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HERALD Citizen

lee Road students search for clues

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MacArthur junior is off to Juilliard

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Vol. 68 No. 13

MARCH 26 - APRIl 1, 2020

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Pandemic is severe test for 12-steppers ings are happening now,” said one longtime AA member who attends weekly meetings in SeaWhile many agencies across ford, Wantagh, Levittown and the state and county are focused Bellmore. “I found one in Wanton the physical and financial agh that I hadn’t been to before, impact of the but it’s been susCOVID-19 virus, the pended now, too.” mental health of the In normal times, county’s 1.36 million Nassau County has residents is just as more than 700 AA critically important. meetings a week, And recovery with about 30 in Seagroups of all kinds ford and Wantagh. have felt the impact Other recovery of social distancing groups besides AA and closed doors have been similarly more than most. hard hit. Speaking at a Meetings are a news conference in key tool for many Eisenhower Park on recovering addicts March 19, Nassau and are especially County Executive important for those Laura Curran spoke just beginning to of the difficulties live without their faced by recovering substances of addicts of all variet- SuSAN KlEIN choice. “I’m really ies who had mainly Program director, worried about the been using schools people just coming Southeast Nassau and churches for out of rehabs or m e e t i n g p l a c e s, Guidance Center treatment centers,” until Gov. Andrew the AA member Cuomo’s declarations limiting said. Like many in the various the number of people who could fellowships, he requested that meet in one place. But many ven- his name not be used. “They’re ues had already closed their the most vulnerable, and the doors to outside organizations. tools of recovery are new to “None of my regular meetContinued on page 3

By TIMoTHY DENToN tdenton@liherald.com

Timothy Denton/Herald-Citizen

last liturgy Parishioners lined up by family to receive Communion last Sunday at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in East Meadow. The parish, which serves all of southeast Nassau County, including Seaford and Wantagh, celebrated its last liturgy until further notice, but will continue to stream all services live.

‘Nonessential’ businesses close

Many continued with strong sales up to deadline By TIMoTHY DENToN tdenton@liherald.com

All businesses in Seaford and Wantagh considered nonessential were shuttered beginning Sunday night, after Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a directive via Twitter last Friday ordering the closures. The directive included many service and retail businesses, including barber shops, nail and hair salons and tattoo parlors —

businesses that depend on face-toface service. “These temporary closures are not going to be easy, but they are necessary to protect the public health,” Cuomo wrote. Salons and barbershops in Wantagh and Seaford had mixed responses to the order. “It’s sad, because our industry only makes money if we work,” said Tina Scarpantonio, owner of Salon Scarpello in Wantagh. “We don’t get paid if we don’t work, leaving

us in a very bad situation.” She added that she was the only one working at the salon, and she would be going “down with the ship” when it closed. “Until further notice is all I know,” Scarpantonio said. Stephanie Schwartz, owner of Studio Seven Hair Salon in Wantagh, had a different perspective. “I’m actually relieved, to be honest,” she said. “I think that we’re Continued on page 8

lot of what we do can be done by phone. We’ve been . . . working this week to set up teleconferencing for our group sessions.

March 26, 2020 — WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN

Finding God livestreaming on Facebook St. William streams Mass online to the masses have to take a break from entering the church to record it. Members of the clergy are taking turns recording the masses. “Peace be with you.” The church even invested in a smartUsually, that declaration would be fol- phone tripod. lowed by a joyful response from the conThe challenge for Fitzgerald and gregation, “And with your spirit.” The Gomez, though, was to get as many reply would be followed by turning to one parishioners to join the livestream as posanother, shaking hands and wishing each sible. other peace. “One of the great gifts of St. William is However, Seaford’s St. William the our long-standing parishioners, who are Abbot has no live congregations at during getting a little bit older,” Fitzgerald said. Mass now. Peace is a commodity that is He said that some parishioners have harder and harder to come by, and forget taken a great comfort in accessing the about shaking hands these days. That masses and other information on social might as well be a sin in and of itself. media, and some are still catching on. Father Joe Fitzgerald, St. William’s Fitzgerald said that Nassau County pastor, still officiates, but with the recent Legislator Steve Rhoads reached out to coronavirus pandemic, it is a bit … differ- him last week and asked him if he could ent. St. William has made the decision to remind the parishioners during his record and broadcast its services across livestreams how important it is to disFacebook’s and Instagram’s live options. tance themselves from one another to preThis means that socially distancing vent the further spread of the virus. parishioners, who are barred The priests at St. William from attending Mass physihave been doing Rhoads one cally, can still worship and better. They have been pracpray without distancing ticing something Fitzgerald themselves from their faith. calls “radical hospitality.” “Everyone these days is “We went through the either near or around a records in our parish directoscreen,” Fitzgerald said. “We ry that breaks down and cateare blessed to still be able to gorizes things into names and give that gift of communion ages,” Fitzgerald said. “We and community. Some are had a secretary create a foldentering into the Mass and er to separate all parishiopraying for 30 minutes or so. ners over 80, and although I Some come in for a few mincan’t bring groceries or comutes and comment on the Father Joe munion to them physically Mass.” right now, I can listen. I can Fitzgerald Luckily for St. William ask them, ‘how can we supchurchgoers, Fitzgerald and priest port you?’” parish worker Iris Gomez He also mentioned that the both have extensive media parish has collected a list of backgrounds. 63 parishioners who were homebound for Fitzgerald, a former Olympic handball medical reasons even before the spread of player, participated in the 1996 Olympic the virus, and he has called all of them Games in Atlanta. Before that, he attend- personally to listen to their concerns. ed Ithaca College, an institution that has On being asked what he would tell a produced many established and creden- parishioner whose faith may waiver in tialed media members, such as David this time of uncertainty, Fitzgerald said: Brody, Bob Kur, David Muir, Sal Paolanto- “When you walk into every single Cathonio and Karl Ravech. lic church, you see an altar. Above the “In school, we were taught about altar, we see a cross. The cross makes no media training and what the right thing sense without faith, and faith makes no and wrong things to say in front of the sense without the cross, where our Heavcamera were,” Fitzgerald said. “Through- enly Father would send his only Son for out my athletic career, I was in front of us. And that’s not the end of the story, many cameras, so I became comfortable everything leads to Good Friday. There is with it. I would say I have a pretty good the hope of the Resurrection.” presence in front of the camera now.” Easter this year falls on April 12. EasThis is beneficial, as Fitzgerald, in the ter, also known to Catholics as “Resurrecpast week, has often been the only indi- tion Sunday,” brings hope of the resurrecvidual in front of the camera. tion of their savior, Fitzgerald said. He Fitzgerald met Gomez two years ago acknowledged that this pandemic hapwhile working in the Bishop’s office in the pened to fall within Lent, the penitential Diocese of Rockville Centre. period that is Catholics’ natural “count“She didn’t want to travel for Yahoo! down calendar” to Easter Sunday. Travel, Disney and Oprah anymore,” Until then, St. William and its priests Fitzgerald said. “She’s like a social media will continue to bring Masses into peopersonality. She knows a lot. So, when I ple’s homes via technology. They will also moved to Seaford and St. William, I made be lending an ear to anyone who needs it. sure I had to have her with me.” “If we are not holier and healthier at Gomez recorded the first few Masses the end of this, then there is a problem,” that were broadcast live. Now, with social Fitzgerald said. “For our parishioners, we distancing guidelines becoming stricter, are praying that God is with them, Fitzgerald said that Gomez will probably because we can’t be right now.”

By J.d. Freda

jfreda@liherald.com

f we are not holier and healthier at the end of this, then there is a problem.

Courtesy St. William the Abbot

Father Joe Fitzgerald of St. William the Abbot celebrated Mass in an empty church as parishioners watched live from home.

Timothy Denton/Herald-Citizen

Still a nice day Families took advantage of the sunny but chill weather on Sunday to get some fresh air in Wantagh Park.

continued from front page them and pretty confusing. Without a regular support group, and especially with the extra stress of the coronavirus, I think a lot of them are going to have a rough time.” Groups have coped in a variety of ways, he said. Some smaller groups have sought out alternative venues, including parks. Others have set up conference calls or meetings via Google Hangouts or Skype. The various fellowships’ local websites contain information on call-in numbers and access codes. Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, chief executive officer of FCA (Family and Children’s Association) echoed both Curran and the AA member’s concerns. The FCA sponsors programs for recovering addicts and has shelters throughout Nassau County, including one in Wantagh. Reynolds, whose organization has weathered many major crises in its 135 years, from the global Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 to Hurricane Sandy, said his chief concern was the speed with which mental health issues have arisen, as well as their severity. “With Sandy, it took a couple of weeks before we began to see some of the things we’re seeing now after just a few days,” he said. Residents are hoarding not only toilet paper and ground beef. “Addicts are hoarding heroin,” Reynolds said. The problem, he said, is that “they buy enough to last them for a week and end up doing it all in a weekend.” The result has been a spike in overdoses. According to the state Department of Health, the opioid crisis in Nassau County has “significantly worsened” since the beginning of the year, with 6.5 overdoses per 100,000 residents. “And this was already ground zero for the opioid crisis,” he said. People with prescriptions for pain medication face similar fears, Reynolds said, adding, “Many turn to alcohol as the most effective alternative.” Treatment centers were encountering unforeseen difficulties as well. “A large part of our population has been mandated to us by the courts,” said Susan Klein, program director at Southeast Nassau Guidance Center in Seaford. “They’re worried they won’t have access to the lab facilities or other ways of maintaining compliance.” Failure to do so might expose such clients to legal penalties, since treatment has been ordered in some cases in lieu of fines or jail time. The guidance center is an outpatient facility with offices in Wantagh and Levittown, as well as Klein’s Seaford facility. “A lot of what we do can be done by phone,” she said. “We’ve been doing individual counseling by phone, and have been working this week to set up teleconferencing for our group sessions.” Despite the challenges the spread of coronavirus has created Nassau County’s mental health services remain open for business,. Some personnel have been sent home, Curran said, but “all our desks are staffed” at the Department of Social Services. Departments are still in the process of making the adjustments necessary to protect clients and employees, but every

Laura curran’s mental health tips ■ Keep a regular schedule. If you work at home, maintain a professional, businesslike attitude during your normal work hours. ■ Limit your news intake. Too much exposure to bad news can cause or worsen depression or anxiety. ■ Exercise. Parks are open, and the weather is warming up. ■ Be kind. Look for opportunities to help one another. “If you bought too much toilet paper, and your neighbor doesn’t have any, give them a couple of rolls,” Curran advised. “It’ll help both of you feel better.” Source: Nassau County Executive Laura Curran

Courtesy Southeast Nassau Guidance Center

SoutheaSt NaSSau GuidaNce Center had to suspend group and individual counseling in this Levittown office building in favor of telephone therapy and videoconferencing.

Mental health and recovery resources ■ Nassau County mental health hotline: (516) 227-TALK (8255). ■ Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup: (516) 292-3040 or www. infonassau-aa.org ■ The Intergroup office is closed, but it is maintaining 24/7 phone service via call forwarding. ■ Narcotics Anonymous Intergroup: (516) 898-9500 or www. nassauna.org

Timothy Denton/Herald-Citizen

NaSSau couNty executive Laura Curran and Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein addressed mental health concerns at a news conference March 18.

dr. Jeffrey reyNoLdS, chief executive officer of the Family and Children’s Association, said that stockpiling by addicts had led to a marked increase in overdoses.

department is prepared to support the needs of county residents, she said. In the interim, the county was in the process of working out alternatives to procedures that, according to state law, mandated face-to-face meetings. And Medicare agreed last week to extend coverage for mental health providers via telemedicine, she said — a first. Even for those not dealing with directly with mental health issues like addiction, the contagion has caused high levels of anxiety and stress. Curran emphasized the need for stability in the face of the disruptions of work and personal schedules that many now face as they transition from office, school or job site to home. “Keep a regular schedule, and stick to it,”

she suggested. “Working from home can lead to anxiety. When family members distract you, just say, ‘I’m at work.’” Curran also recommended exercise, especially in any of the county’s numerous parks. Parks are not only ideal locations to practice social distancing, she said; fresh air and exercise are keys to maintaining health. Finally, Curran said that “small kindnesses go a long way” in easing the tensions brought on by isolation and uncertainty. Curran was joined at the news conference by Nancy Nunziata, the county commissioner of social services; Director of Community Services Omayra Perez; Reynolds; and Nassau County Health

■ Gamblers Anonymous Intergroup (855) 222-5542 or www.longisland-ga.com Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein. Nunziata said her department had changed some of its protocols to reflect the need to avoid close contact. Documents will no longer be dropped off in person, for example, but will be deposited in sliding drawers. But whether residents need food stamps, emergency housing or any of her departments’ services, “We are there,” she said, emphatically echoing Curran’s message. Perez advised residents to “take breaks from all the news coverage,” which can be overwhelming, especially for children. “Talk to your children factually but calmly,” she said. And for those with existing mental health issues, she underscored the importance of keeping up treatment. For anyone needing immediate help, she recommended calling the county’s mental health hotline, (516) 227-TALK (8255).

WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN — March 26, 2020

Recovery groups locked out during crisis

March 26, 2020 — WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN

‘Full catastrophe’ distancing Science began to take note of the possible health benefits of contemplative practices in the 1970s, as they began to make their way out of the monastery and into mainstream American culture. Dr. Jon Kabat Zinn, a molecular biologist, became interested enough in its benefits to found the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts at Worcester in 1979. In the years since its founding, Zinn has shown how simple mindfulness techniques can aid in stress reduction, and he has successfully used such techniques in the treatment of chronic pain as well. Around the same time, biolog i s t D r. J o a n B o r y s e n k o researched the benefits of basic breath meditation on stress reduction and overall health. Zinn’s “Full Catastrophe Living” and Borysenko’s “Minding the Body, Mending the Mind” were seminal works that introduced millions to a non-sectarian, non-religious approach to mindfulness, although Zinn himself is a practicing Buddhist. The relaxation response is a simple technique that can help reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure and relieve anxiety. Here are the basic steps:

Photos by Christina Daly/Herald

teSting appeared to proceed smoothly on Wednesday — the second day of drivethrough testing at the west end of Jones Beach State Park.

Courtesy WikiCommons

Simple meditation practiceS can significantly lower stress levels, medical researchers have found.

■ Choose a quiet spot where you will not be disturbed. ■ Sit in a comfortable, upright position — alert, but not rigid. ■ Eyes may be open or closed — whatever is most natural. ■ Focus your attention several feet in front of you. ■ Find a comfortable position for your hands. ■ Begin with a “body scan,” by relaxing your muscles sequentially, from toes to head up the front side and down the back. ■ Become aware of your breathing.

Don’t try to control it, just be attentive as you breathe in and out. Some people find a simple counting method helpful, in which they count from one to 10 with each exhalation. ■ Do not worry about how well you are doing. ■ Practice at least once a day. Morning is usually best. Evening is second-best. ■ Start small — five minutes. You can do more if you want, but set yourself up for success. If five minutes is too long, start with three minutes — or even one. ■ Five minutes once a day is more effective than an hour once a week. Adapted from “Minding the Body, Mending the Mind,” by Joan Borysenko, PhD.

the teStS were administered inside the vehicles to reduce exposure to both patients and testers.

State opens drive-through testing at Jones Beach By timothy denton tdenton@liherald.com

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

MAIN PHONE: (516) 569-4000 ■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/wantagh ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: wantagheditor@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 234 E-mail: wantagheditor@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: circ@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460 ■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: sales@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643 The Wantagh Herald Citizen USPS 16790, is published every Thursday by Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Periodicals postage paid at Garden City, NY 11530 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to Wantagh Herald Citizen, 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Subscription rates: $20 for 1 year within Nassau County. Out of Nassau County: $52 for 1 year. Copyright © 2020 Richner Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo made good on his pledge last Saturday to open a drivethrough testing facility for the COVID19 virus at Jones Beach. The facility, which opened last Tuesday at the west end of the park, is one of four such testing facilities the state Department of Health was slated to open. The other three are in Suffolk County, Rockland County and on Staten Island. Although the governor described the Jones Beach facility as “drive through,” residents must still call for appointments before testing. Those who believe they may have symptoms of the virus should call the COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-364-3065 to arrange for a test. The multi-lane facility can administer 200-250 tests per day. Results are available within 48 hours.

In announcing the opening of new test sites, Cuomo pointed to other challenges facing the sate, including, most seriously, the lack of hospital beds. The state has a total of about 53,000 hospital beds, including about 3,000 beds in intensive care facilities, according to Cuomo. But Department of Health projections drawn from the experiences of other countries suggest that the state will need at least 110,000 beds, including as many as 37,000 ICU beds, he said. Speaking Sunday, Cuomo called on the federal government to step in and set up four temporary U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hospitals — at SUNY Old Westbury, Stony Brook University and the Javits Center in New York City, as well as one in Westchester — in the ongoing fight against the coronavirus. Hours later, President Trump promised to begin setting up the hospitals within 48 hours.

Neighbors iN the News

Mac junior honing talents at Juilliard A MacArthur High School junior is taking the next step in his music career. Luoxian He is a part of the prestigious Music Advancement Program at the Juilliard School. He has been playing the French horn since fourth grade and considers music to be a major part of his life. He applied and auditioned to be in the program in eighth grade. He joined the following year and will continue in the program until he graduates from high school. For acceptance in to the program, a student must have at least two years of experience on an instrument, live in the tri-state area and be between the ages of

8-17 at the time of their audition. The program allows He to work with professional musicians and educators, participate in solo and ensemble pieces and receive exclusive scholarships to summer music camps. “It truly has been an amazing experience,” said He. “I wanted to join because I love classical music, and Juilliard is the top music school in the country.” He is involved in the MacArthur High School band and has played in its symphony orchestra. After he graduates, he plans to continue his pursuit of music.

Courtesy Wantagh Schools

Wantagh high School’S 17 students new members of the Science National Honor Society.

Wantagh inducts 17 into honor society Wantagh High School announced in early March that 17 juniors and seniors were inducted into the Science National Honor. In order to qualify for and maintain membership in the society, students had to be enrolled in at least one honors or Advanced Placement-level science class during or prior to 10th grade, as well as during both 11th and 12th grades. In addition, students must have maintained a minimum unweighted grade point aver-

age of 90% for all science courses and an overall scholastic average of 80%. The district congratulated the following students on their induction: Aidan Araoz, Jillian Balkunas, Scott Bindell, Jonathan Caradonna, Amanda Ciaramella, Margaret Gates, Catherine Hanauer, Austin Henglein, Helen Ibrahim, Jake Interrante, Kaden Ireland, Brendan Martin, Anjelica Meagher, Michael Minars, Robert Spiteri, Aiden Tiet and Melanie Volz.

Each year, New York American Water flushes the water mains in its distribution system. This essential part of our system maintenance program helps us to provide you with high-quality water service. When crews are in the area, customers may experience a drop in water pressure or discolored water. If this happens, simply let your water run until it is clear. Customers are also encouraged to check for discolored water before doing laundry. Any changes due to weather will be posted on our website at newyorkamwater.com (on the home page, click on Alerts Notifications). NOTE: In observance of Memorial Day and Shavuot, no flushing will be conducted May 25, and May 28 through May 30.

2020 Spring Flushing Schedule

Flushing hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Community

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Atlantic Beach Baldwin Baldwin Harbor Bay Park Bellmore Cedarhurst East Atlantic Beach East Rockaway Glen Head Glenwood Landing Hewlett Hewlett Bay Park Hewlett Harbor Hewlett Neck Inwood Island Park Lakeview Lawrence Levittown Lynbrook Malverne Massapequa Meadowmere

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Merrick Mill Neck North Bellmore North Merrick North Seaford North Wantagh North Woodmere Oceanside Roosevelt Roslyn Harbor Sea Cliff Seaford/ South Seaford South Bellmore South Hempstead South Merrick South Wantagh Valley Stream Wantagh West Hempstead Woodmere Woodsburgh

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2019 Annual Water Quality Reports Learn about the quality of your water

Each year, New York American Water provides its customers with an Annual Water Quality Report to let them know how our water quality stacks up against federal and state drinking water standards. If you are a customer of ours, we encourage you to review this report as it provides details about the source and quality of the drinking water delivered to you in 2019. View your water quality report online today! In an effort to be more environmentally responsible, we no longer print our water quality reports. Instead, we have made them available on our website. To view your report online, visit newyorkamwater.com.

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Courtesy Levittown Schools

Macarthur high School junior Luoxian He, left, with band teacher Joseph Romano, middle, and Principal Joseph Sheehan, is attending the prestigious Music Advancement Program at the Juilliard School.

WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN — March 26, 2020

WATER MAIN FLUSHING NOTICE

March 26, 2020 — WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN

What’s up next door and around the corner

Herald neigHbors

Photos courtesy Levittown Schools

Jonas E. salk Middle School seventh-graders Thomas Tsilov, left, Michael Pena and Anthony Biggins with their decorated writer’s notebooks.

Writer Con brings community together Budding student writers from Jonas E. Salk and Wisdom Lane middle schools learned tips to enhance their writing skills during the Levittown District’s first Writer Con. Director of English Kerin Slattery organized the event. It was held at the Levittown Memorial Education Center on March 9. The event saw six interactive workshops run by special guests, including authors Jen Calonita and Amy Benjamin, as well as Long Island Writing Project director Darshna Katwala. Each middle school student received a name tag and a folder with the schedule for the night. Benjamin kept students and families laughing while teaching them how to write a comedy sketch. “I really like the comedy sketch workshop,” said Salk sixth-grader Ethan Baloyo. “I write skits and comic books, so it was fun for me to learn more.” MacArthur High School senior Karina Lopes helped run a workshop on how to use adjectives to describe images. “I hope that the students get the descriptive writing down because I think it’s a big part of writing,” she said. “When I was in middle school, I didn’t like writing, so I think workshops like this could help them enjoy it once they enter high school.”

Wisdom lanE middlE School sixth-graders Mia Bardolf, above far left, and Caitlin Finn explored their creativity in the Fractured Fairy Tales workshop. Jonas E. salk Middle School seventh-grader Alyssa Wunsch, above with notebook, and author Jen Calonita. English tEachEr suE Casey, left rear, and social worker Noreen Williams, right rear, taught students about the benefits of journaling.

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LEGAL NOTICE NOTIFICACIÓN DE REUNIÓN ESPECIAL Y ELECCIÓN PARA EL DISTRITO ESCOLAR DE WANTAGH UNIÓN LIBRE NOTIFICACIÓN DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA Y VOTACIÓN DE PROSUPUESTO Y ELECCIÓN DE ADMINISTRADOR BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE WANTAGH CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK Notificación Legal POR LA PRESENTE, NOTOFICACIÓN SE DA, que una audiencia pública de los votantes calificados de la Biblioteca Pública de Wantagh del Distrito Escolar de Wantagh, Condado Nassau, Wantagh, Nueva York, tendrá lugar en la Biblioteca Pública de Wantagh en dicho Distrito el 20 de abril, 2020, 7:00 P.M. hora estándar, para la presentación del d o c u m e n t o presupuestario. Y POR LA PRESENTE, N OT I F I C AC I Ó N ADICIONAL se da que dicha votación y elección tendrán lugar el 28 de abril, 2020 entre las horas de 1:00 P.M. y 9:00 P.M., hora estándar, en la Biblioteca Pública de Wantagh, momento en que las urnas estarán abiertas a votar por papeleta sobre los siguientes puntos: 1. A adoptar el presupuesto anual de la Biblioteca Pública de Wantagh para el año fiscal 2020/2021 y a autorizar la porción requerida del mismo a aumentarse por impuestos sobre la propiedad imponible del Distrito. 2. A elegir 1 miembro de la Junta de Administradores: Un (1) miembro de la Junta de Adminitradores para un mandato de (5) cinco años comenzando el 29 de abril, 2020 y expirando en el 30 de junio, 2025. Y POR LA PRESENTE, N OT I F I C AC I Ó N ADICIONAL SE DA que una copia del estado de la cantidad de dinero que se necesita para financiar el presupuesto de operar la Biblioteca de Wantagh para 2020/2021 exclusivo de dinero público, se puede obetener previa petición por cualquier residente del Distrito durante horas de oficina de escuela comenzando el 13 de abril, 2020 excepto sábado, domingo o días festivos, en la Oficina de Administración, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, NY, y cada una de las siguientes oficinas de escuela: Wantagh, Mandalay y Forest Lake Elementary Schools, Wantagh Middle School y Wantagh High School y en la Biblioteca Pública de Wantagh,

3285 Park Avenue, Wantagh, NY y en el sitio web de la biblioteca w w w .wantaghlibrary.org. Y POR LA PRESENTE, N OT I F I C AC I Ó N ADICIONAL SE DA que peticiones nombrando candidatos para la oficina de miembro de la Junta de Administradores deben presentarse ante el Secretario de dicho Distrito Escolar en el Edificio de Administración, no más tarde que el 30 de marzo, 2020 entre las horas de 9:00 A.M. y 5:00P.M. Vacantes en la Junta de Administradores no se consideran separados, oficinas especificas, candidatos se postulan en general. Peticiones de Nominación no deben desribir ninguna vacante especifica en la Junta para la cual el candidato es nominado, deben dirigirse al Secretario del Distrito, deben ser firmadas por lo menos por (25) votantes calificados del Distrito, deben declarar su nombre y residencia de cada firmante, y deben declarar el nombre y residencia del candidato. Y POR LA PRESENTE, N OT I F I C AC I Ó N ADICIONAL SE DA que aplicaciones para votos en ausencia se pueden obtener durante las horas de oficinas de escuela y en la Biblioteca Pública de Wantagh, 3285 Park Avenue, Wantagh, NY y en el sitio web de la B i b l i o t e c a www.wantaghlibrary.org. El secretario del distrito recibirá las solicitudes de voto por ausencia solo a partir del día 30 antes de la elección objeto de la solicitud. Aplicaciones completadas deben recibirse por el Secretario de Distrito por lo menos siete (7) días anterior a la elección si la papeleta tiene que enviarse por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección, si la papeleta tiene que entregarse en persona al votante. Votos en ausencia deben recibirse por el Secretario de Distrito no más tarde que 5:00 P.M., hora estándar, en el 28 de abril, 2020. Una lista de personas a quien los votos en ausencia se han expedido estarán disponibles para votantes calificados del Distrito comenzando con la emisión del primer voto por ausencia a hacer inspección en la Oficina de Administración, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, NY a partir del 23 de abril, 2020 entre las horas de 8:00 A.M. y 4:00 P.M. durante la semana antes del dia establecido para la elección anual, y en el sábado, el 25 de abril, 2020 entre las horas de 10:00 A.M. y 12 mediodía hora estándar y el 28 de abril, 2020 el día establecido para la elección. Cualquier votantes calificados presente en la urna

pueden objetar la votación de la papeleta sobre bases apropiadas por hacer que él/ella desafíe y las razones por lo tanto sabidos por el Inspector de Elección antes del cierre de la votación. Los votantes militares que son votantes calificados del distrito escolar pueden solicitar una boleta militar. Una solicitud de votación militar puede ser solicitada al Secretario de Distrito y debe ser devuelta, en persona o por correo, a la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, en 3301 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh,NY, a más tardar a las 5:00PM en el vigésimo sexto(26o)día antes dela elección. Un votante militar puede indicar su preferencia por recibir la solicitud de boleta electoral militar por correo, transmisión facsímil o correo electrónico. Y POR LA PRESENTE, N OT I F I C AC I Ó N ADICIONAL SE DA, que registración personal de votantes se requiere presentada conforme a §2014 de la Ley de Educación o conforme a Artículo §5 de la Ley Electoral. Si un votante ha registrado anteriormente conforme a §2014 de la Ley de Educación y ha votado en la reunión especial o anual antes de los últimos cuatro (4) años calendarios, él/ella es elegible para votar en esta elección. Si un votante está registrado y es eligible para votar bajo Artículo §5 de la Ley Electoral, él/ella es también elegible para votar en está elección. Todas las otras personas quien desean votar deben registrar. La Junta de Registración se reunirá con el propósito de registrar todos los votantes calificados del Distrito conforme a §2014 de la Ley de Educación en la Biblioteca Pública de Wantagh en el 21 de abril, 2020 entre las horas de 4:00 P.M. y 8:00 P.M. para añadir cualquier nombres adicionales al Registro para que se usen en la elección antedicha, momento en que cualquier persona tendrá derecho a tener su nombre puesto en tal Registro, siempre que en tal reunión de la Junta de Registración él o ella sea conocido/a o demostrado/a al satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registración a tener derecho entonces o a partir de entonces a votar en tal elección para la que el registro está preparado. Cualquier persona deseando registrar también puede registrar en la Oficina del Secretario de Distrito entre las horas de 8:00 A.M. hasta 4:00 P.M. durante los diás de escuela, de lunes a viernes. Tal registración, sin embargo, no debe tener lugar menos que 5

diás procediendo al 28 de abril, 2020. El registro así preparado conforme a §2014 de la Ley de Educación se presentará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar en 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, NY y estará abierto para inspección en dicha oficina por cualquier votante calificado del Distrito comenzando el 25 de abril, 2020 y cada dia a partir de entonces anterior al día establecido para la elección, excepto domingo, entre las horas de 8:00 A.M. y 4:00 P.M. hora estándar, y en el sábado, el 25 de abril, 2020 entre las horas de 10:00 A.M. y 12:00 mediodía hora estándar y en el lugar de votación en el dia de la votación. Y POR LA PRESENTE, N OT I F I C AC I Ó N ADICIONAL SE DA que conforme a §2014 de la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, la Junta de Registración se reunirá en el 28 de abril, 2020 entre las horas de 1:00 P.M. y 9:00 P.M., hora estándar, en la Biblioteca Pública de Wantagh para preparar el Registro del Distrito Escolar que se usa en la elección de Distrito Escolar cual debe tener lugar en 2020, y cualquier reuniones subsiguientes especiales de distrito que puede tener lugar después de la preparación de dicho Registro, puesto en tal Registro siempre que en tal reunión de dicha Junta de Registración él/ella sea conocido/a o demostrado/a a la satisfacción de tal Junta de Registración a tener derecho entonces o a partir de entonces de votar en la elección de Biblioteca para la que Registro está preparado, o cualquier reunión especial de distrito que tenga lugar después del 28 de abril, 2020. Elaine F. McGuigan, Secretaria de Distrito Fecha: 2-24-2020 Distrito Escolar de Wantagh Unión Libre Ciudad de Hempstead Condado de Nassau, New York 120955

LEGAL NOTICE SPECIAL MEETING AND ELECTION NOTICE FOR THE WANTAGH UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND BUDGET VOTE AND TRUSTEE ELECTION WANTAGH PUBLIC LIBRARY TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK Legal Notice NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a public hearing of the qualified voters of the Wantagh Public Library of the Wantagh School District, Nassau County, Wantagh, New York, will be held at the Wantagh Public

Library in said District on April 20, 2020, at 7:00 P.M. prevailing time, for the presentation of the budget document. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that said vote and election will be held on April 28, 2020 between the hours of 1:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M., prevailing time, in the Wantagh Public Library, at which time the polls will be open to vote by paper ballot upon the following items: 1. To adopt the annual budget of the Wantagh Public Library for the fiscal year 2020/2021 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District. 2. To elect 1 member of the Board of Trustees: one (1) member of the Board of Trustees for a (5) five year term commencing July 1, 2020 and expiring on June 30, 2025. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required to fund the Wantagh Library’s operating budget for 2020/2021 exclusive of public monies, may be obtained upon request by any resident of the District during school business hours beginning April 13, 2020 except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, at the Administration Office, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, NY, and at each of the following schoolhouse offices: Wantagh, Mandalay and Forest Lake Elementary Schools, Wantagh Middle School and Wantagh High School and at the Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Avenue, Wantagh, NY and on the library website www.wantaghlibrary.org. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Trustees shall be filed with the Clerk of said School District at the Administration Building, no later than March 30, 2020 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. Vacancies on the Board of Trustees are not considered separate, specific offices, candidates run at large. Nominating petitions shall not describe any specific vacancy upon the Board for which the candidate is nominated, must be directed to the Clerk of the District, must be signed by at least (25) qualified voters of the District, must state the name and residence of each signer, and must state the name and residence of the candidate.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots will be obtainable during school business hours from the District Clerk at the Administration Office, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, NY and at the Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Avenue, Wantagh, NY and on the Library website www.wantaghlibrary.org. Applications for the absentee ballots may be received by the District Clerk no earlier than the 30th day before the election for which it is sought. Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5:00 P.M., prevailing time, on April 28, 2020. A list of persons to whom absentee ballots are issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District commencing with the issuance of the first absentee ballot in the office of the District Clerk at the Administration Office, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, NY on and after April 23, 2020 between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. on weekdays prior to the day set for the annual election, and on Saturday, April 25, 2020 between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 12 Noon prevailing time and on April 28, 2020 the day set for the election. Any qualified voter present in the polling place may object to the voting of the ballot upon appropriate grounds for making his/her challenge and the reasons therefore known to the Inspector of Election before the close of the polls. Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district may apply for a military ballot. A military ballot application may be requested from the District Clerk and must be returned, in person or by mail, to the Office of the District Clerk, at 3301 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh,NY, not later than 5:00PM on the twenty-sixth (26th) day before the election. A military voter may indicate their preference for receiving the military ballot application by mail, facsimile transmission, or e-mail. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law or pursuant to Article §5 of the Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to §2014 of the Education

Law and has voted at an annual or special district meeting prior to the last four (4) calendar years, he/she is eligible to vote at this election. If a voter is registered and eligible to vote under Article §5 of the Election Law, he/she is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register. The Board of Registration will meet for the purpose of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law at the Wantagh Public Library on April 21, 2020 between the hours of 4:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. to add any additional names to the Register to be used at the aforesaid election, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Register, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such election for which the register is prepared. Any person desiring to register may also register at the Office of the District Clerk between the hours of 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. during school days, Monday through Friday. Such registration, however, shall not take place less than five days preceding April 28, 2020. The register so prepared pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the School District at 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, NY and will be open for inspection in said office by any qualified voter of the District beginning on April 23, 2020 and each day thereafter prior to the day set for the election, except Sunday, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. prevailing time, and on Saturday, April 25, 2020 between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 12:00 Noon prevailing time and at the polling place on the day of the vote. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law of the State of New York, the Board of Registration will meet on April 28, 2020 between the hours of 1:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M., prevailing time, at the Wantagh Public Library to prepare the Register of the School District to be used at the School District election to be held in 2020, and any subsequent special district meetings that may be held after the preparation of said Register, placed on such Register provided that at such meeting of said Board of Registration he/she is known or proved to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or

thereafter entitled to vote at the Library election for which said Register is prepared, or any special district meeting held after April 28, 2020. Elaine F. McGuigan, District Clerk Dated: 2-24-2020 Wantagh Union Free School District Town of Hempstead County of Nassau, New York 120952 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU CITIBANK, N.A. AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF NEW RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2016-3, Plaintiff AGAINST ANDRE HUNTER, TERRI HUNTER, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated August 09, 2019 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Calendar Control Part (CCP) Courtroom of the Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, on April 07, 2020 at 11:30AM, premises known as 1360 OAKFIELD AVENUE, WANTAGH, NY 11793. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, SECTION 56, BLOCK 477, LOT 8. Approximate amount of judgment $670,771.73 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment for Index# 17-002557. JANINE T. LYNAM, ESQ., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC Attorney for Plaintiff 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221 120516 LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST, V. CLINTON WARREN KELLER; if living and if she/he be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; ET. AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated January 29, 2020, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS

WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN — March 26, 2020

Public Notices

Local businesses react to closure order continued from front page in very close contact with people, and we take a huge risk. It was a big decision to close or not, and I’m a bit relieved he made that decision.” Schwartz added that the pandemic forced her to worry about the health of her family, her customers and herself. Man to Man Barber Shop in Seaford closed on Friday, two days before the directive took effect, “just to be safer” according to its owner, who asked not to be named. He added that he was not happy about being forced to close. “What we do next will have a massive impact on the trajectory of this virus in New York,” Cuomo wore earlier last week. “We can only maintain public health by staying apart. The decision each of us makes now will impact us all tomorrow. Stay home.” Other businesses adapted to the changing situation in a variety of ways. “We began preparing for something like this a few weeks ago,” said Tony Smith, who owns SAS Realty in Wantagh. He was unsure whether his brokers would be allowed to continue showing homes in person, but, he said, “we’ve only been showing empty houses, not those that are still occupied.” In those cases, he explained, “We’ve been using virtual tours to show the houses.” He said he believed his brokers would be able to continue that practice. Despite the hike in mortgage rates last week by Freddie Mac, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, “the market is still firm,” Smith said. “Even with the increase, interest rates are still really low” — currently between 3.5 and 4 percent. “I showed a woman a house [on March 14], and she bought it on the spot,” he added. For businesses considered essential, the picture was quite different. Mid Island Medical Supplies owner Chris Brown said he could hardly keep supplies in stock. “I got 100 digital thermometers [last Thursday], and they were all gone in an hour,” Brown said. Surgical masks were reserved for those specified by the state Department of Health — mainly first responders, health care workers and those diagnosed as positive for the coronavirus. But despite orders from state and local officials threatening action against price gougers, prices for

Timothy Denton/Herald-Citizen

Mid island Medical Supply was not affected by the closure and has been doing a booming business. boxes of 50 masks — normally $15.95 — ranged from $49.95 to $500, Brown said. “A lot of manufacturers are still keeping the prices low but overcharging for shipping and handling,” he said. “People are scared of the unknown,” Brown added. “We see the headlines with every death; it’s blown out of proportion. Where were they during flu season?” This year’s flu season has been particularly harsh, with more than 29 million cases nationally and about 16,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “I’m an optimist — I think we’re going to see some good things come out of this,” Smith said. “I think we’re going to see new business models, different ways of doing things. We’ve been doing things pretty much the same way for a long, long time.” For example, he said, more businesses would likely convert to online models rather than continuing as bricks-and-mortar businesses. “A lot of people are running businesses right out of their homes,” he said. Meanwhile, hoarding continued to be evident, with rationing in effect in some supermarkets. King Kullen placed a twoper-customer limit on all “like items” in the store, even including such goods as cat food. Other businesses were busy right up to the deadline. T&T Gunnery, in Seaford, had lines out the door as late as 4:30 on Sunday afternoon, as gun sales throughout the county and state soared.

salon scarpello, in Wantagh, was just one of many service businesses that remained shuttered this week because of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s order. soMe stores, like King Kullen, in Wantagh, limited customers’ purchases in a belated attempt to discourage hoarding. Timothy Denton/Herald-Citizen

Businesses that are exempt While consumers may be worried they will not be able to find supplies of toilet paper or chicken, a number of businesses are unaffected by Cuomo’s order. They include:

Docking AccomiDAtions up to 50’ vessel

cAll for Docking pricing AnD AvAilAbility

Courtesy Google Maps

J.D. Freda contributed to this story.

■ Accountants and financial services firms

personAl Jet ports AvAilAble seAsonAl

■ Auto repair shops ■ Banks ■ Billboard leasing and maintenance ■ Child care services

Watercraft Dealer

Whaleneck Marina PoWer SPortS

3000 Whaleneck Drive • Merrick, nY 11566 • (516) 378-8025 Find us on Facebook & Instagram or visit us online: www.whaleneckmarinapowersports.com

■ Doormen 1081783

March 26, 2020 — WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN

■ Food banks ■ Funeral homes

■ Grocery and convenience stores ■ Hardware stores ■ Landscaping services ■ Laundromats ■ Mail and shipping services ■ Medical supply stores ■ Pet stores ■ Pharmacies ■ Restaurants and bars (take-out and delivery only) ■ Trash and recycling services Source: N.Y. State Department of Economic Development

WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN — March 26, 2020

Photos courtesy Wantagh Fire Department

The driver of the car was not injured in the one-car collision.

Car ablaze on Wantagh Parkway At approximately 10:50 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17, the Wantagh Fire Department was alerted of a car fire on the Wantagh State Parkway south of the Southern State Parkway interchange. Safety Officer and former chief George Krant arrived to the scene and reported the location and extent of the fire. He deemed it a one-car accident. It was later determined that the driver of the vehicle was the lone occupant, and that only minor injuries were sustained. Wantagh Volunteer Fire Department

Engines 2 and 7 responded to the blaze. Engine 2, led by Lieutenant Nick Finocchio, stretched a hose line and began “attacking the fire,” according to a report released by the department. Engine 7, led by Captain Dan Brandon, assisted Engine 2. Hose lines were extended from both Engine 2 and 7 to quell the inferno. Rescue companies 2 and 4, along with Fire Police, responded to the alarm. The driver was evaluated on the scene. He refused medical aid at the scene.

U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice under self-quarantine By AlyssA seidmAn aseidman@liherald.com

Sue Grieco/Herald

U.s. rep. KAThleen Rice, who represents New York’s 4th Congressional District, is placing herself under self-quarantine after coming into contact with an individual who had tested positive for the coronavirus.

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U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice will be under selfquarantine until March 27 after coming into contact with an individual who had tested positive for coronavirus, according to a statement posted on her Facebook page early Thursday morning. “I learned this evening that someone I was in contact with last Friday has tested positive for COVID-19,” the statement said. “After consultations with the Attending Physician and out of an abundance of caution for those around me, I will be self-quarantining until Friday, March 27.” The statement indicated that Rice is currently not experiencing any symptoms, and that she feels “healthy and well.” Rice thanked the healthcare workers “on the front lines” of the outbreak, and advised anyone reading the message to take the matter “seriously.” “These are difficult times, and it often requires difficult decisions to keep ourselves apart from our loved ones,” the statement said. “When in doubt, just listen to the advice of our medical professionals.”

March 26, 2020 — WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN

What’s neWs in and out of the classroom

Herald ScHoolS Young readers united across the state Lee Road Elementary School kindergartners in Christina Wilkinson’s and Nicole Bischof ’s class connected with another kindergarten class across New York State on March 9. Corie Cosgrove, a teacher trainer in the district’s computer department, connected the Lee Road class via videoconference with Rebecca Pitillo’s kindergarten students from Harold O. Brumsted Elementary School in Holland, N.Y.. Both classes had read “The Mitten,” by Jan Brett, and researched animals from the story. Each kindergarten class shared its favorite parts of the book and challenged the other class to guess its favorite animal based on clues provided. The Long Island students also learned more about their New York State counterparts. They asked where Brumsted School was located and how many kindergarten classes were in the school. Both classes shared details about their everyday lives in a question-and -answer session toward the end of the exercise.

lee Road kindeRgaRtneRs interacted with kindergartners from Harold O. Brumsted Elementary School in Holland, N.Y.

Photos courtesy Levittown Schools

teacheR chRistina Wilkinson, rear, counted how many boys were in the class to show the Holland students how many girls and boys they had in their classroom.

Public Notices

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MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST, is the Plaintiff and CLINTON WARREN KELLER; if living and if she/he be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the CALENDAR CONTROL PART (CCP) COURTROOM OF THE SUPREME COURT, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on April 14, 2020 at 11:30 am, premises known as 62 TANGLE LANE, WANTAGH, NY 11793: Section 51, Block 405, Lot 28: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT WANTAGH, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 611839/2017. Stephen Frommer, Esq. - Referee. RAS Boriskin, LLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. 120856

LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO WACHOVIA MORTGAGE, FSB, Plaintiff, vs. JOSEPH P. LEONARDO, AUDREY M. LEONARDO A/K/A AUDREY M. LEONARD, et al., Defendants NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on November 30, 2015, I, Paul King, Esq., the

Referee named in the Order to Substitute Referee entered on September 7, 2018, will sell in one parcel at public auction on April 7, 2020 at Calendar Control Part (CCP) Courtroom of the Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, County of Nassau, State of New York, at 11:30 A.M., the premises described as follows: 2848 Riverside Drive Wantagh, NY 11793 SBL No.: 63–291–59 ALL THAT TRACT OF PARCEL OF LAND situate at Wantagh, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 014266/13 in the amount of $720,266.86 plus interest and costs. Kathryn E. Assini, Esq. Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP Plaintiff’s Attorney 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 120546

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that an Order granted by the Supreme Court, Nassau County, on the 9th day of March , 2020, bearing index number, 2020-601070, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Nassau County Clerk, located at 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, New York 11501,which grants RODERICA HERMAN, a/k/a RICKI HERMAN, a/k/a RODERICA RUOCCHIO, a/k/a RICKI RUOCCHIO, a/k/a RICKI H. RUOCCHIO, to assume the name of RICKI H. RUOCCHIO. The city and state of my present address are Wantagh, New York; the month and year of my birth are July 1953; the place of my birth is Queens, New York, and an affidavit of such publication shall be filed in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office within ninety (90) days after the making of this Order, 121372

Wilkinson’s students held up their homemade paper mittens. lee Road elementaRy School kindergartner June Noonan, left, read a clue to Holland Elementary School students about an animal from Jan Brett’s book “The Mitten” through video conferencing on March 9.

HS1 03/26

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Rockville Centre

Just Listed!

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EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted

Administrative Assistant:

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COMBINED INSURANCE EXPANDING Long Island operation! Full time W2 sales agent opportunity full company benefits and leads provided. Call Bob (516) 567-7733 for immediate interview.

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MARINA YARD HELP F/T

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home in the Village of Rockville Centre. This

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Richner Communications, one of the fastest growing media, event and communications companies on Long Island is seeking a Sales/Marketing candidate to sell our digital, events, sponsorships and print media products. Salary, Commission, Eligible for Health benefits, 401k and paid time off. Will consider part time. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to rglickman@liherald.com

new full bath. Lower level has a den area, home office, bedroom with egress window, half bath and laundry. Upstairs apartment has a new kitchen, living and dining room, bedroom, full bath and large deck to sit out and relax or BBQ. SD #21. MLS# 3208867. $875,000

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Mary Beth Darcy, CBR Real Estate Salesperson 516.678.1510 ext. 2811, c. 516.972.7028 MaryDarcy@DanielGale.com MaryDarcy.DanielGale.com

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WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN — March 26, 2020

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HS2 03/26

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March 26, 2020 — WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN

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Here’s My Card Directory Just call 1029201

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Stuff

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

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HErald

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AUTOMOBILE & MARINE

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

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WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN — March 26, 2020

HERALD

HS3 03/26

Herald editorial

Wantagh Wantagh

HERALD HERALD March 26, 2020 — WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN

Citizen

Established 1990 Tim DenTon Senior Editor J.D. FReDA Reporter

RhonDA GlickmAn Advertising Account Executive oFFice 2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530

Phone: (516) 569-4000 Fax: (516) 569-4942 Web: www.liherald.com E-mail: wantagheditor@liherald.com oFFiciAl neWSPAPeR: Wantagh School Dristrict Levittown School District Wantagh Seaford Homeowners Assoc.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS Robert Richner Edith Richner Publishers, 1964-1987 ■ cliFFoRD RichneR STUART RichneR Publishers michAel boloGnA Vice President - Operations

Want relief? Restore the SALT deduction.

n 2017, President Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It was supposed to supercharge the economy, bringing new manufacturing jobs to hardhit areas, and no doubt, it brought some success. Job gains weren’t higher than they were during the Obama administration, but there were steady gains — until there weren’t. The latest unemployment figures, released by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, are from March 6 — when unemployment stood at 3.5 percent — but we know that figure is sure to rise as tens of thousands of Americans are forced out of work because of the coronavirus and will file jobless claims. The unemployment rate is only expected to increase. People will need relief. At press time, Congress was debating a

nearly $2 trillion relief package that, when passed, was expected to put somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000 in each American’s hands. The measure should provide a desperately needed shot in the arm to a national economy that is fast seizing. On Long Island, however, it’s hardly enough. In high-tax regions like New York and California, the weight of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was already causing enormous fiscal strain for many homeowners, who lost all but $10,000 of the federal deduction for state and local taxes, known commonly as the SALT deduction. Loss of that single deduction in high-tax regions has cost people thousands of dollars. Many Long Island taxpayers reported that their federal tax bills rose $3,000, $5,000, $8,000 or more last year. Those bills are not expected to abate this year, unless Congress acts.

It should immediately reinstate the SALT deduction. People here will certainly take $1,000 or $2,000, but restoring the deduction would do far more for many homeowners who are suffering because of the coronavirus. Most homeowners accepted higher taxes because they believed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was boosting the economy — and thus their 401(k) plans. Last week we saw the foolishness of Trump’s tradeoff, as the stock market tumbled and those 401(k)’s sank to the level they were when Trump took office. That is, all of the stock market gains realized over the past three-plus years were erased just like that. Now many Long Islanders are stuck with oversized tax bills. The time to act intelligently has come. Give the SALT deduction back — now, not later.

■ ScoTT bRinTon Executive Edtitor

Save a life — give blood, especially now

Jim hARmon

Copy Editor chRiSTinA DAlY Photo Editor TonY belliSSimo Sports Editor kARen bloom Calendar Editor ■ RhonDA GlickmAn Vice President - Sales ellen ReYnolDS Classified Manager loRi beRGeR Digital Sales Manager ■

JeFFReY neGRin Creative Director cRAiG WhiTe Production Coordinator cRAiG cARDone Art Director ■ DiAnne RAmDASS Circulation Director

he American Red Cross is urging healthy, eligible people who are feeling well to give blood or platelets to help maintain a sufficient blood supply and prevent shortages as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Even before COVID-19 swept across the country in recent weeks, the cold and flu season had already hurt the nation’s ability to maintain its blood supply, according to the Red Cross. As the number of coronavirus cases grows in the U.S., the number of people eligible to give blood could decrease as well. “We’re asking the American people to help keep the blood supply stable during this challenging time,” said Chris Hrouda,

president of Red Cross Blood Services. “As communities across the country prepare for this public health emergency, it’s critical that plans include a readily available blood supply for hospital patients.” But, Hrouda noted, “As fears of the coronavirus rise, low donor participation could harm blood availability at hospitals, and the last thing a patient should worry about is whether lifesaving blood will be on the shelf when they need it most.” You can make an appointment to donate blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling (800) 733-2767. Type O and platelet donations are especially needed now. Donating blood is safe, and people

■

heRAlD commUniTY neWSPAPeRS Baldwin Herald Bellmore Herald Life East Meadow Herald Franklin Square/Elmont Herald Freeport Leader Long Beach Herald Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald Malverne/West Hempstead Herald Merrick Herald Life Nassau Herald Oceanside/Island Park Herald Oyster Bay Herald Guardian Rockaway Journal Rockville Centre Herald South Shore Record Valley Stream Herald Wantagh Herald Citizen Seaford Herald Citizen

membeR: Local Media Association New York Press Association Wantagh Chamber of Commerce

Published by Richner communications, inc. 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530 (516) 569-4000

letters State responds to COVID-19 To the Editor: New York state is working around the clock to expand hospital capacity and acquire life-saving medical equipment as we continue to test tens of thousands of New Yorkers for the novel coronavirus. Right now we are facing a generation-defining challenge. But America is America because of our ability to overcome adversity and challenges. I believe that to the bottom of my soul. We will overcome this, get through this and come out even stronger. I am calling on the federal government to implement the Defense Production Act to direct companies to produce medical supplies like ventilators and masks. New York state is scouring the globe for these supplies, but we need more than we can find. Currently, states are competing with other states, hospitals

should not hesitate to give or receive blood, according to the Red Cross. There is no evidence that the coronavirus can be transmitted by blood transfusion, and there have been no reported cases of transfusion transmission for any respiratory virus, including COVID-19. A blood donation takes about an hour from start to finish, but the actual donation only takes eight to 10 minutes. To donate blood, you should have a blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification. People who are at least 17 years old (16 with written parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may donate.

opinions

hen the bubonic plague struck England in 1665, a young pastor convinced the people of his villagAe to self-quarantine in an effort to prevent the infection from spreading to neighboring towns. The story of that time became “Year of Wonder,” by Geraldine Brooks. Today, over 300 years later, the story resonates with new meaning. As you might expect, people behaved as humans do in crisis. Some were the toilet paper hoarders of their day. Some turned randi murderous and kreiss mean over food supplies. Many found grace in the crucible of fear and infection. We are now in the throes of a destabilizing national emergency. As we go to press, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus is increasing hourly. The federal response has been profoundly disorganized, leaving citizens with little access to tests that could inform them about the progress of the disease. Central command is out of touch, literally and metaphorically.

The remarkable thing is how well we are doing — we regular folks who go to work and put food on the table and care for others. Initially, we turned to President Trump for leadership and for an organizing plan to deal with the crisis. But the president has failed us, as he descends into an epic spiral of selfaggrandizement and miscommunication. He doesn’t have the capacity for the humane gesture that this moment demands. The miracle, to me, is that even without the blessing of sane and sound leadership, we, the people, are getting the job done. We are witnessing an incredible validation of the American spirit. Citizens are stepping up, helping neighbors, quarantining themselves when necessary and taking all the steps a functioning federal task force would advise. (Except for the spring breakers in Florida, but they’ll catch up.) We have governors and mayors and municipal leaders at every level who are taking charge of their communities and making sure that schools are closing when necessary, events are postponed, and civil order is maintained. This is a demonstration of democracy at its best.

e’re seeing a validation of the American spirit. People are stepping up.

Letters with other hospitals, and there is significant price gouging. The federal government must nationalize the contracting and acquisition of medical supplies. Non-essential businesses were closed as of 8 p.m. Sunday. Essential businesses like pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations and more will stay open. I accepted the Army Corps of Engineers’ recommendations for temporary hospital sites in New York state, and we were ready for construction to start Monday. Hospitals at our SUNY campuses in Old Westbury and Stony Brook will be built indoors, with outdoor tent support, and on-site health care staff will stay at the dormitories. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will erect an additional four federal 250-bed hospitals. Each FEMA facility will be fully staffed by the federal government. We are acting to maximize existing hospital capacity. I am requiring all hospitals statewide to develop plans that expand their capacity by at least 50 percent, with the goal of expanding overall capacity by 100 percent. (State regulations on capacity have been temporarily waived.) The state also leased a nursing home in Brooklyn to convert to a 600-bed hospital. Finally, all elective, non-critical surgeries have been canceled, effective March 25, which will free up around a quarter of existing hospital beds. Drug therapy trials were scheduled

No one had to tell The New York Times and The Washington Post to take down the pay walls on their websites so that anyone who needs the news can access it for free. No one had to order the closing of all the social and entertainment venues that vendors shut down themselves to slow the spread of disease. No one had to order people to stay home if they feel sick. One singular hero of the moment is Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. He has spoken truth to power, often and early, deftly calling out the dangerous lies coming from Trump and urging a robust response to Covid-19 while the president was predicting an easy and early end to the pandemic. We are being tested, as individuals and as a nation. According to Fauci, we are in for a rough patch for some months before the virus starts to burn out. If the federal government, specifically the Centers for Disease Control, can get tests out faster and find out how many are sick and where they live, we can begin to mitigate the effects of the pandemic as it spreads, state by state.

I read a piece in The Times by Jon Mooalem about the devastating 9.2 earthquake in Anchorage in 1964. He wrote about the horrific death and destruction, and how people behaved during the aftershocks. Instead of running for safety, they ran into danger to help their neighbors. Ordinary folks were putting out fires and moving beams and filling in at the police department. Mooalem wrote about our present national disaster: “Washing your hands, staying home when you’re sick, limiting travel, keeping yourself healthy, not touching your face — little of what we’re being told to do feels particularly heroic or world-changing … But for a lot of us, it is, in fact, the job that’s in front of us right now — the role that these disordered circumstances are calling each of us, at a minimum, to play… “…There are, and will be more, situations where helping more directly becomes possible and necessary — especially if we’re not getting coherent leadership, or even honesty, from those in charge. But we can’t afford to feel that canceling a school band concert, or suspending a basketball season, is a withering retreat; we must see them as parts of an empowered, collaborative undertaking.” Copyright 2019 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

FrameWork by Cristina Daly

to start Tuesday. The state has acquired 70,000 doses of hydroxychloroquine, 10,000 doses of Zithromax and 750,000 doses of chloroquine. GOv. ANDrEW CUOMO

MSSN needs masks and volunteers To the Editor: Our front-line teams of doctors, nurses and support staff at Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital need personal protective equipment, specifically surgical and N95 masks. If you have masks you are willing to donate or work for a business that has extra supply, please contact Tim Matejka, executive director of development, at (516) 377-5360, or Timothy.Matejka@snch.org. Also, all retired South Nassau physicians, nurses, pharmacists and respiratory therapists who are able and willing to volunteer their services during the COvID-19 crisis should contact Mary Golden, assistant vice president of human resources, at (516) 632 4080. We are grateful for your support of our hospital. Stay healthy! DANA SANNEMAN Executive director of public affairs, Mount Sinai South Nassau

No tweet or press release needed: This says it all — Franklin Square

Thoughts or comments about our stories? Send letters to the editor to execeditor@liherald.com

WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN — March 26, 2020

I wonder whether this will be our ‘year of wonder’

We’re Here For You. Breaking Coverage at liherald.com/CORONAVIRUS

Local News You Can Trust. We understand you need the most upto-date information about this situation. Our team of experienced, professional journalists is covering the local stories happening in our community during this challenging time. As a service to our community we are providing FREE coronavirus coverage online during the crisis. Want to share news ideas, thoughts, coronavirus experiences, comments, announcements? Submit now, we’re listening. Email coronaeditor@liherald.com

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Local Businesses. We want to help you continue doing business. Tell us your challenges, your needs and your message.

at significantly reduced rates with higher frequency of your messaging.

The Herald team is focused on developing appropriate marketing solutions to help you, including online, print, email and social marketing solutions available

As we work and implement solutions with other local businesses, let us be your guide through a difficult time.

Email VP of Advertising Rhonda Glickman at rglickman@liherald.com To stay safe we are mostly working from home, but we are fully staffed and ready to help the community however we can!

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March 26, 2020 — WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN