Long Beach Herald 06-22-2023

Also serving Point Lookout & East Atlantic Beach

Seniors cap off their high school careers

Long Beach High School’s 2023 graduates celebrated their achievements last Saturday, and began looking torward their next adventures.

He created a villain, the Bane of heroes

By BRENDAN CARPENTER bcarpenter@liherald.com

“No one cared who I was until I put on the mask.”

It’s an iconic line from an equally iconic comic book villain in the 2012 Batman film “The Dark Knight Rises.” But the mask-wearing Bane — played in the film by Tom Hardy wouldn’t have existed if it weren’t for a Nolan.

Not Christopher Nolan, the director. Instead, the Long Beach native who co-created the brute some 30 years ago, Graham Nolan.

Nolan was born into a family in 1962 that had already been in Long Beach for decades. His grandfather Nicholas Leo was the city’s last police chief before it shifted to commissioners. His father, Leo, opened Nolan’s Pub on Park Avenue.

Growing up attending Lindell School, Nolan remembers one teacher in particular: Mr. Schneider. He recalled how during his first year teaching, Schneider did something that would not only make school more enjoyable, but would also set Nolan up for the rest of his life.

Continued on page 10

Long Beach’s future continues to be the talk of the city

By BRENDAN CARPENTER & SEAN KENNEDY of the Long Beach Herald

The City of Long Beach has spent years studying how to take on a handful of challenges — senior housing, parking and transportation, parks in need of improvements and 40-year-old zoning codes. A new draft plan has been released in an attempt to get the ball rolling for the future.

The 377-page so-called Com-

prehensive Plan, focusing on these and other issues, was released on the city’s website late last month, and presented live to the public for comment and review at two open houses June 14 and 15. There was also a public hearing on Tuesday.

The document is the most farreaching plan to emerge from the city government in years. The process began in April 2022, when Long Beach officials and consultants shared their views virtually with residents. The city

has undertaken development plans in the past, including a Comprehensive Plan in 2007. That document included the

redesign and revitalization of the Stop & Shop plaza and the city’s downtown and commercial centers. The new plan includes similar proposals.

“It’s a framework to set the city’s economic, housing, conservation and resiliency priorities,”

Robert Collins, the project manager with SLR Consulting, told about 25 attendees at the open house last Thursday. “It also reviews the city’s past accomplishments and where we’re going in the next 10 years. It’s

supposed to supply guidance for prioritizing opportunities.”

The plan has five major “subdivisions.” The first is land use and zoning, and Collins said that in discussions with city officials and community members, it was clear that there are a number of issues with the current zoning code, which dates to the 1980s.

Most notably, the new plan notes that the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals “has assumed the roles and responsibilities for

Continued on page 17

Bob Arkow/Herald

It’s supposed to supply guidance for prioritizing opportunities.

RoBERT CollINS SLR Consulting

Herald staffers capture Press Club awards

Four staffers from Herald Community Newspapers earned recognition last week for their work over the past year during the annual Press Club of Long Island awards dinner in Woodbury.

Reine Bethany, currently the editor of the Uniondale Herald Beacon, won third place in the government and politics category for her stories focusing on the Cleveland Avenue athletic field controversy in Freeport while she was editor of the Freeport Herald. Elected leaders from the village and the school district have been at odds over what to do with the green space, as plans for a distribution center there could bring millions of dollars into the community.

Ana Borruto, editor of the Franklin Square/Elmont Herald, took third place in the crime and justice category for her web story “Justice for Julio,” about residents in Hell’s Kitchen holding a vigil for a Bay Shore High School graduate while writing for GreaterLongIsland.com.

Borruto joined Herald Community Newspapers as a senior reporter last November, and was promoted to editor of the Franklin Square newspaper a short time later.

“Our whole editorial team has shown a knack for understanding their communities and following the stories vital to their readers,” Michael Hinman, executive editor of Herald Community Newspapers,

said. “Recognition from the Press Club of Long Island — itself a chapter of the esteemed Society of Professional Journalists — is greatly appreciated.”

Longtime Herald staffer Laura Lane was recognized as one of the best print reporters on Long Island as she picked up

a third place award in the Reporter of the Year category. Lane’s stories that contributed to the honor included one that talked about who cares for the caregivers at Glen Cove Hospital, how ex-interns led Nassau County Legislator Josh Lafazan’s congressional campaign, the limited options

facing refugees, and the funeral of famed Teddy Roosevelt impersonator James Foote.

Lane, who has been with the Herald for roughly 20 years, serves as senior editor for the Glen Cove Herald, Oyster Bay Herald, and Sea Cliff/Glen Head Herald.

Barely a year after he started working full-time at the Herald, Michael Malaszczyk placed second in the environment narrative category. His story, “New York state adds to South Shore Estuary Reserve Act,” was highlighted.

Malaszczyk began freelancing for the Herald in March 2022 while a graduate student at Hofstra University. He became a full-time reporter a few months later in charge of the Seaford Herald and Wantagh Herald, where he was since promoted to senior reporter. All while continuing to pursue his graduate degree at Hofstra.

“There are many dedicated and hardworking journalists on Long Island, and Herald Community Newspapers is proud to be a part of that community as well as the communities our papers serve,” Jeffrey Bessen, the company’s deputy editor — and a Press Club of Long Island board member — said.

The Press Club of Long Island was established in 1974 as an independent press club after a reporter was jailed for failing to reveal a source. It is now one of SPJ’s largest pro chapters. It has honored member media organizations with an annual awards presentation since 1982.

Jeffrey Bessen/Herald

ThE PRESS Club of Long Island recognized journalism excellence at its annual dinner last week. Herald staffers Michael Malaszczyk, Laura Lane, center, and Ana Borruto show off their awards for the Wantagh Herald, Seaford Herald, Oyster Bay Herald and Franklin Square/Elmont Herald. Reine Bethany, editor of the Uniondale Herald Beacon, also was honored for her previous work with the Freeport Herald.

Serving, setting and spiking for city’s own

Inaugural volleyball tournament played in honor of Casey Skudin, and supports charity

By SEAN KENNEDY Intern

The sandy dunes of Point Lookout hosted a celebration last Friday in a feature of sport, camaraderie, and community, all in the name of one of Long Beach’s own — Casey Skudin.

The inaugural Casey Skudin Memorial Volleyball Tournament was held to not only raise awareness for charity, but also provided an outlet for all to celebrate a life tragically taken too soon.

The tournament was created in memory of Skudin, a member of the New York Fire Department and the Long Beach community, who tragically passed away a year ago on a family vacation to Asheville, North Carolina. He was killed instantly when a tree fell onto his family’s car. Skudin, 45, left behind his wide, Angela, and their two children, Ben and CJ.

In Casey’s memory, the tournament raised money for the 343 Fund, a charity that allows first responders to get the help they need with silent issues such as depression, PTSD, trauma and substance abuse.

The 343 Fund also describes itself as being “committed to providing access to alternative healing modalities, and shortterm financial assistance, for first responders and their families.”

“We’re here today to raise money for our first responders,” Angela Skudin said in her opening remarks. “When people want to find a different way to heal, that’s what the 343 Fund is for.”

Over a dozen courts saw teams hitting, spiking, and diving in a mix of competitiveness and playfulness in the sand on the sunny day. Each team registered also donated to the fund.

“It’s very, very hard to ask for help,” Jill Brodsky, the tournament’s organizer said. “We want to break that barrier down

and show that it’s okay to ask for help, and that we are here for you. I think as we continue to grow, and more and more people go through our programs, that stigma will begin to normalize, and support will continue to grow.”

The tournament not only served as a fundraiser, but it also provided a place where everyone touched and impacted by Casey Skudin’s life could gather together in celebration.

“The support has been absolutely unbelievable,” Brodsky said. “For all the people he touched to be here and support the foundation we started in his honor, it’s so amazing. Angela had the vision for this. I worked in the nonprofit space for a few years, and I’m so happy that I got the opportunity to put my experience and knowledge to use in a great way.”

ExciTEmENT-fillED vollEYBAll gAmES were the centerpiece of the memorial tournament for Casey Skudin.

ANgElA SKuDiN SpoKE to the large crowd that came out for her late husband before the volleyball games kicked off last Friday.

EAch TEAm ThAT competed in the tournament also donated to the 343 Fund.

Justine Stefanelli/Herald photos

ThE TurNouT for the inaugural Casey Skudin Memorial Volleyball Tournament was plentiful, to say the least.

Years later, a look back at the pandemic

By KARINA KOVAC kkovac@liherald.com

In December 2019, Adhi Sharma, the president of Mount Sinai South Nassau, first heard of the coronavirus. He thought back to the 2012 outbreak of the Middle East respiratory syndrome, known as MERS, which had a high mortality rate but was short-lived. Nonetheless, Sharma beginning preparing MSSN for whatever might come, because, he said recently, “You never know what these emerging infectious diseases are going to do.”

By January 2020, it was clear that the coronavirus was not going to be contained like MERS, and at a planning meeting the following month, the hospital administration began anticipating a “very, very bad pandemic,” Sharma said. What worried him most, he recalled, was, “If it is global, there’s no place to go for resources. Everyone’s competing for the same resources.”

The beginning of the wave

That February, the hospital purchased 40 ventilators from Florida, and scrounged locally for about a dozen more. On Feb. 27, MSSN had its first confirmed diagnosis, and the staff began masking immediately to limit exposure. The hospital couldn’t afford to lose staffers before the approaching wave.

In March, “Our beds (were) getting filled with Covid patients and there was really no good treatment,” Sharma said.

“We were stuck with really no scientific data and trying to manage the sickest of the sickest patients in the county with no good tools.”

Besides the fact that there was no treatment available, the mortality rate was frightening. The hospital’s morgue can hold eight bodies under normal circumstances, and 12 if needed. But 17 people a day were dying at the height of the pandemic, and three freezer tractor-trailers were needed to handle the management of remains.

“The mortality rates are one in three, one in four,” Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious diseases, recalled, “especially since we didn’t really know the best way to treat them.” And because they were learning as they went, patients were probably put on ventilators earlier than they would be now, staffers weren’t using steroids the same way they would later, and were giving patients some agents that preliminary studies suggested might be of some benefit, but that in hindsight may have done more harm that good.

“We were overwhelmed,” Glatt recounted, “so you couldn’t give them individualized attention.” The hospital’s intensive care unit has 22 beds, but at the height of the pandemic there were 100 ICU patients and 400 to 500 Covid patients overall. Spac-

es like the ambulatory area had to be converted to accommodate the sheer number of people coming in for treatment.

“They were essentially in every nook and cranny of the hospital,” Sharma said. The HVAC system had to be modified on the fly to take in outside air. The system was running so hard that the oxygen feed was icing up, and staff had to spray it with warm water until they could figure out a better method.

Keeping the community informed

Besides caring for those with the virus, the hospital was issuing constant press briefings to keep people up to date in a fast-changing environment. Glatt was — and still is — getting calls from people across the country, and at the height of it, he had 1,000 emails a day asking for advice.

“Nobody was an expert,” he said, “Anthony Fauci wasn’t an expert on it. He became an expert on it.” Not all of the information being shared was peer reviewed with standardized studies, so misinformation was prevalent. Glatt said they were all “grasping at straws.”

Nurses and staff, Stacey Conklin, chief nursing officer, recalled, “were extremely committed to the community during this entire time, especially at the very beginning of the pandemic, not knowing what was going on. There was fear — there was absolute fear. We were all afraid. … None of us had ever been involved in anything like this, you know, a huge public health emergency.”

No one at the hospital went without personal protective equipment, thanks to the relationship Conklin nurtured with the Mount Sinai Health System. Five members of the staff died of the virus, but, Conklin said, “We would not have been able to survive the crisis without the system.”

“Supply issues were really critical,” Joseph Calderone, senior vice president of corporate communications and development, added, “We, as a single, stand-alone hospital, could not have carried the weight.”

The hospital and the local community found ways to make nurses’ lives better through acts of kindness. An MSSN board member organized a heroes car parade,

expecting a small turnout — and about 400 vehicles cruised past the hospital. Nurses began playing the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” when a Covid-19 patient was discharged so they could “hear” the life they saved.

Schools sent encouraging letters to nurses. Bags were filled with groceries so nurses could tick shopping off their errand lists. And no staffer may ever forget the sheer volume of food funneled in by local restaurants.

The hospital built a Recharge Room to offer exhausted nurses respite. The room has had over 10,000 visits.

From doctors, respiratory therapists and pharmacists to the cleaning staff who disinfected treatment rooms and the engineers who revitalized the air circulation system, everyone had a part to play.

‘This small vial’ was the way out

On Dec. 15, 2020, Mount Sinai South Nassau unveiled the Pfizer vaccine and launched a comprehensive vaccination program. The effort reflected hope in “this small vial,” Sharma said at a news conference that day. The hospital was given 900 doses in a batch and started distributing 100 to 200 vaccines a day.

One of the most inspiring moments for Calderone was when “the folks here rolled up their sleeves publicly to try to dispel any questions about whether this was safe or not,” he recalled. “And it was, look, it’s a brand new vaccine, and it’s brand new technology. But they publicly, in our atrium here, took the vaccine, among other political leaders. And I thought that was a moment, a teaching moment for sure.”

It was the first feeling there was some type of protection against the virus, and that gave a sense of comfort to the community, especially the elderly. “We started to see the pandemic change its tone,” Sharma said. “It became more of managing this ebb and flow of respiratory wave after wave, but it wasn’t the same level of intensity … being one of the first areas hit hard, we never saw that level of activity again after the vaccine.”

Glatt said that although the vaccines have gotten more than their share of negative national attention, they are probably the single most important scientific advance in all of medicine, because they have saved millions of lives.

New Mount Sinai facility open in Long Beach

By SEAN KENNEDY Intern

In the decade since Superstorm Sandy, Long Beach and the barrier island have struggled for additional medical facilities — until now.

Mount Sinai South Nassau debuted their new, stateof-the-art medical facility on Wednesday that will allow Long Beach residents and those who live in nearby towns to have access to an array of specialty services

The $35 million dollar facility lies on the remains of the old Long Beach Medical Center at 440 East Bay Drive. For Mount Sinai, the new pavilion represents a commitment to bringing health care to the city so residents don’t need to continue traveling elsewhere for medical help.

“We made a commitment to Long Beach, and today that vision becomes a reality,” said Anthony Cancellieri, co-chair of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Board of Directors. “The pavilion is an important milestone in the hospital’s mission to ensure that residents have access to the advanced health care that they need and deserve, without having to go over the bridge.”

The pavilion includes 15 new examination rooms, four new procedure rooms and a new X-ray room, in addition to other services. The facility will allow the barrier island to access numerous specialty services, including cardiology treatment, gastroenterology, urology and pain treatment.

“The facility will provide leading medical specialists who can care for a wide range of conditions,” said Adhi Sharma, president of Mount Sinai South Nassau. “We plan to expand services here over time as the need demands.”

Mount Sinai also announced that the pavilion will create approximately 30 new jobs, including medical assistants, front desk support, and X-ray techs, as well as physicians and lab techs.

“We are pleased to see these much-needed medical services and employment opportunities return to Long Beach,” said Acting City Manager Ron Walsh. “The opening of the pavilion is also an important step toward rebuilding what was once a thriving sector of Long Beach’s economy.”

Mount Sinai South Nassau is no stranger to Long Beach, as they have three other locations on the barrier island, including their freestanding emergency department at 325 East Bay Drive.

“Those of us that live here remember when Sandy

to go elsewhere

CitY CouNCil PrESiDENt

John Bendo speaking to the crowd gathered for the ribbon cutting of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s new Long Beach facility Wednesday.

hit, we lost our businesses, our homes, and our medical care in this city,” said City Council President John Bendo. “Since then, we’ve rebuilt our homes, our businesses, and Mount Sinai has been our partner in rebuilding our medical services. This is the next big step in rebuilding our medical services here in Long Beach.”

Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford said she is certain that this medical pavilion will be an invaluable asset to the health, wellness and quality of life to the Long Beach community and residents. “In addition to offering barrier island residents convenient access to a wide range medical specialists and advanced diagnostic imaging and lab testing services, it will serve as a magnet to attract other essential medical specialists and healthcare services needed by the community,” she said.

Sean Kennedy/Herald

sports

Wild finishes highlight spring season

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

there was no shortage of thrilling finishes and heartbreak on Nassau County high school athletic fields this spring, capped by a nearly 4-hourlong Long Island Class A softball championship game between MacArthur and Bayport. Here’s a recap of the 10 wildest postseason endings to the 2022-23 sports year.

1. Carey 6, Plainedge 5

Class A softball first round

The Seahawks trailed 5-1 in the top of the sixth inning but staged a comeback of epic proportions still down three with two outs and nobody on base in the bottom of the seventh. Caylee DeMeo had a two-run single and winning pitcher Lauren Peers followed with a towering fly that dropped between outfielders, bringing home the tying and winning runs.

2. Calhoun 6, Mepham 5

Class A baseball semifinal

The host Colts were down three runs and down to their last out in Game 3 with nobody on base in the bottom of the seventh before pulling out a win for the ages. A hit batter, a single, and a walk set the stage for Joey Goodman, who blasted a walk-off grand slam over the fence in left.

3. Calhoun 6, South Side 5

Class B boys’ lacrosse semifinal

Jayden Finkelstein had a hat trick and an assist and junior goaltender Mark Restivo made 13 saves to propel the Colts to victory. Jake Lewis, Braden Garvey and Shaun Walters also scored as Calhoun avenged a 10-5 regular-season defeat to the Cyclones.

4. North Shore 11, South Side 10

Class C girls’ lacrosse semifinal

The Vikings trailed by five goals in the first half before rallying and eventually winning in triple overtime on a goal by Kylee Colbert.

5. Garden City 7, Calhoun 6

Class B boys’ lacrosse championship

Garden City, which defeated the Colts handily, 16-8, April 21, had its hands full in the rematch on the county title stage and scored the decisive goal with 1:48 remaining off the stick of Carson Kraus. Lewis scored three times for Calhoun and had the potential tying goal nullified with seconds remaining due to a crease violation.

6. Garden City 9, Long Beach 8 Class B girls’ lacrosse championship

For the second straight year Long Beach fell a goal short of topping Garden City for the county title. A late goal by Garden City’s Kendal Morris with 2:41 left in the second half proved the difference. Delaney Chernoff had a hat trick and Delaney Radin added four points for the Marines.

7. Manhasset 13, North Shore 12 Class C girls’ lacrosse championship

The Vikings dropped an OT heartbreaker after leading 12-9 with less than six minutes remaining in regulation. Colbert had seven goals to finish the campaign with 101. Ava Bartoli and Daniela Martini scored twice apiece.

8. Seaford 1, Center Moriches 0 L.I. Class B softball championship

Scoreless in the bottom of the ninth, the Vikings captured their first Long Island crown in walk-off fashion on Kaitlyn Young’s bases-loaded single to left with one out to bring home Gabby Bellamore. Pitcher Skyler Secondino dominated in the circle with 15 strikeouts.

9. Babylon 6, Seaford 5 L.I. Class B baseball championship

One strike away from making more program history after winning its firstever county title, Seaford baseball was unable to shut the door against Babylon. The Phantoms scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth to win it in unbelievable fashion after the Vikings plated three runs in the top of the inning.

10. Bayport 4, MacArthur 2 L.I. Class A softball championship

After defeating Clarke for the county championship in a series that went the distance, MacArthur gave everything it had in a marathon L.I. Class A title game before falling in 12 innings. The Generals tied it in their final turn at-bat on star pitcher Taylor Brunn’s RBI double.

Brian Ballweg/Herald photos KAITLYN YOuNG, ABOVE, had the walk-off hit for Seaford in its 1-0 victory over Center Moriches in the Long Island Class B softball title game.

KYLEE COLBErT’S GOAL in triple overtime lifted North Shore over South Side in a thrilling Nassau Class C girls’ lacrosse semifinal.

Bank of America presenting sponsor of new WE Summit

More women are leading businesses than ever before, and Bank of America is on the forefront to support those efforts, whether across the country or here on Long Island.

Bank Of America has been named the presenting sponsor of the inaugural Women’s Executive Summit, set for Monday, Aug. 7 at The Crescent Beach Club in Bayville.

Hosted by Herald Community Newspapers and RichnerLive, the WE Summit highlights how every business around the world is undergoing salient changes to the way they operate, no matter what industry they’re in.

Courtesy Bank of America

ThE inAuguRAl WOmEn’S Executive Summit — presented by Bank of America and hosted by Herald Community Newspapers and RichnerLive — takes place Monday, Aug. 7 at The Crescent Beach Club in Bayville.

From technology use and investment. To skill development and cultural barriers. To equal pay and going hybrid — or fully remote. Every organization must adapt, or run the risk of being left behind.

As we navigate this time of pivotal change, the 2023 WE Summit brings together thought leaders, innovators, and barrier-breaking women for conversations around the theme “The Future is Now.”

“We are excited for the opportunity to partner with Bank of America at the Women’s Executive Summit,” Amy Amato, executive director of RichnerLive, said in a release. “Since the pandemic, the work space has evolved dramatically, and we are bringing thought leadership together to help navigate these uncharted water.”

For more information on how to be a part of the Women’s Executive Summit, visit RichnerLive.com/2023-we-summit.

State of the Art Dental Technology

with Michael and Suzanne Ettinger Attorneys-at-Law

Second Marriage Planning

In second marriage planning, a co-trustee is sometimes recommended on the death of the first spouse. While both spouses are living and competent they run their trust or trusts together. But when one spouse dies, what prevents the other spouse from diverting all of the assets to their own children? Nothing at all, if they alone are in charge. While most people are honorable, and many are certain their spouse would never do such a thing, strange things often happen later in life. A spouse may become forgetful, delusional or senile or may be influenced by other parties. Not only that, but the children of the deceased spouse tend to feel very insecure when they find out their stepparent is in charge of all of the couple’s assets.

If you choose one of the deceased spouse’s children to act as co-trustee with the surviving spouse there is a conflict that exists whereby the stepchild may be reluctant to spend assets for the surviving spouse, because whatever is spent on that spouse comes out of the child’s inheritance. Then what if stepparent gets remarried? How will the stepchild trustee react to that event? What if it turns out the stepchild liked the stepparent when his parent was living, but not so much afterwards?

Here is where the lawyer as co-trustee may provide an ideal solution. When one parent dies, the lawyer steps in as co-trustee with the surviving spouse. The lawyer helps the stepparent to invest for their own benefit as well as making sure the principal grows to offset inflation, for the benefit of the deceased spouse’s heirs.

The stepparent in this case takes care of all their business privately with their lawyer. The trusts cannot be raided. These protections may also be extended for IRA and 401(k) money passing to the spouse through the use of the “IRA Contract”. Surviving spouse agrees ahead of time that they will make an irrevocable designation of the deceased spouse’s children as beneficiaries when the IRA is left to the surviving spouse, and further agrees that any withdrawals in excess of the required minimum distribution (RMD) may only be made on consent of the lawyer.

When the trust terms are read the deceased spouse’s children are relieved by the protection that has been set up for them, have no concern about the stepparent’s having sole control of the assets and the relationship between them may continue to grow and flourish.

ETTINGER LAW FIRM

ELDER LAW ESTATE PLANNING SINCE 1991 trustlaw.com Trusts

Tenants don’t want rents going up this year

Landlords blame economy, need for upgrades, for raise request

By BRANDON CRUZ bcruz@liherald.com

They don’t just want to pause rent increases in rentstabilized apartments in Nassau County. They want to go back to 2021, before the Nassau County Rent Guidelines Board allowed 2 percent increases on one-year leases, and 3.5 percent on two-year leases.

Those tenants along with politicians supporting them banded together at the Hempstead Town Hall last week to issue those demands, which were set for a final vote on Wednesday after the Herald’s publication deadline.

The rent guidelines board is responsible for imposing rent caps on rent-stabilized apartments in the county, a quarter of which are in Hempstead. Rent stabilization was implemented in 1962 to help prevent the displacement of low- and middleincome residents from excessive rent increases in an effort to provide affordable housing.

Buildings offering rent-stabilized units are typically larger properties built before 1974 that are privately owned and operated.

“Democracy is a participation sport, and it’s essential that people go out and voice their concern,” Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages said.

Last week’s demonstrations were organized by the Long Island Progressive Coalition, Working Families Party, and Nassau Democratic Socialists of America.

Jeremy Joseph, an advocate and organizer with DSA, claims tenants weren’t notified about the open hearings regarding raising their rent.

“We knocked on a lot of doors, we put up flyers in buildings,” he said. “By the next day, almost all of those flyers were taken down by landlords because they don’t want their tenants to come out and speak their minds.

“Every year landlords show up because it’s their job to know about this. They want to raise the rent as much as they can, but they don’t tell the tenants.”

Landlords seeking another raise in rent due to infla-

tion and because they say they want to use the extra money to help upgrade poor conditions of the buildings they own. Richard Rush, a landlord whose real estate firm owns and manages various apartments throughout Nassau, said the buildings “require a lot of repairs and maintenance to upkeep, and landlords should be incentivized to maintain their buildings for the benefit of the tenants.”

But Darinel Velasquez, an advocate from New York Communities for Change, says it is absurd landlords need to feel incentivized in order to provide an inhabitable space to their tenants.

“Landlords have been making consistent profit every year while failing to maintain and upkeep the buildings they own,” he said.

Data compiled by the tent guidelines board reveals the consumer price index surged by nearly 4 percent in the metropolitan area over the past year through April. Meanwhile, Nassau landlords saw their income grow nearly 3 percent, but their expenses expand wider at nearly 4.5 percent between 2021 and 2022.

However, tenant advocates are questioning the credibility of this data, claiming it was developed by landlords and lacked independent auditing. Landlords, however, say the data inflates their income by incorporating earnings from non-stabilized units, which they say are considerably more profitable.

The state’s housing and community renewal division has found the average rent for a rent-stabilized apartment in Nassau County was $1,474 per month in 2022, resulting

AssemBLywOmAN mIChAeLLe sOLAges tells the Nassau County Rent Guidelines Board it should carefully consider the impact any rent increase would have right now on tenants working through the same inflationary pressures as landlords.

in a profit of more than $360 per month for landlords.

Joseph calls this new attempt to raise rents to nothing more than landlord greed, who place profits over people and already charge more than market value for their other non-stabilized properties.

“The problem with treating housing like a commodity is that its value outpaces our wages,” he said.

Some tenants shared with the rent guidelines board their issues with their landlords, while they as tenants continue to struggle financially.”

Some tenants claimed they were pressured into signing leases without reading them, having their rent randomly raised, and even charging upward of $150 per month for parking.

That has forced some residents, like Melissa Devone, a 62-year-old battling lung cancer, to park three blocks away from her apartment after chemo treatments because she simply cannot afford that additional monthly expense.

Tenants also claimed rodents run rampant through many units, mold, a lack of security and sense of safety, lack of maintenance and upkeep, and an overall lack of quality living.

Although the vote was expected to happen this week, some organizations do offer free legal resources for tenants who might find themselves in an untenable situation. Long Island Housing Services is a private, non-profit fair housing advocacy and enforcement agency serving Nassau and Suffolk counties. They can be reached at LIFairHousing.org.

Brandon Cruz/Herald photos

PROtesteRs fROm LONg IsLAND Progressive Coalition, the Working Families Party, and Nassau Democratic Socialists of America come together for a quick group photo before heading into the Nassau County Rent Guidelines Board hearing to voice their opinions about proposed increases to rent-stabilized apartment leases in Nassau County.

Democracy is a participation sport, and it’s essential that people go out and voice their concern.

mIChAeLLe sOLAges Assemblywoman

City announces two new beachside initiatives

By SEAN KENNEDY Intern

The City of Long Beach recently announced the implementation of two new initiatives Saturday that they hope can keep both beachgoers and their beaches healthy all season long.

Along the boardwalk, beach clean-up stations, along with sunscreen dispensers much like those with hand sanitizer, will each provide people with the opportunity to protect their skin from the sun and the sand from their trash.

“These two exciting programs are made possible by the generosity of our community partners,” City Council President John Bendo said. “We have two goals in mind with these programs. We want healthy beaches and waterways, and we also want to keep our beachgoers safe on all our beaches.”

The beach cleanup stations has been a concept that was brought to life after years of consideration. The stations, which have multiple trash and recycling bins snugly placed by the boardwalk entrances and exits, are not hard to miss.

The clean-up stations are located at the ramp entrances at Edwards Boulevard, Minnesota Avenue and Neptune Boulevard.

“We are thrilled to officially debut the city’s Beach Cleanup Station Program,” said Acting City Manager and Police Commissioner Ronald Walsh. “The city’s Environmental Advisory Board has been

advocating for this concept for years.”

The initiative was brought about in hopes that the community and beachgoers alike could give back without much effort.

“This new program really aligns with our goals,” Walsh said. “Our goal with this program is to encourage residents and visitors alike to do their part in keeping our beaches clean and beautiful, while having a positive impact on our local environment.”

The instructions for the program are simple — beachgoers can take a bucket at any of the stations, pick up all trash, litter and any other unwanted or used items, and when the bucket is full, the bucket can be dumped at the receptacles near the station.

In addition to the beach cleanup initiative, the city announced a fleet of sunscreen stations to help beachgoers keep themselves safe from the sun while enjoying it.

“We’re so excited to announce that we’re able to offer sunscreen free-ofcharge all along our beaches, all summer long,” said Dr. Jeremy Fenton of Schweiger Dermatology Group.

The city will provide a total of 20 sunscreen dispensers located at all boardwalk beach ramp entrances from New York Avenue all the way down to Neptune and Pacific Boulevards. Each of the sunscreens at the dispensers are all natural, water resistant, broad spectrum and paraben-free.

In addition to stations along the boardwalk, the city is also placing touch-free dispensers at each of the lifeguard station buildings. There are three buildings, located at Neptune and Riverside Boulevards and New York Avenue.

“Just like our lifeguards keep everyone safe in the water, this program will help ensure residents and visitors alike will have everything they need to enjoy the sun safely,” Bendo said. “We’re very appreciative of Schweiger Dermatology for their partnership in bringing these stations to Long Beach.”

The sunscreen stations came about in order to remedy a silent problem amongst beachgoers across the nation, but especially in the local area.

“Unfortunately, it’s difficult for some of us to remember to bring our sunscreen,” said Fenton. “We hope that all beachgoers can keep themselves safe with these stations. As a dermatologist in Long Beach, I unfortunately see a lot of skin cancer. One-in-five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer at some time in their life and sunscreen is the best way to protect ourselves against that possibility.”

citY officials showcased the new Beach Cleanup Station Program to help keep the sand clean this summer season.

Courtesy Stacey Sweet

Batman can thank L.B. native for his troubles

Graham Nolan has made his mark in comics, co-creating some of the biggest stories

continued from front page

“He brought in a stack of comic books for the kids to read during recess,” Nolan said. “I latched onto this Justice League comic, thinking it was so cool. It lit a little light bulb over me.”

Nolan was always drawing, but he never knew what to exactly to create. He used to draw anything, like one time a house was being built across the street from school. So, he looked out the school window and drew the house.

But when he discovered comics, Nolan immediately knew that’s what he wanted to do.

Nolan’s family moved out of Long Beach in 1974, landing on Florida’s Space Coast, specifically Indian Harbour Beach. He brought what he fell in love with from one beach to another, continuing to draw comic book-style art. He would copy the professionals — especially his favorite artist, John Romita Sr., who co-created Spider-Man sidekick Mary Jane Watson, and who died earlier this month.

When he got to Satellite High School in Satellite Beach, Nolan enrolled in advanced art classes. He continued those classes at nearby Brevard Community College — now known as Eastern Florida State College. He then enrolled in The Kubert School in New Jersey, which offers education in cartooning and graphic art.

“Joe Kubert is a legend,” Nolan said. “He’s one of the great comic book illustrators of all time, and he started this school back in 1976. So, I went up there, went to that school for a couple of years, and then I ran out of money. I could’ve gone back and finished, but I developed my skills enough that I could get small jobs and learn the rest.”

That school also gave Nolan his first professional artwork sale. One of his professors was an editor for DC Comics, editing the book “Talent Showcase.” The professor bought two of Nolan’s classroom projects, and published them.

Nolan would continue to work independently — as the business is primarily all freelance work — ultimately draring for various companies like DC, Marvel and Eclipse Comics.

Eventually, comics became more and more violent. Two of the most popular characters at the time — Wolverine and the Punisher, both co-created by Romita — killed their enemies. Dennis O’Neill, the Batman editor at the time, was getting fan mail saying the Caped Crusader needed to start doing so as well. O’Neill wasn’t fond of the idea, and he wanted to prove to fans why. But he first needed a villain that would drive Batman to that point of life or

death.

That villain became Bane.

Comic book writer Chuck Dixon had the idea the villain should be like an “evil Doc Savage,” a mid-1900s comic book character. Savage was an extremely smart person, and they wanted Bane to be the same.

“So that was the basic idea, that he was going to be super strong and super smart,” Nolan said. “He was also going to be raised in a prison for crimes his father committed, so he was completely innocent and basically turned into a monster by his environment.”

Designing Bane, Nolan looked at Mexican luchador masks and costumes as a model. He also gave the character military pants and boots, as well as a device on his arm that would automatically inject him with a steroid called “venom” that would make him even stronger. They couldn’t show needles because they weren’t allowed in comics at the time.

Bane made his debut in 1993, in “Batman: Vengeance of Bane, No. 1.”

Three decades later, some of Nolan’s original Bane artwork still exists, and is currently being auctioned by Heritage Comics. Some of the pieces already have bids for close to $7,000.

Bane has been remade numerous times in television and movies — both animated and live action. Nolan isn’t a major fan of the renditions for the most part, since those creators took a lot of liberties when

representing Bane.

“They don’t capture the character,” Nolan said of the remakes. “The first time he appeared in ‘Batman and Robin,’ he was just a big dummy. Then, in the (2012) movie, you think he’s a bright guy and you think he’s a mastermind, and then you get to the end and he’s just a lovesick puppy dog.”

To this day, Batman has yet to kill Bane. At least directly. Even as portrayed by Tom Hardy, Bane dies not at the hands of

Christian Bale’s Batman, but instead by Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman.

Still, it is cool to see his character constantly brought back to life, and Nolan acknowledges Hollywood does change for movies and entertainment. He still wishes, though, they kept to his original 1990s character.

When asked how many tries it took for him to perfect his iconic comic book villain, Nolan’s reply was simple: One.

Courtesy Graham Nolan

Long Beach’s own Graham Nolan has co-created a number of comic book villains and artwork over the years. But none are more famous than Batman villain Bane.

Courtesy Heritage Auctions some of graham Nolan’s original artwork is up for auction, each piece worth thousands of dollars. The Long Beach native has worked on a number of comic book villains over the years, co-creating the popular Batman bad guy Bane, played by actor.

THE

June 30

Motor City Revue

Journey back in time to 1960s Detroit and the birth of the Motown sound, when Motor City Revue visits the Landmark stage, Friday June 30, 8 p.m. This 11-piece tribute band will have you dancing and singing along to the songs immortalized by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Supremes and countless others. From Hitsville to Soulsville, they’ll perform it all, with a passion and delivery of the true Motown sound that is undeniable. Their ability to match the vocal harmonies and instrumental mix that distinguished the original recordings is not to be missed. Everyone will be humming along to these iconic tunes that defined a generation, in this authentic recreation of the great era that revolutionized the music industry. $47, 42, $38. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

In a ‘New York State of Mind’

Plaza Theatrical continues its season with “All About Joel: A Billy Joel Tribute,” 2:30 p.m. David Clark’s stunningly accurate piano playing, lead vocals and an eerily similar stage look to the Piano Man himself delights audiences, while engaging everyone with wit and humor. Come hear all your favorite tunes including “Just the Way You Are,” “New York State of Mind,” “Piano Man,” and so many more. It’s performed at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s exhibition, “Eye And Mind: The Shin Collection,” highlights the extraordinary collection masterworks assembled by 31-year-old connoisseur Hong Gyu Shin, an internationally recognized figure in the global art world. He shares his treasures, including works by Whistler, Lautrec, Boucher, Daumier, Delacroix, Klimt, Schiele, Balthus, Warhol, de Kooning, Gorky and many other important names from art history provocatively juxtaposed with the painting and sculpture of our own time from both Asia and the West. On view through July 9. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Summer sounds

Radio Flashback rocks

Eisenhower Park, Saturday, June 24, 8 p.m. Highlighted by their 4-part harmonies, this is a classic rock tribute to the music, the artists and the experiences everyone fondly remembers. Bring seating. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. For information, visit NassaucCountyNY.gov.

Fireworks display along the beach

Enjoy the City of Long Beach’s annual holiday fireworks display, Friday, July 7. Fireworks will be visible from anywhere along the boardwalk and beachfront, starting at approximately 9:10 p.m. Always a good tiime for all. For more information, visit LongBeachNY.gov.

Taco Tuesday

The Cabana offers having its weekly taco Tuesday specials all day long, Tuesday, June 20. Tacos will be available for $1, with a two-drink minimum, for all restaurantgoers, at 1034 W. Beech St. For more information, call (516) 889-1345 or visit TheCabanaLBNY.com.

June 22

Film Screening

See “Harvey: The Voice for the Voiceless,” Thursday, June 22, 6 p..m., at the Martin Luther King Center. It examines the life of longtime resident Harvey Weisenberg. 615 Riverside Blvd. For more information, visit LongBeachNY.gov.

Vendor fair

The Long Beach Chamber of Commerce holds its annual vendor fair, Saturday and Sunday, June 24-25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Arts, crafts, jewelry and more will be sold in the Long Beach Catholic Regional School parking lot. 721 W. Broadway. For more information, visit TheLongBeachChamber. com.

Having an event?

Family Bat Walk

July 24 June 29

Stroll Old Westbury Gardens with Gabriel Willow, a New York Citybased urban naturalist and environmental educator, Saturday, July 8, 7:30-9:30 p.m. He will lead a walk through the gardens to listen and look for bats while discussing bat ecology and conservation. All ages are welcome. Space is limited and reservations are required. Rain date is Saturday, July 15. 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information contact (516) 333-0048 or visit OldWestburyGardens.org.

Arts in the Plaza

Arts in the Plaza takes over Kennedy Plaza each Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Handcrafted art, custom jewelry, gifts, photography and more can be seen and purchased. For more information, visit ArtsInThePlaza.com.

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

Alzheimer’s Community Forum

Participate in an important Alzheimer’s Community Forum, in partnership with Bristal Assisted Living and the Long Island Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Thursday, June 29 , 11:30 a.m., at Lynbrook Public Library. The session is an opportunity to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and memory loss. Review the basics of these conditions, Alzheimer’s Association services and how to expand the reach of available programs and services. 56 Eldert St. Visit LynbrookLibrary.org; to learn more about the Long Island Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, visit ALZ.org/LongIsland or call the 24/7 helpline at (800) 2723900.

Westbury House Tour

For many years For many years visitors to Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens asked what was beyond the first floor corridor. Now beyond the door and discover “secrets of the service wing,” during a 60-minute guided tour, Friday, June 23, noon; Sunday, June 25, 1:30 p.m.; Monday, June 26, noon, Wednesday, June 28, noon; Thursday, June 29, noon and 1:30 p.m. Be introduced to the intensive labor required to create the lifestyle experienced by the Phipps family and their guests; tour the many rooms that were “behind the scenes” to create the formal dining experiences of early 20th century. Visit corridors to the butler’s pantry and silver cleaning room then descend the 17 steps to the kitchen, scullery, and wine storage rooms located on the ground floor. Reservations required. 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information contact (516) 333-0048 or visit OldWestburyGardens.org.

Gala shares pride in PFY

It was a celebration of 30 years proving service and guidance to the young LGBTQ community of Long Island, and it was a celebration in style.

PFY — formerly known as Pride for Youth — raised thousands of dollars for its Long Island Crisis Center programs last week during its annual gala at Westbury Manor.

Special guest at this year’s event was Maulik Pancholy, the openly gay actor many would know for his roles in the NBC sitcom “30 Rock” as well as the children’s series “Phineas and Ferb.”

maulik Pancholy, acTor from shows like ’30 Rock’ and ‘Star Trek: Discovery,’ shares why organizations like the Long Island Crisis Center’s PFY group are so important to helping the LGBTQ community. The gala at Westbury Manor raised tens of thousands of dollars for PFY’s programs.

“I think the gala is going to be a time for us to kind of get together and reflect on where we have come as an agency, where we need to go as an agency, and really honor the pioneering leadership and spirit that has laid

the groundwork that has made PFY what it is,” PFY director Devon Zappasodi told the Herald ahead of the event.

The organization was originally intended for young people, but grants have allowed PFY to expand to serve anyone who identifies as LGBTQ on Long Island and in Queens.

The crisis center operates a 24/7 hotline for people with mental health crises, and PFY was formed in 1993

after former executive director Linda Leonard noticed an influx of calls from members of the LGBTQ community.

“They were actually getting a lot of calls on the hotline for folks who were looking for LGBTQ services, such as counseling … or support groups,” said Tawni Engel, the crisis center’s associate executive director. “There was nothing like that that existed at the time.”

Anyone seeking more information or help can visit LICCPFY.org.

Photos courtesy Jonah Murdoch

The sTaff from Long Island Crisis Center’s PFY group that focuses on the LGBTQ community of Long Island and Queens, gather for a group picture during the organization’s annual gala last week at Westbury Manor, celebrating 30 years of the program on Long Island.

Another public hearing is set for next month

reviewing site/land development applications in addition to their responsibilities for area and use variance reviews.”

Instead, the plan suggests, “Land development applications, including site plan, subdivision and special use permits, may be better accommodated by a Planning Commission/Board used in many municipalities.”

Housing is another focus of the plan, which explores everything from affordability to availability. Transportation and circulation are a third major topic, including vehicles in the city and biking on the boardwalk as well as the Long Island Rail Road. Like many other Long Island municipalities, Long Beach would like to make better use of its downtown transportation facilities. The plan calls for a “Transit Oriented Development District that would allow mixed-use development at/near/adjacent to the Long Island Rail Road station.”

Community facilities and infrastructure come into play as well, along with parks and cultural and historical resources. The city has updated some of its parks recently, including Magnolia Park, which underwent a complete overhaul.

“Lastly, and probably most important-

ly, is sustainability and resiliency,” Collins said. “With Long Beach being an oceanfront community, there’s a lot of need to make sure that you’re developing systems that are resilient to extreme weather events.”

Resident Robert Delury was one of the few attendees who spoke or asked questions at the June 15 open house. He asked why it has been so long since the city zoning code has been updated, and why nothing has changed. “You’re saying we’re at the implementation stage of the plan,” he told Collins, but we’ve been here so many times.”

At the public hearing on Tuesday night, city officials addressed the plan, and acknowledged residents’ feedback at the previous week’s open houses. Among the subjects of discussion was bikes.

“I think it’s great that on the redeveloped north-south boulevards, they did include bike lanes,” resident Charles Gary said. “The elephant in the room are the east-west bike lanes, perhaps on somewhere like Park Avenue, Broadway or both.”

Another issue that residents raised was the upcoming state offshore wind project by the Norwegian energy compa-

ny Equinor that will necessitate the laying of cables underneath several streets, and what effect that might have.

“You can’t do a comprehensive plan unless you forecast the future,” resident Kathleen Sullivan said. “Your future is what you are destroying with this project, and you’re not doing enough research.”

Patti Bourne, the city’s director of economic development, said that one of the

themes that emerged during the open houses was the importance of moving forward with zoning updates.

“That was one of our most important priorities,” Bourne said, “so we will be looking and talking about zoning in the future.”

Another public hearing is scheduled for July 18, after which the City Council will vote on the plan.

Brendan Carpenter/Herald

Residents placed gReen stickers next to points they thought were most important during last week’s open house.

Y ou can’t do a comprehensive plan unless you forecast the future.

Kathleen sullivan resident

Welcoming all at Temple Emanu-El in L.B.

Annual Pride Shabbat saw a

By BRENDAN CARPENTER bcarpenter@liherald.com

Temple Emanu-El of Long Beach has been an epicenter of cultural and religious events across the city for quite some time. Special Shabbats, performances and talks have brought different people from different backgrounds together as one.

The temple hosted its Pride Shabbat on last Friday, June 16, right in the middle of the countrywide Pride Month. Pride Month is currently celebrated each year to recognize the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a major point during the Gay Liberation Movement in the country.

turnout in support of the LGBTQ community

community is very fluid and it’s very challenging. Locally and across various states, there’s reexamining of a lot of laws that protected this demographic and they are being challenged. So it’s so important, I think, and we saw a really great response.”

Zanerhaft said people can often be not so accepted, so he hopes the temple can achieve becoming a place they always are. The temple has been hosting this special Shabbat since 2017.

JACK ZANERhAfT Rabbi

The Shabbat had some special and unique inclusions. There were songs that were all related to the theme. There were also rainbow flags all over the temple. Rabbi Jack Zanerhaft said they really wanted to make it clear that the temple is very inclusive and embraces all different kinds of thinking.

“We were very pleased with the turnout,” Zanerhaft said. “Right now, the environment and the climate for the LGBTQ

Collette Lee-Morales, cofounder of NY Fit Fest, a major fitness and health event that comes to Long Beach each year, was a guest speaker at the Shabbat.

“Our speaker was very well received,” Zanerhaft said of Lee-Morales. “She was inspirational in her words love. The theme of loving yourself, loving others and loving who you love really resonated. It was just an important moment.”

Zanerhaft said later that night, after the Shabbat ended, he saw a number of social media posts discussing the event and calling the temple a “voice in the community.” He said this is what he wanted to show and convey to all community

members.

The temple isn’t done with their special events, though. On June 28, a much different event will be happening. There will be an informative lecture on the Jewish influences on the life and work of Albert Einstein.

The temple will have numerous more events throughout the year, including special and unique one, like when there was a little bit of the green there. That was

when the temple celebrated “Shabbat for Irish History Month” to connect the Jewish and Irish communities on the barrier island in March.

“We feel very strongly about making sure people are included,” Zanerhaft said in a past interview. “Whether it’s people who are Jewish, have a partner who’s Jewish, or not, have a place to pray, a place to come together and a place to celebrate holidays.”

respectable

Keith Rossein/Herald huly KARAsiN, MAy Karasin and Cantor Lisa Klinger-Kantor lit candles to start the night.

We were very pleased with the turnout.

commitment have made a difference in the health and well-being of others.

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City council adopts new anti-Semitism definition

By BRENDAN CARPENTER bcarpenter@liherald.com

The Long Beach City Council voted Tuesday night to adopt a definition of anti-Semitism for the city. Every council member, and Acting City Manager Ron Walsh, voted to adopt.

The city adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism, which defines it by saying “antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

“In New York State, Southampton, Rockville Centre, Yorktown, Greensburg, Huntington, Great Neck Suffolk County, Nassau County, North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Glen Cove and Lindenhurst have all adopted a working definition for anti-Semitism,” Walsh said. “Anti-Semitism and hatred of all kinds, unfortunately, is a real thing.”

Long Beach has a sizable Jewish community to say the least. Walsh said one of his focuses when he came here was to try and make sure that the Jewish community had a voice. He said he felt not only that they were respected, but that when incidents of anti-Semitism took place, the city fully investigated them.

“In this day in age, it’s a little unfathomable to me that we have to vote on something like this,” City Council President John Bendo said. “In this day in age, anti-Semitism is still something we’re wrestling with. It says something about us as a society that it’s still an issue.”

Rabbi Jack Zanerhaft, the spiritual leader of Temple Emanu-El of Long Beach, spoke to the council, commending

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

the city’s constant support of the Jewish community. Temple Emanu-El frequently holds inclusive events and Shabbat’s, including a Pride Month Shabbat last week.

“We’re grateful for that relationship and we’re grateful for this council’s response,” Zanerhaft said to a crowded room. “So much of this is focused on the Jewish community, but I wanted to remind all of us it’s not a Jewish problem. It’s not only a Jewish problem, but also a human problem. It’s both at the same time.”

Rabbi Isaac Attia, the director of Long Beach Jewish Experience, also spoke to the council before the adoption. He read a letter that he and other rabbis from the city wrote in support of the decision.

“We commend the city council’s commitment to standing with the American Jewish Committee and the Jewish community worldwide in the ongoing fight against anti-Semitism,” he said. “Anti-Semitism remains a persistent and deeply concerning issue not only locally, but also globally. The Long Beach City Council sends a powerful message of solidarity, reaffirming its dedication to combating hate and discrimination.”

Attia spoke for himself and the other local rabbis, saying they are proud to stand alongside the American Jewish Committee and the city council. He said they firmly believe that the adoption of this definition will not only protect Jewish individuals from hatred and bigotry, but will also contribute to the promotion of diversity, harmony and mutual respect among all Long Beach residents.

Councilwoman Tina Posterli said “this is a very important step in combating hate and discrimination in all forms” before quickly voting yes. The rest of the council voted yes without question.

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU BETHPAGE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, V. STEPHEN T. GOLEGO, ET. AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated April 10, 2023, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein BETHPAGE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION is the Plaintiff and STEPHEN T. GOLEGO, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on July 18, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 139 WEST PENN STREET, LONG BEACH, NY 11561: Section 59, Block 74, Lot 157: 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 will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 612230/2017. Peter Kramer, Esq. (516-5104020) - 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.

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NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as owner trustee for RCF 2 Acquisition Trust c/o U.S. Bank Trust National Association, Plaintiff AGAINST James Connelly a/k/a James M. Connelly; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered November 16, 2022 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 18, 2023 at 3:30PM, premises known as 448 West Hudson Street, St. 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, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 59 Block 32 Lot 136. Approximate amount of judgment $492,352.14 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 613083/2021. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the Tenth Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Peter Kramer, Esq., Referee (516) 510-4020 LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 4304792 Dated: May 4, 2023 140179

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU NEW RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2017-6, V. ZACHARY LEVOKOVE A/K/A ZACHARY B. LEVOKOVE, ET. AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated May 11, 2023, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein NEW RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2017-6 is the Plaintiff and ZACHARY LEVOKOVE A/K/A ZACHARY B. LEVOKOVE, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on July 26, 2023 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1 SARATOGA STREET, LIDO BEACH, NY 11561: Section 60, Block 25, Lot 163: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE, OR PARCEL OF LAND WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN LIDO BEACH, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 612775/2018. John G. Kennedy, 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.

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LEGAL NOTICE

Summons Notice to Defendant: (AVISO AL DEMANDO): SHARON LEE NORTON, an individual; and DOES 1 THROUGH 50, Inclusive. YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (LO ESTA DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): KENISHA CHERISSE NICOLE WISE, an individual; You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia. org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación. Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea

que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia. org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. The name and address of the court Is: (EI nombre y direccion de la corte es): Stanley Mosk Courthouse 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 SHORT NAME OF CASE (from Complaint) (Nobre de Caso): KENISHA CHERISSE NICOLE WISE vs. SHARON LEE NORTON CASE NUMBER: (Numero del Caso): 22STCV32613

The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney is: (EI nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tlene abogado, es) : Yagoubzadeh Law Firm,

Courtesy City of Long Beach

RABBi JACk ZANERhAfT addressed the city council just before their adoption of a new definition of anti-Semitism for the city.

A ntiSemitism and hatred of all kinds, unfortunately, is a real thing.

RoN WAlsh acting city manager

DRIVERS WANTED

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The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry.

To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to mhinman@liherald.com

LINE COOK: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday 10am-6pm. Sandwiches/ Salads. Beach Restaurant. Great Summer Job. 516-835-2819

MACHINE PROGRAMMER/ MACHINE OPERATOR

Will Train

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Manager On Duty

At Blaze, Old Bethpage Village Outdoors From September Through November 5-8 Hour Shifts. Serve As The Primary Point Of Contact For All Issues That May Occur During The Event, Seeing Each Through To Resolution. Serve As The Primary Point Of Contact For Emergency Personnel Hourly Rate $25-$30

To Apply: https://hudsonvalley.org/ employment/

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. We offer salary, commission, bonuses, health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Will consider part time. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

OFFICE HELP PT/FT: Computer Literate. Answer Phones, Packing, Process Orders. Baldwin Dental Supply Company. 516-783-7800

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Salary, Commission, Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Will Consider Part Time. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

Path Monitor

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5-8 Hour Evening Shifts Providing A Welcoming Atmosphere And Ensuring Guest Safety. Hourly Rate $20. To Apply: https://hudsonvalley.org/ employment/

PRESS-ROOM/WAREHOUSE HELP

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

SEWING MACHINE OPERATOR/ CANVAS FABRICATOR For Foreman Position. Experience a Must. Awning Company. Call/Text Tommy 516-250-8094; tgawnings@aol.com Send Resume

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REAL ESTATE

Open Houses

HEWLETT BAY PARK BA,190 Meadowview Ave Ever Dream of Living in A Castle? This 8000 Sq Ft Mansion is Full of Character. Amazing Architectural Details, Soaring Ceilings, Stained Glass Windows. 5 BR, 6.55 Bths. Sprawling 1.3 Acre Prop with IG Gunite Pool. SD#14.Near All. Must See This Unique Home!..$3,200,00 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas elliman 516-238-429 ba

HEWLETT HARBOR 1051 Channel Dr, OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 6/25, 12-1:30, FIRST TIME ON MARKET! 3/4 BR, 2.5 Bth Split on Beautiful Ω Acre Parklike Property. Updtd Gran/Wood EIK, Spac LR/DR with Vaulted Ceiling & Fpl, & Fam Rm. 2 Car Att Gar.Endless Possibilities!

SD#14...$1,349,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-429

HEWLETT HARBOR 6/25, 2-3:30, 246 Adams Rd, FIRST SHOW! Elegant & Stately 4200 Sq Ft CH Col on Beautiful Quiet St. 5 BR, 4.55 Bth. Sweeping Staircase. All Spacious Rooms with Top Quality Finishes. Amazing Fam Rm with Cathedral Ceiling Overlooking 1 Acre Resortlike Prop Featuring IG Gunite Pool, Patio & Tennis Ct. XL Fin Bsmt. Upper Level has Primary Ste w/ Dressing Rm & Bth Plus 3 BRs & 2 Bths. 2 Car Att Gar. Low Taxes!

SD#20..$2,500,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Open Houses

WOODMERE BA, 504 Saddle Ridge Rd., FIRST TIME ON MARKET! Move Right Into This Renovated 4 BR, 2 Bth Split with Open Layout in Prime Location! Granite/Wood EIK Opens to Dining Room & Living Room. Lower Level Den. HW Flrs, Gas Heat, CAC. Oversized Property! SD#14.Near All!..$999,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Apartments For Rent

CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978

Garages For Rent

OCEANSIDE 2 CAR

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

Impeccably Restored Victorian

This grand home is set on park like grounds (.43 acre) just blocks away from Rockville Centre's vibrant downtown and LIRR. This grand home has all of todays most sought after amenities, combined with yesterday's master craftsman details. A gracious welcoming front porch and private rear gazebo are perfect for outdoor entertaining. Inside you'll marvel at the 11 foot ceilings, original pocket doors, multiple window seats, and irreplaceable original parquet banded floors. Any chef would delight in the expansive kitchen with high end appliances, tons of counter space, and the perfect island for your guests. Other amenities include a walk in pantry, three full baths, five bedrooms on the second level, and second floor laundry room. $1,999,999 . Please contact Maureen Lane or Theresa Ahern for a private viewing of this special home!

How does your potential contractor drive?

Q. We need some advice on how to pick a contractor. Our neighbors down the street are going through a tough time with delays, seemingly shoddy work that didn’t pass inspection and extra costs for things they didn’t want or expect. Do you have any suggestions on how to interview a contractor, and what to ask about or look for in their proposal? We want to avoid what our neighbor is going through.

A. If it were up to me, I would ask them to drive me around to look at their work. This helps in many ways. One, you have more conversation and maybe a little less sales pitch while they’re navigating the streets. Two, you can tell a lot about a person by the way they drive, such as whether they obey the laws. If they blow through every stop sign, cut people off or otherwise drive recklessly, you’ll realize right away that they have little regard for others and won’t follow regulations, or your interests.

People who don’t follow basic rules we all have to live by aren’t going to do things for you as much as for themselves. If they tell you “you don’t need a permit,” give you a ridiculously low number compared with others or confidently tell you they will have the work done way before you expected, be concerned. If their proposal doesn’t spell out the process and the materials to your satisfaction, at least with milestone breakdown numbers — such as windows and doors, $40,000, concrete work, $30,000, etc. — and you feel that they’re evasive when you ask questions, then move on.

FIRST SHOW! Elegant & Stately 4200 Sq Ft CH Col on Beautiful Quiet St. 5 BR, 4.55 Bth. Sweeping Staircase. All Spacious Rooms with Top Quality Finishes. Amazing Fam Rm with Cathedral Ceiling Overlooking 1 Acre Resortlike Prop Featuring IG Gunite Pool, Patio & Tennis Ct. XL Fin Bsmt. Upper Level has Primary Ste w/ Dressing Rm & Bth Plus 3 BRs & 2 Bths. 2 Car Att Gar. Low Taxes! SD#20 $2,500,000 HEWLETT B ay Pa RK

190 Meadowview Ave, BA, Ever Dream of Living in A Castle? This 8000 Sq Ft Mansion is Full of Character. Amazing Architectural Details, Soaring Ceilings, Stained Glass Windows. 5 BR, 6.55 Bths. Sprawling 1.3 Acre Prop with IG Gunite Pool. SD#14. Near All. Must See This Unique Home! $3,200,00 HEWLETT

1638 Ridgeway Dr, BA, FIRST TIME ON MARKET! Well Maintained 6 BR, 3.5 Bth 3500

Sq Ft Exp CH Colonial on Beautiful St. LR/Fpl, Spac Fam Rm/Fpl, FDR, EIK & Sun Rm

Overlooking 1/3 Acre Resortlike Prop w/ IG Lap Pool, Hot Tub,Bar & Gazebo. Fin Bsmt.

2 Car Gar. SD#20 $1,149,000

1193 E. Broadway # M23, BA, Move Right Into This Stunning Gut Renovated 2 BR, 2 Bth Coop in Garden Town. Gourmet Kit W/Thermdore St Steel Appl Opens Into DR & LR.

Primary BR w/Bth Plus Spac 2nd BR. W/D in Unit. New Self Controlled CAC. Oak Flrs, LED

Lights. Near LIRR. Parking Avail. SD#14. You Don’t Want to Miss This $359,000

1599 Lakeview Dr, BA, 4 BR, 3 Bth Exp Ranch on Tree Lined St in SD#14. Spacious LR, DR & Family Rm, EIK & Fin Bsmt. Att Garage. HW Flrs. Near Park, Trans, Shops & Houses

of Worship REDUCED! $799,000

1534 Broadway #205, BA, Extra Large 2000 Sq Ft, 2 Bedroom (Originally 3 BR), 2 Bath

Condo in Prestigious Jonathan Hall with Doorman & Elevator. Updtd Wood/Quartz Kit, LR & DR. Washer/Dryer in Unit. Underground Pkg. Loads of Closets. Terrace Faces Back. Easy Ranch Style Living BIG REDUCTION!! MOTIVATED SELLER! $579,000 WOO dMERE

504 Saddle Ridge Rd, BA, Move Right Into This Renovated 4 BR, 2 Bth Split with Open Layout in Prime Location!

I recommend that the payments be organized by those milestones, since you can see that all the concrete work is done and write a check, or confirm that all the windows and doors are installed and make a payment, instead of guessing when 30 percent of the work has been completed or wondering why they need to get paid every Friday when nobody has been there for two weeks. It may be obvious to say that you need to feel that what the plans show is what you want, and you have to feel confident that this person and their team can give you what you need.

I often get calls and end up acting as adviser and therapist to spouses who are now arguing with each other about how unhappy they are instead of sitting the contractor down with a third party, like a building official, who usually won’t tolerate the excuses. Many inspectors don’t have the time or the patience for a contractor who is creating code or safety violations, since it can reflect on the official who lets the work be approved with cut corners. One inspector recently told a contractor who was falling short of the regulations that the official gets audited and will not accept work that can be questioned later on by an auditor.

You need satisfaction. More on licensing, insurance and experience in upcoming columns. Good luck!

© 2022 Monte Leeper

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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BALDWIN: MULTI-FAMILY SATURDAY 6/24, SUNDAY 6/25, 8am-4pm. 699 New York Avenue. Between Spruce And Grove Street. Something For Everyone!

EAST MEADOW 2209 POST STREET

Saturday, July 1st. 9am-4pm. Rain Date Sunday July 2nd. Treadmill, Household & Holiday Decor. Something For Everyone.

Announcements

WITNESS WANTED To The Accident

That Occured On May 15th around 2pm At The Intersection Of Lakeville Road And Marcus Avenue. Please Call 347-235-0525

MERCHANDISE MART

Antiques/Collectibles

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

FINDS UNDER $100

Finds Under $100 3 PIECE BEIGE leather sectional couch. Good condition. $99 call Lisa @ 516-241-7713

Announcements

Finds Under $100

30X12X12 FISH OR reptile tank with matching screen cover and 30" wooden stand. $75. 516-366-4004

CUSTOM SURF FISHING rod. Lamiglass

Honey color SB1213M, cork tape butt, fuji conventional guides. $99. 516-781-7069

CUSTOM SURF FISHING rod. Lamiglass Honey color SB1362M, cork tape butt, mildrum spinning guides. $99. 516-781-7069

ELECTRIC SINGER #95 sewing machine with table. Good condition $75. Call Lisa@ 516-241-7713

GOLF BAG 3 Woods 8 irons $65 (516) 445-7390.

GOLF CART LIKE New $25.00 Assorted Woods $15.00 each Like New 516 781-8313

GOLF CLUBS COMPLETE set Tourney Irons $30.00 Golf Bag $25.00 Very Good Condition 516 781-8313

SNACK PLATES FLEUR de Lis 12 plates 10 teacups $60. 516 445-3212

VINTAGE CHODZIEZ BONE china complete service for 8. Made in Poland $80.00. 516-785-6031

WOOD HEADBOARD TWIN bed with Sealy Mattress (excellent) box spring and frame hardware. $99 516-366-4004

SERVICES

Brick/Block/Concrete/Masonry

*MICHAEL LO BAIDO CONSTRUCTION*

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Decks

DECKS DECKS Our Only Business COMPOSITES/WOOD Excellent References & Many Photos Lic./Ins. Free

Electricians

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ROOFING GREAT PRICES ! NEW ROOF SPECIALS

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Painting

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

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

From a House committee room to the Valbrook Diner

Last week I was at two events that, in very different ways, encapsulated significant aspects of my life. The first was in Washington, where I was invited to testify before the House Intelligence Committee, along with four other retired members of Congress — two Republicans, Frank LoBiondo and Ileana RosLehtinen, and two Democrats, Jane Harman and Jim Langevin, who had also served on the committee. Except for a few fleeting hours in February, this was my first time back in Washington since late December 2020, just days before my retirement.

The chairman of the Intelligence Committee, Republican Mike Turner, and the ranking member, Democrat Jim Himes, wanted our perspective on what the committee’s current focus should be, and on the need to restore bipartisanship, which has been sorely lacking over the past six years. In my testimony, I stressed the necessity of not losing sight of the continuing threat of Islamist ter-

rorism. None of us wants to experience another 9/11, and the terrorists are in many ways as lethal as they were on Sept. 10, 2001.

I also joined my former colleagues in strongly urging bipartisanship. The committee is a vital component of our national security, and should not be politicized.

Besides testifying, I met with Long Island Representatives Andrew Garbarino, Anthony D’Esposito and Nick LaLota and joined Speaker Kevin McCarthy at a meeting in his office with elected officials from Northern Ireland. I also ran into various congressmen, Capitol Police officers and reporters I knew from my days on the Hill. And I went to my old haunt, the Dubliner, to have dinner with staff members from my office and the Homeland Security Committee.

Being back in the halls of Congress with current and former members brought back 28 years of memories encompassing victories, tough losses and challenges as well as meetings with presidents and world leaders. While I made the decision to retire from Congress and turn the page, I never regret

even a day that I was fortunate to be there. Those were almost three decades of unparalleled moments that I had never imagined I would experience.

Back on Long Island two days later, I relived different, but equally meaningful memories. Several times a year, Tom Dewey, my Brooklyn Prep classmate and a Fordham Hall of Fame track coach, organizes a get-together of a group of guys I hung out with during my high school years, just blocks from fabled Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. Meeting at the Valbrook Diner in Valley Stream with Tom, Charlie, Allen, Johnny and Jackie is like going back in time. For better or worse, no one has changed. There’s the same banter, sarcasm and stories, with no one allowed to take himself seriously. In the past few years, we’ve been joined by retired Nassau County Police Department Detectives Jim Skopek and Melissa Zimmerman, who were on my security detail when I was in Congress and fit right in. Before his days as a Nassau cop, Skopek was an NYPD officer patrolling the Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, neighborhood where these guys grew up.

Zimmerman’s classic moment last week was when she asked my old friends what they thought of my recent successful cancer surgery, and she was met with blank looks, grunts and smirks. Not a hint of sympathy or concern.

Behind all this tough-guy talk, though, there is genuine friendship and loyalty, as well as a real knowledge of life and reality. These guys have all done well, but never brag about it. I’m not one of those guys who say the good old days were perfect or so much better. But during these diner reunions, I’m struck by the true authenticity of these guys — an authenticity I sense is diminishing in today’s world.

During my years in Congress and politics, I was known for not backing down or caring about what was said about me. This thick skin — or thick-headedness — was in many ways attributable to the street smarts I learned from these old friends. It’s reassuring to see nothing has changed.

All this interconnection of experiences came together for me again during those few days last week. Thanks for the memories.

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

An open letter to my dad on his birthday

Ishould point out that this is a really open letter, because my dad died four years ago.

I write because I have so much to tell him. My dad, who would have been 101 last week, loved his time on earth; he so enjoyed the rhythm and small pleasures of his days.

Every morning he woke up thinking about his first cup of coffee, and he prepared it with all the exquisite ritual of a Japanese tea ceremony. He moved slowly, and the making of the coffee could easily take 15 minutes.

RANDI KREISS

Once it was brewed, he filled his cup to the very brim and sloshed it all over the floor before he got to the table.

“Why do you have to make the cup so full?” my mother said pretty much every day for 72 years.

I like to think he’s with my mom, who died two years ago. They were married so long that they walked, talked, ate and laughed with a special kind of synchro-

ny. Hard to tell where one left off and the other began.

Dad would have been gripped by the public drama of the impeachment hearings. He died the day Donald Trump got elected, and although I’m not suggesting cause and effect, he did say,

“I can’t believe I lived to see this day,” before he succumbed to a major heart attack at 97.

He would read the newspapers at the breakfast table as breakfast lingered into lunch in his last years. He read the best parts out loud to my mother, and she was his cheerleader, damning the folks he saw as the bad guys and taking into her heart, like family, the leaders he loved. Their fierce loyalty to the Dems, going back to FDR, was part of what kept them chugging along. They cared. They followed the news. They talked back to the TV.

some time, couldn’t we, reassuring ourselves that no, the United States of America would never elect a man like Donald J. Trump, and then we did. Dad, it’s worse than we feared, but I believe in our better angels, and I’m patient. I know our country will right itself. I’ll keep you posted. Promise.

You missed the coronavirus. Missed Roku. Missed cauliflower pizza crusts.

So, Dad, I’m sorry you missed this state of affairs, this unraveling of our government and erosion of our moral center, because you would have found it fascinating, even if it depressed the hell out of you. Mostly I miss commiserating with you about it all. We could go on for

You missed the coronavirus. Missed Roku. Missed cauliflower pizza crusts.

You knew about Amazon but you missed letting it rule your life. You and Mom went to stores, right? Well we hardly do that now, because if you need anything, from the 4.0 readers you wore to rare Ethiopian pistachio nuts, you can order them online and Amazon will get them to you in hours, or days at most.

You missed some terrific books, Dad. We spent a lot of time talking about what we were reading, and even in your last months, when you were kind of dreaming your days away, you still held a book in your lap because it felt familiar. You kept saying you wanted to learn how to use a Kindle.

You missed the great-grandkids get-

Randi is on a brief leave. This column was originally published Feb. 20-26, 2020.

ting braces, and learning to drive, and several mitzvahs. You missed that we bought a new vacation house. I gave some thought to the idea that you might not be able to find me, but I suppose your travel rules are different. In my old place, I used to see the occasional heron on the beach or a dolphin in the surf and imagine it might be a kind of visitation.

I did see an unseasonal robin the other day that gave a wicked shake of its wing as it landed on a naked branch, and I confess, I thought of you.

Mostly, Dad, I hate the idea that you aren’t in the world, in the light, in the realm of sunrises and sunsets, just a phone call away, at the Thanksgiving table.

We all think about loved ones who have passed. Some write letters or post to websites for the departed. It all helps.

Many find that Shakespeare offered wise counsel to those who grieve when he wrote, “Give sorrow words.”

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

In one memoryfilled setting, I was testifying. In another, I ribbed old friends.

Don’t let money win: Veto this bill

it might not be easy to discuss the Greek playwright Euripides and the Dutch philosopher Erasmus in the same breath, especially considering they walked the earth 2,000 years apart. But they did have a shared philosophy, and it’s one all of us are familiar with: money talks. Especially in politics.

When it comes to government, if you want to make a splash, all you need is to flash — some green. The loudest voices in a campaign, or in any discussion, really, are typically those with the deepest pockets. Even running for local office can cost thousands of dollars, with that total easily hitting six digits for state office, and far more if you want to go to Washington.

Over the years, however, New York has worked hard to level the playing field. New York City, for example, has offered candidates a matching public-finance option for years. Anyone not taking large special-interest donations can qualify for public money, allowing their voice to be just as loud as anyone else’s, no matter how much anyone has raised. The option is intended to keep big business and heavily funded political movements away from lawmakers, while ensuring that taxpayer investments are returned to communities through campaign expenditures.

Lawmakers in Albany have paid attention as well, writing legislation that would provide matching funds to any Assembly candidate who raises at least $6,000 from 75 different donors in his or her district, and to any State Senate candidate who raises at least $12,000 from 150 donors.

Statewide candidates would see a

letters

Republicans love those fossil fuels

Dear Congressman D’Esposito:

match of $6 for every $1 of qualified donations. Assembly members and senators would see matching qualified donations ranging from $12-to-$1 to $8-to-$1.

Candidates would still have to campaign. They would still need to win support. But this law would help ensure that that support isn’t drowned out by opponents with massive campaign war chests, funded by special interests.

Everything was looking good for the proposed bill until the final week of the legislative session. Then lawmakers apparently had a chance to take a closer look at it, and suddenly remembered something really important: They have to run for re-election. The candidates with the deep pockets whom this law would weaken? It’s them, the incumbents. The politicians who already have a built-in advantage simply because they have “Assembly member” or “Senator” in front of their name.

So, those very lawmakers revisited the new law, and introduced some changes. Instead of raising $6,000, Assembly candidates would have to raise $10,000, from 145 donors, to qualify for matching funds. Senators would need to raise $24,000, from 350 donors.

Candidates wouldn’t need to win just some support — this is an exceedingly high bar.

In fact, the only people who would actually benefit from this bill, S.7564, if Gov. Kathy Hochul signs it into law are the very incumbents this kind of campaign finance reform is intended to humble by preventing them from winning races

before they even start, simply because of how loudly money talks. If this revised bill becomes law, the voice and reach of the incumbents would be stronger — and further — than ever before. Not only would they have the big money of special interests, but they’d have taxpayer money backing them as well. And anyone challenging them? Well, good luck.

The reworked legislation easily passed the Assembly and Senate, but fortunately, not with the help of many of our local representatives. State Sens. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Jack Martins and Steven Rhoads voted against it, as did Assembly members Jake Blumencranz, Ari Brown, Brian Curran, David McDonough, John Mikulin, Edward Ra and Michaelle Solages.

State Sen. Kevin Thomas was a “yes” on the bill, as were Assembly members Taylor Darling and Charles Lavine.

All are Republicans except for Solages, Thomas, Darling and Lavine.

A representative democracy mandates leaders who truly represent the people. If someone believes they can represent them better, they deserve to have every opportunity to prove it. The matching-campaignfunds program could have been a great start, helping this particular democracy achieve those goals.

But if the governor signs this monstrosity into law, not only will the potential gains of the earlier law be erased, but the entire democratic process will take 10 giant steps backward.

Hochul must do the right thing, and veto S.7564.

While New Yorkers choke on fumes from Canadian wildfires fueled by climate change, it’s worth highlighting the role that Republicans are playing in making the problem worse. House Republicans, including my own representative, Anthony D’Esposito, brokered a debt ceiling bill that advances construction of the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline and makes it easier to build fracked-gas pipelines. This dirty deal will increase profits for the fossil fuel industry while increasing air pollution and wrecking our climate.

The dangerous air we are breathing now is only the beginning — we must reverse course and move off fossil fuels. As a grandfather and a member of Food & Water Action, I urge D’Esposito to stand up for Long Islanders, not the fossil fuel industry. And as a Long Islander, I urge my neighbors to remember the Republican dirty deal at the ballot box.

We honor the fallen, but must not forget our veterans

all of us owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to the heroic men and women who lost their lives while protecting our country as members of our nation’s armed forces.

our end to care for them when they come back home.

Across the country, fewer than 50 percent of returning veterans in need receive any mental health treatment. An estimated 250,000 veterans are unemployed and in need of work. And with 68,000 of them homeless, there are 5,000 veterans here in Nassau who are at risk of homelessness.

■ The right to be supported in the community, in such organizations as VFWs and American Legions.

sure make them valuable candidates for public service.

JosHUa a . LaFaZan

Americans recently commemorated Memorial Day — a sobering occasion that reminds us that freedom is never free, and that in a perilous world, we sleep safely at night precisely because of those servicemen and women who are fighting for us.

After our collective pause to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, it behooves us to take the next step by renewing our commitment to taking care of veterans right here in Nassau County.

Some 67,000 of the 16.5 million veterans in the United States call Long Island home. And there’s no denying that while these heroes have upheld their end of the contract to protect and serve the nation, we haven’t adequately fulfilled

Those statistics should shock the consciences of every American and provide clear evidence that this moment requires immediate action. That’s why I have proposed the creation of a 21st-century Veterans’ Bill of Rights that would ensure that none of them are ever left behind in Nassau County.

Such a bill would reaffirm the fundamental rights for veterans that must be protected:

■ The right to dignified housing.

■ The right to gainful employment.

■ The right to be protected from discrimination.

In addition, the Veterans’ Bill of Rights would formally commission a study to identify where resources are needed to best serve our veterans, and recommend additional investments ranging from new technology to advancements in health care, and more. Once completed, the study’s findings would be presented at a public hearing of the County Legislature’s Veterans Committee.

My office has already taken important steps toward fulfilling the tenets of the Veterans’ Bill of Rights. In January 2022, the Legislature unanimously passed the Hiring Our Heroes Act, a measure I sponsored that exempts veterans and active-duty service members from county civil service exam fees. Not only does removing a financial burden of up to $200 from eligible applicants incentivize their return to the civilian workforce, but it also recognizes how veterans’ leadership, military experience and ability to perform under pres-

Letters Framework

In Albany, Democrats are ‘out of touch’

To the Editor:

As my first legislative session came to a close, I was struck by just how out of touch Albany Democrats are with the needs of New Yorkers. The concerns about rising crime rates and a struggling economy, both of which make it more difficult for many to live, work and thrive in our communities, are at an all-time high. To combat this, my State Senate Republican colleagues and I introduced a plan to Rescue New York, which fell on deaf ears. We will continue to fight for common-sense, realistic solutions to the hardships faced by families and business owners.

During the 2023 legislative session, Albany’s misplaced priorities came in the form of new laws and policies that exacerbate our hardships instead of relieving them. The budget was a month late and spent a record $229 billion, more than $8 billion over what was spent last fiscal year. It included new taxes on businesses and individuals, and provided no relief for middle-class families and struggling small businesses; rather, it allocated $1 billion for transporting and housing illegal immigrants instead of directing funds to struggling New Yorkers.

Instead of focusing on why New Yorkers are leaving the state, a bill was passed that moves all local elections to even years, over the objections of local communities and boards of election. The justification was to increase voter turnout, yet it excluded New York City, where voter turnout is the lowest in the state.

Additionally, “Clean Slate” legislation was passed allowing the records of violent criminals to be sealed while ignoring the rights of law-abiding victims. In addition, the overriding theme of the legislation passed this session was an erosion of parental rights and an increase in government control, both of which will continue to destroy the New York

by Tim Baker

This legislative measure builds on the Dignity for Our Heroes initiative, another legislative package that I sponsored and passed in 2019 that protects veterans from discrimination in housing and employment, and convened the Nassau Commission on Ending Veteran Homelessness.

While I take great pride in these earlier measures, they should be viewed as a foundation to build on. We must not cease in our efforts until every veteran in the county has access to the resources they need to meet their health care, housing and workforce needs. And it is imperative for all of us to approach this issue with compassion and care, so that we can continue chipping away at harmful stigmas that dissuade our heroes from seeking the assistance they need and deserve.

These men and women have always had our backs, and it is imperative for us to always have theirs. Please contact your legislator and ask them to support the Veterans’ Bill of Rights. And I ask you to never forget our fallen heroes, or our veteran heroes at home.

we know and love.

We deserve better than one-party rule that places political aims above all else. There’s still so much work to be done, but Senate Democrats, who hold a supermajority, continue to disregard New Yorkers’ needs. I will continue to fight for a safer and more

affordable New York while standing up for our values and working to restore balance, accountability, and common sense to our state government.

Stoked for a summer of keeping swimmers safe — the Freeport Recreation Center lifeguards take a break from training.

Joshua A. Lafazan represents the Nassau County Legislature’s 18th District.

too many who have come home lack housing, jobs and mental health care.