Oyster Bay Herald 01-08-2021

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Infections as of Jan. 5, 2020

1,802

Infections as of Dec. 28, 2020 1,606

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Suozzi: A mad dash for safety out first. Suozzi was upstairs in the gallery, far from the door, at the time. “At one point we were U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, of Glen concerned that we couldn’t exit, Cove, was in the House chamber so 30 of us stayed there,” he said. when the Capitol was breached “We wanted to see if [protesters] by protesters Wednesday after- would break through the doors. noon. A debate over certification Capitol Police had their weapons of Electoral College results in drawn.” the presidential election was Members of Congress and under way, between 3 and 4 p.m., their staffs tried to when members of deter mine which Congress were door to use for an instructed to retrieve exit because they the gas masks from could hear people in under their chairs. the hallways. “We “Tear gas had been finally left the chamused in the rotunda,” ber, and I saw several Suozzi said during a protesters on the call to the press while floor surrounded by he remained in an C a p i t o l P o l i c e, ” undisclosed area. His Suo zzi said. “We U.S. Rep. voice was measured we n t d ow n s t a i r s and calm. “The chapTom Suozzi through a labyrinth, lain of the Congress and I saw people said a prayer. The sheltering in place.” doors in the chamber were Suozzi felt strongly, he said, locked, but then people began that the members of the House banging on them.” and Senate should return to Capitol Police drew their their respective chambers to conguns. Republican and Democrat- tinue the process of certifying ic lawmakers huddled together, the presidential election. “We Suozzi said. A protester broke must show countries that our through the glass of the door democracy will continue to surthrough which the president vive and thrive even in the midst enters for the State of the Union of this lawlessness,” he said. address.

“We cannot allow thugs and vio“The glass is broken, but I lent people to change the way don’t know if it was shots or that our country works.” banging,” Suozzi said. “I did Trump supporters had hear a pop, pop, pop.” stormed the Capitol, overrunRepresentatives on the floor ning police barricades, scaling of the chamber were escorted CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

By LAURA LANE llane@liherald.com

Courtesy Jackie Vidro

Ringing in the new year In Oyster Bay, the Vidro family began their New Year’s Eve party early. Thomas, Hailey and Hannah made a little noise to usher in 2021 long before the strike of midnight.

Court says town’s public meeting rules must change

By LAURA LANE llane@liherald.com

Syosset blogger Kevin McKenna settled his federal lawsuit on Dec. 21 against the Town of Oyster Bay’s public meeting rules, which the town adopted in October. The new law allows for the arrest and filing of criminal charges against anyone who disrupts a Town Board meeting.

McKenna’s settlement awaits

approval at the board’s Jan. 12 meeting.

The law had not been followed as of Nov. 16, when U.S. District Judge Gary Brown issued a restraining order, while the issue was being decided in court. Initially, Brown said the town could rewrite the law and present it at a court conference on Dec. 2, when the judge would determine whether the rewritten law was constitutional. There were sever-

al conferences in December in which lawyers hired by the town and McKenna’s lawyer, Jonathan Clarke, worked to come up with wording that would be satisfactory to both parties.

McKenna won a settlement for $20,000. Clarke said that McKenna had agreed to accept $5,000 of the settlement and to pay Clarke the rest.

“The town passed the law CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

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January 8, 2021 — Oyster Bay Herald Guardian

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Oyster Bay Herald Guardian — January 8, 2021 Courtesy Martin Falbisoner via Wikimedia Commons

THE U.S. CAPITOL was stormed by a mob of supporters of President Trump on Wednesday.

Residents shocked, dismayed, saddened CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE walls and entering the heavily protected building.

The protesters had forced security to barricade the doors to the House chamber with furniture, their weapons drawn, prepared to fire. One protester was shot, and later died. National Guard troops were summoned to the Capitol to restore order, along with officers from the Federal Protective Service and Secret Service.

A 6 p.m. curfew was ordered in Washington, D.C., though protesters lingered in the streets for some time afterward.

Then, at roughly 8 p.m., with members of the National Guard from Virginia and the capital district there to protect them, the House and Senate reconvened to count the Electoral College votes.

Large majorities rejected attempts from a few Republicans to overturn the will of voters in Arizona and Pennsylvania. The debate, which lasted until early Thursday morning. ended with Congress counting the electoral votes and Vice President Mike Pence declaring Joe Biden the winner of the presidential election.

What residents were saying Manhattan attorney John Napolitano, who lives in East Norwich, said he was sickened by the storming of the Capitol.

“When I saw Trump supporters in the Capitol, I said, ‘You idiots. You cannot destroy public property,’” he said. “This is the Capitol. That was so wrong. They ruined it for the rest of us.”

law, and if we don’t hold the same stanNapolitano said that the mayor of Washington, D.C., knew there would be dards of enforcement for all people and thousands of Trump supporters but did then we pick and choose who we are going to enforce the law with, then we’re not step up the police presence.

“Conservatives always get played,” he really catering to a very unjust society.”

Bob Pemberton, who was a 60-year ressaid. “Yesterday was inexcusable. I love this country. I’m happy having a Hispanic- ident of Glen Cove before moving in March to an assisted-living American citizen and a Black facility in Florida, is a retired doctor living next door to me.

Nassau County police officer.

Long Island is too white. But I He said he had no problem think we are all being manipwith people peacefully proulated by the government.” testing, describing it as an Laura Savini, of Bayville, American right. But stormsaid she watched the protest ing the Capitol is a violation unfold and was brought to of the law, he said. tears. “I can’t believe we’re “I think people across our supposed to be the ideal of country are in a state of anowhat freedom is,” Savini said. mie,” Pemberton said. “They “We had people in the Capitol have lost their faith in all of putting our elected leaders in the things going on around harm’s way with no respect them. We have to differentiate for what we have done for between those who were nearly the last 250 years. It peaceful protesters, of which was heartbreaking for me.” there looked like there were Glen Head civil rights many, and those that unlawattorney Mahir Nisar said he fully entered the Capitol with had to turn off the news to intent to commit a crime.” take a break from it all. BOB Ravin Chetram, an activist Describing the protest as an PEMBERTON from Oyster Bay and the vice attempted coup, he said that president of the Oyster Bay– the Trump supporters had Former Glen Cove East Norwich Chamber of committed treason. resident Commerce, said he ques“It also shows, to many tioned how people with baseextents, the white power and privilege,” Nisar said, and then referred ball bats, chairs and flags, breaking winto the National Guard and police response dows in the Capitol, could get away with to previous Black Lives Matter demon- that.

“They knew these people were coming strations as an example. “It’s against the

I

think people across our country are in a state of anomie. They have lost their faith in all of the things going on around them.

here, and the police couldn’t stop them from getting into the [Capitol],” Chetram said. “The [protesters] felt no threat.

There were no rubber bullets being shot.

They’re literally walking into the building of our Capitol.”

Marie Gallagher, of Oyster Bay, said what she saw was a peaceful protest. She is suspicious of those who were shown wearing helmets and goggles, saying that people who support Trump would never do that. “I saw people waving an American flag, not an angry, mob,” Gallagher said. “. . . It’s sad to compare the people during the summer who were rioting and looting stores to those who were there yesterday.”

There was a permit approved for a 1 p.m. rally, she said, that was to take place in front of the Capitol. But it never happened. “They planned to be loud so the people inside, the elected leaders, could hear them,” she said. “Now you had thousands of people standing around with nothing to do. I thought to myself, ‘This is going to get out of hand.’”

Fred Nielsen, a veteran leader from Glen Cove, expressed sorrow that young people had to witness Wednesday’s events. A Vietnam veteran, Nielsen said that he took an oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. “Who in the world would be a domestic enemy to our Constitution?” he asked. “Now we know.”

Jennifer Corr contributed to this story.

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Feeding the hungry as Covid-19 cases rise

January 8, 2021 — Oyster Bay Herald Guardian

By JENNIFER CORR

About the People’s Pantry

jcorr@liherald.com

In a time of uncertainty, the People Pantry, owned and operated by the nonfor-profit organization People Loving People, is something that Long Islanders living near and far from Oyster Bay can count on.

Every “Senior” Wednesday and “Community” Friday, volunteers gather at People Loving People, adjacent from Theodore Roosevelt Park, to hand out food donated by local businesses and grocery chains like Trader Joes. In an effort to keep clients’ safe, instead of going into the building to shop for their groceries, which was done before the coronavirus pandemic, they can simply fill out a form and a volunteer will bag their groceries inside for them.

On Dec. 30, the volunteers served both the seniors and the rest of the community since Friday was New Year’s Day. The sky was a gloomy gray and it was cold when about one to two clients at a time waited for the volunteers to bag the groceries they had ordered. As they waited, many clients made conversation with volunteers collecting grocery orders as they picked up the ice cream, prepared meals and other goods left on the tables out front. A lot of the volunteers and clients know each other by name because they often see each other once a week.

“I come here weekly,” a client who asked for anonymity said, adding that the past year has been a difficult one. “I get some stuff that kind of adds to what I have.”

On Dec. 30, the People’s Pantry served 110 people or families.

Volunteers say that the number of clients coming to pick up food increased when the pandemic hit, steadily decreasing over the summer. Then, as Covid cases began to rise again, so did the number of clients in need of groceries.

“It seems like many things are starting to get bad for some people,” said Donna Galgano, who started the pantry with her sister Valarie Monroy and Gina Kang.

“We’ve seen families who have come back now after a while.”

Galgano said she believes it was not a coincidence that the pantry started only

________________

Photos by Jennifer Corr/Herald Guardian

DONNA GALGANO, FROM the People’s Pantry, grabbed from a client a re-usable bag, that would soon be filled with groceries. months before the pandemic would upend of stuff and people bring in donations. the lives of Long Island families. “Food is We stock the shelves and it feels really essential,” she said. “It started at the right good to give back and help out.”

Daley said he was inspired to give back time. I’m glad we did it. I love doing it.”

Michelle Santibanez, a 27-year-old vol- to the community when a colleague menunteer, said she started coming down to tioned that the People’s Pantry was lookthe pantry, which is down the block from ing for some help with the Thanksgiving food distribution. her home, three “We had palor four months ettes and palettes ago to help. While People’s Pantry of food,” he said. helping others, 123 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay “So many people she said, People are going through Loving People has hard times, scary been there for her Hours times. It’s good to as well.

Seniors: Wednesday, 3 to 6 p.m. be something they “My mom Community: Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. can rely upon and passed away and not just for the they helped me Contact: Email – peoplelovingpeoplefood, but for the out,” Santibanez ny@gmail.com senior citizens who said. “Coming Phone – (516) 945-9738 can have a person here is really nice Website – www.peoplelovingpeople.net that they are able and the people to see.” here are great.”

While it’s been a This pantry is a relief for many people, Santibanez said. challenging year, Galgano said she’s conSome people even come to the pantry cry- tent in knowing she, along with the large ing and looking for assistance. “We’re group of volunteers, did the right thing open arms,” she said. “We open the doors for everybody.”

Also a new volunteer, William Daley said it’s been a fulfilling experience helping the community at the pantry. “I help set up,” he said. “We get a couple bins full

There are three low-income housing developments in the hamlet of Oyster Bay — which led Donna Galgano to choose her hometown as the next location for a food pantry that she founded with her sister Valerie Monroy, and Gina Kang. The Shelter Rock Food Pantry in Manhasset, which Galgano helped found five years ago, has had much success, Galgano said, adding that she knew that a pantry in Oyster Bay would be popular too. The People’s Pantry, formerly at the Oyster Bay Community Center, had already become a go-to place for those in need of food when it opened in late 2019. by her community. Whenever organizers felt as though they would need to start fundraising in order to continue their efforts, money would pour in from donors they didn’t even know.

“We got so many texts for New Years,” Galgano said. “Thanking us and telling us that during a really hard time, at least this is something they could rely upon, that’s a constant and that’s not uncertain.”

Along with her work at the People’s Pantry, Galgano also works as a nurse practitioner. In the near future, she said she is hoping to open a free health clinic for the community that people could come to if they have a cold, need basic blood work or screenings and referrals for specialists. She has experience running health clinics, because Galgano has operated clinics before during mission trips.

Laura Lane contributed to this story.

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INSIDE THE PEOPLE Loving People’s buildings, volunteers shopped for pantry clients.

Tax rule benefits seniors, disabled How tax exemptions work

jcorr@liherald.com

Many seniors and people with disabilities have been isolated during the coronavirus pandemic. Following a unanimous vote by the Nassau County Legislature on Dec. 23, they can forgo their annual renewal application for tax exemptions in 2021 and 2022, provided they are still eligible for an exemption, which is granted to people with limited incomes.

When Nassau County Executive Laura Curran signed the measure, she guaranteed that seniors and people with disabilities will continue to receive a discount on their school taxes without appearing for in-person visits to tax offices ahead of the Jan. 4 filing deadline.

The measure came after Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order that gave counties the ability to waive taxexemption renewal requirements. The Legislature’s Democratic caucus co-introduced the legislation on Dec. 21.

Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, a Democrat from Glen Cove, said she voted for the measure because the pandemic is an ongoing emergency, and keeping older adults safe must be the priority.

“We felt that this would be not only a convenient step but a step in the right direction for safety measures that we’re trying to keep,” DeRiggi-Whitton said.

“It’s almost a no-brainer.”

Nassau County offers a Senior Citizens’ Real Property Tax Exemption for people over age 65, along with an exemption for people with a limited income and disabilities.

The exemption provides reductions between 5 and 50 percent on county, town and school taxes, but no reduction for special school districts.

Discounts depend on income. The 50 percent exemption applies to people whose income, including Social Security, is $29,000 or less. The 5 percent discount is applied to those who make $36,5000 to $37,399.

Eligible homeowners can expect to receive the tax exemptions in their school property tax bills that will be distributed next fall.

For more, call the Nassau County Department of Assessment for more information at (516) 571-1500 or visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/1502/exemption-brochures.

Her hope, she said, is that the automatic renewal will continue past 2022. “It just makes everything easier,” she said. “It’s just one less thing for them to have to think about.”

Legislators realized how difficult the renewal could be, DeRiggi-Whitton said, when an incorrect robocall went out to those in the program stating their tax exemption renewals had not been received.

“It sent people into a panic, and they went down [to the Nassau County Depart-

ment of Assessment], and there were long lines,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “That kind of sparked our awareness of how difficult it can be sometimes.”

Legislator Josh Lafazan, a Democrat from Woodbury whose jurisdiction includes Oyster Bay, said he would also look at any proposal that would improve quality of life for older adults. “As a young legislator, it’s my generation, and therefore my responsibility, to take care of those who came before us,” he said.

But for now, he said he was happy to

make the lives of seniors more comfortable as they face other challenges during this pandemic. “Senior citizens are among those who are most vulnerable to Covid-19,” Lafazan said. “So many seniors are struggling to retire in place and stay in Nassau County. If we can take action to help these seniors during a crisis, then that is public service done well.”

He said he was proud to work with his colleagues to pass this measure for county residents.

Glen Cove Senior Center Executive Director Christine Rice called the measure a step in the right direction. “If we can alleviate any additional stress, any extra steps that they would have to complete in order to do their taxes, would be an extremely positive step for them,” she said.

DeRiggi-Whitton said she has spent a good amount of time during the pandemic addressing seniors’ concerns. “Their lifelines were these senior centers,” she said. “They’ve been closed or functioning at a minimum capacity. They’re real connection to the world has really been minimal. It’s a tough, tough situation for so many people.”

For many seniors, Lafazan said, the tax exemptions are also a lifeline because they allow them to stay in their homes.

“Seniors need more relief, and we need to do more as a government to allow our seniors to . . . live with dignity.”

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Oyster Bay Herald Guardian — January 8, 2021

By Jennifer Corr

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January 8, 2021 — Oyster Bay Herald Guardian

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events and activities

community update Thursday, Jan. 7

realistic options amid Covid-19 and the disruptions to higher education? Join Katherine Stievater, founder of Gap Year Solutions, for a presentation and Q&A about the benefits of gap years and what a realistic gap year looks like when international travel is not an option. Register online at www.oysterbaylibrary.org. Call Leslie Armstrong at (516) 671-1837 for more information.

Evening yoga Virtual evening yoga session held at 7 p.m. Donna Harragan will lead hourlong evening sessions on Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28 and Feb. 4, 11 and 25. To register, visit www.glencovelibrary.org. Call (516) 676-2130 for more information.

Friday, Jan. 8

Wednesday, Jan. 13

Student loan debt forgiveness

Get started in family research

Virtual program at 7 p.m. The National Student Debt Forgiveness program can help people solve their Federal Student Loan debt issues with their free workshops. Consecutive sessions will be held on Jan. 13 at 12 p.m., Jan. 15 at 3 p.m. and Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. Register online at www.glencovelibrary.org. Call (516) 676-2130 for more information.

Virtual program at 7 p.m. The Genealogy Federation of Long Island is offering an introduction to finding one’s family history. For more information, visit www. glencovelibrary.org. Call (516) 676-2130 for more information.

Thursday, Jan. 14

Saturday, Jan. 9

Council of Advisory Teens Herald File Photo

Annual Chip-A-Tree

Paint night for adults

Morgan Memorial Park parking lot, Germaine Street, Glen Cove from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. As the holiday season comes o a close, the City of Glen Cove Beautification Commission will host their annual “Chip-A-Tree” event for residents to recycle their used evergreen Christmas trees. There will be free coffee and donuts for all who attend. Residents are asked to remove all decorations and lights from theor tree before recycling.

For those who are unable to attend the event, they can drop their trees off at a designated area in the parking lot. After Jan. 9, trees will be picked up curbside on Wednesday’s with yard waste by the Glen Cove Sanitation Dept. For more information, call the Department of Public Works at (516) 676-4402.

Monday, Jan. 11

Online Dancercise

Morning yoga

Virtual session from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Start the weekend moving with a Dancercise class with instructor Carol Rodriguez. Ten classes costs $50 and consecutive sessions will be held Jan. 16, 23, 30 and Feb. 6 and 13. Checks can be made payable to Locust Valley Library and can be mailed to the library

l l l l l

Digital event from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join the Bayville Free Library from to paint “Winter Thaw” on a canvas with a ClayNation instructor. Materials will be available for pickup at the library, 34 School St., Bayville. Register at www.bayvillefreelibrary.org. Call (516) 628-2765 for more information. Cost $20. at 170 Buckram Road, Locust Valley, N.Y. 11560 (to the attention of Michael Vinas). Include a cell phone number on the check, as Rodriguez will text participants a Zoom link 15 minutes before each class. For more information, visit www.locustvalleylibrary.org or call (516) 671-1837.

Virtual yoga session at 9:30 a.m. The Glen Cove Public Library is hosting morning yoga sessions. Led by instructor Marie DiPrimo, consecutive sessions will be held Jan. 25 and Feb. 1, 8 and 22. Register for the classes online at www.glencovelibrary.org. Call (516) 676-2130 for more information.

Virtual meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. The Council of Advisory Teens is a group of teens who help make decisions about the Locust Valley Library. This year, CATS will focus on a newsletter, podcast and book reviews. Get involved and register for the meeting at www.locustvalleylibrary.org. Call (516) 671-1837 for more information.

Take and make snowman Oyster Bay - East Norwich Public Library, 89 E Main St., Oyster Bay. Starting Jan. 11, families of children two to six-years-old can head to the library to pick up a snow man craft.

Then, while assembling the craft, they can listen to a story. Visit www.oysterbaylibrary.org to receive the YouTube link for the story. Call (516) 922-1212 for more information.

Virtual cooking class Virtual cooking class at 7 p.m. “Chef Rob,” in a virtual event hosted by the Oyster Bay - East Norwich Public Library, will demonstrate a chicken paprikash and dumplings recipe he learned while on a trip to Hungary. Register online at www.oysterbaylibrary.org.

Call (516) 922-1212 for more information.

Tuesday, Jan. 12 Enough Abuse seminar Virtual seminar at 7 p.m. Hosted by the Glen Cove Public Library, the Enough Abuse Campaign is offering educational information for parents, professionals and other concerned adults to prevent people from victiminizing children and to prevent children from developing abusive behaviors in the future. This program is presented by staff from The Safe Center. Register for the class online at www.glencovelibrary.org. For more information, call (516) 676-2130.

Gap year seminar Virtual seminar at 7 p.m. Wondering about the benefits of a gap year and

Sea Cliff Board of Trustees will hold virtual meeting on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m.

Glen Cove Board of Education to hold virtual meeting on Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Bayville Free Library to discuss depression in elderly people on Jan. 11 at 2 p.m.

Glen Cove Library to offer delivery to the home-bound Jan. 12 and 26.

Glen Cove City Council to hold meeting on Jan. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

HAVinG An EVEnT? Items on the Community Update pages are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest.

All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to jcorr@liherald.com

Town demands expansion of Covid-19 vaccines to seniors

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Virtual Kids-Only Trivia Tuesdays

Children grades 2 through 5 can enjoy a wide range of questions to show off their knowledge skills in a fun and friendly virtual competition on Jan. 12 and Feb. 4 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Winners earn museum tickets.

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Virtual Trivia Night Thursdays

On Jan. 21 and Feb. 4 and 25 from 7 to 8 p.m., join the for a night of fun and friendly competition. Podium winners earn museum passes. Weeks alternate between Trivia Challenge the first Thursday — with more challenging questions — and Family Trivia the third Thursday, with some questions the kids might know. Topics vary each month, see website for details.

and many of them have sacrificed much in service of our nation, neighbors, and in defense of our liberty.”

“New York State has not released Covid-19 vaccine figures in days and the last reported figures showed that only a third of vaccines on hand statewide at the time had been administered,” Town Councilwoman Vicki Walsh said. “Older Americans should be made a priority now, and by doing so we can expand the pool of vaccinated New Yorkers and speed our recovery. Why keep vaccines on shelves when our most vulnerable population is available for inoculation?”

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As we enter the new year, more COVID-19 relief programs are coming, including a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and a $900 billion Stimulus Plan. Herald Inside LI welcomes experts to discuss: • Understanding the programs available for people and businesses • Overview of the $325 billion allocated to business and not-for-profit relief • Eligibility requirements and updates to the next round of PPP loans • CARES Act benefits and tax incentives Register to submit your questions for the panelists or ask them live during the webinar.

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The Whaling Museum & Education Center, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor, is hosting a variety of events throughout January and February. All events are virtual unless otherwise indicated, and guests can register at cshwhalingmuseum.org/events. A $5 donation is suggested for all free events. For more information, call (631) 367-3418.

health workers receiving the vaccination ahead of the most vulnerable population, despite the fact that young people are exponentially more likely to survive the virus if contracted than seniors are.

“While I do not argue that all of our front-line, high-risk health care workers are true heroes who we are indebted to for their amazing and heroic sacrifices throughout the pandemic,” Labriola said, “I am simply calling upon Governor Cuomo to honor and protect our senior citizen population by giving them the same vaccination priority. Our senior citizens are our most vulnerable population,

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Upcoming events at the Whaling Museum & Education Center

senior housing complexes, including the town’s Housing Authority and Golden Age Housing Units. The town serves as home to 20 senior housing complexes, including those for low-income seniors, with nearly 2,500 units that house over 3,000 senior citizens.

The demands come on the heels of Cuomo’s latest irresponsible decision, officials said, as he further expanded the initial stages of New York’s vaccination program and neglected to include senior citizens as a priority yet again. They said that Cuomo’s abandonment of seniors has gone so far as to prioritize student

Oyster Bay Herald Guardian — January 8, 2021

Oyster Bay Town Councilman Steve Labriola and Councilman Lou Imbroto are demanding that Gov. Andrew Cuomo immediately expand Covid-19 vaccination authorization to senior citizens statewide.

The governor has continuously failed to make senior citizens a priority, Labriola and Imbroto said, despite New York leading the nation in nursing home deaths and failing to quickly inoculate the public. States such as Florida have provided senior citizens with immediate access to the vaccine in this initial stage. Seniors are currently scheduled to receive the vaccine at the same time as inmates in state prisons.

“It’s reprehensible for Gover nor Cuomo and the State Health Department to ignore the needs of senior citizens,” Labriola said. “Senior citizens are our most vulnerable population and the governor continues to toy with their health as he’s done since the onset of this pandemic, directly contributing to the fact that New York State leads the nation in nursing home deaths attributable to Covid-19.”

The entire Oyster Bay Town Board, including Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, as well as Town Clerk Richard LaMarca and Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato, have joined their colleagues in supporting the immediate authorization of Covid-19 vaccinations for senior citizens and priority for onsite inoculations at all senior housing complexes.

Officials also urged the Nassau County Executive and Department of Health to rollout onsite vaccine distributions at

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January 8, 2021 — Oyster Bay Herald Guardian

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Federal gov’t stalling offshore wind farms the federal governMent is holding up construction of offshore wind farms between Long Island and New Jersey because the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has yet to assign the final leasing grounds for them, as it was supposed to have done two years ago. Above, a view of the nation’s only offshore wind farm, off the coast of Rhode Island.

By Madeline arMstrong The final leasing grounds for offshore wind farms in the Atlantic Ocean south of Long Island were supposed to have been designated in early 2019 so lease auctions could be held, but nearly two years later, they have not yet been assigned, slowing New York’s bid to acquire 70 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.

Assignment of New York Bight Offshore Wind Energy Areas, located between Long Island and New Jersey, has been indefinitely postponed without explanation, angering local elected leaders like U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice, a Democrat from Garden City and a wind energy proponent.

The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, a division of the Department of the Interior, oversees assignment of offshore wind leasing grounds. Rice, who represents the 4th Congressional District, covering a wide swath of Nassau County’s South Shore, recently wrote to DOI Secretary David Ber nhardt to express her outrage that designation of the WEAs continued to be delayed.

She was joined by other elected leaders, including Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Democrat from Glen Cove who represents the 3rdCongressional District, and who was formerly Nassau’s county executive, as well as Rep. Jerrold Nadler of the 10th District and Rep. Tom Reed of the 23rd District. The representatives asked that the BOEM assign the WEAs so lease auctions could be held. To date, they have not received a response from either the BOEM or the DOI. That has local environmental advocates concerned and dismayed, as offshore wind does not emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere the way fossil fuel power plants that burn oil, natural gas and coal do, and so wind energy is not a cause of climate change, the slow heating of the Earth over time. Global warming is considered a particular threat to Long Island because it causes sea levels to rise and hurricanes to grow bigger.

“If we’re really going to fight climate change and transition to renewable energy, offshore wind has to play a key role,” said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of the Farmingdale-based Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “It is not a luxury item. It is a necessity.”

Esposito said she supports Rice’s letter.

“We really need a congressional representative to get involved, take action and support wind farms,” Esposito said.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, a state agency that promotes energy efficiency and renewable power, is also calling on BOEM to designate the final WEAs. “Our progress in catalyzing this gamechanging industry is limited without additional lease areas in the New York Bight — a needed solution only BOEM has the authority to execute,” read a NYSERDA statement. “We urge BOEM to issue final Wind Energy Areas for the New York Bight.”

When contacted, BOEM gave the following statement: “BOEM continues to

Scott Brinton/Herald

Courtesy National Renewable Energy Laboratory

this Map, froM the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, shows the potential wind energy that would be captured off the coast of Long Island. work with our government agencies and our stakeholders to assess how future offshore wind development could affect other ocean uses with the goal of reducing potential conflicts.” The BOEM said it was assessing possible conflicts, but it did not specify what they might be.

Esposito said she believes the federal government has been stalling the assignment process to assist the oil and gas industries. President Trump “has been clear he does not support wind,” she said, “and wants to continue advancing the exploration and development of oil and guess industries.”

Rice said Trump has never supported wind farms and has worked to stall other

renewable energy projects in New York.

In July 2019, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, legally requiring New York to obtain 70 percent of its energy supply from renewable sources such as wind, solar and geothermal.

According to Joe Martens, director of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance, a coalition of advocacy groups that support wind power, 27 percent of New York’s energy currently comes from renewable sources. “We have a long way to go in 10 years,” said Martens, “and offshore wind is one of the ways that we can make the transition.”

There are currently three projects proposed in the New York Bight, two of which — Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind — have begun the regulatory review and permitting processes, and have the potential to power hundreds of thousands of homes and bring in hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions, for the local economy. “As New York continues to build back its economy from the [Covid-19] pandemic,” read a NYSERDA statement, “offshore wind provides a massive opportunity to stimulate billions of dollars in investments and create thousands of family-sustaining jobs.”

The New York Bight wind farms would create about 32,000 jobs annually, Martens said. “I think this is a great opportunity for a whole new generation of workers,” said Roger Clayman, executive director of the Long Island Federation of Labor. “Our labor movement was not always environmentally sensitive, but the fact is we’re all on the front lines of climate change.”

When the Wind Energy Areas might be designated is unclear. “I don’t know if anybody could [know] unless they had a crystal ball,” Esposito said. Martens said that 6,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy would need to be generated by 2030 to help New York reach its goal of 70 percent renewable energy by that year.

Development of a single wind farm takes years. That is why it is crucial, the experts said, to designate the WEAs so leases can be assigned, and the years-long regulatory review process and construction can begin.

“I will openly concede that it will be a challenge,” Martens said, “but in New York anyways, we’re required to do it.”

Esposito urged Long Islanders to “speak up and speak out in favor of wind energy.” “Having a voice matters,” she said, “and we can’t stay silent and hope that things change.”

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Blogger Kevin McKenna settles suit with town CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE against a select group of people it wanted to prevent from speaking, including Kevin,” Clarke said. “We wanted the town to put language in that adhered to the Open Meetings Law in its decorum rules.

A lot of the fighting that goes on is due to the town not following this law.”

Brian Nevin, the town’s public information officer, said that the proposed settlement includes an agreement from both parties on the importance of rules of decorum at town meetings.

“This settlement, if ratified by the Town Board, safeguards the town’s intent to protect the freedom of speech for all attendees,” Nevin said, “while ensuring a safe environment free of profanity, sexual gestures and unruly behavior.”

The town did not want to add the state’s Open Meetings Law to its decorum rules, and opted to pay the damage award from the lawsuit instead, Clarke said.

Nevin explained the town’s reasoning by saying that no municipality has the state’s Open Meetings Law in its decorum rules, and that the town is already complying with the law, anyway.

What the town removed in part was that speakers shall “observe the commonly accepted rules of courtesy, decorum, dignity and good taste and shall not use foul language, display unacceptable behavior or be disruptive of the proceedings.”

What was added in part was that speak-

Christina Daly/Herald Guardian

THE TOWN OF Oyster Bay enacted new public meeting rules that in part were deemed unconstitutional by the federal court. ers cannot “disrupt, delay or otherwise impede the orderly conduct of the proceedings by defaming, intimidating, making personal insults, making threats of violence or threats against public order security.”

All charges of criminality have been removed from a draft of the revised rules as well as a ban on political speech by speakers at meetings. The town supervisor can request the assistance of law enforcement in removing an individual who is not following the town’s decorum rules, but an arrest will no longer be possible.

“The section on political speech was the most important to me,” Clarke said. “The categories of speech that were not permit-

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ted was unconstitutional. For Kevin, the most important was the threat of arrest.

Now he can speak his mind without needing to have bail money that day.”

What constitutes “removal” from a meeting has changed. Going forward, if decorum rules are broken, Nevin said, the supervisor will first issue a warning. If the behavior continues, the supervisor will

ask the person to leave the board room, and then he or she will be directed to do so.

Members of law enforcement, who are always at board meetings, will then be asked to remove the individual if they refuse to abide by the supervisor’s request.

The Press Club of Long Island had requested that the town change the rules, including what was directed at camera operators, who could have been charged.

“This softened language is an improvement,” said Brendan O’Reilly, the group’s vice president. “The revised code must be paired with a presiding officer who will ensure that minor inconveniences are not interpreted as disruptions that merit ejection. Perceived nuisances that arise due to the presence of recording and lighting equipment and the movement of a journalist about the room must be tolerated as necessary to facilitating the public’s right to know.”

Nevin said that other changes were made because the court said that some of the town’s wording was too broad. “The court wanted our wording more defined,” he said. “But the intent is the same — to have an orderly meeting.”

By MIKE CONN

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January 8, 2021 — Oyster Bay Herald Guardian

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The Sea Cliff Fire Department received an alarm at 1:19 a.m. on Dec. 17 alerting them of a house fire next to 110 Downing Ave. First Assistant Chief Jim Ajamian was the first to reach the blaze, arriving at 1:24 a.m. He said he immediately saw that the entire house was engulfed in flames. The fire was under control within three hours, he said, and the SCFD received aid from 13 other departments, including Glenwood Fire Company, Glen Cove Fire Department, Glen Cove Emergency Medical Services, Locust Valley Fire Department, Bayville Fire Company, Atlantic Steamer, East Norwich, Syosset, Roslyn Rescue, Hicksville, Port Washington and Plainview.

Ajamian said roughly 100 to 150 firefighters helped put the fire out, one of whom was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The homeowners were away on vacation.

There was major structural damage to the building, Ajamian said, and everything was contained to that one house.

Resident Suzanne Cohen lives near the house, which she said sits on a large plot of property making it visible to residents of surrounding blocks.

Though she was never afraid that the fire would spread to her home, she said it was no less scary.

“It was really, really terrifying for

FIRST ASSISTANT CHIEF Jim Ajamian said he saw the house engulfed in flames when he arrived on the scene. me because I’ve never seen anything like that in real life,” Cohen said. “It looked like you were watching a movie in real life.”

Cohen commended the fire department for its swift and effective response. “They were just amazing,” Cohen said. “You hear stories and you hear about things they do but to see it front of your eyes is a whole other thing.”

Ajamian said the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire.

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New year, more digital Locust Valley Library events The Locust Valley Library has plenty of events to keep people occupied and entertained from the safety of their home.

All events are virtual and more events can be found at on the Herald Guardian’s Community Update.

Virtual game time

Mondays at 9 a.m.

This is an online event that is not library sponsored, but the Locust Valley Library felt that it could provide families an enriching experience while at home learning, working and playing. To join, go to www.locustvalleylibrary.org and click

Blind Date and a movie

on the link.

Kanopy movie chat party

To join, patrons must open free Kanopy and Zoom accounts.

Join Kanopy for free at: https://www. kanopy.com/.

Join Zoom for free at: https://zoom.us/ freesignup/.

Register to receive the Live Zoom meeting invite. Participants will be able to watch the movie unseen and chat in real time.

tion. New members are always welcome.

I Married a Witch: Directed by Rene Clair (1942) Sunday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.

Running Time: 77 minutes - Not Rated Wednesdays at 10 a.m.

January 13: “The Financial Lives of the Poets” by Jess Walter February 10: “The Moor’s Account”

by Laila Lalami Email Janet Robertson at jrobertson@ locustvalleylibrary.org for Zoom informa-

Planning without fear: Wills, trusts and advance directives

Casual Books Group

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Thursdays, Jan. 14 and Feb. 11 at 4 p.m.

Join the Locust Valley Library for stories, games, songs and more celebrating the Hispanic culture! Recommended for children from ages 3 to 7. Register online.

Volunteers for wildlife’s radical reptiles

Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 4 p.m.

Participants can learn what makes a reptile, a reptile. What special features and adaptations allow these incredible animals to survive in the wild? What reptile species call Long Island home? In this interactive program, children will get to see some extraordinary local species of turtles, terrapins and a corn snake named Mikey. Recommended for children ages 3 and up. Registration required for this Online Zoom event.

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January 8, 2021 — Oyster Bay Herald Guardian

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Monday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.

Berry Gordy founded Motown Records in 1959 and forever changed music. Gordy revolutionized the record industry and introduced the world to such music legends as Smokey Robinson and the Supremes. Join Professor Thomas Rizzuto, of Molloy College, for a live lecture and performance on the history of Motown music. Featuring songs by Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and many more. Registration required for this Zoom event.

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January 8, 2021 — Oyster Bay Herald Guardian

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Herald Inside LI talks vaccines at webinar

By Nicole AlciNdor nalcindor@liherald.com

Last year, nearly 350,000 Americans died of Covid-19 — and more than 3.2 million total — making 2020 the deadliest year in U.S. history, according to the Associated Press. Help, though, is on the way.

In the weeks leading up to the New Year, the federal Food and Drug Administration approved two vaccines — the first by Pfizer-BioNTech and the second by Moderna —which have gone to health-care workers and will also go to residents of long-term care facilities during the early stages of distribution.

On Dec. 23, Herald Inside LI held a Zoom webinar featuring three doctors, all of whom recently received a first shot of vaccination, to discuss their experiences and what people can expect in the coming months.

“I urge people to take the vaccine because Covid-19 is a horrific disaster to human life,” said Dr. Aaron Glatt, chairman of the Department of Medicine, chief of infectious diseases and the hospital epidemiologist at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside. “We want to go back to hugging and seeing people, and the way we will do this is through the Covid-19 vaccines. The goal is to vaccinate everyone.”

Webinar attendees were encouraged to submit their questions for the panelists. One viewer asked if the vaccine could hurt fertility.

“There were some cases of women who got pregnant after getting the vaccine; however, there is zero evidence that the vaccine can cause infertility,” Glatt said. “I would tell a pregnant woman that it’s a personal decision if she wants to take the vaccine, but if she chooses to get the vaccine, she might be protecting herself more, as well as protecting others and [her] baby. [She] might even give [her] baby antibodies against the virus.”

Another viewer wondered whether people of color were more likely to experience side effects from the vaccine or lower efficacy.

“There were about 40,000 people of color that were represented in the experimental trials for these two vaccines,” said Dr. Zenobia Brown, vice president and medical director of population health at Northwell Health Solutions. “We have proven that the vaccines are safe for people in minority groups.”

Brown and Glatt agreed that although the PfizerBioNTech and Moderna vaccines were proven 95 percent effective in experimental trials, after people receive them, there is still a chance that they can contract the

Courtesy Zoom

HerAld iNside li recently held a Zoom webinar featuring three doctors to answer viewers’ questions about the new Covid-19 vaccines. virus and spread it to others.

“When I get my second dose of the vaccine, I won’t become Superman. I don’t know how to play the piano now, and I won’t magically know how to play the piano after the second dose,” Glatt said. “We still need to be careful, and we still have to wear masks and social distance.”

“I cannot stress this enough: Social distance and wear masks, even if you get the vaccine,” Brown said. “My biggest fear is that people will not want the vaccine. I look forward to the day when more and more people will want to take the vaccines.”

For Dr. Nicolas Hernandez, the academic hospitalist at Northwell Plainview Hospital and another panelist, taking the vaccine was a decision that he made to protect his family, his patients and himself.

“I was scared when they gave me the Pfizer vaccine, but I’ve been a patient with Covid-19, I’ve had family

Herald Inside LI to host local college webinar With the Covid-19 infection rate rising during a second wave, many Long Island parents were concerned about the health and safety of their college-aged children who lived in university dorms during the fall semester.

In the coming weeks, before the spring semester begins, parents will have to choose whether to send their children back to school to live in campus dorms or off-campus apartments, or whether they should live at home and attend local schools.

Local colleges are accepting students on rolling admission to accommodate those who decide at the last minute to stay home for the spring semester. Many parents, though, are wrestling with

choosing the best options for their children.

Herald Inside LI will host a free live Zoom webinar, sponsored by Molloy College, on Thursday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m., to discuss staying local for college. The webinar will feature college advisers, counselors and college students, who will share their thoughts on staying home this spring.

To register, go to LIHerald.com/StayingLocal. To sponsor a webinar or for more information, contact Amy Amato at aamato@richnerlive.com or (516) 5694000 ext. 224. For questions, email insideli@liherald.com.

–Nicole Alcindor

members that have had Covid-19, and I take care of patients with Covid-19, so I wanted to do my part,” Hernandez said, while adding that his only reaction to the first shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was temporary fatigue and soreness. “As a family physician, I recommend that all immunocompromised people should get the vaccine, and even if you are not up for the vaccine, still do your part.”

This webinar was the final episode of the first season of Herald Inside LI. To watch the recording of this episode and all others, go to LIHerald.com/Recordings and subscribe to the Herald Inside LI YouTube channel.

The next Herald Inside LI episode will take place on Thursday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m. and will feature college advisers and counselors discussing students staying local for upcoming spring semester, rather than going away to school. To register, go to LIHerald.com/StayingLocal.

LEGAL NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS JERICHO WATER DISTRICT CONTRACT NO. C1-21 WOODBURY TANK ALTITUDE VALVE Separate sealed Bids for Contract No. C1-21 for Woodbury Tank Altitude Valve will be received by the Jericho Water District office, located in the conference room at 125 Convent Road, Syosset, New York, no later than 9:00 a.m. (Local Time), on Friday, January 29, 2021, and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud.

By Executive Order of Governor Cuomo, the District is not open for public meetings until further notice because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, bidders may hand deliver bids to the District’s Headquarters, if desired, or via mail or other courier service.

Directions for on-site hand delivery of bids will be posted on the front door on the day of the bid opening. Bidders cannot attend the bid opening.

The Bid Totals for each submitted Bid will be posted on the District’s website.

This Contract generally consists of the installation of an altitude valve in a below grade concrete vault and related SCADA modifications to alleviate overflow conditions at the District’s Woodbury standpipe.

The Contract Documents, consisting of Advertisement for Bids, Instructions to Bidders, Bid, Bid Bond, Agreement, General C o n d i t i o n s , Supplementary Conditions, Payment Bond, Performance Bond, Specifications, Figures and Addenda may be examined at the following locations: Jericho Water District 125 Convent Road Syosset, NY 11791 D&B Engineers and Architects 330 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, NY 11797-2015 All bidders must obtain a set of the Contract Documents.

Complete digital sets of Bidding Documents, Drawings and Specifications will be available on Friday, January 8, 2021, and may be obtained online as a download at the following website: www.revplans.com under “public projects.”

Neither Owner nor Engineer will be responsible for full or partial sets of the Contract Documents, including Addenda if any, obtained from sources other than the issuing office.

Complete sets of Bidding Documents, Drawings and Specifications may be obtained from REVplans, 330 Route 17A, Suite #2, Goshen, New York

10924, Tel: 1-877-272-0216, upon payment of a $49.00 nonrefundable bid fee. Any bidder requiring hard copies of the documents shall make arrangements directly with REV and pay for all reproduction, packaging and shipping costs.

Each Bid must be accompanied by a certified or bank cashier’s check made payable to OWNER, or a Bid Bond issued by a surety licensed to conduct business in the state where the Project is located and having a Best Rating of A- or better from A.M. Best Company and named in the current list of “Companies Holding Certificates of Authority as Sureties on Federal Bonds and as Acceptable Reinsuring Companies” as published in Circular 570 (amended) by the Financial Management Service, Surety Bond Branch, U.S. Department of the Treasury, in an amount not less than 5% of the amount of the Bid submitted. The list may be ordered from the Government Printing Office Bookstore, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 110, New York, NY 10278, (212) 264-3825.

Each Bidder must complete and submit with his/her bid the “Iranian Investment Activities Certification” provided in the Bid Form in compliance with General Municipal Law 103-g, Iranian Energy Sector Divestment.

Each Bidder must complete and submit with his/her Bid the “Certification of Compliance with New York State Labor Law Section Two Hundred One-G” provided in the Bid Form regarding the implementation of a written policy addressing sexual harassment prevention in the workplace.

The Bidder to whom the OWNER proposes to award the Contract will be required to furnish performance and payment bonds and the necessary insurance certificates as prescribed in the General Conditions and the Supplementary Conditions upon the execution of the Agreement.

Bidders are required to execute a non-collusive bidding certification required by Section 103-d of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York.

The attention of Bidders is particularly called to the requirements as to the conditions of employment to be observed and the minimum wage rates to be paid under the contracts.

Bidders are also required to comply with the antidiscrimination provisions of Sections 290-301 of the Executive Law of the

State of New York.

The OWNER reserves the right to reject any or all of the Bids received, to readvertise for Bids, to abandon the project, to waive any or all informalities in any Bid received and to accept any proposal which the OWNER decides to be for the best interest of the OWNER. A public meeting may be held at the time and place noted above wherein the District will conduct such regular and other business which is properly brought before the Board of Commissioners.

Note: All questions must be submitted, in writing, to Jennifer Gienau, no later than 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Questions must be sent via email to jgienau@db-eng.com.

Board of Commissioners Jericho Water District D a t e : ___________________ By: James Asmus, Secretary 124336

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com TO PLACE AND AD CALL 516-569-4000 x 232

LEGAL NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS JERICHO WATER DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FOR CHEMICAL BULK STORAGE AND PETROLEUM BULK STORAGE TANK ALARM MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS Sealed Bids for Contract No. G1-21 Requirements Contract for Chemical Bulk Storage and Petroleum Bulk Storage Tank Alarm Maintenance and Repairs will be received by the Jericho Water District, located at 125 Convent Road, Syosset, New York, no later than 9:00 a.m.

(Local Time), on Friday, January 29, 2021, and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud.

By Executive Order of Governor Cuomo, the District is not open for public meetings until further notice because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, bidders may hand deliver bids to the District’s Headquarters, if desired, or via mail or other courier service.

Directions for on-site hand delivery of bids will be posted on the front door on the day of the bid opening. Bidders cannot attend the bid opening.

The Bid Totals for each submitted Bid will be posted on the District’s website.

The scope of work in this on-call contract includes furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, and incidentals as necessary for the maintenance and repairs

of chemical and petroleum bulk storage tank leak and level monitoring equipment located throughout the Jericho Water District as needed and as directed by the District.

The Contract Documents, consisting of Advertisement for Bids, Instructions to Bidders, Bid, Bid Bond, Agreement, General C o n d i t i o n s , Supplementary Conditions, Payment Bond, Performance Bond, Drawings, Specifications and Addenda may be examined at the following locations: Jericho Water District 125 Convent Road Syosset, NY 11791 D&B Engineers and Architects, P.C. 330 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, NY 11797-2015 All bidders must obtain a set of the Contract Documents.

Complete digital sets of Bidding Documents, drawings and specifications, will be available on Friday, January 8, 2021, and may be obtained online as a download at the following website: www.revplans.com under ‘public projects’. Neither Owner nor Engineer will be responsible for full or partial sets of the Contract Documents, including Addenda if any, obtained from sources other than the issuing office.

Complete sets of Bidding Documents, Drawings and Specifications, may be obtained from REVplans, 330 Route 17A, Suite #2, Goshen, New York 10924 Tel: 1 877-272-0216, upon payment of a $49.00 nonrefundable bid fee. Any bidder requiring hard copies of the documents shall make arrangements directly with REV and pay for all reproduction, packaging and shipping costs.

Each Bid must be accompanied by a certified or bank cashier’s check made payable to OWNER, or a Bid Bond issued by a surety licensed to conduct business in the state where the Project is located and having a Best Rating of A- or better from A.M. Best Company and named in the current list of “Companies Holding Certificates of Authority as Sureties on Federal Bonds and as Acceptable Reinsuring Companies” as published in Circular 570 (amended) by the Financial Management Service, Surety Bond Branch, U.S. Department of the Treasury, in an amount not less than 5% of the amount of the Bid submitted. The list may be ordered from the Government Printing Office Bookstore, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 110, New York, NY 10278, (212) 264-3825.

both as a member and as an officer. He served as treasurer of the Oyster Bay Rotary Student Loan Foundation and as president. He was principle in starting the annual Oyster Bay Oyster Festival and served in many roles for over 25 years. Most recently, Fuccio was the festival chairman. He was co-chairman for five years.

He had a great sense of humor and told a mean joke. Fuccio loved music and performed as a vocalist with other Long Island amateur and professional musicians.

Anna LoMonaco Courtesy Neil Smilowitz

James Blauvelt Fuccio James Blauvelt Fuccio, 60, of Oyster Bay, N.Y., died on Dec. 19 in the ICU at Glen Cove Hospital due to complications from Covid-19.

Born in Glen Cove, N.Y. on Dec. 22, 1959 during a blizzard, Fuccio was a lifelong resident of Oyster Bay/East Norwich. He never married. A graduate from Oyster Bay High School in 1978, he went on to attend SUNY Stony Brook graduating in 1983. Deciding he would become an attorney, he attended Western New England University (aka Wester n New English College School of Law). Fuccio was a member of the Massachusetts and New York bar associations. He cofounded the law firm of DeSocio and Fuccio PC and practiced law on Long Island over 35 years.

Fuccio was active in the community.

He was a member of the Rotary Club of Oyster Bay, which he served many roles

Anna LoMonaco, 82, of Oyster Bay, died on Jan. 6. Beloved wife of the late Anthony; loving mother of Dominic, Laurie Ann Lumpkin (Alan); proud grandmother of Thomas Lumpkin, Kimberly Lumpkin, Dominic Jr. and David; dear sister of Blaise Noto (Judy); cherished aunt of Michael Reidy (Diana), Carolyn Doyle (John), Joe Reidy (Lisa), Stephen Reidy (Jennifer) Joseph Noto (Debbie) and Tracy Kata (Larry); also survived by many loving family and friends. Interment is private.

Arrangements entrusted to Oyster Bay Funeral Home.

Obituary Notices Obituary notices can be submitted by individuals as well as local funeral establishments. The name of the individual or funeral establishment submitting the obituary should be included. A contact phone number must be included. There is no charge for obituaries.

Send to: llane@liherald.com or 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530

Public Notices

Each Bidder must complete and submit with his/her bid the “Iranian Investment Activities Certification” provided in the Bid Form in compliance with General Municipal Law 103-g, Iranian Energy Sector Divestment.

Each Bidder must complete and submit with his/her Bid the “Certification of Compliance with New York State Labor Law Section Two Hundred One-G” provided in the Bid Form regarding the implementation of a written policy addressing sexual harassment prevention in the workplace.

The Bidder to whom the OWNER proposes to award the Contract will be required to furnish performance and payment bonds and the necessary insurance certificates as prescribed

in the General Conditions and the Supplementary Conditions upon the execution of the Agreement.

Bidders are required to execute a non-collusive bidding certification required by Section 103-d of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York.

The attention of Bidders is particularly called to the requirements as to the conditions of employment to be observed and the minimum wage rates to be paid under the contracts.

Bidders are also required to comply with the antidiscrimination provisions of Sections 290-301 of the Executive Law of the State of New York.

The OWNER reserves the right to reject any or all of the Bids received, to readvertise for Bids, to abandon the project, to

waive any or all informalities in any Bid received and to accept any proposal which the OWNER decides to be for the best interest of the OWNER. A public meeting may be held at the time and place noted above wherein the District will conduct such regular business which is properly brought before the Board of Commissioners.

Note: All questions must be submitted, in writing, to Christopher Melillo, no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 22, 2021.

Questions must be sent via email to cmelillo@dbeng.com.

Board of Commissioners Jericho Water District D a t e : ___________________ By: James Asmus, Secretary , 2020 124339

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE INC. VILLAGE OF LAUREL HOLLOW PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Inc. Village of Laurel Hollow will be held at the Village Hall, 1492 Laurel Hollow Road, or via Zoom Videoconference on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at 9:00 am, and, if required, on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. to discuss the preliminary budget for 2021-2022. Please check the Village website for updates as to meeting location or videoconference link.

These meetings are open to the general public.

Elizabeth Kaye Clerk/Treasurer Dated: January 4, 2021 124338

Search for notices online at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

Search for notices online at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

Oyster Bay Herald Guardian — January 8, 2021

Public Notices

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opInIons

t’s now nearly a year since the Trump administration learned that a deadly virus was making its way into our country. During that period, the White House and many governors have engaged in a political wrestling match over who was responsible for leading the battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

While you may not like the conclusion, it is clear that President Trump never took this crisis seriously, and is even less concerned now that his tenure is about to end.

It may be an uphill battle, but JERRY President-elect Joe Biden has made it kREMER clear that he is willing to aggressively step into that battle on Jan. 20, because the next six to nine months will determine whether the pandemic is beaten. There are two good reasons why there has to be a field general leading the fight. America can’t afford for this dark cloud to linger indefinitely because of the economic damage we have experienced. Moreover, what if there is another pandemic, caused by one

A

“

of our political enemies?

Prior to the election, the president predicted that there would be many millions of vaccinations before the end of the year.

To date, fewer than three million people have been inoculated, and only 11 million doses have been distributed around the country. The slow rate of inoculations is due to the fact that many states are staggering under the weight of testing costs and the needs of responders. Local governments and health care institutions have been on their own for 10 months after being told by Washington that the virus was a state-by-state problem.

Biden has pledged to get inoculation numbers up to one million a day. That is comforting, but health care professionals estimate that even at that rate, it would take over a year to vaccinate every American. And to reach that pace, the federal government will have to take some draconian measures.

The Defense Production Act dates back to the Korean War. It gives the president the power to force companies to drop their private customers and produce what the country needs. Trump claimed he used

E

the act to get General Motors to build more respirators, but GM claimed it came forward on its own to build them. The president didn’t aggressively use the act, for fear of offending his conservative base, which opposes government intervention.

Why is there a need for use of the act now? When you have a mass anti-virus campaign, you need more than a vaccine. The big pharma companies are spending billions of dollars to keep up with their competition and protect their stockholders. In addition to the vaccines, you need cotton swabs, syringes, packing materials, dry ice and other supplies, and those products aren’t manufactured by big pharma. That’s where the federal government comes in. Using the act, manufacturers can be forced to produce the goods that are needed to get a complete program in place.

While Biden is preparing to take on the vaccine program, the pandemic is exploding in numerous states that have a shortage of hospital gowns, masks and gloves and can’t cover the costs of doctors, nurses and other first responders. Bipartisan

ven ramping up to a million inoculations a day may not be enough.

Covid relief legislation finally signed last week by the president will inject some new money into the efforts of local organizations, but it won’t make up for the costs they have been incurring since last March.

The world is keeping a close eye on our national effort, and many friendly countries are trying to figure out why we’ve done such a terrible job of combating the virus. But our enemies are also keeping a close eye on our tragedy. In his latest book, “Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World,” author and CNN host Fareed Zakaria claims that our enemies could create another health crisis in our country in as little as 24 hours. Are we capable of handling another one? You know the answer to that question.

The weeks and months ahead will determine how long America will suffer and how well we will heal. Happily, the incoming administration is prepared to pick up the ball dropped by the outgoing one.

Jerry Kremer was a state 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.

Saving our sanity and our souls through books

reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The person who never reads lives only one.”

— George R.R. Martin

It nearly killed me. One of my grandkids said they “hate” books. They don’t read books except when one is assigned in school.

Given the options of smartphones, TV and computers, they don’t ever crack the cover of a novel or nonfiction adventure, even during RandI quarantine, when there’s so little to kREIss do.

Oddly, this kid gets good grades and likes school, which seems counterintuitive, because I can’t imagine anyone becoming an educated person in the world without reading books. It’s not like I haven’t tried. I have gifted and suggested books pitched toward this particular teen’s interests. I’ve read the same books they are assigned in class so we can talk about them. I keep tossing out lines and getting no bites.

My hope is that this child just hasn’t found the right books yet to get their attention. I know a few people who

became enthusiastic readers in adulthood. I wish that for this young person I love.

Granted, I was a book nerd from the time I could put eyes on paper. I remember, in first grade, begging my father for some money so I could buy books. It was like falling in love. My first loves were “Half Magic,”

by Edgar Eager, and “The Boxcar Children,” by Gertrude Chandler Warner.

If feels lame even to be defending reading when it seems so self-evident that through books we fire up our imaginations, we live other lives and we timetravel to places beyond our reach. We find comfort in finding common ground with writers. It is a bias, but I do believe that life is only halflived without books.

As part of my own life, I have led book groups for the past 20 years, and this year will do so again. For the first time, our group will be Zoomed, and so it’s open to anyone who contacts the Longboat Key Education Center (941383-8811, (charity@longboatkeyeducationcenter.com) wishing to sign up. We meet at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays, and began this week with the first of eight short books in eight weeks.

F

I want to share my reading list because I call my class “Literary Gems,” and these are. We begin with “Hamnet,”

by Maggie O’Farrell. William Shakespeare had a son, Hamnet, who died when he was 11. Four years later, the bard wrote “Hamlet.” From these thin facts, O’Farrell weaves a rich story of grief and life in the throes of a plague.

Our second book is “We Have Always Lived in this Castle,” by Shirley Jackson. Murder, mayhem and the especially delicious brand of British madness abound in this story by the author of the most famous short story in the world, “The Lottery.” Next, we’ll read “The Boy in the Field,” by Margot Livesay, a luminous psychological thriller. Our last book for January is “Writers and Lovers,” by Lily King, a gorgeously written, rather ordinary story of a young woman finding her way, told with extraordinary beauty.

In February, we’ll read “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous,” by Ocean Vuong. This debut novel by a Vietnamese-American writer was described as “permanently stunning” by Ron Charles of The Washington Post. It is an original and exquisite amalgam of memoir,

or many of us, talking about them is as much fun as reading them.

letters and poetry. Next, we read “The Disappearing Earth,” by Julia Phillips, comprising an astonishing cast of characters, an unspeakable crime, all set in Kamchatka, on the Siberian peninsula.

Our third book next month is “Trust Exercise,” by Susan Choi, a brilliant send-up of students enthralled with themselves in an artsy university setting. The language is pitch-perfect. Our last selection is “Last Train to Key West,” by Chanel Cleeton. It is 1935, and a ferocious hurricane is barreling towards the Florida Keys. A helluva story of three women caught up in a story of murder, betrayal and salvation.

For many of us “bookies,” talking about the novels and nonfiction works is as much fun as reading them, like a delicious dessert after a remarkable meal.

So I hope some readers can join the book group. But no matter what, wherever you are at this moment, sheltering in place, working from home or venturing out, I want to share these special books with the hope that you connect with the authors and find solace and peace and joy in that connection.

Reading? The past year, when so much was lost, books brought joy into to my life. As the new year begins, they are the untapped treasure of 2021.

Copyright 2020 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

Oyster Bay Herald Guardian — January 8, 2021

I

How long will we suffer, and how well will we heal?

18

Herald editorial

OYSTER BAY

January 8, 2021 — Oyster Bay Herald Guardian

HERALD Established 1899 Incorporating Oyster Bay Guardian Laura Lane

Senior Editor Mike Conn

Assistant Editor ■ angeLa CaLvo Judith rivera Advertising Account Executives

offiCe 2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530 Phone: (516) 569-4000 Fax: (516) 569-4942 Web: oysterbay.liherald.com E-mail: llane@liherald.com Copyright © 2021 Richner Communications, Inc.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Robert Richner Edith Richner Publishers, 1964-1987 ■ CLifford riChner Stuart riChner Publishers MiChaeL boLogna Vice President - Operations ■ SCott brinton Executive Edtitor JiM harMon

Copy Editor ChriStina daLY Photo Editor tonY beLLiSSiMo Sports Editor karen bLooM Calendar Editor ■ rhonda gLiCkMan Vice President - Sales eLLen reYnoLdS Classified Manager Lori berger Digital Sales Manager

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Resolve to monitor your mental health in 2021

l

et’s say it like it was: 2020 was miserable. It was a horrid year for us all. Everyone — everyone — was affected to one degree or another by the coronavirus pandemic, which washed over us like a merciless tidal wave, leaving fear, anxiety and death in its wake.

The speed at which the virus swept across the land was stunning, leaving us feeling helpless against a viral invader.

Nearly 4,700 people have died of Covid19 in Nassau and Suffolk counties — and an estimated 25,000 in New York City — since the coronavirus broke out in the greater metropolitan area in March, bringing grief to hundreds of thousands of lives here.

On top of those terrible — and terrifying — statistics, Long Island lost more than 100,000 private-sector jobs from November 2019 to November 2020, an 8.8 percent decline, according to the New York State Department of Labor. The biggest losses came in hospitality, 35,800 jobs; education and health services, 23,600; trade, transportation and utilities, 15,000; professional and business services, 10,000; and manufacturing, 8,000.

There is help available, however. If you are feeling anxious, depressed or suicidal, regardless of the reason, you can — you should — check out the state Office of Mental Health website, where you will find numerous resources to turn to for help.

There you will find the NY Thankful project, for which you are asked to write messages about all that you are thankful for. The very act of writing down all that is good in your life, it seems, helps relieve stress and anxiety. We suggest that you try it — if not on a state website, then on your own.

Mental health resources ■■NY■Project■Hope■Emotional■Support■ Helpline:■(844)■863-9314

■■New■York■State■Domestic■Violence■ Hotline:■(800)■942-6906

■■Long■Island■Crisis■Center■Hotline:■ (516)■679-1111

■■Crisis■Text■Line:■Text■Got5■to■741-741

■■National■Suicide■Prevention■Hotline:■ (800)■273-8255

Signs of suicide ■■Talking■about: ■■Wanting■to■die.

■■Feeling■guilt■or■shame.

■■Being■a■burden■to■others.

■■Feeling: ■■Empty,■hopeless,■trapped.

■■Extremely■sad,■anxious,■agitated■or■ rageful.

■■Unbearable■emotional■or■physical■ pain.

■

heraLd CoMMunitY neWSPaPerS Baldwin Herald Bellmore Herald Life East Meadow Herald Franklin Square/Elmont Herald Freeport Leader Glen Cove Herald Gazette Long Beach Herald Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald Malverne/West Hempstead Herald Merrick Herald Life Nassau Herald Oceanside/Island Park Herald Oyster Bay Herald Guardian Rockaway Journal Rockville Centre Herald South Shore Record Valley Stream Herald Wantagh Herald Citizen Sea Cliff/Glen Head Herald Gazette Seaford Herald Citizen MeMber: Local Media Association New York Press Association Published by richner Communications, inc.

2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530 (516) 569-4000

■■Changing■behavior,■such■as: ■■Making■a■plan■or■researching■ways■ to■die.

■■Withdrawing■from■friends,■saying■ goodbye■and■giving■away■important■ belongings.

■■Taking■dangerous■risks.

■■Displaying■extreme■mood■swings.

■■Eating■or■sleeping■more■or■less.

■■Using■drugs■and■alcohol.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health

Also listed on the site are the phone numbers of numerous agencies you can call to talk it out, whatever the issue might be. Call if you need to. There has, in the past, been a stigma associated with seeking help with mental health crises.

That should never have been the case.

Mental health is crucial to your wellbeing.

If you think about it, you also realize

■ dianne raMdaSS Circulation Director

■■For■front-line■workers,■text■FRONTLINENY■to■741-741

letters The pandemic’s empty chairs To the Editor: In a November speech, President-elect Joe Biden expressed his sorrow at the number of empty chairs that would appear at the dinner tables of many families this year because of the coronavirus.

Covid-19 has often been compared to the 1918 flu pandemic, which killed 675,000 Americans, a majority of them young adults, and infected one-third of the world’s population during its four waves. Masks were strongly recommended, but many protested against wearing them. People were quarantined, hospitals were full, and the death toll was overwhelming. Like Donald Trump, President Woodrow Wilson underplayed the severity of the virus. There was no vaccine, no Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and very few opportunities to work from home in that precomputer era.

that your mental health is connected to everyone else’s. What the coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated, in certain terms, is that we are all interconnected in a larger societal web. So — please — seek help if you need it.

If you make any New Year’s resolution, let it be that you will take care of yourself in 2021 — both your physical and mental well-being.

19

opinions

s 2020 came to a close, the coronavirus surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death in the U.S. — a sobering reminder of the toll the virus continues to take.

We have learned a lot about Covid-19 over the past 10 months. Importantly, we know now that it isn’t just a lung and respiratory issue, as was thought early on. It is a systemic inflammatory disease that may affect many organs in the body, and when it comes to the heart, it can JeFFrey t. be especially serious. kuvin Covid-19 infection certainly does not affect everyone’s heart, but it turns out that you don’t even need to have significant symptoms to have heart-related issues.

The most direct, and at times the most complicated, impact of the virus on the heart is muscle inflammation, a condition called myocarditis. This can result in a variety of cardiac issues, including

muscle weakness and rhythm disturbances.

It is well known that other viruses — as well as some medications, chemotherapies and other medical conditions — can also affect the heart in similar ways.

In addition to direct toxic effects on the heart muscle, Covid-19 may cause blood clots, which can impact the heart, lungs and the brain, resulting in heart attacks, pulmonary emboli and stroke. We learn more every day, but it remains unclear whether traditional approaches to heart disease are applicable to patients with long-term complications of the coronavirus, like heart damage.

While many patients are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, others may become very ill, and some even succumb to the disease. We don’t know the exact number of Covid-19 patients with myocarditis, because some patients may have cardiac involvement without even knowing it.

Some of the symptoms of myocarditis include chest pain; shortness of breath; heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat;

C

hronic heart conditions are showing up after even mild cases.

Letters One of the empty chairs of 1918 belonged to my family. My father, then 16, was playing in the streets of Manhattan with his brother, Irwin, 13. Irwin wasn’t feeling well, and my father carried him home piggyback, and his mother put him to bed. The next day he was dead. Ironically, his parents and older brother remained healthy, but they never recovered emotionally from Irwin’s death. It was especially devastating to my paternal grandmother, whose father fought in the Civil War, contracted tuberculosis and gave it to my grandmother and her sister, both of whom died young: a history of empty chairs. My father would occasionally see my sister and me drawing pictures or playing a game, and remark, “My brother and I used to do that.”

When the 2020 pandemic arrived, I immediately thought of Irwin. Did he suffer? Was his mother with him at the end?

Had he survived, I would have had an uncle and perhaps some cousins on my father’s side. Empty chairs span generations. Only one photo of my father and his brother remains, as my grandmother destroyed all the others in her grief.

Fortunately, I lost no family members in 202, but as I watched the statistics rise, I knew that each death was more than just a number. It reflected a deep loss and an empty chair at the table of many families. I hope they find solace in 2021 and beyond.

PAUlA RODEnAS Merrick

lightheadedness, dizzy spells or loss of consciousness, and extremity swelling.

The lingering effects of Covid-19 on the heart, particularly myocarditis, have been a hot topic in the sports community.

Several college and pro athletes with the virus have done the right thing by staying off the field this season — not only because of the risk of virus transmission, but because their doctors saw evidence of myocarditis on an MRI. The heart needs time to heal. We know that active inflammation of the heart can cause serious problems, even in highly trained athletes. And, during recovery, athletes should refrain from heavy exertion until they are assessed by a cardiologist.

And if an athlete can get asymptomatic, or subclinical, effects of the heart, so can we all.

Given new and emerging data, the exact risks and treatment protocols for Covid-related cardiac issues remain unclear. Who should undergo MRI testing of the heart — the best way to detect myocarditis — is a question that has not

been definitively answered.

As things stand now, a coronavirus infection alone does not warrant an extensive cardiac evaluation. If, however, patients are highly symptomatic and have abnormalities in specific laboratory tests, like electrocardiograms or echocardiograms, then highly specialized tests, like MRIs, might be warranted.

As the pandemic continues, as at all other times, it is important to recognize cardiac warning signs, which can be very similar to Covid symptoms.

Addressing cardiac risk factors, including cholesterol, blood sugar levels, blood pressure, sleep hygiene and obesity — is always prudent. In addition to improving quality and quantity of life, it is widely recognized that controlling cardiac risk factors can affect the course of Covid-19.

Oyster Bay Herald Guardian — January 8, 2021

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Cardiac Covid: How the virus impacts the heart

Jeffrey T. Kuvin, M.D., is the de Roulet professor and chair of the Department of Cardiology at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/ Northwell. He is the senior vice president of cardiology for Northwell Health’s Central and Eastern regions, chair of the Department of Cardiology at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and North Shore University Hospital, and co-director of the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital.

FrAmework by Rossana Weitekamp

Give Trump his due

“

To the Editor: Re Carolann Perez’s letter to the editor, “How did we almost re-elect Donald Trump?” (Dec. 17-23): The writer said that Randi Kreiss was “brave enough” to have written about President Trump. On the contrary, Kreiss took every low pot shot at Trump that she could come up with, yet virtually denied him any credit whatsoever for his achievements, which were significant and many. And this is coming from someone who recognizes Trump’s failures and personality flaws.

Remember when Trump, early on, restricted travel between the U.S. and China, and President-elect Biden called him a racist and xenophobe? Yet soon after, Biden criticized Trump for not having taken this action sooner. What hypocrisy!

Would people have voted for Biden if the media had reported more thoroughly on the Hunter Biden scandal and its potential implications for the presidentelect? This was an election the true outcome of which we will likely never know with certainty.

ROBERT RUBAlSKY East Rockaway

On New Year’s Day, no snow, but a snowy owl — Jones Beach

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Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty thanks you for your support in 2020 and wishes everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous 2021!

2020 at a Glance SOLD

OYSTER BAY SCHOOL DISTRICT

225 2020 New Listings

LOCUST VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

COLD SPRING HARBOR SCHOOL DISTRICT

SYOSSET SCHOOL DISTRICT

JERICHO SCHOOL DISTRICT

GLEN COVE SCHOOL DISTRICT

40 Currently Under Contract

141

$6,975,000

$415,000

Closed

Highest Sales Price

Lowest Sales Price

190

$7,500,000

$157,169

Closed

Highest Sales Price

Lowest Sales Price

127

$4,050,000

$640,000

Closed

Highest Sales Price

Lowest Sales Price

376

$3,000,000

$275,000

Closed

Highest Sales Price

Lowest Sales Price

122

$7,080,000

$530,250

Closed

Highest Sales Price

Lowest Sales Price

187

$1,587,000

$210,000

Closed

Highest Sales Price

Lowest Sales Price

$1,119,285 Average Sales Price

129 Average Days on Market

$1,145,968 Average Sales Price

147 Average Days on Market

$1,661,710 Average Sales Price

118 Average Days on Market

$945,035 Average Sales Price

98 Average Days on Market

$1,326,726 Average Sales Price

128 Average Days on Market

$642,781 Average Sales Price

97 Average Days on Market

SOLD

306 2020 New Listings

56 Currently Under Contract

SOLD

243 2020 New Listings

62 Currently Under Contract

SOLD

462 2020 New Listings

116 Currently Under Contract

SOLD

251 2020 New Listings

50 Currently Under Contract

SOLD

263 2020 New Listings

48 Currently Under Contract

Locust Valley Office | 516.759.4800 | 1 Buckram Road, Locust Valley, NY | danielgale.com *All data from OneKey MLS (1/1/2020 – 12/31/2020) Each Office Is Individually Owned And Operated.

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January 8, 2021 — Oyster Bay Herald Guardian

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