Merrick Herald 12-29-2022

He’s a dog-loving entrepreneur

By ROKSANA AMID

If you attend any of the South Shore’s street fairs, there’s a good chance you’ll see a crowd of dogs, big and small, eagerly waiting for Ira Reiter. Ira and his wife, Hillary, create some of the area’s most popular dog treats.

The Reiters are members of both the Merrick and Wantagh chambers of commerce, and Ira, the president of the Merrick chamber, volunteers at Last Hope Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation, in Wantagh. From all accounts, he makes the most of a selfless nature combined with an entrepreneurial spirit, and for all that he does for the community, the Herald is proud to name Reiter its 2022 Person of the Year.

Although the 56-year-old has always loved dogs, the beginning of his career wasn’t so warm and fuzzy. A native Long Islander, Reiter grew up in Elmont and Levittown. He studied marketing and business administration at Nassau Community College and St. John’s University, and then worked as a salesman of camping supplies and then commercial trucks, a job he left to dedicate his time to his own business, the Barking Biscuit. His wife works as a hairdresser when she’s not helping him bake.

Ira and Hillary both grew up with dogs, and Ira has always loved baking treats for his pets and those of his friends. What began as a passion project for the couple has taken the pet food industry by storm. They launched the Barking Biscuit in November 2019, and although many businesses suffered when the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, the Reiters flourished, helped in no small part by the “pandemic puppy” phenomenon, as people across the country adopted dogs for companionship to help them through widespread lockdowns.

The pandemic has eased, and these days the Barking Biscuit’s truck can be found at most events sponsored by either local Chamber of Commerce. The Reiters’ business has expanded, and its treats can be found at shops such as the Point Lookout Deli and BubblesN-Bones in Massapequa. They also take part in charity events, including the Long Island Hospitality Ball.

Ira’s advocacy doesn’t stop there. For

HERALD

PERSON oF THE YEAR

family.”

Working with the shelter, Reiter said, is an immensely rewarding experience, but he added that seeing some of the dogs he has grown attached to leave when they are adopted is a bittersweet feeling.

As he prospered during the pandemic, he donated over 800 bags of treats to essential workers who had dogs at home. He focused on people who worked night shifts, feeling that they weren’t getting as much attention as others. He also donated treats to the Nassau County Police Department, and Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder nicknamed him “the dog biscuit guy” — Reiter called in regularly to see if the department needed more treats for its canine unit.

He donates portions of the Barking Biscuit’s profits to a number of dog rescues each month, and has given them prominent exposure at chamber street fairs.

Joanne Anderson, Last Hope’s outreach coordinator, said that Reiter has been instrumental to the shelter’s successful operation. His people skills help a great deal when working with animals and their potential adopters.

“He’s very outgoing,” Anderson said. “I’ve worked with him at the street fairs, and he’s been so accommodating to us.”

Chris

the past 11 years, he has been a volunteer at Last Hope, where he focuses on dogs’ physical and emotional needs and conducts background checks on potential adopters.

“Dogs are a commitment,” he explained. “They become part of the family. They should be treated like

Hillary has been a big supporter of her husband’s endeavors. The couple met 14 years ago, and bonded over their love of dogs. Hillary, who has two children from a previous marriage, said that she’s thankful for her husband’s big heart, and that he has treated her children as if they were his own.

The Barking Biscuit doesn’t have a brick-and-mortar storefront. Hillary and Ira do all of their baking at home. After they take a morning walk with their dogs — Gracie, a white Chihuahua; Oscar, a dachshund; and Riley, a Chiweenie —

Ira Reiter, above with one of his rescue dogs, is the Herald's Person of the Year.

IRA ReIteR

He’s a staple in the community — not just Merrick, but for the surrounding areas, like Seaford, Wantagh and Bellmore.

Carini Hempstead town councilman

A North Bellmore North Merrick Little League softball team had a remarkable away-game run.

Seniors at John F. Kennedy High School did themselves proud in a science competition.

A heavy rainstorm caused coastal flooding in neighborhoods along the South Shore.

BELLmORE AND mERRick residents awoke to storm surge caused by a massive rainstorm Friday morning. Coastal neighborhoods experienced a lot of flooding, making travel very difficult. Residents reported that cars and buses had a hard time traveling to John F. Kennedy High School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District due to the floodwaters. Left, an intersection near the high school, with a car plowing through the high water levels.

South Shore slammed by coastal flooding

How county and town officials responded to a weekend of turbulent weather conditions

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Bellmore and Merrick awoke to a messy scene Friday morning.

An overnight rainstorm that brought the hamlets high winds and heavy rainfall, coupled by high tide beginning around 8:40 a.m., led to flooding in neighborhoods near the coast.

Those living south of Merrick Road in Bellmore shared on community Facebook pages that the morning drop off at John F. Kennedy High School and Shore Road Elementary School was significantly complicated by the weather.

Residents living directly on the water shared photos and videos with the Herald of the canals seeping into their yards. Streets such as Sunrise Avenue, Legion Street, Shore Road, and South Centre Avenue, among several others, were affected.

In response to the damage, North Shore Auto Body of Oceanside, Lynbrook and Bellmore helped those affected by the storm.

“All of our employees are currently out recovering flood and tree damaged vehicles,” a Facebook post stated. “If this has impacted your vehicle, call any of our four locations. If anyone is in need of help, even if it’s not car related, don’t hesitate to call us.”

Later on Friday, County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the Department of Public Works updated residents on what to expect in the aftermath of the storm. Temperatures plummeted throughout the day, creating freezing conditions — perfect for the accumulation of black ice.

“I’m happy to report that we are through the first storm and that things are getting back to normal,” Blakeman said inside the Office of Emergency Management in Bethpage.

Blakeman confirmed that weather conditions became so turbulent because most of the rainfall Friday occurred around 7:30 a.m. — around the same time as high tide — which caused most of the coastal flooding throughout the South Shore of the county.

Flooding was under control by mid-morning. Public works cleaned the drains, pumping out water.

The second storm featured a cold snap, with a “30 degree downward swing,” according to Blakeman, with the wind chill feeling as low as negative five degrees.

The county responded to this by preparing the roads

ahead of time with salt and sand to avoid the accumulation of icy conditons.

County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said that there was around 32 car accidents last night, which is normal amount for a storm like this. There were 104 calls for people trapped in their car due to flooding. One house in East Rockaway was evacuated, but nobody has been injured or have died.

The high wind speeds caused some power outages and downed trees as well. Around 2,000 county residents experienced outages from the first storm.

Blakeman advised residents to keep pets in doors due to the continued cold weather, and to check on any elderly neighbors.

“Please exercise extreme caution,” Blakeman said. “Keep your speed down and stay alert.”

along the water witnessed the rising canals and bays coming into their yards. Along South Centre Avenue, a backyard was flooded during the storm.

Additional reporting by Mallory Wilson.

Courtesy Jennifer Hintze

Courtesy Christopher Hill

Courtesy Jennifer Tepper

REsiDENts LiViNg DiREctLy

fLOOD wAtERs, BELOw, blanketed a residential intersection near Shore Road in Bellmore.

A dog-lover who spreads paws-itivity

they start working on their orders for the day. They bake seven days a week, and with the combination of their work and their attendance at various events, most of those days don’t end until around 11 p.m. Hillary jokes that the couple have no social life, but they’re passionate about their work. She said she’s excited about the surprises they have in mind to expand their business.

He's very outgoing.

Joanne Anderson Outreach coordinator Last Hope Animal Rescue

Ira’s efforts have caught the attention of Hempstead Town Councilman Chris Carini, who bonded with him over their shared love of dogs. “He’s a staple in the community,” Carini said. “Not just Merrick, but for the surrounding areas like Seaford, Wantagh and Bellmore.”

Reiter has been a member of the Merrick Chamber since 2003 and its president since 2020, and was the organization’s 2022 Man of the Year. He oversees events like the annual Winter Wonderland celebration at the Wantagh Preservation Society Museum, a dog-friendly facility. This year’s event, on Dec. 1, featured many vendors like the Barking Biscuit, and ended with a Christmas tree lighting and a visit from Santa — in the person of Ira Reiter.

Ira Reiter, a 'staple in the community,' is far more than 'the dog biscuit guy'

Michael Malasczyk/Herald

The Barking Biscuit specializes in baked goods for dogs. Founders Ira and Hillary Reiter create treats for their own furry friends and the community.

Grade Avenue student donates cards for charity. Grand Avenue Middle School eighth-grader Luke Fischetti was recognized by the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School Board of Education on Jan. 12 for his

Melanie Tucker, whose son, Asher, was born with a congenital heart defect, wrote the children’s book ‘Super Scar’ to spread awareness.

JFK seniors sweep science competition. At John F. Kennedy High School, six students — Christopher Prainito, Shannon Su, Michelle Brown, Desiree Rigaud, Brandon Lin and Christopher Luisi — were named scholars in the Regeneron STS competition.

Jordan Vallone/Herald

Jordan Vallone/Herald

Buzz’d Express Coffee opens its doors. Buzz’d Express Coffee celebrated its grand opening on Jan. 24.

Courtesy Melanie Tucker

'Super Scar’ story spreads awareness of heart defects.

Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

volunteerism.

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

Wedding season for Bellmore residents! Town Clerk Kate Murray officiated the wedding of Nadine Simpson and Jonathon Held.

Courtesy Merrick Mayhem

Merrick Mayhem baseball wins big. Youth baseball club Merrick Mayhem offers a town-oriented, travel team experience for local boys and girls who play baseball or softball, and in January, they celebrated a fantastic past season, with hopes for success in the 2022 season.

Snow day fun. Nassau County was slammed by a snow storm, creating blizzard like conditions across BellmoreMerrick. The hamlets battled piles of snows and drifts, some 14 inches high. For young residents like Christopher Corsaro, it was fun to get out in the cold and have a blast in the winter wonderland.

Community cupboard gets a new name. The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District food pantry was renamed after former Deputy Superintendent Dr. Mara Bollettieri.

Anti-Semitism combated in Nassau County. County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed a bill creating a Nassau County Anti-Semitism Task Force.

Courtesy Nassau County

Maria Cestero/Herald file

Jewish pride at the heart of Chabad Center’s lessons. The Chabad Center for Jewish Life hosted a special sermon, delivered by Rabbi Anchelle Perl, director of the Chabad of Mineola ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Courtesy Jessi Corsaro

Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Artistic talent abundant in Bellmore-Merrick. Grand Avenue Middle School eighth grader Elaine Li received a Scholastic Art & Writing Gold Key award for her selfportrait painting.

Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

Town secures funding for Shellfish Restoration. The Town Board received $300,000 in new grant funding from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to support the Town of Hempstead’s Shellfish Restoration Program.

the NCPD. Nassau County Police Officer Patrick Aquilina, with a thankyou letter that was sent to him by students in Nicole Osterhoudt’s fifthgrade class at Shore Road Elementary School.

A passion for giving back. Mia Monzidelis, a young inventor from Bellmore, with her creation, the Power Pony. She was honored by the Family and Children’s Association — a Long Island nonprofit that serves vulnerable children, families and seniors, for her generous donation of $5,000.

Purim celebrated, in-person once again. The 27th annual Mel Polay Purim Carnival returned to the Bellmore-Merrick community in March. Organized by Evelyn Polay, in honor of her late husband Mel, she was joined by her family members to celebrate the Jewish holiday.

Bellmore-Merrick Broadcasting wins excellence award. The BellmoreMerrick Broadcasting program remains a fixture in the district for experiential learning. The program was a Broadcast Excellence Award winner by the Student Television Network.

Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Courtesy Christine Monzidelis

Courtesy Bellmore Public Schools

Shore Road students sent thanks to

Courtesy PSEG Long Island

Electric vehicle are the way to go. Todd Leibowitz of Bellmore was one of five winners in the PSEG Long Island ‘I Love My EV Video Contest.’

Courtesy Michael Walsh

A shamrockin’ St. Paddy’s Day. Bellmore and Merrick residents celebrated St. Patrick’s Day, dressing up in all things green. Bridget and Clare Walsh couldn’t contain their excitement on everyone’s favorite, lucky day.

Jordan Vallone/Herald

Bellmore native Dory Levinter helped open Pickleball Plus, which attracted thousands of members.

Choppin’ locks and raising funds.

Anthony Gomez, with his mom, Carmela, at the Chop Your Locks For Charity event, which is hosted annually by Wellington C. Mepham High School. Gomez had his head shaved in honor of his friend Dylan Murphy, who died of pediatric cancer when they were in seventh grade.

Chabad leader remembered on his 120th birthday. Town of Hempstead officials and rabbis from across Nassau County got together at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Merrick to honor the late Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

A successful Clean Sweep. Merokeans gathered at the Merrick gazebo to participate in the South Merrick Community Civic Association’s annual Spring Clean Sweep. A beautification project, the task for volunteers was simple: to clean up trash and debris that accumulated near the gazebo, and northbound on Merrick Avenue.

Jordan Vallone/Herald

Courtesy Jackie Luciani

An EGGcellent Easter celebration. Jackie and Will Luciani hosted their 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Fraser Park. Over 300 kids and their families came out to celebrate Easter early, to collect eggs and goodies throughout the park.

Courtesy Carmela Gomez

Courtesy Dory Levinter

Paddling around at Pickleball Plus.

Jordan Vallone/Herald

Courtesy Office of State Sen. John Brooks

EMS Recovery Act was included in state budget. State Sen. John Brooks announced the inclusion of the EMS Cost Recovery Act in the state budget, which allowed volunteer fire departments to recover costs for emergency medical services rendered.

Artist picked up award for his

work.

Joseph Solorzano-Ruiz, a seventh-grader at Merrick Avenue Middle School, showed off one of his creations, a costume mask he made of the Marvel Comics character Venom. He’d earned awards for his work throughout the year.

eight-month long stretch without a leader, St. Francis Episcopal Church welcomed the Rev. Grace Flint

Awardwinners once again . Bellmore-Merrick Broadcasting took home four first place awards and one for third place at this year’s Broadcast Awards for Senior High.

A grand slammin’ parade. The North Bellmore/North Merrick Little League celebrated the start of their season with an opening day parade.

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

Jordan Vallone/Herald

Eagle Scout created new reading space. Christopher Dubon of North Bellmore built Martin Avenue Elementary School an outdoor library and reading patio, to be enjoyed by students of all ages for his Eagle Scout project.

Jordan Vallone/Herald

New leader welcomed to St. Francis Church. Following an

to its ministry.

Jordan Vallone/Herald

Neil Miller/Herald

Remembering the fallen on Memorial Day. Bellmore-Merrick celebrated Memorial Day by participating in or watching parades, which passed through a number of neighborhoods throughout both towns.

Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Broadcasting

Oh, the places they’ll go. Bellmore-Merrick’s graduating seniors graduated in separate ceremonies for John F. Kennedy High School, Wellington C. Mepham High School and Sanford H. Calhoun High School. Matthew Basso, Brian Chin, Nicholas Tripiccone, Alec Edwards and Jonathan Knox of Calhoun.

Bellmore-Merrick

its pollinators. At the Garden at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Bellmore, its manager Kristin Talbot, the Rev. Grace Flint and its volunteers celebrated Pollinator Week, with community activities geared towards recognizing the importance of local pollinators.

A great summer for drill. At the Four Town’s Fireman’s Training Center in Merrick, drill season returned during the North Bellmore Invitational Tournament.

Moving on up. Eighth graders in the BellmoreMerrick Central High School District said goodbye to middle school, and moved up to high school. Meaghan Daly, Lauren Elefante and Isabella Clayton at the Grand Avenue Middle School ceremony.

Food truck Sundays!

The Merrick Chamber hosted their “Street Food Sunday Market Place” throughout the summer. Bryce Feehan, 7, Avery Feehan, 8, Colin Feehan, 5, of Wantagh enjoyed a sweet treat.

Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Tim Baker/Herald

protects

Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Bill Kelly/Herald

Tim Baker/Herald

Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick

Central High School District

Congrats to the Class of ‘22. Madison Yeh and Jeniana Willner at John F. Kennedy High’s graduation ceremony.

Calhoun captured its second Nassau Division II boys’ volleyball title Nov. 8 with a sweep of Roslyn.

Calhoun captures state title. The Colts’ girls’ volleyball team made history Nov. 20 by winning the New York State Class A championship with a sweep of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.

Liss Phillips/Herald

Donovan Berthoud/Herald

Flag football title for Bellmore-Merrick. BelmoreMerrick captured the first-ever Nassau County girls’ flag football title May 26 with a 12-7 victory over Lynbrook.

Three-peat for Mepham softball. The Pirates celebrated a third straight Nassau Class A softball crown after defeating Calhoun in the finals.

Donovan Berthoud/Herald

Calhoun regains county championship.

Eric Dunetz/Herald

Calhoun runs to cross-country crown. Junior Logan Schaeffler cruised to the Nassau Class 2 championship as the Colts won a third straight county title.

World

War 1 Memorial restored. Brandon Goldstein, 16, a junior at John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore and a Boy Scout working toward his Eagle rank, made it his mission to upgrade the 98-year-old landmark.

Bellmore-Merrick 'roots' for trees. Students Giving Trees, a nonprofit organization with a mission to plant trees in Bellmore and Merrick, had its first tree planting in July at Wynsum Avenue Park.

Jordan Vallone/Herald

Courtesy Geoffrey Bassett

Realtor made debut on television. Nancianne Genduso, a realtor at Coldwell Banker in Merrick, was chosen to be featured on a new season of the TV show 'The Negotiators,' available on Reveel.

Jordan Vallone/Herald

Tim Baker/Herald

Produce for all at St. Francis Garden. The Garden at St. Francis had its first farm stand of the season.

Courtesy Karenlynn Stracher

A pig’s tale. Howard, A factory farm pig, was rescued by a team of wildlife rehabilitators, including Karenlynn Stracher, of Merrick, and John Debacker, of Bellmore, after he was found stuck behind a fence in Howard Beach, Queens.

Courtesy Wendi Murphy

Softball team had remarkable away-game run. The North Bellmore North Merrick Little League 10-and-under Lady Rebels made it to the New York State Little League Championships.

Athletes returned from Israel, medals in hand. Athletes from Bellmore-Merrick who competed in the Maccabiah Games, an international sporting competition in Israel, returned home in August with several medals. Swimmer William Siegel, a rising sophomore at Sanford H. Calhoun High School, won a gold in the boys’ 1,500-meter freestyle.

Book highlight’s triathlete’s journey. Hilary Topper, a triathlete from Merrick, published her book “From Couch Potato to Endurance Athlete — A Portrait of a Non-Athletic Triathlete,” in an effort to inspire fellow runners.

New teachers welcomed to local schools. The North Bellmore School District hosted a new teacher orientation during August. Kristin Giris, the district’s newest Spanish teacher, identified her areas of strength as an educator as part of gettingto-know-you activities during orientation.

A summer full of sharks. Jacob D’Arrigo, 17, of Bellmore, caught 43 sharks this summer while working with a few of his coworkers from Jones Beach Bait and Tackle.

A ‘Wicked’ show had at Merrick Avenue Middle School. Students in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s Extended School Year program put on a grand show in August, turning the musical “Wicked” into a movie, with students and teachers in the starring roles.

Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Courtesy Andy Siegel

Courtesy North Bellmore School District

Courtesy Hilary Topper

Courtesy Jacob D’Arrigo

Tim Baker/Herald

Laughs for charity at Bourbon & Brews. Bourbon & Brews, a craft beer and bourbon bar in Merrick, hosted a charity comedy night to raise funds for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

New beginnings at the Merrick Jewish Centre. The Merrick Jewish Centre welcomed Rabbi Joshua Dorsch. Dorsch, with his daughter Ziva.

A prize worthy of true champions. The BellmoreMerrick Central High School District’s flag football team, who won the first Long Island Championship earlier this year, received championship rings from the New York Jets.

One remarkable journey in the

books. Ian Randman, of North Bellmore, finished a daunting journey. He biked over 6,000 miles, from the southernmost point of Florida, to the northernmost point of Alaska accessible by road, to raise money in honor of his cousin who died from cancer.

Another successful Eagle

Scout

Project.

All of 12, he was live from Citi

Kraus lived out his sportscasting dreams this summer — he was selected to be the 2022 SNY Kidcaster, and got to call half an inning in the broadcast booth.

Joseph Ciniglio, an aspiring Eagle Scout from Merrick, worked with his troop to bring some refurbishments to the outside of the VFW Hall in Bellmore for his project.

Bellmore Street Fair was an absolute blast. The Bellmore Family Street Festival returned this fall for its 35th year. Families and businesses from all over came out to enjoy all it had to offer.

Tim Baker/Herald

Tim Baker/Herald

Courtesy Ian Randman

Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Courtesy Jennifer Kraus

Field. Eddie

Katrina O’Brien/Herald

A

Work that came from the heart. Julianna Tand of Julianna’s Works of Heart has been raising money for years for the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and looked ahead to an upcoming paint night in October.

A haunted Halloween in Bellmore-Merrick. Homes across BellmoreMerrick displayed the creepiest and kookiest Halloween displays, celebrating everyone’s favorite scary holiday.

Courtesy Thomas Graziano

Tim Baker/Herald

spooky, but not scary Halloween display. The Long Island Monster Gallery reopened its doors in October for horror fans. Owned and operated by Jason Kloos of Merrick, the seasonal gallery features spooky and scary characters from Halloween movies and stories.

Another year of collecting foods for Long Island Cares. Josh Brown and his daughter Tara, of Merrick, raised money and collected food for the third year in a row.

Courtesy Josh Brown

Courtesy Jennifer Tand

Courtesy Nickolas Mascary

Calhoun’s Racial Equity Club raised money for Haiti. The Racial Equity Club at Sanford H. Calhoun High School raised money to support Haiti, and its members sold bracelets and raffles for the cause. Above, Nickolas Mascary, Jillian Grossberg, Tobias Seabold, Bryce Gould-Anderson and Ayana Mascary with Calhoun Principal Nicole Hollings.

Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Robosoccer competition a success at JFK High. Students in Deanna Ocampo’s Principles of Engineering classes competed in an after-school robosoccer tournament.

Let’s talk about hair and makeup. The BellmoreMerrick Central High School District’s cosmetology program celebrated the grand opening of its new salon suite, the centerpiece of its cosmetology program. Vanessa Monteleone styled her sister Ashlee’s hair.

Thank you, Jack, for 50 years of service. Jack Dziedzic of Merrick’s Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, was honored for 50 years of service to the community. Dziedzic with his wife, Emily.

Julianna’s Works of Heart raises over $5,000.

Julianna Tand — a charitable 10-year-old from North Merrick — hosted a paint night with her organization, Julianna’s Works of Heart, raising over $5,000 for charity.

Community met its candidates. It was the 16th annual Meet the Candidates night, organized yearly by the South Merrick Community Civic Association. Organizers, from left, Berta Weinstein, Joe Baker, and Francine and Lenny Goldstein.

Joe Abate/Herald

Jordan Vallone/Herald

Israel’s chief rabbi visits Merrick. The chief rabbi of Israel, David Lau, met the Chabad Center for Jewish Life’s members and offered some wisdom on issues facing the greater Jewish community.

Courtesy Sue Moller

Reflecting on NYC’s toughest race. Sue Moller, a breast cancer survivor, finished her second New York City marathon in November.

Tim Baker/Herald

Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick

Central High School District

Tim Baker/Herald

A chance to celebrate, no matter your ability.

Lauren Budd, a former Merrick resident who now lives in East Meadow, started As Burgers Go Inc. as an offshoot of her speech pathology practice. A birthday party business, it gives kids with special needs the opportunity to celebrate their birthdays in safe, sensory-friendly setting.

‘A Walk in the Park’ with Mepham’s band. Mepham High School’s Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble played two songs during their winter concert worth noting — the first, called ‘Christmas in Kyiv,’ written by senior Samantha Nadler, and the second, ‘A Walk in the Park,’ written by composer Carl Strommen, a Mepham alumnus.

Grace Reform is ‘blessed’ with new playground. Ian Conlon’s Eagle Scout project benefited the Grace Reform Baptist Church in Merrick. After raising the necessary funds, the church received a new, much needed playground.

$100,000 raised for Janie’s Fund. Jam Dance Studio, in Bellmore, participated in a fundraiser with several other studios, to raise money for Janie’s Fund, an organization founded by Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler to benefit abused and neglected girls.

John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School fourthgraders constructed a model of a Native American village as part of their study.

Tim Baker/Herald

Courtesy Lori Berger

Chamber spreads holiday cheer. The Merrick Chamber of Commerce hosted a Santa Claus meet-up at the Merrick Golf Course. The Ayo family stopped by to meet everyone’s favorite man in red.

Tim Baker/Herald

Courtesy Ian Conlon

Courtesy North Bellmore School District

Dinkelmeyer students learned about Native American culture.

Tim Baker/Herald

Cancer care you can trust, right here on Long Island.

When Jimmie rang the Victory Bell to signify his final cancer treatment at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, our team celebrated with him. Our cancer experts were able to be at his side every step of the way because we offer the full spectrum of cancer care, from chemotherapy to radiation therapy to surgery. Long Islanders are also able to participate in national cancer clinical trials through Mount Sinai, right here in Oceanside.

With this multidisciplinary approach, we help you overcome not only the cancer, but whatever else cancer brings with it.

Learn more at southnassau.org/cancer

A look back at 2022

RichnerLIVE Events, Expos & Programs

By Alexa Anderwkavich

Oh what a year 2022 has been! RichnerLIVE has been honored to CONNECT, COLLABORATE and, of course, CELEBRATE hundreds of incredible people and businesses on Long Island — from healthcare heroes, top lawyers, premier business women and family businesses to the highly anticipated senior expos and the Long Island Choice Awards.

It’s RichnerLIVE’s mission to produce top-level business and community events celebrating members of the vibrant and diverse communities in which we live. Our events highlight Long Island’s industry professionals, economic opportunities, community leaders, and local unsung heroes. This year we accomplished that through our Premier Business Women of Long Island Gala, Excellence in Healthcare Awards, the First Annual Herald Long Island Choice Awards, Top Lawyers of Long Island Awards, Family Business Awards, Tory BurchxRichnerLIVE Women’s Night Out Networking Event, Senior Health & Beyond Expo series and webinars that helped the community stay engaged, informed and connected.

“Although it was a challenge to go back to live events, we are so glad that we did,” Amy Amato, executive director of corporate relations at RichnerLIVE, said. “We made a conscious decision not to do virtual awards events during the height of the pandemic, because one of the greatest values in earning recognition at our ceremonies is to be able to network face-to-face and really celebrate together in person. I’m thrilled that we will be growing and expanding the RichnerLIVE division by adding new and exciting programs. I feel blessed to have a great team that brings years of experience, integrity and can effectively deliver results and produce a gala worthwhile for Long Island.”

Community is at the core of our events and thanks to our your engagement, the launch of the Herald Long Island Choice Awards presented by PSEG Long Island in 2021— the official community choice awards of Long Island — has been a resounding success. This contest highlights Long Island’s top businesses, people and places in a myriad of categories. We’re getting ready to release the 2022 Top 3 finalists next week leading up to the Oscar-style awards gala where the winner is announced live on April 18, 2023!

As part of all of the gala festivities, RichnerLIVE donates a portion of ticket sales proceeds to a local charity. We are grateful to be able to support organizations such as The Moxxie Mentoring Foundation, FealGood Foundation, Nassau County Bar

Association’s We Care Fund, the Family & Children’s Association (FCA) and the EAC Network, to name a few, in their missions. To find out how you can donate to these deserving organizations visit www. richnerlive.com/community.

RichnerLIVE’s success is largely due to the support of our partners and sponsors. A special thank you to PSEG Long Island, FirstNet built with AT&T, Grassi Accountants and Advisors, UnitedHealthcare, Vishnick, McGovern & Milizio, Investors Bank, Mount Sinai South Nassau, and many more.

So without further ado, let’s commemorate the year together and all of our collective accomplishments — we will see you next year and hope you join us for one of the many events to come. For more information visit richnerlive.com

RICHNER

1

- Keynote speaker Stew Leonard Jr. at the Family Business Awards.

2 - Custom crystal awards from the Excellence in Healthcare.

3- Sara Director from Barasch McGarry celebrates as she walks up to receive her award at Top Lawyers.

4 - An acrobat dancer performing at Herald Long Island Choice Awards presented by PSEG Long Island.

5 - Dr. Kimon Bekelis, neurosurgeon receives Excellence in Healthcare award

6 - Moxxie Mentoring Foundation was the beneficiary of the Premier Business Women event.

7

- Honoree Retha Fernandez at the Premier Business Women Event.

8

- Honorees Luciane Serifovic and Amy Flores enjoy a Champagne toast. 9 - Anthony Postiglione and Evelisis S. Valentin from FirstNet built with AT&T.

RichnerLIVE file photos

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 1/4/23 at 9:30 A.M. & 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED

STARTING AT 9:30 A.M.

7/23. MERRICK - Richard & Diane Katz, Variance, lot area occupied, maintain addition attached to dwelling., E/s Robbin La., 277.27’ S/o Donna Dr., a/k/a 3317 Robbin La.

11/23. MERRICK - Damon Boccadoro, Variances, lot area occupied, side yard, side yards aggregate, construct pergola with outdoor kitchen attached to dwelling., N/s Byron Rd., 91.03’ W/o Bonnie Ct., a/k/a 100 Byron Rd.

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. 25/23. MERRICK - Merrick Ave. Hospitality LLC, d/b/a Mio Posto, Waive off-street parking (expand existing restaurant)., E/s Merrick Ave.,162.42’ S/o Benson La., running thru to Kees Pl., a/k/a 16-18 Merrick Ave.

ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550.

This notice is only for new cases in Merrick within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available a t https://hempsteadny.gov/ 509/Board-of-Appeals

The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.gov/ 576/Live-Streaming-Video Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it.

136359

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION, V. HOWARD SEIDMAN, ET AL.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated August 30, 2021, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION is the Plaintiff and HOWARD SEIDMAN, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on January 18, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 2647 COLONIAL AVENUE, MERRICK, NY 11566: Section 62, Block 7, Lot 89: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS

THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT MERRICK, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 606158/2017. Melvyn Roth, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 135874

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION (“FANNIE MAE”), A CORPORATION ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, V. GWENDOLYNN S. BRITT F/K/A GWENDOLYNN S. MALLIA, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated May 13, 2019, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION (“FANNIE MAE”), A CORPORATION ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is the Plaintiff and GWENDOLYNN S. BRITT F/K/A GWENDOLYNN S. MALLIA, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY

SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on January 18, 2023 at 3:00PM, premises known as 1580 LITTLE WHALENECK ROAD, MERRICK, NY 11566: Section 56, Block 247, Lot 311:

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT MERRICK, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 601255/2018. Michele Bencivinni, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 135870

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU

DLJ MORTGAGE CAPITAL, INC., V. CAROL VALENTE TOPOREK, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated January 31, 2014, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein DLJ MORTGAGE CAPITAL, INC. is the Plaintiff and CAROL VALENTE TOPOREK, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on January 17, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 2840 LINDENMERE DR A/K/A 2840 LINDENMERE, MERRICK, NY 11566: Section 62, Block 191, Lot 14:

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT MERRICK, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 009621/2008. Michael H. Sahn, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane &

Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 135872

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR STRUCTURED ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, 2006-GEL2, Plaintiff AGAINST LINDON BROWN, CHANEL GREENE, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered May 22, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 19, 2023 at 2:00PM, premises known as 2282 SYCAMORE PLACE, NORTH MERRICK, NY 11566. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 56, Block 102 Lots: 120 and 121.

Approximate amount of judgment $994,893.91 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #002541/2007. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Charles John Casolaro, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 00-075196 74648 136105

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE HOLDERS OF THE SPECIALTY UNDERWRITING AND RESIDENTIAL FINANCE TRUST, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-BC5, Plaintiff AGAINST Edward Maniscalco; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 4, 2017 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 January 31, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 7 Abby Road, 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 New York, Section 55 Block 177 Lots 21, 22, & 23. Approximate amount of judgment $873,941.79 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 014940/2009. 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.”

Charles Casolaro, Esq., Referee

LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: December 2, 2022 136380

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATE HOLDERS OF THE CWMBS, INC., CHL MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH TRUST 2004-J9, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-J9, Plaintiff, v.

YANA SLUTSKY A/K/A YANA ABRAMOVICH, ET AL,

Defendant. NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT

In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on October 13, 2022, I, Lisa Goodwin, Esq. the

Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on February 2, 2023 at The North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, County of Nassau, State of New York, at 2:00 PM the premises described as follows: 107 Byron Ct Merrick, NY 11566 SBL: 62-27-202

ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York.

The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 004047/2016 in the amount of $960,146.38 plus interest and costs.

Foreclosure Auctions will be held Rain or Shine. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the foreclosure auction.

Richard S. Mullen Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP Plaintiff’s Attorney 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 136382

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CTT, Plaintiff, v. ANY UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, DISTRIBUTEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF THE LATE ALEXANDER RATNER, ET AL, Defendant. NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on October 13, 2022, I, Russell Carl Burcheri, Esq. the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on January 31, 2023 at The North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, County of Nassau, State of New York, at 2:00 PM the premises described as follows: 632 Bond Ct Merrick, NY 11566 SBL No: 50-347-616 ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York.

The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 009493/2015 in the amount of $313,160.82 plus interest

and costs.

Foreclosure Auctions will be held Rain or Shine. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the foreclosure auction.

Richard S. Mullen Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

Plaintiff’s Attorney 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 136384

LEGAL NOTICE

Formation of JOni Consulting LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/30/2022.

Office loc.: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The address SSNY shall mail process to 48 Brookside Ave., Merrick, NY 11566.

Purpose: Any lawful activity. 136178

Search for notices online at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Section 202-48 of the code of the Town of Hempstead entitled, “Handicapped Parking on Public Streets,” a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 10th day of January, 2023, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, to consider the adoption of a resolution setting aside certain parking spaces for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons at the following locations:

EAST MEADOW WILSON LANE - west side, starting at a point 60 feet south of the south curbline of 5th Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-559/22)

FRANKLIN SQUARE HOFFMAN STREET - west side, starting at a point 29 feet south of the south curbline of Gabriel Avenue, south for a distance of 17 feet.

(TH-545/22)

MERRICK

LITTLE WHALENECK ROAD - east side, starting at a point 173 feet north the north curbline of Linden Place, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-547/22)

BENSON LANE - south side, starting at a point 258 feet west of the west curbline of Kees Place, west for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-199(C)/22) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside a parking spaces for physically handicapped persons: GARDEN CITY SOUTH

WELLINGTON ROAD SOUTH - east side, starting at a point 25 feet south of the south curbline of Terrace Avenue, south for a distance of 22 feet. (TH-111/95 - 6/06/95) (TH-552/22)

ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

Dated: December 6, 2022 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 136341

To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 10th day of January, 2023, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Chapter 202 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking at the following locations: FRANKLIN SQUARE Section 202-7

GABRIEL AVENUE (TH 545/22) South SideTWO HOUR PARKING 8 AM TO 8 PM EXCEPT SATURDAY, SUNDAY & HOLIDAYS - starting at a point 114 feet west of the west curbline of Hoffman Street, west for a distance of 28 feet.

HOFFMAN STREET (TH 545/22) West SideTWO HOUR PARKING 8 AM TO 8 PM EXCEPT SATURDAY, SUNDAY & HOLIDAYS - starting at A point 65 feet south of the south curbline of Gabriel Avenue, south for a distance of 39 feet.

MERRICK Section 202-11

BENSON LANE (TH 199/22) South SideTWO HOUR PARKING BETWEEN SIGNSstarting at a point 131 feet west of the west curbline of Kees Place, west for a distance of 127 feet.

BENSON LANE (TH 199/22) South SideTWO HOUR PARKING

BETWEEN SIGNSstarting at a point 278 feet west of the west curbline of Kees Place, west for a distance of 54 feet.

UNIONDALE Section 202-12

NASSAU ROAD (TH 556/22) West Side -

Herald ScHoolS

Calhoun’s Ve team, NaturalBOWLS, is on a journey to minimizing food waste while serving innovative and delicious bowls.

Public Notices

15 MINUTE PARKINGstarting at a point 25 feet north of the north curbline of Harrison Street, then north for a distance of 45 feet.

HARRISON STREET (TH 556/22) North Side15 MINUTE PARKINGstarting at a point 14 feet west of the west curbline of Nassau Road, then west for a distance of 50 feet.

ALSO, to REPEAL from Chapter 202 “REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking from the following locations: FRANKLIN SQUARE GABRIEL AVENUE (TH 523/04) South SideSection 202-7 TWO HOUR PARKING 8 AM TO 8 PM EXCEPT SATURDAY, SUNDAY & HOLIDAYS - starting at the west curbline of Hoffman Street, west for a distance of 129 feet.

(Adopted 11/30/04)

HOFFMAN STREET (TH 172/99) West SideTWO HOUR PARKING 8 AM TO 8 PM EXCEPT SATURDAY, SUNDAY & HOLIDAYS - starting at the south curbline of Gabriel Avenue, south for a distance of 103 feet.

(Adopted 10/19/99)

MERRICK BENSON LANE (TH 265/70) South SideSection 202-11 TWO HOUR PARKING

BETWEEN SIGNS -starting at a point 125 feet west of the west curbline of Kees Place, west to a point 80 feet east of the east curbline on Merrick Avenue.

(Adopted 9/15/70)

ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

Dated: December 6, 2022 Hempstead, New York

BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR Supervisor

KATE MURRAY

Town Clerk 136337

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 85-2022

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held December 6th, 2022, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 85-2022, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 85-2022, amending Section 197-5 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include “ARTERIAL STOPS” at various locations.

Dated: December 6, 2022 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR Supervisor

KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 136344

LEGAL NOTICE CASE NO. 21527

RESOLUTION NO.1407-2022

Adopted: December 6, 2022

Councilmember Miller offered the following resolution and moved its adoption:

RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AND SETTING ASIDE CERTAIN PARKING SPACES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE SOLE USE OF HOLDERS OF SPECIAL PARKING PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COUNTY OF NASSAU TO PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No.1391-2022,

adopted November 22nd, 2022, a public hearing was duly held on the 6th day of December, 2022, at the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the proposed establishment and setting aside of a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons, in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, all as set forth in said resolution; and WHEREAS, after due consideration, this Town Board finds it to be in the public interest to establish and set aside a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, the following parking spaces be and the same hereby is set aside for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons:

ELMONT

EVANS AVENUE - east side, starting at a point opposite the northwest curbline of American Avenue, south for a distance of 13 feet.

(TH-496/22)

SUSSEX ROAD - west side, starting at a point 113 feet north of the north curbline of 109th Avenue, north for a distance of 24 feet.

(TH-521/22)

238th STREET - west side, starting at a point 190 feet south of the south curbline of 115th Terrace, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-537/22

INWOOD WEST END AVENUEwest side, starting at a point 94 feet south of the south curbline of Pearl Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-523/22) CHRISTINA STREETsouth side, starting at a point 157 feet east of the east curbline of DeSibio Place, east for a distance of 18 feet.

(TH-533/22)

MERRICK EGLON COURT - west side, starting at a point 218 feet south of the south curbline of Middan Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-519/22)

UNIONDALE HENRY STREET - north side, starting at a point 48 feet west of the west curbline of Locust Avenue, west for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-539/22)

(NR) VALLEY STREAM EVERETTE STREET - west side, starting at a point 64 feet south of the south curbline of Oliver Avenue, south for a distance of 18 feet.

(TH-532/22)

; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk shall enter this resolution in the minutes of the Town Board and shall publish a copy of this resolution once a newspaper having a general circulation in the Town of Hempstead, and shall post a copy hereof on the signboard maintained by her, and file in her office affidavits of such publication and posting.

The foregoing resolution was seconded by Councilmember D’Esposito and adopted upon roll call as follows:

AYES: SEVEN (7)

NOES: NONE (0) 136351

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…

Printed in this publication can be found online. Search by publication name at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

Annual business challenge goes off with great success

The Bellmore-Merrick Business Challenge on Dec. 15 invited students from all three high schools to participate in a competition. The challenge is held annually, and connects the students for a fun competition.

During this business competition, teams planned, presented and defended a position in one of the five business categories.

The categories Sports Marketing, Retail Marketing, Tourism, Entrepreneurship, and Graphic Design & Branding. Many distinguished professionals served as judges from both the academic and private sectors.

Danielle Fortune served as keynote speaker on behalf of the Energeia partnership at Molloy College.

She talked about advancing in her career and encouraged students to pay close attention when around someone they can learn from.

“It was watching [a former mentor] navigate the business world on a daily basis where I gained the most knowledgeable experience,” she noted to students.

The day’s events also included a college fair and a virtual enterprise mini trade fair. Three firms from Calhoun, Kennedy and Mepham high schools competed for best booth and best pitch.

Calhoun’s VE team, NaturalBOWLS, is on a journey to minimizing food waste while serving innovative and delicious bowls. Kennedy’s VE team, Patch Attach, is a company that encourages consumers to express themselves through their customizable shoes via patches.

Mepham’s VE team, Environmental Apparel, serves as streetwear out of recycled polyester made from plastic waste found in oceans.

The event was organized by Mark Melkonian, an assistant principal at Calhoun and the district business department chairperson. Teachers Kerri Frend, Linda Leonardo, Stu Litwin, Peter Palazzo, Laura Rojas, Andrew Slattery, Jenna Tumminelli and Morgan Wing also assisted.

Champ teacher Mike Digiovanni, the students of Champ and the Valenti family of Piccolo Ristorante of Bellmore provided food. Stu Stein and Bellmore-Merrick Broadcasting students provided coverage of the event. Kelly Friedmann led students from the Calhoun orchestra ensemble in a performance.

Additionally, local politicians Hempstead Town Councilman Chris Carini and Legislators Steve Rhoads and Tom McKevitt were on hand to assist with judging.

The winners for each catergories were as follows:

■ Sports Marketing- Team 2- Amir Ibrahim, Sam Kalish, Sarah Koenig

■ Entrepreneurship- Team 3- Matthew Sferratore, Ben Margulies, Jenny Marmol

■ Tourism: Team 4- Jonathan Cohen-Ster, Jenna Duffey, Ethan Pariag

■ Graphic Design & Branding- Team 3Giavannah Posner, Chase Krinsky, Haluk Yavas

■ Retail Marketing- Team 2- PJ Kakalos, Michael McKeon, Dean Amin

The virtual enterprise winners were as follows:

■ Best Pitch- NaturalBOWLS

■ Best Booth- Patch Attach

Photos courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Kennedy’s Ve team, Patch Attach, is a company that encourages consumers to express themselves through their customizable shoes via patches.

PRESS-ROOM/WAREHOUSE CLASSIFIED Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460 E-mail your ad to: ereynolds@liherald.com E-mail Finds Under $100 to: sales@liherald.com DEADLINE: Monday, 11:00 am for all classified ads. Every effort is made to insure the accuracy of your ad. Please check your ad at the first insertion. Credit will be made only for the first insertion. Credit given for errors in ads is limited to the printed space involved. Publisher reserves right to reject, cancel or correctly classify an ad.

HELP To pLACE your AD CALL 516-569-4000 - press 5

EXPERIENCED bellmore-merrick chsd MERRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT Send cover letter & resume to: hr@merrick.k12.ny.us In the email subject line please include the job title for which you are interested in applying. EOE

ings Employment HERALD 1197399

Pressroom/wareImmedIate OpenIngs: paraprOfessIOnals, f/t regIstered nurse, f/t (10 am – 5 pm) Salary Commensurate with School Related Experience Other avaIlable pOsItIOns: substItute teachers: $120 - $130 per day NYS Certification required fOOd servIce helper p/t substItutes: $15.09/hr. securIty aIdes days and evenIng f/t (7 hours): $21.63/hr. NYS Security Guard License required, law enforcement background preferred Send Cover Letter & Resume to: egomez@bmchsd.org or mail Eric Gómez Assistant Superintendent – Personnel & Administration 1260 Meadowbrook Road N. Merrick, NY 11566 Additional information can be found on our website at www.bellmore-merrick.k12.ny.us EOE

NEW

Big Bus $27.18/hr. Non-Benefit Rate

BUSDRIVERSWANTEDDoN’T MISS The Bus! EDU c ATI o NAL BUS TRANS po RTATI o N 516.454.2300

STARTING SALARIES Van $24.41/hr. Non-Benefit Rate

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

ADMINISTRATIVE

Richner Communications - a rapidly growing multimedia company and publishers of the Herald newspaper grouphas several administrative job openings: Receptionist (P/T), Accounts Receivable/Billing Collections Clerk

Multi-Media Coordinator (Hours Flexible)

Qualified candidates are fast learners with good organizational and people skills - entry level ok.

Role requires working knowledge of Microsoft Office and ability to learn custom software programs.

If you would like to join a communitydriven, fast-paced environment, please send your resume to: careers@liherald.com.

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.

STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

DRIVERS WANTED

Seasonal. Jan- Mid April. Franklin Square. CALL: 516-358-9455. 1197642

EDITOR/REPORTER

The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to mhinman@liherald.com

MERRICK BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL

PROGRAM seeking mature individuals to supervise elementary school aged children from 2:45 pm to 5:00 or 6:00 pm weekdays. Experience helpful. If interested email merrickbasp@aol.com or call (516)379-4245

1197564

Malverne UFSD Long Island, New York Security Guard $20.40 per hour Required: NYS Certification w/security photo ID 1198210 1197761

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. Salary, Commission, Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off.

Email or mail resume to my attention:

dlawlor@malverneschools.org Malverne, UFSD Administration Building, HR Dept 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565

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Welcome to a bright, spacious and completely renovated direct oceanfront unit in the desirable Westholme area of Long Beach. Enjoy stunning views from your picture window directly on the beach and boardwalk and capture the breathtaking sunset from your southwest corner terrace. This desirable corner oceanfront, 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath unit features an ocean view from every room, a high-end renovated kitchen featuring quartz counter tops, brand new flooring, several closets including a custom walk-in, recessed lighting and new air conditioners. This pristine buildng offers on-site laundry, secure bulk-storage, bicycle, chair and surf board storage, a private outdoor entertaining area with cooking grills and seating and a set of dedicated parking spots for residents. Close proximity to both the West End, Central Business District, and the LIRR with 27 daily trains to NYC in under an hour. Come see how life is best enjoyed at the beach! $699,000.

Am I being singled out?

Q. I just rented a retail space, and I’m planning changes with my architect. The architect says I have to “upgrade” the restroom to handicapped-accessible, which will cost at least $8,000 and maybe more, depending on whether the old pipes can be reused where they are. I don’t understand why other stores around me have original restrooms but I have to change mine. We were only moving a couple of walls and installing a new ceiling. Can you tell me if the architect is right about the change?

Kelly Forman Licensed RE Salesperson

COMPASS Real Estate

780 Long Beach Blvd. Long Beach NY 11561 516.297.3308 Kelly.forman@compass.com

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Ask The Architect

Monte Leeper

A. You would think the answer is an easy one, that it would be either yes or no. Unfortunately, the answer is that the decision in these matters is discretionary, left to the plans examiner, who either strictly interprets the code and the federal and state laws based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (which was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990), or determines that the physical upgrade of the restroom isn’t necessary. The law states that businesses with 15 or more employees must comply, but is overridden by the fact that establishments cannot discriminate against people with disabilities, patrons or employees.

I once had a meeting at which the attorney for my client was challenging my advice to our mutual client that an upgrade — a renovation — would be necessary. The attorney appropriately pointed out exactly the same argument that you’re making, that nobody else has had to upgrade, and therefore you shouldn’t have to, either. My guess is that your neighbors may have been in that location for many years, and as long as nobody brings their location up to an official, we leave well enough alone, or that the official interpreted that the upgrade wouldn’t be necessary. I’m willing to bet that your neighbors, for the most part, moved in without anyone filing anything formally, with plans and permits, so the proprietors think they have no issue to deal with. You, on the other hand, operating honestly and legitimately, probably feel that even though you can’t discriminate against a person with a disability, you’re being unfairly discriminated against.

Although I agree that you are being unfairly judged differently than your neighbors, your architect and any licensed professional, including the attorney, swore to uphold the laws of the state they practice in. If officials choose not to investigate every location, that is the governing bodies’ choice. Your architect is only trying to do what is right under the law.

Coincidentally, that very morning, when the attorney was making the case that others were not in compliance, there was an incident in lower Manhattan in which an attorney had his heels slashed by a homeless man on a subway platform, and was instantly debilitated. I pointed out to the attorney that that poor guy was now disabled, and that we humans are all vulnerable, by age or accident, and need to be considered. He answered, “You should have been an attorney.”

© 2022 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

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. . .

Remembering for those who no longer can

Where were you when Kennedy was shot?”

Many of us remember asking that, or being asked. That question has since been supplanted by ones like “Where were you when the Challenger exploded?” or “Where were you on Sept. 11?”

But those singular tragedies were hardly the first to dominate our everyday lives on such a massive scale. That is a tragedy remembered for decades with its own question: “Where were you when Pearl Harbor was bombed?”

Yet there are very few people left who can answer that. Not surprising, since the stunning attack that officially brought the United States into World War II happened over 80 years ago. Without those living witnesses, however, we risk the possibility that the attack, the war itself, and atrocities like the Holocaust will become mere footnotes in history.

And that’s simply not acceptable.

This was the time of what NBC anchor Tom Brokaw coined the Greatest Generation. People who lived through the suffering of the Great Depression, only to find themselves fighting for something greater: freedom. Not for Americans, but for people on a global scale. We fought to destroy fascism as well as its key components, totalitarianism and authoritarianism, as well as hate.

Not that we were perfect in doing so —

far from it. But if anything good came from that period, it was the fact that our global society at least took some significant steps forward.

Conflict has been a part of human history, but never on the scale we saw in World War II. Never in the numbers of people lost. The outright attempted genocide of an entire religious ethnicity. We have to take time to remember because, as Winston Churchill said, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

Part of that education comes from exploring what happened at Pearl Harbor — a place thousands of miles away, practically across an ocean, on a group of islands that, at the time, were merely an American territory. The attack killed 2,403 U.S. personnel and destroyed or damaged 19 ships — nearly half of them battleships.

By the time World War II ended in 1945, American deaths would reach nearly 420,000, while globally, 15 million soldiers and 45 million civilians would lose their lives.

The pain from that war — and World War I, “the Great War,” before it — was felt for generations, to the point where governments worked as hard as they could not to let any other conflict balloon to such a global scale. But memories fade, hastened by the loss of those who experienced that suffering firsthand.

Now we live in a time when fears of a

worldwide conflict are stronger than they have been in decades. It’s not just political polarization, but also what has become a broader tolerance of intolerance and outright hate — something that can never be allowed to normalize, whether it’s antisemitism, racism, sexism or homophobia. Attacking where someone is from, how they worship — or if they worship — or even how they identify gender-wise.

History is fading, and with it its lessons. And we can’t let that happen.

That’s why Dec. 7 is so important. Or Jan. 27 — International Holocaust Remembrance Day — as well as spring’s Yom Hashoah. Because you can’t even begin to talk about loss during this period without talking about the 6 million Jews who were killed — a third of Jews worldwide. Or the 2 million ethnic Poles.

Or 500,000 Roma. Or thousands more who were gay, or who were political or religious prisoners.

The late Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor himself, once said, “To forget a Holocaust is to kill twice.” And that can be applied to any tragedy we try to forget.

Next week, we have a chance to remember on the 81st anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. There might be few left to ask where they were when this tragedy took place, but remembering means we’re learning. And learning gives us a fighting chance to never repeat those horrors again.

LETTERS

O’Connell sure didn’t pull any punches

To the Editor:

Don’t you love freedom of the press? That basic right enables people like John O’Connell, former executive editor of the Heralds, to blatantly cast aspersions on public figures without including specific evidence to support his claims.

In his op-ed last week, “I’ll take the GOP agenda — without Trump — any day,” O’Connell refers to Hillary Clinton as a “backstabbing, secretive, supercilious, lying, characterless cypher.” While I don’t love Hillary, I question what purpose such unsupported name-calling achieves, except perhaps to justify why O’Connell opted to vote for Trump, despite his “unappealing, obnoxious,” “insufferable” and “bullying” behavior.

O’Connell goes on to blast our sitting president, vice president, transportation secretary and governor,

What are the editorial pages all about?

Who writes editorials?

How do letters and guest columns get published?

This week’s pages offer some answers to our readers.

We thank The Riverdale Press and The Seattle Times for the idea.

Opinion pages

OPINIONS

‘Energy efficient’ may become a contradiction in terms

Hearings are getting under way on a proposal to socialize energy on Long Island. It would make the Long Island Power Authority the region’s sole entity responsible for keeping our lights on. Its structure would replicate virtually every government agency, bureau or department that you have cursed as inept, incompetent or indifferent.

why capitalism is always better, and why it provides for more-efficient creation and distribution of goods and services than any government-controlled or socialized economy.

Opinion columns

We publish three columns every week. Columns represent the views of the writers themselves, not of the Herald. Each writer works independently and chooses his or her own subjects. Among our regular contributors are the Heralds’ executive editor, Michael Hinman, and the Nassau Herald’s former executive editor, Randi Kreiss, both of whom have won numerous awards for their opinion writing. We also feature columns by prominent political figures, including former Assemblyman Jerry Kremer, who is now a consultant. And we regularly invite guest columnists to offer their views.

What is instructive about this forced march to complete government control is that these hearings were mandated by law to be held by the end of September, but are just beginning now. The government commission couldn’t even get its act together to hold them on time. Good thing it isn’t responsible for directing our electrical future.

Oh, wait. It is.

Hanley has identified the ideological underpinnings of this power grab. It has little to do with the efficiency, innovation and accountability demanded of PSEG Long Island under a strict don’t-screw-up contract with LIPA. Rather, it is about a progressive agenda of growing government whenever it can, assuming authority over infrastructure that it has no competence running and operating costs it has no interest in cutting.

agement structure would balloon with executives making six-figure salaries. There would be no financial incentives for any of them to work smarter, better, more efficiently.

The hearings, by a special commission, are the result of legislation signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul. It directs the review of a plan to convert the existing public-private partnership that manages our electrical grid to one that would, in essence, make the governor ultimately responsible for its operation and maintenance.

RONALD J. ROSENBERG

To set the stage for these hearings, you need to understand that LIPA currently owns most of the Long Island electrical grid, including the bulk of our power plants. It has an incentive contract with PSEG Long Island, which actually runs the system. If PSEG does well and hits certain performance criteria, it is financially compensated. If it fails, it will take a financial bath. This is the essence of

James Hanley, a fellow with the Empire Center for Public Policy, is a seasoned observer of Albany’s political stinkpot. “It’s hard to predict what will come of this proposal,” Hanley has written. “Public power (left wing) advocates clearly want to eliminate any role for a private utility in operating LIPA’s grid. They don’t have any evidence that LIPA could improve upon PSEG’s management; they seem to think the word `public’ is a magical incantation that will make everything better.”

In truth, it makes everything worse. An example? Which delivery service is more reliable, the government controlled U.S. mail, or the privately owned Federal Express? The answer is obvious.

among others, again without a logical explanation. He cites the GOP agenda, familiar to most of us. However, he does not mention the many Americans who suffer from a housing shortage, food insecurity, climate change, or a lack of adequate gun control. He also exhibits no concern for the recent increase in racist, antisemitic and homophobic violence against fellow human beings.

Will these people merely be casualties of war as the GOP tries to stifle the voices of its opposition? Surely a nation as great as ours must be able to find a way to achieve compromise so that the needs and safety of so many of its citizens are not ignored.

PAM SINGER Malverne

24-30 column that he doesn’t like Donald Trump, but that the former president accomplished “great things.”

What in the world would those “great things” be?

His disrespect for the country’s courts and its diplomatic and intelligence services? His refusal to accept the results of an election? Deepening political divisions and encouraging racial bigotry?

O’Connell’s column derides potential Democratic candidates for president and vice president, but omits any mention of the many GOP members of Congress who have gone along with Trump’s lies about a rigged election. Nor is there any mention of Trump’s attempt to defy the will of American voters by backing a coup.

What makes this power play particularly toxic is that LIPA had been tasked with running the grid before. It failed, miserably, when Superstorm Sandy came ashore a decade ago.

As a result, then Gov. Andrew Cuomo required LIPA to engage private industry in running the grid, and to use financial incentives and penalties that are employed in the real world. Having had such a raving success with cashless bail, today’s progressive powerbrokers seem quite content to ignore those lessons, and now seek the keys to the power grid.

How would that work? For starters, the people currently working for PSEG would probably be asked to transfer their skills and expertise to LIPA, a government entity. As LIPA employees, they would be given salaries, benefits and pensions that you and I would pay for. The LIPA man-

Compare that with a recent J.D. Power survey that found dissatisfaction with PSEG Long Island among businesses on the Island. That could mean a financial hit for the utility management company, because its compensation is directly tied to customer opinions of its performance. Were LIPA in charge, and faced with such a report, its response would undoubtedly be “Feh,” for there would be no accountability under a socialized structure. That would be good news for those who feast on political patronage, because one suspects someone’s brother-in-law would be in charge of consumer complaints.

We can assume that it will be Hochul’s decision as to whether Long Island’s power goes progressive. She needs to, but probably doesn’t, appreciate, or care, that if that’s the future of LIPA, her office number will be on speed dial for 2.7 million Long Islanders the next time a hurricane takes down the grid. And if last month’s elections proved anything, it’s that those LIPA customers vote.

Ronald J. Rosenberg has been an attorney for 42 years, concentrating in commercial litigation and transactions, and real estate, municipal, zoning and land use law. He founded the Garden City law firm Rosenberg Calica & Birney in 1999.

FRAMEWORK by Fatima Lasso

Special features

The op-ed, or opposite the editorial, page features a weekly Framework photo, which is chosen by our photo editor, Tim Baker. The Framework offers a creative, at times humorous outlet for our photography staff. In this spot, we also publish photos sent to us by readers featuring them on vacation, reading the Herald at various international landmarks. We call it Herald Around the World.

At times, a correction might appear on the op-ed page. We strive each week for the highest standards of accuracy and accountability. When we make mistakes in our reporting, we believe we must own up to them and correct the record.

Letters to the editor

We welcome readers’ letters to the editor and publish most that we receive. We believe these letters are critically important, because they reflect the shared voices of the communities that we cover.

Letters should be 250 to 300 words in length. Each letter must include an address and phone number. Our editors call all letter writers to confirm the authenticity of letters before publication.

We edit letters for length, grammar, spelling and foul language. We do not censor viewpoints.

Trump’s

‘great’ accomplishments?

To the Editor:

John O’Connell asserted in his Nov.

O’Connell even claims there is a “GOP agenda.” And what would that be? More stunts such as votes to end Obamacare?

LARRY McCOY Rockville Centre

Comments about our stories? Send a letter to the editor to execeditor@liherald.com.

If we believe a letter requires major revisions, we will send it back to the writer and ask that he or she change it so that meaning and intent are not lost.

Readers can send letters to the editors of their hometown newspapers, or to execeditor@liherald.com. They can be sent by email (preferred), fax or mail. All contact information is listed on the masthead and on our website, LIHerald.com.

I n Albany, a potential plan to gut the public-private management of our electricity.