By KELSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com
The Nassau County Planning Commission unanimously approved the lease agreement for Las Vegas Sands to take control the Nassau Coliseum at a meeting on July 18. The agreement was put to a vote by the Rules Committee on Monday, whose members also approved the proposal.
A full vote in the County Legislature is scheduled for Aug. 5.
The decision to turn the Uniondale site over to the Sands has generated a great CONtiNUed ON Page 4
By KELSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com
Brandee Younger is a jazz harpist and a Long Island native. She grew up in Hempstead and Uniondale, and her musical talent and passion has blossomed into a successful career that takes her to venues across the country.
Younger’s most recent performance was at the Tilles Jazz Fest last Saturday. She played a duet with bassist Rashaan Carter.
It was at the Tilles Center, on the LIU Post campus in Brookville, where Younger, 41,
used to play the harp in the Center’s summer chamber music program when she attended Walnut Street Elementary School and Uniondale High School.
“I’ve got a really cool connection to the Tilles Center,” she said. “It’s like home for me.”
Her duet performance drew a crowd of jazz enthusiasts. Sheila Chectman, who attended the festival with her husband, said she enjoyed Younger’s music, especially since it was her first time hearing a jazz harpist.
“I’ve never heard a harpist before,” she said. “I didn’t know what to expect.”
Tyler Simpson is a longtime fan of Younger’s, and of jazz in general, and he was happy to hear the performance.
“I love her — I’ve listened to her albums forever,” Simpson said. “It’s great to see some of my favorite artists live.”
Younger grew up in Hemp -
stead, but her family moved to Uniondale when she was in fifth grade and became active members of the community. Her mom taught third grade at Grand Avenue Elementary School in Uniondale, and her family regularly attended Union Baptist Church in Hempstead. She said that her experiences and opportunities growing up in
Uniondale helped shape her career.
“I think most of my formative years actually happened in Uniondale, and it’s in Uniondale where I really started to play an instrument,” Younger said.
She began with the flute, and then played trombone in the Uniondale High marching band.
By JEFFREY BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com
The opening of a state Democratic office in Hempstead coincided with the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, and Long Island Democrats are hoping for liftoff toward victory in November.
Congressional hopeful Laura Gillen, who is running against now incumbent Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, aims to defeat the Republican she ran against two years ago.
“We need a representative for this district who actually represents the district and delivers for the district,” Gillen said outside the 82 Main St. office. “I’ll legislate and act in the best interests of the people that I represent.”
She said that D’Esposito has not delivered for the district that includes communities from the Nassau border across the county’s South Shore to Wantagh.
Inside the office, members of 1199 Service Employees International Union, campaign volunteers and party supporters mingled with Rep. Gregory Meeks, who represents southeast Queens; Gillen, Siela Bynoe, a current county legislator now running for state senate opposing Republican Thomas Philip Montefinise; and Noah Burroughs who is opposed by Danielle Smikle in the 18th Assembly District.
Meeks spoke for nearly seven min -
utes to motivate the troops, noting that Long Island is vital to the hopes of Democrats.
“This the key to making sure we have and return to having the majority in the United States House of Representatives,” he said.
Calling the 2022 congressional elections a “tragic accident,” when several seats were lost, Meeks, who has served since 1998, said: “Because we won NY-3, we only need four more seats and we know that NY-4 is going to deliver the goods and make sure that Laura Gillen is elected.”
NY-3 is the congressional district formerly represented by George Santos. After his ouster from the House, former Congressman Ton Suozzi defeated Republican Mazi Pilip in a special election in February.
Bynoe thanked the people who supported her in the June primary against fellow Dem Taylor Darling, and noted that every vote is critical.
“It is important to support Laura Gillen,” Bynoe said. “There is much at stake. Our democracy is at stake.”
Bynoe then led the audience in the chant,” When we vote, we win.”
Burroughs, a native of Hempstead, who played in the NFL and taught for 20 years said his primary mission is to “give back to kids.”
“I do things more or less for the community — us all,” he said, noting that he “won’t’ stop walking and talking” the
district and to potential constituents until the election is over.
Gillen also noted the energy in the office and acknowledged those who attended.
“We know what the stakes are in this election, and NY-4 we need a congressperson who actually shows and delivers for the people,” she said.
Despite being the challenger in her race against D’Esposito, Gillen, who did serve two years as Town of Hempstead supervisor before running for Congress, said she has a positive outlook.
“I feel really good about this campaign, I think you saw from this office opening there is tremendous energy and momentum,” Gillen said. “We’ve seen it in our grassroots support, we’ve seen it in our fundraising. And I think people are ready for a change in this district and I’m the change that they need.”
Change occurred again, as on Sunday President Joe Biden said he was bowing out of the presidential race and Vice President Kamala Harris now appears to be the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination.
The Killer Joe Band, and rock-nroll, blues and soul band, rocked Uniondale Park with their free concert on July 22.
Guests brought chairs and blankets to sit outside and listen to the band, complete with the lead singer, guitar, drums, and a horn section.
Joe Ferraro, “Killer Joe,” started the band over 20 years ago. Ferraro grew up in Uniondale, and his enthusiasm for music started when he was young.
“I discovered the blues at a very early age because I played harmonica, and I just picked it up at Uniondale High School,” he said. “I understood it, and I followed that path and that led me to play with anyone who would have me at the time.”
He went on to play with different groups over the years until he formed the Killer Joe Band.
The band plays original songs, as well as famous songs across genres, from Motown to R&B to blues and soul.
Ferraro was excited to come back and perform in his hometown.
“Music is the only thing, especially live shows, that brings people together,” Ferraro said.
The show was part of the Town of Hempstead’s free outdoor neighborhood concerts throughout the summer. Learn more about other shows at HempsteadNY.gov.
–Kelsie Radziski
deal of controversy. Because last week’s meeting was not open for public comment, the Say No to the Casino Civic Association held a news conference outside the county legislative building in Mineola, where the meeting took place, to express its members’ frustrations.
“I’m totally against the casino,” Pearl Jacobs, founder of the Nostrand Gardens Civic Association and a member of Say No to the Casino, said. “It’s no good for our environment, no good for our youth, no good for our community.”
The lease permits Las Vegas Sands to control the Coliseum property for 42 years. A second lease is being developed that would allow Sands to shut down the Coliseum and develop the property in two years, according to members of Say No to the Casino.
“Since we learned of this project, we have three times passed unanimous resolutions opposing the casino project,” Mary Carter Flanagan, mayor of Gar-
den City, said.
Other community members gathered in protest outside the meeting alongside the anti-casino group, holding signs and voicing their opinions on the Sands project. The State Gaming Commission has said previously that the decision on as many as three new casino licenses will not be made until late 2025.
Vinny Muldoon, a Garden City village trustee who moved to Nassau County over 30 years ago from Ireland, said he believed the casino would do irreparable damage to suburban Nassau County, creating gambling addictions and “destroying the youth.”
“I say no to the casino for one reason and one reason only,” Muldoon said. “It’s because it destroys young people’s lives, families, and it leaves them penniless.”
Elizabeth McCoy, who has lived in East Meadow for over 60 years, said she was concerned about what the lease
agreement could mean for the future of the 72-acre Coliseum property. She opposes the casino, and said she feared that the lease would only make the process easier for Sands.
“Why does it have to be 42 years?” McCoy asked the crowd. “Where is the logic, and what is the underlying ulterior motive in that? Is this really about allowing the Las Vegas Sands an open opportunity to get their foot in the door?”
Not everyone in attendance opposed the lease. Grant Newburger, political director of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, supports Sands’ taking control of the Coliseum because, he said, it will protect the workers already employed there.
Ivices locally, from landscaping, information technology, and accounting and legal services to hotel chocolates, flowers and bed linens.
t’s no good for our environment, no good for our youth, no good for our community.
Pearl Jacobs Founder of
“Specifically what we’re talking about today is the lease transfer of the existing Coliseum,” Newburger said. “There are 400 union members who work there, and we want to make sure they can work there tomorrow.”
“We are preparing to create both the greenest building on Long Island and a project that will create more than 5,000 long-term careers and over 8,500 construction jobs,” she said. “These positions will be management and union jobs. We are working with educational partners at Nassau Community College and Long Island University, as well as Long Island’s labor community, to create workforce training programs that will create career pathways for Long Islanders to stay on Long Island and thrive here.”
the Nostrand Gardens Civic Association and a member of the Say No to the Casino Civic Association
Despite the confidence Sands and supporters have in the company’s involvement on Long Island, many community members are still far from convinced that the proposed casino would be a good idea for local neighborhoods.
Sands is building relationships with Long Island businesses in the hope of garnering support for the project, according to Tracey Edwards, senior vice president and corporate social responsibility officer for Sands New York. The company hosted “procurement academies for Long Island business owners and entrepreneurs” throughout 2023 in preparation for the project.
Edwards said that Sands intend to source 75 percent of its goods and ser-
“What kind of environment are we creating for our future generations if we allow a casino corporation to manipulate 72 acres of prime Nassau County real estate into something that resembles a mini Atlantic City?” McCoy said.
For more information on issues relating to the Sands New York Project, visit SandsNewYork.com.
Have an opinion on the proposed Sands complex? Send a letter to kradziski@liherald.com.
Seeing perfectly good food wasted while women in a nearby shelter struggled to find enough to eat deeply moved Linda Breitstone. This personal connection to the issue spurred her into action. Armed with determination, a station wagon, and a few coolers, the Rockville Centre resident began her mission. She discovered many food establishments were discarding excess food at the end of the day and found many people in need of it. This led to the establishment of Island Harvest Food Bank in 1992.
Breitstone, a longtime resident of the Princeville area in Kauai, Hawaii, passed away peacefully, surrounded by friends, on July 16, 2024, died at 73, after a brief battle with cancer. Her son, JB Breitstone of Barnstable, Massachusetts, said, “My mother was very proud of the work of Island Harvest and loved watching it grow from an idea — creating a grassroots effort — to what it has become today.” Tapping into a lifelong hobby of collecting crystals, Linda was the proprietor of Crystal Woman, an enterprise trading in crystals for meditation or creativity spaces in homes, art, or music studios.
Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest, noted that the organization, under Breitstone’s guidance, has grown to become the region’s leading hunger relief and social service organization. While food rescue is a legacy program, representing a small part of what Island Harvest does today, it is expected to distribute nearly 20 million
pounds of food this year, providing supplemental food support and related services to an estimated 221,190 people on Long Island identified as food insecure, including 44,780 children.
“Linda Breitstone was a woman with a true sense of making things right,” said Shubin Dresner, who has led the food bank since 2001. “She cared deeply about Island Harvest, and even after she moved to Hawaii, she kept an eye on our progress. I am deeply honored to have worked with her and to continue her legacy.”
Known for her tenacity, upon receiving a grant for the organization’s first refrigerated truck through Ed Travaglianti, the former head of the now-defunct European American Bank, Linda Breitstone had the
“chutzpah” to ask for office space, which EAB ultimately provided in an unused space on the second floor at one of its banks on Second Street in Mineola. “If chutzpah is what it took to get help for people who were hungry, then Linda did not mind the pejorative,” said one original board member.
“Linda’s passing leaves a void that can never be filled,” said Steve Juchem, board chair of Island Harvest. “Her legacy, however, will continue to inspire and guide us. Her impact on the lives of countless Long Islanders who have relied on Island Harvest over the past 32 years is immeasurable. We will always remember her with deep gratitude and respect.”
Longtime Island Harvest board mem-
ber and current vice chair Jill Bernstein said, “Linda brought us all together, and she was a bright star. This organization was her heart and soul, and she made it happen because she believed in the good in everyone, no matter where they came from or their background. She understood that people needed to be fed and nourished. She was the best of all of us, and I, along with so many others, will miss her terribly.”
“I never had the privilege of meeting Linda. However, our entire community owes her a true debt of gratitude,” said Island Harvest board member Douglas M. Nadjari. “Her memory will live on and endure through our organization.”
Island Harvest created the “Linda Breitstone Spirit Award,” presented at its annual Taste of the Harvest Celebration fundraising event. In addition to honoring the founder, the award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the organization in furthering its mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island.
Loretta Sehlmeyer, a longtime volunteer with Island Harvest Food Bank and a member of its advisory board, said of Linda Breitstone, “I have always loved telling her story, and I am especially proud to have received the Linda Breitstone Spirit Award in 2005 and to be recognized as someone who continues to reflect her passion to support and be a part of Island Harvest Food Bank’s mission.”
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
6 p.m.
At Hofstra University, graduate students plant the seeds to advance in their career. Hear from representatives across 200 programs that include business, communications, education, engineering, health sciences, nursing, and psychology, and learn all the ways your success can sprout at Hofstra University. Your future awaits.
For event details and to RSVP, visit hofstra.edu/visit
Residents across Long Island complain that low-flying airplanes have increased in number since the end of the coronavirus pandemic.
By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com
The roar of jet engines overhead has become a constant aural backdrop for many residents of Long Island, particularly those living in lower-income neighborhoods. In recent years, a shift in flight paths from nearby airports such as Kennedy and LaGuardia, which together handle roughly 1,400 flights a day, has exacerbated the issue. Residents now endure relentless noise from aircraft flying directly over their homes, disrupting daily life and sparking widespread frustration.
“I’ve lived in Uniondale for 30 years, and I don’t ever remember the noise from the planes being so loud and annoying,” Pearl Jacobs, president of the Nostrand Gardens Civic Association, said. “Now it’s to the point where these planes are going all day and night long, flying across our skyways, and some of these planes are very low.”
Jacobs and other residents believe that the flight path changes disproportionately affect minority communities. The enforcement of noise ordinances dates back to the rise of American urbanization and industrialization, with New York becoming the first major city in the country to implement noise ordinances in 1905 — which often defined the music of Black and Hispanic communities as noise disturbances.
“I strongly believe this is a racial issue,” Jacobs said. “I’m not saying that white communities aren’t having this issue as well, but in Uniondale and other nearby communities, it is all day, all night, and they are constantly going.”
Efforts to address the noise have met with limited success. The Town of Hempstead created the Town-Village Aircraft Safety and Noise Abatement Committee in 1966 to tackle the problem, but local governments have little influence over the Federal Aviation Administration, which controls flight paths. Jacobs’s attempts to draw more attention to the issue have included writing to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, but she has yet to receive a response.
James Vilardi, executive director of the Noise Abatement Committee, emphasized the challenge of getting the FAA to acknowledge and address the problem. The committee’s primary goal is to obtain accurate decibel readings from FAA monitors, because data is averaged across neighborhoods and does not reflect specific impacts.
“If we get the raw data and find that the decibels vio-
Low-flying airplanes can cause serious health issues, increasing stress levels, preventing sleep and in some cases even leading to cardiovascular issues.
late municipal or federal code, we can appeal to the FAA to make changes,” Vilardi explained. The FAA, however, has been largely unresponsive, leaving residents in limbo.
Brookville Mayor Daniel Serota voiced similar frustrations.
“Years ago, when Congressman (Steve) Israel was our congressman, he initiated meetings with regional FAA folks and other mayors to discuss the planes and their heights,” Serota said. “Every Saturday and Sunday, they fly over our villages, and they’re supposed to have a certain height limit, but the pilots never adhere to that.”
Serota detailed the complexities of addressing the issue, including the discretionary power of pilots to determine flight paths based on safety considerations. Despite some agreements to maintain certain altitudes, those measures, he said, often fall by the wayside.
“It’s up to the pilot, and if he feels he needs to go lower or the weather is a certain way, that’s his purview,” Serota said. “We had Covid, which silenced the planes for a while, but now they’re back, flying as low as can be.”
Serota added that despite years of reaching out to airline and public officials, nothing has been done to
solve the issue. He said it is one of the most frequent complaints he gets from Brookville residents.
“On weekends it can be very loud,” he noted. “These big planes, like the double-decker ones with four engines, fly over at sometimes 1,500 feet. You can see the words on the Emirates Airlines planes and hear the noise as if they’re right above your backyard.”
The impact of aircraft noise extends beyond mere annoyance. According to the Civil Aviation Authority and the National Library of Medicine, prolonged exposure to aviation noise can have serious health consequences. Common adverse effects include not only annoyance, but cognitive impairment, sleep disturbance, and cardiovascular disease. Noise pollution has been linked to higher rates of heart disease and stroke, as well as hypertension and disrupted sleep patterns. Studies have also suggested potential effects on birth outcomes and psychological health, although more research is needed to fully understand those impacts.
Annoyance, the most often documented response to noise, can interfere with thoughts, feelings and activities, and lead to resentment and discomfort. Cognitive impairment, particularly in schoolchildren, is another concern, with research from the National Library indicating that high levels of aircraft noise can affect reading comprehension, memory, attention and mood. Sleep disturbance, characterized by awakenings and changes in sleep patterns, can result in next-day fatigue and long-term health issues.
Cardiovascular disease is a significant risk, with high levels of aircraft noise acting as a stressor on the body. Research by the Civil Aviation Authority has found associations between aircraft noise and an increased risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Hypertension, another cardiovascular risk factor, has also been linked to chronic aircraft noise exposure.
Despite the evident health risks, local officials face an uphill battle in addressing the problem.
“We understand that everybody has to share the burden, but it’s a nuisance and a problem,” Serota said. “It’s not for lack of trying; all the elected mayors I know on the North Shore have been very vocal. But the FAA is a big bureaucracy, and when you’re dealing with a bureaucrat, they don’t care.”
The struggle for quieter skies continues, but without greater cooperation from the FAA and a commitment to addressing the issue, Long Island residents will likely remain under the constant hum of aircraft, their health and well-being hanging in the balance.
Milwaukee was the place to be last week for Republicans as the Wisconsin city hosted the 2024 GOP national convention, where former president Donald Trump accepted the party’s official nomination as its presidential candidate and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance became the Republican nominee for vice president.
During the four-day convention, Republicans from across the country hobnobbed and networked, including Woodmere resident Cindy Grosz, Matt Capp, who serves as Rep. Anthony D’Esposito’s communication director, as well as D’Esposito and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who were both delegates representing New York. Delegates are responsible supporting a presidential candidate at the convention.
There were also speeches by celebrities such as former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, model Amber Rose, Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White, along with Senators Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Tim Scott and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
Post-convention news included the July 21 announcement by President Biden that he was stepping aside. The presumptive front-runner for the Democratic nomination is Vice President Kamala Harris. The Democrats hold their convention Aug. 19-24 in Chicago.
–Jeffrey Bessen
“A big part of my musical life there at school, once I got to high school, was marching band,” she recalled.
She was serious about the trombone, but took harp lessons as well outside school, and her passion for the instrument grew with her involvement in the Tilles chamber music program.
She was also inspired by Sarah Lawrence, another African American harpist and Hempstead native. Her grandmother knew Lawrence, and Younger grew up learning about her.
“She was in Hempstead playing harp at a time when there were no black harpists,” Younger said of Lawrence. “It was really big for me growing up.”
She drew inspiration from other well-known artists, including Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane, for the strides they made as black women harpists in the jazz community. Younger had the chance to perform at Coltrane’s funeral in 2007, which became a defining moment in her career.
“To have the opportunity to study her music, and study it with her family, and to play it with the musicians that she worked with was deeply meaningful for me,” Younger said.
She encourages young musicians in Uniondale and Hempstead to meet as many people as they can to build connections. They should take whatever opportunities come their way, she added, whether through school, summer programs, or other venues, even if they are outside of their comfort zones.
“Don’t be afraid to branch out to study at a conservatory outside of the Island,” she said.
The Association for Children with Down Syndrome hosted its annual golf outing fundraiser on July 22.
The event, held at Hempstead Golf and Country Club, was a full day of festivities. Guests started with brunch, followed by a day of golf, and then an evening dinner.
Activities included on-the-course contests, with a $10,000 hole-in-one prize and a signed New York Islanders hockey jersey.
David Foster, an individual who receives support from ACDS, presented inspirational remarks. He lives in a supported apartment and works as a paint mixer at Home Depot, according ACDS officials, and his position came from the Ken’s Krew initiative, founded by Ken Langone, to help people with neurodevelopmental disabilities maintain meaningful jobs.
The primary sponsor of the event is Empire Adventure Park, a new indoor recreational park located in the Samanea Mall in Westbury. Matt Mullen, CEO of Empire Adventure Park, is a longtime sponsor and supporter of the organization.
ACDS, founded in 1966, is “dedicated to providing lifetime resources to individuals with Down syndrome, autism, and other developmental disabilities,” according to the news release. They offer programs from birth throughout adulthood, and fundraisers like the golf outing help them maintain their assistance. The organizations serves Hempstead and Uniondale as well as communities across Long Island.
‘Cold Beer on a Friday Night’
By Karen Bloom
Whether firing up the grill for a pool party, barbecue or even just a weeknight meal, one thing’s for sure: summertime means grilling season. Grilling takes many forms: your crowd may prefer the standard fare of burgers and hot dogs to flame-kissed vegetables and the artistry of a perfectly done steak. However, the possibilities don’t end there.
By mixing and matching traditional grilled classics with options that have a variety of textures and flavors, you can shake up your at-home menu and add new favorites to your routine this grilling season.
It’s easy to go from casual to elegant in a snap. The traditional faves always have their place, but if you’re looking for a different type of barbecue, add some finesse to your menu with other ideas, by re-imagining your grilling style.
With their easy preparation and quick cooking time, kabobs are a simple way to enjoy many of your favorite fresh flavors.
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 1 pound raw boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper
• 1 medium red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
To make sauce, place 3 tablespoons mustard in medium bowl. Add oil and garlic powder, and whisk until uniform. Cover and refrigerate.
To make marinade, in small bowl, combine vinegar with remaining 2 tablespoons mustard. Stir until uniform.
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place chicken and marinade in large sealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible and seal. Gently knead marinade into chicken through bag. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Meanwhile, if using wooden skewers, soak 4 in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning. Alternately thread marinated chicken and onion chunks onto 4 skewers. Bring grill to mediumhigh heat.
Brush both sides of kebabs with sauce. Grill kebabs for 5 minutes with grill cover down.
Flip kebabs and grill for 6 to 8 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Enjoy.
These cabbage steaks blend sweet and slightly sour notes with savory crumbles of cheese for a dish that pleases every one of your taste buds.
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 package McCormick Grill Mates Smoky Applewood Marinade
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 head green cabbage, cut into 3/4-inch thick slices (about 6 steaks)
• 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions
Cook bacon in large skillet on medium heat until crisp. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the drippings.
Crumble bacon; set aside. Mix marinade mix, oil, vinegar, maple syrup and reserved bacon drippings in small bowl until well blended. Place cabbage steaks in large resealable plastic bag or glass dish. Add marinade; turn to coat well.
Refrigerate 30 minutes or longer for extra flavor. Remove cabbage steaks from marinade. Reserve any leftover marinade.
Grill cabbage steaks over medium heat 5 to 6 minutes per side or until tender-crisp, brushing with leftover marinade. Serve cabbage steaks topped with blue cheese, crumbled bacon and green onions.
Fresh veggies tossed with rice vinegar and garlic make a tasty, nutritious side.
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar (seasoned)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus extra, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper, plus extra, to taste
• 1 tablespoon, plus 1 1/2 teaspoons, fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced
• 1 cup fresh zucchini, sliced into 1 3/4-inch long, 1/4-inch thick planks
• 1 cup fresh green pepper strips
• 1 cup fresh red pepper strips
• 8 fresh stalks asparagus, slicing off 1/4 inch from bottom of stalk
• 1 fresh portobello mushroom, sliced into 1/2-inch squares
• 1 cup fresh eggplant, diced into 1/2-inch squares
Heat grill to 375 F.
In large bowl, mix together rice vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, parsley and garlic to create marinade. Clean vegetables then place them in marinade in small batches. Toss to coat then place in foil pouch. Pour remaining marinade over vegetables and seal pouch.
Bake in oven or over indirect heat on grill 25 minutes. Add salt and pepper, to taste, after removing pouch from heat.
Chef’s tip: Open pouch after 20 minutes of cooking and allow vegetables to crisp slightly under direct heat for remaining 5 minutes.
Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band bring their beachy vibe back to the Paramount stage. With summer in full swing, enjoy their“Ultimate Beach Party Tribute” to Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band. Parrotheads, No Shoes Nation and the Zamily: it’s 5 o’clock somewhere so raise ‘em up and sing along. The Long Island based band — guided by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals/ acoustic guitar, with Linn DeMilta (aka Lovely Linn), lead and backing vocals, Luis Rio, lead guitar/backing vocals, Frank Stainkamp, keyboard/ backing vocals, Dan Prine, bass, and drummer Mike Vecchione, have been celebrating the beach/country sounds for over a decade to the delight of their audiences.
Friday, July 26, 8 p.m. $35. $25, $20, $15. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.
Sal Governale, Richard Christy and Billy Mira, radio personalities known for their prank calls and comedy, keep the laughs coming as “The Hilarious Hitmen.” The dynamic trio brings a modern twist to humor, drawing inspiration from the classic styles of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Christy’s extraordinary drumming skills set the heartbeat for their performance, while Governale’s charisma and comedic genius keep audiences in stitches. Not to be outdone, Mira’s impressions and vocal range captivate everyone. Get in on the laughs when they bring their to Harry Chapin Theatre at Eisenhower Park, for a lively evening that blends big band comedy with audience participation and delightful surprises. Audiences can’t get enough of their refreshing and new take on music and comedy, making their performances an unforgettable experience that leaves you craving for more.
Saturday, July 27, 7 p.m. Free admission. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.
The acclaimed dance company visits Long Island on its 2024 tour, appearing on the Tilles Center stage Sunday, Aug. 4, 7 p.m. With a storied history, the first Black classical ballet company, co-founded by dance icon and international superstar Arthur Mitchell, has toured the world, engaged communities and introduced young minds and bodies to the power of dance. With all its renown, this boundary-breaking, dynamic organization has maintained Mitchell’s core belief that ballet belongs to everyone. Now a singular presence in the ballet world, DTH presents a powerful vision for ballet in the 21st century. The 18-member, multi-ethnic company performs a forward-thinking repertoire that includes treasured classics, neoclassical works by George Balanchine and resident choreographer Robert Garland, as well as innovative contemporary works that use the language of ballet to celebrate Black culture. Through performances, community engagement and arts education, the Company carries forward Dance Theatre of Harlem’s message of empowerment through the arts for all. The dynamic program includes “Higher Ground,” with choreography by Robert Garland, featuring Stevie Wonder tunes; “New Bach,” also choreographed by Robert Garland, with music by J.S. Bach; “Take Me with You,” choreographed by Robert Bondara, featuring Radiohead; also Robert Garland’s “Return,” with James Brown and Aretha Franklin tunes. Tickets are start at $64; available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville.
Dramatic Play
Theatre Playground returns to Long Island Children’s Museum with “Dramatic Play!,” Monday, July 29, 1 p.m., taught by Lisa Rudin, Director of Theatre Playground. In this interactive, theater-inspired workshop, children will act out an original story and help choose how it unfolds. Music, props, and sound effects create a theatrical world where participants are immersed in the story. Children are encouraged to express themselves as they create characters, explore different worlds, stretch their imaginations and build selfconfidence. This week’s theme: Undersea Adventure. Costumes encouraged. $5 with museum admission. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.
Bring the family to see the Jester Jim Show, Tuesday, July 30, 1:30 p.m., at Bernard Brown Park, Admission is free. 699 Smith St., Uniondale. For more information, call (516) 2929000.
Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a storybook adventure, Saturday, Aug. 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Stroll the gardens and listen to Michaela Goade’s “Berry Song.” Later create a unique take home craft. For ages 3-5. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.
Rep. Anthony P. D’Esposito sponsors Narcan training, at Bellmore Memorial Library, Monday, July 29, 6 p.m. Session includes instructions on how to identify an overdose, administer the Narcan Kit and contact emergency officials. Participants receive Narcan certification and kit. No fee but registration required. 2288 Bedford Ave., Bellmore. Sign up at toh311.net/narcansignup.
Enjoy a family film outdoors on Eisenhower Park’s big screen, Wednesday, July 31, dusk, at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. See the recent 3D animated musical fantasy “Trolls 3: Trolls Band Together.” The film serves as the threequel to Trolls, the sequel to Trolls World Tour, and the continuation of DreamWorks Trolls franchise. Eisenhower Park, Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.
Kids in grades 6 through 12 are welcome to join Uniondale Library’s Teen Chess Club, Fridays, 4-5:30 p.m.
Interested in playing Chess with other Teens? Not sure how? Former Junior Friends member Mr. Raynor is here to help. Registration required. 400 Uniondale Ave. Register at UniondaleLibrary.org or call (516) 489-2220.
Adopt your “fur-ever” friend this summer. There’s no better time to adopt a new pet than during the ”summer of love” at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter. Now through Sept. 1, all pet adoption fees are waived and include free spaying/ neutering, vaccinations and microchipping. There is a $10 license fee for dogs.
Check out the friendly faces of the dogs and cats before stepping foot in the shelter online at HempsteadNY. gov/179/Animal-Shelter or on the shelter’s Facebook page at Hempstead Town Animal Shelter. For more information, contact (516) 785-5220.
Uniondale Junior Friends invite teens in grades 6 through 12 to join in their peer-led meetings, Fridays, 4:305:30 p.m. Discuss upcoming events, share ideas and learn about community service opportunities. 400 Uniondale Ave. For more information, visit UniondaleLibrary.org or call (516) 489-2220.
Visit Parking Field 8 at Eisenhower Park for a farmer’s market full of farm-fresh produce and locally-made products, Saturdays, through Oct. 26, 9 a.m.- noon. 1899 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow. For more information, call (516) 8322591.
Got electronics you need to get rid of? Head over to Levittown Town Parking Field L2, on Saturday, Aug. 3, to dispose of them properly (and for free!). All televisions, computers and parts, tablets, e-readers, printers, scanners, fax machines, VCRs, DVD players, video game consoles, and portable digital music players will be accepted. Cell phones are NOT accepted. There will also be a shredding service available for the disposal of old documents. Services available from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Division Ave., off Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown. For more information, call (516) 4895000.
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.
Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition
“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition will span various world cultures through a range of media. It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority.
Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Plaza Theatrical presents a showstopping tribute to the legendary Patsy Cline, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2:30 p.m. Through a colorful tapestry of iconic songs and witty personal storytelling, Carter Calvert uses her award-winning vocal talents to create this captivating musical tribute. Calvert, a Broadway star and title character in Always… Patsy Cline (opposite Emmy Award winner Sally Struthers), has gained rave reviews and triumphant accolades for her heartfelt portrayal of this legendary country recording artist.
She vocally captures Cline’s musical stylings pitch-perfectly in mega hits including “Crazy,” “I Fall To Pieces,” “She’s Got You” and “Walkin’ After Midnight.” Both captivating and endearing, this fastpaced entertainment delights audiences of all ages. It’s performed at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.
By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com
Despite repeated partisan legal challenges aimed at its demise, the Affordable Care Act, widely known as Obamacare, has not only survived, but become an indispensable part of the American health care system. This year, a record number of Americans — an estimated 21 million — are insured through its marketplaces, which have redefined baseline expectations for consumer coverage in the health care system. Yet despite its 14 years of proven durability, Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, a Democrat, remains warily concerned about ACA’s future.
Solages was blunt in her assessment of what, or rather who represents the biggest political risk to undoing the health care law — former President Donald Trump.
At a news conference in Valley Stream last week, Solages, and leaders of the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East labor union and Protect Our Care, a nonprofit health care advocacy group, forcefully articulated their concerns, underscoring how the law has served as a crucial safety net for New Yorkers, and warned that its termination could be disastrous.
“As we interface with the affordability crisis, it’s important to acknowledge there are reforms at work, from the
Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages and health care advocates warned against dismantling the Affordable Care Act, emphasizing its crucial role in providing coverage for 21 million Americans and protecting vulnerable populations, amid ongoing political threats to its future.
Affordable Care Act to the Inflation Reduction Act, to ensure that people have access to health care,” Solages said.
“Now we are seeing constant attacks on these reforms, whether it’s federal representatives trying to take away provisions that ensure people with pre-existing conditions have access to health care or cull prescription pricing relief.”
Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, sought to roll back or repeal significant elements of the law when he was president, but did not succeed. On
the campaign trail this year, certainly aware of the law’s popularity and lasting power, he has made vague promises to replace it with a superior alternative if he returns to the White House.
Solages also cited proposals by Republicans to cap and cut federal Medicaid spending and introduce a block grant system in which states would have to bid for federal funding to secure benefits.
“Instead of direct funding to the states, they want states to enroll in a
Hunger Games-like competition for coverage,” said Solages. “We can’t compete for coverage when it comes to healt care,” which will inevitably shrink the Medicaid program and leave many uninsured.
For more than a decade, there has been grumbling about the cost and sustainability of health care coverage under ACA by conservative critics.
Many maintain, as they have for years, that coverage plans under ACA can still be too expensive for some middle-class Americans because of high insurance premiums, burdensome costsharing requirements, and narrow health insurance networks that limit people’s choice of doctor and hospital.
And with the sting of inflation and rising health care costs, the insured may still struggle to afford higher-thanexpected co-payments or deductibles.
While Solages acknowledged that New Yorkers are grappling with growing medical debt and prohibitively expensive prescription prices, reducing investments in existing reforms will only exacerbate these problems, not solve them.
“From womb to tomb, all New Yorkers interact with the health care system, and when you erode health care, you impact the most vulnerable New Yorkers,” she said. “We need to raise our voices against unfair cuts to health care.”
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO RESPONDENT, ALAZAR
GETAACHW TEKALINGE
A petition has been filed against you seeking to terminate forever your parental rights to the minor children, Azariah Nathaniel Tekalinge and Amare Nazir Tekalinge, who were born on the 9th day of July, 2005 and the 16th day of May, 2012, respectively. It appears that ordinary process of law cannot be served upon you because your whereabouts are unknown. You are hereby ORDERED to appear in the Fourth Circuit Court of Davidson County in Nashville, Tennessee to personally answer the Petition for Termination of Parental Rights and Adoption. Failing to appear, without good cause, will result in the loss of your right to contest the petition to terminate your parental rights to the children listed above and for their adoption. You may view and obtain a copy of the Petition and any other subsequently filed legal documents at the Circuit Court Clerk, 1 Public Square, Suite 302, Nashville, TN 37201. 147830
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 SUCCESSOR TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2003-2, -againstMICHAEL DENTON IF LIVING, AND IF SHE/HE BE DECEASED, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on June 6, 2024, wherein THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, F/K/A, THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS SUCCESSOR TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2003-2 is the Plaintiff and MICHAEL DENTON IF LIVING, AND IF SHE/HE BE DECEASED, 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 August 6, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 650 WINTHROP DRIVE, UNIONDALE, NY 11553; and the following tax map identification: 50-447-14.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT UNIONDALE, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 000582/2017. 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. 147821
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF THE TRUMAN 2021 SC9 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. JACY L. CAMPBELL, AS PURPORTED ADMINISTRATOR AND HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF WINSTON CAMPBELL A/K/A WINSTON W. CAMPBELL A/K/A WINSTON WASHINGTON CAMPBELL, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on October 27, 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 August 6, 2024 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 1090 Fayette Street, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Hempstead, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 346 and Lots 17 and 18. Approximate amount of judgment is $217,832.61 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #612060/2022. 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.
Russell S. Burman, Esq., Referee
Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 221028-2 147807
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE OF TIKI SERIES IV TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. BERNICE OSUJI, Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 11, 2024, 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 August 19, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 712 Campus Street, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Uniondale, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 265 and Lot 67. Approximate amount of judgment is $525,746.06 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #610628/2022. 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.
Fabiana Ida Talarico, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff Firm File No.: 221656-1 148061
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU OCWEN LOAN SERVICING, LLC, -againstWILLIAM F. JONES, JR, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on May 3, 2023, wherein OCWEN LOAN SERVICING, LLC is the Plaintiff and WILLIAM F. JONES, JR, 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 August 21, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 529 LIBERTY STREET, UNIONDALE, NY 11553; and the following tax map identification: 50-137-317. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 008792/2014. George Esernio, 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. 148046
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 51-2024
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held July 2nd, 2024, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 51-2024, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 51-2024, amending Section 197-5 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include “ARTERIAL STOPS” at various locations.
Dated: July 2, 2024 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.
Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 148124
A meeting opposing another proposed charter school will tale place
Gray Schultz Middle School on July 29. Above, ABGS graduate
Community members are joining forces in opposition to the proposed Diamond Charter School in Hempstead village. The meeting will be held at the Alverta B. Gray Schultz Middle School Band Box on Monday, July 29, at 6 p.m.
Organizers feel that adding another charter school in Hempstead will have “a negative impact on our students, the community, and our public schools,” according to the event flyer. Academy Charter School has schools in Hempstead and Uniondale.
Residents are concerned about the
public school funding that would be reallocated to the charter school, which more than likely would negatively impact the public schools, the potential risk of segregation and widening inequalities among students and families, and what protest organizers are calling the undermining of educational standards by charter schools.
School groups from Uniondale, Hempstead, Freeport, and Baldwin will also attend to address their concerns and advocate for public schools over charter schools. — Kelsie
LEGAL NOTICE CASE NO. 21527 RESOLUTION NO. 726-2024
Adopted: July 2, 2024 Councilmember Goosby offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AND SETTING ASIDE CERTAIN PARKING SPACES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE SOLE USE OF HOLDERS OF SPECIAL PARKING PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COUNTY OF NASSAU TO PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS. WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 722-2024, adopted June 18th, 2024, a public hearing was duly held on the day of July 2nd, 2024, at the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the proposed establishment and setting aside of a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons, in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, all as set forth in said resolution; and WHEREAS, after due consideration, this Town Board finds it to be in the public interest to establish and set aside a certain parking space for
motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, the following parking spaces be and the same hereby is set aside for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons:
EAST MEADOW BELLMORE ROAD - east side, startingat a point 18 feet opposite the southwest curbline of 1st Avenue, north for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-246/24)
ELMONT
116th ROAD - south side, starting at a point 113 feet west opposite the northwest curbline of 239th Street, west for a distance of 18 feet.
(TH-225/24)
JAMES STREET - south side, starting at a point 216 feet east of the east curbline of Butler Boulevard, east for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-220/24)
UNIONDALE EMERSON STREET - south side, starting at a point 250 feet east of the east curbline of Liberty Street, east for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-242/24) (NR) VALLEY STREAM
SOUTH EVERETT STREETsouth side, starting at a point 244 feet east of the east curbline of Beverly Place, east for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-234/24) ; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk shall enter this resolution in the minutes of the Town Board and shall publish a copy of this resolution once a newspaper having a general circulation in the Town of Hempstead and shall post a copy hereof on the signboard maintained by her, and file in her office affidavits of such publication and posting. The foregoing resolution was seconded by Councilmember Dunne and adopted upon roll call as follows: AYES: SIX (6) NOES: NONE (0) 148125
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU CitiMortgage, Inc., Plaintiff AGAINST Fritz Mathieu, Chantale Mathieu, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered April 10, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, ‘Rain
or Shine’ on August 27, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 517 Linwood Street, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Uniondale, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 36, Block: 128, Lot: 195, 196 and 511. Approximate amount of judgment $344,070.86 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #614603/2018. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2.nycourts.gov /Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Wayne Wink, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-089829-F00 81438 148113
Business Intelligence Analyst wanted by 3W Auto Accessory Inc. in Oceanside, NY. Must have a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Data Science, or business-related major. Duties: Collect and analyze data from various sources, uncovering insights into sales, inventory, and market trends; Create interactive reports and dashboards, aiding decision-making by presenting key performance metrics; Forecast sales, conduct market research, and optimize inventory levels; Segment customers for targeted marketing and evaluate sales team performance; responsible for Data security and compliance, along with continuous improvement. Yearly Salary will be $80850 to $90000. Mail Resume to 3W Auto Accessory Inc., Attn: Qi Zhou, 3401 Lawson Blvd, Oceanside, NY 11572.
Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239 DRIVING INSTRUCTOR Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $20 - $25/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778
Email: info@bellautoschool.com
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to mhinman@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MEDICAL RECEPTIONIST: PART TIME, Must be Fluent in English and Spanish, Must Have Good Computer Skills, Able to Learn New Programs, Pleasant Phone Voice, Good People Skills, Salary Negotiable. 516-726-0309 or Email Resume to coreybickoff294@gmail.com
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978
As you pull up
LYNBROOK: 2 BR, Off Street Parking, No Pets, $3,100. 516-599-3174
WANTAGH 1 BEDROOM, Full Kitchen, Full Bath, Livingroom/Kitchen Combo, No Smoking No Pets. $1650. 516-731-3763.
BETH DAVID CEMETERY: Elmont, NY.
ROCKVILLE CENTRE SUNNY Private Entrance,Walk In Closet, Walking Distance South Nassau Hospital, Share Bath, 516-913-0804.
3 Plots. Separate Or All Together. Graves 18, 25, and 32. Purchase Separate $3999; Purchase Together $9999. Negotiable. Call 845-641-7316
ONE BURIAL PLOT FOR SALE at Beth David’s in Elmont. Asking for $6,500. Please contact Michele Flanigan at 518-546-9550
kitchen. Formal dining room. Den/family room and guest quarters. Taxes: $15,107 East Meadow $705,000 Lakeville Lane. Ranch. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and pantry. Open layout. Master bedroom with walk-in closet. Taxes: $10,270.09
Elmont $640,000
Norfolk Drive. Cape. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Formal dining room. Many updates including bathrooms. First floor master bedroom. Cozy fenced-in yard. Taxes: $13,272
Hewlett $670,000
Peninsula Boulevard. Ranch. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Finished basement. New eat-in kitchen with shaker cabinets, high-end Samsung appliances and island, also sliding doors to private fenced-in yard. Move-in ready with new siding and roof. Taxes: $14,237.40
Lido Beach $1,430,000
Biarritz Street. Cottage. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Den/family room and home office. High-end finishes include cathedral ceiling and wet bar. Taxes: $19,573.89
Malverne $920,000
Foster Avenue. Colonial. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms. Movein ready stunning home in convenient Westwood neighborhood. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and pantry. Updates include skylight. Walk to Westwood LIRR. Taxes: $16,869.06
Merrick $1,200,000
Loines Avenue. Colonial. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms. Finished basement. Gourmet eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and pantry. Formal dining room. Den/family room, home office and guest quarters in bonus finished attic. High end finishes include cathedral ceiling and wet bar. Entertaining style backyard with heated saltwater pool and pool house with 3 portico doors. 2 car garage. Security system.
Taxes: $23,818.67
Q. We are getting estimates for a small bump-out at the back of our house to add a breakfast room, and the estimates have been much higher than we were led to believe. We met with a contractor before we hired an architect, and he gave us a number, but suggested we get plans made, which we did. In addition to doing an estimate from the plans, the contractor said we should pay him for the estimate if we don’t use him because of the time he took. His card actually says “Free estimates.” Between the price, which went way up, and the fact that he wants money, even if he doesn’t get the job, we aren’t going to even consider him, but is this common, that he should have such a higher price and also want to get paid? Incidentally, he added a lot of things that aren’t in the plans and aren’t what we spoke about.
A. This scenario is common, and I often warn people that they should, preliminarily, try to get a ballpark estimate, just to be sure they can do the project before getting started with plans. It always helps to have the contractor and architect speak, so we’re all on the same page.
Most often, though, what ends up happening is a kind of disillusionment when the plans are done and the contractor’s numbers are much higher than discussed. I’m amazed at how many contractors, without a phone call or meeting, try to change the project, question the engineering or structure, or try to work around the architect after all the time and consideration given to planning. It’s rare to have a contractor not make statements about the structure, even though I have rarely dealt with a contractor who can show expertise, with a license in engineering, to alter the design. Many just want to make it simpler to build without ever having to recognize the long-term issues of high winds, heavy snow or building codes.
On the other hand, one individual tried to upsell the job, claiming that piles were needed on a home where there was a basement and no other pilings. In order to add underground pilings to the price, a deep soil test, showing the character of the supporting earth, would need to be done. The home is over 100 years old and shows no signs of settling, so the inclusion of piles, without even consulting the licensed professional, is unwarranted.
It’s true that contractors have a hard job doing estimates, especially because the prices of lumber and other commodities change. They can spend many weeks calling around to suppliers and checking pricing, only to have their integrity questioned. This can lead to increasing numbers to account for potential material price changes. While you can’t expect the cost to remain the same, it is fair to ask, at the beginning, for a higher-end number so the outcome isn’t so different. Good luck!
© 2024 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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From Buffalo to Montauk, New Yorkers of every color, creed and religion find themselves struggling to stay afloat amid the ever-increasing tax burden imposed on them, especially by the legions of out-of-touch bureaucrats who wield power in Albany. For too long, Long Islanders seeking financial relief from our state capital have found instead that many of their elected leaders in Albany are all too eager to nickel-anddime hardworking taxpayers as a solution to the fiscal mismanagement rife across government-operated entities as well as those directly tied to New York state, including the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
There is no doubt that the MTA is a vital resource for New Yorkers, but the dereliction of duty by the agency’s lead-
My earliest memories of church are of getting dressed up and heading to St. Dominic’s, in Oyster Bay, with my family. We’d dab our fingers with holy water, make the sign of the cross and walk into the pews, where I would immediately grab a hymnal and start looking through it, hoping we’d get to sing some of my favorites, like “The Lord of the Dance” or “We Three Kings.”
As I grew up, I continued to enjoy many aspects of religion, from getting into (very amateur) theological debates with my friends to the sense of community and belonging it can provide, even as my belief in God slipped away. While I don’t go to church too often anymore, I still have a special place in my heart for the magic, the importance and the splendor of religion, especially Christianity. The history of religion is one of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, and led to some of the most phenomenal art, literature and philosophy that humanity has ever produced.
ership has led to staggering budget deficits and wasteful spending, to the point where it now costs the MTA roughly $3 billion a year just to service its enormous debt. Recognizing the unsustainable nature of this spending spree, the MTA conspired with Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York Democrats to siphon more cash from commuters via a congestion pricing plan, which is nothing more than a thinly veiled commuter tax.
that part of Manhattan altogether — like many in the trucking and carting sector.
Will Gov. Kathy Hochul simply restart the plan after November’s election?
Charging drivers who enter Lower Manhattan via car a fee in addition to the tolls already collected on many bridges and tunnels is nothing short of highway robbery, and New Yorkers resoundingly rejected this latest Democratic cash grab. Indeed, residents of every political stripe have voiced their concerns about this new tax, which would see the average commuter fork over an additional $4,000 for the privilege of entering Lower Manhattan, and force many businesses to raise prices or shy away from conducting business in
I was proud to stand alongside fellow Republicans, and some common-sense Democrats, to raise the alarm across the tristate area about this anti-business mandate. What’s more, I introduced bipartisan federal legislation to reject congestion pricing and to ensure that this disastrous plan did not come to fruition. After repeated public calls to Governor Hochul and the Democrats in the State Legislature to scrap the plan, the people were heard, and Hochul “paused” the implementation of congestion pricing at the 11th hour last month.
But the timing seemed suspect.
Poll after poll across New York told the same story: Congestion pricing was an awful plan, and voters were prepared to take their frustration to the ballot box. It isn’t hard to connect the dots and conclude that Hochul only delayed implementation of congestion pricing
because, on the federal level, Democrats feared that it would imperil their campaigns in competitive House districts leading up to the November election — including the one for my seat. I find it hard to believe that New York state and its governor invested significant money in constructing the new tolling infrastructure across Manhattan only for Hochul to have a change of heart at the last minute.
So it is vital that while commonsense, anti-congestion pricing advocates have the wind at our backs, we press on and demand further reassurances — in law — that this plan will not simply be restarted once the all-important fall election season has concluded.
It is extraordinarily important that New Yorkers stand united in continued opposition to Hochul’s disastrous congestion pricing plan, and demand more concrete protections against the implementation of this debilitating scheme as we move forward. I will be sure to keep up the fight in Washington as your voice on Capitol Hill.
Anthony D’Esposito represents the 4th Congressional District.
But I’ve been deeply disheartened by some political stunts that have taken place around the country in the name of religion. None more so than the recent efforts by Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry to require all public classrooms in the state to display the Ten Commandments. This comes at a time when there are calls for America to “return” to being a Christian nation, and for Christianity to play a more prominent role in our government, with many echoing the sentiments of Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert that “I’m tired of this separation of church and state junk.”
A
were in fact deists, with no personal connection to any one church. George Washington attended a different denomination’s service every week, while many suspected Benjamin Franklin of being a secret atheist.
nd you need look no further than the Constitution to be reminded of that.
That “junk” Boebert so eloquently refers to is one of the defining pillars of the Founding Fathers’ vision for our country. Because despite what Christian nationalists argue, the United States has never been a Christian nation, and was expressly founded on the idea that any people, with any religious beliefs, could find a home here, even if reality has not always reflected those ideals.
Some argue that the founders were themselves Christian, and that religion played a huge role in the creation of the nation. What this conveniently ignores is the fact that many of them
Thomas Jefferson even went so far as to reply to a letter by the Danbury Baptist Association by declaring, “When (the Church has) opened a gap in the hedge or wall of separation between the garden of the church and the wilderness of the world, God hath ever broke down the wall itself, removed the Candlestick, etc., and made His Garden a wilderness as it is this day. And that therefore if He will ever please to restore His garden and paradise again, it must of necessity be walled in peculiarly unto Himself from the world …”
Even earlier, Roger Williams, a Puritan minister and the founder of Rhode Island, was banished from Massachusetts for his “erroneous” and “dangerous opinions,” for preaching against the king and for the separation of church and state. Williams feared that the co-mingling of religion and government would not only lead to oppression, but would damage the integrity of the church.
Favoring one religion over others goes directly against the Constitution itself. The Establishment Clause, a key component of the First Amendment, states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” While the exact meaning of “establishment” has been debated by legal scholars for centuries, the broad understanding has traditionally been that the government cannot, and should not, promote one religion over any other.
Religion is a wonderful thing. It brings people together, and encourages us to consider our place in the universe. I’ll be the first to stand up when people of any religious denomination in this country are being oppressed for their beliefs.
At the same time, we cannot allow any religious ideology to influence the functioning of our government, because once we start telling people how to live, love and think based on our religious beliefs, we are no longer upholding religion, but tyranny. As a wise carpenter from Nazareth said in Matthew 22:20, “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.”
Will Sheeline is a senior reporter covering Glen Cove, Glen Head, Oyster Bay and Sea Cliff. Comments? WSheeline@ liherald.com.
amid ongoing debates about public safety and individual rights, the Nassau County Legislature is poised to make a significant decision that could have an impact on both.
Republican Legislator Mazi Pilip has proposed a bill that would make the county one of the first in the metropolitan area to ban face masks that conceal a wearer’s identity.
The proposal, backed by all 12 Republican county legislators, aims to unmask those responsible for violent acts during protests, imposing fines of up to $1,000 and potential jail time for violators.
A similar measure was proposed by State Sen. Steve Rhoads last month, after six young men wearing masks attacked another man at the Academy Charter School graduation at Hofstra University.
The Pilip bill is a reaction to violence involving people wearing masks in recent months during protests at universities including Columbia, George Washington and Yale. Pilip said that when they cover their faces, people can act as brazenly as they wish, which is unacceptable, and the idea behind the proposal is to curb violence and hold perpetrators accountable.
A laudable goal — but this well-meaning legislation may compromise public health and civil liberties, particularly when face masks are used as intended. They became an essential public health
To the Editor:
tool during the coronavirus pandemic, and are not just a means of personal protection, but also a potential collective shield that helps reduce the transmission of airborne viruses.
Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of masks in curbing the spread of infectious diseases, thereby saving lives. To undermine this practice, even with the pandemic seemingly behind us, could have dire consequences for public health, especially as we ponder future outbreaks of other diseases.
The proposed bill includes exemptions for those wearing masks for health or religious reasons, but the enforcement of those exemptions would raise significant concerns. While the Republican presiding officer of the County Legislature, Howard Kopel, said he doubted anyone would intervene when an older person wears a mask for health reasons, there appear to be broader worries. The New York Civil Liberties Union has voiced concerns that the legislation paints a target on the backs of people of color, and protesters who disagree with government policies.
Those sentiments are echoed by Democratic Legislator Debra Mulé, who highlights what she sees as the ambiguity surrounding the bill’s implementation and enforcement.
Historical and current events have shown that laws with vague enforcement guidelines often disproportionately impact marginalized communities. Even the appearance that some were
Re Jerry Kremer’s recent column, “It’s time to give the governor a break”: I strongly disagree with Kremer’s opinion about Gov. Kathy Hochul’s cancellation of congestion pricing. This money would have been of great benefit to those of us who ride the Long Island Rail Road and the New York City transit system. It would also have helped to reduce air pollution in New York City, a big problem.
As we’ve seen in the weeks since the governor canceled this program, there is no Plan B for funding the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s capital program, despite her absurd statements to the contrary. There is a real risk of losing significant federal funding for the Second Avenue subway. Also, much-needed new electric train cars for the LIRR will likely now be indefinitely delayed.
I’m guessing that Kremer doesn’t ride the railroad and experience some of the very old M-3 passenger cars, which break down frequently. The now canceled capital program would also have improved accessibility at LIRR stations, not to mention helping to buy new diesel train cars and locomotives, which are approaching the end of their useful lives.
Kremer noted the economic cost of congestion pricing,
being unfairly targeted by a face mask law would not only undermine trust in public institutions, but also exacerbate existing social and racial tensions.
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s consideration of a mask ban on New York City transit, and similar proposals from other state legislators, indicate a broader trend toward restricting mask use that, if taken up by individual counties as well and not carefully managed, could become the focus of endless litigation and, yes, masked protests. Legislators’ focus should instead be on fostering a safe environment without infringing on individual rights or compromising public health. Rather than outright bans, there should be a nuanced approach that balances safety with the right to wear masks for legitimate reasons. Enhancing security measures at protests, improving surveillance to identify perpetrators of violence without compromising the anonymity of peaceful demonstrators, and fostering better communication between law enforcement and the public could be more effective strategies.
Legislation that restricts the use of masks must be carefully crafted to avoid unintended consequences that affect citizens’ freedoms or can be seen as discriminatory. As the County Legislature considers Pilip’s bill before a scheduled Aug. 5 vote, it should seek input from a wide range of stakeholders before finalizing it, in an effort to protect both public safety and individual rights. and perhaps some adjustments
social media’s presence in our children’s lives is undeniable, and the toll it is taking on their mental health is alarming. As a parent of young children, I understand the pervasive influence of social media on our lives. Despite our best efforts to impose parental controls, the reality is that exposure to toxic content on social media is almost inevitable.
Recently, I have been deeply concerned by the surge in mental health issues among our youth, including anxiety, loneliness, depression and sleep deprivation. This concern is shared by almost all Long Island school districts, which have taken proactive steps in the past few months by filing lawsuits against major social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Snapchat. As an assemblywoman and a mother, I want to be the first to tell these school districts that I stand firmly with them in this fight to protect our children from
the harms of this new age of social media.
The legal actions taken by Long Island school districts are not intended to place blame, but rather to address a pressing mental health crisis. This crisis is everyone’s issue — students, schools, parents, teachers and social media companies. It is crucial that social media implement meaningful measures to mitigate the adverse impacts of their platforms on the mental well-being of our young people.
tLet’s dive a little deeper into the mental health issues that our young people face daily, and why social media are so addictive. Have you ever mentioned something out loud and then seen ads or posts related to it appear on your screen minutes later? Social media can heighten anxiety and insecurities by constantly bombarding users with content that sets unrealistic standards for how to live, dress or look. And the addiction to receiving comments and likes can lead to high levels of anxiety and, in many cases, depression.
highly addictive, with young people often spending hours seeking approval through scrolling.
heir content sets unrealistic standards for how to live, dress or look.
Nonetheless, we must acknowledge that social media can be beneficial when used healthily and responsibly. They serve as a powerful tool for advertising, marketing, learning, educating and personal growth. I appreciate being able to use social media to reach a wide audience, inform, educate, network and bridge the gap between government and New Yorkers. But in order to foster healthy technology use among our young people, we must educate and, in the case of social media companies, protect our youth to ensure that those media remain safe platforms. As parents and government officials, we play a crucial role in safeguarding our children’s well-being in the digital age.
Speaking from a legislative point of view, I am happy to be a part of a body that advocates for the health of our young people on a daily basis. I am pleased to have advocated alongside my colleagues for the passage of two significant bills: the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) For Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act. The SAFE for Kids Act requires social media companies to restrict addictive features that are harmful to young children and teens, aiming to improve children’s sleep and prohibiting notifications between midnight and 6 a.m. without parental consent. The Data Protection Act limits online sites from collecting, using or sharing personal data of anyone under 18.
The reality is that social media are
now that he’s a lobbyist.
In contrast, Kevin Kelley’s column, “Our future should include transit-oriented development,” makes a lot of sense. We urgently need housing and transportation here on Long Island. Kremer’s negative comments about transit funding accomplish nothing, except to play to the short-term interests of uncaring politicians.
I suggest he think about this, and reevaluate his position.
MICHAEL CRAvEN Point Lookout
To the Editor:
Anyone who travels by car, rides a bike or walks across an intersection in Nassau County knows that life-threatening recklessness behind the wheel has become terrifyingly common. In fact, 20 times more people are killed in the county by drivers than by shooters.
Yet elected officials, led by County Executive Bruce Blakeman, are doing little or nothing to reduce traffic violence. Instead, in a stunning example of skewed priorities, Blakeman and his political allies stir public fears of the comparatively tiny threat of gun-related crime.
In 2022 — the most recent year for which statistics are available — traffic violence claimed 81 lives in Nassau County. That same year, a total of four people in the county were killed by armed assailants.
And the roads are becoming ever more deadly.
“Traffic fatalities in New York have grown at an alarming rate since the pandemic,” state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said in a report last month.
Speeding and drunk or distracted driving are among the leading causes of this upsurge. But the Nassau County Police Department issued 66 percent fewer speeding tickets in 2022 than in 2019, the year prior to the pandemic. DWI arrests have also sharply decreased.
“In Nassau County,” Blakeman declared in March, “we back the blue, and we fund our police.” He boasted that more than 200 officers have been added to the county’s police force since he took office in 2022.
That rhetoric, and those statistics, mean little to the families of children and adults killed in preventable crashes. And almost all motor vehicle fatalities can indeed be prevented with safer road designs and tighter enforcement of traffic laws. Nassau County public officials must stop ignoring this worsening threat to the lives of their constituents.
KEvIN J. KELLEY Atlantic Beach
Fostering open communication between parents and children about social media use, and promoting digital literacy programs in schools, can further support proactive efforts to address the mental health crisis heightened by social media.
These pieces of legislation are just the beginning when it comes to protecting and addressing the mental health crisis among our children in the era of social media. As Long Islanders, as New Yorkers, as parents, we need to act now. Our children need us. We need to return to a mentally healthier society. I applaud Long Island school districts for highlighting that this is an issue that needs to be addressed.
But lawsuits can’t do it alone.
Taylor Darling represents the 18th Assembly District.
Aden Palmer, valedictorian of West Hempstead Secondary School, will not be involved in a sport at the Rochester Insti-
tute of Technology this fall. A story in the July 4-10 issue mistakenly reported that Palmer would be playing volleyball.
