Malverne/West Hempstead Herald 04-25-2024

A ‘Swiftie’ connects a superstar with a special Seder Malverne man rediscovers his love of sailing

By SERGEY KADINSKY Special to the Herald

As Taylor Swift dominates pop culture and tops the song charts, two West Hempstead mothers found a way to connect the singer-songwriter to the Pesach Seder, where conversations and songs precede and follow the meal.

“The Eras tour movie was in theaters around Hanukkah and we wanted the special popcorn bucket and friendship bracelets that came with the movie,” said Na’ama Ben-David. “I was joking with my daughter about it. It was taking over all aspects of her life, the passion for the lyr-

ics and storytelling of her music.”

Her daughter’s use of Taylor Swift songs in conversations inspired Ben-David to work with her on a Haggadah. “How would that work with themes of pesach, oppression and freedom, good and evil?” she asked.

“She’s a tremendous Swiftie and a deep thinker.”

“She had an idea and we jumped into it, the branding and marketing,” said Shelley Atlas Serber of West Hempstead, who illustrated the book.

“It is an Amazon bestseller. It has really blown up.”

Between last Hanukkah and this month’s release of The

Unofficial Taylor Swift Haggadah, the author and illustrator researched song lyrics and their message, connecting them to the Seder with help from their daughters. “Ma Nishtana makes the kid feel like the star

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

Peter Auwarter, of Malverne, had to focus on fatherhood first and sailing second. But since his children have graduated from college and he retired, he has rediscovered his passion for the open water.

“It was always a lifestyle thing for me,” Auwarter said. “I had taken sailing classes on the North Shore, and the kids were still in college, and there was too much going on, but I still wanted to pursue it. When I retired, I thought, ‘Where can I get those classes? I want to get back out on the water and spend some time learning how to sail.’”

Eight years ago, Auwarter joined the Hempstead Bay Sailing Club, a hidden gem that has been sending sailors out onto South Shore waters for decades.

Founded 63 years ago, the nonprofit club has long brought sailing enthusiasts together. Originally established at the Middle Bay country club in Oceanside, the

of the show,” Serber said.

Swift’s lyrics are clean in comparison to many of the other Top 40 stars, and while her clothing isn’t tsnius by Orthodox standards, her presence on stage is tame in comparison to the overt sexuality of many other singers. “It’s timely and overall she’s a good role model for young girls and

it will keep kids at the table,” Serber said.

Ben-David researched other recent Haggadahs inspired by popular culture, noting how they connected to the timeless story of the Exodus. “I read Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg’s Superhero Haggadah and the Harry Potter Haggadah,” she

Courtesy Hempstead Bay Sailing Club

The Hempstead Bay Sailing Club is active in every season, featuring a variety of events, and a variety of vessels fill its docks.

Middle School auditorium to get upgrade

Howard T. Herber Middle School is slated to get all-new seating by next year.

The renovations will cost $250,000, and is being funded by grants secured by Assemblywoman Taylor Darling. She made the announcement prior to a preview of the Malverne High School production of “Aida” that was performed in the auditorium for local senior citizens.

The seating upgrade is part of a full

auditorium renovation that will startthis summer and will be completed in time for the 2024-2025 school year.

Performances from all district schools take place on the Howard T. Herber auditorium stage. It’s the heart of the Malverne theatrical community, school officials say. With this makeover, Malverne will have a state-of-the-art facility to showcase the talent that is being fostered by the young students of Malverne.

West Hempstead author combines faith and fandom

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

said of the author from Kew Gardens Hills. “I wanted to avoid copyright issues, and see how to translate a bracha. I wanted to make sure no one else had done it. I made the decision not to make it a companion to a Haggadah, but as a functioning Haggadah.”

One example of a Haggadah story connecting to Swift is the story of the four sons, who conveniently fit into the four characters whose romantic stories are a theme of her 2020 album Folklore. With the ten makkos, each one corresponds to an album title, but the obvious song name, Bad Blood, somehow did not make an appearance in this chapter.

“My mother and husband edited it, my daughter contributed to the wording, it was a family affair for both of our families,” Serber said.

Published through the Amazon platform, which prints and distributes the book, The Unofficial Taylor Swift Haggadah has been reviewed by the news publisher JTA, Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post, and the London-based Jewish Chronicle. It is sold online at $19.89, Swift’s birth year, and the name of her fifth studio album, released in 2014.

“There is trivia, Divrei Torah, and symbolism,” Ben-David said. “We are careful not to overstep boundaries,” referring to copyright. As the book notes, tour, album, and song references are expressed in parody, protected by law in the same manner as Pesach-related songs by Maccabeats and Six13 that also take inspiration from pop culture.

Parents or grandparents of a disabled child should leave assets in a Special Needs Trust, to avoid the child being disqualified from government benefits, such as SSI and Medicaid. These trusts, however, offer traps for the unwary. Since payments to the child will generally reduce their SSI payments dollar for dollar, trustees of such trusts should be advised to make payments directly to the providers of goods and services. Preserving SSI benefits is crucial since eligibility for SSI determines eligibility for Medicaid.

In other words, if SSI is lost the recipient also loses their Medicaid benefits. In addition, any benefits previously paid by Medicaid may be recovered. As such, one also has to be mindful of bequests from well-meaning grandparents. Similarly, if a sibling dies without a will, a share of their estate may go to the special needs brother or sister by law. The Special Needs Trust must be carefully drafted so that it only allows payments for any benefits over and above what the government provides.

There are two kinds of Special Needs Trusts – first party and third party. The first party trust is set up by a parent, grandparent, legal guardian or court using the child’s own money, either through earnings, an inheritance that was left directly to them or, perhaps, a personal injury award. Recent changes in the law allow the special needs child to establish their own first party Special Needs Trust if they are legally competent to engage in contractual matters. These first party trusts require a “payback” provision, meaning that on the death of the child beneficiary, the trust must pay back the state for any government benefits received.

A third party trust is usually set up by a parent or grandparent, using their own money. Here, no “payback” provision is required because it was not the child’s own money that funded the trust and the parent or grandparent had no obligation to leave any assets to the child. On the death of the child beneficiary, the balance of the trust is paid out to named beneficiaries.

Courtesy Sergey Kadinsky Na’ama Ben-David was inspired to write The Unofficial Eras Haggadah after seeing how passionate her daughter is about Taylor Swift.

Courtesy Malverne school district

Assemblywoman Taylor Darling joined Malverne administrators and the cast of the high school’s production of ‘Aida’ to announce a $250,000 grant to provide new seats for the Howard T. Herber Middle School auditorium.

Assessing the State Senate candidates

Political hopefuls field questions from potential constituents of Lakeview, Hempstead

By BRANDON CRUZ bcruz@liherald.com

The November election will feature a highly contested race for State Senate in New York’s 6th District, which encompasses Lakeview, Freeport, Hempstead, New Cassel, Roosevelt and Westbury. The three candidates, all women of color, are running on similar platforms.

Taylor Darling, a three-term assemblywoman whose district includes Lakeview and Freeport, has helped pass legislation focusing on police reform, housing, health care and education.

Nassau County Legislator Siela Bynoe, now in her fifth term, has fought for and passed legislation on police reform, housing, health care, education and mental health, and is a longtime community advocate.

Carmen Pineyro, the first and youngest-ever Afro-Latina elected to the Freeport Board of Education and the village board of trustees, has served the community for the past 20 years in positions including deputy mayor and school board president, and has a reputation for fighting for educational equity.

On April 11, residents of 6th District communities submitted questions to the candidates at “A Conversation with the Candidates” at Nassau Community College, presented by The Corridor Counts, a coalition of advocates who fight for policy change. The topics ranged from the shortage of affordable housing on Long Island to policing, reproductive rights, fully funding Medicaid, inflation, child care, education, and community division.

The Lakveiw Civic Association encouraged neighbors to attend and learn more about the candidates who are vying to represent them in the state Senate. The event was hosted by former Gov. David Paterson and the Rev. Donnie McClurkin, of Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, and moderated by Rahsmia Zatar, executive director of Strong Youth, a Uniondale based gang-intervention program. Questions were presented by Paterson; Mufti Mohammad Farhan, executive director of the Islamic Center of Long Island; and Sandra Castro, an education advocate.

Paterson pointed out that in Nassau County, only 25 percent of Black residents went to the polls last November, compared with 70 percent of the county’s white population.

But Jeannine Maynard, a co-facilitator of the Greater Uniondale Area Action Coalition who attended the event, said she believes in the work that the coalition and other civic associations in minority neighborhoods are doing to increase the voting numbers.

“We’re working hard to make sure that people get out and vote,” said Maynard, adding that she believed that events like this one would help close the gap. “When people fail to vote, it’s because they don’t know the candidates, or they don’t believe their vote will make a difference,” said Maynard, noting that

Brandon Cruz/Herald photos

Candidates answered questions submitted by their potential constituents in an open forum at Nassau Community College on April 11, detailing their stances on issues ranging from housing on Long Island to policing, reproductive rights, funding Medicaid, inflation, child care, education and community division. County Legislator Siela Bynoe, far left, with Carmen Pineyro, former deputy mayor of Freeport, and Assemblywoman Taylor Darling.

Carmen Pineyro, the first and youngestever Afro-Latina elected to the Freeport Board of Education and the village board of trustees, has served the community for 20 years in positions including deputy mayor and school board president. She addressed questions at the April 11 open forum at Nassau Community College.

she was “happily surprised” that the room was so “full and energetic.”

The candidates offered similar answers to many of the questions residents submitted, mostly agreeing on the issues and the needed solutions. Maynard said she believed that all three truly care about their communities and

Residents came to Nassau Community College to meet and hear the State Senate candidates speak on the issues that are important to them.

the well-being of their residents, and that choosing one of them would be difficult for their potential constituents.

“It’s a real obstacle — there’s no real specific issue that separates one from the rest,” said Darinel Velasques, of Westbury. The only way he might be able to differentiate among Bynoe, Darling and Pineyro, Velasques said, is by studying their voting records and “fol-

lowing the money” — where their donations, and other campaign funding, are coming from.

“I was absolutely thrilled with this event,” Maynard said. “Even though there were many similarities between them, it was incredibly helpful to meet and greet the candidates and see young people involved in the process and ask great questions.”

Malverne man stays active with sailing club

Hempstead Bay Sailing Club found its footing as a humble floating outpost for sailors, and it has flourished at its current location.

Auwarter connected with one of the club’s senior members, and re-entered the world of sailing. He is now the club’s membership chair.

Who is the next generation of sailors?

PETER AUWARTER membership chair

“As soon as I joined, as soon as the board accepted me, I was crewing for folks that had so much experience and recognition,” Auwarter recalled. “Racing all up and down the East Coast, competing and winning. You don’t take that lightly, because those people really understand what they’re doing, and so if you can crew for them, you’re going to learn a lot, and that was better than any class I could have enrolled in.”

The club now boasts a membership of 57 people of diverse backgrounds and a range of ages. Rockville Centre resident Karen Greene has deep connections to sailing. A trustee on the club’s board, she has been a member for 20 years, and recalls joining with her husband.

“When my husband and I got married, we didn’t have a honeymoon — we bought our first sailboat,” Greene said. “When we had kids, we kind of gave it up for a while, but I always missed it, so we came back and we came to the board to be members.”

Husband-wife teams frequently sail together, while newcomers find mentors and friends among experienced sailors. The club offers various social events, including a New Year’s Day social, a Super Bowl party, and the highly anticipated Memorial Day commissioning party.

The club’s junior program introduces younger members, ages 5 to 17, to sailing and helps them develop their skills on the water. The program is in the process of being relaunched after a 17-year

hiatus, and the club leadership sees it as a vital component in ensuring the organization’s future.

“One of the things that Karen and another one of our commodores, Greg Laufman, was interested in doing (was) growing our youth sail program,” Auwarter said. “Who is the next generation of sailors? Hopefully, it comes by way of these families and their children, and trying to accommodate them by the club sponsoring and purchasing additional boats that are more aligned with the youth sailing program.”

The junior program offers lessons, races and social events for the younger sailors. Members with school connections are encouraged to spread the word about the program, and the club.

“We have to invest a bit more in figuring out how to have properly certified instructors, but as long as the parents are on site and taking charge, it’s been successful,” Auwarter said. “It’s one year in, but I think every year we’re

going to build on it.”

The club collaborates with organizations like the South Bay Sailing Association, which provides assistance with equipment and, potentially, grants or other funds for the junior program.

Island Park resident Carole Meyers is the club’s photographer, and has been a

member, along with her husband, for 40 years. She attributes their longevity to the club’s positive atmosphere.

“It’s a very active group, with great people,” Meyers said. “It’s a home away from home, and in the summertime we have dinner down here, and bring our own dinners. We’re all friends.”

Photos courtesy Hempstead Bay Sailing Club

The Hempstead Bay Sailing Club has recently restarted its junior program, to get the next generation involved in the club.

Why does this Passover feel different?

Ma nishtana ha Pesach hazeh mikol ha p’sachim?

What makes this Pesach different from all other Passovers? I probably asked this question four years ago, in 2020, as the world was just beginning to feel the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. The family and community seders we’d been planning for months suddenly became FaceTime, Zoom and Skype seders as we spent Passover sheltering in place, in essence, in captivity.

This year, I have to ask the same question, “why is this Passover different?” Yes, we’ll read the same story, but on October 7, 2023, the entire Jewish world changed when Hamas brazenly and brutally attacked young people at a music festival and committed other atrocities.

As I write, the fate of 136 people — not just Jews and not just Israelis — are being held in captivity by Hamas. How do we celebrate Z’man Cheirutaynu, “The Time/Festival of our Freedom,” under these circumstances? How do we relax and recline (as we’re commanded to) while our students on college campuses across the US are being blocked

from going to class by protests, when antisemitism is at an all-time high, and they don’t feel safe and protected?

During the Maggid, the “storytelling” part of the seder, we recount our experience as slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt, and remember how the Holy Blessed One brought us out to freedom with a “strong hand and an outstretched arm.”

On April 13, that Divine protection manifested itself in the form of the Iron Dome, which along with the U.S., France, the U.K. and Jordan, intercepted 99 percent of the missiles launched from Iran and prevented casualties. The Torah commands us to “be happy and rejoice on our festivals,” and that commandment can be understood many ways. We can enjoy our meals and kvell when the youngest child beautifully recites “The Four Questions.” We can sing our songs during and after the seder, and take comfort and pleasure in being with friends and family. It doesn’t mean we’re not

sensitive to the suffering of others; after all, when we recite the Ten Plagues, many have a tradition of removing some of the wine from our glasses to show acknowledge that our freedom and liberation came at the suffering of the Egyptians, and as a result, our joy is diminished.

Every year I get stressed wondering how I’ll get everything done in time, the food, synagogue services and seders, but I do. This year, however, in addition to perhaps having an empty chair at our seder in honor or memory of a hostage, we have another — very Jewish — complication. Families and friends are likely divided in their opinions regarding Israel, its response to October 7, its government, and more. You know the saying, “two Jews, three opinions.” Arguing over whether the cottage cheese purchased before Passover needs a special hecksher is one thing; fistfights at the seder and family members refusing to talk to each other is

another.

A recent social media post from Archie Gottesman’s Jewbelong.com read, “A Zionist Jew and a non-Zionist Jew walk into a bar. The bartender said, ‘We don’t serve Jews.’” We’re all in this together. The Haggadah refers to Four Children, the wise, the “contrary,” the child-like and the one who is unable to ask a question. Notice that the “contrary” child is still at the table! It’s up to us to engage that person in productive conversation. Many people far more skilled than I in family relations have written articles and shared webinars about having a seder with people of varying and often diametrically opposed viewpoints and opinions. If this is your group, check them out.

As we rejoice and reflect during this festival, may we work to bring about harmony among people, and to work towards a world where no one is enslaved. May God’s sukkat shalom, shelter of peace, be spread over us, over Israel and Jerusalem, and over the entire world.

Rabbi Susan Elkodsi is the spiritual leader of The Malverne Jewish Center.

SPOTLIGHT ATHLETE

CHARLOTTE RATHJEN

South Side Junior Lacrosse

AN ALL-AMERICAN HONORABLE MENTION in 2023 and team MVP after scoring 44 goals and assisting on 16 others, Rathjen reached a milestone earlier this month in the Cyclones’ 14-11 victory at North Shore. She had six goals and one assist in the April 11 win, including the 100th point of her career. She has 26 goals thus far this spring to rank among the leaders in Nassau County and is a University of North Carolina commit.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, April 25

Softball: Freeport at Elmont 10 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Baldwin at Freeport 10 a.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Kennedy at Baldwin 10 a.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Calhoun at Lynbrook 10 a.m.

Softball: Uniondale at Hewlett 10 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: North Shore at Kennedy 11 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Carey at Mepham 1 p.m.

Baseball: West Hemp at East Rockaway 4:30 p.m.

Baseball: Oyster Bay at V.S. North 5 p.m.

Baseball: Long Beach at MacArthur 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Plainview at V.S. District 5 p.m.

Friday, April 26

Softball: V.S. South at Hewlett 10 a.m.

Softball: Clarke at Wantagh 10 a.m.

Softball: East Meadow at Mepham 10 a.m.

Softball: Oceanside at Syosset 10 a.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Clarke at Carey 10 a.m.

Baseball: Baldwin at Oceanside 5 p.m.

Saturday, April 27

Girls Lacrosse: Calhoun at South Side 9 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Hewlett at North Shore 12:30 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Seaford at Massapequa 1 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information:

Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

Rockin’ Mules’ offense on upswing

By TONY BELLISSIMO sports@liherald.com

The Malverne/East Rockaway boys’ lacrosse team is beginning to score with consistency, registering a 10-goal effort against Kennedy, 11 against West Hempstead and a dozen versus Uniondale over the past week.

However, the Rockin’ Mules (3-8) are having trouble keeping the ball out of their own net. Whether or not that aspect improves will be the determining factor if they can finish with more wins than the four they posted in 2023.

They snapped an eight-game slide last Friday with a thrilling 11-10 overtime victory over neighboring rival West Hempstead. After the defense forced a takeaway on the opening possession of OT, junior Hudson Arnold won it less than three minutes into the extra session for Malverne/East Rockaway.

“It brought some life back into the season,” coach Andrew Biscardi said. “We needed it. We gave up a late tying goal but then made two big plays in overtime, one to get the ball back and one to score. It’s a good sign that we’re starting to pull more balls in the net.”

Sophomore Matthew Delligatti had four goals, and Arnold and senior Jaden Taylor added two apiece. Taylor also won 16 of 19 draws to help the Rockin’ Mules dominate possession.

Delligatti, who had 18 goals last spring, is up to 26 including 12 in the past three games. He scored five times April 16 in a hard-fought 12-10 defeat at Kennedy and had a hat trick in Monday’s 12-5 home win against Uniondale. “It’s his third year on the team and he keeps building and building,” Biscardi said. “We look to him to be our quarterback and keep the offense moving, and he’s been up to it.”

Aside from Delligatti, who also has 11 assists, and Hudson (7 goals), a large portion of the offense comes from the midfield. Fourth-year varsity performer

Cameron Lewis has 10 goals and 8 assists, Taylor has 8 goals and 9 assists, and senior Davion Thomas, who returned to the program for the first

Tony Bellissimo/Herald Sophomore Matthew Delligatti scored three times in Monday’s 12-5 win over Uniondale, giving him 26 goals on the season.

time in a few years after transferring back to the district, has chipped in 8 goals. Junior Christian Page had four against Uniondale.

“We try to give Cameron and Jaden breathers as much as we can and save them for the offensive end,” Biscardi said. “It’s a little tough sometimes with only 14 kids on varsity. Some of them are going 40 of the 48 minutes.”

Lewis had 24 goals a year ago and creates plenty of opportunities for himself and others with his slick dodging, the coach noted. “Jaden and others benefit from Cameron’s experience and playmaking,” Biscardi said.

Junior long pole middie Emmanuel Adeyemi was one of the few returnees

on the back end and is leading the defense. He forced a huge turnover in the win over West Hempstead and helps in the faceoff circle. The in-close defense is being led by junior newcomer Anthony Grimaldi.

In goal, returning starter Matt Larin, a senior, picked up where he left off last season when he made 190 stops. He’s been great, Biscardi said, but suffered a thumb injury two weeks ago. Junior Brian Christodoulou has filled in nicely and earned his first career victory last Friday.

“We’re starting to see some positive results and we have some winnable games on what’s left of the schedule,” Biscardi said.

Raise on horizon for pre-K special ed. providers

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

A sector of special education services for young children has been severely underfunded for 25 years, according to some lawmakers — but that could soon change.

Nassau County officials propose giving those early childhood intervention service providers a raise, potentially elevating compensation from $40 per halfhour to $50.

The increase will affect providers who officer critical preschool services — like speech, occupational and physical therapy — to children between 3 and 5 with special needs as they get ready for kindergarten.

“We have many people who require services here,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said of contractual preschool special education services. “It provides preschool services to children throughout Nassau County.”

Joined at a recent news conference with Republican county leaders like Michael Giangregorio, Samantha Goetz and Mazi Pilip, as well as dozens of educators and parents of children with special needs, Blakeman described the county’s compensation for such providers as “below the average.”

Giangregorio brought this issue to light, the county executive said. He’s long been an advocate for children and adults with special needs, and says the county has had a hard time retaining therapists because compensation simply was not competitive to what was being offered in surrounding regions.

“We checked with our budget office and we made a determination that we could increase” the compensation, Blakeman said.

Giangregorio, who’s district represents parts of

system,” Giangregorio said. “Back then, it was difficult to find providers. These people that come into your homes, or that work in agencies — they’re really doing God’s work. They’re helping to improve the lives of these individuals.”

The earlier a child receives services, Giangregorio said, the better the outcome.

“My child will be an adult longer than he’s a child,” the county legislator said. “The costs are always more when you’re an adult. For far too long, the wages of these early intervention educators and therapists have not reflected the true value of their work.”

Dr. Irina Gelman, the county’s health commissioner, explained her office has to go before the county’s health board to propose the raise.

“We are very grateful for this opportunity to bring this forward in front of our board,” she said. “We’re very hopeful they will adopt this new rate, which will be instrumental in providing services to our children, our families, and adequately reimburse our providers. These are rates for preschool related services that have not been raised since 1999 — so it’s long overdue.”

But Democrats in the county legislature say the need for raises has not been a secret. Siela Bynoe, for instance, says she has advocated for preschool special education funding for nearly a decade — especially so in the last few months.

Merrick, Bellmore, Wantagh and Seaford, said he was honored to stand with Blakeman for this “monumental decision that reflects our unwavering commitment to early childhood education.” Especially as a father of someone with autism.

“My son is now 23, so the last time he received (preK special education) services was quite a while ago, and there has not been a raise since he’s been in the

“While I am glad that the county executive has heeded the advocacy of practitioners and the Democratic minority by taking this first step, much more must still be done to repair the damage caused by three decades of stagnation,” she said. “Moving forward, the county must raise awareness about the availability of these resources, and remain vigilant so that we can never again find ourselves paying the lowest rates in New York for these critical services.”

Jordan Vallone/Herald Nassau County intends to raise compensation for special educational preschool service providers — the first of its kind in 25 years. Legislator Michael Giangregorio, a longtime advocate for the autism community, leads the effort.

Budget includes $90M local media tax credit

Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature unveiled the final state budget over the weekend, which included a payroll tax credit for local news outlets, modeled on the Local Journalism Sustainability Act.

With the passage of this bill, New York is now the first state in the nation to incentivize hiring and retaining local journalists.

What’s being described as a game-changer for the local news industry comes just months after the launch of the Empire State Local News Coalition, an unprecedented, grassroots campaign powered by more than 200 community newspapers across the state.

“I’m elated that our first-in-the-nation Local Journalism Sustainability Act is passing in the state budget,” said state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal — the senate bill sponsor — in a release. “A thriving local news industry is vital to the health of our democracy, and it’s our responsibility to help ensure New Yorkers have access to independent and community-focused journalism. Our efforts will help ensure that our democracy will not die in darkness.”

The program — $30 million per year for three years — allows each eligible newspaper and broadcast business to receive a 50 percent refundable tax credit

Sustainability Act. A version of this measure was included in the final state budget approved this past weekend by Gov. Kathy Hochul and lawmakers.

tainability Act catapulted into a top legislative priority this session following the early-2024 founding of the Empire State Local News Coalition and the coalition’s mobilization of support from hundreds of New York hometown papers, as well as a broad range of stakeholders from around the country, including the Rebuild Local News Coalition, Microsoft, and El Diario. Organized labor including NYS AFL-CIO, CWA District 1, and national and local news guilds also played a criti

cal role in mobilizing support for this historic bill.

“The Empire State Local News Coalition is thrilled by the state budget’s inclusion of a payroll tax credit for local news outlets modeled on the Local Journalism Sustainability Act,” said Zachary Richner — founder of the Empire State Local News Coalition, and a director at Richner Communications, the parent organization of Herald Community Newspapers.

“New York is now the first state in the nation to incentivize hiring and retaining local journalists — a critical investment given that hundreds of New York’s newspapers have closed since 2004, leaving too many New York communities without access to vital local information.

“The objectivity of this credit shows that there is a fair way for public policy to support local news without jeopardizing journalistic integrity. This program is a model for other states across the U.S. to follow as communities across the country raise their voices to save local news.”

Richner said he was “incredibly proud” of the 200 newspapers that built an unprecedented grassroots movement in support of saving New York’s local news industry in a few short months. He also extended gratitude to Hoylman-Sigal, “whose tireless advocacy for this tax credit was instrumental in moving it through the legislative process.”

Since launching in February, the coalition has quickly mobilized stakeholders across the state to rally behind the bill.

New York’s leadership on this issue could change the course of local journalism in the United States, organizers say. The budget’s inclusion of this tax credit comes at a watershed moment for the journalism industry: New York state has experienced hundreds of newspaper closures in the past few decades.

Courtesy Empire State Local News Coalition Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages joins lawmakers and supporters like Assemblyman David Weprin, at left, and state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, at right, last month to call on her colleagues to support the Local Journalism

HERALD SCHOOLS

Students win big at mock trial tournament

The eighth grade Mock Trial Team from Howard T. Herber Middle School, in Malverne, showed off their debate skill and took home two awards at the Long Island Mock Trial Tournament.

During the tournament, at Western Suffolk Community College on March 27, teams from across Long Island competed in mock courtroom trials based on case students they have been analyzing for the past few months.

Each team was responsible for creating a group of prosecution lawyers, defense lawyers and corresponding witnesses for each side — all played by the students. The students wrote their own opening and closing statements, as well as questions for their witnesses. Witnesses fully immersed themselves in their characters, having to memorize every detail of their lengthy testimonies.

The Malverne Defense team came away with a win after defeating West Babylon Middle School and achieving a verdict of “not guilty” for a mock aggravated assault trial. On top of that, the team received a win in the “performance” category for their portrayal of courtroom roles, procedures and the level of accuracy and authenticity of the witnesses.

Howard T. Herber Mock Trial Team

Ade Awe

Cameron Boating

Abigail Frederic

Marvell Daniels

Mmesoma Alozie

Kaylee Williams

Aidan Guilfoyle

Zhayden Tomlinson

Samore Seraphin

Kamally Grace

Natalie Severe

William Hillary

Jacob Sandoval

NEWS BRIEF

assault trial.

Courtesy Steve Grogan

Malverne firefighters helped extinguish a car fire on the westbound entrance ramp of the Southern State Parkway, Exit 17, last Sunday just before noon.

Malverne firefighters extinguish car fire

Malverne firefighters under the command of Chief Kevin Garvey responded to a working car fire on the westbound entrance ramp of the Southern State Parkway, Exit 17, last Sunday just before noon.

Firefighters found a fully involved fire consuming a new Maserati vehicle parked on the grassy area of the entrance ramp upon arrival. The fire extended from the engine compartment all the way to the trunk. The vehicle was destroyed. Firefighters were at the scene for nearly an hour.

–Steve Grogan

Courtesy Malverne school district

The Howard T. Herber Mock Trial defense team secured a win against the West Babylon prosecution when they achieved a ‘not guilty’ verdict in a mock aggravated

Studying the arts, courtesy of Billy Joel

Summer Arts Academy program at Long Island High School for the Arts perfect for young artists

By NICOLE FORMISANO nformisano@liherald.com

Students who have a passion for music have an opportunity to take their skills to the next level this summer at Boces’ Long Island High School for the Arts, or LIHSA for short. On top of that, students whose applications really impress may even get in for free.

“Our summer program works to give students who are not sure if they want to attend the LIHSA program, or who are interested in attending the program down the line, an overview of what it’s like to be here at LIHSA,” said Linday Rogan, the assistant principal of LIHSA. “It gives them a really nice overview of everything that we offer.”

Training students to be the next generation of young artists is something that not only myself, but the entire faculty ... is very passionate about

LINDSAY ROGAN assistant principal, LIHSA

The four-week program, called the Summer Arts Academy, is at LIHSA campus in Syosset. It’s open to students in grades 5 through 12 from anywhere in Nassau or Suffolk.

The Summer Arts Academy offers hands-on education in artistic fields that a student would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Students can learn how to construct sets, record and produce music using professional software and audio equipment, perform Broadway choreography, audition for a stage production and more.

“We’re the only performing arts high school on Long Island,” Rogan said. “We partner with industry professionals in our performing arts departments ranging from NYU and Verbatim Theatre Lab to Paul Taylor at the American Ballet Theatre; we are able to offer world class industry professionals that come to LIHSA to work in partnership with our faculty; our faculty members are also known industry professionals that are working in their field. And that really helps to give students the most state of the art education in their chosen art field.”

Even better, there are 15 full scholarships available for music students through funding from the Joel Foundation — yes, that Joel. When LIHSA was in danger of closing eight years ago, Billy Joel was actually the one who stepped in and donated millions to protect the only performing arts high school on Long Island.

Now his foundation is offering full $2,800 scholarships to 15 students who demonstrate high levels of skill and artistry, which is evaluated in students’ applications and audition videos. The scholarship is available to students from Nassau who are currently in grades 8-11, and have prior experience with music.

But the technical education isn’t the only reason to study the arts at LIHSA.

“Training students to be the next generation of young artists is something that not only myself, but the entire faculty of Long Island High School for the Arts, is very passionate about,” Rogan said. “Beyond the career opportunities — students who study art are really good humans. They learn empathy, they learn strong communication skills, and they learn to reflect on their own experiences. And all of that is really important.”

An education in the arts teaches young people communication, how to reflect, how to provide and accept feedback, and accountability to other artists on your team, Rogan said — skills that every young person needs to develop for their careers.

And what did we all do when the world shut down two years ago? We turned to art, Rogan said. We listened to music, we watched television, we read books. Art continues to be vital, and the benefits of an arts education cannot be understated.

“Art is something that preserves history,” Rogan said. “Art is something that can bring the most subtle things in life to light, and art is the way that we measure our humanity.”

The program runs from June 27 to July 26, on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Scholarships are awarded based on merit. Students who are interested may submit an audition video and application by May 10. For details on how to apply and audition, students can visit tinyurl.com/BOCESScholarship2024.

Photos courtesy Nassau Boces

Winners of the Joel Foundation’s Summer Arts Academy scholarship, like these students from last year, are chosen based on their musical skill, artistry and expression.

The Long Island High School for the Arts is the only performing arts high school on Long Island.

The Summer Arts Academy is a 4-week program where students can study anything from dance to film to music production.

The scholarship to the Summer Arts Academy is offered to 15 young musicians, and is funded by the Joel Foundation.

STEPPING OUT

Enrico Fagone, the Long Island Concert Orchestra’s music director and conductor, was nominated for a 2023 Grammy award. He’s been defined by the classical music press as one of today’s most promising conductors at the international level.

CONNECTION THROUGH

Symphony of Hope Benefit Concert inspires unity across the world

By Danielle Schwab

Art connects us beyond divides.

That’s how Bernie Furshpan, marketing director and board member of the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center, puts it when discussing the Long Island Concert Orchestra’s upcoming Symphony of Hope Concert at Tilles Center.

While the music is, of course, at the heart of this benefit performance, the evening is so much more than a concert. The aim is to support two vital organizations: Long Island’s Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center, and the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance.

“When it comes to art, I think people in general agree that it’s something very healing and it brings people together,” Furshpan says. “It’s a wonderful connector for people.”

Proceeds from the May 2 event benefit both organizations.

The concert includes special guests from the Israeli arts school, which is currently facing a funding crisis due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Two students — one Israeli and one Palestinian — take part, sending a powerful message of unity through music. Michael Klinghoffer — Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance’s president — also participates, further emphasizing the importance of this benefit concert.

“This spectacular event is a golden opportunity for community members to support these organizations,” says David Winkler, the orchestra’s executive director and composer-in-residence. “By attending the concert, our community will not just enjoy an evening of incredible music, but will be helping JAMD and HMTC continue their essential work.”

With some 1,600 students, the Jerusalem Academy nurtures the next generation of musicians and dancers, Furshpan says. The school’s diverse student demographic — ranging from 4 years old to young adulthood — studies a cultural mixture of Middle Eastern music, European classics, baroque and jazz.

“Right now, everybody’s hurting,” Furshpan says. “So, we’re doing this as more than just beautiful music. It’s also something that’s special and philanthropic.”

During the first selection of the evening, the two participating students will perform together, accompanied by a recording of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance Orchestra.

“We have a hybrid experience,” Furshpan says. “On the big screen,

• Thursday, May 2, 8 p.m.

• Tickets start at $50; available at TillesCenter.org, or (516) 299-3100

• Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville

you’re going to see the Israeli orchestra, and the students are going to be sitting alongside that screen and playing together with them.” Klinghoffer also contributes as a keynote speaker.

Then, the 40-person Long Island Concert Orchestra — under the baton of music director and conductor Enrico Fagone — takes the spotlight. The orchestra’s repertoire includes the world debut of “Adriatica.” Winkler composed the piece to celebrate the oceanic connections between people. Its namesake is a node to the Adriatic Sea, which connects Eastern Italy to the Middle East.

“It has a multifaceted melodic personality to it — several different melodies, not just one,” Winkler says.“Over the course of the work, these melodies are joined together and ultimately, they produce the finale, which is extremely uplifting and powerful.”

The orchestra is joined by acclaimed pianist Alessandro Mazzamuto, in his Long Island Concert Orchestra debut. He’ll perform Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54.

“I believe that love of music and artistic expression is love for humanity,” Mazzamuto says. “As a concert pianist and teacher, my heart goes out to the students of Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. And I wish to dedicate my performance and interpretation of Schumann’s emotional piano concerto to them.”

This evening is all about bringing the local and global community together — the very definition of the Long Island Concert Orchestra.

“Our mission is to provide the best possible performances of international repertoire,” Winkler says. “To bring world-class artists, worldclass musicians, as well as world premieres of international caliber.”

The orchestra leads the way in delivering visibility to a commitment to tolerance, respect and the arts.

“Music is what brings people together,” Furshpan says. “All forms of art bring people together. We truly believe that this (concert) is going to help the two organizations do some great work.

“At the same time, Symphony of Hope is really about the audience. They are the symphony of hope — the audience and the music in combination.”

Chris Ruggiero’s musical moments

Experience the magic of Chris Ruggiero’s new show,’Teenage Dreams and Magic Moments,’ when the dynamic vocalist visits the Landmark stage. Ruggiero is an old soul. Still in his 20s, the music that speaks to him is the music of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, His approach to performing is more in line with that of a bygone era, bringing to the stage the panache of Frank Sinatra or Paul Anka, coupled with the energy of Jackie Wilson. Ruggiero first came to national attention when he performed in concert on a PBS coast-to-coast special, and was featured on ‘Good Morning America.’ Since then, he has traveled the country, delivering his unique brand of vintage rock ‘n’ roll, and sharing his passion for the classics. Ruggiero tells his story by breathing new life into the timeless music of the eras he loves, with a six-piece band and live brass.

Friday, April 26, 7:30 p.m. $59, $49, $39. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 7676444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

Tracy Morgan

Tracy Morgan is touring with a bracing new show, and he’s funnier than he’s ever been. A name synonymous with laughter, he continues to be reckoned with in the world of stand-up and television. Morgan boasts an impressive career spanning decades. From his hilarious characters on ‘Saturday Night Live’ (think Astronaut Jones and Brian Fellows) to his unforgettable role on the award-winning ‘30 Rock,’ Morgan has consistently brought audiences to tears (of laughter, of course). Coming to fame as a stand-up, Morgan became a household name through his seven-season stint on Tina Fey’s ‘30 Rock,’ playing a thinly veiled version of himself named Tracy Jordan. On his current tour, Morgan continues his comeback following his life-threatening 2014 traffic accident on the New Jersey turnpike. Morgan is always welcome back up on the stage where he belongs.

Saturday, April 27, 8 p.m. $89.50, $79.50, $69.50, $59.50, $49.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com, or ParamountNY. com.

Courtesy Long Island Concert Orchestra

Pianist Alessandro Mazzamuto is among the special guest performers who share the stage with the Long Island Concert Orchestra.

Courtesy Roberto Ricci

THE Your Neighborhood

‘Cold Beer on a Saturday Night’

Get a head start on beach season with Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band. We’re all eager for summertime to arrive, meanwhile Jimmy Kenny and his band come to the rescue, back on the Paramount

On stage

Families will enjoy another musical adventure, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved children’s books, on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage, Friday, April 26, 11:30 a.m.,2:15 p.m., 6:15 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, April 30-May 3, 10:15 a.m. and noon. Back by popular demand after a sold-out 2023 run, see Pigeon, Bus Driver, and some zany passengers sing and dance their way to helping The Pigeon find his “thing” in this upbeat, energetic comedy based on four of Mo Willems’ popular Pigeon books.

Featuring a live band to bring Deborah Wicks La Puma’s jazzy score to life, audiences will thoroughly enjoy singing and flapping along with The Pigeon and friends. The audience is part of the action, in this innovative mix of songs, silliness and feathers. It’s an ideal way to introduce kids to theater and the humorous stories from Willems’ books. $10 with museum admission ($8 members), $14 theater only. Long Island Children’s Museum, 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. On view through July 7. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Spring Musicale

Enjoy an engaging afternoon of beautiful music, Sunday, April 28, 5 p.m. Tim Carl, Music Director of St. Dominic, Oyster Bay, presents a program of operatic arias and piano selections with soprano Jennifer Russo and pianist Tim Carl. A meet-and-greet reception is included. $75, $70 members of Friends of Seminary. Reservations are required. The concert takes place at Retreat and Conference Center of the Seminary of Immaculate Conception, 440 West Neck Road, Huntington. Reserve at ICSeminary.edu/ events or call (63) 423-0483 ext. 102.

Baby shower for moms-to-be

Mercy Hospital hosts this free event for expecting moms-tobe, Saturday, May 11, noon to 2 p.m., in the lower level cafeteria. With raffles, giveaways for mom and baby, and meet and greets with physicians, lactation specialists, mother/baby nurses, games and more. For moms only. 1000 N. Village Ave. Email Elizabeth.Schwind@chsli.org to register. For more information, visit CHSLI.org/mercy-hospital or call (516) 626-3729.

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art, Saturday, May 11, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork. Kids and adults connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. For ages 2-14. Registration required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for to register or call (516) 484-9337.

Baldwin Homemakers Annual Auction

All are welcome to join Baldwin Homemakers for their annual auction, Wednesday May 1, 7 p.m., at Baldwin Middle School. $5 admission includes 1 front table raffle ticket. With coffee, cake and door prize. Additional raffle tickets will be available for sale. 3211 Schreiber Place, Baldwin.

Having an event?

On stage

Plaza Theatrical’s season continues with “Lady Supreme: A Diana Ross Experience,” Saturday, May 4, 7:30 p.m. Deanna Carroll, accompanied by top notch singers and musicians, covers the hits of the Supremes to Diana’s solo sensations in this spectacular tribute to the Supreme Diva.

She performs all of Diana’s biggest hits, with spot-on vocals, including “Endless Love,” “Someday We’ll Be Together,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Touch Me in The Morning,” and so many more. Get in the groove at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre. 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.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.

Storybook Stroll

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a storybook adventure, Saturday, May 4, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Stroll the gardens and listen to Antoine Ó Flatharta’s modern tale, “Hurry and the Monarch.” Later create a unique take home craft. For ages 3-5. Storybook Strolls start at the Beech Tree (next to Westbury House), and end at the Thatched Cottage. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information, visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.

Museum Gallery Tour

Join curator, art collector and gallerist Christopher Pusey for a tour of “Urban Art Evolution,” Nassau County Museum of Art’s current exhibition, Sunday, May 5, 3 p.m. Pusey, the exhibit’s guest curator, began art-making as a child and went on to pursue a career working in art galleries, and as an art dealer, in New York City. His particular interest in the art from this time and genre began with his first job at a Soho gallery in SoHo during the 80s, which had a division specializing in some of the East Village artists featured in this show. Free with museum admission. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org or call (516) 484-9337 for information.

Lemonade 5K

What better way to celebrate finishing a 5K than with a refreshing glass of lemonade? Participate in the Lemonade 5K, which benefits the Never Stop Running Foundation, Sunday, April 28, starting at 9 a.m. Takes place rain or shine at Hempstead State Lake Park. $35 fee. Visit EliteFeats.com to sign up.

Holocaust Remembrance Day

Holocaust survivor Shirley Gottesman shares her story on this day of remembrance, Sunday, May 5. Nancy Spielberg, an award-winning filmmaker who focuses on films about the Jewish experience, also speaks about modern anti-Semitism. The program is both in person and on Zoom at Congregation Shaaray Shalom. 711 Dogwood Ave., West Hempstead. Zoom link will follow registration, which is required, at tinyurl.com/2024ShoahProgram.

Learning proper baseball skills, early on Cor N eri N g the market

Now entering its fourth summer, Beach Baseball Camp has already been named one of the top sports camps by the Long Island Choice Awards. During the first two weeks in July, young sports enthusiasts are taught the correct skills and fundamentals of baseball. This ensures that safe and proper habits are formed early on, and will last a lifetime.

Campers can attend for one week or two. Groups are small and ageappropriate — grades 3 to 5, and grades 6 to 8. Boys play baseball, and for girls, softball is available. Camp days, which run from 9am to 2pm, start with warming up, stretching and throwing. Skill drills are rotated — hitting, pitching, running, throwing, fielding, catching — along with instructional games, scrimmages and competitions. Guest speakers are brought in to

address the importance of the positive mental approach to baseball. The goal is to share the love of baseball and to have fun. Campers bring their own equipment. Lunch takes place in an air-conditioned building.

Founder of Beach Baseball Camp is Eric Krywe, a teacher at Long Beach High School for over two decades. He played college baseball, and has coached at middle and high school levels. His wife, Vanessa, runs the administration aspect of the camp, making this is a family business. Their two sons, ages 11 and 12, share their passion for baseball and are active in the Little League. All coaches and instructors are highly experienced,

have specialties, and are collegiate level or pro athletes.

Hitting Coach, Blake Malizia, was honored “Coach of the Year” in 2022. Infield Coach, Steve Scafa, played in in the D1 College World Series with St. John’s University, and was drafted by the NY Yankees as a second baseman. Hudson Georges, Running Instructor, ran college track and coached in High School for 23 years. Catching Coach, Justin Rodriquez, played college baseball, his team reaching Regional Championship. Pitching Coaches, Christopher Bory and Andrew Lavelle, both played college baseball and more. Shannon Horgan, Running Instructor, played soccer on

the U-19 Women’s US National Team, and the U-30 World Cup Qualifying Championship team. The camp’s Athletic Trainer, Davis Tobia, has worked in physical therapy, and as a trainer for the Jr. NBA basketball tournament and Empire State games.

Days at Beach Baseball Camp, which is situated at the Long Beach High School baseball facility, take place in all weather. Should it rain, they play inside. Campers are required to bring both cleats and sneakers. Their website —BeachBaseballCamp.com — features complete staff profiles, videos, registration forms, prices and even Early Bird discounts.

Beach Baseball Camp

Located at the Long Beach High School Baseball Facility (516) 548-1001 BeachBaseballCamp.com

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU ONEWEST BANK, FSB, Plaintiff, Against LISA BELL MATTHEWS, ET AL., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 07/14/2017, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 5/13/2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 841 Woodfield Road, West Hempstead, New York 11552, And Described As Follows:

ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being At Lakeview, Town Of Hempstead, County Of Nassau, City And State Of New York.

Section 35 Block 604 Lot

67

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $669,160.70 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 004789/2011 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.

Malachy P. Lyons, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573

Dated: 3/5/2024 File Number: 272-3363 CA 146081

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK INDEX NO. 606906/2022 COUNTY OF NASSAU BETHPAGE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Plaintiff, vs. EDWARD MOLLOY, HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ANNE PATRICIA MOLLOY; JOHN MOLLOY, HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ANNE PATRICIA MOLLOY; MARGARET WERNER MOLLOY, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE TO THE ESTATE OF ANNE PATRICIA MOLLOY; MEGAN P MOLLOY, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE TO THE ESTATE OF ANNE PATRICIA MOLLOY; KATIEANNE MOLLOY, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE TO THE ESTATE OF ANNE PATRICIA MOLLOY; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF ANNE PATRICIA MOLLOY, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or

who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; ANGEL SANCHEZ; “JOHN DOE” (REFUSED NAME), “JOHN DOE #3” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last ten names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Defendants. Plaintiff designates NASSAU as the place of trial situs of the real property SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

Mortgaged Premises: 540 WASHINGTON AVENUE, WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY 11552

District: , Section: 35, Block: 418, Lot: 311 & 312

To the above named Defendants

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State.

The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.

THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $250,000.00 and interest, recorded on July 12, 2006, in Liber M30719 at Page 473, of the Public Records of NASSAU County, New York., covering premises known as 540 WASHINGTON AVENUE, WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY 11552.

The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

NASSAU County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.

NOTICE

YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Dated:April 1st, 2024

ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC

Attorney for Plaintiff

Oluwatobi Adedokun, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310 Westbury, NY 11590

516-280-7675 146167

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the MALVERNE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at the MALVERNE VILLAGE HALL, 99 Church Street, Malverne, New York 11565 and will hear the following cases at 7:00 PM:

Luis Gonzalez 380 Ocean Ave.: Residential “A” District Building Permit Application #2022-0315

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT

Proposes to install a 25 ft. x 15 ft. in-ground swimming pool with drywell, patio, retaining wall with steps and paver patio. All interested parties should appear at the above time and place.

BY ORDER OF THE MALVERNE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF MALVERNE

Jill Valli, Village Clerk

Dated: April 9, 2024 146309

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York

State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 05/01/2024 at 9:30 A.M. & 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 7th day of May, 2024, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 197-5 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “ARTERIAL STOPS” at the following locations:

EAST MEADOW CENTRAL DRIVE SOUTH (TH 100/24) - STOPAll traffic traveling south bound on Central Drive North shall come to a full stop.

ELMOMT

NASSAU STREET (TH 87/24) - STOPAll traffic traveling west bound on Empire Street shall come to a full stop.

MAKOFSKE AVENUE (TH 102/24) - STOPAll traffic traveling south bound on Marguerite Avenue shall come to a full stop.

FRANKLIN SQUARE

BENMORE AVENUE (TH 110/24) - STOP -

All traffic traveling north bound on Paschal Avenue shall come to a full stop.

BENMORE AVENUE (TH 110/24) - STOP -

All traffic traveling south bound on Paschal Avenue shall come to a full stop.

(NR) MALVE

DOGWOOD AVENUE (TH 73/24) - STOP -

All traffic traveling west bound on Gerard Avenue West shall come to a full stop.

ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

Dated: April 9, 2024

Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor

KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 146304

576/Live-Streaming-Video Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it. 146289

LEGAL NOTICE

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M. 260/24. WEST

HEMPSTEAD - Steven & Josephine DiMarco, Renewal of grant to maintain pool & pool deck with less than required side & rear yard setbacks & 5’ & 6’3” high privacy fence on top of 2’5” deck varying in height from 7’5” - 8’8” & larger than pool installation area., S/s Belmont Ave., 180.50’ E/o Broadway, a/k/a 245 Belmont Ave. 266/24. WEST

HEMPSTEAD - Vitaliy & Mira Fuzaylov, Variance, side yard, maintain cellar entrance attached to dwelling., S/s Buxton Ave., 125’ W/o Alan Pl., a/k/a 615 Buxton Ave.

THE FOLLOWING CASES

WILL BE CALLED

STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. 290/24. WEST

HEMPSTEAD - Verdeland

Homes, Inc., Variances, subdivision of lot, lot area, front yards setbacks on Mahopac Rd. & Scaneateles Ave., rear yard, construct dwellingPlot B (Re-hearing of Case # 662/20)., N/E cor. Mahopac Rd. & Scaneateles Ave. 291/24. WEST

HEMPSTEAD - Verdeland

Homes, Inc., Variances, subdivision of lot, lot area, front width from & on street line to front setback line, average front yard setback, construct dwelling - Plot A (Re-hearing of Case # 663/20)., E/s Mahopac Rd., 51.72’ N/o Scaneateles Ave.

ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in West Hempstead within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.gov/ 509/Board-of-Appeals The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.gov/

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK INDEX NO. 600274/2019 COUNTY OF NASSAU CELINK, Plaintiff, vs. MICHELLE FELTON-SMITH AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE TO THE ESTATE OF CLUMATIME FELTON A/K/A CLUMENTINE FELTON A/K/A CLEMENTINE

WILLIAMS FELTON A/K/A

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION, -againstTHERESA KANDALAFT, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF PHYLLIS LOUBRIEL, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on April 1, 2024, wherein PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION is the Plaintiff and THERESA KANDALAFT, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF PHYLLIS LOUBRIEL, 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 May 28, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 175 WRIGHT AVENUE, MALVERNE, NY 11565; and the following tax map identification: Section 0038, Block 00005-00, Lot 00243.

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE VILLAGE OF MALVERNE, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 601820/2022. Peter Kramer, 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. 146319

CLUMENTINE WILLIAMS FELTON; JAMES W. FELTON AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE TO THE ESTATE OF CLUMATIME

FELTON A/K/A

CLUMENTINE FELTON

A/K/A CLEMENTINE

WILLIAMS FELTON A/K/A

CLUMENTINE WILLIAMS FELTON; ABRAHAM FELTON AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE TO THE ESTATE OFCLUMATIME

FELTON A/K/A

CLUMENTINE FELTON

A/K/A CLEMENTINE

WILLIAMS FELTON A/K/A

CLUMENTINE WILLIAMS FELTON; PENNY FELTON

AKA PENNY EVANS AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE

TO THE ESTATE OF

CLUMATIME

FELTON

A/K/A CLUMENTINE

FELTON A/K/A

CLEMENTINE WILLIAMS

FELTON A/K/A

CLUMENTINE WILLIAMS FELTON, if living, and if she/he be deceased, her next of kin, distributes, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successors in interest, and generally all persons having or claiming, under, by or through said defendant who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, any right title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES TO THE ESTATE OF CLUMATIME FELTON

A/K/A CLUMENTINE

FELTON A/K/A

CLEMENTINE WILLIAMS FELTON, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law,

next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff if living, and if she/he be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff, SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Defendants. Plaintiff designates NASSAU as the place of trial situs of the real property

SUPPLEMENTAL

Sipping and savoring literature in book

Malverne students celebrate reading

As part of Read Across America Week in March, students at Maurice W. Downing Intermediate School, in Malverne, enjoyed an extra special experience as they were welcomed into book cafes that were brainstormed, decorated and staffed by a creative team of teachers.

Each of the three bright and colorful book cafes featured a variety of books for students from kindergarten through second grade to share and explore, as well as activity sheets for them to complete as they were served imaginary drinks and treats by the teachers.

The Maurice W. Downing team for always finds ways to make reading and learning fun for students while creating memories that will last a lifetime, the Malverne school district said in a statement.

may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $544,185.00 and interest, recorded on December 09, 2008, in Liber M 33377 at Page 814, of the Public

Photos courtesy Malverne school district

First graders had fun spending time in their fancy French-themed book café at Maurice W. Downing Intermediate School.

Kindergartners enjoyed activities at ‘Starbooks’ book café by their teacher to celebrate Read Across

The ‘book cafes’ were thought up and brought to life by Malverne teachers as a fun new way to celebrate reading.

The young students were served imaginary drinks and treats by their teachers to really bring the book cafes to life.

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Protecting a condo from flooding

CQ. I want to buy an attached home, and the houses around the condos have been raised. Our community got a lot of water during a big flood, so I’m told, since I didn’t live there at the time. I’m wondering, if I move into this condo, which I have to decide about right away, what can I do to protect it from flooding? It doesn’t look like the owners association wants to do anything. What can I do to this unit to be flood-proof?

A. The flooding you’re referring to could have been from any number of high tide and storm episodes, but I’m pretty sure you’re talking about Superstorm Sandy or Tropical Storm Irene. In both events, many of us witnessed the water levels and understood the impact of a high tide, and what high winds can produce.

There are things you can do, such as checking to see what level the building is, by going on the Federal Emergency Management Website, MSC. FEMA.gov. Look for the icon for flood maps and type in the building address. You’ll see a very detailed satellite image of the water lines that were recorded specifically at the crest of the highest water episode in recent years.

Look for your building. The streets should be labeled, but if not, look for identifiable shapes of buildings, street curves, main roads or even railroads to figure out the building location. Next, look for the letters and numbers for the different colored areas. If your potential building is in the area marked with an X, this is a good sign. It means the particular outlined area was not subject to the flooding. If it has an ae and a number, such as 8, 9, etc., with the letters, that indicates that zone got flooded, and your floor is required to be at least 2 feet higher than that designation.

You find the level of the first floor and lowest floor by examining records at your local building department, if they have the updated record since around 2012, or you’ll need to get an elevation certificate made by hiring a land surveyor. Since time is not on your side and a surveyor has to go to the site and take heights to determine what to put in an official elevation certificate, you are left to ask neighbors questions, or take the risk, or move on.

Nothing seems to move as fast as a real estate decision, and quite often I’m asked questions for which the answers are what neither buyer nor seller really wants to hear. Details are critical for one of the most important investments you’ll ever make, one that controls your financial life, so if you don’t have the time, decide on what risk to take. You could flood-proof all of the first floor walls, but how can anyone be certain the neighbor’s walls are also flood-proofed? Good luck!

with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

OPINIONS

A memory-filled trip back in time

Many Nassau County residents have their roots in Queens or Brooklyn, having made the decision to migrate from crowded city neighborhoods to leafy, bucolic suburbia. My own experience is probably typical of many. Born in Manhattan, raised in Queens, I attended high school and college in Brooklyn, and moved to Seaford over 50 years ago, where Rosemary raised our family and where we still live.

While all has gone well over the years and I have no regrets about making the move, I do have lasting memories of the friendships I made and the values I learned from those city streets and neighborhoods. There’s a group of eight or nine guys from my high school days in Brooklyn that I still get together with regularly at the ValBrook Diner in Valley Stream.

My high school was Brooklyn Prep, near where Ebbets Field used to be and

within walking distance of St. John’s Place, where my father grew up, and where my grandparents were still living during those years. I spent a lot of time hanging out with Tom Dewey, who was in my high school class and lived across the street from my grandparents. Dewey and his neighborhood group all shared his trait of never having a good word to say to or about anyone. Tom, who would eventually move to Valley Stream, had a successful career as a teacher and track coach, and was actually elected to Fordham’s Hall of Fame, without ever breaking his vow of surliness.

Vrity detail when I was in Congress, and for some reason found it interesting to listen to the endless banter and mindless conversations she would hear whenever our group got together.

isiting, among other childhood haunts, the school where we played stickball.

Last week, Tom and I, along with his cousin Allen Ryan and Charlie Norton, decided to spend a day in the old neighborhood. (Ryan, now in Hicksville, had lived in the same apartment house as Dewey; Norton a few blocks away.) Ryan and Norton had distinguished careers with the NYPD, and Ryan was on the crime scene unit the night mob boss Paul Castellano was rubbed out.

Joining us on this visit to the past was Melissa Zimmerman, a retired Nassau detective, who was on my secu-

Among our stops was Tom’s a famed luncheonette on Washington Avenue that has been around for almost 90 years and, as Zimmerman pointed out, still typifies neighborhood cuisine and personality. Then there was a walk up and down both sides of St. John’s Place, as we looked at the classically structured apartment houses still standing strong more than 100 years after their construction. This neighborhood and block went through several decades of rough times, but beginning in the 1990s had come back stronger than ever. (Listening to Dewey and Ryan reminisce, so too were their memories of St. John’s Place coming back.)

Then we went over to the local public school where we had played stickball, and then drove to Carroll Street to see what was once Brooklyn Prep and is now Medgar Evers College. Dewey and I pointed to the third floor window from which we could see Ebbets Field

before that historic structure was torn down after our beloved Dodgers abandoned Brooklyn for the vacuous environs of Los Angeles.

We finished our memory tour at Farrell’s Bar in nearby Park Slope/Windsor Terrace, where we had a few beers (but not Zimmerman, who was driving) and enjoyed the company of the midafternoon customers. Farrell’s is a famed neighborhood gathering place being featured in a soon-to-be-released film documentary. It hasn’t changed even the slightest over the years.

This trip back to Brooklyn, and being with Tom, Allen and Charlie, was more than just nostalgic. It was a reminder of the days of neighborhood beliefs, of learning that life isn’t fair, that the world doesn’t owe anyone a living and that not everyone will get a trophy. What matters is not hugging one another or looking for praise or compliments, but being loyal and standing by friends no matter what — and being a proud patriot, loving America, respecting the police and military.

It was a great day. Thanks for the memories.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

State funding will help save NUMC from closing

In the words of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now.”

Those words are as true today as they were more than 60 years ago. At this moment, the clock is ticking on a very short window to save Nassau University Medical Center from closing due to a lack of funding. The only thing that can keep the hospital from shutting down is state aid. Now is the time for the state to step in to prevent this from happening.

As an Assembly member whose constituents rely on the hospital for primary, specialty and emergency care, my number one priority is protecting this landmark facility from a health care collapse. So I am issuing a call to action. We don’t need activity. We need action Activity is the back-and-forth, the finger-pointing, the accusations, the calls for resignations. Action is a swift solution to the perpetual problem at hand.

I have delivered a letter to Gov.

Kathy Hochul and James McDonald, the commissioner of the state Department of Health, asking them to act now. In it I made a strong appeal to restore more than $125 million cut from the Nassau Health Care Corporation in the fiscal year 2025 budget. I have urged Hochul and McDonald to establish a budget line that will provide the hospital with the gap funding it needs to continue providing life-saving services to our community.

income and working-class patients. Helping people regardless of their ability to pay is what makes the hospital special. This level of compassion for our fellow man, woman and child is imbedded in the hospital’s mission, and it characterizes Long Island as a decent place to live for all.

We need a budget line that will provide the hospital with gap funding.

Safety-net hospitals cannot survive without state aid, yet, yet NHCC has seen dramatic cuts in aid over the past three years. NUMC has the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rates in the state, and suffers significant losses year after year. But that isn’t just happening here on Long Island. Safety-net hospitals from Buffalo to Brooklyn are all facing the same problem, regardless of who is running them. It’s a matter of simple arithmetic, and not just leadership.

When you have expenses that exceed revenues, there’s a deficit. The math isn’t math-ing!

We know NUMC provides quality health care to a large number of low-

While the hospital implements needed reforms to improve its fiscal health, we know it won’t happen overnight. In the meantime, we government officials must act with the fierce urgency of now. It is the moral thing to do.

We must do this now because someone’s grandfather depends on dialysis at the hospital to sustain his life. Someone’s grandmother depends on the care of the designated stroke center because every second counts for stroke victims. We don’t want to turn away firefighter Joe, who goes to Long Island’s only multi-chamber hyperbaric unit after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning in the line of duty. We don’t want to tell Charles, who was in a serious car accident, that this Level One trauma center is no longer

available to help him during his life-ordeath emergency. It would be a shame to deny care to 10-year-old Maria because her primary-care doctor is no longer in her community, or the 700 incarcerated people who rely on NUMC for their health care. We simply can’t tell Keisha she can no longer go to the Breast Center for cancer screenings, even though breast cancer runs in her family.

And we would be negligent if 3,600 people lost their jobs when a shutdown could be avoided.

I have been working with all parties involved to determine the best solutions to serve the hospital that has served all of us for nearly 90 years. Let’s think beyond political semantics and look at solutions like urging the governor to adopt a plan to fully fund Medicaid. In addition, I’ll be working to pass the Insurance for All bill so the federal government will help pick up the tab. Local businesses and the community at large depend on us to come together. I believe we can be effective, efficient and human at the same time.

As an elected leader in Nassau County, I will continue to sit at the table and fight for your Long Island.

Taylor Darling represents the 18th Assembly District.

Your voice counts in school budget decisions

Tuesday, May 21 is an important day — not just for our local school districts, which are busy putting together their budgets for the upcoming academic year, but for the future of our communities as well.

That’s the day when we head to voting booths and cast ballots not only to express our opinions on how our districts are spending money, but also on the school board trustees who will manage it.

It’s a valuable opportunity to have your voice heard, because our local schools are just that — local and ours. Unlike any other government spending plans, school budgets aren’t final until the people tasked to fund them decide they’re final with their votes.

Some may think voting isn’t necessary anymore because the property tax cap limits increases, and no local district wants to exceed its cap. But our voices are always necessary, because the budget isn’t just about how much money is raised for our schools, but how that money is spent. What programs will remain, what will go, and what new ones might begin — all of those decisions are in the hands of every one of us.

The May 21 vote isn’t just about spending, either. There are contested

LETTERS

There D’Esposito goes again

To the Editor:

school board races in many districts. The people who win will make decisions that affect the entire community. The people who are elected will be the ones who keep the “local” in local decisionmaking.

But there’s one vital caveat: understanding what you’re voting on when you cast your ballot.

If you’re concerned about how much money your district plans to spend, find out what’s in the budget before you vote. You can typically find that information on the district’s website, or through the reporting here in the Herald.

However you vote, understand that your decision has an impact. We, as a collective society, should have a say in which direction our society takes, and that largely begins in schools.

In Rockville Centre, for example, annual school taxes are expected to jump $260 — a little over $20 per month. But those funds will be used to improve the district’s facilities, enhance cybersecurity, and create new classes in coding and robotics. The spending plan also avoids layoffs, introduces new sports teams, and appoints a new security director.

In Glen Cove, the district’s budget is focused on safety, intended to help parents send their children to school with-

Re U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito’s op-ed, “Migrants get more government support than veterans,” last week: His party is in the majority, and he is a valuable and loyal member of his caucus. Unable to deliver a meaningful benefit to the voters of his district — our promised deduction for state and local taxes — D’Esposito decides to attack the Democrats for their migrant policies.

The Senate passed a bipartisan immigration bill, but the Republicans wouldn’t even bring it to the floor in the House. They spent their time impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and what happened when that got to the Senate? We have serious problems with our current immigration system. We expect our elected representatives to work together to find an equitable solution, not to write misleading and incendiary articles to divert attention from their inability to pass any meaningful legislation that will actually benefit the voters in their districts.

In D’Esposito’s analysis, he described the assistance available to immigrants as greater than the assistance given to our disabled veterans. The problem isn’t that we’re giving immigrants too much; the problem is that we’re giving veterans too little. D’Esposito should stop trying to divert attention from his inability to pass legislation that will benefit the voters in his district and actually do something — anything.

DENNIS BRADY Rockville Centre

out worry. At the middle school, the public address system will be repaired for $1 million, as will the fire systems and clocks. And the spending plan will allow the district to hire more teachers, so students at the middle school can take more arts and language programs.

If a majority of voters reject a budget, the district must either hold a second vote — offering the same spending plan or a revised one — or adopt what is called a “contingency budget.” It’s also described as an “austerity budget,” and the tax levy issued with this spending plan can’t be larger than the previous year’s levy. The portion of the budget that is devoted to administrative costs cannot increase from the lower of either the previous year’s budget or the justdefeated budget. On top of that, any non-contingent expenditures must be removed from a contingency budget.

Whether you vote “yes” or “no” on school spending plans, it’s important to understand the implications. As the voting day nears, make sure you know where to go to cast your ballot. Contact your school district or visit its website. School district elections and the budget referenda are extraordinarily important. It’s your money. Take your responsibility seriously, and be an informed voter.

controlling interest, as part of its plan for direct access to Manhattan, which began on Sept. 8, 1910. The Pennsylvania Railroad subsidized the LIRR into the late 1940s. This provided the finances for expansion and upgrades to

OPINIONS

D’Esposito must support fully funding Medicaid

As we mark another Medicaid Awareness Month this April, we must reflect on the profound impact this program has had on the lives of millions of Americans. Signed into law in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, Medicaid has transformed access to health care for lowincome, disabled and elderly Americans.

Building on this progress, New York has long been a national leader in offering comprehensive health coverage to its residents, including roughly 7.5 million — more than a third of the state’s total population — in the Medicaid program. On Long Island alone, more than 765,000 people are enrolled. While Medicaid provides financial security and access to health care to

more New Yorkers than ever before, Republicans in Congress, including Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, are threatening Medicaid by pushing for devastating cuts to key federal programs.

Earlier in his tenure, D’Esposito claimed to support fully funding critical lifeline programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. He has gone back on this promise time and time again, however, including supporting a provision that would slash nearly all government funding by 30 percent.

Tcially for children. The program covers more than 38 million children, and pays for 41 percent of all births nationwide. Additionally, 60 percent of children with disabilities receive their coverage from Medicaid.

he program decreases the uninsured rate and reduces the cost of uncovered care.

Long Island families are already grappling with financial hardships, including difficulties affording mortgages, utilities and groceries. Cutting funding to critical safety-net programs like Medicaid would directly harm hardworking families who are just trying to find health care for their loved ones and make ends meet.

The consequences of cutting Medicaid funding would be disastrous, espe-

LETTERS

service and infrastructure.

At the end of World War II, the LIRR began to decline, and there was a corresponding loss of revenue. The Pennsylvania Railroad began to reduce its financial support as well. The LIRR went into receivership in 1949, but in recognition of the role it played in the economy of Long Island and New York City, the state began providing financial assistance in the 1950s.

The “Line of the Dashing Dan” was officially chartered as the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Authority on April 24, 1965, by the state. Up to that point, the LIRR had derived almost 100 percent of its funding for both capital and operating expenses from fares. The MCTA was created to purchase and operate the bankrupt LIRR.

In 1966, the state bought the railroad’s controlling stock from the Pennsylvania Rail Road and put it under the MCTA. The MCTA changed its name to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in 1968, when it took over operations of the New York City Transit Authority.

With MTA subsidies, the LIRR modernized further and grew into the busiest commuter railroad in the United States. Over the past 50 years, several billion dollars in combined county, city, state and federal taxpayer-generated dollars have subsidized its capital and operating costs.

Riders must remember that fare hikes are required periodically if the MTA is to provide the services millions of New Yorkers use daily. They are inevitable due to inflation, along with increasing costs of labor, power, fuel, supplies, materials, routine safety, state

of good repair, replacement of worn-out rolling stock, upgrades to stations, yards and shops, along with system expansion projects necessary to run any transit system.

In the end, quality and frequency of service depend on secure revenue streams. We all have to contribute — be it at the fare box or tax revenue redistributed back to the MTA. There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch — or in this case, a free ride.

Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer and a former director of the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office of Operations and Program Management.

Pay attention at the wheel, and keep highway workers safe

To the Editor:

Last week was National Work Zone Awareness Week. Each year at the start of the highway construction season, the state Department of Transportation participates in this national campaign to remind motorists about the importance of driving safely and responsibly in and around work zones.

At NYSDOT, safety is our top priority. We take every step possible to protect our highway workers by deploying the latest technology in crash attenuators, flashing yellow lights, signs, cones, bar-

The program also plays an important role in addressing the opioid epidemic, one of the most urgent public health crises facing Long Island. Thousands of Island residents have died of overdoses since the crisis began, and drug deaths hit a record 109,689 nationwide in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Long Islanders battling substance abuse disorders rely on Medicaid coverage for treatment and behavioral health services.

While President Biden and Democrats in Congress have championed reducing health care costs and improving access to care for the American people, Republicans like D’Esposito are actively working to roll back that prog-

ress.

Fully funding Medicaid is simply common sense: It has drastically decreased the uninsured rate, improved health outcomes and reduced the costs of uncompensated care. Having health insurance through Medicaid helps Americans stay healthy, go to work, care for their families and pay their bills. The program helps our communities, hospitals, schools and economy thrive.

But D’Esposito’s voting record shows that time and again, he is in line with MAGA extremists who are pushing for Medicaid cuts, going against the best interests and well-being of our Long Island communities.

Rep. D’Esposito, I urge you to listen to your constituents, who are calling on you to fully fund these vital programs. In the wealthiest nation on earth, no one should have to go into debt to cover the cost of their basic medical needs. If your MAGA Republican colleagues get their way, the most vulnerable New Yorkers will be left behind.

Sackman is the chief of staff of the Long Island Progressive Coalition.

FRAMEWORK by Tim Baker

rels, reflective gear, etc.

The biggest risk to our highway workers is the motorist. By paying attention to your driving, you are saving a life! Please do your part to help our highway workers return home safely to their families each night. Put down your cellphone, move over for flashing lights, and slow down. There is someone’s life behind those work zone traffic control

devices.

And for those who choose to ignore the rules of the road, be forewarned: NYSDOT is working with the police on targeted enforcement and deploying automated speed-enforcement cameras in our work zones.

RICH CAUSIN

Long Island regional director, NYSDOT Hauppauge

Along the quiet side of Guy Lombardo Avenue — Freeport

Joseph

LARRY PENNER Great Neck

JOSEPH SACKMAN

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• Western Specialty Contractors

Honors Sponsors

• Aetna

• AKF Group

• Anron Air Systems, Inc.

• Axis Construction

• Diane & Dave Bonagura

• Bert Brodsky

• Consigli Construction Co. Inc.

• Guardian Bus Co.

• HiLume Corp.

• Illuminado Partners

• JVR Electric, Inc.

• Med-Metrix, LLC

• Merrill Lynch Nastasi-Silver Group

• Mount Sinai Heart at Mount Sinai South Nassau

• Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

• Premier Mechanical Services

• Reese Bros, Inc.

• Rivkin Radler, LLP

• Robbins & Cowan, Inc.

• Shaub Ahmuty Citrin & Spratt

• The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Champions Sponsors

• AceJan Capital LLC

• Beach Terrace & Oceanside Care Centers

• CDW-G Healthcare

• C&G Cleaning Solutions

• DOPF, PC

• Gordon L. Seaman, Inc.

• Group PMX, LLC

• Jamaica Ash

• Meadowbrook Care Center

• P.W. Grosser Consulting

• The PAR Group

• The Grand Rehabilitation & Nursing at South Point

• Unitex & Med Apparel

Rockville Links Foursome Sponsors

• Clinical Delivery Systems, Inc.

• John & Laura Curran

• Christine & Larry Ferazani

• First Nationwide Title

• K&S Restoration

• Molloy University

• POM Recoveries, Inc.

• Senior Care Emergency Medical Services

Golfer Gift Underwriters

• Mount Sinai South Nassau Medical Sta

• The Dover Group

• Je rey Greenfield

Golf Carts Underwriters

• B2K Development

• Long Beach Nursing & Rehabilitation

• Parking Systems

Photography Underwriter

• Richner Communications, Inc.

Three Courses: The Seawane Club, The Rockaway Hunting Club, and The Rockville Links Club

To buy tickets online or to donate, visit southnassaulifesaver.org or call 516 377-5360

All proceeds to benefit Mount Sinai South Nassau and the special needs of our cancer patients.

Golf Balls Underwriter

• Axis Construction Beverage Cart Underwriters

• Balder Family

• Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP

• RMB Drafting Services & Electrical Inspectors

• Rubin Paterniti Gonzalez Rizzo & Kaufman

Caddies Underwriter

• Parking Systems

Driving Range Underwriters