_______ Malverne/West HeMpstead ______
HERALD A song and a haircut Vol. 30 No. 52
Electeds say no to congestion pricing
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DECEMBER 21 - 27, 2023
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Siela Bynoe: ‘There is more to be done’ “Together, we have focused on creating housing opportunities for first-time homebuyers, and Nassau County Legislator we have focused providing high Siela Bynoe has of ficially quality public education for announced her run for the our children and parents. But State Senate during a campaign there is more to be done.” Bynoe says she rally last Wednesplans to campaign day in Westbury. on a platform that She looks to take would push to over the seat reprerecruit and retain senting West Hemphighly skilled edustead and Lakevcators for public iew, currently held schools, while also by Kevin Thomas, growing the numwho has already ber of qualified made clear he health care workintends to run for ers in the county. Congress. “There is more Bynoe — reto be done to elected just last improve access to month in a medical and behavredrawn district ioral health care,” that now includes she said. “There is Uniondale, Hempmore to be done to s t e a d , a n d h e r SiElA ByNoE create housing hometown of West- State Senate options for our bury — told the candidate young people, for nearly 100 in attenfamilies, and for dance the work the communities have accom- our seniors. There is more to be plished over the years is amaz- done to protect and conserve ing. However, it is simply not our drinking water, and there is more to be done to support enough. “Spiritual leaders, commu- our local businesses, and our nity leaders, housing advocates, labor leaders to build our econeducators and community omy and lead the way to fullmembers,” the legislator said. Continued on page 2
By BRANDoN CRUZ
bcruz@liherald.com
Courtesy Jake Catalano
Jake Catalano said the scenery made the trials and tribulations of the trail worth it.
Jake Catalano’s 111-day hike
The Appalachian Trail tests Malverne man’s limits By NiColE FoRMiSANo nformisano@liherald.com
Jake Catalano took finding a new path to a whole new level. His 111-day odyssey on the Appalachian Trail led to a new career — and a new chapter of his love story. “It was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Catalano, 25, said. “It was definitely worth it in the end, just to feel that sense of accomplishment.” Catalano, of Malverne, started his hike of the 2,190-mile trail in Maine on Aug. 2, and completed it on Nov. 11 in Georgia. The trail presented no shortage of challenges, both
physical and mental. For the first month or so of the journey, it rained nearly every day. Catalano had to ford rivers while carrying 35 pounds of food and supplies. He had no access to cellphone service, towns or other people. His socks were never dry. “That’s something I learned about myself,” he said. “How resilient I can be to adversity.” The scenery, however, made the tribulations worth it. The flora and wildlife, Catalano said, were amazing — he saw five bears, countless deer, wild pigs, and even a rattleContinued on page 10
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ogether, we can create positive change . . . and we can make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors today.