Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald 02-16-2023

Redistricting

Santino Malone tackles interviews at Super Bowl

By BEN FiEBERt bfiebert@liherald.com

Lynbrook resident and Quinnipiac University senior Santino Maione scored several interviews last week in Arizona, while he was covering the Super Bowl.

Maione, a journalism student, went to the event with classmates from the Quinnipiac Bobcats Sports Network, along with the Ability Media Program. They arrived in Glendale on Feb. 3 to cover a week’s worth of events leading up to the Super Bowl.

This is the second consecutive year that

A ‘Prime’ taste of diversity at village eatery

By BEN FiEBERt bfiebert@liherald.com

Bryant Postell, owner of Prime 39 in Lynbrook, overcame several obstacles during the pandemic, which led him to play an instrumental role in starting a coalition of black business owners.

build out, operate, and convert the kitchen from electric to gas. Also during that time, National Grid reached an impasse with the state Department of Environmental Conservation and New York and New Jersey elected officials over a $1 billion, 24-mile gas supply pipeline.

Maione has covered the NFL’s biggest game. “I never expected to be able to do this,” he said.

He was not going to fumble this rare opportunity, as he’s been interested in sports journalism for years. “I’ve always been a huge fan of watching ESPN, Sports Center, ‘First Take,’” he said. “And I’ve always known that I wanted to be an on-air personality for sports in general.”

Maione inched closer to his career goal by interviewing several athletes before the Super Bowl. “I’ve gotten to interview Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback for the Chiefs, Jalen Hurts, who’s the quarterback for the Eagles,

Continued

Prime 39, a restaurant and bar that opened two years ago, has attracted a lot of patrons. But there were tough times. Postell and his partners, Rocky Jenkins, Neil Bailey and Rick Riddick, are glad to be through the thick of it as their business continues to flourish.

“Our greatest accomplishment was opening in the middle of Covid and still being successful,” Postell said. “All the odds were stacked against us.” Not long after he signed the lease in November 2018, he went through a wide range of challenges.

Postell had to acquire the necessary permits and approvals to

“We had to wait a few months because National Grid was in a moratorium — we faced difficulties with the fire marshal regarding the fire alarms,” Postell said. “And then we were slated to open in April of 2020, but then we got hit with Covid in March so that created a halt on everything.”

Battered by nonstop issues, Postell said that the Lynbrook community has continued to be supportive of his business. “It is very important to have black-owned businesses in Lynbrook, on Long Island and across America,” he said. “It provides an opportunity to showcase our culture through a din-

Continued on page 18

Courtesy Santino Maione

lYNBRook’s sANtiNo MAioNE with the famed Vince Lombardi Trophy, covered the Super Bowl.

i t is very important to have black-owned businesses in Lynbrook, on Long Island and across America.

Blakeman not yet ready to unfreeze assessments

By MICHAEL MALASZCZYK mmalaszczyk@liherald.com

It’s a vital component of the property tax system, yet for the third straight year, Nassau County won’t be conducting a tax assessment of homes and businesses.

Such a freeze first gained momentum under former Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, but lifted by his successor, Laura Curran. However, the freeze was reimplemented during Covid-19, and now continues under Bruce Blakeman’s tenure.

The difference — at least according to the county legislatures Democratic minority — is that Blakeman campaigned against Curran, promising to roll back the tax increases caused by the reassessments done under her administration. Yet, they still remain frozen.

“As housing prices soared at an unprecedented rate during the worst of the pandemic, the minority supported a temporary freeze to protect property owners from dramatic swings in a remarkably turbulent market,” minority spokesman Daniel Schrafel said. “However, ‘temporary’ is key. History has demonstrated that freezing the tax rolls for extended periods distorts assessed values to such a degree that the only way for property owners to protect themselves from overpaying is to grieve. We must do everything in our power to break this unjust, exploitative cycle.”

The reassessments are supposed to happen annually to review property value and

tax property owners accordingly. When they don’t happen, properties that have risen in value become under-taxed, while those that may have dropped end up paying a higher tax than they would have otherwise.

The value of property impacts school taxes and other issues.

When in office, Curran called the reassessment process “corrupt” and “broken.”

The Democrat pledged to fix it in a 2018 opinion piece published in the Herald, only to freeze it once again during the pandemic.

Democrats now criticizes Blakeman for the continuing the freeze despite the economic pressures of the pandemic subsiding, particularly in light of Blakeman’s promise to do so.

“Mr. Blakeman vowed to rescind the

county’s increases that he blamed on the recent assessment,” Democratic county legislator Debra Mulé said. “That basically means that if you’re over-assessed, you’ll be stuck paying more than your fair share of taxes this year, unless you successfully grieve your assessment.”

State Sen. Kevin Thomas joined in the chorus against the freeze to highlight that grievance process.

“Every homeowner in Nassau has received solicitations from tax grievance workers, myself included,” Thomas said. “These grievance workers use deceitful tactics that lead many to believe filing a grievance is just too complicated for the average resident.

“That is not the case — homeowners can file grievances themselves. You are not required to use an attorney or a specialist, nor is there a fee to file. You can even file online from today until March 1 by yourself. It should be as simple as that.”

Thomas introduced a bill in Albany intending to bring more trust and transparency to the tax grievance process.

For his part, Blakeman called the phase-in plan of his predecessor a failure, and says it won’t expire until next year. He is extending the grievance deadline, however, from March 1 to April 3.

“My administration has reviewed the comptroller’s comprehensive audit that uncovered many inaccuracies in valuations,” Blakeman said in a statement, “and I felt it was important to give residents additional time to grieve.”

Michael Malaszczyk/Herald

STATE SEN. KEVIN Thomas, second from left, was joined by Nassau County Legislators Carrié Solages, far left, Debra Mule, and Joshua Lafazan at a news conference to discuss the county’s freezing of property tax assessments for a third consecutive year. County Executive Bruce Blakeman is extending the grievance deadline to April 3.

Final step to protect shipwreck burial ground

Historians want town to designate Mariner’s Burial Ground a historical landmark

By marK noLan mnolan@liherald.com

The souls of at least 139 people who perished 186 years ago may soon finally have a protected and undisturbed monument in their memory.

The Town of Hempstead is holding a public hearing Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. to decide whether or not to designate the Mariner’s Burial Ground in the Rockville Cemetery in Lynbrook as a historical landmark.

The Bristol and Mexico Monument and Mariner’s Burial Ground are already recognized as state and federal landmarks.

The town designation is especially significant, said two historians, because the land is owned by the town. Landmark designation from the town holds more legal standing than state and federal designation and would prevent any alterations to the monument or land.

That’s an important distinction, both historians said, because in the past the monument has been defaced, and several graves desecrated.

“Our goal is to landmark this monu-

ment and surrounding areas so we can hold our ceremony each year to honor the victims of the shipwrecks,” said Frank Torre, president of the Historical Society of East Rockaway and Lynbrook. “We don’t want any further desecration of what we believe to be hallowed ground.”

The Bristol wrecked on a sandbar off Far Rockaway beach Nov. 21, 1836. Records indicate 77 people — mostly poor immigrants from England and Ireland — died in the frigid water. The Mexico wrecked off Hempstead Beach on Jan. 2, 1837 and claimed the lives of 62, also mostly immigrants from England and Ireland.

Torre said the monument is important for memorializing the deceased and showing the civic spirit of the community nearly 200 years ago.

Community leaders of the time “did their civic duty to provide a proper buri-

al,” Torre said. “It honors the memories of the founders of the community. In their words, ‘We deem it our solemn duty’ shows that they were committed to making sure the victims were decently and properly interred.”

Village of Lynbrook Historian Art Mattson, who wrote a book about the shipwrecks, “Water and Ice”, said the town’s landmark designation — if approved — would better protect the monument.

“State and national designations do not in any way restrict the owner from demolition or alteration,” Mattson said.

Mattson said the current cemetery corporation has been helpful with maintaining the monument and allowing the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Rockville Centre and Lynbrook to hold a ceremony with the historical society each year.

Mattson and Torre said they want landmark designation from the town as a permanent way to protect the monument. The defacing of part of the inscription on the monument occurred before 1953, Torre said, a date known because Ruth Bader — the future U.S. Supreme Court justice — wrote about it in a letter.

In a statement, Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin praised volunteers for working to protect an important part of local history.

“The Mariner’s Burial Ground in the Rockville Cemetery is an important piece of Town of Hempstead history and pays homage to the victims of two shipwrecks dating back to 1836,” Clavin said. “I’m proud to help preserve history and applaud the local community for their dedication to the Mariner’s Burial Ground.”

The public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington St., Hempstead. Public hearings are also livestreamed on the town’s website.

East Rockaway students earn All-County honors

Eleven East Rockaway student musicians were selected to participate in the Nassau Music Educators Association’s AllCounty chorus ensembles.

The district’s All-County students include fifth graders Abigail Cabral and Deborah Jermia and sixth graders Liliana Germani, Cassidy Knight, Adam Kolakowski and Carina Mannino from Rhame Avenue School and fifth graders Owen Falbee, AnnMarie Piazza, Georgia Vesce and Kennedy Meltzer and sixth grader Eamon Joyce from Centre Avenue School.

All-County selection represents one of the highest achievements for Long Island music students. Participants are chosen based on New York State School Music Association evaluations and teacher recommendations.

The All-County rehearsals and performances took place in January at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at LIU Post.

Student muSicianS from East Rockaway’s Rhame Avenue School were selected for AllCounty chorus.

Student muSicianS from East Rockaway’s Centre Avenue School were selected for AllCounty chorus.

What’s

We don’t want any further desecration of what we believe to be hallowed ground. franK torre president, Historical Society of East Rockaway and Lynbrook

Photos courtesy East Rockaway School District Rhame Avenue School fifth grader Abigail Cabral was selected to perform with the Division 1 West All-County chorus at the Tilles Center.

• Pre-Arrangement Counseling

• Serving All Faiths

• Monuments

• Medicaid Approved Burial Trusts

• Funeral Directors available

24 hours a day

• Cremation Services

Peninsula Blvd) Lynbrook, New York 11563

516-599-3600 • fax 516-599-3602

email: info@flinchandbruns.com www.flinchandbruns.com

“A Continued Family Tradition”

John F. Ferrante • Michael J. Grant Edward A. Bruns President Emeritus

To be elected or selected?

Hempstead to decide again

By MARK NOLAN mnolan@liherald.com

Should government representatives be elected by the voters they serve, or selected by government officials?

If past is prologue, the Hempstead Town Board will soon vote to appoint someone to fill the empty 4th Council District seat.

People who live in the Town of Hempstead’s 4th Council District have been without representation on the town board since former Councilman Anthony D’Esposito was sworn into Congress Jan. 7. D’Esposito was first appointed to the town council in February 2016.

As the vacancy approaches two months, some people are anticipating the Hempstead town board will continue its ages-old tradition of appointing someone to fill the seat. These vacancies are often created when a councilmember runs successfully for another position. Recent appointments by the board to the town council include Councilmembers Thomas Muscarella, Melissa Miller, and Dennis Dunne.

Medicaid Asset Protection Trust Myths

Why don’t more people do the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT)? The answer is that clients often get the wrong advice from well meaning but ill informed professionals, family and friends. Here are some of the most common MAPT myths.

1. You Can’t Sell the House. The MAPT may sell the house at any time. The money is paid to the MAPT. You may invest the money and use the income for a rental or you may purchase another residence in the name of the MAPT. The five year clock does not start over.

2. You Lose Your Property Tax Exemptions. Properly drafted MAPT’s preserve your Senior, STAR and Veteran’s exemptions as well as the exemption from capital gains on the sale of the primary residence —$500,000 for a couple or $250,000 for a single person.

3. It Takes Five Years. While it takes five years to protect ALL of your assets from long-term care in a facility, the time “pro

rates”. For example, if you have to go into a nursing home four years after you set up the MAPT, you only have to pay for the one year that is left.

4. You Can’t Get Your Money. The trust pays you all of the income. Principal may be gifted from the trust in any amount to any of your heirs.

5. The MAPT Cannot Be Revoked. Strange as it may seem, in New York you may revoke an irrevocable trust. Here’s why. It’s irrevocable because you, the grantor, cannot revoke it alone. However, New York has another rule on the books that says that if every person named in the irrevocable trust agrees in writing that they no longer want the trust, then you may revoke it on consent of all the named parties. Since that is just you and your adult children, it is usually a simple matter to accomplish. If a child won’t sign, we simply amend the trust to remove them and then their signature is no longer needed.

BARBARA EPstEiN

While proponents of appointments argue that special elections are costly and not a legal requirement, those in favor of holding special elections say appointments usurp the public’s democratic rights.

to make the decision as to who their representatives are. The town board is taking that out of the hands of the people.”

Redistricting because of the 2020 U.S. Census has made the vacancy a bit more tricky. A town spokesman said the vacancy would be addressed by the town board after the redistricting is settled.

“The town board is diligently considering candidates who can represent the town’s 4th Councilmanic District,” said Hempstead spokesman Greg Blower in a statement.

Former Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen, who in 2018 attempted — but failed — to change town law to require special elections for vacancies, said appointments take power away from voters.

“That’s not democracy,” Gillen said. “This is used by the GOP in Hempstead to give their candidates the power of incumbency.”

League of Women

Voters of East Nassau

Barbara Epstein, part of the management team of the League of Women Voters of East Nassau, said the league doesn’t support or oppose individual candidates — but does favor special elections over appointments.

“There should be a special election from a good-government perspective,” Epstein said of the 4th Council District seat. “People should have the opportunity

Gillen said the cost of a special election is about $100,000, a small sum, she said, to maintain the public’s trust in government and voting. By having the town board — comprised of people who live outside the 4th Council District — appoint a councilperson, voters in the 4th District lose their vote, Gillen said.

“It’s undemocratic for people outside the district to pick the people who would represent the district,” Gillen said.

Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, who was first elected in 1999 and is the first African American women to serve on the board, has often publicly spoke out against appointments. Goosby, the lone Democrat on the town board, filed a classaction suit against the town in 1988 that led to Hempstead shedding at-large voting for councilmanic districts.

■

■

Letters and other submissions: lyn-ereditor@liherald.com

■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 265 E-mail: lyn-ereditor@liherald.com

■

■

ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460

■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: rglickman@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643

People should have the opportunity to make the decision as to who their representatives are. The town board is taking that out of the hands of the people.

Founders’ Day honors outstanding educators

The Lynbrook Council of PTAs celebrated its annual Founders’ Day with a gala Feb. 13 at Lynbrook High School. The event honors local impactful educators. Those honored were: Corey Guglielmo and Michael Kunz of Lynbrook High School; Lisa Lanzello and Justin Randazzo of Lynbrook South Middle School; Sandra Gettenberg of Lynbrook North Middle School; Andreia Davies and Peter Deschler of Marion Street School; Chris-

tine Doran and Laura Greene of West End School; Katherine Kelly-Roth and Karline Wilson Schmieder of Waverly Park School; and Jennifer Powder and Laura MacLeish of Lynbrook SEPTA. Jennifer Denker received the 2023 Distinguished Service Award. Superintendent Melissa Burak received the Diamond Award.

— Mark Nolan

Christine Rivera/Herald photos

Laura Pignataro, Left, Megan O’Donovan, Melissa Burak (Diamond Award Honoree), and Joanna Santoli.

Sharmin hakim, Left, with honoree Peter Deschler and Stephanie Alberts. Jennifer ruggiero, Left, Connor Ruggiero, and honoree Jennifer Powder.

THE FEIL FAMILY Pavilion

— named for Feil Organization chief executive Jeffrey Feil — will feature an expanded emergency department at Mount Sinai South Nassau, along with 40 critical and intensive care beds, and nine new operating rooms. Feil’s foundation donated $5 million to the hospital.

Feil family donates $5M for new pavilion

Gift is single largest donation in Mount Sinai South Nassau’s history

By KARINA KOVAC kkovac@liherald.com

The Louis Feil Charitable Lead Annuity Trust has pledged the largest single gift in the history of Mount Sinai South Nassau — $5 million. And, in return, it will help usher in a new state-of-the-art facility, with the Feil name on top.

The new four-story, 100,000-square-foot building, is scheduled to open in another year. And when it does, it will be named the Feil Family Pavilion.

This new $130 million pavilion will double the size of the hospital’s current emergency department, increase the critical and intensive care inpatient capacity to 40 beds, and add nine new operating rooms.

“Mount Sinai South Nassau is our local hospital, and we are grateful for the expert care it provides to our communities on the South Shore,” said Jeffrey Feil, chief executive of the Feil Organization— and a longtime Rockville Centre resident — in a release. “We are so fortunate to have an outstanding medical center right in our backyard. The Feil family is honored to support the growth of Mount Sinai South Nassau.”

The Feil Organization is a real estate investment, management and development firm based in New York City with more than 70 years of expertise. Feil’s portfolio commands millions of square feet in industrial, commercial and retail, as well as more than 5,000 residential properties and thousands of acres of undeveloped land across the United States.

Feil and his family — including his parents, the late Gertrude and Louis Feil — have been longtime supporters of the hospital. With their latest gift, the family has donated a total of $17 million to benefit the hospital and the patients it serves.

The family previous gifted $2 million in 2019, and $1.5 million in 2018 to help centralize the hospital’s cancer care services.

The family also donated $3 million in 2011 that supported the continued growth and expansion of the Gertrude & Louis Feil Cancer Center.

“This generous gift by the Feil family will have a direct impact on improving patient care on the South Shore,” said Adhi Sharma, president of Mount Sinai South Nassau, in a release. “We are deeply thankful for their generosity and support. It will be the hospital’s distinct honor to name the new patient care tower in honor and recognition of the Feil family, and their longstanding commitment to Mount Sinai South Nassau.

“Their support and commitment has been vital to the growth of our emergen-

cy services and cancer care program as well as the hospital’s tradition of excellence in the delivery of advanced care services.”

The Feil gift is the second major contribution made to the new four-story patient building currently under construction. Last year, the hospital’s immediate past board chair, Joseph Fennessy, made an undisclosed gift to the hospital that earned his family’s name on top of the pedestrian entrance to the new emergency department. Additional naming opportunities remain within the new pavilion, officials said, including nursing stations, lobby areas and surgical suites. It’s part of an overall $400 million capital building fundraising campaign Mount Sinai has undertaken in recent years.

Currently, South Nassau’s emergency department treats 65,000 people each year, but is designed to handle half that. When construction is complete, the emergency department will nearly double the size of a football field, increasing its annual capacity to 80,000.

In addition, the department will feature centralized nursing stations that will allow for direct oversight of patient rooms. There also will be bedside triage, expanded pediatric trauma treatment areas with an adjoining radiology area, a decontamination room, dedicated areas for geriatrics and behavioral health, and a spacious waiting and reception area with free Wi-Fi, and charging stations for phones, computer tablets and laptops. The operating room and its surgical suites will be configured and designed to accommodate the nonstop advancements in surgical technologies and equipment. The combined impact of the redesigned and larger operating rooms will allow Mount Sinai South Nassau and its staff of surgeons to increase its surgical scheduling capacity to accommodate projected volumes in same-day, elective, and emergency surgeries.

The new surgical suites also could pave the way for an open-heart program at the Oceanside campus, pending state health department approval.

“The ultimate beneficiary of the Feil family’s generosity is our South Shore community that turns to Mount Sinai South Nassau for compassionate, quality health care,” said Tony Cancellieri, cochair of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s board of directors, in a release.

“On behalf of the hospital’s board of directors, we are grateful to our dear friends Jeffrey and Lee Feil and their entire family, and are honored to name the pavilion as a permanent expression of gratitude for this gift and the ongoing support of the Feil family.”

TONY CANCELLIERI, CO-CHAIR of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s board of directors, joined Feil Organization chief executive Jeffrey Feil, and Andrew Triolo, vice president of facilities, design and construction at Mount Sinai South Nassau in front of what will become the Feil Family Pavilion at the Oceanside hospital. Feil’s foundation donated $5 million to the hospital.

Photos courtesy Mount Sinai South Nassau

spotlight athlete

Lynbrook peaks as playoffs begin

By MaRC BeRMaN sports@liherald.com

The Lynbrook girls’ basketball express train is steaming ahead entering the playoffs.

Lynbrook avenged its lone conference loss last week by beating Floral Park, finished out the regular season last Friday by rallying on the road to top mighty Plainedge and have a new featured defensive star in junior Jesse Bodian.

JURRel hall

West Hempstead Senior Track

hall stole the show at the Nassau Class C Track and Field championships Feb. 8 to help the Rams to a secondplace finish. He captured the triple jump (school record 44-feet, 11-inches), high jump and long jump titles, matching a feat he accomplished last spring.

BasKetBall plaYoFFs

Friday, Feb. 17

Girls Basketball: Nassau Class AA quarterfinals

Boys Basketball: Nassau Class A ffirst round

saturday, Feb. 18

Girls Basketball: Nassau Class A first round

Boys Basketball: Nassau Class AA quarterfinals

tuesday, Feb. 21

Girls & Boys Basketball: Nassau Class A quarterfinals

Wednesday, Feb. 22

Girls & Boys Basketball: Nassau Class B semifinals

Friday, Feb. 24

Girls Basketball: Nassau Class AA semifinals

saturday, Feb. 25

Boys Basketball: Nassau Class AA semifinals

Monday, Feb. 27

Girls Basketball: Nassau Class A semifinals

tuesday, Feb. 28

Boys Basketball: Nassau Class A semifinals

Wednesday, March 1

Girls & Boys Basketball: Nassau Class B finals

saturday, March 4

Girls & Boys Basketball: Nassau Class AA and A finals

Lynbrook head coach Steve LoCicero compares Bodian to Hall-of-Fame defensive specialist Dennis Rodman. That’s how excited the coach is with Bodian’s late emergence.

After winning the powerhouse A4 conference title, Lynbrook received the second seed in the upcoming Nassau Class A playoff tournament.

“We’re playing our best basketball at the right time,’’ LoCicero said. “The team has never been as cohesive as we’ve been. We’ve always been cohesive but now moreso.’’

The prestigious A4 conference has four seeds in the top 8 – Lynbrook (2), Plainedge (4), Bethpage (5) and Floral Park (6.). The top seed is Manhasset.

“We’re hoping to go to the county finals and face Manhasset – or whoever,’’ LoCicero said. “I hope nobody in A4 sees each other until the semifinals. And that’s what happened last year.’’

Indeed, the Owls upset last season’s No. 1 seed Manhasset in the 2022 playoffs before losing in the semifinals. LoCicero views Manhasset as more dangerous now, but hopes Lynbrook’s depth will win out if the two tango.

“They’re extremely athletic but we have more kids who can play,’’ LoCicero said. “They have three Division I lacrosse players. They match up really well against us athletically.’’

Lynbrook (17-2) ended the regular season with a bang on Feb. 10 in North Massapequa. In the finale against host Plainedge, the Owls rallied from a 14-point hole in the second quarter, going on a 28-7 run to take the lead in the third quarter.

They were still down 44-43 with 3:40 left

before closing on a 10-0 run to sprint into the postseason with surging momentum. Sophomores Brooke Mazzei (13) and Cate Jennings combined for 20 points.

“We went to a different defense – a triangle and 2 – and really confused them.,’’ LoCicero said.

The game marked the sensational rise of Bodian, a bench player across the season. She made her first start versus Plainedge and did it all on the defensive end to stop Plainedge’s marquee scorer, Julia Fabiano.

Bodian registered a gaudy line of 9 points, 10 rebounds, 5 blocks and 8 steals and is a likely candidate to start the playoff opener. Rodman, the former gritty Piston and Bulls defensive star, would be proud.

“She played the entire second half,’’ LoCicero said. “I didn’t sit her once. She was playing so well and never got tired. That’s unusual because I have so many girls who are so good.’’

Indeed, it’s the senior leadership of Kaelynn O’Brien, Tyla Vuotto and Caityblu Cavassa that has the Owls appearing as if there’s a legitimate shot at bringing home the county title to western Nassau County.

“My three seniors are dynamic,’’ LoCicero said. “This is because of them.’’

Meanwhile, Lynbrook avenged its lone conference loss, against Floral Park, in spectacular fashion, routing its opponent in the second half and ringing up a 60-43 win on Senior Night on Feb. 7. “Because of the amount of substitutes we use we wear people out.,’’ LoCicero said. “The seniors came up huge.’’

Expectations are high but LoCicero is not backing down from any of it.

“My girls, all of them have done something when they’ve faced difficulties, they responded,’’ said LoCicero, who retired as football coach before the past season to focus soley on the girls. “The way they’re responding, I don’t have any concerns.’’

Paul Grassini/Herald sophoMoRe Cate JeNNiNgs, right, and the Owls enter the Nassau Class A playoffs as the No. 2 seed after a 17-2 regular season.

E.R. kindergarten registrations underway

Kindergarten registration forms for residents of the East Rockaway School District, who will be 5 years of age on or before Dec. 1, 2023, must be returned on or before Friday, March 10.

Forms must be returned to registration via email at Registrations@EastRockawaySchools.org or in person — by appointment only — to the central regis-

E.R. student musicians earn All-County honors

Three East Rockaway students were selected to participate in the Nassau Music Educators Association’s All-County band and orchestra ensembles. Students invited to perform with the All-County Band were Centre Avenue School sixth grader Grace Cooper who plays the clarinet and Rhame Avenue School fifth grader Jeremy Slade who plays the trumpet. Centre Avenue School sixth grader Amaiyah Hansen was invited to perform on violin as part of the All-County Orchestra.

All-County selection represents one of the highest achievements for Long Island music students. Participants are chosen based on New York State School Music Association evaluations and teacher recommendations.

The All-County rehearsals and performances took place in January at the Tillis Center for the Performing Arts at LIU Post.

–Ben Fiebert

tration office at the high school located at 443 Ocean Ave., East Rockaway.

The kindergarten screening process will take place the week of May 30. For additional information, contact the central registration office, at (516) 887-8300. After calling, press “1”, and then ext. 433.

–Mark Nolan

Town of Hempstead hosts festive India Republic Day Celebration at town hall

Hempstead

Town Supervisor

Don Clavin, Deputy Supervisor Dorothy Goosby and Town Clerk Kate Murray hosted a celebration of India Republic Day on Jan. 27 at Hempstead Town Hall. Town officials, joined by Indian-American organizations and residents, raised the India flag over Town Hall during the 20th anniversary of the town event.

Courtesy East Rockaway School District East Rockaway studEnt musicians invited to perform with the All-County Band and Orchestra at the Tillis Center for the Performing Arts. From left to right, Grace Cooper, Jeremy Slade, and Amaiyah Hansen.

Courtesy Hempstead town REsidEnts and HEmpstEad officials celebrating India Republic Day.

Town urged to reject ‘discriminatory’ maps

By ANA BORRUTO aborruto@liherald.com

“Change the boundary, redraw the lines” was the message dozens of community members tried to articulate to the Hempstead Town Board last week. But in the end, many felt their pleas were completely ignored

Don Clavin faced some heat from the crowd after the town supervisor decided to cut the microphone feed for each speaker off exactly at the required three minutes they were allotted to speak. When Deputy Town Supervisor Dorothy Goosby — who notably challenged Hempstead’s discriminatory at-large voting system in 1988 — was asked if she had anything to say about the redistricting process, she declined to comment.

The Hempstead redistricting saga is nearing its end, and opponents of the proposed maps are not giving up without a fight. A group of angry voters rallied outside of Hempstead Town Hall minutes before the Feb. 7 meeting to air out their frustrations.

Former county legislator Dave Denenberg, who organized the rally, said there is an ulterior motive behind the elected officials drawing the district lines they way they’re doing it.

“Whenever there’s redistricting, you see a political machine do exactly what they always do: They are going to draw districts in a way that tries to maintain their majority,” Denenberg said. “But that’s voter suppression.”

Mimi Pierre-Johnson, founder of the Elmont Cultural Center, said she saw a “glimmer of hope” at the redistricting commission’s last work session. The three commission members seemed they would finally recommend one of the six map proposals to the Hempstead Town Board. These options included the town’s preliminary “Skyline” map, as well as five alternative proposals from civic groups and local attorneys they say would help provide a

more equal voice for minority groups.

But that optimism was quickly extinguished when the commission failed to put forward a map, and instead agreed to officially recommend the town board produce a final map that keeps communities of interest intact.

Since the first day of the redistricting process, the concerns raised by opponents to the initial town-drawn maps circle back to a single theme: District lines should be redrawn to have a more balanced demographic represen-

BREAKING DOWN BOUNDARIES WITH CANCER BREAKTHROUGHS

tation. That means creating three “minority-majority” districts, that would allow minority communities a chance to elect someone who would be more likely to represent them on the town board.

For example, 90 percent of Elmont’s population are people of color. However, the current map proposal places Elmont in a district with Garden City, which has an 88 percent white population.

Placing Elmont in a district with neighborhoods they have nothing in common with dilutes the votes of its residents and impairs the outcome of elections, claimed Claudia Borecky, president of the Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club, in a letter to the Hempstead Town Board.

“People told heart-wrenching stories of how hard they and their ancestors fought for the right to have a vote that counted,” Borecky said. “Yet, the motion made by the redistricting commission for the Town Board to only consider keeping communities whole is totally deaf to what your constituents plead.”

Under the guidance of the Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders law firm and redistricting expert Sean Trende, the Town Board released a redistricting map proposal last month, which they say takes into account public comments as well as the views of the redistricting commission.

However, some doubted these intentions.

“If (the town) passes this map, I’m going to Garden City because that’s my district,” Pierre-Johnson said. “I’m going to show up with my friends to (Garden City) town meetings, to the zoning board, because I want what they have for Elmont.”

Critics also questioned the map’s compliance with federal and state voting rights protections — specifically the Voting Rights Act and New York’s John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act. If Hempstead finalizes the current map as it stands, it could expose the town to costly litigation at the taxpayers’ expense.

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?”

Northwell.edu/NoLimits

Ana Borruto/Herald

FORMER NASSAU COUNTY legislator Dave Denenberg leads a rally outside of Hempstead Town Hall just before a town board meeting discussing redistricting. As the mapping process nears its end, voters are getting louder about their demands for three minority-majority districts.

Study says be wary eating freshwater fish

By MICHAEL MALASZCZYK mmalaszczyk@liherald.com

Hempstead Lake in Hempstead State Lake Park is home to some of Nassau County’s best freshwater fishing. Unfortunately, a new study claims that eating one serving of fish from these lakes and ponds could be the health equivalent of drinking polluted water for an entire month.

For anglers willing to take a short drive, there’s Twin Lakes Preserve, Mill Pond, and Forest City Park Pond. Slightly to the east, there is Massapequa Lake.

Many local lakes have a naturally reproducing population of fish like largemouth bass, bluegill, pickerel, crappie, eels, and catfish. Additionally, some of them — like Upper Twin Pond and Hempstead Lake — are stocked with trout by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in the spring and fall to add something extra for anglers.

While it is illegal to keep largemouth bass in Nassau County, no such restrictions exist for the other species.

There were already known health risks of eating fish from local lakes. The state Department of Health has an advisory on their website warning of the chemical chlordane in the fish. For all of the aforementioned lakes, children under 15 and women under 50 are advised not to eat any of the fish. For all other age

groups, the department recommends a four meal per month limit.

But these already risky-to-eat fish are potentially even more dangerous than these current recommendations.

ScienceDirect published a seven-year study claiming that, nationwide, freshwater fish are heavily contaminated with per-and polyfluorinated substances, also known as PFAs and “potentially forever” chemicals.

PFAs are used in jet fuel firefighting

Eating freshwater fish

Just one serving of freshwater fish could be as dangerous as drinking heavily polluted water for a month, according to a study that can be found at ç. This comes in addition to the state’s previous warning about eating fish from local waters, which can be found at tinyurl.com/freshwaterhazards.

— Michael Malaszczyk

this study comes on top of the state’s preexisting warnings about hazardous chemicals in fish.

foam, industrial discharge, and certain household products. Due to this use, they have seeped into the water supply and contaminated fish over a period of many years. Across rivers and streams nationwide, the median level of PFAs was 9,500 nanograms per kilogram. It was even higher in the Great Lakes, at 11,800 nanograms per kilogram.

Numerous studies have linked PFAs to cancer in humans.

For Nassau County freshwater ponds,

Many catches in the local waters can be viewed on social media sites such as Fishbrain and Facebook. A quick look indicates that most anglers practice catchand-release, but many posts in the Facebook group “Long Island Bass Anglers” discuss the “bucket brigades” coming to local waters. According to these posts, the bucket brigades are large groups of anglers who show up with buckets and keep everything they catch, with disregard for rules such as the stocked trout limit and the illegality of keeping largemouth bass.

Even in today's changing environment, home sales in our area remain strong & steady. While interest rates may have risen, there's still a lack of inventory and Motivated & Qualified buyers still need homes to purchase.

Choosing the right agent can definitely make a difference. As your neighbor, I know the worth of our wonderful area, as your realtor I have the expertise to guide you through your next move.

Christine Nappi Licensed Real Estate Salesperson O 516.307 9406 | M 917 751 0261

christine.nappi@elliman com

Leading Edge Award Recipient 2020 & 2021

Top 21% of Agents Nationwide

Michael Malaszczyk/Herald

WAntAgH’S UppEr tWIn Pond is the most fished freshwater spot in Nassau County, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation. A new study suggests eating fish from a lake like this could be very dangerous to one’s health.

STEPPING OUT

Dinodaze to life Dinosaurs of all kinds

By Karen Bloom

he herd is back. Kids of all ages

Quest — the traveling dinosaur “experience” — returns to Nassau Coliseum for four days of prehistoric adventuring. Jurassic Quest takes families back to the days when these prehistoric creatures ruled the lands, Friday through Monday, Feb. 17-20.

• Feb. 17-20; times vary

• Tickets start at $22; available at MonsterQuest.com or NassauColiseum.com

• Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale

This immersive spectacle features a bevy of lifelike dinosaurs — of all shapes and sizes — that are an impressive lot. They transform the arena environment to a time 165 million years ago during the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods where visitors can get up-close and personal with the creatures.

“They are all life-size and authentic,” Park Ranger Marty (aka Marty Hoffman) says. “You get to see what dinosaurs are really like, hearing the different sounds they made.”

Described by Park Ranger Marty and the Jurassic Quest folks as North America’s largest and most realistic event, the creative team collaborates with leading paleontologists to ensure each dinosaur is painstakingly replicated, from coloration to teeth size, to textured skin, fur or feathers — drawing on the latest research about how we understand dinosaurs and these ancient creatures looked and moved. Plant settings, sound effects, lighting and electronics add to the authenticity of the setting.

But perhaps what makes the experience more than just a spectacle is the way it pulls on the heartstrings. As Park Ranger Marty — who proclaims himself a “dinosaur nerd” — put it: “It’s a great time for everyone. Especially the kids, but also the adults. We’ve all had that time in our lives when we loved dinosaurs. Then we get away from it. When we take the time to see them through the kids’ eyes, we reconnect with that love of dinosaurs we all had.”

It’s all self-guided, so visitors proceed at their own pace. That means you can approach the mighty T. rex, check out the 50-foot-long Spinosaurus, largest known carnivorous dinosaur, even longer and heavier than the T. rex, also the enormous Apatosaurus with its whip-tail, along with sea creatures, and many others.

“One hundred sixty million years worth of dinosaurs are here,” Park Ranger Marty enthuses.

And there are those baby dinos, “hatched” specifically for Jurassic Quest: Cammie the Camarasaurus, Tyson the T. rex, and Trixie the Triceratops.

“People really love them,” Park Ranger Marty says. “Kids want to hang out and pet them. It’s an amazing thing to see. The interaction between the babies and the kids is really fun.”

While the dinosaurs are the main draw, of course, the event includes a fossil dig, where budding paleontologists can dig up bones, along with an excavation site, with actual fossils and themed rides, among other activities.

“There really is something for everyone,” Park Ranger Marty says. Plus an education component is worked in — and the kids won’t even realize it.

“We like to think of dinosaurs as the ‘gateway science,” he explains. “Kids are learning about biology and geology, and more, when they explore dinosaurs. Also other sciences like astronomy and engineering. It all relates back to dinosaurs andancient plants. And this all comes out of the kids thinking dinosaurs are cool.”

Park Ranger Marty and Dino Trainer Dustin hanging out, at left, with a Tylosaurus skull. Open wide! An enthusiastic young visitor, at right, finds his way into an Allosaur head

Alan Doyle

The prolific Canadian singersongwriter has boundless appeal. The moment he burst onto the scene in the early 1990s with his band Great Big Sea, Canadians fell in love with the pride of Petty Harbour, Newfoundland, whose effusive charisma and sense of humour was eclipsed only by his magnetic stage presence. His influence is now being heard in a new generation of artists as his solo work continues to endear him to roots music fans everywhere. That’s clearly evident on Doyle’s latest EP ‘Rough Side Out,’ which finds him collaborating with Canadian country music superstars Dean Brody and Jess Moskaluke, while at the same time offering his own distinctive interpretation of contemporary country. His songs all have a strong personal meaning, according to Doyle, who believes ‘the best songwriters in any genre are the ones who can look in their own backyard and find something they want to sing about.’

Saturday, Feb. 25, 8 p.m. $41, $37, $29. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

Dublin Irish Dance

The acclaimed Dublin Irish Dance ensemble visits Long Island with their new production, ‘Wings: A Celtic Dance Celebration.’ Wings features exquisite Irish and World champion dancers alongside Ireland’s musical and vocal virtuosos. Complete with original music and choreography, this groundbreaking production, infused with world dance and musical influences, will thrill audiences with its transformative emotional energy and imaginative design. The vivid and illuminating production portraying rich Irish heritage themes, in spectacular dance and musical performances by this superb cast that will thrill audiences of all ages. Everyone will be entranced by these world champion Irish dancers as they defy gravity in this captivating spectacle.

Friday, March 17, 8 p.m. $60, $45, $35. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. (516) 299-3100 or TillesCenter.org.

THE SCENE

Feb. 23

Art talk

Grab your lunch and join Nassau County Museum of Art Docent Riva Ettus for her popular “Brown Bag Lecture” live, via Zoom, Thursday, Feb. 23, 1 p.m. She’ll discuss the current exhibition, “The Big Picture: Photography Now.” Participants are invited to ask questions at the end of the program. Register at least 24 hours in advance to receive the program Zoom link. Also Feb. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Lynbrook Kiwanis Fundraiser

Platanos Y Collard Greens

March 3

The Hot Sardines

The band brings their distinctive sound to the Landmark stage, Friday, March 3, 8 p.m.

Their unique recipe blends hot jazz and sultry standards from the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s, rich New Orleans sounds, a dash of ’40s Paris flavor, and vibrant musical surprises. It’s all steeped in salty stride piano and the music Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt and Fats Waller used to make. The result is straight-up foot-stomping jazz. Their name says it all: their iconic ‘hot’ styling will paint a vibrant picture with smoky sounds and audiences revel in the steamy, swanky influence of their art form. With their contagious brand of joy, grit, glamour and passion, they invoke the sounds of nearly a century ago, yet stay right in step with the current age. $60, $50, $46. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at

March 10

Lynbrook Kiwanis holds fundraiser, Friday, March 10, 7 p.m., at the Tally-Ho Engine Co., 81 Horton Ave., to benefit the Mended Little Hearts Foundation. With DJ and bingo. One full table of 10 people is $360. Tickets are $40. For more information, contact (516) 599-0137.

See the romantic comedy about what happens when an African American and a Latina college student fall in love, presented by Nassau Community College Theater and Dance Department and the Africana Studies Department, Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 16-18, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 19, 2 p.m., with talkback session with playwright David Lamb, immediately following final performance. Threaded by the culture of hip-hop, the lovers defend their relationship, as friends and family learn that this “food fight” calls for fusion instead of feud. Nassau Community College’s Mainstage Theatre, Garden City. Tickets $10; NCC students free with valid ID; $8 veterans, alumni, seniors 60+, students and NCC employees. For tickets/information, visit NCC. edu or call (516) 572-7676.

Family Bingo

Participate in family bingo night at the East Rockaway Public Library, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m. Win prizes for the whole family, 477 Atlantic Ave. For more information, call 516-5991664.

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.

On stage

Mo Willems’ popular Pigeon comes alive on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage, Saturday, Feb. 18, 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Monday through Thursday, Feb. 20-23, 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Pigeon is eager to try anything, with the audience part of the action. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

Dine Around

Join the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce at their monthly gathering, Wednesday, March 1, at The Chef’s Table, 12 Watkins Street. Everyone is welcome. Reserve at (631) 6047515. Follow the Chamber on Facebook for more details.

Voyage

The Journey tribute band visits The Paramount, Saturday, Feb. 25, 8 p.m. The popular band takes everyone back to the ‘80’s when Journey’s timeless music ruled the airwaves. Hailed by fans and critics alike as the world’s top Journey tribute band, this group performs their music with chilling accuracy. Fronted by Hugo — a dead ringer for Steve Perry, both visually and vocally — he continues to delight fans with his miraculous resemblance, exact mannerisms and identical voice to Steve. Fans agree that Voyage delivers an experience to the original Steve Perry-fronted lineup. $40, $35, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

Absolute Adele

Vocalist Jennifer Cella, who performs with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, returns to her alma mater, Nassau Community College, with a tribute to Adele, , 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Mainstage Theatre, Garden City. Tickets are available through the NCC online box office at Nassau.BookTix.com/ seating.php. For information, visit NCC.edu or call (516) 572-7676.

Family theater

The beloved fairy tale springs to life in a delightful musical romp, presented Plaza Theatrical Productions, Monday, Feb. 20, 11 a.m.; Friday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m.; Sunday, Feb. 26, noon. All the ingredients that have made this story a perennial favorite are here, including Cinderella, a zany Godmother, a trip to the royal ball, and a glass slipper. Tickets are $16. Visit the Plaza stage at The Showplace at Bellmore Movies, 222 Pettit Ave., Bellmore. For information/tickets, go to PlazaTheatrical. com or call (516) 599-6870.

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.

Full LIRR service to East Side finally coming

By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com

Commuters are riding the high of never-before-seen rail service aimed at connecting the Long Island Rail Road to the bedrock of Midtown Manhattan at Grand Central Madison.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority celebrated a turning point with the long-anticipated opening of its 750,000-square-foot East Side Manhattan transit hub with the first shuttle train from Jamaica station on Jan. 25. Now the terminal is set for a full rollout of regular train service beginning Feb. 27.

The East Side Access Project, as it was known, has already drawn a daily rush of commuters — albeit under a limited format with shuttle service from the Queens station to Grand Central Madison.

Rather than plunging straightaway with full service, MTA officials said the station is in a soft-launch phase, enabling riders to slowly acclimate themselves to the additional shuttle service from Jamaica, find their way around the facility and test out commuting options.

Once Midtown’s terminal comes fully online, it will no doubt reorder the MTA’s transit system and send ripples through its 11 Long Island train branches, each offering direct or transfer service to Penn Station on the West Side, and Grand Central Madison.

For LIRR commuters, this change will

be felt most acutely in adapting to an overhauled train schedule that divvies up Manhattan-bound train service between the two sister terminals.

Some commuters may feel more taken to the change than others with the promise of greater accessibility and efficiency to their commutes. Still, others can’t help but groan over the foreseeable loss, and longing for their preferred service lines and connections.

But at least for MTA chair and chief

executive Janno Lieber, the change is a net-gain for most commuters — and a sign of economic renewal for the metro Long Island area, with a 41 percent increase in service.

Grand Central Madison provides “faster, more convenient travel that brings Long Island closer to the heart of the City,” Leiber said, in a release. “The new schedules are going to be a major shot in the arm for the local economy and the effort to get people back to offic-

es, theaters and shopping.”

But critics are quick to point out that the often-touted 41 percent service increase — raising the number of daily trains from 665 to 936 — is relative to current service which has experienced a major cutback of its own compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Weekday ridership continues to hover at about 65 percent of what it was before any of us had ever heard of Covid-19.

And while MTA officials expect nearly 45 percent of riders to shift over to Grand Central Madison, there are nagging concerns about the potential travel headaches brought by the decline in available morning rush-hour train service to Penn.

Take, for example, the fact that the Long Beach branch which will get 10 additional rush hour trains from its current 13 at Penn Station. Yet, it will have two fewer rush hour trains at Penn Station with shared service lines to Grand Central Madison.

“The new schedules are designed to have more evenly spaced trains and fewer large gaps in service,” MTA spokesman Dave Steckel said. “There will also be more frequent service to Queens and on the Ronkonkoma and West Hempstead branches. New service promises decrease travel times from Long Island to Manhattan, and reduce crowding at Penn Station.

“We will continue to monitor and adjust service based on ridership trends and other factors.”

Courtesy Metropolitan Transportation Authority

ANTIQUE STORE:

SHOPPING

Congrats to all the Top 3 Finalists in the 2022 Herald Long Island Choice Awards presented by PSEG Long Island! Check back each week for the Top 3 Reveal in each category leading up to the Oscar-style awards ceremony in April 2023. Did your favorites make it to the top? Visit www.LiChoiceAwards.com! *Finalists are listed alphabetically, not in order of placement.

Garden City Antiques & Fine Arts, Ltd

Long Island Antiques Center

Remember Yesteryears

APPLIANCE/HOME

ELECTRONIC STORE:

ACS Camera & Pro Video

AHC Appliances

P.C. Richard & Son

BOUTIQUE:

Artisan Jules Gifts and Goodness

Jolie Fleur

Love and Honey Boutique

BRIDAL STORE:

Blossom Brides

The Bridal World

David’s Bridal Westbury NY

CARPET STORE:

Anthony’s World of Floors

Carpet Depot

Harry Katz Carpet One Floor & Home

COIN STORE:

Coin Galleries of Oyster Bay

Collectors Coins & Jewelry

Eastern Numismatics Inc

COLLECTIBLES STORE:

Bullseye Collectibles

Collectors Coins & Jewelry

LuxeSwap

CONSIGNMENT/THRIFT STORE:

Lucky Finds Boutique

LuxeSwap

National Council of Jewish Women Thrift Shop

EYEWEAR STORE:

Cohen’s Fashion Optical

Eyes On Broadway

FrameBar.co

FARMERS MARKET:

Crossroads Farm at Grossmann’s Deep Roots Farmers Market

Youngs Farm

FLORIST:

Central Florist

Feldis Florist & Flower Delivery Olive It Boutique

FUR STORE:

Barbatsuly Furs

Tres Chic Furs

Tsontos Furs

FURNITURE STORE:

Furniture Gallery of Long Island

Raymour & Flanigan

The Rustic Loft

GIFT SHOP:

Dolce Confections by Trubee Hill

What A Girl Wants

GOURMET MARKET:

Gemelli Gourmet Market North

Iavarone Bros

Sorrento’s Italian Specialties

GROCERY/SUPERMARKET:

Cross Island Fruits

Holiday Farms

Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace

LOCAL CHILDREN’S CLOTHING:

Cathy’s Touch

Denny’s Fashion, Style, For All

Morton’s Official Camp Outfitters

LOCAL HARDWARE STORE:

Ace Hardware Hewlett

Atlantic Hardware

Costello’s Ace Hardware

LOCAL MATTRESS STORE:

Furniture Gallery of Long Island

Mattress Firm

Sleepworks Mattress & Futon Superstore

LOCAL MEN’S CLOTHING:

Karako Suits of Lynbrook

LuxeSwap

Mur-Lees Men’s & Boy’s Shop

LOCAL WOMEN’S CLOTHING:

A.J. & MOS

STOOSH BOUTIQUE

Trois Jours Boutique Etc

NURSERY & GARDEN CENTER:

Abby’s Parkside Nursery & Florist, Inc.

Dees Nursery And Florist Inc.

Hicks Nurseries

PAWN SHOP:

Collectors Coins & Jewelry

Empire Pawn of Nassau

Matthew James Jewelers

WINDOW TREATMENT STORE:

Blinds To Go

The Blind Spot

The Shade Store

Prime 39 owner leads Black Restaurant Coalition

ing experience.”

Postell is also the CEO of the Black Restaurant Coalition. “I created this group to provide a resource and network for small black owned businesses that were going through challenges that we faced with Covid,” he said. “And now we’ve kind of developed into this organization that allows us to provide resources, network, and opportunities through training seminars and more.”

Under “Our Mission” on BlackRestaurantCoalition.org, it states, “The BRC is dedicated to lobbying for legislation with elected officials, to improve the conditions for small-business restaurant owners and their staff.”

The coalition also seeks out “partnerships and relationships with organizations committed to providing access to capital for our small business owners, racial equity, and a pathway to a more inclusive economy.”

Prime 39 has five black business owners and Postell is proud of how far his business has come. “In 2021, we won the Long Island Choice Award for best new restaurant and in 2022; we were nominated for best fine dining.”

The dining aspect of the business was an evolution of Postell and his partner’s vision of Prime 39.

“Originally, my partners and I were thinking of opening more of a bar lounge,” Postell said. “But we found this location in Lynbrook and it had a full kitchen so we decided to elevate the concept and kind of see how we can blend them together.”

This blend created a modern look, which gave Postell inspiration on how he wants to develop the business.

“Prime 39 transitions into an adult

lounge on the weekend evenings,” Postell said. “This gives people a place to come out and have some classic cocktails.” His goal with the business is to “bring that New York City feel without having to travel so far.”

Postell has some long-term goals for his business. “The plan is to definitely expand,” he said. “We would like to open up additional restaurants to provide some great dining experiences.”

Prime 39’s modern, Manhattan feel is a big reason why the business attracts a lot of diners.

Photos courtesy Bryant Postell Bryant Postell, owner of Prime 39, stresses the importance of black-owned businesses across the country.

Molloy College is now Molloy University. 1203823

Nassau County to hold public hearing on redistricting

Nassau County is holding a public hearing Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. about its redrawn legislative district lines based on the 2020 U.S. Census.

During the hearing, the legislature will discuss a proposed maps for all 19 legislative districts. The hearing will give residents, community leaders and legislators a chance to publicly speak about the plan.

The hearing will take place in the Schmitt Memorial Legislative Chamber at 1550 Franklin Ave., Mineola. Details of the proposal are available online at NassauCountyNY.gov. The hearing will be livestreamed on the county’s website.

The county established a Temporary Districting

Candidates for village elections to be posted

Petitions for elected office in the villages of East Rockaway and Lynbrook were due Tuesday, Feb. 14 by 5 p.m., after the Herald went to press. A story identifying the candidates will appear in the Feb. 23 edition of the Herald. Check the Herald’s website, LIHerald.com, for more information.

Elections for public office in East Rockaway and Lynbrook villages will be held Tuesday, March 21.

— Mark Nolan

It’s Your MoneY

By Jonathan Wolfsohn MBA, CFP, EA, ATA

SMALL BUSINESS RENT EXPENSES MAY BE TAX DEDUcTIBLE

Rent is any amount paid for the use of property that a small business doesn’t own. Typically, rent can be deducted as a business expense when the rent is for property the taxpayer uses for the business. Here are some things small business owners should keep in mind when it comes to deducting rental expenses:

Lease or purchase: Businesses must determine whether an agreement is a lease or a conditional sales contract. Payments made under a conditional sales contract aren’t deductible as rent expense.

Unreasonable rent: businesses can’t take a rental deduction for unreasonable rents paid. Rent is unreasonable for deduction when it is higher than market value or a professional appraisal. Usually, unreasonable rent becomes a problem when business owners and the lessors are related. Rent paid to a related person is reasonable if it’s the same amount a business owner would pay to a stranger for use of the same property.

Office in the home: a business owner’s workplace can be in their home if they have a home office that qualifies as their principal place of business. Business owners who rent their home and have a home office as their principal place of business may also qualify for a deduction. IRS Publication 587 has more details about this deduction.

Rent paid in advance: rent paid for a business is usually deductible in the year it is paid. If a business pays rent in advance, it can deduct only the amount that applies to the use of the rented property during the tax year. The business can deduct the rest of the payment over the period to which it applies. Business owners can review Publication 535, Business Expenses, for detailed examples on rent paid in advance.

Canceling a lease: a business can usually deduct the costs paid to cancel a business lease.

Presented as a service to the community by L.I. Tax Services Inc.

Div. of Wolfsohn Financial

15 3 Broadway, Lynbrook NY

Advisory Commission comprised of 11 members. The chairperson is a non-voting member, appointed by County Executive Bruce Blakeman. There are five members who were appointed by Presiding Officer Richard J. Nicolello, and five members appointed by Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams.

The commission has held 12 total public meetings in every city and town throughout Nassau to ensure residents of every community had the opportunity to attend and participate in the hearings. At this point in the process the commission has recommend its proposed maps.

Firefighter, ambulance workers could receive tax exemption

Nassau County moved a step closer to providing property tax exemptions for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers Feb. 6.

If Nassau approves the bill and it is signed into law, volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers would be eligible for up to a 10-percent exemption on the assessed value of their property after completing two years of service.

The previous eligibility threshold was five years of service.

The full Legislature is slated to vote on the bill Feb. 27. — Mark Nolan

MEET THE 2023 HONOREES*

RichnerLIVE’s second annual R.E.A.L. Awards will spotlight entrepreneurs, professionals, and visionaries in Long Island’s real estate industry who have achieved success in their respective roles while also involved in community contributions and advocacy.

RESIDENTIAL

SPECIAL PROJECT

THE RESIDENCES AT GLEN HARBOR

Michael W. Stanco

Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker

Stanco Misiti Team at Compass

BROKERS (Individual)

Gina Marie Bettenhauser

Associate Real Estate Broker

Coldwell Banker Distinctive Homes

President, Long Island Board of REALTORS®

Hilary Becker

Licensed Broker

Becker Realty Services, Inc.

Molly Deegan

Owner & Licensed Broker

Branch Real Estate Group

Kevin Leatherman

Owner & Licensed Broker

Leatherman Homes

Donna O’Reilly Einemann

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT

Branch Manager | Rockville Centre Office

Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Luciane Serifovic

CEO & Founder

Luxian International Realty

Shawn Steinmuller

Owner & Licensed Broker

Shawn Michael Realty

Mark Stempel & Jennie Katz

Team

Blue Island Homes

Helena Veloso

Senior Executive Manager of Sales

Douglas Elliman Real Estate

LICENSED SALESPERSON

Malka Asch

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Coach Realtors

John C. Gandolfo

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Coldwell Banker American Homes

Miriam Hagendorn

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

SERHANT.

Ricki Noto

Team Leader,

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Coldwell Banker American Homes

Scott Wallace

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

SPECIAL AWARDS

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT/ DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR

Michael Maturo

President

RXR Realty

REAL ESTATE SERVICES/ PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Martin Lomazow

Senior Vice President

CBRE

ATTORNEYS

Michael S. Ackerman

Founder & Managing Partner

Ackerman Law, PLLC

John D. Chillemi

Partner Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C.

Bryan P. McCrossen

Partner Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran, LLP

Christopher H. Palmer

Managing Partner

Cullen and Dykman, LLP

Ellen N. Savino

Partner Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz PLLC

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

- TRADE GROUP

Commercial Industrial Broker

Society of Long Island (CIBS)

David Pennetta SIOR, LEED GA

Co-President

ENGINEERING

Stephen A. Hayduk, P.E.

Principal & Chief Engineer

Hayduk Engineering LLC

FATHER/DAUGHTER TEAM

Gilbert Balanoff

Owner

The Law Offices of Gilbert Balanoff, P.C.

Tiffany Balanoff

Licensed Real Estate Agent

Douglas Elliman Real Estate

LENDER

Nicholas Ceccarini

Owner & Broker

Weatherstone Mortgage Corp.

Christine Curiale

TRAILBLAZER

DEIRDRE O’CONNELL CEO

DANIEL GALE SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

MESSAGE FROM RYAN SERHANT CEO & FOUNDER SERHANT.

A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit

PRODUCED BY

Mortgage Branch Manager

OFFICE MANAGER

David Kasner

Branch Manager

Coldwell Banker American Homes COMMERCIAL

BROKERS

Thomas DeLuca

Senior Director & Real Estate Broker

Cushman & Wakefield of Long Island Inc.

DEVELOPERS

Anthony Bartone

Managing Partner

Terwilliger & Bartone Properties, LLC

Kenneth Breslin, Esq.

President

Breslin Realty Development Corp.

Rob Gitto

Vice President

The Gitto Group

Mark Meisner

President & Founder

The Birch Group

Valley Bank

Melissa Curtis

Sales Manager and Senior Loan Originator Contour Mortgage

PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS

Michael Steinberg

CEO and Founder Hedgestone Business Advisors

RISING STAR

Alex Lipsky

Owner Lipsky Construction

TAX CERTIORARI

Sean M. Cronin, Esq.

Partner Cronin & Cronin Law Firm, PLLC

TECH AWARD

Ryan J. Coyne

Chief Technology Officer

SERHANT.

TECH PLATFORM OF THE YEAR

VincePropertyShark

www.wolfsohn.biz 1204271

887-7380

GENERAL CONTRACTOR & CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

EW HOWELL CONSTRUCTION GROUP

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS

Business Development Manager & Corporate Sales Lead

PropertyShark.com

TITLE COMPANY

MAJOR SPONSORS: 1205044

HABITAT ABSTRACT

— Mark Nolan

NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF VILLAGE TREASURER’S SALE FOR TAX LIENS ON REAL ESTATE IN THE VILLAGE OF LYNBROOK, NEW YORK

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Real Property Tax Law, the Village Law of the State of New York, the Village Code of the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, and pursuant to a Resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lynbrook, Nassau County, New York, adopted at a meeting held on the 23rd day of January, 2023, the Treasurer of said Village will sell pursuant to Village Code §222-27(B) to the Village of Lynbrook, in the manner prescribed by law, on the 9th day of March 2023 at 10:00 A.M., each of the following parcels of real estate upon which Village taxes remain unpaid as will be sufficient to discharge the taxes, interest and charges thereon which may be due at the time of the sale.

Such interest in real estate will be sold subject to any unpaid assessment thereon levied by said Village and any unpaid lien purchased and held by said Village, and all liens on property included in this sale are sold subject to the provisions of any federal or state law.

The following is a list of lots, pieces and parcels of real estate to be sold, and the total amount of the taxes, interest and charges thereon:

Quinnipiac’s experiential learning offers variety

continued from front page

and DeVonta Smith, who’s the wide receiver for the Eagles,” he said. Also, for the second straight year, he interviewed Pat McAfee, a sports analyst and a former punter for the Indianapolis Colts.

“It’s just been really, really exciting to be able to interview the people that I wanted to,” Maione said. “And there’s been a lot of different opportunities like going to different press conferences.”

“While you learn a lot from the classroom, a lot of what you learn is the extracurricular activities and the hands-on work you get to do,” Maione said. “Such activities involve playing with the cameras, working behind the scenes, working in front of the cameras.” Maione says he hones his sports reporting skills by “doing it over and over again” through these “hands-on experiences.”

Quinnipiac’s state-of-the-art technology contributes largely to Maione’s ability to keep practicing sports journalism. “We get to work with the latest technology that the cable networks are using,” Maione said. Quinnipiac’s journalism department allows Maione to “develop and improve”

his skills inside and outside the classroom.

“Santino is just a hardcore sports guy who’s very passionate about this type of work,” said Chris Roush, dean of the Quinnipiac’s School of Journalism. “He wants to be a sports broadcaster in the future so this was just an ideal opportunity for him to get some ground experience.”

Roush wanted journalism students to go to the Super Bowl a few years earlier, but pandemic delayed the trip. However, he does hope that this becomes an annual event.

According to Roush, the students who attended the Super Bowl are “doing video stories and posting them on their YouTube channel. They wrote print stories, with one story posted on AbilityMediaGroup.com.

“They are doing anything and everything,” Roush said. “They covered a flag football game earlier last week.”

The School of Journalism paid for the students to go to Arizona. “What we’re all about is providing experiential education opportunities,” Roush said.

Maione is a firm believer that this learning method will make him grow as an aspiring journalist.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST GAIL D. SKEWES AS EXECUTOR TO THE ESTATE OF RICHARD W. SKEWES, ET AL., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale

duly entered October 25, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 14, 2023 at 2:00PM, premises known as 87 UNION 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 42, Block 124, Lot 139.

Approximate amount of judgment $780,802.72 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold

subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #006027/2016. 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”.

Lawrence M Schaffer, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 15-004164 74926 137171

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will hold DECISIONS on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 5:30 P.M. in the Court Room at the Village Hall, One Columbus Drive, Lynbrook, NY 11563, on the following case: DECISION- #1004Javed Chaudri - 49 Malden Avenue, Lynbrook. All interested parties should appear at the Public Hearing and may view case files at the Building Department on Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00AM and 3:00PM. 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 137354

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 16 of the Town Law of the State of New York, as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Village and Town of Hempstead, Hempstead, New York, on the 28th day of February, 2023 at 7:00 o’clock in the evening of that day, to consider the proposed amendment of Article XXXIV of the Building Zone Ordinance, in relation to flood hazard zones. The proposed amendment is on file in the office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Hempstead, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Village and Town of Hempstead, Hempstead, New York, and available at hempsteadny.gov, where it may be inspected during office hours.

ALL PERSONS INTERESTED in the subject matter will be given an opportunity to be heard with

reference thereto at the time and place abovedesignated.

Dated: Hempstead, New York

February 7, 2023

BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

KATE MURRAY

Town Clerk

DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.

Supervisor 137313

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU, NJCC-NY COMMUNITY RESTORATION FUND LLC, Plaintiff, vs. OSCAR

BAUTISTA A/K/A OSCAR

O. BAUTISTA, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to an Order

Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 15, 2019, I, the undersigned

Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 27, 2023 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 40 Allen Street, Lynbrook, NY 11563. All

that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 38, Block 62 and Lots 44, 45 and 143. Approximate amount of judgment is $636,448.63 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 007794/2016. Cash will not be accepted. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Harold Damm, Esq., Referee Knuckles, Komosinski & Manfro,

565 Taxter Road, Suite 590, Elmsford, NY 10523, Attorneys for Plaintiff 136906

Santino Maione

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FT:

RVC. Administrative Work, Answering Phones, Computer Skills – Microsoft, Excel, Outlook, Financial background helpful. No Health Beneifts. 516-763-9700 frances.difede@lpl.com

ADMINISTRATIVE OPENINGS MONTI-

CELLO Central School School Building

Principal (2 positions) The Monticello CSD is seeking forward thinking and dynamic School Building Principals who can lead MCSD's highly engaged faculty, staff, parents, students and community. The successful candidate will have a vision of educational excellence, be highly motivated and demonstrate the ability to impact student learning. Starting salary: $125,000, commensurate with experience. NYS SDA/SDL/SBL Certification Required plus 2 yrs. of previous administrative leadership and 5 yrs. exp. as a classroom teacher preferred. Please apply online by March 5th at https://monticelloschools.tedk12.com/hire EOE

Aesthetician/ Laser Technician Oceanside,NY-PT (may lead to FT) Saturdays are mandatory. Must have a valid NYS Aesthetician & Laser Certification Friendly, punctual, responsible & detail oriented.

Duties include Laser Hair Removal / Microneedling / Facials

Call 516- 240-1919 or email resume to dolceaestheticsny@gmail.com

Real estate IN BRIEF

Coach Realtors Hewlett Office is Welcoming Their Newest Agent!

ASSISTANT BOOKKEEPER Valley Stream, NY

We are a small real estate management firm looking for support to our Accounting Department. Must have previous Accounts Payable and Receivable experience. This full-time position will require knowledge of Microsoft Excel. Will also include light clerical work.

To apply, please email Alyson at alyson@dewseven.com with a brief intro letter and resume

AUTO TECHNICIAN FT Experienced And Reliable. NYSI A Plus. Busy Merrick Shop. Call 516-781-5641

DRIVING

516-365-5778 10am- 6pm Or Email: info@bellautoschool.com

DRIVING

Call 516-731-3000

FULL TIME LIBRARY AIDE Are you customer-service focused? Do you love libraries? Apply for a FT Library Aide position at the Baldwin Public Library. This is a rare opportunity that does not require a Civil Service exam. Job is 35 hours per week with at least one night per week and rotating on Saturdays. $30,000-40,000 depending on qualifications and experience. Possibility of Sunday hrs. Send resume and cover letter to dkelly@baldwinpl.org.

MEDICAL SECRETARY/ ASSISTANT

PT/ FT: Garden City. Responsible, Reliable. Good Salary. Computer Experience Helpful, Will Train. Call 516-739-0333: Fax 516-739-0344

NAIL TECHNICIAN FT MASSAGE THERAPIST FT For Beautiful Nail/ Med Spa In Garden City. Must Be Licensed. Call 516-739-1111 Email melobeautybarinc@gmail.com

PART TIME ASSISTANTS

Garden City Childcare Center

Monday through Friday $15 per hour

HS Diploma Required Call 516-572-7614

RECEPTIONIST & CLERICAL Positions P/T. Seasonal. Franklin Square. Call: 516-358-9455. Fax Resume 516-358-9483 E Mail: ed@loturco.com.

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

SECURITY GUARD TRAINING: Available Rockaway Area. Armed/ Unarmed. Annual, Fireguard, CPR. Free Job Placement Available With Training. 718-600-9919

UP TO $20.70 NYC, $20.00

$16.20

NY! If you need care from your relative, friend/ neighbor and you have Medicaid, they may be eligible to start taking care of you as personal assistant under NYS Medicaid CDPA Program. No Certificates needed. 347-713-3553

Bibi Aisha Nafeeza PompeyGoodman is a licensed real estate salesperson in Coach Realtors’ Hewlett office with a heart of gold. Aisha, as she prefers to be called, brings a long work history that includes mentoring young ladies in the school system, perfecting customer service in a retail venue, and working her way up to a supervisory position for New York State. These roles have helped her serve, research, aid, coach, and assist others with their goals. Aisha is excited to help you with your goals! Always ready to host or view open houses, on hand with the most current market info, and well-prepared to negotiate your deal, Aisha has all the skills necessary to make your real estate dreams, a reality!

Email: apompeygoodman@coachrealtors.com

Website: apompeygoodman.coachrealtors.com

Cell: 516.988.4293 Office: 516.374.0100

Realtors are encouraged to send briefs and photographs to: Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd.., Garden City, NY 11530.

FDR, EIK & Sundrenched Family Rm w/ Doors to Deck. Fin Bsmt. Att Gar.

Loads of Updates!! SD#20 (Lynbrook) No Flood Insurance Req. MUST

SEE THIS!

Now we need a ResCheck?

Q. We are in a quandary about insulation. Our house was built in 1948, and isn’t insulated well. We decided to add a master bedroom and kitchen extension and insulate as much as we can. Our building plans examiner wants something call a ResCheck from our architect, and wants to know how much of the house we’re going to do. We only want to tell them about the additions, even though we want to do our attic and the whole exterior from the outside, if we can. We understand that if we tell the plans examiner about the rest of the house, they can make us do a more expensive energy analysis, which we don’t think is necessary. Also, our contractor wants to only insulate the attic floor, but the architect said that the latest energy code requires us to insulate the roof and not the attic floor. Can you advise?

CA. It’s frustrating that if you were not in the permit process, you would just insulate, but the moment government learns that you are doing everything the right way, with permits, they make things more involved.

A ResCheck is the name given to a 10-page energy-analysis document, complete with areas of windows and doors, walls, floors and ceilings along with calculated heat loss and energy coefficients. It’s like taking an exam and the way it is done, to be registered with the state online, we don’t get to know if the numbers provided will pass until we get to the end of the document. If it’s failing the requirements, we aren’t shown why, so we have to start over, trying to guess what needs to be beefed up.

I like to do these in the presence of clients so they understand that it’s serious business, not just some form to fill out. Unfortunately, I don’t get to do these analyses in front of the contractors who often contradict the ResCheck by substituting lesser fiberglass batting for the higher-rated foam material, to save money and labor, since they usually need to get a subcontractor to install foam instead of using their own cheaper laborers.

REDUCED!! $1,025,000

1608 Ridgeway Dr, BA, Move Right Into This Completely Gut Renovated

4 BR, 3.5 Bth Col on 1/4 Acre Prop. New Kosher EIK, FDR, LR w/ Fpl, Den & Enclosed Porch.Radiant Heated Flrs. Full Fin Bsmt. 2 Car Att Gar.

MUST SEE!! SD#20 DRASTIC REDUCTION! $1,469,000

1534 Broadway #103, BA, Magnificent New Renovation! One of a Kind Ranch Style Living in Luxurious Jonathan Hall Condominium with Doorman & Elevator. Just Move into This Gut Rvated, 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

REDUCED & MOTIVATED!! $699,000

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! $699,000

CE da RHURST

332B Peninsula Blvd, BA, Move Right Into This Updated 3 Br,

In general, when your project constitutes more than 50 percent of home building area or dollar value compared with the home value, then the examiner wants a more expensive and involved Home Energy Rating System engineer to provide a much more detailed report. This includes a test at the end of the construction in which the home is pressurized using air fans, then gauges are applied, usually at a front door opening, to determine how quickly the house loses pressure, thereby gauging the amount of gaps where air can leak to the atmosphere. This gives an accurate idea of how much cold or heated air can get into the house, which you’re trying to avoid by insulating.

Since this is a big question, tune in to my next column for the rest of the answer. Stay warm and good luck!

© 2022 Monte Leeper

Ask

Home Improvement HANDY DANDY HOME IMPROVEMENTS

* Full Or Partial Kitchens/ Baths *Painting *Sheetrock *Taping/ Spackling *Installations Ceramic/ Vinyl Tile *Carpentry *Alterations *Repairs/ More. FREE ESTIMATES. Dan 516-342-0761

WIREMAN/CABLEMAN FLAT TVs mounted, Phone, TVs&Computer wiring installed & serviced, camera &stereos , HDTV – Antennas- FREE TV www.davewireman.com Call Dave 516-433-WIRE (9473) 631-667-WIRE (9473) or Text 516-353-1118

Miscellaneous

BEST SATELLITE TV with 2 Year Price Guarantee! $59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months free premium movie channels! Free next day installation! Call 888-508-5313

Plumbing

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

Tree Services

T&M GREENCARE TREE SERVICE

*Tree Removal *Stump Grinding *Pruning

*Roof Line Clearing. Residential and Commercial. "We Beat All Competitors' Rates." Lowest Rates. *Senior Discount. Free Estimates. *516-223-4525, 631-586-3800 www.tmgreencare.com

Satellite/TV Equipment

DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/31/24. 1-866-595-6967

GET DIRECTV FOR $64.99/mo for 12 months with CHOICE Package. Save an additional $120 over 1st year. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and Epix included! Directv is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Some restrictions apply. Call 1-888-534-6918

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Education

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

Health & Fitness

VIAGRA AND CIALIS USERS! 50 Pills

SPECIAL $99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW! 855-413-9574

AUTOMOBILE & MARINE

Autos For Sale

ACURA 2003, 3.2 CLS, 2 door, Silver, Black Interior, 160K Plus. Needs Battery. $1800 516-668-8877 runs great

Autos Wanted

***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS $Highest$

Ca$h Paid$. All Years/ Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct + Ca$h. DMV ID#1303199. Call LUKE 516VAN-CARS. 516-297-2277

DRIVE OUT BREAST Cancer: Donate a car today! The benefits of donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pickup - 24hr Response Tax Deduction - Easy To Do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755

WHEELS FOR WISHES benefiting MakeA-Wish® Northeast New York. Your Car

Two isn’t always a winning number

There are all types of numbers associated with politicians. Pollsters are constantly bombarding us with numbers. Defeated candidates keep complaining that they won, and say they have the numbers to prove it. But the bottom line in this discussion is that the number 2 is by far the worst number to be attached to any political figure.

As living proof of the value of being second, I cite Vice President Kamala Harris and New York Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado. There is no question that either of them would become No. 1 if anything happened to her/his boss. But looking at their scope of responsibilities shows that they have very little to do. Harris is rarely in the news, primarily because she hasn’t been given that much to do on a daily basis. She’s called upon to attend important funerals, but the press rarely says much about her.

With the 2024 presidential election coming up, there is speculation about whether President Biden will make Harris his running mate if he decides to run again. Most political observers think she would be a drag on the 2024 ticket, because she hasn’t been associated with any winning issues. Shortly after she took on her official duties, the president assigned her the responsibility of helping solve the border crisis, which is proving more difficult than curing cancer. There was an opportunity for Harris to make some serious recommendations on how to solve the crisis, but she felt the issue was too toxic and declined to actively take on the role. She has been lobbying for the passage of the George Floyd Act, which would better clarify what the role of the police should be, but she wouldn’t be able to make any waves without Biden doing the heavy lifting. There’s also a possibility that the president has chosen not to boost her credentials because of the 2020

debates, when she went out of her way to attack Biden on school segregation. No matter how you try to define the role of the vice president, it’s very hard to write out a list of specifications. The president decides what the V.P.’s job will be, and there are many examples of presidents giving their vice presidents serious duties. President George W. Bush delegated most of his high-level duties to Dick Cheney, and many claimed that Cheney became the real president. But the late Vice President James Nance Garner, who served under Franklin Roosevelt, is said to have had the best definition of the job, describing the vice president’s job as not being worth “a bucket of warm spit.”

Delgado’s situation is an interesting one. He’s a graduate of Colgate University and Harvard Law School. He was a very effective member of Congress who was willing to resign to take on the No. 2 position in Albany. Gov. Kathy Hochul spent every waking hour of her time as lieutenant governor traveling to every

corner of the state. She got to know every local chamber of commerce, and elected officials marveled at her nonstop visits. There is no doubt that her tenacity helped her get elected governor.

Currently, however, the only job Delgado has is to preside over the State Senate, which isn’t the most exciting work. No doubt after April 1, when the state budget is out of the way, Hochul will decide what role he will play. Delgado is personable and articulate, and was well received during his campaign swings. He could be a great advocate for the governor’s programs. She is badly in need of someone who can reach out to the Assembly and Senate members and make some friends. Delgado could help her a great deal in that role.

But either way, being No. 2 in government is hardly the best job in the business.

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.

Minx or madman: the George Santos story

Don’t mess with puppies, George. From what I’ve read and what I’ve heard in statements coming out of your very own mouth, you seem estranged from most commonly held beliefs of what is true and what is false, what is a factual statement and what is a lie. What happened and what didn’t happen.

RANDI KREISS

Assiduously, I have ignored the media high jinks and political circus surrounding your behavior, but last week’s revelation of the alleged puppy caper in Pennsylvania’s Amish country in 2017 unleashes my inner Cujo.

Oh yes, the temptation to joke is overwhelming due to the ridiculousness of many of your quasi-legal escapades and the seemingly endless stream of revelations concerning your grandiose claims, self-promotion and transgressions.

Last week we read in The Washington Post that a farmer in Pennsylvania had come forward with a story about you “buying” golden retriever puppies from him with rubber checks. Other

farmers have come forward with similar claims. Related to these charges is the story about the “charity” you claim to have established, Friends of Pets United, but the Post reported that no IRS records of the group could be found. It also reported that you stole money that had been raised to help a disabled veteran care for a dying dog. A disabled veteran?? A dying dog?? What’s wrong with you, George?

I am very disappointed in you. If I were your mother — but oh, wait, your mother died tragically in the 9/11 attacks, unless she didn’t. Can’t be sure. Well, if I were your mother, I would get you some help. The impulse among us in the media is to point at you, since you have become something of a one-man sideshow. But dude, you need serious therapeutic intervention.

New York City, or worked for a bank, or owned various houses, or knew people in the Pulse nightclub shooting, or graduated from NYU or played high-stakes volleyball.

Some say your name isn’t even George Santos. Pinning down the truth as torrents of lies pour from your mouth is like pinning down Jell-O. You are inventive and indefatigable in your stream of wishful thinking out loud, Walter Mitty on a bad trip.

How long will the Republicans allow the public evisceration to continue?

What we can be sure of is that you aren’t Jewish, or Jew-ish, despite your repeated claims to the contrary. According to The Forward, even though you said that your grandparents escaped the Holocaust, they actually were safe and sound in Brazil at the time. There’s no proof you were really mugged on your way to pay a delinquent rent check in

Mostly this is terribly sad. You need help, but you won’t find it in Congress or any public office, for now. Why not step down and save yourself further humiliation?

You can’t expect assistance from your mates in Congress, George. As long as you have a pulse and can vote the party line, they will let the public evisceration continue. You won’t find solace in Congress or real collegiality or decency. You are a GOP vote. Full stop.

Readers, from my perch in the press, the buffoonery of George Santos and his enablers fits perfectly into this time and space. Congress and the Senate have always had their share of nudniks, but Santos is part of a wave of new-age

liars. The toxic lies spewing from people like Marjorie Taylor Green, Rick Scott, Mike Lee, Lauren Boebert and Ron Johnson are poisoning the processes of government. They are all using Santos in what has become a spectacle and a shame.

Last, a shout-out to our neighbors in the 3rd Congressional District, the people of Mineola, Great Neck, North Hills, Port Washington and Oyster Bay. Assuming all of you are literate and somewhat paying attention, how did George Santos sweep by you and right into office? Was holding a Republican seat really a wise trade-off for allowing a candidate with not even a passing appreciation for the truth represent your interests in the People’s House?

As we approach the birthday of another George, the George of American history, who could not tell a lie, I wonder what the people of that era would do with someone like Mr. Santos? Hopefully summon some empathy and not put him on public display. During the reign of another George, King George the First of England, someone like our George might have officially played the part of the fool.

Now we don’t quite know what to do with him.

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

Who’s got less to do, the vice president or the lieutenant governor?

JERRY KREMER

Gambling addiction is no game

the Kansas City Chiefs edged the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL’s biggest game Sunday night, watched by more than 100 million people around the world.

But more than 50 million sports fans here at home in the United States had more invested in the game than pride in their favorite team. They wagered as much as $16 billion on Super Bowl LVII, according to the American Gaming Association. And just like football, someone’s going to win, which means someone has to lose. The thing is, being on the wrong side of a good bet is more common than not.

The money bet on the Chiefs and the Eagles was said to be more than double the total spent last year, when the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals. And these days that betting involves more than just choosing which team will win.

Take prop bets, more formally known as proposition bets. They aren’t tied to the outcome of the game — like traditional spreads, moneylines and totals. Instead, they focus on more non-traditional occurrences like the length of the national anthem, or what color Gatorade will be poured on the winning coach.

Prop bets are currently the biggest driver of revenue for many sports gambling sites, according to news reports. That is, except in New York, where the law requires that all bets be tied to the game itself.

letters

Lafazan should rethink his GEORGE Package

To the Editor:

Nassau Legislator Josh Lafazan’s recommendations last week to prevent future egregious candidate misrepresentations a la George Santos (“A useful way to enshrine a name we’d sooner forget”) are unnecessary and provide for a cure worse that the disease. Lafazan’s recommendations are to enshrine in law at all levels the following:

1. Mandatory background checks for all candidates “just like any employee.” There are significant legal restrictions on the nature and scope of employee background checks, and this is unnecessary, as the most rudimentary opposition research would have exposed Santos.

2. Barring anyone with an open foreign arrest warrant from holding office. Lafazan couldn’t possibly have thought this through. So, any foreign country simply has to issue an arrest warrant to remove our public officials? Talk about foreign interference in elections.

Even with those restrictions, New York-based gamblers placed more than $472 million in legal sports bets during the Super Bowl between the Rams and Bengals — part of a larger $16 billion wagered in the first year of legalized online betting in New York. So far, based on the weekly figures from the state gaming commission, this year’s figure is predicted to be even larger. All from a practice that didn’t even exist here a couple years ago.

There are currently nine different mobile applications legally recognized by the state, with FanDuel, DraftKings and Caesar’s Sportsbook among the bigger ones. FanDuel and DraftKings began a decade or so ago, focused on fantasy sports, in which fans build their own teams and compete against each other using real-life game statistics.

But as sports gambling has gained more widespread legal acceptance, the influence of those two companies has grown, and they have shifted gears and focused most of their attention on this new, much-more-lucrative market.

There are strong opinions on both sides on whether gambling should be legal, or if it’s even moral. But something many agree on is that if you’re going to gamble, do it responsibly. Wager only what you can afford to lose. Don’t stretch — or even break — those limits.

And no different than a casino, mobile and online sports betting can also lead to problem gambling.

Like many addictions, gambling can be attributed to the release of dopamine brought on by the thrill of risk-taking and the potential rewards. Gambling, for the most part, is perfectly legal. But then again, so are cigarettes and alcohol.

But gambling is sometimes considered a “hidden addiction,” because it’s not something that might be as obvious as drugs or alcohol, manifesting physical symptoms, although some gamblers have problems with sleep, anxiety, depression and guilt.

For the working-class poor, gambling can also create a perpetual loop in which addicts throw away much-needed and typically hard-earned cash that would otherwise be spent on necessities like housing and food.

The good thing, however, is that there are services in place to help. The Long Island Problem Gambling Resource Center, for example, offers several services for individuals and families impacted by gambling.

These issues shouldn’t necessarily disqualify any talk of bringing a new casino to Uniondale, but they certainly should be part of the conversation — a big part of it. Every resource should be available to keep wagering responsible, and to avoid the destruction of families — both functionally and economically.

As always, if you or a loved one are dealing with problem gambling, you can get help by calling (516) 266-8342, or visiting NYProblemGambling.org.

How political extremism became the norm

Viewing the American political scene today, I can’t help thinking about what Yeats wrote more than a century ago:

“Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.”

I’m not suggesting anarchy is imminent, or that our governmental structures are collapsing, but there are warning signs that should be heeded for our nation to cope with the enormous challenges facing America at home — and throughout the world — effectively. Not only is there bitter partisanship between the parties, there are also bitter divisions within them.

There can be honest debate as to when this severe fracturing began. Politics is always a combat sport. The days of peace, love and harmony — the “good old days” — never existed. Certainly not during the 28 years I was in Congress. But no matter how bitter the debate and severe the divisions were, certain lines weren’t crossed.

Richard Nixon had reason to contest the 1960 election results, but gracefully conceded the race to John F. Kennedy. Al

Gore challenged George W. Bush’s razorthin electoral vote margin in 2000, but conceded with class after losing a similarly razor-thin 5-4 decision in the U.S. Supreme Court.

I believe the major turning point in the rules of political combat was the 2016 TrumpClinton race and its aftermath. It wasn’t just the heated charges and countercharges of the campaign, but the refusal of some Democrats to accept Trump’s victory, and much of the mainstream media’s defense of their erroneous predictions.

Nor was it just the refusal of prominent Democrats such as Rep. John Lewis to attend President Trump’s inauguration, but the allegations made by Democratic leaders, the intelligence community and major segments of the mainstream media that Trump’s election resulted from his campaign colluding with Russia.

This led to the Mueller investigation, which went on for almost two years, tying up the Trump administration and — with media support — giving credibility to the unprecedented belief that an American president was elected by colluding with a foreign enemy.

Being on the House Intelligence Committee and sitting through endless hearings, listening to countless witnesses and

studying reports and analyses, I was convinced there was no collusion whatever. Stripped of defensive rhetoric, the Mueller report reached the same conclusion. But the damage had been done, and the political well was further poisoned.

Then there were the riots in the summer of 2020, which raged throughout the country following the police killing of George Floyd. At least six people were killed. Cities like Spokane, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, were under siege. New York streets became nightly war zones. Police stations were attacked and set on fire. Churches were vandalized. The White House itself was threatened.

Yet Democratic leaders offered only perfunctory disapproval of the violence, emphasizing that most demonstrations were “peaceful.” Following a night of violence in Brooklyn — in which bottles and other objects were thrown at cops — then Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, “I stand with the protesters.”

In Manhattan, the Democratic district attorney refused to prosecute hundreds arrested for looting and rioting, including a getaway driver aiding those caught on video vandalizing St. Patrick’s Cathedral. All further poisoning the well.

Then, beginning on election night in 2020, Trump — citing no credible evi-

dence — charged that the election was “rigged” and “stolen.” Never explaining why, in a rigged election, Republicans would pick up 12 House seats while he lost the popular vote to Joe Biden by more than 7 million, Trump continued to attack the results.

The culmination of this constant onslaught — whether intended or not — was the disgraceful and violent assault on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. No rational American — certainly no Republican claiming to be a patriot — can defend that outrage in any way.

Shockingly, however, too many Republicans are willing to minimize the violence as just a protest out of control, and still deny the election results.

What the nation saw last month, when it took 15 ballots over five days for Republicans to elect Rep. Kevin McCarthy speaker of the House, was a further rejection of tradition and civility. It is an ominous sign that this was the most protracted election for speaker since the decade preceding the Civil War.

It’s time for the sane forces on both sides to step forward. The United States has come too far as a nation, and faces too many challenges, to allow the voices of anarchy to prevail over our traditions and values.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. A version of this essay originally appeared in The Hill.

Framework by Tim Baker

3. Make it a misdemeanor (i.e. a crime) for a candidate to lie about his or her background. Just what we need: candidates routinely trading criminal charges. (“You only graduated cum laude, not magna cum laude!”) Again, basic opposition research is all that’s needed, not competing police reports.

This is an example of a politician giving the appearance of “doing something” about a problem that may very well make it worse.

TeRRANCe J. NOLAN Lynbrook

Who will stand up to the extremists?

To the editor:

As a student of history, I am distressed each day as I read and listen to the news, and I wonder:

When did it become appropriate to ignore a congressional subpoena and then be rewarded with the speakership of the U.S. House of Representatives, the thirdmost important position in the nation?

Why is it OK for Supreme Court nominees to lie at their confirmation hearings and then, after being appointed, overturn decades of court precedent?

When was it determined that politicians

should be permitted to ignore experts in curriculum, history scholars, trained teachers and trained librarians to ban books, whitewash American history and ban topics that are contrary to their ideas? Isn’t the purpose of education to expose students to diverse ideas?

When did it become fashionable to elect people to Congress who lie, yell, curse and bully — people who have no ability to legislate, and no understanding of the word “compromise”?

When did we turn our backs on the hardfought-for rights of all people and return to the days when voting rights were restricted?

In the end, the real question is, when will the moderates in government, and the many moderates in the country, stand up to the extremists on both ends of the political spectrum? Left alone, they will destroy our democracy. We would be wise to remember the words of the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemoller, about the Nazis.

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.”

ReNA BOLOGNA Bayville

the turning point in the rules of political combat was the 2016 TrumpClinton race.

Award-winning heart care, right here in Oceanside.

For care and treatment of the heart, including your valves and blood vessels, Mount Sinai Heart at Mount Sinai South Nassau o ers leading-edge diagnostics and treatment close to home. Mount Sinai South Nassau is proud to be rated high performing by U.S. News & World Report for care in heart attack and heart failure.

We have also been recognized by Healthgrades with their Coronary Intervention Excellence Award and they have named Mount Sinai South Nassau among the Top 10% in the nation for Coronary Interventional Procedures in 2023.

Learn more at southnassau.org/cardiology

One Healthy Way Oceanside, NY 11572

516-632-3670