Malverne/West Hempstead Herald 05-14-2026 by Richner Communications, Inc

Malverne/West HeMpstead

HERALD

Fourth Battalion Officers Sworn

Outgoing battalion chairman and Nassau County Fire Commission Chairman Joe Mihalich, left, of the East Rockaway Fire Department, swears in, from left to right, new battalion chairman Ex-Chief James Lang, Malverne Fire Department, Ex-Chief Peter Grandazzo, Rockville Centre Fire Department.

Crossroads Farm hosts first artisan market of the season Lakeview Public Library case heard

By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com

Crossroads Farm at Grossmann’s held its first artisan market of the spring season on Sunday. The market featured booths run by local brands, all of which used their crafts to alleviate personal struggles, which inspired the creation of their brands.

Shamisa Élysée created Shea Élysée, a shea butter brand, motivated by her own struggles with skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis. Élysée was interested in creating natural products, so she combined her hobby with her personal challenge to create the product. “I was pre-

scribed a lot of harsh medication,” she said, “and it never worked.”

Élysée, a 2025 graduate of SUNY Oswego, created the shea butter when she was a 17-year-old student in high school in Lynbrook. She and a niece were both dealing with skin problems, and her niece had aggressive allergic reactions to other medicines.

“I made this shea butter with the intention to alleviate pain from skin conditions, like the eczema my niece had,” Élysée recounted. “I like to take my own terrible experience and use it to help other people with the same skin problems.”

The customer that Élysée said stood out to her

By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com

On April 6, the Town of Hempstead Landmarks Preservation Commission considered the Lakeview Public Library’s application for designation as a historic landmark, presented by Martine Laventure, the social worker in the Malverne School District’s Davison Avenue Intermediate School.

Laventure, along with the Davison Avenue Ambassadors, a children’s civic learning and advocacy group, and other members of the Lakeview community, made their case to the Commission.

Laventure and the Ambassadors asserted that the library was the focus of a moment in civil rights history that deserves to be remembered.

I can grow up and be anything I want to be —but I can only do that if we protect the places where our history happened.

“For years I carried a photograph on my phone of Dr. Martin Luther King standing at that exact site,” Laventure said, addressing the commission. “That was the catalyst to this entire project. It was the spark that led me to realize that as a resident and as an educator, I could not let the ground that Doctor King stood on remain unprotected.”

SHILOH DEMOSTHENES Student

and Ambassador, Davison

Avenue

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and members of the Lakeview chapter of the NAACP organized and led a march from Rockville Centre to Lakeview on May 12, 1965, that ended at the library, formerly the Woodfield Road School.

That photo and many others, along with transcribed testimony and firsthand accounts of the march, and the history of the Woodfield Road School, comprised a 26-page narrative document the group presented to the commission in addition to their remarks.

Shiloh Demosthenes, a DaviCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Courtesy Steve Grogan

LIRR strike looms as talks continue

By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

With less than a week remaining before a potential Long Island Rail Road strike set for midnight Saturday, negotiations between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and a coalition of rail unions remain ongoing, with both sides offering sharply different assessments of progress.

At the center of the dispute are pay and working conditions. Union leaders are seeking a retroactive 9.5% wage increase over the past three years and an additional 5% raise beginning this year.

The MTA, meanwhile, is offering raises but is also seeking changes to work rules and productivity standards in return, saying it must control costs and protect the system’s long-term financial stability.

The sides were scheduled to meet again on Monday.

The dispute involves more than 3,500 workers represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen; the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers–Transportation Division; the Transportation Communications Union/IAM; the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen; and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Two Presidential Emergency Boards were convened between September 2025 and last March to help resolve the dispute. Both boards sided with the unions, rejecting the MTA’s proposed work rule changes and recommending wage increases, helping set the stage for the current standoff.

At a press conference in New York City on May 8, MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber said he believes progress has been made in negotiations but acknowledged a deal has not yet been reached.

“I do think progress has been made,” he said. “We had a very long meeting yesterday and I would say we are closer, although we’re not there yet.”

Lieber urged the unions to avoid a strike, warning of financial consequences for workers.

“At this point, we’re getting close enough that it would be, I think, crazy for the workforce who is looking for more money to throw it away by going on a strike,” he said. “Remember, if you go on a strike for a day, that’s one out of roughly 260 days of pay. Pretty quickly, that starts to wipe out the small increments that we’re still trying to negotiate out.”

Union leaders, however, said in a May 8 statement

BELMONT PARK VILLAGE

that negotiations made no progress and accused the MTA of failing to offer acceptable wage terms.

“What was presented did not move us closer to a settlement,” said Jeff Klein, general chairman of IBEW Local 589. “Every day, as a result of MTA’s phony surface bargaining, we move closer to the May 16 strike date.”

Shaun O’Connor, general chairman of IAM District 19, said talks have been slow-moving.

“We’re running out of time here,” he said. “The MTA is still showing a lack of urgency. We practically had to drag them back to the bargaining table this week and what they’ve offered can be best described as ‘too little, too late.’”

Kevin Sexton, vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, said workers want a contract that reflects rising costs.

“Our members are very frustrated,” he said. “They have gone years without a raise, and they want the trains to keep moving. But they won’t agree to a concessionary contract when the cost of living on Long Island has dramatically increased.”

Lieber disputed those characterizations.

“I don’t think it’s accurate,” he said. “I don’t want to get into a debate. It’s their turn to come back and respond to the new proposals that have been put on the table.”

He also said the MTA has already put money on the table.

“It’s money in the pockets of the families that they represent,” Lieber said. “No one’s playing gimmicks, but we’ve got this money on the table. Don’t hurt your workforce. Let’s make a deal.”

The unions also held a rally May 9 at the Massapequa LIRR station as part of a “Day of Action to Protest MTA’s Inaction.”

Crossroads’ market had jewelry, skincare

the most was a man whose daughter had autism and was sensitive to most other skin products. “Her skin would crack and bleed because she wouldn’t use any other products,” Élysée said. “Her dad tried our shea butter on her skin, and she said she liked it. He told me, ‘She actually said yes when I asked her if she liked it. Her favorite word is no.’”

Élysée’s sister, Samantha, is a nurse in a hospital oncology ward. “She says the hospital lotion doesn’t work on some cancer patients’ skin, so she uses our product,” Élysée said. “Doctors also need to wash their hands constantly, so our product works well for their dry skin, too.”

She empathizes with people with skin conditions, and how they present themselves publicly. It impacted how she designed her product’s container. “It’s embarrassing to go to CVS and pull a clinical-looking white bottle off a shelf,” she said. “Our product’s presentation helps people feel like they’re taking care of themselves instead of medically treating something wrong with them.”

The market also featured two jewelry booths. Cheryl Mirkin owns and runs Upcycled Vintage Vibe Earrings, selling in markets across the Northeast. She uses materials that would otherwise be discarded to create the jewelry — film rolls, bottle caps, computer keys and puzzle pieces, among many other materials.

“Everything had a previous life before I turned them into earrings,”

Cheryl Mirkin’s environmentally conscious Upcycled Earrings are made of many different recycled materials, including computer keys and clothes zippers.

Mirkin said. “The very first pair of earrings I made were made of zipper pulls from a pair of boots I had to throw away. I really liked those boots, and wanted to keep a part of them.”

Mirkin is a graphic designer, and said she lost a lot of business during the pandemic, so she expanded her jewelrymaking business. “During Covid, a lot of my business disappeared, so I started selling the earrings more,” she said. “The business has grown a lot since then — there are over 80 different objects that I upcycle.”

One pair of earrings Mirkin takes special pride in is made of Susan B. Anthony postage stamps imprinted with ‘Suffrage for Women’ at the bottom. “It

is unfortunate now, 100 years later, that there are people still fighting for their voting rights in this country,” she said. Mirkin has long been aware of the waste that people produce daily, and prefers to make use of things that are often discarded. “When people see my things, they realize that they don’t have to throw everything away,” she said. “There’s just so much stuff in landfills. We really need to think about not letting so much go to waste.”

Cathy Buckley started Cat’s Meow Handmade Art Jewelry in 2013. A nurse by trade, she started making jewelry on the side after taking a jewelry-making class. “I would bring what I made in the class to my colleagues,” she said.

Buckley is self-taught, and has taken metalsmithing as well as jewelry-making and jewelry enameling classes to improve her craft. “I make all my stuff from flat sheets of metal,” she explained.

Buckley’s son has cerebral palsy and needs constant care, so she makes her jewelry to de-stress between her responsibilities at work and at home. “I do this to keep myself sane,” she said. “My son has a lot of needs, and I have to help him with his challenges, so it’s just a break from that.”

The artisan market is expected to run through September, on June 14, July 12, Aug. 9, and Sept. 13.

participated

Malverne High School holds annual Poetry Slam

The Malverne High School library was filled with the power of voice and rhythm as the school hosted its annual Spoken Word Club Poetry Slam on April 29. The event featured student-poets sharing original works and showcasing a high level of confidence, artistry and spirit.

Participants delivered a wide range of emotive and thought-provoking performances, captivating the audience with their storytelling and stage presence. After a competitive afternoon of recitations, Malverne High

School is proud to announce the winners of this year’s slam: Makiyah Harris in first place, Jessica Williams in second, and Nora Bormann in third.

The event was hosted by Stewart Oates from the Lakeview Library. Mr. Oates brought an infectious energy and enthusiasm to the festivities, encouraging the performers and engaging the audience throughout the program.

The success of the Poetry Slam is a testament to the dedication of Librarian Jacinta Bowman, who orga-

nized the event. Ms. Bowman has been instrumental in fostering a culture of creative expression at Malverne High, serving as a mentor and source of inspiration for the student poets as they developed their unique voices.

The school community looks forward to continuing the Spoken Word tradition in the years to come.

–Noah Peretz

Courtesy Malverne UFSD

Malverne High School students

in the annual Spoken Word Club Poetry Slam in the school library last month.

Noah Peretz/Herald photos Cat’s Meow Handmade Art Jewelry by Cathy Buckley, has been around for 13 years.

Your Future

West Hempstead Secondary School’s Virtual Enterprise student-run firms recently participated in the annual Youth Business Summit.

West Hempstead students attend business summit

Avoiding Guardianship in New York

For the ever-increasing number of those who become legally incapacitated later in life (i.e. unable to handle their legal and ﬁnancial affairs) having a legal guardian appointed looms as a distinct possibility.

A guardianship proceeding may be commenced by a hospital, nursing home, assisted living residence, family member or a professional involved in the affairs of the “alleged incapacitated person” or “AIP”. These proceedings arise for various reasons such as the facility looking to secure payment or a family member or professional ﬁnding that the AIP is either not handling their affairs well or is being taken advantage of ﬁnancially.

Once the proceeding is commenced a vast bureaucratic process begins to unfold. Notice of the proceeding and of the date and location of any hearings are sent to all interested parties, including all immediate family members. The court appoints a court evaluator to meet with the AIP, determine the nature and extent

of the disability and write a report to the judge. The judge will also appoint a lawyer to represent the AIP in the proceeding and sometimes adult children will want their own lawyers to represent their interests.

The judge decides on who the legal guardian will be and it often ends up being a stranger to the family. Some judges feel that the AIP’s children should not be guardian due to a conﬂict – that whatever they spend on the AIP is coming out of their inheritance. Other reasons for not choosing one of the AIP’s adult children are sibling rivalry or inability to handle the responsibility.

Guardianship proceedings are expensive, time-consuming and highly stressful to all involved, including the AIP. Trusts avoid guardianship by providing privately who will handle your legal and ﬁnancial affairs should you become legally incapacitated. Having a trust means you will have those in charge who you know and trust instead of the possibility of a court appointed stranger.

ETTINGER LAW FIRM

Students from West Hempstead Secondary School’s Virtual Enterprise program recently participated in the annual Youth Business Summit, held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

Hosted by Virtual Enterprises International, the event brought together more than 3,000 students and business professionals from around the world. Representing West Hempstead were the Virtual Enterprise student-run firms “Activ8,” “At Your Service,” and “Zip. It.Up.” Throughout the summit, students engaged in professional networking opportunities, showcased their businesses on the trade show floor, and participated in competitive events alongside peers from across the United States and internationally.

The summit’s global reach provided students with the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from participants representing countries such as Austria, Germany and the Netherlands. This international experience helped broaden students’ understanding of global business practices while allowing them to form meaningful professional connections.

Participation in the Youth Business Summit reflects the dedication demonstrated by West Hempstead Secondary School’s Virtual Enterprise students throughout the program. The experience offered valuable real-world insight into entrepreneurship, communication and collaboration in a global marketplace.

–Noah Peretz

■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/malverne or www.liherald.com/westhempstead

■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: mal-wheditor@liherald.com

■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 298 E-mail: mal-wheditor@liherald.com

■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: subscriptions@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942

■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail:

Courtesy West Hempstead UFSD

malverne/west hempstead

Library is seeking landmark designation

son Avenue 5th-grader and a member of the Ambassadors, spoke about the need to preserve the history of the former school, and how that history can inspire people in the future.

“It is specifically advertised on the official flier for that day, that [King’s ] stop at Woodfield Road School was scheduled for 3:35 p.m.,” Shiloh said. “That flier is proof that Woodfield Road School was a priority for one of the most famous people in history. He came here because Lakeview was on the front lines for civil rights in New York.”

Shiloh said he had learned part of what he knew about King’s march from the firsthand account of Frederick Brewington, a former Woodfield Road student and a civil rights attorney. Brewington was one of many former Woodfield Road students that Laventure and the Ambassadors collected accounts from over the course of their research.

“[Brewington] remembers Doctor King putting a hand on his head — that one moment changed his life because of what happened at that building,” Shiloh said. “Brewington grew to be a civil rights attorney. If Doctor King’s standing there could inspire a boy to become a lawyer, then from this moment, I can grow up and be anything I want to be — but I can only do that if we protect the places where our history happened.”

After Laventure and the Ambassadors spoke, Doris Hicks-Newkirk, president of the Lakeview NAACP chapter and a founding member of the Lakeview Civic Association, endorsed them before the committee.

“We put up a plaque right in the driveway [of the library] so the young people could see that 60 years ago, Dr. King was here,” Newkirk said. “I think that honoring us even more in Lakeview by making the library a landmark will serve our community greatly.”

Lisa Ortiz, president of the library board, also

spoke, congratulating the Ambassadors on their hard work and urging the commission to take their proposal seriously.

“I’ve been on the board for almost 10 years now, and I know that the library has requested this many times in the past,” Ortiz said. “We’re hoping that this time around, through all the efforts of the Ambassadors under Doctor Laventure, that you guys would really take this serious and grant us this request.”

Lakeview Civic Association President Dr. William Anders spoke last, and like Ortiz, urged the commission to hear their case out and recognize the library’s unique role in civil right history.

Dr. William Anders, president of the Lakeview Civic Association, speaking before the Hempstead Landmarks Commission. Library Board President Lisa Ortiz behind Anders also spoke on the library’s behalf.

“Hearing [the Ambassadors] have the courage to present in front of their community, in front of you all, and to learn a rich history that exists within our Lakeview Library speaks to the lesson that the school district of Malverne has been able to give them,” Anders said. “We ask you all to support this, to support our kids and to support the history that’s so rich to us as community members that are right here in Lakeview.”

The commission moved to continue the process of landmark certification for the library to the next step, which is a public hearing, with a date to be determined.

Carmela’s was the HEART of FRANKLIN SQUARE for over 50 years and we are bringing it back and REOPENING under NEW OWNERSHIP, but still keeping it within the

Harrison Thomas, far left, Shiloh Demosthenes, and Martine Laventure speaking before the Hempstead Landmarks Commission.

Noah Peretz/Herald photos

Lakeview residents at Hempstead Town Hall supporting the library gaining landmark status.

ROCCO spALLINA MASSAPEQUA Junior

LACROSSE

A UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA commit, Spallina is Nassau County’s leader in goals with 60 after scoring 52 as a sophmore in 2025 for the Class A champion. He’s scored at least four goals in nine games this spring including seven apiece against both Wantagh and Long Beach. He also has 19 assists.

eVeNts to watch

Monday, May 18

Boys/Girls Track & Field: Class AA championships at Roslyn High School 3 p.m.

Wednesday, May 20

Boys/Girls Track & Field: Class AAA championships at Westbury High School 3 p.m.

Thursday, May 21

Boys/Girls Track & Field: Class A championships at North Shore High School 3 p.m.

Saturday, May 23

Flag Football: Class A/B/C finals at LIU TBA

Wednesday, May 27

Girls Lacrosse: Class A/B finals at Adelphi TBA

Thursday, May 28

Girls Lacrosse: Class C/D finals at Adelphi TBA

Monday, June 1

Boys Lacrosse: Class B final at Hofstra 5:30 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Class C final at Hofstra 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 2

Boys Lacrosse: Class D final at Hofstra 5:30 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Class A final at Hofstra 7:30 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.

By MICHELLE RABINOVICH sports@liherald.com

Finishing with a record of 9-4, it’s easy to think the Malverne/East Rockaway girls lacrosse team was in cruise control this spring. On top of which, Malverne/East Rockaway catapulted through the first five games with consecutive wins.

“Our first five games we were really able to run our offense well,” said coach Casey Capece. “And, our defense kept opponents to like six goals a game.”

That offense has been punchy, starting with Mia Vetere, who had four goals in an impressive 13-11 victory over Clarke April 27. She set a personal and program record of 10 goals in a game, and led the squad’s offense with 66 goals and 13 assists.

Equally as lethal is Colleen Lynch, who can do anything from snatching the ball from the draw control circle to finishing in front of the net, and everything in between. With 17 goals and 14 assists, she is as much a playmaker as she is a scorer.

Capece also knew the great start was in large part to their netminder, Eliana Morant, who regularly posts more than half a dozen saves a game, with a season high of 21 three times including the Clarke win. After Monday’s effort, Morant ranked second for most saves in Nassau County with 105 to her name so far.

“Anytime we know a girl is going to go to the cage on us, we know that Ellie is like a brick wall,” Capece said. “Her positioning and reflexes are great, and she can clear the ball really well, a huge part of our defense.”

Right between the two anchors are the midfielders, and that’s where Claire Harvey (13 goals and 11 assists) and Makayla Boubert (18 goals) factor in. Capece underscored that Harvey Boubert are the go-to’s for zipping down the field to facilitate scoring opportunities.

But Capece knew that bliss wasn’t going to last forever. The first team that really tested the Rockin’ Mules was Island Trees, and they suffered their

first loss of the season, 18-11.

“I kept telling them don’t take any of this for granted and low and behold, Island Trees,” Capece warned. “We have to up our game, empty the tank when youre on the field, it’s an all out thing.”

That served as a harsh learning opportunity before one more loss, Glen Cove, 15-11. The difference between the two losses is the lack of bitter aftertaste after the less-than-happy result.

“[When we] played against Glen Cove and lost, we learned a lot: we need to be more hungry for groundballs, need to

lock down on draws,” Capece said. “The defense had to step up on positioning, put more pressure on the ball carrier; this game was neck and neck the whole time, defenders going coast to coast going to push a fast break.”

So it was time to recuperate and return to the drawing board for Capece, and keep cementing good habits. The team responded in a big way against Clarke.

Caitlyn Carew had a hat trick in the win over the Rams and has 33 goals, ranking second behind Vetere, to go along with 12 assists.

Sue Grieco/Herald

Caitlyn Carew had three goals April 27 as Malverne/East Rockaway stayed hot with a win over Clarke.

By WILL SHEELINE

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TICKS

How to stay safe and healthy

wsheeline@liherald.com

As temperatures rise across the United States, outdoor activity increases on trails, in parks and in backyards. That seasonal shift also brings heightened exposure to ticks, small parasites capable of transmitting serious illnesses. Information from the National Forest Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains what people should understand about ticks before heading outside.

Tick bites can carry real health risks

While not every tick carries disease, some species can transmit illnesses that lead to significant health complications. Among the most widely known are Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, both of which can cause symptoms ranging from fever and fatigue to more severe complications if untreated.

Experts note that tick species vary by region, and each type may carry different pathogens. That makes regional awareness important. Understanding which ticks are common in a given area helps determine which symptoms to monitor after a bite. Early warning signs can include a distinctive ‘bull’s-eye’ rash, small red spots on extremities, or flu like symptoms in the weeks following exposure.

Ticks are active in more places and times than many expect

Ticks are commonly associated with wooded areas, but they are just as likely to be encountered in suburban settings. Lawns, gardens and neighborhood trails can all harbor ticks, especially in shaded areas with tall grass, brush or leaf litter.

Ticks typically attach to people or pets when they brush against vegetation. Once on the body, they tend to move upward in search of concealed areas such as the scalp, underarms, waistline or behind the knees.

Seasonally, ticks are most active during spring, summer and early fall, though they can remain active any time temperatures stay above freezing. This extended activity window means vigilance is necessary well beyond peak summer months.

Prompt removal and follow up are critical

If a tick is found attached to the skin, removal should happen as soon as possible. Health guidance recommends using clean, fine tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and pull upward with steady pressure. Twisting or jerking should be avoided, as this can cause parts of the tick to remain embedded.

After removal, the bite area and hands should be cleaned with soap and water or alcohol. The tick can be disposed of by sealing it, flushing it or placing it in alcohol. Crushing a tick with bare fingers is discouraged.

Common home remedies such as applying heat, petroleum jelly or nail polish are not recommended because they may increase the risk of disease transmission.

West Hempstead Elementary PTA holds annual social

By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com

May 7 was the West Hempstead Elementary Parent Teacher Association’s annual social. The WHEPTA held the event at Plattdeutsche Park Restaurant and had a “denim and diamonds” theme. Attendees wore their best denim jackets, jeans, and jewelry. The event also had a raffle with rewards including puzzles, backpacks and paint sets for winning parents’ kids.

Co-Vice Presidents of Fundraising Martha Banks and LaTeefah Campbell planned the event meticulously to guarantee it went smoothly. They explained that the event was planned from the July of the previous school year to April of this year.

Banks’ explanation went into each step of the planning process. “We needed to outline a high-level budget, identify a venue, and form an event planning committee,” Banks said. “We also had to set up systems for expense tracking, ticket sales, and payments.”

She also said that she and Campbell, along with the planning committee, had to ensure that donations, raffle items, and ticket prices all line up with the fundraising goal for the event. They also had to ensure that promotion reached everyone it was meant to. “Promotion included emails, flyers, social media, and word of mouth,” Banks said.

“This event is a labor of love for us,

planning starts the summer before the preceding school year,” Campbell said. “We started planning in July of 2025.”

“It’s always great to support the district, we know events like these help the schools,” Banks said.

PTA leadership was proud of the event’s turnout and their efforts to raise money for the district.

The prizes for the raffle held at the WHEPTA dinner included puzzles and a backpack.

“My heart resides in West Hempstead, having the honor of serving as PTA Co-President allows me to have a stronger presence,” Co-President Stephanie Tambini said. “I hope I make the families and students of West Hempstead proud to have me in their corner.”

President Luwisa Smart-Rivas, who also volunteers with Cub Scout Pack 240 of West Hempstead, appreciates her position in the community and the district. “I feel I have helped serve the community by bringing families and teachers together through the PTA,” she said.

LaTeefah Campbell

LaTeefah Campbell (left) and Martha Banks, co-VPs of Fundraising, at the WHEPTA dinner.

Stephanie Tambini

Malverne Village Board updated on movie theater renovation

By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com

Nick Hudson and Maria Dente updated the board on the progress of their renovation project for the Malverne Cinema and Art Center at the May 6 Village Board meeting.

The Malverne, as it is often called, closed in fall of 2024 after the Stampfels could not reach a lease agreement with the landlord of the property. The Stampfels had operated the theater since 1990, and it had been open since 1947 before its closure.

Hudson and Dente signed a lease for the theater in December of 2025 and began their renovation project in January of this year. They plan to turn it into a multipurpose venue, with three theaters, a live performance space and a combination coffee lounge and bar.

To operate the bar, Hudson and Dente needed to apply for a liquor license. “The front room that looks out at Hempstead Avenue is going to turn into a café and bar, and it looks like our liquor license will probably be approved and ready to go by July,” Hudson said. “That’s basically aligned with when we are hoping to open.”

According to Hudson and Dente’s plan, one theater will screen premieres and classic movie re-showings, one will be reserved for after -

noon matinees, and one will be dedicated to independent and documentary film screenings. They also knocked down a wall between two separate theaters to turn it into a live performance stage.

“The back two theaters, which were the original, the 40-foot wall that’s in the middle was able to be taken down and turned into a larger space that we can do live events at,”

Hudson said. “So, whether it’s live events, comedy, music, sensory friendly showings of movies, it will be accessible for all in that back room,” Dente added.

In early April, the volunteers helping Hudson and Dente began redoing the theater’s floors. At the Village Board meeting, he said that the old floors have been removed, and that new floors have been “picked out and will be installed in a couple weeks.”

Mayor Sullivan congratulated Hudson and Dente on their progress, and spoke to the collective effort and involvement of the Malverne community in restoring the theater and preparing it for reopening. “One of the first things you said to me when you were looking to take over the space is that it’s got to serve the community,” Sullivan said to the pair. “I think that the collective efforts are starting to show their fruits. And I think it’s something that a lot of different groups are excited about.”

Noah Peretz/LI Herald

Nick Hudson and Maria Dente updated the Village Board on the progress of their renovation project for the Malverne Cinema and Art Center.

Lag B’Omer barbecue brings large turnout

The West Hempstead community came together for a Lag B’Omer celebration barbecue at Hempstead Lake State Park on Tuesday, May 6. The event was organized by Chabad West Hempstead along with local synagogues, including Beis Medrash of West Hempstead. Over 1500 participants attended the celebration.

Attractions and activities for children at the celebration included a video game truck, a bouncy house and inflatable slide, the park carousel, a pony ride station, and marshmallow roasting. The event was catered by I&D Glatt Kosher Food Market of West Hempstead.

Rabbi Yossi Lieberman, director of Chabad West Hempstead, has organized the Lag B’Omer celebration for 20 years. “I coordinated this on behalf of the entire West Hempstead community,” Lieberman said. “The fact that we’ve been doing it this long speaks to the generosity of the community; it’s nice to bring people from all different backgrounds together.”

Lieberman takes pride in bringing West Hempstead’s Jewish community together for a celebration of this magnitude. “Today, being proud and able to celebrate our festivals is a top priority,” he said. “I see the enthusiasm on everyone’s faces, and it brings me pride. It’s all about Jewish pride.”

He hopes that people who are not as familiar with Lag B’Omer can learn about it and celebrate it in the future. “I hope they embrace this holiday,” he said. The holiday celebrates one of the “great sages of old, Rabbi Shimon barYochai,” Lieberman said. “He directed us to celebrate this holiday on the day of his passing.”

Yochai is credited with the writing of the Zohar, a Kabbalistic text. The Kabbalah is, according to Chabad, “the mystical dimension of Torah.” Lag B’Omer is usually celebrated with bonfires, music, and other outside community events, like what Chabad West Hempstead organized this past week.

– Noah Peretz

Photos courtesy Rabbi Yossi Lieberman

Kids and adults roasted marshmallows at the Lag B’Omer barbecue.

Chabad members helped celebration attendees wrap tefillin and say a prayer commemorating the holiday.

The Lag B’Omer barbecue had a pony ride station available for kids.

Kids played games like Mario Kart on the Nintendo Switch in the game truck.

I&D Glatt Kosher Food Market catered the event, serving burgers, hot dogs, salads, and other sides.

Mental health on Long Island

By Christy Hinko

Mental health needs across Long Island are rising, even as awareness and resources continue to expand. From Nassau to Su olk counties, providers, educators and advocates say the region is facing a complex moment: more people are seeking help, but barriers to access—including wait times, stigma and workforce shortages—remain signiﬁcant.

“We’re still in a crisis,” said Liz Hildebrandt, executive director of NAMI Queens/Nassau. “The needs are high and people are still desperate to ﬁnd care. There are long wait times for appointments, especially in the private sector.”

At the same time, Hildebrandt points to a shift that is both encouraging and urgent. “The rate of death by drug overdoses in Nassau County may be down, but behind the scenes, the state of mental health is in disarray,” she said. “Suicide rates are still very high and we’re seeing increases among young people.”

“

We’re

Long Island’s network of nonproﬁt providers continues to play a critical role. Organizations such as Family & Children’s Association, North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center and CN Guidance & Counseling Services o er more immediate access to care than many private practices.

“Our local nonproﬁts can see people, and they provide excellent care,” Hildebrandt said. “We can’t ignore them. They are essential, especially for families who need help now.”

still in a crisis,”

said Liz Hildebrandt, executive director of NAMI Queens/ Nassau.

Access to crisis care has also improved in Nassau County with the addition of a 24/7 behavioral health crisis center in Hicksville, o ering an alternative to emergency rooms for individuals in acute distress. Still, the system faces capacity challenges, particularly when it comes to inpatient psychiatric beds.

“The needs are high and people are still desperate to find care. There are long wait times for appointments, especially in the private sector.”

Youth mental health has become a central concern. Anxiety and depression are rising, and many experts point to a combination of social, environmental and behavioral factors.

A system under strain, a community responding

“The conversations with our youth show increased anxiety and depression,” Hildebrandt said. “Social media isolation is a big part of that. It’s not just how much time they’re spending online—it’s what they’re doing and whether they’re still connecting with people in real life.”

Substance use, particularly among teens, is another emerging factor. “There’s growing concern around THC use and vaping, which may be contributing to increased paranoia and psychosis,” she said. “That’s a serious issue when we talk about long-term mental health outcomes.”

Despite these challenges,

“There’s still a very limited number of beds available if someone needs to be hospitalized,” Hildebrandt said. “That’s an area where increased funding is critical.”

At the state level, recent policy changes have expanded the criteria for psychiatric intervention, allowing providers to consider a person’s overall ability to care for themselves—not just whether they pose an immediate danger. Hildebrandt called the shift “a really important step,” though she noted that public awareness of such changes remains low.

Education and outreach are also evolving. NAMI has seen increased interest from schools in bringing mental health programming directly to students.

“More schools are recognizing that students need more than just academic support,” she said. “They need real mental health education— understanding anxiety, learning coping skills and knowing when to ask for help.”

At Molloy University, faculty members are seeing the impact of the mental health crisis from another angle: the growing need for trained professionals.

Why Women Should Not Ignore Hearing Loss This May

ay is a reminder that women’s health goes far beyond annual checkups, diet, or exercise. It’s about protecting long-term function, independence, confidence, and brain health.

May is both Women’s Health Month and Better Hearing Month, a national awareness effort encouraging people to take hearing and communication seriously. Today, research shows hearing loss is not just an ear issue—it is a brain health issue and one of the most important modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline.

For many women, hearing loss begins subtly. It may look like difficulty following conversations in noisy settings, feeling drained after social events, asking others to repeat themselves, or noticing ringing or buzzing in the ears. These signs are often dismissed as stress, aging, or others “mumbling.” But untreated hearing loss and tinnitus should not be ignored.

When hearing declines, the brain works harder to process sound. This added strain can affect memory, attention, and mental energy. Over time, it has been linked to cognitive decline, social withdrawal, loneliness, and depression. For women—often the communicators and caregivers in families—this loss of connection can impact every aspect of life. The good news is that hearing

loss and tinnitus are treatable. Early treatment can help restore clarity, reduce cognitive strain, and improve quality of life. Women who address hearing concerns often feel more confident, connected, and present in daily life.

Research continues to show that treating hearing loss may help reduce the risk of dementia and slow cognitive decline.

This May, add hearing to your

health checklist. If you’re noticin changes, don’t ignore them or assume they’re a normal part of aging.

Take action. Protecting your hearing means protecting your brain, your relationships, and yo future.

Call (516) 212-0691 to request a copy of Preventing Decline, ask your questions, or schedule an appointment with Hearing and Brain Centers.

Hearing Month

Managing the risks of excessive social media use

Numerous studies show that screen time— whether on cell phones, tablets, computers, or TVs—is interfering with children’s sleep, physical activity, hobbies, behavioral health, and academic achievement.

Many parents, however, are underestimating or unaware of the harmful impact that excessive social media use may have or is having on their children, according to the results of a recent Mount Sinai South Nassau Truth in Medicine poll.

A study of U.S. children ages 12-15, referenced in the 2023 U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory “Social Media and Youth Mental Health,” found that teens who spent more than three hours per day on social media faced double the risk of poor mental health, including depression and anxiety. The advisory also pointed out that when 13-17-year-olds were asked about the impact of social media on their body image, 46 percent said social media makes them feel worse, 40 percent said it makes them feel neither better nor worse, and only 14 percent said it makes them feel better.

So what is a parent to do?

Lincoln Ferguson, MD, Chair of Pediatrics at Mount Sinai South Nassau, says a family media plan is an effective way to help parents and children manage time on mobile devices (and computers) for social media, gaming, and entertainment. Based on recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Ferguson believes the plan should include:

• One hour daily of physical activity

• 8-12 hours of sleep, depending on age

• A ban on use of devices or screens one hour before bedtime

• Media-free homework time, family time (such as dinner, family outings, and other activities), and locations in the home (including the kitchen, dining room, and/or bedrooms)

Many Long Island children are spending considerably more time with their screens than recommended.

Limiting screen time and ensuring your children are getting at least one hour of daily physical activity is vital to promote better health.

The Mount Sinai South Nassau Truth in Medicine Poll released in September 2024 asked 600 parents from New York and Long Island to estimate the amount of time per day their children use social media apps. In response, 27 percent said their children spend up to two hours per day, 34 percent said they spend between three and four hours, 16 percent said five or more hours, and 23 percent said they were not sure.

As part of the fiscal year 2026 State Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that announced and enacted on May 9, 2025, a statewide, “bell-to-bell” smartphone restriction in schools to reduce distractions and improve students’ mental health. Many school leaders are reporting positive results from the restriction. Concern about overuse of social media is not limited to children. Nearly a third of area residents agree that they also spend too much time on social media or their cell phones, according to the Truth in Medicine poll. Some 16 percent of adults admit that they may be addicted to their cell phones, although most do not believe it is harming their relationships.

Residents concerned about mental health issues can turn to several resources, including Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Mental Health Counseling Center in Baldwin, as well as its Center for Primary and Behavioral Healthcare in Hempstead. Both Nassau and Suffolk counties also provide mobile crisis teams. Call 516-227-TALK (227-8255) for the Nassau County Mobile Crisis Team, which operates seven days a week, from 10 am to 11 pm. The Suffolk County Mobile Crisis Team phone number is 631-952-3333 for adults 18 and older; 631-3701701 for those under 18. For more information or a physician referral, call (516) 632-3000 or visit mountsinai.org/southnassau.

Agree

At Mount Sinai South Nassau, patient safety isn’t just a priority— it’s a standard, one we work on every day. And the experts agree.

We’ve earned national recognition for patient safety, including an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group and the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award.

That means better outcomes for our patients with lower risk of infections or hospital acquired conditions.

When it comes to your health, nothing matters more than knowing you’re in a place where patient safety matters most.

Learn more at mountsinai.org/southnassau

“Mental health is health. Without mental health, everything else really doesn’t work,” said Joseph Amnawah, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and assistant professor. “There isn’t a meaningful separation between the mind and body.”

Amnawah said awareness is improving, particularly among younger generations.

“We’re seeing increased awareness, which is a positive shift,” he said. “More people are recognizing the need for care for conditions like anxiety, depression and ADHD, but many of these still go untreated for long periods of time.”

Stigma remains a major barrier.

“If someone has diabetes or high blood pressure, they don’t hesitate to seek treatment,” Amnawah said. “But with mental health, there’s still this perception that it’s a personal failing and that prevents people from getting help.”

Breaking that stigma, he said, requires visibility and education.

“More community outreach, more public awareness—those are key,” he said. “Even seeing things like 988 crisis line ads in public spaces is a step in the right direction.”

Mental health is health; barriers remain significant

Keep a Consistent Routine

Your brain likes predictability. Waking up, eating, and going to sleep at roughly the same time helps stabilize mood and energy levels.

Move YouR BodY dailY

You don’t need a full workout—just 20–30 minutes of walking, stretching, or light exercise can reduce stress and improve mood by boosting endorphins.

liMit infoRMation oveRload

Constant news and social media can spike anxiety. Set boundaries—check in once or twice a day instead of constantly scrolling.

Get QualitY sleep

Aim for 7–9 hours. Poor sleep directly impacts mood, focus, and stress tolerance. A simple rule: no screens 30–60 minutes before bed.

staY ConneCted

“We’re seeing people from ICU, ER, pediatrics, oncology—all different specialties,” he said. “What they have in common is that they’ve seen the unmet need for mental health care in the populations they serve.”

Many students bring personal connections to the field as well.

“People are going into this because they want to make a difference,” Amnawah said. “They’ve seen how mental health affects individuals and families and they want to be part of the solution.”

The demand for providers is also shaping the next generation of healthcare workers. At Molloy, Amnawah said students are entering psychiatric programs from a wide range of medical backgrounds.

For residents navigating the system, both Hildebrandt and Amnawah emphasize the importance of reaching out— whether through nonprofits, crisis centers or educational programs.

“People should know that help is available,” Hildebrandt said. “If you call these organizations, you will get care. You will get support.”

As Long Island continues to confront growing mental health needs, the path forward appears to depend on a combination of expanded access, sustained funding and continued efforts to normalize the conversation around mental wellbeing.

Even brief conversations with friends, family, or coworkers can improve mental health. Isolation tends to amplify stress.

pRaCtiCe “Mental offloadinG”

Write things down—tasks, worries, ideas. Getting them out of your head reduces overwhelm and helps you focus.

Be RealistiC With YouR WoRKload

Not everything is urgent. Prioritize what truly matters and push back when needed. Constant overload leads straight to burnout.

Photo by Marcel Straub

Mental health resources: where to turn on Long Island

By Christy Hinko

From crisis hotlines to longterm counseling and peer support, Long Island o ers a wide network of nonproﬁt mental health services. Whether you’re seeking immediate help or ongoing care, these organizations provide accessible, often low-cost or free support across Nassau and Su olk counties, as well as nearby Queens.

Nassau County

NAMI Queens/Nassau

A leading grassroots organization

oﬀering free peer-led support groups, education programs and advocacy for individuals and families aﬀected by mental illness. Services are available both in person and online.

Contact: (516) 326-0797 or (718) 347-7284

Helpline: 800-950-NAMI (6264)

Local crisis lines: Nassau: (516) 227-8255

NAMI provides ongoing support groups and educational resources at no cost.

CN Guidance & Counseling Services

A major behavioral health provider

oﬀering therapy, substance use

treatment, crisis services and care coordination. Operates a 24/7 Community Crisis Center in Hicksville. Contact: (516) 822-6111

CN Guidance serves Long Islanders with comprehensive clinical and support services under one umbrella.

Family & Children’s Association

Provides a wide range of mental health programs for children, adults and seniors, including counseling, recovery services and community outreach. Address: 377 Oak St., Garden City Contact: (516) 746-0350

Programs include senior mental health care, addiction recovery and family support services.

Mental Health Association of Nassau County

Serving the community since 1953, MHANC oﬀers advocacy, education and direct services to help individuals navigate mental health challenges. Provides wellness programs, training and recovery support.

Su olk County

Association for Mental Health and Wellness

Oﬀers peer support, family services, recovery programs and education across Suﬀolk County. Known for support

groups and community-based care.

Family Service League

A major regional nonproﬁt providing mental health counseling, addiction services, housing support and crisis intervention.

Crisis/DASH (Diagnostic, Assessment and Stabilization Hub): (631) 952-3333

Suﬀolk residents can access 24/7 behavioral health crisis services through DASH.

Queens (NYC-based, serving western Long Island)

NYC Well

A free, conﬁdential mental health support line for New York City residents, including Queens. Call: 1-888-692-9355

Oﬀers phone, text and chat support 24/7

NAMI NYC

Provides education, support groups and advocacy across New York City, complementing services oﬀered by NAMI Queens/Nassau.

Statewide & Crisis Resources

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Dial or text 988 for immediate mental health support anywhere in the U.S. Free, conﬁdential and available 24/7.

New York State Mental Health Hotline Call: 1-844-863-9314

Provides emotional support and referrals across New York State.

How To Use These Resources

Long Island’s mental health network is designed to meet people where they are. Crisis lines oﬀer immediate help, while organizations like NAMI and MHANC focus on peer support and education. Providers such as CN Guidance and the Family & Children’s Association oﬀer more structured clinical care, including therapy and case management.

Many services are free or covered by insurance, and several organizations provide multilingual support and telehealth options. For those unsure where to start, calling a local helpline or visiting a community-based nonproﬁt can be the ﬁrst step toward care.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. For urgent emotional support, dialing 988 connects you to trained counselors at any time.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev

Photo: Long Island’s mental health network is designed to meet people where they are.

Brain boost

By Christy Hinko

Improving mental health doesn’t require a full reset. Small, consistent changes in how you eat, move and manage your day can have a real impact on mood, focus and resilience.

Eat with your brain in mind

Nutrition plays a direct role in mental well-being. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats are linked to better mood and cognitive function. Antioxidant-rich foods like berries help protect brain cells, while leafy greens provide folate, a B vitamin tied to mood regulation. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish support brain health. Try to limit ultra-processed foods, which are associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression.

Keep your energy steady

Blood sugar swings can affect how you feel. Meals that include protein, fiber and healthy fats help maintain stable energy and prevent irritability and fatigue. Skipping meals or relying on sugary snacks often leads to crashes that impact focus.

Move regularly

Exercise is a proven mood booster. Physical activity releases endorphins and reduces stress hormones. You don’t need a gym— walking, stretching or biking for even 20 minutes can improve your outlook.

Prioritize sleep

Sleep is essential for emotional balance and mental clarity. Aim for seven to nine hours per night and stick to a consistent schedule. Reducing screen time before bed and limiting late-day caffeine can help improve sleep quality.

Get outside

Exposure to natural light

supports your body’s internal clock and helps regulate mood-related chemicals like serotonin. Even a few minutes outdoors each day can make a difference.

Stay hydrated

Dehydration can lead to fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Drinking enough water throughout the day supports overall brain function.

Reduce mental clutter

Constant notifications and screen time can overwhelm the brain. Build in quiet moments—turn off alerts, step away from devices or take a few minutes to reset without distractions.

Stay connected

Strong social ties support mental health. Regular interaction with friends or family—even brief checkins—can reduce feelings of isolation and improve mood.

Practice mindfulness

You don’t need long meditation sessions. Simple habits like focusing on your breathing or slowing down during daily activities can help manage stress and improve emotional control.

Be realistic—and flexible

Mental health isn’t about perfection. Set manageable goals, pace yourself and allow time to rest. Avoid overloading your schedule.

Know when to get help

If stress, anxiety or depression become overwhelming, professional support can make a difference. Seeking help is a practical step toward better mental health.

Small habits, practiced consistently, can build a stronger, healthier mind over time.

Photo by Amauri Mejia Photo: Yoga is a great exercise to practice mindfulness.

Democratic Legislators support Nassau County gas tax holiday

After President Donald Trump said Monday that he wants to suspend the federal gas tax “for a period of time,” Nassau County Legislator Cynthia Nuñez is calling on County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the Republican Majority in the Nassau County Legislature to immediately stop blocking her proposal for a local gas tax holiday and bring it up for a vote. Trump also told reporters Monday he intended to suspend the federal gas tax, which is about 18 cents per gallon.

Nuñez said Trump’s comments have wiped away any excuse Nassau Republicans had for refusing to act while residents are being hammered by rising prices at the pump.

“Donald Trump says he supports suspending the gas tax. His own Energy Secretary says the administration supports all measures that can lower prices at the pump. So what exactly is Bruce Blakeman’s excuse now?” Legislator Cynthia Nuñez said. “If Republicans in Washington can admit that high gas prices are hurting working families and support tax relief, then Nassau Republicans should stop stalling and pass my gas tax holiday now.”

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said over the weekend that the administration supports measures that could lower prices at the pump, and Reuters reported Monday that Democrats had already introduced gastax suspension proposals earlier this year while Sen. Josh Hawley now plans to introduce Republican legislation as well.

Nuñez said Nassau County residents do

not have the luxury of waiting while politicians play games.

“For weeks, Nassau Republicans have treated this like a political inconvenience instead of an economic emergency,” Nuñez said. “Now their own party’s leader is saying exactly what we’ve been saying: people need relief. If a gas tax holiday is good enough for Donald Trump to support in Washington, then it is good enough for Bruce Blakeman and the Republican Legislature to support here in Nassau County.”

Nuñez’s legislation would provide temporary local relief at the pump by capping the taxable price of gasoline and diesel for Nassau County sales-tax purposes, following the same model Nassau used in 2022

when gas prices spiked after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Her proposal would give residents targeted relief while fuel costs remain elevated.

The pressure on drivers is real. Reuters reported Monday that average gasoline prices had climbed to about $4.52 per gallon amid the Iran war and disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz. Americans already pay an average of roughly 51 cents per gallon in taxes and fees, with about 18 cents of that going to the federal government.

Nuñez said the contrast has become impossible to ignore.

“When gas prices surged before, this body was willing to talk about relief. Now that prices are rising under Donald Trump,

Nassau Republicans suddenly want to look the other way,” Nuñez said. “Families do not care about partisan excuses. They care about whether they can afford to fill their tanks, get to work, and take care of their families.”

Nuñez and her fellow Democratic colleagues urged Blakeman and the Republican Majority to stop blocking her proposal and bring it to the floor immediately.

“This should not be complicated,” Nuñez said. “Trump supports suspending the gas tax. Republicans in Congress are moving legislation. Other counties in New York have already acted. Nassau should stop dragging its feet and do the same.”

— Noah Peretz

Nassau County Legislature

Legislators Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (Left). Debra Mule,. Cynthia Nunez,. Olena Nicks host a press conference proposing the Nassau County Gas Tax Holiday.

STEPPING OUT

A garden invites children to take part in nurturing life and understanding the outcomes of their choices. When things don’t go as planned, it becomes a valuable space to build resilience, accept outcomes and try again.

Planting seeds of wonder

By Karen Bloom

One of the most meaningful things you can grow in a garden isn’t a flower or a vegetable — it’s a lifelong gardener. With summer on the horizon, outdoor spaces begin to feel like an extension of home, creating a natural setting for families to connect, explore and unwind. For children, the benefits of gardening go far beyond getting a little dirt under their nails. A growing body of research links hands-on gardening to improved physical health, emotional well-being and even stronger academic performance. Add in the value of family time, and it’s easy to see why more parents and grandparents are heading outside together.

Let curiosity lead

The key to success? A little flexibility — and a lot of patience.

When gardening with kids, be prepared to pivot. Adults may focus on neat rows and finished results, but children are often drawn to discovery. That carefully planned planting activity might pause for a closer look at a grasshopper or a worm—and that’s okay. Lean into their curiosity. Use those moments as opportunities to teach, connect and nurture a sense of wonder.

At its core, gardening with children is about building positive associations. If they leave the garden feeling curious, happy and engaged, you’ve done it right — and they’ll be eager to return.

America

Following a sold-out run of shows for their 55th anniversary, America is on the road again. Known for their timeless tunes, the Grammy-winning band draws on their deep catalog of hits, including their signature song, “Horse With No Name,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. America — Gerry Buckley and Dewey Bunnell — met in while attending school in London, along with Dan Peek, while their Air Force fathers were stationed there. The band is also the subject of a new documentary, “I Need You: 53 Years Of The Band America,” which takes audiences backstage as Beckley and Bunnell privately say goodbye to a lifetime together on the road. Beckley remains an active band member but retired from touring in 2024, while America continues to tour with Bunnell at the helm. America’s audiences continue to grow, bearing testament to their enduring appeal.

Friday, May 15, 8 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Life lessons in the garden

Dig, plant, repeat

Giving kids a say in what they grow can also make a big difference. While it helps to include a few easy, reliable plants, don’t shy away from their creative choices. Whether it’s beets, roses or bright petunias, that sense of ownership encourages them to stay involved. And remember, gardening doesn’t require a large backyard — containers on a porch, balcony or windowsill can be just as rewarding.

It’s also important to choose projects that fit your family’s lifestyle. Consider your children’s ages and abilities, along with your time, space and budget. Setting realistic expectations helps ensure the experience remains enjoyable rather than overwhelming.

And don’t underestimate the simple joy of digging. For many kids, that’s the highlight. Designating a small “dig zone” in the garden allows them to explore freely — searching for worms, examining soil and engaging their senses — while protecting more delicate plantings.

Many hands, one garden

Creating a welcoming, joyful environment is essential. Early, positive experiences in nature can foster a lasting sense of responsibility for the world around them. Encourage participation and small responsibilities, but avoid turning gardening into a chore. Let children engage at their own pace, and respect their comfort levels when it comes to touching, tasting or smelling plants.

If you’re gardening with multiple children, think about ways to make the experience inclusive. Collaborative tasks — one child digging, another adding soil, another placing a plant — can keep everyone involved and invested.

Equally valuable is unstructured time. Allow kids to simply be in the garden without a set agenda. Those quiet moments of observation and self-directed play often spark the deepest connections to nature.

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy it yourself. Children take cues from the adults around them, and your enthusiasm can be contagious. When they see your genuine appreciation for gardening, they’re far more likely to develop their own.

Because in the end, the real harvest isn’t just what grows in the soil — it’s the love of nature that grows alongside it.

Wallflowers

The Wallflowers mark the 30th anniversary of their breakthrough album “Bringing Down the Horse” on their latest tour, with a special full-album performance at the Paramount, presenting the record in sequence from start to finish. Originally released in 1996, the album became a defining success of the decade, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and going quadruple platinum. It produced a string of major hits, including “6th Avenue Heartache,” “The Difference,” and the Grammy-winning “One Headlight,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of the era’s most recognizable rock singles. Led by songwriter Jakob Dylan, the band draws on classic American rock influences such as The Band and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers — a legacy echoed in the tour’s additional tribute segment to Petty, including a full performance of the 1982 album Long After Dark.

Saturday, May 16, 7:30 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

MAY

Family theater

Long Island Children’s Museum stages

Old Westbury

• Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!,” back at the museum by popular demand. With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the award-winning “Pigeon” picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma (Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!), this show is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party! It’s not easy being the Pigeon since you never get to do anything. But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird can finally do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon.; also May 16, May 20-21

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

MAY

15 Nature Connects

16

Old Westbury Gardens welcomes internationally acclaimed artist Sean Kenney and his Nature Connects exhibition. Explore 17 larger-than-life sculptures inspired by the wonders of the natural world—each built from over 300,000 LEGO® bricks. Vibrant and imaginative, these creations blend art, science, and nature, offering visitors of all ages a playful new way to experience the gardens. Opens May 16 and is on view through Sept. 7. Tickets required.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: Ongoing

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

STEM Explorers: May Flowers

Flowers are happening at Long Island Children’s Museum. As the weather gets warmer, the world around us starts blooming! Join the Green Teens and learn about the importance of flowers in our natural world.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: Noon-2 p.m.

• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

‘Junk in the Trunk’ Tag Sale

St. Thomas welcomes all to its tag sale. Browse among all sorts

‘Cold Beer on a Saturday Night’

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

MAY

Decoration Day Step back in time at Old Bethpage Village Restoration during a Decoration Day program honoring those who served. With historical demonstrations, brass band entertainment, ceremony and parade.

• Where: 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage.

• Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Contact: oldbethpagevillagerestoration. org or (516) 572-8409

MAY

Memorial Day Parade

West Hempstead Community Support Association hosts their annual Memorial Day Parade. Line the streets and show your support for all those that gave all to protect our freedom.

• Time: 8 p.m.

Spring blooms with a taste of summer as Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band bring their “Ultimate Beach Party Tribute” to the Paramount stage, celebrating the music of Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, and Zac Brown Band. Long Island–based and led by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, the group also features Linn DeMilta (Lovely Linn) on lead and backing vocals, Luis Rios on guitar, Frank Stainkamp on keyboards, Dan Prine on bass, and Mike Vecchione on drums. Together, they’ve spent more than a decade channeling the laid-back spirit of beach-country favorites across stages throughout the Northeast. With a setlist built for singing along, the band blends crowd-pleasing hits with an easygoing, sun-soaked energy that evokes margaritas, ocean breezes and carefree nights where, as they like to say, it’s always “5 o’clock somewhere.” Fans of Parrotheads, No Shoes Nation and the Zamily alike can expect a lively, feel-good night of music that turns the Paramount into a full-on coastal celebration. Everyone has a great time grooving to their lively mix of their popular sing-along hits and feel good, easy living flair. If you like your toes in the sand, wasting away with a margarita or a cold beer, then you’ll surely have a great time with the Jimmy Kenny Band.

of items.

• Where: St. Thomas the Apostle Chapel, 876 Hempstead Ave., West Hempstead

• Time: 9 a.m.

• Contact: (516) 902 2128

MAY 17

Grace Lutheran School Open House

Meet the teachers and explore the classrooms at Grace Lutheran School.

• Where: Grace Lutheran School, 400 Hempstead Ave., Malverne

• Time: Noon

• Contact: (516) 599 6557

Community Arts Day Come celebrate the arts with students from across the West Hempstead community.

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

• Time: Noon -3 p.m.

Long Island Choral Society Spring Concert

The Long Island Choral Society performs a concert of varied delights, including Franz Schubert’s Mass No.2 in G, selections by

Haydn, Brahms, Samuel Barber and Randall Thompson, plus some traditional selections celebrating America at 250. Under the baton of Music Director Michael C. Haigler, ensemble is joined by a chamber orchestra and featured soloists Georgia Rehbock, soprano; Christopher Judge, tenor, and Ian Joyal, baritone. Tickets are available at the door. $20 adult, $10, youth.

• Where: Garden City Community Church, 245 Stewart Ave., Garden City

• Time: 4 p.m.

• Contact: lics.org or (516) 652-6878

Busy Bees

We all know that bees are amazing. While we often think of only the honey bee, Long Island’s native mason bee is an impressive little insect. They pollinate 20 times more plants than honey bees, live their life in solitude and are not aggressive. Bring the family to celebrate World Bee Day at Long Island Children’s Museum to learn all about these hard workers and make a bee habitat to welcome them to your garden. For ages 3+.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 1-3 p.m.

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

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

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

MAY

Library Board meets

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

• Where: 500 Hempstead Ave., West Hempstead

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: whplibrary.org or (516) 481-65

Bricks & Brews

MAY

21

Old Westbury Gardens hosts an adultonly, brick-building experience using official LEGO sets. Begin your evening with a guided tour of Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects an exhibit made with LEGO bricks. After the tour, build your own LEGO Botanical Daisies Kit at the Barn at Orchard Hill while enjoying refreshments. Each guest receives one drink ticket redeemable for a glass of beer or wine, with additional drinks available for purchase onsite. All participants take their LEGO kit home at the end of the program. Arrive 15 minutes early to the Barn at Orchard Hill to check in before the tour. For ages 21+. $50, with member discount. Registration required.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road,

• Where: Woodlawn Road, beginning at St. Thomas Chapel, ending at American Legion Post #1087

• Time: 10 a.m.

• Contact: (516) 244 1222

MAY

The Knittin Gang

Stop by Lakeview Public Library on Tuesdays and learn to knit and/or crochet. Beginners and advanced yarn aficionados are welcome. Bring yarn and needles or hooks if you have and your project if you have one. Open to all ages. Children under 12 must have an adult with them. Registration required.

• Where: 1120 Woodfield Road, Lakeview

• Time: 6 p.m.

• Contact: lakeviewlibrary.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 PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION

MALVERNE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing of the qualified voters of the Malverne Union Free School District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, New York, will be held at Malverne Performance Art Center, 80 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, N.Y. 11565, in said District on May 12, 2026, prevailing time, for the transaction of such business as is authorized by the New York State Education Law, including the following items.

1. Presentation of the budget document.

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

3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that said vote and election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 in the gymnasium of the Howard T. Herber Middle School, 75 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, N.Y. 11565, at which time the polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, to vote by voting machines upon the following items:

1. To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal year 2026-2027 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.

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

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for the office of Member of the Board of Education of the Malverne Union Free School District shall be filed with the District Clerk of said School District at the District Clerk’s office, 301 Wicks

Lane Malverne, NY 11565 not later than April 20, 2026, between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., prevailing time. All nominating petitions must be signed by 25 qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 or 2% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); must state the name and residence of each signer, and must state the name and residence of the candidate. Vacancies on the Board of Education shall not be considered separate, specific offices; candidates run at large.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 or pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 and has voted at any annual or special district meeting within the past four (4) calendar years, such voter is eligible to vote at this election; if a voter is registered and eligible to vote pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law, such voter is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register. The Board of Registration will meet for the purposes of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to Education Law §2014 on April 16, 2026 at the Malverne High School Lobby, 80 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, N.Y. 11565 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. prevailing time, and at the District’s Administration Building 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565, between the hours 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., prevailing time; and on May 8, 2026 at the Office of the District Clerk 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., prevailing time, to add any additional names to the Register to be used at the aforesaid Budget Vote and Election at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Register, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration

to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such Budget Vote and Election for which the Register is prepared. The Register so prepared pursuant to Education Law §2014 will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the School District in the Administration Building, located at 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on May 14, 2026, between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., prevailing time, on weekdays, and each day prior to the day set for the Budget Vote and Election, except Sunday or holidays, and on Saturday by prearranged appointment, and at the polling places on the day of the Budget Vote and Election.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Education Law §2014, the Board of Registration shall meet on Tuesday May 19, 2026, in the gymnasium of the Howard T. Herber Middle School, 75 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, New York between the hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., prevailing time, to prepare the Register of the School District to be used at the annual meeting and election that is to be held in 2027, and any special meeting that may be held after the preparation of said Register, at which time any person will be entitled to have her or his name placed on such Register, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school meeting or election for which such Register is prepared.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that qualified voters with disabilities who seek information about access to polling places may, in advance of the day of the vote, contact the District Clerk at 516-887-6483 for information about accessibility.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that beginning seven (7) days immediately preceding the May 12, 2026 public budget hearing, any resident in the District may request to review a copy of the proposed budget by appearing at the Office

of the District Clerk, 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565. Additionally, a statement of the estimated expenses for the ensuing year may be obtained by any resident in the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding said election on the school district website www.malvernechools. org, at the Malverne Public Library during its normal hours of operation, located at 61 St. Thomas Place Malverne, N.Y. 11565, at the Lynbrook Public Library during its normal hours of operation, located at 56 Eldert Street, Lynbrook, N.Y. 11563, at the Lakeview Public Library during its normal hours of operation, located at 1120 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre, N.Y. 11570, at the School District Administrative Building, 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, N.Y. 11565, and at each of the following school buildings in which school is maintained between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., prevailing time, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays:

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

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 495, the School District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how much of the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted, identified by statutory authority, and show: (a) the cumulative impact of each type of exemption expressed either as a dollar amount of assessed value or as a percentage of the total assessed value on the roll; (b) the cumulative amount expected to be received from recipients of each type of exemption as payments in lieu of taxes or other payments for municipal services; and (c) the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. The exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any

website maintained by the District.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for absentee and early mail ballots will be obtainable during school business hours at the Office of the District Clerk beginning April 20, 2026. In accordance with Education Law §§ 2018-a and 2018e, completed absentee and early mail ballot applications may not be received by the District Clerk earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the election, and must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or to the agent named in the absentee or early mail ballot application. Absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued, and a list of all persons to whom early mail voter’s ballots shall have been issued, will be available for inspection beginning May 14, 2026, in the Office of the District Clerk during regular office hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., each weekday through May 19, 2026, the day set for the election and on Saturday, May 16, 2026, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 noon. Any qualified voter may, upon examination of such lists, file a written challenge of the qualifications as a voter of any person whose name appears on such lists, stating the reasons for such challenge. Any such written challenge shall be transmitted by the District Clerk or a designee of the Board of Education to the inspectors of election on election day.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the Malverne Union Free School District by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to lridley@ malverneschools.org or fax sent to 516-5962910. The request for the

registration application may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the registration application by either mail, fax or email. Military voter registration application forms must be received in the Office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the Malverne Union Free School District may request an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk and return such military ballot application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to lridley@ malverneschools.org or fax sent to 516596-2910. In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military ballot application must be received in the Office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., on April 23, 2026. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a non-military ballot application under Section 2018-a of the Education Law. The application for military ballot may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail, fax, or email. A military voter’s original military ballot application and military ballot must be returned by mail or in person to the Office of the District Clerk at 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, N.Y 11565, along with the required signed affidavit by the voter.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk before the close of polls on May 19, 2026 showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received not later than 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026 and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a

rule adopted by the Board of Education in accordance with New York Education Law §2035, any referenda or propositions to be submitted for voting at said election, must be filed with the District Clerk at 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, N.Y. 11565, not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on April 20, 2026. All such petitions must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the Clerk of the School District; must be signed by at least 33 qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 or 5% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); and must legibly state the name of each signer. However, the Board of Education will not entertain any petition to place before the voters any proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, nor any proposition or amendment which is contrary to law.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that those voters seeking information regarding this Budget Vote and Election in Spanish should contact the Office of the District Clerk at 516-887-6483.

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

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

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

los siguientes:

1. Presentación del presupuesto.

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

3. Tratar cualquier otro asunto que corresponda.

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

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

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

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

Public Notices

cargos específicos; los candidatos se postulan a nivel general.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que el registro personal de votantes es obligatorio conforme a la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación de Nueva York o al Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York. Si un votante se ha registrado previamente conforme a la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación de Nueva York y ha votado en alguna asamblea distrital anual o extraordinaria durante los últimos cuatro (4) años calendario, dicho votante es elegible para votar en esta elección; si un votante está registrado y es elegible para votar conforme al Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York, dicho votante también es elegible para votar en esta elección. Todas las demás personas que deseen votar deben registrarse. La Junta de Registro se reunirá con el propósito de registrar a todos los votantes calificados del Distrito de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2014 el 16 de abril de 2026 en el vestíbulo de la Escuela Secundaria Malverne, 80 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, N.Y. 11565 entre las 8:30 a.m. y las 11:30 a.m., hora local, y en el Edificio de Administración del Distrito, 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565, entre las 11:30 a.m. y las 3:30 p.m., hora local; y el 8 de mayo de 2026 en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565, entre las horas de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m., hora vigente, para agregar cualquier nombre adicional al Registro que se utilizará en la mencionada Votación y Elección del Presupuesto en la cual cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se coloque en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de la Junta de Registro se sepa o se demuestre a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro que tiene derecho a votar en ese momento o posteriormente en dicha Votación y Elección del Presupuesto para la cual se prepara el Registro. El Registro preparado de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2014 se archivará en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito Escolar en el Edificio de Administración, ubicado en 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565, y

estará abierto para su inspección por cualquier votante calificado del Distrito a partir del 14 de mayo de 2026, entre las 9:30 a.m. y las 2:30 p. m., hora local, de lunes a viernes, y todos los días anteriores al día fijado para la votación del presupuesto y las elecciones, excepto los domingos o días festivos, y los sábados con cita previa, y en los centros de votación el día de la votación del presupuesto y las elecciones.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2014, la Junta de Registro se reunirá el martes 19 de mayo de 2026 en el gimnasio de la Escuela

Secundaria Howard T. Herber, ubicada en 75 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, Nueva York, entre las 7:00 a. m. y las 9:00 p. m., hora local, para elaborar el Registro del Distrito Escolar que se utilizará en la asamblea y elección anual que se celebrará en 2027, y en cualquier asamblea extraordinaria que se celebre después de la elaboración de dicho Registro. En tal caso, cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de la Junta de Registro se conozca o se demuestre, a satisfacción de la Junta, que tiene derecho a votar en la asamblea o elección escolar para la cual se elaboró dicho Registro.

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

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que a partir de los siete (7) días inmediatamente anteriores a la audiencia pública del presupuesto del 12 de mayo de 2026, cualquier residente del Distrito puede solicitar revisar una copia del presupuesto propuesto presentándose en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito, 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565. Adicionalmente, cualquier residente del Distrito puede obtener una declaración de los gastos estimados para el año siguiente

durante los catorce (14) días inmediatamente anteriores a dicha elección en el sitio web del distrito escolar www. malvernechools.org, en la Biblioteca Pública de Malverne durante su horario normal de funcionamiento, ubicada en 61 St. Thomas Place Malverne, N.Y. 11565, en la Biblioteca Pública de Lynbrook durante su horario normal de funcionamiento, ubicada en 56 Eldert Street, Lynbrook, N.Y. 11563, en la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview durante su horario normal de funcionamiento, ubicada en 1120 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre, N.Y. 11570, en el Edificio Administrativo del Distrito Escolar, 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, N.Y. 11565, y en cada uno de los siguientes edificios escolares donde se imparten clases entre las 9:00 y las 16:00 horas, hora local, excepto sábados, domingos y días festivos:

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

Y POR LA PRESENTE

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

del Distrito.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que las solicitudes de boletas de voto ausente y voto anticipado por correo estarán disponibles durante el horario de atención escolar en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito a partir del 20 de abril de 2026. De conformidad con la Ley de Educación §§ 2018-a y 2018-e, las solicitudes completas de boletas de voto ausente y voto anticipado por correo no podrán ser recibidas por la Secretaria del Distrito antes de treinta (30) días antes de la elección, y deberán ser recibidas por la Secretaria del Distrito al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la boleta se enviará por correo al votante, o el día anterior a la elección, si la boleta se entregará personalmente al votante o al agente nombrado en la solicitud de boleta de voto ausente o voto anticipado por correo. Las papeletas de voto en ausencia y las de voto anticipado por correo deben ser recibidas por la Secretaria del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m., hora local, del martes 19 de mayo de 2026.

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

Y POR LA PRESENTE

SE NOTIFICA que los votantes militares que

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

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

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que las boletas militares serán contabilizadas si la Secretaria del Distrito las recibe antes del cierre de las urnas el 19 de mayo de 2026 y presentan un sello de cancelación del Servicio Postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país

extranjero, o un acuse de recibo fechado por otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o si se reciben a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del 19 de mayo de 2026, firmadas y fechadas por el votante militar y un testigo, con una fecha que se determine que no es posterior al día anterior a las elecciones.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con una norma adoptada por la Junta de Educación según la Sección 2035 de la Ley de Educación de Nueva York, cualquier referéndum o propuesta que se someta a votación en dicha elección deberá presentarse ante la Secretaria del Distrito en 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, N.Y. 11565, a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m., hora local, del 20 de abril de 2026. Todas estas peticiones deberán estar mecanografiadas o impresas en inglés; deberán dirigirse a la Secretaria del Distrito Escolar; deberán estar firmadas por al menos 33 votantes calificados del Distrito (que representen el mayor de los siguientes porcentajes: 25 o el 5 % del número de votantes que participaron en la elección anual anterior); y deberán indicar legiblemente el nombre de cada firmante. Sin embargo, la Junta de Educación no considerará ninguna petición para someter a votación ninguna propuesta cuyo propósito no esté dentro de las facultades de los votantes, ni ninguna propuesta o enmienda que sea contraria a la ley.

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

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

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…

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

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR NEW CENTURY HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2005-C, ASSET BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, Plaintiff, AGAINST

KIM EVANS A/K/A KIMBERLY Y. EVANS A/K/A KIM Y. EVANS, et al. Defendant(s) Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on March 2, 2026.

I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM premises known as 1024 Mahopac Road, West Hempstead, NY 11552. Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Nassau County, and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Lakeview, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 0035, Block 00460-00 and Lot 00849. Approximate amount of judgment $490,256.98 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #620249/2023.

Monica Corrine Moran, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLPAttorneys for Plaintiff40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 159773

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff AGAINST THE ESTATE OF CONSTANCE JOHNSON A/K/A CONSTANCE T. JOHNSON; ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 4, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee

will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 3, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 1017 Hampton Drive, West Hempstead, NY 11552. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 35 Block: 417 Lot: 210 & 212. Approximate amount of judgment $289,817.32 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #602286/2023. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832.

Oscar A. Prieto, Esq., Referee FEIN, SUCH & CRANE, LLP 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800 Rochester, NY 14614 CHNY1628 89722 159853

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION, Plaintiff, vs. ALICIA NICKENS AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF CHAPMAN COOPER, JR. A/K/A CHATMAN COOPER, BENEFICIARY UNDER THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF ETHELEEN RUSS A/K/A ETHELEEN COOPER RUSS, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report, Appoint Successor Referee for Sale, and Judgement of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on March 5, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1067 Tyler Road, West Hempstead, NY 11552. 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 246 and Lots 794, 795, 796, 875. Approximate amount of judgment is

Public Notices

$610,048.04 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #002027/2015.

Leslie Lowenstein, Esq., Referee Greenspoon Marder, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105, Attorneys for Plaintiff 160034

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION of BiminiBakes Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on May 1st 2026 Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 765 Janos Lane, West Hempstead, NY 11552. Purpose: any lawful act 160041

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS

The Board of Education of the West Hempstead Union Free School District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, will receive sealed bids on May 22, 2026 for: Printing of School District Calendars10:00 a.m. At which time and place bids will be opened and publicly read. Information for Bidders, Form of Bid and Specifications may be obtained at 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead, in the Office of the Assistant Superintendent for Business on any working day between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.; you may call (516) 390-3103 to request a bid; or you may visit the Business Office page on our website at www.whufsd.com, to download a copy of the bid. The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informality in order to reject any or all bids or accept the one that, in its judgment, will be in the best interest of the School District. By

Order of: The Board of Education West Hempstead UFSD, 252 Chestnut Street West Hempstead, NY 11552

Awilda Cruz, District Clerk 160188

AND LEGAL NOTICES…

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

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that a public auction for a used vehicle sale will be held on May 26, 2026 on the website www.auctionsinternati onal.com. Bidders must register on website prior to bidding. Vehicles are sold “as is” condition and do not come with vehicle keys. Vehicles pictures and descriptions can be found on website when bid is live. Vehicles must be paid through the website prior to removal of vehicle. Vehicles are located at 390 E. Clinton Avenue, Roosevelt NY 11575. 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee; Gray; VIN: 1J4GR48K55C523371; Owner: Wayne Huey of 2832 Bruner Ave 1, Bronx, NY 10469

*2007 Kia Sedona; Gray; VIN: KNDMB233876173866; Owner: Renee McDonough of 157 59 27th Ave, Flushing, NY 11354

*2010 Chevrolet Equinox; Gray; VIN: 2CNALDEW4A6371649 ; Owner: Boris Mizhquero-Yunga of 276 Mountain Grove St, Bridgeport, CT 06605

*2009 Chevrolet Malibu; Black; VIN: 1G1ZK57B59F169309; Owner: Glendon Cateau of 716 E. 45th St, Brooklyn, NY 11203

*2007 Dodge Sprinter; White; VIN: WD0PE845X75208525; Owner: Haim Tobaly of 21 Weyant Dr, Cedarhurst, NY 11516

*2004 Toyota Corolla; Blue; VIN: 2T1LR32E04C317785; Owner: Luis V. Peraltamorban of 1934 Harrison Ave 5E, Bronx, NY 10453

*2006 Lexus ES250; Black; VIN: JTHCK262382022200; Owner: Klein Georges of 185 Rutland Rd, Hempstead NY 11550

*2014 Audi AS4; Gray; VIN: WAUBGAFL5EA082964

; Owner: Dominique Blackman of 8400 Lindbergh Blvd Apt 716, Philadelphia PA 19153

*2010 Honda Accord; Black; VIN: 1HGCS2B85AA004466; Owners: Mike Eli Landaverde and C.L. Landaverde of 69 Hewlett St, Hempstead NY 11550

*2005 Nissan Altima; Red; VIN: 1N4AL11D75N900462; Owner: Timothy Wanser of 1141 Norbay St, Franklin Square NY 11010

*2002 Acura MDX; Blue; VIN: 2HNYD188X2H530024; Owner: Zaynah Witter of 632 Nauer Ct, Elmont, NY 11003

*2016 Nissan Sentra; Gray; VIN: 3N1AB7AP1GY299861; Owner: Nissan Infiniti Lease Trust of PO Box 254648 Sacramento, CA 95865

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS Antonio Fanizzi Commissioner 160208

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWABS, INC., ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-15, -againstREGINALD BRIDGEWATER, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on October 22, 2025, wherein THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE

BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWABS, INC., ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-15 is the Plaintiff and REGINALD BRIDGEWATER, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on June 16, 2026 at 2:30PM, premises known as 1091 PINEBROOK COURT, WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY 11552; and the following tax map identification: 38-K-765. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT LAKEVIEW, (FORMERLY WOODFIELD) IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 604770/2023. Howard Eric Colton, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 160205

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

Trustee D’Esposito elected to BOCES

Malverne School District is proud to announce that board of education trustee Jeanne D’Esposito has been elected to serve on the Nassau Board of Cooperative Educational Services Board of Education.

Ms. D’Esposito, a longtime Malverne resident and dedicated member of the district’s board of education, was selected as part of the annual BOCES board election, in which trustees from component school districts across Nassau County vote to fill open seats.

“We are incredibly proud of Jeanne and this welldeserved recognition,” said Malverne Superintendent of Schools Dr. Maria Rianna. “Her commitment to students, families and public education has been unwavering, and we are confident she will bring the same passion and leadership to her work with Nassau BOCES.”

Malverne Board of Education for 10 years, contributing to district initiatives focused on academic excellence, equity and opportunity for all students and will continue to do so. In addition to her local service, she has been actively involved in regional school board leadership through organizations such as the Nassau Suffolk School Boards Association, LLP, for which she presently serves as its Nassau County Vice President.

“It is an honor to represent all Nassau County stakeholders in public education and to be a voice for the Malverne School District community at the regional level,” said Ms. D’Esposito. “I look forward to collaborating with colleagues across Nassau County to expand opportunities and strengthen programs that benefit all students.”

The Nassau BOCES Board plays a vital role in supporting public school districts throughout Nassau County by providing shared educational programs and services, including career and technical education, special education and professional development opportunities for educators. Board members are elected from among local district trustees and offer regional leadership and oversight.

Ms. D’Esposito has served on the

Her election to the Nassau BOCES Board reflects both her deep experience in educational leadership and the high regard in which she is held by fellow board members across the county.

Malverne School District congratulates Ms. D’Esposito on this achievement and looks forward to her continued service on behalf of Malverne students and the broader educational community.

–Noah Peretz

West Hempstead Secondary School’s Ram Bytes team earned third place during a recent regional hackathon held at Hauppauge Middle School.

Ram Bytes earn third place at hackathon

West Hempstead Secondary School is proud to recognize its Ram Bytes team for an outstanding performance during a recent regional hackathon held at Hauppauge Middle School.

Competing against talented student coders from across the region, members of the Ram Bytes team demonstrated exceptional creativity, collaboration and technical skill throughout the competition. Their efforts resulted in a wellearned third-place finish on a highly competitive stage.

The hackathon provided students with an opportunity to apply their

knowledge in a fast-paced, problem-solving environment while working alongside peers who share an interest in technology and innovation.

The success of the Ram Bytes team reflects the strong culture of creativity and forward-thinking learning being fostered at West Hempstead Secondary School. The district commends the students, as well as their coaches and families, for their dedication and support in making this achievement possible.

–Noah Peretz

JEANNE D’ESPOSITO

West Hempstead UFSD

LYNBROOK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Lynbrook

•

• TEACHER AIDES

• MAINTAINERS

• SCHOOL NURSE

• TEACHING ASSISTANTS

• TEACHER AIDES

• SECURITY AIDES

• MONITORS

• CLERICAL (PROBATIONARY & PROVISIONAL

• CLERICAL

• CUSTODIAL

• MONITORS

• TEACHER AIDES

• TEACHING ASSISTANTS

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour.

For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must.

Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!

$22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778

Email: info@bellautoschool.com

EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City.

We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA

ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per

So, how did they build the pyramids?

Real Estate

WE BUY HOUSES for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670 Apartments For Rent

LAWRENCE: 3 BR's, EIK, DR, Water/Heat Included. Separate Entrance, Top Floor, Credit Check. $3,000. 631-882-3831

Q. The question of how the pyramids were built came up in a recent discussion among friends. I’m wondering if there’s any definite answer to that question. One person said that even with hundreds of thousands of slaves, you’re only as strong as the rope can bear, and another suggested that they were built by extraterrestrials, but nothing serious came out of that. What do you know about this?

A. There are many theories about the construction of the pyramids. The Library of Alexandria may have contained this information, but was burned by Julius Caesar, accidentally, when he attacked the ships in the harbor nearby and the sprinkler system for the library (which had failed inspections) wasn’t working that day, or nobody ever made the drawings to begin with. We’ll never know the true answer, but there are many profound and wise engineering ideas on this subject. You may not be aware that there are more than 100 pyramids in Egypt alone, and many of them are still standing today.

So how did ancient Egyptians build them, using millions of blocks of Nile riverbank stone (and white limestone, dragged from much farther south, for the finishes)? How did they construct a 6.5-million-ton mountain of stone blocks, each weighing 2.5 tons, or 5,000 pounds, on sand? Several historical figures, pardon the pun, weighed in on this question.

The most prominent, Herodotus, of ancient Greece, who wasn’t there but is considered the father of historians, wrote of a machine system of levers and pulleys that lifted each block to the next level, and then another set of levers and pulleys was used for the next level, etc. I am fascinated by the writings of a more recent pair of writers, Matthys Levy and Mario Salvadori, who propose an idea, based on the dissection of pyramids that have, through recent history, been documented. In their book “Why Buildings Fall Down,” they describe and illustrate in sketches how stones were placed.

Imhotep, considered the greatest mathematician and engineer in Egyptian history, designed later-era pyramids, observing and calculating how to avoid previous failures. For his success with some of the largest mountains of stone, he was worshipped as a god in the ancient Egyptian culture. So, kids, stay in school.

What I believe Imhotep did was use gravity. The later pyramids were built in man-made valleys, where the stones could be moved down an incline and then set at a 52-degree angle. That way, instead of laying the stone horizontally, they pushed into each other on a downward incline, relieving vertical weight and reducing the stones’ ability to crush each other. Remember, Egyptians didn’t have block and tackle, didn’t use wheels to move heavy loads and didn’t have metal harder than copper. They had a lot of laborers, spent much less time watching TV or staring at their cellphones, and filled in each level of the valley as the pyramids grew in height. Great question!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcements

AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-833-323-0160

SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS! Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS across the world. Let us do the research for you for FREE! Call: 877 988 7277

MERCHANDISE MART

Antiques/Collectibles

Cable/TV/Wiring

Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069

Cleaning Services

WENDY'S CLEANING SERVICES INC. Commercial/Residential. We Specialize In Houses, Apartments, Offices, Airbnb & More. Good References. Free Estimates. Call/Text Wendy 516-406-5375 Or Email wencruzpa@gmail.com

Electricians

Home Improvement

DO YOU KNOW what's in your water? Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as little one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Restrictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today. Call 1-866-247-5728

PREPARE FOR POWER outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-877-516-1160 today to schedule a free quote. It's not just a generator. It's a power move.

Power Washing

POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES: Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516-678-6641

Services

AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER?

STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-833-880-7679

We Buy Antiques, Fine Art, Coins & Jewelry Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 45 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com

E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.

Fences

516-671-6464

Wanted To Buy

Costume Jewelry Wanted Necklaces, Earrings, Bracelets & Rings. Also Buying Gold & Silver. $$ CASH PAID $$ 631-500-0792 Long Island / Will Travel SERVICES

FENCES, RAILINGS, AWNINGS. All types (Gates) pvc, Iron, wood, chainlink, cable, glass. Retractable aluminum polycarbonate awnings, carports, roof awnings, Licensed/Insured. Inwood. 516-371-6444. Text/516-852-4075. AcedesignsNy.com AceDesignsNy@gmail.com

Home Improvement

BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-833-807-0159

PREPARE FOR POWER outages with Briggs & Stratton® PowerProtect(TM) standby generators - the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty - 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-888-605-1496

SAFE STEP. NORTH America's #1 WalkIn Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-855-916-5473

Miscellaneous

GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-833-323-0318. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider.

PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-833-549-0598 Have zip code of property ready when calling!

Telephone Services

CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682

Tree Services

T&M GREENCARE TREE SERVICE

*TREE REMOVAL *STUMP GRINDING *PRUNING. FREE ESTIMATES. 516-223-4525, 631-586-3800 www.tmgreencare.com

Satellite/TV Equipment

DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Directv and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Health & Fitness

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-833-661-4172

ATTENTION: VIAGRA AND CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-833-641-6397

Legal Services

TERRORISM IN NONPROFIT facilities is growing. But available security grant money can help protect them. Edldirect Consulting can help. Call/text 1(516)318-6385 for more information

AUTOMOBILE & MARINE

Autos For Sale

HONDA 2006 PILOT Black, 67,000 Miles, Original Owner, Great Condition, No Accidents $5900 516 410-6258

Autos Wanted ***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS $Highest$ Ca$h Paid$. All Years/ Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct + Ca$h. DMV ID#1303199. Call LUKE 516-VAN-CARS. 516-297-2277

$ CARS FOR CASH $ No keys, no title, no problem. Running & Non-Running. We go anywhere. Same day Service. We pay top dollar. 631-445-1848

We can’t solve a housing crisis with hypocrisy or politics

There is no question that Long Island is facing a housing crisis. The real question is whether we’re serious about solving it or just using it as another political talking point.

Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti has spent taxpayer dollars promoting misleading claims across social media, print ads and op-eds, attacking and sowing lies about initiatives that could bring real relief to thousands of families in the town. These are the same tired fear tactics designed to divide communities, stall progress and avoid real solutions.

That’s not just unproductive. It’s hypocritical. The same leadership that’s warning about overdevelopment has supported and approved major projects in Hempstead — projects that raise legitimate concerns about density, traffic, flooding and long-term community impact. You can’t rail against development with one breath while allowing it in your own backyard with the next. The only thing consistent about the town’s leadership is its inconsistency.

Housing has now been turned into a partisan weapon, when it should be a

shared responsibility. Meanwhile, the consequences are very real. Families are struggling to stay on Long Island. Seniors are being priced out of communities they spent decades building. Young people can’t afford to put down roots, let alone raise families.

These aren’t abstract policy debates. They’re everyday realities.

Yet instead of working across party lines to address these challenges, we see more political posturing and fear-based messaging. It raises a simple question: Is this really about solutions, or about scoring political points?

TIn a recent op-ed, Ferretti claimed, “Albany is trying to strip away local control with automatic approval.” That statement isn’t just inaccurate; it’s inflammatory rhetoric that distracts from the real issue. Because beyond the slogans and news conferences, the question remains, Where is his plan?

speak out and raise valid concerns, only to end up feeling like those concerns were never part of the decision-making process.

Just ask the residents surrounding the Woodmere Country Club project, who filled Town Board meetings, pleading for an independent environmental review. They deserved to be heard. They deserved leadership willing to listen and act. Instead, they were ignored. That’s not good government.

his moment calls for leadership that is willing to rise above the noise and tell the truth.

We also need partnerships among municipalities, responsible developers and union labor to ensure that projects are done the right way. That means using local workers, maintaining high standards and making sure developments are sustainable for the long term, not just profitable in the short term.

political talking point instead of a real challenge, we will keep failing the very people we’re supposed to serve. There’s a better way forward. It starts with leadership that is willing to bring people to the table, including local officials, state partners, community leaders, developers and labor, and do the hard work of finding solutions that actually fit each community. Not onesize-fits-all mandates or blanket opposition, but thoughtful, community-driven planning.

A better way forward means engaging with developers early to ensure that projects reflect the needs of the neighborhoods they enter. It means working with unions to create good-paying local jobs and uphold the highest standards. And it means restoring transparency, so residents aren’t left guessing about decisions that shape their communities.

The answer isn’t as simple as saying yes or no to development. And it’s certainly not found in blanket opposition or empty sound bites.

The answer is balance.

We need development that respects the voices of the community, not one that ignores them. We need decisions guided by real environmental-impact studies. Too often, residents show up,

Right now, too many decisions are driven by political relationships and donor interests rather than what’s best for residents.

If we’re going to talk about housing, let’s have an honest conversation. Not one driven by fear or partisan lines, but one grounded in transparency, accountability and a willingness to work together.

Because the housing crisis isn’t going away, and if we continue to treat it as a

Most important, it means putting people before politics. Because housing isn’t a partisan issue. It’s a human issue. This moment calls for leadership that is willing to rise above the noise, tell the truth, and make tough decisions rooted in what’s right for our communities. Because the choices we make now will define whether Long Island remains a place where families can build a future. One thing is clear: We need leaders ready to be part of the solution, or it’s time for them to step aside.

Joe Scianablo is the Democratic candidate for Town of Hempstead supervisor.

Preparing students to succeed in L.I.’s creative economy

Last month, five students from Long Island High School for the Arts advanced from regional competition to the SkillsUSA state championships in an impressive showcase of career readiness and leadership ability. Two went on to win bronze for their work in digital cinema production.

If you watched the LIHSA students present their work, explain their creative choices and demonstrate their technical skill, one thing was clear: These young people aren’t simply pursuing their passions, but are diligently preparing to enter Long Island’s thriving creative economy.

According to the Center for an Urban Future’s 2025 report, “Sustaining Long Island’s Creative Spark,” employment in Long Island’s arts and culture sector grew 21.6 percent from 2014 to 2024, compared with overall job growth in the region of just 4.1 percent. During that

same period, the number of independent artists on Long Island nearly doubled, and nonprofit arts and culture organizations generated more than $330 million in annual economic activity, according to the Long Island Arts Alliance.

I invite Long Island families to consider the growing promise of creative industries.

The creative economy is trending upward at the national level, too. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis’ most recently reported data attests that arts and cultural economic activity increased 6.6 percent in 2023, more than double the 2.8 percent increase of the prior year. It accounted for 4.2 percent of the nation’s GDP in 2023, and supported 5.4 million jobs.

As district superintendent and CEO of Nassau BOCES, where our mission includes a focus on vocational career training, I am thrilled that SkillsUSA — the nation’s top workforce-development organization for students — has recognized rigorous arts education for what it is: vital preparation for real careers.

And yet there is still a lingering perception that arts education is somehow less practical than other vocational tracks, like those in health care, con-

struction, automotive technology and computer science — pathways that matter deeply. And concerns about the arts often come from a good place. Families want stability for their children. School leaders want to prepare students for real opportunity. But those goals aren’t at odds with arts education.

Students pursuing design, animation, digital media, filmmaking, music and performance are building specific and transferable skills that have value in today’s world. They are learning how to create under pressure, revise based on feedback, collaborate with others, communicate clearly and produce work for an audience. They are also learning industry tools and technology while building portfolios that make them competitive college applicants and open doors to conservatory training and professional employment.

For Nassau BOCES, this is evident at LIHSA and among the school’s alumni, who have gone on to study at Juilliard, the Parsons School of Design and the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and to work for employers ranging from The

New Yorker to the Metropolitan Opera. I offer LIHSA as an example, but this isn’t about one school. I invite Long Island families, educators and public officials to re-examine the full range of career pathways that lead to meaningful work in today’s evolving economy and consider the growing promise of creative industries.

We are quick to guide students who want to become nurses, engineers or electricians toward those programs of study. We should be just as ready to do the same for students who want to work in design, media or the performing arts.

The five LIHSA students currently advancing through the national rankings at SkillsUSA remind us of something important — talent matters, but so does training and opportunity.

If our region is serious about economic growth, we should prepare our students accordingly and not ignore the creative sector, which is outpacing overall job growth by a factor of five to one. Long Island has built strong pipelines into other trades. We owe our young artists, performers and producers the same counseling, the same investment, and the same expectation of success.

Larry Leaven is district superintendent and CEO of Nassau BOCES.

May 19 decisions carry outsized local impact

long Islanders will be asked to make decisions on May 19 that quietly but profoundly shape their communities. From Amityville to Valley Stream and from Oyster Bay to Massapequa, voters will head to the polls to weigh in on public school district budgets, elect Board of Education trustees and, in several cases, decide funding for their local libraries.

These are not minor matters. Yet year after year, school district elections draw strikingly low turnout and are often decided by a small fraction of eligible voters. More often than not, only 5 to 10 percent of eligible voters cast ballots. That disconnect is hard to justify given the outsized influence these votes have on taxes, educational quality, public services and overall community health.

School budgets determine far more than what happens inside the classroom. They shape the volume of opportunities available to students — from arts and music programs to athletics and extracurricular activities — as well as spending on classroom instruction, staff salaries, employee benefits, school operations, transportation and specialized programs. The budgets, proposed by local school boards and voted on by residents, dictate the allocation of local property taxes, state aid and federal funding.

In districts where library budgets are on the ballot, these votes also impact access to books, technology, program-

ming and community space for residents of all ages.

Equally important are the elections for Board of Education trustees. These individuals are not figureheads; they are elected officials responsible for setting district policy, hiring and evaluating the superintendent, and establishing the annual budget. They ensure compliance with state education laws, manage district property and represent the community’s interests.

Their choices influence curriculum, long-term planning and how effectively taxpayer dollars are managed. The direction of a school district for years to come can hinge on who fills these seats. What makes these elections especially significant is how much can turn on so few votes. In many Long Island communities, multimillion-dollar spending plans and major capital projects are approved or rejected by narrow margins. A relative handful of ballots can alter the outcome. That reality means that every vote carries real weight, much more than in higher-profile elections where margins often stretch into the thousands or millions.

The 2006-07 Baldwin School District budget passed by only five votes. Last May, the Shelter Island School District spending plan fell just 40 votes short of the required 60 percent supermajority needed to pierce the state tax cap, A year earlier, only a few of Long Island’s 124 school districts, including Sachem and

West Babylon, had their budgets rejected. It is also a mistake to view these elections as relevant only to parents of school-aged children. Strong public schools are a cornerstone of vibrant communities. They help sustain property values, attract families, support local businesses and contribute to a shared sense of stability and pride. Libraries, too, serve as essential civic hubs, offering educational resources, workforce support and cultural programming that benefit entire neighborhoods.

Participation in these elections is not complicated, but it does require intention. Voters should take time to review the proposed budgets and any referendums, understand what is at stake and, if possible, attend public hearings or information sessions. These forums provide valuable insight into how decisions are made and where priorities lie. Most important, residents must show up. Local democracy is strongest when it reflects the voices of the many, not the few. When turnout is low, decisions that affect entire communities are left in the hands of a limited group of voters, weakening the representative nature of the process.

May 19 may not carry the fanfare of a national election, but its consequences are immediate and tangible. Those who participate will shape the future of Long Island’s schools, libraries and neighborhoods. That alone should be reason enough to make voting a priority.

opinions

New York’s cost of living is costing us our future

For generations, Americans believed their children would do better than they did. Today that expectation is becoming increasingly out of reach. While this shift is being felt across the country, it’s especially true in New York. When we open our utility bills, check out at the grocery store or pay for child care, we experience the cost-ofliving crisis in real time. We are a world-class state held back by nation-leading taxes and costs.

A new poll from Siena College’s Research Institute puts numbers to what New Yorkers already know. The cost of living is out of control. And this sentiment is felt across the board, with 67 percent of voters saying New York is heading in the wrong direction when it comes to affordability, including 59 percent of Democrats, 79

percent of Republicans and 71 percent of independents. It has undeniably become harder to make ends meet in New York. Since 2021, housing costs have risen 26 percent, child care is up 15 percent and grocery prices have increased 22 percent. Electricity costs — driven up by rushed energy mandates — are now nearly 70 percent above the national average. Overall, prices in New York have climbed 21 percent since Gov. Kathy Hochul took office.

s tate leaders are failing to address this fundamental issue.

Despite these realities, Hochul continues to try to brand herself as an affordability champion. But none of her fiscal decisions line up with her rhetoric. Last week she governor announced a “handshake” agreement on a $268 billion budget, a full $14 billion more than last year’s enacted plan. As we have seen year after year, more spending will fail to reduce our cost of living.

As the cost of living keeps rising, and families are increasingly concerned

Framework by Tim Baker

about what that means for their future and their children’s futures, more taxes and more state spending aren’t going to solve the problem. New York is the least tax-competitive state in the nation, and continues to tax its residents and businesses more aggressively than any other state.

Voters are right in saying that state leaders are failing to address the fundamental issue of affordability. Those leaders may believe they’re helping by promoting “free” services and programs. But the unmitigated expansion of taxpayer-funded initiatives inevitably leads to even higher taxes and rising costs, which continue to push wealthier residents and businesses to leave the state altogether. What they’re really doing is exiling high earners and businesses and bankrupting the middle class. Meeting an agenda for some New Yorkers is fiercely coming at the expense of the rest.

What makes the whole ordeal most frustrating is that while families state-

wide are struggling to keep up with skyrocketing utility bills and everyday expenses, the governor continues to sit on billions of dollars in energy-related funds that could be returned to ratepayers, as well as additional reserves that could be used to provide tax relief.

My colleagues and I in the Assembly Republican conference continue to propose the solutions New Yorkers are demanding, only to see them blocked or shelved without serious consideration.

It’s simply too expensive to live and raise a family in New York state. Assembly Republicans have a clear plan to ease the burden on taxpayers by lowering costs on essential needs, stopping future tax hikes and reining in out-ofcontrol government spending. We want to reduce the impact of inflation, reduce energy bills and put an end to the taxand-spend ideology driven by one-party rule. Our conference is ready and willing to work with state leaders to enact these solutions that will provide relief for hardworking New Yorkers.

Ed Ra represents the 19th Assembly District and is the Assembly’s minority leader.

At the Town of Hempstead’s Rock Hall Museum, an affiliate of the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities — Lawrence