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Black history: the 6888th Battalion

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Helping people with disabilities lifts economy By REINE BETHANY rbethany@liherald.com

Reine Bethany/Herald

AT AHRC IN Freeport on Feb. 10 were, from left, State Assemblywoman Judy Griffin; Stanfort J. Perry, executive director of AHRC Nassau; Michael Seereiter, president and CEO of the New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation; State Sen. John Brooks; Assemblywoman Taylor Darling; and Maureen O’Brien, president and CEO of New York State Industries for the Disabled.

The remarkable benefit to New York State’s economy that results from providing services for people with disabilities was the topic of a news conference in Freeport on Feb. 10. Officials of the State Legislature gathered with disability services leaders at the AHRC Nassau Freeport Work Center on Hanse Avenue, which has been a training and employment center for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities for half a century. The conference’s purpose

was to call attention to a December report released by the Rockefeller Institute entitled, “The Role of Disability Service Providers in the New York State Economy.” The report showed the positive economic impacts of both the Preferred Source program — a model for ensuring that people with disabilities have employment opportunities — and the larger nonprofit service delivery system for New Yorkers with disabilities that is supported by the State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. Maureen O’Brien, president Continued on page 11

AHRC, a hidden community gem in Freeport By REINE BETHANY rbethany@liherald.com

Of the many gems in Freeport, one of the most worthy is the AHRC Nassau Work Center, which has operated at 230 Hanse Ave. since about 1970. “The idea, when the Work Center opened, was to change people’s perception of individuals with disabilities,” said spokeswoman Mary McNamara, AHRC Nassau’s director of community resources. “But even more, the idea was to give them a job and a paycheck, because they could work, and they wanted to work, and everyone knows what having a paycheck does for your

self-worth.” For decades, the Work Center employed more than 300 people with disabilities, doing packaging and assembly jobs sent to the site from Long Island employers. The concept was to create a place where employees with disabilities could work without encountering the prejudices and discomfort they faced in the business world — a “sheltered workshop.” I n m o r e r e c e n t t i m e s, explained Barry Donowitz, AHRC Nassau’s associate executive director of administration and business services, concepts of employing people with disabilities have expanded and

changed. “‘Sheltered workshop’ is a term we would never use anymore,” Donowitz said. “The focus is on community employment and people being part of the community, not segregated from the community.” Nowadays, though the Work Center still employs people with disabilities for assembly and packaging — for example, dental kits for health care product distributor Henry Schein Inc. — it has expanded its services to include two main components: day habilitation and prevocational training. “Day habilitation is basically teaching people life skills, like cooking, for example, or engag-

ing socially — things like that,” Donowitz explained. “The adults who come to day hab are people with great needs who aren’t likely to progress toward working. Prevocational is focused on work, on what skills you need to be ready to work, to have a job, with less focus on socializing, except as needed to have certain social skills to function in the

work setting.”

Working at AHRC

On site at the Work Center, Supervisor Cesar Fuentes led the way into a room where about 20 masked employees were finishing up the day’s work. “Over here, we’re finishing packaging of Schein dental boxes,” Fuentes Continued on page 16

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February 17, 2022 — FREEPORT HERALD

Legislator for District 2 addressing infrastructure, pandemic, taxes, economy By Reine Bethany rbethany@liherald.com

Le gislator Kevan Abrahams, a 47-year-old father of two who lives in Freeport, knows exactly what he hopes to accomplish in 2022: road repairs, a major park upgrade, affordable housing on the Freeport-Roosevelt border, revitalizing the Freeport armory, and progress on the Hub development in Uniondale. For Abrahams and his staff, Covid-19’s impact is still heavily felt. “We’re still getting a high volume of calls that are Covid-related,” Abrahams said. “I even answer calls because we don’t have the manpower -- or womanpower, as my staff are all women.” During the Delta and Omicron variant surges, Abrahams and his staff continually fielded calls for people needing help to get Covid tests. Now that the infection numbers have dropped, Abrahams is seeing people struggling with the “ripple effect” of the surges. “Many people have seen loss of income,” said Abrahams, “especially if they have loved ones who have lost their jobs, or passed away. … Now they’re under the pressure of running the household and they have to pay taxes and light bill without that income.” Abrahams said his staff are in constant contact with PSEG and National Grid, who have been “very, very helpful,” working out payment plans so residents’ power stays on, especially in winter. Mortgages, too, fall under threat, and while Abrahams’ office cannot make direct financial arrangements, the staff continually connect mortgage holders with the housing office so they can figure out how to refinance. One particularly helpful resource has been the May-October Farmers’ Market at the Baldwin Train Station that is operated every year by the Cedarmore Corporation, which is based in Freeport. Abrahams and Legis. Debra Mulé work to get their constituents county food vouchers to use at the market. In the midst of the battle against COVID-19 and its consequences, Abrahams hasn’t lost sight of taxes, infrastructure, housing, and the economy. Covid-19 pandemic disruptions have made it hard for property owners to take time for the tax grievance process. Abrahams and the members of the Minority Caucus in the county legislature successfully got this year’s tax grievance deadline delayed from early March to May 2. As for infrastructure, Abrahams has overseen road repaving in Uniondale along Jerusalem Avenue and Nassau Road that has smoothed traffic along those major thoroughfares, with more work coming on both roads. In Freeport itself, two major projects are the armory and the site of the former Freeport health clinic. “Legis. Mulé and I are working on a big Community Revitalization Program project at the armory,” said Abrahams. “That means working with the village because the village owns it, but there

Photos courtesy Office of Legislator Kevan Abrahams

Legis. Kevan aBRahams spoke on July 8 when Brookside Avenue was renamed for Ernest Kight, Jr.

Left, the empty lot of the former health clinic on the border of Freeport and Roosevelt will become an affordable housing complex. aBRahams has posted trivia questions to his Facebook page in honor of Black History Month. will be a host of youth organizations there, and myself and Legis. Mulé are providing grant money to restore the building. There is a tenant there already [Ready Set Grow Learning Academy], and a youth organization and technical schools are coming in there as well, so we are providing a grant for that.” At the border of North Main Street/ Nassau Road in Freeport/Roosevelt, the health clinic once run by the Nassau County Dept. of Health, and later by the Nassau Health Care Corporation, moved elsewhere when the building became too dilapidated. In May 2021 that property, and an adjacent parcel that will become a new parking lot, were sold by MHaney Management Corp. to Nassau County. The village has approved zoning and the county has adopted the affordable hous-

ing plan. “That’s a very big project that I’m excited about,” Abrahams said. Of relevance to the county as a whole is the development of the Hub. Decades ago, “The Hub” was the local moniker for the Village of Hempstead, but since 1996, Nassau County has adopted it to designate the area of the former Mitchel Field airbase, where now are located Nassau Community College, the Nassau Coliseum, Museum Row, and large office buildings along Earl Ovington Boulevard. The huge site still needs more development. “The county has done everything it needs to do,” Abrahams said. “The developer needs to finalize the zoning approvals with the Town of Hempstead to determine what the town will allow them to

build, so it can go back to the county for final approval. Once the developer knows what the town will allow him to build, he can present it to us so we can determine whether or not to approve it.” If its potential is fulfilled, the county can look forward to more housing, more commerce, more jobs, and a connection with the Nassau Coliseum. The hope is that the Hub can become a sought-after destination. All of these projects have general bipartisan support in the Nassau County Legislature. For fun and history now until the end of February, Abrahams’ constituents can enjoy his Black History trivia questions, which he has been posting to his Facebook page.

FREEPORT HERALD — February 17, 2022

An interview with Kevan Abrahams

Long Island GOP backs U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice won’t seek reelection Zeldin for governor Covid mandates end on day one.” He was born in East Meadow at Nassau University Medical Center and stated Nassau County Executive Bruce Blake- that “there has never been a governor in man and other Republican elected offi- the state of New York with as many Nascials endorsed Lee Zeldin for the guberna- sau connections” as him. torial race on Feb. 10 at the Nassau CounRepealing cashless bail, fully funding ty GOP Headquarters in Westbury. the police and the possibility of removing Zeldin, 42, a Republican from Shirley, is Alvin Bragg as the New York County currently a four-term congressman repre- (Manhattan) District Attorney, are on senting New York’s 1st district. He Zeldin’s agenda, should he be elecvted. announced that he was runThe newly elected Bragg ning for governor last April. r e c e ive d a s u b s t a n t i a l “We had to nominate amount of backlash on his somebody that could win,” initial policy of lenience for Blakeman said, adding that prosecuting certain crimes. Zeldin has the principles, valSince then, he clarified his ues, experience, energy and stance. passion to be a great goverZeldine spoke about letting nor. “[He] appeals to a wide parents know that they “do range of residents in New not relinquish their right to York State. ... Across the be in charge of their child’s board, he is somebody who upbringing,” and making will represent all of the peosure all children, regardless ple of the state of New York of race, ethnicity and wealth and not just special interhave access to a quality eduests.” cation. He specifically menThe current state bail tioned not “advancing divireform laws, defunding of the BRUcE sive curriculums in schools,” police, Covid-19 restrictions, BlAKEMAN such as critical race theory. Democratic Gov. Kathy County Executive “We should be teaching Hochul’s single-family zoning kids more civics where they proposal and congestion pricare learning about everying were the top reasons for backing Zeld- thing that is great about America,” Zeldin in, the officials said. said, “rather than trying to pit them “One of the most important functions against each other.” of government is to protect our citizens,” Zeldin is up against Democrats Gov. said Rich Nicollelo, the presiding officer Kathy Hochul, the Lt. governor who sucof the Nassau County Legislature. “New ceeded Andrew Cuomo when he resigned York needs a governor that understands last year, Rep. Tom Suozzi and Jumaane that.” Williams, a New York City public advoIf elected, Zeldin would be the first cate. Republican governor since George Pataki Other Republicans who are running who served from 1995 to 2007. Zeldin had a for governor include Rob Astorino, the law practice in Smithtown which he Westchester County Executive, Mike Caropened in 2008 until he was elected to the pinelli, a sheriff of Lewis County, Derrick New York State Senate in 2010, represent- Gibson, a former construction and autoing New York’s 3rd Senate District. motive business owner from Forest Hills, Zeldin said that it is important in this Queens and Andrew Giuliani, the son of state to have “more local control and less former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Hochul control,” and said that if elected Trump administration official. “we are not going to waste any time, all The gubernatorial election is Nov. 8.

continued, “I will remain focused on protecting our democracy and serving my constituents throughout the rest of Four-term Congresswoman Kathleen my term. As I turn to the next chapter Rice will not be running for a fifth two- of my own personal and professional year term. Rice, a Democrat, represents story, I do so with profound thanks to the 4th Congressional Disthe community leaders, coltrict. leagues and staff who have “I entered public service lived our shared commit30 years ago and never left,” ment to service with courage Rice posted in a statement and humility.” on Twitter. “It has been the Rice, 57, of Garden City, honor of my life to serve as a serves on the Energy and prosecutor, District AttorCommerce, Homeland Secuney, and US representative rity and Veteran’s Affairs in my beloved home state of committees. New York. I have always As the for mer Nassau believed that holding politiCounty District Attorney, cal office is neither destiny Rice advocated strongly to Kathleen Rice nor a right. As elected offistrengthen drunk driving cials, we must give all we laws. have and then know when it is time to The Fourth Congressional District allow others to serve.” includes Elmont, Baldwin, Bellmore, During her time in the House of Rep- East Rockaway, East Meadow, the Five resentatives, Rice represented her dis- Towns, Lynbrook, Floral Park, Franklin trict by aiming to check the rising cost Square, Garden City, Hempstead, Atlanof flood insurance after Hurricane tic Beach, Long Beach, Malverne, FreeSandy and obtaining vital grant money port, Merrick, Mineola, Carle Place, for religious nonprofits to upgrade their New Hyde Park, Oceanside, Rockville security. Centre, Roosevelt, Uniondale, Wantagh, “Though I will not be running for West Hempstead, Westbury and parts of reelection to Congress this year,” Rice Valley Stream.

By MAllORy WilsON

By lisA MARgARiA

mwilson@liherald.com

lmargaria@liherald.com

eldin will represent all of the people of the state of New York and not just special interests.

New infections for Feb. 10-17

Have you opened a new business or moved to a new company? New Faces, New Places is the ideal opportunity to introduce yourself, grow your brand and build awareness to drive revenue. Includes a feature about you & your business.

Total infections to Feb 10. 16,216

FREEPORT UPDATE:

HERALD Special Section: April 5th

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Black History MontH By Joseph Reagan During the first World War Ralph Lindsey, my great grandfather, kept a journal of his service on the front. He wrote about the front, his travels, his wounds, but most often – the mail. Fast-forward 100 years. Even in the digital age, anyone who has served in the military knows – no mail equals low morale. In early 1945 as the Battle of the Bulge concluded, warehouses were filled with millions of pieces of mail destined for the seven million Americans serving in the European theatre. The task of getting that mail to its intended recipients fell on the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Except for a few smaller units of nurses, the “Six Triple Eight” was the only, all black unit from the Women’s Army Corps to serve overseas during WW2. In response to the attack on Pearl Harbor our entire nation was mobilized to support the war efforts. While the war largely united Americans in a common purpose – the military remained segregated with the ability to serve being restricted based on race and gender. The women of the 6888th not only served – they had to fight for their right to serve. The unit’s commander, Major Charity Adams – became the first black women to hold a commission in the.Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps.

Courtesy United States Army Signal Corps, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

MeMBeRs of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion take part in a parade ceremony in honor of Joan d’Arc. The Six Triple Eight confronted warehouses stacked to the ceiling with letters and packages. These buildings were unheated and dimly lit, the windows blacked out to prevent light showing during nighttime air raids. As it was a cold winter, they wore long johns and extra layers of clothing under their coats while working in these warehouses. The unit members were organized into three separate shifts daily, so work continued 24/7.

They tracked individual service embers by maintaining about 7 million locator cards, including serial numbers to distinguish different individuals with the same name. They dealt with “undeliverable” mail sent to their location for redirection. They investigated insufficiently addressed mail for clues to find the intended recipient, and handled the sad duty of returning mail addressed to service members who had died.

As the war concluded, the legacy of the 6888th was already being formed. Three members of the 6888th are buried at Colleville-Sur-Mer Normandy American Cemetery (there are only four women buried there). Like so many of the greatest generation, the women of the 6888th returned from the war determined to make up for lost time - while some remained in the military, others used the GI Bill to further their education and create new opportunities for themselves. They became teachers, nurses, and businesswomen. One of the most important aspects of their legacy was their contributions to civil rights. The accomplishments of the 6888th in Europe contributed to a study regarding the contributions of women to the war efforts which concluded: “[T]he national security program is the joint responsibility of all Americans irrespective of color or sex” and “the continued use of colored, along with white, female military personnel is required in such strength as is proportionately appropriate to the relative population distribution between colored and white races.” This is not a story about the mail, but about 855 black women, who served when the nation needed them most. Joseph Reagan is the Director of Military and Veterans Outreach for Wreaths Across America.

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The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion

February 17, 2022 — FREEPORT HERALD

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February 17, 2022 — FREEPORT HERALD

events and activities

Friday, Feb. 18

be available to check out starting January 24. For grades 5 and 6. Preregistration is required. Please call Youth Services at (516) 379-3274, or come into the Children’s Room to register.

Teen Writer’s Corner [at the library] From 3-4 p.m., join Jaclyn at the library to share your original work. We will also experiment with a writing prompt. For grades 7 to12. Pre-registration is required. Please call Youth Services, (516) 379-3274, or come into the TRAC Room to register.

Knitting and crocheting for adults [hybrid] Bring your own yarn and needles to the library or join us on GoToMeeting,. Beginners and experienced needleworkers are welcome. Sé habla español. Contact Maryellen Cantanno, mcantanno@freeportlibrary.info, or (516) 3793274.

Time for trivia [virtual] From 6-6:45 p.m. via Zoom through the Freeport Memorial Library, for grades 5-12. Call or email (516) 3793274 or youthservices@freeportlibrary. info.

Friday, Feb. 25

Saturday, Feb. 19 Tai chi for adults [virtual] From 10-11 a.m.Please contact Maryellen Cantanno at mcantanno@freeport library.info or call (516) 379-3274).

Literacy Nassau citizenship classes [at the library] This test-prep class will help students study for the civics portion of the citizenship exam. Contact the ASK Dept. at the library, (516) 379-3274, or ask@ freeportlibrary.info.

Courtesy Freeport Memorial Library

New additions to library historical collection Freeport Memorial Librarian and Historian Regina Feeney posted on Facebook: Check out historic postcards recently added to our digital collection. This project is a collaboration between the Freeport Historical Society and the Freeport Memorial Library: https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc. org/.../nosort/ad/asc. Unsung segregated military units

Monday, Feb. 21

From 1-2 p.m., we honor thousands of unsung heroes – people who have contributed to society but who are often overlooked. Contact the ASK Dept. (516) 379-3274, or ask@freeportlibrary.info.

Green Party of Nassau

Yoga for adults [virtual]

From 7-8:45 p.m., discuss political, social, and environmental issues. Email joey.naham@gmail.com to register to attend this virtual meeting. You may also contact Marilyn Pignataro, (516) 379-3274, ext. 226, or mpignataro@ freeportlibrary.info.

Tuesday, Feb. 22 Nassau BOCES ESL Classes From 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., today, Wednesday, and Thursday, Nassau Boces conducts ESL classes through the library. Call the ASK Department, (516) 3793274, or email ask@freeportlibrary.info.

l l l l l

From 6-7 p.m. through the library, we focus on breathing, stretching, and strength. For the GoToMeeting link, contact Maryellen Cantanno, mcanntanno@ freeportlibrary.info or (516) 379-3274.

Rotary Club presents tax seminar [in-person] From 7-8:30 p.m., as part of its 2022 community service and outreach, the Freeport/Merrick Rotary Club presents a free property tax reduction forum at the Freeport Memorial Library. Rotarian Dave Denenberg will provide interactive instruction on how to file a property tax grievance in 2022. (The deadline to challenge your assessment is now May 2.) Marc Rigueur, President of the Mer-

rick Freeport Rotary Club and a certified public accountant, will provide income tax advice and assistance. Registration is recommended. Register online at https://www.freeportmerrickrotary.org/,call Dave Denenberg at 516-330-9930, or contact Marilyn Pignataro at the library, (516) 379-3284 or mpignataro@freeportlibrary.info. .

Wednesday, Feb. 23

Zumba for adults [virtual]

Mother Goose at the library From 6-6:30 p.m., enjoy finger plays, songs, and nursery rhymes for ages 12-24 months and an accompanying adult. Preregistration is required. Call Youth Services (516) 379-3274, or register in the Children’s Room.

From 7-10 p.m., in person or on Zoom, join us for the winter opening of our Friday night Arts Concert Series with countertenor, Andrew Egbuchiem. As an award winning performer, Egbuchiem made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2018. The concert consists of songs from America to Nigeria as well as famous Classical Music pieces. Contact Tanisha Mitchell, tmitchell@freeportlibrary.info or (516) 379-3274.

From 6:30-7:30 p.m.via Zoom. Contact the ASK Department, (516) 3793274, or ask@freeportlibrary.info.

Soul with Heart Book Club [virtual] From 7-8:25 p.m., George Lutz will lead a discussion of “The Rent Collector,” the 2012 book by Camron Wright about a Cambodian family. Contact glutz@freeport library.info or call the ASK Dept. at (516) 379-3274.

Colorectal cancer seminar [virtual] From 12-1 p.m., learn about colorectal cancer – causes, symptoms, and screening recommendations. To save your spot, call the library ASK Dept. or email ask@freeportlibrary.info.

Belle Sylvester Recital Series: Andrew Egbuchiem, countertenor

Thursday, Feb. 24 Zumba Gold for adults [virtual] From 9:30-10:30 a.m. Contact Maryellen Cantanno, (516) 379-3274, or mcantanno@freeportlibrary.info.

Let’s chat about a book [at the library] From 5:30-6:15 p.m., join us for a Tween book discussion on the book “Francie,” by Karen English. Copies will

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

The AHRC Work Center on Hanse Ave. has helped adults with disabilities find work for 50 years. Hungerford & Clark Funeral Home is now owned by Carmine and Michael Carpinone. Black-owned Value Precision Inc. was featured on Economic Forum, WTHE-AM 1520, in 1992. Led by Chief Joe Shapira, Freeport has New York State’s largest all-volunteer fire department. Freeport residents drink naturally purified water drawn from Freeport’s own fresh-water aquifer.

FREEPORT HERALD — February 17, 2022

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Bringing local sports home every week

Herald sports

Jets, Nike expand girls flag football

SpOTLIghT aThLETE

rYaN JOhN

V.S. North Senior Track & Field a 10-TIME COUNTY champion and Valley Stream North’s record holder in the Long Jump and Triple Jump, John is taking his talents to Clemson University on an athletic scholarship. Between winter and spring track, he’s earned 11 All-County selections, 8 All-Conference honors, and 5 All-Division honors. He’s been All-Long Island First Team and also served as the Spartans’ captain.

BaSkETBaLL pLaYOFFS Friday, Feb. 18

Boys Basketball: Nassau Class A Round of 16 Girls Basketball: Nassau Class AA Quarterfinals

Saturday, Feb. 19

Boys Basketball: Nassau Class AA Quarterfinals Girls Basketball: Nassau Class A Round of 16

Tuesday, Feb. 22

Girls & Boys Basketball: Nassau Class B Semifinals

Wednesday, Feb. 23

Girls & Boys Basketball: Nassau Class AA Semifinals Girls & Boys Basketball: Nassau Class A Quarterfinals

Monday, Feb. 28 Girls Basketball: Nassau Class A Semifinals

Tuesday, March 1 Boys Basketball: Nassau Class A Semifinals

Wednesday, March 2 Girls & Boys Basketball: Nassau Class B Championship

Saturday, March 5 Girls & Boys Basketball: Nassau Class A Championship Girls & Boys Basketball: Nassau Class AA Championship

Courtesy New York Jets

FrOM LEFT, LYNBrOOk’S Isabella Sanchez, Hempstead’s Meraxis Altamirano, Freeport’s Isis Person Jouissance, Long Beach’s Isabella Silvestri, Locust Valley’s Danielle Jauregui, Plainview’s Emma Kimmel, Massapequa’s Alyssa Papasodero and West Hempstead’s Brooke Friedman display their respective school uniforms. By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

Are you ready for some spring football? Eight high schools in Nassau County will compete in girls flag football beginning this April thanks to the support of the New York Jets and Nike. In recognition of the 36th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day, the Jets and Nike announced Feb. 1 the expansion of their Flag Football League to over 40 teams between New York and New Jersey. Freeport, Hempstead, Locust Valley, Long Beach, Lynbrook, Massapequa, Plainview and West Hempstead comprise the list of Nassau teams. The plan is for a regular season consisting of anywhere between six and eight games, followed by playoff semifinals, county finals and a Long Island championship. “I’m really excited for the opportunity for our female students to be part of this new sport offering of flag football,” Section VIII Executive Director Pat Pizzarelli said. “I want to thank the New York Jets for their support.”

Pick and roll take its toll? We’ve Got Specialists For That SM

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Beyond funding and equipment, each participating school will receive uniforms from the Jets and Nike from their Girls Flag Football line of apparel. As part of the announcement, one player from each new team was a guest at MetLife Stadium and treated to a surprise uniform reveal in the Jets locker room. “The expansion of our Girls Flag Football League brings us one step closer to our goal of having the sport adopted as an official varsity sport in both New York and New Jersey in order to continue providing young women with the opportunity to grow and excel on the field and in their daily lives,” said Jesse Linder, the Jets’ President of Community Relations. No guest was more surprised than Long Beach junior Isabella Silvestri, who heard her name called as the winner of a Super Bowl trip drawing. She attended the RamsBengals matchup in Los Angeles and took her older brother Marco, a 2021 Long Beach graduate, as her guest. “I was extremely honored to represent my school and to win the Super Bowl drawing was just unbelievable,” she said. There’s plenty of buzz in Freeport

based on an interest meeting held in October. “We had 50 girls show up so that was pretty exciting,” said Athletic Director Jonathan Bloom, who added the plan is to play all home games on the high school turf field. In Lynbrook, official sign-ups are expected to be held in a few weeks, Athletic Director Joe Martillotti said. The likeliest site for home games is Marion Street Elementary. “There seems to be a pretty good level of interest,” he said. “We still have to wait for a coach to be approved by the school board and dot some I’s and cross some T’s, but it’s moving forward.” Long Beach Athletic Director Arnold Epstein said: “Anytime you can offer new opportunities to kids, it’s a good thing. We definitely have girls who are interested in football and we will offer the student-athletes who play another spring sport the flexibility to also join flag football if they want.” West Hempstead has held two meetings so far regarding the sport kicking off. Athletic Director Chris Mistretta said 19 attended the first meeting and 23 were at the follow-up. “It’s a great idea,” he said.

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February 17, 2022 — FREEPORT HERALD

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People with disabilities benefit the economy and CEO of New York State Industries for the Disabled, opened the conference, saying, “The Rockefeller Institute report puts hard numbers to what we’ve been saying for years: that when people with disabilities have jobs, our entire state benefits.” O’Brien introduced State Assemblywoman Taylor Darling (D-Hempstead), who represents the 18th District. “It is such an honor to be one of the founding members of the first People with Disabilities Committee in New York,” Darling said. “That was long overdue.” Assemblywoman Judy Griffin (D-Rockville Centre) said she was co-sponsoring a bill to establish a for-business tax credit for the employment of people with disabilities, and added that the measure had bipartisan support. “Now when businesses employ people with disabilities,” Griffin said, “not only will they benefit from having those people in their employment, they’ll also get a tax credit.” State Sen. John Brooks (D-Seaford) spoke movingly of his cousin, whose mother was an AHRC official, and also of his own employees. “I ran an insurance company a number of years back,” Brooks said, “and all of our large mailings were stuffed by people who would qualify to be here. … Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that all of them, every single one of them, is a person. They want to be happy and feel important, to be part of something.” Brooks also said that disability service providers, who help and train people with disabilities, are underpaid. “We’ve got to wake up,” he said. “We’ve got to find a more efficient way to compensate them.” Michael Seereiter, president and CEO of the New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation, agreed. He summarized the numbers from the Rockefeller Report that proved the economic importance of disability services. “The report identifies $6.7 billion of revenue that goes to the organizations that generates a total of $14.3 billion

rockefeller institute report recommendation The report recommends new legislation that would simplify the process for approving Preferred Source contracts, and would also lower the disabled ratio required on a given contract that must be performed by people with disabilities from 75 percent to 50 percent. The Preferred Source program directs state and local government agencies to purchase pre-approved products and services that are on the Office of General Services’ Preferred Source List. Source: Rockefeller Institute Report

Reine Bethany/Herald

AbrAr butt testified to the importance of the services from AHRC Nassau. of economic activity, or did so in 2019,” Seereiter said. That is, each tax dollar spent on the helping organizations adds more than $2 of benefit to the state economy, between the money generated from the businesses that employ people with disabilities, the dollars spent by the employees in their own communities and the federal and state taxes that both employers and employees pay. Stanfort J. Perry, executive director of AHRC Nassau, pointed out that the organization not only helps people with disabilities find work, but also employs them in its own business lines, such as Wheatley Farms, whose catering services are run from the Freeport Work Center.

“Wheatley Farms Culinary and Catering Services provides high-quality catering to business, corporations and individuals,” Perry said. “We are also the brand that provides high-quality landscaping throughout Long Island, in addition to operating a 100-year-old greenhouse that supplies some of the most beautiful floral arrangements, bushes and shrubs that I’ve ever seen.” Two Freeport Work Center employees also spoke. Receptionist Cathy Loquercio represents AHRC Nassau County to the State Legislature. “I go to Albany and I speak up for people who can’t speak up for themselves,” she said. Abrar Butt, who immigrated from Pakistan in 2012 and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2021, said, “AHRC, they helped me to find a job opportunity. … I was able to get married because of this AHRC company. I was able to bring my wife here to America. I have a daughter now.”

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February 17, 2022 — FREEPORT HERALD

Ready for adventure

Options for summer fun and learning

It’s a go

Camp in the pandemic era

hile the summer camp industry took a hit in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Statista reported the 2021 season surpassed 2017’s market size and was close to the 2018 numbers. It seems summer camps are here to stay, despite the pandemic nearing its two-year mark in the U.S. For families eager for a return to normalcy, that’s good news. We have all settled in to the “new normal” — or the “next normal” as some are defining it now — with the understanding that Covid still plays a featured role in summer planning, but not the main focus. Summer 2022 will feel fresh, with camps being less restrictive and travel camps being able to offer more locations. Families can experience these programs with not only new excitement, but a fresh mindset. Consider these new trends: √ Zoom fairs where directors present their programs. √ Two-week career focused programs that offer students the chance to have hands on experiences in specific career areas. √ Two-week options at many traditional camps for firstyear campers. √ Many more options for those families more comfortable staying closer to home. √ Some summer programs will continue to offer online experiences for students. √ Most overnight camps and summer trips for middle and high school students will require campers and all staff to be fully vaccinated. Camp Makes A Comeback “Too much screen time over the past decade and its residual effects on young people have been exacerbated by the pandemic response of ‘educating by isolating,’ says Andy Pritikin, owner/director of Liberty Lake Day Camp and past president of the American Camp Association, NY/NJ. “After 15 months of semi-seclusion, missed social opportunities, and frayed friendships, young people were acting out: antisocial behaviors, fights, emotional breakdowns, defiance, anxiety, and depression. Summer camps, however, offered an oasis of sorts — a reset, an antidote, a social-emotional vaccine. Campers, staff, and even school teachers had a magical and energizing experience being outside, socializing, playing, and interacting again.” According to Pritkin, The past two summers affirmed unequivocally that there’s no better place for children and young adults to learn and regain their social and

emotional equilibrium than at summer camp. Here’s what he and what the camp industry has observed: Kids bounce back. Kids are resilient. They roll with the punches, learn from their mistakes, and when the bar is set high, with the right encouragement — they rise to the occasion. Kids naturally make friends. As thousands of new campers arrived at camps, camp staff were amazed to see how they were drawn towards one another; quickly building friendships, with their saved up love and empathy. Kids love being outdoors. Always have. But after being forced indoors for so long, kids cared less about the bugs, the dirt and mud, the liquid sunshine, and even the heat. And there’s more good news, according to Pritikin. “Parents who never went to camp, and never sent their children to camp before, have reassessed the summer camp cost/benefit analysis and are flooding American Camp Association accredited camps with registrations like never before. The pandemic has suddenly made summer camp as important as it should be. So if you’re interested in camp for your kids this summer, don’t delay — because many of the best camps out there have already started waiting lists.” Embrace Summer Camp But Ccarefully Still, choosing a summer camp is not always so easy, and can be especially tricky as we continue to manage the pandemic. Ask children if they want to go to camp. Everyone is experiencing some measure of pandemic-related burnout, and that includes kids. Kids may be sick of wearing masks at school all day and, even if they have loved camp in the past, may not be looking forward to wearing masks at camp this summer, if that is required. Others might may see camp as a way to fully return to "normal." Either way, solicit kids’ input and let them know their feelings matter regardless of which side of the fence they’re on. Be clear about safety protocols. When researching summer camps, make sure you and your child understand the safety protocols each camp will have in place. Will masks be mandatory for both campers and staff? How much direct interaction will campers have with each other? Have staff members been vaccinated? What measures are being taken to keep kids safe? Camps have detailed protocols and will share those protocols with parents upon request. Above photo: Selecting a summer camp can feel a lot like you're trying to pick a college for your child.

Millions of children attend summer camp each year. For most, it's a fun and rewarding experience full of challenges and excitement. In addition to physical and athletic activities, kids learn about independence, cooperation, competition and teamwork. They also learn that they can survive away from home. For many kids summer camp is also a time of significant emotional growth, development and transition. Parents often note that their children come home seeming older or more mature than before they left. Nurturing Human Value The camp community excels in providing an experiential education that results in self-respect and appreciation for human value. All of the outcomes — self-identity, self-worth, self-esteem, leadership, and self-respect — build personal competencies. Explore talents: Camps help young people explore their unique interests and talents. Under an organized, yet often easygoing, camp schedule, kids can dabble in sports, arts and crafts, leadership, community support, and so many other activities that may not be fully available to them elsewhere. Promote physical activity: Lots of camps build their itineraries around physical activities that takes place outdoors. Campers may spend their time swimming, running, hiking, playing sports, climbing, and so much more. Regular physical activity has many health benefits and can set a foundation for healthy habits as an adult. Gain confidence: Day and sleepaway camps offer campers the opportunity to get comfortable in their own skin. Camps can foster activities in selfesteem by removing the academic measures of success and fill in with noncompetitive opportunities to succeed. Campers learn independence and decision-making skills. Try new things: Camp gives children the chance to try new things, whether that’s learning to cook, exploring new environments or embracing a new sport or leisure activity. Opening oneself up to new opportunities can build character and prove enlightening for children. Make new friends: Camp is a

great place to meet new people and make lifelong friends. Campers flood in from areas near and far. This provides kids with a chance to expand their social circles beyond their immediate neighborhoods and schools. Finding The Best Fit Although most children are excited about going to summer camp, for some, it can be a scary or anxiety provoking experience. In general, parents should not push or force kids to go to camp if they feel frightened or uncomfortable. Choose a camp that is suited to your child's personality, temperament and interests. If your child likes music, art or horseback riding, it makes sense to pick a camp with strengths in that area. At the same time, there is nothing wrong with encouraging kids to try new things or to have a variety of experiences. In general, it is best not to force kids to do things at camp that they really dislike or simply cannot do. Repeated negative experiences can have a significant effect on a child's self-esteem. Involve your child in choosing the camp. Review brochures, videos and websites together. Ask for the names of other families you and your child can talk to about the camp. Don't push kids to go to a residential camp at too early an age. The "right" age will vary from child to child. Some kids are "ready" for "sleep away" camp at five or six, while others would not even consider the idea at 14 or 15. If a child doesn't seem ready for a full summer away, consider a camp that has one-month sessions. It may be an easier transition and a more positive experience. Help children keep in touch with friends from summer camp. Plan times for them to get together with kids who live nearby. For friends who live at a distance, letters, phone calls and e-mail can help them maintain contact during the school year.

Above photo: Most kids will enjoy camp and look forward to returning year after year. Careful camp selection, preparation and planning can increase the likelihood of a positive experience.

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FREEPORT HERALD — February 17, 2022

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Crime watCh Arrests

Robbery

■ On Feb. 14, Freeport police officers arrested a suspect who was wanted for a number of open bench warrants issued by a local district court. The defendant was taken into custody without incident and transported to Nassau County Detention to await arraignment for the warrant-related charges.

■ On Feb. 7, Freeport police completed a report for a person who reported being approached by someone unknown while walking home. The unknown person took property belonging to the victim by physical intimidation, causing the victim fear of immediate physical harm. The victim only requested a police report with no further police action.

■ On Feb. 12, Freeport police officers responded to a reported domestic incident and arrested the primary aggressor for his actions towards the victim during a physical altercation. The defendant was placed in custody and transported to the Freeport station house for arrest processing before being lodged at Nassau County detention to await arraignment for second-degree menacing. ■ On Feb. 8, the Freeport Police Detectives Unit, after a brief investigation, arrested a suspect for leaving the scene of a property-damage-only auto accident. The defendant was given a criminal court summons to appear on a later date to answer for his actions.

Larceny ■ On Feb. 11, Freeport police completed a report where a victim alleged that someone unknown to them had assumed their identity to take more than $5,000 in U.S. currency from their bank account. The victim contacted the banking institution and requested no further police action, only a report to document the incident. ■ On Feb. 9, Freeport police completed a report for a victim who alleged that someone unknown had entered the victim’s vehicle during nighttime hours and removed some of the victim’s property. The victim requested a report for documentation only, with no further police action.

People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.

RecRuiting a great team is Really simple. We HiRe tHe Best

multi media sales associates RepoRteRs / editoRs Receptionist dRiveRs pRessman / pRess HelpeR Human ResouRce diRectoR to join our team, please email your resume to careers@liherald.com or call 516-569-4000 ext #235

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February 17, 2022 — FREEPORT HERALD

Freeport man arrested for attempted rape The Special Victims Squad of the Nas- of her in an attempt to force himself on sau County Police Department has report- her. The girl grabbed a plastic bottle from ed the arrest of a Freeport man for the center console, which she used to attempted rape, which occurred on Feb. 9 strike MejiaMejia, enabling her to grab at 4:15 p.m. in Freeport. her belongings and escape. According to detectives, a She ran to her home and 13-year-old girl had contacted called 911, while MejiaMejia a local car service to pick her fled the scene. up at her location and drive After a thorough investigaher home. After picking her tion, MejiaMejia was located up, the driver, Eudy MejiaMeand arrested without incijia, 30, of Delaware Avenue, dent. stopped the car (a black 2012 MejiaMejia is charged Toyota Highlander), leaned with first-degree attempted back toward the girl, who was rape, first-degree sexual in the backseat, and asked for abuse, second-degree unlawEudy MejiaMejia a kiss while he took her cell ful imprisonment, and endanphone from her. The girl tried gering the welfare of a child. to get out of the car, but MejiHe was arraigned on Feb. 15 aMejia stopped her by pressing the gas at First District Court in Hempstead. pedal, accelerating the car forward. Detectives request that if anyone A short while later, MejiaMejia parked believes they may have been a victim of the car, locked the doors, leaned back Eudy MejiaMejia, to please contact Speagain and began touching the girl’s pri- cial Victims Squad detectives at (516) 573vate areas, after which he climbed on top 4022, or to call 911.

FREEPORT HERALD — February 17, 2022

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February 17, 2022 — FREEPORT HERALD

Providing services and work for 50 years continued from front page said. “In a given month we do an average of 4,000 units.” That total, he said, is modest compared with pre-pandemic output. Fuentes watched as the employees brought finished boxes to the “ g ay l o r d , ” a n industrial box for carrying the units, under the supervision of two vocational coaches, Kimberly van Whervin and Carol Meyerson. “Correct me if I’m wrong, Marc,” Fuentes said to his assistant supervisor, Marc Narcisse. “We used to do 30,000 boxes a month.” Narcisse CeSAr FuenteS said yes. Fuentes explained that Supervisor, rising costs, AHRC Work Center including the institution of the $15 minimum wage in parts of New York state, had caused even longtime customers like Henry Schein to relocate contracts to states where the minimum wage is still around $8. “Especially our cohort has been affected,” said Fuentes, “given the fact of the shutdown and everybody

hese projects … are ultimately for us to run the business and have our individuals given a dignified type of work.

Photo by Reine Bethany/Herald

Work Center SuperviSor Cesar Fuentes, left, Vocational Coach Carol Meyerson, Assistant Supervisor Marc Narcisse and senior vocational coach Kim van Wherter train participants in the AHRC prevocational program. coming back with social distancing and the safety measures that were taken.” Though the pandemic accelerated the shift away from packaging and assembly contracts, that shift has been occurring for several years. In response, AHRC Nassau has developed its own business lines, the major one being Wheatley Farms. Under the Wheatley brand, the AHRC program participants are employed under contracts for catering, landscaping, snow removal and greenhouse products.

Public Notices

LFRE1 0217

LEGAL NOTICE Notice of Formation of Hollyhood Chi LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 10/22/21. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served to Samuel Williams, 1620 Grand Avenue, P.O. Box 1541, Baldwin, NY 11510. Purpose: Any lawful act. 129556 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 1st day of March, 2022, at 7:00 o’clock in the evening of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 202-1 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE and REPEAL “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at the

following locations: FRANKLIN SQUARE DOGWOOD AVENUE (TH 14/22) West Side - NO STOPPING ANYTIME starting at the south curbline of Semton Boulevard south for a distance of 555 feet. OCEANSIDE O’NEIL STREET (TH 12/22) East Side (at roadway terminus) NO STOPPING ANYTIME starting at the north curbline of O’Neil Street south to the south curbline of O’Neil Street. SOUTH HEMPSTEAD WILLOW STREET (TH 6/22) North Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the east curbline of Hempstead Avenue east for a distance of 30 feet. WILLOW STREET (TH 6/22) South Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the east curbline of Hempstead Avenue east for a distance of 25 feet. UNIONDALE BARRY PLACE (TH 8/22) West Side - NO PARKING ANYTIME - starting at a point 20 feet north of the north curbline of New Street then north for a distance of 60 feet. NORTHERN PARKWAY (TH 619/21) North Side NO PARKING ANYTIME -

starting at a point 385 feet west of the west curbline of Davis Avenue west for a distance of 42 feet. ALSO, to REPEAL from Section 202-1 “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” from the following locations: FRANKLIN SQUARE DOGWOOD AVENUE West Side - NO STOPPING - starting at the south curbline of Semton Boulevard, south for a distance of 174 feet. (Amended 6/23/59) DOGWOOD AVENUE West Side - NO STOPPING - starting at a point opposite the north curbline of Baldwin Drive, south for a distance of 140 feet. (Amended 6/23/59) ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid. Dated: February 15, 2022 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 129613 LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that Order granted by the

Supreme Court, Nassau County, on the 31 day of August 2021 bearing the index number 000480-21, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of Nassau County Clerk located at 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, New York, grants me the right to assume the name of Myreille Destre My present address is 603 Miller Avenue, Freeport NY 11520 The date of my birth is September 19, 1956 The place of birth is Petit Groave, Haiti the present name is Myreille Destre Dessieu 129676

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to §128-5 of the Freeport Village Code, a Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Freeport will be held to conduct a public hearing on Wednesday February 23, 2022 at 11:00 AM in the Municipal Building, Board of Trustees Conference Room, 46 North Ocean Avenue, 2nd Floor, Freeport, NY adjacent to the Mayor’s Office. Pamela Walsh Boening Village Clerk 129682

An opportunity for a new business line presented itself not long before the pandemic, when Nassau County police confiscated two industrial embroidery machines from a sweatshop in Hicksville. The machines had been used to create knockoff clothing with brand logos like Nike and North Face. Thousands of embroidered jackets and shirts were confiscated as well. Assistant District Attorney Rene Fiechter came up with a plan to embroider over the logos on the confiscated clothing and give the clothing to the needy. AHRC offered to do the embroidery in exchange for the machines, which are now at the Work Center. Each is about 10 feet long, and can embroider six shirts at a time. Devinson Sanchez, the team leader supervisor, demonstrated how a shirt is prepared for embroidery, stretched over a torso-shaped plaque before industrial embroidery rings are set in place. He showed how the shirt would be set into one of the embroidery compartments of the machine. Sanchez himself had embroidered over the logos on the confiscated clothing, assisted by participants in the prevocational program — some preparing the shirts, some cutting away extraneous threads after Sanchez did the

embroidery, or snipping out counterfeit labels sewn into the seams. “Not all the guys are capable to do all the functions,” Sanchez said, “but they’re capable to do some part of the functions if you give them opportunity and training. They’re amazing.” “So in the future, when we get orders to embroider T-shirts and jackets from businesses in the area,” Fuentes said, “the individuals will ultimately package those products and send them out to the customers.” Fuentes then led the way into the kitchen, where all the cooking is done for the Wheatley Farms catering line. Chef Percival Aquino and an assistant, Raquel Dos Santos, were cleaning up after the day’s work. Aquino explained how prevocational individuals helped with catering orders. “They help us a lot,” Aquino said. “They prepare all the utensils, put them all together. We had a cancer run that had a lot of people participating, and our prevocational individuals put together the utensils and the water bottles that we gave to the runners.” “That’s the whole reason for these projects,” Fuentes said. “They are ultimately for us to run the business and have our individuals given a dignified type of work.”

A pArtiCipAnt in the program at the ARHC Work Center in Freeport, left, finished up a day of assembly and packaging, assisted by senior vocational coach Kim van Wherter.

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FREEPORT HERALD — February 17, 2022

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DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to ehecker@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

EDITOR/REPORTER

The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to sbrinton@liherald.com

Help Wanted ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR F/T Aries Global Logistics- a growing freight forwarder with its headquarters in Franklin Square, Long Island - has an immediate opening to work with our accounting team. Responsibilities include receivables, payables and data entry. This entry level position requires computer proficiency and excellent communication and organization skills. A wonderful opportunity for a new college graduate or someone pursuing their degree. Plese send resume to: marie.smart@ariesgl.com

ADMINISTRATIVE

Richner Communications - a rapidly growing multimedia company and publishers of the Herald newspaper group has several administrative job openings: Receptionist (F/T), Accounts Receivable/Billing Collections Clerk Multi-Media Coordinator (Hours Flexible) Qualified candidates are fast learners with good organizational and people skills - entry level ok. Role requires working knowledge of Microsoft Office and ability to learn custom software programs. If you would like to join a communitydriven, fast-paced environment, please send your resume to: careers@liherald.com.

Bellmore-Merrick Child Care Program Is Looking For Qualified Staff

We Are Looking For: After-School Staff (2:30pm-5:30pm) 5 Days Per Week Competitive Pay With Paid Time Off Please Call Our Office At

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Busy Rockville Centre law firm seeking 2 part time employees; 20-30 hours each per week. Salary $15.00-$20.00 per hour. Flexible hours between 8:00a.m.-8:00p.m. Responsibilities include uploading documents to the court’s filing system; scanning/ photocopying/ collating. Email resumes to: Kathleen@rosenblumbianco.com

CAREGIVERS With Elderly P/T Shifts Available Experience Required

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CALL AGENCY

516-328-7126

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail orientated and able to work well under deadlines. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

Community Health & Drug Consultant, Hempstead, NY. Bachelor’s degree + 1 yr. job exp. Email res. to: eromosele@iyaho.org Iyaho Social Services Inc.

DELI COUNTER AND PREP PERSON Full Time And Part Time. Weekends A Must. Experienced. Long Beach. Call 516-431-5515

Accounts Payable experience preferred

Typist Clerk/Senior Typist Clerk* Human Resources experience preferred

Personnel Clerk*

Human Resources experience preferred

School Hall Monitors

Monitor entry and exit into school building, hallways, lunchroom and playground, Distribute passes and perform other office work as needed, Control and enforce traffic procedures during school dismissal. Police or security experience preferred

Substitute Teachers *Nassau County resident required *Nassau County Civil Service Transfer, *Provisional and Promotional options available

Send cover letter & resume to: hr@merrick.k12.ny.us

In the email subject line please include the job title for which you are interested in applying. EOE

THE SEWANHAKA

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT is seeking PART-TIME TEACHER AIDES to work with students. NYS Education Department fingerprint clearance required. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume on OLAS www.olasjobs.org/longisland

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR Richner Communications is looking for a hands-on Human Resources professional to oversee all HR functions on a strategic and tactical level. Exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and expanding Garden City, Long Island media company. This position has a flexible schedule, part-time job share would be considered. Responsibilities: Talent acquisition: Source, screen, and interview potential candidates and manage new employee onboarding Benefits administration: Liaise with brokers, providers and facilitate enrollment and updating of coverage. Manage annual open enrollment and employee benefits review. Administration of 401(k) plan. Employee relations: Provide day- today support and problem resolution in regards to employee concerns, questions and policy issues. Performance management: Coach, counsel and recommend disciplinary actions Compliance: Maintain indepth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risk and ensuring regulatory compliance Payroll: Process biweekly payroll through payroll vendor for population of 150 employees Requirements: Bachelor's degree, preferably in business or HR, or equivalent experience Minimum 5 years HR generalist experience Knowledge of Federal, State & Local regulations governing employment Experience with payroll processing Self-motivated, ability to prioritize and work well under pressure Customer-focused attitude, with high level of professionalism and discretion Excellent oral and written communication and quantitative skills Proficiency with Microsoft Office Qualified candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to: careers@liherald.com.

MEDICAL ASSISTANT/RECEPTIONIST F/T. Previous Experience a Must With Patient Check In, Collecting Copays, Verifying Insurance, Filing, EMR, and Appointment Scheduling. Back Duties Include Taking Vitals, Draw Blood, EKG's and Prep Room For Doctoer. Good Phone and Computer Skills. A Must. Located in Island Park. Call Jim Mgr. 516-670-8800. or Fax Resume to 516-670-8809. email wolfie65@verizon.net.

PRESS-ROOM/WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME Pressroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for a motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

Mechanical Engr. Constr. Equip. Maintenance, Lynbrook, NY. Assoc. Degree + 1 yr. job exp. Email res: JSciaglione@jvseusa.com JVS Restoration

MEDICAL OFFICE HELP- Front Desk P/T. Computer Skills, Knowledge of Medical Terms. Long Beach. Please Call 516-236-3646. 516-223-3117.

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

1163277

EMPLOYMENT

Account Clerk/Senior Account Clerk*

IVERS R D S U B D WANTE NEW

DoN’T MISS The Bus!

STARTING SAlARIES Big Bus Van

$26.18/hr.

Non-Benefit Rate

$23.41/hr.

Non-Benefit Rate

Sign On Bonus $2,500.00 for CDL driver bus and van *Some restrictions may apply.

$500.00 for non CDL drivers. Will train qualified applicants

1162456

1161789

HR & Finance Administrator, Hempstead, NY. Bachelor’s degree + 1 yr. job exp. req. Email your res. to: eromosele@iyaho.org Iyaho Social Services Inc.

MERRICK SCHOOL DISTRICT

1162605

Help Wanted

EDUcATIoNAl BUS TRANSpoRTATIoN 516.454.2300

Homes

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

• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 • To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 Ronnie Gerber 516-238-4299

Hewlett Harbor

HOME Of tHE WEEK

The Perfect Center Hall Colonial

his home is the perfect combination of quiet convenience, luxury, and room to roam. This stunning six-bedroom fourand-a-half-bath Center Hall Colonial features many upgrades and luxury finishes creating the perfect combination of opulence and livability. The owner's suite exudes a tranquil feeling with light and airy coloring, two custom closets, and a spa-like attached en suite with double vanities, a free-standing tub, and two water rooms. The quiet cul-de-sac neighborhood is located minutes from top-performing schools, shopping, The Seawane Club, Atlantic Beach Clubs, golf courses, JFK, LIRR and area businesses allowing entertainment and work to be convenient but far enough away to enjoy your privacy.

1163295

HERALD

OPEN HOUSES SUNday, 2/20/22 WOOdMERE

20 Brower Ave, BA, NEW!! Renovated 3/4 BR, 3.5 Bth Victorian Style with Porch in Old Woodmere. Huge Updtd Gran/Wood Kosher EIk, LR, DR & Den. All Updated Baths. O/S Yard with Pavered Patio. 2 Car Det Gar. SD#14 ................................................................................ $1,100,000 238 Mosher Ave, BA, 4 BR, 3 Bth Colonial with Fin Bsmt. LR/Fpl, FDR, Sun Room & EIK. Main Flr Bedroom. 2 Car Det Gar. Endless Possibilities! Convenient to LIRR, Shops, Trans & Houses of Worship. SD#14 ..........................................................................................$799,000 16 Prospect Ave, BA, 6 BR, 3.5 Bth Colonial on O/S Property in SD#15 (Tree Streets). LR/Fpl, FDR, Den & Large Kosher Kit. 2 Car Det Gar ................................................................... reduced $1,599,000

N WOOdMERE

39 Valley Lane N, BA, FIRST TIME ON THE Market! Updated 5 Bedrooms, 4 Bth Arlington Colonial. 3300 Sq ft, This home Features an Entry Foyer, Step Down Living Room, Formal Dining Room, Family Rm w/ Fpl & Quartz/Wood EIK. 4 Bedrooms on Upper Level Include Master suite w/ Vaulted Ceiling, Skylit Bth w/ Jacuzzi, Terrace & WIC. Full Fin Bsmt. 2 Car Att Gar. SD#14 ......................................................$1,279,000

HEWLETT

1534 Broadway #103, BA, BRAND NEW GUT RENOVATION! Spacious 2 BR, 2 Bth Condo in Luxurious Jonathan Hall. LR/DR Opens Into Large Gran/Wood EIK w/ Island & Stainless Steel Appl. Laundry Rm, & Pantry. Mstr Ste Boasts New Bath & Huge Walk in Closet. Terrace Facing into Courtyard. Doorman Bldg with Elevator. Indoor Garage Pkg & Storage .....................................................................................$850,000 156 e rockaway rd, BA, Rental of a Renovated 2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bth Apt with Spacious Gourmet Kitchen Use of Patio & Outdoor Space .... $3,200

ROCKVILLE CENTRE

Open Houses

Karen’s recently sold listings.

SOLD

801 Bunker Road Valley Stream, NY 5 BD | 3 BA | 2,247 SF | .30 AC $850,000

HEWLETT BA 1534 Broadway #103, BRAND NEW GUT RENOVATION! Spacious 2 BR, 2 Bth Condo in Luxurious Jonathan Hall. LR/DR Opens Into Large Gran/Wood EIK w/ Island & Stainless Steel Appl. Laundry Rm, & Pantry. Mstr Ste Boasts New Bath & Huge Walk in Closet. Terrace Facing into Courtyard. Doorman Bldg with Elevator. Indoor Garage Pkg & Storage...$850,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

SOLD

108 South Village Avenue, 3G Rockville Centre, NY 1 BD | 1 BA $330,000

18 Walter Avenue Massapequa, NY 3 BD | 1 BA | .16 AC $565,000

HEWLETT BA, 20 BROWER AVE, O, FIRST SHOW!! Renovated 3/4 BR, 3.5 Bth Victorian Style with Porch in Old Woodmere. Huge Updtd Gran/Wood Kosher EIk, LR, DR & Den.All Updated Baths. O/S Yard with Pavered Patio. 2 Car Det Gar. SD#14...$1,100,000

Karen Elefante Licensed RE Salesperson M: 516.398.5055 | O: 516.703.3378 karen.elefante@compass.com 100 Merrick Road, 430W, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 Karen Elefante is a real estate agent affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by equal housing opportunity laws.

Help Wanted Help Wanted

Sales Executives Outside Sales

Richner Communications has openings for Outside Sales Executives to Sell Digital and Print advertising Service and sell both existing and developing new business. If you have the desire to succeed in our fast paced business and are motivated, dependable, have strong communication skills and can manage your own time, We would like to hear from you! Base salary with commission plan. Paid sick/personal days, vacation and paid holidays. Sales experience is a plus but we will train the right person to learn the industry. email resume to careers@liherald.com

SHIPPING, RECEIVING, GENERAL STOCK Immediate Availability Lynbrook - Full Benefits Full Time Position, Monday - Friday

Must Be Reliable 516-887-1039

ANNOUNCEMENTS Announcements LOCAL NY GIANTS fan seeking Type O kidney donor to help celebrate more terrible seasons. Cowboys fans need not apply. Save a life: kidneytouchdown@gmail.com

REAL ESTATE Open Houses

TAX PREPARER P/T Franklin Square Experience Needed. Retirees Welcome. C a l l 5 1 6 - 3 5 8 - 9 4 5 5 Fa x R e s u m e 516 358-9483. Email Resume: ed@loturco.com.

Situations Wanted ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Looking For A Job Part Time Starting Immediately. Experienced. Rockville Centre. Jacqueline 516-536-6994

HEMPSTEAD: Sunday 2/20 1pm- 3pm 18 Spencer Place. Beautiful 1 Family Detached Colonial On Quiet, Tree-Lined Block, 3 BRs, 2 Full Bths, FLR, DR, Kitchen, Den. Parquet Floors Throughout, Working Wood Fireplace, Full Attic, Lots Closet Space. Full Finished Basement/ Separate Entrance, Detached Garage, Private Drive, New Roof, Siding, 220 Wiring And Windows, Near Shopping, Schools, Houses Of Worship, LIRR. $549K. Classic Homes And Properties 718-968-2222

N WOODMERE 39 Valley Lane N,BA, FIRST TIME ON THE Market! Updated 5 Bedroom ,4 Bth Arlington Colonial. 3300 Sq ft, This home Features an Entry Foyer, Step Down Living Room, Formal Dining Room, Family Rm w/ Fpl & Quartz/Wood EIK. 4 Bedrooms on Upper Level Include Master suite w/ Vaulted Ceiling, Skylit Bth w/ Jacuzzi, Terrace & WIC. Full Fin Bsmt. 2 Car Att Gar. SD#14..$1,279,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299 WOODMERE 2/20, REDUCED 16 Prospect Ave, FIRST TIME ON MARKET! 6 BR, 3.5 Bth Colonial on O/S Property in SD#15(Tree Streets). LR/Fpl, FDR,Den & Large Kosher Kit. 2 Car Det Gar....$1,599,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Apartments For Rent CEDARHURST NO FEE Pr ivate Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For O n e B e d r o o m W h e n Ava i l a bl e. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978 HEWLETT 156 E Rockaway Rd, BA, Apartment Rental. Renovated 2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bth Apt with Spacious Gourmet Kitche n U s e o f Pa t i o & O u t d o o r S p a c e SD#14...$3,200 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

“Going Above & Beyond to find your Dream Home”

Rhonda Healy

M: (516) 236-7269

Real Estate Salesperson, abR, SRS E: Rhonda.Healy.VW@gmail.com Verdeschi & Walsh Realty 1025 W. Beech St. | Long Beach, NY

OneKey Multiple Listing Service

1159825

Signature Premier Properties Cell-516-984-6798 Office-516-741-4333 www.saraabikzer.com @sarasellsli

NeW eXcLuSIVe! Move Right Into This 3 BR, 2.5 Bth Colonial on Lovely Street. LR w/ Fpl, FDR,Sun Room & Updated Gran/Wood EIK. Master Ste Has Updtd Bth. Walk Up Attic with Cedar Closet. Fin Bsmt. 2 Car Det Gar. Rockville Centre SD .............................................$879,000

Thinking About Selling Your Home?

EVERYTHING I TOUCH TURNS TO SOLD! call

DeSmonD mAHoneY Licensed RE Associate Broker

516.850.9640

desi@desimahoneyhomes.com Bill Gallo Real Estate 224 W. Merrick Rd. Valley Stream, NY 11580

Apartments For Rent ROSEDALE: 3 BR, Lower Level, Fully Renovated, Separate Entrance, LR, EIK, FBth, Street Parking Available, Quiet Neighborhood, No Smoking/ Pets. Borders North Woodmere. All Included $2,500. 917-476-8239

Florida Real Estate DELRAY BEACH, FL: For Sale, opportunity before it hits the market! Single Story Ranch Condo. Beautifully appointed in desirable Emerald Pointe gated community, Approx 1800 SqFt. Furnished, All Appliances, 2 Bed / 2 Bath, Eat-In Kitchen, Walk-In Closets, Great Interior Storage and Exterior Storage Room, Screened-In Porch with Dual Interior Access, New Rheem HVAC Jan 2019, Ceiling fans throughout, 4 Private Parking Spots, Clubhouse with Auditorium, Pool, Gym, Tennis, Pickleball (TBD), Game and Card Rms, Interior Walking-Paths, Pet Friendly, 55+ Community, Easy access to Palm Beach International and Ft Lauderdale Airports. Exciting Downtown Delray offers beautiful Beaches, Shopping, Restaurants, and Nightlife. Asking $359,000. Call David at 516-313-1550 SWCGRPMI@gmail.com

1160339

Sara Abikzer Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

1163294

February 17, 2022 — FREEPORT HERALD

Rent Your Apartment through the Herald and PrimeTime Classified section. Call us for our great *specials. 516-569-4000, press 5 for Classified Dept. *(private party only)

HERALD

MarketPlace •

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

Q. We completely rebuilt in 1996, and are ready

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

Call The WenkS! 516-889-3200

“No Job Too Small!” Get the Best for Less!

Over 15 Years Experience

Kitchens • Bathrooms • Painting Roofing • Sheetrocking • Plumbing Electrical • Concrete • Powerwashing Carpentry • Basements • Baby-Proofing Ikea Furn. Assembly • Computer Repairs

FREE ESTIMATES • 24/7 Emergency Service Available wenkpipingandheating.com

Wenk

PIPING & HEATING CORP. $

25 OFF Any Service Call 1160211

For New Customers Exp. 3/31/22

Licensed • Insured

FREE ESTIMATES

RYAN 516-695-4527 917-697-3647

HANDYMAN SERVICE

1155654

Oil to Gas Conversions • Hot Water Heaters Boilers • Radiant Heat • Whole House Water Filters All Plumbing & Heating Work • Lic. /Ins.

NO MORE DIRTY CANS

1163317

STOP BUYING NEW CANS Keep your can clean all year round. Providing a monthly service. We will rid your can of all that unwanted grime, dirt and loose trash.

Please call 516-778-3724 for details and pricing Ask for MAtthew

1163166

ALFREDO’S CONSTRUCTION Specializing

(Since 1980, Fully Licensed & Insured)

Licensed & insured

Residential and Commercial - All Phases

“Anthony & J Home Improvement, Inc.” Also specializes in ★ Kitchens ★ Bathrooms ★ Finished Basements ★ Flooring ★ Repairs ★ Woodwork/mouldings ★ Siding ★ Gutters

516-678-6641– Licensed & Insured 1162079

Home Improvement Corp. Free estImates • Licensed & Insured

Masonry • Steps • Driveways Water Proofing • Pointing • Siding Kitchen Remodeling • Roofing Basements • Windows • Sheetrock & More

CALL FOR winter SPeCiALS

631-532-5617 • Cell: 516-996-3036

LIC: #42194-H

www.tikalhomeimprovement.com

Free estimates

HEATING OIL HOME • COMMERCIAL

Carpentry & Painting Specialist

FREE ESTImATES...call Anthony Romeo

516-424-3598 516-807-3852

RELIABLE • 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE FAMILY OWNED FOR OVER 65 YEARS

CALL NOW FOR LOWEST PRICE

(516) 379-2727

CALL FOR MORE INFO No service in Long Beach

1160163

J. Michael spinazzi 516-767-8006 516-287-5219

senior Citizen Discounts

• ConCrete • BriCk Patios • stooPs • stuCCo • Belgium BloCks • sidewalks • drainage ProBlems • Cellar entranCe • waterProofing • driveway sealing demolition • dumPster serviCe • Powerwashing • handyman rePairs

1162255

FRee estimates!

Se Habla Español

BLACKTOP

Chimney King, Ent. Inc. Chimney Cleaning & Masonry Services Done By Firefighters That Care chimneykinginc.com

(516) 766-1666 (631) 225-2600

FREE • Chimneys Repaired, Rebuilt & Tuckpointing ESTIMATES • Stainless Steel Liners Installed Fully licensed and insured Nassau • Suffolk • NYC

1153044

General Home Repairs Small-Large Renovations Carpentry/Framing/Sheet Rocking Kitchen/Bathroom Renovations Tiles/Re-grouting/Caulking Interior/Exterior Paint Deck Replacement/Repairs Masonry/Plumbing/Roof Repair

BeSt priceS in town

Call For Winter Specials

1159151

Michael’s haNDYMaN seRVices

the

LIC: #H3711000000

1161148

© 2022 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

COMPLETE RENOVATIONS

Sunday, August 02, 2020 11:03:58 AM

1160095

If Your Plumbing STInkS

OWA_REBOOT_BW_BOLD

1155147

went through a lot. Most people tell me they could write a book about their experience. You need to see your building department records and get copies of the signed and sealed plans. Many municipalities keep records either in paper form, which you may have to pay for copies of, or onte eeper microfilm or computer files. Then speak with your inspector to find out what they think needs to be done. Most will be very helpful, and allow for the process to continue, asking you to hire a plumber to get a permit, which involves your notarized signature so you know it’s being done. In way too many cases, the plumber or contractor says it was done when it really wasn’t, so most municipalities require the owner’s signature on permit applications so the building department and owner are aware that the process is being done and is not false. The plumber needs to see your bathrooms, kitchen, heating equipment and any other plumbing to be sure it meets the plumbing code (and building code). The same process must be done with an electrician, but most building departments ask for a certification from a private agency, not your electrician, since most building departments don’t have an electrical inspector. The reason for this is that one of the two leading causes of fire is electrical (the other being use of the kitchen) so your local government wants nothing to do with the liability for fire safety. You’ll find that almost everyone in this process wants to avoid responsibility as much as possible. You may have to either call for an inspection agency yourself or, if you suspect that there could be questionable electrical work, hire a licensed electrician to inspect and correct before hiring an agency to detect, if you elect. The private agency charges a few hundred dollars, usually, depending on the number of rooms and outdoor items, like air conditioning condensers, pool equipment and landscape lights, which must also be inspected. After all this is done, you may be able to get a final inspection and a sign-off and certificate from your building department, unless … your building department makes you get plans and a new survey redrawn and updated to the most recent code, which is complicated, time-consuming and expensive — in the thousands of dollars — before you can get a final inspection. Allow plenty of time.

1161421

Ask The Architect

A. Sounds like you

1159716

to retire and sell. Our real estate agent told us they checked our permit records and it was never signed off. Although it’s a long story, our first contractor went to jail and destroyed our original permit papers. The second contractor never got a plumbing permit or electrical sign-offs, even though they had people do the work. Is this going to be a big problem to get everything signed off, because we want to sell within the year to take advantage of the market right now? What can you advise?

FREEPORT HERALD — February 17, 2022

Nailing down the permits

HErald

Stuff

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 MERCHANDISE MART

FINDS UNDER $100 Finds Under $100

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

Miscellaneous For Sale MANOLO BLAHNIK DESIGNER SHOES: Various Styles Size 8-1/2. Excellent Condition. Reasonable Price. Call 516-375-1905 magazinegirl1952@aol.com

20" HIGH CYLINDER glass vase, crystal beads, silk flowers, excellent cond. Pd $75.00 asking $35.00 (516)579-9089 ANN KLEIN PATENT Leather pumps, Black, Size 7.5, 3.5 inch heels. $40. 516-537-3941 CHRISTMAS DECOR, SANTA Face lighted outdoor. Mechanical Santa rocker, $85 516-225-9191

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

Home Improvement

E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.

NEW ROOF SPECIALS SIDING- Best Prices RENOVATIONS & ALL REPAIRS Lic/ Ins. Free Estimates Nassau Lic. # H-0102710000 Call John - 516-852-9830

Exterminating

STEVE'S WILDLIFE

JEWELRY BOX, SOLID wood, 4ft tall, 6 drawers, side panels $99. 516-225-9191

Humane Nuisance Animal Removal And Property Exclusion 646-604-4001 nycwildlifecontrol.com

NORTH FACE WOMEN'S Jacket, XL, Black, Excellent Condition, $40. 516-476-7819 after 3pm

Handyman

CRYSTAL WINE DECANTER with 6 glasses beautiful etchings, brand new Paid $50.00 asking $25 516-579-9089

Wanted To Buy

S I L K L A M P S H A D E : G O L D, n ew, wrapped 8" Top, 18" bottom, 13" from top to bottom, $40. 516-537-3941

FREON WANTED: We pay $$$ for cylinders and cans. R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient. Certified Professionals. Call 312-291-9169 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com

TIFFANY BOWL: NEW in box, Hear ts Design, 5"X3", $49, Nice gift. 516-798-2098.

HANDYMAN Repairs and Installations for the Household. Careful and Reliable and Vaccinated. Licensed and Insured. 30-Year Nassau County Resident. Friendly Frank Phone/Text 516-238-2112 eMail-Frankcav@optonline.net

SERVICES

Home Improvement

I BUY GOLD COINS... CALL ME TODAY!

CARPENTRY & PAINTING: Residential/ Commercial. All Phases. Licensed/Insured. FREE ESTIMATES! Anthony & J Home Improvements 516-678-6641 NEVER PAY FOR Covered Home Repairs Again! Complete Care Home Warranty COVERS ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES. 30 DAY RISK FREE. $200.00 OFF + 2 FREE Months! 866-440-6501

516-383-2751 HErald 1162572

February 17, 2022 — FREEPORT HERALD

Crossword Puzzle

THE GENERAC PWRcell, a solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option. Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today. Call 1-888-871-0194 W I R E M A N / C A B L E M A N F L AT T V s 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

Junk Cars Wanted

HIGHEST CA$H PAID All Cars Bought 24/7 FREE Pickup

Serving Nassau County 41 Years No Title, No Keys=No Problem ID Required. CALL US LAST!

Call us at 516-766-0000

&/877(5 GULYLQJ \RX J\

CRAZY?

6HOO \RXU PHUFKDQGLVH LQ QR WLPH OO K GL L L (PDLO \RXU $G WR WKH +HUDOG DQG 3ULPH7LPH &ODVVLÀ HG 'HSDUWPHQW DW VDOHV#OLKHUDOG FRP WR UXQ D )5(( )LQGV 8QGHU WR UXQ D )5(( )LQGV 8QGHU

Deals on Wheels

Miscellaneous BEST SATELLITE TV with 2 Year Price Guarantee! $59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months free premium movie channels! Free next day installation! Call 888-508-5313 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 1/21/22. 1-888-609-9405 Get DIRECTV! ONLY $69.99/month! 155 Channels & 1000s of Shows/Movies On Demand (w/SELECT All Included Package.) PLUS Stream on Up to FIVE Screens Simultaneously at No Additional Cost. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

Plumbing PLUMBER! PLUMBER! PLUMBER! FREE ESTIMATES! Heating, Repairs, Installations. $25 OFF New Customers. 24 Hour Emergency Response. 516-599-1011

Tree Services

Want to sell your car, motorcycle or boat? Have we got a deal for you! You can advertise your vehicle in the

Classifieds All for an amazing price! Your add will run until you sell your vehicle. Just call one of our expert classified account executives today and you will be on your way to making a great deal on your set of wheels!

516-569-4000 press 5, then 2

T&M GREENCARE TREE SERVICE *Tree Removal *Stump Grinding *Pruning *Roof Line Clearing. Residential and Commercial. "We Beat All Competitors' Rates." Lowest Rates. *Senior Discount. Free Estimates. *516-223-4525, 631-586-3800 www.tmgreencare.com

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Education COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM! Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Grants and Scholarships available for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! (844) 947-0192 (M-F 8am-6pm ET) TRAIN AT HOME TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get Trained, Certified & ready to work in months! Call 855-543-6440. The Mission, Program Information and Tuition is located at CareerTechnical.edu/consumer-information. (M-F 8am-6pm ET)

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AUTOMOBILE & MARINE Autos Wanted ***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS $Highest$ Ca$h Paid$. All Years/ Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct + Ca$h. DMV ID#1303199. Call LUKE 516VAN-CARS. 516-297-2277 DRIVE OUT BREAST Cancer: Donate a car today! The benefits of donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pickup - 24hr Response Tax Deduction - Easy To Do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755

Answers

to todAy’s puzzle

opINIoNS

think it’s finally time for Nassau County and me to kiss and make up. If you’ve read my columns over the past few years, you know I’m not particularly fond of the government, the infrastructure or the people out here. Four years after moving from my native Queens to East Meadow, I wrote a particularly scathing piece that I now wished I hadn’t. I want to admit now that I was wrong — or at least not in a position to be so judgmental at the time. The gist of the column was that NICK East Meadow — and Nassau CounBuglIoNE ty as a whole — stank. I complained about everything I could think of, from police to schools to sanitation. Growing up, I had been sold on the fact that Nassau County was better than Queens, I wrote at the time. The schools were stronger, the services were better and the streets were safer, I had been told. In the column, I whined that that was complete hogwash and, if I had my dru-

thers, I’d move back to Queens. At the time, I had only lived in East Meadow for a few years. My kids were young. I was making less money. I was grumpier — although my wife, Jill, would say that I’m still pretty grumpy. No, Nassau County isn’t a utopia. But what county is? A decade after moving here, I am counting my blessings. First off, all four of our kids went to school in-person last year. If we still lived in Queens, they would have mostly learned remotely between September and June. As a teacher at a Queens high school, I see the deleterious effect that extra year of remote learning had on our students. But we largely dodged that in Nassau County. And our schools aren’t just good, they’re great. The other day, my 10-yearold, Adriana, was playing her saxophone for my dad. Impressed with her skill, he asked where she was learning to play. “In school,” I replied. I spent 12 years in parochial and public school in Queens, and after all that, I was able to play maybe a few notes on the recorder. I’ve heard Adriana’s elementary

school band perform, and I would put them up against any high school band in Queens any day of the week. My 15-year-old stepson, Jake, decided this year that he wants to play football. But if we still lived in Queens, there’d be no guarantee that his school would even have a team. Meanwhile, my 18-year-old stepson, Nicolas, is AllCounty in cross-country, and will likely be All-County in wrestling, too. That’s partly due to the amazing coaching staff and sports programs we have here. If he wrestled on a city team, there’s a chance his coach may not have ever wrestled competitively. Elia, my 8-year-old, is still figuring out what she wants to do. She announced the other day she wanted to try field hockey. I love the fact that I was able to say, “Sure, hon. Whatever you want.” I don’t think they play field hockey in Queens. When I wrote that column that I now regret, I intimated the Nassau County police weren’t making the streets any safer here than the New York Police Department was in Queens. Not true. The cops out here do a great job.

had a lot of complaints in a long-ago column, and much of what I wrote was unfair.

About three years ago, I slipped off my stoop and cut my head pretty badly. Jill called 911. I was amazed at how fast we had two officers in my living room. It’s very reassuring to know there’s always a patrol nearby. While I escaped my life in Queens relatively unscathed, I was mugged at 11 and jumped and beaten up at 15. And those didn’t turn out to be isolated incidents. The high school I went to wasn’t the safest, and I had to be very careful where I ventured. I can count on one hand the number of times I ate lunch in the cafeteria. I probably used the restroom once in four years. Thank God my kids will never have to experience that. I also wrote that the Town of Hempstead sanitation guys often took their time plowing the streets after a snowstorm. But they did an amazing job of handling that blizzard a couple weeks back. I’m still not wild about the pizza in these parts, but I’m not above admitting that a lot of what I wrote in that column years ago was unfair. So, Nassau County, here’s your metaphorical smooch. I hope you’ll forgive me. Nick Buglione is a teacher, freelance journalist and former editor of the East Meadow Herald.

A nation divided by pandemic, or splintered?

arly in the coronavirus pandemic, it was easy to write off as stupid the folks who touted hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin as go-to Covid-19 treatments. Easy because the efficacy of those drugs was refuted by the best virologists in the world. It seemed obvious that people who denied the science of vaccine protection and masking were coming from a place of ignorance. They didn’t know better. As hundreds of RANDI thousands got sick KREISS and died, and the virus spread, many of us hoped people would change their minds and take the vaccine — not just for themselves, but also for the common good. But over these two years, there hasn’t been much of a learning curve. The antivaxxers stood firm. Many of them got Covid. An unthinkable number died. And still, people refuse to believe the simple scientific fact that vaccines keep people safer. When thousands of folks who were double-vaccinated and boosted started getting breakthrough cases of the Omi-

cron variant, that only reinforced the resistance among anti-vaxxers. Over time, some of us liberal-minded opinion writers tried to be less judgmental and more empathic. Maybe we could understand where the doubters were coming from. Many people had justifiable grievances: The rollouts were uneven, or the messaging was sometimes confusing. Fringe groups offered comfort in troubling times. Many of us engaged in intellectual gymnastics, trying to understand, to be patient and more tolerant of the resistance to vaccines and masks. Maybe we could bring the doubters along in time, we thought. We were wrong. We are now more than two years in, with more than 900,000 dead. This is what I know: What we are suffering in America today isn’t a break, it’s a compound fracture. There aren’t two opposing groups tugging at one another. It isn’t just people who get vaccinated and those who won’t. There are multiple splinters in this gaping wound — some sharp, some violent, some groups out for power, and some out for blood. Some people are ignorant: They don’t — or can’t — read the research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And they have lost faith in our gov-

ernment. Another splinter is people who are not only ignorant about science, but put their faith in a former president and his acolytes. In their reality, the political supersedes all other considerations. MAGA folks think the Biden administration is out to get them. At one point, people were posting notes online urging relatives to go into hospitals and remove their family members who were being treated for Covid. “They are trying to kill us,” one post said. Sadly, many GOP officeholders are willing to traffic in lies to keep power. Then there is the splinter of smart, highly educated people who are shamelessly harnessing the suspicion among millions of our citizens to their own political ends. They know the vaccines work. They know masking protects against infection. But they challenge the necessary mandates. Think Ted Cruz, Ron DeSantis, Kellyanne Conway, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnell. They are among the most reprehensible of the lot because they know better. Someone like Marjorie Taylor Greene, an anti-masker and a general nut case, is a splinter unto herself. In a recent infa-

hat we're suffering in the U.S. today isn't a break, it's a compound fracture.

mous speech, Greene said that Nancy Pelosi was using secret police in Congress, like the “gazpacho.” She meant “Gestapo,” of course, because she can never resist a Holocaust reference in her crazy accusations. If Donald Trump was and is a cancer in our American culture, then she is his metastasis. There are also splinters of responsible people who understand and support the coronavirus science, but still have reservations about boosters or inoculating little kids. Many are impatient with the slow progress toward even more targeted vaccines and better therapeutics. We forget that the development of the vaccines was an astonishing medical achievement. Everyone is fatigued after two years of isolation and stress. These varied splinters unite to one end: to challenge vaccines and protective masks. The resistance crosses social, educational and cultural lines. The saddest group, I think, is those who are uninformed and vulnerable. They reject the science and the advice of the experts because they are caught in a paralyzing spasm of paranoia and anger. They are being cruelly used by the most heartless group, the super-smart members of the Republican Party who are stepping over dead bodies in a rush toward 2024. Copyright 2022 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

FREEPORT HERALD — February 17, 2022

Nassau County, is it too late to say I’m sorry?

Herald editorial

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Best approach to unmasking is a cautious one

“

ollow the science.” That phrase, and variations on it, have become ubiquitous during the coronavirus pandemic. Sadly, those words, summing up evolving medical information, have sparked suspicion among many, leaving them doubting — and even rejecting — the science we should depend on to guide us through the worst public health crisis in a century. Even as it appears to be fading. As the pandemic spread nearly two years ago, it became apparent that mask wearing would be crucial, amid what we learned was primarily an airborne threat, and given that we all wanted to return to “normal” as soon as possible. Once we understood that we were in for the long haul, we debated the efficacy of face coverings. What type worked best? When and where to don them? At work? At school? At the gym? At family gatherings? As case numbers rose and fell — and with them the accompanying recommendations and restrictions — our patience ebbed. When vaccines came onto the scene, many of us thought for sure we had seen the end of masks. New variants

changed that, but many people were simply fed up, as we have witnessed at heated school board meetings across the country, willing to cast the scientific consensus aside and join the rallying cry for “freedom” from covered faces. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman was eager to lead the effort locally, and his clash with Gov. Kathy Hochul’s school mask mandate has wound up in the courts. Meanwhile, as the Omicron variant has waned, other states have begun to loosen mask-wearing restrictions — this time, so many of us hope, for good. Hochul lifted her mask mandate for public places last week. Masks are still required in hospitals, nursing homes and on public transportation, according to the state, but that has only added to the continuing confusion that is an inevitable product of pandemic fatigue. Despite growing cries from parents to unmask their children, to say nothing of political pressure — several Republican members of New York’s congressional delegation sent Hochul a letter demanding she end the school mandate — the governor remains steadfast, following what her

office termed “factual public health data.” She is expected to make a decision on whether to continue requiring masks in schools on March 1. Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Biden’s chief medical adviser, told the Financial Times that in this phase of the pandemic, “decisions will increasingly be made on a local level rather than centrally decided or mandated.” As masks quickly disappear in our area, we should keep in mind that we live in one of the most crowded corners of the country, and those decisions should be guided by common sense — and, yes, science. Given all we’ve learned about how the virus spreads, and how quickly its statistical trends can change direction, abandoning mask-wearing altogether seems to fly in the face of both. Another phrase repeated often over the past two years is “with an abundance of caution.” We caution elected officials to keep the advice of our health experts in mind when making decisions that affect so many lives, especially when it is far from clear that a deadly virus is finished wreaking havoc with them.

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letters It’s leadership, not propaganda, we need To the Editor: It’s 2022, but our government, state and federal, must have read G e o r g e O r we l l ’s “ N i n e t e e n Eighty-Four.” They have taken on the role of Big Brother, telling us what to do, i.e. masks and vaccinations. We are inundated by statistics about Covid, but no one talks about the psychological damage done to all the children wearing masks, especially the preschoolers who have not yet developed language skills. Scientists have predicted damage done to our environment by pollution and stress climate control, but can they predict the long-range effects on children of the Covid vaccinations? We are regarded as a cultured and civilized society, but our elected officials have done a poor job of protecting and upholding our rights. Crime, as well as racial prejudice, is off the charts, and our officials have turned a blind eye and a deaf ear. Shouldn’t they be accountable?

Propaganda is a dangerous weapon, and it’s being used again. Since we are still able to live in a free society, we must speak up. The world looks to the U.S. as a strong, powerful leader. Let’s not be a disappointment. PAT KING Merrick

Where’s the outrage? To the Editor: In the past two weeks we have laid to rest two heroes of the New York Police Department who were murdered in Harlem. Officers Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora were gunned down by a crazed

opinions

lost my father six years ago. Of the painful dealings I’ve faced in my life up until now, nothing has quite compared to that searing loss. The news of his death had to cross an ocean to reach me. I was in New York. He was in a hospice in Ecuador, battling stomach cancer until his last breath. We never had a proper goodbye. My father’s untimely death has been brought into sharper focus by the departure of another significant man in my life, the Herald Community NewJUan papers’ executive editor, Scott BrinLasso ton. After 28 years here, Scott has moved on to his next adventure, teaching full-time at Hofstra University this spring before beginning a long-term research project. Scott’s hands were full this past year, training and guiding a new crop of young journalists — including me. It’s hard to imagine the editorial team without him. He was not only my boss, but also my mentor. I came to the Herald from Columbia University, with a degree in creative writing and political science. With no journalism training, I banked on the

strength of my writing to get my foot in the door. And Scott took a chance on me, swinging that door wide open. His first order was that I head to the public library for a copy of Carole Rich’s dazzlingly comprehensive “Writing and Reporting the News: A Coaching Method.” It’s a crash course for fledgling journalists on how to report and write the news, and Rich’s fierce clarity on the subject hooked me. I absorbed everything I could from the book, but that was only the beginning. The real work of journalism began as a form of personal transformation: Turning myself into a community reporter in Valley Stream, where I’d never set foot, let alone lived. I did it by talking to people, taking in the scenery, breathing the air, and immersing myself in the issues people care about — and doing it all amid the time crunch of weekly story deadlines. But before I could become an identifiable — and, I hope, trusted — figure in the community, I was the new kid on the block. It was brutal at first. But while I toiled and sweated, slammed against walls, and had doors slam on me, Scott was always my anchor and guiding compass.

e was my mentor, and it's hard to imagine the editorial team without him.

Letters criminal in a situation that the defund-the-police crowd would have wanted to send a social worker into. Six members of the NYPD have been shot so far this year. One was shot execution-style on New Year’s Day, while sleeping in his car in East Harlem after working New Year’s Eve. My question to everyone who climbed aboard the defund-the-police bandwagon is, where is the outrage? How can you possibly muster up outrage for the death of George Floyd, where the crime and punishment were handled swiftly through our court system, and turn a blind eye to what is happening to the brave people of law enforcement? To show how high up the Democratic food chain the disrespect goes, President Biden did not attend the funeral for Rivera, even though he had a planned trip to New York City to speak to Mayor Eric Adams about crime. In my estimation, tough Joe is a coward when it comes to confronting the radical left of his own party. Scores of thou-

Humane, relaxed and easygoing, he helped me navigate the terrain of a profession he’s known most of his adult life. When I faltered or overstepped my bounds, I dusted myself off and got back in the trenches with him. Scott never took his eyes off the story. The story mattered most. I learned by his example. And things got better. I’m not, at least not willfully, looking for paternal substitutes in the men around me. But I couldn’t help but see the similarities to a father-son relationship in the interactions between Scott and me. I couldn’t help thinking of him as approximating — no matter how incidentally or innocuously — a second father. In these times, a son rarely has the chance to get lost in his dad’s world. And the grimmer fact is that millions of men in America grow up without a father. The quality of father-son bonding also seems to have depreciated. I’m not talking about the everyday guy-bonding stuff, like sitting with Pops on the couch and watching a game. I’m talking about being at his side in the midst of his work — engaging with all your senses in an endeavor the old man treasures or excels in. Sons need those moments to learn how Dad operates in the arena of life and possibly, hopefully,

discover kernels of insight — no matter how small or imperfect — to help them confidently move about in this chaotic and messy world. Especially when Dad is no longer there. That father-son sharing is a priceless gift. I wish I could have spent more time with my father. I think many men have the same wish. But he is gone, and the lessons he learned and the mistakes he made that he shared with me remain treasures to me. There is no second try at fatherhood. There is also great danger, I suspect, in making father figures out of the more experienced, admired and trusted men around us. We risk getting lost in their shadows, modeling ourselves after them instead of forging our own way. Scott Brinton leaves behind a towering volume of exceptional work, the product of a passion for community journalism. He has also, like a true teacher and friend, cultivated a team of journalists who are equipped to carry on the good fight: to articulate truth, to serve the communities we cover, and to see the humanity in the stories we have the privilege of telling. He has been a blessing in my life, and I bid him a fond goodbye and much joy in his next journey. Farewell, Captain. Juan Lasso is the editor of the Valley Stream Herald. Comments about this column? Jlasso@liherald.com.

Framework by Joe Abate

sands of people in our country died of fentanyl poisoning last year, from a drug that is made in China and being smuggled through our porous southern border, and no outrage. Children are being killed by stray bullets in our crimeinfested inner cities, and there's no outrage. If you can only muster outrage whenever you can inject race into an equation for political gain, you are the major problem in our great nation. How did that guilt donation to Black Lives Matter work out for you? To the “woke” who are allowing all this carnage to occur while sitting in your safe, secure house/condo/ apartment, I have a message. To p a r a p h r a s e Wi n s t o n Churchill, an appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last. If you keep pushing to defund the police and allow district attorneys not to prosecute crimes, that crocodile will be knocking down your door. TOM O’CONNOR North Bellmore

Dashing into the frigid Atlantic, for a good cause — the Long Beach Polar Bear Splash

FREEPORT HERALD — February 17, 2022

Farewell, Scott Brinton, my captain

February 17, 2022 — FREEPORT HERALD

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