Rockville Centre Herald 12-29-2022

A mother's efforts to combat cancer

By Daniel Offner

Roughly 1,050 children in the United States under age 15 were expected to die of cancer in 2022, according to the American Cancer Society, which lists cancer as the second leading cause of death for children, after accidents.

Mary Ruchalski was a seventh-grade student at St. Agnes Cathedral School in 2017 when she was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer that affects muscle tissue. After she underwent months of intense treatment, doctors told her there was nothing more they could do.

“Why not?” Mary replied.

Her mother, Carol Ruchalski, said that moment was the turning point. It was then, she said, she knew something more had to be done about her daughter’s, and other children’s, cancer. Mary died in 2018, but her memory has lived on in the hearts of friends, family members and others in the community.

Because of the rarity of her cancer, little progress had been made in combating it, and due to a lack of research funding, there had been no new treatments since 1982. Having seen what her daughter went through, Carol decided to create the Mary Ruchalski Foundation in her honor, with the goal of raising awareness of and funding for the fight against pediatric cancer.

All the money the foundation raises goes to research at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where scientists are working on new pharmaceutical treatment specifically for rhabdomyosarcoma.

On Dec. 15, Carol and her husband, Francis, visited the laboratory to present it with a $100,000 check. To date, the Mary Ruchalski Foundation has raised almost a half-million dollars for the cause. It has also given more than $100,000 to other families of childhood cancer patients facing financial hardships.

Carol Ruchalski’s efforts to spread the word about pediatric cancer have inspired many others to volunteer to help raise money and awareness across Long Island. For all of her work, the Herald is proud to name her its 2022 Person of the Year.

“What I am most grateful for is how

Carol Ruchalski

the youth have embraced Mary and our foundation,” Carol said. “I love how kids are so involved. And some of these kids never even met her, but they love her story and want to get involved."

Mary is remembered for her talents as a multisport athlete and a top-notch student. She played lacrosse, basketball,

soccer and competed in swimming as well, and was a top player on Rockville Centre’s 10-and-under Police Activity League softball team that played in the state championship in 2016.

Some of her close friends and classmates wanted to help the foundation, and in 2020 they helped launch the Play 4 Mary campaign, which began by sponsoring charity lacrosse games and has, much like the foundation, continued to grow, and now includes girls’ and boys’ football, basketball, volleyball, soccer games and clinics.

Kathy Paesano, one of Ruchalski’s close friends, who has been active in the foundation since its inception, said she was amazed at how quickly the Play 4 Mary campaign took off, and proud to see so many people supporting the cause. To date, more than 3,000 young athletes have taken part. Their efforts have motivated others to get involved, including members of the St. Agnes CYO swim team and the Be Like Mary campaign, which was created by her friends with the goal of spreading kindness to others.

“I am so proud of Carol and all that the foundation has accomplished thus far,” Paesano said.

“She continues to advocate for her sweet Mary and every other child battling cancer. The foundation has become a part of our community, engaging even our youngest to get involved and raise awareness for pediatric cancer.”

Ruchalski said that celebrating Christmas with her family was something that Mary always loved, and that, thanks to this family tradition, she came up with the idea of hosting a tree lighting in September, which is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Each year, Rockville Centre and

C ArOl ruChAlski

What I am most grateful for is how the youth have embraced Mary and our foundation.

Elementary students teamed up with SSHS's wood design class to build their own snowmen.

Man pleaded not guilty to manslaughter in the death of an 18-year-old Rockville Centre girl

Rockville Centre hosted the village's inaugural menorah lighting on the village green

Daniel Offner/Herald

Carol Ruchalski, of Rockville Centre, has dedicated time and effort to spreading awareness of pediatric cancer.

Carol Ruchalski helps leads fight against cancer

She is spreading her daughter's message to communities across Long Island

neighboring communities decorate trees with gold lights, and place gold bows outside homes and businesses in memory of Mary and so many other children who have lost their lives to cancer.

Mayor Francis Murray, who lost a niece to the disease, had held events focusing on pediatric cancer when Ruchalski approached him with the idea of using her foundation to help spread awareness across Long Island.

“Year after year, Carol continues to make a tremendous difference by shining a light, supporting pediatric cancer families, and financially supporting research grants,” Murray said in a statement. “Her tireless efforts, in honor of her beautiful daughter Mary, have positively impacted the lives of countless families.”

Today, the Ruchalski Foundation hosts events in nine different villages as well as three high schools and four elementary schools.

Carol said that her other daughters, Ashley and Lyndsey, who both took part in the Play 4 Mary program, her son, John — Mary’s twin brother — and her husband have been helpful in the crusade. This year, for Christmas, they placed two trees decorated with solar-powered lights next to a bench dedicated to Mary in Sea Cliff.

Jackie Quinn said that she first met Carol when Mary and Quinn’s daughter, Ronan, were in kindergarten, and she has seen the ways in which Carol transformed a tragedy into something positive and impactful.

“The amount of strength she must have is crazy,” Quinn told the Herald. “She gives so much energy to raising money and awareness. She turned everything into such a positive experience for the kids in the community.”

For the past two years, Ronan, who’s now 17, has helped make and sell Christmas ornaments to raise money for the foundation. She said she admires Ruchalski’s strength and drive, and wanted to help pitch in.

“I’ve witnessed her incredible kindness with everyone she interacts with,” Ronan said. “She made me realize that what I wanted most in the world was to change it for the better, the way that she does.”

Ruchalski said that if there is one thing she hopes people will take away from their experience with the foundation, it is “the love of a family for a child.”

“Even if we don’t raise any more money, but people come away and say that Mary Ruchalski was the kindest, sweetest, loving person, I want to be like that,” her mother said. “Then maybe we’ve done our job.”

Courtesy Carol Ruchalski

Mary Ruchalski, above with her mother, Carol, died in 2018 of a rare form of cancer. She is remembered and loved by her family, which has continued to spread her message in communities across Long Island.

Village hosts inaugural menorah lighting

Members of the Jewish community in Rockville Centre joined local rabbis and village officials on Wednesday, Dec. 21, for the first annual menorah lighting event on the Village Green.

Mayor Francis Murray and Trustees Emilio Grillo and Katie Conlon, joined Rabbi David Lerner and Cantor Alexandra Weiser of Congregation B’nai SholomBeth David, Rabbi Michael G. Cohen of Central Synagogue Beth Emeth, Rabbi Levi Gurkov from the Chabad of Oceanside, and several neighbors to celebrate the fourth night of Hanukkah.

Rabbi Lerner said part of the holiday tradition, “pirsumei nisa,” means to publicize the miracle, which is why many families will light their menorahs in the window facing outward.

“We could go back thousands of years into his history to the miracle of the Maccabees, defeating the Greeks and having hope that we can overcome terrific odds,” Lerner said. “But there’s an enduring miracle as well. The enduring miracle is light overcoming darkness. This idea that when we have good intentions, and when we do things, out of kindness, out of love with our hearts in it, that everything will eventually work out.”

Dominick Alesi with the RVC Electric Department helped light the menorah, after which, the Hebrew school students

led the group in reciting prayers and Hanukkah songs.

James Avondet, chief of the Rockville Centre Volunteer Fire Department, also stopped by with a special gift for Rabbi Lerner and Rabbi Cohen, who were officially appointed as chaplains of the department. They were both presented with their own honorary fire helmets.

Following the ceremony, everyone gathered inside the firehouse for potato latkes and jelly donuts.

–Daniel Offner

Daniel Offner/Herald photos

Village officials join Rabbi David Lerner, Rabbi Michael Cohen and Rabbi Levi Gurkov to light the menorah. After the ceremony, Lerner and Cohen were both named chaplains of the fire department and were presented with honorary fire helmets.

The menorah shines brightly following the Village of Rockville Centre’s first annual menorah lighting ceremony on the Village Green.

hebrew school sTudenTs join Cantor Alexandra Weiser of Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David in reciting Hanukkah songs and prayers.

By KARINA KOVAC kkovac@liherald.com

Christopher Palma pled not guilty Thursday to manslaughter and other charges alleging that he recklessly operated a speedboat, killing Caitlin McDonald, 18, a Jet Ski rider from Rockville Centre.

The 48-year-old Oceanside man was arraigned before Judge Robert Bogle for manslaughter, assault, criminally negligent homicide and reckless operation of a vessel in connection with the July 2019 accident that took the life of McDonald, who was part of a group of Jet Skiers at Middle Bay Channel, near Parsonage Cove and Baldwin Harbor.

The Jet Skis, according to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, were traveling in a single-file line perpendicular to the path of Palma’s Fountain Lightning speedboat.

Palma “failed to heed navigation rules,” Donnelly said, in a release, and “recklessly sped toward a line of Jet Skiers.”

He was allegedly operating at an accelerated speed despite the presence of boating traffic and multiple Jet Ski tourists, Donnelly added.

Several of the Jet Skis crossed Palma’s path, the district attorney said. Under navigation rules, he was required to slow down and yield the right of way to

McDonald, who approached from the starboard side of his boat.

Palma, however, maintained course and did not stop, Donnelly said, ultimately colliding with McDonald.

McDonald’s father and other nearby boaters rushed to her aid, but neither

they nor first responders were able to help the young Rockville Centre woman. She was later pronounced dead at Long Beach Hospital.

Palma first faced a grand jury in March 2020, but Bogle tossed that indictment in 2021, but Donnelly re-filed it soon

after.

This time around, Bogle set Palma’s bail at $20,000, and told him he’s due back in court at the end of next month. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison for manslaughter alone, the district attorney said.

Tim Baker/Herald

The BOAT ANd Jet Ski collision that claimed the life of 18-year-old Caitlin McDonald took place in the vicinity of Middle Bay Channel, near Parsonage Cove and Baldwin Harbor.

Red & Blue competition may see changes. Rockville Centre school officials planned to bring back the annual Red and Blue competition in 2022.

South Side continues surge. Senior Patrick Erickson (9 points) was part of a balanced offensive effort for the Cyclones on Jan. 19 as they cruised past Division, 87-69.

MLK Day of Service honors Dr. King’s legacy. Molloy College’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service had to go virtual. During a previous event, Sister Diane Capuano spoke to students as they prepared place settings.

A snowy tribute. Marty Bevilacqua built a snow sculpture of a bear and a cub last Friday on his front lawn on North Village Avenue in memory of his son, Mark, who died in a motorcycle accident on Sunrise Highway in 2015, at age 20.

Mayor Francis Murray was sworn in as the 96th president of the New York Conference of Mayors.

Stuart Richner/Herald

Maureen Lennon/Herald

Christina Daly/Herald

Bruce Blakeman takes oath of office. New Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman gave his first speech after his inauguration at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City.

Neil Miller/Herald

Sue Grieco/Herald

Courtesy Village of Rockville Centre

Murray takes charge of the Conference of Mayors.

Cleanup continues after crash. Cleanup efforts continued in Rockville Centre, after a 12,000-gallon fuel tanker crashed into a vacant building early in the morning of Feb. 16.

Come get a ‘Taste of Rockville Centre’. A taste of Rockville Centre was held on March 4 for three hours at the St. Agnes Parish Center. Above, in 2019, Andrea Connolly gave her husband, Larry, a taste of her fried wonton.

Schumer

Showcasing the Seniors. South Side High School defeated Hewlett, 62-56 to cap Senior Day. Senior Cyclones from left were, T.J. Egan, Pat Erickson, Chris Goldstein and Luke Schwartzberg. South Side had lost just one conference game this season and secured a playoff berth after the victory.

Courtesy Anthony Egan

Courtesy Brian Grogan

Baby discharged after 4 months in Mercy NICU. Camile Campbell with her infant son Bevon Campbell III after he spent the past 133 days in Mercy Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

courtesy Catholic Health’s Mercy Hospital

Courtesy Keith Rossein Photography

tabbed as Oscars host. RVC native and South Side High School alumna Amy Schumer co-hosted the 94th annual Academy Awards.

Photo

RVC resident named to Bethany House board. Michelle Galante Zangari was named to the board of directors at Bethany House, that provides housing to homeless adult women and women with children seeking emergency shelter.

Sue Grieco/Herald

They’ve made a difference. Laura Altman, left, and Kathleen Baxley will be honored for their efforts as part of the Rockville Centre Breast Cancer Coalition at the organization's gala on March 11.

Students, parents enjoy a ‘normal’ Red & Blue. The red tumbling team perform an acrobatic routine at the traditional student competition.

Christina Daly/Herald

Joe Abate/Herald

St. Patrick’s Parade returns to much fanfare. Organizations such as Girl Scout Troop 836 marched in front of hundreds at the annual St. Patrick’s Parade.

Herald file photo

RVC Education Foundation honors Dr. J. The organization's gala at the Allegria in Long Beach paid tribute to former school superintendent William Johnson.

Courtesy RVCBCC

Tom Carrozza/Herald

RVC welcomes a new business. The Energy Fitness team got a warm welcome from village government and the Chamber of Commerce.

Courtesy Peter M. Budraitis

South Side continues to progress. Sophomore Avery Testa has provided a jolt of offense for the Cyclones and scored five times in a victory over Long Beach.

RVCFD swears in second-ever female captain. Keriann Grandazza, left, became her company’s first female captain last week and the second in her department. Joining were her father, Peter, and brother, John.

A man who truly meant ‘All means all.’ Village of Rockville Centre Trustee Emilio Grillo, top left, Mayor Francis Murray, and Deputy Mayor Kathy Baxley presented former Superintendent William Johnson with a proclamation.

Courtesy Melkis Lopez

Tom Carrozza/Herald

Fire Department seeks recruits. Members of defender Hose Company No. 1 opened the doors to their firehouse on South Centre Avenue and hosted a recruitment day for those considering to become volunteer firefighters.

RVC man set to run 27 miles in 24 hours. The late Kevin Owens shared his love for the water with his son, Cole, who is now 11.

Courtesy Kenny Owens Keith O’Reilly/Herald

Tom Carrozza/Herald

Courtesy Kevin Coyle

You have to believe. Rockville Centre resident Kevin Coyle is the video coordinator and director of player personnel for the Saint Peter’s Peacocks, who last month became the first No. 15 seed in NCAA basketball history to make it to the Elite Eight.

Named Tree City USA

for 34th year.

New charges

for RVC doctor: reckless homicide. George Blatti overprescribed opioids to five patients who

St. Agnes students rally to strike out ALS. St. Agnes representatives presented the ALS Ride for Life with a check. Accepting were, from left, John Michael, Colleen Whaley, the Rev. Michael Duffy, Joe Cullum, Cecilia St. John, Alana Rollandie, her daughter, Addison Giarrizzo, Toni Lee Rollandie and Paul Weisman.

Tom Carrozza/Herald

Tim Baker/Herald

A happy 100th birthday at Maple Pointe. Theresa Laterza celebrated her 100th birthday on May 13. She was joined by, Danny Laterza, Cindy Laterza, Lisa Coscia, Michele Ciociano, Johnny Coscia and Jeanie Coscia.

Courtesy Village of Rockville Centre

Boy Scout Troop 40 celebrated Arbor Day and planted a new tree. Rockville Centre was again named a “Tree City USA.”

Joe Abate/Herald

Rosenberg to be parade grand marshal. World War II veteran Herb Rosenberg served as grand marshal of the Memorial Day Parade. Above, Rosenberg was greeted with plenty of fanfare at his 100th birthday celebration in November.

Courtesy Carol Ruchalski

Playing for Mary. Local foundation Play 4 Mary, named in honor of late Rockville Centre resident Mary Ruchalski, hosted lacrosse games last week to help increase pediatric cancer awareness.

Rob Traverso/Herald

died between 2016 and 2018.

St. Agnes Bazaar returns to huge fanfare. The St. Agnes Bazaar returned after five decades away but didn’t miss a beat, as attendance soared over the three days.

Sunflower mural sports support for Ukraine. Local businesses Lenox and Park Italian Bistro and Hue Studio partnered to create a mural to show support for Ukraine using its national flower — the sunflower.

Graduates prepare for their next chapter of life. Molloy College hosted its final graduation ceremony on May 24 at the Nassau Coliseum. The Rockville Centre-based school attained university status in 2022.

Tom Carrozza/Herald

Tom Carrozza/Herald

Marching to remember. The Rockville Centre Police Department color guard marched past St. Agnes Cathedral at the annual Memorial Day Parade.

RVC bowling tournament televised nationally. Cherie Tan, above left, bowled her way into the championship of the Stepladder Finals.

Joe Abate/Herald

Tim Baker/Herald

Courtesy Hue Studio

Joe Abate/Herald

South Shore Symphony comes to St. Agnes. Conductor Scott Jackson Wiley led the South Shore Symphony at St. Agnes Cathedral on June 4.

South Side completes Three-Peat. Junior Claire Bohan was the Cyclones’ second finisher at the county championships in October, helping them to a third straight title.

South Side reaches lacrosse finals. Cyclones junior Jack Mayerhofer, left, worked past a Manhasset defender during the Nassau Class C title game.

Donovan Berthold/Herald

Media Origin Inc./Herald

Cyclones cruise into semifinals. Junior James Murphy (15 points) helped lead South Side to a 61-29 blowout win at Floral Park in a Nassau Class A quarterfinal.

Media Origin Inc./Herald

South Side upends Elmont. Quarterback Owen West had two rushing touchdowns and a passing score in South Side’s 27-21 playoff win at Elmont on Nov. 5.

Eric Dunetz/Herald

Paul Grassini/Herald

South Side nets instant success. Senior Sean Britt was one of the captains and a key contributor as a hitter and blocker for the newborn Cyclones.

A salute to champions from 2021-22. Anna Pennecke, second from right, celebrated South Side’s second goal in the Nassau Class A final with, from left, Reese Haley, Kayla Hubler, and Emma Hospodka.

Kayakers hope rain won’t get in the way. It will be another amazing day on Hempstead Lake, as the Rockville Centre

Lake event.

Officials denounced flyers that claimed that President Biden was linked to a “Jewish cabal.”

Conservancy brought back its annual Kayak on the

courtesy Matt Cliszis

Courtesy Karen Polito

John A. Anderson Recreation Center gets a facelift. Local youths helped finish the new path to the playgrounds as part of Eagle Scout Ryan Varley’s project.

Tim Baker/Herald

RVC sky is lit up once again. Fireworks burst in the sky over Barasch and Pette fields for the first time since 2019.

Tim Baker/Herald

Courtesy SIBSPlace

SIBSPlace opens new location in Rockville Centre. SIBSPlace’s grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony. Founder Mike Schamroth cut the ribbon.

Brian Pfail/Herald

Antisemitic flyers denounced by officials.

Students

prepare to head back to school. Kymoarah Tomlinson offers free Covid-19 home test kits at the backpack giveaway.

Three scouts earn Eagle rank. Patrick Burke, left, William Deevy, and Paul Davi earned the prestigious scouting rank of Eagle Scout. Famous recipients include Neil Armstrong, Bill Gates, Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg.

Two RVC natives behind 'The Captain.' Director Randy Wilkins, from left, Derek Jeter, Spike Lee, Alex Cirillo and Gabe Honig on the set of 'The Captain.'

Courtesy Anthony B. Geathers/42West

Billy Kelly/Herald

Library honors local heroes. Rockville Centre Firefighters Andrew and Charles Craum showed Ryan Murray how to operate the fire hose.

Kids teach kids at summer soccer clinic. Mary Correa, Sonny D’Angelo and Hank Bitonti practiced dribbling and maintaining possession at the seasonal sports clinic.

Sue Grieco/Herald

Joe Abate/Herald

Courtesy Kerry Devi

Courtesy The Center for Science, Teaching and Learning’s

The CSTL heads back to the Stone Age. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman unveils the Protoceratops, one of the two new additions to The Center for Science, Teaching and Learning’s “Dinosaurs! and Live Animals” exhibit.

Community mourns a hero. Stephen J. Geraghty, a retired FDNY battalion chief and a Rockville Centre native, died last week of an illness related to the Sept. 11 attacks. City firefighters carried his casket out of St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre.

Latham Brothers Band jam out to some Tom Petty along Liberty Avenue.

Girl

receives award for her work.

Girl Scout Alison McManus received a certificate of achievement from Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for her efforts.

Mercy Hospital celebrates PINKtember 14. Employees of Mercy Hospital commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness in September with a fun-filled event featuring a dunk tank, giveaways, refreshments and resources.

Courtesy Mercy Hospital

Ron Manfredi/Herald

South Side started the season strong with a 4-1 record. Junior Outside Hitter Sofia Vargas is a key part of an overall young and talented roster for South Side.

Courtesy Girl Scouts of America

Scout

Bill Kelly/Herald

Daniel Offner/Herald

Runs for Ronnie hosts annual fundraiser. From

Left: ANDREW Lazzara, Madeline Lazzara, Vincent Lazzara, Christine Biegner, George Biegner, and Susan Biegner help raise money in memory of Ronnie Biegner.

Daniel Offner/Herald

Playing on the Porch concert series helps raise money for charity. The

Memorial

Defensive end fueling South Side. Junior Nora Basile right, is helped lead a balanced offense for the Cyclones with 4 goals and 2 assists.

American Legion hosts annual Law and Order Night. Stephen Reidy, right, expressed his gratitude to American Legion Post 303 after he was awarded a rifle donated by Windham Weaponry.

Downtown street fair attracts hundreds. Thomas Gaffney, Jaden Mcleod, Justin Vandewater, and Jordan Arbouet of Molloy University showed their Lions’ pride.

Daniel Offner/Herald

Courtesy Richard Law

service pays respect to fallen firefighters. Members of the Rockville Centre Fire Department pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their communities.

Golf fundraiser honorees ace community outreach. Mayor Francis Murray presented honorees Michael Graziano and Nicole Graziano with an award for their service to the community at the annual Golf and Dinner Classic event held at the Rockville Links Country Club.

Ben Fiebert/Herald

Brian Ballweg/Herald

Ben Fiebert/Herald

Ben Fiebert/Herald

Business raise money for St. Agnes School. Erica Bernstein promotes her business, Jewelerry, which offers a variety of embroidered sweatshirts, beanies, baby clothes, scarves and jewelry.

Students

Nothing beats a good book. St. Agnes Music Director Michael Bower reads to students for Community Readers Day on Nov. 18.

Daniel Offner/Herald

Sue Grieco/Herald

RVC runners met with fierce competition. And they’re off. Racers took off from the starting line to compete in the annual 5K and Family Fun Run in Rockville Centre on Nov. 19.

Tim Baker/Herald

pitch in to help local veterans.

Eighth-grader Bobbie Creo carried a box of donated items to be sent to the Nassau County Veterans Services Agency pantry.

Daniel Offner/Herald

Honoring local veterans for their service. Local veterans Walter Paruch, left, Michael Lapkowski Sr. and John Sutton honored all those who served in the armed forces during the Veterans Day ceremony at the John A. Anderson Recreation Center.

Daniel Offner/Herald

Flags fly on ‘Field of Honor.’ Watson Elementary School Principal Jennifer Pascarella, right, presented a check for $1,730 — from the sale of 89 flags — to Stephanie Cassidy, of the National Military Family Association.

Tim Baker/Herald

Police station opens its doors to the public. Rockville Centre Police Commissioner James Vafeades, cut the ribbon to the HQ.

The ‘Odds’

Remembering Pearl Harbor. Nassau County American Legion Commander Joe Scarola and Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray tossed a wreath into Mill River in honor of those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Daniel Offner/Herald

Paul Grassini/Herald

pull off a win in overtime. Kent Lucas, left, graduated in 2004, while Alex Heller graduated in 2005. The pair may very well have played together in high school, but due to their graduating years were adversaries in this game.

Snowman Hunt kicks off ‘small business season.’ Business organizations join Lisa Umansky — president of the Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce, and owner of Polka Dot Pound Cake — for the start of ‘small business season.'

Daniel Offner/Herald

Sue Grieco/Herald

Families enjoy a breakfast with Santa. Santa and Mrs. Claus pose with three-yearold Jackson during the annual breakfast event at the Recreation Center.

Tim Baker/Herald

RVC Mayor honored with lifetime achievement. Family members join Rockville Centre mayor Francis Murray to receive the Bishop John R. McGann Lifetime Achievement Award at the Mercy Ball on Dec. 3.

Daniel Offner/Herald

Police hire four officers, promotes three to detective. The Rockville Centre Police Department swore in three new detectives and four new officers on Dec. 5.

What’s

neWs

in

and out of the

classroom Herald Sc H ool S

South Side students make first quarter honor roll

11th Grade High Honor Roll

Galindo, Robert G

Gallego, Ava G

Ganly, Ryan James

Garces, Christian D

Giangregorio, James Matthew

Giganti, Ava E

Gigliobianco, Harrison F

Gillis, Jake Alexander

Goodstein, Max H

Gorence, Leah K

Gottcent, Cooper J

Graci, Katherine S

Greene, Owen S

Griffo, Alexandra M

Grossman, Michael A

Grossman, Zachary W

Gruner, Samuel W

Haggerty, Caitlin E

Haley, Reese Conway

Hallick, Caroline E

Hanc, Peter F

Hansen, Madeline S

Harloff, Morgan C

Harrison, Isabella Grace

Hasin, Francis P

Hawkins, Cassandra

Heaney Jr., Brian M

Heghes, Elaina

Hubler, Kayla E

James, Andre A

JeanMarie, Breanna Olivia

Jocelyn, Isabelle K

Katz, Cayla A

Kearns, Jacqueline T

Kennedy, Ryan C

Kenny, Kieran James

Kilarjian, Grace Anne

Kilduff, John M

King, Griffin J

King, Ryan J

Knight, Amir D

Koluch, Emily M

Kopelman, Eva B

Kopelman, Matthew A

Koziarz, Jordan E

Kramer, Michael J

Kufta, Julia Mary

Lane, Kristen M

Langton, Linda C

Lee, Bernadette T

Leff, Noah P

Levine, Riley Hope

Levy, Sam N

Lopez, Jadynn M

Lozito, Jack W

Luvin, Thomas J

Mackay, Chastity A

Madden, Anne E

Maher, Michael S

Maier, Luke J

Maina, Isabelle M

Maina, Madelyn S

Maliner, Olivia Yao Hua

Mammo, Nathaniel

Marigliano, Trevor D

Marquardt, Paul A

Martin, Cecilia Anne

Martin, Jake A

Mata, Matthew A

McCarthy, Erin Grace

McGrath, Lily A

McKenna, Morgan L McKeough, Molly R McManus, Sean M McManus, Sydney E Medidha, John J Meindl, Erica R Melkonian, Michael A Miceli, Gavin R Michel, Sean P

Miller, Kayleigh K Miller, Margaret F Mills, Griffin D Miranda, Nicholas A Modico, Nathaniel Monroy, Matthew T Mullen, Caitlin A Mullin, Patrick M Murphy, Emma C

Murphy, Kyla Muscarella, Michael Joseph Musella MaryFaith Namnum, Robert B Nelson, Stephen G

See more from the South Side High School High Honor Roll next week.

Cancer care you can trust, right here on Long Island.

When Jimmie rang the Victory Bell to signify his final cancer treatment at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, our team celebrated with him. Our cancer experts were able to be at his side every step of the way because we offer the full spectrum of cancer care, from chemotherapy to radiation therapy to surgery. Long Islanders are also able to participate in national cancer clinical trials through Mount Sinai, right here in Oceanside.

With this multidisciplinary approach, we help you overcome not only the cancer, but whatever else cancer brings with it.

Learn more at southnassau.org/cancer

A look back at 2022

RichnerLIVE Events, Expos & Programs

By Alexa Anderwkavich

Oh what a year 2022 has been! RichnerLIVE has been honored to CONNECT, COLLABORATE and, of course, CELEBRATE hundreds of incredible people and businesses on Long Island — from healthcare heroes, top lawyers, premier business women and family businesses to the highly anticipated senior expos and the Long Island Choice Awards.

It’s RichnerLIVE’s mission to produce top-level business and community events celebrating members of the vibrant and diverse communities in which we live. Our events highlight Long Island’s industry professionals, economic opportunities, community leaders, and local unsung heroes. This year we accomplished that through our Premier Business Women of Long Island Gala, Excellence in Healthcare Awards, the First Annual Herald Long Island Choice Awards, Top Lawyers of Long Island Awards, Family Business Awards, Tory BurchxRichnerLIVE Women’s Night Out Networking Event, Senior Health & Beyond Expo series and webinars that helped the community stay engaged, informed and connected.

“Although it was a challenge to go back to live events, we are so glad that we did,” Amy Amato, executive director of corporate relations at RichnerLIVE, said. “We made a conscious decision not to do virtual awards events during the height of the pandemic, because one of the greatest values in earning recognition at our ceremonies is to be able to network face-to-face and really celebrate together in person. I’m thrilled that we will be growing and expanding the RichnerLIVE division by adding new and exciting programs. I feel blessed to have a great team that brings years of experience, integrity and can effectively deliver results and produce a gala worthwhile for Long Island.”

Community is at the core of our events and thanks to our your engagement, the launch of the Herald Long Island Choice Awards presented by PSEG Long Island in 2021— the official community choice awards of Long Island — has been a resounding success. This contest highlights Long Island’s top businesses, people and places in a myriad of categories. We’re getting ready to release the 2022 Top 3 finalists next week leading up to the Oscar-style awards gala where the winner is announced live on April 18, 2023!

As part of all of the gala festivities, RichnerLIVE donates a portion of ticket sales proceeds to a local charity. We are grateful to be able to support organizations such as The Moxxie Mentoring Foundation, FealGood Foundation, Nassau County Bar

Association’s We Care Fund, the Family & Children’s Association (FCA) and the EAC Network, to name a few, in their missions. To find out how you can donate to these deserving organizations visit www. richnerlive.com/community.

RichnerLIVE’s success is largely due to the support of our partners and sponsors. A special thank you to PSEG Long Island, FirstNet built with AT&T, Grassi Accountants and Advisors, UnitedHealthcare, Vishnick, McGovern & Milizio, Investors Bank, Mount Sinai South Nassau, and many more.

So without further ado, let’s commemorate the year together and all of our collective accomplishments — we will see you next year and hope you join us for one of the many events to come. For more information visit richnerlive.com

RICHNER

1

- Keynote speaker Stew Leonard Jr. at the Family Business Awards.

2 - Custom crystal awards from the Excellence in Healthcare.

3- Sara Director from Barasch McGarry celebrates as she walks up to receive her award at Top Lawyers.

4 - An acrobat dancer performing at Herald Long Island Choice Awards presented by PSEG Long Island.

5 - Dr. Kimon Bekelis, neurosurgeon receives Excellence in Healthcare award

6 - Moxxie Mentoring Foundation was the beneficiary of the Premier Business Women event.

7

- Honoree Retha Fernandez at the Premier Business Women Event.

8

- Honorees Luciane Serifovic and Amy Flores enjoy a Champagne toast. 9 - Anthony Postiglione and Evelisis S. Valentin from FirstNet built with AT&T.

RichnerLIVE file photos

Kindergartners build their own snowmen

When kindergarten teachers in the Rockville Centre School District asked their students, “Do you want to build a snowman?” they were met with a resounding “yes!”

As a result, during the week of Dec. 12, all of the 280 kindergarten students from the five elementary schools in the district took a special field trip to where ‘snowman’ has gone before— the wood design classroom at South Side High School.

“Do you know my cousin,” Daisy, one of the Hewitt Elementary kindergarteners, asked the high school students as she walked into the workshop with her classmates. “My cousin goes to school here.” Her classmate, Jayden, replied, “I play flag football here!”

When they got there, the high school students had created an assembly line process to help the kindergarteners create snowmen that were special and unique just like all of them.

“This week has been, without question, one of the best weeks of my career,” David Beinlich, the high school’s wood design instructor, said. “I’ve never done anything like this before and it was a huge undertaking, but it has to be the most rewarding experience my students and I have had working in the woodshop.”

“It has been a fun experience,” Alex Perry, a junior student at South Side High School said. “They are getting to experience something that I really wish I had when I was their age.”

First, the high school students measured the kindergarteners in order to cut white planks of wood at the same height as their five-year-old counterparts. After the snowmen were cut to match their height, the kindergarteners brought their snowmen to the next station where they were outfitted with scarves and hats.

Once they were dressed warmly, they were brought to another station where the high school students helped them hot glue a carrot nose and buttons.

Finally, the snowmen were brought to a finger painting station, where the high school students helped the kindergarteners give their snowmen a smile that was as unique as their own.

“Some of them have made happy faces. Some of them made eyebrows. Some of them had eyelashes on their snowmen,” Irma Altman, one of the kindergarten teachers at Riverside Elementary, said.

“It was very cute,” Anna Finora, a junior at South Side High School, said. “I saw kids I babysit from Wilson that live down the street from me. I helped them make their snowman and then later, when I was driving past their house, I saw the two snowmen outside on their front porch. So, it made me really happy to see that they put it out for everyone to see.”

Beinlich said that Rockville Centre is a community of learners. “We don’t just learn from teacher to student, we also learn from student to student and we got to showcase that this whole week,” he said. “It was absolutely an amazing experience and we are looking forward to continuing this project year after year.”

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

Public Notices

OF SALE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE UNDER SECURITIZATION SERVICING AGREEMENT DATED AS OF AUGUST 1, 2005 STRUCTRED ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, STRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT LOAN TRUST MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-HE3 Plaintiff, Against FOLMAREMI ABIOLA, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 2/1/2018, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501. This Auction will be held rain or shine on 1/19/2023 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 1288 Dekoven Street, Rockville Centre, NY 11570, and described as follows:

ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Rockville Centre, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 38 Block 114 Lot 905, 906 & 907. The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $557,690.22 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 15-010953

Janine Lynam, Esq., Referee.

McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC, Suite 205, 10 Midland Ave, Port Chester, NY 10573

Dated: 11/3/2022 File Number: 15-315268 PCO 135939

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, ONE WEST BANK, FSB, Plaintiff, vs. ROBERT SILVERMAN, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 9, 2021 and a Short Form Order duly entered on October 14, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 24, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 15 Shell Bank Place a/k/a 15 Shellbank Court, Rockville Centre, NY 11570. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Rockville Centre, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 38, Block 432 and Lot 135.

Approximate amount of Judgment is $997,915.92 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 002601/2013. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Peter Famighetti, Esq., Referee

Greenspoon Marder, 590 Madison Avenue, Suite 1800, New York, NY 10022, Attorneys for Plaintiff 136163

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT: NASSAU COUNTY.

BERGEN STREET COMMONS LLC, Pltf. vs NORTH VILLAGE CENTRE INC., et al, Defts. Index #615259/2020. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Oct. 11, 2022, I will sell at public auction on the north side front steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, NY on January 24, 2023 at 2:30 p.m., prem. k/a 43 North Village Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY a/k/a Section 38, Block 295, Lot 3. Said property located at a point on the Easterly side of Village Avenue, distant 76.57 ft. Northerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the Easterly side of Village Avenue and the Northerly side of Sunrise Highway (formerly known as Observer Street); Running thence NE, 29.70 feet; Thence SE, 110.45 feet; Thence SW, 29.80 feet; Thence NW, 104.75 ft. to the Easterly side of Village Avenue, the point or place of beginning. Approx. amt. of judgment is $1,305,506.85 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Foreclosure auction will be held “rain or shine.” If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the auction. JANE P. SHRENKEL, Referee.

JAY L. YACKOW, Attys. for Pltf., 355 Post Avenue, Ste. 201, Westbury, NY. #99918 136161

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION

OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: Zephyr Tax and Advisory LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 11/28/22. 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: 95 Lakeview Ave, Rockville Centre, NY 11570. Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity 135987

To

516-569-4000 x232

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of Public Meeting Nassau County, New York Meeting Date: December 20, 2022 Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 330 Rockville Centre Village Code

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Board of the Village of Rockville Centre will hold a Public Hearing at the Sandel Senior Center 50 South Park Avenue, Rockville Centre at 7:00 p.m. MEETING HAS BEEN ADJORNED TO 7:00 PM TUESDAY JANUARY 10TH, 2023 AT EUGENE J. MURRAY VILLAGE HALL LEGAL NOTICE December 20, 2022 at 7:00 PM Case No.: 01-2022 279-289 Sunrise LLC c/o David MalangaContinued from 10/18/22 Site Plan review. Premises known as: 279 Sunrise Highway Incorporated Village of Rockville Centre Nassau County, New York

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on this specific date, the Rockville Centre Planning Board will conduct a public hearing to conduct a Site Plan and Exterior Design review for these subject properties. Anyone interested shall have an opportunity to be heard on the application.

Dated: December 20, 2022

PLANNING BOARD OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK

Donna Joyce, Chairperson Thomas Wassel, Esq, Board Counsel Patrick D. O’Brien, Corresponding Secretary Information and records for Planning Board Cases are available at 110 Maple Ave, RVC 136366

South Side high School students help kindergarteners build and decorate their wooden snowmen.

Photos courtesy Rockville Centre school district

Kindergarten StudentS were so excited to make and design their own custom snowmen.

PRESS-ROOM/WAREHOUSE CLASSIFIED Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460 E-mail your ad to: ereynolds@liherald.com E-mail Finds Under $100 to: sales@liherald.com DEADLINE: Monday, 11:00 am for all classified ads. Every effort is made to insure the accuracy of your ad. Please check your ad at the first insertion. Credit will be made only for the first insertion. Credit given for errors in ads is limited to the printed space involved. Publisher reserves right to reject, cancel or correctly classify an ad.

EXPERIENCED bellmore-merrick chsd MERRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT Send cover letter & resume to: hr@merrick.k12.ny.us In the email subject line please include the job title for which you are interested in applying. EOE

HELP Long To pLACE your AD CALL 516-569-4000 - press 5

ings Employment HERALD 1197399

Pressroom/wareImmedIate OpenIngs: paraprOfessIOnals, f/t regIstered nurse, f/t (10 am – 5 pm) Salary Commensurate with School Related Experience Other avaIlable pOsItIOns: substItute teachers: $120 - $130 per day NYS Certification required fOOd servIce helper p/t substItutes: $15.09/hr. securIty aIdes days and evenIng f/t (7 hours): $21.63/hr. NYS Security Guard License required, law enforcement background preferred Send Cover Letter & Resume to: egomez@bmchsd.org or mail Eric Gómez Assistant Superintendent – Personnel & Administration 1260 Meadowbrook Road N. Merrick, NY 11566 Additional information can be found on our website at www.bellmore-merrick.k12.ny.us EOE

NEW

Big Bus $27.18/hr. Non-Benefit Rate

BUSDRIVERSWANTEDDoN’T MISS The Bus! EDU c ATI o NAL BUS TRANS po RTATI o N 516.454.2300

STARTING SALARIES Van $24.41/hr. Non-Benefit Rate

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

ADMINISTRATIVE

Richner Communications - a rapidly growing multimedia company and publishers of the Herald newspaper grouphas several administrative job openings: Receptionist (P/T), Accounts Receivable/Billing Collections Clerk

Multi-Media Coordinator (Hours Flexible)

Qualified candidates are fast learners with good organizational and people skills - entry level ok.

Role requires working knowledge of Microsoft Office and ability to learn custom software programs.

If you would like to join a communitydriven, fast-paced environment, please send your resume to: careers@liherald.com.

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.

STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

DRIVERS WANTED

Jan- Mid April. Franklin Square. CALL: 516-358-9455. 1197642

EDITOR/REPORTER

The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to mhinman@liherald.com

MERRICK BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL

PROGRAM seeking mature individuals to supervise elementary school aged children from 2:45 pm to 5:00 or 6:00 pm weekdays. Experience helpful. If interested email merrickbasp@aol.com or call (516)379-4245

1197564

Malverne UFSD Long Island, New York Security Guard $20.40 per hour Required: NYS Certification w/security photo ID 1198210 1197761

In Early Childhood Education. Teacher's Salary $32K. EMAIL RESUME: Applications may be picked up at:

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Salary, Commission, Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off.

Email or mail resume to my attention:

dlawlor@malverneschools.org Malverne, UFSD Administration Building, HR Dept 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565

LAWRENCE PUBLIC SCHOOLS POSITIONS IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE SCHOOL NURSE PART-TIME CLEANERS TEACHER AIDES Fingerprint clearance required Contact human resources for further information 515-295-7037 and 516-295-7036 5th_floor • Clients • m-Clients • Malverne • 44862 Malverne Richner Communications 3.125x 3" Richner Communications

$2,500.00 for CDL driver bus and van $500.00 for non CDL drivers. Will train qualified applicants Sign On Bonus *Some restrictions may apply. EOE One phone call, one order, one heck of a good price to run your ad in any state, or across the country Call the USA Classified Network today! 1-800-231-6152

Malverne Union Free School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

MAIL: ed@loturco.com. Malverne Union Free School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Malverne UFSD Long Island, New York 1198194

RESUME: 516-358-9483. Elementary School Nurse (10 Months, school calendar) $60, 000 and benefits NYS Licensed Required Part-Time Teacher Aide (4 hours per day) $13,378 – 10 months, school calendar Teaching Assistant (6.25 hours per day) $29,979 – 10 months, school calendar NYS Teaching Assistant or NYS Teacher Certification required Maintainer (Evenings Monday–Friday, 3:00–11:00PM) Electrical, Plumbing, Carpentry and/or HVAC preferred $59,733 and benefits Bus Driver Full Time (10 Month, school calendar position, plus 30 Summer Days) $38, 000 and benefits NYS Commercial Driver’s License P & S and 19A 5th_floor • Clients • m-Clients • Malverne • 44870 Malverne Richner Communications 3.125x 3" Richner Communications

SPANISH SPEAKING School Monitors Part Time $15.61/Hour. 17 ½ to 25 Hours/Week. Starting Immediately! Malverne UFSD Office of Human Resources 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565 or Call 516-887-6419 dlawlor@malverneschools.org

Coming Soon…On the Ocean

Welcome to a bright, spacious and completely renovated direct oceanfront unit in the desirable Westholme area of Long Beach. Enjoy stunning views from your picture window directly on the beach and boardwalk and capture the breathtaking sunset from your southwest corner terrace. This desirable corner oceanfront, 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath unit features an ocean view from every room, a high-end renovated kitchen featuring quartz counter tops, brand new flooring, several closets including a custom walk-in, recessed lighting and new air conditioners. This pristine buildng offers on-site laundry, secure bulk-storage, bicycle, chair and surf board storage, a private outdoor entertaining area with cooking grills and seating and a set of dedicated parking spots for residents. Close proximity to both the West End, Central Business District, and the LIRR with 27 daily trains to NYC in under an hour. Come see how life is best enjoyed at the beach! $699,000.

Am I being singled out?

Q. I just rented a retail space, and I’m planning changes with my architect. The architect says I have to “upgrade” the restroom to handicapped-accessible, which will cost at least $8,000 and maybe more, depending on whether the old pipes can be reused where they are. I don’t understand why other stores around me have original restrooms but I have to change mine. We were only moving a couple of walls and installing a new ceiling. Can you tell me if the architect is right about the change?

Kelly Forman Licensed RE Salesperson

COMPASS Real Estate

780 Long Beach Blvd. Long Beach NY 11561 516.297.3308 Kelly.forman@compass.com

Open Houses

HEWLETT 1534 BROADWAY #103, OPEN HOUSE BY APPT, REDUCED! Magnificent New Renovation! One of a Kind Ranch Style Living in Luxurious Jonathan Hall Condominium with Doorman & Elevator. Just Move into This Gut Renovated, Spacious 2 BR, 2 Bath Apt with Open Layout.Large Designer Eat in Kitchen with Sep Pantry & Laundry Rm.Master BR Boasts Gorgeous Bth & Walk in Closet. Terrace Faces into Courtyard. Garage Parking Incl...$699,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

HEWLETT 1534 BROADWAY #205, Open House By Appt! Extra Large 2000 Sq Ft, 2 Bedroom(Originally 3 BR), 2 Bath Condo in Prestigious Jonathan Hall with Doorman & Elevator. Updtd Wood/Quartz Kit, LR & DR. Washer/Dryer in Unit. Underground Pkg. Loads of Closets. Terrace Faces Back. Easy Ranch Style Living...$699,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Apartments For Rent

MoneyTo Lend

Ask The Architect

Monte Leeper

A. You would think the answer is an easy one, that it would be either yes or no. Unfortunately, the answer is that the decision in these matters is discretionary, left to the plans examiner, who either strictly interprets the code and the federal and state laws based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (which was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990), or determines that the physical upgrade of the restroom isn’t necessary. The law states that businesses with 15 or more employees must comply, but is overridden by the fact that establishments cannot discriminate against people with disabilities, patrons or employees.

I once had a meeting at which the attorney for my client was challenging my advice to our mutual client that an upgrade — a renovation — would be necessary. The attorney appropriately pointed out exactly the same argument that you’re making, that nobody else has had to upgrade, and therefore you shouldn’t have to, either. My guess is that your neighbors may have been in that location for many years, and as long as nobody brings their location up to an official, we leave well enough alone, or that the official interpreted that the upgrade wouldn’t be necessary. I’m willing to bet that your neighbors, for the most part, moved in without anyone filing anything formally, with plans and permits, so the proprietors think they have no issue to deal with. You, on the other hand, operating honestly and legitimately, probably feel that even though you can’t discriminate against a person with a disability, you’re being unfairly discriminated against.

Although I agree that you are being unfairly judged differently than your neighbors, your architect and any licensed professional, including the attorney, swore to uphold the laws of the state they practice in. If officials choose not to investigate every location, that is the governing bodies’ choice. Your architect is only trying to do what is right under the law.

Coincidentally, that very morning, when the attorney was making the case that others were not in compliance, there was an incident in lower Manhattan in which an attorney had his heels slashed by a homeless man on a subway platform, and was instantly debilitated. I pointed out to the attorney that that poor guy was now disabled, and that we humans are all vulnerable, by age or accident, and need to be considered. He answered, “You should have been an attorney.”

© 2022 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

SNOW

Antiques/Collectibles

SYL-LEE

KING

MASSAGE

DOG

DOLLS,

FRANKLIN

ROLLER

SKI

Handyman

HANDYMAN

Repairs and Installations for the Household. Careful and Reliable and Vaccinated. Licensed and Insured. 30-Year Nassau County Resident. Friendly Frank Phone/Text 516-238-2112 E-mail-Frankcav@optonline.net

Heating

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Home Improvement

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* Full Or Partial Kitchens/ Baths *Painting *Sheetrock *Taping/ Spackling *Installations Ceramic/ Vinyl Tile *Carpentry *Alterations *Repairs/ More. FREE ESTIMATES. Dan 516-342-0761

Miscellaneous

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Plumbing

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Satellite/TV Equipment

DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/21/23. 1-866-595-6967

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Health & Fitness

& MARINE

Autos For Sale

The

masthead

The box at the far left side of the page is called the masthead. It contains the newspaper’s flag, or nameplate. The masthead offers important information about the paper, including the names of the staff members who are responsible for producing it each week.

Publisher Stuart Richner guides the business and news operations of the 23 newspapers in the Herald Community Newspapers group, including the Nassau Herald, which serves the Five Towns, and Heralds for Baldwin, Bellmore, East Meadow, Franklin SquareElmont, Freeport, Glen Cove, Long Beach, Lynbrook-East Rockaway, Malverne-West Hempstead, Merrick, Oceanside-Island Park, Oyster Bay, Rockville Centre, Sea Cliff-Glen Head, Valley Stream, Wantagh and Seaford.

Each paper’s editor is responsible for the assignment, selection and placement of stories, most of which the editors and reporters write. The executive editor, MIchael Hinman, oversees news operations for all the papers in the group, with the help of Jeffrey Bessen, the deputy editor.

The production department is responsible for the papers’ general design. The advertising and art departments produce the large, oftenillustrated display advertisements that appear throughout the papers. The classified department produces the smaller advertisements at the back of the papers.

The masthead also lists each paper’s age, the names of its founders, its address, email, and telephone and fax numbers, and provides notice that all contents of the paper are copyrighted.

Editorial comment

Editorials offer the opinions of the Herald. Editors write them. Editorials do not necessarily reflect the views of the individuals who write them; rather, they are the institutional voice of the news organization.

That is why they are unsigned.

Herald editorial department heads meet regularly to plan the editorials. Independent reporting by our staff often helps inform our editorials. We might also speak with experts and advocates to gain their perspective before sitting down to write an editorial.

We are proud to say that we have won many state awards for our editorial writing over the years.

There are times we might use this space to endorse candidates in local elections. We take this responsibility seriously. Editorial staff members sit down with candidates to question them about their views on major issues before offering the paper’s opinions about which candidates would best represent our readers.

Editorial cartoon

Editorial cartoons are almost as old as newspapers themselves. They date back to 18th century England, and are a staple of the modern American opinion section. Yet, opinions here do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Herald or its staff.

Advertising, call Rhonda Glickman, vice president of sales, at (516) 569-4000, ext. 250. For

Subscriptions,

call Dianne Ramdass, circulation manager, at ext. 231.

For your information

Editorial page

. . .

Remembering for those who no longer can

Where were you when Kennedy was shot?”

Many of us remember asking that, or being asked. That question has since been supplanted by ones like “Where were you when the Challenger exploded?” or “Where were you on Sept. 11?”

But those singular tragedies were hardly the first to dominate our everyday lives on such a massive scale. That is a tragedy remembered for decades with its own question: “Where were you when Pearl Harbor was bombed?”

Yet there are very few people left who can answer that. Not surprising, since the stunning attack that officially brought the United States into World War II happened over 80 years ago. Without those living witnesses, however, we risk the possibility that the attack, the war itself, and atrocities like the Holocaust will become mere footnotes in history.

And that’s simply not acceptable.

This was the time of what NBC anchor Tom Brokaw coined the Greatest Generation. People who lived through the suffering of the Great Depression, only to find themselves fighting for something greater: freedom. Not for Americans, but for people on a global scale. We fought to destroy fascism as well as its key components, totalitarianism and authoritarianism, as well as hate.

Not that we were perfect in doing so —

far from it. But if anything good came from that period, it was the fact that our global society at least took some significant steps forward.

Conflict has been a part of human history, but never on the scale we saw in World War II. Never in the numbers of people lost. The outright attempted genocide of an entire religious ethnicity. We have to take time to remember because, as Winston Churchill said, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

Part of that education comes from exploring what happened at Pearl Harbor — a place thousands of miles away, practically across an ocean, on a group of islands that, at the time, were merely an American territory. The attack killed 2,403 U.S. personnel and destroyed or damaged 19 ships — nearly half of them battleships.

By the time World War II ended in 1945, American deaths would reach nearly 420,000, while globally, 15 million soldiers and 45 million civilians would lose their lives.

The pain from that war — and World War I, “the Great War,” before it — was felt for generations, to the point where governments worked as hard as they could not to let any other conflict balloon to such a global scale. But memories fade, hastened by the loss of those who experienced that suffering firsthand.

Now we live in a time when fears of a

worldwide conflict are stronger than they have been in decades. It’s not just political polarization, but also what has become a broader tolerance of intolerance and outright hate — something that can never be allowed to normalize, whether it’s antisemitism, racism, sexism or homophobia. Attacking where someone is from, how they worship — or if they worship — or even how they identify gender-wise.

History is fading, and with it its lessons. And we can’t let that happen.

That’s why Dec. 7 is so important. Or Jan. 27 — International Holocaust Remembrance Day — as well as spring’s Yom Hashoah. Because you can’t even begin to talk about loss during this period without talking about the 6 million Jews who were killed — a third of Jews worldwide. Or the 2 million ethnic Poles.

Or 500,000 Roma. Or thousands more who were gay, or who were political or religious prisoners.

The late Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor himself, once said, “To forget a Holocaust is to kill twice.” And that can be applied to any tragedy we try to forget.

Next week, we have a chance to remember on the 81st anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. There might be few left to ask where they were when this tragedy took place, but remembering means we’re learning. And learning gives us a fighting chance to never repeat those horrors again.

LETTERS

O’Connell sure didn’t pull any punches

To the Editor:

Don’t you love freedom of the press? That basic right enables people like John O’Connell, former executive editor of the Heralds, to blatantly cast aspersions on public figures without including specific evidence to support his claims.

In his op-ed last week, “I’ll take the GOP agenda — without Trump — any day,” O’Connell refers to Hillary Clinton as a “backstabbing, secretive, supercilious, lying, characterless cypher.” While I don’t love Hillary, I question what purpose such unsupported name-calling achieves, except perhaps to justify why O’Connell opted to vote for Trump, despite his “unappealing, obnoxious,” “insufferable” and “bullying” behavior.

O’Connell goes on to blast our sitting president, vice president, transportation secretary and governor,

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Opinion pages

OPINIONS

‘Energy efficient’ may become a contradiction in terms

Hearings are getting under way on a proposal to socialize energy on Long Island. It would make the Long Island Power Authority the region’s sole entity responsible for keeping our lights on. Its structure would replicate virtually every government agency, bureau or department that you have cursed as inept, incompetent or indifferent.

why capitalism is always better, and why it provides for more-efficient creation and distribution of goods and services than any government-controlled or socialized economy.

Opinion columns

We publish three columns every week. Columns represent the views of the writers themselves, not of the Herald. Each writer works independently and chooses his or her own subjects. Among our regular contributors are the Heralds’ executive editor, Michael Hinman, and the Nassau Herald’s former executive editor, Randi Kreiss, both of whom have won numerous awards for their opinion writing. We also feature columns by prominent political figures, including former Assemblyman Jerry Kremer, who is now a consultant. And we regularly invite guest columnists to offer their views.

What is instructive about this forced march to complete government control is that these hearings were mandated by law to be held by the end of September, but are just beginning now. The government commission couldn’t even get its act together to hold them on time. Good thing it isn’t responsible for directing our electrical future.

Oh, wait. It is.

Hanley has identified the ideological underpinnings of this power grab. It has little to do with the efficiency, innovation and accountability demanded of PSEG Long Island under a strict don’t-screw-up contract with LIPA. Rather, it is about a progressive agenda of growing government whenever it can, assuming authority over infrastructure that it has no competence running and operating costs it has no interest in cutting.

agement structure would balloon with executives making six-figure salaries. There would be no financial incentives for any of them to work smarter, better, more efficiently.

The hearings, by a special commission, are the result of legislation signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul. It directs the review of a plan to convert the existing public-private partnership that manages our electrical grid to one that would, in essence, make the governor ultimately responsible for its operation and maintenance.

RONALD J. ROSENBERG

To set the stage for these hearings, you need to understand that LIPA currently owns most of the Long Island electrical grid, including the bulk of our power plants. It has an incentive contract with PSEG Long Island, which actually runs the system. If PSEG does well and hits certain performance criteria, it is financially compensated. If it fails, it will take a financial bath. This is the essence of

James Hanley, a fellow with the Empire Center for Public Policy, is a seasoned observer of Albany’s political stinkpot. “It’s hard to predict what will come of this proposal,” Hanley has written. “Public power (left wing) advocates clearly want to eliminate any role for a private utility in operating LIPA’s grid. They don’t have any evidence that LIPA could improve upon PSEG’s management; they seem to think the word `public’ is a magical incantation that will make everything better.”

In truth, it makes everything worse. An example? Which delivery service is more reliable, the government controlled U.S. mail, or the privately owned Federal Express? The answer is obvious.

among others, again without a logical explanation. He cites the GOP agenda, familiar to most of us. However, he does not mention the many Americans who suffer from a housing shortage, food insecurity, climate change, or a lack of adequate gun control. He also exhibits no concern for the recent increase in racist, antisemitic and homophobic violence against fellow human beings.

Will these people merely be casualties of war as the GOP tries to stifle the voices of its opposition? Surely a nation as great as ours must be able to find a way to achieve compromise so that the needs and safety of so many of its citizens are not ignored.

PAM SINGER Malverne

24-30 column that he doesn’t like Donald Trump, but that the former president accomplished “great things.”

What in the world would those “great things” be?

His disrespect for the country’s courts and its diplomatic and intelligence services? His refusal to accept the results of an election? Deepening political divisions and encouraging racial bigotry?

O’Connell’s column derides potential Democratic candidates for president and vice president, but omits any mention of the many GOP members of Congress who have gone along with Trump’s lies about a rigged election. Nor is there any mention of Trump’s attempt to defy the will of American voters by backing a coup.

What makes this power play particularly toxic is that LIPA had been tasked with running the grid before. It failed, miserably, when Superstorm Sandy came ashore a decade ago.

As a result, then Gov. Andrew Cuomo required LIPA to engage private industry in running the grid, and to use financial incentives and penalties that are employed in the real world. Having had such a raving success with cashless bail, today’s progressive powerbrokers seem quite content to ignore those lessons, and now seek the keys to the power grid.

How would that work? For starters, the people currently working for PSEG would probably be asked to transfer their skills and expertise to LIPA, a government entity. As LIPA employees, they would be given salaries, benefits and pensions that you and I would pay for. The LIPA man-

Compare that with a recent J.D. Power survey that found dissatisfaction with PSEG Long Island among businesses on the Island. That could mean a financial hit for the utility management company, because its compensation is directly tied to customer opinions of its performance. Were LIPA in charge, and faced with such a report, its response would undoubtedly be “Feh,” for there would be no accountability under a socialized structure. That would be good news for those who feast on political patronage, because one suspects someone’s brother-in-law would be in charge of consumer complaints.

We can assume that it will be Hochul’s decision as to whether Long Island’s power goes progressive. She needs to, but probably doesn’t, appreciate, or care, that if that’s the future of LIPA, her office number will be on speed dial for 2.7 million Long Islanders the next time a hurricane takes down the grid. And if last month’s elections proved anything, it’s that those LIPA customers vote.

Ronald J. Rosenberg has been an attorney for 42 years, concentrating in commercial litigation and transactions, and real estate, municipal, zoning and land use law. He founded the Garden City law firm Rosenberg Calica & Birney in 1999.

by Fatima Lasso

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Trump’s

‘great’ accomplishments?

To the Editor:

John O’Connell asserted in his Nov.

O’Connell even claims there is a “GOP agenda.” And what would that be? More stunts such as votes to end Obamacare?

LARRY McCOY Rockville Centre

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I n Albany, a potential plan to gut the public-private management of our electricity.