Rockville Centre Herald 06-22-2023

Mount Sinai looks back on the pandemic

By karINa koVaC kkovac@liherald.com

Longtime firefighter honored Carl Weeks is named parade grand marshal

By DaNIEl offNEr doffner@liherald.com

The Rockville Centre Fire Department is gearing up to host the Nassau County Fourth Battalion’s Fire Parade and Drill competition July 14-15, and Carl Weeks, a 68-year member of Woodland Engine Company No. 4, has been named this year’s grand marshal.

“It’s a great honor,” Weeks said. “I love the parade. Years

ago we used to go all over the state. We were the state champions. We marched in New York City and all over the whole state.”

Weeks, 88, joined the Eureka Hook, Ladder and Bucket Company No. 1 in Rockville Centre shortly after graduating from Oceanside High School in 1954, at age 18. He served the company for about 10 years before joining Woodland Engine Company No. 4

on Driscoll Avenue — not far from his home.

“I used to run in the drills all the time, and was known for being a fast ladder climber,” Weeks said.

His grandfather was one of the charter members of the company when it was created in 1912 to provide additional fire protection on Rockville Centre’s south side.

“There’s a lot of tradition

Continued on page 9

In December 2019, Adhi Sharma, the president of Mount Sinai South Nassau, first heard of the coronavirus. He thought back to the 2012 outbreak of the Middle East respiratory syndrome, known as MERS, which had a high mortality rate but was short-lived. Nonetheless, Sharma beginning preparing MSSN for whatever might come, because, he said recently, “You never know what these emerging infectious diseases are going to do.”

By January 2020, it was clear that the coronavirus was not going to be contained like MERS, and at a planning meeting the following month, the hospital administration began anticipating a “very, very bad pandemic,” Sharma said. What worried him

most, he recalled, was, “If it is global, there’s no place to go for resources. Everyone’s competing for the same resources.”

The beginning of the wave

That February, the hospital purchased 40 ventilators from Florida, and scrounged locally for about a dozen more. On Feb. 27, MSSN had its first confirmed diagnosis, and the staff began masking immediately to limit exposure. The hospital couldn’t afford to lose staffers before the approaching wave.

In March, “Our beds (were) getting filled with Covid patients and there was really no good treatment,” Sharma said. “We were stuck with really no scientific data and trying to manage the sickest of the sickest patients in the county with no good tools.”

Continued on page 20

Election Results

Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray, Deputy Mayor Kathy Baxley, and newcomer Gregory P. Shaughnessy were elected to the village board on Tuesday night in uncontested races. William Croutier Jr. also won his re-election bid for village justice without opposition. Each will serve a four-year term.

Daniel Offner/Herald

Carl WEEkS, of the Rockville Centre Fire Department, will serve as grand marshal of the Fourth Battalion Fire Parade and Drill July 14-15.

Nassau BOCES recognizes RVC teens

Two students from the Rockville Centre school district were named Students of the Quarter at Nassau BOCES Barry Tech career and technical education high schools. Aidan Mandato and Jenna ReyesLopez were all honored for their grades, attendance, work ethic and preparedness.

Aidan is studying Culinary Arts, while Jenna is studying Police Science and Criminal Justice. Students of the Quarter have taken the initiative on class projects and are role models for their fellow students, in both the classroom and the workplace.

Graduating seniors help raise money

South Side High School seniors with the class of 2023 recently returned to William S. Covert Elementary School last week, to present Principal Darren Raymar with an $800 check for The Raymar Children’s Fund.

The fund, which was created by Raymar, helps provide Covert students with extra activities during the school year. It also provides money, gifts and grants to organizations and families in need.

Keira Coico, a South Side student, and Matthew Spinelli, who attends Regis High School in Manhattan, helped organize

this fundraiser with the help of former Covert students, who will be graduating from the high school on June 23.

In the past few years, the Raymar Children’s Fund has helped raise more than $75,000 for enrichment experiences and programs at Covert Elementary. In addition to helping many families in the community, the fund also contributes to local and national organizations including March of Dimes, Make-A-Wish, the Backyard Players, the RVC Breast Cancer Coalition and more.

–Daniel

Photos courtesy Nassau BOCES Barry Tech AidAn MAndAto of Rockville Centre, left, and Jenna Reyes-Lopez, right, are congratulated on being named Barry Tech Student of the Quarter by Nassau BOCES Board Member Fran Langsner, left, Board President Susan Bergtraum, Principal Peter Dalton, and Assistant Principal Daniel Cava.

Offner

Courtesy Rockville Centre school district GrAduAtinG seniors of South Side High School who previously attended William S. Covert Elementary School raised $800 for The Raymar Children’s Fund.

Women’s U23 soccer star rises to the top

Jill Shimkin of Rockville Centre sets her sights on going pro

By CLARE GEHLICH Intern

Rockville Centre seems to be a hot-bed for grooming future soccer stars. More than a decade since soccer superstar Crystal Dunn led the Lady Cyclones to three New York State Championships, another young RVC soccer star is making big waves.

Jill Shimkin is an up-and-coming young midfielder whose performance on the field has earned her numerous accolades and awards.

Earlier this year she was selected as one of 23 collegiate soccer players to earn a spot on the US Under-23 Women’s Youth National Team roster.

Shimkin, 20, grew up in Rockville Centre, where she attended South Side High School for four years, however, she never had the “full experience” of playing high school soccer because her season lasted for 10 months, while a typical high school soccer season lasts for four months. Before that, she started out in the intramural program with her father, Peter, as her coach.

Members of her family are considered local legends at South Side High School. Her father was a Hall of Fame wrestler, and her brother, Nick, was one of the top ranked competitors for wins.

Despite not having a real soccer experience during high school, Shimkin was in and out of national team camps throughout the academic year.

“I made a lot of my lifelong friends at South Side, which, again, I’m so grateful for, “ Shimkin said. “But I never got the full experience to be able to play high school soccer, which had its ups and downs, like pros and cons, for sure. But I wouldn’t try to, like, change anything about my past that I’ve taken.”

Her skill and dedication to the sport would help open up opportunities to play for local clubs in her teenage years, when she joined the Albertson Fury and the New York Soccer Club.

Shimkin has been an active member of the US Women’s Youth National Team since she first made the Under14 squad and has had opportunities to compete in matches around the world, including events in France, Germany, China, Belgium, Sweden, Portugal and the Netherlands.

She is also a three-time New York State Cup Champion, a National Futsal Champion and a World Futsal Champion.

In 2021, she was ranked as the No. 7 overall player, according to the Top Drawer Soccer Top 150 national player rankings.

Competing with the women’s national team opened up many new doors for Shimkin, who started her collegiate soccer career with the Penn State Nittany Lions, before transferring to the University of Texas in Fall 2022.

“I think it made me learn a lot as a player, and just as a person, about myself,” Shimkin said about playing with the US Youth National team. “I didn’t really know the caliber of everyone else around the country. So it was cool to be able to play with people that are super competitive and have the same mindset as me.”

Her career with the Longhorns got off to a quick start. During the season-opener last August, she earned three points with a goal and an assist over Lipscomb.

Now, as she heads into her junior year of college, Shimkin has set a very high bar, finishing the season as the fourth ranked leader in assists and points, and seventh ranked leader in goals overall in the NCAA Big 12 Conference.

She also started all 22 matches and played a total of 1,812 minutes in the season.

Shimkin said that this coming Fall, her younger sister, Chloe, who currently plays soccer at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, will be joining the women’s soccer team at the University of Texas.

After she graduates from the University of Texas in

2025, Shimkin has dreams of playing at the professional level, having witnessed so many talented women who have helped pave the way for the next generation of professional women soccer players, including Dunn, who currently plays for the Portland Thorns FC and will be will be representing the US Women’s National Team at the FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next month.

Back in March, Shimkin and her teammates with the US Under-23 Women’s Youth National Team played against Dunn and the Portland Thorns FC during a pre-season tournament.

After only a few days of training, the Thorns, who started eleven players made up of mostly reserves, defeated the US team.

“It was a real cool, full circle moment for me to be able to play against someone who I’ve looked up to forever and to have played at the same club with her,” Shimkin said about playing against Dunn. “And also just to kind of be against her was a really cool moment.”

She also has aspirations to someday coach the sport, and is currently working toward her licensing as a soccer coach, which she said is “definitely a passion” of hers.

“I would love to coach at the college level or even professional level, just see where it kind of takes me. But that’s my plan as of now, who knows what will happen,” Shimkin said. “I plan on finishing all four years at Texas and then we will see where my journey continues to take me as a soccer player.”

Additional reporting by Daniel Offner

Courtesy US Women’s Youth National Soccer Team JILL SHImkIn pLAyS at midfield during an exhibition match with the US Women’s Youth National Team.

Courtesy Peter Shimkin

SHImkIn, 20, HoIStS the trophy after the Texas Longhorns 3-1 win over Oklahoma to clinch the regular season title and No. 1 seed in the 2022 Big 12 Conference Championship.

GLYNN FUNERAL HOME

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News brief

Police Sgt. cory Bloch and family gathered at Village Hall on June 5, after being sworn in to his new position with the Rockville Centre Police Department.

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Village swears in new Police Sgt. Cory Bloch

Rockville Center Police Officer Cory Bloch was recently promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

At the Village board meeting on June 5, Sgt. Bloch was sworn in by Commissioner James Vafeades in front of a room filled with his friends, family, and members of the department.

United States Coast Guard as a Maritime Enforcement Specialist before receiving his Master’s Degree in Homeland Security from American Military University. He first joined the Rockville Centre Police Department in 2014, and will now serve on the night tour as a patrol sergeant.

Offering Cremation, Burial and Memorial Services

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Bloch, a graduate of Jacksonville University, served for seven years in the

Larceny

Crime watCh

■ A Schuyler Avenue resident reported on June 16, her catalytic converter was stolen from her vehicle while it was parked in the street.

Investigation

■ The owner of Custom Embroidery reported on June 15, an unknown customer made a purchase using a counterfeit $100 bill.

Leaving the scene of an accident

■ A motorist reported on June 15 that a vehicle struck his car while driving on Merrick Road.

Property Damage

■ On June 15, a construction excavator from Allen Industries struck electric wires on Woodgreen Place causing damage to several utility poles. Approximately 26 residences lost power and a vehicle was damaged due to a utility pole that fell.

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

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WINNER

sports

Wild finishes highlight spring season

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

there was no shortage of thrilling finishes and heartbreak on Nassau County high school athletic fields this spring, capped by a nearly 4-hourlong Long Island Class A softball championship game between MacArthur and Bayport. Here’s a recap of the 10 wildest postseason endings to the 2022-23 sports year.

1. Carey 6, Plainedge 5

Class A softball first round

The Seahawks trailed 5-1 in the top of the sixth inning but staged a comeback of epic proportions still down three with two outs and nobody on base in the bottom of the seventh. Caylee DeMeo had a two-run single and winning pitcher Lauren Peers followed with a towering fly that dropped between outfielders, bringing home the tying and winning runs.

2. Calhoun 6, Mepham 5

Class A baseball semifinal

The host Colts were down three runs and down to their last out in Game 3 with nobody on base in the bottom of the seventh before pulling out a win for the ages. A hit batter, a single, and a walk set the stage for Joey Goodman, who blasted a walk-off grand slam over the fence in left.

3. Calhoun 6, South Side 5

Class B boys’ lacrosse semifinal

Jayden Finkelstein had a hat trick and an assist and junior goaltender Mark Restivo made 13 saves to propel the Colts to victory. Jake Lewis, Braden Garvey and Shaun Walters also scored as Calhoun avenged a 10-5 regular-season defeat to the Cyclones.

4. North Shore 11, South Side 10

Class C girls’ lacrosse semifinal

The Vikings trailed by five goals in the first half before rallying and eventually winning in triple overtime on a goal by Kylee Colbert.

5. Garden City 7, Calhoun 6

Class B boys’ lacrosse championship

Garden City, which defeated the Colts handily, 16-8, April 21, had its hands full in the rematch on the county title stage and scored the decisive goal with 1:48 remaining off the stick of Carson Kraus. Lewis scored three times for Calhoun and had the potential tying goal nullified with seconds remaining due to a crease violation.

6. Garden City 9, Long Beach 8 Class B girls’ lacrosse championship

For the second straight year Long Beach fell a goal short of topping Garden City for the county title. A late goal by Garden City’s Kendal Morris with 2:41 left in the second half proved the difference. Delaney Chernoff had a hat trick and Delaney Radin added four points for the Marines.

7. Manhasset 13, North Shore 12 Class C girls’ lacrosse championship

The Vikings dropped an OT heartbreaker after leading 12-9 with less than six minutes remaining in regulation. Colbert had seven goals to finish the campaign with 101. Ava Bartoli and Daniela Martini scored twice apiece.

8. Seaford 1, Center Moriches 0 L.I. Class B softball championship

Scoreless in the bottom of the ninth, the Vikings captured their first Long Island crown in walk-off fashion on Kaitlyn Young’s bases-loaded single to left with one out to bring home Gabby Bellamore. Pitcher Skyler Secondino dominated in the circle with 15 strikeouts.

9. Babylon 6, Seaford 5 L.I. Class B baseball championship

One strike away from making more program history after winning its firstever county title, Seaford baseball was unable to shut the door against Babylon. The Phantoms scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth to win it in unbelievable fashion after the Vikings plated three runs in the top of the inning.

10. Bayport 4, MacArthur 2 L.I. Class A softball championship

After defeating Clarke for the county championship in a series that went the distance, MacArthur gave everything it had in a marathon L.I. Class A title game before falling in 12 innings. The Generals tied it in their final turn at-bat on star pitcher Taylor Brunn’s RBI double.

Brian Ballweg/Herald photos KAITLYN YOuNG, ABOVE, had the walk-off hit for Seaford in its 1-0 victory over Center Moriches in the Long Island Class B softball title game.

KYLEE COLBErT’S GOAL in triple overtime lifted North Shore over South Side in a thrilling Nassau Class C girls’ lacrosse semifinal.

Thunderbolts win Hershey Memorial Day Challenge

The RVC Thunderbolts girls’ soccer team is the top team in the 2010 age group of the Rockville Centre soccer program.

These 7th grade girls have been playing together since 2019, and over the past few years, have achieved great success in the Long Island Junior Soccer League’s Premier division and the top division of New York Club EDP League.

This past fall the team was promoted to the US Youth Soccer National League to play in the Premier 2 division. They have spent the last year playing against top tier competitors from all over the North Atlantic region and have finished in the top half of their division for two consecutive seasons.

As a team, they have traveled to Hershey, Pennsylvania, for the last three years to play against some of the top teams from the Northeast in pursuit of the top spot and the elusive giant Hershey chocolate bar. Along the way they have built friendships, shared amazing experiences both on-and-off the field and creat-

ed memories that will last a lifetime.

This year was their final year attending the Hershey Memorial Day Challenge, and the team managed to achieve its goal by taking home first place honors in the top competitive division.

Over the course of two days the Thunderbolts went undefeated in four games, defeating the 101st and 59th ranked 7th grade girls’ teams in the nation. In thrilling fashion the Thunderbolts advanced through the semi-finals by way of a penalty kick tiebreaker, only to then be followed by a golden goal winner with 30 seconds left in overtime during the final.

With this tournament win the Thunderbolts have climbed the rankings to No. 5 in the New York East region and are now ranked No. 88 in the nation.

Parents and coaches couldn’t be prouder of the great group of girls for this amazing accomplishment. They have shown that with hard work, perseverance and dedication, they could reach their goals.

Courtesy Liza Corvetti

RVC ThundeRbolTs CoaCh Pat Corvetti, top left, Sophia Corvetti, Stella Neuhaus, Madalena Suarez, Grace Gillen, Molly Primrose, Coach John Friedermann, middle row, Keira Shaughnessy, Katie Borruso, Faith Friedermann, Mary Hall, Emily Corbett, Emily Reda, front row, Summer Stack, Mae Finora, Kenzie Kasschau, Lyla Faranda, Addie Kelly, Maddy Testerman are recognized for their achievement at the Hershey Memorial Day Classic Championship.

Tenants don’t want rents going up this year

Landlords blame economy, need for upgrades, for raise request

By BRANDON CRUZ bcruz@liherald.com

They don’t just want to pause rent increases in rentstabilized apartments in Nassau County. They want to go back to 2021, before the Nassau County Rent Guidelines Board allowed 2 percent increases on one-year leases, and 3.5 percent on two-year leases.

Those tenants along with politicians supporting them banded together at the Hempstead Town Hall last week to issue those demands, which were set for a final vote on Wednesday after the Herald’s publication deadline.

The rent guidelines board is responsible for imposing rent caps on rent-stabilized apartments in the county, a quarter of which are in Hempstead. Rent stabilization was implemented in 1962 to help prevent the displacement of low- and middleincome residents from excessive rent increases in an effort to provide affordable housing.

Buildings offering rent-stabilized units are typically larger properties built before 1974 that are privately owned and operated.

“Democracy is a participation sport, and it’s essential that people go out and voice their concern,” Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages said.

Last week’s demonstrations were organized by the Long Island Progressive Coalition, Working Families Party, and Nassau Democratic Socialists of America.

Jeremy Joseph, an advocate and organizer with DSA, claims tenants weren’t notified about the open hearings regarding raising their rent.

“We knocked on a lot of doors, we put up flyers in buildings,” he said. “By the next day, almost all of those flyers were taken down by landlords because they don’t want their tenants to come out and speak their minds.

“Every year landlords show up because it’s their job to know about this. They want to raise the rent as much as they can, but they don’t tell the tenants.”

Landlords seeking another raise in rent due to infla-

tion and because they say they want to use the extra money to help upgrade poor conditions of the buildings they own. Richard Rush, a landlord whose real estate firm owns and manages various apartments throughout Nassau, said the buildings “require a lot of repairs and maintenance to upkeep, and landlords should be incentivized to maintain their buildings for the benefit of the tenants.”

But Darinel Velasquez, an advocate from New York Communities for Change, says it is absurd landlords need to feel incentivized in order to provide an inhabitable space to their tenants.

“Landlords have been making consistent profit every year while failing to maintain and upkeep the buildings they own,” he said.

Data compiled by the tent guidelines board reveals the consumer price index surged by nearly 4 percent in the metropolitan area over the past year through April. Meanwhile, Nassau landlords saw their income grow nearly 3 percent, but their expenses expand wider at nearly 4.5 percent between 2021 and 2022.

However, tenant advocates are questioning the credibility of this data, claiming it was developed by landlords and lacked independent auditing. Landlords, however, say the data inflates their income by incorporating earnings from non-stabilized units, which they say are considerably more profitable.

The state’s housing and community renewal division has found the average rent for a rent-stabilized apartment in Nassau County was $1,474 per month in 2022, resulting

AssemBLywOmAN mIChAeLLe sOLAges tells the Nassau County Rent Guidelines Board it should carefully consider the impact any rent increase would have right now on tenants working through the same inflationary pressures as landlords.

in a profit of more than $360 per month for landlords.

Joseph calls this new attempt to raise rents to nothing more than landlord greed, who place profits over people and already charge more than market value for their other non-stabilized properties.

“The problem with treating housing like a commodity is that its value outpaces our wages,” he said.

Some tenants shared with the rent guidelines board their issues with their landlords, while they as tenants continue to struggle financially.”

Some tenants claimed they were pressured into signing leases without reading them, having their rent randomly raised, and even charging upward of $150 per month for parking.

That has forced some residents, like Melissa Devone, a 62-year-old battling lung cancer, to park three blocks away from her apartment after chemo treatments because she simply cannot afford that additional monthly expense.

Tenants also claimed rodents run rampant through many units, mold, a lack of security and sense of safety, lack of maintenance and upkeep, and an overall lack of quality living.

Although the vote was expected to happen this week, some organizations do offer free legal resources for tenants who might find themselves in an untenable situation. Long Island Housing Services is a private, non-profit fair housing advocacy and enforcement agency serving Nassau and Suffolk counties. They can be reached at LIFairHousing.org.

Brandon Cruz/Herald photos

PROtesteRs fROm LONg IsLAND Progressive Coalition, the Working Families Party, and Nassau Democratic Socialists of America come together for a quick group photo before heading into the Nassau County Rent Guidelines Board hearing to voice their opinions about proposed increases to rent-stabilized apartment leases in Nassau County.

Democracy is a participation sport, and it’s essential that people go out and voice their concern.

mIChAeLLe sOLAges Assemblywoman

Weeks to lead annual Fire Parade and Drill

continued from front page

here,” Weeks said. “The Fire Department has been in my family for quite a while.”

Over the years, several members of his family have followed a similar path, including Weeks’s brother, his son, his son-in-law and his two grandsons, one of whom just became a Nassau County fire marshal.

Weeks worked as a serviceman for an industrial refrigeration company for almost 20 years, and later went to work at a dairy in Elmont. He continued to serve the department as well, and as one of the chief chauffeurs, he trained volunteer firefighters how to drive and operate the different apparatuses.

“You got to teach them to drive,” Weeks said. “You got to teach them how to operate the pump and how to handle the hoses safely. It’s quite a responsibility.”

After suffering a heart attack in 1998, he could no longer drive or operate the equipment, and decided to take on a more administrative role with the department. He was eventually made an honorary chief, for having served the community for more than a half century.

“It has been an interesting life,” Weeks said. “I look back, and there have been a lot of members that have passed away.”

He felt a sense of pride, he said, as he reflected on those who served before him, and added that he was honored to be able to represent the department in this timehonored tradition.

“I just like to meet the people, and the camaraderie with the rest of the team,” Weeks said of the annual parade and drill competition. “The fellowship is still there … they’re a wonderful group of people that join.”

The event will kick off on July 14, at 6 p.m., with the Old Fashioned Drill competition at Fireman’s Field, across from South Side High School, at 140 Shepherd St.

The following day will feature the Motorized Drill,

which will begin at 10 a.m. at Fireman’s Field. It will be followed by the parade, which will step off on Maple Avenue, head toward Front Street and end at Village Avenue. Afterward, at 6:30 p.m., there will be an awards ceremony and block party across from Fire Department headquarters, at 58 N. Centre Ave. Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band will perform hits by Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown.

The Battalion consists of five departments — Rockville Centre, Lynbrook, East Rockaway, Malverne and Lakeview. The parades and tournaments take place annually, and the hosting department rotates from year to year.

Last year’s festivities were held in East Rockaway and included additional fire companies from Hewlett, Oceanside, Uniondale, Albertson and Long Beach.

Daniel Offner/Herald

Weeks got his start as a young firefighter with Eureka Hook, Ladder and Bucket Company No. 1 in Rockville Centre when he joined the department in 1954.

Long Island author writes his second novel

By CHRISTINA ENRICO Contributor

With summer now in full swing, we’re in need of a the perfect summer beach read, and that’s what Rockville Centre author Zachary Downing had in mind for the release of his second novel, “Manhattan To Montauk.”

Downing, 34, a 2006 graduate of Oceanside High School and a Long Island native, categorizes his story as a “romantic coming-ofage” tale that is set in the area he knows best.

The time period, however, required a bit of research on his part. “Manhattan To Montauk,” is a tale of two lovers, Daisy and Chris, navigating their way through the summer of 1995 — a transitional period of history, mirroring a transitional period in the lives of two young adults who meet in the most transient of seasons.

“Summer can feel like its own existence,” Downing said, and the built-in expiration date of Labor Day raises the question, can a summer romance between the two main characters survive?

Being an author wasn’t in Downing’s plan. His usual method of self-expression was music. A songwriter turned novelist — he notes that “Manhattan To Montauk” came from a song he wrote a long time ago.

At the start of the pandemic, Downing found himself with a lot more downtime. That’s when the idea for his first book, “Flounder,” popped into his head. Downing began to write a little bit every night, teaching himself the ins and outs of long-form writing.

And while a song tells a story in a catchy and concise way, nurturing the story of a novel was far differ-

ent from the storytelling Downing was used to.

Long-form writing has a structural demand that Downing had to learn on his own, but after trial and error and some input from beta readers, he finally polished his first book, which was published by through his own independent company, Beggie Books, at the start of 2022.

“Flounder” follows a college freshman in the early 2000s who struggles to find balance in his new life as a college student. His debut novel required little research, because Downing had been a freshman himself in 2006, starting his collegiate career at SUNY-Geneseo, and drew off of his own life experience to set the stage for his story.

Unlike the main characters of “Manhattan To Montauk,” Downing wasn’t a young adult in the mid-’90s, and so his second novel challenged him even further as an author. This time he needed to do research to get the story straight.

From New York City life at the time to the societal and cultural intricacies — Downing made sure to fact-check all the details in order to write an accurate, nostalgic tale. He even references the 1995 Montauk Pine Barrens fire, which is a major turning point in the story.

“The ’90s are coming back in a big way,” Downing said. Which making “Manhattan To Montauk” a suitable read for all ages — including those who lived through the turbulent era of the ’90s and members of the younger generation who are inspired by it.

Besides that, we can all relate to the hazy feeling of summer until we’re faced with the stark “implied responsibility” and reality of the fall. So, while you’re still in the dream of summer, add “Manhattan To Montauk” to your beach book list. For more on Downing and his work, visit his website, ZDowning.com.

Floored Media opens shop in Rockville Centre

By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com

Floored Media is a brand new content creation studio located in Rockville Centre, which provides audio and video podcasting, streaming, engineering, and production services with the goal of empowering creators, from experts to hobbyists, by providing a welcoming environment and technical expertise to support their efforts.

Jason Belsky, the founder and president of Floored Media, has lived in Rockville Centre for over a decade. He acquired his studio space at 189 Sunrise Highway in 2022 with the goal of creating a welcoming facility, located just a short train ride away from New York City.

“I love helping people create the content of their dreams,” Belsky said. “I’m passionate about working with community members, including other small businesses, to create solid pieces of content that can expand their reach.”

The studio is at its core focused on providing a venue for storytellers. Belsky, through his journeys as a full-time photojournalist and filmmaker, was determined to create a professional venue for others to share their passions in audio and visual mediums. His work has been

instrumental in programs including Hockey Night in New York, Sober Sundays with Mike Mechow, Long Beach 101 with Ashley Callan and others.

Most recently he has been contracted by the Long Beach-based startup Trellus, while continuing to work for several outdoor/athletic consumer brands, including Hurley, Nike, and Yeti, to name a few.

However, he is most passionate about

his work with community nonprofits, including Surf for All, which is dedicated to helping those with disabilities experience the ocean. He is also an active supporter of the Challenged Athletes Foundation, affiliated with TV meterologist Amy Freeze, the Mauli Ola Foundation for children facing genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis, and Katie’s Art Project, founded by Hamilton choreographer

Stephanie Klemons and is dedicated to children afflicted with terminal illnesses.

In summer 2022, Floored Media hosted professional surfers Will Skudin and Andrew Cotton for a Big Wave Talk video podcast. The main studio area includes an event space with seating for Q&As and other talk show formats.

This year, Belsky said he hopes to facilitate more community collaborations, bringing together local influencers, businesses, and the general public.

“I want people to come in, hang out, and feel comfortable,” Belsky said. “I believe wholeheartedly that Floored Media is a cool spot where people can work on taking their business or project to the next level.”

Floored Media provides a variety of different packages based on clients individual preferences and budget. Belsky helps to oversee the recordings for optimal sound and visuals. Clients can take the unedited files, or Belsky can assist with post-production, including in-house editing, graphic design, animation, and any other supporting assets. He also handles distribution through popular podcasting channels, and offers space for photoshoots and conference rooms with Wi-Fi access to provide a co-working space.

For more information on Floored Media, visit FloordMedia.com.

Courtesy Zach Downing ‘MANHATTAN TO MONTAuk’ is now available wherever books are sold.

Courtesy Jason Belsky

JASON BELSky, CENTER, is the founder and president of Floored Media in Rockville Centre.

Zach Downing

Herald staffers capture Press Club awards

Four staffers from Herald Community Newspapers earned recognition last week for their work over the past year during the annual Press Club of Long Island awards dinner in Woodbury.

Reine Bethany, currently the editor of the Uniondale Herald Beacon, won third place in the government and politics category for her stories focusing on the Cleveland Avenue athletic field controversy in Freeport while she was editor of the Freeport Herald. Elected leaders from the village and the school district have been at odds over what to do with the green space, as plans for a distribution center there could bring millions of dollars into the community.

Ana Borruto, editor of the Franklin Square/Elmont Herald, took third place in the crime and justice category for her web story “Justice for Julio,” about residents in Hell’s Kitchen holding a vigil for a Bay Shore High School graduate while writing for GreaterLongIsland.com.

Borruto joined Herald Community Newspapers as a senior reporter last November, and was promoted to editor of the Franklin Square newspaper a short time later.

“Our whole editorial team has shown a knack for understanding their communities and following the stories vital to their readers,” Michael Hinman, executive editor of Herald Community Newspapers,

said. “Recognition from the Press Club of Long Island — itself a chapter of the esteemed Society of Professional Journalists — is greatly appreciated.”

Longtime Herald staffer Laura Lane was recognized as one of the best print reporters on Long Island as she picked up

a third place award in the Reporter of the Year category. Lane’s stories that contributed to the honor included one that talked about who cares for the caregivers at Glen Cove Hospital, how ex-interns led Nassau County Legislator Josh Lafazan’s congressional campaign, the limited options

facing refugees, and the funeral of famed Teddy Roosevelt impersonator James Foote.

Lane, who has been with the Herald for roughly 20 years, serves as senior editor for the Glen Cove Herald, Oyster Bay Herald, and Sea Cliff/Glen Head Herald.

Barely a year after he started working full-time at the Herald, Michael Malaszczyk placed second in the environment narrative category. His story, “New York state adds to South Shore Estuary Reserve Act,” was highlighted.

Malaszczyk began freelancing for the Herald in March 2022 while a graduate student at Hofstra University. He became a full-time reporter a few months later in charge of the Seaford Herald and Wantagh Herald, where he was since promoted to senior reporter. All while continuing to pursue his graduate degree at Hofstra.

“There are many dedicated and hardworking journalists on Long Island, and Herald Community Newspapers is proud to be a part of that community as well as the communities our papers serve,” Jeffrey Bessen, the company’s deputy editor — and a Press Club of Long Island board member — said.

The Press Club of Long Island was established in 1974 as an independent press club after a reporter was jailed for failing to reveal a source. It is now one of SPJ’s largest pro chapters. It has honored member media organizations with an annual awards presentation since 1982.

Jeffrey Bessen/Herald

ThE PRESS Club of Long Island recognized journalism excellence at its annual dinner last week. Herald staffers Michael Malaszczyk, Laura Lane, center, and Ana Borruto show off their awards for the Wantagh Herald, Seaford Herald, Oyster Bay Herald and Franklin Square/Elmont Herald. Reine Bethany, editor of the Uniondale Herald Beacon, also was honored for her previous work with the Freeport Herald.

THE

June 30

Motor City Revue

Journey

back in time to 1960s Detroit and the birth of the Motown sound, when Motor City Revue visits the Landmark stage, Friday June 30, 8 p.m. This 11-piece tribute band will have everyone dancing and singing along to the songs immortalized by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Supremes and countless others. From Hitsville to Soulsville, they’ll perform it all, with a passion and delivery of the true Motown sound that is undeniable. Their ability to match the vocal harmonies and instrumental mix that distinguished the original recordings is not to be missed. All will be humming along to these iconic tunes that defined a generation, in this authentic recreation of the great era that revolutionized the music industry. $47, 42, $38. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

In a ‘New York State of Mind’

Plaza Theatrical continues its season with “All About Joel: A Billy Joel Tribute,” Sunday, June 25, 2:30 p.m. David Clark’s stunningly accurate piano playing, lead vocals and an eerily similar stage look to the Piano Man himself delights audiences, while engaging everyone with wit and humor. Come hear all your favorite tunes including “Just the Way You Are,” “New York State of Mind,” “Piano Man,” and so many more. It’s performed 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.

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s exhibition, “Eye And Mind: The Shin Collection,” highlights the extraordinary collection masterworks assembled by 31-year-old connoisseur Hong Gyu Shin, an internationally recognized figure in the global art world. He shares his treasures, including works by Whistler, Lautrec, Boucher, Daumier, Delacroix, Klimt, Schiele, Balthus, Warhol, de Kooning, Gorky and many other important names from art history provocatively juxtaposed with the painting and sculpture of our own time from both Asia and the West. On view through July 9. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

June 24

Summer sounds

Radio Flashback rocks

Eisenhower Park, Saturday, 24, 8 p.m. Highlighted by their 4-part harmonies, this is a classic rock tribute to the music, the artists and the experiences everyone fondly remembers. Bring seating. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. For information, visit NassaucCountyNY.gov.

RVC Fireworks

The Village of Rockville Centre will hold its annual Fireworks Celebration and Concert on Saturday, July 8 at Pette and Barasch Fields at 7:30 p.m. Please note viewing will NOT be permitted on Lister or Tighe Fields. Rain date: Sunday, July 9.

Old Fashioned Drill

Rockville Centre Volunteer

Fire Department hosts the old fashioned drill, Friday, July 14, starting at 6 p.m., at Fireman’s Field. Adjacent to South Side High School at 140 Shepherd St.

Breastfeeding Support Group

Mercy Hospital offers a peer to peer meeting for breastfeeding support and resources, facilitated by a certified breastfeeding counselor, every Thursday, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Bring your baby (newborn to 1 year) to the informal group setting. All new moms welcome, regardless of delivering hospital. Registration required. Call breastfeeding counselor, Gabriella Gennaro, at (516) 705-2434 to secure a spot. Mercy Hospital, St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre. For information visit CHSLI.org.

Cathedral of St. Agnes Bazaar

The second annual bazaar takes place at the St. Agnes Cathedral School parking lot, Friday, June 23, 6-10:30 p.m., Saturday, June 24, 5-10:30 p.m., and Sunday, June 25, after 1 p.m. Mass, 2-6 p.m. 70 Clinton Ave., Rockville Centre.

July 8

Family Bat Walk

Stroll Old Westbury Gardens with Gabriel Willow, a New York Citybased urban naturalist and environmental educator, Saturday, July 8, 7:309:30 p.m. He will lead a walk through the gardens to listen and look for bats while discussing bat ecology and conservation. All ages are welcome. Space is limited and reservations are required. Rain date is Saturday, July 15. 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information contact (516) 333-0048 or visit OldWestburyGardens.org.

June 23

South Side High School Graduation

South Side High School’s 132nd Commencement ceremony is held, Friday, June 23, at 5 p.m. at Hofstra University’s David Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. For more information visit RVCSchools. org.

July 11

Annual Business Boot Camp

Molloy University recruits participants from local high schools to participate in a weeklong event with the School of Business, from Monday to Friday, June 26-30. During the Boot Camp, students will participate in several hands-on businessbased activities such as ‘Shark Tank’ and the ‘Buy, Sell, Hold’ game. To learn more about the summer program for high school juniors, visit Molloy.edu.

Bike locker lottery

Village of Rockville Centre holds a lottery to rent one of eight bike lockers adjacent to the LIRR for a year on Tuesday, July 11. Price is $100 for a rental fee and $40 key deposit. To register email GFeiner@RVCNY.us or call (516)-678-9288 for more information.

Westbury House Tour

For many years visitors to Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens asked what was beyond the first floor corridor. Now beyond the door and discover “secrets of the service wing,” during a 60-minute guided tour, Friday, June 23, noon; Sunday, June 25, 1:30 p.m.; Monday, June 26, noon, Wednesday, June 28, noon; Thursday, June 29, noon and 1:30 p.m. Be introduced to the intensive labor required to create the lifestyle experienced by the Phipps family and their guests; tour the many rooms that were “behind the scenes” to create the formal dining experiences of early 20th century. Go along the corridors to the butler’s pantry and silver cleaning room then descend the 17 steps to the kitchen, scullery, and wine storage rooms located on the ground floor. Reservations required. 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information contact (516) 333-0048 or visit OldWestburyGardens.org.

Gala shares pride in PFY

It was a celebration of 30 years proving service and guidance to the young LGBTQ community of Long Island, and it was a celebration in style.

PFY — formerly known as Pride for Youth — raised thousands of dollars for its Long Island Crisis Center programs last week during its annual gala at Westbury Manor.

Special guest at this year’s event was Maulik Pancholy, the openly gay actor many would know for his roles in the NBC sitcom “30 Rock” as well as the children’s series “Phineas and Ferb.”

maulik Pancholy, acTor from shows like ’30 Rock’ and ‘Star Trek: Discovery,’ shares why organizations like the Long Island Crisis Center’s PFY group are so important to helping the LGBTQ community. The gala at Westbury Manor raised tens of thousands of dollars for PFY’s programs.

“I think the gala is going to be a time for us to kind of get together and reflect on where we have come as an agency, where we need to go as an agency, and really honor the pioneering leadership and spirit that has laid

the groundwork that has made PFY what it is,” PFY director Devon Zappasodi told the Herald ahead of the event.

The organization was originally intended for young people, but grants have allowed PFY to expand to serve anyone who identifies as LGBTQ on Long Island and in Queens.

The crisis center operates a 24/7 hotline for people with mental health crises, and PFY was formed in 1993

after former executive director Linda Leonard noticed an influx of calls from members of the LGBTQ community.

“They were actually getting a lot of calls on the hotline for folks who were looking for LGBTQ services, such as counseling … or support groups,” said Tawni Engel, the crisis center’s associate executive director. “There was nothing like that that existed at the time.”

Anyone seeking more information or help can visit LICCPFY.org.

Photos courtesy Jonah Murdoch

The sTaff from Long Island Crisis Center’s PFY group that focuses on the LGBTQ community of Long Island and Queens, gather for a group picture during the organization’s annual gala last week at Westbury Manor, celebrating 30 years of the program on Long Island.

Ed Stack, former Baseball Hall of Fame president

By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com

Edward William Stack, former president and chief executive officer of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, died on June 4, at a senior living facility in Port Washington surrounded by his family. He was 88.

Stack was born in Rockville Centre in 1935 to parents Edward Henry Stack and Helen (Leitner) Stack. He grew up in Sea Cliff and attended public school in the North Shore Central School District.

When he was 14, he was stricken with polio and spent nearly a year in St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson. Never one to be kept idle, he used his time to help by doing secretarial work for the hospital. During that time he began writing letters to national figures, urging them to reach out to the children in the hospital. This was the first of what would be a long career dedicated to humanitarian efforts.

Stack went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from Pace University in 1956, and shortly thereafter began working as an accountant for the Clark Estates, where he helped manage the finances for the Clark family of Cooperstown and the organizations affiliated with The Clark Foundation, including the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Throughout the years, he never stopped working for the family’s interests and remained with them for his entire 44-year career, retiring in 2000 as president and director.

Stack spent more than 60 years of his life in various roles with the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was first elected to the Board of Directors in 1961, and would serve as its president from 1977 to 2000, during which time the Hall inducted such legends as Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, and countless others.

“Ed Stack’s leadership and vision guided the Museum for six decades as the Hall of Fame grew in size and stature,” Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, said in a statement. “We were privileged to have him serve this institution and the Village of Cooperstown in so many capacities, and his legacy of dedication, generosity and compassion will remain with us forever.”

Most notably, Stack was responsible for implementing the eligibility rule, which has continued to prevent Pete Rose, a baseball legend whose 4,256 career hits, the most in baseball history, qualified him for induction.

Rose, who was a key part of the Cincinnati Reds team during the era of “The Big

Red Machine,” was an instrumental part of team’s two World Series titles in 1975 and 1976, and later went on to serve as the team’s manager in the mid-to-late 80s. Following an investigation, which found that Rose had been betting on baseball games, including those played by his own team, he was permanently banned from the sport by baseball commissioner A. Barlett Giamatti.

Two years later, when Rose would have been a first-time candidate for election to the hall, Stack told Fay Vincent, who was Giamatti’s deputy before succeeding him in 1989, that the board of directors should disqualify anyone on the permanentlyineligible list from being considered for induction.

He also helped oversee the growth and development of several organizations in Cooperstown and the surrounding area, including the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Fenimore Art Museum, Bassett Medical Center, Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home, and Harwick College to name a few.

Stack married his wife, Christina Hunt of Dahlgren, Virginia in 1967, and settled down in Glen Head, where they raised their three daughters — Amy, Kimberly, and Suzanne.

He is remembered as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and humanitarian, who devoted his life to the service of others.

Stack served for many years with SCO Family Services, Mental Health Association of Nassau County, North Shore Kiwanis Club, Sports Angels, the Salvation Army, the New York State Trooper Foundation, and the United Methodist City Society.

He also received many awards including the Congressional Achievement Award, Executive of the Year Award from the U.S. Baseball Federation, and Citizen for the Volunteer of the Year awards from more than dozen organizations that he was involved with.

Stack was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Nancy H. Stack and Richard L. Stack; and his nephew, Brian Aasheim. He is survived by his wife, Christina, his three daughters; his grandchildren, Kara, Lucille, and McGill; his sister, Barbara; his brother-in-law, Richard; his niece, Lynn (Fred); his nephews, Thomas (Laura), Robert (Kelly); and his grand-nieces and nephews, Kristen, Kaitlyn, Alexia, Cole, and Luke.

A funeral service was held at the United Methodist Church of Sea Cliff, where he was a lifelong member, on June 15, followed by burial at the Brookville Cemetery in Glen Head.

Ed Stack

Protecting Your Future

with Michael and Suzanne Ettinger Attorneys-at-Law

Second Marriage Planning

In second marriage planning, a co-trustee is sometimes recommended on the death of the first spouse. While both spouses are living and competent they run their trust or trusts together. But when one spouse dies, what prevents the other spouse from diverting all of the assets to their own children? Nothing at all, if they alone are in charge. While most people are honorable, and many are certain their spouse would never do such a thing, strange things often happen later in life. A spouse may become forgetful, delusional or senile or may be influenced by other parties. Not only that, but the children of the deceased spouse tend to feel very insecure when they find out their stepparent is in charge of all of the couple’s assets.

If you choose one of the deceased spouse’s children to act as co-trustee with the surviving spouse there is a conflict that exists whereby the stepchild may be reluctant to spend assets for the surviving spouse, because whatever is spent on that spouse comes out of the child’s inheritance. Then what if stepparent gets remarried? How will the stepchild trustee react to that event? What if it turns out the stepchild liked the stepparent when his parent was living, but not so much afterwards?

Bank of America presenting sponsor of new WE Summit

Here is where the lawyer as co-trustee may provide an ideal solution. When one parent dies, the lawyer steps in as co-trustee with the surviving spouse. The lawyer helps the stepparent to invest for their own benefit as well as making sure the principal grows to offset inflation, for the benefit of the deceased spouse’s heirs.

The stepparent in this case takes care of all their business privately with their lawyer. The trusts cannot be raided. These protections may also be extended for IRA and 401(k) money passing to the spouse through the use of the “IRA Contract”. Surviving spouse agrees ahead of time that they will make an irrevocable designation of the deceased spouse’s children as beneficiaries when the IRA is left to the surviving spouse, and further agrees that any withdrawals in excess of the required minimum distribution (RMD) may only be made on consent of the lawyer.

When the trust terms are read the deceased spouse’s children are relieved by the protection that has been set up for them, have no concern about the stepparent’s having sole control of the assets and the relationship between them may continue to grow and flourish.

ETTINGER LAW FIRM

More women are leading businesses than ever before, and Bank of America is on the forefront to support those efforts, whether across the country or here on Long Island.

Bank Of America has been named the presenting sponsor of the inaugural Women’s Executive Summit, set for Monday, Aug. 7 at The Crescent Beach Club in Bayville.

Hosted by Herald Community Newspapers and RichnerLive, the WE Summit highlights how every business around the world is undergoing salient changes to the way they operate, no matter what industry they’re in.

ThE

From technology use and investment. To skill development and cultural barriers. To equal pay and going hybrid — or fully remote. Every organization must adapt, or run the risk of being left behind.

As we navigate this time of pivotal change, the 2023 WE Summit brings together thought leaders, innovators, and barrier-breaking women for conversations

“We are excited for the opportunity to partner with Bank of America at the Women’s Executive Summit,” Amy Amato, executive director of RichnerLive, said in a release. “Since the pandemic, the work space has evolved dramatically, and we are bringing thought leadership together to help navigate these uncharted water.”

For more information on how to be a part of the Women’s Executive Summit,

Courtesy Bank of America

inAuguRAl WOmEn’S Executive Summit — presented by Bank of America and hosted by Herald Community Newspapers and RichnerLive — takes place Monday, Aug. 7 at The Crescent Beach Club in Bayville.

others.

GOLD SPONSOR: SILVER SPONSORS: GIFT BAG SPONSOR: SNACK SPONSOR:

VENUE SPONSOR :

Vaccine administration turned the global tide

Besides the fact that there was no treatment available, the mortality rate was frightening. The hospital’s morgue can hold eight bodies under normal circumstances, and 12 if needed. But 17 people a day were dying at the height of the pandemic, and three freezer tractor-trailers were needed to handle the management of remains.

“The mortality rates are one in three, one in four,” Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious diseases, recalled, “especially since we didn’t really know the best way to treat them.” And because they were learning as they went, patients were probably put on ventilators earlier than they would be now, staffers weren’t using steroids the same way they would later, and were giving patients some agents that preliminary studies suggested might be of some benefit, but that in hindsight may have done more harm that good.

“We were overwhelmed,” Glatt recounted, “so you couldn’t give them individualized attention.” The hospital’s intensive care unit has 22 beds, but at the height of the pandemic there were 100 ICU patients and 400 to 500 Covid patients overall. Spaces like the ambulatory area had to be converted to accommodate the sheer number of people coming in for treatment.

“They were essentially in every nook and cranny of the hospital,” Sharma said. The HVAC system had to be modified on the fly to take in outside air. The system was running so hard that the oxygen

feed was icing up, and staff had to spray it with warm water until they could figure out a better method.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of Qualification of SureLock Safety, LLC. Authority filed with NY Dept. of State: 6/1/23. Office location: Nassau County. LLC formed in DE: 2/1/23. NY Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: FisherBroyles, LLP, 41 Front St., 2nd Fl., Rockville Centre, NY 11570. DE address of LLC: Cogency Global Inc., 850 New Burton Rd., Ste. 201, Dover, DE 19904. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Sec. of State, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity.

140096

LEGAL NOTICE

REFEREE’S NOTICE OF

SALE IN FORECLOSURE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU

DEUTSCHE BANK

NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF HSI

ASSET SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST

2006-HE2, Plaintiffagainst - MATTHEW P. ROBERTI A/K/A MATTHEW PAUL ROBERTI, et al

Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on

June 19, 2019. 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 19th day of July, 2023 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 the Incorporated Village of Rockville Centre, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Premises known as 30 Fonda Road, Rockville Centre, New York 11570. (Section: 36, Block: 363, Lot: 202)

Approximate amount of lien $1,060,130.14 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 608735/2018. Julianne Bonomo, Esq., Referee. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409

Dated: May 15, 2023

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.

140082

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY

KINECTA FEDERAL CREDIT

UNION, Plaintiff against VICTORIA FAUSTINI, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC, 7 Wells Street, Suite 205B, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered May 16, 2023, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court

Keeping the community informed

Besides caring for those with the virus, the hospital was issuing constant press briefings to keep people up to date in a fast-changing environment. Glatt was — and still is — getting calls from people across the country, and at the height of it, he had 1,000 emails a day asking for advice.

board member organized a heroes car parade, expecting a small turnout — and about 400 vehicles cruised past the hospital. Nurses began playing the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” when a Covid-19 patient was discharged so they could “hear” the life they saved.

Schools sent encouraging letters to nurses. Bags were filled with groceries so nurses could tick shopping off their errand lists. And no staffer may ever forget the sheer volume of food funneled in by local restaurants.

The hospital built a Recharge Room to offer exhausted nurses respite. The room has had over 10,000 visits.

From doctors, respiratory therapists and pharmacists to the cleaning staff who disinfected treatment rooms and the engineers who revitalized the air circulation system, everyone had a part to play.

‘This small vial’ was the way out

On Dec. 15, 2020, Mount Sinai South Nassau unveiled the Pfizer vaccine and launched a comprehensive vaccination program. The effort reflected hope in “this small vial,” Sharma said at a news conference that day. The hospital was given 900 doses in a batch and started distributing 100 to 200 vaccines a day.

One of the most inspiring moments for Calderone was when “the folks here rolled up their sleeves publicly to try to dispel any questions about whether this was safe or not,” he recalled. “And it was, look, it’s a brand new vaccine, and it’s brand new technology. But they publicly, in our atrium here, took the vaccine, among other political leaders. And I thought that was a moment, a teaching moment for sure.”

Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 17, 2023 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 74 Roxen Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570. Sec 36 Block 457-1 Lot 58. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Village of Rockville Centre, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $874,966.22 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 614354/2018. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee 22001823-01 140159

“Nobody was an expert,” he said, “Anthony Fauci wasn’t an expert on it. He became an expert on it.” Not all of the information being shared was peer reviewed with standardized studies, so misinformation was prevalent. Glatt said they were all “grasping at straws.”

Nurses and staff, Stacey Conklin, chief nursing officer, recalled, “were extremely committed to the community during this entire time, especially at the very beginning of the pandemic, not knowing what was going on. There was fear — there was absolute fear. We were all afraid. … None of us had ever been involved in anything like this, you know, a huge public health emergency.”

No one at the hospital went without personal protective equipment, thanks to the relationship Conklin nurtured with the Mount Sinai Health System. Five members of the staff died of the virus, but, Conklin said, “We would not have been able to survive the crisis without the system.”

“Supply issues were really critical,” Joseph Calderone, senior vice president of corporate communications and development, added, “We, as a single, standalone hospital, could not have carried the weight.”

The hospital and the local community found ways to make nurses’ lives better through acts of kindness. An MSSN

It was the first feeling there was some type of protection against the virus, and that gave a sense of comfort to the community, especially the elderly. “We started to see the pandemic change its tone,” Sharma said. “It became more of managing this ebb and flow of respiratory wave after wave, but it wasn’t the same level of intensity … being one of the first areas hit hard, we never saw that level of activity again after the vaccine.”

Glatt said that although the vaccines have gotten more than their share of negative national attention, they are probably the single most important scientific advance in all of medicine, because they have saved millions of lives.

“When we started vaccinating,” Glatt said, “the highest-risk people, their mortality ranges in those groups, which were up to 25 or 33 percent, instantly dropped to what we expect to see, unfortunately, in that age group.”

Then, in concert with the Town of Hempstead, the hospital took the vaccination campaign on the road with the Vaxmobile, a mobile inoculation station that helped people in underserved areas, where vaccination rates were lower than the rest of Nassau County, who were unable to get appointments for shots.

“It was very profound for a lot of people when they gave that first dose to somebody,” Conklin said. “It was just such a sense of relief.”

Courtesy Mount Sinai South Nassau

Nurse Theresa ClarKe was the first to receive the vaccine, which was administered by Nurse Karine Austin, MSSN’s assistant vice president of oncology services.

DRIVERS WANTED

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Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@bellautoschool.com

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EDITOR/REPORTER

The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry.

To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to mhinman@liherald.com

LINE COOK: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday 10am-6pm. Sandwiches/ Salads. Beach Restaurant. Great Summer Job. 516-835-2819

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Manager On Duty

At Blaze, Old Bethpage Village Outdoors From September Through November 5-8 Hour Shifts. Serve As The Primary Point Of Contact For All Issues That May Occur During The Event, Seeing Each Through To Resolution. Serve As The Primary Point Of Contact For Emergency Personnel Hourly Rate $25-$30

To Apply: https://hudsonvalley.org/ employment/

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. We offer salary, commission, bonuses, health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Will consider part time. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

OFFICE HELP PT/FT: Computer Literate. Answer Phones, Packing, Process Orders. Baldwin Dental Supply Company. 516-783-7800

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Salary, Commission, Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Will Consider Part Time. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

Path Monitor

At Blaze, Old Bethpage Village Outdoors From September Through November

5-8 Hour Evening Shifts Providing A Welcoming Atmosphere And Ensuring Guest Safety. Hourly Rate $20. To Apply: https://hudsonvalley.org/ employment/

PRESS-ROOM/WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME Pressroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for a motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

SEWING MACHINE OPERATOR/ CANVAS FABRICATOR For Foreman Position. Experience a Must. Awning Company. Call/Text Tommy 516-250-8094; tgawnings@aol.com Send Resume

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REAL ESTATE

Open Houses

HEWLETT BAY PARK BA,190 Meadowview Ave Ever Dream of Living in A Castle? This 8000 Sq Ft Mansion is Full of Character. Amazing Architectural Details, Soaring Ceilings, Stained Glass Windows. 5 BR, 6.55 Bths. Sprawling 1.3 Acre Prop with IG Gunite Pool. SD#14.Near All. Must See This Unique Home!..$3,200,00 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas elliman 516-238-429 ba

HEWLETT HARBOR 1051 Channel Dr, OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 6/25, 12-1:30, FIRST TIME ON MARKET! 3/4 BR, 2.5 Bth Split on Beautiful Ω Acre Parklike Property. Updtd Gran/Wood EIK, Spac LR/DR with Vaulted Ceiling & Fpl, & Fam Rm. 2 Car Att Gar.Endless Possibilities!

SD#14...$1,349,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-429

HEWLETT HARBOR 6/25, 2-3:30, 246 Adams Rd, FIRST SHOW! Elegant & Stately 4200 Sq Ft CH Col on Beautiful Quiet St. 5 BR, 4.55 Bth. Sweeping Staircase. All Spacious Rooms with Top Quality Finishes. Amazing Fam Rm with Cathedral Ceiling Overlooking 1 Acre Resortlike Prop Featuring IG Gunite Pool, Patio & Tennis Ct. XL Fin Bsmt. Upper Level has Primary Ste w/ Dressing Rm & Bth Plus 3 BRs & 2 Bths. 2 Car Att Gar. Low Taxes!

SD#20..$2,500,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Open Houses

WOODMERE BA, 504 Saddle Ridge Rd., FIRST TIME ON MARKET! Move Right Into This Renovated 4 BR, 2 Bth Split with Open Layout in Prime Location! Granite/Wood EIK Opens to Dining Room & Living Room. Lower Level Den. HW Flrs, Gas Heat, CAC. Oversized Property! SD#14.Near All!..$999,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Apartments For Rent

CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978

Garages For Rent

OCEANSIDE 2

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 • To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

Impeccably Restored Victorian

This grand home is set on park like grounds (.43 acre) just blocks away from Rockville Centre's vibrant downtown and LIRR. This grand home has all of todays most sought after amenities, combined with yesterday's master craftsman details. A gracious welcoming front porch and private rear gazebo are perfect for outdoor entertaining. Inside you'll marvel at the 11 foot ceilings, original pocket doors, multiple window seats, and irreplaceable original parquet banded floors. Any chef would delight in the expansive kitchen with high end appliances, tons of counter space, and the perfect island for your guests. Other amenities include a walk in pantry, three full baths, five bedrooms on the second level, and second floor laundry room. $1,999,999 . Please contact Maureen Lane or Theresa Ahern for a private viewing of this special home!

How does your potential contractor drive?

Q. We need some advice on how to pick a contractor. Our neighbors down the street are going through a tough time with delays, seemingly shoddy work that didn’t pass inspection and extra costs for things they didn’t want or expect. Do you have any suggestions on how to interview a contractor, and what to ask about or look for in their proposal? We want to avoid what our neighbor is going through.

B ay Pa RK

190 Meadowview Ave, BA, Ever Dream of Living in A Castle? This 8000 Sq Ft Mansion is Full of Character. Amazing Architectural Details, Soaring Ceilings, Stained Glass Windows. 5 BR, 6.55 Bths. Sprawling 1.3 Acre Prop with IG Gunite Pool. SD#14. Near All. Must See This Unique Home! $3,200,00 HEWLETT

1638 Ridgeway Dr, BA, FIRST TIME ON MARKET! Well Maintained 6 BR, 3.5 Bth 3500

Sq Ft Exp CH Colonial on Beautiful St. LR/Fpl, Spac Fam Rm/Fpl, FDR, EIK & Sun Rm

Overlooking 1/3 Acre Resortlike Prop w/ IG Lap Pool, Hot Tub,Bar & Gazebo. Fin Bsmt.

2 Car Gar. SD#20 $1,149,000

1193 E. Broadway # M23, BA, Move Right Into This Stunning Gut Renovated 2 BR, 2 Bth Coop in Garden Town. Gourmet Kit W/Thermdore St Steel Appl Opens Into DR & LR.

Primary BR w/Bth Plus Spac 2nd BR. W/D in Unit. New Self Controlled CAC. Oak Flrs, LED

Lights. Near LIRR. Parking Avail. SD#14. You Don’t Want to Miss This $359,000

1599 Lakeview Dr, BA, 4 BR, 3 Bth Exp Ranch on Tree Lined St in SD#14. Spacious LR, DR & Family Rm, EIK & Fin Bsmt. Att Garage. HW Flrs. Near Park, Trans, Shops & Houses

of Worship REDUCED! $799,000

1534 Broadway #205, BA, Extra Large 2000 Sq Ft, 2 Bedroom (Originally 3 BR), 2 Bath

Condo in Prestigious Jonathan Hall with Doorman & Elevator. Updtd Wood/Quartz Kit, LR & DR. Washer/Dryer in Unit. Underground Pkg. Loads of Closets. Terrace Faces Back. Easy Ranch Style Living BIG REDUCTION!! MOTIVATED SELLER! $579,000 WOO dMERE

504 Saddle Ridge Rd, BA, Move Right Into This Renovated 4 BR, 2 Bth Split with Open Layout in Prime

Ask The Architect Monte Leeper

A. If it were up to me, I would ask them to drive me around to look at their work. This helps in many ways. One, you have more conversation and maybe a little less sales pitch while they’re navigating the streets. Two, you can tell a lot about a person by the way they drive, such as whether they obey the laws. If they blow through every stop sign, cut people off or otherwise drive recklessly, you’ll realize right away that they have little regard for others and won’t follow regulations, or your interests.

People who don’t follow basic rules we all have to live by aren’t going to do things for you as much as for themselves. If they tell you “you don’t need a permit,” give you a ridiculously low number compared with others or confidently tell you they will have the work done way before you expected, be concerned. If their proposal doesn’t spell out the process and the materials to your satisfaction, at least with milestone breakdown numbers — such as windows and doors, $40,000, concrete work, $30,000, etc. — and you feel that they’re evasive when you ask questions, then move on.

I recommend that the payments be organized by those milestones, since you can see that all the concrete work is done and write a check, or confirm that all the windows and doors are installed and make a payment, instead of guessing when 30 percent of the work has been completed or wondering why they need to get paid every Friday when nobody has been there for two weeks. It may be obvious to say that you need to feel that what the plans show is what you want, and you have to feel confident that this person and their team can give you what you need.

I often get calls and end up acting as adviser and therapist to spouses who are now arguing with each other about how unhappy they are instead of sitting the contractor down with a third party, like a building official, who usually won’t tolerate the excuses. Many inspectors don’t have the time or the patience for a contractor who is creating code or safety violations, since it can reflect on the official who lets the work be approved with cut corners. One inspector recently told a contractor who was falling short of the regulations that the official gets audited and will not accept work that can be questioned later on by an auditor.

You need satisfaction. More on licensing, insurance and experience in upcoming columns. Good luck!

© 2022 Monte Leeper

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Garage Sales

BALDWIN: MULTI-FAMILY SATURDAY 6/24, SUNDAY 6/25, 8am-4pm. 699 New York Avenue. Between Spruce And Grove Street. Something For Everyone!

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Antiques/Collectibles

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FINDS UNDER $100

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30X12X12 FISH OR reptile tank with matching screen cover and 30" wooden stand. $75. 516-366-4004

CUSTOM SURF FISHING rod. Lamiglass Honey color SB1213M, cork tape butt, fuji conventional guides. $99. 516-781-7069

CUSTOM SURF FISHING rod. Lamiglass Honey color SB1362M, cork tape butt, mildrum spinning guides. $99. 516-781-7069

ELECTRIC SINGER #95 sewing machine with table. Good condition $75. Call Lisa@ 516-241-7713

GOLF BAG 3 Woods 8 irons $65 (516) 445-7390.

GOLF CART LIKE New $25.00 Assorted Woods $15.00 each Like New 516 781-8313

GOLF CLUBS COMPLETE set Tourney Irons $30.00 Golf Bag $25.00 Very Good Condition 516 781-8313

SNACK PLATES FLEUR de Lis 12 plates 10 teacups $60. 516 445-3212

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WOOD HEADBOARD TWIN bed with Sealy Mattress (excellent) box spring and frame hardware. $99 516-366-4004

SERVICES

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From a House committee room to the Valbrook Diner

Last week I was at two events that, in very different ways, encapsulated significant aspects of my life. The first was in Washington, where I was invited to testify before the House Intelligence Committee, along with four other retired members of Congress — two Republicans, Frank LoBiondo and Ileana RosLehtinen, and two Democrats, Jane Harman and Jim Langevin, who had also served on the committee. Except for a few fleeting hours in February, this was my first time back in Washington since late December 2020, just days before my retirement.

The chairman of the Intelligence Committee, Republican Mike Turner, and the ranking member, Democrat Jim Himes, wanted our perspective on what the committee’s current focus should be, and on the need to restore bipartisanship, which has been sorely lacking over the past six years. In my testimony, I stressed the necessity of not losing sight of the continuing threat of Islamist ter-

rorism. None of us wants to experience another 9/11, and the terrorists are in many ways as lethal as they were on Sept. 10, 2001.

I also joined my former colleagues in strongly urging bipartisanship. The committee is a vital component of our national security, and should not be politicized.

Besides testifying, I met with Long Island Representatives Andrew Garbarino, Anthony D’Esposito and Nick LaLota and joined Speaker Kevin McCarthy at a meeting in his office with elected officials from Northern Ireland. I also ran into various congressmen, Capitol Police officers and reporters I knew from my days on the Hill. And I went to my old haunt, the Dubliner, to have dinner with staff members from my office and the Homeland Security Committee.

Being back in the halls of Congress with current and former members brought back 28 years of memories encompassing victories, tough losses and challenges as well as meetings with presidents and world leaders. While I made the decision to retire from Congress and turn the page, I never regret

even a day that I was fortunate to be there. Those were almost three decades of unparalleled moments that I had never imagined I would experience.

Back on Long Island two days later, I relived different, but equally meaningful memories. Several times a year, Tom Dewey, my Brooklyn Prep classmate and a Fordham Hall of Fame track coach, organizes a get-together of a group of guys I hung out with during my high school years, just blocks from fabled Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. Meeting at the Valbrook Diner in Valley Stream with Tom, Charlie, Allen, Johnny and Jackie is like going back in time. For better or worse, no one has changed. There’s the same banter, sarcasm and stories, with no one allowed to take himself seriously. In the past few years, we’ve been joined by retired Nassau County Police Department Detectives Jim Skopek and Melissa Zimmerman, who were on my security detail when I was in Congress and fit right in. Before his days as a Nassau cop, Skopek was an NYPD officer patrolling the Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, neighborhood where these guys grew up.

Zimmerman’s classic moment last week was when she asked my old friends what they thought of my recent successful cancer surgery, and she was met with blank looks, grunts and smirks. Not a hint of sympathy or concern.

Behind all this tough-guy talk, though, there is genuine friendship and loyalty, as well as a real knowledge of life and reality. These guys have all done well, but never brag about it. I’m not one of those guys who say the good old days were perfect or so much better. But during these diner reunions, I’m struck by the true authenticity of these guys — an authenticity I sense is diminishing in today’s world.

During my years in Congress and politics, I was known for not backing down or caring about what was said about me. This thick skin — or thick-headedness — was in many ways attributable to the street smarts I learned from these old friends. It’s reassuring to see nothing has changed.

All this interconnection of experiences came together for me again during those few days last week. Thanks for the memories.

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

An open letter to my dad on his birthday

Ishould point out that this is a really open letter, because my dad died four years ago.

I write because I have so much to tell him. My dad, who would have been 101 last week, loved his time on earth; he so enjoyed the rhythm and small pleasures of his days.

Every morning he woke up thinking about his first cup of coffee, and he prepared it with all the exquisite ritual of a Japanese tea ceremony. He moved slowly, and the making of the coffee could easily take 15 minutes.

RANDI KREISS

Once it was brewed, he filled his cup to the very brim and sloshed it all over the floor before he got to the table.

“Why do you have to make the cup so full?” my mother said pretty much every day for 72 years.

I like to think he’s with my mom, who died two years ago. They were married so long that they walked, talked, ate and laughed with a special kind of synchro-

ny. Hard to tell where one left off and the other began.

Dad would have been gripped by the public drama of the impeachment hearings. He died the day Donald Trump got elected, and although I’m not suggesting cause and effect, he did say,

“I can’t believe I lived to see this day,” before he succumbed to a major heart attack at 97.

He would read the newspapers at the breakfast table as breakfast lingered into lunch in his last years. He read the best parts out loud to my mother, and she was his cheerleader, damning the folks he saw as the bad guys and taking into her heart, like family, the leaders he loved. Their fierce loyalty to the Dems, going back to FDR, was part of what kept them chugging along. They cared. They followed the news. They talked back to the TV.

some time, couldn’t we, reassuring ourselves that no, the United States of America would never elect a man like Donald J. Trump, and then we did. Dad, it’s worse than we feared, but I believe in our better angels, and I’m patient. I know our country will right itself. I’ll keep you posted. Promise.

You missed the coronavirus. Missed Roku. Missed cauliflower pizza crusts.

So, Dad, I’m sorry you missed this state of affairs, this unraveling of our government and erosion of our moral center, because you would have found it fascinating, even if it depressed the hell out of you. Mostly I miss commiserating with you about it all. We could go on for

You missed the coronavirus. Missed Roku. Missed cauliflower pizza crusts.

You knew about Amazon but you missed letting it rule your life. You and Mom went to stores, right? Well we hardly do that now, because if you need anything, from the 4.0 readers you wore to rare Ethiopian pistachio nuts, you can order them online and Amazon will get them to you in hours, or days at most.

You missed some terrific books, Dad. We spent a lot of time talking about what we were reading, and even in your last months, when you were kind of dreaming your days away, you still held a book in your lap because it felt familiar. You kept saying you wanted to learn how to use a Kindle.

You missed the great-grandkids get-

Randi is on a brief leave. This column was originally published Feb. 20-26, 2020.

ting braces, and learning to drive, and several mitzvahs. You missed that we bought a new vacation house. I gave some thought to the idea that you might not be able to find me, but I suppose your travel rules are different. In my old place, I used to see the occasional heron on the beach or a dolphin in the surf and imagine it might be a kind of visitation.

I did see an unseasonal robin the other day that gave a wicked shake of its wing as it landed on a naked branch, and I confess, I thought of you.

Mostly, Dad, I hate the idea that you aren’t in the world, in the light, in the realm of sunrises and sunsets, just a phone call away, at the Thanksgiving table.

We all think about loved ones who have passed. Some write letters or post to websites for the departed. It all helps.

Many find that Shakespeare offered wise counsel to those who grieve when he wrote, “Give sorrow words.”

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

In one memoryfilled setting, I was testifying. In another, I ribbed old friends.

Don’t let money win: Veto this bill

it might not be easy to discuss the Greek playwright Euripides and the Dutch philosopher Erasmus in the same breath, especially considering they walked the earth 2,000 years apart. But they did have a shared philosophy, and it’s one all of us are familiar with: money talks. Especially in politics.

When it comes to government, if you want to make a splash, all you need is to flash — some green. The loudest voices in a campaign, or in any discussion, really, are typically those with the deepest pockets. Even running for local office can cost thousands of dollars, with that total easily hitting six digits for state office, and far more if you want to go to Washington.

Over the years, however, New York has worked hard to level the playing field. New York City, for example, has offered candidates a matching public-finance option for years. Anyone not taking large special-interest donations can qualify for public money, allowing their voice to be just as loud as anyone else’s, no matter how much anyone has raised. The option is intended to keep big business and heavily funded political movements away from lawmakers, while ensuring that taxpayer investments are returned to communities through campaign expenditures.

Lawmakers in Albany have paid attention as well, writing legislation that would provide matching funds to any Assembly candidate who raises at least $6,000 from 75 different donors in his or her district, and to any State Senate candidate who raises at least $12,000 from 150 donors.

Statewide candidates would see a

letters

Republicans love those fossil fuels

Dear Congressman D’Esposito:

match of $6 for every $1 of qualified donations. Assembly members and senators would see matching qualified donations ranging from $12-to-$1 to $8-to-$1.

Candidates would still have to campaign. They would still need to win support. But this law would help ensure that that support isn’t drowned out by opponents with massive campaign war chests, funded by special interests.

Everything was looking good for the proposed bill until the final week of the legislative session. Then lawmakers apparently had a chance to take a closer look at it, and suddenly remembered something really important: They have to run for re-election. The candidates with the deep pockets whom this law would weaken? It’s them, the incumbents. The politicians who already have a built-in advantage simply because they have “Assembly member” or “Senator” in front of their name.

So, those very lawmakers revisited the new law, and introduced some changes. Instead of raising $6,000, Assembly candidates would have to raise $10,000, from 145 donors, to qualify for matching funds. Senators would need to raise $24,000, from 350 donors.

Candidates wouldn’t need to win just some support — this is an exceedingly high bar.

In fact, the only people who would actually benefit from this bill, S.7564, if Gov. Kathy Hochul signs it into law are the very incumbents this kind of campaign finance reform is intended to humble by preventing them from winning races

before they even start, simply because of how loudly money talks. If this revised bill becomes law, the voice and reach of the incumbents would be stronger — and further — than ever before. Not only would they have the big money of special interests, but they’d have taxpayer money backing them as well. And anyone challenging them? Well, good luck.

The reworked legislation easily passed the Assembly and Senate, but fortunately, not with the help of many of our local representatives. State Sens. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Jack Martins and Steven Rhoads voted against it, as did Assembly members Jake Blumencranz, Ari Brown, Brian Curran, David McDonough, John Mikulin, Edward Ra and Michaelle Solages.

State Sen. Kevin Thomas was a “yes” on the bill, as were Assembly members Taylor Darling and Charles Lavine.

All are Republicans except for Solages, Thomas, Darling and Lavine.

A representative democracy mandates leaders who truly represent the people. If someone believes they can represent them better, they deserve to have every opportunity to prove it. The matching-campaignfunds program could have been a great start, helping this particular democracy achieve those goals.

But if the governor signs this monstrosity into law, not only will the potential gains of the earlier law be erased, but the entire democratic process will take 10 giant steps backward.

Hochul must do the right thing, and veto S.7564.

While New Yorkers choke on fumes from Canadian wildfires fueled by climate change, it’s worth highlighting the role that Republicans are playing in making the problem worse. House Republicans, including my own representative, Anthony D’Esposito, brokered a debt ceiling bill that advances construction of the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline and makes it easier to build fracked-gas pipelines. This dirty deal will increase profits for the fossil fuel industry while increasing air pollution and wrecking our climate.

The dangerous air we are breathing now is only the beginning — we must reverse course and move off fossil fuels. As a grandfather and a member of Food & Water Action, I urge D’Esposito to stand up for Long Islanders, not the fossil fuel industry. And as a Long Islander, I urge my neighbors to remember the Republican dirty deal at the ballot box.

We honor the fallen, but must not forget our veterans

all of us owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to the heroic men and women who lost their lives while protecting our country as members of our nation’s armed forces.

our end to care for them when they come back home.

Across the country, fewer than 50 percent of returning veterans in need receive any mental health treatment. An estimated 250,000 veterans are unemployed and in need of work. And with 68,000 of them homeless, there are 5,000 veterans here in Nassau who are at risk of homelessness.

■ The right to be supported in the community, in such organizations as VFWs and American Legions.

sure make them valuable candidates for public service.

JosHUa a . LaFaZan

Americans recently commemorated Memorial Day — a sobering occasion that reminds us that freedom is never free, and that in a perilous world, we sleep safely at night precisely because of those servicemen and women who are fighting for us.

After our collective pause to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, it behooves us to take the next step by renewing our commitment to taking care of veterans right here in Nassau County.

Some 67,000 of the 16.5 million veterans in the United States call Long Island home. And there’s no denying that while these heroes have upheld their end of the contract to protect and serve the nation, we haven’t adequately fulfilled

Those statistics should shock the consciences of every American and provide clear evidence that this moment requires immediate action. That’s why I have proposed the creation of a 21st-century Veterans’ Bill of Rights that would ensure that none of them are ever left behind in Nassau County.

Such a bill would reaffirm the fundamental rights for veterans that must be protected:

■ The right to dignified housing.

■ The right to gainful employment.

■ The right to be protected from discrimination.

In addition, the Veterans’ Bill of Rights would formally commission a study to identify where resources are needed to best serve our veterans, and recommend additional investments ranging from new technology to advancements in health care, and more. Once completed, the study’s findings would be presented at a public hearing of the County Legislature’s Veterans Committee.

My office has already taken important steps toward fulfilling the tenets of the Veterans’ Bill of Rights. In January 2022, the Legislature unanimously passed the Hiring Our Heroes Act, a measure I sponsored that exempts veterans and active-duty service members from county civil service exam fees. Not only does removing a financial burden of up to $200 from eligible applicants incentivize their return to the civilian workforce, but it also recognizes how veterans’ leadership, military experience and ability to perform under pres-

Letters Framework

In Albany, Democrats are ‘out of touch’

To the Editor:

As my first legislative session came to a close, I was struck by just how out of touch Albany Democrats are with the needs of New Yorkers. The concerns about rising crime rates and a struggling economy, both of which make it more difficult for many to live, work and thrive in our communities, are at an all-time high. To combat this, my State Senate Republican colleagues and I introduced a plan to Rescue New York, which fell on deaf ears. We will continue to fight for common-sense, realistic solutions to the hardships faced by families and business owners.

During the 2023 legislative session, Albany’s misplaced priorities came in the form of new laws and policies that exacerbate our hardships instead of relieving them. The budget was a month late and spent a record $229 billion, more than $8 billion over what was spent last fiscal year. It included new taxes on businesses and individuals, and provided no relief for middle-class families and struggling small businesses; rather, it allocated $1 billion for transporting and housing illegal immigrants instead of directing funds to struggling New Yorkers.

Instead of focusing on why New Yorkers are leaving the state, a bill was passed that moves all local elections to even years, over the objections of local communities and boards of election. The justification was to increase voter turnout, yet it excluded New York City, where voter turnout is the lowest in the state.

Additionally, “Clean Slate” legislation was passed allowing the records of violent criminals to be sealed while ignoring the rights of law-abiding victims. In addition, the overriding theme of the legislation passed this session was an erosion of parental rights and an increase in government control, both of which will continue to destroy the New York

by Tim Baker

This legislative measure builds on the Dignity for Our Heroes initiative, another legislative package that I sponsored and passed in 2019 that protects veterans from discrimination in housing and employment, and convened the Nassau Commission on Ending Veteran Homelessness.

While I take great pride in these earlier measures, they should be viewed as a foundation to build on. We must not cease in our efforts until every veteran in the county has access to the resources they need to meet their health care, housing and workforce needs. And it is imperative for all of us to approach this issue with compassion and care, so that we can continue chipping away at harmful stigmas that dissuade our heroes from seeking the assistance they need and deserve.

These men and women have always had our backs, and it is imperative for us to always have theirs. Please contact your legislator and ask them to support the Veterans’ Bill of Rights. And I ask you to never forget our fallen heroes, or our veteran heroes at home.

we know and love.

We deserve better than one-party rule that places political aims above all else. There’s still so much work to be done, but Senate Democrats, who hold a supermajority, continue to disregard New Yorkers’ needs. I will continue to fight for a safer and more

affordable New York while standing up for our values and working to restore balance, accountability, and common sense to our state government.

Stoked for a summer of keeping swimmers safe — the Freeport Recreation Center lifeguards take a break from training.

Joshua A. Lafazan represents the Nassau County Legislature’s 18th District.

too many who have come home lack housing, jobs and mental health care.