program on Sunday.
Ritchie Torres part of event remembering the Holocaust
By MADISoN GUSlER mgusler@liherald.com
Over 300 members of Long Island’s Jewish community attended a Yam HaShoah program at Congregation Shaaray Shalom, in West Hempstead, on Sunday to honor and remember the lives lost during the Holocaust. The ceremony included a memorial candle lighting, a short film documenting the testimony of survivor Hannah Steiner, and a conversation with U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres.
“We all come together for this annual gathering — we do so in solemn memory of the six million Jews who perished in the
Holocaust, and in honor of the survivors, the witnesses and the generations who carry their legacies forward,” Mindy Perlmutter, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council - Long Island, said. “Our responsibility is not to only remember, but to act to ensure that such darkness never takes hold again.”
Family members of victims and survivors of the Holocaust lit six memorial candles, and a seventh to remember the five million non-Jewish people who died. Nine members of the Israel Defense Forces who attended the program lit an eighth candle, to honor the lives lost in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on
Continued on page 4
Marking 60 years since MLK’s visit
By MADISoN GUSlER mgusler@liherald.com
The Lakeview community is gearing up to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic visit to the community.
On May 12 of 1965, King led a march from Rockville Centre to what was then the Woodfield Road School, which is now the Lakeview Public Library, to support the desegregation of the Malverne school district. The Lakeview branch of the NAACP has organized a march on May 18 to honor the anniversary of this monumental event.
The 60th anniversary is significant as we continue to remember the legacy
perfect time to commemorate and to remember from which we’ve come, so that we always know where we are going,” the Rev. Tristan Salley, chairman of the NAACP’s special committee, said. “It’s also a wonderful time to reflect our proud history because Malverne, which was once very racially segregated, has become a model school for diversity and inclusion.”
of Dr. King.
REV.
TRISTAN SAllEY Chairman, NAACP’s special committee
“The 60th anniversary is significant as we continue to remember the legacy of Dr. King, but more importantly, now in this era, this moment as we’re dealing with the federal government wanting to dismantle the Department of Education and roll back other historic movements, now is the
The commemoration will begin at 2 p.m., rain or shine, outside the library, where a brief ceremony will be held, including the laying of a memorial placard to commemorate the events of the march 60 years ago.
The Pride of Malverne Marching Band will then lead participants in a march across Pinebrook Avenue and down Ocean Avenue, before ending in the Malverne High School parking lot.
“I’ve asked the men if they wanted to join us in white
Continued on page 5
Madison Gusler/Herald
u.S. Rep. Ritchie torres, who represents the South Bronx, joined the Jewish community of Long island at Congregation Shaaray Shalom, in West Hempstead, for a Holocaust remembrance
New construction at Harold Walker Park
By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com
Harold Walker Memorial Park is central to the Lakeview community. Hosting a range of recreational facilities, from a swimming pool to basketball courts, the park serves as a space for local events and community meetings.
Construction began this week on several projects around the park, which the Town of Hempstead expects to complete before the summer season. These projects include a new playground, new tennis courts, and a new basketball court with fiberglass backboards.
“A lot of exciting things have been happening at Harold Walker Memorial Park and there’s still plenty more to come,” Councilwoman Laura Ryder wrote in an email to the Herald. “ We’re proud to invest into Lakeview and make Harold Walker Park into a premier recreation destination. This is a great neighborhood and we’re thrilled to provide a beautiful park for families to enjoy.”
The town will also be refurbishing the community room, which includes the addition of a kitchenette space and a new HVAC system, adding new curbing in the parking lot, installing shade structures on the pool deck, and lining the tennis court with pickle ball lines.
Lisa Ortiz, president of the Lakeview Civic Association, explained that some of these items have been requested by the community over the last year.
“Harold Walker Park is the only park that is in the heart of Lakeview,” Ortiz said. “Our community, the residents, spend a lot of time at the park. We want to make sure that the children and the adults that use the park have access to safe equipment to prevent any injuries. We also want to see a reinvestment of our tax dollars right back into the community.”
Legacy Planning
Some thirty-five years ago your writer was taught that estate planning is about getting your assets to whom you want, when you want, and the way you want, with the least amount of taxes and legal fees possible.
In the intervening time, we have learned that estate planning is more — it is legacy planning. Legacy has two meanings (1) the assets you leave, and (2) the impression you leave. Your assets will dissipate, but your impression will endure.
Were you kind and generous? Were you forgiving and grateful? Were you compassionate and did you bring light into the world, despite your setbacks.
Our readers have surely noticed over the years that these sponsored columns are not only about law, but just as often about how to become a better human being. Much of it has been learned from our interactions with clients. A client once asked if I had a degree in psychology. I answered yes, I have a Masters. When she asked where I got it, I said sitting behind this desk eight hours a day for the last thirty-five years!
Observing people, you learn that perspective is everything. We consider it part of our calling to provide clients with different perspectives with which to view personal and family matters. It is not difficult to see how looking at a situation from a different perspective can completely change the way we see the world. A client came in relating how furious she was that her daughter’s abusive husband used her daughter to obtain his degree and then asked for a divorce and move out. Yes, I said, but if it was my daughter and she had an abusive husband I would be thrilled that he had move out. Oh, the client said, “I never thought of that!” Her view of the matter had shifted considerably. Thoreau put it, “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
Working on oneself to become a better person is a classic win/win situation. Our lives become better as do those of everyone we come into contact with. The Dalai Lama says we are all selfish but we can engage in “enlightened selfishness”, doing better by others for our own sake.
Madison Gusler/Herald
Harold Walker Memorial Park is undergoing construction and improvements to the park’s facilities.
NC police identify ‘Peaches’ and baby doe
By Madison Gusler mgusler@liherald.com
Tanya Denise Jackson is the name of the woman who was known as “Peaches” and whose body was found in Lakeview near Hempstead Lake State Park in 1997. Her baby, who was also murdered is, Tatiana Marie Dykes.
The identities were revealed by the Nassau County police on Monday after DNA was tested by the FBI, police said.
“The reality is our work has just begun,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “Knowing the identities of the mom and the little baby is just the first step to help us get to solving these murders.”
“Please, if you knew Tanya, if you worked with her, if you met her at the grocery store, you had an interaction with her, please contact us and let us know,” Donnelly added. “Every little thing we can find out about her leading up to her death will help us to solve this horrific, horrific crime.”
Jackson was born in Alabama and served in the U.S. army from July 1993 to February 1995 in Texas, Georgia and Missouri, according to information from NCPD. The 26-year-old single mother was living in Brooklyn at the time of the murder.
Jackson body was located 27 years ago, when her torso was found in Hempstead Lake State Park on June 28, 1997. Prior to identifying Jackson, she was often refered to as “Peaches,” based on the heart-shaped peach tattoo located on her chest.
Tatiana was born in Texas on March 17, 1995. Tatiana was two years old when she was murdered. Her body was found
14 years ago, on April 11, 2011, near Ocean Parkway in Babylon.
Officials said Jackson possibly worked at a doctor’s office as a medical assistant. While she was at work a female friend or neighbor watched Tatiana.
Due to the location at which Tatiana’s body, along with scattered remains of Jackson’s were found, their deaths have often been associated with the Gilgo Beach murders. It is widely suspected they were victims of the serial killer now allegedly identified as Rex Heuermann. Though the NCPD has not determined they are linked and are looking into all potential leads.
“I hope todays announcement brings a sense of peace to their family and loved ones,” said Christopher Raia,
assistant director in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York field office. In December 2016 DNA evidence linked the bodies of Jane Doe #3 and Baby Doe together as mother and daughter, but it was in partnering with the FBI that investigators were able to identify Jackson and Tatiana.
The FBI’s Investigative Genetic Geneology Team “combines crime scene DNA with traditional genealogy research and historical records to generate leads to identify unknown DNA,” Raia said. The DNA evidence in this case was given to the FBI in 2020, which they potentially identified in 2022 and delivered to Nassau County detectives in 2023. County police then traveled to interview relatives of Jackson and gather DNA that
allowed them to confirm the victims identities in 2024. “The meticulous work of our team in partnership with the determined efforts of the detectives from the Nassau County homicide squad ultimately helped confirm the identities of our victims in this case.”
Police said that Tatiana’s father is alive and cooperating with authorities. Jackson and her daughter have since been laid to rest with family in Alabama and Jackson was given full military honors.
“We will follow every lead, we will pull at every thread, until we can get justice for this mother and this child,” Donnelly said.
A $25,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest of the killer or killers. A tip can be submitted to 1-800-244-TIPS(8477) or www.nassaucountycrimestoppers.com
Lakeview locals knitting for a good cause
By Madison Gusler mgusler@liherald.com
Members of the Lakeview Public Library’s Knittin Gang took part in Knit for Food on April 5. The 12-hour knit-a-thon raises money and awareness for food insecurity. The money raised from donations made during the event are split equally and donated to Feeding America, World Central Kitchen, No Kid Hungry and Meals of Wheels.
Knit for Food is a nationwide fundraiser that began in 2021 and this year was Lakeview’s first year joining the festivities. The knit-a-thon raised $530,840 to help fight food insecurity, and the “Knittin Gang… we crochet 2” was able to donate $2,820 to the cause.
“This is our first year as a group entering a team. We started this morning about 9 o’clock and it’s supposed to be 12 hours, so when the library closes around 5, we’re gonna leave her and find someplace else to sit for a couple hours until we’re done,” said Marlene Tapley, who runs the Tuesday knitting class at the Lakeview Library. The Knittin Gang meets from 6-8 p.m. to work together on knitting and crochet projects while enjoying each other’s company.
“We teach people to knit and crochet. We have a nice calming space, so even if you can’t manage anything, you can come sit and talk.”
During the knit-a-thon, members of the Knittin Gang crafted hats, scarves, blankets, and more. Some
Lakeview’s knit-a-thon are going to the Seamen’s Church Institute’s “Christmas
which provides handmade gifts to
the
NCPD Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, left, with District Attorney Anne Donnelly and Det. Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick, after addressing the media regarding the identity of Tanya Denise Jackson who body was found in Lakeview in 1997.
members joined Tapley in the Lakeview Library while others joined a Zoom call from home or other states. Products they create are donated to babies in the NICU and nursing homes, but creations from
at Sea” program,
mariners during
holidays.
Madison Gusler/Herald
The members of the Knittin Gang, Karein Reed, left, Lisa Kaplan, Angela Hodges, Marlene Tapley, Pam Dye, and Corinne Smolizza, took part in a 12-hour knit-a-thon.
Madison Gusler/Herald photos
Photos of Tanya Denise Jackson and her daughter, Tatiana Marie Dykes, as they looked in 1997.
Honoring Jewish stories on Yom HaShoah
Israel, the hostages and the IDF soldiers who were lost during the war.
“The Holocaust, or Shoah, was a systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews in Europe by the Nazi German regime,” Larry Rosenberg, the program organizer and host, said. “Without a doubt, antisemitism was at the very foundation of the Holocaust.”
The Holocaust, or Shoah, was a systematic, statesponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews.
Larry rosenberg Program organizer and host
“The path the Nazis took was clear, from hatred to prejudice to persecution and ultimately mass murder,” Rosenberg added. “The snowball went very, very fast. As it is important to remember — remembrance is simply not enough.”
Attendees heard the testimony of survivor Hannah Steiner, whose experience during the Holocaust was documented in a short film by Shira Stoll.
In the video, Steiner recounts meeting her boyfriend and future husband, Abraham, at a dance in Romania before he was taken to a labor camp. She also details her and her mother’s experience in Auschwitz, walking in the Death March to Bergen-Belsen and losing her mother after liberation.
“I went through a lot, right?” Steiner says in the film. “This generation one time will go away. “They have to be — they shouldn’t be forgotten.”
Steiner and Abraham were reunited and married in Israel, and eventually moved to New York City. They are survived by three children, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“There is a lot of antisemitism still in the world, and it’s important that people remember,” Stoll said. “You know, Hannah Steiner passed away a few years
on the Holocaust in today’s world.
ago, but it’s amazing to see a room full of hundreds of people are still able to hear her story today.”
Torres, who represents New York’s
15th Congressional District, which covers most of the South Bronx, joined Rosenberg on stage for a discussion about perspectives on the Holocaust in
today’s world. Torres has been an advocate for Israel and the Jewish community throughout his political career. He and Rosenberg discussed the rise of antisemitism and Holocaust denial, the lack of Holocaust education, and U.S. relations with Israel.
“I see the lack of Holocaust education as a real crisis in our country,” Torres said. “Every school should be required to have Holocaust education. There is no event in human history that reveals more about the worst of human nature, as well as the best, the righteous among the nations, than the Holocaust. So for me, it is as much about moral instruction as it is about historical instruction.”
Torres recalled visiting Yad Vashem, the memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, on a recent trip to Israel. “I remember writing a note that we must never forget the depth of human evil showed in the Shoah, but nor should we forget the height of human heroism that rose in the face of it,” he said, “and that the righteous among the nations should inspire us to resist antisemitism at every turn and in every form.”
Madison Gusler/Herald photos
Larry rosenberg stands with soldiers from the israeli defense forces after lighting a candle in honor of the victims of oct. 7.
ritchie torres with Jewish war veterans edward freeberg, left, and gary glick.
program organizer and host Larry rosenberg, left, talked with rep. ritchie torres about perspectives
Malverne H.S. hosts events to honor MLK
shirts and dark or black pants, because that’s what Dr. King used to wear,” Doris Hicks-Newkirk, president of the NAACP’s Lakeview branch, said. “If you look at any of his pictures, he was always in a white shirt and black pants when he was out walking in parades.”
Hicks-Newkirk suggested that those attending the event dress in their Sunday best, but also to don clothing that they’re comfortable wearing to walk the mile distance between the library and the high school. On May 18, attendees will enjoy a day of singing and celebrating, and food will be available as well, event organizers said.
At the high school, another ceremony will take place, with official proclamations and speeches from local officials, religious leaders and other significant guests.
“Dr. King visited the Long Island community to support the desegregation of schools, making his rounds throughout the Long Island communities, speaking with local community leaders, religious leaders, and educators with respect to the desegregation process,” Salley explained. “Specifically, he came to Lakeview due to the divide that was happening between the Lakeview community and the Malverne community, when Malverne became one of the first schools on Long Island to desegregate.”
In 1963, New York State education
commissioner James Allen ordered the desegregation of Malverne schools. He determined that the elementary schools should be organized by grade and not by where the child lived, which had resulted in segregation. Many white parents in
the area fought this decision, even after the delayed integration of the schools in 1966.
Following desegregation, Malverne students continued to fight for increased representation, including the hiring of
more Black teachers and additional course offerings on Black history.
“Although we’ve come very far, there are a lot of things that were asked for 60 years ago and are just now coming to fruition,” Jason Mach, the Malverne school district supervisor of humanities, said. “We have made progress, but there’s still much more left to do in the community.”
In addition, the Malverne School District will host two events to honor the anniversary of King’s visit. The first is the MLK day of service and remembrance, which was originally planned for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January but has been rescheduled for the morning of May 18 due to weather. Overseen by the Service Learning Club, the day of service will provide students of all ages with opportunities to participate in student-run service learning workshops. Students will make care packages, fill out cards for first responders, and more.
The following evening, on May 19, the district will host “MLK: A Legacy of Hope — A 60-year journey for the Malverne community,” at 6 p.m. in the Malverne Performing Arts Center. Alumni and community members who were present for King’s visit 60 years ago have been invited to join a student-led panel to discuss the events that took place and reflect on the journey Malverne has taken as a district in the time since then. All are welcomed to attend each of these MLK anniversary celebrations.
Malverne Historical & Preservation Society/Facebook martin Luther King Jr. addresses the Lakeview community on may 12, 1965.
HEMPSTEAD HERALD — May 1, 2025
MADISON WADE
Plainedge Senior Lacrosse
IT HAS BEEN A red-hot April for Wade and the Plainedge girls’ lacrosse team. The Red Devils have won eight of their last night games, with Wade serving as one of the integral parts of the success. The third-year varsity player is also a third-year captain and helping Plainedge’s offense fire. Entering this week’s action, Wade ranked near the top of Nassau County in goals with 42. She netted at least three goals in eight of the first 11 games.
GAMES TO WATCH
Thursday, May 1
Boys Lacrosse: Baldwin at Freeport 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Calhoun at Carey 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: East Meadow at Clarke 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Sewanhaka at Freeport 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Mepham at Bethpage 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Elmont at Uniondale 5 p.m.
Friday, May 2
Flag Football: Lynbrook at East Rockaway 5 p.m.
Flag Football: Bethpage at Long Beach 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Farmingdale at Massapequa 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: South Side at Wantagh 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: South Side at North Shore 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Lynbrook at MacArthur 7 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Long Beach at Massapequa 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 3
Softball: Uniondale at Elmont 10 a.m.
Softball: North Shore at Baldwin 10 a.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Lynbrook at Mepham 10 a.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Calhoun at Oceanside 10 a.m.
Flag Football: Freeport at Oceanside 11 a.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Clarke at Division 12 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Island Trees at Hewlett 3 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
Rockin’ Mules in title contention
By BRIAN KACHARABA sports@liherald.com
The Malverne/East Rockaway girls’ lacrosse team is proving last year was just an aberration.
After winning just two games in 2024, it suddenly finds itself in a battle for the Conference IV title with two other schools as the regular season enters its final two weeks. The Rockin’ Mules have won six in a row through last weekend’s action, including one by forfeit, since losing at Clarke on April 2.
The Rockin’ Mules visit Valley Stream District and host struggling Herricks before their huge battle with firstplace Wheatley (10-1, 9-0 conference) at Old Westbury on May 5 in a game that could decide the division.
“I think the girls have to get in the mindset that they can do it and then they just have to play their game,” Malverne/ East Rockaway coach Casey Capece said. “I definitely think they can do it, but they have to think that in their heads.”
Malverne/East Rockaway holds a half-game lead over Island Trees (8-2) in the standings, but the Rockin’ Mules hold the tiebreaker after holding off the Bulldogs 10-9 in a very physical contest on April 22. Nicole Buzzetta scored four times, including what proved to be the game-winner on a play-through drive with 2:44 left, fellow senior Valentina Proto added three goals and two assists, and freshman goalie Eliana Morant withstood a late Island Trees flurry and finished with a season-high 20 saves.
“The fact that the girls came out on top in a game that was so violent, I was not going to sleep at all that night if we lost that game,” Capece said.
Buzzetta tallied three more times in a 13-4 rout of Elmont April 24 and leads the team with 23 goals and 30 points. She had just seven goals and nine points as a junior.
“This year, she has been a completely different player,” Capece said. “She’s been a leader on the field. Offensively, she’s done amazing for us. I’m really happy that things worked out and she’s a major part of our offense.”
Proto recorded her fourth hat trick of the spring with three more goals against Elmont and has 18 markers with six assists. Freshman Mia Vetere (10-3-13) and junior Makayla Boubert (12-1-13) also had three goals apiece against the Spartans and have provided scoring depth along with freshman Leyla Montrose (6-2-8) and sophomore Colleen Lynch (8-1-9.)
Seniors Sophia Croce and Julia Giannotti, sophomore Caitlin Lynch and freshman Angie Williams have been
key contributors to a defensive corps that is among the stingiest in the conference with an average of just under six goals allowed this season.
Morant is also a big reason why the Rockin’ Mules have allowed just 47 goals by surpassing the 80-save mark after stopping 70 as an eighth grader. Her other big games were a 14-save effort in a 14-4 win over Sewanhaka in the season opener, a shutout at Hempstead on April 8, and a 13-save performance in a 14-11 victory over Freeport on April 14.
Derrick Dingle/Herald
Junior Makayla Boubert, left, has 12 goals on the season including a hat trick in a victory over Elmont April 24.
Las Vegas Sands pulls out of casino bid
By KELSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com
Las Vegas Sands is no longer pursuing its $6 billion proposal to build a casino resort on the Nassau Coliseum site.
The company will not apply in June for one of three available downstate gaming licenses in New York. Executives cited a range of market forces, including the rise of online gambling, economic uncertainty in the U.S. and a strategic shift to preserve shareholder value.
The proposed project included a 400,000-square-foot casino, hotels, restaurants, retail space and a convention center. It was projected to create more than 8,500 construction jobs and over 5,000 permanent positions across the 72-acre site.
Last August, the County Legislature approved a 42-year operational lease agreement with Las Vegas Sands for the Coliseum and surrounding land in an 18-1 vote, meaning that Sands was responsible for the general upkeep and maintenance of the property but could not build or develop. The next steps for the project would have been for the company to apply for a lease that allowed it to develop the property, and to bid for one of the gaming licenses.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a forceful advocate for the project, issued a statement through Chris Boyle, his director of communications.
Kelsie Radziski/Herald
Las Vegas Sands has withdrawn its plan to build a $6 billion casino on the Nassau Coliseum site. The project sparked debate from the start, with groups like the Say No to the Casino Civic Association, above, protesting outside legislative meetings.
according to a statement issued by members Monica Kiely and Allison O’Brien Silva.
“While we are concerned the door remains open for the county to find a new casino partner, it was always a bad idea, and it will continue to be a bad idea, whether the county works with Las Vegas Sands or another predatory gambling company looking to extract wealth from our community,” the statement read.
On April 24, County Legislator Seth Koslow sent a cease-and-desist letter to Blakeman demanding that all expenditures surrounding the Sands casino be terminated. Koslow said at a news conference that morning that there was no clear path forward for the project, and he was concerned about “wasting time, energy and money” on something that is “not what people wanted.”
“County Executive Bruce Blakeman has been aware of certain pressures that have factored into Las Vegas Sands’ rethinking of land-based brick and mortar casinos in the United States,” the statement read.
the licensing application process.”
“The County Executive is grateful that Las Vegas Sands is committed to the development of the Coliseum site with or without a casino,” Boyle added. “However, there is strong interest from gaming organizations which have been in confidential discussions with Nassau County in taking the place of Las Vegas Sands in
“Nassau County will crystallize within the next 30 days whether or not to entertain a casino component or develop the site without,” Boyle stated. “In either event there will be an exciting new development that will create jobs and positive economic activity.”
The Say No to the Casino Civic Association, whose members have been vocal opponents of the project since the beginning, is “thrilled” after a long fight against the “wholly destructive casino,”
Koslow, who is the Democratic candidate for county executive, supports development on the site that both brings in the money that the casino promised and aligns with what he maintains community members want.
“We need to invest in a real project that’s going to get done, that people want, that has community buy-in,” he said at the conference. “We can certainly do a hotel, an entertainment facility, with a convention center, something that’s going to bring more people here, something that’s going to bring tourism here.”
PSEG Long Island Hosts First “Business First” Workshop for Entrepreneurs
By Maureen Fitzgerald
On April 15, nearly 50 Long Island business owners attended PSEG Long Island’s first “Business First” workshop at its Bethpage headquarters, hosted in collaboration with the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce. The morning session featured a networking breakfast and expert-led presentations on reducing energy costs, managing utility bills, and securing funding for energy-efficient upgrades.
“Small businesses power our communities and fuel economic growth,” said Veronica Isaac, Manager of Customer and Community Partnerships at PSEG Long Island, reflecting on the vital role small businesses play here — a theme that resonated throughout the day’s program. “By helping them thrive, we unlock local jobs, boost reinvestment and create a cycle of shared success. A strong small business is a win for all of us.”
Christine Bryson and Shamisha Sims kicked off the event with an overview of financial and technical resources available through PSEG Long Island and partner agencies. Bryson explained how federal, state, and local programs—including grants, loans, and tax credits—can support energy-saving improvements. She also provided tips on working with economic development agencies. Sims introduced PSEG’s Business First program, which offers free or low-cost energy assessments, and shared sample audit reports highlighting quickreturn upgrades like LED lighting and HVAC controls.
The technical portion of the workshop focused on implementation. Matt Connors shared case studies of local companies that cut energy use by up to 25% and explained how to apply for rebates tied to improvements like programmable thermostats and motor retrofits. Nicole Jones-Cumberbatch followed with a presentation on PSEG’s renovation support services, which help businesses navigate permits, hire contractors, and stay on schedule. Paul DiBenedetto wrapped up the segment with a discussion on EV charging stations and available
Long Island business owners attend PSEG Long Island “Business
incentives, sparking interest from several attendees planning future installations.
Thenaris Godbolt walked through PSEG Long Island’s commercial billing system, helping attendees better understand rate schedules, online tools, and cost-saving features like budget billing and prompt-payment discounts. The session closed with Jimmy Alty offering procurement tips to help businesses evaluate vendor bids, negotiate terms, and leverage PSEG Long Island’s contractor network — their Prime Efficiency
workshop on April 15.
Partners — for quality assurance and cost control. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet one-onone with Business First Advocates to discuss next steps, from rebate applications to project planning, receiving personalized advice and customized next steps and key contacts for follow-up support. Future workshops are planned throughout the year. Businesses can email PSEGLI-BusinessFirst@pseg. com to schedule a free energy assessment or learn more.
photo courtesy PSEG Long Island
First”
The Southern State at 100:
a divided
legacy
History, and real or imagined inequity, collide on 25 miles of one of Long Island’s busiest roadways
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
First in a series on the Southern State Parkway.
One bright Saturday afternoon in June 2020, a group of protesters stood near the Robert Moses statue in Babylon, calling for its removal. Their rallying cry: The “Master Builder” was not worthy of such recognition. He was, instead, a racist who, among other things, designed the Southern State Parkway to keep buses carrying low-income families from traveling from New York City to Long Island — and its beaches.
The group had collected more than 13,000 signatures in support of its cause.
major roadway expansion undertaken by New York state that also included the Northern State and Sagtikos parkways. Today, it is a 25.3-mile long roadway that stretches from the Queens-Nassau border to Heckscher State Park in East Islip.
Wayne Horsley, a former regional director of Long Island’s state parks and a local historian, countered at the time that the often aired claims against Moses, “a son of the village,” have never been proven.
What has been proven, however, is the impact of the visionary work of Moses, who was the architect behind the construction of the Southern State when he served as the chairman of the Long Island State Park Commission and president of the New York State Parks Council.
The 100th anniversary of the construction of the parkway this year offers an opportunity to reflect on both its history and its future.
Often referred to simply as “the parkway,” the Southern State was part of a
Construction on the Southern State began in 1925, under Moses’s leadership. It was designed to improve access to Jones Beach. The land was originally a water conduit owned by the borough of Brooklyn. It comprises the western portion of unsigned New York State Route 908M, with the Heckscher State Parkway occupying the eastern section. Its first section opened to the public in 1927; there were additions in 1949, and its current roadway was completed in 1962, when it reached Heckscher Parkway.
Following the post-war housing boom on Long Island, the parkway was widened and straightened in a number of places to serve commuters traveling at speeds unanticipated when the road was first constructed.
Initially, the Southern State had a toll between exits 13 and 14, at the Cross Island Parkway, until 1978 when the state eliminated it and removed the toll plaza.
Prior to World War II, the State Department of Transportation estimated that fewer than 15,000 cars traveled on the parkway each day. During the postwar population boom on Long Island, the volume expanded to 190,000 cars per day, with most using it to commute between home and work.
Mary Cascone, historian of the Town of Babylon, notes that the Long Island parkway system was initially designed to bring automobiles to state parks.
“By limiting access to passenger cars, the parkways were supposedly intended for recreational driving,” Cascone wrote in her research on Moses and the Southern State. “Drivers and passengers could enjoy the beauty of the tree-lined roadway, free of billboards and trucks, as they made the journey to the countryside.”
That intention is visually confirmed in photos taken of the road when it opened, showing one or two cars on a lushly landscaped parkway, portraying what was then known as the “leisurely Sunday drive.” With its verdant country-
side free of commercial traffic, the parkway appealed to the more affluent city residents who owned cars, whether an intentional outcome of the design or not.
An aspect of the roadway’s design that is often cited as evidence to support the claim that it was designed to deny access to the masses is its bridges, which have unusually low clearances.
“It appears to be accurate that the state parks and beaches reached by the Nassau and Suffolk County parkways were deliberately designed to accommodate motorists rather than people who used public transportation,” Cascone said. “The inference that many people make, however, is that Black people used public transportation — which they
Photos courtesy Babylon Town Historical Society
The Southern State Parkway under construction at Belmont Avenue in Babylon.
A colorized photo of the Southern State Parkway when it opened in 1927.
Southern State’s century of vehicular history
surely did — along with all the other people who could not afford to, or simply chose not to, own a car. This ignores the fact, however, that Black people did own automobiles, and drove them on the parkways and to the beaches.”
For some, however, the low parkway bridges are an unfortunate, lingering reminder of classism and inequity in the guise of public works, Cascone concluded.
Thomas J. Campanella, a professor at Cornell University, a historian and a writer on city planning and the urban environment, sees the potential evidence of discrimination in the lower height of the Southern State bridges compared with those on other parkways Moses designed.
“The low-bridge story is a microbiography of Moses, a tragic hero who built for the ages, but for a narrowly construed public,” Campanella wrote. “It also shows how something as inert as a stone-faced bridge can be alive with politics and meaning.”
He also noted that Moses’s attitude appeared contradictory, as he approved the construction of a swimming pool and play center in Harlem — now the Jackie Robinson Park — which is considered one of the best public works projects of the New Deal era anywhere in the United States, and established other recreational sites in communities of color across New York state.
In a press release dated July 23, 1934, Moses argued for the construction of more recreational facilities for all New Yorkers, noting, “It is no exaggeration to say that the health, happiness, efficiency and orderliness of many of the city’s residents, especially in the summer months, are tremendously affected by the presence or absence of adequate swimming and bathing facilities.”
Next installment: Accident statistics and causes.
■ Originally designed with quaint wooden lampposts, which became affectionately known as “woody” lights.
■ When the parkway was first built, then Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt wanted to have a western extension that reached into Brooklyn. That stretch of highway is known today as the Belt Parkway.
■ Following the suburban expansion of Long Island after World War II, the parkway was widened and straightened in places to allow for higher speeds and more traffic.
■ A state police substation and barracks were built on either side of the parkway in North Valley Stream.
■ A median service station was built in the 1930s east of Exit 32 (Route 110). It closed in 1985, but its abandoned ramps can still be seen in the median.
Jeffrey Bessen/Herald
Heading east on the south side of today’s Southern State Parkway.
Q&A School NewS
Malverne’s 2025 Valedictorian and Salutatorian
By Madison Gusler mgusler@liherald.com
Malverne’s Selin Mutlu, 18, and Olivia Brown, 18, were named the Class of 2025’s Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively. Mutlu and Brown are recognized as passionate leaders in the district who have engaged the high school in educational and civic projects.
Q: Can you tell me about what classes you take and what you’re involved in at school?
Mutlu: In total, I’ve taken three AP courses sophomore year, five junior year, and six this year, including one I’m self studying for, AP macro.
Olivia and I are both in Model UN, I’m secretary general. I was the woodwind captain of the Pride of Malverne marching band and band council secretary. I’m also head captain of Quizbowl/scholars club, part of service learning club and a student board member of the Malverne Alumni Education Foundation. Outside of school, for the past two summers I worked as a counselor at
a special needs summer camp and I work with special needs individuals every week at the JCC in East Hills.
Brown: Like Selin said, I’m undersecretary general in Model UN. I’m founder and president of Art Club and president of the National Honor Society. I’m also an executive board member for the MLK Day of Service and the project manager of the Pine Lake Preserve Rehabilitation, which is this environmental civic engagement project taking care of this overgrown nature preserve on school property. I’m also Soprano section leader for select choir.
I can’t recall exactly how many APs I’ve taken, but right now I’m in AP calc, AP gov, AP psych and AP lit.
Q: Tell me about what drives you?
Mutlu: Everything I’ve worked towards, my entire mantra is my little brother who is autistic. My first job was at the camp he went to, I interned where all his friends were, and everything I do is for my broth-
er. He used to be nonverbal and having to help raise him since I was six, while my parents were both working and having a foreign language-speaking grandma, it really motivates me to give him a better life and show everyone that we can do it.
Brown: For me, motivation has two different aspects. One is just I genuinely enjoy the things I’m involved with. Like music is something that’s always been there for me throughout the last four years and something I really enjoy. It challenges me in a lot of ways that I can’t get academically.
I also just enjoy uplifting my community and being involved. I see the impact it has on those around me and it genuinely makes me happy to be able to help my community thrive.
Q: What are you most proud of during your time at school so far?
Mutlu: I’d say the changes we’ve made to Malverne as a community. Like our Model UN used to be very overlooked by other schools and we had no awards whatsoever. Now I can safely say that we’re seen as an upcoming powerhouse, winning awards every conference and hosting our own with over 100 people coming.
We’re changing how Malverne is viewed by others, like, l’m a finalist for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program and Olivia helped rename Lindner Place, a street in Malverne named after a KKK leader, to Acorn Way. We’re helping make Malverne better.
Brown: I’d say that’s something Selin and I have both been involved with, but also our entire grade. The class of 2025 has started many initiatives, from relay for life, Model UN conference, being involved with the Linder Place renaming, being involved with the preserve. Across the board, it’s just been making a lot of positive changes for the community.
Q: Where do you plan on attending school next fall? What do you want to study?
Mutlu: I don’t know which college I’m attending yet, but I plan to study political science and math for the pre-law route.
Brown: I’m not sure where I’ll be going, but I’ll be studying architecture with a focus on
low-income housing and environmental development.
Q: How did it feel to be named valedictorian and salutatorian?
Mutlu: I felt like it wasn’t real. In middle school, I was salutatorian and she was valedictorian, so everyone was saying we were gonna get either position. I had that gut wrenching feeling of, what if I don’t? Then hearing I got valedictorian I almost cried, cause my high school career I really worked towards getting either of these positions because I really just wanted to do it for my family and myself as well.
Brown: With Selin getting valedictorian, I was so proud of her. She’s the most studious and academic person I know.
Trading clothes for local scholarship funds
By Madison Gusler
mgusler@liherald.com
The West Hempstead Community Scholarship Fund hosted a clothes drive fundraiser at West Hempstead Secondary School on April 6. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. they collected gently used clothing, bags, shoes, stuffed animals and plastic toys donated by members of the local community.
For every pound of donations collected, the WHCSF received $0.20.
“The organization has been around since 1969 and it awards scholarships to students living within the West Hempstead school district,” said Tom Kemnitzer, WHCSF trustee.
This year the fund is awarding six $2,500 scholarships to students in the local community; four from West Hempstead Secondary School, one student from the Waldorf School of Garden City and one from the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County.
“This fundraiser is to raise money so we can award the recipients,” said trustee Maria Bhola. “We try to get people to donate as much as possible.”
The clothes drive fundraiser is one of the many hosted by the scholarship fund each year, but “we try to do this two times a year, once in the fall and once in the spring,” said WHCSF president, Santos Welti. “This is a big fundraiser for us. It usually brings in a very nice amount and all of it goes right to the recipients. Hopefully in the future we can get more people to come by and donate as much as possible.”
Madison Gusler/Herald
Scholarship fund board members Maria Bhola, left, Judy Kemnitzer, Andrea Liebl, Tom Kemnitzer, and Santos Welti collected donations at West Hempstead Secondary School.
Courtesy Malverne school district
Malverne H.S. principal Kesha Bascombe, left, valedictorian Selin Mutlu, salutatorian Olivia Brown, and Superintendent Lorna Lewis at a March 10 breakfast celebrating Mutlu and Brown’s achievements.
STEPPING OUT
“Choc”-full of delights
The Chocolate Expo is all sorts of delicious
By Danielle Schwab
Prepare for a day coated in all things chocolate.
Over 90 vendors soon set up shop at Hostra University’s David Mack Sports & Exhibition Center. The unique foodie experience returns, May 4, with sweet and savory tastes all in one place.
“We call ourselves the official home of chocolate, food, and fun,” Marvin Baum, the Chocolate Expo’s founder, says. “We’re using chocolate as a platform, not only to support small local businesses, but also to do good for the community.”
It all began in 2006, after Baum realized there was a strong desire to bring food vendors and communities together. Since 2012, the chocoholic’s delight has been sweetening Long Island and has grown to be the confectionery hot spot it is today.
“Long Island has always been a special spot for me. It helped us go to the next level in terms of what we could offer the public in terms of an experience,” Baum says.
From chocolate classics like bonbons, fudge and chocolate-dipped treats to interesting twists such as chocolate-covered bacon, there are no shortage of desserts to indulge in. For more savory pairings, baked goods, specialty foods, wine, and cheeses are also tempting; there’s surely something to satisfy everyone’s palate.
Visitors can check out the Long Island confectioners represented, including Bellmore’s Chocolate Works, a chocolaterie selling chocolate-covered pretzels, platters, and more.
“Last year was our first year at the Expo. We had a great experience,” Nimisha Patel, who owns the store with her husband, Raj, reports.“People always buy chocolate, and we get to be creative and decorate with different designs.”
Other local favorites include Chez Hedwidge, an artisan gluten-free bakery, based in Valley Stream; Massapequa’s Swizzled Desserts, a purveyor of small batch alchohol-infused ice creams and sorbets; and Sunflower Bakeshop, a Kosher bakery in West Hempstead that caters to customers with
• Sunday, May 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Tickets are $20, $10 ages 5-12 when purchased online, children under 5 free, $30, $15 child at door; available from thechocolateexpo.com
• Hofstra University, David S. Mack Sports & Exhibition Complex, Hempstead
food and dietary restrictions, offering a wide range of glutenfree and vegan options.
This year, the choice of treats is more enticing than ever.
“There are a limited number of chocolate shops on Long Island. We’re bringing vendors from other states and countries, so we can bring unique things that people from Long Island have not seen elsewhere before,” Baum says.
Be sure to sample the diverse offerings that include the trendy Dubai chocolate (Omniya), rich artisanal chocolates from Paris (Chocolaknin), and luxury Swiss assortments (Canonica).
The binge-worthy experiences don’t stop with chocolate. Guests can meet up with this years’ special guests — everyone’s favorite 1970s TV family, “The Brady Bunch.”
“There’s a strong nostalgic quality to connecting with the original show. This is a chance to get together, to connect without a television screen, in a much more informal kind of way,” says Barry Williams, who fans will know as the eldest Brady child, Greg Brady.
Williams is readu to answer all your eager-to-know questions about the show — along with his castmates Christopher Knight (Peter Brady), Mike Lookinland (Bobby Brady), and Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady) — during the morning panel discussion. He’s also bringing some “Tikis” that fans may recognize from the iconic Hawaii episode.
“I see happen quite often is a fan will approach us, they might be middle-aged, and in front of my eyes they will turn into the giggling teenager that they were when they were watching the show,” he notes.
Balloon artist Robbie Furman adds to the magic, creating a life-sized ‘Brady Bunch’ — made entirely out of balloons!
For more family-sized fun, young visitors can drop by the Kidz Zone for face painting, balloon twisting and chocolate smashing. You may even catch a glimpse of a Stormtrooper — don’t forget to respond “May the Fourth be with you!”
At the end of the day, kids can enjoy a balloon popping party.
“We let the kids pop them with safe little picks at the end of the event, which we’ve never done on Long Island before,” Baum says.
Whether you’re familiar with the Expo or a curious newcomer, it’s always a delectable outing.
“We have a relationship with people on Long Island, and they look forward to it every year. I recently saw a Facebook post [about the Expo] saying ‘My friend and I had a magical day that we will never forget,’” Baum says.
“This is why we do what we do with the Chocolate Expo, for our guests have a magical time.”
Pink Talking Fish
Three mammoth bands. Three musical phenomenons. One idea inspired by love of the music. That’s Pink Talking Fish. The hybrid tribute fusion act takes the music from three iconic bands creating a remarkable musical jam. PTF brings their unique sound to the Landmark on Main Street stage, on their latest tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of the incredible Pink Floyd album “Wish You Were Here.” This show consists of two sets. The first set will be a full rendition of this epic album from start to finish, with “Classic PTF” combinations for the second set. “Wish You Were Here” is extremely meaningful to the band members and so many music lovers around the world and PTF is thrilled to bring this album to life in 2025. Although the music from each act is different, PTF has discovered that fusing the material together creates an amazing story. The epic emotion of Pink Floyd; the funky, danceable layerings of The Talking Heads; the styles, unique compositional structures and pure fun of Phish — to merge these three into one gives music lovers a special experience. Friday, May 2, 8 p.m. $49 and $46. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or call (516) 767-6444.
Regency Romance is afoot
Old Westbury Gardens welcomes everyone to Regency Romance Weekend, a most splendid affair in honor of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. Families can wander the gardens for storybook strolls and hands-on crafts, while those with a playful spirit can enjoy lawn games fit for the finest estates. Also find inspiration in creative activities, while music lovers are serenaded with classical takes on familiar tunes. Of course, what would a Regency gathering be without fashion and society gossip? Take in a discussion on Regency fashion —fact versus fiction. And for those with a keen mind and a love of Austen’s world, Austen trivia will put your knowledge to the ultimate test. Plus indulge in a proper afternoon tea, or treat yourself to confections at the café.
Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury. For more information and program/events schedule, go to oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048.
Photos courtesy Chuck Fishman Every bite is a sweet discovery at The Chocolate Expo.
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
MAY 1
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) that publicly launched the movement. The direct follow-up to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. On view through June 15.
• Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor.
• Time: Ongoing
• Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org
‘Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!’
The beloved musical adventure, ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved award-winning, best-selling children’s books, is back on stage at Long Island Children’s Museum. Willems’ classic characters Elephant and Piggie storm the stage in a rollicking musical romp filled with plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense perfect for young audiences.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City.
• Time: Also May 2-3, and May 7-8, times vary
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Masquerade Social
Join West Hempstead’s PTA for the masquerade social fundraising dinner Tickets are $60 per person.
• Where: Plattduetsche Park Restaurant 1132 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square.
• Time: 7-10 p.m.
MAY 11
Brian Regan
Critics, fans and fellow comedians agree: Brian Regan is one of the most respected comedians in the country with Vanity Fair calling Brian, “The funniest stand-up alive,” and Entertainment Weekly citing him as “Your favorite comedian’s favorite comedian.” Having built his 30-plus year career on the strength of his material alone, Brian’s non-stop theater tour continuously fills prestigious venues across North America, visiting close to 100 cities each year. His comedic talent extends beyond the stage. He’s released two acclaimed Netflix specials, “Brian Regan: Nunchucks And Flamethrowers” and “Brian Regan: On The Rocks,” showcasing his knack for finding humor in everyday situations. He also starred in his own Netflix series,”Stand Up And Away! With Brian Regan,” and even made history with “Brian Regan: Live From Radio City Music Hall,” the first live broadcast of a stand-up special in Comedy Central’s history. Regan also co-stars in three seasons of Peter Farrelly’s series, “Loudermilk,” which moved to Netflix in January 2024, ranking in the Top 10 TV shows on Netflix for over a month. He’s also a familiar presence on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” He’s the standup guest who the show invites on for two segments: a performance segment and also on the couch to chat with Jimmy. $99.50, $79.50, $69.50, $49.50.
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
MAY
3
Crossroads Farm opening festival
Join the fun as Crossroads opens for the season, with its rescheduled festival.
Mini-golf, ATVs, bounce house, education classes, and much more. With music, food trucks, Barrier Brewing Co. wine and more.. Pre-purchased tickets will be redeemable.
• Where: 408 Hempstead Ave., Malverne.
• Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; also May 4
• Contact: xroadsfarmliny.com
• Contact: hzeffy.com/ en-US/ticketing/2025-ptamasquerade-social Furthering Fathering
MAY
2
Long Island Marathon Weekend
The Long Island Marathon and additional races return to Eisenhower Park with three days packed with races for runners of all ages and abilities, through May 4.
• Where: Eisenhower Park, East Meadow
• Time: Varying times on Friday, Saturday & Sunday
• Contact: RunSignUp.com/ Race/NY/EastMeadow/ LongIslandMarathon
Join Furthering Fathering for a Men’s Fella-ship breakfast with CEO and co-founder, Pastor Jeremy Maynard, and Pastor Curtis Williams of the 1st Calvary Church.
• Where: 1272 Langdon Blvd., Rockville Centre.
• Time: 10 a.m.
Storybook Stroll
Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a storybook adventure. Stroll the gardens and listen to “Jane Austen: Little People Big Dreams” by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara. Later create a unique take home craft. For ages 3-5.
Storybook Strolls start at the Beech
Tree (next to Westbury House), and end at the Thatched Cottage. Registration required.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or (516) 333-0048
‘Bridgerton’-inspired dance workshop
Learn to dance like Simon and Daphne! Enjoy an hour of grace and merriment at Old Westbury Gardesn and learn some of the dances from the “Bridgerton” and “Queen Charlotte” series. No experience is necessary and no partner is needed. Instructor Susan de Guardiola guides participants through easy choreographies inspired from the TV series and talks about how the Bridgerton dances differ from the dances of the actual Regency/ Jane Austen era. Ages 16+ welcome.
• Where: The Barn at Orchard Hill, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: Noon-1 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens.org
1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre.
• Time: 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
• Contact: Call Gabriella Gennaro at (516) 705-2434
On stage
The Davison Avenue Intermediate School Drama Club presents “The Aristocats.”.
• Where: Howard T. Herber Auditorium, 75 Ocean Ave., Malverne.
• Time: 11 a.m.
• Contact: (516) 887-6400
Art Explorations
Converse, collaborate and create at Nassau County Museum of Art. Kids and their adult partners can talk about and make art together. Enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. Registration required.
• Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor.
• Time: noon-3 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org
Bug Safari
MAY
6
West
Hempstead BOE meets
The West Hempstead Board of Education holds its monthly business meeting and budget hearing in the Video Conference Room at West Hempstead Secondary School.
• Where: 400 Nassau Blvd., West Hempstead.
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
MAY
7
Malverne Village Board meets
The Village of Malverne holds their monthly board meeting.
• Where: Malverne Village Hall,99 Church St., Malverne
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
MAY
Breastfeeding Support Group
8
Mercy Hospital offers a peer-to-peer breastfeeding support group facilitated by a certified counselor. Open to new moms with babies from newborn to 1 year. Registration required.
• Where: St. Anne’s Building,
Families are sure to enjoy a walk on the wild side at Old Westbury Gardens Hunt elusive grasshoppers, butterflies, predatory insects and other creepy, crawly creatures alongside entomologist Jeffry Petracca, of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s DNA Learning Center. Learn about the local insects that call Long Island home! Bring a butterfly net and a collecting jar if you have one. Included in your tour is a bug themed craft, and scavenger hunt. Meet at the Beech Tree. For all ages. Registration required. $23 child and adult, $20 child and senior adult (62+).
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens.org
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.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU
CMG MORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff, Against
JANICE COGHLAN, AS EXECUTRIX OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM S. GROOMS A/K/A
WILLIAM GROOMS, et al, Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 04/12/2019, 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 5/13/2025 at 3:00PM, premises known as 17 Hopatcong Avenue, 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 in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 35 Block 462 Lot 508
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $274,404.81 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 17-001008
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.
Ralph Madalena, Esq., Referee.
MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573
Dated: 3/14/2025 File Number: 16-303695
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 6, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 15, 2025, at 2:00PM, premises known as 72 Cedar Road, Malverne, NY 11565. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Malverne, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 38 Block 118 Lot 8, 9, 10 & 11.
Approximate amount of judgment $817,202.98 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 600336/2020. Foreclosure auction will be held “Rain or Shine”.
Robert Aiello, Esq., Referee
LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC
Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792
Dated: April 1, 2025 152951
To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: SNAPPIE HANDYMAN LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 02/25/25. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to:Steve Nappie 1050 Jackson Ave Franklin Square NY 11010
Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 152942
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 05/07/2025 at 9:30 A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:
THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M. 202/25. WEST HEMPSTEAD - Maximo Munoz, Renewal of grant for variance, rear yard, special exception to maintain refrigerator/freezer walk-in box in conjunction with existing deli., N/s Hempstead Tpke., 240.23’ W/o Westminster Rd., a/k/a 168 Hempstead Tpke. ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550.
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU. HEMPSTEAD LLC d/b/a HEMPSTEAD 126, LLC, Plaintiff -againstRIVIERA DINER LTD, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated March 27, 2025 and entered on April 2, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction “Rain or Shine” on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on June 4, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the North side of the Hempstead Turnpike, distant 121.57 feet (deed) 121.06 (Actual) Westerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the North side of Hempstead Turnpike with the West side of the Greenway South; being a plot 71.78 feet by 92.59 feet by 70 feet by 108.39 feet. Section: 33 Block: 251 Lot(s): 3, 4, and 5 Said premises known as 564 HEMPSTEAD TURNPIKE, WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY 11552
Malverne, N.Y., in said District on May 13, 2025, 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 20, 2025 as hereinafter set forth.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that said vote and election will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in the gymnasium of the Howard T. Herber Middle School, 75 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, N.Y., 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:
Reserve Fund therefor, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto, an amount not to exceed the estimated total cost of One Million Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,350,000.00), provided that the Board of Education shall determine the allocation of cost of each project within said maximum amount?
3. To elect two (2) members to the Board of Education for a four (4) year term, commencing July 1, 2025 and expiring on June 30, 2029.
DLJ Mortgage Capital, Inc., Plaintiff
AGAINST
Frank J. Gombocs a/k/a
Frank Gombocs; et al., Defendant(s)
x232 or send
email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
This notice is only for new cases in West Hempstead within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo
Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it. 153224
AND LEGAL NOTICES…
To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…
Approximate amount of lien $2,949,166.85 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 616007/2022.
OSCAR A. PRIETO, ESQ., Referee KRISS & FEUERSTEIN LLP
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 360 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1200, New York, NY 10017 {* WEST HEMP1*} 153180
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,
1.PROPOSITION NO. 1 Budget 2025 - 2026 Resolved that the proposed Budget of the Malverne Union Free School District of the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York for the fiscal year 20252026 be adopted in the amount of said budget be raised by tax upon the taxable property of the School District after first deducting the monies available from the State Aid and other sources.
2.PROPOSITION NO. 2 Capital Reserve Fund Expenditure Shall the Board of Education of the Malverne Union Free School District be authorized, to expend from the Capital Reserve Fund III, which was established on June 9, 2020 (“Reserve Fund”) pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law, for the following capital improvement projects: (1) MultiField Scoreboard Replacement at Malverne High School; (2) Playground upgrades at Davison Avenue Intermediate School and Maurice W. Downing Primary School; (3) Window Replacements at Malverne High School; (4) Districtwide Door Upgrades; and (5) Districtwide Promethean Board (Equipment) Replacements; and any ancillary or related work required in connection with such projects, and to expend from the
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 not later than April 21, 2025 between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., prevailing time. All nominating petitions must be signed by 25 Signatures (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 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 24, 2025 at the Malverne High School Lobby 80 Ocean
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 13, 2025 public budget hearing, any resident in the District may request to review a copy of the proposed budget by appearing at the Office of the District Clerk, 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY. 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, Lynbrook Public Library, 56 Eldert Street, Lynbrook, N.Y., Lakeview Public Library,1120 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre, NY, at the School District Administrative Building, 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, N.Y., 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
Avenue , Malverne , N.Y. 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 between the hours 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., prevailing time, and on May 9, 2025 at the Office of the District Clerk 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 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, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 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 20, 2025, 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 2025, 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.
Public Notices
value or as a percentage of the total assessed value on the roll; (b) the cumulative amount expected to be received from recipients of each type of exemption as payments in lieu of taxes or other payments for municipal services; and (c) the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. The exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any website maintained by the District.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for absentee and early mail ballots will be obtainable during school business hours at the office of the District Clerk beginning April 21, 2025. In accordance with Education Law §§ 2018-a and 2018e, completed absentee and early mail ballot applications may not be received by the District Clerk earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the election, and must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or to the agent named in the absentee or early mail ballot application. Absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued, and a list of all persons to whom early mail voter’s ballots shall have been issued, will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the office of the District Clerk on and after May 15, 2025, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays prior to the day set for the annual election and on Saturday May 17, 2025, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 noon, prevailing time, by appointment only, and on May 20, 2025, the day set for the election. Any qualified voter may, upon examination of such lists, file a written challenge of the qualifications as a voter of any person whose name appears on such lists, stating the reasons for such challenge. Any such written challenge shall be transmitted by the District Clerk or a designee of the Board
of Education to the inspectors of election on election day.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the 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 3:30 p.m. on April 24, 2025.
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 24, 2025. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a non-military ballot application under Section 2018-a of the Education Law. The application for military ballot may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail, fax, or email. 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 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 20, 2025 showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement
of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received not later than 5:00 p.m. on May 20, 2025 and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a rule adopted by the Board of Education in accordance with New York Education Law §2035, any referenda or propositions to change the number of Board of Education members, or a bond issue for capital improvements, or any other petition required by law to be stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Election must be filed with the District Clerk at 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY, not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on April 21, 2025. Any other petition, except those petitions required by law to be stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Election, must be filed with the District Clerk at 301 Wicks Lane, NY, no later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time on April 21, 2025. All such petitions must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the Clerk of the School District; must be signed by at least 100 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. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the election shall be held in accordance with the Rules of the Conduct of Meetings and Elections adopted by the Board. AND FURTHER NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN that this Board shall convene a special meeting thereof within 24 hours
after the filing with the District Clerk of a written report of the results of the ballot for the purpose of examining and tabulating and declaring said results; that the Board hereby designates itself to be set of poll clerks to cast and canvass ballots pursuant to Education Law, §2019a, subdivision 2b at said special meeting of the Board.
Lisa Ridley District Clerk of the Board of Education Malverne Union Free School District 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565 March 11, 2025 152377
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA, VOTACIÓN DEL PRESUPUESTO Y ELECCIÓN DISTRITO ESCOLAR MALVERNE UNION FREE PUEBLO DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, ESTADO DE NUEVA YORK POR MEDIO DEL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que se realizará una audiencia pública de los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Malverne Union Free, pueblo de Hempstead, condado de Nassau, Nueva York, en Malverne Performance Art Center, 80 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, Nueva York, en dicho distrito el 13 de mayo de 2025, hora en vigor, para la resolución de dichos asuntos conforme a lo autorizado por la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, que incluye los siguientes puntos.
1. Presentación del documento presupuestario.
2. Análisis de todos los puntos establecidos en el presente para que se voten mediante una máquina de votación en la elección que se realizará el 20 de mayo de 2025, tal como se establece más abajo.
3. Resolución de cualquier otro asunto que se presente en la reunión.
POR MEDIO DEL PRESENTE TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que dicha votación y elección se llevarán a cabo el martes 20 de mayo de 2025 en el gimnasio de la escuela intermedia
Howard T. Herber, 75 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, Nueva York, donde las urnas estarán abiertas de 7:00 a. m. a 9:00 p. m., hora en vigor, para votar mediante máquinas de votación sobre los siguientes temas: 1. PROPUESTA
N.º 1: Presupuesto para 2025-2026
Se resuelve adoptar el presupuesto propuesto del Distrito Escolar Malverne Union Free del pueblo de Hempstead, condado de Nassau, estado de Nueva York, para el año fiscal 2025-2026 y recaudar el monto de dicho presupuesto mediante impuestos sobre la base del inmueble imponible del Distrito Escolar con posterioridad a la primera deducción de fondos disponibles de la ayuda estatal y otras fuentes.
2. PROPUESTA N.º
2: Gastos del fondo de reserva de capitales Autorizar a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Malverne Union Free a usar el Fondo de Reserva de Capitales III, que se estableció el 9 de junio de 2020 (“Fondo de la Reserva”) de conformidad con la sección 3651 de la Ley de Educación para los siguientes proyectos de mejoras de capital: (1) reemplazo del tablero de puntaje multicampo en Malverne High School; (2) mejoras en los patios de recreo de la escuela intermedia Davison Avenue Intermediate School y de la escuela primaria Maurice W. Downing Primary School; (3) reemplazo de ventanas en Malverne High School; (4) mejoras en las puertas de todo el distrito; y (5) reemplazo de tableros (equipos) Promethean de todo el distrito; y cualquier trabajo auxiliar o relacionado requerido en conexión con tales proyectos, y a usar del Fondo de Reserva para ello, incluidos los costos preliminares e incidentales, un monto que no exceda el costo total estimado de un millón trescientos cincuenta mil dólares ($1,350,000.00), siempre que la Junta de Educación determine la asignación del costo de cada proyecto dentro de dicho monto máximo.
3. Elegir dos (2) miembros de la Junta de Educación para un período de cuatro (4) años que comenzará el 1 de julio de 2025 y finalizará el 30 de junio de 2029.
POR EL PRESENTE, TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que las solicitudes para nominar candidatos para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Malverne Union Free se presentarán ante la Oficina de la Secretaría del Distrito de dicho distrito escolar, ubicada en 301
Wicks Lane Malverne, Nueva York, antes del 21 de abril de 2025, de 9:00 a. m. a 5:00 p. m., hora en vigor. Todas las solicitudes de nominación deben estar firmadas por 25 firmas (que representen 25 votantes o el 2 % de la cantidad de votantes que votaron en la elección anual anterior, la cifra que sea mayor); indicar el nombre y la residencia de cada firmante, como así también el nombre y la residencia del candidato. Los puestos vacantes de la Junta de Educación no se considerarán cargos específicos ni independientes; los candidatos se presentan en general.
POR MEDIO DEL PRESENTE TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que el registro personal de los votantes es obligatorio según la sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación del estado de Nueva York o el artículo 5 de la Ley de Elecciones del estado de Nueva York. Si un votante se ha registrado previamente según la sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación de Nueva York y votó en cualquier reunión de distrito anual o especial dentro de los últimos cuatro (4) años calendario, dicho votante es elegible para votar en esta elección; si un votante está registrado y es elegible para votar de conformidad con el artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral del estado de Nueva York, dicho votante también es elegible para votar en esta elección. Todas las demás personas que deseen votar deben registrarse. La Junta de Registros se reunirá a los fines de registrar a todos los votantes calificados del distrito según la sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación el 24 de abril de 2025 en la recepción de Malverne High School 80 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, Nueva York, de 8:30 a. m. a 11:30 a. m., hora en vigor, y en el edificio administrativo del distrito ubicado en 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, Nueva York, de 11:30 a. m. a 3:30 p. m., hora en vigor, y el 9 de mayo de 2025 en la oficina de la Secretaría del Distrito ubicada en 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, Nueva York, de 9:00 a. m. a 1:00 p. m., hora en vigor, para agregar cualquier nombre adicional al registro que se utilizará en la votación y elección del presupuesto antes mencionada. Durante ese horario, toda persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de la Junta de Registros se sepa o se demuestre a satisfacción de dicha Junta que esa persona tiene derecho a votar en dicha votación del presupuesto y elección para la cual se prepara el registro. El registro preparado de esta manera de conformidad con la sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación se archivará en la oficina de la Secretaría del Distrito Escolar en el edificio administrativo, ubicado en 301 Wicks Lane, y estará abierto para inspección por parte de cualquier votante calificado del distrito a partir del miércoles 14 de mayo de 2025, de 9:30 a. m. a 2:30 p. m., hora en vigor, los días de la semana y todos los días antes del 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. POR MEDIO DEL PRESENTE TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que, según la sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación, la Junta de Registros se reunirá el martes 20 de mayo de 2025, en el gimnasio de la escuela intermedia Howard T. Herber Middle School, 75 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, Nueva York, de 7:00 a. m. a 9:00 p. m., hora en vigor, para preparar el registro del Distrito Escolar que se utilizará en la reunión anual y elección de 2025, y cualquier reunión especial que pueda celebrarse después de la preparación de dicho registro. Durante ese horario, toda persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho registro, siempre y cuando en la reunión de la Junta de Registros se sepa o se demuestre a satisfacción de dicha Junta que esa persona tiene derecho a votar en la elección para la cual se prepara el registro. POR MEDIO DEL PRESENTE TAMBIÉN 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 la Secretaría del Distrito al 516-887-6483 para obtener información sobre accesibilidad.
POR MEDIO DEL
PRESENTE TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que, a partir de los siete (7) días inmediatamente anteriores a la audiencia pública sobre el presupuesto del 13 de mayo de 2025, cualquier residente del distrito podrá solicitar la revisión de una copia del presupuesto propuesto presentándose en la oficina de Secretaría del Distrito, ubicada en 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, 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. malvernechools.org, en la biblioteca Malverne Public Library durante su horario normal de atención, ubicada en 61 St. Thomas Place, Malverne, Nueva York, la biblioteca Lynbrook Public Library, 56 Eldert Street, Lynbrook, Nueva York, la biblioteca Lakeview Public Library, 1120 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre, Nueva York, en el edificio administrativo del distrito escolar, 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, Nueva York, y en cada uno de los siguientes edificios escolares en los que se mantengan clases, de 9:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m., hora en vigor, excepto sábados, domingos y feriados: Escuela secundaria Malverne High School, escuela intermedia Howard T. Herber Middle School, escuela intermedia Davison Avenue Intermediate School y Maurice W. Downing School POR MEDIO DEL PRESENTE TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con la sección 495 de la Ley de Impuestos sobre Bienes Inmuebles, el distrito escolar debe adjuntar un informe de exenciones al presupuesto sugerido. Este informe de exención, que también formará parte del presupuesto final, mostrará qué parte del valor total calculado de la lista final de tasación usada durante el proceso presupuestario queda libre de impuestos, enumerará todos los tipos de exenciones otorgadas identificadas por la autoridad legal y mostrará: (a) el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención, expresado en la cantidad en dólares del valor estimado o como porcentaje del total del valor estimado
Public Notices
en la lista; (b) el valor acumulativo que se espera recibir de los beneficiarios de cada tipo de exención como pagos en lugar de impuestos u otros pagos para servicios municipales, y (c) el impacto acumulativo de todas las exenciones otorgadas. El informe de exenciones se publicará en cualquier tablero de anuncios que el distrito designe para avisos públicos y en el sitio web del distrito. POR MEDIO DEL PRESENTE TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que las solicitudes de boletas electorales por ausencia y por correo anticipado se podrán obtener durante el horario escolar de la Secretaría del Distrito a partir del 21 de abril de 2025. De acuerdo con las secciones 2018a y 2018-e de la Ley de Educación, la Secretaría del Distrito no recibirá las solicitudes de boletas electorales por ausencia y de boletas electorales por correo anticipado que estén completas antes de los treinta (30) días previos a la elección y las recibirá al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si se debe enviar la boleta electoral por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección, si se debe entregar la boleta electoral personalmente al votante o al agente nombrado en la solicitud de boleta electoral por ausencia o de boleta electoral por correo anticipado. La Secretaría del Distrito debe recibir las boletas electorales por ausencia y por correo anticipado antes de las 5:00 p. m., hora en vigor, del martes 20 de mayo de 2025. Habrá disponible una lista de personas para las que se emitieron boletas electorales por ausencia y una lista de todas las personas a quienes se les deben haber emitido boletas electorales por correo anticipado para que los votantes calificados del distrito puedan inspeccionar en la oficina de la Secretaría del Distrito a partir del 15 de mayo de 2025, de 9:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m., los días de la semana anteriores al día establecido para la elección anual y el sábado 17 de mayo de 2025, de 9:00 a. m. a 12:00 del mediodía, hora en vigor, solo con cita previa, y el 20 de mayo de 2025, el día establecido para la elección. Cualquier votante calificado puede,
después de analizar las listas, presentar una impugnación por escrito de las calificaciones como votante de cualquier persona cuyo nombre aparezca en las listas en cuestión, indicando los motivos de ello. La secretaria del distrito o un designado de la Junta de Educación comunicará a los inspectores de la elección acerca de cualquier impugnación por escrito el día de la elección.
POR MEDIO DEL PRESENTE TAMBIÉN
SE NOTIFICA que, los votantes militares que no estén registrados actualmente, pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Malverne Union Free pidiendo una solicitud de registro ante la Secretaría del Distrito, y entregándola en persona o enviándola por correo electrónico a lridley@ malverneschools.org o por fax al 516-596-2910. El pedido de la solicitud de registro puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar de recibir dicha solicitud por correo postal, fax o correo electrónico. Los formularios de solicitud de registro para votantes militares se deben recibir en la Secretaría del Distrito antes de las 3:30 p. m. del 24 de abril de 2025.
POR MEDIO DEL PRESENTE TAMBIÉN
SE NOTIFICA que los votantes militares que sean votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Malverne Union Free pueden pedir una solicitud de boleta electoral militar a la Secretaría del Distrito y entregarla en persona, o por correo electrónico a lridley@ malverneschools.org o fax al 516-596-2910. Para que se le otorgue una boleta electoral militar a un votante militar, se debe recibir una solicitud de boleta electoral militar válida en la Secretaría del Distrito antes de las 5:00 p. m. del 24 de abril de 2025. Dichas solicitudes de boleta electoral militar recibidas conforme a lo mencionado anteriormente se procesarán de la misma manera que las solicitudes de boletas electorales no militares, en virtud de la sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación. La solicitud de boleta electoral militar puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar de recibir dicha boleta por correo, fax
o correo electrónico. La solicitud de boleta electoral militar original y la boleta electoral militar de un votante militar se deben entregar en la oficina de la Secretaría del Distrito por correo postal o en persona en 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, Nueva York, junto con la declaración jurada firmada requerida por el votante.
POR MEDIO DEL PRESENTE TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que los votos militares se escrutarán si la Secretaría del Distrito los recibe antes del cierre de la votación el 20 de mayo de 2025 y tienen una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o un endoso fechado de recepción por parte de otra agencia del gobierno de los Estados Unidos, o si se los recibe antes de las 5:00 p. m. del 20 de mayo de 2025, y están firmados y fechados por el votante militar y un testigo de ello, con una fecha que establezca que no son posteriores al día previo a la elección.
POR MEDIO DEL PRESENTE, TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con una norma adoptada por la Junta de Educación en virtud de la sección 2035 de la Ley de Educación, toda solicitud relativa a cualquier referéndum o propuesta para cambiar el número de miembros de la Junta de Educación, o una emisión de bonos para mejoras de capital, o cualquier otra petición que la ley requiera que se indique en el Aviso sobre la reunión anual y la elección, debe presentarse ante la Secretaría del Distrito en 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, Nueva York, a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m., hora en vigor, el 21 de abril de 2025. Cualquier otra solicitud, excepto aquellas solicitudes que la ley requiere que se incluyan en el Aviso sobre la reunión anual y la elección, debe presentarse ante la Secretaría del Distrito ubicada en 301 Wicks Lane, Nueva York, a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m., hora en vigor, del 21 de abril de 2025. Todas estas solicitudes deben estar escritas a máquina o impresas en idioma inglés; deben dirigirse a la Secretaría del Distrito Escolar; deben estar firmadas por al menos 100 votantes calificados del distrito (que
representen 25 votantes o el 5 % de la cantidad de votantes que votaron en la elección anual anterior, la cifra que sea mayor); y deben indicar de forma legible el nombre de cada firmante. Sin embargo, la Junta de Educación no considerará ninguna solicitud para presentar ante los votantes ninguna propuesta cuyo propósito no esté dentro de las facultades de decisión de los votantes, ni ninguna propuesta o enmienda que esté fuera de la ley.
POR MEDIO DEL PRESENTE, TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que, aquellos votantes que deseen obtener información sobre esta votación y elección de presupuesto en español, deben comunicarse con la oficina de la Secretaría del Distrito al 516-8876483.
POR MEDIO DEL PRESENTE, TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que la elección se llevará a cabo de acuerdo con las Normas para la Organización de Reuniones y Elecciones adoptadas por la Junta de Educación.
POR MEDIO DEL PRESENTE, TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que esta Junta establecerá una reunión especial a partir de las 24 horas luego de la presentación ante la Secretaría del Distrito de un informe escrito de los resultados de la votación, con el fin de examinar y tabular y declarar dichos resultados; que, por el presente y de acuerdo con la sección 2019-a, subdivisión 2b, de la Ley de Educación, la Junta se designa a sí misma como un grupo de presidentes de mesa para emitir y escrutar los votos durante dicha reunión especial de la Junta.
Lisa Ridley Secretaria del distrito de la Junta de Educación Distrito Escolar Malverne Union Free 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565 11 de marzo de 2025 152379
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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
Local symphony celebrates 75 years
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
The Rockaway-Five Towns Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a “World Cruise of Music” concert.
Founded in 1950, the orchestra is not only a part of Long Island’s cultural history, but is one of the oldest community musical ensembles in the metropolitan area.
Its mission is to promote live music in the community and to give talented local musicians of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to collaborate in the art of music making, according to rftsymphony.org.
The concert is scheduled for May 10, at 8 p.m., at West Hempstead High School. General admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students.
The orchestra includes musicians of all ages, from high school to those in their late 70s, from the Five Towns and the surrounding communities. It has performed in the Rockaways; at Lawrence High School, in Cedarhurst; in Lynbrook; and at the James A. Dever School, in Valley Stream.
Maestro Louis Panacciulli, the group’s music director, conducts the orchestra he has been involved with since 2016. Panacciulli also leads the Nassau County Pops. An Elmont resident, he grew up in a family of musicians. His father played guitar and violin, and his mother was a pianist.
“My older siblings played the piano, but I was the only one who pursued it professionally,” Panacciulli said. “I started when I was 6 or 7 on the piano.”
He went on to become a music teacher after studying music at New York University. He taught music to fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders at Valley Stream Elementary for 20 years, and has been the band director at Nassau Community College for 34 years.
“We are a classically based group,” Panacciulli said of the orchestra. “We do the classics the Beethovens, Mozarts, Strausses and Tchaikovskys of the world.”
He wanted to do something different this year to commemorate the ensemble’s diamond jubilee anniversary, and that includes featuring the vocal stylings of four-time Grammy Award-winning tenor John Easterlin.
“John and I developed a program of music from different parts of the world, and I thought we’d call it ‘a world cruise of music,’ where John will sing in seven numbers,” Panacciulli said. “We have 52 musicians in our group, and only three more rehearsals until the concert. We’re hoping to bring in a big crowd and share our love of music.”
Easterlin performed on Broadway in “The Phantom of the Opera” from November 2016 to April 2017, and has sung in opera houses around the world.
“This opera career, I’ve been very blessed to sing all over the world and across the country,” he said. “With play-
ing very believable characters, to me it’s a merger between theater and opera.”
Easterlin met Panacciulli through the Nassau Pops, with whom Easterlin has performed many times, and he said he was looking forward to reuniting with Panacciulli for this special concert.
“It makes me so happy to know I will be seeing friends,” Easterlin said. “Before each of the numbers I will give a brief explanation, and provide an interesting piece of information about the song I will be presenting.”
The pieces vary from operettas to grand opera to American musical theater.
“It’s a nice way to celebrate and encourage not only the Rockaway-Five Towns Symphony Orchestra in their 75th anniversary,” Easterlin added, “but to encourage the arts at a time when it’s needed now more than ever.”
Benjamin Coleman, the orchestra’s president is its longest-tenured member, having joined in 1994. He is the band director at West Hempstead Secondary School.
Coleman recounted his first orchestral concert, with Rockaway-Five Towns, when he was a student at Hillcrest High School in Queens. His music teacher was a member.
“I thought it was funny how, a decade later, I ended up playing with them,” Coleman said.
The orchestra’s percussion section is composed entirely of West Hempstead students whom Coleman teaches.
“It’s such an unforgettable experience, and I just want the same for my students,” he said.
Coleman’s mission is to keep the orchestra alive. “I’ve seen the group struggle when I first came in, in the ’90s, to being such a strong and much-needed group for the community,” Coleman said.
Tickets for the May 10 concert are available at the box office at West Hempstead High School, at 400 Nassau Blvd.
Courtesy Louis Panacciulli Louis Panacciulli, Rockaway-Five Towns Symphony Orchestra conductor.
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Q. Our basement is unfinished, and we plan to put in walls and a finished ceiling. We know we need an escape window, but what are your suggestions on other things, like the kind of ceiling? I’m thinking about just sheetrock, but what kind of access do you recommend for the pipes and wires I’ll need to get to?
A. There are many items to include in your thought process for finishing your basement. Mistakes are made, first, by ever assuming that the people doing the work know the laws.
The biggest problem I see is that the ceiling is just a little too low, that someone dropped the entire ceiling level just because of one pipe. The minimum ceiling height in the current code is 6 feet 8 inches clearance, with 6 feet 4 inches under the center beams, air ducts or soffits anywhere in the basement. Always leave access for shutoff valves, wiring connections, cleanouts and other controls.
If you need to move pipes that were installed without any care for your future use of the basement, move them. Piping should go around the perimeter of the basement, no matter what excuse you hear. Because of poor planning and even worse execution, pipes are the No. 1 problem, because someone thoughtlessly put them in a place that was good for them and not for you.
The ceiling finish can be sheetrock in the larger areas with perimeter “hung” track ceilings outfitted with removable ceiling tiles. Again, even those lowered perimeter and under-beam soffits need to be no less than 6 feet 4 inches above the floor. Tall firefighters need to avoid hitting their heads when they’re running though your smoke-filled basement to rescue you or your loved ones.
Although you know you need an escape well window or exterior door entry, placement of the well in some side or front yards can cause a code violation if it’s closer than allowed to a property line. Verify your setback requirements for your zone, and even confirm that with an official at your local building department.
Many jurisdictions require a permit with plans and inspections, so don’t forget these important requirements. There are so many people who are frustrated that their contractor didn’t tell them that they needed a permit, and even worse, that they now have a violation that requires reconstruction to pass inspections. Don’t be one of those people. Other important issues include what to do with enclosing your heating equipment, putting laundry sinks and washing machines too close to the main electrical service panel, using the wrong kind of wall studs for perimeter walls, not insulating correctly and forgetting to put handrails on the access stairs, inside and out. Heating equipment, to the code, must follow the manufacturer’s specifications. Installers rarely leave a manual. Sometimes the internet helps. There must be 5/8-inch type X gypsum board on the ceiling extending at least 1 foot in each direction around the boiler. Best of luck!
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Battery storage is key to economic competitiveness
As a lifelong Long Islander, I’ve seen firsthand what happens when our energy system fails. I lived through Superstorm Sandy and helped lead recovery efforts in its aftermath — and I don’t need to remind those who went weeks without power and spent hours on gas lines that grid resilience isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a necessity — one we must urgently prioritize.
Unfortunately, more than a decade later, the challenge not only persists, but it’s more complex than ever. The surge in electric vehicles, the rise of data centers and the electrification of homes and businesses are pushing Long Island’s energy demand to unprecedented levels. This isn’t just about the next superstorm — it’s about how we power everyday life for families and small businesses right now. Our existing grid wasn’t designed for this kind of load, and without proactive investment, we risk higher costs, decreased reliability and a system stretched to its breaking point. And the pressure is mounting. The Long Island Power Authority anticipates a steep rise in electricity demand in the
As I fight tooth and nail for every dollar, every program, every piece of support that I can secure for my constituents, a clear pattern has emerged in the performance of Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman — one that it is marred by self-promotional pageantry, misplaced priorities and big promises that ultimately collapse.
The most recent example is the failure of the NYU Langone hospital project that was supposed to rise on the campus of Nassau Community College. When Blakeman introduced it, he billed it as a multibillion-dollar economic engine that would create thousands of jobs, deliver cutting-edge medical care and provide opportunities for our students.
When it was withdrawn in March, it became just another abandoned plan — another missed opportunity that could have changed lives and transformed our economy. Questions from the public and lawmakers have been met with a lack of
coming years. Storage will be key. Planned battery storage projects in Shoreham and Hauppauge are expected to deliver 129 megawatts of capacity, enough to power 25,000 homes once they’re operational in 2028. These aren’t theoretical solutions; they’re essential to keeping Long Islanders’ lights on. And they demonstrate that the public and private sectors can work together to address infrastructure challenges with innovative solutions.
important in ensuring that clean power doesn’t go to waste.
Without it, rising demand can trigger price volatility, hurting small businesses.
Battery energy storage systems are a smart response to this challenge. By storing excess energy during off-peak times and discharging it when demand peaks, these systems stabilize the grid without requiring massive infrastructure overhauls. They help prevent blackouts, curb price spikes, and improve efficiency. In short, they let us do more with what we already have, and that’s a win for everyone.
One of BESS’s most powerful features is its flexibility. It can store energy from any source — solar, wind, natural gas — and dispatch it where and when it’s needed most. This ability to smooth out fluctuations in supply and demand is crucial not just for stability, but also for affordability. And as more renewable sources come online, storage becomes even more
And we don’t have to look far to see BESS in action. On Long Island, Brookhaven recently approved two major battery storage projects that will add more than 300 megawatts of capacity to the grid. These facilities will store renewable energy when production is high and release it during peak usage — cutting costs, improving reliability and reducing emissions. As New York state accelerates its clean energy goals, battery storage projects like these will prove to be a critical tool for making our power system cleaner, smarter and more resilient. They also mean job creation and local investment, as the clean energy economy continues to grow.
Beyond environmental benefits, BESS has an economic upside. Without storage, rising demand can trigger price volatility, hurting working families and small business owners most. Battery storage helps keep costs predictable by reducing reliance on expensive “peaker” plants. And for high-tech industries like AI, data processing and advanced manufacturing, energy stability isn’t just a bonus — it’s a requirement for doing business. The long-term economic competitiveness of our region depends on
getting this right. Of course, safety must be top of mind. Modern battery storage systems are equipped with cutting-edge fire-prevention measures, modular designs and rigorous safety protocols. Proposed updates to fire codes will go even further, requiring comprehensive emergency planning and more frequent inspections. These systems aren’t just high-performing — they’re engineered to be safe and dependable, with oversight from both developers and local authorities.
If we want Long Island to stay competitive, battery storage must become a core part of our energy strategy. That means updating regulations to enable faster deployment, incentivizing private investment and supporting community engagement. Doing nothing is not an option. The longer we wait, the more vulnerable we become — not just to storms, but also to soaring costs and system failures. The future of energy here doesn’t hinge on simply generating more power — it depends on using the power we already have more wisely. Battery storage is the bridge between today’s strained grid and tomorrow’s resilient, affordable and sustainable energy future. Let’s not wait for the next storm or the next blackout to act. The time is now.
Sammy Chu is chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council-Long Island Chapter and chief executive officer of Edgewise Energy.
Nassau has little to show for Blakeman’s big promises
transparency, and no explanation.
Just up the road from NCC, you’ll find the Uniondale Hub, where Blakeman unsuccessfully chased a casino license. Whether you supported or opposed it, you couldn’t help but notice that the pursuit was fraught. The first time it went through the Legislature, the process was so flawed that a court made him start over. The project, with his promises of jobs and tax revenues, finally fell through, and billions of dollars in promised economic development and opportunities for union workers disappeared with yet another failed attempt to develop the Hub.
accounting for how the money was used.
The same can be said of the handling of the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup. After major portions of Eisenhower Park were closed for months, and there was the promise of an economic windfall, all Nassau got in return (from what we can tell so far) is major disruptions to the park’s operations, questions about whether taxpayers made a dime and, once again, no accountability.
H e favors political theater over policies that will address our serious issues.
Worse yet, the Blakeman administration blocked the use of project labor agreements to build the temporary stadium, squandering an opportunity to boost the livelihoods of local workers.
world-class burn center and lifesaving drug detox facilities, fails, it won’t just be a health care catastrophe — it will also be an economic earthquake. Working families will lose access to care, and thousands of jobs in the medical field could vanish overnight. Finger-pointing does not suffice as a strategy.
And let’s not forget the fundamentals: Blakeman passed a county budget that was so out of balance that it violated generally accepted accounting principles, and Nassau’s fiscal monitor forced him to fix it. The county’s most recent capital infrastructure plan was stalled for months because of Blakeman’s inexplicable refusal to fund more than $1 million in grants for first responders in Democratic districts, adding political rancor where there should be none.
These are not the only things that have vanished under this administration. Remember Blakeman’s plan to use $10 million in federal coronavirus recovery funds to promote himself under the guise of the county’s 125th-anniversary celebration? While families struggled to get back on their feet after the pandemic, his administration concluded that the best use for a significant portion of those funds was gala banquets, golf outings, fireworks and parades. Yet many of these events never happened, and there is little
The disrespect for labor is further exemplified in the treatment of CSEA employees and retirees, the backbone of our county workforce. They were promised affordable health care in exchange for their service. Instead, Blakeman gutted their benefits.
Then there’s the future of Nassau University Medical Center. Instead of delivering on promises to save the hospital, the administration has installed political cronies and further deepened the crisis. If NUMC, a Level 1 trauma center with a
As someone who is fighting to make things better for our communities, it is profoundly frustrating to pick up the pieces after an administration that prioritizes political theater over implementing policies that will address the most serious issues facing our communities. Nassau County deserves better than disappearing headlines. We deserve leadership that delivers.
Seth Koslow, who represents Nassau County’s 5th Legislative District, is the Democratic candidate for county executive.
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sETH i. KosLoW
There should be nothing but support for law enforcement
in recent weeks I have been at a number of events sponsored by police organizations, including a gala honoring 100 years of the Nassau County Police Department. I also spoke at a meeting of the Long Island Shields, which comprises retired police and law enforcement officers from New York City’s five boroughs as well as Nassau and Suffolk counties. And I attended a news conference with County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Police Commissioner Pat Ryder, at which they announced the creation of a house of worship desk, and demonstrated how drones can be deployed within minutes of mass shootings at houses of worship to determine the precise location of the shooter.
I regularly attend NCPD briefings on possible terror threats on Long Island. This isn’t new for me, since for my final almost two decades in Congress after 9/11, both as chairman and as a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I worked very closely with the New York
The lessons of the Holocaust are for everyone opinions
Last week, millions of people of the Hebrew faith observed an event known as the Shoah. It is the Hebrew word for catastrophe or disaster, and it is frequently used to refer to the Holocaust, the deliberate killing of six million Jews by the Nazi regime. While not all of us pause to formally recognize this event, it is a painful reminder of man’s inhumanity to man, and deserves to be observed every year.
I am very much aware of the need to pause to remember the Holocaust, because many members of my immediate family were either innocent victims of the Nazi killing machine or managed to escape the horror. Despite the fact that many of my aunts and uncles were Holocaust survivors, there was rarely any discussion about their experiences, because they were too painful to recount.
City and Nassau and Suffolk police departments on counterterrorism strategies and resources. Unfortunately, I was also in Congress during the summer of 2020, when we saw massive demonstrations against the police, a number of which turned violent, and the coordinated effort to “defund the police.” Tragically, I have also attended too many funerals of cops who have been shot and killed in the line of duty.
Too many people take the police for granted, or in some cases are even anti-police.
I say all this because too many people too often take the police for granted, or in some cases even join or support the anti-police movement, focusing on inappropriate actions taken by the smallest minority of police while ignoring that no one does more than the men and women in blue to safeguard all of us while respecting the rights of everyone regardless of race, creed or national origin — all while putting themselves at great risk.
While I understand why everyday people, who are busy trying to make a living and provide for their families, can overlook the outstanding work cops are doing to protect us 24/7, I have little tolerance for elected officials who enact laws or implement policies to tie the
hands of the police or, even worse, turn against them when it suits their political purposes. Support for police shouldn’t be subject to the shifting political winds. It is hypocritical to see politicians who, just a few years ago, were riding the “defund the police” bandwagon, or saying nothing in defense of the police, now shamelessly demanding more funding for more police. Similarly hypocritical are those legislators who hailed themselves for passing “bail reform” now claiming they never intended it to put more criminals back on the streets.
Recent elections have shown that everyday Americans are rallying for the police and supporting policies best described as pro-law and order. For instance, most observers, Democrats and Republicans alike, would agree that Anne Donnelly was elected Nassau County district attorney over her much more well known opponent, State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, four years ago not just because of her decades-long career as a prosecutor, but because of Kaminsky’s previous outspoken support of cashless bail, which he unsuccessfully attempted to run away from during the campaign.
Similarly, the most obvious example of this growing pro-cop sentiment was Donald Trump’s election last fall. Trump ran on a clear pro-police, toughon-crime platform, moving many traditional Democrats to cross party lines to vote for him over the party they believed abandoned them.
I must admit that my support for the police is due in part to personal dealings I’ve had with members of law enforcement over the years, beginning with my father, who was in the NYPD for more than 30 years, and friends of mine who joined the NYPD and NCPD. There were also my close dealings with all levels of law enforcement — federal, state and local — in the years after 9/11, including the officers assigned to my security detail because of foreign and domestic threats against me.
But support for law enforcement must be based on more than personal or family friendships and relationships. Very basically, it is in all of our best interests to support the men and women who — often against the odds — put themselves at risk to protect our streets and communities. It’s also simply the right thing to do.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Those members of my family who were survivors were blessed to live long lives even though they suffered greatly during the war. A few lived into their 90s, and my grandma Sarah lived to be 100. Some might say that for them, long life was a blessing, but I believe it was a testament to their willingness to be living examples of what they had seen so that we didn’t forget their ordeal, or the millions who didn’t survive.
M y Grandma
Sarah never spoke of her confinement until her late 90s.
At this point, I choose to write about my grandmother and my aunt Irene. On a few rare occasions, they put aside their reticence to tell us something about the horrible past. In the case of Irene, she spoke of how she had been sent to a concentration camp, along with her mother and sister. When they got there, a German soldier directed her mother and sister to go to one area, and Irene to another. After that moment, she said, she never saw them again, because their fate was sealed. Grandma Sarah had another story, but she never spoke of her confinement
until her late 90s. We had been forced to put her in the Komanoff Pavilion, in Long Beach, due to her many physical needs. On the few occasions that we visited her, she told us that “they beat me last night.” She told us many other things that we knew she would never willingly reveal if she had control of her faculties. I share these stories out of my fear for where the world is going. Recently there was an election in Germany. Before it, Vice President J.D. Vance decided to meet with the leaders of all of the nation’s political parties. He gave special support to the far right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, party, which has strong pro-Nazi leanings. Its platform has frightened the country, and Europe in general. Vance made a plea for the party to be recognized as a partner in future governments. His visit was totally unnecessary, and sent a message to bigots around the world that their antisemitism has the approval of a White House occupant.
We are currently hearing a great deal
of talk about antisemitism on college campuses as well as in the rest of America. Leaders of the Anti-Defamation League recently reported that there have been over 10,000 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. since the horrific tragedy of Hamas’s attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023. It is believed to be the highest number of incidents ever recorded in a similar period since the ADL started tracking them in 1979.
History tells us that hate crimes don’t just single out one particular group. People of Italian, Irish, Chinese, Muslim and other backgrounds have suffered at the hands of wicked political leaders who strategically pick some group as their scapegoats. The observance of the Shoah is a stark reminder that, once again, these horror stories can be repeated, unless we are vigilant and willing to fight against hate in all forms. The forces of evil are always there waiting to strike, especially when we fail to ignore them.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.
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JERRY
KREMER
Your Board of Education needs your attention
oNn Long Island and across New York state, incumbent trustees and new candidates for school district boards of education have submitted their petitions and are now on the ballot on May 20, when residents go to the polls to vote on their school budgets and capital improvement referendums, and elect their trustees.
For the next two and a half weeks, the candidates will hold forums with residents and plant lawn signs across their communities in an effort to keep their names in voters’ minds, as well as their stances on the districts’ spending plans.
While elected positions from village trustee to state legislator might appear more important and larger in scope, the decisions that shape our daily lives are frequently made on those school boards. And, from voters’ perspective, lifeimpacting decisions about where they choose to live are more often than not made based on where their children will go to school.
Quality public education not only prepares our children for bright futures, but also increases communities’ property values, attracts new residents, reduces crime and promotes social mobility.
For the 125 school districts in Nassau and Suffolk counties, boards of education, typically consisting of five to nine people, play a critical role in overseeing and shaping the educational system. Their responsibilities include creating a vision for the district, setting goals and
letters
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establishing policies, overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, and collaborating with administrators to help ensure the schools’ smooth operations. They must be accountable to the community, and offer regular, constructive public engagement.
Though trustees are volunteers, they are entrusted to guide the district and have a duty to represent their constituencies during their three-year terms. That includes being aware of, and understanding, the influence they wield.
All of the above are great reasons why you should care about your local school board: because its members represent the beating heart of civic responsibility, and because our schools deserve leadership that is not only competent and informed, but also reflective of and responsive to the communities they serve. Board trustees may have none of the glamour of state or national office holders, but the impact they have is often more immediate, and more personal. Their decisions don’t just affect students — they affect entire neighborhoods, in so many ways.
Residents have a responsibility to know who represents them and what those representatives stand for. That means researching school board candidates, attending their town halls, asking tough questions — making sure community concerns are heard — and judging the results with your vote. You can learn
‘town hall’ wasn’t much of one
To the Editor:
U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen advertised a “Town Hall Meeting” on April 16. Sadly, it was nothing more than a performative press release with an audience. What a disappointment. and waste of her constituents’ time! A 30-minute presentation with no comments, feedback or questions from the audience. While technically meeting the definition of a Q&A by reading pre-submitted — and perhaps prescreened — questions, Gillen answered them with superficial, pre-fabricated responses that, in some cases, matched exactly the column she wrote for the Heralds last month. We could have just stayed home and read our copy of the Herald! Gillen told us why she chose which committees she wanted to serve on, her hope and plan to work in a bipartisan fashion, and her desire to reduce roadway deaths and dangers. She shared her reason for supporting the Laken Riley Act, which requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain illegal immigrants who commit certain crimes, but when there was criticism from the audience, the person was removed by security.
more about candidates before elections, and then their effectiveness as trustees, each week in the Herald.
And anyone can run for their local school board. You don’t need a background in teaching, or a master’s in education policy, or to be working in a profession that has anything to do with either one. What you do need is a commitment to fairness, a willingness to listen and a passion for serving your community by providing its children with the highest-quality education possible.
Public education needs leaders who understand the complexities of modern classrooms and the myriad challenges faced by working families who have kids in school, and public servants who put the needs of students above special interests. That leadership doesn’t have to come from somewhere else. It can come from you. We need more residents to step forward — not for the prestige of being a trustee, but for the purpose.
At a time when trust in institutions is fragile and divisions run deep, school boards offer a rare opportunity to focus on unity and progress, where politics can — and certainly should — take a backseat to the shared goal of improving children’s lives.
So let this be a call not only to vote, but also to get involved. Attend meetings. Volunteer to help with a school activity. Speak up — ask questions. And if you’re ready to lead, step up. Our children are depending on us.
What was never touched on was the elephant in the room, the reason so many people wanted to attend the meeting: We are in crisis in this country, our rights are being overridden, the Constitution trampled. The current adminis -
tration is committing illegal acts in our name, “disappearing” people and shipping them to foreign countries where our tax dollars are used to keep them detained without due process. Our confidential personal data is being taken by
“expected local governments struggling of Albany’s Democrats state. This deeply ance, important or deserving Unfortunately, tion has Gov. Kathy governments working Albany mere suggestion.
The high cost of a delayed state budget
no surprise: The state budget is still late. At four weeks past the April 1 deadline, the insistent claim of a deal being “expected soon” offers little comfort to local governments and school districts struggling to plan responsibly in the face of Albany’s brazen dysfunction. While Democrats in the Capitol negotiate their priorities behind closed doors, communities across the state are left in limbo, including our own here in Nassau County. School districts, in particular, are being forced to craft their budgets without knowing how much support they’ll receive from the state. This isn’t just frustrating — it’s deeply concerning. Without clear guidance, important programs could be cut or deserving schools left underfunded. Unfortunately, this kind of dysfunction has become all too common under Gov. Kathy Hochul’s leadership. Local governments play by the rules, and hardworking families show up every day, yet Albany treats the budget deadline as a mere suggestion.
The delay is directly complicating school district planning. Most districts across the state were required to finalize their budgets by April 22, a deadline that has already passed. That means they’re moving forward without a full picture of their state aid, and are forced to make critical decisions about staffing and programming based on guesswork.
iAs Melinda Person, president of New York State United Teachers, warned earlier this month, “Time is running out — and our schools, students and educators deserve predictable, reliable funding that they can count on … timeliness matters.” She’s right. When districts need to hire a teacher or plan a special-education program, they need to know their funding in advance. Having to guess is unfair for districts and students, and leads to gaps in critical services and missed educational opportunities that could affect their long-term success.
sary resources to repair our roads after harsh winters. With the delay in the budget, municipalities are in a holding pattern, unsure of what projects they can move forward with as summer approaches. Road construction season is short, and this delay pushes crucial repairs further out.
t leaves school districts, municipalities and nonprofits in limbo.
To make matters worse, inflation has driven up the cost of labor and materials, and last year’s failure to increase CHIPS funding has only compounded the challenge. The solution shouldn’t be to get better at swerving around potholes on our way to work every morning. Unrepaired roads put drivers at risk, increase the likelihood of costly accidents and vehicle damage and, most important, can hinder emergency responders when they’re needed most.
and provide essential services to those in need. Instead of working toward solutions that address the state’s affordability crisis, Albany Democrats remain stuck on unrelated policy issues that could be discussed later in the session.
The budget should be focused on making New York more affordable and livable. Families and businesses are leaving for more affordable states, and who can blame them? Since Hochul took office in 2022, New York has failed to pass a state budget on time — not once. Yes, late budgets aren’t new, but each year we let the deadline slip further, we lower the standard just a little more. New Yorkers deserve better, and the state should demand better.
Beyond the education sector, municipalities are also stuck in budget limbo. Every year, my colleagues and I advocate for Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program, or CHIPS, funding to ensure that our local highway and town departments have the neces-
Letters
rogue invaders without any security clearance. Our Social Security, health care system and Medicaid are in grave danger. This was not addressed in Gillen’s “town hall.” The fear, concern and dissent were not acknowledged in any way.
While I guess we should be happy that at least there was a performance of a town hall, since so many legislators are totally ignoring their constituents, and in fact hiding from them, this event was barely better. She can and should do better!
LINDA ROBERTSON West Hempstead
New chief program officer at United Cerebral Palsy-LI
To the Editor:
United Cerebral Palsy of Long Island would like to introduce Robin Lane as the organization’s first-ever chief program officer.
A dedicated member of the UCP-LI family since 1993, Lane has over 35 years of experience providing services to people with disabilities.
“Robin’s career with UCP is a testament to her unwavering dedication, passion and leadership,” Colleen Crispino, president and CEO of UCP-LI, said. “Her
Nonprofit organizations are also in this budget standstill. Many rely on state grants to achieve their goals and fulfill their missions. Local food banks, shelters and health organizations depend on these resources to support vulnerable populations. Without certainty on funding, they face mounting pressure to continue their work without clarity on how much they can count on, which undermines their ability to plan, hire staff
promotion is not only well-deserved, but also a natural progression for someone who has made such a lasting impact on our organization and the people we serve.”
Lane began her journey with UCP-LI as a residential manager, and has held various leadership roles in the program, including associate director. Her most recent position was director of quality management and corporate compliance. In that role she had the responsibility for incident management, quality assurance and compliance, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
As chief program officer, Lane will oversee the planning, development, and management of all program areas, including adult day services, the Children’s Center, residential services, and a wide range of family support programs.
She will also serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, where she plays an integral role in strategic planning, systems development and program innovation.
“I am honored and excited to step into the role of chief program officer,” Lane said. “UCP has been my professional home for over three decades, and I am deeply committed to advancing our mission, supporting our dedicated staff, and continuing to provide the highest quality services to the individuals and families we serve.”
When you show up late to work, you get written up. When you’re late to school, there are academic consequences. When you miss a bill payment, there are penalties. So where’s the accountability for the Legislature? At the end of the day, it’s not lawmakers who suffer the consequences — it’s everyday New Yorkers like you.
The current path of reckless spending, missed deadlines and misplaced priorities is unsustainable. One-party rule in Albany continues to fail the very families Democrats claim to support. It’s time to stop playing politics and pass a responsible state budget.
Ed Ra represents the 19th Assembly District.
Lane earned a bachelor’s degree in health policy and administration from Pennsylvania State University and a graduate degree from Stony Brook University.
For more information about UCP of Long Island and its programs, visit UCP-li.org.
Community relations specialist, UCP of Long Island
Framework by Tim Baker
At the Nassau County Police Department’s 100th anniversary parade — Wantagh
JILLIAN CAvALIERI
