Long Beach Herald 03-07-2024

HERALD LONG BEACH

Also serving Point Lookout & East Atlantic Beach

Play festival dancing back

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Chabad to honor firefighters

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Courtesy Johanna Mathieson

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Long Beach set to celebrate its Women’s History

By ANGElINA ZINGARIEllo azingariello@liherald.com

Long Beach is embracing the spirit of Women’s History Month with three events celebrating the accomplishments of local women and their contributions to the community.

The Kiwanis Club will honor three remarkable women — Johanna Mathieson, Janine Sorenson and Denise Ford — at a brunch on Sunday at Seven Restaurant, on West Beech Street.

“There’s a lot of really, really dynamic women in our community that quietly go behind the scenes, they do things, and we want to give them the recognition, and it’s Women’s History Month,” Kiwanis President Marianne Raisig said. “Yes, there are historical women that we can look at, but these are women who are current and currently doing things, and making a change and impacting lives and impacting our community, and they should be honored.”

Mathieson is the executive director of Artists in Partner-

Improvements to LIRR garage are coming this month

By BRENDAN CARPENTER bcarpenter@liherald.com

The Long Island Rail Road station in Long Beach was built in 1880. Because of some damage and wear to the rails, the LIRR petitioned the New York State Public Service Commission to move the station about 1,000 feet north in January of 1909.

The project was approved, and the present station was built that June. It underwent major renovations in the late 1980s, adding the store inside where snacks and beverages are sold.

For years the station had an

adjacent street lot where commuters parked when they took the train to work. Then, in 2002, an attached parking garage was built, along with the bus depot and platform bridge.

“As a guy who was on the railroad quite a bit over the last 40 years, I’ve certainly seen the ups and downs of the railroad station,” City Council President Brendan Finn said. “The introduction of the parking garage, which was obviously great, and then, of course, how things go in peaks and valleys. Sometimes things are going great and sometimes they’re not going so great.”

Residents have been express-

ing their concerns about the garage and other features of the station to city officials. They have complained about smells, aesthetics and safety, among other things. In response, the city began working on the facility late last month. City workers have finished repainting the stairwells and platform bridge, and have been power-washing the stairwells every week. Some of the lighting has been repaired.

Along with the cosmetic changes, there is also an increased police presence in the area. Some residents say they are concerned about safety and having their bikes sto-

len, specifically from the bus depot bike racks.

“I empathize, and certainly understand firsthand the issues that many of the commuters and local residents have with the garage,” Finn said. “As a person who was on that train, and had a bike stolen once or twice, these kind of things can really rankle, so we hear what

the community has to say, and we do our best to respond to that. I think we’re doing a good job. I think we’re moving in the right direction.

“It’s nice to see the police officers when you get off the train or when you get on the train in the morning, because we have to work on some of the

Continued on Page 7 Continued on Page 4

Hedy Page, front, a local artist and honoree this year, and Johanna Mathieson presenting a 2018 painting by Page inspired by the people and programs at the Magnolia Community Center.

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Community rallies around mom and son

Difficult delivery prompts a local parent to host blood drive

By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com

Rockville Centre mom Marissa Heitshusen was awaiting the arrival of her newborn son, Christopher “Kip” Welles, when she unexpectedly went into labor in December — 14 weeks before he was due.

Kip continues to fight and for the last eight weeks, he has been working to grow stronger every day while in the expert care of North Shore University Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. Heitshusen and her family wait anxiously for the opportunity to finally bring him home.

Both mother and her son required lifesaving blood transfusions due to the emergency delivery. Kip was immediately administered, however, after a difficult delivery, Heitshusen was told she would have to wait until more was available due to an emergency blood shortage affecting millions of residents throughout the New York Metropolitan area.

We wanted to create awareness of the need for blood during child birth

MARIss A HEItsHusEN Rockville Centre mom

As a result of the shortage, the New York Blood Center, one of the largest communitybased nonprofit blood collection and distribution organizations in the country, is currently experiencing an urgent need for donations.

“Every two seconds, someone in our country needs blood,” Dr. Cara Pessel, a fellow Rockville Centre parent and an OB/GYN specialist who assisted with Kip’s delivery, said. “Excess maternal bleeding at delivery and neonatal complications of prematurity are two of the leading reasons for blood transfusions in our world of Obstetrics.”

Preterm births, like Kip’s, are not uncommon and affect approximately one in every 10 newborns in the United States, underscoring the significance of blood donations in supporting premature infants and their mothers. According to the March of Dimes, approximately 380,548 babies were born preterm in 2022, representing 10.4 percent of all live births in the country that year.

Heitshusen sells real estate and lives in the village with her husband, Chris, and her two other children. Her daughter, Charlotte, is a student at Jennie E. Hewitt Elementary School and her son, Weston, is currently enrolled at The Learning Academy.

To spread awareness of the need for blood during childbirth, she enlisted the help of members of the community and the New York Blood Center, to organize a blood drive March 10 at the John A. Anderson Recreation Center in Rockville Centre.

“We wanted to create awareness of the need for blood during child birth,” Heitshusen said, “and what a mom and baby might need in the event of early emergent deliveries.”

Dr. Pessel said that while it is unfortunate that Heitshusen experienced this critical blood shortage firsthand, the fact that she can turn this physical and emotional struggle into an opportunity to raise awareness and help save lives is “truly selfless and inspirational.”

“Marissa and Kip are two of the strongest people I know,” Dr. Pessel said. “I am so proud to live in this community where we can come together and make a difference, and I hope to see a huge turnout at the Rec. Center for the blood drive.”

Heitshusen has been very busy with Kip, but has received so much love from the community. “The entire community is rallying around him and us and we’re so thankful,” she said.

Heitshusen’s friend, Michelle Foley, has also been

instrumental in helping coordinate the blood drive with the New York Blood Center. “Her story hit me hard,” Foley said. “So many people are pulling together to help.”

In addition to the help and support of Foley and Dr. Pessel, several members of the community are rallying support for Heitshusen and the family, including the Children’s Athletic Training School on Maple Avenue and The Learning Academy of St. Marks on Hempstead Avenue.

“I reached out to [Marissa] once I read her story,” CATS Owner Jami Madison said. “I figured that we could help out in some way.”

Madison said Charlotte takes tennis lessons on the weekends and Weston has been in an afterschool program at CATS for the last two years. As a family friend, she reached out on social media wanting to help the family by encouraging others, including Molloy University athletes to donate and spread the word about this local cause. She also said that she is planning to hold a raffle to help encourage people to sign up and give blood.

“The Heitshusen family has been a part of The Learning Academy of St. Mark’s family for a few years now,” TLA Director Mordan Moccia said. “They are always filled with smiles and excitement, so when we heard about Kip, we wanted to help in any way possible. It’s our blessing to be able to spread awareness for the Heitshusens and any other family in a similar circumstance. TLA is eager to help in anyway we can, including donating blood and continued love and prayers for Kip and his family.”

The New York Blood Center said donations of whole blood, red blood cells, platelets or plasma, can help save up to three lives in one hour. Unfortunately, the supply of blood seldom meets the demand. While 62 percent of the country’s population is eligible to donate, only about 3 percent will give blood every year.

In order to donate you must be at least 17 or older, or 16 with a parent or guardian’s written consent and weigh at least 110 lbs. It also recommended donors be in good health when giving blood, and are symptomfree for at least 72 hours following a cold or flu. Anyone who wishes to participate should be sure to eat and drink prior to the event and bring either a donor ID card or a valid New York State Driver’s License.

The blood drive is Sunday, March 10 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the auditorium at the John A. Anderson Recreation Center, 111 N. Oceanside Road in Rockville Centre. Contact the New York Blood Center to make and appointment. For more information visit NYBC.org.

Photos courtesy Marissa Heitshusen

Rockville Centre parent Marissa Heitshusen holds her newborn baby, Christopher ‘Kip’ Welles after a difficult delivery last December.

Christopher ‘Kip’ Welles is working to grow stronger every day while in the expert care of North Shore University Hospital’s NICU unit.

Garage gets new paint, increased security

other quality-of-life issues that exist there,” Finn added. “We can paint and we can clean and we can upgrade and we can do all sorts of good structural improvements, but we also have to take care of the quality-of-life issues that exist.”

In addition to the police officers that patrol the area, a beach maintenance employee roams the garage, bus depot and platform bridge and monitors the

cleanliness of the area.

“Beach maintenance was doing the painting there,” city spokesman John McNally said, “and the name ‘beach maintenance’ is a little deceptive, because they work all throughout the city. But we have an employee who is there, basically from sunup till sundown, making sure it’s clean, making sure that they establish a physical presence there, and that the public and anybody that’s within the facility knows that we have

Book Review: “The Gift of Years”

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.

somebody there.”

The city also plans to replace the existing parking meters with higher-tech, appoperated versions from Flowbird, the same company that that supplied the current meters. They are expected to be installed by the end of the month.

“There are two separate things,” McNally said. “We’re replacing the meters because we’ve had these ones for the better part of a decade and they have just succumbed to the elements. In addition to replacing them with up-todate, modernized meters, we’re also going to be rolling out the app.”

Finn addressed the complaint that homeless people have been known to sleep in the stairwells and on the bridge, and he hopes the renovations and the increased monitoring of the areas will help motivate them to find a shelter.

“This is obviously an issue that is front and center in America, not just Long Beach,” he said. “Displacing a homeless person from a stairwell is actu-

ally doing them a favor if we could help get them to a shelter. And when I say favor, I don’t mean that in a disparaging way. People don’t want to see their fellow community members in that kind of situation. So we’re going to take care of that. I mean, would I call it displacement? I would say ‘finding a home.’”

Brendan Carpenter/Herald the parking garage and bus depot next to the Long Beach train station are being renovated this month, and there will be a more noticeable police presence.

Courtesy City of Long Beach the platform bridge from the garage to the train platforms is being repainted.

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.

Honoring women in more than one venue

ship, which has enriched the lives of many with art, music, and theater. Sorenson is a psychologist in the Long Beach School District and the executive director of Surf for All, which teaches children and teens with disabilities to surf. Ford is a former Nassau County legislator and a dedicated community advocate.

“Once you get involved in doing volunteer work, you see the connection between all the different organizations in what they do,” Raisig said. “We … talk about it and say, who is someone that’s deserving of being honored? Who are the people that are impacting the lives of the children?”

The proceeds raised at the brunch will contribute to the club’s causes, including funding for summer camp scholarships for underserved youth in the community.

In addition to honoring women who have made an impact, Kiwanis is urging attendees to bring new children’s books, which will be donated to local organizations such as the Martin Luther King Center and the Latino Civic Association. This initiative is intended to combat the drop in reading comprehension during the summer months and provide children with opportunities for continued learning.

Artists In Partnership, a nonprofit

cultural arts organization, is set to host its Lucky 7th Annual Women in the Arts Awards and Recognition Fundraiser on April 4 at the Allegria Hotel.

The event will celebrate and honor notable women in the arts for their contributions to the community and the arts industry.

“I have had the privilege of working and developing programs, receiving support and assistance, and learning from so many women who were artists, entrepreneurs, community and organization representatives and friends,” Mathieson

said. “I wanted a way to shine a light on them — to say thank you and to recognize their efforts, talents and energies.

“So, it was decided by the AIP executive board, in collaboration with the (LBNY) Arts Council, that a celebration was long overdue, and that one would be held in March — Women’s History Month. With consideration from the Allegria Hotel, we held our first event (in 2017) in their beautiful rooftop space, and the rest is history.”

To date, AIP has recognized 108 local women in a variety of categories,

including Artists and Community, the Healing Arts, Educators, Community Organizers, Businesses Supporters of the Arts, Community Champions, Rising Stars and Lifetime Achievers.

The women being honored at this year’s event are Rachel Ivy Byer, Julie Carrion, Julianna Dernbach, Ilene Fox, Ronda Gale, Andrea Gauto, Michele Huttler Silver, Katherine Jaeger, Ginny Kelly, Ivy Landsman-Slevin, Betsy Mills, Collette Lee Morales, Lillian Reznicek and Kathy Teemer-Campbell.

The evening will feature live music, door prizes, raffles and a 50/50 drawing. Guests will enjoy a dinner buffet provided by JJ Coopers Restaurant.

Additionally, AIP is hosting the world premier of the documentary “The World I Know,” by filmmaker John Terrascuso, at the Long Beach Public Library auditorium on March 17. The film tells the story of 94-year-old Holocaust survivor and local artist Hedy Page, whose artwork has been displayed in museums and collections around the world.

There will be a question-and-answer session with Page, and the opportunity to view her latest painting, which depicts the Long Beach Boardwalk and friends, influencers and change-makers whose stories have special significance to Page. Tickets, and information about the events, are available at KiwanisClubLB.org/events-1 and AIP4Arts.org.

real estate agent J. Brittany deVarso, far left, arts Council director of development elizabth Connelly and Johanna matieson honoring Stephanie Klemons, right, last year.

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.

Short Play Festival is back in Long Beach

The anticipated Long Beach Short Play Festival is back for its second annual edition, set to captivate audiences with 12 thrilling new plays on May 4 and 5. Under the visionary artistic direction of actor and director John Torres and produced by actor and singer Abbie Golding, this year’s festival promises another true theatrical experience.

Community members now have a tantalizing alternative to off-Broadway shows as the Long Beach Short Play Festival brings top-notch performances right off the boardwalk. Supported in part by a grant awarded to Artists in Partnership, Inc., this festival will unfold at the intimate 150-seat theater in Temple Emanu-El, 455 Neptune Blvd., just a stone’s throw away from the heart of town and the boardwalk.

This grant is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Re-grant Program, a re-grant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by The Huntington Arts Council.

Featuring a selection of 12 plays from acclaimed playwrights spanning from Boston to Seattle, as well as three talented homegrown Long Island residents, audiences can expect a diverse range of narratives that will stir their emotions and provoke thought. Each day will showcase six plays at 3 and 7 p.m., offering a dynamic lineup that promises to evoke laughter, tears, and everything in-between.

From tales of love and intimate relationships to explorations of poignant memories and unexpected revelations, these plays delve into the depths of the human experience. Audiences will be taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, from heart-wrenching moments to comedic escapades. In one play crafted by a Lido Beach psychotherapist, secrets unravel in a riv-

CRIME bRIEf

eting fashion, reminiscent of a Taylor Swift music video.

Audience members can choose to attend either the A or B program, or indulge in both, to witness stories that will leave them spellbound and moved. The plays, crafted to pack a punch in twenty minutes or less, delve into complex themes such as mental illness, relationships, and societal issues, offering a thought-provoking and immersive experience.

Tickets for this event are now available at affordable prices, leaving enough room to enjoy a delightful

Island Park man sentenced for hit-and-run

A Centereach man was sentenced today to seven years in prison for a hitand-run collision in July 2022 that killed a 30-year-old man.

Corey Henson, 33, pleaded guilty on Nov. 15 to Manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death and driving while intoxicated. He was sentenced to 2-1/3 years to seven years in prison.

“Dodanim Emanuel Chavez was a devoted husband and father, who was simply moving furniture to a new home with the help of some friends when he was struck and killed by an intoxicated Corey Henson,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “Henson fled the scene and finally crashed five miles later into a guardrail and disabled his vehicle. Through the combined efforts of the Nassau County Police Department Homicide Squad, the Freeport Police Department, and my prosecutors, we were able to find this defendant, retrace his movements, and hold him accountable for Mr. Chavez’s senseless and tragic death. Hit-and-run investigations are notoriously difficult to prosecute. I commend the officers and prosecutors who tracked down this defendant and brought him to justice. We continue to hold Mr. Chavez’s family in our thoughts.”

Donnelly said that, according to the charges, on July 11, 2022, 30-year-old Dodanim Emanuel Chavez was moving belongings to a new home with the help of two friends. The victim was standing along the driver’s side of his friend’s pick-up truck on Long Beach Road in Island Park when Henson struck him.

Chavez suffered severe head trauma and was taken to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

After the collision, Henson crashed his van into a guardrail on South Main Street in Freeport and the van was towed to a local yard. The following day, Freeport police contacted the Nassau County Police Department about the van when he learned of the fatal hitand-run collision in Island Park.

Henson was arrested on July 13, 2022, by members of the NCPD and Freeport Police Department when he arrived at the tow yard to claim his van.

A subsequent investigation revealed that prior to the collision, Henson drank multiple alcoholic beverages over the course of two hours at a local restaurant before driving his vehicle and was intoxicated when he struck the victim.

–Kepherd Daniel

meal or a refreshing drink at the array of eateries, pubs, and pizzerias along Park Avenue.

Don’t miss out on the Long Beach Short Play Festival 2024 — where captivating storytelling meets exceptional talent in a setting like no other. For a weekend of theatrical magic that will linger in your hearts long after the curtain falls, see the plays for yourself.

For ticket information and show details, visit AIP4Arts.org.

–Brendan Carpenter

CRIME watCh

aRREst

Miricle Nixon, 19, of 585 Merrick Road in Rockville Centre was arrested on Feb. 25, and has been charged with assault following an investigation on Merrick Road.

LaRCEny

A customer of Public Storage reported on Feb. 22 property was stolen from his storage unit.

A resident of Shellbank Place reported on Feb. 23 someone stole her unlocked motor vehicle from the driveway of her residence.

RECovEREd stoLEn

MotoR vEhICLE

A stolen motor vehicle was found parked and unoccupied on Feb. 25 on Hendrickson Avenue.

haRassMEnt

A resident of Windermere Place reported on Feb. 24 that his neighbor was banging on his apartment door and yelling at him.

MEnaCIng

A pedestrian reported on Feb. 22 that someone displayed what appeared to be a gun and threatened to kill him and his friends while walking on Lakeview Avenue.

naRCotICs

dEstRuCtIon

Rockville Centre Police removed 16 pounds of pharmaceuticals from the drug take-back bin at the station, which was transported on Feb. 20 to the Nassau County Police Department for destruction.

unusuaL InCIdEnt

An employee of Nissan reported on Feb. 20 that a vehicle was purchased by a customer using fraudulent documents in 2022.

A resident of Old Mill Court reported on Feb. 20 that her debit card was used fraudulently at a business on North Village Avenue.

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.

Herald file photo

The second-annual Short Play Festival will be back at Temple Emanu-El of Long Beach in early May.

Honoring heroes at Chabad of the Beaches

Nearly 10 years ago, a fire threatened to destroy more than just a building at Beth El — it threatened the heart of the community. But amidst the ashes, a story of incredible heroism and unwavering faith emerged.

Chabad of the Beaches at Beth El, 570 W. Walnut St., will mark a historic occasion on March 9, at 10:30 a.m.

It wasn’t just about saving scrolls.

Jared SIegelman former fire chief

They will be having a moving ceremony honoring the brave firefighters who, “understanding the profound role Torah scrolls play in the Jewish faith, their rescue from the flames became a critical priority,” said to thenChief Scott Kemins who gave the order to rescue the Torah scrolls.

There will be a presentation of a unique, one-ofa-kind gift to the firefighters, a tangible symbol of the Chabad’s eternal gratitude. They will relive the emotional and spiritual significance of the rescued Torah scrolls through firsthand accounts and heartfelt expressions of appreciation.

“It wasn’t just about saving scrolls, it was about saving a piece of history, a symbol of something much bigger than ourselves,” former Lido Beach Fire Chief Jared Siegelman said in a release.

This event is more than just a ceremony — it’s a celebration of courage, resilience, and the enduring spirit of a community.

–Brendan Carpenter

Courtesy Eli Goodman

Firefighters helped save Torah scrolls during a fire about 10 years ago.

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Michael’s

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.”

A)

By Karen Bloom

STEPPING OUT

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,’”

Janeane Garofalo

Laughing along with Joe Gatto

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.”

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

March 16

JigJam

When virtuoso Irish playing jumps the pond running through the wide open fields of Bluegrass and Americana, JigJam is born. This Offaly and Tipperary-born band has started the Irish invasion of Americana with a brand new band member from Glasgow injecting the magic of Scottish folk music. The lads bring their foot-stomping sound to the Landmark stage, for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, Saturday, March 16, at 8 p.m. Described as ‘The best Irish band in bluegrass’ and ‘sparkling, infectious’ these gents have been hailed as ‘Ireland’s answer to New Grass Revival’. Founding members from Offaly Jamie McKeogh (lead singer and guitar) and Daithi Melia (5 string banjo and Dobro) were joined by Tipperary-born Gavin Strappe (mandolin and tenor banjo) in 2016. They’ve since added Glasgow native Danny Hunter (fiddle) to make up this iGrass (Irish Bluegrass) quartet. They’ve been hailed as “Ireland’s answer to New Grass Revival,” with a sound that has its roots in Irish music and Irish immigration. iGrass and JigJam is what happens when the Irish find their prodigal son. $38.14-$49.48. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at LandmarkOnMainStreet.org or (516) 767-6444.

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.

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.

Pickleball for a Cause

Join Joanne Ameruoso, uthor of “Faith Over Fear: How My Moms Fear of Breast Cancer Became my Fight,” for an evening of pickleball for a cause, Friday, March 15, 6-8 p.m., at Long Beach Tennis Center. $40 per person. Wear your best pink clothing! 899 Monroe Blvd. For more information, call (516) 6057956.

Mah Jongg Club

Do you play Mah Jongg and want to meet others who play? Join in the game, at Long Beach Library, Wednesdays, at 11 a.m., in the auditorium. 111 W. Park Ave. For more information, visit LongBeachPL.com or call (516) 432-7201.

Taco Tuesday

The Cabana offers its weekly specials all day long, Tuesday, March 12. $1, with a two-drink minimum, at 1034 W. Beech St. For more call (516) 889-1345 or visit TheCabanaLBNY.com.

Movie matinee

Enjoy a movie on Long Beach Library’s big screen, Monday, March 11, 2-4 p.m. See “Wonka,” the 2023 prequel that tells the wondrous story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today. The tale puts a suitably sweet spin on the classic character while still leaving some room for the source material’s darker undertones. Starring Timothee Chalamet.111 W. Park Ave. For more information, visit LongBeachPL.com or call (516) 432-7201.

School Board meets

The Long Beach School Board of Education meets, Tuesday, March 12, 7 p.m. Be informed about issues concerning the community the schools. Location TBD. For more information, visit LBeach.org

Having an event?

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 sung by the superstar, 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 Rd., 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 Shinrin-Yoku, 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 semi-annual 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.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

Formation of CHEM BROS 31, LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/30/2024. Office loc.: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The address SSNY shall mail process to Peter Kyriakides, 2121 Pacific Blvd., Atlantic Beach, NY 11509. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 144767

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU

DEUTSCHE BANK

NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR SOUNDVIEW HOME LOAN TRUST 2006-OPT1, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-OPT1, V. FERNANDO APONTE, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated September 26, 2023, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK

NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR SOUNDVIEW HOME LOAN TRUST 2006-OPT1, ASSET-BACKED

CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-OPT1 is the Plaintiff and FERNANDO APONTE, 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 540 EAST STATE STREET, LONG BEACH, NY 11561: Section 59, Block 163, Lot 25 & 26: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS

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

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 608558/2019. 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 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. 145024

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC

F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS INC., Plaintiff AGAINST MARTIN SCHWARTZ IF LIVING, AND IF HE/SHE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS

UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, CLAIMING, OR WHO MAY CLAIM TO HAVE AN TNTEREST IN, OR GENERAL OR SPECIFIC LIEN UPON THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THIS ACTION, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 11, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 26, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 650 Shore Road Apt. 2T, Long Beach, NY 11561 AKA 650 Shore Road, Unit 35, Long Beach, NY 11561. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Long Beach, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 59 Block 191 and Lot 47-CA00147-Tax Unit 36. Approximate amount of judgment $196,514.78 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #607196/2022. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County 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. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-000923 79290 144954

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on December 19, 2023. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 “Rain or Shine” on the 21st day of March, 2024 at 2:00 PM.

All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Long Beach, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Premises known as 51 Vinton Street, Long Beach, (City of Long Beach) NY 11561. (SBL#: 59-225-27 & 28)

Approximate amount of lien $398,411.13 plus interest and costs.

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

Index No. 610742/2019.

Louis B. Imbroto, Esq., Referee. Davidson Fink LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff

400 Meridian Centre Blvd, Ste 200 Rochester, NY 14618 Tel. 585/760-8218

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

Dated: January 22, 2024

During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 144952

SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 29, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 443 WEST PARK AVENUE, LONG BEACH, NY 11561: Section 59, Block 34, Lot 74: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATE LYING AND BEING IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 610961/2022. 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. 145169

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, vs. GLORIA MICHELL, ET AL, Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 29, 2008 and an Order duly entered on May 2, 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 April 2, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 26 East Market Street, a/k/a 26 Market Street, Long Beach, NY 11561.

Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, 10 Bank Street, Suite 700, White Plains, New York 10606, Attorneys for Plaintiff 145082

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 3/13/2024 at 9:30 A.M. & 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M. 173/24. - 174/24. LIDO BEACH - Brandon Kemper, Variances, lot area occupied, rear yard, construct 2nd story wood deck with stairs attached to dwelling (demolish existing deck); Install pool not permitted in side yard & install 6’ high fence forward of the dwelling which may substantially obstruct line of sight., E/s Saratoga St., 189.90’ S/o Lido Blvd., a/k/a 25 Saratoga St.

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. 182/24. POINT LOOKOUT - Paul Croce, Use variance to maintain garage converted to recreation room with roof over attached to dwelling., E/s Inwood Ave., 405’ S/o Lido Blvd., a/k/a 70 Inwood Ave.

LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S LEGAL NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORP., CSMC MORTGAGE-BACKED

PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-6, Plaintiff - against - MAGGIE HEYMAN, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on November 3, 2022. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 “Rain or Shine” on the 15th day of February, 2024 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Long Beach, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and state of New York. Premises known as 259 West Hudson Street, Long Beach, NY 11561.

(Section: 59, Block: 55, Lot: 50 and 51)

Approximate amount of lien $894,882.67 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.

Index No. 010922/2013.

Malachy P. Lyons, Esq., Referee.

McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170

Tel. 347/286-7409

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

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NASSAU

Index No. 614647/2021

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

--X VL BUYER LLC, Plaintiff,against- JOHN A. CURRY, JR., as Administrator of the Estate of Amanda M. Shuler a/k/a Amanda M.

Curry, JOHN A. CURRY, JR, CECIL CURRY GRANT, CAROLYN CURRY, RALISHA M. TEEMER, as Administrator of the Estate of DAISY CURRY TEEMER, CONSTANCE D. CURRY, CILISTINE CURRY BARNES, DERICK BENSON A/K/A DERRICK

BENSON, KIM BENSON MAYERS and CYNTHIA

CURRY SMITH, if they be living, if they be dead, their respective heirs-atlaw, 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 JOHN A. CURRY, JR., as Administrator of the Estate of Amanda M. Shuler a/k/a Amanda M.

Curry, JOHN A. CURRY, JR., CECIL CURRY GRANT, CAROLYN CURRY, DAISY CURRY TEEMER, CONSTANCE D. CURRY, CILISTINE CURRY BARNES, DERICK

BENSON A/K/A DERRICK

BENSON, KIM BENSON MAYERS and CYNTHIA

LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC, F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS INC., Plaintiff - against - LOUIS JOHN R. ANTONETTE, et al Defendant(s).

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU LOANCARE, LLC, V. THOMAS A. CURLEY, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated December 6, 2023, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein LOANCARE, LLC is the Plaintiff and THOMAS A. CURLEY, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY

All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Long Beach, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 59, Block 96 and Lot 218. Approximate amount of judgment is $647,819.24 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 023192/2007. 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.

Melissa Levin, Esq., Referee

ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in Lido Beach & Point Lookout within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available a t https://hempsteadny.gov/ 509/Board-of-Appeals

The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.gov/ 576/Live-Streaming-Video Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it. 145246

Dated: December 18, 2023

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

The above sale, originally scheduled for 2/15/2024 at 2:00 p.m. has been postponed. The new sale date is March 14, 2024 at 2:00 pm. at the same place. Malachy P. Lyons, Esq., Referee.

Dated: February 10, 2024 145227

CURRY SMITH, if they be dead, whether by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, including any right, title or interest in and to the real property described in the compliant herein all of who and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff; ESTATE OF AMANDA M. SHULER A/K/A AMANDA M. CURRY; L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., US BANK AS CUST FOR PFS FINANCIAL 1; T11 FUNDING; POINT 62 LLC; SUNSHINE CARE CORP.

D/B/A HEMPSTEAD PARK NURSING HOME; NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAX & FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; and JOHN AND JANE DOES 1-10, the last ten 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, Defendants.

--X 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); 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. Plaintiff designates Nassau County as the place of trial. The address of the real property is 79 Hudson Street, Long Beach, NY 11561, which is the basis of venue, and the object of this action is to foreclose on said real property. 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 tax lien holder who filed this tax lien foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the tax lien holder will not stop this tax lien foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (TAX LIEN HOLDER) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Notice of Electronic Filing: Efiling is mandatory for attorneys. For e-filing requirements, go to www.nycourts.gov. ROBERT BICHOUPAN, P.C., By: Carolyn Bichoupan, Esq., Attorneys for the Plaintiff, 175 East Shore Road, Ste. 270, Great Neck, New York 11023 (516) 482-1186. 145206

What’s neWs in and out of the classroom

PERSoN To PERSoN

Small numbers, substantial results

There’s something I like about small numbers. Especially 1, 2 and 3. For me, more than 3 is typically unmanageable. Everything I need to do, and everything I want to remember, should be no more than 3 at any one time. Let me give you 3 examples to illustrate what I mean:

If you’re running around trying to get 101 things done during the day, stop! Ask yourself what the 3 most important tasks are that you need to take care of today. Then get them done. 3 is manageable; 101 is not. If you finish the 3 and still have energy for more, do another 1. When you finish a task, take a moment to pat yourself on the back and say, “I’ve done it!”

only so much you can absorb at any one time. So, don’t read on until you’ve digested the first 3 ideas. Then, and only then, are you ready for more.

psychWisdom

Let’s say you’ve read an article entitled, “25 Ways to Get More Organized.” Twenty-five, are you serious? The author must think you’re just sitting around with nothing to do except master her obsessive-compulsive techniques. No, no, no! You’ve got a life to live. So, either throw that magazine out (1 task accomplished) or skim that article for an idea or two that might be helpful to you. Just 1, 2, or 3 will suffice.

If you’re having difficulties with technology, feeling like an idiot because you don’t understand a whole lot on your new digital device, stop! It’s all too much. Learn 1 thing, only 1! When you figure out this one feature, you’ll feel less tech challenged. Success is created with 1 accomplishment at a time!

LInda SapadIn

Big numbers can interfere with weight loss. If you want to lose weight, aim for 1, 2, or 3 pounds this week. Whatever you accomplish, that’s great! Next week, lose another pound or two. That’s it! You put on 1 or 2 pounds at a time; you take them off the same way!

If you’ve had a frustrating day and are ready to explode, don’t try to calm your anger by counting to ten. That doesn’t work. When you’re furious, counting to ten takes seconds and then wham, you erupt with more fury than before. Instead, take 3 deep breaths, inhaling slowly, exhaling slowly. If you still haven’t calmed down, take another 3 deep breaths. Then say something reassuring to yourself. Appreciate the closure as you put your frustration behind you.

Okay, have you gotten those suggestions down pat? If not, reread them, till they sink into your brain. I don’t care how many gray cells you have; there’s

Instead of enumerating all the faults of another as your anger revs up, choose 1 trait that’s most annoying to you. Then suggest a good time to discuss it. Fingers are not to be used to tally up the wicked, nasty, stupid things others do. Your fingers are meant for better things.

That’s all folks; enough is enough! I hope you spend the rest of this day enjoying yourself. Not enough of us do.

©2024

Linda Sapadin, Ph.D., psychologist, coach, and author specializes in helping people improve their relationships, enhance their lives, and overcome debilitating anxiety, procrastination and depression. Contact her at DrSapadin@ aol.com. Visit her website at www.PsychWisdom.com.

Public Notices

Young

Students get a

‘taste’ of reading at Lido Elementary

Lido Elementary School pre-K students in Long Beach were recently treated to a special

The

Thanks to the event, students got a real ‘taste’ of reading.

Photos courtesy Long Beach Public Schools A ‘menu’ of book options had students checking out all different kinds.

students at Lido Elementary School got a ‘taste’ of reading all sorts of books.

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Q. We are suing our contractor and need some advice. A year ago, we finished our second-floor addon and first-floor kitchen and rear family room remodel by opening up walls to join them. Everything seemed fine until it rained the first time. The windows began to leak at the bottom, and then around the tops and sides. Our new sliding glass door did the same. The basement flooded, and we are not in a flood area. Then the air-conditioning company said somebody disconnected the ducts, and when we opened the ceilings, more water poured down. The house is now filled with mold, which we clean with bleach where we can get to it, but we couldn’t move out and have two small children under age 4.

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.

Next, people are lazy, expecting that anyone they hire knows all the best techniques to build and knows all the rules, codes and laws. That was mistake number two. Even though you hire people, you should have gone over critical details, especially about waterproofing and structural techniques on the plans, to make sure that the building owner looks for those steps to be carried out. You, the building owner, I always say, are the “eyes and ears” on the job, since the architect often isn’t there at critical times, when waterproofing membranes and materials are joined.

Mistake number three was not doing a water test with a garden hose when the finish siding, windows roofing, etc., had been applied. Simulating rain by pointing a hose skyward so that the water cascades down — not a direct fire-hose hit — tells you right away if something is failing.

You’re going to need a licensed expert — an architect or an engineer — to work with your attorney. Document everything with videos during simulated or storm events to show the water coming in and whatever other failures, such as leaking and disconnected air ducts, and hire people who can do the job correctly as soon as you can. You need to have a healthy home for your family, and a lawsuit could take years while you possibly get sick from the mold and the chlorine you’re breathing. Good luck!

FREON

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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 large-scale 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 moving forward.

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-

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.

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.

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

Like my neighbors along the South Shore, over the course of several meetings, Equinor representatives failed to provide me with adequate information on the longterm 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.

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 residents of the Long

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 advancement, 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. 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.

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

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.

Anthony D’Esposito represents the 4th Congressional District.

HeraLd editoriaL Support the Local Journalism Sustainability Act a

s 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 partisan-

Letters

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

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

■ Contact State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick: (516) 766-8383

■ Contact Assemblyman Ari Brown: (516) 431-0500

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

ship, local news offers a path forward.

The time to act is now. That is why the Long Beach 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. Sponsored by state Sen. Brad Hoylman-

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 community in Nassau County, he decided to put them at further risk. Blakeman claims that

Sigal 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.

Let’s reconsider electrifying school buses statewide

New York state’s recent mandate to electrify all school buses is a fantasyland, progressive step toward a not-so-green future. Beneath the surface, there are glaring issues that threaten the feasibility of this ambitious initiative. While the intentions seem commendable, the lack of infrastructure, exorbitant costs, and practical challenges in certain regions cast a shadow over the state’s commitment to a cleaner environment.

arI

BrowN

This historic untested and unproven legislation aims for all new school bus purchases to be zero-emission by 2027, and would require that all buses in operation are electric by 2035. The budget includes next to no funding to help districts implement this transition, dedicating a paltry $500 million of the $20 billion that bus electrification would require.

Whichever side of the aisle you’re on when it comes to clean energy, we can all certainly agree that there must be the means to pay for this social experiment, and a methodology to ensure that the system will actually work — and here lies the problem. The state’s decision to

mandate bus electrification without addressing the critical issue of infrastructure is a classic case of putting the cart before the horse. The electrical grid, already strained in some areas, will face an unprecedented load with the addition of electric school buses, leading to potential power outages and system failures.

UThe financial burden of this mandate is another elephant in the room. Electric school buses cost nearly four times as much as conventional buses — roughly $450,000 per vehicle — which would put immense pressure on school districts already grappling with budget constraints. The mandate is an unfunded directive, forcing schools to divert resources from other essential needs, such as classroom supplies, teacher salaries and extracurricular activities.

athletics and other programs.

pstate, where temperatures can plunge, EVs sometimes just don’t work.

Another challenge arises during the frigid winter months, when battery storage and capacity are significantly diminished. In upstate New York, where temperatures can plunge to extreme lows, the effectiveness of electric buses becomes questionable — actually, it’s not questionable; the technology just doesn’t work. Students in these regions could face delayed or canceled bus service due to the weather’s effect on battery performance. The concerns about the reliability of electric buses in areas with harsh winters are real: They would put our children at risk.

mental impact of EVs, highlighting the need for a more holistic assessment of the supply chain.

The safety concerns associated with electric vehicles extend beyond their production. EVs are known to catch fire, and fighting those fires is uniquely challenging. The lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles are extremely difficult to extinguish once ignited, and firefighters often struggle to control such fires. This poses a risk not only to vehicle occupants — our students — but also to first responders, bystanders and the environment.

While electric buses may be a viable option for urban areas with shorter bus routes, the practicality diminishes in rural upstate regions. Some of those areas require buses with a range exceeding 150 miles to shuttle students effectively. The current EV technology falls short, making it clear that a one-size-fitsall approach is impractical. That would leave school districts in remote areas grappling with the dilemma of compromising on buses’ range by eliminating

“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 Herald’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 Suozzi. She 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

And while electric vehicles are often championed as a cleaner alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles, there is a dark side to their production that is frequently overlooked. The extraction of key materials essential for EV batteries, such as cobalt and lithium, involves intensive mining, leading to environmental degradation. It is widely acknowledged that the Democratic Republic of Congo, a major supplier of cobalt, uses unethical mining practices and child slave labor. The mining industry’s environmental toll, coupled with the exploitation of vulnerable communities, raises ethical questions about the true environ-

the truth about immigration: our economy and community is stronger because of it. Some leaders would have us think it’s a zerosum game when our country takes in immigrants, but that’s not true at all.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget office 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. Immigrants 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. Immigration truly is essential for our economic growth and our communities’ prosperity.

JoSEPH M. VARoN Long Island chapter, Bend the Arc West Hempstead

Perhaps Gov. Kathy Hochul, known for her commitment to renewable energy, could consider attaching one of her beloved wind turbines to each school bus to help power it. While that might sound like a whimsical suggestion, it underscores the lunacy of such legislation, which is being used as a diversion tactic while other real problems abound — problems like crime and the illegal migrant crisis. The governor wants us to waste our energy discussing fairy-tale ideas such as electric buses and windmills, all the while diverting needed education and security funding to illegal immigrants who have never paid a dime into our tax base.

Governor, it’s time to pump the brakes on this unfunded mandate.

Ari Brown represents the 20th Assembly District.