Merrick Herald Life

Merrick

HERALD MSSN safe for non-Covid cases

Sewing hope for hospital workers

Vine Wine Bar staying afloat

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Vol. 23 No. 20

MAY 12 - 20, 2020

Coaches, club advisers offer expertise online contacting a list of colleges provided by families.

Not all is lost, however. BellNassau County public high more-Merrick coaches are keepschool athletes had only one ing up with their players virtualweek of practice and no games ly to ensure that they continue this spring due to the coronavitraining and are rus, but Bellmorewell, both physicalMerrick’s players ly and mentally, remained in conofficials say. stant contact with Continuing with their coaches right virtual coaching up until April 21, after the season when the season was canceled is was canceled. optional, Central Baseball, softSuperintendent ball, lacrosse, track John DeTommaso and field and badsaid, but those minton were wiped coaches who comout this spring, plete the season leaving a path of online will receive heartbreak for 50 percent of their teenagers, especialnormal coaching ly seniors, and salaries. Twocoaching staffs. thirds of that T h e C a l h o u n JoE MIglIANo amount has High School girls’ already been paid, Calhoun girls’ track track and field and coaches will team was seeking a and field coach receive the final fo u r t h s t r a i g h t one-third in June if spring conference title and plan- they continue with their virtual ning to make a run at the Nassau sessions through the end of May. Class AA championship. “We The agreement applies to 21 had every event covered with high school varsity head coachAll-County-caliber talent,” said es, 15 junior varsity head coachcoach Joe Migliano, who noted es and 23 assistant coaches. So that he typically leads the recruiting process for athletes by Continued on page 7

By ToNY BEllISSIMo tbellissimo@liherald.com

B

Courtesy Rachel Dorfman

JohN F. KENNEdY High School juniors Lauren Horn, left, and Rachel Dorfman recently took their first trip delivering groceries to seniors in the community.

Local teens deliver for seniors

By ANdREW gARCIA agarcia@liherald.com

Two local teenagers are taking it upon themselves to ensure that seniors and others at greater risk in Bellmore, Merrick, Wantagh and Seaford have the groceries they need during the coronavirus pandemic.

Rachel Dorfman, 16, and Lauren Horn, 17, both of Bellmore and both juniors at John F. Kennedy High School, founded the Nassau County

c h ap t e r o f C o m m u n i t y Against Covid-19 (see box, Page 8). May 5 marked the first day the pair ventured to a supermarket to pick up orders and set out for deliveries — all without collecting any profits themselves.

“We’re at low risk for contracting symptoms,” Dorfman said, “so we thought we should get out there in a safe way to help older and immunocompromised residents who might be afraid to get out of the house.”

The nonprofit service is an alternative to the apps and websites that allow users to shop for groceries from home, which seniors may have difficulty using, the teens said. “A quick phone call and sending us a list is just easier for them,” Horn said. “We wanted to help now that we have so much time on our hands.”

On their first two delivery runs, including one on May 9, the pair followed recommended safety procedures by wearContinued on page 4

ellmoreMerrick, hands down, has done more for coaches than the rest of Nassau County during these struggling times.

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

Don’t put off seeking help for medically necessary care in fear of COVID-19.

Mount Sinai South Nassau has dedicated non-COVID patient care areas, including within our Emergency Department. All units have undergone a deep cleaning to ensure your safety. All incoming patients are tested for COVID-19 within two days prior to admission. Our frontline staff of physicians, nurses and support personnel are equipped with full Personal Protective Equipment to help halt the spread of infectious diseases.

Your health shouldn’t be defined by COVID-19.

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

mountsinai.org/southnassau

Mount Sinai South Nassau is certified as an Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence (CoE) by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).

Photo top left courtesy of Jeff Basinger, Newsday.

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May 12, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 12, 2020 Photos courtesy MSSN

Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital officials have begun a “Don’t Put Your Health on Hold” campaign, urging anyone who is dealing with a medical issue, but is afraid to come to the hospital amid the coronavirus pandemic, not to risk safety by staying home.

MSSn officials:

Hospital’s safe for non-Covid patients areaS of the hospital that housed coronavirus patients during the surge last month have been deep cleaned and sterilized.

By Mike SMollinS

muscle could weaken, causing long-term health issues stemming from a blockage in the vessel. He added that it could lead to a With the coronavirus causing many person becoming unable to enjoy hobbies South Shore residents to be afraid to visit like walking or jogging, or worse. hospitals to address other medical issues, “People are delaying care, and while it’s Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital in not necessarily always fatal, it’s going to Oceanside has launched a campaign impact lives,” Sharma said. “It can be very informing the community that it’s safe to challenging for patients to feel safe, but we come to the facility. Amid a 50 percent drop want them to know that we have taken in patients visiting the hospital’s emergenevery measure.” cy department, physiMSSN is still cians and adminisawaiting approval trators are urging from the state’s residents not to risk Department of their health out of Health to return to fear. providing elective “We don’t want surgeries, but SharHave you been diagnosed with people to put their ma noted that physihealth on hold in fear Covid-19 and suffered its cians perform eight of Covid,” said Joe symptoms? Have you been to 12 procedures per Calderone, MSSN’s hospitalized because of the day to treat patients. senior vice president They include gall disease?

If so, then the Herald of corporate commustone attacks, spinal would potentially like to tell your nications and develstenosis, appendicitis opment, “and we’ve story. Contact Executive Editor or any other ailment taken the steps needScott Brinton by emailing that cannot wait for ed to ensure their sbrinton@liherald.com. treatment. On May 6, safety when they hospital administracome here. Our overtors opened a driveall message is simply through coronavirus that it is safe to come here.” testing site in the Washington Avenue As the spike in coronavirus patients has parking lot.

Patients who are undergoing lessened, MSSN officials have launched a “Don’t Put Your Health on Hold” initiative any procedure in the hospital must be testin the hope to “return to normal.” In addi- ed at the tent within two days before their tion to a deep cleaning of the facilities operation.

Calderone said the hospital had about where coronavirus patients were treated, the staff has taken many precautions to 100 Covid-positive or Covid-suspected patients as of May 7, which continued the ensure the hospital is safe for the public.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Adhi Sharma trend of decreasing cases. At one point, 80 said it could be dangerous for residents not percent of the patients in the hospital had to visit the hospital after experiencing a tested positive for the coronavirus, but the medical episode. He said if a person has number has consistently remained at chest pains that lead to a heart attack, doc- roughly 40 percent in the last few weeks. tors are usually able to open a heart vessel While many units were transformed into and treat the patient that same day, increas- facilities to treat Covid-19 patients last ing the chances of a full recovery. If they month, Calderone noted, the decrease in decide to stay home out of fear, the heart cases has helped the hospital staff to slowly msmollins@liherald.com

herald seeking Covid-19 patients

empty the units and sanitize them before enabling non-Covid patients to return to the areas. Sterilizing agents have also been used in the emergency department and intensive care unit.

Over the past two weeks, the two large triage tents outside the facility that hospital staff erected in late March to treat patients during the surge have not been used. Calderone said administrators would likely keep them up into the summer and possibly through the fall in the event of another surge. Sharma said that while a second strain of the virus is likely, it’s up to the community to keep its impact minimal.

“If people are careful and wear their masks when they’re in public, wash their hands and really minimize any unnecessary meetings or gatherings, it’s that element that is going to help reduce that second surge,” he said. “It’s individual responsibility and common sense. Those can help us avoid a large second surge.”

In addition to hospital staff wearing personal protective equipment, administrators have dedicated spaces in the hospital for non-Covid patients, and a no-visitors policy remains in effect. If any patients

exhibit shortness of breath, a fever or any other symptom consistent with the virus, they are not placed in the non-Covid area, even if they are coming in for an ailment unrelated to the virus, such as a broken bone.

Though the coronavirus has stressed frontline workers, Calderone said, there have been silver linings, such as the outpouring of support from the community in the form of food and other donations, and the strengthening of the staff by dealing with hundreds of critical care patients.

Calderone added that the staff was thankful for everyone in the community who supported them, and that he also wants South Shore residents to know that it is safe to come to the hospital for non-coronavirus related issues.

“We know the public has been hearing nothing but Covid news for the last two months,” he said, “but we’ve taken all necessary steps to ensure patient safety, and if you’re feeling a symptom of a potentially serious issue, it’s going to be much riskier to stay at home and ignore those symptoms than if you came here to the Emergency Department.”

May 12, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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Two teens unite against the coronavirus Continued from front page

ing gloves and face masks, and leaving grocery bags on people’s front stoops. The precautions will continue as they make more deliveries, Dorfman said.

Those in need of groceries can submit orders by simply calling or texting the students. They plan to complete deliveries every Tuesday and Saturday, but Dorfman said they could accommodate residents’ requests, such as going to a preferred supermarket or making deliveries on a different day of the week. Payments are accepted via cash or Venmo, with the option to contribute a 4 percent donation to the Montefiore Health System’s Covid-

19 Foundation.

Although Dorman and Horn are currently only a two-person team, they said they hope to expand operations in the future. Teens — preferably those with a license and a car — can contact Dorfman or Horn if they are interested in lending a hand. “We’re hoping this gets so big we’ll need volunteers from all around Nassau County,” Dorfman said.

To submit an order, text your name, grocery list, address and phone number to Dorfman at (516) 510-7943 or Horn at (516) 509-2274. They ask that orders be submitted before 1 p.m. on a given delivery day.

Community against Covid-19 Rachel Dorfman and Lauren Horn are following in the footsteps of four Westchester County teens who took a stand to help their community. In late March, the high schoolers started Community Against Covid-19, which seeks to deliver groceries to seniors and others at greater risk.

The concept has spread throughout New York state — the latest chapter being in Nassau County — and other chapters have formed in Connecticut, New Jersey and Florida.

“As teenagers, we realize that we are fortunate to be at relatively low risk for experiencing the severe symptoms associated with the Covid-19 virus,” the

group wrote on the Community Against Covid-19 website. “However, there are many older and immunocompromised members of our community that have to live in constant fear about the threats that contracting the coronavirus can have on their health.”

Although the chapters do not profit from their services, they encourage 4 percent of donations to go to the Montefiore Health System Covid-19 Foundation. Donations are also being collected for the Westchester chapter’s food pantry.

Community Against Covid-19 can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.

dorfman and Horn deliver bags of groceries to people’s front doors, above. every tuesday and Saturday, the pair pack up their cars, right, with orders for local seniors and others at risk who can’t go grocery shopping. tHe logo for the Nassau County chapter of Community Against Covid-19, left. Four teenagers in Westchester founded the original initiative.

Photos courtesy Rachel Dorfman

HOW TO REACH US Our offices are located at 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530 and are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

MAIN PHONE: (516) 569-4000 ■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/merrick ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: merrickeditor@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 203 E-mail: merrickeditor@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: circ@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460 ■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: sales@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643 The Merrick Herald life USPS 017651, is published every Thursday by Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Periodicals postage paid at Garden City, NY 11530 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to Merrick Herald, 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Subscription rates: $36 for 1 year within Nassau County. Out of Nassau County: $58 for 1 year. Copyright © 2020 Richner Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Nassau honors its ‘health care heroes’ County executive comes to NUMC for National Nurses Week

By Bridget downes bdownes@liherald.com

In honor of National Nurses Day, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and other county officials paid tribute Wednesday to the health care professionals working on the frontlines of the pandemic.

“These are our heroes,” Curran said at a news conference outside of the Nassau University Medical Center, joined by nurses and other medical staff. “They are the crucial part of our health care infrastructure . . . and oftentimes they take the place of the family. In people’s last days, they’re the ones there, providing care and holding the hands. It’s difficult work, it’s emotionally taxing, and it’s incredibly important.”

Some health care professionals are sleeping in RVs, staying in their basements or even camping out in tents in their backyards, the county executive noted, to maintain self-isolation orders.

Others go through meticulous self-decontamination measures, including changing

in the garage and showering before hugging family members.

“You are our warriors and we want to thank you for what you’re doing each and every day,” Curran said. “As I say, this crisis has not created heroes, it has revealed the heroes already among us.”

To date, the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management has distributed 2 million pieces of personal protective equipment to health care workers and first responders.

Dr. Anthony Boutin, CEO of NUMC, thanked Curran for coming to the hospital to celebrate National Nurses Day. “I commend our hard-working nurses, all our valuable employees working hard here,” Boutin said.

As of Wednesday, the hospital was housing 52 patients who tested positive for Covid-19, and 20 whose results were pending.

“This is a significant achievement. We have a 74 percent decline at our peak here at NUMC,” Boutin said, “and I’m happy to report some good news. We are discharging our 565th patient today.”

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

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

New York state and Northwell Health are partnering to increase Covid-19 testing in the minority communities hardest hit by the virus in downstate New York, Governor Cuomo said Saturday. Testing will take place at 24 churches.

Two Nassau County houses of worship — the Union Baptist Church in Hempstead and the First Baptist Church in Westbury — will be among the 24.

Results of the state’s diagnostic testing and antibody testing surveys found the highest rates of Covid-19 infection in low-income and minority communities, according to the governor. Additionally, a state survey of all newly hospitalized Covid-19 patients found communities of color are most impacted. Of the 21 zip codes with the most new Covid-19 hospitalizations, 20

i

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

New York state governor have greater than average black and/or Latino populations.

“It is a cruel fact that when you look at disasters and emergencies, the poorest and most disadvantaged people often pay the highest price, and the Covid-19 pan-

demic is no different,” Cuomo said. “The fact is that low-income and minority communities are suffering the most. It is not right, and we have to address it.”

Michael Dowling, Northwell Health’s president and CEO, said, “Given the prevalence of the coronavirus within communities of color, it’s imperative that we act quickly to prevent further spread of the virus.

Among the ways we can protect our communities — beyond social distancing, wearing facemasks, avoiding group gatherings and basic hand hygiene — is through testing.”

The governor also announced preliminary results of the state’s antibody testing survey of more than 1,300 transit workers in the New York City region. Roughly 14 percent, he said, had Covid-19 antibodies. By comparison, 16 percent, or 1 in 6 people on Long Island, tested positive for the antibodies, and 19 percent, or 1 in 5 people, were positive in New York City.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 12, 2020

Photos courtesy Nassau County

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

May 12, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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Hempstead allocates $2M for food banks

By Scott Brinton sbrinton@liherald.com

The Town of Hempstead has allotted $2 million of a $133 million federal aid package toward 14 food banks across the town to help ensure residents in need are fed during the Covid-19 pandemic, officials said Tuesday.

Announcement of the allocation, made with the nonprofit Long Island Cares food bank, was the first act of the town’s newly created Economic Relief Advisory Committee, which will recommend how funds from the federal government’s economic stimulus package should be distributed.

“Nobody in our town will go hungry because of the hardships they have experienced due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Town Supervisor Donald Clavin Jr., a Republican from Garden City, said. “Between many of our residents losing their jobs and the grocery stores struggling to meet demand, this funding will keep our food banks stocked for the next couple of months so our residents can be reassured with quality meals.”

Food distribution centers, run by Long Island Cares staff, will be located in Baldwin, Elmont, Lawrence, Roosevelt and other communities, and will be open two days a week for a total of eight hours. Times are subject to change depending on community need.

For more information about where the food banks are located or how to schedule a pick-up or delivery, visit licares.org or call (631) 582-3663.

Each family will receive a 20-pound box of food that can feed up to six people for a week. Each box will contain non-perishable, nutritious food, and staples such as milk and juice. Pet food will be provided if needed, and fresh produce will be available when possible.

The federal funding will also support the Nassau Center for Collaborative Assistance, Long Island Cares’s satellite location in Freeport, and will go toward food distribution in Hempstead, Uniondale, Merrick, Bellmore and Oceanside.

Clavin thanked U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, a Democrat from New York City, and the Long Island congressional delegation for helping to secure the stimulus funding.

He added, “We’re very fortunate to have Governor Cuomo’s historic leadership at this very desperate time in our state’s history. Our town government looks forward to working with the county and state governments to ensure these funds are used appropriately and efficiently to produce the greatest possible outcome for our

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

the town of Hempstead is devoting $2 million in federal stimulus funding to help feed the hungry across the town, Supervisor Donald Clavin said Tuesday. communities.”

“The launch of the economic relief advisory committee is the first of many steps that will be taken over the next couple of months to regain economic stability for our town, its businesses and residents,” said Town Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, a Democrat who represents the 1stCouncilmatic District, and who contracted the coronavirus and recovered.

The town’s Economic Relief Advisory Committee comprises leaders from business, labor, education and the community, and includes: • Joe Belluck, Attorney and Founding Partner of Belluck & Fox, LLP: Before helping to found Belluck & Fox, a firm that specializes in mesothelioma cases, 18 years ago, Belluck took on large tobacco companies as the State of New York representative.

• John Durso, President of the Long Island Federation of Labor: Durso represents workers in the supermarket, health care, pharmacy, delivery, dairy and retail food service industries. He is also international vice president of the United Food and Commercial Workers, and vice president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store

Union.

• Charles Fuschillo Jr., President and CEO of Alzheimer’s Foundation of America: Before joining the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America in 2013, Fuschillo served 16 years in the New York State Senate, drafting more than 200 laws.

• Margarita Grasing, Executive Director of Hispanic Brotherhood: Grasing is also a former board member of the Rockville Centre Education Foundation, Nassau County HIV Commission and County Coalition of Youth Agencies.

Kevin Law, President and CEO of the Long Island Association: Law is focused on fostering economic development and improving Long Island’s business climate.

He is co-chair to the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council and was formerly a trustee of the Long Island Power Authority and chief deputy county executive in Suffolk County.

• Mitchell Pally, Chief Executive Officer of the Long Island Builders Institute: As CEO of LIBI, Pally works to foster home ownership across Long Island. He was also chief counsel to the New York State Senate Committee on Transportation and the Legislative Commission on Critical Transportation Choices.

• Geoffrey Prime, Mayor of Incorporated Village of South Floral Park: Aside from his mayoral duties, Prime is a criminal defense attorney and founding partner of Prime & O’Brien in Garden City. He is the past chairman of the Nassau Community College Board of Trustees.

• Stuart Rabinowitz, President of Hofstra University: Before becoming Hofstra’s president in 2001, Rabinowitz was dean of its law school. As president, he founded the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine, Peter S. Kalikow School of Government and Fred DeMattheis School of Engineering and Applied Science, as well as the National Center for Suburban Studies and the Center for Entrepreneurship.

• Cherice Vanderhall, Village Attorney of Hempstead Village: Vanderhall specializes in employment litigation and family law. She previously served as Hempstead Village deputy attorney.

“The Covid-19 outbreak has affected us all,” Law said.

“As part of the Economic Recovery Advisory Committee, I am committed to doing my part to get the Hempstead community back on its feet in the wake of this pandemic. The multiple perspectives and backgrounds this committee has to offer will ensure the maximum potential for this funding is realized for Hempstead residents.”

Little Leaguers parade in Point Lookout

By Darwin YaneS dyanes@liherald.com

Little Leaguers took part in a car parade at Town Park in Point Lookout on Friday as a way to pay homage to a season lost because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The parade was put together by Town of Hempstead officials and fire departments from Merrick and Island Park. Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin and members of the Town Board were on hand to cheer paradegoers.

“This gives the local Little Leagues a chance to come down here, in a little bit of open space, and get cheered on,” Councilman Anthony D’Esposito said.

“We just tried to bring some smiles to the kids’ faces and let them know they’re not forgotten. As soon as this gets past us, we will do anything we can to get them back to whatever sea-

son we can.”

Merrick resident Al Belbol and his son Joseph, 12, took part in the parade.

Belbol, who coaches his son’s Little League team, said Joseph practices every day in the hope there will be a season this year. He added that the parade gives players a sense of hope.

“It means a lot to him to just be able to get his uniform on, feel pride in playing for the Merrick-Bellmore Little League,” Belbol said. “These kids are dying to play baseball.”

Some Little Leagues represented in the parade were Merrick and Bellmore, Long Beach, Point Lookout, Island Park and Garden City South.

New York Mets Legend Ed Kranepool, who was on the 1969 World Series team, was a special guest for the event.

“Over the years, I’ve been to many Little League functions, and this is one of the greatest you can be part of,” Kranepool said. “Everybody be safe.”

Darwin Yanes/Herald

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

Central coaches connect with athletes virtually

7

far, all high school coaches are on board, DeTommaso said.

The agreement, though, does not apply to middle school coaches. Their spring season had not begun before school buildings were closed, the superintendent noted.

Club advisers, he added, will be paid their salaries if they also meet with students virtually.

All online sessions must be documented and reported to the central administration, the superintendent said.

“It’s about adults staying involved in their kids’ lives during this difficult time,” DeTommaso said. “Kids have a special relationship with club advisers and coaches, and we felt it was really important to maintain that.

“The district values the work of coaches and what they provide for the kids in our community,” he said. “Coaches invest a lot of time and have a special bond with student-athletes.”

Spring teams at Calhoun, Mepham and Kennedy began their seasons on March 9 and had five days of practice before the pandemic put everything on hold. For the past six weeks, coaches have remained connected with their players through phone calls, texts, social media and Zoom.

“We never stopped coaching,” Migliano said. “Bellmore-Merrick, hands down, has done more for coaches than the rest of Nassau County during these struggling

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 12, 2020

continued from front page

Christina Daly/Herald Life

Spring SportS coacheS in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District are receiving 50 percent of their pay. times.”

DeTommaso said the unpaid salaries of the coaches and club advisers would likely be rolled back into the district’s general fund, but that remains to be determined.

Districts like Bellmore-Merrick are awaiting word from the state on their final aid packages. Without federal funding, many states like New York may have

to cut districts’ aid packages, which would affect how their budgets play out.

“We certainly value every dollar we get from taxpayers,” the superintendent said.

Eric Caballero, the district’s director of athletics, said his strong relationships with DeTommaso and the Board of Education helped secure the 50 percent pay for coaches.

“Our superintendent and board have

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N E ʼ P O S T HA

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always been very supportive,” Caballero said. “Part of my job is to advocate for coaches, and I feel we have some of the best on Long Island. The coaches are always working during the offseason leading into their seasons. Long before practice opened on March 9, they were doing a lot of things that required time.”

Scott Brinton contributed to this story.

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Merokean makes ear guards for health care workers

By AlyssA seidmAn aseidman@liherald.com

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

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

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

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

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Merrick resident Syndi Reibman learned to crochet in 1993 and hasn’t stopped since. While she’s cornered the market on baby beanies, scarves and other items, the coronavirus pandemic has given her a reason to learn a new stitch.

“When I saw someone making ear guards on one of my crochet groups on Facebook, I immediately realized that I could make them and help health care and essential workers,” she said.

Re i b m a n’s h a n d - c ro ch e t e d e a r guards are between three to six inches long and have a button sewn on each end. The buttons are used to hold elastic face masks in place, thus alleviating discomfort for those working long shifts.

“If I can enable them to wear their face masks with less pain and discomfort on the backs of their ears,” Reibman said, “then it is something that I can do to help in my small way.”

Reibman has crocheted 350 ear guards as of April 30, and plans to make a couple hundred more over the next few weeks. Her creations have been donated to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow and NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola

through the Bellmore-Merrick Helping Our Heroes group. She has also mailed ear guards to health care workers in Florida, Colorado, New Jersey, Connecticut and throughout New York state.

Reibman used social media to ask others for help, creating a network of crocheters community-wide. One of her neighbors is sewing buttons on to the ear guards, and one of her Facebook friends is “stitching” in, too.

After a post “begging for buttons” was re-shared on Facebook, Reibman received buttons from people all over the country, including other parts of the state, California, Texas, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

“I have received [buttons] from old high school friends, friends of friends, family members, and, honestly, some are from strangers,” she said. “I have no idea how they got my address, but I send out a thank you and keep on crocheting!”

Packaged with one of the deliveries was a letter from a woman in Texas, who donated her late grandmother’s button collection to Reibman’s effort.

“She said she would love to know that these buttons went to a health care worker,” Reibman said. “Everybody’s reaching out and it just blows me away.”

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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 12, 2020

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Covid-19

Local Hometown heroes

Laura Vanella Nurse at NYU Winthrop Hospital

I was out for two weeks, but every single day I was home I felt helpless. I was thinking about all the admissions in my unit, all the people that need help, and wishing I could be there.

Chris Bonds Town of Hempstead Sanitation Department

We handle garbage and machinery on a daily basis, so we’re used to taking precautions to protect ourselves and our crew,” says Bonds, referring to the workers’ need to stay sanitary to avoid infection. Our bosses have done a great job keeping us informed on how to stay safe in the midst of the coronavirus.

Right now, it’s getting a lot better.

Before you enter a patient’s room, you have to gather all the supplies and medications you think you’ll need at that time.

It’s called clustered care, and it limits your exposure while you’re taking care of the patient. We can stay in a patient’s room for 20 minutes to an hour depending on how sick they are.

I work on a telemetry floor at NYU Winthrop in Mineola where critical patients get constant monitoring and care. That was the norm of the floor, and then, slowly, the virus started getting worse and worse.

Last week, we discharged one of my patients on his birthday — he had been there for 24 days. We sang to him and bought him a card, and before he left he said, ‘You saved my life.’

Since March, it’s been a complete 180.

We converted completely to a Covid-19 floor and everyone was pretty scared. I was there for two weeks in the beginning and then got sick after being exposed to the virus at work.

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Don Camp School Bus driver

District Superintendent John] McNamara asked me if I’d do it, and I said yes.

Jody and her team prepare the food, and then Mark and I, we divide up the routes between us. He was a driver, too, before the virus hit. Jody’s team has a window service, too, where families can pick up from the school.

Normally, being a sanitation worker is not easy — long routes can lead to long days, and the physical labor can be a strain.

In the Town of Hempstead, it’s all in the name of keeping every resident’s street clean.

During the pandemic that has families staying indoors, the job is even harder, however. The loads of garbage left on sidewalks has gotten even bigger, and the Sanitation Department’s pickup schedule has been driven out of whack.

It’s definitely a challenging time for me

We deliver about 150 meals a day, Monday through Thursday, and then on Friday, we have to deliver for the weekend, so it’s three times as much.

This week, we’ll deliver more than 2,000 meals. Last week was about 1,700. It’s been growing every week.

I started doing it because [Wantagh School

I’ve lived in Wantagh my whole life. I graduated from Wantagh High School in 1972.

All the people I’ve worked with have been amazing. The building super, Tom Facci — he doesn’t ask you to do anything he won’t do himself. And Mr. McNamara has been the same, just working around the clock.

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We understand that we as sanitation employees are essential workers, and we embrace that role,” Bonds says. “With so many people at home all day, there’s certainly more trash than usual. It’s a big job, but we’re all up to the task and we’ll continue doing whatever we need to do.

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Stephen Lincke Wantagh F.D. EMS Captain

of downtime. I am in the high-risk group (at 59 years old), but you have to balance Wantagh Fire operations with personal health.

This can affect people in good ways and bad ways. For most people, it has affected them by loss of money. I did 34 years in the city as an EMS worker in the FDNY, so I have a pension. I know my check is coming at the end of the month. But for a lot of these poor bartenders, waitresses, people in the food industry, their lives will be dramatically changed.

I don’t know how early Jody and her crew have start to have everything ready for us.

Mark takes the part of the district south of Sunrise [Highway], and I take the area north.

My normal job is bus driver. Now, I’m working with my back-up, Mark Salerno, to deliver the Chrome books in the morning, and then we come back to pick up the food Jody Piniero and her two girls prepare.

and the entire sanitation crew, but we have a great team and we’ll continue to get the job done.

Some people might lose their jobs. Some people might lose their house.

My day-to-day life at work, that hasn’t changed so much. The situation is similar to what happened at the World Trade Center. This is a life-altering event, just like that was. When this is all over, life as we know it will be different, and that’s how it was after 9/11.

Personally, sure, the whole thing is a bit scary. You have to come to the realization that this is a pandemic. We get the positive numbers at the firehouse and we see them increasing week to week.

You have to come to grips with isolating yourself as much as possible. There is a lot

Some people I’ve noticed are losing their tempers. There are still a lot of people supporting each other, though. People are still trying their best to show how the community is working together.

HOMETOWN

HERO

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May 12, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PRESUPUESTARIA, REUNIÓN ANUAL, ELECCIÓN Y REGISTRO DE VOTANTES, DISTRITO ESCOLAR UNION FREE DE MERRICK, CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK SE DA AVISO POR LA PRESENTE, que una audiencia del presupuesto público del Distrito Escolar Union Free de Merrick, Ciudad de Hempstead, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York, se llevará a cabo de forma remota el 26 de mayo de 2020 a las 7:00 PM con el fin de discutir el gasto de fondos para el año escolar 2020-2021 y el presupuesto del mismo y para cualquier otro negocio que esté autorizado por la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que el voto sobre la asignación de los fondos necesarios para cubrir los gastos estimados de dicho distrito escolar para el año escolar 2020-2021 (presupuesto escolar) se llevará a cabo mediante votación ausente el martes 9 de junio de 2020.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que una elección para llenar tres (3) vacantes, dos (2) son por un término de tres (3) años, y uno (1) es por el saldo de un término no vencido (9 de junio de 2020 hasta el 30 de junio de 2021), para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación, se llevará a cabo mediante votación en ausencia el martes 9 de junio de 2020.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL que una elección para llenar una vacante por un término de cinco (5) años para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Fideicomisarios de la Biblioteca Merrick se llevará a cabo mediante votación en boleta en ausencia el martes 9 de junio de 2020.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que cualquier residente del distrito puede ver una copia de la declaración de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año escolar 2020-2021 para fines escolares durante los catorce (14) días anteriores a la votación.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, De conformidad con el Capítulo 258 de las Leyes de 2008, la Sección 495 se agregó a la Ley del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles y requiere que el Distrito Escolar adjunte a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exención. Dicho informe de exención mostrará cuánto del valor tasado total en la lista de

evaluación final utilizada en el proceso presupuestario está exento de impuestos. El informe enumerará cada tipo de exención otorgada, identificada por la autoridad legal, y mostrará el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención expresado como un monto en dólares del valor evaluado o como un porcentaje del valor evaluado total en la lista, el acumulado monto que se espera recibir de los destinatarios de cada tipo de exención como pagos en lugar de impuestos (PILOTO) u otros pagos por servicios municipales, y el impacto acumulativo de todas las exenciones otorgadas. Este informe de exención se publicará en el sitio web mantenido por el Distrito.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que las peticiones de nominación de candidatos para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación deben presentarse ante la Secretaria del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 pm, lunes 11 de mayo de 2020. Los dos (2) candidatos que reciban el mayor número de votos serán elegidos para el cargo por los términos de tres (3) años; el candidato que recibió el tercer mayor número de votos completará el saldo de un término no vencido desde el 19 de mayo de 2020 hasta el 30 de junio de 2021. Se aceptarán peticiones de nominación presentadas por correo electrónico, fax o correo.

La dirección de correo electrónico de la secretaria del distrito e s crebentisch@merrick.k12. ny.us. No se requiere un número mínimo de firmas en la petición de nominación.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que cualquier residente del distrito escolar que aún no esté registrado y desee ser un votante registrado para esta elección puede registrarse en la junta electoral mediante la presentación de una solicitud en línea para el registro de votantes en el Departamento de Vehículos Motorizados en https://dmv.ny.gov/morei nfo/ e l e c t r o n i c voterregistrationapplication.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que ninguna boleta de votante ausente será sometida a votación a menos que se haya recibido en la oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. en la fecha de la elección.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que la Junta de Educación convocará una reunión

especial del mismo en el Centro de Administración Katherine E. Reif dentro de las veinticuatro horas posteriores a la presentación ante la Secretaria del Distrito de un informe escrito de los resultados de la boleta electoral, a los efectos de examinar y tabular dichos informes para los resultados de la boleta, para el propósito de la boleta y declarar los resultados de la boleta; que la Junta se designa a sí misma como un conjunto de secretarios electorales para emitir y escrutar las boletas de conformidad con la Sección de Ley de Educación 2019-a.2-b, en dicha reunión especial de la Junta.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que en la elección del Distrito Escolar Union Free de Merrick, los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Central de Bellmore-Merrick deberán votar para los siguientes propósitos: a) Votar sobre el presupuesto escolar anual para el año escolar 2020-2021, y autorizar la imposición de un impuesto sobre la propiedad imponible del distrito para los fines anteriores. b) Votar sobre otras proposiciones que puedan venir adecuadamente antes de la reunión.

FECHA: Mayo de 2020 Merrick, NY POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN DISTRITO ESCOLAR UNION FREE DE MERRICK CLARICE REBENTISCH, SECRETARIA DEL DISTRITO 121879

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND TRUSTEE ELECTION OF THE NORTH MERRICK PUBLIC LIBRARY (June 9, 2020) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a Public Hearing will be held remotely by the Board of Trustees of the North Merrick Public Library (the “Library”), Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York on, May 26, 2020, at 7:15 PM, for the purpose of discussing expenditures contained in the Library’s proposed budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that absentee ballots will be mailed to each qualified voter within the North Merrick Union Free School District with a postage paid return envelope and that said Budget Vote and Election will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, solely through the submission of such absentee ballots pursuant to Executive Order 202.26. Absentee ballots must be received by the Office of the District Clerk of the North Merrick Union Free

School District (the “District”) at 1057 Merrick Avenue, North Merrick, NY 11566 no later than 5:00 p.m. prevailing time, on June 9, 2020, at which time voting pursuant to the Annual Meeting Budget Vote and Election shall be concluded.

Additional information regarding the Budget Vote and Election will be posted on the Library’s website at www.nmerricklibrary.org.

The absentee ballot submitted to each qualified voter will include a vote upon the following items: 1. To adopt the annual budget of the Library for the fiscal year 2020-21 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.

2. To elect one (1) member of the Library Board of Trustees for a five (5) year term commencing July 1, 2020, and expiring on June 30, 2025 to succeed Marion Schurade, whose term expires on June 30, 2020.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a copy of such budget or statement may be accessed on the Library’s website or obtained electronically by any resident of the District upon request beginning May 19, 2020 by emailing the Library’s Director at nmpltomwitt@yahoo.com or the Clerk of the District jlong@nmerrick.org AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Library Board of Trustees are due to be filed with the Clerk of the District, Harold D. Fayette School, 1957 Merrick Avenue, North Merrick, NY, not later than 5:00 p.m. on May 11, 2020.. Each petition shall be directed to the Clerk of the District;; must state the name and residence of each signer, and, must state the name and residence of the candidate and shall describe the specific vacancy for which the candidate is nominated.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that personal registration of voters is required, and no person shall be entitled to vote at the meeting whose name does not appear on the register of the School District prepared thereof. Given the health and safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person registration will not be available, but an individual may properly register by filing an application with the Department of Motor Vehicles online by utilizing the following link https://dmv.ny.gov/morei n f o / e l e c t r o n i c - v o t e rregistration-application or by mail through the Nassau County Board of Elections. Any qualified voter of the Library who

is in doubt as to whether she/he is registered to vote at the June 9, 2020 Budget Vote and Election and/or believes she/he should have received an absentee ballot, should contact the Clerk of the District via email at jlong@nmerrick.org AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that given the health and safety concerns associated with COVID-19 pandemic, the register and/or list of persons to whom absentee ballots and/or military ballots are issued will not be available for in-person inspection by qualified voters of the District, but may be inspected electronically by emailing the Clerk of the District at jlong@nmerrick.org commencing with the issuance of such absentee ballot, and on each of the five school days prior to the election.

Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district may apply for a military ballot and military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the Library. A military ballot application and/or registration application may be requested from the District Clerk and must be returned to the Office the District Clerk, at 1057 Merrick Avenue, North Merrick, NY 11566, not later than 5:00 PM on the twenty-sixth (26th) day before the election (May 14, 2020). A military voter may indicate their preference for receiving the military ballot application and/or registration application by mail, facsimile transmission, or e-mail (or as otherwise directed by the Governor or applicable legislation).

Dated: North Merrick, New York May 6, 2020

By Order of the BOARD OF TRUSTEES NORTH MERRICK PUBLIC LIBRARY North Merrick, New York Thomas Witt, Director 121884 To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE AVISO LEGAL AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA, VOTO PRESUPUESTARIO Y ELECCIÓN DE FIDEICOMISARIOS DE LA BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE NORTH MERRICK (Junio 9, 2020) SE DA AVISO POR LA PRESENTE, que la Junta de Fideicomisarios de la Biblioteca Pública de North Merrick (la “Biblioteca”), Ciudad de Hempstead, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York, el 26 de mayo de 2020 a las 7:15 PM, con el propósito de discutir los gastos contenidos en el presupuesto propuesto de la Biblioteca para el año fiscal 2020-2021.

Y SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que las boletas en ausencia se enviarán por correo a cada votante calificado dentro del Distrito Escolar Union Free de North Merrick con un sobre con franqueo pagado y que dicho Presupuesto y Elección se realizará el martes 9 de junio de 2020, únicamente mediante la presentación de dichas boletas en ausencia de conformidad con la Orden Ejecutiva 202.26. La Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito Escolar Union Free de North Merrick (el “Distrito”) debe recibir las boletas en ausencia en 1057 Merrick Avenue, North Merrick, NY 11566 a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. tiempo vigente, el 9 de junio de 2020, momento en el cual se concluirá la votación de conformidad con el Presupuesto de la Reunión Anual y la Elección. Se publicará información adicional sobre el presupuesto de votación y elección en el sitio web de la biblioteca e n www.nmerricklibrary.org.

La boleta en ausencia presentada a cada votante calificado incluirá un voto sobre los siguientes elementos: 1. Adoptar el presupuesto anual de la Biblioteca para el año fiscal 2020-21 y autorizar que la porción requerida de la misma se recaude mediante impuestos sobre la propiedad imponible del Distrito.

2. Elegir a un (1) miembro de la Junta de Fideicomisarios de la Biblioteca por un termino de cinco (5) años que comience el 1 de julio de 2020 y expire el 30 de junio de 2025 para seguir a Marion Schurade, cuyo término expira el 30 de junio de 2020.

Y SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que cualquier residente del Distrito puede obtener una copia de dicho presupuesto o declaración en el sitio web de la Biblioteca u obtenerla electrónicamente a partir del 19 de mayo de 2020 por correo electrónico al Director de la Biblioteca e n nmpltomwitt@yahoo.com o la secretaria del distrito jlong@nmerrick.org Y SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que las solicitudes de nominación de candidatos para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Fideicomisarios de la Biblioteca deben presentarse ante la Secretaria del Distrito, Harold D. Fayette School, 1957 Merrick Avenue, North Merrick, NY, no después de las 5:00 pm el 11 de mayo de 2020.

Cada petición se dirigirá a la Secretaria del Distrito; debe indicar el nombre y la residencia de cada firmante, y debe indicar el nombre y la residencia del candidato y debe describir la vacante

específica para la cual el candidato está nominado.

Y SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que se requiere el registro personal de los votantes, y ninguna persona tendrá derecho a votar en la reunión cuyo nombre no figura en el registro del Distrito Escolar preparado para ello. Dadas las preocupaciones de salud y seguridad asociadas con la pandemia de COVID-19, el registro en persona no estará disponible, pero una persona puede registrarse adecuadamente presentando una solicitud en línea en el Departamento de Vehículos Motorizados utilizando el siguiente e n l a c e https://dmv.ny.gov/morei n f o / e l e c t r o n i c - v o t e rinscripción-application o por correo a través de la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau.

Cualquier votante calificado de la Biblioteca que tenga dudas sobre si está registrado para votar en la Elección y Voto de Presupuesto del 9 de junio de 2020 y/o cree que debería haber recibido una boleta en ausencia, debe comunicarse con la Secretaria del Distrito por correo electrónico a jlong@nmerrick.org Y SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL que dadas las preocupaciones de salud y seguridad asociadas con la pandemia de COVID-19, el registro y / o la lista de personas a las que se emiten boletas en ausencia y/o boletas militares no estarán disponibles para inspección en persona por votantes calificados del Distrito, pero pueden ser inspeccionados electrónicamente enviando un correo electrónico a la Secretaria del Distrito a jlong@nmerrick.org comenzando con la emisión de dicha boleta en ausencia, y en cada uno de los cinco días escolares antes de la elección.

Los votantes militares que son votantes calificados del distrito escolar pueden solicitar una boleta militar y los votantes militares que no están actualmente registrados pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados de la Biblioteca. Una solicitud de boleta militar y/o una solicitud de registro pueden solicitarse a la Secretaria del Distrito y deben devolverse a la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito, en 1057 Merrick Avenue, North Merrick, NY 11566, no más tarde de las 5:00 PM del día (26) día antes de las elecciones (14 de mayo de 2020). Un votante militar puede indicar su preferencia por recibir la solicitud de boleta militar y/o la solicitud de registro por correo, transmisión por fax o correo electrónico (o

según lo indique el Gobernador o la legislación aplicable).

N o r t h Fecha: Merrick, Nueva York 6 de mayo de 2020 Por orden de la JUNTA DIRECTIVA BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE NORTH MERRICK North Merrick, Nueva York Thomas Witt, Director 121886 LEGAL NOTICE DISTRITO ESCOLAR UNION FREE DE NORTH MERRICK CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK SE DA AVISO POR LA PRESENTE que una audiencia de presupuesto del Distrito Escolar Union Free de North Merrick se llevará a cabo de forma remota el 2 de junio de 2020 a las 6:00 PM para la transacción de tales negocios según lo autoriza la Ley de Educación.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL que la votación del presupuesto anual y la elección del Distrito Escolar Union Free de North Merrick se llevará a cabo el martes 9 de junio de 2020 y se llevará a cabo exclusivamente por boleta en ausencia con el propósito de votar los gastos estimados para el año escolar 2020 -2021 y con las proposiciónes que puedan presentarse adecuadamente antes de la reunión, así como la elección de dos (2) miembros de la Junta de Educación, cada uno por un período de tres años, comenzando el 1 de julio de 2020 y expirando el 30 de junio de 2023 El escrutinio de los votos tendrá lugar el martes 9 de junio de 2020 en 1057 Merrick Avenue, North Merrick, Nueva York.

POR FAVOR, TOME AVISO ADICIONAL, que en la elección antes mencionada, los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Central de Bellmore-Merrick deberán votar para los siguientes propósitos: (A) votar sobre el presupuesto escolar anual para el año 2020-2021 y autorizar el recaudación de un impuesto sobre la propiedad imponible del distrito para los fines anteriores. (B) Votar sobre otras proposiciones que puedan venir adecuadamente antes de la reunión.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL que de conformidad con la Sección 495 de la Ley del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles, se requiere que el Distrito Escolar adjunte a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exención.

Dicho informe de exención, que también se convertirá en parte del presupuesto final, mostrará cuánto del valor tasado total del rollo de evaluación final utilizado en el proceso presupuestario está exento de impuestos, enumere cada tipo de

employees stay in touch via weekly Zoom meetings, and new business hours — Thursday to Saturday, 4 to 9 p.m. — were The Vine Wine Bar co-owner Lynn instituted due to the pandemic.

Mione had planned a celebration in With no cashflow to advertise, the honor of its 10-year anniversary last staff used social media to connect with weekend, but she never envisioned the customers. It began offering curbside niche Merrick business to face such chal- takeout and local delivery — any alcohol lenges in the two months leading up to order must include food — as well as the milestone. wine and spirit tutorials on Facebook “I don’t think we’ve ever been able to and Instagram. About 100 different botkick our feet up and say, ‘we’ve made it,’ tles of wine are available for purchase. but right now we’re just trying to stay “Our customers love our wine, speafloat,” said Mione, who, cialty cocktails and spirits,” along with Steven LanciotMione said. “The idea of ti, opened the wine bar on the tutorials wasn’t to make May 10, 2010. “We’ve been a money, but to give people an work in progress since Day outlet and distraction while One.” they’re at home.”

Mione, Lanciotti and The “Wine Without the their partner of four years, Attitude” tutorials have Tamara DeLaMora, all included topics such as Mepham High School grad“Ar tisanal Wines from uates, had planned a big Argentina,” “Italian party for the 10th anniverWines,” “Wines from Calisary, but, “It’s not what’s fornia,” “Craft Rum from impor t ant right now,” St. Kitts,” “Wines from OreMione said. “This pandemgon,” and more. Mione and ic has put a lot of things Lanciotti also invite experts into perspective. I think from around the wine-lovabout people who’ve been in ing world to guest lecture the hospital and not allowed LYNNE MIONE and share fun facts. “The visitors, and people who’ve Co-owner, videos are getting hundreds had their weddings postof views,” she said after poned or proms canceled . . The Vine Wine Bar last Friday’s sixth install. These are difficult times.” ment.

The business is classiIt’s possible the tutorials fied as a bar, not a restaurant, by New will remain a part of the business once York state. Because of this, Mione the pandemic wanes, though it’s too soon expects to be among the last businesses to tell, Mione said. “I’m thrilled and surallowed to open at full capacity once Gov- prised and proud that we’ve been around ernor Andrew Cuomo lifts restrictions.

10 years in the community we love,” she “I struggled with the idea of remain- said. “It’s been a roller coaster and we’re ing open in any way, shape or form,” said in survival mode. I don’t think we’ll be Mione, who lost her cousin, Linda Froc- out of the woods until we’re able to opercaro, to Covid-19 on March 31. “We closed ate at 100 percent.” for three weeks in April and those were some dark times, but we have such a strong and encouraging team [that] our Editor’s note: We are looking for busicreative juices started to flow, and we ness owners in Bellmore and Merrick to reopened with new ideas.” tell us how their livelihoods have been The wine bar, at 2259 Merrick Road in impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. If Merrick, employs a part-time staff of you are interested in sharing your story, nine, none of whom have worked there please contact editor Alyssa Seidma since March 14. Now, owners and at aseidman@liherald.com.

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

I

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1081636

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exención otorgada por la autoridad legal y muestre el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención, el monto acumulado que se espera recibir como pago en lugar de impuestos, y el impacto acumulativo de todas las exenciones otorgadas. El informe de exención se publicará en cualquier sitio web mantenido por el Distrito.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL que cualquier residente del distrito escolar que desee ser un votante registrado para esta elección puede registrarse en la junta electoral mediante la presentación de una solicitud en línea para el registro de votantes con el Departamento de Vehículos Motorizados en https://dmv.ny.gov/morei n f o / e l e c t r o n i c - v o t e rregistrationapplication.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL que e la secretaria del distrito enviará una boleta en ausencia a todos los votantes calificados identificados a más tardar seis (6) días antes de la votación. Las boletas en ausencia deben ser recibidas por la Secretaria del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. el martes 9 de junio de 2020

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL que los votantes militares que no están registrados actualmente pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados del distrito escolar.

Los votantes militares que son votantes calificados del distrito escolar pueden presentar una solicitud para una boleta militar. Los votantes militares pueden designar una preferencia para recibir un registro de votantes militares, una solicitud de boleta militar o una boleta militar por correo, transmisión por fax o correo electrónico en su solicitud de dicho registro, solicitud de boleta o boleta. Los formularios de inscripción de votante militar y los formularios de solicitud de boleta militar deben recibirse en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. el 14 de mayo de 2020. No se realizará una votación militar a menos que se reciba en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. el día de las elecciones.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL que cualquier votante calificado del Distrito puede ver una copia de las declaraciones de la cantidad de dinero que se

requerirá para el año siguiente para fines escolares, excluyendo el dinero público durante los catorce (14) días inmediatamente anterior a la Reunión Anual en el sitio web del Distrito.

SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL que las peticiones de nominación de candidatos para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación deberán presentarse ante la Secretaria del Distrito en la Oficina de la Secretaria entre las horas antes de las 5:00 PM del 11 de mayo de 2020. Vacantes en la Junta de Educación no se considera oficinas separadas y específicas; Los candidatos se postulan en libertad. Las peticiones de nominación no describirán ninguna vacante específica en la Junta para la cual el candidato es nominado; debe dirigirse a la secretaria del distrito y debe indicar el nombre y la residencia del candidato. Se aceptarán peticiones de nominación presentadas por correo electrónico, fax o correo.

La dirección de correo electrónico de la secretaria del distrito es jlong@nmerrick.org. No hay un número mínimo de firmas requeridas en la petición de nominación.

POR FAVOR, TOME AVISO ADICIONAL que esta Junta convocará una reunión especial de la misma dentro de las veinticuatro horas posteriores a la presentación ante la Secretaria del Distrito de un informe escrito de los resultados de la boleta con el propósito de examinar y tabular dichos informes del resultado de la boleta y declarando el resultado de la votación; que la Junta se designa a sí misma como un conjunto de secretarios electorales para emitir y escrutar las boletas de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2019-a, subdivisión 2b en dicha reunión especial de la Junta.

POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN DISTRITO ESCOLAR UNION FREE DE NORTH MERRICK Ciudad de Hempstead, Merrick, Nueva York JOANNE LONG, SECRETARIA DE DISTRITO 1057 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, Nueva York Merrick Herald Life: Newsday: 121894

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1088884

t’s been a roller coaster and we’re in survival mode. I don’t think we’ll be out of the woods until we’re able to operate at 100 percent.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 12, 2020

Vine Wine Bar determined to stay afloat as pandemic persists

13

HERALD

Employment

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

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

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

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

2911 Long Beach Road

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

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

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

Help Wanted

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

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Under NYS CDPAP Medicaid program you can hire your family or friends for your care.

Phone: 347-713-3553

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May 12, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

14

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O HOLY ST. Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue, rich in miracle, near kinsman to Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoked your special patronage in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart, and humbly beg great power to come to my assistance.

Help me in my present and most urgent petition. (Make your request). In return, I promise to make your name known and cause your name to be invoked. St. Jude, pray for us and all who invoke thy aid.

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1087329

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

15

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 12, 2020

Place Homes HERALD Market •

HERALD

Renovate or tear down?

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

A. Home ownership

Monte Leeper

is a challenge in many ways. For some, a home is a place to shelter, sleep, cook and entertain. For others it’s a little more like a place to enjoy time by a fireplace and a haven to relax or turn into a laboratory of gadgets and gizmos. If you’re concerned about value versus overpricing, then, other than a basic home, more upgrades are relative to comparable homes in the area. Making your home more, I often tell homebuyers, is based on your level of expected benefit and how long you hope to live there to enjoy the rewards of your hard work.

State-of-the-art is ever-changing. Decide why you need the upgrades and how long they will last. If the upgrades have a return on investment, like superior insulation that reduces energy bills, solar electric or water heating, reflective or wind-resistant roofing and siding or radiant heat, then reducing bills makes the value greater. Adding a superior sound system, built-in computer and voice-controlled appliances, or a swimming pool and outdoor kitchen, are luxury items that may either become outdated or increase maintenance and insurance costs, which can actually lower the attractiveness to some future buyers who are looking at affordability.

The traditional home, built 100 years ago up to the present, has basically the same structural configuration, either using amateur or unsound guessing to be over- or under-built or, since around the 1950s, a more enforced, regulated engineered construction. It’s pretty costly to just throw a home away, so you have to be sure to compare the existing with a replacement.

Good design starts with sight orientation, the sun, winds, sounds and adherence to municipal zoning requirements. Decide if the size and shape of the existing home are a benefit or not. Insulated windows that allow uniform daytime lighting save energy. Properly sized overhangs screen harsh summer sun rays and allow windows to be open during a rain for fresh air. Look at what you have, what needs are not being met and how costly the renovation will be before starting over. If the home has a lot of dry-rotted structure or a crumbing or sinking foundation, replacement makes sense. If not, consider what’s useful to keep, and start from there with a trained, licensed professional. Good luck! © 2020 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

HERALD

Stuff

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

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to todAy’s puzzle

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May 12, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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HErald

Crossword Puzzle

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’m trying to find the right word. Is it “hate” or “jealousy”? I’m not sure what the right label is for us East Coast residents, but it seems that a substantial number of Republicans in the U.S. Senate and House have a built-in hostility toward us. This dislike goes back many years, and may even be tied to the Civil War. Every time an eastern state asks for help from certain Congress members, it is met with a mean rebuff and a tirade. One great example is the Sept. 11 first responders, many of whom have died JeRRY from their expokReMeR sure to toxins at the World Trade Center site. Considering that 3,000 innocent people died in the terrorist attacks and thousands of first responders risked their lives trying to save them, Lower Manhattan should be considered hallowed ground.

Nevertheless, it took years before the Long Island congressional delegation and other state officials persuaded Congress to approve a long-term extension of disability payments for those heroes. The fight against that effort was led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ken-

tucky. A number of Republicans from around the country who fought against the aid request backed him up.

Republicans are now looking for ways to stick it to New York and other coastal states that are drowning in debt created by the coronavirus pandemic. The relief bills passed by Congress showed great favoritism to some Midwestern states at our expense. Businesses in Nebraska and North Dakota were treated better than suffering New Yorkers. More pandemic hospital gear went to Florida than to our health facilities, and most of it wasn’t needed.

New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts, which have large populations, are essentially being told that they’re not entitled to more financial assistance because they are “blue” states. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has told McConnell that we’re dealing with life and death, not party registration. McConnell has gone out of his way to single out New York, claiming that our deficit was due to high pension costs and that we had no legitimate need.

Once he staked out his position, he was joined by senators from Iowa, Wisconsin and Arizona, who pledged that the Northeast would get nothing as long as they were in the Senate. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, whose state is home to millions of trans-

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planted Easterners, chimed in with his own diatribe against the northern states.

What is fascinating about this meanspirited attack against New York is that these same senators aren’t reluctant to visit Wall Street to beg for campaign cash.

A few years ago, when Florida Sen. Marco Rubio spoke out against directing money to the dying first responders, U.S. Rep. Peter King, who represents many of us, told Wall Street money people to withhold contributions to Rubio or any other member who opposed the 9/11 aid.

New York state had more than 335,000 cases of Covid19 as of Monday morning, the most in the country. Our hospitals and their personnel have been under enormous strain keeping up with this terrible virus. We are paying a high premium for masks, gowns and other desperately needed items, and the federal government has been accused of intercepting and diverting medical supplies from several states. Police and firefighters are working long shifts in order to keep up with the emergency demands of sick people. There are sad stories about the death of first responders and thousands of other local people every day.

Another obligation of the government, in the event of a future epidemic, should be to coordinate the food supply. It is a trag-

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

edy to see farmers destroying millions of pounds of crops and dumping fresh milk while hungry people are lining up at food banks all over the country. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue knows a lot about the farm business, but he has been clueless about how to move products to those in need. And, of course, Republicans in the Senate oppose expansion of the food stamp program for people in need.

As a former state legislator who crafted budgets for 12 years, I understand that state deficits are connected to the number of Medicaid patients and the high demand for human services. School districts have always been given a high priority in state spending plans, but this year they face dramatic cuts. That means higher school taxes, and guess who will pay the bill? New York state’s fiscal crisis is tied directly to the high cost of health care, education and other ways in which it meets people’s needs. The Republican claim that deficits are tied to pension costs is an outright lie.

But, if I have to choose between jealousy or hate to describe what they feel toward us coastal states, I think both words apply.

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

JKremer@liherald.com.

Will this plague lead to a new dark age?

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ometimes a black hole opens in a culture and civility falls in. History teaches us that sometimes, good will and decency are trumped by avarice and authoritarianism.

Read the stories of the Salem witch trials, the genocide of the Holocaust, the purges in Rwanda and the “ethnic cleansing” in the Balkans, and you begin to connect the dots. I think we are on the cusp of such a moment, and I fear for our future.

The cracks in the foundation of our culture began with the election of Donald Trump to the presidency and his very first lies about the crowd size at his inauguRandI ration, a seemingly kReIss small false note that presaged disaster. Over the ensuing years he systematically dismantled many well-functioning stanchions of government, fired legions of experienced government officials and replaced them with sycophants and hacks.

The ground rumbled as he attacked the trusted agencies to which America has turned in times of trouble: the CIA and the

FBI. When the information coming from these bureaus reflected badly on him or his administration, Trump undermined their credibility, and by doing that, their efficacy.

The crack widened with sick appeals to the racists and the know-nothings and the haters among us.

Then, because sometimes we are caught in the confluence of a perfect storm, the coronavirus pandemic struck. It is the worst time to suffer through the worst epidemic in a generation, with the worst leader who has ever risen to power in the United States of America.

Bad luck all around.

We are living through a nightmare of unnecessary deaths caused not by disease alone, but by mismanagement and incompetence. From the beginning, Trump lied about the pandemic and what government was doing to stop its spread. He missed every single opportunity to make it better.

Most disturbing, the lying and corruption at the top are trickling down. The crazies, the anti-vaxers and the hoax-mongers are having their moment. And they are being encouraged by the president, who ignores guidance from the best and brightest scientists and doctors we have in the

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fight.

Now, this week, I am seeing the black hole in our society opening wide. Who will fall in? The most vulnerable, of course.

People will go back to work, not because anything at all has changed as far as the spread of Covid-19 is concerned, but because they need to support themselves.

Because the president missed the opportunity to control the spread of disease, he tells the meat packers they have to show up. He knows they will go home to parents and grandparents and spread the disease. The cost of doing business.

This is now the acceptable sacrifice: that tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of working people and older people, especially those in nursing homes, will die so the economy can stumble forward.

It did not have to be this way.

There will be a virtual culling of old people in this country. To accept this calculated loss of life isn’t just un-American; it is depraved. Yet here we are.

The way forward from this mismanaged crisis is difficult and complicated. We need reliable testing so we can know who is sick, we need contact tracing when someone

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

falls ill, and we need the truth, most of all, on a daily basis, from a reliable source.

Most people who need to work and have work will work. But it is the federal government’s responsibility to see that the tests and protections that can make that process safer are in place.

Enough dissembling from the president.

The fact that he has frequently deployed the “witch hunt” defense, from the Mueller investigation to the impeachment hearings to his handling of the pandemic, is exquisite irony. He is the witch hunter in chief, going after news outlets, reporters, political opponents and now even iconic scientists like Anthony Fauci, who are the only source of reliable information on the pandemic.

As one of the characters said in “The Crucible,” the story of the Salem witch trials, “I’ll tell you what’s walking Salem — vengeance is walking Salem. We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law!”

Their prey may be riding different imaginary broomsticks these days, but Trump’s witch hunters are still sowing havoc and reaping revenge.

Copyright 2020 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 12, 2020

New York & company: the states Republicans love to hate

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Herald editorial

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Stay strong, Nassau

Incorporating Merrick Beacon 1950-2020

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he weekend was cold and windy, which likely prevented many people from venturing outside to potentially crowded spaces like the Jones Beach Boardwalk. For now, that’s a good thing. The more people stay home, the better. The coronavirus breeds among those in close contact.

We know, however, that people will grow increasingly eager to get outside and see one another as the weeks wear on. Nonessential workers have been at home for eight weeks, and Nassau County Executive Laura Curran warned last Friday that it could be another six weeks before the economy fully reopens downstate.

Hospitalizations, Cuomo explained, are declining but remain persistently high, and the fear is that opening the economy will lead to a spike in the Covid-19 infection rate — and thus the hospitalization rate, which could, in turn, increase the death rate.

Deaths have declined to a quarter of what they were at the virus’s peak on April 9, when a staggering 799 people died overnight. From May 10 to 11, by contrast, 161 died.

We mustn’t focus solely on statistics, though. Each reported death is a grandmother or grandfather, mother or father, wife or husband, sister or brother.

Someone like Mike Field, a Valley Stream emergency medical technician and 9/11 first responder. He died on April 8 at Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital, of complications of Covid-19. He caught it after transporting a patient. He was 59.

Or Jim Adelis. He died April 4, at age 67.

He organized Trees for Troops each year at Dees’ Nursery in Oceanside, sending Christmas trees to our troops overseas.

And there are so many more.

We must not forget them. Their memories should haunt us over the coming

Where to find help ■ The Long Island Crisis Center in Bellmore is a 24-hour suicide-prevention hotline. Its motto is, “Any problem.

Any time. Anyone.” It can be reached at (516) 679-1111 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

■ The North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center is a nonprofit chilweeks. If they don’t, we may be tempted to let up on social distancing. We may forget to wash our hands and wear masks. But we simply can’t, or others will die.

Make no mistake: We will be tempted to let up. Warmer weather is almost here, and we’ll all feel spring fever. We will desperately want to get out of the house and spend time with family members, friends and coworkers with whom we have interacted only via Zoom for weeks.

We’ll want to return to our favorite restaurants and bars, shops and museums, ballparks and bowling alleys. We must be smart, however, and heed Cuomo’s warnings. We must understand that the coronavirus is an indiscriminate, remorseless killer. We may no longer want to hide, but until the government tells us it’s safe to return to life as normal, we must stay strong and abide by the rules.

In the end, we will eradicate this disease, but doing so will require patience and diligence — and, yes, a vaccine.

We understand the need to reopen the economy. People fear losing their livelihoods, and worry about paying their mortgages and putting food on the table. A second surge of the virus, however, could be deadlier than the first, and keeping hospitalization and death rates at the lowest

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

dren’s mental health agency. It can be reached at (516) 997-2926.

■ The Nassau County Office of Mental Health, Chemical Dependency and Developmental Disabilities Services can be reached at (516) 227-7057.

possible levels is a bit like balancing a scale.

If too many people fail to socially distance, then we will tip the scale in the virus’s favor. That could lead to a second, longer shutdown of the economy, and possibly a second Great Recession, or even a depression.

The federal government has put in place a number of programs, amounting to billions of dollars, to aid desperate New Yorkers. It likely isn’t enough, and as we have written in recent weeks, more needs to be done — the government must help fund states’ annual budgets to guard against cutbacks to schools, hospitals, and fire and police departments.

There is funding, though, providing at least temporary relief, helping Long Islanders survive the next month and a half. Accessing that money may require persistence and a load of paperwork, but at least Congress allocated the funds, which are only now starting to stream through our local economy.

If you are feeling desperate, understand that you’re not alone. There are tried and true institutions here in Nassau County to aid people in need at times like these (see box).

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ew York state’s Division of Licensing Services has adopted new regulations to address widespread housing discrimination.

They take effect on June 20, and represent an important step forward. Yet much more state action is needed.

The regulations come in response to irrefutable evidence of housing discrimination on Long Island. That was the focus of a joint hearing held on Long Island in December by three State Senate committees, at which I testified on behalf of ERASE Racism.

But the problem eLaiNe isn’t limited to Gross Long Island. It is statewide and systemic. That’s why more state action is needed.

The Senate committees’ hearing was sparked by Newsday’s three-year investigation of real estate sales practices on Long Island. It exposed widespread evidence of civil rights violations, employing a research technique — involving paired testers (one white, the other “of color”) and the expertise of the Fair Housing Justice Center — that mirrored an earlier investigation by ERASE Racism that demonstrated racial discrimination in real estate rental practices.

The problem, however, is not limited to sales or rental markets, or even to real estate. Stark patterns of residential racial segregation are evident across New York and the United States. They are the result of intentional, coordinated actions of federal, state and local governments, the housing and banking industries, and other institutions over many decades. Those patterns have been sustained by those institutions, which all need to work aggressively to end them.

The new Division of Licensing Services regulations require real estate brokers and their employees and agents to notify — and obtain signed disclosure forms from — prospective buyers, sellers, renters and landlords about antidiscrimination laws. They also require the prominent display of information about how customers can file complaints about the services provided with the licensing agency.

The new regulations thereby send two clear messages to real estate agents. First, the state has underscored that they must abide by fair housing statutes, and that their license to practice is contingent on compliance. Second, the state has clarified that the Division of Licensing Services plays a vital role in fair housing enforcement.

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

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

■ Create a well-resourced, proactive, and better-coordinated fair housing enforcement strategy. Complaints of discrimination must be investigated in a timely and thorough manner, but significant resources must also be devoted to conducting proactive testing investigations, since victims of discrimination usually don’t know what properties they were not shown.

■ The real estate industry should take affirmative steps to ensure compliance with fair housing laws. The Long Island Board of Realtors has a special responsibility here, but industry-wide action is needed. That action should include the

Letters ing testing kits, personal protective equipment and other essential items.

■ We have funded food distribution sites that have already begun providing meals in our hardest-hit communities, including Hempstead, Uniondale, Freeport and Levittown. We are adding more locations throughout the county.

■ Last year, I hired Andrea Ault-Brutus to serve as our first coordinator of health care equity. This is already helping us increase access to health care and improve outcomes in our communities of color.

■ I have conducted Zoom discussions with African-American and Hispanic community leaders, clergy and the NAACP. The conversations have been critical in understanding and addressing concerns in the community.

We will keep working to provide critical resources to every community, and we will keep fighting for better health care for all our residents — during and after this crisis.

Stay strong.

LAURA CURRAN Nassau County executive

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

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

talk about Covid-19 statistics, the Small Business Administration snafu and more. Small businesses, however, are often overlooked in the media.

As a Schedule C tax filer, I am eligible to collect Pandemic Unemployment Assistance under the CARES Act. The program enables me to collect benefits even though I am a sole proprietor. I applied for PUA on March 16. I have been certifying for benefits every week.

Throughout this time my online account with the state Department of Labor says that my case is still pending.

There has been no change to my status, and with the exception of a single payment of $600, I have seen nothing. I keep receiving assurances that the system is backlogged, and that eventually I will get everything that I am entitled to back to day one. Despite my best efforts, and the efforts of my state representatives, I cannot get a definitive answer as to when I will start seeing regular payments.

Two months later, I am out of patience and money. Time and effort are being funneled into case tracking, SBA fixes and hospital preparedness. There is no discussion about greasing the process at the Department of Labor.

Many self-employed friends of mine are in the same situation. We wait patiently for an answer that is never forthcoming. The system is broken and needs a rapid fix. The governor tells us that we have to continue to

hiring of more diverse sales forces.

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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 12, 2020

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More state action is needed for fair housing

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

■ New York State should implement fair housing legislative initiatives, policy changes, and support for programs that expand access to housing opportunities in ering th all neighborhoods. Among other actions, terrori respon the state should enact an “equitable share” housing plan and establish a mini- them, L ered ha mum affordable housing goal for every Nev community.

Long Is All five of these steps need to be imple- other s mented for New York to achieve fair hous- approv ing statewide. ty paym agains Elaine Gross is president of Long Island- Majori based ERASE Racism.

Framework Courtesy Ryan McDonough

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

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

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

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

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May 12, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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