Wantagh Herald 05-18-2023

Lifelong friends named top two

Katherine Killian, Nora Toscano lead Wantagh’s Class of 2023

By MIcHAel MAlAsZcZYK mmalaszczyk@liherald.com

Nearly 13 years ago, Katherine Killian and Nora Toscano became friends in kindergarten at Wantagh’s Forest Lake Elementary School. Now they will lead Wantagh High School’s Class of 2023 — Killian as valedictorian and Toscano as salutatorian.

“It’s a full-circle moment,” Killian said. “We started out in Miss Adams’ kindergarten class, and now we’re both seniors and in many of the same classes and courses. It’s

just surreal.”

The pair finished academically within decimal points of each other — Killian’s grade point average was 108.56 and Toscano’s was 108.2. They both tried hard not to think about receiving the honor, and instead focused on their studies.

They attended elementary school and middle school together before arriving at Wantagh High, where they became known as the “dynamic duo,” as described by Principal Paul Guzzone. Both Killian, Continued on page 2

Town of Hempstead officials fuming over Liberty plan

By JoRdAN VAlloNe jvallone@liherald.com

More than 100,000 customers across Nassau County’s South Shore communities may face a steep increase in their private water bills if Liberty Utilities’ planned rate hikes are approved.

Some 113,000 residents between the Five Towns and Seaford receive private water — sometimes paying up to 1,300 percent more for it than Town of Hempstead Water Department customers.

Liberty Utilities, which took over operations from New York American Water in January of

2022, filed a notice with the New York State Public Service Commission on May 5, seeking a cumulative 34.2 percent rate hike across Nassau County.

When Liberty purchased the water company, it agreed to a two-year rate freeze, as previously reported in the Herald. If approved by the state, the proposed rate increases of 42 percent and 39 percent in the Merrick and Lynbrook service areas, respectively, would take effect next year.

Liberty is seeking the increase to offset the cost of “necessary plant investments, high tax burdens, the installation of advanced metering

infrastructure, proposed lowincome and arrearage management programs, and a fee-free program for electronic payment of Liberty NYW invoices,” according to the filing.

The company added that the rate hike would help cover the cost of 17 new jobs that were created at its Merrick offices, as well as “the implementation of a low-income program” to provide aid to certain customers.

Customers in the Lynbrook service area, also referred to as Service Area 1, could see an $18.32 increase per month in their water bills. This service area includes dozens of surrounding communities. In the

Merrick service area, which encompasses Bellmore, Wantagh, Seaford, Massapequa and parts of Levittown, customers’ monthly bills are projected to increase by $15.74.

The fight for public water in several Town of Hempstead communities has been a long and challenging one. Dave Denenberg, a former county leg-

islator and co-director of Long Island Clean Air Water & Soil, or CAWS, an advocacy group that has been fighting for the cause, said Liberty’s request is not surprising.

“History keeps repeating itself for residents abused by a private water monopoly,” Denenberg said. Private water

Continued on page 4

Courtesy Wantagh Public Schools

WANTAgH HIgH scHool seniors Katherine Killian, left, and Nora Toscano are the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of the class of 2023.

whose strength lies in science, and Toscano, who is particularly strong in English, complimented one another and tried to assist the other whenever possible.

“We’ve always balanced each other out,” Toscano said. “We’ve always wanted the best for each other and we always helped each other out with certain subjects.”

Killian is planning to attend Rochester Institute of Technology in the fall, enrolling in a five-year program that will culminate with her receiving both her bachelor’s and her master’s degrees. She said she wants to become a physician’s assistant.

Toscano will enroll in Georgetown University, where she has yet to declare her major but is hoping to study both English and government. Journalism might be in Toscano’s future, since she has been the editor-in-chief of the high school newspaper, The Warrior, for two years.

al Honor Society and treasurer of Science Olympiad, for which she earned a silver medal in an anatomy and physiology competition. She helped launch Wantagh’s chapter of Health Occupations Students of America for those seeking careers in the medical field.

Toscano is vice president of the Gay-Straight Alliance, treasurer of the World Language Honor Society and a member of Model Congress. Her writing has been recognized nationally, earning a Gold Key award and two honorable mention awards in the Scholastic Arts and Writing competition. She also has assumed leadership of a creative writing class, called Story Seekers, for middle school students at the Wantagh Public Library — a project that was started by last year’s valedictorian, Juliana Rose.

Paul Guzzone principal, Wantagh High School

“My favorite story was sophomore year, where I interviewed Miss Klein, who is our school social worker,” Toscano said. “We talked about quarantine and Covid, and ways that impacted students’ mental health and just like ways, things that we could do, and ways that we can be better for each other.”

Killian and Toscano agreed that many educators helped them reach the top of their class, including science teachers Lori Houde and Samantha Gordon, English teachers Heather Naughton, Heather Jones and Julie Magnuson, as well as math teacher Kali Psihos.

Both Killian and Toscano are athletes as well as scholars — Killian plays basketball and lacrosse and runs cross country, while Toscano plays lacrosse as well.

In addition, Killian is president of the Science Nation-

Both Killian and Toscano took more than 10 Advanced Placement courses and earned the AP Capstone and the Seal of Biliteracy.

“I’m going to miss the school atmosphere,” Killian said. “In Wantagh, the teachers and students are very close, and the teachers are so easy to talk to. If you ever have like a difficulty, whether it’s like school related or like personal, they’re always there to support you. It is such a small town and I feel like the community is always together.”

Toscano agreed with that sentiment, singling out Psihos as a teacher who was always willing to assist students, with academic or personal problems.

According to Guzzone, they stand out among all of the valedictorians and salutatorians he has seen in his time as an educator.

“I’ve been around a lot of vals and sals,” Guzzone said. “And sometimes you see students who are valedicto-

rians because they focus on their grades. These two have the grades anyway, but their participation for our school and our community is tremendous. They are the dynamic duo of Wantagh. They are going to do great things and represent Wantagh very well.”

Michael Malaszczyk/Herald Salutatorian nora toScano, left, and Valedictorian Katherine Killian have been friends since kindergarten.

A barbecue for Lag B’Omer at Chabad

The Chabad Center for Jewish Life, which services the Jewish community of Merrick, Bellmore, Wantagh and surrounding communities, hosted its annual Lag B’Omer festivities on May 9, a joyous holiday celebrated with outings, bonfires and more.

As explained in an email from the Chabad Center, the holiday celebrates the death of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, who is believed to be buried in Meron, Israel. Many visit his resting place on the holiday.

“Lag B’Omer is one of the most enjoyable Jewish celebrations,” Chabad Director Rabbi Shimon Kramer said. “It actually commemorates the passing of a great Jewish leader, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, but is celebrated in a positive, upbeat way, as Rabbi Shimon willed it.”

On the day of his death, it believed that Rabbi Bar Yochai instructed his disciples to mark the date as “the day of my joy.” Each year, his life is celebrated — as well as the revelation of esoteric soul of the Torah — an inspiration to Jewish people today.

The holiday also commemorates the ending of a plague that killed thousands of disciples of another Jewish leader, Rabbi Akiva be Yosef, because “they did not act respectfully towards each other,” according to the Chabad Center.

On Lag B’Omer, the plague ended, and today, the holiday carries the theme of “Ahavat Yisrael,” which means the imperative love and respect to one’s fellow.

At the Chabad’s Merrick location at 2174 Hewlett Ave., there were plenty of opportunities for kids to learn about the holiday and have fun. Along with a show featuring Magic Jeff, a magician who combines comedy and non-stop entertainment in his demonstrations, there was also a Kosher barbecue dinner, fun Jewish crafts, sports with Super Soccer Stars, and s’mores and stories around a fire pit.

emma bros, 8, showed off a kite she created with Shmuel Csillag.

eiTan brof, 7, completed fun crafts with Shimon Namirovski, left, and Michael Duboff, right, who were dressed up in costume to celebrate the holiday.

rabbi shimon kramer, director of the Chabad Center, met with some of the children who were both learning about Lag B’Omer and celebrating the holiday.

Keith Rossein/Herald photos

The Chabad CenTer for Jewish Life hosted its annual Lag B’Omer festivities at its Merrick center on May 9. The holiday is celebrated through many fun activities, including a bonfire.

–Jordan Vallone

reagan bondarsky, 4, and Isla Kolisker, 4, went down the slide together at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life.

Merrick area would be hit hard by rate hike

continued from front page

companies, he added, “always promise to hold rates for the first year or two, and then they go for these dramatic rate increases.”

In November 2021, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill creating the South Nassau Water Authority, a public entity with the sole purpose of taking over Liberty. The bill required the town to appoint three board members to the SNWA, while the Nassau County legislature was tasked with naming the other two.

By March of last year, five board members were named — Joseph Baker, John Reinhardt and Laura Ryder, each appointed by the town, and Robert Gizzi and Mark Plumer, who were countyappointed.

Ryder resigned from the position to become a town councilwoman, and a new board member, Ella Stevens, was named on May 9. Baker has also stepped down from the board, and his seat has yet to be filled.

Claudia Borecky, co-director of Long Island CAWS, said she expressed her frustrations at the last town board meeting. She added that she would like to see someone like Denenberg fill the vacant seat.

“No one will fight harder than Dave,” she wrote in an email to the Herald. “No one will be more effective in negotiating a public takeover of Liberty water.”

For the state to approve a rate increase, a public hearing must be held, during which a smaller rate hike could be negotiated. A date for the hearing has not yet been set.

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin said he was “outraged” by the threat of an increase.

“Only 16 months after buying Ameri-

South Shore communities served by Liberty

Lynbrook Service area

Atlantic Beach, Baldwin, Baldwin Harbor, Barnum Island, Bay Park, Cedarhurst, East Atlantic Beach. East Rockaway, Harbor Isle, Hewlett, Hewlett Bay Park, Hewlett Harbor, Hewlett Neck, Inwood, Island Park, Lakeview, Lawrence, Lynbrook, Malverne, Malverne Park-Oaks, Meadowmere Park, North Lawrence, North Lynbrook, North

can Water Company, Liberty Utilities filed for a rate increase of nearly 35 percent with the Public Service Commission,” he said in a statement on May 5.

“If approved, the rate increase will allow Liberty to pad the value of the company by foisting this outrageous increase on its customers who are already overpaying for water.

“I, along with the newly formed South

Woodmere, Oceanside, Roosevelt, South Hempstead, Valley Stream, West Hempstead, Woodmere and Woodsburgh.

Merrick Service area

Bellmore, East Massapequa, Merrick, North Seaford, North Wantagh, Levittown, North Bellmore, Massapequa, North Merrick, Seaford and Wantagh.

Nassau Water Authority, urge the Public Service Commission to reject this unconscionable rate increase,” he added. “Liberty water ratepayers deserve better.”

Reinhardt said he supports Clavin’s rejection of the requested rate increase. “Drinking water is a vital resource and should not be used to generate excessive profits,” he said.

While takeover efforts on the South

Liberty UtiLitieS, wHicH provides drinking water to several South Shore communities, is proposing a rate increase. Advocacy groups fighting for a public takeover of companies like Liberty are opposed to the increase — and putting pressure on the South Nassau Water Authority to facilitate takeover efforts.

Shore have been slow, Denenberg said similar public takeovers on the North Shore and in Massapequa are moving along successfully. Liberty has requested to raise the rates in the Sea Cliff service area by 13 percent.

Long Island CAWS said it wants a public meeting addressing the situation with Liberty and immediate action toward a public takeover.

A spokesperson from the Town of Hempstead confirmed that the SNWA would hold public meetings in the upcoming weeks regarding the matter. An announcement will be made once the dates are locked in.

“The reason for this increase, the reason why we’re paying so much, and the reason why we still have this problem,” Denenberg said, “is the Nassau and Hempstead elected officials, who refuse to take advantage of the opportunity that this water authority has for a public acquisition.

“We want to see a public acquisition,” Denenberg added, “and we want to see action towards that immediately.”

History keeps repeating itself for residents abused by a private water monopoly.

Dave Denenberg co-director, Long Island Clean Air Water & Soil

Herald file photo

spotlight athlete

Youthful MacArthur in playoffs

by MarC berMan sports@liherald.com

MacArthur girls’ lacrosse coach Dan Agovino is in a position to be patient.

Agovino’s Generals, amidst a threegame losing streak, are headed to the playoffs as they’ve built a 9-7 record (6-3 in Conference 3.) But no matter happens when it faces Calhoun in Friday’s quarterfinals, there is a big lacrosse future in Levittown.

MacArthur starts nine freshmen, including its star goalie Abby Clarkson.

dylan reyer

Baldwin Senior Softball

a tWo-tiMe all-CoUnty selection and likely well on her way to a third, Reyer recently became the first player in Baldwin softball history to record 100 career stolen bases and is looking to lead the Bruins to a conference title. Dating back to last spring she has swiped 65 consecutive bags without getting caught. The star defensive center fielder and leadoff hitter batted .700 last season. “She’s the ultimate leadoff hitter,” coach Tom Llewellyn said.

softball playoffs

thursday, May 18

Class A first round at higher seed

saturday, May 20

Class AA and A quarterfinals at higher seed

Monday, May 22

Class AA, A and B semifinals Game 1 at higher seed

tuesday, May 23

Class AA, A and B semifinals Game 2 at higher seed

thursday, May 25

Class AA, A and B semifinals Game 3 at higher seed

saturday, May 27

Class AA, A and B finals Game 1 at Mitchel Complex

Monday, May 30

Class AA, A and B finals Game 2 at Mitchel Complex

tuesday, May 31

Class AA, A and B finals Game 3 at Mitchel Complex

“We have a real young core and we’re looking to build the program off that core,’’ said Agovino, head coach since 2016. “We as a coaching staff are very excited about it.’’

But that doesn’t mean MacArthur isn’t attempting to do some damage in the playoffs after coming off a losing season in 2022.

“The freshmen gained a lot of playing experience throughout the season and with their talent level, when you hit the postseason, anything is possible,’’ said Agovino, who has won two straight Nassau County championships as football coach at North Shore. “We’ll see if we can give it a go.’’

“Sometimes freshmen in high pressure situations will make a mistake that seniors won’t make but we’re embracing the process and building the foundation for the future,’’ he added.

Goaltending is a position where experience matters but Clarkson is proving a freshman can not hold down the position with aplomb. She has 132 saves, averaging 10 per start.

“One of her strong points is she’s really composed after a save,’’ said Agovino, whose assistant coach is Susan Ballantyne. “She makes some good clears and outlets, getting the ball back up the field.’’

MacArthur has spread out its scoring. In fact, before Friday’s 9-7 victory over Hewlett, three players were tied for the team lead with 21 goals apiece.

Freshmen Eve Larkin now has (22 goals with 9 assists for 30 points. lefty attacker Kayleigh Huggard (21 goals with 8 assists. Senior Gianna Feniello leads the

club with 23 goals after scoring twice against Hewlett.

Larkin is known as the team’s best finisher but junior Anastasia Angelakis is considered the most valuable performer. Angelakis has 17 goals and 10 assists.

“I call her the heartbeat of the team,’’ Agovino said. “We run a zone defense not a lot of teams run. She’s our backer. She got to quarterback the defense and transition to midfield and play offense. She keeps everything in control so much so that at midseason I elevated her to captain. She’s really become a leader with how hard she works.’’

Agovino has only three seniors who start, including top defender Marissa Cardon, Sophia Marino and Feniello. Agovi-

no says the squad is leaning on their leadership.

Freshman Caileigh O’Shea is the team’s faceoff guru but scored 3 goals against Hewlett. Olivia Clarkson, the twin sister of the goalie, is on defense, along with freshman Emily Flanagan.

The young Generals have been streaky and had lost three straight last week with defeats to unbeaten Friends Academy, an 11-10 heartbreaker to Mineola and a loss to Roslyn that marked the worst of the season.

MacArthur led Mineola by a goal with 5 minutes left but lost the lead with the game-winner scored with 1:30 left. But the win over Hewlett has the Generals marching to the playoffs in stride.

Tony Bellissimo/Herald photo Marissa Cardon, Center, is one of a handful of senior leaders on the Generals’ roster and the glue to its defensive zone.

Everything you can do with a library card

By MICHAEL MALASZCZYK mmalaszczyk@liherald.com

When you think summer, especially in Wantagh and Seaford, you probably think of swimming, tanning, concerts, vacations, and so on.

But with summer approaching, it’s always good to see what’s happening at our local libraries. And with a library card, it turns out there’s a lot — and it’s not just books and movies.

On April 9, the Wall Street Journal reported on how much money you can save simply by acquiring one of these cards. According to Wantagh Library Director Shannon Marchese, interest in library programs rose after that article.

Both the Wantagh and Seaford public libraries have a variety of exciting programs that become immediately available once you have your card.

Wantagh’s programs include “Career Cruising,” “Consumer Reports,” “JobNow,” “LinkedIn Learning,” “Pronunciator,” “Tutor.com,” and “Value Line.”

Career Cruising is for all ages — it can help students find what colleges and majors interest them or help adults find good job matches. Consumer Reports, which the Seaford Library offers as well, has been around for over 80 years, and also comes with a card.

“Any products that you’re looking to buy especially household appliances, or cars, any high ticket items, and you want to do your research before making a purchase? Consumer Reports is going to have all the information you need about those products,” Shannon Marchese said. “And then come the holidays, if you’re looking for gift giving, and you want to see if this is this a good deal? Go to Consumer Reports, they’ll show you what the resale value going rate is.”

LinkedIn Learning teaches users anything they can think of — from job hunting, to cloud computing, market-

WHAt KInd of services and activities come with a humble library card? A lot more than you might imagine. By getting a library card, you automatically save a lot of money on services that come free with it.

ing, photography, animation, and more. It offers over 16,000 online courses in seven different languages.

Pronunciator offers personalized courses, movies, and music in 163 languages.

“Without having to commit to payment, if you want to just learn a few words before you travel, Pronunciator can help you with that,” Marchese said.

Tutor.com connects students one-on-one with a tutor.

The Wantagh Library also offers Value Line, which provides access to various surveys that can streamline

Register for the Ettinger Estate Planning Seminar

Melville Marriott, Saturday, June 3rd, 10:00 a.m. 1350 Walt Whitman Road, Melville

Michael and Suzanne Ettinger will present their free seminar:

“Four Major Reasons Why Trusts Are Preferred over Wills for Seniors” In plain English, we will explain in detail about these topics:

1. Planning for who will control your legal and medical affairs if you become disabled and what legal tools they will need.

2. Wills vs. Trusts – which should you choose and why.

3. Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts – pros and cons of each type of trust and how they work.

4. Protecting inheritances you leave from children’s divorces and creditors and having those assets pass by blood to your grandchildren instead of to in-laws and their families.

It can be difficult to get correct information on these subjects – especially on the internet. At the seminar you will find out what techniques have worked well for our clients for over thirty years. Misconceptions you may have gathered from well-meaning friends and even other professionals will be cleared up and a lively question and answer session will follow.

Please join us at the Melville Marriott, 1350 Walt Whitman Road, Melville on Saturday, June 3rd at 10:00 a.m. by registering at EttingerPlan.com. Seating is limited.

our local libraries

■ Wantagh Public Library — located on 3285 Park Avenue. If you reside within the borders of the Wantagh School District, you qualify for a library card.

■ Seaford Public Library — located on 2234 Jackson Avenue, you qualify for a library card if you live within the borders of the Seaford School District.

investment strategies, with access to stocks and expert analysis.

The Seaford Public Library, in addition to also offering Consumer Reports, offers various museum passes to museums all over Long Island — both Nassau and Suffolk — and New York City with a library card. Seaford offers a job training program called “JobNow,” which provides live, interactive help and resources to help get through the necessary tasks to get a job. It also offers Kanopy, a video streaming service through which you can find movies, documentaries, foreign films, independent films, and so on.

Seaford also offers “Libby/Overdrive” and “TumbeBooks Library,” both of which offer a variety of books, magazines, games, read-alongs, and more.

How do you go about getting a library card?

If you reside within the borders of the Wantagh School District, you qualify automatically for a library card, and the same is true for the Seaford Library if you reside in the Seaford School District.

For information on how to get a Wantagh Public Library card, visit tinyurl.com/WantaghLibraryCard. For information on how to get a Seaford Public Library card, visit tinyurl.com/SeafordLibraryCard.

Michael Malaszczyk/Herald file

Task force hears personal stories of Jewish hate

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

“Being here and sharing what has happened is a very important step.”

Those words were shared by Avi Posnick. He’s the Oceanside-based executive director of StandWithUs Northeast & New England, an international nonprofit Israel education organization. The “here” he mentioned? It was a public forum held by the Nassau County’s Special Legislative Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, a group first assembled in 2021 made up of six county legislators, five members of the public, and a representative from the county executive’s office.

The recent meeting at the county legislative building in Mineola was designed to allow those from the community to share their experiences involving antisemitism.

“We hear about it, we read about it, and some of us may be experiencing it,” said Rabbi Eli Weinstock of the Jewish Center of Atlantic Beach, who chairs the task force. “It could not be ignored without trying to take some action.”

There were 580 antisemitic incidents reported in New York last year, according to the Anti-Defamation League — a record high since 1979, and the highest in the country. Half of those incidents occurred in public spaces, while others took place at Jewish institutions, private residences, secular schools, and business establishments.

The most alarming number, however, was 42: the number of antisemitic incidents reported in Nassau County. There were found in a number of places, and include flyers that circulated last year in communities like Rockville Centre, Oceanside, Long Beach and Huntington reportedly promoting Jewish hate. There were also reports of students experiencing antisemitic bullying at school, and finding swastikas in buildings and parks. Students across the county came forward to share

their stories.

Sofie Glassman says she’s experienced antisemitism since she was 5 and on the school playground.

“A girl told me I wasn’t allowed to play with her because I was Jewish,” she said.

Glassman is now a sophomore at East Meadow High School, but the level of hate is still there. Like one time when she was eating lunch in the school cafeteria and overheard a group of students saying they wanted to throw things at her so they could “knock out my Judaism.”

Glassman told her mother about what happened, who in turn, called the school demanding the situation be addressed.

The punishment? Two months of in-school suspension.

Most recently, Glassman was informed that swastikas were found in the school’s boys bathroom. They’ve also

Welovethepeoplewholiketodotheirownlaundryusingquarterstopayforitall.Butifyou'dprefera uniquenoquarterexperience,quicklyandeasilydownloadour freeapp whenyougethere,andyou'll findnoreasontoeverusequartersagain.However,ifyou'dstillratherusequarters,wesupportyou100%.

DR0POFFSERVICE

WEWASH,DRY,ANDFOLDYOURCLOTHESSOYOUDON'THAVETOWAITAROUND. MINIMUM13LB.LOAD.RIDICULOUSLYLOWPRICEMAKESITOURBESTBARGAIN. JUSTASK.

gotolaundryforcampclothes,trunks,andbeddingfor years.Youcanscheduleapickupanytimewithourclean teamknowingwe'lldelivereverythingbackperfectly. We offer5%offfornewcustomersandanadditional2%offfor yourreferralsthatturnintocustomers.Awin-winfor CampFamiliesandtheirneighbors.

AndThat'snotall.

Coaches knowusforSportsUniformcleaningfortheirdistricts,includingChoirRobes.Benefitsextendto HairSalons,BarberShops,NailSalons,PhysicalTherapistsandDogGroomers; anywhererepetitiveuse offabricsrequireaprofessionalcleaning. Andwedoitallwithourprovenreliabilityandfairpricing.

CAROLiNE KRONENfELD, A senior at Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School, joined junior Yoav Muscal to share their experiences of antisemitism in their school district to members of Nassau County’s Special Legislative Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, during a public forum held earlier this month in Mineola.

been found elsewhere in the county, including in a Five Towns-area public school.

Another student, Caroline Kronenfeld, says the Holocaust is taught in schools like hers — Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School — but very little is discussed about the racism Jewish students face. The senior recounted one experience in the school library where she overheard a group of students saying “Kanye was right.” That Kanye being rapper Kanye West — now known as Ye — who was accused of making antisemitic statements on social media platforms that some say outright threatened violence against Jews.

“We learn about the Holocaust and the severity of that,” Kronenfeld said. “We don’t learn about the severity of casual antisemitism.”

And that’s important, East Meadow’s Glassman said. “School is a place that I am supposed to feel safe in,” she said, “and feel supported by the administration.”

Hernesto Galdamez/Herald

Many possibilities as Seaford students go career hunting

More than 80 professionals shared tips with Seaford Middle School eighth graders on May 11 on how to have suc cessful careers. It was the first time in four years that the school has hosted the spring Career Day, which is a chance for students to start thinking about their future plans as they head to high school.

There were 20 tables, each featuring professionals from related fields. With three 40-minute sessions, students were able to hear about a variety of careers. English teacher Carin Hoy, who coordinated the event, said that students got a list of speakers in advance and submitted their top choices so they could be matched with areas of interest.

“I’m so grateful that we are able to run this program again, because it’s so important to show students what’s out there for them,” Ms. Hoy said. “There’s a whole world of possibilities, and students can see how these careers are attainable.”

Speakers represented a variety of professions including aviation, business and finance, construction trades, counseling, disability services, education, emergency response, health care, law enforcement, library science, media and broadcasting, veterinary medicine and more. The 82 speakers included new and returning presenters, including parents and guardians of middle school students, and teachers and support staff from Seaford schools. Ms. Hoy thanked everyone for giving their time.

In addition to speaking about their careers, the presenters discussed the qualities that help people attain success, such as hard work and the ability to collaborate with others. “Putting your best self out there” was one of the main messages that students heard, Ms. Hoy explained.

Instead of their normal school attire, students dressed up as if they were going on a job interview. Before Career Day, stu-

dents prepared questions for the speakers during English classes. Seventh graders also walked through the cafeteria and gymnasium, where the sessions took place, to see what they will experience next year.

Eighth grader Cian Dobbin heard from speakers about business and finance, counseling and support services, and licensed professionals and trades.

“It opens up a lot of different branches that you can go into in each career,” he said, adding that the presenters were very informative.

Katharyn Malone, who is interested in a business career, enjoyed hearing from a variety of professionals including an accountant, financial adviser, client relations manager and business owner. The speakers emphasized organizational skills and the ability to multitask, she said. They also recommended getting experience with jobs in customer service.

“I’ve learned a lot of things about many different careers,” Katharyn Malone said. “There are a lot of opportunities that I wasn’t aware of.”

Seaford Middle School eighth graders attended Career Day on May 11, hearing about a variety of professions including education and library science.

Jillian BuSSani welcoMed her father, Daniel Bussani, whose company sells wheelchair accessible vans.

Are you a multi generational high school graduating family?

Fifth graders learn about middle school

Fifth graders at Wantagh Elementary School got a glimpse of the future on May 8 when they met with student ambassadors from Wantagh Middle School.

As the transition to middle school nears, fifth graders received advice and guidance from those who best know what the student experience is like there. The ambassadors visited each fifth grade classroom and shared a digital presentation. They discussed the middle school schedule, elective classes, extracurricular activities, lunch and recess, spirit activities, special events and rules and expectations.

Perhaps most important, the ambassadors tried to alleviate any anxiety about the upcoming transition by highlighting the middle school’s supportive environment. They noted the “Warriors Care” motto and the Caring Warriors kindness recognition program. Ambassadors also talked about the “helping team” which includes the principal, assistant principal, nurses, guidance counselors, psychologists and social workers.

A great aspect of middle school, the ambassadors explained, is the ability to make new friends as students from all three elementary schools come together for the first time in sixth grade. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session.

Student ambassadors are sixth, seventh and eighth graders who were nominated by their teachers for being good representatives of the school. They will also visit Wantagh’s other fifth grade classes at Forest Lake and Mandalay elementary schools. The program is overseen by teacher Corrie Harris and psychologist Tracy Zelenetz.

Wantagh ElEmEntary School fifth graders were excited to meet with sixth, seventh and eighth grade students.

thE middlE School student ambassadors gave a presentation to prepare fifth graders for middle school.

Photos courtesy Wantagh Public Schools

STEPPING OUT

Galway to Broadway

Acclaimed singer/actor Ciarán Sheehan and his friends appear on the Tilles Center stage for an intimate musical journey, Beautiful, soaring Broadway favorites balanced with heart-tugging Irish melodies and humor are on full display with Dublin-born Sheehan, whose rich tenor voice and performances have been described as touching the soul. Sheehan made his Broadway debut as Babet, Marius in ‘Les Miserables,’and shortly thereafter in ‘The Phantom of the Opera.’ After a year of playing Raoul on Broadway, he moved into the coveted starring role of The Phantom, which he sang in more than 1,000 performances. His performances easily capture an audience, with the requisite charisma and magnetic stage presence. Don’t miss this lovely evening of Broadway, Irish music and mirth! This concert will lift your spirits and have you humming along to your favorite tunes.

By Karen Bloom

If the idea of longer, warmer days has you reaching for the tongs, you’re certainly not alone. Whether it’s a graduation party, a Memorial Day celebration, or simply to while away the hours with your gang, get outside and get your grilling game on.

From versatile chicken to meats, tender seafood, veggies, and even fruit, it’s never been more fun to incorporate new flavors into grilled cuisine. Find some inspiration with these recipes.

Skirt Steak with Roasted Corn Salad

• 1-1/2 pounds skirt steak, cut into 4-inch pieces

• 1/3 cup Tabasco Chipotle Pepper Sauce

• 1 tablespoon ground cumin

• 1 large garlic clove, crushed

In a large bowl, combine chipotle pepper sauce, cumin and garlic; add skirt steaks. Toss to mix well; cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes or overnight.

Preheat grill to high. Grill skirt steak about 5 minutes, or until of desired doneness, turning once. To serve, plate steak with corn salad.

Corn Salad:

• 4 ears corn on the cob, shucked

• 2 large tomatoes, chopped

• 1 small red onion, diced

• 1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and diced

• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil

• 2 tablespoons lime juice

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 tablespoon Tabasco Chipotle Pepper Sauce

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

To prepare corn salad: Preheat grill to medium. Grill corn about 5 to 10 minutes, turning frequently, until tender-crisp. When cool enough to handle, cut corn from cob. In medium bowl, combine corn, tomatoes, red onion, avocado, basil, lime juice, olive oil, chipotle pepper sauce to taste, and salt; toss to mix well.

Chicken Skewers with Mango and Pineapple

• 3/4 cup ranch dressing

• 1 canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce, seeded and finely chopped

• 2 teaspoons adobo sauce (from can above)

• 1 tablespoon honey

Saturday, May 20, 8 p.m. $59. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. TillesCenter.org, or (516) 299-3100.

• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 pound chicken tenders, each cut into 3 equal pieces

• 1/2 pineapple, rind and core removed, cut into 1-inch chunks

• 1 large mango, peeled, cut into 1-inch chunks

• 1 small red onion, quartered and separated into layers

• Oil for grilling (about 2 tablespoons)

• 1/4 cup roughly chopped cilantro

• 1 lime, quartered

In medium bowl, combine dressing, chipotle chile, adobo sauce, honey, lime juice and salt for marinade. Stir well.

Assemble 4 skewers from ingredients in following order: onion, chicken, mango, chicken, pineapple, chicken, onion. Repeat twice more to complete skewer.

Lay skewers in shallow pan. Pour 1/4 cup marinade into small dish; set aside. Brush remaining marinade over skewers, coating all sides evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate about an hour.

Set the grill to medium-high heat. When grill is quite hot, remove skewers from marinade (discard excess); brush lightly with oil. Lay oiled skewers on hot grates and grill until marked on all four sides and cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes total.

Arrange skewers on serving platter, drizzle with reserved 1/4 cup marinade, garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

Spiced Sweet Potatoes

• 4 medium sweet potatoes (about 3 pounds), scrubbed well

• 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder

• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Cover potatoes with cold salted water in a large pot, then bring to a boil. Simmer until slightly resistant when pierced with a sharp small knife, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain well. When cool, slice potatoes lengthwise. Mix together salt, spices and apple cider vinegar; add oil in a slow stream. Brush this mixture on sweet potatoes.

Grill potatoes on a lightly oiled grill rack over medium heat, until grill marks appear and potatoes are cooked through, about 15 minutes. Serve potatoes warm.

Niklas Sivelöv

Renowned Swedish pianistcomposer-teacher Niklas Sivelöv gives a rare New York-area recital. He has an extemsive repertoire that highlighs works by a number of contemporary Swedish composers along with the classics. He continously enchants audiences with his artistic temperament, impeccable technique, and spellbinding stage presence. Sivelöv describes himself as a bridge builder and part of a living tradition. He challenges both himself and that tradition by extending its cornerstones, for example by entering into unusual collaborations, such as with the jazz pianist Carsten Dahl. Sivelöv is one of the few classical pianists to master the art of improvisation. A sought-after soloist, his repertoire ranges from Bach, Beethoven and Schubert to Bartók, Prokofiev and Per Nørgård, in addition to his own compositions.

Sunday, May 21, 5 p.m. $25. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444, or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

Get fired up! Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching, and with it barbecue season is upon us.

Skirt Steak with Roasted Corn Salad

Chicken Skewers with Mango and Pineapple

Spiced Sweet Potatoes

It’s time for some sizzle

‘round the

THE SCENE

Niklas Sivelöv

Renowned Swedish pianistcomposer-teacher

Niklas Sivelöv visits the Landmark stage, Sunday, May 21, 5 p.m. This is a rare New York-area recital by Sivelöv, who enchants audiences with his artistic temperament, impeccable technique and spellbinding stage presence. He has a repertoire extending from Beethoven to Lutoslawski and Ligeti, also including works by a number of contemporary Swedish composers. Sivelöv describes himself as part of a living tradition. He challenges both himself and the tradition by building upon its cornerstones, for example entering into unusual collaborations, such as with the jazz pianist Carsten Dahl. He is one of the few classical pianists to master the art of improvisation. This program includes Beethoven, Bach and Skriabin, also compositions by Queens College professor Dr. Edward Smaldone. Smaldone offers commentary during the concert. $25. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet. org.

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s exhibition, “Eye And Mind: The Shin Collection,” highlights the extraordinary collection masterworks assembled by 31-year-old connoisseur Hong Gyu Shin, an internationally recognized figure in the global art world. He shares his treasures, including works by Whistler, Lautrec, Boucher, Daumier, Delacroix, Klimt, Schiele, Balthus, Warhol, de Kooning, Gorky and many other important names from art history provocatively juxtaposed with the painting and sculpture of our own time from both Asia and the West. On view through July 9. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

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.

New hours at the Seaford Museum

The Seaford Historical Museum, on Waverly Avenue, has new hours, and is now open to the public on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Both admission and any activity on these Saturdays are free. For more information email President Judy Bongiovi at judybongiovi@aol.com.

Breastfeeding Support Group

Mercy Hospital offers peer to peer breastfeeding support fwith a certified breastfeeding counselor, every Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Bring your baby (from newborn to 1 year) to the informal group. Registration required. Call breastfeeding counselor, Gabriella Gennaro, at (516) 705-2434 .Mercy Hospital, St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre. For information visit CHSLI.org.

Wantagh Preservation Society meets

Chip Gorman, Long Island regional director of parks, recreation, and historical sites, speaks at Wantagh Preservation Society’s meeting, Tuesday May 23. 1700 Wantagh Avenue. Light refreshments will be served. For more information email alorch15@yahoo.com.

Temple B’Nai Torah Garden Party

Wantagh’s historic Temple B’Nai Torah is part of the cause to provide pantries and shelters with fresh produce, Mark your calendar and join in a garden party on June 10. For more information call (516) 2212370.

May 23

Art talk

Join Nassau County Museum Director Charles A. Riley II, for a Director’s Seminar, Tuesday, May 23, 4 p.m. He’ll discuss ‘Balthus and Neo-Classicism,” in a session that is keyed to Balthus, along with Derain and such figures as Nijinsky and Prokofiev, who were experimenting with the reinvention of classical forms and motifs, notably those of the Renaissance. A decadent in the manner of Wilde, an Old Master painter among the Cubists (Picasso considered him a great talent), Balthus also became associated with the fiction of Nabokov, a literary connection that will also be considered. Participation is limited; registration required. $40, $20 members. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org or call (516) 484-9337.

Having an event?

Wantagh Festival

The Kiwanis Club of Wantagh once again hosts the seventh annual Wantagh Spring Festival, Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Wantagh LIRR Station. To help make this day a success, the Kiwanis Club has asked residents of Wantagh, Seaford, Levittown, and other surrounding areas for sponsorship. Rain date is May 21. For more information call (516) 644-5615.

May 20

Terrific turtles

Bring the kids to Long Island Children’s Museum to learn fascinating facts about turtles and meet the museum’s special “resident” Franklin the box turtle, Saturday, May 20, 12-2 p.m. Also make a turtle friend to take home at the drop-in program. Suitable for ages 3+ Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

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.

Patriot Award Dinner

Every year, the Seaford 9/11 Memorial Committee gives out awards to five outstanding Seaford High School seniors, as well as two or three members of the Seaford community for service, character, and commitment. According to the committee, these were the values held by the five Seaford High School alumni that died on 9/11. This year’s Patriot Award dinner will be on Monday, June 26 , at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. For more information, contact Lynda Schachner at lschachner@ seaford911.org.

Westbury House Tour

Whale of a Drink fundraiser

Craft Beer, Cocktails, Wine & Spirits.

Lunch & Dinner Menu, Sushi and Brunch with Weekly Specials!

Trivia Tuesday Nights & Taco Tuesday Specials. Happy Hour ½ off Apps 4-6pm Weekdays. Inquire for Your Next Private Event on our Website. Tasting Room & Dining Room with dock & dine access. Visit Us on Open Table to make a reservation.

Taproom Hours: Mon-Thurs: 2pm-9pm | Friday-Saturday: 12pm -11pm | Sunday: 12pm-9pm

Restaurant Hours: Monday: Closed | Tuesday-Thurs: 5pm-9pm | Friday: 12pm-10pm |

Saturday: 12pm-10pm | Sunday: 12pm-9pm

Through June

Support The Whaling Museum by participating in Sandbar restaurant’s Whale of a Drink, Whale of a Cause fundraising effort, now through June 21. Enjoy the Sandbar’s iconic cocktail, the Whalebone, and a portion of the purchase will be donated to the museum. A “mocktail” version is also available. To help promote the fundraiser, mixologist Dan Leopold will offer a mixology demonstration and Whalebone tasting at the Museum’s Whales & Ales event on June 3, 2:30-3 p.m. Funds will support the Whaling Museum’s community education programs during its 2023 summer season. 55 Main St, Cold Spring Harbor. For information, visit SandbarColdSpringHarbor.com.

May 19

For many years visitors to Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens asked what was beyond the first floor corridor. Now beyond the door and discover “secrets of the service wing,” during a 60-minute guided tour, Friday, May 19, noon-1 p.m.; Monday, May 22, noon-1 p.m.; Wednesday, May 24, noon-1 p.m. and 1:30-2 p.m. Be introduced to the intensive labor required to create the lifestyle experienced by the Phipps family and their guests; tour the many rooms that were “behind the scenes” to create the formal dining experiences of early 20th century. Go along the corridors to the butler’s pantry and silver cleaning room then descend the 17 steps to the kitchen, scullery, and wine storage rooms located on the ground floor. Reservations required. 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information contact (516) 3330048 or visit OldWestburyGardens.org.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS-SUPREME

COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NASSAU - U.S. BANK

TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff, -againstAMANDA KLOTZ AKA AMANDA MICALEFFKLOTZ, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF VICTORIA KLOTZ A/K/A VICTORIA J. KLOTZ; SHAWN M. KLOTZ AKA SHAWN KLOTZ AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF VICTORIA KLOTZ A/K/A VICTORIA J. KLOTZ; DAVID G. KLOTZ AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF VICTORIA KLOTZ A/K/A VICTORIA J. KLOTZ; ANY UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, DISTRIBUTEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF THE LATE VICTORIA KLOTZ A/K/A VICTORIA J. KLOTZ, IF LIVING, AND IF ANY BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS WHO ARE SPOUSES, WIDOWS, GRANTEES, MORTGAGEES, LIENORS, HEIRS, DEVISEES, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF SUCH OF THEM AS MAY BE DEAD, AND THEIR SPOUSES, HEIRS, DEVISEES, DISTRIBUTEES AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST, ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES AND PLACES OF RESIDENCE ARE UNKNOWN TO PLAINI’IFF; KRISTIN PANELLA; NASSAU COUNTY CLERK;TD AUTO FINANCE LLC; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (EASTERN DISTRICT);

“JOHN DOE #1” through

“JOHN DOE #10” inclusive, the names of the ten last name Defendants being fictitious, real names unknown to the Plaintiff the parties intended being persons or corporations having an interest in, or tenants or persons in possession of, portions of the mortgaged premises described in the Complaint, DefendantsIndex No. 610843/2022

Plaintiff Designates Nassau County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the subject premises is situated in Nassau County. To the above named Defendants- YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your Answer or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance upon the Plaintiff’s

attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the date of service or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York. If you fail to so appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. That this Supplemental Summons is being filed pursuant to an order of the court dated February 21, 2023.

NOTICE-YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME - If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable David P. Sullivan J.S.C. Dated:

February 21, 2023 Filed:

February 22, 2023 The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage and covering the premises known as 777 Lynne Rd, Wantagh, NY 11793.

Dated: March 3, 2023.

Knuckles, Komosinski & Manfro, LLP., Attorney for Plaintiff, By: Richard F. Komosinski, Esq., 565 Taxter Road Suite 590, Elmsford, NY 10523 Phone: (914) 345-3020

139054

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 entered August 12, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 25, 2023 at 2:30PM,

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 Index #002557/2017. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Janine T. Lynam, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 16-006604 75798 139036

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff, vs. DAVID W. KEEFER, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale

After Inquest and Appointment of Referee duly entered on July 30, 2015, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 5, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 3621 Regent Lane, Wantagh, NY 11793. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 51, Block 500 and Lot 2. Approximate amount of judgment is $481,785.44 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 004494/2014. Cash will not be accepted. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Ralph Madalena, Esq., Referee

Knuckles, Komosinski & Manfro, LLP, 565 Taxter Road, Suite 590, Elmsford, NY 10523, Attorneys for Plaintiff 139204

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU NATIONSTAR HECM ACQUISITION TRUST 2016-3, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE, Plaintiff AGAINST JOANNE ECKHOFF, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 15, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 7, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 1744 PRINCETON DRIVE, WEST, WANTAGH, NY 11793. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Wantagh, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 57, Block 231, Lot 6. Approximate amount of judgment $491,535.09 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #005895/2016. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Francis Xavier Moroney, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221

16-003713 75534 139181

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered March 24, 2023, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 15, 2023 at 4:00 PM.

Premises known as 3694 Maxwell Drive, Wantagh, NY 11793. Sec 57 Block 284 Lot 17.

All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Wantagh, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $841,143.58 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 614334/2018. For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832.

During the COVID-19 health emergency, Bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of the sale including but not limited to wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Should a bidder fail to comply, the Referee may refuse to accept any bid, cancel the closing and hold the bidder in default. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Ronald Ferraro, Esq., Referee NY-73000147-16-3 139420

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU

on June 13, 2023 at The North Side Step of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, County of Nassau, State of New York, at 2:00 PM the premises described as follows:

2107 Beech St Wantagh, NY 11793 SBL No.: 57-115-894 & 895

ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Wantagh (unincorporated area) in the 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. 004908/2016 in the amount of $778,952.80 plus interest and costs.

Foreclosure Auctions 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 foreclosure auction.

Richard S. Mullen Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

Plaintiff’s Attorney 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 139418

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. BANK N.A., AS TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE J.P. MORGAN ALTERNATIVE LOAN TRUST 2007-A2 MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, Plaintiff, Against RICOPIAN GARCIA, ZAIDA GARCIA, IRWIN GARCIA, LORD GARCIA, ANDREA GARCIA, et al.,

Defendant(s)

If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction.

Scott H Siller, Esq., Referee. McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573 Dated: 4/20/2023 File

Number: 120-2352 LD 139416

LEGAL 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 5/24/23 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.

326/23. WANTAGHJeanne Dione, Variances, lot area occupied, side yards aggregate, rear yard, construct additions & portico all attached to dwelling., N/s Van Pl., 75’ W/o Beech St., a/k/a 3413 Van Pl.

328/23. WANTAGH - Amy Lorraine Weingarten, Variance, lot area occupied, maintain wood deck attached to dwelling., W/s Hannington Rd., 217.87’ S/o Bay St., a/k/a 1786 Hannington Rd. 333/23. - 334/23.

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.

139584

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

NASSAU COUNTY U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE OF LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff against MICHAEL MCCARTHY A/K/A MICHAEL J. MCCARTHY, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS HEIR AT LAW, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Stern & Eisenberg, P.C., 20 Commerce Drive, Suite 230, Cranford, NJ 07016.

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE (CWALT 2007-21CB), Plaintiff, v. GALO SIERRA A/K/A GALO A. SIERRA, MARIA SIERRA, ET AL, Defendant. 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 January 16, 2020. I, Mark S. Ricciardi, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 04/20/2018, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501. This Auction will be held rain or shine on 6/15/2023 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 3985 Berrywood Drive, Seaford, New York 11783, And Desrcribed As Follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in In The Town Of Hempstead, County Of Nassau And State Of New York Section 52 Block 480 Lot 21

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $858,538.00 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 14-011613

LEVITTOWN - Harpreet Maman & Daljit Kaur, Mother/Daughter Res. (2nd Kitchen); Variance, side yards aggregate, maintain additions attached to dwelling., E/s Cord La., 157.99’ S/o Halter La., a/k/a 9 Cord La.

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED

STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. 342/23. WANTAGHLiberty Utilities (New York Water) Corp., Special exception to construct water well building in conjunction with public utility (demolish existing well building)., N/s Demott Ave., 116’ E/o Temple Dr. running thru to Hope Pl., a/k/a 3695 Demott 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, towns and villages on the

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR PRETIUM MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST GINA CIPOLLA, ROBERT CIPOLLA, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 2, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 20, 2023 at 2:00PM, premises known as 19 WHISPER LANE, WANTAGH, NY 11793. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Wantagh, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 51, Block 359, Lot 14. Approximate amount of judgment $350,842.70 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #613262/2019. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Oscar A. Prieto, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 19-003740 75921 139520

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS SEALED PROPOSAL WILL BE RECEIVED by the Division of Purchasing of the Town of Hempstead,

Gillen announces second run for Congress

By JAMES BERNSTEIN jbernstein@liherald.com

In a surprise announcement only months after losing her re-election bid to represent the Fourth District in Congress, Democrat Laura Gillen said Wednesday morning that she plans to run for the seat she lost to Republican Anthony D’Esposito. She came out with a blistering attack against D’Esposito, saying he is aligned with the extreme elements of the GOP.

Gillen, a Democrat who had been Hempstead town supervisor, lost to D’Esposito in November’s election in what was widely regarded as a Republican sweep on Long Island.

In an early morning statement Wednesday, Gillen said she is running “because public service can be a noble calling that makes people’s lives better; but too many in Washington care about political gamesmanship, sound bites and photo opportunities than actually making real progress for our families.”

Gillen, a lawyer, returned to private practice after her loss to D’Esposito, a former New York City police officer and Hempstead town board member. During the fall campaign, D’Esposito, like other Long Island Republicans, hammered on the theme that Democrats were soft on crime.

In a phone interview, Gillen said she had decided to run for several prime reasons including the continuing gun violence across the country and the Republicans’ position on the debt crisis. Republicans insist that President Biden reduce spending before they will agree to raise the debt ceiling.

In the brief interview, Gillen said

D’Esposito had been “soft” on common sense gun control.

“You can’t be strong on crime and soft on control,” she said.

Despite D’Esposito’s fund-raising abilities so far, Gillen said she was certain she would be able to raise the money necessary to run for office.

She said she was entering the race early to be able top raise money, meet with voters and put forward her views on gun violence and the debt crises.

In her statement, Gillen noted that she

Public Notices

350 Front Street, Room 122, Hempstead, N.Y. 11550-4037 until 11:00

AM prevailing time Thursday, June 1, 2023 at which time the following Formal Bids and Contracts will be publicly opened, read and approved as soon thereafter as practicable

FB#21-2023

Labor And Material To

Repair/Replace Parts For

TOH Existing Dust Collector

FB#22-2023

*Furnish & Install 3”

Thick Foam Insulated

Patio Roof and Two (2) Dry Wells

FB#23-2023

Complete Restoration Of Courtroom Benches

FB#24-2023

Purchase And Installation Of Two (2) AC units For DGS Printshop YEARLY REQUIREMENTS FOR: *TOWN BOARD TO MAKE AWARD Bid/RFP/RFQ packets may be picked up only between the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 4:15 P.M.

Bid/RFP/RFQ Packets may also be obtained via email request to Paul J. LoRaso paullor@hempsteadny.go

v Please include Firm name, address, contact person and contact telephone number. Also include Bid/Offer number that you are requesting. All Bids/Offers must be made on bidding sheets furnished by the Division of Purchasing of the Town of Hempstead and subject to all specifications, terms and conditions stated therein.

The Division of Purchasing and or the Town Board reserves the right to reject any and all Bids/Proposals and to accept the Bid/Proposal(s) that is deemed most favorable to the interests of the Town

ATTENTION VETERANS:

You have certain rights under Section 162 of The New York State Finance Law in connection with public contracts for the

purchase of commodities or provision of services.

Specifically, This law may authorize acceptance of a bid submitted by a “Qualified Veteran’s Workshop” provided that the bid shall not exceed the lowest responsible bid by greater than 15%. It is incumbent on you to submit all required documentation to the Town, demonstrating your qualification for treatment under that section. You should consult your attorney to determine your qualification for treatment under this provision. Under local law 62.5 this law may authorize acceptance of a bid submitted by a local veteran-owned business that maintains a place of business in or sells supplies, materials or equipment manufactured in the County of Nassau and submit a bid not to exceed 7.5% more than

the otherwise lowest responsible bidder, and also does not exceed the bid of the otherwise lowest responsible bidder who qualifies for the local (non-veteran) preference by more than 2.5%.

Certification as to the enterprise is required to be by the NYS Office of General Services or US Department of Veterans Affairs.

DATED: May 19,

is a lifelong resident of the 4th C.D., which includes Long Beach, Oceanside, and Rockville Centre, among other communities.

Gillen attacked D’Esposito, saying he “has aligned himself” with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, a Georgia Republican who persistently advances false theories that Donald Trump won the 2020 election. Gillen said D’Esposito “celebrates putting our economy on the brink of collapse and cutting critical national programs for public safety, veterans, seniors and our schools.”

Regarding the economy, Gillen was referring to ongoing talks between Biden and congressional Republicans about ways to resolve the national deficit.

“Historically,” Gillen said, “Long island’s congressional delegation had a long tradition of bipartisan representation where voices on both sides collectively advocated for residents from Atlantic beach to Montauk. We need to reclaim that tradition to ensure our concerns are addressed no matter the political landscape.”

D’Esposito may prove a formidable opponent. A veteran NYPD detective who boasted during the fall campaign of having “made 600 collars’ during his career on the force, he has raised over $500,000 already in preparation for a re-election campaign.

But Gillen said she had worked with a Republican majority on the Hempstead town board “and lowered taxes every year, refinanced the town’s debt to save taxpayers millions and passed historic ethics reform and transparency legislation for all town contracts and budgets.”

She also said “tirelessly work to finally pass common sense gun legislation that will protect our families.”

During the fall campaign, D’Esposito did not press for new gun legislation.

Matt Cap, a spokesman for D’Esposito, said, “Nassau County voters have already rejected Laura Gillen’s soft-on-crime policies as well as her record of support for raising taxes. Congressman D’Esposito loos forward to campaigning on his record of lowering taxes, slashing wasteful federal spending and protecting neighbors in New York’s 4th Congressional District.”

D’Esposito succeeded Kathleen Rice, representing most of southern Nassau County at the federal level, putting a Republican in the office for the first time since Daniel Frisa lost re-election to Carolyn McCarthy in 1996. McCarthy served nine terms before retiring in 2015, and Rice has represented the district ever since.

Aside from D’Esposito, Republicans elected George Santos to congress from the North Shore’s Third District.

Above all, Republicans have attacked their Democratic opponents on the issues of crime and inflation, linking what they described as “liberal” bail reform laws on recent rises in crime, and blaming Democrats for the dogged inflation that continues to affect the economy.

D’Esposito focused his congressional campaign on affordability, promising more funding to local schools, increased access to health care, eliminating the cap on state and local tax exemptions, and combating congestion pricing.

Throughout his race for congress, D’Esposito also stressed the importance of a limited, fiscally responsible government. He said numerous times that he will cut wasteful spending in Washington, and that a small government approach will help correct inflation.

The campaign trail was not free of jabs back and forth. Democratic campaign literature portrayed D’Esposito as an extremist on issues like abortion and guns, claiming he might support a nationwide ban on abortion and allow weapons of war on New York streets.

D’Esposito denied to the Herald he would ever support a national abortion ban, but did attack New York laws the he claimed allowed free access to late-term abortion. On guns he asserted that the focus of government should not be writing new laws, but cracking down on illegally possessed weapons.

Republicans meanwhile linked Gillen to a number of national issues on which they portrayed Democrats as weak. Mailers from the New York Republican State Committee declared that Joe Biden and Laura Gillen were raising taxes, responsible for the recent national rise in crime, and allowed fentanyl to flood into Nassau County.

Gillen countered by citing her record as town supervisor, during which time she claimed to have cut taxes. Gillen has also insisted that a tough on guns approach can help to curb crime.

While Rice herself endorsed Gillen, D’Esposito boasted his own support from a long list of law enforcement groups and police unions.

Herald file photo

FoRMER TowN oF Hempstead supervisor Laura Gillen, a Democrat, said she is challenging incumbent GOP Rep. Anthony D’Esposito for Congress, seeking a rematch of their November 2022 race.

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

AUTO TECHNICIAN FT 4 Day Work Week

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

BEACH MANAGER : Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday 10am-6pm. Handle Chairs/ Umbrellas/ Towels Accomodations Of Members. 516-835-2819

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department.

Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.

STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

CLERK FULL TIME

Needed For Garden City Law

Firm. Responsibilities Include Filing, Ordering And Stocking Office Supplies, Mail Distribution, Photocopying, Scanning, And Errands To Banks, Post Office And Courts.

Must Have A Vehicle And Valid N.Y. Driver License.

Please Email Resume To mjagnandan@albaneselegal.com Or Call 516-248-7000 Ext.2212

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers.

Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Night Availability is a Must.

Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! Bell Auto School 516-365-5778

Email: info@bellautoschool.com

DRIVING INSTRUCTORS WANTED

Will Certify And Train

HS Diploma

NYS License Clean 3 Years

Call 516-731-3000

Help Wanted

EDITOR/REPORTER

The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team!

This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry.

To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to mhinman@liherald.com

FRONT DESK

Summer Weekend Position Available at Howard Hanna | Coach Realtors 1315 Broadway, Hewlett Saturday Hours 10am-1pm Sunday Hours 10am-3pm Call 516-374-0100 Today To Schedule A Meeting!

FULL-PART TIME BOOKKEEPER: Autostat Corporation is seeking an experienced Accounts Receivable/ Payable Bookkeeper, minimum 5 years experience working for small/ medium business in Manufacturing, Wholesaling, or Bookkeeping Fields. Must be Windows proficient, experienced with Quick Books, Bank Reconciliations, Comfortable Handling Phones, Speaking to customers, vendors. Hours Flexible- 3 days (M,W,F Pref.) 20 hours minimum per week. Full Time off Benefits include: all major holidays (8) plus 5 Sick Days. Vacation time accrues after one year. Liberal salary based on experience, Serious/ Qualified only need apply. Qualified Retirees welcome. Forward resume

w/References & Salary History: orders@autostatcorp.com

JOB FAIR! NOW HIRING BARTENDERS * WAITERS ALL RESTAURANT STAFF! Sunday May 21st 10:00-12:00 (please arrive by 9:45). Come and be interviewed on the spot and stay for orientation. Those offered positions will have specific position orientation at 1:00pm! Come work with the best team on the beach at Long Island's premier private beach club here in Atlantic Beach NY.

Make this a summer to remember!! (516) 371-0750 New York Beach Club 1751 Ocean Blvd Atlantic Beach NY www.newyorkbeachclub.com newyorkbeachclub@gmail.com

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. We offer salary, commission, bonuses, health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Will consider part time.

Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com

Call 516-569-4000 X286

H ebrew Academy of Long Beach seeks educators to join our exceptional school faculty in fostering a culture of academic exploration and excellence and dedication to spiritual, intellectual, and personal growth of all students. We are currently looking for candidates in the following divisions:

Lev Chana Early Childhood: Early Childhood Assistant Teachers

HALB Elementary School: Assistant Teachers

Part Time Morah Middle School Morah Full Time Rebbe Middle School Math Teacher

DRS Yeshiva High School for Boys: English Teacher Science Teacher Learning Center Teacher Assistant College Guidance Counselor

SKA High School for Girls: Graphic Design Teacher Ivrit Teacher

Halacha Teacher AP Computer Science Teacher

Multiple IT Positions : Software Developers needed to design, develop, and maintain software solutions and applications.

Database Administrators needed to conduct requirements gathering, feasibility study, design preparation and effort estimation for database architecture and data migration supporting Oracle,MS SQL, PostgreSQL, and MySQL server databases. Systems Administrators needed to conduct end-to-end administration of enterprise backup and recovery environments. Positions based in Hicksville, NY, but require travel and/or relocation to unanticipated locations throughout U.S. Email resume to sridhar@mahimasoft.com, Srivin Infosystems, Inc. dba Mahima Soft, 25 Newbridge Rd, Suite # 303, Hicksville, NY 11801. No walk-ins.

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Cedarhurst,

Center Hall English Colonial-style home located in the desirable Bryn Mawr neighborhood. The property boasts an oversized lot and features an elegant and gracious design. The large eatin kitchen includes an island and a spacious breakfast area, while the banquetsized dining room has an original stainedglass window. Other notable features of the home include a den, 3-season room, and a new powder room. The primary bedroom is an en-suite and there are three additional generous-sized bedrooms. Plus a bonus third floor with finished rooms and a large finished lower level. Additional amenities include new central air conditioning and a 2-car garage.

Open Houses

WOODMERE BA, 504 Saddle Ridge Rd., FIRST TIME ON MARKET!Move Right Into This Renovated 4 BR, 2 Bth Split with Open Layout in Prime Location! Granite/Wood EIK Opens to Dining Room & Living Room. Lower Level Den. HW Flrs, Gas Heat, CAC. Oversized Property!

SD#14.Near All!..$1,149,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

House For Sale

POINT LOOKOUT: WATERFRONTLargest Selection of Beach Homes, Sale/ Rent. Our Home Listings Sell FA$T! VIDEOS. HUG R.E. 516-431-8000 www.hugrealestate.com

Help Wanted

RECEPTIONIST - FULL TIME

Receptionist (full-time) needed for Publisher and Self-Storage Facility located in Garden City. The ideal candidate should have excellent communications and customer service skills, be professional, dependable and have reliable transportation. Candidate should have computer knowledge and working knowledge of MS Office. Candidate MUST be reliable, punctual and be able to work a CONSISTENT schedule:

Monday and Wednesday 8am to 4pm

Tuesday and Thursday 8am to 6pm Friday 8am to 5pm

Job Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Answering phones and greeting customers, assisting new customers by showing storage facility options and pricing, collecting payments from customers, contacting customers for late payments, applying payments and updating the customer files /data base and other general administrative responsibilities on an as needed basis. Hourly pay, plus eligible for Holiday Pay, PTO, Medical, Dental, 401k with company matching, plus other benefits. Qualified candidates should email their resume, cover letter and salary requirements. No phone calls please. Job Type: Full-time.

Salary: $15.00 /hour

Email your resume to: careers@liherald.com

Help Wanted

Shapiro & Assocs. seeks Project Engineer to work w/contractors/construction mgrs on high rise buildings/structures, primarily in NY Metro. Duties: lead/oversee/plan/manage/perform assignments involving mean/methods for construction/demolition per NYC/local building codes, modeling/analysis of existing/alt. load paths in historic structures, conduct on-site training/supervision for staff engrs/interns, communicate w/architects/engrs/ construction mgrs to plan/execute projects & troubleshoot. Reqs: M.S. Civil Eng/Structural Eng/sim + 2 yrs’ training/internship/exp.(or B.S. +5 yrs’ exp.) w/eng. design/analysis for demolition & means/methods incl. AutoCAD/RISA-3D/analytical models/programs to analyze stresses/loads. Lynbrook, NY worksite. Resumes: hiring@hisassoc.com; Ref: HR/VS

UP TO $20.70 NYC, $20.00 L.I., $16.20

Upstate NY! If you need care from your relative, friend/ neighbor and you have Medicaid, they may be eligible to start taking care of you as personal assistant under NYS Medicaid CDPA Program. No Certificates needed. 347-713-3553

Eldercare Offered

EUROPEAN ELDERCARE Takes Special Care Of Loved Ones. Full Month Livein L.I. Stroke, Parkinson, Alzheimers. Jean Or Eka 914-357-0398; 845-567-6359

REAL ESTATE

Open Houses

EAST ROCKAWAY BA,101 EMMET101 Emmet Ave NEW TO MARKET! WATERFRONT BEAUTY! Rebuilt in 2010 This 4 Bedroom, 3.5 Bth Split Features Open Layout. 2 Story EF, Soaring Ceilings, LR,DR, Gran/Wood EIK & Family Rm Overlooking Water View.Resortlike Yard Has Pool, Deck, Outdoor Kit, Dock & 110'Bulkhead. Priv Primary Ste w/ Marble Bth &WICs. SD#20..$1,250,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

HEWLETT BA, 1599 Lakeview Dr, NEW! 4 BR, 3 Bth Exp Ranch on Tree Lined St in SD#14. Spacious LR, DR & Family Rm, EIK & Fin Bsmt. Att Garage. HW Flrs. Near Park, Trans, Shops & Houses of Worship...$799,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Open Houses

HEWLETT Ba, 257 WILLARD Dr, MUST SEE NEW KITCHEN UPDATES!! Spacious 5 BR, 3 Bth Exp Ranch With Open Layout.Main Floor Mstr Ste Plus Potential Mstr Ste on 2nd Flr. LR/Fpl, FDR, EIK & Sundrenched Family Rm w/ Doors to Deck. Fin Bsmt. Att Gar. Loads of Updates!! SD#20(Lynbrook)No Flood Insurance Req. MUST SEE THIS!..$1,025,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-429

HEWLETT BAY PARK BA,190 Meadowview Ave Ever Dream of Living in A Castle? This 8000 Sq Ft Mansion is Full of Character. Amazing Architectural Details, Soaring Ceilings, Stained Glass Windows. 5 BR, 6.55 Bths. Sprawling 1.3 Acre Prop with IG Gunite Pool. SD#14.Near All. Must See This Unique Home!..$3,200,00 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas elliman 516-238-429 ba

Apartments For Rent

CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978

MoneyTo Lend

ARE YOU BEHIND $10k OR MORE ON YOUR TAXES? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 888-869-5361 (Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm PST)

A leak in a corner, and adding a half-bath

Q. We just moved into our first home on a hilly property, and now we see that the bottom of the wall in the corner of our walkout basement is wet. I opened the drywall, and the bottom wood is black, rotted, crumbling and soaking wet, too. While we’re fixing this problem, we want to add a half bathroom and take out the columns to make the family room open and larger. What should we do to stop the water in the corner of the basement, and what do we need to know about taking out the columns? The contractor says he can put in mi-lams, which I think are some kind of wood beam.

A. The water problem, the bathroom, and the changing of structure are three different issues that can be addressed at the same time but require more than a little knowhow. First, water getting in is caused by openings, and it was helpful that you included pictures with your question. On the outside of the basement, where the floor of the basement is actually about five inches above the ground, I notice a raised planting bed. The soil and fresh mulch hides an avoidable problem: The edge of the floor is now at or just under the height of the planting bed.

I am certain the artistic intentions did not take into account the fact that water seeks its own level, and most people don’t realize that when we get heavy rain like we’ve been experiencing lately, it can’t flow away as fast as it accumulates, meaning that you can have, temporarily, 2- to 4-inch-tall walls of moving water at a given location. You must lower the flowerbeds and slope the land away from the foundation so a pond of rain can’t work its way under the wall base plate — that rotted wood sill you now see.

After clearing back the mulch and soil, clean the exposed concrete and siding, cut out the wood sill plate as long as you temporarily support the wall. As far to each side as you can, remove the wood and bottom of the siding, then install a new wood sill over a polystyrene sill sealer on the concrete with a copper termite shield above the sill sealer. Then apply liquid roll-on waterproofing membrane so that it bridges the gap of the concrete and wood wall base.

The internet has contradicting details showing sill sealer foam incorrectly above the copper shield. Logically, the foam sealer fills rough concrete surface gaps. Copper sheet flashing, called the termite shield, goes over the foam.

The half-bath may require an ejector pump. You need a licensed plumber who knows what permit requirements must be met for your building permit. Never guess what beam is required. Without a professional applying load paths, material and people weight, snow and wind loads, guessing is going to cause extra cost, either from overbuilding or replacing the wrong choice beam. Be safe!

Monte Leeper

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Garage Sales

BELLMORE 2638 Hewlett Lsne. Sat. 5/20.

Rain Date Sun 5/21.10am-4pm. Clothes, Home Goods, Furniture, Televisions, Books, Children's Items & More.

LONG BEACH Proceeds To Benefit Homeless Cats and Dogs. 330 W. Olive Street. Sunday 5/28, Monday 5/29. 11am-4pm. Something For Everyone!

ROCKVILLE CENTRE: FAMILY TAG

SALE!! SATURDAY 5/20, 9AM-4PM. 397 Hempstead Avenue. China, Furniture, Comic Books, Linens, Electronics, Video Games.

WANTAGH: SATURDAY 5/20/23

9am-4pm 1276 Holiday Park Drive. Something For Everyone!

MERCHANDISE MART

Antiques/Collectibles

We Buy Antiques, Fine Art & Jewelry

Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 45 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464

Wanted To Buy

FREON WANTED: Certified buyer looking to buy R11, R12, R22 & more! Call Clarissa at 312-535-8384.

FINDS UNDER $100

Finds Under $100

BATHROBE: UNISEX 100% Turkish Cotton, Garden City Hotel Embroidery, One Size. Tags On, $90. 516-320-1906

516-785-3121

MOUNTAIN BIKE, IRON Horse, Mens or Ladies, new tires, cushioned seat, $75, #516-816-7383

WOMEN'S BICYCLE FOR sale $ 99.00 excellent condition light blue color. (516) 569-7104.

SERVICES

Brick/Block/Concrete/Masonry

Cement Specialist, Brickwork, Interlock Bricks, Belgium Blocks, Stoops, Patios, Driveways, Sidewalks, Basement Entrances, Pavers, Waterproofing. Quality Work,

Decks

DECKS DECKS Our Only Business COMPOSITES/WOOD Excellent References & Many Photos Lic./Ins. Free Estimates C & S DECKS 516-729-5859

Electricians

E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.

Handyman

HANDYMAN Repairs and Installations for the Household. Careful and Reliable and Vaccinated. Licensed and Insured. 30-Year Nassau County Resident. Friendly Frank Phone/Text 516-238-2112 E-mail-Frankcav@optonline.net

Home Improvement

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 866-393-3636

BRIAN CONNELLY

SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Cleaned, Repaired & Replaced Also Specializing in Roofing & Siding No job too big or small Lic. #H2709920000. Ins. Free Est. 516-234-4388 or 516-623-8447

Home Improvement

DON'T PAY FOR Covered Home Repairs

Again! American Residential Warranty covers ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES. 30 DAY RISK FREE/ $100 OFF POPULAR PLANS. 833-398-0526

HANDY DANDY HOME IMPROVEMENTS

* Full Or Partial Kitchens/ Baths *Painting

*Sheetrock *Taping/ Spackling *Installations Ceramic/ Vinyl Tile *Carpentry *Alterations *Repairs/ More. FREE ESTIMATES. Dan 516-342-0761

LITO CONSTRUCTION

Home Improvement/ Construction 10% OFF ANY JOB OVER $2,000 Masonry, Brick Work, Stone Decor, Pointing, Tile, Driveways, Sidewalks, Steps, Framing, Foundations, Remodel Interiors, Extensions, Bathrooms, Basements. Licensed/ Insured. Free Estimates. 516-564-8315, 516-376-9365

ROOFING GREAT PRICES ! NEW ROOF SPECIALS SIDING- Best Prices RENOVATIONS & ALL REPAIRS SUPER COMPETITIVE PRICES! Licensed / Insured. Free Estimates Nassau License. # H-0102710000 Call John - 516-852-9830

Painting OLD SALT PAINTING Small Job Specialist Great Rates, Free Estimates 516-312-9643

Power Washing

POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES: Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. . ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516-678-6641

Sprinkler Syst./Irrig.Wells

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Education

COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM!

Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Grants and Scholarships available for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! 844-947-0192 (M-F 8am-6pm ET). Computer with internet is required.

TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get Trained, Certified & ready to work in months! Call 855-543-6440. (M-F 8am-6pm ET). Computer with internet is required

Health & Fitness

VIAGRA AND CIALIS USERS! 50 Pills SPECIAL $99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW! 855-413-9574

AUTOMOBILE & MARINE

Autos For Sale

DODGE 1995 STEALTH R/T CLASSIC Red, Auto, P/S, P/B, Good Condition $3500. 516-236-2565.

Autos For Sale

MAZDA MIATA 2015 Club Edition, Silver Black Interior, 17,000 Miles, Perfect Condition. If Looking for a Miata, This is a good One To Buy. $23,800 917-273-3737

Autos Wanted

DRIVE OUT BREAST Cancer: Donate a

Tree Services

T&M GREENCARE TREE SERVICE *Tree Removal *Stump Grinding *Pruning *Roof Line Clearing. Residential and Commercial. "We Beat All Competitors' Rates." Lowest Rates. *Senior Discount. Free Estimates. *516-223-4525, 631-586-3800 www.tmgreencare.com

Satellite/TV Equipment

DIRECTV. NEW 2-YEAR Price Guarantee. The most live MLB games this season, 200+ channels and over 45,000 on-demand titles. $84.99/mo for 24 months with CHOICE Package. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/31/24. 1-866-595-6967

*MICHAEL LO BAIDO CONSTRUCTION*

The George Santos of then, now, and what might’ve been

He called us the “Herald Firing Squad.” That was fair, I guess. When Republican congressional candidate George Santos first visited our Garden City office last fall, there were nine reporters — including me — sitting around the conference table waiting for him.

This time, however, it was just three of us. A senior editor, Laura Lane. A senior reporter, Michael Malaszczyk. And me. We didn’t meet on Long Island. Instead, we traveled on May 5 to Queens, where now-U.S. Rep. George Santos works when he’s not in Washington. A few days later, he would face federal charges — charges he reportedly did not know about when he sat with us.

Unlike his office on Capitol Hill, there were no reporters waiting outside his door trying to ask questions. Instead, it was just the three of us, walking into a cramped space, past a sign on the door warning against using audio devices and video equipment. Staff members had to move around a bit just to seat us at a conference table outside the congressman’s office.

Santos arrived just moments after we did, wearing a fresh suit and a light blue tie, and carrying a small food pack from Starbucks that he called his breakfast. A lot had happened to him between that October afternoon he visited our offices, and this chilly Friday morning.

Reporters spent months asking Santos questions about his past. Where he worked. Where he went to school. What happened with his mother. Whether he was ever arrested. Whether he was truly “Jew-ish,” as he had previously claimed.

Law enforcement officials at all levels announced investigations into different aspects of Santos’s life. Even the Republican-controlled House Ethics Committee wanted a chance to weigh in.

But sitting there, across from George Santos, none of that seemed real. The congressman outlined what seemed very much like a busy schedule dealing with constituents, introducing bills, and even seeking a place in history that didn’t make him an easy target for latenight talk show hosts and banter for news outlets.

There’s his bill intended to cap state and local tax exemptions beginning at $50,000 instead of $10,000. Or the bill

intended to waive the early withdrawal penalty for certain types of distributions from a retirement plan.

And then there’s a bill Santos said I’d personally appreciate, because it would prohibit the United States from providing any sort of financial aid to countries that target members of the LGBTQ community.

“Some of them kill you just for liking someone of the same sex,” Santos said. “That’s not an American value, right? That’s not something we share.”

In fact, in his first four months on Capitol Hill, Santos has introduced nearly a dozen bills. An impressive slate that almost makes everything else happening around the congressman feel like background noise you can tune out. That is until you realize that he doesn’t have a single co-sponsor for any of these bills. Not one.

“Usually people work one bill at a time, and then go work the floor,” Santos said. “I’m too impatient to do it that way. So I just put the first set of ideas in the first quarter down, and now this quarter, I’m going to be doing less of bill introduction and more of working these bills.”

The congressman’s Republican colleagues have indeed stepped up to offer

initial support for these bills, Santos said. But he wouldn’t share who any of them were, because he feared “the firing squad” would “do follow-ups” — like reporters ought to do — putting those House members “under pressure.”

“And then they might buckle,” Santos said, “and then you’ll ruin my bill.”

It’s surprising, with the walls closing so tight around Santos, that he hasn’t buckled. He’s already looking toward reelection — at least before federal criminal charges, although that may not deter him now. And there are many who truly don’t believe he’ll survive his first term.

But then again, few expected he would still be donning his congressional lapel pin in May — six months after the original New York Times exposé that punched significant holes in Santos’ claims in the first place.

It’s hard not to be impressed with that perseverance. It’s a trait that is far less common in Congress than it should be, and something Santos apparently has in abundance.

Yet, the rocky road he has had to traverse was one of his own making. Which is unfortunate, because if he hadn’t built such a house of cards around himself, who knows what kind of good George Santos might have done in Washington?

Michael Hinman

is

executive editor of Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? mhinman@liherald.com.

Books are an exception to the lending rule

In “Hamlet,” Polonius said to Laertes, “Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, and borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.”

I have always thought books were an exception to the lending rule, since they offer an opportunity to share the immense joy of a great read, but I may have to turn the page on that.

Someone out there has a copy of my “Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead,” by Olga Tokarczuk. For a year I thought it was my friend Sharon, but she’s an upright sort of woman, and she swears she searched her house and does not possess, nor did she ever possess, my book. I would like to believe her. The novel is a mind-bending challenge, translated from the Polish. But it did land the Nobel Prize in literature, and I want it back.

The book is MIA, and Sharon has a history. She has borrowed other books,

and returned most of them. Once she “found” a book of mine in her house that she had borrowed two years before. See what I mean by wanting to believe her?

I can’t quite go with Shakespeare on being neither a borrower nor a lender because sharing a much-loved book weaves a powerful connection. And it adds to my pleasure to know that someone I care about will be reading the same book without having to pay for it. There is a particular pleasure in having my friends or loved ones read the very pages I read, as if the laugh I laughed or the tear I shed might linger in the spaces between the words, also to be shared.

The experience has become even more precious in the days of e-books, when most of what we read is on our devices.

Years ago, I lent books out all over the place. I never even wrote my name inside the cover. Then I realized that my book collection was dwindling, and it was all my favorites that were gone and forgotten. I had no idea who had them or

for how long.

A friend of mine who borrows books frequently and always returns them promptly suggests that I keep a list of my lending, so I can ask for a book back after a reasonable amount of time. That works when I remember to jot down the transaction, but more often it’s a casual deal and soon forgotten by both the borrower and me.

That’s the other thing. I’m not a really responsible borrower, although I try very hard. I’m pretty good about books, because they’re so important in my life. But I’m terrible with, say, wrenches. I have a collection of wrenches in my basement that I borrowed over the years and never returned because I have no idea who they belong to. Somewhere out there I have friends to whom wrenches are very dear, aggravating their hearts out because they lent them out and haven’t gotten them back.

Still, a wrench is just a wrench. Sharing a book is like holding hands and jumping onto a fast-moving train, seeing the same words and feeling them differ-

ently.

On rare occasions I’ve borrowed a shawl or gown for an event. Most times, though, I don’t like to borrow clothing, because I’m bad with red sauce. I don’t borrow money (except when I forget my wallet), and I never borrow jewelry.

Perhaps we need to track our books with digital tags so we can find them when they go missing. Or perhaps I shouldn’t be a lender if I can’t deal with the occasional delinquent borrower. The funny thing is, I was hounding Sharon so much that she offered to buy me another copy of “Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead.” She doesn’t get it. I don’t want another one. I want that one, the one with the spaghetti sauce stains on Page 35 and the dog’s paw print on the back cover, the one I remember reading while lying on the beach. For me, the books I have read and loved have a life, memories of which linger in the mind and heart.

There may be a gazillion copies of “Drag Your Plow” out there, but there’s only one copy that shared my pillow and my comforter for three weeks last summer.

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

RANDI KREISS

Sharing a book is like holding hands and jumping onto a fastmoving train.

If he hadn’t built such a house of cards, who knows what kind of good he might’ve done?

MICHAEL HINMAN

Established

How they avoid saying the dirtiest word

in politics, the word “tax” is dirtier than the most graphic four-letter words you can think of. Any politician who plans to last in office longer than his loafers knows that you only say “tax” to blame someone else for every new tax or increase — no matter the reason — or when you boldly claim to be holding the line.

So it should come as no surprise that municipalities across the country have, for decades, found creative ways to “increase revenue streams” and “offset projected spending,” instead of “raising taxes.”

One popular backdoor tax is a fee municipalities tack on to tickets. A redlight ticket in Nassau County is significantly more expensive than in New York City or Suffolk County. In Nassau, getting caught on camera for running a red light costs $250, plus an additional $88 surcharge. In New York City, the fine is $50. In Suffolk, a red-light ticket costs $50, with an administrative fee of $30.

Why is the same violation almost six times more expensive in Nassau than in the city? And four times more expensive than Suffolk?

Red-light cameras violations aren’t meant to be cash cows — they’re supposed to make the roads safer. That’s why there are signs alerting drivers to the presence of a red-light camera. A quick search

letters

Kremer’s way too soft on Biden

To the Editor:

Jerry Kremer and I are on opposite sides of the political aisle, but I enjoy reading his opinions. His most recent column, “Biden’s decision was an easy one” (May 4-10), however, was quite one-sided.

I do agree there have been accomplishments Biden should be very proud of. The infrastructure bill was great and well overdue! America needs to be a global leader in microchip production, and his efforts to get us there are needed, too.

The effort to control insulin pricing is another wonderful thing. Unfortunately, Kremer and his fellow Democrats neglect to point out that it’s only for seniors on Medicare. This isn’t helping the working class, or young kids whose families still struggle with those bills.

Now let’s talk about the obvious things Kremer ignored. Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal — my goodness, could that have gone any worse? The chaos, loss of lives, loss of equipment and abandoning our allies was unconscionable. Don’t say that was Trump’s doing.

Decades-high inflation? The Biden administration told us it was transitory. Biden’s spending has helped inflation increase to its highest rate in over 40 years. That affects the working class every

online yields the locations of the cameras. This isn’t a sting operation — it’s a deterrent, in the interest of saving lives.

The exorbitant cost of a red-light ticket in Nassau compared with the rest of the region leads us to question whether the fines and fees are being used as a backdoor tax.

Not completely dissimilar to red-light ticket administrative fees are the proposed water rate increases unveiled by Liberty Utilities last week.

Liberty wants to raise water rates throughout south Nassau by an average of 34 percent. In Lynbrook, the average monthly water bill would jump by $18.32. The increase sought by Liberty in Merrick is 42 percent. And in Sea Cliff, 13 percent.

While Liberty is a private company, it is ostensibly overseen by a governmentappointed, nonpartisan body. Private companies don’t raise taxes. Private companies that provide public services, such as utilities, have the same taxing impact on families through rate hikes.

In a statement, Liberty said the proposed rate hikes are needed for plant investments, new infrastructure and other things.

Modest increases from time to time are to be expected, and are understood. But rate hikes of 34 percent, and more, are unacceptable. At best, it’s a sign of mismanagement.

So it’s no surprise that Hempstead town officials are howling about Liberty’s rate hikes, despite not taking earlier action.

Supervisor Don Clavin said that the increases are “outrageous,” and that customers were already “overpaying” for water.

Hempstead water Commissioner John Reinhardt said that Nassau residents shouldn’t be forced to pay for drinking water so that Liberty can “generate excessive profits.”

In 2021, the state created the South Nassau Water Authority as an independent body to oversee Liberty, whose predecessor, New York American Water, was roundly criticized for excessive rates. The water authority has not held a single public meeting.

Call it what you want — administration fee heaped on excessively overpriced tickets, rate hike, or a tax — it still costs us money. It doesn’t matter to a single mom working two jobs to put food on the table. It still costs money.

Red-light cameras save lives. Clean drinking water is essential. But that doesn’t mean we should be ridiculously overcharged for basic rights of citizenship.

Reduce or eliminate backdoor taxes. Force utility companies to cut unreasonable rate hikes. Give working-class people a break.

minute of the day.

We can’t forget the border crisis! Biden put Vice President Harris in charge, and that hasn’t worked out well. Border communities are overwhelmed.

Biden declared war on fossil fuels at the beginning of his administration. That’s fine — no one wants global warming. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a plan in place. Thanks to that,

gas prices skyrocketed, and at one point were higher than they had ever been.

Finally, we all can see his cognitive decline. It’s downright scary. He has held fewer news conferences per year than any president since Ronald Reagan, and gave fewer interviews during his first two years in office than any president in even longer. It’s sad, and at times hard to watch.

Something’s going wrong in Florida

there are so many things to write about these days, so many new headlines. But I can’t help writing about the state of Florida, because it seems more detached from America than any of the other 49 states.

I keep thinking it must be the water that’s making the state’s politicians go crazy, but I’m convinced that the issue is much bigger than H2O content. And the craziness doesn’t begin and end with Gov. Ron DeSantis, because he needs a state legislature to go along with his daily menu of new laws that make Florida look more and more like Russia.

The six-week ban on abortions is designed to help DeSantis win Republican primaries for the White House. I know DeSantis is married, but any clear-minded politico should know that the average woman has no idea that she is pregnant during the first six weeks. In addition, every poll taken by either the far right or the far left shows that the majority of Americans don’t want abortion banned.

It’s almost as if there are no television stations or other forms of media in Florida, because if there were, DeSantis would have learned that a bipartisan group of South Carolina women legislators were blocking a bill that would ban all abortions. In addition, many red states are being told by the courts that their bans are going too far. To show how crafty DeSantis thinks he is, he signed the abortion ban late on a Thursday night, apparently with the hope that the media wouldn’t find out about his latest political gambit.

Another issue is DeSantis’ battle with Disney World, which is the state’s second-largest tourist attraction, after the cruise industry. The theme park accounts for more than 20 million visitors a year and billions in tourism dollars. When you have such a good thing going, why would any sane governor start a fight that he is destined to lose?

DeSantis’ battle with Disney began when Disney spoke out against the governor’s fight with the LGBTQ community. The First Amendment protects free speech, and Disney is entitled to the same protections as any ordinary citizen.

Letters

It’s time to move on from Biden, from Trump, from Pelosi and McConnell and Maxine Waters. America needs new leadership, young blood to lead us going forward. Tell Joe it’s time to go home.

PAuL WAGneR Island Park

A month to focus on mental health

To the editor: May is Mental Health Awareness

Month, a time set aside for reflection on mental illness and things that might be done to improve the lives of those afflicted.

It’s been said before: The brain is an incredibly complex organ — one we still know so little about. Just as things can go wrong with the thyroid gland or the pancreas or the liver, the human brain is periodically subject to any number of ailments.

The situation may be complicated by a variety of behavioral or social factors. The underlying reality, however, remains true: Things can go wrong with the human brain.

We can only be thankful that in 2023, much is known about how to treat such forms of illness. A broad range of effective prescription drugs is now available. Yes, there is a lot of money in it, but it is for this reason that the improvements continue. These medications are there to be helpful.

One of the first, and perhaps most influential, was lithium carbonate, used to treat bipolar disorder — or, as it was then known, manic-depression. This was the very same clay found in the european springs where the suffering regularly went to “take the waters.”

The clay was packaged for easier use. This natural substance was no less effective in that form.

Certainly, all forms of psychiatric medication must be treated with the highest degree of respect. Increasing or decreasing the dosage amounts without the assistance of a trained professional is the highest form of recklessness.

Still, help does exist.

The case can also be made that our own human emotions carry a corresponding power to alter our own brain chemistry. Fits of anger, worry, blame or fear can alter the chemical makeup of the human brain. Here, too, however, psychiatry is making great advances. With hard work and commitment — and the assistance of a psychotherapist — it is possible to maintain a more hopeful and humorous outlook, day by day.

We don’t have all the answers. Still, many good men and women are working to improve our understanding of this most human form of affliction, and to find help for those in need. If the rest of us can set aside our unnecessary prejudices and open ourselves to the help already available, we can all come out ahead.

JOSH GReenFIeLD Bronx

Angered by Disney’s position, DeSantis has tried to strip it of its special tax district status, to stop Disney from having a say over the sprawling community that lives off of the entertainment empire’s success. Without Disney, hundreds of thousands of people would lack adequate fire, police or sanitation services.

To add to the craziness in Florida, the governor has announced that a whole series of textbooks will be banned from use in the state’s public schools, because of his and school parents’ objections to some of the content in those books. He has further ordered that a number of books have their language revised, because the words “are not truthful.” Mentions of the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement have been removed from one middle school textbook. Apparently, DeSantis believes that the Floyd tragedy was some sort of fake news.

If you’re not out of breath yet, here’s another scary fact of Florida life. Thousands of schoolteachers have left the state for other regions, out of fear of prosecution for accidently discussing some sub-

ject that the governor thinks is objectionable. It is estimated that Florida will need thousands of new teachers to make up for those losses, and it doesn’t look like those new teachers will be coming in the near future.

Recent opinion polls show former President Donald Trump with a wide lead over DeSantis early in the race for the Republican nomination for president. That lead isn’t a tribute to Trump, but rather a sign of growing dissatisfaction with DeSantis, which could leave the door open to any number of candidates, many of whom have yet to announce their availability.

Many Republicans are hungering for a fresh face to take on Trump next year. But the events in Florida over the past two years make it seem as if voting for DeSantis could be the equivalent of voting for Vladimir Putin. Somehow, the only people who haven’t caught on to DeSantis’ weaknesses are Florida residents. Maybe it is the water.

Jerry Kremer was an Assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.

Framework by Tim Baker

It seems as if voting for Ron DeSantis could be like voting for Vladimir Putin.

JerrY kremer

SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is the nation’s largest youth employment program, connecting the Town of Hempstead (TOH) and City of Long Beach youth between the ages of 16 and 20 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience each summer.

By participating in structured project and work-based opportunities, Long Island youth are better prepared for careers of the future.

WHAT THE PROGRAM OFFERS

Career Exploration: Hone your research skills and uncover exciting new career possibilities.

Structured Work-based Opportunities: If you're a TOH and City of Long Beach youth between the ages of 16 and 20, you can get paid to learn about different careers and make a positive impact in your community through work-based activities.

Work Experiences: TOH and City of Long Beach youth between the ages of 16 and 20 can develop job readiness skills and explore diverse career pathways through paid summer jobs in various industries throughout Nassau County.

Earn Money: Don't miss out on the chance to earn money while gaining valuable experience and exploring your career options!

WORKSITE PARTNERS

Partner with the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) at HempsteadWorks and provide valuable work experience to youth while expanding your business's staff at no cost. The program pays participant wages in full, so there's no financial burden on the hosting employer. As a SYEP worksite, you can play a vital role in the region's economic development and access a pool of talented, hyperlocal youth who are the future workforce.

Please review the important information below for details on this summer's program.

SYEP 2023:

Participants can work up to 30 hours per week

Rate of pay is $16 per hour, paid by the TOH Participants go through physical clearance and drug screening

Worksite Responsibilities:

Ensuring youth time and attendance procedures are followed, and the timesheets are complete and accurate Supervision of participants, along with guidance and training as appropriate Monitoring youth attendance, punctuality, and job performance

Don Clavin Supervisor