Girl Scouts say, ‘We’ll take it from here’
From Daisies to Juniors, Girl Scouts of all ages gathered in Malverne Village Hall on March 9 to serve as government representatives for a day. Each seat on the board of trustees was filled by a scout who learned about the responsibilities that come with local leadership. Marina Bicocchi of Troop 2562, right, sat in for library Director Carol Lagos. The scouts became surrogate police, public works and village officials. More photos, Page 3.
Eighteen years ago, Joanne McNelis became Malverne’s first woman police officer. Since she paved the way, three more women have followed their calling to law enforcement in the village.
“It was a lot of responsibility,” McNelis, 51, said of her trailblazing effort. “I must make sure I put my best foot forward, and I do the town, the village, the department a good service. That I’m up to the standard of everybody else.”
Malverne nine years ago from Rosedale, being a part of the reserves is a way for her to fulfill a dream that others said wasn’t meant for her.
“I was always a very skinny person,” Jagal, 46, said. “So they always said, no, I would never make it in the police force. When I moved to Malverne and saw they had a police reserve, I was like, wow, this is great to join and to serve the community.”
I want to help people. I want to let people know there’s good out there.JoANNE McNElIS Malverne Police Department
McNelis remains the only female officer in the Malverne Police Department. But the village’s Police Reserves, a volunteer law enforcement group, now has three women in its ranks: Andrea Jagal, Georgia Leppard and Michelle Zapata. Mayor Tim Sullivan and the board of trustees were honor these women on Wednesday, March 6 in Village Hall.
For Jagal, who moved to
McNelis always knew she had a calling to help people — but she first answered that calling by becoming a health care worker. She studied cardiorespiratory science at Molloy College, now Molloy University, in Rockville Centre, and became a respiratory therapist.
But she had always wanted to be a police officer. Her father and all of her uncles were cops. She saw how they helped others, and knew she could do that, too.
“It’s just there’s something
Continued on page 5
KNOW YOU WE KNOW CANCER WE KNOW
We know you. We focus on every detail, including your other health conditions and emotional and physical 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.
The Girl Scouts were running the show on Saturday. The troops gathered in Village Hall for the annual Government Day, and the girls were government officials for the day. Each girl was assigned a representative, researched their job responsibilities, and presented a speech at the end of the event. Lucy Sheridan, for example, was Mayor Tim Sullivan for the day; Ava Crowley served as Police Chief John Aresta; Juliana Miletic stepped into the shoes of Village Clerk Jill Valli.
“They need to see that it’s possible,” Trustee Lori Lang said. “In Malverne specifically it’s important because we’ve been incorporated for 102 years, and I’m the seventh woman to serve.”
Lang’s mother, Catherine Hunt, was the first female mayor of Malverne in 1987. Lang said she knew becoming a trustee was possible because she saw her mother do it. That’s why days like Girl Scout Government Day are important, Lang said — they show young girls that they can be leaders.
“It’s so important to teach them about having pride in your country,” State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said. “We really need to teach our young children civics — learning how government works, learning about giving back to the community, learning about serving others.
“The Girl Scout Promise, the Girl Scout Law,” she added, “To treat people with kindness, respect others and leave the world better than you found it.”
The parents and troop leaders find a lot of joy in watching the young girls step into leadership roles. Hayley Kelch, Amelia’s mother, said it was amazing to
watch her daughter do so well public speaking.
“They’re excited and they’re ready,” said Camelia Anders, co-leader of Troop 2420. “They’re ready to lead. It’s awesome watching them at such a young age, ready to take that on.”
“I was so impressed with the girls that sat in for the board,” Troop 2420 coleader Kimberly Penater said. “The fact that they took the initiative to interview them and find out about them — they did amazing.”
The Girl Scouts, parents, troop leaders and government officials all came back to the Malverne Fire House to have lunch together. The tradition is to have hot dogs, but chicken fingers were added this year, to the girls’ delight.
Nicole Formisano/Herald photos Trustee Carl Prizzi introduced himself. Amelia Kelch, of Troop No. 2562, stood in for him during Government Day. Brownie Troop 2101 and Daisy Troop 2568 supported the Juniors and Cadets who represented local government officials on March 9, and then enjoyed some chicken fingers at the fire house. Courtesy Town of Hempstead
The next National Hockey League All-Star Game will be played at UBS Arena in Elmont.
The announcement came Sunday afternoon during the first intermission of the Islanders-Rangers Stadium Series game at MetLife Stadium. Islanders legend Denis Potvin broke the news alongside Islanders legend Bryan Trottier during a live interview on ABC with reporter Emily Kaplan.
It’ll take place in 2026 and serve as an appetizer to that year’s Winter Olympics. There will be no All-Star Game next season as the NHL pivots to a 4 Nations Face-Off.
“The National Hockey League is thrilled to have the best and brightest of our game hosted at the spectacular UBS Arena for the 2026 NHL All-Star Weekend,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.
“We have been looking forward to UBS Arena playing host to one of our major League events since before construction of this wonderful arena began. We have every confidence that the Islanders organization, led by Scott Malkin and Jon Ledecky, will deliver a celebration that will make the greater New York region and the NHL proud.”
Additional information on the NHL’s midseason showcase including its dates, ticketing and broadcast information, will be announced when available.
“We are honored to be invited to host the National Hockey League, the game’s finest players and fans from around the world to join us in New York for the 2026 NHL All-Star Weekend,” said Malkin, the Islanders’ Majority Owner.
“Whether our guests will be watching the talented players on the ice in UBS Arena, a building built specifically for hockey, shopping in Belmont Park Village or enjoying pre- and post-game festivities in The Park,
the 2026 All-Star weekend will show NHL fans the outstanding destination we have for hockey, shopping and entertainment,” he added.
The 2026 All-Star Weekend will mark the second time the Islanders host NHL All-Star activities, with first being the 1983 edition featuring the Campbell Conference All-Stars defeating the Wales Conference All-Stars 9-3, and Wayne Gretzky claiming NHL AllStar MVP honors at Nassau Coliseum.
“After an impressive All-Star Weekend earlier this month, the players are looking forward to raising the bar even higher at UBS Arena in 2026 where we know the New York Islanders will be great hosts for the event,” said Marty Walsh, NHLPA Executive Director. “The NHL All-Star Weekend will be an exciting lead-in to the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.”
Fans can sign up to receive news and updates on the 2026 NHL All-Star Weekend. Visit www.nhl.com/ Islanders for more information.
Continued from page 1
in me,” McNelis said. “That drive. I love it; I’m passionate about it. I want to help people. I want to let people know there’s good out there — and we’re here. We’ll do whatever it takes to make you feel safe and secure.”
So, 15 years into her medical career, she made the change and enrolled in the Nassau County Police Academy. She was one of two women in her class. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever be called up to be an officer — but in 2006, she joined the Malverne P.D.
Not only was McNelis able to do everything her male colleagues could, but there have been many situations to which she brought a much-needed female perspective and presence. In cases of lost children, or domestic disputes, the victims often feel more at ease with a woman than a man in uniform.
Now McNelis, Jagal Leppard and Zapata are serving their communities the way they’ve always wanted to.
“I love the camaraderie with my entire department,” McNelis said. “I love the residents. I live in Malverne, I grew up here, so I just want that connection. We really are community policing. It’s what makes me happy, and that’s why I love it — you really have people in the community who appreciate you.”
“It’s a wonderful town to be in,” Jagal said. “I enjoy doing special events, meeting different people.”
Both women have shown their sons the strength they have, and that it’s always possible to follow your dreams.
“It’s just great for my kids to see some-
As the population aged, life expectancies increased, and the cost of care skyrocketed, the field of elder law emerged in the late 1980’s to help people protect assets from the cost of long-term care by using Medicaid asset protection strategies.
thing that their mom is doing,” Jagal added, “and they actually appreciate giving back to the community.”
“They can actually witness that there
malverne’s first female police officer in 2006. She is still the only woman on the force, but others have followed her path to the police reserves.
is an Act Two,” McNelis said. “You don’t have to be typecast into one role or job. You can change careers. It doesn’t matter how old you are — if you want it, you can make it happen. Go for it.”
today estate planning is also needed by the middle class who may have assets exceeding one million dollars, especially when you consider life insurance in the mix.
Estate planning with trusts became popular starting in 1991 when AARP published “A Consumer Report on Probate” concluding that probate should be avoided and trusts should be used to transfer assets to heirs without the expense and delay of probate, a court proceeding on death. Trusts are also widely used today to avoid guardianship proceedings on disability, protect privacy, and reduce the chance of a will contest in court.
We have been practicing “elder law estate planning” together for over thirty years to address these needs:
• Getting your assets to your heirs, with the least amount of court costs, taxes and legal fees possible.
• Keeping your assets in the bloodline for your grandchildren and protecting those assets from your children’s divorces, lawsuits and creditors.
• Protecting your assets from the costs of long-term care and qualifying you for government benefits to pay for your home care or facility care.
• Avoiding guardianship proceedings if you become disabled and probate court proceedings on death.
Joanne mcnelis, far left, georgia Leppard, andrea Jagal and michelle Zapata were honored by mayor t im Sullivan and the board of trustees on march 6 at Village Hall.
The Town of Hempstead is gearing up once again to a job fair — this one scheduled for Thursday, March 21 at the Freeport Recreation Center.
Appointments are already filling up for the event, set to run between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., at the center, located at 130 E. Merrick Road — all aimed to connect job seekers with prospective employers.
HempsteadWorks — a branch of the town’s occupational services department — has hosted the fair since 2021. Established more than 40 years ago, HempsteadWorks serves as a career center for not only the town, but also for Long Beach. Its primary mission is to provide access to training, develop skills, and share job opportunities across various industries, including health care, construction and manufacturing.
“Our primary goal is to help people within our township to better themselves, promote , careers that are up and coming, provide them access to training and skills,” said Nene Alameda, a business representative who works for the town.
“And if they don’t have those skills, we we give them access to occupational skills training.”
More than 85 such companies already
have registered to participate in the Freeport job fair, That includes prominent entities like the U.S. Postal Service, the New York Police Department, Mount Sinai Hospital, Brookhaven National Lab, Amazon, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
“We have the job fair to make sure that companies who are looking for people are partnered with people who are looking for jobs,” Alameda said.
The fair is experiencing radical growth in every iteration, Alameda adds, growing from fewer than 1,000 attendees in 2021, to more than 2,100 in its most recent outing. For next week’s event, more than 1,100 job seekers have
already signed up.
This rapid growth has produced long lines. To make everything more convenient, HempsteadWorks has instituted a time slot-based registration system, which job seekers can sign up for at HempsteadWorks.com/jobfair.
This registration system already was in effect last year, Alameda said, cutting down the wait from two hours to almost nothing.
The first hour of the fair, beginning at 9:30, is dedicated to veterans and people with disabilities. But no matter what time you sign up, attendees are advised to bring several copies of their resume.
Caroline Coyne, a 22-year-old Maris College graduate, says her current job hunt “has been pretty terrible.”
“It seems like there’s an oversaturation of applications because so many people are getting laid off and so many people didn’t get jobs during Covid when they were graduating,” she said. “So now, along with the 2022 graduates, you have the 2023 and the upcoming 2024. And everybody’s just trying to find their way at the same time.”
But, Alameda said, it’s important to remain optimistic and not despair.
“For every job seeker that’s out there, there (are) two positions,” she said. “Employers are in dire need of workers.”
In fact, the HempsteadWorks job fairs have likely helped at least 500 people find jobs directly in recent years. The end of pandemic-era benefits may also play a role in the sudden increase of people looking for work, as those bonuses and extra money are no longer available.
“As the largest and most diverse township in America, the Town of Hempstead is dedicated to leading the way in job creation and economic growth throughout the community,” said Town Supervisor Don Clavin, in a release.
“With dozens of employers participating in this year’s HempsteadWorks Job Fair, we encourage all job-seekers to come on down to the Freeport Recreation Center on March 21.”
After just missing out on reaching its postseason conference tournament for a second straight year, the Hofstra men’s lacrosse team is sharply focused on extending its 2024 season into the month of May.
The Pride entered the final season game against Stony Brook in a win or go home scenario and fell 11-10 to its Long Island rivals and missed out on a tiebreaker for the final spot in the fourteam league tournament to compete for an automatic qualifier into the NCAA Tournament. The Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) preseason coaches poll projects Hofstra to finish fifth in the eight-team conference, which would leave Hofstra just shy once again of the postseason.
“After losing the tiebreaker two years in a row it doesn’t sit well with us,” said longtime Hofstra head coach Seth Tierney.
Hofstra enters the start of CAA play this weekend at 3-4 following a 21-9 loss to 18th-ranked North Carolina at home last Saturday in the program’s first meeting with the ACC power since 2018.
Junior attackman John Madsen (21 goals) and redshirt junior midfielder Rory Jones (16 goals) have paced the offense so far this season. Madsen, a Locust Valley High School graduate, tallied 27 points as a junior, while Jones neatly set a program record for goals in a game with eight in a season-opening 21-9 win against Wagner.
Madsen and Jones lead a deep Hofstra offense featuring multiple scoring options including Colton Rudd, Griffin Turner and Justin Sykes.
A key part of assuring Hofstra is in the offensive end of the field for much
of the game is the play of graduate student faceoff specialist Chase Patterson, who earned preseason All-CAA honors. Patterson led the CAA in faceoff win -
ning percentage at 59.5 percent last year and is at 60 percent through seven games this season.
“He’s been very self motivated and won some big face offs for us,” said Tierney of Patterson. “He very much thinks like a coach as even after a successful game he finds the negatives, he finds the ones that he missed and he continues to work each week to miss less and less.”
The defense is led by redshirt sophomore goalie Sean Henderson, who recorded 19 saves in a 17-13 victory against St. John’s on Feb. 13. Graduate student goalie Max May, a Hewlett High School product who previously played goalie at Muhlenberg College, serves as a solid backup behind Henderson and tallied three saves at the end of the Wagner game.
“They push each other every day in practice and no one can take a day off,”: said Tierney of his two top goalies. “Right now we are staying with what we’re staying with, but Max is right there ready to go to help the team when necessary.”
The starting defense in front of Hen-
derson features Henry Troy, Will Delaney and Blake Cooling. Graduate student long stick defensive midfielder is also a key component of the defense and earned All-CAA preseason accolades after playing 14 games at North Carolina last season.
The Hofstra defensive unit also features two local players in redshirt sophomore Ryan Kiernan, a Rockville Centre native and Chaminade graduate, along with junior short-stick defensive midfielder Chris Barry, an East Meadow High School alum.
The CAA season kicks off Saturday at Fairfield followed by a March 23 road trip to two-time defending champion Delaware. The conference home opener is set for March 30 against Monmouth at 1 p.m.
Hofstra’s late season schedule also includes an April 16 non-league game against Yale at 7 p.m., which will mark the program’s first meeting with the Ivy League school since 1995.
“They are a tremendous team with a lot of talent,” said Tierney of Yale. “It is another opportunity to sharpen our swords against a quality opponent.”
Bruce Blakeman wants to ban transgender athletes who identify as female from participating in women sports on Nassau County playing fields. But Letitia James says he can’t do that.
So, the Nassau County executive is joining Mark Mullen — the father of a female athlete he says is protected by such a ban — to file a federal lawsuit contesting the state attorney general’s ceaseand-desist order halting Blakeman’s efforts to restrict who can be on a sports team.
“What the attorney general was asking us to do was a violation of federal Constitutional law and federal statutory law,” Blakeman told reporters in Mineola last week. “Our response was to file a lawsuit, for a declaratory judgment, requiring the attorney general to come before a federal judge and explain why this cease-and-desist order has been issued and the threat of sanctions and litigations against the county, when we in Nassau County are protecting women and girls, who are a protected class under the constitution, and under federal law.”
James sent her cease-and-desist letter to Blakeman on March 1, demanding he rescind his executive order banning transgender athletes identifying as female from participating in women’s
sports in county facilities. She called the executive order was transphobic and illegal under the state’s human rights and civil rights laws.
With the cease-and-desist, James ordered the county to rescind the executive order or face potential legal action.
“Not only will the order impact a wide array of Nassau-based teams and leagues, it will undoubtedly deter inclusive teams and transgender women and girls who participate in women’s and girls’ sports from other parts of the state who want to participate in sporting events and competitions in Nassau County,” James wrote.
A spokesperson from the attorney
general’s office reiterated that after Blakeman’s news conference, saying the laws protecting people from discrimination are not “up for debate.”
“The executive order is illegal,” the spokesperson said, “and it will not stand in New York.”
Blakeman cited the New York City Marathon as an example where males and females compete exclusively in their own classified groups.
“There is a reason for those classifications,” he said. “Males are bigger, stronger and faster. And it wouldn’t be a fair competition with females.”
The county’s action is consistent with the Constitution, Blakeman added, treat-
ing women and girls as a protected class under federal law.
“Transgender women who are biological males are not a protected class under federal law,” he said.
And because of that, Blakeman believes his order is not transphobic.
“Transgender athletes can compete freely here in Nassau County, and we welcome it,” Blakeman said. “If you’re a biological male and you identify yourself as a female, you can play against other biological males. Or, you can play in a co-ed league.”
Blakeman posed an idea with reporters of starting a transgender league, something he said his parks commissioner, Darcy Belyea, is open to.
Blakeman issued his executive order last month with County Legislator Samantha Goetz and sports activist Kimberly Ross standing by his side.
The executive order demands sports, leagues, organizations, teams, programs or sport entities operating in county facilities to first designate themselves based on gender makeup, and then only accept athletes who meet that criteria according to what was originally listed on their birth certificate.
While those born male would not be allowed to participate in female teams, the order does not ban someone born female from joining a male team, or for anyone who is transgender from participating on a co-ed team.
Parker Schug/Herald
In celebration of the Long Island Black Artist Association’s 55th anniversary, Westbury Arts is the host of an exhibition that highlights more than five decades of talent from local artists.
Several members of the association from across Long Island were present Feb. 4 to commemorate the occasion and launch the exhibition.
Westbury resident Marcia Odle-McNair has been a member of the Long Island Black Artist Association for two years. She also sits on Westbury Arts’ board of directors, a position which allowed her to write a proposal for the venue to host the exhibition.
“There’s still lifes, representational art, abstraction, ink works, and watercolors,” Odle-McNair said. “There’s everything. We all come together.”
The association was founded in 1968 by artists James Counts, Ernest Snell, Raymond Miles and Charles Winslow. The organization aims to help local African-American artists find venues to exhibit their work.
The association’s art has been exhibited in places such as museums, universities, libraries and churches. Some work has been displayed internationally in continents such as Africa and Europe.
Galvin Bisserup Jr. is the current president of the Long Island Black Artist Association, which covers the counties of Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk. When holding meetings for the group, he positions all members to sit in a circle.
“Putting everyone in a circle allows people to recognize that they each have an equal space,” he said. “They each have something to offer, and we can share information and learn from one another.”
The art that is displayed in the exhibition has been influenced by the personal interests of different members.
Freeport resident Aaron L. Scott has two pieces in the exhibition. One painting, titled “Winter Sunset,” was inspired by the former Oceanside School District art educators’ passion for nature.
“There’s something about winter that I’ve always liked,” Scott said. I just enjoy nature. I grew up in an
area where we used to have lots of deer. There’s always been a lot of animals around, maybe less than there used to be. But there’s still those things that are part of nature that are around.”
Photos taken by Mary Rano, another Freeport resident, are also showcased. One of those pieces is titled “I-95 at Philly,” and focuses on an oil refinery that she observed while stuck in traffic.
“It was 7 in the summer, and the sun was going down,” Rano said. “The light was reflecting off of the metal and pipes. It struck me as really pretty. There was something beautiful about it.”
Members also shared their reflections on what 55 years of the Long Island Black Artist Association means to them.
“We’ve lasted the test of time,” Odle-McNair said.
“What I really appreciate about this group is the fellowship. There’s no judgment.”
Bisserup Jr. talked about his hopes for the future of the association.
“Part of the joy is recognizing that I’m a part of something,” he said. “My main mission is to keep the artists engaged and keep our family unit together so that we can move as a unit when it comes to exhibiting the different artworks that we have mastered.”
The Long Island Black Artist Association’s 55 Years of Black Creativity exhibition runs through March 22 at Westbury Arts.
Anthony Johnson is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.
Photos courtesy Anthony Johnson Aaron L. Scott, left, Marcia Odle-McNair, Mary Rano, and Galvin Bisserup Jr., all members of the Long Island Black Artist Association, at the 55th anniversary exhibition’s opening reception at Westbury Arts. ‘I-95 at Phily’ by Mary Rano, from Freeport, being showcased at the Long Island Black Artist Association’s exhibition.
Continuing a series exploring the impact pollution from air, noise and light has on our communities and way of life. Thoughts? Questions? Ideas? Email us at execeditor@liherald.com.
How can local representatives protect people from an invisible, ever-present hazard? That’s the question small governments across Nassau County have been trying to answer when it comes to noise pollution — all to varying degrees of success.
“Inevitably, you might be creating a standard that is unfair, that is inequitable,” said Kevin Walsh, an attorney who’s helped draft noise ordinances for municipalities like Malverne and Farmingdale. “Not because it isn’t applied equally, but because it hurts people that don’t have a problem with it.”
Noise pollution — excessive or frequent noise — is said to come with health risks like increased stress, hypertension and sleep disruption, according to the World Health Organization. But for some communities, dealing with excessive noise is nothing new.
Glen Cove’s noise ordinance, for example, has been largely unchanged since 1997, limiting noise that is “clearly audible at 50 feet.” Village ordinances for Sea Cliff — dating back to 1995 with updates more than a decade ago — define unreasonable noise as any constant, continuous or repetitive loud sound which “annoys” or “disturbs” the peace and comfort of neighboring residents.
But — despite what neighbors of barking dogs or chronic partiers may
wish — there is no legal definition of “annoying.” Noise ordinances often use subjective language, because noise pollution is a subjective experience, Walsh said. Sound that irks one neighbor may be hardly noticeable by another.
Finding a way to differentiate
“It’s difficult because it’s trying to regulate human behavior,” he said. “When you try to regulate people’s enjoyment of their existence like this, on relatively subjective degrees, it’s a problem.”
When someone wants to play music while their neighbor wants their child to go to sleep, where does law enforcement draw the line? The incongruous — yet equally defensible — interests are “making it more and more difficult to get a balance between what is acceptable noise and what is not,” Walsh said.
So, the question becomes, what is a fair standard to regulate noise? Do municipalities put the noise limit at the lower end to shield more sensitive people, and risk discouraging others from enjoying time outside?
Or do municipalities create more lenient ordinances that allow more noise, and risk leaving sensitive people unprotected?
“It’s a no-win situation, because, inevitably, you make one person happy. You’re making one person sad.”
Managing these conflicting expectations can result in local officials walking a tightrope. But Elena Villafane, Sea Cliff’s mayor, says that is an inherent part of serving the community.
“So, as with every local government, where you are managing how people reside in a community together, you’re always balancing a variety of interests.” she said. “Right now, we seem to be at a happy equilibrium.”
It’s a balancing act Glen Cove has had to grapple with.
“It is a very subjective criteria when one person’s noise pollution is another person’s ‘fun time,’ so to speak,” said Christopher Ortiz, deputy chief of the Glen Cove Police Department. “So, in that sense, it is difficult trying to precisely determine what is an excessive amount of noise, and it becomes kind of a gray area.”
And that “fun time” is on the rise, especially since Covid-19. People these days are spending more time in their backyards since the pandemic, Walsh said.
Malverne mayor Tim Sullivan noticed that trend as well.
“What we found is, during Covid, a lot of homeowners invested in their backyards,” Sullivan said. “Whether pools, or outdoor bars and kitchens and sound systems. The backyard has become a renewed entertainment focus of the home.”
Sound-measuring technology,
though, has dramatically improved in the decades since those original laws were passed, Walsh said — another reason why more governments across the county are passing updated noise ordinances.
Malverne’s noise ordinance, passed in December, limits outdoor music to 80 decibels — about the noise level of a vacuum cleaner — measured at the property line. Glen Cove considers 65 decibels — about the noise level of a conversation — “disturbing,” but also allows for subjectivity by employing a standard of whether the noise is “clearly audible” at 50 feet.
Too many variables?
But even something seemingly objective — such as a measurable standard like decibel level — presents new obstacles. A noise level that constitutes a nuisance to one neighbor may not bother another.
Sometimes, Walsh said, police will visit a property that is technically violating the noise ordinance, but the officer will personally find that the sound level or quality shouldn’t break the law. So even with a measurable standard, enforcement is subjective.
And the actual sound level isn’t the only thing that matters — the source does, too.
Things like fire whistles and barking dogs polarize neighbors, Villafane said. Gas-powered leaf blowers are another malefactor that often earn their own section of noise ordinances.
The city ordinances also differentiate between how much noise various types of properties can make at different
times. For example, a private residence can be penalized for making 50 decibels or more of noise after 10 p.m., and before 7 a.m., while a commercial property operating at the same time would need to reach 70 decibels before neighbors can make a complaint.
These different standards for businesses and private residences can sometimes boil over in communities. Because Long Island is very much suburbia, Walsh said, the interests of commercial and residential parts of towns often conflict — commercial districts often create more noise, which is at odds with the interests of residential communities that typically neighbor them.
But the arguably biggest culprits of excessive noise may also be the hardest to manage. The constant drone of airplanes flying overhead is seemingly ever-present, but comes with its own challenges.
With John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports right next door, neighbors across the county are dealing with the near-constant drone of planes fly-
modate the residents on the ground that are dealing with the airplane influence? We maintain that there is.”
The committee’s primary goal right now is to get accurate, specific decibel readings from FAA monitors.
The problem, Vilardi said, is the information the FAA provides right now is warped because the decibel readings are averaged out among neighborhoods.
But if the committee gets the raw data and finds that the decibels violate municipal or federal code, they can appeal to the FAA to make changes.
The FAA, however, is largely unwilling to even acknowledge the noise abatement committee.
“It’s difficult to make changes in their policy without them being willing to talk to us,” Vilardi said. “We’re pushing as hard as we can to get this data so we can have a real conversation with them.
“Unfortunately, it’s a problem that our residents face, that our local elected officials do not have the power to directly impact. “There’s no way that the supervisor — or the county executive, or even a congressman — can say ‘OK, stop flying over Franklin Square.’ Or ‘fly 20 feet higher.’
“They just don’t have the jurisdiction to do it.”
The timeline for progress is in the air, so to speak, until the federal agency finally has a dialogue with the town.
In the meantime, local governments are still striving for progress in the fight against noise pollution using new and updated noise ordinances.
Although noise is largely inescapable, its excess can be mitigated when we focus on what we can control, experts say — local government’s respon
Spring is in our sights and we’re sure ready for its embrace. The arrival of St. Patrick’s Day on Sunday always is a welcome harbinger of the season. Enjoy some of the lively parades nearby, even a concert, and certainly bring St. Patrick’s Day into your home with some tasty Irish cuisine. Favorites include corned beef and cabbage, and, of course, soda bread.
Among these quintessential Irish foods, Irish Soda Bread is a tempting quick bread that everyone enjoys and is quite easy to make. It gets its name from the baking soda used as a leavener, instead of yeast. While the traditional version is made with only flour, buttermilk, salt and baking soda, consider adding a modern version to your repertoire.
• 3 cups pastry flour blend or unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• Heaping 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup currants or raisins
• 1 tablespoon caraway seeds, optional
• 1 large egg
• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
Topping:
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 tablespoon coarse white sparkling sugar
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x5 loaf pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the pastry blend or flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, currants, and caraway seeds.
In a separate bowl, or in a measuring cup, whisk together the egg and buttermilk (or milk and yogurt).
Quickly and gently stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Stir in the melted butter.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Draw your finger around the edge of the pan to create a “moat.” Drizzle the bread with the 1 tablespoon of milk; the moat will help prevent the milk from running down the sides of the loaf. Sprinkle with the coarse sugar.
Bake the bread for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean; the interior of the bread will measure 200°F to 210°F on a thermometer.
Remove the bread from the oven, loosen its edges, and after five minutes turn it out onto a rack to cool. Cool completely before slicing. Wrap airtight and store at room temperature.
Serve with hot tea and organic jam, Irish stew, traditional Irish cabbage dishes, or enjoy on its own!
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons caraway seed
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper, ground
• 1/2 cup shredded Irish Cheddar cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and seasonings in large bowl. Stir in cheese. Set aside. Mix eggs and buttermilk in medium bowl. Add to dry ingredients; stir until well blended. Spread in lightly grease 9-inch round cake pan.
Bake 30-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.
Tip: Make muffins instead of bread. Prepare dough as directed and divide among 12 greased muffin cups. Bake 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup white whole wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups currants (first choice) or raisins
• 1/2 to 2 teaspoons caraway seeds, to taste
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup buttermilk, yogurt, or sour cream
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted; or 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• sparkling white sugar, for topping
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a standard muffin pan; or line with papers, and grease the papers.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, currants or raisins, and caraway seeds.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk (or equivalent) and melted butter (or equivalent).
Quickly and gently combine the dry and wet ingredients; honestly, this won’t take more than a few stirs with a bowl scraper or large spoon. As soon as everything is evenly moistened, quit; further stirring will cause the muffins to be tough.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, filling the cups about 3/4 full; the stiff batter will look mounded in the cups. Top with sparkling white sugar, if desired.
Bake the muffins for 20 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove them from the oven. Tip the muffins in the pan, so their bottoms don’t get soggy. Wait five minutes, then transfer the muffins to a rack to cool. Serve them plain, or with butter and/or jam.
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 an injection of the magic of Scottish folk music. The lads — described as ‘The best Irish band in bluegrass’ and ‘sparkling, infectious’ — bring their footstomping vibe to Long Island for a lively St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Founding members from Offaly Jamie McKeogh (lead singer and guitar) and Daithi Melia (five-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. With a sounded rooted in Irish music and Irish immigration, the Irish have found their prodigal son in JigJam.
Saturday, March 16, 8 p.m.
$38.14-$49.48. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at LandmarkOnMainStreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
The colorful YouTube sensation known as Blippi is ready to delight preschoolers when The Wonderful World tour visits Tilles Center. Families will dance, sing and learn with Blippi and special guest, Meekah, as everyone discovers how different cities are unique and special. Will there be monster trucks, excavators, and garbage trucks galore? You bet! So get ready to shake those wiggles out and O.J. Twist your way through this musical party. The lively show expands upon creator Stevin John’s engaging world that inspires curiosity in young families. Clad in his iconic blue and orange outfit, Blippi — along with best friend Meekah — clearly excites preschoolers with experiences that are relatable and accessible and make learning fun. Kids 4 and younger quickly respond to Blippi’s endearing personality as they explore the world around them through adventures that relate to everyday life, involving fire trucks, zoos, animals, and so much more.
Tuesday, March 19, 6 p.m. Tickets start at $32. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Classic Irish Soda Bread Savory Irish Cheese Soda Bread Soda Bread Muffins
The Ivy League of Comedy is the premier group of stand-up comedians touring America. Known for their elite brand of clever comedy, you’ve heard their brilliant comedic voices on latenight TV and Comedy Central. Now come see them live when Carmen Lynch, Ryan Reiss and Shaun Eli bring their act to the Madison Theatre, Saturday, March 23 , 8 p.m. Lynch, who made it to the semi-finals of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” is known for her deadpan delivery and riffs on life. A rising star from a bi-lingual family, who lived in Spain as a child, she’s appeared on a string of late night TV shows. Shes’s also appeared “Inside Amy Schumer,” “That Damn Michael Che,” “Life & Beth,” and the documentary “Hysterical.” Funnyman Reis, also a writer-actor, began his career while attending NYU, and quickly became a favorite act on the scene. He made his network TV debut on “Late Night With Seth Meyers.” His quit wit, instant likeability and unique way of engaging any audience have made him one of the most sought-after comics on the club circuit and a favorite audience warm up performer. Eli has rightfully been called one of America’s smartest comics. Whether it’s a story about dining with a vegetarian or successfully fighting a parking ticket in criminal court, master storyteller Eli shows you that there’s hilarity in the ordinary if you approach life with a comedic warp. Even job interviews. For just about anything he’s experienced he has hilarious stories at the ready. $45-$50. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at MadisonTheatreNY.org or (516) 323-4444.
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 15, 10:15 a.m., noon, 6:15 p.m. (sensoryfriendly performance); Saturday, March 16, 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, March 20-21,10:15 a.m. and noon. Kids become cast members, singing dancing, and acting on stage alongside the professional cast. One of the museum’s most interactive shows, it received rave reviews in its prior run. Going beyond the traditional telling of the Oz stories, the performance uses personal journal entries and historic newspaper headlines to bring the history of 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. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.
On exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “Urban Art Evolution,” is a comprehensive exhibit featuring a diverse range of compositions from the 1980s through the present by creators who were based in the rough and tumble downtown area of New York City known as Loisaida/LES (Lower East Side/East Village) and close surrounding neighborhoods.
Artists pushed the boundaries of what was considered “art” with a primary focus on street/graffiti art. The exhibit’s scope, guest curated by art collector/gallerist Christopher Pusey, offers an even broader view from other creative residents, who worked inside their studios but still contributed to the rich fabric of the downtown art scene from different vantage points and aesthetics.
Works include sculpture, paintings, photography, music, and ephemera from many noted and influential artists.
Opens March 23, on view through July 7. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Poetessayist Elizabeth Schmermund, who is an assistant professor of English at SUNY Old Westbury, reads from her works, as part of Hofstra University’s Great Writers Great Readings series, Wednesday, March 27, 4:30 p.m.
Her work has appeared in The Independent, Mantis, and Gyroscope Review, among other venues. Her first poetry chapbook, “Alexander the Great,” is published by Finishing Line Press. Free and open to the public. Guthart Cultural Center Theater, Axinn Library, South Campus, Hempstead. Register in advance at events.hofstra. edu or call the Hofstra Cultural Center at (516) 4635669 for more information.
Families can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with green (and all colors of the rainbow) science experiments, at Hempstead Lake State Park’s Environmental Education and Resiliency Center, Sunday, March 17, 1 p.m. $4 per child. 880 Lake Drive, West Hempstead Register at tinyurl. com/RainbowScienceWH.
Visit Chabad of West Hempstead and Congregation Shaaray Shalom for a Purim celebration full of comedy. After Maariv and Megillah, there will be a party with sushi, beverages, and a comedy show. The event is recommended for teens and adults,takes place in the lower level of the West Hempstead Jewish Community Center. $7 in advance and $10 at the door, and 711 Dogwood Ave., West Hempstead. For more information, go to ShaarayShalom.org.
The SNWA provides the public an update on its acquisition of Liberty Water. To find out the status of the takeover attend the meeting, Monday, March 25, at 6 p.m., in the Community Room of the Lynbrook Public Library. 56 Eldert St., Lynbrook.
Learn or play the classic card game Bridge at Malverne Public Library, every Wednesday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.. All skill levels are welcome to attend. 61 St. Thomas Place.
Families can celebrate St. Patricks Day with green (and all colors of the rainbow) science experiments, at Hempstead Lake State Park’s Environmental Education and Resiliency Center, Sunday, March 17, 1 p.m. 880 Lake Drive, West Hempstead. $4 per child. Register at tinyurl.com/ RainbowScienceWH.
If you’re a small business owner looking to stay connected with your community, come to the Chamber of Commerce’s monthly general meeting, Wednesday, March 20, at 6:15 p.m. The exact location will be updated on their website, MalverneChamberOfCommerce.com.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
In concert
Plaza Theatrical welcomes spring with a lively tribute to The Temptations, Saturday, March 23, 7:30 p.m. Groove along with The Fellas, in their concert “Just My Imagination,” a powerful salute to the Motown icons. Enjoy all those great tunes, including “Just My Imagination,” “My Girl,” “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” and more. See the concert at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre. 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 5996870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.
See some birds with the South Shore Audubon Society. All are welcome to join members for the next in its series of bird walks, at Mill Pond Park in Wantagh, Sunday, March 17, starting at 9 a.m. The Park is on the north side of Merrick Road, four blocks west of the Wantagh State Parkway. Meet at the gazebo. 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) 4679498. No walk if rain or snow. Text regarding questionable weather. For more information, visit SSAudubon.org.
Mercy Hospital offers a peer to peer meeting for breastfeeding support and resources, facilitated by a certified breastfeeding counselor, every Thursday, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Bring your baby (from newborn to 1 year) to the informal group setting. All new moms are welcome, regardless of delivering hospital. Registration required. Call breastfeeding counselor, Gabriella Gennaro, at (516) 7052434 to secure you and your baby’s spot. Mercy Hospital, St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre. For information visit CHSLI.org.
Spring is in the air, and St. Paul AME Church’s second annual Easter Egg Hunt is here, Friday, March 30, at Harold Walker Memorial Park. Register at 11 a.m.; hunt starts at noon. 1085 Woodfield Road, in Lakeview.
Don’t be confused if you see bags of soup, peanut butter or macaroni and cheese on your neighbor’s doorstep this Saturday — the 13th annual “Souper Food Drive” is simply underway.
Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church, in Malverne, holds the drive every year. Malverne is split into 15 different sections, and a team of children is responsible for one section each. Little league teams, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, religious education classes or even just groups of friends will come together to do their part for the community.
“The kids love it,” said Linda Baldacchino, coordinator of youth ministry for the church. “I think they feel really good when they see how much they do.”
The group of kids will choose a day this week to go out into their section of the village, and put up flyers asking people to leave food out for the food drive. Then, on Saturday, the teammates will go out and collect the food neighbors have left out for them. Last year’s food drive raised over 10,000 pounds of donations.
“At a young age they can understand service,” she added. “The adults in the community are inspired by the kids’ work, and I think the kids are inspired,
items that the food pantry is in a little more need of — which this year are peanut butter, jelly, soup, stuffing, mashed potatoes and snacks — earn the kids twice the points.
Last year, some teams raised more than 1,000 pounds of food. The donations help keep the Our Lady of Lourdes pantry stocked, which is especially important in the months after the holidays when donating perhaps is no longer on the forefront of people’s minds, and the pantry sees a lull.
“The pantry is really dependent on volunteer donations,” Baldacchino said. “It’s a nice way to stock up the pantry, and it lasts a few months.”
The teams will bring the donations back to Our Lady of Lourdes between noon and 3 p.m. to assess just how much food they’ve helped raise. It seems to get bigger every year — the neighbors of Malverne consistently show up for their loved ones struggling with hunger.
like ‘wow, a lot of families really got our flyer and went out shopping for us.’”
Of the 15 sections, 12 are already claimed — but there’s still room for three more teams to sign up. And if service isn’t quite motivation enough,
there’s an added layer that’s popular with the kids: the element of friendly competition.
Each team keeps track of how much food they’ve raised. Each pound of donations is one point earned. And the
“It’s really become an event that the community knows about,” Baldacchino said. “People look for it. We get huge participation from the community.”
To sign a team up, visit Our Lady of Lourdes’ website at OLLChurchMalverne.org — and if you’d like to help, don’t forget to leave nonperishables on your doorstep this Saturday.
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of Self Storage
Sale
Please take notice
Safeguard Self Storage #190105 located at 45 Hempstead Turnpike W. Hempstead NY 11552 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 10:00AM. Unless listed below, the contents consist of household goods and furnishings.
Orlanda Watts unit #0130; Carmen Milner unit #0328; Hossan Maksoud/Community Care RX unit #0338; Akeya Penceal unit #0444; Stephanie R Brown unit #0604; Danielle M Cacciatore unit #0614; Robert Sgroe unit #1216; Brent B Blackman unit #2314; Jacqueline A Robertson unit #2401; George N Baxter unit #2529; Ivory Spencer unit #2535. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. See manager for details. 145230
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC, V. SUSAN SCHRAMM AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ELEANOR FICKBOHM, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated January 2, 2024, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC is the Plaintiff and SUSAN SCHRAMM AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ELEANOR FICKBOHM, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the
undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on April 11, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 840 TAFT STREET, WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY 11552: Section 35, Block 435, Lot 71: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS
THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 602021/2020. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.
145301
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU MTGLQ INVESTORS, L.P., V. JUANA E. BONILLA, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated October 17, 2023, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein MTGLQ INVESTORS, L.P. is the Plaintiff and JUANA E. BONILLA, ET AL. are
the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on April 5, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 234 SYCAMORE STREET, WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY 11552: Section 35, Block 377, Lot 40-41: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE, OR PARCEL OF LAND WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT WEST HEMPSTEAD, IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 601557/2018. Janine T. Lynam, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 145298
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL ACCREDIT LOANS, INC., MORTGAGE ASSET-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-QS11, Plaintiff, AGAINST
GEORGINA GARCIA, MYRIAM ROJAS, et al.
Defendant(s) Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on June 4, 2019.
I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 15, 2024 at 2:00 PM premises known as 240 Franklin Avenue, Hempstead, NY 11565. Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Nassau County and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing.
All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Malverne,
Anthony DiGregorio and Kerry Harracksinghn were the county’s “Top Cops” of February for pursuing and arresting the men who allegedly robbed a 7-Eleven, in West Hempstead, at gunpoint.
On Dec. 23, DiGregorio and Harracksingh were working in the Fifth Precinct when a call came in that a 7-Eleven in West Hempstead had been armed at gunpoint. While patrolling in Elmont, DiGregorio saw the black Kia Soul the men allegedly fled in. He attempted to pull the car over, but the driver refused. Later, the driver intentionally crashed into Harracksingh’s police car while he was canvassing the area.
Immediately after being struck — and despite sustaining a broken finger, torn rotator cuff, herniated discs and a concussion — Harracksingh coordinat-
ed the law enforcement response and chased the vehicle until it crashed into a parked car. The four men ran away. Harracksingh and DiGregorio each apprehended a man, while other responding offers captured the remaining men. Harracksingh remains off duty as he continues to recover from his injuries.
“Thank you very much for your heroic actions in which you protected the residents of Elmont and the Third Legislative District,” County Legislator Carrié Solages said during the Monday, Feb. 26 meeting of the full County Legislature. “We truly appreciate your presence, your engagement, your involvement in helping our young people.
“I pray for your speedy recovery and thank you for always being present in our community.”
Help Wanted
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
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 to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
Inside Sales
Help
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com
Call 516-569-4000 X286
OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off.
Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com
or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS
FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDI-
Health Care/Opportunitie
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
Situations Wanted
ADMINISTRATOR AVAILABLE To Work
For You FT/ PT Immediately. I'm 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
Eldercare Offered
COMPANION AVAILABLE : Care For The Elderly. Own Car. Live-in/ Out. $20+/ Hr. References. Yvonne 516-417-4411
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
REAL ESTATE
Open Houses
EAST ROCKAWAY BA 62 Bulaire Rd, , NEW TO MARKET! Move Right Into This 4 BR, 2.5 Bth Exp Ranch in Waverly Park Area of SD#20(Lynbrook). Open Floor Plan. LR w/Fpl, DR, Gran/Wood EIK Plus Family Rm w/ Vaulted Ceiling. Upper Level Has Huge Skylit Recreation Rm, BR, Bth & W/D. Beautifully Lanscaped Oversized Prop W/ Trex Deck for Entertaining. Multi Car Drvewy...$899,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 515-238-4299
HEWLETT BA, 1534 Broadway #213,.! 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. Garage Pkg. Loads of Closets. Terrace Faces Back. Easy Ranch Style Living. Convenient to Shops, LIRR & Houses of Worship....$649,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299
HEWLETT 1390 BROADWAY #117, OPEN HOUSE BY APPT, NEW TO MARKET! Move Right Into This Beautiful JR 4 Coop Apt in Luxurious Hewlett Townhouse. Huge LR & DR, Renov 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 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299
Open Houses
HEWLETT: BA 1267 Peninsula Blvd, 5 BR, 2 Bath Exp Cape in SD#14(Hewlett Woodmere)Living Room, FDR & Updtd Gran/Wood EIK w/ 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 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299
HEWLETT BAY PARK: BA 190 Meadowview Ave, , Ever Dream of Living in A Castle? This 8000 Sq Ft Mansion is Full of Character. Amazing Architectural Details, Soaring Ceilings, Stained Glass Windows. 5 BR, 6.55 Bths. Sprawling 1.3 Acre Prop with IG Gunite Pool. SD#14.Near All. Must See This Unique Home!.REDUCED!!.$2,700,000
TFlr 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
Q. I’m planning to redo my whole backyard, and I live on a waterway. I plan to have a swimming pool, open bar, cabana with a shower room at the back of it, running water, outdoor kitchen and a fire pit. The yard is sloping to the water, so the seawall (bulkhead) will have backfill and then a concrete patio with stone paving on top. The question came up, and I’m wondering, can I rest the concrete patio on top of my seawall, or should the patio be built separately and have a separate foundation? I’ve seen where some bulkheads were damaged in a previous storm, so I’m wondering, before I spend all this money, which way to go?
A. I recently returned from an ocean voyage that included South America and Antarctica. During the trip, we were detoured away from ports that had been damaged by storms, and after seeing the aftermath of seawall damage, as far as a mile upriver from a port entrance, I have a profound respect for what Mother Nature can do to bulkheads, no matter where they are.
Your bulkhead is intended to take average to extreme horizontal loads from a body of water impacting it. Just remember, though, that just like bridges and skyscrapers being designed to work with the extreme impact of forces from wind and water, with built-in expansion joints and the ability to rock back and forth, so too is your bulkhead moving much of the time. Because you plan to put a rigid construction made of concrete and pavers next to that seawall, you’ll need to realize and work with the dynamic movement, and concrete isn’t flexible. It may be strong, but it has very little ability to resist being twisted, lifted and shifted.
You’re better off considering the bulkhead as a buffer that can lessen the impacts of water and wind and build your concrete structure separately, with its own supports and with engineered reinforcement to work with the natural movement. This means more foundation support, expansion joints, and internal reinforcement. Not working with nature will mean working through experimentation and, ultimately, failure.
Another alternative is to build with wood materials and no backfill, since wood has greater flexibility. The problem is that wood — even chemically treated wood — tends to deteriorate, so if you’re going for a look of stone or concrete, you need to work with professionals who may cost more than just guessing, but the whole idea is to develop a better structure that won’t need rebuilding, at a much higher cost, than a well-designed construction. Without placing the correctly coated steel reinforcement in the proper strength concrete on the correctly located underground supports, you’re just guessing, and either overbuilding at greater cost or under-building, at even greater cost. You’ll save money resting the concrete on the new bulkhead, and then spend the money to do it all over again. Good luck!
Home Improvements 516-678-6641
Plumbing
PLUMBER! PLUMBER! PLUMBER!
Satellite/TV Equipment
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
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Accounting & Tax
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.
Health & Fitness
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,
St. Patrick’s Day is in reality no longer a one-day festive occasion celebrated on March 17, but an almost three-week-long celebration full of parades, luncheons, dinners and parties.
On Long Island alone there will be more than two dozen parades and hundreds of events this month at Hibernian halls, bars, restaurants and community centers from western Nassau County to eastern Suffolk. And, of course, New York City’s parade up Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, drawing a crowd of more than 500,000 and lasting more than seven hours, is the largest Irish celebration in the world.
As a proud Irish-American, I have marched in many St. Patrick’s Day parades over the years, including the
city’s, where I was grand marshal 39 years ago, and Huntington’s, last Sunday, where I was privileged to march with the grand marshal, a longtime family friend, Monsignor Steve Camp.
I remember around the time I was grand marshal in New York’s parade, there was discussion about whether, going forward, younger generations would continue to support it. The answer is a definite yes. Attendance is growing every year, and new parades are actually forming elsewhere. The Wantagh parade, for instance, which only began in 2019, draws overflow throngs all along the parade route, up and down both sides of Wantagh Avenue.
One beautiful pane in the stained-glass window that is America.
This increased interest and enthusiasm is a welcome development at a time when everyday life has become so frenetic and fast-paced, and institutions and traditions are under siege from some and ignored by others. Perhaps it is this societal turbulence that
moves good people to reach out for something that gives them and their families and friends a sense of stability and permanence. And I apply this to all ethnic groups and religions. While America is generally described as a melting pot, I prefer the late New York Gov. Mario Cuomo’s description of our magnificent country as a beautiful mosaic where each group maintains its uniqueness in the large stained-glass window that is America.
Parades are an expression of that uniqueness, and the mosaic. Whether it’s the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, Italians on Columbus Day, Germans on Steuben Day, Poles on Pulaski Day, Jews on Israel’s Day of Independence, Greeks on Greek Independence Day, Puerto Ricans on Puerto Rican Day or any of the many newer people in our country celebrating their heritage, these parades honor the traditions that combine to make America
such a shining city on a hill. They also recall the travails and adversities each group had to overcome to become part of the American dream. For instance, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade represents so much more than the trivial stereotypes of green beer and leprechauns. The parade is always led up Fifth Avenue by the 69th Infantry Regiment (in which I proudly served), in recognition of this Army unit’s predominantly Irish membership protecting parade marchers from being attacked and St. Patrick’s Cathedral from being burned down by antiCatholic nativists in the 1860s.
All races, ethnic groups and religions can point to what they have achieved and what they have overcome in their American experience. That is why celebrating our heritage is celebrating America, which has made it all possible. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and God bless America.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
We have seen how a global pandemic has made local housing prices surge to levels that make them unaffordable for many disheartened house hunters on Long Island. While the housing market is starting to return to pre-Covid levels, an average price is still out of reach for most young adults starting their careers, single-income households, and older residents looking to downsize. Long Island has also been plagued by a lack of home inventory, which for many has turned the American dream into a dream deferred.
As the Assembly member in District 18, I have heard my constituents’ cries for more housing. While we search for solutions to ensure a pathway to homeownership, we need to do this the right way so that our present planning is not a setup for future failures.
Ideally, the housing plan should include partnerships with our local municipalities and school districts so
we have a thorough understanding of what type and volume of housing we can comfortably support without straining our already strained infrastructure. We should also protect the integrity of our communities and the landscape of our suburbs. After all, part of why we live here is because we value space, fresh air, and effective teacher-to-student ratios.
IIt’s difficult for young adults to leave the comfort of their parents’ homes because of the housing problem we face. We need inventory so our children have options when it comes to moving out of our homes and into their own. This will help them grow as individuals and productive contributors to society.
to moving away. We want to keep families together and here on the Island.
I propose a Pathway to Home Ownership, a program that incorporates smart solutions with a multi-pronged approach. This includes creating micro apartments for young adults to serve as starter dwellings. They will then be able to work with home-ownership programs to get wise counsel on saving money, building credit, and becoming mortgage-ready so they are well positioned to purchase in the future.
t’s going to take government, communities, NGOs, schools and more.
We need inventory for our seniors to have options when it comes to downsizing when the homes in which they have reared their families — and in which they have created so many memories — no longer meet their needs. But it has to make economic sense for them. They should be able to age in place, in the community they have invested in for so many years. They should be able to stay close to their families instead of having
Another aspect of the Pathway to Home Ownership program would answer the need of Long Islanders ready to purchase a second property to build generational wealth. Real estate has long been used to build wealth, and studies show it is more consistent than other asset classes. Homeowners often buy second properties and rent them out to tenants who may not want to purchase or may not be able to. This pathway would also aggressively target zombie and abandoned homes with enforceable policies across the Island so that all inventory is accounted for and up to code.
The final part of the program would
target our golden Long Islanders who would like to downsize, creating an inventory of available larger homes for new families. We would need to create affordable cottages or other comfortable housing options for our seniors to transition into, equipped with all they need to keep them safe. This pathway would be smothered in support from counselors and housing/financial professionals to assist everyone at every phase. If you look at the model of assistance created by the New York Small Business Development Center, you will see how this level of guidance, training and hand-holding could help.
I want to bring various stakeholders to the table to get this done. It is going to take government, communities, nongovernmental organizations, schools and more to help solve the housing problems on Long Island. Partners in the faith-based community who have or want to improve neighborhoods by building housing is just one avenue worth exploring. We are currently working on the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act in the State Legislature. If you believe New York needs faith housing, you can contact your state elected officials to urge them to pass Assembly Bill A8386 and Senate Bill S7791.
Taylor Darling represents the 18th Assembly District.
nowledge will forever govern ignorance,” President James Madison once said.
“And a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”
Madison may not be the most wellknown of the Founding Fathers — not even getting the most prominent of roles in the hit musical “Hamilton” — but it’s hard to imagine an America without him. Not only was he an early advocate of the U.S. Constitution, but Madison is also credited as the author of the Bill of Rights — the first 10 amendments to the Constitution that address, among other things, the freedom of the press — and, by extension, the ability to arm ourselves with the very knowledge he championed.
So it’s fitting that Sunshine Week — this week, when we promote open government and the freedom of information — happens to include Madison’s birthday, March 16. But sadly, more than two centuries later, we still have a long way to go to ensure the transparency in government that the founders promised us.
Established by the American Society of News Editors nearly 20 years ago, Sunshine Week is an important reminder of the vital role transparency plays in a democratic society. It’s vital we protect the public’s right to know.
While New York might lead the nation in many different categories, one area in which the state is not a pioneer is government transparency. In fact, four states have the right to open government spelled out in their state constitutions,
according to the New York Coalition for Open Government, but none of them are New York.
A bill offered by Assemblyman Phil Steck and state Sen. Rachel May would fix that by enshrining access to public information as a fundamental right in the state constitution, because it’s a “necessary and vital part of democracy and public deliberation.”
“The right of the people to inspect and/or copy records of government, and to be provided notice of and attend public meetings of government, shall not be unreasonably restricted,” according to the legislation.
Yet even if that constitutional amendment passed, enforcement would be nearly impossible. Right now, the only way any of us can ensure that government is transparent is by taking it to court. But even if we win, courts are not required to also award attorneys’ fees unless someone “substantially prevails” in such a case — something that is quite subjective and hard to prove.
With that, governments can simply run up legal costs until someone exhausts their financial resources. And if there were a violation of open-government laws, it would never reach a judge.
Instead, the open-government coalition is pushing a bill from Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal that would create a hearing-officer system to adjudicate those issues and impose penalties.
It’s certainly not a new approach. The open-government coalition points out the small-claims assessment reviews for property tax assessment disputes, in which homeowners complete a simple
To the Editor:
I write to underscore the critical situation facing the Nassau University Medical Center, as reported in the Herald in recent weeks. Without restoration of state funding that was drastically cut from the hospital in 2020, this vital community resource could be lost.
NUMC stands as a cornerstone of our community, providing vital health care services to hundreds of thousands of patients annually, with a significant portion relying on Medicare or Medicaid. Reductions in state aid — not current leadership — have endangered the hospital’s ability to provide care for Long Island’s most vulnerable populations.
Despite these challenges, NUMC’s team has forged ahead, with those we serve remaining our top priority. Hospital leadership has initiated comprehensive reforms to improve financial health. These reforms are already demonstrating the hospital’s commitment to financial sustainability.
Unfortunately, NUMC, as a safety-net hospital, cannot overcome these challenges alone. It’s paramount for lead-
application, pay a filing fee, and then have their case decided by a hearing officer. More than 100,000 such complaints made their way through the system in 2020, costing just over $100 each. The same system is needed for disputes over government records, and Rosenthal is pushing just that. But she has yet to get any support from anyone in the state Senate.
The coronavirus pandemic introduced many of us to livestreaming online — especially when it came to government meetings. Now that we are on the other side of the pandemic, those online streams are not as common. Yet a bill from Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and state Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. would require all public bodies to not only broadcast their meetings, but record them, and leave them online for five years.
Even more important is a chance for members of the public to comment at meetings — something that is not guaranteed by the state’s open meetings law, and which a number of organizations don’t make time for. Unfortunately, there’s nothing in front of lawmakers yet to make this happen — but it’s needed.
Sunshine Week is important to remind us that we have some work ahead of us as citizens, but it’s also good to remind government officials that they need to prioritize transparency and accountability as well. It’s vital that we stay informed and engaged, and reach out to our lawmakers so that these bills — and others designed to make our government more open — will indeed see the light of day.
It’s a common refrain your wellmeaning, often younger friend or coworker might tell you to dampen your fears of getting older: “Age is just a number.”
Of course, to our inner cynics, these are just pretty words. But it’s true, isn’t it? Judging oneself based purely on one’s time spent on earth can lead to false conclusions. And if we struggle to extend this generous thinking to ourselves, imagine how hard it’s been for voters to extend it to this year’s presidential candidates.
Fate is pointing toward a rematch between President Biden and former president Donald Trump, the two oldest nominees in history — as they were when they faced off four years ago. Their age has given voters plenty to talk about.
In fact, age — and its toll on the physical and mental fitness of the candidates — has become a leading issue in the campaign.
Trump would be 82 at the end of a second term. Biden, who is already the oldest president in history, would be 86.
If current polls are correct, most Americans are less than thrilled about another four years of a geriatric presidency.
The endless media clips of incoherent garble, memory slips and puzzling public performances by both candidates have done little to quell fears. Instead, they’ve served as endless fodder for speculation and rumor, with words like “dementia,” “senile” and “incompetent” dripping from commentators’ lips.
Much of the panic is over-hyped, medical experts say. Forgetting things and stumbling over words are not, by themselves, telltale symptoms of cognitive decline, they explain — rather, symptoms of just being human.
they’re in a cohort all their own. They are “super seniors,” pushing the limits of an average lifespan while competing for the hardest job in the world.
It’s one thing not to judge people by their age, but quite another to ask the American public to ignore the effects of aging on these two people.
a merica today isn’t the America in which Biden and Trump came of age.
Age is a factor for the average senior managing the strains and pressures of a normal life, to say nothing of one who’s dealing with the unthinkable pressures of leading the free world. Can either Trump or Biden do it? Sure they can. But if the past few months are any indication of the next four years, it won’t be pretty.
ing to Pew Research. For a senator, it’s 65.
Is it any wonder that young people feel they have been shut out of a place at the decision-making table, and that their concerns don’t rank high among their representatives’ priorities?
Young people’s alienation from and skepticism about politics have created a vacuum of engagement that older politicians have exploited in their own interests, as evidenced by the culture war focusing on gender in universities and school board meetings — and by extension against young people, who are by and large more open than past generations to redefining such concepts.
They remind us that no president under 24-hour media scrutiny has been spared cringe-worthy moments. Who can forget the gaffes of President George W. Bush, a spring chicken compared with Biden and Trump?
Nonetheless, I think Americans do have a right to be worried.
The fact that we must consider the possibility that either man could die in office of natural causes should give us pause. Doctors tell us that both are exceptionally healthy for their age, but
ers in Albany to restore the funding in this year’s state budget. Without this essential aid, NUMC’s capacity to fulfill its mission will be in jeopardy.
I implore our governor, legislative leaders and local state legislators to prioritize our community’s health and well-being by reinstating funding for NUMC and ensuring its long-term sustainability.
CARMINe CARMONe Director of environmental services, NUMC LevittownTo the editor:
I am one of the growing number of American voters who are politically unaffiliated. I have no allegiance to either party or personality cult.
I believe that we have to have a functioning border system. There’s a difference between who I believe, and who former Congressman
Peter King believes, is to blame for the border crisis (“Reflections on the special election,” Feb. 29-March 6).
The Republicans have historically scuttled any attempts to resolve this issue. There really are many instances of this, but I’ll just list a few. In 2013, then House Speaker John Boehner refused to allow a comprehensive reform bill to come to the floor of the House. Recently, a bipartisan bill that had been worked on for months was voted down in the Senate by Republicans, after House Speaker Mike Johnson had numerous discussions with former President Donald Trump and said that it would be “dead on arrival” in the House.
During the Trump administration, one of the most disgraceful border policies separated minor children from their parents and put them in chain-link enclosures to provide photo opportunities for the Republicans. Now Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has spent more than $150 million to send migrants to socalled sanctuary cities so that other Republican officials can share in the fun. Perhaps that money would be better spent on helping the victims of the recent
The problem is bigger than just Trump and Biden — it’s a sign of deeper trouble with our politics. We complain about our leaders being too old, but we’ve paid too little attention to the other side of that coin: Where are our young leaders?
Socially and technologically, America today is not the America in which Biden and Trump came of age. Yet those in their 40s and younger are still passed up and overlooked for positions of power. The median age of a member of the U.S. House of Representatives is 58, accord-
Those generational differences are also evident in the sluggish pace with which the government has mobilized technology and legislation to combat climate change, despite the urgent cries of young people demanding change now.
And those differences are brutally obvious in the lack of progress toward rethinking the cost of education and housing, for which young people stand most to lose.
Our present discontent toward our aging leaders is neither inevitable nor forever. It’s something we’ve chosen by refusing to let our young people take the lead and have a say in their future.
Juan Lasso is editor of the Valley Stream Herald, Comments? jlasso@liherald.com.
wildfires in Abbott’s home state.
So, Mr. King, I don’t believe Republicans want to solve this problem, because they want to use it for political gains. What have you done to encourage your fellow Republi-
cans to solve it? Did you ever work on a bipartisan solution? Just asking.
