Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald 01-05-2023

A nightmare before Christmas Surprise flooding dampens the holiday spirit

By BEN FIEBERT bfiebert@liherald.com

East Rockaway residents woke up to several feet of flooding and thousands of dollars in damage on Friday, Dec. 23.

Brian Barry, an East Rockaway resident for 17 years, lost his handicapped-accessible chair lift and two cars to the flood. His basement was flooded, along with the cars. Barry’s insurance does not cover such damage.

This storm took him by surprise. Barry had just returned from a trip to Virginia, where he was visiting a sick relative.

“I have a cousin of mine who has pancreatic cancer in Virginia,” he said. “So I decided I

would rent a car from Enterprise and drive down there.” He got back to East Rockaway on Dec. 22 and thought the weather wasn’t too bad.

That is, until his wife woke up early the next morning to see everything flooded. “My wife woke up at about 6:15 in the morning, and she looked out the window and couldn’t believe it,” Barry said. “Everything was completely underwater.”

Along with his own vehicle, the rented car was also flooded. “All the cars were already flooded, and you couldn’t even move them at that point,” Barry recounted. He rushed to check his basement, where he found standing

‘In giving, you receive’

Residents treat shelter families to hundreds of wish-list gifts

By BEN FIEBERT bfiebert@liherald.com

Lynbrook residents Pat Alonge and Gail Mancuso continue to be amazed by the spirit of giving in their community.

Carrying on an annual charitable tradition, Alonge and Mancuso made a Facebook post on Thanksgiving Day, asking the Lynbrook community for help. They listed 27 shelter families from which people could choose, and send them items on their wish list.

What was supposed to be a regular, run-of-the-mill donation event turned out to be something much bigger.

“Both of us are overwhelmed by the generosity and the goodness that we see out there,” Alonge said. With over 1,000 presents wrapped, Mancuso’s living room, backyard, den, and basement were filled with garbage bags full of donations. Donation quantities like these aren’t new to Alonge and Mancuso, because both have been doing charity events for years now.

“I want to say we have been doing this since 1991,” Alonge said. “And it has morphed into something much bigger.” Alonge became involved with donating through her local church. When a child asked for something out of the reach for most people, she called Mancuso to help.

“From that day on, Gail and I have been doing this together,” Alonge said. With help of Mancuso, both found families to send items to during the holiday season. More recently, they have worked with a social worker to help donate items to a shelter in Smithtown.

Mancuso said that 30 families’ worth of gifts were given out in the shelter, with four or five gifts given to every person in the family.

According to Alonge, the temporary shelter was once a hotel, so families are living in a 12-by12 rooms. She hopes the donations can help them find permanent residences.

‘We can’t fix every problem,”

Courtesy Brian Barry

BRIAN BARRY’s dRIVEWAY flooded from the storm on Dec. 23.

Police say they’ve busted ‘Dirty dozen’ burglars

By MARK NOLAN mnolan@liherald.com

Police are accusing what they describe as a pair of burgling Grinches of stealing $150,000 in valuables from a dozen area homes over the holidays.

Joshua B. Mellado-Gonzalez, 32, and Mauricio J. Fuentes-Jimenez, 31 — both of Queens Village — were charged with 12 burglaries that stretched across communities that include Lynbrook, Valley Stream, Elmont, West Hempstead, Rockville Centre and Baldwin.

The investigation was led by detectives from the Nassau County Police department, along with investigators from the Lynbrook Police Department.

The arrests were made after piecing together information gleaned during hours of surveillance, according to Lynbrook police inspector Sean Murphy.

“It was good honest police work,” he said.

“We had vehicles we knew were of interest. It was a lot of hard work to ascertain who they were and where they lived.”

Nassau County police declined comment, however, citing the ongoing investigation.

Five of the reported burglaries took place in Lynbrook, according to police, beginning on Madison Street on Nov. 29, and then continuing at two homes on Ocean Avenue in December,

Vassar Place on Dec. 26 and Whitehall Street on Dec. 27.

Each of those homes were secured, Murphy said. “They just got into the houses whichever way they could.”

Also hit were homes on Rockaway Parkway in Valley Stream, Belmont Avenue in Elmont, Walton Street in West Hempstead, North Forest Avenue in Rockville Centre, DeMott Avenue in Baldwin, and West Clinton Avenue in Roosevelt.

Both Mellado-Gonzalez and FuentesJimenez were arraigned Thursday in Hempstead.

brief

Code enforcement vehicle burns

A Village of Lynbrook code enforcement officer smelled smoke as he drove his village vehicle in the downtown village area Dec. 30 at 6 p.m.

The officer pulled over underneath the Long Island Rail Road overpass on Stauderman Avenue at Forest Avenue and exited the vehicle. Moments later, the front of the vehicle erupted in fire. Lynbrook’s Truck Company and Vulcan Company 2 responded to the scene under

the command of First Assistant Chief Danny Ambrosio. Assistant Chiefs Scott Bien and Clayton Murphy also responded. A Truck Company member used a water extinguisher to knock down the flames until Vulcan Company could stretch a hose line to the burning vehicle. The fire was quickly extinguished with the hose line. No injuries were reported. Firefighters were at the scene for about 20 minutes.

Courtesy Nassau County Police Department JOshuA MeLLAdO-GONzALez, Left, and Mauricio Fuentes-Jimenez of Queens Village were responsible for 12 area burglaries over the past month, according to Nassau County police.

Courtesy Steve Grogan

The Lynbrook high School varsity football team raised $3,200 for Camp Anchor and gathered at the Nov. 9 board of education meeting.

Second place for L.I. Sports Hero Challenge

Lynbrook High School varsity football team wins money for athletic department

The Lynbrook High School varsity football team came in second place for this year’s Long Island Sports Hero Challenge.

The challenge was for any Long Island high school’s sports team who participated in a community event during the fall. The Lynbrook varsity football team qualified for this challenge by raising $3,200 for Camp Anchor. This particular charity was picked as it was close to the hearts of the members of the team.

“One of our seniors has a brother who has cerebral palsy and has ties to Camp Anchor so we wanted to do something to benefit as many kids as possible,” Coach David Yaker said.

This second place win boosted morale for the team as Yaker said that the team never even thought about winning any prize for what they did. The prize is $1,500, which will benefit the school’s athletic department for school-wide athletic purposes.

“The support from the community was unbelievable,” Yaker said. “People were voting every day all to help us win and I’m so happy that we got 2nd place.”

For Yaker, to even be mentioned with the other schools was a great honor. Yaker attests this win to a combination of a few things. “One, Camp Anchor is connected to so many people and it has done such wonderful things for its campers over the

CoaCh DaviD yaker

years that people generally root for the Camps success,” he said. “Two, Lynbrook has had a close connection with the camp for a long time. Many students work there in the summer as counselors and many students attend as campers. Three, the

Lynbrook community supports its teams and clubs all the time. It is no surprise that people voted for us because that is just the type of town Lynbrook is.”

Yaker was proud of his team and happy that this challenge showcased the team’s benefit game for Camp Anchor.

“To be recognized in this way is an added bonus and has shown the kids how important community is in their lives.” he said. “When they found out we came in second place they were so excited and proud of themselves.”

— Ben Fiebert

Volleyball players honored for athletic achievements

Five East Rockaway High School volleyball players were recognized for outstanding athletic achievement by the Nassau County Volleyball Coaches Association at its annual awards ceremony at Crest Hollow Country Club on Dec. 12.

The following students received

awards: senior Julia Passanisi received All-County Honorable Mention and All-State; senior Julia Walsh received All-County and All-State; senior Keira O’Neill and junior Stephanie Lynch received All-Tournament; and senior Clare Acuti received Scholar-Athlete.

easT

Courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools

The Lynbrook community supports its teams and clubs all the time.

Courtesy East Rockaway School District

roCkaway high School seniors Julia Passanisi, left, and Julia Walsh show off their All-County and All-State awards from the Nassau County Coaches Association with Coach Ksenia Brito.

Warehouse spared from Lynbrook truck fire

Sprinkler system, firefighters contain fire before it spread

Sprinklers activated in a Lynbrook warehouse on Merrick Road helped quell a fire late last Thursday.

Lynbrook Fire Department firefighters responded to an automatic alarm at a wholesale distribution warehouse at 96 Merrick Rd. opposite Charles Street at 11:38 p.m., Dec. 29 and found smoke coming from the roof of the 28,000-square-foot building.

Once firefighters gained entry into the warehouse it was determined that one of the warehouse trucks in one of the two garages off the side parking lot was on fire. The sprinkler system had greatly knocked down the fire before firefighters extinguished the remaining flames. The engine and cab of the truck was destroyed.

The fire was contained to the truck and did not extend into the warehouse which had floor to ceiling shelves stacked with

It’s Your MoneY

By Jonathan Wolfsohn

PART I

One way people can get the new tax year off to a good start is by checking their federal income tax withholding. They can do this using the Tax Withholding Estimator on IRS.gov.

This online tool helps employees avoid having too much or too little tax withheld from their wages. It also helps self-employed people, who have wage income, estimate tax payments that they should make to avoid unexpected results at tax time. Having too little withheld can result in a tax bill or even a penalty at tax time. Having too much withheld results in less money in their pocket. The estimator can help them get to a balance of zero or a desired refund amount.

Taxpayers can use the results from the Tax Withholding Estimator to determine if they should complete a new Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate and submit it to their employer, or make an additional or estimated tax payment to the IRS.

The Tax Withholding Estimator asks taxpayers to estimate their 2023 income, the number of children they will claim for the child tax credit and earned income tax credit, and other items that will affect their 2023 tax return when they file in 2024.

The Tax Withholding Estimator does not ask for personally identifiable information, such as a name, Social Security number, address, and bank account numbers. The IRS doesn’t save or record the information entered in the Estimator.

products all boxed in cardboard.

“If not for the sprinkler system knocking down the fire in the truck, we would have been faced with a major fire at this warehouse due the amount of flammable material inside,” said Lynbrook Chief of Department Chris Kelly. “We appreciate the support and assistance from our neighboring departments.”

The Frankel and Frankel Corporation warehouse, a health and beauty wholesaler, stretches from Merrick Road to Rocklyn Avenue. The one-story building was constructed in 1961.

Firefighters were notified by FIRECOM of a waterflow alarm at the warehouse indicating the water sprinkler system had been activated.

Lynbrook’s Third Assistant Chief Clayton Murphy was on the scene in less than two minutes and saw heavy smoke coming from the roof of the building.

Kelly, enroute and hearing from Assistant Chief Murphy of the heavy smoke condition, requested through FIRECOM an immediate mutual aid response from the Rockville Centre Fire Department for a ladder to the scene.

Kelly broadcast a ‘Signal 10’, the code for a working fire, which set into motion an automatic mutual aid response from other neighboring departments.

Lynbrook’s Engine Company 1 was first on the scene and hooked up to the hydrant in front of the building. Truck Company’s bucket truck entered the warehouse parking lot and put its ladder to the roof. Engine Company stretched two hose lines from the truck to a side door on Merrick Road after forcing it open, as well as an inside roll-down door into a garage area.

Truck Company used power saws to cut into the double lined roll-up garage doors to get into the garage from the parking lot. Another roll-top door was cut open in the rear of the building on Rocklyn Avenue.

The department’s Floodlight Unit’s Command Post was put into operation and coordinated the transmission of radio communications between the Chief of Department with FIRECOM and the fire units at the scene.

Mutual aid was also received from the Malverne, East Rockaway, Valley Stream, and Elmont which all sent ladder trucks to the scene. The ladders were positioned both on Merrick Road and Rocklyn Avenue. Additional engine companies from those departments and Oceanside stoodby at the Earle Avenue firehouse to cover other fire calls in Lynbrook.

Firefighters had previously been called to that same warehouse for a waterflow alarm on Christmas morning at 3:08 a.m. but firefighters found that the system had not actually activated and there was no fire or waterflow. The call was considered unfounded.

The Nassau County Fire Marshal sent investigators to the scene to conduct a routine investigation. Firefighters were at the scene for nearly 90 minutes. There were no injuries.

— Contributed by Steve Grogan

Photos by Steve Grogan

Lynbrook Fire Department firefighters contained a fire last week to the truck before it could spread to a warehouse.

Lynbrook ChieF oF Department Chris Kelly, center, conferring with Assistant Chiefs Clayton Murphy, left, and Scott Bien after the fire was extinguished

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spotlight athlete

Herald sports

Lynbrook looking to do damage

By garrett D. UriBe sports@liherald.com

In the space of four days last January, Lynbrook – at 1-3 in the closing week of Nassau Conference 3B wrestling – rewrote its entire narrative, winning its last three dual meets to finish at or above .500 for a second straight season.

aNDie aDaMs

Lawrence Senior Basketball

there’s a NeW an all-time leading scorer for Lawrence’s girls’ hoops program. Senior point guard Andie Adams, who last winter reached the 1,000 mark, entered this season 46 points away from breaking 1999 graduate Danielle Moorer’s record of 1,049 career points and did so in a win over Roosevelt on Dec. 6. Adams earned AllCounty honors last season and averaged 23.5 points per game.

gaMes to WatCh

thursday, Jan. 5

Gymnastics: Oceanside at South Side 7 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 6

Wrestling: East Meadow at Long Beach 6 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Syosset at Freeport 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Port Washington at Oceanside 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: East Meadow at V.S. Central 7 p.m.

Girls Basketball: V.S. Central at East Meadow 7 p.m.

Wrestling: Mepham at MacArthur 7 p.m.

Wrestling: Roosevelt at Hewlett 7 p.m.

saturday, Jan. 7

Girls Basketball: Clarke at North Shore 10 a.m.

Boys Basketball: MacArthur at Long Beach 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Jericho at Mepham 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Roslyn at Elmont 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Kennedy at South Side 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: North Shore at Clarke 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Manhasset at Hewlett 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Glen Cove at Carey 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: South Side at Kennedy 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Mineola at Lynbrook 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Hewlett at Lawrence 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Long Beach at MacArthur 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Seaford at Lawrence 4 p.m.

With a season-opening second-place finish at the Knights Classic tournament at Uniondale Nov. 26, Lynbrook – which produced three champions at the 11-team event, as well as its Most Outstanding Wrestler, Dylan Vanegas – wasted little time this season showing it intends to keep stretching its streak.

“Last year we peaked towards the end of the season,” said Owls coach Rich Renz, whose club has started 0-1 in Conference 1B dual meets and finished fifth in a field of 12 at the Frank Giampaolo Cyclone Tournament at South Side Dec. 17. “This year we started out really good, and then had some injuries and people getting sick. Hopefully we’ll get back to 100 percent and be ready to go after New Year’s. Then we can do some damage.”

Vanegas – who also has taken titles at the Cliff Clark Duals at Bay Shore Dec. 10 and at Giampaolo, going 4-0 in each event at 138 pounds, with four pins at the former –has stayed healthy all winter and done his share of damage at 13-1 overall with eight pins.

“What can I say about Dylan? He’s our best wrestler,” Renz said of the junior ranked No. 2 at 132 (his some-

time weight class) in the latest county rankings. “We expect a lot from him, and he’s come out of the gate on fire.”

After winning the championship at Knights for a second straight season and also capturing the Battle at the Beach Tournament in Long Beach, 215-pound senior Ralph Caputo was sidelined until returning to finish fifth at Giampaolo, where the Owls captain – ranked No. 4 in Nassau – suffered another minor injury. “Ralph’s having an exceptional season,” Renz said. “He had a little setback, but he’s got two good tournaments under his belt.

He’ll be back soon.”

Freshman Anthony Caputo (118 pounds) has picked up slack for the Owls as big brother Ralph recuperates, going 7-1 overall with a thirdplace finish at Giampaolo, while 10th-grader Elias Vanegas is 4-1 overall and took second at Giampaolo, pinned by his elder sibling in the in 138-pound final.

“We’ve got our young upand-comers,” Renz said. “Anthony’s got a lot of potential. Elias Vanegas is going to make noise, maybe grow into a higher weight class than Dylan.”

Jesse Jean (11-3 overall) was runner-up at Knights

before his 4-0, three-pin performance earned him the 189pound title at Cliff Clark. He went 3-1 at Giampaolo to take third, while fellow Owls senior Shawn Healy (9-3) was Knights champion at 145.

“We’re a good tournament team, always finish towards the top and have a lot of guys placing,” Renz said. “We’ve got a lot of kids this year so we can go into a tournament and score a lot of points.”

He added: “We have the high numbers but lately a lot of kids have been getting the flu. Once our full lineup is back we’ll start doing better. It’s been difficult, but we’re holding our own.”

Paul Grassini/Herald

seNior ralph CapUto, top, won two early tournament titles to help the Owls bust of the gate in midseason form.

Key Club donates gift to Kiwanis nurses

The Lynbrook High School Key Club recently presented a trauma kit to school nurses thanks to a $1,000 donation to the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center Foundation.

In October, the Key Club hosted a “Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser,” during which the club collected donations to be made toward multiple organizations.

On Dec. 16, the trauma kit, which includes a first-aid kit and other medical emergency supplies, arrived. The Key Club

gathered to gift the kit to the school’s beloved nurses, Mrs. O’Brien and Ms. Hetrick. “We are so ecstatic to finally have this kit,” the nurses said. “We cannot thank the KPTC and our Key Club enough.”

“This club continues to amaze me,” Key Club supervisor Dr. Benedict Tieniber said. “There’s nothing they can’t do.”

The Key Club thanked the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center Foundation for collaborating to make this special gift possible.

The trauma kit includes emergency medical supplies and was gifted to the nursing staff at Lynbrook High School.

Photos courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools

On Dec. 16, the Lynbrook High School Key Club received a trauma kit donation from the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center Foundation.

BEAUTY HEALTH & WELLNESS

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Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Group

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ORTHOPEDIST: Craig L. Levitz, MD Justin Mirza, DO William A. Facibene, MD

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Pain Institute of Long Island

PEDIATRIC DENTIST: Charles Pillar, DDS

Denise Cohen, DMD

Jennifer S. Zuckerman, DDS

PEDIATRICIAN: Matthew S. Cohen, MD

Roberto N. Marchitelli, MD Stuart Schiff, DO

Vicki Ellin Jetter, MD

New York Brain Center

NSPC Brain and Spine Surgery | Long Island

The Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island

CARDIOLOGIST: Beevash Ray, MD

David Hersh, MD, FACC

Thierry Duchatellier, MD

CBD STORE: Curaleaf NY Carle Place

Natural Remedies - Merrick Sea Cliff Hemp Co.

CHIROPRACTOR: Adam Kritzberg, DC

Jill Feldhurn, DC

Matthew E. Goldschmidt, DC, PC

COSMETIC SURGEON: Antonio L. Uria, MD

Ari Hoschander, MD

James C. Marotta, MD

COSMETIC SURGERY GROUP: KH Plastic Surgery

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DENTIST: Alina Bergan, DDS, PC

Joshua S. Rolnick, DDS

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DERMATOLOGIST: Elie B. Lowenstein, MD

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GENERAL PRACTICE DOCTOR:

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Ralph K. Della Ratta, MD

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HAIR SALON:

Ambiance Salon

Belle Beauty Salon Spa

East Coast Hair Studio

HEALTH INSURANCE AGENCY: Grober Imbey Insurance Agency

JLS Insurance Solutions

UnitedHealthcare

HEALTH INSURANCE AGENT: Alexander Anderson - Allstate Insurance

Jay Silverman - JLS Insurance Solutions

Michael Krantz - UnitedHealthcare

Calla Lily Rose Beauty Spa

Calmer U Holistic Health Center & Spa Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa

MEDICAL SUPPLY: Health Mart Pharmacy LifeVac LLC

Long Beach Surgical Supply

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES/ORGANIZATION: New Horizon Counseling Center

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center Tempo Group, Inc.

NEUROLOGIST: Arthur E. Farkash, MD Mariel Brooke Deutsch, MD Tej-Preet Singh, MD

NEUROSURGEON: Daniel E. Choi, MD Kimon Bekelis, MD, FAANS Salvatore J. Palumbo, MD, FACS

NURSING HOME: Beach Terrace Care Center Grandell Rehabilitation and Nursing Center South Shore Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

OB/GYN: Arnelle H. Blinderman, MD Betsy Lantner, MD

Thomas Erhart, DO

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY: Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy NY Physical Therapy & Wellness Theralympic Speech Therapy

ONCOLOGIST: Doron Weiner, MD Ryan Sugarman, MD Vincent Paul Vinciguerra, MD

OPHTHALMOLOGIST: Brad Kligman, MD Richard C. Nauheim, MD Stanley J. Berke, MD

OPTOMETRIST: Gail E. Correale, OD Steven B. Agin, OD

Yael E. Gatenio, OD Doctor of Optometry

ORTHODONTIST: Christopher Paladino, DDS Natalie Bitton, DDS Seth Kleinrock, DDS

PEDICURE: Beach Nails

Belle Beauty Salon Spa

Bewitched at Cheveux Salon

PHYSICAL THERAPIST: Joseph Cottone

Michael DeFeo, DPT Timothy Stauder, DPT

PHYSICAL THERAPY: Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy NY Physical Therapy & Wellness

Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy

PODIATRIST: Gideon P. Tarrash, DPM

Jay Kerner, DPM & Daniel Zilberbrand, DPM Michael Klein, DPM

REHABILITATION CENTER: Beach Terrace Care Center

Grandell Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

South Shore Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

SPA/MEDICAL SPA: Clarity Spa

Dolce Aesthetics

Rainforest Med Spa

SPEECH THERAPY: Suffolk Center for Speech The Speech Language Place

Theralympic Speech Therapy

SPINE CENTER: New York Spine Institute

Spine Medicine & Surgery of Long Island

The Central Orthopedic Group

URGENT CARE CENTER:

AFC Urgent Care

CityMD Urgent Care

Northwell Health - GoHealth Urgent Care

VEIN/VASCULAR CENTER: Island Vein Specialists of Mineola

Long Island Heart & Vascular Specialist

USA Vein Clinics

WAXING:

Calla Lily Rose Beauty Spa

European Wax Center

Wax Addictss

WEIGHT LOSS CENTER: New York Bariatric Group

Nu Med - Med Spa & Integrative Wellness

Ultra Body Weight Loss Centers

Congrats to all the Top 3 Finalists in the 2022 Herald Long Island Choice Awards presented by PSEG Long Island!

back each week for the Top 3 Reveal in each category leading up to the Oscar-style awards ceremony in April 2023.

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*Finalists are listed alphabetically, not in order of placement.

E.R. High School honors AP and Supermaster scholars

The East Rockaway Union Free School District recognized high school seniors who earned the distinction of Advanced Placement Scholars, and underclassmen who have achieved the Supermaster of Regents designation.

These students were recognized for their successful performance on the 2022 AP and Regents exams. 13 students earned the distinction of AP Scholar; nine students earned the distinction of AP Scholar with Honor; 6 students earned the distinction of AP Scholar with Distinction; and 11 students earned the Supermaster of Regents recognition.

“Elder Law Estate Planning” is an area of law that combines features of both elder law and estate planning and relates mostly to the needs and concerns of the middle class.

Estate planning was formerly only for the wealthy who wanted to shelter their assets from taxes and pass more on to their heirs. But today estate planning is also needed by the middle class who may have assets exceeding one million dollars, especially when you consider life insurance in the mix.

Estate planning with trusts became popular starting in 1991 when AARP concluded that probate should be avoided and trusts should be used to transfer assets to heirs without a court proceeding. Trusts are also widely used today to avoid guardianship proceedings on disability, protect privacy, and reduce the chance of a will contest in court.

As the population aged and life expectancies increased, the field of elder law emerged in the late 1980’s to help people protect assets from nursing home costs by using Medicaid asset protection strategies.

The two fields of elder law and estate planning still tend to be separate, which can

work against a client needs. For instance, a client may see an elder law attorney for Medicaid asset protection planning in the event of disability, but overlook the benefits of estate planning, such as avoiding estate taxes or keeping assets in the bloodline. Similarly, a client may have prepared an effective estate plan for death with an estate planning attorney, but failed to avail themselves of Medicaid asset protection strategies for their lifetimes.

For this reason, we have been practicing “elder law estate planning” together for over thirty years to address these needs:

• Getting your assets to your heirs, with the least amount of court costs, taxes and legal fees possible.

• Keeping your assets in the bloodline for your grandchildren and protecting those assets from your children’s divorces, lawsuits and creditors.

• Protecting your assets from the costs of longterm care and qualifying you for government benefits to pay for your care either at home or in a nursing facility.

• Avoiding guardianship proceedings if you become disabled and probate court proceedings on death.

East Rockaway HigH School students

Julia Walsh, left, Grace Wooding, Kirsten Carman, Julia Passanisi and Tara Torbor received their AP Scholar awards at the board of education meeting on Dec. 13.

East Rockaway HigH School students

Julia Walsh, left, Julia Passanisi, Kirsten Carman, Hailey Velasquez, Charlotte Webster and Isabella DeCunzo received their Supermaster of Regents awards at the board of education meeting on Dec. 13.

Courtesy East Rockaway School District

Echo Park closing doors for $2 million renovation

By MARK NOLAN mnolan@liherald.com

The Echo Park indoor pool complex in West Hempstead has a long history of providing entertaining relief for Hempstead town residents. But that history will have to pause over the next several months while town officials push through the first phase of renovations, closing the pool until at least around Labor Day this year. And those $2 million worth of construction is just the beginning.

“The renovation of Echo Park is a multimillion-dollar project that will be completed over the next few years,” said Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin. “The Town of Hempstead is committed to upgrading this facility while minimizing the inconvenience for our local swimmers who frequent the park year-round.”

potentially save on energy bills.

That should bring Echo Park into the late summer or early fall, a town spokesperson said. What comes next is still being decided by town officials.

“The new and improved Echo Park will surely make a splash when completed,” Clavin said.

In the meantime, typical Echo Park visitors can travel to East Meadow instead to use the indoor pool there. The Nassau County Aquatic Center will accept passes issued by the Town of Hempstead during the renovation project.

DON CLAviN Hempstead town supervisor

Echo Park is generally open to all town residents, providing a rate discount to those who don’t live inside an incorporated village or special park district. Daily rates there are typically $8 to $9 for individuals, and $4.50 for children between 5 and 9, as well as senior citizens, the disabled, and volunteer first responders.

The first phase of construction includes a new air ventilation system, something that has taken on even more importance during the Covid-19 pandemic era. Other scheduled work includes a new state-of-the-art pool filtration system, new energy-efficient lighting, renovation of the north and south interior walls, and recaulking windows to prevent air leaks and

Nassau County offers similar rates in its East Meadow complex for those living in the county who also buy a three-year “leisure pass” for $36. Those without the pass, and those who don’t live in Nassau County, could pay daily rates as high as $22 for adults, and $14 for children.

And renovations in Echo Park aren’t exactly new. The West Hempstead complex

reopened in January 2018 after a $208,000 renovation that included resurfacing several indoor areas and refinishing the diving boards. The year before, Echo Park was part of a town-wide $1.26 million recreational facility improvement plan that focused on restroom and locker room upgrades.

Despite the inconvenience this time around, town councilman Thomas Muscarella says the upgrades are needed.

“Improvements to the pool are long

overdue,” he said. “Echo Park is a beloved facility in our area. Residents frequent the indoor pool all year.”

Other than this brief closure each winter, the Nassau Boulevard Echo Park facility is open seven days a week, year-round. It’s also home to a number of other yearround aquatic, physical fitness and cultural arts programs.

For more information on the center and using the Nassau County facility, call the Echo Park office at (516) 483-7400.

Herald file

A $2 MiLLiON renovation project will shut down the Echo Park indoor pool complex in West Hempstead through this coming summer, instead redirecting swimmers to the county facility in East Meadow.

STEPPING OUT

Dancing With The Stars Live

Heroism unfolds in an epic adventure

By Karen Bloom

elcome the New Year with another dose of that wonderful world of Disney. The latest Disney ice extravaganza arrives at UBS Arena in Elmont to the delight of families who can’t get enough of their favorite Disney moments. Audiences can relive some of the iconic characters and stories — classic and new — when Disney on Ice’s “Into the Magic” brings a lineup of Disney “royalty” here for four days, opening Jan. 5.

WHERE WHEN

• Thursday through Sunday. Jan. 5-11; times vary.

• Tickets start at $20 (pricing may fluctuate based on demand); available at Ticketmaster.com or DisneyOnIce.com

• UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont

This production showcases inspiring favorites from the Disney canon, including those spunky royal sisters, Anna and Elsa, from the always popular mega-hit “Frozen.” Joining this spirited pair are the forever-enchanting Belle, dauntless Rapunzel and the charming bandit Flynn, the determined Cinderella, the aspiring young musician Miguel, and the daring and fearless Moana. Their courage and plucky grit to live their best lives are set forth in lively — albeit condensed — re-tellings of “Beauty & the Beast,” “Coco,” “Tangled,” “Cinderella,” “Frozen” and “Moana.”

These unforgettable characters and their adventures are brought to life on ice in a captivating production that transports audiences to worlds where imaginations soar and in true Disney spirit “anything can happen if you just believe.” Guided by Mickey and Minnie and their crew, of course — with the assistance of two hosts this time around — these tales are told through graceful, artful skating and dynamic special effects, set to the soundtrack fans know and love.

In keeping with longstanding Disney tradition, it’s a fast-paced spectacle with rapidly changing segments.

“All celebrate why these stories are so special,” says Chase Belmontes, who performs as Gaston, Belle’s strapping suitor. “The uplifting nature of these stories all end strongly with an inspiring message about finding your dreams and finding your inner hero.”

That message surely resonates with the 27-year-old Las Vegas native, who is in his third year with Disney On Ice. “I grew up with Disney as a

kid,” he says. “I loved Disney and watched all the movies. Being here now is a personal accomplishment.”

As with his fellow cast members, Belmontes’ competitive skating skills enhance the high level of athleticism that is the hallmark of these productions. Solos, pair and fast-paced ensemble skating with high-flying jumps add to the appeal of the stories the audience knows so well.

“There are so many iconic moments,” he says, noting the pairs sequence in his “Beauty and the Beast “ portion, which also includes a dramatic ensemble routine. “It’s all very exciting.”

And, of course, “Frozen” elicits an enthusiastic response. As Belmontes says: “Always a fan favorite.” Especially when it comes time for “Let It Go.”

“It’s absolutely magical,” he continues. “Everyone sings along to every single word. It’s such a wonderful experience.”

There’s plenty of singing, with the audiences up on their feet throughout the show. And, naturally, Belles, Cinderellas and many others are scattered throughout the arena.

“Everyone dresses up in costume, even adults.” Belmontes says. “It’s amazing. So sit back and soak it all in. There’s a lot to look at and enjoy.”

indeed.

The popular dance showcase is back on tour this winter to celebrate its 31st season. The tour delivers electrifying dance performances from world-renowned dancers including Brandon Armstrong, Alan Bersten, Sasha Farber, Gleb Savchenko, Emma Slater, Britt Stewart, and ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ winner Alexis Warr, who now appears on ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ See the ballroom brought to life in this new production featuring your favorite ‘Dancing’ pros, plus special guest stars, performing original numbers as well as some of the showstoppers featured in Season 31. With dazzling routines in every style, fans will enjoy an unforgettable night full of all the magic of the television competition series and more. Experience the excitement, glitz and glamour they see in the ballroom live, up-close and personal.

Tuesday, Jan. 10, 8 p.m. $99, $79, $59, $49. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. (516) 299-3100, or TillesCenter.org.

Literary Luncheon

Madison Theatre hosts Deborah Goodrich-Royce, who discusses ‘Reef Road,’ her latest psychological thriller that explores the psychology of criminals and their victims, while drawing from real-life events that happened before she was born.

Goodrich Royce is the author of the widely praised psychological thrillers ‘Ruby Falls’ and ‘Finding Mrs. Ford.’ A former film and television actress, she is remembered by soap opera fans as Silver Kane, sister of the legendary Erica Kane, on ABC’s ‘All My Children.’ She later worked as a story editor for Miramax Films and was instrumental in developing such films as ‘Emma’ and ‘A Wrinkle in Time.’ With her husband, Chuck, she restored the Avon Theatre in Stamford, Connecticut, which now operates as a not-for-profit dedicated to independent, classic, foreign, and documentary films.

Wednesday, Jan. 18, noon. $50. Molloy University’s Larini Room, Public Square Building, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. (516) 323-4444, or MadisonTheatreNY.org.

Photos courtesy Feld Entertainment

Photos: Old and new favorites lace up their skates for a show that encourages everyone to ‘find your inner hero.’

THE SCENE

America

The perennial classic rock favorite is still going strong, appearing on the Tilles Center stage, Friday, Jan. 27, 8 p.m. Founding members Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell celebrate the band’s 53rd anniversary on their current tour, on the LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. The pair (along with former band mate Dan Peek), who met in high school in London in the late 1960s, quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of their signature song “A Horse With No Name.” America became a global household name and paved the way with an impressive string of hits following the success of their first #1 single. Forty plus years later, these friends are still making music together, touring the world and thrilling audiences with their timeless sound. Tickets are $99, $79, $69, $59; available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Art talk

Join Nassau County Museum Director Charles A. Riley II, PhD, for a Director’s Seminar, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 4 p.m. He’ll discuss “Photography: Beauty and Truth,” in a session that is keyed to the photojournalism of Robert Capa and the Magnum group as well as the pioneering work of Walker Evans and Lewis Hine. He’ll compare their approach with the digital manipulation of images (including video) in the media of our time and consider the relationship between the photographer as documentarian and as artist who holds the mirror up to nature. Participation is limited; registration required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Forest Bathing

Take a meditative Forest Bathing walk, led by certified guide Linda Lombardo, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2-4 p.m. Based on the Japanese tradition of ShinrinYoku, a wellness practice developed in the 1980s, the walk, on the grounds of the former summer residence of Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim, inspires mindful connections with the natural elements of the woods for a range of healthful benefits. $40, $35. Pre-registration required. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901.

Veterans thrift shop

VFW Post 3350 in East Rockaway continues its veterans thrift shop at 164 Main St. The store’s schedule remains variable in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, but aims be open daily, including Sundays. For thrift shop information or hall rentals, call (516) 887-8170, or visit VFWPost3350.org.

Jan. 11

A Time For Kids

Come to the Lynbrook Public Library for music, singing, skill building, crafting and so much more! This is a multi session program with the first session being from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and the next session being from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., at 56 Eldert Street. To register, visit the Lynbrook Public Library website.

RVC Homemakers

Learn crafts, cooking, canasta and more while doing community service for local hospitals, veterans, women and children. RVC Homemakers meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m., at the Recreation Center, 111 North Long Beach Road, Rockville Centre. For more information call Karen Alterson at (516) 318-6771.

Having an event?

Winter Adult Painting Class

Come to the Lynbrook Recreation Center, Monday, Jan. 9, 9 a.m.-noon, for a painting class. Fee is $135 for adults and $105 for seniors (62+). Register online at Lynbrook.RecDesk.com.

In concert

David Alterman returns to the stage with Altzim, Friday, Jan. 13 at My Father’s Place supper club. Enjoy an evening of music that Alterman describes as “Dylan with a twist,” with special guest Cathy Rose Virgilio. Rich Demand and his band also appear. Doors open at 6 p.m., concert is at 8 p.m. The Metropolitan, 3 Pratt Blvd., Glen Cove. For tickets/ information, visit MyFathersPlace. com or call (516) 580-0887.

Skate on

Long Island Children’s Museum’s “skating rink” is open for a final weekend,

Adult Cornhole League

Come to the Lynbrook Recreation Center, 55 Wilbur Street, Sunday, Jan. 8, 5-7 p.m. to play cornhole. The age minimum for this game is 21 years old. To register, visit Lynbrook.RecDesk.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.

Girls Hip Hop

Join Jessica Gaimaro starting Wednesday, Jan. 11, as she teaches girls, ages 3 to 4, at the Recreation Center, to learn how to dance hip hop! Costumes are included and black sneakers are mandatory. The fee is $220 for residents and $232 for nonvillage residents. Register at Lynbrook.RecDesk.com.

On exhibit

Photography’s ascent in the art world is an international phenomenon. Nassau County Museum of Art’s star-studded exhibition spans the historical roots of the medium. View works by Ansel Adams and his generation and the thrilling, large-format color works of such contemporary masters as Cindy Sherman, Thomas Struth, James Casebere and Gregory Crewdson, among others. From the documentary to the painterly, images bear witness to the times. On view through March 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Friday through Sunday, Jan. 6-8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Related crafts activities throughout the weekend. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

water as well.

“I have a first-floor basement, which means that the basement is at ground level,” Barry said. “And my wife and I went down there, and the water is pouring in the door.”

Barry said he was frustrated because he has been paying taxes over the past 17 years and the town still hasn’t fixed the constant flooding issue. “Between school and local taxes, I’m paying $15,000,” he said.

Barry is disabled after suffering a stroke, which makes his chair lift his lifeline. However, it was damaged beyond repair during the storm. “My $38,000 handicap chair lift out front is now no good,” he said. “The water caused the chair to start moving uncontrollably and then it started to smoke.”

He had to cut the electric off to the chair, but his power to his house also was turned off from the storm. “The deep freezer with all the Christmas food got all ruined and it was such a tragedy,” Barry said.

According to Barry, this has been the same story for his neighbors.

“They’ve been towing cars out of my block for the past week,” Barry said. “I’ve been living here for 17 years and obviously the money that they’re using our tax dollars for on infrastructure, isn’t really effective.”

Barry said the flooding was akin to hurricane Irene. “Hurricane Irene inundated our properties,” Barry said. “My house was not raised like it is now, but I

town, or state, or FEMA going to be held responsible to help homeowners and or residents from this storm?”

Even without financial help from FEMA, Barry would at least like the town to follow through with their promise of drudging nearby canals.

“We’re being flooded by the Grand Canal, which humans built for the purpose of swimming, boating, and clamming,” Barry said. “And we’ve been told for years that they would drudge the canal, go in there, dig it down, put up barriers at the end of all corner streets so there is no reason we should still be flooding out. We have to suffer because the town doesn’t want to spend the money to take the easy way.”

Barry is not optimistic the town will help in the near future. As of now, the main source of help is through the National Weather Service as they send out warnings before storms like these hit. According to the National Weather Service of NY’s Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Nelson Vaz, the flooding was not surprising.

“It was not unprecedented, but the water levels reached at East Rockaway Inlet, 6.85 feet, were approximately a half foot below the water levels seen during tropical storm Irene in 2011,” Vaz said. “Certainly the highest water levels we have seen since Sandy in 2012, but four feet lower than Sandy.”

Vaz expects flooding like this to become more frequent.

“Rising sea level is the primary concern with climate change for resulting in more frequent nuisance coastal flooding events and providing a higher baseline for the magnitude of these events along the eastern US in the

There are ways to prepare for flooding events like these in the future. Vaz said to know your risks, stay weather aware, prepare your home, assemble an emer gency kit, and evacuate if ordered.

Courtesy Brian Barry

Elks caring for nation’s hospitalized veterans

The members of the Elks District Lodges provided needed clothing of all types, plus other essentials to 124 veterans at St. Albans Extended Care Facility.

Puzzle Books, pens, pencils, $300 worth of Canteen books for their personal spending at the hospital commissary, and personalized holiday cards were some of the many gifts sent to these hospitalized veterans. The New York Elks Lodge 1, Brooklyn Queensborough Elks Lodge 878, New Hyde Park and North Shore Elks

Lodge 2107 donated $400 towards the holiday gifts. The three lodges also showed up with more than $400 each in additional clothing.

Committee members Lois Anderson, Kim Stein, Sylvia Wasner, and John Nuzzi were influential in helping with donations. “Thanks goes out to all the 26 Holiday Elks that did all the gift bagging and special bows on each of the gift bags,” Nuzzi said.

LIJ Medical Center is in the top 10% of hospitals nationally for oncology, according to U.S.News&WorldReport.

Our doctors are raising health by pioneering innovative approaches to cancer from novel chemotherapy techniques to first-in- the-nation robotic mastectomies with minimal scarring. Because when it comes to cancer, there’s no status quo. There’s only “how far can we go?”

Courtesy John Nuzzi Elks lodgE mEmbErs with the gift bags they put together for hospitalized veterans.

somE of thE clothing that was donated to hospitalized veterans.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF WORKSHOP

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will hold a WORKSHOP on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 5:30 P.M. in the Board Room at the Village Hall, One Columbus Drive, Lynbrook, NY 11563, for the following cases: #1003 Jose Medrano - 34 Manor Road, Lynbrook.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS Ginger Fuentes, Chair Person of the Board of Zoning Appeals, Brian Stanton, Superintendent, Department of Buildings Lynbrook Publish 1x 136507

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME

NASSAU COUNTY

CALIBER HOME LOANS, INC., Plaintiff against HARRIS GIDDINGS, et al Defendant(s)

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

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered May 18, 2018, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 19, 2023 at 2:30 PM.

Premises known as 12 Leonard Drive, East Rockaway, NY 11518. Sec 42 Block 114 Lot 4. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Village of East Rockaway, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Approximate Amount of Judgment is $776,530.85 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 010213/2015. For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832.

this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Janine Lynam, Esq., Referee NY202100000285-1 135914

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

COURT

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., successor by merger to Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Trustee f/k/a Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Trustee for Delta Funding Home Equity Loan Trust 1999-1, Plaintiff AGAINST Jared Klausner, as Administrator of the Estate of Eli Klausner; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 13, 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 January 19, 2023 at 2:00PM, premises known as 20 Highland Avenue, East Rockaway, NY 11518. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 38 Block 299 Lot 113.

Approximate amount of judgment $350,378.25 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 600268/2020. 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.”

Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee

21, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on January 19, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the southwesterly side of Davison Plaza, distant 101.65 feet northwesterly from the corner formed by the intersection of the westerly side of Ocean Avenue with the said southwesterly side of Davison Plaza; being a plot 85.00 feet by 20.00 feet by 85.00 feet by 20.00 feet.

Section: 38 Block: 506 Lot: 20

All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and social distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or the social distancing mandate will be removed from the auction.

Said premises known as 14 DAVISON PLAZA, EAST ROCKAWAY, NY

Approximate amount of lien $285,302.42 plus interest, fees & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment, outstanding taxes and/or tax lien(s) and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 602997/2019.

JANE SHRENKEL, ESQ., Referee

CULLEN AND DYKMAN LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff One Battery Park Plaza, 34th Floor, New York, NY 10004

{* EAST ROCKAWAY*} 135838

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

January 18, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 67 Lawrence Avenue, Lynbrook, NY 11563. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 38, Block 54, Lot 219. Approximate amount of judgment $516,776.20 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #003213/2017. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. George Esernio, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 17-000730 74225 135852

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

Lynbrook moms ask for help

Alonge said. “But just for that one day where we dropped off all the donations, it feels like magic for the families we take care of.” Along with 30 shelter families receiving gifts, Alonge and Mancuso were able to gather donations for Lynbrook families who needed help this holiday season.

Mancuso, who had little time to prepare for their own holidays. “Literally, right up until the Wednesday before Christmas, both Gail and I didn’t finish our holiday shopping,” Alonge said. “Neither one of us had an ornament on our trees.”

During the COVID-19 health emergency, Bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of the sale including but not limited to wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Should a bidder fail to comply, the Referee may refuse to accept any bid, cancel the closing and hold the bidder in default. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of

LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC

Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff

175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: November 22, 2022 135917

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU

OCEAN FINANCIAL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, Plaintiff -againstFOURTEEN DAVISON PLAZA ASSOCIATES, LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated October 20, 2022 and entered on October

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON TRUST, NA, SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO CITIBANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE F/B/O HOLDERS OF STRUCTURED ASSET MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS II INC., BEAR STEARNS ALT-A TRUST 2007-3, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-3, Plaintiff AGAINST SONIA F. GARNES AKA SONIA GARNES, ORLANDO FINDLAYTER INDIVIDUALLY AND AS SURVIVING SPOUSE OF YVETTE FINDLAYTER, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 23, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on

SUPREME COURT: NASSAU COUNTY. WELLS FARGO BANK, NA, Pltf. vs. VIRGINIA SCALABRINO A/K/A VIRGINIA SCALEBRINO, Deft. Index #001074/2014. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Feb. 27, 2018 and order to substitute the referee dated August 19, 2022, I will sell at public auction on the north side front steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on January 18, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., prem. k/a 49 Bixley Heath, Lynbrook, NY. Said property located in the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, in the State of NY, known and designated as and by the Lots #4 and 5 in Block 4 on a certain map entitled, “Map of Yorkshire, situated at Lynbrook, Nassau County, New York, Yorkshire Homes, Inc., 8502 Third Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, June 8, 1929, Carman- Dunne, Inc., Municipal Engineers and Surveyors, Professional Building, Lynbrook, New York” and filed in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on June 25, 1929 as Map No. 680, Case No. 811. Approx. amt. of judgment is $489,317.79 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and

“Then we had a Lynbrook mom reach out to us. Then it became two Lynbrook moms. Then three,” Alonge said. “And we ended up being able to help, in various degrees, five Lynbrook families.” For one particular mom, Alonge and Mancuso helped remove the stress of being able to provide for her kids.

Alonge and Mancuso went to Facebook again for donations to help. “The response was immediate and overwhelming,” Alonge said.

“Within 24 hours, we knew that we were going to be able to alleviate her anxiety of how she was going to be able to feed her family.”

The shelter families and Lynbrook moms became priorities for Alonge and

They both are focused on making this charitable work and never doubted each other. “We both have our own strengths,” Mancuso said. “We balance each other out.”

Mancuso has new plans for the donations when she does this again next year. “The unprecedented magnitude of this is why we had to have a cut off much sooner,” she said citing a lack of sleep.

“We were working on three hours of sleep,” Alonge said. “We were at Gail’s house until two in the morning and then she would stay up even later than that.”

Despite Mancuso and Alonge being overwhelmed, they expressed immense gratitude

“We are so grateful to the community and to our friends who enable us to do this every year because without them, we’d be dead in the water,” Alonge said.

Public Notices Public Notices

conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Foreclosure auction will be held “rain or shine.” If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the auction.

HAROLD F. DAMM, Referee. STEIN, WIENER & ROTH LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 1400 Old Country Road, Ste. 315, Westbury, NY. File No. 69116#99894 135866

To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST MARY LYNNE MIRVILLE, GENEVIEVE MIRVILLE, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered May 16, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 26, 2023 at 2:00PM, premises known as 11 WILSON AVENUE, LYNBROOK, NY 11563. All that certain plot piece

or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Village of Lynbrook, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37, Block 280, Lot 349. Approximate amount of judgment $309,573.16 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #005156/2013. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with

social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. George P. Esernio, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 00-295927 74315 136297

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

Courtesy Gail Mancuso Gail Mancuso’s livinG room was filled with some of the many gifts collected.

continued froM front paGe

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

Administrative Assistant For Five Towns Law Office

Mgmt/ Computer Skills Mandatory Salary Commensurate With Experience. Email Resume To Siberlaw@aol.com

ADMINISTRATIVE

Richner Communications - a rapidly growing multimedia company and publishers of the Herald newspaper grouphas several administrative job openings: Receptionist (P/T), Accounts Receivable/Billing Collections Clerk

Multi-Media Coordinator (Hours Flexible)

Qualified candidates are fast learners with good organizational and people skills - entry level ok.

Role requires working knowledge of Microsoft Office and ability to learn custom software programs.

If you would like to join a communitydriven, fast-paced environment, please send your resume to: careers@liherald.com.

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.

STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS Assist General Contractor. Drivers License. Knowledge Of Construction. Call Mike. 516-887-8877.

DRIVERS WANTED

EDITOR/REPORTER

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

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

HOSTESS/PHONE PERSON PARTTIME, Customer Experience necessary, Evenings, 4pm-8:30pm $16/hr. La PiazzaPlainview. Call Maria or Toni 516-938-0800

MERRICK BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM seeking mature individuals to supervise elementary school aged children from 2:45 pm to 5:00 or 6:00 pm weekdays. Experience helpful. If interested email merrickbasp@aol.com or call (516)379-4245

and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

Open Houses

HEWLETT 1534 BROADWAY #103, OPEN HOUSE BY APPT, REDUCED! Magnificent New Renovation! One of a Kind Ranch Style Living in Luxurious Jonathan Hall Condominium with Doorman & Elevator. Just Move into This Gut Renovated, Spacious 2 BR, 2 Bath Apt with Open Layout.Large Designer Eat in Kitchen with Sep Pantry & Laundry Rm.Master BR Boasts Gorgeous Bth & Walk in Closet. Terrace Faces into Courtyard. Garage Parking Incl...$699,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

HEWLETT 1534 BROADWAY #205, Open House By Appt! 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...$699,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Open Houses

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My building’s in need of a tenant

Q. I have a building that has been unoccupied for three years. I bought it because it was going to have a long-term tenant. They backed out, so I need to get the building rented. I have a prospect who wants me to get the permits for their animal grooming service operation, with possible overnight boarding. They’re only interested if the permits are ready to go. What is the minimum I can do to get the permit and get the tenant into the building to rent? The building is 8,000 square feet, and the tenant only needs about 5,000. Do I need more permits for another tenant, and can I get them both together to save money? I need to do this quickly, or the tenant will go elsewhere. What can be done?

A. Time and cost are a problem. You probably won’t get results in under seven months to a year. Building plans take time, and must involve the tenant’s specific input as to where walls, plumbing and equipment will be located.

Most people treat plans like they’re just a suggestion, to be changed later, but the reality is that the plans need to show very specifically what will be done. Those plans have to be filed with all the required application papers and a property survey with the building department, which will then put the plans in a lineup with all the other plan folders that come in that will eventually be reviewed. Depending on the size of the community, this process can take three to four months before you first hear back that your plans are objected to or rejected.

Once you learn that you can’t be approved with a straight-away permit, you may request that the file go into a request for varying from the zoning code, since most municipalities do not allow overnight animal boarding. This is the zoning variance request. A zoning case is separate from a building permit, and requires the preparation of a map of the property, along with neighboring properties — sometimes, depending on the community, as far away as 600 feet. For commercial use, some municipalities require that the map show the accurate outline of all buildings and names of tenants and owners on each property, prepared by a licensed land surveyor.

If the plans you submit on behalf of your potential tenant do not reflect the true layout of the shapes and sizes of rooms, the location of equipment, etc., you may find yourself applying again to repeat the process when a building inspector sees that the plans were not followed, so you and the tenant have to treat this process seriously.

Also, if the building is not yet outfitted with sprinklers, plan on another seven- to 10-month process with the fire marshal. It can take less, but this is a common time frame. This process cannot be rushed, and isn’t like getting a driver’s license. Each tenant’s plans will need to be filed for separately. 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.

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The ups and downs of 2022

Yes, 2022 was quite a year. Politics were at their ugliest. The world was in turmoil. War raged in the Ukraine. Overall, it was a tumultuous year. Here are some thoughts on it. The election had many surprises for New Yorkers. Kathy Hochul became the first elected woman governor in state history, but won her first full term by only 5 percentage points.

JERRY KREMER

Hochul ran a remote campaign, and failed to do local events. Her Republican opponent, Lee Zeldin, made it a closer contest than expected, using the issue of crime effectively.

Long Island made history by electing four Republican members of Congress, who helped their party cement its majority in the House. One of the winners, George Santos, turned out to have lied about his entire resume. Candidates sometimes exaggerate a chapter of their history, but not the entire story. At this writing, Santos was about to be investigated by the Nassau County district attorney. Even if he’s able to hang on to his job, he’ll definitely be a one-term member of Congress.

There were some other big local winners. Nassau Republican chair Joe Cairo’s candidates unseated two state senators, and his party now has seven out of nine Long Island senate seats. We can hope that the winning seven will find a way to work with the two Democrats whose party controls the senate. Cairo also produced a winning margin locally for Zeldin, which helped make the final results much closer.

Love him or not, President Biden had some big victories last year. Congress passed a bipartisan gun control bill, the first of its kind since the early 1990s. Of course, it took a number of major tragedies to spark a major defeat for the National Rifle Association, which had successfully blocked previous bills.

As well, new microchip legislation will pave the way for microchip factories in the United States. New York will get its own major chip facility upstate, which could bring thousands of jobs.

Another bipartisan win was the passage of a major bill that will fund the battle against climate change, a first in the country’s history. New York did its share by passing a $4 billion bond to combat global warming in the state. It will pay for

badly needed repairs to water and sewer systems and provide dollars for new forms of clean energy. Considering the measure’s high cost, its approval by voters was a miracle.

Those voters also sent a clear message to the Albany establishment on the issue of bail reform. Whether or not crime rates are as high in your community as some claim, the State Legislature will have to clean up the current law, or Democrats will take a bigger beating in 2024 and possibly lose control of the Senate.

And 2022 was supposed to be the year when cannabis would be sold at retail dispensaries. Some permits were given to people who’d had marijuana-related convictions, but otherwise the program stalled. New York is far behind Massachusetts and Rhode Island when it comes to legalized pot sales.

Our battle against the coronavirus last winter was successful. The number of New Yorkers suffering from the disease dropped dramatically. Covid vaccines proved to be effective. While mandates to wear masks were finally lifted, wearing masks in 2023 in crowded places will still be effective in keeping the numbers down.

Last November’s election results were historic. Over the past 50-plus years, the

president’s party has almost always lost seats in Congress, and has sometimes lost control of the House or Senate as well. But this time around, the Democrats, who some forecast would lose both houses, surprisingly kept control of the Senate, and almost retained control of the House.

So, 2022 was the year that prosecutors and the Jan. 6 committee painted a vivid picture of numerous wrongdoings by former President Donald Trump. He is facing grand jury deliberations, and even many of his staunchest supporters acknowledge that his reputation has taken a major hit. The failure of the candidates he endorsed in November didn’t help, either. This may be the year that he is called to account for his missteps.

The nation needs a cleansing from Trump’s grip on the Republican Party, which will help both political parties refocus on making government work — or at least they will try. This was quite a year. Hopefully, our leaders will learn from their mistakes, and produce some positive results for we the people.

Jerry Kremer was an Assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.

Happiness is a reach, but we have long arms

Happiness is a reach, but we have long arms

As the new year begins, let us look up to the stars that light our winter nights.

The transition from 2022 to 2023 has been showered with starlight. Fresh off the front lines in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky, the most unlikely of heroes, came to America to thank us for our support, and ask for more. As it turns out, the man in green fatigues roused something in us that had been beaten lifeless over the past few years: pride in our will to do good, faith in our democracy and a clear demarcation between right and wrong. Heroism is a rare commodity, but it walked into Congress on Dec. 21 and reminded us of who we are.

invaded, he stepped out of his old life and into battle dress. His visit to the U.S. shook something loose in our pervasive national cynicism and growing mistrust of one another. Here is a good guy, brave, not afraid to die for his country, a real David against a monstrous Goliath.

The Ukrainians face a winter without heat or running water, under constant bombardment by Russia. Their courage reminds us what death-defying bravery looks like after years of Trumpist self-serving corruption.

RANDI KREISS

“It is often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars,” the philosopher Hannah Arendt said. Just in these last weeks, as 2022 ended and as 2023 begins, the sky seems afire with hope.

human-rights and voter-rights legislation through Congress.

Heroes come in unlikely personas at odd times. Cassidy Hutchinson is in the news, too. The 26-year-old former assistant to Mark Meadows, the Trump White House chief of staff, a woman who knows right from wrong, decided to tell the truth about President Trump’s alleged crimes despite enormous pressure to dissemble. It is hard to overstate the significance of her testimony. She is key to the Department of Justice investigation of Trump and the insurrection. A woman who had to look up the history of Watergate to guide her may be key to preserving our democracy.

cal behavior at NYU Langone. The article alleged longstanding policies on the part of hospital administrators to offer favorable treatment to powerful donors and celebrities and political figures. The reporting stood boldly against those who think that might makes right, and in support of those who surrender to privilege or who are resigned to “the way things work.”

In the wake of the Times story, maybe those bending the rules will be held accountable. It’s going around.

The fact that we have newspapers and reporters who sweat the details and follow up and write truth to power is another bright star in our firmament.

Nothing about the Ukrainian presidential visit was business as usual. Zelensky’s superheroic persona was forged in the fires sparked by Russian missiles and tanks. Seems like a minute ago he was an entertainer raising a family in a safe and bustling society. But when the Russians

There was something uplifting in how it all looked: the man from Ukraine hugging the outgoing Speaker of the House and embracing the American president. Political pundits have been busy hounding aging boomers out of the public spotlight and urging older statespeople to retire. Yet it was 82-year-old Nancy Pelosi and 80-year-old Joe Biden who were getting things right, and getting the people’s work done. It was 72-year-old Sen. Chuck Schumer who pushed some critical

Then there’s the January 6th congressional committee and its 800-somethingpage report, released during these weeks of wonder. Another unlikely force for good, the committee, over 18 months, compiled a detailed and disturbing account of a rogue presidency, an attempted coup, and a coterie of accomplices to crimes against our nation.

Accountability is in the air, and it isn’t only playing out in our government. More locally, The New York Times recently ran a front-page story detailing alleged unethi-

For these many years of political travail and pandemic grief, newspapers have kept us informed. Stories like the expose on NYU prove that we have people in our profession who care about public corruption and work hard to bring it to light.

Correspondents on the ground in Ukraine risk their lives every day to bring us the human story unfolding there.

We survived the shortest day of the year. As the daylight lingers, is it harmony in our homeland we see in the new year? Moments of happiness? Certainly the stars are brilliant in our cold, dark skies, and we can read that as hope.

Copyright 2022 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

I s it harmony in our homeland we see in the new year? Moments of happiness?

This was quite a year. We can hope that our leaders will learn from their mistakes.

When ‘it’s just government’ isn’t an excuse

it’s a new year. A time of renewal. A time when we look ahead to brighter days.

Many people, however, woke up a couple of days before Christmas to heavy rain and wind that once again brought a frightening amount of flooding to residential streets and primary roadways.

The early-winter storm evoked memories of 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, which was considered a once-in-a-century weather event. One South Shore resident even said that the storm was “giving me Sandy vibes.”

As early-morning motorists maneuvered through small rivers of water, it wasn’t surprising that some thought, “No, not again.” But they may have scratched their heads at the next thought: “Where are all those Sandy flood-mitigation projects we were promised?”

Less than a year after Sandy, New York state — under the direction of then Gov. Andrew Cuomo — established the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery to centralize the rebuilding and recovery efforts. One of its programs, New York Rising Community Reconstruction, empowered local communities to provide input into resiliency projects. Sandy was one of three storms — along with Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 — that were under the storm recovery office’s umbrella.

Roughly $4.4 billion was made available to the state through federal funding for an assortment of resiliency projects as well as for residential home rebuilding. For the NYRCR program, communities assembled committees of civic leaders. There were public meetings. Engineers were consulted. Ideas were exchanged. Public comment

letters Thanks … for nothing

To the Editor:

Thank you, Democratic legislators in Albany, for nothing. When people, including the Governor, begged state legislators to return to Albany to fix bail reform and address crime issues, you all refused. Now, how quickly you returned just to vote yourself a nearly 30 percent pay raise.

And, you still did not address the crime issues.

You are more interested in what you give yourselves instead of what the people’s needs are. Again, thanks — for nothing.

STEvE GROGAN

was collected.

From the list of NYRCR projects provided by the storm recovery office, 45 have been completed in Nassau County, while 30 others are in progress. These projects total nearly $334 million. GOSR has done a heck of a job.

However, getting to this point is one thing, but finishing is something else. What started as a well-run program looks as if it’s going to be a tough haul to complete.

Local officials tasked with cooperating with their state counterparts have found the process, which continues today, annoyingly slow and frustrating. There have been too many meetings, too much talk, and a lack of coordination — to the point where it felt like projects were constantly stopping and starting.

One of the problems appears to have been self-inflicted. As local officials pushed to move the projects forward, not only were there too many personnel changes in the state storm-recovery office, but the incoming officials, based in New York City, were unfamiliar with Long Island. Some projects went through nearly 10 iterations. It seemed that the process had to start from scratch any time there was a change in GOSR leadership.

Storm recovery representatives were also constantly interpreting federal language differently, creating more bumps in the road. The large volume of paperwork that moved back and forth between municipalities — requirements put in place by federal agencies as a response to the rampant fraud, waste and abuse of funds after Hurricane Katrina —slowed projects down.

Then, in 2020, the world shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. Projects that were in the works were given extensions because of unforeseen conditions that created supply-chain issues. That was understandable.

But don’t misunderstand: Much has been accomplished. There is a pump station in Cedarhurst, for example, that surely could help reduce flooding on Peninsula Boulevard.

Cuomo’s idea of having one central entity to oversee the projects was a good one. And the grass-roots NYRCR program won numerous national awards. But as more projects move forward, the state’s execution needs to be better. Now that there is a record of what was done — good and bad — there should be an audit, and what is learned from it should be applied as soon as possible.

The state’s newly created — and much more permanent — Office of Resilient Homes and Communities will now take over the storm recovery office portfolio. We hope that a permanent department will mean less staff shuffling and a streamlining of the bureaucracy. Importantly, state officials need to be more familiar with the communities they are supposed to be helping.

At one of many public meetings held several years ago, one resident was heard to say, “It’s just government,” in response to proposed plans that neighbors did not completely agree with.

That’s not an excuse our government should hide behind. To start the new year off right, the state should move the remaining projects to completion as soon as possible — before the next storm strikes.

Steve Grogan is a former Lynbrook Village Trustee

opinions

Does Kirsten Gillibrand care about Long Islanders?

new York state’s missing U.S. senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, recently surfaced on Long Island. That must mean that Gillibrand finally got around to analyzing November’s election results and the near-death experience that will be seared into Gov. Kathy Hochul’s memory. Say what you will about our senior senator, Chuck Schumer — and there’s much to say — at least he knows where Long Island is. Before he became majority leader, Schumer seemed to be on the Island every weekend, holding news conferences on topics ranging from baby products to the width of airline seats. He understood the power of Long Island’s potent voter base and its propensity to swing right or left, depending on issues and personalities.

Schumer has been in our faces, like him or not, because he understands politics and the importance of engaging voters. He has long recognized that if you take Long Island for granted, you do so at your own political peril.

Gillibrand? She has long been absent on issues. Absent on voter engagement.

Absent on personal appearances. Just plain absent. Even Newsday was compelled at one point to ask, “Where is she?”

Well, you can tell that she has checked the calendar, and discovered that re-election is just two years away. Last month she met with journalists in Melville. In what was described as a wide-ranging discussion, Gillibrand announced that Long Island’s “red wave” would end in 2024. While suggesting that her party was trounced in November because “a lot of Long Island is libertarian,” she added, “I intend to run for re-election and win the state back, along with Long Island.”

These are bold words from someone who has failed to make a serious connection with Long Island voters. Over the years, Gillibrand has made a handful of announcements about federal programs, with little evidence that she pursued them specifically for our region, or even the state. In some instances, she has simply piggybacked off press statements from Schumer’s office.

To be fair, a search reveals that she held a town hall meeting at Hofstra in October. At that event, in which she engaged with students, the focus was the

Letters

Government shouldn’t control energy on L.I.

To the Editor:

The recent column by Ronald Rosenberg (“‘Energy efficient’ may become a contradiction in terms,” Dec. 1-7) hits the nail on the head. Proposed moves away from the current public/private energy setup, which works well, are supported by left-wing activists who want further government control.

Current conventional energy producers and purveyors tend to be Republican and conservative. The cries for clean and green energy have less to do with saving the planet and more to do with consolidating power among Democrats and socalled progressives. More and more analysis has shown that electric cars, wind power and solar power are fraught with failures. Wake up, folks — the real goal here is to consolidate power among the radical left, not to save the planet.

MIKE TARTAGLIA Franklin Square

Supreme Court’s ruling on abortion. She told the Herald that she was in favor of term-limiting the justices. Ironically, that’s a suggestion she has not proffered for members of the Senate.

Gillibrand described herself as “very progressive” in her Melville interview, which raises the question: Just how far out of step is she with the majority of New Yorkers and those Long Island “libertarians” who voted in the last election cycle? Does she appreciate that being “very progressive” may serve to short-circuit a primary challenge from the left, but leaves her totally at odds with moderates in both parties?

Being frightened of a left-wing primary challenge led Hochul to ignore such profound issues as crime, high taxes, and municipal zoning authority. Her election night turned rather tense as returns demonstrated that a state with nearly twice as many Democrats as Republicans wasn’t going to give her the margin of victory her consultants were touting.

Former Rep. Lee Zeldin has given no indication of what he plans to do for the next two years. He has been mentioned as a potential choice as the next state GOP chairman, who could infuse new blood and strategic vision into that posi-

tion. There is also speculation that he could run for Senate, confronting Gillibrand’s progressive candidacy with the grounded policies of moderates and conservatives who want an engaged senator who knows the difference between AOC and the LIE.

Another Long Islander who would make a formidable opponent to Gillibrand is Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. He has quickly established his credentials as a tireless campaigner who embraces policies that are welcomed by those who describe themselves as Republicans, as well as independents who are in search of common sense. Comfortable before the media, popular “at home” and dedicated to public service, Blakeman would be an attractive candidate on many levels.

While two years is a lifetime in politics, Gillibrand’s recent return to Long Island is like Halley’s Comet, an event that happens very rarely. And her description of our red wave as the product of a bunch of libertarians is a reflection of the fact that she may visit every once in a while, but she doesn’t know us. And never has.

Ronald J. Rosenberg has been an attorney for 42 years, concentrating in commercial litigation and transactions, and real estate, municipal, zoning and land use law. He founded the Garden City law firm Rosenberg Calica & Birney in 1999.

Framework by Tim Baker

Preparing to ring it in at the Electric Light Parade — Long Beach

the senator may visit every once in a while, but she doesn’t know us, and never has.

ronaLd J. rosenBerG