Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald 04-17-2025

She’s not just any teacher

The Nassau County Mathematics Teachers Association selected West End Elementary School educator Chelsea Gundrum as the 2025 Elementary Level Mathematics Teacher of the Year.

Lynbrook Chamber offers members promotional videos for social media

By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com

The Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce is offering its members a new promotional opportunity through the Spotlight video program, which features short-form business videos designed to boost local visibility on social media and the internet.

For a production fee of $50, current Chamber members can have a 45- to 60-second promotional video filmed at their business or a location of their choice. The Chamber will post the video on its website and social media channels, and participants will also receive a broadcast-ready copy

for their own use.

Chamber board member Lloyd Chrein said the initiative was developed by the Economic Development Committee, a subgroup of the board.

“Our mission at the Chamber of Commerce is to help promote businesses, and we’re looking for ways that would make membership in the Chamber more valuable,” Chrein said.

Eric Donaldson, of Eric Francis Studios, produces the videos for the Chamber. “We started offering it, and so far it’s been very well received,” he said. In the first two months of the project, Donald-

Continued on page 10

minister

By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com

April marks a season of renewal at Bethany Congregational Church, on Main Street in East Rockaway, as the congregation welcomes the Rev. Prabhu Sigamani as its new lead minister — just in time for Easter.

Sigamani said he felt called to Christian ministry during a time of profound personal loss. He spent two years caring for his mother before her death from renal failure in 1996. Then, just a few years later, he supported his father through a year-long recovery from a stroke before he died.

Wevolving in your faith, continuing to learn like a kid, and then get better at it,” he said. “So that’s how my faith is. I’m still in the process.”

Sigamani, who was ordained as a United Church of Christ minister in the early 2000s, led a program called Change for Change at the United Church of Christ in Farmingdale during the coronavirus pandemic, which financially supported those in need with meals and donations.

e are an open and affirming church. We welcome people from all walks of life, no matter where they are in Christ.

REV. PRABhu

SIgAMANI Pastor, Bethany Congregational Church

Amid the weight of those experiences, Sigamani said, he found clarity, and a calling, setting him on the path toward the ministry. He went on to attend seminary, and worked as a director of a nonprofit organization.

“You have to constantly keep

“We started with, like, five or 10 brown bags of loose change,” he recalled. “By the time I left the ministry in four years, we were serving around 250 people (meals).”

With limited resources, the program grew significantly. Sigamani said he planned to bring similar innovation and creativity to his role at Bethany Congregational.

“One of the things in the

Courtesy East Rockaway Union Free School District

Lynbrook South students discover career paths

Middle schoolers in the Lynbrook School District networked and formed connections with professionals in a range of fields on April 4 for the annual Career Fair.

Hosted at Lynbrook South Middle School, 14 guests spoke to students about their career experience in fields that included art, real estate, dentistry, forensic science, law enforcement and marketing. Each guest shared insights and guidance with students, inspiring them with the many paths open to them after graduation. The guests who shared their experiences included:

Natalie Katz – Artist/Entrepreneur

Joseph Toscano – Licensed Associate Broker/Sales Manager for Douglas Elliman

Karen Dooling – Forensic Scientist

Rosanne Bogard – Social Worker and Transition Coordinator

Dr. Nena Khan – Dentist

Photos courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools

Artist and entrepreneur Natalie Katz showed students her artwork during the annual Career Fair at Lynbrook South Middle School on April 4.

Brian Ladd and Clint Hurst – Suffolk Credit Union Branch Manager

Heather Dall’Aste – Marketing Director for The Smilist

Jarryd Ruff – Nassau County Police Officer

Claudia Hernandez – Assistant Nurse Manager for St. Francis Hospital

Judge Karline N. Wilson Schmeider – Administrative Judge for the Office of Tempo-

Claudia Hernandez shared her nursing experience as the Assistant Nurse Manager for St. Francis Hospital.

rary and Disability Assistance

Robert Cremmins – Assistant Director of Admissions at Farmingdale State College

Robert Bennett – Contractor/Home Inspector

Daniel Potash – Restaurant Owner

Albert Marrazzo – Teacher/ Coach — Ainsley Martinez

Counselors provide social, academic support

East Rockaway’s Counseling Center provides a personalized and comprehensive approach to academic planning, social development, and career readiness. The center offers individualized support to students as they navigate high school and plan for their futures.

The Counseling Center shares information with students and families through a monthly newsletter sent via ParentSquare and posted on the Counseling Center’s webpage. Topics include college fairs, SAT preparation, application deadlines, financial aid opportunities, and more.

The center provides academic and test preparation resources, as well as financial aid and scholarship guidance. Counselors also support students’ emotional wellness throughout their K–12 journey.

Programs offered by the Counseling Center include:

Holler Future Fair – An annual event co-hosted with neighboring districts, connecting students with college and trade school representatives. Students tour Molloy University, learn about financial aid, and attend college admissions panels.

Free college visits – Sophomores and juniors can participate in tours of SUNY Farmingdale, NYIT, Iona University, and Queens College.

Concurrent enrollment with Nassau Community College – High school students can take college-level courses and earn credits.

College application boot camps – Workshops that assist students in preparing applications, developing essays, and understanding the admissions process.

Free SAT prep – A five-week course for 10th and 11th graders.

Regents review academies – Free subject-specific tutoring in math, science, social studies, English, and world languages.

Method Learning app – Free access to “Methodize,” an SAT/ACT preparation tool available through students’ Classlink accounts.

Financial Aid Night – A session to guide seniors and families through the financial aid process.

Comprehensive financial aid guide – A resource for families who may not attend Financial Aid Night.

529 college savings plan education – Workshops for parents on saving for college.

Therapy dog program – A therapy dog, Sloopy, supports student wellness.

Middle school transition support – Counseling for

younger students adjusting to high school, managing coursework, and obtaining working papers.

Elementary school career week – Family members visit schools to talk about their careers.

The center also provides juniors and seniors with a 70-page guide that includes information on SAT registration, college applications, essay writing, financial aid, and military service options.

For more information, visit the ERHS Counseling Center or follow @ersdcounselors on Instagram.

In addition to providing student support and college preparation, the counseling department fosters an inclusive school environment through initiatives like Café 217, which offers special education students opportunities to develop work and social skills alongside their mainstream peers.

— Ainsley Martinez

John Madden leads the East Rockaway counseling center as the Director of Guidance.

Photos courtesy East Rockaway Public Schools

The Counseling Center provides test preparation and financial aid for students on a case-by-case basis.

The Counseling Center shares information with students and families through a monthly newsletter sent via ParentSquare and on the school district’s webpage.

Protecting Your Future with

Michael and Suzanne Ettinger Attorneys-at-Law

Health Benefits of Forgiveness

Each one of us experience countless injustices in the course of everyday living. Like other experiences, it is not the experience itself so much that counts, but how you process it. The Mayo Clinic addresses the health benefits of “forgiveness” which they define as “an intentional decision to let go of resentment and anger”. Letting go of grudges and bitterness can lead to:

• Healthier relationships

• Improved mental health

• Less anxiety, stress and hostility

• Fewer symptoms of depression

• Lower blood pressure

• A stronger immune system

• Improved heart health

• Improved self-esteem

• Better sleep

Everett Worthington, Profession Emeritus of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, provides a free workbook at evworthington-forgiveness.com to aid those for whom forgiveness may be difficult (most

of us!), focusing on the REACH method.

Recall: Recall the hurt. Look at the incident in an objective way and don’t try to push aside your feelings.

Empathize: Empathize with the offender without excusing the action or invalidating your own feelings. Maybe the person was having a bad day or was raised in dire circumstances.

Altruistic gift: Give the altruistic gift of forgiveness. Think about a time when you were rude or harsh, and recognize that everyone has shortcomings.

Commit: Make a decision to forgive. You can write a letter that you don’t send to help yourself make the commitment.

Hold: Hold on to forgiveness. Memories of the transgression or event won’t change. But how you react to those feelings will.

“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned”.

—Buddha

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News brief

Historical society reflects on tornado

The Historical Society of East Rockaway and Lynbrook will host historian Donald Pupke for a presentation titled “The Day the Tornado Struck,” on April 24, at 7 p.m. at the Lynbrook Public Library.

Pupke will discuss the 1897 tornado that struck the Five Corners area in north Lynbrook, near what is now the Cross Island Fruit store. The storm caused significant damage and followed a wide path through the village. The

presentation will explore the tornado’s route, the areas affected, and the destruction it left behind. Archival photos will also be shared.

The event will take place on the second floor of the Lynbrook Public Library, located at 56 Eldert St., with entrance at 49 Carpenter Ave. For more information, visit LynbrookLibrary.org.

— Ainsley Martinez

286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com 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

Courtesy Historical Society of East Rockaway and Lynbrook

In 1897, a tornado struck the area of Five Corners in north Lynbrook, near Cross Island Fruit store.

ALEXANDRA AIEVOLI

Calhoun Senior Lacrosse

IT WAS A HISTORIC afternoon for Aievoli April 7 when the Colts defeated Carle Place, 14-6. The senior midfielder found the back of the net seven times, including the 100th goal of her high school career, to lead Calhoun’s offense. On the season, the multitalented threat ranks among Nassau County’s top 5 scorers with 26 goals and 11 assists through seven games, leading the Colts to a 6-1 start in the process. In 2024, she tallied 30 goals and 13 assists.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, April 17

Baseball: Farmingdale at Massapequa...................10 a.m.

Baseball: Malverne at Plainedge.............................10 a.m.

Baseball: MacArthur at East Meadow .....................10 a.m.

Baseball: Long Beach at Baldwin ...........................10 a.m.

Baseball: Mepham at Hewlett .................................10 a.m.

Baseball: Calhoun at Kennedy ................................10 a.m.

Softball: Uniondale at East Rockaway.....................10 a.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Plainedge at Mepham .....................10 a.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Baldwin at Calhoun .........................10 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: South Side at Carey........................11 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Long Beach at Oceanside ................1 p.m.

Saturday, April 19

Softball: Freeport at East Rockaway ..........................9 a.m.

Baseball: West Hempstead at V.S. Central ..............10 a.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Lynbrook at North Shore .................10 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: North Shore at Plainedge ...............11 a.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Mepham at Baldwin ..........................1 p.m.

Monday, April 21

Girls Lacrosse: Lynbrook at Mineola .......................10 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Freeport at Malv/East Rock. .............1 p.m.

Baseball: Mepham at Calhoun .................................5 p.m.

Baseball: Long Beach at Kennedy ............................5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Plainedge at Oceanside ....................5 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring 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.

Rocks discover fountain of youth

By BRIAN KACHARABA sports@liherald.com

Though the name implies a negative connotation, JV teams are an essential part of a high school’s sports program. They help prepare the student-athletes to play at the next level and provide a pipeline whenever the big club needs replacements for their graduating seniors.

There are a few schools in Section VIII that are unable to field a JV team, and East Rockaway softball suddenly faces that predicament for the first time in years. With just three seniors returning, coach Joe Lores was forced to put a slew of underclassmen on his roster in hopes that a baptism-by-fire approach would work out fine following a 14-win season in 2024.

So far, so good.

The Rocks are off to a 4-2 start, including three wins in their first five conference games, and some of the underclassmen have been credited for the early success. The bats especially came alive in the last two contests as they beat Cold Spring Harbor and Great Neck North by a combined score of 32-8 that removed the bad taste of consecutive two-run losses to the top two teams in Conference VII.

“What that’s done is giving me nine ninth graders on the varsity and we had to switch gears a little bit and treat it almost like a college team,” Lores said of not having a JV. “The kids are paying dividends right now.”

East Rockaway has a new middle-ofthe-order combo in freshman Kristina Wilkerson and Leila Perez, who helped the Rocks score 83 runs already, and sophomore outfielder Caroline Cronin has also been penciled in at the cleanup spot. Second baseman Cara Agro has hit safely in her first three games and is batting .429 overall and fellow freshman and right fielder Julianna Thorgersen had four hits in her first five trips to the plate this season to kickstart her .400 average.

The excitement of the Rocks’ 18-6 win over Cold Spring Harbor on April 4,

East Rockaway senior pitcher Isabella DeCunzo is off to a strong start in the circle and also contributing plenty at the plate.

however, was tempered a bit after star shortstop Charlotte Webster suffered a knee injury after colliding with the Seahawks’ first baseman while hitting the base. But there was a sigh of relief after learning that Webster, the team’s leadoff hitter who blasted five home runs last spring, suffered just bruise and will miss about two weeks.

As a result, pitcher Isabella DeCunzo will move to the top of the order. The senior hurler collected four hits in an easy 23-0 win at Sewanhaka on March 27

and two more against Cold Spring Harbor to raise her average to .471.

“She went from being a 7-8 hitter [two years ago] to where I want her up as much as possible now,” Lores said.

DuCunzo is also racking up the strikeouts in the circle and tossed a onehitter with a career-high 11 K’s against Great Neck North.

Sofia Tizio slid from third base to shortstop on defense and the senior is batting .412, highlighted by her 3-for-4 performance at Roslyn on March 29.

Courtesy Joe Lores

News briefs

Battalion Secretary Ex-Chief Kevin Bien, left, from the Lynbrook Fire Department; Battalion Vice-Chairman Ex-Chief James Lang, Malverne Fire Department; Battalion Chairman Ex-Chief Joe Mihalich, East Rockaway Fire Department; Battalion Treasurer Ex-Chief Mike Koppel, Lakeview Fire Department; Nassau County Pipes and Drums Major Robert Hughes and Rockville Centre Ex-Chief John Hennig, a member of the burn center foundation board, attended the event on April 6.

Lynbrook firefighters attend fundraiser

The Fourth Battalion Fire District, which includes the East Rockaway, Lakeview, Lynbrook, Malverne and Rockville Centre fire departments, held its annual fundraiser for the Nassau County Firefighters Burn Center Foundation on April 6 at the Malverne Fire Department headquarters.

Wishing Our Friends & Neighbors a Happy Easter!

Mayor Alan Beach

Entertainment was provided by the band The Switch, with a guest performance by the Nassau County Firefighters Pipes and Drums.

Deputy Mayor Michael Hawxhurst

Trustee Ann Marie Reardon

Trustee Robert Boccio

Trustee Michael Habert

Wishing Our Friends & Neighbors a Happy Easter!

Mayor Alan Beach

Deputy Mayor Michael Hawxhurst

Trustee Ann Marie Reardon

Trustee Robert Boccio

Trustee Michael Habert

Soccer academy builds unity, confidence

In a welcoming space, preparing kids of all ages to compete in Long Island Junior League

By MELINDA ROLLS & CHRISTINA ARLOTTOA Special to the Herald

Second in a series of stories on immigration through a partnership between Herald Community Newspapers and Hofstra University.

As the sun dipped behind the trees in Uniondale on a recent Thursday, the rhythmic pulse of soccer balls colliding with cleats mixed with the sharp calls of coaches in Spanish. On the well-worn grass, athletes lined up one by one in familiar ritual, launching powerful kicks into the net as the goalkeeper battled each incoming shot.

The young athletes scattered across the field behind NuHealth’s A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility in Uniondale were members of the New York Soccer Latin Academy. The club, based in Uniondale-Hempstead, was founded in 2002 by NYSLA coach Francisco Guerrero to train players ages 5 to 19 for competition in the Long Island Junior Soccer League.

Community roots

Volunteer coaches, including Salvador Alvarenga, of Long Beach, who emigrated from El Salvador and started coaching when the team was founded, run the team. He began playing soccer at age 6, and after his playing career ended, transitioned to coaching to stay connected to the game.

Alvarenga highlighted the team’s family-centered culture, noting that many players have virtually grown up on soccer fields, especially those with older siblings already on the team. “For most of them, their mom was pregnant and they were already on the field … They practically were born here,” Alvarenga said.

He added that it was rewarding to know that the local Hispanic community recognizes NYSLA as a welcoming space for their children. “It’s really good to know that the Spanish community knows that we are here, and that they can bring the kids here,” Alvarenga said. In line with family values, one of the academy’s core commitments since its creation has been maintaining affordable costs for families, which Alvarenga said is often not the case for American soccer academies. “We just charge basic fees to cover our expenses,” he said. “And now we’ve been surviving for 23 years, so we’re doing something good.”

With over two decades of coaching experience with NYSLA, Alvarenga explained that his coaching philosophy centers on more than developing skilled players. Instead, it is about instilling a deep love for the sport and discipline to prepare players for success beyond the game.

“They have to try their best,” Alvarenga said. “That’s what we try to tell them all the time, so they try to excel in whatever they do.”

Alvarenga shared that his greatest source of motivation to continue coach-

ing comes from watching young players grow and evolve through the academy. “That’s our payment,” he said.

Friendship on the field

Two players share a bond that extends beyond passing the soccer ball. Kelli Crespin, 15, of Hempstead, and Angelina Escobar, 14, of Franklin Square, have spent the past seven years as the only two girls on their team’s roster.

Escobar, with family from Mexico and El Salvador, was first introduced to soccer by her grandfather. Crespin, with roots in El Salvador and Honduras, discovered the game through her older brother while he was playing for the academy

“I just came along with him, and the coach asked if I wanted to play,” Crespin said. “I ended up liking it, and I just kept coming back.”

But it wasn’t just the game that kept her coming back — it was also her friendship with Escobar, who became her closest friend on the team.

Both girls said that while playing exclusively with boys presents its own set of challenges, they are grateful for the resilience it has instilled in them. “Playing with the boys made me really strong,” Escobar said. “I’m not as sensitive anymore.”

Both girls shared that their coaches at the academy have also taught them valuable lessons that extend beyond the field. “I’ve learned a lot, and not just about soccer,” Crespin said. “It’s about becoming a better person while being more active.”

Escobar said her time under Guerrero’s coaching has profoundly shaped her as a player and beyond. “I’ve learned a lot from him because he’s taught me everything I know,” Escobar said. “How to play on the field, how to not be dirty,

how to act.”

After years of dedication to the team, Crespin emphasized her desire to now serve as a role model for younger team members.

academy players face off during practice.

“I would like to show them that no matter what, you can always do what you want to do,” Crespin said. “If you’re passionate about something, continue it. Keep on going.”

Two soccer

The New York Soccer Latin Academy is dedicated not only to teaching soccer’s fundamentals, but also to providing a welcoming space for the local Hispanic community.

Christina Artlotta/Herald photos

New York Soccer Latin Academy player Angelina Escobar received a jersey during a practice.

It’s Ferretti vs. Scianablo for town supervisor

By MELISSA BERMAN & JEFFREY BESSEN of the Herald

Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti, a Republican, will face off against Democrat Joseph K. Scianablo for Hempstead town supervisor.

Both are replacement candidates, because incumbent Supervisor Don Clavin, a Republican, and his expected Democratic opponent, Justin Brown, both declined their parties’ nominations. There are reports that Clavin will run for a county court judgeship on this year’s ballot.

Ferretti, a Levittown resident, has served as a county legislator for over seven years, and he highlighted his efforts to control the tax burden for Nassau County residents.

“The committee looked for someone who is a proven tax slayer, helped make Nassau County the safest in the United States, fought antisemitism and hate in general, is involved in the community and with his family, and has been a lifelong resident of the Town of Hempstead,” Joe Cairo, the Nassau County Republican Committee chairman, said at the April 10 announcement.

Scianablo, a Garden City resident, brings a career of leadership, integrity and compassion, according to the county Democratic Party, having served in the Marines in Iraq and as a New York City police officer. Most recently he was

an assistant district attorney in Queens.

Raised in what was described as a working-class family, Scianablo enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1996. After his military service, he joined the NYPD, in which his focus was domestic violence.

After retiring he earned his law degree, and dedicated his legal career to justice and public safety.

Hempstead,” Scianablo said in a news release. “I’m running to lower the tax burden, clean up our broken infrastructure, and bring transparency back to Town Hall.”

Ferretti highlighted his work to stop antisemitism and hate crimes, enhance resources for police and protect women.

that qualifies me for this position. In government, I have both administrative and legislative experience.”

The Democrats highlighted the town’s 12.1 percent property tax increase, pay raises for top officials and long-neglected infrastructure problems as the issues they are aiming to resolve.

“Joe Scianablo is exactly the kind of leader Hempstead needs right now,” County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs said in the release. “His courage, character, and deep commitment to public service make him the right candidate to take on the status quo. Joe has spent his life protecting others — he’ll bring that same fierce dedication to fighting for every family in Hempstead.”

The Republicans focused on Ferretti’s two local landmark laws, Fairness for Women and Girls in Sports and the Mask Transparency Act.

“Nassau Legislator John Ferretti has distinguished himself as a county legislator, holding the line on taxes every year and even reducing the tax burden for Nassau homeowners,” Cairo said.

“Public service isn’t only what you do, it’s who you are. I’ve served my country, my city, and my community — and I’m ready to serve the people of

THURSDAY, MAY 22

“When you decide to run for elected office, you do it because you want to make a different in people’s lives,” he said. “I feel I have the experience in both the private sector and government

Scianablo’s campaign aims to focus on lifting up working families. “I’ve never backed down from a fight — and I won’t back down from the fight for the people of Hempstead,” he said in the release. “This town deserves a leader who shows up, stands tall, and delivers real results. That’s exactly what I intend to do.”

Herald file photos

John Ferretti, left, a Republican Nassau County legislator, and Democrat Joseph K. Scianablo are the candidates for Hempstead town supervisor.

Promotions give businesses a marketing boost

son has filmed eight business promotions around Lynbrook, including Unicorn Jewels, on Atlantic Avenue, and Lynbrook Baptist Church, on Earle Avenue.

Donaldson, who uses a Canon EOS Mark II mirrorless digital camera, said the project began after he started creating content for his wife, Audrey, and her business, Touched by a Rose Massage Therapy, on Atlantic Avenue.

Her following on social media increased from 100 to 1,800 in a span of nine months.

After that success, Donaldson was invited to speak at a Chamber networking breakfast on social media, and later asked to replicate promotional videos that had been produced by the Floral Park firm Corbett Public Relations, which worked with the Chamber previously.

“In terms of the filming, it’s something that people need to really stop overthinking so much and just make a commitment,” Donaldson said.

He described the Chamber video program as a good entry point. “It’s essentially a commercial, but for somebody to be successful on social media, they need to do much more than one video,” he said. “I basically treat your social media page like a channel, and we come up with regular content to help build your brand.”

Eric Vissichelli, owner of UpDog Pet Services, a traveling pet training business, said he relied heavily on social media when launching his business.

Navigating online advertising, Vissichelli said, has been both essential and difficult because of his lack of technical experience and the sheer time and energy required.

“It can be pretty intimidating and complex,” he said. “It takes a long time to learn these things and fig-

Courtesy Eric

eric donaldson said the project began after he started creating content for his wife, audrey, and her business, touched by a rose massage therapy.

ure them out, and it almost becomes like a job in itself.”

Vissichelli took part in the Chamber’s Spotlight program, and said the exposure has had a direct impact.

“It’s on my website. It’s all over my social media,” he said. “A bunch of people have already contacted me and told me they’ve seen it.”

Chrein said the program is part of a larger effort to support and grow Chamber membership. “We want to encourage people to join the Chamber,” he said. “These kinds of things are starting to work. It brings visibility, but it also is valuable.”

eric Vissichelli, owner of updog pet Services, said he relied heavily on social media when launching his business, and took part in the Spotlight video program.

Trump threatens funding for public libraries

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

The White House issued an executive order to reduce several government entities, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services, on March 14. The dismantling of the IMLS puts New York state at risk of losing $19 million in funding.

The IMLS is a federal agency established in 1996 by Congress’s passage of the Museum and Library Services Act. With a mission to advance, support, and empower America’s museums and libraries, the IMLS serves as a primary source for grants, policy development and research.

“IMLS provides the scaffolding that enables local libraries to be creative, innovative, and to shine in their communities,” said Caroline Ashby, the Nassau County Library System director. “Services provided by IMLS are things like research and data collection from libraries across the country, which enable library systems and local libraries to benchmark key performance indicators,

overtime, against peer libraries.

There’s no other source for libraries to get information like that.”

“By cutting off federal support from libraries, the Trump administration is cutting off opportunity for the American people — economically, culturally, professionally, and socially,” American Library Association

President Cindy Hohl wrote in a statement on ALA’s social media.

This isn’t just budget trimming, it’s basically dismantling these important community infrastructure and services.

On March 20, the ALA sent a letter to the new acting director of the IMLS Keith Sonderling, advising him not to cut library programs and to abide by statutory obligations of the IMLS as determined by Congress. The administration placed roughly 80 percent of IMLS staff on administrative leave earlier this month, according to PBS. There are concerns that grants

and funding that support libraries nationwide is at risk. According to the ALA, libraries in California, Connecticut and Washington have received written notification that their IMLS grants were cancelled.

“$8.1 million in grants to states funding goes from the IMLS to the New York State library every year,” explained Ashby. “That accounts for 80 percent of the New York State library budget. Every local library in New York benefits from the work that’s being done at the state library.”

KEvIN vERBESEy Executive director, Suffolk Cooperative Library System

The elimination of the IMLS is a concern, as this will not only affect federal funding, but the effective distribution of state and grant funding. Loss of funding for the state library could challenge the organizations ability to provide legal, technical and governmental support for

libraries, access to state construction funding, as well as the charters that libraries need to function.

“The IMLS invests hundreds of millions of dollars each year to help libraries across the Island, the state, and the country, develop literacy programs, workforce training, makes digital resources available, preserves our cultural heritage, and all kinds of civic engagement initiatives,” said Kevin Verbesey, executive director of the Suffolk Cooperative Library System. “So this isn’t just budget trimming, it’s basically dismantling these important community infrastructure and services.”

The Nassau Library System provides multiple services to libraries throughout the county that are supported by funding from the state level, including the county wide online catalog, broadband internet service, and the inter-library delivery system. “The services that are provided trickle down to local libraries so they can really focus on the communities they serve,” said Ashby.

Donaldson, Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce

Full speed ahead

Proven practices to win the race against aging

Naps, knitting and nuzzling with the grandchildren — the traditional image of retirement is being challenged by the more than 76 million baby boomers in the United States.

This vibrant generation wants to make the most out of their golden years, and while hobbies and time with grandkids are a priority, they want more. To do so, we know that a proactive approach to health and wellness is a must.

Matt Johnson, a health and performance expert, admires the tenacity boomers — and all seniors — exhibit when it comes to maintaining their health and well-being. He suggests these incredibly simple, yet powerful ways to age healthfully, and keep those engines revving at peak performance, no matter how vintage the model.

Take advantage of pit stops

“Lack of sleep is the fastest way to age the human body,” says Johnson.

“Additionally, adequate sleep is extremely important for a healthy brain. Deep REM sleep allows the mind to rejuvenate. Memory, creativity and cognitive function get refreshed in this stage of sleep.”

He recommends three steps to achieve quality sleep. First, go to bed at the correct time to achieve eight hours of sleep. Second, unplug and avoid digital devices that put out stimulating blue light. Third, add the relaxing mineral magnesium to your routine by taking an Epsom salt bath or foot bath once a week.

Fuel your machine

“I like to tell people to think of nutrition as fuel for the body; without the correct fuel, the engine and components can’t work correctly,” says Johnson. “The most critical nutrients that boomers don’t get enough of are supergreens and omega-3s.

We know we all need to eat more green veggies, but did you know that up to 91 percent of the American population is deficient in omega-3s?”

Get an oil change

Some oils are considered healthy and others

cause health problems. Johnson recommends you reevaluate the types of oils you use.

Add:

√ Use extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) for salad dressings, baking and low-temperature sautéing.

√ Consider avocado oil. With its high smoke point, it’s ideal for high-heat cooking techniques like frying and sautéing. Avocado oil is rich in oleic acid, polyunsaturated fats, carotenoids, and other antioxidant-rich nutrients that are linked to improved heart, skin, and eye health.

Remove:

√ Vegetable oils like canola and soybean, which are heavily processed and often made with GMOs.

Rev your engines daily

“The benefits of exercise are endless, but the underdog benefit is how it makes us feel and think,” says Johnson. “You should move your body if you want to stay sharp and happy.”

Find an exercise program you enjoy, he suggests. “Exercise is the fountain of youth, but you shouldn’t do something you don’t like. Make sure you move your body daily. If you are looking for suggestions, think about hiring a trainer to learn a set program. I think focusing on form and technique over intensity is the first step.”

Schedule regular maintenance checks

“Play offense instead of defense with your health,” says Johnson. “Modern medicine is better than ever at early detection and treatment.”

The key is to focus on prevention. “Use annual doctor visits to screen, ask questions and monitor your risk factors. Remember, you can only get good answers if you ask good questions,” he says.

Finally, Johnson reminds people that antiaging doesn’t exist. “We are all aging — the key is to age well. This means to aspire to quality of life. We all have motivators in our life: kids, grandkids, spouses, careers, passions, etc. Without your health, none of these can be enjoyed to the fullest.”

Long live the brain

Activities you can do at home that help boost brain health

By Kristen Castillo

We all know that it’s important to keep your brain sharp as you age.

“In order to engage our brains for an ideal level of challenge, we should aim for something that is new, novel and challenging to maximize our effort — grow our brains, new neurons and strengthen our neuronal networks,” says certified brain health coach Dr. Krystal L. Culler, DBH, M.A., founder of Your Brain Health Matters, LLC and an Atlantic fellow for Equity in Brain Health.

Dr. Culler says brain health is 70 percent lifestyle and 30 percent genetics. She encourages people to think about brain fitness the same way they think about physical exercise. That means giving your brain a 15- to 20-minute daily workout, adding up to at least two hours a week.

Read on for easy ways to stimulate your brain.

Game On!

Playing games — whether it’s chess, puzzles, Mah Jongg or computer games, such as Words With Friends or Wordle — may help your brain to stay engaged.

For example, smartphone apps can be an entertaining and challenging activity for the brain. One app, Elevate, uses artificial intelligence to create custom exercises for each user, tailored to their personal goals.

In a four-week study of 125 Elevate users, conducted for the game company by a researcher at California State University, Stanislaus, and Nichols Research, Inc., participants who had access to Elevate games and training exercises improved their test scores “69 percent more than the control group, which did not have access to the games and exercises.”

While research on the overall benefits of cognitive games is mixed, one study shows participants may get good at a mind-stimulating activity, such as crosswords, even if those gaming skills don’t transfer to other brain health, like attention to problem-solving.

Still, that doesn’t mean the activity isn’t valuable. You can have a healthier, happier life by participating in games and activities you enjoy.

Read, Read, Read

Challenge your brain with reading but mix up your habits.

Dr. Culler suggests reading a different section of the newspaper than you usually would or reading a new book or magazine. Next, read some passages out loud, which she says can activate different areas of your brain.

Read with the intent to share the message with friends. You will be more mindful and process the information differently.

Set New Goals

Try new things. Set an intention to do something new, such as visiting museums, attending talks, etc., for the next week or month. Map it out and invite a friend. Dr. Culler says both the planning process and socialization have brain benefits, too.

Meditate

Clearing your mind can be good for your brain as well.

“Set aside time daily to cool your brain, practice mindfulness or meditate,” says Dr. Culler. “Meditation is an excellent brain workout, and studies have found numerous benefits for the brain. If meditation is not a daily part of your routine, aim to add it in.”

She recommends starting with a few minutes of meditation a day and working up to 20 minutes or longer.

Photo: Meditation can help calm the brain

Photo: Regular exercise is pivotal to looking and feeling great at every age — and especially in our older years.

Moving from Sick Care to Well Care

Catholic Health is deeply rooted in the communities it serves, with several award-winning hospitals situated in both Nassau and Suffolk counties. Yet the ultimate measure of a great health care system is how well it does at preempting the need for hospitalization. Catholic Health is working to do just that by expanding its network of preventive Primary Care practices all across Long Island.

“When you enter into a long-term relationship with a Primary Care Provider, your doctor gets to know who you are,” says Anthony Ardito, MD, Chairman of Catholic Health’s Primary Care Service Line. “People want their doctors to truly understand their health history as well as their preferences.”

Besides ensuring that you receive your preventative health screenings—such as mammogram and colonoscopy—Primary Care Providers will monitor you at regular intervals for blood pressure, cholesterol levels, body mass index and more.

“By knowing a patient for years, we can detect early changes in a person’s condition, then work with the patient to ensure for early detection and an appropriate response,” says Dr. Ardito. “That’s the kind of health care that’s going to keep people out of the hospital and add many more healthy

years to their lives.”

Catholic Health has recruited many hundreds of Primary Care Providers to its physician network, situating them in convenient community-based medical office buildings across its Long Island footprint. Some are single practices, while many are part of the health system’s network of Catholic Health Ambulatory Care sites. These outpatient care facilities bring together Primary Care Providers and various clinical specialists—such as cardiologists,

neurologists, endocrinologists, oncologists, orthopedists and pain management specialists—under one roof.

“We’ve launched well over 20 Catholic Health Ambulatory Care sites throughout Long Island, stretching from Queens to Riverhead,” says Chief Medical Officer Jason Golbin, DO. “Each site is a multispecialty hub. So if your Primary Care physician detects it may be time to see a specialist, there’s one right down the hall, fully partnered with Catholic Health, and easily

able to access your medical records and test results. Our Catholic Health physicians work as a unified team to ensure that the care you receive is coordinated to produce the most optimal outcomes with the least amount of stress.”

Beyond their many convenient locations, Catholic Health Primary Care physicians are also available through online messaging, two-way texting and video visits with their patients.

To schedule a consultation with a Catholic Health Primary Care provider near you, call (866) MY-LI-DOC or visit CatholicHealthLI.org and click on the “Find a Doctor” tab at the top of the screen, which lets you sort by specialty or location. You can even schedule an appointment online.

Catholic Health is growing—expanding Primary Care, Urgent Care and multispecialty Ambulatory Care locations across the region. Quality care, close to home.

Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.

Catholic Health has convenient preventive Primary Care practices throughout Long Island.

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Ernestine Berry celebrates her 110th birthday at Parker Jewish Institute

Ernestine Berry, a resident at The Parker Jewish Institute, recently celebrated her 110th birthday in the Parker Auditorium. Family, friends, and the devoted team members who provide care for Ms. Berry gathered to celebrate this monumental milestone. Members of the media also visited to highlight the birthday celebration, and to showcase Ms. Berry’s extraordinary life.

Born in Alabama as the eldest of 12 children, Ms. Berry’s life has been one of dedication and inspiration. After spending time in California as a bus driver, she relocated to New York, where she discovered her passion as a teacher’s assistant. Over the course of a 50-year career, she touched the lives of countless students, many of whom continue to stay in touch with her, calling and visiting to express their gratitude for the lasting impact she had on their lives.

Beyond her career, Ms. Berry’s legacy extends through her family. She had one son and is the proud grandmother of five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She shares a special bond with her granddaughter, Paulette Glen, a

schoolteacher who carries Ms. Berry’s dedication to children.

“All of us at Parker have looked forward to celebrating Ernestine Berry’s 110th birthday with her, and her family and friends,” said Michael N. Rosenblut, President and CEO of Parker Jewish Institute. “Such events are truly special.”

The Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation

The Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation is headquartered in New Hyde Park, New York. The facility is a leading provider of Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care. At the forefront of innovation in patient-centered health care and technology, the Institute is a leader in teaching and geriatric research.

Parker Jewish Institute • (718) 289-2212

Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.

HEALTH MEMO

Parker Jewish Institute features its own medical team, and is nationally renowned as a skilled nursing facility, as well as a provider of community-based health care, encompassing Home Health Care, Medical House Calls, Palliative Care and Hospice. Parker Jewish Institute is also home to Queens-Long Island Renal Institute (QLIRI), providing patients with safe, comfortable Hemodialysis treatments in a relaxed setting; as well as PRINE Health, a Vascular Center offering advanced vascular services. The Center and QLIRI further Parker’s ability to expand access to essential health-care services to adults in the greater New York metropolitan area. For more information, visit parkerinstitute.org or call (877) 727-5373.

Queens-Long Island Renal Institute offers Home Hemodialysis/ Certified Home Health Care available through Parker Jewish Institute

Queens-Long Island Renal Institute (QLIRI), a 2025 Bests of Long Island winner and located at The Parker Jewish Institute, now offers a state-of-the-art Home Hemodialysis Program for people battling kidney disease. Those patients who also require Certified Home Health Care can access it conveniently through QLIRI’s affiliate, Parker Jewish Institute.

With QLIRI’s Home Hemodialysis Program, patients can transition from an in-center setting to receiving hemodialysis from the comfort of their home, using the Tablo Hemodialysis System. Enrolled patients are first trained by a registered nurse. The nurse provides step-by-step guidance four days a week over the course of four weeks, or longer if necessary. With this training, patients learn to use the system before transitioning to the convenience of home hemodialysis.

If needed, patients of Parker’s Certified Home Health Care Agency receive individualized nursing, medical, and rehabilitation services, so they can maintain maximum independence in the comfort of their homes. Home-care services can include skilled-nursing care; physical, occupational and speech therapy; home-health aides; medical social services; medical supplies; and 24-hour telephone availability. Call (718) 289-2600 with questions. To learn more about QLIRI’s Home Hemodialysis Program, visit qliri.org. For more on Parker’s Certified Home Health Care, visit parkerinstitute.org.

About

Mount Sinai South Nassau’s

While you are hopefully getting wiser as you get older, your immune system is weakening, increasing your risk for severe cases of vaccine-preventable illnesses such as influenza, COVID-19, pneumonia, or shingles. These diseases can lead to extended hospitalization or even death. While vaccination does not guarantee you will not get sick, getting vaccinated almost certainly will make your illness less severe, especially for individuals 65 and above. The fix is an easy one: get vaccinated!

Approximately 25,000 to 50,000 U.S. adults aged 65 and older die every year from complications caused by vaccine-preventable viral illnesses. This is more than the deaths attributed to breast cancer, traffic accidents and HIV/AIDS combined. Many of those who died were unvaccinated. During your annual checkup, be sure to speak with your doctor and make sure you are up to date on all your vaccinations.

During the 2023-2024 flu season, adults 65 and older accounted for more than 50 percent of flu-related hospitalizations and 72 percent of flu-related deaths. Meanwhile, adults 65 and older accounted for approximately twothirds of all COVID-19-associated hospitalizations from October 2023 to April 2024, while those 75 and older accounted for approximately 50 percent of COVID-19 deaths. These data are especially compelling in older adults with underlying conditions such as heart or lung disease or diabetes.

As for measles, which is increasing in prevalence across the country, there have been four cases in New York State so far this year—one in Suffolk County and three in New York City. As of Thursday, March 13, of the 373 confirmed measles cases reported in the United States, 86 (21 percent) involved individuals above age 20, and 11 of those cases required hospitalization. Approximately 2 of every 1,000 adults who contract measles die.

Aaron E. Glatt, MD, Chair of the Department of Medicine and Chief of Infectious Diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau, says people born before 1957 are presumed to be immune and don’t require a MMR (mumps, measles, rubella) vaccination or testing to see if they are immune. However, if they know they are not immune because of work related testing or other reasons, vaccination might be appropriate. “People born during or after 1957 who are traveling to

a high-risk area who do not have evidence of immunity to measles (which can be determined by a blood test ordered by your physician to assess your antibody levels or vaccination status or by your immunization records) should get the vaccination,” Dr. Glatt added.

Infectious disease experts also recommend that people born after 1957 and vaccinated before 1968 consider getting a single additional vaccine dose, as the vaccine used from 1963 to 1967 has proven not to be as effective or long-lasting as the current MMR vaccine. When in doubt, ask your doctor! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that most people over age 65 get the following immunizations:

• Shingles vaccine: Shingles can be a very painful rash that can last for months. The CDC recommends the vaccine Shingrix for healthy adults aged 50 and older to prevent shingles.

• RSV vaccine: Respiratory syncytial virus infections are often mild but can be serious for older people, especially those above 75 and for those 60 and older with underlying

conditions such as heart or lung disease.

• Pneumococcal vaccine: Pneumococcal disease can include pneumonia, meningitis, and blood infections. There are several vaccines available, and you should discuss with your doctor which one is most appropriate for you, based on any prior pneumococcal vaccinations and your age. The current recommendation is for all people over 50 to receive a pneumococcal vaccine, as well as those 18 years and older with significant underlying medical conditions.

• Annual flu vaccine: It remains the very best way to protect yourself and others from the flu.

• Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, or whooping cough): Everyone needs to get the Tdap vaccine at least once. After getting a Tdap vaccine, get a Td vaccine every 10 years to protect against tetanus and diphtheria.

• COVID-19 vaccine: How often you should receive this vaccine to reduce your risk and others from getting severe COVID-19 will also vary greatly based upon your underlying health, age, and when your most

recent COVID-19 illness was. Discuss this with your doctor.

• Hepatitis B vaccine: The CDC recommends this for all adults ages 19 to 59 who do not have natural immunity to hepatitis B, and for adults 60 and older who have risk factors for hepatitis B. If you are 60 and older and don’t have known risk factors, it’s okay to get the hepatitis B vaccine if you want it.

If you’re not up to date on your vaccinations, Dr. Glatt says to see your physician to set up a schedule to get them. If you haven’t received the annual flu or COVID-19 vaccination, you can get one at the Vaxmobile, Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Community Education Health Screenings and Wellness outreach effort, which will be at the following senior centers:

April

• 4/24 – Nassau County Senior Services at St Anthonys Church, Oceanside, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• 4/29 – Freeport Library, Freeport, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

May

• 5/1 – Long Beach Library, Long Beach, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• 5/6 – Hispanic Brotherhood, Hempstead, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• 5/13 – Nassau County Senior Birthday Party at the Old Barn Bethpage, Restoration Village, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

• 5/15 – Baldwin Library, Baldwin, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

• 5/20 – Freeport Library, Freeport, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• 5/22 – Nassau County Senior Services at St Anthonys Church, Oceanside, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

For more information, call Mount Sinai South Nassau Community Education at (516) 377-5333 or send an email to vaxmobile@snch.org.

Mount Sinai South Nassau is Improving Health Care on the South Shore

The new Fennessy Family Emergency Department at Mount Sinai South Nassau doubles the size of our previous emergency department, o ering 54 private exam rooms with clear lines of sight for physicians, nurses, and support sta . Our new emergency department also o ers a separate triage area, dedicated areas for children and behavioral health patients, and has been designed to reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes.

The Fennessy Family Emergency Department is located within the new Feil Family Pavilion, opening later this year, which will have 40 new critical care suites and nine new operating rooms, designed to support the most complex surgeries on the South Shore.

To learn more visit www.mountsinai.org/feilpavilion

Senior Health & Beyond Expo series kicks off

By Anna Graci

Herald Community Media and RichnerLIVE successfully launched the first event in the 2025 Senior Health & Beyond Expo series, presented by Nassau University Medical Center, on Friday, April 4, at the East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center in East Meadow. This free community event drew hundreds of attendees, including seniors, families, and caregivers, eager to learn about the latest in wellness, lifestyle enhancements, and essential health resources.

The expo featured a vibrant lineup of educational vendors and interactive activities, ensuring that attendees were both entertained and informed. “It was an incredible turnout,” said Amy Amato, executive director of corporate relations and events at RichnerLIVE.

A key highlight of the day was the “Stop the Bleed” training session led by Nassau University Medical Center’s Sloan Yoselowitz, DPT, CSCS, the hospital’s director of community outreach. This national campaign teaches people how to control severe bleeding in emergency situations before medical help arrives. The presentation emphasized the importance of immediate action in improving survival rates.

The crowd also enjoyed a dose of humor during a comedy show featuring comedian Larry Izzo.

Attendees were given complimentary swag bags sponsored by Silver Lining Homecare. A 10-minute guided exercise session by Excel Homecare Inc. helped get audience members’ blood pumping, while SightGrowth Partners offered eye test screenings.

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Nassau University Medical Center, and our program sponsors — PSEG Long Island, Parker Jewish Institute Health Care and Rehabilitation, Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the NYS Department of Public Service Long Island, and the Sid Jacobson JCC — for their vital support.

Please visit our website to view our photo gallery from April 4: www.richnerlive.com/seniorexpo/2025senior-health-beyond-expo-of-long-island-photo-gallery.

Join us for the next Herald Senior Health & Beyond Expo for 2025, which will be held on May 22 at the Massapequa Elks Lodge #2162 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For a full list of Expos, go to liherald.com.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Keynote speaker Sloan Yoselowitz, DPT, CSCS; from Nassau University Medical Center.

Hundreds attended the first of seven 2025 Herald Senior Health & Beyond Expos.

Victoria Schickley and Nicole Hall of PSEG L.I.

Janette Lebron, Pablo Rendon, Michelle Chan and Jess Dunbar of the Parker Jewish Institute For Health Care and Rehabilitation.

Laura LaFauci of Amber Court Assisted Living.

Ryan Lynch and Diana Arevalo, NY Cancer & Blood specialists.

Tim Baker/Herald photos Lekeisha Hall, Lisa Boris and Joy Gardener of Excel Homecare Inc.

Speaker Michelle Gibson of the Sid Jacobson JCC. Stephanie Penza, Dr. Brian Berliner and Aisha Vazquez; SightMD.

Livia Stachura, Bestern Tiryaki and Ambar Bello of Prine Health.

Micah Schlendorf and Laura Racioppi of Suffolk Federal Credit Union.

Manuel Sepulveda of WellCare. Victoria Caputo of Family and Children’s Association.

Jamie Rossi and Christine Rossi of I Love Hearing, in East Meadow.

Manuel Mathew and Jill Wasser of the NYS Public Service Commission of Long Island.

Regina Khaimov and Anne Marie Fragkoulis of the Margaret Tietz Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center.

Patricia Barna of ClearCaptions.

Danielle Aglio and Trudy Losee; Blue Island Homes. Tiffany Balanoff of Douglas Elliman RVC.

Prabhu Sigamani brings focus on faith, outreach

ministry is the call doesn’t stop,” he said. “That is how I came here. I felt this was a great fit.”

His first priority, he said, would be to personally connect with each of the church’s 150 members, learning their names and understanding their individual faith journeys.

He also noted an interest in expanding the church’s community outreach, and emphasized the importance of remaining grounded in faith while being outward-looking.

“One thing that we want to be very clear about is that we are grounded, and you could take [that] and then go out to the world,” he said.

Inclusivity remains a key part of the church’s identity. “We are an open and affirming church,” Sigamani said. “We welcome people from all walks of life, no matter where they are in Christ. My job as a minister is to facilitate people so they can encounter and experience God in their faith journey — not telling them what to believe, but walking with their journey.”

Sigamani will lead the Easter Sunday service at Bethany Congregational at 10:30 a.m.

prabhu Sigamani has begun his work as minister at Bethany Congregational Church, bringing with him years of experience in the ministry and a commitment to community engagement.

Easter service at Bethany

Date: Sunday, April 20

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Location: 100 Main St., East Rockaway

EastEr mEssagE

Lynbrook Baptist Church will have an easter breakfast and service

225 earle ave.

Easter allows time for reflection,

The death of Jesus Christ for our sins, and His resurrection unto eternal life, is the one source of eternal peace and joy. On Resurrection Sunday, we rejoice in the love and power of God displayed through the gospel.

“God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ,” Ephesians 2:4-5.

Services at Lynbrook Baptist

rebirth

Church:

Good Friday Service 4/18 at 7 p.m.

Easter Breakfast 4/20 at 10 a.m.

Easter Worship Service 4/20 at 11:15 a.m.

Call (516) 599-9402 or email Office@ LynbrookBaptist.org for more information.

•

•

Courtesy Prabhu Sigamani

—Pastor Keith Allen

Courtesy Lynbrook Baptist Church

on Sunday at

STEPPING OUT

Local filmmaker debuts ‘Godless’

Michael Ricigliano is in the spotlight

By Iris Wiener

Filmmaker Michael Ricigliano writes what he knows, and there is nothing he knows better than Long Island. His roots are certainly evident through his creative vision in his latest feature, “Godless,” which is now streaming on multiple platforms.

Starring Harry Lennix (“The Blacklist”) and Ana Ortiz (“Ugly Betty”), “Godless” explores the turbulent intersection of faith and politics. Ricigliano makes his directing debut with the film after having turned heads as a playwright (“A Queen for a Day”) and screenwriter (“The Brooklyn Banker”). He shot it in Huntington and Great Neck, only a stone’s throw away from where he grew up in Garden City.

“I think that for any writer, your own personal experiences craft how you see the world,” he says. “Growing up on Long Island, meeting the many people and remembering conversations with them, plus the stories my family would tell me about how they grew up. It all affects my work.”

Ricigliano is easily able to draw from Long Island’s “flavor,” as he is firmly entrenched in numerous communities.

Ricigliano’s father moved to Uniondale from Brooklyn in the early 1940s, and stayed until 1985; at age 15, his family moved to Garden City. Ricigliano went to private schools in Uniondale and Old Westbury, then going to law school at Hofstra where he played lacrosse. For the past 20 years, Ricigliano and his family have resided in Locust Valley. He has never left Long Island!

It wasn’t until Ricigliano was 40 that he began to write; a real estate lawyer who counsels with Spano Abstract Service Corp. (“an incredibly supportive company”) he began writing on a whim when he realized that he had an idea for a short film based on stories he heard from his family when he was very young in Brooklyn. Despite never having taken a film class, his screenplay for “The Brooklyn Banker” was picked up by Federico Castaluccio (of “The Sopranos” fame), and made into a feature length film starring Paul Sorvino.

“Everything I write is based off of things that have happened in my life and that I have experienced in my Catholic upbringing,” he says of how he began working on “Godless,” which centers on a devout Catholic governor (Ortiz) who is excommunicated after signing a progressive bill into law. “Godless” is about the crisis of faith that she endures when her religious beliefs contrast with her ambitions.

“Canon law is something I have always been fascinated with,” says Ricigliano. “From there it merged into the process of an excommunication. I wanted to explore the political fallout of her getting excommunicated when she wants to become president, as well as what’s happening with the bishop (Lennix) who has gone to the next step because the church is very politically driven as well.”

Ricigliano’s mother first suggested that her son shoot his directorial debut at Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington.

“We had the ability to use the chapel and the church, the hallways, the high ceilings, the offices which were from a different era, the beautiful grounds. It was all there,” he says. “It was beautiful and magnificent.”

The number of ways in which Ricigliano is creative are endless. He is also an accomplished pop artist who has shown his work at galleries (one of his pieces adorns a set in “Godless”) and a musician. Some of his original songs can be heard in the film.

“I have a mantra: Create every day,” he says thoughtfully. “I try and do something every day and I look forward to it, whether it’s art, writing or playing guitar. Doing this has become ingrained in me. It’s a passion.”

Ricigliano’s next film is based on the play “The Court of Oyer and Terminer,” and is also set to star Lennix. The story is about a retired judge from Nassau County who lives in the city and has dementia. He hopes to shoot scenes in Manhasset and other nearby areas.

“Long Island is one of the greatest places to live on the planet,” he says excitedly as he looks to the future. “The nature, the history, the architecture, some of the court houses. The resources that we have and the people are magnificent. We worked with the Nassau County and the Suffolk County Film Commissions for ‘Godless’ and they were so helpful.”

Ricigliano hopes that “Godless,” which can be streamed on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Google Play, and Fandango, makes people want to talk.

“Any of the issues within can’t be one way or the other. People have certain beliefs that are instilled in them. In today’s society, a lot of times, people don’t want to listen. They just yell at each other. Hopefully this film will open up more of a dialogue. We’re all fallible. At the end of the day, the movie is about forgiveness and understanding. All I want is for people to walk out and say, ‘Okay. But I understand what the other person is saying.’”

‘Cold Beer on a Saturday Night’

Spring blooms with Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band. Before you know it, we’ll be back on the beach; meanwhile Jimmy Kenny and his band keep the vibe going with their “Ultimate Beach Party Tribute” to Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band. Parrotheads, No Shoes Nation and the Zamily: it’s 5 o’clock somewhere so let’s ‘raise ‘em up and sing along. The Long Island based band — guided by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals/acoustic guitar, with Linn DeMilta (aka Lovely Linn), lead and backing vocals, Luis Rios, lead guitar/backing vocals, Frank Stainkamp, keyboard/ backing vocals, Dan Prine, bass, and drummer Mike Vecchione, have been celebrating the beach country sounds for over a decade, Everyone has a great time grooving to their lively mix of their popular sing-along hits and feel good, easy living flair. Saturday, April 19, 8 p.m. $35, $25, $20, $15. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Jazzin’ with Wynton Marsalis

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, takes listeners on a thrilling ride with Contemporary Jazz Masterpieces. Hear fascinating new works composed and orchestrated by composers and Big Band leaders of today, including Miho Hazama, Darcy James Argue, Helen Sung, Jihye Lee. The concert also feature newly commissioned works by George DeLancey, Leo Steinriede, and Steven Feifke — that reflect the depth and breadth of the Big Band tradition. With music direction by Marsalis and Steven Feifke, expect an evening of fresh takes and exploratory sounds from the acclaimed orchestra. Feel the vibe of thrilling works that ignite the senses with spontaneity, virtuosity and an unwavering passion.

Thursday, April 24, 7:30 p.m. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Photos courtesy Michael Ricigliano

Ana Ortiz and Harry Lennix appear in “Godless,” which captures the collision of politics and faith.

Harry Lennix as Bishop Reginald Roland.

Director-writer Michael Ricigliano with Without a Net producers Elyssa Rabinowitz and Vincent Petrosini at the film’s premiere.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

APR

17

Bingo Stop by St. Mary’s Maris/Stella Knights of Columbus, every Thursday, for bingo. With cash prizes food from Vincents Restaurant, coffee, snacks, and more.

•Where: 78 Hempstead Ave., Lynbrook

•Time: 7 p.m.

•Contact: (516) 887-2228

APR 18

‘Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!’

The beloved musical adventure, ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved award-winning, best-selling children’s books, is back on stage at Long Island Children’s Museum. Willems’ classic characters Elephant and Piggie storm the stage in a rollicking musical romp filled with plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense perfect for young audiences.

•Where: Museum Row, Garden City.

•Time: Also April 19, April 23-24, times vary

•Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

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) that 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. On view through June 15.

•Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor.

•Time: Ongoing

•Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org

Little Learners’ Earth Day

Planting Fields Little Learners series continues with an Earth Day celebration. Families will enjoy a heartwarming fun-filled experience, with a reading of “Gifts from the Garbage Truck” by Andrew Larsen. Explore the importance of reusing, reducing, and recycling. With an Earthinspired craft project. For ages 2-5. Registration required.

•Where: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay.

•Time: 10-11 a.m.

•Contact: plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210

APR

26

Jessie’s Girl

Drag out that neon once again and give your hair its best ‘80s ‘do. Those crazy days are back — as only Jessie’s Girl can pull off, on the Paramount stage. The band of NYC’s top rock/pop musicians and singers gets everyone into that “Back To The Eighties” vibe with the latest edition of their popular concert experience. With a lineup including four pop-rock vocalists dressing and performing as 80s icons, backed by a dynamic band, this is the definitive ‘80s experience. Throw on top of that: a load of super-fun choreography, audience participation, props, costumes bubbles, and confetti — and you have a party that audiences don’t want to leave. Tickets are $49.50, $37.50, $35, $25.

APR

19

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Mayor Gordon Fox and the East Rockaway Village Board invite the community to the Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Attendees can enjoy crafts, games, and a story walk, with opportunities to earn candyfilled eggs through fun activities.

•Where: Memorial Park, 344 Atlantic Ave.

•Time: 11 a.m.

•Contact: VillageofEastRockaway.org

Art Explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Nassau County Museum of Art. Kids and their adult partners can talk about and make art together. Enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. Registration required.

•Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor.

•Time: noon-3 p.m.

•Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org

Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt

Old Westbury Gardens invites

families to celebrate the season. Enjoy a day of exploration strolling the gardens in search of colorful egg signs hidden throughout the grounds. Find them all and return to Westbury House to claim a special gift.

•Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury.

•Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

•Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or (516) 333-0048

APR 21

Arbor Day Celebration

All are welcome to celebrate Arbor Day with tree planting and environmental awareness activities.

•Where: Greis Park, 55 Wilbur St

• Time: 10-11:30 a.m.

•Contact: LynbrookVillage.net

APR

22

Shred Unwanted Documents

Russo Law Group hosts an Earth Day Shred event to safely and securely dispose of sensitive documents. All shredding handled by Arrow Transfer & Storage. Attend Fraud Awareness workshops at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

•Where: Comprehensive Audiology, 261 Broadway

• Time: 8-9 a.m.

•Contact: LynbrookUSA.com

MAY

2

•Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington

• Time: 8 p.m.

•Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

•Where: 100 Quentin Roosevelt Blvd #102, Garden City; 250 Lido Blvd, Lido Beach.

• Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

•Contact: vjrussolaw.com

APR

Breastfeeding Support Group

Mercy Hospital offers a peer-to-peer breastfeeding support group facilitated by a certified counselor. Open to new moms with babies from newborn to 1 year. Registration required.

•Where: St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre.

• Time: 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

•Contact: Call Gabriella Gennaro at (516) 705-2434

APR

30

Breakfast Networking with Connoisseur Media & Ferocious Digital Connect with local business leaders and industry experts to enhance your digital marketing strategy and learn about boosting your online presence, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.

Strongbox Theater: An Evening of Six 10-Minute Plays

Check out StrongBox Theater’s latest production, showcasing local talent.

•Where: Bethany Congregational Church, 100 Main St., East Rockaway

• Time: Also May 3, 8 p.m.

•Contact: StrongBoxTheater. com

MAY

Soccer/Tball Clinic

3

A Soccer/Tball clinic for 3- and 4-yearolds, offering a fun introduction to sports in a structured environment. Through June 7. Fee is $115.

•Where: East Rockaway Recreation, 17 John Street.

• Time: 9-10 a.m.

•Contact: NLanderer@ villageofeastrockaway.org or 516-984-2106

Track Clinic

MAY

4

A track clinic for Kindergarten through 5th grade students, focusing on developing athletic skills with a $115 fee. Through June 8.

•Where: East Rockaway Recreation, 17 John Street

• Time: 9-10 a.m.

•Contact: NLanderer@ villageofeastrockaway.org or 516-984-2106

Having an event?

Items on The Calendar 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 kbloom@ liherald.com.

NCC faculty union claims contract violations

Administration says promotions, tenure, sabbaticals are on hold until new agreement is reached

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Faculty tensions at Nassau Community College escalated last week after Chief Administrative Officer Maria Conzatti announced that she would not submit faculty names for tenure, promotion or sabbatical to the college’s board of trustees until a new contract agreement is reached — despite the fact that the current contract is in effect until Aug. 31.

The announcement, made at the April 3 general faculty meeting, drew sharp criticism from the Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers. Union leaders claim the decision circumvents provisions of the existing collective bargaining agreement, particularly those related to faculty advancement during the final year of a signed contract.

“Our faculty was absolutely stunned to learn that NCC has unilaterally chosen to deny these standard promotions, sabbaticals and tenure positions to our hardworking professors,” David Stern, the acting NCCFT president, said. “This is truly unprecedented, and demonstrates why NCC and the board of trustees are losing confidence and enrollment while slashing programs and mismanaging our finances.”

Jessica Harris, attorney for the union, said that the administration is legally obligated to follow the recommendations of committees, composed of faculty members and an administrator, that approve faculty members’ advancement and sabbaticals.

“NCC administrators have no legal basis to refuse to consider the committees’ recommendations for promotions and sabbaticals,” Harris said. “If the administration persists in its refusal to inform the board of trust-

ees of the committees’ recommendations, in flagrant disregard of the CBA, we will explore all legal options.”

Speaking on behalf of the administration, Jerry Kornbluth, vice president of the Office of Community and Governmental Relations, pushed back against the union’s claims. He said the accusation that the administration is violating the collective bargaining agreement is a “false narrative,” emphasizing that the college is operating under the current 2021–25 contract.

According to Kornbluth, union representatives have not responded to invitations to begin discussions of the 2025–26 contract. He also noted that faculty members must meet “certain standards,” depending on the promotion they are seeking, with evaluations

conducted by the committees. Once approved, nominations are forwarded to the president.

“Until there is a conversation about the contract for 2025–26, those promotions, sabbaticals and tenure don’t take effect until the fall of 2025 — under the new contract,” Kornbluth said. “The contract acts on Aug. 31; a new one, whether there is a negotiated one or not, kicks in on Sept. 1.”

Many faculty members have already completed the formal review process and received committee approval. The union accuses the administration of stalling contractual obligations and blocking professional advancement at a time when many professors face increased financial strain due to the rising cost of living.

Kornbluth said that when no formal contract is in place, the college operates under a memorandum of agreement signed by both the administration and the union. That agreement allows the president to move faculty nominations forward for board approval.

Stern said that 15 faculty members had been recommended by their respective committees. “There has been virtually no dialogue or willingness by Ms. Conzatti or her administration,” he said.

The faculty organized a gathering on April 8 in the CCB building. Organizers said the event aimed to draw public attention to the ongoing contract and personnel disputes.

“In all my years that I’ve been at the college — which is 50 — there has never been a time that somebody who is nominated for promotion, sabbatical or tenure did not get it,” Kornbluth said. “This is all about trying to make the president, the administration look bad.”

Herald file photo

The Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers alleges that the administration is illegally withholding promotions, tenure appointments and sabbaticals.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF Nassau, Waterfall Victoria Grantor Trust II, Series G, Plaintiff, vs. Jorge Arias, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to Amend Caption, Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale After Inquest, and Appointment of Referee duly entered on July 31, 2014, an Order Extending Time to Set Sale and Amending Caption duly entered on December 14, 2021, and an Order for Extension of Time to Conduct Foreclosure Sale duly entered on February 2, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 6, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 18 Catherine Street, Lynbrook, NY 11563. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37, Block 226 and Lot 593. Approximate amount of judgment is $342,900.28 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #008272/2009.

Mark Ricciardi, Esq., Referee Greenspoon Marder, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105, Attorneys for Plaintiff 152632

p.m., prevailing time, for the transaction of such business as is authorized by the New York State Education Law, including the following items.

1. Presentation of the budget document.

2. To discuss all of the items herein set forth, to be voted upon by voting machine, at the election to be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, as hereinafter set forth.

3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that said vote and election will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 7:00 a.m., prevailing time, in the school buildings located in such districts as enumerated below:

District No. 1: Valley Stream Fire Department 112 South Corona Ave, Valley Stream, New York

District No. 2: William L. Buck School 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York

District No. 3: Brooklyn Avenue School 24 Brooklyn Avenue, Valley Stream, New York

District No. 4: Robert W. Carbonaro School

50 Hungry Harbor Road, Valley Stream, New York at which time the polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, to vote by voting machines upon the following items:

1. To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal year 2025-2026 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION

VALLEY STREAM UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

NO. TWENTY-FOUR

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD AND NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing of the qualified voters of the Valley Stream Union Free School District No. Twenty-Four of the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, will be held at the William L. Buck School on Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York in said District on May 7, 2025 at 7:30

2025;

3. SHALL the proposed budget of expenditures of Valley Stream Union Free School District Twenty-Ffour, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York for the year 20252026 in the amount of $41,285242,4980 and for the purposes shown in the statement thereof presented at the Annual Meeting, that the sum be raised through a levy upon the taxable property in the Valley Stream Union Free School District Twenty-Ffour, after first deducting the monies from state aid and other sources, as provided by law.

4. SHALL the Board of Education of the Valley Stream Union Free School District Twenty-Four be authorized to appropriate and expend the maximum amount of $850,000 from the 2018 and 2024 Capital Reserve Funds established for the purpose of completing capital improvements as follows: District wide door control access and alarms, District wide roofing replacement and repairs, Three (3) classroom renovations District wide, all of the above to include labor, materials, equipment and incidental costs.

Board of Education of the Valley Stream Central High School District be authorized to acquire by purchase that certain real property and improvements known as 10 Fifth Street, Valley Stream, New York, located in the Town of Hempstead, New York, Section 39 Block 27 Lot 4-7 & 418, at a cost not to exceed $6,400,000, and said sum is hereby appropriated for out of the District’s Capital Reserve Fund established on May 15, 2018 and unappropriated fund balance.

2. To elect three (3) members of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term commencing July 1, 2025 and expiring on June 30, 2028, as follows:

a. One (1) member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term to succeed John Maier, whose term expires June 30, 2025;

b. One (1) member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term to succeed Kimberly Wheeler, whose term expires June 30, 2025;

c. One (1) member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term to succeed Markus Wilson, whose term expires June 30,

5. SHALL the proposed budget of expenditures of Valley Stream Central High School District, Nassau County, New York for the year 2025-2026 be approved in the amount of $166,848,681 and that the sum be raised through a levy upon the taxable property in the Valley Stream Central High School District, after first deducting the monies from state aid and other sources, as provided by law.

6. SHALL the Board of Education of Valley Stream Central High School District Union Free School District Twentyfour be authorized to appropriate and expend the maximum amount of $4,500,000 as follows from fund balance for the purpose of completing capital improvements as follows: Restoration of Valley Strean South Streambank, Renovation of District Offices and Renovation of Classrooms. All of the above to include labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental costs.

7. SHALL the

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for the office of Member of the Board of Education of the Valley Stream Union Free School District No. Twenty-four shall be filed with the District Clerk of said School District at the District Clerk’s office, 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, not later than April 21, 2025, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., prevailing time. All nominating petitions must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 qualified voters or 2% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); must state the name and residence of each signer, and must state the name and residence of the candidate. Each petition shall be directed to the District Clerk and shall describe the specific vacancy for which the candidate is nominated. Each vacancy upon the Board of Education to be filled shall be considered a separate specific vacancy. A nominating petition may be rejected by the Board of Education if the candidate is ineligible for the office or declares his or her unwillingness to serve. Forms for nominating petitions may be obtained at the office of the Superintendent of Schools at the William L. Buck School on Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York and the office of the District Clerk of said School District.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 or pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law. If a voter has

heretofore registered pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 and has voted at any annual or special district meeting within the past four (4) calendar years, such voter is eligible to vote at this election; if a voter is registered and eligible to vote pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law, such voter is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register. The Board of Registration will meet for the purposes of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to Education Law §2014 at the William L. Buck School, on May 12, 2025 at 5:30 p.m., prevailing time, to add any additional names to the Registers to be used at the aforesaid Budget Vote and Election, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Registers, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such Budget Vote and Election for which the Register are prepared. The Registers so prepared pursuant to Education Law §2014 will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the School District in the Administration Building, located at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on Thursday, May 15, 2025, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., prevailing time, on weekdays, and each day prior to the day set for the Budget Vote and Election, except Sunday or holidays, and on Saturday by prearranged appointment, and at the polling places on the day of the Budget Vote and Election.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to New York Education Law §2014, the Board of Registration shall meet on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the respective polling places between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., at the prevailing time, to prepare the Register of the School District to be used at the annual meeting and election that is to be held in 2026 and any special meeting that may be held after

the preparation of said Register, at which time any person will be entitled to have her or his name placed on such Register, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school meeting or election for which such Register is prepared.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that qualified voters with disabilities who seek information about access to polling places may, in advance of the day of the vote, contact the District Clerk at 516-497-9398 for information about accessibility.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that beginning seven (7) days immediately preceding the May 7, 2025, public budget hearing, any resident in the District may request to review a copy of the proposed budget by appearing at the Office of the District Clerk, 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York. Additionally, a statement of the estimated expenses for the ensuing year may be obtained by any resident in the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding said election on the school district website www. valleystreamschooldist rict24.org, at the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library during its normal hours of operation, located at 60 Verona Place, Valley Stream, New York, at the School District Administrative Center, 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, and at each of the following school buildings in which school is maintained between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., prevailing time, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays:

1. Brooklyn Avenue School located at 24 Brooklyn Avenue, Valley Stream New York; 2. William L. Buck School located at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream New York; and 3. Robert W. Carbonaro School located at 50 Hungry Harbor Road, Valley Stream New York. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 495, the School District is required to attach to its proposed budget an

exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how much of the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted, identified by statutory authority, and show: (a) the cumulative impact of each type of exemption expressed either as a dollar amount of assessed value or as a percentage of the total assessed value on the roll; (b) the cumulative amount expected to be received from recipients of each type of exemption as payments in lieu of taxes or other payments for municipal services; and (c) the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. The exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any website maintained by the District. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for absentee and early mail ballots will be obtainable during school business hours at the office of the District Clerk beginning April 21, 2025. In accordance with Education Law §§ 2018-a and 2018e, completed absentee and early mail ballot applications may not be received by the District Clerk earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the election, and must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or to the agent named in the absentee or early mail ballot application. Absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued, and a list of all persons to whom early mail voter’s ballots shall have been issued, will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the office of the District Clerk on and after Thursday, May 15, 2025, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays prior to the day set for the annual election and on Saturday, May

17, 2025, by advanced appointment by contacting the District Clerk at 516-497-9398 and on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the day set for the election. Any qualified voter may, upon examination of such lists, file a written challenge of the qualifications as a voter of any person whose name appears on such lists, stating the reasons for such challenge. Any such written challenge shall be transmitted by the District Clerk or a designee of the Board of Education to the inspectors of election on Election Day.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the Valley Stream Union Free School District No. TwentyFour by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to districtclerk@vs24.org or fax sent to 516-2560163. The request for the registration application may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the registration application by either mail, fax or email. Military voter registration application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 24, 2025.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the Valley Stream Union Free School District No. Twenty-Four may request an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk and return such military ballot application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to districtclerk@vs24. org or fax sent to 516256-0163. In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military ballot application must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., on April 24, 2025. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a non-military ballot application under Section 2018-a of the Education Law. The application for military ballot may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail, fax, or email.

April 17, 2025

Public Notices

A military voter’s original military ballot application and military ballot must be returned by mail or in person to the office of the District Clerk at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, along with the required signed affidavit by the voter.

AND FURTHER NOTICE

IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk before the close of polls on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received not later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a rule adopted by the Board of Education in accordance with New York Education Law §2035, any referenda or propositions to change the number of Board of Education members, or a bond issue for capital improvements, or any other petition required by law to be stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Election must be filed with the District Clerk at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on February 20, 2025. Any other petition, except those petitions required by law to be stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Election, must be filed with the District Clerk at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, no later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time on March 21, 2025. All such petitions must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the Clerk of the School District; must be signed by at least one hundred (100) qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 100 or 5% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); and must legibly state the name of each signer. However, the Board of Education will not entertain any petition to place before the voters any

proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, nor any proposition or amendment which is contrary to law. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that those voters seeking information regarding this Budget Vote and Election in Spanish should contact the Office of the District Clerk at 516-497-9398.

Jennie L. Padilla

District Clerk of the Board of Education Valley Stream Union Free School District No. Twenty-Four 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York 152495

To Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232

LEGAL NOTICE NOTIFICACIÓN DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA, VOTACIÓN DE PRESUPUESTO Y ELECCIÓN DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE UNIDO VALLEY STREAM VEINTICUATRO CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD Y CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que el 7 de mayo de 2025 a las 7:30 p.m., hora en vigor, se celebrará una audiencia pública de los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Libre Unido de Valley Stream Veinticuatro la ciudad de Hempstead, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York, en la Escuela William L. Buck en Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, en dicho Distrito, para la transacción de los asuntos autorizados por la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, incluyendo los siguientes puntos.

1. Presentación del documento presupuestario.

2. Diálogo sobre todos los puntos aquí establecidos, que se votarán mediante máquina de votación, en las elecciones que se celebrarán el martes 20 de mayo de 2025, según se expone a continuación.

3. Tramitar cualquier otro asunto que pueda plantearse en la reunión.

Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE que dicha votación y elección se llevará a cabo el martes 20 de mayo de 2025, a las 7h00, hora en vigor, en los edificios escolares ubicados en los distritos que se enumeran a continuación:

Distrito No. 1

Departamento de

Bomberos de Valley Stream

112 South Corona Ave, Valley Stream, Nueva York

Distrito No. 2

Escuela William L. Buck 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York

Distrito No. 3

Escuela Brooklyn Avenue

24 Brooklyn Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York

Distrito No. 4:

Escuela Robert W. Carbonaro

50 Hungry Harbor Road, Valley Stream, Nueva York en cuyo momento las urnas estarán abiertas de 7h00 a 21h00, hora en vigor, para votar por máquinas de votación sobre los siguientes puntos:

1. Adopción del presupuesto anual del Distrito Escolar para el año fiscal 2025-2026 y la autorización para que la parte necesaria del mismo se recaude mediante impuestos sobre la propiedad imponible del Distrito.

2. Elección de tres (3) miembros de la Junta de Educación para un período de tres (3) años a partir del 1 de julio de 2025 hasta el 30 de junio de 2028, como se detalla a continuación: a. Un (1) miembro de la Junta de Educación por un mandato de tres (3) años para suceder a John Maier, cuyo mandato finaliza el 30 de junio de 2025; b. Un (1) miembro de la Junta de Educación por un período de tres (3) años para suceder a Kimberly Wheeler, cuyo mandato finaliza el 30 de junio de 2025; c. Un (1) miembro de la Junta de Educación por un período de tres (3) años para suceder a Markus Wilson, cuyo mandato finaliza el 30 de junio de 2025; 3. SE DEBERÁ [autorizar] el presupuesto de gastos propuesto del Distrito Escolar Libre Unido de Valley Stream Veinticuatro, ciudad de Hempstead, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York para el año 2025 -2026 por un monto de $41,242,480 y para los propósitos que se muestran en la declaración del mismo presentada en la reunión anual, que la suma se recaude a través de un gravamen sobre la propiedad imponible en el Distrito Escolar Libre Unido de Valley Stream

Veinticuatro, después de deducir primero el dinero de la ayuda estatal y otras fuentes, según lo dispuesto por la ley.

4. SE DEBERÁ autorizar a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre Unido de Valley Stream Veinticuatro a apropiarse y a gastar la cantidad máxima de $850,000 de los Fondos de Reserva de Capital 2018 y 2024 establecidos con el propósito de llevar a cabo mejoras de capital como sigue: acceso y alarmas de control de puertas en todo el Distrito, reemplazo y reparaciones de techos en todo el Distrito, renovaciones de tres (3) aulas en todo el Distrito; todo lo anterior cubriendo la mano de obra, materiales, equipos y costos incidentales.

5. SE DEBERÁ aprobar el presupuesto propuesto de gastos del Distrito Central de Secundaria de Valley Stream, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York para el año 20252026 por un monto de $166,848,681 y la suma que se recaude a través de un gravamen sobre la propiedad imponible en el Distrito Central de Secundaria de Valley Stream, después de deducir primero el dinero de la ayuda estatal y otras fuentes, según lo dispuesto por la ley.

6. SE DEBERÁ autorizar a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Central de Secundaria de Valley Stream Veinticuatro a apropiarse y gastar la cantidad máxima de $4,500,000 como sigue del saldo de fondos con el propósito de llevar a cabo las mejoras capitales como sigue: restauración de la ribera sur de Valley Stream, renovación de las oficinas del distrito y renovación de las aulas. Todo lo anterior cubriendo la mano de obra, materiales, equipos, aparatos y costos incidentales.

7. SE DEBERÁ autorizar a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Central de Secundaria de Valley Stream a adquirir por compra esa cierta propiedad real y mejoras conocidas como 10 Fifth Street, Valley Stream, Nueva York, ubicada en la ciudad de Hempstead, Nueva York, Section 39 Block 27 Lot 4-7 & 418, a un costo que no exceda los $ 6,400,000,

y dicha suma se apropia por la presente con cargo al Fondo de Reserva de Capital del Distrito establecido el 15 de mayo de 2018 y el saldo de fondos no apropiados.

Y SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS POR LA PRESENTE que las peticiones de nominación de candidatos para el cargo de Miembro de la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre Unido de Valley Stream Veinticuatro deberán presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito de dicho Distrito Escolar en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, a más tardar el 21 de abril de 2025, entre las 9h00 y las 17h00, hora en vigor. Todas las peticiones de nominación deben estar firmadas por al menos veinticinco (25) votantes cualificados del Distrito (que representen el mayor número de 25 votantes cualificados o el 2% del número de votantes que votaron en la elección anual anterior); deben indicar el nombre y la residencia de cada firmante, y deben indicar el nombre y la residencia del candidato. Cada petición deberá ser dirigida al Secretario del Distrito y deberá describir la vacante específica para la cual el candidato es nominado. Cada vacante de la Junta de Educación que deba cubrirse se considerará una vacante específica independiente. Una petición de nominación puede ser rechazada por la Junta de Educación si el candidato no es elegible para el cargo o declara su falta de voluntad para servir. Los formularios para las peticiones de nominación pueden obtenerse en la oficina del Superintendente de Escuelas en la Escuela William L. Buck en Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York y en la oficina del Secretario de Distrito de dicho Distrito Escolar. Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE que se requiere el registro personal de votantes de conformidad con la Ley de Educación de Nueva York §2014 o de conformidad con el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York. Si un votante se ha registrado hasta ahora de conformidad con la Ley de Educación de Nueva York §2014 y ha votado en cualquier reunión anual o

especial del distrito en los últimos cuatro (4) años calendario, dicho votante es elegible para votar en esta elección; si un votante está registrado y es elegible para votar de conformidad con el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York, dicho votante también es elegible para votar en esta elección. Todas las demás personas que deseen votar deberán inscribirse. La Junta de Registro se reunirá con el propósito de registrar a todos los votantes calificados del Distrito de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2014 en la Escuela William L. Buck, el 12 de mayo de 2025 a las 17h30, hora en vigor, para agregar nombres adicionales a los Registros que se utilizarán en la Votación y Elección Presupuestaria antes mencionada, momento en el cual cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dichos Registros, siempre que en dicha reunión de la Junta de Registro se sepa o se pruebe a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro que tiene derecho a votar en ese momento o posteriormente en la Votación y Elección Presupuestaria para la cual se preparan los Registros. Los Registros así preparados de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2014 se archivarán en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar en el Edificio de Administración, ubicado en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, y estarán abiertos a la inspección de cualquier votante calificado del Distrito a partir del jueves 15 de mayo de 2025, entre las 9h00 y las 15h00, los días laborables y todos los días anteriores al día fijado para la Votación y Elección del Presupuesto, excepto los domingos o días festivos, y los sábados con cita previa, y en los colegios electorales el día de la Votación y Elección del Presupuesto. Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE que, de conformidad con la Ley de Educación de Nueva York §2014, la Junta de Registro se reunirá el martes 20 de mayo de 2025, en los respectivos lugares de votación entre las 7h00 y las 21h00, hora en vigor, para preparar el Registro del Distrito Escolar que se

utilizará en la reunión y elección anual que se celebrará en 2026 y en cualquier reunión especial que pueda celebrarse después de la preparación de dicho Registro, en cuyo momento cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de la Junta de Registro se sepa o se demuestre a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro que tiene derecho a votar en ese momento o posteriormente en la reunión o elección escolar para la que se prepara dicho Registro. Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE que los votantes calificados con discapacidades que busquen información sobre el acceso a los lugares de votación pueden, antes del día de la votación, comunicarse con el Secretario del Distrito al 516-497-9398 para obtener información sobre la accesibilidad.

Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE que a partir de los siete (7) días inmediatamente anteriores a la audiencia pública sobre el presupuesto del 7 de mayo de 2025, cualquier residente del Distrito podrá solicitar revisar una copia del presupuesto propuesto presentándose en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York. Además, cualquier residente del Distrito puede obtener una declaración de los gastos estimados para el año siguiente durante los catorce (14) días inmediatamente anteriores a dicha elección en el sitio web del distrito escolar www. valleystreamschooldist rict24.org, en la Biblioteca Conmemorativa Henry Waldinger durante su horario normal de atención, ubicada en 60 Verona Place, Valley Stream, Nueva York, en la Administración del Distrito Escolar, en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York y en cada uno de los siguientes edificios escolares en los que se imparten clases entre las 9h00 y 16h00, hora en vigor, excepto sábados, domingos y días festivos:

1. Escuela Brooklyn Avenue situada en 24 Brooklyn Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York;

2. Escuela William

L. Buck situada en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream Nueva York; y 3. Escuela Robert W. Carbonaro situada en 50 Hungry Harbor Road, Valley Stream Nueva York.

Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE, que de conformidad con la Ley de Impuestos sobre Bienes Inmuebles Sección 495, el Distrito Escolar debe adjuntar a su proyecto de presupuesto un informe de exención. Dicho informe de exención, que también formará parte del presupuesto final, mostrará qué parte del valor total tasado en la lista final de tasaciones utilizada en el proceso presupuestario está exento de impuestos, enumerará cada tipo de exención concedida, identificada por autoridad estatutaria, y mostrará: (a) el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención, expresado en dólares o en porcentaje del valor catastral total del padrón; (b) el importe acumulado que se espera recibir de los beneficiarios de cada tipo de exención como pagos en lugar de impuestos u otros pagos por servicios municipales; y (c) el impacto acumulado de todas las exenciones concedidas. El informe de exenciones se publicará en cualquier tablón de anuncios que mantenga el Distrito para avisos públicos y en cualquier sitio web que mantenga el Distrito.

Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE, que las solicitudes de voto en ausencia y voto anticipado por correo podrán obtenerse durante el horario escolar en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a partir del 21 de abril de 2025. De conformidad con la Ley de Educación §§ 2018-a y 2018-e, el Secretario del Distrito no podrá recibir solicitudes completas de boletas para voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado antes de los treinta (30) días previos a la elección, y el Secretario del Distrito deberá recibirlas al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la boleta se enviará por correo al votante, o el día anterior a la elección, si la boleta se entregará personalmente al votante o al agente designado en la solicitud de boleta para voto en ausencia o por correo

Public Notices

anticipado. El Secretario del Distrito debe recibir las papeletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado no más tarde de las 17h00, hora en vigor, del martes 20 de mayo de 2025. Una lista de las personas a quienes se emitieron las boletas para votantes ausentes y una lista de todas las personas a quienes se emitieron las boletas para votantes por correo anticipado estarán a disposición de los votantes calificados del Distrito para su inspección en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a partir del jueves 15 de mayo de 2025, entre las 9h00 y 16h00 los días laborables anteriores al día fijado para la elección anual y el sábado 17 de mayo de 2025, con cita previa llamando al Secretario del Distrito al 516-4979398 y el martes 20 de mayo de 2025, día fijado para la elección. Cualquier votante calificado puede, al examinar dichas listas, presentar una impugnación por escrito de las calificaciones como votante de cualquier persona cuyo nombre aparezca en dichas listas, indicando las razones de dicha impugnación. Dicha impugnación escrita será transmitida por el Secretario del Distrito o una persona designada por la Junta de Educación a los inspectores electorales el día de las elecciones.

Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA

POR LA PRESENTE, que los votantes militares que actualmente no están registrados pueden solicitar registrarse como votante calificado del Distrito Escolar Libre Unido de Valley Stream Veinticuatro solicitando y devolviendo una solicitud de registro al Secretario del Distrito en persona, o por correo electrónico a districtclerk@vs24.org o fax enviado al 516256-0163. La solicitud de inscripción puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar para recibir la solicitud de inscripción por correo, fax o correo electrónico. Los formularios de solicitud de inscripción de votantes militares deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17h00 del 24 de abril de 2025.

Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA

POR LA PRESENTE, que los votantes militares que sean votantes

calificados del Distrito Escolar Libre Unido de Valley Stream Veinticuatro pueden solicitar una solicitud de papeleta militar al Secretario del Distrito y devolver dicha solicitud de papeleta militar al Secretario del Distrito en persona, o por correo electrónico a districtclerk@vs24.org o fax enviado al 516256-0163. Para que a un votante militar se le emita una papeleta militar, debe recibirse una solicitud válida de papeleta militar en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17h00 del 24 de abril de 2025. Las solicitudes de boleta militar recibidas de conformidad con lo anterior se procesarán de la misma manera que una solicitud de boleta no militar en virtud de la Sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación. La solicitud de papeleta militar puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar de recibir la papeleta militar por correo, fax o correo electrónico. La solicitud original de boleta militar y la boleta militar del votante militar deben devolverse por correo o en persona a la oficina del Secretario del Distrito en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, junto con la declaración jurada firmada requerida por el votante.

Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA

POR LA PRESENTE, que las boletas militares serán escrutadas si son recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el martes 20 de mayo de 2025, mostrando una marca de cancelación del Servicio Postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o mostrando un endoso fechado de recibo por otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o recibidas a más tardar a las 17h00 del martes 20 de mayo de 2025 y firmada y fechada por el votante militar y un testigo de la misma, con una fecha que se compruebe que no sea posterior al día anterior a la elección.

Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA

POR LA PRESENTE, que, de conformidad con una norma adoptada por la Junta de Educación de acuerdo con la Ley de Educación de Nueva York §2035, cualquier referendo o proposición para cambiar el número de miembros de la Junta de Educación,

o una emisión de bonos para mejoras capitales, o cualquier otra petición que la ley requiera que se indique en el Aviso de Reunión

Anual y Elección debe presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, a más tardar a las 17h00, hora en vigor, el 20 de febrero de 2025. Cualquier otra petición, excepto aquellas peticiones que la ley exige que se indiquen en el Aviso de Asamblea Anual y Elección, deberá presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, a más tardar a las 17h00, hora en vigor, del 21 de marzo de 2025. Todas estas peticiones deben estar escritas o impresas en idioma inglés; deben estar dirigidas al Secretario del Distrito Escolar; deben estar firmadas por al menos cien (100) votantes cualificados del Distrito (representando el mayor de 100 o el 5% del número de votantes que votaron en la elección anual anterior); y deberá indicar de forma legible el nombre de cada firmante. Sin embargo, el Consejo de Educación no admitirá ninguna petición para presentar a los votantes una proposición cuyo objeto no esté dentro de las facultades de los votantes para determinar, ni ninguna propuesta o enmienda que sea contraria a la ley.

Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE que aquellos votantes que busquen información con respecto a esta Votación Presupuestaria y Elección en español deben comunicarse con la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito al 5164979398.

Jennie L. Padilla Secretaria del Distrito de la Junta de Educación Distrito Escolar Libre Unido de Valley Stream Veinticuatro 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York 152497

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE OF CIM TRUST 2022-NR1, Plaintiff, vs. DONNA DEMARINIS

A/K/A DONNA A.

DEMARINIS, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 18, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 13, 2025 at 3:30 p.m., premises known as 1-A Farnum Street, Lynbrook, NY 11563. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 42, Block 211-01 a/k/a 21101 and Lots 3-5. Approximate amount of judgment is $611,475.72 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #614931/2023.

Chester H. Greenspan, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 230647-1 152830

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS

MALVERNE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT WINDOW

REPLACEMENT RE-BID AT MALVERNE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL SED NO. 28-02-12-03-0001-026

Notice is hereby given that SEALED PROPOSALS for:

MALVERNE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT WINDOW

REPLACEMENT RE-BID AT MALVERNE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL SED# 2802-12-03-0-001-026

CONTRACT G - GENERAL CONSTRUCTION WORK

Will be received until 10:00 AM on May 5, 2025 at the Administrative Office of the Malverne Union Free School District, Attention: Dan Balzan, Assistant Superintendent for Management Services, located at 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Complete digital sets of Bidding Documents, drawings, and specifications, may be obtained online beginning April 14,

2025 as a download at the following website: melville.h2mplanroom. com Complete sets of Bidding Documents, Drawings and Specifications, may be obtained from REVplans, 28 Church Street, Unit 7, Warwick, NY 10990 Tel: 1-845-651- 3845, upon depositing the sum of $100 (One Hundred Dollars) for each combined set of documents. Checks or money orders shall be made payable to Malverne Union Free School District. Plan deposit is refundable in accordance with the terms in the Instructions to Bidders to all submitting bids. Any bidder requiring documents to be shipped shall make arrangements with the printer and pay for all packaging and shipping costs.

Please note REVplans (melville.h2mplanroom. com) is the designated location and means for distributing and obtaining all bid package information. Only those Contract Documents obtained in this manner will enable a prospective bidder to be identified as an official plan holder of record. The Provider takes no responsibility for the completeness of Contract Documents obtained from other sources. Contract Documents obtained from other sources may not be accurate or may not contain addenda that may have been issued.

All bid addenda will be transmitted to registered plan holders via email and will be available at melville. h2mplanroom.com. Plan holders who have paid for hard copies of the bid documents will need to make the determination if hard copies of the addenda are required for their use, and

coordinate directly with the printer for hard copies of addenda to be issued. There will be no charge for registered plan holders to obtain hard copies of the bid addenda.

Bids must be made in the standard proposal form in the manner designated therein and as required by the Specifications that must be enclosed in sealed envelopes bearing the name of the job and name and address of the bidder on the outside, addressed to:

MALVERNE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, clearly marked on the outside: Bid For: Window Replacement Re-Bid at Malverne Senior High School.

Each proposal submitted must be accompanied by a certified check or bid bond, made payable to the MALVERNE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the total amount of the bid, as a commitment by the bidder that, if its bid is accepted, it will enter into a contract to perform the work and will execute such further security as may be required for the faithful performance of the contract. Certification of bonding company is required for this bid, see Instructions for Bidders section. Each bidder shall agree to hold his/ her bid price for fortyfive (45) days after the formal bid opening. A pre-bid meeting and walk thru is scheduled for April 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM. Potential bidders are asked to gather at the main entrance, at which time they will be directed to the areas of work. This meeting is not mandatory; however, it is highly recommended that all potential bidders attend.

It is the Board’s intention and it reserves its right to award the

contract to the lowest responsible qualified bidder, providing the required security who, to the Board’s satisfaction, meets the experience, technical, budget and all specification requirements and has references and responses from references that are deemed acceptable by the Board. The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids, or portions thereof, or alternates, or alternatives, to waive any informality and to accept such bids, or portions thereof, or alternates, or alternatives which, in the opinion of the Board, are in the best interests of the School District.

Board of Education Malverne Union Free School District 301 Wicks Lane Malverne, New York 11565 152942

and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M. 195/25. NR EAST ROCKAWAY - Anthony Cooper, Variance, average front yard setback, construct portico attached to dwelling., W/s Hewlett Point Ave., 275.83’ S/o North Blvd., a/k/a 7 Hewlett Point Ave. ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in East Rockaway within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny. gov/509/Board-ofAppeals

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 04/23/2025 at 9:30 A.M. to consider the following applications

The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny. gov/576/LiveStreaming-Video Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it. 152957

6:30

EMPLOYMENT

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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

Senior Technician (Test & Balance Engineer) wanted in East Rockaway, NY. Conduct air & hydronic syst testing of mechan'l systs. Identify & diagnose issues, incl airflow, temperature control, & pressure differentials. Manage small to mid-size projects w/ min supervision. Req Bachelor's in Engineering, Construction Management, Technology, or rltd. $74,027/yr. Apply by mail: B&L Testing and Balancing, LLC, 1 Maxwell St, Ste D, East Rockaway, NY 11518.

The Metro Group, Inc. is seeking an experienced Project Manager in the Long Island City, NY area. Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree or foreign degree equivalent in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering + one (1) yr wrk exp in electrical systems, supervisory roles in project management of electrical projects, Microsoft Office: Outlook/Word/Excel, knowledge of Project Manager software. Salary: $136,500. The Metro Group, Inc. is a drug-free environment & an EEO employer. Apply at https://metrogroupinc.com.

Business/Opportunities

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CONDOMINIUM FOR SALE! 55+ Senior Living, 2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bathrooms, Galley Style Kitchen w/Stainless Steel Appliances, Granite Counters, Washer/Dryer, Utility Room, New Water Heater, 1 Parking Spot, Storage Area and Community Room in Basement. 2 Blocks from LIRR, Walk to Shopping and Dining. Low taxes, Low Monthly Maintenance. Must See! Priced to Sell. Photos on Internet. Call Craig For More Information. 516-784-2401

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EAre triple-pane win- dows worth it?

Q. We’re planning to replace our old windows, and are doing research online to make sure we make the right decision. I saw that there’s an option for “triple pane” windows instead of double panes. It appears to be much more money, but the writer of one article says it’s well worth it. Are you familiar with triple panes, do we need permits to change our windows and is it worth the expense? We’ve lived in our current home for five years and plan to be here for the rest of our lives, hopefully a long time, while we raise our family. What do you think?

A. I could simply say that you get what you pay for, but I’m certain you need more of an explanation, since you’ve taken the time to investigate and educate yourself. In your investigation, I’m sure you saw engineering data, lots of comparative numbers and U-values, the rating acronym for glass unit values. The lower the U-value, the better the insulating value of the glass.

Because the majority of heat or cool transmission or loss of energy is through the windows, while the walls, floor and roof are more insulated, it’s most important to do something to prevent losing all that energy you’re paying to create. Whether it’s your air conditioning or your heat, the outside of your house, referred to simply as the “envelope,” is of critical importance to insulate, especially with ever-rising energy prices. While most building departments don’t require a permit for changing out the windows “in kind,” meaning in the same size and location, some will require a permit for any little thing, like sanding your floors or adding closets, and I’m not kidding, so it’s best to check their rules online, or call your local building department directly.

Another thing to be aware of is that changing windows can trigger fire safety escape rules, referred to as egress windows, and most up-anddown, or double-hung colonial windows don’t meet the requirement if you don’t have at least one window in every habitable room with a size of 5.7 square feet. The window must have a clear escape opening of 20 inches in width and a minimum height of clear opening of 24 inches. Remember that a large fire rescuer must be able to save you.

Triple pane is a great value, because you’re always losing costly energy, so the return on investment, especially if this is your long-term home, makes it well worth it. Windows lose the most energy at the edges, so the type of gasket joining the windows to the frame is critical. The most effective frames have insulation blocking, not just a thermal break in the frame. A thermal break is usually a thin gasket between the outside and inside frames. Adding insulation, instead of leaving open air spaces in the frame, saves more energy, so it’s important to look for.

© 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,

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Town needs a proven tax cutter who will keep us safe

Long Island families are getting crushed by high taxes, and homeowners need a proven tax cutter in the Hempstead town supervisor’s office, as well as someone who knows how to keep families safe. I’m running for town supervisor because I’ve had enough of high taxes, and I know you have, too.

As a Nassau County legislator, I’ve proven that I can deliver real tax relief. I’ve never voted for a tax increase. In fact, I helped cut county taxes by $70 million. I even helped stopped $150 million in tax hikes, which were included in the previous county executive’s multiyear budget plan. At the same time, I’ve worked hard to make Nassau County the safest county in the United States. I’m running to bring the same taxpayerfriendly approach to the town that I championed in the County Legislature. And I will continue to work with the law enforcement community to keep families safe.

We need leaders who understand that the people aren’t an endless source of

revenue. I believe government must live within its means — just like every hardworking family must. As supervisor, I’ll bring the same fiscal discipline and taxcutting mindset to Town Hall that I embraced in the Legislature, because every dollar wasted is a dollar taken from your family’s wallet.

LBut lower taxes mean nothing if we don’t feel safe in our own neighborhoods. That’s why I’ve made public safety a top priority. I’ve worked to make Nassau the safest county in the country by increasing our police force, providing officers with the latest technology and other resources they need to stop crime, and I fought to reopen a shuttered police precinct.

ower taxes mean nothing if we don’t feel safe in our own neighborhoods.

I also stood up to ensure that federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents remain stationed at the Nassau County Correctional Facility, so we can keep dangerous criminals off our streets. I even worked with town officials to provide enhanced police patrols at vulnerable houses of worship on religious holidays. Public safety isn’t political — it’s personal. As supervisor, I’ll continue to fight for strong, well-supported law enforcement in every community.

We also have to take a strong stand against hate and antisemitism, which are sadly on the rise across the region. I’ve worked hand in hand with community leaders and law enforcement to confront these threats head-on. I helped passed the Mask Transparency Act, which stops people from hiding their identity while threatening or intimidating others — because no one should be able to spread hate from behind a mask. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected, no matter their faith, race or background.

Just as important is protecting the character of our communities. I’ve been one of the strongest voices pushing back against Gov. Kathy Hochul’s housing plan, a proposal that would force high-density, city-style apartment housing into our suburban neighborhoods without local input. I believe those decisions belong to our towns and villages — not Albany bureaucrats. As supervisor, I’ll fight to keep that control where it belongs: with the people who actually live here.

I’ve also worked hard to make government more transparent and accessible, launching a weekly e-newsletter to keep residents updated on proposed laws, community events and local ser-

vices. People should know what their government is doing, and have a voice in the process.

Before serving in elective office, I was the chief deputy county clerk, managing over 100 employees and helping to collect $240 million annually for state and local governments. I helped write legislation to waive fees for Superstorm Sandy victims, because I believe government should step up in times of crisis, not make things more difficult.

But what drives me most is my family. My wife, Maryellen, and I are raising our kids just two doors down from the house where I grew up. We’re active in our church, our schools and our community. I’m a lector at St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church, and a proud member of the Levittown Kiwanis, the local Chamber of Commerce, the Knights of Columbus and the Sons of Italy, and I’ve coached Little League, too. This isn’t just where I live — it’s home. And I want it to be a place where our kids can build their futures.

We need leadership that listens, that fights for taxpayers, that puts safety first and protects the neighborhoods we love. That’s the kind of supervisor I’ll be.

John Ferretti, who represents Nassau County’s 15th Legislative District, is the Republican candidate for Town of Hempstead supervisor.

We need leadership that puts people before politics

over two decades ago, I stood in the sands of Iraq, uncertain if I would give my life, or be forced to take one. That kind of experience leaves a permanent imprint. I’m a Marine combat veteran — one of the fewer than 1 percent who have borne the weight of war. Leadership, pain, purpose and sacrifice have shaped every fiber of who I am — and that’s why I’m running for Town of Hempstead supervisor.

I was raised by small-business owners who taught me the value of hard work, loyalty and grit. Military service runs in our family. My great-grandfather served in World War II. When times got tough, my twin brother and I enlisted. Thanks to the GI Bill, I became one of the first Scianablos to earn a college degree, and I never anticipated how deeply the military would shape my view of public service.

I deployed around the world — East Timor, Eritrea and Iraq — where I witnessed hardship and resilience. I saw children with rifles, families begging for help and communities torn apart. It reaffirmed a belief I’ve always held: People everywhere want safety, dignity and a chance at a better life. I knew then, and I know now, that I want to be a force for good.

As a Marine sergeant, I led young men into war. I carried their fears, their families’ hopes and their safety on my shoulders. I also witnessed the cost of failed leadership — Marines pushed to the edge, civilians caught in crossfire, promises broken. Those memories still drive me to lead with purpose and compassion.

thy and with a multidisciplinary approach. After a routine call led to multiple injuries and three surgeries, I was medically retired.

R eal leadership under real pressure — my experience — is what’s needed.

After the Marines, I joined the New York City Police Department. As a police officer, I had the privilege of learning firsthand about the issues affecting our communities. When I saw the impact of domestic violence, I became a Domestic Violence Officer, working to support victims with empa-

That unexpected turn became a blessing. I became a single father to the most beautiful little girl and dived into community life, serving as a Girl Scout troop leader and coaching soccer and softball. I worked with veterans through Battle Buddies, and helped open the first veterans museum, donating personal artifacts that are still on display today.

When my daughter entered middle school, I followed my passion and went to law school. Later I served as a prosecutor in the Queens district attorney’s office, focusing on protecting victims of domestic violence. Representing the people was among my most humbling and meaningful roles.

Now I see a new battlefield, in our own backyard. Seniors are struggling, veterans are overlooked, small businesses are drowning in red tape and taxpayers are fed up with inefficiency. Peo-

ple in this town are hurting. When asked how I could help, I realized that my experience — real leadership under real pressure — was exactly what was needed. I’ve never walked away from serving, and won’t start now.

On Day One, I’ll launch a full audit of the town’s finances and departments, because transparency is the only option. I’ll begin assembling a task force to address our crumbling infrastructure, focusing on underserved neighborhoods that have been ignored for far too long. I’ll kick off a public safety and community trust initiative, uniting law enforcement and local leaders to rebuild confidence and cooperation.

I’m running for supervisor because I believe we deserve better. We need leadership that puts people before politics. I’ve led Marines through war, protected the vulnerable, and brought calm amid chaos. The Town of Hempstead is worth fighting for. Let’s fix what’s broken, and build something better together.

Joseph K. Scianablo, the Democratic candidate for Hempstead town supervisor, is a Marine combat veteran, a former New York City police officer and a former prosecutor.

JoHn FERRETTi

JosEpH K. sCiAnABLo

opinions Ed Kranepool was the real Mr. Met

The Major League Baseball season is well underway. It’s been three weeks since the first pitch was thrown amid all the festivities of Opening Day. As a Brooklyn Dodgers fan since my youth, until they were hijacked from us to Los Angeles, and as a Mets fan since their creation in 1962, baseball has always been a major part of my life.

Love of the game was imparted to me by my father, and it’s something I share with my son and grandson. Whether it’s watching a Mets, Yankees or Long Island Ducks game or going to a local Little League game in Wantagh or Seaford, baseball definitely transcends generations.

What made this year’s Mets opening day more meaningful to me was the tribute to Mets legend Ed Kranepool, who died last year. To honor him, Mets players will wear a patch on their uniform sleeve emblazoned with his number 7 all season.

Kranepool was more than a guy who happened to play for the Mets. In so

many ways, he personified what New York baseball was all about. He was the real Mr. Met. Born and raised in the Bronx, he was signed by the Mets when he graduated from high school in 1962, and at age 17 actually played for them in their first season.

iKranepool went on to play 18 seasons, appearing in more games than anyone in Mets history. His career included the peaks and valleys of Mets history. In the team’s first seven years, they didn’t have one winning season. Their horrific 1962 campaign, when they set the major league record for most losses, prompted Jimmy Breslin’s famous book “Can’t Anybody Here Play This Game?”

n so many ways, he personified what New York baseball was all about.

But then, in 1969, the “Miracle Mets” shocked the baseball world by winning the World Series. Kranepool, who had suffered and persevered through the dark days, was not only playing on a championship team, but smashed a key home run off the Baltimore Orioles in Game 3 of the Series. And in 1973 he was the team captain when the Mets won the National league championship and, in the World Series, took the mighty Oakland A’s to seven games. Throughout his career, Kranepool

remained a New Yorker, living in Nassau and Suffolk counties and opening a celebrated restaurant, the Dugout, in Amityville. He was also a fixture at countless Little League, charity and community events all over Long Island, and hosted batting and fielding clinics for kids.

Through the rest of his life after he retired from baseball, Kranepool suffered from diabetes and kidney disease, which progressively worsened, necessitating a toe amputation. Never once, though, did I hear him complain or bemoan his fate. After several false starts, he underwent a successful kidney transplant in 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Mets’ miracle season.

Though I was a fan of his from day one, I got to know Kranepool about 10 years ago. He was always a great guy to be with, whether at sports events or at lunch with friends. I particularly looked forward to and always enjoyed lunches with Ed, his Mets teammate Art Shamsky and former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Fred Cambria.

It was a terrific experience just to sit and listen to their stories. What struck me the most was that none of them talk-

ed about their own heroics. It was always the other guy. So very different from so many of today’s ego-driven athletes. And I’ll always remember that Kranepool was one of the very first to call me after I had successfully stomach cancer surgery two years ago.

He died last September, from cardiac arrest apparently brought on by the years of diabetes and kidney disease that preceded the kidney transplant. His death was mourned by generations of New York baseball fans.

I focus on Kranepool here because he personified, for me, what baseball in particular and sports in general should be all about, and how they can be lessons for life. Give it your best shot in good times and bad. Don’t panic or complain when life takes a bad turn, or be arrogant when things break your way and you’re on top of the heap.

I think those lessons are especially relevant today, when too many parents put too much pressure on kids to win, forgetting the admonition that it’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game. If you play hard and give it your best shot, you’ll be a winner in life, no matter what the scoreboard says.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

America could really use a few honest words

Words, words and more words. Everything we do every day is connected to the use of words and their meaning. Shakespeare’s Hamlet spends a lot of time complaining about words. In “My Fair Lady,” Eliza Doolittle expresses her frustration with excess talking and her desire for action.

I relate the use of words to the political arena, where I spent a great deal of my life. In our history books, public officials gain notoriety by using memorable words.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt soothed a fearful nation with promises that America would go to war and win it. Great Britain’s prime minister, Winston Churchill, lacking enough troops and ammunition, uplifted his nation with his brilliant use of words. If I asked you to remember some of the greatest words from President Ronald Reagan, you might say, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” President

Bill Clinton was believable when he told the voters that he felt their pain. President Barack Obama was elected on the promise of change.

President Trump has used the word “tariff” with enormous frequency, but after major drops in the markets, even he may temporarily realize that the word is toxic.

TThis month’s economic crisis is a good example of how politicians fail to talk to the average consumer in simple terms. When the stock market takes a dramatic plunge, stockholders and pensioners get nervous about their long-term economic fate. Over the past few weeks, there wasn’t one person who consistently crafted a message that could soothe the millions of people who were on edge.

but he may not be the right person to talk to the American public, because he is known to change his mind often, and has already said so.

Most people don’t understand how pure partisan politics emerges when there are complex fiscal headaches and multiple talking heads.

he Wall Street crisis may be on hold, but does the White House have a plan?

An example of the confusion is the back-and-forth between Elon Musk and Peter Navarro, the president’s voice on tariffs. Recently Musk referred to Navarro as being “dumber than a sack of bricks.” Navarro referred to Musk as a “car assembler.” If these two people are supposed to be the economic face of the administration, which one should the public trust?

To add to the boiling pot, there’s Vice President J.D. Vance, who has found ways to throw dynamite into a Washington crowd. While his boss is trying to find a working strategy against Chinese tariffs, Vance, who comes from so-called hillbilly country, said, “We borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture.” China is our Number 2 lender. With all these crazy intra-party fights going on, one would think the Democrats would be delighting in the bloodbath. Instead, they seem to be suffering from some kind of vocal paralysis, and are unable to find a few key players to articulate the case that the MAGA party is floundering. The United States is currently in a state of total confusion, thanks to the confusing words coming from the Republicans and the silence of the Democratic lambs.

The Wall Street crisis may be on hold, but there are no assurances that the White House has a real long-term plan. One of the underlying problems right now is that there are no assurances that anyone will emerge who will be a credible voice, able to keep the nation calm. The president has promised to negotiate with multiple nations on trade issues,

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is widely respected on Wall Street, but at the height of last week’s turmoil in the markets he was telling us that “things are going to be just fine.”

This should be alarming to all Americans, because it appears there’s no one person who is capable of uttering the words that investors need to keep their collective blood pressure under control.

For now, we’ll have to hope that the country doesn’t free-fall into a recession. We could use a few words from somebody out there who’s never heard of Pinocchio.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.

HERALD

Earth

Day isn’t just a date. It’s a turning point.

april 22 might not jump out on your calendar like a holiday or a long weekend, but maybe it should. On Earth Day, which has been around for over 50 years, we are urged us to pay attention to the natural world — the land we walk around on, the air we breathe, the oceans that surround us and the future we’re shaping.

And let’s be honest: The future of our environment is looking a little shaky right now.

Extreme weather, rising sea levels, shrinking green spaces — even here in our own communities, we’re feeling the effects. Unseasonal heat waves, water restrictions, and poor air quality brought on by summer wildfires aren’t some abstract global issue. They’re right here at home.

Long Island has at times been a case study of why Earth Day is important.

After Hurricane Sandy, many residents whose homes were flooded had to rebuild, and they aimed to mitigate future damage by raising their homes and, where possible, strengthening bulkheading. Some built seawalls, and in some cases municipalities rebuilt roadways to reduce the impact of flooding.

letters

Heck, yes, judges can overrule presidents

To the Editor:

Despite the evidence that the earth’s climates are changing, however, Earth Day too often comes and goes without much more than a passing mention. That needs to change, because the day isn’t just about planting trees or switching off the lights for an hour. It’s about recognizing the power of collective local action — and that starts with us.

That’s why this Earth Day, we encourage everyone in our communities to show up and get involved. There are countless ways to make a difference, and many of them are happening right in your backyard.

There is an event focused on recycling in Long Beach on April 26, and a celebration of tree planting in Amityville that same day. And there will be a number of beach cleanups, including one in Atlantic Beach on April 27. Last weekend in Lakeview, more than 50 people planted flowers at the train station and collected litter in the business district.

Join a community cleanup at a park or along a river trail. Volunteer with a local conservation group. Support farmers markets and businesses that use sustainable practices. Start a compost bin. Cut back on single-use plastics. Attend a

town council meeting and ask about green initiatives. Plant something — even if it’s just one flower or herb on your windowsill.

The point isn’t to do it all. It’s to do something.

And when a bunch of people do something together, momentum builds. The ripple effect is real. Small acts pile up into cultural shifts. And when those shifts start to take root in towns like ours, they grow into the kind of broad environmental awareness that leads to lasting policy, cleaner spaces and stronger communities.

Let’s move past the idea that one person can’t make a difference. You can. You do. And when you team up with a few friends, a group, or a neighborhood? That’s how change begins.

So don’t let Earth Day pass by like just another date on the calendar. Take a moment to step outside and look around. And then, do one thing for the Earth. Just one.

Because the more we treat this planet like it matters, the more likely we can preserve everything about it that we know and love. Next Tuesday, let’s do more than acknowledge Earth Day. Let’s take it personally.

In her letter in last week’s issue, “Why so much opposition to the president?” Pat King asked a question that demands a response. “Can judges overrule the president of the United States?”

The answer, of course, is not only yes, but it’s their responsibility to do so when the president goes beyond the scope of the law. The day judges can no longer do that, or choose not to, is the day democracy ends. Hundreds of our judges are now being threatened with harm to themselves and their families for upholding their oaths to defend the constitutional requirement to check presidential and legislative power.

What follows the rule of law is the rule of predation and fear, and that’s why there is so much opposition to this would-be tyrant.

BrIAN KELLY Rockville Centre

D’Esposito will fit right in in

wasteful Washington

To the Editor:

Former U.S. rep. Anthony D’Esposito seems hell-bent on bringing the Town of Hempstead’s hiring practices to Washington, whether it’s in Congress or as inspector general in the Department of Labor. Hempstead is notorious

for wasting tax dollars on high-salaried political appointments. So of course, former Councilman D’Esposito thought nothing of hiring his mistress and his fiancée’s daughter to work for him in Congress, which, unlike the town, has actual labor laws against such practices. Given the qualifications of all of President Trump’s appointees, however, appointing someone who openly violated labor laws to the position of

inspector general overseeing the Labor Department shouldn’t surprise anyone. And there is no expectation that D’Esposito will investigate waste and abuse in the department.

Not surprisingly, it didn’t take long for D’Esposito to confirm his reputation for labor law abuse. He approved giving the deputy secretary of labor, the man tasked with cutting federal funds to local libraries and museums, 24-hour security detail.

opinions

Misinformation won’t stop N.Y.’s clean-energy progress

assemblyman Ari Brown’s op-ed, “Battery energy storage systems are growing threat,” in the March 27-April 2 issue, wildly misrepresented New York’s efforts to build a cleaner, more affordable and more reliable energy future. As president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, I want to set the record straight. While we do not comment on pending legislation, we will not stand back as Brown spreads blatant misinformation about the state’s clean-energy transition. Our work is based on facts, science and common sense — not the fear-mongering and falsehoods he has chosen to spread.

One of Brown’s most egregious claims is that battery energy storage systems pose an uncontrollable fire hazard and should be banned. This is completely false. BESS technology has been rigorously tested and regulated, and more than 160 gigawatts have been deployed worldwide to strengthen the reliability of our electrical grid. New York, like many other states and countries, follows strict safety protocols and industry best practices to ensure that these systems operate safely.

Are there risks? Of course — just as with any grid infrastructure, battery storage is continually improving, with advancements in fire suppression and monitoring systems. And that’s why, in February, to help improve deployment of safety standards — and potentially influence codes across the country — the New York State Code Council voted to move ahead with new code language recommended by the Inter-Agency Fire Safety Working Group for inclusion in the next edition of the state’s fire code. Most notably, while the updated codes are expected to be adopted later this year, NYSERDA-sponsored energy-storage projects are already contractually required to meet these recommendations.

wBrown also blatantly lied about my own record, falsely claiming that I had voted to ban BESS in my hometown, which necessitated a correction in the Herald. The truth? I never voted on any such measure because I don’t sit on the Town Board, which voted on battery storage.

e’re building a clean, resilient energy future because it’s the right choice.

Rather than acknowledging the reality, Brown cherry-picked incidents without providing full context or recognizing that modern safety features — including remote monitoring, fire detection and ventilation systems — are specifically designed to mitigate risks. He also falsely claimed that BESS facilities require diesel generators for backup, undermining their environmental benefits. That is simply not true. The vast majority of storage projects are designed to integrate seamlessly with renewable-energy sources, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, not increasing it.

Letters

Despite the White House’s claims to the contrary, government spending since Trump’s inauguration is $154 billion more than during the same period last year. Between Trump’s golf days, which have cost taxpayers roughly $30 million since January, and D’Esposito approving unwarranted $2 million security details, the waste and abuse committed by the Trump administration, while taking a chainsaw to agencies that provide critical services, is unconscionable.

This cavalier attitude that our tax dollars are theirs for the taking must stop in Washington, and in Nassau County.

ClAuDIA BORECkY President, Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club

The devil is in the details

To the Editor:

The big things in the Trump administration are so appalling that it’s hard to wrap your mind around them. The little things sometimes fall through the cracks. For example, a friend noted the frequency of the alliterative “trust in

Trump” phrase the White House press secretary keeps slipping into press conferences.

Or the fact that the president of the united States called his own people “yippy” for gasping in horror as their savings plummeted — not to mention watching him manipulate the stock market like a toy.

But I heard something on the news that I found so chilling that I can’t stop thinking about it: In response to a request for evidence for deporting a u.S. resident, Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded in a memo that he can deport anyone he wants. A terrifying message, yes, but I can’t stop thinking about responding with a memo to a judicial request, dismissing not only the request, but the entire judicial system and branch of government. Just waving them away like someone soliciting you to buy something cheap and tawdry. The disdain is breathtaking.

A confluence of events — Trump’s inexplicable popularity and infallibility in the eyes of a great deal of the country; the Republican majority in both the Senate and the House — have allowed Project 2025 not just to come to fruition, but to flourish. We must do something other than watch in horror from the

He also distorted the reality of the Renewable Action Through Project Interconnection and Deployment, or RAPID, Act. Brown portrayed it as an attempt by the state to force energy projects on communities without their input. The reality is that the RAPID Act streamlines permitting processes for major renewable-energy and electric transmission facilities while maintaining critical safeguards, ensuring that clean-energy projects, including battery storage, are deployed responsibly and efficiently. Further, stand-alone BESS projects that are not sited alongside commercial solar or wind are not governed by RAPID and are subject to all local zoning provisions.

Energy infrastructure must be planned holistically, not piecemeal. While local governments are vital partners in this transition, the energy grid is interconnected across counties and regions. New York cannot afford to let misguided information and local opposition dictate the fate of a statewide ener-

gy plan that would benefit millions of New Yorkers.

What Mr. Brown also failed to mention is that energy storage isn’t just safe — it’s smart economics. Battery storage saves New Yorkers money by reducing the need for dirty, expensive power plants, storing cheap, renewable power for use when prices spike and easing congestion on the grid. It boosts reliability by responding instantly to fluctuations in supply and demand, helping prevent outages and blackouts. And it delays the need for costly new infrastructure — like transmission lines and power plants — that ratepayers would otherwise be on the hook for. In short, storage makes our grid cleaner, more reliable and more affordable.

Despite Brown’s misinformation and false claims, New York’s clean-energy plan is already delivering results.

Rather than misleading the public, we need leaders to support policies that protect our environment, strengthen our economy and reduce energy costs. Fear and obstruction won’t move New York forward — only facts, innovation and a commitment to a sustainable future will.

New Yorkers are smart, and we won’t be deterred by alternative facts. We are building a clean, resilient energy future because it’s the right choice for our state, our economy and our communities.

Doreen M. Harris is president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

sidelines as our entire system of government is dismantled before our eyes. Our Founding Fathers may have been imperfect, but they created a brilliant system of government with three equal branches, which both support and check each other, and consequently give the people the power.

If power is consolidated in the executive branch, we will witness the death of democracy. We can’t let the devil — speaking literally and figuratively — win here.

Framework by Tim Baker

At the Lions Club egg hunt at Halls Pond Park — West Hempstead

doreen m. harris

NEllA DAWN CASAlINO Woodmere

Join us on April 23rd at 6pm for a

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Live Q&A with Energy Experts – Ask questions and get real-time answers from PSEG Long Island specialists on how to optimize your energy efficiency efforts.

Michael Voltz, P.E. Director, Energy Efficiency and Renewables