__________________ Merrick _________________
HERALD
January 26, 2023
Celebrations GETTING ready for your DAY
Getting ready for your special day
Inside
VoL. 26 No. 5
New LIPA plan may cut costs
New business opens its doors
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JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 1, 2023
Another year of Regeneron scholars at Kennedy High By JoRDAN VALLoNE jvallone@liherald.com
Jordan Vallone/Herald
LUKE FELDMAN, LEFt, and Tyler Bissoondial were name semifinalists in the 2023 Society for Science & Public Science Talent Search competition, sponsored by the pharmaceutical company Regeneron.
Two seniors at John F. Kennedy High School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District have been named semifinalists in the 2023 Society for Science & Public Science Talent Search competition, sponsored by the pharmaceutical company Regeneron. The talent search is among the most prestigious science competitions in the U.S. Tyler Bissoondial and Luke Feldman both dedicated hundreds of hours to their project, while enrolled in Kennedy’s Advanced Science Research program under the leadership of teacher Continued on page 4
Police officer, adoptive parent, faces tough battle with ALS By RoKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
Throughout his career as a police officer, Wayne Resnick has been recognized for his bravery and for his big heart. Resnick, 52, of North Merrick, is a 28-year veteran of Nassau law enforcement. He was a civilian 911 dispatcher, and then a corrections officer, before becoming a patrol officer in the Nassau County Police Department’s 4th Precinct 16 years ago. Resnick been honored for his work in uniform in the past — he helped deliver a baby in an elevator in 2017 — and the Merrick community also knows him
as the officer who, with his wife, Patricia, opened his home to four orphaned children from Kazakhstan. With many years of service behind him, Resnick is now facing his toughest battle yet — one against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Resnick was diagnosed last April, but continued to show up for work until the disease rapidly progressed in July. The County Legislature and the 4th Precinct honored Resn-
W
hen you keep thinking things are so bad, seeing how much everyone cares helps you get through each day. WAYNE RESNICK ick as their Top Cop in December. “Officer Resnick has shown a remarkable amount of courage and bravery just by facing this
terrible disease and continuing on with his job,” Legislator Denise Ford said. “The courage that Resnick and his family have displayed since his diagnosis is a testament to his character and is an inspiration to all. He is not only our Top Cop for December 2022, but also for the entire year of 2022.” Despite what some may think,
Resnick said he hasn’t retired just yet. He remains at home on sick leave with Patricia and their five children, Daniel, Benjamin, Nadya, James and Anya, until he receives his disability benefits. The onset of ALS is typically a gradual process, but Resnick’s life has changed drastically in the months since his diagnosis. Continued on page 5