Sea Cliff/Glen Head Herald 05-23-2024

A multigenerational history lesson

Seniors and students gathered at the Sea Cliff Village Library to show and discuss artifacts from the seniors’ youths, showing how much the world can change. More photos, story, Page 3.

Helping neighbors to heal

Don’t Be Silenced supports harassment victims

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

When Jaime Teich, founder of the local nonprofit Love Your Neighbor Project, began helping her community during the depths of the coronavirus pandemic by providing masks and other essentials to her neighbors, she always knew there would be challenges. What she didn’t expect was that one of them would be receiving a sexually graphic photo on her personal device.

“It’s disturbing and it’s traumatizing,” Teich said. “I went into a space of first having to just deal with what I experienced, and I realized that I’m not the only one who receives pictures like this. So, to

make sure that, if anybody is victimized in this type of way and they don’t know what to do, they could come to us.”

Following the incident in 2020, Love Your Neighbor launched a relief project named “Don’t Be Silenced” with an aim to support individuals grappling with the emotional trauma inflicted by unsolicited sexual images.

Recognizing that she was not alone in this experience, Teich partnered with Dr. Holly Shaw, an experienced medical and mental health professional and educator, to provide professional support to victims.

Shaw, with an impressive background in nurs-

North Shore budget passes by wide margin

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

The North Shore High School gymnasium was quiet on Tuesday night as volunteers counted the votes for next year’s budget, with staff, Board of Education trustees and district residents holding their breath in anticipation. When the results were finally announced, the silence was broken by an eruption of cheers.

The North Shore school district’s spending plan for the 2024-25 school year passed, by a count of 2,043 to 1,172.

This was a real team effort by the entire school district.

While the budget’s passage means the district will not have to revert to a contingency budget — which would have forced significant reductions in expenditures and led to cuts in extracurriculars like athletics and the arts — the district still faces a long uphill financial battle. North Shore will continue to feel the effects of the LIPA deal for several years, but with the spending plan having been approved, students’ educational opportunities will not be affected.

CHRIS ZUBLIONIS Superintendent, North Shore School District

The budget addresses the school district’s significant financial challenges while preserving key programs. It features a tax levy increase of just under four percent, to help counter the district’s $7.5 million deficit, exacerbated by revenue losses from a 2022 deal with the Long Island Power Authority and expiring grants.

There were no additional propositions included on this year’s ballot.

In the Board of Education election, incumbent Trustees Lisa Colacioppo and Maria Mosca were re-elected with 2,087 and 1,881 votes, respectively, and newcomer James Svendsen secured a seat with 1,800 votes. Svendsen will serve the remaining year of the term of Marianne Russo, who stepped down from the board this year.

Courtesy Tracy Warzer

Liberty wants elimination of ‘hidden tax’

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

Liberty New York Water is advocating for the elimination of the Special Franchise Tax, arguing that this tax significantly inflates customer water bills without providing direct benefits to the utility or its customers. According to Deborah Franco, Liberty’s president, the initiative, which has been ongoing for over two years, aims to alleviate financial pressure on customers by lobbying New York state officials for legislative change.

Franco emphasized the company’s commitment to removing the tax in a recent email to customers. She highlighted that the tax does not benefit Liberty and comprises a significant portion of customers’ monthly water bills.

We want to achieve the right result for our customers, and we feel that the more we can get the word out there and recirculate it, we’re very hopeful that we can achieve the right results.

“For more than two years, Liberty has been working hard to convince New York state to eliminate the Special Franchise Tax applied to New York utility water service so that we can remove these costs from our customers’ monthly bills,” Franco wrote. “These costs represent a pass-through of the tax we are required to remit to the New York state government and does not benefit Liberty in any way. And in many cases, it comprises a significant portion of your monthly water bill.”

According to Franco, taxes constitute approximately 30 to 50 percent of the water bills for Liberty customers, with the Special Franchise Tax alone accounting for about 21 percent. Liberty New York Water customers are reportedly the only ones in Nassau County subject to this tax, which she asserted is responsible for making their bills higher compared to those serviced by public water providers.

“Essentially what we’re asking for is the elimination of these tax costs solely for Liberty New York Water customers and spread it over the much larger Nassau County population of 1.3 million customers,” Franco said in a later interview. “By doing that you’re spreading the burden and so the impact is minimal on people, and it has no fiscal impact on the state.”

DEBORAH FRANCO President, Liberty New York Water

She urged customers to support the initiative by visiting stopthehiddentax.org, where they can send letters to legislators. According to Liberty, nearly 2,000 customers have already taken action, resulting in over 30,000 letters sent to state legislators and other elected officials.

Franco reiterated Liberty’s efforts since acquiring the system from New York American Water in January 2022. She noted that the high bills due to the tax were evident from the start, prompting the company’s continuous push for

CRIME BRIEF

Man accused of N.S. burglaries

Nassau County District

Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced the arraignment of Vincent Dougherty, 64, on multiple burglary and attempted burglary charges related to seven incidents along the North Shore. Dougherty, a discretionary persistent felony offender, faces serious penalties if convicted.

On May 15 Dougherty appeared before Judge Robert McDonald on three counts of burglary and four counts of attempted burglary. Bail was set at $1 million cash, $1 million bond, and $5 million partially secured bond. He is scheduled to return to court on May 30.

According to Donnelly, Dougherty allegedly committed a series of burglaries in 2021, targeting luxury items from homes in exclusive North Shore neighborhoods.

The alleged crimes took place in the early morning hours, with Dougherty gaining access through unlocked doors or by smashing windows. Incidents occurred in Brookville, Old Brookville, Muttontown, Glen Head, Syosset, and Old Westbury, with each incident captured on surveillance video.

Detectives from the Nassau County Police Department’s 8th Precinct Squad arrested Dougherty on May 14. The prosecution is led by Senior Litigation Counsel Tracy Keeton and Assistant District Attorney Daniel Quinn. Dougherty was represented by the Legal Aid Society at arraignment.

Donnelly praised the investigative efforts that linked Dougherty to these crimes, emphasizing the commitment to holding him accountable.

legislative change. She explained that removing the tax would allow Liberty to invest more in the system and potentially lower rates in the long term.

Despite these efforts, some residents remain skeptical of Liberty’s motives. Glen Head resident Agatha Nadel, an activist who has opposed New York American Water’s high rates for years, cited past failures to eliminate the tax and concerns about setting a precedent for tax breaks for-profit utilities.

“Even if they were able to convince the Assembly this time, it’s not going to solve the long-term consequences of the private water business model,” she argued. “Yes, it will take some taxes off, but is it going to stop them from charging everything at cost? No, because that’s the outline of private water.”

Nadel also expressed skepticism about the long-term benefits of removing the tax. Nadel highlighted the persistent issue of higher bills for private water ratepayers compared to those serviced by public providers and stressed that municipalization is the only permanent solution.

“The bottom line is that our bills will never be on par with the public water providers until we get public water,” Nadel continued. “Even if they were able to get the Special Franchise Tax taken off, why should the private water ratepayers still have to pay three to five times more than their neighbors do for public water.”

Franco, however, said she is hopeful about the current legislative session. Franco emphasized that she believes that spreading the tax burden over a larger population would have minimal fiscal impact on the state while provid-

remove the Special

ing significant relief to Liberty’s customers.

“We have had conversations, we’ve been engaged in active discussions with legislators,” she said. “We want to achieve the right result for our customers, and we feel that the more we can get the word out there and recirculate it, we’re very hopeful that we can achieve the right results.”

For more information on Liberty’s efforts to remove the tax, visit StopTheHiddenTax.org.

NEWS BRIEF

This year was the largest Porchfest ever, with 450 neighbors coming out to listen to music.

Rock

for Love

Porchfest fills Sea Cliff with music

Last weekend marked the third annual Rock for Love Porchfest, bringing hundreds of community members to the streets to enjoy live music played by community members in front of homes throughout Sea Cliff.

In its first year, Rock for Love Porchfest attracted 450 neighbors and raised over $10,000. The community’s enthusiastic response made it clear that Porchfest should become an annual event. The second year saw sponsorships double, with over 600 neighbors participating and more than $15,000 raised. The range of supported projects expanded, demonstrating the community’s

capacity for collective achievement. This past weekend, sponsorships doubled again, attracting companies with no previous ties to the event. A record 32 bands reached out as soon as the Save the Date announcement was made, resulting in a waitlist and a vetting process for performers. Some bands even had to be turned away. With 750 neighbors attending and donations approaching $20,000, plans are underway to enhance the Listening Project, develop youth-support projects, and stay true to the mission of fostering social good. For more information visit LYNP.org.

Courtesy Liberty New York Water New York Liberty Water President Deborah Franco reached out to customers in an email asking for support to

Franchise Tax.

Courtesy Juliette Puckham Guddat

Sharing history across the generations

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

In a celebration of history and community, the Sea Cliff Village Museum and the Sea Cliff Senior Outreach Program co-hosted a multigenerational event titled “Exploring Our History Through the Stories of Artifacts” on May 17. The initiative, coinciding with Older Americans Month, saw senior citizens sharing personal artifacts from their youth with local students, fostering intergenerational connections and a deeper appreciation for the past.

The event was the brainchild of Tracy Warzer, the senior citizens program development specialist, and Courtney Chambers, the museum director. It was designed to align with this year’s Older American Month’s theme, “Powered by Connection.”

Senior participants brought a variety of artifacts, each accompanied by stories that painted a vivid picture of life in earlier decades. Kay and Rick Vickers shared clothing from the late 1960s, sparking discussions about the cultural and social changes of that era.

These narratives not only highlighted personal histories but also touched upon broader historical contexts, including the anti-war movement. One particularly engaging moment occurred when students eagerly tried on the vintage clothing brought by the Vickers.

“When we got into the Vietnam War, they had the largest anti-war protest that had ever been held in U.S. history,” Kay Vickers explained. She went onto describe her experience getting arrested in a protest against the war, showing how the wider counterculture movement impacted people across the country.

This tangible interaction with history sparked curiosity and excitement among the seven young attendees.

The event also featured a variety of intriguing items found in local homes, such as canceled checks from the 1930s, a report card from the local high school from 1932, and even a vintage telegram. These artifacts offered a snapshot of everyday life in the past, highlighting how much has changed over the decades.

According to Chambers, the event was not just educational but also profoundly impactful on both the seniors and the students.

“It was really informative, and I think it helped to make the history fun for the kids,” she said. “It showed

them how quickly time has changed, and how in their lifetime things can become so totally different.”

Warzer emphasized the significance of such events in integrating older adults into the fabric of community life.

“It’s all about connecting people, and the importance of connection for elders,” she noted. “On all levels we can make more effort to include elders in community, in programming and conversations, and of course imparting their wisdom to the youth.”

Due to the success of this event, plans are already in motion for a similar program in the fall.

“We’re looking forward to continuing this partnership,” Chambers said. “Events like these not only further the museum’s mission of promoting local history but also create a space for meaningful interactions that enrich our community.”

Photos courtesy Tracy Warzer Seniors took turns showing and describing a wide range of artifacts, from scrimshaw to vinyl records.

Tracy Warzer, the senior citizens program development specialist, explained the importance of historical artifacts to the gathered seniors and students.

Richner Communications acquires CJ Publishers

Amityville Record, Babylon Beacon, Massapequa Post join Herald Community Newspapers

STAFF REPORT

Richner Communications, Inc. — Long Island’s largest publisher of local media — has acquired the Amityville Record, Babylon Beacon, Massapequa Post and Beacon Smart Shopper, from CJ Publishers Inc.

These brands join family-owned Richner Communications, which now owns and publishes 27 community-focused hyperlocal newspapers through its Herald Community Media division, which serves large parts of Nassau County, as well as parts of New York City through the Pulitzer Prize-winning Riverdale Press in the Bronx, and The Jewish Star, which serves the Orthodox Jewish communities throughout the region.

The Amityville Record, Babylon Beacon and Massapequa Post date back to 1904, 1966 and 1951, respectively. Today, they serve the communities of the Village of Amityville, North Amityville, Village of Babylon, North Babylon, West Babylon, Copiague, Deer Park, West Islip, Lindenhurst, South Farmingdale, Massapequa, Massapequa Park, Plainedge and Seaford.

Michael Hinman/Herald

For decades, the newspaper group that included the Amityville Record, Babylon Beacon and the Massapequa Post were published by Alfred and Carolyn James. Carolyn joins Herald Community Newspapers as an associate publisher.

Carolyn James, owner of CJ Publishers with her husband, Al, expressed a mix of emotions in announcing the sale. James says she trusts the sale will be seamless with careful stewardship, allowing the newspapers to remain “steadfast pillars within their communities under new guardianship.”

“In the pages of the June 19, 1991, editions of the Amityville Record, Babylon Beacon and Massapequa Post, we embarked on a journey, pledging to carry forth the legacy of those who came before us,” wrote James in a note to readers last week. “Now, nearly 32 years later, we stand on the precipice of change as Herald Community Newspapers — a stalwart in Nassau County’s weekly news landscape — assumes ownership of our beloved papers.”

Leaving Assets to Minors

Generally, parents leave their assets to the children thinking that the children will then take care of their children. Occasionally, parents want to bypass the children, either wholly or partially, and leave an inheritance directly to the grandchildren.

Inheritances to minors come in different varieties, such as bequests in wills and as beneficiaries or contingent beneficiaries on IRA’s, investment accounts, life insurance policies and annuities.

Although well-intentioned, inheritances to minors, without a trust, must go through a court proceeding on death. Minors, those under 18, cannot hold property in their names. In the proceeding, the judge appoints a legal guardian to protect the minor’s interest until age eighteen, at which time the beneficiary receives the asset. The expenses of the legal guardian will be paid out of the minor’s bequest. Generally, the legal guardian will use the funds for the child’s health, education, maintenance and support having regard to any other assets or resources of the

minor known to the guardian. Again, ready or not, the legal guardian must turn over the assets to the minor at age eighteen, a tender age in today’s world.

A better plan would be to leave assets to a minor beneficiary by creating a trust. You leave directions for the use of the funds, distribution at a stated age, such as thirty years old and, in the meantime, the trustee, a person you choose instead of a legal guardian chosen by the court, uses the money for the purposes enumerated above, either by giving money directly to the minor or by paying bills on their behalf.

Trusts avoid probate court proceedings entirely for the trust assets. You either put assets into the trust while you are living or, alternatively, you may name the minor’s trust as death beneficiary on bank accounts, investment accounts, IRA’s or the retirement plans, annuities and life insurance policies.

The intention to benefit minor beneficiaries must be attended to with thoughtful planning to avoid having the

punished.

The Richner and James families have a longstanding relationship. Richner Printing has printed the CJ newspapers for years and also prints other daily and weekly newspapers, specialty publications and newsletters throughout the tristate region, as well as general, high-volume commercial printing and mailing.

Like CJ Publications, Richner Communications is a proud family-owned business. Founded by Robert and Edith Richner in 1964, the company is today led by their son, Stuart Richner.

“We are excited to continue the great work of Carolyn, Al and their team, to ensure that the Amityville, Babylon and Massapequa communities have the critical news necessary to remain vibrant places to live and work,” Richner said. “Our company believes deeply in the importance of local journalism, and we look forward to introducing ourselves to our new readers.”

Carolyn James will assume the role of associate publisher at Richner Communications and will continue to oversee the four publications. The (516) 798-5100 phone number of CJ Publishers will remain the same, as will the newspapers’ websites of AmityvilleRecord.com, BabylonBeacon.com and MassapequaPost. com. James’ email address is now cjames@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: rglickman@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643

■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com

Unsolicited sexual images cause trauma

ing and public health, underscored the profound impact that receiving unsolicited sexual images can have on individuals. Shaw said that the intrusion into one’s personal digital space often feels like a violation of their personal safety and boundaries, exacerbating feelings of threat and unsettlement.

“To a sophisticated young adult, it might not seem like a very big deal, but to a child, adolescent, or even an elderly person, it can be very distressing,” she explained. “When it comes to a person individually receiving this type of image, especially through their device, which has become part of one’s personal space, then it’s really perceived as an intrusion. That’s threatening and upsetting.”

The Don’t Be Silenced project offers multiple avenues for individuals to seek help. According to Teich, victims of unsolicited sexual images can reach out to the organization via email, social media, or the contact form on Love Your Neighbor’s website. The organiza-

tion ensures that support is always accessible, providing a lifeline for those in need.

Teich and Shaw highlighted the importance of talking through such experiences with professionals. For many, the immediate response to unsolicited sexual images is to internalize the trauma, leading to misplaced feelings of guilt or responsibility.

I“I needed to talk to somebody, I needed to talk it through,” Teich recalled from her own experience. “I needed to know that I didn’t provoke anything, that it wasn’t my doing, that it was somebody else’s behavior.”

sought assistance through Don’t Be Silenced. While this may seem reassuring, there is a concern that potential victims might still feel silenced and unaware of the support available to them.

t’s disturbing and it’s traumatizing.

JAIME TEICH

Sea Cliff, Love Your Neighbor Project

Shaw added that discussing these incidents can help victims process their emotions, avoid internalizing the behavior of the perpetrator, and regain a sense of control and self-worth.

Despite the project’s availability, Teich explained that since it started, no one has

Shaw further explained the potential long-term effects of such trauma. Symptoms like persistent flashbacks, disrupted sleep, and a constant state of distress are indicators that professional help might be necessary. She pointed to the Adverse Childhood Experiences study, which correlates early traumatic experiences with long-term health issues, emphasizing the importance of addressing these traumas promptly.

“Some people can dismiss it, but for other people, depending on their sensitivity or their sense of violation of personal boundaries, it can be very disturbing and not easily dismissed,” Shaw added. “What happens then

is that the unpleasantness, the distress lingers and sometimes becomes exaggerated, or exacerbated, particularly if there aren’t other kinds of resources.”

Shaw explained that addressing the trauma varies from person to person, and advocated for various therapeutic modalities, including journal writing, physical exercise, and spiritual practices like yoga and tai chi. She also explained techniques like “havening,” which can help individuals self-soothe and manage their emotional responses more effectively.

While topics like this can be hard to discuss, particularly for those who have experienced it, getting support, and understanding how humans react to such trauma is essential to recovery, and awareness ensures that issues like this are fewer and far between.

To speak with someone at Love Your Neighbor, reach out through any of their social media pages or email at goodnessatlynp.org. For more general information visit LYNP.org.

NEWS BRIEFS

Pizzerias pitch in for Diller family

The Town of Oyster Bay joined with local pizzeria owners to present more a check for more than $180,000 to the widow of fallen New York Police Department Detective Jonathan Diller and charities including Beyond the Badge NY, Project Thank a Cop, and the Silver Shield Foundation. As part of an LI Pizza Strong fundraiser in April, more than 250 participating pizzerias across Long Island donated $5 from every pizza pie they sold on April 17.

“The only thing Long Islanders love more than our pizza is our police, and we’re thrilled to be part of that encouraging message,” said Joseph Saladino, town supervisor. “We thank these small businessowners for their commitment to our communities, especially to the families of fallen police officers.”

LI Pizza Strong was created in the wake of the Farmingdale High School Bus Tragedy, raising over $100,000 to support the families of those affected by the accident. Anthony Laurino, whose family was personally impacted by the bus crash, teamed up with Alyssa Guidice of Dine-LI and Jim Serpico of Side Hustle Bread to create LI Pizza Strong. Upon the death of Diller, the organization step in once again to help the Diller family, as well as other organizations that help our police force. For more information on LI Pizza Strong, visit LIPizzaStrong.com.

EMMA RYAN

Baldwin Senior Lacrosse

IT WAS A NEAR-PERFECT regular season for the Bruins, who won 13 of 14 games and captured the Nassau Conference 3 title. And Ryan, who will play lacrosse at Hartwick College, was one of the biggest reasons for their success. She netted 52 goals, including the 100th of her career, and added 12 assists. She also had 87 draw controls. Ryan had eight points (six goals and two assists) May 6 as Baldwin sealed first place with a 14-13 win over Hicksville.

PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

BASEBALL (Farmingdale State College) Friday, May 24

HERALD

North Shore produces 11-win year

By MARC BERMAN sports@liherald.com

The big bats of North Shore’s softball team created lots of runs and excitement, but not a playoff berth.

The Vikings finished at an outstanding 11-4, posting 198 runs in 15 games with a sparkling .483 team batting average. But North Shore fell short of a playoff berth by one game, hurt by two extra-inning losses late in the year.

Nicole Petrucci, an assistant coach since 2020, served her first season as Vikings head coach and managed to get the most out of a predominately junior lineup, which should mean a 2025 playoff future.

“It was a great year,’’ Petrucci said. “Everyone worked hard. It was a great group of girls. Our biggest strength definitely was our hitting.’’

Yes, the balls were flying off North Shore bats. Five girls hit over .500 – three of them over .600. That amounted to the best record North Shore has posted since Petrucci has been part of the program.

Ten of its 11 wins came via the mercy rule which ends games when a 12-run lead is achieved by the fifth inning.

The players cited offseason batting drills by their new coach as paying off.

“{The hitting) was a huge improvement since last year,’’ senior shortstop Jolie Waiksnis said. “We worked a lot on our batting from the open gym this year. It was a huge improvement from every player. (Petrucci) taught us a bunch of different drills, which helped our strength and toughness at bat.’’

Tony Bellissimo/Herald

Junior pitcher Grace Ryan, who posted a .698 batting average with four home runs and 35 RBI, was part of a deep Vikings’ lineup.

Nassau

(Hofstra University)

The leader of the Maroon Bat Patrol was junior pitcher Grace Ryan, who posted a .698 batting average with four home runs and 35 RBI. Ryan also scored 25 runs and her slugging percentage was a whopping 1.4.

“She had a really good season at the plate,’’ Petrucci said. “She struggled with her pitching because of an injury but she was really amazing.’’

The lone senior, Waiksnis was the engine as leadoff batter, hitting .600 with 22 RBI and six stolen bases. She was a defensive help at shortstop and also chipped in at centerfield.

Waiksnis, the lone impending graduate, can’t wait to see what Ryan does next year.

“She’s a great hitter,’’ Waiksnis said. “She’s always very consistent with her hitting. She always stayed confident and likes to hit the ball to left-center. It’s a tough ball to get to.’’

Junior Adriana Porcaro was vocal on the field and with the bat as she posted a .667 average – second highest. “She’ s a great leader,’’ Petrucci said. “One of those players you know is going to be a coach when she gets older.’’

Vanessa Jahnke and Megan Whitcomb hit .548 and .512 respectively. Jahnke stole

seven bases while Whitcomb drove in 26 runs – second-best on the team.

In a rare close victory, North Shore knocked off neighbor Locust Valley, 11-7, for its highlight win. But the extra-inning, crushing losses to Manhasset and East Rockaway were the Vikings’ undoing.

“Honestly, I had the most fun with this team since I’ve played here,’’ Waiksnis said. “I had such a fun time this whole season. Everyone played amazing. We had a great season in total even though we didn’t make the playoffs. We were so close to beating an undefeated team (Manhasset). It was a huge accomplishment.’’

By Danielle Schwab & Tim Baker

Marinela Lizana Plaza, Cedarhurst

American Legion Post 339

I think of soldiers that fought in our wars to keep freedom, our liberties and America as we know it, how much we owe them and their memories. I have a friend, a member of my unit, who died, who I think about every Memorial Day.

What does Memorial Day mean to you?

Ralph Esposito, Elmont Veterans Service Agency

We pay tribute to those who gave all to make it possible for the rest of us to enjoy the freedoms we have today. I run the Elmont Memorial Day parade to remember those who gave it all and who made the supreme sacrifice.

Davian Savage, Lynbrook American Legion Post 339

It’s a day to recognize the fallen military personnel over the course of many wars, and to remember their impact on the freedom we have today, and the ultimate sacrifice they made.

Howard Stillwagon, Glen Cove Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 347 (with Cruiser, his service dog) Memorial Day is to honor the fallen veterans of all wars but (personally) for the 20 young men I saw get killed in Vietnam from January to July of 1969. For us combat veterans, we know what it was like to see them lose their lives We never forget.

Gary Glick, Bellmore Jewish War Veterans

It’s a day of mourning for guys who have passed away or who were killed in the war — in all wars. My motto is to help veterans. It shouldn’t just be one day of taking care of veterans, it should be every day.

The Parker Jewish Institute celebrates National Nurses Week

The Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation took pride in hosting National Nurses Week from Monday, May 6 to Sunday, May 12, 2024.

The celebration was part of Parker’s recognition taking place all year, every year to show appreciation for nurses and nursing students alike. This is how Parker helps build rewarding careers while caring for the region’s older adults.

Parker’s nursing staff provides expert, compassionate care to residents and patients at the Institute. In expressing gratitude to Parker’s immensely dedicated team, the Institute treated nurses to a catered lunch with musical talent, complimentary massages, ice-cream treats and other fun activities.

Building a culture of care is a year-long mission at Parker. Here, team members are provided with in-person and e-learning programs as well as coaching and mentoring to build the next generation of nurse leadership. The training is designed to cultivate talent, and is tailored to meet the

needs of those with busy schedules.

“While Nurses Week is designed to recognize the exemplary work of our entire team, their extraordinary efforts make a difference each and every day for our patients and residents, as well as their families,” said Michael. N. Rosenblut, President and CEO of Parker Jewish Institute.

“We aim to help them raise the bar in delivering outstanding and compassionate

care, to the entire Parker community, as they carry the profession of nursing forward.”

About The Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation

The Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation is headquartered in New Hyde Park, New York. The facility is a leading provider of Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care. At the forefront of

Parker Jewish Institute • (718) 289-2212 • lscacco@parkerinstitute.org

Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.

innovation in patient-centered health care and technology, the Institute is a leader in teaching and geriatric research. Parker Jewish Institute features its own medical team, and is nationally renowned as a skilled nursing facility, as well as a provider of community-based health care, encompassing Home Health Care, Medical House Calls, Palliative Care and Hospice. Parker Jewish Institute is also home to Queens-Long Island Renal Institute (QLIRI), led by an interdisciplinary team of experienced Nephrologists and Dialysis Registered Nurses, a Renal Social Worker, and a Registered Renal Dietitian. For more information, visit parkerinstitute.org or call (877) 727-5373.

Queens-Long Island Renal Institute offers Home Hemodialysis and Certified Home Health Care available through Parker Jewish Institute

Queens-Long Island Renal Institute (QLIRI), located at The Parker Jewish Institute, now offers a state-of-the-art Home Hemodialysis Program. Those patients who also require Certified Home Health Care can access it conveniently through QLIRI’s affiliate, Parker Jewish Institute.

QLIRI’s Home Hemodialysis Program allows patients to transition from an in-center setting to receiving hemodialysis from the comfort of their home, using the Tablo Hemodialysis System. Enrolled patients are first trained by a registered nurse. The nurse provides step-by-step guidance four days a week over the course of four weeks, or longer if necessary. Through training, patients learn to use the system before transitioning to home hemodialysis.

If needed, patients of Parker’s Certified Home Health Care Agency receive individualized nursing, medical, and

rehabilitation services, so they can maintain maximum independence in the comfort of their homes. Home-care services can include skilled-nursing care; physical, occupational and speech therapy; home-health aides; medical social services; medical supplies; and 24-hour telephone availability. Call with questions: (718) 289-2600. To learn more about QLIRI’s Home Hemodialysis Program, visit qliri.org. For more on Parker’s Certified Home Health Care, visit parkerinstitute.org.

North Shore’s streets are paved with art

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

The North Shore Arts Angels held their 4th Annual Artwalk, promoting the incredible artwork of students in the district in conjunction with local businesses throughout the North Shore School District. Over 40 businesses, the largest number participating thus far, opened up their window spaces and parts of their stores to feature 161 pieces of art by over 100 students in the district.

Courtesy North Shore Arts Angels

The artwork of North Shore students was proudly displayed inside, outside and in the windows of businesses.

Students, teachers and Arts Angels members gathered at COCO Confections + Coffee to celebrate the 4th Annual Artwalk.

Artwork by over 100 North Shore students is on display at businesses throughout Sea Cliff, Glen Head and Glenwood Landing.

Over 40 businesses, including Honey’s Bistro, are displaying the art of North Shore students.

This year was the largest Artwalk in the event’s history.

STEPPING OUT

Look upwardHeading into summer at the BETHPAGE S OW

Parliament Funkadelic

HGeorge Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic revolutionized funk music in the 1970s, blending psychedelic rock with soulful grooves and creating an extravagant stage show that influenced generations of musicians. Their iconic sound and outlandish performances made them pioneers of funk, with hits like ‘Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)’ and ‘Atomic Dog’ cementing their legacy in music history.

By Karen Bloom

Here we are — ready to kick back and enjoy Memorial Day weekend’s prelude to summer. Besides the observances, parades and barbecues, that yearly trek to Jones Beach to watch the action overhead during the Bethpage Air Show is a beloved tradition for so many of us.

U.S.

Courtesy U.S. Navy

This year’s show — on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 — celebrates its 20th year with much fanfare.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels, headliners at the first Bethpage Air Show back in 2004, return to helm the spectacular two-day display of flying stunts. George Gorman, regional director of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation, enthusiastically says that “spectators are in for a real treat” this time around with 2024 being “a very special year for us.”

“Not only are we celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Bethpage Air Show, but we are also celebrating the 95th anniversary of Jones Beach State Park and the 100th anniversary of New York State Parks and the Long Island State Park Commission,” he notes.

The Blue Angels have strong ties to the region, flying Grumman Hellcats, built on Long Island for the team’s 1946 inaugural flight. The team then went on to fly other Grumman aircraft, including the Bearcat, Cougar and Tiger, one of which now hangs at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City.

Parliament Funkadelic (often abbreviated as P-Funk), led by Clinton, is known for their innovative and influential contributions to the genre, combining elements of funk, soul, R&B, and psychedelic rock. The collective originated in the 1960s, with Clinton serving as the central figure and creative force behind both groups. He’s recognized as the godfather of modern urban music.

Saturday, May 25, 8 p.m. $99.50, $79.50, $69.50, $54.50, $49.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY. com, (631) 673-7300

the American Airpower Museum Warbirds; along with Farmingdale State

College Flying Rams, flying several of their 22 college-owned aircraft, complete team uses five of the remaining World War II-era NA SNJ planes left in the world, meticulously restored with the latest technology.

The Skytypers, an air show favorite, combine the best of old and new. The team uses five of the remaining World War II-era NA SNJ planes left in the world,

“These were Navy scout planes used on missions in World War II and the Korean War,” explains Larry Arken, the Skytypers’ longtime flight leader. “We’ve modernized them and give them plenty of TLC. We have to take care of our warbirds. They’ve got quite a military history; they’ve landed on aircraft carriers and as fighter trainers they trained the Greatest Generation.”

• May 25-26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

• $10 vehicle use fee

• Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh

• For up-to-date information, visit BethpageAirShow.com or text ‘Airshow’ to (516) 842-4400, to download the Bethpage Air Show mobile app

The distinguished squadron — back for its 10th headlining appearance — is joined by other elite military pilots, including the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, the U.S. Air Force’s A-10C Thunderbolt II Demo Team, and the U.S. Navy F-35C Demo Team. These expert aviators demonstrate the armed forces’ capabilities in fulfilling air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

The renowned Blue Angels Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron always delights air show visitors with unparalleled displays of flight precision, in keeping with the Navy’s time-honored tradition dating back to 1946. A total of 17 officers voluntarily serve with the Blue Angels, showcasing the precision and power of naval aviation. Each year, the team typically selects three tactical (fighter or fighter/attack) jet pilots, two support officers, and one Marine Corps C-130 pilot to relieve departing members.

As always, expert civilian performers join in the action. The popular Skytypers and their flight squadron of vintage World War II aircraft; Mike Goulian, North America’s most decorated aerobatic pilot; the Warbird Thunder team, piloted by former Skytypers members; Long Island’s aerobatic daredevil David Windmiller;

The Farmingdale-based Skytypers are, of course, a familiar sight along northeast beaches with their skytyped messages generated at an altitude of 10,000 feet with puffs of smoke in dot matrix-style letters. While those messages won’t be visible during the show this time around, the pilots are ready to entertain with their signature maneuvers.

“We’re thrilled that this is our 20th year with the show,” Arken says. “It’s so important to us as it’s our hometown show. For many of our friends, it’s the only time they get to see us (perform). We’re always excited to be here and put a smile on people’s faces. It’s great fun to fly down low and see everyone on the beach. This is a terrific event, and the pilots enjoy it as much as everyone on the ground.”

Flying at 500 feet, his team’s 18 minutes of precision skills always excite spectators. Among their favorite tricks is the “bomb burst,” in which the Arken’s planes come in at low altitude toward the spectators from five directions in a crisscross pattern.

“It almost looks like we’re going to hit each other,” he says. “It’s a real crowd pleaser.”

His team is a close-knit group of five pilots, with decades of military and professional experience, who honor the history and heritage of their refurbished aircraft.

“I consider us caretakers of these planes that had such a historical impact during World War II, “Arken says.”Everything we do is because we want to keep them alive for the generations to see them. We love flying these planes and bringing them to this show.”

The event is one of the largest air shows in the country. More than 240,000 people attended in 2022, when the Blue Angels last performed during a stormy weekend. Last year, more than 419,000 attended.

Simon & Garfunkel Songbook

Aztec Two-Step 2.0 chronicles the extraordinary career of Simon & Garfunkel. The music speaks for itself, anchored by Rex Fowler, Aztec Two-Step co-founder and his wife, Dodie Pettit, an original cast member of Broadway’s ‘The Phantom of The Opera.’ Multiinstrumentalist Steven Roues, horn player Joe Meo, and drummer/ percussionist Peter Hohmeister round out the band. The show’s storyline was originally created by Pete Fornatale, the late great pioneer of progressive FM radio and author of Simon & Garfunkel’s Bookends biography. Now telling the stories, emceeing and directing is Fornatale’s protégé, Tony Traguardo, noted rock music historian, podcaster and founding board member of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame. Nostalgia and laughter abound, and a sing a-long is always in the mix.

Friday, May 31, 8 p.m. $42, $37. $33. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

Courtesy Larry Arken

Left: The Skytypers return each year with their display of flying expertise, a Memorial Day weekend tradition.

Right: The renowned

Navy Blue Angels are back in action over Jones Beach this weekend.

THE Your Neighborhood

Chris Botti

Award-winning jazz trumpeter Chris Botti visits The Paramount, Sunday, June 2, 8 p.m. Botti has found a form of creative expression that begins in jazz and expands beyond the limits of any single genre. He has thoroughly established himself as one of the important, innovative figures of the contemporary music world. Coming to prominence with the 2001 recording of his Night Sessions CD, Botti gained a reputation as a versatile musician in both jazz and pop music for his ability to fuse both styles together. He’s been one of the most popular instrumentalists in the world for nearly three decades; he’s collaborated with some of the biggest superstars on the planet, including Sting, Paul

Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Steven Tyler, Andrea Bocelli, Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma, and others.

He knew his life’s dream was playing music after listening to Miles Davis play perform “My Funny Valentine” live from “Miles Davis – Four & More.” Before venturing out as a solo artist, Botti played in Carnegie Hall as part of the McDonald’s All American High School jazz band and went on tour with Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler and others. His time performing with musicians such as Paul Simon, Sting, Tony Bennett and Michael Bublé in and out of the studio inspired the distinct style Botti has to this very day. He’s topped the jazz charts with numerous award-winning albums, and performed with symphony orchestras and on prestigious stages from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House. After signing to Blue Note Records, Botti released his latest album, “Vol. 1.” In many ways, the album is a fresh start for the trumpeter. Having successfully crossed over from the underground jazz scene to pop stardom, Botti’s first album in over a decade finds him coming back to his roots, focusing on acoustic jazz and classic standards. $99.50, $89.50, $74.50, $64.50, $59.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

Family

theater

Families will enjoy another musical adventure, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved children’s books, on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage, Wednesday through Friday, May 29-31, 10:15 a.m. and noon; also Saturday, June 1, 11:30 a..m. and 2 p.m. Back by popular demand after a sold-out 2023 run, see Pigeon, Bus Driver, and some zany passengers sing and dance their way to help Pigeon find his “thing” in this upbeat comedy based on Willems’ popular Pigeon books.

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

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “Urban Art Evolution,” is a comprehensive exhibit featuring a diverse range of compositions from the 1980s through the present by creators who were based in the rough and tumble downtown area of New York City known as Loisaida/LES (Lower East Side/East Village) and close surrounding neighborhoods.

Artists pushed the boundaries of what was considered “art” with a primary focus on street/graffiti art. The exhibit’s scope, guest curated by art collector/gallerist Christopher Pusey, offers an even broader view from other creative residents, who worked inside their studios but still contributed to the rich fabric of the downtown art scene from different vantage points and aesthetics.

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

Simon, Barbra Streisand,

Floral design for kids

Old Westbury Gardens Director Maura Brush leads a 45-minute floral arranging class just for kids, Saturday, June 1, 1010:45 a.m., to explore their creative side. Fresh flowers will be used, and she will teach proper care and handling, water, and how to make sure your floral arrangement lasts and looks beautiful. Discuss flower names and fun facts about each flower. For ages 5-12. $30. Registration required. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.

Long Island Orchid Festival

Surround yourself in blooms when the Long Island Orchid Society and Planting Fields State Historic Park host the 9th annual Long Island Orchid Festival, Friday through Sunday, May 31-June 2, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay. Visit PlantingFields.org or LongIslandOrchidSociety.org for more.

Pride Stride

A pride flag will be raised at Sea Cliff beach, at The Boulevard in Sea Cliff, Sunday, June 2, at 11 a.m. Attendees will march to 100 Village Square in Glen Cove following.

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art, Saturday, May 25, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork.

Kids and adults connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. For ages 2-14. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for to register or call (516) 484-9337.

Glen Cove Women’s Golf Club

Glen Cove Women’s Golf Club is looking for members. The group plays 18 holes every Tuesday, through October, at the Glen Cove Golf Club. Play is weather permitting. Membership is open to all women regardless of residency. 109 Lattingtown Road. For more information, visit GCWomensGolf.com.

Having an event?

‘Thomas & Friends’

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to experience its newest exhibit, Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails!, opening Saturday, May 25. Participate in fun activities celebrate the arrival of this traveling exhibit, 1-3 p.m., during the drop-in programs. Step onto the Island of Sodor, where visitors can climb aboard a large model of Thomas the Tank Engine, race trains along a giant track, work together to sort and load cargo and maintain engines.

Kids engage in a variety of STEM challenges from simple sorting and shape identification to more complex engineering obstacles. As they test their abilities, the smiling faces of Thomas, Percy, Victor and others are there to offer encouragement and remind children how “really useful” they all are. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.

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

On stage

Plaza Theatrical brings back its acclaimed Broadway series. With the recent passing of Stephen Sondheim, regarded as one of the most important figures in 20th-century musical theatre for reinventing the American musical, Plaza honors him with a staging of “Into the Woods,” Friday, May 31, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, June 1, 2:30 p.m.; also Thursday, June 6, 2 p.m. See it at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre. 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $49, $45 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical. com.

Harmony for Hunger

Cellist Nicholas Pascucci and pianist Jiin Kim perform, Sunday, June 2 4 p.m., at Nassau Country Club, benefiting the North Shore Soup Kitchen in Glen Cove. Program includes works by Bach, Beethoven and Chopin. $75 suggest donation. 330 St. Andrews Lane, Glen Cove. Call (516) 8406775 to reserve your seats.

Golf outing

Glen Cove Education Foundation holds the 10th annual golf classic, Monday, June 10, at the Glen Cove Golf Club/ Tee off is 1pm, and foursomes are available. Sponsorships are also open. Non golfers can buy a ticket for dinner and open bar only at The Marker, the new restaurant at the Glen Cove Golf Course. 109 Lattingtown Road, Glen Cove. For more information, visit TheGlenCoveEducationFoundation. com or call (516) 801-8140.

Game Time

Drop by Bayville Free Library, Wednesdays, 1-4 p.m., for casual table games. Bring your own games or use games offered by the library such as; cards, Canasta, Mah Jongg, Scrabble, chess, checkers, backgammon, and jigsaw puzzles.No registration required. 34 School St. For more information, visit BayvilleFreeLibrary. org or call (516) 628-2765.

Book club

Teddy’s Rough Readers Book Club discusses Kate Quinn’s “The Phoenix Crown,” Monday, May 27, 7 p.m., at Theodore’s Books. Registration required. 17 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay. Visit TheodoresBooks.com to register and for more information.

Nassau County cheers 125 years, but work to be done

By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com

Nassau County turned 125 earlier this year, and an eclectic grouping of politicians, artists and celebrities celebrated with the clinking of glasses at The Lannin catering hall at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow.

Last week’s party — hosted by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman — saw a packed room filled with dignitaries like Hempstead deputy town supervisor Dorothy Goosby and Valley Stream painter Mike Stanko, alongside celebrity guests like actor Vincent Pastore from “The Sopranos” television series, and singer Taylor Dayne.

“Nassau County was once known for agriculture, fishing, Gold Coast estates, and resort living,” Blakeman told attendees, during his toast. “Today, Nassau County is larger than 10 states in population. Our gross domestic product is larger than 146 nations in the United Nations. We are home to people of every race, every religion, every ethnic group, every lifestyle, and every ability. We are one of the healthiest — and thanks to our Nassau County Police Department, we are the safest.”

The county’s origin story was, in effect, an act of secession, according to historians. In 1898, when New York City annexed Queens County, its three eastern towns — Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay — pushed to split away,

Tim Baker/Herald

Nassau County Police Emerald Society Pipes & Drums took The Lannin hall by storm at Eisenhower Park in paying tribute to Nassau’s 125th anniversary. It was all part of an all-star gala last week hosted by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

drawing an invisible boundary between itself and the newly expanded city.

Thus, on Jan. 1, 1899, Nassau County was born with its suburban future firmly secured.

But for Alexandra Wolfe, chief executive of Preservations Long Island — a regional historic preservation nonprofit

AN AMAZING SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE

— the county’s historical value predates its official inception.

“You can find historical material as far back as the 18th century in Nassau County,” she said. “Every movement in history left an imprint on Long Island. But you’re not often aware of it. It’s hidden away, privately owned, or built around.”

It’s partly the reason why those like former Nassau County Historical Society president Natalie Naylor treated the milestone as less of a cause for celebration and more as an opportunity to underscore serious challenges in preserving the county’s much longer heritage.

“Nassau County once had a wonderful system of museums that, over the years, has deteriorated with less and less funding, staffing and expertise,” she said, pointing to the “county’s declining financial support and interest over the decades” as a main concern.

Naylor also mentioned that long-proposed projects like working with the county to bring back the Nassau County Historical Museum — formerly based in Eisenhower Park that shuttered in 1991 — have failed to get off the ground.

But the county still sought to make history a focal point of the celebration, commissioning Valley Stream artist Mike Stanko to create a rendering of the Theodore Roosevelt County Executive Building in his signature “pop-realist” style.

Stanko chose the subject matter for his painting after touring the building with Blakeman, who personally requested him for the occasion.

“It’s the office of the county executive and of many other elected officials and public servants, and it’s going to be prominently displayed there,” Stanko said. “It’s a classic historic building, and it’s a true honor and privilege to be selected for this work.”

never too early to plan for summer. Hofstra Summer Camps is

for registration! A favorite of Long Island families for 40 years, Hofstra Summer Camps provides campers in grades K through 12 an exciting opportunity to explore their passions, learn new skills, or become better athletes in any of our 50+ camps. Campers benefit from use of Hofstra’s state-of-the-art facilities, and our included lunch and transportation options make us the preferred choice for parents.

NEWS BRIEFS

SAGE golf outing honors hometown heroes

The SAGE Foundation, a fundraising arm for Glen Cove Senior Center, is holding its annual June Golf Classic. Three hometown heroes who have added to the well-being of Glen Cove and the Senior Community will be celebrated — Linda Thompson, Brian Simmons, and Tony Jimenez.

Thompson was born in 1944 and was raised in Omaha, Nebraska. During her teens and early twenties, she held various jobs at the Nebraska Methodist Hospital. In 1967, she started working for Avis Car Rental at the Omaha Airport. During her tenure with Avis, Thompson was transferred to Denver, CO and landed her final transfer to Glen Cove in 1976, where she held various positions in the technology department. Since then, Thompson became very connected to the Glen Cove Senior Center, and other departments in Glen Cove such as the Beautification Committee and the Senior Advisory Board. Thompson volunteered to run their golf outing from 2005 to 2021. Thompson continues to donate her time as a volunteer for the outing along with volunteering in the Senior Center’s Adult Day program.

Simmons, a life-long Glen Cove resident, graduated from the Glen Cove High School in 1985. He attended the University at Albany. Simmons was a member of the Glen Cove Police Department for 29 years until he retired in 2019. He is a member of the Recreation Commission for the City of Glen Cove. He has been married to his wife for 17 years and has four children.

Jimenez, a Vietnam War veteran from the 1st Cavalry Inventory, earned the Purple Heart, Commendation Medal for Valor, the Combat Infantry Badge, Air Medal and the Vietnam Gallantry Medal with two Bronze Stars. He was honorably discharged in 1971 and from 1974-2001, worked as a technician at Glen Cove Hospital. He then worked as a New York State Court Officer from 1988-2001. Jimenez was awarded the Medal of Honor for Heroism, three Medical Life Saving Awards and initiated statewide implementation of automated external defibrillators in all courthouses. Jimenez was the Deputy Commissioner of Jurors for Nassau County from 2001-2017 and has been the Director of Veterans Affairs for Glen Cove since 2017.

Jimenez is heavily involved with the Glen Cove community having been elected as a city councilman from 20002014 and again in 2015. Jimenez is involved in many organizations such as but not limited to Glen Cove EMS, Kiwanis, Youth Bureau, Glen Cove Interagency Council, Glen Cove Age Friendly Advisory Board and the American Legion Post.

The Golf Outing will take place on June 3 at the Glen Cove Gold Club, 109 Lattingtown Road. Tickets are $225 per player, and includes golf at Glen Cove Golf Club with a noon tee off, a grab and go lunch, dinner and an open bar at the Metropolitan at 5 p.m. To register visit glencovesage.com. For further information, call (516) 671-2280.

THE GREAT BOOK GURU

Homeward bound

Dear Great Book Guru, What a weekend in Sea Cliff! First Porchfest, with 30 bands that played on porches and lawns all over the village and then the Landmarks House Tour with 300 plus people visiting six of Sea Cliff’s unique homes. During Porchfest one of the band members said she had to get home to finish a compelling sequel to Colm Tobin’s, “Brooklyn.” Are you familiar with the book?

Huge Porchfest Fan

Dear Huge Porchfest Fan, “Long Island” is Colm Tobin’s sequel to his very popular novel and movie adaptation “Brooklyn.” Set in 1976, 25 years after “Brooklyn” ends, the novel opens with Eilis living in Lindenhurst, Long Island with her husband Tony Fiorello and two teenage children. They live in a family compound of sorts with his parents, his brothers, and their families where large boisterous Italian Sunday dinners color (or cloud) her existence.

Eilis still feels the outsider and yearns for her family back in Ireland, whom she hasn’t seen in 20 years. When she learns of Tony’s infidelity, she decides to return to Enniscorthy, the small village where she was born. From this point on, the story is told from the perspective of Nancy, her childhood friend, and Jim Farrell, the man Eilis loved and left 25 years before. Jim never married and has been carrying on a discreet affair with Nancy, a recent widow. With the arrival of Eilis and her Americanized ways, all of Enniscorthy is thrown into turmoil, especially Jim and Nancy. The story has many exquisite details and subplots leaving the reader wondering what ending to wish for. A compelling read and highly recommended!

Would you like to ask the Great Book Guru for a book suggestion? Contact her at annmdipietro@gmail.com.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, SSA NE ASSETS, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. ANGAD HOMES LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 6, 2023, 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 June 3, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 66 Peachtree Lane a/k/a 66 Peach Tree Lane, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of North Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 7, Block 312 and Lot 7. Approximate amount of judgment is $961,399.74 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #608310/2021. 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. Christine M. Grillo, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 200190-3 146552

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR NEWCASTLE MORTGAGE SECURITIES TRUST 2007-1, -againstGIOVANNI LIPPIELLO, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on March 18, 2024, wherein THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR NEWCASTLE MORTGAGE SECURITIES TRUST 2007-1 is the Plaintiff and GIOVANNI LIPPIELLO, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH

SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on June 13, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 41 THE PROMENADE, GLEN HEAD, NY 11545; and the following tax map identification: 21Q-33,34 and 440. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT GLEN HEAD, TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 601745/2018. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 146657

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. MAP REAL ESTATE LLC, Pltf. vs. JAN GIERTL; et al, Defts. Index #005771/2016. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered April 16, 2024, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on June 13, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a 1 Vine Street, Glenwood Landing, NY 11547 a/k/a Section 20, Block 101, Lot 15. Approximate amount of judgment is $831,586.34 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. BRIAN J. DAVIS, Referee. MARGOLIN, WEINREB & NIERER, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 165 Eileen Way, Ste. 101, Syosset, NY 11791. #101398 146884

LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR CITIGROUP MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, INC., MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-4, Plaintiff - against - LARRY BLUMSTEIN, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on April 2, 2019. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 “Rain or

Shine” on the 13th day of June, 2024 at 2:00 PM.

All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Sea Cliff, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Premises known as 1 Richardson Avenue, Sea Cliff, NY 11579.

(Section: 21, Block: 222, Lot: 431)

Approximate amount of lien $624,040.05 plus interest and costs.

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

Index No. 018968/2009.

Malachy P. Lyons, Esq., Referee.

McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff

420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170

Tel. 347/286-7409

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

Dated: April 11, 2024

During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale.

146761

LEGAL NOTICE

NORTH SHORE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

SEA CLIFF, NEW YORK INVITATION TO BID: CARPENTRY SUPPLIES

BID

SCHOOL YEAR 2024-2025

Participating Districts: North Shore Central School District & Glen Cove School District

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that sealed bids will be receive by the Board of Education, North Shore Central School District, 112 Franklin Avenue, Sea Cliff, New York, 11579, for Carpentry Supplies

Bid Receipt Day & Time: June 4th, 2024 at 11.00am

Bids will be received until the above-stated hour of prevailing time and date to the attention of John Hall, Director of Facilities at the Business Office of

North Shore Central School Distict located at 112 Franklin Avenue, Sea Cliff, NY 11579. Promptly at 11:00am prevailing time on June 4th, 2024. Bids will be opened and read aloud.

OBTAINING

DOCUMENTS: Specifications and bid forms may be obtained via email Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm, excluding holidays. Requests for bid documents must be sent via email to Mathew Cheravallil cheravallilm@northshores chools.org . Bid Submissions: Each board of education reserves the right to waive any informalities in or to reject any or all bids, or to accept that bid which, in the Board of Education’s judgment, is in the best interest of the School District. The Board of Education further reserve the right to consider experience, service and reputation in the above referenced fields. In addition, the Board of Education reserve the right to consider the financial responsibility and specific qualifications, set forth in the bid specifications, of the prospective bidder in evaluation of the bids and award of contracts.

BOARD OF EDUCATION North Shore Central School District

By: Elizabeth Ciampi, District Clerk 147022

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING DISTRICT-WIDE SAFETY PLAN NORTHSHORE MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA 505 GLEN COVE AVENUE GLEN HEAD NY 11545 THURSDAY JULY 11, 2024, AT 745 PM NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held on Thursday July 11th 2024 at 7:45 PM at the North Shore Middle School Cafeteria 505 Glen Cove Ave , Glen Head NY 11545 at which time and place the Board of Education of the North Shore Central School District will discuss the 2024-25 District Wide Safety Plan developed by the District Wide School Safety Team pursuant to Commissioner’s Regulation Part 155.17 ( c ) (1) and ( c) (3). This plan includes the Emergency Remote Instruction Plan. The District Wide Safety plan is available for public comment at North Shore Central School District office, located at 112 Franklin Ave, Sea Cliff NY 11579 between the date of this notice and the public hearing. The public hearing shall be held at the time and place stated herein. 147021

ANN DIPIETRO

OPINIONS

Wishing for some of that World War II-era wisdom

Recently I had the opportunity to take part in a forum on President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms, hosted by Cornell University’s Institute of Politics and Global Affairs, which is directed by former U.S. Rep. Steve Israel. (Full disclosure: My daughter, Erin King Sweeney, works as an assistant to Israel at the institute.)

The event was held at upstate Hyde Park, the site of FDR’s birth, home, burial, library and museum, and it provided a perfect backdrop for the daylong series of discussions on the president who led the United States through the Great Depression and World War II.

As a history major and a political junkie who has read numerous books on FDR and his times, I found the forum interesting and rewarding. The most detailed and illuminating segment was the presentation by Andrew

Meier, author of the epic work “Morgenthau: Power, Privilege, and the Rise of an American Dynasty,” who focused on Henry Morgenthau, Roosevelt’s longtime friend and the U.S. Treasury secretary for almost 12 years.

What struck me the most while listening to Meier was a renewed realization of just how perilous those years were. The country’s fabric was being threatened internally by the corrosive economic and social dislocation of the Depression, and, of course, externally, our independence and freedom as a nation was imperiled by Hitler’s Nazi Germany and Tojo’s Imperial Japan. And in the years leading to the attack on Pearl Harbor, the American people were committed to America First and strongly opposed to any involvement in foreign wars.

Would we and our leaders have the same stamina and unity of purpose today?

reality of the Holocaust, which he had to confront as the only Jewish member of FDR’s cabinet. Yet somehow, Morgenthau, Roosevelt and, most important, the American people came through all this, emerging with the world’s strongest economy and most powerful military, and the forces of Nazism and Japanese imperialism defeated and crushed.

because that was still not known to Japan and would damage our war effort in the Pacific, Dewey complied in the national interest. That contrasted sharply with what I saw in the war against terrorism, when secret agreements we had with countries were disclosed on newspapers’ front pages for political benefit, without regard to national harm.

As treasury secretary, Morgenthau had to deal simultaneously with severe budget, economic and banking crises as well as the Herculean two-front war effort against Germany and Japan. Hovering over all this was the horrific

This made me wonder whether America and our leaders would have that same stamina and unity of purpose today. And whether there would be the same level of patriotism, putting country before party. I remember reading that during the 1944 presidential campaign, Thomas Dewey, the Republican nominee, learned that the United States had broken the Japanese code prior to Pearl Harbor. This raised the question of whether FDR had been negligent or actually allowed the attack to happen (which Dewey believed).

Yet when Army Chief of Staff George Marshall asked Dewey not to disclose that we had broken the code,

My last impression from the FDR forum was how important it is for Americans to remember the past and the lessons to be learned from it. To realize that the world did not begin the day before yesterday or the day you were born. That crises do not lend themselves to the easy black-and-white solutions of social media. As the philosopher George Santayana famously said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” America has had a difficult but proud history. A prouder history than any nation in the history of the world. A history we must do all we can to learn and never forget going forward.

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

The real work gets done in the middle

We live in a world defined by extremes, where political forces have driven public discourse so far to the edge that the partisan divide is getting wider and wider. Our elected officials resist finding common ground, and prefer vilifying opponents instead of seeking compromise. Consequently, many New York voters have abandoned both parties, declaring a pox on the houses of both Democrats and Republicans.

In fact, the state’s fastestgrowing constituency comprises voters who have chosen not to affiliate with either party. The Board of Election calls them “blanks.” They are neither progressives nor conservatives, but largely identify as moderates. Like most of the country, the majority of New Yorkers are centrists who reject the constant accusations and political hype.

Sadly, the parties call resistance to compromise being “principled,” but it’s

anything but. Coalition building has always been a proper and essential part of governing.

But choose any issue, even those that have been identified as crises, and we can see the outcomes of this ongoing division. The approach is generally so extreme that nothing gets done.

Look at our energy and environmental policies. If New York state were its own country, it would be about the 12th-largest economy in the world. But the state has also prioritized reducing the environmental impact of its economy, and has reduced its carbon footprint significantly over the past 20 years. Today, our carbon output accounts for a fraction of 1 percent of the world’s total, a remarkable achievement given our economic output. It’s a statistic we should all celebrate as we continue moving toward a renewablebased economy.

the rallying cry of “saving the planet.” Many of these policies would place New Yorkers at risk, because they remove redundancy from our system and place unreasonable demands on our electric grid.

S adly, the parties call resistance to compromise being ‘principled.’

We’re on an island jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, susceptible to nor’easters in the winter and hurricanes in the summer. Our electricity is carried on an overhead distribution system that is routinely compromised by high winds, falling branches and blown transformers. And yet there’s a headlong rush to convert our entire energy system to electricity and eliminate natural gas for fuel, heating and cooking. Experts agree that the grid will invariably fail in both winter and summer, as it always does. But the increased demands and single-source dependency will only make these failures more precarious.

electric buses are notoriously unreliable, especially in cold weather. Never mind that New York winters get very cold, especially upstate. And ignore the fact that no school district is prepared to purchase these buses, nor are they willing to channel billions of dollars statewide away from educating children to do so.

Frankly, manufacturers don’t even have the capacity to satisfy the mandate. Yet in a classic case of virtue signaling, legislation was passed by those who knew it couldn’t be done. Putting undue pressure on already burdened school systems just makes no sense.

Anyone who questions these policies is somehow portrayed as anti-environment, something that is not only untrue but also unfair. There is real consensus on environmental policy, and we all want clean, reliable energy supplied by a stable grid. We just have to be reasonable about how we approach it.

As far as some of my colleagues are concerned, however, we haven’t done enough. They’re now advancing policies in Albany that would significantly burden every municipality, school district, business and homeowner, all with

Or take the fact that every school district in New York must now switch to electric school buses in 2027. Never mind that we know the grid can’t provide nearly enough electricity to charge all those buses. Never mind that

Whether it’s housing, crime, taxes, health care or the environment, we must reject extremes from both ends and occupy the middle. That’s where the real work gets done. We don’t need unanimity, just consensus.

Jack Martins represents the 7th Senate District.

PETER KING

JACK MARTINS

Fax: (516) 569-4942

After 125 years, Nassau County still thrives

When we think about 125 years of Nassau County, we have to look back to when the newly expanded New York City enveloped Queens County into its new domain — well, not quite all of it.

The towns of Hempstead, Oyster Bay and North Hempstead were excluded from the plans to join the city — despite being part of Queens. The 55,000 people who lived in this part of Queens County were not happy, and they gathered at a Mineola hotel in late January 1898 to do something about it.

They decided it was time to create their own county — which they would call Nassau, for King William III, who reigned from the House of Nassau when this land was first settled, and whose house name was already used for some settlements on the island.

But convincing lawmakers in Albany wasn’t so easy.

The measure ultimately passed, however, and was signed into law by Gov. Frank Black on April 27, 1898, officially bringing Nassau County into existence as of Jan. 1, 1899.

Now, 125 years later, Nassau is New York’s fifth-largest county by population with nearly 1.4 million people — making it larger than both the Bronx and Staten Island — and the 29th largest in the nation.

LETTERS

Let’s make the most of this chance to learn from history

To the Editor:

Why do so many choose Nassau County to not only work in and visit, but also to call home? Especially with the bustling, never-sleeping New York City quite literally over the next hill?

That answer is simple: Big homes and big yards. Less noise and pollution. Quieter streets. Much lower crime rates. And superior schools — especially when it comes to public schools.

Where else can you jump in the ocean at Jones Beach, then head to Tanglewood Preserve, in Rockville Centre, to enjoy everything else nature has to offer, and finish your day exploring the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Uniondale?

Why just read about history when you can actually visit it? Like Sagamore Hill, in Oyster Bay — the home of Theodore Roosevelt, existing today pretty much the way it did when the 26th president lived there. There’s also Raynham Hall, also in Oyster Bay, which was a spy headquarters during the American Revolution.

The Rock Hall Museum, in Lawrence, brings Colonial times to life not just with the artifacts inside, but the 1767 mansion they are all housed in.

Even Eisenhower Park, in East Meadow, has made history. As the site of the former Meadow Brook Club, it hosted the first-ever national women’s golf tournament in 1895, won by Lucy Barnes — the wife of Charles S. Brown, who

As a history Ph.D. and a high school history and civics teacher, I was gratified to read Peter King’s column urging Americans to heed the lessons of history (“We should have learned more than we have from history,” May 9-15). Unfortunately, there is little that most Americans can do directly to help defend Israel and Ukraine from the evils that assault them, to reduce trade with China for the material goods we have no choice but to buy, or even to calm tempers on college campuses. But there’s one thing every American can easily do to help our politics, and that is vote this November, to preserve the norms essential to American democracy.

Before coming to power, Adolf Hitler made clear his intention to expel or exterminate Jews and create an Aryan Empire in Central Europe. Mussolini promised to use violence to cleanse Italian politics of leftists. Rodrigo Duterte campaigned in the Philippines on promises of summary mass executions of drug dealers. These men, and others like them, were brought to power by a combination of voters who were sadistic enough to want exactly what each one promised, and others who didn’t take their promises seriously, found the audacity titillating, or assumed that power itself would tame these leaders. But once in office, each leader set about doing precisely what he had promised. History’s lesson is that megalomaniacal politicians must be taken at their word.

Donald Trump repudiated the tradition of conceding power

would go on to found what is now the Brown Harris Stevens real estate company. The park also hosted the ninth PGA championship tourney in 1926, won by Walter Hagen — the “father of professional golf.”

There are also great places to shop, pretty much in every neighborhood. So many Nassau County businesses are family-owned. So many of them have been in families for generations. And you know it the moment you walk through their doors. The way you are greeted. The way you are served. It proves you don’t need to be a Roosevelt to be treated like royalty here.

But when it’s all said and done, Nassau County is all about all of us, the people. Our neighbors. Our doctors and nurses. Our school superintendents, principals and teachers. Our police officers. Our sanitation workers. Those who do good in public service. The men and women who volunteer — and put their own safety on the line — as firefighters and first responders.

“This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in,” Teddy Roosevelt once said. And that’s true not just for the United States, but also in our neighborhoods. And all of us here in Nassau County have shone for the past 125 years, and we look forward to shining for the next 125, too.

peacefully, a cornerstone of democracy. After losing the 2020 election, he and his henchmen assembled cadres of fake electors, spread demented conspiracy theories to confuse the public, and had Michael Flynn put out feelers for a declaration of martial law. Since the failure of his Jan. 6, 2021, coup attempt, Trump has campaigned on promises to turn the U.S. military against civilians, throw migrants into detention camps,

hijack Congress by withholding legitimately voted funds, and strip the independence of the judiciary in order to remove obstacles to these actions.

He has said he will countenance the tracking of women’s pregnancies by state governments and the invasion of NATO allies by Russia. It is beyond any well-informed person’s doubt that, in office, he will weaken the NATO alliance, give Vladimir

OPINIONS

Our public schools deserve better

After months of contentious budget negotiations, the State Legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul recently agreed to a historic $237 billion state spending plan. The final budget compromise included the Legislature’s reversal of Hochul’s proposed funding cuts to education, as it instead allocated nearly $36 billion in public-school aid.

The state’s public-school funding model can best be described as a three-legged stool consisting of state aid, commercial taxes, and residential property tax revenue.

But even as New York makes historic investments in our schools with taxpayer dollars, many corporations and commercial properties are skipping out on their fair share of tax payments, leaving residents to pick up the hefty tab for education costs.

According to a 2023 report, public schools in the state lost at least $1.8 billion in revenue to corporate tax breaks, also known as tax “abatements,” in fiscal year 2021. Nassau County ranked among New York’s top 10 counties in total forgone school revenue, and recorded the second-highest number of approved corporate net tax exemptions.

DThe independent report, published by Good Jobs First, a pro-economic development research organization, found that a massive portion of corporate tax abatements occur when local industrial development agencies acquire properties and lease them to private companies in exchange for payments in lieu of taxes. Of course, these PILOTs are only a fraction of the corporate tax revenue that would help fully fund our education system.

to private companies, resulting in billions of dollars in lost commercial tax revenue for school districts across the state.

istricts are losing many millions of dollars to corporate tax breaks.

According to this analysis, the lost revenue for Nassau County public school districts included $3 million — or $1,031 per pupil — for the Mineola Union Free School District, $8.4 million — $1,668 per pupil — for the Westbury Union Free School District, and $12.6 million — $1,827 per pupil — in the Uniondale Union Free School District, the highest in Nassau County and the third-highest among public schools statewide.

PILOTs where tax revenue was intended for public school districts. The bill has gained significant support from labor organizations, teachers unions and good-government groups seeking to reform IDAs to better serve our schools.

Fundamentally, the Good Jobs First report argues, IDAs should not have the power to waive commercial taxes that would otherwise benefit our schools. The report makes key policy recommendations toward this end, including expanding school and community representation on IDA boards, increasing transparency and accountability in reporting forgone tax revenues, and eliminating IDAs entirely.

Let’s recap: Industrial development agencies, which are essentially public entities, buy up properties and offer them tax-free, for pennies on the dollar,

LETTERS

Putin a green light to expand his conquests in Ukraine, and encourage leaders — from U.S. state and local officials to dictators around the globe — to copy his methods, including delegitimizing any election that does not favor him or his party.

History’s lesson is that if Trump wins, he will do all he says he will do, and likely worse. The next four years will consist of a struggle between Executive’s efforts to dismantle democracy’s guardrails, and other government branches’, federal and state, to preserve them. That’s why Americans should vote for Joe Biden this November, as well as for Democrats up and down the ballot, and only those Republicans who promise they will stand up, rather than acquiesce, to the installation of a Trumpist dictatorship in the United States.

ALEX DILLON Cedarhurst

What to do about college demonstrations?

To the Editor:

I share Jerry Kremer’s unease with recent campus unrest (“The blemish of college demonstrations,” May 9-15), but I’m also uneasy with his conclusion that college administrators need “outside help” to prevent future “drama.” My dissent is reflected in Kremer’s comment about “publicity-minded government officials” like House Speaker Mike Johnson and Gov. Greg Abbott. Jeremy Suri’s two cents indicates the category of “offi-

cials” extends beyond government.

The solution is for all involved to return to their respective corners, to reset the bargain, including the media. It must be remembered that the hardfought-for principle of freedom of speech and its extension to the principle of academic freedom began as protections against government power to suppress. This is what is at issue. Academic freedom developed during the Enlightenment as societies, and governments, realized that valuable and beneficial knowledge emerge from organized study, the pursuit of knowledge.

Many did not accept this intellectual freedom as a good idea, not then and not now. This is what we see in the general MAGA disdain for science, disparagement of expertise, distrust of libraries. Lately these “officials” have been supported by university donors who want greater control over staffing, curriculum and knowledge, undermining the premise of academic freedom.

Some academics have taken their protected status for an enhanced right of free speech to engage publicly in promoting their work, which has drawn criticism as activism beyond the original remit. Some students, too, have exceeded their commission to become learned in the service of social improvement by attacking that very privilege.

The media is part of all this, and can constructively be more balanced. But the outside agitators, those various “officials” seeking greater influence, must withdraw. Then university administrators need to review, clarify, revise if necessary, the ground rules under which they function, their unique status and

The estimated $1.8 billion in lost school budget revenue could have been used for such essential investments as air conditioning in classrooms, athletic field renovations, wages for bus drivers, and teacher training for new technology.

Last year, the State Legislature introduced a bill that would prohibit IDAs from granting corporate tax breaks and

In Nassau County, residents pay among the nation’s highest property taxes, 60 percent of which are earmarked for our public schools. But if we are to achieve a fairer, more equitable education and tax system, we cannot continue to allow corporations to shortchange our school districts at the expense of hardworking families.

Karl A. Valere is chief of staff and senior policy adviser to Assemblyman Khaleel M. Anderson. He lives in Baldwin.

FRAMEWORK by Tim Baker

what they owe the greater society. They must assert their independence from outside interests.

Students, similarly, need reminding of concepts like noblesse oblige, of behavior that infringes on free speech, and how, especially for them, “civil discourse” should be considered a virtue. The responsible media can seek less

drama and superficial speculation, and greater substance, and point out those who seek accommodation over those who prefer discord.

A very conservative suggestion to promote a very liberal goal.

Taylor Dayne helps celebrate Nassau County’s 125th anniversary — Eisenhower Park

KARL A. VALERE

BRIAN KELLY Rockville Centre