Lynbrook/east rockaway
DEADLINE MARCH 3RD
YOU Nations members at East Rockaway High School gathered to learn about different cultures and countries.
Proposal could modify school districts’ cellphone policies Diversity unites them Cultural clubs give students
By Ainsley Martinez amartinez@liherald.com
In recent years, many young people have come to feel as if smartphones are nothing less than extension of themselves, keeping them in touch with the world as they rely ever more heavily on technology.
But do their devices affect students’ ability to learn in school?
According to the National Institutes of Health, smartphones may have detrimental effects on learning and memory, and a reliance on them has been linked to a form of psychological dependency.
Gov. Kathy Hochul agrees, and proposed banning the phones from schools in her budget address on Jan. 21. Her plan, part of her $252 billion fiscal year 2026 executive budget, would prevent the use of smartphones and other internet-enabled devices on school grounds during the school day, including classroom time, lunch and study halls.
Schools would devise their own ways to implement the ban and store the devices. Hochul’s proposal includes roughly $13.5 million in state funding to help schools purchase storage options, such as cubbies,
pouches or lockers.
The plan would also require schools to ensure that parents have a way to contact their children during the day if needed.
According to a statement given to the Herald last Friday, the Lynbrook school district’s administration supports the proposal, and emphasizes the need for students to focus on work during the day.
“In fact, our district has already implemented cell phone restrictions that balance educational needs with student well-being,” the statement read.
“We recognize that while technology plays a vital role in an educational setting, limiting
safe space
By Ainsley Martinez amartinez@liherald.com
When Paula Rojas-Young’s family moved from Hempstead to Lynbrook when she was in middle school, she felt like she had lost the sense of connection she had with her Hispanic community. The Hispanic and Latino population is half as large in Lynbrook as it is in Hempstead, according to U.S. Census data.
But soon after enrolling at Lynbrook High School, Rojas-Young found a new way to bridge that gap: She joined the school’s Culture Club.
This year she serves as president of the 45-member organization.
“Now I have the opportunity to CONtiNUEd ON pagE 9
personal cell phone use during instructional time helps minimize distractions, improve student engagement and foster collaboration.”
The East Rockaway school district has a similar policy. At East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School, students in seventh through ninth grades are not permitted to use their
phones or other personal devices at any time except during lunch, in the cafeteria, while upperclassmen can use phones in specified areas during lunch and breaks, and while in the hallway, restroom or any other location outside the classroom. In both districts, failure to comply with the policy can
ON pagE 12
Courtesy Melinda Best
Hablamos Español
Lynbrook PTA to honor community contributors
The Lynbrook Council of Parent Teacher Association will honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the schools and community at its Founders’ Day event on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at Lynbrook High School, located at 9 Union Avenue.
The event will recognize the recipients of the NYS PTA Honorary Life Membership Award, including:
Joanna Santoli and Meghan Ceglie (Lynbrook Council of PTAs)
Amy Ezagui and Tricia Carroll (Lynbrook High School)
Michael Caputo and Eva Buonavita (Lynbrook South Middle School)
Meredith Koenderman and Alexandra Etra (Lynbrook North Middle School)
Regina Fasullo and Richard Brunswick (Marion Street School)
Ginger Fuentes and Chelsea Gundrum (West End School)
Nicole DiCarlo and Carrie Edwards Wolkoff (Waverly Park School)
Laura Tucker (Lynbrook SEPTA)
Additionally, the Lynbrook Kindergarten Center will present its Foundations Award to Kathleen Freehill and Lisa Genicoff.
The event will take place in the Lynbrook High School auditorium, with attendees asked to enter through the auditorium doors.
— Ainsley Martinez
science teacher Charles Vessalico celebrated his Honorary Life Membership award at the 2024 Founders’ Day with fellow students on Feb. 12. The Lynbrook Council of Parent Teacher Association will honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the schools and community at its Founders’ Day event on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at Lynbrook High School.
Courtesy of @sarosy_lhs Instagram page
Festive parade celebrates Lunar New Year
Students at West End Elementary School rang in the Year of the Snake with a vibrant Lunar New Year parade on Jan. 28.
The event was filled with excitement as children lined the school halls, showcasing their handcrafted lanterns, signs, and crowns marking the occasion.
Craft paper dragons, held by enthusiastic students, paraded through the school, drawing cheers and applause from classmates and teachers. Participants and onlookers exchanged highfives, celebrating the joy and unity of the occasion.
In the classroom, students learned about the cultural significance of the holiday, which is celebrated by billions worldwide.
Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the beginning of the lunar calendar year and is traditionally a time to wish for good fortune, health, and prosperity in the year ahead. Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, and 2025 is the Year of the Snake, symbolizing wisdom, intelligence, and grace.
— Ainsley
Martinez
Courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools
A student-led Lunar New Year parade ushered in the Year of the Snake at West End School on Jan. 28.
Peers excitedly waited on the sidelines to cheer on the parade at West End School in Lynbrook.
Students swapped high-fives as they walked down the hallway for their in-school parade.
Before the parade began, students sat on the ground with their decorations, eagerly awaiting for the walk around the school.
Crafted signs signified the Year of the Snake. Other students carried craft paper dragons and handcrafted lanterns.
Lynbrook police urge fans to plan ahead for safe Super Bowl
With Super Bowl LIX approaching on Feb. 9, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Lynbrook Police Department are partnering to remind viewers: Fans don’t let fans drive drunk.
The agencies encourage drivers to plan ahead and make safety a priority to ensure an enjoyable evening for everyone. If drinking at a Super Bowl party, arrange for a designated driver before the game begins. Hosts are urged to provide food and non-alcoholic beverages to support sober drivers.
Planning for Those You Are Responsible For
A client came in to see us for their follow-up consultation. The client shared that, in between their two meetings with us, the husband‘s brother had suffered a stroke and was now in a rehabilitation facility. He was a bachelor. He had no power of attorney or health care proxy. He may or may not have had a will -- they didn’t know. Further, they were unable to get access to his apartment to clean out the fridge, get his clothes, and look for his papers, because he had failed to put them on the list of persons approved to enter in the event of an emergency.
One of the most overlooked areas in estate planning is the question of who you are responsible for. Do you have a friend or relative who you know will need to rely on you if something happens? Either they have no one else or everyone else is too far away. If you have the responsibility, then make sure that you have the documents you will need to carry out that responsibility. Otherwise, you may be facing a guardianship proceeding. Similarly, so many of our clients have adult
children with young families. Do you know whether your children have wills, powers of attorney and health care proxies?
There are serious pitfalls for young families if one spouse dies without a plan. Roughly half of their assets go to their surviving spouse and half to the children. The court will appoint a legal guardian for the children’s money and the unused portion must be turned over to them at age eighteen, ready or not!
A potentially more serious problem for older adults is whether their sons and daughters who have families possess adequate life insurance. If your son or daughter dies without sufficient life insurance, you may be called upon to support and educate your grandchildren out of your retirement money.
Finally, if you are responsible for the care of an elderly parent, then make sure it is you who has the power of attorney and health care proxy and not another sibling who may end up controlling the situation from afar, much to your dismay.
ETTINGER LAW FIRM
sequences, including injury or death. The department urges everyone to take steps to prevent impaired driving.
Tips for hosting a responsible Super Bowl party:
Offer plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks.
Super Bowl is a time for celebration, but safety should always come first.
“Super Bowl is a time for celebration, but safety should always come first,” said Lynbrook Police Chief Brian Paladino. “Make a plan before kickoff to avoid finding yourself in a dangerous situation. If you’re hosting, support your designated drivers and ensure your guests have safe ways to get home.”
Brian Paladino Lynbrook police chief
Drunk driving can lead to severe con-
Encourage guests to pace themselves and stay hydrated.
Never serve alcohol to minors.
Designate a sober driver and keep others accountable. Take car keys from anyone attempting to drive impaired.
Ensure everyone gets home safely.
Planning ahead and staying responsible will help keep the roads safe. If you see a drunk driver, report them to local law enforcement, said Paladino.
—
Ainsley Martinez
News briefs
East Rockaway School District accepting requests for private school transportation
The East Rockaway School District is now accepting transportation requests for students attending private and parochial schools outside the district for the 2025-2026 school year.
Transportation will be provided under specific conditions:
Elementary school students: Must live at least two miles but not more than 15 miles from the private or parochial school.
Secondary school students: Must live at least three miles but not more than 15 miles from the school.
Requests must be submitted by April 1 for the 2025-2026 school year. If a child
has not yet been accepted to a private or parochial school but enrollment is anticipated, a written request should still be submitted by the deadline.
Parents of children with disabilities who are attending various schools do not need to reapply for transportation. Requests received after April 1 will only be considered for new residents, who must submit their applications within 30 days of establishing residency in the district.
For further information or to submit requests, visit: EastRockawaySchools. org.
— Ainsley Martinez
■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/lynbrook or www.liherald.com/eastrockaway ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: lyn-ereditor@liherald.com
EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 265 E-mail:
Fax: (516) 622-7460
■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: rglickman@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643
■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com
CHASE TIMBERLAKE
Baldwin Senior Basketball
AFTER HELPING LEAD the Bruins to a historic 2023-24 season highlighted by a fourth straight Nassau Class AAA title, Timberlake joined a very short list of 1,000-career point scorers in program history. On Jan. 17, he reached the milestone previously achieved only by his head coach Darius Burton, a 1993 Baldwin graduate. Timberlake is well on his way to a second All-County selection, averaging a team-high 24 points per game.
GAMES TO WATCH
Thursday, Feb. 6
Boys Basketball: Baldwin at G.N. North 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Carey at Roosevelt 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Elmont at Hewlett 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: G.N. South at Long Beach 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Lawrence at West Hempstead 5
Girls Basketball: South Side at Manhasset 5
Girls Basketball: Mepham at New Hyde Park 5 p.m.
Girls Baksetball: Jericho at MacArthur 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Bethpage at Kennedy 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball: V.S. Central at Mepham 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Manhasset at South Side 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 7
Girls Basketball: V.S. South at Lynbrook 4:45 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Syosset at Oceanside 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Clarke at Mineola 6:30 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Seaford at Malverne 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Floral Park at Wantagh 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 8
Wrestling: Nassau County Division 1 qualifier tournaments at Farmingdale, Long Beach, Oceanside, Jericho, Massapequa and Kennedy 9 a.m.
Gymnastics: Coaches Invitational at North Shore 10 a.m.
Boys Basketball: Uniondale at Hicksville 12 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a winter sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
West Hempstead tops East Rockaway
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
The road has been a bumpy one for the West Hempstead and East Rockaway girls’ basketball programs this season with a combined record of 4-25 heading into their Jan. 28 matchup.
It was a nailbiter midway through the third quarter before West Hempstead stretched a four-point lead to double digits entering the fourth, then pulled away for a 52-36 road victory to complete a season sweep of the Rocks.
Senior Constance Berry-Rowley and junior Daniela Healy both had a gamehigh 17 points and eighth grader Heather Chrobet added 9 to lead West Hempstead to its fourth win in 15 tries.
“We work a lot on shooting threes and we did a nice job tonight from there and the foul line,” Rams head coach Chris Van Kovics said. “We’ve been getting better and better. Tonight was probably our best game from start to finish. We have three quality guards. Heather has great basketball knowledge and skills. Constance is one of our best shooters and Daniela is athletic and does a lot out there.”
Senior Sophia Pappas and sophomore Colleen Lynch led East Rockaway (1-15) with 10 points apiece. Senior Norah Rose added 9.
“It’s been a tough season, but every game the girls work hard and fight until the end,” Rocks head coach Cheri Poland said. “We’ve been struggling on the offensive end, but we’re proud of our defense. Tonight we were in it pretty much the whole way, we just couldn’t get over the top.”
Healy had two field goals and went 4-for-4 on free throws in the opening quarter to help West Hempstead build a 17-10 lead. An evenly played second quarter saw both teams get plenty of contributions. Chrobet, Berry-Rowley, Healy, and sophomore Isabella Salimbene all hit shots for the Rams, while Rose, Lynch, Pappas and freshman Leila Perez did the same for the Rocks.
The Rams led by nine at the half but had a cold spell early in the second half
and saw their lead dwindle to 31-26 as Lynch and Pappas accounted for the only points through four minutes of the third quarter.
That’s when West Hempstead’s role players made some noise. Junior Jazmyn Russell, senior Madison Cates and sophomore Ana Rizzuto all provided key baskets to stretch the advantage to 40-30 entering the fourth.
Berry-Rowley and Chrobet opened the final quarter with back-to-back 3s, and Chrobet added a fast-break layup for a 48-30 cushion.
“Basketball is her sport and she
plays AAU,” Van Kovics said of Chrobet, who scored 24 in the team’s 55-43 win over East Rockaway in the first meeting Dec. 17. “She has good size and can play down low if we need her to.”
Both teams have three games remaining and two common opponents — Carle Place and Oyster Bay. West Hempstead also has Cold Spring Harbor, while East Rockaway has Locust Valley.
The Rocks are without a JV, but Poland said she’s hopeful for the future. “We have two junior high teams coming up,” she said.
Derrick Dingle/Herald
East Rockaway’s Sofia Tizio, left, drove against West Hempstead’s Daniela Healy during the Rocks’ 52-36 defeat Jan. 28.
New bill introduced to provide school districts to opt-out of a state law mandating the transition to electric school buses by 2027.
Proposed bill allows opt-out of zero-emission bus mandate
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
The New York State Assembly introduced a bill that would allow local school districts to opt out of a new state law mandating the transition to electric school buses. Lawmakers argue that the measure, which requires districts to replace diesel buses with zero-emission models, presents significant energy and cost-related challenges.
Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, who represents Lynbrook and East Rockaway said that she is also exploring the feasibility of using revenue from school bus red light camera fines to help cover busing costs in general, including the potential funding of electric buses.
“I believe the timeline to transition to zero-emissions school buses needs to be reevaluated. Our local school districts have just been hit with a 30 percent increase in transportation costs due to increased insurance liabilities, shortage of drivers, increased costs and the anticipated purchase of electric buses.”
At a news conference on Jan. 28, the proposed Assembly and Senate bills were introduced. If passed, they would give school districts the option to apply for a waiver from the state’s commissioner of education, allowing them to bypass certain zero-emission bus requirements.
Under current law, starting in 2027, school districts in New York will be required to purchase electric school buses to replace traditional diesel models. The state offers transportation aid as partial reimbursement for bus purchases, but the new measure has raised concerns about its affordability.
A group of Republican state senators
sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul, expressing concerns over the high costs of electric buses. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that the average new electric school bus costs approximately $400,000, compared to about $130,000 for traditional diesel buses.
Hochul defended the initiative in a statement. “It is not enough to encourage New Yorkers to buy electric — we must build green infrastructure that will drive New Yorkers to choose cleaner and greener modes of transportation.”
The push for electric school buses is part of New York’s broader environmental goal of reaching 850,000 zero-emission vehicles by 2025, with plans for all new passenger vehicles to be electric by 2035. Critics of the mandate argue that electric buses cost two to four times more than traditional buses.
One analysis estimated that it could cost between $8 billion and $15.25 billion for school districts to transition their fleets from gas-powered to electric buses. Though these estimates do not include the costs of infrastructure and facility upgrades that would be needed to support these buses.
“I don’t believe that the measure to permit districts to simply opt out of the zero-emission bus transition meets the moment,” said Griffin.
— Additional reporting contributed by Ainsley Martinez
Lynbrook resident Mildred Cohen turned 100 on Jan. 19, and celebrated a day later in Oceanside.
Lynbrook resident holds centential celebration
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By JANET PRETE Correspondent
Mildred Cohen, adorned with tiara and sash, entered the community room of the Barry and Florence Friedberg JCC in Oceanside for her 100th birthday celebration. The party, originally scheduled for January 20, just one day after her actual birthday, was postponed for a week due to a snowstorm that left ice and frigid temperatures in its wake, making traveling treacherous.
Cohen has been a member of the JCC for over 30 years and was honored at their annual meeting on June 25, where she was given an award for her vibrant participation and dedication. The people at the JCC feel like family to her, and besides playing canasta and Mah Jong, she has been instrumental in volunteer activities such as knitting blankets for children with cancer.
Cohen, her brother, and sister grew up on the Lower East Side where she says the schools were wonderful. She keeps an active social calendar but does miss having her siblings to reminisce with.
“We had less but we had much more, if you know what I’m saying,” she says of her childhood.
She learned secretarial skills in high school and went to work for one of the senior partners at Lehman Brothers. She then worked for the Chairman of the Board at Norton Lilly, but retired 50 years ago when her daughter, Bonnie Zebalese, had a baby; she wanted to spend more time with the family.
Cohen also has two sons, Warren and Mark, and said her children were so good, she took them shopping all the time. People would come up to her to ask how she got them to behave so well and she said they were just good, not giving herself the credit.
Warren and Mark live out of state now, but Bonnie is still close by and sees her mother weekly. Although Cohen lives completely independently, she has never learned how to drive, so Zebalese takes her mother to all doctors’ appointments, shopping, and does all the cooking for her, apportioning meals into single serving containers to keep in the refrigerator.
Only recently has Zebalese hired a companion to stay with her mother Monday to Friday to prepare her breakfast, keep her company, and make sure she is safe in her apartment.
Zebalese always had a close relationship with her mother and says that Cohen was her confidante growing up. Cohen also had a close relationship with Zebalese’s children, taking them to Broadway shows, and occasionally taking the children overnight. Cohen now also has 6 great grandchildren.
Hope Firestone, a friend at the JCC, says Cohen didn’t stop exercising all during Covid. Unable to use the gym, she would walk 100 times around the parking lot across the street from her apartment. Cohen is proud of the fact that she doesn’t take any prescription medication
A social person, Cohen invited a small group of friends to her apartment during the Covid pandemic for card games. They all wore masks, and Cohen provided snacks and gave everyone their choice of a scarf she had knitted. Firestone was in that small group and said Cohen’s apartment is beautiful, with Cohen’s own depictions of Chagall’s “windows” hanging on the wall, done in needlepoint.
“She’s a very inclusive person,” Firestone said.
Cohen’s husband Murray passed away at the age of 79. When Murray passed away, Cohen sold their house and moved to the apartment in Lynbrook, where she still lives. Besides needing less space, she likes the fact that there is people close by.
“I was married to a very, very lovely person, wonderful father, wonderful husband,“ Cohen says of her husband.
Cohen says the most important thing in life is, “Not arguing. And the way you don’t argue is you give in some of the time. Not all of the time! But some of the time.”
The consensus at the JCC is that Cohen is a happy person. She’s sharp as a tack, and showed her sense of humor with a surprising confession.
“I’ll tell you a secret,” she said. “I have matching underwear for every outfit. If I wear a leopard outfit I wear leopard underwear.”
Courtesy Mildred Cohen
Gillen is ceremonially sworn in to House
By RENEE DeLORENZO rdelorenzo@liherald.com
Laura Gillen celebrated joining the U.S. House of Representatives, where she represents New York’s 4th Congressional District, at a ceremonial swearing-in at the Elmont Public Library on Jan. 25.
Nearly 400 people gathered in the library’s theater to honor Gillen, who was officially sworn into office in Washington on Jan. 3. Former Rep. Steve Israel did the ceremonial honors, with the help of Gillen’s husband, Chris Gillen.
In 2024, Gillen announced she would run against Republican incumbent Anthony D’Esposito, whom she had challenged in 2022, losing narrowly. But voters chose Gillen by a margin of about 2 percentage points in last November’s election.
Congressman Gregory Meeks, Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages and Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow also attended the library ceremony.
“As you are taking your oath, we could not be prouder of you,” Solages told Gillen. “This moment is really a testimony to your hard work, your dedication and the trust that you have earned from so many of us. Your vision in this district gives us hope and gives us confidence. And we know that the integrity, compassion and determination you have will resonate here, in D.C. and all over.”
Former U.S. Rep. Steve Israel, left, and Rep. Laura Gillen’s husband, Chris Gillen, took part in her ceremonial swearing-in before a cheering crowd, three weeks after Gillen began her term in the House of Representatives.
Meeks recalled the uncertainty of the October election, particularly in the 4th C.D. But, he said, the Democratic caucus chose Gillen to run because of her character, her ability to connect with the community and her care for all citizens.
“You can’t be a leader if you’re not willing to serve,” Meeks said. “And we
saw in Laura one that served and one that listened. She’s coming and talking to all sides, and she’s looking for ways to bring people together to better the entire United States of America.”
“So, I made it to Capitol Hill,” Gillen laughed when it was her turn to speak, to loud applause. “I have gratitude for
the awesome opportunity to serve the people of this district, and gratitude to all those that made this possible.”
She thanked the elected officials who supported her campaign, expressed enthusiasm about working with them and thanked her family, who she said sacrificed so much in the months leading up to the election to help her campaign.
From 2018 to 2019, Gillen was the first Democrat to serve as Town of Hempstead supervisor in 112 years, which she attributed to her dedication to compromise and bipartisanship.
“Working across the aisle was a necessity,” she said. “It wasn’t always easy. But with a carrot and a stick, we made it possible.”
Among her successes during her time as supervisor, she continued, was the leadership she demonstrated in bringing down taxes, upgrading infrastructure, serving communities that had been ignored, challenging polluters and bringing vital ethical reforms to the town to ensure that public servants were accountable to the people they serve.
“Now, as your congresswoman, those lessons will continue to guide me,” she said. “I’ll always put Long Island and our nation first, and work to do what’s best for all the people in our community. It is the honor of my lifetime to be your congresswoman.”
Rockaway Avenue Valley Stream 516-544-6111
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Proud member of the
Tim Baker/Herald
Locals show up to jam in East Rockaway
The sounds of rock and blues filled the air at Lilah’s Bar and Grill as Electric Rooster took the stage for a lively performance.
The local band brought a mix of influences—from AC/DC to George Thorogood & The Destroyers—to the East Rockaway bar last Saturday.
The band, featuring Tony Davenport on vocals and guitar, Steve Tetro on bass, Adam Pleva on drums and Lloyd Chrein on guitar, played an electrifying set.
Attendees came from all over Long Island: including Franklin Square, Bellmore and Garden City.
The band invited guests to join them for an open jam after their set, creating an evening of music and camaraderie.
Electric Rooster’s roots trace back to the local music scene, where the members first met through open jam sessions and mutual friends.
For more information on upcoming events visit Electric Rooster’s FaceBook page.
— Ainsley Martinez
Bassist
Steve Tetro played renditions of classic blues songs alongside Tony Davenport and the rest of the band.
Drummer Adam Pleva has a background in jazz, and brings some of those elements to his work with Electric Rooster.
Andrew Calaci, left, from Franklin Square, Cliff Adams, of Garden City, and Bobby Copobianco, from Franklin Square, attended the event at Lilah’s.
Nelson Cohen and Randi Kenna enjoy the music by Electric Rooster at Lilah’s Bar and Grill on Feb. 1.
Michael Rechter/ The Herald photos
Electric Rooster played at Lilah’s Bar and Grill in East Rockaway on Feb. 1..
OBITUARY
Former Lynbrook teacher, coach dies at 84
By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com
A former West Hempstead basketball star passed away in December in Florida. Mike Cingiser passed away on Dec. 18, 2024 at the age of 84.
“He lived a really splendid life,” shared his daughter, Karen Cingiser. “He was such a good human. It was pretty incredible, the impact he had on people.”
Cingiser was born in Manhattan on Sept. 23, 1940, but he lived in Queens, before his family moved to Malverne Oaks South while he was in elementary school.
While attending West Hempstead High School Cingiser led the Rams to the 1957 Nassau title. He was named tournament MVP, scoring 38 points in the semifinals and 24 in the championship game as a junior.
As a senior, Cingiser received the Carl Molusky Award as the South Shore Athletic League’s top player.
Cingiser graduated from West Hempstead in 1958 as the program’s all time leading scorer, with 1,185 points. He was a two-time first-team All-Nassau County basketball selection, as well as an honorable-mention all-county baseball player and a first singles tennis player.
Cingiser attended Brown University, where he played for the university basketball team, the Bears, for three years following his time on the freshman team.
“He had a reputation of being extremely competitive,” said Russ Tyler, Brown Bear alumni and color commentator for their games.
While in school, Cingiser won a gold pedal for the United States at the 1961 Maccabiah Games, playing alongside Larry Brown.
Cingiser received an English degree from Brown University in 1962. That same year he was selected in the ninth round of the NBA draft by the Boston Celtics but decided to pursue coaching and teaching instead.
In 1962, Cingiser married Marjan Sann. The two met in the late 50’s while working as counselors at a day camp located in Plainview.
Soon after Cingiser’s graduation, they moved onto Long Island, eventually settling in Lynbrook. Cingiser worked as a high school English teacher in Lynbrook for 18 years.
“He had a love of words, a love of language,” Karen recalled. “Loved to read loved to write, loved to correct people’s grammar.”
He served the district coaching both
Photo courtesy Brown Athletics
Mike Cingiser coached the Brown Bears from 1981 to 1991. He led the team to their lone Ivy League championship in the 1985-86 season.
basketball and tennis. As head coach, Cingiser led Lynbrook’s boy’s basketball teams won six league titles and two Long Island South Shore Championships. The boy’s tennis team won ten league titles in ten seasons under his coaching. Cingiser was named Long Island Coach of the Year twice and in 2019 he was inducted into the Nassau County High School Athletics Hall of Fame.
He also spent two years as the assistant coach for Hofstra’s men’s basketball team, wining back-to-back East Coast conference Championships and appearing in two NCAA tournaments.
After several years applying for the position, Cingiser became head coach of the Brown Bears in 1981. He moved his family up to Rhode Island and spent ten years as head coach, winning a total of 93 games. Cingiser led the Bears to their lone Ivy League championship in the 1985-86 season, bringing the team to the NCAA tournament.
out somebody like Mike, he was a wonderful, wonderful human being and great coach.”
He died unexpectedly, surrounded by family and friends.
“The greatest gift he gave to us and to the people that were involved in his life, is a sense of family,” said Karen. “He created family with his high school basketball players at Lynbrook. He created family with the players at Brown. He had a great sense of humor and a great sense of loyalty and was able to build relationships that created family.”
In lieu of a funeral, Brown will honor Cingiser’s memory with a ceremony at 3:00 pm on Feb. 15 ahead of their home game against Penn.
Gov. Hochul pitches smartphone ban in schools
result in phone confiscation.
It is unclear whether Hochul’s proposal would eliminate the use of the devices in those permitted areas. And according to her plan, the schools would be required to store the cell phones, instead of allowing students to keep them in their bags or backpacks.
Lucas Elena, a Lynbrook High School freshman, said that there are countless situations in which students need their phones, and he does not believe a total ban is necessary.
“I myself use it to meet up with friends and go to lunch, let my parents know anything, set reminders for myself to hand in or do certain things, and much more,” Elena said.
However, many parents said they feel a restriction on phones in classroom can help students focus on their work.
cellphones in classrooms as a major disruption because “95 percent of students have access, and are receiving on average 250 notifications a day.”
“As a mom, these aren’t just statistics to me,” she said. “I know how hard it is to get your kids’ attention. My kids used to text each other underneath the kitchen table, meaning they weren’t talking to each other. It started back then. It’s happening in our classrooms.”
I myself use it to meet up with friends and go to lunch, let my parents know anything, set reminders for myself to hand in or do certain things, and much more.
Lucas ELEna Lynbrook High School freshman
“I don’t think kids should have phones in the classroom at all,” Lynbrook parent Cara Rose said. “Maybe keep them in their locker, but that’s it.”
In her budget presentation, Hochul said that teachers across the country cite
The governor said she had held roundtables across the state with educators and students, which helped shape her proposal.
The ban would include devices like smartwatches as well as smartphones. Cellphones without internet capability would still be allowed, as well as devices that are provided by the school for classroom work.
Exemptions would be allowed for students who need smartphones to manage medical condition, for language translation or for Individualized Education Programs.
Discussion of Hochul’s budget proposal is continuing in the State Legislature.
Created using ChatGPT
gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed ban on smartphones in schools aims to reduce distractions and improve student focus, with schools required to implement storage systems for devices during the school day.
20 Kids Camp and School
Kids Camp and School is an in-depth guide on summer camps, after-school programs, and educational institutions, ensuring families have all the information they need to make informed decisions.
Ad Deadlines Feb. 6 and Apr. 3
Our Story is a special supplement dedicated to celebrating the heart and soul of the community—its local businesses.
Ad Deadline Feb. 13
The Our Story Finance special supplement is a dedicated exploration of how community businesses drive local economies, foster financial resilience, and create lasting social impact. This edition highlights the power of collective entrepreneurship, showcasing how locally owned enterprises shape thriving neighborhoods through shared resources, ethical finance, and community investment.
Ad Deadline Feb. 20
This edition spotlights the individuals driving positive change, from revitalizing neighborhoods to pioneering sustainable development and inclusive economic growth. This edition features in-depth profiles, and takes a look behind-the-scenes at how community-focused real estate and business leaders are reshaping local communities.
Ad Deadline Feb. 27
Chambers workshop focuses on marketing
Local businesses, hosted by Richner Communications, learn to reach customers in new ways
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Nassau County small businesses gathered to learn about cutting-edge digital marketing strategies from Richner Communications’ Lori Berger at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Roslyn, on Jan. 21.
The Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce organized a series of workshops to help local businesses thrive in 2025, sharing information about computer systems, financial planning and communications and marketing. Berger was a presenter for two marketing classes: one in Malverne, on Jan. 14, and the class a week later in Roslyn.
“I’m so passionate about helping people and small businesses with marketing,” Berger said. “We’re a community newspaper company. That’s what we do.”
Her presentation walked attendees through four core aspects of marketing: offline, social media, E-commerce and websites.
Janna Rodriguez, founder of the Innovative Daycare Corp., in Freeport, has been helping children learn and grow for 12 years. “We’ve created a strong support system between the families, the community, the educators and the other organizations that we partner with,” she said.
The NCCC provides a service that makes entrepreneurship much more accessible in Nassau County, Rodriguez said. “The reason that I was interested in marketing is because small businesses, such as myself, find it very difficult to be able to hire a marketing consultant, especially when you’re first starting up,” she said.
In the workshop she discovered that her business comes up on the front page of search engines, and she was advised her to plan more content for Facebook and Instagram.
The marketing presentation was for businesses in Zone 1, north of Route 25, and it was attended by about 50 small business leaders from throughout the zone. The workshop was made possible by a Nassau County Technical Services grant, which is designed to help the local economy by offering guidance to small businesses free of charge.
Ira Reiter is a co-owner of the Barking Biscuit with his wife, Hillary, and president of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce. Their business took off five years ago, around the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Social media proved to be a vital tool that helped their to succeed.
F&B AD 2022 New Size.qxp_Layout 1 3/16/22 5:43 PM Page 1
Richner Communications offered complimentary one-on-one meetings for all attending businesses to review their search engine optimization and social
• Monuments
media presence — a service Reiter intends to follow up on.
“We are looking forward to it — were just hoping that we can absorb everything,” Reiter said. “So much, and so much fantastic information that came out of last night, and it will help us with our online presence.”
The workshop encouraged Reiter to use Geo-Fencing, a technique to target advertisements to potential customers in a specific area.
This was the first time the NCCC has offered classes at no cost, according to Russel Green, a board member of the council and president of the Syosset and Woodbury Chambers of Commerce.
A Chamber “allows other businesses and individuals in the community to know who you are and when you’re starting,” Green said. “We’ll support you, hopefully, for many, many years.”
To learn more about the NCCC and future events, visit ncchambers.org.
Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald
About 50 small businesses owners gathered at Roslyn’s Hilton Garden Inn on Jan. 21 to learn about digital marketing with Lori Berger, of Richner Communications.
STEPPING OUT
SCORE BIG on
Super Sunday
Go for the ‘tasty ‘win’
By Karen Bloom
It’s the biggest sports day of the year. The big game — on Feb. 9 — is great opportunity for casual winter entertaining.
Thrilling plays, must-see commercials and your pals are all quintessential elements of the perfect game-day get-together. Of course that game on the big screen is the main focus, but plenty of action takes place around the table — keeping everyone well fed is a sport in itself.
While crowd-pleasing Buffalo flavor-inspired foods and football always seem to go together, think beyond those traditional flavors for a new twist on your Super Bowl cuisine.
Baked Spinach and Chicken Dip
A tasty dip is always a winner. Try this flavorful, creamy variation — in addition to the guacamole.
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
• 1 cup ranch dressing
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup cooked chicken, chopped Heat oven to 375 F.
In microwave-safe medium bowl, add cream cheese and dressing. Microwave on high 30 seconds, or until cream cheese is soft. Stir to combine. Add spinach and Parmesan cheese. Mix well. Add chicken and stir to combine.
Transfer mixture to baking dish that holds at least 6 cups. Bake 20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown. The internal temperature should be 165 F.
Serve with crackers, bread or veggie sticks.
Note: If you like it spicy, substitute a chipotle ranch
dressing and add diced pickled jalapenos. To make ahead, prepare unbaked dip up to 3 days ahead; store covered and refrigerated. Bake prior to serving.
Pull-Apart Garlic Bread Pizza
Instead of the pizza delivery, get creative with “garlic bread” version.
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup ricotta
• 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, divided
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt
• 3/4 cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup mini pepperoni
• 2 (16 ounce) cans refrigerated biscuits (such as Pillsbury Grands)
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, mix together 2 cups mozzarella, cream cheese, ricotta, cup Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt. Transfer mixture to a 9”-x13” baking dish then spread pizza sauce on top. Top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella and pepperoni.
Halve biscuits and roll into balls, then place on top of dip.
In a small bowl, whisk together oil, garlic, and parsley. Brush on biscuits and sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan.
Bake until biscuits are golden and cheese is melty, about 45 minutes, then cover with aluminum foil and bake until biscuits are cooked
Sheng Wang
through, another 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Step up your chili with a barbecue twist.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/2 tablespoon cumin
• 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
• 26-28 ounces crushed or chopped tomatoes
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
• 1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
Chili fixin’s: shredded Mexican cheese, avocado, jalapeno, sour cream, cilantro, green onions, fresh tomato, corn chips, and salsa are all great additions.
Over medium heat, saute onion and carrots in olive oil until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the bell pepper and spices and saute another minute. Add the tomatoes and vegetable broth and simmer over low heat until thickened, about 20 minutes.
Stir in the corn, beans, and barbecie sauce and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add more chili powder and cumin to spice up if necessary.
Simmer another 5 minutes or until ready to eat.
Serve with your favorite chili add-ons.
With his signature laid-back style, as showcased in his Netflix special “Sweet & Juicy” produced and directed by Ali Wong, comedianactor-writer Sheng Wang brings his hilarious standup to the Paramount stage. Wang is now truly coming into his own. Two decades of performing has taken him from doing stand-up for touristy audiences in New York to a successful Netflix special, “Sweet and Juicy,” produced and directed by Ali Wong. He mines comedy from the mundane, everyday parts of life — from the meditative ritual that is shopping at Costco to how to get maximum value from health insurance. Because he’s from Texas, Wang also speaks with a slight Southern drawl, giving a relaxed quality to his delivery. Among his other credits, Wang was a featured standup on HBO’s “2 Dope Queens” special and wrote for ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat.” Wang now resides in L.A. and in his time explores botanical gardens and new ways to snack.
Saturday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m. $69.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
Boyz II Men
R&B superstars Boyz II Men are always in the groove. They arrive at Tilles Center with their soulful multi-octave sound and incredible vocals, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Given the monumental success of their albums and the timeless quality of their vocals, it’s easy to see why they remain one of the most popular R&B groups of all time. Boyz II Men redefined popular R&B and continue to create timeless hits that appeal to fans across generations. Their four Grammys are just the tip of the iceberg. The trio holds the distinction of being the best-selling R&B group, with an astounding 64 million albums sold. And the reason is abundantly clear. For the past three-plus decades, Boyz II Men have given fans a rich catalog of hits filled with smooth harmonies and enduring themes. And for Boyz II Men, the hits just keep on coming.
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Barbecue Three Bean Chili
THE Your Neighborhood
Feb.
15
Friends of the Brothers
Friends of the Brothers returns to the Landmark stage with their dynamic tribute to the Allman Brothers, Saturday, Feb. 15, 8 p.m. Their powerful celebration of the Allman Brothers, featuring musicians closely associated with the original band, continues the brotherhood with passion, committed to the ideals of every night being special and unique. Guitarist/singer Junior Mack has fronted Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band for 12 years and starred in the acclaimed Broadway show “Lackawanna Blues.” Guitarist Andy Aledort played with Dickey Betts for 12 years, has recorded with Double Trouble and Band of Gypsys and toured with Experience Hendrix. Singer/guitarist Alan Paul is the author of “One Way Out,” the definitive, best-selling Allman Brothers Band biography based on 25 years of reporting on and interviewing the band. Their first-hand experience with the Allman Brothers Band and their deep knowledge of the repertoire and the music’s roots and heritage allows them to play with an unrivaled depth.
Bird walk
The South Shore Audubon Society welcomes all to join its members for another in its series of bird walks, at Hempstead Lake State Park, Saturday, Feb. 8, starting at 9 a.m. Walk leaders, other birders and nature enthusiasts are happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. Bring binoculars. The group will meet The group will meet in parking lot #3, off Exit 18 of the Southern State Parkway.
To register, text your name and contact information to (516) 467-9498. No walk if rain or snow. Text regarding questionable weather. For more information, visit ssaudubon.org.
Book Club meets
East Rockaway Public Library hosts a book club session on “Himawari House,” Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1 p.m. Large print and regular print books are available at the front desk for checkout. Books are also available for download on the Libby app. For more information, visit eastrockawaylibrary.org. 477 Atlantic Ave.
Village Board Meeting/ Grievance Night
Lunch & Learn with Mayor Alan Beach
Lynbrook Chamber hosts Mayor Alan Beach at an engaging Lunch & Learn, Wednesday, Feb. 12, noon-1:30 p.m., at River Mill Tavern and Tables, He provides valuable insights into upcoming projects and initiatives affecting local businesses and residents. Networking opportunities with Chamber members and village leaders are also included. For more details, visit LynbrookUSA. com.100 Ocean Ave.
Art Explorations
Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues, Saturday, Feb. 1, noon-3 p.m. Kids and their adult partners talk about and make art together. While there, enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit nassaumuseum.org to register or call (516) 484-9337.
Friends’ perform songs from every stage of Allman Brothers career, backed by a band of inspirational, veteran players, including drummers Dave Diamond (Zen Tricksters, Bob Weir, Robert Randolph) and Lee Finkelstein (Tower of Power, Blues Brothers), bassist Craig Privett (Half Step) and keyboardist Mike Katzman (Leslie Mendelsohn, The Electrix). Rock on! $38, $33. andmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or landmarkonmainstreet.org.
The Lynbrook Village Board meets, Tuesday, Feb.18, 5- 9 p.m., at Village Hall. Residents can meet with village officials to address grievances. 1 Columbus Drive For more information, visit LynbrookVillage.net.
East Rockaway Board of Education Meeting
The Board of Education meets on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m., at East Rockaway High School. 443 Ocean Ave. For more information, visit EastRockawaySchools.org.
Virtual Property Tax Grievance Seminars
Nassau County Leg. Bill Gaylor hosts two 2025 Virtual Property Tax Assessment Grievance Seminars for all homeowners who disagree with their home’s assessed value as indicated on the 2026-2027 Tentative Notice of Assessment. The final session is Wednesday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m. Representatives from the Nassau County Assessment Review Commission will be online to answer questions and demonstrate ARC’s online tools to file an “Application for Correction of Assessment” online or via mail. You may dispute the assessed value of your home until March 3. For information on your specific property visit LRV. nassaucountyny.gov. For forms and applications, visit nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/ ARC/forms.html. To log in to the seminar, go to the link on Leg. Gaylor’s website: nassaucountyny. gov/ld14. For more information, contact Leg. Gaylor’s office at (516) 571-6214.
Defensive Driving 6-Hour Class
Improve driving skills and obtain insurance discounts with the AARP Driver Safety course, at East Rockaway Public Library. Saturday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Registration required .Visit easrockawaylibrary.org for more. 477 Atlantic Ave.
Family theater
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to its stage, Friday, Feb. 7, 10:15 a.m. and noon; Saturday, Feb. 8, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; also Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 12-13,10:15 a.m. and noon. It is 3017 in this futuristic, musical retelling of “Cinderella.” She’s now a space engineer looking to revolutionize space travel. When the Prince holds a space parade, Cinderella saves it by helping fix the Prince’s spaceship. Cinderella knows it’s the perfect opportunity to show the Prince her new hyper warp speed engine.
But first, she’ll have to keep her evil stepmother from throwing a wrench in her plans! $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.
Having an event?
Catch up with Kiwanis Lynbrook Kiwanis Club meets twice monthly. Meetings are held the first Thursday of each mont, 6:30 p.m., at Lynbrook Library; the third Thursday, at 7 p.m., at Savino’s, 88 Atlantic Ave. For more information, visit Facebook.com/KiwanisLynbrook.
Long Island Choral Society auditions
Long Island Choral Society, under the Direction of Michael C. Haigler, holds auditions for new members for the final concert of their 96th Season. Auditions are by appointment only and will be held Monday, continuing Feb. 10, at Garden City Community Church. The Berlioz Requiem is a piece known for its power and beauty that offers a rare musical performance opportunity while bringing the Choral Society’s 2425 concert season to an exciting close.
If you love to sing consider auditioning to be part of this treasured Long Island tradition. Schedule an audition by calling (516) 652-6878 or via e-mail at audition.info@lics.org. 245 Stewart Ave., Garden City.
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.
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct follow-up to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.
Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. On view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Nassau BOCES GC Tech Open House
Nassau BOCES GC Tech, Long Island’s state-of-the arts career and technical education high school, is opening its doors to all students with a passion for a hands-on career. Come and get a “Taste of Tech” at an open house at the campus in Levittown, Thursday, Feb. 13, 6-7:30 p.m. Nassau BOCES GC Tech prepares students for a future in the workforce by providing them with the skills, knowledge and professional qualities they will need to be successful in their chosen career fields. The school boasts a new spa where aspiring estheticians learn skin care and massage techniques. There is also a newly revamped auto shop. Prospective students and families from Nassau County are invited to tour the GC Tech campus at 150 Abbey Lane, and to meet with expert teachers, counselors and administrators. Register for an open house at nassauboces.org/gctech or call the school for more information at (516) 604-4200.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE OF COUNTY TREASURER’S SALE OF TAX LIENS ON REAL ESTATE
Notice is hereby given that I shall, commencing on February 18, 2025, sell at public on-line auction the tax liens on real estate herein-after described, unless the owner, mortgagee, occupant of or any other party-ininterest in such real estate shall pay to the County Treasurer by February 13, 2025 the total amount of such unpaid taxes or assessments with the interest, penalties and other expenses and charges, against the property. Such tax liens will be sold at the lowest rate of interest, not exceeding 10 per cent per six month’s period, for which any person or persons shall offer to take the total amount of such unpaid taxes as defined in section 5-37.0 of the Nassau County Administrative Code. Effective with the February 18, 2025 lien sale, Ordinance No. 175-2015 requires a $175.00 per day registration fee for each person who intends to bid at the tax lien sale. Ordinance No. 175-2015 also requires that upon the issuance of the Lien Certificate there is due from the lien buyer a Tax Certificate Issue Fee of $20.00 per lien purchased.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Nassau County Administrative Code at the discretion of the Nassau County Treasurer the auction will be conducted online. Further information concerning the procedures for the auction is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/526/County-Treasurer
Should the Treasurer determine that an in-person auction shall be held, same will commence on the 18th day of February, 2025 at the Office of The County Treasurer 1 West Street, Mineola or at some other location to be determined by the Treasurer.
The liens are for arrears of School District taxes for the year 2023 - 2024 and/or County, Town, and Special District taxes for the year 2024. The following is a partial listing of the real estate located in school district number(s) 20, 19 in the Town of Hempstead only, upon which tax liens are to be sold, with a brief description of the same by reference to the County Land and Tax Map, the name of the owner or occupant as the same appears on the 2023/2024 tentative assessment roll, and the total amount of such unpaid taxes.
IMPORTANT
THE NAMES OF OWNERS SHOWN ON THIS LIST MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE THE NAMES OF THE PERSONS OWNING THE PROPERTY AT THE TIME OF THIS ADVERTISEMENT. SUCH NAMES HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM THE 2023/2024 TENTATIVE ASSESSMENT ROLLS AND MAY DIFFER FROM THE NAMES OF THE OWNERS AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. IT MAY ALSO BE THAT SUCH OWNERS ARE NOMINAL ONLY AND ANOTHER PERSON IS ACTUALLY THE BENEFICIAL OWNER.
TOwN OF HEMPSTEAd SCHOOL:19 EAST ROCkAwAY UFSd
RAVEN ALAN & JANICE V 851.27
37253 00090 9-11
MC DONNELL THOMAS & NONA 9,980.51
37255 00570 57-58
COMPOLI REMO & GIOVANNA 18,403.74
37260 00510 51-53
HEINLEIN BRIAN 692.57 37261 05260
ORTIZ GERALD S & KAREN 14,912.77
37265 00500 50-51
TEPPER LEON 339.67
37265 05210
MEDCOR HOLDING CO 928.91
372770100490
ARENA JANICE M TRUST 1,093.67
37282 00040
FITZPATRICK MARGARET & MEDLIN M 12,356.02
37305 00350
KELLER SUZANNE E (TRUST) 843.54
37306 00200 20-22
MARMAY INC 22,352.79
37306 01550
NOR GROUP LLC 1,045.06
37315 04140
PDB REALTY LLC 10,442.00
37317 00180 18-21
93 HEMPSTEAD AVE REALTY CORP 60,909.23 37318 01010 101-102
459 MERRICK LLC 21,979.23
37320 01570
MARIA ROSARIA CURCIO TRU 6,857.33
37504 01440
MCNALLY KEITH & LISA 7,680.21
37504 01520
CENTORRINO JOHN & GRACE LIFE ES 6,650.24 37532 00420
PARUOLO GARY A & LINDA WEINERT 775.45 37532 04590 VISLOCKY EVELYN 8,420.67
38 P 0106 106-109
MANGONE PROPERTIES LLC 9,202.88
38072 00140
HARMONY REALTY CO LLC 1,736.23
38089 02190
EMPIRE DEVELOPMENT GROUP LLC 1,135.70
38094 00090
S L REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT LLC 917.19
38361 02230
S L REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT LLC 447.64 38361 02300
MALTENFORT DAVID & SHIRLEY 9,231.25
38377 00080 8-9
DAUTRUCHE JOEL & NADER LUCE EMM 20,903.07
38399 00030
CHARVAT JOHN E 11,708.07
38399 00140
JONIHYLIN REALTY MANAGEMENT COR 3,504.85
38454 00020
21 RANDALL AVE REALTY CORP 971.18
38460 00110
2NY STAYS CORP 3,796.52
38461 02050
CUSCINO LUIGI & DOMENICA 328.93
38473 00200
BURGER CHARLES 17,169.52
38524 03320
DEALTO CARL & EILEEN 1,736.25
42 C0100010
CHARDENET FRANCINE 6,818.09
42 E 0134UCA00110 134 CA 11 UNIT 120
ALISIE-SABAU CLAUDIU & MARIA 4,535.29
42 E 0134UCA00110 134 CA 11 UNIT 209
SIDOR HARRY & DOLORES 441.28
42 E 0550UCA00150 550 CA 15 UNIT 12
GIRARDI FRANCESCA 603.20
42 E 0550UCA00150 550 CA 15 UNIT 51
SASSON RAYA & SOKOL SERGIO 5,415.64
42 H 05080
AGIN LESLIE 7,334.49
42 Q0101380
TEDESCO ROSE LIFE ESTATE 3,303.28
42 Q0101700
MC NULTY KATHERINE A 1,545.23
42 Q0201890
NICHINSON LINDA 15,670.38
42 Q0300370
POME JOEL & MICHELE 18,033.46
42 R 01260 126-128
DANIELS EUGENE & LOPEZ-DANIELS 496.16
42 R 11420
HOFFELDER ROBERT & MARYANN 18,069.87 42067 0063A
TERMS OF SALE
Such tax liens shall be sold subject to any and all superior tax liens of sovereignties and other municipalities and to all claims of record which the County may have thereon and subject to the provisions of the Federal and State Soldier’s and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts.
However, such tax liens shall have priority over the County’s Differential Interest Lien, representing the excess, if any, of the interest and penalty borne at the maximum rate over the interest and penalty borne at the rate at which the lien is purchased.
The Purchaser acknowledges that the tax lien(s) sold pursuant to these Terms of Sale may be subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or may become subject to such proceedings which may be commenced during the period in which a lien is held by a successful bidder or the assignee of same, which may modify a Purchaser’s rights with respect to the lien(s) the property securing same. Such bankruptcy proceedings shall not affect the validity of the tax lien. In addition to being subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/ or the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts, said purchaser’s right of foreclosure may be affected by the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA), 12 U.S.C. ss 1811 et. seq., with regard to real property under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) receivership.
The County Treasurer reserves the right, without further notice and at any time, to withdraw from sale any of the parcels of land or premises herein listed.
The rate of interest and penalty which any person purchases the tax lien shall be established by his bid. Each purchaser, immediately after the sale thereof, shall pay to the County Treasurer ten per cent of the amount from which the tax liens have been sold and the remaining ninety per cent within thirty days after such sale. If the purchaser at the tax sale shall fail to pay the remaining ninety per cent within ten days after he has been notified by the County Treasurer that the certificates of sale are ready for delivery, then all deposited with the County Treasurer including but not limited to the ten per cent theretofore paid by him shall, without further notice or demand, be irrevocably forfeited by the purchaser and shall beretained by the County Treasurer as liquidated damages and the agreement to pur
Public Notices
chase be of no further effect.
Time is of the essence in this sale. This sale is held pursuant to the Nassau County Administrative Code and interested parties are referred to such Code for additional information as to terms of sale, rights of purchasers, maximum rates of interest and other legal incidents of the sale.
Furthermore, as to the bidding,
1. The bidder(s) agree that they will not work with any other bidder(s) to increase, maintain or stabilize interest rates or collaborate with any other bidder(s) to gain an unfair competitive advantage in the random number generator in the event of a tie bid(s) on a tax certificate. Bidder(s) further agree not to employ any bidding strategy designed to create an unfair competitive advantage in the tiebreaking process in the upcoming tax sale nor work with any other bidder(s) to engage in any bidding strategy that will result in a rotational award of tax certificates.
2. The tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) bid, will be arrived at independently and without direct or indirect consultation, communication or agreement with any other bidder and that the tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) to be bid, have not been disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder, and will not be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder prior to the close of bidding. No attempt has been made or will be made to, directly or indirectly, induce any other bidder to refrain from bidding on any tax certificate, to submit complementary bids, or to submit bids at specific interest rates.
3. The bids to be placed by the Bidder will be made in good faith and not pursuant to any direct or indirect, agreement or discussion with, or inducement from, any other bidder to submit a complementary or other noncompetitive bid.
4. If it is determined that the bidder(s) have violated any of these bid requirements then their bid shall be voided and if they were the successful bidder the lien and any deposits made, in connection with, said bid shall be forfeited. This list includes only tax liens on real estate located in Town of Hempstead. Such other tax liens on real estate are advertised as follows:
Town of HempsTead Dist 1001
HEMPSTEAD BEACON,
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK TREND
NEWSDAY
UNIONDALE BEACON Dist 1002
HEMPSTEAD BEACON, NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEW YORK TREND
NEWSDAY
UNIONDALE BEACON Dist 1003
EAST MEADOW HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS
NEWSDAY Dist 1004
BELLMORE HERALD
MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS
NEWSDAY Dist 1005
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS
NEWSDAY
THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 1006
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
SEAFORD HERALD CITIZEN
WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN Dist 1007
BELLMORE HERALD
MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY Dist 1008
BALDWIN HERALD
BALDWIN/FREEPORT TRIBUNE
HEMPSTEAD BEACON, NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY Dist 1009
BALDWIN/FREEPORT TRIBUNE
FREEPORT HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY Dist 1010
BALDWIN HERALD
BALDWIN/FREEPORT TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY Dist 1011
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
OCEANSIDE TRIBUNE
OCEANSIDE/ISLAND PARK HERALD Dist 1012
MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE Dist 1013
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
VALLEY STREAM HERALD
VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE Dist 1014
FIVE TOWNS JEWISH TIMES
FIVE TOWNS TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU HERALD (FIVE TOWNS)
NEWSDAY Dist 1015
FIVE TOWNS JEWISH TIMES
FIVE TOWNS TRIBUNE
JEWISH STAR
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY Dist 1016
FRANKLIN SQ/ELMONT HERALD
FRANKLIN SQUARE BULLETIN
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY Dist 1017
FRANKLIN SQ/ELMONT HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER
NEWSDAY Dist 1018
GARDEN CITY NEWS
GARDEN CITY TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEWSDAY Dist 1019
EAST ROCKAWAY TRIBUNE
LYNBROOK/EAST ROCKAWAY HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
ROCKAWAY JOURNAL Dist 1020
EAST ROCKAWAY TRIBUNE
LYNBROOK/EAST ROCKAWAY HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD Dist 1021
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD
ROCKVILLE CENTRE TRIBUNE Dist 1022
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER
NEWSDAY Dist 1023
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
SEAFORD HERALD CITIZEN
WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN Dist 1024
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
VALLEY STREAM HERALD
VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE Dist 1025
MERRICK HERALD
MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY Dist 1026
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 1027
MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
WEST HEMPSTEAD BEACON Dist 1028
LONG BEACH HERALD
LONG BEACH TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY Dist 1029
MERRICK HERALD
MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY Dist 1030
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
VALLEY STREAM HERALD
VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE Dist 1031
ISLAND PARK TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
OCEANSIDE/ISLAND PARK HERALD Dist 1201
EAST MEADOW HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEWSDAY
Dist 1205
MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER
NEWSDAY
Town of norTH HempsTead
Dist 2001
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEWSDAY
Dist 2002
MINEOLA WILLISTON TIMES
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEWSDAY
Dist 2003
MANHASSET PRESS
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
ROSLYN NEWS TIMES
Dist 2004
MANHASSET PRESS
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
PORT WASHINGTON NEWS
Dist 2005
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER
NEWSDAY
Dist 2006
MANHASSET PRESS
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
PORT WASHINGTON NEWS
Dist 2007
GREAT NECK NEWS RECORD
JEWISH STAR
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
Dist 2009
MINEOLA WILLISTON TIMES
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEWSDAY
Dist 2010
MINEOLA WILLISTON TIMES
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEWSDAY
Dist 2011
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEWSDAY
Dist 2122
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS
NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER
NEWSDAY
Dist 2301
GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
THE NORTH SHORE LEADER
Dist 2315
JERICHO NEWS JOURNAL
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE
Town of oysTer Bay
Dist 3001
GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
THE NORTH SHORE LEADER
Dist 3002
GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
SEA CLIFF - GLEN HEAD HERALD
THE NORTH SHORE LEADER
Dist 3003
JERICHO NEWS JOURNAL
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE
Dist 3004
LONG ISLAND PRESS
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
THE NORTH SHORE LEADER Dist 3006
LONG ISLAND PRESS
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
THE NORTH SHORE LEADER Dist 3008
GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
OYSTER BAY GUARDIAN Dist 3009
GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
OYSTER BAY GUARDIAN Dist 3011
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
OYSTER BAY ENTERPRISE PILOT
SYOSSET ADVANCE Dist 3012
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
SYOSSET ADVANCE
SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE Dist 3013
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
SYOSSET ADVANCE
SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE Dist 3014
JERICHO NEWS JOURNAL
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE Dist 3015
JERICHO NEWS JOURNAL
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE Dist 3017
HICKSVILLE/LEVITTOWN TRIBUNE
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3018
BETHPAGE NEWSGRAM
MASSAPEQUA POST
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3019
BETHPAGE NEWSGRAM
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3020
BETHPAGE NEWSGRAM
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3021
BETHPAGE NEWSGRAM
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3022
MASSAPEQUA POST
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3023
MASSAPEQUA POST
MID-ISLAND TIMES
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3024
GLEN COVE HERALD GAZETTE
GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
SEA CLIFF - GLEN HEAD HERALD Dist 3203
LONG ISLAND PRESS
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
ROSLYN NEWS TIMES Dist 3306
MASSAPEQUA POST
NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE
NEWSDAY
THE NASSAU OBSERVER
6,
Public Notices
Continued from previous page
City of Glen Cove
GLEN COVE
NASSAU
City of lonG BeaCh
NASSAU
LEGAL NOTICE
Supplemental Summons and Notice of Object of Action SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU ACTION TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE INDEX #:
612086/2024 U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL
CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCAF ACQUISITION TRUST Plaintiff, vs SEAN STRIFE, SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBORHOODS LLC, THE MOORE FUNERAL HOME, PTRC INC., ETR INC., INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF LYNBROOK, NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE
JOHN DOE (Those unknown tenants, occupants, persons or corporations or their heirs, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, assignees, creditors or successors claiming an interest in the mortgaged premises.) Defendant(s).
MORTGAGED PREMISES: 354 Scranton Avenue Lynbrook, NY 11563 To the Above named Defendant: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Supplemental Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Supplemental Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Supplemental Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Nassau. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. TO The Moore Funeral Home Defendant In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by
Nassau County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities.
Upon request, accommodations such as those required by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in all services, programs, activities and public hearings and events conducted by the Treasurer’s Office. Upon request, information can be made available in braille, large print, audio tape or other alternative formats. For additional information, please call (516) 571-2090 ext. 13715.
Dated: February 05, 2025 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER MINEOLA, NEW YORK 1288762
publication, pursuant to an order of HON. Jeffrey A. Goodstein of the Supreme Court Of The State Of New York, dated the Thirteenth day of January, 2025 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, in the City of Mineola. The object of this action is to foreclosure a mortgage upon the premises described below, executed by Sean Strife dated the June 28, 2007, to secure the sum of $272,000.00 and recorded at Book 32305, Page 273 in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk on September 7, 2007. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed February 11, 2009 and recorded on August 31, 2009, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book 34119, Page 130. The mortgage was subsequently modified on December 10, 2010. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed February 10, 2014 and recorded on March 7, 2014, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book 39554, Page 437.
Said Mortgage was subsequently modified by a Loan Modification Agreement executed by Sean Strife on January 26, 2015 and recorded March 3, 2015 in Book 40244, Page 153 in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk. The mortgage was subsequently modified on September 22, 2016. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed May 21, 2018 and recorded on May 30, 2018, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book 42863, Page 591. Said Mortgage was subsequently modified by a Loan Modification Agreement executed by Sean Strife on March 27, 2023 and recorded April 14, 2023 in Book 47112, Page 931 in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk. The property in question is described as follows: 354 Scranton Avenue, Lynbrook, NY 11563 NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney
for the mortgage company who filed this Foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: January 13, 2025 Gross Polowy LLC Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s) 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221
The law firm of Gross Polowy LLC and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. 84195 151071
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU
CitiMortgage, Inc., Plaintiff AGAINST Dawn Allison Gingold a/k/a Dawn Gingold a/k/a Dawn A. Gingold, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered May 26, 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 February 26, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 83 Arnold Court West a/k/a 83 Arnold Court, East Rockaway, NY 11518. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 42, Block: 281, Lot: 4. Approximate amount of judgment
$572,569.50 plus interest and costs. Premises will
Assemblywoman Griffin hosts recommitment ceremony
New York State Assemblywoman Judy Griffin held a special recommitment of service ceremony on Jan. 27 at the New York Elks Lodge No. 1 in Lynbrook.
Instead of a traditional swearing-in, Griffin reaffirmed her dedication to the 21st Assembly District before a packed audience of community leaders, elected officials, and supporters.
be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #610391/2019. Referee’s phone number: 516-510-4020. Peter Kramer, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-091297-F00 83955 151065
LEGAL NOTICE
Malverne Union Free School District Malverne, New York Legal Notice
UNIVERSAL PRE-K SERVICES
Notice is hereby given that separate bids, submitted in sealed envelopes for UNIVERSAL PRE-K SERVICES, will be received on: Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 9:30 a.m. 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565
Malverne Administration Building
Sealed bids are to be addressed to the attention of Christopher Caputo, Assistant Superintendent for Business, Malverne Union Free School District, 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, New York 11565. All bids must be submitted to the Assistant Superintendent, on or before the date and time of opening in sealed envelopes, bearing on the outside the name and address of the bidder and the title of the bid in the lower left-hand corner. Contact Donna Fecht at dfecht@malverneschools. org for the RFP. The Board of Education reserves the right to award all or a part of this bid or to reject all bids or to make awards which are in the best interest of the school district.
Date: Thursday, February 6, 2025
By Order of the Board of Education Malverne Union Free School District 151414
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU MATRIX FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION, Plaintiff AGAINST MICHAEL HEALEY, KATHLEEN ROSE HEALEY, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 19, 2024, I, the
“It has been my pleasure to dive in and begin representing AD21 again,” Griffin said. “I was eager to pick up where I left off and come back even stronger with a refreshed perspective.”
Griffin’s decision to host the event in lieu of another swearing-in ceremony was driven by her desire to celebrate her return to Albany in a way that allowed her to connect with the people she represents. The event featured family, volunteers, elected officials, school board trustees, civic leaders, union representatives, and more.
Speakers included U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, State Senator Siela Bynoe, Assemblyman Noah Burroughs, Legislator Scott Davis, Legislator Seth Koslow, Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray, Freeport Deputy Mayor Jorge Martinez, and other distinguished guests. Former State Senator Todd Kaminsky and former Malverne Mayor Keith Corbett also attended.
“I’m grateful for the meaningful remarks of my good friends, Kevin Mullick, Matty Aracich, and Leslie Rose,” Griffin said, referring to the keynote speakers. “They represent what matters most—public safety, organized labor, career opportunity, and education. These are top priorities for all of us.”
The ceremony included performances of the national anthem by Heather Cuevas and Sophia Bracco of Rockville Centre and participation from Malverne Girl Scout Troops 2237 and 2562. Laura Mallay, president of the South Hempstead Civic Association, and Destiny Church of Freeport Pastor Pepper Martin gave the invo-
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 March 12, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 65 Highland Boulevard, Lynbrook, NY 11563. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37 Block 135 Lots 18, 19 and 20. Approximate amount of
judgment $488,553.62 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #615187/2023. Joshua D. Brookstein, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 23-001000 84245 151402
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff AGAINST GEORGE R. ERCOLE JR A/K/A GEORGE ERCOLE, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant
cation, while Pastor Joseph Browne offered the closing prayer.
Griffin, who was sworn in by Mike Caplice of New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office, used the occasion to highlight her ongoing efforts to support education, labor, and public safety. She also announced that she would be championing the bill for peer support for police officers statewide, an initiative originally proposed by the Nassau County PBA.
“Mental health is a huge issue for everybody, but it is really a serious issue for police officers throughout Long Island, Nassau County, and our state,” Griffin said. “I was really proud to take on this bill, and I am honored to champion it and get it passed.”
Griffin also thanked her supporters for their help throughout her campaign and reflected on the significance of the victory. “This victory wasn’t just my victory, it was a victory for all of us,” she said. “This victory reflects our shared vision for a more prosperous, safer, cleaner, and affordable Long Island.”
She emphasized her commitment to representing all constituents in the district and working tirelessly to address the pressing issues that matter most to the community. “I pledge to represent all constituents, embrace our diversity, and work tirelessly to ensure that Long Island remains a great place to live, work, raise a family, and even retire,” Griffin said.
— Ainsley Martinez
to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 4, 2017, 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 March 11, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 169 SPENCER AVENUE, LYNBROOK, NY 11563. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and
State of New York, Section 38, Block 441, Lot 232. Approximate amount of judgment $367,743.07 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #008271/2009. Mark Ricciardi, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 18-002974 84088 151400
Courtesy Office of Assemblywoman Judy Griffin Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, center, takes her oath of office at the New York Elks Lodge in Lynbrook.
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.
Salary Range is $16.50 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com
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, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour
Night Availability is a Must.
Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@bellautoschool.com
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. 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. Salary range is from $20K to $45K
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 jbessen@liherald.com
FULL CHARGE BOOKKEEPER : Proficiency Quickbooks, 2/ 3 Days/ Week, Flexible. $20-$30/ Hr. Send resume cbc@catalinabeachclub.com Call 516-239-2150
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. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
OFFICE ASSISTANT PT
Flexible Hours. General Office Duties. Phones, Filing, Light Bookkeeping. $20$25/ Hour. Salary Commensurate With Experience. Email info@cousinsmetal.com Or Call 516-536-7755
OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
RECEPTIONIST/
HomesHERALD
Welcome to this stunning renovated home! A grand entry foyer leads to a formal dining room and living room with a gas fireplace, built-ins,
WE BUY HOUSES for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670
RETAIL SPACE FOR RENT WANTAGH AVENUE High Traffic Successful Strip Shopping Center, Near Two High Schools Suitable For Medical/ Office 516-967-5805
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
Do we have beams we don’t need?
Q. We were meeting with our contractor during our home reconstruction, literally tearing the entire house apart and adding a floor. He introduced his “framer,” who was polite but left us with concern. He said the beams going across our house were “overkill.” The beams support a new balcony and high ceilings, so our foyer and living room are two stories tall, very dramatic, and we love what our architect did. We started wondering if we had overpaid for beams that maybe we didn’t need, since the framer said the structure was much more than necessary. Should we ask our architect for an explanation, or just let it go? Construction isn’t cheap, and we understand that, but there is concern about spending more than needed. What do you suggest?
A. Let it go. What you’re experiencing is common and frustrating to hear, because there are so many aspects to designing a building, and I wonder if your framer understands. For example, beams are designed for much more than carrying material loads. Roof beams must carry what we call “dead” loads as well as “live” loads, such as wind and heavy snow.
I have asked framers who have made these statements if they were aware of the several different code-required load capacities a beam is subjected to, to which they either answer, honestly, that they aren’t sure, or make remarks like, “Well, that’s your job,” or “I just know this is overkill.” They just know. And they probably don’t, or they could explain.
Wind impacts buildings in many ways, and is considered a load with multiple effects, requiring calculations, for your safety, to keep the walls and roof from tearing away, or lifting off the house, or crushing down on you in a push-and-pull manner that wind naturally has. Then there are connectors to attach everything. These braces, stirrups and saddles keep structure from pulling apart, but each type comes with engineered calculations.
We often start selecting beams, rafters and joist sizes based on stringent energy codes, which dictate that you must have certain thicknesses of insulation, to prevent heat from escaping quickly or causing your air conditioning to work constantly from heat migrating inward. If you choose the more expensive compact foam insulation, which has greater resistance per inch to heat gain and loss, then we can sometimes reduce the size of some structure. But if you choose less costly fiberglass insulation, which looks like cotton candy, the structure must be deeper, taller, larger — however you can describe it — to accommodate the required insulation thickness.
Larger rafters and joists weigh more, and their angled end cuts require deeper-sized beams to join them. So now you know part of why those beams probably aren’t “overkill,” and why your framer should do a different kind of “home-work” before professing his knowledge. A building is a large jigsaw puzzle of custom parts, and “under-kill” can lead to disaster. Will the framer be there to take responsibility? Good luck!
© 2025 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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6,
We Buy Antiques, Fine Art, Coins & 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
FREON WANTED
Certified buyer looking for R12, R22 & more! Call Peter at 312-500-4275
Chandelier: Octagon Shape, Beveled Glass, Good Condition, Small Chip 1 Pane, 24x24, $95. Robert 516-763-4131
DRESSERS: TWO BLACK Wood cabinets. Single drawer, 2 doors w/shelf. Formica top. W-32"xH-30"xD-18" $99. 516-320-1906
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opinions
An inauguration that was decidedly different
Last month I traveled to Washington, joining many Nassau County Republicans, including County Executive Bruce Blakeman and GOP Chairman Joe Cairo, to celebrate the inauguration of Donald Trump as our 47th president. Beginning with Richard Nixon’s second inaugural in 1972, I had attended 10 previous ones, seven of them during my 28 years in Congress.
This year’s event was certainly memorable, and not just because the tundra-like weather forced the ceremony indoors. From the moment I arrived at the historic Mayflower Hotel, where many of New York’s elected officials and party leaders were staying, I was struck by the extraordinary level of excitement, enthusiasm and hope. This was significantly different from Trump’s first inaugural in 2017, when, though he had many strong supporters, there was an air of uncertainty about whether his administration would hit the ground running. There had been multiple leaks from the Trump camp and a number of his top cabinet officials, like Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, had no previous
connection to Trump or any political or governmental experience.
This time around, Trump was striding into Washington as a conquering hero who had made the greatest political comeback of any president in history. And he was as prepared for action as any of his predecessors. There was no doubt he would hit the ground running.
The cold and the intense security made getting around Washington more difficult than I remember for any previous inauguration. Cairo and I were in a car for almost two hours, encountering constant roadblocks and rerouting as we tried to get to a Newsmax event at the relatively nearby Andrew Mellon Auditorium, before we gave up and returned to the Mayflower, where New York was staging its Inaugural Party, featuring Elise Stefanik, the upstate congresswoman and the nominee for ambassador to the United Nations.
old friends and prominent officials gathered to reminisce and share the latest news and rumors.
Trump’s inaugural address was truly unique. No president has ever been so direct or detailed, as he laid out the specifics of his agenda and the myriad executive orders he would be issuing on everything from border security to energy production. He was unsparing in his criticism of what he saw as the terrible failings of the Biden administration — all of this as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris sat just several feet away.
iwas struck by the extraordinary excitement, enthusiasm and hope.
But none of this dampened the spirit of hope and optimism. The Mayflower event, the day before the inauguration, drew an overflow crowd of hundreds, who heard powerful speeches from EPA nominee Lee Zeldin, Congressman Mike Lawler and Blakeman. And there was always action in the hotel lobby, as
Ordinarily I would consider it wrong to disrespect a former president at an inaugural ceremony, but these are not ordinary times. Trump strongly believes that the Biden administration and its allies abused the legal system in attempts to destroy Trump with criminal prosecutions and bankrupt him and his family. Ironically, Trump didn’t know that just moments before his term expired, Biden had pardoned five members of his family.
The main impact of Trump’s address was that he would do all he could to change the direction of the country. The days of woke progressivism were over.
After the ceremonies, the president went to the Capitol One Arena for an
indoor version of the inaugural parade. I was particularly proud that one of the bands taking part was the NYPD Pipes & Drums. By some mistake, the band hadn’t been included in the original lineup, but when its leaders came to me just weeks before the inauguration, I was able to reach out to the Trump team and get it done.
The almost frenetic energy of the inauguration continued in the days that followed, as Trump signed one executive order after another. (While I strongly agreed with most of them, I believe it was wrong to issue blanket pardons to those who carried out violence against police officers and other law enforcement on Jan. 6, 2021. Despite all the injustice carried out by the Justice Department against Trump, and the department’s failure to prosecute violent rioters on the left, these pardons cannot be defended.)
Trump has promised America a new Golden Age — an age in which American economic, diplomatic and military power will be respected around the world. An America where we will no longer be subject to government censorship and strangling bureaucratic regulations or be defined by race, religion or sexual preference. If he succeeds, it will indeed be an American Golden Age!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Cleaning the 2024 slate is comforting
The beginning of a new year is a chance to clean the slate from 2024 and to look ahead to more positive things. If you have your health, when you aren’t at work, it’s a chance to enjoy taking long walks, squeezing in a vacation and maybe finding a good book to read. But to erase the 2024 board clean, it’s important to get some things off my chest. One of my pet peeves is our national airline system. These days it costs a lot of money to travel almost anywhere in the United States, and we’re often treated like cattle, unless you fly first class. Boarding the plane can be demeaning, and the seats are uncomfortable. For a round-trip costing $800, asking for an extra bag of pretzels shouldn’t be a big deal, but I’ve had a
few turn-downs on flights to Florida. My wife has designated me the family shopper, and I don’t mind the periodic trips to the supermarket. My parents had a grocery store, so I know how to move quickly from aisle to aisle. I’m sure many readers have heard the term “shrinkflation,” which is rampant in supermarkets. Almost every item weighs less and costs more. My favorite boxes of cereal not only weigh half as much, but their contents don’t taste anything like they did when I was a child. Especially Kix and Rice Krispies.
Tgains are anything but.
o get a fresh start in the new year, it’s important to get some things off my chest.
Department store shopping was once an adventure. You could go from floor to floor, and it would take hours to go from the ground floor to the top. The shelves were once stacked with many interesting items, and the quality of the merchandise was pretty good. These days, though, there seem to be many less items for sale, and the so-called bar-
I’ve been a loyal Yankees fan for as long as I can remember. I try to get to at least two or three games a season, but the ticket prices can be staggering. I truly feel bad for a family with young kids who make an annual trip to the ballpark. The hot dogs, pizza and ice cream are costly, and if the kids want a few souvenirs, the outing can costs hundreds of dollars. Baseball owners need the revenues to pay high-priced players, but not everyone can afford to be a talent sponsor.
Going to a movie isn’t what it used to be, either. I recall childhood trips to theaters with my parents that were affordable and frequent. Once upon a time, theatergoers would even get some type of premium for buying a ticket. A movie ticket today can cost over $20, and if you and your companion want popcorn, candy or soda, the price of this night out is pretty high.
There are more things that bug me. I look at Facebook from time to time because it’s nice to see people celebrating happy occasions, but there is no shortage of party-poopers who insist on posting political barbs that are of no interest to most viewers. We’ve just survived a period of intense political bickering, and I’m not anxious to see a Facebook testimonial to a politician who my crazy uncle worships.
I have bad feelings about a lot of people both in and out of the political arena, but we’ll save that for another time. There are things going on right now that I could talk about for hours. I’ve chosen the things that upset all of my friends and neighbors as well, with little or no dissent. I’m sure I skipped over some of your annoyances, but I have a whole year to write about them.
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.
JERRY KREMER
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Incorporating East Rockaway Observer Lynbrook News, Lynbrook USA
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Dialing up a possible cellphone plan
ov. Kathy Hochul’s newly unveiled plan to restrict smartphone use in schools across New York state has sparked robust discussion among educators, parents and policymakers.
HERALD
With the goal of creating distractionfree learning environments, the proposal would direct schools to limit cellphone use throughout the school day while providing practical solutions for communication and storage. The initiative has notable advantages as well as challenges, warranting careful consideration as it moves forward and is considered by the State Legislature.
The primary argument in favor of Hochul’s plan is the undeniable distraction that the phones pose to students. Research consistently shows that smartphones can impede focus, reduce academic performance and foster excessive screen time. By eliminating unsanctioned use of the devices, students would be expected to engage more deeply with their lessons and their peers, improving their classroom experience, their grades and their interpersonal skills.
Hochul’s thinking also aligns with growing concerns about youth mental health. Excessive smartphone use, particularly on social media, has been linked to anxiety, depression and reduced self-esteem among adolescents. The governor’s effort builds on her earlier success in regulating addictive social media feeds for minors, emphasizing the state’s commitment to protecting the mental well-being of its youth.
The proposal also addresses safety concerns, a priority highlighted by law
letters
Randi shares the joy of books
To the Editor:
enforcement experts. Distracted students are more vulnerable to accidents and less likely to be aware of their surroundings during emergencies. A focus on reducing these distractions could enhance student safety.
Allocating $13.5 million for smartphone storage solutions — such as pouches or cubbies — would ensure that schools, regardless of budget constraints, have access to the resources needed to implement the plan.
Despite its merits, however, the proposal raises several concerns. Chief among them is the potential challenge of enforcing the restrictions uniformly across diverse school settings. Administrators and teachers may find it difficult to monitor compliance, especially in larger schools with limited staff.
The plan also risks alienating students and parents who view cellphones as essential tools for communication and personal safety. While the initiative includes provisions for parents to contact their children during the school day, it may not fully address the anxieties of those who rely on immediate connectivity, particularly in emergencies.
Another issue is the reliance on alternative devices, such as school-issued tablets and laptops, for instruction. While these tools are permitted under the plan, they, too, can be distractions if not properly managed. Critics of Hochul’s plan argue that simply replacing smartphones with other internet-enabled devices may not fully eliminate the problem of divided attention in classrooms.
Exemptions outlined in the proposal — such as those for medical needs or individualized education programs —
Re Randi Kreiss’s recent column, “When was the last time you read a book?”: As she stated, one of the great joys in life is having a wonderful book to read. I never go anywhere without one. I taught English on the junior and high school levels on Long Island for 39 years, and I loved it. I would do it all over again.
The exciting discussions I had with my students triggered by great literature were priceless. I loved teaching “Of Mice and Men”; “The Picture of Dorian Gray”; “Romeo and Juliet”; “The Great Gatsby”; my nominee for the greatest novel of all, “To Kill a Mockingbird”; and many others.
Randi’s statement that in some of the country’s “elite” colleges, many students are neither willing nor able to read the books they are assigned is scary. What does that bode for our future leaders? And presently we have one in the White House who I’ll bet has never read a complete book, including our Constitution.
I belong to a book club in which we read mostly nonfiction and sports, but I also enjoy mysteries and detective novels. I
highlight the necessity of accommodating diverse student populations. Ensuring that these exemptions are applied fairly and without reinforcing stigmas, however, could add complexity to the plan’s implementation.
A strength of the proposal is its flexibility, allowing schools to design their own storage and implementation strategies. This autonomy acknowledges that a one-size-fits-all approach may not work across New York’s varied educational landscapes. However, the success of this flexibility hinges on clear guidelines and adequate support from the state to help schools navigate potential challenges.
The plan’s focus on equity, including ensuring that students without internetenabled devices are not disadvantaged, demonstrates an awareness of the broader implications of digital access. This consideration is crucial in preventing unintended disparities.
Hochul’s proposal is a bold step toward addressing the challenges of the digital age in education. While its goals are commendable —enhancing focus, promoting mental health and improving safety — it must carefully navigate the concerns of enforcement, equity and parental confidence.
As the state prepares to roll out the measure by the 2025-26 school year, ongoing collaboration with educators, parents and students will be essential to refine it, and ensure its effectiveness. With a proper balance of structure and flexibility, the initiative has the potential to foster a more focused, healthier and distraction-free learning environment for New York’s students.
opinions
Long Island gets shortchanged on transportation funding
over a decade ago, the Long Island Regional Planning Council recognized a critical issue: Long Island’s transportation funding and planning processes were failing to meet the growing demands of our region. In response, we proposed the creation of a dedicated Nassau-Suffolk Metropolitan Planning Organization. Unfortunately, that never happened. Now, 10 years later, the situation has worsened, and investment in transportation on Long Island continues to be shortchanged.
JoHn D.
Cameron Jr.
Long Island’s share of transportation funding has steadily declined, a trend that has become more alarming over time. Today, the region receives just 6 percent of the money allocated by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council, which primarily serves the interests of New York City. Long Island is forced to compete for resources with the city, leaving our region underfunded and unable to meet its infrastructure needs. This funding disparity is particularly troubling given Long Island’s economic significance. As New York state’s second-largest economic engine, Long
Island plays a crucial role in its financial health. Each year, Long Island sends nearly $15 billion more in tax payments to Albany than it gets back, and an additional $27 billion to Washington. The state’s tax imbalance with Long Island has doubled over the past decade, worsening an already unsustainable situation. If left unaddressed, it threatens Long Island’s economy and its ability to sustain residents’ high quality of life.
and crucial projects remain sidelined due to a lack of funding and prioritization.
The consequences of this inequity are visible in our daily lives. Congested highways, deteriorating bridges and inadequate public transportation aren’t just inconvenient; they hinder economic growth, erode quality of life and compromise public safety. Crucial projects aimed at addressing these issues — from modernizing the Long Island Rail Road to alleviating notorious traffic bottlenecks — remain sidelined due to a lack of funding and prioritization. The current system is failing, and the need for change has never been more urgent.
One of the most effective ways to address this problem is by establishing a Nassau-Suffolk MPO, which would allow Long Island to apply directly for federal transportation funds. It would bypass the bureaucratic delays at the state level, ensuring that funding is allocated
Letters
am currently reading “All the Sinners Bleed,” by S.A. Cosby. A sheriff in Charon County, Virginia, with a very unpleasant case. Cosby is a terrific writer. Thanks to Randi for her other suggestions. I hope she has fun teaching the class.
JIM HAWkINS Baldwin
Randi’s given me some catching up to do
To the Editor:
I’ve been reading Randi’s columns in the Herald for years, and enjoying her take on everything, as well as her style. I am 81. Been reading since I was a single digit. My first novel was “Black Beauty,” by Anna Sewell, which I read when I was about 7.
I’ve read 135 books in each of the past two years, and I’m going to look into all the books in Randi’s curriculum, because I find I’ve read maybe one, “Of Mice and Men,” when I was way younger. Lol. No matter what, I’m going to tackle her list. I hope they don’t have to be read in that order, because I’ve chosen “The Wren, the Wren” to be my first.
RINA COHEN East Meadow
to projects that best meet our region’s needs. Smaller areas, such as Ithaca, have had their own MPOs for years and have benefited significantly from direct access to funding. Long Island, with a population of nearly 3 million and an economy that rivals that of many states, deserves to be treated with the same attention and respect.
The need for a NassauSuffolk MPO extends beyond simply fixing roads and bridges. It’s about taking control of our region’s future and ensuring that its transportation infrastructure supports longterm economic growth and innovation. In today’s global economy, transportation is the backbone of a thriving region. Without a dedicated MPO, Long Island’s potential for growth is stifled, and the region risks falling further behind in an increasingly competitive landscape.
The Long Island Regional Planning Council first raised this issue because we understood the long-term consequences of continued disinvestment. Over the past decade, those consequences have become painfully clear. Our transportation infrastructure is deteriorating, and other critical areas of need, such as affordable housing and the modernization of water systems, roads, bridges and power grids, remain neglected. These issues require both
state and federal support, and Long Island’s fair share of transportation funding is a critical first step in addressing them.
Thankfully, there is hope for change. Thanks to the leadership of State Sen. Monica Martinez and Assemblyman Steve Stern, legislation has been introduced to establish a Nassau-Suffolk MPO. This is a significant step toward securing that transportation funding. It would give our region the ability to prioritize projects that are critical to our local economy and residents, ensuring that Long Island’s transportation needs are no longer overshadowed by the priorities of New York City or other areas of the state.
The establishment of a Nassau-Suffolk MPO wouldn’t be just a policy change — it would be a commitment to the future of our region. Long Island deserves safe roads, efficient public transit and infrastructure that supports economic growth and opportunity. We have waited long enough. The time for action is now.
Long Island has the potential to be a leading force in the state’s economy, but that potential cannot be realized without the right infrastructure. Establishing a Nassau-Suffolk MPO is a critical step in ensuring that Long Island receives the resources it needs to thrive. It’s time for our region to earn its fair share.
John D. Cameron Jr. is chairman of the Long Island Regional Planning Council.
Clavin’s ‘poorly handled,’ double-digit tax increase
To the Editor:
Town Supervisor Don Clavin’s proposed 12.1 percent property tax increase for 2025 represents a glaring failure of financial management. This steep hike places an unreasonable and unnecessary burden on the residents of the Town of Hempstead.
Such a dramatic increase reflects Clavin’s inability to implement sound, long-term financial planning. A more responsible approach would have been to distribute any necessary increases gradually over several years, avoiding the current financial strain on our community.
What is even more troubling than the tax hike itself is the lack of proper notice for town residents. Clavin’s administration failed to adequately inform citizens through mail, email or social media about this significant change. Ironically, the same administration had no issue filling our mailboxes with partisan mailers on other topics. This lack of transparency and accountability is both surprising and unacceptable.
It’s true that, given the inflationary pressures of recent years, modest tax increases may be necessary to cover ris-
ing costs essential for maintaining services like trash collection, recycling, parks and water management. These are critical responsibilities of our town board. However, many of our neighbors are struggling to make ends meet. To impose a sudden, substantial tax hike without sufficient notice is a disservice to the very people the town government is meant to serve.
Clavin owes the residents of the Town of Hempstead not only a detailed explanation, but also a sincere apology for this poorly handled tax increase. Transparency and thoughtful planning should be the standard — not afterthoughts.
Framework by Diane Revinskas
At the Knossos Palace — Crete, Greece
