Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald 03-07-2024

Students meet therapy dogs Page 7

Also serving Bay Park

Waverly Park spreads love Page 15

Students test strength — and appetites — at Sports Night

Dressed in blue, the East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School freshmen had the power of class pride coursing though their hands as they went up against the seniors in a tug-of-war on Feb. 28. This event was part of Rock Rivalry’s Sports Night, when all four high school classes competed in a pie-eating contest, cage volleyball, basketball relay races and more. Story, more photos, Page 10.

Elected leaders rally for more aid from state

By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com

The New York Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials joined more than 20 government officials — including Lynbrook Mayor Alan Beach and East Rockaway Mayor Gordon Fox — on the steps of Rockville Centre Village Hall for the launch of a statewide campaign to urge Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers to increase unrestricted aid to cities and villages for the first time in 15 years.

Wofficials said that the funds directly impact local governments’ ability to respond to growing demands for public safety and other essential services.

e’re doing more with less because that state aid has not grown.

KAtHy M. SHEEHAN

At a news conference on Feb. 22, Mayor Francis X. Murray, the immediate past president of NYCOM, said that the fight to deliver more state funding via the Aid and Incentives for Municipalities program is “unfortunately, a constant theme” for local governments.

“Each year, the purchasing power of the aid we receive, just like anyone here can attest, gets smaller and smaller,” Murray said. “That’s why it’s important for all of us, as leaders in municipal government from New York state, to stand together and demand the state meet the moment and deliver more AIM funding.”

Albany mayor and NYCOM president

Funding for AIM in the 2025 fiscal year is currently budgeted at $715 million — the same as it has been for the past decade and a half. Municipal

Albany Mayor Kathy M. Sheehan, the president of NYCOM, said that the hard-earned income tax dollars the state collects are supposed to help ensure that local governments have the necessary funding to address the challenges they face, including aging sewage and water infrastructure and needed improvements in police and fire services.

“And those challenges have

Continued on page 11

Skye Margies/Herald photos

KNOW CANCER WE KNOW

We know you. We focus on every detail, including your other health conditions and emotional

needs. We know cancer. We combine extensive clinical expertise and advanced technologies to create truly comprehensive and innovative care. We know your cancer™ . Leaving no stone unturned, we start with the genetic makeup of your tumor and consider every factor to provide a highly personalized care plan. It’s because we know that considering all the details can add up to a life-changing difference.

Matathias shares importance of being kind

Asher Matathias, Holocaust survivor, spoke at Lynbrook’s Human Relations Day

By BEN FIEBERT bfiebert@liherald.com

Through surviving the Holocaust and years of antisemitism in his home country Greece, Asher Matathias shared his story of resilience to students at Lynbrook High School.

The school hosted Human Relations Day on Feb. 15. Several speakers talked to the students, delivering different messages. Matathias wanted the students to remember to be selfless to others.

Itold the students that I hope you aren’t only nice on human rights day and then the next day you go back to being not nice.

AshER MATAThIAs Speaker at Human Relations Day

“I told the students that I hope you aren’t only nice on human rights day and then the next day you go back to being not nice,” Matathias said. “I told them to be nice every day and to give back to others.”

Matathias, who was blessed to have a Greek family protect him during WW2, wanted to convey to the students that if they cannot give back in a material form, then give back with kindness.

“Don’t forget to be kind and do not scapegoat immigrants and refugees and minorities of all kinds of people,” Matathias said.

Matathias’ mother was pregnant with Matathias in December of 1943 when the Germans began rounding up Jews in Salonika, Greece. Matathias’s father moved out of Salonika with his mother, which is how they survived from being captured by the Germans. In the mountains, Matathias and his parents found refuge among a couple, who were friends with Matathias’ father.

“The couple went to my parents and said, ‘we heard what happened to your people in Salonika. Come with us. We will hide you in the mountains.’” Matathias said.

When Matathias’ mother was ready to give birth to him in December of 1943, a midwife was summoned from a neighboring village. She traveled a long way in the snow, completing her task by delivering a healthy, but undernourished, baby boy. Matathias stayed in the cave until the spring of 1944, when he and his parents were liberated, but the issue of anti-semitism did not go away.

“According to the Anti Defamation League, Greece

is the most anti-semitic country in Europe,” Matathias said.

Matathias noted that part of the reason for this was how it wasn’t until 1965 when the Vatican Council declared that the Jews were not responsible for Jesus’ crusifixtion. However, the idea that the Jews were responsible was embedded in Greek Christian orthodox culture. Matathias recalled how Greek residents would gather in front of his home on crusifixion day to taunt him and his family.

“Out of the Holocaust and the supsequent earthquakes that we suffered in the 50s, America came to the rescue and said ‘do you want us to help you rebuild your lives in Greece or do you want to come to America?’,” Matathias said. “And out of that tragedy, we are Americans (since 1956).”

The lesson he taught the students last month with his stories was to be proud of who you are and to confront the naysayers. Some of the naysayers that Matathias said he experiences in America are Holocaust deniers or people who minimize the impact that

Lynbrook Restorative Therapy rings in the Lunar New Year

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, four senior dancers from the Chinese Center of Long Island visited Lynbrook Restorative Therapy & Nursing on Feb. 9 for a special sword dancing performance for the facility’s residents.

The dancers dressed up in cultural gowns for the performance and created paper lantern crafts with residents

afterwards.

The Lunar New Year is a 15-day celebration marked with cultural dances, ceremonies and crafts.

Celebrating the start of the lunisolar calendar and the beginning of spring, 2024 is the year of the dragon, signifying authority, abundance and good fortune.

— Ben Fiebert

the Holocaust had on the Jewish population.

“George Santayana said that he or she who does not learn form history is condemned to repeat it,” Matathias said. “And the strange thing is that every new generation thinks that they will avoid the pitfalls of the previous generation, only to find that repeated up the road.”

Matathias’ goal at Lynbrook High School last month was to remind the students of the tragedy that happened during WW2 with a personal anecdote. As this was his second year speaking during Human Relations Day, Matathias hopes to be able to do this again next year, teaching a new generation of kids to be kind to one another.

News briefs

Photos courtesy Asher Matathias Asher Matathias spoke to Lynbrook High School students on Human Relations Day last month about his personal experiences in the Holocaust.

Asher Matathias’ parents, Nina and Jacob Matathias, at their wedding on September 6, 1942.

Courtesy Anthony Lambroia

Staff at Lynbrook Restorative Therapy and Nursing with dancers from the Chinese Center of Long Island celebrating the Lunar New Year.

Somewhere between your SAT results and your cholesterol levels, your credit score becomes the most important number to govern how your life turns out. There are several factors that go into calculating your credit risk, and the result can have an impact in many arenas — affecting your ability to get a vehicle, an apartment, a mortgage, and even a job.

Multiple factors that can affect your credit scores. Things like bill payment history, credit utilization, age of credit accounts and recent credit inquiries can all play a role. The amount and type of debt you have can also impact your scores.

It’s important to remember that you can have multiple credit scores. FICO and VantageScore are two of the most common credit-scoring companies. Each uses its own formulas to calculate scores, so you might see a slight difference between them.

Ultimately, each lender uses its own credit policies to determine an applicant’s creditworthiness. But building and maintaining good credit scores might increase your likelihood of qualifying for a loan or getting a better interest rate.

Be Responsible With Credit

A good credit score depends on how

you use credit responsibly over time. And yes, we’re aware Here are a few tips from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to help keep your scores up:

Pay your bills on time: Paying your credit card bills and other loans on time is important — especially since a history of late or missed payments can cause a dip in your credit scores. If you’re concerned about missing a due date, features like automatic bill pay can help you stay on top of your account payments.

Stay below your credit limit: Your credit utilization ratio is the amount of credit you use compared to your credit limits. According to the CFPB, experts recommend keeping your credit utilization below 30 percen of your available credit.

Maintain your credit history with older credit cards: The length of your credit history is another factor in determining your credit scores. So it’s important to factor that into decisions about opening and closing new accounts. FICO, for example, says part of its scoring models look at your oldest account, your newest account and the average age of all accounts.

Closing a credit card account can affect more than just your credit age. Doing so could also increase your credit utilization

"Here to assist you through each stage of the

ratio because it reduces the amount of credit you have available.

One thing to note: Card issuers close credit card accounts if they’re not used for a certain period of time. If you have a card you don’t use often but still want to keep active, you might consider ways to avoid that. One option is to use the card to cover small, recurring charges and then set up automatic payments to cover the balance each month.

Apply for new credit only as needed: You may want to consider what credit you actually need before applying for a new card. Responsible credit card use can play a significant role in your overall credit health.

NMLS#:

E-mail: cdipierro@bethpagefcu.com/corinnedipierro

Office: 516-384-5765

Cell: 516-316-6059

www.bethpagefcu.com/corinnedipierro

But multiple credit applications in a short period of time could have a negative impact on your scores.

Check your credit reports for errors:

Proactively checking your credit reports for errors is another helpful habit. You may be doing everything right, but others may not. And errors or fraudulent activities can potentially hurt your credit scores.

You can get free copies of your TransUnion, Experian and Equifax credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. Or you could use a free tool, offered by your bank.

Photo: Always keep any eye on your credit.

by Joan Chittister

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

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

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

A certain serenity sets in.

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

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

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

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

SPORTS

East Rockaway stopped by Carle Place

By ANDREW COEN

sports@liherald.com

A dominant scoring performance from Emma Poland was not enough to fulfill East Rockaway’s quest at a county championship.

The 6-0 forward tallied 22 points in last Friday’s Nassau County Class B girls’ basketball finals against top-seeded Carle Place to keep the Rocks within striking distance before the Frogs pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 47-35 win.

“They had no answer for her in the post and we were really trying to get it into her,” said fifth-year East Rockaway girls basketball head coach Cheri Poland moments after the Rocks’ season-ending defeat at Farmingdale State College. “The girls stuck to the game plan and unfortunately we fell short.”

Poland registered 14 points in the first half to help East Rockaway rally from an early seven-point deficit head into halftime tied 21-21. A Poland basket late in the second quarter gave East Rockaway what proved to be its final lead of the game at 21-19.

The Rocks hung tough with Carle

Place in the third quarter paced by four points apiece from Poland and sophomore guard Maya Motherway to head into the fourth quarter trailing 31-29.

Carle Place seized control in the fourth quarter with a 12-4 run to open the period. The Frogs’ senior guard Paige Selhorn proved crucial in this stretch in drilling a three-pointer for a 40-33 lead with 4:37 left and later converting a layup from a backcourt pass by Caitlyn Leary for a nine point with just over two minutes remaining.

East Rockaway (13-9) split its two previous meetings with Care Place including a 54-53 overtime win on Jan. 4 in which Poland had 26 points and 17 rebounds. Carle Place won the regular season rematch, 55-42 on Feb. 1 which led to Frogs earning the top seed for the Class B playoffs.

“It’s been a great matchup with Carle Place over the last couple of years,” Coach Poland said.

Motherway, who recorded 22 points in the regular season win against Carle Place, finished with nine points in the championship game. Seniors Molly Hernandez and Sofia Ramirez chipped in

with two points apiece.

Leary, who scored 31 and 37 points in the two regular-season meetings with East Rockaway, was limited to 16 on Friday.

The Rocks advanced to the country championship stage after a 42-31 semifinal win against Oyster Bay on Feb. 21 in which Poland registered a triple-double with 17 points, 14 rebounds and 13 blocks.

While the season ended one win shy of a county title, Poland is proud of how the team competed throughout the winter in advancing one step past last year when the Rocks fell to Cold Spring Harbor, 39-35 in the semis.

“We’re really proud of the girls, who put a tremendous amount of work in and unfortunately we fell short,” Poland said. “They are better kids than they are basketball players and that’s what you want as a coach, as a parent, as a teacher, so I’m very proud of that.”

Emma Poland had 22 points but the Rocks were unable to get past Carle Place in the Nassau Class B title game last Friday night.

Donovan Berthoud/Herald

Parents bring their expertise to class during Career Week

Students at East Rockaway’s elementary schools welcomed professionals — who also happen to be parents of students at the school — into their classrooms to talk about their careers and share their experiences in a multitude of interesting fields.

The kindergarten through sixth grade students at Rhame Avenue and Centre Avenue schools learned about a wide range of careers including law enforcement, architecture, healthcare, education, and more. Some of the

unique lines of work explored were a filmmaker, elevator consultant, airline pilot, and scientist.

The students even met some new furry friends who do a very important job — therapy dogs.

The students were thrilled to get a glimpse into so many careers in one exciting week and were grateful to the parents that dedicated their time to share their experiences.

— Ben Fiebert

Scientist Mr. White presenting to the fourth graders at Centre Avenue School during Career Week.

Students at Centre Avenue meeting therapy dogs during Career Week and finding out about their job of helping people.

Projects, pros honored at REAL Awards

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

By Parker Schug

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elisabetta Coschignano, of the Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano law

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

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

Connie Pinilla, principal agent for the

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

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

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

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

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

Mark Stumer of Mojo Stumer Associates.

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

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

Beth Donner with her crystal award.

Christopher Robinson of R&M Engineering.

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

Kevin Leatherman of Leatherman Homes and president of LIBOR.

Steven Krieger of B2K Development

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

Honorees Justin Breslin and Elisabetta Coschignano.

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

Father and son power duo Dan and Mel Pulatani.

Natasha Williams of LIBOR with her son.

Holden Leeds/Herald photos Julia Krispeal from Serhant.

Michael Puntillo of PX4 Development.

Jack Martins of Harris Beach PLLC.

Students rival against each other at yearly event

By BEN FIEBERT

bfiebert@liherald.com

For the 88th year, the freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior classes put their brains and brawn to the test at Rock Rivalry.

The annual event started on Feb. 8 with a Quiz Bowl and then a week later, students went head to head in a series of volleyball matches. Last Wednesday was Sports Night where parents and fellow students watched all four classes compete in different games. By the end of the night, the seniors were victorious, beating the other classes.

“Sports Night is a competition amongst all four classes from grades 9 to 12,” Alycia Fahrenkrug, East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School alumni and cohost of Rock Rivalry. “And it consists of relay races, cage volleyball, pie eating contest, relay sack race, scooter race, a marble puzzle relay, and it was about an hour and a half.”

By around 7:30 p.m., Sports Night was over and from first to fourth place was the seniors, juniors, freshmen, and sophomores. Fahrenkrug noted that the freshman won tug-of-war and the pie-eating contest.

“The freshmen actually usually don’t win this many events,” Fahrenkrug said. “And everyone was perfect at the event. We had no issues with sportsmanship and it was just a really good night.”

Hugh Howard, East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School alumni and co-host of Rock Rivalry, explained that after the competitions, the skills and achievement students participated in a relay with the classes.

Howard and Fahrenkrug both participated in Rock Rivalry when they were students. Howard is from the class of 1983 and Fahrenkrug is from the class of 2011. In 2020, Fahrenkrug took over hosting the event and then in 2023, Howard joined her.

“In 1936 when Rock Rivalry started, it was a

fundraiser specifically for girls to raise money for girls sports,” Fahrenkrug said.

Now, 88 years later, the event showcases the talent of about 150-200 students in East Rockaway. The event is split up into four parts, which are the Quiz Bowl, volleyball, Sports Night, and Entrance Night which is a 30 minute play that each class puts on.

“Friday night (Entrance Night) is broken up into four parts also,” Howard said. “So first is the 30 minute skit, then they make a refreshment stand which could go about 16 feet high, they also paint a 12 foot by 15 foot mural, which relates to the theme of each class and then they also put together four art pieces from sculptures, to paintings, to carvings.”

The theme for the senior class is Rock and Roll, the theme for the juniors is Candyland, the theme for the sophomores is Egypt, and the theme for the freshman class is the Gold Rush in the 1850s.

“I think the important part about this event is that it brings the classes together,” Howard said. “And kids that normally don’t participate in clubs or sports, it gives them a chance to come out and do something with their class. Whether it’s the Quiz Bowl, whether it’s volleyball, whether it’s the paintings, it gives all kids a chance to participate and do something.”

Fahrenkrug mentioned that students’ careers were shaped by Rock Rivalry. She had alumnus talk to her about how they went into the world of makeup or construction because of the event.

“I have friends from high school that if it wasn’t for Rock Rivalry, I would have never known them,” Fahrenkrug said. “There’s such a camaraderie and there’s so much history with this event and traditions like these are not easy to come by anymore.”

The final event of Rock Rivalry will take place at the East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School on March 8 at 7 p.m. with alumnus judging the various activities that will be taking place.

Skye Margies/Herald photos Senior Sophia Ramireza competing in the Over Under Relay Race at Rock Rivalry’s Sports Night.

Juniors, in light blue, versus the freshman, in dark blue, playing Cage Volleyball.

All four classes competing in the Scooter Relay Race.

Students competing in the pie-eating contest.

The seniors celebrating their win at Sports Night as the DJ announced the points awarded to all the students.

AIM funding has not increased in 15 years

only grown, not shrunk,” Sheehan said. “Many years ago, AIM was frozen, and for cities like Albany, it was actually reduced. In fact, the less quote-unquote dependent a municipality was on AIM, the more they were cut.”

Sheehan added that funding for AIM is down roughly 9 percent since the 2009 fiscal year. Meanwhile, the state has continued to increase funding for education and counties.

“We’re doing more with less because that state aid has not grown,” she said. “So when you get that property tax bill, and you worry about being taxed out of your home, one of those causes is the fact that this funding, this sharing of revenue, has stalled and decreased, and it impacts our ability to do all the things that you expect us to do.”

NYCOM Executive Director Barbara Van Epps said that local governments find themselves at a crossroads, because the demand for essential services is rising, while the ability to fund them has not increased as rapidly.

“If we can’t provide those services, either those services are going to be cut or we’re going to have to turn back to our taxpayers in order to fund them, and that’s something we do not want to do,” Van Epps said. “We do not want to raise property taxes. We are subject to a property tax cap. We have a constitu-

tional tax limit. We are restricted in that sense.”

Decades ago, she explained, the state realized that it needed to help local governments provide these services, so it created a revenue-sharing program.

The program was intended to share the revenue of the progressive personal income tax as it grew so that local governments wouldn’t need to rely solely on property and sales taxes.

“That was an important step that

the state took and it worked,” Van Epps said. “It worked for a long time. But unfortunately, AIM was created in 2006. That is the latest iteration of revenue sharing, when in fact it is not revenue sharing at all. There is no formula. There is no percentage. There is no maximum amount of funding that we are guaranteed year in and year out.”

She said that after speaking with state legislators, NYCOM was told it needed to make some noise to let legislators and the public know about the importance of funding the AIM program.

“You want New York state to be more affordable?” Van Epps said. “You want New York state to be safer? Well, guess what, that’s what local governments want too. So let’s work together to achieve those goals. That’s what we need to do. But we cannot be successful unless the state of New York is willing to invest in us and support the local governments that do what we do to help our communities every day.”

Sheehan added that while the amount taxpayers have given to the state has increased every year, the aid given back to its communities has shrunk.

“This is your money that is sitting in New York state’s capital, and we want it back,” Sheehan said. “We want it for our communities.”

With the rejuvenating spirit of spring, it’s the perfect time to breathe new life into yourself.

Daniel Offner/Herald

Lynbrook mayor alan Beach, top center, and east rockaway mayor gordon fox on the steps of rockville Centre Village Hall with more than 20 elected officials from across Long island, who rallied for more state funding for the aid and incentives for municipalities program. rockville Centre mayor francis murray spoke.

Fed Bank leader says Long Island is recovering

By MICHAEL HINMAN mhinman@liherald.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ployment rate.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

A potential solution?

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

Michael Hinman/Herald

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

Lynbrook students unveil Sources of Strength

Students from Lynbrook High School showed their Owl pride on Feb. 7, as they unveiled a new student-led program, Sources of Strength, to board of education trustees. Their goal, students shared, is to be a valuable resource to their peers who need a listening ear.

The students who formed Sources of Strength stepped up to be a part of something larger than any individual with the intent to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of their fellow students. As peer leaders, students identify signs of when someone is in need and know how to react to those signs. In their first month, Sources of Strength members posted positive stories about mentors and friends throughout the building and visited health classes to share their mission.

They also displayed a video featuring interviews with Lynbrook High School students, who were asked what makes them feel welcome and embraced in the community. Students in the program received training on mental health promotion and prevention of bullying and other adverse outcomes from professionals at Sources of Strength, an international organization. The creation of the program at Lynbrook High School is made possible by the support of the Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation.

— Ben Fiebert

In the case of more snow, Lynbrook Care has you covered

The volunteer committee recruited new neighbors to help shovel snow

By NICOLE FORMISANO nformisano@liherald.com

It’s looking like spring has finally sprung — but Lynbrook is not entirely out of the woods yet. With another month or so of snow potential, it’s good to know that no matter what Mother Nature has in store, Lynbrook Cares is ready to go.

“It was rewarding to help out people in our town, and to improve our neighborhood” Thomas Gallagher, 17, said. “It was also a really nice way to meet some of my neighbors who I otherwise wouldn’t meet.”

Laura Ryder, town councilwoman, founded the Lynbrook Cares Committee during her time as a village trustee. Together, the committee’s volunteers help dozens of local veterans and seniors with home maintenance, espe-

cially during heavy snow.

Trustee Michael Habert has since taken over the snow-related aspects of the operation. He coordinates a team of active volunteers, and has recruited four men with snow blowers to their ranks.

What started as a small operation has expanded into a small army — more than thirty neighbors are signed up to help their neighbors around Lynbrook if some extra snow is in the cards.

Two of those people are Dan Gallagher and his son, Thomas. They teamed up with another father-son duo, Frank and Luke Pignaterro, to help during the heavy snow Lynbrook saw on Feb. 13.

“At the end of the day, you realize you’ve helped so many people that really needed it,” Thomas said. “They needed to get out of the house safely, and be

At the end of the day, you realize you’ve helped so many people that really needed it.

ThOMAS G ALLAGhER 17

able to maneuver.”

Dan said it was a great moment for him as a father to watch his son do acts of kindness for his community. The second day, Thomas even did it himself, without Dan being there.

But that’s just the kind of thing a tight-knit neighborhood like Lynbrook does, Dan said.

“Because it’s kind of a small com -

munity, kind of packed in close together,” Dan said, adding that there’s always a great turnout for community events in Gries Park, or for sports games — he and his son have both made many friends through the Lynbrook Titans sports program.

“The organization is really good on the local level. I think all that stuff adds up.”

“There’s a lot of older people in Lynbrook, and it would be great if we can even expand the program,” he added. “If we can get the word out, and get some more people on the list and get some more kids involved, and get the organization built up, that’d be even better.”

For those interested in joining the Lynbrook Cares team of volunteers, call the community chest at (516) 5998300.

Photos courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools

Students in the Sources of Strength program at Lynbrook High School at the Feb. 7 board of education meeting presenting their mission. Assistant Principal Bryan Garcia introduced the group.

Aidan Pearsall, a sophomore at Lynbrook High School, sharing the goal of Sources of Strength with board trustees.

Students dress in purple for P.S. I Love You Day

Waverly Park Elementary School in the Lynbrook School District was a sea of purple on Feb. 9, as the community promoted positivity and peace in recognition of P.S. I Love You Day.

The goal of P.S. I Love You Day, celebrated every year in Lynbrook schools, is to emphasize the importance of being kind to one another, embrace differences, and lift each other up. While wearing purple to signify their mission, Waverly Park students and staff spread the love through several initiatives throughout the day.

On purple hearts, students wrote a message of kindness and crafted a bracelet to be sent to a peer.

In the halls, large purple hearts adorned the walls featuring positive words added by students. Lower grades envisioned a kind act and illustrated the scenario.

The celebration of P.S. I Love You Day returns to Lynbrook schools each year to bring awareness to the importance of mental health and decrease bullying.

— Ben Fiebert

News briefs

Lynbrook retirees honored at recent board meeting

The Lynbrook School District community shared a heartfelt farewell to five retirees who represent a combined 146 years of service to Lynbrook schools during the board of education meeting on Feb. 7.

Family members, loved ones, building administrators, and fellow teachers gathered at the meeting to honor the night’s retirees.

Each retiree will conclude their exceptionally dedicated service to their respective buildings at the end of the school year in June.

Retirees included Nannette Boylan, who served for 19 years as a teacher at both Marion Street Elementary School and the Kindergarten Center; Maureen Montgomery, who served for 33 years as an Elementary and Mathematics Academic Intervention Services teacher; Mollie Traversa, who served for 30 years as a teacher at Marion Street; Lisa Soethout, who served for 34 years at West End Elementary School; and Deborah Story, who served for 30 years as a teacher at Waverly Park Elementary School.

— Ben Fiebert

Students at Waverly Park Elementary School promoting peace and positivity for P.S. I Love You Day on Feb. 9.

The

scheme involves a mailing coming in a cardboard envelope from a delivery service. The enclosed letter includes the IRS masthead and wording that the notice is “in relation to your unclaimed refund.”

Like many scams, the letter includes contact information and a phone number that do not belong to the IRS. But it also seeks a variety of sensitive personal information from taxpayers - including detailed pictures of driver’s licenses - that can be used by identity thieves to try obtaining a tax refund and other sensitive fmancial information.

‘’This is just the latest in the long string of attempts by identity thieves posing as the IRS in hopes of tricking people into providing valuable personal information to steal identities and money, including tax refunds,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. ‘’These scams can come in through email, text or even in special mailings. People should be careful to watch out for red flags that clearly mark these as IRS scams.”

In this new scam, there are many warning signs that can be seen in many similar schemes via email or by text. An unusual feature of this scam is that it tries tricking people to email or phone very detailed personal information in hopes of stealing that information.

Photos courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools

The community was thrilled to show their pride by wearing purple.

By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rhoads calls Hochul’s mandate a rushed plan.

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

Charles Shaw/Herald

STEPPING OUT

FOREVER A)

By Karen Bloom

Laughing along with Joe Gatto

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Friday, March 8, 7 and 9:30 p.m.

• $59.75, $39.75, $29.75

• Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com

• The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington

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

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

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

Gatto readily admits it’s been a learning experience.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Janeane Garofalo

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

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

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

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

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

His family ties bring him frequently back to visit.

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

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

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

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

In fact, a film may be in his future.

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

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

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

And there’s always the possibility of another collaboration with his “Jokers” buddies.

“I never un-united with them,” he says. “They’re still my friends. We’re just not ‘friends from work’ anymore. I love creating with those guys, so who knows what the future holds.”

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

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

‘Greatest Show On Earth’

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

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

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

Photo by Jonathan Thorpe

THE Your Neighborhood

March

JigJam

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

Family theater

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

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

Art explorations

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

Board of Education Meeting

Whether you’re a student, parent or taxpayer, stop by the Lynbrook Board of Education meeting to stay up to date on what the school district is up to. The Board of Education next meets, Wednesday, March 13, 7:30 p.m., in the cafeteria of Lynbrook High School. 9 Union Ave.

Village meeting

Keep up to date with the goings-on in Lynbrook at the monthly meeting with Mayor Alan Beach and the board of trustees, Monday March 11, 7 p.m., at Village Hall. 1 Columbus Drive in Lynbrook.

Forest Bathing

Take a meditative Forest Bathing walk, led by certified guide Linda Lombardo, Sunday, March 10, 2-4 p.m.

Based on the Japanese tradition of Shinrin-Yoku, a wellness practice developed in the 1980s, the walk, on the grounds of the former summer residence of Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim, inspires mindful connections with the natural elements of the woods for a range of healthful benefits. $40, $35. Registration required. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901.

Defensive Driving Course

Empire Safety Council offers another session at Lynbrook Library, Saturday, March, 9, 10:15 a.m.-4:15 p.m.

Participation in this six-hour course gives you a reduction of insurance fees for three years and can reduce points. Registration is required.

The fee for the class is $33 per person, and must be paid the day of the class by cash, check or money order payable to Empire Safety Council. Class size is limited. 56 Eldert St. Visit LynbrookLibrary.org or call (516) 599-8630 for more.

Best of Broadway

Adelphi University

Performing Arts students celebrate the music of Broadway during their semi-annual Best of Broadway concert, Sunday, March 10 , 4 p.m.

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

Having an event?

March 10

Bird walk

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

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

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

In concert

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

Named after the swaggering hard rock single from “The Bodyguard” soundtrack, the show celebrates 30 years of hits sung by the superstar, from “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and “Saving All My Love for You” to “How Will I Know,” “Greatest Love of All” and, of course, “I Will Always Love You.” With the accompaniment of a dynamic band, backing vocalists and dancers, “Queen of the Night” fully conveys the essence and persona of Houston in a captivating production has been described as “a powerhouse performance that delivers on every level.” NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. Tickets available at LiveNation.com or call (516) 2475200.

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “Our Gilded Age,” examines the appearances and the realities of an era that mirrors our own in many ways. Like the nation’s economy, American art and literature flourished during the Gilded Age. The art of John Singer Sargent, Childe Hassam, Louis Comfort Tiffany and others adorned palatial residences designed by Stanford White and Ogden Codman Jr., architect of the museum’s own quintessential Gilded Age mansion.

Drawing heavily upon the local literary history of Long Island, including William Cullen Bryant, Mark Twain (who named the Gilded Age), Walt Whitman, Edith Wharton and others, the exhibition will include paintings, fashion, decorative arts including period silver and china, photographs, manuscripts, first editions and other historic memorabilia. The “Upstairs, Downstairs” approach to the life of a country house brings to life not only the storied conspicuous consumption for which the Gilded Age was infamous, but also the real lives of these many individuals who maintained the palatial estates where that lifestyle was enjoyed. On view through March 10 Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Public Notices

LEGAL 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 22nd day of January, 2024, 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 14th day of March 2024 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:

8-2-2

30-1-6

32-1-8

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

LEGAL NOTICE

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF EAST ROCKAWAY PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to the provisions of Article 14, Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York, and a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway, Nassau County, duly adopted at the Regular Meeting of such Board held on February 5, 2024, I, the undersigned Treasurer of the said Village, will sell at Public Auction in the manner provided by law on the 20th day of March, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the Public Meeting Room of the Board of Trustees in the Village Hall, 376 Atlantic Avenue, East Rockaway, New York, so much of each of the following parcels of real estate upon which Village Taxes for the year 2023/24 remain unpaid as will be sufficient to discharge the tax, fees, interest and charges which may be due thereon at the time of such sale and shall conduct the same from day to day until the sale is completed.

The Purchaser or Purchasers at such Tax Sale will be required to pay the amount of their respective bids to the undersigned Treasurer within ten (10) days after the sale pursuant to the provisions the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York.

The following is a statement of the real estate hereinbefore mentioned as shown and described on the Official Tax Map of the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway, New York, duly adopted, approved and filed as provided by law, a copy of which is on file and available for inspection in the Office of the Village Clerk of said Village upon which taxes are unpaid together with the amount of tax, fees, interest and charges to March 20th, 2024.

matters set forth in the account of proceedings;

2. Allowing the commissions of the Petitioner in the amount of $ 36,596.06 pursuant to SCPA 2307(1) and the reasonable and necessary expenses of the office in the amount of $ 11,038.42 pursuant to SCPA 1207(4);

3. Fixing and determining the attorney’s fees and disbursements of Mahon, Mahon, Kerins & O’Brien, LLC attorney for petitioner in the amount of $ 65,271.42, of which $ 14,271.42 has been paid and $ 51,000.00 is unpaid;

4. Fixing and determining the accounting fees of Grassi & Co, CPA’s, PC in the amount of $11,250.00, of which $ 5,250.00 has been paid and $ 6,000.00 is unpaid;

5. Releasing and discharging the surety;

6. And why each of you claiming to be a distributee of the decedent should not establish proof of your kinship; and why the balance of said funds should not be paid to said alleged distributees upon proof of kinship, or deposited with the New York State Comptroller on account for the unknown next of kin of Arthur Irving Goldfeder, decedent should said alleged distributees default herein, or fail to establish proof of kinship;

7. Granting such other and further relief as to the Court is just and proper.

Dated, Attested, and Sealed, FEBRUARY 7, 2024

Seal HON.

HON. MARGARET C. REILLY

Margaret C. Reilly, Surrogate s/ Debra Keller Leimbach

Debra Keller Leimbach, Chief Clerk

Richard T. Kerins, Esq.

Attorney Name Mahon, Mahon, Kerins & O’Brien, LLC

Firm

(516) 538-1111

Telephone 254 Nassau Blvd. , Garden City South, New York 11530

Address

distributees, heirs-at-law and next-of-

kin of the said Arthur Irving Goldfeder, deceased, and if any of the said distributees named specifically or as a class be dead, their legal representatives, their husbands or wives, if any, distributees and successors in interest whose names and/or places of residence and post office addresses are unknown and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained

NOTE: This citation is served upon you as required by law. You are not required to appear. If you fail to appear it will be assumed that you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney appear for you, and you or your attorney may request a copy of the full account from the petitioner or petitioner’s attorney. 144905

Releasing and discharging the Petitioner

all liability, responsibility, and accountability as to all

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU, COUNTY ACQUISITIONS

LLC, Plaintiff, vs. AMJAD QURESHI, IF LIVING, AND IF HE/SHE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to an Order

Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 5, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 26, 2024 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 1 Olive Place, 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 Village of Lynbrook, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 42, Block 13001 and Lots 91-92.

Approximate amount of judgment is $61,821.79 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 608033/2022. 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.

Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee

Robert Bichoupan, P.C., 175 East Shore Road, Suite 270, Great Neck, New York 11023, Attorneys for Plaintiff 144987

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN, that the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook will hold a Public Hearing to consider the amendment of Section 252-58 of the Lynbrook Village Code to amend section 252-58(C)(l) which will restrict the parking of campers, mobile homes, motor homes, recreational vehicles, trailers, shipping containers, buses or boats; and under SEQRA Regulations, to determine whether the proposed use would constitute a significant negative impact on the environment; said Public Hearing will be held at 7:00 PM March 11, 2024 at the Village Hall, One Columbus Drive, Lynbrook, New York. All interested persons will be heard during the Public Hearing at the time and place aforementioned.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

JOHN GIORDANO, VILLAGE

ADMINISTRATOR

LYNBROOK, NEW YORK

DATED: FEBRUARY 20, 2024 145120

Amount of Judgment is $681,400.38 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 002561/2015.

During the COVID-19 health emergency, Bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of the sale including but not limited to wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Should a bidder fail to comply, the Referee may refuse to accept any bid, cancel the closing and hold the bidder in default. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction.

Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Peter Kramer, Esq., Referee File # 350.000003-1 (516) 510-4020 145150

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF NASSAU

INDEX # 613616/2023

Property: 139 Locust Street, Valley Stream, New York 11581

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

NASSAU COUNTY

CV XXVIII, LLC, Plaintiff against AMJAD QURESHI, et al

Defendant(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff(s)

LEGAL NOTICE

Garda Holdings, L.L.C. formed the corporation filing the Articles of Organization with the Department of StateSecretary of State (“SS”) on September 9, 2023. The corporate office is located in Nassau County. SS shall be served with service of process and mail same upon Garda Holdings, L.L.C. located at 23 Carol Street, Lynbrook, New York 11563, for lawful purposes. 144995

Stern & Eisenberg, P.C., 20 Commerce Drive, Suite 230, Cranford, NJ 07016 and 1131 Route 55, Suite 1, Lagrangeville, NY 12540.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered November 9, 2016, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 3, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 1 Olive Place, Lynbrook, NY 11563. Sec 42 Block 13001 Lot 91&92. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Village of Lynbrook, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate

committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; Louanne V. Wilson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, The People of the State of New York, The United States of America, and “JOHN DOE #1,” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises being foreclosed herein, Defendant(s). WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff’s attorneys within 20 days after the service of this summons exclusive of the day of service or within 30 days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State.

West End Elementary School students’ research on influential leaders for Black History Month is shared with the rest of the building daily throughout February.

Students stepped up for Black History Month at West End Elementary School

Students took the lead on Black History Month recognitions throughout the month of February at West End Elementary School.

Supplemental Summons with Notice of Action to Foreclose a Mortgage UMB Bank, National Association, not in its individual capacity, but solely as legal title trustee for LVS Title Trust XIII, Plaintiff(s), against Unknown heirs at law of Compton I Wilson Jr., and if they be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors; administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees,

The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Sheldon May & Associates, P.C. by Ted Eric May, Esq., Attorneys for Plaintiff. 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, New York 11570. Phone: 516-763-3200. File # 39393 145088

Each day, volunteers shared the history behind influential Black leaders with the entire building. To prepare for the month, students studied a black leader and wrote about their achievements and the ways they have been influential. Each morning on the loudspeaker, students shared their subject’s history. Every grade throughout the building listened in to learn something new about a wide range of individuals, from Harriet Tubman to Serena and Venus Williams.

— Ben Fiebert

LEGAL NOTICE

Malverne Union Free School District

Malverne, New York Legal Notice

PUBLICATION PRINTING

SERVICES SFB

Notice is hereby given that separate bids, submitted in sealed envelopes for the PUBLICATION PRINTING SERVICES SFB will be received on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 12:30 p.m., 301 Wicks Lane, the Malverne Administration Building.

Sealed bids are to be addressed to the attention of Christopher Caputo, Assistant Superintendent for Business, Malverne Union Free School District, 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, New York 11565. All bids must be submitted to the Assistant Superintendent, on or before the date and time of opening in sealed envelopes, bearing on the outside the name and address of the bidder and the title of the bid in the lower left-hand corner. To obtain the bid please e-mail, dfecht@malverneschools.

org. The Board of Education reserves the right to award all or a part of this bid or to reject all bids or to make awards which are in the best interest of the school district.

Date: Thursday, March 7, 2024

By Order of the Board of Education Malverne Union Free School District 145258

12.

consist of household goods and furnishings.

Denis C Motherway unit #3407. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. See manager for details. 145232

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU

FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff

AGAINST GEORGE R.

ERCOLE JR A/K/A

GEORGE ERCOLE, ET AL.,

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of Self Storage Sale

Please take notice

Safeguard Self Storage #190114 located at 499 Ocean Ave. East Rockaway NY 11518 intends to hold a sale of the property stored in the below listed Storage Spaces. The public sale shall occur as an online auction via www.storageauctions.co m on 3/25/2024 at 11:00AM. Unless listed below, the contents

Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 4, 2017, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau

Supreme Court,

Supreme Court Drive,

NY 11501 on April 9, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 169 SPENCER 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 East Rockaway, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 38, Block 441, Lot 232. Approximate amount of judgment $367,743.07 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #008271/2009. 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”. Mark

Photos courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools

Gianna Luongo and Keshawn Vilsaint stepped up to the loudspeaker to share facts about their researched subject on Feb.

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to mhinman@liherald.com

IT Opportunities Melville, NY

SR SOFTWARE ENGR-Position requires System Analysis, Design and Implementation of Web Applications and Windows Applications in Microsoft Technologies using ASP.NET, MVC, Web Forms, SQL server 2017, Angular7, React Js, .Net Core, Ajax, JSON, Angular 8, Visual (link removed) 2017/2015, C#, Micro Services, Web API’s, GIT, .Net, Framework 4.5, Entity Framework 6.0/4.3, LINQ, WCF, AZURE, TFS 2013, IIS 7.0. HTML, HTML5, DOM, Bootstrap, Tidal, OSI PI Explorer, TTD, Microsoft Azure cloud and IIS.$169229.00/yr. QA AUTOMATION TEST LEAD-Develop, execute, maintain automated functional tests for multiple services, using , Java, JDK 1.5/1.6, J2EE , TDD, REST Web Services and SOAP, JUnit, HTML, XML, VB Script, JavaScript, Selenium Web driver, UFT, Rational Quality Manager, Main frames, SQL Server, MySQL, Maven, TestNG , Angular JS, JIRA, HP ALM/Quality center, Cassandra, Agile, Jenkins, Eclipse, Teamcity, Stash, Cognos, Postman. Above positions require MS or equiv in Compu Sci/Comp Technology/Engg (ANY)/Info Systems with 36 months of experience in related occupation; Will also accept BS in Compu Sci/Compu Technology/Engg (ANY)/Info Systems with five years of progressively responsible exp in lieu of MS+3; $143021.00/yr. Travel/relocate to unanticipated locations within the USA possible. ; Resumes: IQ SYSTEMS, INC 560 Broad Hollow Rd Ste 313 Melville, NY 11747

WE HAVE THE HELP YOU NEED!!!

HHA's, LPN's, Nurse's Aides

Childcare, Housekeeping Day Workers

No Fee To Employers

Serving The Community

Over 20 Years

Evon's Services 516-505-5510

ADMINISTRATOR AVAILABLE

To Work For You FT/ PT Immediately. I Am Experienced. RVC Vicinity. Call 516-536-6994

PERSONAL ASSISTANT

Retired NYC Executive Assistant Available P/T Weekdays For Running Errands, Driving To/From Doctors' Or Other

Appointments, Grocery Shopping, Personal Correspondence. Reliable, Responsible, Caring. Please Call 516-775-5578

To Meet And Interview

HHA, CNA, COMPANION, BABYSITTER And House Keeper Looking For Private Work. Caring for Your Loved One is My Top PRIORITY. Call Sandy 347-551-7555

HOME HEALTH AID with 20 Years Experience, Looking to Care for Elderly Male or Female. Experience in Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Private Homes. Day or Night. No Live-in. Driver's License. 914-720-4426 or Email joyceprince990@gmail.com

SANTA CRUZ SERAG Caregivers Provide The Best Male/ Female Caregivers In America. Certified HHA's, Professional. Experts In Dementia, Alzheimers, Parkinsons Cases. Live-in/Out. Gertrude 347-444-0960

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour

Making an old home newer

Ronnie Gerber 516-238-4299

1248868

Sw/ Vaulted Ceiling. 2 Main Flr BRs & Updtd Bth. Upper Level 3 BRs & Updtd Bth. 1.5 Car Det Gar Plus 4/5 Car Drivewy. Priv Yd w/ Deck. HW Flrs, Gas Ht. Near Shops, LIRR, Trans & Houses of Worship $599,000

1534 Broadway #213, BA, FIRST TIME ON MARKET! Move Right Into This 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Condo in Prestigious Jonathan Hall with Doorman & Elevator. Spacious Corner Unit. Updtd Gran/Wood Kit, LR & DR. Washer/ Dryer in Unit. Gar Pkg. Loads of Closets. Terrace Faces Back. Easy Ranch Style Living. Convenient to Shops, LIRR & Houses of Worship $649,000

1390 Broadway #117, BA, NEW TO MARKET! Move Right Into This Beautiful JR 4 Coop Apt in Luxurious Hewlett Townhouse. Huge LR & DR, Ren Kit w/ Wood Cab/Quartz Counters/ Stainless St Appl.Encl Terrace Overlooking Garden can Be Rm. Spac BR w/ En Suite Bath. W/D in Apt. 24 Hr Drmn, Elevator, Valet Pkg, Priv Storage. Redone IG Comm Pool. Gar Pkg. Near Shops, LIRR & Houses of Worship $359,000

Va LLE y STRE a M

155 Gibson Blvd, BA, RENTAL! 2 BR Apt on Second Floor of 2 Family House. Updated Gran/Wood EIK & Bath. Spacious LR/DR. One Pkg Spot. SD#14. Near LIRR & Shops $2,700 per month

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

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

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

Ask The Architect

Monte Leeper

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

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

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

Up

We

BISELL

CLARINET:

KEGERATOR

Get

OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069

E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.

HANDYMAN Repairs and Installations for the Household. Careful and Reliable and Vaccinated. Licensed and Insured. 30-Year Nassau County Resident. Friendly Frank Phone/Text 516-238-2112 E-mail-Frankcav@optonline.net

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 866-393-3636

CARPENTRY & PAINTING: Residential/ Commercial. All Phases. Licensed/ Insured. FREE ESTIMATES! Anthony & J Home Improvements 516-678-6641

DO YOU NEED a Roof or Energy Efficient Windows & Help paying for it? YOU MAY QUALIFY THROUGH NEW RELIEF PROGRAMS (800) 944-9393 or visit NYProgramFunding.org to qualify. Approved applications will have the work completed by a repair crew provided by: HOMEOWNER FUNDING. Not affiliated with State or Gov Programs.

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

DIRECTV SPORTS PACK – 3 Months on

Us! Watch pro and college sports LIVE. Plus over 40 regional and specialty networks included. NFL, College Football, MLB, NBA, NHL, Golf and more. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

TAX PROBLEMS: IRS/NYS. Business/ Personal. Tax Letters. Audits. Unfiled Returns. Wage & Bank Levies. Call TaxKingUSA.com at 631-743-4829 for a Solution and Peace of Mind.

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 888-514-3044

HEARING AIDS!! HIGH-QUALITY rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-598-5898

DIVORCE $389 - Uncontested divorce papers prepared. Only one signature required. Poor person Application included if applicable. Separation agreements. Custody and support petitions. 518-274-0380 INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider HIGHEST CA$H PAID All Cars Bought 24/7 FREE Pickup Serving Nassau County 41 Years No Title, No Keys=No Problem ID Required. CALL US LAST! Call us at 516-766-0000 ANNOUNCEMENTS Announcements MERCHANDISE MART Antiques/Collectibles Wanted To Buy FINDS UNDER $100 Finds Under $100 SERVICES Cable/TV/Wiring Electricians Handyman Home Improvement Plumbing Satellite/TV Equipment PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Accounting & Tax Health & Fitness Legal Services AUTOMOBILE & MARINE Junk Cars Wanted HErald Crossword Puzzle Stuff HERALD To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 • To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 • To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 Answers to todAy’s puzzle 1243304 Want to sell your car, motorcycle or boat? Have we got a deal for you! You can advertise your vehicle in the Deals on Wheels Classifieds All for an amazing price! Your add will run until you sell your vehicle. Just call one of our expert classified account executives today and you will be on your way to making a great deal on your set of wheels! 516-569-4000 press 5, then 2 Sell your merchandise in no time! Email your Ad to the Herald and PrimeTime Classified Department at sales@liherald.com to run a FREE "Finds Under $100" CLUTTER driving you CRAZY?

Why I joined the Congressional Offshore Wind Caucus

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

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

ing forward.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Suozzi won just under 54 percent of the vote.

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

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

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

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

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

HSo, Democrats, is this your grand victory?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Anthony D’Esposito represents the 4th Congressional District.

Herald editorial

Support the Local Journalism Sustainability Act

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

letters

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Blakeman bans trans athletes

To the Editor:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OpINIONs

Electrifying school buses in N.Y.: a shocking oversight

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

ARI BROWN

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

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

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

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

athletics and other programs.

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

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

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

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

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

LetteRs

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

KARIN JoHNSoN RVC Pride Rockville Centre

It was obvious why Republicans chose Pilip

To the Editor:

I read the Herald’s coverage of the special election between Tom Suozzi and Mazi Pilip. You didn’t mention that Pilip was a registered Democrat when she ran against Suozzi. She didn’t change her party affiliation until a few days ago.

Right from the beginning, Pilip didn’t want to take many questions from the press, and showed she didn’t know very much about the issues. The Republicans had her run because she was pretty, black, and Jewish, with an interesting background.

MYRoN MARINBACH Lynbrook

Immigrants make our economy stronger

To the Editor:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ari Brown represents the 20th Assembly District.