__________________ SEAFORD _________________
HERALD Becoming an Eagle Scout
A blast from the automotive past
lunches for those in need
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Vol. 72 No. 31
JUlY 25 - 31, 2024
$1.00
Hundreds pay their respects to Chris Carini By JoRDAN VAlloNE & CHARlES SHAW of the Wantagh/Seaford Herald
Tim Baker/Herald
Dozens of police officers paid their respects to Hempstead Town Councilman Chris Carini at a Mass on Monday. The 49-yearold retired Port Authority police officer died unexpectedly on July 14, while visiting family in Florida.
If any message was clear at Hempstead Town Councilman Chris Carini’s funeral Mass on Monday, it was the one conveyed in the words of the Rev. Steven Camp, who said simply, “He was there.” Carini, a champion of quality-oflife initiatives in Hempstead and the 5th Councilmanic District, was laid to rest following a service at St. William the Abbot Roman Catholic Church in Seaford. The 5th District includes Seaford, Wantagh, and parts of Bellmore, Merrick, Freeport, Point Lookout and Lido Beach. Hundreds of family members, ConTinueD on PAge 10
Two Seaford principals reflect on their long, fulfilling careers By CHARlES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
The Seaford School District will enter a new chapter as two longtime principals — who came to the district around the same time — are preparing to say goodbye to a school community that has filled them with lasting memories. Deborah Emmerich, principal at Seaford Manor Elementary School, and Dan Smith, principal at Seaford Middle School, are set to leave their positions next month. Emmerich arrived in the school district in 2006, when she became the assistant prin-
cipal for both Harbor and Manor elementary schools. The following year, she became the assistant principal at Seaford Harbor Elementary School, and in 2010 she took over as Manor principal. For Emmerich, serving as an administrator for the Seaford elementary schools was an honor and a privilege. “It’s really the greatest joy of my life — besides my children, grandchildren and family,” Emmerich said. “I just love it so much, and I’m really going to be missing it.” Smith’s career in education began 34 years ago when he first taught in Queens before
working in the Glen Cove School District as an English teacher. Like Emmerich, Smith came to Seaford in 2006, serving as the assistant principal at Seaford High School. Four years later, he was appointed principal of the middle school. Smith said his experience as both a student and a teacher helped him throughout his career. “I always felt like trying to remember what it’s like to be a student made me a better teacher,” Smith said, “and then trying to remember what it’s like to be a teacher made me a better administrator.” Smith described his time at
the middle School as “a wild ride,” which he’ ll miss. He added that he’s proud of the school’s accomplishments during his tenure, such as being named a “New York State School to Watch” in 2024. The designation comes from the National Forum, a nonprofit educators’ association dedicated to improving education and school-based support for mid-
dle-grade students. Smith said the accomplishment was a milestone in his career and a moment he’ll look back on to cherish. “It’s nice to be recognized for that unique part of education, the middle school years, because it’s definitely a unique time in education,” Smith said. “Everyone always knows eleConTinueD on PAge 5