Oceanside/Island Park Herald 02-16-2023

I.P. Kiwanis sees rise in members Page 14

Seafood Mania open for business Page 3

Feil foundation donates $5M for new pavilion

By KARINA KoVAC kkovac@liherald.com

The Louis Feil Charitable Lead Annuity Trust has pledged the largest single gift in the history of Mount Sinai South Nassau — $5 million. The unprecedented donation will help fund a new state-of-the-art facility, with the Feil name on top.

The new four-story, 100,000-square-foot building is scheduled to open in another year. When it does, it will be named the Feil Family Pavilion.

The new $130 million pavilion will double the size of the hospital’s current emergency

department, increase the critical and intensive care inpatient capacity to 40 beds, and add nine new operating rooms.

“Mount Sinai South Nassau is our local hospital, and we are grateful for the expert care it provides to our communities on the South Shore,” said Jeffrey Feil, chief executive of the Feil Organization — and a longtime Rockville Centre resident — in a release. “We are so fortunate to have an outstanding medical center right in our backyard. The Feil family is honored to support the growth of Mount Sinai South Nassau.”

Continued on page 5

Oceanside GOP club talks Hochul, Albany and baseball

By FARRAH SAlAZAR

Intern

Hochul’s spending plan for the state — were hot topics of discussion.

Assemblyman Brian Curran

made it clear at the Oceanside Republican Club meeting on Feb. 8 that he was not the biggest fan of the housing plan in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recently proposed budget. “The entire plan will redefine Nassau and Suffolk,” Curran said.

The club welcomed members, their family members and friends to the VFW hall on Weidner Avenue for a visit from State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and Mordechai Twersky, account executive for the Brooklyn Cyclones. Baseball — and

The governor is seeking the construction of 800,000 housing units to address the statewide housing shortage. Her plan would include a mandate that the supply of affordable housing increase by 3 percent every three years in both Nassau and Suffolk counties. If localities did not meet this quota, the state would have the option of overriding local zoning laws and developing higher-density housing within half a mile of Long Island Rail Road stations.

“There’s no available space,” Curran when asked where devel-

opers would find land that could be rezoned for multiple-unit housing. “Developers may try to buy land from property owners.”

Hochul’s plan is to build higher-density housing for transitoriented communities, with working families in mind, as she said in her 2023 State of the State speech on Jan. 10.

Town of Hempstead board members created an online petition called “Stop Governor Kathy Hochul’s Urbanization Plan,” which had garnered nearly 16,000 signatures as the Herald went to press.

Curran believes Oceanside is in a unique position to effect that change, given the Republican majority in the Assembly, and he

urged club members to sign the petition.

Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick summarized the main topics of discussion among Republicans in Albany — election law, budget hearings, bail reform and public safety. “I am here to serve you,” she said, encouraging club members to connect with her by visit-

Continued on page 7

Courtesy Mount Sinai South Nassau

ToNY CANCEllIERI, Co-CHAIR of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s board of directors, left, joined Feil Organization chief executive Jeffrey Feil, center, and Andrew Triolo, vice president of facilities, design and construction at Mount Sinai South Nassau, in front of what will become the Feil Family Pavilion at the Oceanside hospital. Feil’s foundation donated $5 million to the hospital.

Blakeman not yet ready to unfreeze assessments

By MICHAEL MALASZCZYK mmalaszczyk@liherald.com

It’s a vital component of the property tax system, yet for the third straight year, Nassau County won’t be conducting a tax assessment of homes and businesses.

Such a freeze first gained momentum under former Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, but lifted by his successor, Laura Curran. However, the freeze was reimplemented during Covid-19, and now continues under Bruce Blakeman’s tenure.

The difference — at least according to the county legislatures Democratic minority — is that Blakeman campaigned against Curran, promising to roll back the tax increases caused by the reassessments done under her administration. Yet, they still remain frozen.

“As housing prices soared at an unprecedented rate during the worst of the pandemic, the minority supported a temporary freeze to protect property owners from dramatic swings in a remarkably turbulent market,” minority spokesman Daniel Schrafel said. “However, ‘temporary’ is key. History has demonstrated that freezing the tax rolls for extended periods distorts assessed values to such a degree that the only way for property owners to protect themselves from overpaying is to grieve. We must do everything in our power to break this unjust, exploitative cycle.”

The reassessments are supposed to happen annually to review property value and

tax property owners accordingly. When they don’t happen, properties that have risen in value become under-taxed, while those that may have dropped end up paying a higher tax than they would have otherwise.

The value of property impacts school taxes and other issues.

When in office, Curran called the reassessment process “corrupt” and “broken.”

The Democrat pledged to fix it in a 2018 opinion piece published in the Herald, only to freeze it once again during the pandemic.

Democrats now criticizes Blakeman for the continuing the freeze despite the economic pressures of the pandemic subsiding, particularly in light of Blakeman’s promise to do so.

“Mr. Blakeman vowed to rescind the

county’s increases that he blamed on the recent assessment,” Democratic county legislator Debra Mulé said. “That basically means that if you’re over-assessed, you’ll be stuck paying more than your fair share of taxes this year, unless you successfully grieve your assessment.”

State Sen. Kevin Thomas joined in the chorus against the freeze to highlight that grievance process.

“Every homeowner in Nassau has received solicitations from tax grievance workers, myself included,” Thomas said. “These grievance workers use deceitful tactics that lead many to believe filing a grievance is just too complicated for the average resident.

“That is not the case — homeowners can file grievances themselves. You are not required to use an attorney or a specialist, nor is there a fee to file. You can even file online from today until March 1 by yourself. It should be as simple as that.”

Thomas introduced a bill in Albany intending to bring more trust and transparency to the tax grievance process.

For his part, Blakeman called the phase-in plan of his predecessor a failure, and says it won’t expire until next year. He is extending the grievance deadline, however, from March 1 to April 3.

“My administration has reviewed the comptroller’s comprehensive audit that uncovered many inaccuracies in valuations,” Blakeman said in a statement, “and I felt it was important to give residents additional time to grieve.”

Michael Malaszczyk/Herald

STATE SEN. KEVIN Thomas, second from left, was joined by Nassau County Legislators Carrié Solages, far left, Debra Mule, and Joshua Lafazan at a news conference to discuss the county’s freezing of property tax assessments for a third consecutive year. County Executive Bruce Blakeman is extending the grievance deadline to April 3.

Love through the decades – with a twist

By FARRAH SALAZAR Intern

Local musicians Barry Feterman and Rich DiLallo performed love songs throughout the decades with a comedic twist for Valentine’s Day by the fireplace at the Island Park Library on Saturday, Feb. 11.

“We’ve been singing together for thirty years.” said DiLallo on his chemistry with Feterman. “He blew me away when I first heard him sing Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons,” he said.

Although it is not the first time the Island Park Library has hosted Barry & Richie’s Soundtrac Duo, attendees were eager to hear them again.

“I enjoy watching them perform, I’ve seen them many, many times,” said Lenny Dunn, an Oceanside resident.

The duo set the mood for the national celebration of love starting with Dean Martin’s ‘Everybody Loves Somebody’ released on August 4, 1964. Feterman on vocals and DiLallo on backing vocals and musical accompaniment,

The crowd instantly let out some “ah-s” recognizing the classic tune and sang along filling the library with the melody of love.

The duo seamlessly performed snippets of memorable love songs throughout the decades while interacting with the crowd and throwing in a joke here and there.

It all took a turn when Feterman said he had gotten the bug. The “Bee Gees Disease.” Feterman and DiLallo performed all-time Bee Gees fan favorites, ‘How Deep is Your Love,’ ‘Staying Alive,’ ‘Night Fever’ and ‘More than a Woman.’

“I’d like to see them more often because they are really entertaining,” said Donna Victory-Daut when asked about her thoughts on the music selection.

Feterman is a comedian as well as a musician and it was evident with his impression of Kermit the Frog’s ‘Rainbow Connection’ featured in the 1979 Muppets Movie.

Shortly after, Feterman disappeared into the bookshelves of the library and DiLallo warned the audience that “the King” had officially arrived.

Feterman then revealed himself sporting gold shades, fake sideburns and a Hawaiian Lei around his neck channeling Elvis. He then began to imitate notorious dance moves famously done by the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Seafood Mania officially opened

State Assemblyman Brian Curran with Seafood Mania owner Sylvia Finley, Seth Blau, United State Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, Joe Cibellis, Joe Pontecorvo, State Senate Kevin Thomas and Paul Engel President of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce celebrate the opening of Seafood Mania in Oceanside on Jan. 28. Seafood Mania is located on 234 Merrick Road.

The audience was clapping and encouraging his performance. The atmosphere was that of singing karaoke with your closest friends and family.

“Ever since I was a kid, I naturally gravitated towards impressions to try to get my family to laugh,” said Feterman on his comedic spirit. This was his first time sharing this type of talent with a musical audience. The duo also delivered an impression of the famous couple Sonny and Cher.

DiLallo has performed with Tommy Mara and the Crests, Joey Dee, and the Soul Survivors throughout his career in the industry.

“I thought it was amazing, it was a lot of fun and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.” Gail DiLallo said about her husband Rich performing on Valentine’s Day. “I’ve always been so proud of him,” she said.

Feterman has been an opening act for recording artists including Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge and Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers.

“I couldn’t tell you a love song done today, I don’t think they do love songs” said Feterman in regards to the difference of love songs today compared to those from the decades he performed.

“They sing with such warmth and professionalism and I personally love to have them here,” said Jessica Koenig, Director of the Island Park Library. The Island Park Library hosts events for residents and neighboring community members of all ages and interests.

“I think Valentine’s Day is lovely, the more love that is out there the better,” said Koening.

The duo ended the show with Doris Day’s, “Whatever will be, will be (Que sera, sera).”

Courtesy Maria Heller

Farrah Salazar/Herald SoundtRAc duo peRFoRMS songs of love through the decades at the Island Park Library.

Students explore complex issues together

By KARINA KOVAC kkovac@liherald.com

Oceanside and Uniondale students put their thinking caps on last month to talk about the important issues of our time as part of the Bridges program.

It’s the start of a new cycle for the program, which began in 2016 when seventh graders from each district began a six-year odyssey to learn about and discuss topics such as socioeconomics, politics, race, immigration, protest movements, and more. This year, that journey began once again for a new group of seventh graders. In addition, Oceanside and Uniondale 9th and 11th graders resumed their participation in Bridges after being interrupted by the pandemic.

The seventh graders gathered at the Lawrence Road Middle School on Jan. 13 to discuss immigration, looking at factors that compel people to emigrate as well as its various impacts on the United States.

Cuthbert Young, a seventh grader who attends Lawrence Road Middle School said it taught, “cooperation and how to respectfully communicate when we disagree or have a different perspective on how to do things. Conversations were deep; people had completely different mindsets and perspectives. If someone either agreed or disagreed with something said, they responded respectfully with logical reasoning behind it.”

Oceanside Middle School English teacher Joseph La Torre, one of the program’s founding educators, was excited to continue bringing students from the two school districts together.

“Bridges teaches students a skill that they will not learn in a typical classroom: how to connect with people who are not from your community,” Torre stated, “It’s a soft skill that many people do not learn on their own, and this program accelerates the learning curve so they

can be successful when leadership opportunities arise.”

The 9th and 11th grade students met Jan. 20 at Uniondale High School, where the Uniondale students led a tour of their school and were excited to show off their school. The students watched “38 At the Garden,” which follows the cultural impact of NBA trailblazer Jeremy Lin during his 2012 season with the New York Knicks – a pertinent choice considering the anti-Asian sentiment that has arisen over the past several years -- and discussed the topic of identity and what makes us who we are.

Maxwell Greenberg of Oceanside High School found the event helpful “because it allowed us to have discussions about our identities.”

“The topic can be uncomfortable to talk about, but the way we were introduced to it helped make it easier

Medicaid Asset Protection Trust Myths

Why don’t more people do the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT)? The answer is that clients often get the wrong advice from well meaning but ill informed professionals, family and friends. Here are some of the most common MAPT myths.

1. You Can’t Sell the House. The MAPT may sell the house at any time. The money is paid to the MAPT. You may invest the money and use the income for a rental or you may purchase another residence in the name of the MAPT. The five year clock does not start over.

2. You Lose Your Property Tax Exemptions. Properly drafted MAPT’s preserve your Senior, STAR and Veteran’s exemptions as well as the exemption from capital gains on the sale of the primary residence —$500,000 for a couple or $250,000 for a single person.

3. It Takes Five Years. While it takes five years to protect ALL of your assets from long-term care in a facility, the time “pro

rates”. For example, if you have to go into a nursing home four years after you set up the MAPT, you only have to pay for the one year that is left.

4. You Can’t Get Your Money. The trust pays you all of the income. Principal may be gifted from the trust in any amount to any of your heirs.

5. The MAPT Cannot Be Revoked. Strange as it may seem, in New York you may revoke an irrevocable trust. Here’s why. It’s irrevocable because you, the grantor, cannot revoke it alone. However, New York has another rule on the books that says that if every person named in the irrevocable trust agrees in writing that they no longer want the trust, then you may revoke it on consent of all the named parties. Since that is just you and your adult children, it is usually a simple matter to accomplish. If a child won’t sign, we simply amend the trust to remove them and then their signature is no longer needed.

to discuss,” he added.

Uniondale High School history teacher Jillian Pallone said she enjoyed seeing, “the students engage in deep discussions and explore their identities through many relevant questions.”

Mitchell Bickman, Oceanside’s director of social studies, said he believes engaging students in evaluating contemporary issues will lead to their becoming wellrounded, active, and engaged citizens.

“In Bridges, we encourage difficult conversations and ask challenging questions, and we welcome different points of view with the understanding that we can agree to disagree with civility,” Bickman said. “We tell students to get beyond your comfort zone, to get to know people different from yourselves. It’s in that space beyond comfort that true education occurs.”

5:30

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■ DISPlAY

Courtesy Oceanside school district StudeNtS fROm OCeANSIde and Uniondale tackled contemporary questions of race, politics, protest and more.

Paving the way for new open-heart program

The Feil Organization is a real estate investment, management and development firm based in New York City with more than 70 years of expertise. Feil’s portfolio commands millions of square feet in industrial, commercial and retail, as well as more than 5,000 residential properties and thousands of acres of undeveloped land across the United States.

Feil and his family — including his parents, the late Gertrude and Louis Feil — have been longtime supporters of the hospital. With their latest gift, the family has donated a total of $17 million to benefit the hospital and the patients it serves. The family previous gifted $2 million in 2019, and $1.5 million in 2018 to help centralize the hospital’s cancer care services.

The family also donated $3 million in 2011 that supported the continued growth and expansion of the Gertrude & Louis Feil Cancer Center.

“This generous gift by the Feil family will have a direct impact on improving patient care on the South Shore,” said Adhi Sharma, president of Mount Sinai South Nassau, in a release. “We are deeply thankful for their generosity and support. It will be the hospital’s distinct honor to name the new patient care tower in honor and recognition of the Feil family, and their longstanding commitment to Mount Sinai South Nassau.

“Their support and commitment has been vital to the growth of our emergency

services and cancer care program as well as the hospital’s tradition of excellence in the delivery of advanced care services.”

The Feil gift is the second major contribution made to the new four-story patient building currently under construction. Last year, the hospital’s immediate past board chair, Joseph Fennessy, made an undisclosed gift to the hospital that earned his family’s name on top of the pedestrian entrance to the new emergency department. Additional naming opportunities remain within the new pavilion, officials said, including nursing stations, lobby

areas and surgical suites.

It’s part of an overall $400 million capital building fundraising campaign Mount Sinai has undertaken in recent years.

Currently, South Nassau’s emergency department treats 65,000 people each year, but is designed to handle half that. When construction is complete, the emergency department will nearly double the size of a football field, increasing its annual capacity to 80,000.

In addition, the department will feature centralized nursing stations that will allow for direct oversight of patient rooms.

There also will be bedside triage, expanded pediatric trauma treatment areas with an adjoining radiology area, a decontamination room, dedicated areas for geriatrics and behavioral health, and a spacious waiting and reception area with free Wi-Fi, and charging stations for phones, computer tablets and laptops.

The operating room and its surgical suites will be configured and designed to accommodate the nonstop advancements in surgical technologies and equipment. The combined impact of the redesigned and larger operating rooms will allow Mount Sinai South Nassau and its staff of surgeons to increase its surgical scheduling capacity to accommodate projected volumes in same-day, elective, and emergency surgeries.

The new surgical suites also could pave the way for an open-heart program at the Oceanside campus, pending state health department approval.

“The ultimate beneficiary of the Feil family’s generosity is our South Shore community that turns to Mount Sinai South Nassau for compassionate, quality health care,” said Tony Cancellieri, cochair of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s board of directors, in a release.

“On behalf of the hospital’s board of directors, we are grateful to our dear friends Jeffrey and Lee Feil and their entire family, and are honored to name the pavilion as a permanent expression of gratitude for this gift and the ongoing support of the Feil family.”

Courtesy Mount Sinai South Nassau

The Feil Family Pavilion — named for Feil Organization chief executive Jeffrey Feil — will feature an expanded emergency department at Mount Sinai South Nassau, along with 40 critical and intensive care beds, and nine new operating rooms. Feil’s foundation donated $5 million to the hospital.

Town urged to reject ‘discriminatory’ maps

By ANA BORRUTO aborruto@liherald.com

“Change the boundary, redraw the lines” was the message dozens of community members tried to articulate to the Hempstead Town Board last week. But in the end, many felt their pleas were completely ignored

Don Clavin faced some heat from the crowd after the town supervisor decided to cut the microphone feed for each speaker off exactly at the required three minutes they were allotted to speak. When Deputy Town Supervisor Dorothy Goosby — who notably challenged Hempstead’s discriminatory at-large voting system in 1988 — was asked if she had anything to say about the redistricting process, she declined to comment.

The Hempstead redistricting saga is nearing its end, and opponents of the proposed maps are not giving up without a fight. A group of angry voters rallied outside of Hempstead Town Hall minutes before the Feb. 7 meeting to air out their frustrations.

Former county legislator Dave Denenberg, who organized the rally, said there is an ulterior motive behind the elected officials drawing the district lines they way they’re doing it.

“Whenever there’s redistricting, you see a political machine do exactly what they always do: They are going to draw districts in a way that tries to maintain their majority,” Denenberg said. “But that’s voter suppression.”

Mimi Pierre-Johnson, founder of the Elmont Cultural Center, said she saw a “glimmer of hope” at the redistricting commission’s last work session. The three commission members seemed they would finally recommend one of the six map proposals to the Hempstead Town Board. These options included the town’s preliminary “Skyline” map, as well as five alternative proposals from civic groups and local attorneys they say would help provide a

more equal voice for minority groups.

But that optimism was quickly extinguished when the commission failed to put forward a map, and instead agreed to officially recommend the town board produce a final map that keeps communities of interest intact.

Since the first day of the redistricting process, the concerns raised by opponents to the initial town-drawn maps circle back to a single theme: District lines should be redrawn to have a more balanced demographic represen-

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to New York Lien Law 182, the contents of the property stored by John Cussens in self- storage Unit No. 33 at Island Park Self Storage located at 711 Railroad Place, Island Park, which are described as miscellaneous electrical supplies, a kayak other tools and boxes, will be sold at a public auction on February 22, 2023, at 9:30 AM online at Selfstorageauction.com.

The following units will be auctioned off the same date and time and online as well, pursuant to New York Lien Law 182:

Jennifer McCann Owner of Unit 74 –Miscellaneous boxes

Alexander Steele owner of Unit 21 –Miscellaneous tools & supplies

Karen Tappin – owner of Unit 87 –boxes filled with empty cosmetic bags. All units will have photo’s uploaded onto the online auction site for easy access.

tation. That means creating three “minority-majority” districts, that would allow minority communities a chance to elect someone who would be more likely to represent them on the town board.

For example, 90 percent of Elmont’s population are people of color. However, the current map proposal places Elmont in a district with Garden City, which has an 88 percent white population.

Placing Elmont in a district with neighborhoods they have nothing in common with dilutes the votes of its residents and impairs the outcome of elections, claimed Claudia Borecky, president of the Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club, in a letter to the Hempstead Town Board.

“People told heart-wrenching stories of how hard they and their ancestors fought for the right to have a vote that counted,” Borecky said. “Yet, the motion made by the redistricting commission for the Town Board to only consider keeping communities whole is totally deaf to what your constituents plead.”

Under the guidance of the Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders law firm and redistricting expert Sean Trende, the Town Board released a redistricting map proposal last month, which they say takes into account public comments as well as the views of the redistricting commission.

However, some doubted these intentions.

“If (the town) passes this map, I’m going to Garden City because that’s my district,” Pierre-Johnson said. “I’m going to show up with my friends to (Garden City) town meetings, to the zoning board, because I want what they have for Elmont.”

Critics also questioned the map’s compliance with federal and state voting rights protections — specifically the Voting Rights Act and New York’s John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act. If Hempstead finalizes the current map as it stands, it could expose the town to costly litigation at the taxpayers’ expense.

Ana Borruto/Herald

FORMER NASSAU COUNTY legislator Dave Denenberg leads a rally outside of Hempstead Town Hall just before a town board meeting discussing redistricting. As the mapping process nears its end, voters are getting louder about their demands for three minority-majority districts.

Hochul’s housing plan is hot topic at meeting

ing her office or through social media.

The club’s executive leaders, Craig Mollo, the Town of Hempstead’s deputy commissioner of highways, and Thomas Cesiro III, president of the Cesiro Insurance Agency in Oceanside, host events that mix policy discussion and networking with fun activities, such as Pasta & Politics: Meet your Candidates and the Oceanside GOP Candidates Breakfast. The club is a subgroup of the Nassau County Republican Committee.

State senator

“We always like to bring in a guest speaker to entertain or pique the crowd’s interest,” Cesiro said of the idea of inviting Twersky to speak. “I’ve been to the (Cyclones) games, and it was a lot of fun.”

Twersky told the crowd about his experience working with the team, answered their questions and handed out Cyclones caps. Members entered a raffle at the beginning of the night for a chance to win a baseball bobblehead doll, and member Barbara Davis had the win-

ning number.

“I think it is wonderful to have guests come and talk,” Davis said. “Especially (government) representatives, because we normally don’t get to see them, if not on TV, and the more they associate with the people, the more you want to vote for them.”

BREAKING DOWN BOUNDARIES WITH CANCER BREAKTHROUGHS

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?”

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Photos by Tim Baker/Herald

Brian Curran, left, addresses the Oceanside Republican Club at a meeting on Feb. 8 about Gov. Kathy Hochul’s housing plan. At right, Oceanside Republican Club members, from left, Barbara Davis, Georginna Miller, Tess Duffy, Frances Bacon and Virginia Peppel, seated, enjoyed the camaraderie and listening to the speakers.

iam here to serve you.

PatriCia

CanzonerifitzPatriCk

spotlight athlete

Oceanside earns playoff spot

By BRiaN KaChaRaBa sports@liherald.com

The drought is over.

Oceanside’s girls’ basketball team punched its first postseason ticket since 2018 with two huge home wins over Port Washington and Herricks to clinch at least a .500 record in the conference, which is one of the criteria to qualify for the playoffs.

The Sailors lost the regular-season finale at Plainview last Saturday, but still finished 7-7 in the division and 10-10 overall.

JURRel hall

West Hempstead Senior Track

hall stole the show at the Nassau Class C Track and Field championships Feb. 8 to help the Rams to a secondplace finish. He captured the triple jump (school record 44-feet, 11-inches), high jump and long jump titles, matching a feat he accomplished last spring.

BasKetBall plaYoFFs

Friday, Feb. 17

Girls Basketball: Nassau Class AA quarterfinals

Boys Basketball: Nassau Class A ffirst round

saturday, Feb. 18

Girls Basketball: Nassau Class A first round

Boys Basketball: Nassau Class AA quarterfinals

tuesday, Feb. 21

Girls & Boys Basketball: Nassau Class A quarterfinals

Wednesday, Feb. 22

Girls & Boys Basketball: Nassau Class B semifinals

Friday, Feb. 24

Girls Basketball: Nassau Class AA semifinals

saturday, Feb. 25

Boys Basketball: Nassau Class AA semifinals

Monday, Feb. 27

Girls Basketball: Nassau Class A semifinals

tuesday, Feb. 28

Boys Basketball: Nassau Class A semifinals

Wednesday, March 1

Girls & Boys Basketball: Nassau Class B finals

saturday, March 4

Girls & Boys Basketball: Nassau Class AA and A finals

The team made it despite losing eight seniors – including four starters – last spring to graduation.

“It is a great accomplishment to them,” said head coach Jared Stoler. “It’s a testament to the hard work that we were able to make the playoffs with the inexperienced team that we had. We’re excited for ‘free basketball’ if you will. Playoff basketball.”

The Class AA playoffs are scheduled to start on Feb. 15 and the Sailors’ date and first-round opponent had yet to be announced at press time.

The Sailors came out their 10-day midterm break with losses to Baldwin and East Meadow – the first and third place teams in Conference AA-2, respectively, heading into its rematch against Port Washington on Feb. 3. Oceanside lost the first meeting 43-34 to the Vikings on Jan. 6.

The game was close throughout, with the second quarter being the only one not to finish even. The teams were tied at 10 through the first eight minutes before the Sailors outscored Port 14-11 in the second. Each school scored 13 points in the third quarter and 11 in the fourth.

“We pretty much had the lead for the majority of the game,” Stoler said. “In the fourth quarter, we did some things with inexperience and have to be a little bit better at working with the lead and be able to utilize the clock. There wasn’t a situation where we had to necessarily score, but we had to play very tough defense towards the end.”

Junior Brianna Amenta – the only returning starter – scored a career-high 30 points after collecting 22 in the first meet-

ing with Port. Maeve Barrins added 10 points, two short of her season high set against Westbury on Jan. 17.

With the playoffs now firmly in sight, Oceanside wasted no time jumping on Herricks five days later and outscored the Highlanders 23-0 in the first quarter en route to a 51-31 victory. It marked the fifth time that the Sailors, who averaged just under 42 points allowed this season, blanked an opponent in a quarter.

“We had a closer than anticipated game against them the first time we

played them,” Stoler said. “What ended up happening, which was amazing, was it was the best first quarter we had all season on both ends of the floor. The best part about it was we scored 23 points and we had six different girls score, which is definitely unchartered waters for us.”

Amenta led all scorers with 14 points and junior Samantha Farsky produced her second double-digit point total of the campaign with a season-high tying 11. The pair combined for all three 3-pointers in the contest.

Justine Stefanelli/Herald JUNioR saMaNtha FaRsKY, left, had 11 points in Oceanside’s playoff-clinching victory over Herricks on Feb. 9.

Full LIRR service to East Side finally coming

By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com

Commuters are riding the high of never-before-seen rail service aimed at connecting the Long Island Rail Road to the bedrock of Midtown Manhattan at Grand Central Madison.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority celebrated a turning point with the long-anticipated opening of its 750,000-square-foot East Side Manhattan transit hub with the first shuttle train from Jamaica station on Jan. 25. Now the terminal is set for a full rollout of regular train service beginning Feb. 27.

The East Side Access Project, as it was known, has already drawn a daily rush of commuters — albeit under a limited format with shuttle service from the Queens station to Grand Central Madison.

Rather than plunging straightaway with full service, MTA officials said the station is in a soft-launch phase, enabling riders to slowly acclimate themselves to the additional shuttle service from Jamaica, find their way around the facility and test out commuting options.

Once Midtown’s terminal comes fully online, it will no doubt reorder the MTA’s transit system and send ripples through its 11 Long Island train branches, each offering direct or transfer service to Penn Station on the West Side, and Grand Central Madison.

For LIRR commuters, this change will

Let

be felt most acutely in adapting to an overhauled train schedule that divvies up Manhattan-bound train service between the two sister terminals.

Some commuters may feel more taken to the change than others with the promise of greater accessibility and efficiency to their commutes. Still, others can’t help but groan over the foreseeable loss, and longing for their preferred service lines and connections.

But at least for MTA chair and chief

executive Janno Lieber, the change is a net-gain for most commuters — and a sign of economic renewal for the metro Long Island area, with a 41 percent increase in service.

Grand Central Madison provides “faster, more convenient travel that brings Long Island closer to the heart of the City,” Leiber said, in a release. “The new schedules are going to be a major shot in the arm for the local economy and the effort to get people back to offic-

es, theaters and shopping.”

But critics are quick to point out that the often-touted 41 percent service increase — raising the number of daily trains from 665 to 936 — is relative to current service which has experienced a major cutback of its own compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Weekday ridership continues to hover at about 65 percent of what it was before any of us had ever heard of Covid-19.

And while MTA officials expect nearly 45 percent of riders to shift over to Grand Central Madison, there are nagging concerns about the potential travel headaches brought by the decline in available morning rush-hour train service to Penn.

Take, for example, the fact that the Long Beach branch which will get 10 additional rush hour trains from its current 13 at Penn Station. Yet, it will have two fewer rush hour trains at Penn Station with shared service lines to Grand Central Madison.

“The new schedules are designed to have more evenly spaced trains and fewer large gaps in service,” MTA spokesman Dave Steckel said. “There will also be more frequent service to Queens and on the Ronkonkoma and West Hempstead branches. New service promises decrease travel times from Long Island to Manhattan, and reduce crowding at Penn Station.

“We will continue to monitor and adjust service based on ridership trends and other factors.”

You’re invited on February 22nd, 2023, 6pm – 8pm to attend Q & A’s on buying and/or selling in today’s real estate market with our real estate experts Darab and Vanessa. Please RSVP by Feb 15th.

If you’re a first home buyer or just want to upsize, downsize

Courtesy Metropolitan Transportation Authority FULL PASSENGER TRAIN service from the Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central Madison is set to begin Feb. 27 according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Limited shuttle service opened up late last month, bringing in some of the first LIRR

ANTIQUE STORE:

SHOPPING

Congrats to all the Top 3 Finalists in the 2022 Herald Long Island Choice Awards presented by PSEG Long Island! Check back each week for the Top 3 Reveal in each category leading up to the Oscar-style awards ceremony in April 2023. Did your favorites make it to the top? Visit www.LiChoiceAwards.com! *Finalists are listed alphabetically, not in order of placement.

Garden City Antiques & Fine Arts, Ltd

Long Island Antiques Center

Remember Yesteryears

APPLIANCE/HOME

ELECTRONIC STORE:

ACS Camera & Pro Video

AHC Appliances

P.C. Richard & Son

BOUTIQUE:

Artisan Jules Gifts and Goodness

Jolie Fleur

Love and Honey Boutique

BRIDAL STORE:

Blossom Brides

The Bridal World

David’s Bridal Westbury NY

CARPET STORE:

Anthony’s World of Floors

Carpet Depot

Harry Katz Carpet One Floor & Home

COIN STORE:

Coin Galleries of Oyster Bay

Collectors Coins & Jewelry

Eastern Numismatics Inc

COLLECTIBLES STORE:

Bullseye Collectibles

Collectors Coins & Jewelry

LuxeSwap

CONSIGNMENT/THRIFT STORE:

Lucky Finds Boutique

LuxeSwap

National Council of Jewish Women Thrift Shop

EYEWEAR STORE:

Cohen’s Fashion Optical

Eyes On Broadway

FrameBar.co

FARMERS MARKET:

Crossroads Farm at Grossmann’s

Deep Roots Farmers Market

Youngs Farm

FLORIST:

Central Florist

Feldis Florist & Flower Delivery

Olive It Boutique

FUR STORE:

Barbatsuly Furs

Tres Chic Furs

Tsontos Furs

FURNITURE STORE:

Furniture Gallery of Long Island

Raymour & Flanigan

The Rustic Loft

GIFT SHOP:

Dolce Confections by Trubee Hill

What A Girl Wants

GOURMET MARKET:

Gemelli Gourmet Market North

Iavarone Bros

Sorrento’s Italian Specialties

GROCERY/SUPERMARKET:

Cross Island Fruits

Holiday Farms

Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace

LOCAL CHILDREN’S CLOTHING:

Cathy’s Touch

Denny’s Fashion, Style, For All

Morton’s Official Camp Outfitters

LOCAL HARDWARE STORE:

Ace Hardware Hewlett

Atlantic Hardware

Costello’s Ace Hardware

LOCAL MATTRESS STORE:

Furniture Gallery of Long Island

Mattress Firm

Sleepworks Mattress & Futon Superstore

LOCAL MEN’S CLOTHING:

Karako Suits of Lynbrook

LuxeSwap

Mur-Lees Men’s & Boy’s Shop

LOCAL WOMEN’S CLOTHING:

A.J. & MOS

STOOSH BOUTIQUE

Trois Jours Boutique Etc

NURSERY & GARDEN CENTER:

Abby’s Parkside Nursery & Florist, Inc.

Dees Nursery And Florist Inc.

Hicks Nurseries

PAWN SHOP:

Collectors Coins & Jewelry

Empire Pawn of Nassau

Matthew James Jewelers

WINDOW TREATMENT STORE:

Blinds To Go

The Blind Spot

The Shade Store

STEPPING OUT

Dinodaze to life Dinosaurs of all kinds

By Karen Bloom

he herd is back. Kids of all ages

Quest — the traveling dinosaur “experience” — returns to Nassau Coliseum for four days of prehistoric adventuring. Jurassic Quest takes families back to the days when these prehistoric creatures ruled the lands, Friday through Monday, Feb. 17-20.

• Feb. 17-20; times vary

• Tickets start at $22; available at MonsterQuest.com or NassauColiseum.com

• Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale

This immersive spectacle features a bevy of lifelike dinosaurs — of all shapes and sizes — that are an impressive lot. They transform the arena environment to a time 165 million years ago during the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods where visitors can get up-close and personal with the creatures.

“They are all life-size and authentic,” Park Ranger Marty (aka Marty Hoffman) says. “You get to see what dinosaurs are really like, hearing the different sounds they made.”

Described by Park Ranger Marty and the Jurassic Quest folks as North America’s largest and most realistic event, the creative team collaborates with leading paleontologists to ensure each dinosaur is painstakingly replicated, from coloration to teeth size, to textured skin, fur or feathers — drawing on the latest research about how we understand dinosaurs and these ancient creatures looked and moved. Plant settings, sound effects, lighting and electronics add to the authenticity of the setting.

But perhaps what makes the experience more than just a spectacle is the way it pulls on the heartstrings. As Park Ranger Marty — who proclaims himself a “dinosaur nerd” — put it: “It’s a great time for everyone. Especially the kids, but also the adults. We’ve all had that time in our lives when we loved dinosaurs. Then we get away from it. When we take the time to see them through the kids’ eyes, we reconnect with that love of dinosaurs we all had.”

It’s all self-guided, so visitors proceed at their own pace. That means you can approach the mighty T. rex, check out the 50-foot-long Spinosaurus, largest known carnivorous dinosaur, even longer and heavier than the T. rex, also the enormous Apatosaurus with its whip-tail, along with sea creatures, and many others.

“One hundred sixty million years worth of dinosaurs are here,” Park Ranger Marty enthuses.

And there are those baby dinos, “hatched” specifically for Jurassic Quest: Cammie the Camarasaurus, Tyson the T. rex, and Trixie the Triceratops.

“People really love them,” Park Ranger Marty says. “Kids want to hang out and pet them. It’s an amazing thing to see. The interaction between the babies and the kids is really fun.”

While the dinosaurs are the main draw, of course, the event includes a fossil dig, where budding paleontologists can dig up bones, along with an excavation site, with actual fossils and themed rides, among other activities.

“There really is something for everyone,” Park Ranger Marty says. Plus an education component is worked in — and the kids won’t even realize it.

“We like to think of dinosaurs as the ‘gateway science,” he explains. “Kids are learning about biology and geology, and more, when they explore dinosaurs. Also other sciences like astronomy and engineering. It all relates back to dinosaurs andancient plants. And this all comes out of the kids thinking dinosaurs are cool.”

Park Ranger Marty and Dino Trainer Dustin hanging out, at left, with a Tylosaurus skull. Open wide! An enthusiastic young visitor, at right, finds his way into an Allosaur head

Alan Doyle

The prolific Canadian singersongwriter has boundless appeal. The moment he burst onto the scene in the early 1990s with his band Great Big Sea, Canadians fell in love with the pride of Petty Harbour, Newfoundland, whose effusive charisma and sense of humour was eclipsed only by his magnetic stage presence. His influence is now being heard in a new generation of artists as his solo work continues to endear him to roots music fans everywhere. That’s clearly evident on Doyle’s latest EP ‘Rough Side Out,’ which finds him collaborating with Canadian country music superstars Dean Brody and Jess Moskaluke, while at the same time offering his own distinctive interpretation of contemporary country. His songs all have a strong personal meaning, according to Doyle, who believes ‘the best songwriters in any genre are the ones who can look in their own backyard and find something they want to sing about.’

Saturday, Feb. 25, 8 p.m. $41, $37, $29. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

Dublin Irish Dance

The acclaimed Dublin Irish Dance ensemble visits Long Island with their new production, ‘Wings: A Celtic Dance Celebration.’ Wings features exquisite Irish and World champion dancers alongside Ireland’s musical and vocal virtuosos. Complete with original music and choreography, this groundbreaking production, infused with world dance and musical influences, will thrill audiences with its transformative emotional energy and imaginative design. The vivid and illuminating production portraying rich Irish heritage themes, in spectacular dance and musical performances by this superb cast that will thrill audiences of all ages. Everyone will be entranced by these world champion Irish dancers as they defy gravity in this captivating spectacle.

Friday, March 17, 8 p.m. $60, $45, $35. 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.

Hula hoop class

Become a warrior for the community

Join the Oceanside Community Warriors for weekly community cleanups around the hamlet every Sunday. Contact Oceansidewarriorsny@gmail.com for information on the location of their next cleanup.

Island Park Village Board meeting

The Village of Island Park Board meets, Thursday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m., at Village Hall, 127 Long Beach Road.

Granny’s attic sale

The Hot Sardines

The band brings their distinctive sound to the Landmark stage, Friday, March 3, 8 p.m.

Their unique recipe blends hot jazz and sultry standards from the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s, rich New Orleans sounds, a dash of ’40s Paris flavor, and vibrant musical surprises. It’s all steeped in salty stride piano and the music Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt and Fats Waller used to make. The result is straight-up foot-stomping jazz. Their name says it all: their iconic ‘hot’ styling will paint a vibrant picture with smoky sounds and audiences revel in the steamy, swanky influence of their art form. With their contagious brand of joy, grit, glamour and passion, they invoke the sounds of nearly a century ago, yet stay right in step with the current age. $60, $50, $46. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at

Join Oceanside Library and instructor Jamy, every Tuesday, at the Schoolhouse Green at School No. 6 on Foxhurst Road, for a fun workout. Jamy will walk you through the workout which has been proven to have healthy benefits for your body, mind and soul. Register online at OceansideLibrary.com.

New and gently used toys and children’s books, sporting goods, tools and hardware, collectibles, linens, small furniture, knitting and craft supplies plus unique boutique items will be available at bargain prices at the Temple Avodah Sisterhood Granny’s attic sale. Occurring March 19 ,from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Temple Avodah Annex on 3050 Oceanside Road. Shoppers are required to wear masks.

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. 16-18, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 19, 2 p.m.,, 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.

Donations requested for Mount Sinai South Nassau patients

Mount Sinai South Nassau is collecting new universal chargers, charging cubes and colored pencils for hospital patients, to help them occupy their time, through March 5. Drop off items at the Oceanside Library, through a Kiwanis School Club, or purchase through the hospital’s Amazon wishlist, available online.

Absolute Adele

Vocalist Jennifer Cella, who performs with the TransSiberian Orchestra, returns to her alma mater, Nassau Community College, with a tribute to Adele, Saturday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Mainstage Theatre, Garden City. Tickets are available through the NCC online box office at Nassau. BookTix.com/seating.php. For information, visit NCC.edu or call (516) 572-7676.

Having an event?

Voyage

The Journey tribute band visits The Paramount, Saturday, Feb. 25, 8 p.m. The popular band takes everyone back to the ‘80’s when Journey’s timeless music ruled the airwaves. Hailed by fans and critics alike as the world’s top Journey tribute band, this group performs their music with chilling accuracy. Fronted by Hugo — a dead ringer for Steve Perry, both visually and vocally — he continues to delight fans with his miraculous resemblance, exact mannerisms and identical voice to Perry. Fans agree that Voyage delivers an experience to the original Steve Perryfronted lineup. $40, $35, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

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

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.

Family theater

The beloved fairy tale springs to life in a delightful musical romp, presented Plaza Theatrical Productions, Monday, Feb. 20, 11 a.m.; Friday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m.; Sunday, Feb. 26, noon. All the

Island Park Kiwanis Club ramping back up

The Island Park Kiwanis Club has been around since 1954 and has a long history of accolades and exemplary members, such as legendary Teddy Papatsos, who selflessly served the community and who an award is named after. But that long history and any future history was nearly lost to time till the neighboring Oceanside Kiwanis Club decided to step in and lend a hand.

At the end of Seth Blau’s time as Kiwanis Division Lieutenant Governor late last year, he started thinking more and more about neighboring Island Park and the dwindling numbers their club has faced due to the pandemic. Lending a helping hand to a neighbor in need, a Kiwanian ethos, he messaged Island Park club President Karen Davis and started making a plan.

“It was just an idea to sort of help rebuild from the inside,” Blau said, “My fear and concern was it would have just ended up folding and it would never come back.” “And that’s what was happening,” Davis chimed in.

“We couldn’t have meetings, the majority of our members were older, they didn’t know how to Zoom. So, we really didn’t have any meetings and we couldn’t really do anything,” Davis said. “It kind of just stopped. I was ready to throw in the towel until Seth here said, ‘C’mon. Let’s give it another shot.’ So, I said, ‘Okay we’ll give it a shot.’”

Now, the club is in the beginning stages of the club’s resurgence back to it’s former glory, starting with planning the ever popular Pancake Breakfast, which will be hosted in April.

Davis and Blau encourage the community to reach out and sign up. Davis said the club is “for those who are community driven (and a ) giving person. It doesn’t give you anything monetarily or anything like that. Its camaraderie, its recognition, it’s something to make your life a little bit more worthwhile.”

–Karina Kovac

Karina Kovac/Herald Island Park kIwanIs Club member Joe Ponte with Oceanside Kiwanis Club Board of Director member Seth Blau and Island Park Kiwanis Club President Karen Davis. Davis holds the new Kiwanis Chapter award in recognition of achieving over 15 new members in January.

With over 70 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs, we combine academic excellence and leadership with personal mentoring.

Here, you’ll think about your future in a whole new way.

Molloy College is now Molloy University.

Art inspired by MLK featured at state exhibit

Art that honors the ideals of Martin Luther King Jr. traveled from the hands of students at School No. 8 in Oceanside to Albany.

Led by Laura Cassar-James, who teaches English-Language Assistance and social studies at School No. 8, announced the opportunity to fifth graders, who jumped on the idea and started submitting in droves.

The art now hangs in the New York State MLK Exhibition at State Plaza and is also featured on the nys.gov website.

Cassar-James said the School No. 8’s principal Frank Zangari initially shared the idea. “Students were encouraged to submit artwork reflecting one of King’s principles of nonviolence,” she said, “I announced the opportunity to my three Social Studies classes. Adriana was the first student to jump in. Before we knew it, we had over 30 pieces of artwork.”

Cassar-James also extended her thanks to Joanne Cesario for creating the hallway display of students’ work.

–Karina Kovac

It’s Your MoneY

By Jonathan Wolfsohn MBA, CFP, EA, ATA

SMALL BUSINESS RENT EXPENSES MAY BE TAX DEDUcTIBLE

Rent is any amount paid for the use of property that a small business doesn’t own. Typically, rent can be deducted as a business expense when the rent is for property the taxpayer uses for the business. Here are some things small business owners should keep in mind when it comes to deducting rental expenses:

Lease or purchase: Businesses must determine whether an agreement is a lease or a conditional sales contract. Payments made under a conditional sales contract aren’t deductible as rent expense.

Unreasonable rent: businesses can’t take a rental deduction for unreasonable rents paid. Rent is unreasonable for deduction when it is higher than market value or a professional appraisal. Usually, unreasonable rent becomes a problem when business owners and the lessors are related. Rent paid to a related person is reasonable if it’s the same amount a business owner would pay to a stranger for use of the same property.

Office in the home: a business owner’s workplace can be in their home if they have a home office that qualifies as their principal place of business. Business owners who rent their home and have a home office as their principal place of business may also qualify for a deduction. IRS Publication 587 has more details about this deduction.

Rent paid in advance: rent paid for a business is usually deductible in the year it is paid. If a business pays rent in advance, it can deduct only the amount that applies to the use of the rented property during the tax year. The business can deduct the rest of the payment over the period to which it applies. Business owners can review Publication 535, Business Expenses, for detailed examples on rent paid in advance.

Canceling a lease: a business can usually deduct the costs paid to cancel a business lease.

Presented as a service to the community by L.I. Tax Services Inc.

Div. of Wolfsohn Financial

15 3 Broadway, Lynbrook NY 887-7380

www.wolfsohn.biz 1204271

Courtesy Oceanside school district StudentS from School No. 8 paid tribute to Martin Luther Kind Jr. with their artwork which was featured as part of the New York State exhibit of student art and essays.

MEET THE 2023 HONOREES*

RichnerLIVE’s second annual R.E.A.L. Awards will spotlight entrepreneurs, professionals, and visionaries in Long

RESIDENTIAL

SPECIAL PROJECT

THE RESIDENCES AT GLEN HARBOR

Michael W. Stanco

Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker

Stanco Misiti Team at Compass

BROKERS (Individual)

Gina Marie Bettenhauser

Associate Real Estate Broker

Coldwell Banker Distinctive Homes

President, Long Island Board of REALTORS®

Hilary Becker

Licensed Broker

Becker Realty Services, Inc.

Molly Deegan

Owner & Licensed Broker

Branch Real Estate Group

Kevin Leatherman

Owner & Licensed Broker

Leatherman Homes

Donna O’Reilly Einemann

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Branch Manager | Rockville Centre Office

Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Luciane Serifovic

CEO & Founder

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Shawn Steinmuller

Owner & Licensed Broker

Shawn Michael Realty

Mark Stempel & Jennie Katz

Team

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Helena Veloso

Senior Executive Manager of Sales

Douglas Elliman Real Estate

LICENSED SALESPERSON

Malka Asch

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Coach Realtors

John C. Gandolfo

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Coldwell Banker American Homes

Miriam Hagendorn

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

SERHANT.

Ricki Noto

Team Leader,

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Coldwell Banker American Homes

Scott Wallace

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

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REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT/ DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR

Michael Maturo

President

RXR Realty

REAL ESTATE SERVICES/ PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Martin Lomazow

Senior Vice President

CBRE

ATTORNEYS

Michael S. Ackerman

Founder & Managing Partner

Ackerman Law, PLLC

John D. Chillemi

Partner Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C.

Bryan P. McCrossen

Partner Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran, LLP

Christopher H. Palmer

Managing Partner

Cullen and Dykman, LLP

Ellen N. Savino

Partner

Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz PLLC

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

- TRADE GROUP

Commercial Industrial Broker

Society of Long Island (CIBS)

David Pennetta SIOR, LEED GA

Co-President

ENGINEERING

Stephen A. Hayduk, P.E.

Principal & Chief Engineer

Hayduk Engineering LLC

FATHER/DAUGHTER TEAM

Gilbert Balanoff

Owner

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Tiffany Balanoff

Licensed Real Estate Agent

Douglas Elliman Real Estate

LENDER

Nicholas Ceccarini

Owner & Broker

Weatherstone Mortgage Corp.

Christine Curiale

TRAILBLAZER

DEIRDRE O’CONNELL CEO

DANIEL GALE SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

MESSAGE FROM RYAN SERHANT CEO & FOUNDER SERHANT.

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Coldwell Banker American Homes COMMERCIAL

BROKERS

Thomas DeLuca

Senior Director & Real Estate Broker

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DEVELOPERS

Anthony Bartone

Managing Partner

Terwilliger & Bartone Properties, LLC

Kenneth Breslin, Esq.

President Breslin Realty Development Corp.

Rob Gitto

Vice President

The Gitto Group

Mark Meisner

President & Founder

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Valley Bank

Melissa Curtis

Sales Manager and Senior Loan Originator

Contour Mortgage

PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS

Michael Steinberg

CEO and Founder Hedgestone Business Advisors

RISING STAR

Alex Lipsky

Owner Lipsky Construction

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Sean M. Cronin, Esq.

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HABITAT ABSTRACT

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT: NASSAU COUNTY. LOAN FUNDER LLC, SERIES 14024, Pltf. vs. 25

PARMA GROUP CORP., et al, Defts. Index #606809/21. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Dec. 8, 2022, I will sell at public auction on the north side front steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 7, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., prem. k/a 25 Parma Road, Island Park, NY a/k/a Section 43, Block 48, Lots 108 & 210. Approx. amt. of judgment is

$234,754.33 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. 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 auction.

LESLIE FEIFER, Referee.

DEUTSCH & SCHNEIDER LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 79-37 Myrtle Avenue, Glendale, NY. File No. LF- 271#100041

137013

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF NASSAU

THE BANK OF NEW YORK

MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS

TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATE HOLDERS OF CWMBS, INC. CHL

MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH TRUST 2007-8

MORTGAGE PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-8, Plaintiff, v.

DANA SALGADO, ET AL, Defendant. NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

THAT

In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on November 8, 2019, I, George Esernio, Esq., Esq. the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on March 8, 2023 at The North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, County of Nassau, State of New York, at 2:30 PM the premises described as follows:

338 Virginia Avenue

Oceanside, NY 11572

SBL No: 43-298-98

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

The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 611233/2018 in the amount of $639,701.71 plus interest and costs.

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

Richard S. Mullen

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

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

137017

LEGAL NOTICE

FAMILY COURT OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF NASSAU

Honorable Robin M. Kent

In the Matter of Nassau County Department of Social Services o/b/o of File No.: 626532 Docket No.: NN-08671-22

Xavianna Ramirez, AKA Ramirez (DOB: 11/09/2006)

Petitioner

A Child Under the Age of Eighteen Years

Alleged to Be Neglected By Crystal Ramirez, mother SUMMONS

Child Neglect Respondent.

NOTICE: IF YOUR CHILD STAYS IN FOSTER CARE FOR 15 OF THE MOST RECENT 22 MONTHS, THE AGENCY MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO FILE A PETITION TO TERMINATE YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND MAY FILE BEFORE THE END OF THE 15-MONTH PERIOD. IF THE PETITION IS GRANTED, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR RIGHTS TO YOUR CHILD AND YOUR CHILD MAY BE ADOPTED WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT.

BY ORDER FO THE FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

To:Crystal Ramire

Address Unknown

A petition under Article 10 of the Family Court Act having been filed with this Court, and annexed hereto YOU AND EACH OF YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to appear before this Court on

Date/Time:March 6, 2023, 9:00AM

Purposes: Preliminary Proceeding and In Person

Appearance

Part:2

Floor/Room:Floor 2/Room

204

Presiding: Hon. Robin

M. Kent

Location: Courthouse 1200 Old Country Rd. Westbury, NY 11590 to answer the petition and to be dealt with in accordance Article 10 of the Family court Act.

On your failure to appear as herein directed, a warrant may be issued for your arrest.

Dated: January 25, 2023

John Aiken, Chief Clerk 137011

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT

NASSAU COUNTY

FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff against LORETTA O’GRADY A/K/A

LORETTA M. O’GRADY A/K/A LORETTA MILITO, et al

Defendant(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff(s)

Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800, Rochester, NY 14614. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered November 13, 2019, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 13, 2023 at 2:30 PM. Premises known as 72 West Cortland Avenue, Oceanside, NY 11572. Sec 43 Block 333 Lot 62, 63 and 64. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Oceanside in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Approximate Amount of Judgment is $568,831.32 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 002788/2015.

The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

The original sale was scheduled for December 8, 2022.

Donald Henderson, Esq., Referee AYSJN042 137214

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 16 of the Town Law of the State of New York, as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Village and Town of Hempstead, Hempstead, New York, on the 28th day of February, 2023 at 7:00 o’clock in the evening of that day, to consider the proposed amendment of Article XXXIV of the Building Zone Ordinance, in relation to flood hazard zones. The proposed amendment is on file in the office of the Town

Clerk of the Town of Hempstead, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Village and Town of Hempstead, Hempstead, New York, and available at hempsteadny.gov, where it may be inspected during office hours.

ALL PERSONS INTERESTED in the subject matter will be given an opportunity to be heard with reference thereto at the time and place abovedesignated.

Dated: Hempstead, New York

February 7, 2023

BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

KATE MURRAY

Town Clerk

DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor 137313

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE CSFB MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-CF2, Plaintiff, vs. ALAN MICHAEL BAER, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 16, 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 21, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 103 Knight Street, Oceanside, NY 11572. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Oceanside, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 54, Block 452 and Lot 11. Approximate amount of judgment is $285,512.03 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 004462/2009. 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.

David Lieser, Esq., Referee Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, 10 Bank Street, Suite 700, White Plains, New York 10606, Attorneys for Plaintiff 137330

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

Doherty and Beckman remain commissioners

Austin Graff, the CoChairman of Sanitary District No. 7, has had his petition against Sheryl Beckman and Patrick Doherty’s oath of office dismissed on grounds of standing. Judge Conrad Singer motioned to dismiss the case on Feb. 2.

Graff claimed that both commissioners should not hold their elected role in the district because they did not file their oath’s of office in a timely manner. Both sides argued in court on Jan. 19 for Singer to hear both parties. Graff claimed as a taxpayer, citizen and co-chairman he had standing to bring the matter to court.

However, the two-part test for standing determination by the courts say those claiming standing must show “injury in fact,” which means they were actually physically harmed or that there is an actual legal stake in the matter to dispute.

In oral arguments, Singer found that Graff did not “articulate or specify any ‘actual harm’ caused to him by the respondents’ conduct,” according to court documents.

The district also argued he can’t use being a co-chairman since the petition was originally written on an individual bases and he has not amended it to reflect a co-chairman’s point of view.

Even if it was amended, the court

found “that the petitioner has failed to articulate any injury caused to him by the respondents in his capacity as co-chairmen of the Board,” documents stated.

As for being a taxpayer Graff was also deemed no standing since “In general, persons seeking to challenge governmental actions must demonstrate that they are personally aggrieved by those actions in a manner ‘different in kind and degree from the community generally,’” dismissal documents stated.

Lastly, Graff cannot claim standing based off being a citizen or taxpayer because the state doesn’t allow taxpayer standing to challenge the acts of a governmental official or body unless there is a special right or interest different than that of the common citizen.

–Karina Kovac

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

NASSAU COUNTY U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR VCC 2020MC1 TRUST, Plaintiff against 3876 CARREL LLC, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Stern & Eisenberg, P.C., Woodbridge Corporation Plaza, 485B Route 1 South, Suite 330, Iselin, NJ 08830. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered December 19, 2022, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 21, 2023 at 2:30 PM. Premises known as 3876 Carrel Boulevard, Oceanside, NY 11572-5917. Sec 60 Block 78 Lot 6. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Oceanside, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New

York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $815,856.61 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 606288/2021. During the COVID-19 health emergency, Bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of the sale including but not limited to wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Should a bidder fail to comply, the Referee may refuse to accept any bid, cancel the closing and hold the bidder in default. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure

Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are

other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Jennifer Ettenger, Esq., Referee NY202000000739-1 137321

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU

Federal National Mortgage Association, Plaintiff AGAINST David C. Conn a/k/a David Conn, Heather S. Conn a/k/a Heather Conn, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 3, 2016, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 27, 2023 at 2:00PM, premises known as 542 Derby Drive South, Oceanside, NY 11572. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at

Oceanside, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 54, Block 498, Lot 55. Approximate amount of judgment $392,263.67 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #015311/2013. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Oscar Prieto, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 20-002113 74667 136712

Herald file photo

Sheryl Beckman and Patrick Doherty’s oath of office legal case has been dismissed. They stay commissioners.

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Real estate IN BRIEF

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Realtors are encouraged to send briefs and photographs to: Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd.., Garden City, NY 11530.

Att Gar.

Loads of Updates!! SD#20 (Lynbrook) No Flood Insurance Req. MUST

SEE THIS!

Now we need a ResCheck?

Q. We are in a quandary about insulation. Our house was built in 1948, and isn’t insulated well. We decided to add a master bedroom and kitchen extension and insulate as much as we can. Our building plans examiner wants something call a ResCheck from our architect, and wants to know how much of the house we’re going to do. We only want to tell them about the additions, even though we want to do our attic and the whole exterior from the outside, if we can. We understand that if we tell the plans examiner about the rest of the house, they can make us do a more expensive energy analysis, which we don’t think is necessary. Also, our contractor wants to only insulate the attic floor, but the architect said that the latest energy code requires us to insulate the roof and not the attic floor. Can you advise?

CA. It’s frustrating that if you were not in the permit process, you would just insulate, but the moment government learns that you are doing everything the right way, with permits, they make things more involved.

A ResCheck is the name given to a 10-page energy-analysis document, complete with areas of windows and doors, walls, floors and ceilings along with calculated heat loss and energy coefficients. It’s like taking an exam and the way it is done, to be registered with the state online, we don’t get to know if the numbers provided will pass until we get to the end of the document. If it’s failing the requirements, we aren’t shown why, so we have to start over, trying to guess what needs to be beefed up.

I like to do these in the presence of clients so they understand that it’s serious business, not just some form to fill out. Unfortunately, I don’t get to do these analyses in front of the contractors who often contradict the ResCheck by substituting lesser fiberglass batting for the higher-rated foam material, to save money and labor, since they usually need to get a subcontractor to install foam instead of using their own cheaper laborers.

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In general, when your project constitutes more than 50 percent of home building area or dollar value compared with the home value, then the examiner wants a more expensive and involved Home Energy Rating System engineer to provide a much more detailed report. This includes a test at the end of the construction in which the home is pressurized using air fans, then gauges are applied, usually at a front door opening, to determine how quickly the house loses pressure, thereby gauging the amount of gaps where air can leak to the atmosphere. This gives an accurate idea of how much cold or heated air can get into the house, which you’re trying to avoid by insulating.

Since this is a big question, tune in to my next column for the rest of the answer. Stay warm and good luck!

© 2022 Monte Leeper

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

Ask

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Two isn’t always a winning number

There are all types of numbers associated with politicians. Pollsters are constantly bombarding us with numbers. Defeated candidates keep complaining that they won, and say they have the numbers to prove it. But the bottom line in this discussion is that the number 2 is by far the worst number to be attached to any political figure. As living proof of the value of being second, I cite Vice President Kamala Harris and New York Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado. There is no question that either of them would become No. 1 if anything happened to her/his boss. But looking at their scope of responsibilities shows that they have very little to do. Harris is rarely in the news, primarily because she hasn’t been given that much to do on a daily basis. She’s called upon to attend important funerals, but the press rarely says much about her.

With the 2024 presidential election coming up, there is speculation about whether President Biden will make Harris his running mate if he decides to run again. Most political observers think she would be a drag on the 2024 ticket, because she hasn’t been associated with any winning issues. Shortly after she took on her official duties, the president assigned her the responsibility of helping solve the border crisis, which is proving more difficult than curing cancer. There was an opportunity for Harris to make some serious recommendations on how to solve the crisis, but she felt the issue was too toxic and declined to actively take on the role. She has been lobbying for the passage of the George Floyd Act, which would better clarify what the role of the police should be, but she wouldn’t be able to make any waves without Biden doing the heavy lifting. There’s also a possibility that the president has chosen not to boost her credentials because of the 2020

debates, when she went out of her way to attack Biden on school segregation. No matter how you try to define the role of the vice president, it’s very hard to write out a list of specifications. The president decides what the V.P.’s job will be, and there are many examples of presidents giving their vice presidents serious duties. President George W. Bush delegated most of his high-level duties to Dick Cheney, and many claimed that Cheney became the real president. But the late Vice President James Nance Garner, who served under Franklin Roosevelt, is said to have had the best definition of the job, describing the vice president’s job as not being worth “a bucket of warm spit.”

Delgado’s situation is an interesting one. He’s a graduate of Colgate University and Harvard Law School. He was a very effective member of Congress who was willing to resign to take on the No. 2 position in Albany. Gov. Kathy Hochul spent every waking hour of her time as lieutenant governor traveling to every

corner of the state. She got to know every local chamber of commerce, and elected officials marveled at her nonstop visits. There is no doubt that her tenacity helped her get elected governor.

Currently, however, the only job Delgado has is to preside over the State Senate, which isn’t the most exciting work. No doubt after April 1, when the state budget is out of the way, Hochul will decide what role he will play. Delgado is personable and articulate, and was well received during his campaign swings. He could be a great advocate for the governor’s programs. She is badly in need of someone who can reach out to the Assembly and Senate members and make some friends. Delgado could help her a great deal in that role.

But either way, being No. 2 in government is hardly the best job in the business.

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.

Minx or madman: the George Santos story

Don’t mess with puppies, George. From what I’ve read and what I’ve heard in statements coming out of your very own mouth, you seem estranged from most commonly held beliefs of what is true and what is false, what is a factual statement and what is a lie. What happened and what didn’t happen.

RANDI KREISS

Assiduously, I have ignored the media high jinks and political circus surrounding your behavior, but last week’s revelation of the alleged puppy caper in Pennsylvania’s Amish country in 2017 unleashes my inner Cujo.

Oh yes, the temptation to joke is overwhelming due to the ridiculousness of many of your quasi-legal escapades and the seemingly endless stream of revelations concerning your grandiose claims, self-promotion and transgressions.

Last week we read in The Washington Post that a farmer in Pennsylvania had come forward with a story about you “buying” golden retriever puppies from him with rubber checks. Other

farmers have come forward with similar claims. Related to these charges is the story about the “charity” you claim to have established, Friends of Pets United, but the Post reported that no IRS records of the group could be found. It also reported that you stole money that had been raised to help a disabled veteran care for a dying dog. A disabled veteran?? A dying dog?? What’s wrong with you, George?

I am very disappointed in you. If I were your mother — but oh, wait, your mother died tragically in the 9/11 attacks, unless she didn’t. Can’t be sure. Well, if I were your mother, I would get you some help. The impulse among us in the media is to point at you, since you have become something of a one-man sideshow. But dude, you need serious therapeutic intervention.

New York City, or worked for a bank, or owned various houses, or knew people in the Pulse nightclub shooting, or graduated from NYU or played high-stakes volleyball.

Some say your name isn’t even George Santos. Pinning down the truth as torrents of lies pour from your mouth is like pinning down Jell-O. You are inventive and indefatigable in your stream of wishful thinking out loud, Walter Mitty on a bad trip.

How long will the Republicans allow the public evisceration to continue?

What we can be sure of is that you aren’t Jewish, or Jew-ish, despite your repeated claims to the contrary. According to The Forward, even though you said that your grandparents escaped the Holocaust, they actually were safe and sound in Brazil at the time. There’s no proof you were really mugged on your way to pay a delinquent rent check in

Mostly this is terribly sad. You need help, but you won’t find it in Congress or any public office, for now. Why not step down and save yourself further humiliation?

You can’t expect assistance from your mates in Congress, George. As long as you have a pulse and can vote the party line, they will let the public evisceration continue. You won’t find solace in Congress or real collegiality or decency. You are a GOP vote. Full stop.

Readers, from my perch in the press, the buffoonery of George Santos and his enablers fits perfectly into this time and space. Congress and the Senate have always had their share of nudniks, but Santos is part of a wave of new-age

liars. The toxic lies spewing from people like Marjorie Taylor Green, Rick Scott, Mike Lee, Lauren Boebert and Ron Johnson are poisoning the processes of government. They are all using Santos in what has become a spectacle and a shame.

Last, a shout-out to our neighbors in the 3rd Congressional District, the people of Mineola, Great Neck, North Hills, Port Washington and Oyster Bay. Assuming all of you are literate and somewhat paying attention, how did George Santos sweep by you and right into office? Was holding a Republican seat really a wise trade-off for allowing a candidate with not even a passing appreciation for the truth represent your interests in the People’s House?

As we approach the birthday of another George, the George of American history, who could not tell a lie, I wonder what the people of that era would do with someone like Mr. Santos? Hopefully summon some empathy and not put him on public display. During the reign of another George, King George the First of England, someone like our George might have officially played the part of the fool.

Now we don’t quite know what to do with him.

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

Who’s got less to do, the vice president or the lieutenant governor?

JERRY KREMER

HERALD

Gambling addiction is no game

the Kansas City Chiefs edged the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL’s biggest game Sunday night, watched by more than 100 million people around the world.

But more than 50 million sports fans here at home in the United States had more invested in the game than pride in their favorite team. They wagered as much as $16 billion on Super Bowl LVII, according to the American Gaming Association. And just like football, someone’s going to win, which means someone has to lose. The thing is, being on the wrong side of a good bet is more common than not.

The money bet on the Chiefs and the Eagles was said to be more than double the total spent last year, when the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals. And these days that betting involves more than just choosing which team will win.

Take prop bets, more formally known as proposition bets. They aren’t tied to the outcome of the game — like traditional spreads, moneylines and totals. Instead, they focus on more non-traditional occurrences like the length of the national anthem, or what color Gatorade will be poured on the winning coach.

Prop bets are currently the biggest driver of revenue for many sports gambling sites, according to news reports. That is, except in New York, where the law requires that all bets be tied to the game itself.

letters

Lafazan should rethink his GEORGE Package

To the Editor:

Nassau Legislator Josh Lafazan’s recommendations last week to prevent future egregious candidate misrepresentations a la George Santos (“A useful way to enshrine a name we’d sooner forget”) are unnecessary and provide for a cure worse that the disease. Lafazan’s recommendations are to enshrine in law at all levels the following:

1. Mandatory background checks for all candidates “just like any employee.” There are significant legal restrictions on the nature and scope of employee background checks, and this is unnecessary, as the most rudimentary opposition research would have exposed Santos.

2. Barring anyone with an open foreign arrest warrant from holding office. Lafazan couldn’t possibly have thought this through. So, any foreign country simply has to issue an arrest warrant to remove our public officials? Talk about foreign interference in elections.

Even with those restrictions, New York-based gamblers placed more than $472 million in legal sports bets during the Super Bowl between the Rams and Bengals — part of a larger $16 billion wagered in the first year of legalized online betting in New York. So far, based on the weekly figures from the state gaming commission, this year’s figure is predicted to be even larger. All from a practice that didn’t even exist here a couple years ago.

There are currently nine different mobile applications legally recognized by the state, with FanDuel, DraftKings and Caesar’s Sportsbook among the bigger ones. FanDuel and DraftKings began a decade or so ago, focused on fantasy sports, in which fans build their own teams and compete against each other using real-life game statistics.

But as sports gambling has gained more widespread legal acceptance, the influence of those two companies has grown, and they have shifted gears and focused most of their attention on this new, much-more-lucrative market.

There are strong opinions on both sides on whether gambling should be legal, or if it’s even moral. But something many agree on is that if you’re going to gamble, do it responsibly. Wager only what you can afford to lose. Don’t stretch — or even break — those limits.

And no different than a casino, mobile and online sports betting can also lead to problem gambling.

Like many addictions, gambling can be attributed to the release of dopamine brought on by the thrill of risk-taking and the potential rewards. Gambling, for the most part, is perfectly legal. But then again, so are cigarettes and alcohol.

But gambling is sometimes considered a “hidden addiction,” because it’s not something that might be as obvious as drugs or alcohol, manifesting physical symptoms, although some gamblers have problems with sleep, anxiety, depression and guilt.

For the working-class poor, gambling can also create a perpetual loop in which addicts throw away much-needed and typically hard-earned cash that would otherwise be spent on necessities like housing and food.

The good thing, however, is that there are services in place to help. The Long Island Problem Gambling Resource Center, for example, offers several services for individuals and families impacted by gambling.

These issues shouldn’t necessarily disqualify any talk of bringing a new casino to Uniondale, but they certainly should be part of the conversation — a big part of it. Every resource should be available to keep wagering responsible, and to avoid the destruction of families — both functionally and economically.

As always, if you or a loved one are dealing with problem gambling, you can get help by calling (516) 266-8342, or visiting NYProblemGambling.org.

How political extremism became the norm

Viewing the American political scene today, I can’t help thinking about what Yeats wrote more than a century ago:

“Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.”

I’m not suggesting anarchy is imminent, or that our governmental structures are collapsing, but there are warning signs that should be heeded for our nation to cope with the enormous challenges facing America at home — and throughout the world — effectively. Not only is there bitter partisanship between the parties, there are also bitter divisions within them.

There can be honest debate as to when this severe fracturing began. Politics is always a combat sport. The days of peace, love and harmony — the “good old days” — never existed. Certainly not during the 28 years I was in Congress. But no matter how bitter the debate and severe the divisions were, certain lines weren’t crossed.

Richard Nixon had reason to contest the 1960 election results, but gracefully conceded the race to John F. Kennedy. Al

Gore challenged George W. Bush’s razorthin electoral vote margin in 2000, but conceded with class after losing a similarly razor-thin 5-4 decision in the U.S. Supreme Court.

I believe the major turning point in the rules of political combat was the 2016 TrumpClinton race and its aftermath. It wasn’t just the heated charges and countercharges of the campaign, but the refusal of some Democrats to accept Trump’s victory, and much of the mainstream media’s defense of their erroneous predictions.

Nor was it just the refusal of prominent Democrats such as Rep. John Lewis to attend President Trump’s inauguration, but the allegations made by Democratic leaders, the intelligence community and major segments of the mainstream media that Trump’s election resulted from his campaign colluding with Russia.

This led to the Mueller investigation, which went on for almost two years, tying up the Trump administration and — with media support — giving credibility to the unprecedented belief that an American president was elected by colluding with a foreign enemy.

Being on the House Intelligence Committee and sitting through endless hearings, listening to countless witnesses and

studying reports and analyses, I was convinced there was no collusion whatever. Stripped of defensive rhetoric, the Mueller report reached the same conclusion. But the damage had been done, and the political well was further poisoned.

Then there were the riots in the summer of 2020, which raged throughout the country following the police killing of George Floyd. At least six people were killed. Cities like Spokane, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, were under siege. New York streets became nightly war zones. Police stations were attacked and set on fire. Churches were vandalized. The White House itself was threatened.

Yet Democratic leaders offered only perfunctory disapproval of the violence, emphasizing that most demonstrations were “peaceful.” Following a night of violence in Brooklyn — in which bottles and other objects were thrown at cops — then Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, “I stand with the protesters.”

In Manhattan, the Democratic district attorney refused to prosecute hundreds arrested for looting and rioting, including a getaway driver aiding those caught on video vandalizing St. Patrick’s Cathedral. All further poisoning the well.

Then, beginning on election night in 2020, Trump — citing no credible evi-

dence — charged that the election was “rigged” and “stolen.” Never explaining why, in a rigged election, Republicans would pick up 12 House seats while he lost the popular vote to Joe Biden by more than 7 million, Trump continued to attack the results.

The culmination of this constant onslaught — whether intended or not — was the disgraceful and violent assault on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. No rational American — certainly no Republican claiming to be a patriot — can defend that outrage in any way.

Shockingly, however, too many Republicans are willing to minimize the violence as just a protest out of control, and still deny the election results.

What the nation saw last month, when it took 15 ballots over five days for Republicans to elect Rep. Kevin McCarthy speaker of the House, was a further rejection of tradition and civility. It is an ominous sign that this was the most protracted election for speaker since the decade preceding the Civil War.

It’s time for the sane forces on both sides to step forward. The United States has come too far as a nation, and faces too many challenges, to allow the voices of anarchy to prevail over our traditions and values.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. A version of this essay originally appeared in The Hill.

Framework by Tim Baker

3. Make it a misdemeanor (i.e. a crime) for a candidate to lie about his or her background. Just what we need: candidates routinely trading criminal charges. (“You only graduated cum laude, not magna cum laude!”) Again, basic opposition research is all that’s needed, not competing police reports.

This is an example of a politician giving the appearance of “doing something” about a problem that may very well make it worse.

TeRRANCe J. NOLAN Lynbrook

Who will stand up to the extremists?

To the editor:

As a student of history, I am distressed each day as I read and listen to the news, and I wonder:

When did it become appropriate to ignore a congressional subpoena and then be rewarded with the speakership of the U.S. House of Representatives, the thirdmost important position in the nation?

Why is it OK for Supreme Court nominees to lie at their confirmation hearings and then, after being appointed, overturn decades of court precedent?

When was it determined that politicians

should be permitted to ignore experts in curriculum, history scholars, trained teachers and trained librarians to ban books, whitewash American history and ban topics that are contrary to their ideas? Isn’t the purpose of education to expose students to diverse ideas?

When did it become fashionable to elect people to Congress who lie, yell, curse and bully — people who have no ability to legislate, and no understanding of the word “compromise”?

When did we turn our backs on the hardfought-for rights of all people and return to the days when voting rights were restricted?

In the end, the real question is, when will the moderates in government, and the many moderates in the country, stand up to the extremists on both ends of the political spectrum? Left alone, they will destroy our democracy. We would be wise to remember the words of the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemoller, about the Nazis.

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.”

ReNA BOLOGNA Bayville

the turning point in the rules of political combat was the 2016 TrumpClinton race.