Oyster Bay Herald 02-03-2023

Santos steps down from committees

Schools chief is leaving L.V. district

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

Kenneth Graham stepped down as Locust Valley Central School District superintendent on Jan. 26. He had offered to stay until early March to enable the district to search for a replacement, but the district declined his offer.

NASSAU COUNTY LEGISLATOR Josh Lafazan says he learned how to show grace in defeat last August, when he lost to Robert Zimmerman in the Democratic primary for the congressional seat that Republican George Santos ultimately won.

Lafazan: It’s important to lose gracefully and move on

By LAURA LANE llane@liherald.com

Josh Lafazan’s winning streak began in the first grade when he was elected student representative at Walt Whitman Elementary School.

He was senior class president at Syosset High School the same year he secured a seat on the district’s school board. Then, at 23, he became the youngest-ever elected member of the Nassau County Legislature, where he still sits today, now serving his third term representing parts of the North Shore.

“I fell in love with public service when on

the student council,” Lafazan said. “I love representative government. From my very first day on the school board, I loved public service, making a difference for others. Never did it cross my mind that I would pursue anything else.”

But Lafazan’s winning streak came to an end last August when Robert Zimmerman defeated him in the Democratic primary for congress — a seat ultimately won by Republican George Santos. That loss was surreal for Lafazan. And it hurt.

Losing the primary was tough. But seeing

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

Graham, who has been in the job since the 202021 school year, will be replaced by Janine Sampino, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, who will serve as interim superintendent for the remainder of the school year.

the district in the fall. He had accepted, and signed the contract, which was approved by the board on Nov. 16.

But Graham’s departure was confirmed by the board at last week’s meeting.

He will begin working for the North Babylon Union Free School District in March, according to the North Babylon district’s website.

KRYSTINA TOMLINSON parent, Locust Valley

Parents were notified by the Board of Education of an unscheduled night meeting last Thursday in an email, and it was posted on the district’s social media accounts. Although Graham was leaving, the email stated, he had been offered an extended contract by

Graham “made this decision for himself, his family, and his own professional pursuits,” the email from the Locust Valley school board stated. “We thank him for his service over the last three years.”

Parents expressed their shock and dismay to see Graham leave, with several saying they felt he had built a good rapport with the community during his time at Locust Valley.

They said they felt particularly surprised by the suddenness of the departure, which

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Tim Baker/Herald

Ithink that the relationship got a little strained in the beginning, and it was hard to foster a close relationship because of Covid.

Peter King debuts new opinion column

Former congressman has no intention of slowing down in retirement

By MICHAEL HINMAN mhinman@liherald.com

Not even retirement can slow down Peter King. After 28 years in the U.S. House — including a two-year stint as chair of the House Homeland Security Committee — as well as more than two decades serving on both the Hempstead town council and as Nassau County comptroller, King finds himself busier than ever.

He’s working with a Washington law firm, and does consulting work for Northwell Health. He makes regular appearances on the Newsmax cable channel, as well as John Catsimatidis’s 77WABC radio station.

But now King is adding one more job to that list as a new regular columnist for Herald Community Newspapers. The former congressman’s first official piece appears in this week’s Opinions pages.

“It’s not like I have to catch a plane to get to Washington, or I’m at the whim of what’s the last vote going to be on Thursday night or Friday night,” King said. “I pretty much plan my own schedule. And the best feeling I had — and it took me about a month to get used to — is waking up in the morning and knowing I can go back to sleep if I want to.”

These days, King finds himself solely

Jack Healy/Herald file

FORMER U.S. REP. Peter King has kept himself busy since retiring from Congress in 2021, from his regular appearance on 77WABC radio, to now becoming a regular opinion columnist for Herald Community Newspapers. His first official piece — singing the praises of freshman U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito — can be found in this week’s Opinions section.

focused on life here at home. But for nearly three decades, the congressman was caught between the two worlds of Washington and his district back in New York.

The trick in the beginning was making

sure he never lost sight of why he was on the House floor in the first place.

“When you’re in Washington, you’re still responsible for a lot of local issues, because the local mayors and supervisors

and town boards — they’re going to be calling you and reaching out for help,” King said. “I think with a number of members of Congress, they’re so concerned with the international and national aspects of it, they forget the guy living down the block.

“The guy that lives in Highland Park. The guy that lives in Seaford. That’s where you base comes from. So, really, the challenge is to keep all of those things in your mind, and be able to sort through them all.”

King has made no secret about his support of U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, whose congressional district covers much of what King’s did back in the day. In fact, his first column focuses on the high hopes King has of his protégé, and how the sky’s the limit for the former town councilman.

“I mean, Anthony, we talk several times a week,” King said. “I don’t want to sound like I am telling him what to do, or giving him some great advice. But maybe one thing I can be most helpful on is telling him early on which members of Congress you can pay attention to, and which others to just ignore.

“Some of them you try to take seriously, but then you realize after a month or two that these guys are cranks, and nobody else is listening to them, except you.”

Erhlich sails around the world, Sea Cliff calls him home

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

Circumnavigation, the act of sailing around the earth, has been a hallmark of adventure in human societies, from Ferdinand Magellan sailing to discover new lands for Spain to Francesco Carletti voyaging to satisfy his curiosity of what the world had to offer. Now Rob Ehrlich of Sea Cliff has joined the ranks of those and other explorers who have completely sailed around the earth, although he is likely the first to do so flying the flag of the Sea Cliff Yacht Club.

Dawn Reilly, the executive director of Oakcliff Sailing and a former circumnavigator herself, explained that attempting a circumnavigation is an incredibly serious endeavor. She did it during The Ocean Race, a sailing competition around the world, and said anyone trying to achieve such a feat is akin to climbing Mt. Everest or a similar physical and psychological challenge.

“It’s really an adventure,” Reilly concluded. “It gets to the point that when you go back to shore, things seem extra noisy and chaotic, and you want to go right back to sea.”

She added while there are significant differences between racing and sailing for pleasure — the main one being that her crew only stopped ashore six times for the whole race — either way the experience is truly amazing.

Ehrlich is a life-long sailor, growing up sailing in Manhasset Bay with his family since he was five. His first few nautical adventures were short ones, mainly to nearby harbors in and around the Long Island Sound.

“For me, it was always a big deal just to go overnight to Cold Spring Harbor,” Ehrlich explained. “Those used to be big trips for me, and we would anchor out and just enjoy being away from land.”

Ehrlich began his voyage in November of 2021 aboard a vessel he had bought in France and sailed across the Atlantic the year before, a 51-foot long catamaran named Holiday. From there Ehrlich would spend 332 days at sea, although the trip itself went much longer as they would stay in different ports around the world for up to three weeks at a time.

Ehrlich also said that a main motivation for making this trip was to encourage others to push their limits and pursue their dreams.

“The point of this whole thing is to inspire people that you can do anything and that you should just do it now. Do not wait,” Ehrlich continued. “I hope that I can inspire someone to do something extraordinary in life.”

Ehrlich and his crew, which he gathered from sailing websites such as Find a Crew, sailed across the Atlantic through the Panama Canal, hopped around dozens of islands and countries around the Pacific, voyaged around the Cape of Good Hope and from there sailed through the Caribbean back up to Long Island only two weeks ago. Although there were never more than four other crewmembers at a given time,

throughout the voyage Ehrlich said he had as many as 47 different crewmembers from different communities and walks of life.

One of the most memorable moments of the journey for him came when the ship was 150 miles south of Cape Town in South Africa as Ehrlich and his crew were sailing through a storm when the autopilot on their vessel shut down. As Ehrlich and the crew struggled to maintain control of the ship, he had an intense divine experience.

“I immediately jumped onto the wheel in my t-shirt and shorts, no shoes, and it was 40 degrees and with the wind and the waves whipping in my face I believe I saw God,” Ehrlich said. “I felt as though there was a presence, and in that moment, I just felt, ‘I’m ready. If you want to take me now’s the time.’”

Dawn Reilly, the executive director of Oakcliff Sailing and a former circumnavigator herself, explained that attempting a circumnavigation is an incredibly serious endeavor. While her experience was in the Ocean Race, a sailing competition around the world, she said anyone trying to achieve such a feat is akin to climbing Mt. Everest or a similar physical and psychological challenge.

“It’s really an adventure,” Reilly concluded. “It gets to the point that when you go back to shore, things seem extra noisy and chaotic, and you want to go right back to sea.”

Courtesy Rob Ehrlich

THE HOLIDAY, EHRLICH’S boat, was made in France and had previously carried him in a transatlantic voyage back in 2020.

Ihope that I can inspire someone to do something extraordinary in life.

ROB EHRLICH

DURING THE CIRCUMNAVIGATION Ehrlich and his crew stopped at many scenic locations around the world, from French Polynesia to Fiji to Cape Town.

RichnerLIVE is “Fealing” Good

(From left to right) Jodi Turk, event, marketing and brand strategist, and Amy Amato, executive director of corporate relations and events, visited the Barasch & McGarry office to deliver a check to John Feal, founder and president of the FealGood Foundation, and Sara Director, partner at Barasch & McGarry who handles 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) claims and a Top Lawyer Honoree. RichnerLIVE donated a portion of ticket proceeds from the Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island Awards Gala to the foundation. The FealGood Foundation protects and assists all emergency personnel injured on the job or in their personal lives through offering financial aid, basic home utilities, medicine and more. On Sept. 12, 2001, Feal was called to assist in the cleanup of ground zero when his foot was crushed and forced to be amputated. After dealing with the hurdles that came with the accident, he decided that no one should struggle after helping with ground zero. Visit www.FealGoodFoundation.com for more information on the organization and how you can help.

Assemblyman Lavine’s grant helps firefighters purchase new equipment

Special Needs Children and Grandchildren

Parents or grandparents of a disabled child should leave assets in a Special Needs Trust, to avoid the child being disqualified from government benefits, such as SSI and Medicaid. The reasoning behind these Special Needs Trusts is simple — prior to the protection now afforded by these trusts, parents would simply disinherit their disabled children rather than see them lose their benefits. Since the state wasn’t getting the inheritance monies anyway, why not allow it to go to the disabled child for his or her extra needs, above and beyond what the state supplies.

These trusts, however, offer traps for the unwary. Since payments to the child will generally reduce their SSI payments dollar for dollar, trustees of such trusts should be advised to make payments directly to the providers of goods and services. Preserving SSI benefits is crucial since eligibility for SSI determines eligibility for Medicaid.

In other words, if SSI is lost the recipient also loses their Medicaid benefits. In addition, any benefits previously paid by Medicaid may be recovered. As such, one also has to be mindful of bequests from well-meaning grandparents. Similarly, if a sibling dies without a will, a

share of their estate may go to the special needs brother or sister by law. The Special Needs Trust must be carefully drafted so that it only allows payments for any benefits over and above what the government provides.

There are two kinds of Special Needs Trusts – first party and third party. The first party trust is set up by a parent, grandparent, legal guardian or court using the child’s own money, either through earnings, an inheritance that was left directly to them or, perhaps, a personal injury award. Recent changes in the law allow the special needs child to establish their own first party Special Needs Trust if they are legally competent to engage in contractual matters. These first party trusts require a “payback” provision, meaning that on the death of the child beneficiary, the trust must pay back the state for any government benefits received.

A third party trust is usually set up by a parent or grandparent, using their own money. Here, no “payback” provision is required because it was not the child’s own money that funded the trust and the parent or grandparent had no obligation to leave any assets to the child. On the death of the child beneficiary, the balance of the trust is paid out to named beneficiaries.

Firefighters with the Glen Cove Fire Department will be a little safer during emergencies. The department recently purchased new life-saving equipment with a $250,000 state grant secured by Assemblymember Charles Lavine. The money was used to purchase 20 Scott AirPaks and 26 sets of new gear. The sets of gear, comprised of essentials like flame-resistant boots, overalls and jackets replace aging equipment and will go far in improving the safety of firefighters.

■

Courtesy the office of Charles Lavine SECOND ASSISTANT CHIEF Justin M. Valeo is excited to see the new safety gear for the Glen Cove Fire Department. Beside him was Assemblyman Charles Lavine, who helped secure funds for the new equipment.

THE DEPARTMENT RECENTLY purchased new lifesaving equipment which included 20 Scott Air-Paks and 26 sets of new gear.

Photo Courtesy of Barasch & McGarry

Parents surprised by Graham’s departure

CONTINUED

FRONT

caught many off guard.

Meredith Wachter, a resident of Matinecock and a mother of four students in the district, said that she and others felt they had gotten to know Graham well over the years, and appreciated his diligence and the passion he had for the students. Wachter added that she thought he had faced unique challenges because his first year as superintendent coincided with the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

“When Dr. Graham got the job, our impression was that he was excited to be here and was kind of in this for the long haul, you know?” Wachter said. Covid was “a tough time to come in in that type of position. It’s hard to make a first impression during something that was so volatile.”

Some parents speculated that the district’s hard-line stance against masking and other Covid safety measures may have affected the relationship between Graham and the board. Locust Valley was one of several school districts that joined a lawsuit against Gov. Kathy Hochul’s mask mandate, ultimately losing the case.

Krystina Tomlinson, a Locust Valley resident and the mother of two students in the district, said that now that things were returning to normal,

she and other parents were hoping that the focus would turn back to education. She added that she believed the Board of Education had the best interests of the district in mind.

“I think that the relationship got a little strained in the beginning, and it was hard to foster a close relationship because of Covid,” Tomlinson said. “It was a bit of a struggle.”

Neither Tomlinson nor Wachter was familiar with Sampino, who became the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction last fall.

But they both expressed confidence in her, and said they looked forward to getting to know her.

“We’re eager to support her in any way we can,” Wachter said. “We really hope that whoever the superintendent is, whether it’s Janine eventually or whoever is found through a search, that we can have a Board of Ed and a superintendent who really build up a positive, productive relationship.”

A big celebration of Lunar New Year at Town Hall

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, the Town of Oyster Bay hosted a celebration at Town Hall North in partnership with numerous Chinese-American community groups. The event featured traditional performances from Sitan Tai Chi and Martial Arts, the Long Island Music Conservancy, Yes I Can Performing Arts Center and The Rabbit Dance Team.

In addition, there was a presentation honoring the Chinese Association of Jericho, Chinese American Association of Syosset, Chinese American Association of Plainview and Long Island Chinese American Association. Oyster

Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino thanked these organizations for their tremendous contributions in preserving the Chinese heritage in our community and emphasized the importance of celebrating the Lunar New Year, a time of unifying celebration for millions around the world that recognizes the diversity, history and richness of East Asian culture.

Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of the new year, and is widely celebrated in China, South Korea, Vietnam, and countries with a significant East Asian population. 2023 marks the Year of the Rabbit, the fourth of the 12 animals that make up the Chinese zodiac, which is a symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity in Chinese culture.

ETHAN YIP, 11, center, performed martial arts alongside Alex Chen, 16, left, and Allen Huang, 17, from Sitan Tai Chi and Martial Arts in Syosset.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

THE YOUNGER DANCERS dressed as bunnies to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. Shuo Yang, right, was one of many dancers who joined in the celebration of Lunar New Year.

Santos gives himself more free time on our dime

By LAURA LANE llane@liherald.com

U.S. Rep. George Santos recused himself on Tuesday from the House Science, Space and Technology and Small Business committees in the midst of continuing public interest in his questionable past, as well as ongoing investigations about how he financed his successful November campaign.

The embattled Republican — who represents a district that includes the North Shore — confirmed in a statement he notified House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of his decision the day before.

“Without the ongoing attention surrounding both my personal and campaign financial investigations, I have submitted a request to Speaker McCarthy that I be temporarily recused from my committee assignments until I am cleared,” Santos said. “This was a decision that I take very seriously. The business of the 118th Congress must continue without media fanfare. It is important that I primarily focus on serving the constituents of New York’s 3rd Congressional District, and providing federal level representation without distraction.”

What Santos is giving up is significant, according to state Sen. Jack Martins, because those responsibilities in commit-

tees are significant. It’s where the work is done, where members debate and advance bills, and review legislation pertaining to what may be crafted for consideration by the full House.

“It’s equivalent to cutting school and showing up for graduation,” said Martins, who has joined other Republicans in demanding Santos resign. “You have to put your time in in the committees where you actually do work. Santos wants to collect the pay and be a member of Congress, but not work. He’s not doing his job.”

Former U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, who defeated Santos in the 2020 election, said there are several responsibilities entrusted to members of Congress. They need to work on their assigned committee to become experts so they can draft legislation. They are obligated to hold hearings, and they need to dive deeply into specific areas. They also must be a conduit to the various needs of their constituents — whether they be individuals, businesses or local government — to navigate the federal bureaucracy and obtain resources.

Receiving one’s fair share from the federal government is paramount.

“But you also need to be involved in other matters beyond your community jurisdiction to influence policy and affect change and vote on legislation,” Suozzi said. “Based upon this recent action and reports about failure to deliver constituent services and lack of personal relationships with colleagues, it seems as if Santos is confining himself to only one of the roles — to vote on legislation.”

Robert Zimmerman, the Democrat who ran unsuccessfully against Santos in November, said not working on committees makes the congressman unfit to serve.

“His district office is not functioning,” Zimmerman said. “Citizens are not receiving services. He should be expelled. Republican leadership in Congress and the members there who refuse to expel him are accomplices to his crimes.”

Santos’s problems began last December before he was sworn into office when The New York Times published an expo-

sé detailing inaccuracies about the then congressman-elect’s education, work experience and personal past. A week later, Santos admitted to “embellishing” aspects of his education and work experience.

Josh Lafazan, who lost in the August Democratic primary race for the seat to Zimmerman, says he believes the decision to vacate his committees was not one left to Santos.

“It was probably McCarthy who told him to,” the Nassau County legislator said. “The fact that he is a pariah among his own caucus shows his days are numbered. This is the beginning of the end.”

Santos did not belong on the Small Business Committee, Lafazan said. His district has many small businesses — many which need federal assistance — something the lawmakers says Santos would not have been able to deliver.

“George Santos serving on the committee was a slap in the face to those who need representation,” Lafazan said. “It was an abomination he was placed on that committee in the first place.”

Santos won’t get a pass for leaving the committees, Martins said.

“This is what the other fictionalized character was elected for. That he walks away is an indication of who George Santos is.”

LIJ Medical Center is in the top 10% of hospitals nationally for oncology, according to U.S.News&WorldReport.

Our doctors are raising health by pioneering innovative approaches to cancer from novel chemotherapy techniques to first-in- the-nation robotic mastectomies with minimal scarring. Because when it comes to cancer, there’s no status quo. There’s only “how far can we go?”

Northwell.edu/NoLimits

The fact that he is a pariah among his own caucus shows his days are numbered.

JOSH LAFAZAN Nassau County legislator

BREAKING DOWN BOUNDARIES WITH CANCER BREAKTHROUGHS

All aboard for Grand Central Madison Limited — and temporary —Long Island Rail Road shuttle service from Jamaica opens

By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com

To the casual observer, it was just any other day at Jamaica’s Long Island Rail Road station.

But just after 10 a.m., commuters rushed aboard a shuttle train destined for Manhattan, the familiar busy choreography of squeezing through, wedging past, running in to nab a seat.

Families holding their kids in tow. Couples and solo riders clutching their baggage. All of them packed into train cars, filling the aisle seats within minutes. Other late arrivals stood standing. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

But the air — even for a late-morning train ride — was unusually abuzz with chatter. Some kept conversation below a whisper. Others, not so much. But everyone was alive with a quiet knowing that this was no ordinary train ride. Instead, taking place, was a moment in history.

A history that was finally connecting Long island with Manhattan’s East Side.

For the better part of a century, for as long as anyone can remember, LIRR commuters relied on Penn Station to get them into the heart of New York City. So long in fact, it seemed the day for an alternative would never come.

But within the span of 22 minutes, that would all become history.

As the train came to its final stop 150 feet below ground in the bedrock of Midtown Manhattan, the low rattling of the train cars stopped, followed by silence. No one dared to move. Breaking the stillness was the sound of the cheery conductor’s voice coming over the loudspeaker whose five words said it all:

“Welcome to Grand Central Madison”

Applause erupted from the train cars. It was a watershed moment for the MTA as passengers set foot for the very first time on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Manhattan East Side station. A moment that encapsulated six decades of planning, nearly 20 years of construction, and roughly $11.6 billion.

The opening came after a month of delays caused by a faulty ventilation fan. Yet, despite the acknowledged roadblocks, delays and missteps along the way, Grand Central Madison is finally here.

“Grand Central will dramatically change the transportation of the region,” said Janno Lieber, the MTA’s chair and chief executive. “It’s going to benefit Long Islanders with shorter commutes, 40 percent more service, and help Long Island business recruit people from the city with reverse commuting.”

And for Niurka Maldonado of Queens —riding with daughters Nora and Paulina — the prospect of having faster access to Manhattan’s East Side is nothing short of exciting.

“We have several friends that work in that area, and I love some of the restaurants in there,” she said. “So, we’re going to definitely be doing more trips to Grand Central and everything around there.”

Grand Central Madison direct LIRR schedule

For roughly three weeks, shuttle service trains between Jamaica and Grand Central Madison are running every 30 minutes during off-peak hours and on weekends, and once per hour during peak times.

Service runs between 6:15 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays, and between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. on weekends.

Long Island Rail Road riders looking to Grand Central Madison can use their Penn Station tickets, which are the same price.

It will likely be a month before full service comes online, replacing the simple commuter trains. For now, riders looking for a fast way between Jamaica and Manhattan’s East Side can find trains every 30 minutes during off-peak hours, and every 60 during peak times.

“I just want to see if it saves me time going to my office on the East Side,” said Francesco Giovannetti of Glen Head. “I’m hoping to save about 20 to 30 minutes being two blocks away from Grand Central. I want to get acclimated to the station.”

Then there was Ruthanne Terrero of Malverne, sitting placidly with her tote bag in hand, taking in the significance of the moment of new train service to Manhattan.

“It’s just really glorious to see that we have something really beautiful,” Terrero said. “I think a lot of people work on the East Side, and I think it’s also really important that people see that New York is progressing.”

And more progress is still to come. Whether this project was worth its price tag, worth the commuting disruption, and worth the extended wait will be up to the riders themselves. Some have already taken to social media to point out certain mishaps like escalators shutting down midway, and some finding trouble making their way into the LIRR concourse at Grand Central.

It is no doubt looking to be a work in progress.

But Mitchell Schwartz and brother Steven — two young MTA train enthusiasts from Roslyn — wouldn’t have wanted this once-in-a-lifetime moment any other way.

Phyllis Levine, pounced on the chance to hop on the shuttle train to Grand Central if it meant saving time getting to her pharmacology appointment.

“I’m not a subway person, and I gen-

erally like to drive everywhere,” the Queens resident said. “But the easiest way to get to Manhattan from Queens is the express bus or the Long Island Rail Road. So, I figured I should try the ride to Grand Central. See how it goes.”

“Just try wrapping your head around the fact that we are the first of millions to ride a train toward something that has been proposed for over half a century,” Mitchell said. “It’s just an amazing occasion.”

Additional reporting by Andre Silva.

Juan Lasso/Herald photos

COMMUTERS, ENVELOPED UNDER a glass ceiling, take the roughly 3,000-foot escalator between the Long Island Rail Road concourse and the mezzanine at Grand Central Madison station on opening day of service that will eventually create a direct link between Manhattan’s East Side and Long Island.

COMMUTERS FROM JAMAICA station boarded the first passenger Long Island Rail Road train to Grand Central Madison inaugurating the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s long-awaited East Side access that will soon provide LIRR service out of Grand Central Terminal.

STEPPING OUT

Score big on Super Sunday on Get your

By Karen Bloom

It’s the biggest sports day of the year. Classic commercials, historic plays and friends are all quintessential elements of the perfect game-day get-together. Whether your gang includes football fanatics or just a few fans, the big game — on Feb. 12 — is a great excuse for casual winter entertaining.

And while there may be a game on the big screen, a lot of the action takes place around the table — keeping everyone well-fed is a sport in itself!

• 1/4 tsp. onion powder

• 1 tsp. smoked paprika

• 1 cup hummus

Whisk first seven ingredients together (vinegar through paprika). Add hummus and combine thoroughly. Be creative with your dipping options. Potato and tortilla chips go hand-in-hand with tailgating festivities, but beyond these standards is a whole world of other dipping options. For a Mediterranean touch, go with flatbread, pita bread or pita chips. Or opt for more texture with multi-grain crackers that include raw flax, chia or sesame seeds. Or go for double the Buffalo wing flavor by dipping your wing, instead of the traditional blue cheese.

Cajun Buffalo Chicken Wings

Here’s a zesty take on the football-watching favorite.

• 2-1/2 pounds chicken wing pieces

• 1/2 cup any flavor Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wings Sauce

• 1/3 cup ketchup

• 2 tsp. Cajun seasoned spice blend

Bake wings in foil-lined pan at 500° F on lowest oven rack for 20 to 25 minutes until crispy, turning once.

Mix buffalo wings sauce, ketchup and spice blend. Toss wings in sauce to coat.

Tip: You may substitute 1/2 cup red hot sauce mixed with 1/3 cup melted butter for the Wings Sauce.

Alternate cooking directions: Deep-fry at 375° F for 10 minutes, or broil 6 inches from heat 15 to 20 minutes turning once.

Darlene Love

Darlene Love is always a welcome stage presence. For more than 50 years, she’s been making rock and roll’s world go ‘round. Since the early ‘60s, as part of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound hit factory, this songstress has done it all — from movies like the ‘Lethal Weapon’ series to Broadway hits like ‘Hairspray’ and ‘Grease.’ She even starred as herself in ‘Leader of the Pack,’ credited as Broadway’s first ‘jukebox musical.’ Love’s career and legacy reached new heights, as a result of being featured in 2013’s acclaimed documentary ‘20 Feet from Stardom,’ when she became the best known ‘unknown”’ in rock history. She continues to captivate audiences with her warm, gracious persona and dynamic performances. Her timeless, soaring voice remains as powerful as ever. Rolling Stone magazine has proclaimed Love to be ‘one of the greatest singers of all time,’ and that certainly rings true, but perhaps Paul Shaffer says it even more concisely: ‘Darlene Love is rock and roll!”

Friday, Feb. 10, 8 p.m. $88, $78, $68. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

Hummus Buffalo Wing Dip

A warm batch of Buffalo wings pairs well with this smoky and spicy dip.

• 1 tsp. red wine vinegar

• 1 tsp. olive oil

• 1 tbsp. tomato paste

• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard

• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Touchdown Italian Sausage Chili

• 1 package (19.76 ounces) Italian sausage links

• 1 cup onion, chopped

• 3 celery ribs, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

• 1 large sweet red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1 tbsp. garlic, minced

• 3 tbsp. olive oil

• 1 large yellow pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1 large green pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Italian recipe stewed tomatoes

• 1 can (16 ounces) dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 can (15 ounces) butter beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

• 3/4 cup black olives, sliced

• 1/4 cup cream sherry (optional)

• 1 tbsp. fresh basil, chopped

• 1 1/2 tsp. baking cocoa

• 1/2 to 1 tsp. pepper

Cook sausage according to package directions; cut into half moon slices and set aside.

In soup kettle, saute onion, celery, sweet pepper and garlic in oil until tender. Add sausage and remaining ingredients; bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until flavors are blended.

Sprinkle chili with grated asiago, romano, parmesan cheese — or any cheese of your choice — before serving. Makes 12 servings.

Lviv National Philharmonic

The National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine was established in Lviv in1902, a city known as one of the great cultural centers of eastern Europe, The orchestra has evolved over the years to become one of that nation’s largest and most internationally known ensembles, now under the baton of principal guest conductor Theodore Kuchar. It reminds us of how music can bridge cultures and bring people together. Their 2023 American tour is a testament to the power of music to overcome adversity. Their program for this powerful concert includes: Ukrainian composer Yevhen Stankovych’s Chamber Symphony No. 3 for Flute and String Orchestra; Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16; and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92. Pianist Oksana Rapita is the featured soloist.

Saturday, Feb. 16, 8 p.m.; with 6:45 p.m. Arts Insider preperformance preview. $79, $59, $44. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. (516) 299-3100 or TillesCenter. org..

THE SCENE

Feb. 23

Art talk

Grab your lunch and join Nassau County Museum of Art Docent Riva Ettus for her popular “Brown Bag Lecture” live, via Zoom, Thursday, Feb. 23, 1 p.m. She’ll discuss the current exhibition, “The Big Picture: Photography Now.” Participants are invited to ask questions at the end of the program. Register at least 24 hours in advance to receive the program Zoom link. Also Feb. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

A Donde Llega el Silencio

Visit Planting Fields

Zoë Keating

Feb. 17

Cellist and composer Zoë Keating visits the Landmark stage, Friday, Feb. 17, 8 p.m. Considered a “one woman” orchestra, she uses a cello and a foot-controlled laptop to loop layer upon layer of cello, creating intricate, haunting, and compelling music; Keating has spent the last 20 years exploring the landscape of sounds a string instrument can make. She coaxes sounds out of the very edges of her cello, adeptly layering them into “swoon inducing” (San Francisco Weekly) music that is unclassifiable yet “a distinctive mix of old and new” (National Public Radio). She is known for her use of technology — which she uses to record and sample her cello onstage and in the studio – and for her DIY approach — composing, recording and producing her works on her own terms, without the help of a record label. $41, $35, $27. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

Arboretum, 1395 Planting Fields Road in Oyster Bay, for a performance by Argentinian musician Jacinta Clusellas, Saturday, Feb. 18, 6-8 p.m. Hear tunes from her second EP, “A Donde Llega el Silencio,” with a wine and cheese reception following. For more information, call (516) 922-9210 or email info@ plantingfields.org.

Platanos Y Collard Greens

See the romantic comedy about what happens when an African American and a Latina college student fall in love, presented by Nassau Community College Theater and Dance Department and the Africana Studies Department, Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 7-11, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 12, 2 p.m. Also Feb. 16-19, with talkback session with playwright David Lamb, immediately following final performance. Threaded by the culture of hip-hop, the lovers defend their relationship, as friends and family learn that this “food fight” calls for fusion instead of feud. Nassau Community College’s Mainstage Theatre, Garden City. Tickets $10; NCC students free with valid ID; $8 veterans, alumni, seniors 60+, students and NCC employees. For tickets/information, visit NCC. edu or call (516) 572-7676.

In perfect harmony

The SingStrong A Cappella Festival returns to the New York area, hosted by Adelphi University, Friday through Sunday, Feb. 3-5. Professional a cappella groups perform along with collegiate and high school ensembles. A variety of musical genres are represented, including re-imaginings of barbershop, pop, R&B, jazz, and more. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 8774000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.

Meet the Presidents

Join Glen Cove Public Library for a Zoom presentation on the evolution of the presidency and executive branch, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2-3 p.m. Learn about how presidents have interpreted and fulfilled their leadership role. For more information contact adultprograms@ glencovelibrary.org or call (516) 676-2130.

Having an event?

Senior Lunch Program

Enjoy visiting friends, with a delicious lunch and chair yoga, at the popular senior program hosted by Mutual Concerns, every Tuesday, at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church, at 253 Glen Ave., in Sea Clifff. Those iinterested in joining the lunch program can call Peggie Como at (516) 675-7239.

On stage

Mo Willems’ popular Pigeon comes alive on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage, Saturday, Feb. 11, 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Sunday, Feb.12, 2 p.m.; Wednesday through Friday, Feb. 15-17, noon. LICM, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

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.

Deep

market

Deep Roots Indoor Winter Market

Shop for all sorts of enticing items, Saturday, Feb. 4, 10 a.m.2 p.m. The market, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 28 Highland Road, Glen Cove, offers locally grown vegetables, eggs, meat and dairy, as well as fresh baked goods, artisan cheeses, honey and more. For more information contact Amy Peters at amy@ deeprootsfarmersmarket.com or call (516) 318-5487.

Watercolor Workshop

Head to Planting Fields

Arboretum, located at 1395 Planting Fields Road in Oyster Bay, for a watercolor painting workshop on Saturday, Feb. 11, noon to 2:30 p.m. Artist Victoria Beckert teaches the basic techniques of watercolor painting and guides attendees through painting a landscape photograph of Planting Fields on their own. For more information contact info@plantingfields.org or (516) 922-9210.

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.

Pat McGann

Pat McGann, quickly rising as one of the sharpest stand-ups on the comedy scene, appears at The Paramount, Saturday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m. A relative latecomer to comedy, he began doing standup at age 31 after realizing he was not very good at selling packaging. He hustled his way to become the house emcee at Zanies Chicago, where he distinguished himself as especially adept at working the crowd. A husband and father of three young children, his appeal stems from his quick wit and relatable take on family life and marriage. In 2017, McGann began touring as the opening act for Sebastian Maniscalco, moving with him from clubs to theater, to arenas, including four sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden. $40, $35, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

NCC union rallies after health care costs rise

By ANDRE SILVA asilva@liherald.com

Demanding fair contracts with affordable health care costs, dozens of Nassau Community College faculty members rallied outside of the county legislature last week.

They were part of a broader protest from the Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers, an educators union representing NCC’s full-time faculty, speaking out against higher health care insurance premium costs. They gathered on the steps of the county legislature carrying signs like “We’d rather be teaching right now,” demanding better wages and fair contracts, targeting both the Nassau Community College Board of Trustees and the county itself.

They weren’t out on the steps long before some of the union members were ushered inside the Mineola building with a chance to state their case with county legislators.

The educators union and trustees board have been negotiating full-time faculty contracts since last July, hoping to work out a deal before their contracts expired in August. The union has rallied multiple times since then, expressing frustration with the negotiation process.

As recently as Dec. 13, Siminioff and the union asked the trustees to include salary increases to keep up with rising inflation, as well as include paid sabbaticals. But then, last week, health insurance premium costs jumped for full-time faculty at NCC.

The increase came about thanks to the trustees enacting an old clause in their contracts — written decades ago — allow-

ing the board to charge faculty members working under an expired contract with increased health insurance premiums. The insurance increases, Siminioff said, could cost faculty members between $2,500 and $5,000 — effectively acting like a pay cut.

“So, we’re not getting we’re not getting a wage increase. Our promotions have all been frozen. We’re not getting our sabbaticals. We’re not getting anything. But they’re imposing this on us,” Siminioff said. “I think this provision has been there for 30 years and they have never invoked it. They want to punish the faculty and force us through economic strongarming.”

John Gross, an Ingerman Smith attorney representing Nassau Community College, said the New York State Health Insurance Plan — which provides insurance to all college employees — raised premiums on Jan. 1 by 15 percent for family coverage. That’s about $5,000 each year. Individual coverage rose more than 12 percent, which could cost upward of $4,000 over the next 12 months.

A provision in NCC’s full-time faculty labor contract states if the cost of health insurance premiums increases after a contract expires, Gross said, it’s up to the individual employees to shoulder those costs through payroll deductions.

“The union knew it was in the labor contract because one of the proposals in our current negotiations is to remove the clause,” Gross said. “The board didn’t wake up one day and said, ‘You know what? We’re going to impose these increases on the union.’”

Siminioff said many faculty members

feel the college has strained them to their limits, and has not properly supported them financially. Aside from the imposed health insurance premiums, NCC’s faculty has experienced an average wage increase just over 1 percent in the past decade.

“The starting salary for an instructional faculty member is approximately $60,800, and the starting salary for a noninstructional faculty member is $55,900,” Siminioff said. “According to the MIT wage calculator, a middle-class family of three needs about $96,000 to be middle class in Nassau County.”

Faculty members are teaching more students in larger classes over the past few years, Siminioff said. When she first

started teaching at NCC some 25 years ago, she taught an average of 110 students each semester. Now, professors are being asked to educate an average of 160 students each semester — which Siminioff feels is unfair.

Aside from low starting wages, it typically takes 15 to 18 years for someone on the faculty to start earning $100,000, Siminioff said. Anyone hired now would earn $55,000, taking 15 years to climb to $100,000.

“By the time you get 15 years of employment, it’s still not enough to live middle class in Nassau County,” Siminioff said. “So, they’re condemning college faculty to never being middle class. That’s the bottom line.”

Tim Baker/Herald photos

MEMBERS OF THE Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers, an educators union supporting the school’s full-time faculty, gathered at the Nassau County Legislature to demand fair contracts after learning their health care insurance premiums were going up.

FAREN SIMINIOFF, PRESIDENT of the Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers union, gathered protesters outside the Nassau County Legislature, demanding better wages and fair contracts from the Nassau Community College board and the county.

T hey want to punish the faculty and force us through economic strong-arming.

FAREN SIMINIOFF president, Nassau

Community College Federation of Teachers

George Santos update

Santos claims of an assassination attempt

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

As the new year continue, more sensational stories and news from U.S. Rep. George Santos continue to emerge. Like claims someone tried to assassinate the politician while he was still running for office.

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow aired footage Jan. 23 from an interview Santos participated in with Brazilian podcast Rádio Novelo Apresenta. In the interview from before his election, Santos claimed someone had tried to kill him, although he provided no further details.

Maddow said her team couldn’t find any police record to corroborate the congressman’s claims, and Santos did not return a request to her for comment.

Instead, the only public comment he’s made — outside of a statement released after news broke he was stepping down from his congressional committee temporarily — was a Twitter post on Jan. 26. “From interviewing clowns, to creating fake ‘posts,’ the media continues to (downward) spiral as their attempt to smear me fails. I am getting the job I signed up for done, while you all spiral out of control.”

In the same podcast interview, Santos described several other instances where he claimed he and his husband were threatened or attacked — reiterating contentions made during his campaign that his home in Florida was vandalized after attending a New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago, home of former presi-

dent Donald Trump.

Santos did not elaborate on what form the vandalism took, and his assertion that he and his husband needed police protection also has not been corroborated.

The final major claim on the podcast interview was

that he was robbed at gunpoint by two muggers on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, taking — among other things — his shoes. Santos asserts the robbers were white, but provided no evidence of the crime, and Maddow’s team could not locate a police report detailing such an incident.

Santos also took some heat this past week for a speech he delivered on the House floor marking Holocaust Remembrance Day. Following the election, Santos was forced to downplay his claims of Jewish heritage, as well as assertions he was descended from Holocaust survivors from Ukraine.

The online news outlet Patch says it obtained old social media posts believed to be created by Santos referencing Hitler, and seemingly encouraging the murder of African Americans and Jews.

Santos’s finances have also been under particular scrutiny after his campaign changed the listed source of several of his campaign donations on finance reports. An amended filing with the Federal Election Commission on Jan. 24 no longer claims Santos loaned his campaign more than $600,000.

Santos has not addressed or explained the source of his finances, and there are currently at least four ongoing investigations into campaign donations and his personal finances.

His long-time treasurer, Nancy Marks resigned this past week as probes from the Federal Election Commission and the U.S. Justice Department, among others, continue to mount.

Herald file photo

SANTOS IN AN interview with a Brazilian podcast on Jan. 23, alleged he was the target of an assassination attempt, although he did not provide details.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE TO BIDDERS INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF UPPER BROOKVILLE STREET NAME SIGN BIDS

Please take notice that sealed bids will be received at the office of the Village Attorney, Humes & Wagner LLP, 147 Forest Avenue, Locust Valley, New York, 11560, until 11:00 AM on February 17, 2023, at which time they shall be publicly opened and read aloud and the contract awarded as soon thereafter as practicable for the manufacturing and installation of new street name signs and posts pursuant to Village Specifications and the removal of existing sign posts and disposal as directed by the Village. All Bids shall be sealed and submitted in envelopes and marked on the outside of the envelope, “BID FOR STREET NAME SIGNS OF THE VILLAGE OF UPPER BROOKVILLE” and shall be addressed to Humes & Wagner LLP, 147 Forest Avenue, Locust Valley, New York, 11560.

Instructions to Bidders, Specifications, Qualification of Bidders, Certificate of NonCollusive Bidding and Proposal may be obtained from the Village Clerk by contacting her at villageclerk@upperbrookv ille.org or (516) 624-7715

Ext. 1, Monday to Friday between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Each bid must be accompanied by a certified check in the amount of $500.00 made payable to the Incorporated Village of Upper Brookville as assurance that the bid is made in good faith. The bidder will be required to complete the bid packet in its entirety. The contractor will be required to comply with all requirements of the State of New York, including the provisions of the Labor Laws.

Prevailing Wage rates must be paid to all workers. The contractor will also be required to provide Workman’s Compensation, Disability, Commercial General Liability and Automobile insurance.

The successful bidder will be required to enter into a contract for the performance of the work in accordance with the awarded bid.

The Board of Trustees reserve the right to waive any informality in any bid, to reject any or all bids or to accept any bid which in the opinion of the Board will be in the best interest of the Village

Dated: February 3, 2023

By the Board of Trustees

Upper Brookville, New York

Tracy Lynch

Village Clerk Treasurer 137127

LEGAL NOTICE

At an IAS Part 21 of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, held in and for the County of Nassau, at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY, on the 25th day of January, 2023.

PRESENT:

HON. Conrad D. Singer, Justice. Index No. 601300/2023. ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. In the Matter of ROBERT FEIN and JACQUELINE FEIN, Petitioner -againstGMAC MORTGAGE CORPORATION d/b/a DITECH.COM, Respondent For the Discharge of Record of an Ancient Mortgage. UPON the annexed petition of ROBERT FEIN and JACQUELINE FEIN, verified the 19th day of January, 2023, the annexed affirmation of Michael A. Markowitz, affirmed to on the 19th day of January, 2023, and the exhibits attached thereto, it is hereby ORDERED, that the Nassau County Clerk and all other persons interested show cause by paper submission only before this court before Hon. Conrad D. Singer, JSC to be held in and for the County of Nassau, in the courthouse located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York, on 28th day of February, 2023, or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard, why an order to should not be made herein discharging of record a certain mortgage for $30,000 dated March 11, 2001, recorded on March 27, 2001 with the Nassau County Clerk under Liber 20858, Page 414, and which mortgage is now a lien on the property designated as Section 13, Block 55, Lot 5, on the land map of the County of Nassau, and commonly known as 10 Montclair Road, Plainview, NY 11803; Sufficient cause being alleged therefor, it is hereby ORDERED, that a copy of this order shall be published in a newspaper having general circulation in Nassau County and in New York County at least once at least 3 week(s) immediately preceding the time appointed for the hearing; and it is further, ORDERED, that a copy of this Order, together with a copy of the papers upon which it is made, together with the index number and date of purchase, together with the Request for Judicial Intervention shall be served upon the Nassau County Clerk by personal delivery on or before January 30, 2023, and that such service be deemed sufficient; and it is further, ORDERED, that a copy of this Order, together with a copy of the papers upon which it is made, together with the index number and date of purchase, together with the Request for Judicial Intervention shall be served upon

GMAC MORTGAGE CORPORATION d/b/a DITECH.COM, by delivery to its bankruptcy attorney, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, and the US Trustee c/o Mr. Greg Zipes, by certified mail, return receipt requested and by overnight mail, overnight UPS or overnight federal express on or before January 27, 2023, and that such service be deemed sufficient; further ordered that answering papers, if any, shall be filed and served no later than February 21, 2023; and is further, ordered, that all parties shall submit to chambers working hard copies of their motion submission papers no later than 2/27/2023, and that such working hard copies shall include appended thereto a copy of any case law and or statutory law cited in the motion papers; and it is further, ordered, that the petitioner shall file affidavits of service known later than 2/21/2023. ENTER: Hon. Conrad D. Singer, JSC. 137126

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY.

MEDCOR HOLDING CO., ltf. vs. SAEID E. JALAYER Defts. Index #612853/2019. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered December 6, 2022, I will sell at public auction on the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 8, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. prem.

k/a Section 21, Block L, Lot 150. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale and the right of the United States of America to redeem within 120 days from the date of sale as provided by law. Foreclosure auction 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. DOMINIC A. VILLONI, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys for Pltf., 12 Tulip Dr., Great Neck, NY. #100054

137124

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO CITIBANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR STRUCTURED ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-10, Plaintiff, vs. JOHN P.Z. KENT AKA JOHN Z. KENT, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly

entered on November 10, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 22, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1065 Friendly Road, Upper Brookville, NY 11771. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Upper Brookville, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 24, Block E and Lot 229. Approximate amount of judgment is $588,190.74 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 601433/2018. Cash will not be accepted. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Peter Kramer, Esq., Referee (516)510-4020 Knuckles, Komosinski & Manfro, LLP, 565 Taxter Road, Suite 590, Elmsford, NY 10523, Attorneys for Plaintiff 136740

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU, CITIBANK, N.A., Plaintiff, vs. EVE STRAUSMAN WINSTON, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 10, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on February 21, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 7 Wellington Road, Locust Valley, NY 11560. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Matinecock, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 23, Block B and Lot 364. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,765,191.72 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 000953/2014. Cash will not be accepted. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the

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

Robert J. Cristiano, Esq., Referee Knuckles, Komosinski & Manfro, LLP, 565 Taxter Road, Suite 590, Elmsford, NY 10523, Attorneys for Plaintiff 136742

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU, CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff, vs. ROBERT M. WALLACH A/K/A ROBERT WALLACH A/K/A BOBBY WALLACH A/K/A BOB

WALLACH A/K/A ROBERT MATTHEW WALLACH, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Order to Amend Caption duly entered on February 2, 2017 and an Order Pursuant to CPLR 2004 Extending the Time to Set Sale and to Ratify Sale Nunc Pro Tunc and for the Appointment of a Successor Referee to Conduct the Sale duly entered on August 22, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 1, 2023 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 219 Feeks Lane, Mill Neck, NY 11765. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Village of Mill Neck, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 29, Block J and Lot 372. Approximate amount of judgment is $4,966,248.56 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 007508/2014. Cash will not be accepted. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

George Esernio, Esq., Referee Knuckles, Komosinski & Manfro, LLP, 565 Taxter Road, Suite 590, Elmsford, NY 10523, Attorneys for Plaintiff 136944 LEGAL

New York on: 12/02/2022

Office location: County of Nassau

Purpose: Any and all lawful activities

Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail a copy of process to:

c/o Darell Handler 315 Lawn Lane Oyster Bay, NY 11771 136545

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER’S SALE OF TAX LIENS ON REAL ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that commencing on February 21st, 2023, will sell at public on-line auction the tax liens on certain real estate, unless the owner, mortgagee, occupant of or any other party in interest in such real estate shall have paid to the County Treasurer by February 16th, 2023 the total amount of such unpaid taxes or assessments with the interest, penalties and other expenses and charges against the property.

Such tax liens will be sold at the lowest rate of interest, not exceeding 10 percent per six-month period, for which any person or persons shall offer to take the total amount of such unpaid taxes as defined in Section 5-37.0 of the Nassau County Administrative Code.

Effective with the February 2019 lien sale

Ordinance No. 175-2015 requires a $175.00 per day registration fee for each person who intends to bid at the tax lien sale.

Ordinance No. 175-2015 also requires that upon the issuance of the Lien Certificate there is due from the lien buyer a Tax Certificate Issue Fee of $20.00 per lien purchased. Pursuant to the provisions of the Nassau County Administrative Code at the discretion of the Nassau County Treasurer the auction will be conducted online. Further information concerning the procedures for the auction is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucount yny.gov/526/CountyTreasurer

Should the Treasurer determine that an inperson auction shall be held, same will commence on the 21st day of February 2023 at the Office of The County Treasurer 1 West Street, Mineola or at some other location to be determined by the Treasurer.

A list of all real estate in Nassau County on which tax liens are to be sold is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at:

https://www.nassaucount yny.gov/527/Annual-Tax-

Lien-Sale

A list of local properties upon which tax liens are to be sold will be advertised in this publication on or before February 08th, 2023.

Nassau County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodations such as those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in all services, programs, activities and public hearings and events conducted by the Treasurer’s Office. Upon request, information can be made available in Braille, large print, audiotape or other alternative formats. For additional information, please call (516) 571-2090 ext. 1-3715.

Dated: January 25, 2023

THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, NewYork

TERMS OF SALE

Such tax liens shall be sold subject to any and all superior tax liens of sovereignties and other municipalities and to all claims of record which the County may have thereon and subject to the provisions of the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts. However, such tax liens shall have priority over the County’s Differential Interest Lien, representing the excess, if any, of the interest and penalty borne at the maximum rate over the interest and penalty borne at the rate at which the lien is purchased.

The Purchaser acknowledges that the tax lien(s) sold pursuant to these Terms of Sale may be subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or may become subject to such proceedings which may be commenced during the period in which a tax lien is held by a successful bidder or the assignee of same, which may modify a Purchaser’s rights with respect to the lien(s) and the property securing same. Such bankruptcy proceedings shall not affect the validity of the tax lien. In addition to being subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts, said purchaser’s right of foreclosure may be affected by the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act(FIRREA),12 U.S.C. ss 1811 et.seq., with regard to real property under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation(FDIC) receivership.

The County Treasurer reserves the right, without further notice and at any time, to withdraw from sale any of the parcels of land or premises herein listed.

The Nassau County Treasurer reserves the right to intervene in any bankruptcy case/litigation where the property affected by the tax liens sold by the Treasurer is part of the bankruptcy estate. However, it is the sole responsibility of all tax lien purchasers to protect their legal interests in any bankruptcy case affecting their purchased tax lien, including but not limited to the filing of a proof of claim on their behalf, covering their investment in said tax lien. The Nassau County Treasurer and Nassau County and its agencies, assumes no responsibility for any legal representation of any tax lien purchaser in any legal proceeding including but not limited to a bankruptcy case where the purchased tax lien is at risk. The rate of interest and penalty at which any person purchases the tax lien shall be established by his bid. Each purchaser, immediately after the sale thereof, shall pay to the County Treasurer ten per cent of the amount for which the tax liens have been sold and the remaining ninety per cent within thirty days after such sale. If the purchaser at the tax sale shall fail to pay the remaining ninety per cent within ten days after he has been notified by the County Treasurer that the certificates of sale are ready for delivery, then all amounts deposited with the County Treasurer including but not limited to the ten per cent theretofore paid by him shall, without further notice or demand, be irrevocably forfeited by the purchaser and shall be retained by the County Treasurer as liquidated damages and the agreement to purchase shall be of no further effect. Time is of the essence in this sale. This sale is held pursuant to the Nassau County Administrative Code and interested parties are referred to such Code for additional information as to terms of the sale, rights of purchasers, maximum rates of interest and other legal incidents of the sale. Furthermore, as to the bidding, 1. The bidder(s) agree that they will not work with any other bidder(s) to increase, maintain or stabilize interest rates or collaborate with any other bidder(s) to gain an unfair competitive advantage in the random number generator in the event of a tie bid(s) on a tax certificate. Bidder(s) further agree not to employ any bidding

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

Republicans ask Lafazan for help in unseating Santos

George Santos ultimately victorious was even harder.

“I was outraged when I heard he won,” Lafazan said. “When I ran as a teenager, I had to have every ‘I’ dotted. There was such level of scrutiny. He’s the long lost brother of Anna Delvey,” referring to the Russian-born German con artist who posed as a wealthy heiress.

Election aftermath

When it was clear he would lose the primary, Lafazan’s first order of business was to contact his more than 200 teenaged interns. Likening them to “little brothers and sisters,” Lafazan wanted them to know they did a remarkable job working on his campaign, and how proud he was of them.

But most of all, he wanted to teach them how to lose.

“They needed to see how we handle loss gracefully,” Lafazan said. “I taught

them that when you lose, you hold your head up high. You show grace in defeat, and concede. I think that was the most important lesson these kids learned that night.”

As for how he felt, Lafazan said the evening remains a blur. He does remember going to a diner with his campaign workers at midnight to commiserate. No one could understand how he lost since they were up in their internal polling the day before the election.

The next morning, Lafazan awoke early, calling everyone who contributed to his campaign — from those who donated, to the people who put out lawn signs. There were hundreds of calls to make, he said, ultimately taking a week to complete.

In between, Lafazan had to answer calls from media, his friends and family. It was great to have the support, he said, but telling the same story over

Public Notices

strategy designed to create an unfair competitive advantage in the tiebreaking process in the upcoming tax sale nor work with any other bidder(s) to engage in any bidding strategy that will result in a rotational award of tax certificates.

2. The tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) bid, will be arrived at independently and without direct or indirect consultation,

communication or agreement with any other bidder and that the tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) to be bid, have not been disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder, and will not be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder prior to the close of bidding. No attempt has been made or will be made to, directly or indirectly, induce any other bidder to refrain

from bidding on any tax certificate, to submit complementary bids, or to submit bids at specific interest rates.

3. The bids to be placed by the Bidder will be made in good faith and not pursuant to any direct or indirect, agreement or discussion with, or inducement from, any other bidder to submit a complementary or other noncompetitive bid.

4. If it is determined that the bidder(s) have

and over again — and expressing the same gratitude — was emotionally taxing.

“I was personally exhausted by Labor Day,” he said. “That’s when I realized it was over. It was like going from 100 mph to zero.”

The day after the election, Lafazan went back to work in Mineola, showing his constituents that although he lost one office, it didn’t mean he wasn’t grateful for the other one he already had.

One of the best kept secrets in running for office is what has to be done when the campaign is over, and the candidate has lost. The following week, Lafazan spent his time preparing to move out of his Plainview campaign office. His staff had all either gone back to college or left for other jobs.

He only had his campaign manager, Chase Serota, to help move everything out.

“There were so many volunteers, so there were so many tables, desks, posters, beanbag chairs,” Lafazan said. “Chase and I put all of it in a massive U-Haul. Then, as we were driving down Jericho Turnpike, the door came open.”

His answer? No.

Learning about Santos winning the congressional seat he had campaigned for was a mixture of frustration and anger for Lafazan. But he wasn’t surprised.

Democrats across the island didn’t effectively message on public safety, crime and the economy. As a Democrat in a district populated mainly with Republicans, Lafazan heard often that his constituents wanted a plan. And Democrats weren’t providing one, or for the most part even acknowledging the problems existed.

Although he did not know much about Santos, Lafazan knew he did not like him.

“This was someone who, on the record, had likened abortion to slavery,” Lafazan said. “Who had bragged about being at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Who had made incredibly inflammatory statements about multiple groups.

“That this person with this background was our congressman-elect, it didn’t sit well with me.”

violated any of these bid requirements then their bid shall be voided and if they were the successful bidder the lien and any deposits made in connection with said bid shall be forfeited.

Dated: January 25, 2023

THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, New York 136839

To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to:

legalnotices@liherald.com

He also contacted Zimmerman, committing to host a fundraiser on his behalf.

Lafazan prefers to be busy. Hecticness and the business of the day is a distraction for him. So, he set his mind to doing all of the things he was unable to do while campaigning.

He read historical literature — one of his passions. He went running and exercised every day. And he learned transcendental meditation.

People have asked Lafazan if he’s ever considered getting out of politics.

His anger at his party’s loss turned to outrage when he read The New York Times story claiming Santos had fabricated many aspects of his life — from his education, to his work history, even his family. Lafazan hosted his first news conference about Santos the next day, and has had 10 more since — his most recent one on Tuesday.

“I never thought I’d be still having them, but this has gotten so morally depraved,” Lafazan said. “My constituents keep calling my office and they are Republicans. They want me to speak up. They want him held accountable. The Republicans who voted for him are angry, and really hurt by what he’s done.”

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

Tim Baker/Herald

COUNTY LEGISLATOR JOSH Lafazan has held nearly a dozen news conferences focusing on U.S. Rep. George Santos’s disputed claims about his resume and how he financed his congressional campaign. Lafazan, who talked with Herald Senior Editor Laura Lane, above, says he is doing what his Republican constituents would want him to do: expose Santos’s lies.

The era of ‘Marcus Welby, M.D.’ is over

I’ll bet very few readers remember television shows like “Dr. Kildare” and “Marcus Welby.” Those popular shows featured physicians who made house calls and performed miracles of all kinds. There may be a few of these doctors left, but it’s only a matter of time until such dedicated physicians are no longer in existence. Like it or not, the business of medicine is changing rapidly, and not for the benefit of the average patient.

I recently experienced this sea change in medicine, when two of my doctors announced their retirement. One was my internal medicine doctor, who served me faithfully for 32 years, and the other was a neurologist who had monitored me for about five years. It was obvious from our parting conversations that they were exhausted and tired of the day-to-day stresses of serving patients. If you visit almost any doctor’s office, you’ll notice that there are walls and

walls of files on display. They may signify how many patients your doctor serves, but they are also evidence of the amount of paperwork the average doctor must do to get paid by an insurance company. Once upon a time, insurance companies gave doctors an appropriate amount of money for the services they performed, but not anymore.

If you’re a doctor in New York City, you may get $1,000 for a medical procedure. But if you practice in, say, Smithtown, you may get paid $180, if you’re lucky. Geography makes a difference in reimbursement, and no rational observer of medicine will defend such an abominable system. These days, doctors need experienced staff members who have to deal with endless piles of documents, many of which are for small reimbursements. The daily practice of medicine isn’t a 9-to-5 operation. Many doctors take their charts home, to review medical histories and also to protect themselves from malpractice litigation. The business of suing doctors is a major enterprise, and the volume of litigation forces doctors to pay

outrageous fees for malpractice coverage. I’ve heard quite a few stories about doctors who quit the practice because they simply couldn’t afford the high premiums.

One way that a doctor can avoid some of these headaches is to become an employee of a hospital. That spares you the high insurance premiums, but life isn’t a bowl of cherries for the employed doctor, either. Large hospitals have rules upon rules, and they can mean plenty of paperwork, and having to handle a much larger caseload of patients then you ever had when you were on your own. One of my longtime, highly respected doctors has taken a leave of absence, because he’s now in his 80s and just can’t handle the caseload he’s been given. But hospitals are businesses, and they have every right to demand a high level of activity of their doctors.

There are many dedicated, newly minted doctors graduating from medical schools, but quite a few of them approach medicine much differently today than their forebears. Many young

doctors would prefer to work five days a week, with no weekend duty. They are willing to take less compensation and have more time for family, golf and vacations. They may be brilliant practitioners, but they don’t want to be so many Marcus Welbys.

And when we talk about medicine, we can’t forget about nurses. The recent strike at some major city hospitals was no surprise. I was in an ER recently, and found out that my nurse had 15 patients assigned to her. She was on the verge of a physical breakdown, but soldiered on, handling all of them with grace and patience. No doubt, she will get a large pay increase and a smaller patient workload, but it’s only fair to give her those benefits.

Like it or not, medicine is changing dramatically. In the next 10 years, we will see changes that we never dreamt of. Some will be good, and others bad. Let’s hope there are more good than bad.

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.

Folks scramble as the price of eggs soars nationwide

You can believe the hype. Last week, a boutique grocery on Manhattan’s Upper East Side was selling eggs for $17.99 a dozen. They weren’t Faberge eggs, dripping in diamonds and gilt. They were ordinary chicken-hatched, single-yolk, large “organic” eggs.

This news flash is courtesy of The Guardian newspaper in England, which loves to point out the crass and the crazy in American culture. It is given to gloating through stiff upper lips. Still, it has a point.

RANDI KREISS

Egg prices are heating up due to inflation, a surging avian flu epidemic and, some say, price gouging.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one year ago you could buy a dozen eggs for $1.72. Now, nationwide, the price averages $3.59. In some states like California, the average price is more than $7. Apparently in Manhattan, consumers have jumped from the frying pan into the fire. No more cheap, go-to weekday omelet dinners.

The current epidemic of avian flu is

the worst in history, according to NBC News. More than 53 million birds have died of the virus or been put to death. As so-far survivors of the coronavirus pandemic, we must wonder how vulnerable we humans are to this flu.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we’re probably safe. That’s not totally reassuring, but the avian flu has jumped to humans in only rare instances, and has passed from an infected person to other people in only extremely rare cases. Those who’ve contracted the flu after working around infected birds generally experienced mild symptoms, but the disease has been serious in a few people.

of Mexico to the U.S. I don’t know if it’s a Sinaloa cartel operation, but really? Smugglers in competition with the Easter Bunny?

Inflation?

I take my eggs very seriously. Omelets are a regular dinner in my home. I eat an egg every single day, over well, yolk broken. Lillybee the dog gets half a yolk.

Avian flu?

Price gouging?

No more cheap, go-to weekday omelet dinners.

Somehow, I want to believe human beings should be OK, but after the waves of half-information and misinformation informing our health decisions in the midst of Covid, I want to keep an eye on this H5N1 virus. Even though it might seem cost-effective now to start raising chickens in our backyards, nah, it’s probably not a good idea.

Last week it was widely reported that dealers have been running eggs out

I had to give up eggs recently and temporarily (for a month) after my friend cracked an egg and discovered a tiny, blackened mini-chicken inside. So gross! I didn’t actually see the monstrosity, but I can’t get the image out of my head. She was so traumatized by the visitation that she gave up eggs forever.

We move on. The most expensive egg product I ever purchased was a painted $25 ostrich eggshell I brought back from South Africa to present to my granddaughter on her 13th birthday. I was feeling quite high-minded about the symbolism of feminism and new beginnings and eternal life. But she sat on it, and that was that.

Two weeks ago, I cracked an egg and discovered it was a double yolker. According to Cackle Hatchery, double yolks are quite rare. They hardly ever

result in two chickens being born, because the eggshell can’t accommodate twins. Still, they are prized for eating. Some boutique chicken farmers specialize in double yolkers, the source of which is a genetic mutation. You can hold a candle to an egg and see what’s inside if you really need to know. If you really want to know.

Hardboiled eggs are worth a book of their own. I always have a few hardcooked eggs in my fridge, you know, in case of nuclear attack or tornado strike. I read about an 83-year-old hiker years ago who hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine, eating hardboiled eggs he cooked on a tiny camping stove.

In the 1967 movie “Cool Hand Luke,” an outrageously defiant prisoner played by Paul Newman choked down 50 hardboiled eggs on a dare. A few people in real life tried to imitate the feat, and one died. But Joey Chestnut, the renowned competitive eater, consumed 141 eggs in eight minutes in a contest. Miki Sudo broke the women’s world record, eating 104 eggs.

Chestnut, who, remarkably, is still alive — I checked — took home a $1,500 grand prize, which seems not nearly enough.

Copyright 2023 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

It was obvious from chats with my retiring doctors that they were exhausted.

JERRY KREMER

HERALD

The tricky balance of fear and openness

It was like having security cameras in every room of a house but one. That’s how Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone described to reporters the decentralized, hodgepodge security infrastructure of the county’s computer network, which more than 10,000 government employees, in dozens of departments, depended on.

It was a single unguarded entryway that let hackers in last September, essentially shutting down all operations and reportedly costing Suffolk millions of dollars.

Such an intrusion is enough to scare any business or government entity into fortifying defenses. But is there such a thing as being too scared?

In the days following Suffolk’s revelation that it had been hacked, Bellone’s counterpart, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, bent over backward to ensure that the same thing won’t happen here. Or at least we think he has, given that the details of those efforts are a closely held secret.

What we do know is that the Legislature has hired a cybersecurity consultant. And that’s about it. Who that consultant is, what they have to offer — and, most important, how much it’s going to cost taxpayers — is information only a very select few know.

Revealing too many details about the new cybersecurity efforts could be troublesome, of course. The more information hackers have, the more likely they can

LETTERS Offner was on the mark

To the Editor:

Re Daniel Offner’s column last week, “We must remember — and teach — the Holocaust”: Offner’s description of his grandmother, “When she was liberated by American troops from Dachau in May 1945, she weighed 45 pounds,” brought back an old memory to me. I remember my dad speaking of two cousins, who somehow made it to America after surviving one of those Nazi killing centers in Poland. He described them as two young guys, each over six feet tall and weighing 200 pounds — combined.

They didn’t last much longer than a year here. The Nazis killed them; they just didn’t die immediately.

And now we have Holocaust deniers, in spite of the films, photos and documents that exist, in addition to the survivors, and the living veterans who aided in their liberation and survival. We also have politicians in both parties telling us lies daily. Now we even have to be aware of a “journalist’s” political affiliations, agenda and beliefs. Sadly, as Offner pointed out, the same goes

find ways to slip past Nassau’s defenses. Yet county officials refuse to say how revealing simple bits of information — like who the vendor is, and how much they’re charging — would help these cyber menaces. And they aren’t budging.

As well, the Herald learned last week that a closed-doors executive session called by the Legislature produced an emergency cybersecurity declaration — its mere existence classified.

It’s perfectly understandable why county officials are on edge, and they should be commended for acting quickly to build Nassau’s technological defenses. And while many of those details should be kept secret, not all of them should be.

There is a reason why who our government does business with — and at what cost — should be out in the open, for all to see. We bear the financial cost of that business, and have every right to ensure that every dollar is being spent appropriately.

Everything about the county’s contract with this mystery cybersecurity firm could be perfectly fine. And it most likely is. But the taxpayers’ right is absolute assurance, not a preponderance of confidence. We have the right — by law — to make sure the Legislature is doing an arm’s-length deal with the right company for the right price.

How was the firm chosen? How was its compensation negotiated? What is the county getting in return? Even if we can’t have specifics, there’s no reason we can’t be clued in on at least some general

aspects.

Shoshanah Bewlay, executive director of the state-funded Committee on Open Government, shared in an advisory opinion last month that details of the contract — like information technology schematics, blueprints, pricing or systems methodologies, and the types of IT monitoring or remediation — can indeed be kept quiet. “However, in our view,” Bewlay added, “it is not clear how the disclosure of other information contained within the contract — such as the name of the selected vendor, or value of the executed contract — would enable a person to adversely impact an agency’s electronic information or IT systems.”

Don’t get us wrong — we honestly believe there is no ill intention on the county’s part to withhold this information. Officials are scared that revealing any of it — even if it’s deemed safe — could upend all their efforts to protect the network. But they have to lift the cloak just enough to let the taxpayers — their true bosses — get a peek to assure themselves that all of this is on the up-and-up.

Nassau County is letting all of its hard work to build these defenses get obscured by this simple request to know who it is working with, and how much they are being paid for that work. That’s basic information that taxpayers shouldn’t even have to ask for.

But they are asking for it, and the county must do the right thing and provide the answer.

D’Esposito will get the job done in Washington

Earlier this month I had the privilege of speaking at the ceremonial swearing-in of newly elected U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito. Sitting on the stage that evening, I thought back to when I was first sworn in 30 years ago, and how different this night was from that one, and how different the world had become. This ceremonial event was held at the Nassau County police training center, in East Garden City, instead of in Washington, D.C., and the oath was administered by former Senator Al D’Amato instead of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

D’Esposito had been officially sworn in by McCarthy the week before, but that was at 2 a.m. on Jan. 7, following over four days and 15 ballots of voting in the most acrimonious contest for speaker since the 1850s, the decade preceding the Civil War. During my 28 years in Congress, I cast 14 ballots for speaker — one every two years. D’Esposito exceeded that total in his very first week in Congress!

This rancor and chaos is a sign of what Congress has become, and what D’Esposito must work through. Don’t get me wrong — Congress wasn’t all peace, love and harmony when I was elected. Soon-to-be House Speaker Newt Gingrich and President Bill Clinton were firing political rockets at each other, and fiery cable news shows were emerging. But there wasn’t this level of intra-party disunity.

Nonetheless, D’Esposito’s situation isn’t entirely different from what I faced. We have several things in common. We both won close, hard-fought races. I won by 8,000 votes, a margin of 3 percent; D’Esposito by 10,000, or 3.9 percent. The bulk of my district was in the Town of Hempstead and Long Beach. D’Esposito’s district is entirely within those boundaries. And the challenges he will confront are similar to what I faced during my latter 20 years in Congress: preventing another Sept. 11, and fighting to get New York and Long Island their fair share of revenue. Fortunately, D’Esposito’s committee assignments — Homeland Security and Transportation & Infrastructure — position him well for the struggles

LETTERS

for our educational institutions.

I was lucky. The U.S. Navy took me to dozens of foreign nations. If you were born here, count your blessings. There are many tougher places to grow up in. Our most precious resource is America’s children. If we give them our honest best, freedom will reign.

JOHN SCHULTZ Oceanside

It’s Santos, for better or worse

To the Editor:

At a news event on Jan. 11, a parade of Nassau County Republicans took the extraordinarily courageous step of calling on their colleague, U.S. Rep. George Santos, to resign. They suggested that he was not welcome at either their headquarters or their events. They indicated that their other congressional representatives would take it upon themselves to provide representation to the people of the 3rd District — the people Santos was elected to represent.

On Jan. 18, I received an email from my old friend Rep. Andrew Garbarino, who represents the 2nd District, in Suffolk County, advising me that I was one of his “new constituents” and assuring me that I could rely on his office’s

resources. Along with everyone else in northern Nassau and Queens, I live in Santos’s district. I am not officially a constituent of Garbarino’s.

In response, I emailed Andy Garbarino, “While I appreciate you reaching out, you are not my Congressional representative and I am not your ‘new constituent.’ George Santos, with whom and for whom you campaigned, is my Congressional representative. That fact is truly shameful. Thanks again and wishing you well.”

So, to Congressman Garbarino, with whom I worked in the Assembly before he was elected to the House of Representatives, I simply say, “Thanks but no thanks.” For better or worse, Santos is our congressman, and I expect him, perhaps unrealistically, to make some effort to try to live up to his responsibilities.

I am not inclined to reach out to the same Republican politicians who offer assistance but are simply attempting to shield themselves from criticism. As the old saying goes, once bitten, twice shy.

Should Santos be unresponsive to any requests I may have for assistance to the people I represent, I will reach out to Senators Chuck Schumer or Kirsten Gillibrand, or to any number of Democratic congressional representatives.

CHARLES LAVINE Assemblyman, 13th District

ahead.

The Homeland Security Committee was created in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 to coordinate federal, state and local counterterrorism efforts, and to provide necessary funding to areas at highest risk. Every threat analysis showed the New York City-Long Island region as the highestranked terrorist target in the country. Yet we had to fight off other states, which had zero threat levels, for every penny. As a former New York City police detective and Island Park fire chief, D’Esposito has the credentials and the gravitas to win those funding fights, and also to ensure that the committee’s legitimate concern about border control and illegal immigration doesn’t distract attention from the still very serious terrorist threat.

He will have similar struggles on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, to get fair and necessary funding for Long Island’s roads, highways, beaches and waterways.

Over the years, New York has been consistently shortchanged in federal funding, sending far more money to Washington than we get back. My short-

hand political analysis for this inequity was that Democrats took New York for granted and Republicans felt they couldn’t win it, so our hard-earned tax dollars were disbursed elsewhere — most notably, and disproportionately, to southern states. This shortfall in turn increased our state and local tax burden, which was exacerbated when a Republican Congress voted to dramatically reduce our SALT income tax deduction. D’Esposito has pledged to fight hard to restore that deduction.

Besides Homeland Security, infrastructure funding and restoring the SALT deduction, he will have to deal with countless other issues, including senior citizen and veterans benefits, 9/11 health care, tax relief for hardworking middle-income families and supporting law enforcement.

Being a member of Congress, and representing the people of Long Island and addressing their needs and challenges, was the experience of a lifetime for me. No one is more connected to his constituents than Anthony D’Esposito, and I know he will take their thoughts and concerns to the halls of Congress and get the job done. Good luck, Congressman.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

FRAMEWORK by Tim Baker

In a normal winter, this would be a skating rink — East Rockaway

A newcomer to Congress has two solid committee assignments.

PETER KING