Valley Stream Herald 05-02-2024

HERALD VALLEY STREAM

Courtesy Anthony Capone

Before being named Valley Stream fire chief in April, Anthony Capone served as a lieutenant, captain, and 2nd and 1st assistant fire chief.

Valley Stream Fire Department names Capone its 100th chief

By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com

Since childhood, Anthony Capone felt destined to storm into burning buildings in firefighter gear. Since he was 15 years old, he has eyed the top spot of Valley Stream fire chief. Last month, Capone, of Engine Company No. 2, accomplished what he has long envisioned: etching his name in village history as the 100th chief of the Valley Stream Volunteer Fire Department.

After four years under former Chief Patrick Scanlon, in which Capone served as his 1st assistant chief, the 30-year-old lifelong resident, a Valley Stream South High School

graduate, was sworn in as Scanlon’s successor on April 4. Standing at his side as 1st assistant chief is Michael Colucci, of Engine Company No. 1, and his 2nd assistant chief is Kyle O’Brien, of Truck 1. Firefighting runs in the family, noted Capone, who is the latest in a dynastic line of fire chiefs.

“My stepfather was an ex-chief of the fire department,” said Capone.“His brother was an ex-chief and so was their father before them.”

The biggest, the busiest, and the best Respected, charismatic, and knowledgeable, Capone is young and energetic, qualities

Staff diversity is a priority in District 24

By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com

Away from his usual desk obligations, Valley Stream District 24 Superintendent Unal Karakas, was on a head-hunting mission in Washington D.C. last month. He chose perhaps the best place in town to find the greatest concentration of welleducated minority teaching candidates: a career fair at Howard University.

Fresh from last month’s inperson visit, Karakas believes the trip was a success and a crucial first step in moving the needle to a goal of particular concern to his district: making its nearly all-white teaching force more representative of its racially and ethnically diverse student body.

At Valley Stream District 24, the demographic mismatch between students and teachers over the past two decades paints a jarring picture.

In 2000, 72 percent of students in Valley Stream District 24, according to state education department data, were white. In just over two decades, that number has dropped to 13 percent. Latino and Hispanic students have replaced white students as the largest demographic cohort,

but only roughly 3 percent of teachers identify as such. What education experts describe as disheartening statistical realities seemed to serve as a wake-up call for Karakas, who has pushed the district’s comfort zone in a way that has begun to forge a more direct pipeline for minority teaching candidates. He is literally making this personal. He was at Howard University shaking hands, and fielding people’s questions one by one, face-toface. His presence, at least at that fair, was a rare treat.

“Valley Stream 24 was the only school district in the tristate area that was represented there,” said Karakas.

Interacting with Howard candidates, Karakas was delighted by the sheer number of them who expressed a strong level of commitment to finding a workplace that values diversity and the impact they as teachers of color can make by representing minority students.

Why do experts care about diverse teachers?

While conventional wisdom has often held fast to the notion that a teacher’s credentials and teaching skills matter irrespecContinued on pAge 10

Just because a business is small doesn’t mean it isn’t important. The small businesses on our island are 50% of our economy. These businesses are part of the fabric of our communities. They’re vital. We’ve been proudly supporting our small businesses since 2014 with cost-saving programs and services. Show your support, too, by shopping locally during Small Business Week (and all year long). It’s no small thing to let them know they matter.

Valley Stream District 13 was recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation for the

Valley Stream 13 takes a bow for its music program

Valley Stream District 13 seems to have struck a chord with its music program, having been recognized for the Best Communities for Music Education Award by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation.

The accolade celebrates school districts across the country that show steadfast dedication to providing rich musical opportunities to students as part of a well-rounded curriculum.

Johanna Land, district co-coordinator of music, says music is treated with the same thoughtful engagement as any other subject, infusing classrooms with the nuances of rhythm, melody, and creative expression.

“When you walk into a music class or ensemble rehearsal, you might see sixth graders learning to play duets on ukulele, with songs they have selfselected and have value to them,” said Land.

She continued: “You might see kindergartners displaying their understanding of rhythm through movement activities. You might see a small group violin lesson in which students lead one another in playing scales and canons. Regardless of what you see, students take risks, express themselves, and strive to reach their highest potential.”

Making music-making accessible to all students has long been a district priority even as other districts cut back or eliminate music from their curriculum. Lukewarm backing from parents or

Courtesy Valley Stream District 13

At Valley Stream District 13, every child from pre-K and up receives weekly music instruction.

inadequate music teachers has often spelled the demise of music programs in schools, observers note.

Even though various studies point to music’s ability to improve students’ academic performance, emotional selfregulation, and reduce stress, it often tends to be the first item on the chopping block when school budgets are tight. Not in Valley Stream 13.

Every child from pre-K through sixth grade receives weekly music

instruction, noted Land. “Students in grade three learn to play the recorder, which is a precursor to our instrumental and choral programs, which begin in grade four,” she said. “Our district provides instruments for every child in grades four through six at no cost to families, and each school maintains a full inventory of band and orchestral instruments. Rehearsals are scheduled so children can sing in choir and play an instrument as well.”

Courtesy Valley Stream District 13 Johanna Land, district co-coordinator of music, loves to see the feeling of pride and accomplishment come over students’ faces after learning an instrument.

Learning benefits aside, music, noted Land, is appreciated by students for its perennial, uncanny capacity to nourish the soul. “Learning music in Valley Stream 13 is a joyful endeavor,” she said.

— Juan Lasso

Courtesy Valley Stream District 13

Best Communities for Music Education Award.

HERALD SchoolS

Long Island Children’s Museum showcases District 13 artwork

ten talented artists from each school at Valley Stream District 13 had their artwork on exhibit at the Long Island Children’s Museum in Garden City throughout April. The captivating works of art on display range from paintings to mixed media creations, offering a glimpse into the rich imagination and artistic prowess of the students.

“Valley Stream District 13 artists exemplify the artistic excellence that thrives within their school community,” noted district officials in a news release. “The Long Island Children’s Museum provides a great opportunity for young artists to showcase their work to a wide audience, inspiring and engaging visitors of all ages. The art display highlights individual achievements and underscores the district’s commitment to fostering creativity and artistic expression.”

The Long Island Children’s Museum is a not-for-profit learning space that is dedicated to educational play. Children are encouraged to explore and use their imaginations as they move through the museum’s exhibits, programs, and performances. At the museum, children learned various skills, and the chance to explore their curiosity.

Juan Lasso

Wanted: Handyperson

Your “basis” for calculating capital gains taxes is what you paid for the stock or the real estate. For real estate, the basis gets raised by the amount of any capital improvements you make to the property. When you sell your primary residence you may exclude the first $500,000 of gain if you’re a couple or $250,000 if you’re single. The $500,000 exclusion for a couple gets extended for a sale occurring up to two years after a spouse dies. For gifts you receive of appreciated stock or real estate during the donor’s lifetime, no capital gains tax is payable, however the donee receives the donor’s basis. It is generally considered better to wait, if possible, and pass the gift to the donee at death, due to the “stepped-up basis”. The basis of any inherited property is “steppedup” to date of death value. If the property is sold within six months of the date of death, then the sale price is deemed to be the date of death value.

If the property is going to be held for

some time it is helpful to get date of death values to establish the new basis. For real estate, this means getting an appraisal from a licensed real estate appraiser (not a real estate broker!). For stocks, you simply ask the company holding the stocks to provide this information.

When a spouse dies with jointly held property, there is a half of a step-up — the deceased spouse’s half gets stepped-up to date of death value, while the surviving spouse has the original basis. However, for a primary residence the capital gains tax exclusions discussed above continue to apply. With combined Federal and New York capital gains taxes reaching about 30%, it is essential to look at holding onto appreciated property until death (especially if you have taken depreciation on the property which can lower your basis to zero) and to look carefully at the estate plan to see if property should be transferred to a surviving spouse to get another step-up on the second death.

Courtesy Valley Stream District 13

Valley Stream District 13 students’ artwork was displayed this April at the Long Island Children’s Museum.

CRIME WATCH

Emmitt Smith faces 10 larceny charges

A Bellport man was arrested on April 24 after committing a rash of multiple larcenies in Nassau County, according to police.

Nassau County Police Department detectives say Emmitt Smith, 43, was responsible for 10 larcenies committed between June 25, 2022 and Aug. 5, 2023 including ones at the following locations:

Macy’s, 1095 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, Aug. 5, 2023

Home Depot, 101 Green Acres Road, W. Valley Stream, July 31, 2023

Home Goods, 1644 Merrick Road, Merrick, July 6, 2023

Smith has been previously arrested 46 times on 15 felony charges, and 31 misdemeanor charges. Smith is charged with grand larceny and petit larceny. He was arraigned on April 25 at the First District Court in Hempstead.

— Jordan Vallone

Courtesy Nassau County Police Department

Valley Stream man arrested for alleged illegal cannabis sale in smoke shop

A Valley Stream man was arrested for selling unlicensed cannabis products at the Late Vibes Smoke Shop on April 25. Narcotics detectives, investigating the 89 Ocean Ave smoke shop, found gummies containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the active ingredient in cannabis being sold.

Police also reportedly confiscated packages of a “greenish brown leafy substance” they believe to be cannabis, cash, and packages of THC.

Jeremiah Samlal is charged with the criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a controlled substance, unlawful sale and possession of cannabis. He was arraigned on April 26 at First District Court in Hempstead. As of press time, he is due back in court on May 3.

— Juan Lasso

Elmont Fire Department helps woman escape burning home

The Elmont Fire Department helped a woman escape a burning home in Elmont April 8 at 12:58 a.m.

According to Nassau police, officers responded to a 911 call for heavy smoke at a home on Doherty Avenue. They saw fire and smoke on the first floor and were told a woman was on the second floor of the house.

Police entered the house, walked up a few steps and were met with heavy smoke and extreme heat. They backed

out of the house and were able to talk to the trapped woman through a second-floor window.

She was told to exit the window onto an attached carport and move away from the house when the Elmont Fire Department arrived and used a ladder to help her get down safely.

Elmont Fire Department and Valley Stream Fire Department extinguished the fire and no injuries were reported.

The investigation is ongoing.

People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.

The Empire State Local News Coalition—more than 200 local newspapers strong—is grateful to the State of New York for including a first-in-the-nation tax credit to support local journalism in the FY'25 state budget.

A special thanks to:

Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie

Assemblymember Carrie Woerner (Assembly Sponsor)

Communities throughout the Empire State appreciate your commitment to the free press and to democracy.

Courtesy Nassau County Police Department

Governor Kathy Hochul Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (Senate Sponsor)

State Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick

Assemblyman Brian Curran

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages

BRADY MAHLER

Baldwin Senior Lacrosse

A FOUR-YEAR STARTING attackman and twoyear captain who has never missed a high school lacrosse game, Mahler has picked up where he left off last spring after earning AllCounty recognition. He led the Bruins with 65 goals and 17 assists, putting him among the county’s offensive stars. So far this season he has a team-high 39 goals through 10 games. He is also a Top 10 student at Baldwin and earned academic All-American honors.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, May 2

Baseball: V.S. South at Malverne 4:30 p.m.

Softball: East Rockaway at Lawrence 5 p.m.

Softball: West Hempstead at Elmont 5 p.m.

Girls Flag Football: Bell-Merrick at Long Beach 5 p.m.

Baseball: MacArthur at Mepham

Baseball: Carey at Calhoun

Baseball: Kennedy at South Side

Baseball: Seaford at North Shore 5 p.m.

Baseball: East Meadow at Baldwin 5 p.m.

Baseball: Uniondale at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Mepham at Lynbrook 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Clarke at Elmont 5 p.m.

Friday, May 3

Softball: MacArthur at Oceanside 5 p.m.

Softball: Massapequa at Calhoun 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: West Hempstead at Hewlett 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Kennedy at Clarke 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Wantagh at Long Beach 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Massapequa at South Side 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 4

Softball: MacArthur at Wantagh 9 a.m.

Girls Lacrosse: East Meadow at MacArthur 11:30 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: V.S. District at Freeport 1 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

VSN on rise following slow start

By MICHELLE RABINOVICH sports@liherald.com

After starting 1-3 in Conference A4, Valley Stream North’s softball team pulled itself up by winning four of five to get within a game of .500.

The slow start was due in large part a pair of star players, a pitcher and catcher, graduating last June, meaning those were big losses at key positions according to coach Daniel Tronolone.

The last two and a half weeks have been a momentum shift, as the Spartans went 3-2 dating back to April 13, with wins over Garden City, Jericho and Port Washington, in large part due to defensive realignment within the squad.

“So I moved our third baseman, Lea Giaconelli, to catcher, because we graduated a girl that started at catcher for six years,” Tronolone explained. “And then I moved our right fielder, who’s a seventh grader, Jainessa Melendez, to third base, and I think we probably got stronger in both positions.”

Sophomore center fielder Tiffany Melendez ignites the offense from the leadoff spot with an eye-popping .750 with 24 runs and 15 steals. “She’s been our best player so far,” Tronolone said.

You can’t look at diamond sports and not look at the pitching: the team boasts junior Samantha Ravo and senior Isabella Healey to put in the circle, with varying and wide-ranging arsenals.

“They’re both different pitchers,” Tronolone said. “Sam’s more of a strikeout pitcher and Isabella kind of pitches to contact.”

In addition to the recent changes, a strong upperclassmen presence act as an anchor. Valley Stream North has five seniors, captains for the rest of the team to look up to: first baseman Emily Rung, second baseman Karina McNamara, shortstop Alyanna Nadal, the aforementioned catcher Giaconelli, and Cianna Nadal, all players with varsity experience since their sophomore year.

“They’re just a great group of kids,” Tronolone said. “Basically they run the show, they know what we do and how our team runs and I don’t have to do

Terry Uellendahl/Herald Sophomore center fielder Tiffany Melendez ignites the offense from the leadoff spot with an eye-popping .750 average with 24 runs and 15 steals.

much, they know what’s expected of them and they get it out of the other girls.”

The strength of the senior leadership really came to light during the team’s slow start because it was them that kept spirits high among the 18-man roster.

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com. 4:21:36

“I think we just realized that we’re just as good as all of these teams if we play to our ability, so everyone just agreed that if we show up and play the way we’re capable of playing, then there’s no reason why we can’t beat [teams] in every game that we play,” Tronolone said. “I think as we started to win a little bit, people started to see that, hopefully it just snowballs.”

The Spartans have already seen changes internally, with Tronolone saying practice has felt more upbeat, with everyone excited and looking forward to the next game.

“When we were struggling a little bit it was kind of dragging, and it felt like there was so much left on the season,” Tronolone said. “Now that we’re playing better, it’s more exciting and we kind of can see the finish line and are trying to make a playoff push.”

With playoffs on the horizon, it’s all about perfecting form day by day.

“I think we’re just taking it one game at a time and then see where we stand at the end,” Tronolone explained.

Long Island’s top lawyers honored at gala

By Joseph D’Alessandro

It was a pleasant evening of celebration for more than 40 of Long Island’s best attorneys last month, with nearly 300 in attendance.

They gathered at The Heritage Club at Bethpage for the Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island awards gala, hosted by Kristen Thorne, the multi-Emmy-winning investigative reporter for WABC7, and host of Hulu’s crime docuseries “Missing.”

Even better, a portion of ticket proceeds were earmarked for Nassau Suffolk Law Services, which provides legal aid to those who can’t afford it in civil cases.

“Tonight, we come together to acknowledge the vital role of legal professional in protecting the rights of Long Islanders,” said Amy Amato, RichnerLive’s executive director. “We commend their dedication to serving our community, and recognize their significant contributions — both professionally, and through charitable endeavors — enriching the lives of those on Long Island.”

Winners were chosen from attorneys who prioritize those in need — whether by their choice of clientele, partnering with charities, or doing work pro bono, without charging the client. They represent many disciplines of law, including worker’s compensation, immigration, family and elder law, medical malpractice and cannabis practice.

“I’m very honored to get this award,” said Kristi DiPaolo, a senior associate at Cona Elder Law. “I love what I do, so it’s really an honor to be recognized.”

The most valuable part of the work by Marc Saracino — a senior associate at Campolo, Middleton & McCormick — is providing guidance. He donates to CMM Cares, which supports family programs on Long Island.

“You’re helping a lot of people out in the legal community who don’t really know what they’re doing,” Saracino said. “To the extent that I can provide services to them and expedite their legal issues, I think that’s rewarding.”

Jennifer Mone, a general counsel for Hofstra University, also serves on the board of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Long Island.

Hofstra’s mission is to “educate and contribute to the academic education and knowledge of the world,” Mone said. “So, we’re educating students. My role is providing excellent legal services in support of that mission.”

Eduardo Villacorta, founder of Villacorta Law Group, says the most rewarding part of his work is keeping families together.

“We believe in the American dream, and our mission is to make the American dream a reality for immigrants,” he said. “The most rewarding thing I can give is granting their papers, and legalizing them.”

Jeffrey Kimmel, managing partner of Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro — who also is an active member of Nassau Suffolk Law Services — says medical malpractice victims often face an uphill battle when facing large medical institutions.

“Unfortunately, most people who are victims of medical malpractice are from lower income communities that don’t have the best medical care,” he said. “And so they ended up being my clients, and more often than not, without my help, they wouldn’t really know what to do.”

Kelly Koster, a partner at Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano says a reliable attorney is essential. Her firm — which specializes in worker compensation and Social Security disability — also represents women of domestic violence pro bono.

“To young women that are striving to be attorneys, never give up your passion,” Koster said. “Keep your eyes on the goal, and don’t set a time limit, because there’s a time and a place for everything. You can always achieve what you’ve put your mind towards.”

Hon. Gail Prudenti a partner at Burner Prudenti

Law returned to work as an attorney after her career as chief administrative judge. Her firm is involved with the Katz Institute for Women’s Health at Northwell Hospital.

“I really think being an attorney is a vocation,” Prudenti said. “It’s not a job. And while it is a wonderful profession, you really have to be dedicated to being a problem solver. I think that sometimes, in this crazy world, we really need people who are thoughtful, who are kind, who are compassionate, and who are empathetic.”

Platinum sponsor for Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island was Villacorta Law Group. Centerpiece sponsor was Salenger Sack Kimmel & Bavaro.

Gold sponsors were Hofstra University and Mejias Milgrim Alavardo & Lindo.

Silver sponsors were Cona Elder Law, Meister Seelig & Fein, Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, The Rizzuto Law Firm, Stefans Law Group, Nixon Peabody, Davidov Law Group, Nassau County Women’s Bar Association, Touro University’s Jacob D. Fuchesberg Law Center, Schroder & Strom, Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, Goldstein & Bashner, Greenberg Traurig, Meyer Suozzi English & Klein, Nassau Community College Foundation, and Vishnick McGovern Milizio.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

The Schroder & Strom team were among those honored at the recent Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island gala.

Honorees Michael and Ilana Davidov of Davidov Law Group.

Holden Leeds/Herald

Kelly Koster, left, of Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano.

Bryan Lewis of Nixon Peabody.

Holden Leeds/Herald photos

Julie J. Wyetzner, from left, Amy Amato, honoree Kristi DiPaolo, Jennifer Cona, Melissa Negrin-Wiener and Julie Allegretti.

Nicholas Terzulli of Davidoff Hutcher & Citron.

Jeffrey Kimmel of Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro.

Joseph Trotti of Vishnick McGovern and Milizio.

Michael Antongiovanni of Meyer Suozzi English & Klein.

Honoree David Mejias.

Jennifer Mone of Hostra University.

Paul Millus of Meyer Suozzi English & Klein with Herald Community Newspapers publisher Stuart Richner.

Tim Baker/Herald photos Honoree and platinum sponsor Eduardo Villacorta.

Tiffany Graham of Touro University, Jacob D. Fuchesberg Law Center.

Donna Stefans of Stefans Law Group.

Bettina Hollis of The Rizzuto Law Firm.

In 24, new approach to minority teacher hiring

tive of race or ethnicity, a growing body of research suggests that ignoring background and identity comes with a cost.

Classrooms with a more racially and ethnically diverse teaching corps show improvements in a range of outcomes for students, both white and non-white, but the benefits are especially pronounced for students of color.

Black students with a Black teacher in the classroom, or even in the same grade, tended to show fewer suspensions and disciplinary issues, better attendance rates, and higher test scores.

“We take diversity seriously, and I think the candidates could sense that. They were blown away by, you know, our mission and vision,” said Karakas. “It was an opportunity we wouldn’t have had if we weren’t down there.”

Candidates were given guidelines on how to apply through the district’s website and Karakas said he intends to send a message blast reminding candidates about the offerings at Valley Stream District 24, using the contact information he jotted down. The rest is a wait-and-see game, making note of which candidates decide to ultimately apply to the district once job vacancies are posted.

What’s next?

The work is far from over. Karakas said his next steps are to make this career fair visit at Howard an ongoing tradition, plus branching out to other historically black colleges and universities as well as those closer to home with large minority teaching talent.

ERASE Racism President Laura Harding and a Howard alum said Karakas’ efforts are commendable.

“What the Valley Stream 24 Superintendent did was huge as an important first step,” she said. It’s not a

Courtesy Unal Karakas Valley Stream Superintendent Unal Karakas networked with Howard University teaching prospects at a career fair in April to build a stronger pipeline for minority teachers for the district.

cure-all to ensuring a school district is culturally competent enough to retain diversity hires, noted Hardin, but it sends a clear message about a district’s openness. It’s also leagues away better than the traditional passive, online approach.

Those candidates that Karakas networked with could serve as “ambassadors” for other students who one day may take them up on their recommendation to

apply to the district thus strengthening the pipeline, noted Harding.

Building the diversity pipeline takes everyone

Harding hopes Karakas has set an example for other districts to follow but contends the onus of retaining minority teachers shouldn’t be left solely in the hands of individual school districts.

In Long Island’s high-priced housing market, Harding argues that policymakers should move to make subsidy housing programs available for new teachers laden with significant college debt, especially those out-of-state and often far from the support of their families.

Young professionals who would otherwise be locked out of the housing market need support, said Harding. Greater emphasis should also be put on streamlining the process for out-of-state teachers to transfer their licenses in New York.

And there is of course dealing with the culture shock of Long Island. For students and even co-workers who’ve had limited interactions working or learning under minority hires in positions of leadership, extra attention should be paid to paving pathways for minorities to assume positions of authority. That also means making sure minority hires feel valued, accepted, and respected in the adopted communities they serve.

“Because students of color haven’t interacted with teachers who look like them in positions of power, positions that reflect competence and intelligence, they have no personal role model that reflects them. Someone they can point to and say this older, respected person is capable, and therefore, I too can be capable,” said Harding. “It can also hurt white students who’ve had a limited perception of their non-White peers and often turn to warped depictions of minorities as shown on TV or in media for guidance.”

Priority number one: recruitment and retention

that bode well with fresh-faced volunteers and, bearing the weight of experience, feels quite at home with the department’s senior crowd.

Much like his past few predecessors, Capone is inheriting outsized challenges. Amid a regional shortfall of firefighters and with local volunteers aging out, departments across Long Island are reeling from the reality of being understaffed.

Capone says while the department isn’t experiencing a deficit, it’s feeling the pressure to bolster its ranks with new blood sooner rather than later.

“The one thing that I want to make sure that I work on now is recruitment and retention,” said Capone. “Volunteer firefighters are dwindling, and we need people now more than ever.”

In Nassau County, the number of volunteer firefighters has dropped from over 10,000 after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to 6,178 volunteers. Fire officials say there aren’t enough fire crews to adequately take care of its 1.4 million residents.

In Valley Stream, the fire department, all of the roughly 450 volunteers, not only serves the village’s 42,000 residents but responds to a high volume of calls from neighboring communities. Of the 179 fire departments on Long Island, “as far as fire calls and fire responses,

we are one of the biggest, the busiest, and the best,” said Capone. “That comes with a lot of responsibility.”

Young firefighters wanted — badly

Capone is especially mindful of the particular need for a new pool of physically fit volunteers to serve as interior firefighters. He estimates roughly 150 volunteers are willing and able to race into buildings to quelch flames.

“Members who’ve been in the department for 50, 60 years won’t be the ones running in at this point,” said Capone, who knows full well that having him as the face of the department could provide much-needed leverage in getting younger volunteers to join. “My job is to bridge the gap between the middle-ofthe-road and older members and the younger members.”

To counter this foreboding gap, Capone has assembled a recruitment committee. Thanks to their outreach efforts, including at a high school, the department has seen a modest bump in recruitment.

“So far this month, we have 16 people, and I’m going to hit the ground running in making this appealing for younger people that live in the town,” said Capone.

To that end, the department is even dipping its toes into social media. It recently posted a promotional Facebook

reel showing a montage of adrenalinepumping action clips and images of firefighters against a thumping techno beat. The caption, nevertheless, is a bit more sobering highlighting a long list of practical benefits and perks that come with the job like free community college tuition, property tax exemptions, service pensions, and even a free gym membership.

Why recruits are hard to come by?

Fire officials have not pointed to a single cause for their recruiting struggles. Rather they say there are multiple issues discouraging young people from signing up even when the interest is there.

And the interest is certainly there, according to Nassau County Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro, but there are competing forces at play.

Saddled with affordable housing insecurity and working multiple jobs to afford the Island’s high cost of living, young people often can’t commit to the time-intensive nature of the job.

With Long Island’s increasing demographic diversity, fire officials also noted the need to make their ranks more reflective of the population and find ways to broaden their appeal.

“We need to do better and connect more with the communities we serve,” Uttaro said

Valley

Fire

is embarking on an aggressive recruiting campaign for young prospective firefighters.

But Capone says camaraderie isn’t a problem in his department and he intends to hammer home that message.

“When you join the fire department, you get an extended family,” he said.

“No judgment. We have all walks of life, races, ethnicities. Forget it. You join here, these are your brothers (and sisters) that you crawl down a hallway with.”

Courtesy Anthony Capone

Stream

Chief Anthony Capone

HERALD SchoolS

Valley Stream Central District hits the stage at Carnegie Hall

Valley Stream Central High School District held its 66th Annual Music Scholarship Festival on April 4. This year’s festival included a special twist: For the first time, Carnegie Hall, one of the most illustrious performance stages in the world, played host to this longstanding district tradition.

Members of the district’s orchestra, chorus, band and performing arts group traveled to New York City with parents, guardians and Central High School District staff present to witness this unique moment.

Ticket sales from the festival raised funds for a music scholarship that goes to a graduating senior from each of the district’s three high schools. This year, the scholarship recipients were Tinatin Narimanidze from Central High School, Layla Rutledge from North High School, and Christian Crawford from South High School.

“This was a landmark year for this annual Valley Stream Central High School District tradition, and it could not have been more special, with an incredible show by our student musicians, singers and thespians,” said Superintendent Wayne Loper. “None of it would have been possible without the support of our Valley Stream community, and the enthusiastic dedication of our talented music instructors.”

Juan Lasso

SATURDAY, MAY 4 – SATURDAY, MAY 11

Sunday, May 5 • 10am – 7pm *Exciting specials are available for approved adopters*

Extended Weekend Hours

Saturday, May 4 • 10am – 8pm

Courtesy Valley Stream Central High School District

The Valley Stream Central High School District band performed before an audience at Carnegie Hall on April 4.

NYU Langone makes transplant history

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Lisa Pisano suffered from heart failure and end-stage kidney diseases — conditions that required routine dialysis. Because of that, the 54-year-old New Jersey resident wasn’t a candidate for either a heart or kidney transplant, because doctors feared it just wouldn’t help her long-term.

But those same doctors refused to give up. And last week, NYU Langone Health completed its first transplant surgery to combine a mechanical heart pump and a gene-edited pig kidney.

NYU Langone Health — which operates a hospital in Mineola — completed the first transplant surgery to combine a mechanical heart pump and a geneedited pig kidney,

More than 100,000 people are currently awaiting a transplant across the country, with most specifically looking for a kidney. More than 800,000 people suffer from end-stage kidney disease in the United States alone, yet just 1-in-30 were fortunate enough to undergo a transplant last year, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.

With little to no options, Pisano considered xenotransplant — which depends on animal organs to replace human ones in people.

“When the opportunity first came to me, I was like, ‘I got to try it,’” Pisano

told reporters through a video conference from her intensive care unit room.

“So, when this opportunity came, I was going to take advantage of it.”

The effort involved approval from NYU Langone’s review board and Food and Drug Administration clearance through its expanded access program.

Also known as “compassionate use, “ the expanded access program is designed for patients with serious or life-threatening conditions.

“There are opportunities for us to

learn a lot,” Robert Montgomery, NYU Langone’s surgery department chair told reporters last week. “But obviously, the intent here is to try to preserve and save that person’s life.”

It otherwise would have taken years for Pisano to find the right match for a human kidney transplant. Montgomery, with the help of the United Therapeutics Corp., matched an investigational gene-edited pig kidney with a thymus, which was available.

Two surgical teams conducted the

series of procedures over nine days. On April 4, Pisano received a mechanical heart pump — a device known as a left ventricular assist device. On April 12, she received a gene-edited pig kidney, and the pig’s thymus gland.

Montgomery performed the transplant itself, while Nader Moazami — a cardiothoracic surgery chief at NYU Grossman School of Medicine — along with Deane Smith, director of mechanical circulatory support, performed the mechanical heart pump surgery at the Kimmel Pavilion in Manhattan.

NYU Langone officials described the overall procedure as the first reported organ transplant in a person with a mechanical heart pump, and second known transplant of a gene-edited pig kidney into a human.

Pisano expressed feeling “fantastic” after the procedures.

“I’ve felt the best I’ve felt in a long time,” she said. “I can’t thank anyone enough for that. My family, the doctors, nurses, staff — everyone here.”

Although uncertain about how she will react over time, Pisano acknowledged the treatment may prove beneficial for someone else — if not for her.

“Worst-case scenario, if it doesn’t work, it might work for the next person,” Pisano said.

“At least somebody is going to benefit from it. If not me, then who? Somebody.”

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Courtesy Joe Carrotta, NYU Langone Health

Robert Montgomery prepares the surgical site for a medical history-making pig-tohuman transplant surgery by using sterile forceps and scissors for Lisa Pisano at NYU Langone Health’s Kimmel Pavilion in Manhattan.

Willow Road students celebrate Diversity Month

students and staff at Willow Road Elementary School celebrated Diversity Month this April, which featured several weeks of engaging classroom activities that reinforced the school’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity.

The rich array of cultural backgrounds that encapsulates Willow’s ethnically and racially diverse student population were put on celebratory display for Diversity Month.

One of the highlights was the creation of personalized student posters. Each student crafted a unique poster featuring themselves and their distinct

heritage. The various backgrounds within the school community served as a visual representation of the diverse cultural heritage present at Willow Road.

Additionally, students had the opportunity to share fascinating cultural facts and information about their heritage with their classmates. Through these interactive presentations, students learned about the customs, traditions, and history of numerous cultures from around the world, fostering a deeper understanding and respect.

Courtesy Valley Stream District 13

It was Diversity Month at Willow Road where students learned from one another’s cultural customs, traditions, and backgrounds.

Juan Lasso

Courtesy Valley Stream District 13

Willow Road Elementary School students crafted personal posters to reflect their unique cultural roots.

Herald group wins 18 state NYPA awards

STAFF REPORT

It was a big night of wins for your local paper and all of Herald Community Newspapers as the New York Press Association honored the best of the best this past weekend.

The Herald papers earned 18 statewide awards overall at the event in Saratoga Springs, including four first places.

Creative director Jeffrey Negrin earned two of them — one for a Salute to Israel special section honoring the country on its 75th anniversary that he did with deputy editor Jeffrey Bessen, and the other for best special section cover he did for a Your Health & Wellness special section focused on mental health.

“Good editorial design in a mix of visual metaphor, eye-catching imagery and strategic typography,” judges from the Tennessee Press Association said. “This cover expertly made all three elements with ease. The use of a stark gray background was such a great decision for keeping the colorful main image large and incharge.”

Daniel Offner, a senior editor who leads the Rockville Centre Herald, earned a first place in religion coverage for his stories centered not just on the issues plaguing the Diocese of Rockville Centre, but also how many churches adapted to life after the Covid-19 pandemic.

First place also was awarded to The Riverdale Press in the Bronx for best editorial page, honoring former editor Gary Larkin and executive editor Michael Hinman.

“The editorial section is diverse, eye-catching and well-balanced in design,” judges said. “Topics are relevant to readers, well-written, and provide a wide variety of topics of interest.”

The Riverdale Press also earned a second place for coverage of crime, police and courts given to Larkin, reporter Eric Harvey, and former reporter Stacy Driks. Harvey won a second place of his own for best feature story on civil rights attorney Clarence Jones, who hosted Martin Luther King Jr., in his Riverdale home back in the 1960s, just in time for him to write his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

The Riverdale Press also won second place for the Past President’s Award for Editorial Excellence — an award the paper has regularly placed in over the

years, including first-place wins in 2020 and 2021.

This year, the judges called The Press a “strong newspaper with rich and newsy content from front to back” with an “engaging editorial page and eye-catching front pages.”

The Nassau Herald in the Five Towns won second place for advertising excellence, with special kudos to its special sections, its dance workshop ad designs, and for its annual Christmas wrapping paper project.

The Nassau Herald also won second places for special sections/niche publications-newsprint for RichnerLive’s Top Lawyers section, as well as best multiadvertiser pages for its Halloween section.

The Nassau Herald won third place in editorials

written by Bessen, Hinman and former Malverne/ West Hempstead Herald editor Mark Nolan. The editorials focused on project-based learning, a call to replace special political elections with gubernatorial appointments, and calling out the Nassau County Bridge Authority.

“Variety of editorials concern topics in which most readers are interested (like) education, elections and transportation,” judges said. “All three presented clearly, and were well-written.”

Nolan also won third place for column writing for the Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald.

Nolan’s column selection “covered a range of topics,” judges said, “and they were all smooth to read.” One that really grabbed the judges’ attention was on graduation rates, saying Nolan “explained the high number of graduates was misleading in a clear, simple way.”

Negrin won a third place of his own for best media kit and sales collateral, something the judges said should be a “model for media kits everywhere.”

“It’s truly humbling to receive acknowledgment from our peers in the newspaper community,” said Herald Community Newspapers publisher Stuart Richner. “My heartfelt congratulations to all of our winners. Nevertheless, our ultimate gratification stems from ensuring our readers receive the best and most comprehensive community news every single week.”

“Such a great honor for the sales staff to win two awards for advertising excellence,” said Rhonda Glickman, the sales vice president at Herald Community Newspapers. “It takes a great team, including finance, art, production, circulation, the press room, and the marketing staff to bring home these awards. Congrats to our editorial team and creative director for all their awards.”

Honorable mentions went to sports editor Tony Bellissimo for sportswriter of the year, the Rockville Centre Herald for advertising excellence, former East Meadow Herald editor Mallory Wilson for her coverage of education, Larkin for feature story, and photo editor Tim Baker for feature photo in the Malverne/ West Hempstead Herald.

Overall, more than 140 newspapers submitted 2,530 entries in 65 categories, and nearly 380 awards were handed out.

Susanna Ciurleo/Herald

More than 20 members of the Herald Community Newspapers team attended the annual New York Press Association Spring Conference in Saratoga Springs over the weekend, where the newspaper group earned 18 state awards.

Herald Community Newspapers creative director Jeffrey Negrin won first place for best special section cover design for his cover last May focusing on mental health for a Your Health and Wellness special section.

State legislature allocates $56 million more for TAP

By NICOLE WAGNER nwagner@liherald.com

College tuition is something that can loom over a student’s head long after she graduates. But she and others are getting a little help from Gov. Kathy Hochul and state legislators, who earmarked an additional $56 million into the state’s Tuition Assistance Program.

More students applying for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form will have the opportunity to receive assistance through TAP. The program has been active since 1974, providing nearly $30 billion in financial aid to 6 million students in New York.

TAP is one of the largest need-based financial grants in the country. The program provided 234,000 students $662 million in TAP grants as recently as the 202223 academic year.

The minimum annual TAP award was increased from $500 to $1,000, capping out at just below $5,700. Income limit threshold qualifications were also increased for both dependent and independent students.

Those who may qualify include:

■ independent students with tax dependents,

■ students who qualified as an orphan, foster child or ward of the court any time since they were 13, and

■ dependent undergraduate students

York’s Tuition Assistance Program after the state allocated an additional $56 million to the program for the 2024-25 academic year.

with a household earning less than $125,000.

Independent students who are married without tax dependents who make less than $60,000 now qualify — up from $40,000 previously.

Independent students who are single without tax dependents who make less than $30,000 now qualify — up from $10,000 previously.

The TAP expansion was celebrated by Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, Assemblywoman Taylor Darling, former Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages and members of the Elmont community out-

side of Elmont Memorial High School last week.

“It is indispensable for families who are struggling with the affordability crisis in which we exist today,” Assemblywoman Solages said, emphasizing the importance for students to receive “a quality education at a good price.”

The TAP expansion is meant to help students and families, especially when facing the hardships brought by inflation.

“Turning the TAP on is exactly what we needed to do,” Darling said, adding that students have come to her to say they needed to drop out of school because they couldn’t afford things like a MetroCard or Long Island Rail Road ticket, day care, or

even to put food on the table.

Quincy Velez, a senior at the Elmont school, said he “definitely needed” the help that TAP provides. He receives $2,000 in aid from the program, which helps a lot coming from a single-parent household where going to college isn’t always a viable option.

“Now I can look for a school that is my first choice instead of it not being my first choice because of money issues,” said Velez, who has dreams of someday becoming a pilot.

Such a dream could be expensive, said Lynette Battle — Velez’s mother, and president of the school’s parent teacher association. Aviation school can cost as much as $75,000 per year, if not more. Expanding TAP can really make a difference.

“The struggle is real, and this is a breath of fresh air,” Battle said. “And now, the opportunities are much greater.”

To receive TAP, students must be in good standing on a student loan under any state or federal education loan program, or on the repayment of any state award, among other conditions.

Applications are now open through June 2025.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity,” Battle said. “I hope that every young person makes sure they fill out their FAFSA form, and makes sure they get everything done in a timely fashion, because now is the time.

“The TAP is turned on. Don’t wait until the TAP is off.”

Nicole Wagner/Herald

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages speaks with Elmont residents about the importance of the expansion of New

STEPPING OUT

Familiar face leading

Co-founder Harrelson

honored with uniform patch

By Tony Bellissimo

The Long Island Ducks took the field for the 2024 Atlantic League baseball season opener April 25 with heavy hearts.

Bud Harrelson, the former Mets great who co-founded and coowned the Ducks, died Jan. 11 at 79 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He co-founded the Ducks franchise with Frank Boulton in 1998, and served as the league’s first president.

“Bud’s impact on Long Island will be felt through Ducks baseball for as long as we play,” Boulton says. “He was my partner in bringing professional baseball to Long Island following his outstanding playing career in MLB, and he made his mark on so many through his charitable giving, appearances and kindness. He was a one-of-a-kind human being, and he is missed greatly.”

The Ducks, who won their first game under new manager Lew Ford, are honoring Harrelson this season with a “3” patch on the front of their uniforms. Harrelson’s family was on hand for the opener, and threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Ford became the seventh manager in Ducks history, succeeding Wally Backman. A member of the 1986 Mets World Series team, Backman joined the Ducks prior to the 2019 season, and finished his Ducks career with a record of 284-232 (.550). The team made the playoffs three times, and advanced to two Atlantic League Championship Series (2019, 2021), winning it all in 2019.

Ford has spent the past 13 seasons on Long Island, the past nine as a player/coach.

“I am honored and excited,” Ford says. “I look forward to working with our exceptional staff and players to bring home a championship to Long Island.”

Ford’s 13 years with the Ducks are more than any other player in franchise history, and his run as a player/coach is the longest tenure in franchise annals as well. He has the most hits in team history with 1,036, ranking him third all-time in the Atlantic League. Additionally, he sits second all-time among Ducks players in batting average (.318, mininum of 1,000 at-bats), games played (877), runs batted in (511), runs scored (549), doubles (227) and total bases (1,541).

setting league singleseason records for hits (189) and games played (140) that season. In addition to his time with the Ducks, Ford spent parts of seven seasons at the Major League level, and in 519 big league games batted .268 with 35 home runs and 176 RBIs.

“Lew has been an outstanding representative of the Ducks organization over the past 15 years,” Boulton says. “He has earned this opportunity, and we are very excited to have him guiding our team on

Asbury Short Film Concert

The latest edition of the short film showcase is back at the Madison Theatre. With a lineup of classics from Asbury’s past combined with current international festival winners — and in many cases, featuring up-and-coming filmmakers — audiences can get a look at these ‘smaller’ films that don’t often get a big screen showing. The fast-paced evening includes local spotlight selection ‘Across’ from Long Islandbased filmmaker Laura Sweeney It tells the dramatic story of three World War II widows on a road trip together to try and find healing, but instead wind up learning tough secrets. Another stand-out is the 2011 Academy Award nominee, ‘The Crush,’ a quirky drama about an 8-year-old boy and his infatuation with his teacher, from Irish director Michael Creagh. Author, comedy writer and former Friar’s Club archivist Barry Dougherty serves as guest host.

Friday, May 3, 7:30 p.m. $25. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at MadisonTheatreNY.org, or call (516) 323-4444.

Atlantic League. Additionally, he sits second all-time among Ducks the field.”

The most accomplished player Ford will pencil into the lineup is Major League veteran outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., who signed April 4. He appeared in 1,182 MLB games, and won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2018. He totaled 109 homers, 449 RBIs and 69 stolen bases over an 11-year career.

The 47-year-old Central Islip resident played on the Ducks championship clubs in 2012, 2013 and 2019. He also helped lead the Flock to eight division titles and 11 postseason appearances as a player/coach. The outfielder was named the 2014 Atlantic League Player of the Year,

“Jackie is an exceptional talent with a wealth of experience in the game,” Ford says. “His resume speaks for itself. He’s excited to be here and we’re thrilled to have him.”

‘Cold Beer on a Saturday Night’

Bradley will patrol center field with speedy Nick Heath (42 steals) in left and Tyler Dearden in right. The infield features another former Major Leaguer, first baseman Frank Schwindel, who hit 22 in the bigs. Shortstop Ivan Castillo and third baseman Hector Gomez also have some MLB experience. Scott Kelly returns at second base, and Ford expects newcomer Rixon Wingrove to hit some dingers.

Behind the plate, Chance Sisco returns after belting 11 homers, including three in one game, with 33 RBIs in just 31

Bradley will patrol center field with speedy Nick Frank base, games.

“He’s a veteran catcher who calls a great game, and is a very productive hitter,” Ford says.

Stephen Woods Jr., who went 7-2 for the Ducks last season. There

Sisco will work with a starting pitching staff anchored by Stephen Woods Jr., who went 7-2 for the Ducks last season. There is also former MLB southpaw Wei-Yin Chen. A onetime teammate of Ford’s in Baltimore, Daniel Corcino, who spent the past two years with Lexington. And Chris Ellis, who got a taste of the Majors with 25 relief appearances.

“We have talented players and a great clubhouse,” Ford says.

Photos courtesy Long Island Ducksi

Photos (top): Catcher Chance Sisco had 33 RBIs in only 31 games last season.

(middle): Third baseman Hector Gomez is one of many Ducks with MLB experience.

(bottom): Long Island Ducks mascot ‘Quakerjack’ is a hit with fans of all ages.

Get a head start on beach season with Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band. We’re all eager for summertime to arrive, meanwhile Jimmy Kenny and his band come to the rescue on the Paramount stage again. Join in 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 let’s ‘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 celebrated the beach country sounds of Buffett, Chesney and Zac Brown Band for more than a decade, spreading their vibe up and down the Northeast.

Saturday, May 4, 8 p.m. $35. $25, $20, $15. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com, or ParamountNY.com.

THE Your Neighborhood

Dance Theatre of Harlem

The acclaimed dance company visits Long Island on its 2024 tour, appearing on the Tilles Center stage, Friday, May 10, 8 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 and music by Michael Nyman; Balanchine’s “Pas de Dix, with music by Alexander Glazuno; “Take Me With You,” with choreography by Robert Bondara, featuring Radiohead music; “Return,” choreographed by Robert Garland, with James Brown and Aretha Franklin tunes. Tickets start at $64; available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville.

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, Friday, May 3, 10:15 a.m. and noon; Sunday, May 5, 2 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, May 7-10, 10:15 a.m. and noon. Back by popular demand after a sold-out 2023 run, see Pigeon, Bus Driver, and some zany passengers sing and dance their way to helping The Pigeon find his “thing” in this upbeat, energetic comedy based on four of Mo 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.

County’s college faces a dining dilemma

By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com

Getting something to eat might not be so easy for students at Nassau Community College after the school’s primary food service provider abruptly terminated its contract last month, with two years remaining.

The seven-year agreement with Compass Group was cut off because of what the vendor described as less demand of its services due to the college’s declining enrollment.

One of the biggest places NCC students felt the change was at the Eatery, a central dining location at the Uniondale campus. It’s here where hungry scholars have to turn to vending machines to get what they need.

It’s raised a number of concerns, not only about accessibility and variety of food offered, but also the financial implications and uncertain future of dining services at the college.

“Right now, NCC students are in the middle of our semester with four to five weeks left,” said one student, Sebastian Bros. “Before, we had to suffice with the prices for the food we wanted at the Eatery. Now, we are going to have to suffice with the vending machines around the campus.

“There are students who feel strongly about this topic, and the fact that money issues are now an ongoing and recurring conversation we overhear around NCC.”

Tim Baker/Herald

Compass Group wants to end its food service contract with Nassau Community College, which not only has shuttered several dining locations on the Uniondale campus, but has closed the Starbucks coffee shop.

said. “But for us, it’s part of a whole — this whole mismanagement, lack of planning, failure to understand the mission of the college, and failure to understand our students and the community that we serve.”

But it’s not that Compass wants to go away. Instead, the company says it wants to rework the current contract to a new seven-year agreement costing approximately $320,000 annually.

It was a proposal not well received by NCC administrators. Especially since students didn’t seem to be happy with what they were getting from Compass.

More than 1,100 students and staffers participated in a survey conducted last year that revealed widespread dissatisfaction with both the cost and quality of the food services provided, according to Jerry Kornbluth vice president of community and governmental relations at NCC.

Although he acknowledges times have been tough for food services companies in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Kornbluth says different departments at NCC have collaborated to address the challenge.

“We’re not like (kindergarten) through 12, so kids come here, they take a couple of classes, maybe grab a sandwich somewhere, and they go off and then they go to work,” Kornbluth said.

He added: “So, they’re in and out in a weekend. It’s pretty tough for a company to make a profit. They’ve been losing money, and they wanted us to make up the loss.”

NCC’s faculty union has appealed to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for his help to address the NCC food shortage, urging the allocation of county funds to reinstate on-campus dining. Additionally, the union has called for a complete restructuring of the college’s board of trustees, as well as the public resignation of key college administrators, citing their failure to adequately respond to the crisis.

“The bottom line is it is very disrespectful to our students, shows a real lack of concern, and failure to meet their needs,” union president Faren Siminoff

In the meantime, NCC is exploring several food options to at least get students through the final weeks of the spring semester. Currently, food trucks are available on certain days. On top of that, Kornbluth says the school already is looking to find a new food services vendor.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA, PRESUPUESTO, VOTACIÓN Y ELECCIÓN DEL ARROYO DEL VALLE CENTRAL ALTO DISTRITO ESCOLAR CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK

POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que se llevará a cabo una Audiencia Pública de los votantes calificados del Distrito Central de Escuelas Secundarias Valley Stream, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York, en la Escuela James A. Dever para el Distrito No. 13 el miércoles 8 de mayo de 2024 a las 7:30 p.m., hora prevaleciente, en la Escuela William L. Buck para el Distrito No. 24 el miércoles, 8 de mayo de 2024, a las 7:30 p.m., hora prevaleciente, y para el Distrito No. 30 en la Escuela de Shaw Avenue el lunes 13 de mayo de 2024, a las 7:00 p.m., hora prevaleciente, para la transacción de negocios según lo autorizado por la Ley de Educación, incluidos los siguientes elementos:

1. Presentar a los votantes una declaración detallada (propuesta de presupuesto) de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año fiscal 2024-25.

2. Discutir todos los puntos que a continuación se establecen para ser votados por las máquinas de votación en la Votación y Elección del Presupuesto que se llevará a cabo el martes 21 de mayo de 2024.

3. Tratar cualquier otro asunto que pueda presentarse ante la reunión de conformidad con la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York y las leyes que la modifiquen. Una copia del presupuesto propuesto se pondrá a disposición, previa solicitud, de los residentes del Distrito Escolar No. 13, el Distrito Escolar No. 24 y el Distrito Escolar No. 30 a partir del miércoles 1 de mayo de 2024, entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m., hora prevaleciente, excepto sábados, domingos y feriados en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, One Kent Road, Valley Stream, Nueva York.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que dicha Votación y Elección del Presupuesto se llevará a cabo el martes 21 de mayo de 2024 entre las 6:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m., hora prevaleciente, en el Distrito No. 30, de 7:00 a.m. a 9:00 p.m., en el Distrito No. 24, y de 6:00 a.m. a 9:00 p.m. en el Distrito No. 13, momento en el cual las urnas se abrirán para votar por máquina de votación sobre los siguientes puntos:

1. Adoptar el presupuesto anual del Distrito Escolar para el

año fiscal 202425 y autorizar que la parte requerida del mismo se recaude mediante impuestos sobre la propiedad imponible del Distrito.

2. Proposición que autoriza a la Junta de Educación a asignar y gastar la cantidad máxima de dos millones quinientos cincuenta mil dólares ($2,550,000) del saldo del fondo con el propósito de completar mejoras de capital de la siguiente manera: Renovar el actual Garaje de Mantenimiento del Distrito creando una Instalación de Oficios de la Construcción, todo lo anterior para incluir toda la mano de obra, materiales, equipos, aparatos, y los costos incidentales asociados a los mismos.

3. Proposición que autoriza a la Junta de Educación a asignar y gastar la cantidad máxima de un millón ciento cincuenta y seis mil dólares ($1,156,000) del Fondo de Reserva de Capital con el propósito de completar mejoras de capital de la siguiente manera: Reemplazos de ventanas de gimnasio en Memorial Junior High School, North Junior Senior High School y South Junior Senior High School, Todo lo anterior incluye toda la mano de obra, los materiales, el equipo, los aparatos y los costos incidentales asociados con los mismos.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que cualquier residente del Distrito puede obtener una copia de la declaración de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para financiar el presupuesto del Distrito Escolar para 2024-25, excluyendo los fondos públicos, entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m. a partir del martes 7 de mayo de 2024, excepto sábados, domingos o días festivos, en la Oficina del Distrito, One Kent Road, Valley Stream, Nueva York y en cada escuela del Distrito de Escuelas Secundarias.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que de conformidad con el Capítulo 258 de las Leyes de 2008, la Sección 495 se agregó a la Ley de Impuestos sobre Bienes Inmuebles, y requiere que el Distrito Escolar adjunte a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exención. Dicho informe de exención, que también formará parte del presupuesto final, mostrará qué parte del valor total de tasación en la lista de evaluación final utilizada en el proceso presupuestario está exenta de impuestos, enumerará cada tipo de exención otorgada, identificada por la autoridad legal, y mostrará: (a) el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención expresado

como un monto en dólares del valor tasado o como un porcentaje del valor tasado total en el rollo; b) el importe acumulado que se espera recibir de los beneficiarios de cada tipo de exención en concepto de pagos en lugar de impuestos u otros pagos por servicios municipales; y c) el efecto acumulativo de todas las exenciones concedidas. El informe de exención se publicará en cualquier tablón de anuncios mantenido por el Distrito para avisos públicos y en cualquier sitio web mantenido por el Distrito. Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que se requiere el registro personal de los votantes de conformidad con la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación o de conformidad con el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral. Si un votante se ha registrado hasta ahora de conformidad con §2014 de la Ley de Educación y ha votado en una reunión anual o especial del distrito dentro de los últimos cuatro (4) años calendario, él o ella es elegible para votar en esta elección. Si un votante está registrado y es elegible para votar bajo el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral, él o ella también es elegible para votar en esta elección. Todas las demás personas que deseen votar deben registrarse.

En el Distrito No. 13, todos los votantes calificados del Distrito de conformidad con §2014 de la Ley de Educación pueden registrarse en la Escuela de la Avenida Wheeler, la Escuela James A. Dever, la Escuela Howell Road y la Escuela Willow Road, cualquier día hasta el martes 14 de mayo de 2024, entre las 8:00 a.m. y las 3:30 p.m., excepto los sábados. Domingos, y vacaciones escolares y en los horarios en que las instalaciones escolares estén abiertas. La Junta de Registro se reunirá el martes 14 de mayo de 2024, entre las 5:00 p.m. y las 9:00 p.m., con el propósito de preparar un registro de los votantes calificados del Distrito para dicha elección anual del Distrito, momento en el cual cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se coloque en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de la Junta de Registro, se sepa o se demuestre a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro que tiene derecho a votar en esa elección para la cual se prepara el registro. En el Distrito No. 30, la Junta de Registro se reunirá con el propósito de registrar a todos los votantes calificados del Distrito de conformidad con §2014 de la Ley de Educación en la Escuela de Clear Stream Avenue, la Escuela de Shaw Avenue y la Escuela

Forest Road, el jueves 16 de mayo de 2024, entre las 4:00 p.m. y las 8:00 p.m., agregar cualquier nombre adicional al Registro que se utilizará en la elección antes mencionada, en cuyo momento cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se coloque en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de la Junta de Registro se sepa o se demuestre a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro que tiene derecho a votar en dicha elección para la cual se prepara el registro. Además, la inscripción abierta se llevará a cabo hasta el jueves 16 de mayo de 2024, durante el horario de inscripción de niños para un período escolar en cada una de las escuelas del Distrito y de 8:00 a.m. a 4:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente) en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito, en las Oficinas de Administración, 175 North Central Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York. En el Distrito No. 24, con el propósito de registrar a todos los votantes calificados, la Junta de Registro llevará a cabo un registro continuo de los votantes calificados durante las horas de inscripción de los niños para un período escolar en la oficina del director de cada escuela y en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito del Distrito No. 24 entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m. Durante los meses de julio y agosto, en la oficina del Secretario de Distrito, los votantes calificados pueden registrarse durante las horas de 9:00 a.m. y 3:00 p.m. La Junta de Registro se reunirá con el propósito de registrar a todos los votantes calificados del Distrito de conformidad con la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación en el Distrito No. 24 en la Escuela William L. Buck el martes 14 de mayo de 2024, entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m., y entre las 4:00 p.m. y las 9:00 p.m. para agregar cualquier nombre adicional al Registro que se utilizará en la elección antes mencionada, en cuyo momento cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se coloque en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de dicha Junta de Registro se sepa o se demuestre, a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro, que tiene derecho a votar en la elección escolar para la cual se prepara dicho Registro.

El registro así preparado de conformidad con §2014 de la Ley de Educación se archivará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar en las oficinas del distrito de los Distritos Escolares Libres de la Unión No. 13, No. 24 y No. 30, Valley Stream, Nueva York, y estará abierto para la

inspección de cualquier votante calificado del Distrito. a partir del jueves 16 de mayo de 2024, entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m., hora prevaleciente en los días laborables anteriores a la votación, y entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 12 del mediodía, el sábado 18 de mayo de 2024, en la Oficina del Distrito y en el/los lugar(es) de votación el día de la votación.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA

ADICIONALMENTE, que de conformidad con §2014 de la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, la Junta de Registro se reunirá el martes 21 de mayo de 2024, entre las 6:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m., hora prevaleciente, en el Distrito No. 30, entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m., hora prevaleciente, en el Distrito No. 24 y entre las 6:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m., hora prevaleciente, en el Distrito No. 13, para preparar el Registro del Distrito Escolar que se utilizará en la Votación y Elección del Presupuesto que se llevará a cabo en y cualquier reunión especial del distrito que pueda celebrarse después de la preparación de dicho Registro, en cuyo momento cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre sea incluido en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de dicha Junta de Registro se sepa o se demuestre, a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro, que tiene derecho a votar en la elección escolar para la cual se prepara dicho Registro, o en lo sucesivo, o cualquier reunión especial de distrito que se lleve a cabo después del martes 21 de mayo de 2024.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que las solicitudes para boletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado se podrán obtener durante el horario escolar de los Secretarios de Distrito en los Distritos Escolares Libres de la Unión No. 13, No. 24 y No. 30. De acuerdo con la Ley de Educación §§ 2018-a y 2018-e, las solicitudes completadas de boleta de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito de donde se obtuvieron al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección, es decir, el 14 de mayo de 2024, si la boleta se enviará por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección, es decir, el 20 de mayo de 2024, si la boleta se entregará personalmente al votante o al agente nombrado en la solicitud de boleta de voto en ausencia o por correo anticipado. Las boletas de voto ausente y por correo anticipado deben ser recibidas por los Secretarios de Distrito de

los Distritos Escolares Libres de la Unión No. 13, No. 24 y No. 30 a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m., hora prevaleciente, el martes 21 de mayo de 2024. Una lista de las personas a las que se emiten boletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado estará disponible para su inspección para los votantes calificados del Distrito en la oficina de los Secretarios de Distrito de los Distritos Escolares Libres de la Unión No. 13, No. 24 y No. 30 a partir del jueves 16 de mayo de 2024, entre las 8:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m. de lunes a viernes antes del día establecido para la elección anual y el martes, 21 de mayo de 2024, el día fijado para la elección, y dicha lista se publicará en el lugar de votación en la elección. Cualquier votante calificado que se presente en el lugar de votación puede objetar la votación de la boleta por motivos apropiados haciendo su impugnación y las razones por las que lo hizo saber al Inspector de Elecciones antes del cierre de las urnas. No se puede impugnar una boleta de voto en ausencia sobre la base de que el votante debería haber solicitado una boleta anticipada por correo.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que los votantes militares que son votantes calificados de los Distritos Escolares Libres No. 13, No. 24 y No. 30 de Valley Stream Union, pueden solicitar una solicitud para una boleta militar en persona, por correo electrónico o por fax durante el horario escolar de los Secretarios de Distrito en los Distritos Escolares Libres de Union No. 13, Nº 24 y Nº 30; Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que las boletas militares serán escrutadas si son recibidas por el Secretario de Distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el martes 21 de mayo de 2024 que muestren una marca de cancelación del Servicio Postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o que muestren un endoso fechado de recepción por otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o recibido a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del martes 21 de mayo de 2024 y firmado y fechado por el votante militar y un testigo del mismo, con una fecha que se determina que no es posterior al día anterior a la elección. Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que de conformidad con una regla adoptada por la Junta de Educación de acuerdo con §2035 de la Ley de Educación, cualquier referéndum o proposición para enmendar el presupuesto,

o de otra manera para ser presentada para votación en dicha elección, debe presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito, Junta de Educación en la Oficina del Distrito, One Kent Road, Valley Stream, Nueva York para permitir que el aviso de la proposición se incluya con el Aviso de la Audiencia Pública, la Votación del Presupuesto y la Elección requerida por la Sección 2004 de la Ley de Educación en o antes del viernes 22 de marzo de 2024 a las 4:00 p.m., hora prevaleciente; debe estar mecanografiado o impreso en inglés; debe dirigirse al Secretario del Distrito Escolar; debe estar firmada por al menos 47 votantes calificados (que representen el 2% del número de votantes que votaron en la elección anual anterior) del Distrito; y debe indicar de forma legible el nombre de cada firmante. Sin embargo, la Junta Escolar no considerará ninguna petición para presentar ante los votantes cualquier proposición cuyo propósito no esté dentro de los poderes de los votantes para determinar, que sea ilegal o cualquier proposición que no incluya una asignación específica cuando el gasto de dinero sea requerido por la proposición, o cuando exista otra razón válida para excluir la proposición de la boleta. DISTRITOS ELECTORALES ESCOLARES Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que se han establecido Distritos Electorales en el Distrito Escolar. Los límites de los Distritos Electorales, según lo adoptado por resolución de la Junta de Educación, y el lugar en cada distrito electoral para votar serán los siguientes: Los once distritos electorales en los que se ha dividido el Distrito Central de Escuelas Secundarias de Valley Stream tienen números compuestos (la primera parte del número indica el Distrito Escolar Libre de la Unión, y la segunda parte del número indica el distrito electoral dentro del Distrito Escolar Libre de la Unión) y son los siguientes: 131: El lugar de votación es la Escuela de la Avenida Wheeler; 132: el lugar de votación es la Escuela James A. Dever; 133: el lugar de votación es la Escuela Howell Road; 134: el lugar de votación es la Escuela Willow Road. 241: el lugar de votación es la estación de bomberos de la avenida Corona Sur, entre la avenida Jamaica y la avenida Hawthorne; 242: el lugar de votación es la Escuela William L. Buck; 243: el lugar de votación es la Escuela de la Avenida Brooklyn; 244: el lugar de votación es la

Escuela Robert W. Carbonaro; 30-1: el lugar de votación es la Escuela de la Avenida Clear Stream; 302: el lugar de votación es la Escuela de la Avenida Shaw; 303: el lugar de votación es la Escuela Forest Road. Fecha: Valley Stream, Nueva York 18 de marzo de 2024 Por orden de la CONSEJO DE EDUCACIÓN DE LA ARROYO DEL VALLE CENTRAL DISTRITO DE ESCUELAS SECUNDARIAS Valley Stream, Nueva York

Mary E. Colgan, Secretaria de Distrito 145974

PUBLIC AND LEGAL

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LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION OF THE VALLEY STREAM CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a Public Hearing of the qualified voters of the Valley Stream Central High School District, Nassau County, New York will be held in the James A. Dever School for District No. 13 on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 7:30 p.m., prevailing time, in the William L. Buck School for District No. 24 on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 7:30 p.m., prevailing time, and for District No. 30 in the Shaw Avenue School on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., prevailing time, for the transaction of business as authorized by the Education Law, including the following items:

1. To present to the voters a detailed statement (proposed budget) of the amount of money which will be required for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

2. To discuss all the items hereinafter set forth to be voted upon by voting machines at the Budget Vote and Election to be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting pursuant to Education Law of the State of New York and acts amendatory thereto. A copy of the proposed budget shall be made available, upon request, to residents of School District No. 13, School District No. 24 & School District No. 30 beginning Wednesday, May 1, 2024, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., prevailing time, except Saturday, Sunday and holidays at the Office of District Clerk, One Kent Road, Valley Stream, New York.

May 2, 2024 —

Public Notices

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that said Budget Vote and Election will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, in District No. 30, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., in District No. 24, and from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in District No. 13, at which time the polls will be opened to vote by voting machine upon the following items:

1. To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal year 2024 25 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.

2. Proposition authorizing the Board of Education to appropriate and expend the maximum amount of two million, five hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($2,550,000) from fund balance for the purpose of completing capital improvements as follows: Renovate current District Maintenance Garage creating a Construction Trades Facility, all of the above to include all labor, materials, equipment, apparatus, and incidental costs associated therewith.

3. Proposition authorizing the Board of Education to appropriate and expend the maximum amount of one million, one hundred and fifty-six thousand dollars ($1,156,000) from the Capital Reserve Fund for the purpose of completing capital improvements as follows: Gymnasium window replacements at Memorial Junior High School, North Junior Senior High School and South Junior Senior High School, all of the above to include all labor, materials, equipment, apparatus, and incidental costs associated therewith.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required to fund the School District’s budget for 2024-25, exclusive of public monies, may be obtained by any resident of the District between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. beginning Tuesday, May 7, 2024, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, at the District Office, One Kent Road, Valley Stream, New York and at each schoolhouse in the High School District. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Chapter 258 of the Laws of 2008, Section 495 was added to the Real Property Tax Law, and requires the School District to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how much of the

total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted, identified by statutory authority, and show: (a) the cumulative impact of each type of exemption expressed either as a dollar amount of assessed value or as a percentage of the total assessed value on the roll; (b) the cumulative amount expected to be received from recipients of each type of exemption as payments in lieu of taxes or other payments for municipal services; and (c) the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. The exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any website maintained by the District. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law or pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law and has voted at an annual or special district meeting within the last four (4) calendar years, he or she is eligible to vote at this election. If a voter is registered and eligible to vote under Article 5 of the Election Law, he or she is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register.

In District No. 13, all qualified voters of the District pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law may register at the Wheeler Avenue School, the James A. Dever School, the Howell Road School and the Willow Road School, any day up until Tuesday, May 14, 2024, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., except Saturday, Sunday, and school vacations and at such times that the school facilities are open. The Board of Registration shall meet on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., for the purpose of preparing a register of the qualified voters of the District for said annual District election, at which time any person shall be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Register, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration, he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such election for which the register is prepared.

In District No. 30, the Board of Registration will meet for the purpose of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law at the Clear Stream Avenue

School, the Shaw Avenue School, and the Forest Road School, on Thursday, May 16, 2024, between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., to add any additional names to the Register to be used at the aforesaid election, at which times any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Register, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such election for which the register is prepared. In addition, open registration will be conducted through Thursday, May 16, 2024, during the hours for enrollment of children for a school term at each of the District schools and from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Prevailing Time) at the office of the District Clerk, at the Administration Offices, 175 North Central Avenue, Valley Stream, New York. In District No. 24, for the purpose of registering all qualified voters, the Board of Registration shall conduct a continuous registration of the qualified voters during the hours of enrollment of children for a school term at the principal’s office of each schoolhouse and at the office of the District Clerk of District No. 24 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. During the months of July and August, in the office of the District Clerk, qualified voters may register during the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The Board of Registration will meet for the purpose of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law in District No. 24 at the William L. Buck School on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. to add any additional names to the Register to be used at the aforesaid election, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Register provided that at such meeting of said Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school election for which said Register is prepared. The register so prepared pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the School District in the district offices of Union Free School Districts No. 13, No. 24 and No. 30, Valley Stream, New York, and will be open for

inspection by any qualified voter of the District, beginning on Thursday, May 16, 2024, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., prevailing time on weekdays prior to the vote, and between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12 noon, on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the District Office, and at the polling place(s) on the day of the vote.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law of the State of New York, the Board of Registration will meet on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, in District No. 30, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. prevailing time, in District No. 24 and between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. prevailing time, in District No. 13, to prepare the Register of the School District to be used at the Budget Vote and Election to be held in and any special district meetings that may be held after the preparation of said Register, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Register provided that at such meeting of said Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school election for which said Register is prepared, or any special district meeting held after Tuesday, May 21, 2024. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for absentee and early mail voting ballots will be obtainable during school business hours from the District Clerks in Union Free School Districts No. 13, No. 24 and No. 30. In accordance with Education Law §§ 2018-a and 2018-e, completed absentee and early mail ballot applications must be received by the District Clerk from where they were obtained at least seven (7) days before the election, i.e., May 14, 2024, if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, i.e., May 20, 2024, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or to the agent named in the absentee or early mail ballot application. Absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerks of Union Free School Districts No. 13, No. 24 and No. 30 no later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. A list of persons to whom absentee and early mail voting ballots are issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the office of the District Clerks of Union Free

School Districts No. 13, No. 24 and No. 30 on and after Thursday, May 16, 2024, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on weekdays prior to the day set for the annual election and on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, the day set for the election, and said list will be posted at the polling place(s) at the election. Any qualified voter then present in the polling place may object to the voting of the ballot upon appropriate grounds by making his/her challenge and the reasons therefore known to the Inspector of Election before the close of the polls. A challenge to an absentee ballot may not be made on the basis that the voter should have applied for an early mail ballot.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the Valley Stream Union Free School Districts No. 13, No. 24 and No. 30, may request an application for a military ballot in person, by email, or by fax during school business hours from the District Clerks in Union Free School Districts No. 13, No. 24 and No. 30; AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk before the close of polls on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received not later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to a rule adopted by the Board of Education in accordance with §2035 of the Education Law, any referenda or propositions to amend the budget, or otherwise to be submitted for voting at said election, must be filed with the District Clerk, Board of Education at the District Office, One Kent Road, Valley Stream, New York to permit notice of the proposition to be included with the Notice of the Public Hearing, Budget Vote and Election required by Section 2004 of the Education Law on or before Friday, March 22, 2024, 4:00 p.m., prevailing time; must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the Clerk of the School District; must be signed by at least 47 qualified voters (representing 2% of the

number of voters who voted in the previous annual election) of the District; and must legibly state the name of each signer. However, the School Board will not entertain any petition to place before the voters any proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, which is unlawful or any proposition which fails to include a specific appropriation where the expenditure of monies is required by the proposition, or where other valid reason exists for excluding the proposition from the ballot.

SCHOOL ELECTION DISTRICTS AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that Election Districts have been established in the School District. The boundaries of the Election Districts, as adopted by resolution of the Board of Education, and the place in each election district for voting shall be as follows: The eleven election districts into which the Valley Stream Central High School District has been divided have compound numbers (first portion of the number indicates the Union Free School District, and the second portion of the number indicates the election district within the Union Free School District) and are as follows: 13 1: The place of voting is the Wheeler Avenue School; 13 2: the place of voting is the James A. Dever School; 13 3: the place of voting is the Howell Road School; 13 4: the place of voting is the Willow Road School. 24 1: the place of voting is the South Corona Avenue Firehouse, between Jamaica Avenue and Hawthorne Avenue; 24 2: the place of voting is the William L. Buck School; 24 3: the place of voting is the Brooklyn Avenue School; 24 4: the place of voting is the Robert W. Carbonaro School; 30-1: the place of voting is the Clear Stream Avenue School; 30 2: the place of voting is the Shaw Avenue School; 30 3: the place of voting is the Forest Road School.

Dated: Valley Stream, New York March 18, 2024

By Order of the BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE VALLEY STREAM CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT Valley Stream, New York Mary E. Colgan, District Clerk 145972

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING, ANNUAL DISTRICT ELECTION, AND BUDGET VOTE OF VALLEY STREAM UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT THIRTEEN,

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK

TO BE HELD ON MAY 21, 2024

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Education of Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen shall hold a public hearing for the purpose of discussion of the proposed budget of expenditure of funds for the school year 2024-2025; that such public hearing will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the vote by the qualified voters of Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen upon the following propositions and elections will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at the polling places set forth herein, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Daylight Savings Time on said day.

PROPOSITION NO. 1 DISTRICT THIRTEEN

BUDGET

The vote upon the appropriation of the necessary funds to meet the estimated expenditures of Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen for the school year 2024-2025 and authorizing the levy of taxes to meet the estimated expenditures of money during said school year will be held on May 21, 2024 as set forth herein. Copies of the proposed budget, together with the text of any resolution which will be submitted to the voters as well as copies of the estimated expenditures of Valley Stream Central High School District for the school year 2024-2025 may be obtained by any taxpayer of the School District at the Principal’s Office of each school building on each school day, during the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., during each of the 14 days preceding the voting day, except on Saturday, Sunday or holidays, and at such annual election.

Notice is further given that pursuant to Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law, the District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted by the statutory authority, and show the cumulative impact of each type of exemption, the cumulative amount expected to be received as payments in lieu of taxes and the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted.

PROPOSITION NO. 2

DISTRICT THIRTEEN

EXPENDITURE FROM

CAPITAL RESERVE RESOLVED, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby authorizes the placement of a proposition to expend monies from the District’s Capital Reserve Fund, established on May 15, 2018, at the Annual Budget Vote and Election on May 21, 2024, and directs the District Clerk to place said proposition in the Annual Notice of said Vote and Election: SHALL the Board of Education of the Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen be authorized to expend from the Capital Reserve Fund which was established on May 15, 2018 (“Reserve Fund”) pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law, for the following capital improvement project of acquisition of security equipment, furnishings, machinery and apparatus and the installation of such security equipment at the District’s facilities and sites, including security film and door replacements, cybersecurity technology, security camera replacements, and other security technologies and enhancements at the District’s facilities and sites in the approximate amount of $700,000, and other work required in connection therewith; and to expend from the Reserve Fund therefor, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto an amount not to exceed the estimated total cost of seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000).

PROPOSITION NO. 3

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET SHALL the proposed budget of expenditures of Valley Stream Central High School District, Nassau County, New York for the year 2024-2025 be approved in the amount of $161,364,443, and that the sum be raised through a levy upon the taxable property in the Valley Stream Central High School District, after first deducting the monies from state aid and other sources, as provided by law.

PROPOSITION NO. 4

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT VOTER

PROPOSITION 2024 SHALL the Board of Education hereby authorize the placement of the following voter proposition at the Annual Budget Vote and Election on May 21, 2024 and directs the District Clerk to place said proposition in the Annual Notice of said Vote and Election: SHALL the Valley Stream Central High School District Board of Education be authorized to appropriate and expend the maximum amount of two million, five hundred fifty thousand dollars

Public Notices

($2,550,000) as follows from fund balance for the purpose of completing capital improvements as follows:

Renovate current District Maintenance Garage creating a Construction Trades Facility. All of the above to include labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental costs.

PROPOSITION NO. 5

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT CAPITAL VOTER

PROPOSITION 2024

SHALL the Board of Education hereby authorize the placement of the following voter proposition at the Annual Budget Vote and Election on May 21, 2024 and directs the District Clerk to place said proposition in the Annual Notice of said Vote and Election: SHALL the Board of Education be authorized to appropriate and expend the maximum amount of one million, one hundred fifty-six thousand dollars

($1,156,000) from the Capital Reserve Fund for the purpose of completing capital improvements as follows: Gymnasium window and operating system replacements at Memorial Junior High School, North Junior Senior High School and South Junior Senior High School.

ELECTION OF TRUSTEES

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER

NOTICE that for the purpose of electing two members of the Board of Education of the Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen, an election will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at the same times and at the same polling places as set forth herein.

The following are the vacancies to be filled on the Board of Education:

a) The office of Anthony Bonelli, a member of the Board of Education, for a threeyear term commencing July 1, 2024 and expiring June 30, 2027.

b) The office of Jennifer Oliveri, a member of the Board of Education, for a threeyear term commencing July 1, 2024 and expiring June 30, 2027.

NOMINATION PETITIONS

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that each vacancy is a separate, specific office and a separate petition is required to nominate a candidate to each separate office. Each petition must be directed to the Clerk of the District, must be signed by at least 29 qualified voters of the District, must state the residence of each signer, must state the name and residence of the candidate, and must describe the specific vacancy for which the candidate is nominated, including at least the length of the term of the office and the name of the last incumbent.

Petitions nominating

candidates for the office of the Board of Education must be filed with the Clerk of the District between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. except that on the thirtieth (30th) day preceding the date set for election of trustees, namely Monday, April 22, 2024, nominating petitions may be filed between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The deadline for submitting petitions is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 22, 2024. No person shall be nominated for more than one separate office on the Board of Education. A nomination may be rejected by the Board of Education if the candidate is ineligible for office or declares his/her unwillingness to serve. In the event of the physical absence of the District Clerk from the District, nominating petitions are to be received and acted upon by the Acting District Clerk in the same manner as required of the District Clerk. Voting machines will be used for the tabulation of all votes upon propositions and the election of Trustees. The meeting and the election will be conducted according to the Education Law and the rules previously adopted by the Board of Education.

REGISTRATION

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

THAT qualified voters may register at the James A. Dever School, Howell Road School, Wheeler Avenue School and Willow Road School any day up until Tuesday, May 14, 2024 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. except Saturday, Sunday, and school vacations and at such times that the school facilities are open.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Board of Registration of this School District shall meet on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at the James A. Dever School, Howell Road School, Wheeler Avenue School and Willow Road School for the purpose of preparing a register of the qualified voters of this District for said annual District election, at which time any person shall be entitled to have his/her name placed upon such register provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration, he/she is known, or proven to the satisfaction of the Board of Registration, to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the annual District election for which such register is prepared.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the register shall include (1) all qualified voters of the District who shall personally present

themselves for registration; and (2) all previously qualified voters of the District who shall have been previously registered for any annual or special District meeting or election and who shall have voted at any annual or special District meeting or election held or conducted at any time within the four calendar years (2020-2023) prior to preparation of the said register; and (3) voters permanently registered with the Board of Elections of the County of Nassau.

The register shall be filed in the office of the District Clerk at James A. Dever School, 585 N. Corona Avenue, Valley Stream, New York where it shall be open for inspection by any qualified voter between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on each of the five days prior to the day set for the election, except Sunday, and between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on Saturday, May 18, 2024; and at each polling place on election day.

EARLY MAIL AND ABSENTEE BALLOTS

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that applications for absentee and early mail ballots will be obtainable during school business hours from the District Clerk beginning March 22, 2024. Completed applications may not be received by the District Clerk earlier than April 22, 2024, and must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or to the agent named in the absentee or early mail ballot application. Absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued, and a list of all persons to whom early mail voter’s ballots shall have been issued, will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the office of the District Clerk on and after Thursday, May 16, 2024, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays prior to the day set for the annual election and on May 21, 2024, the day set for the election. Any qualified voter may, upon examination of such lists, file a written challenge of the qualifications as a voter of any person whose name appears on such lists, stating the reasons for such challenge. Any such written challenge shall be transmitted by the District Clerk or a designee of the Board of Education to the

inspectors of election on election day. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the Valley Stream Union Free School District 13 by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to districtclerk@valleystrea m13.com. The request for the registration application may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the registration application by either mail or email. Military voter registration application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 25, 2024. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the Valley Stream Union Free School District 13, may request an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk and return such military ballot application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to districtclerk@valleystrea m13.com. In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military ballot application must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., on April 25, 2024. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a non-military ballot application under Section 2018-a of the Education Law. The application for military ballot may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail or email. A military voter’s original military ballot application and military ballot must be returned by mail or in person to the office of the District Clerk at 585 N. Corona Avenue, Valley Stream, New York 11580. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk before the close of polls on May 21, 2024 showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received not later than 5:00 p.m. on May 21, 2024 and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election.

ELECTION DISTRICTS The boundaries of the four election districts are as previously adopted by the Board of Education by a resolution adopted on January 28, 1959, and

which resolution is filed in the minutes of the District Clerk’s Office.

The places of voting and the general boundaries of the election districts are:

Election District One

The place of voting will be the Wheeler Avenue School, Wheeler Avenue and Rockaway Parkway, Valley Stream. Said District is the area in the vicinity of the Wheeler Avenue School and the southwesterly portion of the District.

Election District Two

The place of voting will be the James A. Dever School, 585 N. Corona Avenue, Valley Stream. Said District is the area in the vicinity of the James A. Dever School and the southeasterly portion of the District.

Election District Three

The place of voting will be the Howell Road School, Howell Road and Dana Avenue, Valley Stream. Said District is the area in the vicinity of the Howell Road School and the northwesterly portion of the District.

Election District Four

The place of voting will be the Willow Road School, Willow Road and Catalpa Drive, Franklin Square. Said District is the area in the vicinity of the Willow Road School and the northeasterly portion of the District. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that this Board shall convene a special meeting thereof within twenty-four hours after the filing with the District Clerk of a written report of the results of the ballot for the purpose of examining and tabulating said reports of the result of the ballot and declaring the result of the ballot; that the Board hereby designates itself to be a set of poll clerks to cast and canvass ballots pursuant to Education Law 2019-a, subdivision 2b at said special meeting of the Board.

Dated: March 27, 2024 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, VALLEY STREAM UNION Valley Stream, New York FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT THIRTEEN, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK

MaryAnn Rosamilia District Clerk 145793

of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered May 2, 2023, 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 on May 13, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 53 EAST VALLEY STREAM BOULEVARD VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580 AKA 53 VALLEY STREAM BOULEVARD, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37, Block 074, Lot 15 & 16. Approximate amount of judgment $415,331.68 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #617977/2019. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Peter V. Christiansen, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 19-005661 80057 146054

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. MICHAEL J. CARR, Defendant(s).

$177,240.29 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #003666/2016. 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.

Lisa A. LeimbachGutman, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff Firm File No.: 211487-1 146265

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST MICHAEL BERESFORD, TERIA BERESFORD, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 1, 2017 and an Order Extending Sale Deadline duly entered on January 21, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 23, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 637 Diane Place, Valley Stream a/k/a South Valley Stream, NY 11581. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being near Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 39, Block 595 and Lot 7. Approximate amount of judgment is

SUPREME COURT: NASSAU COUNTY. THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS CWALT, INC. ALTERNATIVE LOAN TRUST 2005-60T1 MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-60T1, Pltf. vs., RENU KUMAR, et al, Defts. Index #09-013769. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered June 4, 2019 and order substituting the referee entered January 9, 2023, I will sell at public auction on the north side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on May 21, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., prem. k/a 82 Ethel Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot, piece, or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, a/k/a Section 37, Block 267, Lot 83. Approx. amt. of judgment is $797,438.51 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. ELLEN DURST, Referee. PINCUS LAW GROUP PLLC, Attys. for Pltf., 425 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, NY File No. 03302021.48665#101311 146204

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Trustee for Securitized Asset Back Receivables LLC 2005-FR5 Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-FR5, Plaintiff AGAINST Anthony J. Graziano, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 1, 2016, 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 on May 16, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 41 Higbie Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Valley Stream, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, SECTION: 37., BLOCK: 574, LOT: 5. Approximate amount of judgment $531,155.02 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #005364/2013. 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 contact XOME at www.Xome.com or call (844) 400-9633. Janine T. Lynam, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-059283-F00 80092 146146

LEGAL NOTICE Supplemental Summons and Notice of Object of Action Supreme Court Of The State Of New York County Of Nassau Action to Foreclose a Mortgage Index #: 606422/2022 Mortgage Assets Management, LLC Plaintiff, vs Public Administrator Of Nassau County As Administrator To The Estate Of Enaida Marconi, Cynthia M Marconi As Heir To The Estate Of Cenaida Marconi, Daniel Marconi As Heir To The Estate Of Cenaida Marconi, Unknown Heirs Of Richard R. Marconi If Living, And If He/She Be Dead, Any And All Persons Unknown To Plaintiff, Claiming, Or Who May Claim To Have An Interest In, Or General Or Specific Lien Upon The Real Property Described In This Action; Such Unknown Persons Being Herein Generally Described And Intended To Be Included In Wife, Widow, Husband, Widower, Heirs At Law, Next Of Kin, Descendants, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors, Trustees, Committees, Lienors, And Assignees Of Such Deceased, Any And All Persons Deriving Interest In Or Lien Upon, Or Title To Said Real Property By, Through Or Under Them, Or Either Of

Public Notices

Them, And Their Respective Wives, Widows, Husbands, Widowers, Heirs At Law, Next Of Kin, Descendants, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors, Trustees, Committees, Lienors, And Assigns, All Of Whom And Whose Names, Except As Stated, Are Unknown To Plaintiff, United States Of America Acting Through The Secretary Of Housing And Urban Development, People Of The State Of New York, United States Of America On Behalf Of The IRS “John Doe #1” Through “John Doe #12,” the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the Subject Property described in the Complaint, Defendant(s).

Mortgaged Premises: 10 East Argyle Street Valley Stream, NY 11580 To the Above named Defendant: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Supplemental Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Supplemental Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Supplemental Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Nassau. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. TO Unknown Heirs of Richard Marconi Defendant In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. Dawn Jimenez of the Supreme Court Of The State Of New York, dated the Twenty-Seventh day of March, 2024 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, in the City of Mineola. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises described below, dated October 26, 2007, executed by Cenaida Marconi (who died on July 28, 2017, a resident of the county of Suffolk, State of New York) to secure the sum of $544,185.00. The Mortgage was recorded at Book 32496, Page 861

in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk on November 13, 2007. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed November 18, 2007 and recorded on October 3, 2008, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book 33280, Page 69.

The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed August 23, 2011 and recorded on September 29, 2011, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book 36423, Page 730. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed January 9, 2013 and recorded on February 27, 2013, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book 38353, Page 13. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed September 15, 2021 and recorded on October 4, 2021, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book 45905, Page 328; The property in question is described as follows: 10 East Argyle Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580 NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: April 2, 2024 Gross Polowy LLC

Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s) 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221 The law firm of Gross Polowy LLC and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. 80246 146150

LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF NEW YORK

SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2016 SC6 TITLE TRUST Plaintiff, v. MARTIN SILVERMAN, ET AL, Defendants.

NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on April 12, 2023, I, Martin Dehler, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on May 29, 2024 at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY, at 2:00PM the premises described as follows: 934 Park Lane Valley Stream, NY 11581 014-39-556 -00230

ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York. The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 011866/2008 in the amount of $1,344,180.23 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System’s COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale.

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

Attorneys for Plaintiff 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 146339

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee for Securitized Asset Backed Receivables LLC Trust 2005-FR4 Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005FR4, Plaintiff AGAINST Francisco Procel, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 16, 2020, 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 on May 23, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 1114 Ashley Drive, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the, Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, SECTION: 37, BLOCK: 678, LOT: 23. Approximate amount of judgment $731,594.46 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #000944/2017. 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 contact XOME at www.Xome.com or call (844) 400-9633. Jane P. Shrenkel, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-024113-F02 80213 146281

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 24-2024

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 April 9th, 2024, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 24-2024, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 24-2024, amending Section 197-15 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include “PROHIBITION OF LEFT TURNS” at various locations:

Dated: April 9, 2024 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.

Supervisor

KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 146466

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 21-2024

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 April 9th, 2024 , by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 21-2024, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 21-2024, amending Chapter 202 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include “REGULATIONS & RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking at various locations.

Dated: April 9, 2024 Hempstead, New York

News briefs

Donate food on May 11 to fight hunger

It’s that time of year again, when you can play a major role in helping those who are hungry by doing nothing more than putting some food out for collection.

It’s all part of the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive — a collaboration involving Island Harvest Food Bank, the National Association of Letter Carriers, and the U.S. Postal Service. It takes place on Saturday, May 11, when everyone is encouraged to leave food donations by their mailbox for their letter carrier to collect before their regular mail delivery.

As part of the nation’s largest singleday food collection campaign, all donations collected in Nassau and Suffolk counties will help Island Harvest provide much-needed food support to more than 300,000 people on Long Island who face hunger — including more than 90,000 children.

“Contributing to Stamp Out Hunger is simple,” said Randi Shubin Dresner, president and chief executive of Island Harvest, in a release. “Just leave non-perishable food items in a bag next to your mailbox before the regularly scheduled mail deliver. Your USPS letter carrier will do the rest to make sure it gets onto the tables of our Long Islander neighbors in need.”

Non-perishable food items needed include canned goods, cereal, pasta, rice, boxed juices, and shelf-stable milk. It does not include food items in glass containers, as these are easy to break.

In addition, mail carriers will look for personal care items like toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, and disposable diapers. All donations will help replenish Island Harvest’s network of food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency feeding programs in communities throughout Long Island.

Since its inception in 1993, Stamp Out Hunger has collected nearly 1.8 billion pounds of food in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Just here on Long Island, the demand for food has increased significantly since 2019 — with Island Harvest distributing 15 million pounds of food in 2022, up 42 percent from before the coronavirus pandemic.

All donations are tax-deductible since food collected benefits Island Harvest, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

To learn more about how you can help with this and other causes with Island Harvest, visit IslandHarvest.org.

UBS Arena to host 2024 MTV Awards

The 2024 MTV Awards Show will be hosted at Elmont’s UBS Arena on Sept. 10. The announcement was made during a press conference that County Executive Bruce Blakeman hosted on April 24.

UBS Arena opened in 2021 and has hosted a myriad of events since then. This will be the first time the venue hosts an award show.

BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.

Supervisor

KATE MURRAY

Town Clerk 146463

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Plaintiff AGAINST

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 5, 2019 I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 5, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 51 Dewitt Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in Valley Stream, the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, District: 2820 Section: 37 Block: 495 Lot: 223. Approximate amount of judgment $287,118.88 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 600388/2018. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the Tenth Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

John Kennedy, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated:

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HomesHERALD

We’re not sure about my cousin’s advice

Elegant Old Canterbury

BQ. We are planning an addition and some interior changes, and read your column about taking out walls around our kitchen and dining room. My cousin is a contractor, and he has been making suggestions, some that are really good and some that I’m a little concerned about. At first he told me we could save a lot of money, and he knew many ways to do that. We are getting plans from his architect, who we’ve never met, and the cost is doubling. We’re wondering how to tell my cousin that we really need to back off or get other competitive prices. Have you any suggestions about what we should do? We don’t want to alienate or insult him, but we’ve tried to be honest about it, and are getting an uneasy feeling about where this is leading.

A. Over the 50-plus years I have been in the construction business, I have seen the result of this kind of relationship. Many were very successful, but mostly because clients were the controlling deciders, willing to take advice but able to recognize that it was their money that was making the project happen.

l

This is the same advice once given to me that in construction, the customer should play by the golden rule. You may know the biblical golden rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” but there is also the other golden rule — that he, or she, with the gold rules. In other words, as long as you haven’t paid, until satisfied, you still have some control over the project. Once you pay for something or let something continue that should have been addressed, you accept the conditions.

I have also seen, many times, where a relative or friend took advantage of the relationship and either took money without doing the work, did inferior work to keep an unrealistic budget, or never did the work at all. One young man called me at the suggestion of his cousin to do a restaurant. I initially sat with the cousin contractor and future restaurateur to discuss details. Subsequently, the contractor stopped showing up for meetings, but we worked through the project, trusting the cousin to follow plans and decisions despite his absence.

You should always be meeting with the architect to discuss the design. After obtaining permits and getting started, there was no communication for several months. I called to confirm that building inspections were made, and the restaurant was open, only to learn the unreachable cousin started but then ran off with the first $30,000. The restaurant did finally open a year later, with another contractor.

So be communicative, get other pricing and feel satisfied. Remember, you are in control and should play by the golden rule. You need to be directly involved with planning, permits and decisions, and be honest with your cousin, even if just to keep things under your control. Lose control, lose money, and your cousin. Good luck!

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opinionS

AI can be a double-edged sword for society

As we head toward summer, hopefully we have the opportunity to take a break or a vacation, and the chance to enjoy all of the positives of friendship, companionship and human relationships. This brings me to our latest topic, artificial intelligence. AI is a global phenomenon, and there will be no stopping its influence. As often as I may mention how our character, morals and responsibilities have deteriorated, AI has the potential to exponentially increase the weaknesses in our human condition. I try to embrace technology, and can find many benefits to all the modern conveniences that have come our way. So many things that we now use every day didn’t exist even a short time ago. GPS, smartphones, social media, voice recognition, AirPods, the Apple Watch, streaming services. These are but a few advancements that we use regularly. Most of you have noticed that technological improvements and updates are moving faster than ever. Cars, airplanes and microwave ovens seem to have

ntaken decades to evolve, but AI is moving much faster.

When I was in college, professors warned us that robots would eliminate most manufacturing jobs. They left out “job creation” — the robots had to be designed, built, sold, installed, programmed and maintained. Yes, some assembly-line jobs were eliminated, and during that transition period, human lives were changed forever. But even more jobs, in different fields requiring different expertise, were created. The destruction of manufacturing didn’t happen, and very few of us now have a problem with most of our automobiles being built robotically.

air conditioning that humans do. It can perform dangerous tasks such as bomb defusing and military operations, and enter hazardous environments.

Should we welcome artificial intelligence or be scared by it? Probably both.

This is not a rallying cry against AI or a proclamation that it will destroy modern civilization. It is meant to be an eye-opener. Right now, AI is very capable of performing tasks, understanding, and learning from its mistakes, and completing most assignments better than humans. It is efficient and informed, and has huge positives in both the vehicular and medical fields. It can analyze data and make informed decisions quickly, and can avoid most forms of human error. AI can work 24/7 without getting tired, needing breaks, or requiring the light, heat and

Its ability to analyze data and hazards can be a godsend in the realms of medicine and traffic safety. It works without bias or prejudice. It can do tedious and repetitive jobs all day long. All this is supposed to allow humans to be more creative and find more time for leisure and enjoyment.

Of course, there are drawbacks. Startup costs are very high, the risk of job displacement is real, and there are privacy and hacking risks. AI lacks human creativity, emotion and empathy. It has no conscience; it will not stop a task based on a moral compass. When first introduced in a field, it can create unemployment. While it is supposed to provide safe opportunities for humans to flourish, the opposite is quite probable — that we will become lazy and dependent on AI to work for us.

The automotive industry seemed to be AI’s first foray into our lives. It is already used in other areas of transportation, including trains, planes, cruise ships and even traffic control. What will be next?

What about medicine and education? Will teachers become unnecessary? Lawyers, accountants, writers, reporters, even actors and pop stars are susceptible to an AI “takeover.”

Should we welcome AI or be frightened by it? Probably both. There are plenty of science fiction movies that can certainly scare us, or at least make us think (“I Robot,” “The Matrix,” “Blade Runner,” “Short Circuit,” “WALL-E,” “2001: A Space Odyssey”). There are also plenty of examples of AI systems helping, improving and even saving our lives. It has progressed from simple machine learning algorithms to advanced learning concepts and deep thinking. Its growth has helped companies with complex issues such as fraud detection, medical diagnosis and weather forecasting. Predicting earthquakes and tsunamis are examples of what AI might be able to do for the greater good. Its algorithms have saved countless lives through early detection.

I’d like to think that it will advance civilization and improve our lives. Sadly, the opposite is also quite possible. As we saw during the pandemic, when we have too much time on our hands, we eat, drink and watch television too much. We are not growing in creativity and interpersonal relationships. What will we use our longer lifespans and more free time doing?

Ed Fare is the mayor of Valley Stream.

The state budget: lots of dollars, little sense

early three weeks late, the $237 billion state budget presents a mix of positives and negatives. While it’s easy to find initiatives to support in such a large spending plan, inexplicably, there are areas where it falls short.

I’m pleased that our communities’ voices were heard in our opposition to the proposed cuts in foundation aid for many of our school districts. No district will receive less foundation aid than it did last year. Additionally, funding for clean water infrastructure and the Environmental Protection Fund will greatly benefit our environment, and progress has been made on addressing Tier 6 and providing much-needed support for human services workers. The budget did not, however, provide desperately needed financial support for Nassau University Medical Center, our county’s only safety-net hospital, and it enacted potentially harmful changes to the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program by requiring the use of a single, state-selected fiscal intermediary.

As I travel across the 9th Senate District, there are two issues that I repeatedly hear about from Long Islanders of all walks of life: affordability and public safety. Unfortunately, this budget does little to improve either. Rather than reining in government spending and cutting residents’ taxes, the state imposed a new tax on health insurance, and increased spending by $8 billion. Further, while I’m not in favor of tucking unrelated policy changes into the state budget, I welcome any opportunity for the state to meaningfully advance public-safety measures.

Tthe Legislature — appear to be empty platitudes, as the Senate majority was unable to give me an adequate explanation during the floor debate of how this provision would change the manner in which a squatter is actually removed from someone’s property.

his spending plan does little to improve affordability or public safety.

Disappointingly, rather than giving judges discretion when setting bail, which would allow them to keep violent criminals off our streets, Albany advanced modest proposals, such as increasing the penalty for assaulting retail workers, although it was not made bail eligible. The list of offenses that can be charged as hate crimes was expanded, but does not include graffiti, which is often used to target the Jewish community with hateful rhetoric and imagery such as swastikas. Even the “changes” to laws regarding so-called squatter’s rights — an issue I, and several of my Long Island colleagues, have brought to the forefront of

Another troubling aspect of policy in this year’s budget is the incorporation of the RAPID Act. While aimed at advancing environmental goals, the act raises significant concerns about local autonomy and decision-making. It grants the state even broader authority to disregard local laws or ordinances in pursuit of its climate objectives.

While I support a fiscally responsible transition to cleaner, more diverse energy sources, I firmly believe that this transition must respect the rights and concerns of local elected officials, and must include meaningful input from the affected communities. Local governments are most attuned to the unique needs and circumstances of their communities, and they are best positioned to make decisions that align with the priorities of their residents. By allowing the state to override local laws, the RAPID Act undermines the principles of local governance and community involvement.

Continuing the theme of Albany’s misplaced priorities, last year Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed legislation I supported, the Alex R. Jimenez New York State Military Immigrant Family Legacy Program. This initiative, which would have helped undocumented veterans and their family members become American citizens, was vetoed because of the estimated cost of $1 million. Rather than including this initiative in the state budget, however, $2.4 billion was included to fund New York City’s migrant crisis. It’s worth noting that this $2.4 billion pot — thousands of times more than what would be needed for the Legacy Program to support those who risk their lives defending our nation — is in addition to the millions of dollars the state already spends each year assisting migrants.

I remain committed to advocating for common-sense policies and fiscal responsibility in Albany. It is crucial that future budgets and policies are more reflective of the priorities and concerns of New Yorkers. The out-migration of so many people to other states should be an alarm sounding to the one-party-controlled state government that many residents do not agree with its policies and spending plans. I hope my colleagues in state government will realize this before the Empire State becomes the empty state.

Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick represents the 9th Senate District.

HeraLd editoriaL

Celebrating N.Y.’s

Last month marked a pivotal moment for New York state — a moment that extended far beyond the numbers and legislative details of a state budget.

Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature delivered a beacon of hope for our communities by including in the state budget a groundbreaking initiative to support local news organizations in the form of a tax credit, modeled on the Local Journalism Sustainability Act.

At the heart of this legislation lies a profound acknowledgment: Local journalism is not just about reporting news; it’s about safeguarding the health of both our democracy and our communities.

State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, the bill’s sponsor in the upper chamber, aptly captured the essence of this endeavor, emphasizing that “a thriving local news industry is vital to the health of our democracy.” With bipartisan cooperation and a shared commitment to our communities, the initiative underscores the fundamental role that local journalists play in keeping our

Letters

D’Esposito gets his marching orders from you know who

To the Editor:

investment in local journalism

democracy vibrant and informed.

What does this legislation mean for our neighborhoods and towns? It means that we, as a society, are recognizing the value of — and investing in — the storytellers who bring our communities together: the journalists who uncover local stories, amplify diverse voices, and hold leaders accountable.

The Empire State Local News Coalition, founded earlier this year, spearheaded this legislative achievement by organizing more than 200 local newspapers across the state. The coalition’s tireless efforts moved the Local Journalism Sustainability Act to the forefront of legislative priorities.

“It is really an astounding legislative accomplishment,” Hoylman-Sigal told members of the New York Press Association last weekend in a Zoom appearance. “After stalling for years, our Local Journalism Sustainability Act really didn’t catapult into a top legislative priority” until “the founding of the Empire State Local News Coalition. That coalition … mobilized hundreds of newspapers and a broad range of stakeholders from around the country.”

Congressman Anthony D’Esposito disingenuously claims in his latest column, “Migrants get more government support than veterans” (April 18-24), that the Senate Democrats’ proposed border bill merely codified the existing “open border” policies, despite the Associated Press reporting on Feb. 15 that “The Senate’s border proposal was one of the toughest bipartisan bills to emerge on the issue in decades.”

Significantly, the lead negotiator for the Senate Republicans was James Langford, of Oklahoma, who is known to be one of the most conservative members of the Senate.

The bill collapsed, however, when former President Donald Trump called for the Republicans in Congress to kill it, because he feared it would enhance President Biden’s chances of being re-elected.

It’s long past time for Congressman D’Esposito, and the rest of the Republicans, to stop following the marching orders of Donald Trump and do what’s best for their constituents instead of what’s best for Donald Trump.

ROBERT TOLLE Cedarhurst

Trump selectively honors police

To the Editor:

Re Peter King’s column “The heartbreaking death of an NYPD hero” (April 11-17): How mature of Don-

Zach Richner, founder of the Empire State Local News Coalition — and a director of Richner Communications, the parent company of Herald Community Newspapers — expressed profound gratitude to the legislators who championed this cause. In addition to Hoylman-Sigal’s unwavering leadership, Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assembly sponsor Carrie Woerner all played pivotal roles in turning this vision into reality.

New York’s leadership on this issue sets a powerful example for the nation. Other states — blue, red or purple — now have a template to follow, as does the federal government, where the Community News and Small Business Support Act has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. While there is still work to be done in crafting the final regulations governing this tax credit, let’s celebrate this milestone. And let’s continue to champion the indispensable role of local journalism in shaping the future of our communities — and our nation.

ald Trump to demonstrate great “dignity and respect” to Detective

who my

out to. But the question begs to be asked why Trump never showed an ounce of compassion to the families of the Capitol and Washington, D.C., police officers who died after Jan. 6? Not to mention the sur-

for who he is: a self-serving narcissist.

Jonathan Diller’s family,

heart goes

viving Capitol police, who still suffer due to the trauma they experienced that day. Please wake up, people, and see Trump

JOSIE MARINO Lynbrook

We must secure our borders, reform immigration now

the United States must secure our borders and reform our broken immigration system. This demands immediate action, not delay tactics for political convenience. American citizens are owed this much. Our immigration system’s shortcomings have been a longstanding issue, with decades of inaction due to a lack of political will on both sides.

The U.S. Constitution explicitly assigns Congress the responsibility and power to fix this problem, yet the 118th Congress has been notably ineffective, the least productive Congress since the Great Depression. This stagnation is largely attributed to the prevailing hyper-partisanship and an inclination toward political theatrics over substantive legislative work.

The behavior exhibited within the halls of Congress — ranging from per-

How about a street naming?

To the Editor:

sonal attacks and physical altercations among members, to successive attempts to oust the speaker of the House, to catcalls at the State of the Union Address — underscores a departure from the principles of civility in government. Sadly, many of our representatives have embraced chaos and dysfunction as a substitute for governance. And in the wake of this chaos, the effort to solve the migrant crisis and its unprecedented impact on New York has been sidelined.

the Senate’s promising bipartisan border deal was dismissed as ‘disastrous.’

Fixing our complex immigration system requires a balanced approach that secures our borders while extending compassion to law-abiding immigrants. Although challenging, a solution is within reach through diligent effort and bipartisan collaboration.

The Senate’s bipartisan border security deal was a promising development, which laid the groundwork for meaningful reform. The bill proposed new measures to secure the border, streamline the asylum process, and end the broad

Letters

The financial outpouring for Detective Diller was outstanding. But I hope Peter King, with his relationship with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, will support renaming Detective Diller’s street in Massapequa in his honor. This would be a lasting tribute to him and his family.

RICH

MORICCO East Meadow

Antisemitism, not Netanyahu, is the problem

To the Editor:

Re Jerry Kremer’s column “Netanyahu is a supporter of one party: himself”: Kremer supports Sen. Chuck Schumer’s view that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is more concerned about himself than about Israel. What Schumer has said has nothing to do with “Bibi’s” alleged corruption. What Schumer was really doing was attempting to placate the virulent antisemitism that has take root in the Democratic Party among radical Islamists. What is Netanyahu to do about Gaza?

Before the Oct. 7 massacre of 1,200 Israelis, Israel took a hands-off

release of migrants into communities. This initiative was crafted by Democrats and Republicans, and garnered support across the political spectrum. It was supported by the National Border Patrol Council — the union representing the men and women who protect our border. Despite some imperfections, the deal represented a significant step forward, embodying the essence of compromise and cooperation that is foundational to American democracy. However, opposition from figures like Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, who immediately criticized the bill as “disastrous” and who has held fast to a hyper-partisan position on immigration, exemplifies the obstacles to progress.

D’Esposito’s refusal to engage in any real attempt to move border solutions forward, coupled with his shocking recent praise of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for sending nearly 40,000 migrants to our state, highlight a disturbing trend of prioritizing partisan loyalty over constructive problem-solving.

The empty rhetoric and finger-pointing of elected officials like D’Esposito, characterized by a lack of commitment to real solutions, fail to serve the interests of Americans. In contrast, my approach in Congress will be to collaborate with all parties to achieve comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform. This includes enhancing border security by hiring more border patrolagents, deploying additional advanced “smart” technology and building strategic physical barriers. It also includes reforming the system to expedite the asylum and deportation processes and to provide clear paths to citizenship for hard-working, eligible people in search of better lives.

Performative politics and a refusal to engage with bipartisan solutions not only impede progress, but also betray the trust of the American people. The time for action is now, and it requires leaders willing to prioritize effective governance over partisan fealty and gamesmanship. Long Island, New York state and the entire nation deserve better.

Laura Gillen, a former Hempstead town supervisor, is a Democratic candidate in the 4th Congressional District.

Framework by Michael Ostrow

approach to Gaza. What did the people of Gaza do? They elected the terrorist group Hamas, which then used the aid that should have been used for the people of Gaza to build a huge underground system of tunnels — which some say is larger than the New York City transit system, in some places under hospitals (with human shields) — to acquire and store munitions and to use that system to launch attacks on Israel.

The massacre on Oct. 7 was the equivalent of 35,000 Americans being killed on Sept. 11, 2001. Do you think we would tolerate a foreign entity telling us what our response should be? Netanyahu is not the villain here. Hamas is. It has killed a number of hostages, and is holding others, including Americans. Israel’s rightful negotiating stance should be: the unconditional release of all hostages and the return of all bodies of the dead, or face total destruction. Israel has already demonstrated surgical restraint in dealing with the civilian population. Hamas was gutless because it targeted civilians and not the Israeli military.

Growing up in the late 1950s and early ’60s, we knew from our fathers of Hitler’s Holocaust. We knew what “Never again” meant. Yet here we are, 80 years later, and antisemitism has raised its ugly head, this time on American soil. For the radical Islamists there is no two-state solution. It has been offered time and again and refused. The first time was when Israel was created in 1947.

Former President Donald Trump is a strong supporter of Israel. He brokered the Abraham Accords. But for the radical Islamists, there is only one solution, the same as Hitler’s. They hate the Abraham Accords, because they don’t want peace. They can’t even tolerate a small Jewish state the size of New Jersey. As former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir said many years ago, there

will be peace only when the radicals love their children more than they hate the children of Jews.

Netanyahu does not threaten the existence of Israel; it is the mealymouthed apologists for Hamas in this country who are the threat to Israel.

At the Great Pyramid of Giza — Egypt

LaUra GiLLen

JOSEPH V. SCIFO Valley Stream

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