Oceanside/Island Park Herald 04-25-2024

When life gave her lemons . .

Oceanside lacrosse honors Ava Salonia

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

In a tribute to the memory of Ava Salonia, the Oceanside High School girls’ varsity and junior varsity lacrosse teams dedicated their April 16 games to the 16-year-old who died last August after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Ava grew up playing youth lacrosse in Oceanside, and her sisters, sophomore Ella and seventhgrader Angie, also play. There was a moment of silence before the teams’ games against Roslyn, and several of Ava’s friends paid tribute to her. The varsity squad won its game,

COnTinued On pAge 10

School district defends position in dispute over funds

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

Island Park School District officials once again defended their stance on withholding more than $500,000 in tax payments from the Island Park Public Library, arguing that the district needs the funds to maintain student programs and services.

At an April 16 Board of Education meeting, board trustees reiterated that the library is not entitled to any part of the settlement that the district won in a dispute between Long Island Power Authority and Nassau County over tax assess-

ments on the E.F. Barrett Power Plant.

LIPA agreed to pay $12 million to the school district over four years starting in 20222023, after the agency claimed it was being over-assessed and sought tax reductions. The settlement came in 2022 after a decade-long litigation with LIPA, but the agreement failed to include language setting aside a portion of the taxes and payments in lieu of taxes, or PILOTs, to the library.

Library officials said this would place a financial strain on them, forcing taxpayers to shoulder the burden.

The school district main -

tains that the library’s budget has remained consistent in recent years, with no direct impact from the LIPA settlement. However, library officials have projected a more than 12 percent increase in its proposed 2024-25 budget, which would amount to a $50 increase in taxes per home per year. The average household currently pays roughly $350 per year in library taxes.

“The school board and the library board of trustees share a common goal, which is to serve the Island Park community,” Jack Vobis, the school board president, said. “In this regard, the school board and

administration work tirelessly to carefully allocate resources that serve our students and continue to advance programming and opportunities for Island Park students.

“To further support the library and services for our community, we have provided rent-free space for the library in the building on Long Beach

Road for over 20 years,” Vobis added.

The school board president said that redirecting some of the tax settlement payments to the library would negatively impact students.

“Directing any portion of these funds to maintain anything other than the school dis-

COnTinued On pAge 9

Dina Ewashko/Herald

The Oceanside High School girls’ varsity and JV lacrosse teams both had wins over Roslyn on a day when they remembered Ava Salonia, who died last August.

Six-year old taking a stand against cancer

Curran recognizes O’Side youngster at ‘Young Leaders In The 21st’ event

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

Assemblyman Brian Curran and Congressman Anthony D’Esposito recognized young residents from throughout the 21st assembly district, in a “Young Leaders In The 21st” event honoring them for their contributions to the community on April 14.

The event honored young people who make a positive difference in their community. In total, 19 young leaders were honored at the Lynbrook Library for giving back to their communities including six-year-old Oceanside resident Rylie Graham.

“Young people are powerful. All throughout history, youth movements have had a tremendous impact on the way society thinks, acts, and runs,” Curran said. “Even today, it is young people who continue to lead the charge in the fight for equality and justice for all. I want to encourage young people to be bold. Change the world. Don’t be afraid to be a part of something bigger. Young people are a powerful group, and with great power comes great responsibility. Use your powers to make our small planet a better place.”

Rylie is a dynamic first grader whose journey of kindness began last summer with a simple lemonade stand that has since blossomed into a beacon of hope and joy for those in need. Inspired by her own family’s journey—her brother Cooper was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a form of cancer, at just four months old and underwent treatment at Cohen Children’s Medical Center— Rylie’s mission is personal.

Rylie embarked on a mission to sup-

port other children undergoing treatment at Cohen Children’s Medical Center. With a lemonade stand as her stage, she’s not only quenching thirst but also spreading hope and joy to those who need it most. Through her efforts, Rylie’s lemonade stand initiative raised $5,000 and collected hundreds of toys for young patients at the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Department at Cohen’s Cooper has been receiving treatment at Cohen, and not long after his diagnosis, the Oceanside community rallied to support the family. The support shown by the Oceanside community by rallying behind the family through the “CoopStrong” slogan has had a tremendous impact on the family, and Graham is grateful for it. Mike Graham, Rylie’s father, and long-time Oceanside resident, shared the family’s story of resilience. Despite Cooper’s ongoing battle with cancer, the Graham family remains steadfast, buoyed by the outpouring of

support from their neighbors and beyond.

“The support from the community and our local officials, you know, is just tremendous. It’s a really big, a really big help to the family and It’s comforting,” Graham said. “We have people from around the world checking in on him and sports athletes. He’s created an inspiration throughout, you know, not only Oceanside but throughout the country. We have people reach out from all different avenues, whether they’re checking in to see if we need help getting him to the hospital for his doctor’s appointments. He’s there, sometimes two, three days a week.”

Rylie will host her second annual lemonade stand on June 9th at 3249 2nd Street in Oceanside from 11- 3 p.m. Her message of hope continues to resonate, inspiring others to join her in spreading kindness one small act at a time.

“The first one was so successful and

was just an amazing turnout from the community,” Graham said. “We had some doctors and different people show up to support it. It became a big inspiration for her. She’s able to give back to children and where her brother has spent over a year and a half of his lifetime. She’s able to give back to that hospital for the kids that are there currently.”

As the Graham family navigates their journey, Rylie’s compassion and determination help the family and Cooper with each passing day.

“She’s so positive and she’s creating little avenues where she can show that she’s there to support him (Cooper) every day,” Graham said. “She’s always trying to come up with ways of doing things for kids at the hospital because she knows how hard it is for them. They don’t have that normal lifestyle. Seeing her brother go through this, she’s adapting to the lifestyle and seeing how important it is to help others like people are helping

us.”

Jaci Zitman/Herald Oceanside’s Rylie Graham, with her father Mike alongside Congressman Anthony D’Esposito was recognized for her extensive community involvement on April 14.

Courtesy Mike Graham

Councilwoman Laura Ryder and Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick came for the fun last June. Rylie’s lemonade stand was so successful, it will be returning this June.

Inspired by her brother Cooper, Rylie raised $5,000 last year to aid children at Cohen Children’s Medical Center.

Oceanside’s scholar athletes shine through service

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

At Oceanside High School, studentathletes gather not only to hone their athletic skills but also to serve as academic mentors. The “Scholar Athletes and Service to Others” program, sees students selflessly devote their time to uplift their peers. Students are invited into the program for various reasons, including meeting GPA requirements and playing a varsity sport but also having the desire to give back to their community, build relationships, and support their peers.

Initiated by educators like High School English teacher and NCAA coordinator Frank Luisi and athletic director Tom Lehman, the scholar-athlete program has become a beacon of academic support and community engagement within the school. For three years, the program has thrived, offering a space for student-athletes to excel, not only on the field but also in the classroom.

“We try to give back to the students as far as leadership opportunities and this group of students, in particular, ran with it,” said Tom Lehman. “I know there’s a lot of legwork from coach Luisi’s standpoint, last year. Meeting with the math teachers and meeting with the director of mathematics to identify a need for this and our students stepped up.”

The program’s student-athletes undergo screening and recommendation procedures. Once accepted, these scholars commit to monthly meetings, forging bonds that extend beyond the realm of academics.

Whether it’s organizing charity events or planning special needs basketball games, these scholar athletes embody the values of teamwork and compassion both on and off the field.

Caroline Barthel joined the program as a sophomore and said creating connections is one of the most rewarding aspects of the program. Barthel has played basketball and soccer for four years at Oceanside High and will be attending Notre Dame in the fall for psychology.

Tthem.”

hey’re the truest form of leaders

“The whole idea of the student-athletes and service to others is to be men and women for others and to serve your community,” Barthel said. “I think being able to help all of the underclassmen, whether I know them or not, with something they’re struggling with was rewarding and it was great for me to be able to do. I’ve gotten to know the people I’m tutoring and they’ve let me know how they’re doing in math. It was great to build those relationships, but the biggest thing was giving back to

FRANK LuIsI NCAA coordinator

Many of the participants are highachieving students involved in AP classes and varsity sports. They emphasize the importance of time management and peer support in balancing their academic and athletic commitments. Olivia Poplawski, a senior bowling, volleyball, and badminton player turned tutor, epitomizes the program’s spirit of service.

Poplawski will attend New York University in the fall and despite the demands of her sports and AP classes, Poplawski remains committed to supporting her peers, showcasing the power of peer mentorship and time management.

“Since I’ve been in all APs, I’ve learned to adjust my workload,” Poplawski said. “Math is one of my

favorite subjects, so I would like to help people in it. A lot of people hate math, but they shouldn’t because we always use it and they don’t realize how important it is and I would just like to teach them what I know to make it easier.

The program isn’t just about academic assistance; it’s about building relationships and fostering a sense of camaraderie among students. As the program continues to flourish, its impact extends far throughout Oceanside High. Sydney Dolger is a junior varsity volleyball player in the program and was selected for the program as a sophomore.

“Initially, I just thought it’d be a great idea to join this program,” Dolger said. “The real value and philosophy behind it is just really rewarding. It’s great to be able to help my peers out with math and really give back. Everything that Oceanside has given me, I want to be able to get that back.”

With college recruitment processes recognizing the value of community service and leadership, ‘Scholar Athletes and Service to Others’ participants stand out as exemplary candidates, poised to make a difference.

While some students are committed to colleges and have plans for their future careers, others are still exploring their options. However, all acknowledge that the program is enriching for both the tutors and the students they assist, providing valuable academic support and fostering a sense of community and service among student-athletes.

“They care about how they can help and serve others, they’re the truest form of leaders,” Luisi said. “That’s why we call them scholar-athletes in service to others. They don’t join this. We vet them with their teachers on their behavior and grades. It’s like an honor society for athletes, who have humility and kindness, not arrogance and swag. This is such a credit to them and Oceanside.”

Courtesy Oceanside School District

Oceanside’s athletes are breaking student athlete stereotypes in the High Schools ‘Scholar Athletes in service to others’ program.

Anthony Pesce, a senior and varsity track star spends his after school hours tutoring fellow school peers in math through the ‘Scholar athletes in service to others’ program at the High School.

Oceanside board of education recognizes over a hundred

the Oceanside board of education recognized 250 students at its April 10 meeting, for achievements in art, sports, Model United Nations, DECA, and community ser-

Parents or grandparents of a disabled child should leave assets in a Special Needs Trust, to avoid the child being disqualified from government benefits, such as SSI and Medicaid. These trusts, however, offer traps for the unwary. Since payments to the child will generally reduce their SSI payments dollar for dollar, trustees of such trusts should be advised to make payments directly to the providers of goods and services. Preserving SSI benefits is crucial since eligibility for SSI determines eligibility for Medicaid.

In other words, if SSI is lost the recipient also loses their Medicaid benefits. In addition, any benefits previously paid by Medicaid may be recovered. As such, one also has to be mindful of bequests from well-meaning grandparents. Similarly, if a sibling dies without a will, a share of their estate may go to the special needs brother or sister by law. The Special Needs Trust must be carefully drafted so that it only allows payments for any benefits over and above what the government provides.

vice, to name a few The final honors ceremony of the school year will take place at the June Board of education meeting

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

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

Career prepping starts early at Oceanside High School

school counselors at Oceanside High School placed approximately 175 10th grade students in various settings throughout Nassau County on April 3 for Teens on the Job, an annual event. The students spent the day shadowing professionals to learn about their industries and specific job roles.

Businesses packed the lobby of Oceanside High School for the on April 9 annual vocational fair. Teens on the Job and the vocational fair are part of the counseling department’s career preparation program.

The counselors were especially grateful to the 70 Oceanside teachers who volunteered to mentor tomorrow’s educators.

“We’re super proud of that,” said Kevin Carbonetti, associate principal. “Growing tomorrow’s teachers is a privilege.”

Approximately 20 students found placements independently at Five Towns College, JFK Airport, Starcom Media Services, and others.

At the vocational fair, the Oceanside Fire Department, Electrical and HVAC/R Training Center, and the Civil Service Employee Association were among the tables that students visited. Teens on the Job sites included: 22 students at Nassau County Court, 52 at Mount Sinai South Nassau. 11 at Nassau County Police Academy and 70 at Oceanside Schools

Kepherd Daniel

Courtesy Oceanside School District

Students recognized for their art achievements were among hundreds of students honored at the Oceanside Schools board of education meeting.

Courtesy Oceanside School District Oceanside High School student helps out at School Three for ‘Teens on the Job’. In addition to shadowing teachers, students visited other job sites throughout Nassau County to learn about various professions. OHS also held a vocational fair later in the week for students to learn about trades.

Studying the arts, courtesy of Billy Joel

By NICOLE FORMISANO nformisano@liherald.com

Students who have a passion for music have an opportunity to take their skills to the next level this summer at Boces’ Long Island High School for the Arts, or LIHSA for short. On top of that, students whose applications really impress may even get in for free.

“Our summer program works to give students who are not sure if they want to attend the LIHSA program, or who are interested in attending the program down the line, an overview of what it’s like to be here at LIHSA,” said Linday Rogan, the assistant principal of LIHSA. “It gives them a really nice overview of everything that we offer.”

The four-week program, called the Summer Arts Academy, is at LIHSA campus in Syosset. It’s open to students in grades 5 through 12 from anywhere in Nassau or Suffolk.

The Summer Arts Academy offers hands-on education in artistic fields that a student would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Students can learn how to construct sets, record and produce music using professional software and audio equipment, perform Broadway choreography, audition for a stage production and more.

“We’re the only performing arts high school on Long Island,” Rogan said. “We partner with industry professionals in our performing arts departments ranging from NYU and Verbatim Theatre Lab to Paul Taylor at the American Ballet Theatre; we are able to offer world class industry professionals that come to LIHSA to work in partnership with our faculty; our faculty members are also known industry professionals that are working in their field. And that really helps to give students the most

state of the art education in their chosen art field.”

Even better, there are 15 full scholarships available for music students through funding from the Joel Foundation — yes, that Joel. When LIHSA was in danger of closing eight years ago, Billy Joel was actually the one who stepped in and donated millions to protect the only performing arts high school on Long Island.

Now his foundation is offering full $2,800 scholarships to 15 students who demonstrate high levels of skill and artistry, which is evaluated in students’ applications and audition videos. The scholarship is available to stu-

dents from Nassau who are currently in grades 8-11, and have prior experience with music.

But the technical education isn’t the only reason to study the arts at LIHSA.

“Training students to be the next generation of young artists is something that not only myself, but the entire faculty of Long Island High School for the Arts, is very passionate about,” Rogan said. “Beyond the career opportunities — students who study art are really good humans. They learn empathy, they learn strong communication skills, and they learn to reflect on their own experiences. And all of that is really important.”

An education in the arts teaches young people communication, how to reflect, how to provide and accept feedback, and accountability to other artists on your team, Rogan said — skills that every young person needs to develop for their careers.

And what did we all do when the world shut down two years ago? We turned to art, Rogan said. We listened to music, we watched television, we read books. Art continues to be vital, and the benefits of an arts education cannot be understated.

“Art is something that preserves history,” Rogan said. “Art is something that can bring the most subtle things in life to light, and art is the way that we measure our humanity.”

The program runs from June 27 to July 26, on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Scholarships are awarded based on merit. Students who are interested may submit an audition video and application by May 10. For details on how to apply and audition, students can visit tinyurl. com/BOCESScholarship2024.

Photos courtesy Nassau Boces

Winners of the Joel Foundation’s Summer Arts Academy scholarship, like these students from last year, are chosen based on their musical skill, artistry and expression.

CHARLOTTE RATHJEN

South Side Junior Lacrosse

AN ALL-AMERICAN HONORABLE MENTION in 2023 and team MVP after scoring 44 goals and assisting on 16 others, Rathjen reached a milestone earlier this month in the Cyclones’ 14-11 victory at North Shore. She had six goals and one assist in the April 11 win, including the 100th point of her career. She has 26 goals thus far this spring to rank among the leaders in Nassau County and is a University of North Carolina commit.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, April 25

Softball: Freeport at Elmont 10 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Baldwin at Freeport 10 a.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Kennedy at Baldwin 10 a.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Calhoun at Lynbrook 10 a.m.

Softball: Uniondale at Hewlett 10 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: North Shore at Kennedy 11 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Carey at Mepham 1 p.m.

Baseball: West Hemp at East Rockaway 4:30 p.m.

Baseball: Oyster Bay at V.S. North 5 p.m.

Baseball: Long Beach at MacArthur 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Plainview at V.S. District 5 p.m.

Friday, April 26

Softball: V.S. South at Hewlett 10 a.m.

Softball: Clarke at Wantagh 10 a.m.

Softball: East Meadow at Mepham 10 a.m.

Softball: Oceanside at Syosset 10 a.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Clarke at Carey 10 a.m.

Baseball: Baldwin at Oceanside 5 p.m.

Saturday, April 27

Girls Lacrosse: Calhoun at South Side 9 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Hewlett at North Shore 12:30 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Seaford at Massapequa 1 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information:

Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

Oceanside seeks signature win

By JUSTIN JOSEPH sports@liherald.com

Oceanside boys’ lacrosse is off to a great start on the season with a 9-1 record in Nassau Conference A. Last week, the Sailors won both of their league games convincingly, defeating Uniondale, 15-2, and Freeport, 12-2.

The area in which they are looking to improve is in non-league games, where they face much of the stiffer competition that could meet next month in a playoff atmosphere.

So far, Oceanside has dropped both of its non-conference games and last week suffered a loss to Long Beach 8-4.

First-year Sailors coach Mike Santisteban isn’t content with the record just 11 games into the season. “We need a big win, the program really needs a big win,” Santisteban said.

Going 2-1 in the week helps Oceanside’s standing as it sits 9-3 overall, but yet it failed to capture the signature win against Long Beach that it was looking for.

The first opportunity of action the Sailors saw last week was against a familiar foe in Uniondale that they were able to put together an offensive clinic that the Knights on their heels the entire game.

The highlight of the game April 16 was the even distribution by the team on full display, having 10 different scorers in the contest. In total six different players found the back of the net at least twice to help unlock the offense. Junior Andrew Dato led the way with two goals and one assist, junior Jake Dimuzio, sophomore Luke Miller, sophomore Jack Passuello, senior Brian Kraemer and senior Matthew Weininger all added two goals as well.

Sophomore Ethan Famularo added three assists to facilitate the offense and was in full control of the pace and putting his team in positions to succeed. “When he’s in the game, somehow someway he just finds himself getting points, he finds himself near the offensive scoring zone,” Santisteban said. “Whether it is an assist or goal we are very pleased with that.”

In the April 18 loss to Long Beach, the Sailors were led by Kraemer who scored

Ross Farber/Herald Senior Michael Madden has been a steady playmaker for the Sailors and leads them with 24 assists in addition to netting 10 goals.

three goals. Sophomore Brady Nardone added the only other Oceanside tally. It was the type of game Santisteban would like to see the Sailors find a way to get over the top.

“We just didn’t make enough big plays and are still figuring some things out,” he said.

In last Friday’s victory against Freeport, Dato once again was the standout performer netting four goals and Kraemer scored two goals. “He’s a young key piece of the offense and he’s still trying to

find his rhythm,” Santisteban said of Dato, who has 17 goals.

Senior Michael Madden added seven assists against Freeport and has been one of the offensive catalysts with 10 goals and a team-leading 24 assists. Like Dato, Kraemer and Nardone also have 17 goals.

The Sailors, who are getting solid goaltending from juniors Declan Costello (47 saves) and Sam Feldbaum (30), will look to refocus themselves for a big non-league matchup against Lynbrook this Saturday at home at 11 a.m.

Raise on horizon for pre-K special ed. providers

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

A sector of special education services for young children has been severely underfunded for 25 years, according to some lawmakers — but that could soon change.

Nassau County officials propose giving those early childhood intervention service providers a raise, potentially elevating compensation from $40 per halfhour to $50.

The increase will affect providers who officer critical preschool services — like speech, occupational and physical therapy — to children between 3 and 5 with special needs as they get ready for kindergarten.

“We have many people who require services here,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said of contractual preschool special education services. “It provides preschool services to children throughout Nassau County.”

Joined at a recent news conference with Republican county leaders like Michael Giangregorio, Samantha Goetz and Mazi Pilip, as well as dozens of educators and parents of children with special needs, Blakeman described the county’s compensation for such providers as “below the average.”

Giangregorio brought this issue to light, the county executive said. He’s long been an advocate for children and adults with special needs, and says the county has had a hard time retaining therapists because compensation simply was not competitive to what was being offered in surrounding regions.

“We checked with our budget office and we made a determination that we could increase” the compensation, Blakeman said.

Giangregorio, who’s district represents parts of

system,” Giangregorio said. “Back then, it was difficult to find providers. These people that come into your homes, or that work in agencies — they’re really doing God’s work. They’re helping to improve the lives of these individuals.”

The earlier a child receives services, Giangregorio said, the better the outcome.

“My child will be an adult longer than he’s a child,” the county legislator said. “The costs are always more when you’re an adult. For far too long, the wages of these early intervention educators and therapists have not reflected the true value of their work.”

Dr. Irina Gelman, the county’s health commissioner, explained her office has to go before the county’s health board to propose the raise.

“We are very grateful for this opportunity to bring this forward in front of our board,” she said. “We’re very hopeful they will adopt this new rate, which will be instrumental in providing services to our children, our families, and adequately reimburse our providers. These are rates for preschool related services that have not been raised since 1999 — so it’s long overdue.”

But Democrats in the county legislature say the need for raises has not been a secret. Siela Bynoe, for instance, says she has advocated for preschool special education funding for nearly a decade — especially so in the last few months.

Merrick, Bellmore, Wantagh and Seaford, said he was honored to stand with Blakeman for this “monumental decision that reflects our unwavering commitment to early childhood education.” Especially as a father of someone with autism.

“My son is now 23, so the last time he received (preK special education) services was quite a while ago, and there has not been a raise since he’s been in the

“While I am glad that the county executive has heeded the advocacy of practitioners and the Democratic minority by taking this first step, much more must still be done to repair the damage caused by three decades of stagnation,” she said. “Moving forward, the county must raise awareness about the availability of these resources, and remain vigilant so that we can never again find ourselves paying the lowest rates in New York for these critical services.”

Jordan Vallone/Herald

Nassau County intends to raise compensation for special educational preschool service providers — the first of its kind in 25 years. Legislator Michael Giangregorio, a longtime advocate for the autism community, leads the effort.

Budget includes $90M local media tax credit

Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature unveiled the final state budget over the weekend, which included a payroll tax credit for local news outlets, modeled on the Local Journalism Sustainability Act.

With the passage of this bill, New York is now the first state in the nation to incentivize hiring and retaining local journalists.

What’s being described as a game-changer for the local news industry comes just months after the launch of the Empire State Local News Coalition, an unprecedented, grassroots campaign powered by more than 200 community newspapers across the state.

“I’m elated that our first-in-the-nation Local Journalism Sustainability Act is passing in the state budget,” said state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal — the senate bill sponsor — in a release. “A thriving local news industry is vital to the health of our democracy, and it’s our responsibility to help ensure New Yorkers have access to independent and community-focused journalism. Our efforts will help ensure that our democracy will not die in darkness.”

The program — $30 million per year for three years — allows each eligible newspaper and broadcast business to receive a 50 percent refundable tax credit against the first $50,000 of an employee’s salary, up to a total of $300,000 per business.

The budget will allocate the first $4 million to incentivize print and broadcast businesses to hire new journalists. The remaining $26 million will be split evenly between businesses with fewer than 100 employees and those with more than 100 employees, ensuring that hyperlocal, independent news organizations have a fair shot at access to these funds.

After stalling for years, the Local Journalism Sus-

Courtesy Empire State Local News Coalition Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages joins lawmakers and supporters like Assemblyman David Weprin, at left, and state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, at right, last month to call on her colleagues to support the Local Journalism Sustainability Act. A version of this measure was included in the final state budget approved this past weekend by Gov. Kathy Hochul and lawmakers.

tainability Act catapulted into a top legislative priority this session following the early-2024 founding of the Empire State Local News Coalition and the coalition’s mobilization of support from hundreds of New York hometown papers, as well as a broad range of stakeholders from around the country, including the Rebuild Local News Coalition, Microsoft, and El Diario. Organized labor including NYS AFL-CIO, CWA District 1, and national and local news guilds also played a criti-

cal role in mobilizing support for this historic bill.

“The Empire State Local News Coalition is thrilled by the state budget’s inclusion of a payroll tax credit for local news outlets modeled on the Local Journalism Sustainability Act,” said Zachary Richner — founder of the Empire State Local News Coalition, and a director at Richner Communications, the parent organization of Herald Community Newspapers.

“New York is now the first state in the nation to incentivize hiring and retaining local journalists — a critical investment given that hundreds of New York’s newspapers have closed since 2004, leaving too many New York communities without access to vital local information.

“The objectivity of this credit shows that there is a fair way for public policy to support local news without jeopardizing journalistic integrity. This program is a model for other states across the U.S. to follow as communities across the country raise their voices to save local news.”

Richner said he was “incredibly proud” of the 200 newspapers that built an unprecedented grassroots movement in support of saving New York’s local news industry in a few short months. He also extended gratitude to Hoylman-Sigal, “whose tireless advocacy for this tax credit was instrumental in moving it through the legislative process.”

Since launching in February, the coalition has quickly mobilized stakeholders across the state to rally behind the bill.

New York’s leadership on this issue could change the course of local journalism in the United States, organizers say. The budget’s inclusion of this tax credit comes at a watershed moment for the journalism industry: New York state has experienced hundreds of newspaper closures in the past few decades.

‘Ava’s Army’ keeps her memory alive

13-3, and the JV won 10-0.

“Our students that were on the field wanted to show respect for Ava, and let her family and her sisters on the varsity team make sure that it was done in a respectful way, and everybody was supportive of the family and Ava moving forward,” the high school’s athletic director, Tom Lehman, said. “To be able to kind of turn around, with all those emotions running, and playing at a high level was impressive to see. The most impressive thing about sports is that the Roslyn community, the players, the families and the coaches, everybody was supportive and on board. Sports highlight that it’s bigger than the game, and it can bring communities together.”

Ava was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, in September 2022, and underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy in the months that followed while awaiting a bone marrow transplant. She received the transplant in February, but a month later, a biopsy showed the presence of leukemic cells.

“When she got diagnosed, it was really hard,” said her friend Reilly Mohr. “We spent as much time as we could together, with her being in and out of the hospital and stuff, and I’m glad that I got to know Ava, because she just really was such a nice person. Inside and out, she really was beautiful.”

The dedication games, for which both the varsity and JV teams wore special jerseys adorned with orange socks, symbolizing childhood leukemia and Eva’s battle, were marked by emotional speeches and solemn moments of remembrance. Players including her close friends spoke about their cherished memories with her and the legacy she left behind.

“Ava was a special person who was kind, caring and, most of all, the strongest person we have ever known,” said Julianna Ewashko, her friend since first grade. “I feel like it’s more important now, as time goes on, to keep doing these events about her. So nobody forgets and she’s always remembered.”

Remembered as a model student and athlete, Ava is survived by hundreds of loved ones and supporters. “Ava’s Army,” a Facebook group more than 500 strong, was created to support the Salonia family during her

illness. Jennifer Gemmo, whose daughter, Samantha, was a friend of Ava’s, is the group’s coordinator.

“There was a lot involved in the planning,” Gemmo said of the lacrosse game dedication. “The coaches knew, the athletic director knew. We prepared a slide show of all the different pictures to put on the score-

boards during the game. I was very emotional preparing for it, and I think during the time when the girls were giving the speeches, it was very emotional.”

“Ava’s Army” documented Ava’s battle and, along with local businesses, raised money to help the Salonia family cover the costs of treatment she received at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, in Queens. Members of the Facebook group created T-shirts reading “Ava’s Army.”

In her memory, the group has planned several initiatives, including a lacrosse scholarship at Oceanside High. The group also created the Love Ava Project in collaboration with the children’s hospital, which came about after a group member, Marcella Abbott, visited Ava there. Abbott’s business, the Glamping Party Company, creates makeup bags, and Abbott filled a bag with makeup kits and party stickers for Ava to decorate them with while she was hospitalized. She designed bags for her friends, her mother, Jessica, her sisters and the nurses who treated her. On the back of each bag, her mother wrote, “Love Ava.”

The bags from the Love Ava Project are sent to the children’s hospital so other kids can enjoy creating them, as Ava did, and for every bag purchased from Abbott’s company, one is donated to the hospital floor where Ava received her treatment. All the proceeds from the bag purchases will go to Ava’s pending scholarship and the Salonia family.

Brianna O’Hagan, general manager of EGP Oceanside, is in the process of establishing the Love Ava Project as a nonprofit.

Jessica Salonia reflected on the overwhelming support from the community during the dedication games. She expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love from Oceanside, and highlighted the impact it had on her daughter during her illness.

“It’s always nice when the community comes out,” Jessica said. “Since day one, from the day that she was diagnosed, everybody embraced us and supported us 100 percent. It’s always nice to see that many people come out for her. Every time during her illness, things were being done in her name. Her jaw dropped and she couldn’t believe it. She was on the quieter side, and was never one for attention being put on her. So for her, it made her feel good. She enjoyed the support. It made her feel loved and special.”

Dina Ewashko/Herald

Riley Mohr, Julianna Ewashko and Samantha Gemmo are three of Ava’s close friends who also play varsity lacrosse. The girls spoke before their game.

The Love Ava Project is a collaboration with Cohen’s Children’s Hospital that provides patients with crafts to keep them busy during treatment.

Emily Morrison, Angie Salonia, Ava’s youngest sister, and Anna Quinn took a moment to remember Ava.

STEPPING OUT

Enrico Fagone, the Long Island Concert Orchestra’s music director and conductor, was nominated for a 2023 Grammy award. He’s been defined by the classical music press as one of today’s most promising conductors at the international level.

CONNECTION THROUGH

Symphony of Hope Benefit Concert inspires unity across the world

By Danielle Schwab

Art connects us beyond divides.

That’s how Bernie Furshpan, marketing director and board member of the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center, puts it when discussing the Long Island Concert Orchestra’s upcoming Symphony of Hope Concert at Tilles Center.

While the music is, of course, at the heart of this benefit performance, the evening is so much more than a concert. The aim is to support two vital organizations: Long Island’s Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center, and the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance.

“When it comes to art, I think people in general agree that it’s something very healing and it brings people together,” Furshpan says. “It’s a wonderful connector for people.”

Proceeds from the May 2 event benefit both organizations.

The concert includes special guests from the Israeli arts school, which is currently facing a funding crisis due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Two students — one Israeli and one Palestinian — take part, sending a powerful message of unity through music. Michael Klinghoffer — Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance’s president — also participates, further emphasizing the importance of this benefit concert.

“This spectacular event is a golden opportunity for community members to support these organizations,” says David Winkler, the orchestra’s executive director and composer-in-residence. “By attending the concert, our community will not just enjoy an evening of incredible music, but will be helping JAMD and HMTC continue their essential work.”

With some 1,600 students, the Jerusalem Academy nurtures the next generation of musicians and dancers, Furshpan says. The school’s diverse student demographic — ranging from 4 years old to young adulthood — studies a cultural mixture of Middle Eastern music, European classics, baroque and jazz.

“Right now, everybody’s hurting,” Furshpan says. “So, we’re doing this as more than just beautiful music. It’s also something that’s special and philanthropic.”

During the first selection of the evening, the two participating students will perform together, accompanied by a recording of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance Orchestra.

“We have a hybrid experience,” Furshpan says. “On the big screen,

• Thursday, May 2, 8 p.m.

• Tickets start at $50; available at TillesCenter.org, or (516) 299-3100

• Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville

you’re going to see the Israeli orchestra, and the students are going to be sitting alongside that screen and playing together with them.” Klinghoffer also contributes as a keynote speaker.

Then, the 40-person Long Island Concert Orchestra — under the baton of music director and conductor Enrico Fagone — takes the spotlight. The orchestra’s repertoire includes the world debut of “Adriatica.” Winkler composed the piece to celebrate the oceanic connections between people. Its namesake is a node to the Adriatic Sea, which connects Eastern Italy to the Middle East.

“It has a multifaceted melodic personality to it — several different melodies, not just one,” Winkler says.“Over the course of the work, these melodies are joined together and ultimately, they produce the finale, which is extremely uplifting and powerful.”

The orchestra is joined by acclaimed pianist Alessandro Mazzamuto, in his Long Island Concert Orchestra debut. He’ll perform Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54.

“I believe that love of music and artistic expression is love for humanity,” Mazzamuto says. “As a concert pianist and teacher, my heart goes out to the students of Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. And I wish to dedicate my performance and interpretation of Schumann’s emotional piano concerto to them.”

This evening is all about bringing the local and global community together — the very definition of the Long Island Concert Orchestra.

“Our mission is to provide the best possible performances of international repertoire,” Winkler says. “To bring world-class artists, worldclass musicians, as well as world premieres of international caliber.”

The orchestra leads the way in delivering visibility to a commitment to tolerance, respect and the arts.

“Music is what brings people together,” Furshpan says. “All forms of art bring people together. We truly believe that this (concert) is going to help the two organizations do some great work.

“At the same time, Symphony of Hope is really about the audience. They are the symphony of hope — the audience and the music in combination.”

Chris Ruggiero’s musical moments

Experience the magic of Chris Ruggiero’s new show,’Teenage Dreams and Magic Moments,’ when the dynamic vocalist visits the Landmark stage. Ruggiero is an old soul. Still in his 20s, the music that speaks to him is the music of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, His approach to performing is more in line with that of a bygone era, bringing to the stage the panache of Frank Sinatra or Paul Anka, coupled with the energy of Jackie Wilson. Ruggiero first came to national attention when he performed in concert on a PBS coast-to-coast special, and was featured on ‘Good Morning America.’ Since then, he has traveled the country, delivering his unique brand of vintage rock ‘n’ roll, and sharing his passion for the classics. Ruggiero tells his story by breathing new life into the timeless music of the eras he loves, with a six-piece band and live brass.

Friday, April 26, 7:30 p.m. $59, $49, $39. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 7676444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

Tracy Morgan

Tracy Morgan is touring with a bracing new show, and he’s funnier than he’s ever been. A name synonymous with laughter, he continues to be reckoned with in the world of stand-up and television. Morgan boasts an impressive career spanning decades. From his hilarious characters on ‘Saturday Night Live’ (think Astronaut Jones and Brian Fellows) to his unforgettable role on the award-winning ‘30 Rock,’ Morgan has consistently brought audiences to tears (of laughter, of course). Coming to fame as a stand-up, Morgan became a household name through his seven-season stint on Tina Fey’s ‘30 Rock,’ playing a thinly veiled version of himself named Tracy Jordan. On his current tour, Morgan continues his comeback following his life-threatening 2014 traffic accident on the New Jersey turnpike. Morgan is always welcome back up on the stage where he belongs.

Saturday, April 27, 8 p.m. $89.50, $79.50, $69.50, $59.50, $49.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com, or ParamountNY. com.

Courtesy Long Island Concert Orchestra

Pianist Alessandro Mazzamuto is among the special guest performers who share the stage with the Long Island Concert Orchestra.

Courtesy Roberto Ricci

THE Your Neighborhood

‘Cold Beer on a Saturday Night’

Get a head start on beach season with Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band. We’re all eager for summertime to arrive, meanwhile Jimmy Kenny and his band come to the rescue, back on the Paramount stage, Saturday, May 4, 8 p.m. Join in their “Ultimate Beach Party Tribute” to Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band. Parrotheads, No Shoes Nation and the Zamily: it’s 5 o’clock somewhere so let’s ‘raise ‘em up and sing along.

The Long Island based band — guided by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals/ acoustic guitar, with Linn DeMilta (aka Lovely Linn), lead and backing vocals, Luis Rio, lead guitar/ backing vocals, Frank Stainkamp, keyboard/backing vocals, Dan Prine, bass, and drummer Mike Vecchione, have been celebrating the beach country sounds of Buffett, Chesney and Zac Brown Band for over a decade, spreading their vibe up and down the Northeast. Everyone has a great time grooving to their lively mix of their popular sing-along hits and feel good, easy living flair. If you like your toes in the sand, wasting away with a margarita or a cold beer, then you’ll surely have a great time with the Jimmy Kenny Band. $35. $25, $20, $15. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

On stage

Families will enjoy another musical adventure, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved children’s books, on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage, Friday, April 26, 11:30 a.m.,2:15 p.m., 6:15 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, April 30-May 3, 10:15 a.m. and noon. Back by popular demand after a sold-out 2023 run, see Pigeon, Bus Driver, and some zany passengers sing and dance their way to helping The Pigeon find his “thing” in this upbeat, energetic comedy based on four of Mo Willems’ popular Pigeon books.

Featuring a live band to bring Deborah Wicks La Puma’s jazzy score to life, audiences will thoroughly enjoy singing and flapping along with The Pigeon and friends. The audience is part of the action, in this innovative mix of songs, silliness and feathers. It’s an ideal way to introduce kids to theater and the humorous stories from Willems’ books. $10 with museum admission ($8 members), $14 theater only. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “Urban Art Evolution,” is a comprehensive exhibit featuring a diverse range of compositions from the 1980s through the present by creators who were based in the rough and tumble downtown area of New York City known as Loisaida/LES (Lower East Side/East Village) and close surrounding neighborhoods. Artists pushed the boundaries of what was considered “art” with a primary focus on street/graffiti art. The exhibit’s scope, guest curated by art collector/gallerist Christopher Pusey, offers an even broader view from other creative residents, who worked inside their studios but still contributed to the rich fabric of the downtown art scene from different vantage points and aesthetics.

Works include sculpture, paintings, photography, music, and ephemera from many noted and influential artists. On view through July 7. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Spring Musicale

Enjoy an engaging afternoon of beautiful music, Sunday, April 28, 5 p.m. Tim Carl, Music Director of St. Dominic, Oyster Bay, presents a program of operatic arias and piano selections with soprano Jennifer Russo and pianist Tim Carl. A meet-and-greet is included. $75, $70 members of Friends of Seminary. Reservations required. Retreat and Conference Center of the Seminary of Immaculate Conception, 440 West Neck Road, Huntington. Reserve at ICSeminary.edu/events or call (63) 423-0483 ext. 102.

Baby shower for moms-to-be

Mercy Hospital hosts this free event for expecting moms-to-be, Saturday, May 11, noon to 2 p.m., in the lower level cafeteria. With raffles, giveaways for mom and baby, and meet and greets with physicians, lactation specialists, mother/ baby nurses, games and more. For moms only. 1000 N. Village Ave. Email Elizabeth. Schwind@chsli.org to register. For more information, visit CHSLI.org/mercy-hospital or call (516) 626-3729.

Museum Gallery Tour

Join curator, art collector and gallerist Christopher Pusey for a tour of “Urban Art Evolution,” Nassau County Museum of Art’s current exhibition, Sunday, May 5, 3 p.m. Pusey, the exhibit’s guest curator, began art-making as a child and went on to pursue a career working in art galleries, and as an art dealer, in New York City. His particular interest in the art from this time and genre began with his first job at a Soho gallery in SoHo during the 80s, which had a division specializing in some of the East Village artists featured in this show. Free with admission. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org or call (516) 484-9337 for information.

Island Park Arbor Day celebration

Island Park village celebrates Arbor Day on the Village Green, Saturday May 4, at noon. All are welcome to join in planting a tree and plants on the Village Green. Corner of Long Beach and Warwick roads.

Having an event?

On stage

Plaza Theatrical’s season continues with “Lady Supreme: A Diana Ross Experience,” Saturday, May 4, 7:30 p.m. Deanna Carroll, accompanied by top notch singers and musicians, covers the hits of the Supremes to Diana’s solo sensations in this spectacular tribute to the Supreme Diva.

She performs all of Diana’s biggest hits, with spot-on vocals, including “Endless Love,” “Someday We’ll Be Together,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Touch Me in The Morning,” and so many more. Get in the groove at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre. 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

Storybook Stroll

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a storybook adventure, Saturday, May 4, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Stroll the gardens and listen to Antoine Ó Flatharta’s modern tale, “Hurry and the Monarch.” Later create a unique take home craft. For ages 3-5. Storybook Strolls start at the Beech Tree (next to Westbury House), and end at the Thatched Cottage. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information, visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.

Butterfly Project

Friedberg JCC invites all to an inspiring Shabbat dinner, Friday May 3, 5:30-8:30 p.m. View “The Butterfly Project,” in commemoration of Yom Hashoah and paint ceramic butterflies, to be hung in the Holocaust Memorial Garden. $18, $10 child, maximum $54 per family donation. 15 Neil Court, Oceanside. Visit FriedbergJCC.org for information.

Mount Sinai South Nassau Golf Outing

Mount Sinai South Nassau holds its 40th annual Golf Outing, Monday May 13, at three golf venues including Seawane Club in Hewlett Harbor, Rockaway Hunting Club in Lawrence and Rockville Links Club in Rockville Centre. 10 a.m. shotgun start at each venue; pickle ball tournament starts at 2 p.m. at the Seawane club. All net proceeds benefit Mount Sinai South Nassau with a portion of the funds dedicated to helping patients of the hospital’s cancer program. Online registration expires Friday April 26. For more information or reserve a spot, visit SouthNassauLifesaver.org or call (516) 377-5360.

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.

Public Notices

DE VOTACIÓN Y AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA ANUAL DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR DE ISLAND PARK PUEBLO DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK

POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con la Resolución de la Junta de Educación adoptada el 18 de diciembre de 2023, la Votación Anual de los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Libre Island Park Union, Ciudad de Hempstead, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York se llevará a cabo el martes, 21 de mayo de 2024, de 7:00 a.m. a 9:00 p.m., con el propósito de votar sobre el Presupuesto Combinado de Escuela y Recreación y el Presupuesto de la Biblioteca de los gastos estimados del año fiscal escolar 2024-2025. La votación se llevará a cabo en Lincoln Orens Escuela Intermedia, Steven L. Foster Auditorium Foyer, 150 Trafalgar Boulevard, Island Park, Nueva York, entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m., mediante una máquina de votación. Cualquier votante del Distrito puede obtener una copia de dicho presupuesto combinado para la escuela y la recreación, y el presupuesto de la biblioteca, durante los catorce (14) días inmediatamente anteriores a la mencionada Votación

Anual, en la Oficina del Distrito ubicada en 99 Radcliffe Road, Island Park, Nueva York durante el horario de 9:00 a. m. y 4:00 p. m., la oficina principal de la escuela Francis X. Hegarty, ubicada en 100 Radcliffe Road, la oficina principal de la escuela secundaria Lincoln Orens, ubicada en 150 Trafalgar Boulevard, durante el horario de 9:00 a.m. y 4:00 p.m., excepto sábados, domingos y feriados y, en la Biblioteca Pública de Island Park ubicada en 176 Long Beach Road, durante el horario de 10 a.m. a 5 p.m. y publicado en el sitio web de Internet del Distrito.

ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con la Resolución de la Junta de Educación adoptada el día 18 de marzo de 2024, también se presentará la siguiente Propuesta a los votantes del Distrito: SE RESUELVE, de conformidad con el Capítulo 554 de las Leyes de la Sesión de 2023 de Nueva York, que por la presente se autoriza a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar de Island Park, Ciudad de Hempstead, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York, a crear una Evaluación del Impuesto sobre Plantas de Energía Fondo de Reserva con un saldo máximo permitido para depositar y mantener en él de $7,500,000, cuyos depósitos se financiarán con cualquier fuente de ingresos resultante de un acuerdo con la Autoridad de Energía de Long Island.

SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, de conformidad con la Resolución de la Junta de Educación adoptada el 18 de diciembre de 2023, se llevará a cabo una AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA el 7 de mayo de 2024, a las 7:00 p. m., en Lincoln Orens Escuela Intermedia, 150 Trafalgar Boulevard, Island Park, Nueva York, con el propósito de discutir el gasto de fondos y su presupuestación (PRESUPUESTO ANUAL). ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA que, dicho 21 de mayo de 2024, se procederá a la elección de: (i) un (1) miembro de la Junta de Educación por un término de cinco (5) años para suceder a TARA BYRNE, cuyo término vence el 30 de junio de 2024; y (ii) un (1) miembro de la Junta de la Biblioteca por un período de cinco (5) años para suceder a DEAN BACIGALUPO, cuyo período vence el 30 de junio de 2024. Peticiones para nominar candidatos para el cargo de Miembro de la Junta Escolar y la Junta de la Biblioteca debe presentarse en la oficina del secretario del distrito, a más tardar el 22 de abril de 2024, en el Centro de conferencias, 99 Radcliffe Road, Island Park, Nueva York, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 5:00 p. m. al menos treinta (30) días antes de la elección, siendo el horario del 22 de abril de 2024 de 9:00 a. m. a 5:00 p. m.

Cada petición debe ser dirigida al Secretario del Distrito; debe estar firmado por al menos 25 votantes calificados del Distrito; debe indicar el nombre y domicilio de cada firmante, el nombre y domicilio del candidato; y debe describir la vacante específica para la cual se nomina al candidato, incluida la duración del mandato y el nombre del último titular.

ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con la Resolución de la Junta de Educación adoptada el día 12 de febrero de 2024, también se presentará la siguiente Propuesta a los votantes del Distrito: SE RESUELVE, que se autorice a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar de Island Park, Ciudad de Hempstead, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York, a entrar un contrato por un período de cinco (5) años que comenzará el 1 de julio de 2024, con el Distrito Escolar de la Ciudad de Long Beach, para la educación, mediante matrícula, de los estudiantes de secundaria del Distrito Escolar de Island Park. Una copia del contrato propuesto está archivada en el Secretario del Distrito.

que la Junta de Registro se reunirá en el Centro de conferencias ubicado en 99 Radcliffe Road, Island Park, Nueva York, el jueves 18 de abril de 2024 de 9:30 a. m. a 1:30 p. m. y el martes 14 de mayo de 2024 de 10:00 a.m. a 2:00 p.m. y de 6:00 p.m. a 9:00 p.m., con el propósito de preparar un registro de los electores calificados del Distrito Escolar para dicha Votación Anual.

El Registro de votantes calificados de dicho Distrito Escolar, preparado en la Elección y Votación Anual celebrada el 16 de mayo de 2023, será utilizado por dicha Junta de Registro como base para la preparación del Registro para dicha Votación Anual el 21 de mayo de 2024. Cualquier persona cuyo nombre aparezca en dicho registro o que a partir del 1 de enero de 2020 se haya registrado en virtud del presente para cualquier elección y votación anual o especial realizada en cualquier momento a partir del 1 de enero de 2020, no estará obligada a registrarse personalmente para la Elección Anual y la Votación.

TENGA EN CUENTA ADEMÁS que los votantes militares que no están actualmente registrados pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados del distrito escolar presentando una Solicitud de registro de Votantes Militares al Secretario del distrito, a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. el 17 de abril de 2024, el día antes de la reunión de la Junta de Registro del Distrito para preparar el registro del distrito escolar. Una copia de la Solicitud de registro de votantes militares está disponible tanto en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito como en línea en el sitio web del Distrito en http://www.ips.k12.ny.us/ budget_info. Al solicitar una solicitud de votante militar, dicho votante militar puede indicar su preferencia de recibir la solicitud de registro por correo postal, fax o correo electrónico. Cualquier votante militar tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de la junta de registro, se conozca o se demuestre a satisfacción de dicha junta de registro, que será entonces o posteriormente tener derecho a la condición de votante militar en la reunión y elección anual para las cuales se prepara dicho registro.

TENGA EN CUENTA

ADEMÁS que, de acuerdo con la Parte 122 de las Reglas y Reglamentos del Comisionado de Educación, los votantes militares que son votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar pueden solicitar una boleta

militar. Las solicitudes para boletas militares están disponibles tanto en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito como en línea en el sitio web del Distrito en http://www.ips.k12.ny.us/

budget_info. Al solicitar una solicitud de boleta de votante militar, dicho votante militar puede indicar su preferencia por recibir la solicitud por correo postal, fax o correo electrónico. Dicha designación permanecerá vigente hasta que el votante la revoque o cambie. Las solicitudes de boleta militar completas deben ser recibidas por el Secretario de Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. Jueves 25 de abril de 2024. Las boletas militares no serán escrutadas a menos que sean recibidas por el Secretario de Distrito antes de las 5:00 p.m. el 21 de mayo de 2024. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, sin perjuicio de cualquier disposición en contrario en el presente, que, de conformidad con las disposiciones de la Sección 5-612 de la Ley Electoral, cualquier persona registrada conforme a las disposiciones de dicha Ley Electoral, y así certificada como registrada por la Junta Electoral , Condado de Nassau, para fines de elección general, tendrá derecho a votar en dicha Elección Anual y Votación sin registro adicional. Únicamente aquellas personas que se registren tendrán derecho a votar en dicha Elección y Votación Anuales. Inmediatamente después de su finalización, dicho Registro se archivará en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito, donde estará abierto para su inspección por cualquier votante calificado del Distrito Escolar entre las 8:30 a.m. y las 4:30 p.m. en cada uno de los cinco (5) días anteriores y el día fijado para la Elección y Votación, excepto domingo y en el horario de 8:30 a 12:00 horas. (Mediodía) del sábado.

ADEMÁS SE AVISA que las boletas de voto en ausencia y anticipadas por correo para aquellos elegibles están disponibles, y que las solicitudes de boletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado se pueden solicitar en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito. Dicha solicitud debe recibirse no antes de 30 días antes de la elección y a más tardar siete (7) días calendario antes de la elección si la boleta se enviará por correo al votante o el día anterior a la elección si la boleta se entregará. personalmente al elector. Una lista de todas las personas a quienes se les han emitido boletas en ausencia y por correo anticipado estará disponible en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito

cada uno de los cinco (5) días calendario anteriores al día de la elección, excepto el domingo, entre las 8:00:00. 30 a.m. y 4:30 p.m., y entre las 8:30 a.m. y 12:00 p.m. (Mediodía) del sábado. No se escrutará ninguna boleta en ausencia o por correo anticipado a menos que se reciba en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. el día de las elecciones.

SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que la Sección 495 de la Ley del Impuesto sobre la Propiedad Inmueble requiere que el Distrito adjunte a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exención. Dicho informe de exención, que también formará parte del presupuesto final, mostrará cómo el valor catastral total de la lista de tasación final utilizada en el proceso presupuestario está exento de impuestos, enumerará cada tipo de exención otorgada por la autoridad legal y mostrará el acumulado. impacto de cada tipo de exención, el monto acumulado que se espera recibir como pago en lugar de impuestos (PILOT) y el impacto acumulado de todas las exenciones otorgadas. Además, dicho informe de exención se publicará en cualquier tablón de anuncios mantenido por el Distrito para avisos públicos y en el sitio web del Distrito.

POR ORDEN

be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00

for the purpose of voting on the combined School and Recreation Budget, and Library Budget of the estimated expenditures of the school fiscal year 2024-2025. Voting shall take place in the Lincoln Orens Middle School, Steven L. Foster Auditorium Foyer, 150 Trafalgar Boulevard, Island Park, New York between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., by voting machine. A copy of said combined school and recreation budget, and library budget may be obtained by any voter in the District, during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding the aforesaid Annual Voting, at the District Office located at 99 Radcliffe Road, Island Park, New York during the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., the Francis X. Hegarty School Main Office, located at 100 Radcliffe Road, the Lincoln Orens Middle School Main Office, located at 150 Trafalgar Boulevard, during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., except Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays and, at the Island Park Public Library located at 176 Long Beach Road, during the hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and posted on the District’s Internet Website.

NOTICE IS FURTHER

GIVEN that, pursuant to Board of Education Resolution adopted on the 12th day of February 2024, the following Proposition will also be presented to the Voters of the District: RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Island Park Union Free School District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, New York, be authorized to enter into a contract for the term of five (5) years to commence July 1, 2024, with the Long Beach City School District, for the education, on a tuition basis, of the Island Park School District’s secondary school students. A copy of the proposed contract is on file with the District Clerk

NOTICE IS FURTHER

GIVEN that, pursuant to Board of Education

Resolution adopted on the 18th day of March 2024, the following Proposition will also be presented to the Voters of the District: RESOLVED, in accordance with Chapter 554 of the 2023 Session Laws of New York, that the Board of Education of the Island Park Union Free School District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, New York is hereby authorized to create a Power Plant Tax Assessment Reserve Fund with a maximum allowable balance to be deposited and held in it of $7,500,000, which deposits will be funded from any sources of revenue resulting from a settlement with the Long Island Power Authority.

NOTICE IS FURTHER

GIVEN that, pursuant to Board of Education Resolution adopted on the 18th of December 2023, a PUBLIC HEARING shall be held on May 7, 2024 at 7:00 p.m., at the Lincoln Orens Middle School, 150 Trafalgar Boulevard, Island Park, New York, for the purpose of discussion of the expenditure of funds and budgeting thereof (ANNUAL BUDGET).

NOTICE IS FURTHER

GIVEN that, on said May 21, 2024 an election will be held for: (i) one (1) member of the Board of Education for a term of five (5) years to succeed TARA BYRNE, whose term expires on June 30, 2024; and (ii) one (1) member of the Library Board for a term of five (5) years to succeed DEAN BACIGALUPO, whose term expires on June 30, 2024. Petitions nominating candidates for the office of School Board Member and Library Board Trustee must be filed in the office of the District Clerk, on or before April 22, 2024, at the Conference Center, 99 Radcliffe Road, Island Park, New York, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at least thirty (30) days prior to the election, with the hours on April 22, 2024 being 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Each petition must be directed to the Clerk of the District; must be signed by at least 25 qualified voters of the District; must state the name and residence of each signer, the name and residence of the candidate; and must describe the specific vacancy for which the candidate is nominated, including the length of the term of office and the name of the last incumbent.

NOTICE IS FURTHER

The Register of qualified voters of said School District, prepared at the Annual Election and Voting held on May 16, 2023, shall be used by the said Board of Registration as the basis for the preparation of the Register for said Annual Voting on May 21, 2024. Any person whose name appears on such register or who on or after January 1, 2020 shall have been registered hereunder for any Annual or Special Election and Voting conducted at any time on or after January 1, 2020, will not be required to register personally for the Annual Election and Voting.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that Military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district by submitting a Military Voter Registration Application to the District Clerk, no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 17, 2024, the day before the District’s Board of Registration meeting to prepare the school district register. A copy of the Military Voter Registration Application is available both in the office of the District Clerk and online located at the District’s website at http://www.ips.k12.ny.us/ budget_info. Upon such request for a military voter application, such military voter may indicate his/her preference for receiving the application for registration by mail, facsimile, or electronic mail. Any military voter shall be entitled to have his/her name placed upon such register, provided, that at such meeting of the board of registration, he/she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such board of registration, to be then or thereafter entitled to military voter status at the annual meeting and election for which such register is prepared.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that in accordance with Part 122 of the Rules and Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, military voters who are qualified voters of the School District may apply for a military ballot. Applications for military ballots are available both in the office of the District Clerk and online located at the District’s website at http://www.ips.k12.ny.us/ budget_info. Upon such request for a military voter ballot application, such military voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application by mail, facsimile or electronic

GIVEN that, the Board of Registration shall meet in the Conference Center located at 99 Radcliffe Road, Island Park, New York, on Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., for the purpose of preparing a register of the qualified voters of the School District for said Annual Voting.

Public Notices

mail. Such designation will remain in effect until revoked or changed by the voter. Completed military ballot applications must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. Thursday, April 25, 2024. Military ballots will not be canvassed unless they are received by the District Clerk on or before 5:00 p.m. on May 21, 2024.

NOTICE IS FURTHER

GIVEN, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, that, pursuant to the provisions of Section 5-612 of the Election Law, any person registered under the provisions of the said Election Law, and so certified as registered by the Board of Elections, County of Nassau, for general election purposes, will be entitled to vote at the said Annual Election and Voting without further registration. Only those persons who shall be registered shall be entitled to vote at said Annual Election and Voting.

Immediately upon its completion, said Register shall be filed in the office of the District Clerk, where it shall be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the School District between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on each of the five (5) days prior to and the day set for the Election and Voting, except Sunday and between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. (Noon) on Saturday.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that absentee and early mail ballots for those eligible are available, and that applications for absentee and early mail ballots may be applied for at the District Clerk’s Office. Such application must be received no earlier than 30 days before the election and no later than seven (7) calendar days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter or by the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots have been issued will be available in the District Clerk’s Office on each of the five (5) calendar days prior to the day of the election, except Sunday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. (Noon) on Saturday. No absentee or early mail ballot will be canvassed unless it is received in the District Clerk’s Office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the election.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law requires the District to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption

report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how the total assessed value of the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted by statutory authority, and show the cumulative impact of each type of exemption, the cumulated amount expected to be received as payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) and the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted.

In addition, said exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on the District’s website.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

Island Park Union Free School District Island Park, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York. Jack Vobis, President Board of Education

Cindy Pastore, District Clerk

Dated: March 19, 2024 Island Park, NY 145904

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 Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 007501/2015. Janine T. Lynam, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 146077

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK INDEX NO. 16-003694 COUNTY OF NASSAU

BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. NANCY J KAPLAN

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR ARGENT SECURITIES INC., ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-W4, -againstNOREEN M. MCCABE, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on May 18, 2017, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR ARGENT SECURITIES INC., ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-W4 is the Plaintiff and NOREEN M. MCCABE, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on May 16, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 2863 CALVIN RD, OCEANSIDE, NY 11572; and the following tax map identification: Section 0054, Block 00506-00, Lot 00058 & 00138.

ZATOVICH BY AND THROUGH THE LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF JUNE

ZATOVICH DATED MARCH 26, 2008;

STEPHEN DELEON AS BENEFICIARY, HEIR, AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JUNE

ZATOVICH BY AND THROUGH THE LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF JUNE

Plaintiff designates NASSAU as the place of trial situs of the real property SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

Mortgaged Premises: 71 MARINA ROAD, ISLAND PARK, NY 11558

Section: 43, Block: 3, Lot: 143 Defendants.

action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: April 2nd, 2024

FITZGERALD AS EXECUTRIX, BENEFICIARY, HEIR, AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JUNE

ZATOVICH BY AND THROUGH THE LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF JUNE ZATOVICH DATED MARCH 26, 2008; KEITH KAPLAN AS BENEFICIARY, HEIR, AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JUNE

ZATOVICH BY AND THROUGH THE LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF JUNE

ZATOVICH DATED MARCH 26, 2008;

HILLARY DELEON AS BENEFICIARY, HEIR, AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JUNE

ZATOVICH BY AND THROUGH THE LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF JUNE

ZATOVICH DATED MARCH 26, 2008;

HANNA DELEON AS BENEFICIARY, HEIR, AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JUNE

ZATOVICH BY AND THROUGH THE LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF JUNE

ZATOVICH DATED MARCH 26, 2008;

JENNIFER LEDDY AS BENEFICIARY, HEIR, AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JUNE ZATOVICH BY AND THROUGH THE LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF JUNE

ZATOVICH DATED MARCH 26, 2008; EMMA

DELEON AS

BENEFICIARY, HEIR, AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JUNE

ZATOVICH DATED MARCH 26, 2008, if living, and if she/he be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, BY VIRTUE OF POTENTIAL UNPAID

TAXES FROM THE ESTATE OF JUNE ZATOVICH, THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BY VIRTUE OF POTENTIAL UNPAID

TAXES OR LIENS BY STEPHEN DELEON AS BENEFICIARY, HEIR, AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JUNE ZATOVICH BY AND THROUGH THE LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF JUNE ZATOVICH DATED MARCH 26, 2008, AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, BY VIRTUE OF POTENTIAL UNPAID

TAXES FROM THE ESTATE OF JUNE ZATOVICH AND BY VIRTUE OF POTENTIAL

UNPAID TAXES OR LIENS BY STEPHEN DELEON AS BENEFICIARY, HEIR, AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JUNE

ZATOVICH BY AND THROUGH THE LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF JUNE ZATOVICH DATED MARCH 26, 2008, “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint,

To the above named Defendants

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF

SOUGHT

THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $489,000.00 and interest, recorded on February 08, 2006, in Liber M00030077 at Page 565 , of the Public Records of NASSAU County, New York., covering premises known as 71 MARINA ROAD, ISLAND PARK, NY 11558.

The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

NASSAU County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.

NOTICE

YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure

ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC By: Veronica M. Rundle, Esq.

Attorneys for Plaintiff 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310 Westbury, NY 11590

Tel: 516-280-7675

Fax: 516-280-7674 146073

LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY, A/K/A M&T BANK, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER WITH HUDSON CITY SAVINGS BANK, Plaintiff - againstFREDDY ORMENO, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on March 22, 2023. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 “Rain or Shine” on the 9th day of May, 2024 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of Land with the Buildings and Improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in Oceanside, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Premises known as 78 Concord Avenue, Oceanside, NY 11572. (Section: 43, Block: 385, Lot: 7)

Approximate amount of lien $1,010,540.33 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.

Index No. 003398/2017.

Louis B. Imbroto, Esq., Referee. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409

For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832

Dated: March 13, 2024

During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of 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. 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. 146056

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 7th day of May, 2024, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 202-1 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “PARKING OR STANDING

PROHIBITIONS” at the following locations:

BALDWIN GROVE STREET (TH 93/24) East SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of West Seaman Avenue, south for a distance of 40 feet.

EAST MEADOW

ROSALIE DRIVE (TH 4(B)/24) West SideNO PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 115 feet south of the south curbline of Bard Lane, south for a distance of 25 feet.

ELMONT

GOTHAM AVENUE (TH 63/24) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Blackstone Street, north for a distance of 50 feet.

INWOOD SHERIDAN BOULEVARD (TH 88/24) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the north curbline of Maple Road, north for a distance of 30 feet.

MAPLE ROAD (TH 88/24) South SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the west curbline of Sheridan Boulevard, west for a distance of 30 feet.

NORTH BELLMOR

REGINA AVENUE (TH 115/24) South SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the east curbline of Bellmore Avenue, east for a distance of 30 feet.

REGINA AVENUE (TH 115/24) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the east curbline of Bellmore Avenue, east for a distance of 50 feet.

OCEANSIDE

WOODS AVENUE (TH 45(B)/24) West sideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Cleveland Street, south for a distance of 30 feet.

WOODS AVENUE (TH 45(B)/24) East sideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Cleveland Street, north for a distance of 35 feet.

WOODS AVENUE (TH 45(B)/24) West sideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Cleveland Street, north for a distance of 35 feet.

BROWER AVENUE (TH 103/24) South SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 46 feet east of the east curbline of Skillman Avenue, then east to the west curbline of Ralph Avenue.

SOUTH HEMPSTEAD

LONG BEACH ROAD (TH 30/22) West SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at the north curbline of Willow Street, north for a distance of 204 feet.

LONG BEACH ROAD (TH 30/22) West SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 599 feet north of the north curbline of Willow Street, north to a point 22 feet south of the south curbline of Locust street.

LONG BEACH ROAD (TH 30/22) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the south curbline of Locust Street, south for a distance of 22 feet.

(NR) VALLEY STREAM CATALPA LANE (TH 107/24) West SideNO PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 14 feet south of the southwest curbline of Woodland Road, then south for a distance of 61 feet.

WANTAGH Interlake Drive (TH 90/24)

West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Bunker Avenue, south for a distance of 30 feet.

MERRICK ROAD (TH 96/24) North SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 357 feet west of a point opposite the east curbline of Riverside Drive, west for a distance of 28 feet.

(NR) WESTBURY

HANDY LANE (TH 95/24) South SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the east curbline of Salisbury Park Drive, east for a distance of 50 feet. ALSO, to REPEAL from Section 202-1 “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” from the following locations: EAST

WOODS AVENUE (TH 45(B)/24) East sideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Cleveland Street, south for a distance of 30 feet.

(Adopted 2/28/24)

ELMONT

GOTHAM AVENUE (TH 386/75) East SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Blackstone Street, north for a distance of 46 feet.

(Adopted 6/15/76)

OCEANSIDE

BROWER AVENUE (TH 287/09) South SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a Point 46 feet east of the east curbline of Skillman Avenue, then east for a distance of 90 feet.

(Adopted 08/04/09)

SOUTH HEMPSEAD

LONG BEACH ROADWest Side - NO STOPPING OR STANDING ANYTIMEstarting from the curbline of Willow Street, north for a distance of 340 feet.

(Adopted 3/10/53)

LONG BEACH ROAD (TH 6/90) West SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at the south curbline of Locust Street, south to a point 340 feet north of the north curbline of Willow Street.

(Adopted 4/3/90) ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

Dated: April 9, 2024 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.

Supervisor

KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 146303

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 7th day of May, 2024, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Chapter 202 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking at the following locations:

BALDWIN GROVE STREET (TH 93/24) West SideSection 202-5 NO

PARKING ANYTIME EXCEPT SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND HOLIDAYS - starting at a point 11 feet north of the north curbline of Oakwood Avenue, then north for a distance of 66 feet.

SOUTH HEMPSTEAD

LONG BEACH ROAD (TH 30/22) West SideSection 202-25 15

MINUTE PARKINGstarting at a point 204 feet north of the north curbline of Willow Street, north for a distance of 395 feet.

(NR)VALLEY STREAM

DUTCH BROADWAY (TH 77/24) South SideSection 202-18 NO

PARKING 8AM TO 4PMstarting at a point 228 feet west of the west curbline of Franklin Avenue, west for a distance of 60 feet.

WANTAGH

MERRICK ROAD (TH 96/24) North SideSection 202-10 FOUR HOUR PARKING

BETWEEN SIGNSstarting at a point 165 feet west of a point opposite the east curbline of Riverside Drive, west for a distance of 192 feet.

MERRICK ROAD (TH 96/24) North SideFOUR HOUR PARKING

BETWEEN SIGNSStarting at a point 385 feet west of a point opposite the east curbline of Riverside Drive, west for a distance of 600 feet. ALSO, to REPEAL from Chapter 202 “REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking from the following locations:

EAST MEADOW BRIGHT AVENUE (TH 94/71) East SideSection 202-24 TWO HOUR PARKING 9AM TO 9PM EXCEPT SUNDAY AND HOLIDAYS - starting at a point 30 feet south of the south curbline of Hempstead-Bethpage Turnpike, south to the north curbline of Post Street.

(Adopted 7/13/71)

OCEANSIDE BROWER AVENUE (TH 287/09) South SideSection 202-13 NO PARKING 8AM TO 3PM MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND FRIDAY - starting at a point 136 feet east of the curbline of Skillman Avenue, then east to the west curbline of Ralph Avenue.

(Adopted 08/04/09) ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

Dated: April 9, 2024 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor

KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 146302

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is

EAST MEADOW BRIGHT AVENUE (TH 99/24) East SideSection 202-24 TWO HOUR PARKING 9AM TO 9PM EXCEPT SUNDAY AND HOLYDAYS - starting at a point 12 feet north of the north curbline of Post Street, then north for a distance of 80 feet.

hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 05/01/2024 at 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. 1382/24. OCEANSIDEMount Sinai South Nassau, Special exception to park in residence “B” district & parking in the front yard setback on Washington Ave., Nassau Pkwy. & Oceanside Rd. (additional parking in conjunction with case 1375/21)., S/E cor. Oswald Ct. & Oceanside Rd., a/k/a 1 Healthy Way

ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in Oceanside within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available a t https://hempsteadny.gov/ 509/Board-of-Appeals The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.gov/ 576/Live-Streaming-Video Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it. 146299

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU Deutsche Bank National Trust Company as Trustee for Residential Asset Securitization Trust Series 2006-A9CB Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2006-I, Plaintiff

AGAINST Robert Napolitano, Jr, a/k/a Robert Napolitano; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 7, 2024 I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 30, 2024 at 3:00PM, premises known as 22 Quebec Road, Island Park, NY 11558. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Village of Island Park, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 43

Block 041 Lot 117. Approximate amount of judgment $587,494.67 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 617922/2022. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the Tenth Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee

LOGS Legal Group LLP

Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff

175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: April 12, 2024 146313

LEGAL NOTICE

April is stress awareness month!

As I began researching the topic of “stress,” I quickly discovered an overwhelming amount of information relating to how stress impacts our brain, body, genetics, and life. As such, I wish to share this guest column as an introduction to stress, its impact and how we can better manage stress.

What is stress?

Stress is a natural psychological and physiological response that becomes activated when feeling threatened or under overwhelming pressure, exceeding our ability to cope.

Understanding the stress response:

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS-SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NASSAU- WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITION TRUST 2018-HB1, Plaintiff, -against- DAVID ROSARIO, SR., AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MANUEL ROSARIO, if he be living and if he be dead, the respective heirs-at-law, next-of-kin, distributes, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or inheritance, lien or otherwise any right, title or interest in or to the real property described in the complaint; WEBSTER BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION; BAYPORT FUNDING LLC; OFFICE OF THE NASSAU COUNTY CLERK; ANY AND ALL KNOWN OR UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF MANUEL ROSARIO; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ACTING ON BEHALF OF DEPARTMENT OF TREASURYINTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; SHAAKER THOMAS, AS JOHN DOE #1; ANDREA ROSARIO, AS JOHN DOE #2, Defendants - Index No. 603220/2019 Plaintiff Designates Nassau County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the subject action is situated in Nassau County. To the above named Defendants-YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within 20 days after

When we are stressed or facing a perceived threat, a tiny region at the brain’s base, called the hypothalamus, sets off an alarm system in the body, releasing a hormone called adrenaline, often called the “fight or flight” hormone, which usually gives us a boost to act quickly. But when stressors are always present and we always feel under attack, that fight-orflight reaction can affect our body, our mood, our relationships, and our selfesteem. Broadly, there are four types of stress which are: acute stress, episodic acute stress, chronic stress and post-traumatic stress.

What is “chronic” stress?

Chronic stress is both psychological and physiological. Causes of chronic stress could include poverty, a dysfunctional marriage, family or a deeply dissatisfying job. Chronic stress slowly drains a person’s psychological resources and damages their brains and bodies.

Why we each react to life’s stressors the way we do?

Chronic stress does not affect all people equally. Our reaction to a potentially stressful event is different from everyone else’s. How we react to our life stressors is

affected by such factors as:

■ Genetics. The genes that control the stress response keep most people at a fairly steady emotional level, only sometimes priming the body for fight or flight. More active or less active stress responses may stem from slight differences in these genes.

■ Life experiences. People who were traumatized as children tend to be especially at risk of experiencing high stress. Chronic and extreme stress in early life, often referred to as early adversity, childhood trauma, or early life stress, has been associated with a wide range of adverse effects on development.

Learning to react to stress in healthy ways:

■ Practicing meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and massage.

■ Listening to soft music.

■ Fostering healthy friendships and hobbies.

■ To include healthy humor in your life as “laughter” is good medicine and can help lessen your stress and make you happier, improving your self-esteem. If you are worried that your level of chronic stress is overwhelming, it is important to seek professional counseling.

On a personal note: We humans are not meant to live in a constant state of stress be it emotional, physical, financial, environmental, or social, and why it is important to acknowledge the significance of managing our life stresses, especially in today’s world. To ponder the acronym, I created for myself: “STRESS” – “Signal, To, Replenish, Extra, Self-care, Self-Love.”

Donna Pisacano-Brown is a Point Lookout resident who has been a columnist featured in local newspapers since 1996. She is a passionate advocate for drunken driving awareness, and shining a light on mental health topics.

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Protecting a condo from flooding

CQ. I want to buy an attached home, and the houses around the condos have been raised. Our community got a lot of water during a big flood, so I’m told, since I didn’t live there at the time. I’m wondering, if I move into this condo, which I have to decide about right away, what can I do to protect it from flooding? It doesn’t look like the owners association wants to do anything. What can I do to this unit to be flood-proof?

A. The flooding you’re referring to could have been from any number of high tide and storm episodes, but I’m pretty sure you’re talking about Superstorm Sandy or Tropical Storm Irene. In both events, many of us witnessed the water levels and understood the impact of a high tide, and what high winds can produce.

There are things you can do, such as checking to see what level the building is, by going on the Federal Emergency Management Website, MSC. FEMA.gov. Look for the icon for flood maps and type in the building address. You’ll see a very detailed satellite image of the water lines that were recorded specifically at the crest of the highest water episode in recent years.

Look for your building. The streets should be labeled, but if not, look for identifiable shapes of buildings, street curves, main roads or even railroads to figure out the building location. Next, look for the letters and numbers for the different colored areas. If your potential building is in the area marked with an X, this is a good sign. It means the particular outlined area was not subject to the flooding. If it has an ae and a number, such as 8, 9, etc., with the letters, that indicates that zone got flooded, and your floor is required to be at least 2 feet higher than that designation.

You find the level of the first floor and lowest floor by examining records at your local building department, if they have the updated record since around 2012, or you’ll need to get an elevation certificate made by hiring a land surveyor. Since time is not on your side and a surveyor has to go to the site and take heights to determine what to put in an official elevation certificate, you are left to ask neighbors questions, or take the risk, or move on.

Nothing seems to move as fast as a real estate decision, and quite often I’m asked questions for which the answers are what neither buyer nor seller really wants to hear. Details are critical for one of the most important investments you’ll ever make, one that controls your financial life, so if you don’t have the time, decide on what risk to take. You could flood-proof all of the first floor walls, but how can anyone be certain the neighbor’s walls are also flood-proofed? Good luck!

with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

A memory-filled trip back in time

Many Nassau County residents have their roots in Queens or Brooklyn, having made the decision to migrate from crowded city neighborhoods to leafy, bucolic suburbia. My own experience is probably typical of many. Born in Manhattan, raised in Queens, I attended high school and college in Brooklyn, and moved to Seaford over 50 years ago, where Rosemary raised our family and where we still live.

While all has gone well over the years and I have no regrets about making the move, I do have lasting memories of the friendships I made and the values I learned from those city streets and neighborhoods. There’s a group of eight or nine guys from my high school days in Brooklyn that I still get together with regularly at the ValBrook Diner in Valley Stream.

My high school was Brooklyn Prep, near where Ebbets Field used to be and

within walking distance of St. John’s Place, where my father grew up, and where my grandparents were still living during those years. I spent a lot of time hanging out with Tom Dewey, who was in my high school class and lived across the street from my grandparents. Dewey and his neighborhood group all shared his trait of never having a good word to say to or about anyone. Tom, who would eventually move to Valley Stream, had a successful career as a teacher and track coach, and was actually elected to Fordham’s Hall of Fame, without ever breaking his vow of surliness.

Vrity detail when I was in Congress, and for some reason found it interesting to listen to the endless banter and mindless conversations she would hear whenever our group got together.

isiting, among other childhood haunts, the school where we played stickball.

Last week, Tom and I, along with his cousin Allen Ryan and Charlie Norton, decided to spend a day in the old neighborhood. (Ryan, now in Hicksville, had lived in the same apartment house as Dewey; Norton a few blocks away.) Ryan and Norton had distinguished careers with the NYPD, and Ryan was on the crime scene unit the night mob boss Paul Castellano was rubbed out.

Joining us on this visit to the past was Melissa Zimmerman, a retired Nassau detective, who was on my secu-

WAmong our stops was Tom’s a famed luncheonette on Washington Avenue that has been around for almost 90 years and, as Zimmerman pointed out, still typifies neighborhood cuisine and personality. Then there was a walk up and down both sides of St. John’s Place, as we looked at the classically structured apartment houses still standing strong more than 100 years after their construction. This neighborhood and block went through several decades of rough times, but beginning in the 1990s had come back stronger than ever. (Listening to Dewey and Ryan reminisce, so too were their memories of St. John’s Place coming back.)

Then we went over to the local public school where we had played stickball, and then drove to Carroll Street to see what was once Brooklyn Prep and is now Medgar Evers College. Dewey and I pointed to the third floor window from which we could see Ebbets Field

before that historic structure was torn down after our beloved Dodgers abandoned Brooklyn for the vacuous environs of Los Angeles.

We finished our memory tour at Farrell’s Bar in nearby Park Slope/Windsor Terrace, where we had a few beers (but not Zimmerman, who was driving) and enjoyed the company of the midafternoon customers. Farrell’s is a famed neighborhood gathering place being featured in a soon-to-be-released film documentary. It hasn’t changed even the slightest over the years.

This trip back to Brooklyn, and being with Tom, Allen and Charlie, was more than just nostalgic. It was a reminder of the days of neighborhood beliefs, of learning that life isn’t fair, that the world doesn’t owe anyone a living and that not everyone will get a trophy. What matters is not hugging one another or looking for praise or compliments, but being loyal and standing by friends no matter what — and being a proud patriot, loving America, respecting the police and military.

It was a great day. Thanks for the memories.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

It’s easy to tell this Kennedy from the others

e are six months away from Election Day. Despite the media efforts to stir up public interest in a former president and the current president, the public isn’t ready to get serious. November is a long time from now, and there will be many distractions ahead before the polls become accurate and the voters give the candidates real consideration.

There are three announced third-party candidates, but only Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a serious contender, who at best is running as a spoiler.

I have been a student of Kennedy family history for many years. I had the good fortune to campaign for re-election to the State Assembly in 1968 with Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. He was a brilliant public servant with an illustrious record. He sat side by side with his older brother, President John F. Kennedy, during the Cuban missile crisis, and he helped the late president navigate historic legislation through Congress.

Robert Kennedy Jr. has never served

a day of his life in a serious government position and brings no relevant experience to his campaign. He claims that he has been exposed to the family’s various challenges, but that doesn’t constitute real on-the-job training. I am close to my son-in-law, who is a urological surgeon, but I don’t think that qualifies me to operate on any of our readers.

Kennedy is well known for his attacks on the use of vaccines on children. He is entitled to his First Amendment rights, but long before his rhetoric about the dangers of the Covid jab, he was asserting that drugs such as ivermectin, which is used to treat parasites, and the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine were good treatment for children with the coronavirus. These two drugs were also being pushed by the Trump administration, with no proof of their effectiveness.

reference to this tragic character in history, but it hasn’t stopped him from making wild claims on a variety of subjects.

R FK Jr. has frequently used the word ‘holocaust’ in remarks about vaccines.

In a recent CNN interview, Kennedy claimed he had the support of “some of my siblings,” but he didn’t name any of them. Last October, Kennedy’s sisters Rory and Kerry Kennedy Townsend and his brother Joseph P. Kennedy II criticized his candidacy, stating that his decision to run as a third party candidate was “dangerous to our country.” They added, “Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not have the same values, vision or judgment. We denounce his candidacy as perilous to our country.”

the gentleness that spared his life, but in taming his act of violence, he should not have the opportunity to terrorize again.”

The real question behind Kennedy’s candidacy is how independent he really is. He told CNN that President Biden is “the greatest threat to democracy,” words often used by Democrats to describe former President Donald Trump’s candidacy. A key Kennedy staffer stated two weeks ago that “Bobby is running to stop President Biden.” Kennedy’s biggest contributor is Timothy Mellon, who happens to be Trump’s biggest donor.

Kennedy has frequently used the word “holocaust” in remarks about vaccines, which has attracted severe criticism. He has even invoked Anne Frank as an example of a vaccine victim, which has drawn sharp criticism even from his wife, actress Cheryl Hines. Kennedy was forced to apologize for his

The friction between the Kennedy family and Robert is nothing new. In 2021, Sirhan Sirhan, who was convicted of killing Kennedy’s father in 1968, was up for parole in California. Kennedy published an op-ed in the San Francisco Chronicle claiming that Sirhan was innocent of his father’s murder and should be set free from jail. Kennedy’s mother, Ethel, attacked his statement, saying, “Our family and our country suffered an unspeakable loss due to the inhumanity of one man. We believe in

It’s hard not to be cynical about Kennedy’s candidacy, especially because all he brings to the table is his father’s name. Before he chose attorney Nicole Shanahan as his running mate, he was considering New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Time will tell whether Kennedy was put up by Trump donors as a way to help him defeat Biden. We won’t know the true answers to the Kennedy campaign mystery until all the votes are counted.

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.

Your voice counts in school budget decisions

tuesday, May 21 is an important day — not just for our local school districts, which are busy putting together their budgets for the upcoming academic year, but for the future of our communities as well.

That’s the day when we head to voting booths and cast ballots not only to express our opinions on how our districts are spending money, but also on the school board trustees who will manage it.

It’s a valuable opportunity to have your voice heard, because our local schools are just that — local and ours. Unlike any other government spending plans, school budgets aren’t final until the people tasked to fund them decide they’re final with their votes.

Some may think voting isn’t necessary anymore because the property tax cap limits increases, and no local district wants to exceed its cap. But our voices are always necessary, because the budget isn’t just about how much money is raised for our schools, but how that money is spent. What programs will remain, what will go, and what new ones might begin — all of those decisions are in the hands of every one of us.

The May 21 vote isn’t just about spending, either. There are contested

There D’Esposito goes again

To the Editor:

school board races in many districts. The people who win will make decisions that affect the entire community. The people who are elected will be the ones who keep the “local” in local decisionmaking.

But there’s one vital caveat: understanding what you’re voting on when you cast your ballot.

If you’re concerned about how much money your district plans to spend, find out what’s in the budget before you vote. you can typically find that information on the district’s website, or through the reporting here in the Herald.

However you vote, understand that your decision has an impact. We, as a collective society, should have a say in which direction our society takes, and that largely begins in schools.

In Rockville Centre, for example, annual school taxes are expected to jump $260 — a little over $20 per month. But those funds will be used to improve the district’s facilities, enhance cybersecurity, and create new classes in coding and robotics. The spending plan also avoids layoffs, introduces new sports teams, and appoints a new security director.

In Glen Cove, the district’s budget is focused on safety, intended to help parents send their children to school with-

Re U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito’s op-ed, “Migrants get more government support than veterans,” last week: His party is in the majority, and he is a valuable and loyal member of his caucus. Unable to deliver a meaningful benefit to the voters of his district — our promised deduction for state and local taxes — D’Esposito decides to attack the Democrats for their migrant policies.

The Senate passed a bipartisan immigration bill, but the Republicans wouldn’t even bring it to the floor in the House. They spent their time impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and what happened when that got to the Senate? We have serious problems with our current immigration system. We expect our elected representatives to work together to find an equitable solution, not to write misleading and incendiary articles to divert attention from their inability to pass any meaningful legislation that will actually benefit the voters in their districts.

In D’Esposito’s analysis, he described the assistance available to immigrants as greater than the assistance given to our disabled veterans. The problem isn’t that we’re giving immigrants too much; the problem is that we’re giving veterans too little. D’Esposito should stop trying to divert attention from his inability to pass legislation that will benefit the voters in his district and actually do something — anything.

DEnnIS BRADy Rockville Centre

out worry. At the middle school, the public address system will be repaired for $1 million, as will the fire systems and clocks. And the spending plan will allow the district to hire more teachers, so students at the middle school can take more arts and language programs.

If a majority of voters reject a budget, the district must either hold a second vote — offering the same spending plan or a revised one — or adopt what is called a “contingency budget.” It’s also described as an “austerity budget,” and the tax levy issued with this spending plan can’t be larger than the previous year’s levy. The portion of the budget that is devoted to administrative costs cannot increase from the lower of either the previous year’s budget or the justdefeated budget. On top of that, any non-contingent expenditures must be removed from a contingency budget.

Whether you vote “yes” or “no” on school spending plans, it’s important to understand the implications. As the voting day nears, make sure you know where to go to cast your ballot. Contact your school district or visit its website. School district elections and the budget referenda are extraordinarily important. It’s your money. Take your responsibility seriously, and be an informed voter.

D’Esposito must support fully funding Medicaid

as we mark another Medicaid Awareness Month this April, we must reflect on the profound impact this program has had on the lives of millions of Americans. Signed into law in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, Medicaid has transformed access to health care for lowincome, disabled and elderly Americans.

Building on this progress, New York has long been a national leader in offering comprehensive health coverage to its residents, including roughly 7.5 million — more than a third of the state’s total population — in the Medicaid program. On Long Island alone, more than 765,000 people are enrolled. While Medicaid provides financial security and access to health care to

more New Yorkers than ever before, Republicans in Congress, including Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, are threatening Medicaid by pushing for devastating cuts to key federal programs.

Earlier in his tenure, D’Esposito claimed to support fully funding critical lifeline programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. He has gone back on this promise time and time again, however, including supporting a provision that would slash nearly all government funding by 30 percent.

cially for children. The program covers more than 38 million children, and pays for 41 percent of all births nationwide. Additionally, 60 percent of children with disabilities receive their coverage from Medicaid.

t he program decreases the uninsured rate and reduces the cost of uncovered care.

Long Island families are already grappling with financial hardships, including difficulties affording mortgages, utilities and groceries. Cutting funding to critical safety-net programs like Medicaid would directly harm hardworking families who are just trying to find health care for their loved ones and make ends meet.

The consequences of cutting Medicaid funding would be disastrous, espe-

Letters

service and infrastructure.

At the end of World War II, the LIRR began to decline, and there was a corresponding loss of revenue. The Pennsylvania Railroad began to reduce its financial support as well. The LIRR went into receivership in 1949, but in recognition of the role it played in the economy of Long Island and New York City, the state began providing financial assistance in the 1950s.

The “Line of the Dashing Dan” was officially chartered as the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Authority on April 24, 1965, by the state. Up to that point, the LIRR had derived almost 100 percent of its funding for both capital and operating expenses from fares. The MCTA was created to purchase and operate the bankrupt LIRR.

In 1966, the state bought the railroad’s controlling stock from the Pennsylvania Rail Road and put it under the MCTA. The MCTA changed its name to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in 1968, when it took over operations of the New York City Transit Authority.

With MTA subsidies, the LIRR modernized further and grew into the busiest commuter railroad in the United States. Over the past 50 years, several billion dollars in combined county, city, state and federal taxpayer-generated dollars have subsidized its capital and operating costs.

Riders must remember that fare hikes are required periodically if the MTA is to provide the services millions of New Yorkers use daily. They are inevitable due to inflation, along with increasing costs of labor, power, fuel, supplies, materials, routine safety, state

of good repair, replacement of worn-out rolling stock, upgrades to stations, yards and shops, along with system expansion projects necessary to run any transit system.

In the end, quality and frequency of service depend on secure revenue streams. We all have to contribute — be it at the fare box or tax revenue redistributed back to the MTA. There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch — or in this case, a free ride.

LARRY PENNER Great Neck

Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer and a former director of the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office of Operations and Program Management.

Pay attention at the wheel, and keep highway workers safe

To the Editor:

Last week was National Work Zone Awareness Week. Each year at the start of the highway construction season, the state Department of Transportation participates in this national campaign to remind motorists about the importance of driving safely and responsibly in and around work zones.

At NYSDOT, safety is our top priority. We take every step possible to protect our highway workers by deploying the latest technology in crash attenuators, flashing yellow lights, signs, cones, bar-

The program also plays an important role in addressing the opioid epidemic, one of the most urgent public health crises facing Long Island. Thousands of Island residents have died of overdoses since the crisis began, and drug deaths hit a record 109,689 nationwide in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Long Islanders battling substance abuse disorders rely on Medicaid coverage for treatment and behavioral health services.

While President Biden and Democrats in Congress have championed reducing health care costs and improving access to care for the American people, Republicans like D’Esposito are actively working to roll back that prog-

ress.

Fully funding Medicaid is simply common sense: It has drastically decreased the uninsured rate, improved health outcomes and reduced the costs of uncompensated care. Having health insurance through Medicaid helps Americans stay healthy, go to work, care for their families and pay their bills. The program helps our communities, hospitals, schools and economy thrive.

But D’Esposito’s voting record shows that time and again, he is in line with MAGA extremists who are pushing for Medicaid cuts, going against the best interests and well-being of our Long Island communities.

Rep. D’Esposito, I urge you to listen to your constituents, who are calling on you to fully fund these vital programs. In the wealthiest nation on earth, no one should have to go into debt to cover the cost of their basic medical needs. If your MAGA Republican colleagues get their way, the most vulnerable New Yorkers will be left behind.

Framework by Tim Baker

rels, reflective gear, etc.

The biggest risk to our highway workers is the motorist. By paying attention to your driving, you are saving a life! Please do your part to help our highway workers return home safely to their families each night. Put down your cellphone, move over for flashing lights, and slow down. There is someone’s life behind those work zone traffic control

devices.

And for those who choose to ignore the rules of the road, be forewarned: NYSDOT is working with the police on targeted enforcement and deploying automated speed-enforcement cameras in our work zones.

RICH CAUSIN Long Island regional director, NYSDOT Hauppauge

Along the quiet side of Guy Lombardo Avenue — Freeport

Joseph Sackman is the chief of staff of the Long Island Progressive Coalition.

joseph sackman

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• Med-Metrix, LLC

• Merrill Lynch Nastasi-Silver Group

• Mount Sinai Heart at Mount Sinai South Nassau

• Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

• Premier Mechanical Services

• Reese Bros, Inc.

• Rivkin Radler, LLP

• Robbins & Cowan, Inc.

• Shaub Ahmuty Citrin & Spratt

• The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Champions Sponsors

• AceJan Capital LLC

• Beach Terrace & Oceanside Care Centers

• CDW-G Healthcare

• C&G Cleaning Solutions

• DOPF, PC

• Gordon L. Seaman, Inc.

• Group PMX, LLC

• Jamaica Ash

• Meadowbrook Care Center

• P.W. Grosser Consulting

• The PAR Group

• The Grand Rehabilitation & Nursing at South Point

• Unitex & Med Apparel

Rockville Links Foursome Sponsors

• Clinical Delivery Systems, Inc.

• John & Laura Curran

• Christine & Larry Ferazani

• First Nationwide Title

• K&S Restoration

• Molloy University

• POM Recoveries, Inc.

• Senior Care Emergency Medical Services

Golfer Gift Underwriters

• Mount Sinai South Nassau Medical Sta

• The Dover Group

• Je rey Greenfield

Golf Carts Underwriters

• B2K Development

• Long Beach Nursing & Rehabilitation

• Parking Systems

Photography Underwriter

• Richner Communications, Inc.

Three Courses: The Seawane Club, The Rockaway Hunting Club, and The Rockville Links Club

To buy tickets online or to donate, visit southnassaulifesaver.org or call 516 377-5360

All proceeds to benefit Mount Sinai South Nassau and the special needs of our cancer patients.

Golf Balls Underwriter

• Axis Construction Beverage Cart Underwriters

• Balder Family

• Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP

• RMB Drafting Services & Electrical Inspectors

• Rubin Paterniti Gonzalez Rizzo & Kaufman

Caddies Underwriter

• Parking Systems

Driving Range Underwriters