Issuu

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South High holds Poetry out loud

New superintendent for District 13

Tom Suozzi is running for governor

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Vol. 32 No. 49

DECEMBER 2 - 8, 2021

Covid’s fallout for the hungry Local food pantry pulls out all stops to feed families in need relied on the support of community donations from schools and residents as well as regional food Thanksgiving may be over, bank organizations like Long but with the wintry festivities in Island Cares and Long Island full swing, families will once Harvest to stock its inventory. again gather for hearty platefuls “We anticipated a shortfall of of turkey and holifood and turkeys, d ay t r i m m i n g s. but we’ve been pleasWhile the scene of antly surprised that loved ones enjoying people really have a hearty meal come through and together is deeply remembered that ingrained in the lore people are still in of the holidays, for need . . .,” said Sister many food-insecure Margie Kelly, the families, this picdirector of the outture-perfect vision is reach program at a distant dream too the church, who costly to make real. coordinates the At least, not on their efforts of dozens of SiSTER own. volunteers to collect, At a time when MaRgiE KElly sanitize, store, and residents brave an Outreach director, distribute meat and unstable food supply canned items to feed and increased food Holy Name of Mary a range of families. prices, a growing “A n y b o dy c a n number of families have turned come to receive food as long as to local pantries to help put food they live within our parish on their plates. Pantries and dis- boundaries, but if they don’t, we tribution centers throughout can easily refer them to one of Valley Stream—like the Saint our neighboring parishes,” Kelly Vincent de Paul food pantry pro- said. gram at Holy Name of Mary It first starts with an intake Church—have been critical in process, for which clients are ensuring that the most vulnera- asked a series of questions about ble residents are fed. The church-based pantry has Continued on page 9

By JuaN laSSo jlasso@liherald.com

Juan Lasso/Herald

VallEy STREaM’S BuilDiNg inspector, Mohamed Azeez, now accesses the permit application portal through the village website.

Village breaks in new building permit website By JuaN laSSo jlasso@liherald.com

The Village of Valley Stream Building Department has modernized its building permit application process by going digital with streamlined, user-friendly software. Residents can now submit their building permit applications online through the village’s OpenGov website. The latest update was launched in early November, following the example of the Town of Hempstead after it went live with its software upgrade a

year and a half ago. For those new to the seemingly mundane world of building permit applications and assessments, any person looking to remodel or construct a building on their property generally must apply for a building permit to ensure the project complies with local land use, zoning and construction standards. That could mean something as small as a new window to an extension on a house. With this new website, gone are the days when residents had to make the trek to

Village Hall to manually fill out and file a carbon-copy paper application. Gone, too, is the rather arcane rule that the village could only receive cash and checks to pay for building permit fees. Residents are now able to do everything online from anywhere and anytime and make their payments via credit card. Building Department Supervisor Jen Piazza-Minori said the village’s old system ran on a traditional KVS servContinued on page 11

eople really have come through and remembered that people are still in need.

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December 2, 2021 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

By Karina KOvac kkovac@liherald.com

Many pet-owners barely able to cope with the cost of pet care under the economic plight of the pandemic faced the difficult prospects of surrendering or abandoning their beloved pets. Daniella Scala-Nathan, owner of The Paw It Forward Pet Pantry in Valley Stream, the only privately-owned pet pantry in Nassau County, helped to prevent something like that from happening. For five years, the pet pantry has provided a place where pet owners could come, fill out a form, and get their essential pet food. Nathan has managed to keep its service open in large part due to the generous food and supply donations from pet stores and residents. But while the pandemic was her busiest time at the pantry, it has also been the most challenging time of her personal life. Two years of loss and grief began with the death of her husband Rob Nathan in April 2020, who co-founded the pantry with her back in 2016. She then lost a cherished volunteer due to Covid, followed by the loss of her mother due to Covid-unrelated causes In April of this year, Nathan, who underwent lung removal surgery as a child and suffers from asthma, was diagnosed with a small lung tumor. Atop battling her daily medically severe challenges, Nathan now faces the potential loss of her pet pantry as well. Lack of consistency in volunteers and pet food and supply donations is the biggest obstacle the pantry faces. “We don’t have consistent donors,” remarks Nathan. “The pet stores are really helpful” in bringing in donations, but during the pandemic, they scaled down their assistance. Although the pantry has five to eight “committed volunteers,” according to Nathan, she contends that the pantry needs more loyal soldiers. One volunteer, Linda Gukian Brower, has been donating her time at the pantry for about a year. Brower was once in need of pet food herself for her older dog that couldn’t consume human food. “The pantry helped my dog and me for a couple of months, and once I got back on my feet, I really wanted to give back. I know how much it meant to my dog and me to have that bag of pet food in the house.” She further added: “[Having dog food] gave me peace of mind. I wasn’t worrying every 50 seconds; I could put my head back into what I had to do to get back on my feet.” “I hope God keeps me here to keep everything going,” said Nathan who is in urgent need of new volunteers as well as pet food donations and supplies. Donations can be made at the main pantry on 114 Clarendon Drive, Valley Stream in the dropbox outside or through the pantries Amazon wish list found on the Paw it Forward Facebook Page. All brands are welcome and expired food for up to a year expired will be given to local feral cat colonies. For more information, or if in a pet food crisis, contact HappyPawItForward@ gmail.com.

Photos by Karina Kovac/Herald

OuT Of The fives years the pantry has been running “maybe two years we were very low on dry dog food” says owner Scala-Nathan, “the biggest need is cat food and supplies.”

Drop-Off Locations ■ Main Pantry at 114 Clarendon Drive, Valley Stream ■ 2nd Main Pantry at 30 Bridle Lane Hicksville, off Levittown Parkway ■ An East Meadow Location, address must be requested beforehand, contact (516)-491-8781

Owner Of Paw it Forward Daniella Scala-Nathan and volunteer Linda Guckian Brower asses the main pantry drop-off box, saying they love seeing FedX or Amazon trucks in hopes its new donations. The main PanTry, which is run out of Daniella Scala-Nathan’s home, shows empty shelves where they are running urgently low on donations.

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — December 2, 2021

VS pet pantry supplies Nassau County

December 2, 2021 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

Library hosts local artist’s first exhibition By JuAN lAsso and KArINA KovAC kkovac@liherald.com

The Henry Waldinger Memorial Library is showcasing the work of local artist, Yuliya Lobach, for art-lovers, nature enthusiasts, and curious patrons alike. Lobach’s inaugural public art exhibition, titled “Four Seasons in Its Beauty,” features more than a dozen of her mesmerizing acrylic paintings capturing the seasonal transformations of Arthur J. Hendrickson Park. The paintings can be found lined up, flanking high above either side of the reading tables at the Adult Room, offering an ample view of Lobach’s colorfully lush and breathtakingly beautiful renderings of the local scenery. This is the library’s first art exhibit since the pandemic, according to library director, Maire Eng. The staff is “very excited because [Lobach] is very talented and not everybody has Facebook,” said Eng, noting that, until recently, Lobach has exclusively used social media to display her work. “We have people come in to specifically look at the paintings…and they all say she’s very talented,” Eng further added. Lobach said the main goal of the exhibit was “to meet with [her] fans in person, to see their reactions to [the] paintings and to hear their feedback.” “I wanted to gather the residents of Valley Stream and thank them for their love of my art,” said Lobach. Currently, Lobach is working on expanding her collection of works, considering the library exhibition as a kind of “rehearsal” for future exhibitions to come. She is also trying to adjust to her newfound public visibility as an artist. “My art has somewhat changed the way my family views me. My oldest daughter has been asked several times by her teachers [at school] if she is the daughter of the local artist. My daughter always proudly says ‘yes’,” said Lobach. The exhibition will last until the end of the year.

Karina Kovac/Herald

A sAmPlINg of the works that can be seen in the Adult Room, to enter the library a temperature check must be done and guests are asked to wear masks.

Courtesy Yuliya Lobach

A sElf-PortrAIt DoNE by Yuliya Lobach.

New infections, week of Nov. 15 - 22

Karina Kovac/Herald

Infections as of Nov. 30, 2021 5,037

CommuNIty uPDAtE ______________

valley stream _____________

HERALD HOW TO REACH US

Our offices are located at 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530 and are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

MAIN PHONE: (516) 569-4000 ■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/valleystream ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: vseditor@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 282 E-mail: vseditor@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: circ@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460 ■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: sales@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643 The Valley Stream Herald USPS 005868, is published every Thursday by Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Periodicals postage paid at Garden City, NY 11530 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to Valley Stream Herald, 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Newsstand Price: $1 Subscription rates: $50 for 1 year within Nassau County. Out of Nassau County: $60 for 1 year. Copyright © 2021 Richner Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

thE Art ExhIBItIoN “Four Seasons in It’s Beauty” started in Nov. 2021 and will conclude at the end of Dec. 2021.

News brief V.S. native promoted to staff sergeant By KArINA KovAC kkovac@liherald.com

National Guard soldier and Valley Stream native, Travis Chin, was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant earlier this year. Prior to his promotion, Chin was assigned to the Company A, Recruiting & Retention Battalion. Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announced Chin’s name alongside those of his fellow recently promoted NY National Guard members in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership. These promotions recognize the best-

qualified soldiers based on their overall performance, attitude, leadership ability, and development potential, according to New York National Guard officials. The New York National Guard (New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs) is the state’s executive agency responsible to the Governor for managing New York’s Military Forces, which consists of nearly 20,000 members of the New York Army National Guard, the New York Air National Guard, the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard. For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit www. dmna.ny.gov or www.1800goguard.com

Poetry Out Loud inspires South High students kkovac@liherald.com

Valley Stream South High School held its first virtual Poetry Out Loud workshop earlier this year. Poetry Out Loud is a National Endowment for the Arts education program that encourages students to study great poetry by offering free educational poetry materials and recitation competitions to high schools across the country. This year’s online poetry experience was led by Poetry Out Loud art instructor, Susan Willerman, and South High creative writing teacher, Alison Rudin. Willerman kicked off the workshop by reading aloud before dozens of students her handpicked poem by Emily Dickinson and then explained how said poem personally inspired her. Students were then called to follow suit, reading their poems out loud to their classmates and discussing the poems’ meaning and personal impact. “Hearing a poem in response to a poem was a very cool concept to me. It’s very interesting to see how Susan Willerman personally saw Emily Dickinson’s poem and how she felt connected to it,” said student Arwa Moid. “The experience was exhilarating and eye-opening…I was able to gain [the understanding] that poetry can live

Courtesy Valley Stream Central School District

Ms. rudin’s class listening to Ms. Willerman during the Poetry Out Loud workshop. through you. Many of the everyday things we all experience can be crafted into bright poetic language,” said student Natalia Da Costa. “One of my other

favorite parts was having the opportunity to share my response to Maya Angelou’s ‘Caged Bird’ with everyone.” In discussing the history of the pro-

gram at South High, English Department Chairperson Vanessa Barbone noted: “This is our second year with the program, and the response from our students has been extremely positive. We were offered the opportunity to have three virtual workshops this year, which will allow more of our students to benefit from this outstanding program.” “The Poetry Out Loud program is a wonderful way to get students excited about expressing their feelings, emotions, and perspectives through creative writing,” said Maureen Henry, Principal of South High. “The program helps our students build confidence, practice, and become more comfortable with public speaking.” At the end of the workshop, students were encouraged to enter Poetry Out Loud’s nationwide recitation competition for high school students. This year, there are two winning students at the high school level from South High that will move on to the regional competition in January 2022. Winners at the regional level move on to state competitions and ultimately to the national finals. Awards and placements are determined by the judges’ scores based on the Poetry Out Loud evaluation criteria. For more information, please visit https://www.arts. gov/initiatives/poetry-out-loud.

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December 2, 2021 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — December 2, 2021

December 2, 2021 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

events and activities

Thursday, Dec. 2

Tuesday, Dec. 7

Kahoot! Family Trivia

Life Line Screening

Play some board games, cards, or do a puzzle, then join the library on Zoom at 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. for Kahoot! Family Trivia. You’ll need one device to join the Zoom meeting and another to submit answers for your family. Feel free to share and individuals are welcome to play too! If you’d like to join, please send an e-mail to kidsroomvs@ nassaulibrary.org or message the library on Facebook, so that they can share the Zoom information.

Life Line Screening offers preventive health screenings. They will be at VFW Post 1790 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The screenings offer a 5-test package to thoroughly check you for risk of Stroke, Cardiovascular Disease and other chronic conditions. The combination of these tests can help detect problems – before you have symptoms and while your doctor can still take action. Many events also offer blood tests, including Cholesterol, Glucose and C-Reactive Protein screenings, as well as takehome colon cancer early detection tests. Screening packages start at $149. Single tests cost around $70. For more information regarding the screenings or to schedule an appointment and get a special discount call, (800) 690-6495 or you can register on-line at www. lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle. Pre-registration is required. You can also request and appointment with Facebook by going to: www.facebook. com/pg/420587095145436/ services/

Friday, Dec. 3 SFFF (Stress Free First Fridays) If you love Reggae, Dance-hall, Soca, Afrobeats, R&B or just good music we got you, from old school to the latest 2021 hits. At Dopie’s World Event Space on 85 Ocean Ave, VS from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. Please RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ welcome-to-sfff-stress-free-firstfridays-a-stress-free-event-for-alltickets-215330117177

Baby Care Basics by Dr. Wendy Longo A two hour free class that covers a variety of topics will be hosted at ProHEALTH Community Pediatric & Family Health 20 Addison Pl, Valley Stream and online from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Topic that will be covered are: birth, vaccinations, breastfeeding vs. formula feeding, bathing/diapering and swaddling, COVID -19 Safety. Registration is required prior to class please send email to for in-person registration drwendylongo@gmail.com.

Photos With Santa The magic of the holiday season comes alive with a visit to Santa’s winter wonderland at the Green Acres Mall starting at 10 a.m. A visit with Santa is always free and photo packages are available for purchase. Santa is vaccinated. Cherry Hill (the photography operator) Company Policy requires all staff, including holiday characters, be vaccinated except for medical and religious exemptions.

l l l l l

Courtesy Village of Valley Stream

Winterfest 21’ The Village of Valley Stream is hosting Winterfest 21’ at AJ Hendrickson Park starting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 4. There will be a Live DJ, Salvation Army Band, Fire Barrels, treats, a visit from Santa and story time with the Mayor. Guests can take off their masks to capture the photo if they desire.

online at bit.ly/emhspaintandsip. Toys for Tots will also be collecting new unwrapped toys here.

Saturday, Dec. 4

HEAL Haiti Lalo Night Fundraiser

Winterfest 21’ The Village of Valley Stream is hosting Winterfest 21’ at AJ Hendrickson Park. There will be a Live DJ, Salvation Army Band, Fire Barrels, Treats, a Visit from Santa and Story time with the Mayor. The event will start at 6 p.m.

Paint and Sip The Elmont Memorial HS PTSA will be hosting a Paint and Sip at Charlie Meaney’s from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event is $45 per person and includes all paint supplies, appetizers and soda. Space is limited and tickets must be bought is advance. You can sign up

Join New Hope Lutheran Church from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. for HEAL Haiti fundraiser. A dinner of Lalo, white rice, and soft drink will be included with your $35 donation. Donation go to support their nursing scholarship program.DJ Banm Plezi will be entertainment and there is a cash bar. For tickets contact Margarette Daniel Toure at (914) 420-0428 or Margaret Thomas at (845) 216-1276.

Sunday, Dec. 5 Gingerbread House Contest The Valley Stream Historical

Society presents their Gingerbread House Contest. There will be prizes and you will get to vote for your favorite house. (Masks required.) Bring entries at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. activities will take place From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held at the Pagan-Fletcher Restoration, 143 Hendrickson Ave. There is no fee. For more information contact Vshistorical@ gmail or (516) 872-4159.

Sensory Friendly Event Come to the Green Acres Mall from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and celebrate the Santa Magic in a sensitive environment and support Autism Speaks wiith any photo experience. In partnership with Autism Speaks, Sensory Friendly Santa Experience for the community at participating locations across the US.

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

The VS South varsity basketball team has a home game vs. Lawrence on Friday, Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. Santa will be at the Green Acres Mall for photos till Dec. 24. The Valley Stream Historical Society was founded in 1973. During the week of Nov. 29, the village will be collecting paper & cardboard. VSFD is holding their annual fund drive, donations can be made online at www.valleystreamfd.org.

Holy Name of Mary helps feed village families their situations. In a normal year, volunteers would enter the homes of families where they attempt to “get to know” them and understand the full extent of their hardship. Now, the pandemic has forced volunteers to change how they operate, pivoting away from in-person home visits and limiting their interactions to overthe-phone conversations with fewer intake questions and no-contact food drop-offs. According to Rose Ann Maloney, a church member who has volunteered at the food pantry program with her husband, Mike Maloney, for decades, the volunteer aid extends well beyond handing out food. Volunteers who understand a family’s specific situation become a lifeline of additional support, providing critical guidance on available resources, and linking them to the institutions best suited to help them navigate through their particular troubles. “We might end up sending them to social services. We might end up sending them to somebody that can help them with finances,” Rose Ann said. “If they have trouble with their electric bill, we would be able to encourage them to contact somebody over at the company to work out a budget plan.” At the height of the pandemic, the outreach program saw a jump in the number of vulnerable families requesting food

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — December 2, 2021

continued from front page

Holy Name of mary St. Vincent de Paul Phone: (516) 825-0177 fax: (516) 825-5092 65 East Jamaica Ave., Valley Stream, 11580 Distribution hours: Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can call Parish Outreach to make an appointment to access the food pantry or to donate food, gift cards and money at (516) 825-0177 Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Holy Name of Mary accepts meat and non-perishable food donations. Local pantries have seen an increasing number of people seeking food assistance during the coronavirus pandemic. Above, volunteers at Holy Name of Mary in 2019. assistance. “Of the roughly 90 families we usually handled, we had about 160 additional families,” Mike said. “A few of them have left the outreach program, but many are still with us, and we are expecting that that will continue for quite a while,” Rose Ann added. The pandemic’s residual effects are

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also beginning to challenge the resource capacity of food pantries themselves. According to Jessica Rosati, chief programs officer at Long Island Cares, a major donor for food pantries like that at Holy Name of Mary, contends that while the generosity of food donations has surpassed previous years’ rates, many pan-

tries are starting to feel the effects of food supply chain woes. “Foods that we never had an issue procuring like mixed fruit, canned chicken or canned tuna, we’ve had to source and purchase overseas to restock. A lot of vendors that we deal with are telling us they are having a hard time sourcing product,” Rosati said. Still, she is confident that there is enough food supply on Long Island to ensure that no one goes hungry this holiday season.

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Village upgrades to new permit software cants notifying them of the reports on er from the 1980s using physical hard- their files. “It saves a lot of time. It’s easier for ware. That meant that if the physical server went down, everything would stop, us. It’s easier for the resident because we and precious information could have been can stay in constant communication lost—not to mention time. The latest with these guys through the comments,” said Mohamed Azeez, village building upgrade made hardware failure a thing of the past by replacing the physical server inspector. Inspectors and engineers can also with a data storage space hosted virtually mark up any submitin the cloud. The proted commercial or resvider of the cloudidential construction based business proYou can access the plan for review and cess management softopengov website at: send it back for evaluware is OpenGov, ation. whose software has https://valleystreamny. “So far, it’s been been used by more viewpointcloud.com/. running smoothly… than a thousand state We have a workflow and local governments now that is more nationwide. Engineerstreamlined than it ing teams at OpenGov are making constant updates to the sys- was before, but the volume [of applicatem, according to Minori, to ensure that tions] has increased dramatically,” Minoinformation is safely stored and accessed ri said. “Since Nov. 3, we’ve received well over 100 applications online.” efficiently. Minori worked closely with the Town During application review, rather than wait for a letter through snail mail of Hempstead, which was the first in Nasregarding the status of your application, sau County to incorporate the new softapplicants receive an email notification ware. It was “chaotic” for Hempstead durimmediately. Virtual documentation is ing the initial phasing-in of the software, saved at each stage of the process and according to Minori, who used the town’s made available to Building Department hard-won advice and recommendations to officials and residents. This means build- ensure a smoother technology transition ing inspectors can log in to the software, for the village. “One of the [town’s] recommendations make their report on their iPad, and an email will immediately be sent to appli- was to get the historical data of the prop-

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — December 2, 2021

continued from front page

Herald file photo

The OpenGOv sOfTware was launched on Nov. 3. The village building department will continue to update all actively filed paper applications into the online system. which she expects will take “quite a while.” The application software is currently only in English, but Minori is looking into the possibility of having the website translated into other languages to accommodate all residents’ needs.

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erty to each account on file,” Minori said. “We’re permanently going from paper to online, so it’s a huge transition, and I ask the public to be patient.” Minori and her team will continue to review and transfer each actively filed paper application to an online account,

South High School gives back By Karina Kovac kkovac@liherald.com

Over 200 Valley Stream South High School students and their families came together on Family Service Day to help local families in need for Thanksgiving on Saturday, Nov. 20. Food baskets were prepared and distributed to South High families and to the Holy Name of Mary’s food pantry. Senior Alysse Fazal said service day allowed her a “wonderful opportunity to give back to a diverse, accepting, and caring community.” “When I needed it most, my community was there for me, providing anything I needed,” said Fazal. “It feels great to be able to give back in times of need for other families of the community.” “Thank you to everyone who donated food items and volunteered their time to decorate and fill baskets, as well as author thoughtful handwritten notes for each family. You made this year’s Family Service Day a huge success. This is what Falcon pride is all about” said Maureen Henry, Principal of South High School. On a day of giving and thankfulness, South High students truly lived out their school motto: “Small acts of kindness make a big difference.”

Photos courtesy Valley Stream Central High School District

South high School students putting together a food basket. the South high School library was filled with donated food items from the community.

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December 2, 2021 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — December 2, 2021

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District 13 announces next Superintendent of Schools kkovac@liherald.com

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Courtesy Valley Stream Union Free School District 13

Dr. JuDith a. LaRocca with her parents, husband and son following the announcement of her appointment as Valley Stream Union Free District Thirteen’s next Superintendent of Schools.

By Karina Kovac

1152404

December 2, 2021 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

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At a recent Board of Education meeti n g , D r. Ju d i t h A . L a Ro c c a w a s announced as the next superintendent for Valley Stream School District 13. LaRocca’s first day as acting superintendent will be on Jan. 15, 2022—one day after the district’s current acting superintendent, Dr. Constance D. Evelyn, formally steps down after a six-year tenure on Jan. 14, 2022. “It is an honor and a privilege to be chosen as the next leader of the Valley Stream Union Free School District 13,” said LaRocca to an audience of parents, board trustees, and school officials at the James A. Dever school auditorium. She further added: “Our fundamental goal as educators is to create a learning environment that enables students to become collaborative members of society who can think critically to solve complex problems. I look forward to building upon the comprehensive work we have achieved together over the past six years. We will continue to collaboratively make Valley Stream 13 the best place to learn and work.” Dr. LaRocca’s journey in education began in 1996 as a middle school mathematics teacher. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the State University of New York College at Cortland, and her master’s in Liberal Studies with a specialization in teach-

ing art and science; and a graduate certificate in School District Administration from Stony Brook University. Most recently, Dr. LaRocca completed her Doctor of Education from St. John’s University. LaRocca is currently the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in Valley Stream Union Free School District 13, a position she has held since 2016. During her time, LaRocca has played an instrumental role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion for the district both in regard to hiring practices and the curriculum. Her work has been featured in The Education Trust- New York’s publication, a statewide education policy and advocacy organization focused on advancing educational equity for low-income students and students of color. Prior to working for district 13, LaRocca was the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology in the New Hyde ParkGarden City Park Union Free School District. “We are thrilled to have Dr. LaRocca as our next Superintendent of Schools,” said Board President Dr. Frank J. Chiachiere. “Dr. LaRocca has the administrative experience, the leadership qualities, and the respect of her fellow central and building administrators and teachers that make her uniquely suited to assume this leadership role in our District.”

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — December 2, 2021

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Tom Suozzi, former county exec, running for governor now goes to the Democratically led Senate, where it is expected to pass. Suozzi, a lawyer and accountant, first U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, 59, is throwing ran unsuccessfully for governor at age 43 his hat in the ring for governor, the Glen in 2006, losing a primary bid to Elliot Cove resident said Monday. Spitzer, a two-term attorney general often “I’m running for governor because I called “the sheriff of Wall Street” for his believe this is the job I am made for,” efforts to prosecute white-collar crime. Suozzi said in a news conference. “Every- Spitzer was later forced to resign in 2008 thing I’ve done has prepared amid a sex scandal. me for this particular job at Suozzi had formed Fix this particular time.” Albany in 2004, publicly critiSuozzi referred to himself cizing longtime Assembly as “a common-sense DemoSpeaker Sheldon Silver, who crat.” He said he would work resigned in 2015 amid a corwith anyone to solve probruption scandal. lems to benefit the people he Suozzi’s goal, he said, was serves. “I’ve had a proven to expose corruption in New record in my career of doing York state politics with his that,” he said. “It’s about grassroots movement. doing the correct thing to Although his efforts were Tom Suozzi help prople.” popular, the Democratic Party Then he added, “I feel like supported Spitzer. Suozzi lost this whole left-right extremist by a large margin across the thing is killing our country and our state, failing to carry even Nassau County. state.” It was a tough blow for an elected leadThe Democrat, who represents the 3rd er who had beat the odds in the past. In District on the North Shore, has worked 2001, Suozzi, after serving four terms as over the past four years to reinstate home- Glen Cove mayor, became Nassau County owners’ ability to deduct state and local executive, the first Democrat in three taxes from their federal income tax bills. decades to hold the position. During his The SALT deduction, which was capped tenure from 2002 to 2009, he eliminated a at $10,000 in 2017 under President Trump, $45 million deficit, stopping the county has cost many Long Island residents thou- from falling into bankruptcy. sands of dollars annually. Most recently, But after winning twice as county Suozzi pledged that he would not vote for executive by wide margins, Suozzi lost in infrastructure and social spending bills 2009 to Edward Mangano, who won by 386 proposed by President Biden if SALT votes and was later brought up on corrupreform were not included in the legisla- tion charges in 2017. tion. Suozzi took a break from politics but The House approved a provision in returned in 2017, when he won against Biden’s expenditure bill on Nov. 19 to Republican Jack Martins to represent the raise the SALT cap to $80,000. The bill 3rd Congressional District.

By Laura Lane llane@liherald.com

Sue Grieco/Herald

HewLeTT HouSe execuTive Director Geri Barish and Bethany House Executive Director Doug O’Dell received Hempstead town citations. From left were County Legislator Bill Gaylor (R-Lynbrook), Barish, O’Dell, Councilman Anthony D’Esposito and Bethany board member John Galanate.

Houses of help joined forces in Hewlett Hewlett House, a community learning resource center on cancer, especially breast cancer, and Bethany House of Nassau County, which supports homeless woman with children from transition to stability, joined together for Fall Fest, an outreach event in Hewlett on Nov. 6. Students and volunteers learned more abut the two organizations and signed up for community service. There were items

for sale and musical entertainment by the Second Street band. For more on Hewlett House, call Executive Director Geri Barish at (516) 3742385. For more on Bethany House, call Executive Director Doug O’Dell at (516) 824-4973. –Jeffrey Bessen

Public Notices

LVAL1 1202

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that an order granted by the Supreme Court, Nassau County, on the 10 day of November 2021 bearing the index number 21-000733, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Nassau County Clerk located at 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, grants me the right to assume the name Natalie Martine Mitchell. My present address is 87 Lotus Oval North, Valley Stream, NY 11581.The date of my birth is 03/02/1978.The place of my birth is Flushing, Queens, NY.The present name is Natalie Martine Mitchell-Cange. 128667

www.PsychWisdom.com

To Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232

1152428

December 2, 2021 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

LEGAL NOTICE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF VALLEY STREAM OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE CLERK/ADMINISTRATOR 123 South Central Avenue

Valley Stream New York 11580 (516) 592-5105 LEGAL NOTICE TAX EXEMPTION FOR REAL PROPERTY OF CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES WITH LIMITED INCOME The Village is pleased to inform you that if you are a citizen with disabilities with limited income, an exemption is available if you qualify. In order to qualify your income cannot exceed $34,699. Income includes Social Security benefits, Interest, Dividends, Pension, Wages, Capital Gains and Rental Income. You must provide as proof of income a copy of your Federal Income Tax return, all 1099’s including Social Security, Pension, Wages, IRA, Trust, Dividends and a Statement of Rental Income for the year 2020. If you have any questions regarding eligibility,

please contact this office at 825-4200. IMPORTANT: Filing Period from September 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Dated:Valley Stream, New York December 2, 2021 JAMES J. HUNTER Village Clerk/Administrator 128669

Search for notices online at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

LEGAL NOTICE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF VALLEY STREAM OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE CLERK/ADMINISTRATOR 123 South Central Avenue Valley Stream New York 11580 (516) 592-5105 LEGAL NOTICE TAX EXEMPTION FOR REAL PROPERTY OF SENIOR CITIZENS The Village is pleased to inform you that a Senior Citizen exemption is available if you qualify.

In order to qualify your income cannot exceed $34,699. Income includes Social Security benefits, Interest, Dividends, Pension, Wages, Capital Gains and Rental Income. You must provide as proof of income a copy of your Federal Income Tax return, all 1099’s including Social Security, Pension, Wages, IRA, Trust, Dividends and a Statement of Rental Income for the year 2020. If you have any questions regarding eligibility, please contact this office at 825-4200. IMPORTANT: Filing Period from September 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Dated:Valley Stream, New York December 2, 2021 JAMES J. HUNTER Village Clerk/Administrator 128668

Search for notices online at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

Employment

CLASSIFIED

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — December 2, 2021

HERALD

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

Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460 E-mail you ad to: ereynolds@liherald.com E-mail Finds Under $100 to: sales@liherald.com DEADLINE: Monday, 11:00 am for all classified ads.

Every effort is made to insure the accuracy of your ad. Please check your ad at the first insertion. Credit will be made only for the first insertion. Credit given for errors in ads is limited to the printed space involved. Publisher reserves right to reject, cancel or correctly classify and ad.

IVERS R D S U B D WANTE DoN’T MISS The Bus!

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ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK FT:

Established Envelope Company. Excellent Phone/ MS Office/ Email/ Internet Skills. Handle Mail/ Filing. Colleen 516-244-8444 Email Resume Bruce At bruced@themercurycompanies.com

ADMINISTRATIVE

Richner Communications - a rapidly growing multimedia company and publishers of the Herald newspaper group has several administrative job openings: Receptionist (F/T), Accounts Receivable/Billing Collections Clerk Multi-Media Coordinator (Hours Flexible) Qualified candidates are fast learners with good organizational and people skills - entry level ok. Role requires working knowledge of Microsoft Office and ability to learn custom software programs. If you would like to join a communitydriven, fast-paced environment, please send your resume to: careers@liherald.com.

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail orientated and able to work well under deadlines. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

IMMEDIATE HIRE

P/T Shifts Available Flexible Hours

Double Pay-Holidays CALL AGENCY

516-328-7126

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to ehecker@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

Health Care/Opportunities

EDITOR/REPORTER

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

GOODYEAR AUTO SERVICE

AUTO MECHANIC (F/T or P/T) $1000.00 HIRING BONUS Experience in General Repairs Excellent Pay Call (516) 661-8471 Send Resume: yonab@autofix.com

HHA's, LPN's, Nurse's Aides Childcare. Housekeeping Day Workers No Fee To Employers

• Receptionist • Human Resource Director • Reporter/Editor • Sales • Multi Media Coordinator • Drivers • Pressman/Press Helper

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Looking For A Job Part Time Starting December. Experienced. Rockville Centre. Jacqueline 516-536-6994

Evon's Svces: 516-505-5510

One phone call, one order, one heck of a good price to run your ad in any state, or across the country.

To join our team, please email your resume to careers@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 Ext #235

LYNEER STAFFING SOLUTIONS Hiring Mail Sorters, Data Entry $15.00, Forklifts $17.50, Mystery Shoppers Ages 21-25 $20.00. 860 Long Island Ave., Deer Park NY 11729 631-586-4699

Situations Wanted

WE HAVE THE HELP YOU NEED!!!

A Growing Multi Media Company Based in Garden City Is Hiring:

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR Richner Communications is looking for a hands-on Human Resources professional to oversee all HR functions on a strategic and tactical level. Exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and expanding Garden City, Long Island media company. This position has a flexible schedule, part-time job share would be considered. Responsibilities: Talent acquisition: Source, screen, and interview potential candidates and manage new employee onboarding Benefits administration: Liaise with brokers, providers and facilitate enrollment and updating of coverage. Manage annual open enrollment and employee benefits review. Administration of 401(k) plan. Employee relations: Provide day- today support and problem resolution in regards to employee concerns, questions and policy issues. Performance management: Coach, counsel and recommend disciplinary actions Compliance: Maintain indepth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risk and ensuring regulatory compliance Payroll: Process biweekly payroll through payroll vendor for population of 150 employees Requirements: Bachelor's degree, preferably in business or HR, or equivalent experience Minimum 5 years HR generalist experience Knowledge of Federal, State & Local regulations governing employment Experience with payroll processing Self-motivated, ability to prioritize and work well under pressure Customer-focused attitude, with high level of professionalism and discretion Excellent oral and written communication and quantitative skills Proficiency with Microsoft Office Qualified candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to: careers@liherald.com.

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PRESS-ROOM/WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME Pressroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for a motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

Call the USA Classified Network today!

1-800-231-6152

Sales Executives Outside Sales

Richner Communications has openings for Outside Sales Executives to Sell Digital and Print advertising Service and sell both existing and developing new business. If you have the desire to succeed in our fast paced business and are motivated, dependable, have strong communication skills and can manage your own time, We would like to hear from you! Base salary with commission plan. Paid sick/personal days, vacation and paid holidays. Sales experience is a plus but we will train the right person to learn the industry. email resume to careers@liherald.com

TAX PREPARER P/T Franklin Square Experience Needed. Retirees Welcome. C a l l 5 1 6 - 3 5 8 - 9 4 5 5 Fa x R e s u m e 516 358-9483. Email Resume: ed@loturco.com.

TOW TRUCK DRIVERS: FT/PT. Days, Evenings, Weekends. Experienced Only Apply. Call Sacha or Mike 718-291-2992

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Builders sometimes do what they want

Homes

HERALD

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

Q. I’m trying to understand why my construction was rejected three times. The inspector said it doesn’t follow the plans, and certain things don’t match the building code. He wouldn’t tell me what was wrong, saying the architect needs to see it, tell us what it was and either write a letter or get the contractor to change it. Either way, we’re now delayed, and I want to know who’s responsible?

• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

Hewlett Harbor

HOME Of tHE WEEK

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life of total luxury is waiting for you at this elegant home in Hewlett Harbor. This magnificent Colonial residence boasts 8 bedrooms and 6.5 baths across more than 6700 square feet of living space and is well placed in an exclusive part of Hewlett. Outside you will discover a custom marble dusted gunite saltwater pool. The main floor rooms give you picturesque views of the manicured landscaping that surrounds you. Explore the many unique possibilities this home has to offer especially with a separate guest cottage and enjoy the luxury of having a 3 car garage.

A. It starts with misunderstanding what is enforceable and who enforces. Plans are prepared well ahead of getting permit review, and long before contractors estimate or make a contract with the owner. Plans get more scrutiny than ever before, partially due to the expectation that, because most are prepared by computer, tons more information can onte eeper magically be cut and pasted or that, somehow, 3-D views automatically appear, which is false. Planning also gets more scrutiny because many people have no intention of applying for permits, avoiding expense and time. So building officials seem ready to look for more information to cover issues that might apply to the proposed work. For example, a survey showed a winding border “brick retaining wall” at a property edge, prompting hours of calls, pictures, letters and proof to show the flower bed edging was loosely laid bricks so weeds wouldn’t grow from the lawn to the flower bed. After planning finally gets beyond the “prove it” phase, a permit may be issued and the contractor takes over. At the construction stage, plans have a slight chance of being followed to the letter, but quite often, builders do whatever they choose. Once in a while there’s the pleasant surprise of a conscientious individual who communicates before just altering the job to something not intended. Where this leads is that most consumers believe, falsely, that builders probably know the laws and the necessary engineering, and the outcome will be seamless. Unfortunately, because nobody on a residential project holds the builders responsible for taking liberties with the plans, the permits, the law or critical engineering problems, they’re free to create significant problems for the owner. The dilemma is further reinforced by officials who don’t hold the builder responsible, so instead, they deflect the responsibility to the “design professional,” mainly because they can, not because the architect or engineer is involved in poor decisions that led to the problems. I’ve seen the wrong beams installed, missing reinforcing, the building placed in the wrong spot, wrong roof angles creating building height violations that rerouted the project back through a nine-month zoning board revisit, windows substituted that no longer meet the emergency-escape requirements, using particle board instead of structural plywood — the list goes on and on. How anyone can ask for a letter to cover the mess and just make it go away by expecting the architect or engineer to just write a letter is ridiculous, but asked for all the time. You think you’re being protected by officials, but are you really? Good luck!

Ask The Architect

Sara Abikzer Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Signature Premier Properties Cell-516-984-6798 Office-516-741-4333 www.saraabikzer.com @sarasellsli

Ronnie Gerber 516-238-4299

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OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4th - 12-2 10 E. SAMPSON ST., E. ROCKAWAY BAY PARK SECTION

Roger Hart, Broker/Owner OPEN HOUSES SUNday 12/5/21 HEWLETT Bay PaRK 40 Heron Dr, BA, 10,000 Sq Ft Waterfront Property on an Acre of Parklike Grounds Tucked away in Cul de Sac. 5 BR, 5.5 Bth Contemporary. Soaring Ceilings. IGPl, Hot Tub. 285' Vinyl Bulkhead Raised & Redone Dock, 3 Car Garage .......... REDUCED! $3,499,000

HEWLETT 1534 Broadway #103, BA, BRAND NEW GUT RENOVATION! Spacious 2 BR, 2 Bth Condo in Luxurious Jonathan Hall. LR/DR Opens Into Large Gran/Wood EIK w/ Island & Stainless Steel Appl. Laundry Rm, & Pantry. Mstr Ste Boasts New Bath & Huge Walk in Closet. Terrace Facing into Courtyard. Doorman Bldg with Elevator. Indoor Garage Pkg & Storage ............................................. $850,000 395 Serena Rd, 5 BR, 2 Bth Col on O/S Property. Updtd EIKs. 3 BR Main Level, 2 Upstairs with OSE, SD#14, Possible M/D with Proper Permits. Near All ...............................................REDUCED! $749,000 156 E Rockaway Rd, BA, Rental of a Renovated 2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bth Apt with Spacious Gourmet Kitchen Use of Patio & Outdoor Space ........................................................................................$3,850

CEdaRHURST WATERFRONT LAND for sale! Great Opportunity to Build Dream Home. Permits Required. SD#15 ........................................ $399,000

REAL ESTATE Open Houses HEWLETT 156 E Rockaway Rd, BA, Rental of a Renovated 2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bth Apt with Spacious Gourmet Kitchen Use of Patio & Outdoor Space...$3,850 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Rent Your Apartment through the Herald and PrimeTime Classified section. Call us for our great *specials. 516-5694000, press 5 for Classified Dept. *(private party only)

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Real Estate Salesperson, abR, SRS E: Rhonda.Healy.VW@gmail.com Verdeschi & Walsh Realty 1025 W. Beech St. | Long Beach, NY Open Houses HEWLETT BA 1534 Broadway #103, BRAND NEW GUT RENOVATION! Spacious 2 BR, 2 Bth Condo in Luxurious Jonathan Hall. LR/DR Opens Into Large Gran/Wood EIK w/ Island & Stainless Steel Appl. Laundry Rm, & Pantry. Mstr Ste Boasts New Bath & Huge Walk in Closet. Terrace Facing into Courtyard. Doorman Bldg with Elevator. Indoor Garage Pkg & Storage...$850,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

HEWLETT BAY PARK BA,, 40 Heron Dr, REDUCED!!10,000 Sq Ft Waterfront Proper ty on an Acre of Parklike Grounds Tucked away in Cul de Sac. 5 BR, 5.5 Bth Contemporary. Soaring Ceilings. IG Pool, Hot Tub. 285' Vinyl Bulkhead Raised & Redone. Dock.3 Car Garage...$3,499,000 R o n n i e G e r b e r, D o u g l a s E l l i m a n 516-238-4299

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Apartments For Rent CEDARHURST NO FEE Pr ivate Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For O n e B e d r o o m W h e n Ava i l a bl e. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978 EAST ROCKAWAY LOVELY STUDIO Separate Entrance, Fireplace, Backyard, Parking. Suitable One/ No Smoking/ Pets. $1,200 Includes All. 516-695-7476

Helping you find a HOME or sell a HOME … a place to call your own. Suburb or country, house, condo, townhouse or apartment, our Classifieds can help you find a HOME that fits your style, your budget and Real Estate needs... it’s a MUST SEE!

Call us today!

Your Hometown Newspaper

To Place an Ad Call: 516-569-4000 • Press 5

© 2021 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

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opINIoNS

he towns, cities and villages of Long Island have their own recorded and unrecorded histories. Their stories are told by local historians, librarians and historical societies. In many cases, lacking those resources, the history of those communities disappears year by year with the passing of the people who were blessed with those long-term memories. Long Beach, one of South Shore residents’ most popular coastal escapes, is one of those placJERRY es whose colorful history has filled KREMER numerous books, and is lucky enough to have residents who make it their mission to keep its history enshrined in books and fading photographs. One of the keepers of Long Beach history, Paul Jackson, died recently, leaving behind a number of hard-to-find books and other cherished notes that will fade in time. Jackson was a prolific writer, and published a number of books that gained the attention of history critics across the country. His first, “Our Town, Our Time: Long Beach, L.I. in the 1930s and WWII,”

was a nostalgic look at the seaside city, with recollections of the schools, stores, movie theaters, the boardwalk and hotels. Orphan’s Day, the big bank robbery of 1939 and the murder of the mayor by a cop were its highlights. Jackson chronicled the experiences of 250 returning GI’s and wrote about the 30 Long Beach men who were killed in the war. His second book “Scoundrels by the Sea: The Sullied Past of Long Beach Politicians, Swindlers, Bootleggers — and Worse,” wasn’t published until 2013, long after Jackson left his chosen profession. In that book he took on dozens of deceased politicians, such as District Attorney William Cahn, State Assembly Speaker Joe Carlino, Democratic Leader Phil Kohut and Tammany Hall Leader Jimmy Hines, and described at length the lesser-known events and personalities that made Long Beach unique, compared with its many neighboring communities. While not a colorful celebrity, Jackson’ primary job was as editor and publisher of the weekly Long Beach Independent, which dated back to the late 1930s but ceased publishing in 1976. I got to know him when I was 12 years old, and had the temerity to walk into the paper’s office on

Park Place and offer my services as a writer. I didn’t ask for money, but just the opportunity to write for free, which had become a childhood passion. Jackson was impressed with my nerve, and I was assigned to read the dozens of press releases that came in each week and try to boil each one down to a simple paragraph. In my early days at the Independent, I didn’t understand much about Long Beach politics, but I learned in a short time that it was brutal. There was no real Republican Party, but the city boasted the presence of the Assembly speaker, Carlino. The two factions were the group headed by the Democratic Party leader, Kohut, and his adversary, former Mayor Theodore Ornstein. Working for a weekly newspaper while at the same time trying to launch my own political career was a great challenge. Jackson didn’t believe in political correctness, and one by one, he challenged the people in power with blistering commentary. During those tumultuous years, I tried to walk a straight line between the factions, but sooner or later I would be forced to choose a side to survive. In those years, the most valuable asset that any weekly could have was the des-

met him when I was 12, and offered my services as a writer for the Independent.

ignation as the city’s official newspaper. That meant that all of the city’s legal notices were published in that paper. Survival depended on whether the political bosses favored your paper over its local rival. Eventually Jackson’s political commentary got under Kohut’s skin, and the Independent lost that coveted designation. Jackson’s career as an editor and publisher lasted only a few years, and without that valuable patronage, the Independent ceased publication. I continued to work part-time for weekly papers until I graduated from law school, worked as a city prosecutor and was elected to the Assembly. I had a brief encounter with Jackson when my book “Winning Albany” was published. Jackson was upset with my friendly relationship with “Boss Kohut.” The people who work hard to preserve Long Beach history owe a special debt of gratitude to Jackson for his dedicated work in chronicling so many key moments of local history. A side note: “Scoundrels by the Sea” lists for $122 on Amazon. Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? JKremer@liherald.com.

How did you get through? In 50 words or less.

ell me your story. If you’re reading this, you are living through a deadly pandemic that has killed more than five million people worldwide. So far. If you’re reading this, you are just coming off Thanksgiving and zooming toward peak holiday season. Expectations for joy abound, lights dazzle and music bombards us with its slightly out-ofsync cheer. Some of us gather strength and purpose from the festive spirit. Some of us feel that the RANDI gifting and shopKREISS ping, and the stuffing of turkeys and ourselves, are just too much. Post-vaccine, we are resuming, life but not exactly. We are moving toward normal but watching the new variant coming from South Africa. Flights are canceled again. Holiday parties are on again, off again, depending on where you live and what the rules are. The one absolute commonality we share: We are alive in this moment, during the worst epidemic of our genera-

tion. Each of us has a story to tell, and I would like to offer this space for you to share yours. Some years ago, my son-in-law, Josh, said he wanted to interview my parents for StoryCorps.org, an online website where anyone can post a story about themselves. Once posted, it lives on in perpetuity. More recently, Storyworth has taken off. Another venue, it sends the person of your choice weekly questions and, at the end of a year, compiles the answers into a book, which becomes a keepsake of their thoughts or history or memories. Moth Radio features first-person human-interest stories. We have been telling one another stories ever since men and women were able to scrawl drawings on caves. We share common memories, but we see those bygone events through varying prisms. The truth of any one person’s stories is always on a sliding scale. When Josh called me and asked if it was OK for him to record my parents and post their stories to StoryCorps. org, it was the worst possible time. My folks were 97 and 92 years old. They

lived in south Florida. Josh lived in California, way north of San Francisco and far away from any reasonable international airport. He said he had only two days he could travel to my folks’, including flying time. I told Josh it wasn’t a good time. I knew it wasn’t a good time. I suggested we leave it to my mother. She said yes. Josh flew on a Thursday, arriving at their house at 1 a.m. on Friday. That day he interviewed each of my parents for four to five hours, on and off, between their meals and physical therapy sessions and looking for my dad’s cane, hat, shoes, eating glasses, reading glasses and walking glasses. Josh was on the ground in Florida for about 24 hours. The stories are now part of StoryCorps history, and they’re even more precious now. Dad died in 2017. Mom died two years later. We all want to be known, to say in words that we have walked the earth and lived and loved. In this pandemic, we want to get out of our own heads, where we’ve been living alone for so long, and tell the world how we’re getting through. How has our work

he need to tell stories is etched into our souls. Why not try it in this space?

changed? What happened in school and out of school? What was it like to care for young children day after day and month after month with little relief aside from outdoor gatherings? As a longtime married woman, I feel like the subject of an experiment on human behavior. The question: How do isolation and stress affect marriage? In March 2020, most of us thought the virus might knock us off our routines for a few weeks. Now I have a 50-page folder of Covid Cuisine, quick meals for when we want to eat but I don’t want to cook. The need to tell stories is etched into our souls, part of our DNA. Why not try it in this space? Please, tell me your pandemic story in 50 words or fewer, and I’ll use my column to post the most compelling ones. You can be anonymous if you wish. We did this before, in less dramatic times, and it was enlightening. So, take a few minutes and put together a few words. Send them to the email below. I’ve been telling you my story every week since the pandemic fractured our sense of well-being. I want to know yours. Copyright 2021 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — December 2, 2021

RIP Paul Jackson, renowned South Shore historian

HERALD

Herald editorials

Juan Lasso Editor

A new Covid variant is on the march. Mask up!

December 2, 2021 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

Valley stream

Established 1990 Incorporating the Valley Stream Mailleader

Karina Kovac Reporter anGELa sHirian Advertising Account Executive martHa JacovidEs Founding Editor officE 2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530 Phone: (516) 569-4000 Fax: (516) 569-4942 Web: www.liherald.com E-mail: vseditor@liherald.com officiaL nEWsPaPEr: Village of Valley Stream Valley Stream High School District Valley Stream Districts 13, 24 and 30

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n recent months, we have seen a growing number of parents crowding school board meetings across Long Island, protesting the state mandate requiring students to mask up in schools. In public spaces, from the mall to your local coffee shop and grocery store, many people no longer wear masks, believing they aren’t necessary anymore. Last week, we were hit by a harsh dose of reality: Seemingly out of nowhere, a new strain of the coronavirus, which scientists called the Omicron variant, reared its ugly head, first in South Africa and then Israel, several Western European countries, Hong Kong and Australia. Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Biden’s chief medical adviser, said over the weekend that the strain had not yet been detected in the U.S., but it could very well be here.

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South Africa discovered the strain first because health officials there were investigating why the country went from 200 coronavirus cases a day only recently to some 2,465 cases on Nov. 25, according to the Associate Press. What does this tell us? One, we must not think we have vanquished the coronavirus. It is still lurking worldwide, and anywhere and any time an infectious strain of the virus arises, there is the potential for it to spread to us here, on Long Island. So we must continue masking and social-distancing protocols to limit its transmission. This new strain is potentially more insidious than the Delta variant, which has ravaged the world, because the vaccines may be less effective in providing immunity against it. Scientists are study-

This holiday season for sure, shop locally

ach year, we encourage our readers to shop locally, in your community’s downtown, during the holidays. With the coronavirus pandemic still raging, we’re doubling down on that advice. We know Covid-19 spreads among dense populations. That only makes sense. It’s an airborne disease, so when people are tightly packed into small or confined spaces, there’s a greater chance that the virus will be transmitted from one person to the next. Shopping in your downtown, with its smaller stores, where customer density can be better controlled than at the malls and superstores, would thus seem like a

smart move, particularly now, with the rise around the world of the Omicron variant, against which the vaccines may be less effective. Beyond that, shopping locally is just good for your community. Keeping local shops and eateries in business supports the tax base, and bolsters homeowners’ property values. By contrast, downtowns full of boarded-up shops lead to rising property taxes for homeowners and plummeting house values. That is, shopping locally is in your self-interest. Moreover, it is a way to give back to the people who give so much to their communities. Local shop and restaurant

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ing whether that is the case, and it could be weeks before we know the answer for sure. You should be vaccinated just in case — and to fight the many other Covid-19 variants. And we should vaccinate ourselves ASAP. That includes teenagers and children. New strains of the virus emerge in the unvaccinated population. It’s there where the virus can continue to spread, and any time it is transmitted from one person to the next, it has the potential to mutate. Mutation — the ability of the virus to re-engineer itself — is its survival mechanism. If it does not spread, it cannot continue to mutate. We are in the battle of our lives here. Like it or not, we must remember that this holiday season.

letters Jan. 6 was ‘just a protest’ To the Editor: Re Scott Brinton’s column “Recalling two failed coups that will live in infamy” (Nov. 25-Dec. 1): I agree that what happened in 1991 in the Soviet Union was important, and should be memorialized, as it was in the 2015 documentary “The Event.” I wish I had seen it. But I recall a hapless Boris Yeltsin, soon to be succeeded by Vladimir Putin. And Bulgaria found its rightful destiny. Above all, I would appreciate no extrapolations of that or other similar coup attempts to what happened at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. As a first-generation immigrant, I could not be prouder of our America. I am thrilled to be here, and that includes all our presidents. On Jan. 6, all our institutions held firm and did not budge — no insurrection, no riot, just a protest. To become a proud citizen, I learned that our

owners are the folks who sponsor Little League teams and donate to the Girl and Boy Scouts. They are the ones who organize fundraisers for children stricken by deadly diseases, and who advocate for better roads and schools in their communities. The owners of the small businesses that line the streets of our communities are us. That’s why you are more likely to receive competent service and a friendly smile when you shop locally. The coming month has the potential to challenge us in unforeseen ways. Now is the time to be safe — and that means being smart. Start by shopping locally.

opinions

axes, property assessments, crime and schools were top concerns for Long Island politicians in the Nov. 2 elections. Both Democrats and Republicans tried to persuade voters that they would do a better job of keeping us safe and financially secure. In 2021, however, these standard suburban issues motivated more Republicans than Democrats to show up and vote, resulting in a change in party leadership in Nassau County’s executive branch and the Suffolk County MArTine Legislature. For suburban resiHAckeTT dents, the added expectation and understanding is that our high tax dollars show up to maintain our quality of life in the services that the government provides. We are paying for safety from crime, but also the safety of the air we breathe and the water we drink, and protection during a pandemic. But in campaign materials, and apparently on most voters’ minds, one major

issue seemed to be missing: the ongoing public health crisis that is the Covid-19 pandemic, which has killed more than 750,000 Americans. If Covid was mentioned by candidates during campaigning, it was with promises of what the government would not do — no mask mandates in schools, no employee-mandated vaccines. While political parties focus on the topics that they believe will get people to the polls, some issues, like public health, need to be supported no matter who is in power. Public health is by its nature political. It must be. In the earliest days of the United States, protecting citizens from infectious diseases like yellow fever fell to local municipalities, which enacted quarantine regulations for ships that arrived at coastal cities. The first public health agency was created in 1866 in New York City, and reduced deaths from a cholera epidemic that year through inspections, investigations and disinfection. Cities that did not have a public system to monitor and combat the epidemic experienced many more deaths. Government action is necessary to

n their 2020 campaigns, candidates promised what the government would not do.

LeTTers nation is based on three separate branches — the executive, legislative and judicial. As a lawyer for 45 years, I can assure you that all was well outside, as well as inside, the D.C. “Beltway” on Jan. 6. If there really was a coup attempt, what disruptive aftermath did it cause? The fact is, there was no disruption, and, mercifully, life goes on. I only wish Brinton had more faith. God Bless America. WILLIAM J. A. SPARkS, ESq. Merrick

Who’s doing the censoring, Randi? To the Editor: I was reading Randi kreiss’s column “Sticks and stones — words can never harm me” (Nov. 18-24), about censorship and book burning, anticipating with relish the words she would use to describe the censorship exercised by the major social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) against voices on the right that they oppose. Instead kreiss turned it around, and accused Trump supporters and associated people on the right of seeking to impose censorship! I was astounded. Where are the examples? Her examples, “flames rising from places like Virginia” and Texas ordering school officials to look in schoolbooks for pornography, were weak and

carry out the work of public health. How else do you get sewers across jurisdictions? Who else would pay for the clean water and the pipes to bring it into your home? Would restaurants regulate themselves to keep food preparation safe? The work to ensure public health must be carried out no matter what ideology is popular or which party has been elected to lead. The needs of public health continue no matter who is in power. Meanwhile, there are other pressing public health issues in Nassau and Suffolk counties that require political support: the increase in substance use and overdose deaths; the significant mental health strain of anxiety and depression among young people; and high rates of maternal and infant mortality. Collective and coordinated political action worked on Long Island to manage the spread of Covid-19 by deploying wideranging techniques similar to those used more than 150 years ago to combat cholera. Modern approaches to public health now also recognize that social factors play

a key role in people’s health. We saw this when the coronavirus pandemic devastated communities of color in Nassau and Suffolk counties, and recognize that the people in these communities were not solely to blame. Rather, it was the underlying conditions that existed before the pandemic — food insecurity, crowded housing, lack of internet access — that made outcomes so much worse for some than for others. Political forces need to address these public health priorities as well. At a time when party lines are dividing those who are vaccinated and those who are not, when mandating mask wearing to protect the health of everyone is framed as a matter of individual choice, we have lost the nonpartisan thread of public health. Whoever is in power in Nassau and Suffolk needs to address the longstanding issues of public health by doing what works and acknowledging the vital role that government action has on health outcomes. Red and blue waves come and go on Long Island every few years, but political public health action must remain constant. Dr. Martine Hackett is an associate professor in the Master of Public Health and Community Health Programs at Hofstra University.

FrAMework by Ashley Ferrante

non-specific. She certainly did not cite the fact that many books that were traditionally read in high school, like “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” are now banned — yes, censored — by schools. LEoN SUTToN, PH.D. Long Beach

Paying for those D.C. spending bills To the Editor: President Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and their respective Democratic House and Senate caucus members claim that both the $1.2 trillion infrastructure and $1.75 trillion Build Back America bills are fully paid for. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget office found that the first bill would add $228 billion, and the second bill $367 billion, to our $29 trillion-and-growing national debt over the next 10 years. If they are so confident of this financing scheme, let them all put up their respective future pensions, 401(k) retirement plans, stocks, bonds, cars, homes, Social Security earnings and other assets as collateral. Place all of them in a blind trust on behalf of taxpayers. This could serve as a small down payment to cover the inevitable multi-billion-dollar shortfall in anticipated revenues to pay for both bills over the coming years. Ask

The Atlantic at sunset — Long Beach

their spouses or significant others to do the same. Biden, Schumer, Pelosi and company remind me of J. Wellington Wimpy, who famously said, “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” Tuesday

may never come for taxpayers who must pay for all the goodies promised by them within their lifetimes. LARRY PENNER Great Neck

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — December 2, 2021

Public health is political, but shouldn’t be partisan

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December 2, 2021 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

Meadowbrook Pointe East Meadow Meadowbrook Pointe East Meadow Phase 2 Now Selling at

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