Freeport Herald 03-07-2024

HERALD

PBA luncheon a great success

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Freeport man pleads guilty

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Two groups honored at Black History Month event

By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com

The village of Freeport honored the Freeport-Roosevelt NAACP Youth Council and the Black Educators Committee for their outstanding contributions as part of its Black History Month Celebration Feb. 28 at the recreation center.

Led by Allois Douse, the youth council adviser and a psychiatric rehabilitation therapist, and Claretha Richardson, the committee president and a Spanish instructor at Freeport High School, the groups have been involved in a variety of community initiatives for years.

With over 50 members, the youth council has been addressing pressing issues facing the FreeCoNTiNuEd oN PAgE 3

Learning about escaping Holocaust from a survivor

By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com

Mireille Taub, a Holocaust survivor and a Freeport resident since 1968, and Bernie Furshpan, a second-generation survivor, gave a presentation to students at Merrick’s Sanford H. Calhoun High School on Feb 27. The students’ reactions made it clear why stories like hers still hold so much significance today.

Christina Cone, the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s social studies chair, introduced Taub to the students. Taub, who was born in Paris to Polish-Jewish parents, has called her story “the

last train out of Paris.” Her family escaped from France before the country fell to Nazi Germany during World War II. They ended up in New York, arriving at Ellis Island.

Taub grew up in Brooklyn, and later became an educator, teaching in Freeport for 34 years and raising a family there. Now she is a volunteer at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County, in Glen Cove.

In the late 1930s, Taub was a child when tensions began rising in France, as Adolf Hitler rose to power with his Nazi regime in Germany. Paris — and the northern half of

France — eventually fell to the Nazis, while the southern half remained free. Jews who lived in Paris were subject to harsh rules and regulations, and forced to wear a Star of David, she said.

Taub, who was too young to remember many of the details of her family’s escape, and learned most of the story from her parents, had relatives living in the United States. Her father arranged for them to get to America — but finding a way out of France, in a time of high political tension, was difficult.

At the time, the United States created quotas for immigrants, but as French residents,

Taub’s family found it relatively easy to enter the country.

“The French quota was never filled,” Taub said, “because no one wanted to leave France.”

In the spring of 1940, she and her family took what her father called “the last train out of Paris,” as France was preparing to surrender to Germany. They

trekked toward Bordeaux, a city on the Atlantic, and from there crossed the Pyrenees mountains, which separate France from Spain, in a truck driven by an American consulate employee who, ironically, had issued Taub’s father his papers to leave France.

From Spain they traveled to

Courtesy Randy Milteer

The NAACP Youth Council and the Black Educators Committee were honored for their commitment to community service at the Freeport Recreation Center as part of the village’s annual Black History Month Celebration.

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NAACP Youth Council kids were ‘ecstatic’

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port and Roosevelt communities since its reactivation in 2019.

Douse, who led the effort to revive the once-defunct council, said, “When they told me we didn’t have a youth council, I said, how can that be? In order for the adult branch (of the NAACP) to survive, the youth must come up and take those positions. And if we’re not preparing them, the adult branch won’t survive.”

From advocating for early voter registration to organizing health fairs and supporting breast cancer awareness walks, the Youth Council has been busy under the leadership of Douse, a Freeport resident with children who have attended village schools.

Asked about the children’s response to being honored at the celebration, Douse said, “To be honest, they’re ecstatic. Finally they realize that people are noticing the work they’re doing in the community.”

One of the council members’ proudest moments was their participation in the Increase the Peace, End the Violence march in Roosevelt on Nov 4 of last year, when members walked from the Dunkin’ Donuts on Nassau Road in Roosevelt to Centennial Park to protest gang violence and crime and to promote unity and working together toward a common goal.

“It was done in a very peaceful and effective way,” said Haniyyah Myricks, 16, a junior at Freeport High School and the secretary at large of the council, highlighting the significance of teamwork and making connections.

Asked how she felt about being recog-

nized at the celebration, Myricks said, “It makes me feel a great sense of gratitude and appreciation, and shows what we have done has paid off.

“It’s a really sweet moment to have,” she added. “And it also shows how teens and teenagers can actually make change in their community… no matter how young you are, you can still make a difference.”

“It’s about preparing them for the future,” Douse said. “We need to ensure that our youth are equipped with the skills and knowledge to lead and effect change.”

The Black Educators Committee was also recognized for its efforts in providing scholarships, mentorships and training to those in need in the local community.

Richardson, who has been the president of the 100-member organization since 2016, told the Herald that it was established in 1968 as a response to social injustice and racial inequality at a time when race riots were common.

Richardson emphasized the organization’s commitment to diversity and equity, and to improving the educational landscape for all. The committee’s primary focus is on providing scholarships to graduating seniors and continuing educational support for scholarship recipients. It is also in the process of rolling out a workforce development program in conjunction with Molloy University.

And the committee has partnered with the youth council, collaborating on projects like Defining Moments, an initiative aimed at educating students about historical injustices such as redlining, a discriminatory practice in which financial services are withheld in neighborhoods favored by racial minorities.

Richardson underscored the significance of the committee’s work in bridging educational gaps and providing guidance to students of color.

“To receive this recognition, to know that your work is not in vain… and to be recognized for that diligence and resilience… I would almost say I’m without words,” she said, “because it is such a wonderful thing, and to be honored during my presidency is really fantastic.”

The committee will hold its annual Legends Ball on March 16, at Verdi’s in Westbury and can be contacted at info@ blackeducatorscommittee.org.

PBA treats local seniors to fun luncheon

On Feb. 20, the Freeport Police Benevolent Association orchestrated a heartwarming event by hosting a senior luncheon for the cherished residents of the Freeport Housing Authority. Held at two locations, 100 N. Main Street and the Rev. John Madden properties at S. Main St., the event aimed to foster community spirit and support among the elderly population.

In a display of dedication and generosity, Freeport Officers volunteered their precious off-duty time to ensure the smooth running of the luncheon, extending a helping hand with warmth and compassion.

Not stopping at mere service, the Freeport PBA went above and beyond by covering the expenses of the luncheon, ensuring that over 200 residents at the Freeport Housing Authority were treated to a delightful meal. This thoughtful gesture not only provided sustenance but also served as a reminder of the unwavering commitment of the law enforcement community to the well-being of all residents, especially those most in need.

The event was a resounding success, echoing with laughter, camaraderie, and gratitude, as the seniors of Freeport enjoyed a memorable day filled with good food and even better company, courtesy of the Freeport PBA.

–Mohammad Rafiq

Courtesy Claretha Richardson guests at the annual celebration, which took place at the freeport recreation Center, eventually cut up this cake.

Courtesy of Village of Freeport members of the pBa, from left, officer Brendan Combs, detective patrick franzone, director of freeport Housing John Hrvatin, officer Juan adames, pBa president Shawn randall, detective david Brodsky, and officers nicholas piarulli, Christopher frey, Jesse Keane and donnetta Cumberbatch served local seniors.

How the kindness of others resonates today

Lisbon, Portugal, where they boarded a ship to the U.S. Taub and her family arrived in New York in August 1940.

“As a little girl growing up in the war, I knew what was going on,” she recalled. “My bedroom was off the kitchen, and family who gathered would talk in several different languages. I understood the English, I understood the French — I did not understand the Polish. My parents would tell me as much as a child could understand.”

the shoes that mireille taub wore as a toddler while fleeing europe in the spring of 1940, and the sewing kit her mother carried with them on their passage to the u.S.

Her late husband, David Taub, was shuffled around France as a young boy, and survived the war thanks to the “kindness of strangers” helping him his parents and his older brother, Mireille said.

David lived as a “hidden child,” with family in the free part of France protecting his identity. But he also traveled with his mother to Beaune-la-Rolande, an internment and transit camp for Jews in occupied France, to rescue his brother, who was imprisoned there. Conditions there, like many Nazi-run camps, were insufferable.

Her husband has since died, but Taub has made it part of her life’s work to tell their stories and educate people about the Holocaust. While she and her family managed to escape and survive, many

of her relatives in Europe were not as lucky, and were imprisoned or killed.

Throughout Taub’s presentation, she showed photos and mementos from her past, including the shoes she wore while fleeing France, her mother’s sewing kit — which was kept in an old tobacco carton — and the Star of David that her husband was forced to wear in occupied France.

“We were the lucky ones — I survived in America,” she said. “My husband survived unspeakable conditions, and often spoke about them. I am always moved by these stories, because they are part of who I am.”

Learning about hate and prejudice is

by Joan Chittister

Your writer was grateful to find author Chittister’s book, subtitled “Growing Old Gracefully”, written by her at age seventy, the same age your writer turns this year.

Inevitably, we come to see things differently as we age. In “The Gift of Years” these changes in the “capstone years” as she calls them, present the gift of becoming more fully alive than ever. Cicero notes that old age is richer in reflection, force of character and judgement. The maturity and mellowing of character allows the older generation to provide a behavioral model for younger generations showing them the way to a fullness of life.

Seneca said these years abound with pleasure if we know how to use them. Free of obligations and deadlines, there is freshness in these years. Understanding, enjoyment and love of life all increase, allowing for deeper, richer and more important experiences. The world looks different — more to be treasured, explored and enjoyed.

A certain serenity sets in.

Chittister writes “But we are here to depart from this world as finished as we can possibly become. Old age is...exactly the time to grow in new ways [making] sense out of all the growing we have already done. It is the softening season when everything in us is meant to achieve its sweetest, richest, most unique self”.

Chittister calls it a damping-down time of life where anger, jealousy, envy, and pride subside to awaken another whole level of life.

“As Agatha Christie put it, we ‘bloom’ as we grow. New abilities emerge, new insights arise. New vision is possible.”

A certain urgency and intensity in living sets in as we become aware of the presence of time. With forty short chapters on subjects such as Regret, Joy, Possibility, Letting Go, Success, Wisdom, Time and Appreciation, “The Gift of Years” provides an indispensable guide to aging well.

Jordan Vallone/Herald photos mireille taub, a Holocaust survivor from france and a longtime resident of freeport, spoke at Sanford H. Calhoun High School in merrick last week, detailing how her family fled to the united States. She also described the experience of her late husband, who lived in parts of occupied and free france during World War ii

important in the Bellmore-Merrick school district, officials said. Student leaders in the high schools have opportunities to lead lessons in the middle schools, and educate younger peers about hate symbols and hate speech.

“It’s even deeper than that,” Cone told the Herald. “It’s been a passion of mine — and I’m sure many other educa-

tors — to ensure that the lessons of the past don’t get forgotten.”

Cone said it is interesting that Taub describes her late husband’s story as “the kindness of strangers,” and added that she hoped it resonated with students.

“We all have it in us to do the right thing,” she said.

Fed Bank leader says Long Island is recovering

By MICHAEL HINMAN mhinman@liherald.com

We’ve heard a lot about the economy in the years coming out of the coronavirus pandemic — and those conversations will only get louder as we head into what is expected to be a rather contentious presidential election.

But when it comes to the economy on Long Island — at least for now, it’s rebounding. At least according to the man whose collection of gold in Manhattan far exceeds what’s found in Fort Knox.

John Williams, president and chief executive of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, paid the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Uniondale a visit last week, sharing the state of the economy with members of the Long Island Association. And there’s plenty to talk about.

“As business leaders, you all know all too well the impacts the pandemic had on our communities in our economy,” Williams said “In many way, Long Island’s economy mirrors New York City’s, and both were hit especially hard in 2020. In fact, much harder than what we saw in the rest of the country.”

Inflation was rampant, the job outlook was unstable, and the supply chain was struggling to regain its once super-efficient form.

But an important milestone was reached last year, Williams said: total employment numbers returned to what they were before the pandemic.

“Last year was also a turning point for the U.S. economy overall,” Williams said. “The economy grew far faster than anyone expected a year ago, boosted by increases in the labor force and productivity.”

The fact that the financial market has held for the past two years also is significant, Williams said, since that’s the longest stretch in five decades.

And although inflation continues to be a concern, at least as far as personal consumption expenditures go,

numbers are falling from the 40-year high experienced just a couple years ago to levels considered far more stable.

Williams visited with the LIA as part of an overall Long Island tour that included stops in Suffolk County as well as at Hofstra University. Although monetary policy itself is decided on Capitol Hill and the White House, the Reserve Bank of New York is where the nation’s monetary policy is implemented as part of the larger Fed.

Williams visited Long Island at a time when the economy here has stabilized, according to LIA president and chief executive Matthew Cohen.

“Our gross domestic product is $200 billion,” Cohen said. “About 45 percent of adults have a college degree — which is higher, actually, in both New York City, and the state as a whole. And, as a region, we have a low unem-

ployment rate.”

That’s pretty significant for a region that is larger than 15 states. Which is why it’s important businesses on Long Island work together, Cohen added, to lead the rest of the nation in the ongoing recovery.

“We need to work together — everyone in this room, everyone in our region — to create new good-paying jobs to support the growth of both legacy sectors and these emerging industries,” he said. It’s also important to “cultivate entrepreneurship so that the next Apple can be built here.”

Over the decades, Long Island and the country has proven to itself it can weather a number of storms. But the economy is ever-changing, Williams said, and the pandemic proved it’s important to strengthen the country’s financial infrastructure.

“It’s kind of a recognition of our limits to that resiliency,” Williams said. “Supply chains have become extremely complex.

“That’s one of the lessons — that when you have extreme movements in demand supply … things can crack in that system. People are recognizing that, in terms of businesses, of having more resiliency.”

Williams can’t make predictions of what the economy will bring, but can say the world we live in now is already different, and will continue changing as we move forward. Like the movement of more and more people to continue working from home, or maintaining hybrid work environments where they may only be in the office a couple times a week.

A potential solution?

“To do office space in the modern world, you have to invest a lot to make that office space attractive,” Williams said. “It’s just one of those kinds of evolutions that is jarring that we go through in cities like New York where things have changed, and we need to adjust to that. I’m confident we will be able to do that.”

Michael Hinman/Herald

John Williams, right, president and chief executive of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, joined Long Island Association president and chief executive Matthew Cohen for a discussion on Long Island’s economy during a visit to the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Uniondale last week.

Projects, pros honored at REAL Awards

Long Island’s most prolific real estate leaders highlighted at annual event

By Parker Schug

The diverse Long Island real estate scene includes industry experts from every niche specialty from construction and design, to insurance and sales. And the best of the best were honored last week as part of Herald Community Newspapers and RichnerLive’s third annual Real Estate Achievement and Leadership Awards, or REAL Awards.

“It’s a relatively small island, but a lot of things are happening,” said Chris Kelly, the marketing vice president at Tritec Real Estate Co.

Held at The Heritage Club at Bethpage, this year’s awards once again honored many leaders in the space who have been in the game for decades, as well as up-and-coming professionals — all with successful projects and happy clients to show for their work.

Antoinette Biordi, four-time Emmy Award-winning anchor and reporter for News 12, handed out a number of awards split into nearly 30 categories that included Broker of the Year, Construction Group of the Year, and the top residential and commercial broker.

Sara Gore, real estate saleswoman and four-time Emmy Award-winning television host for “Open House” and “New York Live” on NBC, was a keynote speaker and recipient of the special “Trailblazer” award.

“I’ve been in this business for a long time,” Gore said. ”But now to be on the other side of things — and be on the real estate side and really feel like I’ve solidified my place, my stake in this industry — it feels really good to be a part of it.

“I’m so proud to be included within this group of professionals that are here tonight.”

Mel Pulatani and son Dan of MP Construction D — a general contracting company specializing in luxury residential and sophisticated commercial projects — were given the Father & Son Power Team special award.

“I mean it’s obviously an honor to be honored at this event,” Dan Pulatani said. “But I have to give all credit to my father. He’s the real reason we’re here. He’s the guy that makes the dream happen. I’m lucky and honored to be his partner every day.”

Eric Alexander, executive director of Vision Long Island, accepted the NotFor-Profit special award.

“The theme of our work is connecting to local communities,” Alexander said. “And that’s how real estate development is successful: When they work with local communities. It means a lot when a number of the other honorees, too, are connected to local communities. I’m in great company.”

Steven Krieger, chief executive of B2K Development, was selected as Power Developer of the Year.

“Hard work leads to luck,” Krieger said. “I’ve been so lucky to meet so many great people in this business.”

Beth Donner, founder of Melvillebased Beth Donner Design, was honored

with the Interior Designer of the Year special award. Christopher Robinson, president of R&M Engineering, accepted the engineering special award, while also celebrating 25 years in the business.

Elisabetta Coschignano, of the Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano law

firm, was among those honored in the commercial real estate category.

“I pride myself on being prepared in the Long Island real estate world, and especially as it relates to zoning and land use,” Coschignano said.

Connie Pinilla, principal agent for the

Connie Pinilla Team at Compass, received the brokers’ award in the residential category for her 21 practicing years.

“I love real estate,” Pinilla said. “It makes me feel on top of the world.”

Gold Sponsors of the event included B2K Development and Beth Donner Design.

Silver Sponsors were All State Abstract, Amazon, Anthony A. Nozzolillo Esq., Breslin Realty Development Corp., Brookhaven Industrial Development Agency, Brown Harris Stevens, Champion Elevators, Cronin & Cronin, Damianos Realty Group, Empire Electrical Corp., GC Advisory Group, Harris Beach PLLC, Long Island Board of Realtors, Men on the Move, Merritt Environmental Consulting Corp., Metropolitan Realty Associates, Mojo Stumer Associates, MP Construction D, PX4 Development, R&M Engineering, Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano, Signature Premier Properties, Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency, the Connie Pinilla Team at Compass, the Crest Group and Tritec.

The ballroom filled with guests ready for the ceremony to begin.

Mark Stumer of Mojo Stumer Associates.

Tim Baker/Herald photos Sara Gore, host of Open House NYC, was the keynote speaker for the evening.

Kelly Heck accepts on behalf of Tritec. Eric Alexander of Vision Long Island.

Beth Donner with her crystal award. Christopher Robinson of R&M Engineering.

Joseph Farkas accepting his special award for Real Estate Investment/Development Company of the Year.

Kevin Leatherman of Leatherman Homes and president of LIBOR.

Steven Krieger of B2K Development

Honoree Connie Pinilla, right, at the REAL Awards photo booth.

Honorees Justin Breslin and Elisabetta Coschignano.

Honorees Marco Scarda, left, Daniel Scarda, Chuck Merritt and Cara Cronin at RichnerLive REAL Awards last week.

Father and son power duo Dan and Mel Pulatani.

Natasha Williams of LIBOR with her son.

Holden Leeds/Herald photos Julia Krispeal from Serhant.

Michael Puntillo of PX4 Development.

Jack Martins of Harris Beach PLLC.

Curran honors local Dominican leaders

and celebrate the achievements of outstanding local Dominican leaders in the community of Freeport.

Among those honored were Jocrys Barranco, professional and founder of Exodus Financial Services, dedicated to providing financial education to underserved communities.

–Mohammad Rafiq

Assemblyman Brian Curran — who represents parts of Freeport — in partnership with the Long Island Dominican Chamber of Commerce, recently organized a special Dominican Independence Event to recognize

Photos courtesy office of Brian Curran

Jocrys Barranco, professional and founder of Exodus Financial Services posing with assemblyman Brian Curran.

Julissa Moronta, a former Freeport School District employee turned community affairs coordinator was honored for her service to the community.

Olivia Rosario, who owns her own real estate law firm, was recognized for her accomplishments.

Lisandro Marine is an entrepreneur and community volunteer, known for his active involvement with Latino Republicans.

Lillian Rodriguez volunteers with organizations such as the American Heart Association and Autism Speaks.

Rodolfo Ramos is an active citizen engaged in local politics and community causes who became a U.S. citizen in 2005.

Jocabed Rodriguez is a church leader, businesswoman, and educator, currently pursuing a Master’s in music and digital marketing.

Jose Madera has been a dedicated employee of Mount Sinai South Nassau for over 30 years and is the owner of a local deli.

By CHARLES SHAW

cshaw@liherald.com

A number of state electeds are calling on the governor to slow down her plans to make school buses electric by 2035 — something they say could have a devastating impact on district finances.

Some like state Sen. Steve Rhoads and state Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick joined Assemblyman John Mikulin and other officials handling fire and safety at schools at the Levittown Public School bus yard in Wantagh last week hoping they can convince Gov. Kathy Hochul to extend the deadline for that mandate deeper into the future to ensure it’s affordability for communities like those in Nassau County.

“There’s nothing magical about this New York state school bus mandate,” Rhoads said.

Citing the main character from the popular children’s television animated series “The Magic School Bus,” Rhoads said “even Ms. Frizzle herself would agree that this burdensome mandate takes chances, makes mistakes, and gets messy.”

The state’s current budget mandates all school buses must have no environmental impact through emissions by 2035, with districts only allowed to purchase electric school buses by mid-2027.

The idea, according to Hochul, is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent by 2050. The state’s environmental conservation department blames the transportation sector overall as one of New York’s largest sources of emissions, which contributes to climate change impacts such as increased heat waves, sea level rise and flooding.

“Old school buses are putting children’s health at risk, spewing toxic fumes and pollutants into the air that are proven to have negative health impacts,” Hochul’s office said, in a statement. “After New York vot-

ers approved an Environmental Bond Act that allocated $500 million for zero-emission school buses, Gov. Hochul is working with communities across New York to allocate these funds and ensure they are fully utilized.”

But Rhoads says the mandate does not account for the logistical and financial challenges that school districts, bus companies and power companies will face in implementing the plan. A new, full-sized electric bus costs as much as $450,000 — triple the price of a conventional.

With some 45,000 school buses on the road in the state, Rhoads says the full conversion by 2035 would cost in the neighborhood of $20 billion.

The Levittown school district — with a fleet of 80 buses — is in the beginning stages of the mandate. Superintendent Todd Winch said it would cost the district as much as $32 million to replace their fleet, and will purchase its first electric bus this year.

“We don’t replace a whole fleet for maybe 20 years, but now they’re asking us to replace the whole fleet from 2027 to 2035,” Winch said. “Now you’re talking about a very short time period to replace the whole fleet, which would be very, very difficult.”

In addition, the Levittown bus yard would require 40 charging stations, each one costing between $30,000 and $50,000, Winch added.

The state has offered to help, but Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said the $500 million offered would only cover a little more than 1,200 buses. The rest would have to paid for by local taxpayers — and that’s not even including infrastructure and charging stations.

“Where’s the rest of that money coming from?” the state senator asked. “You, from the taxpayers, because that’s what the school districts will be forced to do to meet this mandate.”

But the current high costs associated with electric buses are expected to come down over time, Hochul said. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority announced last September it believes the price of an electric school bus should be on-par with a gasoline-powered bus as early as 2027 thanks to advances in battery technology, more manufacturing, as well as lower fuel and maintenance expenses.

Rhoads calls Hochul’s mandate a rushed plan.

“We all want to see a greener future,” he said. “There is no question about that. But we have to make sure that if our goal is providing affordable, safe, and reliable transportation to our students, we have to make sure we have a plan which gets us to that future, but still accomplishes that primary goal.”

Charles

BUILDER

Aquacade Pools

Big Becks Pools & Pavers

Brothers 3

TITLE COMPANY

Fidelity National Title Group

Liberty National Title

MacGregor Abstract Corp.

TREE SERVICE COMPANY

Greencare Tree Service

We Care Tree Service

Wonderland Tree Care + Landscapes, Wonderland Tree Care + Landscapes

UPHOLSTERY

A & B Upholstery

East Meadow Upholsterers Corp.

Tony’s Decorating-Upholstering

WINDOWS COMPANY

Marcor Construction

Panther Siding & Windows, Inc. Unified Home Remodeling

KIDS & EDUCATION

ADULT EDUCATIONCONTINUING EDUCATION

Hofstra University

Molloy University

Nassau Community College

ART SCHOOL

ARTrageous Studio, LLC

Hue Studio

The Art Studio

BEAUTY SCHOOL

Brittany Beauty Academy, Levittown

Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute

Nassau BOCES

CHARTER/PAROCHIAL/ PRIVATE SCHOOL

East Woods School

Lawrence Woodmere Academy

St. Anthony’s High School

COLLEGE PREP

SERVICES/ADVISORS

Chaminade High School College Connection

Lawrence Woodmere Academy

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY

Adelphi University

Hofstra University

Molloy University

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY

PRESIDENT

Christine M. Riordan, PhD, Adelphi University

James Lentini, DMA, Molloy University

Susan Poser, PhD, Hofstra University

DANCE SCHOOL

Dance Mechanix Hart & Soul Dance and Performing Arts

Sarah Beth Academy

DAY CAMP

Bellmore United Methodist Nursery School

Bright Star Academy

Hofstra Summer Camps

DAY CARE

Bright Star Academy

Five Towns Early Learning Center

Our Kids Place Hewlett

DRIVING SCHOOL

Bell Auto Driving School

East Meadow Driving School

Suffolk Auto Driving School

GYMNASTICS CENTER

CATS (Children’s Athletic Training School)

KidStrong, Carle Place

LI Elite Gymnastics

HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Alexandra Greenberg, George

W. Hewlett High School

Hank Williams, Lawrence

Woodmere Academy

Richard Schaffer, East

Rockaway High School

KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Epic Escape Rooms Long Island

Krafty Hands

Long Island Children’s Museum

LEARNING CENTER/TUTOR

Cornerstone Behavioral Services

Long Beach Public Library

Tutoring Club of Bellmore

MARTIAL ARTS

Goshinkan Jujitsu Dojo

Pakua Martial Arts

Warren Levi Martial Arts & Fitness

MUSIC SCHOOLS/CLASSES

Center Stage Music Center

Long Beach Guitar School

The Children’s Orchestra Society

NURSERY SCHOOL

Bellmore United Methodist Nursery School

Bright Star Academy

Lawrence Woodmere Academy

SPORTS CAMP

Beach Baseball Camp and Clinics

CATS (Children’s Athletic Training School)

Hofstra Summer Sports Academy Camps

PEOPLE & PLACES

B&B/INN

Ram’s Head Inn

Southhampton Inn

The Ocean Bay House

EVENT VENUE

Epic Escape Rooms Long Island

Kombert Caterers

Long Island Children’s Museum

HOTEL

Hampton Inn & Suites Rockville Centre

The Garden City Hotel

Uniondale Marriott

LOCAL TOURIST

ATTRACTION

Long Island Aquarium

Nunley’s Carousel

Raynham Hall Museum

MUSEUM

Cradle of Aviation Museum

Long Island Children’s Museum

Raynham Hall Museum

PLACE TO HAVE A PARTY

Epic Escape Rooms Long Island

Kombert Caterers

Long Island Children’s Museum

PLACE TO WORSHIP

First Presbyterian Church of Glen Cove

Temple Avodah

Temple Israel - Lawrence

WEDDING VENUE

Bridgeview Yacht Club

Crest Hollow Country Club

Swan Club On The Harbor

SERVICES

ADVERTISING AGENCY

Austin Williams

Creative Focus Designs, Inc.

Jillian’s Circus

ANIMAL ADOPTION/ RESCUE SERVICES

North Shore Animal League America

Ruff House Rescue

Terry Animal Hospital

APPLIANCE REPAIR STORE

Home Appliance

Reliable Appliance

The Appliance Doctor

ARBITRATION & MEDIATION FIRM

Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP

Resolute Systems, Inc.

Vaz Law, PLLC

ARCHITECT

Katherine Serrano Sosa, Rooted Architecture Studio

Long Island Architecture Studio

Stephen G. Hayduk, P.E., Hayduk Engineering LLC

CAR WASH

Majestic Auto Spa

Seaford Car Wash & Detail Center

Ultimate Express Car Wash

CAR/LIMO SERVICE

Broward Limousines

Executive Limousine of Long Island

Long Island Elite Limousines

M&V Limousines, Ltd.

CEMETERIES

Huntington Rural Cemetery

Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum

St. Charles / Resurrection Cemeteries

CORPORATE LAW FIRM

Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP

Love Law Firm, PLLC

Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C.

DIVORCE ATTORNEY

David Mejias, Mejias, Milgrim & Lindo, P.C.

Marina Moreno, Law Office of Marina Moreno, PLLC

Robert Keilson, Esq., Garden City Law Firms

DRY CLEANER

American Drive-In Cleaners

Delta Cleaners

Old Country Cleaners

ELDER LAW ATTORNEY

Jennifer B. Cona, Cona Elder Law

Marina Moreno, Law Office of Marina Moreno, PLLC

Wendy K. Goidel, Goidel Law Group

EMPLOYMENT AGENCY

Express Employment Professionals

NRGUSA

PrideStaff

ESTATE PLANNING

ATTORNEY

Jennifer B. Cona, Cona Elder Law

Marina Moreno, Law Office of Marina Moreno, PLLC

Stephanie D’Angelo, D’Angelo Law Associates

FAMILY LAW FIRM

Joseph Law Group, P.C.

Law Office of Marina Moreno

Mejias Milgrim Alvarado & Lindo, P.C.

FEMALE MENTORING GROUP

Girl Scouts of Nassau County

Miss Long Island Pageants

Moxxie Network

FUNERAL HOME

Gutterman’s Funeral Homes

N. F. Walker Funeral Home

Towers Funeral Home, Inc.

GREEN BUSINESS

Green Home Logic

Green Team LI Winters Bros. Waste Systems

HEALTH CARE LAW FIRM

Cona Elder Law PLLC Harris Beach

The Rizzuto Law Firm

LABOR LAW FIRM

Jackson Lewis P.C.

Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP

The NHG Law Group P.C

LAUNDROMAT

Bayport Laundromat

Laundry Palace

Lynbrook Laundry

Standard laundromat

LAW FIRM (OVERALL)

OVER 35 EMPLOYEES

Miller and Caggiano, LLP

Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C.

The NHG Law Group P.C

LAW FIRM (OVERALL)

UNDER 35 EMPLOYEES

Cona Elder Law PLLC

Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP

The Rizzuto Law Firm

LITIGATION/BUSINESS

LITIGATION LAW FIRM

Levitt LLP

Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz PLLC

The Rizzuto Law Firm

MATRIMONIAL LAW FIRM

Law Office of Marina Moreno

Mejias Milgrim Alvarado & Lindo, P.C.

Picarello & Saciolo, P.C.

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

Hewlett House

Long Island Children’s Museum

Temple Avodah

PERSONAL INJURY

ATTORNEY - FIRM

Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP

The Rizzuto Law Firm

The Selvin Law Firm

PET GROOMER

Kelly, Spaw Pet Salon of Westbury

Maria - The Barrie Inn

Posh Paws Pet Spa & Boutique

PHOTOGRAPHER

Brian Ozegovich, Park Ave Studio

Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, GSM Communications

Jonathan Ortiz, Creative Focus Designs

PROPERTY TAX

REDUCTION SERVICES

Herman Katz

Maidenbaum Property Tax

Reduction Group, LLC

Tax Correction Agency

PUBLIC RELATIONS

COMPANY

Ingrid Dodd Public Relations

Marketing Works

ZE Creative Communications

REAL ESTATE LAW

ATTORNEY

Anthony Nozzolillo, On Point Land Services Corporation

Gilbert Balanoff, Law Offices of Gilbert L. Balanoff, P.C.

Marina Moreno, Law Office of Marina Moreno, PLLC

REAL ESTATE LAW FIRM

Ackerman Law PLLC

Law Office of Marina Moreno

The Law Offices of Gilbert L. Balanoff, P.C.

SELF-STORAGE COMPANY

CubeSmart Self Storage

Freeport Self Storage

Men On The Move Moving & Self Storage

TAX LAW FIRM

Barnes & Barnes, P.C.

Maidenbaum & Sternberg, LLP Tenenbaum Law, P.C.

TRAVEL AGENCY

Magical Dad Vacations - Keith Voets

Superior Travel Consultants

Vitas Travel Service

VETERINARIAN

Gabrielle Pimento, DVM, Bond Vet: Merrick

John Foy, DVM, Terry Animal Hospital

Timothy Sheppard, DVM, Sayville Animal Hospital

WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANY

Jamaica Ash & Rubbish Removal

Long Island Waste Services, LLC

National Waste Services, LLC Winters Bros. Waste Systems

SHOPPING

ANTIQUE STORE

Collectors Coins & Jewelry

Garden City Antiques & Fine Arts, Ltd.

THE SHOPPE by Trubee Hill

APPLIANCE/HOME ELECTRONICS STORE

Appliance World P.C. Richard & Son

Reliable Appliance BOUTIQUE

Jolie Fleur

Trois Jours Boutique Etc.

Uniquely Yours

BRIDAL STORE

Blossom Brides

Bridal Reflections

Estelle’s Dressy Dresses

CARPET STORE

Carpet Depot

Dee-Jay Carpet Co., Inc.

Glen Floors

COIN STORE

Coin Galleries of Oyster Bay Collectors Coins & Jewelry

Long Island Rare Coin & Currency

COLLECTIBLES STORE

Collectors Coins & Jewelry

Living Legends Memorabilia & Collectibles

Remember Yesteryears Vintage Center

CONSIGNMENT/ THRIFT STORE

LuxeSwap

National Council of Jewish

Women Thrift Shop

Worth Repeating, Worth Repeating

EYEWEAR STORE

Eyeglass House

Eyes On Broadway

Mt. Sinai Optical

FARMERS MARKET

Crossroads Farm at Grossmann’s

Deep Roots Farmers Market

Meyer’s Farm & Greenhouses

FLORIST

Central Florist

Feldis Florist & Flower Delivery

Pedestals Floral Decorators

FURNITURE STORE

Bob’s Discount Furniture and Mattress Store

Furniture Gallery of Long Island

Raymour & Flanigan

GIFT SHOP

Dolce Confections

Pampered Professional

The SHOPPE by Trubee Hill

GOURMET MARKET

Grace’s Marketplace Sons of a Butcher

The Original Salpino’s of Wantagh

GROCERY/SUPERMARKET

Holiday Farms Stew Leonard’s

Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace

LOCAL CHILDREN’S

CLOTHING

Denny’s Fashion, Style, For All Koukla Children’s Boutique

Mur-Lees, Men’s & Boy’s Shop

LOCAL HARDWARE STORE

Costello’s Ace Hardware

Millers True Value

Schaefer’s Ace Hardware

LOCAL JEWELRY STORE

Hislon Jewelers

North Shore Gold & Diamond

Unicorn Jewels

LOCAL MEN’S CLOTHING

B2bespoke Custom Clothier

Mur-Lees, Men’s & Boy’s Shop Standard Thread

LOCAL WOMEN’S CLOTHING

A.J. & MOS

Trois Jours Boutique Etc.

Uniquely Yours

NURSERY & GARDEN

CENTER

Atlantic Nursery & Garden Shop

Dees’ Nursery And Florist

Hicks Nurseries

PAWN SHOP

Collectors Coins & Jewelry

Matthew James Jewelers

Pawn Express

WINDOW TREATMENT STORE

Blinds To Go

Homestead Window Treatments

The Blind Spot Inc.

SPORTS

BICYCLE STORE

Brands Cycle & Fitness

Oceanside Cycle

Trek Bicycle Massapequa

BOXING CENTER

Fit Theorem

iLoveKickboxing

Kayo Boxing

CROSSFIT GYM

CrossFit Merrick

CrossFit Seize The Day

Fit Theorem

GYM & FITNESS CENTER

Fit Theorem

Fit4Life Studios, Inc.

The Bodysmith Fitness & Massage

ICE SKATING RINK

Grant Park Skating Center

Newbridge Arena

Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center

KIDS’ SPORTS LEAGUE

East Coast Football Club

East Rockaway Raiders Football

Hewlett Lawrence Soccer Club

PERSONAL TRAINER

Ava Donaldson, Fit4Life Studios

Leah Stukov, FitX50

Taylor Costello, CSCS, MMP, LMT, The Bodysmith Fitness and Massage

PERSONAL TRAINING

FACILITY

Fit Theorem

Fit4Life Studios, Inc.

Personal Training Institute of Rockville Centre PILATES

Club Pilates Merrick

Fit4Life Studios, Inc.

The Pilates Studio, Inc.

PLACE

Bay Shore

Michael’s

State Sen. Kevin Thomas exits the race

By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com

New York state Senator Kevin Thomas announced on Feb. 29, that he will be withdrawing his bid for U.S. Congress.

Thomas first announced his campaign for Congress in August, which would require he primary against five candidates seeking the Democratic ticket to run against U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito for the 4th Congressional district in November.

“Today I am suspending my campaign for Congress,” Thomas said in a press release. “I am extremely grateful to my campaign team, community leaders, clergy, labor and contributors for their time and for believing in this campaign for change. It’s been incredible meeting Long Islanders of all background and hearing wha tmakes their neighborhoods special. I’ve particularly enjoyed sharing ideas about how we can make our communities stronger, safer, and more prosperous for everyone.”

Thomas, a Levittown resident, first announced his Congressional campaign in August, with hopes of being the candidate Democrats turn to flip U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito from his congressional seat.

This would have also required that Thomas run against five candidates — Laura Gillen, Dave Denenberg, Patricia Maher, Gian Jones and Lawrence Henry — in a primary on June 25.

Having dedicated the last 13 years of his life to public service, he said that he is proud of all that he has accomplished. He started his career in legal services, helping people pay off private student loans and credit card debt, when he decided to branch into politics.

Since then has served three terms as the state Senator in District 6, which currently encompasses Rockville Centre, Baldwin, Freeport, Uniondale, Hempstead, Lakeview, Roosevelt, Westbury, West Hempstead, Garden City, Carle Place and a portion of Oceanside.

“I entered politics because I wanted to help people and I’ve been able to deliver for my constituents as the

State Senator that represents half of the 4th Congressional District,” Thomas said in his statement. “With the Democratic Majority in the state legislature, we have been able to fully fund our schools, stop tuition hikes at SUNY, cap property taxes, raise the minimum wage, pass common sense gun safety legislation and improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers.”

During his tenure in office he has worked to help provide funding for local school districts, the Nassau University Medical Center, infrastructural repairs, small businesses, and the efforts to clean up the contamination related to the Northrop Grumman plume.

“Although I am no longer running for Congress, my service to the people of Long Island is far from over,” Thomas said. “I am eager to put to use my experience, know-how and ability to bring people to strengthen Nassau County for this generation and the next.”

A campaign spokesman said that Sen. Thomas will be leaving office at the end of his term and will not be seeking re-election. Two democratic candidates — Nassau County Legislator Siela Bynoe and Assemblywoman Taylor Darling — have already announced their bids for the state Senate seat and plan on running in a primary on June 25.

Freeport man pleads guilty to tragic crash

Dante Lennon, from Freeport, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and manslaughter charges following a devastating drunken high-speed crash in May 2022.

Lennon, 23, entered guilty pleas on March 5 before Judge Tammy Robbins to a number of charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter in the second degree, assault and driving while intoxicated.

Lennon will be sentenced on June 5 and faces a sentence ranging from six to 18 years in prison. The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office is recommending a term of seven to 21 years.

Iwhen Dante Lennon, drunk and speeding, barreled into their Town Car,” she added. “We continue to hold the family of Marlene Luu, Hoa Ho, and Tu Nguyen in our thoughts as this defendant is sentenced for his crimes.”

n an instant three family members were lost and another three injured ANNE DONNELLy District Attorney

“A sweet sixteen party should be a cherished memory for family, but because of this defendant’s reckless and callous disregard for other motorists, it will instead be remembered as an unbelievable tragedy,” District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a news release.

“In an instant, three family members were lost and another three injured

The fatal crash occurred on May 21, 2022, near 11:08 p.m., when Lennon was driving a Mercedes Benz at an excessive speed, roughly twice the 35-mile-per-hour speed limit on Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park, while intoxicated.

The collision, which took place as Lennon was traveling eastbound, resulted in the deaths of Marlene Luu, 66; Hoa Ho, 68; and Tu Nguyen, 41. Thre men in the car, aged 72, 42, and 67, sustained injuries. All occupants of the vehicle were relatives, leaving a Sweet 16 party at the Inn in New Hyde Park.

Lennon was arrested by Nassau police at the scene of the accident.

Robert Schalk represented Lennon.

–Mohammad Rafiq

Nicole Wagner/Herald

State Sen. Kevin Thomas has suspended his Congressional campaign after nearly nine months on the campaign trail.

Herald file photo

Dante Lennon was arrested by Nassau County Police Department officers at the scene of the accident.

STEPPING OUT

FOREVER A) ‘

By Karen Bloom

Laughing along with Joe Gatto

All roads lead back to Lynbrook it seems. Certainly for Joe Gatto.

He’s stepped away from his comfort zone — “The Impractical Jokers” — to the dismay of many folks. His loyal cadre of fans came to know him from the popular improvisational hidden camera show, which he hosted with his buddies Brian “Q” Quinn, James “Murr” Murray, and Sal Vulcano, for nine seasons.

Fans were certainly disappointed when he moved on from Q, Murr and Sal in 2021 to focus on co-parenting his two kids, Milana and Remington (now 9 and 7).

But you needn’t fret. Gatto is doing just fine — as is “Jokers,” now in its 10th season.

Since leaving his pals to carry on “Jokers” without him, the jokes certainly continue as Gatto’s taken his energy — and his comedic talents — to the stand-up circuit.

His tour, “Joe Gatto’s Night of Comedy,” arrives Friday at The Paramount in Huntington. Minus his friends, fans get an hour of Gatto, as he riffs on life, his family, and probably even his dogs.

“I’m extremely proud of this hour of comedy I’ve put together, and am so excited to film it at the first theater I performed on this tour back in February 2023,” Gatto says. “It also happens to be one of my favorite theaters, too, which is nice since it’s in my ‘hometown’ of Long Island.”

Of course, there were some nerves involved in going solo.

“After my time with ‘Jokers,’ I needed to figure out the next step in my career,” Gatto reflects.

• Friday, March 8, 7 and 9:30 p.m.

• $59.75, $39.75, $29.75

• Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com

• The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington

“I needed to figure out different ways to make people laugh because that’s what I love to do. Stand-up presented itself as a way to do that. My agents and managers were like, ‘Why don’t you give stand-up a shot?’”

And so he did, on a winter’s evening in a small club in Appleton, Wisconsin, in January 2022, for a brief 35 minutes.

“I enjoyed it right from the get-go,” he says. “It quickly graduated into an hour show, and I moved up to theaters. Fans were coming out, and we’re having a great time. Telling stories of my life and thinking about different ways that I could express myself to get people to know me a bit better has been a really fun journey.”

Gatto readily admits it’s been a learning experience.

“It was a different format that I wasn’t necessarily versed in, so I was a little nervous,” he says. “The biggest thing for me was I had never performed live before. For 20 years, I was part of an ensemble, stand-up being its own art was a thing I needed to adapt to. I quickly took to it.

“The challenge of writing the hour, curating it, and thinking of what stories I want to tell and how to tell them and punch up the jokes, was fun to do.”

Everyone’s in on the fun right along with him.

“I’ve always been pretty open on ‘The Impractical Jokers,’”

talk about parenting, I’ve got lots of stories of my kids, also

he says. “I was always myself. I didn’t play a character, so when people watched it, they really to got to know the sense of me, my personality. Even a lot of my personal life was in that show as well. People who come to my show know me already from that. But here I get to tell different stories. I talk about parenting, I’ve got lots of stories of my kids, also the craziness of animal rescue with my dogs, growing up with my crazy Italian mother on Staten Island, and of course, my friends, the Jokers. There’s no shortage of stories.”

Janeane Garofalo

Oh yes, about those dogs. There are nine of them in the Gatto household, all older rescues.

“It’s like a pack mentality,” he says, laughing, insisting his four-legged companions “pretty much follow the house rules.”

Eventually the Gattos realized they couldn’t rescue every dog in need. Hence their nonprofit Gatto Pups & Friends, which facilitates adoptions for mainly senior and disabled dogs, opened in Glen Head in November 2022.

“We wanted to do it in our neighborhood,” he says. “We love being around here. We found a cool space for the storefront, right across the street from one of our favorite places for lunch. It just all aligned.”

Although firmly ensconced in Glen Head, the South Shore still calls out to him. Gatto frequently visits Lynbrook, where he lived between 2014 and 2017, and where his sister still resides.

His family ties bring him frequently back to visit.

“I love Lynbrook,” he says.“I had such a great experience there. There’s always something special about your first home.”

Plus, “Vincent’s is still one of my favorite pizzerias,” he adds.

You’ll even find him hanging out at Lynbrook’s Regal, taking in a movie with his niece and nephew.

“I go there all the time with them,” he shares. “They’re movie buffs like me, and that’s our go-to movie theater.”

In fact, a film may be in his future.

“I’m doing pretty good, enjoying my ride right now,” Gatto says. “But I’ve always wanted to write and direct film. That’s actually why I got into entertainment. So that’s what I’m focusing on now. That’s what’s left on the bucket list, along with always creating and thinking of new ways to make people smile.”

And as for his outing at The Paramount, it’s being filmed for a comedy special.

“I’ve been working to two years on the thing,” he says, “so I don’t it want it to just go away.”

And there’s always the possibility of another collaboration with his “Jokers” buddies. “I never un-united with them,” he says. “They’re still my friends. We’re just not ‘friends from work’ anymore. I love creating with those guys, so who knows what the future holds.”

The comedian-actress, who reigns as the queen of the alt-comedy scene, is eager to speak her mind when she visits here with her latest stand-up tour. Considered by many as an American institution since she first burst on the scene in 1992, the outspoken activist has plenty to say, in her own inimitable comedic style. Known for her incisive cynical sense of humor, the SNL alum has branched out into film and television, including ‘The Truth About Cats and Dogs,’ ‘Wet Hot American Summer’ and ‘Ratatouille,’ among her memorable roles. Garofalo’s informed opinions and unflinching honesty on topics ranging from everyday life to pop culture inspire laughs and strike a chord with audiences everywhere. Often a lightning rod for controversy, Garofalo finds a way to get her point across with her trademark sense of humor. Known and respected worldwide, Garofalo was also instrumental in the successful launching of the first liberal radio network, Air America Radio, where she hosted her own talk show, ‘The Majority Report.’

Friday, March 8, 8 p.m. $33, $28. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at LandmarkOnMainStreet.org or (516) 767-6444.

‘Greatest Show On Earth’

The circus is back. The iconic Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey spectacle returns after a hiatus, re-imagined as a 360-degree experience that brings fans into the action. Packed with explosive excitement, ‘The Greatest Show On Earth’ begins and ends with a bang. Lauren Irving, Alex Stickels and Jan Damm join forces as Aria, Stix and Nick Nack, who serve as its soul, rhythm and funny bone. The trio, appearing as show guides, encounter never-before-seen stunts, acrobatic displays, and comedic acts along the way. An international cast of 75 performers take on a variety of enthralling circus acts, including new stunts like the Triangular Highwire, led by the Lopez Family, sixth-generation circus artists hailing from Mexico and Chile. There are also comic clowning, extreme sports, and acrobatic aerial feats — all enhanced with original music.

Friday through Sunday, March 8-10, times vary. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com, or Ringling. com. UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont.

Courtesy Joe Gatto

Joe lives his life by a code of pastry and family, loving his wife, two children, cannolis — and his dogs.

Photo by Jonathan Thorpe

THE Your Neighborhood

JigJam

March 16 Friend Follow the FREEPORT page today!

Family theater

Inspired by L. Frank Baum’s stories, this clever adaptation puts the audience front and center, literally, on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage, Friday, March 8, 10:15 a.m. and noon, Sunday, March 10, 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, March 13-14,10:15 a.m. and noon. Kids become cast members, singing dancing, and acting on stage alongside the professional cast.

One of our most interactive shows at LICM Theater, this production received rave reviews in its prior run. Going beyond the traditional telling of the Oz stories, “Journey to Oz” uses personal journal entries and historic newspaper headlines to bring the history of author L. Frank Baum and illustrator W.W. Denslow to life. Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion take the audience with them on this lively, playful trip down the yellow brick road. $10 with museum admission ($8 members), $14 theater only. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “Our Gilded Age,” examines the appearances and the realities of an era that mirrors our own in many ways.

Like the nation’s economy, American art and literature flourished during the Gilded Age. The art of John Singer Sargent, Childe Hassam, Louis Comfort Tiffany and others adorned palatial residences designed by Stanford White and Ogden Codman Jr., architect of the museum’s own quintessential Gilded Age mansion. Drawing heavily upon the local literary history of Long Island, including William Cullen Bryant, Mark Twain (who named the Gilded Age), Walt Whitman, Edith Wharton and others, the exhibition will include paintings, fashion, decorative arts including period silver and china, photographs, manuscripts, first editions and other historic memorabilia.

The “Upstairs, Downstairs” approach to the life of a country house brings to life not only the storied conspicuous consumption for which the Gilded Age was infamous, but also the real lives of these many individuals who maintained the palatial estates where that lifestyle was enjoyed.

On view through March 10 Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

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Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art, Saturday, March 9, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork. Kids and their adult partners connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. Registration required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Adult Irish Step Dancing class

Try Irish Step Dancing, at Freeport Memorial Library, Friday, March 8, 7 p.m. Irish step dance is a style of performance dance that is characterized by pinpoint movements of the feet with a still upper body. 144 W. Merrick Road. Visit FreeportLibrary.info or call (516) 379-3274.

Chess for adults

Chess helps to keep the mind young and the intellect active.

Freeport Memorial Library continues its weekly Chess for Adults series, Wednesdays, 7 p.m. 144 W. Merrick Road. Visit FreeportLibrary.info or call (516) 379-3274 or for more information.

Free haircuts available

Haircuts are provided by student barbers-intraining working toward a New York State Barbering Technician license under the supervision of barber J. Mestizo at Baldwin High School. Services include haircuts for men and boys, facials, and a beard and eyebrow trim. Call (516) 4346991 Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to schedule appointments for your group.

Meet your legislator

County Legislator Seth Koslow holds community office hours at Freeport Memorial Library, Monday, March 11, 6:45-7:45 p.m. This will be an open forum where Legislative District 5 residents can discuss their concerns and priorities with Leg. Koslow and his staff. 144 W. Merrick Road. Visit FreeportLibrary.info or call (516) 379-3274.

Having an event?

March 10

Bird walk

See some birds with the South Shore Audubon Society. All are welcome to join members for another in its series of bird walks, at Massapequa Lake, Sunday, March 10, starting at 9 a.m. Massapequa Lake is at the south end of Massapequa Preserve, between Lakeshore Boulevard and Ocean Avenue. Use street parking on the westbound side of Merrick Road.

Walk leaders, other birders and nature enthusiasts are happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. Bring binoculars. The group will meet at the gazebo. To register, text your name and contact information to (516) 467-9498. No walk if rain or snow. Text regarding questionable weather. For more information, visit SSAudubon.org.

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

In concert

Icon and superstar Whitney Houston, has left a lasting legacy that is celebrated an exhilarating spectacle. “Queen of the Night, A Musical Tribute to Whitney Houston,” Saturday, March 9, 8 p.m., at NYCB Theatre at Westbury. An exhilarating tribute to Houston’s remarkable musical repertoire, the electrifying production, which premiered on London’s West End, honors her timeless songs with sensational vocalists and a full live band.

Named after the swaggering hard rock single from “The Bodyguard” soundtrack, the show celebrates 30 years of hits, from “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and “Saving All My Love for You” to “How Will I Know,” “Greatest Love of All” and, of course, “I Will Always Love You.” With the accompaniment of a dynamic band, backing vocalists and dancers, “Queen of the Night” fully conveys the essence and persona of Houston in a captivating production has been described as “a powerhouse performance that delivers on every level.” NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury. Tickets available at LiveNation.com or call (516) 247-5200.

Forest Bathing

Take a meditative Forest Bathing walk, led by certified guide Linda Lombardo, Sunday, March 10, 2-4 p.m. Based on the Japanese tradition of ShinrinYoku, a wellness practice developed in the 1980s, the walk, on the grounds of the former summer residence of Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim, inspires mindful connections with the natural elements of the woods for a range of healthful benefits. $40, $35. Registration required. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.

Best of Broadway

Adelphi University Performing Arts students celebrate the music of Broadway during their semiannual Best of Broadway concert, Sunday, March 10, 4 p.m.

The theme of this season’s concert is a royal one, paying tribute to the kings, queens, “Aladdin,” “Camelot, “ “Six,” “Frozen,” “Anastasia,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Cinderella,” and more. $30, with discounts available to seniors, students, Adelphi alumni and employees. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.

Freeport resident indicted for crash on the Meadowbrook

George Moore, an NYPD detective who lives in Freeport, was indicted on 10 counts for the August 2023 crash on the Meadowbrook State Parkway that injured two women.

Moore, 40, appeared before Judge Howard Sturim on Feb. 28 to face the charges that include aggravated vehicular assault, assault, vehicular assault, reckless endangerment, and multiple counts of driving while intoxicated.

He pleaded guilty and was released to pre-trial services. If convicted, Moore

could face up to 15 years in prison. His next court date is March 14.

“The defendant, an NYPD detective, allegedly got behind the wheel of his Mercedes while heavily intoxicated and put the lives of countless other people in danger that early August morning,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a news release. “After speeding and weaving through traffic, George Moore allegedly clipped the back of an SUV and his car careened into the highway median, rolled over and eventually caught fire. Unfortunately, two women were injured due to Moore’s alleged actions. Drunk driving is completely preventable, and my office will aggressively prosecute cases and hold reckless drivers accountable.”

The incident occurred on Aug. 4, as Moore was heading to work in Queens. The subsequent investigation revealed Moore’s alleged consumption of alcohol at bars in the Rockville Centre area before the crash.

Moore surrendered to New York State troopers also on Feb. 28. Moore is represented by Peter Brill.

–Mohammad Rafiq

Crime watCh

LarCeny

On Feb 14, Freeport officers received a report about an individual who stole various items from a local business. No arrest was requested.

On Feb 16 Freeport Police Officers arrested a subject who removed property from a local businesses without permission to do so.

On Feb 19 Freeport Police Officers arrested a person who after climbed behind the counter at a local business and removed various items. The defendant was then arrested.

UnUsUaL inCident

On Feb 15 Freeport officers secured a report for an unknown individual who following an argument punched and broke a side view mirror of a vehicle.

On Feb 16 a person was arrested who after being stopped for a traffic infraction was found to be operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The person was then arrested.

On Feb 16 Freeport officers took a report for an unknown person who damaged the right side door handle of a victim’s vehicle by scratching it. The officers took a report of the incident.

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.

Courtesy Nassau County DA

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly discussed the Feb. 28 indictment of Freeport resident George Moore’ related to the alleged drunken car crash in August of last year in a news release.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU, ONEWEST BANK, FSB, Plaintiff, vs. LILLIE EDWARDS A/K/A LILLIE R. EDWARDS, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 15, 2015, a Short Form Order to Substitute Referee duly entered June 28, 2023 and an Order for Extension of Time to Conduct Foreclosure Sale duly entered on December 28, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 19, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 123 Shonnard Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 55, Block 223 and Lot 194. Approximate amount of judgment is $474,792.08 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #014486/2012. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Heather D. Crosley, Esq., Referee Greenspoon Marder, 590 Madison Avenue, Suite 1800, New York, NY 10022, Attorneys for Plaintiff 144915

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT, COUNTY OF NASSAU, HARRISON VICKERS AND WATERMAN LLC, Plaintiff against ROOSEVELT PROPERTIES, INC., et al., Defendants. Index No.: 606059/2022.

Pursuant to the Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered June 9, 2023 and e-filed June 12, 2023 as NYSCEF Doc. No. 93 in the office of the clerk of the within named court, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 14, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., the mortgaged premises (i) Section 55 Block 281 Lot 188-192 on the tax map of the Town of Hempstead, County of NASSAU, said premises being known as 509

Babylon Turnpike, Freeport, New York 11520 [PARCEL I]; (ii) Section 55 Block 446 Lot 130 on the tax map of the Town of Hempstead, County of NASSAU, said premises being known as 111 Park Avenue, Roosevelt, NY 11575 [PARCEL II]; and (iii) Section 55 Block 281 Lot 193 - 195 on the tax map of the Town of Hempstead, County of NASSAU, said premises being known as 501 Babylon Turnpike, Freeport, NY 11520 [PARCEL III]. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,454,184.82 plus interest and costs. The mortgaged premises will be sold as separate parcels subject to the provisions of said Judgment and Terms of Sale. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court-Appointed Referee will cancel the sale. Successful third-party bidder to pay 10% of the sum bid by certified or bank check(s) made payable to the Referee only. Referee will not accept cash or doubleendorsed checks.

Heather D. Crosley, Esq., Referee

Lawrence & Walsh, P.C., 215 Hilton Avenue, Hempstead, NY 11550, Attorneys for Plaintiff 144917

LEGAL NOTICE

SUMMONS Supreme Court of New York, Nassau County. WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF THE RESIDENTIAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES TRUST V-C, Plaintiff, -againstANDREA BATTLE A/K/A ANDREA BATTLEBROWN, BIMINI HAYES, HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF GEORGE T. BROWN; OLGA YOUNG HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF GEORGE T. BROWN; GLEN BROWN HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF GEORGE T. BROWN;

UNKNOWN HEIRS TO GEORGE T. BROWN; AND JOHN DOE AND JANE DOE said names being fictitious and unknown to the plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or parties, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the mortgaged premises described in the complaint, Index No. 602567/2020. Mortgaged Premises: 572 Miller Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520 TO THE ABOVE

NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY

SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above captioned action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the Plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty

(30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a Defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU

MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. The following notice is intended only for those defendants who are the owners of the premises sought to be foreclosed or who are liable upon the debt for which the mortgage stands as security. YOU ARE HEREBY PUT ON NOTICE THAT THIS SUMMONS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. As of May 1, 2019, the amount of the debt is $385,094.39 consisting of principal balance of $265,516.30 plus interest of $82,544.08, late charges of $580.19, escrow advances of $36,358.82. There will be additional amounts due for title searches, attorneys fees and miscellaneous charges. Because of interest and other charges that may vary from day to day, the amount due on the day you may pay may be greater. Hence if you pay the amount shown above, adjustment may be necessary after we receive the check, in which event we will inform you. The name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed: Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Owner Trustee of the Residential Credit Opportunities Trust V-C. Unless you dispute the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, within thirty (30) days after your receipt hereof that the debt, or any

portion thereof is disputed, we will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of any judgment against you representing the debt and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to you by the herein debt collector. Upon your written request within 30 days after receipt of this notice, there herein debt collector will provide you with the name and address of the original creditor if different from the current creditor. Note: Your time to respond to the Summon & Complaint differs from your time to dispute the validity of the debt or to request the name and address of the original creditor. Although you have as few as 20 days to respond to the Summons & Complaint, depending on the manner of service, you still have 30 days from receipt of this Summons to dispute the validity of the debt and to request the name and address of the original creditor.

TO THE DEFENDANTS, except

ANDREA BATTLE a/k/a

ANDREA BATTLEBROWN, the Plaintiff makes no personal claim against you in this action.

TO THE DEFENDANT ANDREA BATTLE a/k/a

ANDREA BATTLEBROWN: if you have obtained an order of discharge from the Bankruptcy Court, which includes this debt, and you have not reaffirmed your liability for this debt, this law firm is not alleging that you have any personal liability for this debt and does not seek a money judgment against you. Even if a discharge has been obtained, this lawsuit to foreclose the mortgage will continue and we will seek a judgment authorizing the sale of the mortgaged premises.

FRIEDMAN VARTOLO, LLP

1325 Franklin Avenue, Suite 160 Garden City, NY 11530, Attorneys for Plaintiff. 144888

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU

State of New York Mortgage Agency, Plaintiff AGAINST

Gwendolyn Webb; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 28, 2016 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 26, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 36 New York Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village

of Freeport, Residence Park, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 54 Block 57 Lots 149 & 150. Approximate amount of judgment $449,801.26 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 006721/2012. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the Tenth Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Janine T. Lynam, Esq., Referee

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

Dated: January 30, 2024 145034

rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Mark Ricciardi, Esq., Referee

accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.

145030

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF NRZ PASS-THROUGH TRUST XI-B, Plaintiff, vs. SONIA M. TORRES A/K/A SONIA TORRES, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale after Inquest and Appointment of Referee and Amendment of Caption duly entered on November 3, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 26, 2024 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 104 East Pennywood Avenue, Roosevelt, NY 11575 a/k/a 104 Pennywood Avenue, Roosevelt, NY 11575. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 55, Block 443 and Lots 200-202. Approximate amount of judgment is $516,170.54 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #604308/2018. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse,

Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 191802-1 144032 LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST C/O U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, V. MARIE F. BAUDUY, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated June 26, 2023, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST C/O U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION is the Plaintiff and MARIE F. BAUDUY, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 25, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 346 MARYLAND AVENUE, FREEPORT, NY 11520: Section 36, Block K01, Lot 38: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF FREEPORT, IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 603000/2019. Scott H. Siller, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in

Office of the Minnesota Secretary of StateCertification of Record I, Steve Simon, Secretary of State of Minnesota, do certify that: The filing(s) listed below were filed in the Minessota computerized/central filing system on the date(s) listed below and that the copies associated with this certification are a true and complete copy of those filings as filed in that system. Filing(s) filed on: Filling Date: 02/12/2023. Filling Type: Original Filing - Assumed Name. Filing Number 1373806900027. This certificate has been issued on: 02/21/2024Steve Simon Secretary of State, State of Minnesota. 145171

The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Andrew K Preston, Esq., Referee File # SPSNY448 145156

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

NASSAU COUNTY BAYVIEW LOAN

SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff against ANDREA FAGAN, et al

Defendant(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff(s)

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

NASSAU COUNTY U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR BEAR STEARNS ASSET BACKED SECURITIES I TRUST 2007-HE2, ASSET BACKEDCERTIFICATES SERIES 2007-HE2, Plaintiff against NINA DEMOSTHENES, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800, Rochester, NY 14614. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered November 25, 2019, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 4, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 915 Van Buren Street, Baldwin, NY 11510. Sec 54 Block 386 Lot 7. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $530,475.40 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 000879/2016.

Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800, Rochester, NY 14614. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered April 27, 2017, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 1, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 296 Pine Street, Freeport, NY 11520. Sec 54 Block 84 Lot 7. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $466,592.84 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 015029/2010. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction.

Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Certified funds only, made payable to Lisa Goodwin, Esq., as Referee.

Lisa Goodwin, Esq., Referee File # QNSRN601 145158

Public Notices

trustees, guardians, assignees, creditors or successors claiming an interest in the mortgaged premises.) Defendant(s).

Mortgaged Premises: 58 Weberfield Avenue Freeport, NY 11520 To the Above named Defendant: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Supplemental Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Supplemental Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Supplemental Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Nassau. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. TO

Unknown Heirs of Valarie Collier Defendant In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by

publication, pursuant to an order of HON. Jeffrey A. Goodstein of the Supreme Court Of The State Of New York, dated the Fourteenth day of February, 2024 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, in the City of Mineola. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises described below, dated November 17, 2005, executed by Valarie Collier (who died on February 12, 2019, a resident of the county of Nassau, State of New York) and Mitchell Pendarvis to secure the sum of $275,000.00. The Mortgage was recorded at Book 29787, Page 244 in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk on December 5, 2005. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed January 9, 2007 and recorded on March 5, 2007, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book 31624, Page 529. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed April 21, 2014 and recorded on May 16, 2014, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book 39694, Page 623. The mortgage was subsequently modified on May 14, 2018. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed February 9, 2021 and recorded on February 17, 2021, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book 45015, Page 499. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed November 14, 2022 and recorded on November 22, 2022, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Instrument Number 20222-112374Book 46954, Page 148; The property in question is described as follows: 58 Weberfield Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: February

16, 2024 Gross Polowy LLC Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s) 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221

The law firm of Gross Polowy LLC and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose.

79754 145039

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT.

NASSAU COUNTY. L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. ESTHER HENDRICKS, if she be living, if she be dead, her respective heirs-at-law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successors in interest, and generally all persons having or claiming under, by, or through ESTHER HENDRICKS, if she be dead, whether by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, including any right, title or interest in an to the real property described in the complaint herein, all of who and hose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff, et al, Defts. Index #611468/2020. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Sept. 27, 2023, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on April 2, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a Section 55, Block 269, Lot 5. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale and the right of the United States of America to redeem within 120 days from the date of sale as provided by law. BRIAN J. DAVIS, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Drive, Great Neck, NY. #101133 145086

LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF NEW YORK

SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU

HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR NOMURA HOME EQUITY LOAN, INC., ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-1, Plaintiff, v.

GLENDORA HEWITT A/K/A GLENDORA B. HEWITT A/K/A GLENDA HEWITT A/K/A

GLENDORA SMITH A/K/A

GLENDORA BRADLEY A/K/A GLENDA SMITH A/K/A GLENDA BRADLEY; VICTOR HEWITT A/K/A

VICTOR A. HEWITT; ET AL, Defendants. NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT

In pursuance of an Amended Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on June 26, 2018, I, Jane Shrenkel, Esq., the Referee named in the Order Appointing Substitute Referee entered December 19, 2023, will sell in one parcel at public auction on April 2, 2024 at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Ct. Dr., Mineola, NY 11501, at 2:00PM the premises described as follows: 143 Park Avenue Roosevelt, NY 11575

SBL: 55-444-180

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

The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 007107/2013 in the amount of $512,973.73 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System’s COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale.

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff

500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 145100

SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on April 2, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 840 SHARON LANE, WESTBURY, NY 11590: Section 11, Block 410, Lot 3: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF WESTBURY, TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 005553/2016. Brian J. Davis, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.

145203

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS

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

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 612080/2019. Malachy Patrick Lyons, Jr., Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.

145353 LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE UNDER SECURITIZATION SERVICING AGREEMENT

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN ROOSEVELT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 006971/2016. Peter Kramer, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 145351

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF NASSAU INDEX # 616075/2023

SUMMONS Plaintiff designates NASSAU County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon County in which the premises are situated.

Premises: 175 RANDALL AVENUE, FREEPORT, NY 11520

NEWREZ LLC D/B/A

REALTY MANAGEMENT CORP; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to Plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Defendant(s). TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff’s Attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York) in the event the United States of America is made a party Defendant, the time to answer for the said United States of America shall not expire until sixty (60) days after service of the Summons; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST, V. WILLIE WILLIAMS, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF SARAH SIMPSON, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated January 17, 2024, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST is the Plaintiff and WILLIE WILLIAMS, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF SARAH SIMPSON, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR PRETIUM MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST, V. MICHELLE RICHARDSON, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated February 24, 2023, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR PRETIUM MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST is the Plaintiff and MICHELLE RICHARDSON, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on April 10, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 102 HAUSCH BOULEVARD, ROOSEVELT, NY 11575: Section 55, Block 527, Lot 43:

DATED AS OF JULY 1, 2005 STRUCTURED ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, STRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT LOAN TRUST MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-HE2, V. JAMES DUNNE, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated November 14, 2023, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE UNDER SECURITIZATION SERVICING AGREEMENT

DATED AS OF JULY 1, 2005 STRUCTURED ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, STRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT LOAN TRUST MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-HE2 is the Plaintiff and JAMES DUNNE, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on April 9, 2024 at 3:00PM, premises known as 355 WASHINGTON AVE, ROOSEVELT, NY 11575: Section 55, Block 545, Lot 27 & 28:

SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE

SERVICING, Plaintiff(s), against UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW OF YVONNE

FRANCOIS, and if they be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action, such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of who and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; NOREEN OSBORNE, AS HEIR AT LAW OF YVONNE

FRANCOIS; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

O/B/O SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; JY

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Although we have many questions and hired an attorney, we’re wondering whether we should hire an architect to go over all the problems and identify them, with remedies, or hire one of the contractors who said they could fix the problems, or wait until the lawsuit is finished to make it possible for a jury to see the damage. The job architect, whom we never met, has now had their license revoked for the next two years, but we wouldn’t go to them, anyway.

A. Ugh! This is more common than you would think. It starts with not having the architect working for you and instead working for the contractor. I can guess that the contractor was contacted first, and you hired them to get their architect and provide plans. That was your first mistake.

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Why I joined the Congressional Offshore Wind Caucus

Growing up in Island Park, I was always acutely aware of how lucky I was to be surrounded by beautiful beaches, bountiful waterways and stunning coastlines. Preserving Nassau County’s coastal environs has been a main priority of my tenure in public office, and I am proud to represent so many community partners who share in that goal. Indeed, the pristine nature of our South Shore was recently threatened by a largescale offshore wind turbine project proposed by Equinor, but thanks to unified community opposition, this dubious plan appears to have stalled — for now.

The growing national push to advance offshore wind energy has clearly reached Long Island, and while Equinor’s plan was defeated due to the corporation’s failure to properly liaise with local stakeholders, there will certainly be other developers attempting their own offshore wind projects mov-

ing forward.

Now more than ever, it is vital that our communities make their voices heard on any projects that would impact our coastline, which is why I am proud to announce that I have been made a co-chair of the Congressional Offshore Wind Caucus. This bipartisan panel provides members of Congress from across the country a forum to discuss the growing utilization of offshore wind energy, compare notes on offshore wind projects being advanced, and strategize on how best to approach future development questions. What’s more, my leadership role in the caucus also provides neighbors in the 4th District with an enhanced voice when the panel communicates with turbine developers — ensuring that the thoughts, concerns and opinions of South Shore residents are made known.

We’ve seen interest from other developers seeking to take Equinor’s place.

residents of the Long Beach barrier island, Island Park, Oceanside and beyond during the development of its Empire Wind 2 offshore wind turbine plan. This lack of engagement justifiably led to distrust among community members, and fueled the successful grass-roots campaign to quash the project.

Like my neighbors along the South Shore, over the course of several meetings, Equinor representatives failed to provide me with adequate information on the long-term environmental impacts of the project or outline a proper plan to support the communities that would have hosted facets of Empire Wind 2 — which is why I fought to stop the project from moving forward.

ment, residents’ wishes are respected, and local communities’ bests interests are advanced. If a company can articulate a vision for an offshore wind energy project that safeguards our environment, incorporates robust stakeholder feedback into the development process, benefits the community, and creates good union jobs, I believe it is beneficial for the public to hear them out and approach the plan with an open mind. I intend to utilize my position on the Congressional Offshore Wind Caucus to hold corporate developers accountable by demanding full transparency on any proposed projects that come before the community.

Those residents have recently seen firsthand the difficulties that stem from a corporate entity outright ignoring the concerns of community stakeholders when developing a large-scale project. Indeed, Equinor failed to engage with

Now that Equinor appears to have realized the error of its ways and pulled back from its offshore wind plan, we have seen growing interest from several other developers seeking to take Equinor’s place. As the selection process plays out and companies vie for a chance to develop offshore wind energy in Nassau County, it is vital that stakeholders have a say in project advance-

I will continue to utilize all the tools at my disposal to advocate for the best interests of South Shore neighbors and ensure that our communities are not negatively impacted by overdevelopment. My position as co-chair of the bipartisan caucus will give our community a stronger voice in that arena, and ensure that any proposed plans include real benefits for the South Shore. Long gone are the days when developers like Equinor thought they could simply muscle their way past community opposition. We won’t allow it.

Anthony D’Esposito represents the 4th Congressional District.

For Democrats, Suozzi’s victory is nothing to brag about

Democrats were understandably elated when former Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi won the special election in New York’s 3rd Congressional District on Feb. 13, but they shouldn’t be popping any champagne. In truth, Suozzi’s victory over the Republicans’ candidate, Mazi Melesa Pilip, was a lot closer than it should have been.

Suozzi won just under 54 percent of the vote.

Doesn’t that seem a little low? After all, he’s a former mayor of Glen Cove, a former Nassau County executive, and a former three-term representative of the district in Congress. Pilip, meanwhile, is a sophomore county legislator.

An alarming sign for me is the money spent by each campaign for each vote. Suozzi spent $2.36 million and won roughly 91,300 votes, meaning he spent almost $26 per vote. In comparison, Pilip spent just $714,000 and won roughly 78,200 votes, or just over $9 per vote.

That means that Pilip needed on average one-third the cash to bring her vot-

ers out to the polls. That indicates to me that Pilip’s voters were more excited and zealous. Suozzi, on the other hand, had to fight to bring Democrats out.

If Pilip and Suozzi had had the same fundraising numbers, and the cash-pervote numbers held, Pilip would have garnered over three times her vote total. Even if we halved Suozzi’s advantage (to make the comparison a bit more realistic), Pilip still might have won, with over 58.5 percent of the vote, if she’d spent as much money as Suozzi.

HSo, Democrats, is this your grand victory?

Aside from that lingering question, Suozzi ran a good campaign. He attacked Pilip where he needed to and worked hard in just the couple of months that he had, barnstorming through the district. He held a large event in my native Westbury, which I appreciate. The difficult fight he had, and the difficult fight many Nassau Democrats have, was beyond his control.

e spent nearly three times as much campaign money as Pilip for each vote.

To top it off, state Democrats are going to get another chance to draw district lines this year, meaning that Suozzi is almost certainly going to be redistricted into a safer, more heavily Democratic district. Why sink millions into an election that you most likely would have won more easily in nine months?

I read the election results this way: A Democratic political veteran with high name recognition and a 3-to-1 fundraising advantage won an election with the second-worst margin he’s won his House seat with, against a neophyte opponent no one had ever heard of, whom he probably would have more easily defeated in nine months.

For one thing, the political landscape on Long Island is shifting against Democrats. For years in Nassau County, the number of new voters registering as Democrats outpaced those registering as Republicans, but that is changing. In the towns of North Hempstead and Oyster Bay and the City of Glen Cove, which account for most of the population of the 3rd District, voter registration data for the past year confirms that the ratio of Democrats to Republicans is shrinking.

Area Democrats have also been suffering from guilt by association. The Nassau GOP has successfully associated local Democrats with their more leftleaning colleagues in New York City. The Long Islanders are branded with

negative labels like “radical” and “socialist,” or worse, “radical socialist.”

Finally, local Democrats continue to be hammered on bail reform, affordable housing and crime. These attacks are nonsense, but they stick because there is no apparatus in place to respond. None of this is Suozzi’s fault. Rather, the problem lies squarely with the Nassau and state Democratic committees, which have poor fundraising operations, abysmal organizing capacity, and virtually nonexistent communication with voters.

The party is failing to recruit new members, and cannot adequately defend its candidates, let alone go on the offensive. The state Democratic Party continues to fail candidates like Suozzi and the voters that make their existence possible.

That’s why I don’t consider Suozzi’s victory any kind of Democratic renaissance. His hard-fought win doesn’t portend more party wins in Nassau, because a successful two-month campaign can’t fix a state Democratic Party that has lost almost every position of power on Long Island in the past eight years.

Matthew Adarichev is a public policy major at Hofstra University, a political activist and an aspiring journalist whose work has appeared in the Hofstra Chronicle and the Anton Media Group.

Herald editorial

Support the Local Journalism Sustainability Act

as objective and independent news writers and editors, we have an imperative to cover the issues most important to you, the people of our community.

Every day, our team of reporters is on the ground questioning elected officials, uplifting the stories of community changemakers, and uncovering truths that some would rather keep hidden.

But, amid industry challenges, it is no longer unfathomable to picture a future when New York state is completely without local newspapers and other local news outlets.

According to the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, 2.5 newspapers now close each week in the United States. More than 3,000 newspapers have shuttered across the country since 2004, and New York has been particularly hard hit.

In 2004, New York boasted 501 newspapers. Today, it’s only 260. In 2022 alone, 30 newspapers closed across the state.

A quarter of New York’s counties are news deserts — down to their last newspaper. Orleans County recently became the first in the state to have none. These closures have also resulted in thousands of lost journalism and newsroom-supporting jobs.

Local news matters. Studies show that when a community loses its source of local news, it experiences decreased voter turnout and civic engagement. Increased municipal borrowing costs that lead to higher taxes. And decreased transparency among government and business officials, leading to increased waste, fraud and abuse.

As newspapers shutter, communities become more polarized, leaving us stuck in a never-ending doom loop where we lose sight of our shared values. During this era of intense national partisanship, local news offers a path forward.

letters

Let these elected officials know that we need to save local news

■ Contact Gov. Kathy Hochul: (518) 474-8390

■ Contact State Sen. Kevin Thomas: (518) 455-3260

■ Contact Assemblyman Brian Curran: (516) 561-8216

■ Contact Assemblywoman Taylor Darling: (516) 489-6610

Our newspaper is a proud member of the Empire State Local News Coalition. Support the coalition at SaveNYLocalNews. com.

The time to act is now. That is why the Freeport Herald has joined with more than 150 other New York local newspapers to launch the Empire State Local News Coalition.

Comprising both print and online local newspapers, this coalition is advocating for sound public policy that ensures the important work of local news organizations can continue in our state. Through our independent journalism, we aim to serve, inform, uplift and protect New York residents.

Our coalition cares deeply about our local communities as well as the future of New York’s free press. However, market forces are making it nearly impossible for us to survive. So, together, we are sounding the alarm bell for our leaders in Albany to hear.

At the heart of our advocacy is the Local Journalism Sustainability Act.

Bruce Blakeman bans trans athletes

To the Editor:

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s recent signing of an executive order banning transgender girls from playing sports in county facilities was a disingenuous performance to ingratiate himself with the cruel anti-LGBTQ movement. These kinds of orders and bans do more harm than good, setting a dangerous tone that can send the message that hateful acts against the LGBTQ community are justified. Nex Benedict, the non-binary 16-year-old from Oklahoma who died last month after an altercation in a high school girls’ bathroom, comes to mind.

Sadly, by targeting transgender young people, Blakeman chose to use his executive power to sacrifice a very vulnerable group, already struggling for acceptance and facing far greater rates of depression and suicide than their peers, for his own political gain. Instead of doing something to help the transgender commu-

Sponsored by state Sen. Brad HoylmanSigal and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner — with the bipartisan support of 55 co-sponsors — this bill provides tax credits to local news outlets for the employment of local news journalists. News organizations are incentivized to actually add jobs, returning reporters to many of the state’s newsrooms, which are becoming increasingly desolate.

Importantly, the bill is also contentneutral, meaning that any legitimate local news outlet — left, right or inbetween — can benefit from this bill. The objectivity of the bill’s eligibility requirements means the legislation cannot be weaponized to penalize news organizations critical of government officials.

As New York loses talented journalists, lawmakers must act to ensure the industry is allowed not only to survive, but also to thrive. Only local news outlets — with boots-on-the-ground journalists — can deliver the hyperlocal updates and investigations necessary to sustain a community’s civic and financial wellbeing.

Imagine no stories about the village or town board meeting, or the school budget debate. No pictures of your granddaughter’s first soccer goal. No obituary of your friendly (and eccentric) neighbor. No investigative reporting to hold public officials to account. And no trusted institution to convene the community around a family in need.

We need your help to save local news in New York. To get the Local Journalism Sustainability Act across the finish line, lawmakers need to hear from you about why our newspaper matters and why this bill is important to you.

If you would like to help, reach out to Gov. Kathy Hochul and your local state representatives to let them know you stand with local news.

It’s time we find common ground on ‘Raise the Age’

Long island has become the center of New York’s — and the nation’s — political conversation. in recent elections, state and local policies have had an enormous influence on Nassau and suffolk County campaigns that ultimately played a decisive role in determining control of Congress.

CHarLes LaVINe

But while politicians and party operatives struggle to find a political advantage in laws passed by albany or our County Legislature, real people affected by these policies are waiting for those of us in office to find common ground on issues that should bring us together, not divide us.

Look at the raise the age law, for example. in 2017, i was proud to join both my Democratic and republican colleagues in support of ending New York’s shameful status as one of the last two states to prosecute all 16- and 17-year-olds as adults. Today, thanks to the law, a large majority of young people’s cases move through family court, where the goal is rehabilitation through effective intervention rather than criminalization.

raise the age is a crucial component in building a healthy, sustainable future. it allows young people to get the services they need to get their lives on track. it also allows them to access quality jobs and fully contribute to our society without convictions from when they were teenagers holding them back.

sContrary to false claims labeling family court a “slap on the wrist,” young people may face mandatory programs, supervision by law enforcement, pretrial detention, and placement in residential facilities. But when the system is working well, they are connected with a range of community-based services and resources, which aim to address the underlying factors that led them to commit crimes. and they can use of those services — and the opportunities they provide — without the burden of an adult criminal record.

reduction in shootings with injuries from 2021 to 2023.

as a former public defender, i know firsthand how crucial services like sNUG are to the health and safety of our young people and their communities. By targeting the crux of the issue, they reduce recidivism and help struggling youth become wellfunctioning, productive members of their communities.

etting young offenders straight without burdening them with adult criminal records.

since raise the age took effect, thousands of young people who would otherwise have spent months or even years of their childhood in adult jails and prisons have had access to services designed to help them improve their lives and avoid future interactions with the criminal legal system. For some, this is the first time they have had trusted adults whom they can rely on and turn to for guidance.

vices, serious crimes perpetrated by those under 18 decreased by 12 percent in Nassau County and a stunning 57 percent in suffolk. These statistics demonstrate the efficacy of, and critical need for, community-based programming to make our neighborhoods safer.

Despite raise the age’s success, its implementation has received a mere fraction of the funding state leaders promised. it’s been reported that as of 2022, only $270 million of the $800 million that was appropriated for it had been invested in community-based programs and services for young people around the state. Think of how much more successful raise the age could be if the state adequately funded it, and community-based organizations and service providers could apply for and receive that funding directly.

one such service is the sNUG street outreach program, which uses a public health model to reduce gun violence throughout the state by mediating conflict, mentoring youth, and working with local partners to make our streets safer. The 13 communities that are home to the program — including hempstead — reported a 36 percent

Letters

nity in Nassau County, he decided to put them at further risk. Blakeman claims that “boys” are bullying their way onto girls’ teams, but he’s the real bully here.

KariN JohNsoN RVC Pride Rockville Centre

It was obvious why Republicans chose Pilip

To the Editor:

i read the h erald’s coverage of the special election between Tom suozzi and Mazi Pilip. You didn’t mention that Pilip was a registered Democrat when she ran against s uozzi. s he didn’t change her party affiliation until a few days ago. right from the beginning, Pilip didn’t want to take many questions from the press, and showed she didn’t know very much about the issues. The republicans had her run because she was pretty, black, and Jewish, with an interesting background.

MYroN MariNBaCh Lynbrook

Immigrants make our economy stronger

To the Editor:

it’s time to cut through the noise and tell the

in recent years, i’ve been disappointed by how many of my misinformed colleagues have attempted to blame raise the age for an increase in crime on Long island, especially when the data say otherwise. This should be a law that unites us.

From the law’s implementation in 2018 through 2022, according to the state Division of Criminal Justice ser-

truth about immigration: o ur economy and community is stronger because of it. s ome leaders would have us think it’s a zero-sum game when our country takes in immigrants, but that’s not true at all.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget o ffice estimates that the U. s . economy will grow by an extra $7 trillion over the next 10 years thanks to immigrants!

But we don’t have to wait for the future to see how they are strengthening the economy. in 2021, immigrants paid $524.7 billion in taxes. That’s money that helps fuel our nation’s schools, Medicare, Medicaid and social security programs. i mmigrants help support our communities as consumers and taxpayers.

Don’t believe it? Even former President Donald Trump’s appointed Federal reserve chair, Jerome h. Powell, recognized the massive contributions immigrants make in an interview on “60 Minutes,” saying, “a big part of the story of the labor market coming back into better balance is immigration returning to levels that were more typical of the pre-pandemic era.”

so let’s give credit where credit is due, stop the anti-immigrant rhetoric and end the zerosum mindset. i mmigration truly is essential for our economic growth and our communities’ prosperity.

JosEPh M. VaroN

Long Island chapter, Bend the Arc West Hempstead

it’s high time that we rise to the occasion and demand more for the most vulnerable members of our communities, and that starts by calling on albany to invest in our youth by fully funding raise the age and supporting evidence-based strategies that create pathways for our young people’s rehabilitation, growth and opportunity. Let’s not let fear-mongering and political mudslinging talk us out of public policy that is proven to work — and that lifts all of us up.

Charles Lavine represents the 13th Assembly District.