Wantagh Herald 02-23-2023

Disney’s ‘Descendants’ to take the stage in Wantagh

By MICHAEl MAlAsZCZYK mmalaszczyk@liherald.com

If there’s any doubt that Wantagh Middle School’s theater program is taking off, look no further than its latest endeavor: Disney’s own “Descendants.”

A cast of 50 students from the middle school’s Drama Club will perform “Descendants: The Musical” on the Wantagh High School stage March 3-5.

Based on the popular Disney Channel original movies, “Descendants” follows the teenage children of some infamous Disney villains, including Maleficent, from “Sleeping Beauty,”

Legislature special election set for Feb. 28

By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com

The race is on for the Nassau County Legislature seat vacated late last year after Steve Rhoads’ election to the State Senate.

In a special election set for Tuesday, Feb. 28, Democrat Robert Miles will square off against Republican Michael Giangregorio to determine who will take the seat in Mineola.

The legislative district includes parts of Seaford and Wantagh, all of South Bellmore, sections of central and South Merrick, and a small strip of Freeport with a cutoff at Woodcleft Avenue. And it’s no stranger to special elections. Rhoads won the seat in 2015 following the resignation of Dave Denenberg, the Democratic leader who was convicted of mail fraud.

Where to vote

Early voting is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sunday, Feb. 26, at the following locations:

■ Temple Beth Am, 2377 Merrick Ave., Merrick

■ St. Francis de Chantal Church, 1309 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh

■ Nassau County elections board office, 240 Old Country Road, Mineola

Polls open Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., at normal voting locations. Find your polling place at VoterLookUp. Elections.ny.gov.

Unsure if you live in District 19? Call (516) 571-8683.

the Evil Queen, from “Snow White,” Jafar, from “Aladdin,” and Cruella De Vil, from “101 Dalmatians.” Condemned to live on the “Isle of the Lost,” the children are sent to attend prep school alongside the children of some famous Disney heroes, which include Belle and the Beast from “Beauty and the Beast,” and Snow White herself.

Some of the middle school students playing lead roles are Emily McHale, as Mal, Giada Petrillo, as Evie, Ryan Mundy, as Jay, Nick Allen, as Carlos, Mairead Hill-Hotz, as Maleficent, and Jackson Lehrer, as Ben. “Descendants” is directed by English teacher Kristin

Continued on page 16

Even if Democrats picked up this seat, the party would remain in the minority. Still, that hasn’t stopped Miles from giving it a try. The 30-year-old was born in Elmont, but grew up primarily in Merrick. He graduated from Hofstra University’s law school, running with a political background he says is “heavy in policy.”

Miles previously worked in

both the county attorney’s office under County Executive Ed Mangano and Nassau’s property assessment office during the Laura Curran administration. Since early last year, Miles has served as an attorney with Nassau’s minority caucus.

Giangregorio, 57, grew up in Queens and settled in Merrick with his wife in 1997. He’s long

Continued on page 4

Michael MalaszczykHerald

CAst MEMBER FRoM the Middle School Drama Club include, clockwise from top left, Ryan Mundy, who plays Jay, Mairead Hill-Hotz, who plays Maleficent, Emily McHale, who plays Mal, Giada Petrillo, who plays Evie, and Nick Allen, who plays Carlos.

Hempstead approves ‘discriminatory’

By ANA BORRUTO aborruto@liherald.com

They were angry, expressing those feelings as shame on the Hempstead Town Board. They are the group that has attended meeting after meeting, hoping to get some voice into how town board district lines would be redrawn, only to end up disappointed.

It was an unsurprising end, but one that resulted in boos.

“That’s nice, ladies and gentlemen,” Town Supervisor Don Clavin said, with unmistakable sarcasm. “That’s very polite of you.”

They had pushed for what they considered to be better representation on the town board — providing more opportunities for Hempstead’s growing minority populations to serve in elected positions through the creation of “minority-majority” districts. If they had passed, districts would be created where ethnic minorities were, in fact, the voting majority.

But none of them came to pass. Most surprisingly, with the help of Deputy Town Supervisor Dorothy Goosby — who notably challenged what she called Hempstead’s discriminatory at-large voting system in 1988 — who remained silent throughout the redistricting process, only to finally vote yes to the new map.

“In this moment in time, we are reinventing the same revisionist, segregationist history that has kept so many people behind,” said Mida Mereday of Baldwin. “Our voices have not been heard all this time — it’s not going to be anything different.”

Since the beginning of the Hempstead redistricting discussions, the concerns raised by opponents to the initial town-drawn maps has not changed: District lines should be redrawn to have a more balanced demographic representation.

These methods fall under partisan gerrymandering — giving one side an advantage in a single district but no others, or simply breaking up voter blocs so a particular type of candidate can’t get enough support to win.

“The New York state constitution (says) the district shall not be drawn to discourage competition, or for the purpose of favoring or disfavoring incumbents or any other particular candidates or parties,” said Terry Bain, a former immigration judge from Rockville Centre. “It looks to me like this proposal may violate this spirit, as well as the letter of our state constitution.”

If Hempstead finalizes this current map, it could expose the town to costly litigation — all at taxpayer expense. Especially since a number of people in the audience who oppose the new map say they are willing to take the matter to court.

Ana Borruto/Herald

faced some heat from the crowd gathered to discuss redistricting with claims he failed to listen to their concerns. Many of them had pushed for at least three ‘minority-majority’

HEMPSTEAD TOWN SUPERVISOR Donald

But under the guidance of the Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders law firm as well as redistricting expert Sean Trende, the Town Board released a redistricting map proposal last month they said took into account public comments as well as the views of the redistricting commission — who recommended the board keep communities intact.

However, some doubted these intentions. When looking at the final map, attendees said there are communities still in danger of “packing” and “cracking,” such as Elmont, Uniondale, North Bellmore and Baldwin.

Dan Oppenheimer, a Hempstead village resident, says it’s interesting the final redistricting map was adopted while one of the six council district seats — formerly occupied by now U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito — remains vacant.

As the vacancy approaches two months, some are anticipating the Hempstead town board will continue its ages-old tradition of appointing someone to fill the seat. These vacancies are often created when a council member runs successfully for another position. Recent appointments by the board to the town council include Thomas Muscarella, Melissa Miller and Dennis Dunne.

Clavin’s response to this practice when questioned about it was only that the board plans to “comply with Town of Hempstead law.”

“This is not something to do with voting representation when you have a history, year in and year out, of appointing rather than allowing for votes,” Oppenheimer told Clavin. “You are bypassing the electoral system that the districts are supposed to address.”

Clavin

Levittown spreads positivity for ‘I Love You Day’

levittown Public Schools were a sea of purple on P.S. I Love You Day on Feb. 10, an important day when students and staff spread love, positivity and acceptance.

Levittown schools participate in P.S. I Love You Day every year. The initiative was started in New York and aims to bring awareness to the importance of mental health. Through positive messages and activities about acceptance, students help decrease bullying while ending the stigma around mental health issues.

This year’s theme, “Love All Your Chapters,” was reflected in the many P.S. I Love You Day activities that students participated in, such as selfie projects in which students shared what they love about themselves.

Middle school students sold purple bracelets and other goodies sporting positive messages while sharing compliments through special projects and throughout the halls. In each of the district’s 10 schools, the importance of loving one another was reinforced and will be continued every day.

–Michael Malaszczyk

Jonas E. salk Middle School students lifted each other up with messages of positivity.

northsidE ElEmEntary school’s halls are decorated for the special day each year.

lEE road ElEmEntary School students created selfie projects sharing what they love about themselves.

GardinErs avEnuE ElEmEntary School students were all smiles as they spread positivity.

Photos courtesy Levittown Schools

thE East Broadway Elementary School donned purple for P.S. I Love You Day on Feb. 10.

Candidates weigh in on hot-button issues

worked in the financial industry in various roles.

One of his sons, Nicholas, 21, is severely affected by autism. Having worked with representatives at the state and federal level to pass legislation in favor of people like Nicholas, Giangregorio brings with him a fierce passion for making Nassau County accessible and safe for everyone.

As first-time candidates selected by their respective parties to represent them in the special election, there’s no denying both Miles and Giangregorio would have big shoes to fill. Rhoads was well-liked and well-known, according to those who have worked with him — especially around the hamlets he served.

To that point, however, Miles offered a simple response.

“As popular of a legislator as Steve was, what happened?” the Democrat asked. “What was fixed? The administration and the majority had the power in place for a year to fix something — and I didn’t see anything.”

Giangregorio, however, emphasized he’d like to mimic the relationship Rhoads had with his constituents. Just last week, he walked around Wantagh with Rhoads, going door-to-door, meeting voters.

“That’s the type of representative I want to be,” Giangregorio said. “I’m sure my name won’t be known by everyone in my district, but I’m going to work hard that it is. I enjoy talking with people — and that’s a big thing that will help me fill those shoes.”

Heading into the 2021 election season, much of the majority caucus was critical of property value reassessment under Curran’s leadership. Property owners were unhappy with the burden of higher property taxes — something that, for many of them, still remains true.

Miles said his background could assisting these homeowners in understanding their tax bills, exemptions, and what happens when grievances are filed. He added the county has $250 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan, yet to be used.

“The question is, are we going to sit

in a district encompassing parts of Bellmore, Merrick, Wantagh, Seaford and Freeport.

and hold that money and hoard it?” he asked. “I think the intelligent thing to have done during a time of market instability and inflation would have

been to give that money back to the taxpayers.”

Giangregorio believes there were flaws with the county’s approach to

With the special election a few days away, absentee ballot applications can only be submitted in person at the elections board office in Mineola.

property reassessment — which is used to help determine how much taxes property owners have to pay.

“A true assessment is comparing one against the other,” Giangregorio said. “It’s not just an algorithm of numbers on a paper. That’s not a real comparison — one home against the other. I don’t profess to have the answers, but I’m not afraid to try and to look for them, and make it the right system.”

The candidates are running in what is a turbulent time for the Nassau GOP, amid all the news surrounding U.S. Rep. George Santos, under national scrutiny for misrepresenting key aspects of his background, education and work experience.

Miles said that could bode well for Democrats like him.

“I think this election and the elections in November are going to be a bellwether for that,” Miles said. “I think people are angry — when you talk to them on the streets, when you talk to them in households, they say what a mockery this guy has made of Nassau County.”

Giangregorio doesn’t believe the news surrounding Santos will negatively affect him, because he’s an open book and an honest one.

“I’m running as myself,” Giangregorio said. “I think the Republican Party on Long Island has come out strongly against him, and rightfully so. He needs to go. I’m not shy about that. He does not represent Nassau County. He does not represent what the Republican Party is in Nassau County.

“I stand on my integrity — I stand on my name.”

Courtesy Nassau County Legislature

The Nassau CouNTy legislative district formerly represented by Steve Rhoads is set for a special election on Tuesday, Feb. 28, to fill the seat. Rhoads — now a state senator — was

robert miles michael giangregorio

Rhoads expresses issues with budget proposals

By MICHAEL MALASZCZYK mmalaszczyk@liherald.com

Sen. Steve Rhoads has gotten to work aiming to fulfill his campaign promise for a more affordable New York, with an initative named just that. “A More Affordable New York” is part of the Senate Republican Conference’s “Rescue New York” agenda. In a news release on Feb. 13, the conference claimed that Gov. Hochul and the Democrats are continuing their “same old tax and spend routine,” whilst the Republicans are aiming to deliver real solutions.

The release called out specific executive budget proposals the Republicans claim would exacerbate New York state’s low affordability. Some of these proposals include eliminating enhanced Medicaid payments to local governments, increasing unemployment taxes on small businesses, increasing payroll taxes in the MTA region, and giving state money to New York City to pay for the migrant crisis.

Gov. Hochul has claimed that this state money is aimed at mitigating those crises, including resettlement of migrants and proper funding of the MTA.

“The New York City economy drives the state of New York, MTA helps drive the New York City economy,” Hochul said during her budget presentation. “So it’s critically important to all of us.”

According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, this money is crucial to fixing the migrant issue — and simply letting up is not going to help anything.

StAtE SEn. StEvE Rhoads campaigned on delivering a more affordable New York, and restoring Long Island to its former glory. He has begun to work on delivering on that promise, starting with an initiative called “A More Affordable New York.”

“We will continue to need our federal and state partners to do their part, and we look forward to working in partnership with them,” Adams said.

But Rhoads is not buying any of it, and is looking to give financial relief to New Yorkers immediately.

“With inflation raging, Governor Hochul continues to push radical policies that make New York less affordable to live, work, grow a business, and raise a family,”

A more affordable n ew York

■ Eliminating costly unfunded mandates that drive up local property taxes

■ Protecting businesses from unemployment insurance tax hikes by creating an Unemployment Insurance Solvency Reserve Fund and repealing the interest assessment surcharge, which is the assessment on businesses to pay back the UI Trust Fund’s deficit

■ Repealing Congestion Pricing

■ Providing relief from heating costs geared toward the middle class

Rhoads said in the news release. “It’s no mystery why New Yorkers are fleeing. Democrats are poised to continue the familiar pattern of reckless spending and high taxes designed to punish Long Islanders and suburban residents and businesses across this state. That’s why I was happy to work with my Senate Republican colleagues to come up with an actionable plan that makes New York more affordable for middle-class families. Our plan includes

eliminating costly unfunded mandates that drive up local property taxes, protecting small businesses and promoting organic business growth, repealing congestion pricing, and providing relief from heating cost during these upcoming cold winter months. Taxpayers deserve to have their voices heard and the Senate Republican ‘More Affordable New York’ initiative will put money back into their pockets and help make our state affordable once again.”

Michael Malaszczyk/Herald file

Giangregorio: the ‘quality-of-life’ candidate Longtime autism advocate, former Herald Person of the Year

By MICHAEL MALASZCZYK mmalaszczyk@liherald.com

When he moved from Queens, Michael Giangregorio was seeking a higher quality of life. Now, as he is running to replace Steve Rhoads on the Nassau County legislature, he seeks to pay it forward and ensure that future generations can enjoy that same quality of life in Nassau.

Born in Brooklyn, Giangregorio was adopted by parents who first lived in Flatbush, but then relocated to Queens. In fact, that’s where he grew up, attending P.S. 87-The Middle Village School, and then Christ the King High School.

It was during these years he found his initial interest in activism and politics.

“We lost a lot of teachers because they were on strike for a good period of time,” Giangregorio told reporters at a recent Herald Roundtable session. “My senior year, we had just come out of it and I was on student government. I called myself the public relations person because I wanted to get the image of the school back to where it was. I guess it was back then that the volunteerism in my life started.”

Out of high school, Giangregorio worked for a now-defunct bank called Irving Trust Co. From there, he joined the now-defunct L.F. Rothschild merchant and investment banking firm, working his way up the ladder to eventually become manager of government operations.

After his tenure there, Giangregorio moved into a similar role at Refco Securities — even working in Utah for a number of years — before moving into a trading role at the same company.

He met his wife Alison when he returned to New York — a marriage that has now lasted 25 years. He joined JPMorgan Chase & Co., in 2006, where he still works today as a vice president.

Giangregorio and Alison have two sons: Michael and Nicholas.

“My son Nicholas is profoundly affected by autism,” Giangregorio said. “He’s 21 now. And autism is a lifelong disorder. Individuals are adults much longer than they are children. So I’ve done a tremendous amount of advocacy work because when my son was diagnosed, we realized what was lacking.”

Giangregorio became a fierce autism advocate, seeking to provide a support system for families affected by autism that goes beyond the public school support system. For a number of years, he has overseen seasonal walks at Jones Beach to raise money for autism awareness through the nonprofit Autism Speaks.

Giangregorio lobbied at the local and state level, helping pass a state bill in 2011 requiring New York-based insurance companies to fund autism treatments.

For his efforts on autism advocacy, Giangregorio was named the Merrick Herald’s 2013 Person of the Year. But now Giangregorio wants to be everyone’s advocate as he seeks a seat in the county legislature.

“I am certainly not a one-issue candidate because I have very strong feelings on everything that affects Nassau County,” Giangregorio said. “We want to make sure that Nassau County is accessible to all.”

During all that, however, he continued his advocacy work as board chair of the Eden II program at the Genesis Outreach Autism Center in East Meadow.

“During the pandemic — with budget cuts and never receiving a fair allocation that we’re entitled to from the state — we learned to do more with less,” Giangregorio said. “I’m not afraid of being creative if I have the good fortune of being elected.”

Giangregorio describes himself as tough on crime, working with Hempstead town councilman Christopher Carini on removing graffiti from public areas. To Giangregorio, stopping crime is yet another quality of life issue that needs addressing.

“We’re very fortunate here in Nassau that you don’t see some of the tragedies you hear about across the country,” he said. “And I credit that to the proper training that our Nassau County police officers receive, as well as the support they receive.”

But the tax assessment system certainly needs fixing, Giangregorio said. And with the current freeze on new assessments continuing another year, now could be the time to get it done.

“We’ve been in an interest rate environment that has been so low for a number of years, and now we’re on the rise,” he said. “So mortgage rates have gone from the lowest of 2 percent to upward of 6 percent. If we’re going to freeze, now’s probably the time to take a step back, and think about assessment. A true assessment is comparing one against the other. How do we do that properly? I don’t know if I have the answer, but I’m willing to explore.”

Living in Queens was nice, Giangregorio said, but he and his wife sought a more quiet, suburban lifestyle — something they found moving to Merrick in 1997. He recalled renting a cabana at Nickerson Beach in their first few years living on Long Island, deciding this lifestyle was for him.

Giangregorio is now dedicated to preserving that lifestyle, even as Nassau grows increasingly urban. To do this, he must speak against what he described as Gov. Kathy Hochul’s elimination of zoning in townships as a way to put up more multifamily homes.

“I’m not opposed to housing, of course,” Giangregorio said. “But eliminating rules that are in place for a reason — like to maintain a certain quality of life — is not the right way to do it. Thousands of families moving into close proximities to train stations, can our infrastructure support that? No.”

Giangregorio is pro-environment as

MICHAEL GIANGREGORIO

IS an outspoken advocate for the autism community, working extensively at the local and state level. He now seeks to be an advocate for the entire community once represented by Steve Rhoads in the Nassau County Legislature seeking votes on the Republican ticket in a Feb. 28 special election.

Michael Giangregorio

■ 57 years old

■ Born in Brooklyn, adopted to a Flatbush couple

■ Grew up in Queens

■ Moved to Merrick in 1997

■ Has worked at JPMorgan Chase & Co., since 2006

well, and aims to live by the Boy Scout mantra of “leave no trace,” which he described as leaving a place better than when you found it.

It’s all how Giangregorio describes himself as a candidate, and hopefully come Feb. 28, a county legislator.

“I want to be the voice of people in government,” Giangregorio said. “I want to make sure that our community has a voice. I want to be the community that the candidate that is accessible. You know, when I go to door-to-door and meet people, I want to be able to say, ‘Is there something I can help with?’”

I’m not afraid of being creative if I have the good fortune of being elected.

MICHAEL GIANGREGORIO

Nassau County Legislature special election candidate

Tim Baker/Herald

Miles wants non-partisan solutions for Nassau Attorney already has experience working with legislature

By MICHAEL MALASZCZYK mmalaszczyk@liherald.com

The special election for the Nassau County Legislature seat once held by Steve Rhoads comes Tuesday, Feb. 28, and if Democrats in the district have their way, it will be filled by Robert Miles.

The 30-year-old is originally from Elmont, but moved to Merrick when he was in elementary school. He graduated from Kennedy High School before attending Binghamton University, graduating with his bachelor’s degree in 2014. He then returned home to attend law school at Hofstra University, graduating in 2017.

“Out of law school, I got hired by the Mangano administration to work for the county attorney’s office,” Miles said. “I was doing appeals and opinions, writing laws — and I was helping with assessment part-time. I’d like to think I have a background that’s very heavy on policy.”

Miles says his experience working with both Republicans and Democrats makes him a good fit for this elected position. He believes it gives him an advantage when it comes time to find solutions that are not necessarily Democratic or Republican — rather, just good government working on behalf of the people.

Property tax assessment is the type of bread-and-butter issue Miles has experience with in a bureaucratic capacity. Annual freezes became an issue under former County Executive Ed Mangano’s tenure. His successor, Laura Curran, briefly ended that until Covid-19 hit. Since then, Curran and her successor, Bruce Blakeman, have left such assessments frozen.

“The freeze during the pandemic made sense to me,” Miles said. “I think Laura was bold in trying to fix the system. But what we could have done better is communicate with the taxpayers and residents. I think what we should do is a cyclical reassessment every three years to keep the system up to date, so that we can avoid taxpayers feeling the need to grieve on a yearly basis.

“Assessment is supposed to be about equity, but there are different exemptions for that, and that’s a sticking point. It’s a complicated system, and it needs to be cleaned up.”

One of Miles’s biggest interests as he winds up this special election campaign focuses on both environmental and energy law. To further a pro-energy agenda, Miles would like to see a carbon neutrality bill, which he says Legislators Joshua Lafazan and Arnold Drucker are currently

working on that would see Nassau take a big step toward reversing global warming by 2035.

“My district has been hit with flooding in extreme weather events, especially in the canals,” Miles said. “Homeowners in Nassau invest a ton of money in where they live — including property and schools taxes — and to consistently have this flooding issue is not fair to them.

“The state is trying to be aggressive in favor of the environment, and I’m fully supportive of that. We just have to be costeffective when we do it.”

If elected, Miles would be younger than typical politicians at just 30. But his relative youth has something to do with why he chose to run, as Miles himself knows what it’s like trying to make it as a young person on Long Island.

“I see a lot of my friends trying to own homes in Nassau, and it’s a struggle,” he said. “Affordability is a struggle. In my capacity as an attorney, I’ve had to deal with a ton of residents who are shocked by the level of taxes after they moved here. So, I think a candidate who has witnessed these problems firsthand — and also has his own struggle with it — is important for the people.”

An issue that Blakeman and the Minority Caucus Miles wants to join recently sparred was gun control — although this is an issue that is more up to the state than the county. Blakeman said last fall he would enforce “safe zone legislation,” but hoped to see it deemed unconstitutional, while Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams praised the concept of gun-free areas.

“I think that New York state had set a

very strong precedent in making sure that gun violence wouldn’t take hold of the state,” Miles said. “With the rise of extremism, antisemitism and racism, I think it’s important to have smart regulation. I support the Constitution and the Second Amendment, but there has to be smart regulation such as locking up the guns at night, and locking up the guns when children are around.”

Miles also praised ERPOs — extreme risk protection orders — also known as red flag laws, that would limit, if not outright prohibit, someone from buying a weapon if they are believed to be a threat to others or themselves.

But there are other county level laws Miles wants to focus on: namely red light cameras, which he sees as illegal. In fact, he wants to get rid of them entirely.

“Whether it’s through a separate legislative process or through the budget, those fees — including the tax map verification fee — are legally unsound,” Miles said. “I have a hard time seeing how these survive legal challenges.”

Miles doesn’t want to wait for legal challenges, however, because the tickets drivers are receiving are expensive and pile up fast.

And, according to Miles, it’s not as if the county doesn’t already have money. The county already has $250 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan, as well as a county surplus.

This makes some of these fines unnecessary. Miles would also like to see more action taken to protect children from the fentanyl crisis, which includes putting testing

ROBERT MILES

IS the Democratic candidate running to replace newly elected state Sen. Steve Rhoads in the Nassau County Legislature. Miles boasts years of experience working for the legislature as an attorney, and hopes to bring that bureaucratic experience to elected office.

Robert Miles

■ 30 years old

■ Born in Elmont, grew up in Merrick

■ Earned bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University in 2014

■ Earned law degree from Hofstra University in 2017

■ Has worked in various legal counsel roles for Nassau County since 2017

strips in Narcan kits, which otherwise are used to help someone known to have suffered an opioid overdose. This idea has faced some scrutiny in the legislature, and Miles would be a vote in favor of this if elected.

“If the counterpoint was, ‘You’re putting out fentanyl testing strips to promote drug use,’ the response would be they’re already here,” Miles said. “We didn’t stop anything. We didn’t plug the flood. We have to work with what we have now.

“It’s not promoting anything. It’s a mitigation measure.”

I’d like to think I have a background that’s very heavy on policy.

ROBERT MILES

Nassau County Legislature special election candidate

Tim Baker/Herald

Connecting trails from Manhattan to Montauk

By MALLORY WILSON mwilson@liherald.com

Stretching some 175 miles, the Long Island Greenway is intended to serve walkers and cyclists alike on a trail beginning in Manhattan and terminating on the east end of Montauk.

The brainchild of the nonprofit Trust for Public Land, the trail would connect parks, trail and other public land within communities, allowing people to bike, jog or walk for leisure. And, in many cases, could even become a green means to commute to work.

Construction is set to begin next year, focusing on a 25-mile stretch between Eisenhower Park in East Meadow and Brentwood State Park.

“The abundance of beautiful parklands, trails and natural open spaces are one of the aspects that make our island such a desirable place to live,” John Cameron, Long Island Regional Planning Council chair, said in a release. “The Long Island Greenway will connect our communities and enable Long Islanders to better enjoy an active lifestyle.”

Carter Strickland, the Trust for Public Land state director, presented details about the project’s progress to the planning council last week. That includes a trail linking 26 parks, 46 train stations and 60 bus routes through a combination of off-road and on-road connections among more than two-dozen communities. It’s estimated to draw roughly 34 million visitors annually.

“Some of the benefits of ending in these existing parks — or beginning — is that they have bathrooms, they have parking areas, we can minimize that need to build anything new,” Strickland said. “Along the themes of making the most of our existing assets, that’s the whole vision.”

Throughout this 25-mile stretch, there are more than 130,000 residents who would find access. More than a

construction — connecting Eisenhower Park to Brentwood State Park — is set to start next year.

dozen parks can be accessed by the trail, and another 36 schools and universities are within a mile.

One of the benefits of the trail overall, Strickland says, include a safer area for pedestrians and bikers to traverse.

“Long Island, unfortunately, kind of leads the state in terms of pedestrians killed or injured,” he said. “The statewide average is a third or a quarter of the amounts in Nassau and Suffolk, and it’s a public health crisis. We’ve got to address it.”

Increased physical activity is another reason to sup-

When Does a Trust Make Sense

By now most people know that trusts avoid probate which is required with a will -if there are “probatable” assets, in other words those in your name alone. While many assets can be set up to avoid probate by putting joint owners on or by naming beneficiaries, titles to real estate in New York may not have beneficiaries and there are tax and liability reasons for not naming joint owners on real estate. As a result, real property generally goes through probate.

Other reasons to use trusts, besides avoiding probate for the home, are as follows:

1. Out-of-State Property. New York residents who own property in another state face two probates, one in New York and another in the other state. However, you may transfer both properties into your New York trust and avoid the “multiple probate problem”.

2. Trusts Are Private. Unlike wills, trusts are not filed in court, so there is no public record of how much you had, who you left

it to, where they live, and who you left out.

3. Special Needs Children. If you leave assets to a special needs child in a will, the court will appoint a lawyer to represent the special needs child which will require your estate to pay two lawyers and significantly delay the proceedings.

4. Keeping Your Assets in the Bloodline. Wills generally leave assets to your children and have no provisions for what happens after they get the inheritance. As a result, when your child dies, assets often go to inlaws and their families. Trusts can provide that your assets will stay in your bloodline for generations to come.

5. Protecting Assets from Long-Term Care Costs. Wills take effect on death and offer no long-term care asset protection. Often, the cost of care ends up leaving nothing for the heirs at death. Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts not only avoid probate, but also protect assets from being lost to longterm care costs.

port this trail.

“We know that in our day and age, obesity, chronic diseases are problematic,” Strickland said. “It’s what kind of plagues us. To prevent that, one of the best ways is to create recreational infrastructure, increase walking, or biking physical activities. It doesn’t always have to be superrigorous.

“If we weave it into our lives, it’ll make us healthier, and overall reduce health care costs.”

The route aims to include the Nassau Hub, Belmont Park, and others throughout the island. The greenway would be the Long Island leg of New York state’s 750-mile Empire Trail that connects New York City to areas like Buffalo, Albany and Plattsburgh.

The plan is funded through a combination of private and taxpayer support. Now, the trust is applying for a federal grant to pay for the second phase of the trail between Riverhead and Montauk — approximately 50 miles.

They hope to get a grant under President Biden’s infrastructure law and its Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program. With the support of the planning council, Strickland sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation showing its support for grant money to help with the design stage of the next leg.

“The benefits of hike and bike trail networks are welldocumented,” the letter, signed by Cameron, stated. “Trails create more livable communities through the revitalization of downtown areas and creation of transportation alternatives, improve public health by increasing access to recreational opportunities, and represent a meaningful equity investment in providing safe infrastructure to diminish reliance on private vehicle ownership.”

The trust hopes to be construction-ready for the second phase by 2025.

Courtesy Metro Commons

THE LONG ISLAND Greenway, a 175-mile bicycle and pedestrian trail, aims to get people more active within nature and their communities. The first phase of

County champions spark MacArthur

By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com

MacArthur’s wrestling team was well represented at the top of the podium during the individual Nassau County Division 1 championships at Hofstra on Super Bowl Sunday.

The Generals produced two county champions in seniors Benjamin Velasquez at 215 pounds and Paul Lichter (152) while freshman Vincent Orandello placed second after a narrow defeat in the 102 finals. All three qualified for the New York State Championships in Albany this weekend along with Charles Bergonzi, who placed third at 102.

MacArthur finished third in the team standings during the championship tournament held at Hofstra’s Mack Sports Complex for the first time since 2018 with 183.5 points, just 25 points behind runner-up Long Beach.

“We had almost three champions, four guys going to the state’s and six who are All-County so we did well,” fourteenth-year MacArthur coach Rob Paletta said of his team’s performance on the big stage.

Velasquez conquered the 215-pound division for his first county crown by pinning Bellmore-JFK’s Joshua Amiel 3:37 into the finals. He reached the championship bout with a 6-4 semifinal win against Ralph Caputo of Lynbrook.

Lichter also won a county title in his final try with a dominating 11-2 win against East Meadow’s Matthew Rodriguez. He finished second last year at 145 and did not get to compete for a championship during an abridged 2021 season when there were no postseason tournaments held due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“He has been dominant all year,” said Paletta of Lichter. “He took second last year and has been on a bit of a mission since then and hopefully it continues next weekend at states.”

Orandello nearly capped off his breakthrough freshman campaign with a county title of his own, falling to Ethan Andreula of Long Beach 1-0 in the 102-pound finals. The score was scoreless after one period before Andreula scored on an escape before holding on for the victory.

Bergonzi punched his ticket to the

state championships with a 6-3 victory against Chace Morris of Oceanside in the 102 consolation finals. He took control of the match early by placing Morris on his back.

Also earning All-County honors for MacArthur were Jonathan Fox with a fourth place finish at 126 and Matthew Lichter, who finished fifth at 118.

The New York State Championships are scheduled for this weekend at MVP Arena in Albany. Paletta sees a strong chance that the four Generals competing can be in the mix to once again finish at the top of the podium.

Paletta is especially excited for Lichter and Velasquez, who will get one last chance to compete against the state’s best wrestlers after overcoming adversity during their high school careers, which included a truncated sophomore season near the height of the pandemic.

“They are the heartbeat of our team as captains and this is a testament to their hard work,” he said. “They put the work in during the offseason and this is how we expect our older veterans, elite guys to go out, at the state tournament wrestling their best.”

Paul Grassini/Herald B EN jA mi N V E l A squ E z CA ptu RED the Nassau Division 1 wrestling title at 215 pounds, joining teammate Paul Lichter (152) at the top of the podium.

STEPPING OUT

By Karen Bloom

Pigeon is here. Elephant and Piggie, Knuffle Bunny, too. Families will have “Mo” fun at Long Children’s Museum, with “The Pigeon Comes to Long Island! A Mo Willems Exhibit,” which encourages all to step inside Willems’ imagination.

This being the children’s museum, of course, the traveling exhibit — co-organized by Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art — is fully hands-on — inspired by the art and characters of the beloved children’s author.

“We know our audience, families, finds these books really appealing,” says Ashley Niver, the museum’s director of education. “Kids really relate to these characters, their feelings and how they work through their conflicts. The characters are playful and curious and the kids identify and respond to them.”

• Now through May 14, Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• $17 museum admission, $16 seniors 65 and older; additional fees for theater programming

• View the LICM events calendar at LICM.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800

The Hot Sardines

The band brings their distinctive sound to the Landmark stage. Emerging a decade ago from the underground parties of Brooklyn to touring worldwide and recording a string of albums that’s racked up more than 60 million streams across digital platforms, the Hot Sardines’ own “potent and assured” (The New York Times), “simply phenomenal” (The Times of London) brand of reinvigorated classic jazz landed them at the center of a whirlwind. Their unique recipe blends hot jazz and sultry standards from the ’20s, ’30s, and ’40s, rich New Orleans sounds, a dash of ’40s Paris flavor, and vibrant musical surprises. It’s all steeped in salty stride piano and the music Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt and Fats Waller used to make. The result is straight-up footstomping jazz. Their name says it all: their iconic ‘hot’ styling will paint a vibrant picture with smoky sounds and audiences revel in the steamy, swanky influence of their art form.

Saturday, March 6, 8 p.m. $60, $50, $46. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

• Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City.

The familiar characters immediately get an enthusiastic response — including best friend duo Elephant and Piggie, faithful companion Knuffle Bunny, and The Pigeon, that wily city bird best known for his antics in “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” Activities showcase Willems’ whimsy and humor, giving families opportunities to make art-inspired by Willems and learn about the rich social and emotional lives of the author’s characters. Illustrations, including sketches and other preliminary materials, are also on display.

At the heart of it all, the exhibit is designed to instill a love of reading.

“Mo Willems’ books are frequently the starting point for a child to understand the power of choice they hold in what to read and reread,” vice president for program and visitor experience Aimee Terzulli explains. “Willems creates characters that get children invested in wanting to spend more time with them as they choose to read more of his popular stories.”

The many components are approachable, even for the youngest kids. Highlights include:

• A bus station where kids can put on a bus driver costume and “drive around” the exhibit space.

• Kids can have hilarious conversations in the voices of Elephant, Gerald and Piggie at the “Elephone” double-sided phone booth.

• Use the hot dog launcher to launch foam hot dogs at The Pigeon and play the plinko game to give Duckling a cookie. “So silly and fun,” Niver adds. “Kids get a kick out of the hot dogs flying through the air.”

• Explore the laundromat and uncover Knuffle Bunny and other surprises among the clothes.

• Dress up Naked Mole Rat and send him down the runway for a one-of-a-kind fashion show.

• Work with the “lightbox” to try out illustration techniques that Willems uses for his books.

As always, related programming enhances the exhibit experience. The museum theater is especially active at the moment, with performances of Willem’s newest show “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!” (through March 25), followed by the return of the always-popular “Elephant & Piggie’s “We are in a Play!” (April 23 to June 3).

‘The Rocketman Show’

Remember when rock was young? You sure will at this tribute show. Rus Anderson, Elton John’s official body double for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour launch, recreates an early Elton concert complete with colorful and flamboyant costumes actually worn by Elton himself. Enjoy a nostalgic night of Elton’s greatest hits, wildest outfits and outrageous stage antics. Anderson recreates the magic and live persona of a young Elton like no other. Storming around the stage with a fun-loving sense of flamboyance; part diva, part soccer player, killer vocalist, fierce piano player, all rock ‘n roller. His painstaking attention to detail includes wearing outlandish and spectacular costumes, including Elton’s iconic boots, glasses and jumpsuits from 1973, as well as a sparkly Swarovski tuxedo from 1984.

Friday, March 17, 8 p.m. $60, $45, Saturday, March 18, 8 p.m. $65, $45, $35, $30. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

WHeRe WHen

Photos courtesy Long Island Children’s Museum Everyone enjoys Mo fun Each element in the gallery relates to specific books in the Mo Willems collection.

THE SCENE

Levittown Board of Education meeting

The Levittown School District, which counts students from North Wantagh-Seaford, holds its Board of Education meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 28, to update the community on what’s going on in the schools. It will be at the Levittown Memorial Education Center, 150 Abbey Lane. For more information call (516) 434-7002.

Weekly Mah Jongg

The JULIETS are back playing Mah Jongg and cards at Congregation Beth Tikvah, at 3710 Woodbine Ave., in Wantagh, every Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Masks are optional, but proof of Covid-19 vaccination is required for newcomers, as well as a contribution of $5 per person. For more information email mahjonggCBT@yahoo.com or call (516) 785-2445.

Brandon ‘Taz’ Niederauer

March

The young guitar sensation visits the Landmark stage, Saturday, March 6, 8 p.m. Nineteenyear-old Brandon Niederauer, nicknamed “Taz” for his ferocious guitar playing, is living proof that dreams really do come true. Having performed in some of the most legendary venues with many of the most prominent musicians ofof our time, he has already earned himself quite the reputation. It all started at eight years old, when he watched the movie “School of Rock.” From then on, his guitar rarely left his hands. Just four years later, Brandon was cast in the principal role of guitarist “Zack Mooneyham” in the Tony Award-nominated Broadway production of “School of Rock the Musical.” And he never looked back. $30, $25. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Mike Dunphy, owner of the Wantagh Inn, will lead the third annual Wantagh Chamber of Commerce St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade on Long Island, on March 19. For more information visit tinyurl.com/ wanstpaddy.

Winter seal walk

Have you thought of going to the beach during the winter? Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center hosts frequent seal walks throughout winter. Dress warmly and learn about the seal population, which are abundant on Jones Beach in the winter. For more information visit tinyurl. com/jbencprograms.

Voyage

The Journey tribute band visits

The Paramount, Saturday, Feb. 25, 8 p.m. The popular band takes everyone back to the ‘80’s when Journey’s timeless music ruled the airwaves. Hailed by fans and critics alike as the world’s top Journey tribute band, they perform with chilling accuracy. Fronted by Hugo — a dead ringer for Steve Perry, both visually and vocally — he continues to delight fans with his miraculous resemblance, exact mannerisms and identical voice to Perry. $40, $35, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

An evening with Shira

Psychic and medium Shira returns to Seaford, Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Seaford American Legion., 2301 Penatiquit Ave. With catered buffet dinner. For more information visit tinyurl. com/seafordpsychic.

$5 Skate Night

United Skates of America in

On

stage

Mo Willems’ popular The Pigeon comes alive on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24-25, 2 p.m.; Thursday, March 2, 10:15 a.m. and noon. Pigeon is eager to try anything, with the audience in on the action.LICM, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.

Grand Marshal dinner

Honor Wantagh Inn owner Mike Dunphy and get excited for the Wantagh St. Patrick’s Day parade, Tusday, March 7, at a special dinner at Crest Hollow Country Club, 8325 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury. For more information call (516) 679-0100 or email info@ wantaghchamber.com.

Absolute Adele

Vocalist Jennifer Cella, who performs with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, returns to her alma mater, Nassau Community College, with a tribute to Adele, Saturday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Mainstage Theatre, Garden City. Tickets are available through the NCC online box office at Nassau. BookTix.com/seating.php. For information, visit NCC.edu or call (516) 572-7676.

Defensive driving class

Want to save some money on car insurance? The Wantagh Library hosts a defensive driving course, Saturday, Feb. 25 all day, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 3285 Park Ave. For more information visit tinyurl.com/wandefdrive.

Donation opportunity

Support the communirty. St Frances de Chantal in Wantagh is always seeking donations for its pantry as well as its thrift shop. For more information, call (516) 785-2333.

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

Musical revue

Plaza Theatrical continues its season with “Bette, Babs & Beyond!,” a showstopping tribute to the legendary ladies of music, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2:30 p.m. Celebrate the stories and songs of pop music’s most iconic women including Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Cher, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Janis Joplin, and more. It’s performed at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

Family theater

The beloved fairy tale springs to life in a delightful musical romp, presented Plaza Theatrical Productions, Friday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m.; Sunday, Feb. 26, noon. All the ingredients that have made this story a perennial favorite are here, including Cinderella, a zany Godmother, a trip to the royal ball, and a glass slipper. Tickets are $16. Visit the Plaza stage at The Showplace at Bellmore Movies, 222 Pettit Ave., Bellmore. For information/tickets, go to PlazaTheatrical.com or call (516) 599-6870.

StudentS in 4th and 5th grades at Lee Road

Elementary School presented a science experiment to Levittown Board of Education members during the Feb. 8 regular meeting.

Lee Road students dazzle at board meeting

Lee Road Elementary School students donned their white lab coats and rubber gloves while attending the Feb. 8 Levittown Board of Education meeting to present a STEAM-based project.

Students in 4th and 5th grades in Eileen Vogel, Tina Vrachnas, Pamela Smith and Tina Napoli’s classes showed attendees a glimpse into their Creativity in Science and 21st Century Skills unit. They discussed how learning through STEAM is both fun and beneficial in giving them skills for the future. Students have engaged in several STEAM

STATE OF NEW YORK PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

CASE 22-T-0346 - Application of Empire Offshore Wind LLC for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the Construction of Approximately 12 Miles of Transmission Lines from the Boundary of New York State Territorial Waters to a Point of Interconnection in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County.

NOTICE INVITING PUBLIC COMMENT AND ANNOUNCING PUBLIC STATEMENT HEARINGS

(Issued February 10, 2023)

Public comment is sought regarding a request by Empire Offshore Wind LLC (EOW) to construct, operate and maintain the New York portion of the transmission facilities required to interconnect EOW’s proposed Empire Wind 2 Offshore Wind Generating Facility, to be located within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management designated Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS-A 0512, to a Point of Interconnection with the New York State Transmission System, located at an expansion of the Barrett 138-kilovolt (kV) Substation located in Oceanside in the Town of Hempstead, New York (the NY Project). The NY Project includes several components: three three-core 230-kV high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) submarine export cables located within an approximately 7.7-nautical mile (nm) submarine export cable corridor from the boundary of New York State waters three nms offshore to the cable landfall; a cable landfall in the City of Long Beach; three 230-kV onshore export cable circuits, each with three single-core HVAC onshore export cables within an approximately 1.5-mile-long onshore export cable corridor from the cable landfall to the onshore substation; an onshore substation in the Village of Island Park, within the Town of Hempstead, which will step up the voltage to 345-kV for the onshore interconnection cables; and, up to three 345-kV interconnection cable circuits, each with three single-core HVAC interconnection cables within an approximately 1.7-mile-long interconnection cable corridor from the onshore substation to the point of interconnection.

Under New York State Law, the Commission may adopt or reject EOW’s proposal, in whole or part, or modify it. In doing so, the Commission will consider input from the participating parties and the general public. Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) are presiding over the gathering of public comments and all evidence related to the NY Project. As indicated in this Notice, public statement hearings will be held to obtain comments from the public concerning EOW’s proposal.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that virtual public statement hearings will be held before ALJs Ashley Moreno and Lindsey Overton as follows:

Date: Thursday, March 9, 2023

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Event Number: 2339 722 2371

Password: Mar9-1pm

Phone-Only Access: (518)549-0500

Access Code: 2339 722 2371

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Event Number: 2330 951 2704

Password: Mar9-5pm

Phone-Only Access: (518)549-0500 Access Code: 2330 951 2704

Those wishing to comment on any aspect of this proceeding will have the opportunity to make a statement on the record at the virtual public statement hearings. Any person wishing to provide a public statement on the record at the hearings must pre-register to do so by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

To pre-register and provide a statement electronically:

Participants who would like to provide a statement and will log in to a hearing electronically must pre-register by the date and time indicated above by visiting www.webex.com , where they should click “Join” at the top right-hand corner of the screen, enter the event number listed above, and provide all requested information.

When logging in on the date and time of the hearing, participants will be asked to “select audio system.” It is recommended that participants opt to have the system “call me” or “call using computer.” The “call me” option will require participants to enter their phone numbers.

To pre-register and provide a statement by phone:

Any participant who is not able to log in to a hearing electronically may participate by phone. Call-in participants wishing to make a statement must pre-register by the date and time indicated above by calling 1-800-342-3330, where they should follow prompts to the appropriate hearing and provide the following information: first and last names, address, and phone number.

On the day and time of the hearing, all call-in participants should dial 518-549-0500 and enter the access code listed above to join the hearing.

The public statement hearings will be held open until everyone who has registered to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements to submit comments into the record have been made. Reasonable time limits may be set for each speaker as necessary to afford all registered speakers an opportunity to be heard. It is recommended that lengthy comments be submitted in writing and summarized for oral presentation. A verbatim transcript of the public statement hearings will be made for inclusion in the record of this case.

Persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations should call the Department of Public Service’s Human Resources Management Office at 518-474-2520 as soon as possible. TDD users may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York Relay Service at 711. Individuals with difficulty understanding or reading English are encouraged to call the Department at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this notice.

Other Ways to Comment:

For those who cannot attend or prefer not to speak at the public statement hearings, there are several other ways to provide your comments to the Commission. Comments should refer to “Case 22-T-0346.” Although comments will be accepted throughout the pendency of this proceeding, they are requested by March 24, 2023.

Internet or Mail: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “File Search” (located under the heading “Commission Files”), enter “22-T-0346” in the “Search by Case Number” field, and then click on the “Post Comments” box located at the top of the page. Alternatively, comments may be mailed to the Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350. All written comments will become part of the record considered by the Commission and may be accessed on the Department of Public Service website by searching the case number, as described above, and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab.

Toll-Free Opinion Line: You may call the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is set up to take comments about pending cases from in-State callers 24-hours a day. These comments are not transcribed verbatim, but a summary is provided to the Commission.

(SIGNED) MICHELLE L. PHILLIPS, Secretary

activities this year, including building a marble rollercoaster, assembling a “doodle bot,” building a straw rocket and constructing a tower out of marshmallows. They also learned many sciencerelated vocabulary terms and skills, such as determination, analytical thinking, problem-solving, perseverance and teamwork.

At the end of their presentation, the science equipment came out for 5th graders Casey Walsh and Antonio Zambrano’s liquid works experiment. The gooey material created was handled with assistance by Board President Jennifer Messina.

–Michael Malaszczyk

Seaford launches 2023 scholarship drive

The Seaford Scholarship Fund is kicking off its 16th annual fundraising drive. All residents and businesses in the Seaford School District are asked to consider contributing to this scholarship drive.

All funds collected will be used to award scholarships to deserving seniors from the Seaford High School graduating Class of 2023. Anyone interested in contributing can make checks payable to Seaford Union Free School District. Contributions can be sent to Seaford High School, 1575 Seamans Neck Road, Seaford, N.Y. 11783, ATTN: Ms. Nicole Schnabel, Principal.

Seaford High School administration thanks all community members for their support. For more information, call Toni Coacci at (516) 592-4385.

–Michael Malaszczyk

Volunteer workers to receive tax exemption

Nassau County moved a step closer to providing property tax exemptions for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers Feb. 6.

If Nassau approves the bill and it is signed into law, volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers would be eligible for up to a 10-percent exemption on the assessed value of their property after completing two years of service.

The previous eligibility threshold was five years of service.

The text of the bill states that the county seeks to reward volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers who “risk their lives to protect the homes, business, and lives of our residents on a daily basis.”

The full Legislature is slated to vote on the bill Feb. 27.

–Mark Nolan

Courtesy Levittown Public Schools

Vets can get free emergency mental health care

By MALLORY WILSON mwilson@liherald.com

Suicides among military veterans have been in decline over the past couple years, but today, a former soldier still takes his or her life every 85 minutes on average.

But now, veterans deemed to be in “acute suicidal crisis” can receive free emergency mental health services, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. That’s help that includes up to 30 days of in-patient care, and three months outpatient.

Veterans can find that help at any VA or non-VA health care facility at no cost. They don’t even need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit.

Part of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care and Treatment — or COMPACT — Act of 2020, the new rule allows veterans discharged after more than two years of service under conditions other than dishonorable are eligible for the care, which will either be paid for or reimbursed by the VA. The expanded care is meant to, “help prevent veteran suicide by guaranteeing no cost, world-class care to veterans in times of crisis,” according to a news release.

“Free or not free, the priority is getting them health care,” Pete Wenninger, immediate past commander of the East Meadow American Legion Post 1082, said. “The being burdened with a cost is not going to be helpful to them, but it is critical that when a veteran needs mental health, that they get it.”

The policy will provide, pay for, or reimburse for treatment of those who qualify for emergency suicide care, transportation costs, and follow-up care at a facility. It will also help veterans by making appropriate referrals while determining eligibility for other VA services and benefits.

“I think it was a great move,” said Ralph Esposito, director of the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency.

“These kids coming home today from Iraq, Iran and everything, they got problems. And they’re hurting.”

The policy will also apply to former members of the armed forces, including reserve members, who served “more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation.” It’s also open to those discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, who were the victim of sexual assault, sexual battery, or sexual harassment while serving.

“The need is more and more, that’s why the government — I believe — started this program,” Esposito said. “They see it. It’s happening all over. And we’re doing all we can to get them out.”

At the Nassau VSA in East Meadow, vets needing mental help are sent to speak with counselors that are right there for them, Esposito said. There’s also a food pantry if they’re hungry, and where they can pick up other supplies as well.

“It’s heartbreaking because they’re young,” he said.

BREAKING DOWN BOUNDARIES WITH CANCER BREAKTHROUGHS

A NEW FEDERAL policy will allow veterans in ‘acute suicidal crisis’ to receive free mental health care, including in-patient care for up to 30 days, and outpatient care for up to three months.

Neil Miller/Herald file

“It’s a big thing, but I’m really happy that they did this and that we have this program going.”

According to the National Veteran Suicide Prevention annual report, there were 6,146 veteran suicides in 2020 — down 5 percent from the year before, and “lower than each prior year since 2006.”

“Veterans have a hard time dealing with the military experience,” said Frank Salamino, quartermaster for the East Meadow Veterans of Foreign War Post 2736. “They have a very hard time. I know myself firsthand.

The new program is a step in the right direction for veteran care, Salamino added, but more needs to be done. Starting with talking to veterans before they leave the service about what they’re thinking and what they need.

And when they do get home and look for medical care from the government, appointments are hard to come by — oftentimes spread out with months in between.

“It took me a long time to get some help,” Salamino said.

Our doctors are raising health by pioneering innovative approaches to cancer from novel chemotherapy techniques to first-in- the-nation robotic mastectomies with minimal scarring. Because when it comes to cancer, there’s no status quo. There’s only “how far can we go?”

LIJ Medical Center is in the top 10% of hospitals nationally for oncology, according to U.S.News&WorldReport.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU, HCNP 1 LLC, Plaintiff, vs. THOMAS LOUIS MAURO

A/K/A THOMAS L.

MAURO AND DENISE A. MAURO, ET AL., Defendant (s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale

duly entered on December 20, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, North Side steps, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York on March 22, 2023 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 406 RED MAPLE DRIVE A/K/A RED MAPLE DRIVE WEST, WANTAGH, NEW YORK 11793. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Levittown, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 51, Block: 389, Lot: 38. Approximate amount of judgment is $687,046.96 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 614501/2018. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee’s attorney, or the Referee.

GEORGIA PAPAZIS, Esq., Referee Roach & Lin, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 137317

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

LOCAL LAW NO. 5-2023

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 January 24, 2023 , by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 5-2023, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 5-2023, amending Chapter 202 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “REGULATIONS & RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking at various locations.

Dated: January 10, 2023

Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 137510

142/23. LEVITTOWNJohn H. & Cynthia Schmidt, Immediate Family Res. (2nd Kitchen)., E/s Whittier Ave., 84’ S/o Holmes St., a/k/a 411 Whittier Ave.

143/23. LEVITTOWNPrem Veeravalli, Variance, side yards aggregate, construct 2nd floor addition attached to dwelling., E/s Harvest La., 397’ N/o Hill La., a/k/a 29 Harvest La.

144/23. - 147/23.

WANTAGH - Kevin & Maureen Doyle, Variance, lot area occupied, construct roof over open porch attached to dwelling; Variance, lot area occupied, maintain trellis attached to dwelling; Maintain pool equipment not permitted in the side yard & with less than required side yard setback; Variance, side yard, maintain a/c unit attached to dwelling., E/s Mandalay Beach Rd., 310’ N/o Bayview Ct., a/k/a 2991 Mandalay Beach Rd. THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 PM

towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.gov/ 509/Board-of-Appeals

The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.gov/ 576/Live-Streaming-Video

Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it.

137497

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

Middle School Drama Club to perform Disney musical

LGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public

Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 3/1/23 at 9:30 A.M. & 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals: THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED

STARTING AT 9:30 A.M.

138/23. WANTAGHVincent Musillo, Variance, construct roof over porch with more than required front yard encroachment., W/s Daffodil La., 406’ N/o Duckpond Dr., a/k/a 40 Daffodil La.

156/23. LEVITTOWNTashi Gyatso, Variance, front yard setback on Saddle La., construct addition & roof over open porch attached to dwelling., S/W cor. Saddle La. & Ring La., a/k/a 100 Saddle La.

157/23. - 159/23.

WANTAGH - Eddie Migliaccio d/b/a Shooters, Variance, front yard average setback, maintain roof-over attached to existing building; Variance, rear yard, relocate dumpster; Variance, rear yard, maintain oil tank., E/s Wantagh Ave., 125’ N/o Jackson Ave., a/k/a 2109 Wantagh Ave.

ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in Levittown & Wantagh within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets,

SUPREME COURT: NASSAU COUNTY. UMB BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR LVS TITLE TRUST VI, Pltf. vs. NEW VENTURES II, LLC, Defts, Index #613184/18. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale dated December 19, 2022, I will sell at public auction on the north side front steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 28, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., prem. k/a 56 Beverly Road, Wantagh, NY a/k/a Section 63, Block 195, Lot 540. Approx. amt. of judgment is $845,512.69 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Foreclosure auction will be held “rain or shine.” If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the auction.

JUDITH L. POWELL, Referee. DEUTSCH & SCHNEIDER, LLP, Attys. for Pltf. 79-37 Myrtle Avenue, Glendale, NY.

File No. LF-340- #100094 137525

Piciullo, with Sameerah Cassidy serving as vocal director and Kimberly Davis as producer and choreographer. Thirty-five crew members will assist the cast.

“I have two young daughters who love ‘Descendents,’” Piciullo said. “This is very popular in my house, there’s three movies. When Dr. Davis and I were perusing through different titles, and I saw ‘Descendants’ pop up, I was elated. I was so happy because the musical is fantastic.”

Some of the leads are seasoned actors at Wantagh Middle School, but a few are new to the game. Emily McHale, a sixth grader, is in her first show at the middle school, though she brings experience from the St. Frances Theater Group.

“They’re going to enjoy the songs and the acting,” Emily said, emphasizing the talents of the students and the quality of the musical.

Giada Petrillo, also in her first role, said the show is something she has looked forward to for a very long time.

“I’ve always wanted to be on stage and I’ve always had the urge to play a character,” Giada said, noting that the show’s comedic elements will keep the audience laughing.

Auditions were held in October, and the students have been rehearsing ever since. The musical features a ton of high-

powered dance numbers as well as quite a few solo songs. But the show’s director said that thematically, “Descendants” asks a very important question: Can we forgive the wrongdoings of the past and move forward?

“What this play is about (is) giving the ‘evil’ kids a chance to come over to the ‘good’ side,” Piciullo said. “And they end up realizing that they’re not as different as they thought. Sometimes we stereotype people a certain way, but then once you actually get to know them, you realize that everybody can get along.”

Theater enthusiasts of the greater Wantagh-Seaford area have a lot to look forward to. “Descendants” will be performed the same weekend as Seaford High School’s production of “Young Frankenstein.” Later in the month, students at Wantagh High School will perform “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical.”

Wantagh Middle School’s theater program was fortunate to get in a production of “Frozen Jr.” just a week before the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown began in March 2020. In the 2020-21 academic year, the students performed “Fame Jr.” through Zoom, which was directed by Davis, who usually directs the high school’s plays. In the 2021-22 school year, they came back strong with the musical version of “Matilda,” and now “Descendants” is up next.

continued from front page

Michael Malaszczyk/Herald photos

The WanTagh Middle School Drama Club will perform ‘Descendants: The Musical’ March 3-5.

CasT MeMbers of Wantagh Middle School’s ‘Descendants’ rehearse the musical’s opening number, ‘Rotten to the Core.’

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

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SDA/SDL/SBL Certification Required plus 2 yrs. of previous administrative leadership and 5 yrs. exp. as a classroom teacher preferred. Please apply online by March 5th at https://monticelloschools.tedk12.com/hire EOE

ADMINISTRATOR/ GENERAL MANAGER Immediate F/T position. For Assisted Living Facility to oversee & manage entire facility. Fast paced, excellent in communication & Administrative skills, multitask & organized. Excel salary & Benefits. Must have experience and recent checkable references. Please send resume to: Estiefriedman@icloud.com

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Duties include Laser Hair Removal / Microneedling / Facials Call 516- 240-1919 or email resume to dolceaestheticsny@gmail.com

ASSISTANT BOOKKEEPER

Valley Stream, NY

We are a small real estate management firm looking for support to our Accounting Department. Must have previous Accounts Payable and Receivable experience. This full-time position will require knowledge of Microsoft Excel. Will also include light clerical work.

To apply, please email Alyson at alyson@dewseven.com with a brief intro letter and resume

AUTO TECHNICIAN FT Experienced And Reliable. NYSI A Plus. Busy Merrick Shop. Call 516-781-5641

DRIVING INSTRUCTORS WANTED

Will Certify And Train HS Diploma NYS License Clean 3 Years

Call 516-731-3000

FULL TIME LIBRARY AIDE Are you customer-service focused? Do you love libraries? Apply for a FT Library Aide position at the Baldwin Public Library. This is a rare opportunity that does not require a Civil Service exam. Job is 35 hours per week with at least one night per week and rotating on Saturdays. $30,000-40,000 depending on qualifications and experience. Possibility of Sunday hrs. Send resume and cover letter to dkelly@baldwinpl.org.

Kaplan & Associates CPAs PLLC seeks Accountant (Mineola, NY) to prep. tax return/financ. stmt./payroll tax, perf. tax rsrch., asst. audits, etc. Req. Bachelor degr. in Acct., w/ 6mon+ work exp. at same or related role, e.g. accountant/tax project asst., with CPA firm. $66,310-$78K. Mail res. to Kaplan & Associates CPAs PLLC at 23 Roslyn Rd, Mineola, NY 11501, or email paul@cpakaplan.com

NAIL TECHNICIAN FT MASSAGE THERAPIST FT For Beautiful Nail/ Med Spa In Garden City. Must Be Licensed. Call 516-739-1111 Email melobeautybarinc@gmail.com

RECEPTIONIST & CLERICAL Positions P/T. Seasonal. Franklin Square. Call: 516-358-9455. Fax Resume 516-358-9483 E Mail: ed@loturco.com.

RECEPTIONIST/ P/T: SEASONAL, Warm, Friendly, Excellent People Skills, Office Work/ Customer Service, Beach Club. 516-239-2150

SECURITY GUARD TRAINING: Available Rockaway Area. Armed/ Unarmed. Annual, Fireguard, CPR. Free Job Placement Available With Training. 718-600-9919

REAL ESTATE

Real Estate

RETIRED NYC EMS fire lieutenant selling quarter to half acre lots in Palm Coast Florida. We pay closing costs. We have a travel program to buy call 1-386-437-7058

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ResCheck, Part 2

Q. We’re in a quandary about insulation. Our house was built in 1948, and isn’t insulated well. We decided to add a master bedroom and kitchen extension and insulate as much as we can. Our building plans examiner wants something called a ResCheck from our architect, and wants to know how much of the house we’re going to do. We only want to tell them about the additions, even though we want to do our attic and the whole exterior from the outside, if we can. We understand that if we tell the plans examiner about the rest of the house, they can make us do a more expensive energy analysis, which we don’t think is necessary. Also, our contractor wants to only insulate the attic floor, but the architect said that the latest energy code requires us to insulate the roof and not the attic floor. Can you advise?

Open House - Sunday Feb 26, 12-1:30

1608 Ridgeway Drive, Hewlett

Move right into this beautifully renovated 4 bedroom colonial with open layout. The spacious new granite/wood kosher kitchen with top of the line appliances is a delight. The living room with gas fireplace, formal dining room, family room and sun room will get plenty of use. The master suite boasts a new bath and walk in closet. This home sits on a 1/4 acre of property with patio and room for Pool! It also has radiant heat throughout the first floor, a fabulous finished basement, 2 car attached garage, new plumbing, electric, gas heating system and stucco exterior. It is in Lynbrook’s School District #20. Join me at an Open House Sunday, February 26 from 12-1:30 or Call to Arrange a Private Viewing 516-238-4299.

Ronnie Gerber 516-238-4299

OPEN HOUSES SUNday, 2/26/23

HEWLETT

1608 Ridgeway Dr, 12-1:30, Move Right Into This Completely Gut

Renovated 4 BR, 3.5 Bth Col on 1/4 Acre Prop. New Kosher EIK, FDR, LR/ Fpl, Den, Enclosed Porch, Radiant Heated Flrs. Full Fin Bsmt. 2 Car Att Gar. MUST SEE!! SD#20 DRASTIC REDUCTION! $1,469,000 ALSO FOR RENT $6,500 per month

257 Willard Dr, BA, Spacious 5 BR, 3 Bth Exp Ranch With Open

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Insurance Req. MUST SEE THIS! REDUCED!! $1,025,000

1534 Broadway #103, BA, Magnificent New Renovation!

One of a Kind Ranch Style Living in Luxurious Jonathan Hall

Condominium with Doorman & Elevator. Just Move into This Gut

Rvated, Spacious 2 BR, 2 Bath Apt with Open Layout. Large Designer

Eat in Kitchen with Sep Pantry & Laundry Rm. Master BR Boasts

Gorgeous Bth & Walk in Closet. Terrace Faces into Courtyard.

Garage Parking Incl REDUCED & MOTIVATED!! $699,000

1534 Broadway #205, BA, Extra Large 2000 Sq Ft, 2 Bedroom

(Originally 3 BR), 2 Bath Condo in Prestigious Jonathan Hall with Doorman & Elevator. Updtd Wood/Quartz Kit, LR & DR. Washer/

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RONNIE GERBER

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Mobile: 516-238-4299 Office: 516-623-4500 Ronnie.Gerber@elliman.com

Douglas Elliman Real Estate 2300 Merrick Road Merrick, NY 11566

Results t hat Move You

A. Last week I described the ResCheck energy analysis to show the designed heat loss that architects and engineers are required to prepare for most renovations, and the more expanded Home Energy Rating System that is prepared by a certified engineer for projects that constitute over 50 percent of the home area or value.

From what you’ve described, your contractor just wants to do whatever they want, and although the approved construction plans are supposed to be binding and the contractor must abide by them, this doesn’t happen as often as you would expect. Many times, the contractor waits to see whether the building official will notice that the plans weren’t followed, and the contractor then seems enabled to do whatever they want to when their work passes, anyway.

Since the owner usually just wants to get the job done the cheapest way possible, the building designer, who was held to a higher standard by a plans examiner than the contractor, is left to wonder why so much effort went into the energy analysis in the first place. When the plans require changing to match what the contractor did and what the inspector passed, the owner often uses the “m” word, for mistake, to describe to the architect why the plan changes should be done for free. Basically, the process becomes muddled in a power struggle, when the real intention was to protect the owner from expensive utility bills for the rest of their life in their home and to cut waste.

The reason for the attic rafters to be insulated instead of the attic floor is because many people have cooled air-conditioning ducts running through hot attics. Somebody figured out that this makes no sense, and that insulating the attic to be part of the air-conditioned space, at about 75 to 80 degrees instead of 120 to 130 degrees, just makes more sense. The latest energy codes require an incredible R-49, which is more than a foot-thick insulation, unless a “parts” method is broken down and identified, piece by piece, in the ResCheck previously described. Good luck!

© 2022 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.

Ask The Architect

Monte Leeper

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Is creativity a thing of the past?

Human civilization has developed side by side with technology — some may say, in competition with it. Technological innovations have diminished the need for workers in jobs requiring physical labor, efficient repetition or mass production, because such skills are easily replaceable.

Artificial intelligence is a leap forward in such technology that is no longer a dream of science fiction movies. Rather, it is a reality that threatens to change the way we interact with the world. AI recognizes our faces when we unlock our iPhones, gives us movie recommendations on our favorite streaming services, and now, with the creation of ChatGPT, AI is a student’s dream come true: It can write essays.

Historically, the replacement of humans with machines isn’t an uncommon occurrence. And now I can’t help

but ask, is creativity, too, a thing of the past?

Before machines, there were skills valued as attributes that couldn’t be replicated. During the Industrial Revolution, however, the skill of sewing a dress — and later, in the second Industrial Revolution, the ability to put a tire on a car — became devalued, because they were no longer abilities unique to humans. A “skilled” worker wasn’t enough; machines were just as “skilled,” and technology had raised the standard.

In more recent times, the achievements of NASA’s “human computers,” whose intellect put a man on the moon, no longer compare to the mathematical and computational power of the smartphones we hold in our hands. Even intelligence seems to be replaceable. Now a computer claims to generate creativity, jeopardizing the jobs of those with abilities like programming and writing. If your talent is something that a computer can do, it’s not good enough.

As a student with access to techno-

logical resources that simplify everything from conducting research to learning a language, I suppose I should embrace technological advancement. But quite frankly, I’m tired of it. For one thing, my dependence on the newest gadgets and gizmos has limited my practical abilities. I don’t know how to search through a library to conduct a research project. I find it difficult to study without online aids. And I can’t even hand in an assignment without internet access to Google Classroom.

Is it too much to ask to be able to turn in an essay without worrying that a teacher will question whether it was written by a robot?

I fear that technology has not only limited our independence in our daily activities, but has also undermined the values of hard work and self-achievement. My high school offers an introductory class called Writing Lab, giving ninth-graders a year of individualized instruction on how to craft a concise and engaging essay. But ChatGPT knows how to write an introduction, a thesis

and three body paragraphs — with citations in MLA format — in less than a minute, which is more than some freshmen can do by the end of the year.

The potential uses of ChatGPT raise a host of philosophical questions. If, supposedly, technology’s completion of creative tasks is as effortless as its mastery of physical labor, does this suggest that creativity isn’t a distinctly human quality? And that creativity itself is synthetic, predictable and reproducible?

I worry about what effect this will have on my own future. Will there come a day when years devoted to academic achievement will be devalued in an instant? And, even scarier, is every hour that I devote to my love of writing now worth no more than a two-minute chatbot query?

To ease my concerns, I imagine that we can learn to live in cooperation with technology, not in competition with it. The true value of progress lies in our use of the tools at our disposal to enhance, not replace, human achievement. Let’s remember that technology is our puppet. We are still its masters.

Thirteenth letter to my grandchildren

Hey, sweeties, Can it be that you are now 20, 18, 16 and 14?

Do you read the paper?? Are you catching this online? Or is this exercise something I do to feel connected with all of you, geographically scattered, but emotionally the pulsing blips on my grandma radar?

Stay with me. This is a big ask, and a big confession.

Authentic, uncomplicated love is a precious thing, and when I think of each of you, every single day, singing or sad, dancing, skiing, studying, making videos, shooting hoops, finding friends, making trouble, growing into your own skins, what I feel is that … uncomplicated love.

From time to time over the years, I’ve dedicated columns to you. The moments seemed to demand it. I imagine readers understand the impulse to put a pin in history for the next generation as we live our lives.

In 2008 I wrote a celebratory column etching in memory the election of

Barack Obama. Of course, you were only 5, 3 and 1. One of you hadn’t been born yet. You had no way to know how profoundly that election changed history.

Then I wrote in 2012. I was worrying about President Obama’s re-election. He was running again Mitt Romney, but Romney was a decent man, and the stakes didn’t feel like life and death. I wrote to you about the Arab Spring and concerns about the economy, but all in all, things were OK.

In 2017, my letter to you described the shocking political tragedy of Donald Trump’s election and all the ways it threatened our freedom, our democracy and our sense of right and wrong. It turned out worse than I imagined. Trump’s ascension cleaved America in half, and we are still in bitter conflict. By then you were 14, 12, 10 and 8.

In the next election, 2024, two of you will vote.

I start with the political because the personal we share day to day, with calls and texts and intuition and telepathy. My worries aren’t so much for each of you, but for all of us, collectively.

Since that 2017 letter, you’ve survived a global pandemic that killed more than

a million people in our country. One million. We closed your schools, subjected you to constant Covid tests, and canceled your sports, your proms and your college dreams. The pandemic threatened your health, confined you to your rooms and compromised your life for over two years.

We were scared, and we didn’t have any defense against a virus that could kill so many people so quickly.

I say this to acknowledge what you suffered, your disappointment and your pain in all that was lost. We can’t change the catastrophe that was Covid-19. The four of you, and millions of other kids, got through it, day after boring day, and I am in awe of your resilience and strength. How do you trust the world again? We read that anxiety and stress are epidemic among teens.

So this is your time, and your challenge.

The story of hope is written in our history. Teenagers have survived and healed and triumphed and lived brilliant lives after world wars, genocide and national disasters. Today in Ukraine, teens are fighting for their

lives. Every day in our high schools, teenagers must summon courage just to attend class in a gun-crazed society.

We have let you down with our disregard for our planet. We have allowed fakery to displace truth in our communications. We have sent clowns to Congress.

For those of us who believe in a free and fair and healthy America, our backs are to the wall. Across the country, women’s rights have been upended. In Florida, which is ground zero for racism and division, a state college won’t host an art display called Embracing Our Differences because it depicts racial and gender diversity. And Pensacola Christian College canceled a performance by an a cappella group because one of the singers is gay.

This is another pandemic, of bigotry and fear.

You kids have survived a historic global catastrophe. Give it its due, get the help to get yourselves healthy again, and then do the work that will make America healthy again. We can only move forward, and many of us are here to help. As I said, it’s a big ask, but I have faith in each of you and the energy of your rising generation.

Love, Grandma

Copyright 2023 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

RANDI KREISS

The four of you, and millions of other kids, got through the pandemic, and I am in awe.

Ilana Greenberg, of Valley Stream, is a sophomore at North Shore Hebrew Academy High School, in Great Neck.

Technology has left us clueless in a real library, and now there’s ChatGPT.

IlANA GREENbERG

Teddy Roosevelt: a president who defied labels

Monday was Presidents Day, a holiday that, unless you work in a bank or the government or a school, you might have missed.

At the federal level, the holiday marks the birthday of George Washington, who was born Feb. 22, 1732. It’s observed on the third Monday of February, and is intended to honor not only Washington, but all the presidents — whether you liked them or not.

It’s easy to label many of our presidents. Washington, of course, was the “father of the country.” Abraham Lincoln was a liberator and a unifier — even if it took a war to make that happen. James Madison was a father, too — considered the “father of the Constitution.”

While many commanders in chief would find their way to Long Island for various reasons, none have a connection to our home like Teddy Roosevelt, the 26th president, who spent the last 30 years of his life at his beloved Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay.

Although he was born in New York City, the Roosevelt family had a long association with Long Island, like many wealthy families in the city at the time. Teddy, however, came to love 150 acres or so of land on Cove Neck — just north of Oyster Bay Cove — that he bought just before he entered politics in 1880, when he was just 22.

He would spend upward of $500,000 in today’s money to build a 22-room mansion he had intended to call Leeholm, after his wife, Alice. But she died before the house was finished, and Teddy would

letters

Randi takes on George Santos

To the Editor:

Thanks to Randi Kreiss for her column last week, “Minx or madman: the George Santos story,” on the enigmatic nut job, George Santos, or whatever his name may be.

I worry for our kids and grandkids and the future of America. Just what is warping our brains? It started with the vast wasteland of TV for us baby boomers, and continues with portable devices/social media.

And why do 99.9 percent of the cuckoos surface in the Republican Party?

As I write, I’m babysitting for our newest grandson, who’s 2½. How to teach him the difference between good and evil, right and wrong? Is there hope? And is “Paw Patrol” a safe venue to begin his adventures?

Thank you, Randi, for your contributions each week. They’re a ray of hope, sanity and humor in a chaotic landscape.

remarry. Instead of naming it in honor of future First Lady Edie Carow, Teddy instead named it Sagamore Hill, an Algonquin word for “chief.”

Labeling Roosevelt is no easy task. When he first stepped into the White House as president in 1901, following the assassination of William McKinley, he was a Republican. Yet he was also described as “progressive” — something many Republicans today would consider an insult.

T.R. was certainly a conservative — for the environment, that is. In just a few years, he doubled the amount of forests protected by the federal government. He did so much that Congress limited the power the president had to designate national forests.

Teddy, however, was also an imperialist. “Speak softly, and carry a big stick — you will go far” summed up his approach to international diplomacy of coming in peace, but if things don’t go your way, be ready to back it up with might.

While we see the United States as a military superpower today, at the beginning of the 20th century it was not. European powers counted their soldiers in the millions. America? In the tens of thousands. It wouldn’t be until the U.S. entry into World War I — in the final two years of Roosevelt’s life — that President Woodrow Wilson would commit billions of dollars to build what he called a million-man army.

Even with a small military, Teddy was committed to supporting the Monroe Doctrine, which treated any European influence on the politics of the Americas

as a hostile act against the United States. Roosevelt used the doctrine not only to kick Spain out of Cuba, but also to construct the Panama Canal. The Monroe Doctrine had never been popular in other countries of the Americas, but it never bothered Teddy.

He was a fan of diversity, but only to a point. During the Spanish-American War, his Rough Riders took men from all walks of life. And T.R. appointed more African Americans to federal government positions than all the presidents before him — combined.

But Roosevelt made it clear that once you were an American, you were an American. That hyphens should be left at the door, fearing it would permit the United States to become a “tangle of squabbling nationalities.”

These are just some examples of where Teddy’s policies and philosophy conflicted with both major political parties of today. Then again, a lot has changed in the 120-plus years since he was in the White House, and where we draw the lines in 2023 is much different from where they were drawn in the sand in 1901.

No matter his philosophy, his triumphs — even his flaws — we can’t deny that Teddy Roosevelt was very much his own man, and because of that, was also a great president. The United States is a better place today because of his leadership.

Here’s hoping you didn’t overlook Presidents Day, and miss how special Roosevelt’s role was, especially right here in our own backyard.

It’s time for our energy to go public m

ost Long Islanders are rightly confused about who is responsible for our ever-rising electricity bills. On TV we see PSEG commercials. On the streets we see PSEG trucks. We get our electric bills from PSEG. Yet there is also the Long Island Power Authority, as well as National Grid. Who does what? And how does this add up to unnecessarily high electric bills?

Long Island has a unique way of providing electricity to customers.

The Long Island Power Authority, which most people know little about, owns the wires and substations. But this public authority hires private companies like PSEG to actually run the system. Nor does LIPA own any power plants. It purchases the electricity we use mostly from National Grid, the same company that sells natural gas on Long Island.

LIPA was created by New York state after the Long Island Lighting Company almost bankrupted ratepayers with its

failed Shoreham nuclear power plant. LIPA brought in another for-profit utility, KeySpan, to manage and operate the system. KeySpan was later bought out by National Grid. Still with me?

After National Grid badly mismanaged the preparation for and aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, it was replaced by PSEG, a New Jersey-based utility. PSEG’s own management performance proved so terrible during Hurricane Isaias, in 2020, that LIPA sued it for “corporate mismanagement, misfeasance, incompetence and indifference.” The suit was withdrawn only after a new LIPA-PSEG contract was renegotiated last spring, imposing more controls over PSEG for the remaining three years of the agreement, through 2025.

Three for-profit utilities — LILCO, KeySpan/National Grid and PSEG — have made lots of money off Long Island ratepayers. Even though LIPA pays PSEG an $80-million-per-year management fee, LIPA has faced continual frustration. Most recently, PSEG has been taken to task for its dismal customer satisfaction

Letters

The polarization began many years before Clinton and Trump

To the Editor:

Re Peter King’s column last week, “How political extremism became the norm”: Mr. King’s answer goes astray from the start, using Yeats too broadly. “Things fall apart; the center cannot hold…” applies to only one party. With Mr. King’s 28 years of experience in Congress, he must remember that the major turning point toward extremism was House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s intentional and explicit radicalism.

“This war,” Gingrich said, “has to be fought with a scale and a duration and a savagery that is only true of civil wars,” and he referred to Democrats as “ thugs,” “crooks” and “traitors.” Thus, Clinton-Trump in 2016 was the fruit, not the root, of our current polarization.

Mr. King is also surely aware of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s trajectory from Tea Party aggression through Freedom Caucus ideology to the “further rejection of tradition and civility” the current House displays. Mr. King’s call for the “sane forces on both sides to step forward” is disingenuous, because the sane Republicans have been culled. Mr. King, being among the sane, should volunteer his

counsel to any others he can find.

BRIAN KELLY Rockville Centre

Go easy on the coffee, East Side LIRR riders

To the Editor:

Re Juan Lasso’s story “Full LIRR service to East Side finally coming” in last week’s issue: Not when it comes to critical ridership amenities.

Remember the long lines commuters faced in the Seventh Avenue Penn Station LIRR restrooms? At the new $12.6 billion LIRR East Side Access Grand Central Madison terminal, nothing has changed. There are only two men’s restrooms, with a total of 18 urinals and 13 toilets; two women’s restrooms, with a total of 25 toilets; one lactation room; and two single-capacity gender-neutral bathrooms. If you have to go, you’d better have a strong bladder to make it from the upper- or lower-level platforms and mezzanine to a restroom on the Madison Concourse level.

LARRY PENNER Great

ratings. LIPA board members past and present have voiced serious questions about continuing to “outsource” our electrical system.

State legislators from Long Island, working with ratepayers, community groups and the Reimagine LIPA campaign, created after Isaias, lobbied for the establishment of a state legislative commission to chart a future for LIPA without PSEG. The Legislative Commission on the Future of LIPA, created last spring, has been tasked with coming up with a plan for 2025 that would allow LIPA to run the electrical system directly, saving ratepayers lots of money.

This is neither a radical nor a fanciful idea. Nonprofit, publicly owned electric systems are common. In some of the most conservative states in the nation, like Nebraska and Mississippi, virtually every community is served by a nonprofit utility. These public power systems are a matter of civic pride and customer satisfaction. Like water service, electric power works best when not run by private interests.

Hundreds of businesses on Long Island

have long sought the low-cost electricity made available by the New York Power Authority, the state’s nonprofit power supplier. The communities of Freeport and Rockville Centre have nonprofit municipal electric systems, and enjoy rates that are as much as 40 percent lower than what the rest of us PSEG customers pay.

How do they do it? They eliminate as much profit-making as possible from the cost of electricity. Getting rid of high salaries at PSEG and profits for its shareholders would mean major saving for ratepayers. Public ownership, through LIPA, of renewable electricity sources would dramatically reduce the cost of that electricity.

Eliminating the profit from the production of electricity is a sure-fire way of lowering rates. And it’s a tried-and-true idea. The New York Power Authority has been providing cheap electricity for over 60 years. LIPA and Long Island ratepayers need the same opportunity. Now is the time to move forward on the full municipalization of LIPA.

Fred Harrison, a retired history teacher at Calhoun High School in Merrick, is a ratepayer advocate working with Food and Water Watch, which is part of the Reimagine LIPA campaign.

Framework by Tim Baker

An iconic image memorialized at Eisenhower Park — East Meadow

Neck

Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who served as a director in the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office of Operations and Program Management.

F or-profit utilities have made too much money off Long Island customers.

Fred Harrison