Malverne/West Hempstead Herald 04-16-2026

Malverne/West HeMpstead

HERALD

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‘Knittin Gang’ participates in ‘Knit-a-Thon’

By NoAH PERETZ

nperetz@liherald.com

Knit for Food had its sixth annual ‘Knit-a-Thon’ fundraiser last Saturday, April 11. The 12-hour knitting marathon fundraiser raised over $550 thousand nationally, a $20 thousand increase from its 2025 outing. Over the past five years, the fundraiser amassed $1.7 million, and including this year, its total will eclipse $2.2 million.

Knit for Food founder Laura Nelkin established the event in 2021 with inspiration from her daughter’s participation at their local food back during the summer of 2020. She designs knitwear The event raises money for Feeding America, World Central Kitchen, No Kid Hungry, and Meals on Wheels.

“When my daughter’s position completed and she went back to school, I realized I really wanted to do something more for my community and for the country in general,” Nelkin said. “I had no idea how many of my neighbors were facing food insecurity, so I came up with COnTInuEd On pAGE 3

Whelan Park road to be named for Bernie Havern

By NoAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com

Before the Malverne Little League’s Opening Day on Saturday, the village will unveil Bernie Havern Way, as a tribute to the man who was the heart of the village’s baseball community and a widely respected resident.

Havern was a Nassau County Police Department detective, the founder of Molloy University’s baseball program and a Malverne Little League coach. He is a member of Molloy’s Hall of Fame, inducted in 2011, and his Little League teams played in tournaments across

Long Island and as far afield as upstate Cooperstown, home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Havern died on April 13, 2012, at age 68, after a battle with cancer. Fourteen years after his death, the village is honoring him with a roadway in Whelan Park, where he built much of his legacy.

“He was a good man,” former Mayor Catherine Hunt said. “When he died, the church was packed like he was the president. I didn’t believe how many people knew and loved him. He was very generous with his time and energy in this village.”

JENNIfER HAVERN MAJoR Bernie Havern’s daughter

Havern’s daughter, Jennifer Havern Major, recalled his status and reputation in the village. “His former players called him up years later to let him know they got engaged,” she said. “He was a mentor for

them in baseball and in life.”

Havern and Hunt established the Malverne Dodgers in the late 1980s, a team made up of post-high school athletes that competed in the Long Island Stan Musial Amateur Baseball League. “It was a team for men around the college age,” Hunt said. “Some of the people who played on those

teams are probably 50 years old today. If you mentioned Bernie Havern, they would remember him.”

Current Mayor Tim Sullivan, who proposed the idea of Bernie Havern Way at Whelan Park, spoke highly of Havern’s character in a statement. “Every generation who grew up

Noah Peretz/Herald

In the back from left, Karen Russer, Corinne Smolizza, Winona Howard, Silvia Santamaria, Emma Scheidling. In the front from left, Christina Martin, Christina Martin (with Annie shirt), Angela Hodges, Liam, Marlene Tapley, Kathy Garizio. On the floor, Jayden Jimbo, left, and Imani.

Blakeman looks to curtail NIFA’s oversight

By CHRIS COLUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the Republican nominee for governor, held a news conference last week to laud the county’s budget surplus and financial stability. Blakeman also called for an end to the strict oversight of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, which was created in 2000 to monitor county finances.

“We are calling on NIFA to basically transfer from being a control authority to an advisory authority,” Blakeman said on April 10. “NIFA costs county taxpayers approximately $3 million a year in administrative expenses. That money is unnecessary. It is not doing anything to help our fiscal status.”

The $3 million cost Blakeman cited is a rough estimate of the combined salaries of the five NIFA committee members. The committee has had oversight of county spending since 2011.

“We will do everything necessary to make sure that we are no longer burdened in a control period that is completely unnecessary, unwarranted and, quite frankly, not according to the law,” Blakeman added.

Richard Kessel, chairman and director of NIFA, delivered a direct rebuttal, saying, “The only reason the county budget is balanced is that it got over $200 million in federal funding during

Covid, and it’s using that money and other reserves to balance and to hide what is a deficit.” In 2024, Blakeman’s administration moved more than $220 million received from federal pandemic aid into the county’s general fund.

Blakeman noted recent county prosperity — including seven bond upgrades in the past three and a half years and gross economic output that he described as larger than that of nearly 150 mem-

bers of the United Nations — before addressing the potential for a political slant to NIFA’s financial control.

“NIFA has been a political machine, governed by [Gov.] Kathy Hochul,” he said. “She wants to control every aspect of our business here in Nassau County, just like she has throughout the state of New York.”

Blakeman said that State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, a Democrat, has

declared that the county has no fiscal stress. And County Comptroller Elaine Phillips, a Republican, emphasized Nassau’s financial health despite rising costs statewide. “In 2024 to 2025, we saw almost a $5 million increase in health insurance costs,” Phillips said, “[and] a 23 percent increase in our pension costs.”

Phillips commended Blakeman’s decision not to raise county taxes for the entirety of his four-year tenure, and added that NIFA’s shift to an advisory role would be appropriate. “I wholly support that NIFA does not keep us in a control period,” she said.

County Treasurer David Chiang also voiced support for reduced NIFA oversight while stressing the county’s current financial position. “Nassau County is in the best fiscal shape it’s ever been in,” he said. “Without cutting services, we have maintained our service level while keeping revenues stable. Our expenses have been going down. We have budget surpluses.”

“Bruce Blakeman has no authority to decide whether there’s a control period in effect,” Kessel said. “It’s our position that a control period is absolutely necessary, and we will continue it going forward. It’s up to us to decide whether or not to decide to have a control period. If he doesn’t comply with it, we’ll take the appropriate action at the appropriate time.”

Chris Colucci/Herald

County Executive Bruce Blakeman, center, recognized the financial guidance of Comptroller Elaine Phillips and Treasurer David Chiang at a news conference last week.

Lakeview’s ‘Knittin Gang’ raises $1,500

the Knit-a-Thon to raise funds.”

Knit for Food has over 115 public meetups each year for the Knit-a-Thon, and a Zoom for participants and teams who raise over $100. On the Zoom, representatives from each of the four charities that receive Knit for Food’s donations gave presentations that covered hunger statistics and their methods for combatting hunger.

Our group is really about camaraderie, sometimes we meet just to talk and enjoy each other’s company

Marlene Tapley founding member, ‘Knittin Gang’

“All of the funds we raise are equally donated between the four organizations, we act as a sort of pass-through entity,” Nelkin said. “Knit for Food doesn’t have any overhead.”

While the Knit-a-Thon has been running for six years and counting, Lakeview’s Knittin’ Gang has been at it for 20 years. This is The Gang’s second year participating in the Knit-aThon. In 2025, they raised over $2800. This year, they raised over $1500, but donations are still open as of this week.

Officially calling themselves ‘The Knittin’ Gang…We Crochet 2,’ the group was accidentally named, and they have run with it ever since.

“One of our members’ husbands, I forget who, called us ‘the gang’ because we’d shop for yarn as a group, and that’s how we got the name,” member Marlene Tapley said. “It’s just stuck ever since.”

Tapley is a trustee at the Lakeview Public Library and a founding Knittin’ Gang member. She runs the knitting class at the library on Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m., where the Gang meets to work on their knitting and crocheting.

Knit-a-Thon participants working on their projects at the local part of the Knit-a-Thon on April 11.

“Sometimes, we don’t even get any knitting done,” Tapley joked. “Our group is really about camaraderie, sometimes we meet just to talk and enjoy each other’s company.”

Karen Russer, another member, said the first step to being a member of the Gang is knowing the difference between knitting and crocheting. “The difference is all in the ‘T,’” she said. “You use two needles to knit; the word knitting has two Ts. You use one hook when you crochet; the word crocheting has only one T.”

Russer has been a member since last year and found out about the weekly knitting classes firsthand from a

member. “I got jumped into the gang last year,” she joked. “I joined because I worked with another member, and she told me to come join.”

“My work schedule was changing, and I was available to do this, so that was the end of that,” Russer said.

The group is open to all ages and skill levels. “We have kids who come and learn to knit and crochet too, and we have members who are up to 80 years old,” Tapley said. “Everyone is at different levels; we have people who have been knitting for decades and people who are just learning how.”

Washington School Mentorship Week

West Hempstead Secondary School students are making a meaningful impact this spring as Mentorship Week took center stage at George Washington School.

Throughout the week, students from the secondary school’s Music, Culinary and Visual Arts departments stepped into leadership roles, visiting George Washington classrooms to lead hands-on learning experiences for younger students. The initiative created a connection between schools, as older students shared their talents, passion, and knowledge in ways that brought each subject area to life.

On March 23, student mentors from the Music Department worked closely with George Washington students, guiding them through sight-singing, harmony, dynamics and performance refinement. Their efforts were supported by the mentorship of Mr. Ben Coleman, Mr. Daniel DiPasquale, and Mr. Joseph Kane, whose guidance helped foster both confidence and musical growth.

On March 30, the Culinary Department, led by Ms. Stacy Gulisano, transformed the classroom into an interactive kitchen experience. Sixth grade students explored the science behind recipes and measurements, blending learning with creativity in a lesson that was as educational as it was enjoyable.

The week concluded on March 31 with an inspiring visit from Ms. Cassie Ross-Dinin and the Visual Arts Department. Through hands-on exploration of the elements of art, students were encouraged to see the world through an artist’s lens, sparking creativity and leaving a lasting impression.

Mentorship Week stands as an example of what is possible when students, educators, and school leaders come together around a shared purpose. The collaboration enriched the learning experience for younger

Noah Peretz/Herald

students and empowered West Hempstead Secondary School students to serve as role models and leaders within their district.

–Noah Peretz

Courtesy West Hempstead UFSD Students and teachers from West Hempstead Secondary School collaborated with George Washington School during Mentorship Week.

West Hempstead restaurant owner charged with fraud

By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com

For the second time in two years, Mahmut Unver, owner of Anatolia Mediterranean & Grill, was charged with underpaying his employees and failing to contribute to unemployment insurance.

1

8

Potatoes (3.8 oz.)

4 Caramel Apple Tartlets (4 oz.)

Unver also allegedly scammed two employees out of $50,000 and fired them after promising ownership stake in the restaurant, according to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. Unver was arrested on April 8.

Unver and his company, Red Lions Food Corp., which operates as Anatolia Mediterranean & Grill, and a third co-defendant, John Yilmaz, were also charged in November 2024 with allegedly underpaying several employees by more than $60,000 from September 2023 to April 2024 and for failing to pay $13,989 in unemployment insurance contributions to New York State. These 2024 cases were indicted in January 2026.

“Unver allegedly paid his employees only a fraction of what they were owed by law and through the agreements they made with him”, Donnelly noted.

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Unver was charged with scheme to defraud, grand larceny, two counts of failure to pay wages when due under labor law, and willful failure to pay contributions on April 8.

He pleaded not guilty and is due back in court on April 27. He faces 5 to 15 years in prison if he is convicted.

Donnelly said Unver and Red Lions Food Corp. allegedly paid an employee $4,200 from May to December 2025, or $150 per week. Unver agreed to pay him $1,500 per week for his seven months of work as a chef, cleaner, and server, underpaying him by about $33,000.

Another employee, who worked as a server and busser from May to October 2025, was paid a total of $913 when the agreed upon wage was allegedly $1,000 per week. This employee worked 11 to 12 hour shifts six days per week. She should have been paid slightly over

$25,000 under state minimum wage laws. Unver allegedly underpaid these two employees by a total of about $58,000.

In May 2025, Unver also entered a handwritten agreement with the former chef stating that he would become a 50 percent owner of Red Lions Food Corp for $50,000.

In June of 2025, Unver, the former chef, and former server signed a typed agreement that stated that the employees would each be 25 percent owners, and Unver would be a 50 percent owner. The employees paid Unver a combined $50,000 for their combined 50 percent stake.

Unver fired these two employees in November and December 2025, respectively. They were never refunded their $50,000 and Unver never recorded their ownership interests in the company.

Records from the New York State Department of Labor’s Unemployment Insurance Division show that Red Lions Food Corp. allegedly failed to pay its unemployment insurance contributions between December 2024 and December 2025.

The business was notified in November 2025 that it had allegedly underpaid these contributions by about $2,200. This amount has still not been paid.

Courtesy News 12

The owner of Anatolia Mediterranean & Grill was charged with fraud twice in the past two years.

malverne/west hempstead

Malverne Village Board presents budget

By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com

Malverne’s Village Board of Trustees convened April 8 for their fiscal year 2026-27 budget meeting. The village’s total budget has increased to $21 million, an increase of about $1 million from last year’s budget.

Mayor Tim Sullivan briefed the public on the details of the budget, explaining that $450,000 of the $1 million added to the budget was going towards early retirement incentives for police. He explained that this allocation of funds was for the purpose of scaling down payroll for the department. This would save money for village operating costs.

“We’re taking a little bit of a one-year hit, but on a going forward basis, we’ll have some pretty significant operating savings,” Mayor Sullivan said.

This budget increase equates to a 2.43 percent property tax increase, which is equal to the tax cap. This percentage increase is equal to $128 per home, or $11 per month per home. Sullivan explained that the over the past seven years, the village has tried to keep taxes as low as possible, using “surplus funds” to offset tax increases on an annual basis.

Mayor Sullivan also explained that

increasing healthcare costs have contributed to the rise in taxes. “You’ve heard the national narrative about health care costs, and unfortunately, we live in one of the most expensive states when it comes to health care costs, and that’s one of the larger effects of driv -

“Most of our departmental fleet exceeds 20 years beyond its useful life, and parts and labor are expensive to maintain our fleet,” Sullivan said. “We had the opportunity to purchase a truck that was already in a stage of development, versus custom built trucks from start to finish.”

The new truck will be delivered in August of this year.

The village also has incorporated bond anticipation notes into their budget plan. B.A.Ns, as they are referred to, help the village borrow money when it needs to, as Sullivan explained, such as when $7 million was borrowed via B.A.N. to construct the new police headquarters and outfit it with furniture and equipment.

This method of borrowing does not incur interest because it pools short term notes together in a long-term bond, under the prediction that interest rates will decrease. “We were actively managing the village’s debt, and we’re doing it to the taxpayers advantage,” Sullivan said.

ing our tax increases,” he said.

The village board also approved additional borrowing for a new fire engine. The village will not be absorbing the $1 million of debt immediately, but Sullivan explained that it will have a slight effect on their debt service.

Sullivan also explained that he, village Treasurer Kelly Duffy, and village clerk Jill Valli met with Standard & Poor’s financial advisors and presented the budget to them. The S&P advisors affirmed that the village budget has been managed effectively by the board.

Courtesy The Incorporated Village of Malverne

Malverne’s village board met on April 8 to discuss the village’s budget plan.

BRIAN FALK

SEAFORD Senior Lacrosse

A DYNAMIC THREE-SPORT athlete who helped Seaford’s football team to the Nassau Conference IV championship and the basketball team to a deep run in the Class A playoffs, Falk is one of the most talented lacrosse players in the county. He shared the Herald’s 2026 Lacrosse Preview cover with West Hempstead’s Elizabeth Poirot. Bound for Villanova, Falk racked up 25 goals and 18 assists a year ago and earned All-County honors.

games to watch

Thursday, April 16

Boys Lacrosse: Glen Cove at Freeport 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Uniondale at Clarke 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Hewlett at Baldwin 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: MacArthur at Mepham 5

Baseball: Seaford at Lynbrook 5 p.m.

Baseball: Oceanside at East Meadow 5 p.m.

Baseball: Farmingdale at Massapequa 5 p.m.

Softball: Kennedy at East Meadow 5 p.m.

Softball: V.S. North at Baldwin 5 p.m.

Softball: Plainedge at Farmingdale 5 p.m.

Softball: Hewlett at South Side 5 p.m.

Friday, April 17

Baseball: MacArthur at Hewlett 5 p.m.

Baseball: South Side at Kennedy 5 p.m.

Softball: Freeport at West Hempstead 5 p.m.

Softball: Oceanside at Mepham 5 p.m.

Softball: Lawrence at East Rockaway 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Lynbrook at South Side 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Plainedge at Lynbrook 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Long Beach at Farmingdale 6 p.m.

Saturday, April 18

Girls Lacrosse: V.S. District at Sewanhaka 10 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Uniondale at East Meadow 1 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.

HERALD SPORTS

Malverne looks to exciting future

By PATRICK MOQUIN sports@liherald.com

Malverne softball is taking its first steps toward developing a new foundation, as older leaders and exciting young stars are working toward a bright future for the Mules. In order to attain this long-term success, coach Nicholas Moreno has one piece of advice to offer.

“Have fun most importantly,” Moreno said. “We’re in Conference 6, not Conference 1. Every time you make a mistake, an error on the field, you brush it off and just keep smiling, make the next play.”

The Mules’ results so far have been a mixed bag, as they lost a wild 22-18 season opener to Uniondale before getting the better of Friends Academy in another 14-9 shootout on March 31. Their three most recent games against Sewanhaka, Roosevelt and Great Neck South were more convincing defeats.

But though Malverne has struggled against several early rivals, Moreno also sees plenty of potential in a roster that’s still developing. His youngest player is also one of his most exciting, as seventh grader Ali Cappolla has shown brilliant flashes in center field to begin her varsity career.

“She’s going to be amazing,” Moreno said. “We’re really lucky to have her and really looking forward to seeing what she can do for the next bunch of years.”

Players like Cappolla need players like senior captains Keanna Burgess and Brea Haye. As Moreno tries to

for the Mules, who look to improve as the season unfolds.

develop younger talent, having respected leaders alongside him has made the process easier in every respect.

Burgess, described by Moreno as Malverne’s best player, has enjoyed an explosive start and went 2-for-4 with 7 RBIs against Friends

Academy. While she provides stability at catcher, Haye keeps her teammates engaged in right field.

“She really talks to the girls a lot too,” Moreno said.

“All the time, she tells them to calm down, just have fun and do the best they can. It’ll

come. The plays will come.”

The middle infield has been cobbled together on the fly, but sophomores Jolie Romero and Arya Roopnarine have stepped up and capably managed. Sophomores Maria Otero and Kamila Fernandez have split time at third base, while junior Lea Cardenas has taken over at first base with early success. A key piece, sophomore Jaritza Pujols, is out indefinitely with an injury.

Senior Kenia Layne has always turned heads with her blinding speed, and as the new leadoff hitter, it has become such an advantage that any ball in play can get her to first. Her athleticism has also been a key asset while bouncing around several positions in the field.

“She doesn’t drop the ball. She gets to every ball,” Moreno said. “She’s got a magnet in her glove, we say, and she’s helping out Ali in center field, constantly telling her where to position and stuff like that.”

Moreno also said he expects seniors Siobhan Hayes, Moradeke Iyageh, Amaia Vilme and Sonia Velasquez to have a profound impact on their teammates as the season rolls along.

The Mules’ early issues have often come as a result of practice performance failing to transfer to games, as “freezing” has been common among less experienced players. Many of their defeats can be chalked up to a handful of mistakes, which can be abated with more seasoning. In this sense, a five-game slate between April 14-18, will likely prove to be a productive trial by fire.

Erik Lee/Herald

Jaritza Pujols is a key part of the infield defense and lineup

CSTL hosts school break science events

By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com

Last week, the Center for Science Teaching and Learning hosted school break events for families and kids. From April 4 to 12, the CTSL had its nature festival and spring camp.

The Nature Festival is an annual all-day event for children and families that immerses the kids in the environment around the museum. Kids are taken on nature hikes by counselors where they look for and identify species of bugs, guided through arts and crafts activities, and helped with ‘pond scooping,’ or collecting water samples from the pond outside the museum to see small aquatic animals.

The spring camp is a drop-off program that has many of the same outside events for the kids, but they also do hands-on activities that “cover all of the sciences, chemistry, physics, biology,” as described by CSTL director Ray Ann Havasy. Over Easter weekend, the CSTL also has their ‘dinosaur egg hunt.’ Havasy started the CSTL in 2000 with the goal of promoting science education and encouraging extracurricular learning in all the sciences. “My motivation was and still is to help people understand that science is important in the world,” Havasy said. “Topics like forever chemicals, and endangered animals and their habitats.”

Havasy is acutely aware of the ways sci-

ence has been undermined by the powers that be and stays adamant in her views that science education should be an important aspect of education and daily life in general. “One of the biggest criticisms of science is that our knowledge of topics ‘keeps changing,’” she said. “The people who criticize don’t understand that our knowledge is fluid, the more you discover, the more things change.”

The CSTL has a dinosaur exhibit with moving, life-like model dinosaurs. These models have accompanying fact sheets that describe the dinosaur, when it lived, and elements of its biology. The dinosaur exhibit also has live birds, including an owl, an emu, a peafowl, and a quail.

“The information we have about dinosaurs also changes on a regular basis, but people often use that in favor of their ‘science is worthless’ arguments,” Havasy said. “They just don’t understand.”

Havasy said she aims to combat this antiintellectualism and help people, chiefly children, understand the process of science and observation. “There’s no ‘conclusion’ to science, no matter what field you’re talking about,” she said. “It’s an ongoing process, and that’s a great thing.”

Havasy takes great joy in her work, and her efforts to foster knowledge and curiosity in the younger generations. “It’s a wonderful feeling to watch families have a nice time together, bond, and learn,” she said.

Noah Peretz/Herald Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex models in the CSTL dinosaur walk exhibit.

Concerns about water rise across the region

Uneven investment in treatment, emerging contaminants leave many residents feeling vulnerable

By Roksana amid, stacy dRiks & Hailey FulmeR of the Herald

Sixth installment in a series about water.

Concerns about water quality remain visible and closely tied to patterns of neglect in communities across Long Island.

In the region, water problems don’t exist in isolation. Flooding, contamination and aging infrastructure are increasingly intersecting, and all of it can be traced back to a single source: the Island’s underground aquifer system. The sole-source system supplies all of the region’s drinking water, leaving little margin for error as environmental pressures intensify.

neglect beneath the surface

In Uniondale, aging infrastructure, delayed upgrades and a lack of investment are reflected in a deteriorating water tower and broader concerns about environmental health. The tower is known locally as “Old Rusty,” according to Pearl Jacobs, president of the Nostrand Gardens Civic Association, and has stood for more than three decades without proper maintenance. Experts typically recommend inspection, repainting and structural upkeep every seven years, Jacobs said.

“It’s beyond repair,” she said of the tower. “You can see the corrosion. There were reports of leaks. This is not just infrastructure; it’s a health and safety issue.”

Despite years of complaints, advocates like Jacobs say local officials initially proposed only cosmetic fixes, such as applying internal epoxy coatings to stop leaks. It was only after community pressure that roughly $10 million was allocated in 2025 for a new tower. The project is still in its early stages over a year later. The new tower is planned to be fully operational by the summer of 2027.

Residents have reported brown water in their homes, raising concerns about unsafe levels of contaminants. Water quality studies conducted one of Jacobs civic partners, Jeannine Maynard, cofounder of the Greater Uniondale Area Action Coalition and vice president of the Uniondale Community Land Trust indicated elevated levels of 1,4-dioxane, [a synthetic industrial chemical that is often found as a contaminant in water supplies, especially in places with past manufacturing or heavy chemical use], in the system.

Uniondale’s water infrastructure also includes aging pipes, with much of the system’s lead content still unknown. Maps show large portions of Uniondale untested, highlighting gaps in oversight compared with nearby communities. Advocates say these combined issues — brown water, an outdated tower, unknown lead risks and industrial contamination — reflect broader inequities.

a pattern of delays and uncertainty

The water tower is not just a one-off

issue but, for many residents, part of a broader pattern of neglect in the Town of Hempstead.

Jacobs pointed to a stark comparison: while Uniondale’s water tower deteriorated, West Hempstead received millions of dollars for a new facility. “They took taxpayer money and invested it elsewhere while our infrastructure was failing,” she said.

Uniondale residents, Jacobs said, have been diagnosed with a variety of cancers. “People start asking questions like, ‘What’s in our water?’”

reflects “a level of neglect,” leaving residents in the dark about risks.

“When things are ignored for decades, it sends a message,” Maynard said. “The question is: whose communities get prioritized and whose are left waiting?”

researchers are still working to understand the full scope.

Rising seas, stronger storms strain water supply

“We have a single-source water supply on Long Island,” Ali FarhadZadeh, an associate professor of civil engineering at Stony Brook University, said. “The water basically comes from the ground — from the aquifer.”

Residents wonder about the safety of their water because much of the community’s infrastructure has not been fully studied, said Maynard.

An interactive map from the League of Conservation Voters shows that while neighboring Hempstead has many defined lead service lines, most of Uniondale is listed as unknown, raising concerns about potential contamination. Air studies and local health data suggest higher rates of certain conditions, such as asthma, in the community, which may be linked to environmental exposure. Experts say the lack of detailed pipe inventories and testing

She also pointed to growing concern over PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a class of human-made chemicals often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the environment or the human body. Used for decades in products designed to resist heat, water and stains — including firefighting foam, nonstick cookware and waterproof materials — PFAS have entered groundwater through industrial processes.

And because Long Island relies on a sole-source aquifer, those contaminants can persist and circulate throughout the region, Maynard said. “These weren’t things people were even looking for,” she said. “So they built up over time.”

She added that PFAS and related contaminants have been detected widely across Long Island. Exposure has been linked in studies to increased risks of cancers, hormone disruption and other long-term health effects, though

As storms grow more frequent and sea levels rise, that system is under mounting strain. Heavier rainfall is overwhelming drainage systems and saturating the ground, increasing flooding and raising the risk of saltwater intrusion.

“We have saltwater that’s in the sediment, under the ocean on the South Shore,” Ryan Wallace, assistant professor at Adelphi University’s Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences said. “That saltwater could actually make its way to make its way into and mix with the freshwater aquifer, and that’s a lot of different towns.”

While residents are not drinking saltwater, intrusion can render wells unusable and reduce the region’s supply of clean drinking water.

New York state launched a pilot program on March 8 to help residents with private wells testing for PFAS contamination and cover cleanup costs. Suffolk is among the counties expected to be

Courtesy City of Glen Cove

Former Glen Cove Mayor Reggie Spinello, second from left, toured the Duck Pond Road well’s filtration system with Public Works Director, James Byrne, far left, Denise O’Connor, Water Service Foreman Michael Colangelo, Daniel Ermmarino and Kevin Basile.

Water infrastructure faces increased demand

included.

Eligible homeowners can receive free testing and may qualify for rebates of up to $5,000 for filtration systems or $10,000 to connect to public water companies.

“It makes infrastructure like septic systems and pipelines very vulnerable,” FarhadZadeh said of heavy rainfall. “They’re old — they’re not built for the new norm that we have with these storm patterns.”

Low-lying communities — particularly along the South Shore and in eastern Suffolk County — face more frequent flooding and infrastructure stress. Flooding is no longer limited to major storms.

When groundwater is already close to the surface, even routine rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems, creating a direct pathway between surface pollution and the aquifer.

“When it floods, water picks up and carries a lot of pollutants with it,” Robert Hayes, Environmental Advocates NY’s senior director of clean water, said. “Those pollutants might make their way into drinking water sources, whether it’s groundwater or surface water.”

Hayes said that investing in naturebased solutions such as wetlands or rain gardens could help capture water before it carries pollutants.

Aging infrastructure adds to growing risks

Many of Long Island’s water and sewer systems were built decades ago, at a time when both population and climate pressures were lower.

“The aging infrastructure is a big deal,” FarhadZadeh said. “I think it should be taken very seriously.”

Systems not designed to handle today’s volume of stormwater can quickly become overwhelmed, increasing the likelihood of overflows, leaks or system failures.

A $250 million water infrastructure funding package announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul on March 12 includes projects aimed at upgrading aging systems and improving water quality statewide. It includes $23 million for the Village of Hempstead and $5 million for PFAS treatment in Williston Park.

Hayes said that such investments are critical, but risks — and resources — vary across the region.

“Long Island has some of the most polluted drinking water in the state of New York,” he said. “But there is much more contamination still out there, and much more still to be done to make sure that no New Yorker is exposed to harmful levels of contamination when they turn on the tap.”

“Drinking water and quality issues on Long Island — we can consider them to be disproportionately affecting certain communities,” Wallace said. “Especially communities with older infrastructure, in close proximity to industrial zones or historically industrial areas.” Communities like Uniondale and Hempstead Village, which also have fewer resources to address the problem.

Exposure to contaminated drinking water, Wallace said, has been associated with increased risks of cancers including stomach, bladder, kidney, ovarian and prostate.

As flooding increases and infrastructure continues to age, the challenge for Long Island is not just protecting its water supply, but understanding how interconnected pressures are reshaping it from the ground up.

N. Shore water divide highlights cost and quality

Glen Cove’s drinking water meets all state and federal safety standards, according to the city’s 2024 annual water quality report, but maintaining that standard has required years of infrastructure upgrades, careful management of its well system and, at times, reliance on neighboring communities.

In nearby Glen Head and Sea Cliff, water is supplied privately by Liberty Utilities, highlighting differences not only in cost, but in how water systems are maintained and experienced by residents.

Glen Cove relies on a network of six municipal wells, including sites at Duck Pond Road, Nancy Court, Seaman Road and Kelly Street. According to former Councilwoman Marsha Silverman, the system was under significant strain eight years ago , with only two of the six wells operational at the time.

Multiple wells were offline for different reasons — contamination, storm damage, long-term deterioration — forcing the city to act quickly to restore capacity.

“We had purchased a couple hundred thousand dollars’ worth of water from Locust Valley because we couldn’t supply Glen Cove,” Silverman said.

To stabilize the system, the city

implemented a multi-year plan that included installing temporary filtration systems at the Duck Pond Road wells to address freon contamination, repairing the Kelly Street well after a lightning strike, and fully rehabilitating the Seaman Road well.

That work is ongoing. In January, the City Council approved more than $700,000 in additional repairs to the Seaman Road well, awarding a $776,000 contract to Philip Ross Industries Inc. to upgrade its granular activated carbon system. The improvements are intended to better regulate PFAS, which have been linked to serious health risks, and ensure that the well remains in compliance with state Department of Health standards.

The investment follows a broader pattern of spending, with the city investing tens of millions of dollars in its water system in recent years, including a $5 million rehabilitation project completed in 2024 at the Seaman Road station. Those upgrades are necessary as state and federal guidelines for contaminants become increasingly strict.

“There was always talk about building a seventh well, because we really need it,” Silverman said.

Cost differences across the North Shore

Despite those infrastructure challenges, Glen Cove’s municipal system remains relatively affordable compared with neighboring communities, because it is publicly operated and not for profit.

Residents’ quarterly bills typically range from $40 to $50 in the winter to a few hundred dollars in the summer, depending on usage.

In contrast, residents of Glen Head and Sea Cliff — served by private systems — often face significantly higher costs, with some paying hundreds of

dollars per month. Those systems generally factor operational expenses, infrastructure upgrades and profit into their rate structures, contributing to higher bills.

For Glen Head resident Agatha Nadale, the cost is substantial — about $1,800 per year. Her concerns, however, extend beyond the money.

“I can remember [in the ’70s] we’d fill a pitcher of water in the summer and there were these, like, little squiggly things swimming in the water,” she said. She also recalled a strong chlorine taste, and said those early experiences continue to shape how she uses water today. Nadale said she relies on a wholehouse filtration system, and does not drink tap water.

“I have already saved a handful of families from buying homes where Liberty Utilities is,” she said.

While Glen Head’s system has undergone upgrades — including carbon filtration systems designed to remove PFAS and meet stricter standards for water quality — public perception has not always kept pace with those improvements.

Although Glen Cove’s system remains compliant, continued monitoring and investment will be necessary as environmental standards evolve. That concern extends across Long Island, where all communities rely on the same groundwater source and face challenges not only of contamination and saltwater intrusion, but also of steadily increasing demand.

Looking ahead

Silverman has also raised the possibility of long-term alternatives, including desalination, though no formal plans have been established.

At the federal level, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi said that water quality has been a longstanding priority.

“This has been a problem for a long time, and I’ve been working on improving our water quality on Long Island for over 30 years,” Suozzi said. “Dealing with aging infrastructure as mayor of Glen Cove, I realized how crucial drinking water projects were to my community. I installed one of the earliest ‘granulated activated carbon’ filtration systems on Long Island.”

“Improvements need to consistently be made to ensure our water remains safe,” he added.

For Glen Cove, the ability to draw from neighboring systems like Locust Valley provides a critical safety net. But it also highlights the importance for the city of maintaining its own infrastructure — particularly its network of wells — as demand continues to grow.

Across the North Shore, the contrast is clear: While water may come from the same aquifer, the cost, management and experience of that water can vary significantly from one community to the next.

And for residents like Nadale, of Glen Head, those differences are not abstract — they shape daily decisions about cost, safety and trust in what comes out of the tap.

Continued from PreViouS PAGe

Courtesy New York American Water the new York American Water treatment facility in Glen Head has updated its filtering process with the installation of two new granular-activated carbon vessels.

Malverne baseball legend gets memorial

playing in Little League in Malverne has a fond memory of the individuals who stand out due to their heartfelt contributions to the league,” Sullivan said.

“Bernie Havern will fondly be remembered as ‘Mr. Baseball’ for many generations to come,” Sullivan added, “for his countless deeds and unselfish dedication to baseball, enriching the lives of so many and for his tireless efforts in making Malverne a standout model in cherishing America’s Pastime.”

Approached by Major and her 2 brothers and sister, Sullivan decided on a street dedicated to their father rather than a flagpole, scoreboard or other memorial. “He nurtured and mentored so many in this community, so we opted to go with the street,” Major said. “Baseball was the love of his life, but his life was more than that. He was dedicated to his family and his community.”

Havern’s wife, Joan, still lives in Malverne. She is 83 years old.

“It’s a huge honor that almost 14 years later, that he’s being honored and he hasn’t been forgotten,” Major said.

Aside from coaching Little League, Havern also contributed to Malverne baseball by maintaining the fields at Howard T. Herber Middle School and Malverne High School, as well as the field at Whelan Park, since he was never

an employee of the village or the school district. He even built the pitcher’s mound at the high school.

“These fields didn’t look like they look today,” Hunt said. “He was instru-

mental in the process of improving these fields. When I was mayor, I named him baseball commissioner, and I think he was really proud of that.”

“He used to take care of the fields

like he owned them,” she added, “and the superintendent at the time used to let him because they were friendly.”

Hunt’s daughter, Bridget Jelovcic, explained that the district’s budget never included funds to refurbish the baseball fields, so Havern did the work himself.

Winter Guard medals at championship

Malverne School District announced the success of its Winter Guard program at the Musical Arts Conference Championships. On March 28, student-athletes from both the varsity and junior varsity teams traveled to Monroe, Connecticut, to compete against the region’s top performers, securing two podium finishes for the district.

The day’s achievements began with the junior varsity team from Howard T. Herber Middle School, which made its championship debut in its inaugural season. Comprised entirely of new members, the JV team earned third place. The bronze medal finish serves as a testament to the rapid development and commitment shown by these students throughout their first year of competition.

The momentum continued into the evening as the Malverne High School varsity team took the floor. Following a championship victory in the AA division last year, the team was elevated to the more rigorous Scholastic A Class for the 2025-2026 season. The varsity performers earned first place, officially being crowned MAC Scholastic A Champions.

The district commends the students and coaches for their dedication to the performing arts and for representing the Malverne community with excellence on a regional stage.

–Noah Peretz

Newsday

Havern worked on the baseball fields at Whelan Park for decades, free of charge.

Courtesy Malverne UFSD

The Malverne junior varsity Winter Guard from Howard T. Herber Middle School wins bronze at their first-ever MAC championship on March 28.

Jennifer Havern Major Bernie Havern coaching Malverne Little League.

PSEG Long Island supports small businesses

By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com

To mark Small Business Week, May 3-9, PSEG Long Island will host a Business First Workshop to support small businesses across the region.

The workshop is scheduled for May 6, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management, at 510 Grumman Road West in Bethpage, commonly referred to as the old Grumman building. The event is intended to bring together business owners and PSEG Long Island representatives to share information about programs and services that can help businesses operate more efficiently and manage energy use and costs.

“PSEG Long Island is proud to support our local business community — the entrepreneurs who invest in our neighborhoods, drive local economy and create jobs,” Veronica Isaac, PSEG Long Island’s senior manager of Economic Development, said. “Our Business First Workshop on May 6 will present all of the products and services offered by our PSEG Long Island Business First program for small and medium business owners. We will also have a special recognition ceremony to honor local companies and business organizations that participate in, promote and support our programs.”

The company’s Business First program provides businesses with dedicated support for managing electricity needs, as well as information on billing processes and energy-efficiency incentives. Other areas of focus include building and renovation services, electric vehicle infrastructure and fleet incen -

tives, and procurement-related opportunities.

The topics will include digital tools such as the utility’s app and online account management platforms, as well as economic development initiatives that offer grants and bill credit opportunities.

Presenters will include Nayan Parikh, on digital channels; Christine

Bryson, on economic development; Alex Nyilas, on the Business First program; Alexandro Campos, on billing; Brittany Degel, on energy efficiency; Nicole Jones-Cumberbatch, on building and renovation services; Paul DiBenedetto, on electric vehicles; and Jimmy Alty, on procurement.

The workshop will also provide an opportunity for attendees to connect with Business First Advocates and representatives from procurement and building and renovation services, offering direct access to support resources.

Long Island is home to more than 100,000 small businesses, according to the Long Island Association, underscoring their significance to the regional economy.

“We proudly share information about PSEG Long Island’s revitalization programs with all new businesses in our community,” Cheryl Fajardo, past president of the Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, said. “As a strong partner in local economic development, PSEG Long Island has played a vital role in helping us improve our downtown areas through beautification projects, infrastructure support and promotional efforts.”

Pre-registration is recommended by emailing PSEGLI-Businessfirst@psegliny.com.

Courtesy PSEG Long Island

Last year’s Business First Workshop presenters offered information about programs and services that help businesses operate more efficiently.

OUT

Destination: Outdoor escape Your backyard, reimagined

By Karen Bloom

Spring has surely sprung (at last) — and we’re very much attuned to Earth Month as we embrace the outdoors. It’s great get out and about and not feel so housebound, which leads many of us to rethink how we use our outdoor space. The season definitely invites us outside, offering a chance to reconnect with nature right at home and shape a backyard that works for everyday living.

Start by considering how your yard can better serve your household. Maybe you’re envisioning a space for easy entertaining, a safer play area for kids and pets, or simply a peaceful retreat to unwind. Increasingly, homeowners are embracing “backyarding” — bringing indoor comforts like dining, lounging and even workouts into the open air.

A little planning now can pay off all season long, with vibrant blooms, fresh herbs and a space that feels both functional and inviting.

“With the season’s first signs appearing, this is the time to prepare your garden for months of enjoyment,” garden design expert Fiona Jenkins says.

Here are her practical tips for creating a beautiful, low-maintenance yard that doesn’t demand all your free time.

Keep It Manageable

When it comes to flower beds, smaller is often smarter. Narrow beds — about one to two feet wide — are easier to plant, maintain and keep looking tidy.

Limiting plant variety can also make a big difference. Sticking to a handful of dependable options helps you better handle their needs and simplifies care. Hardy perennials such as geraniums and peonies, along with evergreen shrubs, offer reliable color year after year without the need for constant replanting.

“Once established, these plants can provide lasting beauty with minimal effort,” Jenkins says. “Just be

sure you understand their watering, feeding and pruning needs before planting.”

Build A Strong Foundation

Healthy soil is the backbone of any successful garden. Investing in rich, organic soil — and refreshing it annually with compost — helps plants thrive while reducing the necessity of frequent watering and fertilizing.

Mulch is another essential. A layer of organic material such as bark, leaves or compost helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature and keep weeds in check — all while improving soil quality over time.

“Mulching is a great way of protecting your soil and making it last longer by helping to maintain moisture levels and prevent weeds from growing,” she explains.

Add Structure With Hardscaping

Incorporating hard surfaces like decking, patios or walkways can transform a backyard into a more usable living space. These elements provide structure, define different zones and create natural gathering areas.

Composite decking remains a popular choice for its durability and low maintenance, while natural stone, concrete or porcelain pavers offer a clean, timeless look.

Thoughtful additions like built-in lighting can extend the use of your yard into the evening, adding both safety and ambiance.

For visual interest with minimal upkeep, consider a rock garden. Combining alpine plants or succulents with layered stones and pebbles creates texture and dimension — without demanding much attention.

Try Raised Beds

Raised beds are a practical solution for both flowers and vegetables. They help contain plant growth, improve drainage and make gardening more accessible. Whether placed over existing soil or integrated into a patio design, they also serve as attractive focal points.

“A raised flower bed will stop them from spreading out of control and add a focal point of interest to your garden,” Jenkins says.

Let Nature Take The Lead

For a softer, more natural look, consider embracing a slightly “wild” aesthetic. Swapping part of a traditional lawn for a meadow-style area can reduce maintenance while supporting pollinators.

“This isn’t to say you should let it grow completely out of control, but your garden can look beautiful with the aesthetic of a grassy meadow rather than an urban space,” she continues.

Scattering wildflower seeds introduces bursts of color and attracts bees and butterflies, creating a lively, ever-changing landscape that benefits the local ecosystem.

With thoughtful choices and a bit of early effort, your backyard can become one of your favorite places to spend time this season and throughout the year — a space that feels as welcoming and comfortable as any room inside your home.

Asbury Short Film Concert

The acclaimed national touring showcase returns with a curated showcase of standout short films — many seen by the local audience for the first time. Presented by Asbury Shorts, the New York City-based long-running short film exhibitor, the program highlights an eclectic mix, including film festival favorites and Oscar-recognized selections. The dynamic lineup spans genres, from sharp comedies like “The Tailor,” where culture and confusion collide on a Brooklyn street (pictured), to compelling dramas, inventive animation and occasional thoughtprovoking documentaries. This is a rare opportunity to experience these cinematic “hidden gems” in a true theater setting — films that often don’t reach traditional big screens. These shorts provide a window into emerging filmmakers alongside early works from directors who go on to achieve major acclaim.

Friday, April 17, 7 p.m. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny. org or (516) 323-4444.

Micky Dolenz

Micky Dolenz celebrates the 60th anniversary of The Monkees with a special tour honoring the band’s enduring legacy and timeless sound. In this nostalgic and high-spirited performance, Dolenz takes audiences on a musical journey through The Monkees’ rise to fame, performing their biggest hits in chronological order while sharing personal stories from his decades in entertainment — as he keeps the music alive for new generations As the last surviving member of the beloved group, Dolenz brings both heart and history to the stage, paying tribute to bandmates Davy Jones, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith, while celebrating the fans who helped transform a fictional TV band into a global sensation. This is sure to be a heartfelt, hit-filled evening that blends music, memories and a lasting connection to one of pop culture’s most iconic acts.

Sunday, April 19, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Photos: Spring unfolds in your backyard, where patios, gardens and greenery set the stage to gather and unwind.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

APR

17

Family theater

It’s the final weekend for Long Island Children’s Museum staging of “Pete the Cat,” the charming musical based on the book series by Kimberly and James Dean. Life is certainly an adventure for Pete, no matter where he winds up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out. Together, they set out on a mission to help Jimmy conquer second grade art, and along the way, they both learn a little something new about inspiration. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon.; also April 19

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

APR

18

Lakeview Civic Association Spring Cleanup

All are welcome to join the Lakeview Civic Association for their Spring cleanup. Community service hours will be provided to students.

• Where: Lakeview LIRR Station

• Time: 9 a.m.

• Contact: concerns.lakeview@gmaiil.com

Long Island Home Show

Check out the best resources in home improvement, landscaping and design services. Experts are ready to provide guidance on enhancing your living spaces, ensuring every corner of your home meets your needs and style.

• Where: Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale

• Time: Opens 10 a.m., also April 19

• Contact: ticketmaster.com

‘Dog Days’ Weekend and Dog Festival

Get ready to wag those tails, at Old Westbury Gardens with your pooch (leashed of course), Bring your canine companions for a scenic stroll through grounds bursting spring’s first blooms. With a curated lineup of local pet and dog-focused vendors offering treats, accessories, services, and more — ust for your pup (and you!).

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury

• Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., also April 19

Once upon a time in the Bronx

• Where: Malverne Village gazebo

• Time: 10-10:30 a.m.

Chazz Palminteri is back on the Paramount stage with his electrifying solo performance of “A Bronx Tale,” the autobiographical one-man show that launched his remarkable career. Raw, riveting and deeply personal, the play draws on Palminteri’s own bruising childhood in the Bronx, including the moment — at just nine-years-old — when he witnessed a gangland killing that would forever shape his view of the world. Onstage, Palminteri inhabits 18 vividly drawn characters, seamlessly shifting between friends, foes and family members to conjure an entire neighborhood with nothing but his voice, physicality and storytelling prowess. First written and performed in 1989, A Bronx Tale quickly became a sensation, hailed as one of the most sought-after stage properties since Rocky. The original production paved the way for the acclaimed film adaptation — directed by Robert De Niro—and later a hit Broadway musical. Born and raised in the Bronx, Palminteri stands firmly in the lineage of iconic Italian-American artists who redefined New York storytelling in the 1970s, including Martin Scorsese, De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci. Like them, he brings grit, muscle and an unflinching realism to his work, capturing both the violence and the humanity of life on those sidewalks. This return engagement offers audiences a chance to experience the original, powerhouse performance that started it all — up close, uncompromising and unforgettable.

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

Jazzin’ with Kirk Whalum

The sax icon appears at the Madison Theatre. He blasts off with his highly-anticipated new album “Epic Cool.” an electrifying collection of original grooves. Whalum focuses on his songwriting to craft an album that’s passionate and spirited on a monumental scale, but with his trademark soul. Get ready to groove, because like his new album, Whalum is anything but ordinary.

• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

‘Romantic Rendezvous’

Old Westbury Gardens chamber ensemble in residence, Poetica Musica welcomes the season in the intimate and elegant Red Ballroom of Westbury House. Renowned pianists Javor Bracic and Angelina Gadeliya make their series debut, performing solo and duo piano works by Chopin, Schubert, Fauré, Barber, and others.The program includes

Sonata in A minor by Franz Schubert, Dolly Suite for piano four hands by Gabriel Fauré, Rondo, Op. 5 by Frédéric Chopin, Souvenirs for piano four hands by Samuel Barber, and Crimean Sketches for solo piano by Serhii Bortkiewicz. Advance ticket purchase required. A pre-concert talk will take place at 7:30 pm, followed by a reception after the concert on the West Porch. $30, $25 for members, seniors and students.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury

• Time: 8-9:30 p.m.

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

APR 19

Clothes Drive Fundraiser

The West Hempstead Community Scholarship Fund is collecting clean, wearable, gently used clothes of all types. This includes shoes, bags, linens, stuffed animals, and small plastic toys. Funds raised will support scholarship for West Hempstead seniors.

• Where: West Hempstead Secondary School, 400 Nassau Blvd., West Hempstead

• Time: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Contact: swelti1@verizon.net

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

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

4 Ways from Sunday in concert

The band visits West Hempstead Public Library. Enjoy a lively, diverse concert featuring time-tested classic hits from the ‘50s through the 80s.

• Where: 500 Hempstead Ave., West Hempstead

• Time: 2 p.m.

• Contact: whplibrary.org or (516) 481-6591

Megan Hilty in concert

Direct from her Tony-nominated performance as Madeline Ashton in Broadway’s “Death Becomes Her,” Adelphi welcomes Tony, Grammy and Critics Choice Award-nominated actor-singer Megan Hilty to the stage. Enjoy an intimate afternoon of music with her Grammy-nominated pianist and music director Matt Cusson.

• Where: Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City

• Time: 3 p.m.

• Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or (516) 877-4000

APR 25

Malverne Arbor Day Tree

Dedication

Join in the tree dedication.

The Lovin’ Spoonful Fondly known as “America’s answer to the Beatles,” the band brings their chart-topping folkrock hits to the Madison Theatre. Formed in New York’s Greenwich Village, The Lovin’ Spoonful, made up of original band members John Sebastian, Steve Boone, Joe Butler, and Zal Yanovsky, exploded onto the charts sending their first seven singles soaring onto Billboard’s Top-10 virtually overnight. Their first single, “Do You Believe in Magic,” flew to the top of the charts, followed by an unprecedented string of hits. Today, The Lovin’ Spoonful tours with founding member Steve Boone, along with Jeff Alan Ross (Badfinger, Peter Asher), Bill Cinque (Neil Diamond), longtime drummer Mike Arturi, and Rob Bonfiglio (The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson Band, Wilson Phillips). Together they faithfully celebrate the rich, good-time catalog of hits that made The Lovin’ Spoonful one of the world’s most beloved groups to emerge from the ‘60s. • Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

APR

Library Board meets

The West Hempstead Public Library Board of Trustees holds its monthly meeting.

• Where: 500 Hempstead Ave., West Hempstead

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: whplibrary.org or (516) 481-6591

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.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 22, 2026

BUSINESS & TRANSACTIONAL

JOSEPH G. MILIZIO

Managing Partner Vishnick McGovern Milizio, LLP

RACHELLE ROSENBERG, ESQ.

Partner Abrams Fensterman

RALPH ROSELLA

Office Managing Member Bond, Schoeneck & King

CAV. NICHOLAS R. CAIAZZO

Partner/Trial Attorney Wilson Elser

CORPORATE & SECURITIES COMPLEX TORT & GENERAL CASUALTY

DAVID F. DURSO

Partner

Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C.

DEBT SOLUTIONS

LESLIE H. TAYNE

Founder & Managing Director Tayne Law Group, P.C.

EMPLOYMENT & BUSINESS LITIGATION

DANIELÉ D. DE VOE

Partner

Sahn Ward Braff Coschignano, PLLC

JEFFREY BASSO

Partner Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP

MICHAEL POROPAT

Partner Stockman & Poropat, PPLC

ESTATE PLANNING/ ELDER LAW

BRIAN A. TULLY

Founder & Managing Partner Tully Law Group, P.C.

ROCHELLE L. VERRON, ESQ.

Founder & Managing Partner Verron Law Group, P.C.

RONALD FATOULLAH, ESQ.

Chair Elder Law Group & Partner Trusts & Estates Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, LLP

STEPHEN J. SILVERBERG

Founding Attorney Law Office of Stephen J. Silverberg, P.C.

WENDY K. GOIDEL, ESQ. Founder & Principal Goidel Law Group, LLC

ESTATE PLANNING/

GENERATIONAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT

RUSSEL MORGAN, ESQ. Founding Partner Morgan Legal Group, P.C.

STEPHANIE D’ANGELO, ESQ. Principal Attorney D’Angelo Law Associates, P.C.

FAMILY LAW

ALEXANDER E. SKLAVOS, ESQ. Founder & Principal Attorney Sklavos Law Group, P.C.

ARMAND J. PRISCO, ESQ. Partner Polin, Prisco & Villafane

JOSEPH TROTTI

Partner Vishnick McGovern Milizio, LLP

MICHAEL ALBER, ESQ Partner The Alber Firm, P.C.

FINANCE, INSURANCE & LEGAL AFFAIRS

ALAN B. HODISH, ESQ. Founding Principal Law Offices of Alan B. Hodish, LLC

HEALTHCARE & CANNABIS LAW

ANDREW P. COOPER, ESQ., LLM

Cannabis & Psychedelics Attorney Falcon Rappaport & Berkman LLP

INJURY & CAR ACCIDENT LAW

CHRISSY GRIGOROPOULOSPELEYTAY, ESQ.

Founding Attorney Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers

LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTION LAW

ANDREW J. TURRO

Shareholder Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C.

TOM MEALIFFE Partner Nixon Peabody, LLP

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

JOSEPH L. CIACCIO Partner

Napoli Shkolnik, PLLC

PERSONAL INJURY

DOROTHY RENZ Partner

Duffy & Duffy, P.C.

JASON A. GREENBERG Founder & Managing Attorney Law Offices of Jason Greenberg, P.C.

LEONARD J. WIENER

Associate Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C.

ROSS L. SCHILLER

Founder & Managing Attorney Ross L. Schiller & Associates, P.C.

REAL ESTATE

BRIAN S. STOLAR

Partner

Harris Beach Murtha

BRYAN P. MCCROSSEN Partner

Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran

ED PUERTA

Partner

Nixon Peabody, LLP

GILAD ADLAD Attorney at Law Law Office of Gilad Adlad

RISING STARS

ALEXIS EPSTEIN

Associate

Barket Epstein Kearon Aldea and LoTurco, LLP

BROOKE MCDONALD Associate

Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro, LLP

JACOB BLOOM, ESQ. Associate Attorney Miller & Caggiano, LLP

TAX CERTIORARI LITIGATION

ANTHONY FORZAGLIA Partner Schroder & Strom, LLP

TRUST & ESTATE LITIGATION

ANDREW P. NITKEWICZ Partner Cullen and Dykman, LLP

TRIAL LAW

CHAD J. LAVEGLIA CEO & Trial Lawyer

Law Office of Chad J. LaVeglia PLLC

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

ANDREW B. WOOLF

Founding Partner

Klee Woolf Goldman & Filpi, LLP

JONATHAN R. KLEE

Managing Partner

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Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION OF THE WEST HEMPSTEAD UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT WEST HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing of the qualified voters of the West Hempstead Union Free School District, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, will be held at the West Hempstead Secondary School Video Conference Room, 400 Nassau Boulevard, West Hempstead New York, in said District on May 5, 2026 at 7:30pm, 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 May 19, 2026 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 May 19, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. prevailing time, in the North Gymnasium of the West Hempstead Secondary School, 450 Nassau Boulevard, West Hempstead, 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 2026 - 2027 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.

2. To elect one (1) member of the Board of Education for a threeyear term commencing July 1, 2026, and expiring on June 30, 2029, to succeed David Lazar, whose term expires on June 30, 2026.

3. To elect one (1) member of the Board of Education for a threeyear term commencing July 1, 2026, and expiring on June 30, 2029, to succeed Joseph Magaraci, whose term expires on June 30, 2026.

4. To adopt the annual budget of the West

Hempstead Public Library for the fiscal year 2026 – 2027 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the School District.

5. To elect one (1) member of the Library Board of Trustees for a five-year term commencing July 1, 2026, and expiring on June 30, 2031, to succeed Owen M. Rumelt, whose term expires on June 30, 2026.

AND FURTHER NOTICE

IS HEREBY GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for the office of Member of the Board of Education of the West Hempstead Union Free School District shall be filed with the District Clerk of said School District at the District Clerk’s office, Chestnut Street Administrative Offices, 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, New York not later than April 20, 2026, between 8:00am and 4:00pm, prevailing time. All nominating petitions must be signed by at least 53 qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 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.

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 Office of the District Clerk, Chestnut Street Administrative Offices, 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, New York on May 14, 2026 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., prevailing time, to add any additional names to the Register 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 Register, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such Budget Vote and Election for which the Register is prepared. The Register 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 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, New York, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on May 14, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 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 Education Law §2014, the Board of Registration shall meet on May 19, 2026, at 450 Nassau Boulevard, West Hempstead, New York between the hours of 7:00am and 9:00pm, 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 2027, 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 516-390-3118 for information about accessibility.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that beginning seven (7) days immediately preceding the May 5, 2026 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, 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, 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.whufsd.com, at the West Hempstead Public Library during its normal hours of operation, located at 500 Hempstead Avenue, West Hempstead, New York, at the School District Administrative Center, located at 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, 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:

CHESTNUT STREET

SCHOOL

252 Chestnut Street West Hempstead, NY 11552

CORNWELL AVENUE

SCHOOL

250 Cornwell Avenue West Hempstead, NY 11552

GEORGE WASHINGTON SCHOOL

347 William Street West Hempstead, NY 11552

WEST HEMPSTEAD

SECONDARY SCHOOL

400 Nassau Boulevard West Hempstead, NY 11552

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 20, 2026. In accordance with Education Law §§ 2018a and 2018-e, 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 19, 2026. 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 May 14, 2026, 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 May 16, 2026, by advanced appointment by contacting the District Clerk at 516390-3118 and on May 19, 2026, 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 West Hempstead Union Free School District by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to acruz@ whufsd.com or fax sent to 516-489-1776. 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 23, 2026.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the West Hempstead Union Free School District 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 acruz@ whufsd.com or fax sent to 516-489-1776. 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 23, 2026. 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. 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 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, 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 May 19, 2026 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 May 19, 2026 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 amend the budget, or otherwise to be submitted for voting at said election, must be filed with the District Clerk at Chestnut Street Administrative Offices, 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, New York, not later than 4:00 p.m., prevailing time, on March 20, 2026. 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 133 qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 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 516-390-3118. Awilda Cruz District Clerk of the Board of Education West Hempstead Union Free School District 252 Chestnut Street West Hempstead, New York 158915

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA, VOTACIÓN DEL PRESUPUESTO ANUAL Y ELECCIÓN DE LA JUNTA ESCOLAR DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE UNIÓN DE WEST HEMPSTEAD WEST HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que se celebrará una audiencia pública de los votantes cualificados del Distrito Escolar Libre Unión de West Hempstead, Municipio de Hempstead, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York, en la Sala de Videoconferencias de la Escuela Secundaria West Hempstead, ubicada en 400 Nassau Boulevard, West Hempstead, Nueva York, en dicho Distrito, el 5 de Mayo de 2026 a las 7:30pm, hora vigente, para tratar los asuntos autorizados por la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, incluyendo los siguientes puntos: 1. Presentación del documento presupuestario.

2. Debatir todos los puntos aquí establecidos, que se someterán a votación mediante máquina de votación, en la elección que se celebrará el 19 de Mayo de 2026, como se estipula más adelante.

3. Tratar cualquier otro asunto que se presente debidamente ante la asamblea.

Y ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA que dicha votación y elección se llevará a cabo el 19 de Mayo de 2026, a las 7:00 a. m., hora vigente, en el Gimnasio Norte de la Escuela Secundaria West Hempstead, 450 Nassau Boulevard, West Hempstead, Nueva York. Las urnas estarán abiertas de 7:00am, a 9:00pm, hora vigente, para votar mediante máquina de votación sobre los siguientes puntos:

1. Aprobar el presupuesto anual del Distrito Escolar para el año fiscal 20262027 y autorizar que la parte correspondiente del mismo se recaude mediante impuestos sobre los bienes gravables del Distrito.

2. Elegir a un (1) miembro de la Junta de Educación por un período de tres años, que comenzará el 1 de julio de 2026 y finalizará el 30 de junio de 2029, para suceder a David Lazar, cuyo mandato vence el 30 de junio de 2026.

3. Elegir a un (1) miembro de la Junta

Public Notices

de Educación por un período de tres años, que comenzará el 1 de Julio de 2026 y finalizará el 30 de Junio de 2029, para suceder a Joseph Magaraci, cuyo mandato vence el 30 de Junio de 2026.

4. Aprobar el presupuesto anual del Consejo Público de West Hempstead y Biblioteca para el año fiscal 20262027 y autorizar que la parte correspondiente se recaude mediante impuestos sobre los bienes gravables del Distrito Escolar.

5. Elegir a un (1) miembro de la Junta Directiva de la Biblioteca por un período de cinco años, que comenzará el 1 de Julio de 2026 y finalizará el 30 de Junio de 2031, para suceder a Owen M. Rumelt, cuyo mandato finaliza el 30 de Junio de 2026.

Y ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA que las peticiones de nominación de candidatos para el cargo de Miembro de la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre de West Hempstead deberán presentarse ante el Secretario de Distrito de dicho Distrito Escolar en la oficina del Secretario de Distrito, Oficinas Administrativas de Chestnut Street, 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, Nueva York, a más tardar el 20 de Abril de 2026, entre las 8:00am y las 4:00pm, hora vigente. Todas las peticiones de nominación deben estar firmadas por al menos 53 votantes calificados del Distrito (que representen el mayor de los dos porcentajes: 25 o el 2% del número de votantes que votaron en las elecciones anuales anteriores); deben indicar el nombre y la residencia de cada firmante, así como el nombre y la residencia del candidato. Cada petición deberá dirigirse al Secretario del Distrito y describir la vacante específica para la cual se nomina al candidato. Cada vacante en la Junta de Educación que se cubra se considerará una vacante específica independiente.

Y, ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA que el registro personal de votantes es obligatorio, ya sea de conformidad con la Ley de Educación de Nueva York, artículo 2014, o de conformidad con el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York. Si un votante se ha registrado previamente

de conformidad con la Ley de Educación de Nueva York, artículo 2014, y ha votado en cualquier reunión anual o extraordinaria de distrito en los últimos cuatro (4) años calendario, podrá votar en estas elecciones; si está registrado y es elegible para votar de conformidad con el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York, también podrá votar en estas elecciones. Todas las demás personas que deseen votar deben registrarse. 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 Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, Oficinas Administrativas de Chestnut Street, 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, Nueva York, el 14 de Mayo de 2026 entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m., hora vigente, para agregar cualquier nombre adicional al Registro que se utilizará en la Votación y Elección de Presupuesto antes mencionada, momento en el cual cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se coloque en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de la Junta de Registro se sepa o se pruebe a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro que él o ella está entonces o posteriormente autorizado a votar en dicha Votación y Elección de Presupuesto para la cual se prepara el Registro. El Registro preparado de esta manera de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2014 se archivará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar en el Edificio de Administración, ubicado en 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, Nueva York, y estará abierto para inspección por cualquier votante calificado del Distrito a partir del 14 de Mayo de 2026, entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m., hora vigente, de lunes a viernes y cada día anterior al día establecido para la votación y elección del presupuesto, excepto los domingos o feriados, y los sábados mediante cita previa, y en los lugares de votación el día de la votación y elección del presupuesto. Y, ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2014, la Junta de Registro se reunirá el

19 de Mayo de 2026, en 450 Nassau Boulevard, West Hempstead, Nueva York, entre las 7:00am y las 9:00pm, hora vigente, para preparar el Registro del Distrito Escolar que se utilizará en la reunión anual y las elecciones que se celebrarán en 2027, así como en cualquier reunión especial que se celebre después de la preparación de dicho Registro. En ese 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, que tiene derecho a votar en ese momento o en el futuro en la reunión o elección escolar para la que se prepare dicho Registro. Y ADEMÁS, POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA 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 de Distrito al 516-390-3118 para obtener información sobre accesibilidad. Y, ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA que, a partir de los siete (7) días previos a la audiencia pública sobre el presupuesto del 5 de Mayo de 2026, cualquier residente del Distrito podrá solicitar la revisión de una copia del presupuesto propuesto presentándose en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito, ubicada en 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, Nueva York. Además, cualquier residente del Distrito podrá obtener un estado de cuenta 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.whufsd.com, en la Biblioteca Pública de West Hempstead durante su horario habitual, ubicada en 500 Hempstead Avenue, West Hempstead, Nueva York; en el Centro Administrativo del Distrito Escolar, ubicado en 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, Nueva York; y en cada uno de los siguientes edificios escolares con horario de clases de 9:00am a 4:00pm, horario vigente, excepto sábados, domingos y festivos:

ESCUELA CHESTNUT STREET

252 Chestnut Street West Hempstead, NY 11552

ESCUELA CORNWELL

AVENUE

250 Cornwell Avenue West Hempstead, NY 11552

ESCUELA GEORGE

WASHINGTON

347 William Street West Hempstead, NY 11552

WEST HEMPSTEAD

ESCUELA SECUNDARIA

400 Nassau Boulevard West Hempstead, NY 11552

Y, ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con el Artículo 495 de la Ley de Impuestos sobre Bienes Inmuebles, el Distrito Escolar debe adjuntar a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exenciones. Dicho informe, que también formará parte del presupuesto final, mostrará qué proporción del valor catastral total en el registro catastral final utilizado en el proceso presupuestario está exenta de impuestos, enumerará cada tipo de exención otorgada, identificada por la autoridad legal, e indicará: (a) el impacto acumulado de cada tipo de exención, expresado como monto en dólares del valor catastral o como porcentaje del valor catastral total en el registro; (b) el monto 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 otorgadas. 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 POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que las solicitudes para las papeletas de voto en ausencia y para voto anticipado por correo se podrán obtener durante el horario de atención escolar en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a partir del 21 de abril de 2025. De acuerdo con los §§ 2018-a y 2018-e de la Ley de Educación, las solicitudes de papeletas de voto en ausencia y para voto anticipado por correo completadas no pueden ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito antes de treinta (30) días antes de la elección, y deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito al menos siete

(7) días antes de la elección si la papeleta se va a enviar por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección, si la papeleta se va a entregar personalmente al votante o al agente nombrado en la solicitud de papeleta de voto en ausencia o para voto anticipado por correo. Las papeletas de voto en ausencia y de voto anticipado por correo deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00pm, hora vigente, del Martes, 19 de Mayo de 2026.

La lista de las personas a quienes se les habrán emitido papeletas de voto en ausencia y la lista de todas las personas a quienes se les habrá emitido papeletas de voto anticipado por correo estarán disponibles para su inspección por parte de los votantes cualificados del Distrito en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a partir del 14 de Mayo de 2026, entre las 9:00am y las 4:00pm los días laborables previos al día de las elecciones anuales y el 16 de Mayo de 2026, previa cita previa contactando al Secretario del Distrito al 516-390-3118 y el 19 de Mayo de 2026, día de las elecciones. Cualquier votante cualificado podrá, tras examinar dichas listas, impugnar por escrito la cualificación de cualquier persona cuyo nombre figure en ellas, exponiendo las razones de la impugnación. Dicha impugnación por escrito será remitida por el Secretario de Distrito o su designado por la Junta de Educación a los inspectores electorales el día de las elecciones.

Y, ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA que los votantes militares que no estén registrados actualmente pueden solicitar su registro como votantes cualificados del Distrito Escolar Libre de West Hempstead. Para ello, deben presentar su solicitud de registro personalmente al Secretario del Distrito, enviarla por correo electrónico a acruz@ whufsd.com o enviarla por fax al 516-4891776. La solicitud puede indicar la preferencia del votante militar de recibirla por correo postal, fax o correo electrónico. Las solicitudes de registro de votantes militares deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00pm el 23 de Abril de 2026.

Y ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA que los votantes militares que cumplan los requisitos para votar en el Distrito Escolar Libre de West Hempstead pueden solicitar una solicitud de papeleta militar al Secretario del Distrito y devolverla personalmente, por correo electrónico a acruz@whufsd.com o por fax al 516-4891776. Para que se emita una papeleta militar a un votante militar, la oficina del Secretario del Distrito debe recibir una solicitud válida de papeleta militar a más tardar a las 4:00pm del 23 de Abril de 2026. Las solicitudes de papeleta militar recibidas de conformidad con lo anterior se procesarán de la misma manera que las solicitudes de papeleta no militar, según la Sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación. La solicitud de papeleta militar puede indicar la preferencia del votante militar por recibirla por correo postal, fax o correo electrónico. La solicitud de votación militar original y la votación militar de un votante militar deben devolverse por correo o en persona a la oficina del Secretario de Distrito en 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, Nueva York, junto con la declaración jurada firmada requerida por el votante. Y, ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE que las papeletas militares serán escrutadas si son recibidas por el Secretario de Distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el 19 de Mayo de 2026, 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 de otra agencia del\ Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o recibidas a más tardar a las 5:00pm del 19 de Mayo de 2026 y firmadas y fechadas por el votante militar y un testigo, con una fecha que se verifique como no posterior al día anterior a la elección.

Y ADEMÁS POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con una regla adoptada por la Junta de Educación de conformidad con la Ley de Educación de Nueva York §2035, cualquier referéndum o propuesta para modificar el presupuesto, o que de otra manera se someta a votación en dichas elecciones, debe presentarse

ante el Secretario del Distrito en las Oficinas Administrativas de Chestnut Street, 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, Nueva York, a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m., hora vigente, el 20 de Marzo de 2026. Todas estas peticiones deben estar escritas a máquina o impresas en idioma inglés; deben dirigirse al Secretario del Distrito Escolar; deben estar firmadas por al menos 133 votantes calificados del Distrito (que representen el mayor de 25 o el 5% del número de votantes que votaron en la elección anual anterior); y debe indicar legiblemente el nombre de cada firmante. Sin embargo, la Junta de Educación no aceptará ninguna petición para presentar a los votantes ninguna propuesta cuyo propósito no esté dentro de la facultad de los votantes para determinar, ni ninguna propuesta o enmienda que sea contraria a la ley.

Y ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA que aquellos votantes que deseen información sobre esta Votación y Elección Presupuestaria en español deben comunicarse con la Oficina del Secretario de Distrito al 516-3903118.

Awilda Cruz District Clerk of the Board of Education. West Hempstead Union Free School District 252 Chestnut Street West Hempstead, New York 158917

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION MALVERNE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing of the qualified voters of the Malverne Union Free School District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, New York, will be held at Malverne Performance Art Center, 80 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, N.Y. 11565, in said District on May 12, 2026, 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.

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 19, 2026 in the gymnasium of the Howard T. Herber Middle School, 75 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, N.Y. 11565, 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 2026-2027 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.

2. To elect one (1) member to the Board of Education for a four (4) year term, commencing July 1, 2026 and expiring on June 30, 2030.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for the office of Member of the Board of Education of the Malverne Union Free School District shall be filed with the District Clerk of said School District at the District Clerk’s office, 301 Wicks Lane Malverne, NY 11565 not later than April 20, 2026, between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., prevailing time. All nominating petitions must be signed by 25 qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 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. Vacancies on the Board of Education shall not be considered separate, specific offices; candidates run at large.

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

2. To discuss all of the items herein set forth, to be voted upon by voting machine, at the election to be held on May 19, 2026, as hereinafter set forth.

Public Notices

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 on April 16, 2026 at the Malverne High School Lobby, 80 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, N.Y. 11565 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. prevailing time, and at the District’s Administration Building 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565, between the hours 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., prevailing time; and on May 8, 2026 at the Office of the District Clerk 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., prevailing time, to add any additional names to the Register 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 Register, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such Budget Vote and Election for which the Register is prepared. The Register 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 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on May 14, 2026, between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 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 Education Law §2014, the Board of Registration shall meet

on Tuesday May 19, 2026, in the gymnasium of the Howard T. Herber Middle School, 75 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, New York between the hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., 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 2027, 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 516-887-6483 for information about accessibility.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that beginning seven (7) days immediately preceding the May 12, 2026 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, 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565. 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.malvernechools. org, at the Malverne Public Library during its normal hours of operation, located at 61 St. Thomas Place Malverne, N.Y. 11565, at the Lynbrook Public Library during its normal hours of operation, located at 56 Eldert Street, Lynbrook, N.Y. 11563, at the Lakeview Public Library during its normal hours of operation, located at 1120 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre, N.Y. 11570, at the School District Administrative Building, 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, N.Y. 11565, 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:

Malverne High School, Howard T. Herber Middle School, Davison Avenue Intermediate School, and Maurice W. Downing School

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 20, 2026. 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 19, 2026.

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 beginning May 14, 2026, in the Office of the District Clerk during regular office hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., each weekday through May 19, 2026, the day set for the election and on Saturday, May 16, 2026, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 noon. 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 Malverne Union Free School District by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to lridley@ malverneschools.org or fax sent to 516-5962910. 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 23, 2026.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the Malverne Union Free School District 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 lridley@ malverneschools.org or fax sent to 516596-2910. 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 23, 2026. 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. 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 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, N.Y 11565, 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 May 19, 2026 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 May 19, 2026 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 be submitted for voting at said election, must be filed with the District Clerk at 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, N.Y. 11565, not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on April 20, 2026. 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 33 qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 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 516-887-6483.

Lisa Ridley District Clerk of the Board of Education Malverne Union Free School District 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565 March 10, 2026 159152

LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA, VOTACIÓN DE PRESUPUESTO Y ELECCIONES DISTRITO ESCOLAR UNION FREE DE MALVERNE MUNICIPIO DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, ESTADO DE NUEVA YORK

POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA se notifica que se llevará a cabo una audiencia pública de los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Union Free de Malverne, Municipio de Hempstead, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York, el 12 de mayo de 2026, hora local, en el Centro de Artes Escénicas de Malverne, ubicado en 80 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, N.Y. 11565, para tratar los asuntos autorizados por la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, incluyendo los siguientes:

1. Presentación del presupuesto.

2. Discusión de todos los puntos aquí expuestos, que serán sometidos a votación electrónica en las elecciones que se celebrarán el 19 de mayo de 2026, según se detalla a continuación.

3. Tratar cualquier otro asunto que corresponda.

Y ADICIONALMENTE SE COMUNICA POR LA PRESENTE que dicha votación y elección se llevará a cabo el martes 19 de mayo de 2026 en el gimnasio de la Escuela Secundaria Howard T. Herber, ubicada en 75 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, N.Y. 11565. Las urnas estarán abiertas de 7:00 a.m. a 9:00 p.m., hora local, para votar mediante máquinas de votación sobre los siguientes puntos:

1. Aprobar el

presupuesto anual del Distrito Escolar para el año fiscal 20262027 y autorizar la recaudación de la porción correspondiente mediante impuestos sobre la propiedad gravable del Distrito.

2. Elegir a un (1) miembro de la Junta de Educación por un período de cuatro (4) años, que comenzará el 1 de julio de 2026 y finalizará el 30 de junio de 2030.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que las peticiones de candidatura para el cargo de Miembro de la Junta Directiva del Distrito Escolar Unuon Free de Malverne deberán presentarse ante la Secretaria del Distrito en la oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito, ubicada en 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565, a más tardar el 20 de abril de 2026, entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 5:00 p.m., hora local. Todas las peticiones de candidatura deberán estar firmadas por 25 votantes calificados del Distrito (que representen el mayor de los siguientes valores: 25 o el 2% del número de votantes que participaron en las elecciones anuales anteriores); deberán indicar el nombre y la residencia de cada firmante, así como el nombre y la residencia del candidato. Las vacantes en la Junta Directiva no se considerarán cargos específicos; los candidatos se postulan a nivel general.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que el registro personal de votantes es obligatorio conforme a la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación de Nueva York o al Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York. Si un votante se ha registrado previamente conforme a la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación de Nueva York y ha votado en alguna asamblea distrital anual o extraordinaria durante 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 conforme al 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 deben registrarse. 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 el 16 de abril de 2026 en el vestíbulo de la Escuela Secundaria Malverne, 80 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, N.Y. 11565 entre las 8:30 a.m. y las 11:30 a.m., hora local, y en el Edificio de Administración del Distrito, 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565, entre las 11:30 a.m. y las 3:30 p.m., hora local; y el 8 de mayo de 2026 en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565, entre las horas de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m., hora vigente, para agregar cualquier nombre adicional al Registro que se utilizará en la mencionada Votación y Elección del Presupuesto en la cual cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se coloque 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 dicha Votación y Elección del Presupuesto para la cual se prepara el Registro. El Registro preparado de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2014 se archivará en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito Escolar en el Edificio de Administración, ubicado en 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565, y estará abierto para su inspección por cualquier votante calificado del Distrito a partir del 14 de mayo de 2026, entre las 9:30 a.m. y las 2:30 p. m., hora local, de lunes a viernes, y todos los días anteriores al día fijado para la votación del presupuesto y las elecciones, excepto los domingos o días festivos, y los sábados con cita previa, y en los centros de votación el día de la votación del presupuesto y las elecciones.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2014, la Junta de Registro se reunirá el martes 19 de mayo de 2026 en el gimnasio de la Escuela Secundaria Howard T. Herber, ubicada en 75 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, Nueva York, entre las 7:00 a. m. y las 9:00 p. m., hora local, para elaborar el Registro del Distrito Escolar que se utilizará en la

Public Notices

asamblea y elección anual que se celebrará en 2027, y en cualquier asamblea extraordinaria que se celebre después de la elaboración de dicho Registro. En tal caso, cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de la Junta de Registro se conozca o se demuestre, a satisfacción de la Junta, que tiene derecho a votar en la asamblea o elección escolar para la cual se elaboró dicho Registro.

Y POR LA PRESENTE

SE NOTIFICA que a los votantes calificados con discapacidades que deseen obtener información sobre el acceso a los centros de votación, que pueden comunicarse con la Secretaría del Distrito al 516-887-6483 antes del día de la votación para obtener información sobre accesibilidad.

Y POR LA PRESENTE

SE NOTIFICA que a partir de los siete (7) días inmediatamente anteriores a la audiencia pública del presupuesto del 12 de mayo de 2026, cualquier residente del Distrito puede solicitar revisar una copia del presupuesto propuesto presentándose en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito, 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565. Adicionalmente, 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. malvernechools.org, en la Biblioteca Pública de Malverne durante su horario normal de funcionamiento, ubicada en 61 St. Thomas Place Malverne, N.Y. 11565, en la Biblioteca Pública de Lynbrook durante su horario normal de funcionamiento, ubicada en 56 Eldert Street, Lynbrook, N.Y. 11563, en la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview durante su horario normal de funcionamiento, ubicada en 1120 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre, N.Y. 11570, en el Edificio Administrativo del Distrito Escolar, 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, N.Y. 11565, y en cada uno de los siguientes edificios escolares donde se imparten clases entre las 9:00 y las 16:00 horas, hora local, excepto sábados, domingos y días festivos:

Malverne High School, Howard T. Herber Middle School, Davison Avenue Intermediate School, y Maurice W. Downing School

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que de conformidad con la Sección 495 de la Ley de Impuestos sobre Bienes Inmuebles, el Distrito Escolar debe adjuntar a su propuesta de presupuesto un informe de exención. Dicho informe de exenciones, que también formará parte del presupuesto final, mostrará qué porcentaje del valor catastral total del padrón catastral final utilizado en el proceso presupuestario está exento de impuestos, enumerará cada tipo de exención otorgada, identificada por la autoridad legal, e indicará: (a) el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención, expresado como un monto en dólares del valor catastral o como un porcentaje del valor catastral total del padrón; (b) el monto acumulativo 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 acumulativo de todas las exenciones otorgadas. El informe de exenciones se publicará en cualquier tablón de anuncios del Distrito para avisos públicos y en cualquier sitio web del Distrito.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que las solicitudes de boletas de voto ausente y voto anticipado por correo estarán disponibles durante el horario de atención escolar en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito a partir del 20 de abril de 2026. De conformidad con la Ley de Educación §§ 2018-a y 2018-e, las solicitudes completas de boletas de voto ausente y voto anticipado por correo no podrán ser recibidas por la Secretaria del Distrito antes de treinta (30) días antes de la elección, y deberán ser recibidas por la Secretaria del Distrito 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 nombrado en la solicitud de boleta de voto ausente o voto

anticipado por correo. Las papeletas de voto en ausencia y las de voto anticipado por correo deben ser recibidas por la Secretaria del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m., hora local, del martes 19 de mayo de 2026.

Una lista de las personas a quienes se les hayan emitido papeletas de voto en ausencia, y una lista de todas las personas a quienes se les hayan emitido papeletas de voto anticipado por correo, estarán disponibles para su consulta a partir del 14 de mayo de 2026, en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito durante el horario de atención habitual, de 9:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m., de lunes a viernes hasta el 19 de mayo de 2026, fecha fijada para las elecciones, y el sábado 16 de mayo de 2026, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 12:00 p. m. Cualquier votante calificado puede, tras examinar dichas listas, presentar una impugnación por escrito de la elegibilidad como votante de cualquier persona cuyo nombre aparezca en ellas, indicando los motivos de dicha impugnación. Cualquier impugnación por escrito será transmitida por la Secretaria del Distrito o un representante de la Junta de Educación a los inspectores electorales el día de las elecciones.

Y POR LA PRESENTE

SE NOTIFICA que los votantes militares que no estén registrados actualmente pueden solicitar su registro como votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Union Free de Malverne solicitando y entregando una solicitud de registro a la Secretaria del Distrito en persona, por correo electrónico a lridley@ malverneschools.org o por fax al 516-5962910. La solicitud de registro puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar por recibirla por correo postal, fax o correo electrónico. Los formularios de solicitud de registro de votantes militares deben recibirse en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del 23 de abril de 2026.

Y POR LA PRESENTE

SE NOTIFICA que los votantes militares que sean votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Union Free de Malverne pueden solicitar una solicitud

de boleta militar a la Secretaria del Distrito y entregar dicha solicitud en persona, o por correo electrónico a lridley@ malverneschools.org o por fax al 516-596-2910. Para que un votante militar reciba una boleta militar, se debe recibir una solicitud válida en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del 23 de abril de 2026. Las solicitudes de boleta militar recibidas de acuerdo con lo anterior se procesarán de la misma manera que una solicitud de boleta no militar según la Sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación. La solicitud de boleta militar puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar por recibir la boleta por correo postal, fax o correo electrónico. La solicitud original de voto militar y la boleta electoral militar del votante deben devolverse por correo o entregarse en persona en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito, ubicada en 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, N.Y. 11565, junto con la declaración jurada firmada por el votante.

Y POR LA PRESENTE

SE NOTIFICA que las boletas militares serán contabilizadas si la Secretaria del Distrito las recibe antes del cierre de las urnas el 19 de mayo de 2026 y presentan un sello de cancelación del Servicio Postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o un acuse de recibo fechado por otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o si se reciben a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del 19 de mayo de 2026, firmadas y fechadas por el votante militar y un testigo, con una fecha que se determine que no es posterior al día anterior a las elecciones.

Y POR LA PRESENTE

SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con una norma adoptada por la Junta de Educación según la Sección 2035 de la Ley de Educación de Nueva York, cualquier referéndum o propuesta que se someta a votación en dicha elección deberá presentarse ante la Secretaria del Distrito en 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, N.Y. 11565, a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m., hora local, del 20 de abril de 2026. Todas estas peticiones deberán estar mecanografiadas o impresas en inglés; deberán dirigirse a la

Secretaria del Distrito Escolar; deberán estar firmadas por al menos 33 votantes calificados del Distrito (que representen el mayor de los siguientes porcentajes: 25 o el 5 % del número de votantes que participaron en la elección anual anterior); y deberán indicar legiblemente el nombre de cada firmante. Sin embargo, la Junta de Educación no considerará ninguna petición para someter a votación ninguna propuesta cuyo propósito no esté dentro de las facultades de los votantes, ni ninguna propuesta o enmienda que sea contraria a la ley.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que aquellos votantes que busquen información sobre esta votación presupuestaria y las elecciones en español deben comunicarse con la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito al 516-8876483.

Lisa Ridley Secretaria del Distrito Escolar Distrito Escolar Union Free de Malverne 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565 10 de marzo de 2026 159154

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION of WESTWOOD GLOBAL LLC . Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/24/2025 Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 21 Horton Street, Malverne, NY 11565 . Purpose: any lawful act. 158808

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU ONEWEST BANK, FSB, Plaintiff, Against LISA BELL MATTHEWS, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 07/14/2017, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 5/11/2026 at 2:00PM, premises

known as 841 Woodfield Road, West Hempstead, New York 11552, and described as follows:

ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Lakeview, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York. Section 35 Block 604

Lot 67

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $669,160.70 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 004789/2011

If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine. Lawrence M. Schaffer, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573

Dated: 3/18/2026 File Number: 272-3363 CA 159490

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU INDEX NO: 613759/2025 D/O/F: 06/26/2025 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

Property Address: 345 Walton Street, West Hempstead, NY 11552

Plaintiff designates Nassau County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the property is situate.

AVAIL 3 LLC, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS ADMINISTRATOR OF RESTORATION III TRUST, Plaintiff, -againstUnknown heirs at law of FERDINAND MANZO, his next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successors in interest, and generally all persons having or claiming, under, by or through said defendant who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or

otherwise, any right title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained, 345 WALTON HOLDING LLC, 345 WALTON ST LLC, PAUL MANZO AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF FERDINAND MANZO, FERDINAND MANZO A/K/A FRED MANZO AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF FERDINAND MANZO, MARNE MARIE MANZO A/K/A MARNE MARIE DIETRICK AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF FERDINAND MANZO, LISA MANZO AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF FERDINAND MANZO, DOLORES DICKSON AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF FERDINAND MANZO, GINA MANZO AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF FERDINAND MANZO, ANNETTE LOUTREL AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF FERDINAND MANZO, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; “JOHN DOES” and “JANE DOES”, said names being fictitious, parties intended being possible tenants or occupants of premises, and corporations, other entities or persons who claim, or may claim, a lien against the premises, Defendant(s).

TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your Answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the Plaintiff’s Attorneys within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, where service is made by delivery upon you personally within the State, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner, and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED

DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Jeffrey A. Goodstein, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Nassau County, entered March 26, 2026 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office. THE OBJECT OF THE ACTION is to foreclose a mortgage recorded in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office on March 3, 2025 in Book: M, Volume: 47879, Page: 97, covering premises k/a 345 Walton Street, West Hempstead, NY 11552 a/k/a Section 35, Block 490, Lot 45.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

The following notice is intended only for the defendants who are owners of the premises sought to be foreclosed or who are liable upon the debt for which the mortgage stands as security.

YOU ARE HEREBY PUT ON NOTICE THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

PLEASE BE AWARE: (1) that debt collectors, in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1692 et seq., are prohibited from engaging in abusive, deceptive, an unfair

the arts.

Malverne High hosts women in the arts panel

On March 23, the Malverne High School G.I.R.L.s Club hosted its annual “She’s a Star” panel discussion, an event dedicated to celebrating women in the arts while encouraging students to pursue their passions with confi dence.

The program featured a panel of guest speakers, including award‑win ning entertainer Kecia Lewis, choreog rapher and dance director Antonia Marchese and theater director and drama instructor Michelle Taplin. Each panelist shared personal stories from their professional journeys, high lighting the challenges they have over come, lessons learned and the persever ance required to succeed in creative fields.

The event was hosted by student leaders Skyla Hunt and Alyssa Elias,

who created a welcoming and engaging atmosphere for both panelists and audience members.

Throughout the program, students had the opportunity to ask questions and receive advice about self‑belief, representation and the importance of supporting one another. The discussion emphasized the value of women’s voic‑ es in the arts and inspired students to recognize the power of their talents and ambitions.

The “She’s a Star” panel left attend‑ ees motivated and reminded that their dreams matter. The G.I.R.L.s Club con‑ tinues to foster leadership, empower ment and opportunities that uplift young women and prepare them for future success.

The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell has been recognized among the nation’s top medical schools for research, earning a Tier 2 designation in the 2026 Best Graduate Schools ranking released by U.S. News & World Report.

Zucker Med School earns top research ranking

The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/North well has been recognized among the nation’s top medical schools for research, earning a Tier 2 designation in the 2026 Best Graduate Schools rank‑ ings released by U.S. News & World Report.

The school ranked among the top three in New York and in the top half of medical schools nationwide for research excellence, according to the report.

Public Notices

debt collection efforts, including, but not limited to: i. the use or threat of violence; ii. the use of obscene or profane language; and iii. repeated phone calls made with the intent to annoy, abuse, or harass.

(2) If a creditor or debt collector receives a money judgment against you in court, state and federal laws may prevent the following types of income from being taken to pay the debt: 1.Supplemental

security income, (SSI); 2.Social security; 3.Public assistance (welfare); 4.Spousal support, maintenance (alimony) or child support; 5.Unemployment benefits; 6.Disability benefits; 7.Workers’ compensation benefits; 8. Public or private pensions; 9.Veterans’ benefits; 10.Federal student loans, federal student grants, and federal work study funds; and 11.Ninety percent of your wages or salary earned in the last sixty days.

TO THE DEFENDANTS: The Plaintiff makes no personal claim against you in this action.

TO THE DEFENDANTS:

The recognition comes amid a chal lenging funding climate for medical research, including reductions in grants from the National Institutes of Health. Research activity now accounts for 60 percent of a school’s overall ranking in the U.S. News methodology, making federal funding levels a critical factor.

populations and advanced research facilities.

“We are incredibly proud that our dedication to impactful research has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report, amidst federal funding chal lenges,” said David Battinelli, the Debo rah and Lawrence Smith dean of the medical school. “This recognition is a testament to our commitment to pio neering discovery.”

Battinelli said students “benefit tre mendously” from research opportuni ties across Northwell’s system, includ ing the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, as well as collaborations with institutions such as Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

Dated: Sandy J. Stolar, Esq. MARGOLIN, WEINREB & NIERER, LLP

Attorneys for Plaintiff 575 Underhill Boulevard, Suite 224 Syosset, New York 11791 516-921-3838 #102888 159481

If you have obtained an order of discharge from the Bankruptcy court, which includes this debt, and you have not reaffirmed your liability for this debt, this law firm is not alleging that you have any personal liability for this debt and does not seek a money judgment against you. Even if a discharge has been obtained, this lawsuit to foreclose the mortgage will continue and we will seek a judgment authorizing the sale of the mortgaged premises.

Despite those pressures, the Zucker School of Medicine has maintained a strong research performance, support ed by its academic programs and insti‑ tutional partnerships.

U.S. News evaluates research focused medical schools based on facul‑ ty resources, funding and the strength of training programs for physician sci‑ entists. At Zucker, MD/PhD and PhD programs emphasize the study of human disease, translational research and applying scientific discoveries in patient care.

A key component of the school’s research environment is its partner ship with Northwell Health, the state’s largest health care provider. The affili‑ ation gives students access to an exten‑ sive clinical network, diverse patient

Since opening 15 years ago, the Zucker School of Medicine has built a reputation for hands on learning, inno vative programming and a strong emphasis on research. Graduates have gone on to match into competitive spe cialties, including surgery, cardiotho racic surgery, neurosurgery and ortho pedic surgery, as well as primary care fields such as internal medicine, pedi atrics and family medicine.

According to a nationwide survey conducted by the Association of Amer ican Medical Colleges, program direc tors report that Zucker graduates con sistently exceed national expectations in professionalism, clinical skills and systems based practice.

More information about the school and its research programs is available on its website.

–Abigail Grieco

–Noah Peretz

Courtesy Malverne UFSD

On March 23, the Malverne High School G.I.R.L.s Club hosted its annual “She’s a Star” panel discussion, an event dedicated to celebrating women in

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How much extra money does a home cost these days? Part 2

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Q. I saw a billboard and several TV commercials for something called “Let Them Build, NY” and was wondering what you could tell me about it. The commercial said that there is an extra $82,000 spent on housing, per home, just due to government red tape. Is this true, and is anything being done about it?

A. As I continue to answer this delicate and complicated question, I have to respond to people who called this column, over the years, just an advertisement. I’ve received criticism and pushback for nearly four decades because I’ve pointed out where changes needed to happen, in a constructive manner. Instead of causing positive change, I saw projects delayed, passive-aggressive behavior and extra tasks thrown at me that weren’t required by others. It hasn’t been easy, and this is hopefully a forum for positive reflection on how to improve our lives, not just criticism. I will never just complain about a problem without stating that there is a solution.

The cost of building has gone up. It should be understood by all that building safety requirements should never be ignored. The problem with cost increases is that delays, due to issues that have nothing to do with safety, are a part of the problem, not the solution.

For example, the average project starts out with research. There are many issues that must be addressed, from environmental conditions, such as ground water levels, to parking and zoning use, structural conditions and fire safety. Local government archives information about each property, yet when it comes time to request the records, many have stumbling blocks, such as Freedom of Information Law, or FOIL, requests that can sometimes take weeks. Then, when you get the information, it is often inaccurate sketches.

Local government expects very detailed information from professionals, to fix the information problems of the past, yet often provides inaccurate plans that hardly reflect the building. This is because as-built drawings and final surveys were neither required nor enforced. A new home has always been required to have an accurate final survey from a licensed surveyor for the initial certificate of occupancy, but the surveys in municipal records are often inaccurate sketch diagrams made by the developer, a contractor or expeditor, not a licensed professional (as was also always required). Those “plot” plans often say “prop. dwelling” (proposed) with completely useless, inaccurate information. So, after waiting, in some cases, weeks just to see the records, what you get is just a waste of time and money. Might as well hire the surveyor at the outset, something many customers are reluctant to spend for.

The playing field is definitely not level. Government should require of itself the same standards it forces on the public. Imagine getting valuable data without delays, right at the beginning of a project, instead of waiting weeks for the answer that there are no records.

Experienced developers already know to hire the surveyor, do the testing, do the zoning analysis, etc.

© 2026 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

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REVIVE Act is the wrong solution to the housing crisis

To the surprise of no one, Albany extremists — following the lead of Gov. Kathy Hochul — have once again proposed a one-sizefits-all, top-down mandate that would attack suburbia by stripping municipalities of control over local zoning.

The recently introduced REVIVE Act — sponsored by State Sen. James Skoufis and Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages — proposes to fast-track high-density housing by redeveloping “underutilized” commercial properties, and in the process, completely bypass the local review processes that ensure thoughtful, responsible growth.

Conveniently, the definition of “underutilized” is broad and open-ended, and includes shopping centers, office parks and parking lots, setting the threshold for “underutilized” as 50 percent vacant for one year. To make matters worse, the legislation contains a fast-track clause that would grant automatic approval to developments if municipalities fail to act within a rigid, state-imposed timeline that is far too short to accommodate any type of thoughtful and meaningful public input.

Worse yet, under the REVIVE Act, new developments would be permitted to be built as-of-right to the same height as the tallest existing building in the municipality. In the Town of Hempstead, the tallest building is Nassau University Medical Center, at 280 feet. This would allow high-density, high-rise developments of nearly 30 stories to be fast-tracked throughout our community on any “underutilized” parcel a developer should choose.

This proposal simply has one goal in mind: to increase density in suburban areas, no matter what.

Ted. Responsible growth isn’t just about adding housing units. It’s about ensuring that our neighborhoods can thrive in the best way possible for every resident. Development needs to be sustainable, strategic, and aligned with the needs and character of the community.

he proposal has one goal: to increase housing density in suburban areas.

It does not adequately take into consideration the real-world impact that high-density developments would have on traffic congestion, school capacity, environmental concerns and public safety. And frankly, it sends a troubling message that Albany doesn’t care about those impacts. Local zoning exists for a reason, and decisions about development should be made by the people who live in these communities, not imposed by bureaucrats hundreds of miles away.

This “Albany knows best” approach is not just misguided; it’s dangerous. Legislation like the REVIVE Act fails to account for a community’s existing infrastructure, its long-term planning goal, and, most concerningly, the voices of residents who would be most affect-

That’s why I’ve been proud to stand with local and state leaders in strong opposition to this egregious state overreach. Last month I joined members of the State Senate and Assembly in Albany to denounce the REVIVE Act. More recently, I stood with a coalition of elected officials from across Nassau County in front of Samanea Mall in Westbury — a site that could easily be deemed “underutilized” under this legislation and targeted for highdensity redevelopment.

That location is not unique. There are countless sites across Long Island that could fall under the scope of this bill. And instead of encouraging balanced economic development or supporting job-creating commercial investment, Albany appears determined to impose high-density, high-rise residential projects with little regard for community impact.

Suburban communities aren’t Albany’s plaything to experiment with. They are neighborhoods where families have

built their lives, where small businesses support local economies and where residents take pride in the character of their towns. Stripping those communities of their voice isn’t just bad policy — it’s fundamentally detrimental to the principles of local governance and community-driven planning.

And make no mistake: Opposition to the REVIVE Act isn’t limited to elected officials. Residents across the region are speaking out because they understand what is at stake. They know that once local control is taken away, it will be impossible to get back. They know that decisions made without their input will shape their neighborhoods for generations to come.

That’s why I launched an online petition so residents can make their voices heard and stand up against this misguided proposal. I encourage everyone to visit Change.org/StopReviveAct and join the growing number of Long Islanders who are saying enough is enough.

The REVIVE Act doesn’t just get the balance wrong — it ignores it entirely. And if we allow that to happen, the consequences won’t be felt in Albany. They’ll be felt on our roads, in our schools and in the neighborhoods we call home.

That’s why this fight matters. And that’s why the REVIVE Act must be stopped.

John Ferretti is the Town of Hempstead supervisor.

Let’s strengthen protections for domestic violence victims

new York had almost 90,000 reported victims of domestic violence in 2022 alone. What makes this statistic most troubling is that domestic violence often goes unreported, as does the harm. Whether the victim is protecting their abuser out of fear of retaliation, economic or emotional dependency, denial or shame, abusers continue to exploit and further victimize survivors.

Abusers can be creative in finding ways to manipulate and control their victims. We need to provide tools to victims, victims’ advocates and law enforcement to ensure that survivors of domestic violence get the support they need and perpetrators are held accountable. That’s why I have introduced a legislative package to increase support for victims, including bills I carry with Assemblyman Ari Brown that would help strengthen our services for those victims, and close loopholes in the law that

allow predators to control their domestic partners by threating their pets.

More than one-third of domestic violence survivors suffer head, neck or facial injuries. Nonetheless, one study found that although 65 percent of victims of intimate partner violence reported having lost consciousness or experiencing a period of being dazed and confused, only 35 percent sought medical treatment. In some cases, a victim may opt not to seek care on their own to protect their abuser, or their abuser may prevent them from seeking care.

They are often overlooked, despite the increased focus on traumatic brain injuries.

As a result, victims of such violence are especially vulnerable to undiagnosed traumatic brain injuries. While there has rightfully been an increased focus on TBI among athletes, military personnel and seniors who fall, domestic violence victims are typically overlooked. The state Department of Health has taken steps to address this issue, such as alerting health care providers to this connection, but there is still more to be done.

For instance, the state’s Traumatic Brain Injury Program includes a variety of state departments and offices that can

offer unique insights into how their mission intersects with challenges related to TBI, and these agencies also have their commissioner or a designee on the Traumatic Brain Injury Services Coordinating Council. However, the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence does not have a seat on the council, and has no role in the TBI Program. One of my bills would correct that oversight and ensure the office’s inclusion in shaping policies and training to mitigate the epidemic of TBI among survivors of domestic violence.

Another oversight in our laws deals with the crime of coercion and the use of coercive control, whereby an abuser controls their victim through the use of threats, pressure, shame or other manipulative tactics. While New York has a criminal penalty for coercion, which includes using the threat of physical harm or damage to property, it does not include threats against pets. This critical gap in the law is especially concerning given that roughly 70 percent of pet owners entering domestic violence shelters report that their abuser threatened,

injured or killed a family pet. Additionally, 90 percent of animal abuse incidents committed by perpetrators of domestic violence are done in the presence of their victims to exert control or revenge. That’s why I have introduced a bill to include threats to harm animals in the crime of coercion.

Domestic violence is a blight that is as complex as it is ever-changing, because technology offers opportunities for abusers to exert even more control over their victims’ lives. While we may never be able to achieve a world in which this horrific crime is nonexistent, we must commit to continuously examining our laws to ensure that we are doing everything we can to prevent it and to provide critical services to those in need.

Other legislative improvements I am exploring with other lawmakers include a bill I introduced to create a registry of persistent domestic violence offenders, and one I cosponsor to allow orders of protection to include prohibiting an abuser from having contact with a shared pet. Lawmakers must be diligent in our efforts, and comprehensive in our proposals, to protect women and all victims of domestic violence.

Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick represents the 9th State Senate District.

LIRR riders, put on your damn headphones

there is an unwritten contract that comes with riding on the Long Island Rail Road. You buy your ticket, you find your seat and you agree — implicitly, silently, without anyone asking you to sign anything — to share a small, enclosed space with strangers for the duration of your journey. It’s not always comfortable. It’s rarely glamorous. But it works, because most people understand that shared spaces require a certain baseline of consideration for the people around you.

That contract is being violated, every day, by people who can’t be bothered to use headphones. This lack of common decency is getting worse. Perhaps it signals the erosion of pre-pandemic norms, or the proliferation of short-form video content that simply must be consumed the moment it appears. But the reason doesn’t matter. The result is the same: a train car held captive by one person’s indifference.

You know what I’m talking about. The commuter who has his phone propped against his coffee cup, watching a video at full volume like he’s in his living room — a living room, apparently, with very thick walls or no neighbors. The guy on his Bluetooth speaker. Yes, a Bluetooth. On a train. In public. Among other humans.

What is so urgent that it cannot wait — or at minimum, be routed through a pair of earbuds? If you’re going to subject your fellow passengers to unsolicit-

letters

Turning our backs on nuclear power will cost us

To the Editor:

ed audio, the least you can do is make it enriching. Bach’s “Goldberg Variations.” A Pulitzer Prize-winner on Audible. Perhaps a documentary about the migratory patterns of the Arctic tern. Something that, when the woman across the aisle glances up from her book, she might think, “Well, I didn’t ask for this, but I’ll learn something today.”

Instead, what Long Island commuters are treated to after a long day of work is a TikTok of someone attempting to fit way too many cherry tomatoes in their mouth. Or a Twitch stream of a man dropping words that would make a sailor take notes. Or, my personal favorite, a FaceTime call conducted at a volume that suggests the party on the other end is located not in Queens but in Uzbekistan.

The headphone — wireless, wired, over-ear, in-ear, take your pick — is sold at every price point from reasonable to why-does-this-cost-more-than-my-firstcar, and is one of the great inventions of the modern age precisely because it solved this problem. It lets each of us live inside our own sonic world without inflicting it on everyone else. The technology is cheap, ubiquitous, and works perfectly well even when moving at 60 miles per hour.

And before anyone reaches for the ready-made excuse, “My AirPods died” is not quite the sympathetic defense it might seem. Yes, it’s mildly inconvenient to sit for 40 minutes without being

Karl Grossman’s op-ed critique of New York’s zeroemission credit program, “Nuclear power for $33 billion, and guess who’s paying?” (April 2-8) mischaracterizes both the program’s purpose and its value. The figure he cites is designed to alarm, but stripped of context, it obscures a central truth: New York is not subsidizing failure — it is investing in reliability, climate compliance and economic stability.

In 2016, the state Public Service Commission established zero-emissions credits as part of its Clean Energy Standard to preserve existing nuclear generation, the single largest source of zero-emission electricity in the state. At the time, upstate nuclear plants were at risk of premature closure due to distorted wholesale markets. The commission found that losing those facilities would result in “significantly increased greenhouse gas emissions,” higher capacity costs and immediate reliability risks.

Federal courts agreed. In 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld New York’s ZEC program, finding it lawful and consistent with federal energy policy. The court rejected claims that ZECs distorted markets, affirming that states retain

able to catch up on the latest episode of “Love Is Blind.” We understand. We feel for you. But that inconvenience — yours, private, manageable — pales significantly when compared with forcing the occupants of an entire train car to listen to it with you.

Charge your headphones. Toss a wired pair in your bag. The bar here is low, but it’s still worth clearing.

Long Island commuters are not a fragile lot. Anyone who has navigated Penn Station at rush hour or waited half an hour for a delayed train on an unsheltered platform in January has developed a certain resilience. We don’t need silence. We don’t need perfection. Trains are noisy — the screech of the rails, the hiss of the doors, the conductor calling out “Jamaica next!” in a voice that carries to the next car. That’s the deal. That’s ambient. That’s fine.

What isn’t fine is being forced to listen to someone else’s choice of entertainment, which, based on available evidence, is made with absolutely no one else in mind.

So here’s a modest proposal: bring your headphones, and use them. The train is a community — a rolling slice of Long Island life, hurtling toward work or home. Communities are at their best when their members extend small courtesies to one another.

And, if you absolutely must share your audio with the world, at the very minimum, make it Bach.

authority to value environmental attributes of generation. As the court noted, “States are not preempted from encouraging production of clean energy.”

Nuclear power supplies roughly 20 percent of New York’s electricity and more than 40 percent of its carbon-free generation. Without it, emissions would spike dramatically, undoing years of progress under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. As New York’s independent system operator has repeatedly warned, premature retirements of dispatchable resources, espe-

Why expanding child care on Long Island is so difficult

Across Long Island, families are struggling to find reliable child care. Waiting lists are growing, educators are stretched thin and communities continue to ask the same question: Why can’t we simply open more child care programs?

As an early-childhood educator and a small-business owner on Long Island, I see this challenge from both sides — as someone serving families in need of care, and as someone actively working to expand child care in our community.

Many people assume that the primary barriers to opening new programs are licensing requirements, zoning regulations or finding appropriate space. These are certainly significant hurdles. Child care providers must meet strict safety regulations, navigate local zoning rules and secure properties that meet both municipal and state requirements.

But what often goes unrecognized is what happens after those hurdles are cleared.

In some cases, providers manage to secure the property, obtain the necessary approvals and design programs that expand the number of available

spots for families with children. The plans are approved. The need in the community is clear.

Yet even at that stage, expansion can stall because of one remaining obstacle: access to capital.

Child care programs are small businesses that operate with extremely tight margins.

Unlike many other industries, the cost of delivering quality care — staffing, safety requirements, training, compliance and maintaining appropriate childto-staff ratios — leaves little room for financial flexibility. At the same time, many lending institutions continue to view child care as a high-risk investment.

Ters must manage both the expense of running a small business and the rising cost of maintaining a home.

Utility costs alone can be substantial when caring for children in a program that operates for long hours each day. Heating, electricity, water, sanitation, food preparation and cleaning requirements all contribute to increased operational costs. These aren’t optional expenses; they are essential components of maintaining a safe, healthy environment for children.

he cost of delivering quality care leaves little room for financial flexibility.

The result is a troubling disconnect. Communities are asking for more child care options, providers are ready to expand, and projects may already have the proper approvals in place, but financing remains out of reach.

On Long Island, this challenge is compounded by the broader affordability crisis. The cost of operating any small business here continues to rise.

Property costs, insurance, utilities, food, supplies and maintenance expenses have increased significantly in recent years. For home-based child care providers, the financial pressures can be even more complex. Many programs operate in residential homes, meaning provid-

LeTTers

cially nuclear, pose “significant reliability challenges,” particularly as electrification increases demand.

Critics often invoke plant age as a proxy for danger. That is misleading. Nuclear facilities are regulated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission under one of the most stringent safety regimes in the world. License extensions are granted only after exhaustive review of materials, systems and operational performance. Comparing a nuclear plant to a “57-year-old car” may be rhetorically effective, but it is technically unserious. Nuclear facilities are continually upgraded with the latest technology, which is often mandated by the commission.

The economic argument also collapses under scrutiny. ZECs are not a “bailout”; they are a market correction. Fossil fuel generation benefits from decades of embedded subsidies and does not pay for its environmental externalities. ZECs attempt to internalize those costs, something economists across the spectrum have long advocated. As former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz has stated, “Retaining existing nuclear plants is one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent carbon emissions.”

As well, these facilities support thousands of high-skilled, union jobs that cannot be quickly or easily replaced. More important, they anchor local economies across upstate New York. Abrupt closures

At the same time, providers must invest in staff wages, professional development, educational materials and regulatory compliance. These costs are necessary to ensure quality care, but they also make it more difficult for programs to accumulate the capital needed to grow. When providers attempt to secure financing to expand services, many encounter lending systems that aren’t designed with childhood programs in mind. Even projects that have secured zoning approval and appropriate facilities, and demonstrated community demand, may struggle to access the financing necessary to move forward.

This gap in financing has real consequences. Families across Long Island are already experiencing the impact of limited child care availability. Parents are delaying career opportunities,

would not only destabilize the grid but devastate entire communities.

Nuclear power is not a panacea. Renewables will continue to expand, but the idea that wind and solar alone can replace firm, dispatchable baseload power in the near term is not supported by grid realities. Even the Union of Concerned Scientists acknowledges that maintaining existing nuclear capacity can play a role in reducing emissions during the transition.

The real question isn’t whether ZECs cost money. It is whether abandoning them would cost more in emissions, in reliability failures, in lost jobs and, ultimately, in higher long-term energy prices.

New York’s energy transition must be grounded in pragmatism, not ideology. Preserving zero-emission nuclear generation through ZECs isn’t a step backward. It is a necessary bridge, one that ensures we reach a cleaner future without falling into the very pitfalls critics claim to oppose.

PATRICk GUIdICE Holtsville

Patrick Guidice is the business manager of IBEW Local 1049, representing over 4,000 workers in the electrical and gas utility industry on Long Island. Karl Grossman’s column did not appear in all print editions of the Herald, but can be found at liherald. com/oped.

adjusting work schedules or leaving the workforce entirely because they cannot find reliable care for their children.

Employers also feel the effects. Businesses depend on employees who depend on child care. When their child care options are limited, workforce participation declines and productivity suffers.

Expanding child care isn’t simply about building classrooms. It’s about investing in the system that allows families, businesses and communities to function. Long Island has no shortage of educators who are committed to serving families and expanding access to early learning opportunities. What we need now is greater alignment between that commitment and the financial system that supports small businesses trying to meet this urgent need.

When approved child care projects can’t move forward due to lack of financing, it should prompt an important conversation about how we invest in one of the most essential services our communities depend on.

Child care isn’t a luxury. It is the foundation that allows families to work, businesses to operate and communities to grow. If Long Island is serious about addressing the child care shortage, we must ensure that providers who are ready to expand have a viable path to do so.

Janna Rodriguez is an early childhood educator and a small-business owner in Freeport.

FrAmework by Tim Baker

Dancing to ‘Uptown Funk’ at Covert School’s Variety Show — Rockville Centre

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