller Rebels failed to prove that the law discriminates against transgender individuals under the state’s Human Rights Law or Civil Rights Law. Cozzens noted that the law does not ban transgender people from participating in sports, but requires leagues to designate teams as male, female or co-ed.
In his decision, he emphasized the safety concerns and physical differences between biological men and women, particularly in contact sports like roller derby. The judge also highlighted the county’s responsibility to use public facilities in ways that serve the majority of taxpayers.
“The power differential between adult individuals
who are born male and those born female is substantial and therefore may be more dangerous,” Cozzens’s decision read. “This would create additional risk to the individual and potential liability, creating costs to the municipality. The municipality is not obligated to provide a recreational setting for each and every individual residing within its confines.”
“As we’ve said all along, it’s just common sense,” Blakeman said. “Biological males should not play in female sports. They have a competitive advantage. It’s unfair, and it’s also unsafe.”
The ruling follows an executive order signed by President Trump on Jan. 20 that eliminated protections for transgender individuals, stating that the federal government would define sex strictly as male or female.
sex was upheld.
Pearse was the first Black cop in Freeport
was over to confront the discriminatory behavior. “He told his partner, ‘You’re going to stop calling me the N-word, because I would hate for my gun to go off by accident,’” Richards recounted. Pearse’s boldness helped him earned the respect of his fellow officers, and he eventually earned the rank of detective before retiring in 1983.
During his law enforcement career, Pearse co-founded the Coalition for a Better Freeport and, alongside Joysetta, organized the first Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration at Freeport High School in 1981 — two years before the holiday was nationally recognized.
After his retirement, Julius and Joysetta founded Jul-Joy Associates, a private investigative firm that served the Freeport area until 2002. The couple’s passion for uncovering hidden histories led them to establish the African Atlantic Genealogical Society in 1994, a nonprofit dedicated to helping AfricanAmericans trace their ancestral roots.
“Mrs. Pearse started (the organization), which was to help people trace their roots and history for families,” Minna Dunn, the director of art and curator at the museum, said. Their groundbreaking genealogical work has helped over 300 people uncover their personal histories, revealing connec -
Courtesy Artie Raslich
associate alicia evans, left, genealogist Julius pearse, Hempstead police Chief paul Johnson, museum director Joysetta pearse and former County executive Laura Curran in front of the exhibit Center in may 2021, when the museum was renamed in honor of the pearses, shortly before Joysetta’s death.
tions to notable figures such as Queen Philippa of England, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and even former President George H.W. Bush.
The Pearses first came to the African American Museum of Nassau
County as vendors in 1998, when the museum offered the Genealogical Society office space. It was the perfect setting for their mission to preserve and promote Black history. Under their leadership, the museum became a vital
educational resource, featuring exhibits that highlighted little-known African-Americans, such as Lewis Temple, the blacksmith who revolutionized the whaling industry with his invention of the Temple toggle in 1829.
Beyond their museum work, the Pearses’ influence extended deep into the community. Joysetta, a Brooklyn native, had a passion for history and genealogy, and uncovered hidden narratives and ensured they would be shared with future generations. Her efforts to educate and inspire young people about their heritage have made an enduring impact.
Joysetta died in 2021, at age 83, and Julius died on Dec. 15, at 91.
When asked what people could do to honor their legacy, Richards said, “By remembering the greatness (of) what they have accomplished, what they meant to the community, all that they have achieved, the legacy of what they created (and by) keeping the museum up and running.
“The museum existed before them,” Richards added. “But they were the ones who kind of changed it to a hidden history, and got it to the point where it is today.”
The Pearses’ contributions to Black history, both locally and nationally, continue to be celebrated. Their work serves as a reminder of the power of history, perseverance and community.
Advocates say ‘industry needs funding’
challenges, including rising costs and a workforce shortage.
Maria Ahrens, owner of Paper Planes Early Learning Center in Mount Sinai, said,
“Childcare was built on a system that the workforce was paid minimum wage. But that doesn’t work because the expectations of the work are far too high. It’s not a minimum wage job.”
Ahrens pointed out that many childcare centers struggle with cash flow because state assistance payments often arrive months late, making it difficult to cover payroll and other expenses.
“We’re still getting paid for November in January,” she said. “It’s hard to sustain a business that way.”
She also cited escalating insurance premiums as contributing to the high overhead, premiums which are rising in part because of understaffing — and which make it more difficult to pay and attract staff.
Empire State Campaign for Child Care’s demands include increasing wages for childcare workers, making the child care assistance plan accessible to all eligible families, and addressing barriers that prevent immigrant and low-income families from accessing care.
Shoshana Hershkowitz, campaign manager for the Empire State Campaign, stressed the importance of universal childcare and the need for sustained public investment.
“We’re proposing state dollars for a permanent Workforce Compensation Fund with using state dollars,” Hershkowitz said. “Up to this point, the last couple years, the governor has used Covid funds to do one-time bonuses, but they’ve been like no more than $3,000, usually between one and three, which is not enough to really address this issue.
“We’re proposing what they did in D.C., which is roughly $12,000 per year per child care worker,” she added. “So this year, that would be a $1.2 billion
Rodriguez pointed out the emotional and developmental impact on children who lack access to quality early education.
Gov. Kathy Hochul recently proposed a $110 million childcare initiative, a positive step, but advocates like Rodriguez believe more is needed. For Rodriguez and her peers, Advocacy Day is about ensuring a future where no child or family is left behind.
“There’s just so much going on, and at the core of that is this sense of putting our children last when they should be put first,” Rodriguez said. “And so I continue to advocate on behalf of that. I continue to advocate on behalf of universal child care, because that’s really what we should have in this country.”
Corp
caring
aged six weeks to 12 years along with three employees and three interns. rodriguez and other child care professionals have stated that without state funding, they will be unable to meet rising overhead costs and retain day care workers.
intern ashley Sewcharran, Cameron gardiner, 4, emily gardiner, 9, intern Jordyn perry, isaac taveras, 2, ivy magnus, 9, mase Charlton, 3, and Haylie Hernandez, 5, participating at activities at the innovative daycare Corp in freeport.
intern ashley Sewcharran, alaia avila gomez, 1, staff member dislady rodriguez, nardelys mendoza, 8 months, staff member maria Ynfante fernandez, aliyah davis, 8 months, ace taveras, 1, mase Charlton, 3, isaac taveras, 2, intern Light ativie, intern Jordyn perry and Landon piscil, 1, smile broadly at the innovative daycare Corp.
Janna rodriguez is the owner of the innovative daycare
in freeport,
for 16 children
Photos courtesy Janna Rodriguez
members of empire State Campaign for Childcare and attendees of the rally met with assemblywoman Judy griffin and of the 21st district and other state officials to discuss the pressing needs of the child care industry.
MSSN lauds individuals embodying MLK’s legacy
By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
Mount Sinai South Nassau, the closest hospital for Freeport residents, held its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Jan. 16, honoring individuals whose contributions embody the late civil rights leader’s values of service, leadership, and community care.
The ceremony recognized healthcare leaders, community advocates and dedicated staff members, who were presented with the Mount Sinai South Nassau Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Award for their exceptional achievements and commitment to fostering equity and compassion.
Representatives from Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Assemblywoman Judy Griffin and State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick presented citations to the honorees, recognizing their profound impact on the community.
Among the honorees was Rockville Centre resident Janice Campbell, nurse manager of the hospital’s Parent-Child Education Resource Center and cochair of its Nursing Research and EvidenceBased Practice Council. Campbell came to the United States from Brazil in 2008. A specialist in women’s health, she began her tenure at Mount Sinai in 2009 and has since been a key member of a multidisciplinary team.
resettle in New Delhi, Singh overcame tremendous hardship to build a life centered on family, education and giving back.
When her late husband, Dr. Harbhajan Singh was offered a chance to pursue a career in medicine in the United States, the family moved to Massachusetts in 1968, and nine years later made their way to New York, where they made a home in Rockville Centre.
After Naginder earned her master’s degrees in history and early childhood education, She worked as a social worker in Nassau County while raising her two sons and supporting her husband throughout his esteemed medical career upon graduating from Amristar Medical College in 1963.
t’s so inspirational the way that he was able to fight for human rights in a peaceful way
JANIcE cAmPBELL
MSSN honoree, Rockville Centre resident
“This honor is a reflection of the collective effort of our team,” she said. “It’s a testament to what we can accomplish together.”
As the founder of the “There for Her” committee — Tracking Health Equity, Raising Efforts for Healing, Empowerment, and Respect — Campbell has spearheaded projects to address birth disparities and ensure respectful, patient-centered care for diverse populations. Under her guidance, the committee organized the hospital’s inaugural Maternal Health Equity Symposium in 2024, which focused on reducing maternal morbidity and mortality among Black women.
Growing up in Brazil, Campbell said she admired Dr. King’s work from afar.
“I grew up in another country, listening to his work, thinking it was something that I would never be part of it but then, when we moved to the U.S. we learned that it’s such a strong part of the culture,” she said. “It’s so inspirational the way that he was able to fight for human rights in a peaceful way.”
Rockville Centre resident Naginder Singh received the honor for her lifelong dedication to community service. Born and raised in India just a few years before the 1947 partition, which forced her family to flee Pakistan and
“I am so blessed, and I’m very, very fortunate to live in Rockville Centre,” Singh said. “This hospital has given love and support to my family for all these years. I’m very grateful and very fortunate to be part of your family.”
Christine and Keith Doud, of Merrick, were celebrated for their transformative contributions to the hospital and beyond. The Douds, who have been married for 12 years, have exemplified teamwork in their roles at the hospital.
Christine Doud, a 23-year veteran of the hospital, has served on numerous councils and committees, earning accolades such as the ATNM Award of Excellence and the Daisy Team Member Award. In addition, she co-designed the “Who Will You Be Today” campaign, which encourages actionable kindness
Keith Doud, an engineering department team member, has been instrumental in supporting the hospital’s Veterans Committee initiatives, including the “Suits on Soldiers” and “Coats for Soldiers” drives. Together, the couple spearheaded the Toys for Tots program and the Santa at Sunrise fundraiser, benefiting countless children and families during the holiday season.
“There are so many great people working here who are equally deserving,” Christine Doud said. “To be recognized for something we’re so passionate about is truly overwhelming.”
For the Douds, their work at Mount Sinai is more than a job — it’s a family affair. Christine Doud’s sister served the hospital for nearly four decades, and her niece is also part of the team.
“It’s like a family business,” Keith Doud remarked.
As each honoree received recognition, the audience was reminded of Dr. King’s legacy.
“It’s not uncommon for us to quote Martin Luther King,” Keith Doud noted. “To be recognized on a day that celebrates his legacy makes this even more special.”
STEPPING OUT
By Danielle Schwab
When it comes to Monster Jam, go big or go home.
Those bigger-than-life behemoths gear up for a crushing competition madness takes over
Witness the roar of eight monster trucks battle it out for the winning trophy at the fullthrottle competition with plenty of car-smashing, donut-wheeling and back-flipping action fans know and expect.
Monster Jam arrives at UBS Arena next weekend, Feb. 7-9, taking over Belmont Park for three days packed with high-flying action and jaw-dropping stunts. This isn’t just any event — it’s “As Big As It Gets.” where where every moment is unexpected, unscripted and unforgettable.
Both monster truck fanatics and first-time watchers will experience all the motorsport has to offer in a four-part competition ruled by these 12,000 pound mechanical beasts.
Drivers bring out all the stunts for the competition to the delight of spectators.
“Who doesn’t love big trucks crushing stuff, mjumping high in the air, rolling over and doing all the crazy stuff we do?” says Matt Cody, the longtime driver of Grave Digger and 2024 Arena Series West Champion.
• Friday through Sunday, Feb. 7-9; times vary
• Tickets available at ticketmaster.com
• UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont
always my birthday present. I fell in love with it,” he says.
Starting at 13-years-old, Cody got involved with the event in every way possible — whether it was sweeping floors, cleaning trucks or driving the tractortrailers. His passion and hard work earned him a role as a mechanic for the show, eventually paving the way for him to become an official driver in 2012.
‘Easy come, easy go’ Queen-mania rocks on. Almost Queen returns to the Paramount stage with their homage to the beloved band. They don’t just pay tribute to the legendary band, Almost Queen transports you back in time to experience the magic and essence of Queen themselves. The band — featuring Joseph Russo as Freddie Mercury, Steve Leonard as Brian May, Randy Gregg as John Deacon, and John Cappadona as Roger Taylor — is “guaranteed to blow your mind” with iconic four-part harmonies and expertly executed musical interludes. dynamic live performance showcasing signature four-part harmonies and intricate musical interludes. The band’s authenticity shines through in their impeccable attention to detail and genuine costumes, while their live energy and precision captivates fans of all ages. Almost Queen’s concerts are a true testament to the band’s love for Queen’s music. We Are the Champions!” It’s no wonder fans keep coming back for more.
Saturday Feb. 1, 8 p.m. $79.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, $34.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
“From the atmosphere to the production to the people, it’s a big family and it’s a big family sport, everybody’s there to just have fun,” he adds.
Ten years later, Cody started driving the infamous Grave Digger — a 43 year global legend among monster trucks, sporting massive 66-inch tires.
“It’s just a big, bad machine,” Cody says.
Watch as these powerful trucks race for the fastest time, showcase their jaw-dropping skills with epic stunts — some of which are only on two wheels — in competitions of speed and skill. Also see the drivers unleash their trucks’ wild, untamed power in a thrilling freestyle showdown.
And of course, there’ll be plenty of monster-sized donuts to get heads-spinning as well.
This epic ride sports tombstones on its side “for the competitors that we’ve beaten and buried,” he explains.
Going head-to-head against Grave Digger are newcomers Plane Krazy and Krazy Train as well as a new fan favorite, Sparkle Smash, a giant blue-and-purple unicorn that’s sure to kick some butt.
Other trucks returning to claim victory are the always-popular Megalodon, Zombie, El Toro Loco, and Terminal Velocity.
South Shore Symphony
right in the middle of the action, helping to
To make it even more exciting, the judges’ panel includes the entire audience. Fans are right in the middle of the action, helping to crown the event champion as they get to score the drivers in real time based on their skills, stunts, and saves. Everyone gets a say in which truck triumphs with glory and eventually moves on to July’s Monster Jam World Finals.
It’s truly an unforgettable family affair, involving generations of families since Monster Jam’s start in 1992.
“I met so many awesome fans from over the years, dedicated fans who’ll bring their grandfather, the dad, and now son, to an event. And the grandfather will be like, ‘Yeah, I remember bringing my son.’ Even though I’m not the driver that may have been [there] at that time, they’ll take a picture just to recreate that,” Cody says.
“It’s just an awesome experience among the families and the memories that they’re making.”
All of this from the best seat in UBS Arena, which is every seat according to Cody.
“I tell people that in an arena as compared to a stadium, stadiums are cool, but in an arena, there’s not a bad seat in the house.”
Start off the action early. Fans can get a closer look at the trucks and meet the drivers at the exclusive Monster Jam Pit Party — or get revved up prior to the show with sneak peaks, giveways and extra action at the Monster Jam Trackside Experience.
Before taking over the driver’s seat, Cody’s Monster Jam journey began sitting in the audience of Monster Jam events as a kid. Cody, from Williamsport, Md., began to follow the sport at age 8. As a lifelong fan, he knows the thrills it offers to both fan and participant.
Photos courtesy Feld Entertainment
Before taking over the driver’s seat, lifelong fan, he knows the thrills it offers to both
Top left - Sparkle Smash, among the newcomers, joins El Toro Loco and the other trucks in nailing vertical 2-wheel tricks, among other feats.
Music Director Adam Glaser’s South Shore Symphony Orchestra welcomes the New Year with a rousing concert, titled “Heritage and Memory, at its Madison Theatre home. The orchestra is joined by guitarist Tali Roth. Originally from Israel, now based in the New York City area, she’ll be playing the beloved Rodrigo’s Concieto de Aranjuez. The evening’s repertoire also includes Humperdinck’s Prelude to the opera Hansel and Gretel. The charming composition is known for its sweetness and nostalgia to this piece that catches you off guard. Another, Mary Watkins’ Soul of Remembrance is becoming a staple in the orchestra repertoire, and deservedly so, according to Glaser. The program’s second half is devoted to Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 in D major.
“Monster Jam used to come every year. It was
Top right - Monster trucks reach epic heights in the latest edition of Monster Jam. Grave Digger, with Matty Cody (bottom left) and other popular trucks thrill fans in their customized high-power vehicles.
Saturday, Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny. org or (516) 323-4444.
Jan.
31
In perfect harmony
Join more than a dozen incredible a cappella groups for the return of the popular SingStrong A Cappella Festival, hosted by Adelphi University, as they pull out all the stops for their 20th year. This family friendly weekend, Friday through Sunday, Jan. 31-Feb. 2, features five completely different concerts, also workshops and competitions, even a group you can perform with, among other activities.
Professional a cappella groups perform along with collegiate and high school ensembles. A variety of musical genres are represented, including re-imaginings of barbershop, pop, R&B, jazz, and more. Visit singstrong.org for details. Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.
Tunes with Mystic
Catch Mystic, Saturday, Feb. 1, 8-11 p.m., at Montana Brothers. Enjoy a night of great music and entertainment with this energetic performance. To reserve a table, call (516) 379-3053. Share the experience with your friends and don’t miss out on this exciting show! Event details are subject to change, so always check the official event page for the latest information. 385 S. Main St. Visit montanabrothers.com for more.
Long Island Choral Society auditions
Long Island Choral Society, under the Direction of Michael C. Haigler, holds auditions for new members for the final concert of their 96th Season. Auditions are by appointment only and will be held Mondays continuing Feb. 3 and 10, Garden City Community Church. The Berlioz Requiem is a piece known for its power and beauty that offers a rare musical performance opportunity while bringing the Choral Society’s 2425 concert season to an exciting close.
If you love to sing consider auditioning to be part of this treasured Long Island tradition. Those interested can schedule an audition by calling (516) 652-6878 or via e-mail at audition.info@lics.org. 245 Stewart Ave., Garden City. Freeport Camera Club
The Freeport Camera Club welcomes new members. It meets at Freeport Memorial Library on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month, at 7 p.m. Visit FreeportLibrary.info or call (516) 379-3274 for more information. 144 W. Merrick Road.
Having an event?
Rockville Centre Choral Society Recruitment
Like to sing? The Rockville Centre Choral Society wants you! The non-sectarian chorus sings in Lynbrook and around the South Shore. New members are welcome. The chorus sings a variety of genres: pop, folk, showtunes, light classical and standards. All voices are welcome. No experience necessary. RCCS meets Wednesdays, 7:45-9:30 p.m., and performs two concerts yearly. Rehearsals are held at St. James United Methodist Church, 11 St. James Place, Lynbrook. For more information, email rvcchorus@gmail.com or call (516) 599-5705.
Art Explorations
Converse, collaborate and create at family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The dropin program continues, Saturday, Feb. 1, noon-3 p.m. Kids and their adult partners talk about and make art together. While there, enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit nassaumuseum.org to register or call (516) 484-9337.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct followup to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/ Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.
Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. On view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Hempstead House tour
Feb. 16
Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Sunday, Feb. 16, noon-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
By Danielle Schwab & Tim Baker
Sean Cirillo Oceanside
My 2025 resolution is to replace all my local car trips with walking and biking. Replacing these short trips that are typically done with a car is healthier, saves me money, better connects me to the community and I’m never stuck in traffic on a bike.
What is your major goal for 2025?
Babylon
I would like to get stronger. I ride my bike in Babylon. My average is 45 minutes to do 10 miles, and I want to get it under 40 minutes. I have two little boys, I want to be healthy for them.
David Friedman Hewlett
Definitely need a nice relaxing vacation somewhere warm. I haven’t been to Atlantis in many years, or maybe Italy. There are too many things to do and I’m getting older, so I need a vacation.
Sharon Edwards Merrick
Time management is definitely my resolution for this year. Last year really went by quickly; it was over and done. I have everything on one to-do list. I have a family that I want to spend some time with and then I have my business. I’m trying to balance everything.
Cliff
Krauter Bayville
I would like to become more involved in the committees around the city (Glen Cove). I meet many people that do things out of their good nature. It’s something I highly respect and admire and I’d like to try to do more of.
Mike Ahl
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU FLAGSTAR BANK, FSB, Plaintiff, Against
ALCIDES CURTIS, et al, Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 12/08/2016, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 2/10/2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 28 Archer Street, Freeport, NY 11520, And Described As Follows:
ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.
Section 62 Block 48 Lot 1
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $505,778.66 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine; Index # 6561-14 Jane Shrenkel, Esq., Referee.
MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 MIDLAND AVENUE, SUITE 205, PORT CHESTER, NY 10573
Dated: 12/20/2024 File Number: 17-301715 MB 150928
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU INDEX # 612713/2024
Property: 4 Andrews Avenue, Roosevelt, New York 11575 Supplemental Summons with Notice of Action to Foreclose a Mortgage Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, not in its individual capacity, but solely as owner trustee of CSMC 2019-RPL5 Trust, Plaintiff(s), -againstWilfred Osorio and Maria A Osorio if living, and if he/she any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all
persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors; administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; The People of the State of New York, The United States of America, and “JOHN DOE #1,” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises being foreclosed herein, Defendant(s). WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff’s attorneys within 20 days after the service of this summons exclusive of the day of service or within 30 days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Sheldon May & Associates, P.C. by Ted Eric May, Esq., Attorneys
for Plaintiff. 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, New York 11570. Phone: 516-763-3200. File # 39951 150926
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 OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU
JPMORGAN CHASE
BANK, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST DIANA J. BARNES A/K/A DIANA CARTER A/K/A DIANA CARTER; FARAJI BODDIE, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 7, 2017, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, ‘Rain or Shine’ on February 6, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 39 Lessing Place, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 55 Block: 377 Lots: 1267, 1268 and 1269. Approximate amount of judgment $331,470.41 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #011584/2007. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2.nycourts.gov /Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. Janine T. Lynam, Esq., Referee Fein, Such & Crane, LLP 28 East Main Street Rochester, NY 14614 NSRNC625 83588 150847
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE OF FW-BKPL SERIES I TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. ADRIANO ADAMES A/K/A ADRIANO D. ADAMES, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August 13, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 13, 2025 at
3:00 p.m., premises known as 99 Shonnard Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 55, Block 223 and Lots 487-488. Approximate amount of judgment is $675,244.10 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #613091/2022.
Gerard DeGregoris, Jr., Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 220010-2 150893
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS AND NOTICESUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NASSAUU.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff,against- SETA PARKINS, AS PROPOSED ADMINISTRATOR AND HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF STEFRAN PARKINS AKA STEFRAN IRA PARKINS; STEFRAN C. PARKINS, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF STEFRAN PARKINS AKA STEFRAN IRA PARKINS; FRANZ PARKINS, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF STEFRAN PARKINS AKA STEFRAN IRA PARKINS; STEPHANIE PARKINS AKA STEPHANIE Y. JONES, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF STEFRAN PARKINS AKA STEFRAN IRA PARKINS; CHARMAINE PARKINS, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF STEFRAN PARKINS AKA STEFRAN IRA PARKINS; ANY AND ALL KNOWN OR UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF STEFRAN PARKINS AKA STEFRAN IRA PARKINS; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ACTING ON BEHALF OF DEPARTMENT OF TREASURYINTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; AL JONES AS JOHN DOE #1, Defendants - Index No. 600763/2023 Plaintiff Designates Nassau County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the subject action is situated in Nassau County. To the above named Defendants-YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a
copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. That this Supplemental Summons is being filed pursuant to an order of the court dated June 14, 2024. NOTICE-YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME - If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable Jeffrey A. Goodstein, A.J.S.C. Dated: June 14, 2024 Filed: June 25, 2024. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage and covering the premises known as 96 Willett Place, Roosevelt, NY 11575 Dated: July 22, 2024 Filed: December 30, 2024 Greenspoon Marder LLP., Attorney for Plaintiff, By: Raspreet Bhatia, Esq., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105 P: (212) 524-5000 F: (212) 524-5050 (No Service by fax) Please respond to Cypress Creek Office: Trade Centre South, 100 W. Cypress Creek Road, Suite 700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 P: (888) 491-1120 F: (954) 343-6982 150899
LEGAL NOTICE
STATE OF NEW YORK
SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU TRUMAN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, LLC, Plaintiff, v. SHERRIL BAEZ AKA SHERRIL S. BAEZ, ET AL, Defendants.
NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on October 4, 2022, I, Scott H. Siller, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on February 18, 2025 at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Ct. Dr., Mineola, NY 11501, at 02:00 PM the premises described as follows: 808 South Ocean Avenue Freeport, NY 11520 SBL No.: 62-180-429 ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, Count of Nassau, State of New York. The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 614142/2019 in the amount of $769,435.71 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System’s COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale.
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 151015
$1,306,469.45 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #605312/2023. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. James Leonard, Esq., Referee Greenspoon Marder, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105, Attorneys for Plaintiff 151013
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LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST C/O U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, -againstMARIE F. BAUDUY, ET AL.
accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 151011
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LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, CALCON MUTUAL MORTGAGE LLC DBA ONETRUST HOME LOANS, Plaintiff, vs. 317 SOUTH MAIN RE HOLDINGS LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on October 8, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 18, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 317 South Main Street, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 62, Block 44 and Lot 395. Approximate amount of judgment is
NOTICE OF SALE OTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on June 27, 2023, wherein U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST C/O U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION is the Plaintiff and MARIE F. BAUDUY, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on February 18, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 346 MARYLAND AVENUE, FREEPORT, NY 11520; and the following tax map identification: 36-K01-38. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF FREEPORT, IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 603000/2019. Scott H. Siller, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE FOR FORMATION of a limited liability company (LLC). The name of the limited liability company is 239 WOODCLEFT AVENUE LLC. The date of filing of the articles of organization with the Department of State was December 17, 2024. The County in New York in which the office of the company is located is Nassau. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the company upon whom process may be served, and the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the company served upon him or her to The LLC, P.O. Box 291, Freeport, New York 11520. The business purpose of the company is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under the laws of the State of New York. 151017
LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE OF NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER’S SALE OF TAX LIENS ON REAL ESTATE Notice is hereby given that commencing on February 18th, 2025, will sell at public on-line auction the tax liens on certain real estate, unless the owner, mortgagee, occupant of or any other party in interest in such real estate shall have paid to the County Treasurer by February 13th, 2025 the total amount of such unpaid taxes or assessments with the interest, penalties and other expenses and charges against the property. Such tax liens will be sold at the lowest rate of interest, not exceeding 10 percent per six-month period, for which any person or persons shall offer to take the total amount of such unpaid taxes as defined in Section 5-37.0 of the Nassau County Administrative Code. Effective with the February 2019 lien sale Ordinance No. 175-2015 requires a $175.00 per day registration fee for each person who intends to bid at the tax lien sale. Ordinance No. 175-2015 also requires that upon the issuance of the Lien Certificate there is due from the lien buyer a Tax Certificate Issue Fee of $20.00 per lien purchased. Pursuant to the provisions of the Nassau County
January 30, 2025
Public Notices
Administrative Code at the discretion of the Nassau County Treasurer the auction will be conducted online. Further information concerning the procedures for the auction is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucount yny.gov/526/CountyTreasurer
Should the Treasurer determine that an inperson auction shall be held, same will commence on the 18th day of February 2025 at the Office of The County Treasurer 1 West Street, Mineola or at some other location to be determined by the Treasurer.
A list of all real estate in Nassau County on which tax liens are to be sold is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucount yny.gov/527/Annual-TaxLien-Sale
A list of local properties upon which tax liens are to be sold will be advertised in this publication on or before February 06th, 2025. Nassau County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodations such as those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in all services, programs, activities and public hearings and events conducted by the Treasurer’s Office. Upon request, information can be made available in Braille, large print, audiotape or other alternative formats. For additional information, please call (516) 571-2090 ext. 1-3715.
Dated: January 23, 2025 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, NewYork
TERMS OF SALE
Such tax liens shall be sold subject to any and all superior tax liens of sovereignties and other municipalities and to all claims of record which the County may have thereon and subject to the provisions of the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts.
However, such tax liens shall have priority over the County’s Differential Interest Lien, representing the excess, if any, of the interest and penalty borne at the maximum rate over the interest and penalty borne at the rate at which the lien is purchased.
The Purchaser acknowledges that the tax lien(s) sold pursuant to these Terms of Sale may be subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or may become subject to such
proceedings which may be commenced during the period in which a tax lien is held by a successful bidder or the assignee of same, which may modify a Purchaser’s rights with respect to the lien(s) and the property securing same. Such bankruptcy proceedings shall not affect the validity of the tax lien. In addition to being subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts, said purchaser’s right of foreclosure may be affected by the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act(FIRREA),12 U.S.C. ss 1811 et.seq., with regard to real property under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation(FDIC) receivership.
The County Treasurer reserves the right, without further notice and at any time, to withdraw from sale any of the parcels of land or premises herein listed.
The Nassau County Treasurer reserves the right to intervene in any bankruptcy case/litigation where the property affected by the tax liens sold by the Treasurer is part of the bankruptcy estate. However, it is the sole responsibility of all tax lien purchasers to protect their legal interests in any bankruptcy case affecting their purchased tax lien, including but not limited to the filing of a proof of claim on their behalf, covering their investment in said tax lien. The Nassau County Treasurer and Nassau County and its agencies, assumes no responsibility for any legal representation of any tax lien purchaser in any legal proceeding including but not limited to a bankruptcy case where the purchased tax lien is at risk.
The rate of interest and penalty at which any person purchases the tax lien shall be established by his bid. Each purchaser, immediately after the sale thereof, shall pay to the County Treasurer ten per cent of the amount for which the tax liens have been sold and the remaining ninety per cent within thirty days after such sale. If the purchaser at the tax sale shall fail to pay the remaining ninety per cent within ten days after he has been notified by the County Treasurer that the certificates of sale are ready for delivery, then all amounts deposited with the County Treasurer including but not limited to the ten per cent theretofore paid by him shall, without further notice or demand, be irrevocably forfeited by the purchaser and shall be retained by the County Treasurer as liquidated damages and the agreement to purchase
shall be of no further effect. Time is of the essence in this sale. This sale is held pursuant to the Nassau County Administrative Code and interested parties are referred to such Code for additional information as to terms of the sale, rights of purchasers, maximum rates of interest and other legal incidents of the sale. Furthermore, as to the bidding,
1. The bidder(s) agree that they will not work with any other bidder(s) to increase, maintain or stabilize interest rates or collaborate with any other bidder(s) to gain an unfair competitive advantage in the random number generator in the event of a tie bid(s) on a tax certificate. Bidder(s) further agree not to employ any bidding strategy designed to create an unfair competitive advantage in the tiebreaking process in the upcoming tax sale nor work with any other bidder(s) to engage in any bidding strategy that will result in a rotational award of tax certificates.
2. The tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) bid, will be arrived at independently and without direct or indirect consultation, communication or agreement with any other bidder and that the tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) to be bid, have not been disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder, and will not be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder prior to the close of bidding. No attempt has been made or will be made to, directly or indirectly, induce any other bidder to refrain from bidding on any tax certificate, to submit complementary bids, or to submit bids at specific interest rates.
3. The bids to be placed by the Bidder will be made in good faith and not pursuant to any direct or indirect, agreement or discussion with, or inducement from, any other bidder to submit a complementary or other noncompetitive bid.
4. If it is determined that the bidder(s) have violated any of these bid requirements then their bid shall be voided and if they were the successful bidder the lien and any deposits made in connection with said bid shall be forfeited.
Dated: January 23, 2025 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, New York 151098
LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that an On-Premise Catering Establishment Full Liquor License Application ID NA-0346-24-122036 has been applied for by 395 Bayview Caterers LLC d/b/a The Bayview serving beer, wine, cider and liquor to be sold at retail for on premises consumption in a catering establishment with one additional bar for the premises located at 395 Woodcleft Avenue Freeport NY 11520. 151175
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU
LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO USA HOLDINGS, INC., Plaintiff, v. ERNESTINA DELVALLE, AS ADMINISTRATRIX OF THE ESTATE OF BARBARA A. ROLLINS A/K/A BARBARA ROLLINS, ET AL, Defendants. NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on April 14, 2023, I, Oscar A. Prieto, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on February 25, 2025 at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Ct. Dr., Mineola, NY 11501, at 02:00 PM the premises described as follows: 20 Lillian Avenue Freeport, NY 11520
SBL #: 55-447-103 ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York. The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 602944/2018 in the amount of $348,050.12 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System’s COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale.
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
Attorneys for Plaintiff 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 151179
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CBASS MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-CB5, -againstISAIAS FLORES, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on October 28, 2024, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CBASS MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-CB5 is the Plaintiff and ISAIAS FLORES, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on February 25, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 85 EAST PENNYWOOD AVENUE, ROOSEVELT, NY 11575; and the following tax map identification: 0055 - 00483-00 - 00231, 00232 and 00233. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT ROOSEVELT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 006870/2016. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 151185
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY BAYVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff against ANDREA FAGAN, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800, Rochester, NY 14614. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered April 27, 2017, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 296 Pine Street, Freeport, NY 11520. Sec 54 Block 84 Lot 7. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $466,592.84 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 015029/2010. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Certified funds only, made payable to Lisa Goodwin, Esq., as Referee. Lisa Goodwin, Esq., Referee File # NSRNY006 F/K/A QNSRN601 151181
Rita Solomon, Esq., Referee File # 21-03756NY 151177
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU CITIZENS BANK, N.A., Plaintiff, -againstCARLOS BERRIOS; PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; VILLAGE OF LYNBROOK, NASSAU COUNTY, by and through the Nassau County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency; JOSE ARAUJO; STACEY ARAUJO; and MARITZA ARAUJO, Defendants. NOTICE OF SALE Index No. 605841/2018
MORTGAGED PROPERTY: 40 East Avenue, Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, State of New York 11520 COUNTY: NASSAU SBL #: 62-77-21 Mortgage Servicer: Citizens Bank, N.A. d/b/a Citizens One Home Loans Mortgage Service Telephone No.: 800-234-6002
In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly made on September 26, 2024, and entered in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office on October 18, 2024, I, the undersigned, the referee, will now sell at public auction, at the North Side steps of the Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York on February 24, 2025 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon of that date,
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-CW1, ASSET BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, Plaintiff against RONY LUNDY, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC, 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840, New York, NY 10170. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered March 10, 2020, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 365 Wallace Street, Freeport, NY 11520. Sec 55 Block 397 Lot 232 and 233. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $484,478.30 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 000740/2016. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” For sale information, please contact XOME at www.Xome.com or call (844)400-9633.
the premises directed by said judgment to be sold which are commonly known as 40 East Avenue, Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, New York, Tax Map No.: 62-77-21. A complete legal description can be obtained upon request from plaintiff’s attorney. Judgment amount$396,682.44 plus interest, costs and expenses.
Dated: January 23, 2025 Albany, New York
Omid Zareh, Esq., Referee COOPER ERVING & SAVAGE, LLP
Attorneys for Plaintiff 20 Corporate Woods Blvd., Ste. 501 Albany, New York 12211 (518) 449-3900 151053
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU Deutsche Bank National Trust Company as Trustee for GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8 AssetBacked Certificates Series 2006-8, Plaintiff, -againstElizabeth Angilette, unknown heirs-at-law, next-of-kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devises, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successors in interest, and generally all persons having or claiming, under, by or through said defendant, who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, any right, title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, Vanessa Lewis, as Heir to the Estate of Elizabeth Angilette, Slomins Inc., People of the State of New York, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, United States of America, Defendants. Index No.: 604190/2024
Filed: January 9, 2025 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Plaintiff designates Nassau County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is situated. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your Answer or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the attorneys for the plaintiff within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service; or within thirty (30) days after service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to
Public Notices
you within the State of New York; or within sixty (60) days if it is the United States of America. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.
NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT
THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $304,500.00 and interest, recorded in the office of the clerk of the County of Nassau on February 06, 2006 in Liber M30064, Page 184 covering premises known as 31 East Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.
NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME
If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action.
YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
Dated: Bay Shore, New York
January 9, 2025 Frenkel, Lambert, Weiss, Weisman & Gordon, LLP
/s/BY: Karen Sheehan
Attorneys for Plaintiff 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, New York 11706 (631) 969-3100
Our File No.: 01-099158F00 151059
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S.
BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CTT, Plaintiff AGAINST PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF NASSAU COUNTY AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF KATHERINE BRYANT WHO WAS SURVIVING SPOUSE OF ELMER BRYANT, DAUD HAZIZ RAMADHAN FKA
ELMER BRYANT AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF KATHERINE BRYANT WHO WAS SURVIVING SPOUSE OF ELMER BRYANT, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 31, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 25, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 37 Decatur Street, Roosevelt, NY 11575. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Roosevelt, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 55, Block 321, Lot 150 & 151.
Approximate amount of judgment $294,590.37 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #008750/2013. Adrienne Flipse Hausch, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 16-003144 83529 151063
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LEGAL NOTICE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BALDWIN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
SPECIFICATIONS FOR PUPIL TRANSPORTATION
Section 1
ADVERTISEMENT
The Board of Education Of The Baldwin Union Free School District. County of Nassau, hereafter invites The Submission of Sealed Bids for the SouthWest Quadrant Consortium PUPIL TRANSPORTATION
Monday, 2/10/25 At 9:30 A.M. at the Office Of the Board of Education Baldwin Union Free School District, Baldwin N.Y. 11510
At which time and place All bids will be publicly Opened and read aloud Specifications and bid Forms may be obtained By Telephone 516-434-6040 Between the hours of 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM Weekdays. The Board of Education reserves the Right to reject any or all Bids, or to accept any bid which is in the opinion of The Board of Education will be in the best Interest of the School District Board of Education Baldwin Union Free School District. By: Pamela Pratt District Clerk 151317
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Freeport, by virtue of the authority vested by law, shall conduct a public hearing to be duly held on the 10th day of February 2025, at 5:30 P.M., to consider the applications submitted by the Stearns Park Civic Association to designate the Pillar located at 479 Pennsylvania Avenue, Freeport, New York, as a Landmark; the Pillar located at 171 Prince Avenue, Freeport, New York, as a Landmark; and the Pillar located at 172 Prince Avenue, Freeport, New York, as a Landmark.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the foregoing notice of public hearing shall be entered in the minutes of the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Freeport, and published in the Freeport Leader and a printed copy thereof posted conspicuously in at least three (3) public places in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Nassau County, New York.
STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NASSAU, VILLAGE OF FREEPORT, ss: I, PAMELA WALSH BOENING, Clerk of the Village of Freeport, Nassau County, New York, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of said notice duly authorized by the Board of Trustees of the said Village at a meeting of the Said Board of Trustees, calling for a public hearing to be duly held in the Main Conference Room of the Municipal Building of the Village of Freeport, 46 N. Ocean Avenue, Freeport, New York on the 10th day of February 2025 at 5:30 P.M., and of the whole thereof, as entered upon the minutes of the proceedings of the said Board kept by me as Village Clerk. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Corporate Seal of said Village this 27th day of January 2025. Pamela Walsh Boening Village Clerk Dated: Freeport, New York January 27, 2025 151316 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS FURNISHING OF LED STREET LIGHT LUMINAIRES FOR FREEPORT ELECTRIC THE INC. VILLAGE OF FREEPORT NASSAU COUNTY, NY
Notice is hereby given that the Purchasing Department of the Incorporated Village of Freeport, New York will receive sealed proposals for the “FURNISHING OF LED STREET LIGHT LUMINAIRES” until 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, in the Main Conference Room of the Municipal Building, 46 North Ocean Avenue, Freeport, New York 11520, at which time and place they will be opened publicly and read aloud. Specifications, proposal and proposed contracts may be seen and obtained at the Purchasing Department, Municipal Building, 1st Floor, 46 North Ocean Avenue, Freeport, New York 11520, or by visiting the Village’s Website at www.freeportny.gov. Bids will be available from 9:00 A.M. on Monday, February 3, 2025, until 4:00 P.M. on Friday, February 21, 2025. The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bid proposals received and subject to these reservations, shall award the contract to the lowest qualified and responsible bidder. Bids which, in the opinion of the Board, are unbalanced shall be rejected.
In submitting a bid, bidders agree not to withdraw their bid within forty five (45) days after the date for the opening thereof.
Taylor D’Orta Buyer, Purchasing Dept. Village of Freeport VILLAGE OF FREEPORT Issue Date - January 30, 2025 151315
ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Roosevelt, Town Of Hempstead, County Of Nassau And State Of New York.
Section 0055 Block 00450 Lot 00142
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $379,163.30 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 006711/2016 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.
Original sale date 1/21/2025 at 2:00 PM at the same location Tiffany D. Frigenti, Esq., Referee.
MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573
Dated: 1/22/2025 File Number: 17-301421 151320
Further information may be obtained by contacting Jeanne Jordan, Executive Director, at (516) 442-4844. By Order of the Board of Directors Freeport Community Development Agency January 7, 2025 151319
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to §128-5 of the Freeport Village Code, a Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Freeport will be held to conduct public hearings on Monday, February 10, 2025 at 5:30 P.M., in the Municipal Building, Board of Trustees Conference Room, 46 North Ocean Avenue, 2nd Floor, Freeport, NY adjacent to the Mayor’s Office. Pamela Walsh Boening Village Clerk Issue Date: January 30, 2025 151318
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place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com
In submitting a bid, bidders agree not to withdraw their bid within forty five (45) days after the date for the opening thereof.
Taylor D’Orta Buyer Village of Freeport VILLAGE OF FREEPORT Issue Date - January 30, 2025 Freeport Herald 151314
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 7-2025
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU SABR MORTGAGE LOAN 2008-1 REO SUBSIDIARYI LLC, Plaintiff, Against PATRICK BROADNAX AS ADMINISTRATOR AND HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF LORAINE RIZO, RAFAEL RIZO AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF LORAINE RIZO, RAFEL RIZO AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF LORAINE RIZO, TONY RIZO AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF LORAINE RIZO, ERIC RIZO AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF LORAINE RIZO, ET AL.
Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 09/28/2023, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 2/13/2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 5 2nd Place, Roosevelt, New York 11575, And Described As Follows:
LEGAL NOTICE FREEPORT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Board of Directors of the Freeport Community Development Agency will conduct a public hearing on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, commencing at 5:30 pm, at the Freeport Village Hall, 46 North Ocean Avenue (second floor – main public meeting room), Freeport, NY, for the purpose of obtaining citizen input on the proposed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan for the 51ST Program Year (2025-2026).
An estimated $750,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding is anticipated for the 2025-2026 Program Year. The amount to be allocated for the support of public service programs may not exceed 15% of this amount. All proposals for public service agency funding shall be submitted to the Freeport Community Development Agency, 11 Richmond Street (second floor), Freeport, NY, not later than 4:00 PM, Monday, February 10, 2025. Any proposer wishing to do so will be provided the opportunity to discuss its proposal at the public hearing, however, proposals will not be accepted at the public hearing.
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS 2025 DISPOSAL SERVICES FOR MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE FOR THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF FREEPORT NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK Notice is hereby given that the Purchasing Department of the Incorporated Village of Freeport, New York will receive sealed proposals for “2025 DISPOSAL SERVICES FOR MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE” until 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 in the Main Conference Room of the Municipal Building, 46 North Ocean Avenue, Freeport, New York, 11520, at which time and place they will be opened publicly and read aloud. Specifications, proposal and proposed contracts may be seen and obtained at the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Municipal Building, 1st Floor, 46 North Ocean Avenue, Freeport, New York, 11520, or by visiting the Village’s Website at www.freeportny.gov. Bids will be available from 9:00 A.M. from Monday, February 3, 2025 until 4:00 P.M. Friday, February 14, 2025. There is no charge for the bid documents. The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bid proposals received and subject to these reservations, shall award the contract to the lowest qualified and responsible bidder. Bids, which, in the opinion of the Board, are unbalanced, shall be rejected.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held January 21st, 2025, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 7-2025, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 7-2025, amending Section 202-1 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at various locations.
Dated: January 21, 2025 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 151258
& LEGAL NOTICES
call
us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
86/25. ROOSEVELT - New York Land Development II Corp., Variances, subdivision of lot, lot area, lot width from & on street line to front setback line, lot area occupied, construct dwelling with garage (Lot B)., N/s Frederick Ave., 241.67’ E/o Stevens St. 87/25. ROOSEVELT - New York Land Development II Corp., Variances, subdivision of lot, lot area, lot width from & on street line to front setback line, lot area occupied, construct dwelling with garage (Lot C)., N/s Frederick Ave., 283.33’ E/o Stevens St. ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in Roosevelt within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available a t https://hempsteadny.gov/ 509/Board-of-Appeals The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.gov/ 576/Live-Streaming-Video Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it. 151248
AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com TO PLACE AND AD CALL 516-569-4000 x 232 PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com TO PLACE AND AD CALL 516-569-4000 x 232
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 02/05/2025 at 9:30 A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:
THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M.
85/25. ROOSEVELT - New York Land Development II Corp., Variances, subdivision of lot, lot area, lot width from & on street line to front setback line, lot area occupied, construct dwelling with garage (Lot A) (demolish existing dwelling)., N/s Frederick Ave., 200’ E/o Stevens St., f/k/a 123 Frederick Ave.
LEGAL NOTICE CASE NO. 21527
RESOLUTION NO.61-2025
Adopted: January 21, 2025 Councilmember Miller offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AND SETTING ASIDE CERTAIN PARKING SPACES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE SOLE USE OF HOLDERS OF SPECIAL PARKING PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COUNTY OF NASSAU TO PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS. WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 54 -2025, adopted January 7th, 2025, a public hearing was duly held on the day of January 21st, 2025, at the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the proposed establishment and setting aside of a certain parking space for motor vehicles
Public Notices
for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons, in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, all as set forth in said resolution; and WHEREAS, after due consideration, this Town Board finds it to be in the public interest to establish and set aside a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, the following parking spaces be and the same hereby is set aside for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons:
ELMONT
KIEFER AVENUE - south side, starting at a point 93 feet west of the west curbline of Keller Avenue, west for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-565/24)
ROOSEVELT
CARROLL STREET - south side, starting at a point 65 feet west of the west curbline of Andrews Avenue, west for a distance of 16 feet.
(TH-570/24)
EAST ROOSEVELT
AVENUE - north side, starting at a point 250 feet east of the east curbline of Rose Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-556/24)
HOWARD AVENUEnorth side, starting at a point 284 feet west of the west curbline of John Place, west for a distance of 30 feet.
(TH-566/24) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons:
ELMONT
MADISON STREET - south side, starting at a point 32 feet west of the west curbline of Dauntless Parkway, west for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-380/06 - 10/3/06) (TH-563/24) INWOOD
WEST END AVENUEwest side, starting at a point 94 feet south of the south curbline of Pearl Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-523/22 - 12/6/22)
(TH-557/24)
(NR)LYNBROOK
HUDSON COURT - east side, starting at a point 152 feet north of the north curbline of Whitehall Street, north for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-105/20 - 08/4/20)
(TH-568/24) ; and, BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk shall enter this resolution in the minutes
of the Town Board and shall publish a copy of this resolution once a newspaper having a general circulation in the Town of Hempstead and shall post a copy hereof on the signboard maintained by her, and file in her office affidavits of such publication and posting.
The foregoing resolution was seconded by Councilmember Goosby and adopted upon roll call as follows:
AYES: SEVEN (7) NOES: NONE (0) 151261
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS 2025 ANNUAL CURB AND SIDEWALK CONTRACT FOR THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF FREEPORT NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
Notice is hereby given that the Purchasing Department of the Incorporated Village of Freeport, New York will receive sealed proposals for 2025 ANNUAL CURB AND SIDEWALK CONTRACT until 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 in the Main Conference Room of the Municipal Building, 46 North Ocean Avenue, Freeport, New York, 11520, at which time and place they will be opened publicly and read aloud. Specifications, proposal and proposed contracts may be seen and obtained at the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Municipal Building, 1st Floor, 46 North Ocean Avenue, Freeport, New York, 11520, or by visiting the Village’s Website at www.freeportny.gov.
Bids will be available from 9:00 A.M. on Monday, February 3, 2025 until 4:00 P.M. Friday, February 14, 2025. There is no charge for the bid documents.
The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bid proposals received and subject to these reservations, shall award the contract to the lowest qualified and responsible bidder. Bids, which, in the opinion of the Board, are unbalanced, shall be rejected.
In submitting a bid, bidders agree not to withdraw their bid within forty five (45) days after the date for the opening thereof.
Taylor
D’Orta Buyer
Village of Freeport VILLAGE OF FREEPORT
Issue Date - January 30, 2025 Freeport Herald 151313
To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU REVERSE MORTGAGE FUNDING, LLC, -againstCORNELL BOZIER, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF DOROTHY CURL, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on May 25, 2023, wherein REVERSE MORTGAGE FUNDING, LLC is the Plaintiff and CORNELL BOZIER, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF DOROTHY CURL, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 3, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 38 BOOTH STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550; and the following tax map identification: 36-3-44 & 45.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HEMPSTEAD, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 600156/2018. Mary Ellen Divone, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 151323
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR PARK PLACE SECURITIES, INC. ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH
CERTIFICATES SERIES 2005-WHQ2, -againstROBERTO CONTRERAS, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on June 27, 2023, wherein WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR PARK PLACE
SECURITIES, INC. ASSETBACKED PASS-THROUGH
CERTIFICATES SERIES 2005-WHQ2 is the
Plaintiff and ROBERTO CONTRERAS, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 5, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 15 WALLACE STREET, FREEPORT, NY 11520; and the following tax map identification: 55-272-3.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF FREEPORT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 601223/2019. Peter Kramer, Esq. - Referee. The Referee may be reached by phone at 516-510-4020. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 151325
News brief
Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow joined Melissa Meals & Ministry founder Melissa Harris and Feed the Community founder Regina Hurt on Jan. 19 as they provided meals in Hempstead village for homeless people.
Officials pariticpate in homeless outreach
With snow beginning to fall, Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow joined Melissa Meals & Ministry founder Melissa Harris and Feed the Community founder Regina Hurt on Jan. 19 as they provided meals in Hempstead Village for homeless people. During the outreach effort, they also distributed coats and essentials that were gathered during Legislator Koslow’s inaugural winter coat drive.
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, -againstNIMBOKO B. MILLER, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on June 11, 2018, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION is the Plaintiff and NIMBOKO B. MILLER, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 3, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 352 WESTSIDE AVENUE, FREEPORT, NY 11520; and the following tax map identification: 62-66-299.
ALL THAT PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE VILLAGE OF FREEPORT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 006688/2015. Peter Levy, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 151321
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT: NASSAU COUNTY. WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR THE HOLDERS OF THE PARK PLACE SECURITIES INC., ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-WCW2, Pltf. vs. ESCOLASTICA CRUZ A/K/A ESCOLATICA CRUZ, et al, Defts. Index #000435/2018. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale dated Jan. 15, 2020 and order substituting the referee entered Sept 7, 2022, I will sell at public auction on the north side front steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 4, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., prem. k/a 61 East Avenue, Freeport, NY a/k/a Section 62, Block 76, Lot 4. Approx. amt. of judgment is $807,696.06 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. MARK S. RICCIARDI, Referee. MARGOLIN, WEINREB & NIERER, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 575 Underhill Blvd., Ste. 224, Syosset, NY. #102082 151273
“As temperatures were plummeting in Nassau County and across the tristate region, efforts like those put forth by Melissa and Regina are more impactful than ever,” Koslow said. “Their dedication to serving others is truly inspiring, and we thank them and the generous residents of Legislative District 5 for making this possible.”
–Kepherd Daniel
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO BAC HOME LOANS SERVICING, LP FKA COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS SERVICING, LP, Plaintiff -against- FEDIE R. REDD, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated January 25, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 4, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at the corner formed by the intersection of the Southerly side of Cedar St. with the Easterly side of Westside Avenue; being a plot 100 feet by 50 feet by 100 feet by 50 feet. Section: 62 Block: 149 Lot: 452
Said premises known as
173 CEDAR STREET, FREEPORT, NY 11520
Approximate amount of lien $549,313.36 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Index Number 007276/2013.
JEFFREY TOBACK, ESQ., Referee
David A. Gallo & Associates LLP
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 47 Hillside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhasset, NY 11030 File# 8150.324 {* FREEPORT LEADER*} 151206
Courtesy Office of Legislator Seth I. Koslow
EMPLOYMENT
Help Wanted
CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE
Full Time/Part Time
Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.
Salary Range is $16.50 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers.
Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must.
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DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $20 - $25/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778
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EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
OFFICE ASSISTANT PT
Flexible Hours. General Office Duties. Phones, Filing, Light Bookkeeping. $20$25/ Hour. Salary Commensurate With Experience. Email info@cousinsmetal.com Or Call 516-536-7755
OUTSIDE
SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for
DHow hard is converting from oil to gas?
Q. We want a new boiler and to convert to gas, because oil costs keep rising. How safe are a gas boiler, water heater and stove? We are told it could be very expensive to run a gas line to our home if there isn’t one on the street. We have spoken to a plumber who is looking into this for us, but is this really going to be economical, since we’re retired and just trying to find ways to reduce living costs?
A. Gas is generally safe when the lines are left alone where installed, and not tampered with. We only read or hear news about a gas explosion when something out of the ordinary happens. Years ago, a gas explosion on Long Island turned out to have been caused by thieves who ripped the gas stove out of an empty home, leaving the open gas line spewing gas to the whole house until a spark from the boiler ignited the gas and blew the home up. This is rare, and was caused by ignorance.
You can avoid this by being cautious, and hiring professionals to handle gas appliances. With several steps to convert from oil to gas, you, or your plumber, must verify that gas lines are available on your street. I remember converting to gas, contacting the gas company and, after a week, calling them back and learning that there was no gas, and that the closest location was a block away, on the other side of a busy county road. I was also told that I would have to go door to door to speak to neighbors about converting to gas so that it would be worth it for the gas company to extend the street line into our neighborhood. In other words, the gas company wanted me to market their product if I wanted it for myself.
I did manage to find others around me who were interested in converting. Then we all waited, and wouldn’t you know it, the neighbors started calling me to find out when the gas lines were going to be installed. That prompted me to do what you may also have to do: keep calling. There were issues with getting approvals for the road opening of a county road, which takes months, permits for the gas conversion by the plumber, location of other utilities, oil and tank removal after gas was in.
Plan for summer installation, when the boiler is least needed. As for the expense, it doesn’t pay to buy a less expensive boiler if it’s less efficient, because its operating cost — usually based on how much heat is derived per unit of fuel consumed — will be much more than the money saved at the outset. Incidentally, oil fuel is slightly more efficient than gas, but the cost increases are based on a less stable spot market. Although gas tends to remain more price-stable, for some unknown reason, it tends to increase in cost concurrent with oil increases. Good luck!
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America’s literacy crisis is everyone’s responsibility
What if I told you that the next pandemic is around the corner, but is totally preventable? Wouldn’t you muster all your resources to stop it? That’s what is happening in America now when it comes to literacy among young people, and everyone, not just educators, has the power to do something about it.
“There is currently a literacy crisis happening in the U.S.,” according to the Education Trust, “one that disproportionately affects students of color, and that cannot be ignored.”
According to the National Assessment of Education Progress, the majority of American children are not proficient readers. Last year, the NAEP found that just 43 percent of fourth-graders in the U.S. scored at or above a proficient level in reading. And for marginalized students, the numbers are much worse: just 17 percent of Black students, 21 percent of Latino students, 11 percent of students with disabilities and 10 percent of multilingual learners can read proficiently by fourth grade. Reading is fundamental, extending far beyond the ability to decode words.
It cultivates critical thinking, builds healthy imaginations, expands vocabulary and nurtures curiosity. Reading expands the mind, and it is essential to maintaining an informed citizenry and an effective democracy. The decline in reading proficiency should concern us all.
How did we get here?
The proliferation of technology in every aspect of our lives is a main culprit. Distractions are everywhere, from constant entertainment on our televisions to the endless notifications from our apps to video games that keep children and young adults occupied for hours and make it difficult for traditional books to compete. While technology offers many benefits, we must find ways to rebalance the scales and reignite a love of reading.
eHere are some of the ways you can support your children’s reading at home:
n Choose the right books. Select books with no more than four or five unfamiliar words per page or paragraph to avoid frustration.
very family can create a reading culture at home with some distractionfree time.
Schools, in partnership with parents and communities, are key, and collaborative efforts are crucial. In the Uniondale school district, our pre-kindergarten program provides students with a great foundation in reading, but sustained support is vital. Parents are the primary influencers of reading in their children’s lives. By modeling reading habits, sharing reading strategies and prioritizing family reading time, parents and caregivers can have a positive impact on children’s reading journeys.
n Select books that they’re interested in. Interest and enthusiasm are key.
n Talk about what they’re reading. You can talk about a book before, during and after they read it by asking questions and getting your child to share predictions and reactions.
Every family can create a reading culture at home by dedicating some distraction-free time to reading.
In Uniondale, our teachers promote reading by fostering a love of books and teaching the foundational skills that make students avid readers. Every day, teachers develop students’ confidence in reading by exposing them to rich vocabulary, providing phonics instruction and sharing comprehension strategies. As a nationally certified My Brother’s Keeper Community, we pledged to ensure that all of our students are reading on grade level by the end of third grade. We are working toward this commitment by enlisting the support of our community partners, businesses and leaders, who
engage in either our Reading Buddies or our community-based literacy activities.
This summer, we initiated a My Brother’s Keeper Summer Reading program, which challenged elementaryschool students to read 30 books over the summer and post their summaries online. Our local businesses, including restaurants, barber shops and laundromats, displayed signs that promoted the program and allowed students to post their reading summaries to a digital QR code. Students who took part were invited to a free night at the Long Island Children’s Museum and an endof-summer fun night on the Uniondale High School athletic fields.
We continued our community reading program in the fall, in collaboration with the Uniondale Public Library, and this month we’re launching a Reading Buddy program with the teens of Jack and Jill of America’s Nassau County chapter. All of these initiatives not only spread awareness of the importance of reading, but also signal that there’s a shared responsibility for children’s reading in our community, and we all have to do our part.
The solution to the literacy crisis is within our reach. By working together and reminding young people of the magic and power within the pages of a book, we can reverse this trend and empower the next generation.
Monique Darrisaw-Akil is superintendent of the Uniondale school district.
A new path forward for Long Island transportation
Long Island is a place of endless potential, where communities with rich histories thrive in scenic landscapes. Our ability to sustain this prosperity is at risk, however, due to a glaring issue: outdated and insufficient transportation infrastructure. The status quo is no longer an option.
MichAeLLe SOLAGeS
Long Island’s transportation challenges stem from years of systemic neglect and a funding model that doesn’t prioritize our region’s needs. Currently, Long Island’s funding mechanism is lumped together with New York City and other counties under the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council. This arrangement puts Long Island at a disadvantage, forcing us to compete for resources with the complex
and nearly endless needs of the five boroughs and beyond.
The numbers paint a stark picture. Long Island’s share of transportation funding has dwindled to just 6 percent, despite a population that would make us the third-largest city in the nation. We are being asked to do more with less, and the cracks are starting to show — literally, in our roads and railways. To address this crisis, we must rethink how transportation funding and planning are handled.
that we know how to prioritize best.
With the leadership of such an organization, we would be able to build a Long Island where commuting is seamless, roads are safer and public transit options are robust. Projects such as modernizing the Long Island Rail Road, improving safety on major highways, and developing environmentally friendly transit systems would finally get the attention they deserve.
A region that is key to New York’s economy is treated as an afterthought.
The creation of a Nassau Suffolk Metropolitan Planning Organization is the logical next step. By establishing a dedicated MPO for Long Island, we can ensure that our transportation priorities are no longer overshadowed by those of neighboring regions. The new organization would allow us to access federal funding directly, giving us the autonomy to address local issues
Smaller New York regions, like Ithaca, already benefit from their own MPOs despite having far smaller populations and economies than Long Island. Why should our region, home to more than 3 million people and a cornerstone of New York’s economy, continue to be treated as an afterthought?
This is not just about transportation — it’s about Long Island’s future. Without the infrastructure to support our
growing population and economy, we risk losing what makes this region special.
Thanks to the leadership of State Sen. Monica Martinez and Assemblyman Steve Stern, legislation to establish a Nassau Suffolk MPO has been introduced, and as the chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, I’m proud that we’ve included this important legislation in our 2025 People’s Budget Framework. Now it’s up to us to make this vision a reality. Passing this legislation would mark a turning point, signaling that Long Island’s needs would no longer be ignored.
Let’s seize this opportunity to secure Long Island’s place as a leader in transportation innovation. By creating a Nassau Suffolk MPO, we can build a future in which our communities are connected, our economy is strengthened and our residents enjoy a better quality of life.
Michaelle Solages represents the 22nd Assembly District.
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Act would help main streets, local newsrooms
Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities. They are the corner stores, familyowned restaurants, and local service providers that fuel our neighborhoods, create jobs, and drive economic growth. Yet these vital businesses often face significant challenges in reaching new customers and growing their operations in an increasingly competitive economy.
With the official introduction in the New York State Legislature of the Lift Our Communities, Advertise Locally, or LOCAL, Act, small businesses across the state might gain a powerful new tool next year to help sustain their success and maximize the reach of their marketing dollars. Sponsored by State Sen. Monica Martinez and Assemblywoman Jen Lunsford, the legislation would establish a tax credit for small businesses that advertise in local media outlets — from print and digital to television and radio. By making advertising more affordable, the LOCAL Act would empower small businesses to reach their target audiences while also supporting the essential work of the same media outlets that provide our communities with local journalism.
The LOCAL Act focuses on supporting minority-, woman- and veteranowned businesses, as well as any businesses with 10 or fewer employees. For
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Blakeman takes the credit, but how safe is the county?
To the Editor:
many of these entrepreneurs, the ability to advertise affordably in trusted, community-driven platforms like local newspapers would be a game-changer. Local media outlets are well positioned to connect businesses with their neighbors — customers who are eager to shop locally and uplift their communities.
This legislation couldn’t come at a better time. Small businesses are still navigating the economic aftershocks of the pandemic, inflationary pressures, and competition from large corporations with massive marketing budgets. The LOCAL Act would help level the playing field, giving your favorite momand-pop store a way to increase visibility without sacrificing their scarce financial resources.
When our small businesses thrive, so do our communities. Small businesses employ your neighbors, sponsor your kids’ Little League team, and offer a convenient destination for a night out with your spouse. These businesses are not only economic drivers, but also cornerstones of community identity.
The benefits of the LOCAL Act would extend beyond businesses. Local media outlets, too, are vital to communities, because they produce the journalism that keeps people informed about school board meetings, neighborhood crime, church bake sales and the
most recent newlyweds — and everything in between. Unfortunately, declining advertising revenues have jeopardized the financial sustainability of many of these media outlets, and small newsrooms have been shuttering across the state. By encouraging small businesses to advertise locally, the LOCAL Act would helps these outlets continue their essential work of championing their communities.
This dual benefit — supporting both small businesses and local journalism — has already garnered strong support from business groups, community leaders, and the 200-plus local newspapers comprising the Empire State Local News Coalition — including the Heralds. It’s a win-win solution that strengthens the backbone of our local economy while fostering a unified, informed citizenry.
The LOCAL Act marks a bold step forward in tackling the interconnected challenges our communities are facing today. By working together to implement and embrace this program, we can build stronger businesses, sustain vital journalism, and ensure the prosperity of communities across New York for years to come.
We support this smart legislation. Tell your elected leaders in Albany to include the LOCAL Act in the final fiscal year 2026 state budget.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman boasts in his Jan. 16-22 Herald op-ed, “Safety and affordability must be Nassau’s priorities,” that he has made Nassau County the safest county in the nation. But Blakeman neglects to acknowledge that the same top ranking in a U.S. News & World Report annual survey was also attained in two consecutive years during the tenure of his predecessor, Democrat Laura Curran.
The Republican county executive attributes the comparatively high degree of security to “our investments in public safety.” Blakeman notes that he has sworn in 291 new police officers since taking office in 2022.
While the additional cops may be helping keep violent-crime rates at the low level achieved under Curran, an expanded Nassau County Police Department has done little to make the county’s roads safer. Blakeman says nothing, and has done nothing, about the traffic violence that resulted in nearly 150 deaths in the county during his first two years in office. Killings by armed assailants claimed fewer than 10 lives in the same period.
The NCPD, and Blakeman, appear uninterested in acting to reduce this carnage. County police issued about 20 percent fewer tickets to drivers in 2022 than in
2019, according to the most recent data available from state sources. Stricter enforcement would likely bring about a drop in fatal crashes related to speeding
opinions Conspiracy has no place after tragedy
Like so many others, I have watched the California wildfires unfold with a mix of horror and awe.
For those unfamiliar with the scale of destruction, the fires that began igniting near Los Angeles in early January have scorched over 40,000 acres, claimed at least 27 lives, injured more than 20 people and destroyed over 15,000 structures.
As I followed news reports, watched television coverage and scrolled through social media during the first week of the fires, one message stood out: Nearly everyone had California and its residents in their thoughts and prayers. Relief efforts and fundraisers quickly sprang into action as people rallied to help and offer support wherever it was needed. It is in our nature as humans to want to help. Yet to my dismay, almost as soon as the relief efforts began, conspiracies started surfacing. And not to be punny, but they spread like, well, wildfire. On my social media feeds, I occasionally come across videos from a popular
account called “Gubba Homestead.” The account owner, a farmer, often starts her videos with the tagline, “I’m a conspiracy theorist . . .” From there she dives into various claims, many of which can be debunked by science. The videos are clickbait-like in their nature, designed to provoke reactions or outrage in the comments — an approach that boosts views and amplifies the videos’ spread.
tIt’s a fascinating, albeit troubling, method of online content creation, and I wasn’t surprised when, about a week after the fires began, she appeared on my feed once again, starting with the familiar line, “Call me a conspiracy theorist, but . . .”
atures in 2024 were dubbed “abnormally hot” by scientists at the University of California — which should surprise no one. And it’s not just the West Coast that has been affected by fires. Think about what occurred just a few months ago in upstate New York.
heories started surfacing almost as soon as the relief efforts began in L.A.
She went on to claim that there was no way the L.A. wildfires could have been caused by climate change, offering harmful commentary that did nothing to help anyone during a time of tragedy. Without diving too deep, I’ll tell you this: Climate scientists have indicated that the likelihood of fire events has increased by 31 to 66 percent since 1950, due to intense periods of strong rainfall, which create more vegetation, followed by periods of extreme drought, which dries out that vegetation. Global temper-
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and driving under the influence — the two leading causes of road deaths. Blakeman seeks to project a toughguy image when it comes to crime. That accounts for his unilateral move to create a force of 75 armed “special deputies” to be activated whenever he chooses. This new unit, criticized as a private militia, will be mobilized in cases of “emergency,” the county executive maintains. But the carnage on the county’s roads does not, in his estimation, qualify as a topic worth addressing — let alone as an “emergency.”
KevIN J KeLLeY Atlantic Beach
It’s time for New York to embrace nuclear power
To the editor:
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recent state budget proposal fails to adequately address New York’s energy infrastructure. The proposal does not mention nuclear power, even though it is the state’s best energy opportunity. equally troubling is the omission of the empire State Wind project, a once-central component of New York’s energy goal of generating net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. If the governor rec-
ognizes that wind energy faces significant public opposition, especially on Long Island, then it’s time to focus on funding nuclear energy projects instead.
Nuclear power is the most efficient form of renewable energy, generating massive amounts of electricity with a much smaller land footprint than wind or solar. This is best demonstrated by the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant, which never went online. The plant’s site now houses wind turbines that produce 1/35,000th of the energy the nuclear plant would have generated. While there were justifiable concerns about building a reactor downstate, Hochul should now look to fund nuclear reactors upstate that would create electricity for downstate communities.
The closure of the Indian Point energy Center in 2021 underscores the urgency of building a better energy grid for New York. This move forced downstate New York to increase its reliance on fossil fuels, driving up emissions and worsening air pollution. Communities already struggling with environmental and health inequities continue to bear the brunt of these decisions.
Nuclear power is resurging across the country. Tech companies such as Microsoft and Meta are restarting nuclear reactors because they recog -
Climate change is real, and it’s here. People can ignore the truth, but there’s no place in this conversation for conspiracies.
At the core of American values lies the principle of free speech. Thoughtful questioning and theorizing have driven breakthroughs once deemed impossible. Scientific discoveries have emerged, and transformative social change has been achieved, thanks to people who challenged the status quo — doing so with ethical integrity and moral purpose.
What’s unfolding across social media, as Californians work to rebuild their lives, is neither ethical nor moral. Those whose lives have been upended don’t need “influencers” spreading baseless claims or (again, sorry) fanning the flames of conspiracy.
This behavior exploits tragedy for attention, shifting the focus away from the victims and the real issues at hand. It undermines efforts to address the underlying causes, like climate change
and inadequate infrastructure, and distracts from the stories of resilience and heroism that deserve to be heard.
The conspiracy phenomenon isn’t unique to the California fires. From hurricanes to pandemics to mass shootings, misinformation and conspiracy theories seem to surface in the wake of nearly every major tragedy. Under the guise of seeking the “truth,” sensationalized theories simply capitalize on fear, confusion and distrust, and accomplish nothing.
To complicate things, Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, announced a few weeks ago that it was scrapping its fact-checking program, which flagged possible misinformation — a move that will just keep conspiracies burning, spreading and infiltrating the minds of many.
I’m not suggesting that we stop questioning or trying to make sense of the world around us, but as always, we must remain mindful. Consider the weight of your words and actions, and the harm that conspiracies can inflict. There’s a time and place for questions, based on the truth. That’s how we rebuild and move forward. But in the aftermath of tragedy, we can’t afford to make room for ignorance.
Jordan Vallone is a senior editor of the Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? Jvallone@liherald.com.
nize that they are the most effective way to fuel their operations sustainably. It’s time for New York to follow suit. Governor Hochul should take bold action to fund nuclear energy projects, ensuring that downstate residents have access to renewable power.
Framework by Tim Baker
Miss Long Island 2025, Kristen Rosario, left, and Miss Long Island Teen, Adriana Lane, were crowned at Molloy University’s Madison Theatre — Rockville Centre
JorDan VaLLone
MICHAeL SINGeR Long Beach
Michael Singer is a student at New York University’s Stern School of Business.
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