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Honoring a cherished custodian children.” Wilder has been at home since the coronavirus pandemic Even into his late 70s, Elbert forced the school’s closing. So Wilder, a longtime custodian at Allison Fixler, the JCC’s earlythe Friedberg Jewish Communi- childhood director, brainty Center school in Lynbrook, stormed a way to surprise him. would stand near On May 1, his 80th its entrance, flail birthday, she orgahis arms and legs nized a drive-by and dance to enterparade outside his tain children as Hempstead home they arrived. to show him how His routine m u ch t h e Ly n brought smiles to brook community the dozens of chilhas missed him dren at the school, during the panwho affectionately demic. refer to him as “Every year “Elmo” because before his birthday, most can’t prohe would always nounce his first kARiN PoNSiek give us a countn a m e . H e e m - Administrative down at the braced the moni- assistant, Friedberg school,” Fixler said ker, often wearing with a laugh. “He JCC in Lynbrook an Elmo T-shirt. would always say, “The children ‘One week until my run to him like he’s the Pied birthday,’ ‘One day until my Piper,” said Karin Ponsiek, an birthday.’ So every year we’d administrative assistant at the have a big celebration, and all JCC, formerly the Temple Am the kids would sing to him.” Echad school. “They love to Ponsiek also recalled the yearshare with him what they’ve just ly countdown. When the day done in class or tell him stories, finally came and the children some making no sense, but he sang to him, she said, Wilder listens like it’s a bestseller. His didn’t smile. Instead, he looked biggest complaint during this quarantine is that he misses the Continued on page 4

By Mike SMolliNS msmollins@liherald.com

Courtesy Robert Paskoff

loNgtiMe lYNBRook ScHool board Trustee Alicemarie Bresnihan, 85, died on Monday. Above, she attended a national school board conference in Philadelphia in March 2019.

‘A shining example’ of service Alicemarie Bresnihan, trustee on Lynbrook Board of Education for 45 years, dies at 85 By Mike SMolliNS msmollins@liherald.com

Whenever there was an important school event or a chance to advocate for students, Alicemarie Bresnihan was there. Bresnihan died on Monday of cancer at age 85. Many of her fellow Board of Education trustees and school officials said they would remember her for her dedication to education and her passion for all things Lynbrook.

“There has been no greater supporter of the students and staff of the Lynbrook Public Schools than Alice,” Superintendent Dr. Melissa Burak said in a statement. “For 45 years, she has been a trusted school board member who exemplified how a board member champions the efforts of all in the district. Her attendance at every single district event was astonishing.” Board President William Belmont said he knew Bresni-

han for most of his life, dating back to when he was a student in Lynbrook. He got to know her on a professional level on the board. “She is a shining example of what public service is all about,” Belmont said. “Her calm demeanor and diligent efforts were always appreciated by the board. On a personal note, Alice exemplifies what’s great about Lynbrook. Someone who lived here, raised her kids here and has Continued on page 3

is biggest complaint during this quarantine is that he misses the children.

WE WERE HERE FOR YOU BEFORE COVID AND WE’RE HERE FOR YOU NOW.

Don’t put off seeking help for medically necessary care in fear of COVID-19. Mount Sinai South Nassau has dedicated non-COVID patient care areas, including within our Emergency Department. All units have undergone a deep cleaning to ensure your safety. All incoming patients are tested for COVID-19 within two days prior to admission. Our frontline staff of physicians, nurses and support personnel are equipped with full Personal Protective Equipment to help halt the spread of infectious diseases. Your health shouldn’t be defined by COVID-19.

DON’T PUT YOUR HEALTH ON HOLD. COME WITH CONFIDENCE.

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Mount Sinai South Nassau is certified as an Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence (CoE) by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Photo top left courtesy of Jeff Basinger, Newsday.

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May 14, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Late BOE trustee remembered for devotion always worked hard to make Lynbrook a better place.” Belmont added that Bresnihan maintained strong relationships with school board organizations, which helped the members gain insightful perspectives on what was being done on other school boards throughout the state. He noted that he appreciated her guidance and friendship, and that she would be missed. Bresnihan moved to Lynbrook with her husband, John, in 1959, and was first elected to the school board in 1975. John predeceased her in 2017. All nine of Alicemarie and John’s children graduated from Lynbrook High School, and the couple had at least one child enrolled in the district every year from 1960 to 1987. They had 21 grandchildren, and Bresnihan never lost her passion for education or her school spirit. She earned a degree in biological science from SUNY Old Westbury and worked as a probation officer for Nassau County for 20 years until her retirement in 2003. During her time on the board, Bresnihan served as board president, and lobbied in Albany and Washington, D.C. on behalf of the Lynbrook district as a member of the school board’s Audit and Policy committees. She also pressed state lawmakers to reduce the use of standardized tests. Board Secretary Robert Paskoff recalled traveling statewide and nationally to board conferences with Bresnihan, and called her a “trooper.” “She would always keep up with everybody,” he recounted, “especially in the bigger convention centers. She would tire me out frequently. Her energy was totally devoted to the children of the district.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 14, 2020

continuEd from pagE 1

Photos Courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools

Board of Education Trustee Robert Paskoff said that Alicemarie Bresnihan was well respected and gave her all to the community. They both attended last March’s national school board conference in Philadelphia. Alice gave more to the community of Lynbrook than anybody else in the history of the Lynbrook schools and the Lynbrook community in general. She was tireless.” Honors that Bresnihan received included an award from the Lynbrook Council of PTAs; an award for Academic Excellence and College Service from SUNY Old Westbury; the Silver Bullet

remembering alicemarie Bresnihan “She was a mentor to me, and I have admired how she attended all of the school events and had the best interest of our students and community. I am glad that Alice has shared the history of our Lynbrook Schools with me, as she was quite the historian. I will miss her and I send my sincere condolences to her family.

family during this difficult time. Alice was an important part of the Lynbrook school board and district. She was a true advocate for the ‘youngsters’ and had the students’ best interests in mind whenever decisions had to be made. I will miss working with her on the school board.”

—Lesli Deninno, board vice president

“Despite our age difference, she was respectful of all she came in contact with. Alice was a district leader and a state leader, often introducing me to the higher-ups in the state association. She was well respected by all. I spoke about her at a meeting she was honored at. I joked that she remained on the board for so long because she carried a gun for her job in parole and she replenished the voters with her own kids. In reality she stayed on the board for so long because of her commitment to the kids. I will miss her.”

“Alicemarie was the board member who attended every event, and so much more. She was incredibly bright, with an encyclopedic knowledge of the Lynbrook schools and New York state education policy. She had great instincts and was a great judge of character. Those qualities earned her respect statewide. It was my honor to know her, and I will miss her terribly.” —Heather Hanson, trustee “My heart goes out to the Bresnihan

—Ellen Marcus, trustee

—Robert Paskoff, board secretary

Award from the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association; Woman and Citizen of the Year from Lynbrook village officials and many others. “Her board work was preceded by her championing at the PTA level, where she began her support as a parent of nine children who all attended the Lynbrook Public Schools,” Burak said. “She was

truly an advocate of public education and role model for all educators and will be missed. We extend our sincere sympathies to Alice’s family and friends. Her legacy and impact on Lynbrook will continue for years to come.” Melissa Koenig contributed to this story.

BrEsnihan sErvEd on the Lynbrook Board of Education for 45 years.

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ElbErt “Elmo” WildEr, a custodian at the Friedberg JCC school in Lynbrook for more than 40 years, was honored with a surprise drive-by parade to celebrate his birthday on May 1. Drivers dropped off birthday signs, balloons and a cake. allison fixlEr, thE Lynbrook JCC’s early-childhood director, and her husband, Eli, drove by Wilder’s home.

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Longtime custodian honored by community with parade ContinuEd from pagE 1 appreciative while taking in the moment. Despite the pandemic, the JCC students, staff and administration could not let Wilder’s milestone birthday go by without a celebration, even if it had to happen from a safe social distance. Dozens of cars drove down Fulton and Bennett avenues at noon on May 1 to celebrate, many of them taking two laps around the block. The parade-goers included students and staff from the JCC and temple, firefighters, school alumni and families. “During a trying, stressful time when everyone was worried about health and finances, it gave all of us something positive to focus on,” Fixler said. “It brought the whole community together. We have students and staf f from Oceanside, Long Beach, West Hempstead, Lynbrook, East Rockaway and Wantagh who all gladly came to honor one of the most special people.” Wilder began working as a custodian at what was then Temple Emanuel in 1983. He remained there when the name was changed to Temple Am Echad, and also worked at its nursery school. The Friedberg JCC took over the school in July 2016, and he has worked there exclusively since then. While he has not worked at the build-

ing for about two months, he said it was exciting people went out of their way to acknowledge his birthday. “I was very surprised,” he said. “It was so nice of them, and I didn’t expect it.” Wilder took in the festivities with his partner, Gail Fleming, and daughter Crystal, and said he was pleased by the gesture. Wilder also has another daughter, Sharon Brown, four grandchildren, Shamiek, Everett, Eboni and Tiffany Brown, and two great-grandchildren, Vaughn and Andrew Brown. Fixler described Wilder as a quiet, calm gentleman, and said he works harder than anyone she knows. He arrives at 6 a.m. daily to get the building ready, she said, and has never taken a sick day. He is quick to open doors for people, she added, carries bags for anyone who needs assistance, and amid the pandemic, he phones staff members weekly to make sure they are OK. As participants paraded by Wilder’s apartment, some gave him presents, others sang happy birthday, and many held signs, which he collected from them and hung on his walls as mementos. There was a cake too. “You could see the joy and excitement emanating from behind Elbert’s mask,” Ponsiek said. “It was so wonderful to see how happy this made Elbert and his family.”

Nassau honors its ‘health care heroes’ County executive comes to NUMC for National Nurses Week By Bridget downes bdownes@liherald.com

In honor of National Nurses Day, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and other county officials paid tribute Wednesday to the health care professionals working on the frontlines of the pandemic. “These are our heroes,” Curran said at a news conference outside of the Nassau University Medical Center, joined by nurses and other medical staff. “They are the crucial part of our health care infrastructure . . . and oftentimes they take the place of the family. In people’s last days, they’re the ones there, providing care and holding the hands. It’s difficult work, it’s emotionally taxing, and it’s incredibly important.” Some health care professionals are sleeping in RVs, staying in their basements or even camping out in tents in their backyards, the county executive noted, to maintain self-isolation orders. Others go through meticulous self-decontamination measures, including changing

in the garage and showering before hugging family members. “You are our warriors and we want to thank you for what you’re doing each and every day,” Curran said. “As I say, this crisis has not created heroes, it has revealed the heroes already among us.” To date, the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management has distributed 2 million pieces of personal protective equipment to health care workers and first responders. Dr. Anthony Boutin, CEO of NUMC, thanked Curran for coming to the hospital to celebrate National Nurses Day. “I commend our hard-working nurses, all our valuable employees working hard here,” Boutin said. As of Wednesday, the hospital was housing 52 patients who tested positive for Covid-19, and 20 whose results were pending. “This is a significant achievement. We have a 74 percent decline at our peak here at NUMC,” Boutin said, “and I’m happy to report some good news. We are discharging our 565th patient today.”

nassau County exeCutive Laura Curran, left, came to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow last Wednesday to pay tribute to nurses in honor of National Nurses Week.

State, Northwell test in minority communities By sCott Brinton sbrinton@liherald

New York state and Northwell Health are partnering to increase Covid-19 testing in the minority communities hardest hit by the virus in downstate New York, Governor Cuomo said Saturday. Testing will take place at 24 churches. Two Nassau County houses of worship — the Union Baptist Church in Hempstead and the First Baptist Church in Westbury — will be among the 24. Results of the state’s diagnostic testing and antibody testing surveys found the highest rates of Covid-19 infection in low-income and minority communities, according to the governor. Additionally, a state survey of all newly hospitalized Covid-19 patients found communities of color are most impacted. Of the 21 zip codes with the most new Covid-19 hospitalizations, 20

t is a cruel fact that when you look at disasters and emergencies, the poorest and most disadvantaged people often pay the highest price. andrew CuoMo

New York state governor have greater than average black and/or Latino populations. “It is a cruel fact that when you look at disasters and emergencies, the poorest and most disadvantaged people often pay the highest price, and the Covid-19 pan-

demic is no different,” Cuomo said. “The fact is that low-income and minority communities are suffering the most. It is not right, and we have to address it.” Michael Dowling, Northwell Health’s president and CEO, said, “Given the prevalence of the coronavirus within communities of color, it’s imperative that we act quickly to prevent further spread of the virus. Among the ways we can protect our communities — beyond social distancing, wearing facemasks, avoiding group gatherings and basic hand hygiene — is through testing.” The governor also announced preliminary results of the state’s antibody testing survey of more than 1,300 transit workers in the New York City region. Roughly 14 percent, he said, had Covid-19 antibodies. By comparison, 16 percent, or 1 in 6 people on Long Island, tested positive for the antibodies, and 19 percent, or 1 in 5 people, were positive in New York City.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 14, 2020

Photos courtesy Nassau County

County and nuMC officials demonstrated proper social distancing while honoring nurses.

May 14, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Hempstead allocates $2M for food banks By Scott Brinton sbrinton@liherald.com

The Town of Hempstead has allotted $2 million of a $133 million federal aid package toward 14 food banks across the town to help ensure residents in need are fed during the Covid-19 pandemic, officials said Tuesday. Announcement of the allocation, made with the nonprofit Long Island Cares food bank, was the first act of the town’s newly created Economic Relief Advisory Committee, which will recommend how funds from the federal government’s economic stimulus package should be distributed. “Nobody in our town will go hungry because of the hardships they have experienced due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Town Supervisor Donald Clavin Jr., a Republican from Garden City, said. “Between many of our residents losing their jobs and the grocery stores struggling to meet demand, this funding will keep our food banks stocked for the next couple of months so our residents can be reassured with quality meals.” Food distribution centers, run by Long Island Cares staff, will be located in Baldwin, Elmont, Lawrence, Roosevelt and other communities, and will be open two days a week for a total of eight hours. Times are subject to change depending on community need. For more information about where the food banks are located or how to schedule a pick-up or delivery, visit licares.org or call (631) 582-3663. Each family will receive a 20-pound box of food that can feed up to six people for a week. Each box will contain non-perishable, nutritious food, and staples such as milk and juice. Pet food will be provided if needed, and fresh produce will be available when possible. The federal funding will also support the Nassau Center for Collaborative Assistance, Long Island Cares’s satellite location in Freeport, and will go toward food distribution in Hempstead, Uniondale, Merrick, Bellmore and Oceanside. Clavin thanked U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, a Democrat from New York City, and the Long Island congressional delegation for helping to secure the stimulus funding. He added, “We’re very fortunate to have Governor Cuomo’s historic leadership at this very desperate time in our state’s history. Our town government looks forward to working with the county and state governments to ensure these funds are used appropriately and efficiently to produce the greatest possible outcome for our

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

the town of Hempstead is devoting $2 million in federal stimulus funding to help feed the hungry across the town, Supervisor Donald Clavin said Tuesday. communities.” “The launch of the economic relief advisory committee is the first of many steps that will be taken over the next couple of months to regain economic stability for our town, its businesses and residents,” said Town Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, a Democrat who represents the 1stCouncilmatic District, and who contracted the coronavirus and recovered. The town’s Economic Relief Advisory Committee comprises leaders from business, labor, education and the community, and includes: • Joe Belluck, Attorney and Founding Partner of Belluck & Fox, LLP: Before helping to found Belluck & Fox, a firm that specializes in mesothelioma cases, 18 years ago, Belluck took on large tobacco companies as the State of New York representative. • John Durso, President of the Long Island Federation of Labor: Durso represents workers in the supermarket, health care, pharmacy, delivery, dairy and retail food service industries. He is also international vice president of the United Food and Commercial Workers, and vice president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store

Union. • Charles Fuschillo Jr., President and CEO of Alzheimer’s Foundation of America: Before joining the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America in 2013, Fuschillo served 16 years in the New York State Senate, drafting more than 200 laws. • Margarita Grasing, Executive Director of Hispanic Brotherhood: Grasing is also a former board member of the Rockville Centre Education Foundation, Nassau County HIV Commission and County Coalition of Youth Agencies. Kevin Law, President and CEO of the Long Island Association: Law is focused on fostering economic development and improving Long Island’s business climate. He is co-chair to the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council and was formerly a trustee of the Long Island Power Authority and chief deputy county executive in Suffolk County. • Mitchell Pally, Chief Executive Officer of the Long Island Builders Institute: As CEO of LIBI, Pally works to foster home ownership across Long Island. He was also chief counsel to the New York State Senate Committee on Transportation and the Legislative Commission on Critical Transportation Choices. • Geoffrey Prime, Mayor of Incorporated Village of South Floral Park: Aside from his mayoral duties, Prime is a criminal defense attorney and founding partner of Prime & O’Brien in Garden City. He is the past chairman of the Nassau Community College Board of Trustees. • Stuart Rabinowitz, President of Hofstra University: Before becoming Hofstra’s president in 2001, Rabinowitz was dean of its law school. As president, he founded the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine, Peter S. Kalikow School of Government and Fred DeMattheis School of Engineering and Applied Science, as well as the National Center for Suburban Studies and the Center for Entrepreneurship. • Cherice Vanderhall, Village Attorney of Hempstead Village: Vanderhall specializes in employment litigation and family law. She previously served as Hempstead Village deputy attorney. “The Covid-19 outbreak has affected us all,” Law said. “As part of the Economic Recovery Advisory Committee, I am committed to doing my part to get the Hempstead community back on its feet in the wake of this pandemic. The multiple perspectives and backgrounds this committee has to offer will ensure the maximum potential for this funding is realized for Hempstead residents.”

Little Leaguers parade in Point Lookout By Darwin YaneS dyanes@liherald.com

Little Leaguers took part in a car parade at Town Park in Point Lookout on Friday as a way to pay homage to a season lost because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The parade was put together by Town of Hempstead officials and fire departments from Merrick and Island Park. Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin and members of the Town Board were on hand to cheer paradegoers. “This gives the local Little Leagues a chance to come down here, in a little bit of open space, and get cheered on,” Councilman Anthony D’Esposito said. “We just tried to bring some smiles to the kids’ faces and let them know they’re not forgotten. As soon as this gets past us, we will do anything we can to get them back to whatever sea-

son we can.” Merrick resident Al Belbol and his son Joseph, 12, took part in the parade. Belbol, who coaches his son’s Little League team, said Joseph practices every day in the hope there will be a season this year. He added that the parade gives players a sense of hope. “It means a lot to him to just be able to get his uniform on, feel pride in playing for the Merrick-Bellmore Little League,” Belbol said. “These kids are dying to play baseball.” Some Little Leagues represented in the parade were Merrick and Bellmore, Long Beach, Point Lookout, Island Park and Garden City South. New York Mets Legend Ed Kranepool, who was on the 1969 World Series team, was a special guest for the event. “Over the years, I’ve been to many Little League functions, and this is one of the greatest you can be part of,” Kranepool said. “Everybody be safe.”

Darwin Yanes/Herald

the BelBol familY from Merrick took part in the parade on May 8.

By Mayor Bruno roMano lyneditor@liherald.com

Cuomo elaborates on reopening plans in guide By Scott Brinton sbrinton@liherald.com

Gov. Andrew Cuomo elaborated on his plan to reopen New York’s economy in a 51-page guide titled “New York Forward,” which he posted on Twitter Monday night. The governor plans to reopen the state by region. Among the regions are: the Capital, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Long Island, Mid-Hudson, Mohawk Valley, New York City, North Country, Southern Tier and Western New York regions. How reopening will play out will depend on local conditions on the ground. To reopen, a region must meet seven criteria, which include a 14-day decline in hospitalizations; a 14-day decline in hospital deaths; new hospitalizations kept to under 2 per 100,000 people.; 30 percent of hospital beds available; 30 percent of intensive care unit beds available; 30 per 1,000 residents tested for the virus and 30 contact tracers in place for every 100,000 residents. Long Island currently meets four of the seven criteria. It falls short on two — 14-day decline in hospital deaths and new hospitalizations under 2 per 100,000 — and like all other regions in the state, is expected to have a sufficient number of contact tracers in place soon, but does not now. On Tuesday, Cuomo said three regions — Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley — would be prepared to reopen May 15.

Meanwhile, certain “low-risk” business activities such as landscaping and gardening, as well as drive-in movie theaters, would be allowed to resume statewide. Certain outdoor recreation activities like tennis would be permitted also. Each region will have its own “control room” that can halt reopening if guidelines are not adhered on the local level. For the three regions that meet the state’s criteria, reopening is to begin cautiously, the governor said, and will play out over the coming weeks in four stages: Phase One: Construction, manufacturing, wholesale trade, select retail for curbside pickup only, and agriculture, forestry and fishing. Phase Two: Professional services, finance and insurance, retail, administrative support, and real estate, rental and leasing. Phase Three: Restaurants and food services, beyond takeout and delivery. Phase Four: Arts, entertainment and recreation, and education. The state, Cuomo said, has created a New York Forward Reopening Advisory Board to help guide the reopening process. “Under New York Forward, regions will be reopening at different paces, led by the data,” Cuomo said in the guide, “and communications to businesses about the rules of the road will be critical.” Schools, the governor noted, “will be reopened. But the question for each region is when, how and for whom.”

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When we first heard of the Covid-19 virus, we were concerned about how we were going to protect our residents. The village board and I immediately took action to shutdown our Recreation Center, Senior Center, library and parks to any visitors. We have also developed a plan to operate our Village Hall without having anyone enter the building. We have a drop-box outside the door for all types of permits, tickets, licenses and other municipal transactions that need to be processed. Our staff monitors the mailbox for documents and properly completes the transactions and either mails them back to our residents or has individuals pick them up with an appointment. Our main concern was to respond to rescue calls and save lives. We have to insure that our first responders in our ambulances were properly suited up with personal protective equipment so our volunteers would be safe after responding to Covid-19 calls. Our emergency management team was proactive in procuring equipment from Nassau County and the state, as we anticipated a high volume of calls. I was on the phone with Congresswoman Kathleen Rice requesting personal protective equipment to get us through the tough days ahead of us. Special

thanks to all of our local legislators who have reached out to me and donated very urgently needed masks. Our first responder rescue unit and Fire Department are doing an outstanding job in our village, cautiously handling calls. I wish to thank each and every one of our volunteers for their time, efforts and heroism in responding to our residents. I want to say thank you to our 4th Precinct Police Department, doctors, nurses and front-line hospital workers. We should also send a big thank you to all our businesses in our community, who are still suppling food and services to our residents. These are certainly challenging times, we all appreciate their tremendous efforts in keeping everything moving. When at all possible, we must all help our small businesses as they are struggling and this virus has hurt them financially. We cannot forget to include the post office, FedEx, UPS and other mail services for allowing us the ability to serve residents by delivering mail and packages. A special thank you to all of our residents for helping and staying home during this pandemic. I know that this has been difficult, but this is the only way in which we are able to control the spread. Although the weather is starting to turn nice, we must all be vigilant and understand that the virus could resurge again. We must continue to stay safe.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 14, 2020

Mayor Romano: The community has united from a distance

Governor cuoMo planS to restart New York’s economy in four phases, by region, starting May 15. When a region opens will depend on local conditions.

Ad – NHPP Dr. Ziegelbaum joining NHPP Urology at Lynbrook 10.25”w x 12.75”h

May 14, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Leading edge urology care combined with compassion. Michael Ziegelbaum, MD, FACS is now part of Northwell Health Physician Partners and The Smith Institute for Urology. Call for an appointment: (516) 927-1500 Northwell Health Physician Partners Obstetrics, Gynecology, Surgery and Urology at Lynbrook 733 Sunrise Highway, 2nd Floor Lynbrook, NY 11563 95-25 Queens Boulevard, 2nd Floor Rego Park, NY 11374

Over 480 convenient locations. Most insurance accepted. Learn more at Northwell.edu/PhysicianPartners. 1085815

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SpidermAN joiNed the web of fun at the birthday festivities for Morgan Watson, 10, in Bay Park on May 7.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 14, 2020

Class of 2020 Don’t miss Rockville Centre this

HERALD

Birthday parade brings joy to East Rockaway 10-year-old By Nicole AlciNdor nalcindor@liherald.com

On May 7, a parade of colorful and decorated cars, with drivers honking their horns, rode through Bay Park, surprising Morgan Watson for her 10th birthday. As part of a new tradition, during the pandemic, car parades have become a fad for many of those whose birthdays have fallen during the state-wide quarantine. Strong Island Car Parades 4 Kids, a group on Facebook, participated in running the drive-by and many other car

parades, in an effort to fulfill its mission “to brighten some days during this dark time.” The East Rockaway Fire Department, Long Island Hero Squad, Maria’s Touch Events for Balloons, Bunnabows for our Team Edge Shirts, the Watson’s friends and family, as well as, Pepe Productions DJ participated in making the drive by possible. “The car parade was definitely a good thing because Morgan needed to see her friends, even if it was just from their cars,” her mother, Melissa Watson said. “She needed to see all the smiling faces.”

Call Today

569-4000

(516) x249 to reserve your space! Rockville Centre

1088943

Courtesy Melissa Watson

Special Section coming out in the June 18 th issue

HERALD liherald.com

Thank you sponsors! ediators, Painting, and D ecora Mold Rem ting nsed Lice

RJ Painting Inc. East Rockaway Education Foundation would like to thank our sponsors for supporting the 2020 5K. With your generosity, we will be able to support grants, programs, and scholarships for the ERSD community.

1088727

Refur 1990 bishing your hometown since

May 14, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Covid-19

Local Hometown heroes

Kevin Calhoun Halfway Down

nurses, doctors and medical staff.

Jacquelyn Rosen Nurse at MSSN

We started with Nassau [University] Medical Center and Mt. Sinai, since those were the two hospitals primarily serving the people of Freeport. But then we had a couple of nurses from other hospitals stop by the restaurant and ask if we could do the same for them, so we expanded to seven hospitals now.

It all began around March 27 when I got boxes of gloves to donate to Mt. Sinai [South Nassau].

One of our regulars, Larry, got laid off like a lot of people because of Covid-19. He comes in from about 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. everyday to help us put the meals together and deliver them. We’ve given out more than 3,100 meals to these hospitals all over Long Island. To help, visit bit.ly/2WKHCyH.

When I was heading over there, I stopped by to pick up coffee for the medical staff. You know, give them a little something extra. I was surprised to see how ecstatic everyone was over the coffee. Some of them even started tearing up and told me how they hadn’t had anything to drink or eat in a while. I knew what we had to do, so I spoke to my partners at the restaurant, Hughie and Richie, and we put our money together and started putting together meals for the

HOMETOWN

HERO

Erin Tomlin Nurse at MSSN

on the floor, so we help the patients FaceTime as much as we can. A lot of them are older and confused, and when they get to speak to their family and see their faces, they become a little more grounded.

I am a psychiatric/mental health clinical nurse specialist at Mount Sinai South Nassau, which means I wear many hats. Providing emotional support to patients and the staff has always been my most valued role, however, I have been redirected through the years. With training and experience in disaster mental health, I believed my work providing support to the nurses and supportive staff working on the front-lines in all affected areas would be most essential during the surge of patients with Covid-19. It was especially needed as the units were changing to “Covid-only” and it was very difficult for the staff to find any time away

One of the biggest things that has changed is that no one is allowed to have visitors anymore. It’s sad because they are so lonely and sick, and I think about how, if I were in that situation, I would want to be able to see people. We have two iPads

I’m still on a Covid floor ,and it’s getting better, but there are moments of intensity. In the beginning, every nurse was intubating patients. Now, even though the patients are infected, they’re more stable, so I hope it’s going in the right direction.

HOMETOWN

HERO

Heartfelt connections were made as we all tried to make things better for the patients and their families, with the resources we had. What will remain so clear to me in the many days to come is our need to be connected. As nurses and supportive staff from different departments were re-deployed to prevent various hospital services from being overwhelmed by the surge, we began to cling to each other tighter. The entire Mount Sinai South Nassau team pulled in tighter, with each other, across job duties. I have been with MSSN for 27 years, and have always felt honored to be a part of our team in a variety of capacitie. I believe it is especially important to take a pause and honor the connection between ourselves globally and the care we provide to our patients.

HOMETOWN

HERO

Lt. Anthony Fallon Long Beach Fireman

safety of my crew during the shift. Unlike smoke or fire, or the dangers of a rescue scene, we cannot visualize the virus, but we see its devastating impact on families. I’ve been very aware of my mental health both on and off duty. I have done my best to balance my time at work as well as trying to stay active while I’m not at work by exercising, enjoying hobbies and resting.

I work three or four days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., so it’s pretty tiring. I live at home with my parents and my sister, and have had to segregate myself from them – I use a separate bathroom, sit on separate couches and try not to touch anything they touch so that I don’t infect them.

I just graduated last May, and it’s definitely been a different type of nursing experience than what I expected. I am on a floor that was an orthopedic, trauma and medical surgical unit, and it flipped into a critical care unit when the pandemic hit. It was a big change for us, and treating Covid patients has definitely had an impact on me and made me look at nursing differently.

from their patients. I visited patient care units regularly, touching base with the staff, listening, validating and offering ideas on self-care. I witnessed the staff’s perseverance despite their fears.

Ever since I was a child I wanted to be a firefighter, and being able to serve my community as a firefighter and Critical Care EMT, I have had many opportunities to help my neighbors. Over the last 25 years in fire and EMS service, I never would have expected to experience what I have doing during this Covid-19 pandemic. Dealing with the challenges of Covid-19 was unexpected, being part of it and helping others has made me stronger. Two things stand out, the importance of proper protective equipment, and the mental health impact of being entrenched in public service against the coronavirus. As a Lieutenant, I am responsible for the

During these tough times, seeing how people have stepped up to help others has brought bittersweet joy and a silver lining to what we have been dealing with. A new sense of pride has been instilled in our duty to serve, and I hope that the worst of it is behind us. While we have been told to socially distance and isolate from others, I find that mental health and self care awareness should also be focused on. Eating right, disengaging from stress, and getting outdoors has been really helpful. Do yourself a favor, disconnect from your phone, the news and social media; and soak up some sun and decompress if possible.

HOMETOWN

HERO

Each moment is precious. Especialy those spent with a loved one. And though we all strive to live in the moment, oftentimes our mind wanders to the worries of the future. With a Donza pre-arrangement, there are no more worries. You or your loved ones funeral requests will be taken care of with dignity and care by a Donza Family pre-arrangement councelor. They are the very best and they take pride in providing warm and personal service.

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Warm and Personal ServiceA Family Tradition Since 1926

Guy Donza, Thomas Donza & Christine Donza Funeral Directors & Pre-Arrangement Counselors

333 Atlantic Avenue, East Rochaway, N,Y. 11518 Tel: (516) 593-2521 / Fax:(516) 825-6380 email: donzafuneralhome@aol.com Visit us a@ www.donzafuneralhome.com

1087295

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For all of you who have put yourself in harm’s way, the Lynbrook business community thanks you.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 14, 2020

THE GIFT OF TIME

Teaching God’s timeless truths in Lynbrook Baptist Church the 21st century. Our congregation is a healthy blend of people from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures united by our love for Jesus Christ and desire to know and serve Him better. We understand that people do not need more empty religious tradition or ritual, but a real growing relationship with God. Would you like to discover how to have a growing, vibrant, lifelong relationship with God… Stop in some Sunday Morning.

225 Earle Avenue, Lynbrook, New York 11563 | (516) 599-9402 | Fax (516) 612-4827 lynbrookbaptist.org

Teaching God’s

Office@lynbrookbaptist.org

1088727

Honors our brave first responders, essential and front line workers. More importantly, we’ve been praying for you for months now. We pray for continued protection, safety, and most of all wisdom, as we proceed to “normalize” our lives… but with guidance, and wisdom from our wise God.

May 14, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

ANTIMICROBIAL CLEANING & SANITIZING (Sanitizing Your Home)

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Just Call...We Do It All! Call Bobby : 516.431.7611 3551 Lawson Blvd, Oceanside, N.Y 11572

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 14, 2020

Christina Daly/Herald

LHS chorus sings for essential workers Chorus members from Lynbrook High School recently used their talents to thank essential workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Although apart during this unprecedented time, the chorus students performed a rendition of “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King after recording themselves singing at home. The video recordings were carefully pieced together by LHS music teacher Timothy Waldvogel, with the help of music teacher Barry Wyner, to create a

video tribute to all front-line workers. The teachers also encouraged Lynbrook students to submit videos of themselves holding up thank you signs and messages of appreciation for essential workers, which were featured throughout the heartwarming video. To view the video, visit safeyoutube. com/w/h5tC. Courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools; compiled by Mike Smollins.

Our Heirloom and specialty p y tomato seedlings arrive May 16th,

along with our peppers*, and super cukes. We feature over 50 succulent tomato varieties including

13**of the 20 ‘World’s Best Tasting Tomatoes’

Stop in or visit atlanticnursery.com for your copy of our ‘Tomato Checklist’ and plan your harvest today! * Hottest Peppers include: Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, Bhut Jolokia, Scotch Bonnet, Habanero and Carolina Reaper.**Unofficial ‘Worlds Best Tasting Tomatoes’ on order: Belgium Giant, Better Boy, Black Cherry, Black Krim, Brandywine, Burpee Delicious, Caspian Pink, Cherokee Purple, Kellogg’s Breakfast, Lucky Cross, Mortgage Lifter, Orange Paruche, Sungold.

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Flowers and Naturally Grown & Organic Vegetables and Herbs

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Discover the best...

HERALD

Employment

CLASSIFIED

Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460 E-mail you ad to: ereynolds@liherald.com E-mail Finds Under $100 to: sales@liherald.com DEADLINE: Monday, 11:00 am for all classified ads.

To pLACE your AD CALL 516-569-4000 - press 5

Every effort is made to insure the accuracy of your ad. Please check your ad at the first insertion. Credit will be made only for the first insertion. Credit given for errors in ads is limited to the printed space involved. Publisher reserves right to reject, cancel or correctly classify and ad.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

EMPLOYMENT

Homes

HERALD

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

HOME OF THE WEEK

MECHANIC NEEDED

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

Malverne

Sunny And Quaint!

Auto Experience A Plus Will Train Right Person

MARINA YARD HELP F/T

Administrative Asst. F/T

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SubmitResume@bramsonhouse.com JOB OPPORTUNITY $18.50 P/H NYC $16 P/H LI Up to $13.50 P/H UPSTATE NY CDPAP Caregiver Hourly Pay Rate! Under NYS CDPAP Medicaid program you can hire your family or friends for your care. Phone: 347-713-3553

Year Round. Cleaning, Compounding & Wax, Bottom Paint. Must Be Handy With Tools, Have Valid Drivers License, Own Transportation.

Oceanside 516-764-2552 Fax Or E-mail Resume To: 516-678-9087 butchbpms@aol.com

sunny Colonial that is located on a desirable

distance from the heart of town and Long Island Railroad. This home boasts 3 bedrooms, 1/5

Purchasing Agent

baths, beautiful hardwood floors

CALLAHEAD Corp. is seeking a full time purchasing agent with experience. We offer full medical and dental 100% paid, 401k, 2 weeks paid vacation, holiday pay. Must have computer skills, ability to multi task, work in a fast paced environment and be extremely organized. Some duties include receiving and placing daily material orders, negotiating prices, overseeing deliveries, quote request, and checking inventory. Please apply in person Monday- Friday bet: 9am & 7pm at 304 Crossbay Blvd. Broad Channel Queens 11693

and spacious living areas. Some of the features you will also enjoy are a den/living room, an eat-in kitchen which overlooks the spacious yard, a formal dining room and powder room. All are found on the first floor. SD #12.

75 SEAMAN AVENUE, ROCKVILLE CENTRE o: 516.766.7900 | signaturepremier.com

Eileen O'Hara, ABR, GRI, SRES, SFR Associate Real Estate Broker 516.678.1510, c.516.512.4170 eileenohara@danielgale.com eileenohara.danielgale.com

THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING? Contact one of our hardworking professionals today for all of your real estate needs!

RobertLewis Lewis Robert Real Estate Estate Broker Real

We look forward to providing home buyers and sellers with the highest level of personalized service and support.

The TheGandolfo GandolfoTeam Team

5.17.18

Phone: 516-551-0796 Phone: 516-551-0796 Email: BobLewisNY@gmail.com Email: BobLewisNY@gmail.com Instagram: Instagram:@BobLewisNY @BobLewisNY 2911 Long Beach Road, Oceanside, NY 11572

2911 Long Beach Road

*If your property is currently listed with another brokerage, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the listings of other brokerages.

NYworkers, 11572 Thank you to all ourOceanside, healthcare first responders, police officers, firefighters, grocery Interested in selling employees, military service members,your restaurant workers, delivery drivers, teachers, essential home, buying, or investing? service providers, and all those who are working Anto experienced Realtor, former Baldwin High keep our community safe. May all our School Business Educator, local resident for community members stay&safe and stay well.

1081833

One phone call, one order, one heck of a good price to run your ad in any state, or across the country.

MLS# 3213542. $575,000

Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty 36 South Park Avenue Rockville Centre, NY 11570 516.678.1510

Outstanding Oceanfront Condo

American AmericanHomes Homes

CENTURY 21 ® Global Rebrand

Panoramic Ocean Views in “The Ocean Club”. Live the Long Beach Lifestyle in this Luxurious Building on the Boardwalk with All The Amenities... Pool, Gym, Party Room, Bike Room, Parking Garage, 24 Hr. Security and Pet Friendly! The Only 3 Bed/2 Bath Unit Renovated And Ready To Go! Just Bring Your Toothbrush! Offered at $725,000 - $749,000

35+ years, I’m an expert in helping people buy,

Call the USA Classified Network today! 1086952

1-800-231-6152

ome and see this lovely

block in Malverne Village a short

© 2018 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. All rights reserved. CENTURY 21® and the CENTURY 21 Logo are registered service marks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC. Century 21 Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated. It is your responsibility to ensure that the marketing materials you choose or create are compliant with real estate and other local laws in your area.

Help Wanted

As an experienced Realtor, former Baldwin High School Business sell, & invest in residential andI’m commercial real Educator, & local resident for 35+ years, an expert in helping estate on & Long and and in New York real City. people buy, sell, investIsland in residential commercial estate throughout Long Island Newconfidential York City. Contact me today for aand free,

At consultation this time, all realand estate transactions areappraisal. available virtually. a free market Contact me today for a free, confidential consultation today.

400 Garden City Plaza Suite 438 Garden City, NY 11530

J. Brittany DeVarso Real Estate Salesperson Cell: 516-967-4787 jbdevarso.kwrealty.com

WWW.LIHERALD.COM

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$18.50 P/H NYC • $16 P/H LI CDPAP Caregiver Hourly Pay Rate! Under NYS CDPAP Medicaid program you can hire your family or friends for your care. Phone: 347-713-3553

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May 14, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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

Let Me Help You Find Your Dream Home Virtually

Organize With alice Professional Organizing

ExPENSIVE WATER WATER

GARY CAPARELLI InC.

We’re Keeping the American Dream Alive.

NEW ECOLUTION MICRO-POP PopCorn Popper: Fits All Microwaves, Retails fo r $ 3 0 . w / U n p o p pe d Po p c or n $ 1 0 . 516-817-2215

SERVICES Appliance Srvc./Repair

APPLIANCE DOCTOR HOUSE CALLS!!

CEDARHURST NO FEE Pr ivate Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For O n e B e d r o o m W h e n Ava i l a bl e. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978

FRANKLIN SQUARE: Second Floor, 2 Rooms, Fbth, EIK, Suitable One. No Smoking/ Pets. $1100. Heat/ Water Included. 516-437-6830

LONG BEACH: RENOVATED LARGE 3BR, 2Fbth, EIK, LR, FDR, Upper-Level, Near LIRR/Beach, No Pets. 516-608-2669

ANNOUNCEMENTS

*Washers *Dr yers *Ovens *Ranges *Dishwashers. CFC CERTIFIED REFRIGERATION/ AIR CONDITIONING. INSURED. One Year Guarantee.. "Established 30 Years" Consumer Affairs LICENSE #HO21719000. **$10 OFF Repairs/ $12 Seniors** FREE Service Charge With Repairs. Call The Original Ronny 516-764-7011; 516-536-8664 theappliancedoctorrx.com EMERGENCY SERVICE TODAY...

Cable/TV/Wiring WIREMAN/ CABLEMAN: Flat TVs Mounted, Phone/ Cable TV & Computer Wiring Installed/ Serviced, Camera/ Stereo Systems Installed, HDTV Antennas, FREE Estimates. Lic.#54264-RE. Credit Cards Accepted. davewireman.com. Call Dave 516-433-9473(WIRE) 631-667-9473(WIRE) 516-353-1118(TEXT)

Rent Your Apartment through the Herald and PrimeTime Classified section. Call us for our great *specials. 516-5694000, press 5 for Classified Dept. *(private party only)

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FREE ESTIMATES

Call The WeNKS! 516-889-3200

Father & Son Owned

CALL OR TEXT

LONG ISLAND BUILDING & MAINTENANCE CORP.

LicS/inS H2082290000

• Oil to Gas Conversions • Hot Water Heaters • Boilers All Plumbing & Heating Work For House Lifts • Licensed and Insured!

FREE ESTIMATES 4 HR EMERGENCY SERVICE

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wenkpipingandheating.com

TREE SERVICE fREE ESTIma ESTImaTE

5% OFF

W eNK

PIPING & HEATING CORP.

10% OFF inc.

$25

First Responders & Armed Forces

$50 OFF

For New Customer Exp. 12/31/20

$100

(516) 766-1666 FREE • Chimneys Repaired, Rebuilt & Tuckpointing ESTIMATES • Stainless Steel Liners Installed

Chimney Cleaning & Masonry Services Done By Firefighters That Care chimneykinginc.com

We’ll meeT & beaT any priCe guaranTeed Owner/Operated • residential/COmmerCial

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ALFREDO’S CONSTRUCTION

*Power washing sPecialist*

Residential and Commercial - All Surfaces Call Anthony Romeo “The Local Guy” “Anthony & J Home Improvement, Inc.” Also specializes in ★ Deck Renovation ★ Driveways ★ Siding ★ Masonry ★ Fences ★ Roofing ★ Interior/Exterior Painting. (516) 678-6641 - Licensed & Insured

Free estimates...Best Price For High Quality service

BRIAN CONNELLY

SEAmLESS GuTTERS & LEADERS • Installed • Repaired • Cleaned • Vinyl Siding • Roofing • Trim • Over 30 Years Exp. • Lics./Ins.

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OFF • Tree removal Jobs Under • land Clearing $1,000 $500 Minimum • STump grinding USE COUPON CODE HER2020 USE COUPON CODE HER2020 Cannot be combined with other coupon Cannot be combined with other coupon • pruning We Care More Than The ResT for Less

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OFF

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Jobs Under $1,000

Nass. Lic # H2904450000

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If Your Plumbing STINKS

(516) 587-3971

Vet’s Seniors & All Mail Services

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Office: 516-546-4971 Cell: 516-852-5415

OAFnF-UP 10% G cLE ERS

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* Weekly Lawn Maintenance * * Planting * Seeding * Sod * Trimming * Free Estimates

Specializing

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Licensed & insured

the

BLACKTOP

BeSt priceS in town

senior Citizen Discounts

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• ConCrete • BriCk Patios • stooPs • stuCCo • Belgium BloCks • sidewalks • drainage ProBlems • Cellar entranCe • waterProofing • driveway sealing demolition • dumPster serviCe • Powerwashing • handyman rePairs

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CEDARHURST APARTMENTS PRIVATE HOUSE First 3Bds, 2 FBths, EIK Granite/ SS Appls, Finished Basement, W/D, Driveway Parking. $3400 Second 3Bds, 2 FBaths, EIK Granite/ SS Appls, W/D $3000 516-660-2944 See virtual ad at www.greenroomre.com/258-washingtonave

FINDS UNDER $100

& lANdSCApINg • Tree Removal • Stumps • Fertilization • Planting • Land Clearing • Topping

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Apartments For Rent

FRANCISCO’S TREE SERVICE

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HEWLETT OFFICE SPACE 1200 West Broadway One and Two person fully furnished office suites, available within our beautiful offices. Use of Conference room .Full Kitchen & bathrooms. Across the street from the Hewlett LIRR station. Large free parking lot. Call Steven Greenberg at 516-295-0406 ext 204 or email sgreenberg@thegreenberggroup.com

www.garycap.com

LANDSCAPING SERVICES

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Retail Space For Rent

O HOLY ST. Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue, rich in miracle, near kinsman to Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoked your special patronage in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart, and humbly beg great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and most urgent petition. (Make your request). In return, I promise to make your name known and cause your name to be invoked. St. Jude, pray for us and all who invoke thy aid. Amen (Pray this 9 times a day for 9 consecutive days. On the 8th day, your prayers will be answered, for this prayer has never been known to fail. Please don't forget St. Jude once your request is granted, as it was for me)

1081306

New homes priced from the low $100's available immediately in active adult 55+ landlease community in Smyrna Delaware. Close to DE Beaches and Dover Downs. Low taxes. 302-659-5800 or www.BonAyreHomes.com

917-642-4308

Novena

REAL ESTATE Real Estate

FOR AN ESTIMATE TEXT:

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www.AllStarRealEstateBrokers.com

FREE

516-578-3590

CAMILLE GIARDINA Licensed RE Broker/Owner Cell: 516-318-1392 Camille@AllStarRealEstateBrokers.com

2949 Long Beach Road, Suite 8 • Oceanside, NY, 11572 Phone 516.766.8200

WATER WELLS INSTALLED FOR YOUR LAWN SPRINKLER

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JUAN JARA Licensed RE Broker Associate Cell: 516-318-0142 Juan@AllStarRealEstateBrokers.com

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

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 14, 2020

Place Homes HERALD Market •

HERALD

Renovate or tear down? Q. I just bought a house that needs a lot of attention. It has little if any insulation, a sagging first floor, cloth-covered wiring with only a few three-pronged outlets that I doubt are grounded, and water stains in the ceilings. I’m thinking it may be cheaper to tear down, so I want to look Ask The into making the new house totally state-of-the-art, Architect meaning energy-efficient and storm-resistant, with computerized, wireless controls for a new boiler, sound system, lighting and security. I just wonder if, after investing in all this, is it worth it? Am I overimproving and out-pricing the house so I’ll never get my money back? A. Home ownership

Monte Leeper

is a challenge in many ways. For some, a home is a place to shelter, sleep, cook and entertain. For others it’s a little more like a place to enjoy time by a fireplace and a haven to relax or turn into a laboratory of gadgets and gizmos. If you’re concerned about value versus overpricing, then, other than a basic home, more upgrades are relative to comparable homes in the area. Making your home more, I often tell homebuyers, is based on your level of expected benefit and how long you hope to live there to enjoy the rewards of your hard work. State-of-the-art is ever-changing. Decide why you need the upgrades and how long they will last. If the upgrades have a return on investment, like superior insulation that reduces energy bills, solar electric or water heating, reflective or wind-resistant roofing and siding or radiant heat, then reducing bills makes the value greater. Adding a superior sound system, built-in computer and voice-controlled appliances, or a swimming pool and outdoor kitchen, are luxury items that may either become outdated or increase maintenance and insurance costs, which can actually lower the attractiveness to some future buyers who are looking at affordability. The traditional home, built 100 years ago up to the present, has basically the same structural configuration, either using amateur or unsound guessing to be over- or under-built or, since around the 1950s, a more enforced, regulated engineered construction. It’s pretty costly to just throw a home away, so you have to be sure to compare the existing with a replacement. Good design starts with sight orientation, the sun, winds, sounds and adherence to municipal zoning requirements. Decide if the size and shape of the existing home are a benefit or not. Insulated windows that allow uniform daytime lighting save energy. Properly sized overhangs screen harsh summer sun rays and allow windows to be open during a rain for fresh air. Look at what you have, what needs are not being met and how costly the renovation will be before starting over. If the home has a lot of dry-rotted structure or a crumbing or sinking foundation, replacement makes sense. If not, consider what’s useful to keep, and start from there with a trained, licensed professional. Good luck! © 2020 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

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HErald

Crossword Puzzle

opInIons

’m trying to find the right word. Is it “hate” or “jealousy”? I’m not sure what the right label is for us East Coast residents, but it seems that a substantial number of Republicans in the U.S. Senate and House have a built-in hostility toward us. This dislike goes back many years, and may even be tied to the Civil War. Every time an eastern state asks for help from certain Congress members, it is met with a mean rebuff and a tirade. One great example is the Sept. 11 first responders, many of whom have died JeRRY from their expokReMeR sure to toxins at the World Trade Center site. Considering that 3,000 innocent people died in the terrorist attacks and thousands of first responders risked their lives trying to save them, Lower Manhattan should be considered hallowed ground. Nevertheless, it took years before the Long Island congressional delegation and other state officials persuaded Congress to approve a long-term extension of disability payments for those heroes. The fight against that effort was led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ken-

tucky. A number of Republicans from around the country who fought against the aid request backed him up. Republicans are now looking for ways to stick it to New York and other coastal states that are drowning in debt created by the coronavirus pandemic. The relief bills passed by Congress showed great favoritism to some Midwestern states at our expense. Businesses in Nebraska and North Dakota were treated better than suffering New Yorkers. More pandemic hospital gear went to Florida than to our health facilities, and most of it wasn’t needed. New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts, which have large populations, are essentially being told that they’re not entitled to more financial assistance because they are “blue” states. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has told McConnell that we’re dealing with life and death, not party registration. McConnell has gone out of his way to single out New York, claiming that our deficit was due to high pension costs and that we had no legitimate need. Once he staked out his position, he was joined by senators from Iowa, Wisconsin and Arizona, who pledged that the Northeast would get nothing as long as they were in the Senate. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, whose state is home to millions of trans-

planted Easterners, chimed in with his own diatribe against the northern states. What is fascinating about this meanspirited attack against New York is that these same senators aren’t reluctant to visit Wall Street to beg for campaign cash. A few years ago, when Florida Sen. Marco Rubio spoke out against directing money to the dying first responders, U.S. Rep. Peter King, who represents many of us, told Wall Street money people to withhold contributions to Rubio or any other member who opposed the 9/11 aid. New York state had more than 335,000 cases of Covid19 as of Monday morning, the most in the country. Our hospitals and their personnel have been under enormous strain keeping up with this terrible virus. We are paying a high premium for masks, gowns and other desperately needed items, and the federal government has been accused of intercepting and diverting medical supplies from several states. Police and firefighters are working long shifts in order to keep up with the emergency demands of sick people. There are sad stories about the death of first responders and thousands of other local people every day. Another obligation of the government, in the event of a future epidemic, should be to coordinate the food supply. It is a trag-

elief bills passed by Congress favored some Midwestern states at our expense.

edy to see farmers destroying millions of pounds of crops and dumping fresh milk while hungry people are lining up at food banks all over the country. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue knows a lot about the farm business, but he has been clueless about how to move products to those in need. And, of course, Republicans in the Senate oppose expansion of the food stamp program for people in need. As a former state legislator who crafted budgets for 12 years, I understand that state deficits are connected to the number of Medicaid patients and the high demand for human services. School districts have always been given a high priority in state spending plans, but this year they face dramatic cuts. That means higher school taxes, and guess who will pay the bill? New York state’s fiscal crisis is tied directly to the high cost of health care, education and other ways in which it meets people’s needs. The Republican claim that deficits are tied to pension costs is an outright lie. But, if I have to choose between jealousy or hate to describe what they feel toward us coastal states, I think both words apply. Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? JKremer@liherald.com.

Will this plague lead to a new dark age?

ometimes a black hole opens in a culture and civility falls in. History teaches us that sometimes, good will and decency are trumped by avarice and authoritarianism. Read the stories of the Salem witch trials, the genocide of the Holocaust, the purges in Rwanda and the “ethnic cleansing” in the Balkans, and you begin to connect the dots. I think we are on the cusp of such a moment, and I fear for our future. The cracks in the foundation of our culture began with the election of Donald Trump to the presidency and his very first lies about the crowd size at his inauguRandI ration, a seemingly kReIss small false note that presaged disaster. Over the ensuing years he systematically dismantled many well-functioning stanchions of government, fired legions of experienced government officials and replaced them with sycophants and hacks. The ground rumbled as he attacked the trusted agencies to which America has turned in times of trouble: the CIA and the

FBI. When the information coming from these bureaus reflected badly on him or his administration, Trump undermined their credibility, and by doing that, their efficacy. The crack widened with sick appeals to the racists and the know-nothings and the haters among us. Then, because sometimes we are caught in the confluence of a perfect storm, the coronavirus pandemic struck. It is the worst time to suffer through the worst epidemic in a generation, with the worst leader who has ever risen to power in the United States of America. Bad luck all around. We are living through a nightmare of unnecessary deaths caused not by disease alone, but by mismanagement and incompetence. From the beginning, Trump lied about the pandemic and what government was doing to stop its spread. He missed every single opportunity to make it better. Most disturbing, the lying and corruption at the top are trickling down. The crazies, the anti-vaxers and the hoax-mongers are having their moment. And they are being encouraged by the president, who ignores guidance from the best and brightest scientists and doctors we have in the

fight. Now, this week, I am seeing the black hole in our society opening wide. Who will fall in? The most vulnerable, of course. People will go back to work, not because anything at all has changed as far as the spread of Covid-19 is concerned, but because they need to support themselves. Because the president missed the opportunity to control the spread of disease, he tells the meat packers they have to show up. He knows they will go home to parents and grandparents and spread the disease. The cost of doing business. This is now the acceptable sacrifice: that tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of working people and older people, especially those in nursing homes, will die so the economy can stumble forward. It did not have to be this way. There will be a virtual culling of old people in this country. To accept this calculated loss of life isn’t just un-American; it is depraved. Yet here we are. The way forward from this mismanaged crisis is difficult and complicated. We need reliable testing so we can know who is sick, we need contact tracing when someone

he crazies, the antivaxers and the hoax-mongers are having their moment.

falls ill, and we need the truth, most of all, on a daily basis, from a reliable source. Most people who need to work and have work will work. But it is the federal government’s responsibility to see that the tests and protections that can make that process safer are in place. Enough dissembling from the president. The fact that he has frequently deployed the “witch hunt” defense, from the Mueller investigation to the impeachment hearings to his handling of the pandemic, is exquisite irony. He is the witch hunter in chief, going after news outlets, reporters, political opponents and now even iconic scientists like Anthony Fauci, who are the only source of reliable information on the pandemic. As one of the characters said in “The Crucible,” the story of the Salem witch trials, “I’ll tell you what’s walking Salem — vengeance is walking Salem. We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law!” Their prey may be riding different imaginary broomsticks these days, but Trump’s witch hunters are still sowing havoc and reaping revenge. Copyright 2020 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 14, 2020

New York & company: the states Republicans love to hate

Herald editorial

Lynbrook/East Rockaway

May 14, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

HERALD Established 1994 Incorporating East Rockaway Observer Lynbrook News, Lynbrook USA Michael SMollinS Editor nicole alcindor Reporter jill kaplan Advertising Account Executive office 2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530 Phone: (516) 569-4000 Fax: (516) 569-4942 Web: www.liherald.com E-mail: lyneditor@liherald.com official neWSpaper: Village of East Rockaway Village of Lynbrook

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS Robert Richner Edith Richner Publishers, 1964-1987 ■ clifford richner STUarT richner Publishers Michael bologna Vice President - Operations ■ ScoTT brinTon Executive Edtitor jiM harMon Copy Editor chriSTina dalY Photo Editor TonY belliSSiMo Sports Editor karen blooM Calendar Editor ■ rhonda glickMan Vice President - Sales ellen reYnoldS Classified Manager lori berger Digital Sales Manager

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jeffreY negrin Creative Director craig WhiTe Production Coordinator craig cardone Art Director ■ dianne raMdaSS Circulation Director

Stay strong, Nassau

he weekend was cold and windy, which likely prevented many people from venturing outside to potentially crowded spaces like the Jones Beach Boardwalk. For now, that’s a good thing. The more people stay home, the better. The coronavirus breeds among those in close contact. We know, however, that people will grow increasingly eager to get outside and see one another as the weeks wear on. Nonessential workers have been at home for eight weeks, and Nassau County Executive Laura Curran warned last Friday that it could be another six weeks before the economy fully reopens downstate. Hospitalizations, Cuomo explained, are declining but remain persistently high, and the fear is that opening the economy will lead to a spike in the Covid-19 infection rate — and thus the hospitalization rate, which could, in turn, increase the death rate. Deaths have declined to a quarter of what they were at the virus’s peak on April 9, when a staggering 799 people died overnight. From May 10 to 11, by contrast, 161 died. We mustn’t focus solely on statistics, though. Each reported death is a grandmother or grandfather, mother or father, wife or husband, sister or brother. Someone like Mike Field, a Valley Stream emergency medical technician and 9/11 first responder. He died on April 8 at Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital, of complications of Covid-19. He caught it after transporting a patient. He was 59. Or Jim Adelis. He died April 4, at age 67. He organized Trees for Troops each year at Dees’ Nursery in Oceanside, sending Christmas trees to our troops overseas. And there are so many more. We must not forget them. Their memories should haunt us over the coming

Where to find help ■ The Long Island Crisis Center in Bellmore is a 24-hour suicide-prevention hotline. Its motto is, “Any problem. Any time. Anyone.” It can be reached at (516) 679-1111 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ■ The North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center is a nonprofit chilweeks. If they don’t, we may be tempted to let up on social distancing. We may forget to wash our hands and wear masks. But we simply can’t, or others will die. Make no mistake: We will be tempted to let up. Warmer weather is almost here, and we’ll all feel spring fever. We will desperately want to get out of the house and spend time with family members, friends and coworkers with whom we have interacted only via Zoom for weeks. We’ll want to return to our favorite restaurants and bars, shops and museums, ballparks and bowling alleys. We must be smart, however, and heed Cuomo’s warnings. We must understand that the coronavirus is an indiscriminate, remorseless killer. We may no longer want to hide, but until the government tells us it’s safe to return to life as normal, we must stay strong and abide by the rules. In the end, we will eradicate this disease, but doing so will require patience and diligence — and, yes, a vaccine. We understand the need to reopen the economy. People fear losing their livelihoods, and worry about paying their mortgages and putting food on the table. A second surge of the virus, however, could be deadlier than the first, and keeping hospitalization and death rates at the lowest

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letters Ending racial disparities To the Editor: The coronavirus epidemic has shone a bright light on already existing racial disparities in health outcomes. Our African-American and Latino communities are experiencing a disproportionate impact from Covid-19. This is unacceptable, and I wanted to take a moment to share with you how Nassau County is working to close the gap: ■ We created a hotline, (516) 396-7500, where all symptomatic residents can make appointments for Covid-19 viral testing, regardless of insurance and immigration status, in partnership with our community clinics run by Long Island Federally Qualified Health Centers. In addition to increasing testing capacity in the Freeport, Hempstead, Elmont and Westbury centers, the county is covering the cost of staff, and provid-

dren’s mental health agency. It can be reached at (516) 997-2926. ■ The Nassau County Office of Mental Health, Chemical Dependency and Developmental Disabilities Services can be reached at (516) 227-7057.

possible levels is a bit like balancing a scale. If too many people fail to socially distance, then we will tip the scale in the virus’s favor. That could lead to a second, longer shutdown of the economy, and possibly a second Great Recession, or even a depression. The federal government has put in place a number of programs, amounting to billions of dollars, to aid desperate New Yorkers. It likely isn’t enough, and as we have written in recent weeks, more needs to be done — the government must help fund states’ annual budgets to guard against cutbacks to schools, hospitals, and fire and police departments. There is funding, though, providing at least temporary relief, helping Long Islanders survive the next month and a half. Accessing that money may require persistence and a load of paperwork, but at least Congress allocated the funds, which are only now starting to stream through our local economy. If you are feeling desperate, understand that you’re not alone. There are tried and true institutions here in Nassau County to aid people in need at times like these (see box).

opiNioNs

ew York state’s Division of Licensing Services has adopted new regulations to address widespread housing discrimination. They take effect on June 20, and represent an important step forward. Yet much more state action is needed. The regulations come in response to irrefutable evidence of housing discrimination on Long Island. That was the focus of a joint hearing held on Long Island in December by three State Senate committees, at which I testified on behalf of ERASE Racism. But the problem eLaiNe isn’t limited to Gross Long Island. It is statewide and systemic. That’s why more state action is needed. The Senate committees’ hearing was sparked by Newsday’s three-year investigation of real estate sales practices on Long Island. It exposed widespread evidence of civil rights violations, employing a research technique — involving paired testers (one white, the other “of color”) and the expertise of the Fair Housing Justice Center — that mirrored an earlier investigation by ERASE Racism that demonstrated racial discrimination in real estate rental practices.

The problem, however, is not limited to sales or rental markets, or even to real estate. Stark patterns of residential racial segregation are evident across New York and the United States. They are the result of intentional, coordinated actions of federal, state and local governments, the housing and banking industries, and other institutions over many decades. Those patterns have been sustained by those institutions, which all need to work aggressively to end them. The new Division of Licensing Services regulations require real estate brokers and their employees and agents to notify — and obtain signed disclosure forms from — prospective buyers, sellers, renters and landlords about antidiscrimination laws. They also require the prominent display of information about how customers can file complaints about the services provided with the licensing agency. The new regulations thereby send two clear messages to real estate agents. First, the state has underscored that they must abide by fair housing statutes, and that their license to practice is contingent on compliance. Second, the state has clarified that the Division of Licensing Services plays a vital role in fair housing enforcement.

This step should, however, be just the first of many by the state. At the joint hearing in December, ERASE Racism and the Fair Housing Justice Center proposed a five-point plan for New York, with the following core points:

e should support programs that expand access to housing in all neighborhoods.

■ Create a well-resourced, proactive, and better-coordinated fair housing enforcement strategy. Complaints of discrimination must be investigated in a timely and thorough manner, but significant resources must also be devoted to conducting proactive testing investigations, since victims of discrimination usually don’t know what properties they were not shown. ■ The real estate industry should take affirmative steps to ensure compliance with fair housing laws. The Long Island Board of Realtors has a special responsibility here, but industry-wide action is needed. That action should include the

Letters ing testing kits, personal protective equipment and other essential items. ■ We have funded food distribution sites that have already begun providing meals in our hardest-hit communities, including Hempstead, Uniondale, Freeport and Levittown. We are adding more locations throughout the county. ■ Last year, I hired Andrea Ault-Brutus to serve as our first coordinator of health care equity. This is already helping us increase access to health care and improve outcomes in our communities of color. ■ I have conducted Zoom discussions with African-American and Hispanic community leaders, clergy and the NAACP. The conversations have been critical in understanding and addressing concerns in the community. We will keep working to provide critical resources to every community, and we will keep fighting for better health care for all our residents — during and after this crisis. Stay strong. LAURA CURRAN Nassau County executive

Small businesses need relief To the Editor: The news outlets are bombarding us with

■ Fully utilize the licensing power of the state to better regulate real estate licensees. The new regulations respond to that recommendation. The Division of Licensing Services should also determine whether licensees have engaged in conduct that warrants disciplinary action, including possible suspension or revocation of licenses.

talk about Covid-19 statistics, the Small Business Administration snafu and more. Small businesses, however, are often overlooked in the media. As a Schedule C tax filer, I am eligible to collect Pandemic Unemployment Assistance under the CARES Act. The program enables me to collect benefits even though I am a sole proprietor. I applied for PUA on March 16. I have been certifying for benefits every week. Throughout this time my online account with the state Department of Labor says that my case is still pending. There has been no change to my status, and with the exception of a single payment of $600, I have seen nothing. I keep receiving assurances that the system is backlogged, and that eventually I will get everything that I am entitled to back to day one. Despite my best efforts, and the efforts of my state representatives, I cannot get a definitive answer as to when I will start seeing regular payments. Two months later, I am out of patience and money. Time and effort are being funneled into case tracking, SBA fixes and hospital preparedness. There is no discussion about greasing the process at the Department of Labor. Many self-employed friends of mine are in the same situation. We wait patiently for an answer that is never forthcoming. The system is broken and needs a rapid fix. The governor tells us that we have to continue to

hiring of more diverse sales forces.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 14, 2020

More state action is needed for fair housing

’m “h ■ Affirmatively further fair housing in wh all housing and community development Co activities at the local, state and federal substan levels. New York’s Human Rights Law U.S. Se should be amended in two ways: 1) to tility to explicitly prohibit discriminatory action many y by local public agencies involved in hous- Civil W ing, land use and zoning, or community development to ensure that their efforts are not perpetuating segregation by making housing unavailable based on race or national origin, and 2) to require state agencies and departments, local jurisdictions, public housing authorities and other public entities receiving state or federal funds for housing and community development to “affirmatively further fair housing” and take no action materially inconsistent with that.

■ New York State should implement fair housing legislative initiatives, policy changes, and support for programs that expand access to housing opportunities in ering th all neighborhoods. Among other actions, terrori respon the state should enact an “equitable share” housing plan and establish a mini- them, L ered ha mum affordable housing goal for every Nev community. Long Is All five of these steps need to be imple- other s mented for New York to achieve fair hous- approv ing statewide. ty paym agains Elaine Gross is president of Long Island- Majori based ERASE Racism.

Framework Courtesy Ryan McDonough

trumpe Read th the gen in Rwa the Bal dots. I t

A public space designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí — Park Guell, Barcelona

shelter in place and not reopen our businesses. If that is the case, then we need economic relief. I would have no problem remaining closed if I had the funding I so desperately need. Without it, I have two alternatives: file for bankruptcy or reopen my business. It is incumbent upon

the governor to ease the unemploy-ensuin tled ma ment bottleneck. govern STEPHEN WANgELgovern Lynbrookwith sy The Wangel owns the Kitchen Loft. trusted turned

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