Freeport Herald 02-02-2023

Dodd M.S. presents ‘Moana’ Page 3

Lineup of events on the Mile Page 12

Freeport business owner indicted in Sandy fraud

By MOHAMED FARGHALY mfarghaly@liherald.com

Alexander Almaraz, owner of Design Concepts Group LLC in Freeport, has been charged in a 20-count indictment in connection with a scheme to defraud homeowners recovering from the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

Freeport native, 18, lands role in national musical tour

By MOHAMED FARGHALY mfarghaly@liherald.com

Freeport talent Belle Bongiorno will grace stages across the country after securing a role in the national tour of “Hits! The Musical.”

The 18-year-old will join 28 other entertainers when they take the stage to showcase America’s most iconic songs in the production.

Growing up in Freeport, Bongiorno has always been drawn to the town’s coastal culture, having spent much of her childhood by the water.

“A lot of my favorite memories are honestly just hanging out with friends and going to get

ice cream and sitting by the dock,” Bongiorno said. “It was just such a great feeling to be there by the water with them.”

At 17, she landed her first job on a boat on the Nautical Mile, working as a sales associate and eventually being trained to be a first mate, responsible for the passengers and the boat’s maintenance.

However, Bongiorno’s true passion for the performing arts started at a young age. She was cast in multiple productions of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” and performed the lead role of Clara when she was just 12.

This experience sparked her love for the stage, and led her to audition for other oppor-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Almaraz, a 55-year-old former Freeport resident now living in California, was indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and attempted wire fraud for allegedly convincing homeowners to hire his company and pay for repairs following Hurricane Sandy.

It is alleged that Almaraz used $2.5 million received from homeowners to purchase luxury cars, including a Lamborghini, a Porsche and a Jaguar. Almaraz was arraigned and pleaded not guilty Jan. 26 in federal court in Central Islip before United

States Magistrate Judge Lee G. Dunst. He is currently free on a $100,000 bond.

Officials from the U.S. attorney’s office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Nassau County district attorney reported that Almaraz, who is accused of exploiting disaster victims by preying on homeowners eager to rebuild, was arrested and charged.

“In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the defendant took advantage of distressed homeowners who were desperate to rebuild their homes and their lives,” U.S. Attorney Breon Peace stated in a news release. He noted that though Sandy was more than a decade ago, people who commit fraud will be prosecuted.

“As our fellow community members attempted to restore their lives following the cataclysmic destruction of Hurricane Sandy, the defendant CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Courtesy Susan Jeffers Photography

FROM THE DOCKS of Freeport to the bright lights of the national stage: 18-year-old Belle Bongiorno is preparing to join the all-youth production of ‘Hits! The Musical.’

A s alleged, rather than complete the promised contract, Almaraz stole his victims’ money to pay for his lavish personal expenses.

MICHAEL J. DRISCOLL FBI assistant director-in-charge

Peter King debuts new opinion column

Former congressman has no intention of slowing down in retirement

By MICHAEL HINMAN mhinman@liherald.com

Not even retirement can slow down Peter King. After 28 years in the U.S. House — including a two-year stint as chair of the House Homeland Security Committee — as well as more than two decades serving on both the Hempstead town council and as Nassau County comptroller, King finds himself busier than ever.

He’s working with a Washington law firm, and does consulting work for Northwell Health. He makes regular appearances on the Newsmax cable channel, as well as John Catsimatidis’s 77WABC radio station.

But now King is adding one more job to that list as a new regular columnist for Herald Community Newspapers. The former congressman’s first official piece appears in this week’s Opinions pages.

“It’s not like I have to catch a plane to get to Washington, or I’m at the whim of what’s the last vote going to be on Thursday night or Friday night,” King said. “I pretty much plan my own schedule. And the best feeling I had — and it took me about a month to get used to — is waking up in the morning and knowing I can go back to sleep if I want to.”

These days, King finds himself solely

Jack Healy/Herald file

FORMER U.S. REP. Peter King has kept himself busy since retiring from Congress in 2021, from his regular appearance on 77WABC radio, to now becoming a regular opinion columnist for Herald Community Newspapers. His first official piece — singing the praises of freshman U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito — can be found in this week’s Opinions section.

focused on life here at home. But for nearly three decades, the congressman was caught between the two worlds of Washington and his district back in New York.

The trick in the beginning was making

sure he never lost sight of why he was on the House floor in the first place.

“When you’re in Washington, you’re still responsible for a lot of local issues, because the local mayors and supervisors

and town boards — they’re going to be calling you and reaching out for help,” King said. “I think with a number of members of Congress, they’re so concerned with the international and national aspects of it, they forget the guy living down the block.

“The guy that lives in Highland Park. The guy that lives in Seaford. That’s where you base comes from. So, really, the challenge is to keep all of those things in your mind, and be able to sort through them all.”

King has made no secret about his support of U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, whose congressional district covers much of what King’s did back in the day. In fact, his first column focuses on the high hopes King has of his protégé, and how the sky’s the limit for the former town councilman.

“I mean, Anthony, we talk several times a week,” King said. “I don’t want to sound like I am telling him what to do, or giving him some great advice. But maybe one thing I can be most helpful on is telling him early on which members of Congress you can pay attention to, and which others to just ignore.

“Some of them you try to take seriously, but then you realize after a month or two that these guys are cranks, and nobody else is listening to them, except you.”

THE DODD MIDDLE School Drama Company brought the story of “Moana, Jr.” to life on stage with a talented cast, vibrant sets, and passionate performances.

“Moana, Jr.” Production at Dodd School

Middle school students immerse audience in world of adventure and self-discovery

The John W. Dodd Middle School Drama Company presented their production of “Moana, Jr.” on Jan.19, transporting audience members to a world of adventure and self-discovery through the stage adaptation of the beloved animated film.

The passionate middle school students, led by Genesis Adams as Moana, Daniel Melendez as Maui and Tefiti, Jennah Newton as Gramma Tala, Nixon Reyes as Chief Tui and Kaylah Williams as Te Ka, brought the story to life with vibrant sets and emotive performances.

Co-directed by Vashti Burke and Renson Delos Santos, the students worked tirelessly to honor and preserve the cultures of the Oceanic region through their singing, acting and choreography. The show left the audience thoroughly entertained throughout the school performance.

GENESIS ADAMS, CENTER stage, portrayed the character of Moana in the Dodd Drama Company’s presentation of “Moana, Jr.” held in the Performing Arts Center at Freeport High School.

MORGHAN KARL, CENTER, Adriana Campbell, right, and Magdalena Lara, left, sang the popular song “Shiny” as the greedy crab in the Dodd Drama Company’s production of “Moana, Jr.”

THE DODD MIDDLE School Drama Company brings the magic of Moana to life on stage through costume and song.

Photos courtesy Freeport Public Schools

–Mohamed Farghaly

Almaraz allegedly spent millions on cars

exploited the opportunity to operate a years’ long scheme,” FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael J. Driscoll said in the release. “As alleged, rather than complete the promised contract, Almaraz stole his victims’ money to pay for his lavish personal expenses. The FBI will continue to investigate fraud and abuse of government relief programs and hold the scammers accountable for their schemes.”

Sandy struck the metropolitan area Oct. 29, 2019 resulting in severe damage to low-lying and coastal regions, particularly in the communities within the Eastern District of New York. Homeowners whose properties were impacted by the storm were able to apply for financial support through the Gover-

BREON PEACE

nor’s Office of Storm Recovery’s NYR program.

“Dozens of New Yorkers — in their hour of need — were left homeless, and

Special Needs Children and Grandchildren

Parents or grandparents of a disabled child should leave assets in a Special Needs Trust, to avoid the child being disqualified from government benefits, such as SSI and Medicaid. The reasoning behind these Special Needs Trusts is simple — prior to the protection now afforded by these trusts, parents would simply disinherit their disabled children rather than see them lose their benefits. Since the state wasn’t getting the inheritance monies anyway, why not allow it to go to the disabled child for his or her extra needs, above and beyond what the state supplies.

These trusts, however, offer traps for the unwary. Since payments to the child will generally reduce their SSI payments dollar for dollar, trustees of such trusts should be advised to make payments directly to the providers of goods and services. Preserving SSI benefits is crucial since eligibility for SSI determines eligibility for Medicaid.

In other words, if SSI is lost the recipient also loses their Medicaid benefits. In addition, any benefits previously paid by Medicaid may be recovered. As such, one also has to be mindful of bequests from well-meaning grandparents. Similarly, if a sibling dies without a will, a

share of their estate may go to the special needs brother or sister by law. The Special Needs Trust must be carefully drafted so that it only allows payments for any benefits over and above what the government provides.

There are two kinds of Special Needs Trusts – first party and third party. The first party trust is set up by a parent, grandparent, legal guardian or court using the child’s own money, either through earnings, an inheritance that was left directly to them or, perhaps, a personal injury award. Recent changes in the law allow the special needs child to establish their own first party Special Needs Trust if they are legally competent to engage in contractual matters. These first party trusts require a “payback” provision, meaning that on the death of the child beneficiary, the trust must pay back the state for any government benefits received.

A third party trust is usually set up by a parent or grandparent, using their own money. Here, no “payback” provision is required because it was not the child’s own money that funded the trust and the parent or grandparent had no obligation to leave any assets to the child. On the death of the child beneficiary, the balance of the trust is paid out to named beneficiaries.

with their homes in ruin, due to the alleged actions of Alexander Almaraz,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly stated in the release. “For nearly four years, this contractor allegedly promised families that he’d repair their homes, but instead he used disaster relief money to buy exotic sports cars and property in another state. I thank our partners at the US. Attorney’s Office and the FBI for their diligent pursuit of this defendant, who has left a trail of destruction in his wake.”

The indictment states Almaraz represented himself as the owner of DCG and fraudulently posed as the owner of another company. It adds he entered into agreements with homeowners who were eligible to receive funds from the NYR program. The contracts included Almaraz’s promise to raise the homes of the homeowners and place them on a temporary support structure, allowing

for the demolition of the foundation and the installation of a new one, lowering the house and reconnecting appliances.

From October 2015 to June 2019, Almaraz agreed to elevate the homes of at least 20 clients who had received NYR funding and had collectively paid him over $2.5 million. He convinced many of these homeowners to vacate their homes and pay him rent to live elsewhere, all the while neglecting the projects and causing additional damage.

Instead of carrying out the agreedupon work, Almaraz allegedly used the homeowners’ funds to pay for personal expenses, such as credit card bills, land in Kansas City, Missouri, and luxury vehicles. If found guilty, Almaraz could face a maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment on each count in the indictment.

Almaraz’s next court date is scheduled for March 9, via teleconference.

Herald File Photo

THE AFTERMATH OF Hurricane Sandy was a time of immense struggle for many families in the coastal communities of Long Island, and also a time when some sought to exploit the vulnerable. Alexander Almaraz has been charged with 20 counts of fraud for an alleged scheme

to defraud

homeowners who were recovering from the storm.

In the aftermath of . . . Sandy, the defendant took advantage of distressed homeowners who were desperate to rebuild their homes.

U.S. attorney

LIAC’s inaugural monthly Book Talk

By MOHAMED FARGHALY mfarghaly@liherald.com

The Long Island Arts Council of Freeport is hosting a Book Talk series to pay homage to Black History Month. The event will take place on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Freeport Recreation Center, located at 130 E. Merrick Road. The event is open to the public and will feature three African American authors from Freeport who will discuss their work and the challenges they face as African American authors.

The first speaker is Ama Yawson, the founder of Milestoles Publishing and Educational Consulting. Ama will be sharing excerpts from her book, “A Black Family’s Conversation about Racism and Police Brutality.” Her book is a thought-provoking examination of the impact of racism and police brutality on the black community.

The second speaker is Dr. Linda Day, a Professor of Africana Studies at Brooklyn College. Dr. Day received her Ph.D. in African History at the University of Wisconsin and has extensive experience in the field of African American history on Long Island and Sierra Leone. She has been awarded a Senior Fulbright Scholar Fellowship and

taught at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana. Her research focuses on traditional Mende women political leaders and gender-based political authority in the history of Sierra Leone.

The third speaker is Rochelle Alers, a prolific and popular African American author of romance novels. Rochelle has been the recipient of several awards, including the Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary

Award.

The event will be moderated by Johane Ligonde, the Dodd Middle School Principal and a prominent member of the Freeport National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

The evening promises to be an insightful and inspiring celebration of Black History Month, with discussions about the rich cultural heritage of African Americans and the challenges they still face today. Refreshments will be served at this free event.

Sileny Urena and Sidoney Waugh get married

Sileny Urena and Sidoney Waugh of Freeport celebrated their marriage on Jan. 9 with Hempstead town clerk Kate Murray, who officiated at their wedding. It all took place at Hempstead town hall.

Courtesy Long Island Art’s Council of Freeport

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

Town redistricting falls short of new map

Recommendation not enough, civic groups say

By ANA BORRUTO & JUAN LASSO of the Herald

After several rounds of blistering public hearings and politically pressurized back-and-forths, a temporary redistricting commission’s efforts to explore how new political lines should be drawn for the Town of Hempstead ended last month with its final recommendation. Their choice? Nothing.

After weighing the options between a preliminary map pitched by Hempstead town officials, or alternatives by local civic and law groups, the three-member commission officially urged town lawmakers to produce a final map that keeps communities of interest intact. Still, it stopped short of putting forward an actual map for the town to consider.

“We really sat, each one of us, and it truly was a hearing,” commission chair Gary Hudes told the audience. “We listened.

“I think, in both cases, there is a common thread we are seeing, and that is the idea of keeping communities whole and making them more compact.”

The move was met with a sharp uproar from the small crowd, dashing expectations for a final green light for a town council map.

Mimi Pierre-Johnson, the founder of the Elmont Cultural Center, felt the commission had turned a corner by formally acknowledging the faults of the town’s proposal. But they fell short when they did not deliver on a solid recommendation.

“Our hopes (were) snatched by the fact that they refused to stand behind one of the proposed alternative maps and tweak it as needed,” Pierre-Johnson said. “The resolution is not enough to satisfy everything the public raised a concern to.”

Since the first day of the redistricting process, concerns raised by voters and community activist groups circle back to a single theme: District lines should be redrawn to have a more balanced demographic representation of up to three “minority-majority” districts, and compact historically and culturally whole communities. This is something the Elmont Cultural Center and Legal Defense Fund said they ensured with their five alternative maps.

Commission members admitted that not a single proposed map addressed all the issues people have put forth at various meetings, but claimed the recommendation was enough to communicate the gist of everyone’s concerns.

As it stands, the current map produced

by the town-hired Skyline Demographic Consultants ensures the town’s 22 villages — with the exception of the Village of Hempstead — remain whole in accordance with the municipal “home rule” law. And communities such as East Meadow, Franklin Square, North Valley Stream, Baldwin, Uniondale and Woodmere each contain portions of two council districts, while West Hempstead contains portions of three.

Critics, however, raised doubts about the map’s compliance with federal and state voting rights protections — specifically the Voting Rights Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York,

signed last summer by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Michael Pernick of the Legal Defense Fund, civil rights attorney Frederick Brewington, Randolph McLaughlin and LatinoJustice PRLDEF argued splitting the Black and Latino communities in Elmont and Valley Stream into two separate majority-white districts dilutes minority voting power.

“Over 38 percent of the population in the Town of Hempstead is Black or Latino,” the law professionals wrote in a letter to the commission. “But this demographic can only elect the candidate of their choice in one out of the six districts.”

Pernick and Brewington warned that

Ana Borruto/Herald photos

THE PROPOSED MAP from Hempstead town officials showing where town council districts will be placed was created by Skyline Consulting. It has drawn criticism from civic groups and law experts for what they claim violate federal and state voting rights protections, saying the map fails to keep communities whole, and continues to crack minority neighborhoods into multiple districts.

THE ELMONT CULTURAL Center’s ‘Blue Bird Plan’ keeps Elmont and Valley Stream in one minoritymajority district when it comes to representation on the Hempstead town council, while maps proposed by Hempstead town officials do not.

if Hempstead finalizes the current map as it stands, it could expose the town to costly litigation — all at taxpayers’ expense.

A statement released by the commission acknowledged the Skyline proposal was “problematic in that it splits Hempstead and Uniondale, Baldwin, East Meadow, Franklin Square, West Hempstead and North Valley Stream. It fails to keep the communities of North Valley Stream and Elmont together, and fails to put the communities of Merrick and North Merrick into a single district.

“It is not sufficiently compact, and compactness is an important redistricting criteria under the ‘home rule’ message.”

The resolution is not enough to satisfy everything the public raised a concern to.

MIMI PIERREJOHNSON founder, Elmont Cultural Center

THE TOP 3 FINALISTS IN

KIDS & EDUCATION

ADULT EDUCATION - CONTINUING ED:

Hempstead Adult & Community Education Program

Hofstra University

Molloy University

ART SCHOOL:

Hue Studio

Long Island High School for the Arts

The Art Studio

BEAUTY SCHOOL:

Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute

Long Island Beauty School

Nassau BOCES Joseph M. Barry Career & Technical Education Center

CHARTER/PAROCHIAL/PRIVATE:

Bellmore United Methodist Nursery School

Kellenberg Memorial High School

Lawrence Woodmere Academy

COLLEGE PREP SERVICES/ADVISORS:

College Connection

Lockwood College Prep

Pinnacle College Consultants

COLLEGE PRESIDENT:

Dr. Susan Poser - Hofstra University

James Lentini - Molloy University

Maria P. Conzatti - Nassau Community College

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY:

Hofstra University

Molloy University

Nassau Community College

DANCE SCHOOL:

Dance Workshop

Hart & Soul Performing Arts and Dance School

Long Island Academy of Dance

DAY CAMP:

Big Chief Day School & Camp

Coleman Country Day Camp

Lawrence Woodmere Academy

Rolling River Day Camp

DAY CARE:

Big Chief Day School & Camp

Five Towns Early Learning Center

Our Kids Place

DRIVING SCHOOL:

Bell Auto Driving School

East Meadow Driving School

Prosperity Auto Driving School, Inc

GYMNASTICS CENTER:

All Stars Gymnastics Inc

Gold Medal Gymnastics Center

Platinum Athletic

B&B/INN:

Hampton Inn Jericho-Westbury

Holiday Inn Westbury

Ram’s Head Inn

Southampton Inn

EVENT VENUE:

Barnum Ballroom

Bayview Catering on the Water Venue

Epic Escape Rooms LI

HOTEL:

Allegria Hotel

HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL:

Alexandra Greenberg - George W. Hewlett H.S.

Jennifer Lagnado-Papp - Lawrence H.S.

Richard Schaffer - East Rockaway H.S.

KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES:

Epic Escape Rooms LI

Long Island Children’s Museum

Royal Princess Prep Party Company

LEARNING CENTER/TUTOR:

Cornerstone Behavioral Services

Mathnasium

The Coder School

MARTIAL ARTS:

Champions Martial Arts

Uly Karate & Fitness

Warren Levi Martial Arts & Fitness

MUSIC SCHOOLS/CLASSES:

Our Kids Place Hewlett

School of Rock

The Children’s Orchestra Society

NURSERY SCHOOL:

Bellmore United Methodist Nursery School

Our Kids Place Hewlett

United Church Nursery School

SPORTS CAMP:

Hofstra University

Sportime Lynbrook

The Sports Arena

PEOPLE & PLACES

LOCAL TOURIST ATTRACTION:

Jones Beach State Park

Montauk Point Lighthouse

Nunley’s Carousel

MUSEUM:

Cradle of Aviation Museum

Long Island Children’s Museum

Raynham Hall Museum

PLACE TO HAVE A PARTY:

The Bayview

PLACE TO WORSHIP:

Temple Avodah

Temple B’nai Torah

Temple Beth El

WEDDING VENUE:

The Bayview

Swan Club On The Harbor

Westbury Manor

Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa

The Garden City Hotel

Epic Escape Rooms LI

Kombert Caterers

CHECK BACK NEXT WEEK FOR THE TOP IN SERVICES AND SHOPPING!

Congrats to all the Top 3 Finalists in the 2022 Herald Long Island Choice Awards presented by PSEG Long Island! Check back each week for the Top 3 Reveal in each category leading up to the Oscar-style awards ceremony in April 2023. Did your favorites make it to the top? Visit www.LiChoiceAwards.com! *Finalists are listed alphabetically, not in order of placement.

All aboard for Grand Central Madison Limited — and temporary —Long Island Rail Road shuttle service from Jamaica opens

By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com

To the casual observer, it was just any other day at Jamaica’s Long Island Rail Road station.

But just after 10 a.m., commuters rushed aboard a shuttle train destined for Manhattan, the familiar busy choreography of squeezing through, wedging past, running in to nab a seat.

Families holding their kids in tow. Couples and solo riders clutching their baggage. All of them packed into train cars, filling the aisle seats within minutes. Other late arrivals stood standing. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

But the air — even for a late-morning train ride — was unusually abuzz with chatter. Some kept conversation below a whisper. Others, not so much. But everyone was alive with a quiet knowing that this was no ordinary train ride. Instead, taking place, was a moment in history.

A history that was finally connecting Long island with Manhattan’s East Side.

For the better part of a century, for as long as anyone can remember, LIRR commuters relied on Penn Station to get them into the heart of New York City. So long in fact, it seemed the day for an alternative would never come.

But within the span of 22 minutes, that would all become history.

As the train came to its final stop 150 feet below ground in the bedrock of Midtown Manhattan, the low rattling of the train cars stopped, followed by silence. No one dared to move. Breaking the stillness was the sound of the cheery conductor’s voice coming over the loudspeaker whose five words said it all:

“Welcome to Grand Central Madison”

Applause erupted from the train cars. It was a watershed moment for the MTA as passengers set foot for the very first time on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Manhattan East Side station. A moment that encapsulated six decades of planning, nearly 20 years of construction, and roughly $11.6 billion.

The opening came after a month of delays caused by a faulty ventilation fan. Yet, despite the acknowledged roadblocks, delays and missteps along the way, Grand Central Madison is finally here.

“Grand Central will dramatically change the transportation of the region,” said Janno Lieber, the MTA’s chair and chief executive. “It’s going to benefit Long Islanders with shorter commutes, 40 percent more service, and help Long Island business recruit people from the city with reverse commuting.”

And for Niurka Maldonado of Queens —riding with daughters Nora and Paulina — the prospect of having faster access to Manhattan’s East Side is nothing short of exciting.

“We have several friends that work in that area, and I love some of the restaurants in there,” she said. “So, we’re going to definitely be doing more trips to Grand Central and everything around there.”

Grand Central Madison direct LIRR schedule

For roughly three weeks, shuttle service trains between Jamaica and Grand Central Madison are running every 30 minutes during off-peak hours and on weekends, and once per hour during peak times.

Service runs between 6:15 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays, and between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. on weekends.

Long Island Rail Road riders looking to Grand Central Madison can use their Penn Station tickets, which are the same price.

It will likely be a month before full service comes online, replacing the simple commuter trains. For now, riders looking for a fast way between Jamaica and Manhattan’s East Side can find trains every 30 minutes during off-peak hours, and every 60 during peak times.

“I just want to see if it saves me time going to my office on the East Side,” said Francesco Giovannetti of Glen Head. “I’m hoping to save about 20 to 30 minutes being two blocks away from Grand Central. I want to get acclimated to the station.”

Then there was Ruthanne Terrero of Malverne, sitting placidly with her tote bag in hand, taking in the significance of the moment of new train service to Manhattan.

“It’s just really glorious to see that we have something really beautiful,” Terrero said. “I think a lot of people work on the East Side, and I think it’s also really important that people see that New York is progressing.”

And more progress is still to come. Whether this project was worth its price tag, worth the commuting disruption, and worth the extended wait will be up to the riders themselves. Some have already taken to social media to point out certain mishaps like escalators shutting down midway, and some finding trouble making their way into the LIRR concourse at Grand Central.

It is no doubt looking to be a work in progress.

But Mitchell Schwartz and brother Steven — two young MTA train enthusiasts from Roslyn — wouldn’t have wanted this once-in-a-lifetime moment any other way.

Phyllis Levine, pounced on the chance to hop on the shuttle train to Grand Central if it meant saving time getting to her pharmacology appointment.

“I’m not a subway person, and I gen-

erally like to drive everywhere,” the Queens resident said. “But the easiest way to get to Manhattan from Queens is the express bus or the Long Island Rail Road. So, I figured I should try the ride to Grand Central. See how it goes.”

“Just try wrapping your head around the fact that we are the first of millions to ride a train toward something that has been proposed for over half a century,” Mitchell said. “It’s just an amazing occasion.”

Additional reporting by Andre Silva.

Juan Lasso/Herald photos

COMMUTERS, ENVELOPED UNDER a glass ceiling, take the roughly 3,000-foot escalator between the Long Island Rail Road concourse and the mezzanine at Grand Central Madison station on opening day of service that will eventually create a direct link between Manhattan’s East Side and Long Island.

COMMUTERS FROM JAMAICA station boarded the first passenger Long Island Rail Road train to Grand Central Madison inaugurating the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s long-awaited East Side access that will soon provide LIRR service out of Grand Central Terminal.

D’Esposito gets to work on Capitol Hill

By ANA BORRUTO aborruto@liherald.com

It’s certainly been an interesting process getting acclimated to Washington, and his new role as a congressman. But U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito is happy to finally get to settle down and tackle his new role on Capitol Hill.

From police officer to detective in the New York Police Department. An 18-year-old volunteer firefighter to fire chief. And now Hempstead town councilman to congressman, the 40-year-old Island Park native describes looking back at his journey as a surreal experience.

Orientation for incoming congressional members like D’Esposito began the Sunday after Election Day — a point where some candidates were still waiting for their races to be called. Still, freshmen members of the House undergo a two-week icebreaker period where they get to know one another and learn how everything we see on C-SPAN operates.

“In politics in general — but specifically in Washington — you look at where people sit on the (House) floor, and it’s literally divided by an aisle,” D’Esposito said. “When we went to orientation, you walked into the hotel or you walked into different events, everyone just had a nametag on.”

It said who they were and where they were from, but there was no “D” or “R” labelling them as Democrats or Republicans.

“I think it gave (us) the opportunity to really meet people with an open mind,” he said.

D’Esposito is now almost a month into office, serving on three House committees: Homeland Security, Transportation and Infrastructure and House Administration.

When it comes to homeland security, the congressman believes the biggest issue the country faces is taking

place at the U.S.-Mexico border. There have been a large number of migrants coming to the United States seeking asylum, or at least a better life. While D’Esposito believes everyone should have the opportunity to come to America, it still must be “done correctly.”

That means more funding for border patrol agents and the resources they need to keep the country’s borders safe.

Getting onto the Homeland Security Community meant earning a top-secret security clearance. Before leaving the NYPD in his previous life, D’Esposito was in

BREAKING DOWN BOUNDARIES WITH CANCER BREAKTHROUGHS

the process of transferring to the department’s joint terrorist task force.

“In addition to my 20 or so years as a first responder, I think having someone from Long Island and New York on Homeland Security is super important,” D’Esposito said. “We need to carry that mantle of Peter King, who was the chair of Homeland Security following 9/11. And we need to make sure we are able to provide the resources that we need to our local law enforcement agencies — not only here, but throughout the country.”

D’Esposito’s responsibilities with the Committee of House Administration include overseeing management of House operations, federal elections, key congressional offices, and Capitol Complex security — which extends to supervising the U.S. Capitol Police and its management.

The former police officer expressed his excitement in the opportunity to utilize his law enforcement experience when collaborating with officers sworn to protect one of the nation’s three branches of government.

But even with all that work on his plate, D’Esposito still finds himself talking about one of his fellow freshman colleagues from a neighboring congressional district — U.S. Rep. George Santos, and the ongoing reports and investigations into his past and how he raised money for his campaign.

D’Esposito won’t back down on his calls for Santos to resign, and is prepared to provide whatever services constituents in Santos’ district might need, but not comfortable approaching the embattled congressman about.

“People voted for a George Santos that they don’t even know — they voted for the George Santos that George created,” D’Esposito said. “You call, you’re looking for help, regardless of where you live, regardless of where you’re from, what you look like or what party you’re affiliated with — we’re here to help you.”

LIJ

to U.S.News&WorldReport.

Our doctors are raising health by pioneering innovative approaches to cancer from novel chemotherapy techniques to first-in- the-nation robotic mastectomies with minimal scarring. Because when it comes to cancer, there’s no status quo. There’s only “how far can we go?”

Northwell.edu/NoLimits

Tim Baker/Herald

WITH THE HELP of his 3-year-old niece Sailor, U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito takes the oath of office from former U.S. Sen. Alfonse D’Amato. The congressman finds himself on three House committees, including one for homeland security that requires him to get top-secret clearance.

Medical Center is in the top 10% of hospitals nationally for oncology, according

SPOTLIGHT ATHLETE

Shooting woes plague Freeport

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

Freeport’s second lengthy win streak of the season came to an end Saturday morning when it was unable to overcome a poor shooting performance against the same Massapequa team that stopped its first hot stretch.

BENJAMIN VELASQUEZ

MacArthur Senior Wrestling

A COUNTY SEMIFINALIST last winter and eventual third-place finisher in the 189-pound weight class, Velasquez is looking to cap his high school career with a Nassau wrestling crown. Heading into this Saturday’s county qualifier tournament at Bellmore-JFK, he is ranked No. 1 in the county at 215 pounds. After winning 21 of 30 matches last winter, his record this season stands at 36-3.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, Feb. 2

Girls Basketball: Carey at Roosevelt 5 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Mineola at Wantagh 5 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Syosset at Freeport 7 p.m.

Girls Basketball: West Hemp at East Rockaway 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 3

Boys Basketball: South Side at Kennedy 4:30 p.m.

Boys Basketball: G.N. South at Calhoun 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: V.S. Central at East Meadow 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: East Rockaway at West Hemp 5 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Port Washington at Oceanside 5 p.m.

Girls Basketball: MacArthur at Long Beach 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Locust Valley at Seaford 7 p.m.

Girls Basketball: North Shore at Clarke 7 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Jericho at Mepham 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Westbury at Baldwin 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 4

Wrestling: Nassau County Division 1 Qualifying Tournaments hosted by Long Beach, Hewlett, Bellmore-JFK, Plainedge and Uniondale 9:30 a.m.

Girls Basketball: Lynbrook at Mineola 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Kennedy at South Side 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Clarke at North Shore 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Long Beach at MacArthur 12 p.m.

Alexa Cirabasi poured in a game-high 20 points and Briana Neary added 13 as the Chiefs defeated the Red Devils, 47-40, to move into sole possession of first place in Nassau Conference AA1 girls’ basketball. Freeport (15-2 overall, 6-2 in AA1) had won nine games in a row.

“I told the girls we’re not going to beat a top team like Massapequa with how terribly we shot,” Red Devils head coach Meredith Jones said. “I thought we came out a little flat energy wise, which we tend to be early in the morning. That caused us to chase the scoreboard all game.

“The girls worked to create the shots we wanted, we just couldn’t get many of them to fall and Massapequa hit some big threes,” she added.

Neary (3), Cirabasi (2) and Grace Trotta (7 points) combined to hit six shots from behind the arc for the visitors, who squeaked by Freeport 49-48 in the first meeting between the teams Dec. 21, snapping the Red Devils’ six-game win streak out of the gate.

“They were coming off a tough overtime loss to Syosset and were fired up looking to avenge that result,” Jones said of Massapequa, which built a 14-9 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. “We turned the ball over more than we usually do and even our defense wasn’t clicking the way it normally does,” she added. “We’ve had a great season so far but today just wasn’t our day.”

Freeport’s lone lead came in the opening minute when junior StarAsia Gaines swished a jumper in the lane for the game’s first bucket. Senior Taneece Wooden led the Red Devils with 14 points, while senior Anayah Lloyd and junior Nia Phillips chipped in 8 apiece, and junior Ania Crocker added 7.

“We just talked about every day in practice you’ve got to be at that game-level

intensity, so when game day comes it’s there,” Jones said.

A pair of Phillips free throws midway through the second quarter closed the gap to 17-15, but the Chiefs scored five of the final seven points of the half to hold a 22-17 lead at intermission. Massapequa then increased the margin with a 17-9 third-quarter run.

“Hopefully we respond,” Jones said. “We have a tough week coming up with Syosset on Thursday night.”

“Playoffs is a whole new world, but we definitely want that win to assure we’re higher up in the seeding and also for confidence,” she added.

Freeport edged Syosset in the first meeting, 45-40, on Jan. 7 at Farmingdale College behind Wooden’s 14 points and 8 apiece from Gaines and Phillips.

The 40-point output against Massapequa was a season low for the Red Devils, who entered the contest averaging 53 per game.

Ron Manfredi/Herald

JUNIOR NIA PHILLIPS had 8 points last Saturday as the Red Devils saw their nine-game win streak snapped by Massapequa.

This Valentine's Day Give The Luxurious Gift of Time

25 % OFF All Jewelry

Plus Free watch replacement battery and free Jewelry cleaning with purchase.

Sparkle on Stage announces lineup for new projects

By MOHAMED FARGHALY mfarghaly@liherald.com

Sparkle on Stage, the local theater company located at 195 Woodcleft Avenue on the Nautical Mile in Freeport, is thrilled to announce an exciting lineup of new projects for the upcoming months. Under the guidance of its new artistic director, Nicholas Ashe, the company aims to bring audiences a diverse range of productions that will entertain and inspire.

Ashe is a multi-talented performer based in Los Angeles, known for his role as “Micah” on the television series “Queen Sugar.” He began his career as “Young Simba” in “The Lion King” on Broadway. He is also a community-oriented individual, the founder and artistic director of the Steam Train Scholarship which raises thousands of dollars annually for higher education in the arts. Ashe has a passion for promoting diversity and inclusion in the theater world and has been a vocal advocate for the representation of marginalized communities on stage.

One of the most highly anticipated productions is a new musical adaptation of the classic novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen. The show will feature a dynamic score to impress both fans of the book and musical theater enthusiasts. Alongside the musical, Sparkle on Stage will also be presenting a series of one-act plays that will showcase the work of emerging playwrights. These plays will offer a fresh perspective on important social and political issues and will provide a platform for new voices in the theater world.

In addition to the productions, Sparkle on Stage is also hosting a talent competition called “Freeport’s Got Talent” where residents of Freeport and surrounding areas have the opportunity to showcase their talents and compete for a $1,000

prize. The event, produced by Ashe, is open to participants of all ages and talents, including music, poetry, and even fire eating, with proper safety precautions, of course. Submissions for the talent show will be accepted on the Sparkle on Stage Instagram page and email at sparkleonstage17@gmail.com. The top 10 performers taking the stage on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. for a live performance.

In honor of Black History Month, Ash will also be producing a series of concerts and events, including a staged reading of the Broadway musical “Into the Woods,” featuring Ash himself as the witch and local graduates and older residents returning to perform.

The upcoming season promises to be a memorable one for Sparkle on Stage as the company continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of theater. With Nicholas Ashe at the helm, audi-

can expect a season filled with thought-provoking, entertaining, and inspiring productions. So, mark your

a

and get

Photos courtesy Sparkle on Stage

FROM A MUSICAL adaptation of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ to a series of one-act plays showcasing emerging playwrights and a talent competition open to all ages and talents, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Sparkle on Stage.

director, Nicholas Ashe.

STEPPING OUT

Score big on Super Sunday on Get your

By Karen Bloom

It’s the biggest sports day of the year. Classic commercials, historic plays and friends are all quintessential elements of the perfect game-day get-together. Whether your gang includes football fanatics or just a few fans, the big game — on Feb. 12 — is a great excuse for casual winter entertaining.

And while there may be a game on the big screen, a lot of the action takes place around the table — keeping everyone well-fed is a sport in itself!

• 1/4 tsp. onion powder

• 1 tsp. smoked paprika

• 1 cup hummus

Whisk first seven ingredients together (vinegar through paprika). Add hummus and combine thoroughly. Be creative with your dipping options. Potato and tortilla chips go hand-in-hand with tailgating festivities, but beyond these standards is a whole world of other dipping options. For a Mediterranean touch, go with flatbread, pita bread or pita chips. Or opt for more texture with multi-grain crackers that include raw flax, chia or sesame seeds. Or go for double the Buffalo wing flavor by dipping your wing, instead of the traditional blue cheese.

Cajun Buffalo Chicken Wings

Here’s a zesty take on the football-watching favorite.

• 2-1/2 pounds chicken wing pieces

• 1/2 cup any flavor Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wings Sauce

• 1/3 cup ketchup

• 2 tsp. Cajun seasoned spice blend

Bake wings in foil-lined pan at 500° F on lowest oven rack for 20 to 25 minutes until crispy, turning once.

Mix buffalo wings sauce, ketchup and spice blend. Toss wings in sauce to coat.

Tip: You may substitute 1/2 cup red hot sauce mixed with 1/3 cup melted butter for the Wings Sauce.

Alternate cooking directions: Deep-fry at 375° F for 10 minutes, or broil 6 inches from heat 15 to 20 minutes turning once.

Darlene Love

Darlene Love is always a welcome stage presence. For more than 50 years, she’s been making rock and roll’s world go ‘round. Since the early ‘60s, as part of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound hit factory, this songstress has done it all — from movies like the ‘Lethal Weapon’ series to Broadway hits like ‘Hairspray’ and ‘Grease.’ She even starred as herself in ‘Leader of the Pack,’ credited as Broadway’s first ‘jukebox musical.’ Love’s career and legacy reached new heights, as a result of being featured in 2013’s acclaimed documentary ‘20 Feet from Stardom,’ when she became the best known ‘unknown”’ in rock history. She continues to captivate audiences with her warm, gracious persona and dynamic performances. Her timeless, soaring voice remains as powerful as ever. Rolling Stone magazine has proclaimed Love to be ‘one of the greatest singers of all time,’ and that certainly rings true, but perhaps Paul Shaffer says it even more concisely: ‘Darlene Love is rock and roll!”

Friday, Feb. 10, 8 p.m. $88, $78, $68. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

Hummus Buffalo Wing Dip

A warm batch of Buffalo wings pairs well with this smoky and spicy dip.

• 1 tsp. red wine vinegar

• 1 tsp. olive oil

• 1 tbsp. tomato paste

• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard

• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Touchdown Italian Sausage Chili

• 1 package (19.76 ounces) Italian sausage links

• 1 cup onion, chopped

• 3 celery ribs, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

• 1 large sweet red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1 tbsp. garlic, minced

• 3 tbsp. olive oil

• 1 large yellow pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1 large green pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Italian recipe stewed tomatoes

• 1 can (16 ounces) dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 can (15 ounces) butter beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

• 3/4 cup black olives, sliced

• 1/4 cup cream sherry (optional)

• 1 tbsp. fresh basil, chopped

• 1 1/2 tsp. baking cocoa

• 1/2 to 1 tsp. pepper

Cook sausage according to package directions; cut into half moon slices and set aside.

In soup kettle, saute onion, celery, sweet pepper and garlic in oil until tender. Add sausage and remaining ingredients; bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until flavors are blended.

Sprinkle chili with grated asiago, romano, parmesan cheese — or any cheese of your choice — before serving. Makes 12 servings.

Lviv National Philharmonic

The National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine was established in Lviv in1902, a city known as one of the great cultural centers of eastern Europe, The orchestra has evolved over the years to become one of that nation’s largest and most internationally known ensembles, now under the baton of principal guest conductor Theodore Kuchar. It reminds us of how music can bridge cultures and bring people together. Their 2023 American tour is a testament to the power of music to overcome adversity. Their program for this powerful concert includes: Ukrainian composer Yevhen Stankovych’s Chamber Symphony No. 3 for Flute and String Orchestra; Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16; and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92. Pianist Oksana Rapita is the featured soloist.

Saturday, Feb. 16, 8 p.m.; with 6:45 p.m. Arts Insider preperformance preview. $79, $59, $44. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. (516) 299-3100 or TillesCenter. org..

THE SCENE

Feb. 23

Art talk

Grab your lunch and join Nassau County Museum of Art Docent Riva Ettus for her popular “Brown Bag Lecture” live, via Zoom, Thursday, Feb. 23, 1 p.m. She’ll discuss the current exhibition, “The Big Picture: Photography Now.” Participants are invited to ask questions at the end of the program. Register at least 24 hours in advance to receive the program Zoom link. Also Feb. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Musical Bingo

Feb. 17

Zoë Keating

Cellist and composer Zoë Keating visits the Landmark stage, Friday, Feb. 17, 8 p.m. Considered a “one woman orchestra,” she uses a cello and a foot-controlled laptop to loop layer upon layer of cello, creating intricate, haunting, and compelling music; Keating has spent the last 20 years exploring the landscape of sounds a string instrument can make. She coaxes sounds out of the very edges of her cello, adeptly layering them into “swoon inducing” (San Francisco Weekly) music that is unclassifiable yet “a distinctive mix of old and new” (National Public Radio). She is known for her use of technology — which she uses to record and sample her cello onstage and in the studio – and for her DIY approach — composing, recording and producing her works on her own terms, without the help of a record label. $41, $35, $27. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

Bring the kids to Freeport Memorial Library, 144 W. Merrick Road, for musical bingo, Thursday, Feb. 9 Dance along to popular kids’ tunes like “The Hokey Pokey” as you play and try to get bingo. If you win, you’ll get a prize. The event is suitable for grades pre-K to 4 and their families. Visit FreeportLibrary. info or call (516) 379-3274 for more information.

Platanos Y Collard Greens

See the romantic comedy about what happens when an African American and a Latina college student fall in love, presented by Nassau Community College Theater and Dance Department and the Africana Studies Department, Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 7-11, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 12, 2 p.m. Also Feb. 16-19, with talkback session with playwright David Lamb, immediately following final performance. Threaded by the culture of hip-hop, the lovers defend their relationship, as friends and family learn that this “food fight” calls for fusion instead of feud. Nassau Community College’s Mainstage Theatre, Garden City. Tickets $10; NCC students free with valid ID; $8 veterans, alumni, seniors 60+, students and NCC employees. For tickets/information, visit NCC. edu or call (516) 572-7676.

Feb. 3

In perfect harmony

The SingStrong A Cappella Festival returns to the New York area, hosted by Adelphi University, Friday through Sunday, Feb. 3-5. 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. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.

Freeport Camera Club

Join Freeport Camera Club and improve your photo skills,. meeting at the Freeport Memorial Library on 144 West Merrick Road at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month.

Having an event?

Moliere’s Tartuffe

Experience the classic comedy of Moliere’s Tartuffe as the Ivy Lane Players bring this timeless play to life, on the Levittown Public Library’s newly renovated stage, Saturday, Feb. 4. With its cutting satirization of hypocrisy, image obsession, and con artistry, this play has captured generations of audiences and continues to be relevant today. Reserve your tickets at the Levittown Public Library’s circulation desk, 1 Bluegrass Lane, either in person or by phone at (516) 731-5728

Sparkle on Stage concerts

Upcoming concerts at Sparkle on Stage include Freeport’s Got Talent, Friday, Feb. 10, when 10 performers showcase their skills; also Friday, Feb. 17, experience a musical twist on fairy tales including Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood.195 Woodcleft Ave. Tickets are available at SparkleOnStage.org.

Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@ liherald.com.

Volunteer for SPLASH

View seabirds nesting and shorebirds skimming through the air, up close, while helping preserve the waters on which they depend. Volunteer on an Operation SPLASH boat. Volunteer crews depart from Guy Lombardo Marina, 898 Guy Lombardo Ave., once or twice a day, seven days a week, to clean the marine shores of Freeport. To participate, go to OperationSplash. com/boat-schedule/, click on the Freeport link, and find the contact information for the time slot you want. You can also email info@ operationsplash.com or call (516) 378-4770.

Yoga at the Rec Center

Fresh air, flexibility, and the peaceful traditions of yoga are featured in yoga classes, Wednesdays, at the Freeport Recreation Center, 130 E. Merrick Rd. The classes start at 7 pm., outdoors if weather permits. Call (516) 377-2314 for information.

GUT- BUSTING HIT!

On exhibit

Photography’s ascent in the art world is an international phenomenon. Nassau County Museum of Art’s star-studded exhibition spans the historical roots of the medium. View works by Ansel Adams and his generation and the thrilling, large-format color works of such contemporary masters as Cindy Sherman, Thomas Struth, James Casebere and Gregory Crewdson, among others. From the documentary to the painterly, images bear witness to the times. On view through March 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Pat McGann

Pat McGann, quickly rising as one of the sharpest stand-ups on the comedy scene, appears at The Paramount, Saturday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m. A relative latecomer to comedy, he began doing stand-up at age 31 after realizing he was not very good at selling packaging. He hustled his way to become the house emcee at Zanies Chicago, where he distinguished himself as especially adept at working the crowd. A husband and father of three young children, his appeal stems from his quick wit and relatable take on family life and marriage. In 2017, McGann began touring as the opening act for Sebastian Maniscalco, moving with him from clubs to theater, to arenas, including four sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden. $40, $35, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

RichnerLIVE is “Fealing” Good

(From left to

Jodi Turk, event, marketing and brand strategist, and Amy Amato, executive director of corporate relations and events, visited the Barasch & McGarry office to deliver a check to John Feal, founder and president of the FealGood Foundation, and Sara Director, partner at Barasch & McGarry who handles 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) claims and a Top Lawyer Honoree. RichnerLIVE donated a portion of ticket proceeds from the Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island Awards Gala to the foundation. The FealGood Foundation protects and assists all emergency personnel injured on the job or in their personal lives through offering financial aid, basic home utilities, medicine and more. On Sept. 12, 2001, Feal was called to assist in the cleanup of ground zero when his foot was crushed and forced to be amputated. After dealing with the hurdles that came with the accident, he decided that no one should struggle after helping with ground zero. Visit www.FealGoodFoundation.com for more information on the organization and how you can help.

right)

Photo Courtesy of Barasch & McGarry

”

NCC union rallies after health care costs rise

By ANDRE SILVA asilva@liherald.com

Demanding fair contracts with affordable health care costs, dozens of Nassau Community College faculty members rallied outside of the county legislature last week.

They were part of a broader protest from the Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers, an educators union representing NCC’s full-time faculty, speaking out against higher health care insurance premium costs. They gathered on the steps of the county legislature carrying signs like “We’d rather be teaching right now,” demanding better wages and fair contracts, targeting both the Nassau Community College Board of Trustees and the county itself.

They weren’t out on the steps long before some of the union members were ushered inside the Mineola building with a chance to state their case with county legislators.

The educators union and trustees board have been negotiating full-time faculty contracts since last July, hoping to work out a deal before their contracts expired in August. The union has rallied multiple times since then, expressing frustration with the negotiation process.

As recently as Dec. 13, Siminioff and the union asked the trustees to include salary increases to keep up with rising inflation, as well as include paid sabbaticals. But then, last week, health insurance premium costs jumped for full-time faculty at NCC.

The increase came about thanks to the trustees enacting an old clause in their contracts — written decades ago — allow-

ing the board to charge faculty members working under an expired contract with increased health insurance premiums. The insurance increases, Siminioff said, could cost faculty members between $2,500 and $5,000 — effectively acting like a pay cut.

“So, we’re not getting we’re not getting a wage increase. Our promotions have all been frozen. We’re not getting our sabbaticals. We’re not getting anything. But they’re imposing this on us,” Siminioff said. “I think this provision has been there for 30 years and they have never invoked it. They want to punish the faculty and force us through economic strongarming.”

John Gross, an Ingerman Smith attorney representing Nassau Community College, said the New York State Health Insurance Plan — which provides insurance to all college employees — raised premiums on Jan. 1 by 15 percent for family coverage. That’s about $5,000 each year. Individual coverage rose more than 12 percent, which could cost upward of $4,000 over the next 12 months.

A provision in NCC’s full-time faculty labor contract states if the cost of health insurance premiums increases after a contract expires, Gross said, it’s up to the individual employees to shoulder those costs through payroll deductions.

“The union knew it was in the labor contract because one of the proposals in our current negotiations is to remove the clause,” Gross said. “The board didn’t wake up one day and said, ‘You know what? We’re going to impose these increases on the union.’”

Siminioff said many faculty members

feel the college has strained them to their limits, and has not properly supported them financially. Aside from the imposed health insurance premiums, NCC’s faculty has experienced an average wage increase just over 1 percent in the past decade.

“The starting salary for an instructional faculty member is approximately $60,800, and the starting salary for a noninstructional faculty member is $55,900,” Siminioff said. “According to the MIT wage calculator, a middle-class family of three needs about $96,000 to be middle class in Nassau County.”

Faculty members are teaching more students in larger classes over the past few years, Siminioff said. When she first

started teaching at NCC some 25 years ago, she taught an average of 110 students each semester. Now, professors are being asked to educate an average of 160 students each semester — which Siminioff feels is unfair.

Aside from low starting wages, it typically takes 15 to 18 years for someone on the faculty to start earning $100,000, Siminioff said. Anyone hired now would earn $55,000, taking 15 years to climb to $100,000.

“By the time you get 15 years of employment, it’s still not enough to live middle class in Nassau County,” Siminioff said. “So, they’re condemning college faculty to never being middle class. That’s the bottom line.”

Tim Baker/Herald photos

MEMBERS OF THE Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers, an educators union supporting the school’s full-time faculty, gathered at the Nassau County Legislature to demand fair contracts after learning their health care insurance premiums were going up.

FAREN SIMINIOFF, PRESIDENT of the Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers union, gathered protesters outside the Nassau County Legislature, demanding better wages and fair contracts from the Nassau Community College board and the county.

T hey want to punish the faculty and force us through economic strong-arming.

FAREN SIMINIOFF president, Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers

BFG Bobby Q’s ribbon cutting ceremony

Second location for residents to enjoy officer Ford’s soul and

BFG Bobby Q’s held their grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 25 with Mayor Robert Kennedy, the Freeport Chamber of Commerce and other village representatives in attendance.

Bobby Ford is a chef and police officer from the Nassau Couny area. Ford grew up wanting to help his community and was able to do so by joining the New York Police Department, where he worked for nearly a decade before joining the Freeport Police Department.

In 2016, he opened Bobby Q’s on 447 N Main St., a soul food and seafood restaurant, to bring people together and establish relationships with the community through food.

This new chapter, located at 365 West Sunrise Highway in Freeport is officially open for residents to visit and try the cuisine.

BFG BOBBY Q’S officially opens its doors to the community with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Mayor Robert Kennedy and village representatives in attendance.

–Mohamed Farghaly

Courtesy Randy Milteer/Freeport

Public Notices

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 15, 2023, 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 49TH Program Year (2023-2024).

An estimated $700,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding is anticipated for the 2023-2024 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, Friday, February 10, 2023. 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. 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 12, 2023

137121

Specifications, proposal and proposed contracts may be obtained by visiting the Municipality’s Website at www.freeportny.gov. Bids will be available for download from 9:00 A.M. on Friday, January 27, 2023, until 4:00 P.M. on Friday, February 10, 2023. No later than forty-five (45) days after the bid opening, the Municipality shall accept bids or reject all bids. After the bid opening, a bid may not be withdrawn prior to the date that is forty-five (45) days after such bid opening. The Municipality reserves the right to reject any or all bids, and advertise for new bids, if in its opinion the best interest of the Municipality will hereby be promoted.

The Municipality is seeking to upgrade its distribution equipment in order to further improve the resiliency and reliability of its electrical system.

This project is being financed with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (“CDBG-DR”) funds administered by the NYS Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery (“GOSR”). Attention of bidders is particularly called to Section 3 requirements, M/WBE goals, Federal labor standards, Federal and State prevailing wage rates, online reporting requirements using Elation System, Inc. and other requirements included in the GOSR Supplementary Conditions for Contracts.

The following municipal staff has been designated as the contact for this contract:

Mr. Al Livingston, Jr. (516) 377-2220

York. The attention of Bidders is particularly called to the requirements as to the conditions of employment to be observed and the minimum wage rates to be paid under the contracts.

The Municipality is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Bidders are also required to comply with the antidiscrimination provisions of Sections 290-301 of the Executive Law of the State of New York.

The Municipality reserves the right to reject any or all of the Bids received, to re-advertise for Bids, to abandon the project, to waive any or all informalities in any Bid received and to accept any proposal which the Municipality decides to be for the best interest of the Municipality.

Kim Weltner

Purchasing Agent

Village of Freeport VILLAGE OF FREEPORT

Issue Date - January 26, 2023 137120

Application #2021-6-A8-10 Brooklyn Ave., Service Business - Section 55/Block 264/Lot 5Nelson Zelaya - Cosmetic change to existing bar and restaurant with interior alterations.

Variances: Village Ordinance §210-6A, §210-172A(4)- Required parking spaces.

BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Pamela Walsh Boening, Village Clerk 137083

LEGAL NOTICE

Public & Legal Notices

Legal Notice

Notice is hereby given that SEALED PROPOSALS for: FREEPORT

MEMORIAL LIBRARY -, HVAC REPLACEMENTWEST WING, FREEPORT, NEW YORK 11520

Contract G General construction

Thursday February 9th, 2023. Potential bidders are asked to gather at the library lobby at 144 West Merrick Road, Freeport, NY, at which time they will be escorted to the areas of work following all necessary Covid-19 regulations and guidelines. This meeting is not mandatory; however it is highly recommended that all the potential bidders attend.

through May 15, 2024 the Meadowbrook Drawbridge will be restricted to single leaf operations and from October 15, 2023 through May 15, 2024 the Loop

Drawbridge will be restricted to single leaf operations.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

FURNISHING OF SINGLE CONDUCTOR#4/0 - 500 KCMIL

15 KV COLD SHRINK SPLICE KITS FOR INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF FREEPORT

NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

RE-BID #23-02-ELEC-650

Sealed Bids for Bid

#23-02-ELEC-650 for the

“Furnishing of Single Conductor - #4/0 - 500 KCMIL, 15 KV Cold Shrink Splice Kits” will be received by the Purchasing Agent of the Incorporated Village of Freeport (Municipality/OWNER), New York, until 11:00 A.M. (Local Time), on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, 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.

Please note that contacting any other staff regarding this Contract may be a violation of state or municipal law, rule or regulation, resulting in a determination of contractor nonresponsibility.

“Section 3” refers to Section 3 from the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968. The following goals for MWBE participation on this project have been established at:

Minority Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) 15%

Women Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) 15% Each Bidder must complete and submit with his/her bid the “Iranian Investment Activities Certification” in compliance with General Municipal Law 103-g, Iranian Energy Sector Divestment.

Bidders are required to execute a non-collusive bidding certification required by Section 103-d of the General Municipal Law of the State of New

LEGAL NOTICE

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PUBLIC

HEARING - February 16, 2023

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that a Public Hearing with the Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 6:00P.M. in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Main Conference Room, 46 N. Ocean Avenue, Freeport, New York on the appeals and applications of cases as they appear on the calendar; residential applications that do not extend their prior nonconforming status may be called first; public comment invited. It is anticipated that the Board will adjourn the legislative session and enter into Executive Session until 6:30P.M.

INTERESTED PROPERTY OWNERS and other persons should appear at the above time and place to have questions answered and to voice opinions.

All applications are nonconforming with zoning regulations herein specified for the districts in which they are located.

Proposals will be received until 11 a.m. prevailing time on Friday March 3rd, 2023 at the library directors’ office of the Freeport Memorial Library, located at 144 West Merrick Road, Freeport, New York 11520. A link to electronically download the files including the contract documents [Construction Drawings, project manual with specifications, agreement between owner and contractor, and the conditions of the contract (general supplementary and other conditions)] may be obtained by contacting Gloria Baca at WFC Architects, e-mail request to gloria.baca@wfcaia.com, or 516-770-7928. The link to downloading the bid documents may be obtained beginning 12 p.m., Friday February 3rd, 2023. Bids must be made in the standard proposal form in the manner designated therein and as required by the specifications that must be enclosed in sealed envelopes bearing the names and address of the bidder on the outside, addressed to: FREEPORT MEMORIAL LIBRARY, clearly marked on the outside: BID FOR HVAC Replacement-West Wing. Each proposal submitted by a certified check or bid bond, made payable to the Freeport Memorial Library, in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid, as a commitment by the bidder that, if its bid is accepted, it will enter into a contract to perform the work and will execute such further security as may be required for the faithful performance of the contract. Certification of bonding company is required for this bid, see instructions for bidders section. Each bidder shall agree to hold his/her bid price for forty five (45) days after the formal bid opening. A pre-bid meeting and walk thru is scheduled for 10 a.m.,

It is the board of trustees intention to award the contracts to the lowest qualified bidder who can meet the experience, technical and budget requirements. The board of trustees reserves the right to reject any or all bids, waive any informality and to accept such bid which, in the opinion of the board of trustees, is in the best interests of the Freeport Memorial Library. Bids include all costs associated with the project. By submitting a bid, the bidder represents that they are familiar with the site and project conditions. Additionally, prior to submitting its bid, contractor shall make architect and owner aware of any problems and/or inconsistencies in the bid documents.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Freeport Memorial Library

Freeport, New York 137122

LEGAL NOTICE

Legal Notice for Mariners

The New York State Department of Transportation is currently performing drawbridge repairs in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, under contract D264563. This work affects the Loop Parkway Drawbridge over Long Creek and the Meadowbrook Parkway Drawbridge over Swift Creek. Repairs to these bridges include, but not limited to, grid deck replacement and steel repairs. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a drawbridge schedule deviation is in effect until May 15, 2023 and another deviation is planned for the winter 2023-2024. The schedule deviation restricts openings for mariners to a single leaf only. Horizontal clearances will be restricted to 40 ft and, when the single leaf is opened, the unlimited vertical clearance width will be reduced to 23 ft. After May 15, 2023 the draw spans will return to their normal operating schedule and both leaves will be able to open simultaneously for mariners. In the Fall of 2023 another schedule deviation to limit these bridges to single leaf operation will again take effect in order to complete the proposed grid deck replacement.

From September 15, 2023

Mariners should refer to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Local Notice to Mariners for specific dates of schedule deviations at these bridges. Project questions should be directed to (631) 952-6929 or r10rpic@dot.ny.gov. 137123

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Nationstar Mortgage LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST Scott Craig a/k/a Scott O. Craig; Reginale Craig; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale

duly entered June 19, 2019 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 7, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 212 Green Avenue, 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, State of New York, Section 55 Block M Lot 302. Approximate amount of judgment $627,893.15 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 008944/2016. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the Tenth Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

George Esernio, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP

f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC

Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: January 10, 2023

137116

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 22, 2022, 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 March 7, 2023 at 4:30 p.m., premises known as 672 South Long Beach Avenue a/k/a 672 Long Beach 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 62, Block 155 and Lot 394. Approximate amount of judgment is $420,811.98 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #616598/2019. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Hayley Greenberg, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 191957-1 137114

Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 54 Block 353 Lots 21-23. Approximate amount of judgment $670,863.04 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 002285/2017. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the Tenth Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Karl Seman, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: January 11, 2023 137118

LEGAL NOTICE

REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU QUICKEN LOANS INC., Plaintiff - againstMICHAEL MORRIS, et al Defendant(s).

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF MFRA TRUST 2016-1, Plaintiff, vs. 5 BORO 1977 INC., ET AL., Defendant(s).

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee, for Park Place Securities, Inc. AssetBacked Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-WCW1, Plaintiff

AGAINST Robin Morelli AKA Robin H. Morelli AKA Robin Testut AKA Robin H. Testut AKA Robin TestutMorelli AKA Robin H. Testut-Morelli; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 1, 2019 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 9, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 3295 Parkway Drive, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, in the Town of

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on March 19, 2019. 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 “Rain or Shine” on the 6th day of March, 2023 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Premises known as 191 Colonial Avenue, Freeport, (Town of Hempstead) NY 11520. (Section: 55., Block: 352, Lots: 505 and 506) Approximate amount of lien $339,881.84 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.

Index No. 001810/2017. Peter T. Bauer, Esq., Referee. Davidson Fink LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 400 Meridian Centre Blvd, Ste 200 Rochester, NY 14618 Tel. 585/760-8218

For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832

Dated: December 15, 2022

During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit

7

Public Notices

and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale.

136986

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU

DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST

COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR INDYMAC IMJA

MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST

2007-A4, MORTGAGE

PASS-THROUGH

CERTIFICATES SERIES

2007-A4, Plaintiff, Against KATRINA NORMANTRACY, SPRING HOLDING LLC, ET AL.

Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 12/02/2019, 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. This Auction will be held rain or shine on 2/22/2023 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 29 Dutchess Street, Freeport, New York 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 55 Block 404 Lot

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $596,142.20 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 009023/15

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.

Michael B. Mirotznik, Esq., Referee.

McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573 Dated:

01/03/2023 File

Number: 272-9690 LD

136802

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S.

Bank, N.A., successor

Trustee to LaSalle Bank National Association, on behalf of the Holders of Bear Stearns Asset

Backed Securities I Trust

2005-HE11, Asset-Backed Certificates Series

2005-HE11, Plaintiff

AGAINST Fred Gross

A/K/A Frederick Gross

A/K/A Frederick M. Gross, Herminia Gross, et al.,

Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 11, 2018, 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 22, 2023 at 2:00PM, premises known as 53 Tyler Street, 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 62, Block 105, Lot 312.

Approximate amount of judgment $511,041.15 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #007888/2009. 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. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure

Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Michael G. Postiglione, Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-080399-F00 74094 136710

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST, V. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF NASSAU COUNTY AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF EDITH CHIOVARO, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated February 13, 2020, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST is the Plaintiff and

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 28, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 24 JEFFERSON AVENUE, ROOSEVELT, NY 11575: Section 0055, Block 306, Lot 1450 & 1451: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS

THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 006824/2010. Ronald Scott Zimmer, 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.

136936

All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Roosevelt, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 55, Block 472 and Lot 0123. Approximate amount of judgment $394,270.87 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #010651/2011. Harry George, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLPAttorneys for Plaintiff - 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 136841

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU THE BANK OF NEW YORK

MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWABS, INC., ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-20, Plaintiff -against- TROY ANDREW

FULLONE A/K/A TROY A.

Said premises known as 37 MARTHA STREET, FREEPORT, NY Approximate amount of lien $544,030.87 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index Number

003459/2017.

ROBERT O’BRIEN, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832.

{* FREEPORT HERALD*} 136700

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT

NASSAU COUNTY

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR BEAR STEARNS ASSET BACKED SECURITIES I TRUST 2007-HE2, ASSET BACKEDCERTIFICATES SERIES 2007-HE2, Plaintiff against NINA DEMOSTHENES, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered August 15, 2018, 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 March 2, 2023 at 2:30 PM.

TREASURER’S SALE OF TAX LIENS ON REAL ESTATE

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR GSAMP TRUST 2006FM2, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-FM2, Plaintiff, AGAINST RUBY DIXON, et al.

Defendant(s) Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on March 30, 2018.

I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 1, 2023 at 2:00 PM premises known as 106 Willett Place, Roosevelt, NY 11575.

Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Nassau County and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing.

FULLONE A/K/A TROY FULLONE, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated November 29, 2018 and entered on November 30, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 2nd, 2023 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, known and designated as Section: 62 Block: 96 Lot: 309

The Foreclosure Sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s COVID-19 Policies and Foreclosure Auction Rules. All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and social distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or the social distancing mandate will be removed from the auction.

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. Foreclosure Auctions will be held Rain or Shine. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the foreclosure auction.

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF NRZ PASS-THROUGH TRUST XI-B, Plaintiff, vs. SONIA M. TORRES A/K/A SONIA TORRES, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale

After Inquest and Appointment of Referee and Amendment of Caption duly entered on November 3, 2022, 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 28, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 104 East Pennywood Avenue, Roosevelt, NY 11575 a/k/a 104 Pennywood Avenue, Roosevelt, New York 11575. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 55, Block 443 and Lots 200-202. Approximate amount of judgment is $369,267.86 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 604308/2018. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Mark Ricciardi, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff Firm File No.

191802-1

136942

Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 1400 Old Country Road, Suite 103N, Westbury, NY 11590. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered November 25, 2019, 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, 2023 at 2:30 PM. Premises known as 915 Van Buren Street, Baldwin, NY 11510. Sec 54 Block 386 Lot 7. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $530,475.40 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 000879/2016. 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.”

Peter A. Bee, Esq., Referee SPSNY448 136940

Premises known as 22 Cary Place, Freeport, NY 11520. Sec 54. Block 320 Lot 110, 111 & 112. 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. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $261,029.38 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 609817/2017. For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832.

During the COVID-19 health emergency, Bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of the sale including but not limited to wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Should a bidder fail to comply, the Referee may refuse to accept any bid, cancel the closing and hold the bidder in default. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 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.”

Frank Santoro, Esq., Referee NY201800000454-1 136938

Notice is hereby given that commencing on February 21st, 2023, 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 16th, 2023 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 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/County-

Treasurer

Should the Treasurer determine that an inperson auction shall be held, same will commence on the 21st day of February 2023 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

Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Stern & Eisenberg,

Woodbridge Corporation Plaza, 485B Route 1 South, Suite 330, Iselin, NJ 08830.

A list of local properties upon which tax liens are to be sold will be advertised in this publication on or before February 08th, 2023. 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

Bongiorno will join national musical tour

tunities in and around New York City as she got older.

Growing up, she was heavily involved in ballet, training at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City and participating in professional dance school ballets. Despite her passion for ballet, she always looked for new audition opportunities to perform different dance incarnations.

“Being a dancer, I love to go to any audition opportunities I can get,” Bongiorno said. “I just feel like putting yourself out there and auditioning for all these different types of things is really important.”

It was this desire that led her to audition for “Hits! The Musical,” with a national tour that will visit 49 cities around the country. The musical features different genres of music through different decades.

Bongiorno’s audition experience was unexpected. She signed up as a dancer, but due to a mix-up, she was placed in

Public Notices

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 25, 2023

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 25, 2023

the singing room. Despite being out of her comfort zone, Belle decided to stay and audition as a singer. To her surprise, she was called back to Tampa as a singer, sparking a new passion for music and performing.

The musical’s uniqueness stems from being an all-youth production, where performers range in age from 10 to 22. “Hits! The Musical” aspires to break down boundaries by demonstrating that age does not influence one’s ability to perform at a professional level.

Following a thorough country-wide audition process, 29 singers and dancers were chosen to be the musical’s national tour, which begins March 1.

Though it may be a long winded journey, Bongiorno will perform in her home state, returning ever so briefly to perform at Town Hall in New York City on March 9.

“I love New York City and it’s going to be really exciting to be back there,” Bongiorno said. “I’m very excited to be back in my hometown and see all of my friends and family in the audience. I think that’s just going to be a really cool experience.”

Bongiorno shared her favorite memory from the beginning of the tour, describing a commercial shoot as the highlight.

“We went to this awesome filming studio, and we tried on so many different costumed looks,” Bongiorno said. “That’s when it really started to feel super real. Like this is really happening. We were on stage with the cameras all around and the cool lights, the music costumes, it was all such a surreal experience.”

In addition to her passion for performing, Bongiorno is also an accomplished dancer. When she is not rehearsing for the musical, she teaches dance classes at her local dance studio, Miss Colleen’s Elite Dancentre, where she hopes to

inspire young dancers to pursue their dreams.

Outside her love of music, she enjoys hiking, visiting the beach, and exploring the city. She also loves concerts and taking road trips. In the summer, she works as a host for karaoke cruises at a local bay cruise boat company.

When the musical tour concludes, Bongiorno’s plan is to travel the world as a performer and share her love and enthusiasm for singing, dancing, and performing with hopes of inspiring future generations.

“I’m just super excited to be sharing my love for performing on stages all around the country,” Bongiorno said. “I think this is just an incredible opportunity that I’m so blessed to have been given. It’s definitely going to take a lot of hard work every single day, but it’s going to pay off and hopefully will open new opportunities

to come.”

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

Photos courtesy Susan Jeffers Photography

BELLE BONGIORNO WILL join 28 other talented singers and dancers in showcasing America’s iconic songs in a 90-minute production that will tour the country.

FROM HER BEGINNINGS as a ballerina, training at the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, to her performances as the lead in Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker’ at age 12, Bongiorno boasts a range of experience on the stage.

We HiRe tHe Best 1202116

Homes HERALD To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

Real estate IN BRIEF

NEW

Big Bus $27.18/hr. Non-Benefit Rate

VALLEY STREAM UFSD #13 WILLOW ROAD SCHOOL GREETER Candidate will be responsible for monitoring the main entrance of the school. NYS Fingerprinting required. $15-hour, candidate hired through Kelly Services Please email Résumé to: recruit@valleystream13.com Application Deadline: January 31, 2023 1202804

BUSDRIVERSWANTEDDoN’T MISS The Bus! EDU c ATI o NAL BUS TRANS po RTATI o N 516.454.2300

STARTING SALARIES Van $24.41/hr. Non-Benefit Rate

$2,500.00 for CDL driver bus and van $500.00 for non CDL drivers. Will train qualified applicants Sign On Bonus *Some restrictions may apply. EOE One phone call, one order, one heck of a good price to run your ad in any state, or across the country Call the USA Classified Network today! 1-800-231-6152

staff THE CHEF'S TABLE LYNBROOK is Seeking Part Time Experienced Servers, Bartender, Seasoned Line Cook for Upscale Italian Restaurant. Walk in interviews: Sunday , Tuesday - Friday Between 5 and 9pm or Call 63- 694-7515 Ask for Sammy.

V.I.Properties Welcomes

Erit Gridnev

516-238-429 Employment HERALD 1128595

Erit Gridnev is a savvy real estate agent with over 15 years of experience in marketing and sales. Specializing in relocations, she understands the importance of finding the perfect property for her clients. Because she knows that moving to a new house is a very big change, Erit takes the time to get to know her clients and their specific needs. With a B.A in Human Services, she is able to provide valuable insight into community life and what to expect from different neighborhoods. Her wit and humor make her an enjoyable person to work with, and her expertise ensures that her clients are always satisfied with their purchase. Contact Erit at 510-584-6350 or by email eritg@vipropertiesny.com

Realtors are encouraged to send briefs and photographs to: Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd.., Garden City, NY 11530.

REAL ESTATE

Open Houses

Open Houses WOODMERE BA, 29 Woodmere Blvd, #3B, New To Market! Move Right Into This Sunny, Renovated 2 BR Coop Apt in Heathcote Bldg. Updtd Gran/Wood Kit w/ Stainless Steel Appl, LR w/Coffered Ceiling, Dining Area, Spacious Primary BR, Updtd Bth & 2nd BR. RecRuiting a great team is Really simple. a growing multi media company Based in garden city is Hiring: • Receptionist • Reporter/editor • sales • multi media coordinator • Drivers • pressman/press Helper to join our team, please email your resume to careers@liherald.com or call 516-569-4000 ext #235

CEDARHURST BA, 332B Peninsula Blvd, Move Right Into This Updated 3 Br, 2.5 Bth Coop Townhouse. LR, DR, Gran/Wood Kit w/ Stainless Steel Appl. Trex Deck Off LR.Primary Ste Features Updtd Bth & WIC. Att Gar Plus 1 Pkg Spot incl in Maintenance. W/D in Unit.Pull Down Attic.SD#15. Convenient to Shops, Trans & Houses of Worship...$449,00 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

HEWLETT 257 WILLARD Dr SUNDAY, 2/5, 12-1:30, REDUCED!! Spacious 5 BR, 3 Bth Exp Ranch With Open Layout.Main Floor Mstr Ste Plus Potential Mstr Ste on 2nd Flr.LR/Fpl, FDR, EIK & Sundrenched Family Rm w/ Doors to Deck. Fin Bsmt. Att Gar. Loads of Updates!! SD#20(Lynbrook)No Flood Insurance Req. MUST SEE THIS!..$1,025,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Reduction! Move Right Into This Completely CLASSIFIED Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460 E-mail your ad to: ereynolds@liherald.com E-mail Finds Under $100 to: sales@liherald.com DEADLINE: Monday, 11:00 am for all classified ads. Every effort is made to insure the accuracy of your ad. Please check your ad at the first insertion. Credit will be made only for the first insertion. Credit given for errors in ads is limited to the printed space involved. Publisher reserves right to reject, cancel or correctly classify an ad.

Ronnie To pLACE your AD CALL 516-569-4000 - press 5

HomesHERALD

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 • To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

Rare Rooftop Aqua Penthouse

Arare, one of a Kind “AQUA PH.” This penthouse features private elevator to stone floor foyer, magnificent views of the city and Atlantic Ocean from expansive windows. This home boasts utility room with washer/dryer and laundry sink, recessed lighting, hardwood floors in great room and hallways, fire protection sprinkler system, individually controlled high efficiency air-conditioning and heating system, re-circulating hot water system, cable television and telephone outlets. The custom kitchen features European hardwood cabinetry with custom hardware, Quartzite stone floor, distinctive granite countertops and mosaic glass tile backsplash, Wolf gas stove, Sub-Zero refrigerator and wine cooler, Miele dishwasher, Dacor microwave, Undermount kitchen sink with dual compartments, under cabinet lighting. The luxurious master bedroom suite features spacious walk-in closet and terrace, designer Kohler bathroom fixtures including whirlpool tub, walk-in shower with mosaic tile accents, marble appointments, European hardwood cabinetry with custom hardware. There are two parking spots “covered” with bike room and storage. You will enjoy spending a relaxing time in the Hot Tub.

My pickup truck has damaged the garage floor

Q. Can you solve a debate I have been having with my contractor about replacing the cracked floor in my garage? The problem is that I want to have steel bars in the slab and make it extra thick, since the existing slab is cracked and damaged from my heavy pickup truck, sometimes filled with heavy construction items. The concrete guy keeps telling me it’s overkill and that just the concrete, 5 inches thick, with a rollout wire mesh, is enough. Can you explain which one I need, and why he keeps telling me that the driveway is concrete, not cement? I want to do this job as soon as it warms up.

A. The first problem to solve is who should be designing the correct slab. Yes, we all know it’s just a slab, but you’ve already seen what happens when someone unfamiliar with the engineering design of even the simplest concrete slab doesn’t apply the correct preventive details.

Concrete is very strong in compression, meaning you can press on it to extremes before it even shows small signs of failure.

Ask The Architect Monte Leeper

Unfortunately, concrete has no tensile strength. Zero. Zip. This means you can easily pull it apart, or bend it to the point of cracking without much force.

Structural engineers and architects, to a lesser extent, are trained to apply specific formulas that predict the success (and failure) of even a slab of formed concrete. Knowing how a slab fails allows professionals to apply the right reinforcement in the right places. Otherwise you’re just guessing.

FDR, EIK & Sundrenched Family Rm w/ Doors to Deck. Fin Bsmt. Att Gar. Loads of Updates!! SD#20 (Lynbrook) No Flood Insurance Req. MUST SEE THIS! REDUCED!! $1,025,000 1608 Ridgeway Dr, BA, Move Right Into This Completely Gut Renovated 4 BR, 3.5 Bth Col on 1/4 Acre Prop. New Kosher EIK, FDR, LR w/ Fpl, Den & Enclosed

Porch. Radiant Heated Flrs. Full Fin Bsmt. 2 Car Att Gar. MUST SEE!!

SD#20 DRASTIC REDUCTION! $1,469,000

1534 Broadway #103, BA, Magnificent New Renovation! One of a Kind Ranch Style

Living in Luxurious Jonathan Hall Condominium with Doorman & Elevator. Just Move into This Gut Rvated, Spacious 2 BR, 2 Bath Apt with Open Layout.Large Designer Eat in Kitchen with Sep Pantry & Laundry Rm.Master BR Boasts Gorgeous Bth & Walk in Closet. Terrace Faces into Courtyard. Garage Parking Incl REDUCED

There’s a difference in the description of the slab, which is made up of several materials, such as sand, lime, and something called “Portland cement.” Portland Cement is a mixture of mined calcium silicates and a lesser amount of calcium aluminates that form a chemical reaction in the presence of water. The chemical reaction causes the mixture to harden and give off heat, called the heat of hydration. It was patented in England in 1824 by bricklayer Joseph Aspdin, and got the name Portland because when it hardened, it appeared to look very similar to the white Portland stone quarried along the Portland Isle coast of Dorset in southern England. Sorry, Oregon, you get no credit here.

When other silicates, such as sand or different sizes of stone, are added, the characteristics change, and the setting times and strength change as well. Ash has been added in some mixes, and glass fibers, another form of silica, have made our latest bridge and roadway construction projects extremely long-lasting and stronger.

Portland cement can be a part of concrete. To determine the reinforcing, the loads need to be applied to formulas, along with the amount of time and other forces, such as expansion and contraction (due to temperature changes), support material strength, shrinkage and internal stress — in other words, it would be irresponsible to throw some guess at you without knowing more. Keep in mind, more concrete is not better. Good luck!

© 2022 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

MERCHANDISE MART

Antiques/Collectibles

We Buy Antiques, Fine Art & Jewelry Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 45 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464

FINDS UNDER $100

Finds Under $100

COLE HAAN MEN'S Chelsea Boots Black Leather, 7W. Excellent $90 516-320-1906

HEALYS WHEELED SNEAKERS Boys size 7 black and yellow new in box $18. (516) 462-2656

NEW HYUNDAI SUV adjustable cross roof rails. cost $319. $99 firm (516)524-3617

ONE RECTANGULAR GLASS coffee table and two glass/brass octagon end tables, good cond. $99.99. 516-623-5696

STATIONARY EXERCISE BICYCLE -good condition -- $30. 516-826-3727

TWIN BEDROOM SET: Excellent Condition, Blonde Modern Headboard, 3 Dressers, Corner Piece. $99. 516-840-6081

TWIN WOOD TRUNDLE bed excellent condition $99 call/ text for pictures (516) 462-2656

Finds $100-$350 TREADMILL

Home Improvement

BATH &

Tree Services

T&M GREENCARE TREE SERVICE

*Tree Removal *Stump Grinding *Pruning *Roof Line Clearing. Residential and Commercial. "We Beat All Competitors' Rates." Lowest Rates. *Senior Discount. Free Estimates. *516-223-4525, 631-586-3800 www.tmgreencare.com

Satellite/TV Equipment

OFF POPULAR PLANS. 833-398-0526

HANDY DANDY HOME IMPROVEMENTS

* Full Or Partial Kitchens/ Baths *Painting *Sheetrock *Taping/ Spackling *Installations Ceramic/ Vinyl Tile *Carpentry *Alterations *Repairs/ More. FREE ESTIMATES. Dan 516-342-0761

Miscellaneous

BEST SATELLITE TV with 2 Year Price

Guarantee! $59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months free premium movie channels! Free next day installation! Call 888-508-5313

Plumbing

PLUMBER! PLUMBER! PLUMBER! FREE ESTIMATES! Heating, Repairs, Installations. $25 OFF New Customers. 24 Hour Emergency Response.

516-599-1011

GET DIRECTV FOR $64.99/mo for 12 months with CHOICE Package. Save an additional $120 over 1st year. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and Epix included! Directv is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Some restrictions apply. Call 1-888-534-6918

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Education

COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM!

Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Grants and Scholarships available for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! 844-947-0192 (M-F 8am-6pm ET). Computer with internet is required.

TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get Trained, Certified & ready to work in months! Call 855-543-6440. (M-F 8am-6pm ET). Computer with internet is required

Health & Fitness

VIAGRA AND CIALIS USERS! 50 Pills

SPECIAL $99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW! 855-413-9574

AUTOMOBILE & MARINE

Autos For Sale

ACURA 2003, 3.2 CLS, 2 door, Silver, Black Interior, 160K Plus. Needs Battery. $1800 516-668-8877 runs great

Autos Wanted

***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS $Highest$ Ca$h Paid$. All Years/ Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct + Ca$h. DMV ID#1303199. Call

The era of ‘Marcus Welby, M.D.’ is over

I’ll bet very few readers remember television shows like “Dr. Kildare” and “Marcus Welby.” Those popular shows featured physicians who made house calls and performed miracles of all kinds. There may be a few of these doctors left, but it’s only a matter of time until such dedicated physicians are no longer in existence. Like it or not, the business of medicine is changing rapidly, and not for the benefit of the average patient.

I recently experienced this sea change in medicine, when two of my doctors announced their retirement. One was my internal medicine doctor, who served me faithfully for 32 years, and the other was a neurologist who had monitored me for about five years. It was obvious from our parting conversations that they were exhausted and tired of the day-to-day stresses of serving patients.

If you visit almost any doctor’s office, you’ll notice that there are walls and

walls of files on display. They may signify how many patients your doctor serves, but they are also evidence of the amount of paperwork the average doctor must do to get paid by an insurance company. Once upon a time, insurance companies gave doctors an appropriate amount of money for the services they performed, but not anymore.

If you’re a doctor in New York City, you may get $1,000 for a medical procedure. But if you practice in, say, Smithtown, you may get paid $180, if you’re lucky. Geography makes a difference in reimbursement, and no rational observer of medicine will defend such an abominable system. These days, doctors need experienced staff members who have to deal with endless piles of documents, many of which are for small reimbursements. The daily practice of medicine isn’t a 9-to-5 operation. Many doctors take their charts home, to review medical histories and also to protect themselves from malpractice litigation. The business of suing doctors is a major enterprise, and the volume of litigation forces doctors to pay

outrageous fees for malpractice coverage. I’ve heard quite a few stories about doctors who quit the practice because they simply couldn’t afford the high premiums.

One way that a doctor can avoid some of these headaches is to become an employee of a hospital. That spares you the high insurance premiums, but life isn’t a bowl of cherries for the employed doctor, either. Large hospitals have rules upon rules, and they can mean plenty of paperwork, and having to handle a much larger caseload of patients then you ever had when you were on your own. One of my longtime, highly respected doctors has taken a leave of absence, because he’s now in his 80s and just can’t handle the caseload he’s been given. But hospitals are businesses, and they have every right to demand a high level of activity of their doctors.

There are many dedicated, newly minted doctors graduating from medical schools, but quite a few of them approach medicine much differently today than their forebears. Many young

doctors would prefer to work five days a week, with no weekend duty. They are willing to take less compensation and have more time for family, golf and vacations. They may be brilliant practitioners, but they don’t want to be so many Marcus Welbys.

And when we talk about medicine, we can’t forget about nurses. The recent strike at some major city hospitals was no surprise. I was in an ER recently, and found out that my nurse had 15 patients assigned to her. She was on the verge of a physical breakdown, but soldiered on, handling all of them with grace and patience. No doubt, she will get a large pay increase and a smaller patient workload, but it’s only fair to give her those benefits.

Like it or not, medicine is changing dramatically. In the next 10 years, we will see changes that we never dreamt of. Some will be good, and others bad. Let’s hope there are more good than bad.

Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.

Folks scramble as the price of eggs soars nationwide

You can believe the hype. Last week, a boutique grocery on Manhattan’s Upper East Side was selling eggs for $17.99 a dozen. They weren’t Faberge eggs, dripping in diamonds and gilt. They were ordinary chicken-hatched, single-yolk, large “organic” eggs.

This news flash is courtesy of The Guardian newspaper in England, which loves to point out the crass and the crazy in American culture. It is given to gloating through stiff upper lips. Still, it has a point.

RANDI KREISS

Egg prices are heating up due to inflation, a surging avian flu epidemic and, some say, price gouging.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one year ago you could buy a dozen eggs for $1.72. Now, nationwide, the price averages $3.59. In some states like California, the average price is more than $7. Apparently in Manhattan, consumers have jumped from the frying pan into the fire. No more cheap, go-to weekday omelet dinners.

The current epidemic of avian flu is

the worst in history, according to NBC News. More than 53 million birds have died of the virus or been put to death. As so-far survivors of the coronavirus pandemic, we must wonder how vulnerable we humans are to this flu.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we’re probably safe. That’s not totally reassuring, but the avian flu has jumped to humans in only rare instances, and has passed from an infected person to other people in only extremely rare cases. Those who’ve contracted the flu after working around infected birds generally experienced mild symptoms, but the disease has been serious in a few people.

of Mexico to the U.S. I don’t know if it’s a Sinaloa cartel operation, but really? Smugglers in competition with the Easter Bunny?

I take my eggs very seriously. Omelets are a regular dinner in my home. I eat an egg every single day, over well, yolk broken. Lillybee the dog gets half a yolk.

No more cheap, go-to weekday omelet dinners.

Somehow, I want to believe human beings should be OK, but after the waves of half-information and misinformation informing our health decisions in the midst of Covid, I want to keep an eye on this H5N1 virus. Even though it might seem cost-effective now to start raising chickens in our backyards, nah, it’s probably not a good idea.

Last week it was widely reported that dealers have been running eggs out

I had to give up eggs recently and temporarily (for a month) after my friend cracked an egg and discovered a tiny, blackened mini-chicken inside. So gross! I didn’t actually see the monstrosity, but I can’t get the image out of my head. She was so traumatized by the visitation that she gave up eggs forever.

We move on. The most expensive egg product I ever purchased was a painted $25 ostrich eggshell I brought back from South Africa to present to my granddaughter on her 13th birthday. I was feeling quite high-minded about the symbolism of feminism and new beginnings and eternal life. But she sat on it, and that was that.

Two weeks ago, I cracked an egg and discovered it was a double yolker. According to Cackle Hatchery, double yolks are quite rare. They hardly ever

result in two chickens being born, because the eggshell can’t accommodate twins. Still, they are prized for eating. Some boutique chicken farmers specialize in double yolkers, the source of which is a genetic mutation. You can hold a candle to an egg and see what’s inside if you really need to know. If you really want to know.

Hardboiled eggs are worth a book of their own. I always have a few hardcooked eggs in my fridge, you know, in case of nuclear attack or tornado strike. I read about an 83-year-old hiker years ago who hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine, eating hardboiled eggs he cooked on a tiny camping stove.

In the 1967 movie “Cool Hand Luke,” an outrageously defiant prisoner played by Paul Newman choked down 50 hardboiled eggs on a dare. A few people in real life tried to imitate the feat, and one died. But Joey Chestnut, the renowned competitive eater, consumed 141 eggs in eight minutes in a contest. Miki Sudo broke the women’s world record, eating 104 eggs.

Chestnut, who, remarkably, is still alive — I checked — took home a $1,500 grand prize, which seems not nearly enough.

Copyright 2023 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

It was obvious from chats with my retiring doctors that they were exhausted.

JERRY KREMER

The tricky balance of fear and openness

It was like having security cameras in every room of a house but one. That’s how Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone described to reporters the decentralized, hodgepodge security infrastructure of the county’s computer network, which more than 10,000 government employees, in dozens of departments, depended on.

It was a single unguarded entryway that let hackers in last September, essentially shutting down all operations and reportedly costing Suffolk millions of dollars.

Such an intrusion is enough to scare any business or government entity into fortifying defenses. But is there such a thing as being too scared?

In the days following Suffolk’s revelation that it had been hacked, Bellone’s counterpart, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, bent over backward to ensure that the same thing won’t happen here. Or at least we think he has, given that the details of those efforts are a closely held secret.

What we do know is that the Legislature has hired a cybersecurity consultant. And that’s about it. Who that consultant is, what they have to offer — and, most important, how much it’s going to cost taxpayers — is information only a very select few know.

Revealing too many details about the new cybersecurity efforts could be troublesome, of course. The more information hackers have, the more likely they can

LETTERS Offner was on the mark

To the Editor:

Re Daniel Offner’s column last week, “We must remember — and teach — the Holocaust”: Offner’s description of his grandmother, “When she was liberated by American troops from Dachau in May 1945, she weighed 45 pounds,” brought back an old memory to me. I remember my dad speaking of two cousins, who somehow made it to America after surviving one of those Nazi killing centers in Poland. He described them as two young guys, each over six feet tall and weighing 200 pounds — combined.

They didn’t last much longer than a year here. The Nazis killed them; they just didn’t die immediately.

And now we have Holocaust deniers, in spite of the films, photos and documents that exist, in addition to the survivors, and the living veterans who aided in their liberation and survival. We also have politicians in both parties telling us lies daily. Now we even have to be aware of a “journalist’s” political affiliations, agenda and beliefs. Sadly, as Offner pointed out, the same goes

find ways to slip past Nassau’s defenses. Yet county officials refuse to say how revealing simple bits of information — like who the vendor is, and how much they’re charging — would help these cyber menaces. And they aren’t budging.

As well, the Herald learned last week that a closed-doors executive session called by the Legislature produced an emergency cybersecurity declaration — its mere existence classified.

It’s perfectly understandable why county officials are on edge, and they should be commended for acting quickly to build Nassau’s technological defenses. And while many of those details should be kept secret, not all of them should be.

There is a reason why who our government does business with — and at what cost — should be out in the open, for all to see. We bear the financial cost of that business, and have every right to ensure that every dollar is being spent appropriately.

Everything about the county’s contract with this mystery cybersecurity firm could be perfectly fine. And it most likely is. But the taxpayers’ right is absolute assurance, not a preponderance of confidence. We have the right — by law — to make sure the Legislature is doing an arm’s-length deal with the right company for the right price.

How was the firm chosen? How was its compensation negotiated? What is the county getting in return? Even if we can’t have specifics, there’s no reason we can’t be clued in on at least some general

aspects.

Shoshanah Bewlay, executive director of the state-funded Committee on Open Government, shared in an advisory opinion last month that details of the contract — like information technology schematics, blueprints, pricing or systems methodologies, and the types of IT monitoring or remediation — can indeed be kept quiet. “However, in our view,” Bewlay added, “it is not clear how the disclosure of other information contained within the contract — such as the name of the selected vendor, or value of the executed contract — would enable a person to adversely impact an agency’s electronic information or IT systems.”

Don’t get us wrong — we honestly believe there is no ill intention on the county’s part to withhold this information. Officials are scared that revealing any of it — even if it’s deemed safe — could upend all their efforts to protect the network. But they have to lift the cloak just enough to let the taxpayers — their true bosses — get a peek to assure themselves that all of this is on the up-and-up.

Nassau County is letting all of its hard work to build these defenses get obscured by this simple request to know who it is working with, and how much they are being paid for that work. That’s basic information that taxpayers shouldn’t even have to ask for.

But they are asking for it, and the county must do the right thing and provide the answer.

D’Esposito will get the job done in Washington

Earlier this month I had the privilege of speaking at the ceremonial swearing-in of newly elected U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito. Sitting on the stage that evening, I thought back to when I was first sworn in 30 years ago, and how different this night was from that one, and how different the world had become. This ceremonial event was held at the Nassau County police training center, in East Garden City, instead of in Washington, D.C., and the oath was administered by former Senator Al D’Amato instead of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

D’Esposito had been officially sworn in by McCarthy the week before, but that was at 2 a.m. on Jan. 7, following over four days and 15 ballots of voting in the most acrimonious contest for speaker since the 1850s, the decade preceding the Civil War. During my 28 years in Congress, I cast 14 ballots for speaker — one every two years. D’Esposito exceeded that total in his very first week in Congress!

This rancor and chaos is a sign of what Congress has become, and what D’Esposito must work through. Don’t get me wrong — Congress wasn’t all peace, love and harmony when I was elected. Soon-to-be House Speaker Newt Gingrich and President Bill Clinton were firing political rockets at each other, and fiery cable news shows were emerging. But there wasn’t this level of intra-party disunity.

Nonetheless, D’Esposito’s situation isn’t entirely different from what I faced. We have several things in common. We both won close, hard-fought races. I won by 8,000 votes, a margin of 3 percent; D’Esposito by 10,000, or 3.9 percent. The bulk of my district was in the Town of Hempstead and Long Beach. D’Esposito’s district is entirely within those boundaries. And the challenges he will confront are similar to what I faced during my latter 20 years in Congress: preventing another Sept. 11, and fighting to get New York and Long Island their fair share of revenue. Fortunately, D’Esposito’s committee assignments — Homeland Security and Transportation & Infrastructure — position him well for the struggles

LETTERS

for our educational institutions.

I was lucky. The U.S. Navy took me to dozens of foreign nations. If you were born here, count your blessings. There are many tougher places to grow up in. Our most precious resource is America’s children. If we give them our honest best, freedom will reign.

JOHN SCHULTZ Oceanside

It’s Santos, for better or worse

To the Editor:

At a news event on Jan. 11, a parade of Nassau County Republicans took the extraordinarily courageous step of calling on their colleague, U.S. Rep. George Santos, to resign. They suggested that he was not welcome at either their headquarters or their events. They indicated that their other congressional representatives would take it upon themselves to provide representation to the people of the 3rd District — the people Santos was elected to represent.

On Jan. 18, I received an email from my old friend Rep. Andrew Garbarino, who represents the 2nd District, in Suffolk County, advising me that I was one of his “new constituents” and assuring me that I could rely on his office’s

resources. Along with everyone else in northern Nassau and Queens, I live in Santos’s district. I am not officially a constituent of Garbarino’s.

In response, I emailed Andy Garbarino, “While I appreciate you reaching out, you are not my Congressional representative and I am not your ‘new constituent.’ George Santos, with whom and for whom you campaigned, is my Congressional representative. That fact is truly shameful. Thanks again and wishing you well.”

So, to Congressman Garbarino, with whom I worked in the Assembly before he was elected to the House of Representatives, I simply say, “Thanks but no thanks.” For better or worse, Santos is our congressman, and I expect him, perhaps unrealistically, to make some effort to try to live up to his responsibilities.

I am not inclined to reach out to the same Republican politicians who offer assistance but are simply attempting to shield themselves from criticism. As the old saying goes, once bitten, twice shy.

Should Santos be unresponsive to any requests I may have for assistance to the people I represent, I will reach out to Senators Chuck Schumer or Kirsten Gillibrand, or to any number of Democratic congressional representatives.

CHARLES

Assemblyman, 13th District

ahead.

The Homeland Security Committee was created in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 to coordinate federal, state and local counterterrorism efforts, and to provide necessary funding to areas at highest risk. Every threat analysis showed the New York City-Long Island region as the highestranked terrorist target in the country. Yet we had to fight off other states, which had zero threat levels, for every penny. As a former New York City police detective and Island Park fire chief, D’Esposito has the credentials and the gravitas to win those funding fights, and also to ensure that the committee’s legitimate concern about border control and illegal immigration doesn’t distract attention from the still very serious terrorist threat.

He will have similar struggles on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, to get fair and necessary funding for Long Island’s roads, highways, beaches and waterways.

Over the years, New York has been consistently shortchanged in federal funding, sending far more money to Washington than we get back. My short-

hand political analysis for this inequity was that Democrats took New York for granted and Republicans felt they couldn’t win it, so our hard-earned tax dollars were disbursed elsewhere — most notably, and disproportionately, to southern states. This shortfall in turn increased our state and local tax burden, which was exacerbated when a Republican Congress voted to dramatically reduce our SALT income tax deduction. D’Esposito has pledged to fight hard to restore that deduction.

Besides Homeland Security, infrastructure funding and restoring the SALT deduction, he will have to deal with countless other issues, including senior citizen and veterans benefits, 9/11 health care, tax relief for hardworking middle-income families and supporting law enforcement.

Being a member of Congress, and representing the people of Long Island and addressing their needs and challenges, was the experience of a lifetime for me. No one is more connected to his constituents than Anthony D’Esposito, and I know he will take their thoughts and concerns to the halls of Congress and get the job done. Good luck, Congressman.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

FRAMEWORK by Tim Baker

In a normal winter, this would be a skating rink — East Rockaway

LAVINE

A newcomer to Congress has two solid committee assignments.

PETER KING