Rockville Centre Herald 10-08-2020

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This month’s color is pink RVC Breast Cancer Coalition is going strong amid pandemic ed to make this month, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a “give back” month as it bbonfiglio@liherald.com focuses on supporting those As the coronavirus pandemic affected by the disease. drags on, the Rockville Centre Board members have hung Breast Cancer Coalition will not pink bows, symbols of breast host its annual cancer awareness, Black & White Cockd ow n t ow n . T h ey tail Party fundraiser, also plan to co-host but its services to free cancer screenthose with breast ings at Mount Sinai cancer have continSouth Nassau hospiued. tal, in Oceanside, on Last year, the big Oct. 25, from 8 a.m. event, at EGP to 3 p.m. Those who O c e a n s i de, d rew would like to schedmore than 400 peoule an appointment ple and raised about can call (516) 255$35,000, which bene8220 and mention fited breast cancer the event, which is patients and survialso being sponsored vo r s o n N a s s a u by State Sen. Todd County’s South Kaminsky. Shore. Michael’s Jewelry “We’re in a good Designs, on North s p o t , ” s a i d P e g PEG McDONALD Park Avenue in the McDonald, co-presi- Co-president, village, designed a dent of the coalition. RVCBC Coalition custom necklace for “We just want people the coalition, and a to know that we’re portion of the prostill here and available to them ceeds for every one sold this for services.” month will go to the organizaMcDonald said that all fund- tion. “We were more than happy raising is now on the back burn- to do something for the coalier, even virtually, because she tion,” said owner Michael Zuckknows businesses are hurting. Instead, the coalition has decidCONTINUED ON PAGE 3

By BRIANA BONFIGLIO and JILL NOSSA

Courtesy Matt Cliszis

Lemonade for a cause Rockville Centre residents, from left, Alexa Cliszis, Emily McFeely and Ava Paulson, all 9-yearolds and fourth-graders at Hewitt Elementary School, ran a lemonade stand on Sept. 26 near the entrance of Hempstead Lake Park in honor of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month and residents Gabi Pellicani and Mary Ruchalski, who lost their lives to the disease. The girls raised more than $250, and donated all of the proceeds to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Mary Ruchalski Foundation.

Preschoolers head back to class Buildings reopen with virus protocols in place By JILL NOSSA jnossa@liherald.com

Rockville Centre’s youngest students have returned to classrooms around the village over the past few weeks, giving families, educators and the children themselves a sense of normalcy. The guidelines for preschools are different from those for public schools, falling under the state Department of Health’s child care program, so each

school has been able to develop its own plan for reopening while following distancing and safety guidelines. On Sept. 29, two weeks later than normal, students returned to the preschool program at the John A. Anderson Recreation Center, which offers classes for 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds. “It’s been great,” Karen Polito, the center’s acting superintendent, said. “The kids were so happy to come back and see their teachers, and

especially to see their old friends, many of whom they hadn’t seen since March.” On the first day of classes, Mayor Francis X. Murray and Village Trustee Nancy Howard greeted students and parents. “There were a lot of smiles, and only a few tears,” Polito said. “Sometimes it’s harder for the moms than for the kids.” Students’ temperatures are CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

W

e’re in a good spot. We just want people to know that we’re still here and available to them for services.

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October 8, 2020 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

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Young learners return to school in RVC

Courtesy St. Mark’s Cooperative Nursery School

encouraging them to share toys. “That’s part of the preschool experience, to use their creativity to engage with peers,” she said. “It’s moving from parallel to active play. Remote learning is not ideal for this age group.” To prevent large gatherings, the school has staggered its start times and does not allow parents to enter the building at drop-off. Instead, the teachers greet the children outside and escort them inside. St. Mark’s has also kept classes smaller — 10 4-year-olds instead of 17 or 18, and eight 3-year-olds rather than 10 to 12. There is no extended-day option. “We’re trying to restrict the intermingling of all groups,” Creegan said. “We want each class to operate as a family unit.” Gina Knecht, board president of the school, said that parents offered a lot of input on the reopening plan. “We were constantly partnering with parents to discuss reopening and the problems belonging to us,” she said. Knecht’s 3-year-old son returned to the classroom last month. “It was so exciting, and it felt so normal,” she said. “He was so excited to see his friends, and it didn’t feel overwhelming at all.” While Knecht and Creegan agreed that remote learning is far from ideal for this age group, Knecht acknowledged that it’s important to recognize that for some fami-

lies, sending children to school isn’t the best option right now, “and they will be OK.” The first day was only an hour long, so the children could experience a “gradual separation” from their parents before getting into the regular schedule. “We bring them in slowly,” Creegan said. “It’s a slow transference of love for the children, from parents to the teachers and to the school. “There’s a lot of anxiety in adults,” she added, “but kids are resilient.” Jacob’s Ladder preschool director Robyn Teigman echoed that sentiment, noting that the past four weeks had been an adjustment for everyone at her school. “We’re definitely stressed, there’s high anxiety, but things are going smoothly,” Teigman said. She said she had kept parents updated on new protocols since August, and they had been both appreciative and cooperative. One new policy is that any child who is sick must have a doctor’s note to return, and Teigman said that parents had been diligent about keeping their children home with even the slightest ailment. And even though there were extra sanitizing and distancing measures in place, she was happy to be back in school. “It’s good to be back, and the kids are beyond happy to be back,” she said. “It feels normal.”

Supporting breast cancer patients, survivors CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE erman. “We came up with the idea to design a special heart that would be only theirs.” The last large event the coalition held was its annual fashion show, on March 1, at the Bridgeview Yacht Club in Island Park, which celebrated patients and survivors, who became runway models for a day. McDonald said that the organization would re-evaluate the coronavirus situation early next year and then decide whether to hold the show next March. McDonald and Co-president Erin O’Sullivan created the coalition in January 2017 to support breast cancer patients in the community. Both have lost loved ones to the disease, and know the toll it can take on people. The services the organization provides help alleviate both the financial and emotional stress that come with a diagnosis. “Unfortunately, there’s still women getting diagnosed,” McDonald said, “and our care counseling services are the heart and soul of the coalition.”

The all-volunteer organization offers patients access to care counselors — breast cancer survivors who offer confidential advice — and provides outreach services that include meal delivery, child care, housecleaning, transportation and wellness services as well as financial assistance if it is needed. Breast cancer patients find the coalition through advertisements, friends, family and social media, according to McDonald. “We have a strict privacy policy,” she said, “and while we might want to reach out to a recipient, our policy is that they contact us.” The organization supports those undergoing treatment in nearly 40 villages and hamlets across southern Nassau County. “The coalition is so important to the community,” McDonald said. “When a woman or man is diagnosed, their world is upside down. They need all the support they can get. We want to be the coalition that provides that support.” To learn more about the coalition, visit rvcbcc.org.

Sue Grieco/Herald

ROCKVILLE CENTRE BREAST Cancer Coalition board members, clockwise from top left, Mary Prendergast, Kathy Baxley, Laura Altman, Peg McDonald, Christina Belling, Pauline Festa, Nicole Graziano and Erin O’Sullivan at last year’s Black & White Cocktail Party. The event was canceled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — October 8, 2020

STUDENTS WORK ON various projects during the school day, either in groups or independently. For this age group, teachers say, developing social skills is an important aspect of school.

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE checked and they must wear masks when they enter the building, but the masks are not required during their twoand-a-half-hour school day. Staff members do wear them, however, and the recreation center is cleaned between sessions. Social distancing protocols include staggered start times and smaller class sizes. Because the center has plenty of space, Polito said, classes are divided into two sections but overall enrollment did not have to be reduced. With the gymnasium in use, though, no public classes are offered during preschool hours. St. Mark’s Cooperative Nursery School, on Hempstead Avenue, welcomed students back on Sept. 21 after a sixmonth closure and many discussions among school directors and parents. Those involved said that pre-opening anxiety levels were high, but once the children returned, parents and teachers alike felt a sense of relief. “We’ve been working for the past four to five months toward reopening,” Michelle Creegan, the school’s director, said. “It was so nice to welcome the families back and to see the little ones literally bouncing back and forth. I felt like I breathed for the first time in months.” In March, the nursery school, which has operated for 52 years, had to shut down along with all other schools in the state. It pivoted to a virtual learning format, and provided parents with materials and information so they could work on activities with their children. Creegan explained that those activities facilitate development in different ways. Some help fine motor skills; others, large motor development; while others build a foundation for reading and math skills. “Having that structure and reassurance is good for parents,” Creegan said. What the in-person model provides that the virtual cannot, she said, is the chance to develop social skills. “Children learn through play,” she said. “Putting things together is important on so many levels. Working through problems is the whole purpose of this age, and it’s hard to get that in a virtual environment.” Creegan said that school administrators kept an eye on day care facilities as they opened during the summer, formed a reopening committee and felt that, with the state Covid-19 infection rate remaining low, “It’s a good risk to take.” In creating a reopening plan, “We did try to honor what makes us ‘us’ while following the guidance,” Creegan said. That includes allowing children to play together and

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CRIME WATCH Leaving the scene ■ On Sept. 29 at 7:18 p.m., a motorist reported that a car struck her vehicle and left the scene while her vehicle was parked on North Park Avenue.

Larceny ■ On Oct. 3 at 12:26 p.m., a motorist reported that someone stole gift cards

from her vehicle while it was parked in a lot behind an apartment building on North Forest Avenue.

Criminal mischief ■ On Oct. 4 at 11:30 a.m., the manager of a restaurant on North Park Avenue reported that someone damaged the outdoor dining area.

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.

Hit-and-run driver sends teen to hospital in RVC Students learn bike safety

Photos courtesy Village of Rockville Centre

ROCKVILLE CENTRE POLICE officers taught students about bike safety.

scene, as a 6-foot-tall black male with a stocky build. The victim was transported in a Northwell ambulance to a local hospital. Detectives request anyone with information regarding the above incident to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 244-TIPS or call the First Squad at (516) 573-6153. All callers will remain anonymous. Courtesy NCPD; compiled by Briana Bonfiglio.

Rockville Centre elementary school students are learning the rules of the road — from a cycling perspective — thanks to a bicycle safety program conducted by the Village of Rockville Centre Recreation Department and the Rockville Centre Police Department. “Biking is a great way to be physically active,” said Mayor Francis X. Murray. “This program provides our youth with the tools to prevent injuries while participating in healthy activities.” The program provided safety instruction, a bicycle safety course and a presentation by a police officer, as well as serial number engravings on bicycles for antitheft protection. In addition, registration for bicycles with strong brakes, a warning device (bell, horn or whistle), front and rear reflectors at least three-inches square, reflectors on pedals and reflective tires or wheels with reflectors on the spokes was offered. Residents can register a bicycle by calling the recreation center at (516) 6789238. Bicycle safety tips include: ■ Brakes are required.

Rockville Centre

HERALD HOW TO REACH US Our offices are located at 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530 and are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

MAIN PHONE: (516) 569-4000 ■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/rockvillecentre ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: rvceditor@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 205 E-mail: rvceditor@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: circ@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460 ■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: sales@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643 The Rockville Centre Herald USPS 74660, is published every Thursday by Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Periodicals postage paid at Garden City, NY 11530 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to Rockville Centre Herald, 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Newsstand Price: $1 Subscription rates: $36 for 1 year within Nassau County. Out of Nassau County: $58 for 1 year. Copyright © 2020 Richner Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

RECREATION STAFF CHECKED bikes and registered them. ■ Ride predictably; don’t swerve through traffic or parked cars. ■ Think ahead; watch for debris and potholes, and make eye contact with drivers when necessary.

■ If riding at night, a front white light and a red reflector or light is required.

■ Ride ready; wear a helmet, and check your tires, brakes and chain before heading out.

■ Don’t ride against traffic, especially on one-way streets.

Courtesy Village of Rockville Centre; compiled by Briana Bonfiglio.

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A 14-year-old was hit by a car on North Village Avenue on Sept. 27 and was in serious but stable condition as of Sept. 30, according to Nassau County Police Department. According to detectives, the teen male victim was walking southbound on the shoulder of North Village Avenue when he was struck by a white Dodge Durango, which was traveling northbound. Witnesses describe the driver, who exited the vehicle and looked at the victim before leaving the

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October 8, 2020 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

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ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — October 8, 2020

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Northwell partners with Islanders on arena The UBs arena is expected to open in time for the 2021-22 hockey season.

By Melissa Koenig mkoenig@liherald.com

Northwell Health has partnered with the New York Islanders and the UBS Arena to provide more community-based wellness programs and ensure people’s safety and well-being while inside the future live entertainment and sports venue, Northwell and Islanders officials announced on Oct. 6. The 10-year founding sponsorship deal is just the latest extension of Northwell’s 20-year-long relationship with the New York Islanders Hockey Club as the team’s official health care sponsor and title sponsor of its East Meadow practice facility. “We are proud to align ourselves with New York’s newest premiere sports entertainment venue,” Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health, said in a statement. “With 25,000 employees living near UBS Arena alone, this partnership allows us to reinforce our commitment to serving the community, and we look forward to developing future health and wellness programming with UBS Arena and the New York Islanders.” As part of the agreement, Northwell and the Islanders will create community programs focused on health, nutrition and physical activity. Additionally, Dowling said, Northwell — which has dealt with thousands of Covid cases throughout the pandemic — will use its knowledge of the coronavirus to ensure the safety of all patrons. The new arena will feature “top-of-the-line sanitation efforts,” according to Tim Leiweke, CEO of Oak View Group and lead developer of the arena project, including a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration system, ultraviolet light systems and disinfecting solutions “that have proven safe and effective in large-scale spaces.” “Our experience with Covid is very instructive here,” Dowling said, calling the partnership a “win for the Islanders, a win for Northwell and a win for the community.”

Courtesy Oak View Group

The partnership, he explained, will help Northwell expand its outreach efforts and learn more about the community’s needs. “When you have good people do good things,” Dowling said, “that makes all the difference.” The UBS Arena is expected to open in time for the 2021-22 hockey season, and will feature a 17,000-seat arena for the Islanders hockey team. For more information, visit, www.UBSArena.com. The project is expected to create 10,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent jobs, generating approximately $25 billion in economic activity over the term of the lease. The roof was being installed on July 22, and officials expected it to be fully-enclosed by the end of the year. “New York is our home,” said Tim Leiweke, CEO of Oak View Group, and leader of the arena project. “We wanted to put New York back on its feet.” The $1.5 billion private investment into the arena and

Nassau’s positivity rate still hovering at 1 percent While New York City saw coronavirus cases spike last week — with an overall Covid-19 positivity rate of 3 percent and clusters where it exceeded 6 percent — Nassau County’s infection rate remained at 1 percent as of Oct. 4, according to County Executive Laura Curran. As of Sunday, 79 residents we r e p o s i t ive out of 7,752 tested. “Despite minor ebbs and flows”, Curran said, “Nassau’s laUra CUrran Covid positivity County executive rate remains low — a testament to the resolve of our residents. This is a serious virus, and we’ll continue to take it seriously.” Nassau hospitals re por ted 47 Covid-19 patients on Sunday, with 12

K

patients in intensive care units and five on ventilators. There was one new death. “Keeping this virus under control requires all of us to do our part,” Curran said. “ We a r i n g a mask is one of the most important things all of us can do for our county and nation right now. Avoid mass gatherings that can become super-spreader events. Continue to look out for one another by staying six feet apart and wash hands often.” At one point in April, Nassau had the third-highest number of coronavirus cases in New York state, with more than 13,000 Covid-19 patients.

eeping this virus under control requires all of us to do our part. Wearing a mask is one of the most important things all of us can do for our county and nation right now.

the overall surrounding campus will provide a significant boost to the regional economy at a time when economic activity has slowed due to the pandemic. The project will also inject much needed stimulus into the New York economy and the local community, with the goal of filling 30 percent of UBS Arena’s permanent jobs with workers who live in the surrounding area. Additionally, 30 percent of contracting dollars for construction will also be earmarked for state-certified minority and female-owned businesses, and 6 percent will be earmarked for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. An additional $100 million investment in transit and infrastructure enhancements, including the first, newly constructed Long Island Rail Road station in almost 50 years, will benefit local residents and visitors for decades to come. Tony Bellissimo contributed to this story.

RCI now offering second round of advertising grants Richner Communications Inc., publisher of Herald Community Newspapers and The Riverdale Press, this week announced a $250,000 grant program to support local businesses to supplement the $500,000 program offered in the spring. Through the Herald Small Business Marketing Grant Program, Long Island businesses are eligible to receive up to $15,000 of matching grant funds, which can be used for marketing services to promote their products and services. The Herald Small Business Marketing Grant Program is being supported by chambers of commerce from across Nassau County. Businesses can apply for grants at www.liherald.com/grants through Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, and they will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. “This past spring, Herald Community Newspapers launched the Herald Small Business Marketing Grant Program,” said Stuart Richner, president of RCI and publisher of Herald Community Newspapers. “We decided to launch a second round of grants because we were humbled by the gratitude that our small business community showed to us for this program and were heartened to hear

how effective Herald Community Newspapers’ marketing products and services were in getting small businesses back on their feet.” The Herald Small Business Marketing Grant Program will provide up to $250,000 in matching advertising dollars and can be used toward print or digital advertising in any Herald or other RCI property. Since the coronavirus crisis started in March, the Herald has seen its audience increase by 100 percent, meaning that advertisers now have the ability to reach even more people than before. The program is open to all locally owned and operated businesses impacted by the coronavirus. Grants are available for between $300 and $15,000 of matching funds and can be used through Dec. 31, 2020. Every dollar that a grant recipient spends on advertising will be matched with a dollar of grant funding, up to the award amount, to be applied toward advertising costs. Applications must be submitted via the online form at www. liherald.com/grants. Businesses will be notified about the status of their applications within two business days of submitting them.

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ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — October 8, 2020

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Diocese of RVC declares bankruptcy By Scott Brinton and Jill noSSa sbrinton@liherald.com; jnossa@liherald.com

The Diocese of Rockville Centre filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Thursday because of the financial strain of lawsuits by sexual abuse victims under New York’s Child Victims Act, which took effect last year. The CVA allows victims to sue for decades-old cases, whereas before a state statute of limitations on sexual abuse claims often prevented them from doing so (see sidebar). In an 11-minute video on the Catholic Faith Network, Bishop John Barres, spiritual leader of the diocese, which encompasses Nassau and Suffolk counties, announced the bankruptcy filing, which was made in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Rockville Centre is among the nation’s 10 largest dioceses, and is home to 1.4 million Catholics. It is among a growing number of dioceses that are filing bankruptcy because they must defend sexual abuse lawsuits. It is the largest diocese to file to date. Barres spoke directly to Long Island parishioners. “Our goal is to make sure that all clergy sexual abuse survivors are afforded just and equitable compensation,” he said. “It is our hope that this offers survivors the possibility of some measure of healing from these horrific abuses.” The bishop said the diocese had no choice but to file for Chapter 11 reorganization. “This decision was not made lightly,” Barres said. “However, in the year since the passing of the Child’s Victim Act, more than 200 lawsuits alleging abuse have been filed against the Diocese of Rockville Centre.” Barres said the diocese would be able to continue its charitable and educational missions under the Chapter 11 filing because all the lawsuits will be centralized into one litigation pool, saving the diocese in attorney’s fees. Otherwise, he said, the “increasingly heavy burden” of litigation could have begun to affect the work of the diocese, which to date has spent about $3.7 million defending 94 lawsuits filed under the CVA. A settlement, Barres said, will be determined based on the diocese’s assets. The diocese began cutting expenses last October to help cover the cost of the lawsuits, saving $3.5 million annually. Then, the coronavirus pandemic struck, and its weekly offerings by congregants at Masses dropped “precipitously,” according to a diocese news release. Roughly 40 percent of the diocese’s income comes from weekly offerings. In August, the diocese cut 10 percent of its staff at its pastoral center in Rockville Centre, saving $5 million a year. According to Barres, the process of Chapter 11 is the only way to offer a “fair and equitable outcome for everyone involved.” That was also the goal, he said, of the Independent Reconciliation Compensation Program, which was started in 2017 and has paid more than $62 million to roughly 350 survivors, according to the diocese release. The IRCP, a voluntary program, ended with the bankruptcy filing, the release said. Barres said he expects regular operations and ministries to continue during the restructuring process, and that employees and vendors will continue to be paid. Additionally, he said, since parishes and Catholic schools operate as separate legal entities, they are not included in the filing. However, he noted that the filing would affect the diocese’s ability to provide financial support to parishes and schools. “We will work diligently with all survivors, creditors and ministries to maintain open communication while we work toward our goal of completing a settlement and finalizing a restructuring plan that includes a comprehensive and final resolution for suffering survivors,” Barres said. Attorney Jeff Anderson, of Jeff Anderson & Associates in Manhattan, whose firm represents more than 70

Courtesy Diocese of Rockville Centre

BiShop John BarreS announced and explained the Diocese of Rockville Centre’s Chapter 11 filing in an 11-minute video on the Catholic Faith Network.

the child Victims act The Child Victims Act, signed by Governor Cuomo in 2019, temporarily increased the state’s statute of limitations in child sexual abuse cases. Previously, cases had to be filed by the time a victim was 23 years old, and victims, at that young age, often did not know they could file or were embarrassed to do so. By the time they did, it was often too late. The Child Victims Act extended the period for a victim to file a case from age 23 to 28 in the case of criminal charges and to age 55 in civil cases. The legislation was to last one year, but in August, Cuomo signed a measure extending the filing period by another year, to Aug. 14, 2021, because of the coronavirus pandemic. “The Child Victims Act,” the governor said this August, “brought a long-needed pathway to justice for people who were abused, and helps right wrongs that went unacknowledged and unpunished for far too long.” sexual abuse survivors, said the decision is “disappointing, yet unsurprising. “Like their recent attacks on the Child Victims Act and their efforts to intimidate survivors from coming forward,” Anderson said, “we see the diocese’s decision to declare bankruptcy as strategic, cowardly and wholly self-serving. “Bishop Barres often states publicly that the diocese is trying to atone for its tremendous sins in its long history of failing to protect children,” he continued, “but in the courtroom, the diocese’s representatives are filing unfounded motions, baseless appeals and resorting to intimidation tactics to keep survivors from coming forward.” Anderson explained that the bankruptcy filing presents an obstacle for survivors as they try to seek justice. “Bankruptcy can limit survivors’ ability to unearth names and information regarding predator priests, expose top officials who covered up for the sexually abusive clergy,” he said, “and bring to light what these officials knew and when they knew it.” He said the filing does not mean the diocese is bank-

rupt and said the diocese is using the bankruptcy code for reorganization as a way to slow the reconciliation process. “It’s not because they can’t pay,” Anderson said. “They want to stop us and the survivors from revealing publicly…the real histories of the practices employed by the Catholic bishops.” He noted that in court documents, the diocese’s liabilities and assets are both listed. “They have underreported their assets,” Anderson said, “and they have insurance to cover these liabilities. In all these cases, they have massive amounts of insurance.” What is not listed, he said, are the “true assets” of the real estate and investment funds under the bishop’s control. “This lack of transparency is a real threat to child safety,” Trusha Goffe, an attorney with Jeff Anderson & Associates, said. “But survivors will still have the power to come forward and seek justice and healing.” Mitchell Garabedian, a Boston-based attorney who represents 23 sexual abuse victims who have filed civil complaints against the Diocese of Rockville Centre, said the Chapter 11 filing would not prevent his clients from moving forward with their lawsuits. “Clergy sexual victims will now seek justice and validation through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court,” Garabedian said. “Legal discovery of secret files, names of perpetrator priests and negligent supervisors and the identity of assets will be sought through the bankruptcy court. Transparency will continue to be pursued in the bankruptcy court so that victims can try to heal.” St. Agnes Cathedral parishioner Ruthanne McCormack, of Rockville Centre, whose children attended St. Agnes Cathedral School and continued on to Catholic high schools, expressed sympathy with the victims and said she hopes the filing would not affect survivors’ reparations. “No amount of money can take away their pain,” she said, adding, “Faith is strength.” She said that since the sexual abuse allegations came to light several years ago, the church has opened discussions within the parish community, and she believes priests have a greater awareness of the impact of abuse. As project coordinator for the Rockville Centre Coalition for Youth, she sees how childhood sexual abuse can lead to substance abuse. “I feel my children are better off for the Catholic education they had,” McCormack said, “and I think the church will be better off from this. Hopefully people will heal, and hopefully they don’t look to other ways to do so.”

RVC temple hires first female cantor jnossa@liherald.com

Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David in Rockville Centre experienced leadership changes over the summer, including the hiring of a new cantor. Alexandra Weiser joined the temple on Aug. 15 and has the distinction of being its first female cantor. For Weiser, 30, the position is a continuation of her life’s work and extensive training. “I was born with a profound love of music,” Weiser said. She began taking voice lessons at age 7 and became involved in local theater productions as a child. While growing up, she did not foresee this as a career path. “I always thought I would become a doctor — despite the fact that I get queasy at the sight of blood — even though I invested so much time and energy in music and theater,” Weiser said. “I always saw it as a passion, and took the talent for granted. I never thought it could become a career.” By college, however, her study of music grew deeper, as did her knowledge of Hebrew. The classically trained soprano attended Brandeis University, where she studied classical music, theater and Hebrew as a second language. Weiser trained at Boston University’s

Tanglewood Institute and the Metropoli- performs at concerts and fundraisers tan Opera’s Bel Canto Institute, where throughout the metropolitan area and is she was selected to train in Florence, a featured vocalist with Mozart for Italy, as one of 20 emerging vocalists Munchkins, an organization that “realglobally. After graduating college, she izes the all-important mission of nursaid she always gravitated toward the turing music appreciation and creative Jewish community as a place of employ- expression” from infanthood. She described her relament. tionship with Rabbi David For Weiser, becoming a Lerner, who also joined the cantor “happened serendipitemple in mid-August, as tously” several years ago, “very collaborative” and after she mentioned her said their philosophies are interest to the cantor of Ste“aligned.” phen Wise Free Synagogue At Congregation B’nai in Manhattan. Within a Sholom-Beth David, she week, he contacted her with leads the weekly Shabbat the news that his sister-inservice on Saturdays, as well l aw, a l s o a cantor, was as all holidays and festivals. expecting a baby around the “The beauty is that the liturHigh Holy Days. A connecalexandra Weiser gy and music remains the tion was made and she same not only at CBS-BD, became Weiser’s mentor. Weiser learned how to lead the services but everywhere in the world,” Weiser for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, said. “Anyone can join any service anyand after that tremendously positive where and it’s an inclusive, joyful, and experience, went on to learn all holidays communal experience. While the repetition allows for a deeper spiritual experiand festivals. The role of a cantor, she said, ence, there’s always something to be involves studying the relationship learned because every week there is a between the music and the text, and new Torah portion and discussion then leading the congregation in a where new interpretation brings light meaningful way. “The cantor is the spir- and meaning to age-old ideas and wisitual, musical voice of the congrega- dom.” She said that she and Lerner are tion,” she said. A resident of New York City, Weiser enjoying getting to know the communi-

ty and deepening relationships. She noted that it has been especially meaningful learning that Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s father-in-law was a founding member of this synagogue and that the family has continued to be involved for generations. Because of Ginsburg’s legacy around the world, this synagogue has also been influenced to become an egalitarian platform, giving women a voice on the pulpit. “I am humbled to be given the opportunity to use her voice as [the temple’s] first female leader,” Weiser said.

Have a great story? Call our editors today 516-569-4000 or email jnossa@liherald.com

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ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — October 8, 2020

By Jill Nossa

9

ELECTION 2020

October 8, 2020 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

10

Kaminsky faces Johnson in the 9th Senate District The Herald asked State Sen. Todd Kaminsky and challenger Victoria Johnson questions focusing on issues of importance to local residents. Their answers have been edited for style and clarity.

Kaminsky: We did make changes in the bail refor m law. We added 25 new offenses to the law. But we have to remember public safety is the most important priority. But overall, we want law enforcement to be as part of the solution. Mental health issues are a major problem and we need ways to deal with that too.

Herald: The President has just tested pos-

Johnson: In regard to bail reform, I

By JAMES BERNSTEIN jbernstein@liherald.com

itive for Covid. Is the state doing enough to protect its citizens?

Kaminsky: Covid-19 has created an unprecedented health and financial crisis that requires strong leadership and decisive action - and that challenge will continue for some time as we work to keep the virus at bay while we rebuild our economy. I have been inspired by our community, which has come together in remarkable ways. I am proud of the work my office has done so far to meet these crises head on to protect Long Island, including delivering meals to the hungry and seniors, distributing PPE, connecting the unemployed to benefits, and doing all we can to support essential workers. But I have also made clear that Albany has to step up. That is why I pushed through mortgage relief for struggling homeowners, protections for tenants, and spending that is responsibly targeted at ending the health crisis. Johnson: I think we’re doing a lot but a lot more needs to be done. We need better communication between Albany and the local communities. Take catering halls and restaurants. Catering halls can have 50 percent capacity but restaurants can only serve 25 people. What’s the difference? Nassau County coordinated with the towns to help restaurants. This is a novel virus and things change very quickly. We need better communication. Herald: Much of the district is environmentally fragile. How would you deal with this?

Todd Kaminsky Incumbent

Victoria Johnson Challenger

Party: Democrat

Party: Republican

Age: 42

Age: 60

Hometown: Long Beach

Hometown: Rockville Centre

Professional Experience: Assistant district attorney in the Queens DA’s office before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District. State Senator since 2014. Chairman of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee.

Professional Experience: Chief of staff and office assistant to Assembly representatives on Long Island

Education: University of Michigan undergraduate; New York University Law School Kaminsky: My biggest accomplishment this ter m was passing the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) -- a law I authored that is the nation’s strongest state-led effort to address climate change, protect us against extreme weather, and create new green jobs. This bill will have profound positive impacts on New York’s future, especially for Long Islanders, by protecting our precious air and water from permanent damage and by spurring an entire new economic sector that will generate billions of dollars for

Education: Bachelor’s degree, SUNY Potsdam workers and businesses in our area.

Johnson: I know the Park Avenue area

of Long Beach has issues with flooding. Whatever has to be done there should be done right away. People are also concerned about the super block and the environmental issues there. The project is going to put additional strain on the environment. My opponent was in favor of the super block. The boardwalk is already showing signs of wear and tear. He should be doing something about that.

Herald: One of the biggest issues dur-

ing the last legislative session was bail reform, which Senator Kaminsky sponsored. What are your views on bail reform now?

think some changes have to be made to the system. But we have to give judges back their discretion. Todd Kaminsky did admit to speaking to law enforcement and that they did not like as lot about bail reform, His campaign has ties to left-wing legislators in New York City. He is not endorsed by a single police organization.

Herald: Why do you believe voters should elect you?

Kaminsky: Long Islanders deserve a

fighter who delivers. As Senator, I have delivered real results for our community by putting Long Island families ahead of Albany politics. I strengthened anti-corruption laws, stood up for women’s access to health care, held utilities accountable, fought for the families of differently able children, secured benefits for 9/11 first responders, authored a nation-leading law to fight climate change, and brought home millions of dollars for local schools, roads, the LIRR and infrastructure–all while voting hundreds of times to block tax increases and cap property taxes. Now I am helping lead us through the coronavirus pandemic. Since the crisis began, I secured protective equipment, funded food drives, cracked down on businesses that ignored safety guidelines, and won mortgage relief to protect Long Islanders’ homes.

Johnson: Life! My household budget is

completely balanced. I’m a mother. I see what’s going on outside. I care. I don’t have any aspirations to go any higher than the State Senate.

Trustee Nancy Howard sworn in at Village Hall Nancy Howard was sworn in as trustee on Monday, Sept. 29, following the election on Sept. 15. “Throughout her seven years of dedicated service to our community, Trustee Howard has been instrumental in making positive changes for our residents and businesses,” said Village of Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray. “Her love and devotion to our village is unri-

valed, and her work ethic coupled with her determination to do what is best for our residents makes us the fortunate benefactors.”

TRUSTEE NANCY HOWARD, center, was sworn in by Mayor Francis X. Murray, right, while accompanied by her husband, Dave Howard.

Courtesy Village of Rockville Centre

11

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — October 8, 2020

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t the end of March, as the Covid-19 patient surge was at the cusp of its peak, I was asked if I’d be willing to vacate my administrative responsibilities to join with the nursing staff in caring for our critically ill Covid-19 patients. Although it had been two years since I had last served on the Critical Care Unit providing bedside care to patients, I didn’t hesitate to answer the call, and within a few days, I was back at the bedside of our patients. Little did I know how my life would change from that moment on. Caring for patients with Covid-19 was incredibly frightening and challenging, as little was known about the virus. My Catholic family quickly went to work praying for my protection. It wasn’t long before my fear receded and my heart opened wide to the task at hand. In order to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus and protect staff, patients, as well as their families and friends, visitors were not allowed in the hospital. My patients were fighting for their lives, and their families could not be physically present to support and encourage them. Words can’t describe how incredibly heartbreaking this was to me and the entire hospital staff. I made it my mission to be family to our patients, providing every ounce of support, encouragement and hope, along with compassionate, nurturing care, that I had to offer to them. As soon as the guidelines for visitation allowed for it, I committed myself to calling the families of patients that were losing their battle against this pernicious virus to come to the hospital so that they could be together one last time before the final breaths were taken. I wanted to make sure I did all I could to make that moment possible.

RockvIlle cenTRe founDeR anD co-aDMInIsTRaToR anTI-RacIsM PRoJecT RockvIlle cenTRe

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hen Covid hit, I reached out to Sharon Sheppard, the assistant director of the MLK Center in Rockville Centre, and asked, “How badly are the people the MLK Center services impacted, and what can we do to help?” At the time, she didn’t have an answer. Yet four days later, she reached out and said people need food and help. From that sprung the MLK Center pop-up food bank, which has been running from April 3 every week. This is what I do every week now. I have a strong focus on the food bank, and I spend my time trying to get donations, ordering meats, ordering produce, making sure they can get groceries over there and posting all over social media to get donations. It’s made me realize how bad food insecurity is in our country and certainly in our neighborhood. We’re considered a well-to-do neighborhood, but there’s a good amount of food insecurity here. It’s about 75 families per week now, which is about 250 people. We have found, though we’ve gotten amazing monetary donations from individual and companies in RVC, food drop-off has decreased considerably in the last month. I've opened up my front steps to drop off 24/7. We need help. People shouldn't have to choose between their electric or heating bills or food for their table; it shouldn't have to be that way. I have to mention that Sisterhood of Central Synagogue Beth-Emeth, where I'm a liaison, has been very helpful with the food bank.

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13

he pandemic has had a tremondous impact on families and communities. Students with disabilities were among the forgotten when the world came to a halt. Schedules, routines, and in many ways years of hard work and progress for these children were stymied. This was something I felt not enough people were talking about. I contacted local papers and began educating parents regarding their rights to access education, regardless of circumstances. I am just one of the many providers who took this unprecedented event and found a way to make it work for the good of our children. As the world struggled to transition to remote learning, our team rose to the occasion. Our therapists spent hours planning, organizing resources and implementing strategies to work with our learners. The majority of our children had a seamless transition, with less than a two-day gap in their services. The applied behavior analytic community came together as a whole in a way like never before, resources were shared, trainings were made readily available at no cost, and teams of all disciplines were collaborating to help support one another and support the success of all children with disabilities. Our team invited educators into our remote sessions to observe the strategies we were using successfully to help ensure our learners were accessing the support they needed. Even more than our team’s dedication was that of the parents who sat tirelessly five to six days a week working with the guidance of our behavior analysts and therapists.

HOMETOWN HERO

w

hen the pandemic began causing shutdowns in March, Nick LaBrone assisted the Chief’s Office in securing cleaning and medical supplies for the local firehouses. LaBorne also worked with Village Mayor Robert Kennedy and the Freeport Coronavirus Task Force to establish the proper safety protocols first responders and the village would need to follow to ensure residents’ safety throughout the coronavirus pandemic. These protocols had the Freeport Fire Department cleaning and sanitizing their firehouses at least once a day, and only five firefighters were allowed to be at the firehouses at any given time, with senior members placed on temporary leave, as they are especially susceptible to the Covid-19 virus. Whenever the firefighters are deployed, they wear masks, gloves and face shields to protect themselves, and only one firefighter is allowed to approach the property owner when they arrive. That firefighter must speak to with property owner from the sidewalk whenever possible. And after every run, the firefighters sterilize and disinfect their equipment. LaBorne went on to spend hours of his own time briefing the fire chiefs on the latest developments of the pandemic. For his work, Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé honored LaBorne during a ceremony to honor local heroes in September.

HOMETOWN HERO

1104641

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ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — October 8, 2020

Their fronT-line sTories in Their own words NIcOlE IaNNaRONE NIck laBORNE BalDWIN

Let’s do

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11:30 - 3PM Mon - Fri

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Scouts advance in the ranks On Saturday, Sept. 26, Rockville Centre’s Troop 40 held its Court of Honor. The event was attended by Sen. Todd Kaminsky, Assemblywoman Judy Griffin and Town of Hempstead Councilman Anthony D’Esposito, who honored the accomplishments of the scouts and Scoutmaster Mike O’Hare.

Let us Know News Brief items including awards, honors, promotions and other tidbits about local residents are welcome. Photographs may be emailed as well. Deadline for submissions is noon Thursday, week prior to publication. Send to jnossa@liherald.com

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October 8, 2020 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

14

ELECTION 2020 the 180-day threshold.

By BRIDGET DOWNES bdownes@liherald.com

Herald: Baldwin is undergoing the Down-

Former Malverne deputy mayor and village trustee Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick is challenging incumbent New York State Assemblywoman Judy Griffin for a seat representing the 21st Assembly District. The Herald asked Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and Griffin questions focusing on issues pertinent to the residents of several South Shore communities.

town Revitalization Initiative, for which it received a $10 million state grant to revamp the long-struggling downtown area. How can you help bring about positive development, and encourage developers to build, in not just Baldwin, but other areas blighted with empty storefronts?

Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick: The manner in

Herald: The coronavirus pandemic has

devastated our local economy, shutting down businesses and causing steep losses in revenue. What could you do, especially as federal aid is unlikely moving forward, to help the economy recover and help get the funding to the people who need it most, like local business owners and residents?

Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick: Clearly, coro-

navirus has devastated our communities with its health consequences, as well as its economic impacts. Pressing the governor for the responsible reopening of society, especially businesses, is crucial to our recovery. Consistency in policy is also important to help many businesses that are suffering rebound and survive. With regard to making funding available to businesses, I will press governments, including New York State and Nassau County, to follow the Town of Hempstead’s example on the disbursement of CARES funding and other relief. Hempstead Town has used CARES funding to open pop-up food pantries, deliver meals to senior citizens, furnish PPE kits to area businesses, outfit hospitals with Covid safety supplies, establish Covid testing sites, and more. Sadly, some other governments are merely utilizing CARES monies to plug their budget deficits.

Judy Griffin: Covid-19 has negatively impacted us in many ways. First and foremost the many lives lost is a tragedy for our community, state and country. Secondly, the economic impact and fiscal crisis that we are facing as a result is unprecedented. We still have not received the essential aid we need from the federal government. All efforts must be made to explore and develop new revenue streams that can fund schools, municipalities, health services, etc. While we wait for the federal government to act, it is imperative to assess our spending and revenues in real time in order to make informed decisions. A mid-year fiscal report from Comptroller Tom DiNapoli in mid-October followed by a fiscal report from Governor Andrew Cuomo will provide essential information. Residents, especially our seniors and essential workers, have been the hardest hit by the pandemic. I will continue to work diligently on unemployment issues, advocate for tax and rent relief as well as helping to fund health insurance initiatives to assist those that lost their benefits due to job loss as a result of Covid-19.

Judy Griffin Age: 57 Party: Democratic Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Economics with minors in Political Science and Communication from the State University of New York at Oneonta Individual Assistance is vital during these times. I established a routine set of protocols for my staff to assist people with unemployment claims and other issues that adversely impacted their lives. We also did continuous outreach to senior citizens via wellness checks and provided support where needed. Established businesses throughout A.D. 21 have been hit extremely hard. We are so fortunate on Long Island to have organizations that advocate strongly for our local businesses and economic development. I regularly initiate communication with organizations such as LI Vision, Chambers of Commerce and many others to address our local needs at the state level. I initiated and hosted a series of Small Businesses Conferences on Zoom in collaboration with these organizations. I advocated directly to the governor for the reopening of bowling alleys, health clubs and malls and was successful. Next, it is imperative that we open movie theatres, comedy clubs, smaller live concert venues and increase seating in restaurants now that our Covid-19 numbers have flattened. Although the State Liquor Authority has to perform due-diligence on overseeing that guidelines are followed, we must remain vigilant in ensuring that fines and closures are not punitive or excessive. These hard working businessmen and women need our support and we must make sure that executive power is not overreaching. I co-sponsored a bill that was signed into law in June that establishes a state disaster emergency loan program.

Herald: Schools are struggling to balance

their budgets after seeing a small increase to Foundation Aid this year, and school officials are worried about possible cuts from the state coming later in the year.

Patricia CanzoneriFitzpatrick Age: 55 Party: Republican, Conservative Education: Bachelor of Science in Accounting from St. John’s University College of Business Administration, Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law How can you help local schools get the funding they need?

Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick: The Foundation Aid did not increase at all from 2019-20 to 202021 and the formulas have not been fully funded for years. The process of assigning school aid has become arbitrary. At the same time, Long Island homeowners cannot afford the property tax increases that will likely result if our state legislators cannot successfully fend off prospective education aid cuts. In the alternative, Long Island’s top-quality schools would confront severe cost cutting, which would erode our quality of education. New York State’s budgets cannot be balanced on the backs of students. All other alternatives must be explored, including the restructuring of state debt, allocation of federal CARES funding to our school districts, reordering the state’s spending priorities and more. Griffin: Supporting our schools is one of

my main priorities. In the 2019 budget I was able to secure a record $198 million in funding to schools in the 21st Assembly District. I also got an additional $1.3 million for municipalities throughout the district. This year’s budget was much more difficult for obvious reasons. If we do not receive emergency assistance from the federal government, we have to look closely at options to fund schools. As a result of schools closing, we had to take legislative action to ensure payments of state aid when schools fell below the required 180-day threshold. This enabled schools to get the essential funding they needed and was signed into law in June. I am also cosponsoring a bill to make sure that religious and private schools are also able to receive state funding despite not meeting

which we approach downtown revitalization and development must change if our region is going to move forward and realize the promise of economic prosperity. One of the biggest obstacles to downtown revitalization is the uncertainty that developers face with respect to zoning, as well as local and state assistance. I am an advocate of creating Economic Development Zones, that would set zoning, as well as governmental assistance parameters for entire neighborhoods or blocks, as opposed to the outdated practice of piecemeal redevelopment of individual parcels. Under an Economic Development Zone program, developers and the community would be made aware of the full package of proposed development inducements, zoning parameters and other factors (i.e. Industrial Development Agency benefits, federal revitalization grants, local government investment such as the complementary use of adjacent underutilized municipal/state parcels). Piecemeal and traditional revitalization approaches have proven cost ineffective for developers and arduously slow for those who live in surrounding neighborhoods. Baldwin residents have endured several downtown revitalization efforts, including the current overlay district, but I believe the more comprehensive approach which is detailed in the aforementioned Economic Development Zone approach would elicit a more prosperous result.

Griffin: I was so proud to have a role in securing the $10 million DRI project for Baldwin. This wonderful community has been advocating for this for years. I am pleased to see all levels of government collaborating with the Local Planning Committee. NYS, Nassau County, and the Town of Hempstead have all played an active role. My staff and I will remain in close contact to see this project through. The pandemic has not slowed development activity. Development in multi-family housing, shared office space, and health care facilities has been constant. There is a growing demand, especially from our younger residents, for affordable, walkable communities with a mix of retail, business and access to mass transit. I am pleased to see the progress Bartone Development is making at the former Capri Motel. I will continue to find ways to encourage community and local government supported projects in our downtowns. Note: Answers have been edited and shortened for brevity. For the complete text visit liherald.com

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — October 8, 2020

It’s Judy Griffin vs. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick

15

Teen wins NY Times, Scribe writing contests By Briana Bonfiglio bbonfiglio@liherald.com

A young writer at South Side High School earned high recognition for her work over the summer. Sixteen-year-old Isabelle Lu, a junior, placed in the New York Times’ Seventh Annual Student Editorial Contest in the high school category for an essay she submitted about her appreciation for both modern, young adult fiction and classic literature. She also earned first place in the Scribe Writing Contest’s poetry category for a poem inspired by her family trips to China. In the New York Times contest, Lu was one of nine winners out of more than 6,000 entries. In the Scribe Writing Contest, Lu came out on top out of hundreds of submissions from 17 countries spanning six continents. “Being recognized pushed me to have faith in my own writing,” Lu said, “especially since there are so many teen writers out there, and I was reading their work while getting inspired. “Actually having my own work recognized helps me believe that I can have the same potential,” she added, “and pursue getting published or entering contests with more confidence.” Lu’s New York Times essay, “No Love of Milton If Not For Loving Frivolous Fiction,” which is published on nytimes. com, is about the value of reading YA novels. She argues that reading youth fiction is just as important as reading the classics. “I had this friend who could only read classics because his dad would not let him read things for fun,” she explained. “I was really indignant about it — I read a lot of silly things when I was younger.” Now, Lu reads both classic literature and modern YA. Her favorite classic is “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” by Gabriel García Márquez, and her favorite YA novel is “The Princess Bride,” by William Goldman. “There’s limitless potential for what can be found in reading,” Lu said. “I think, personally, reading helped me find empathy and a lot of important lessons when I was a child.” Lu was pleased to have her essay recognized and published because it was a topic she’s so enthusiastic about, she said, and it gave her the opportunity to

Courtesy Robert Lichter/RVC Schools TV Studio

isaBelle lu, 16, a junior at South Side High School, earned first place in the poetry category of the Scribe Writing Contest and was one of nine finalists in the New York Times’ Seventh Annual Student Editorial Contest. convey her passion to a wide audience and to fellow readers. For the Scribe Writing Contest, Lu was given just two hours to complete a poem about longing. She drew inspiration for the poem from “imagery and scenes” from her summer trips to Yunnan, China, where her maternal family is from. “It’s often difficult to start writing something and face the blank page,” she said, “but when they expressly tell you to do it in two hours, it allowed me to focus and make it complete.” Lu is the editor of SSHS’s literary magazine, a club in which students discuss their creative writing throughout the school year and curate their best work, as well as submissions from staff and other students, to publish a literary magazine at the end of the year. While Lu is not looking to write as a career, she said she knows it will always play a part in her life and be an important skill for any field she enters. She took away from her writing experiences that “if you have confidence in yourself,” she said, “you’re a lot more likely to achieve what you want.”

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HERALD Community Newspapers

October 8, 2020 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

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LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: RICOED SOLUTIONS, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 08/27/20. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to:443Lafayette Avenue. Rockville Centre, NY 11570. Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 123033

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that an Order granted by the Supreme Court, Nassau County, on the 8th day of September 2020 bearing the index number 000432-20, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Nassau County Clerk located at 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, New York, grants me the right to assume the name of William Burnes. My present address is 40 Maine Ave, Rockville Centre NY. The date of my birth is 10-22-53; the place of birth is North Carolina Robeson County; the present name is William Burns. 123359 Search for notices online at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

LEGAL NOTICE THIS IS NOT A PERMIT New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Notice of Complete Application Date: 09/24/2020 Applicant: VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE PO BOX 950 ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY 11571-0950 Faci1ity.- VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTER PARKS - TIGHE, BLIGH, LISTER, CENTENNIAL B/W MERRICK RD & DPW PROPERTY ROCKVILLE CENTRE, BY 11 571 Application ID: I -2820-06298/00002 Permits(s) Applied for. 1 - Section 401 - Clean Water Act Water Quality Certification I - Article 15 Title S Excavation & Fill in Navigable Waters I - Article 25 Tidal Wetlands

Project is located.- in HEMPSTEAD in NASSAU COUNTY Applicant proposes to install a living shoreline along approximately 5,550 linear feet of natural shoreline along Mill River consisting of stone armor, coir logs, clean fill and vegetative plantings. Installation of the shoreline stabilization structures will result in the filling of 6,805 square feet of New York State regulated tidal wetlands seaward of mean high water that are mapped as littoraJ zone (LZ). Other proposals for stormwater abatement include the construction of bioretention basins at Tighe Park and Centennial Field, replacement of the overlook and the construction of a pervious walkway, knee walls and an earthen berm at Bligh Park. AH storm abatement projects are in tidal wetlands adjacent area (AA). A total of 12,113 square feet of AA and 15, 711 square feet of tidal wetlands will be restored and enhanced as mitigation for the disturbance to implement the above mentioned projects. The purpose of the project is erosion control and stormwater abatement. The project is located along the Mill River, between Merrick Road and East Rockaway High School, Village of Rockville Centre, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County. Availability of Application Documents. filed application documents, and Department draft permits where applicable, are available for inspection during normal business hours at the address of the contact person. To ensure timely service at the time of inspection, it is recommended that an appointment be made with the contact person. State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Determination Project is a Type I action and will not have a significant effect on the environment. A coordinated review with other involved agencies was performed and a Negative Declaration is on file. SSQR head Agency

Governor Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR) State Historic Preservation Act (SHPA) Determination A cultural resources survey has been completed and cultural resources were identified. Based on information provided in the survey report, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation arid Historic Preservation (OPRHP) has determined that the proposed activity will have no adverse impact on registered or eligible archaeological sites or historic structures. No further review in accordance with SHPA is required. Coastal Management This project is located in a Coastal Management area and is subject to the Waterfront Revitalization and Coastal Resources Act. Availability For Public Comment Comments on this project must be submitted in writing to the Contact Person no later than 10/22/2020 or 15 days after the publication date of this notice, whichever is later. CC List for Complete Notice ENB Contact Person ELYSSA E SCOTT NY SDEC SUNY @ Stony Brook)50 Circle Rd Stony Brook, NY 11790-3409 (631) 444-0365 123378

LEGAL NOTICE Village of Rockville Centre Nassau County, New York Notice of Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Date: October 14th, 2020 Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 340 Rockville Centre Village Code NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Appeals of the Village of Rockville Centre will hold a Zoning Appeals Hearing via videoconferencing and will be recorded LEGAL NOTICE October 14th, 2020 at 7:00 PM Case # 18-2020 - Kathy Greene To convert a screened porch to enclosed habitable space with a proposed side yard setback of 4.6 feet where 8.0 feet is the minimum required, and with a proposed rear yard setback of 12.9 feet

where 25.0 feet is the minimum required within a Residence A district lot. Premises known as 21 Rugby Road Case # 19-2020 Lawrence Quinn To construct a one story rear addition and interior alterations with a proposed lot coverage of 36.82% where 30% is the maximum allowable, and a side yard setback of 7.0 feet where 8.0 feet is the minimum required within a Residence A district lot. Premises known as 44 Hampshire Road Case # 20-2020 - Dana & Philip Brancaccio To construct one and two story rear additions and interior alterations with a proposed impervious surface coverage of 48.6% where 45% is the maximum allowable, and a side yard setback of 5 feet 10 inches where 8.0 feet is the minimum required within a Residence A district lot. Premises known as 80 Linden Street Case # 21-2020 - Dana & Philip Brancaccio To construct an in-ground swimming pool 26’ x 16’ with a proposed lot coverage of 35.4% where 30% is the maximum allowable within a Residence A district lot. Premises known as 80 Linden Street Case # 22-2020 - Robert & Lauren Del Giorno To construct a one story rear addition and second story side addition above existing first story with proposed lot coverage of 33% where 30% is the maximum allowable, and a side yard setback of 3 feet 11.5 inches where 8.0 feet is the minimum required within a Residence A district lot. Premises known as 18 Lawrence Place Dated: September 30, 2020 BOARD OF APPEALS OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE, Rockville Centre, New York J. Robert Schenone, Chairman Patrick D. O’Brien, Secretary Information and records for appeals cases are available at the Office of the Secretary of the Board of Appeals, 110 Maple Avenue, RVC, NY 123385

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Send Cover Letter & Resume to: Dr. Mara Bollettieri Deputy Superintendent 1260 Meadowbrook Road N. Merrick, NY 11566 (516) 992-1014

maureen t. Berman, ed.D. Assistant Superintendent for Personnel, Transportation & Student Support Services

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EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted DENTAL RECEPTIONIST - LYNBROOK Monday, Tuesday Wednesday. Telephone Computer Skills Necessary. Dental Exp. Advantageous. 516-599-5544. JANITORIAL SERVICE WORKER KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUSLYNBROOK 20 Hours. $300/wk + Payment For Extra S e r v i c e s . C a l l C h r i s D e n ke r. 516-599-2708. JOB OPPORTUNITY $18.50 P/H NYC $16 P/H LI Up to $13.50 P/H UPSTATE NY CDPAP Caregiver Hourly Pay Rate! Under NYS CDPAP Medicaid program you can hire your family or friends for your care. Phone: 347-713-3553 MEDICAL OFFICE HELP- Front Desk P/T. Computer Skills, Knowledge of Medical Terms. Island Park. Please Call 516-223-3117 516-236-3646.

OFFICE ASSISTANT P/T

Small College Finance Office Seeking P/T Office Assistant For Answering Phones, Filing, Scanning, Data Entry, etc. Quick Books Exp. Required NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE E mail Resume To:

reception@ wilsoncollegeconsulting.com

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 Digital, Events, Sponsorships and Print Media Products. 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 ereynolds@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X286

PARTS SALESPERSON

Marine Or Auto Parts Experience

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Experienced Rigger, I/O, I/B, O/B Gas/ Diesel, Own Tools Year Round Employment Medical And 401K Available 516-764-3300 Ext.144 peter@allisland.com

ROUTES AVAILABLE AT CALLAHEAD Corp.

NO CDL required, 4 DAY WORK WEEK, (enjoy 3 days off). Run your own route. Year round No lay offs! 100% medical, dental, uniforms, 2 weeks paid vacation. 401K. Plus commission. Will train! 4am-2:30pm. . Route driver $800.00 per week, includes $100.00 weekly bonus program. Plus 10-12 hours overtime. Apply in person Monday- Friday 9am-7pm at 304 Crossbay Blvd, Queens NY 11693

VETERINARY ASSISTANT FT/PT

Knowledgeable, Experienced Persons May Apply. Become Par t of a Team Where Patient Care is our #1 Priority. Call Carmen at (516) 374-5050.

Health Care/Opportunities

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HHA's, LPN's, Nurse's Aides Childcare. Housekeeping Day Workers No Fee To Employers

Evon's Svces: 516-505-5510 Eldercare Offered COMPANION-AIDE AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT. Experienced In Meal Prep., Light Housekeeping, Grocery Shopping/ Errands. Available Full-Time Or PartT i m e. C u r r e n t Ly n b r o o k R e fe r e n c e Available. Own Transportation. Call Althea 917-318-7558

REAL ESTATE Real Estate W A R E H O U S E / O F F I C E S PA C E AVAILABLE IN PORT WASHINGTON For Lease Price: $14.00 sq. ft./Mo Property Type: Industrial Space Available: 8,000 sq. ft. CALL: PETER 516.779.4387

Open Houses WOODSBURG 185 BAY Dr, BA, 5/6 BR, 4.5 Bth Exp Ranch on Parklike 1/2 Acre Guest Quarters, Full Bsmt, 2 Car Gar. SD#14...$1,450,00 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299 WOODSBURGH 891 KEENE Lane, BA, REDUCED & MOTIVATED!! Magnificently Renovated While Retaining Charm, Stone Cottage. 3 BR, 2.5 Bth with Tremendous Potential for Expansion.Brand New Mstr B t h . O ve r 1 / 2 A c r e P r o p e r t y ! N e a r All...999,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

House For Sale EAST ROCKAWAY CHARMING Colonial 3 Bds, 2 Baths, Water Filtration System, 2 Car Garage. $505K. Call Persephone 516-809-1000 Coldwell Banker Real Estate HEWLETT BA 1657 Warwick Rd, BA, NEW TO MARKET!. Outstanding 4 BR, 3.5 Bth Col Built in 2012. Soaring Ceilings Throughout. Open Layout Perfect for Entertaining. Radiant Heated Flrs. Fin Bsmt with Hi Ceilings. SD#20...$1,250,000 Ronn i e G e r b e r, D o u g l a s E l l i m a n R E 516-238-4299 MILL NECK: Ranch, Top Schools, 3 BRS, Den, 2.5 Bths, Large LR, 2 Car Garage, CAC, Fbsmt. Low Tax. $649K. Owner. 718-465-3520

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ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — October 8, 2020

HERALD

The lowdown on insulation

Homes

HERALD

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HOME OF THE WEEK

Q. We want to re-insulate our house before winter while we renovate, and aren’t sure about which type to use. The costs seem to be very different between fiberglass and foam. What would you suggest we use, and why? Are there any other less costly choices?

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

Sunlit Colonial on Extraordinary Property

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Sara Abikzer Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Mobile 516-984-6798 Office 516-741-4333 www.saraabikzer.com @SaraSellsLI info@saraabikzer.com sabikzer@signaturepremier.com

Rent Your Apartment through the Herald and PrimeTime Classified section. Call us for our great *specials. 516-5694000, press 5 for Classified Dept. *(private party only)

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OPEN HOUSES BY APPT SUNdAY, 12/11/2020 HEWLETT 154 Midgely Dr, BA, 4 BR, 3 Bth Col on Dead End St in Old Woodmere Area. Updtd Gran/Wood Kit. Newer Windows, Slate Roof, Full Bsmt. SD#14. Close to all .. $689,000 1657 Warwick Rd, BA, NEW TO MARKET! Outstanding 4 BR, 3.5 Bth Col Built in 2012. Soaring Ceilings Throughout. Open Layout Perfect for Entertaining. Radiant Heated Flrs. Fin Bsmt with Hi Ceilings. SD#20...............................................$1,250,000 WOOdMERE 78 Burton Ave, BA, 5 BR, 4.5 Bth Col in Great Old Woodmere Location. Large EIK, FDR, LR/Fpl, Den & Office. Full Bsmt, 2 Car Gar. Near All. SD#14REDUCED! $899,000 946 Midwood Rd, BA, NEW! Renovated 4 BR, 2.5 Bth Colonial in Academy Area. Gran/Wood EIK, LR/Fpl, FDR & Den. Fin Bsmt. Gar.......................................... $999,000 HEWLETT HARBOR 3 Payne Circle, BA, 5 BR, 3.5 Bth Spacious Split on Beautiful Street in Cul de Sac. State of the Art EIK, 2 Dens, Bsmt, & 2 Car Gar. SD#20 ................................ $1,190,000 236 Richards Lane, BA, 5 BR, 5.5 Bth Contemporary Home on an Acre Of Resortlike Prop with IG Pool. Open Floor Plan. Full Fin Bsmt. Main Flr Master. SD#14 ..REDUCED! $1,599,000 1290 Seawane Dr, BA, WATERFRONT PROPERTY on MACY CHANNEL! Build Your Dream Home on this 1.25 Acre Property in Prime Location .......................... $1,799,000 HEWLETT BAY PARK 1261 Veeder Dr, BA, Stately 7 BR, 4.55 Grand 6500 Sq Ft Colonial Tucked Away in Cul de Sac on over an Acre of Parklike Prop. SD#14 Near All ..............................$2,250,000 70 Heron Dr, BA, 6 BR, Contemporary with Open Layout on an Acre of Parklike Property. Move Right in! SD#14 .....................................................................$1,699,000 159 Meadowview Ave, BA, Stately 5200 Sq Ft Colonial Featuring 6 BR, 6.55 Bths on Acre Of Resortlike Prop with IG Pool, Tennis Ct, & Outdoor Kit. Fin Bsmt, 2 Car Gar, Fabulous Location in SD#14 ..................................................... REDUCED!! $2,699,000 30 Heron Dr, BA, Magnificent 8500 Sq Ft Waterfront Home on 2 Acre Resortlike Prop w/ Pool, Tennis/Sport Ct, New Landscaping w/ Waterfall & 3 BR Guest House w/ Kit, LR, Den. 300 Ft New Bulkhead. 4 Car Htd Gar. SD#14 .............. REDUCED! $4,690,000 90 Anchorage Rd, BA, Over an Acre of PRIME WATERFRONT Prop on Macy Channel, 135' Bulkhead, Open Layout, Main Flr Mstr Ste, Potential for Expansion .....$1,999,000 WOOdSBURGH 185 Bay Dr, BA, 5/6 BR, 4.5 Bth Exp Ranch on Parklike 1/2 Acre Prop. Guest Quarters, Full Bsmt, 2 Car Gar. SD#14 ............................................................................$1,450,000 891 Keene Lane, BA, Magnificently Renovated While Retaining Charm, Stone Cottage. 3 BR, 2.5 Bth with Tremendous Potential for Expansion. Brand New Mstr Bth. Over 1/2 Acre Property! Near All ........................ REDUCED & MOTIVATED!! $999,000 EAST ROCKAWAY 18 Thompson Dr, BA, 4 BR, 3 Bth Exp Ranch. Updtd Gran/Wood EIk, Huge Great Room, FDR. Master Ste Boasts Bath & Closet that was a Room. SD#20......... $825,000 1 Thompson Dr, BA, NEW! 4 BR, 2.5 Bth Exp Ranch w/Open Layout in Waverly Park Area. Updtd EIK. O/S Prop w/Deck. Att Gar. SD#20 ......................................... $599,000 101 Emmet Ave, BA, WATERFRONT! Rebuilt in 2010, 4 BR 3.5 Bth Split w/ Pool, Outdoor Kit & Deck. Open Layout. Private Mstr Ste, 2 Car Gar, SD#20 ........$1,250,000

“Going Above & Beyond to find your Dream Home”

Rhonda Healy

M: (516) 236-7269

Real Estate Salesperson, abR, SRS E: Rhonda.Healy.VW@gmail.com Verdeschi & Walsh Realty 1025 W. Beech St. | Long Beach, NY

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e s t. 1 9 1 1

A. Insulation, of all building materials, has the highest return on investment when you consider the installation and material cost compared with the savings over the rest of the life of the building. Every second of every day, your building or home is losing temperature to the outside environment, heating up in the summer and cooling down in the winter, at constant expense, so onte eeper resisting that loss of temperature and money should be a high priority in the design and selection of materials. Choose the best material and have it installed correctly. The best choice is closed-cell foam, which has the highest return on investment and the highest initial cost but is worth every penny. Closed-cell foam is a complete cavity-filling barrier with the highest resistance to temperature changes. But it also does what other insulators cannot: It is a vapor retarder and resister. The two biggest problems buildings face are water and movement, and closed-cell foam is an excellent choice to resist both, because it adds rigidity to the walls and roof while slowing or stopping moisture. Open-cell foam is less costly, but can collect and hold moisture like a sponge does. Fiberglass not only does not expand to completely fill the floor, wall and roof cavities, it also collapses when wet. The only place I would use fiberglass, given a financial choice not to, would be in buildings that need to be stripped due to regular flooding, since foam would be hard to remove in a repair or remediation. With fiberglass insulation you must leave an air space to the outside of the insulation so that air can freely flow to carry moisture away, a sure sign that the cavities continuously have humidity, just like the outside air. From a cost perspective, you can look at the issue two different ways. Do you want to save money in one day and pay more the rest of the building’s life, or do you want to make the investment to save the money on rising utility costs for the rest of your life in the building? I reduced the insulation in an energy analysis for a home in the spring, when the client got a quote of $16,000 for closed-cell foam. We are now required to do formal energy analysis on each project, so working the numbers and using some creative changes with more resistive window and door ratings, which adds some cost, we were able to use closed-cell foam and save the owner around $8,000. In 10 to 12 years, all those savings will begin to reverse themselves as utility prices rise and continuous temperature is lost. Good luck!

Ask The Architect

ome home to magnificent living in this beautiful residence on Hewlett Neck Road. Nestled on a three quarter acre corner lot, you're sure to find everything on your wish list here. A vaulted ceiling soars over the massive living room with beautiful cabinetry designed by Michael Schwartz, while numerous Andersen windows fill the space with natural light. New French doors lead to the vast bluestone paver patio while verdant landscaping provides natural privacy. A full basketball court at the back of the lot is a great place to spend a weekend. Hardie Board Siding has been freshly painted making your home even more picturesque. Private showings are by appointment.

1104262

October 8, 2020 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

18

516-250-4947 • www.PrestigeGeneralContractors.com

L

© 2020 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.

19

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Answers

to todAy’s puzzle

21

OPINIONS

ith all the hullabaloo about the Supreme Court vacancy, the election and President Trump’s contracting Covid19, the national media has largely overlooked a pressing matter before Congress that needs immediate attention. Whether the coronavirus epidemic surges or wanes, its ongoing economic and social effects are unquestionable. The U.S. bought precious time with earlier actions by Congress, the president and the Federal Reserve to provide considerable stimulus for ALFONSE our economy. D’AMATO In the first half of this year, those emergency spending measures — over $3 trillion in all — basically replaced most of the nation’s economic output lost to the epidemic. But even as Covid-19 continues to ravage the economy, negotiations in Congress to provide more economic aid to families and businesses are stalled. Some observers fear that this political impasse could continue beyond next month’s election, possibly even until a new Congress takes office in January. Economists of nearly all political stripes — who rarely see eye to eye on anything

— generally agree that the deadlock threatens the nation’s fragile economic recovery. Millions of Americans who were able to make rent payments and buy essentials like food and medicine with the extra money Washington sent through state unemployment systems are especially vulnerable. They’ve seen their supplemental federal benefit drop from $600 per week to $300, and even that funding has ended. With this stream of money dried up, more people will be unable to pay rent, buy enough food, or afford their families’ medical bills. Many will have to resort to welfare programs, food stamps and Medicaid. In a vicious circle, they’ll become dependent on other federal and state programs to make ends meet without the help they received under the emergency federal stimulus program. Likewise, many hundreds of thousands of small businesses that have been hanging on for dear life now face the distinct possibility of closing for good. With their demise would go millions of decent jobs held primarily by hardworking middle-class people who live just a paycheck or two away from financial disaster. The Payroll Protection Program, passed as part of the earlier compromise

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between Congress and the administration, gave these businesses a lifeline. Now they’ll drown with the dead weight of an economy still in severe distress. And more workers who were kept on payrolls under the PPP will sink into unemployment. Unfortunately, political leaders in Washington have resorted to the usual foot-stomping and name-calling rather than action on this critical issue. First, the Democratic leadership in the House passed a massive $3.4 trillion bill that some Republicans likened to a Christmas wish list, loaded up with expensive presents for the Democrats’ special-interest friends. Then Republicans in the Senate dithered while they negotiated with themselves over the size of another federal stimulus bill, or whether to pass one at all. This impasse should have been broken weeks ago. The Senate finally did pass a $500 billion emergency bill that would have pumped a considerable amount of money into the economy. When a bipartisan group of House members took the politically risky step of breaking with their leaders to urge passage of the compromise bill, they were beaten back by the leadership. Instead, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has made the magnanimous (to her) offer

n Washington there’s footstomping and name-calling rather than action.

of a $2.2 trillion bill. In response, the Trump administration has signaled support for a $1.5 trillion bill, which meets Pelosi’s proposal more than halfway. Clearly, there’s room to reach an agreement. Since Congress is thankfully still a bicameral body, with a Senate and not just a House, the deadlock can be broken by serious good-faith negotiations. Trump has said he’ll sign whatever compromise legislation Congress sends to him. And compromise is the key word here. If Congressional leaders have calculated that they can gain more short-term political advantage by fighting rather than settling this dispute, they will have committed gross misfeasance. There was a time not too long ago when $500 billion proposed by the Senate would have been considered huge, and when $3 trillion proposed by the House would have been considered fiscally reckless. But these aren’t ordinary times. The nation is at war with an invisible enemy. There is a number, between restraint and excess, that must be found. If it isn’t, and soon, the number that should be cut is the number of years members of Congress can serve. Maybe it’s time to pass term limits. Al D’Amato, a former U.S. senator from New York, is the founder of Park Strategies LLC, a public policy and business development firm. Comments about this column? ADAmato@liherald.com.

Covid-19 stalks America, unchecked and deadly

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hen the coronavirus jumped from bats to humans in a wet market in Wuhan, China, last year, a unique and deadly bug went viral. Viruses are respected and feared by epidemiologists for their ability to spread quickly and mindlessly through unprotected populations. As if to prove how vulnerable every single one of us is, President Trump and his wife tested positive last week. On every level, RANDI the pandemic is a KREISS national tragedy, but the greatest heartbreak is that it never had to be this bad. We need and want our president to be healthy and robust. He might have remained so if he had followed the guidelines from his medical experts. They urged him to be more self-protective and more protective of the people around him. Week after week, month after month, epidemiologists and other scientists have been warning us and cajoling us and sometimes begging us to take basic precautions against Covid-19, which got a foothold in America in Janu-

ary and never quit. The doctors told us, and they told the president, that easy, protective measures could be taken to mitigate the fierce death toll that was predicted. Trump chose to play down the warnings, to defy medical advice, to challenge common sense and common knowledge. All this time, leading up to his infection, he refused to wear a mask and keep a social distance from others. He insisted on bringing thousands of people together for political rallies, without requiring them to mask up. He held events at the White House, including his nomination for a second term, with no rules about wearing masks or staying six feet apart. The week before last, at the Rose Garden nominating ceremony for the president’s choice for the Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett, the Trumps mingled with guests and White House staff, with the president leading the mask-free contingent. There was hugging and back-slapping. Within days, Senators Mike Lee and Thom Tillis; the Rev. John Jenkins, president of Notre Dame University; former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and several other attendees announced that they

T

had tested positive for Covid-19. We will never know whether it was bravado or fear or defiance that motivated his choices, but Trump’s insistence on encouraging others to throw away their masks with their common sense has resulted in more deaths and more pain than we can bear. He so easily could have saved lives. He could have led the country by example, bringing Americans together in a united effort to wear protective gear and respect social distancing. Every day on the campaign trail, he exposed his staff and the people at his rallies to the rampaging virus. By deriding those who wore masks, he contributed mightily to the problem. We are now beyond 200,000 deaths in the U.S. Psychologists tell us the number is difficult to conceptualize. Human beings can understand one death, in its sad and intimate details. But 200,000? It short-circuits our imagination. The Washington Post ran a story to help readers visualize and appreciate the immensity of the human loss we have suffered. You click on a website and put in your Zip code, and you see a map with your location as ground zero for the dis-

he president so easily could have saved lives if he had just led by example.

ease, and then 200,000 dots, representing Covid-19 victims, on the map surrounding your home. When I did it, my entire hometown of Woodmere was wiped out, along with villages and towns north, south, east and west. Looking at that map with no living souls within miles made the loss very real. It looked as if a nuclear weapon had detonated, with my home as the target. It is sad to contemplate the enormity of our national tragedy, especially now with our president at risk. The coronavirus has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans, in part because leadership chose not to listen to advice from experts who train all their lives to combat rogue epidemics. The president’s choices have been costly, to himself and his family, but mostly to the people of the United States. Now that he is sick, he is getting state-of-the-art care and treatment that should be, but isn’t, available to every American who gets sick with the virus. The Secret Service spends millions of our tax dollars to keep the president and his family safe. Yet he has put himself, his wife and countless others in mortal danger by refusing to wear a cheap mask. Copyright 2020 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — October 8, 2020

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Congress is AWOL on coronavirus aid

22

HERALD EDITORIAL

Rockville Centre

October 8, 2020 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

HERALD

Established 1990 Incorporating The News & Owl of Rockville Centre 1928-2001 Jill Nossa Editor BRiaNa BoNFiGlio Reporter MaRTY GolDENBERG Advertising Account Executive oFFicE 2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530 Phone: (516) 569-4000 Fax: (516) 569-4942 Web: www.liherald.com E-mail: rvceditor@liherald.com Copyright © 2020 Richner Communications, Inc.

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Please, Mr. President, prioritize Covid-19 prevention

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et us begin by wishing President Trump and those around him well. He, First Lady Melania Trump and several top federal officials and campaign workers were diagnosed last week with the coronavirus. At press time, the president appeared to be on the mend, though we received conflicting reports from his doctors and press aides, so deciphering with certainty how he was faring was impossible. We hope for the best. That said, let us be clear: Trump brought the illness on himself and those around him with his cavalier approach to disease prevention. From the start, he eschewed masks, mocking former Vice President Joe Biden for wearing them. He has not practiced social distancing, as was clear at the Sept. 26 Rose Garden ceremony for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. And he has held large indoor and outdoor rallies, at which masks have been optional, contradicting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. On Sunday, Trump left Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and rode in a SUV among his supporters. Inside that hermetically sealed vehicle were Secret Service agents who were potentially exposed, despite their wearing personal protective equipment. The president’s short trip flouted CDC guidelines on social isolation recommended after a positive Covid-19 test — the patient, the agency states, should stay away from oth-

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LETTERS Plans to vote for Kaminsky To the Editor: In a time of great uncertainty and grief, we must come together, regardless of party, and help our community. There is much animosity and hate on both side of the aisle — that is not productive or helpful for our nation as we turn our focus toward recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the past six months, I have spent hours procuring masks, face shields, hand sanitizers and gloves for our first responders. I worked closely with State Sen. Todd Kaminsky and his office to make sure this PPE reached those who needed it most. It did not matter about political allegiance — it was about caring for community. Now I look forward to voting for him for re-election, even though I am a registered Republican. I am a proud Rockville Centre resident and Navy veteran. Right now, our country needs strong leaders who put the good of the

ers for 10 days, and should be fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication before venturing out. This is the period during which the patient can spread the disease. It is clear that the president’s behavior, which many have described as reckless, has sown confusion across the nation, leaving people wondering how, exactly, to protect themselves. So we thought it would be useful to pause a moment and lay out what precisely the CDC says. The CDC, and not the president, should be your guide. First, it’s important to understand the difference between quarantine and isolation. Those were two terms thrown around a lot last week, and they were often confused. The CDC states that people who suspect they may have been in “close contact” with someone who was infected with the coronavirus should self-quarantine for 14 days. Close contact is defined as exposure for 15 minutes or more within six feet of someone. You also might have shared eating utensils, or hugged or shook hands. Or that person might have sneezed or coughed on you or in your direction. When you quarantine, you remove yourself from the world, even though you may not have tested positive for the coronavirus, to ensure that you do not infect others if, in fact, you have contracted it. It is possible to show no signs of the illness and yet carry it and spread it to others, so the only way to be sure you don’t is to

keep to yourself. Even if you feel healthy, you should stay home for two weeks, the CDC states. That’s because you may not show any symptoms or test positive for two to 14 days after contact. Isolation, as noted, is required for patients who have tested positive, and it is a must for at least 10 days, according to the CDC. Disease prevention should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds, though, and that begins with social distancing — staying at least six feet from others — and mask wearing. The CDC states that masks should fit tightly, but should also allow you to breathe easily. You should avoid wearing your mask on you forehead or chin, and you should not touch your mask, only its straps. Finally, you should be sure it fits over your mouth and nose. By order of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, masks are required in public spaces everywhere in New York state. We believe there should be a national mask mandate, but thus far the president has not called for one. Perhaps his illness might change his mind. We urge readers to visit CDC.gov to read for themselves the coronavirus guidelines the agency has laid out. More than 200,000 people have died of Covid-19 across the United States. That grim statistic is only projected to continue climbing. The question is, how fast will it rise? By following CDC protocols, we can slow the advance of the disease until a vaccine is at last ready for widespread use.

23

OPINIONS

ave you ever had anything stolen from you? A car? Hubcaps? A laptop? A baseball glove? A bike? Those are minuscule compared to the things that President Trump is trying to steal from you behind your back. Let’s start with the census. Every 10 years, by law, every state is required to conduct a survey of the number of people living there for purposes of determining how many representatives they will have in Congress. In addition, census figures are used to determine JERRY how many federal KREMER dollars will flow to the states for health, mass transit and public-safety programs. No one in our nation’s history has ever tried to sabotage the census until this year. The fixed date for the census to be completed is Oct. 31. But Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross tried to end the census count earlier. This was his fifth attempt to disrupt the effort. Was it because the census workers were

exhausted? No, it was to stop the count for pure political reasons. When the count is ended early, it means that those states that have a high rate of response will receive a greater share of federal funds. Some of those states are Idaho, Mississippi, Montana and North and South Dakota. What they have in common is that they favor the Republican Party. More populous, Democratic-leaning states like New York have a lower response rate because we have many more people to count, and an earlier census halt would cost us billions of dollars in aid. Another piece of the census puzzle is exactly how many members of Congress New York will get. At this point, it’s estimated that we will lose two representatives. If there’s an undercount in the census, the state could lose even more, and seats would go to places like Florida and North and South Carolina, where the population is rising. There are multiple other ways that the president is taking dollars out of your pockets. The Affordable Care Act provides health insurance for over 20 million people. Approximately 6.3 million New

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Yorkers benefit from Obamacare. Many of them are your friends and neighbors who can’t get employer coverage. At this moment, Trump is asking the Supreme Court to throw out the ACA. What happens if the act is invalidated? Those 6.3 million New Yorkers will lose their coverage, and you will be asked to pay for it. Will the anti-New York Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, rush to save us? Don’t hold your breath. And with Trump’s new Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, about to be confirmed by the Senate, it’s a good bet that Obamacare will be scrapped. That will likely mean no coverage for pre-existing conditions and the loss of many other current benefits. The country is waiting with great anxiety for the Food and Drug Administration to approve a vaccine for Covid-19. Numerous pharmaceutical companies are competing to be the first to have a vaccine approved. Congress promised to help us get free testing, and that was a failure. The president has assured us that the vaccine will be affordable, and has given companies billions of dollars to

f the Supreme Court tosses the Affordable Care Act, millions of New Yorkers will suffer.

LETTERS community over petty politics. We must come together as a nation to defeat this pandemic. BRIAN RATHJEN Rockville Centre

New York needs a ‘millionaires tax’ To the Editor: New York is facing an economic apocalypse as the result of the coronavirus pandemic. That shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. The necessity of shutting down the state means shutting down economic activity. Today the state Covid-19 infection rate is hovering around 1 percent. This has allowed many businesses to reopen and economic activity to restart. We have a long way to go, however, before we’re safe. Just as the fire marshal warns that the fire may be out, but lingering embers can restart the blaze, so, too, a lack of vigilance can restart New York’s nightmare. That would result in yet another shutdown. Even now, there are communities that are refusing to comport themselves responsibly. Beyond the human loss, which all New Yorkers are deeply aware of and touched by, the economic devastation will continue, and perhaps worsen, if we allow Covid-19 to reestablish a foothold. Moving forward, we must develop a comprehensive recovery plan. We can’t wait for the federal government. We have a president who, after spending months downplaying the pandemic and telling states that

speed up their research. But you can expect to pay a hefty premium for your Covid shot. The biggest presidential theft of all is Trump’s continuous efforts to keep you from voting on Nov. 3. Day after day, he has told voters that mail ballots are part of some fraudulent scheme. He has promoted lawsuits around the nation to stop voting by mail, despite the fact that there is no proof of any fraud in the system. In his latest scam, he asked his supporters to go to the polling places to “police” the voting process. In Vladimir Putin’s Russia and in Venezuela, Poland, Hungary and Syria, dictators have for countless years successfully poisoned the voting system to suit their political needs. Trump’s assault on the process is designed to steal your most priceless possession, the right to vote. And I haven’t even touched on the plan to blow up the U.S. Postal Service, which you also pay for. Petty theft? No. Grand larceny by the White House. Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? JKremer@liherald.com.

FRAMEWORK by Christina Daly

they were on their own, is now infected with the virus. Clearly, Gov. Andrew Cuomo had to initially focus on containment. Based on President Trump’s abject failures, Cuomo had to step up and be our national voice. He rose to the occasion. But now we must move forward with a post-Covid plan. The press has reported that billionaires have increased their wealth by almost $845 billion. Last month in New Jersey, people started to agitate for a “millionaires tax.” In New York, there is a movement to tax the New York Stock Exchange. The easy political solution, for both political parties, would be to implement a structured new tax system for the wealthy. New York passed a temporary millionaires tax during the 2008-09 recession. It was extended once, and if I am elected to the State Assembly, I would support extending it again. We need consumers to buy and businesses to sell. There has to be a real national plan to balance the ledgers, but I am not confident that will happen. At the federal level, I’m afraid that a sense of unreality pervades. But Cuomo, as well as the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut, demonstrated during the pandemic that regional cooperation can work effectively. Perhaps he can again show us the way by working, both informally and formally, with other governors on an economic recovery plan. This must include a uniform approach to taxes. GARY PORT West Hempstead Port is a candidate for the State Assembly in the 21st District.

A perfect autumn sunset — Bayville

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — October 8, 2020

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The census, Obamacare and your right to vote

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October 8, 2020 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

Here at RVC Auto we want to make sure that all of your

automotive needs are met, but at the same time we want to make sure our community stays as safe and healthy as possible. We are taking extra precautions on our end to keep the vehicles we service as germ free as possible. We are using seat covers, steering wheel covers, gear shifter covers, and putting your keys in bags to prevent any unneeded contact.

Auto Repair in an essential business and we will be here for you during these tough times. We have also increased staffing to help with pickup and delivery of your vehicle. We hope to get through this as timely and as safely as possible. Stay Well! Anything we can do to help feel free to call us at (516) 341-4674

RVC Auto Repair 131 N. Park Ave., Rockville Centre NParkAuto @ gmail.com ©

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