Malverne/West Hempstead Herald 05-30-2024

Keith Rossen/Herald

A Memorial Day to remember

Malverne’s american Legion post 44 held the flag high during the Memorial day parade on Monday, reminding neighbors what the holiday is truly about: honoring those who died in service to our country.

Neighbors raised more than $12,000 for five local H.S. grads

By NIColE FoRMISANo nformisano@liherald.com

Nearly 40 high school graduates applied and interviewed for a scholarship from the West Hempstead Community Scholarship Fund — but five students stood out as having gone truly above and beyond over the course of their education.

Abigail Wunder, Aniyah Delany, Babacar Seck, Eduardo Leon Lotero and Isabella Rodriguez Vasequez are the recipients of the WHCSF’s 2024 scholarships.

“Know that you are the pride of your community,” said Thomas Kemnitzer, co-president of

the WHCSF, to the five students, “And then take that knowledge with you wherever your life’s journey takes you.”

The scholarships, $2,500 each, were awarded based on need and merit. The awards were presented during a celebratory dinner at Olivetto’s, in Franklin Square, on May 21.

The WHCSF, a nonprofit organization, is celebrating its 55th anniversary and has been giving scholarships to West Hempstead students since 1970. Over the years, it has awarded $465,000 to 314 students — and the impact on some of those students has lasted to this day.

Melissa Benson, a past scholarship recipient,

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Capri Motor Inn is claimed as town property

By NIColE FoRMISANo nformisano@liherald.com

A West Hempstead roadside motel that has reportedly been the bane of Hempstead town officials for years may have finally learned its fate.

AThe town has officially claimed eminent domain over the Capri Motor Inn property on Hempstead Turnpike. It happened after the town board accepted the report from special hearing officer Judge Anthony Marano, which said that officials were justified in their plans to take property for a court-determined fair price from its current owners, L&S Realty.

declared a public nuisance by the town in August, with the town citing structural concerns such as faulty smoke detectors.

But L&S Realty challenges the determination, noting what they described as deficiencies in the town’s overall process leading to eminent domain.

n indoor recreational facility will be a substantial upgrade for the community.

ANThoNY MARANo Judge, special hearing officer

If successful, town officials want to replace the motel with a recreational facility — something Marano described as a “substantial upgrade for the community.”

The decision comes after a nine-month legal saga that began with Capri being

They cite town code, which restricts a public nuisance declaration for properties where owners were notified of a hearing addressing it less than 10 days before it is to take place. It also has to involve at least two related arrests involving crimes like those related to drugs and prostitution.

Capri owners say they were notified nine days before their public nuisance hearing, and that one of the arrests town official cite actually took place at a gas station across the street.

The criminal charges against the owners of Capri for their alleged violations of town

Continued on page 4

HERALD SchoolS

These students gave seniors their flowers

In honor of Mother’s Day, the fifth grade student ambassadors from Davison Avenue Intermediate School, in Malverne, took a trip to Atria Park Senior Living Community in Lynbrook to visit the residents on May 10.

The students passed out flowers and handmade Mother’s Day cards. They played cards and board games

The residents of Atria Park and the fifth graders of Davison Avenue were all smiles as they became fast friends.

with the senior citizens. They asked each other questions and shared stories about family, school and activities.

Throughout the visit, students and residents were smiling, laughing and entertaining one another, enjoying each other’s company and showing the impact of intergenerational relationships.

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Photos courtesy Malverne school district

Malverne elementary school students visited Atria Park nursing home to spread some Mother’s Day love. It’s hard to tell whether the seniors or the fifth graders enjoyed the field trip more.

State aid cuts posing school budget obstacles

By NICOLE FORMISANO nformisano@liherald.com

Both the Malverne and West Hempstead budgets passed on May 21. Malverne’s passed with just under 80 percent of voter approval, and West Hempstead’s passed with just over 58 percent approval. It represents a break in West Hempstead’s two-year rejection streak.

“This vote of confidence will allow us to maintain the high-quality educational programs our students deserve,” said Daniel Rehman, superintendent of West Hempstead schools. “The school budget passage is a testament to our community’s commitment to investing in the future of all school-aged students in West Hempstead.”

If the district had gone on a contingency budget, the schools would have faced limitations and cuts that would hurt student education, Rehman said.

The budget is vital for all school-aged students in West Hempstead, he added said, whether they go to public or private school. It allows them to continue to pay for transportation to private schools, and to “maintain and enhance the resources and programs necessary for their academic success and personal growth” and “offer a diverse range of academic programs, extracurricular activities, and student support services.”

The Malverne budget’s overwhelmingly positive response reflects the strength and unity of the Malverne community, said Lorna Lewis, superintendent of Malverne schools.

“This significant approval margin is more than just numbers,” Lewis said. “Your collective voice has once again emphasized the importance of investing in our children’s education and ensuring that our schools have the resources

they need to thrive.”

The Malverne budget does not typically face problems with passing. Their foremost problem with this year’s budget lies with the state. Governor Kathy Hochul has made cuts to school aid, losing Malverne about $200,000 in revenue.

The governor’s cutting the State Foundation budget at the “worst possible time,” said Jeanne D’Esposito, who was reelected to the Malverne school board on May 21. Schools throughout the country, Malverne included, are still being faced with post-Covid learning loss and mental health issues. But though schools are still dealing with the effects of the pandemic, they’re no longer receiving the aid they need to do so, D’Esposito said.

“We need to find more resources to

fix that (learning lag) problem, and the state’s telling us that we’re going to get less” she said.

In the face of learning loss and mental health crises, families are looking to their schools for help, D’Esposito said. What the schools need, she added, are increased literacy programs and child psychologists.

“These are things that cost money,” she said. “And we’re advocating for the state to help us address those issues.”

The schools are limited in how much money they can raise by themselves, as there is a 2 percent tax cap — which, as a taxpayer, she understands, D’Esposito added.

“So when there’s this limitation on what we can raise through the tax levy,” she said, “We look to the state and the

federal government for the funds that we need to give our kids the curriculum and the programming and the support that they need.”

Districts across Long Island are having to cut resources and staff in the face of these budget cuts — but luckily, Malverne has been able to absorb into their budget some of the resources that were originally funded by state aid.

The district will still be able to maintain their kindergarten through fourth grade literacy program, as well as a school social worker.

What action will be taken at the state level remains to be seen — but in the meantime, Malverne and West Hempstead schools are continuing to provide the best possible education to their students.

D’Esposito serving schools beyond Malverne

By NICOLE FORMISANO nformisano@liherald.com

Jeanne D’Esposito will continue to serve on the Malverne Board of Education after being reelected on May 21. Her seat ran unopposed. But she’s not just serving another 4 years on the Malverne school board — her reelection extends her position as secretary and treasurer of the Nassau Suffolk School Board Association.

The Nassau Suffolk School Board Association, or NSSBA, an organization of school board electees that want to take their service one step further. They connect schools across Long Island to exchange methods of success and try to improve education for every student on Long Island.

“What I particularly love doing is getting involved in the advocacy aspect of it,” D’Esposito said. “There there’s so many issues facing public schools on Long Island right now, and it just gets harder and harder and harder and

harder every year — especially with Covid and our schools are being challenged on many, many fronts.”

D’Esposito has been on the Malverne school board for 8 years. Before that, she was president of the Parent Teacher Associations for the elementary school, then middle school, then high school. One of her proudest accomplishments over the course of her time on the school board is her role in keeping Boces’ Long Island High School for the Arts open. The school recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

However, they weren’t able to save the Boces’ Doshi school, which was a specialized STEM school. D’Esposito’s son was in that program. That experience got her passionate about solving problems — she was involved in hiring one of the

That ability to make a difference made her want to ramp up her school board involvement. In 2020, the NSSBA approached her to join the executive committee. She became chair of the nominating committee in 2022, and was recently voted into the role of secretary and treasurer, a role formerly held by Charmise Desiré, from Uniondale.

In her new role, D’Esposito is able to not only represent Malverne, but also fight for her community on a larger scale than before, and advocate for “what our public schools need throughout Long Island and throughout the state,” she said.

“It’s important for people in the

thick of things, the trustees who run these boards and have to deal with these issues,” she said, “To be able to have a voice with our state representatives or local representatives, our federal representatives in the House and the Senate. It’s important for us to be able to bring information on these issues so that they can better help us solve these problems.”

And the flow of information goes the other way, too — the NSSBA makes resources more accessible to districts throughout Long Island. One of D’Esposito’s favorite parts of her position on the NSSBA is lending a helping hand to members of other school boards, and watching them succeed.

But perhaps her foremost priority is listening to her neighbors in Malverne, and advocating for their needs.

“The more I know, the more I can share,” D’Esposito said. “That’s what I’m most proud of — that I can be that resource for my community and also that voice for my community.”

Doshi teachers to teach in the district to bring that STEM education to Malverne kids.

Courtesy Malverne school district

The budget represents Malverne’s investment in their future, so children like those in the class of 2036 can continue to thrive.

JEANNE D’ESpOSItO

Town one step closer to taking over Capri

code were all dismissed in county district court on April 1.

West Hempstead neighbors, however, seemed to voice loud support of the Capri Motor Inn being declared a public nuisance and shut down for as long as the law would allow. A petition by the West Hempstead Community Support Association to shut down the motel gathered more than 600 signatures within three days of its creation. In the following months, that number grew to nearly 900.

The debate between the town and the Capri lawyers then shifted to the definition of “public use.” The validity of public purpose is a key part of eminent domain procedure — the law states that the government can’t take over a private business without a legitimate public use.

John Ellsworth, a senior associate for the environmental planning firm providing counsel to town officials, acknowledged in a February board meeting the town did not yet have a plan for what it would do with the Capri property if it were to acquire it — but taking over a public nuisance constitutes an inherent benefit to the public, he argued, and therefore that alone could constitute public use.

Christian Browne, a lawyer representing Capri, cited legal precedent that stated “public use” remains unproven without a specific plan, rendering an eminent domain claim invalid.

In an April board meeting, the town announced that if it were to take over the Capri property through eminent domain, officials would turn it into an indoor recreation center for sports like volleyball and basketball.

In his May 8 official report and recommendation, Marano asserted that “termination of a public nui-

Subtitled “The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen,” author Brooks explores the art of human connection. To connect with others, to make them feel seen, heard and understood, and to be understood ourselves, is a learnable skill.

Of a pastor friend named Jimmy he says, “when Jimmy sees a person, any person…he also sees a soul of infinite value and dignity… as a result, Jimmy is going to greet people with respect and reverence…if you see people as precious souls, you’ll probably wind up treating them well”.

Exploring the concept of “accompaniment” your interactions with others should be marked by willingness, not willfulness, allowing the other person to be perfectly themselves. There is a realization that everyone is in their own spot, on their own pilgrimage and your job is to meet them where they are, helping them chart their course. “Sometimes we need to hitch a ride on someone else’s journey, and accompany them, part of the way”.

at a february board meeting, special hearing officer Judge anthony marano asked for a show of hands in support of a shutdown of West Hempstead’s Capri motor inn. town officials now believe they will be able to replace the troubled motel with a new recreation facility.

sance will serve a public purpose” because of the motel’s “negative impact on the residents of the motel, and the quality of life for the residents of the area.”

“The town’s development of an indoor recreational facility will be a substantial upgrade for the community,” he added, “by providing a much-needed indoor recreational facility for the residents of the town.”

The board also accepted the environmental assessment done by the State Environmental Quality Review

Citing Aldous Huxley, Brooks observes “Experience is not what happens to you, it is what you do with what happens to you.” Or, as the writer Anais Nin put it, “We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.”

In trying to understand others, it is helpful to ask “how are they perceiving the situation? How are they experiencing this moment and constituting their reality.” People who are lonely, who feel unseen, become bitter and mean. Hostility and callousness are rising along with our social isolation. Surveys show to 60 – 70 percent of people put themselves on the negative emotion side of the meter –empathy and compassion are needed when many people you meet are suffering within.

“Human beings, John Stuart Mill writes, are under a moral obligation to seek the improvement of our moral character.” Will we be generous and considerate or judgmental and cruel? To become a social, humble, understanding and warm person, David Brooks’ new book illuminates the way.

Act, which identified “no potentially significant impacts” and stated that the town’s takeover of the private business would result in an “overall community benefit.”

What happens next? The town will now spend the next three months negotiating with L&S Realty over what both sides believe would be a fair price to acquire the motel property. If they can’t come to terms, it will be left up to a judge to decide.

Nicole Formisano/Herald

Book Review:

New UPS store on Hempstead Turnpike

Councilman Tom Muscarella, left, celebrated the opening of a new UPS store with Jeenu Ghai, right, and Yadav Hastir, store manager, holding his young daughter in his arms. The opening of the new store is supported by the West Hempstead Chamber of Commerce, which aims to keep business thriving in the neighborhood. The store, on 514 Hempstead Tpke in West Hempstead, officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony last month.

Wild Fork Meat Market opens its doors

West Hempstead is welcoming a new business. The grand opening of Wild Fork Meat Market, at 603 Hempstead Tpke., was celebrated with a ribbon cutting last month. Joining to celebrate was Tom Muscarella, town councilman; Jeanine Driscoll, town receiver of taxes; John Giuffre, county legislator; and Ed Ra, state assemblyman. They were joined by Tatiana Auguste, Michelle Rusenberg, Suzanne Pechtol, Maya Eusebio, Eddie Betouncourt, and Matthew Gibe.

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

Retailers, electeds get together to talk retail crime

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

There’s shoplifting. And then there’s organized retail crime.

Both are bad, of course, but organized crime — where goods are stolen in a coordinated way before being resold elsewhere — is costing major retailers hundreds of billions of dollars each year.

And that’s why U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito and other elected leaders sat down with major retailers from places like Home Depot, Walmart and Walgreens at the David Mack Center for Training and Intelligence in Garden City last week to try and get a handle on it.

“I want to be clear to everyone that I am not talking about petty shoplifting,” D’Esposito said. “Not theft for need, but theft for greed. And in many cases, to fund ongoing criminal enterprise.”

Customers already feel the impact of such crime when they find even simple supplies like shampoos and deodorant behind locked cases on aisles. And it’s not a good feeling for customers or employees,

“This is premeditated,” said Joe Stein, the director of asset protection solutions at Walgreens. “This is calculated, and it is done on an international and global scale.”

Those involved come into stores with a list of specific brands and products. And even worse, they come in with a plan.

“This is their occupation,” Stein said.

“This is not someone who’s going in to steal for subsistence. This is their job that they’re doing.”

Having so much inventory stolen also has a more direct impact on shoppers — it raises prices.

“There’s definitely an impact that transitions to consumers in the back end,” said Sean Browne, senior manager of asset protection investigations with Home Depot.

Yet, efforts have been made to reduce that influence. On Capitol Hill, that has come in the form of a bill D’Esposito has introduced, called the Supporting Law Enforcement Officers’ Ability to Combat Organized Retail Crime Act. It’s intended to tackle this kind of crime at the federal level by better training law enforcement officers, and direct the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to research and develop new technologies to better stop it.

And it can’t a moment too soon, according to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, as organized retail crime grows into a real problem.

“This affects the retailers by making it more expensive for them to operate,” Blakeman said. “It puts their employees in harm’s way. It affects the consumers, because obviously that loss has to be passed on to someone, so it results in higher prices for goods.”

And then there is LEARN — the Law Enforcement and Retail Network, where law enforcement — like Nassau County Police Department commissioner Patrick Ryder and Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. — and major retailers meet to discuss security and gather information on repeat offenders.

Getting a full handle on how much of an impact organized retail crime might have is tricky — primarily because there is no standard definition of the crime in use across the country. Retail theft in New York overall has jumped 54 percent in New York, according to the Council on Criminal Justice. But in other places, like San Francisco are experiencing declines in such theft.

“This is right versus wrong,” Blakeman said. “Our legislators should be on the side of right, and not on the side of wrong. And they need to change our laws to protect our whole community, and make sure that people understand that if you commit a crime, you should have consequences.”

Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald

U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota, and major retailers gather to talk about organized retail crime — something that is much different from just plain shoplifting. And something D’Esposito says he’s doing something about.

Hempstead is filing lawsuit against MTA

The Town of Hempstead is suing the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Supervisor Don Clavin announced a federal lawsuit against the MTA and the Federal Highway Administration regarding the congestion pricing plan, which is set to go into effect this June.

The suit seeks a “permanent injunction” to stop the pricing plan from moving forward. Supervisor Don Clavin and the town are listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Also joining in the announcement was the town council, Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, Town Clerk Kate Murray and Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll.

“The MTA’s poorly conceived plan to implement congestion pricing is just another cash-grab scheme that will once again come at the expense of hard-working Nassau residents who are just trying to get to work,” Clavin said. “I believe that not only is this regressive tax unconstitutional, but the entire program is beyond tone deaf, as more and more residents leave our region as they continue to get priced out by Albany’s reckless tax and spend attitude. Congestion pricing will hurt middle class families and will be especially damaging to small businesses and our region’s economic growth. “

The MTA seeks to launch their congestion pricing plan on June 30. The new plan will cost car drivers $15 to enter Manhattan below 60th street. Trucks will be charged anywhere from $24 to $36 depending on their size. The toll also applies to motorcycles, taxis, and rideshare vehicles. Peak hours consist of 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. There are no exemptions for first responders or commuters who travel into the city daily. The officials referred to the congestion pricing plan as a regressive tax, meaning everyone will pay the same fixed amount regardless of income level.

“We have had enough of the MTA’s congestion pricing plans,” Muscarella said. “I am proud to stand with

Supervisor Don Clavin and my colleagues on the Hempstead Town Board in opposing this unfair taxation.”

“Long Islanders commute to the city every day for all different sorts of occupations,” Miller said. “Nurses, firefighters, police officers, teachers all provide an invaluable service to New York as a whole, and they do not deserve to be unfairly taxed for commuting to their occupation.”

“Congestion pricing has reared its ugly head once again,” said Ryder. “The MTA must be held accountable for their attempts to tax Long Island commuters, and I support our legal challenge against congestion pricing.”

“Supervisor Clavin has undertaken this action because he recognizes the enormous negative impact congestion pricing will have on the tens of thousands of Hempstead Town residents who would be affected,” said Joshua Liebman, a lawyer from the firm representing the town. “But more importantly, he understands that congestion pricing will be found inherently flawed in a court of law, creating a situation that is, in effect, taxation without representation. We are confident congestion pricing will not stand when confronted with our litigation.”

–Talya Lippman

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

The Town of Hempstead, led by supervisor Don Clavin, is filing a lawsuit against the MTA for their congestion pricing plan, which Clavin says will hurt middle class families.

WHCSF celebrates 55 years of helping

said that earning the award made her feel “inspired to give back to her community.” In a full circle moment, she presented the 2024 award to Babacar Seck as a West Hempstead Secondary School math teacher and trustee of the WHCSF.

“Earning a WHCSF scholarship award is an extremely powerful force in the lives of our recipients,” Kemnitzer said. “It’s powerful because it comes from where they live, where their values are established, where their friendships are forged, and where their hopes and dreams for their futures were created.”

Each student is pursuing higher education. Wunder, graduating from the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County in West Hempstead, will study at the University of Maryland in the fall. Living and learning in the neighborhood has shown her the kind of community she wants to live in.

“To bring the support that West Hempstead gave to me into my higher education is something just so beautiful,” Wunder said. “Like when I was looking into college, I was looking for places with the same support system that I received here in West Hempstead.”

and her neighbors has helped her continuously grow, she said.

“West Hempstead, I’ve always lived here,” Delany said. “It’s just been my community from day one. And there’s just so many great people — it’s such a diverse community. And I’ve been able to meet so many people who have been so willing to help me and give me the

School, is headed to the University at Buffalo. He wants his achievement to show his peers that they are capable of anything.

“Knowing that a lot of my friends applied, and that I was the one that was chosen, means that I’ve got a lot on my shoulders,” Seck said. “But I know that if I can do it, I know my friends can do

Leon Lotero, from West Hempstead High School, will attend Molloy Univer-

sity. He and his family moved to West Hempstead from Columbia, and he says they found the best town in the world.

“Winning the scholarship makes me very proud,” Leon Lotero said. “And it makes me feel like what I’ve been doing is great, and it allows me to accomplish great things in my future.”

Rodriguez Vasquez, from West Hempstead High School, will go to the University of Miami in the fall. She owes all her success, she said, to her mother’s sacrifices for her and the people who helped her along the way.

“They provided such a big support for me,” Rodriguez Vasquez said of the WHCSF. “And to me, this scholarship is like a piece of the puzzle to bigger things.”

The students were joined by their families, trustees of the WHCSF, teachers, administrators, and representatives from the high schools of the recipients. It was the local people and organizations, and their donations, which made the scholarships possible. If the students take away anything from this, Kemnitzer said, it is to keep growing, but still remember their West Hempstead roots and be kind.

“We hope that wherever your education and travels take you, that you become the best version of yourselves,” Kemnitzer said. “We hope you feel inspired to give back, and that you find your passions and realize your dreams.”

Nicole Formisano/Herald

Babacar Seck, far left, abigail Wunder, isabella rodriguez Vasquez, aniyah delany and eduardo Leon Lotero are the recipients of the 2024 West Hempstead Community Scholarship fund awards.

Grant supports steps in fight against cancer

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has received a $15 million grant from New York State to support the construction of its Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence. The funding, announced by Governor Kathy Hochul on May 4, is part of Empire State Development’s investment in the lab’s $500 million expansion plan, further supporting the lab’s pioneering research efforts in combating one of the most lethal forms of cancer.

“We are making important investments to ensure New York is on the cutting edge of biomedical research, creating new jobs, and ensuring we remain competitive in the 21st-century economy,” Hochul wrote in a statement.

Pancreatic cancer, known for its low survival rate of less than 10 percent for patients diagnosed after metastasis, is a focus of lab’s research. The lab’s Cancer Center, led by Dr. David Tuveson, has made significant strides in understanding the disease’s mechanisms.

“Cold Spring Harbor is a nonprofit, independent research institution where we employ over 1,000 people,” Tuveson explained. “We have focused on pancreatic cancer for the last 12 to 15 years, aiming to discover new information useful for physicians treating patients.”

The grant will facilitate the develop-

ment of the new center, where researchers will test novel therapies against pancreatic cancer. The goal is to identify promising treatments that can be patented and potentially developed by private sector partners. This collaborative effort is expected to generate economic growth by creating new jobs and attracting entrepreneurial scientists to the region.

“The construction of the center is well underway, and we expect it to be completed within the next year or so,” Tuveson said. “The research that’s going to go into the facility is reaching a crescendo right now. We have identified new aspects of pancreatic cancer that are causative and are developing medicines to stop these mechanisms.”

TNorthwell Health, and I think once we get our Cold Spring Harbor center going it will be a pipeline into that.”

The $15 million grant is expected to create 25 new direct jobs at the facility and could lead to the creation of two to four new spin-off companies annually. This increased commercial activity could generate over 100 new high-value local scientific jobs, further stimulating economic growth in Long Island’s life sciences sector.

DavID TuvESoN director, Cancer Center Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

The lab’s collaborative efforts extend to neighboring medical facilities like Northwell Health, which has been a critical partner in providing samples and clinical collaboration.

“Northwell Health and Cold Spring Harbor have worked together for more than 10 years,” Tuveson noted. “We would like to have a center of excellence for patients with pancreatic cancer at

“Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s expansion of the Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence is a testament to the vital role that research institutions play in advancing our understanding and treatment of devastating diseases like pancreatic cancer,” Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight wrote in a statement. “This investment underscores our dedication to fostering innovation and economic growth in Long Island’s life sciences sector.”

The support from New York state is also seen as a catalyst for further private investment in pancreatic cancer research.

“New York state’s commitment provides a catalyst to mobilize further private investment in pancreatic cancer research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory,” the lab’s Chair Marilyn Simons wrote in a statement. “Our scientists are working with Northwell Health and the Feinstein Institutes to help more people access the latest biomedical advances.”

Through strategic investments like the one announced for CSHL, New York state is hoping to fuel advancements in biomedical research and development. This initiative aims to turn key regions into dynamic life science hubs, fostering organizations and institutions dedicated to research, development, technology transfer, and commercialization.

“Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has already made significant breakthroughs in pancreatic cancer research,” Bruce Stillman, the lab’s president and CEO, wrote in a statement. “Our new Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence will help validate these targets, enabling our commercial partners to develop innovative therapies and diagnostic strategies that ultimately improve patient outcomes.”

With the new center, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is poised to make substantial contributions to the fight against pancreatic cancer, offering hope to patients and driving economic growth through innovation and job creation in the life sciences sector.

MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD — May 30, 2024

Their lifetimes of service were recognized

Helen Duryea, Karl Riesterer Sr. and Lesley McAvoy all awarded by county Rotary Foundation

By NICOLE FORMISANO nformisano@liherald.com

Every neighbor contributes to their community in some way — but few take it the extra mile. Helen Duryea, Karl Riesterer Sr. and Lesley McAvoy are three of those neighbors. Their years of service to West Hempstead earned them major recognitions from the Nassau County Rotary Foundation.

“People who are givers,” Rony Kessler, president of the county Rotary Foundation, said of the honorees. “People who meet this model of service above self.”

The dinner, at Plattduetsche Park Restaurant on May 16, celebrated Riesterer and Duryea as the 2024 county Rotary Foundation honorees. Lesley McAvoy, president of the West Hempstead Historical Society, was honored with the foundation’s Paul Harris Award. The annual event, called the “Feed the Hungry, Help the Needy” dinner, is the rotary foundation’s biggest fundraising event.

“A lot of the people that do a lot are not looking for recognition,” Kessler said. “Karl Riesterer, you know from the bakery, but how many people know he was a firefighter? Same with Helen — she’s 96, years old and still very active, running the West Hempstead Historical Society.

“These are the kinds of people that really don’t get recognition, because they’re not looking for that recognition. So we try to highlight them.”

Helen Duryea, 96, comes from a family that helped build West Hempstead. Her father, Edwin Duryea, started as a successful farmer in the neighborhood and then moved on to real estate. He was

instrumental in the formation of the West Hempstead Fire Department and the West Hempstead School District, specifically Chestnut Street School, Eagle Avenue School and George Washington School. He is the namesake of “Duryea Terrace,” and his grandparents were the namesake of “Bedell Terrace.”

Duryea was a trailblazer who has “remarkably mirrored the business acumen, civic-mindedness, generosity, and kindness of her father with her own individual style,” McAvoy said.

Though it was uncommon for women at the time, Duryea went to business school and then began a forty-two-year career in real estate and insurance. She eventually became an equal partner at a time when women were seldom in such roles.

Duryea continues her community work and philanthropy today. She funds scholarships at Johns Hopkins, Hofstra, and the University of Richmond. Locally, she contributes to the Historical Society, the Community Support Association, the fire department, and the West Hempstead department of education. She is the “heart and memory” of the historical society, McAvoy said.

Karl Riesterer Sr. also followed in the footsteps of his father, August Riesterer, who was a Master Baker in Germany who immigrated to America and started Riesterer’s Bakery in 1931. The bakery is the oldest family-run bakery in the state.

Riesterer earned degrees in both business and cake decorating, and also became a Master Baker.

But he doesn’t just bake — Riesterer

served as the chief, and later commissioner, of the West Hempstead Fire Department; president of the Police Benevolent Association; president of the West Hempstead Chamber of Commerce; president of the New York Bakers Association, and president of the Retail Bakers of America. He was also a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.

Riesterer is also a lifelong philanthropist. He supports the state’s Baker’s Scholarships, the Long Island Chamber of Commerce, and the North Fork Community Theater.

But his most beloved contributions are “his kind acts which kneaded a community together,” McAvoy said.

She cited his chocolate bunny demonstrations for scouts and school groups; giving toddlers a tiny cookie when they come in to the bakery with their parents; years and years of purchasing pages in sports, school, and community journals. Riesterer has sponsored Little League teams. He even hosted the West Hempstead High School — from which he graduated in the inaugural class of ’55 — at his home out east. Today, he hosts the West Hempstead Historical Society for their monthly meetings at the bakery. He enjoys a family life with his three children, from his late wife Geraldine, his seven grandchildren and his wife Jeanette.

Duryea and Riesterer have been lifelong friends and continue to work together to give back to West Hempstead. Those who are interested in joining the Nassau County Rotary Foundation are encouraged to check out a meeting, or email Kessler at RonyRotary@aol. com. The foundation has special rates for people under 40.

Ainsley Keir/Herald photos

Karl Riesterer Sr. and Helen Duryea were the 2024 honorees of the Central Nassau County Rotary Club. Lesley McAvoy, president of the West Hempstead Historical Society, also received the Paul Harris Award.

Karl Riesterer Sr., left, and Helen Duryea were selected as the 2024 honorees of the Nassau County Rotary Club, and were congratulated by club president Rony Kessler.

STEPPING OUT

A sweet time with

SWEET CHARITY

Life’s heartbreak in the Big Apple is told with humor on the Madison Theatre stage

By Danielle Schwab

“If they could see me now, that little gang of mine ...”

Audiences at the Madison Theatre can see “her” now, as Madison Theatre Productions brings the iconic musical “Sweet Charity” to its stage this weekend, May 31 to June 2.

The “her,” of course, is Charity, the exuberant gal desperately seeking love in 1960s New York City. The award-winning show, with the legendary Bob Fosse’s captivating choreography, is brought to life by director Angelo Fraboni — the Madison Theatre’s artistic director — with a cast of young actors honing their craft at Molloy University’s renowned Cap21 Musical Theatre Conservatory.

With a name like Charity Hope Valentine, it comes as no surprise that this sassy, diehard romantic dance hall hostess’s naivety and overeager embrace of every man she meets keeps getting her in hot water, in her search for sweet romance.

“She just wants to be loved,” Fraboni says. “She finds love, and then it doesn’t find her, but she still stays optimistic.”

Charity, played by rising senior Avery Bank, crosses paths with Oscar Lindquist, a square and claustrophobic accountant with a sweet nature and a gentle touch, played by 2024 graduate Riley Brennan, of Merrick. A budding romance between the two develops.

Chris Botti

many ‘60s artists and personalities of the day, among them Andy Warhol and Gloria Steinem. Through its popularity, the musical has become a cultural reference in its own right, according to Fraboni.

For the 24 actors in the cast — their first contracted performance — this production is an important first step in their budding professional life.

“It’s a really cool show. Actually, it’s been one of my personal favorites for a long time,” Brennan says, of his role as Oscar. “It’s a bit niche, but I like the togetherness of everything — the music, the dancing. Oscar is a really fun, weird part.”

While the musical numbers are big, the story itself is simple.

Award-winning jazz trumpeter Chris Botta is always in the groove. Botti has found a form of creative expression that begins in jazz and expands beyond the limits of any single genre. Coming to prominence with the 2001 recording of his Night Sessions CD, he gained repute as a versatile musician for his ability to fuse jazz and pop together. For nearly three decades he’s demonstrated why he’s established himself as one of the most important, innovative figures of the contemporary music world; he’s collaborated with many superstars including Sting, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Joni Mitchell, Steven Tyler, Herbie Hancock and Yo-Yo Ma. Botti’s first album in over a decade finds him coming back to his roots, focusing on acoustic jazz and classic standards.

Sunday, June 2, 8 p.m. $99.50, $89.50, $74.50, $64.50, $59.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

Written by Neil Simon and based on Federico Fellini’s film “Nights of Cabiria,” the star of the show truly is the choreography. Fosse staged and choreographed the musical for Gwen Verdon, his third wife, who took on the role of Charity in the original 1966 Broadway production. And, of course, there are those classic musical numbers: “Big Spender,” “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” “I’m a Brass Band” and “Baby, Dream Your Dream.”

“If a Brass Band” and “Baby, Dream

“It’s not very grand, but it has grand moments.It’s intimate in what Charity’s going for, what she wants, what she’s striving for and how she’s facing so much. We’re rooting for her,” Brennan says.

• Friday through Sunday, May 31-June 2, times vary

The dance sequences — choreographed by Bethany Moore, the Madison Theatre’s assistant director — are an ode to Fosse’s signature jazz style.

Bonnie Raitt

“It was sort of (Fosse’s) love story for his wife. He built it for her,” Fraboni explains.

• Tickets $45-$65; available at MadisonTheatreNY.org, or call the box office at (516) 323-4444

Since its debut, the musical has been nominated for 16 Tony Awards and has won four, including Best Musical Revival in 1986. This is the first time Fraboni has staged the musical at the Madison Theatre. It speaks to him as a universal story of trying to achieve your dreams.

Since its debut, the musical has been for Tony to their own lives and seen it, experienced it. I

• Madison Theatre, Molloy University campus, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

As Fraboni put it: “It’s ‘Fosse-esque.’ very distinct and stylized. It’s maximum effect with minimal movement. There’s a lot of humor and funny bits in the choreography because it is a comedy.”

While this is tale about love, it’s also a story that relates to the strength and courage of 1960s women coming into their own. Female empowerment, you might say.

“This is the sort of musical where women take back the power from men and take control over their own lives,” Fraboni adds.

Moreover, it’s about hope.

“What the journey is in the show, everyone has been through in their own lives and seen it, experienced it. I think it’ll really resonate with them,” he says.

“Life is hard,” he says. “I want people to walk away knowing that they saw a wonderful, heartfelt production that leaves them with hope.”

from the broken-down dance halls

Audiences move through the many realms of 1960s Manhattan: from the broken-down dance halls to Central Park to New York City’s subway system.

More than just a best-selling artist, respected guitarist, expressive singer, and accomplished songwriter, Bonnie Raitt is an institution in American music. She has cemented her icon status, named one of the ‘100 Greatest Singers of All Time,’ and one of the ‘100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time’ (Rolling Stone). She’s headed back out on the road again with members of her longtime touring band, arriving on Long Island with her ‘Just Like That’ tour. Many would think Raitt might be eager to rest and take some downtime after headlining 75 concerts in 2022 and another 50 in 2023 spanning the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Scotland, Ireland and Canada, and winning numerous awards that year. The fact is, though there are always healthy breaks built into each tour, Bonnie itches to get back to what she loves most — traveling and playing live. Luckily her band, crew and fans feel the same way.

Photos courtesy Madison Theatre

“It goes from playful to sensual, to aristocratic, to hippie,” Fraboni adds.

It’s also considered an homage to

The cast finds their steps in rehearsal. Audiences can share in the romantic trials and tribulations of Charity Hope Valentine, ‘a girl who wanted to be loved,’ in this spirited production of the hit musical.

Saturday, June 8, 8 p.m. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury. Tickets available at LiveNation.com or call (516) 247-5200.

THE Your Neighborhood

‘The Rocketman Show’

Remember when rock was young?

You will after this enthralling show, on the Paramount stage, Friday, June 7, 8 p.m.

Prepare to blast off into the stratosphere with this electrifying tribute to the Rocketman himself.

With a nostalgic setlist that’ll take you right back to when rock was young, this is the perfect night out for Elton John fans — of all generations. Rus Anderson, Elton John’s official body double for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour launch, recreates an early Elton concert complete with the flamboyant costumes actually worn by Elton himself.

Enjoy an evening of Elton’s greatest hits, wildest outfits and outrageous stage antics. Anderson recreates the magic and live persona of a young Elton like no other. Storming around the stage with a fun-loving sense of flamboyance; part diva, part soccer player, killer vocalist, fierce piano player, all rock ‘n roller. Experience one of the most detailed re-creations of Elton John’s ‘70s shows — from uncanny vocals and staging. Anderson’s painstaking attention to detail includes wearing colorful, spectacular costumes, including Elton’s iconic boots, glasses and jumpsuits from 1973, as well as a sparkly Swarovski tuxedo from 1984. $65, $45, $35, $30. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.

Family theater

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, May 31,10:15 a.m. and noon; also Saturday, June 1, 11:30 a..m. and 2 p.m. Back by popular demand after a sold-out 2023 run, see Pigeon, Bus Driver, and some zany passengers sing and dance their way to help Pigeon find his “thing” in this upbeat comedy based on 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.

June 1

Floral design for kids

Old Westbury Gardens Director Maura Brush leads a 45-minute floral arranging class just for kids, Saturday, June 1, 1010:45 a.m., to explore their creative side. Fresh flowers will be used, and she will teach proper care and handling, water, and how to make sure your floral arrangement lasts and looks beautiful. Discuss flower names and fun facts about each flower. For ages 5-12. $30. Registration required. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.

Malverne Art Walk

Participate in summer festivities at Malverne Art Walk, beginning June 15 Walk through Malverne and enjoy music, food, street vendors, while browsing among 100 original art pieces — sculptures, photos, quiltwork, paintings and more — from local artists. The event, organized by the Chamber of Commerce, is free and begins at Malverne Public Library. 61 St Thomas Place.

Game night

Bring the family and friends for a night of games, crafts and stories, at Lakeview Public Library, Thursday, June 6 Registration required. 1120 Woodfield Rd., Rockville Centre. Visit LakviewLibrary. org or call (516) 536-3071 to register and for more information.

Beautiful Bees

Examine bees, their importance in the local ecosystem and contributions to daily life, Sunday, June 2, 1-2:30 p.m., at Hempstead Lake State Park. Plus, paint a candle. To register, visit #NatureEdventure at Eventbrite.com.

Malverne village meeting

Join Mayor Tim Sullivan and the Board of Trustees to see what the village is up to, or voice your concerns, Wednesday, June 5, 7:30 p.m., at Malverne Village Hall. 99 Church St..

Having

an event?

Nature walk

Explore Sands Point Preserve’s environment, observing its unique physical features and wildlife, and discussing critical conservation issues, led by environmental educator Hildur Palsdottir, Saturday, June 1, 10-11:30 a.m. This walk, on the grounds of the former summer residence of Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim, focuses on “Birds, Bees and Blooms.” Participants engage in hands-on nature discovery activities. $15, $5 child ($10 members, children free). Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.

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.

On stage

Plaza Theatrical brings back its acclaimed Broadway series. With the recent passing of Stephen Sondheim, regarded as one of the most important figures in 20th-century musical theatre for reinventing the American musical, Plaza honors him with a staging of “Into the Woods,” Friday, May 31, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, June 1, 2:30 p.m.; also Thursday, June 6, 2 p.m. See it at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre. 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $49, $45 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

Storybook Stroll

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a storybook adventure, Saturday, June 1, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Stroll the gardens and listen to Mélina Mangal’s modern tale “Jayden’s Impossible Garden.” 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.

Art talk

Grab your lunch and join Nassau County Museum of Art Docent Riva Ettus for her popular “Brown Bag Lecture” at the museum, Thursday, June 13, 1 p.m. She’ll discuss the current exhibition, “Urban Art Evolution.” Participants are invited to ask questions at the end of the in-depth program and also participate in a guided exhibition tour following the lecture, at 2 p.m. No reservations required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Flag Day Celebration

Join the veterans of Cathedral Post 1087 in honoring the American flag, and all it represents, Friday June 14. The flag day celebration begins at 6 p.m. at Cathedral Post 1087. 233 Woodlawn Rd. in West Hempstead.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU

BANK OF NEW YORK

MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS

MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST, -againstEDNA MCDONOUGH AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY

ROSE BEYNON, 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 18, 2024, wherein BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS

MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST is the Plaintiff and EDNA MCDONOUGH AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY

ROSE BEYNON, 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 June 20, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 179 FAIRLAWN AVENUE, WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY 11552; and the following tax map identification: 35-361-73.

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT WEST HEMPSTEAD, IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 006775/2012. Oscar A. Prieto, 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. 146817

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

NASSAU COUNTY

U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF8

MASTER PARTICIPATION

TRUST, Plaintiff against FRANCISCO GOMEZ

A/K/A FRANSISCO

GOMEZ, et al

Defendant(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Stern & Eisenberg, P.C., 20 Commerce Drive, Suite 230, Cranford, NJ 07016 and 1131 Route 55, Suite 1, Lagrangeville, NY 12540.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered July 26, 2023, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 18, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 474 Roy Street, West Hempstead, NY 11552. Sec 35 Block 315 Lot 274, 275 and 276. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Munston, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $867,146.88 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 007639/2016.

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

Rita Solomon, Esq., Referee File # NY201800000539-1 146813

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August 5, 2016 and an Order Substituting CourtAppointed Referee duly entered on August 2, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 17, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 523 Cedar Street, West Hempstead, NY 11552. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at West Hempstead, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 35, Block 387 and Lot 7. Approximate amount of judgment is $420,902.16 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #011112/2012. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Malachy Lyons, Jr., Esq., Referee Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, 10 Bank Street, Suite 700, White Plains, New York 10606, Attorneys for Plaintiff 146803

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the MALVERNE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at the MALVERNE VILLAGE HALL, 99 Church Street, Malverne, New York 11565 and will hear the following cases at 7:00 PM: Barbara Galvagni Family Trust 38 Utterby Rd.; Residential “B” District Building Permit Application #2024-0039

Proposes to maintain and legalize existing 172 sq. ft. covered rear wood deck.

Pool Permit Application #2023-0894

Proposes to install 12 ft. x 24 ft. oval shaped above ground swimming pool with drywell, and wood pool deck. Extend rear fence height to 6 ft. high at rear property line. 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: May 17, 2024 147069

How to tame your anger PERSON TO PERSON

As with many things in life, anger has good and bad sides. The good thing about anger is that it can signal to you that something’s wrong and needs to be addressed. Anger provides you with the motivation and energy to do so. It’s a trigger for you to get off your butt and do something to confront what has been bothering you.

Most of us are familiar with the bad side of anger. Here are a few of the difficulties:

thing reassuring to yourself, like “I can discuss this calmly” or “It may not be as bad as I’m making it out to be.”

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR WAMU MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2005-AR13, Plaintiff, vs. ANTHONY A. SZOKE SR. A/K/A ANTHONY SZOKE, AND ANTHONY SZOKE, JR., Defendants.

Michael Jean 25 Adair Ct.; Residential “B” District Pool Permit Application #2024-0208 & Fence Permit Application #2022-0530

Proposes to install 20 ft. x 12 ft. oval shape above ground swimming pool and dry well; and maintain and legalize existing 6 ft. high side, rear and front facing solid PVC fence with one gate.

Daniel & Patricia Dombroski

99 Scarcliffe Dr.; Residential “B” District

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 6/05/2024 at 9:30 A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M.

391/24. WEST HEMPSTEAD - St. Thomas the Apostle R. C. Church, Amusement Rides (Special Event) duration June 27, 2024 - June 30, 2024 with tents., S/E cor. Westminster Rd. & Argyle Rd., a/k/a Church Parking Lot. 364/24. WEST HEMPSTEAD - Jay & Shoshana Feldman, Variances, lot area occupied, rear yard encroachment, construct 2-story, 2nd story, 1-story & roofed over open porch additions & interior alterations in excess of 50% reconstruction (new c/o required)., S/E cor. Roosevelt Blvd. & Harding Ave., a/k/a 381 Roosevelt Blvd. 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/ 576/Live-Streaming-Video

■ If your anger is the first (or only) response to situations that bother you, it’s not just another emotion but a personality characteristic. You are an angry person.

■ Your anger quickly turns into rage. When enraged, you may say and do things that embarrass you and cause significant damage to relationships. You may become so out of control that you curse at those you love, threaten violence, become violent, throw things, break things, or say things you’ll later regret.

■ People say terrible things in anger because they’ve temporarily lost the rational part of their brain. What comes into their head spills out of their mouth. So, take a moment to think. Consider whether what’s so important to you at this moment will be so important in the long run or even in a day or two. Imagine what the repercussions will be to you and others if you act out your anger. Think about how you might gain someone’s cooperation instead of immediately making the interaction adversarial.

■ You nurse your anger and are slow to let it go, even if the situation has been resolved. Your anger is intensified by resentment that simmers beneath the surface and may morph into rage. Failure to let go of anger once a problem has been resolved is living in the past and is a massive waste of energy and a huge hindrance to repairing relationships.

Because of these adverse effects, it’s desirable that you learn how to tame your anger. Here are three ways to do so:

■ Since anger is a complex emotion to control, it makes sense to try to catch it in its early stages. So, as soon as you feel anger rising in your body, instead of stoking the fire, work to calm yourself down. One way to do this is to take three deep breaths, inhaling slowly and exhaling slowly until you begin to feel your body relaxing. On your last exhale, say some-

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. 147059

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 27-2024

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held May 7th, 2024, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local

■ It’s easy to get outraged because of your assumptions. So, examine your assumptions. Are you feeling outraged because you think someone is trying to put something over on you? Are you upset because someone didn’t act as you expected them to? Are you incensed because you believe someone has discounted your opinion or demeaned your competence? Check out these assumptions. They may be only partially true or totally false. Or, they may be accurate, but so what? What if someone has not acted the way you expected them to? How and why is that so important to you?

The goal here is not to rid yourself of anger but to learn how to contain it and use it well. Once you have succeeded, you’ll be in charge of your anger instead of allowing your anger to control you.

©2024

Linda Sapadin, Ph.D., psychologist, coach, and author specializes in helping people improve their relationships, enhance their lives, and overcome debilitating anxiety, procrastination, and depression. Contact her at DrSapadin@ aol.com. Visit her website at www.PsychWisdom.com.

Law No. 27-2024, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 27-2024, amending Section 197-5 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include “ARTERIAL STOPS” at various locations. Dated: May 7, 202 New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor KATE MURRAY

Linda Sapadin

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.

Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!

$20 - $25/ Hour

Bell Auto School

516-365-5778

Email: info@bellautoschool.com

DRIVING INSTRUCTORS WANTED

Will Certify And Train HS Diploma

NYS License Clean 3 Years

$20 - $25/ Hour

Call 516-731-3000

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

EDITOR/REPORTER

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

HANDYPERSON WANTED

Immediate Opening at our Garden City Location

DESIRED SKILLS:

Electrical * Welding * Carpentry

Mechanical * Plumbing Part Time/Fulltime (benefits available with full time) $18-$30 per hour based on experience Richner Communications, Inc

2 Endo Blvd Garden City, NY 11530

Send resume to careers@lixtherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 ext 211

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The landlord isn’t taking any responsibility

Q. I bought a previous business, as a tenant, and made changes, because even though it was a gym, my business is nutrition. I was told that the business is different, and now I need a “change of use” zoning variance. I also learned from the fire alarm company that even though I am not changing the interiors, I am going to have to add wall covering to both sides of the wall because it is required to be two-hour rated and the current space is one hour. This is unfair. My landlord says it is up to me, that they rented it “as is,” and I should have checked everything. My attorney is looking into how to get the landlord to make the building code-compliant, and I don’t understand why I need a zoning variance. How could I have avoided this, how do I deal with it, and how much time and money is it going to cost?

A. Let’s start with the time. If all of the issues you described take place, you could be looking at five to nine months, typically, and possibly more, depending on the many factors involved. Your landlord has to be part of the process by providing information and, depending on the jurisdiction, signatures on the paperwork for the processes.

There are several processes: plans, a building permit application process, zoning board process, site work and inspections, and then final sign-off are the normal procedures. Again, depending on the cooperation and decisions of all the parties, the process could take much longer. When this happens, which is quite often, I have to warn the tenant that a year for this process is not unexpected, because we rarely see the landlord lending a hand or the government processes moving quickly. You should plan accordingly by deducting the costs for not being open, paying rent and utilities and incidentals.

I am certain that this is not what anyone wants to hear, but the reality is that few people engage a professional to assess zoning or record drawings of what exists and what governmental procedures will become involved. To compound the problem, the levels of approvals from different authorities are scattered, not in one jurisdiction. There are county, local and fire marshal requirements, all separate from one another. Health department, fire marshal and county road requirements are outside the requirements of your local jurisdiction.

Unfortunately, the search and sales process often overlooks the research necessary to understand what you are really supposed to know before the rental or purchase transaction is completed. Compounded with the problems is that policies, procedures and building codes are not stagnant. They evolve based on health, safety and cost factors including taxes and other forms of government funds. This is the reality of taking a property, and I have often asked government to communicate their changes to all the people involved with sales, legal transactions, building design, owners, etc. Instead, it is “buyer, beware.” Good luck!

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INJURED IN AN

We must

Across the United States today, law enforcement agencies are being forced to contend with a previously unforeseen convergence of crises:

An explosion in fentanyl and other illicit drug trafficking. Millions of migrants who have recently crossed the southern border. And a criminal recidivism problem fueled by progressive prosecutors and their allies in elected office.

These challenges have created a worrying national trend in law enforcement morale and a deteriorating public safety situation in many corners of America, including right here in New York. It is incumbent on all levels of government to support the men and women in blue who faithfully defend the communities they have sworn to protect.

As a retired New York City police detective who now has the pleasure of serving in Congress, I will continue fighting on Capitol Hill for solutions to

opInIons

back the blue, now more than ever

the problems plaguing police officers nationwide.

Americans of all backgrounds travel to Washington to advocate for a host of policies that are important to them.

Between May 12 and May 18, thousands of law enforcement professionals converged on the Capitol to speak with legislators in support of pro-police legislation, highlight the need for additional federal assistance for policing agencies, and memorialize law enforcement heroes who died in the line of duty.

islation, the Police Our Border Act, passed in the House of Representatives on May 17.

This bill would require the Justice Department to compile a report on the experiences of federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officers working on issues related to immigration along the country’s southern border.

I will continue to fight for solutions to the problems plaguing officers nationwide.

During this year’s Police Week, I was honored to meet with representatives of several policing agencies, including former colleagues from the NYPD, to lay a wreath in memory of fallen police professionals at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, to stand alongside fellow House Republicans with law enforcement experience in support of pro-police House legislation, and to memorialize the life of fallen NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, who was murdered in March during a traffic stop in Queens.

In addition to those activities, I am especially pleased to report that my leg-

Regretfully, law enforcement agencies across the country are being forced to contend with the consequences of the ongoing influx of migrants, with many local police departments thrust onto the front lines of this national crisis thanks to the Biden administration’s inability to secure our homeland.

The Police Our Border Act would provide Congress a clear picture of the new burden placed on law enforcement professionals as a result of the migrant crisis, and help legislators determine where best to divert critical federal resources law enforcement officers so desperately need.

The national conversation about policing has been volatile in recent years, and far too many officers have been unjustly targeted by an unholy alliance of radical legislators, soft-on-

Inever really thought of myself as being the product of a large family until much later in life.

Watching life move too fast

crime prosecutors and district attorneys, and the perennially out-of-touch progressive activist class that have been advancing their abolish-the-police agenda.

Indeed, we have seen the fruits of these dangerous leftist ideologues in the form of New York’s disastrous “bail reform” legislation, the ascendancy of seemingly pro-criminal Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and antisemitic rioters on many college campuses targeting law enforcement professionals who were deployed simply to protect Jewish students and keep the peace.

The burgeoning anti-police alliance in American society today underscores the need for pro-police Americans and their elected representatives to make their voices heard, publicly support the nation’s law enforcement professionals, and stand up to those who seek to undermine the men and women in blue.

During my time in the NYPD, we were often called to remember the department’s motto, fidelis ad mortem — “faithful unto death.”

For as long as I have breath, I will fight for the men and women in blue, because they need our support, now more than ever.

Anthony D’Esposito represents the 4th Congressional District.

When I was growing up, most knew only of my younger sister, Renee. Maybe an older brother or an older sister. But in reality, I have six brothers and sisters, which is hard to fathom — especially since I didn’t grow up with most of them. And we only have time to blame for that.

lings, Christine and Ricky. We never shared a household. By the time I was old enough to remember anything, they were already on their own, starting their own families.

My oldest brother, Randy, was already an adult when I was born, and welcomed his first son — my oldest nephew — when I was barely out of the crib.

He and I share our father in common, as do my two other oldest sib-

The siblings that I share with my mom, however, were younger, though not by much. Her oldest son, Rich — yes, I have two brothers with the same first name — is nine years older than me. My sister, Lynette, isn’t too far behind. We all did share a home together — that is, until they grew up and moved out, all while Renee and I were still in elementary school.

been even better.

Not having children of my own, I never had to experience that “empty nest” syndrome I’ve heard so much about. That is, until last weekend, when my youngest niece, Laci, picked up her high school diploma at a rural Pennsylvania school.

D on’t wait until so much of it has passed to appreciate it the most.

I sometimes imagine what it would’ve been like if we had all grown up together. Yet I’m glad life turned out the way it did. Growing up with my many nephews and nieces has been a fantastic experience. Seeing them start their own families and find success has

I am so proud of my niece and all that she’s accomplished in school. She’s already a certified nurse assistant, and she’ll attend Penn State University in the fall. Her brother, Ryan, is working to establish himself as an electrician. My sister and her husband, Ben, have raised some great kids.

But still, did they all have to grow up so fast? I still have a picture of me holding baby Laci in my arms for the first time some 18 years ago. I still have a picture of a note when she asked, as a

very young girl, when “Unkle Mike” was coming to visit.

Laci is smart (graduating with honors), knows what she wants, and for her, the sky’s the limit. But even she will soon experience the same thing all of us have felt — how the older we get, the faster life moves. Where, in one minute, she’s an infant in your arms, and in the next, she’s a young woman ready to start her post-high school life. It won’t be long before Laci and Ryan have families of their own, and they’ll scratch their heads, wondering how it all went by so quickly.

That’s where living in the moment really becomes valuable. Taking a breath. Pausing everything. Just enjoying what’s in front of us.

God has created a beautiful world, and filled it with so many beautiful things. Don’t wait until so much of life has passed to appreciate it the most.

Michael Hinman is executive editor of Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? mhinman@liherald.com.

AnTHonY D’EsposITo

MICHAEL HInMAn

Also serving Lakeview Established 1994

Phone: (516) 569-4000

Fax: (516) 569-4942

WHeraLd editoriaL

Keep showing up to vote

e just voted on school and library budgets — and the trustees to manage them — but our work isn’t over. Not yet.

All of us need to get out and vote again in just a few weeks, in the primary election on June 25. And some of will also have an earlier vote as well, on June 18, for political offices in our own communities.

Yes, that’s a lot of voting. But it’s the very essence of democracy, and what helps make our country so amazing.

Voting is often described as a cornerstone of democracy, a fundamental right that empowers all of us to shape our government and its policies. While presidential elections draw significant attention, local and primary elections frequently suffer from lower voter turnout.

Many people question the importance of these smaller-scale elections — especially if the outcome seems predetermined. But voting in local and primary elections is crucial for a number of reasons, and every vote truly does matter.

Local elections directly affect our daily lives in ways that national elections do not. They determine who will make decisions about schools, public safety infrastructure and local taxes.

Letters

By participating in these local elections, we have a direct hand in shaping our neighborhoods, and ensuring that their specific needs and concerns are addressed.

Primaries — like the ones involving Assembly and State Senate seats on June 25 — are another critical juncture of the democratic process. They determine which candidates will appear on the ballot in the general election, effectively shaping the choices available to voters.

The primary is often the most competitive phase of an election, particularly in areas where one political party dominates. Yet by voting in primaries, we can influence the selection of candidates who best represent our views and values.

This is especially important when considering the diversity of opinions within a political party, whether you’re Republican or Democrat. A broad spectrum of candidates can lead to more nuanced and representative governance.

A common misperception is that an individual vote doesn’t matter, particularly if the outcome seems predictable. History, however, is replete with examples of elections that were decided by a handful of votes. Local and primary elections often have much lower turn-

The debates will answer questions

To the Editor:

On Feb. 5, Merrick Garland, the U.S. attorney general, received Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report and conclusions following his interviews with President Biden about the classified documents found at Biden’s home in Delaware and other locations.

Hur concluded there was insufficient evidence to justify charging the president with criminal misconduct. The House Oversight Committee, chaired by Kentucky Republican Congressman James Comer, requested and received from the Justice Department the 250-page transcript of the two interviews, which extended over a five-hour period.

On March 12, the House Judiciary Committee — chaired by Ohio Republican Congressman Jim Jordan — held a public hearing in which members of the committee questioned Hur about the interviews and his conclusion. At no point during the hearing did Hur, armed with a copy of the transcript, state that it was incomplete or inaccurate in any way.

Nevertheless, in May, Comer — whose months-long efforts to come up with crimes and misdemeanors sufficient to impeach the president have come to naught — demanded that the Justice Department give the committee the audiotapes of the interview, ostensibly to confirm that the transcript did not leave anything out or was inaccurate.

Citing executive privilege, the White House has refused to comply with Comer’s request.

On May 16, the Republican members of the Oversight and Judiciary committees voted to hold Garland in contempt of Congress for failing to hand over the audiotapes. That same day, Comer sent out an email seeking donations from his con-

out than national elections, meaning that each vote carries more weight. Close races can — and do — happen, and a few votes can tip the balance. At the same time, higher voter participation can lend greater legitimacy to the elected officials and the democratic process itself, fostering a more engaged and responsive government.

And, if nothing else, these local elections set the stage for future national leaders. Look at U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito. The former New York Police Department detective and volunteer firefighter was first elected to the Hempstead town council in 2016. Now D’Esposito is helping to make decisions not just for parts of Nassau County, but the entire country.

Congressman Tom Suozzi is another product of local elections. He was elected mayor of Glen Cove in 1993, and moved on to become the Nassau County executive in 2001. He went to Congress in 2016, left in 2022 for a gubernatorial run, and then returned this year to replace his disgraced successor, George Santos.

Voting in local and primary elections is essential. Even if the outcome seems certain, showing up to vote is a powerful statement of engagement and commitment to the democratic process.

stituents and others in which he claimed that Biden and his advisers were “terrified that I, James Comer, will release the recordings, forcing the media and the Democrats to answer for the dismal decline of Biden’s mental state.”

Obviously, since the transcript is complete, the only reason that Comer and his fellow Republicans want the audiotapes is to use edited parts of

them in ads, in attempts to prove Biden’s diminishing mental competence.

Perhaps the first televised presidential debate between Biden and former president Donald Trump, scheduled to take place on June 27, will reveal to some degree the mental competence of both candidates.

MIRIAM LEVINE HELBOK Bronx

opinions Recapturing times gone by in politics

everyone agrees that there is a massive lack of bipartisanship in today’s political arena. Washington, D.C., is the poster child for warfare between Democrats and Republicans. Which is why my recent trip to Albany was a throwback to times gone by. I refer specifically to an event known as the Pilots Dinner. Every year, present and former members of the Assembly gather for the Pilots Dinner. Any member who has served in the Assembly for at least ten years is eligible to be a Pilot. This year’s event attracted over 100 people, with a mix of present and former members in one room.

While some members clustered in corners with their party allies, the vast majority of the crowd mingled with old friends and the new Pilots. Within minutes of my arrival, I was greeted with an enormous bear hug by former Nassau County Assemblyman George Madison. Madison is now an upstate retir-

Let’s put aside the ignorance

To the Editor:

ee, but he has a newfound appetite for politics, because his son-in-law is an Assembly member.

There’s no doubt that a gathering of any former colleagues is a sobering experience, because all of us change with the passage of time. Some members whom we recall were strong, vibrant personalities now show that time is not always kind to our bodies. But the past years of collegiality shone very brightly as I moved around the room.

aWithin a few minutes after I arrived, I spotted former Nassau Republican Assemblywoman Donna Ferrara. I got the anticipated warm hug as she spoke proudly about her two grown children. She asked me about my two younger daughters and my wife, Suzan, and there wasn’t a hint of partisanship. It was just a few moments of talking about times gone by.

nisced about great floor debates and past Assembly leaders such as Perry Duryea and Stanley Fink.

Then we were joined by former Republican Assemblyman Willis Stephens Jr. Will comes from a family with a long history of public service. His grandfather Mallory Stephens was chair of the Ways and Means Committee, as was his father, Willis Stephens, who’s now 99. I was also chair of the committee, and have a long history with the Stephens family.

t the Pilots Dinner, recalling when there were no barriers to getting things done.

Before I could move on for some more hellos, I was tapped on the shoulder by former Republican Assembly Minority Leader Tom Reynolds, who’s now a Washington lobbyist. Tom served for 10 years in Congress, where he held a major leadership position. We remi-

Letters

them.

Why does ignorance about the history of Palestine and Israel still persist? Palestine was an ancient land, named by the Romans, and was home to the Jews for thousands of years. The indigenous Palestinians were the Jews.

In 1923, the British decreed that 70 percent of the Palestine Mandate — which they won by defeating the Ottoman Empire in World War I — should become an Arab state, and named it Transjordan, later shortened to Jordan.

In World War II, the Nazis — who were supported by the Arabs of Palestine (the Mufti of Jerusalem spent the war years in Germany as Hitler’s guest) — were defeated. Then, after much deliberation, the United Nations decided to divide what was left of the land of the Palestine Mandate.

The Jews of Palestine were offered roughly half of what was left of the mandate territory (perhaps 10 percent of the original land) in order to establish their own state. And the Arabs were offered the other part. The population settlements were considered.

In 1948, the Jews created Israel. The Palestinian Arabs did not create a state, and instead started a war against Israel, the first of many — and they lost all of

According to international law, all territory lost by the aggressors in a war that they started belongs to the defenders. The Israelis should own Gaza and the West Bank. They don’t want it. They just want to be left alone, in peace, having absorbed more Jews who were forced to leave Muslim lands than the total number of Arabs who left Palestine/Israel during the wars that the Arabs started.

The Jordanians controlled the Palestinian part of the land for 19 years, but in all that time, the Palestinian Arabs never created a state. They had several chances to do so, but each time they refused.

Now they are chanting, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Most of the protesters now don’t know the name of the river or the sea, but their stated goal is to destroy Israel, and create yet another Arab state, without any Jews, as they declared in their newly proposed charter.

To say this is justice is ludicrous!

The Palestinian Arabs have exported their “intifada” to the world. They rely on people’s ignorance of their history to justify their absurd grievances. They have created no viable companies or societies on their own.

The United Nations and Israel have paid for their housing, food and living expenses. The Arabs maintain “refugee camps” 75 years after they lost the war they began, instead of creating peaceful societies. They are the only people, in the

Once the meet-and-greet portion of the dinner was over, the assembled members sat down for the formal program. Newly minted members of the Pilots were introduced, and both Republicans and Democrats were given warm receptions. Past and present party leaders made speeches, and there was a warm glow in the room. The younger members were given some history lessons about leaders of yesterday, and they learned that many things were accomplished by people they had never heard of.

One of the final highlights of the evening was the tribute to Speaker Pro Tem Jeffrion Aubry, who is retiring

after 31 years of service to his Queens community. Jeff, as we know him, offered a few barbs to both Democrats and Republicans, chiding them for some of their conduct during floor debates. One of his proudest accomplishments was his success in getting the home of the late Louis Armstrong turned into a public museum. Perhaps most of this is of little or no interest to readers, given the absence of familiar names and the lack of a controversial subject. But the Pilots dinner sparked lots of conversation among the younger and newer attendees about a time gone by, when there were no barriers to getting things accomplished in government.

It isn’t a fantasy to wish or hope for more bipartisanship in any government forum. Perhaps with the passage of time and the disappearance of the public figures who promote anger and hatred in government, we’ll get a new crop of people who will want to work together. At least, that is my wish.

Jerry Kremer was an Assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.

Framework by Tim Baker

At

J.

and

history of civilization, to demand they still be designated ”refugees” generations after the war they initiated had ended. Ignorance is not bliss. Hamas and the Palestinian Arab protesters have used “useful idiots” to advance their cause, as

described by a former member of Hamas.

The time to stop that is now. RHODA ALBEN-ARONSON Bronx

Norman

Levy Park

Preserve — Merrick

JerrY kremer