at Lynbrook Village Hall in June, Rep. Laura gillen, center, and georgina Cornago announced the federal push to fund epipens for first responders to carry and administer.
Gio’s Law gets hearing in D.C.
By AINSlEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
Appearing before the House Judiciary Committee last week, Rep. Laura Gillen moved Gio’s Law another step toward becoming federal policy — this time with Giovanni Cipriano’s mother at her side. For more than a decade, Georgina Cornago has pressed lawmakers to ensure that first responders nationwide can carry and administer epinephrine to those who have life-threatening allergic reactions. Her son, Giovanni, a 14-year-old from Lynbrook, died in 2014 after suffering anaphylaxis while help was minutes away. New York has since authorized police officers to carry EpiPens,
but advocates say that access remains inconsistent, expensive and dependent on individual departments’ budgets.
Cornago, visiting Capitol Hill for the first time on Nov. 20, said the moment felt larger than anything she had imagined after 12 years of work.
“I never would have imagined that it was going to be a national bill,” she said.
Gio’s Law, introduced by Gillen and Republican Long Island Rep. Andrew Garbarino, would create a federal grant program to help law enforcement agencies purchase epinephrine and secure training for officers. Departments nationwide have struggled to afford the devices, which can cost up to $600 per single-use set. The proposal also encour-
Parents react to potential school change
By AINSlEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
The East Rockaway School District is beginning an exploratory review of whether to realign its elementary schools into a K–3 primary building and a 4–6 intermediate building, a configuration commonly referred to as the “Princeton Plan.”
Superintendent James DeTommaso said the proposal is in its earliest stages and emphasized that no decisions have been made.
“We’re in the discussion phase,” DeTommaso said.
la draft proposal with the community for feedback.
Administrators also clarified that middle school transition concerns mentioned elsewhere do not apply to East Rockaway, as sixth graders remain in the elementary schools; therefore, a reconfiguration would not alter the middle school entry point.
et’s make a plan together.
SEAN MuRRAY East Rockaway assistant superintendent
District officials clarified the current enrollment figures, with Rhame Avenue’s 324 students and Centre Avenue’s 255 students. DeTommaso said these numbers prompted renewed interest in evaluating whether resources are being used efficiently.
Assistant Superintendent Sean Murray said the district will first meet with teachers and staff in a committee format over several sessions beginning this week. After the holidays, the district will share
Danielle Vicino, an East Rockaway parent, expressed concerns about the potential impact on families. She dislikes the idea for several reasons, she said, including the added burden on parents who would need to manage drop-off and pick-up at two different schools, the risk of being penalized for lateness due to traffic or parking limitations and the uncertainty of whether the district would provide bus transportation for families who rely on walking.
Vicino said the change could also limit important social time for children.
“After school many children play on the playground helping them socialize and build rela-
Continued on page 10
Ainsley Martinez/Herald
Students share their holiday tips for cooking
With Thanksgiving approaching, Centre Avenue School’s youngest chefs had plenty of ideas about how to prepare the perfect holiday bird.
Kindergartener Antonio Capone, 5, advised starting at the source.
“First go to a barn,” he said. “ Pick a turkey that is brown, medium-sized. Medium-sized is easier to cook. Cook it in a pan on the grill, then let it cool. Eat it on the bone or cut up.”
Classmate Juliette Torres, also 5, preferred a more modern approach. Her plan begins at the supermarket, followed by cooking at home.
“Go home and cook the turkey in a pan with my parents because I do not want to burn myself,” she said. “I would cook it for two minutes.”
—Ainsley
Martinez
Centre Avenue
School kin-
dergartener Antonio Capone, 5, described how he would pick out a medium-sized turkey from a barn and cook it on the grill for
Photos courtesy East Rockaway Public Schools Centre Avenue School kindergartener Juliette Torres, 5, explained how she would shop for ingredients at the supermarket and cook her turkey at home with her parents.
Veterans inducted into Hall of Fame
Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick thanks local heroes, including Lynbrook’s own
By SEAN KENNEDY Correspondent
Pride filled the air at the Elmont Library Theatre as 19 veterans from across Long Island were honored with enshrinement into the New York 9th Senate District’s Veterans Hall of Fame for their military service.
I“To be able to honor you is an honor for me,” said New York State Senator Patricia Canonzeri-Fitzpatrick, addressing the veterans. “It is truly an honor to give back to you, and to show that there are people that appreciate you all.”
t’s about what we continue to do. It’s about keeping the spirit alive in this great country.
ErIc SpINNEr Honoree
CanonzeriFitzpatrick is kin to veterans of different generations. As the daughter of a Korean War veteran and granddaughter of a World War I veteran, Canonzeri-Fitzpatrick made sure to emphasize the importance of each honoree’s service, no matter the time period.
While the 19 honorees served in different wars, tours, and battlefields, two honorees stood out with standing ovations for their work in World War II.
Canonzeri-Fitzpatrick appeared emotional while inducting101-year-old David Marshall, a member of Oceanside Jewish War Veterans Post 717 who served at the Battle of the Bulge and Eleanor Rizzuto, a 104-year-old from Franklin Square, first enlisted in 1942 and served three years as a nurse in the U.S, Army. Both were enshrined into the Veter-
World War II veteran from Franklin Square, who first enlisted in 1942 and served three years as a nurse in the U.S Army.
ans’ Hall of Fame by a visibly emotional.
“It’s very emotional because there are two World War II vets here, which is amazing because there’s not that many left,” Canonzeri-Fitzpatrick said. “This is a really great thing that I’m so proud to be part of.”
For some honorees, it wasn’t about commemorating their service, but also
Veterans honored
■ Dominick Amendola, Lynbrook
■ George Catalanotto, Valley Stream
■ Jerome Leonard ‘Len’ Goldstein, Lynbrook
■ Peter Herzich, Malverne
■ Kevin Hill, Valley Stream
■ James Lambert
■ Ralph Lambiase Sr., Lynbrook
■ Louis Lanzilotta Sr., Cedarhurst
■ Marianela Lizana-Plaza, Valley Stream
■ Leonard ‘Lenny’ Levine, Oceanside
■ David Marshall
■ Frank Morizio Jr., Oceanside
■ Samuel ‘Sammy’ Plaut, Cedarhurst
■ Eleanor Rizzuto, Franklin Square
■ Nicholas Santora, Hewlett
■ Ronald ‘Ron’ Sorrentino, Bellmore
■ Eric Spinner, Oceanside, New Hyde Park
■ Thomas ‘Tom’ Tator, Franklin Square
■ John F. Weiss, Elmont
before joining the New York Army Reserve National Guard in 1965. Sixty years later, Spinner remains active in the veteran community, including as Commander of American Legion Post 144 in Williston Park. But for him, the honor means much more.
“It’s not about me, it’s about what we did,” said Spinner. “It’s about what we continue to do. It’s about keeping the spirit alive in this great country.”
A shared theme shared by the honorees was not only their dedication to their country through service, but their dedication to their local communities in the years afterwards.
“It’s a pleasure being able to recognize these veterans that maybe don’t have the recognition (for what they’ve done), but they’ve gone above and beyond,” said Commander Luke Magliaro, veterans services officer for the Town of Hempstead. “There are a lot of veterans that are out there that do a lot of goodwill, and our job is to bring them together.”
the ability to stand alongside fellow veterans spanning different generations.
“We are all family,” said Eric Spinner, an Army veteran and honoree from New Hyde Park. “Even though we’re not related, we’re all family. We all share the same ideals, and we all have the same love of our country.”
Spinner grew up in Valley Stream
Because of their tremendous sacrifice and dedication to their country and communities, each of the 19 honorees are enshrined into history through their Veterans Hall of Fame status.
“I think it’s really powerful to make sure that (the veterans) know they can still be a valued member of society,” added Canonzeri-Fitzpatrick. “So many of these individuals have done so much. They continue to serve and help other veterans, and that’s really special.”
State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick inducted 19 veterans into her district’s Hall of Fame on Nov. 17, including Eleanor Rizzuto, a 104-year-old
Sean Kennedy/Herald photos
Luke Magliaro, veterans services officer for the Town of Hempstead, addressed the veterans, for going ‘above and beyond’ in their communities and for the United States.
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Elder Law Estate Planning Misconceptions
One of the most common and devastating misconceptions about elder law estate planning is that it is too late to save money from nursing home costs. On the contrary, there are crisis planning tools that may save substantial assets from being spent on nursing home costs, even after the client has already entered the nursing home. Almost always, if there are assets left, much can be saved.
There are only three ways to pay for nursing home costs – your own assets, long-term care insurance (owned by less than five percent of the population), or Medicaid provided by the government.
Many people know about the “five-year look-back period” and assume nothing can be done without advance planning. The five-year look-back rule means that if you gave any gifts away within the last five years, when asking for Medicaid to pay for nursing home costs, the gift amount creates a penalty period, which results in a period of ineligibility for Medicaid coverage. Despite the five-year look-back, New York
law allows people to protect assets from nursing home costs, even without pre-planning. For single applicants, you may be able to save about half of the assets through the “gift and loan” strategy. For married couples, where one spouse needs a nursing home, “spousal refusal” may protect substantial amounts of assets for the spouse at home. These techniques are discussed in detail at trustlaw. com, under “Practice Areas”, then “Medicaid Strategies”.
The five-year look-back rule does not affect eligibility of Medicaid home care, also known as “community” Medicaid. Currently, an applicant may transfer their assets out of their name and still qualify for home care in the next month.
Many assets, such as retirement accounts, rental properties and even the family home in certain cases, are exempt from Medicaid. The bottom line is that if someone you love is in failing health, the sooner you consult an elder law attorney the more you will likely be able to save
Post 335 Commander
Anthony
Samuel presents an award to Lynbrook Fire Department
First Lieutenant
Susan Dominguez for her life-saving efforts, joined by First Assistant Chief
James DiGiambattista and Second Assistant Chief Peter Festa.
News brief
Legion honors first responders
Lynbrook’s American Legion Post 335 honored a village police officer and a fire department EMT for life-saving actions during separate incidents last year at its annual Law and Order Night on Nov. 6 at the VFW hall. Post Commander Anthony Samuel presented the department’s award to First Lt. Susan Dominguez of the Lynbrook Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Company, joined by First Assistant Chief James DiGiambattista and Second Assistant Chief Peter Festa. Lynbrook Police Chief Brian Paladino accepted the Legion’s award on behalf of Police Officer Christopher Lopez, who was out of town. Local and state elected officials also issued citations recognizing the honorees.
On Veterans Day, the community additionally marked a special moment as two veterans from different eras — World War II Marine veteran Dominic Longobardi and Vietnam-era Army veteran Steve Grogan — celebrated their birthdays together at a breakfast hosted by the Lynbrook Police Benevolent Association before the annual ceremony at the Doughboy Monument.
World
■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/lynbrook
—Ainsley Martinez
Courtesy Steve Grogan
War II Marine veteran Dominic Longobardi, left, and Vietnam-era Army veteran Steve Grogan celebrate their birthdays together on Veterans Day at Lynbrook’s VFW breakfast.
Courtesy Bill Marinaccio
International cuisine celebrated at Marion
The diverse cultures and traditions that make up the Lynbrook Schools community were celebrated on Nov. 6 at Marion Street Elementary School for the annual Taste of Marion event.
Dozens of families brought dishes inspired by their cultural roots, which included an array of sweets. Several craft activities were aimed at displaying community spirit, including the community quilt, which will be formed with students’ squares displaying their family’s name, a favorite tradition and meaningful facts about their heritage. Dancers from Layla’s Dance and Drum took to the stage to showcase traditional African dances and invited students up to play instruments.
“Taste of Marion has become a wonderful reminder of how our diversity strengthens our community,” said Principal Theresa Macchia, “and helps our students grow as compassionate, curious global citizens.”
—Ainsley Martinez
Families and friends gathered for the occasion.
Photos courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools
Dozens of families brought dishes to Marion Street Elementary School for the Taste of Marion event on Nov. 6.
Lynbrook High School juniors Melany Acosta and Jasmine Jennings had students design squares for a quilt.
Students were invited on stage to use traditional African instruments.
Independent pharmacies warn of collapse
By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
Howard Jacobson sat in his car outside a Long Island rehab center, holding a box of medication that cost him more than he would be reimbursed to dispense it. The longtime pharmacist, who owns Rockville Centre Pharmacy and West Hempstead Pharmacy, said that moments like this have become routine in an industry he once believed had room for sustainable community care.
For Jacobson, a pharmacist for nearly four decades, the crisis is no longer abstract. It is existential.
Independent pharmacists across New York describe the same pattern: reimbursement rates from pharmacy benefit managers — the middlemen known as PBMs — frequently fall below the cost of the drugs they dispense. PBMs negotiate prices on behalf of insurance plans, adjudicate claims and determine how much pharmacies get paid. But with three companies controlling nearly 90 percent of the national market, pharmacists say they have little leverage.
“They pay me what they want,” Jacobson said. “Many times now they’re paying us below my cost of the medication.”
Jacobson said that as a result, he has cut hours, trimmed staff and subsidized losses out of his own pocket.
On some drugs, he said, the reimbursement rates defy logic. “Yesterday I
did a prescription for 46 cents,” he said. State lawmakers, backed by hundreds of pharmacists, are now pushing the Patient Access to Pharmacy Act, which would establish minimum reimbursement standards for commercial insurance plans and increase oversight of PBMs. Legislators say it mirrors a costplus model that New York’s Medicaid program implemented in 2023, and that independent pharmacies credit with stabilizing state spending.
Assemblywoman Judy Griffin said she had heard the same warnings from
pharmacists in her district for years. “They really have limited incomes, like our seniors,” Griffin said, referring to the patients who rely most heavily on local pharmacies. “Getting the drugs at a cheaper price is really important.”
Griffin is co-sponsoring the bill, which has more than 80 supporters in the Assembly. Pharmacy closures, she said — including dozens on Long Island — have already strained communities that depend on them for guidance, delivery and everyday care. “It’s nice when your pharmacist knows you,” she said.
The bill would set a minimum reimbursement rate tied to the cost of acquiring and dispensing medication, and impose transparency requirements on PBMs and restrict practices that critics say steer patients toward PBMowned mail-order pharmacies or chains.
At a rally last week outside Rockville Centre Pharmacy, Jacobson warned lawmakers plainly: “No business can afford to operate at a loss.”
“We’re offered one-sided contracts, and it’s take it or leave it,” he added. “If you leave it, then not only are you telling your patients you don’t care about them, you’re leaving a network.”
Critics of the bill — including some insurers, employer groups and PBMs — argue that mandating reimbursement floors could increase premiums, reduce negotiating flexibility and drive up pharmaceutical spending. They warn that cost-plus models can weaken market competition, and could ultimately shift financial burdens onto employers and consumers.
CVS Caremark, the PBM owned by CVS Health, did not respond to a request for comment.
Griffin said she sees the legislation as part of a broader effort to protect not just small businesses, but a key piece of the state’s health care infrastructure.
“I am really at my wits’ end on how to keep my business going,” Jacobson said. “I don’t want to concede defeat.”
Courtesy Office Judy Griffin
Assemblywoman Judy Griffin joined dozens of pharmacists at Rockville Centre Pharmacy on Nov. 18 to urge fellow lawmakers to pass the Patient Access to Pharmacy Act.
Be aware of utility scams this holiday season
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
As the holiday season approaches, PSEG Long Island is warning households and businesses to stay alert for a rise in utility impersonation scams that target customers at their most vulnerable moments. With scammers posing as PSEG Long Island employees and other local utilities, many victims are pressured to make immediate payments under the threat of having their power shut off — a tactic that has become increasingly common across Long Island and the Rockaways.
On Utility Scam Awareness Day, Nov. 19, PSEG Long Island urged customers to “Slow Down. Verify. Stop the Scam,” encouraging residents to pause before reacting to any threats involving their electric service.
Lou DeBrino, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of customer operations, said scammers often rely on urgency to blindside their victims. “It may be an advanced digital scam, an in-person scammer or a telephone call, but most scammers try to blindside you with an urgent problem in the hopes that you panic and miss all the clues that they’re not who they appear to be,” he said. “If you are unexpectedly contacted by someone claiming to be from PSEG Long Island and threatening to immediately shut off your power without payment, take a step back and contact PSEG Long Island independently to verify before acting.”
Monica Martinez, executive director of Utilities United Against Scams, said the national theme — “Slow Down, Verify, Stop the Scam” — offers a simple but effective tool to help customers avoid becoming victims.
Many scammers demand payment through outside web-based electronic payment services, prepaid debit cards or even Bitcoin. PSEG Long Island does not accept any of these methods, and a request for payment in such forms is a clear red flag. Scammers often use phone “spoofing” technology so their calls appear to come from PSEG Long Island, and may claim a customer must pay immediately or face disconnection. Others may demand a deposit for a priority meter installation, something the company does not require. If customers receive a suspicious call or email requesting payment, the company urges them to independently contact customer service at (800) 490-0025 before doing anything else. In addition to phone and digital schemes, some scammers have taken their tactics door to door, posing as utility workers and showing fake identification. They may ask for personal information or
FRESH
offer fraudulent discounts. PSEG Long Island employees always carry official identification and must present it when asked. Residents who feel unsafe or pressured during an in-person interaction are encouraged to refuse entry and call 911 if the individual escalates.
Scammers have also created fake websites designed to mimic legitimate utility pages, hoping customers will mistakenly enter payment information. PSEG Long Island’s real website uses the “.com” domain and can be found at psegliny.com. More recently, the utility has warned of fraudulent QR code stickers placed on public electric vehicle charging stations that redirect users to sites requesting personal or financial information. PSEG Long Island does not require customers to engage with its website to activate a public charger.
The utility encourages customers to familiarize themselves with how legitimate representatives handle phone calls.
A real PSEG Long Island employee will only speak with the customer of record, will know the account details, and will not discuss the account if the customer of record is unavailable. The company works with Utilities United Against Scams, which has helped remove more than 14,830 scam-related phone numbers from operation.
More information about current scam trends and prevention tips can be found at PSEGLINY.com/MyAccount/CustomerSupport/ScamAndFraud.
Let us Know
News Brief items including awards, honors, promotions and other tidbits about local residents are welcome. Photographs may be emailed as well. Deadline for submissions is noon Thursday, week prior to publication. Send to execeditor@liherald.com
Courtesy PSEG Long Island Robert Vessichelli, lead investigator with PSEG Long Island Corporate Security, educates seniors about common utility scams.
District explores converting to Princeton Plan
tionships outside of school,” Vicino said.
“Making parents go to numerous schools will take away this time children have to form bonds outside of school hours.”
Rick Deutsch, an East Rockaway resident, described the Princeton Model as a cost-efficiency strategy in which grouping students of the same age in the same building allows districts to avoid duplicating programs, materials, and staffing across multiple elementary schools.
But he noted skepticism about whether it fits the community.
“But parents like to have their children close to home, so the Princeton Model isn’t going to happen in East Rockaway,” he said.
Donna Riese Daly, an East Rockaway parent, highlighted the district’s walkability and her own experience raising children in town, and said parents should feel comfortable with high schoolers walking themselves to class.
“I had two kids at different schools and my son walked to school with his friends, Daly said. “It’s a one mile town.”
DeTommaso said the district will begin working with teachers after the new year, followed by meetings with community members.
“I’ll lay out all the options for the community to see, and they’ll give us feedback,” he said.
East Rockaway, one of Nassau County’s smallest districts with roughly 1,100 students, last examined its building structure more than a decade ago. DeTommaso said the community and its demographics have changed significantly since then, calling the review an opportunity to evaluate what configuration best serves current needs.
“We’re a totally different community than we were in 2012,” he said.
Murray emphasized that the district’s approach differs from prior discussions.
“In the past, the administration went to the community [and] said, this is the plan, and it was outcry,” Murray said. “What we’re doing instead is, these are the ideas. Let’s make a plan together.”
DeTommaso noted that enrollment disparities between the district’s two elementary schools have prompted the discussion.
“What ends up happening is you have to hire staff, and then when you’re hiring staff, that’s more money on the budget, then that’s putting more of a burden on the community,” he said. “But if we could combine resources and split, we have the people here to do it.”
The “Princeton Plan” model, first developed in Princeton, New Jersey, in the 1940s, was initially implemented as a means of addressing racial segregation and equalizing class sizes between schools. The system divides elementary students by grade level rather than neighborhood, typically grouping early grades in one building and upper-elementary grades in another.
the east rockaway school district is reviewing a potential princeton plan configuration to balance enrollment. With 324 students, rhame avenue elementary is larger than Centre avenue elementary, which has 255.
Over time, the approach has been adopted by a number of small and midsized districts across the Northeast, including some on Long Island, as a way to balance enrollment and better allocate resources.
Research on academic outcomes has been mixed. Some studies suggest that intermediate-grade schools can strengthen curriculum alignment and social development, while others find no clear advantage over traditional K–5 or K–6 configurations.
Supporters argue that smaller grade bands allow teachers to specialize in a narrower developmental range and collaborate more effectively. Critics warn that the model may increase school transitions, which some studies associate with academic declines, particularly when transitions occur in sixth or seventh grade.
The district plans to form a committee of educators to study possible effects on instruction, operations and the overall learning environment before
Some parents expressed concerns over transportation between buildings for those who have more than one child in school.
making any recommendations. After the committee’s review, the district will host public forums to share findings and gather feedback before presenting any formal proposal to the board.
While the discussion is still preliminary, DeTommaso said the process will focus on collaboration and transparency.
“We’re talking about it,” he said. “We’ll develop a plan with the teachers and bring it to them, and see what they think, and then try to poke holes in it.”
Courtesy East Rockaway School District
Rejection of NCC leader sparks opposition
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Nassau Community College’s board of trustees and local leaders expressed strong opposition after State University of New York trustees formally rejected the nomination of Maria Conzatti as the college’s next president. The unanimous 12-0 vote on Nov. 14 — the first of its kind in SUNY history — has heightened tensions over governance, autonomy and college leadership.
“SUNY does not comment on personnel issues,” a spokesperson told the Herald. “Community colleges are essential engines of student success and upward mobility, and SUNY is committed to excellent leadership for all of our campuses.”
Jerry Kornbluth, NCC’s vice president of community and governmental relations, called the decision “extremely upsetting,” citing Conzatti’s accomplishments during her tenure. Under her leadership, Kornbluth said, the college eliminated $14 million in debt and increased enrollment by 3 to 7 percent annually. As previously reported in the Herald, NCC also secured full eight-year accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
“Here you have a president who has done everything possible to move the college forward, implementing all the things SUNY would want her to do,”
Kornbluth said. “The board and most of the faculty are fully behind her.”
County Executive Bruce Blakeman also criticized SUNY’s decision. “Once again, SUNY has taken local control away from the suburbs by refusing to confirm the duly selected president, Maria Conzatti, put forth by the Nassau Community College Board of Trustees,” Blakeman stated in a news release.
“This is a slap in the face to every local board in New York State. Maria has done an excellent job educating our students and increasing enrollment at our college.”
NCC has been without a permanent president since 2022, and Conzatti has led the college since January of that year, despite SUNY guidelines recommending that temporary appointments last no more than six months. In the spring of 2023, the NCC board gave her an “iron-clad” five-year contract, extending through Dec. 31, 2028, which remains in effect.
Despite the SUNY vote, NCC Trustee Elliot Conway confirmed the board’s full support for Conzatti.
“I find it an upside-down world where the leader of the college with the highest enrollment increase is deemed unacceptable by the SUNY board,” Conway said.
In June, SUNY trustees began implementing a rule that would limit interim appointments of an administrator-in-
charge to one year, effectively blocking Conzatti from continuing in her role. Conway has voiced concerns about what he calls state overreach into local governance.
Speaking at a SUNY listening session in August, Conway said, “SUNY’s proposed rule, giving the chancellor final say over presidential appointments, salaries and contracts, is unnecessary overreach. Centralizing control would harm responsiveness, equity and the partnership that makes our programs succeed.”
At the session, Conway highlighted Conzatti’s contributions, including balancing budgets, adding vocational programs and improving campus civility. He also noted that Nassau County contributes more funding to the college than the state, asserting that local trustees should retain oversight.
“If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” Conway said, calling for SUNY to confirm Conzatti as president.
The dispute unfolds amid a long-running, bitter conflict with the faculty union, which has opposed Conzatti’s leadership, citing department consolidations and other governance changes.
Maria Conzatti has been leading Nassau Community College in an interim capacity since January 2022.
“The Board of Trustees’ decision is a responsible and necessary step toward restoring stability and confidence in Nassau Community College leadership,” Melinda Person, president of New York State United Teachers, said in a statement. “Visionary, sustainable leadership cannot be built on prolonged interim arrangements.”
SUNY has sent a letter to NCC regarding a new presidential search, and a SUNY representative will work with the campus on the process.
Herald
Gillen pushes Gio’s Law in committee testimony
ages expanded training in and awareness of emergency allergy response.
Gillen said that having Cornago present, and Giovanni’s photograph displayed in the hearing room, shifted the conversation from procedure to lived experience.
“I don’t expect that there will be too many no votes on such an important, noncontroversial bipartisan piece of legislation like this,” Gillen said.
Her appearance before the Judiciary Committee counts as an official hearing, a required step before the bill can move to markup —to formally debate and amend it — and then a potential full House vote.
officers with EpiPens after his death. Mayor Alan Beach said that local officials made it happen by partnering with Northwell Health to secure the devices at no cost.
“Now we see Georgina, and two members of a congressional delegation from both parties, take this up to the federal level,” Beach said.
I never would have imagined that it was going to be a national bill.
GeorGINa CorNaGo Lynbrook
Gillen and Cornago spent the rest of the day meeting with lawmakers from both parties, urging the judiciary committee to advance the bill to a committee vote and then to the House floor.
Lynbrook, where Giovanni grew up, was one of the first communities in New York to equip its police
“It really speaks to the importance of having this bill passed, and it brings us great pride knowing that (this) was started right here in the Village of Lynbrook.”
The federal proposal is intended to eliminate the financial hurdles that have slowed or limited adoption elsewhere. Police officers nationwide, Gillen said, should have the tools to respond the moment anaphylaxis begins — regardless of their ZIP code or department budget.
Cornago, who began advocating for legislation after her son’s death so that “no other parent will feel what I felt.”
“It was a surreal experience,” she said.
How Gio’s Law reached Capitol Hill
2014
■ Giovanni “Gio” Cipriano, 14, of Lynbrook, dies after a severe allergic reaction.
■ His mother, Georgina Cornago, begins advocating for first responders to carry and administer epinephrine.
2017
■ Lynbrook becomes one of the first villages in New York to equip police vehicles with EpiPens, partnering with Northwell Health to supply them at no cost.
■ Local officials cite the program as a model for regional adoption.
2022-2023
■ New York state passes legislation allowing law enforcement and other trained personnel to carry and administer epinephrine.
■ Departments statewide note that the cost, up to $600 per single-use set, remains a barrier.
2025
■ Rep. Laura Gillen and Rep. Andrew Garbarino announce they are co-sponsoring Gio’s Law, aimed at creating a federal grant program to help departments nationwide acquire epinephrine and training.
Nov. 20
■ Gillen testifies before the House Judiciary Committee, with Cornago in attendance. The testimony counts as the bill’s first hearing, allowing it to move toward markup and a potential committee vote. Gillen and Cornago meet with bipartisan lawmakers throughout the day to build support.
Next steps
■ A markup session in the Judiciary Committee.
■ If approved, the bill advances to the House floor for a full vote.
■ Supporters expect broad bipartisan backing.
STEPPING OUT
‘Nutcracker’ sweets
Decades of holiday magic with Leggz Ltd. Dance
‘
By Abbey Salvemini
Tis the season: Those Sugar Plum Fairies and various figments of a young girl’s imagination come alive once again on local stages. Sacred Heart Academy started it all off recently with its student-run production, now the holiday classic is thrust into the spotlight throughout December.
Rockville Centre-based Leggz Ballet, with Rockville Centre Guild for the Arts, brings sparkle to the Madison Theatre stage as ‘Nutcracker’ season dances on. This year’s production is especially meaningful for the studio’s founder Joan Hope MacNaughton, her staff and students: Leggz celebrates 30 years bringing this beloved classic to life. With MacNaughton’s artistic direction and choreography, accompanied as always by the beloved South Shore Symphony Orchestra, the theater is filled with the wonder of the delightful ballet that showcases Tchaikovsky’s mesmerizing score. You might say it’s one of the most memorable holiday soundtracks ever composed.
With over four decades leading Leggz, the 30-year milestone is both deeply personal and artistically meaningful for MacNaughton.
• Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.: Dec. 6, 5 p.m.; Dec. 7, 4 p.m.
• Tickets are $35-$65; available at MadisonTheatreNY.org or call the box office at (516) 323-4444
• Madison Theatre, Molloy University campus, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
“Something that was a dream many, many years ago to have my own Nutcracker came true,” she says. MacNaughton reflects on how the production has grown in scale, professionalism and reach since its first performance, then on the South Side High School stage in Rockville Centre.
“From the costumes to all the dancers, it evolved dramatically. It started with dancers from my studio doing the solo parts. Then, I brought in professionals from the dance world to fill the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy, Dewdrop and Snow Queen.”
Dancers from renowned companies — including Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, also Broadway — are now integral to the production.
MacNaughton — who danced professionally prior
Mark Tremonti
Sings Frank Sinatra ‘Christmas Special’ From redefining rock to reimagining Sinatra, Grammy-winning musician
Mark Tremonti, backed by members of Frank Sinatra’s original orchestra, brings his timeless swing and holiday spirit to the Paramount. The lights go down. Familiar horns pipe up from a world-class orchestra as piano twinkles like the jackpot lights on a winning slot machine. Then, the voice kicks in. It has all of the smoky splendor those first few notes hinted at, but it ain’t Ol’ Blue Eyes. In a tailored suit with microphone in hand, it’s Mark Tremonti. The multiplatinum musician sounds just as at home paying homage to the catalog of Frank Sinatra as he does fronting Tremonti or shredding his soul out as the guitarist for Alter Bridge and Creed. Tremonti’s influence on rock music is undeniable. Now, witness a new side of his artistry as he pays heartfelt tribute to the legendary Frank Sinatra.
to opening her studio — attributes their interest in joining her production to her both network and her artistic standards.
“I have a lot of friends who are dancers in Manhattan, so I reached out to them for professional roles,” she says.
Yet, the heart of the show remains the young dancers, who include talented kids residing in Rockville Centre, Oceanside, Baldwin, among other communities. A cast of over 50 young dancers in all, from throughout the metro area, join the guest dancers in this dynamic staging.
“It doesn’t matter what school they come from,” MacNaughton emphasizes. “They all really love dance and know what a quality production is like.”
Performing alongside the South Shore Symphony adds another layer of magic. The orchestra, MacNaughton explains, elevates the performance for both dancers and the audience, adding a unique energy and richness that recorded tracks can’t match.
“There’s nothing more exciting for a dancer than performing with live music. Watching the musicians play is a treat, you’re getting both the dance and the music.”
Her goal is that kids in the audience or who step onto the stage for the first time will continue to find inspiration in “The Nutcracker.” Keeping the beauty of dance alive is what’s behind MacNaughton’s decades of running her studio and producing the show each year.
Among the newest generation of dancers is 7-year-old Emma Lavas, of Rockville Centre, who’s making her first appearance in the ballet, continuing a family tradition. Her mom, Meg Guido, danced in the very first Leggz production, continuing for 12 years. Recalling the thrill of being on stage, she’s delighted, of course, that her daughter is now stepping into that role.
“It’s such a beautiful thing to see her dancing and smiling,” Guido says.
“She teaches me a lot of moves,” Lavas says, about her mother, as she carries forth with the family legacy.
Another Rockville Centre dancer, 14-year-old Analiese Cartier shares: “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to do this each year.”
For 15-year-old Paige McDaid, who also lives in Rockville Centre, the show has been as much about friendship as dancing.
“I’ve built some of my life-long friends and I’m so grateful for them.”
She wants audiences, whether returning or seeing it for the first time, to feel that same magic she experiences onstage.
“It’s such a beautiful performance, and we put so much effort into it,” McDaid adds, enthusiastically.
Celebrating three decades of Nutcracker, Leggz Ltd. has filled the Madison Theatre with music, movement and holiday spirit. From the youngest dancers to world-class professionals bringing the choreography to life, the production captures the essence of the season. It explains why this timeless performance continues to draw everyone back each year.
Saturday, Dec. 11, 8 p.m. $108.75, $86.50, $71.25, $59.75, $54.25, $43.75.The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Just ‘Wild About Harry’ redux
Everyone has another chance to go “Wild About Harry” when over 30 of Long Island’s top musicians and songwriters gather for another concert in tribute to the beloved Harry Chapin. Groove along to 18 acts — including concert organizer Stuart Markus and his trio Gathering Time — that perform Chapin classics including “Taxi” and “Cat’s in the Cradle,” plus many lesser hits and fan favorites like “Mr. Tanner.” The concert is concsdered a “Birthday Bash,” as Chapin would have turned 83 on Dec. 7. As they’ve done for the past 20 years, participating artists are encouraged to put their own interpretations on his songs. Long Island music “royalty” is turning out in force to support this most worthy cause. All revenues above production costs will be donated to Long Island Cares, the food bank Chapin founded. Long Island Cares will also be collecting non-perishable food donations.
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. Minimum $20 suggested donation per ticket. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
Courtesy Leggz Ltd. The Snow Queen (Ella Titus, Miami City Ballet) and Snow King (Mauricio Vera Nunez, National Ballet Of Cuba) begin Clara’s Dream.
The Snowflake Corps dazzle in the intricate Waltz of the Snowflakes, the grand finale of Act I.
Tim Baker/Herald Evelyn Strouse and Paige McDaid in rehearsal.
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CALENDAR
East Rockaway Winter Festival registration open Outdoor vendor event with seasonal merchandise and community activities under a heated tent. Open to merchandise and community organizations selling water, snacks, flowers, and handmade items.
• Where: TBD
• Time: 3-6 p.m.
• Contact: NLanderer@ villageofeastrockaway.org NOV
LuminoCity Festival
LuminoCity is back at Eisenhower Park. Walk through a winter wonderland. Timed admission fee.
• Where: Eisenhower Park, East Meadow
• Time: 4:30-5:15 p.m., 6-6:45 p.m., 7:30-8:15 p.m., through Jan. 1
• Contact: luminocityfestival.com
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art invites visitors into a world where reality is uncertain, dreams take shape and the line between fact and imagination disappears. From dreamlike landscapes and uncanny portraits to images so exact they look like photographs, works in “Real, Surreal, and Photoreal” challenge what we see and what we believe. Before abstraction took the spotlight in the mid-20th century, American art was defined by Realism as artists captured the world as they saw it. This exhibit explores how artists across generations have reimagined “the real” in strikingly different ways. Works from both American and European artists are featured, On view through March 8.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: Ongoing
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
NOV 28
Special EFX AllStars in concert
Special EFX All-Stars, led by guitar virtuoso Chieli Minucci, takes the stage for one extraordinary night of genredefying fusion. He’s joined his bandmates Lin Rountree, Eric Marienthal, Jay Rowe, Dave Livolsi, Joel Rosenblatt, Alan Grubner & Emedin Rivera. For over 40 years, Minucci has been a driving force in modern electric jazz, co-founding Special EFX and releasing more than 30 albums that blend rock, Latin rhythms and contemporary jazz into a signature sound. A three-time Emmy Award winner, he has collaborated with musical greats from Celine Dion and Lionel Richie to Kirk Whalum, Jeff Lorber,
Allman Betts Family Revival
Get ready for an unforgettable night of music at the 9th Annual Allman Betts Family Revival! This extraordinary live music experience is hosted by Devon Allman and Duane Betts, the sons of Allman Brothers Band legends Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts. Inspired by the legendary Last Waltz, this tour features a revolving cast of top-tier artists from the realms of blues, Americana, country, and rock, all coming together to honor the timeless legacy and rich catalog of the Allman Brothers Band. This year’s amazing lineup features the Allman Betts Band, the iconic Jimmy Hall, former Wet Willie singer and Allman Brothers alumni; alongside Robert Randolph, Amanda Shires, G. Love, Judith Hill, Jimmy Hall, Cody & Luther Dickinson, Alex Orbison, and others. Special guests may also join in. Set against the backdrop of the famous Allman Brothers Brotherhood of Light show, blending electrifying music with stunning visuals. This unforgettable night that honors the rich history and timeless catalog of the Allman Brothers Band is a musical family reunion that promises to lift your spirits as you enjoy an authentic Allman Brothers musical experience. $108.75, $64.75.
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
with the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce! Enjoy food, drinks, and great company as everyone toasts to another successful year.
• Where: TBD
• Time: TBD
• Contact: LynbrookUSA.com
Cream and Tea at Westbury House
Savor a traditional Cream Tea featuring freshly baked scones with Devonshire cream, assorted sweets, and a fine selection of teas. The experience concludes with a guided tour of beautifully decorated Westbury House. $28, discounts for members and groups.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3 p.m.; also Dec. 3-4 and ongoing
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
DEC
5
Omar Hakim, even Bernie Williams, and others.
• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
‘Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! The Musical’
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes back this delightful production, based on Mo Willems’ award-winning “Pigeon” picture books. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party. It’s not easy being the Pigeon; you never get to do anything. But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird can do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, this show is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also Nov. 29, Dec. 3-Dec. 4
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
1863
Thanksgiving Step back in time at Old Bethpage Village Restoration for some holiday fun. Immerse yourself in the sights and smells of the festive season, as those early years of our national day of feasting and giving thanks comes alive. Imagine that it’s 1863 and you’re preparing a holiday meal, following President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation of the first official national holiday of Thanksgiving Day. The restored site bustles with activity as it readies for an old-fashioned Thanksgiving: wood-burning stoves, beehive ovens and hearths are fired up to prepare foods and baked goods made from 19th-century recipes. Culinary exhibits include the “spitting” and roasting of turkey in a tin reflector oven beside the Williams House hearth and preparation of pies at the Powell House. Also on display are 19th-century methods of food preservation employed for late fall crops. Historical period music adds to the festive atmosphere each afternoon. $15, $12 seniors and children 5-12.
• Where: 1303 Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage
• Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Contact: oldbethpagevillagerestoration. org or call (516)
Jolly Jamboree
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes everyone to a festive family night filled with merriment for all ages.The museum is transformed into a winter wonderland to celebrate the start of the holiday season. Among the highlights: Snap a festive family photo with Santa, join Rudolph and Miss on the dance floor for a holiday dance party, create keepsake holiday crafts to take home or give as gifts, decorate a cookie and design a special plate perfect for Santa’s visit, enjoy classic holiday tunes performed by carolers throughout the galleries. Also take in some “sock skating” on the museum’s indoor rink and meet the Ice Queen, and more. Come dressed in your holiday best: sparkles, pajamas, reindeer antlers, or your favorite holiday character costume! $16 per person ($14 members). Advance purchase is recommended as space is limited.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
DEC
2
Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce
Holiday Party Celebrate the season of joy and community
Tree Lighting/ Blessing of the Crèche
Join the village for the annual tree lighting ceremony and crèche blessing. Rain date is Dec. 6.
• Where: 5 Corners Plaza
• Time: 7-9 p.m., lighting at 7 p.m.
• Contact: LynbrookVillage.net
Holiday concert
DEC
14
The Long Island Community Chorus invites all to their upcoming concert, “Season of Peace.” $10 suggested donation, children under 12 free.
• Where: St. James UMC, 11 St. James Place, Lynbrook
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 599-5705 or email licchorus@gmail.com
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.
News brief
Horizon staff awarded in state contest
Horizon, Lynbrook High School’s student-led newspaper, continues to be a widely recognized publication. The team once again won several awards at the annual Empire State Scholastic Press Association Awards hosted at Syracuse University.
Best Overall Newspaper – Bronze Award to the ‘24-’25 Horizon Staff
Best Graphic/Illustration – Silver Award to Rachel Stein (LHS Class of ‘25)
Best Graphic/Illustration – Bronze Award to Addison DiFiore
Best Graphic/Illustration – Bronze Award to Anabella Errico-Landau
Best Graphic/Illustration (Portfolio) –
Honorable Mention Award to Madison Watson
Best Artwork (Portfolio) – Bronze Award to Sean Strohofer (LHS Class of ‘25)
Best Feature Story – Silver Award to Gianna Longo (LHS Class of ‘25)
Best Overall Sports Coverage – Silver Award to Justin Williams (LHS Class of ‘25)
Best Sports Story – Silver Award to Justin Haberman (LHS Class of ‘25)
Best Sports Story – Honorable Mention to Gianna Longo (LHS Class of ‘25)
—Ainsley Martinez
At Herald Community Newspapers, we’re celebrating you — with an exciting opportunity to take home $15,000 in cash! It’s simple and completely free to enter.
Just fill out the entry form and submit your details for your chance to win.
Scan the QR code to enter! Contest Ends: 12/10/25
Imagine what you could do with $15,000:
Take that dream vacation Pay down bills or student loans
Upgrade your home
Treat your family to something special
Courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools
The staff of Lynbrook High School’s Horizon newspaper were awarded at the annual Empire State Scholastic Press Association Awards.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will hold a PUBLIC HEARING and DECISIONS on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 5:30 P.M. in the Court Room at the Village Hall, One Columbus Drive, Lynbrook, NY 11563, on the following cases: HEARINGS: #1026Edwar R. Sierra & Cristila HernandezEspinal, 69 Winter Street - § 252-4 Alteration or reconstruction
Permitted Use: Single Family Dwelling, Proposed Use: Enlargement of NonConforming, Two Family Use, § 252-17
Required setbacks. Required setback (secondary front): 15 feet, Proposed setback (secondary front): 8.8 feet #1027 - Capital Home Builders, 110 Stella Court - § 252-14
Required frontage and living area; restrictions on use of other structures for residences. (1) A minimum of 55 feet frontage as measured at the street line of the lot; Permitted Frontage: 55 feet as measured at the street line of the lot., Proposed Frontage: 50 feet as measured at the street line of the lot. (2) A minimum width of 55 feet at the front setback line of the dwelling or buildings; Permitted Width: 55 feet at the front setback line of the dwelling or buildings, Proposed Width:50 feet at the front setback line of the dwelling or buildings, (3) A minimum width of 55 feet throughout the front setback area.
Permitted Width: 55 feet at the front setback area, Proposed Width: 50 feet at the front setback area All interested parties should appear at the Public Hearing and may view case files at the Building Department on Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00AM and 3:00PM. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS, Ginger Fuentes, Chair Person of the Board of Zoning Appeals, Brian Stanton, Superintendent, Department of Buildings Lynbrook Publish 1X 156961
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on The 9th day of December, 2025, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 202-1 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at the following locations:
BALDWIN
CENTRAL AVENUE (TH 520/25) West Side -NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Old Mill Road, north for a distance of 40 feet.
CENTRAL AVENUE (TH 520/25) East Side -NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the south curbline of Merrick Road, south for a distance of 40 feet.
ELMONT 238th STREET (TH 503/25) West Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Dutch Broadway, south for a distance of 75 feet.
238th STREET (TH 503/25) East Side -NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Dutch Broadway, south for a distance of 70 feet.
KESWICK ROAD (TH 503/25) East Side -NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the north curbline of Dutch Broadway, north for a distance of 48 feet.
KESWICK ROAD (TH 503/25) West Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the north curbline of Dutch Broadway, north for a distance of 48 feet.
HOFFMAN AVENUE (TH 503/25) West SideNO STOPPING
ANYTIME - starting at a point 190 feet north opposite the northeast curbline of Baylis Avenue, north for a distance of 120 feet.
ATHERTON AVENUE (TH 562/25) North Side -NO STOPPING HERE
TO CORNER - starting from the West curbline
of Rockmart Avenue, west for a distance of 30 feet.
ATHERTON AVENUE (TH 562/25) North Side
-NO STOPPING HERE
TO CORNER - starting from the east curbline of Rockmart Avenue, east for a distance of 30 feet.
ATHERTON AVENUE (TH 562/25) South Side -NO STOPPING HERE
TO CORNER - starting from the east curbline of Rockmart Avenue, east for a distance of 30 feet.
ATHERTON AVENUE (TH 562/25) South Side -NO STOPPING HERE
TO CORNER - starting from the west curbline of Rockmart Avenue, west for a distance of 30 feet.
ROCKMART AVENUE (TH 562/25) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Atherton Avenue, south for a distance of 30 feet.
ROCKMART AVENUE (TH 562/25) East SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Atherton Avenue, south for a distance of 30 feet
ROCKMART AVENUE (TH 562/25) East SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Atherton Avenue, north for a distance of 30 feet.
ROCKMART AVENUE (TH 562/25) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Atherton Avenue, north for a distance of 30 feet.
FRANKLIN SQUARE POLK AVENUE (TH 387(B)/25) South SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the east curbline of Lincoln Street, east for a distance of 30 feet.
POLK AVENUE (TH 387(B)/25) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the east curbline of Lincoln Street, east for a distance of 30 feet.
INWOOD
BAYVIEW AVENUE (TH 543/25) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from theeast curbline of Henry Street, east for a distance of 40 feet.
BAYVIEW AVENUE (TH 543/25) North SideNO STOPPING ANYTIME - starting at a point 90 feet east of the east curbline of Henry Street, east for a distance of 60 feet.
HENRY STREET (TH 543/25) East Side - NO
PARKING ANYTIME -
starting at a point 140 feet north of the north curbline of Bayview Avenue, north for a distance of 40 feet.
LEVITTOWN
OLD OAK LANE
(516/25) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the west curbline of Acorn Lane, west for a distance of 25 feet.
OLD OAK LANE (516/25) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the east curbline of Acorn Lane, east for a distance of 25 feet.
(NR)
LYNBROOK
FRANKLIN AVENUE (TH 536/25) West Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Edward Street, south for a distance of 35 feet.
FRANKLIN AVENUE (TH 536/25) West Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Edward Street, north for a distance of 35 feet.
EDWARD STREET (TH 536/25) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the west curbline of Frankin Avenue, west for a distance of 35 feet.
NORTH VALLEY STREAM
ARKANSAS DRIVE (TH 485/25) South SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the west curbline of Marlowe Road, west for a distance of 33 feet.
MARLOWE ROAD (TH 485/25) West Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Arkansas Drive, south for a distance of 45 feet.
LINDEN STREET (TH 553/25) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the west curbline of Chestnut Street, west for a distance of 30 feet.
CHESTNUT STREET (TH 553/25) West Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Linden Street, north for a distance of 25 feet.
CHESTNUT STREET (TH 553/25) East Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Linden Street, north for a distance of 30 feet.
OCEANSIDE LAWSON BOULEVARD (TH 493/25) East SideNO STOPPING ANYTIME - starting at a point 470 feet south of the south curbline of Concord Avenue,
News brief
Lynbrook High School students showcased their rendition of “Mamma
Nov. 12 board of education meeting.
Students bring ‘Mamma Mia!’ to the stage
After weeks of rehearsal, performers at Lynbrook High School prepared to bring “Mamma Mia!” to the stage.
High schoolers gathered in costume and showcased a snippet of the show for board of education trustees at the Nov. 12 regular meeting. The production, which was performed last weekend, featured hit songs from ABBA. The musical faithfully portrayed the beloved story.
—Ainsley Martinez
Performers shared a snippet of the show.
Public Notices
south for a distance of 49 feet.
WANTAGH
DUCKPOND DRIVE
EAST (TH 523/25) West Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNERstarting from the north curbline of Dell Lane, north for a distance of 46 feet.
DUCKPOND DRIVE EAST (TH 523/25) East Side - NO STOPPING
ANYTIME - at a point 41 feet opposite a point south of the south curbline of Dell Lane, north for a distance of 106 feet.
WANTAGH AVENUE (TH 554/25) West SideNO STOPPING
ANYTIME - starting from a point 70 feet south of the south curbline of Sunrise Highway, south for a distance of 350 feet.
WOODMERE
CLARK PLACE (TH 530/25) West Side - NO
PARKING ANYTIME -
starting at a point 107 feet south of the south curbline of Combs Avenue, south for a distance of 313 feet.
CLARK PLACE (TH 530/25) East Side - NO
PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 168 feet south of the south curbline of Combs Avenue, south for a distance of 47 feet.
CLARK PLACE (TH 530/25) East Side - NO
PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 147 feet north of the north curbline of Ocean Avenue, north for a distance of 63 feet. ALSO, to REPEAL from Section 202-1 “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” from the following location: BALDWIN CENTRAL AVENUE (TH 438/65) East Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the north curbline of
Old Mill Road, north for a distance of 30 feet.
(Adopted 03/01/66)
WANTAGH
WANTAGH AVENUE (TH 76/79) West SideNO STOPPING ANYTIME - starting from a point 70Feet south of the south curbline of Sunrise Highway, south to a point opposite the south curbline of Woodward Avenue.
(Adopted 4/24/79)
WEST HEMPSTEAD
TUDOR PLACE (TH 534/83) North SideNO PARKING ANYTIME - from the west curbline of Wilson Street, west for a distance of 60 feet.
(Adopted 5/01/84) WILSON STREET (TH 82/88) West Side -NO PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at the north Curbline of Tudor Place, north for a distance of 111 feet.
(Adopted 10/18/88)
WOODMERE CEDAR LANE (TH 555/22) North SideNO PARKING ANYTIME - starting at a point 53 feet east of the east curbline of Irving Place, east to a point 34 feet west of the west curbline of Franklin Place.
(Adopted 01/10/23) ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.
Dated: November 18, 2025 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 156930
To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
Photo courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools
Mia!” at the
Help Wanted
CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE Full Time/Part Time
Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour.
For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour
Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
Fashion Jewelry Designer – New Hyde Park, NY: Create fashion jewelry designs & concepts; develop layouts for jewelry products; and modify & refine designs as needed. Bachelor in Jewelry Design, Graphic Design, or a related field req’d. $60,736/yr. Send ltr/res to Volpe Import, Inc., 608 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY 11040. Attn: Daniel Kim
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
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
Garden
careers@liherald.com
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in
Moments to the Ocean
REAL ESTATE
Real Estate
WE BUY HOUSES for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670 Apartments For Rent
CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978
EAST ROCKAWAY: 3 BRS, LR, DR, EIK, 1 Fbth, Pets OK. 2 Car Parking. Close To All. All Included. $3,200. Call 516-596-9470
Some strange suggestions from the Building Department
Q. I went to my Building Department, because, as you suggested, I should get an idea from them as to what to do and how to go about it. After discussing the problems I would have to overcome, they suggested certain people, drafting services, and also told me that if I use an architect, I should only use the ones they suggest, because others might not be “acceptable” to them. I thought this was kind of strange. Should they do that, and is that acceptable practice?
A. That is not only strange, but also illegal. Putting limits on who provides a state-licensed professional service is, at the very least, a restriction-oftrade issue that I am sure would turn into a legal matter if the jurisdiction you live in ever tried to enforce the practice. Maybe you could finance your project by going through that process, getting hassled for the reasons you describe, and then suing the individuals and department that created the scenario. Of course, you would have to show hard evidence, such as documents and/or recordings of this kind of exchange. Or you could just go along with them, if you feel comfortable with the racket they’re running.
Lately I have seen more situations like this occurring, and it’s disheartening, as a professional, but many officials have commented, over the years, that certain architects only like to handle, or are only capable of handling, the “small stuff.” Clearly they don’t recognize the situation created by their own jurisdictions, where you’re required to have an architect’s or engineer’s professional seal on the submitted drawings when applying for a permit. Instead they encourage people to get an unlicensed person to prepare plans, and then that unlicensed individual gets a retired professional who could use the extra money to just sign and seal.
Even worse than that is the problem created during the pandemic, when an electronic seal was issued by the state to architects and engineers, creating the opportunity to just electronically float a seal onto plans, with or without the licensed professional’s permission.
It seems that people have forgotten what that seal represents. Not only does it represent a level of trained expertise — it also represents safety. Protection of public safety was once the paramount objective of local governments. And aside from the skirting of enforcement of licensed professionalism, safety is still important, but money, favoritism and territorial behavior make you wonder what you’re really dealing with.
I know so many people who are sincerely trying to enforce public safety in their government jobs, people who are equally disgusted with the ones who make their profession look bad. Defying the public trust or manipulating the public should not be tolerated. Thirty years ago, the state attorney general’s office did an investigation, and concluded that this practice was widespread — but investigators candidly admitted that they did not have the resources to pursue prosecutions, leaving the public to decide. Good luck!
© 2025 Monte Leeper
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Thanksgiving couldn’t come at a better time
The spirit of Thanksgiving is particularly welcome and needed this year. Times are turbulent. Discord appears to be almost everywhere. Prices are still too high. The federal government has just gone through its longest and most bitter shutdown ever, with another one threatened in less than three months.
The political divide continues, as Democrats scored overwhelming victories across the country, while Nassau Republicans, led by County Executive Bruce Blakeman, swept every countywide office and retained control of the county’s three towns and two cities — including Long Beach, where the GOP won every elective office for the first time since 1971. And while Nassau was voting bright red, New York City went deep blue, electing a committed socialist, Zohran Mamdani, as its mayor, promising to upend the city’s political and social structures as we’ve known them.
Ideally in a time of discord and stress, the citizenry turns to sports as an escape, as an island of refuge in a sea
of turmoil. This time, though, no such luck. At least not yet. The Yankees were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs, while the Mets, with their astronomically high payroll, didn’t even make it to the postseason, eliminated for the final playoff slot by the unheralded, low-income Cincinnati Reds.
NGranted, there was temporary relief for baseball fans, as the World Series confrontation between the Dodgers and Blue Jays provided intense drama right down to the final out of the climactic seventh game. But that moment of escape was soon overtaken by what portends to be Major League Baseball’s biggest and worst gambling scandal since the Black Sox scandal in 1919: Two relief pitchers for the Cleveland Guardians were arrested and charged with colluding with organized crime on “micro bets” — wagers on what type of pitches they would throw. This scandal, like the NBA betting scandal that preceded it just weeks earlier, is expected to expand, because of professional sports’ extensive, and misguided, business dealings with the gaming industry. Thank God for the arrival of Thanksgiving! Taking time to celebrate the spirit of the holiday, which gives us the opportunity to step back and reflect on
ot even New York sports offer an island of refuge in our current sea of turmoil.
what we should be thankful for, is a true American tradition. As we learned in our early school days, legend has the earliest Thanksgiving being celebrated in 17th-century Colonial times between by the Pilgrims and native Indians in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The national celebration of Thanksgiving in November was proclaimed by President George Washington in 1789. During the darkest days of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln certified the final Thursday of November as the official day for celebrating Thanksgiving. Later, after Americans endured the depths of a Depression and as we got involved in the tragedy of World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt reaffirmed the significance of Thanksgiving while officially declaring the fourth Thursday of November to be the day of celebration. These actions by Lincoln and Roosevelt should be guideposts for Americans. Neither the absolute horror raging through our country during the Civil War, nor the economic devastation of the Depression, nor the carnage and suffering of World War II, would prevent Americans in those years from being thankful for, and appreciating, the blessings of living in this great land. Not to minimize our current hard-
ships, but we should take the time to show our thanks for all that we do have. America is not at war. It provides more opportunity for its people than any other country on earth, as demonstrated by the tens of millions of people from all over the world who want to live here.
During my years in Congress, I traveled to many countries, mainly in Europe but also in parts of Asia and North Africa. There was no country that could match America for our ingenuity, industriousness and opportunity for generations of people to move upward and thrive. Often we fail to remember that the United States was the first nation to experiment with democracy since Greece many centuries ago, and how that experiment has worked so successfully.
There are reasons why America has the world’s strongest economy and strongest military. That success results from our commitment not just to free enterprise but to freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and freedom of opportunity, which allow the human spirit to fully develop and thrive. So let’s enjoy our blessings and give thanks for living in this great land. Happy Thanksgiving, and God bless America.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Weekly newspapers are a great community asset
When you’re a news junkie like me, you reach out for a large variety of sources of information. Finding and digesting the offerings of all these many outlets takes a lot of time, but there is one resource that I constantly rely on: the weekly newspaper.
My love for the weekly goes back as far as when I was a bold 12-year-old who walked into the offices of the Long Island Independent and offered my services as a writer. Rather than usher me out the door, the publisher, the late Paul Jackson, gave me an assignment: to read all of the social announcements and to distill them into a few short paragraphs.
By the time I turned 15, I was a paid employee, enjoying my $10-a-week stipend, and I went on to become the principal reporter for the Independent and
the Long Beach Life. Later, during my years in the Assembly, I kept close working relationships with all of the weekly papers in my district, and assigned a full-time staff member to keep the weekly papers informed about my activities in Albany.
Every Friday, I make it a point to look for the latest news in the Herald. I read about the goings-on in five or six communities and read the opinion pages. I offer these details because many residents of our region don’t always take advantage of the many items published in their local papers that are genuinely of interest.
of our schools.
N ational news is great, but I learn the important stuff from the weeklies.
While I have the greatest respect for the mass media, I learn from the weeklies about local athletes who may someday wind up on the national sports pages. Today’s high school track star could eventually become a member of an Olympic team. People complain a lot about high taxes, but if they read their local paper, they would know that 60 percent of their tax bill is for the operation
I like to stay in touch with old friends, and sometimes I find out that they have experienced some great family events thanks to my weekly paper. I also frequently learn that some potential countywide political battle has its roots in an action taken by a village or another municipal entity. So many people would be surprised to learn how much they can find out about local politics by subscribing to a weekly.
On a more somber note, I learn from weeklies that someone I met and liked has died. Too often we learn about family tragedies weeks and months after they occur, and realize that if we’d checked out a weekly paper, we would have known much sooner to reach out to the bereaved family.
When I meet some young man or woman who has decided to run for public office, one of the first things I tell them is not to ignore their weekly newspaper, and to make an effort to meet with its editors so they know about their
candidacy. And I don’t restrict my advice just to budding candidates. I frequently advise federal and state officeholders to keep in touch with their weeklies.
A few years ago, a large group of weekly newspaper owners and editors converged on Albany in an effort to change how state laws govern those local weeklies. Not surprisingly, they were welcomed by members from both sides of the aisle who had learned well and understood the power of those news outlets. If you want to do the right thing, subscribe to your local paper. (If you’re reading this, I’d like to think you already have.) And if you’re a local business owner, think about buying an ad.
I’ve been fortunate enough to be an unpaid columnist for the Herald for over 20 years, and I’ve wanted to write this tribute to weekly papers for the longest time. They need your support, and like any business that serves the community, they also merit your help in keeping them as a great asset.
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.
This Saturday, shop local
Held each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving — Nov. 29 this year — Small Business Saturday encourages consumers to shift their attention from big-box and giant online retailers to the locally owned businesses that are the backbone of our neighborhoods. These local businesses create jobs, spark innovation and keep more dollars circulating in the local economy, strengthening the very places we call home.
Founded by American Express in 2010 and embraced by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Small Business Saturday has grown into a nationwide tradition. It’s nestled between the commercial frenzy of Black Friday and the digital deals of Cyber Monday, and it’s crucial that all of us make a concerted effort to shop at our favorite corner store or buy a gift card for our beloved neighborhood restaurant.
The impact of Small Business Saturday, of course, reaches far beyond economics. When people support a local bookstore, bakery, boutique or service provider, they’re investing in relationships and affirming the value of personal connection — the friendly wave from a shop owner who knows your name, the sense of pride in discovering a one-of-akind product crafted nearby, the feeling of belonging that comes from familiar streets buzzing with activity. These are experiences you simply can’t replicate
letters
Mamdani is on to something, Republicans
To the Editor:
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s electoral appeal, centered on his affordability agenda, has prompted some of his opponents to start emphasizing this issue. Republican State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick is among those proposing actions to rein in New York’s cost of living in her Herald commentary last week, “The cost of living is driving families out of New York.”
Some of her suggestions make sense and, if adopted, might make Long Island living marginally more affordable. But CanzoneriFitzpatrick offers only Band-Aids for the hemorrhaging housing crisis that forces young families to look elsewhere for starter homes. As a professed capitalist, the senator should understand that a grossly inadequate supply of housing cannot meet demand, thus causing prices to spiral ever upward. The solution is obvious: build thousands of new homes.
with anonymous online transactions.
Small Business Saturday reminds us that thriving communities don’t happen by accident — they grow through intentional support and shared commitment. By shopping local, we help build vibrant neighborhoods where businesses and residents lift one another up, strengthening the community fabric, one small shop at a time.
Small businesses account for a significant portion of job creation across the country, and on Long Island they are essential to the economic ecosystem. When shoppers choose small over large, more money stays in the community. Studies show that when you shop at a small, locally owned business, more of your money stays here on Long Island — supporting infrastructure, schools and friends, and even reducing your tax burden. For every $100 spent at a small business, about $67 stays in the community. At a large chain, only about $43 does.
But most importantly, small businesses help define the identity of a place. Neighborhoods with bustling local shops tend to have stronger social ties, safer streets and greater civic engagement. Choosing to support a local business is choosing to support a stronger, more connected community.
Participating in Small Business Saturday is simple and enjoyable. Consumers explore local shops, take part in spe-
cial promotions, share their experiences on social media and leave positive reviews of their favorite spots. Spot a great bargain? Tell a friend! These small actions have big ripple effects, helping local entrepreneurs gain visibility, attract new customers and employ local workers.
Business owners can prepare for Small Business Saturday by using free marketing materials provided by the SBA and American Express, such as fliers, posters and social media graphics. Local governments, chambers of commerce and community groups also do their part by organizing events, hosting holiday markets, and creating interactive maps to guide residents to participating businesses. Many of the best local businesses and deals can be found right here, on the pages of the Herald, or at LIHerald.com.
This Saturday, Long Islanders have the opportunity to demonstrate what makes our communities so special: We show up for our neighbors and they show up for us. Our local small businesses are the ones donating to school fundraisers, sponsoring youth sports teams, hosting community events, providing teenagers with summer jobs, and paying taxes that help keep our local downtowns alive.
So shop local, Long Island — because when small businesses thrive, we all prosper.
opinions Trump’s wrecking ballroom
imagine: You co-own a lovely 233-year-old home, furnished with heirlooms, with property and gardens admired by all. You and your co-owners love this house. In keeping with longstanding tradition, you allow an employee and his family, selected by the majority of your group, to live in it. The terms are that the tenants may live in the house rent-free as long as they welcome visitors, bar criminals from the property and, when the rental period is over, vacate the premises.
nothing, you have in effect given him permission to demolish the home, discard its contents and history and thumb his nose in contempt at the people who are letting him live there.
You know where this is heading.
A few months after moving in, however, the latest tenant, without permission or consultation, demolishes one-fifth of the house and hires contractors to build an addition that will be used for his private parties. He tells the contractors not to worry; the house really belongs to him. And he tells you and your co-owners that when the time comes for him to move out, he may simply decide to stay.
You are in a bind. If you object, some will see you as being overly critical of a bold and adventurous man. If you say
To be fair, Donald Trump is not the first president to make dramatic modifications to the White House. In 1902, Theodore Roosevelt built what is now called the West Wing to accommodate a rapidly growing executive staff and to create separation between the workspace and the Roosevelt family’s private quarters.
Wealthy patrons are treating the renovation as an open invitation to buy influence.
In 1942, Franklin Roosevelt authorized the construction of the East Wing. The government’s day-to-day operations had expanded exponentially during World War II. There was a need for more space for larger international conferences. The East Wing also had offices for the first lady’s staff, areas for public events, and a shelter for wartime security.
By 1948, the 156-year old White House was in need of significant repairs. Wooden beams were rotting and the entire infrastructure needed updating. President Harry Truman called for steel beams, concrete, mod-
letters
But Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick has nothing to say about the extreme nimbyism that makes it so difficult to build housing anywhere in Nassau County. It’s particularly egregious that right-wing politicians have succeeded in blocking transit-oriented developments. Building housing near Long Island Rail Road stations would help make Long Island more affordable without worsening traffic congestion.
Republicans should adopt a variation on a mantra favored by their leader: “Build, baby, build!”
KEvIN J KELLEY Atlantic Beach
Trump’s ‘outrageous’ commutation of Santos
To the Editor:
Re Jerry Kremer’s column in the Oct. 30-Nov. 5 issue, “Presidents make mistakes, but this one was a doozy”: What
message was being sent to hardworking, honest people when President Trump excused former Rep. George Santos from serving a seven-year prison term after only three months? Santos was proven to be a liar, a cheat, a thief — a dishonest individual who harmed and deceived many people by falsifying everything he touched.
How do we know that he didn’t fabricate the conditions of his prison stay, inasmuch as he is a pro at making up stories? It appears that Trump commuted his sentence due to his being a good Republican supporting Trump.
In my eyes, Santos’s crimes are worse than those of a bank robber. His deceit is now being forgiven, and will Trump, in his generosity, assume the more than $300,000 in restitution that Santos is liable for? It is ludicrous that the president of the U.S. takes his time from government affairs to release an admitted criminal back into society. Outrageous indeed.
GRACE SEARBY Oyster Bay
Thoughts or comments about our stories?
Send letters to the editor to execeditor@liherald.com
ern wiring and plumbing. The renovations were not without controversy. When builders installed the “Truman Balcony,” some objected to the $16,000 price tag (around $215,000 today); others argued that it wasn’t a good look to add a private terrace to the world’s most public house. But every president since then has enjoyed using the balcony for relaxation and for greeting people gathered on the South Lawn.
Back to the present. Trump recently authorized the demolition of the East Wing. He wanted a ballroom that could hold 650 people; the price would be around $200 million.
Then he announced that the new space would be “slightly larger” — 90,000 square feet, to accommodate 900 guests, at a cost in excess of $300 million.
Trump has often said that for major events, he wants a permanent, grand space similar in size and style to his Mar-a-Lago ballroom. His guests, Trump says, will pay “a lot of money” for the privilege of gathering in “my beautiful ballroom.”
Protests have come from Republicans and Democrats who question both the stated exclusivity of the new space and its exorbitant cost at a time when people
FrameWork
are losing health insurance, food-assistance programs and general buying power. Trump has responded that he doesn’t need anyone’s permission to change one of the world’s most historically significant national monuments.
Asked whether he intends to name the ballroom after himself, Trump has replied that he hasn’t “really thought about it.” About the price, he has said repeatedly, “I’ll pay for it myself.” But the fact is, he won’t. Wealthy patrons have already stepped in to cover the cost, treating the renovation as an open invitation to buy influence.
Trump has always called himself a builder. But builders strengthen foundations; they don’t bulldoze symbols of public life to erect shrines to themselves. He seems to have no interest in building on the past to create something lasting for others; instead he is building over it, as if erasure were the surest form of legacy. The question isn’t how to undo the demolition work, but how long Americans can afford to pretend that it doesn’t matter. The Trump ballroom will open, the guests will arrive and the message will be that the People’s House has less and less room for the people who own it.
Michael Blitz is professor emeritus of interdisciplinary studies at the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
michael blitz
by Tim Baker
Singing “Master of the House” in Hewlett High School’s production of “Les Misérables.”
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