Downing Primary School held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its brandnew K-2 STEM Lab on June 4, which was funded in part by a grant from the Alumni Education Foundation for Malverne. Story, additional photo, Page 3.
By NoAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com
At its meeting on Tuesday, after the Herald went to press, the Malverne Board of Education was scheduled to honor the Davison Avenue Ambassadors for their efforts to have the Lakeview Public Library certified by the Town of Hempstead as a historic landmark.
The library was once the Woodfield Road School, a K-6 school that served the Lakeview neighborhood when schools were segregated. Sixty-one years ago, on May 12, 1965, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a march from Rockville Centre to Lakeview, organized by the Lakeview chapter of the NAACP, which ended at the
school.
Martine Laventure, Davison Avenue’s school social worker, and the Davison Avenue Ambassadors, a children’s civic learning and advocacy group, saw to it that the historic event was honored and recognized. They researched the history of the Woodfield Road School, including the day King visited, and interviewed former students.
On May 6, Dr. Laventure and two members of the Ambassadors, along with other Lakeview community members, spoke at a meeting of the Hempstead Landmarks Preservation Commission, making their case that the library be certified as a historic landmark.
The town is working on a temporary land
By NoAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com
In a news environment dominated by social media, an overwhelming number of news sources and artificial intelligence, it can be challenging for anyone, especially today’s youth, to decipher fact from fiction.
The South Shore Women’s Alliance, a nonpartisan organization that advocates for issues important to not only women, but voters in general, welcomed Howard Schneider, founder of the Center for News Literacy at Stony Brook University, to its May 28 meeting at the Merrick Golf Course.
is an essential skill for every student.
JASoN MACH district supervisor of humanities
Schneider, a journalist who worked at Newsday for 35 years and a founding dean of Stony Brook’s journalism school, created the news literacy program when he started teaching at the university in 2006.
“I realized back then that even they were very confused and overwhelmed about what information they can trust,” he said of the college students he worked with.
Since 2019, Malverne district schools have also partnered with the Center for News Literacy. The district has earned Lighthouse District distinction for its leadership in advancing news literacy education. The program serves students across the district, from primary school through high school, with a course at Maurice W. Downing Primary School, News Literacy units at Davison Avenue Intermediate School, an elective course and additional focus at Howard T. Herber Middle School, and high school instruction as well, including a dual enrollment option with Stony Brook in Senior Government.
“News Literacy is an essential skill for every student,” Jason Mach, district supervisor of humanities, said “In Malverne, this work spans the full K-12 continuum, from evaluating Chicken Little’s actions with our youngest learners to analyzing current domestic and international events and news
Continued on page 5
The Cabana and Das Biergarten will be playing all World Cup games all day
By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com
June 11 marks the beginning of the World Cup. Two bars have committed to providing the best World Cup watching experience on Long Island.
The Cabana in Long Beach’s West End, and Das Biergarten, nine blocks down in East Atlantic Beach, each have large TVs as well as TVs throughout their establishments, all of which will play World Cup matches.
“We plan on having all the games on, they’re mostly afternoon games,” Bob Johnson, owner of the Cabana, said. “We also had World Cup games on in 2022, but there’s much more excitement this year because it’s happening in the U.S., we wanted to use that opportunity.”
Johnson also explained that there would be World Cup themed drink specials, bucket deals for beers and seltzers, and brunch deals for early games. He also teased a ‘best dressed soccer fan’ deal with a free drink reward. The Cabana has a stage in its outside seating area as well, so there will also be live music during some of the games.
Although Cabana and Das Biergarten are rival businesses by proximity, their owners are friends. “Drew [Andrew Hetzler] has always been a great friend, even though he’d tell you we’re the
music spot and he’s the real World Cup place,” Johnson joked.
Andrew Hetlzer, owner of Das Biergarten, embraces his restaurant’s title as the ‘real’ World Cup watching venue.
“We’ll be hosting every game,” he said. “Especially big events for the U.S., Germany, and Mexico.”
Hetzler said he would be advertising
for the World Cup games on all Das Biergarten’s social media, including its Instagram and Facebook. “I’ll be running my ads in English, German, and Spanish, just for fun,” he said. “I want to target all of our friends in the Latin community in the Long Beach area as well.”
Das Biergarten will have food and drink specials not dissimilar to Cabana,
including a ‘2-liter boot of beer.’ Hetzler’s restaurant has been hosting World Cup games as well as EuroCup games since 2018. “We opened in 2014, but it was right after the World Cup, and that was the one that Germany won too, so we just missed out on it,” Hetzler said. “We’ve gotten big crowds every year since then, though.”
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
When the 2026 FIFA World Cup arrives in the New York metropolitan area this month, Long Islanders won’t need tickets to MetLife Stadium to feel part of the action. Local venues are already preparing for what could become one of the region’s largest shared celebrations in decades.
This year’s World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Matches will be played across North America, including at eleven stadiums on U.S. soil. Close to home, MetLife Stadium, Gillette Stadium and Lincoln Financial Field will see action, although during the tournament, the venues will be known as New York/New Jersey Stadium; Boston Stadium; and Philadelphia Stadium, respectively.
Games will be played between June 11 and July 19. This is the first tournament to feature an expanded, 48-team format. 12 groups with four teams each will complete in the earliest stage of the tournament, before teams advance to the Round of 32, the Round of 16, and lastly, the final stages of the tournament.
New York/New Jersey will host the finals on July 19 at 3 p.m.
While MetLife is slated to become a centerpiece for the tournament, regionally, soccer fans can expect festivals, viewing parties and tourism events, all catered around the World Cup. Nassau County viewing party
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced that Nassau County Parks, Recreation and Museums Department and The Island FC will host a public viewing event for the United States and Australia FIFA World Cup 26 match on June 19 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow.
The free, ticketed event will feature a live broadcast of the match, giveaways, familyfriendly activities and concessions. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for viewing on the theatre grounds. Free parking will be available in parking fields 6 and 6A.
Fans must register for free tickets at TheIslandFC. com or NassauCountyTourism. ticketspice.com.
“Nassau County is proud to partner with The Island FC to bring this exciting event to Eisenhower Park,” Blakeman said. “FIFA World Cup 26 is the biggest sporting event in the world. This is a great opportunity for residents and families to come together to celebrate the game and enjoy a world-class community experience right here in Nassau County.”
The event marks the first official community activation hosted by The Island FC as the club prepares for its inaugural professional season.
“This is about more than watching a soccer match; it’s about bringing Long Islanders together around the beautiful game,” said Travis Lamprecht, president of business operations for The Island FC. “Long Island has an incredible soccer culture and deep passion for the sport at every level. We’re proud to partner with Nassau County on our first community event and create an experience that feels welcoming, energetic, and truly representative of this community.”
For updates, visit TheIslandFC.com or NassauCountyNY.gov.
Stony Brook viewing party
Free ticket registration is open for the New York State United — 2026 World Cup Watch Experience on Long Island, set for June 12 at Stony Brook University’s LaValle Stadium.
The free public viewing event will feature live broadcasts of two FIFA World Cup matches on the stadium’s video board — Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina at 3 p.m. and USA vs. Paraguay at 9 p.m. Fans can request tickets online for one or both events.
Organizers said the event will include interactive soccer experiences, entertainment, food and beverage offerings, and other programming celebrating Long Island and communities across New York State.
“I am proud of our efforts to bring
the World Cup — a truly global moment — directly into communities across New York State, which includes opening the ticket registration today for the New York State United 2026 World Cup Watch Experience on Long Island,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “By creating free, familyfriendly viewing events across New York, we’re making it easier for families, fans and communities to come together, celebrate the world’s game and create lasting memories — while continuing to invest in the future of youth soccer in the state.”
“This event will provide an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the incredible moments and history that come with the World Cup,” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said. “I can’t think of a better place than Stony Brook University to host the watch party.”
More information and ticket registration are available on the event website.
The U.S. Men’s National Team will play its first game on June 12 against Paraguay, at 9 p.m. It’ll then face Australia at 3 p.m. on June 19 and Türkiye on June 25 at 10 p.m.
U.S. fans can expect to see stars including Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie, among other big names, strive to lead the team deep into the tournament.
For a full list of matches, visit FIFA. com.
On June 4, Malverne’s Maurice W. Downing Primary School held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its brand-new K-2 STEM Lab. The space is designed to spark curiosity, creativity and a passion for discovery in Malverne’s youngest students.
District administrators, board members, dedicated educators and community leaders all attended the ceremony. Director of School Counseling Rebecca Gottesman opened the event by welcoming attendees and expressing deep gratitude to district leadership and the board of education for their unwavering commitment to academic engagement, innovation and excellence across all grade levels from UPK through grade 12.
The project was made possible in large part by a $2,000 grant from the Alumni Education Foundation for Malverne. Established by a group of Malverne graduates, the AEFM seeks to promote excellence in the Malverne schools by funding innovative programs, curricular initiatives and scholarships. Several alumni attended the ceremony, including LaTaya Carter (Class of ’01), who has two daughters currently enrolled in the district.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Maria Rianna reflected on the connection Malverne graduates maintain with their schools, noting that while alumni have pulled forward across the globe, their hearts remain tied to this community.
Dr. Rianna expressed her gratitude for the partnership, noting that the world is always changing and the district must continue to provide for students in new, impactful ways.
The ceremony also featured special recognition for
On June 5, the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents hosted its annual celebration honoring the achievements of the county’s top academic scholars from the Class of 2026. Held at the historic Crest Hollow Country Club, the ceremony brought together school leaders, families and distinguished students to recognize the remarkable dedication of Nassau County’s public school valedictorians and salutatorians. The gathering serves as a tribute to the legacy of Dr. James Tolle, the late former executive director of the NCCSS, who left an indelible mark on education across the state of New York.
Dr. Mary O’Meara, superintendent of the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District, provided welcoming remarks, followed by an address by NCCSS President and North Bellmore Superintendent Marie Testa.
In her opening address to the graduates and families, Ms. Testa delivered a powerful message, reminding attendees that long-term dedication, rather than any single achievement, truly defines success.
“Excellence then is not an act, but a habit,” Testa noted, quoting Aristotle. “Excellence is not defined by a single test, assignment or accomplishment. It is the result of consistent effort, intellectual curiosity and the courage to embrace the challenges and to leap over those hurdles.”
The highlight of the morning took place early in the program with the individual recognition of the scholars.
As the superintendents who serve on the Celebrating Excellence Committee took to the stage alongside their district’s top students, they announced each valedictorian and salutatorian along with the colleges they plan to attend and their anticipated majors. Each honoree received a plaque to commemorate their outstanding high school accomplishments.
Following the presentation of awards, attendees were treated to a keynote address delivered by Brett Roer, founder and CEO of Amplify and Elevate Innovation.
A former teacher, adviser and principal in New York City public schools, Mr. Roer delivered speech on leadership, family and gratitude. He reflected on the gravity of the milestone, encouraging parents and students to pause and truly anchor themselves in the magnitude of the moment.
“Your children have worked their entire lives to get here, and I hope you enjoy every single second of it and remember that this is what life is,” Mr. Roer said. “Right here, right now, this is life.”
He challenged the graduates to look past numbers or simple accolades, emphasizing the deep internal realization of achievement, safety and happiness that marks this true “peak moment” in their lives.
“You’re going to look at those pictures 25 years from now and you’re going to remember that moment and these people,” Roer reminded the Class
of 2026 scholars, urging them to make eye contact with the loved ones who supported them. “Look at opportunities and moments that present themselves that remind you of your why and your purpose.”
The morning concluded with remarks from David Schneider, Bethpage Superintendent and NCCSS President-Elect, who reminded the honorees that their academic achievements are only the beginning of their journey.
“As we close this chapter, remember that the titles of valedictorian and salutatorian are not just rewards, where you have been, they are the launch pads for where you are going,” Mr. Schneider stated. “As you move on to the next chapter in your lives, the true measure of your success will not be the GPAs you maintain, but the problems you solve and the people you lift up.”
–Noah Peretz
with our graduating seniors. Our goal is to help students ask better questions, evaluate information carefully, and use evidence responsibly so they can participate thoughtfully in their schools, communities and democracy.”
Students learn how to evaluate sources, identify credible evidence, distinguish news from opinion, recognize misinformation, understand media bias, and think critically about how information shapes public understanding.
At the SSWA meeting, Schneider offered attendees tips for better navigating today’s media environment. He also discussed initiatives he has spearheaded to teach students how to be active and thoughtful consumers of news.
“Our Education Committee is committed to ensuring that Long Island public schools teach strong civics and critical thinking skills,” Claudia Borecky, the organization’s president, said. “With so many kids getting their news from 10-second TikTok clips and a constant stream of information and misinformation, they’re more vulnerable than ever to conspiracy theories and early radicalization. Our goal is simple: to make sure our schools teach students how to analyze the news they consume.”
Schneider said that some 12,000 students at Stony Brook have taken the news literacy course, which has been shared with 20 universities around the country, adapted overseas, and implemented in local school districts.
He shared details of several studies, including one conducted by Stanford University, which demonstrate that today’s youth struggle to make sense of the media.
“Our students are not getting this,” Schneider said, “and they’re not getting it because we’re in a revolu -
Howard Schneider, founder of the Center for news Literacy at Stony Brook university, led a presentation for the South Shore Women’s alliance on how to teach today’s youth to be smart media consumers.
tion, really, in communication, and we haven’t prepared them for it.”
Stony Brook students, Schneider added, have said that they leave the news literacy program knowing more about current events and more motivated to consume news. The lessons, he said, stick with them as they continue their academic journeys.
In local schools, news literacy programs as early as kindergarten have been adapted to teach young students to consider the “whole story.” Schneider pointed to an example in which a teacher read the fairy tale “The Three Little Pigs” and challenged students to think about the story if it were told from the big bad wolf’s perspective.
As part of Schneider’s program, students receive a
user guide, which was distributed to meeting attendees, explaining that consumers of news should read a story before it is shared on social media, and ensure that they know the source.
Schneider urged news readers to “wait and see” — because stories develop over time — and to simply “take a break” when news becomes too overwhelming.
He also encouraged attendees and members of the women’s alliance to speak with their local school districts and suggest that they implement a news literacy program if they haven’t already.
To learn more about available programming, write to howard.schneider@stonybrook.edu or visit CenterForNewsLiteracy.org.
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mark sign for the library, before planning a ceremony and permanent sign to be placed on the property. “They expressed how important it is to properly honor the work of the Ambassadors,” Laventure said.
“At this point, the timeline is primarily dependent on coordinating schedules for the official public hearing and Town Board vote,” she said.
In addition to its recognition on the town level, Laventure and the Ambassadors are hoping to have the library certified as a state landmark. Laventure confirmed that their application passed the first phase of the certification process, with word from State Sen. Siela Bynoe.
The second phase of the process is peer review by state historians, which is meant to cross-check the integrity of the building. “That is where including pictures came into play,” Laventure said. “We had to demonstrate that the building was never demolished, just that it changed on the outside. Once they go through the peer review portion, the next step will be another public hearing in Albany.”
Reflecting on the process and recognizing the library’s likely designation as a landmark gave Laventure a range of feelings. “I’m actually getting goosebumps as I’m just thinking about it,” she said. “It’s really magical to see where we are now from it just being an idea last year.”
She also credits the work of the Ambassadors for inspiring her, as well as being a source of inspiration for the entire Lakeview community. “No matter what I threw their way, they took it and amplified it, and they kept wanting more to do,” Laventure said. “We know what this means to everybody — students in the middle and high school and other residents are familiar with the project. It gives them a sense of pride.”
“As adults, we look at children and determine what they’re capable of, or what they can handle, or where their opinion lies,” she added. “But this project, and the things that they invested in,
a flier advertising King’s visit to various locations on Long island, including Lakeview’s Woodfield road School.
has shown them that their voice matters, that they can make a difference, that people listen when they talk.”
The young Ambassadors are proud of themselves and the recognition they, and their project, are receiving. “We really deserve it after all the work we put in during the school year,” fifthgrader Kendrick Harris said.
“We tried to figure out how we can make this a historic moment for genera tions to come,” fifth-grader Liana Nieves said.
“It just feels good that as a group, we’ve been putting all this work in to achieve this big project,” Kendrick added.
“I’m just happy that me and all my colleagues, that we were able to push through and do all the work,” Liana
said, “and I’m very happy that we were able to accomplish this.”
this, and that we’re being rewarded for all the work we put in,” another fifth-
“I feel happy that we were able to do
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Herald Community Media and Reworld partnered to celebrate Long Island’s leading environmental advocates and innovators during the Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island, held May 14 at the Heritage Club at Bethpage.
The event recognized individuals and organizations making significant contributions to environmental sustainability while also honoring student leaders working to protect Long Island’s natural resources.
“Nothing unites Long Islanders more than our natural environment, from beaches and bays to wetlands and parks — these treasures are our fountain of life, beauty and resources,” said Stuart Richner, CEO of Richner Communications. “Tonight, we gather to honor environmental champions who are working tirelessly to protect
Long Island’s natural ecosystem for future generations. Their efforts are challenging but vitally important and we thank them for their unwavering dedication.”
The ceremony, emceed by comedian Tom Kelley, also featured awards for four Student Champions for Sustainability and a total of $7,500 in student sustainability initiative prizes.
Adel Omrani, president of Reworld’s East Region, highlighted the company’s role in transforming waste into energy.
“You don’t think of waste when you put it at the curb, and you usually don’t think about disposal, but there’s a lot of processes that goes into that,” he said. “We generate electricity out of that and recycle metals. Just for Long Island, for example, we power 100,000 homes just from processing this waste and using it as fuel.”
Omrani said collaboration among environmental leaders remains essential.
“It’s a very big part of what we do as a community,” he said.
Reworld Market Area Director James Regan stressed the importance of sustainable waste management on Long Island.
“For Long Island, an issue like sustainable waste management is extremely important given how populated it is and how limited resources are,” he said. “Reworld, for us, has a focus to continue to partner with all
these great champions of sustainability to ensure we have sustainable waste management for decades to come.”
New York State Senator Siela Bynoe spoke during the dinner portion of the event.
“I have really had the environment in mind as I’ve been in my various roles in government,” she said.
Bynoe’s life experiences motivated her to pursue environmental advocacy, witnessing increased cancer rates due to local contamination in the Caribbean and disproportionate harm done to marginalized communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I set off on a path to make sure that we can conserve water, make sure we have clean water, and make sure that we are doing what we can to ensure that we sustain this community, this county and this state (so) that we have a bright future,” she said.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, a longtime environmental advocate, discussed his commitment to protecting Long Island’s future.
“I’m very concerned about the direction we’re going as a state and as an island, and I’m looking to change that direction by doing a number of things,” he said.
Romaine cited efforts to improve municipal waste management, expand solar energy infrastructure and advance environmentally friendly policies.
“I could have retired long ago, but there are things that I want to accomplish,” he said. “We need to see change.”
Among the evening’s featured speakers was sports broadcaster and former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason, who reflected on his connection to the Great South Bay.
“When I was a kid, between the ages of 14 and 17, I spent a lot of my summers on the Great South Bay — I was a clammer,” he said. “It was great, but there were areas of the Great South Bay that we couldn’t clam in because it was considered polluted... It took many years for it to turn around and to start going back the other way, and it’s one of the things I’m most proud about.”
Esiason praised young environmental advocates being recognized at the event.
“I’m very, very proud of them, and very proud of what they’re trying to do for the beaches of the Great South Bay,” he said.
Girl Scouts Emma Klein and Zoe Lazarus, Roslyn High School sophomore Charles Metzger and Hauppauge High senior Matias Ka-
laitzis were all winners of the Student Champions for Sustainability Award. The four were recognized for their civic service, from cleanups to awareness efforts.
National Grid Ventures, the main natural gas utility for over 600,000 residential and business customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties; Tritec, primarily known for mixeduse developments, transit-oriented communities and commercial property management across Long Island; and UBS Arena, the home of the New York Islanders, were all recognized with team awards.
As the presenting sponsor, Reworld continues to support environmental progress across Long Island. The company operates facilities in Westbury, West Babylon, East Northport and Ronkonkoma, processing two-thirds of Long Island’s waste, recycling thousands of tons of metals and generating electricity for local homes while helping reduce landfill use and greenhouse gas emissions.
For more information about Reworld and its initiatives that support various community empowerment and environmental programs fostering positive change locally and globally, visit ReworldWaste.com.
To view more pictures, visit RichnerLive.com.
Melissa Baptiste/Herald Sponsors for the night (back, from left) included Ricardo Salce, Bobby Green, Rudy Winkler, Rob Balbierz, James Regan, Bill Murphy, David Sharp, Adel Omrani, Maureen Early, Ed Sandkuhl, Matt Augi, Brian Aerne and (front, from left) Kamrun Haque, Vickey Ardounis, and Rehan Simonia from the team at Reworld.
Melissa Baptiste/Herald Honoree Suffolk County Executive, Edward P. Romaine with special guest, former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason.
Baptiste/Herald Honoree Maxine Montello, New York Marine Rescue Center executive director.
Each honoree was presented with a crystal award commemorating their outstanding commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Tim Baker/Herald A special thank you to Adel Omrani, President of Reworld East Region, whose vision and leadership helped bring this inspiring celebration of sustainability to life.
Melissa Baptiste/Herald Guests enjoyed freshly shucked oysters by Keena Boyle of Tall Mutha Shucka during the cocktail hour.
Baptiste/Herald Honoree State Senator Siela Bynoe, District 6.
Baptiste/Herald College Student Champion Honoree Vienna De Lombaerde, who attends Hofstra University.
Melissa Baptiste/Herald The duo team honorees for the Student Champion Award: Sayville High School 9th graders Emma Klein, left, and Zoe Lazarus.
Baptiste/Herald Honoree Cynthia Seibold, founder and executive director of Balloon Mission, Inc.
Melissa Baptiste/Herald Honoree Derek Betts, Nassau County Soil and Water District Manager, left, with Conservation District Lead Community Relations Specialist Maureen Early and Reworld. Market Area Director James Regan.
Baptiste/Herald Honoree Robyn Silvestri, executive director of Save the Great South Bay.
Charles
Kyle
Baptiste/Herald Honoree Devon Giordano, Long Island Conservancy executive director.
Baptiste/Herald Honoree Corey Humphrey, C.P.E.S.C, District Manager for Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District.
By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com
Students and families explored science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics during the West Hempstead School District’s annual Family STEAM Night on May 28.
The evening transformed the school into an interactive discovery zone, where students in grades K-6 and their families moved from station to station, experimenting, creating and learning together. From hands-on science demonstrations to artistic challenges and technology-based activities, participants were encouraged to think creatively and put their problem-solving skills to the test.
Throughout the building, Advanced Placement STEM students and teachers showcased a variety of projects that highlighted the innovation and inquiry taking place in West Hempstead classrooms. Younger students engaged with concepts ranging from physics and biology to computer science, robotics, art and mathematics, and saw firsthand how STEM skills can be applied in exciting and meaningful ways.
The ‘Cardboard Arcade’ run by Technology Education teacher Lori StahlVan Brackle showcased students’ handmade cardboard arcade games. “The kids researched the games and recreated them out of cardboard,” Van Brackle said.
AP STEM students Tzenul Jaramillo, Elijah Cabingao, Serene Lewis, Jamie McDonald, Hugo Idrogo ran the ‘Science of Oobleck’ station. They made the adaptive goo with younger students and taught them about its properties.
“It’s a pretty simple process. A cup of corn starch and half a cup of water, thoroughly mixed,” Jaramillo said. “The property of Oobleck is that it behaves like a solid under pressure.”
“It’s a ‘non-Newtonian fluid’”, Cabingao said. “The reason we decided on this as our station was to make it engaging
for the kids and teach them about a physics concept in an interactive way.”
“It’s nice to see the kids learn something new,” Idrogo, a recipient of the West Hempstead Community Scholarship, said. “We’re teaching them about something they wouldn’t otherwise know.”
West Hempstead’s new director of STEM and business, Dr. Scott Azar, was impressed with the first Family STEAM Night he presided over. “It’s impressive how much of an iterative process goes on in such a short time,” he said. “There’s a real sense of community, these kids are capable of doing such great things.”
Family STEAM Night offered students and families a chance to explore new interests, ask questions and discover the possibilities that emerge when creativity and learning come together.
AP Environmental Science students did a ‘Cat in the Hat Cleanup’ station where students were tasked with inventing technology to clean up the mess that ‘Thing 1’ and ‘Thing 2’ made.
By JEFFREY BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com
Herald Community Media captured three awards at the annual Press Club of Long Island Media Awards and Long Island Journalism Hall of Fame induction dinner on June 4.
Oceanside/Island Park Herald reporter Abigail Grieco won the James Murphy Cub Reporter of the Year award, given to “emerging journalists who show strong early promise in the field.” Journalists who have worked full-time for fewer than 18 months are eligible. Grieco was an intern with the Herald in 2023, and began working full-time in October 2025.
Deputy Managing Editor Jordan Vallone and previous senior reporter Mohammad Fariq shared a second-place award in the transportation category for the story “Southern State: a road still stuck in the past,” which was part of the Herald’s 2025 series on the Southern State Parkway.
“A compelling and well-structured piece that effectively examines the longstanding dangers of the Southern State Parkway,” judges wrote. “The article succeeds in connecting historical design flaws with present-day traffic realities, clearly explaining how outdated infrastructure continues to contribute to
accidents.
“Particularly strong is the integration of data, expert references, and concrete examples, such as low overpass collisions and hazardous curve segments,” the judges added. “The writing remains clear and accessible while addressing a complex safety issue. Overall, a thoughtful and informative investigation with clear public relevance and lasting value.”
Photographer Erik H. Lee earned a third-place award for a photo of the Wantagh High School baseball game.
“These awards reflect our commitment to strong local journalism and to telling the stories that matter most to Long Island communities,” Stuart Richner, CEO of Richner Communications, said. “We are especially proud to see our emerging reporters, experienced editors and talented photographers recognized for work that informs the public and has a lasting impact.”
Four veterans of Long Island journalism were inducted into the PCLI’s Hall of Fame: Photojournalist Michael DelGiudice, radio reporter Sophia Hall, former Newsday editor Anthony E. Insolia, and Shirley E. Perelman, who covered many major stories for Newsday, from the Long Island garbage barge to the trial of O.J. Simpson.
For more information on the press club, go to PCLI.org.
By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com
The 126th U.S. Open Championship, which begins next week, is being played at the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club — known as one of the “cathedrals” of golf — for the first time since 2018.
Eric Steimer, senior director of U.S. Championships at the United States Golf Association, said the USGA’s transportation strategy is intended to reduce congestion around the site while providing multiple travel options for fans attending the tournament.
The plan, developed in collaboration with the Long Island Rail Road, Suffolk County and New York state officials, will be in effect from June 15, three days before the tournament starts, until June 21, the day it ends.
Steimer said that the 15-person team that planned transportation operations recognized early that travel logistics would be one of the event’s biggest challenges. “Any time we’re out here in eastern Long Island at Shinnecock Hills, transportation is a challenge,” Steimer said. “We’re doing a lot of different things to really try to mitigate that.”
As it did eight years ago, the LIRR’s Montauk Branch will provide transportation to and from the tournament. A temporary station will be constructed in Tuckahoe, across from Shinnecock Hills, on the south side of County Road
said. “Anyone that looks at Calverton on a map is going to see that it’s pretty far away from Shinnecock Hills, but at the same time it is very accessible for anyone that’s coming from points west or coming along the Long Island Expressway.”
For residents of Southampton, Sag Harbor, Easthampton and neighboring communities, Steimer recommended using a rideshare program operating from Stony Brook Southampton’s campus.
Hamton Jitney will operate shuttle service for spectators traveling from Montauk, Amagansett, Sag Harbor, Bridgehampton, Water Mill and Southampton. Pickups and drop-offs will be located near Admission Gate 2 on the Stony Brook campus.
39, adjacent to Stony Brook University’s Southampton campus. A temporary pedestrian bridge will span the roadway.
From June 15 to 17, the LIRR plans to operate 10 inbound trains and dozens of outbound trains, more than double the service it provided in 2018. During the championship rounds, June 18 to 21, 12 inbound trains and 13 outbound trains are scheduled to operate.
“The Long Island Rail Road is ready,” its president, Rob Free, stated in a news release. “Avoid the traffic and use our
exceptionally reliable service to and from Shinnecock Hills for all the golf action. Extra staff will also be on hand at Southampton to help customers throughout the championship for a great customer experience.”
Steimer explained that this year’s transportation differs from 2018 because satellite parking operations have moved from Gabreski Airport to Calverton Executive Airpark.
“We will have complimentary parking and complimentary shuttle buses to and from the championship,” Steimer
Fans traveling from New York City will have the option of using Blade helicopter service from June 18 to 21, with return flights scheduled each evening after play ends.
Steimer urged commuters not to arrange drop-offs on County Road 39, and said there would be increased police presence at intersections around the golf course.
“This is a plan that’s been carefully articulated with local experts to be able to implement this plan,” he said. “Now is the time to bring it to life.”
For more information on train service, go to MTA.INFO/document/209406.
‘Good times never seemed so good…’ Neil Diamond’s tunes are always in style
By Karen Bloom
For those who can’t get enough of Neil Diamond, perhaps the next best thing to seeing him perform, is when Robert Neary takes on legendary singer-songwriter’s persona.
retiring due to Parkinson’s, set out to create the best Neil Diamond tribute I could.”
And audiences certainly agree.
Collins — has appeared in concert venues across the world, sold millions of records, and had their music appear in movies and television shows. The band continues to celebrate and revitalize jazz and swing music and bring joy to audiences around the world.
The multi-hyphenate performer brings his acclaimed show, ”So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience,” to Tilles Center, on Sunday, featuring his band and a special “hometown” guest performance.
• Sunday, June 14, 3 p.m.
• Tickets available at tillescenter.org or ticketmaster.com or (516)
299-3100
“We always hope that for the two hours they come to our show, they [audiences] are able to forget about the craziness going on in the world, and relive the happy moments with the Neil Diamond’s iconic music. People relate to his music and so many favorites bring so many people back to those beautiful days,” Neary continues.
Saturday, June 13, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
The East Meadow High School Chamber Choir concludes the concert with a six-song finale, under the direction of Chorus Director Samantha Schick. The collaboration is especially meaningful, as Neary is an alumnus of East Meadow High School, and the production’s trumpet player, Stephen Engle, formerly served as head of the music department at the school. The stage, TV and film star has created an acclaimed tribute experience. The show celebrates the timeless songs and storytelling of Neil Diamond, with the beloved hits from Diamond’s extensive catalogincluding “Sweet Caroline,” “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “America, ,” and many more. Known for his remarkable vocals, Neary has earned praise for delivering a heartfelt and high-energy tribute to one of America’s most iconic entertainers. The concert was also filmed as a documentary feature that is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, where it continues to receive rave reviews from audiences nationwide.
• Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville
Part of the show’s enduring appeal is Neary’s commitment to honoring Diamond’s catalog while keeping the performance dynamic and engaging for both new and returning audiences.
“I went right to his 50th anniversary hits album and compared each song to the success of each one and chart history. We now touch on 28 of them in a full show. We do various medleys that are able to incorporate more songs and with the fabulous multimedia, it really brings the songs to life. also go into the audience for Sweet Caroline and high five and hug on as many people as can,” Neary adds.
Over the years, the production has evolved into a full-scale theatrical concert experience.
“I set out to do exactly what it has become. So having it all continue to fall into place, has been all part of the plan. We continue to evolve in our production. Its started with eight members on stage and 22 songs. We now have amazing background singers, a violinist and a full multimedia presentation that is amazing. We also have included a full overture highlighting Neil’s career through the decades.”
His band, The Mystic, certainly adds to the experience.
“I am beyond blessed to have this amazing band,” Neary says, enthusiastically. “I met them playing at a huge Halloween party and asked if they would like to join me in this venture and they said, yes. To have this band and the comradery that they possess, having been together for 30 years, is just icing on the cake. We have such a great time on stage as well as touring together and it shows. Countless accolades say how amazingly tight the band is and that we all look like we are having fun.”
One could say that that that this performance’s special closing is the icing on the cake for Neary.
Conversations in art
With decades in the entertainment industry, Neary has starred in three Broadway lead roles and appeared in more than 60 major television and film guest-starring roles. He has also built a worldwide social media following of more than half a million fans. Neary created “So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience” in 2019 and, alongside New York-based band The Mystic, developed the show into the nationwide hit it is today. The production continues to sell out venues across the United States and is now set to expand internationally.
“I’ve always been a fan,” says Neary, of Diamond. “I even learned how to play the piano to Hello Again and knew could emulate his voice since high school. was an actor for 40 years, but in 2018, the business for me, started to slow down. After hearing he was
“I’m incredibly proud to return home and share this experience with students from East Meadow High School. Music education played such an important role in my life, and having these talented young performers join us for the finale makes this performance especially meaningful. It’s going to be a really memorable afternoon,” he continues.
“I’ve always wanted to add a choir, and with this Tilles show, being as big as it is, I figured now’s the time to make it happen. My best friend from junior high Stephen Engle, suggested them and immediately said, “Of course!”
Neary, who now resides in Melville after leaving East Meadow all those years ago to pursue his dreams in L.A., is delighted to be back on his home turf, especially reconnecting with his high school.
“It feels wonderful. So humbling and so blessed to be back where was when my career was only a dream away. The first time we played Eisenhower Park, was very emotional and now to play the Tilles Center with the EMHS choir, on such a grander scale, is even more unbelievable.”
Nassau County Museum of Art hosts an engaging conversation with curator and collections expert Lauren Brincat, whose work and expertise helped shape the current exhibition “250 Years of Art on Long Island.” Brincat, Chief Curator and Director of Collections at Preservation Long Island — a key lending partner to the exhibit — offers an in-depth exploration of the show’s themes, giving visitors a closer look at the wide-ranging artworks and historical objects on view. Her talk illuminates how the exhibit brings together painting and decorative arts to trace the evolution of Long Island’s artistic identity across the centuries. She also discusses the collaborative research and curatorial process behind the exhibition, highlighting how artists, collectors and communities have contributed to shaping and preserving the region’s visual legacy.
Sunday, June 14, 3 p.m. $20, $15 seniors, $10 students (members free). Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor. Register at nassaumuseum.org or call (516) 484-9337.
12
Long Island Children’s Museum stages “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!,” for a final weekend. With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the awardwinning “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, the show 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 June 13-14
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Rhythm, Roots and Art Families can participate in African American Music Appreciation Month at Long Island Children’s Museum by exploring the powerful sounds and rhythms that have shaped music history. Together sample a variety of songs from influential African American artist and genres and turn the sounds into art at the drop-in program. For ages 3+.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: Noon-2 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
16
13 West Hempstead BOE meets The West Hempstead Board of Education holds its next meeting. Stay informed on school district issues.
• Where: West Hempstead Secondary School, 450 Nassau Blvd., West Hempstea
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: whufsd.com
The Knittin Gang…We Crochet 2!
Stop by Lakeview Public Library on Tuesdays and learn to knit and/or crochet. Beginners and advanced yarn aficionados are welcome. Bring
women who reigned supreme on the charts! Gracie, Mikayla, and Jennie deliver an exceptional blend of female vocal groups and artists, spanning from the early Rock & Roll and Motown eras to Disco, R&B, 80’s/90’s pop and more. The Chiclettes are set to energize you as they celebrate the female artists who have graced the music scene from past to present.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 572-0200
Brick Builders:
25
Build
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 7 and 9:30 p.m.
Get ready for an evening of sharp observations and quick-fire punchlines that are Daniel Tosh’s signature irreverent style when he brings My First Farewell tour to The Paramount stage. Acclaimed for his quick wit and deadpan delivery, he’s built a devoted following through both stand-up and television. After graduating from the University of Central Florida with a degree in marketing, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue comedy full-time. His career gained national attention following a standout appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman in 2001, leading to appearances on programs including Comedy Central Presents, Premium Blend and The Tonight Show. Tosh became a household name as the creator and host of Tosh.0, the long-running Comedy Central hit that paired viral internet videos with his trademark commentary and satirical take on pop culture. The series became one of the network’s most successful and enduring comedy programs, helping cement Tosh’s reputation as one of stand-up’s most recognizable voices. Expect an energetic set filled with new material, unexpected twists and the unapologetic humor that has defined Tosh’s career.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
Something Wild Old Westbury Gardens welcomes families to spend an afternoon exploring, building and creating together! Brick Builders invites children and their grownups to enjoy building a LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Tropical Toucan. The program begins at the beech tree and includes a guided walk through some of the featured exhibit Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects made with LEGO bricks. After the tour, head to the Barn at Orchard Hill to build a LEGO kit to take home For ages 5+. | $24 per child (includes admission, guided tour, and LEGO kit). $22 per adult (includes admission and guided tour), with member discount. Registration required.
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
Love to sing? So do the Long Island Harmonizers. The chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society is a chorus of more than 20 singers, now welcoming new members. The ensemble performs four-part a cappella harmony in the barbershop style, entertaining audiences at libraries, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and local events. All are welcome to visit one of their weekly rehearsals. Come listen, meet the chorus, and — if you’d like — join in and sing. No musical experience is necessary, just a love of singing and a desire to have fun making music together.
• Where: Faith Lutheran Church, 231 Jackson Ave., Syosset
• Time: Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
• Contact: Call: Rich, (516) 521-4779, or Dennis, (516) 680-8036, or visit longislandharmonizers.org
17
19 American Soccer Club NY vs. Osners Watch and support ASCNY in their third home game of the month of June as they face off against Osners.
• Time: 8:15-10 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048
• Where: Mitchel Field, 1 Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Uniondale
• Time: 7 p.m.
18
Juneteenth Celebration
Eisenhower Summer Concert Series continues with an Earth Wind & Fire Tribute by D’votion, a Gospel Choir and DRIFT featuring members of TAUK and MJT.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 572-0200
Join members of the Astronomical Society of Long Island for a nighttime skywatching session at Old Westbury Gardens. Gates open 30 minutes before observing begins. Free with admission.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
Crossroads Farm Food Truck Rodeo
Crossroads Farm welcomes all on Fridays for food, entertainment, family fun, and local brews.
• Where: 480 Hempstead Ave, Malverne
• Time: 5 p.m.
• Contact: xroadsfarmliny.com
Get in on the action at Eisenhower Park when USA takes on Australia.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 572-0200
JUN
22
Tunes with The Chiclettes
Eisenhower Summer Concert Series welcomes The Chiclettes and Vinnie Medugno. Celebrate the remarkable
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
• Contact: sparkleonstage.org or (516) 240-1188
History of Malverne Little League
The Malverne Historical & Preservation Society salutes Malverne Little League, hosting a fascinating program on the village’s Little League. With free wiffle ball set and New York Mets and New York Yankees jersey raffles.
• Where: 369 Ocean Ave., Malverne
• Time: 2-4 p.m.
• Contact: malvernehistory.org or (516) 887-9727
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.
PSEG Long Island has completed a series of electric system upgrades ahead of the summer season, including several projects to improve reliability and increase capacity.
“PSEG Long Island personnel evaluate the system, plan and make improvements all year round to ensure the grid is ready for summer’s extreme weather conditions,” Michael Sullivan, vice president of Electric Operations at PSEG Long Island, said. “We continue to make the investments and improvements that we have been making since 2014 to deliver consistent, resilient power to our customers, today and in the future.”
Among the projects is the installation of a new 69-kilovolt underground transmission circuit between the Belmont and Lake Success substations. The project will add electrical capacity serving Elmont and Floral Park, as well as growing demand associated with UBS Arena, Belmont Village and businesses expected to serve visitors to Belmont Park.
The utility also completed repairs to the underground pipe-type cable connecting the Barrett and Valley Stream substations. The work will enhance electrical resiliency and strengthen service reliability for residential customers in Long Beach, Oceanside and the Five Towns.
At the Barrett and Bayport substations, aging transformers were replaced to improve system resiliency and sup -
port reliable electric service. The Barrett substation serves the Long Beach area, while the Bayport substation serves Fire Island communities.
Additional distribution improvements included the installation or upgrade of feeder lines in Central Islip, Arverne and Syosset to accommodate load growth.
The projects increase system capacity to support new demand in each area.
In the Rockaway Beach area, the utility replaced underground cables and network protector transformers at Dayton Towers. The project is intended to
improve reliability and reduce the likelihood of future service interruptions for residential customers.
Other infrastructure projects completed ahead of summer include expansion of the Holbrook substation to support the Sunrise Wind Project, installation of a new underground transmission circuit between the Bridgehampton and Buell substations, additions of distribution transformers and switchgear at the Miller Place substation and upgrades to distribution circuits in the East Hampton area.
PSEG Long Island has also continued system hardening efforts. Since 2014, the utility has strengthened more than 1,400 miles of distribution circuits with stronger poles, wire and crossarms. The company reported that from the first quarter of last year through the first quarter of this year, storm-hardened sections of the system experienced a 45 percent reduction in outage-causing damage compared with the rest of the distribution network.
The utility is also installing automatic branch line reclosers through a Federal Emergency Management Agencyfunded program. By this fall, approximately 8,500 units are expected to be installed under the grant, bringing the total number of reclosers on the system to about 10,000.
PSEG Long Island’s tree-trimming program continues year-round across Long Island and the Rockaways. The company trims all 9,000 miles of distribution circuits and 1,000 miles of transmission circuits every four years and has completed that cycle three times since 2014.
The utility has also conducted hurricane and tropical storm drills, employee training, summer operating planning and reliability analyses as part of preparations for the 2026 hurricane season and periods of extreme heat.
–Angelina Zingariello
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 OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST KEVIN D. WILLIAMS, TERRELL STALEY, ET AL., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered July 28, 2025, 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 July 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 274 Coventry Road, West Hempstead, NY 11552. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Lakeview in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 35 Block 514 and Lot 17. Approximate amount of judgment $672,939.98 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #604974/2023. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 23-001125 90082 160507
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 PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Town Hall Plaza, One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York on 06/24/2026 at 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:
THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M.
341/26. WEST
HEMPSTEADVerdeland Homes, Inc., Variances, subdivision of lot, lot area, lot width from & on street line to front setback line, lot area occupied, construct dwelling with garage (Plot B)., E/s Walnut St., 60’ N/s Fairlawn Ave. 342/26. WEST
HEMPSTEADDashamir Kasa, Variances, subdivision of lot, lot area, lot width from & on street line to front setback line, maintain dwelling on a lessor lot (Plot A)., E/s Walnut St., 100’ N/o Fairlawn Ave., a/k/a 71 Walnut St. 343/26. WEST
HEMPSTEADBenedetto Bianco & Matthew Silberzweig, Variances, subdivision of lot, lot area, front width from & on street line to front setback line, front yard setback on Lehman St., construct dwelling (demolish existing dwelling & detached garage) (Parcel 2)., N/W cor. Beverly Rd. & Lehman Rd., f/k/a 18 Beverly Rd. 344/26. WEST
HEMPSTEADBenedetto Bianco & Matthew Silberzweig, Variances, subdivision of lot, lot area, front width from & on street line to front setback line, construct dwelling (Parcel 1)., N/s Beverly Rd., 40’ W/o Lehman Rd.
ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in West Hempstead within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals
The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo
Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it.
160658
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE OF THE CABANA SERIES IV TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. CARLOS RIVERA, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 11, 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 July 8, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 159 Church Street, Malverne, NY 11565. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Malverne, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and
State of New York, Section 35, Block 281 and Lot 166. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,156,072.65 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #621172/2024. Howard Colton, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 202531-3 160522
& 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 COURT
COUNTY OF NASSAU, MCLP ASSET COMPANY, INC., Plaintiff, vs. EDGARD
ARAYA A/K/A EDGAR
ARAYA, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 23, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 185 Fairlawn Avenue, West Hempstead, NY . 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 361 and Lots 175, 176, 274. Approximate amount of judgment is $914,305.55 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #614112/2023. Cash will not be accepted.
Andrew K. Preston, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 160520
Nassau Community College announced a new partnership with Connoisseur Media Long Island aimed at providing students with expanded access to internships, professional mentorship and hands-on experience in the media industry.
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Nassau Community College has announced a new partnership with Connoisseur Media Long Island aimed at providing students with expanded access to internships, professional mentorship and hands-on experience in the media industry.
The collaboration, announced June 4, brings together the college and Connoisseur Media Long Island, which owns and operates several local radio stations, including KJOY 98.3, WALK 97.5, 103.1 The Wolf, 94.3 The Shark and WHLI.
College officials said the partnership is designed to strengthen connections between higher education and Long Island’s media industry while creating pathways for students interested in careers in broadcasting, journalism, marketing, digital media, sales and related fields.
Under the agreement, Nassau Community College will provide opportunities for Connoisseur Media Long Island to engage with students through the college’s radio station, WHPC 90.3 FM, and select campus events. The college will also make available WHPC-produced public affairs programming and student-produced content for possible use across Connoisseur Media’s stations.
In return, Connoisseur Media will provide students with priority access to internships and employment opportunities in several departments, including broadcasting, sales, marketing, journalism, video production, engineering, graphic design and web design.
The company will also offer guest speakers for classes, tours of its Farmingdale studios and professional development opportunities for student broadcasters. The partnership could eventually provide WHPC students with access
to professional broadcast facilities at The Studio at The Paramount, creating opportunities for live and recorded broadcasts and celebrity interviews.
Dr. Maria Conzatti, Nassau Community College’s chief administrative officer, said the collaboration supports the college’s focus on experiential learning and workforce development.
“As Nassau Community College continues to expand opportunities for experiential learning and workforce development, this partnership with Connoisseur Media Long Island represents an exciting investment in our students’ futures,” Conzatti said. “By connecting classroom learning with industry expertise and professional environments, we are helping students develop the skills, networks, and experiences necessary to thrive in today’s evolving media landscape.”
WHPC Director Shawn Novatt said the agreement builds on the station’s longstanding role as a training ground for aspiring media professionals.
“I am most excited about the fact that this partnership strengthens that mission by giving our students direct exposure to industry leaders, professional facilities, and a clear path that can help launch successful careers in the media and communications industry,” Novatt said.
Kristin Okesson, regional senior vice president and market manager for Connoisseur Media Long Island, said the partnership will help cultivate future talent in broadcasting and media.
“Partnerships like these create a direct pipeline for passionate students to gain real-world experience, build important industry connections, and ultimately become the future superstars of our business,” Okesson said. “We look forward to working together to support students as they begin their careers in broadcasting and media.”
Help 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
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
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City.
We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges 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
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.
xperience elevated living in this
Q. We’re looking for a house, and have run into a pattern where every house we see has some real problems. We’re wondering, after our home inspector looked at a house recently and found major foundation cracks, how we can figure out what to negotiate for the repairs. The house is on a canal, and also has other additions that have no permits (we checked). How do we go about discussing this with facts, and try to resolve what it will really cost if we buy the house?
A. I have a sinking feeling about the house, as you described. Some of the homes I have seen in high water tables, next to canals, in what are known as flood plain areas, are expensive and require a lot of engineering work to repair. Unfortunately, time doesn’t heal all wounds, and many people looking in areas adjacent to water don’t realize what they’re looking at.
The history of these close-to-the-water neighborhoods is an interesting study in civil engineering. Most of the areas, especially along shorelines, were previously swampland that was “reclaimed.” This means that tall reeds were often plowed under and covered with sand, dredged to make the adjacent canals deeper and more navigable while shooting the sand with water cannons, in a process called hydro-fill, to stabilize and level out the land for construction of developments.
At the time, unfortunately, there wasn’t the same level of scrutiny in issuing permits, and testing from those eras is sometimes questionable. One of the most obvious test reports I have ever seen was one in which every soil boring taken on a single property was written on a chart so that every number on every line was the same. A trained professional would realize that is nearly impossible. I imagine the person just filling in each line with the same ditto information just so they could get past filing the required report.
It’s all too common to see record plans, taken from building departments, showing standard foundation walls with no spread footing, and therefore no piles. Piles are the large, long poles or large helical screws that are jammed down into the earth until they reach a point where they can’t be jammed any farther. If you really love the location, you should hire an experienced engineer or architect, who will need to investigate the old records on file and also look at the foundation conditions.
If it turns out the house has either no underground pile report or a certified pile log, which is not unusual, then the foundation cracking can be caused by the continued settling of the house into the less stable ground. Will the settling stop at some point? Not for a long time — several lifetimes, predictably. There are ways to insert pile supports around the foundation, utilizing brackets and angled piles, to stop the settling. At that point, you need a professional’s plan and a pile company estimate to negotiate. Good luck!
© 2026 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2
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Most Long Islanders have a pretty good feel for the local economy, with housing demand up, unemployment down and new businesses replacing older ones. What many people don’t see is how all of those activities are connected.
thing much larger than many residents realize. Nassau and Suffolk counties together generate approximately $256 billion in economic activity annually. If Long Island were a state, its economy would rank roughly 23rd in the nation.
While those numbers are impressive, the more interesting story is how that economic activity is created.
A new apartment building isn’t just a construction project. A restaurant isn’t simply a place to grab dinner. A law firm does more than provide legal advice. Each of these businesses creates economic activity that extends well beyond its front door, generating jobs, income and spending throughout the region.
Economists call this the multiplier effect, and it impacts Long Islanders every day.
Our economy is often discussed in terms of individual industries — health care, education, construction, technology, hospitality, retail, professional services. Yet one of the reasons the economy has remained resilient through economic cycles is that no single industry dominates it. Instead, thousands of businesses of varying sizes create a diverse and interconnected economic ecosystem.
That diversity helps explain why Long Island’s economy has grown into some-
our economy is powered by thousands of interconnected decisions we make every day.
Consider a neighborhood bagel shop. When a customer purchases breakfast, the economic impact doesn’t stop at the cash register. The bakery purchases flour, cream cheese, utilities, equipment, insurance, accounting services and transportation. Employees spend their wages at local stores, restaurants and service providers. The original dollars continue to circulate through the economy, creating value long after the first transaction takes place.
This process happens every day, in every corner of Long Island.
Over the past year, the LIA Research Institute has been examining these relationships through input-output analysis, a methodology used to measure the direct, indirect and induced impacts of businesses and institutions. The findings reinforce something many business owners already know from experience: local spending creates local prosperity.
Take a hypothetical Long Island law firm generating $1 million in annual
Drevenue. The direct activity supports attorneys, staff and business operations. But the firm’s impact extends to office suppliers, maintenance providers, technology vendors and numerous other businesses. When those secondary effects are included, the original $1 million generates roughly $1.6 million in total economic output throughout the region.
The multiplier effect becomes even more visible with large-scale investments. Consider the construction of a multifamily housing development. Before a single family moves in, the project generates significant economic activity through construction workers, architects, engineers, legal professionals, material suppliers, trucking companies, and dozens of supporting industries.
Our analysis of a hypothetical $100 million apartment development found that the project could support more than 600 jobs and create roughly $166 million in total economic output. This is in addition to the benefit of adding to our region’s housing stock to address the high demand and low inventory, which pushes up prices.
That’s why discussions of economic development should never focus solely on the initial investment. The broader impact often tells a much larger story. For example, the LIA Research Institute
estimated that the 2025 Ryder Cup generated roughly $160 million in economic activity, not simply because spectators attended the tournament, but because visitors stayed in hotels, dined in restaurants and utilized transportation services. The ripple effects spread through our communities, strengthening the broader economy.
Long Island’s economy is powered by thousands of interconnected decisions made every day by entrepreneurs, workers, consumers, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and investors. From a neighborhood bagel shop to new construction, from a local law firm to an international sporting event, economic activity rarely stops where it starts. Every transaction creates additional opportunities that ripple across our region.
The next time you buy a bagel, hire an attorney, dine at a local restaurant or drive past a construction site, remember that you are seeing the multiplier effect in action.
On Long Island, dollars we spend at local businesses become wages for workers, revenue for suppliers and opportunities for families across our region. That’s how $1 becomes $1.60 — and why the strength of our economy depends on the success of the businesses and institutions that keep that cycle moving forward.
Steven Kent is chief economist of the Long Island Association and an associate professor of economics and finance at Molloy University in Rockville Centre.
id you forget something today? Maybe you misplaced your keys, or couldn’t find your wallet or your handbag. Perhaps you didn’t remember to pick up your cellphone from the table in the restaurant, and had the horrifying realization that you left it somewhere — as I recently did. Moments like these happen to everyone, especially as we get older. But those common shared experiences help fuel a very common fallacy: that memory impairment is a natural part of aging. Yes, memory lapses can occur more frequently with increasing age, but there is a major difference between occasional forgetfulness, which is normal, and memory loss, which is not.
Dispelling misconceptions about the supposed inevitability of memory loss as we age is essential. Memory loss isn’t a foregone conclusion; it is caused by a
medical condition. Alzheimer’s disease, for example, is a progressive degenerative brain disorder, not an ordinary part of aging. Assuming that symptoms of memory loss are simply the result of getting older discourages many people from getting checked, which can have serious health consequences.
M any of the conditions that cause memory loss are treatable, if not correctable.
Vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, depression, urinary tract infections and stress are just some of the conditions that can cause memory loss symptoms. The side effects of medication can also impact memory. All of these are treatable, if not correctable, but not without seeing a health care professional about your symptoms.
Failing to address these treatable underlying causes of memory loss can cause long-term cognitive decline and brain damage that is irreversible, and also raises the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related illness.
Differentiating between “regular” forgetfulness and something more seri-
ous can be difficult. A good rule of thumb is to watch for problems that are persistent, worsen over time and interfere with daily life. Not remembering where you parked your car every now and then is normal, but not remembering what kind of car it is can be a warning sign of a larger problem.
That’s why everyone should get routine memory screenings. They are an important early-detection tool that can help uncover a potential cognitive problem sooner for those experiencing symptoms. For those who are not, screenings are equally valuable, because they provide a baseline that people can monitor over time.
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers free, confidential memory screenings regularly at its AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center in Amityville. Screenings are performed one-on-one with a qualified professional, and consist of a series of questions that test memory and other cognitive functions. A screening by
itself is not a diagnosis, but it can indicate whether someone should see a physician for a more comprehensive evaluation of potential cognitive impairment.
Schedule an appointment for a free memory screening by contacting the Rabinowitz Center at (631) 223-4000. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to get screened. There are no minimum age or insurance prerequisites.
Just as important, if you notice that a loved one, such as a spouse or an aging parent, has become more forgetful, don’t just chalk it up to the fact that they’re growing older. Encourage them to get screened. The AFA Helpline, (866) 2328484, can provide guidance on how to have that sensitive conversation in a constructive and respectful way.
Forgetting something today doesn’t mean you have Alzheimer’s or are guaranteed to develop it in the future. It does mean you should be proactive, schedule a screening appointment and establish a trackable baseline for your memory. Your brain health is too important to forget about.
Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. is president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
hen communities confront homelessness, the conversation often becomes trapped between competing concerns: public safety, housing costs, mental health, addiction and strained social services. But programs that make a real difference recognize a simple truth: Homelessness is both a humanitarian crisis and a public health crisis.
Addressing it requires more than temporary shelter or emergency interventions. It requires meeting people where they are — literally and figuratively. That is what makes street medicine and community outreach programs such powerful and innovative models.
Instead of waiting for vulnerable people to navigate a complicated health care system, outreach teams bring services directly to them. They visit train stations, commuter lots, wooded encampments, shelters and other places where homeless individuals live and gather.
The approach acknowledges a reality often overlooked in policy discussions: People struggling to survive day to day rarely have the ability to prioritize medical appointments, transportation, paperwork or insurance requirements. For many, simply getting through the next 24 hours is challenge enough.
Long Island’s most recent Point-InTime Count found more than 4,500 unhoused adults and children in Nassau and Suffolk counties, the highest total recorded since 2007.
To the Editor:
In a pair of opinion pieces in the May 28-June 3 issue of the Herald, Assemblyman Ari Brown (“New York’s radical mobs are testing America’s spine”) and State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick (“Our state must do more to combat antisemitism”) deplored the rise in antisemitism locally, nationally and globally. The two legislators called for stronger measures to protect Jews from harassment and the threat, or actuality, of violence. No New Yorker of goodwill would oppose such protective efforts or deny that hatred of Jews is growing and spreading. It must also be acknowledged that Hamas is a terrorist organization that committed unspeakable atrocities in murdering 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023. But neither Brown nor CanzoneriFitzpatrick offers the slightest criticism
Behind every statistic is a person facing enormous barriers to proper health and stability. Chronic illnesses often go untreated. Mental health conditions worsen without care. Substance-use disorders become more dangerous. Small medical problems can become lifethreatening emergencies.
Traditional systems are often not designed to reach people living in these circumstances. Outreach programs are. What makes these efforts especially effective is their emphasis on trust. Team members may spend significant time with one person, providing medical evaluations, wellness education, supplies, referrals and, perhaps most important, human connection. People who often feel ignored, judged or invisible are treated with dignity and respect.
That trust-building is not a “soft” benefit. It is the foundation of successful intervention. People who trust service providers are more likely to seek treatment, follow medical advice, complete paperwork and engage with housing services. Those relationships can become the bridge that leads someone from instability to recovery and ultimately to permanent housing.
The results of street medicine programs across Long Island and the nation demonstrate the value of this approach. People have been connected to urgent medical care, chronic conditions have been managed before they became emergencies, and individuals have been guid-
ed into stable housing. While the numbers may seem modest compared with the scale of the crisis, they represent something larger: individualized, community-based care that works.
Housing itself is a public health issue. Stable housing improves physical health, mental well-being, medication compliance and overall quality of life. Yet obtaining housing often requires medical evaluations and documentation that many homeless people struggle to access. Outreach teams help bridge that gap.
These programs also serve as a reminder that homelessness can happen to anyone. Job loss, illness, family breakdown, disability or financial hardship can push an individual into crisis. People do not choose homelessness, yet they are often judged as though they did. Compassion alone will not solve homelessness. Neither will enforcement alone. Communities need practical, scalable solutions that combine health care, housing support and human connection. Street medicine and communitybased outreach programs are proving that such solutions exist. As homelessness continues to rise, communities should look closely at these models and invest in expanding them. If society wants to help people move off the streets, it cannot wait for them to come through the door. Sometimes the most effective solution is to bring the door to them.
the three-day Long Island Rail Road strike last month did more than disrupt commutes. It highlighted just how interconnected New york City and Long Island truly are.
For 72 hours, the effects rippled across the entire metropolitan region. Workers struggled to get to their jobs. Businesses lost customers and productivity. Restaurants saw cancellations. Meetings were missed. Supply chains slowed.
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli estimated that the work stoppage cost as much as $61 million per day in lost economic activity. The losses weren’t confined to any one county or borough. They were shared by all of us, because our regional economy functions as one interconnected system.
As president and CeO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, representing thousands of businesses across Queens, I heard from employers immediately concerned about staffing shortages, delayed deliveries and declining foot traffic. The reason was simple: The workforce connection between Long Island and New york City is enormous.
According to Census data, around
240,000 Long Island residents commute into New york City for work, while roughly 310,000 New york City residents work in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Queens alone sends around 95,000 workers into Nassau County and another 28,000 into Suffolk County every day. Queens residents are among the largest workforce pipelines for Long Island employers, particularly in health care, construction, retail, transportation and professional services.
When that flow stops, even briefly, the economic consequences are immediate.
Lexactly why that mindset misses the bigger picture.
ong Island’s economy is deeply dependent on New York City’s, and vice versa.
That reality should also serve as a reminder in a broader political conversation that has become increasingly misguided recently. Too often, some elected officials and commentators have tried to frame Long Island and New york City as competitors, as though economic success on one side of the city line somehow comes at the expense of the other side.
It doesn’t.
We saw this dynamic emerge during the pandemic, when some suburban leaders openly encouraged businesses to leave New york City and relocate to Long Island. More recently, some politicians have continued to take rhetorical swipes at the city’s struggles as a way to score political points.
But the LIRR strike demonstrated
of the Israeli government’s military response to Hamas’s barbarism. And silence on this score is used by bigots to assert — falsely — that all Jews are complicit in the slaughter of Muslims.
Reputable sources, including the Israel Defense Forces, confirm that Israel has killed over 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza in the past two and a half years. That toll is known to include several thousand children and hundreds of humanitarian workers.
In addition, Israel has killed more than 3,000 civilians in Lebanon in the past few months in retaliation for Hezbollah terrorist attacks that have taken the lives of about 100 Israelis.
The relentless, merciless and disproportionate response on Israel’s part has caused support for the Jewish state to plummet in the U.S. and worldwide. Only 37 percent of Americans now view Israel favorably, according to a Pew Research Center poll. Sympathy for Palestinians has risen correspondingly.
Anti-Israel sentiments do sometimes take the form of antisemitism. But most U.S. activists, including the many Jews who denounce the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, cannot be fairly accused of religious or ethnic bigotry.
Influential figures like Brown and Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick are not helping shield Jews by ignoring the causes of Israel’s isolation. They also ought to be pointing out that Israel’s security will not be enhanced through endless warfare that gives rise to new generations of Palestinian militants.
The cycle of hate, death and destruction is certain to continue until Israelis and Palestinians work cooperatively toward a twostate solution.
KevIN
J. KeLLey Atlantic Beach
Editors’ note: Ari Brown’s and Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick’s op-eds did not appear in all print editions of the Herald, but can be found at liherald.com.
Long Island’s economy is deeply dependent on New york City’s economic strength, just as the city depends on Long Island. Roughly 150,000 Suffolk County residents work in New york City’s five boroughs, with many commuting into Manhattan and Queens every day. Nassau County’s economic ties are even deeper. Meanwhile, businesses throughout the city rely heavily on Long Island residents as customers, employees and business partners.
Queens and suburban Long Island, in particular, share extraordinarily close economic ties. Queens is home to Kennedy and LaGuardia airports, major health care institutions, construction projects and entertainment destinations that employ thousands of Long Islanders. Long Islanders help staff schools, hospitals, financial firms and transportation systems throughout the city. At the same time, Queens residents support Long Island’s retail centers, restaurants, beaches and small businesses. The relationship is reciprocal by necessity.
That’s why the true competition facing our region isn’t between Queens and Nassau or between Manhattan and Suffolk. The real competition is coming from states aggressively attracting resi-
dents and employers away from New york altogether. Florida. Texas. The Carolinas.
When families leave the metropolitan area because housing costs become unsustainable, Long Island and New york City both lose. When businesses relocate operations out of state, the economic pain is shared throughout the downstate region.
Instead of trying to outcompete one another for headlines or short-term political advantage, regional leaders should be working together to address the challenges we all face: affordability, transportation reliability, housing shortages, public safety and economic competitiveness.
The LIRR strike also reinforced another important truth: Infrastructure matters. Reliable transportation is the backbone of the downstate economy. Millions of people depend on the seamless movement of workers and consumers throughout the region every day. When that system breaks down, even temporarily, it reminds us how fragile — and how interconnected — our economy really is.
In the future Long, Island and New york City will succeed or fail, rise or fall, together. That isn’t political rhetoric. It is an economic reality.
Tom Grech is president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce and acting chair of the Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency and Local Development Corporation.
