Merrick Herald 05-02-2024

A fire on April 15 ravaged Newbridge Inn, a popular bar and eatery on the North Bellmore-North Merrick border. Above, firefighters extinguished the blaze.

After fire, Newbridge Inn sees a surge of support from community

By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com

Bellmore and Merrick residents were met with a shocking sight on April 15, when smoke poured out of Newbridge Inn, the popular bar and restaurant on Jerusalem Avenue, on the border of the hamlets. An electrical problem in the building’s basement ignited an early morning fire that left extensive damage.

Within days, the community banded together to show Newbridge Inn’s staff support with a successful fundraiser, repaying the eatery for its decades of hospitality.

A GoFundMe campaign, “Support The Newbridge Inn Staff — Post Fire Impact,” had raised over $24,000 as the Herald went to

press this week. The money will help pay the salaries of the staff as the building is cleaned and repaired.

The fundraiser was organized by Steven Arriaga, president of the Wenshaw Park Civic Association, a nonprofit based in Merrick that is one of the oldest civic organizations in Nassau County.

“Everyone wanted to do something,” Arriaga said. “All I did was take one step forward and then share it. Then that’s where the community happened.”

There were over 200 donations, ranging from $5 to $1,000, according to Arriaga.

“It’s everyone giving a little — that’s what makes it so beautiful,” he said. “It reminds me of what civic pride is all about, and the

Addressing L.I. drinking water issues, concerns

By RACHEl BAMGBoSE Herald intern

A packed house attended a meeting on April 17 with the League of Women Voters of East Nassau to learn about the pressing issues of water quality and consumption on Long Island, igniting a call to action among concerned community members.

WThe LWV held the meeting at the Levittown Public Library, and invited Sarah Meyland to lead a presentation on the topic of water contamination and conservation. For more than 20 years, Meyland was a professor of sustainability at New York University, with a background in water quality. She also holds a degree in environmental law from St. John’s University and a master’s in water resource management from Texas A&M.

water quality in Nassau County. She explained that chemicals, such as nitrates, herbicides, pesticides and pathogens, are frequently found in the water supply.

e take 450 million gallons a day out of the aquifer system to meet the needs of Long Island. That’s a lot of water.

SARAH MEYl AND Professor of sustainability

at New York University

On Long Island, groundwater is the sole source of drinking water. Separated by sand and dirt, groundwater is stored in geological formations called aquifers, which could store, transmit and yield usable quantities of water. As a result, chemicals that are used for farming often end up in the drinking water supply. Additionally, Nassau County has lateral saltwater intrusion due to excessive pumping and the relative distance between fresh and saltwater. This allows leaks of salt into freshwater aquifers responsible for 100 percent of the drinking water for Long Island.

According to Meyland, toxic chemicals in drinking water are the key issue regarding

Meyland added that quantity and overconsumption of water are the other issues facing NasCoNtINued oN pAge 17

Courtesy Brian Webeck

Just because a business is small doesn’t mean it isn’t important. The small businesses on our island are 50% of our economy. These businesses are part of the fabric of our communities. They’re vital. We’ve been proudly supporting our small businesses since 2014 with cost-saving programs and services. Show your support, too, by shopping locally during Small Business Week (and all year long). It’s no small thing to let them know they matter.

Fairs, funnel cakes and fun times at Kids Fest

With beautiful, warm days that felt like summer, the annual Kids Fest, hosted by the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, went off successfully this past weekend. Three fun filled days kicked off on April 26, and throughout the weekend Merrick residents and those from neighboring towns got to enjoy rides, games, food and much more.

Kids Fest serves as a fundraiser for the chamber, and allows them to continue to take part in several initiatives throughout the year, such as its scholarships that it gives out to students.

A carnival opened on the evening of April 26 at this year’s fest, and was followed by two more days of rides and games on Saturday and Sunday. Families could purchase bracelets for unlimited rids, so their kids were able to make the most of their time.

There was also a vendor fair, so the community could take part in some local shopping with local vendors.

Kids Fest is a beloved annual event for the chamber, and whether people were coming out to shop, listen to live entertainment, watch shows — or of course, hop on carnival rides — there was something for everyone, making the weekend a memorable success.

— Jordan Vallone

It was a great weekend for Kids Fest, held

12-yearolds Vinny Barbieri of Seaford and Jackson Fincher of Wantagh came by bikes to the have fun at the Kids Fest.

Marianna P. Stone/Herald photos

Around the fair, there were vendor tables and more. Bill Seidenstein, Ed Curry, and Vincent Mientus represented the Merrick Freeport Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Jariel of Freeport ‘drove’ a Mack truck at the carnival.

Large, daring rides could be seen from Sunrise Highway, as people flocked from near and far to enjoy Kids Fest.

annually by the Merrick Chamber of Commerce. State Senator Steve Rhoads with chamber representatives, Christine Mooney, Lori Berger, and Marian Fraker-Gutin.

Islanders ‘Surprise & Delight’ family in tough times

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

The Brohm Family has lived a difficult three years. Kevin Brohm was diagnosed with colon cancer twoand-a-half years ago, and after the passing of his wife unexpectedly in November, he’s raising their children Ben, 6, and Ella, 9, as a single parent.

Jon Ledecky, co-owner of the New York Islanders, heard about the Brohm family’s troubles through a mutual friend, so the family was made stop number one on this year’s “Surprise & Delight” tours by the New York Islanders.

On April 19, the trip went around Long Island to five different homes, to celebrate the Islander’s success in reaching the playoffs for the Stanley Cup.

As a part of the trip, Islanders mascot Sparky hand delivers Islanders merchandise and memorabilia to the young fans, including things like hockey sticks, helmets, and items signed by their favorite players.

“We’re definitely fans for life — this is great, this is unbelievable,” Kevin Brohm said as his children played with hockey sticks. “It means a lot, to see the smile on Ella and Ben’s faces. It gets me through. It’s hard. It’s been definitely a hard few years.”

Months ago, management for the Islanders reached out to the Brohm family to schedule the visit after hearing about his wife’s passing. Since then, Kevin Brohm kept the surprise hidden until the day came.

“We had found out about the Brohm family through a mutual friend,” Ann Rina, the executive director of community relations for the Islanders said. “And they just told us about the situation and when we received those messages we reached out right away to see how we can help.”

“I didn’t really tell the kids if it’s gonna happen, they just knew that it was gonna be a big surprise,”

Brohm said. “That’s all they knew, that the surprise was coming today. It was tough to keep the secret.”

This visit was made possible thanks to Hockey with a Heart, the Islanders’ charity initiative, which aims to build a sense of community and support causes close to fans’ hearts.

“It’s nice to know that generosity still exists,” Brohm said. “And I’m gonna pay it forward, and continue to pay it forward. And the kids will do the same.”

Hockey with a Heart puts 50 charities to feature across the stadium, including on the scoreboard. The charities can pick clients and suggest them to the Islanders as candidates for the visit, after which staff begin planning the big surprise.

“People are dealing with so much in their lives,”

Capital Gains Tax Tips

Your “basis” for calculating capital gains taxes is what you paid for the stock or the real estate. For real estate, the basis gets raised by the amount of any capital improvements you make to the property. When you sell your primary residence you may exclude the first $500,000 of gain if you’re a couple or $250,000 if you’re single. The $500,000 exclusion for a couple gets extended for a sale occurring up to two years after a spouse dies. For gifts you receive of appreciated stock or real estate during the donor’s lifetime, no capital gains tax is payable, however the donee receives the donor’s basis. It is generally considered better to wait, if possible, and pass the gift to the donee at death, due to the “stepped-up basis”. The basis of any inherited property is “steppedup” to date of death value. If the property is sold within six months of the date of death, then the sale price is deemed to be the date of death value.

If the property is going to be held for

some time it is helpful to get date of death values to establish the new basis. For real estate, this means getting an appraisal from a licensed real estate appraiser (not a real estate broker!). For stocks, you simply ask the company holding the stocks to provide this information.

When a spouse dies with jointly held property, there is a half of a step-up — the deceased spouse’s half gets stepped-up to date of death value, while the surviving spouse has the original basis. However, for a primary residence the capital gains tax exclusions discussed above continue to apply.

With combined Federal and New York capital gains taxes reaching about 30%, it is essential to look at holding onto appreciated property until death (especially if you have taken depreciation on the property which can lower your basis to zero) and to look carefully at the estate plan to see if property should be transferred to a surviving spouse to get another step-up on the second death.

ETTINGER LAW FIRM

The Brohm family, friends, and New York Islanders staff outside of their home on April 19.

Joseph D’Alessandro/Hreald

Ledecky said. “We’ve been able to give them all sorts of memorabilia, including sticks, with the most important thing is they’ll get a chance to go to the game. Being able to bring that joy to this family is really important to us.

“We’re very grateful to those organizations for working with us, we thank the community for supporting the foundation, and we thank our fans for being there and being so loyal to us,” Ledecky said.

The other four stops on the Surprise & Delight tour visited families in Holbrook, Kings Park, Farmingdale, and North Massapequa for families who have also suffered through illnesses or losses.

To see the charities that are partnered with Hockey with a Heart, visit NHL.com/islanders/community/ hockey-with-a-heart.

HERALD SchoolS

Isabella Vargas earns nod in Scholastic Writing Contest

Isabella Vargas, an eighth grader at Merrick Avenue Middle School, has been selected as a runner-up in this year’s Scholastic Action True Teen Story contest.

The October 2023 contest called for students to share a short essay about a struggle they’ve faced, a passion they have or something that makes them special.

A student in Brett Schwartz’s reading lab, Vargas said the teacher was integral in submitting her piece about her “mental health journey.”

“He encouraged me to write about it and helped me edit the story,” she mentioned.

Kim Serpe, an English chairperson, said “it’s amazing that Vargas has taken a situation, which is probably very challenging to her and put it in writing for her own catharsis as well as to help other teenagers.”

She added that Schwartz often “pro -

vides students with writing opportunities that enable self-reflection to create a nonfiction piece about themselves.” Vargas will receive a cash prize.

Photo courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Isabella Vargas, an eighth grader at Merrick Avenue Middle School, has been selected as a runner-up in this year’s Scholastic Action True Teen Story contest.

Courtesy Town of Hemsptead

Scouts honored at Blue and Gold ceremony

Declan Schmid, William Miolan, Patrick Croghan and Matthew Militello of Cub Scout Troop 206 were congratulated by Town Clerk Kate Murray at a Blue and Gold Ceremony on April 7.

BRADY MAHLER

Baldwin Senior Lacrosse

A FOUR-YEAR STARTING attackman and twoyear captain who has never missed a high school lacrosse game, Mahler has picked up where he left off last spring after earning AllCounty recognition. He led the Bruins with 65 goals and 17 assists, putting him among the county’s offensive stars. So far this season he has a team-high 39 goals through 10 games. He is also a Top 10 student at Baldwin and earned academic All-American honors.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, May 2

Baseball: V.S. South at Malverne

Softball: East Rockaway at Lawrence

Softball: West Hempstead at Elmont

Girls Flag Football: Bell-Merrick at Long Beach

Baseball: MacArthur at Mepham

Baseball: Carey at Calhoun

Baseball: Kennedy at South Side

Baseball: Seaford at North Shore

Baseball: East Meadow at Baldwin 5 p.m.

Baseball: Uniondale at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Mepham at Lynbrook 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Clarke at Elmont 5 p.m.

Friday, May 3

Softball: MacArthur at Oceanside

Softball: Massapequa at Calhoun

Boys Lacrosse: West Hempstead at Hewlett 5

Boys Lacrosse: Kennedy at Clarke 5

Girls Lacrosse: Wantagh at Long Beach 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Massapequa at South Side 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 4

Softball: MacArthur at Wantagh 9 a.m.

Girls Lacrosse: East Meadow at MacArthur 11:30 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: V.S. District at Freeport 1 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

Ashleigh Coyne has had a flair for the dramatic this spring, including a walk-off hit to beat Oceanside and dynamic plays in the outfield.

Calhoun bonds with weekend trip

By ANDREW FANTUCCHIO sports@liherald.com

If a season is like a roller coaster, the Calhoun softball team is trending downward in the midst of a three-game losing streak that has sunk its record to 7-4 in the Conference 1 standings (8-5 overall) with seven games remaining.

But that’s nothing that a visit to Six Flags can’t fix. Whether it be from the sugar from the fried dough or just pure adrenaline, the Colts will need whatever energy they can muster to stay among the county title contenders.

“The point of the trip was for it to kind of give us a little bit of a boost,” said coach Michael Pisano from a crowded coach busliner, fresh off more than a few rides on the tilt-a-whirl. “There’s always some way that you can bounce back. We wanted to uplift the team, bring the girls together, and kind of charge us for playoffs as well as the second half of the season.”

To turn its fortunes, Calhoun will lean on Johanna Esposito, who leads the

team both with her arm and bat. Her .432 batting average is only slightly ahead of shortstop Gia Pissichio’s of .429. Meanwhile, Esposito has also tossed 82 strikeouts, splitting time in the circle with Gianna Nicastro to form a formidable force.

“Esposito is more of a power pitcher,” Pisano said. “She can get batters out with more or less with just her velocity. Gianna is very crafty and very smart. She knows how to work to the strike zone and how to read particular batters. She’s like a scientist when it comes to pitching.”

Gianna Nicastro shares the title of team captain with Gabriella Facciponti. A speedy leadoff hitter, Facciponti uses her legs to cover ground in right field, where a ball is rarely ever out of her reach. Also patrolling the outfield is Ashleigh Coyne, who’s had a flare for the dramatic with her walk-off base hit against Oceanside on April 17, marking the last time Calhoun picked up a victory.

While there are plenty of players rising through the ranks, such as junior

Katlin Theodores and eighth-grader Sophia Nicastro, who is projected to take up and potentially exceed the mantle of her older sister, it’s because of the likes of Esposito, Pisacchio, Nicastro, Facciponti and Coyne that this year is one that the Colts are savoring. With 11 seniors set to graduate, it’s the end of an era.

“This has been the core group for the last four years, and with this group in particular, it’s going to be really difficult to see them move on,” Pisano said. “We’ve had some unbelievable athletes come through here, but this group has been a driving force. I’m so very excited for their success moving forward. They’ve taught me a lot when it comes to patience, encouragement, and even frustration and disappointment. It’s like part of your family leaving.”

Starting this week with four games in six days, Calhoun has seven contests left on its schedule before the start of the playoffs. Until then, the Colts will continue to enjoy the ride, whichever way it takes them.

Calhoun’s

Karen Millindorf/Herald

Mothers looking for a hospital at which to give birth should consider the quality indicators used by U.S. News & World Report ® to determine institutions deemed High Performing for Maternity care.

Mount Sinai South Nassau is the only South Shore hospital to earn the rating of High Performing based on eight key measures:

• Reduced C-section delivery rates

• Low early elective delivery rates

• Low overall unexpected newborn complication rates

• Increased routine VBAC rates

• Increased exclusive human milk feeding rates

• Low episiotomy rates

• Routine birthing-friendly practices

• Transparency on racial/ethnic disparities

If you want the best birthing experience for you and for your baby, look no further than Mount Sinai South Nassau.

Learn more at southnassau.org/maternity, or call 877-SOUTH-NASSAU.

Newbridge Inn GoFundMe collects $24,000

power community has when we come together as one.”

The support will be desperately needed, because the damage has disrupted the livelihoods of the Newbridge Inn staff.

“It’s scary, because Covid never left us — not yet — the restaurant and the bar industry especially,” bartender Stacy Grieco said. “It was devastating, because it just didn’t hit one person, or just the staff.”

The staff and regular patrons are a tightly knit group, bartender Francesca Liguori said. “It’s a second home for most of us,” she said. “It really was devastating. This is our family. But it’s also a beautiful thing, having everyone come together and be there for each other and support each other.”

“Financially, it’s tough — that’s how I make my living, and that’s how a lot of people make their living,” said the inn’s owner, Gary Francke. “So that’s why I was glad when they originally came to me for a fundraiser. I was a little skeptical, but when they said it would go to my employees, I said absolutely.”

“He’s very loyal to his staff,” bartender Brian Webeck said of Francke. “So the first thing he was worried about was making sure his employees got paid. He wasn’t even worried about himself.”

The past two and a half weeks have brought a wide range of emotions for

Francke. “It’s huge how fast and how everything came together and how much they donated,” Francke said of the GoFundMe contributors. “It was overwhelming, between my family, friends and customers. That’s something that I’ve never really experienced before. It’s nice to know that in your time of need, you know they’ll come together and help you out.”

Newbridge Inn has helped raise funds for a number of community events benefiting schools and first responders. “I donate all the time to any other fundraisers that are around town, and I guess it comes back to you in your time of need,” Francke said. “And it’s a nice feeling.”

Now, staff members are helping clean the bar and prepare it for reconstruction. Francke’s goal is to get the restaurant repaired and back in operation as fast as possible. It’s too early to determine when that might be, he said — the electrical system needs to be replaced, and there were burst pipes as well as lost inventory.

In the meantime, staff members expressed gratitude to the Bellmore and Merrick communities for their loyalty and support, and from Francke there was an additional message, during his interview with the Herald: “We’ll be back.”

Those who are interested in contributing to the GoFundMe campaign can go to www.GoFundMe.com/f/Support-the-Newbridge-Inn-Staff-Post-Fire-Impact.

Courtesy Brian Webeck

the community has rallied behind newbridge inn, and raised $24,000 to help get the restaurant back in business.

Jewish War Veterans celebrate 128th anniversary

The Jewish Water Veterans of the United States of America is celebrating its 128th anniversary this year — a momentous milestone, that reflects on all of the work of the veteran agency. Nassau County’s local Post 652 gathered for a luncheon on April 18 at Congregation Ohav Shalom to celebrate the anniversary.

Across the nation, there’s around 7,000 members of the Jewish War Veterans, often referred to JWV. It is the oldest active national veterans’ service organization in the U.S., and it was created after 1896 by American Civil War veterans to raise awareness of the contributions made by Jewish service members.

Nationally, the JWV defends the rights and benefits of all service members and veterans, combats antisemitism and supports the State of Israel in conflicts. It’s a leading veteran organization in the country, support and advocating for all uniformed service members, veterans and their families.

At the luncheon on April 18, the service organization was joined by several government officials, who presented the group with citations. In Nassau County, Post 652 embodies the work and mission of the Jewish War Veterans, often taking charge on initiatives. One of the group’s largest efforts is to ensure that all veterans are aware of and have access to services that they’re entitled to upon the completion of their military career.

The celebration recognized all of the work Post 652 has done, and continues to do, in Nassau County.

For more on the Jewish War Veterans, the organization’s history, and Post 652, visit JWV.org.

— Jordan Vallone

Holden Leeds/Herald photos

Jewish War Veterans is celebrating 128 years in 2024. Post 652 recognized the milestone at a luncheon. Joel Greenberg, Gary Glick, Susan Helsinger and Ed Freeberg at the luncheon on April 18.

The Jewish War Veterans is the oldest continuous veteran service organization in the U.S., established in 1896. David Cepler, above, by his display at Congregation Ohav Shalom.

Post 652 was presented with citations in honor of the milestone by government officials, including Councilman Chris Carini and County Executive Bruce Blakeman, left.

Gail and Jack Holzman, with William Newman, were just some of the many guests at the celebratory luncheon.

A table was set up, showcasing some of the Jewish War Veterans’ history.

B’nai Torah set for a musical performance

By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com

Temple B’nai Torah is bringing “a hard knock life” as its MainStage Players gear up for a musical performance of “Annie.”

Led by temple member Tom Reilly in his directorial debut, the musical will feature adults and children singing and dancing on stage. Based on the 1970’s Broadway production, the musical is the famous story of a charming redheaded orphan girl and her quest to experience the love and stability of a real family.

Reilly, who has been with the temple theater group for more than 18 years as a performer, said he always wanted to put on a production of “Annie.” With a mixture of fun, young talent and experienced adult performers, Reilly added that this year’s group provides the right opportunity for the musical.

“I think it’s the perfect make-up for the older cast and the younger ones in the middle, so it’s just good timing for this show,” Reilly said.

Rehearsals began in January, and Reilly said performers, who are also temple members, have been hard at work perfecting their performances. The young actors playing Annie and the other orphans have a large role in the musical, according to Reilly, but he noted that the children have stepped up to the challenge.

Reilly’s wife, Lisa Shubin, the producer of the musical, said most of the children in the show have experience on stage, but also have at least one parent performing with them, creating a relaxed, family environment during rehearsals.

“It kind of flows naturally,” Shubin said of the rehearsals. “They figure out what they need to do, and they’re here because they want to put in the time and commitment.”

Playing the title role of Annie is 14-year-old Alyssa Abrons, who has been with the temple theater group for more than five years. Annie is her first major title role in a performance, which is made easier when working with friends and family, Alyssa said.

“I feel good about it,” Alyssa said of her role. “Everyone is supportive. They

definitely let you relax, you have breaks, and they just try to make you succeed. It’s a really supportive environment, and that’s why I love doing shows here.”

Alyssa added that she is excited to perform on stage, even though her large role is more demanding in performance than the other actors. She said she is aware of the challenges in singing multiple songs in a row, but Alyssa understands the importance of pacing herself and rehearsing scenes over and over to get it just right.

“Singing multiple songs in a row, I try to take a sip of water or a small break in the middle, if I can,” Alyssa said.

Among the adult performers is Alisa Baroukh, who plays Miss Hannigan, caretaker of the orphanage where Annie and the other orphans live. Baroukh described Miss Hannigan as “an overthe-top, defeated personality,” with a wide range of emotional layers to act out. “There’s a lot of yelling, a lot of pent-up anger, and a lot of sadness that she really doesn’t let come out,” Baroukh said.

Baroukh, who has performed in temple stage plays since 1989, said this marks her first time in a singing role. She added that she was uncomfortable with the idea of singing on stage, but loved the role, so she took singing lessons. Her son, Elijah, 12, is also in the musical, playing an orphan and an apple seller.

Baroukh said she’s excited and honored to play a role that is legendary in musical theater circles.

“It’s such a memorable role because everybody feels for Annie,” Baroukh said. “Annie is the sympathetic character. Everybody wants her to do well, everybody wants her to succeed, and Miss Hannigan’s the one that has to beat her down, so everybody remembers her.”

Both Shubin and her husband said everyone from actors and orchestra to choreographers and set designers have been top-notch throughout the production. “Between the makeup and the costumes, we really have a lot of people stepping up from within,” Reilly said. “We couldn’t do it without our volunteers.”

For advanced tickets and pricing, visit TBTWantagh.seatyourself.biz.

THANK YOU!

The Empire State Local News Coalition—more than 200 local newspapers strong—is grateful to the State of New York for including a first-in-the-nation tax credit to support local journalism in the FY'25 state budget.

A special thanks to:

Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie

Assemblymember Carrie Woerner (Assembly Sponsor)

Communities throughout the Empire State appreciate your commitment to the free press and to democracy.

Charles Shaw/Herald

The MainStage Players, at Temple B’nai Torah, are rehearsing for four performances of ‘Annie: The Musical,’ starting this weekend.

Governor Kathy Hochul

Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (Senate Sponsor)

State Senator Steve Rhoads Assemblyman David McDonough

Long Island’s top lawyers honored at gala

By Joseph D’Alessandro

It was a pleasant evening of celebration for more than 40 of Long Island’s best attorneys last month, with nearly 300 in attendance.

They gathered at The Heritage Club at Bethpage for the Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island awards gala, hosted by Kristen Thorne, the multi-Emmy-winning investigative reporter for WABC7, and host of Hulu’s crime docuseries “Missing.”

Even better, a portion of ticket proceeds were earmarked for Nassau Suffolk Law Services, which provides legal aid to those who can’t afford it in civil cases.

“Tonight, we come together to acknowledge the vital role of legal professional in protecting the rights of Long Islanders,” said Amy Amato, RichnerLive’s executive director. “We commend their dedication to serving our community, and recognize their significant contributions — both professionally, and through charitable endeavors — enriching the lives of those on Long Island.”

Winners were chosen from attorneys who prioritize those in need — whether by their choice of clientele, partnering with charities, or doing work pro bono, without charging the client. They represent many disciplines of law, including worker’s compensation, immigration, family and elder law, medical malpractice and cannabis practice.

“I’m very honored to get this award,” said Kristi DiPaolo, a senior associate at Cona Elder Law. “I love what I do, so it’s really an honor to be recognized.”

The most valuable part of the work by Marc Saracino — a senior associate at Campolo, Middleton & McCormick — is providing guidance. He donates to CMM Cares, which supports family programs on Long Island.

“You’re helping a lot of people out in the legal community who don’t really know what they’re doing,” Saracino said. “To the extent that I can provide services to them and expedite their legal issues, I think that’s rewarding.”

Jennifer Mone, a general counsel for Hofstra University, also serves on the board of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Long Island.

Hofstra’s mission is to “educate and contribute to the academic education and knowledge of the world,” Mone said. “So, we’re educating students. My role is providing excellent legal services in support of that mission.”

Eduardo Villacorta, founder of Villacorta Law Group, says the most rewarding part of his work is keeping families together.

“We believe in the American dream, and our mission is to make the American dream a reality for immigrants,” he said. “The most rewarding thing I can give is granting their papers, and legalizing them.”

Jeffrey Kimmel, managing partner of Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro — who also is an active member of Nassau Suffolk Law Services — says medical malpractice victims often face an uphill battle when facing large medical institutions.

“Unfortunately, most people who are victims of medical malpractice are from lower income communities that don’t have the best medical care,” he said. “And so they ended up being my clients, and more often than not, without my help, they wouldn’t really know what to do.”

Kelly Koster, a partner at Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano says a reliable attorney is essential. Her firm — which specializes in worker compensation and Social Security disability — also represents women of domestic violence pro bono.

“To young women that are striving to be attorneys, never give up your passion,” Koster said. “Keep your eyes on the goal, and don’t set a time limit, because there’s a time and a place for everything. You can always achieve what you’ve put your mind towards.”

Hon. Gail Prudenti a partner at Burner Prudenti

Law returned to work as an attorney after her career as chief administrative judge. Her firm is involved with the Katz Institute for Women’s Health at Northwell Hospital.

“I really think being an attorney is a vocation,” Prudenti said. “It’s not a job. And while it is a wonderful profession, you really have to be dedicated to being a problem solver. I think that sometimes, in this crazy world, we really need people who are thoughtful, who are kind, who are compassionate, and who are empathetic.”

Platinum sponsor for Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island was Villacorta Law Group. Centerpiece sponsor was Salenger Sack Kimmel & Bavaro.

Gold sponsors were Hofstra University and Mejias Milgrim Alavardo & Lindo.

Silver sponsors were Cona Elder Law, Meister Seelig & Fein, Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, The Rizzuto Law Firm, Stefans Law Group, Nixon Peabody, Davidov Law Group, Nassau County Women’s Bar Association, Touro University’s Jacob D. Fuchesberg Law Center, Schroder & Strom, Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, Goldstein & Bashner, Greenberg Traurig, Meyer Suozzi English & Klein, Nassau Community College Foundation, and Vishnick McGovern Milizio.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

The Schroder & Strom team were among those honored at the recent Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island gala.

Honorees Michael and Ilana Davidov of Davidov Law Group.

Holden Leeds/Herald

Kelly Koster, left, of Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano.

Bryan Lewis of Nixon Peabody.

Holden Leeds/Herald photos

Julie J. Wyetzner, from left, Amy Amato, honoree Kristi DiPaolo, Jennifer Cona, Melissa Negrin-Wiener and Julie Allegretti.

Nicholas Terzulli of Davidoff Hutcher & Citron.

Jeffrey Kimmel of Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro.

Joseph Trotti of Vishnick McGovern and Milizio.

Michael Antongiovanni of Meyer Suozzi English & Klein.

Honoree David Mejias.

Jennifer Mone of Hostra University.

Paul Millus of Meyer Suozzi English & Klein with Herald Community Newspapers publisher Stuart Richner.

Tim Baker/Herald photos Honoree and platinum sponsor Eduardo Villacorta.

Tiffany Graham of Touro University, Jacob D. Fuchesberg Law Center.

Donna Stefans of Stefans Law Group.

Bettina Hollis of The Rizzuto Law Firm.

Herald group wins 18 state NYPA awards

STAFF REPORT

It was a big night of wins for your local paper and all of Herald Community Newspapers as the New York Press Association honored the best of the best this past weekend.

The Herald papers earned 18 statewide awards overall at the event in Saratoga Springs, including four first places.

Creative director Jeffrey Negrin earned two of them — one for a Salute to Israel special section honoring the country on its 75th anniversary that he did with deputy editor Jeffrey Bessen, and the other for best special section cover he did for a Your Health & Wellness special section focused on mental health.

“Good editorial design in a mix of visual metaphor, eye-catching imagery and strategic typography,” judges from the Tennessee Press Association said. “This cover expertly made all three elements with ease. The use of a stark gray background was such a great decision for keeping the colorful main image large and incharge.”

Daniel Offner, a senior editor who leads the Rockville Centre Herald, earned a first place in religion coverage for his stories centered not just on the issues plaguing the Diocese of Rockville Centre, but also how many churches adapted to life after the Covid-19 pandemic.

First place also was awarded to The Riverdale Press in the Bronx for best editorial page, honoring former editor Gary Larkin and executive editor Michael Hinman.

“The editorial section is diverse, eye-catching and well-balanced in design,” judges said. “Topics are relevant to readers, well-written, and provide a wide variety of topics of interest.”

The Riverdale Press also earned a second place for coverage of crime, police and courts given to Larkin, reporter Eric Harvey, and former reporter Stacy Driks. Harvey won a second place of his own for best feature story on civil rights attorney Clarence Jones, who hosted Martin Luther King Jr., in his Riverdale home back in the 1960s, just in time for him to write his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

The Riverdale Press also won second place for the Past President’s Award for Editorial Excellence — an award the paper has regularly placed in over the

years, including first-place wins in 2020 and 2021.

This year, the judges called The Press a “strong newspaper with rich and newsy content from front to back” with an “engaging editorial page and eye-catching front pages.”

The Nassau Herald in the Five Towns won second place for advertising excellence, with special kudos to its special sections, its dance workshop ad designs, and for its annual Christmas wrapping paper project.

The Nassau Herald also won second places for special sections/niche publications-newsprint for RichnerLive’s Top Lawyers section, as well as best multiadvertiser pages for its Halloween section.

The Nassau Herald won third place in editorials

written by Bessen, Hinman and former Malverne/ West Hempstead Herald editor Mark Nolan. The editorials focused on project-based learning, a call to replace special political elections with gubernatorial appointments, and calling out the Nassau County Bridge Authority.

“Variety of editorials concern topics in which most readers are interested (like) education, elections and transportation,” judges said. “All three presented clearly, and were well-written.”

Nolan also won third place for column writing for the Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald.

Nolan’s column selection “covered a range of topics,” judges said, “and they were all smooth to read.” One that really grabbed the judges’ attention was on graduation rates, saying Nolan “explained the high number of graduates was misleading in a clear, simple way.”

Negrin won a third place of his own for best media kit and sales collateral, something the judges said should be a “model for media kits everywhere.”

“It’s truly humbling to receive acknowledgment from our peers in the newspaper community,” said Herald Community Newspapers publisher Stuart Richner. “My heartfelt congratulations to all of our winners. Nevertheless, our ultimate gratification stems from ensuring our readers receive the best and most comprehensive community news every single week.”

“Such a great honor for the sales staff to win two awards for advertising excellence,” said Rhonda Glickman, the sales vice president at Herald Community Newspapers. “It takes a great team, including finance, art, production, circulation, the press room, and the marketing staff to bring home these awards. Congrats to our editorial team and creative director for all their awards.”

Honorable mentions went to sports editor Tony Bellissimo for sportswriter of the year, the Rockville Centre Herald for advertising excellence, former East Meadow Herald editor Mallory Wilson for her coverage of education, Larkin for feature story, and photo editor Tim Baker for feature photo in the Malverne/ West Hempstead Herald.

Overall, more than 140 newspapers submitted 2,530 entries in 65 categories, and nearly 380 awards were handed out.

Susanna Ciurleo/Herald

More than 20 members of the Herald Community Newspapers team attended the annual New York Press Association Spring Conference in Saratoga Springs over the weekend, where the newspaper group earned 18 state awards.

Herald Community Newspapers creative director Jeffrey Negrin won first place for best special section cover design for his cover last May focusing on mental health for a Your Health and Wellness special section.

State legislature allocates $56 million more for TAP

By NICOLE WAGNER nwagner@liherald.com

College tuition is something that can loom over a student’s head long after she graduates. But she and others are getting a little help from Gov. Kathy Hochul and state legislators, who earmarked an additional $56 million into the state’s Tuition Assistance Program.

More students applying for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form will have the opportunity to receive assistance through TAP. The program has been active since 1974, providing nearly $30 billion in financial aid to 6 million students in New York.

TAP is one of the largest need-based financial grants in the country. The program provided 234,000 students $662 million in TAP grants as recently as the 202223 academic year.

The minimum annual TAP award was increased from $500 to $1,000, capping out at just below $5,700. Income limit threshold qualifications were also increased for both dependent and independent students.

Those who may qualify include:

■ independent students with tax dependents,

■ students who qualified as an orphan, foster child or ward of the court any time since they were 13, and

■ dependent undergraduate students

with a household earning less than $125,000.

Independent students who are married without tax dependents who make less than $60,000 now qualify — up from $40,000 previously.

Independent students who are single without tax dependents who make less than $30,000 now qualify — up from $10,000 previously.

The TAP expansion was celebrated by Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, Assemblywoman Taylor Darling, former Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages and members of the Elmont community out-

side of Elmont Memorial High School last week.

“It is indispensable for families who are struggling with the affordability crisis in which we exist today,” Assemblywoman Solages said, emphasizing the importance for students to receive “a quality education at a good price.”

The TAP expansion is meant to help students and families, especially when facing the hardships brought by inflation.

“Turning the TAP on is exactly what we needed to do,” Darling said, adding that students have come to her to say they needed to drop out of school because they couldn’t afford things like a MetroCard or Long Island Rail Road ticket, day care, or

even to put food on the table.

Quincy Velez, a senior at the Elmont school, said he “definitely needed” the help that TAP provides. He receives $2,000 in aid from the program, which helps a lot coming from a single-parent household where going to college isn’t always a viable option.

“Now I can look for a school that is my first choice instead of it not being my first choice because of money issues,” said Velez, who has dreams of someday becoming a pilot.

Such a dream could be expensive, said Lynette Battle — Velez’s mother, and president of the school’s parent teacher association. Aviation school can cost as much as $75,000 per year, if not more. Expanding TAP can really make a difference.

“The struggle is real, and this is a breath of fresh air,” Battle said. “And now, the opportunities are much greater.”

To receive TAP, students must be in good standing on a student loan under any state or federal education loan program, or on the repayment of any state award, among other conditions.

Applications are now open through June 2025.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity,” Battle said. “I hope that every young person makes sure they fill out their FAFSA form, and makes sure they get everything done in a timely fashion, because now is the time.

“The TAP is turned on. Don’t wait until the TAP is off.”

Nicole Wagner/Herald

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages speaks with Elmont residents about the importance of the expansion of New

Issues with L.I. water prevalent for years

sau County. Throughout Long Island, water consumption fluctuates with the seasons and rainfall.

Those who attended the April 17 meeting voiced concerns about both the toxicity and why there is a lack of water. One member in the audience asked about putting too much fertilizer on their lawns, to which Meyland responded by providing options for organic or slow release fertilizers that limits pesticides and herbicides but maintains healthy lawns.

“Too many swimming pools,” one audience member called out, jokingly. Meyland agreed that a chief reason for overconsumption is the many swimming pools in use during the summer months, also referred to as the peak demand period.

“We take 450 million gallons a day out of the aquifer system to meet the needs of Long Island,” Meyland said. “That’s a lot of water.”

Meyland explained that gallons are used to clean up contaminated sites, or are provided for irrigation, farming and commercial use.

Water use increases by 204 percent during the summer months, which is a huge part of the problem, Meyland said. During the winter months, with consistent rainfall it looks good for the groundwater divide. However, during hot summers and the peak demand peri-

od for pumping, that likelihood drops significantly, according to Meyland.

“We’re too extravagant in our water use… it takes time to achieve change in our water usage, so we have to start

now,” Meyland said.

In 2016, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation encouraged all water suppliers to reduce their usage by 15 percent to min-

imize future damage to the water supply. However, none of the suppliers has managed to come close, Meyland said. About $6 million was set aside by the state legislature in 2023 to start a water conservation program, but the move was overturned due to a change in legislation, according to Meyland.

“If you look at the rest of the U.S, and how they respond to water issues, they’re doing way better,” Meyland said.

“The amount of water (New York City) saved is equal to the daily amount of water we take out of our aquifer system. They made water conservation priority number one, and that’s what we need to do.”

The effect of drinking water on the health of residents is unclear without further research, according to Meyland, but the League of Women Voters said its goal is to bring awareness to this issue and work toward a healthier water system. Barbara Epstein, co-President of the East Nassau group, suggested getting involved with voting in local campaigns as a call to action against water quality issues on Long Island.

The league’s East Nassau group advocates for topics that affect residents in and around the county and encourages and educates residents on voter services. The group is also actively involved in following county government issues. For more information on what the league does, call (516) 431-1628.

Courtesy Metro

Water quality was on the table at a meeting last month with the League of Women Voters of east nassau.

MERRICK PAL TRAVEL SOCCER EVALAUTION / TRYOUT SCHEDULE

Take pride in your community…represent your hometown…play for MERRICK!! The Merrick PAL Travel Soccer program will be holding tryouts for its 2024/25 boys and girls travel soccer teams. PLAYERS OF ALL SKILL LEVELS ARE WELCOME TO TRYOUT. Tryout dates and times for all Merrick PAL Travel Soccer teams are listed below. IMPORTANT… If you cannot make the tryout dates shown, expect to be late due to prior commitments, or have any questions prior to the tryout, please email or call the contact information below. We will work to accommodate you. PLEASE PLAN TO ARRIVE AT LEAST 20 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED TRYOUT TIME IN ORDER TO CHECK-IN, REGISTER AND BEGIN WARMING UP. (NOTE: Qualifying age requirements are specified below.)

GIRLS BOYS

1st

1st

1st

2nd

1st

1st

2nd

1st

Merrick Travel Soccer

SUPPORTED BY: SUPPORTED BY:

Merrick Travel Soccer Age Bracket to School Year

TRYOUT LOCATIONS:

Brookside Admin / School: 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick Questions please reach out to call / email 516-410-3762 / Merricksoccerclub@gmail.com

To register for the tryouts please use the following link: https://campscui.active.com/orgs/ManfredKapperSoccerInc?season=3485546

STEPPING OUT

Familiar face leading

Co-founder Harrelson

honored with uniform patch

By Tony Bellissimo

The Long Island Ducks took the field for the 2024 Atlantic League baseball season opener April 25 with heavy hearts.

Bud Harrelson, the former Mets great who co-founded and coowned the Ducks, died Jan. 11 at 79 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He co-founded the Ducks franchise with Frank Boulton in 1998, and served as the league’s first president.

“Bud’s impact on Long Island will be felt through Ducks baseball for as long as we play,” Boulton says. “He was my partner in bringing professional baseball to Long Island following his outstanding playing career in MLB, and he made his mark on so many through his charitable giving, appearances and kindness. He was a one-of-a-kind human being, and he is missed greatly.”

The Ducks, who won their first game under new manager Lew Ford, are honoring Harrelson this season with a “3” patch on the front of their uniforms. Harrelson’s family was on hand for the opener, and threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Ford became the seventh manager in Ducks history, succeeding Wally Backman. A member of the 1986 Mets World Series team, Backman joined the Ducks prior to the 2019 season, and finished his Ducks career with a record of 284-232 (.550). The team made the playoffs three times, and advanced to two Atlantic League Championship Series (2019, 2021), winning it all in 2019.

Ford has spent the past 13 seasons on Long Island, the past nine as a player/coach.

“I am honored and excited,” Ford says. “I look forward to working with our exceptional staff and players to bring home a championship to Long Island.”

Ford’s 13 years with the Ducks are more than any other player in franchise history, and his run as a player/coach is the longest tenure in franchise annals as well. He has the most hits in team history with 1,036, ranking him third all-time in the Atlantic League. Additionally, he sits second all-time among Ducks players in batting average (.318, mininum of 1,000 at-bats), games played (877), runs batted in (511), runs scored (549), doubles (227) and total bases (1,541).

setting league singleseason records for hits (189) and games played (140) that season. In addition to his time with the Ducks, Ford spent parts of seven seasons at the Major League level, and in 519 big league games batted .268 with 35 home runs and 176 RBIs.

“Lew has been an outstanding representative of the Ducks organization over the past 15 years,” Boulton says. “He has earned this opportunity, and we are very excited to have him guiding our team on

Atlantic League. Additionally, he sits second all-time among Ducks

The 47-year-old Central Islip resident played on the Ducks championship clubs in 2012, 2013 and 2019. He also helped lead the Flock to eight division titles and 11 postseason appearances as a player/coach. The outfielder was named the 2014 Atlantic League Player of the Year,

Asbury Short Film Concert

The latest edition of the short film showcase is back at the Madison Theatre. With a lineup of classics from Asbury’s past combined with current international festival winners — and in many cases, featuring up-and-coming filmmakers — audiences can get a look at these ‘smaller’ films that don’t often get a big screen showing. The fast-paced evening includes local spotlight selection ‘Across’ from Long Islandbased filmmaker Laura Sweeney It tells the dramatic story of three World War II widows on a road trip together to try and find healing, but instead wind up learning tough secrets. Another stand-out is the 2011 Academy Award nominee, ‘The Crush,’ a quirky drama about an 8-year-old boy and his infatuation with his teacher, from Irish director Michael Creagh. Author, comedy writer and former Friar’s Club archivist Barry Dougherty serves as guest host.

Friday, May 3, 7:30 p.m. $25. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at MadisonTheatreNY.org, or call (516) 323-4444.

field.”

The most accomplished player Ford will pencil into the lineup is Major League veteran outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., who signed April 4. He appeared in 1,182 MLB games, and won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2018. He totaled 109 homers, 449 RBIs and 69 stolen bases over an 11-year career.

‘Cold Beer on a Saturday Night’

“Jackie is an exceptional talent with a wealth of experience in the game,” Ford says. “His resume speaks for itself. He’s excited to be here and we’re thrilled to have him.”

Bradley will patrol center field with speedy Nick

Bradley will patrol center field with speedy Nick Heath (42 steals) in left and Tyler Dearden in right. The infield features another former Major Leaguer, first baseman Frank Schwindel, who hit 22 in the bigs. Shortstop Ivan Castillo and third baseman Hector Gomez also have some MLB experience. Scott Kelly returns at second base, and Ford expects newcomer Rixon Wingrove to hit some dingers.

Behind the plate, Chance Sisco returns after belting 11 homers, including three in one game, with 33 RBIs in just 31

base, games.

“He’s a veteran catcher who calls a great game, and is a very productive hitter,” Ford says.

Stephen Woods Jr., who went 7-2 for the Ducks last season. There

Sisco will work with a starting pitching staff anchored by Stephen Woods Jr., who went 7-2 for the Ducks last season. There is also former MLB southpaw Wei-Yin Chen. A onetime teammate of Ford’s in Baltimore, Daniel Corcino, who spent the past two years with Lexington. And Chris Ellis, who got a taste of the Majors with 25 relief appearances.

“We have talented players and a great clubhouse,” Ford says.

Photos courtesy Long Island Ducksi

Photos (top): Catcher Chance Sisco had 33 RBIs in only 31 games last season.

(middle): Third baseman Hector Gomez is one of many Ducks with MLB experience.

(bottom): Long Island Ducks mascot ‘Quakerjack’ is a hit with fans of all ages.

Get a head start on beach season with Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band. We’re all eager for summertime to arrive, meanwhile Jimmy Kenny and his band come to the rescue on the Paramount stage again. Join in their ‘Ultimate Beach Party Tribute’ to Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band. Parrotheads, No Shoes Nation and the Zamily: It’s 5 o’clock somewhere so let’s ‘raise ‘em up and sing along. The Long Island-based band — guided by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals/ acoustic guitar, with Linn DeMilta (aka Lovely Linn), lead and backing vocals, Luis Rio, lead guitar/backing vocals, Frank Stainkamp, keyboard/ backing vocals, Dan Prine, bass, and drummer Mike Vecchione — have celebrated the beach country sounds of Buffett, Chesney and Zac Brown Band for more than a decade, spreading their vibe up and down the Northeast.

Saturday, May 4, 8 p.m. $35. $25, $20, $15. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com, or ParamountNY.com.

Dance Theatre of Harlem

The acclaimed dance company visits Long Island on its 2024 tour, appearing on the Tilles Center stage, Friday, May 10, 8 p.m. With a storied history, the first Black classical ballet company, co-founded by dance icon and international superstar Arthur Mitchell, has toured the world, engaged communities and introduced young minds and bodies to the power of dance. With all its renown, this boundary-breaking, dynamic organization has maintained Mitchell’s core belief that ballet belongs to everyone. Now a singular presence in the ballet world, DTH presents a powerful vision for ballet in the 21st century.

The 18-member, multi-ethnic company performs a forward-thinking repertoire that includes treasured classics, neoclassical works by George Balanchine and resident choreographer Robert Garland, as well as innovative contemporary works that use the language of ballet to celebrate Black culture. Through performances, community engagement and arts education, the Company carries forward Dance Theatre of Harlem’s message of empowerment through the arts for all. The dynamic program and music by Michael Nyman; Balanchine’s “Pas de Dix, with music by Alexander Glazuno; “Take Me With You,” with choreography by Robert Bondara, featuring Radiohead music; “Return,” choreographed by Robert Garland, with James Brown and Aretha Franklin tunes. Tickets start at $64; available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville.

Family

theater

Families will enjoy another musical adventure, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved children’s books, on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage, Friday, May 3, 10:15 a.m. and noon; Sunday, May 5, 2 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, May 7-10, 10:15 a.m. and noon. Back by popular demand after a sold-out 2023 run, see Pigeon, Bus Driver, and some zany passengers sing and dance their way to helping The Pigeon find his “thing” in this upbeat, energetic comedy based on four of Mo Willems’ popular Pigeon books.

Featuring a live band to bring Deborah Wicks La Puma’s jazzy score to life, audiences will thoroughly enjoy singing and flapping along with The Pigeon and friends. The audience is part of the action, in this innovative mix of songs, silliness and feathers. It’s an ideal way to introduce kids to theater and the humorous stories from Willems’ books.

$10 with museum admission ($8 members), $14 theater only. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “Urban Art Evolution,” is a comprehensive exhibit featuring a diverse range of compositions from the 1980s through the present by creators who were based in the rough and tumble downtown area of New York City known as Loisaida/LES (Lower East Side/East Village) and close surrounding neighborhoods.

Artists pushed the boundaries of what was considered “art” with a primary focus on street/graffiti art. The exhibit’s scope, guest curated by art collector/gallerist Christopher Pusey, offers an even broader view from other creative residents, who worked inside their studios but still contributed to the rich fabric of the downtown art scene from different vantage points and aesthetics.

Works include sculpture, paintings, photography, music, and ephemera from many noted and influential artists. On view through July 7. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Befriending Bugs

Families are invited Join Entomologist Jeffry Petracca on an adventure with insects at Old Westbury Gardens, Saturday, May 11, 1-3 p.m. Meet some of the biggest and most beautiful insects and spiders from around the world, including giant stick bugs, beetles, tarantulas and scorpions.

Learn about each of their amazing adaptations and how they help them to carry out their unique ecosystem roles, even hold many of these animals. Suitable for ages 6-9. Registration required. $17 per child. 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information and to register, visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.

Baby shower for moms-to-be Mercy Hospital hosts this free event for expecting moms-to-be, Saturday, May 11, noon to 2 p.m., in the lower level cafeteria. With raffles, giveaways for mom and baby, and meet and greets with physicians, lactation specialists, mother/ baby nurses, games and more. For moms only. 1000 N. Village Ave. Email Elizabeth. Schwind@chsli.org to register. For more information, visit CHSLI.org/mercy-hospital or call (516) 626-3729.

Crawling caterpillar

Bring the kids to Long Island Children’s Museum and say goodbye to the traveling exhibit, “Very Eric Carle,” before it leaves the building, Sunday, May 12 Celebrate one of Eric Carle’s most beloved characters by making a crawling caterpillar to take home at the drop-in program. Suitable for ages 3+ Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. Visit LICM.org or call (516) 2245800 for information.

Father’s Day Car Show

The annual Father’s Day Car show returns to Merrick, Saturday, June 15, opens at 9 a.m. Money raised benefits the Nassau County Sheriff’s COBA Widow’s and Children’s Fund. Admission for pre-registered cars is $15, on the day of the show $20. The first 350 cars will get a free t-shirt and plaque. Free admission for all spectators. At the Merrick LIRR station.

Having an event?

On stage

Plaza Theatrical’s season continues with “Lady Supreme: A Diana Ross Experience,” Saturday, May 4, 7:30 p.m. Deanna Carroll, accompanied by top notch singers and musicians, covers the hits of the Supremes to Diana’s solo sensations in this spectacular tribute to the Supreme Diva.

She performs all of Diana’s biggest hits, with spot-on vocals, including “Endless Love,” “Someday We’ll Be Together,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Touch Me in The Morning,” and so many more. Get in the groove at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre. 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

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

Storybook Stroll

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a storybook adventure, Saturday, May 4, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Stroll the gardens and listen to Antoine Ó Flatharta’s modern tale, “Hurry and the Monarch.” Later create a unique take home craft. For ages 3-5. Storybook Strolls start at the Beech Tree (next to Westbury House), and end at the Thatched Cottage. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information, visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.

Museum Gallery Tour

Join curator, art collector and gallerist Christopher Pusey for a tour of “Urban Art Evolution,” Nassau County Museum of Art’s current exhibition, Sunday, May 5, 3 p.m. Pusey, the exhibit’s guest curator, began art-making as a child and went on to pursue a career working in art galleries, and as an art dealer, in New York City. His particular interest in the art from this time and genre began with his first job at a Soho gallery in SoHo during the 80s, which had a division specializing in some of the East Village artists featured in this show. Free with museum admission. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org or call (516) 484-9337 for information.

Friday Night Car Show

Friday car shows return, sponsored by The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores and the Town of Hempstead, Friday, weekly through Oct. 4 (weather permitting), at the Bellmore LIRR parking lot on Broadway.

See a variety of classic and custom cars. Spectators can enjoy the displays free of charge, while car owners are invited to showcase their vehicles for a nominal $5 admission fee. For more information, contact (516) 679-1875.

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art, Saturday, May 11, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork. Kids and adults connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. For ages 2-14. Registration required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for to register or call (516) 4849337.

2,

LEGAL NOTICE

Public Notices

AVISO DE AUDIENCIA

PÚBLICA

BELLMORE-MERRICK

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD

CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK

EL AVISO SE HA DADO

AQUÍ que la Junta de Educación del BellmoreMerrick Central High School District celebrará una audiencia pública el 8 de mayo de 2024, a las 7:30 p.m. en la Sala de la Junta del Edificio de Administración Central ubicado en la Centro Educative Brookside, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, Merrick, Nueva York, con el propósito de tramitar todos los negocios según lo autorizado por la Ley de Educación, que incluye, entre otros, la discusión de los gastos de fondos y presupuestos, por lo tanto, en relación con la apropriación de fondos necesarios para cubrir los gastos necesarios del Distrito Central de Escuelas Secundarias para el año escolar 2023-2024 y sobre las propuestas que involucran el gasto de fondos o la recaudación de impuestos, en qué momento y en qué lugar todas las personas interesadas en el tema del mismo en relación con el mismo tendrán la oportunidad de ser escuchadas.

Y TAMBIÉN SE DE AVISO que una copia del estado de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año siguiente con fines escolares (presupuesto escolar) y copias de las propuestas relacionadas con el gasto de dinero y el funcionamiento del sistema escolar para el año siguiente , estará disponible para cualquier contribuyente en el Distrito siete días inmediatamente antes de la audiencia pública, excepto los sábados, domingos o días festivos, en cada escuela en la que se mantenga la escuela durante las horas de 8:00 a.m. y 4:00 p.m. Y TAMBIÉN SE DE AVISO que un Informe de Exención del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles, preparado de acuerdo con la Sección 495 de la Ley del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles, se adjuntará a cualquier presupuesto provisional / preliminar, así como al presupuesto adoptado final del cual formará parte; y se publicarán en el (los) tablón (s) de boletines del Distrito que se mantendrá para avisos públicos, así como en el sitio web del Distrito

POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN

BELLMORE-MERRICK

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

PATTIANNE GUCCIONE

SECRETARIO DE DISTRITO

El aviso anterior se publicará en los periódicos Herald de Bellmore y Herald de

Merrick el Jueves, el 4 de abril de 2024, el 18 de abril de 2024 y el 2 de mayo de 2024. 145958

LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE AUDIENCIA

SOBRE EL PRESUPUESTO, REUNIÓN ANUAL, ELECCIÓN Y REGISTRO DE VOTANTES, DISTRITO ESCOLAR MERRICK UNION FREE Y BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE MERRICK

PUEBLO DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que se celebrará una audiencia pública sobre el presupuesto del Distrito Escolar Merrick Union Free, pueblo de Hempstead, condado de Nassau, Nueva York, en la escuela primaria Lakeside Elementary School, Merrick, Nueva York, el 7 de mayo de 2024 a las 7:15 p. m. para analizar el gasto de los fondos para el año escolar 2024-2025, su correspondiente presupuesto y otros asuntos según la autorización de la Ley de Educación del estado de Nueva York.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que se celebrará una audiencia pública sobre el presupuesto de la biblioteca de Merrick en la biblioteca de Merrick, Merrick, Nueva York, el 30 de abril de 2024 a las 7:00 p. m. para analizar el gasto de los fondos para el año fiscal 2024-2025, su correspondiente presupuesto y otros asuntos según la autorización de la Ley de Educación del estado de Nueva York.

TAMBIÉN SE

NOTIFICA que, durante la reunión anual de dicho distrito escolar, que se celebrará el martes 21 de mayo de 2024 en Norman J. Levy-Lakeside School, Merrick, Nueva York, también se votará la asignación de los fondos necesarios para cubrir los gastos estimados del distrito escolar y la biblioteca (el presupuesto escolar y para la biblioteca) para el año escolar 2024-2025. La votación se realizará entre las 7:00 a. m. y las 9:00 p. m. Se usarán máquinas de votación en dicha elección anual.

TAMBIÉN SE

NOTIFICA que se celebrará una elección para cubrir tres (3) vacantes con un mandato de tres (3) años para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación y una (1) vacante con un mandato de cinco (5) años para la oficina del fideicomisario de la Junta de la Biblioteca en Norman J. Levy-Lakeside School, Merrick, Nueva York, el martes 21 de mayo de 2024. Las urnas

para dicha elección estarán abiertas desde las 7:00 a. m. hasta las 9:00 p. m.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que se autoriza por el presente a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Merrick Union Free a transferir

$2,000,000 del fondo de reserva para reparaciones establecido el 11 de abril de 2019 al fondo de reserva de capitales establecido el 21 de mayo de 2019, además de la autorización para el financiamiento anual del fondo de reserva de capitales, tal como lo autorizaron los votantes en la reunión anual del 21 de mayo de 2019.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que, en la boleta electoral, aparecerá una propuesta que indicará esencialmente lo siguiente: Se autorizará a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Merrick Union Free por medio de la presente a gastar

$6,100,000 del fondo de reserva de capitales establecido el 21 de mayo de 2019 con el fin de realizar los siguientes proyectos: (1) reemplazo o recubrimiento del techo en la escuela primaria

Chatterton Elementary School; (2) reparación de las paredes con mampostería de la escuela primaria Chatterton Elementary School, y (3) reemplazo de las tuberías de vapor en la escuela primaria Lakeside Elementary School.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que cualquier residente del distrito podrá obtener una copia de la declaración del monto de dinero que será requerido para el año escolar 2024-2025, a los fines de invertirlos en la escuela y la biblioteca, durante los catorce (14) días previos a la votación, excepto los sábados, domingos o feriados, en las escuelas del distrito, entre las 9:30 a. m. y las 3:30 p. m. TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con el Capítulo 258 de las Leyes de 2008, se agregó la sección 495 a la Ley del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles y requiere que el distrito escolar adjunte a su presupuesto sugerido un informe de exenciones. Este informe de exenciones mostrará qué parte del valor total estimado de la lista de tasación final utilizada en el proceso presupuestario queda libre de impuestos. En el informe se mencionará cada tipo de exención, otorgadas por la autoridad legal, y se mostrará el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención, expresado en un monto en dólares del valor estimado o como porcentaje del total del valor estimado en la lista, el valor acumulativo que se espera recibir de los beneficiarios de cada

tipo de exención como pagos en lugar de impuestos (PILOT) u otros pagos para servicios municipales, y el impacto acumulativo de todas las exenciones otorgadas. Este informe de exenciones se publicará en cualquier tablero de anuncios que el distrito designe para avisos públicos y en el sitio web del distrito.

TAMBIÉN SE

NOTIFICA que las peticiones para nominar a candidatos para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación deberán presentarse ante la secretaria del distrito entre las 9:30 a. m. y las 3:30 p. m. y antes de las 5:00 p. m. del lunes 22 de abril de 2024. Dicha petición debe estar firmada por al menos veinticinco (25) votantes calificados del distrito para la elección de la Junta de Educación. Los candidatos que reciban la mayor cantidad de votos serán electos para el cargo. El registro personal es un requisito previo para votar en todas las elecciones de este distrito escolar y nadie podrá votar en esta elección si su nombre no aparece en el registro preparado para dicha elección; a excepción de cualquier persona residente del distrito que esté registrada de manera permanente en la Junta de Elecciones del condado de Nassau para votar en otras elecciones que no sean del distrito escolar y cuyo registro esté vigente, quien también podrá votar en esta elección sin registro adicional.

TAMBIÉN SE

NOTIFICA que la secretaria del distrito estará en la oficina del distrito el martes 7 de mayo de 2024, entre las 12:00 p. m. y las 4:00 p. m., con el propósito de preparar un registro de este distrito escolar para dicha elección, momento y lugar en los que cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en el registro, siempre y cuando se sepa o se demuestre, para satisfacción de la Junta de Registros, que dicha persona tiene derecho a votar en la reunión o en la elección para la cual se prepara dicho registro. Las personas calificadas también podrán registrarse los días en que la escuela esté en sesión entre las 9:30 a. m. y las 3:30 p. m. en las escuelas del distrito, pero no se harán registros con menos de cinco (5) días de anticipación a la elección; este año el límite es el 16 de mayo de 2024. TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que la Junta de Registros se reunirá el martes 21 de mayo de 2024, entre las 7:00 a. m. y las 9:00 p. m. en Norman J. LevyLakeside School, Merrick, Nueva York, para preparar el registro del

distrito escolar que se usará en las reuniones o elecciones subsecuentes a la votación del presupuesto y elección anual del distrito escolar, en cuyo horario cualquier persona tendrá derecho a inscribirse en el registro, siempre que en tal reunión de la Junta de Registros se sepa o se demuestre, a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registros, que esa persona tiene derecho, entonces o en lo sucesivo, a votar en la reunión o en la elección escolar para la cual se prepara el registro.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que el registro preparado se presentará en la oficina del superintendente de escuelas y estará disponible para que cualquier votante calificado del distrito pueda inspeccionarlo en la oficina del superintendente de escuelas y de la secretaria del distrito en Katherine E. Reif Administration Center cada uno de los cinco (5) días previos al día establecido para la elección, de 9:30 a. m. a 3:30 p. m., excepto los domingos, y el sábado anterior a las elecciones únicamente con cita previa.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que las solicitudes de voto por ausencia y por correo anticipado pueden realizarse en la Secretaría del Distrito. La secretaria del distrito deberá recibir las solicitudes de voto por ausencia o por correo anticipado no antes de los treinta (30) días previos a la fecha de la elección. La secretaria del distrito debe recibir las solicitudes de voto por ausencia o por correo anticipado por lo menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la boleta electoral debe enviarse al votante por correo, o hasta el día antes de la elección si la boleta electoral debe entregarse al votante o a quien haya designado en persona. Al recibir una solicitud oportuna para enviar por correo una boleta electoral por ausencia o por correo anticipado, la secretaria del distrito enviará por correo dicha boleta electoral a la dirección indicada en la solicitud a más tardar seis (6) días antes de la elección. Las boletas electorales por ausencia o por correo anticipado no se escrutarán a menos que se hayan recibido en la Secretaría del Distrito antes de las 5:00 p. m. del día de la elección. Habrá una lista de todas las personas para las que se emitieron boletas electorales por ausencia o por correo anticipado disponible en la Secretaría del Distrito durante los cinco días previos al día de la elección, excepto el domingo. TAMBIÉN SE

NOTIFICA que los votantes militares que no estén registrados actualmente pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados del distrito escolar. Los votantes militares que sean votantes calificados del distrito escolar podrán enviar una solicitud de boleta electoral militar. Estos votantes pueden indicar su preferencia de recibir un registro de votante militar, una solicitud de boleta electoral militar o una boleta electoral militar por correo postal, fax o correo electrónico en su pedido del registro, de la solicitud de boleta electoral o la boleta electoral. Los formularios de solicitud de registro para votantes militares se deben recibir en la Secretaría del Distrito antes de las 5:00 p. m. del 25 de abril de 2024. Las solicitudes de boleta electoral militar deben recibirse en la Secretaría del Distrito por correo o en persona también a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del 25 de abril de 2024. Las boletas electorales militares no se escrutarán a menos que se envíen por correo o se presenten en persona y (1) la Secretaría del Distrito las reciba antes del cierre de las urnas el día de la elección y tengan una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o un endoso fechado de recepción por parte de otra agencia del gobierno de los Estados Unidos, o bien (2) la Secretaría del Distrito las reciba antes de las 5:00 p. m. del día de la elección, y estén firmadas y fechadas por el votante militar y un testigo de ello, con una fecha asociada que no sea posterior al día previo a la elección. TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que, durante la elección del Distrito Escolar Merrick Union Free, los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Central de Escuelas Secundarias Bellmore-Merrick votarán con los siguientes fines: a) Votar sobre el presupuesto escolar anual para el año escolar 2024-2025 y autorizar la imposición de un impuesto sobre la propiedad sujeta a tributación del distrito para los propósitos anteriores. b) Votar sobre cualquier otra propuesta que se pueda presentar oportunamente en la reunión.

FECHA: marzo de 2024 Merrick, NY POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN DISTRITO ESCOLAR MERRICK UNION FREE PAMELA AMON, SECRETARIA DEL DISTRITO 145801

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING, ANNUAL MEETING, ELECTION AND REGISTRATION OF VOTERS, MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND MERRICK PUBLIC LIBRARY

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a public budget hearing of the Merrick Union Free School District, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, will be held at the Lakeside Elementary School, Merrick, New York on May 7, 2024 at 7:15 p.m. for the purpose of discussion of the expenditure of funds for the 2024-2025 school year and the budgeting thereof and for such other business as is authorized by the Education Law of the State of New York.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that a public budget hearing of the Merrick Library will be held at the Merrick Library, Merrick, New York on April 30, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of discussion of the expenditure of funds for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and the budgeting thereof and for such other business as is authorized by the Education Law of the State of New York.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that the vote upon the appropriation of the necessary funds to meet the estimated expenditures of said school district and library for the 2024-2025 school year (school budget and library budget) will be held at the annual meeting of said school district on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at the Norman J. Levy-Lakeside School, Merrick, New York. Voting shall take place between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Voting machines will be used for voting at said annual election.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that an election to fill three (3) vacancies, each for a term of three (3) years for the office of member of the Board of Education and one (1) vacancy for a term of five (5) years for the office of trustee of the Library Board will be held at the Norman J. LevyLakeside School, Merrick, New York, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. The polls for voting at said election will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

NOTICE IS

FURTHER GIVEN, that the Board of Education of the Merrick Union Free School District is hereby authorized to transfer $2,000,000 from the Repair Reserve Fund established on April 11, 2019 to the Capital Reserve Fund established on

May 21, 2019 in addition to the authorization for the annual funding of the Capital Reserve Fund as authorized by the voters at the May 21, 2019 annual meeting.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that a proposition will appear on the ballot to read substantially as follows: Shall the Board of Education of the Merrick Union Free School District be hereby authorized to expend $6,100,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund established on May 21, 2019 for the purpose of the performing the following projects: (1) Roof replacement or recoating at the Chatterton Elementary School; (2) masonry wall repair at the Chatterton Elementary School; and (3) steam pipe replacement at Lakeside Elementary School.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the school year 2024-2025 for school purposes and library purposes may be obtained by any resident of the district during the fourteen (14) days preceding the vote, except Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays, at the schools of the district from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, Pursuant to Chapter 258 of the Laws of 2008, Section 495 was added to the Real Property Tax Law and requires the School District to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report will show how much of the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation. The report will list every type of exemption granted, identified by statutory authority, and will show the cumulative impact of each type of exemption expressed either as a dollar amount of assessed value or as a percentage of the total assessed value on the roll, the cumulative amount expected to be received from recipients of each type of exemption as payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) or other payments for municipal services, and the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. This exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on the website maintained by the District.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education must be filed with the Clerk of the District between the

Public Notices

hours of 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., and no later than 5:00 p.m., Monday, April 22, 2024. Such nominating petition must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the district for election to the Board of Education. The candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to office. Personal registration is a prerequisite for voting at all elections in this school district, and no person will be entitled to vote at such election whose name does not appear upon the register prepared for such election; except that any person, a resident of the district, who is permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections to vote at elections other than a school district election and whose registration is current, shall also be qualified to vote at this election without further registration.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that the District Clerk will be in the District Office in said district on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. for the purpose of preparing the register of the school district for such election; at such time and place, any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed upon such register provided that he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of the Board of Registration to be entitled to vote at the meeting or election for which such register is to be prepared. Qualified individuals may also register between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on days when school is in session at the schools of the district, except that no registration shall take place less than five (5) days preceding the election, this year May 16, 2024.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that the Board of Registration will meet on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at the Norman J. LevyLakeside School, Merrick, New York, between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. to prepare the Register of the School District to be used for meetings or elections held subsequent to the annual School District election and budget vote, at which time any person may be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Register provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school meeting or election for which said Register is so prepared.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that the register thus prepared will be filed in the office of the Superintendent of

Schools and that such register will be open for inspection to any qualified voter of the district at the office of the Superintendent of Schools and the District Clerk in the Katherine E. Reif Administration Center between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. during each of the five (5) days prior to the day set for the election, except Sundays, and on the Saturday prior to the election by appointment only.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that applications for absentee and early mail ballots may be applied for at the Office of the District Clerk. An application for an absentee or early mail ballot must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than thirty (30) days before the date of the election. An application for an absentee or early mail ballot must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or his/her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely application for a mailed absentee or early mail ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address designated on the application by no later than six (6) days before the election. No absentee and early mail voter ballot shall be canvassed unless it shall have been received at the Office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on the date of the election. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots have been issued will be available in the Office of the District Clerk on each of the five days prior to the election except Sunday.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district. Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district may submit an application for a military ballot. Military voters may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail in their request for such registration, ballot application or ballot. Military voter registration application forms must be received in the Office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 25, 2024. Military ballot applications must be received in the Office of the District Clerk by mail or in person by also no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 25, 2024. No military ballot will be

canvassed unless it is returned by mail or in person and (1) received in the Office of the District Clerk before the close of the polls on election day and showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States government; or (2) received by the Office of the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m. on election day and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is associated be not later than the day before the election.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that at the election of the Merrick Union Free School District, qualified voters of the BellmoreMerrick Central High School District shall vote for the following purposes:

a) To vote upon the annual school budget for the 2024-2025 school year, and to authorize the levying of a tax upon the taxable property of the district for the foregoing purposes.

b) To vote upon such other propositions as may properly come before the meeting.

DATED: March 2024 Merrick, NY BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT PAMELA AMON, DISTRICT CLERK 145799

Central High School District for the school year 2024-2025 and on propositions involving the expenditure of funds or the levy of tax, at which time and which place all persons interested in the subject matter thereof concerning the same will have an opportunity to be heard. AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing year for school purposes (school budget) and copies of propositions involving expenditure of moneys and the operation of the school system for the ensuing year, will be available to any taxpayer in the District seven days immediately preceding the public hearing except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, at each schoolhouse in which school is maintained during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a Real Property Tax Exemption Report, prepared in accordance with Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law, will be annexed to any tentative/preliminary budget as well as the final adopted budget of which it will form a part; and shall be posted on District Bulletin board(s) maintained for public notices, as well as on the District’s website.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

BELLMORE-MERRICK

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

PATTIANNE GUCCIONE DISTRICT CLERK

The above notice will be published in the Bellmore and Merrick Herald Life newspapers on Thursday, April 4, 2024, April 18, 2024, and May 2, 2024. 145956

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE BELLMOREMERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Education of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District will hold a Public Hearing on May 8, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the Central Administration Building located at the Brookside Educational Center, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, Merrick, New York, for the purpose of transacting all business as is authorized by the Education Law, including, but not limited to, discussion of the expenditure of funds and budgeting therefore relative to the appropriation of necessary funds to meet the necessary expenditures of the

$633,799.60 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 003996/2014. Cash will not be accepted. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Jeffrey Halbreich, Esq., Referee

Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 146094

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual vote of the qualified voters of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, Nassau County, New York, will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at the several polling places designated by the Bellmore, Merrick, North Bellmore, and North Merrick Union Free School Districts, as follows:

BELLMORE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, at the Charles A. Reinhard Early Childhood Center 2750 South St. Marks Avenue, Bellmore, New York between 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, at the Merrick District OfficeKatherine E. Reif Administration Center, 21 Babylon Road, Merrick, New York, between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

reconstruction; Districtwide floor/ceiling replacement; Districtwide HVAC reconstruction; Districtwide electrical reconstruction; Districtwide plumbing reconstruction; Districtwide abatements all of the foregoing to include all labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental costs related thereto. Since the funds to be expended hereunder come from the Capital Reserve Fund approval of this proposition will not require a tax levy upon the real property of the district. This Proposition shall be independent of Proposition No. 1.

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR RMAC REMIC TRUST, SERIES 2009-9, Plaintiff, vs. CLAUDIO JOVELL, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on October 25, 2016, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 14, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1720 Montague Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 55, Block 24 and Lot 120. Approximate amount of judgment is

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE OF TIKI SERIES IV TRUST,, Plaintiff, vs. SOPHIA AKSOY; ERKUT AKSOY;, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 12, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 21, 2024 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 319 Frankel Boulevard, Merrick, NY 11566. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 63, Block 125 and Lot 10-12. Approximate amount of judgment is $266,677.21 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 616143/2018. This foreclosure sale will be held on the North Side Steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Louis B. Imbroto, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 201125-1 146196

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ANNUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT VOTE OF THE BELLMOREMERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

NORTH BELLMORE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, at the Newbridge Road School, 1601 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, New York, between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

NORTH MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, at the North Merrick Public Library, 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York, between 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. For the following purposes:

PROPOSTION NO. 1Central High School District Budget RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, is authorized to expend the sums in the General Fund Appropriate of one hundred ninety-seven million, four hundred fifty thousand, six hundred three dollars ($197,450,603) to be raised through taxation in the several districts included with the Central High School District after first deducting the monies available from state aid and other sources.

PROPOSITION NO. 2Capital Improvement Projects RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Bellmore Merrick Central High School District is hereby authorized to expend $2,100,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund established in May, 2016 for the purpose of performing the following projects; John F. Kennedy HS auditorium sound, lighting and stage rigging upgrades; John F. Kennedy HS HVAC upgrades; John F. Kennedy HS track resurfacing/replacement; Merrick Avenue MS parking lot and sidewalk reconstruction; Districtwide interior alterations; District-wide exterior building envelope

PROPOSITION NO. 3Capital Reserve Fund RESOLVED that pursuant to Education Law Section 3651, the Board of Education of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District is hereby authorized to establish a Capital Reserve Fund for the purpose of funding the following capital improvement projects: instructional and noninstructional space improvements/renovation s/upgrades, (including but not limited to classroom improvements/renovation s/upgrades and/or additions to existing facilities), auditorium renovations, gymnasium renovations, cafeteria renovations, library/multi media center renovations, exterior renovations/reconstructio n, computer/technology upgrades, security system upgrades, plumbing improvements/renovation s/upgrades, electrical improvements/renovation s/upgrades, HVAC improvements/renovation s/upgrades, energy efficiency improvements/renovation /upgrades, including the installation of solar power, improvements/ renovations/upgrades, fuel tank replacement, renovations required for compliance with ADA requirements, vocational and career preparation renovations, portable classroom replacement and/or purchase, roof/gutter/leader replacement, window replacement, structural renovations including masonry, brick and steel replacement, paving and concrete replacement, interior and exterior door/entry ways replacement (including hardware), toilet room renovations, lighting upgrades, ceiling replacement, floor replacement, wall replacement, boiler replacements, elevators, carpentry renovations, purchase of buildings/land, site renovations/reconstructio n including track resurfacing and turf field replacement, press box/dugout/ field house improvements/renovation s/ upgrades, bleacher improvements/renovation s/upgrades, upgrades of signs, athletic field renovations/reconstructio n, tennis court renovations, playground renovations, lockers/locker room renovations, public address/clock system replacement, sound system upgrades, telephone system upgrades, hazardous material remediation, storage space renovations, furnishings and equipment, including the purchase of vehicles. The maximum amount of the aforesaid Capital Reserve Fund shall be $10,000,000, plus investment income. The probable term is to be twelve (12) years. The funds are to be transferred from surplus monies remaining in the general fund, capital fund, and/or in other reserves not to exceed $4,500,000 from the 2023-2024 budget and thereafter in an annual amount of not more the $4,500,000 for each remaining year of the term. The Superintendent of Schools or his designee is hereby directed to deposit monies of this reserve fund in a separate bank account to be known as the “Facilities Improvement Program 2024.” AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that registration shall be conducted at the several polling places stated above by the Boards of Registration of the several component districts as follows: the Bellmore Union Free School District at the District Office, Winthrop Avenue School, 580 Winthrop Avenue, Bellmore, New York, on all school days of the school year until five (5) days preceding the vote between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.; the Merrick Union Free School District at the Administrative Office, 21 Babylon Road, Merrick, New York on all school days of the school year until five (5) days preceding the vote between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; the North Bellmore Union Free School District at the Administrative Office, 2616 Martin Avenue, Bellmore, New York, and all district schools on all school days of the school year until five (5) days preceding the vote between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.; and the North Merrick Union Free School District at the Harold D. Fayette School, 1057 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, New York, on all school days of the school year until five (5) days preceding the vote between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and additionally on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the Harold D. Fayette School between

May 2, 2024

Public Notices

the hours of 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the purpose of preparing a register of the qualified voters entitled to vote at the school meeting and election for which such register is prepared, in the manner provided by law. The register, as so prepared, will be filed in the office of the clerk at each of the respective Union Free School Districts as set forth in this notice of meeting and such register is to be open for inspection at reasonable times for at least five (5) days prior to the date set for voting on the budget and election, except Sunday, and by appointment on the Saturday prior to the election at each elementary district.

AND NOTICE IS ALSO

GIVEN that a person shall be entitled to vote at the annual meeting and election who is a citizen of the United States, eighteen years of age, a resident of the Union Free School District in which he intends to vote for a period of thirty days next preceding the election he offers to vote and registered to vote for said election. A person shall be registered to vote if he or she shall have permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections or with the Board of Registration of the component Union Free School District in which he resides. Only persons who shall be registered shall be entitled to vote AND NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Boards of Registration of the several component Union Free School Districts will meet during the hours of voting on May 21, 2024 at the polling places in each of the Union Free School Districts for the purpose of preparing a register for district meetings or elections to be held subsequent to May 21, 2024; said register shall include (1) all qualified voters of the Union Free School Districts, who shall present themselves personally for registration; and (2) all qualified voters permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections.

AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing year for school purposes (school budget) and copies of propositions involving expenditure of moneys and the operation of the school system for the ensuing year, may be obtained by any resident in the District during the fourteen days immediately preceding the annual vote except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, at school district offices and any schoolhouse within the district and on the district’s website.

AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that applications for early mail voting and absentee ballots for the school district election may be applied for at the Office of the Clerk of the District. Applications for early mail voting and absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than thirty (30) days before the election. Furthermore, such application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or his/her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely request for a mailed ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application by no later than six (6) days before the vote. No early mail voting or absentee voter’s ballot will be canvassed unless it has been received in the office of the District Clerk not later than 5:00 P.M. (prevailing time) on the day of the election. A list of all persons to whom early mail voting and absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available for inspection at the Office of the Clerk until the day of the vote. AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district. Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district may submit an application for a military ballot. Military voters may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail in their request for such registration, ballot application or ballot.

Military voter registration forms and military ballot application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk of the school district no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 25, 2024. No military ballot will be canvassed unless it is (1) received in the office of the District Clerk before the close of the polls on election day and showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States government; or (2) received by the office of the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m. on election day and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is associated to be not later than the day before the election.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

BELLMORE-MERRICK

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

DISTRICT

PATTIANNE GUCCIONE

DISTRICT CLERK

The above notice will be published in the Bellmore Herald and Merrick Herald newspapers on Thursday, April 18, 2024, May 2, 2024 and May 16, 2024. 145961

LEGAL NOTICE

AVISO DE VOTO ANUAL

DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR

BELLMORE-MERRICK

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

DISTRICT

CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK

EL AVISO SE HA DADO

AQUI que el voto anual de los votantes calificados del BellmoreMerrick Central High School District, el Condado de Nassau, Nueva York, se llevará a cabo el Martes, el 21 de mayo de 2024, en los varios lugares de votación designados por el Bellmore, Merrick, North Bellmore y North Merrick Union Free School Districts, de la siguiente manera:

BELLMORE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, en el Charles A. Reinhard Early Childhood Center, 2750 South St. Marks Avenue, Bellmore, Nueva York, , entre las 6:30 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m.

MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, en la Merrick District OfficeKatherine E. Reif Administration Center, 21 Babylon Road, Merrick, Nueva York, entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m. NORTH BELLMORE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT en la escuela Newbridge Road, 1601 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, Nueva York, entre las 6:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m. NORTH MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, en la Biblioteca Pública de North Merrick, 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, Nueva York, entre las 6:30 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m. Para los siguientes propósitos:

PROPUESTA NUMERO 1PRESUPUESTO DEL DISTRITO CENTRAL DE LA ESCUELA SECUNDARIA SE RESUELVE, que la Junta de Educación del Distrito Central de Escuelas Secundarias de Bellmore-Merrick, Ciudad de Hempstead, Condado de Nassau, está autorizada a gastar las sumas apropiadas del Fondo General de ciento noventa y siete millones cuatrocientos cincuenta mil seis ciento tres dólares ($197,450,603) que se recaudarán a través de impuestos en los diversos distritos incluidos en el Distrito Central de Escuelas Secundarias después de deducir primero el dinero disponible de la ayuda estatal y otras fuentes.

PROPUESTA NUMERO. 2PROYECTOS DE MEJORA DE CAPITAL

SE RESUELVE, que por la presente se autoriza a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Central de Escuelas Secundarias de Bellmore-Merrick a gastar $2,100,000 del Fondo de Reserva de Capital establecido en mayo de 2016 con el propósito de realizar los siguientes proyectos; mejoras en el sonido, la iluminación y el montaje del escenario del auditorio John F. Kennedy HS; Actualizaciones de HVAC de John F. Kennedy HS; Repavimentación/reempla zo de vías de la escuela secundaria John F. Kennedy; Reconstrucción del estacionamiento y de las aceras de Merrick Avenue MS; Reformas interiores en todo el distrito; Reconstrucción de la envolvente exterior del edificio en todo el distrito; Reemplazo de pisos/techos en todo el distrito; Reconstrucción de HVAC en todo el distrito; Reconstrucción eléctrica en todo el distrito; Reconstrucción de plomería en todo el distrito; Reducciones en todo el distrito de todo lo anterior para incluir toda la mano de obra, materiales, equipos, aparatos y costos incidentales relacionados con los mismos. Dado que los fondos que se gastarán en virtud del presente provienen del Fondo de Reserva de Capital, la aprobación de esta propuesta no requerirá un impuesto sobre los bienes inmuebles del distrito. Esta Propuesta será independiente de la Proposición Numero 1. PROPUESTA NUMERO 3FONDO DE RESERVA DE CAPITAL SE RESUELVE que de conformidad con la Sección 3651 de la Ley de Educación, la Junta de Educación del Distrito Central de Escuelas Secundarias de BellmoreMerrick está autorizada por la presente a establecer un Fondo de Reserva de Capital con el fin de financiar los siguientes proyectos de mejoras de capital: mejoras de espacios educativos y no educativos/ renovaciones/actualizacio nes (incluidas, entre otras, mejoras/renovaciones/act ualizaciones de aulas y/o adiciones a instalaciones existentes), renovaciones de auditorios, renovaciones de gimnasios, renovaciones de cafeterías, renovaciones de bibliotecas/centros multimedia, renovaciones/reconstrucci ones exteriores, actualizaciones de computadoras/tecnología , mejoras/renovaciones/act ualizaciones del sistema de seguridad, mejoras/renovaciones/act ualizaciones de plomería, mejoras/renovaciones/act ualizaciones eléctricas,

mejoras/renovaciones/act ualizaciones de HVAC, mejoras/renovaciones/act ualizaciones de eficiencia energética, incluida la instalación de energía solar, mejoras/renovaciones/act ualizaciones, reemplazo del tanque de combustible , renovaciones requeridas para cumplir con los requisitos de la ADA, renovaciones de preparación vocacional y profesional, reemplazo y/o compra de aulas portátiles, reemplazo de techos/canalones/líderes, reemplazo de ventanas, renovaciones estructurales que incluyen reemplazo de mampostería, ladrillos y acero, reemplazo de pavimentos y concreto, interiores y Reemplazo de puertas/entradas exteriores (incluido el hardware), renovaciones de baños, mejoras de iluminación, reemplazo de techos, reemplazo de pisos, reemplazo de paredes, reemplazos de calderas, ascensores, renovaciones de carpintería, compra de edificios/terrenos, renovaciones/reconstrucci ón de sitios, incluida la repavimentación de vías y césped. reemplazo de campo, palco de prensa/piragua/mejoras/r enovaciones/actualizacion es de la casa de campo, mejoras/renovaciones/act ualizaciones de las gradas, mejoras de letreros, renovaciones/reconstrucci ón de campos deportivos, renovaciones de canchas de tenis, renovaciones de parques infantiles, renovaciones de casilleros/vestuarios, megafonía/reloj público reemplazo de sistemas, mejoras del sistema de sonido, actualizaciones del sistema telefónico, remediación de materiales peligrosos, renovaciones de espacios de almacenamiento, mobiliario y equipo, incluida la compra de vehículos.

El monto máximo del citado Fondo de Reserva de Capital será de $10.000.000, más los ingresos por inversiones. El plazo probable será de doce (12) años. Los fondos deben transferirse de los excedentes de dinero que quedan en el fondo general, el fondo de capital y/o en otras reservas que no excedan los $4,500,000 del presupuesto 2023-2024 y, posteriormente, en una cantidad anual que no supere los $4,500,000 para cada año restante del término. Por la presente se ordena al Superintendente de Escuelas o su designado que deposite el dinero de este fondo de reserva en una cuenta bancaria separada que se conocerá como el “Programa de mejora de instalaciones 2024”.

Y TAMBIÉN SE DA AVISO que el registro se llevará

a cabo en los lugares de votación indicados anteriormente por Las Juntas de Registro de los varios distritos componentes de la siguiente manera: la Bellmore Union Free School District en la Oficina del Distrito, Winthrop Avenue School, 580 Winthrop Avenue, Bellmore, Nueva York, en todos los días de clases del año escolar hasta cinco (5) días anteriores a la votación entre el horario de 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m.; la Merrick Union Free School District en la Oficina Administrativa, 21 Babylon Road, Merrick, Nueva York, en todos los días de clases del año escolar hasta cinco (5) días anteriores a la votación entre las horas de 9:30 a.m. y 3:30 p.m.; la North Bellmore Union Free School District en la Oficina Administrativa, 2616 Martin Avenue, Bellmore, Nueva York, y todas las escuelas del distrito en todos los días de clases del año escolar hasta cinco (5) días anteriores a la votación entre las horas de 9:00 a.m. y 3:00 p.m.; y la North Merrick Union Free School District en la escuela Harold D. Fayette, 1057 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, Nueva York, en todos los días escolares del año escolar hasta cinco (5) días antes de la votación entre las 9:00 a.m. y 4:00 p.m., y además, el miércoles el 15 de mayo de 2024, en la Escuela de Fayette D. Harold entre las horas de 4:00 p.m y 8:00 p.m. con el fin de preparar un registro de los votantes calificados con derecho a votar en la reunión de la escuela y la elección para la que dicho registro es preparado, en la forma prevista por la ley. El registro, como así preparado, será archivado en la Oficina del Secretario (District Clerk) en cada uno de los respectivos Distritos Unión Libre como se establece en este aviso y dicho registro sera abierto por inspección en horas razonables hasta cinco (5) días antes de la fecha establecida para votar sobre el presupuesto y la elección del distrito, excepto el domingo, y por cita el sábado anterior de la elección en cada distrito elemental.

Y TAMBIÉN SE DA AVISO que una persona quien es cuidadano de Los Estados Unidos, tenga diez y ocho años de edad y es residente del Distrito Escolar de la Unión en el que se tiene la intención de votar a favor un período de treinta días antes de la elección y esta registrado para votar para la elección dicha tendrá derecho a votar. Una persona debera ser registrada para votar si el o ella han registrado permanente con La Junta de Elecciones del Condado de Nassau

(Nassau County Board of Elections) o con La Junta de Registro (Board of Registration) del distrito donde el o ella reside. Solamente las personas que estan registradas tienen el derecho para votar.

Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA que Las Juntas de Registro (Boards of Registration) de las varias escuelas componentes tendran una reunion el 21 de mayo 2024 durante las horas de votación en los lugares de votación en cada escuela para el propósito de preparer el registro para que las elecciones tendran lugar despues del 21 de mayo 2024; El Registro incluirá (1) todos los votantes calificados de las escuelas, quines se presentáran personalemente para registro; y (2) todos votantes calificados permanente registrados con la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau (Nassau County Board of Elections).

Y TAMBIÉN SE DA AVISO que una copia de la declaración de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año siguiente para fines escolares (presupuesto escolar) y copias de las propuestas que involucran gastos de dinero y el funcionamiento del sistema escolar para el año siguiente , puede ser obtenido por cualquier residente del Distrito durante los catorce días inmediatamente anteriores a la votación anual, excepto sábados, domingos o días festivos, en las oficinas del distrito escolar y en cualquier escuela dentro del distrito y en el sitio web del distrito.

Y TAMBIÉN SE DA AVISO que las solicitudes de votación anticipada por correo y boletas en ausencia para las elecciones del distrito escolar se pueden solicitar en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito. Las solicitudes de votación anticipada por correo y de voto en ausencia deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito no antes de treinta (30) días antes de la elección. Además, dicha solicitud debe ser recibida por el Secretario de Distrito al menos siete días antes de la elección si la boleta se enviará por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección si la boleta se entregará personalmente al votante o a su agente designado. Al recibir una solicitud oportuna de una boleta por correo, el Secretario del Distrito enviará la boleta por correo a la dirección indicada en la solicitud a más tardar seis (6) días antes de la votación. No se escrutará ninguna boleta de votación anticipada por correo ni de votante ausente a menos que se haya recibido en la oficina del

Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. (horario predominante) del día de la elección. Una lista de todas las personas a quienes se les habrá emitido la votación anticipada por correo y el voto en ausencia estará disponible para su inspección en la Oficina del Secretario hasta el día de la votación. Y TAMBIÉN SE DA AVISO de que los votantes militares que no están registrados actualmente pueden registrarse como votantes calificados del distrito escolar. Los votantes militares que sean 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 votante militar, 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. Las formas de registro de votantes militares y las formas de solicitud de boletas militares deben ser recibidas en la oficina del secretario de distrito del distrito escolar no más tarde que a las 5:00 p.m. el 25 de abril de 2024. No se escrutará ninguna boleta militar a menos que (1) se reciba en la oficina del Secretario de Distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el día de las elecciones y que muestre una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o de un servicio postal de un país extranjero, o mostrando un endoso fechado de recibo de otra agencia del gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o (2) recibido por la oficina del secretario de distrito no más tarde que las 5:00 p.m. el día de la elección y firmada y fechada por el votante militar y un testigo del mismo, con una fecha que se asocia a no ser mas tarde del día anterior de la elección.

POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT PATTIANNE GUCCIONE SECRETARIO DE DISTRITO El aviso anterior se publicará en los periódicos Herald de Bellmore y Herald de Merrick el Jueves, el 18 de abril de 2024 y el 2 de mayo de 2024 y 16 de mayo de 2024. 145963

Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Advancial Federal Credit Union, Plaintiff AGAINST Michael A. Volino, a/k/a Michael Volino; et al., Defendant(s)

Public Notices

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 18, 2024 I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 28, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 204 Margaret Boulevard, Merrick, NY 11566. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Merrick, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of NY, Section 56 Block 87 Lots 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 [Lot Group]. Approximate amount of judgment $293,934.68 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 615213/2022. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the Tenth Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee

LOGS Legal Group LLP

Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: April 5, 2024 146331

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU MCLP ASSET COMPANY, INC., Plaintiff, AGAINST DOLORES ANNE CARUCCI-LAMPITELLI, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF DOLORES MARIA CARUCCI AKA DOLORES CARUCCI, et al. Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on February 4, 2020.

I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 28, 2024 at 2:30 PM premises known as 1429 Little Whaleneck Rd, North Merrick, AKA 1429 Little Whaleneck Rd, Merrick, NY 11566.

Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Nassau County and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing.

All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Merrick (unincorporated area), Town of Hempstead,

County of Nassau and State of New York.

Section 56, Block 22 and Lot 51.

Approximate amount of judgment $452,331.62 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #001685/2017.

Janine T. Lynam, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLPAttorneys for Plaintiff - 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 146277

LEGAL NOTICE

AVISO MODIFICADO

SOBRE LA REUNIÓN Y ELECCIÓN ANUAL DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR DISTRITO ESCOLAR NORTH MERRICK UNION FREE, PUEBLO DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que se llevará a cabo una audiencia sobre el presupuesto del Distrito Escolar North Merrick Union Free en la escuela

Harold D. Fayette, 1057 Merrick Avenue, North Merrick, Nueva York, el día 14 de mayo de 2024, a las 7:00 p. m., para la resolución de dichos asuntos de acuerdo con lo estipulado por la Ley de Educación.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que la votación anual sobre el presupuesto y elección del Distrito Escolar North Merrick Union Free se llevarán a cabo en la biblioteca pública de North Merrick, 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, Nueva York, el día martes 21 de mayo de 2024. Durante la elección mencionada anteriormente, los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar North Merrick Union Free y del Distrito Central de Escuelas Secundarias de Bellmore-Merrick votarán con los siguientes fines: (A) votar sobre el presupuesto escolar anual para el año 2024-2025 y para autorizar la exacción de un impuesto sobre la propiedad sujeta a tributación del distrito para los propósitos mencionados rmente; (B) votar sobre la siguiente propuesta que busca la autorización para gastar de un fondo de reserva de capitales que aparecerá en la boleta electoral razonablemente en la siguiente forma: “SE AUTORIZARÁ a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar North Merrick Union Free a gastar $105,000 del fondo de reserva de capitales establecido el 19 de mayo de 2015 con el fin de llevar a cabo el siguiente proyecto: reemplazo parcial del tejado en Camp Avenue School, todo lo anterior incluirá toda la mano de obra, los materiales, el equipo, los aparatos y los costos secundarios relacionados”; y (C)

cualquier otra propuesta que se pueda presentar oportunamente en la reunión.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que en la elección antes mencionada, los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar North Merrick Union Free también elegirán a dos (2) miembros de la Junta de Educación para un período de tres años, que comenzará el 1 de julio de 2024 y finalizará el 30 de junio de 2027.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que la votación se realizará con máquinas y las urnas estarán abiertas de 6:30 a. m. a 9:00 p. m. de ese mismo día.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que, de acuerdo con la Sección 495 de la Ley del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles, el Distrito Escolar debe adjuntar un informe de exención al presupuesto sugerido. Este informe de exenciones, que también formará parte del presupuesto final, mostrará qué parte del valor total calculado de la lista final de tasación usada durante el proceso presupuestario queda libre de impuestos, enumerará todos los tipos de exenciones otorgadas por la autoridad legal y mostrará el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención, el monto acumulativo que se espera recibir en pagos en lugar de los impuestos y el impacto acumulativo de todas las exenciones otorgadas. El informe de exenciones se publicará en cualquier tablero de anuncios que el distrito designe para avisos públicos y en el sitio web del distrito.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que la Junta de Educación ha designado el día viernes 19 de abril de 2024, de 8:00 a. m. a 3:30 p. m. y el día miércoles 15 de mayo de 2024, de 4:00 p. m. a 8:00 p. m., para la realización de una reunión de la Junta de Registros en la escuela Harold D. Fayette, 1057 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, Nueva York, para preparar el registro del Distrito Escolar. Los residentes también pueden registrarse en la oficina de la secretaria del Distrito durante los días de actividad escolar desde las 9:00 a. m. hasta las 3:00 p. m., hasta cinco días antes de la votación del Distrito. Para ser elegibles para votar durante la reunión anual y sobre el presupuesto y las propuestas del Distrito Escolar Central de Escuelas Secundarias de Bellmore-Merrick, los residentes calificados del Distrito Escolar Libre Unificado de North Merrick deben registrarse en ese momento si no lo han hecho antes. Toda persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en el registro, siempre y cuando se sepa o se demuestre ante la

secretaria del Distrito o algún miembro de la Junta de Registros que dicha persona tiene, en ese momento o en adelante, derecho a votar en la elección anual del distrito, para la cual se prepara dicho registro. Si un votante está registrado y es elegible para votar en virtud del Artículo 5 de la Ley de Elecciones, también es elegible para votar en esta elección sin necesidad de ningún registro adicional.

NINGUNA PERSONA tendrá derecho a votar en la reunión anual de presupuesto y la elección del Distrito Escolar North Merrick Union Free ni en la votación de presupuesto del Distrito Central de Escuelas Secundarias de BellmoreMerrick si su nombre no aparece en el registro del Distrito Escolar North Merrick Union Free o en las listas de registro del condado provistas por los funcionarios electorales del condado.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que los votantes que cumplan con los requisitos para votar mediante boleta electoral por ausencia o boleta electoral anticipada /por correo pueden solicitar y recibir una boleta electoral por ausencia o una boleta electoral anticipada por correo a través de la secretaria del Distrito. La secretaria del Distrito deberá recibir la solicitud no antes de los treinta (30) días previos a la elección para la cual se solicita una boleta electoral por ausencia o una boleta electoral anticipada por correo. La secretaria del Distrito debe recibir las solicitudes de boleta electoral por ausencia y boleta electoral anticipada por correo completas por lo menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la boleta electoral debe enviarse al votante por correo, o hasta el día antes de la elección si la boleta electoral debe entregarse al votante o a la persona designada por este en persona. Al recibir una solicitud oportuna para enviar por correo una boleta electoral por ausencia o una boleta electoral anticipada por correo, la secretaria del Distrito enviará por correo dicha boleta a la dirección indicada en la solicitud a más tardar seis (6) días antes de la votación. La secretaria del Distrito debe recibir las boletas electorales por ausencia y las boletas electorales anticipadas por correo antes de las 5:00 p. m. del día martes 21 de mayo de 2024. Durante los cinco (5) días anteriores al día de la elección, excepto los domingos, en la oficina de la secretaria del Distrito se encontrará a disposición una lista de

todas las personas a quienes se les hayan emitido boletas electorales por ausencia y boletas electorales anticipadas por correo. TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que los votantes militares que no estén registrados actualmente pueden solicitar su inscripción como votantes calificados del distrito escolar. Los votantes militares que sean votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar podrán enviar una solicitud de boleta electoral militar. Estos votantes pueden indicar su preferencia de recibir un registro de votante militar, una solicitud de boleta electoral militar o una boleta electoral militar por correo postal, fax o correo electrónico en su pedido del registro, de la solicitud de boleta electoral o la boleta electoral. Los formularios de registro de votantes militares y los formularios de solicitud de boleta electoral militar se deben recibir en la oficina de la secretaria del Distrito antes de las 5:00 p. m. del 25 de abril de 2024. Las boletas electorales militares no serán escrutadas, a menos que (1) la oficina de la secretaria del Distrito las reciba antes del cierre de la votación el día de la elección y tengan una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o un endoso fechado de recepción por parte de otro organismo del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos, o bien (2) la oficina de la secretaria del Distrito las reciba antes de las 5:00 p. m. del día de la elección, y estén firmadas y fechadas por el votante militar y un testigo de ello, con una fecha asociada que no sea posterior al día previo a la elección.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que cualquier votante calificado del Distrito podrá obtener una copia de las declaraciones de la cantidad de dinero que será requerido para fines escolares para el año siguiente, a excepción de los fondos públicos, durante los catorce (14) días inmediatamente anteriores a la reunión anual, excepto los sábados, domingos o feriados, en la oficina central del Distrito ubicada en 1057 Merrick Avenue, de 9:00 a. m. a 3:30 p. m., y en cualquiera de las sedes escolares del Distrito, es decir: las escuelas Camp Avenue, Harold D. Fayette y Old Mill Road, la biblioteca pública de North Merrick, el sitio web del Distrito y en la reunión anual.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que el registro del Distrito Escolar se presentará en la oficina de la secretaria del Distrito, donde quedará abierto para la inspección de los votantes calificados del

Distrito Escolar, de 9:00 a. m. a 3:00 p. m. durante los cinco días anteriores a la elección y el mismo día de la elección anual del distrito, excepto el domingo, y el sábado 18 de mayo de 2024 con cita previa.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que la Junta de Registros del Distrito Escolar North Merrick Union Free School se reunirá durante el horario de votación el día 21 de mayo de 2024 en el lugar de votación con el fin de preparar un registro para elecciones o reuniones del Distrito que se realizarán después del 21 de mayo de 2024. Dicho registro incluirá: (1) a todos los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Libre Unificado de North Merrick, que deberán presentarse personalmente para el registro; (2) a todos los votantes calificados registrados permanentemente en la Junta de Elecciones del condado de Nassau, y (3) a todos los votantes previamente calificados del Distrito que se hayan registrado previamente para cualquier elección o reunión anual o especial del Distrito y que hayan votado en alguno de estos eventos realizados o llevados a cabo en cualquier momento durante los cuatro años calendario (2018-2022) previos a la preparación del registro de votantes. TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que las peticiones para nominar candidatos para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación deberán presentarse ante la secretaria del Distrito en su oficina, a más tardar el 22 de abril de 2024, de 9:00 a. m. a 5:00 p. m. Los puestos vacantes de la Junta de Educación no se consideran cargos específicos ni independientes; los candidatos se presentan en general. Las peticiones de nominación no deben describir ninguna vacante específica de la Junta para la cual se nomina al candidato, deben estar dirigidas a la secretaria del Distrito, deben estar firmadas por 25 votantes calificados del Distrito, deben indicar el nombre y la residencia de cada firmante y el nombre y la residencia del candidato. TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que, de acuerdo con una regla adoptada por la Junta de Educación en virtud de la Sección 2035 de la Ley de Educación, cualquier referéndum o propuesta para modificar el presupuesto, o que se presente por otra forma para su votación en dicha elección, debe realizarse ante la secretaria del Distrito con el tiempo suficiente para permitir el aviso de la inclusión de la propuesta con el aviso de audiencia pública, votación de presupuesto y elección, si fuera necesaria su inclusión en dicho aviso, a más tardar

el día 22 de marzo de 2024 a las 5:00 p. m., hora vigente, debe estar escrita o impresa en idioma inglés, debe estar dirigida a la secretaria del Distrito, debe estar firmada por al menos 75 votantes calificados del Distrito y debe indicar el nombre legible de cada firmante. Sin embargo, la Junta Escolar no considerará ninguna solicitud de presentar ante los votantes una propuesta cuyo propósito no esté dentro de sus facultades de decisión, que esté fuera de la ley o que no incluya una asignación específica cuando dicha propuesta requiera un gasto de dinero, o cuando exista alguna otra razón válida para excluir la propuesta de la boleta electoral.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que esta Junta establecerá una reunión especial a partir de ese momento, dentro de las veinticuatro horas luego de la presentación ante la secretaria del Distrito de un informe escrito de los resultados del voto, con el fin de examinar y tabular dichos informes del resultado del voto y declarar su resultado; que, por el presente y de acuerdo con la Sección 2019-a, subdivisión 2b, de la Ley de Educación, la Junta se designa a sí misma como un grupo de presidentes de mesa para emitir y escrutar los votos durante dicha reunión especial de la Junta.

POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN, DISTRITO ESCOLAR

NORTH MERRICK UNION FREE Pueblo de Hempstead, Merrick, Nueva York

JOANNE LONG, SECRETARIA DEL DISTRITO 1057 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, Nueva York

Merrick Herald Life: 4 de abril, 18 de abril, 2 de mayo y 16 de mayo Long Island Business News: 5 de abril, 19 de abril, 3 de mayo y 17 de mayo 146369

LEGAL NOTICE

AMENDED NOTICE OF ANNUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

MEETING AND ELECTION NORTH MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Budget Hearing of the North Merrick Union Free School District will be held at Harold D. Fayette School, 1057 Merrick Avenue, North Merrick, New York, on the 14th of May 2024, at 7:00 PM for the transaction of such business as is authorized by Education Law.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the annual budget vote and election of the North Merrick Union Free School District will be held at the North Merrick Library, 1691 Meadowbrook, Road,

North Merrick, New York on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. At the afore-said election, qualified voters of the North Merrick Union Free School District and Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District shall vote for the following purposes: (A) vote upon the annual school budget for the year 2024-2025 and to authorize the levying of a tax upon the taxable property of the district for the foregoing purposes; (B) vote upon the following proposition seeking authorization to expend from a capital reserve fund which shall appear on the ballot in substantially the following form: “SHALL the Board of Education of the North Merrick Union Free School District be authorized to expend $105,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund established on May 19, 2015 for the purpose of performing the following project: partial roof replacement at Camp Avenue School, all of the foregoing to include all labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental costs related thereto”; and (C) such other propositions as may properly come before the meeting.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that at the aforesaid election, qualified voters of the North Merrick Union Free School District shall also elect two (2) members of the Board of Education for a three-year term, commencing July 1, 2024 and expiring on June 30, 2027.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that voting will be on machines, and polls will be open between 6:30 AM and 9:00 PM on that day.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law the School District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how much of the total assessed value of the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted by statutory authority, and show the cumulative impact of each type of exemption, the cumulative amount expected to be received as payments in lieu of taxes, and the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. The exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any website maintained by the District.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN the Board of Education has designated Friday, April 19, 2024 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM

May 2, 2024

Public Notices

and Wednesday, May 15, 2024, between the hours of 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM for the Board of Registration to meet to prepare the register of the School District at the Harold D. Fayette School, 1057 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, New York. Residents may also register on school days between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM in the District Clerk’s office until five days before the District vote. Qualified residents of the North Merrick Union Free School District must register at this time if not previously registered, in order to be eligible to vote at the annual meeting and on the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Budget and Propositions. Any person shall be entitled to have his/her name placed upon such register provided that he/she is known or proven to the satisfaction of the District Clerk or a member of the board of registration, to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the annual district election for which such register is prepared. If a voter is registered and eligible to vote under Article 5 of the Election Law, he or she is also eligible to vote at this election without further registration. NO PERSON will be entitled to vote at the annual budget meeting and election of the North Merrick Union Free School District and the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School Budget Vote whose name does not appear on either the Register of the North Merrick Union Free School District or the County registration lists provided by the County election officials. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that voters qualifying to vote by absentee o r early mail /ballot may apply and receive an absentee or early mail ballot from the District Clerk of the District. An application must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than thirty (30) days before the election for which an absentee or early mail ballot is sought. Completed absentee and early mail ballot applications must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or his/her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely request for a mailed absentee or early mail ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application by no later than six (6) days before the vote. Absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21,

2024. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots shall have been issued, will be available in the Office of the District Clerk on each of the five (5) days prior to the day of the election except Sundays.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district. Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district may submit an application for a military ballot. Military voters may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail in their request for such registration, ballot application or ballot. Military voter registration forms and military ballot application forms must be received in the Office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 25, 2024. No military ballot will be canvassed unless it is (1) received in the Office of the District Clerk before the close of the polls on election day and showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States government; or (2) received by the Office of the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m. on election day and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is associated to be not later than the day before the election.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a copy of the statements of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing year for school purpose, exclusive of public monies, may be obtained by any qualified voter of the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding the Annual Meeting except Saturday, Sunday, or holidays, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:30 PM at the District’s central office located at 1057 Merrick Avenue, and at each of the school houses in said District, to wit: Camp Avenue, Harold D. Fayette, and Old Mill Road Schools, at the North Merrick Public Library, on the District’s website, and at the Annual Meeting.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the register of the school district shall be filed in the Office of the District Clerk where it shall be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the School District, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM on each of the five days prior to and the day of the Annual District

Election, except Sunday, and on Saturday, May 18, 2024 by appointment.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Board of Registration of the North Merrick Union Free School District will meet during the hours of voting on May 21, 2024, at the polling place for the purpose of preparing a register for District meetings or elections to be held subsequent to May 21, 2024. Said register shall include: (1) all qualified voters of the Union Free School District, who shall present themselves personally for registration; and (2) all qualified voters permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections; and (3) all previously qualified voters of the District who shall have been previously registered for any annual or special District meeting or election and who shall have voted at any annual or special District meeting or election held or conducted at any time within the four calendar years (2018-2022) prior to preparation of the registration of voters.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education shall be filed with the District Clerk at the Office of the Clerk between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM on or before April 22, 2024. Vacancies on the Board of Education are not considered separate, specific offices; candidates run at large. Nominating petitions shall not describe any specific vacancy upon the Board for which the candidate is nominated; must be directed to the Clerk of the District; must be signed by 25 qualified voters of the District; must state the name and residence of each signer, and the name and residence of the candidate.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that pursuant to a rule adopted by the Board of Education in accordance with §2035 of the Education Law, any referenda or propositions to amend the budget, or otherwise to be submitted for voting at said election, must be filed with the District Clerk in sufficient time to permit notice of the proposition to be included with the Notice of the Public Hearing, Budget Vote and Election, if required to be included in said notice, or on or before March 22, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.; prevailing time; must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the District Clerk; must be signed by at least 75 qualified voters of the District; and must legibly state the name of each signer. However, the School Board will not entertain

any petition to place before the voters any proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, which is unlawful or any proposition which fails to include a specific appropriation where the expenditure of monies is required by the proposition, or where other valid reason exists for excluding the proposition from the ballot.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that this Board shall convene a special meeting thereof within twenty-four hours after the filing with the District Clerk of a written report of the results of the ballot for the purpose of examining and tabulating said reports of the result of the ballot and declaring the result of the ballot; that the Board hereby designates itself to be a set of poll clerks to cast and canvass ballots pursuant to Education Law §2019-a, subdivision 2b at said special meeting of the Board.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

NORTH MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT Town of Hempstead, Merrick, New York

JOANNE LONG, DISTRICT CLERK 1057 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, New York Merrick Herald Life: April 4, April 18, May 2, May 16 Long Island Business News: April 5, April 19, May 3, May 17 146367

Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU; Index No. 613481/2023 Filed 08/21/2023 Plaintiff MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC V PAUL SULLIVAN, LIFE TENANT AND HEIR-ATLAW; DONATA LOHAN A/K/A DINA LOHAN, HEIR-AT-LAW; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA O/B/O INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; SHARI NEMIROFF; STEVEN NEMIROFF; CAPITAL ONE BANK USA NA; NEWBRIDGE ROAD LLC; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF ANN SULLIVAN; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the Subject Property described in the Complaint, PUBLICATION

News briefs

Donate food on to help Stamp Out Hunger

It’s that time of year again, when you can play a major role in helping those who are hungry by doing nothing more than putting some food out for collection.

It’s all part of the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive — a collaboration involving Island Harvest Food Bank, the National Association of Letter Carriers, and the U.S. Postal Service. It takes place on Saturday, May 11, when everyone is encouraged to leave food donations by their mailbox for their letter carrier to collect before their regular mail delivery.

As part of the nation’s largest singleday food collection campaign, all donations collected in Nassau and Suffolk counties will help Island Harvest provide much-needed food support to more than 300,000 people on Long Island who face hunger — including more than 90,000 children.

“Contributing to Stamp Out Hunger is simple,” said Randi Shubin Dresner, president and chief executive of Island Harvest, in a release. “Just leave nonperishable food items in a bag next to your mailbox before the regularly scheduled mail deliver. Your USPS letter carrier will do the rest to make sure it gets onto the tables of our Long Islander

neighbors in need.”

Non-perishable food items needed include canned goods, cereal, pasta, rice, boxed juices, and shelf-stable milk. It does not include food items in glass containers, as these are easy to break.

In addition, mail carriers will look for personal care items like toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, and disposable diapers. All donations will help replenish Island Harvest’s network of food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency feeding programs in communities throughout Long Island.

Since its inception in 1993, Stamp Out Hunger has collected nearly 1.8 billion pounds of food in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Just here on Long Island, the demand for food has increased significantly since 2019 — with Island Harvest distributing 15 million pounds of food in 2022, up 42 percent from before the coronavirus pandemic.

All donations are tax-deductible since food collected benefits Island Harvest, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

To learn more about how you can help with this and other causes with Island Harvest, visit IslandHarvest.org.

Color run fun set for Bellmore-Merrick

It’s another year of the Color Run in Bellmore-Merrick.

Student ambassadors from across the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District have organized a Color Run to be hosted at John F. Kennedy High School on Saturday, May 18.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Sunrise Day Camp of Long Island.

Pre-registration is $6 and day of registration will cost $8.

The first 300 participants will receive a free T-shirt. Sunglasses or goggles are recommended.

To sign up, visit Sites.Google.com/ BMCHSD.org/bmchsd-color-run-2024/ home.

–Jordan Vallone

Public Notices

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF ANN SULLIVAN YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Amended Complaint in the above captioned action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the Plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or withinthirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a Defendant in this action may answer to appear

within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Amended Complaint. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this Summons and Amended Complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where

your case is pending for further information on how to answer the publication and protect your property. Sending payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC ) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. To the above named defendants: The foregoing Publication is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Hon. Jeffrey A. Goodstein A. J.S.C, a Justice of the

Supreme Court of the State of N.Y., dated April 1, 2024 and filed along with the supporting papers in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office. This is an action to foreclose a mortgage on the property located 1931 Miller Place, Merrick, NY 11561

Section: 55 Block: 502 Lot: 675 (L.G. 675-676) Nassau County is designated as the place of trial based upon the location of the property being foreclosed. Attorneys for Plaintiff: Stern & Eisenberg, PC, 20 Commerce Drive, Suite 230, Cranford, NJ 07016T:(516) 630-0288. 146388

Cablevision Lightpath, LLC seeks a Sr. System QA & Test Analyst to be responsible for testing tasks for complex or business-critical applications. Write test cases, create test plans, execute cases, and analyze results in accordance with established standards. Participate in design, planning, retrospective, and estimating exercises, and provide guidance to peers. Develop test scripts and test frameworks using the tools and technologies. Analyze multiple techniques and use-case scenarios and select appropriate approach. Identify defects, document critical application issues, and track them until resolution. #LI-DNI. The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Information Technology or related discipline, and 5 years of experience with business requirement analysis or testing for software development. Experience must include a minimum of: 5 years of experience with generating/executing test scenarios that confirm business needs fulfilled in full stack applications and integrations; 5 years of experience with API technologies to test and verify services, such as Rest, SOAP, or RMI; 5 years of experience with functional and non-functional software product testing standards methodologies; 5 years of experience with full software development lifecycle, including all stages of design and implementation of custom applications and COTS solutions; 5 years of experience leading and facilitating business scenario discussions; 5 years of experience responding to internal client inquiries, categorizing and communicating risks, and resolving defects with peers and management; 5 years of experience with Agile methodologies for software development, particularly Scrum; 5 years of experience with Selenium, LoadRunner, TestNg, Cucumber, JAVA, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, J2EE, Eclipse, AccelQ, Jenkins, JSP, Unix, Oracle, GITLab, C, objectoriented analysis and design, SQL, SOAP, and Web Services. Full-time remote work permitted. Job location: Bethpage, NY. Rate of Pay: $143,021.00 – $150,000.00 per year. To apply, please visit https://careers.lightpathfiber.com/jobs/, and enter Job Requisition ID 5242. Alternatively, please send your résumé, cover letter, and a copy of the ad to: Cablevision Lightpath, LLC, Attn: Karen U. Miles, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, NY, USA 11714.

Construction Project Manager: Full-time, Ronkonkoma, NY. Manage all phases of construction projects incl. schedules, potential road blocks & mitigate/avoid roadblock impact on construction project schedule; Manage site activties w/ Engrs & Supervisors, resolve on-site issues & ontime project schedule; Work w/ & update Project Planner on progress of each project; Manage all procured materials and ensure on-time delivery; Work with Commercial Team on bidding potential new construction projects. Reqts:Bachelor’s degree in Engineering & 6 mnths exp.Salary: $82,014 per year 40 hrs work per week.Mail resume to Sharooz Rostami, President, R Brothers Inc., 702 Celis Street, San Fernando, CA 91340.

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

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Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

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

$20 - $25/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@bellautoschool.com

DRIVING INSTRUCTORS WANTED Will Certify And Train HS Diploma NYS License Clean 3 Years

$20 - $25/ Hour Call 516-731-3000

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours

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Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

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We’re not sure about my cousin’s advice

Elegant Old Canterbury

BQ. We are planning an addition and some interior changes, and read your column about taking out walls around our kitchen and dining room. My cousin is a contractor, and he has been making suggestions, some that are really good and some that I’m a little concerned about. At first he told me we could save a lot of money, and he knew many ways to do that. We are getting plans from his architect, who we’ve never met, and the cost is doubling. We’re wondering how to tell my cousin that we really need to back off or get other competitive prices. Have you any suggestions about what we should do? We don’t want to alienate or insult him, but we’ve tried to be honest about it, and are getting an uneasy feeling about where this is leading.

A. Over the 50-plus years I have been in the construction business, I have seen the result of this kind of relationship. Many were very successful, but mostly because clients were the controlling deciders, willing to take advice but able to recognize that it was their money that was making the project happen.

This is the same advice once given to me that in construction, the customer should play by the golden rule. You may know the biblical golden rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” but there is also the other golden rule — that he, or she, with the gold rules. In other words, as long as you haven’t paid, until satisfied, you still have some control over the project. Once you pay for something or let something continue that should have been addressed, you accept the conditions.

I have also seen, many times, where a relative or friend took advantage of the relationship and either took money without doing the work, did inferior work to keep an unrealistic budget, or never did the work at all. One young man called me at the suggestion of his cousin to do a restaurant. I initially sat with the cousin contractor and future restaurateur to discuss details. Subsequently, the contractor stopped showing up for meetings, but we worked through the project, trusting the cousin to follow plans and decisions despite his absence.

You should always be meeting with the architect to discuss the design. After obtaining permits and getting started, there was no communication for several months. I called to confirm that building inspections were made, and the restaurant was open, only to learn the unreachable cousin started but then ran off with the first $30,000. The restaurant did finally open a year later, with another contractor.

So be communicative, get other pricing and feel satisfied. Remember, you are in control and should play by the golden rule. You need to be directly involved with planning, permits and decisions, and be honest with your cousin, even if just to keep things under your control. Lose control, lose money, and your cousin. Good luck!

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Iam an avid reader. For as long as I can remember, I’ve chased the feeling of escape I find in a book I enjoy. Good books make you smile. But great books? They make you think. And I like to think.

As a junior in high school, I read “The Great Gatsby” for the first time, and was instantly enthralled. I decided at 16 it was the best thing I’d ever read, and I’ve yet to be persuaded otherwise. Why it took me as long as it did to pick up another one of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s works is beyond me. And it’s honestly a shame. I find, in the midst of my young adult years, that I finally understand why his words left an impression on me — but thanks to an entirely different book.

Let’s talk about “This Side of Paradise.”

It was Fitzgerald’s first novel, released in 1920, examining the life and morality of Amory Blaine, an attractive middleclass student. The story mostly details

Finding our side of paradise

Amory’s experiences in college at Princeton University and thereafter, exploring his relationships with friends, a Catholic priest, and several young women, who could only be thought of today as flappers — you know, fashionable ladies who flouted convention.

Amory is arrogant, and certainly hard to like. Yet for some reason, I found myself enjoying his whimsical naivete when it comes to life.

The novel was an instant hit, becoming particularly popular among college students. Fitzgerald was just 23 at the time of its publication, the new face of “youth in revolt.”

Aromantic relationships that ended as quickly and poetically as they had begun.

It makes sense why some may not like “This Side of Paradise.” But I feel as though I completely understand Amory’s experiences. He loved to write. He loved to think. He wanted the best for himself, and he imagined a life that he felt was obtainable.

s a member of Gen Z, I know as well as anyone how the world views people my age.

It attracted criticism from so-called “social conservatives” because of the attention he brought to young people. Seen as immoral, undisciplined and self-indulgent, Fitzgerald’s generation sparked a wave of change — not only for young men, but certainly for young women.

While reveling in the wonders of his youth, Amory Blaine faced setbacks that changed the trajectory of his life. His parents died. His closest confidant, a monsignor, also died. And he had a handful of

T“Everything was hallowed by the haze of his own youth,” Fitzgerald writes of Amory, a simple yet powerful statement that affectively summarizes young adulthood.

Amory’s plight — and his enduring yearn to become someone that matters — is really what being young is all about, isn’t it?

As a 22-year-old — and a member of the infamous Gen Z — I know as well as anyone how the rest of the world views people my age.

We’re seen questionably — frowned upon, even. We think differently. Act differently. And want the best not only for ourselves, but also for the world around us. And when we watch things that we care about get stripped away, it’s hard not to feel angry.

We may swim against tides, but we

don’t act wiser than we are, because we can’t possibly know of things we’ve yet to experience.

In many ways, we’re just like Amory Blaine. You may not like what we have to say. You may question our morals and our actions, but I believe we live our lives with great intention.

“This Side of Paradise” isn’t Fitzgerald’s best work. It’s a great read, but as he got older and wiser, he produced better. He is regarded today as a great American novelist, but his debut was just a taste of what was to come.

“I know myself,” Amory cries at the end of the novel. “But that is all.”

Could there be any truer words?

People like me, people in my generation, are at the same point in our lives as Amory, or even perhaps Fitzgerald. We, too, are hallowed by the haze of our youth.

We aren’t asking you to agree with us, but rather to view us as you once viewed yourself.

We will become who we are meant to be, in time. And one day, we will find our side of paradise.

Jordan Vallone is a senior editor who writes for the Bellmore, East Meadow and Merrick Heralds. Comments? jvallone@ liherald.com.

Blakeman enthusiastically follows Trump’s lead

he political similarities between former President Donald Trump and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman are now impossible to miss. Which is probably just what Blakeman intends.

In his efforts to become Long Island’s leading MAGA man, Blakeman has adopted Trump’s combative and divisive style of leadership. Neither politician tries to find common ground on which to build effective policies. Both have acted as though they have strong mandates for right-wing programs, even though Trump got 3 million fewer votes in 2016 than did Hillary Clinton, and despite Blakeman having bested Laura Curran in 2021 by about 2,000 votes out of more than a quartermillion ballots cast.

Instead of governing consensually, Blakeman and Trump strive to intensify a culture war that threatens to erupt into physical violence.

Like the head of the national Republican Party, the Nassau County executive manipulates and exaggerates voters’ legitimate concerns in order to create an us-vs.-them dynamic. They both use inflammatory language to depict adver-

saries as not merely misguided, but mentally ill.

Who, for example, refers to the migrant crisis as “insanity”? And who denounces “crazy” progressive policies? Both the former president and the current county leader.

There have been other echoes of extreme rhetoric.

Trump in 2019 urged progressive female members of Congress to “go back” to countries “they originally came from.” Blakeman in January warned Kathy Hochul, New York’s first female governor, to “stay out of Long Island.”

Both strive to intensify a culture war that threatens to erupt into violence.

It’s easier, of course, to turn disagreements into confrontations than it is to work collegially toward compromises.

Blakeman has blamed “Albany Democrats” for an upsurge in crime in New York City and its suburbs. While horrifying assaults in the five boroughs have rightly stoked objections to bail reforms adopted by the State Legislature, it is misleading and irresponsible to suggest, as Blakeman has, that Nassau County had been experiencing a “crime epidemic” unleashed by Democratic-sponsored legislation. While rates of some crimes have indeed increased in the past three years, others have shown a decrease despite the easing of bail requirements. Rather than allaying unwarranted fears, Blakeman is heightening an

unfounded sense of public menace by forming a militia to be mobilized in cases of “emergency.” His move in March to recruit “provisional special deputy sheriffs” has drawn criticism from gun-control groups that say Nassau County should not be encouraging more of its residents to take up arms. This unrequested action also implies that Blakeman does not trust the county Police Department to protect the citizenry — despite his boast in a mass mailing earlier this year of having put 200 more cops on the streets.

Scapegoating is another tactic employed by demagogues such as Trump and Blakeman. It’s entirely reasonable to demand that the U.S. border be much more strictly enforced, but it’s not acceptable to refer to migrants as “animals,” a la Trump, or to denounce Hochul’s proposed spending of $2.4 billion for “illegal immigrants,” as Blakeman recently did in another of his countywide mailings. That money is intended to help house and feed the tens of thousands of migrants who have made their way mainly to New York City — not Nassau County — through no initiative on Hochul’s part.

Transgender Americans comprise another group susceptible to being stigmatized by pandering politicians. Blake-

man issued an executive order in February forbidding transgender females from taking part in competitive women’s or girls’ sports in county-owned athletic facilities. Again, there’s a reasonable basis for complaining that some former males have unfair physical advantages over many females. But when asked by a reporter how many transgender athletes have competed in his county, Blakeman said he didn’t know. The absence of any compelling reason to target a sexual minority has led opponents of this grandstanding stunt to call it “a solution in search of a problem.”

Blakeman, once more like Trump, aggravates grievances held by many voters as a way of diverting attention from his failure to fulfill promises on more substantive matters. In his 2021 campaign, Blakeman pledged to cut taxes “immediately” by $120 million. He did no such thing. Nor has he made good on a pledge to fix a “broken” assessment system.

Rather than plastering his name and face on taxpayer-financed mass mailings, Blakeman should help break the political fever that’s preventing Nassau County from becoming great again.

Kevin J. Kelley was a congressional staff member in the 1980s, and is a retired journalist and journalism professor who worked for newspapers in New York, Vermont and Kenya and taught at St. Michael’s College in Vermont. He lives in Atlantic Beach.

KEVIn J. KELLEY

JoRDAn VALLonE

HeraLd editoriaL

Celebrating N.Y.’s

Last month marked a pivotal moment for New York state — a moment that extended far beyond the numbers and legislative details of a state budget.

Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature delivered a beacon of hope for our communities by including in the state budget a groundbreaking initiative to support local news organizations in the form of a tax credit, modeled on the Local Journalism Sustainability Act.

At the heart of this legislation lies a profound acknowledgment: Local journalism is not just about reporting news; it’s about safeguarding the health of both our democracy and our communities.

State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, the bill’s sponsor in the upper chamber, aptly captured the essence of this endeavor, emphasizing that “a thriving local news industry is vital to the health of our democracy.” With bipartisan cooperation and a shared commitment to our communities, the initiative underscores the fundamental role that local journalists play in keeping our

Letters

D’Esposito gets his marching orders from you know who

To the Editor:

investment in local journalism

democracy vibrant and informed.

What does this legislation mean for our neighborhoods and towns? It means that we, as a society, are recognizing the value of — and investing in — the storytellers who bring our communities together: the journalists who uncover local stories, amplify diverse voices, and hold leaders accountable.

The Empire State Local News Coalition, founded earlier this year, spearheaded this legislative achievement by organizing more than 200 local newspapers across the state. The coalition’s tireless efforts moved the Local Journalism Sustainability Act to the forefront of legislative priorities.

“It is really an astounding legislative accomplishment,” Hoylman-Sigal told members of the New York Press Association last weekend in a Zoom appearance. “After stalling for years, our Local Journalism Sustainability Act really didn’t catapult into a top legislative priority” until “the founding of the Empire State Local News Coalition. That coalition … mobilized hundreds of newspapers and a broad range of stakeholders from around the country.”

Congressman Anthony D’Esposito disingenuously claims in his latest column, “Migrants get more government support than veterans” (April 18-24), that the Senate Democrats’ proposed border bill merely codified the existing “open border” policies, despite the Associated Press reporting on Feb. 15 that “The Senate’s border proposal was one of the toughest bipartisan bills to emerge on the issue in decades.”

Significantly, the lead negotiator for the Senate Republicans was James Langford, of Oklahoma, who is known to be one of the most conservative members of the Senate.

The bill collapsed, however, when former President Donald Trump called for the Republicans in Congress to kill it, because he feared it would enhance President Biden’s chances of being re-elected.

It’s long past time for Congressman D’Esposito, and the rest of the Republicans, to stop following the marching orders of Donald Trump and do what’s best for their constituents instead of what’s best for Donald Trump.

ROBERT TOLLE Cedarhurst

Trump selectively honors police

To the Editor:

Re Peter King’s column “The heartbreaking death of an NYPD hero” (April 11-17): How mature of Don-

Zach Richner, founder of the Empire State Local News Coalition — and a director of Richner Communications, the parent company of Herald Community Newspapers — expressed profound gratitude to the legislators who championed this cause. In addition to Hoylman-Sigal’s unwavering leadership, Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assembly sponsor Carrie Woerner all played pivotal roles in turning this vision into reality.

New York’s leadership on this issue sets a powerful example for the nation. Other states — blue, red or purple — now have a template to follow, as does the federal government, where the Community News and Small Business Support Act has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. While there is still work to be done in crafting the final regulations governing this tax credit, let’s celebrate this milestone. And let’s continue to champion the indispensable role of local journalism in shaping the future of our communities — and our nation.

ald Trump to demonstrate great “dignity and respect” to Detective Jonathan Diller’s family, who my heart goes out to. But the question begs to be asked why Trump never showed an ounce of compassion to the families of the Capitol and Washington, D.C., police officers who died after Jan. 6? Not to mention the sur-

for who he is: a self-serving narcissist.

viving Capitol police, who still suffer due to the trauma they experienced that day. Please wake up, people, and see Trump

JOSIE MARINO Lynbrook

We must secure our borders, reform immigration now

the United States must secure our borders and reform our broken immigration system. This demands immediate action, not delay tactics for political convenience. American citizens are owed this much. Our immigration system’s shortcomings have been a longstanding issue, with decades of inaction due to a lack of political will on both sides.

The U.S. Constitution explicitly assigns Congress the responsibility and power to fix this problem, yet the 118th Congress has been notably ineffective, the least productive Congress since the Great Depression. This stagnation is largely attributed to the prevailing hyper-partisanship and an inclination toward political theatrics over substantive legislative work.

The behavior exhibited within the halls of Congress — ranging from per-

How about a street naming?

To the Editor:

sonal attacks and physical altercations among members, to successive attempts to oust the speaker of the House, to catcalls at the State of the Union Address — underscores a departure from the principles of civility in government. Sadly, many of our representatives have embraced chaos and dysfunction as a substitute for governance. And in the wake of this chaos, the effort to solve the migrant crisis and its unprecedented impact on New York has been sidelined.

the Senate’s promising bipartisan border deal was dismissed as ‘disastrous.’

Fixing our complex immigration system requires a balanced approach that secures our borders while extending compassion to law-abiding immigrants. Although challenging, a solution is within reach through diligent effort and bipartisan collaboration.

The Senate’s bipartisan border security deal was a promising development, which laid the groundwork for meaningful reform. The bill proposed new measures to secure the border, streamline the asylum process, and end the broad

Letters

The financial outpouring for Detective Diller was outstanding. But I hope Peter King, with his relationship with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, will support renaming Detective Diller’s street in Massapequa in his honor. This would be a lasting tribute to him and his family.

RICH MORICCO East Meadow

Antisemitism, not Netanyahu, is the problem

To the Editor:

Re Jerry Kremer’s column “Netanyahu is a supporter of one party: himself”: Kremer supports Sen. Chuck Schumer’s view that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is more concerned about himself than about Israel. What Schumer has said has nothing to do with “Bibi’s” alleged corruption. What Schumer was really doing was attempting to placate the virulent antisemitism that has take root in the Democratic Party among radical Islamists. What is Netanyahu to do about Gaza? Before the Oct. 7 massacre of 1,200 Israelis, Israel took a hands-off

release of migrants into communities. This initiative was crafted by Democrats and Republicans, and garnered support across the political spectrum. It was supported by the National Border Patrol Council — the union representing the men and women who protect our border. Despite some imperfections, the deal represented a significant step forward, embodying the essence of compromise and cooperation that is foundational to American democracy. However, opposition from figures like Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, who immediately criticized the bill as “disastrous” and who has held fast to a hyper-partisan position on immigration, exemplifies the obstacles to progress.

D’Esposito’s refusal to engage in any real attempt to move border solutions forward, coupled with his shocking recent praise of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for sending nearly 40,000 migrants to our state, highlight a disturbing trend of prioritizing partisan loyalty over constructive problem-solving.

The empty rhetoric and finger-pointing of elected officials like D’Esposito, characterized by a lack of commitment to real solutions, fail to serve the interests of Americans. In contrast, my approach in Congress will be to collaborate with all parties to achieve comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform. This includes enhancing border security by hiring more border patrolagents, deploying additional advanced “smart” technology and building strategic physical barriers. It also includes reforming the system to expedite the asylum and deportation processes and to provide clear paths to citizenship for hard-working, eligible people in search of better lives.

Performative politics and a refusal to engage with bipartisan solutions not only impede progress, but also betray the trust of the American people. The time for action is now, and it requires leaders willing to prioritize effective governance over partisan fealty and gamesmanship. Long Island, New York state and the entire nation deserve better.

Laura Gillen, a former Hempstead town supervisor, is a Democratic candidate in the 4th Congressional District.

Framework by Michael Ostrow

approach to Gaza. What did the people of Gaza do? They elected the terrorist group Hamas, which then used the aid that should have been used for the people of Gaza to build a huge underground system of tunnels — which some say is larger than the New York City transit system, in some places under hospitals (with human shields) — to acquire and store munitions and to use that system to launch attacks on Israel.

The massacre on Oct. 7 was the equivalent of 35,000 Americans being killed on Sept. 11, 2001. Do you think we would tolerate a foreign entity telling us what our response should be? Netanyahu is not the villain here. Hamas is. It has killed a number of hostages, and is holding others, including Americans. Israel’s rightful negotiating stance should be: the unconditional release of all hostages and the return of all bodies of the dead, or face total destruction. Israel has already demonstrated surgical restraint in dealing with the civilian population. Hamas was gutless because it targeted civilians and not the Israeli military.

Growing up in the late 1950s and early ’60s, we knew from our fathers of Hitler’s Holocaust. We knew what “Never again” meant. Yet here we are, 80 years later, and antisemitism has raised its ugly head, this time on American soil. For the radical Islamists there is no two-state solution. It has been offered time and again and refused. The first time was when Israel was created in 1947.

Former President Donald Trump is a strong supporter of Israel. He brokered the Abraham Accords. But for the radical Islamists, there is only one solution, the same as Hitler’s. They hate the Abraham Accords, because they don’t want peace. They can’t even tolerate a small Jewish state the size of New Jersey. As former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir said many years ago, there

will be peace only when the radicals love their children more than they hate the children of Jews.

Netanyahu does not threaten the existence of Israel; it is the mealymouthed apologists for Hamas in this country who are the threat to Israel.

At the Great Pyramid of Giza — Egypt

LaUra GiLLen

JOSEPH V. SCIFO Valley Stream