Nassau Herald 01-05-2023

jerseys

Spelling bee winners honored Page 17

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Lawrence 7th-graders take on bullying

By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

To address bullying and its effects on mental health, Lawrence Middle School invited singer, dancer, author and “The Voice” finalist Wé McDonald to its “Stomp Out Hate” assembly Dec. 20.

McDonald, 23, was a finalist on the NBC show in 2016, but years earlier, she had been a 12-year-old middle school student who had to overcome bullying. She was teased for her speaking voice and her appearance.

“I didn’t look like anybody there,” McDonald told the seventh-grade students, referring to her school in New York City. “Everyone was smaller, had straight hair and all looked similar.

Continued on page 12

AG sues 5 Towns residents for nursing home fraud

By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Two Five Towns residents who own a number of nursing homes are being sued by state Attorney General Letitia James, who claims that they and a dozen others embezzled nearly $19 million from Medicare and Medicaid that was intended for the care of patients at a facility upstate.

James alleges that Bernard Fuchs, the owner of the Villages of Orleans Health & Rehabilitation Center, Benjamin Landa, another owner of many nursing homes, and others illegally redirected $18.6 million

from Medicaid and Medicare to two organizations that own the Villages of Orleans property and manage the facility.

Fuchs lives in Lawrence, and Landa is from Woodmere.

Fuchs is an owner or part owner of 93 nursing homes across the nation, including several in New York state, according to NursingHome.org.

Landa is the founder and chief executive of Sentosa Care, one of the state’s largest nursing home chains, and owns 100 nursing homes nationwide, according to Skilled Nursing News.

Between 2015 and 2021, James’s suit alleges, the Villag-

es received $86.4 million in Medicare and Medicaid funding intended for resident care. The owners cut staffing to increase profits, she asserts, and diverted the health care funding through payments to Telegraph Realty and CHMS

Group.

“Every individual deserves to live out their golden years in comfort and with dignity,” James stated in a news release.

“Yet the abject failure of The Villages and its owners to uphold their duty under the law caused residents to suffer inhumane treatment, neglect, and harm.”

Several of Fuchs’s relatives are also named in the suit.

Landa, who owns the Five Towns Premier Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Woodmere, is also alleged by James to be part of a group that committed financial fraud totaling more than $22 million at the Cold Spring Hills Center for Continued on page 16

Courtesy Lawrence Middle School

Wé McDoNAlD, cENTER, spoke to Lawrence Middle School seventh-graders on her visit to the middle school. At left was her father and manager, Varleton McDonald. At right was school psychologist Michael Amorgianos.

E very individual deserves to live out their golden years in comfort and with dignity.

lETiTiA JAMES attorney general

Woodmere native’s NBA jersey collection is massive

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

Brad Parker has a National Basketball Association jersey collection so large he is running out of room to store them in his Manhattan apartment and his childhood home in North Woodmere.

Parker, 32, started collecting NBA jerseys roughly a quarter of as century ago through his father, Larry. Parker is an NBA super fan with a collection amassing 226 NBA Jerseys.

“It's a huge part of my life,” Parker said. “Once a year my aunt Cheryl would always let us pick out our favorite jersey. We'd have an allotted amount of time to run around the NBA store in Manhattan and find our favorite jersey and she'd always buy it for us. That was always a treat.”

Parker estimates his collection has cost him $18,000 and is worth every penny. The NBA noticed his massive collection and featured him on its website and social media pages for NBA jersey day on Dec. 14.

“It was almost like coming full circle because I have this collection that is a conversation piece,” he said. “All my friends and my family know about it. But nothing ever came of it besides a couple of viral videos. 10-year-old me would have never thought, 20 years later the NBA would write an article about me and be featured on their social media, their app, and their

website. I would have called you a liar.”

Parker’s jersey collecting picked up in high school once he started earning some money. He would scour the Internet for the rarest NBA jerseys he could find. “I didn’t want a big-name player,” he said. “I wanted the obscure guy from the ’90s or the 2000s that would be tough to find. I

like the jersey that is a conversation starter in public. Where somebody will stop me and say, where did you get that?”

Like many NBA fans Parker had dreams of playing in the league and although that dream relinquished fairly quick Parker, he found other ways to surround himself with basketball and be

involved in the game and with the NBA.

Parker worked at Hoop magazine for two years where he had the opportunity to attend Knicks and Nets games and multiple NBA events and games. “I fell in love with interviewing athletes and NBA players,” Parker said.

Just before the Covid pandemic hit, he sought another job in the field and in early February 2020, stumbled upon The Score, a sports media website.

“They gave me a unique opportunity to freelance and I had the chance to interview athletes with fun light touch questions on Instagram Live,” Parker said. In September 2020, they hired me full time.”

Parker has interviewed many NBA players, including LeBron James and Devin Booker, and former player Shaquille O’Neal. He also had an online interaction with former NBA star Dwyane Wade in 2018 that led to Parker playing pickup basketball with Wade in Manhattan.

“He put out a tweet saying ‘Where are all the New York City Hooper's’ and I tweeted at him to come play pickup basketball ball in the city and he showed up and I got to guard him,” Parker said.”

Still collecting NBA jerseys and a content creator for The Score where Parker runs their Instagram and TikTok page. He also covers Nets games for and creates videos for social posts and discusses the hottest NBA issues. This February he will be in Utah for the NBA All Star game.

Courtesy Brad Parker

BRAD PARKER Is running out of room for his NBA Jersey collection.

Protesting proposed Cedarhurst apartment project

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

The proposed 17-apartment residential development on 68 Washington Ave. in Cedarhurst has caused mixed reactions from residents who live on the street.

Washington Avenue resident Michael Hatten, who has made clear his opposition to the project, has created a petition aimed to put a stop of the development.

“I do not want to live in Brooklyn south I want to live in this village,” he said at the Nov. 15 Board of Zoning Appeals when the proposal was discussed.

Hatten, a Lawrence School District Board of Education trustee, has lived on Washington Avenue for more than 25 years. The street is also home to the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns & Rockaway Lower School and the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department.

Hatten has taken action by creating a petition on change.org to protest the development. He aimed to get 100 signatures, but as of press time, it has over 220.

“People have given their names, email addresses and are signing the petition in opposition of the development,” Hatten said. “They took the time and effort to voice their opinion on this project.”

He did not comment on whether he has spoken with elected officials about the proposal. But Hatten did say they are aware of the petition and the residents’ opinions.

ABE SiEGELMAN Lawrence resident

Signees on the website petition have signed and left brief messages expressing their sentiments. “It is already problematic as it is,” Lawrence resident Abe Siegelman wrote. “Do you really want to destroy the little of what is left of this village?”

Current zoning of the site only allows single-family homes. Cedarhurst businessman, Samuel Nahmias, the developer, is seeking a variance for a multi-family development. A lobby, a common room on the ground floor and 39 parking spaces are also part of the three-story building.

“This is an ecologically fragile peninsula with limited space and resources,” Cedarhurst resident Michael Merwitz wrote. “Over-development is not only architectural vomitus, but it’s an imminent threat to the safety of the current residents.”

At the Nov. 15 meeting, Nahmias’ attorney, William Bonesso, made the case for

the variance.

Residents expressed their concern about traffic, limited parking and emergencies that the fire department would be unable to reach in time due to the traffic the apartment complex would cause.

Before the apartment building project came to light, other ideas on what to do with the site were floated, including a boutique hotel, office buildings and a parking lot.

A decision on the variance will be

made at a future Board of Zoning Appeals meeting. Meetings are usually held on the fourth Thursday of every month.

Nahmias said he is aware of the petition and did not comment further.

“We’re not done yet,” Hatten said. “Maybe we’ll get another round or we’ll find another venue to advertise this in. As of now, the petition has only been advertised in the 5 Towns Central (a local chat group) and you see the response and it’s extraordinary.”

‘Pep girl’ understands value of a good name

By KEPHERD DANiEL kdaniel@liherald.com

The daughter of a founder of the famous Pep Boys automotive franchise and a longtime resident of Lawrence learned a lifelong lesson from her father Jack Franklin.

Bea Franklin, 98, has lived a fulfilling life. A resident of Lawrence since 1958, Franklin is the daughter of the Pep Boys tire company founder Jack Strauss. along with Emanuel (Manny) Rosenfeld, Maurice (Moe) Strauss, and Moe Radavitz. Franklin’s dad Jack of the Pep Boys later came to NYC & formed another automotive chain of stores, Strauss Stores. When her family moved to New York, her father would make a business decision that would teach Bea a lifelong lesson.

“My dad wanted to have his own business, not just with Manny and Moe) and he opened five stores at one time and a warehouse,” said Bea Franklin, 98, “He was a lawyer before he went to Pep Boys but he didn’t have a lot of money. When he came to New York, he went to a bank and the manager asked him what he had to put up for collateral. My father said he would put up his good name and the manager gave him the money.” He opened five stores and a warehouse at that was my lesson about having a good name.”

Bea Franklin moved from Philadelphia to New York in 1933 when she was 9. In 1945, she married Jerry Franklin. They

were married for 51 years. For three years, Jerry, a corporal, was a Army photographer. He photographed the invasions throughout Europe and North Africa and took graphic photos when the Dachau concentration camp was liberated. Jerry Franklin died in 1996 and Bea still lives by her husband’s philosophy. “My husband taught me many years ago, always think

positively because all the aches and pains go away, she said.”

A former substitute librarian for several Nassau County schools including several elementary and high schools in the Five Towns, Franklin received her master’s in library science, at CW Post in 1968.

Franklin was very active in Temple Israel of Lawrence and the National Council of

Jewish Women.

She has three sons Rick, Bruce and Ken. Rick and Bruce are lifelong residents of Lawrence. Rick was also a veteran of the Army and spent two years in Pleiku, South Vietnam. Rick and Bruce now own the company, Jerry Franklin Inc. that their father formed. Ken is a New York City media and music agent for popular singer-songwriters.

Franklin has visited 34 states and 30 countries including Japan, the UK, Bali, France, Ukraine Italy, Hungary and the USSR. An avid theatergoer, she loves eating at upscale city restaurants and has played hostess to many home gatherings. Franklin’s household friends have included boxing great Rocky Graziano.

She has been a friend to Broadway actresses and actors and she travels across the country to visit her acting friends when they are performing in touring companies. She traveled to Phoenix, Memphis, Louisville and Buffalo this year. Though traveling is in her blood she has never considered moving. “I love the house, I love the location and I love being near my friends. I am not moving out of my house until they carry me out, Franklin said.” Her life continues to be stimulating and has no intentions on slowing down. “If I still feel as good as I do now I’ll go for 105 years old,” she said. “There’s nothing that can stop me while I’m out. You only have one life, you may as well do what you enjoy doing.”

Courtesy John Capobianco

RENDERiNG Of THE 17-apartment development proposed for the vacant 68 Washington Ave. property in Cedarhurst.

Do you really want to destroy the little of what is left of this village?

Courtesy Ken Franklin

A JERRy fRANKLiN photo with Franklin Roosevelt, right, with Dwight Eisenhower and General George Patton, far left, at Castelvetrano Airport in Sicily after the conferences at Tehran and Cairo, Dec. 8, 1943.

Hanukkah on ice is nice

The ice menorah was sculpted, the doughnuts were decorated, candles were rebelled against Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt during the sec-

Holiday traditions include lighting the menorah, symbolic of the portion of oil found to light the temple that lasted eight days, baking latkes, eating doughnuts and chocolate gelt, playing the dreidel game

— Jeffrey Bessen

Eric Dunetz/Herald photos Chabad of hewlett members, family and friends at Hanukkah on Ice during the fifth night of the Jewish holiday. Sophia Malek, 5, right, pretended to be Judah the Maccabee, one of the heroes of the Hanukkah story.

Rabbi NoChem teNeNboim, the leader of the Chabad of Hewlett, far right, with the ice sculpture menorah.

NutRItIoNIst RENAtA

Shiloah’s new book offers women the tips to battle menopause.

Courtesy Renata Shiloah

Woodmere nutritionist pens self-help book

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

Woodmere Doctor Renata Shiloah took a pause out of her busy schedule to release her new book “It’s Time for a PAUSE.”

Shiloah released her book on Dec. 6 and self-published through her company Nutritionist for Youth Counseling. The self-help book helps mid-life women fight back against menopause, naturally reduce symptoms, and help women feel like ‘themselves’ again by practicing nutrition, yoga, meditation, and integrative therapies.

“I wrote this book for the midlife woman living the life I did,” Shiloah said. “I put the information from this book into play in my own life. I wanted to help women relieve the symptoms of menopause using what I practice. I suffered a lot and I think, with this book, I can help midlife women feel better so they don’t have to suffer.

Shiloah, 57, has been in practice for 20 years as a doctor of clinical nutrition and integrative health and she is a registered dietitian. She is also yoga and meditation teacher, and a Reiki practitioner.

Her inspiration to write a book came 20 years ago and she was finally able to find time to begin writing. “I originally wanted to write a nutrition book but as time went on, I got busier,” she said.

At the time Shiloah was an adjunct professor at Lehman College and the director of clinical nutrition and outpatient network of clinics. She has her own virtual private practice and works in an outpatient community-based clinic on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Most of her patients are ages 45 to 60 and have similar problems to those Shiloah addresses in her book.

When the Covid pandemic hit Shiloah was commuting less so she decided that she would focus on writing her self-

help book. “It’s not just about writing a book, but it’s to help women like myself so that they don’t have to go through everything I did,” she said.

Shiloah is married to her husband Eli and has five kids, a daughter, 38, and four sons ages 37, 28, 25, and 22. Although she has a big family, Shiloah says that she didn’t tell anybody about her battles with menopause, which is a common trend among women dealing with the issue.

“My mother passed away and I came to the United States when I was four from Prague, and I didn’t really have any family,” she said. I made my own family with my kids but I went through everything myself. A lot of women suffer in silence. Some are embarrassed and don’t know what to do because all of a sudden, one day you’re not yourself anymore.”

Shiloah’s book contains the story of how she grew up and the menopause symptoms that she went through as well as stories from her patients as well as the triumphs that they earned through their battles with menopause. The book also contains advice on dieting and recipes and tips on journaling. Other medical professionals have also recommended her book.

“Dr. Renata’s book should be read by all midlife women, from when the first symptoms of menopause appear, to when they end, and beyond,” said Maria Briones, the medical director at Briones Weight Loss Clinic in Mount Kisco. “I will recommend this book to all my patients.”

Shiloah continued about the impact of her book. “I think if somebody reads my book and really goes through it step by step, they can really get relief and feel like they’re not alone,” she said. It’s really to help women feel better know that they’re not alone.”

Shiloah’s book, “It’s Time for a PAUSE,” can be found on Amazon.

“Elder Law Estate Planning” is an area of law that combines features of both elder law and estate planning and relates mostly to the needs and concerns of the middle class.

Estate planning was formerly only for the wealthy who wanted to shelter their assets from taxes and pass more on to their heirs. But today estate planning is also needed by the middle class who may have assets exceeding one million dollars, especially when you consider life insurance in the mix.

Estate planning with trusts became popular starting in 1991 when AARP concluded that probate should be avoided and trusts should be used to transfer assets to heirs without a court proceeding. Trusts are also widely used today to avoid guardianship proceedings on disability, protect privacy, and reduce the chance of a will contest in court.

As the population aged and life expectancies increased, the field of elder law emerged in the late 1980’s to help people protect assets from nursing home costs by using Medicaid asset protection strategies.

The two fields of elder law and estate planning still tend to be separate, which can

work against a client needs. For instance, a client may see an elder law attorney for Medicaid asset protection planning in the event of disability, but overlook the benefits of estate planning, such as avoiding estate taxes or keeping assets in the bloodline. Similarly, a client may have prepared an effective estate plan for death with an estate planning attorney, but failed to avail themselves of Medicaid asset protection strategies for their lifetimes.

For this reason, we have been practicing “elder law estate planning” together for over thirty years to address these needs:

• Getting your assets to your heirs, with the least amount of court costs, taxes and legal fees possible.

• Keeping your assets in the bloodline for your grandchildren and protecting those assets from your children’s divorces, lawsuits and creditors.

• Protecting your assets from the costs of longterm care and qualifying you for government benefits to pay for your care either at home or in a nursing facility.

• Avoiding guardianship proceedings if you become disabled and probate court proceedings on death.

Attorney advertising

spotlight athlete

Herald sports

Hewlett hopes to take next step

By ViNCeNt MatUla sports@liherald.com

It is no easy task to maintain a long track record of success in any specific sport. However, Hewlett has done so after years of winning its conference and developing high quality wrestlers.

Now, the Bulldogs are looking to become the top dog in Nassau County.

This year’s team is led by five All-County returning wrestlers, each of whom bring a unique skill set to the program.

aNDie aDaMs

Lawrence

Senior Basketball

there’s a NeW an all-time leading scorer for Lawrence’s girls’ hoops program. Senior point guard Andie Adams, who last winter reached the 1,000 mark, entered this season 46 points away from breaking 1999 graduate Danielle Moorer’s record of 1,049 career points and did so in a win over Roosevelt on Dec. 6. Adams earned AllCounty honors last season and averaged 23.5 points per game.

gaMes to WatCh

thursday, Jan. 5

Gymnastics: Oceanside at South Side 7 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 6

Wrestling: East Meadow at Long Beach 6 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Syosset at Freeport 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Port Washington at Oceanside 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: East Meadow at V.S. Central 7 p.m.

Girls Basketball: V.S. Central at East Meadow 7 p.m.

Wrestling: Mepham at MacArthur 7 p.m.

Wrestling: Roosevelt at Hewlett 7 p.m.

saturday, Jan. 7

Girls Basketball: Clarke at North Shore 10 a.m.

Boys Basketball: MacArthur at Long Beach 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Jericho at Mepham 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Roslyn at Elmont 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Kennedy at South Side 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: North Shore at Clarke 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Manhasset at Hewlett 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Glen Cove at Carey 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: South Side at Kennedy 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Mineola at Lynbrook 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Hewlett at Lawrence 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Long Beach at MacArthur 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Seaford at Lawrence 4 p.m.

A familiar name that will embark on his last dance is senior Ariel Waldman, who has 99 career wins under his belt. Waldman is a two-time county finalist and will look to get over the hump in his final year with the club.

“He is our captain and our leader,” coach Stephen Jones said. “He believes in the program and the process and I think we’re really in for some special stuff with him.”

A common theme with most of the wrestlers for Hewlett is how involved they got with the sport at such a young age. Starting as young as third grade, kids from the area immersed themselves in the sport.

“All of these kids have come up through our youth program,” Jones said. “They’ve been around forever and travel with us all year round.”

This is paying off long-term as eighthgrader Carlos Salazar has seen immediate success from this. Now in his second year of wrestling at the varsity level, Salazar is ranked second in his weight group (110) and already has an All-County to his name.

“He’s not scared of anyone,” Jones said. “He wrestles anybody, anywhere to a tough match.”

Junior Eric Gendlin is off to a flying start this season as he’s won Hewlett’s King of the Mat and Long Beach’s Battle at the Beach tournaments in the 118-pound weight class. Gendlin is undefeated as January approaches.

Rounding out the returning All-County wrestlers are juniors Kirk Smith and Oleg Daniloff, who is moving from 172 to 160.

Additionally, Hewlett has two more wrestlers in sophomore Christopher “CJ” Maiorano and senior Ryan Goodman who

will look to help take this team to new heights. Goodman placed second at the Hewlett and Long Beach based tournaments.

Hewlett finds itself in Conference 3B along with Bethpage, Division, Roosevelt, Valley Stream North, and Manhasset. The Bulldogs and Manhasset are the only two schools currently ranked in Nassau’s top 10, which has developed into a rivalry after Hewlett fell to the Indians in league play, but beat them in the county tournament.

“It has to be a team effort and everyone contributing,” Jones said. “It’s going to be tough, just like it is every year.”

The Bulldogs finished third in last season’s county tournament, their highest finish ever at the event. With that experience, this motivated group of wrestlers has their sights set on now being the team to beat this winter.

“Our goal every year is to be number one,” Jones said. “It’s been nice to be so high, but I want to be at the next level.”

Donovan Berthoud/Herald heWlett teaMMates eriC Gendlin, right, and Carlos Salazar met in the 118pound final at the Battle at the Beach Tournament, with Gendlin prevailing.

was congratulated on

BOCES honors top student

Kerrisha Jean from Hewlett High School was named Student of the Quarter at Nassau BOCES Barry Tech career and technical education high school. Students of the Quarter are honored for their grades, attendance, work ethic, and preparedness.

These students have taken the initia-

tive on class projects and are role models for their fellow students, in both the classroom and the workplace. Jean is studying rehab medicine to become a physical therapy aide.

Cedarhurst-based Rock and Wrap It Up! a grass-roots organization collects all prepared but unserved food from stadiums and concerts for distribution to local pantries and shelters was honored by the National Football League’s Inspire Change initiative.

Syd and Diane Mandelbuam, of Cedarhurst, were presented with tickets and an all expenses paid trip to this season’s Super Bowl at halftime of the New York Giants game against the Indianapolis Colts on New Year’s Day. The Giants won 38-10 and clinched a playoff berth for the first since 2016. The league’s championship game is in Glendale, Arizona.

The initiative highlights the collab-

orative efforts of players, owners and the NFL to create positive change across the United States. Rock and Wrap It Up! is an anti-poverty think tank that aims to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty people’s carbon footprint.

“We were humbled to be selected over [hundreds] of charities who work with the NY Giants for this League wide NFL initiative,” Syd wrote in an email. “We were able to invite friends who help us with our Veterans Farmers market and tailgated before the game.” The Veterans Market is a free open-air ad hoc market originally created for older military veterans to shop safely during the Covid pandemic.

— Jeffrey Bessen

— Kepherd Daniel

Kerrisha Jean of HewlettWoodmere

being named Student of the Quarter by Barry Tech Principal Peter Dalton, left, and Assistant Principal Daniel Cava.

Courtesy Syd Mandelbaum

Cedarhurst residents syd and Diane Mandelbaum were given tickets to this season’s Super Bowl in recognition of the work done by Rock and Wrap It Up!

Courtesy Nassau BOCES

Echo Park closing doors for $2 million renovation

By MARK NOLAN mnolan@liherald.com

The Echo Park indoor pool complex in West Hempstead has a long history of providing entertaining relief for Hempstead town residents. But that history will have to pause over the next several months while town officials push through the first phase of renovations, closing the pool until at least around Labor Day this year. And those $2 million worth of construction is just the beginning.

“The renovation of Echo Park is a multimillion-dollar project that will be completed over the next few years,” said Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin. “The Town of Hempstead is committed to upgrading this facility while minimizing the inconvenience for our local swimmers who frequent the park year-round.”

potentially save on energy bills.

That should bring Echo Park into the late summer or early fall, a town spokesperson said. What comes next is still being decided by town officials.

“The new and improved Echo Park will surely make a splash when completed,” Clavin said.

In the meantime, typical Echo Park visitors can travel to East Meadow instead to use the indoor pool there. The Nassau County Aquatic Center will accept passes issued by the Town of Hempstead during the renovation project.

DON CLAviN Hempstead town supervisor

Echo Park is generally open to all town residents, providing a rate discount to those who don’t live inside an incorporated village or special park district. Daily rates there are typically $8 to $9 for individuals, and $4.50 for children between 5 and 9, as well as senior citizens, the disabled, and volunteer first responders.

The first phase of construction includes a new air ventilation system, something that has taken on even more importance during the Covid-19 pandemic era. Other scheduled work includes a new state-of-the-art pool filtration system, new energy-efficient lighting, renovation of the north and south interior walls, and recaulking windows to prevent air leaks and

Nassau County offers similar rates in its East Meadow complex for those living in the county who also buy a three-year “leisure pass” for $36. Those without the pass, and those who don’t live in Nassau County, could pay daily rates as high as $22 for adults, and $14 for children.

And renovations in Echo Park aren’t exactly new. The West Hempstead complex

reopened in January 2018 after a $208,000 renovation that included resurfacing several indoor areas and refinishing the diving boards. The year before, Echo Park was part of a town-wide $1.26 million rec

overdue,” he said. “Echo Park is a beloved facility in our area. Residents frequent the indoor pool all year.”

Other than this brief closure each win-

Herald file

A $2 MiLLiON renovation project will shut down the Echo Park indoor pool complex in West Hempstead through this coming summer, instead redirecting swimmers to the county facility in East Meadow.

Creating connections in the Commons

The Commons is a major focal point of Hewlett High School. Situated next to the cafeteria and the back parking lot entrance, the Commons is always bustling with students and faculty, and has recently been established as the site of many new Hewlett High events.

With its many bulldog-themed tables, the Commons is the ideal location to gather with school peers. It is quite common to see students studying and eating together, utilizing the tables to socialize and relax during free periods.

Hewlett Happenings

World Cup. As many students fervently followed the World Cup, the SmartBoard was used to project the live matches. Rather than individually watching the games on their devices, the SmartBoard allowed students to watch the tournament together, turning the World Cup into another opportunity for peers to bond with one another.

Hiral M. CHavre

Recently, there has been a new addition to the Commons: a ping-pong table. Alexandra Greenberg, the new principal, had the ping-pong table installed as another way for students to socialize in the Commons.

Many students have loved the new ping-pong table as a way to destress and have fun with peers during their free time between classes.

“Like many other students, I have a very rigorous schedule that starts at 7:25 a.m. and can end after 8 p.m. due to extracurricular activities,” said junior Alexandre Tourneux. “It’s refreshing to take a break during the first 10 minutes of my lunch period to do something as simple and distracting as playing ping pong.”

Besides the ping-pong table, the Commons included a large SmartBoard during the weeks of the

Most notably, the Commons was the site of Hewlett High’s Open Mic on Nov. 23. Students were able to sign up for time slots between periods 5 through 9 to sing or perform any song of their choice. Impromptu singers were also allowed, based on availability. The Open Mic performers drew up loud crowds of students who cheered on their peers on stage.

Open Mic was such a hit that it was soon followed by a similar event: Holiday Karaoke. On Dec. 22 from periods 6 to 7, students sang iconic seasonal tunes including Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” and Frank Sinatra’s “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” On par with the Open Mic, students signed up to sing a song of their choosing before the event.

The Commons has emerged as a place for students to do more than just eat or study. With new additions and events, the Commons is sure to remain a place for Hewlett High School students to create lifelong memories.

Protect against car theft

Doing the simple things such as locking all your car doors even when the vehicle is parked in a driveway or garage is a good hedge against car thieves, according to information Cedarhurst village has collected from the police. Thieves are not breaking windows or prying doors open, they are looking for unlocked doors.

Other tips include:

■ Do not leave the key or fob in the car.

■ Never leave or even hide a smart key, valley key or spare key anywhere in or on the vehicle, no matter where it is parked.

■ Never leave the car engine running when unattended or unlocked.

■ If possible, park the car in a locked garage.

■ Park in well-lit areas.

■ Keep the outside of houses and drives well-lit.

■ Close all of the vehicle’s windows completely when parked.

■ Do not leave valuable personal property in the vehicle.

■ Secure the transmitter for your garage door.

■ Pay careful attention when leaving the car or returning to the vehicle. Watch for people standing nearby.

■ And if you “See Something, Say Something.”

■ Dial 911 and be ready to provide the police with as much information as possible on the incident you are reporting.

— Jeffrey Bessen

PRESS RELEASE

Chairman of the Nassau County Bridge Authority Issues Response to Decal Concerns

Dear Atlantic Beach, Long Beach and Neighboring Resident Communities: The Nassau County Bridge Authority (NCBA) is a separate functioning Authority. Unlike other bridges, the NCBA does not receive Tax Payer, Property Tax, County and State Funding. The NCBA funds 100% of its operations through toll revenue. The Atlantic Beach Bridge spans 1173 feet (40%+ greater than its neighboring Long Beach Bridge)

When I was nominated for this role, I was honored to give back to the communities. Unfortunately, timing is not something we can all control.

My first initiative as Chairman was to review the status of our finances, revenues and capital needs. My second initiative was to work with our engineers at Hardesty & Hanover and our auditor to ensure that we have adequate capital to address our required infrastructure needs. My third initiative and quite an important one, was to address the public outcry on the failing toll plaza.

Over the past three-years, the Authority has lost nearly $1M per year (excluding goodwill). One can assume that this was due to the COVID pandemic and loss of toll revenue. While the Authority was hoping for a return back to profitability, unfortunately this proved impossible at our current revenues.

Just like all American businesses, citizens and public authorities, we are not immune to inflation. We have encountered inflation unlike anyone has seen in 40+ years. This has affected all aspects of the Authority’s finances. We are scheduled to lose over $2M in 2023 and headed towards a path of insolvency unless we address the issues.

In my learnings, I discovered that our prior toll increase took place roughly 17 years ago and the study at the time, indicated that it was only good for about 5 years. The prior board did as much as they could to extend this until now. However, no-one could have predicted the pandemic and subsequent high inflation.

After a vigorous review, our auditor and board determined that a toll increase is required for the viability of the Bridge Authority. As a point of reference, bridges are rated 7 to 1, 7 being in excellent new condition and 1 being the opposite. The Atlantic Beach Bridge is rated a 5, which is incredible for a 70-year-old bridge. Make no mistake, this is because we were setup as a separate Authority from the start, in order to maintain our own bridge.

The decision to raise tolls does not come lightly, especially at a time when our residents are hurting due to high inflation. That is why we made the decision to raise the residents at a much lower amount vs. non-residents and commercial vehicles. While going from $2.00 to $3.00 seems excessive, until EZ-Pass is implemented, it is still far below what $2.00 would be worth 17 years later with inflation.

The implementation of EZ-Pass was sound and logical considering the latter. The board could have simply spent similar amounts to upgrade the failing system and keep it as a cash toll. This seemed counterintuitive given the number of complaints ranging from pedestrians not having cash, commercial vehicles having to pull to the side, delivery drivers not knowing what to do and of course the dangerous conditions it causes when vehicles must back out. This is on top of the heavy summer traffic build-up on the 878, that occurs due to only accepting cash.

The biggest issue I want to clarify, is the circulation of ongoing misinformation (see figure #1 below). Misinformation has been circulating that the Decal system and its benefits are being completely eliminated. This could not be farther from the truth. In fact, we are upgrading how we treat Decals. While we are phasing out the Decal “stickers” by mid-2023, we are incorporating the Decal benefits into the EZ-Pass system. Travelers will be able to enjoy all of the benefits of their prior Decals with the current EZ-Pass Reader/Transponder. Travelers will be able to login to their EZ-Pass account and add the Atlantic Beach Bridge to their annual unlimited use for $199 (residents) and $349 (non-residents).

As our commitment to the Atlantic Beach, Long Beach and Neighboring Resident Communities, presently we do not plan to raise tolls again until at least January 2028 and beyond. We are looking towards other revenue streams to help offset our costs and to date are pursing the following:

1. Placing our liquidity in higher interest-bearing accounts at today’s rates. This will result in a financial benefit of roughly $200K annually.

2. Restricting overnight openings for the drawbridge to a schedule which will decrease costs by roughly $100K.

3. We have explored refinancing the bonds and are waiting for the right opportunity to save significantly.

4. Exploring the use of vacant land.

Lastly, with the EZ-Pass upgrade, the security gates in the toll lanes will remain in place. We are planning to add better LED lighting to the bridge, security cameras and having more of a police presence at the Bridge Authority. Rest assured that we are working for the benefit of the people. Sincerely,

Figure #1: Misinformation:

***Please Note The Bridge Authority of Nassau County is*** changing the prices of the Atlantic Beach Bridge from $2 to S3 for all Nassau County Residents, and $4 for all Non-Nassau County Residents. They are also planning to remove the Atlantic Beach Bridge pass entirely in 2024. This means that the price will rise from $130. a year (the current decal price for nassau county residents), to approximately $4000. per car per year, because in 2024 the decals will be eliminated. We need to have a meeting with the Nassau County Bridge Authority to determine what can be done to minimize damage to residents and businesses in Atlantic Beach, Long Beach, Lido Beach, Point Lookout, and the entire Barrier Island who rely on using the Atlantic Beach bridge for work, school, shopping, and life’s activities.

Samuel Nahmias

Chairman of the Nassau County Bridge Authority.

This year you can make it happen

The New Year is here. You’ve made resolutions to lose weight, get fit, save money, and be better organized. How successful will you be with these endeavors? You know the answer — all that falling off the wagon is creating mega business for chiropractors.

So instead of remaking the same old resolutions, how about shifting your gaze to savvy psychological strategies to help you become the person you want to be! Here are a few to try:

■ Don’t curb your enthusiasm. What are you passionate about? What are you eager to do, to learn, to enjoy? Go for it!

■ Appreciate that you’re a work in progress. Though you still have much to learn, take pride in who you are right now. Yes, some seem to be born with a talent for … (Fill in the blank). But the rest of us must work hard to accomplish what we want.

ress?

■ Give negative thoughts the boot. There may be times when you experience a wave of worries. Or a pessimistic voice that says, “You can’t!” Or guilt that says, “You shouldn’t have!” Yes, negative voices may come with an important message you need to heed. But once you hear the message and determine its validity, let it go. Do not allow it to take up residency in your brain!

Person to Person

■ Seek out opportunities to learn, travel, and experience something new. Initially, you may feel fearful and uneasy. Keep learning, however, and you’ll end up celebrating your achievements. People who find life tedious and tiresome don’t do this. Then they complain about how bored they are. You make the better choice!

For Immediate Release: December 13, 2022

Nassau County Bridge Authority Announces Greater Discounts for Barrier Island Residents

Lawrence, NY - The Nassau County Bridge Authority is proud to announce the implementation of an Electronic Tolling System, E-ZPass® on the Atlantic Beach Bridge. Set to take place in the Spring of 2023, this significant improvement will make the customer’s driving experience safer and timelier.

In addition to the implementation of E-ZPass®, the Authority has proposed significant discounts for Barrier Island residents, shown in the chart below. These proposed rates are scheduled to be voted on by the Board of Commissioners. NCBA tolls remain among the lowest in the region and deliver support for critical infrastructure improvements for the Atlantic Beach Bridge.

■ Put a lid on your id, so you finish what you start. It’s easy to get distracted, to lose focus. If your mind responds to every whim it encounters, you’ll end up mightily frustrated. Hence, a disciplined “no” to diversions reaps a sensational “yes” to achievements!

■ Appreciate the art of being fully present. We talk to our closest friends and family, yet we’re not fully present. Why? We’re checking our phones or thinking about something else. We rush into our cars, never noticing the sensational sunrise, awe-inspiring nature, and cumulous clouds. When you’re in a rush to be somewhere else, you miss what’s right in front of you.

■ Spend time with rich people - not those with fat wallets but those with warm hearts. Notice how others speak to you. Is their conversation loaded with critiques (you should have), or with curiosity (what are you into?), or praise (yippee!)? Do they offer encouragement with what’s important to you? Or, do they come up with reasons that hinder and hamper your prog-

■ Ask questions of others who think differently from you. Listen respectfully to their answers to gain a deeper understanding of how they think, what they want, what they fear. When you do, you’ll become a more informed, insightful person.

■ Celebrate your imperfections. What, are you kidding? Nope! If those imperfections are not weighing you down, let them be. Nobody’s perfect. Bur if you notice that they’re preventing you from living the life you want, see what you can improve to make a better life for yourself.

■ This is your space: What’s your savvy strategy for the New Year that will bring a smile to your face? Once you decide what it’ll be, share it with me, please. Thanks.

Hoping 2023 will be is a wonderful year for you where you will feel empowered, accomplish your goals and enjoy your life.

©2023

Linda Sapadin, Ph.D., psychologist, coach and author specializes in helping people improve their relationships, enhance their lives and overcome procrastination and fear. Contact her at DrSapadin@aol.com. Visit her website at www.PsychWisdom.com.

“After a public hearing and consultation with elected officials and community leaders, I am recommending to the board that we adopt our initial plan amended with a further reduction in the annual fee for Barrier Island residents who use the bridge on a daily basis.” Said Nassau County Bridge Authority Chairman Samuel Nahmias. “The bridge has not had a toll increase in 17 years, and in order to guarantee the safe operation of the bridge into the foreseeable future, in these inflationary times, it is necessary for the board to take this action.”

2022 2023

Annual Fee - Barrier Island Resident Passenger Vehicle $130.00 $162.50

E-ZPass® - Barrier Island Not Available Resident Passenger Vehicle in 2022 $2.50

Annual Fee - Nassau County Resident Passenger Vehicle $130.00 $199.00

Annual Fee - Non-Nassau County Resident Passenger Vehicle $175.00 $349.00

Pass CardPassenger Vehicle 20 trip $15.00 $30.00 All Cash Tolls Passenger Vehicle $2.00 $4.00

Note: Effective January 1, 2023 all Cash Tolls will be $3.00 until the implementation of E-ZPass®, at which time all Cash Tolls will increase to $4.00.

Decals will be phased out in 2023. Decals will be replaced by unlimited E-ZPass®, which will provide the same function as the decal.

Linda Sapadin

‘Voice’ finalist speaks at ‘Stomp the Hate’ assembly

School.’”

Here I am, who had big, curly hair, glasses, acne and chubby.”

She said she found ways to fit in with the crowd, such as purchasing clothing her classmates would wear, and straightening her hair. She noticed how her classmates respected her because of the change in her hair, but, McDonald said, she continued to be humiliated by her teachers, with one saying, “Wow, class, look at Wé, doesn’t she look so much better?”

Her speaking voice was high-pitched, but when she had a microphone in her hand and sang, she sounded like a different person. She persuaded her father, Varleton McDonald, to sign her up for music classes after school at the Harlem School of the Arts. She took classes in opera, musical theory, jazz, pop and soul. By age 16, she was singing at the Apollo Theater, going up against other up-and-coming singers.

year tried to make this presentation happen, and put it in place,” Perry said. “Every time I turned around, he was at my door, saying ‘We need to get Wé McDonald here, and it’s prefect for what we’re doing here in Lawrence Middle

Amorgianos explained that McDonald’s presentation was specifically targeted for the seventh-graders, to help ease their transition from elementary to middle school. In the Lawrence School District sixth grade is part of the elementary school.

McDonald was invited to tell her story with the hope of inspiring the students. She chatted with them, asked if they had ever been bullied — or had been a bully — and listened to those who spoke up.

Before the assembly, students in ELA classes read her book, “The Little Girl with the Big Voice,” which recounts her struggles.

“We’ve been responsible in going to schools around the nation,” Varleton McDonald said. “We talk about this book because it describes certain feelings that she had gone through when she was bullied, and how she overcame the challenges.”

Before visiting Lawrence, the McDonalds, who live in Paterson, New Jersey, were in Los Angeles.

The students showcased posters they had created after reading McDonald’s book, setting them up in the front of the auditorium for her to see. They highlighted the importance of avoiding bullying behavior because of the harm it does. One poster, which read simply, “Donut bully” had a drawing of a donut and a crossed-out circle in the middle.

Hernesto Galdamez/Herald

up about her struggles when she was being bullied for how she

STEPPING OUT

Dancing With The Stars Live

Heroism unfolds in an epic adventure

By Karen Bloom

elcome the New Year with another dose of that wonderful world of Disney. The latest Disney ice extravaganza arrives at UBS Arena in Elmont to the delight of families who can’t get enough of their favorite Disney moments. Audiences can relive some of the iconic characters and stories — classic and new — when Disney on Ice’s “Into the Magic” brings a lineup of Disney “royalty” here for four days, opening Jan. 5.

WHERE WHEN

• Thursday through Sunday. Jan. 5-11; times vary.

• Tickets start at $20 (pricing may fluctuate based on demand); available at Ticketmaster.com or DisneyOnIce.com

• UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont

This production showcases inspiring favorites from the Disney canon, including those spunky royal sisters, Anna and Elsa, from the always popular mega-hit “Frozen.” Joining this spirited pair are the forever-enchanting Belle, dauntless Rapunzel and the charming bandit Flynn, the determined Cinderella, the aspiring young musician Miguel, and the daring and fearless Moana. Their courage and plucky grit to live their best lives are set forth in lively — albeit condensed — re-tellings of “Beauty & the Beast,” “Coco,” “Tangled,” “Cinderella,” “Frozen” and “Moana.”

These unforgettable characters and their adventures are brought to life on ice in a captivating production that transports audiences to worlds where imaginations soar and in true Disney spirit “anything can happen if you just believe.” Guided by Mickey and Minnie and their crew, of course — with the assistance of two hosts this time around — these tales are told through graceful, artful skating and dynamic special effects, set to the soundtrack fans know and love.

In keeping with longstanding Disney tradition, it’s a fast-paced spectacle with rapidly changing segments.

“All celebrate why these stories are so special,” says Chase Belmontes, who performs as Gaston, Belle’s strapping suitor. “The uplifting nature of these stories all end strongly with an inspiring message about finding your dreams and finding your inner hero.”

That message surely resonates with the 27-year-old Las Vegas native, who is in his third year with Disney On Ice. “I grew up with Disney as a

kid,” he says. “I loved Disney and watched all the movies. Being here now is a personal accomplishment.”

As with his fellow cast members, Belmontes’ competitive skating skills enhance the high level of athleticism that is the hallmark of these productions. Solos, pair and fast-paced ensemble skating with high-flying jumps add to the appeal of the stories the audience knows so well.

“There are so many iconic moments,” he says, noting the pairs sequence in his “Beauty and the Beast “ portion, which also includes a dramatic ensemble routine. “It’s all very exciting.”

And, of course, “Frozen” elicits an enthusiastic response. As Belmontes says: “Always a fan favorite.” Especially when it comes time for “Let It Go.”

“It’s absolutely magical,” he continues. “Everyone sings along to every single word. It’s such a wonderful experience.”

There’s plenty of singing, with the audiences up on their feet throughout the show. And, naturally, Belles, Cinderellas and many others are scattered throughout the arena.

“Everyone dresses up in costume, even adults.” Belmontes says. “It’s amazing. So sit back and soak it all in. There’s a lot to look at and enjoy.”

indeed.

The popular dance showcase is back on tour this winter to celebrate its 31st season. The tour delivers electrifying dance performances from world-renowned dancers including Brandon Armstrong, Alan Bersten, Sasha Farber, Gleb Savchenko, Emma Slater, Britt Stewart, and ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ winner Alexis Warr, who now appears on ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ See the ballroom brought to life in this new production featuring your favorite ‘Dancing’ pros, plus special guest stars, performing original numbers as well as some of the showstoppers featured in Season 31. With dazzling routines in every style, fans will enjoy an unforgettable night full of all the magic of the television competition series and more. Experience the excitement, glitz and glamour they see in the ballroom live, up-close and personal.

Tuesday, Jan. 10, 8 p.m. $99, $79, $59, $49. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. (516) 299-3100, or TillesCenter.org.

Literary Luncheon

Madison Theatre hosts Deborah Goodrich-Royce, who discusses ‘Reef Road,’ her latest psychological thriller that explores the psychology of criminals and their victims, while drawing from real-life events that happened before she was born. Goodrich Royce is the author of the widely praised psychological thrillers ‘Ruby Falls’ and ‘Finding Mrs. Ford.’ A former film and television actress, she is remembered by soap opera fans as Silver Kane, sister of the legendary Erica Kane, on ABC’s ‘All My Children.’ She later worked as a story editor for Miramax Films and was instrumental in developing such films as ‘Emma’ and ‘A Wrinkle in Time.’ With her husband, Chuck, she restored the Avon Theatre in Stamford, Connecticut, which now operates as a not-for-profit dedicated to independent, classic, foreign, and documentary films.

Wednesday, Jan. 18, noon. $50. Molloy University’s Larini Room, Public Square Building, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. (516) 323-4444, or MadisonTheatreNY.org.

Photos courtesy Feld Entertainment

Photos: Old and new favorites lace up their skates for a show that encourages everyone to ‘find your inner hero.’

THE SCENE

Defensive Driving

Art talk

America

The perennial classic rock favorite is still going strong, appearing on the Tilles Center stage, Friday, Jan. 27, 8 p.m. Founding members Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell celebrate the band’s 53rd anniversary on their current tour, on the LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. The pair (along with former band mate Dan Peek), who met in high school in London in the late 1960s, quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of their signature song “A Horse With No Name.” America became a global household name and paved the way with an impressive string of hits following the success of their first #1 single. Forty plus years later, these friends are still making music together, touring the world and thrilling audiences with their timeless sound. Tickets are $99, $79, $69, $59; available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Join Nassau County Museum Director Charles A. Riley II, PhD, for a Director’s Seminar, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 4 p.m. He’ll discuss “Photography: Beauty and Truth,” in a session that is keyed to the photojournalism of Robert Capa and the Magnum group as well as the pioneering work of Walker Evans and Lewis Hine. He’ll compare their approach with the digital manipulation of images (including video) in the media of our time and consider the relationship between the photographer as documentarian and as artist who holds the mirror up to nature. Participation is limited; registration required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Earn up to a 10 percent discount on collision, liability and personal injury protection insurance for up to three years and up to four points expunged from your driving record by taking a defensive driving course, Monday, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m., at the Gural JCC , 209 Grove Ave., Cedarhurst. $65. To register, go to rachayle. deutsch@guraljcc.org.

In concert

David Alterman returns to the stage with Altzim, Friday, Jan. 13, at My Father’s Place supper club. Enjoy an evening of music that Alterman describes as “Dylan with a twist,” with special guest Cathy Rose Virgilio. Rich Demand and his band also appear. Doors open at 6 p.m., concert is at 8 p.m. The Metropolitan, 3 Pratt Blvd., Glen Cove. For tickets/ information, visit MyFathersPlace. com or call (516) 580-0887.

Denim and Diamonds

Jan. 7

Break out your blue jeans and best bling and attend Kulanu Academy’s Denims and Diamonds gala fundraiser on Saturday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m., at the Sephardic Temple, 775 Branch Blvd. Cedarhurst. Dinner, buffet, country and classic rock band Southband, whiskey, scotch and spirit tastings. For reservation, go to KulanuKids. org or call Rachael at (516) 5693083 ext. 106.

Jan. 7

Jam Band

Listen to the classic tunes of the Grateful Dead, Saturday, Jan. 7, 9 p.m., as performed by the Morty Lahasky Jam Band, at the Hewlett Bagel Boss Music Festival, 1352 Peninsula Blvd., Hewlett.

Having an event?

Forest Bathing

Take a meditative Forest Bathing walk, led by certified guide Linda Lombardo, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2-4 p.m. Based on the Japanese tradition of ShinrinYoku, a wellness practice developed in the 1980s, the walk, on the grounds of the former summer residence of Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim, inspires mindful connections with the natural elements of the woods for a range of healthful benefits. $40, $35. Pre-registration required. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901.

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.

Skate on

Long Island Children’s Museum’s “skating rink” is open for a final weekend, Friday through Sunday, Jan. 6-8, 10 a.m. 195 Woodcleft Ave-5 p.m. With related crafts activities throughout the weekend. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

In-person Game Time

Play canasta, mah jongg and Scrabble in the Bentley Room of Peninsula Public Library, 280 Central Ave., Lawrence, Monday, Jan. 9, 2-4:30 p.m. Seating is limited and is first come, first seated. Masks recommended.

Art Exhibit

The “Best Practices” art exhibit will be on display through Jan. 9, in the Boehm Room of the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library, 1125 Broadway, Hewlett.

On exhibit

Photography’s ascent in the art world is an international phenomenon.

Nassau County Museum of Art’s star-studded exhibition spans the historical roots of the medium. View works by Ansel Adams and his generation and the thrilling, large-format color works of such contemporary masters as Cindy Sherman, Thomas Struth, James Casebere and Gregory Crewdson, among others. From the documentary to the painterly, images bear witness to the times. On view through March 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive. Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Hewlett Bay Park

The Hewlett Bay Park village board holds its monthly meeting on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 6 p.m., at Village Hall, 30 Piermont Ave., Hewlett.

Jan. 11

‘Vengeance’

A writer from New York City tries to solve the murder of a girl he hooked up with, and travels down south to investigate the circumstances of her death and what happened in the movie “Vengeance.” At 2 and 7 p.m., in Gold Hall at Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library, 1125 Broadway, Hewlett. Rated R, runs 1 hour, 47 minutes. Stars B.J. Novak, who directs, Boyd Holbrook and Issa Rae.

Attorney general alleges over $40 million in fraud

Nursing & Rehabilitation in Woodbury. Neither Landa’s attorney, Howard Fensterman, nor Fuchs returned calls seeking comment.

James said many patients at both facilities experienced neglect and inhumane treatment.

Darlene Stevens, a resident of upstate Red Creek, said her brother, whom she declined to name, was a patient at the Villages.

Her brother was born mentally disabled, and had the cognitive ability of a 5-yearold when he died at 60 on Jan. 26, 2022.

Though he was normally in the care of an aid service in his apartment in Wolcott, he was admitted to the Villages on Dec. 30, 2020, and stayed there for nine months.

During that time, Stevens said, there was a lack of communication from staff members when she tried to check on her brother’s status, because there was a shortage of staff.

“When you talk about cutting staff — there was nobody around,” Stevens told the Herald. “I would call there for hours, and

I’m not exaggerating.”

In September 2021, her brother was admitted to Rochester General Hospital because he was “not doing well,” Darlene Stevens said, according to his nurses. He had lost a great deal of weight while in the Villages’ care, dropping from 167 to 125 pounds. It appeared to his sister that his physical deterioration prohibited him from eating.

With her brother in the hospital, she said, “It was the first time in nine months that I could go to bed at night that he was cared for.”

James is suing to prohibit the Villages from admitting new residents until staffing levels meet appropriate standards. She said she wants the facility to pay for a receiver and a monitor to oversee its financial operations, which would require a judge’s order.

Families that were affected, not including Stevens, have filed a class action lawsuit against the facility. “I don’t care about that,” Stevens said of the suit. “What I care about is these people are held accountable. How dare they let human beings die as they did.”

Courtesy Darlene Stevens

Medicare and Medicaid funds were not used for services such as the wheelchair for Darlene Stevens’s brother.

hat I care about is these people are held accountable.

darlene StevenS sister of late nursing home resident

The Hebrew Academy of Long Beach Middle School held its spelling bee during the last week of the year and eighth-grader Daniel Shayvitz captured first place.

Rebecca Cunha, also an eight-grader, placed second and sixth-grader Rebecca Broder took third.

Initially, the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders took part in a grade level spelling bee, then the top students from each grade, 15 in total, took part in the schoolwide contest.

— Jeffrey Bessen

Daniel Shayvitz

Rebecca cunha

Rebecca bRoDeR

Jewish residents and leaders react to Santos’ lies

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

Residents of New York’s Third Congressional District continue to be astounded by the influx of information regarding Congressman-elect George Santos’ lies and exaggerations about his life.

One claim that has especially stood out has been Santos’ assertion that he is the grandson of Jewish refugees of the Holocaust, leaving many Jewish residents, leaders and lawmakers in the district particularly outraged.

Nassau County Legislator Josh Lafazan, whose grandfather actually was a refugee of the Holocaust, has continually called on Santos to resign since the news broke. He is also working on introducing a Campaign Honesty Bill to the Legislature, which would make it a misdemeanor to lie about a candidate’s personal and professional history while campaigning in Nassau County.

“It’s a morally depraved lie that George Santos told to manipulate the emotions of Jewish voters like myself, in order to win votes in one of the most Jewish districts in the country,” Lafazan said. “For someone to lie about their grandparents’ involvement in the Holocaust in order to gain votes is one of the most egregious things I’ve ever seen in politics.”

The allegations against Santos were first raised by the New York Times in a bombshell article, which detailed how he had lied about his education, job history, financial history and numerous other issues with his background. A subsequent article by the Jewish newspaper Forward claimed that the Congressman-elect had also lied about his Jewish heritage, according to their research with a genealogy site.

This claim had been prominently featured on the About section of his campaign page, reading that “George’s grandparents fled Jewish persecution in

Ukraine, settled in Belgium, and again fled persecution in WWII.” This information was recently removed from his website.

Santos finally came forward and admitted to not being Jewish, according to an article by the New York Post. However, in a subsequent interview with the news outlet City & State New York, Santos re-asserted that to the best of his knowledge he was Jewish.

“As I’ve said many times, and I think you’ve heard me say this, I’m Catholic, but I’m Jew-ish, as in ‘ish,’” Santos said, to show host Skye Ostreicher. “Growing up, I was fully aware that my grandparents were Jewish, that I came from a Jewish family, and that they were refugees to Brazil.”

The outrage has increased among Jews as more and more evidence indicate that Santos’ grandparents were born in Brazil. Steve Markowitz, former chairman of the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County, said that Santos’ claims that all he had done was embellish his resume was a lie, and was deeply infuriating to hear. Markowitz also expressed concerns about Santos’ finances. “I just find that outrageous,” Markowitz said. “But to me the major issue of the whole thing is the questions raised about where his money came from.”

Many New Yorkers and New York politicians, predominately Democrats, are calling on Santos to step down. Both of his immediate predecessors as the Third District’s Congressman — Tom Suozzi of Glen Cove and Steve Israel of Oyster Bay — have spoken out against Santos’ blatant and self-serving lies.

“When I represented this district, my constituents knew where I stood and who I was,” Israel said in a statement. “Mr. Santos has misled Republicans and Democrats alike on fundamental elements of his identity.”

“People should tell the GOP leadership not to seat him,” Suozzi said. “George Santos is a liar and to see him in Congress is a black mark against GOP leadership and the entire Congress.”

Joseph Cairo, chairman of the Nassau County Republican Committee, is one of the few conservative leaders who have spoken about Santos and his fraudulent claims. Cairo released a statement claiming that although he was unimpressed with Santos’ apology so far, that shouldn’t prevent him from serving in Congress.

“The damage that his lies have caused to many people, especially those who have been impacted by the Holocaust, are profound,” Cairo stated. “He must do the public’s will in Washington. Residents want him to deliver tax relief and pass laws that will make our neighborhoods and our nation safer.”

Will Sheeline/Herald

ALmoSt EvEry cLAIm Santos has made about his life and experiences has been shown to be false, none more atrociously than that his grandparents fled the Holocaust.

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HAIR SALON:

Ambiance Salon

Belle Beauty Salon Spa

East Coast Hair Studio

HEALTH INSURANCE AGENCY: Grober Imbey Insurance Agency

JLS Insurance Solutions

UnitedHealthcare

HEALTH INSURANCE AGENT: Alexander Anderson - Allstate Insurance Jay Silverman - JLS Insurance Solutions

Michael Krantz - UnitedHealthcare

Calla Lily Rose Beauty Spa

Calmer U Holistic Health Center & Spa Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa

MEDICAL SUPPLY: Health Mart Pharmacy LifeVac LLC

Long Beach Surgical Supply

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES/ORGANIZATION: New Horizon Counseling Center North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center Tempo Group, Inc.

NEUROLOGIST: Arthur E. Farkash, MD Mariel Brooke Deutsch, MD Tej-Preet Singh, MD

NEUROSURGEON: Daniel E. Choi, MD Kimon Bekelis, MD, FAANS Salvatore J. Palumbo, MD, FACS

NURSING HOME: Beach Terrace Care Center Grandell Rehabilitation and Nursing Center South Shore Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

OB/GYN: Arnelle H. Blinderman, MD Betsy Lantner, MD

Thomas Erhart, DO

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY: Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy NY Physical Therapy & Wellness Theralympic Speech Therapy

ONCOLOGIST: Doron Weiner, MD Ryan Sugarman, MD Vincent Paul Vinciguerra, MD

OPHTHALMOLOGIST: Brad Kligman, MD Richard C. Nauheim, MD Stanley J. Berke, MD

OPTOMETRIST: Gail E. Correale, OD Steven B. Agin, OD Yael E. Gatenio, OD Doctor of Optometry

ORTHODONTIST: Christopher Paladino, DDS Natalie Bitton, DDS Seth Kleinrock, DDS

PEDICURE: Beach Nails Belle Beauty Salon Spa

Bewitched at Cheveux Salon

PHYSICAL THERAPIST: Joseph Cottone

Michael DeFeo, DPT Timothy Stauder, DPT

PHYSICAL THERAPY: Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy

NY Physical Therapy & Wellness

Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy

PODIATRIST: Gideon P. Tarrash, DPM

Jay Kerner, DPM & Daniel Zilberbrand, DPM Michael Klein, DPM

REHABILITATION CENTER: Beach Terrace Care Center

Grandell Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

South Shore Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

SPA/MEDICAL SPA: Clarity Spa

Dolce Aesthetics

Rainforest Med Spa

SPEECH THERAPY: Suffolk Center for Speech The Speech Language Place Theralympic Speech Therapy

SPINE CENTER: New York Spine Institute

Spine Medicine & Surgery of Long Island

The Central Orthopedic Group

URGENT CARE CENTER:

AFC Urgent Care

CityMD Urgent Care

Northwell Health - GoHealth Urgent Care

VEIN/VASCULAR CENTER: Island Vein Specialists of Mineola

Long Island Heart & Vascular Specialist

USA Vein Clinics

WAXING: Calla Lily Rose Beauty Spa

European Wax Center

Wax Addictss

WEIGHT LOSS CENTER: New York Bariatric Group

Nu Med - Med Spa & Integrative Wellness

Ultra Body Weight Loss Centers

Congrats to all the Top 3 Finalists in the 2022 Herald Long Island Choice Awards presented by PSEG Long Island!

back each week for the Top 3 Reveal in each category leading up to the Oscar-style awards ceremony in April 2023.

top?

*Finalists are listed alphabetically, not in order of placement.

Public

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 1/11/23 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. 36/23. - 38/23. EAST

ATLANTIC BEACHEdward Kurtz, Maintain pool equipment less than required side yard setback & maintain 7.5’ high fence; Variance, side yard, maintain barbecue counters; Maintain 4.6’ high fence forward of the dwelling, N/s Bay St., 220’ W/o Trenton Ave., a/k/a 51 Bay St. 39/23.

NR CEDARHURSTArkadiy & Liliya Shnayder, Variance, lot area occupied, construct 2nd story addition, open below, attached to dwelling., E/s Park Ave., 60’ S/o Seventh St., a/k/a 696 Park La.

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED

STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. 54/23. - 57/23.

WOODMERE - Ira & Sara Landsman, Variance, exceeds number of stories, construct 3-story addition attached to dwelling; Special exception to construct accessory structure (basketball hoop with backboard) higher than permitted & with less than required rear yard setback; Install 6’ high containment fence netting above existing 6’ high fence (total height 12’).; Variance, side yard, maintain/replace 3 a/c units attached to dwelling., S/W cor. Jefferson St. & Longacre Ave., a/k/a 845 Jefferson St.

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 East Atlantic Beach, Cedarhurst & Woodmere 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 at 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.

136502

LEGAL NOTICE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HEWLETT HARBOR NOTICE OF MONTHLY MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hewlett Harbor will meet in both public and via Zoom on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 7:00PM, Eastern Standard Time, for the purpose of holding the Village’s regular monthly meeting.

An agenda for the meeting will be made available to the public on the Village Website.

All residents wishing to attend via Zoom can visit www.hewlettharbor.org for instructions. Residents wishing to speak via Zoom or in person must notify the Village Clerk in advance.

Dated: Hewlett Harbor, New York December 23, 2022

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF HEWLETT HARBOR MICHAEL RYDER VILLAGE CLERK 136510

LEGAL

NOTICE INC. VILLAGE OF CEDARHURST LEGAL NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT the Board of Zoning Appeals of the Village of Cedarhurst will hold a public hearing on 01/12/2023 at 7:00 PM in the Village Hall, 200 Cedarhurst Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY for the following:

Petition of SAMUEL & CIVIA LOWINGER

Premises: 496 ARBUCKLE AVE

Sec/Blk/Lot 39/179/26 Case # 2022-029

NEW DETACHED GARAGE Variance from: 265-8 A. Garages required.

No person, firm or corporation shall hereafter construct or erect within the Village of Cedarhurst any one- or two-family dwelling unless the same shall include a one- or two-car garage for a one-family house or a two-car garage for a two-family house in such district or districts in which twofamily houses are permitted and all such garages must be maintained subject to Subsection D of this section.

A. Freestanding garages shall have a minimum front yard setback of 45 feet.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that all interested persons will have an opportunity to be heard at said hearing.

LEGAL NOTICE INC. VILLAGE OF CEDARHURST LEGAL NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT the Board of Zoning Appeals of the Village of Cedarhurst will hold a public hearing on 01/12/2023 at 7:00 PM in

Petit Larceny

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…

Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

LEGAL NOTICE INC. VILLAGE OF CEDARHURST LEGAL NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

THAT the Board of Zoning Appeals of the Village of Cedarhurst will hold a public hearing on 01/12/2023 at 7:00 PM in the Village Hall, 200 Cedarhurst Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY for the following:

Petition of 5T

DEVELOPERS LLC

Premises: 357 ARGYLE RD Sec/Blk/Lot 39/338/66

Case # 2022-026 Variance from: 265-42.1 A.Character of roofs.

All buildings permitted by this chapter shall be erected with roofs other than those of the character and description known as “flat roofs.”

Such flat roofs are permitted for one-story extensions and appurtenances only, and are not to exceed 240 square feet in the aggregate.

265-41 A. Side Yards

A side yard is required along each side of a building.

A. The side yards along the sides of a building used exclusively as a single-family dwelling shall have an aggregate width of no less than 16 feet. Neither side shall be less than six feet in width, except on corner plots, the side yard shall be six feet.

265-8 Garage required No person, firm or corporation shall hereafter construct or erect within the Village of Cedarhurst any one- or two-family dwelling unless the same shall include a one- or two-car garage for a one-family house or a two-car garage for a two-family house in such district or districts in which twofamily houses are permitted and all such garages must be maintained subject to Subsection D of this section.

(* subsection D does not apply)

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that all interested persons will have an opportunity to be heard at said hearing.

Dated: January 5, 2023

Cedarhurst, NY Benjamin Weinstock

Mayor Salvatore Evola

Village Clerk-Treasurer

By Order of the Board Of Zoning Appeals 136514

including all accessory buildings, shall not exceed 30% of the lot area.

265-40 A. Front yards.

A front yard of 25 feet shall be required.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that all interested persons will have an opportunity to be heard at said hearing.

Dated: January 5, 2023 Cedarhurst, NY Benjamin Weinstock

Mayor Salvatore Evola Village Clerk-Treasurer

By Order of the Board Of Zoning Appeals 136515

crime watch

■ On Dec. 27 it was reported at 5:15 p.m. that an unidentified woman allegedly shoplifted from the CVS on Burnside Avenue in Inwood, police said.

People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.

LEGAL NOTICE INC. VILLAGE OF CEDARHURST

LEGAL NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT the Board of Zoning Appeals of the Village of Cedarhurst will hold a public hearing on 01/12/2023 at 7:00 PM in the Village Hall, 200 Cedarhurst Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY for the following:

Petition of Aaron & Liat

Lerner

Premises: 226 CENTRE ST Sec/Blk/Lot 39/423/152 Case # 2022-027

Variance from: 265-41 A. Side yards. A side yard is required along each side of a building.

The side yards along the sides of a building used exclusively as a singlefamily dwelling shall have an aggregate width of no less than 16 feet. Neither side shall be less than six feet in width, except on corner plots, the side yard shall be six feet.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that all interested persons will have an opportunity to be heard at said hearing.

Dated: January 5, 2023 Cedarhurst, NY Benjamin Weinstock

Mayor Salvatore Evola

Village Clerk-Treasurer

By Order of the Board Of Zoning Appeals 136512

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

Public Notices

OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. Bank NA, successor trustee to Bank of America, NA, successor in interest to LaSalle Bank NA, on behalf of the holders of the WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-AR15, Plaintiff AGAINST Michael S. Grossman a/k/a Michael Grossman; Elaine J. Grossman a/k/a Elaine Grossman; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered July 23, 2019 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 19, 2023 at 2:00PM, premises known as 663 Barnard Avenue, Woodmere, NY 11598. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Woodmere, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section: 39 Block: 147 Lots: 41, 42 & 43. Approximate amount of judgment $865,837.52 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 608171/2018. 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.”

Mark Lieberman, 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

SUPREME

BANK, N.A., Plaintiff, v. KEVIN L. CARRERO A/K/A KEVIN CARRERO, 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 August 09, 2019, I, Rita Solomon, Esq. the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on January 24, 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: 64 West Avenue Lawrence, NY 11559 SBL No: 40-1-232

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

The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 611223/2018 in the amount of $651,960.82 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

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CWALT, INC. ALTHERNATIVE LOAN TRUST 2004-30CB, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, 2004-30CB, Plaintiff, Against IGOR B. MONASTYRSKY IF LIVING, AND IF HE/SHE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, CLAIMING, OR WHO MAY CLAIM TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN, OR GENERAL OR SPECIFIC LIEN UPON THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THIS ACTION; AND INTENDED BY INCLUDED IN WIFE, WIDOW, HUSBAND, WIDOWER, HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DESCENDANTS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, LIENORS, AND ASSIGNEES OF SUCH DECEASED, ANY AND ALL PERSONS DERIVING INTEREST IN OR LIEN UPON, OR TITLE TO SAID REAL PROPERTY BY, THROUGH OR UNDER THEM, OR EITHER OF THEM, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE WIVES, WIDOWS, HUSBANDS, WIDOWERS, HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DESCENDANTS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, LIENORS, AND ASSIGNS, ALL OF

Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 01/17/2020, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501. This Auction will be held rain or shine. on 1/31/2023 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 1491 Peninsula Boulevard, Hewlett, NY 11557, And Described As Follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being At Hewlett, In The Town Of Hempstead, County Of Nassau And State Of New York. Section 39 Block 69 Lot 72

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $373,353.63 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 17-002754

If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction.

If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagees attorney.

Mark S. Ricciardi, Esq., Referee.

Leopold & Associates, PLLC, 80 Business Park Drive, Suite 110, Armonk, NY 10504

Dated: 12/8/2022 File Number: 7754874 LD 136376

Dated: January 5, 2023 Cedarhurst, NY Benjamin Weinstock Mayor Salvatore Evola Village Clerk-Treasurer By Order of the Board Of Zoning Appeals 136513

Dated: November 7, 2022 135919

LEGAL NOTICE

COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO

WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES, EXCEPT AS STATED, ARE UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, JULIA MONASTYRSKY, ET AL.

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

Administrative Assistant For Five Towns Law Office

Mgmt/ Computer Skills Mandatory Salary Commensurate With Experience. Email Resume To Siberlaw@aol.com

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

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS Assist General Contractor. Drivers License. Knowledge Of Construction. Call Mike. 516-887-8877.

DRIVERS WANTED

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

HOSTESS/PHONE PERSON PARTTIME, Customer Experience necessary, Evenings, 4pm-8:30pm $16/hr. La PiazzaPlainview. Call Maria or Toni 516-938-0800

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

OUTSIDE SALES

vary, so flexibility is key. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

Open Houses

HEWLETT 1534 BROADWAY #103, OPEN HOUSE BY APPT, REDUCED! Magnificent New Renovation! One of a Kind Ranch Style Living in Luxurious Jonathan Hall Condominium with Doorman & Elevator. Just Move into This Gut Renovated, Spacious 2 BR, 2 Bath Apt with Open Layout.Large Designer Eat in Kitchen with Sep Pantry & Laundry Rm.Master BR Boasts Gorgeous Bth & Walk in Closet. Terrace Faces into Courtyard. Garage Parking Incl...$699,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

HEWLETT 1534 BROADWAY #205, Open House By Appt! Extra Large 2000 Sq Ft, 2 Bedroom(Originally 3 BR), 2 Bath Condo in Prestigious Jonathan Hall with Doorman & Elevator. Updtd Wood/Quartz Kit, LR & DR. Washer/Dryer in Unit. Underground Pkg. Loads of Closets. Terrace Faces Back. Easy Ranch Style Living...$699,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Open Houses

HEWLETT

My building’s in need of a tenant

Q. I have a building that has been unoccupied for three years. I bought it because it was going to have a long-term tenant. They backed out, so I need to get the building rented. I have a prospect who wants me to get the permits for their animal grooming service operation, with possible overnight boarding. They’re only interested if the permits are ready to go. What is the minimum I can do to get the permit and get the tenant into the building to rent? The building is 8,000 square feet, and the tenant only needs about 5,000. Do I need more permits for another tenant, and can I get them both together to save money? I need to do this quickly, or the tenant will go elsewhere. What can be done?

A. Time and cost are a problem. You probably won’t get results in under seven months to a year. Building plans take time, and must involve the tenant’s specific input as to where walls, plumbing and equipment will be located.

Most people treat plans like they’re just a suggestion, to be changed later, but the reality is that the plans need to show very specifically what will be done. Those plans have to be filed with all the required application papers and a property survey with the building department, which will then put the plans in a lineup with all the other plan folders that come in that will eventually be reviewed. Depending on the size of the community, this process can take three to four months before you first hear back that your plans are objected to or rejected.

Once you learn that you can’t be approved with a straight-away permit, you may request that the file go into a request for varying from the zoning code, since most municipalities do not allow overnight animal boarding. This is the zoning variance request. A zoning case is separate from a building permit, and requires the preparation of a map of the property, along with neighboring properties — sometimes, depending on the community, as far away as 600 feet. For commercial use, some municipalities require that the map show the accurate outline of all buildings and names of tenants and owners on each property, prepared by a licensed land surveyor.

If the plans you submit on behalf of your potential tenant do not reflect the true layout of the shapes and sizes of rooms, the location of equipment, etc., you may find yourself applying again to repeat the process when a building inspector sees that the plans were not followed, so you and the tenant have to treat this process seriously.

Also, if the building is not yet outfitted with sprinklers, plan on another seven- to 10-month process with the fire marshal. It can take less, but this is a common time frame. This process cannot be rushed, and isn’t like getting a driver’s license. Each tenant’s plans will need to be filed for separately. Good luck!

© 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.

Ask The Architect

Monte Leeper

Handyman

HANDYMAN

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HANDY DANDY

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Plumbing

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Tile

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Satellite/TV Equipment

DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/21/23. 1-866-595-6967

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Education

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Health & Fitness

The ups and downs of 2022

Yes, 2022 was quite a year. Politics were at their ugliest. The world was in turmoil. War raged in the Ukraine. Overall, it was a tumultuous year. Here are some thoughts on it. The election had many surprises for New Yorkers. Kathy Hochul became the first elected woman governor in state history, but won her first full term by only 5 percentage points.

JERRY KREMER

Hochul ran a remote campaign, and failed to do local events. Her Republican opponent, Lee Zeldin, made it a closer contest than expected, using the issue of crime effectively.

Long Island made history by electing four Republican members of Congress, who helped their party cement its majority in the House. One of the winners, George Santos, turned out to have lied about his entire resume. Candidates sometimes exaggerate a chapter of their history, but not the entire story. At this writing, Santos was about to be investigated by the Nassau County district attorney. Even if he’s able to hang on to his job, he’ll definitely be a one-term member of Congress.

There were some other big local winners. Nassau Republican chair Joe Cairo’s candidates unseated two state senators, and his party now has seven out of nine Long Island senate seats. We can hope that the winning seven will find a way to work with the two Democrats whose party controls the senate. Cairo also produced a winning margin locally for Zeldin, which helped make the final results much closer.

Love him or not, President Biden had some big victories last year. Congress passed a bipartisan gun control bill, the first of its kind since the early 1990s. Of course, it took a number of major tragedies to spark a major defeat for the National Rifle Association, which had successfully blocked previous bills.

As well, new microchip legislation will pave the way for microchip factories in the United States. New York will get its own major chip facility upstate, which could bring thousands of jobs.

Another bipartisan win was the passage of a major bill that will fund the battle against climate change, a first in the country’s history. New York did its share by passing a $4 billion bond to combat global warming in the state. It will pay for

badly needed repairs to water and sewer systems and provide dollars for new forms of clean energy. Considering the measure’s high cost, its approval by voters was a miracle.

Those voters also sent a clear message to the Albany establishment on the issue of bail reform. Whether or not crime rates are as high in your community as some claim, the State Legislature will have to clean up the current law, or Democrats will take a bigger beating in 2024 and possibly lose control of the Senate.

And 2022 was supposed to be the year when cannabis would be sold at retail dispensaries. Some permits were given to people who’d had marijuana-related convictions, but otherwise the program stalled. New York is far behind Massachusetts and Rhode Island when it comes to legalized pot sales.

Our battle against the coronavirus last winter was successful. The number of New Yorkers suffering from the disease dropped dramatically. Covid vaccines proved to be effective. While mandates to wear masks were finally lifted, wearing masks in 2023 in crowded places will still be effective in keeping the numbers down.

Last November’s election results were historic. Over the past 50-plus years, the

president’s party has almost always lost seats in Congress, and has sometimes lost control of the House or Senate as well. But this time around, the Democrats, who some forecast would lose both houses, surprisingly kept control of the Senate, and almost retained control of the House.

So, 2022 was the year that prosecutors and the Jan. 6 committee painted a vivid picture of numerous wrongdoings by former President Donald Trump. He is facing grand jury deliberations, and even many of his staunchest supporters acknowledge that his reputation has taken a major hit. The failure of the candidates he endorsed in November didn’t help, either. This may be the year that he is called to account for his missteps.

The nation needs a cleansing from Trump’s grip on the Republican Party, which will help both political parties refocus on making government work — or at least they will try. This was quite a year. Hopefully, our leaders will learn from their mistakes, and produce some positive results for we the people.

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

Happiness is a reach, but we have long arms

Happiness is a reach, but we have long arms

As the new year begins, let us look up to the stars that light our winter nights.

The transition from 2022 to 2023 has been showered with starlight. Fresh off the front lines in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky, the most unlikely of heroes, came to America to thank us for our support, and ask for more. As it turns out, the man in green fatigues roused something in us that had been beaten lifeless over the past few years: pride in our will to do good, faith in our democracy and a clear demarcation between right and wrong. Heroism is a rare commodity, but it walked into Congress on Dec. 21 and reminded us of who we are.

invaded, he stepped out of his old life and into battle dress. His visit to the U.S. shook something loose in our pervasive national cynicism and growing mistrust of one another. Here is a good guy, brave, not afraid to die for his country, a real David against a monstrous Goliath.

The Ukrainians face a winter without heat or running water, under constant bombardment by Russia. Their courage reminds us what death-defying bravery looks like after years of Trumpist self-serving corruption.

RANDI KREISS

“It is often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars,” the philosopher Hannah Arendt said. Just in these last weeks, as 2022 ended and as 2023 begins, the sky seems afire with hope.

human-rights and voter-rights legislation through Congress.

Heroes come in unlikely personas at odd times. Cassidy Hutchinson is in the news, too. The 26-year-old former assistant to Mark Meadows, the Trump White House chief of staff, a woman who knows right from wrong, decided to tell the truth about President Trump’s alleged crimes despite enormous pressure to dissemble. It is hard to overstate the significance of her testimony. She is key to the Department of Justice investigation of Trump and the insurrection. A woman who had to look up the history of Watergate to guide her may be key to preserving our democracy.

cal behavior at NYU Langone. The article alleged longstanding policies on the part of hospital administrators to offer favorable treatment to powerful donors and celebrities and political figures. The reporting stood boldly against those who think that might makes right, and in support of those who surrender to privilege or who are resigned to “the way things work.”

In the wake of the Times story, maybe those bending the rules will be held accountable. It’s going around.

The fact that we have newspapers and reporters who sweat the details and follow up and write truth to power is another bright star in our firmament.

Nothing about the Ukrainian presidential visit was business as usual. Zelensky’s superheroic persona was forged in the fires sparked by Russian missiles and tanks. Seems like a minute ago he was an entertainer raising a family in a safe and bustling society. But when the Russians

There was something uplifting in how it all looked: the man from Ukraine hugging the outgoing Speaker of the House and embracing the American president. Political pundits have been busy hounding aging boomers out of the public spotlight and urging older statespeople to retire. Yet it was 82-year-old Nancy Pelosi and 80-year-old Joe Biden who were getting things right, and getting the people’s work done. It was 72-year-old Sen. Chuck Schumer who pushed some critical

Then there’s the January 6th congressional committee and its 800-somethingpage report, released during these weeks of wonder. Another unlikely force for good, the committee, over 18 months, compiled a detailed and disturbing account of a rogue presidency, an attempted coup, and a coterie of accomplices to crimes against our nation.

Accountability is in the air, and it isn’t only playing out in our government. More locally, The New York Times recently ran a front-page story detailing alleged unethi-

For these many years of political travail and pandemic grief, newspapers have kept us informed. Stories like the expose on NYU prove that we have people in our profession who care about public corruption and work hard to bring it to light.

Correspondents on the ground in Ukraine risk their lives every day to bring us the human story unfolding there.

We survived the shortest day of the year. As the daylight lingers, is it harmony in our homeland we see in the new year? Moments of happiness? Certainly the stars are brilliant in our cold, dark skies, and we can read that as hope.

Copyright 2022 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

I s it harmony in our homeland we see in the new year? Moments of happiness?

This was quite a year. We can hope that our leaders will learn from their mistakes.

569-4942 Web: www.liherald.com

When ‘it’s just government’ isn’t an excuse

it’s a new year. A time of renewal. A time when we look ahead to brighter days.

Many people, however, woke up a couple of days before Christmas to heavy rain and wind that once again brought a frightening amount of flooding to residential streets and primary roadways.

The early-winter storm evoked memories of 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, which was considered a once-in-a-century weather event. One South Shore resident even said that the storm was “giving me Sandy vibes.”

As early-morning motorists maneuvered through small rivers of water, it wasn’t surprising that some thought, “No, not again.” But they may have scratched their heads at the next thought: “Where are all those Sandy flood-mitigation projects we were promised?”

Less than a year after Sandy, New York state — under the direction of then Gov. Andrew Cuomo — established the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery to centralize the rebuilding and recovery efforts. One of its programs, New York Rising Community Reconstruction, empowered local communities to provide input into resiliency projects. Sandy was one of three storms — along with Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 — that were under the storm recovery office’s umbrella.

Roughly $4.4 billion was made available to the state through federal funding for an assortment of resiliency projects as well as for residential home rebuilding. For the NYRCR program, communities assembled committees of civic leaders. There were public meetings. Engineers were consulted. Ideas were exchanged. Public comment

letters

Does the columnist understand the waves?

To the Editor:

Re Matthew Adarichev’s column “The red wave that wasn’t, and the crime wave that isn’t” (Dec. 8-14):

I guess Adarichev didn’t see or understand the election results here, where people rejected the Democrats’ message of being soft on crime and bail reform.

He writes that fear of crime enabled Republicans to pull the red wave here.

So let me get this straight: We were supposed to elect people who couldn’t care less about us being free and safe in our neighborhood and homes while democracy and inflation were the two top issues?

The left loves throwing the word “democracy” around, but when you ask them for a definition, their minds go blank.

Adarichev goes on to say that there’s no crime wave, and that it’s OK to steal your

was collected.

From the list of NYRCR projects provided by the storm recovery office, 45 have been completed in Nassau County, while 30 others are in progress. These projects total nearly $334 million. GOSR has done a heck of a job.

However, getting to this point is one thing, but finishing is something else. What started as a well-run program looks as if it’s going to be a tough haul to complete.

Local officials tasked with cooperating with their state counterparts have found the process, which continues today, annoyingly slow and frustrating. There have been too many meetings, too much talk, and a lack of coordination — to the point where it felt like projects were constantly stopping and starting.

One of the problems appears to have been self-inflicted. As local officials pushed to move the projects forward, not only were there too many personnel changes in the state storm-recovery office, but the incoming officials, based in New York City, were unfamiliar with Long Island. Some projects went through nearly 10 iterations. It seemed that the process had to start from scratch any time there was a change in GOSR leadership.

Storm recovery representatives were also constantly interpreting federal language differently, creating more bumps in the road. The large volume of paperwork that moved back and forth between municipalities — requirements put in place by federal agencies as a response to the rampant fraud, waste and abuse of funds after Hurricane Katrina —slowed projects down.

Then, in 2020, the world shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. Projects that were in the works were given extensions because of unforeseen conditions that created supply-chain issues. That was understandable.

But don’t misunderstand: Much has been accomplished. There is a pump station in Cedarhurst, for example, that surely could help reduce flooding on Peninsula Boulevard.

Cuomo’s idea of having one central entity to oversee the projects was a good one. And the grass-roots NYRCR program won numerous national awards. But as more projects move forward, the state’s execution needs to be better. Now that there is a record of what was done — good and bad — there should be an audit, and what is learned from it should be applied as soon as possible.

The state’s newly created — and much more permanent — Office of Resilient Homes and Communities will now take over the storm recovery office portfolio. We hope that a permanent department will mean less staff shuffling and a streamlining of the bureaucracy. Importantly, state officials need to be more familiar with the communities they are supposed to be helping.

At one of many public meetings held several years ago, one resident was heard to say, “It’s just government,” in response to proposed plans that neighbors did not completely agree with.

That’s not an excuse our government should hide behind. To start the new year off right, the state should move the remaining projects to completion as soon as possible — before the next storm strikes.

Does Kirsten Gillibrand care about Long Islanders?

new York state’s missing U.S. senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, recently surfaced on Long Island. That must mean that Gillibrand finally got around to analyzing November’s election results and the near-death experience that will be seared into Gov. Kathy Hochul’s memory. Say what you will about our senior senator, Chuck Schumer — and there’s much to say — at least he knows where Long Island is. Before he became majority leader, Schumer seemed to be on the Island every weekend, holding news conferences on topics ranging from baby products to the width of airline seats. He understood the power of Long Island’s potent voter base and its propensity to swing right or left, depending on issues and personalities.

Schumer has been in our faces, like him or not, because he understands politics and the importance of engaging voters. He has long recognized that if you take Long Island for granted, you do so at your own political peril.

Gillibrand? She has long been absent on issues. Absent on voter engagement.

Absent on personal appearances. Just plain absent. Even Newsday was compelled at one point to ask, “Where is she?”

Well, you can tell that she has checked the calendar, and discovered that re-election is just two years away. Last month she met with journalists in Melville. In what was described as a wide-ranging discussion, Gillibrand announced that Long Island’s “red wave” would end in 2024. While suggesting that her party was trounced in November because “a lot of Long Island is libertarian,” she added, “I intend to run for re-election and win the state back, along with Long Island.”

These are bold words from someone who has failed to make a serious connection with Long Island voters. Over the years, Gillibrand has made a handful of announcements about federal programs, with little evidence that she pursued them specifically for our region, or even the state. In some instances, she has simply piggybacked off press statements from Schumer’s office.

To be fair, a search reveals that she held a town hall meeting at Hofstra in October. At that event, in which she engaged with students, the focus was the

Supreme Court’s ruling on abortion. She told the Herald that she was in favor of term-limiting the justices. Ironically, that’s a suggestion she has not proffered for members of the Senate.

Gillibrand described herself as “very progressive” in her Melville interview, which raises the question: Just how far out of step is she with the majority of New Yorkers and those Long Island “libertarians” who voted in the last election cycle? Does she appreciate that being “very progressive” may serve to short-circuit a primary challenge from the left, but leaves her totally at odds with moderates in both parties?

Being frightened of a left-wing primary challenge led Hochul to ignore such profound issues as crime, high taxes, and municipal zoning authority. Her election night turned rather tense as returns demonstrated that a state with nearly twice as many Democrats as Republicans wasn’t going to give her the margin of victory her consultants were touting.

Former Rep. Lee Zeldin has given no indication of what he plans to do for the next two years. He has been mentioned as a potential choice as the next state GOP chairman, who could infuse new blood and strategic vision into that posi-

tion. There is also speculation that he could run for Senate, confronting Gillibrand’s progressive candidacy with the grounded policies of moderates and conservatives who want an engaged senator who knows the difference between AOC and the LIE.

Another Long Islander who would make a formidable opponent to Gillibrand is Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. He has quickly established his credentials as a tireless campaigner who embraces policies that are welcomed by those who describe themselves as Republicans, as well as independents who are in search of common sense. Comfortable before the media, popular “at home” and dedicated to public service, Blakeman would be an attractive candidate on many levels.

While two years is a lifetime in politics, Gillibrand’s recent return to Long Island is like Halley’s Comet, an event that happens very rarely. And her description of our red wave as the product of a bunch of libertarians is a reflection of the fact that she may visit every once in a while, but she doesn’t know us. And never has.

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.

catalytic converter. These thieves aren’t looking for their next meal or hanging out at soup kitchens. They are highly organized criminals, along with a few complicit junkyard owners, netting hundreds of thousand of dollars a year.

It sickens Adarichev that there’s another shooting, another corpse and some boyfriend beating up his girlfriend.

No mention of how the victims feel being pushed in front of a train or mugged on the street, or of bullets shot through children’s bedroom windows. Welcome to the world of bail reform, criminals’ getout-of-jail-free card. But according to Matt, we have nothing to worry about.

Then he brings up a price cap to reduce the cost of gas. Here’s an idea: open drilling and exploration, like the last administration did. We were energy-independent and gas was $2 a gallon.

Now President Biden begs for gas from Venezuela, which is run by a dictator, and Saudi Arabia, which still hasn’t come clean about 9/11.

MICHAEL APPICE Westbury

LettersGovernment shouldn’t control energy on L.I.

To the Editor:

The recent column by Ronald Rosenberg (“‘Energy efficient’ may become a contradiction in terms,” Dec. 1-7) hits the nail on the head. Proposed moves away from the current public/private energy setup, which works well, are supported by left-wing activists who want further government control.

Current conventional energy producers and purveyors tend to be Republican and conservative. The cries for clean and green energy have less to do with saving the planet and more to do with consolidating power among Democrats and socalled progressives. More and more analysis has shown that electric cars, wind power and solar power are fraught with failures. Wake up, folks — the real goal here is to consolidate power among the radical left, not to save the planet.

MIKE TARTAGLIA Franklin Square

Framework by Tim Baker

Preparing to ring it in at the Electric Light Parade — Long Beach

the senator may visit every once in a while, but she doesn’t know us, and never has.

ronaLd J. rosenBerG

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