Freeport Herald 02-16-2023

HERALD

Splash program at schools

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An assembly unifies students

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Engineers in the making

Eight Freeport teams of all ages take part in robotics competition

By MOHAMED FARGHALY mfarghaly@liherald.com

The annual VEX Robotics Competition drew a diverse pool of innovative domestic and international participants to Freeport.

The event brings together participants from various backgrounds and locations to showcase their talent and compete. The competition, a staple in the technology community for many years, showcases the brightest student minds in the field of robotics.

The competition was held

Feb. 4 at Freeport High School hosted by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation.

The Freeport Public Schools were represented by eight teams, with five from Freeport High School, two from J.W. Dodd Middle School, and one from Caroline G. Atkinson Intermediate School. The teams participated in field challenges where robots faced off against each other to score points and complete skills challenges where the robots had to demonstrate their maneuver-

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Bobby Ford combines careers in policing and soul food

By MOHAMED FARGHALY mfarghaly@liherald.com

Freeport resident Bobby Ford combines his two passions of serving the community as a respected police officer and serving up delicious soul food at his restaurants in town.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Ford’s love for cooking was inspired by his talented mother, who instilled a passion in him for soul food at a young age. He would often help her in the kitchen, and as he grew older, he began experimenting with his own recipes and perfecting his cooking skills.

Ford never let his passion for

cooking interfere with his dream-turned duty to serve and protect the community as a police officer. Growing up in Brooklyn, he saw firsthand the challenges faced by many innercity communities and felt a calling to make a difference.

He was a New York City police officer for over 11 years, working his way up to detective covering all five boroughs.

Despite the challenges he faced in his work, Ford never saw it as difficult and always felt a sense of purpose in helping others.

“I don’t believe that I looked at the job as hard,” Ford said.

“The magnitude of what you’ve been exposed to wasn’t really

apparent at that time and you’re just learning a lot of things about yourself, about how it is that you can fit in society, and how it is that you can contribute to make things better.”

Ford decided to move to Long Island to be closer to his family and became a valuable asset to the Freeport Police Department.

Since then, he has served the community for nearly 20 years and is a well-known figure in the area, even involving himself in community endeavors with the Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club and serving as executive director of the local Police Athletic League.

Ford believes that while the

volume of criminal activity may be less in Freeport than in the city, crime is always going to be present.

“It’s the volume of the activity that is the main difference,” Ford said. “Crime is everywhere. It’s always going to be everywhere, but the volume in which it occurs, changes.”

While Ford’s work as a police

officer in the community is his top priority, he never lost his passion for cooking, which gives him a connection to his mother and family.

In 2017, he turned his passion for cooking into a business opening his own barbecue restaurant in Freeport called Bobby Q’s at 447 N. Main St.

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Courtesy Freeport Public Schools

FREEPORT HIGH SCHOOL senior Ryan Retzlaff makes a last-minute adjustment to his team’s robot before the first competition of the day.

Blakeman not yet ready to unfreeze assessments

By MICHAEL MALASZCZYK mmalaszczyk@liherald.com

It’s a vital component of the property tax system, yet for the third straight year, Nassau County won’t be conducting a tax assessment of homes and businesses.

Such a freeze first gained momentum under former Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, but lifted by his successor, Laura Curran. However, the freeze was reimplemented during Covid-19, and now continues under Bruce Blakeman’s tenure.

The difference — at least according to the county legislatures Democratic minority — is that Blakeman campaigned against Curran, promising to roll back the tax increases caused by the reassessments done under her administration. Yet, they still remain frozen.

“As housing prices soared at an unprecedented rate during the worst of the pandemic, the minority supported a temporary freeze to protect property owners from dramatic swings in a remarkably turbulent market,” minority spokesman Daniel Schrafel said. “However, ‘temporary’ is key. History has demonstrated that freezing the tax rolls for extended periods distorts assessed values to such a degree that the only way for property owners to protect themselves from overpaying is to grieve. We must do everything in our power to break this unjust, exploitative cycle.”

The reassessments are supposed to happen annually to review property value and

tax property owners accordingly. When they don’t happen, properties that have risen in value become under-taxed, while those that may have dropped end up paying a higher tax than they would have otherwise.

The value of property impacts school taxes and other issues.

When in office, Curran called the reassessment process “corrupt” and “broken.”

The Democrat pledged to fix it in a 2018 opinion piece published in the Herald, only to freeze it once again during the pandemic.

Democrats now criticizes Blakeman for the continuing the freeze despite the economic pressures of the pandemic subsiding, particularly in light of Blakeman’s promise to do so.

“Mr. Blakeman vowed to rescind the

county’s increases that he blamed on the recent assessment,” Democratic county legislator Debra Mulé said. “That basically means that if you’re over-assessed, you’ll be stuck paying more than your fair share of taxes this year, unless you successfully grieve your assessment.”

State Sen. Kevin Thomas joined in the chorus against the freeze to highlight that grievance process.

“Every homeowner in Nassau has received solicitations from tax grievance workers, myself included,” Thomas said. “These grievance workers use deceitful tactics that lead many to believe filing a grievance is just too complicated for the average resident.

“That is not the case — homeowners can file grievances themselves. You are not required to use an attorney or a specialist, nor is there a fee to file. You can even file online from today until March 1 by yourself. It should be as simple as that.”

Thomas introduced a bill in Albany intending to bring more trust and transparency to the tax grievance process.

For his part, Blakeman called the phase-in plan of his predecessor a failure, and says it won’t expire until next year. He is extending the grievance deadline, however, from March 1 to April 3.

“My administration has reviewed the comptroller’s comprehensive audit that uncovered many inaccuracies in valuations,” Blakeman said in a statement, “and I felt it was important to give residents additional time to grieve.”

Michael Malaszczyk/Herald

STATE SEN. KEVIN Thomas, second from left, was joined by Nassau County Legislators Carrié Solages, far left, Debra Mule, and Joshua Lafazan at a news conference to discuss the county’s freezing of property tax assessments for a third consecutive year. County Executive Bruce Blakeman is extending the grievance deadline to April 3.

“Making a Splash” with Freeport students

Freeport Public Schools has recently launched a new program called “Making a Splash.” The program aims to bring high school and elementary students together to foster positive relationships, improve literacy skills, and build confidence and self-esteem.

The program is partially funded by the district’s 21st Century Learning Centers Grant and involves 70 Freeport High School students visiting the four elementary schools, Archer Street, Bayview Avenue, Leo F. Giblyn, and New Visions multiple times throughout the rest of the academic year.

During their visits, the high school students will engage with the elementary students in various ways to support their academic and personal growth. They will read to classes, assist with academic instruction, and create positive relationships by sharing their success stories and offering encouragement and support.

Some high school students will even find themselves returning to their former elementary schools, further strengthening the district’s school-to-school partnerships and community.

“We are very excited to bring our high school students and elementary students together through our new Making a Splash initiative,” Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Glori Engel said. “Our elementary students will definitely benefit from spending time with our high school students, who will have a positive and lasting impact on our elementary students and their commitment to achieving their goals.”

–Mohamed Farghaly

BUILDING LITERACY SKILLS, self-esteem, and confidence

Photos courtesy Freeport Public Schools

as Freeport High School student Genesis Gomez visit elementary schools through the “Making a Splash” initiative.

AS PART OF the district’s new initiative “Making a Splash,” Freeport High School students and staff collaborated with the elementary school students in the district.

HIGHSCHOOL STUDENT FRANCES Amaya Solorazano teaming up with elementary students to help them achieve their educational goals.

Robotics competition showcases diversity

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ability.

“Our students have been working very hard all year preparing for this tournament,” Kevin Harrison, Freeport Robotics Club adviser said. “Our teams have really stepped up to the challenge and expanded their knowledge of robotics design and I am very proud of each of our teams and their robots.”

A high school team from Alanya, Turkey visited the United States to compete in the competition. The team, accompanied by their coaches, experienced American high school life by attending classes and other activities at the school the week of the competition.

Before the competition, the Turkish team knew little about robotics competitions in America but was impressed by the camaraderie and teamwork displayed by the competitors. The Turkish team will bring this positive experience back to share with their team and rival teams in their home country.

“The exchange of knowledge and information was an excellent experience,” Freeport High School senior and member of the robotics team Austin Patience said. “Programs like this that allow you to learn and share wisdom are mutually beneficial for all students involved.”

The competition consisted of several challenges that tested the contestants’ skills in a variety of areas, including programming, engineering, and design. There were 25 teams from Long Island and NYC participating in the game “VEX: Spin Up”, which involved stacking 60 yellow cones and placing them on mobile goals in a designated scoring

zone.

Teams also designed robots to pick up yellow frisbee discs in an arena with 60 of them, playing in alliances of red and blue teams. The goal is to shoot the discs into chained goals resembling disc golf, in a race to outperform the other robots.

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The winner is the team with the bestdesigned robot for the game.

The robots performed a variety of tasks, including obstacle avoidance, object recognition, and manipulation.

“It’s interesting being an engineer going to a school to talk to these young students just to see how they attacked a design problem,” said engineer Andrew Braum. “Some of the students were so advanced in their understanding of the automation process and it was very enlightening and refreshing to spend time with these students who chose to do robotics. They could be sitting at home playing games but instead they chose to get involved in robotics.”

The Robotics Competition is judged by a panel consisting of engineers, college professors, and teachers. The judges evaluate the teams based on their performance in the tournament and their documentation, including their engineering notebook and interview.

The project focus is on understanding the engineering design process. Each group has a member responsible for documenting their decision-making pro -

cess, including why they chose a particular design for their robot to pick up the yellow frisbees. The goal is to improve the robot through the school year by documenting and repeating the design process.

Teams from Freeport High School qualified for the quarterfinals in the next competition and the senior boys team won the VEX Build Award for their wellbuilt robot that demonstrated reliability and efficiency during the competition.

High School students Austin Patience, Jayden Easy, Ryan Retzlaff, Donovan Ligonde, and Dorian Trotman won the Build Award while David De la Llera, Gregory George, Stanton Deans, and Kevin Yang, and Jayden Thompson, Kevin Cuello, and Vladimir Estevez advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament.

“The build award is given to the team with the best constructed robot,” Harrison said. “They consider it to be of high quality and it has to be robust and have a clean and effective use of materials. It has to be designed with attention to detail, it has to demonstrate reliability on the field and hold up under the competition conditions.”

The schedule of events included volunteer training, inspection, qualification matches, alliance selection, tournament, and an award ceremony at the end.

“We are so proud to host another VEX Robotics competition at our school this year with an international team joining us from Turkey,” Superintendent of Schools Kishore Kuncham said. “For our students, being part of the robotics team is an opportunity to explore their interests in computer programming, engineering, machining, mathematics and more. It truly takes our students to the next level of a STEM education so they can become more creative and use the 21st century skills they are acquiring in our district to achieve their full potential.”

Photos courtesy Freeport Public Schools

BOARD OF EDUCATION President Maria Jordan-Awalom with the Freeport High School Robotics Club senior boys’ team, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kishore Kuncham; Freeport High Principal Gisselle Campbell-Ham, and stafff and students from Caroline G. Atkinson Intermediate School at the VEX Robotics competition, hosted by the high school, on Feb. 4.

Our teams have really stepped up to the challenge and expanded their knowledge of robotics design.

KEVIN HARRISON

Freeport Robotics Club adviser

MEMBERS OF THE Freeport High Robotics Club, left, were joined by competitors on a robotics team from Alanya, Turkey, who attended classes and music lessons while their coaches toured the high school.

Library launches youth coding program

A fun and interactive way to tearn how to code

By MOHAMED FARGHALY mfarghaly@liherald.com

Libraries have always been known for providing access to books, media, and educational resources for people of all ages and backgrounds. But today, select libraries are taking their role as community hubs to a new level with the introduction of coding education programs.

The Freeport Memorial Library has taken a giant leap in its transformation into a community resource center, by launching a new and innovative software program, Fiero Code. This free web-based educational software will provide children and teenagers with the opportunity to learn computer programming skills in a fun and interactive way.

The software is designed for students between the ages of 8 to 18 and is an opportunity for them to develop coding skills that can potentially lead to careers in the technology sector. The software’s tutorials and projects will guide students through building websites, video games, phone apps, animations and more. The coding program is self-paced,

meaning children can log in at their own convenience and learn coding at their own pace.

“We are thrilled to offer this opportunity to learn coding to our children, tween, and teen patrons,” Head of Youth Services, Cindy Soto said. “Coding is a valuable skill and students can learn it in a fun and interactive way.”

The purpose of the program is to provide access to technology and computer education to kids who may not have access to such resources at home or in school.

The library has also taken the initiative to train their librarians on coding, so they can run coding clubs with the students. The training program is four hours long and is self-paced. The librarians will be able to use the skills they learn from this training to start coding clubs later this year.

“Before the club starts up, the way it works is kids will just come in to use the computer and just kind of start up the program in hopes of learning,” Soto said.

“They can do it from home, too. They don’t have to be in the library to do it.”

The program has been specifically created to keep kids engaged and motivated. It provides them with progress updates and offers competitions throughout the year where children can win physical prizes based on their coding projects.

These projects not only teach coding skills but are intended to also help students become better problem solvers and critical thinkers.

To celebrate the launch of this exciting new software, the Freeport Memorial Library will host the February Challenge coding contest. The competition, which takes place online from Feb 1 to March 31,

provides participants with the chance to win prizes for creating and animating a character to use in their programs. These prizes include code-able robots, drones, invention kits and much more. The contest is open to all levels of coders, with no prior coding experience required.

To participate in the February Challenge coding contest, library patrons must first create an account. To create an account, visit the Freeport Memorial Library’s website at freeportlibrary.info, scroll down, click on “Fiero Code”, and click “sign up” to create a username and password.

STUDENTS IN FREEPORT Memorial Library’s new Fiero Code program are on their way to learning valuable coding skills through interactive and project based tutorials.

Coding is a valuable skill and students can learn it in a fun and interactive way.

CINDY SOTO Head of Youth Services

SPOTLIGHT ATHLETE

Freeport takes Class A crown

By VINCENT MATULA sports@liherald.com

The boys from Freeport High School had a great showing Feb. 9 at the county championships at St Anthony’s. Once the meet concluded, it was the Red Devils that took home the Nassau Class A title and will now gear up for a run at some state medals.

JURREL HALL

West Hempstead Senior Track

HALL STOLE THE show at the Nassau Class C Track and Field championships Feb. 8 to help the Rams to a secondplace finish. He captured the triple jump (school record 44-feet, 11-inches), high jump and long jump titles, matching a feat he accomplished last spring.

BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS

Friday, Feb. 17

Girls Basketball: Nassau Class AA quarterfinals

Boys Basketball: Nassau Class A ffirst round

Saturday, Feb. 18

Girls Basketball: Nassau Class A first round

Boys Basketball: Nassau Class AA quarterfinals

Tuesday, Feb. 21

Girls & Boys Basketball: Nassau Class A quarterfinals

Wednesday, Feb. 22

Girls & Boys Basketball: Nassau Class B semifinals

Friday, Feb. 24

Girls Basketball: Nassau Class AA semifinals

Saturday, Feb. 25

Boys Basketball: Nassau Class AA semifinals

Monday, Feb. 27

Girls Basketball: Nassau Class A semifinals

Tuesday, Feb. 28

Boys Basketball: Nassau Class A semifinals

Wednesday, March 1

Girls & Boys Basketball: Nassau Class B finals

Saturday, March 4

Girls & Boys Basketball: Nassau Class AA and A finals

Three Red Devils took first place in a variety of events during the evening. Senior Kazeem Scott finished first in the 55 meter dash and second in the long jump competition. Scott has been the complete package for Freeport this season and has received nothing but praise from his teammates and coaches.

“Kazeem is easily a top-three kid in Nassau County,” head coach Charles Gilreath said. “He’s a really good sprinter, one of the best long jumpers in the county and is very talented overall.”

Another crucial member of the Red Devils is senior Danzil Monk Jr, who placed first in the 1000 meter run and third in the 1600. Monk has taken Freeport to another level this season and gave Gilreath a big lift when they needed one most.

“He gave me an extra piece I was missing,” Gilreath said. “He was very valuable with that aspect of scoring us some more points.”

Freeport’s only non-senior to finish first in an event was junior Jordon Quinn as he took the top spot in the 55 meter hurdles. Not only will Quinn be around next year, but there are still high hopes for him this season as he hasn’t lost a race since December.

“Jordon has really put the work in this year,” Gilreath said. “He grew about two inches and put on about 25 pounds. He really has the potential to be a state champion this year.”

While the Red Devils don’t have a set group of captains, a good portion of the seniors have led the way on a weekly basis. This includes Monk Jr, Yvan Neas, and Matthew Drayton-Thomas as the go-to leaders.

“I lean on the seniors to lead the team,” Gilreath said. “Once we leave

Freeport and go to meets, they’re instructed what to do and I basically just manage.”

Freeport took first place in the 4x400 relay as Monk, Neas, Lucca Noboa, and Chase Holt combined for the victory. Noboa and Holt are already making their marks as sophomores, finishing top-five in the 600 meter run, but will also have some big shoes to fill next year.

“I knew we could compete for a team title going in,” Gilreath said. “Lucca and

Chase are going to be really important for this team going forward.”

For now though, the focus is on the state qualifier and getting as many runners as possible to the state championships set for March 4 at Staten Island’s Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex.

“It gets really tighter going into the state qualifiers,” Gilreath said. “I think we’re looking really good and I’m looking to get quite a few kids up to the state meet.”

Media Origin Inc./Herald

FREEPORT SENIOR KAZEEM Scott captured the Nassau Class A title in the 55-meter dash and was runner-up in the long jump.

Celebrating MLK Day at Bayview Avenue

To pay homage to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his advocacy for peace and equality, the students, staff, and administrators at Bayview Avenue Elementary School in Freeport honored MLK Jr. Day on Jan. 25 by marching arm-in-arm in silence throughout the school building.

Students from all grade levels participated by walking from

their classrooms to the auditorium while pondering on the power of peace and nonviolence in uniting people to reach their goals. The march concluded with a reading of Dr. King’s “How long? Not long” speech, delivered after the Selma to Montgomery march in 1965, in the school auditorium.

EVERGREEN CHARTER SCHOOL

Slots are assigned first to Hempstead applicants.

Slots are assigned first to Hempstead applicants.

If there are remaining slots available they will be assigned to students of other districts. If there are more applicants than slots available, a lottery will be held. The lottery is a public event and it will be held on April 6 2020, at 7pm at our elem. school.

If there are remaining slots available they will be assigned to students of other districts. If there are more applicants than slots available, a lottery will be held. The lottery is a public event and it will be held the first week in April, 2023 at our Elementary School.

for registration

for K - 9th grade* until April 1, 2020 at 5pm.

Open for registration for K - 12th grade until April 1, 2023 at 5pm.

Must be 5 years of age on or before Dec 1, 2020

Applicants can live outside of Hempstead. Students that attend our school have the right to obtain free transportation from their respective School Districts.

In Hempstead, you need to live 2 or more miles away from the school in order to receive free transportation From

* (9th grade pending approval this April by NYSED)

Must be 5 years of age on or before Dec 1, 2023 For more information call

For more information call (5 16 )2 92- 20 60

Courtesy Freeport Public Schools THE MARCH CULMINATES in auditorium with a reading of Dr. King’s “How long? Not long” speech.

BAYVIEW AVE ELEMENTARY students honor MLK Jr. with silent, arm-inarm march through halls.

–Mohamed Farghaly

THE FEIL FAMILY Pavilion will feature an expanded emergency department at Mount Sinai South Nassau, along with 40 critical and intensive care beds, and nine new operating rooms. The Feil family donated $5 million to the hospital as part of a series of generous donations over the years.

Feil family donates $5M for new pavilion

Gift is single largest donation in Mount Sinai South Nassau’s history

By KARINA KOVAC kkovac@liherald.com

The Louis Feil Charitable Lead Annuity Trust has pledged the largest single gift in the history of Mount Sinai South Nassau — $5 million. And, in return, it will help usher in a new state-of-the-art facility, with the Feil name on top.

The new four-story, 100,000-square-foot building, is scheduled to open in another year. And when it does, it will be named the Feil Family Pavilion.

This new $130 million pavilion will double the size of the hospital’s current emergency department, increase the critical and intensive care inpatient capacity to 40 beds, and add nine new operating rooms.

“Mount Sinai South Nassau is our local hospital, and we are grateful for the expert care it provides to our communities on the South Shore,” said Jeffrey Feil, chief executive of the Feil Organization— and a longtime Rockville Centre resident — in a release. “We are so fortunate to have an outstanding medical center right in our backyard. The Feil family is honored to support the growth of Mount Sinai South Nassau.”

The Feil Organization is a real estate investment, management and development firm based in New York City with more than 70 years of expertise. Feil’s portfolio commands millions of square feet in industrial, commercial and retail, as well as more than 5,000 residential properties and thousands of acres of undeveloped land across the United States.

Feil and his family — including his parents, the late Gertrude and Louis Feil — have been longtime supporters of the hospital. With their latest gift, the family has donated a total of $17 million to benefit the hospital and the patients it serves.

The family previous gifted $2 million in 2019, and $1.5 million in 2018 to help centralize the hospital’s cancer care services.

The family also donated $3 million in 2011 that supported the continued growth and expansion of the Gertrude & Louis Feil Cancer Center.

“This generous gift by the Feil family will have a direct impact on improving patient care on the South Shore,” said Adhi Sharma, president of Mount Sinai South Nassau, in a release. “We are deeply thankful for their generosity and support. It will be the hospital’s distinct honor to name the new patient care tower in honor and recognition of the Feil family, and their longstanding commitment to Mount Sinai South Nassau.

“Their support and commitment has been vital to the growth of our emergen-

cy services and cancer care program as well as the hospital’s tradition of excellence in the delivery of advanced care services.”

The Feil gift is the second major contribution made to the new four-story patient building currently under construction. Last year, the hospital’s immediate past board chair, Joseph Fennessy, made an undisclosed gift to the hospital that earned his family’s name on top of the pedestrian entrance to the new emergency department. Additional naming opportunities remain within the new pavilion, officials said, including nursing stations, lobby areas and surgical suites.

It’s part of an overall $400 million capital building fundraising campaign Mount Sinai has undertaken in recent years.

Currently, South Nassau’s emergency department treats 65,000 people each year, but is designed to handle half that. When construction is complete, the emergency department will nearly double the size of a football field, increasing its annual capacity to 80,000.

In addition, the department will feature centralized nursing stations that will allow for direct oversight of patient rooms. There also will be bedside triage, expanded pediatric trauma treatment areas with an adjoining radiology area, a decontamination room, dedicated areas for geriatrics and behavioral health, and a spacious waiting and reception area with free Wi-Fi, and charging stations for phones, computer tablets and laptops. The operating room and its surgical suites will be configured and designed to accommodate the nonstop advancements in surgical technologies and equipment. The combined impact of the redesigned and larger operating rooms will allow Mount Sinai South Nassau and its staff of surgeons to increase its surgical scheduling capacity to accommodate projected volumes in same-day, elective, and emergency surgeries.

The new surgical suites also could pave the way for an open-heart program at the Oceanside campus, pending state health department approval.

“The ultimate beneficiary of the Feil family’s generosity is our South Shore community that turns to Mount Sinai South Nassau for compassionate, quality health care,” said Tony Cancellieri, cochair of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s board of directors, in a release.

“On behalf of the hospital’s board of directors, we are grateful to our dear friends Jeffrey and Lee Feil and their entire family, and are honored to name the pavilion as a permanent expression of gratitude for this gift and the ongoing support of the Feil family.”

TONY CANCELLIERI, CO-CHAIR of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s board of directors, joined Feil Organization chief executive Jeffrey Feil, and Andrew Triolo, vice president of facilities, design and construction at Mount Sinai South Nassau in front of what will become the Feil Family Pavilion at the Oceanside hospital. Feil’s foundation donated $5 million to the hospital.

Photos courtesy Mount Sinai South Nassau

Ford is a police officer and a restaurateur

Ford’s inspiration for the restaurant comes from his memories of growing up in a family of nine children where his mother taught all of them how to cook. He believes cooking is a way for him to connect with his past while ensuring his family remains close.

The menu features classic dishes passed down from his mother and are a staple in his family that continue to bring comfort and joy to customers.

“Sometimes you have to hunker down and hone your craft, to make sure that you provide the best possible product, and people are going to enjoy it,” Ford said. “It’s not a case of being the best, as much as it is making sure that people are satisfied.”

Although Ford has made some adjustments to the recipes to better suit the tastes of his customers and offer more alternative options such as vegan-friendly dishes, the core flavors remain unchanged.

For Ford, these dishes serve as a way to keep his mother’s memory alive. He is grateful for the opportunity to share her cooking with others and is proud to continue her legacy through his restaurants.

In January, Ford opened up the second location of his soul food restaurant at 365 W. Sunrise Hwy titled “Bobby Q’s Just Like Mama’s”

The two soul food establishments, while offering nearly identical menus, cater to distinct needs within the community. The original location was limited in space, rendering it suitable only for takeout, while the new restaurant has been designed to offer a comfortable dining experience.

“With the takeout location, customers can enjoy the food from the comfort of their own homes, and with the sit-down location, they can come and enjoy a full dining experience,” Ford said.

Ford said his day-to-day schedule is quite hectic, as he

balances both his work as a police officer and running his restaurants. He starts his day as early as 6 a.m. preparing for his shift at the police department.

When he is not at the police department or patrolling the streets, Ford can be found at his restaurants where he is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the business. He often finds that due to the long hours and hard work in the kitchen after his day job, some nights he doesn’t go to sleep until 3 a.m. Despite all this,

BREAKING DOWN BOUNDARIES WITH CANCER BREAKTHROUGHS

Ford enjoys every moment of it.

Regarding his busy year-round schedule, Ford wouldn’t have it any other way. He is proud of the work that he does as a police officer and a chef and feels that both of his careers are a true reflection of who he is.

“In life, we’re all constantly being presented challenges and obstacles,” Ford said. “What they are is a form of manifestation, a way for you to rise up and get around certain things and be the better version of yourself.”

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Randy Milteer/Freeport Public Relations POLICE OFFICER AND restaurant owner Bobby Ford does the ribbon-cutting at the grand opening of the second location of his soul food restaurant, Bobby Q’s. With him were Mayor Robert Kennedy and chamber of commerce members.

Full LIRR service to East Side finally coming

By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com

Commuters are riding the high of never-before-seen rail service aimed at connecting the Long Island Rail Road to the bedrock of Midtown Manhattan at Grand Central Madison.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority celebrated a turning point with the long-anticipated opening of its 750,000-square-foot East Side Manhattan transit hub with the first shuttle train from Jamaica station on Jan. 25. Now the terminal is set for a full rollout of regular train service beginning Feb. 27.

The East Side Access Project, as it was known, has already drawn a daily rush of commuters — albeit under a limited format with shuttle service from the Queens station to Grand Central Madison.

Rather than plunging straightaway with full service, MTA officials said the station is in a soft-launch phase, enabling riders to slowly acclimate themselves to the additional shuttle service from Jamaica, find their way around the facility and test out commuting options.

Once Midtown’s terminal comes fully online, it will no doubt reorder the MTA’s transit system and send ripples through its 11 Long Island train branches, each offering direct or transfer service to Penn Station on the West Side, and Grand Central Madison.

For LIRR commuters, this change will

be felt most acutely in adapting to an overhauled train schedule that divvies up Manhattan-bound train service between the two sister terminals.

Some commuters may feel more taken to the change than others with the promise of greater accessibility and efficiency to their commutes. Still, others can’t help but groan over the foreseeable loss, and longing for their preferred service lines and connections.

But at least for MTA chair and chief

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executive Janno Lieber, the change is a net-gain for most commuters — and a sign of economic renewal for the metro Long Island area, with a 41 percent increase in service.

Grand Central Madison provides “faster, more convenient travel that brings Long Island closer to the heart of the City,” Leiber said, in a release. “The new schedules are going to be a major shot in the arm for the local economy and the effort to get people back to offic-

es, theaters and shopping.”

But critics are quick to point out that the often-touted 41 percent service increase — raising the number of daily trains from 665 to 936 — is relative to current service which has experienced a major cutback of its own compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Weekday ridership continues to hover at about 65 percent of what it was before any of us had ever heard of Covid-19.

And while MTA officials expect nearly 45 percent of riders to shift over to Grand Central Madison, there are nagging concerns about the potential travel headaches brought by the decline in available morning rush-hour train service to Penn.

Take, for example, the fact that the Long Beach branch which will get 10 additional rush hour trains from its current 13 at Penn Station. Yet, it will have two fewer rush hour trains at Penn Station with shared service lines to Grand Central Madison.

“The new schedules are designed to have more evenly spaced trains and fewer large gaps in service,” MTA spokesman Dave Steckel said. “There will also be more frequent service to Queens and on the Ronkonkoma and West Hempstead branches. New service promises decrease travel times from Long Island to Manhattan, and reduce crowding at Penn Station.

“We will continue to monitor and adjust service based on ridership trends and other factors.”

Medicaid Asset Protection Trust Myths

Why don’t more people do the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT)? The answer is that clients often get the wrong advice from well meaning but ill informed professionals, family and friends. Here are some of the most common MAPT myths.

1. You Can’t Sell the House. The MAPT may sell the house at any time. The money is paid to the MAPT. You may invest the money and use the income for a rental or you may purchase another residence in the name of the MAPT. The five year clock does not start over.

2. You Lose Your Property Tax Exemptions. Properly drafted MAPT’s preserve your Senior, STAR and Veteran’s exemptions as well as the exemption from capital gains on the sale of the primary residence —$500,000 for a couple or $250,000 for a single person.

3. It Takes Five Years. While it takes five years to protect ALL of your assets from long-term care in a facility, the time “pro

rates”. For example, if you have to go into a nursing home four years after you set up the MAPT, you only have to pay for the one year that is left.

4. You Can’t Get Your Money. The trust pays you all of the income. Principal may be gifted from the trust in any amount to any of your heirs.

5. The MAPT Cannot Be Revoked. Strange as it may seem, in New York you may revoke an irrevocable trust. Here’s why. It’s irrevocable because you, the grantor, cannot revoke it alone. However, New York has another rule on the books that says that if every person named in the irrevocable trust agrees in writing that they no longer want the trust, then you may revoke it on consent of all the named parties. Since that is just you and your adult children, it is usually a simple matter to accomplish. If a child won’t sign, we simply amend the trust to remove them and then their signature is no longer needed.

Courtesy Metropolitan Transportation Authority

FULL PASSENGER TRAIN service from the Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central Madison is set to begin Feb. 27 according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Limited shuttle service opened up late last month, bringing in some of the first LIRR passengers to Manhattan’s East Side.

STEPPING OUT

Dinodaze to life Dinosaurs of all kinds

By Karen Bloom

he herd is back. Kids of all ages

Quest — the traveling dinosaur “experience” — returns to Nassau Coliseum for four days of prehistoric adventuring. Jurassic Quest takes families back to the days when these prehistoric creatures ruled the lands, Friday through Monday, Feb. 17-20.

• Feb. 17-20; times vary

• Tickets start at $22; available at MonsterQuest.com or NassauColiseum.com

• Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale

This immersive spectacle features a bevy of lifelike dinosaurs — of all shapes and sizes — that are an impressive lot. They transform the arena environment to a time 165 million years ago during the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods where visitors can get up-close and personal with the creatures.

“They are all life-size and authentic,” Park Ranger Marty (aka Marty Hoffman) says. “You get to see what dinosaurs are really like, hearing the different sounds they made.”

Described by Park Ranger Marty and the Jurassic Quest folks as North America’s largest and most realistic event, the creative team collaborates with leading paleontologists to ensure each dinosaur is painstakingly replicated, from coloration to teeth size, to textured skin, fur or feathers — drawing on the latest research about how we understand dinosaurs and these ancient creatures looked and moved. Plant settings, sound effects, lighting and electronics add to the authenticity of the setting.

But perhaps what makes the experience more than just a spectacle is the way it pulls on the heartstrings. As Park Ranger Marty — who proclaims himself a “dinosaur nerd” — put it: “It’s a great time for everyone. Especially the kids, but also the adults. We’ve all had that time in our lives when we loved dinosaurs. Then we get away from it. When we take the time to see them through the kids’ eyes, we reconnect with that love of dinosaurs we all had.”

It’s all self-guided, so visitors proceed at their own pace. That means you can approach the mighty T. rex, check out the 50-foot-long Spinosaurus, largest known carnivorous dinosaur, even longer and heavier than the T. rex, also the enormous Apatosaurus with its whip-tail, along with sea creatures, and many others.

“One hundred sixty million years worth of dinosaurs are here,” Park Ranger Marty enthuses.

And there are those baby dinos, “hatched” specifically for Jurassic Quest: Cammie the Camarasaurus, Tyson the T. rex, and Trixie the Triceratops.

“People really love them,” Park Ranger Marty says. “Kids want to hang out and pet them. It’s an amazing thing to see. The interaction between the babies and the kids is really fun.”

While the dinosaurs are the main draw, of course, the event includes a fossil dig, where budding paleontologists can dig up bones, along with an excavation site, with actual fossils and themed rides, among other activities.

“There really is something for everyone,” Park Ranger Marty says. Plus an education component is worked in — and the kids won’t even realize it.

“We like to think of dinosaurs as the ‘gateway science,” he explains. “Kids are learning about biology and geology, and more, when they explore dinosaurs. Also other sciences like astronomy and engineering. It all relates back to dinosaurs andancient plants. And this all comes out of the kids thinking dinosaurs are cool.”

Park Ranger Marty and Dino Trainer Dustin hanging out, at left, with a Tylosaurus skull. Open wide! An enthusiastic young visitor, at right, finds his way into an Allosaur head

Alan Doyle

The prolific Canadian singersongwriter has boundless appeal. The moment he burst onto the scene in the early 1990s with his band Great Big Sea, Canadians fell in love with the pride of Petty Harbour, Newfoundland, whose effusive charisma and sense of humour was eclipsed only by his magnetic stage presence. His influence is now being heard in a new generation of artists as his solo work continues to endear him to roots music fans everywhere. That’s clearly evident on Doyle’s latest EP ‘Rough Side Out,’ which finds him collaborating with Canadian country music superstars Dean Brody and Jess Moskaluke, while at the same time offering his own distinctive interpretation of contemporary country. His songs all have a strong personal meaning, according to Doyle, who believes ‘the best songwriters in any genre are the ones who can look in their own backyard and find something they want to sing about.’

Saturday, Feb. 25, 8 p.m. $41, $37, $29. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

Dublin Irish Dance

The acclaimed Dublin Irish Dance ensemble visits Long Island with their new production, ‘Wings: A Celtic Dance Celebration.’ Wings features exquisite Irish and World champion dancers alongside Ireland’s musical and vocal virtuosos. Complete with original music and choreography, this groundbreaking production, infused with world dance and musical influences, will thrill audiences with its transformative emotional energy and imaginative design. The vivid and illuminating production portraying rich Irish heritage themes, in spectacular dance and musical performances by this superb cast that will thrill audiences of all ages. Everyone will be entranced by these world champion Irish dancers as they defy gravity in this captivating spectacle.

Friday, March 17, 8 p.m. $60, $45, $35. 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.

Firefly Artists Exhibit

Platanos Y Collard Greens

The Hot Sardines

The band brings their distinctive sound to the Landmark stage, Friday, March 3, 8 p.m.

Their unique recipe blends hot jazz and sultry standards from the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s, rich New Orleans sounds, a dash of ’40s Paris flavor, and vibrant musical surprises. It’s all steeped in salty stride piano and the music Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt and Fats Waller used to make. The result is straight-up foot-stomping jazz. Their name says it all: their iconic ‘hot’ styling will paint a vibrant picture with smoky sounds and audiences revel in the steamy, swanky influence of their art form. With their contagious brand of joy, grit, glamour and passion, they invoke the sounds of nearly a century ago, yet stay right in step with the current age. $60, $50, $46. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at

Visit Long Island Art Council, 130 E Merrick Road, to view the Firefly Artists exhibit, in the new Art Alcove, throughout February Firefly Artists was established to create a gallery setting for local artists, a supportive space for collaboration and development. Call (516) 2232522 or visit LIACfreeport.org for more information.

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. 16-18, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 19, 2 p.m., 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.

Paint N Sip

Brush away the winter with a Paint N Sip, with Sparkle on Stage, Wednesday, March 8, 7 p.m. Led by local artist, Gina Allison this event, at 195 Woodcleft Ave.,encourages all to let loose and get creative. All paint supplies are included, and brews will be half priced at BREW SA across the street. More information and tickets are available at SparkleOnStage.org.

Blood Drive

Leg. Mulé and the Baldwin Fire Department host a blood drive, at the fire department building, 2386 Grand Ave., Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2-8 p.m. For more information, contact Dmule@ nassaucountyny.gov

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?

Voyage

The Journey tribute band visits

The Paramount, Saturday, Feb. 25, 8 p.m. The popular band takes everyone back to the ‘80’s when Journey’s timeless music ruled the airwaves. Hailed by fans and critics alike as the world’s top Journey tribute band, this group performs their music with chilling accuracy.

Fronted by Hugo — a dead ringer for Steve Perry, both visually and vocally — he continues to delight fans with his miraculous resemblance, exact mannerisms and identical voice to Steve. Fans agree that Voyage delivers an experience to the original Steve Perryfronted lineup. $40, $35, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

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, Freeport Recreation Center, 130 E. Merrick Road. The classes start at 7 pm., outdoors if weather permits. Call (516) 377-2314 for information.

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.

Family theater

The beloved fairy tale springs to life in a delightful musical romp, presented Plaza Theatrical Productions, Monday, Feb. 20, 11 a.m.; Friday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m.; Sunday, Feb. 26, noon. All the

Town urged to reject ‘discriminatory’

By ANA BORRUTO aborruto@liherald.com

“Change the boundary, redraw the lines” was the message dozens of community members tried to articulate to the Hempstead Town Board last week. But in the end, many felt their pleas were completely ignored

Don Clavin faced some heat from the crowd after the town supervisor decided to cut the microphone feed for each speaker off exactly at the required three minutes they were allotted to speak. When Deputy Town Supervisor Dorothy Goosby — who notably challenged Hempstead’s discriminatory at-large voting system in 1988 — was asked if she had anything to say about the redistricting process, she declined to comment.

The Hempstead redistricting saga is nearing its end, and opponents of the proposed maps are not giving up without a fight. A group of angry voters rallied outside of Hempstead Town Hall minutes before the Feb. 7 meeting to air out their frustrations.

Former county legislator Dave Denenberg, who organized the rally, said there is an ulterior motive behind the elected officials drawing the district lines they way they’re doing it.

“Whenever there’s redistricting, you see a political machine do exactly what they always do: They are going to draw districts in a way that tries to maintain their majority,” Denenberg said. “But that’s voter suppression.”

Mimi Pierre-Johnson, founder of the Elmont Cultural Center, said she saw a “glimmer of hope” at the redistricting commission’s last work session. The three commission members seemed they would finally recommend one of the six map proposals to the Hempstead Town Board. These options included the town’s preliminary “Skyline” map, as well as five alternative proposals from civic groups and local attorneys they say would help provide a

more equal voice for minority groups.

But that optimism was quickly extinguished when the commission failed to put forward a map, and instead agreed to officially recommend the town board produce a final map that keeps communities of interest intact.

Since the first day of the redistricting process, the concerns raised by opponents to the initial town-drawn maps circle back to a single theme: District lines should be redrawn to have a more balanced demographic represen-

tation. That means creating three “minority-majority” districts, that would allow minority communities a chance to elect someone who would be more likely to represent them on the town board.

For example, 90 percent of Elmont’s population are people of color. However, the current map proposal places Elmont in a district with Garden City, which has an 88 percent white population.

Placing Elmont in a district with neighborhoods they have nothing in common with dilutes the votes of its residents and impairs the outcome of elections, claimed Claudia Borecky, president of the Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club, in a letter to the Hempstead Town Board.

“People told heart-wrenching stories of how hard they and their ancestors fought for the right to have a vote that counted,” Borecky said. “Yet, the motion made by the redistricting commission for the Town Board to only consider keeping communities whole is totally deaf to what your constituents plead.”

Under the guidance of the Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders law firm and redistricting expert Sean Trende, the Town Board released a redistricting map proposal last month, which they say takes into account public comments as well as the views of the redistricting commission.

However, some doubted these intentions.

“If (the town) passes this map, I’m going to Garden City because that’s my district,” Pierre-Johnson said. “I’m going to show up with my friends to (Garden City) town meetings, to the zoning board, because I want what they have for Elmont.”

Critics also questioned the map’s compliance with federal and state voting rights protections — specifically the Voting Rights Act and New York’s John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act. If Hempstead finalizes the current map as it stands, it could expose the town to costly litigation at the taxpayers’ expense.

Ana Borruto/Herald

FORMER NASSAU COUNTY legislator Dave Denenberg leads a rally outside of Hempstead Town Hall just before a town board meeting discussing redistricting. As the mapping process nears its end, voters are getting louder about their demands for three minority-majority districts.

Public Notices

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).

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

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

LEGAL NOTICE

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

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 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 REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR HSI ASSET SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST

2006-WMC1, Plaintiffagainst - LOUISE THENOR, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on October 21, 2014. 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 15th day of March, 2023 at 2:30 PM.

All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Village of Elmont, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Premises known as 28 Monaco Avenue, Elmont, NY 11003.

(Section: 32, Block: 671, Lot: 0034)

Approximate amount of lien $418,361.72 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.

Index No. 021619/2007.

George P. Esernio, Esq., Referee. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409

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

Dated: January 23, 2023

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 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.

137154

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR ARGENT SECURITIES INC., ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-W10 Plaintiff, Against SANTOS ARGUETA, MARY ARGUETA, JOSE ARGUETA, et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 11/8/2019, 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 3/10/2023 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 129 E Fulton Avenue, Roosevelt, NY 11575, 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 Roosevelt, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York

Section 55 Block L Lot 305-306

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $233,818.77 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 10976/2015

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. Shannon McKinley, Esq., Referee. McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573 Dated: 1/27/23 File Number: 560-1299 LD 137274

Clerk of the Town of Hempstead, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Village and Town of Hempstead, Hempstead, New York, and available at hempsteadny.gov, where it may be inspected during office hours.

ALL PERSONS

INTERESTED in the subject matter will be given an opportunity to be heard with reference thereto at the time and place abovedesignated.

Dated: Hempstead, New York February 7, 2023 BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

KATE MURRAY Town Clerk

DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor 137313

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Section 202-48 of the code of the Town of Hempstead entitled, “Handicapped Parking On Public Streets,” a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 28th day of February, 2023, at 7:00 o’clock in the evening of that day, to consider the adoption of a resolution setting aside certain parking spaces for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons at the following locations:

BALDWIN KINGS PARKWAY - south side, starting at a point 37 feet west of the west curbline of Elmwood Street, west for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-9/23)

ELMONT ADAMS STREET - north side, starting at a point 222 feet west of the west curbline of Raff Avenue, west for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-11/23)

MADISON AVENUE - east side, starting at a point 235 feet north of the north curbline of McKinley Street, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-8/23)

ALL PERSONS

INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

Dated: February 7, 2023

Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor

KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 137334

LEGAL NOTICE

SITE PLAN REVIEW

BOARD MEETINGFEBRUARY 28, 2023

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that a Public Hearing will be held before the Site Plan Review Board on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 7:00 P.M., in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Main Conference Room, 46 N. Ocean Avenue, Freeport, New York, on Site Plan applications as they appear on the calendar; public comment invited. The Board will meet at 6:00 P.M. in the Trustees Conference Room to discuss cases not requiring a public hearing; open to the public, no public comment.

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

SP-3427 - 131 W. Merrick Road, Section 62/Block108/Lot 23.

Business B. Bolla EM Realty, LLC. Remove existing canopy over existing dispensers, install a 49’ x 24’ canopy over four new dispensers. Convert existing 2,365 sq. ft. service station building to 2,040 sq. ft. convenience store with a 473 sq. ft. drive thru and associated site improvements.

LEGAL NOTICE

REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR CSAB MORTGAGE-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES

2006-3, Plaintiff - against - VALERIA GUZMAN, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on April 23, 2017. 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 16th day of March, 2023 at 2:30 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Premises known as 99 Evans Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520.

(SBL#: 55 - 391 - 186, 55 - 391 - 187)

Approximate amount of lien $586,928.31 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.

Index No. 009001/2008.

Jane P. Shrenkel, Esq., Referee. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409

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

Dated: January 6, 2023

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 26, 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 22, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 16 Smith Street, Inwood, NY 11096. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Inwood, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section: 40 Block: 70 Lot: 6. Approximate amount of judgment $864,388.39 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 007131/2012. 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.” Malachy Lyons, Jr., 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 13, 2023

137396

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LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, under Securitization Servicing Agreement

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 16 of the Town Law of the State of New York, as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Village and Town of Hempstead, Hempstead, New York, on the 28th day of February, 2023 at 7:00 o’clock in the evening of that day, to consider the proposed amendment of Article XXXIV of the Building Zone Ordinance, in relation to flood hazard zones. The proposed amendment is on file in the office of the Town

FRANKLIN SQUARE PARK LANE NORTHnorth side, starting at a point 89 feet west of a point opposite the west curbline of Ascan Road, west for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-13/23)

INWOOD WANSERS AVENUEsouth side, starting at a point 294 feet east of the east of the east curbline of Jeanette Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-598/22)

ROOSEVELT GRENADA AVENUEnorth side, starting at a point 208 feet east the east curbline of Enness Street, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-6/23)

WEST HEMPSTEAD

SP-3338 - VL EO 164 Moore Avenue, Section 55/Block 350/Lot 250. Residence AA. Stewart Bynoe. Construct 3,144 sq. ft. 2-story dwelling with attached garage, 43 sq. ft. portico and 195 sq. ft. patio.

BY ORDER OF THE PLANNING BOARD

Pamela Walsh

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

The Freeport Housing Authority will hold a Public Meeting on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at 5:00 PM. The meeting will be held at 240 South Main Street Community Center, Freeport, NY 11520. 137385

To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

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 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.

137381

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU

HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Trustee for Nomura Asset-Backed Certificate Series, 2006-AF1, Plaintiff

AGAINST

Hasan Ozcan a/k/a H. Ozcan; et al., Defendant(s)

Dated as of August 1, 2005 Structured Asset Investment Loan Trust Mortgage Pass Through Certificates, Series 2005-HE3, Plaintiff AGAINST Steven S. Montgomery; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered May 18, 2022 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 22, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 225 Church 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, State of New York, Section 62 Block 55 Lot 38. Approximate amount of judgment $589,384.72 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed

Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com

Judgment Index#

614148/2017. 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.”

Christine M. Grillo, 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 30, 2023

137399

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU

THE BANK OF NEW YORK

MELLON TRUST COMPANY N.A. AS

SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST

TO ALL PERMITTED

SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS OF JPMORGAN

CHASE BANK N.A. AS

TRUSTEE FOR MASTR

ADJUSTABLE RATE

MORTGAGES TRUST

2005-3 MORTGAGE

PASS-THROUGH

CERTIFICATES SERIES,

V.

JOSE D. ALVAREZ, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated February 5, 2019, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein THE BANK OF NEW YORK

MELLON TRUST

COMPANY N.A. AS

SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST

TO ALL PERMITTED

SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS OF JPMORGAN CHASE BANK N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MASTR

ADJUSTABLE RATE

MORTGAGES TRUST

2005-3 MORTGAGE

PASS-THROUGH

CERTIFICATES SERIES is the Plaintiff and JOSE D. ALVAREZ, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction

RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY

SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100

SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 21, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 29 FRANKEL AVENUE, FREEPORT, NY 11520: Section 54, Block 197, Lot

183:

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF FREEPORT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

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.

137388

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff,

v. KIM GUNDERSON, SCOTT HARKOFF, ET AL, Defendant. NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

THAT

In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on September 24, 2019, I, Ellen Durst, Esq. the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on March 20, 2023 at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, County of Nassau, State of New York, at 2:00 PM the premises described as follows:

271 President Street Freeport, NY 11520

SBL No: 62-59-13, 14, 15 and 16

ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York.

The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 008366/2015 in the amount of $526,036.62 plus interest and costs.

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.

NINA DEMOSTHENES, et al Defendant(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff(s)

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

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.

FULLONE A/K/A TROY

School hosts robotics competition

Freeport High School’s Robotics Club senior boys’ team, from left, Dorian Trotman, Jayden Easy, Ryan Retzlaff and Austin Patience won the VEX Robotics Build Award at the Freeport VEX Robotics Competition on Feb. 4. See pages 1 and 4 for more on the event.

Public Notices

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.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 008859/2015. James Pascarella, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for

Richard

S.

Mullen Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

Plaintiff’s Attorney

500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 137391

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

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, 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.

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

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

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.

Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 2, 2023 at 2:30 PM.

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 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF NASSAU COUNTY AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF EDITH CHIOVARO, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH

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

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

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

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT

NASSAU COUNTY

U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9

MASTER PARTICIPATION

TRUST,

Plaintiff against DAVID CONTES, et al

Defendant(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Stern & Eisenberg, P.C., Woodbridge Corporation Plaza, 485B Route 1 South, Suite 330, Iselin, NJ 08830.

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

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

Courtesy Freeport Public Schools

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FT:

RVC. Administrative Work, Answering Phones, Computer Skills – Microsoft, Excel, Outlook, Financial background helpful. No Health Beneifts. 516-763-9700 frances.difede@lpl.com

ADMINISTRATIVE OPENINGS MONTI-

CELLO Central School School Building

Principal (2 positions) The Monticello CSD is seeking forward thinking and dynamic School Building Principals who can lead MCSD's highly engaged faculty, staff, parents, students and community. The successful candidate will have a vision of educational excellence, be highly motivated and demonstrate the ability to impact student learning. Starting salary: $125,000, commensurate with experience. NYS

SDA/SDL/SBL Certification Required plus 2 yrs. of previous administrative leadership and 5 yrs. exp. as a classroom teacher preferred. Please apply online by March 5th at https://monticelloschools.tedk12.com/hire EOE

Aesthetician/ Laser Technician

Oceanside,NY-PT (may lead to FT) Saturdays are mandatory. Must have a valid NYS Aesthetician & Laser Certification Friendly, punctual, responsible & detail oriented.

Duties include Laser Hair Removal / Microneedling / Facials

Call 516- 240-1919 or email resume to dolceaestheticsny@gmail.com

Real estate IN BRIEF

Coach Realtors Hewlett Office is Welcoming Their Newest Agent!

ASSISTANT BOOKKEEPER Valley Stream, NY

We are a small real estate management firm looking for support to our Accounting Department. Must have previous Accounts Payable and Receivable experience. This full-time position will require knowledge of Microsoft Excel. Will also include light clerical work.

To apply, please email Alyson at alyson@dewseven.com with a brief intro letter and resume

AUTO TECHNICIAN FT

Experienced And Reliable. NYSI A Plus. Busy Merrick Shop. Call 516-781-5641

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR Company Car, Bonuses For Good Work. Must Have Clean Driving Record, Will Train. Eastern Queens & Nassau County. Retirees Welcome! Please call Bell Auto School At 516-365-5778 10am- 6pm Or Email: info@bellautoschool.com

DRIVING INSTRUCTORS WANTED Will Certify And Train HS Diploma NYS License Clean 3 Years Call 516-731-3000

FULL TIME LIBRARY AIDE Are you customer-service focused? Do you love libraries? Apply for a FT Library Aide position at the Baldwin Public Library. This is a rare opportunity that does not require a Civil Service exam. Job is 35 hours per week with at least one night per week and rotating on Saturdays. $30,000-40,000 depending on qualifications and experience. Possibility of Sunday hrs. Send resume and cover letter to dkelly@baldwinpl.org.

MEDICAL SECRETARY/ ASSISTANT

PT/ FT: Garden City. Responsible, Reliable. Good Salary. Computer Experience Helpful, Will Train. Call 516-739-0333: Fax 516-739-0344

NAIL TECHNICIAN FT MASSAGE THERAPIST FT For Beautiful Nail/ Med Spa In Garden City. Must Be Licensed. Call 516-739-1111 Email melobeautybarinc@gmail.com

PART TIME ASSISTANTS

Garden City Childcare Center

Monday through Friday $15 per hour

HS Diploma Required Call 516-572-7614

RECEPTIONIST & CLERICAL Positions P/T. Seasonal. Franklin Square. Call: 516-358-9455. Fax Resume 516-358-9483 E Mail: ed@loturco.com.

RECEPTIONIST/ P/T: SEASONAL, Warm, Friendly, Excellent People Skills, Office Work/ Customer Service, Beach Club. 516-239-2150

SECURITY GUARD TRAINING: Available Rockaway Area. Armed/ Unarmed. Annual, Fireguard, CPR. Free Job Placement Available With Training. 718-600-9919

UP TO $20.70 NYC, $20.00 L.I., $16.20

Bibi Aisha Nafeeza PompeyGoodman is a licensed real estate salesperson in Coach Realtors’ Hewlett office with a heart of gold. Aisha, as she prefers to be called, brings a long work history that includes mentoring young ladies in the school system, perfecting customer service in a retail venue, and working her way up to a supervisory position for New York State. These roles have helped her serve, research, aid, coach, and assist others with their goals. Aisha is excited to help you with your goals! Always ready to host or view open houses, on hand with the most current market info, and well-prepared to negotiate your deal, Aisha has all the skills necessary to make your real estate dreams, a reality!

Email: apompeygoodman@coachrealtors.com

Website: apompeygoodman.coachrealtors.com

Cell: 516.988.4293 Office: 516.374.0100

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

Family Rm w/ Doors to Deck. Fin Bsmt. Att Gar.

Loads of Updates!! SD#20 (Lynbrook) No Flood Insurance Req. MUST

SEE THIS!

Now we need a ResCheck?

Q. We are in a quandary about insulation. Our house was built in 1948, and isn’t insulated well. We decided to add a master bedroom and kitchen extension and insulate as much as we can. Our building plans examiner wants something call a ResCheck from our architect, and wants to know how much of the house we’re going to do. We only want to tell them about the additions, even though we want to do our attic and the whole exterior from the outside, if we can. We understand that if we tell the plans examiner about the rest of the house, they can make us do a more expensive energy analysis, which we don’t think is necessary. Also, our contractor wants to only insulate the attic floor, but the architect said that the latest energy code requires us to insulate the roof and not the attic floor. Can you advise?

A. It’s frustrating that if you were not in the permit process, you would just insulate, but the moment government learns that you are doing everything the right way, with permits, they make things more involved.

A ResCheck is the name given to a 10-page energy-analysis document, complete with areas of windows and doors, walls, floors and ceilings along with calculated heat loss and energy coefficients. It’s like taking an exam and the way it is done, to be registered with the state online, we don’t get to know if the numbers provided will pass until we get to the end of the document. If it’s failing the requirements, we aren’t shown why, so we have to start over, trying to guess what needs to be beefed up.

I like to do these in the presence of clients so they understand that it’s serious business, not just some form to fill out. Unfortunately, I don’t get to do these analyses in front of the contractors who often contradict the ResCheck by substituting lesser fiberglass batting for the higher-rated foam material, to save money and labor, since they usually need to get a subcontractor to install foam instead of using their own cheaper laborers.

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 & MOTIVATED!! $699,000

1534 Broadway #205, BA, Extra Large 2000 Sq Ft, 2 Bedroom (Originally

3 BR), 2 Bath Condo in Prestigious Jonathan Hall with Doorman & Elevator. Updtd Wood/Quartz Kit, LR & DR. Washer/Dryer in Unit.

Underground Pkg. Loads of Closets. Terrace Faces Back. Easy Ranch

Style Living BIG REDUCTION!! MOTIVATED SELLER! $699,000

CE da RHURST

332B Peninsula Blvd, BA, Move Right Into This Updated 3 Br, 2.5 Bth Coop

In general, when your project constitutes more than 50 percent of home building area or dollar value compared with the home value, then the examiner wants a more expensive and involved Home Energy Rating System engineer to provide a much more detailed report. This includes a test at the end of the construction in which the home is pressurized using air fans, then gauges are applied, usually at a front door opening, to determine how quickly the house loses pressure, thereby gauging the amount of gaps where air can leak to the atmosphere. This gives an accurate idea of how much cold or heated air can get into the house, which you’re trying to avoid by insulating.

Since this is a big question, tune in to my next column for the rest of the answer. Stay warm and good luck!

© 2022 Monte Leeper

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

WIREMAN/CABLEMAN FLAT TVs mounted, Phone, TVs&Computer wiring installed & serviced, camera &stereos , HDTV – Antennas- FREE TV www.davewireman.com Call Dave 516-433-WIRE (9473) 631-667-WIRE (9473) or Text 516-353-1118

Miscellaneous

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Plumbing

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*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

DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/31/24. 1-866-595-6967

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Finding my way as a woman of color

Happy Black History Month!

When I was growing up, I was fortunate to have two adoring parents who prioritized each other and my baby sister and me. They knew the odds would be stacked against us in many realms as women of color in America, so they considered every detail of our lives, starting with our names. My mother insisted on selecting names that gave little to no indication of gender, race, religion or creed. They settled on Taylor and Sydney.

I must say, it has worked. I’ve been selected to interview for most opportunities I was interested in, and rarely experienced rejection.

Our parents also knew that travel and a robust world view would benefit us greatly, so they raised us in Europe and Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, until my father’s death when he was just 33. His loss was monumental to all

who knew him. He became ill in the military after a mission, and my mother and his medical team did all they could to give him the longest and bestquality life possible.

My father was fully disabled for much of my childhood, and as difficult as that was for him, it afforded him something many of us wish we had more of: time devoted to family. He founded a very successful chess team in our elementary school — we finished 14th in the nation at the May 1994 Nationals — and we learned the art of strategy. He always believed that if you learned the game of chess, you learned the game of life. I needed to learn the game of chess, and all that this beautiful and brilliant man had to teach me, because I was left without him at age 10. I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover.

His loss did propel me, my sister and my devastated mother to an awesome community, Hempstead/Uniondale. I still live in the home my father selected for us shortly before he died. I actually had the deciding vote to move the fami-

ly to Long Island.

The Hempstead/Uniondale community has given me so much. I arrived shortly after my 11th birthday, and it was a space to heal and grow. I enrolled the Uniondale School District in seventh grade, and skipped eighth grade year to fulfill the requirements of the Talented and Gifted Program. I developed and soared as a leader in school, and I loved being able to create solutions to improve students’ lives.

I am grateful for every experience that has enriched my life, but the Uniondale district truly believed in and supported my endeavors. It was the perfect place from which to catapult to my dream school, Spelman College. All signs pointed to a life of public service and a focus on changing the world. (More about this in the near future.)

There is a lot going on in this community, and beyond. There are a lot of systems that are failing people, and some may argue that the Black community was in a better space decades ago. But there are some wins to celebrate,

and February is the time we celebrate Black brilliance, beauty, innovation and resilience here in the U.S.

For the record, I never agreed with America deciding on the shortest and coldest month of the year to celebrate us — I think June would be divine — but as usual, we’ll do the best with what we have. At this time of year, I reflect on the insurmountable sacrifices and contributions of Black Americans, and it is beautiful. Of course, we have a ways to go to ensure that all of our children and communities are also well versed in those sacrifices and contributions.

In that spirit, our office is holding an essay contest, and the topic is, “Why it is important to promote cultural diversity around the world?” Please reach out to our office for more information, at darlingt@nyassembly.gov, or (516) 489-6610. I would love to hear from you. How do you honor and celebrate Black History Month?

Taylor Darling is an assemblywoman representing the 18th District, which encompasses all or parts of Baldwin, Freeport, Garden City, Hempstead, Lakeview, Roosevelt, Uniondale and West Hempstead.

Minx or madman: the George Santos story

Don’t mess with puppies, George. From what I’ve read and what I’ve heard in statements coming out of your very own mouth, you seem estranged from most commonly held beliefs of what is true and what is false, what is a factual statement and what is a lie. What happened and what didn’t happen.

RANDI KREISS

Assiduously, I have ignored the media high jinks and political circus surrounding your behavior, but last week’s revelation of the alleged puppy caper in Pennsylvania’s Amish country in 2017 unleashes my inner Cujo.

Oh yes, the temptation to joke is overwhelming due to the ridiculousness of many of your quasi-legal escapades and the seemingly endless stream of revelations concerning your grandiose claims, self-promotion and transgressions.

Last week we read in The Washington Post that a farmer in Pennsylvania had come forward with a story about you “buying” golden retriever puppies from him with rubber checks. Other

farmers have come forward with similar claims. Related to these charges is the story about the “charity” you claim to have established, Friends of Pets United, but the Post reported that no IRS records of the group could be found. It also reported that you stole money that had been raised to help a disabled veteran care for a dying dog. A disabled veteran?? A dying dog?? What’s wrong with you, George?

I am very disappointed in you. If I were your mother — but oh, wait, your mother died tragically in the 9/11 attacks, unless she didn’t. Can’t be sure. Well, if I were your mother, I would get you some help. The impulse among us in the media is to point at you, since you have become something of a one-man sideshow. But dude, you need serious therapeutic intervention.

New York City, or worked for a bank, or owned various houses, or knew people in the Pulse nightclub shooting, or graduated from NYU or played high-stakes volleyball.

Some say your name isn’t even George Santos. Pinning down the truth as torrents of lies pour from your mouth is like pinning down Jell-O. You are inventive and indefatigable in your stream of wishful thinking out loud, Walter Mitty on a bad trip.

How long will the Republicans allow the public evisceration to continue?

What we can be sure of is that you aren’t Jewish, or Jew-ish, despite your repeated claims to the contrary. According to The Forward, even though you said that your grandparents escaped the Holocaust, they actually were safe and sound in Brazil at the time. There’s no proof you were really mugged on your way to pay a delinquent rent check in

Mostly this is terribly sad. You need help, but you won’t find it in Congress or any public office, for now. Why not step down and save yourself further humiliation?

You can’t expect assistance from your mates in Congress, George. As long as you have a pulse and can vote the party line, they will let the public evisceration continue. You won’t find solace in Congress or real collegiality or decency. You are a GOP vote. Full stop.

Readers, from my perch in the press, the buffoonery of George Santos and his enablers fits perfectly into this time and space. Congress and the Senate have always had their share of nudniks, but Santos is part of a wave of new-age

liars. The toxic lies spewing from people like Marjorie Taylor Green, Rick Scott, Mike Lee, Lauren Boebert and Ron Johnson are poisoning the processes of government. They are all using Santos in what has become a spectacle and a shame.

Last, a shout-out to our neighbors in the 3rd Congressional District, the people of Mineola, Great Neck, North Hills, Port Washington and Oyster Bay. Assuming all of you are literate and somewhat paying attention, how did George Santos sweep by you and right into office? Was holding a Republican seat really a wise trade-off for allowing a candidate with not even a passing appreciation for the truth represent your interests in the People’s House?

As we approach the birthday of another George, the George of American history, who could not tell a lie, I wonder what the people of that era would do with someone like Mr. Santos? Hopefully summon some empathy and not put him on public display. During the reign of another George, King George the First of England, someone like our George might have officially played the part of the fool.

Now we don’t quite know what to do with him.

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

At this time of year, I reflect on the sacrifices and contributions of Black Americans.

TAYLOR RUTH DARLING

E-mail:

Gambling addiction is no game

The Kansas City Chiefs edged the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL’s biggest game Sunday night, watched by more than 100 million people around the world.

But more than 50 million sports fans here at home in the United States had more invested in the game than pride in their favorite team. They wagered as much as $16 billion on Super Bowl LVII, according to the American Gaming Association. And just like football, someone’s going to win, which means someone has to lose. The thing is, being on the wrong side of a good bet is more common than not.

The money bet on the Chiefs and the Eagles was said to be more than double the total spent last year, when the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals. And these days that betting involves more than just choosing which team will win.

Take prop bets, more formally known as proposition bets. They aren’t tied to the outcome of the game — like traditional spreads, moneylines and totals. Instead, they focus on more non-traditional occurrences like the length of the national anthem, or what color Gatorade will be poured on the winning coach.

Prop bets are currently the biggest driver of revenue for many sports gambling sites, according to news reports. That is, except in New York, where the law requires that all bets be tied to the game itself.

LETTERS

Lafazan should rethink his GEORGE Package

To the Editor:

Nassau Legislator Josh Lafazan’s recommendations last week to prevent future egregious candidate misrepresentations a la George Santos (“A useful way to enshrine a name we’d sooner forget”) are unnecessary and provide for a cure worse that the disease. Lafazan’s recommendations are to enshrine in law at all levels the following:

1. Mandatory background checks for all candidates “just like any employee.” There are significant legal restrictions on the nature and scope of employee background checks, and this is unnecessary, as the most rudimentary opposition research would have exposed Santos.

2. Barring anyone with an open foreign arrest warrant from holding office. Lafazan couldn’t possibly have thought this through. So, any foreign country simply has to issue an arrest warrant to remove our public officials? Talk about foreign interference in elections.

Even with those restrictions, New York-based gamblers placed more than $472 million in legal sports bets during the Super Bowl between the Rams and Bengals — part of a larger $16 billion wagered in the first year of legalized online betting in New York. So far, based on the weekly figures from the state gaming commission, this year’s figure is predicted to be even larger. All from a practice that didn’t even exist here a couple years ago.

There are currently nine different mobile applications legally recognized by the state, with FanDuel, DraftKings and Caesar’s Sportsbook among the bigger ones. FanDuel and DraftKings began a decade or so ago, focused on fantasy sports, in which fans build their own teams and compete against each other using real-life game statistics.

But as sports gambling has gained more widespread legal acceptance, the influence of those two companies has grown, and they have shifted gears and focused most of their attention on this new, much-more-lucrative market.

There are strong opinions on both sides on whether gambling should be legal, or if it’s even moral. But something many agree on is that if you’re going to gamble, do it responsibly. Wager only what you can afford to lose. Don’t stretch — or even break — those limits.

And no different than a casino, mobile and online sports betting can also lead to problem gambling.

Like many addictions, gambling can be attributed to the release of dopamine brought on by the thrill of risk-taking and the potential rewards. Gambling, for the most part, is perfectly legal. But then again, so are cigarettes and alcohol.

But gambling is sometimes considered a “hidden addiction,” because it’s not something that might be as obvious as drugs or alcohol, manifesting physical symptoms, although some gamblers have problems with sleep, anxiety, depression and guilt.

For the working-class poor, gambling can also create a perpetual loop in which addicts throw away much-needed and typically hard-earned cash that would otherwise be spent on necessities like housing and food.

The good thing, however, is that there are services in place to help. The Long Island Problem Gambling Resource Center, for example, offers several services for individuals and families impacted by gambling.

These issues shouldn’t necessarily disqualify any talk of bringing a new casino to Uniondale, but they certainly should be part of the conversation — a big part of it. Every resource should be available to keep wagering responsible, and to avoid the destruction of families — both functionally and economically.

As always, if you or a loved one are dealing with problem gambling, you can get help by calling (516) 266-8342, or visiting NYProblemGambling.org.

How political extremism became the norm

Viewing the American political scene today, I can’t help thinking about what Yeats wrote more than a century ago:

“Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.”

I’m not suggesting anarchy is imminent, or that our governmental structures are collapsing, but there are warning signs that should be heeded for our nation to cope with the enormous challenges facing America at home — and throughout the world — effectively. Not only is there bitter partisanship between the parties, there are also bitter divisions within them.

There can be honest debate as to when this severe fracturing began. Politics is always a combat sport. The days of peace, love and harmony — the “good old days” — never existed. Certainly not during the 28 years I was in Congress. But no matter how bitter the debate and severe the divisions were, certain lines weren’t crossed.

Richard Nixon had reason to contest the 1960 election results, but gracefully conceded the race to John F. Kennedy. Al

Gore challenged George W. Bush’s razorthin electoral vote margin in 2000, but conceded with class after losing a similarly razor-thin 5-4 decision in the U.S. Supreme Court.

I believe the major turning point in the rules of political combat was the 2016 TrumpClinton race and its aftermath. It wasn’t just the heated charges and countercharges of the campaign, but the refusal of some Democrats to accept Trump’s victory, and much of the mainstream media’s defense of their erroneous predictions.

Nor was it just the refusal of prominent Democrats such as Rep. John Lewis to attend President Trump’s inauguration, but the allegations made by Democratic leaders, the intelligence community and major segments of the mainstream media that Trump’s election resulted from his campaign colluding with Russia.

This led to the Mueller investigation, which went on for almost two years, tying up the Trump administration and — with media support — giving credibility to the unprecedented belief that an American president was elected by colluding with a foreign enemy.

Being on the House Intelligence Committee and sitting through endless hearings, listening to countless witnesses and

LETTERS

3. Make it a misdemeanor (i.e. a crime) for a candidate to lie about his or her background. Just what we need: candidates routinely trading criminal charges. (“You only graduated cum laude, not magna cum laude!”) Again, basic opposition research is all that’s needed, not competing police reports.

This is an example of a politician giving the appearance of “doing something” about a problem that may very well make it worse.

TERRANCE J. NOLAN Lynbrook

Who will stand up to the extremists?

To the Editor:

As a student of history, I am distressed each day as I read and listen to the news, and I wonder:

When did it become appropriate to ignore a congressional subpoena and then be rewarded with the speakership of the U.S. House of Representatives, the thirdmost important position in the nation?

Why is it OK for Supreme Court nominees to lie at their confirmation hearings and then, after being appointed, overturn decades of court precedent?

When was it determined that politicians

should be permitted to ignore experts in curriculum, history scholars, trained teachers and trained librarians to ban books, whitewash American history and ban topics that are contrary to their ideas? Isn’t the purpose of education to expose students to diverse ideas?

When did it become fashionable to elect people to Congress who lie, yell, curse and bully — people who have no ability to legislate, and no understanding of the word “compromise”?

When did we turn our backs on the hardfought-for rights of all people and return to the days when voting rights were restricted?

In the end, the real question is, when will the moderates in government, and the many moderates in the country, stand up to the extremists on both ends of the political spectrum? Left alone, they will destroy our democracy. We would be wise to remember the words of the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemoller, about the Nazis.

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.”

studying reports and analyses, I was convinced there was no collusion whatever. Stripped of defensive rhetoric, the Mueller report reached the same conclusion. But the damage had been done, and the political well was further poisoned.

Then there were the riots in the summer of 2020, which raged throughout the country following the police killing of George Floyd. At least six people were killed. Cities like Spokane, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, were under siege. New York streets became nightly war zones. Police stations were attacked and set on fire. Churches were vandalized. The White House itself was threatened.

Yet Democratic leaders offered only perfunctory disapproval of the violence, emphasizing that most demonstrations were “peaceful.” Following a night of violence in Brooklyn — in which bottles and other objects were thrown at cops — then Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, “I stand with the protesters.”

In Manhattan, the Democratic district attorney refused to prosecute hundreds arrested for looting and rioting, including a getaway driver aiding those caught on video vandalizing St. Patrick’s Cathedral. All further poisoning the well.

Then, beginning on election night in 2020, Trump — citing no credible evi-

dence — charged that the election was “rigged” and “stolen.” Never explaining why, in a rigged election, Republicans would pick up 12 House seats while he lost the popular vote to Joe Biden by more than 7 million, Trump continued to attack the results.

The culmination of this constant onslaught — whether intended or not — was the disgraceful and violent assault on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. No rational American — certainly no Republican claiming to be a patriot — can defend that outrage in any way.

Shockingly, however, too many Republicans are willing to minimize the violence as just a protest out of control, and still deny the election results.

What the nation saw last month, when it took 15 ballots over five days for Republicans to elect Rep. Kevin McCarthy speaker of the House, was a further rejection of tradition and civility. It is an ominous sign that this was the most protracted election for speaker since the decade preceding the Civil War.

It’s time for the sane forces on both sides to step forward. The United States has come too far as a nation, and faces too many challenges, to allow the voices of anarchy to prevail over our traditions and values.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. A version of this essay originally appeared in The Hill.

by Tim Baker

FRAMEWORK

RENA BOLOGNA Bayville

The turning point in the rules of political combat was the 2016 TrumpClinton race.

PETER KING

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