HERALD Malverne/West HeMpstead
His legacy is set in stone
NYPD renames Police Academy for Malverne’s Steven McDonald
By ALySSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
The New York City Police Department renamed its academy the Detective Steven D. McDonald Police Academy at a ceremony on July 16, honoring the late detective who spent his final years in Malverne and whose message of forgiveness became known around the world.
McDonald, who grew up in Rockville Centre before later settling in Malverne, remained an active member of the NYPD for more than three decades after a shooting in Central Park left him paralyzed from the neck down. Although he relied on a ventilator to breathe, he continued mentoring recruits, supporting wounded officers and speaking about forgiveness, peace and nonviolence until his death in 2017, at age 59.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Police ConTinueD on Page 10
Community rallies for new Carbone Park relocation
By ALySSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
Residents gathered at Harvest House on July 16 to raise money for the relocation of Carbone Park, kicking off a community effort to build a larger, modern playground for Malverne’s youngest residents.
Hosted by the Mothers of Malverne and the Village’s Tree and Beautification Committee, the fundraiser brought neighbors together under the theme “Stronger Together” while introducing plans for the new park, which will be built on the former Malverne Police Headquarters property at 1
Britton Circle. Guests purchased wristbands for food and drink specials, with proceeds supporting future playground amenities.
The new park will replace Carbone Park across the street, nearly doubling its size while adding green space, parking, modern playground equipment, improved safety surfacing and shaded areas created by newly planted trees. Village officials also hope to include a restroom with a changing station for park visitors and families attending events at nearby Gazebo Park. The playground is being designed to be fully accessible, with inclusive play
equipment, accessible swings and expanded sensory features that build on those at the existing park.
The project is expected to cost between $800,000 and $1 million. Village officials are seeking $750,000 through the state office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation’s PLAYS grant program by DASNY, while committing $150,000 in village funds and $100,000 in state funding secured by Assemblywoman Judy Griffin. If the grant is awarded, officials said, construction could be completed in a single phase. If not, the village plans to scale back its ini-
tial investment and complete the project in phases as funding becomes available.
The Mothers of Malverne has worked with village officials on the project for more than a year. The organization’s president, Monica Theodoropoulos, said that members have helped identify the amenities local families would like to see
in the redesigned park.
“Our goal is to encourage the community to support bringing an update to the toddler park,” Theodoropoulos said. “And hopefully people will see the motivation behind us wanting to improve it.”
The new park is part of a broader village redevelopment
ConTinueD on Page 5
Sue Grieco/Herald
The McDonald’s were joined by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and other elected officials to celebrate the dedication.
A decades long Lakeview tradition returns
By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
For more than three decades, Lakeview Day has brought neighbors, families and friends together to celebrate the strength and spirit of the Lakeview community. This year’s celebration, set for the first Saturday in August, will continue that tradition with a morning parade, youth basketball tournament and a day of fellowship at Harold Walker Memorial Park.
Lakeview Day began more than 30 years ago as an informal gathering of friends, community members and former Malverne High School classmates who met for a picnic and barbecue at Lakeview Park. Over the years, it has grown into one of the community’s signature annual events.
“It’s just an opportunity to bring the community together, show the talents of the young people,” Pastor William Thomas said. “It’s an extremely positive event.”
For the past 25 years, St. John’s Baptist Church has organized the celebration, expanding it into a full day of activities. The parade will step off from the church on Chautauqua Avenue in West Hempstead at approximately 8:30 a.m., following a gathering at 8 a.m. Participants will march through the neighborhood before arriving at Harold Walker Memorial Park around 10 a.m.
The festivities will begin with an
The Lakeview Fire Department came out for the 2024 celebration to show their community pride.
opening prayer before the annual basketball tournament, one of the day’s biggest attractions. The competition features middle school, high school and unlimited divisions, with girls welcome to participate alongside the predominantly male field. Teams have traveled from as far as North Carolina to com-
pete, although final registration continues through Friday evening and Saturday morning.
Community leaders, elected officials, civic organizations and members of the NAACP are expected to attend throughout the day. The event showcases local youth while strengthening neighbor-
hood connections. Despite drawing large crowds each year, Lakeview Day has maintained a reputation as a safe, family-friendly event, with police officers on hand throughout the festivities.
“Though we do have police presence, we’ve never had an incident where they were actually needed,” he said. “It’s all camaraderie, fellowship and giving our young people an opportunity to show their talents.”
This year’s celebration will also recognize Lakeview’s connection to NBA star Jalen Brunson, whose family has roots in the community. Although the Brunson family will be unable to attend because of prior commitments, organizers plan to celebrate one of Lakeview’s most notable hometown success stories.
Lakeview Day has also invested in local students through a scholarship program established in 2011 and 2012. Supported by donations from participants, local businesses and sponsors, the fund provides scholarships to deserving students with ties to the community, and organizers hope to expand the program in the years ahead.
As another Lakeview Day approaches, organizers hope the celebration will once again bring residents together to reconnect, celebrate neighborhood pride and encourage the next generation through fellowship, sports and community service.
For more information, visit STJBChurch.com.
Sheila Darcy/Herald
HERALD SCHOOLS
Malverne H.S. Choir takes the stage in Rome
Members of the Malverne High School Select Choir recently returned from a weeklong musical and cultural tour of Italy, where they performed in historic venues while exploring some of the country’s most iconic landmarks. The trip took place June 29 through July 6.
The students visited the village of Montecatini, including a scenic funicular ride to the mountaintop, and toured Pisa and Vatican City on foot. They also explored the Colosseum and the Roman Forum during guided visits.
The tour also featured an intensive musical experience. The Malverne Select Choir joined nine other choral ensembles from across the United States to form the 175-member Trotta Festival Choir. Under the direction of composer and conductor Dr. Michael Trotta, the students spent several days rehearsing together before their performances.
The trip concluded with two performances in Rome. The Trotta Festival Choir sang Mass at the Pantheon before performing later that evening at the Basilica di San Crisogono during a gala concert. The Malverne Select Choir also performed two selections on its own before joining the full festival choir for 10 additional pieces.
The international experience combined music, history and cultural immersion while giving students the opportunity to perform alongside singers from across the country. District officials said the tour reflected Malverne’s continued commitment to the performing arts by providing students with opportunities to develop their musical talents, experience different cultures and perform on an international stage.
–Alyssa R. Griffin
Photos courtesy Adycki Visuals/Malverne School District
Students visited the Colosseum in Rome while on their trip.
The Malverne High School Select Choir performed with the entire 175-member Trotta Festival Choir at the Basilica di San Crisogono.
The Malverne High School Select Choir came to the Basilica di San Crisogono.
Students held an impromptu performance outside the gates of the Colosseum.
We invite you to share your Sept. 11 story with the Herald
As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Herald is preparing a special commemorative section that will remember those we lost, honor those who served and examine the lasting impact of that day on our communities.
We want to hear your story.
Were you a commuter, teacher, student, first responder, health care worker, member of the clergy or resident who saw the events of that day unfold? Did you lose a loved one on Sept. 11, or in the years that followed because of illnesses linked to the toxins at ground zero? Were you a child who grew up without a parent, or are you someone whose life and career were inspired by the courage and sacrifice of that day?
Our reporters are also looking to tell the stories behind the local memorials, annual remembrance ceremonies, scholarship funds, charitable organizations and volunteer efforts that commemorate Sept. 11.
We are interested in how Long Island has changed over the past 25 years, from emergency preparedness and public safety to the lasting health effects experienced by first responders and survivors.
If you have a personal story, photos or memories, or know someone whose experience should be shared, we would be honored to hear from you. Your story can help preserve an important chapter
The Herald is looking for your stories. Above, former Rep. Peter King reflected on the courage of first responders at Seaford’s remembrance last year.
of our communities’ history for future generations.
Contact the Herald by emailing jbessen@liherald.com or jvallone@liherald. com with 9/11 Story in the subject line. Include your name, hometown, phone number and a brief description of your experience. A Herald reporter will follow up with you.
Together, we can ensure that these stories are never forgotten.
–Jeffrey Bessen
Asset Protection is Inheritance Protection
Two overriding questions govern your choices in an elder law estate plan. First, what will happen to your assets when you pass away? Second, what will happen to your assets if you need long-term care? A comprehensive plan covers both issues. You must protect assets from going to long-term care costs so that the assets may transfer to your beneficiaries instead.
Plan A, and the best protection from long-term care costs, is long-term care insurance. Factors to consider include the daily benefit amount and an inflation rider that keeps pace with the increasing cost of nursing homes. Long-term care insurance also pays for home health aides, which allows you to “age in place,” rather than go to a facility.
If you don’t have, or cannot get, longterm care insurance, Plan B is the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT). Assets that have been in the MAPT for a minimum of five years are protected from nursing home costs and immediately for home care, for
Leaders for Equity interns, including Malverne High School student
Fatima, to the five-week summer program.
Malverne student earns
ERASE Racism internship
A Malverne High School student is among nine Long Island high school students selected for paid summer internships with the civil rights organization ERASE Racism.
Elaine Gross, the organization’s founder and president emerita, announced July 17 that the nine students were chosen for the five-week Student Leaders for Equity Internship, which concludes July 30.
Amongst the interns is Baneen Fatima, of Malverne High School, Class of 2027.
“Through these internships, ERASE Racism is helping create a new generation of leaders in pursuit of racial equity,” Gross said. “With the skills they are gaining, they are enhancing their own roles as advocates, while promoting our mission and preparing to define their own place in advancing racial justice.”
which there is currently no waiting period.
Consider the use of trusts, as opposed to wills, to avoid probate, a court proceeding that occurs when you die with assets in your name alone. It is also much easier to contest a will than a trust. If you are disinheriting a child, it makes sense to use a trust to avoid potential litigation. Generally, trusts save time and money in settling your estate.
You may want to leave your assets to your children in their own Inheritance Protection Trusts, rather than as outright distributions. These trusts protect the inheritance from your children’s divorces, and, when the child passes away, the inheritance goes to your grandchildren, not to your son-in-law or daughter-in-law.
To sum up, an elder law estate plan (1) protects assets from the costs of long-term care, (2) passes assets to your heirs, with the least amount of taxes and legal fees possible, and (3) keeps assets in the bloodline for your grandchildren, and (4) protects the inheritance from your children’s divorces.
ETTINGER LAW FIRM
This year’s internship focuses on the intersection of advocacy and digital media, equipping students with foundational organizational communications skills while exploring systemic inequality on Long Island. Participants also help expand ERASE Racism’s social media presence and community outreach.
ERASE Racism is a Long Islandbased civil rights organization that addresses structural racism, particularly in public school education and housing, through research, policy advocacy, legal action, public education and community organizing.
–Alyssa R. Griffin
■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/malverne or www.liherald.com/westhempstead ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: mal-wheditor@liherald.com
EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 298 E-mail: mal-wheditor@liherald.com
Courtesy ERASE Racism
Elaine Gross, founder and president emerita of ERASE Racism, pictured at a “fireside chat” with Nikole Hannah-Jones on June 3, welcomed the organization’s 2026 Student
Baneen
Herald file photo
malverne/west hempstead
Community support grows for park project
plan intended to preserve green space while allowing the current Carbone Park property to be marketed for future development.
The village originally planned to sell the former police headquarters property after relocating police operations to the department’s new headquarters at 1 Arlington Ave. Village officials instead decided to relocate the park to the former headquarters property while opening the existing park site, which is adjacent to other multifamily housing along the Long Island Rail Road corridor, to development.
Initial work in the future park is expected to include the demolition of the former police station and the installation of sidewalks, fencing, landscaping and trees. Playground equipment, including slides and climbing structures, will later be relocated from the current Carbone Park so children can continue to have access to a playground with minimal interruption.
“It would double the size of the kiddie park that we have now,” Mayor Timothy Sullivan said. “It would create larger green space to offset new development in that immediate vicinity.”
Village officials expect the headquarters demolition to begin later this year, with construction starting shortly afterward. The transfer of playground equip-
ment is planned for the colder months, with the new park opening in some capacity next spring.
Last week’s fundraiser featured guest
Hempstead Avenue Malverne, NY 11565 516-599-2800 www.newman-realty.com
bartenders Steven Halvey, head of the Tree and Beautification Committee, and Theodoropoulos. Beyond raising money, organizers said the event gave residents
an opportunity to view conceptual renderings, learn more about the project and share ideas for future improvements.
“Throughout the village we’re going to keep this partnership going to really improve upon things that young families and new families across Malverne would like to see,” Halvey said about partnering with Mothers of Malverne.
Theodoropoulos said that the effort reflects the mission of the Mothers of Malverne, which has operated in the community since 1978 and is working to become an official nonprofit organization. In addition to organizing family events, the group supports local charities through toy drives, clothing donations and food pantry collections.
“Besides it being a social group, the emphasis is community and Malverne,” Theodoropoulos said, “loving our neighbors and supporting the growth of our children.”
Village officials encourage residents with experience in architecture, engineering, construction and park planning to contribute ideas as the design evolves.
As plans move forward, village leaders say their goal remains the same: to create a larger, modern, fully accessible park that meets the needs of Malverne families while preserving the community spirit that has defined Carbone Park for decades.
Congratulations Giacomo “Jack” Sorrentino
This year, Newman Realty is proud to recognize Jack Sorrentino for an incredible 45 years as a dedicated real estate professional with our company.
Since joining Newman Realty, Jack has consistently demonstrated the professionalism, integrity, and commitment that our clients have come to know and trust. His knowledge of the local market, dedication to his clients, and genuine passion for helping people have made him an invaluable member of our team.
Over the past four decades, Jack has helped countless families achieve their real estate goals while building lasting relationships throughout the community. His experience and unwavering work ethic continue to make him one of the most respected and accomplished representatives in our office.
We’re proud to celebrate this remarkable milestone and are grateful that Jack continues to be an active and valued member of the Newman Realty family.
on 45 outstanding years we look forward to many more!
Alyssa R. Griffin/Herald
guest bartenders Steven Halvey and monica theodoropoulos welcomed all to Harvest House on July 16 to raise money for the relocation of Carbone park.
MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD — July 23, 2026
HERALD SPORTS
L.I. Ducks look different for second half
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
The Long Island Ducks pitching staff has a much different look for the second half of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball season.
Both ace Trevor Bauer and standout closer Ramon Santos had their contracts purchased by Mexican League franchises, leaving Long Island without its most accomplished and impressive arms but not without optimism.
“We’re very happy for Trevor and Ramon,” Ducks manager Lew Ford said. “They were great for us and earned new opportunities. But we’re doing a lot of good things here. We led the league in homers and ERA in the first half, so we feel pretty good about where we’re at.”
Bauer became not only the face of the Ducks (37-26 in first half for second place in the North Division, including 21-12 at home) but the entire Atlantic League in his abbreviated stint. The former MLB star posted a 5-1 record with a 2.36 ERA and 66 strikeouts to just seven walks in 42 innings of work across seven starts.
“I want to thank the Long Island Ducks organization for giving me the opportunity to be part of the team,” said Bauer, who rejoined his 2024 club, Diablos Rojos, June 22. “I’d also like to thank my teammates, the coaching staff, the clubhouse staff, and everyone behind the scenes who made my time here so enjoyable,” he added. “The support from the fans and the Long Island community has been truly special. We had sold-out crowds at home, packed stadiums on the road, and fans traveling from all over the Northeast just to come watch me pitch.”
Highlighting his stay on Long Island, Bauer fired a no-hitter April 26 at Lancaster and followed with a franchise record 15 strikeouts in a May 12 outing versus Gastonia.
“Trevor exceeded every expectation during his time with the Ducks,” team president Michael Pfaff said. “From his dominance on the mound to his commitment to fans and support of our organization, he made a tremendous impact both on and off the field.”
Five days after Bauer’s departure, Santos was signed by Saraperos de Saltillo. Santos appeared in 18 games this season, totaling an Atlantic League best nine saves with 0.95 ERA and 42 strikeouts across 19 innings.
Ford said Rafael Kelly, who starred in late innings for Hagerstown last season, will take over the closer’s role. The starting rotation is young and talented with Ryan Cardona, Tanner Jacobson, Michael Dominguez and Julian Minaya.
In just the third start of his professional career July 3, Jacobson got the second half started with a buzz by tak-
The Ducks led the Atlantic League in run differential in the first half at plus-117.
ing a no-hitter into the ninth inning of an 8-0 victory over Hagerstown.
The Ducks had a league-best 4.82 ERA in the first half and a run differential of plus-117.
The offense blasted 96 homers, also tops in the league, led by 16 from Jacob Robson and 11 apiece from Jorge Bonafacio and Marcus Chiu. Those three along with Gavin Collins all drove in at least 40 runs in the first half as well. Alsander Womack banged out 75 hits after ranking third in the Atlantic League in 2025 with Charleston.
“This is my fourth season in independent ball and every year whatever team I’ve been on has lost good players,” said Robson, a first-year member of the organization who reached the majors in 2021 with the Detroit Tigers. “We have a great clubhouse here and I feel we have
a lot more in the tank,” he added.”
Ford is also counting on the return of key position players Chris Roller, who leads off, and Anthony Garcia from the injured list to make a difference in the second half as the Ducks chase a playoff berth.
The Ducks set a franchise record July 12 with a dozen stolen bases in a 4-3 win over Charleston. Long Island won eight of its first 11 games to begin the season’s second half on a heater.
“I’m always confident,” Ford said. “We’ve got a good team and we’re here to win.”
Former MLB star pitcher Trevor Bauer left his mark on Long Island with a 5-1 record, including a no-hitter.
Photos courtesy Long Island Ducks
Growing the legacy at Maidenbaum & Madmon
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
After more than a year of planning, one of Nassau County’s best-known property tax law firms has officially entered a new era.
Maidenbaum & Sternberg LLP has been renamed Maidenbaum & Madmon LLP, recognizing Managing Partner Amy Madmon’s leadership while reaffirming the firm’s commitment to the clients it has served for decades.
The change became official this month after paperwork was filed with New York state. Firm leaders emphasized that while the name is changing, the attorneys, staff and client-focused approach remain the same.
“It’s exciting and nerve-racking at the same time,” Madmon said. “...We’re excited to officially move forward, but we also want our clients to know that their team is still their team.”
Madmon joined the firm in 2006, after spending two summers as a legal intern. She became managing partner six years ago, and oversees day-to-day operations for a staff of nearly 60 employees while helping guide tens of thousands of Nassau County homeown-
ent portals and modernized internal operations. She also developed a streamlined transition program for homebuyers and sellers that helps ensure that property tax savings are properly allocated during real estate transactions.
The firm’s founder, Shalom Maidenbaum, said the name change simply reflects the leadership role Madmon has already been fulfilling. “She’s been responsible for the transition, the growth, our entry into the digital age
and even the A.I. age,” Maidenbaum said. “Now it’s time to put her name on the banner.”
He stressed that the firm wants existing clients to feel reassured that the transition will be seamless. “Amy has already been running operations for the past several years,” Maidenbaum said. “We want our clients to know that nothing is changing in terms of the quality of representation they receive.”
Much of the planning over the past year focused on ensuring that clients
would understand that the firm’s attorneys and staff remain in place. As part of the transition, longtime Partner Ilyse Gellar Sternberg will remain actively involved with clients, particularly those in the firm’s commercial tax practice, while gradually transitioning internal leadership responsibilities.
“We wanted to make very clear that she’s still part of the firm,” Maidenbaum said of Gellar Sternberg. “She’s still working with clients every day.”
The firm, which has earned a reputation as a leader in Nassau County property tax reduction, has also been at the forefront of taxpayer advocacy through several significant legal victories protecting homeowners’ rights to challenge property tax assessments.
“Our goal is continuing to elevate the status quo,” Madmon said. “Our clients come first, and they should feel comfortable knowing the same attorneys, the same staff and the same commitment to service are here.”
For Maidenbaum, adding Madmon’s name to the firm’s masthead recognizes not only her two decades of dedication but also the future of the business.
“I sleep well at night knowing Amy is at the helm,” he said. “She is a consummate professional who will continue our tradition of aggressively representing taxpayers while maintaining the personal touch our clients have always expected.”
Photos courtesy Jake Ascher
Shalom Maidenbaum has renamed Maidenbaum & Sternberg LLP, which is now Maidenbaum & Madmon LLP, recognizing Managing Partner Amy Madmon.
Town of Hempstead fights to beat the heat
By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
With dangerously high temperatures gripping Long Island last week, the Town of Hempstead extended operating hours at its beaches and pools to give residents more opportunities to stay cool during the heat wave.
The town kept its beaches open until 7 p.m. on July 15 and 16, while town pools remained open until 8 p.m. during the two-day heat wave, giving families an extra hour to cool off as temperatures climbed. Pools that normally closed at 9 p.m. remained open until 10 p.m.
“With dangerously high temperatures returning to our region, we want to ensure residents have safe and accessible places to cool down,” Town Supervisor John Ferretti said. “By extending hours at our beaches and pools, families will have more time to escape the heat while enjoying the outstanding recreational facilities available throughout the Town of Hempstead.”
Deputy Supervisor Dorothy Goosby, Councilwoman Laura Ryder and Town Clerk Kate Murray joined Ferretti at Echo Park Pool in West Hempstead, along with lifeguards Hazel Wilkins and Delaney Dusel, during a National Weather Service heat advisory that was in effect July 14 and 15.
Temperatures climbed into the midto upper 90s, with high humidity and
warm overnight conditions making it feel even hotter. The combination created potentially hazardous conditions, particularly for older adults, young children and anyone spending extended periods outdoors.
Town officials encouraged residents to limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest hours of the day, stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and lightweight, light-colored clothing, and seek air-conditioned spaces whenever possible.
Residents were reminded never to
leave children or pets unattended inside a vehicle and were encouraged to check on older neighbors, friends and loved ones who might be especially vulnerable to extreme heat.
Ferretti also reminded beachgoers to closely supervise children, remain aware of rip currents and changing ocean conditions, and notify a lifeguard immediately if anyone experienced symptoms of heat exhaustion, including dizziness, weakness or overheating.
Town lifeguards took extra precau -
tions during the heat wave by using umbrellas, sunscreen and scheduled breaks while continuing to monitor swimmers. Officials said lifeguards were trained to respond to water emergencies and heat-related illnesses.
“Our plan is just to keep observing, keep watching the pool, keep watching the UV index,” Wilkins said. “All of our lifeguards are given umbrellas and sunscreen to protect ourselves, and we’ll make sure to have enough people to be watching all the people that are at the pool and keep everyone safe.”
The town operated four miles of beachfront and nearly 20 pools across the township, providing residents with places to cool off close to home.
Town officials also encouraged people who worked outdoors, including landscapers, construction crews and other laborers, to drink plenty of water, take frequent breaks and seek shade or airconditioned spaces whenever possible.
Compounding the heat, the state Department of Environmental Conservation issued an air quality health advisory for Nassau and Suffolk counties through midnight July 17 after smoke from wildfires in Ontario drifted into the metropolitan area, creating hazy skies and reducing air quality.
The state Department of Health recommended that strenuous outdoor physical activity be limited.
Alyssa R. Griffin/Herald
Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti warned residents of a heat wave on July 14 at the Echo Park Pool in West Hempstead.
McDonald’s legacy lives on in the NYPD
Commissioner Jessica Tisch, members of the McDonald family, other elected officials and hundreds of NYPD recruits gathered for the dedication ceremony at the academy, in College Point, Queens, which first opened in 2014.
Speakers described McDonald as the embodiment of the ideals the department hopes officers will carry throughout their careers.
“Stephen McDonald gave the city more than most people could give in a lifetime,” Tisch said, “and after giving nearly everything in the line of duty, he spent more than three decades finding new ways to serve.”
Tisch also announced a permanent exhibit in the academy that will preserve items from McDonald’s career, including his wheelchair and ventilator, replicas of his officer’s and detective’s shields, photos documenting his service, and the powder-blue uniform shirt he wore in the early years of his career. The exhibit is intended to ensure that future generations of officers understand both McDonald’s sacrifice and his continued commitment to policing.
Tisch announced the renaming in her State of the NYPD address in February, describing McDonald as “the embodiment of who we want our officers to be.”
Last week’s ceremony marked 42 years since McDonald entered the Police Academy as a recruit in 1984, and came just days after the 40th anniversary of the July 12, 1986, shooting that forever changed his life.
Born in Queens Village in 1957, McDonald moved with his family to Rockville Centre as a child. One of eight children, he was a third-generation NYPD officer whose grandfather died in the line of duty. He served for four years as a U.S. Navy hospital corpsman before joining the Police Department in 1984. He and his wife, Patti Ann, married in 1985, and less than a year later, while investigating a bicycle theft in Central Park, he was shot three times by a 15-year-old.
Instead of retreating from public life, McDonald dedicated the next three decades to sharing a message of reconciliation. He publicly forgave the teenager who shot him and spoke in schools, churches, community organizations and conflict zones around the world, encouraging forgiveness and nonviolent solutions to conflict.
Mamdani described McDonald as an officer whose response to unimaginable tragedy reshaped how New Yorkers view policing. “He was a man of deep faith, and he had the wisdom to know that living consumed by rage would all but guarantee the death he had just narrowly escaped,” Mamdani said. “I can think of no better name to adorn our police academy than his.”
McDonald’s son, NYPD Capt. Conor McDonald, reflected on his father’s lifelong dedication to the department, and said his greatest mission became honoring officers who never made it home from their tours of duty.
definition of what police officers around the world should be.”
Patti Ann McDonald, a former mayor of Malverne, said the honor reflects her husband’s lifelong commitment to caring for others.
“It’s not just about Steven, it’s about all the men and women who gave their lives to the city of New York,” she told the Herald. “To me it’s an example of what Stephen meant to all the people that were here today, and it warms my heart that they were here.”
“My father was my hero,” Conor told the Herald. “Growing up watching him travel New York City, the world, preach-
ing about nonviolence, forgiveness, and that love transcends all, he was an incredible human being, and he’s the
Following his death in January 2017, numerous tributes were established in McDonald’s honor, including the naming of a portion of the Southern State Parkway the Detective Steven McDonald Memorial Highway, and the Steven McDonald Garden of Forgiveness in
Westwood Park.
Malverne’s
Sue Grieco/Herald photos
det. Steven mcdonald’s wife, patti ann and son, Conor, stood at the memorial inside the newly dedicated police academy.
police academy cadets stood at ease throughout the ceremony.
det. Steven mcdonald’s family honored his memory with wife patti ann, left, son Conor and wife Katie, with grandchildren grady ann, 4, and Steven, 1, in front of the newly dedicated police academy.
Courtesy Patti Ann McDonald, photo by Sue Grieco/Herald Conor mcdonald took in the new permanent exhibit in the academy, honoring his father’s legacy.
Propel NY finalizes routing, hires contractors
By JULIA CAPITELLI jcapitelli@liherald.com
The New York Power Authority and New York Transco, co-developers of Propel NY Energy, have finalized the proposed routing of their planned underground transmission lines and hired contractors for pre-construction activities. Residents in affected areas continue to oppose the roughly 90-mile project set to run across Nassau County into Westchester.
July 17 was the deadline for parties to file public comments with the New York State Public Service Commission for or against the project. The PSC must issue a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need and approve Environmental Management and Construction Plans before construction can begin.
According to Marykate Guilfoyle, strategic communications manager at Transco, adjustments in routing were made based on technical analysis, stakeholder input and evaluation of alternatives.
The Daly Boulevard culvert crossing, in Oceanside, was adjusted to “reduce schedule and construction risk,” Guilfoyle said. A segment in the Town of Hempstead was refined to “avoid conflicts” with the Hempstead Fire Department and to use wider roadways to mitigate traffic.
One segment in Glen Head was adjusted to “eliminate a complex trenchless Long Island Rail Road crossing.” Another altered the Glen Head Road-to-Glen Cove Avenue-to-Kissam Lane segment, addressing a “request for reduced magnetic field impacts along Glen Head Road.”
Hallen Integrated Construction Services, Haugland Group and BOND Civil & Utility Construction, Inc. were chosen for pre-construction planning and regula-
tory submissions.
“These expert contractors are a valuable addition to further the development of detailed construction plans,” Transco President Joris Veldhoven said in a news release. “Their proven expertise on complex projects and strong track records and relationships in the project communities will result in thorough plans for the upcoming construction phase.”
“Hallen Integrated Construction Services and Hallen Construction are excited to partner with NY Transco and NYPA on construction planning for Propel NY,” Shepard Poole, president and CEO of The Hallen Construction Co. Inc., said in the release. “This
project is highly important and greatly necessary for the region.”
Support for Propel’s joint proposal has come from state agencies, the City of New York, construction firms, trade unions and some residents. Other residents, school districts, municipalities and elected officials, however, have filed comments opposing the project, which was chosen by the New York Independent System Operator in 2023 as a solution to issues like increased demand and severe weather.
“It’s premature to advance Propel, as it lacks both federal and state approval,” said Christine Panzeca, a Glen Head resident and a lead opponent of the project. “This is especially concerning, given that NYISO is aware that the project is not cost-effective and was specifically advised not to pursue it. In addition, more than 70 percent of the parties have not signed the joint proposal, citing significant unresolved deficiencies in issues affecting health, safety, environmental integrity, route selection, and procedural fairness.”
The Potomac Economics Market Monitoring Unit wrote in a 2023 report that “if the NYISO determines that it must or should select a project, we recommend that it reconsider its recommendation of T051 since it does not appear to be the most cost-effective project.” T051 refers to Propel.
Other parties who have submitted comments in opposition include environmental groups; U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi; Nassau County Legislators Delia DeRiggiWhitton and Patrick Mullaney; the North Shore, Roslyn and Syosset school districts; the Village of Sea Cliff; and Supervisors John Ferretti, Joseph Saladino and Jennifer DeSena, of the towns of Hempstead, Oyster Bay and North Hempstead, respectively.
Additional reporting by Will Sheeline.
Herald file photo
Some of the proposed routes for the Propel NY project have been altered.
HELEN HSIEH, MD, FACOG
CAIME Co-Founder Diamonds & Pearls Alliance CATHERINE CANADEO
Health and Wellness Corp SUZETTE GORDON
Disruptive Spark Group
Founder & Medical Director, Vibrance 360 MICHELLE MOREIRA-JODICE
CHRISTINA M. ROSAS
Bond Schoeneck & King PLLC
CARRIE SKOWRONSKI
TOM
& CEO Leadology THERESA PORCARO
NU World Title, LLC
MEREDITH VANDEGRIFT, MD, FACS
Plastic Surgery TAMMY J. COHEN Founder & Messaging Strategist TC Brand Consulting SUSAN GATTI
Vice President, Growth & Marketing Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine JESSICA RONDASH, MBA
Director, Business Operations & Performance Holt Construction PALMINA WHELAN Capital Program Director The New Terminal One
STEPPING OUT
Carolyn Miller comes home Authentically country with a local flair
By Abbey Salvemini
In a genre built on authenticity, Carolyn Miller is the real deal. She’s carved her own path into country music, proving that heart, hustle and a powerful story transcends geography. Her sound fuses the honesty of country storytelling with the hooks and polish of mainstream pop, drawing in fans from Nashville to the Northeast and everywhere in between.
For those unfamiliar with Miller, it’s time to get to know the Massapequa native. She perfoms during Huntington Summer Arts Festival at Heckscher Park on Saturday, with her full band, just weeks before the release of her new self-titled EP. She’s steadling expanded her national following while working between Long Island and Nashville.
Miller’s journey into music began early. A former professional child actress, she worked in TV, film and theater; graduating from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music with a degree in Musical Theatre. But it was country music that gave her the space to tell her own story. With a voice made for big moments and a pen sharp enough to turn lived experience into lyric, she’s quickly established herself as one of the genre’s rising stars.
Appearing as part of this year’s Huntington Summer Arts Festival is about more than just a concert performance for Miller.
“I want it to just feel like a perfect summer night on the Island,” she says. “I hope families and kids pack a cooler, a picnic, bring lawn chairs and blankets. Kids [can] come dance in front of the stage, friends run into each other and reconnect. Everyone just enjoys a great night of live music together.”
“I think there’s something special about the free community concerts because they just bring together people of all ages,” she adds. “If people leave smiling and singing one of the songs in their heads on the drive home and just feeling a little more connected than when they arrived, then we’ve done our job.”
Her energetic, heartfelt shows paired with her down-to-earth, girl-next-door personality make her instantly relatable to audiences, especially suburban women navigating the beautiful chaos of love, motherhood and modern life.
After taking last year off to become a mother, Carolyn — now mom to a two year-old daughter — is stepping boldly into a new era. Her latest single “Fighting For You” (released May 2025) marks the first in a six-song series that chronicles this next chapter of her life. Balancing vulnerability and strength, it’s a reflection of the grit, grace, and growth that define her story today.
Saturday’s “hometown” performance, her second
‘…Wind on down the road
festival appearance, is a notable stop on her journey.
“Long Island’s always been home,” she reflects. “Career-wise, it’s taken me all over the country, but Long Island is where I’m raising my family and where my husband, my daughter and I live. I’m going to have all my family, lifelong friends and people who’ve been following my career for years and even people who have just only recently discovered my music online. Those moments you don’t take for granted and make all the hard work worth it.”
Saturday’s audience will be treated to an early look at Miller’s upcoming EP, a deeply personal collection of songs that marks her next creative chapter.
• Saturday, July 25, 8-9 p.m.
• Huntington Summer Arts Festival, Chapin Rainbow Stage, Heckscher Park, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington • Visit huntingtonarts.org for more
“The EP is actually going to be self-titled because I just feel like it’s the most honest representation of who I am today. It’s not just who I am as an artist, but also as a wife and a mom and a songwriter.”
Her background in theater brings an added layer of energy and storytelling to this and every performance.
“I love mixing big sing-along moments and then having stories behind the songs and then some more emotional moments along the way. I like to think of it as just a production.”
Despite spending much of her professional life in Nashville, her musical identity has been shaped by her local roots.
“We didn’t really grow up with country music on Long Island. I always joke that if you don’t like country music, you’ll probably like mine, and if you do like country music, then you’ll hopefully like it too.”
As an independent artist, Miller has developd a following of more than 175,000 across social media while overseeing much of her own marketing and creative direction, between here and Nashville. Over the past year she’es performed at CMA Fest, and has shared the stage with the likes of Carrie Underwood, Lee Brice, Sam Hunt, Ashley McBryde, and Dustin Lynch.
Whether she’s behind a mic, on a stage, or in a writing room, Miller is redefining what it means to be a country artist in 2026: grounded, fearless and fully herself. As she prepares to return to Huntington, Miller urges concertgoers, whether longtime fans or first-time listeners, to simply enjoy an evening together.
“It’s free. It’s outdoors, family-friendly. Whether you’ve followed my music for years or you’re just discovering it now, we’d love to have you.”
Led Zeppelin fans, rejoice! Get The Led Out returns with “A Celebration of the Mighty Zep,” two electrifying nights of classic rock, running through June 28. From the bombastic and epic, to the folky and mystical, GTLO has captured the essence of Led Zeppelin and brought their music to the concert stage. The Philadelphia-based group consists of six veteran musicians, intent on delivering Led Zeppelin live, like you’ve never heard before! Utilizing the multi-instrumentalists at their disposal, GTLO re-creates songs, in all their depth and glory, with the studio overdubs that Zeppelin themselves never performed. Hailed for their powerful tribute to what many consider the greatest rock band of all time, the band always delivers Friday and Saturday, July 24-25, 8 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
Patty Griffin
The singer-songwriter brings her powerful storytelling and unmistakable voice to the stage in support of her latest album “Crown of Roses.” A two-time Grammy winner and Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement honoree, Patty Griffin has spent more than two decades crafting emotionally resonant songs that blend folk, Americana and blues. She’s been praised for her ability to create vivid emotional portraits through music. Known for songs that linger long after the final note, Griffin continues to captivate audiences with intimate performances that celebrate both life’s hardships and its quiet moments of hope. She is joined by special guest Lucy Wainwright Roche.
Saturday, July 25, 8 p.m. $91, $79, $67. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
Courtesy Carolyn Miller
The many sides of Carolyn Miller. She’s emerged as one of country-pop’s rising independent artists, blending blend heartfelt storytelling with her singular style.
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
JUL 24
Mid-Summer Movie
Enjoy an outdoor movie co-sponsored by the Malverne Little League.
• Where: Harris Field, 9 Hempstead Ave, Malverne
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 599-1200
Summer grooves
ZBTB returns to Eisenhower Park, with Guys With Guitars.. Not only does ZBTB capture the sound and creativity of the Zac Brown Band but they bring a similar atmosphere of family to their shows while engaging the audience in a way that is all their own. From the Zac Brown Band’s 2008 breakout hit “Chicken Fried” to the recent sing-along anthem “Same Boat” and “Tie Up”, ZBTB plays all the hits any country fan knows and loves.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200
‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’
The Madison Theatre’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” brings the beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical to the stage, retelling the biblical story of Joseph, his colorful coat and his rise from slavery to Pharaoh’s trusted advisor. Told entirely through song, the family-friendly production features memorable numbers including “Any Dream Will Do,” “Close Every Door” and “One More Angel in Heaven,” blending musical styles from calypso to countrywestern. Suitable for audiences of all ages, the show continues to be one of the world’s most frequently performed musicals.
• Where: Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: Various dates and times, through Aug. 2
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
JUL
25
‘Grease’ Plaza Theatrical Productions welcomes all to Rydell High. Here’ the senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding “Burger Palace Boys’ and their gum-snapping, hipshaking “Pink Ladies” in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical. Head “greaser” Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their “Summer Nights” as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way
Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience
Comprising a group of exceptionally talented musicians and die-hard Foreigner fans, Double Vision has perfected the art of bringing to life the unforgettable hits that have defined generations. From “I Want to Know What Love Is” to “Cold as Ice,” their renditions are a harmonious blend of passion, precision, and nostalgic energy. Drawing inspiration from Foreigner’s unmistakable sound and stage presence, Double Vision delivers a performance that pays homage to the band’s legacy while infusing their own charisma and enthusiasm. Their commitment to authenticity is matched only by their unwavering dedication to creating an electrifying experience for their audiences. With an impressive catalog of classics at their fingertips, Double Vision transports everyone to an era when arena rock ruled and Foreigner reigned supreme. Each concert is a testament to their musical prowess, transporting fans to a time when anthems were born and memories were made. Double Vision delivers the highest level of integrity and technical prowess to bring you all the hits from the band that you’ve come to love. With their recent signing to Frontiers Music the band has achieved a milestone as one of the first tribute to secure a record deal. Honoring Foreigner and its audience, they offer a show second to none. AUG
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: Various dates and times, through Aug. 2
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
Harmonize with Long Island Harmonizers
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
Citizen Science: Monarch Larva Monitoring Project
through such songs as “Greased Lightnin’,” “It’s Raining on Prom Night” and “Alone at the Drive-In Movie,” recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Elvis Presley that became the soundtrack of a generation. An eight-year run on Broadway and two subsequent revivals, along with innumerable school and community productions, placeGrease among the world’s most popular musicals.
• Where: Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont
• Time: 7:30 p.m.; also July 26 and July 29
• Contact: PlazaTheatrical.com or call (516) 599-6870
Family theater
Lance the Eagle welcomes families to “A Semi-QuincentenEAGLE Birthday” on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage. In this original production, families are invited to celebrate his birthday. His message: As the national bird, thispartywill be happeningthroughout the whole monthof July. Come to think of it,Idid hearsomething about a birthday fortheUnited States of America as well. Hmm... mustbeacoincidence! I’llbe throwing a paradethrough LICM’s galleriesand acelebratory spectacle
in the Theater. Come ready to party!”Keep an eye out 30 minutes before each show for a special interactive pre-show! For ages 3+. $5 with museum admission ($4 members), $10 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also July 29
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Summer rocks on Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series welcomes a lively lineup of Jefferson Starship with Atlanta Rhythm Section, Firefall and Pure Prairie League..
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200
JUL
27
Summer sounds
Enjoy an afternoon with the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra. Their repertoire includes light classical works and show tunes to Gazebo Park.
• Where: Malverne Station Park/ Gazebo Park, Malverne
• Time: 3-5 p.m.
Squish Studio!
It’s time to play with clay at Long Island Children’s Museum. The Squish Studio is a week-long experience where kids dive deep into the world of clay. Make your mark on a collaborative creature sculpture, experiment with techniques and tools and create your own unique creation to bring home or add to the clay gallery. This is a drop-in program, free with admission.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., through July 31
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
JUL
29
Family movie night
Enjoy a movie under the stars at Eisenhower Park. See “Bad Guys 2,”the 2025 sequel to the animated crime comedy caper, loosely based on the children’s book series. The Bad Guys are struggling to find trust and acceptance in their newly minted lives as Good Guys, when they are pulled out of retirement and forced to do “one last job” by an all-female squad of criminals.
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to be a citizen scientist and study monarch butterflies in the museum’s Milkweed Garden. By measuring plants, rainfall, and monarch eggs you will be collecting real data that scientists can analyze! Your data will help them understand butterfly migration and will help conserve this species. Each Wednesday, take a walk through this garden and see how the plants grow as habitat for visiting monarchs! To join, meet at the front desk. For ages 4+.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 2-3 p.m., also Aug. 5
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
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.
Compilred by Herald Staff
Angel Santiago Massapequa Park
The beaches. Jones Beach is my favorite.
Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald
What is your favorite summer spot on Long Island?
Lisa Katz
Merrick
Malibu – for the beach and the bands.
Tim Baker/Herald
Lorraine Sclafani Rockville Centre
My favorite summer spot is Point Lookout Beach. Our family, we’ve been going there for many years. We like to pack a lunch and spend the day and it’s a great beach, we swim, it’s really beautiful.
Tim Baker/Herald
Celeste Gullo
Glen Cove
Has to be Prybil beach, underrated and over looked. It’s great for kids and purely beautiful all seasons, from sunrise to sunset. I have tons of videos of it. I go all the time.
Margie Luciano West Hempstead
I’ve spent my summers in Lake Ronkonkoma as a child. It’s really beautiful. That’s where I learned how to swim as a child.
Roksana Amid/Herald
Tim Baker/Herald
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
NASSAU COUNTY
MTAG, AS CUST FOR ATCF II NEW YORK
LLC, Plaintiff against DONNA DI SCLAFANI (AKA DONNA M. SPADAFINA) (INDIVIDUALLY AND AS ADMINISTRATOR
C.T.A OF THE ESTATE OF JOSEPH M. SPADAFINA), et al
Defendant(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Hersko & Ehrenreich P.C., 555 Willow Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516, (516) 942-4216.
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered March 25, 2026, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on August 6, 2026 at 2:00PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being, and identified on the land and tax map of the County of Nassau in the State of New York. Premises known as 224 Windsor Lane, West Hempstead, NY 11552. Sec 35 Block 67 Lot 20. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $83,195.19 plus interest, fees, and costs, and attorney fees. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 608877/2020. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Deposit by certified funds only, made payable to the referee. David Zeidman, Esq., Referee File # 17-6369 160997
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK INDEX NO. 602261/2026 COUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF GS MORTGAGEBACKED SECURITIES TRUST 2023-RPL2 Plaintiff, vs. ZARINA MOORE, INDIVIDUALLY, AND AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF BARBARA MOORE; HUKM MYLES MOORE, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF BARBARA MOORE; JUSTIN MOORE, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF BARBARA MOORE; ABDUL M. ROBINSON, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF BARBARA MOORE; TONYA MOORE A/K/A TONYA TURNBULL, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF BARBARA MOORE; ALEATHEA MOORE, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF BARBARA MOORE; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF BARBARA MOORE, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; NEW YORK
STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; “JOHN DOE” (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #1, “JOHN DOE #2” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last eleven names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Plaintiff designates NASSAU as the place of trial situs of the real property
SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS
Mortgaged Premises: 504 BARBARA LANE, WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY 11552
Section: 35, Block: 597, Lot: 27 Defendants.
To the above named Defendants YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.
NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT
THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $387,985.00 and interest, recorded on April 13, 2010, in Liber M 34754 at Page 260, of the Public Records of NASSAU County, New York., covering premises known as 504 BARBARA LANE, WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY 11552.
The relief sought in the within action is a final
judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.
NASSAU County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.
NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME
If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
Dated:__________, _____, 2026
ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC
Attorney for Plaintiff Matthew Rothstein, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675 161212
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 08/05/2026 at 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:
ToH, Northwell Health
speak skin cancer awareness
By CHRIS COLUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com
With July at the heart of every summer, its designation as National UV Safety Awareness Month is timely. When beachgoers soak in the sun and outdoor activities fill most days, skin care and cancer prevention tips are as critical as ever.
Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti held a news conference at the Town Park at Point Lookout Thursday morning, joined by partners from Northwell Health, to launch the town’s Summertime Wellness Series.
“This program offers residents convenient access to important health services,” Ferretti said. “We’re kicking it off today with a free skin cancer screening event.” From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., medical professionals from Northwell Health were set up with a mobile unit, providing free skin cancer screenings to 50 town residents. “We urge all of our town residents in the Town of Hempstead to get checked on an annual basis for skin cancer,” Ferretti explained, “Whether
THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M.
417/26. WEST HEMPSTEAD - West Hempstead Fire District, Special exception to construct storage building on same lot with and customarily incidental to fire house with side yard & rear yard variances., S/W cor. Hempstead Tpke. &
Maplewood St. running thru to Sycamore St., a/k/a 295 Hempstead Tpke.
ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in West
that’s here in a town facility or with your own dermatologist.”
Ferretti shared effective tips to mitigate UV exposure, including the use of sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher; aiming to stay in the shade during peak sunlight hours, typically 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and wearing proper clothing, sunglasses and headwear when outdoors.
Dr. Camila Villa-Ruiz, a dermatologist at Northwell Health, spoke at the conference discussing more realities surrounding skin cancer. “We estimate that one in five people will develop skin cancer by the age of 70,” Villa-Ruiz stated. “It is a very common, but preventable, cancer that has a high cure rate. Have your skin cancer screenings. Visit your dermatologist if you see anything that’s changing, growing, or bleeding.” Individuals with tattoos, or anyone considering getting a tattoo, should take extra precaution. “It is harder to screen, especially when you have tattoos that are covering moles,” Villa-Ruiz said. “It is definitely harder, but we can still do it. I would highly recommend to not get tattoos over existing moles.”
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-Streaming-
Video
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. 161294
Chris Colucci/Herald
Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti, at podium, was joined, from left, by Councilwoman Laura Ryder, Town Clerk Kate Murray, Councilman Tom Muscarella, Dr. Camila Villa-Ruiz from Northwell Health and Deputy Supervisor Dorothy Goosby.
EMPLOYMENT
Help Wanted
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour
Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
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
OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
Eldercare Offered
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Now we need a backflow-prevention device?
Q. We received a letter several weeks ago about yet another expense for our home, to add a backflow device because we have a sprinkler. We’re wondering if this is really necessary. We’ve had a sprinkler for 40 years, and have never had a problem. Can you explain why we need this, and what will happen if we don’t put one in? We got estimates that it could be $750 to $1,000. Is this somehow related to legionnaires’ disease?
A. Yes, you are now required to have a backflow device on your home water line, especially for the sprinkler connection. This became a safeguard, debated for many years, as a reaction to backsiphoning of plumbing lines when there were pressure changes.
The backflow prevention device is a one-way water valve that allows water to flow from the public water main into your home or sprinkler system, but not back into the public water supply. Pressure changes in the line can happen for several reasons, including flushing of public water pipes, which you are notified about, because people report the discoloration of their water from time to time. It can also happen when a fire hydrant is being used or when there’s a water main break.
Any which way it happens, this is a real issue, even if you’ve never noticed it over the past 40 years. You wouldn’t necessarily be the consumer of the contaminants that flowed from your sprinkler line back into the public water supply, but let’s face it, sprinkler heads are exposed to animal waste, pesticides, fertilizers, soil, bacteria and standing water on a regular basis, and you wouldn’t want to drink any of these potentially sickening substances. You’d probably wonder what made you sick, but never connect the dots back to your drinking or cooking water.
I remember the uproar over seat belts in the 1960s, when we were first asked to wear those cumbersome and restrictive devices. Before that, we kids had the freedom to roam from window to window for a better view, to avoid the boredom of long family road trips or grocery store errands. Then seat belts became law. People were defiant, and some even survived accidents without seatbelts. We’ve now had two generations of youngsters who were strapped in like they were astronauts in a rocket sled, and it seems pretty standard now.
The time will come when the contaminants in our water lines will be avoided and we won’t give it another thought. As for legionnaires’ disease, there is little connection between the two. Legionnaires’ disease is mainly caused by stagnant water in a breeding ground of a dark holding tank, in temperatures between 77 and 113 degrees. Those old water tanks, sitting on top of buildings, feeding the drinking and domestic water through buildings by gravity, became perfect for bacterial growth.
Unless you have a well pump sprinkle your lawn, you must add the device — or possibly be fined and forced to do it anyway. 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 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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West Hempstead is already answering NYSED’s call
Earlier this month, the State Education Department brought a new vision for the future of graduation to the Board of Regents: NY Inspires. At the heart of it is a question we have been asking ourselves for some time now. Does our current graduation system actually tell the story of what students know and are prepared to do?
Nothing changes today. Current diploma requirements, Regents exams, and credit accumulation are all still in place. What NYSED has started is a longer conversation, one that asks every district to look honestly at how we prepare students for life after they leave us. I want to share where West Hempstead already stands, and where we plan to go from here. Competency-based learning isn’t new territory for our schools. In many respects, it’s already woven into our strongest instructional practices. Our 11th-graders take on a PerformanceBased Assessment Task, an assignment that pushes them to build and deliver a coherent argument while adjusting tone, structure and evidence to fit their
audience and purpose.
The 10th-grade English PBAT asks students to dig into literature and nonfiction texts and sharpen their skills as analytical readers, writers and researchers. Along the way, they learn to build clear arguments, back their ideas with textual evidence, and communicate their thinking to a real audience. The project also pushes students to connect literary themes to real-world issues, which sparks the kind of critical thinking and discussion we want to see more of.
our district won’t wait for a mandate to keep doing right by our students.
In the ninth-grade Global PBAT, students dig into enduring global issues and examine how historical events continue to shape today’s world. Through research, analysis and discussion, they build their ability to weigh multiple perspectives, synthesize information and support their conclusions with evidence. The project builds historical awareness and helps students think critically about how the past bears on the present.
Our AP Seminar and AP Research students are judged on how well they can weigh sources against one another, defend their credibility judgments and produce original work honestly, skills that carry well beyond any one class. Our Moot Court program, which runs
from sixth through 12th grade, asks students to look at issues through multiple cultural and political lenses and propose a civically responsible way forward. And at Cornwell Avenue, students are already setting and tracking their own learning goals as we move step by step toward mastery-based grading across the district, with secondary students setting measurable goals every quarter.
None of this happened on its own. Every member of our instructional staff has trained in the ProjectBased Learning Gold Standard, so our teachers share a common language and a common bar for what authentic, rigorous learning looks like.
Recognizing what we do well doesn’t mean we’re done. NYSED’s framework pushes us to open up more chances for authentic, interdisciplinary, career-connected learning, and to capture evidence of that learning in ways richer than a transcript can offer.
That means looking for more places across our K-12 continuum where students can show what they know instead of just reciting it: more work-based learning, more service learning, more chances for students to put academic standards to work on real problems in
front of real audiences. It also means building the infrastructure behind it — the portfolios, rubrics and qualityassurance processes that let us document this learning with the same rigor and consistency our community expects from a Regents exam.
The district doesn’t see NY Inspires as a mandate to prepare for. We see it as confirmation that we’re already headed the right way. Our mission, FutureReady Graduates, Zero Exceptions, has never been about seat time. It has always been about whether every student leaves West Hempstead able to communicate well, collaborate meaningfully, think critically about information, engage as a citizen and take ownership of their own learning.
The state hasn’t set a timeline for this work, and any changes down the road will go through the Board of Regents’ public process. West Hempstead won’t wait for a mandate to keep doing right by our students. We’ll keep building on the foundation already in place, keep talking honestly with our teachers, families and community about what readiness really means, and keep holding ourselves to the standard our graduates deserve.
The standard is the standard. And in West Hempstead, we intend to keep raising it.
Daniel Rehman is superintendent of the West Hempstead school district.
Let’s stop student debt from killing the American dream
For generations, the American dream has represented something tangible: the ability to build a stable life through hard work. But for millions in the United States who are burdened by student debt, the dream remains just that: a dream. Nowhere is that more evident than on Long Island, where the average resident carries more than $35,000 in student loan debt and the median home price has surpassed $750,000.
According to the Pew Research Center, one in four Americans under 40 has student debt. Between high interest rates and wages that haven’t kept pace with the cost of living, many borrowers spend decades trying to pay off an education that was supposed to create opportunity, not limit it.
ages 25 and 34 have left the region over the past eight years. Student debt and housing costs are inseparable drivers of that exodus.
Student debt makes the American dream unattainable, or, at best, greatly deferred. Gallup reports that 71 percent of student borrowers delay major life milestones — homeownership, parenthood, starting a business, retirement — because of their debt. On Long Island, those delays have a geographic consequence: 22 percent of residents between
Recent federal policy changes are deepening the problem. The elimination of the Saving on a Valuable Education Plan will push millions into significantly higher monthly payments, a serious hardship for families already stretched thin. For many, even a modest increase in monthly loan obligations can push financial stability out of reach. The answer is not to discourage higher education. A college degree remains one of the strongest predictors of lifetime earnings, and Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce projects that nearly 72 percent of jobs will require some form of postsecondary education by 2031. Low entry-level wages and high monthly loan payments, however, mean that too many Americans will face decades of financial strain.
We can’t keep asking young adults to choose between building a career and building a life.
That trade-off reshapes the labor market in ways that affect us all. Gallup
reports that 51 percent of employees with student debt are seeking new employment, and more than half of job seekers say their loan obligations significantly influence which offers they’ll accept. New graduates feel compelled to chase the highest-paying jobs rather than the professions they’re best suited to, creating workforce shortages in the fields our communities need most.
For Long Island employers, student debt is both a challenge and an opportunity. One of the few constructive developments in federal legislation is the permanent extension of tax-free employer contributions to employee student loans. Employers can contribute up to $5,250 annually toward an employee’s student debt with no federal tax burden for either party. Employers of all sizes can implement this support quickly and cost-effectively, strengthening recruitment, retention, and the financial well-being of their workforce.
New York is positioned to build on that progress. Paidly, a platform that empowers employers, borrowers, students and their families to make education affordable, has been working with state legislators to allow tax-free payroll
deductions for student loans and education savings plans. Combined with the existing federal benefit, New Yorkers could direct up to $8,750 annually in taxadvantaged student loan relief — a real and immediate impact for borrowers trying to pay down debt, save for a home or simply stay on Long Island. These solutions are practical, affordable and achievable. Being highly educated and highly skilled should not come with a lifetime sentence of debt. And the 22-year-old who graduates from Hofstra or Stony Brook or Nassau Community College should be able to imagine a future here instead of being forced to leave the moment the loans come due. New York has an opportunity to lead the nation in supporting our workers. By expanding taxadvantaged student loan assistance to the state level and encouraging employers to become part of the solution, we can restore financial stability for working families and make the American dream attainable for Long Islanders.
John Scully is the CEO of Paidly, and Samantha Park is the platform’s content specialist.
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SGiving blood: the gift that cannot wait
ummer is a season many of us look forward to. Families head out on vacation, schools close for the year, community calendars lighten and many of the charitable drives and volunteer activities that fill the rest of the year take a brief pause.
Illness, accidents and medical emergencies, however, never take a vacation.
Every day, hospitals across Long Island and around the country rely on a steady supply of donated blood to care for trauma victims, cancer patients, premature infants, people undergoing surgery and those living with chronic blood disorders. When blood is needed, there is no time to wait for donors to come forward. The blood must already be on the shelves.
That’s why the emergency blood shortage announced by the American Red Cross should concern every one of us. The Red Cross reports that blood donations have fallen sharply since the end of May. That is not a problem that can be solved overnight.
Blood products have a limited shelf life. Red blood cells can be stored for only about six weeks, while platelets, which are critical for cancer patients and others undergoing treatment, last only a few days. A constant stream of volunteer donors is necessary simply to keep pace with everyday medical needs.
Unlike many products hospitals use, blood can’t be manufactured in a laboratory. It can’t be ordered from a factory or
letterS
Peter King is right about America’s leadership
To the Editor:
Re Peter King’s op-ed in last week’s issue, “America must not abdicate its leadership”: King is so right in his assessment. While I’m no expert on foreign affairs, I do think I have a unique perspective on the topic he addresses.
You see, my mother was born and raised in Germany, and was 16 when World War II broke out. My father’s parents were born in Germany, but in 1923 they moved to the United States for the very reason King points out: the Treaty of Versailles left Germany impoverished with little hope. So my father grew up here in New York, but as fate had it, my grandparents decided to move back to Germany in the late 1930s, because Germany was once again a prosperous country.
When the war broke out, my father was drafted into the German army
substituted with another medicine. Every pint comes from a volunteer willing to spend less than an hour giving something that costs nothing but can mean everything to someone else.
It is one of the rare opportunities for an ordinary person to directly save a life.
Most blood donors never meet the people they help. Yet each donation has the potential to help a number of patients. A single donation can help save as many as three lives.
It’s easy to assume that someone else will donate — that someone younger, healthier or with more free time will answer the call. But maintaining an adequate blood supply depends on thousands of people making that same small commitment throughout the year, because the demand for blood remains constant.
If anything, summer brings additional challenges. Increased travel can mean more motor vehicle accidents. Outdoor recreation can result in serious injuries. Construction projects continue. Hospitals remain busy. Every one of those situations depends on blood being available.
Long Island residents and the business community have always demonstrated their generosity during times of crisis. For those who have donated before, now is an excellent time to schedule another appointment if they are eligible. For first-time donors, there may be some uncertainty, but the process is safe,
carefully supervised and generally takes about an hour from registration to refreshments afterward. Most donors say the experience is easier than they expected, and leave knowing they have made a meaningful difference.
Donors of all eight blood types — A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+ and O- — are needed to rebuild the nation’s blood supply. While some blood types are used more frequently than others, every donation strengthens the system that hospitals depend on daily.
This isn’t simply about responding to an emergency declaration. It’s about recognizing that each of us may someday depend on the generosity of someone we’ve never met. Few people expect to need a blood transfusion until an accident, illness or unexpected surgery changes everything in an instant.
When that day comes, no family should have to wonder whether enough blood is available.
Make an appointment to donate blood. The Red Cross collects nationwide, but does not have facilities on Long Island, where New York Blood Centers and other agencies and organizations help meet the need. To learn where to donate, go to AABB.org, the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies, to find an AABB-accredited donation facility.
A single hour you spend giving blood today could mean the difference between life and death for someone in need.
I won’t stand by while our utility rates continue to climb
our neighbors across Nassau County tell me they simply cannot keep up with the rising costs on Long Island. The seemingly unending price increases for basic needs, like groceries, gas, health care and insurance, are forcing more hardworking families to decide what they can afford and what they must go without.
Keeping the lights on and the water running is nonnegotiable, however, leaving families at the mercy of utility bills that creep upward month after month with little warning or reason.
Long Islanders pay among the highest utility rates in the nation, and the cost of power has risen 20 percent since January. This has pushed the cost of living even higher, and made it more difficult to get by. Inconsistent and partisan energy policies, repeated price hikes by utility companies and cuts to assistance programs have sent utility bills soaring. I’m doing everything I can in Congress to lower these costs.
The republican leadership in Washington still has not done enough to
Letters
bring them down or take on the private utility companies that are driving up costs. There must be greater guardrails on these companies, which have collectively requested $50 billion in rate increases nationwide since 2025 to pad their profits. We’re seeing this firsthand in Nassau County, with Liberty Water’s latest proposed rate increases. That’s why I’ve demanded answers from Liberty Water on its repeated requests to increase rates, because no one should have to pay $20 to $30 more per month just to have water in their home.
the Republican leadership in D.C. still hasn’t done enough to bring them down.
about the administration’s plans to address rising electricity costs, and asked why it proposed additional cuts to vital federal support. reports show that elderly, disabled and low-income Long Islanders are struggling to pay their energy bills. Nearly 1,000 more PSEG customers saw their power shut off in April due to overdue bills, compared with last year.
Enhancement natural-gas pipeline project, which is critical for delivering more affordable, reliable energy to Long Island. New York state generates roughly half of its electricity from natural gas, and with this added source of energy, Long Island households that convert from fuel oil to natural-gas heating could save upward of $1,500 a year.
To ensure that Washington is focused on tackling this problem, I helped launch the Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus, a coalition committed to holding utility companies accountable for prioritizing profits over their consumers. I am also co-leading the Stop the rate Hikes Act to prevent utility providers from increasing rates more than once a year. Working families are already struggling to make ends meet, and demanding frequent rate increases is unacceptable.
Holding private utility companies accountable is only part of the battle. At a recent hearing, I questioned the U.S. energy secretary, Chris Wright,
the Luftwaffe, as it turns out. It wasn’t until I was in college that he revealed this aspect of his life to me. He had always said he was an American soldier, which was believable, as he had no accent growing up in New York. And we lived in Queens, with many Jewish neighbors, and, understandably, he didn’t want this aspect of his past to get out to the neighbors.
So, the question I would always ask my parents was, how could a great country like Germany allow Nazism to happen? They would offer several reasons, including that in the beginning, most Germans thought Hitler was someone who would implode and eventually go away. And by the time they realized that he wasn’t going anywhere, it was too late. Besides, they were just trying to live their lives and recover from the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles.
But the reason that can’t be ignored was appeasement — King’s central argument in his essay. Like it or not, the U.S. needs to maintain its global leadership as a deterrent to regimes whose goal it is to expand their borders against the will of all other nations. I’m troubled by the administration’s seeming lack of knowledge or respect for history, and how it somehow repeats itself.
I wish members of Congress would speak out more on this topic, and follow King’s advice publicly. While I agree that Europe must increase its defense spending, we need to maintain our role as “global policeman,” because no other country, in my opinion, has the credibility and military muscle to take on this role. Vladimir Putin is not someone who can be trusted. Why we have let him get this far is a reminder that appeasement does not work with evil minds.
WILLIAm FUESSLEr Wantagh
I questioned the administration’s proposal to cut funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps lowincome households reduce energy bills by about 20 percent annually in New York. In Congress I’m pushing for full funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which has provided critical assistance for more than 40 years to the most vulnerable in our communities. These programs are lifelines for many to afford their utilities, and I’ll continue fighting to preserve them.
Finally, we can’t expect to bring utility prices down with partisan politics or a one-size-fits-all approach. This moment requires us to deliver bipartisan, all-of-the-above energy solutions, and I urged Wright to work with me to do just that. When we spoke, I expressed my support for the Northeast Supply
Framework by Tim Baker
We must give local communities the ability to modernize and diversify their energy sources as we explore potentially cost-effective solutions. This way, we are never dependent on any single energy source. Part of the solution is projects like the NESE pipeline, which will reliably deliver affordable natural gas that we depend on to power and heat our homes, while supporting thousands of good-paying union jobs.
People across Nassau County tell me they desperately need relief as they stretch their paychecks further to cover mounting bills. They should never have to think about when and how long they keep their lights on, heat their homes or run their faucets for fear of paying hundreds more a month. That’s why I won’t stop fighting to hold utility companies accountable, preserve vital assistance programs, diversify our energy solutions and lower utility bills for every household on Long Island.
Laura A. Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.
At the Town of Hempstead’s America 250 Celebration, Dominick Critelli, 105, and Christopher Macchio performed.
At Mount Sinai South Nassau, patient safety isn’t just a priority— it’s a standard, one we work on every day. And the experts agree.
We’ve earned national recognition for patient safety, including an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group and the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award.
That means better outcomes for our patients with lower risk of infections or hospital acquired conditions.
When it comes to your health, nothing matters more than knowing you’re in a place where patient safety matters most.
Learn more at mountsinai.org/southnassau