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Coach offers his thanks

A holiday greeting Page 14

Page 4 DECEMBER 23 - 29, 2021

They were ‘Merry in Merrick’ Once the participant list was finalized, a map of the households was drawn so tree walkers Braving cold and rainy weath- could stop at all the houses. er, Merokeans gathered last SatThough the event was a big urday night for the second annu- success last year, this year Casaal Merry in Merrick Tree Walk. no, Martone and their neighbor Organized for the first time last and fellow organizer, Sharon year by sisters-in-law Loscalzo decided to Je n C a s a n o a n d make it more about Andrea Mar tone, the community, and Merrick residents giving back. with children in “This year, we local schools, the said, ‘Let’s do it event was back on as again, but a little bigfamilies gathered to ger,’” Casano told the enjoy the neighborHerald. “The walk is hood displays. also a food drive — Families involved there are about four in the tree walk — or five locations takwhich started as an ing food for the Bellidea to boost morale more-Merrick Comduring the pandemic munity Cupboard. — vo l u n t e e r t o ANDREA It’s still the same “host” a tree. With MARtoNE idea of raising holiday lights and morale, but also other decoration, Organizer, Merry in about keeping the their homes are Merrick Tree Walk community strong.” transformed into fun The food drive displays focusing on was arranged with the trees, usually with a theme. the assistance of Chatterton EleThis year, 21 households took mentary School’s student counpart, and the themes included cil, which helped spread the “Tis the Sea-Sun-Summertime word. Christmas,” “A Festivus for the Although fewer households Rest of Us” and “Holiday Fir for took part this year, that made the our Furry Friends,” among others. Continued on page 9

By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com

Jordan Vallone/Herald

JAsMiNE lowMAtAN, CHRis Peterkin and Maxine Zalewiski prepared their presentation on human resources for Bellmore-Merrick’s second annual Business Challenge, which took place last Friday at the Brookside School.

Future business leaders show their stuff in challenge By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com

On Dec. 16, students in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District gathered at the Brookside School, in Merrick, for the district’s second annual Business Challenge. Nearly 60 students from the district’s three high schools took part in competition in five categories: human resources, retail marketing, tourism, entrepreneurship and sports marketing.

Randomly chosen teams of two or three student participants — one from each school — were given a category, a related business scenario and 20 minutes to prepare a presentation for a panel of judges comprising school administrators, elected officials, college representatives and local business leaders. At the end, one winning group was selected in each category. The scenarios students were given included the retail marketing for a fictitious “cat

café,” tourism on Long Island and a human-resources campaign for an architectural firm. “It’s really great,” Mark Melkonian, assistant principal of Sanford H. Calhoun High School, said of the challenge. “It’s really about critical thinking. It’s about being professional and working together with kids they don’t even know — and that’s business, right?” The nearly full-day event featured a keynote speech by Continued on page 14

e are so thankful to be in a community like this, with all these friendly faces.

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Mepham wrestlers are ‘Queens of the Mat’

MERRICK HERALD — December 23, 2021

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Earlier this month, two Wellington C. Mepham High School students competed in an all-girls wrestling tournament dubbed “Queen of the Mat” in Copiague. Yianna Foufas and Talia Robles were the first students in Mepham’s history to take part in a girls-only tournament. Foufas, 15, of Bellmore, told the Herald that before she started wrestling, she wasn’t interested in sports. “In early elementary school, I sucked at all sports,” she recounted. “I was always the kid that got picked last — I did not want to be in sports at all.” Deciding to change, she said, “During recess, I started working out. I was running around the playground, doing pullups on the monkey bars.” An avid artist with an interest in fashion design, Foufas joked that her outside interests were “very different from wrestling.” Toward the end of elementary school, she started to learn Brazilian jiu-jitsu and strength training. “I said to myself, ‘Hey, I’m pretty strong for a girl,’” Foufas said. “I went from the kid who sucked at all sports to the girl wrestler.” Foufas added that she has also participated in both track and cross-country at Bellmore-Merrick. Robles, who’s also 15 and also from Bellmore, is an animal lover and a rescue volunteer. Her interest in wrestling grew from watching her older brother, Nicholas, compete in the sport. “I started wrestling toward the end of sixth grade,” she said. “I always went to all my brother’s matches, and it always looked really fun, so I decided to start it.” Both Foufas and Robles have been wrestling for Bellmore-Merrick since they were in seventh grade at Grand Avenue Middle School in Bellmore, and joining the middle school team was daunting, but at the same time a welcoming experience. They are now both on the co-ed wrestling team at Mepham. “Coming onto the team was very nerve-racking,” Robles said. “But my brother helped me along the way. The coaches were so supportive, and helped me — they made the team so welcoming for me and Yianna.” “A bunch of the [wrestlers] knew me as the fast kid from cross-country, but I was pretty shy at the time,” Foufas said of joining the middle school team. “I felt like I needed to start winning to gain their respect — I thought I needed to work 10 times harder to keep up with them. If they were getting stronger, I needed to also. It was long nights of wrestling and working out, but I felt like I needed to do more.” Both girls agreed that last season was challenging due to Covid-19, because, as Foufas noted, “you can’t social distance and wrestle.” “I think I got maybe two matches in, and Yianna had only one,” Robles said of last season. “This season we need to make up for last year,” Foufas added. “This year needs to be twice as successful, and it’s been

Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

YiANNA FOuFAs AND Talia Robles, both sophomores at Wellington C. Mepham High School in Bellmore, competed in an all-girls wrestling tournament in Copiague. pretty good so far. I like the coaches — the team has good energy. Wrestling is the kind of sport where you need mat time to get better. Everyone this year has to work twice as hard.” At the all-girls tournament on Dec. 4, Foufas went 4-0, with four pins — three of them in less than 50 seconds. Robles went 2-2. “The girls’ tournament at Copiague was an amazing experience,” Robles said. “There were a lot more girls that I thought there would be.” Wrestlers from schools in Nassau and Suffolk counties competed. Some Suffolk school districts, such as Bay Shore, have girls-only wrestling programs. “[They] have worked extremely hard in order to place in this tournament,” Mepham wrestling coach Ken Richards said of Robles and Foufas. “These girls have worked tirelessly all off-season, and this is just the beginning of their success.” Both girls have trained at clubs outside Mepham. Robles said that Savage Wrestling Club, in Huntington, and Alpha Girls Wrestling, in East Islip, have helped her tremendously. Foufas has also trained at Savage, and at Vougar’s Wrestling Club in Syosset, and said that her coach, Enas Ahmed, has been a huge contributor to her wrestling success. For both, wrestling is also about breaking stereotypes. “People always ask me how it is wrestling all boys, and what I say is that the moment you step on the mat, everyone is equal,” Foufas said. “The thing I love about it is that most people think all girls who wrestle are tomboys —

Photos courtesy Yianna Foufas

FOR FOuFAs, wREstLiNg is about breaking stereotypes.

it’s just a stereotype. “Off the mat, I’m very girly and feminine,” she went on. “I wanted to wear red lipstick to all my matches — wanted to have my nails pink to bring that feminine aspect to the sport. You can be feminine and wrestle at the same time.” “The thing I love about wrestling is

you step on the mat, and someone is trying to fight you — there is something so crazy and special about that,” Foufas said. “There is just something so magical about having your hand raised” when you win. “It’s a hard sport, and I have a lot of respect for everyone in it.”

Neighbors iN the News

Coaching for kids like Joe Joseph Guastafeste is someone I will not forget. I had the pleasure of having Joe in my 10th grade Global history class as well as a football player in my program. Looking at Joe most people would tell you that he is not a football player. He is undersized, skinny and not very fast, but Joe does not allow any physical shortcomings to stop him from what he loves. Joe is tougher than most people realize. Joe is five foot eight and maybe a hundred and forty pounds. He plays wide receiver and cornerback. He is so smart that he knows all the positions and their responsibilities before the rest of his teammates. This speaks to what Joe is as a person. His character is second to none. Joe has the same amazing work ethic in the classroom that he does on the football field. Joe asked fantastic questions in class. He saw history from multiple perspectives and was able to synthesize material quickly. He was an excellent classmate. Joe can work with anyone. He was

someone that I could pair with a shy struggling student or a loud one, and by the end of the class the kid was acting like Joe because Joe makes people feel comfortable no matter who they are. He is kind and generous with a fantastic sense of humor. His nickname is Hollywood which is hysterical because he is anything but Hollywood. He makes funny videos of his teammates cutting up NFL plays and commentary with our own games. Joe does it to make everyone laugh and not take themselves too seriously. He is just one of those people that as a teacher and a coach you root for because he is pure in his goals and dedicated in his methods. Last season in the spring, Joe played with a broken wrist the whole year and did not tell anyone. It was a shortened Covid season and when the starter went out with Covid, Joe jumped in. He took the opportunity to get a starting postion and held onto it for the rest of the season with a broken wrist.

After the season, he said to me that you have to make the most of the opportunities you get. He was in a cast the day after the season ended. He is someone who can raise all of those around him to be better people just by being himself. His disarming humor and jovial attitude make talking to him a joy. His senior year, Joe played both ways as a wide receiver and a corner. During the seventh game of the season, he re-injured his wrist. Again, he did not tell anyone and finished the season. It turns out he broke the same bone again. He was in a cast and the only thing he said was that it was worth every moment on the field. Joe Guastafeste is a special person and a special player. There are very few kids like him around anymore. He plays so hard because he loves the game. We as coaches, coach for kids like Joe. Courtesy Brian Moeller; compiled by Jordan Vallone.

Questions we’ve been asked...

Photo courtesy Brian Moeller

Joseph Guastafeste and Sanford H. Calhoun football coach Brain Moeller.

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MERRICK HERALD — December 23, 2021

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December 23, 2021 — MERRICK HERALD

events and activities

community update Thursday, Dec. 23

grams@gmail.com with any additional questions or concerns.

Weekly Mahjong and Cards

Thursday, Dec. 30

The Juliets are back playing Mahjong and cards at Congregation Beth Tikvah, located at 3710 Woodbine Ave, Wantagh, from noon to 4 p.m. For more information please contact the office at (516)785-2445 or email mahjonggCBT@yahoo.com. PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION is REQUIRED and masks must be worn to enter the building. A contribution of $5 per person is required. Bellmore and Merrick residents are welcome.

Teddy Bear Workshop at the North Bellmore Public Library Visit the North Bellmore Public Library for this this hands-on workshop as me make our very own Zippy, the Snow Pal stuffed toy, complete with his own furry hat! Ages 5-8, with adult. Event starts at 2 p.m. Please contact juvprograms@ gmail.com with any additional questions.

Saturday, Dec. 25

Weekly Mahjong and Cards The Juliets are back playing Mahjong and cards at Congregation Beth Tikvah, located at 3710 Woodbine Ave, Wantagh, from noon to 4 p.m. For more information please contact the office at (516)785-2445 or email mahjonggCBT@yahoo.com. PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION is REQUIRED and masks must be worn to enter the building. A contribution of $5 per person is required. Bellmore and Merrick residents are welcome.

Christmas Celebration at Bellmore Presbyterian The Bellmore Presbyterian Church welcomes all to come and worship on Christmas. At 5 p.m., there will be a family and children’s service. At 9 p.m., a candelight and Holy Communion service. Both services will end with Oh Holy Night. With any questions, please contact the church directly.

Monday, Dec. 27 In-person Winter Wonderland Door Sign Decoration Workshop Join Ms. Lisa at the Bellmore Memorial Library in creating your own winter wonderland door sign decoration for your home or to give as a gift. For students in grades 6-12. Registration for BML cardholders begins Dec. 1 Registration for non-BML cardholders begins Dec. 3. As per CDC and NYS guidelines, all visitors over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask while inside the library and during this program. Please contact the teen services at teenzone@ bellmorelibrary.org for more information or questions.

Passport Club at the Bellmore Memorial Library Visit the Bellmore Memorial Library and learn about different countries and cultures through stories, crafts and activities. Each month will feature a different country. For ages 5 -12. Registration for BML cardholders begins Dec. 1 Registration for non-BML

l l l l l

Courtesy Merrick PAL

Leo the Lion visits Merrick PAL On October 30, Nassau County’s PAL mascot Leo the Lion came to visit the Merrick PAL Soccer program. It was a fun time for both the children and their families of our program.

cardholders begins Dec. 3. As per CDC and NYS guidelines, all visitors over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask while inside the library and during this program. Please contact the children’s department at childrens@bellmorelibrary.org with any questions or for more information.

Tuesday, Dec. 28 Tuesday’s with Poetry The Performance Poets Association will be having their monthly meeting in the Meeting Room. Meetings

usually take place monthly on the last Tuesday of the month. As per CDC and NYS guidelines, all visitors over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask while inside the library and during this program. Please contact the children’s department at childrens@bellmorelibrary.org with any questions or for more information.

Family Bingo at the Merrick Library Children ages K-6 and their families are invited to compete in a fun game of bingo. Registration for Merrick residents begins Friday, Dec. 17. Non residents Friday, Dec. 23. Please contact the

library directly with any additional questions. Event will run from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 29 Decorate a GIANT Snow Family at the North Bellmore Public Library Visit the North Bellmore Public Library and help them make a giant snowman and snowmom plus some snowchildren! Help us decorate this snowfamily and we will display our creation in the Children’s Room. For ages 3 and up, with adult. Please contact juvpro-

HAvING AN eveNT? Items on the Community Update pages are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to jvallone@liherald.com.

Starting on Dec. 15, the TOH will be collecting supplies for tornado relief victims. Area libraries will be closed this weekend for the Christmas holiday. Newbridge Road Park will undergo a series of park improvements throughout the winter for next spring. Area schools will be closed from Dec. 24 - Dec. 31 for holiday recess. The Jones Beach holiday light show will run through Jan. 2.

Community takes part in second tree walk

event more consolidated, with a 10- to 12-block radius from Smith Street to Gormely Avenue. “It’s a little more intimate,” Martone said. Last year, for the inaugural tree walk, Casano said, everything was “old school.” “We handed out 1,500 fliers to homes,” she recounted. “This year we used a Facebook page and a website so families could raise their hand to host a tree.” Local businesses, such as the coffee shop RS Beanery, on Merrick Avenue, also participated, taking food donation and offering a signature Merry in Merrick Latte during the week. “It’s just nice that a bunch of people in our community have also stepped up and took part in this,” Casano said. On Saturday night, a small opening ceremony took place in the cul-de-sac of Gor mely Avenue and Doris Place. Although Sanford H. Calhoun High School’s musical choral group Pulse was scheduled to perform, it was unable to do so due to some conflicts. Later in the evening, Santa Claus was seated in front of a home on Gormely, posing for photos with neighborhood kids. “This event is really near and dear to our hearts,” Loscalzo said as she welcomed the tree walkers. “We hope that you’re all ready for some beautiful, handmade, thoughtful, funny and artistic exhibits.” “We want to say thanks for all of our

MERRICK HERALD — December 23, 2021

Continued from front page

brave and fearless tree hosts,” Casano added, “and for your creativity and determination — and for coming out and working in the rain today and creating your masterpieces.” Those interested in taking part in next year’s tree walk can visit the website merryinmerrick.com or the Facebook page @ Merry in Merrick – Holiday Tree Walk. “We are so thankful to be in a community like this, with all these friendly faces,” Martone said. “It’s safe and happy, and that’s all I’ve ever really wanted in our town.”

Photos by Jordan Vallone/Herald

one of the households, top left. had a fun, summer-themed display. tree walkers, above, with a tree display themed Elves.

Thank You My Friends, Family, And Clients For A Great Year. Wishing You A Healthy and Safe Holiday Season and a Happy New Year! Homes sold in 2021 16 Johnson, Babylon 2518 Park Place, Bellmore 2101 Legion Street, Bellmore 2729 Court Street, Bellmore 725 Miller Avenue, Freeport 337 Rose Street, Freeport

79 Brixton Road, Garden City 9A N. Manor Road, Greenlawn 19 Valentine Avenue, Huntington 1018 Sunset Avenue, Island Park 112 Berkeley Place, Massapequa 126 Commonwealth Ave, Merrick

11 Surrey Drive, Merrick 39 Winifred Drive, Merrick 52 E. Park Avenue, Merrick 1888 Stanley Drive, Merrick 11 Van Roo Avenue, Merrick 26 Range Drive, Merrick

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Merrick doctor sentenced to 23 years

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December 23, 2021 — MERRICK HERALD

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On Dec. 16, Michael Belfiore, a former medical doctor, was sentenced by United States Circuit Judge Joseph F. Bianco to 23 years for the illegal distribution of oxycodone causing the deaths of two patients, and the illegal distribution of oxycodone to those patients and to an undercover detective. Belfiore, a former doctor of osteopathic medicine who primarily operated out of an office in Merrick, New York, illegally distributed oxycodone outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. Oxycodone is a powerful and highly addictive drug that is increasingly abused because of its potency when crushed into a powder and ingested. It is a controlled substance that may be dispensed by medical professionals only to patients suffering from significant pain that is documented through medical exams. Although oxycodone is commonly prescribed in five milligram tablets, the trial evidence showed that Belfiore wrote thousands of 30 milligram prescriptions for oxycodone in quantities of up to 180 pills per month. Belfiore was ordered to forfeit $7,270 in illegal fees that he took from the two deceased patients and the undercover detective and to pay $17,000 in restitution based upon costs associated with the overdose deaths that he caused. A federal jury convicted Belfiore of the charges in May of 2018, following a five-week trial. Belfiore’s medical license has lapsed and he is no longer practicing medicine. At trial, the evidence established that on Feb. 28, 2013, Belfiore gave an illegal prescription for 120 30 mg oxycodone pills to Edward Martin, 42. On March 5, Martin overdosed and died in his bed after snorting the oxycodone obtained from Belfiore’s prescription. On April 12, 2013, Belfiore gave an illegal prescription for 150 30 mg oxycodone pills to John Ubaghs, 32. On April 13, 2013, Ubaghs was found unresponsive after overdosing on oxycodone prescribed by Belfiore, and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Between March 2013 and August 2013, Belfiore intentionally dispensed six prescriptions of oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose to an undercover

Christina Daly/Herald

Dr. Michael Belfiore, right, seen with his defense attorney Tom Liotti, in 2018. detective with the NCPD’s Narcotics Vice Squad. Belfiore created fake medical charts to justify those prescriptions and during office meetings with the undercover detective, Belfiore’s “treatment” consisted of a discussion of the defendant’s trip to San Diego and his interest in helicopters, yachts and cigarette boats. “In violation of his oath to do no harm, Belfiore intentionally distributed highly addictive and potentially lethal opioids in dosages and quantities that resulted in the overdose deaths of two of his patients,” said United States Attorney Breon Peace. “Today’s sentence sends a strong message that this Office and its law enforcement partners will fight the opioid epidemic and seek serious punishment for medical professionals like Belfiore who betray their profession and use their prescription pads to further addiction, rather than as a tool to heal. I want to extend my sincere thanks to DEA’s Long Island Tactical Diversion Squad, who tenaciously investigated this case,” Peace added. “During the midst of an opioid epidemic, the defendant chose to use his education and medical training to do harm, and at the expense of two of his patients’ lives,” said DEA Acting Special Agent-inCharge Keith Kruskall. “DEA and its law enforcement partners will continue to seek justice for the victims who have been betrayed and have suffered greatly at that hands of those who were trusted with their health and wellbeing.” Courtesy Office of the United States Attorneys; compiled by Jordan Vallone.

Wishing Everyone a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

• Receptionist • Human Resource Director • Reporter/Editor • Sales • Multi Media Coordinator • Drivers • Pressman/Press Helper

TOM McKEVITT

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NASSAU COUNTY LEGISLATURE 1550 FRANkLIN AvE, MINEOLA, NY 11501

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Legislator, District 13

MERRICK HERALD — December 23, 2021

We can Help!…. and so can you temPo GrouP

meeting the needs of our communities today and tomorrow although recent times have brought hurdles, we have also enjoyed many successes. Here are some of the highlights:

HELP SAVE A LIFE! You will Learn:

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Overdoses can happen to anyone. Everyday at least one Long Islander dies from an overdose related to heroin or prescrip on painkillers. We will give you a FREE Naloxone overdose reversal agent and teach you how to use it. Please Register in advance at: info@tempogroup.org or call 516-374-3671 WůĞĂƐĞ ŶŽƚĞ ƚŚĂƚ ^ŽĐŝĂů tŽƌŬ ĂŶĚ K ^ ^ ĐƌĞĚŝƚƐ ĂƌĞ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ͘ dĞŵƉŽ 'ƌŽƵƉ ŝƐ ƌĞĐŽŐŶŝǌĞĚ ďǇ ƚŚĞ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ^ƚĂƚĞ ĚƵĐĂƚŝŽŶ ĞƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚ͛Ɛ ^ƚĂƚĞ ŽĂƌĚ ĂƐ ĂŶ ĂƉƉƌŽǀĞĚ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƌ ŽĨ ĐŽŶƚŝŶƵŝŶŐ ĞĚƵĐĂƚŝŽŶ ĨŽƌ ůŝĐĞŶƐĞĚ ƐŽĐŝĂů ǁŽƌŬĞƌƐ͘

• tempo youth service virtual afterschool Program

sŝƐŝƚ ŽƵƌ ǁĞďƐŝƚĞ ǁǁǁ͘ƚĞŵƉŽŐƌŽƵƉ͘ŽƌŐ

• tempo youth service learning Pod, a safe place for students to learn virtually • tempo youth service summer in person recreational Program • implementation of an interpreter platform to meet the needs of our non-english speaking clients. • move to offer both virtual and in-person services • reaching 100% staffing vaccination • increase access to medication assisted treatments • membership in community coalitions

While the unprecedented nature of the last 20 months continues to impact our communities and how we function day to day; Tempo Group and Tempo Youth Services, has and continues to remain dedicated to meeting the behavioral health needs of the communities we serve. As our over 50 year history dictates, we are unwavering in our commitment to assess, modify and implement services that will improve the lives of the individuals and families we serve.

• implementation of case management services • increasing Peer services • sunshine Grant award • screening brief intervention referral to treatment (sbirt) Grant • construction of medical offices to increase medication assisted treatments

For more information or to make a donation, please visit our website:

www.tempogroup.org H e l p i n g Fa m i ly s H e a l

516.374.3671

112 Franklin Place Woodmere

1260 meadoWbrook rd. n. merrick

23 Willis avenue syosset

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As we look towards 2022, The Tempo Family wishes you and your family a festive holiday season and a healthy & happy New Year!

• community narcan trainings

December 23, 2021 — MERRICK HERALD

Bellmore-Merrick hosts business challenge ContinuEd from front PagE

Eric Niremberg, founder and president of ClearVision Wealth Management, an investment firm in Bellmore, whose son is a Calhoun graduate. “I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur — without even knowing it,” Niremberg told the students. “I’m the kind of guy who just jumps into things, and whatever happens, happens. You will learn from your mistakes and move on.” Each group of students was given 10 minutes to make its presentation, which was followed by five minutes of questions from the judges, who challenged the students to think creatively about their scenarios. When the students weren’t working in their groups, they had the chance to walk around a college fair organized by seven local colleges outside of the auditorium at Brookside. “We ask the colleges to give us information, like fun facts, and we put that together in a sort of scavenger hunt, and we have the students complete that scavenger hunt,” Melkonian explained. “It’s a win-win, because ultimately the colleges want to advertise, and it’s good for our kids, because they can network and meet admissions people.” Although the challenge was intended for students in Bellmore-Merrick’s business classes, it welcomed those from other programs as well. The culinary arts program CHAMPS, from John F. Kennedy High School, helped serve lunch to the attendees, and orchestra students from Calhoun provided background music

Who won the challenge? The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District announced the following winners of the second annual Bellmore-Merrick Business Challenge. human resources Dylan Bazelnov, JFK Surina Ramoutar, Mepham retail marketing Alex Liederman, JFK Alex Martucci, Mepham tourism Hailey Boas, JFK Christopher Dubon, Mepham Entrepreneurship Zoe Gleicher, Calhoun Kristina Shau, JFK Murad Gawish, Mepham sports marketing Connor Volz, Calhoun Izzy Sivin, JFK Julie Penninipede, Mepham

Photos by Jordan Vallone/Herald

Ethan Piriag, addison Donath and Kamila Agudelo prepared for their presentation on tourism. throughout the event. Wellington C. Mepham High’s broadcasting program, Bellmore-Merrick Broadcasting, covered the event. “It’s very inclusive of everyone,” Melkonian said. “Even though we’re inviting students for the business piece, we’re also inviting every specialty of each high school to contribute to this event.” This was the second year the high schools’ business department hosted the challenge, having taken a hiatus last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. “It loses a little bit of its purpose when it’s virtual,” Melkonian said. “This event is not conducive for that.” This year, Nassau County Legislator Steve Rhoads served as a judge, and offered a word of advice to the participating students. “Everybody’s got gifts and talents that we’re all given — some of us are good at sports, some of us are good at math, some of us are good at writing,” Rhoads said. “Whatever it is that you’re good at, if you can find a way to make a living doing that, you have it. That’s the key to success. “Whether you win or not, though, the important thing is that you gave it your all and tried,” Rhoads added. “Make sure that you use this as a springboard to follow your dreams, and I know that you’re going to accomplish some amazing things.” Unlike outside business competitions that high schools attend, Melkonian noted that it was beneficial to keep this challenge within the district, because it fosters a sense of community. With the hopes of expanding both the high schools’ business departments and the challenge in the future, the event served as a demonstration of what students are learning, and capable of producing. “We are building,” Melkonian said of the business program. “We want to get bigger and better. This is what this is for, to shed light on the good stuff we’re doing. We want to connect the students and show the colleges what we’re doing, and create that bridge.”

Emily yuCht and Ava Scheffler, left, from the Bellmore-Merrick broadcasting crew at Wellington C. Mepham High School, recorded parts of the event and interviewed students. daniEl Kahn and Jake Braglia, below, made a presentation on retail marketing.

MERRICK HERALD — December 23, 2021

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Bellmore PresByterian ChurCh.

A Christmas Message Christmas is a time for yearning. Are you yearning for a new day, yearning for times with more hope, more peace, more love and more joy? Every Advent season is a time for waiting — a time to wait and prepare for the Coming of the Lord. For the Christian Church, Advent is the beginning of a New Year. We wait for the Coming of the Lord, as God came as a babe in Bethlehem, as promised thousands of years ago. The Lord was received, and we wait and look forward to the Second Advent, as the Lion of Judah comes again. Each year during Advent, four candles are lit each Sunday prior to Christmas Day, as we yearn for that final Day completion with the Lord’s return to restore us. This ongoing Pandemic, much like the pandemic of 100 years ago, though both were and are very deadly and painful as well, led us here in America — in the early 1900’s, into the Roaring Twenties. Have you ever stopped to think that in this time of anxiety, pain, suffering and death good things are coming our way? As we celebrate this New Year with this upcoming Christmas season, and move into 2022, think, “Good things come to those who can wait.” So as you read this today, what is it that consumes your mind, body and soul? Are you ready for what this Christmas can bring to you and your loved ones? Are you able to look at this world, through the eyes of honest anguish, and see that joy that is on the horizon? At the church I serve, we welcome all peoples with grace and mercy as we together seek the promises from God from the Holy Bible. We worship a wonderful God, who works all things together for good to those who love the Lord and consider the future peace, love and joy of the Kingdom of God. You have heard it said, “Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.” Are you and I able to re-imagine how the “Joy of the Lord can still be our strength?” In ancient times, years before the Tem-

ple was rebuilt in Jerusalem — the city of peace — Nehemiah came back from captivity, and with his leadership helped the Hebrew people rebuild the very walls that were destroyed by their enemies, and rekindle the love of God. With a sword in one hand and a brick in the other, Nehemiah rebuilt the wall and its people. He was wise enough first to gather all the Hebrews together and have Ezra, the priest, read the Law of the Lord. As a result, the people wept when they heard it, for they had forgotten its beauty and firm foundation. In chapter 8, verse 10, of Nehemiah we are told this: “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” It is one of my most favorite Hebrew scriptures. Joy is what sustains us in times of trials and struggles when we are feeling weak and helpless. The people of God gathered to hear the Word of God. So why not in this most wonderful season of the year, return to a House of Worship and listen once again, not only the Law of God, but for God’s grace, mercy and love as we re-imagine what is our strength? I can tell you after decades of ministry in the Bellmore community what gives me strength, when I minister to the people during difficult times — times of sadness and death, times of anxiety and fear — is the joy of the Lord. It takes a community to raise a child, but it also takes a community to sustain joy for healthy human persons who can become gentle, kind, open minded and open hearted in a world that dishes out way too much pain and headache. Thanks be to God who gives the world joy. Merry Christmas, and have a safe and healthy New Year. GRACE, LOVE, PEACE from the Rev. Dr. James W. Barnum Pastor of the Bellmore Presbyterian Church 2740 Martin Ave, Bellmore, New York, 11790

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December 23, 2021 — MERRICK HERALD

First cosmetology showcase held at Calhoun By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

On Dec. 17, the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District hosted the first Bellmore-Merrick Cosmetology Showcase at Sanford H. Calhoun High School, attracting teachers, administrators and students who came to see dozens of their talented peers in action. The cosmetology program, something of a hidden gem in the district, offers students a 1,000-hour program in their junior and senior years, and prepares them for the state board exam they must take in order to become licensed. They learn everything beauty related, including hair, makeup and nail care. “The cosmetology program has been here just about as long as the school district has,” said district cosmetology teacher Jamie Pendl, a licensed cosmetologist who has taught at private beauty schools. She is in her second year in the district, and took over the program when teacher Alana Baard retired. “We are working really hard to revamp the program,” Pendl said. “We are trying to really get good, professional kids who are business minded and want to be in the beauty industry. “This is a great event, because we have a bunch of salons here that are able to hire some of the kids that are ready for jobs,” she added. “We have the sophomores here that are seeing the juniors and seniors in action to see if they want to be part of [the program], so it’s kind of working out for everyone.” Cosmetology training is a relative luxury for a school district. Students who are interested in the profession usually have to attend a beauty school or a Nassau County BOCES program, during or after high school. “It’s great here — they never have to go to beauty school and waste any additional time after graduation,” Pendl explained. “It’s free — with their tax dollars — so they never pay anything to be in the program. After the two years, they can take their state board exam and become licensed professionals, and at 17 or 18 be ready to work.” The cosmetology wing at Calhoun is a decidedly nontraditional classroom setting, a large space with sinks, hair and nail stations, and even an eyebrow-waxing table. Outside in the hallway last Friday, there were tables set up for hair braiding, henna application and makeup. “Next year, we’re going to upgrade,” Pendl said. “We’ll have six sinks. Each kid will have a station. We have a lot of really good things coming for the program next year, which will be awesome.” Throughout the showcase, students

Photos by Jordan Vallone/Herald

At SANfORD H. Calhoun High School, Bellmore-Merrick juniors and seniors were hard at work during the district’s first cosmetology showcase. and teachers were able to stop by and receive a beauty treatment. The program also has “client days,” on which visitors from outside the school can receive treatments. “Because of Covid, we’re very limited,” Pendl said. “When there weren’t Covid restrictions, they used to have clients come in, during a client day once a week. This year we do have a friends-andfamily day twice a month. They can come in as long as they’re vaccinated or show a negative test and have a mask on.” The program is also offered to students at Wellington C. Mepham and John F. Kennedy high schools, who take a bus to Calhoun for their scheduled three-period block of cosmetology classes —periods 1 through 3 for seniors, and 7 through 9 for juniors. “I think it’s really beneficial that it’s within the district,” Summer Marfani, a senior at Mepham, said of the program, “because when you’re in the BOCES school, there’s so many kids there that you don’t get that one-on-one. Here you get that one-on-one. All the schools are linked, and in an event like this, there’s kids coming from Mepham, from Kennedy — so you’re meeting people and you’re keeping it within your district.” Some students, like Marfani, have already started working in the industry. Marfani does “hands and hair” at De La Mer Salon and Spa in Bellmore. She emphasized that students in the program can still take a full complement of other courses. “After our transportation period, I have all my A.P. classes back

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to back,” Marfani explained. “People look at beauty and think there are no brains behind it, but there is so much behind it. We learn chemistry, biochemistry and anatomy, all of this just to learn how to work this into the hair. And you’re working with someone’s body — you have to be careful.” It was evident that program participants owed much of their success to Pendl. “My experience has been a memorable one,” Calhoun senior Olivia Orlich said. “The one thing that stood out to me the most was Ms. Pendl. Working with a group of girls like us is not easy. We appreciate everything she does, and also everything she does for this program.” “She’s the most wonderful teacher you’ll ever meet,” Marfani said. “She actually cares about not only the program, but the people inside it. She wants to make sure you’re OK, you’re on the right track, and everything is working out for you in the long run. “It’s all three high schools in one [program],” Marfani added. “I met all my best friends here.”

OLiViA ORLicH wAxED a visiting student’s eyebrows. RAcHEL MASON, OLiViA Armao, Nikki Donelson and Ciarra Pariag welcomed students, teachers and administrators to the showcase.

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Malverne UFSD Long Island, New York

Security Guards

CLEANER M-F Full Time, Day and Evening Shifts Available

$19.37/Hour.

Required: NYS Certification w/security photo ID

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Assistant Superintendent for Personnel & Administration

ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK FT:

Established Envelope Company. Excellent Phone/ MS Office/ Email/ Internet Skills. Handle Mail/ Filing. Colleen 516-244-8444 Email Resume Bruce At bruced@themercurycompanies.com

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Richner Communications - a rapidly growing multimedia company and publishers of the Herald newspaper group has several administrative job openings: Receptionist (F/T), Accounts Receivable/Billing Collections Clerk Multi-Media Coordinator (Hours Flexible) Qualified candidates are fast learners with good organizational and people skills - entry level ok. Role requires working knowledge of Microsoft Office and ability to learn custom software programs. If you would like to join a communitydriven, fast-paced environment, please send your resume to: careers@liherald.com.

CAREGIVERS With Elderly P/T Shifts Available Experience Required

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Energetic Person Needed For MultiTasked Position. Cashier & Stock Shelves For Busy Grocery Store In West Hempstead. Answer Phones, Take Ord e r s . W i l l Tr a i n . C a l l S t e v e n 516-509-6595

Malverne Union Free School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

IVERS BUS DR TED WAN

A Growing Multi Media Company Based in Garden City Is Hiring: • Receptionist • Human Resource Director • Reporter/Editor • Sales • Multi Media Coordinator • Drivers • Pressman/Press Helper

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE Full Time/Part Time DoN’T MISS The Bus! Richner Communications, publisher NEW of Herald community newspapers STARTING SAlARIES has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in Big Bus Van our busy Circulation Department. $26.18/hr. $23.41/hr. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: Non-Benefit Rate Non-Benefit Rate heavy computer work, answering Sign On Bonus $2,500.00 for CDL driver bus and van phones, making phone calls, enter$500.00 for non CDL drivers. Will train qualified applicants *Some restrictions may apply. ing orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a EDUcATIoNAl BUS TRANSpoRTATIoN must! Knowledge of DATABASE 5th_floor • Clients • m-Clients • Malverne • 43670 Malverne Richner Communications maintenance or postal regulations a 516.454.2300 3.125x 3" Richner Communications big plus. Qualified Candidates must PRESS-ROOM/WAREHOUSE HELP be computer literate, able to multiLong Island Herald has IMMEDIATE opentask, dependable, reliable, orgaHUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR ings for a FULL-TIME Pressroom/warenized, energetic, detail orientated Richner Communications is looking for a house helper in Garden City. We are a and able to work well under deadhands-on Human Resources professional busy print shop looking for a motivated and lines. For consideration, please to oversee all HR functions on a strategic reliable individuals to assist in various dusend resume & salary requirements and tactical level. Exciting opportunity to ties in the shop. Forklift experience is a to: careers@liherald.com join a dynamic and expanding Garden City, plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours Long Island media company. This position vary, so flexibility is key. has a flexible schedule, part-time job share Email resumes or contact info to DELI COUNTER AND PREP PERSON would be considered. careers@liherald.com Full Time And Part Time. Weekends A Responsibilities: Talent acquisition: Must. Experienced. Long Beach. Call Source, screen, and interview potential Long Island, New York 516-431-5515 candidates and manage new employee onboarding Benefits administration: Liaise with brokers, providers and facilitate enrollment and updating of coverage. Manage Richner Communications has openings annual open enrollment and employee Full Time and Part Time for Outside Sales Executives to Sell benefits review. Administration of 401(k) Positions Available! Digital and Print advertising plan. Employee relations: Provide day- toBusy Print Shop in Garden City Service and sell both existing day support and problem resolution in reand developing new business. is Hiring Immediately for gards to employee concerns, questions If you have the desire to succeed in our Full Time and Part Time Drivers. and policy issues. Performance managefast paced business and are Must Have a Clean License and ment: Coach, counsel and recommend dismotivated, dependable, have strong ciplinary actions Compliance: Maintain inBoxTruck Driving Experience. communication skills and can manage depth knowledge of legal requirements reHours Vary, your own time, We would lated to day-to-day management of emNight Availability is a Must. like to hear from you! ployees, reducing legal risk and ensuring Please Email Resume to Base salary with commission plan. Paid regulatory compliance Payroll: Process biehecker@liherald.com or sick/personal days, vacation and paid weekly payroll through payroll vendor for Call (516)569-4000 x239 holidays. Sales experience is a plus but population of 150 employees Requirewe will train the right person to learn the ments: Bachelor's degree, preferably in industry. business or HR, or equivalent experience email resume to Minimum 5 years HR generalist experience EDITOR/REPORTER careers@liherald.com Knowledge of Federal, State & Local reguThe award-winning Herald Community lations governing employment Experience Newspapers group, covering Nassau with payroll processing Self-motivated, County's North and South Shores with TAX PREPARER P/T Franklin Square Malverne Union Free School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ability to prioritize and work well under hard-hitting news stories and gracefully Experience Needed. 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Historically, reporters who across the country. 516-536-6994 Must Be Experienced have launched their careers with us Call 516-724-0636 Call the have gone on to The New York Times, LADY LOOKING FOR Job As Aide For USA Classified Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Older Person Or Cleaning, Cooking For Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, Family. Also Man Wants Job As HandyHealth Care/Opportunities Network NBC News and The Daily Mail, among man. Call 516-354-6280 Or 516-503-5001 MEDICAL ASSISTANT/RECEPTIONIST today! many others. We look for excellent writF/T. Previous Experience a Must With Why Not Print ers who are eager to learn, enhance WE HAVE THE HELP Patient Check In, Collecting Copays, their skills, and become well-established Verifying Insurance, Filing, EMR, and YOU NEED!!! and respected journalists in our industry. Appointment Scheduling. 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Malverne UFSD

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Part-Time Cleaner Various Shifts $16.00/Hour.

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MERRICK HERALD — December 23, 2021

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Q. I live in an apartment building with balconies, and wonder if you can tell me if there’s any way to know how many people I can have on my balcony at one time. This is the first time I’m having family and friends over for a party, and during the holidays I want to be sure they’ll be safe. Also, the railings have spaces between them, and I’m very concerned about the children who will be at the party. Is there a way to know whether I should restrict the balcony to adults, or just not use it at all? What’s the rule of thumb?

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A. Good question! The answer requires a number of other questions to be asked and answered to determine how concerned you should be about safety. Consider that newer buildings were constructed with more stringent requirements, while older buildings may have maintenance issues — especially buildings nearer to the onte eeper ocean — and may not have been repaired for decades. So age and location need to be known. If you know that your building has been well maintained, age may not be as much of a concern. Other than unusual items like cars and swimming pools, one of the heaviest things that buildings are designed for is paper, in filing cabinets and bookshelves, so libraries need to be extra strong to hold such extreme loads as large racks, shelves and stacks of books and papers. The required load design for balconies is the same as libraries: 100 pounds per square foot. Balconies have to not only hold the weight of people, but also carry their own weight, and heavy snow or ice, combined with high winds, without buckling. Typically, people gathering on a balcony should be similar to people gathering in the living room inside, and it’s rare to see people packed together in such a limited space without breathing room. You should use common sense, and social distancing would mean that you could limit people to being within a foot or so apart if you choose. Again, it’s rare to see people jammed into such a tight space, but that can happen if everyone rushes out to see something going on outside, like a fireworks display, for example. The safety factor of 100 pounds per square foot will generally hold, but only if the other maintenance conditions are met.

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Rent Your Apartment through the Herald and PrimeTime Classified section. Call us for our great *specials. 516-5694000, press 5 for Classified Dept. *(private party only)

As for the balcony railing, the maximum vertical or horizontal baluster spacing, or rail opening, is 4 inches, and for good reason: Children’s heads, from birth, are the largest part of their bodies, and larger than 4 inches in diameter. As they grow, their bodies catch up, proportionately. Although their bodies may squeeze through the space between railings, their heads generally won’t. A child should never be on a balcony without a responsible adult, but it does happen, and the rail space will at least protect a child from a fall. Happy holidays!

© 2021 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.

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Answers

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opINIoNS

e’re about to lose one of the most significant advances in health care made over the past decade unless Congress takes immediate action. That’s why I’m calling on Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Tom Suozzi to step up and protect lifesaving health coverage subsidies for New Yorkers. These expanded subsidies help families afford the cost of health coverage. By driving down costs, this relief ensures that Americans across lISA the country don’t lose their access tySoN to care. While this program has been an essential component of our response to the coronavirus pandemic, the impact of these benefits has been far greater. If made permanent, marketplace health insurance subsidies could cut the number of uninsured by 12 million nationwide next year, according to the Urban Institute. In New York alone, it

‘

would ensure that 163,000 people would have access to the benefits of health coverage who otherwise would not be covered. This could cut the number of uninsured by nearly 15 percent across the state. These expanded tax credits must be made permanent in this year’s final budget reconciliation package. As we continue to confront the worst public health crisis in over a century, these subsidies ensure that every community in our state can access basic care and take part in our ongoing recovery. Despite the impact of this relief, these subsidies will disappear if Congress doesn’t act soon. If they expire, the effects on working- and middle-class families could be devastating. A new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that premiums could double for the millions of Americans who buy their coverage on the marketplace. Another study by the Department of Health and Human Services found that premiums could rise by as much as $600.

As we’ve fought to recover from Covid-19 and its deadly mutations, marketplace subsidies have become an essential lifeline for thousands of New Yorkers. And while it’s hard to imagine a worse time to lose health coverage than in the middle of a global pandemic, these expanded benefits are currently set to expire by the end of next year. That’s why it’s so critical that leaders like Schumer and Suozzi work with their colleagues to protect these essential benefits for every American still struggling to afford health coverage. As director of the Long Island Progressive Coalition, I’ve seen our community go through decades of debate over how best to expand access to health care. While this conversation must continue, we cannot afford to lose a program that is providing coverage to so many right now. New York has long been at the forefront of efforts to protect the health and well-being of working families. From Teddy Roosevelt making the first national call to protect against “the haz-

amilies shouldn’t have to choose between paying bills and paying for health care.

ards of sickness” to his cousin Franklin Roosevelt creating the Social Security program, our state’s leaders have long fought to ensure that working people can live and age with dignity. In more recent times, our leaders in Congress fought to pass, and then defend, the Affordable Care Act. All of these efforts have improved the lives of countless families across our state and around the country. Now we have the chance to build on that legacy by protecting these lifesaving subsidies before they expire. This will not only ensure that thousands of New Yorkers can keep their health coverage, but also move us closer to the day when every American will have access to affordable, quality health care. No family should ever be forced to choose between paying the bills and paying for health coverage. These expanded marketplace subsidies must be made permanent now, because they ensure that millions of Americans don’t have to make that choice. It’s time for our leaders in Washington to act. Lisa Tyson, of North Bellmore, is the director of the Massapequa-based Long Island Progressive Coalition.

Kidney donor tells story of the gift she gave

ear Ms. Kreiss: “I read your article in the Herald about your friends’ son who needs a kidney (“Hoping for the gift of life in this season of giving” Dec. 9-15). I suspect people who read the column or see pleas like this in general don’t believe they can help because organ donation is so serious. It made me think that, as a kidney organ donor, it would help if I told my story. “I met ‘Jane,’ another parent, at my daughter’s RANDI school. I came to KREISS know her through her devotion to various class projects and activities. When I realized I hadn’t seen her in a while, I asked a mutual friend, who told me Jane’s husband was dying of kidney failure. “I called Jane to offer support, and she told me her husband’s best chance to survive was with a live kidney donation. I immediately felt the sense of urgency and thought, ‘I’ll get tested,’ not realizing I actually said it out loud. She

guided me to the program that was testing his potential donors. Turns out I was a match, and a very good one. “Now it was up to me to decide if I could really do this. All the bravado I had shown in getting tested started to wane a little bit now that it was a reality. What was I thinking? I had three kids of my own who needed me. I was in my late 40s, and while I was in decent physical condition and had no ailments, I was more than a little overweight. “And I didn’t even know this guy. “But somehow, I knew I was supposed to do this. I was given a lot of information and data about organ donation, and the more I read about it, the less I feared it. The clincher for me: Without a donor kidney, this man would die too young after spending the rest of his days tied to dialysis. “I went through many tests, and my results were all good. Then I was told that his brother was most likely going to be the donor, so for about nine months I was on the reserves list. Then, suddenly, his brother and sister were eliminated as donors for medical reasons. I was

‘

once again at bat. After almost a year of uncertainty, it was now a go. “At every stage of this process, my medical team (you have your own medical team that is separate from the recipient’s medical team) reminded me I could pull out at any time. But I was ready. All the delays just made me feel that if it was meant to be, it would happen. “When I woke up after the surgery, it was evening, and my dear brother was standing over me, holding a can of kidney beans (in case I needed a spare). I didn’t feel any pain but was tired. I was told the operation was a success, and that my recipient was doing well. “They always say the best way to get things working again after surgery is to get up and walk. So walk I did, every day, at least once an hour. I felt minimal pain. “The recipient’s new kidney began functioning beautifully right away. Each day he got stronger and stronger. We both healed well, and though he has other physical challenges unrelated to the transplant, his kidney is functioning

y recipient is healthy, and I’m healthier than I’ve been in years.’

very well and normally. “A question I am often asked is, ‘What if your kids or someone in your family needs a kidney? Now you can’t help them.’ To which I answer, ‘I am so confident that this is a safe process that I know someone else in my family would step up and donate. We’ll be OK.’ “My donation has only affected me for the good. It increased my faith. It gave me more confidence in myself, and it made me finally act on my desire to live healthfully. I have struggled with my weight since I stopped playing competitive sports in my 20s. I have since lost all my excess weight. I am now 56, but physically I feel like I’m 30. “My recipient is healthy, and I’m healthier than I’ve been in years. I feel so grateful for the opportunity to have done this. It changed my life forever, and for the better.” The donor has asked to remain anonymous to protect the privacy of the recipient. To find out more about donating a kidney to Scott Englander of Woodmere, whom I wrote about two weeks ago, email scottneedsakidney@ gmail.com. Copyright 2021 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

MERRICK HERALD — December 23, 2021

Washington must act to protect affordable care

Herald editorial

Merrick

December 23, 2021 — MERRICK HERALD

HERALD and Merrick Herald News Established 1994

Incorporating Merrick Life Merrick Beacon 1950-2020

Andrew GArciA Editor robert cumminGs Advertising Account Executive office 2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530 Phone: (516) 569-4000 Fax: (516) 569-4942 Web: www.liherald.com E-mail: merrickeditor@liherald.com Copyright © 2021 Richner Communications, Inc.

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We must act now to stem the opioid crisis

Merrick pain doctor, Michael Belfiore, 58, was sentenced on Dec. 16 to 23 years in prison after he was convicted of selling opioid prescriptions to patients, many of whom were desperately addicted to opioids and often writhing in pain from a variety of injuries. Belfiore might have begun his career as a respected doctor, but he ended it ignominiously, as a common drug dealer. We were pleased that Belfiore was given a tough sentence, after he arrogantly fought the charges against him in 2014 and 2016, despite overwhelming evidence against him. His case should serve as a stiff warning for any doctor thinking of selling scripts for cash: The law will eventually catch up with you, and you will eventually be sent to prison for a long time. It’s about time the law caught up with the medical practitioners who, in part, at least, have fueled the opioid crisis that the nation, including Long Island, now faces. Belfiore’s case is especially egregious. According to federal officials, he wrote 5,000 prescriptions for 600,000 pain pills between January 2010 and March 2013. His case is, however, anything but unique. There are many like him. On top of that, too many doctors have overprescribed opioids for patients without giving proper thought to the possible long-term consequences of their actions. To be clear: This is not every doctor. Most physicians follow the rules. The doctors who have cavalierly prescribed opioids as

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letters Questions Blakeman’s stance on mask mandate To the Editor: Our newly elected county executive, Bruce Blakeman, in one of his first acts, has rejected the recent New York state mask mandate. The announcement came at a time when Long Island’s positivity rate was increasing rapidly — it stood at more than 9 percent at press time — and was the highest in New York state. Here is what Blakeman, a Republican, recently told The New York Post: “Come Jan. 1, my administration will move Nassau forward with a common-sense approach that acknowledges the facts, science and progress made by our residents while also protecting businesses and jobs from any further damage created by government mandates. Nassau County is not in crisis and should not be painted with the same broad brush as the rest of the state. Ninety-seven percent of adults in Nassau County have received at least their first dose of the vaccine, and Nassau hospitals have adequate capacity to handle existing demand.”

their default practice, however, are partly to blame for the addiction pandemic that we find ourselves in now. The coronavirus pandemic has only worsened the opioid addiction crisis. In the first year of the pandemic, between April 2020 and April of this year, the U.S. recorded 100,000 opioid overdose deaths — 100,000! That meant an American died every five minutes of an overdose. President Biden’s $1.75 trillion Build Back Better legislation — which Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, effectively killed last weekend by refusing to vote for it — included $11 billion to fight the opioid crisis, which is now increasingly driven by fentanyl, a powerful opioid. There remains a chance that the legislation could eventually pass. If it does not, though, there will be any number of consequences for the nation, not the least of which will be reduced resources to cope with the opioid crisis. Shame on Senator Manchin. Earlier this year, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran directed $15.3 million to addiction prevention and treatment services from a $230 million settlement that New York state reached with the pharmaceutical manufacturer Johnson & Johnson for its part in causing the opioid crisis, which has plagued the U.S. since the late 1990s. With the settlement, Johnson & Johnson avoided a trial. Last summer, state Attorney General Letitia James filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of the state against pharmaceu-

tical giants Teva Pharmaceuticals, Amerisource Bergen, McKesson Corp, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Allergan Finance and Cardinal Health. The outcome of that suit remains to be seen. We must also remember this: The opioid crisis gave rise 10 years ago to a heroin crisis. This is how we described it in an April 2010 story, “From painkillers to heroin addiction”: “Nassau County police say that prescription painkillers have flooded the local illegal drug market in the past decade, which is driving the recent spike in heroin use … “With the drugs readily accessible, painkiller and heroin addicts are getting younger and younger, according to the experts … In the past, the average age of the heroin addicts … was 24. Now, most are 18 to 23. Many begin using prescription painkillers at parties as young as 14 and 15. When the painkillers become too expensive — they sell for $80 per pill on the street — the teens graduate to heroin, which goes for as little as $5 a bag.” Not much has changed over the past decade — except the drugs have become more powerfully addictive and potentially deadly, and the crisis has only gotten worse, not better, as we had hoped. A two-pronged approach that mobilizes both police and therapists is needed to address the crisis. That requires money. Nassau County Executive-elect Bruce Blakeman will take office in a week. We urge him to prioritize funding for drug enforcement and addiction treatment.

opinions

he war on local school boards, teaching and history is escalating as conservative activists and Republican politicians prepare for the 2022 congressional midterm elections. This year, 66 gag-order bills to prevent teaching about race and racism were introduced in 26 states, and at least 12 became law. Among the measures was Assembly Bill 8253, introduced in New York by Republican Assemblyman Colin Schmitt of upstate New Windsor, which, if passed, would ban ALAn students and teachers in sinGer K-through-12 schools from learning about The New York Times’s 1619 Project, which examined the nation’s beginnings through the lens of slavery. According to a report by the nonprofit PEN America, many of the bills mirror legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate by Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, and former President Donald Trump’s 2020 executive order “combating race and sex stereotyping.” Most include a provision prohibiting “divisive concepts.”

One frightening development is a shift in strategy by groups like the Proud Boys, whose members were involved in the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The Proud Boys are now picketing school board meetings in protests against mask and vaccine mandates, and school curricula and reading assignments that they don’t like. This fall there were Proud Boy rallies on Long Island in Rockville Centre, Bay Shore and Patchogue. In New York, school board elections are scheduled for next May 17, six months before November’s congressional election. Filing petitions are due in most school districts on April 18. The New York State School Boards Association provides a booklet for people considering becoming school board candidates. On Long Island, insurgent candidates challenging coronavirus mask mandates and a fictionalized version of critical race theory won three seats on the Smithtown Board of Education last May. Now a Republican consulting firm is organizing classes to further polarize and politicize school board races. Among those offering the classes are a former Trump activist, a former contractor with the Nassau Coun-

he debate over mask mandates and history courses may continue next spring.

LeTTers So, Blakeman seems to say, don’t worry if you get the Covid virus as a result of his no-mask-mandate policy. Nassau is ready with your very own ICU bed. Blakeman also touts the 97 percent onedose adult vaccine rate. One dose has little effect on the new variant, and what about the children who are now contracting the virus in higher numbers? Yes, acknowledge the facts. Don’t make up your own. DR. ALLAN SIMON Lawrence

America’s ‘awakening’ To the Editor: Re Dr. Alan Singer’s column “Democrats’ election perils have little to do with ‘wokeness’” (Dec. 9-15): Singer is right: The Democrats’ dismal election showing in November had little to do with “wokeness,” but it had a lot to do with “awakening.” People are showing disgust over the deceit of progressive attempts to redefine American values and traditions. The failure of House Republicans to hold Rep. Paul Gosar in contempt for his thoughtless tweets about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was unfortunate. But why was no contempt shown for Rep. Maxine Waters, who in April called on her followers to “stay on the street” and “get more

ty government when it was under Republican control and a Republican Suffolk County legislator. The latest Long Island school district to erupt with a critical race theory controversy is Great Neck. Some residents accuse a Great Neck North High School 11th-grade English teacher of presenting in class that whites are racists and students need to understand white fragility and reject privilege. The local parents appear to be working with a national organization, Parents Defending Education, which claims it wants to ensure that American schools do not promote “harmful agendas.” The group’s website has slides that were supposedly shown in the English class. What is missing from their attack on teachings is any attempt to learn what actually took place in the classroom. Students read the book “Between the World and Me,” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, which won a National Book Award. The slides were part of a lesson introducing students to the issues raised in the book, and by other authors who question or challenge what they perceive of as racism and white supremacy in the U.S. Students were asked to pledge to think about the issues raised in the book, not to agree with a par-

confrontational” if Derek Chauvin hadn’t been found guilty of murdering George Floyd? This could be interpreted as inciting others to riot, which is not protected speech, but there she was, on video, saying as much, similar to when she called on her supporters to harass Trump officials when they were having dinner at restaurants with their families. Waters was never sanctioned or censured over that, either, emboldening her to even more such calls for abuse. In August 2020, Kyle Rittenhouse naively and stupidly brought his AR-15-style rifle with him to the Kenosha, Wis., riots, where he said he intended to offer only medical aid. He was walking with a fire extinguisher to put out a fire set by the arsonists, within their view — not very smart — when he was attacked. He didn’t assault or threaten anyone, but they overreacted violently toward him, provoking his justifiable self-defense. Members of the “Republican rank and file” have not challenged local school boards over critical race theory, but rather parents of children being subjected to it. To espouse the belief that this country is essentially racist is a fraud, and is itself racist. No wonder parents object to this divisive propaganda of hate. The greatest contributor to climate change is China, not the United States, but the 2016 Paris Agreement would have given China a longer time frame to clean

ticular author. According to state Board of Regents Chancellor Lester Young, “The New York State Board of Regents policy on diversity, equity and inclusion is not an attempt to, in fact, teach critical race theory. Critical race theory is not our theory of action. Our theory of action is cultural responsiveness.” The official position of the state educational governing body, and the reality of what gets taught in the classroom, have not stopped conservative Republicans from mobilizing white families to stop CRT. Jay Worona, deputy executive director and general counsel for the New York State School Boards Association, has called the political assault on school boards a “false narrative.” Worona responded to the assault, “There are many people who are proclaiming that the curriculum is being designed to indoctrinate students to think in a particular way, as opposed to what we’ve done for eons, which is to teach critical thinking skills.” Dr. Alan Singer is a professor of teaching, learning and technology and the director of social studies education programs at Hofstra University. He is a former New York City high school social studies teacher and editor of Social Science Docket, a joint publication of the New York and New Jersey Councils for the Social Studies. Follow him on Twitter, @AlanJSinger1.

FrAmework by Christina Daly

Lighting up the night — Island Park

up its carbon pollution than the U.S. Former President Donald Trump wasn’t against such initiatives, but only wanted them to be implemented fairly and equitably, consistent with his belief that America stop being made the scapegoat for the world’s evils. As more Americans see the truth, the Democratic Party will continue to decline. ROBERT RUBALSKY East Rockaway

All of us at Herald CommunityNewspapers wish our readers of the Christian faith a very Merry Christmas!

MERRICK HERALD — December 23, 2021

Conservative politics could play into school elections

December 23, 2021 — MERRICK HERALD

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