Malverne / West Hempstead Herald 10-23-2025

Rivera/Herald

Brian Guiheen, a senior at Chaminade High School in Mineola, finished first overall in the 20th annual Malverne 5K run-walk for education on Sunday.

20th annual Malverne 5K raises money for local youth programs

By MADISoN GUSlER mgusler@liherald.com

More than 200 people gathered on Wicks Lane early Sunday morning to kick off the 20th annual Malverne 5K run-walk for education.

The nonprofit Malverne Educational and Fitness Foundation organized the first run in 2004, and have done so every year since, excluding during the pandemic. The event raises money to support youth programs in the Malverne school district.

“The 5K was established in order to help

Civic group awards Person of the Year

By MADISoN GUSlER mgusler@liherald.com

Dozens of community members attended the West Hempstead Community Support Association meeting on Thursday at the American Legion Cathedral Post 1087 on Woodlawn Road to honor 90-year-old Rosalie Norton, who was chosen as the West Hempstead Person of the Year.

The WHCSA recognized Norton with the award for five decades of advocacy, leadership, and dedication to her West Hempstead community.

fund the school programs and whatever they needed for extracurricular activities,” Jan Kasal, MEFF president and the race director since 2012, said. That year, Kasal started the 200-meter kids’ fun run that now precedes the 5K each year.

Because the Malverne school district encompasses Malverne, Lakeview and Lynbrook, the 5K course makes its way through all three communities.

“Our school district encompasses all these three communities,” Kasal said. “So the course should encompass all three com-

“Rosalie has devoted decades of her life to strengthening the bonds that make West Hempstead a vibrant, caring, and inclusive community,” Maureen Mahoney, WHCSA president, said.

her three children could grow up.

“One thing that I felt really strongly about was having a community that was united,” Norton told the Herald. “We’re a very diverse community, and I felt if could do anything to unite everyone, we could address some issues in the community that needed to be resolved.”

RoSAlIE NoRToN West Hempstead Person of the Year

A Brooklyn native, Norton and her family moved to West Hempstead in 1967. Shortly after her arrival, she became closely involved with the local community, motivated by creating a good, safe community in which

Norton began her involvement with the community as a trustee for the West Hempstead Public Library from 1974 to 1977, and served as president of the PTA from 1976 to 1977. She then was a member of the West Hempstead Board of Education, from 1977 to 1990, including two years as president.

During her 13-year stint on the school board, Norton helped implement a trustee term reduction referendum, supported the consolidation of the elementary schools, and helped establish the Special Education PTA and the Senior Citizens Club. Norton’s achieveContinued on paGe

Christine

Community cleans up Hempstead Avenue

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

Members of the West Hempstead Community Support Association, West Hempstead residents, students, local officials and members of the Town of Hempstead’s Highway Department came together on Sunday to clean up the community.

Beginning at 9 a.m., volunteers gathered at the intersection of Hempstead Avenue and Eagle Avenue before cleaning their way up to Sycamore Street. The crew collected debris in front of local temples, schools and in the heart of West Hempstead’s business district.

“We’re very happy that the Town of Hempstead assisted us in cleaning up Hempstead Avenue,” Neal Rosenblatt, quality of life chair with the WHCSA, said. “They’ve got street sweepers and crews cleaning up debris in the street. We’re also removing all the illegal signs on the telephone poles.”

The WHCSA holds biannual community clean ups at nearby Hall’s Pond Park,

but this is the first time the group has come together on Hempstead Avenue.

Maureen Mahoney, WHCSA president, said the Town of Hempstead owns Hempstead Avenue, which is why the group sought the town’s assistance to clean the road. “In the future we hope to get the county’s help to clean Woodfield Road,”

she said. “And maybe the state’s assistance because all the roads need to be cleaned up.”

“Cleanups show that we’re doing what we say we do — which is helping the community,” Mahoney said. “A lot of people in the community have things to say about the roads not being cleaned, the streets and sidewalks not being clean. And this is a way we can do it on occasion.”

“We hope to do this on a regular basis,” Rosenblatt said. “But the most important thing is making the community aware and making sure residents take care of their community.”

Madison Gusler/Herald Naushin Haque, 12, left, Maureen Mahoney, Tashfin Ritom, 13, Neal Rosenblatt, and Audrey Jean-Baptiste, 13, cleaned up Hempstead Avenue on Sunday.

Daniel Hadoulis, left, and Joe Nolan, with the Town of Hempstead Highway Department provided support to the WHCSA during the clean up.

Bridge Church holds Craft and Trade Show

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

Kathy Carpino, 68, has had a long love for crafts. She enjoys learning new skills and sharing her knowledge with others. This is how she came up with the idea for the her church to host a Craft and Trade Show.

“There’s so many people in this church, and its growing so quickly,” Carpino said. She suggested hosting a craft fair as a way for members to get to know each other “because there may be women in our church who have trades and businesses we don’t know anything about.”

“If we all get together, we can get to know each other and see what others do,” she said. “It’d be a way for people to find commonality and maybe encourage women to be entrepreneurs.”

After receiving approval from The Bridge Church, she helped organize the Craft and Trade Show, which took place the evening of Oct. 17 and the morning of Oct. 18. From 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, 27 vendors sold their goods to over 200 attendees in the BC room.

The Bridge Church Women’s Ministry hosted the show under the leadership of Women’s Ministry director Pastor Karen Chavez and Pastor Barbara D’Ambrosia, coordinator of Women’s Ministry events.

“We’re very excited and very please with how everything went,” Carpino said. “People had wonderful, encouraging things to say.”

“It was wonderful to see what women make and what they do,” she said. “That they have their own little businesses and most of them sell them from their homes or online. That was really interesting.”

Carpino said the event created a space for The Bridge Church’s two communities to come together. The Bridge Church is part of the Church of the Nazarene and hosts two services each week, one in English and the other in Spanish.

Fees for tables ranged from $5 to $20, depending on your membership in the church and the type of business a vendor had. “It really wasn’t about making money for the church,” Carpino said. “It was about bringing women together.”

“Everybody was trying to help everyone out,” Carpino said. “Everybody was trying to talk up the other people there. It was lovely.”

Vendor sold handmade crafts and products, including jewelry, floral arrangements, ceramics, watercolors, paintings, and more.

“These were real quality pieces,” Carpino said. “Everyone was doing beautiful work and that’s what you want to see at a craft fair. You want to see quality stuff.”

Daniela Novani showcases her business, Novani Project. She sold handmade scarves, hats, and more.

Christine Rivera/Herald photos

Deja Bowman, left, of Deja Delux Designs, sold her pottery creations at The Bridge Church’s Craft and Trade Show on Oct. 17 and 18.

Breanna Peralta sold bracelets with the sayings ‘Courage,’ ‘Strength’ and ‘Faith’ to support Together Rooted Ministry, a faith-based women’s empowerment group. Ashley Colon sold sweet treats to attendees.

• Pre-Arrangement Counseling

• Serving All Faiths

• Monuments

• Medicaid Approved Burial Trusts

• Funeral Directors available 24 hours a day

• Cremation Services

34 Hempstead Avenue (at Peninsula Blvd) Lynbrook, New York 11563

516-599-3600 • fax 516-599-3602

email: info@flinchandbruns.com www.flinchandbruns.com

Peace of Mind

In the midst of abundance such as we have never known, why are so many people unhappy? It may be that pursuing happiness is too vague a concept. Instead, we recommend pursuing peace of mind. Peace of mind can be found by eliminating those situations or circumstances that are preventing you from achieving it. Impossible, you say? Not if you are determined to fnd a way. Someone once said, “Tell me what it is that you want that you can’t have, and I’ll ask you what it is you aren’t willing to do.”

Recently, a client contacted me for advice on a family matter. She was the executor of an estate where the decedent had been in a second marriage and the two families were bickering over an old motorcycle, some personal effects and a relatively small amount of money. She wanted out as executor but her brothers wanted to fght. I asked her brothers whether they wanted peace of mind or to be right, since they couldn’t have both. They fnally relented.

Too many people want the thing but are un-

willing to pay the price. You want out of the relationship or situation but the other side is asking too much? Pay the price and get on with your life, it’s worth it. It doesn’t have to be fair, it just has to get done. Emerson said “Do the thing and you will have the power.”

Many of the issues we see people grappling with involve fghting something or someone in a way that resembles Don Quixote tilting at the windmill. They are fghting all by themselves. We say “stop fghting”. Let it go.

We also meet a great many worriers. Worried about everything all the time. Perhaps it is no more than a bad habit. Why do we say that? Whenever we solved a client’s worry, they immediately started worrying about something else! Churchill recounted a dying friend telling him, “You know, Winston, I had a lot of troubles in my life. Most of which never happened.”

Finally, from the Canadian thinker, Brian Tracy, “Set peace of mind as your highest goal, and organize your life around it”

516-327-8880 or email info@trustlaw.com 100 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre • 3000 Marcus

Lake Success Other offces in Huntington

Crime Brief

Man arrested for gun possession

A Baldwin man was arrested last Wednesday night in West Hempstead for criminal possession of a gun.

According to a release from the Nassau County Police Department, on Oct. 15 at 8:27 p.m. officers with the strategic response team responded to a 911 call at 256 Grand Avenue stating a gun was displayed.

Upon arriving at the scene, police observed a large group of people and a 2016 white BMW with its engine idling and a man leaning against the vehicle. Officers activated their emergency lights to conduct an investigation.

Once officers exited their vehicle, Tyrese Ashley, 24, of Roosevelt, attempted to flee and was placed under arrest a short time later by additional responding officers.

The man driving the BMW attempted to reverse and leave the scene but was stopped by officers. The release states he began to make “furtive movements,” suggesting the driver was acting nervously, and grabbing onto a bag he was wearing on his body.

Officers requested him to exit the car

when the man became combative and a physical struggle ensued.

Johnathan Romage, 21, of Baldwin, was placed into custody with assistance from additional responding officers.

A loaded 9mm handgun was recovered from Romage’s bag.

During the investigation, Alyssa Horgan, 20, of West Hempstead, became combative, ran at officers and kicked an officer in the knee. She was then arrested.

The officer was transported to an area hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Romage was charged with six counts criminal possession of a weapon, unlawful assembly, and obstructing governmental administration. Horgan was charged with assault, unlawful assembly and obstructing governmental administration. Ashley was charged with obstructing governmental administration.

All three were arraigned in First District Court on Thursday and pleaded not guilty on all charges. They will all return to court on varied dates in this week, following press time.

News Brief

Malverne students create cancer awareness

Students at Davison Avenue Intermediate School have begun a monthlong fundraiser in partnership with Pink Cans 4 Cancer, an initiative focused on raising awareness and supporting cancer research.

Throughout October, the Davison Avenue fifth grade ambassadors encourage the school community to donate redeemable bottles and cans. All funds raised through donations will support the important work of cancer research and

education. This fundraiser also teaches students the power of collective action and community service.

The students have set a goal of raising $1,000. If that milestone is met, school security guard Ms. Amy has pledged to dye her hair pink in honor of the cause – a fun incentive that highlights the spirit of teamwork and commitment behind this student led campaign.

— Madison Gusler

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

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

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

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

■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460

■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: rglickman@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643

■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com

— Madison Gusler

Johnathan Romage alyssa hoRgan

News briefs

MHS recognized for athletic excellence

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association has recognized Malverne High School as a 2024-25 School of Excellence.

This designation is awarded to schools where at least 75 percent of varsity athletic teams earn the ScholarAthlete Team Award. To qualify for the award, 75 percent of a team’s roster must maintain a GPA of 90 or higher during the athletic season.

For the 2024-25 school year, 17 of the 20 varsity teams at Malverne High School achieved Scholar-Athlete Team status, surpassing the threshold required for the School of Excellence distinction. This accomplishment high-

lights the school’s strong culture of academic and athletic excellence.

Malverne High School is one of only 42 schools on Long Island and 221 schools statewide to earn this honor.

“We are incredibly proud of our student-athletes and coaches for their unwavering dedication in the classroom and on the field,” Malverne High School principal Kesha Bascombe said. “This recognition is a testament to their hard work, teamwork and commitment to excellence, sportsmanship and academic success.”

Halloween returns to the American Legion

Cousins Abigail Hassett, 16, and Matthew Ruppert, 17, have fond memories of their childhood spent running around and dancing at the Malverne American Legion Hall’s annual Halloween party. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, the legion stopped hosting the spooky event.

“We decided that we wanted to start doing it ourselves, and hosting it for the community again,” Ruppert said.

The party included music, costume contests, a spooky haunted house, food, snacks, and crafts. With the help of their younger siblings, Paige Ruppert

and John Hassett, and grandmother Carol Hassett, president of the Malverne American Legion Auxiliary, the group organized the party in less than two months. They also put together the haunted house.

“It was an important part of our childhood,” Ruppert said. “We wanted to give the children in the community the same thing we had.”

“We’re both very involved in the Legion,” Hassett said. “And it was really important to us that we help to bring this back for future generations.”

— Madison Gusler

Courtesy Malverne school district

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association has recognized Malverne High School as a 2024-25 School of Excellence.

— Madison Gusler

Madison Gusler/Herald

Cousins Matthew Ruppert, 17, left, Abigail Hassett, 16, Paige Ruppert, 13, and John Hassett, 14, with a creepy doll in the Haunted House they created at the American Legion Hall.

MDVIP-affiliated

97%

SPOTLIGHT ATHLETE

GIANNA VENTURA

EAST MEADOW SENIOR FIELD HOCKEY

PICKING UP WHERE she left off last fall when she earned All-County honors, Ventura has reached new heights while leading the Jets to a 10-2 start in Nassau Conference II field hockey. Through Oct. 16, the Adelphi University bound standout was leading the county in goals with 20 to go along with 8 assists. She began 2025 with a bang, scoring all three of East Meadow’s goals in a win over New Hyde Park. Ventura has more than 50 career goals.

GAMES TO WATCH

Friday, Oct. 24

Football: Seaford at Island Trees 5 p.m.

Football: Farmingdale at Port Washington 6 p.m.

Football: Freeport at Oceanside 6 p.m.

Football: Sewanhaka at Division 6 p.m.

Football: Hempstead at Plainview 6:30

Football: Hewlett at Manhasset

Football:

Football: East Meadow at

Football: Plainedge at Malverne

Saturday, Oct. 25

Football: South Side at V.S. South

Football: Wantagh at Carey

Football: Clarke at Floral Park

Football: V.S. North at Elmont

Football: Garden City at Calhoun

Football: Baldwin at Mepham 2 p.m.

Football: New Hyde Park at Kennedy 2 p.m.

Football: Roslyn at V.S. Central 2 p.m.

Football: Lynbrook at C.S. Harbor 2 p.m.

Football: East Rockaway at Locust Valley 2 p.m.

Football: West Hempstead at North Shore 2 p.m.

Football: Lawrence at Oyster Bay 2 p.m.

Football: Syosset at Massapequa 3 p.m.

Football: Herricks at Uniondale 3 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a fall sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

HERALD SPORTS

Rebuilt Rams making strides

By MICHELLE RABINOVICH sports@liherald.com

On paper, West Hempstead girls’ volleyball is having a balanced year. Exhibit A: the Rams have a 6-6 overall record. But if you talk to coach Jillian Sarro, they’re competing exceptionally, daring to go beyond breaking even.

For starters, the team brought back only a trio of returning varsity players, giving it an obstacle from the jump.

“We really needed to hunker down and make sure that the people that played JV learned the speed, the style, the defensive positions as a varsity player, and they really have come together and jived with their chemistry and understanding and coachability very nicely,” Sarro said. “That specific obstacle was something that other teams didn’t really need to face, learning certain things from scratch, so I’m pretty proud of their outcome so far and how they’ve progressed throughout the season.”

The proof is in the pudding. There’s outside hitters Anna Spatafora and Isabella Salimbene, alongside middle blocker Summy Tineo, all who Sarro says have been working towards reading plays on the court to become smarter and more efficient players.

“Not just hitting the ball for an attack but making sure they have a game plan, a placement, watching the plays, making sure they’re able to read the defense,” Sarro said.

Sarro also added that those three kids are extremely motivated characters off the court, so that adds fuel to an already support-filled team.“I have a really great group this year that truly wants to make each other better and they all are able to talk to each other about their strengths and weaknesses,” the coach said.

This much was evidence in West Hempstead’s latest win, a 3-1 triumph over Malverne Oct. 14. Going 20-25, 22-25, 25-22, 24-26, West Hempstead won a tight match with breathing room. Salimbene led the offense with 7 kills, a pair of assists, a dig and an ace. Spatafora shone just as brightly up front with 6 kills, an assist, and 3 service aces. Valerie Schreck helped set up

strong over the last four.

her teammates for success with 25 assists up against the net. Defensively, the anchor was none other than Elizabeth Poirot with a team-leading 9 digs against Malverne.

She also cited that the joint effort of cocaptains Poirot and Spatafora. Both have been great leaders and role models for the ensemble.

“They don’t just lead by their voice and the things that they say but by example, they take accountability if necessary, they truly are a great, positive light in teaching that younger generation of this team,”

Sarro said, highlighting the lone freshman and sophomores who are learning the ropes on the fly.

Poirot is especially a leader given that she is the main defensive specialist, with Sarro highlighting that Poirot is crucial to the defense’s integrity.

“[The defense] relies a lot on her athleticism and reactions to the ball, so she’s a huge asset in our defense,” Sarro said.

With that, West Hempstead’s offense and defense have four more matches remaining.

Derrick Dingle/Herald

Anna Spatafora and the Rams split their first dozen matches and will look to finish

Ali is an advocate for safety and affordability

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

Sheharyar Ali isn’t a career politician — and that’s the point of his campaign.

Ali, 32, is running for a seat in the Nassau County Legislature, in the newly redrawn District 14, which includes Lynbrook, portions of Valley Stream and Malverne. His campaign focuses on quality-of-life issues that he says residents have been frustrated with for years — from public safety to housing costs to zoning.

“I grew up in this community,” Ali said. “I’m raising two boys in this community, and unfortunately I feel like the community just isn’t the same anymore. Instead of complaining about it, I decided to do something.”

Ali, who lives in Elmont with his wife and sons, launched his own law firm, Sheharyar Ali Law Group, in Valley Stream earlier this year. A graduate of Sewanhaka High School, he studied political science and then earned a law degree from St. John’s. He previously served as a prosecutor in the Brooklyn and Nassau County attorneys’ offices.

In 2023, Ali ran for a seat in District 3, challenging, and losing to, incumbent Legislator Carrié Solages. He said he hears the same concerns from residents that he heard during that first campaign.

His platform includes preserving the suburban quality of life in area communities. “I believe local officials should focus on local issues,” Ali said. “You want to make sure that you can pick up your phone, call your legislator, and they’re there to help and guide you to the appropriate resources.”

That’s a skill he said he has developed while serving as a prosecutor. “You’ve got to work with the county executive, your colleagues on the Legislature, the town, the villages,” he said. “There are a lot of moving

Tim Baker/Herald

Sheharyar Ali is an Elmont resident and a former prosecutor who wants to reduce crime rates and make Long Island more affordable for

young families.

parts, so building relationships, listening to people, talking with them and getting things done, that’s what it’s about.”

Ali is focused on affordability. “As a young person trying to raise a family, I know how difficult it is,” he said. “I’m a big proponent of community, transit-oriented development.” Referring to the development of housing and community spaces around public transit, he complimented recent developments near the Lyn-

brook LIRR station. But he also strongly believes in preserving neighborhoods’ character, and opposes state control of local zoning laws to protect residential communities from overdevelopment.

Ali supports efforts for the county to be “stronger” on crime. “I want to make sure I work with the Police Department and the D.A.’s office to make sure we have laws that are enforced, and we don’t let criminals get away without consequences,” he said.

After hearing from residents near the Queens border that they don’t feel supported by police, Ali reached out to the 5th Precinct and learned that officers feel understaffed and overworked, with resources focused on Green Acres Mall. If elected, he said, he would address safety issues by providing more funding to the NCPD, and look into how units are assigned to see if resources are being utilized efficiently.

“I would love to expand the Problem-Oriented Police program,” he said. “I firmly believe that community-oriented policing can solve a lot of problems.”

Ali said he would learn as much as he could before tackling community concerns. “I’m new to politics,” he said. “I’ve never been a legislator before; I’ve never held an elected position before. I want to learn as much as I can about how this job is done — how to be a good, effective legislator.

“I actually want to make difference,” Ali said. “I want to make a change.”

Cynthia Nuñez would focus on transparency

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

After four years on the Valley Stream District 24 school board, Cynthia Nuñez is ready to represent her community. Nuñez, 47, is running for a seat on the Nassau County Legislature in the newly redrawn District 14, which includes Lynbrook, portions of Valley Stream and Malverne. Her platform highlights communication with constituents and legislative transparency.

Nuñez and her husband have lived in Valley Stream for 16 years, and raised two children. A Suffolk County native, she studied professional legal studies at St. John’s University, and is currently pursuing an MBA at NYU. She is the director of legal operations at Labaton Keller Sucharow, where she focuses on data privacy and consumer rights violations. “I represent the little guy who’s been wronged by the big conglomerate,” she explained.

Nuñez has been a school board trustee since 2022. She ran for the position after realizing that her son didn’t receive the opportunities her daughter had a few years earlier.

“We chose to live in South Valley Stream, particularly District 24, because of the wonderful opportunities the school district had to offer,” she said. “Six years later, we realized those programs weren’t there anymore. That propelled me to run for the school board.”

As a trustee, Nuñez helped restore programs, supported the construction a sensory playground, and secured a $500,000 grant for the district. “I addressed a need for the community,” she said. “I can do that on a large scale, and that’s what I’m prepared to do on the

Tim Baker/Herald

Legislature.”

If elected, Nuñez would like to tackle county finances and transparency. “I need to know where the money is going and I need to share that with the community,” she said. “I need the community to understand where our taxes have been allocated so we can figure out if

it’s in the best interests of this district. If not, then let’s create a plan and see where we can implement changes.”

Nuñez is an alternate committee member for Valley Stream’s Board of Zoning & Appeals, appointed by Mayor Edwin Fare. She believes her relationship with Valley Stream officials would help her succeed as legislator.

“I come from a lifetime of service,” she said. “Service is entrenched in me. I’ve dedicated my life to giving a voice to those that don’t have one. My experiences on the school and the BZA boards have demonstrated, with proven results, that I can help my community as a whole.”

Nuñez is also a member of the National Association for Latino Officials, the New York State School Boards Association’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee, the Valley Stream Beautification Club, and the high school Parents Club.

“One of the benefits of this position is that I’m advocating for issues that directly impact myself and my family,” she said. “I think we need to have a voice that will raise the concerns of our constituents.”

Nuñez is a proponent of town halls. “What I’m hearing is that people are being spoken at instead of spoken with,” she said. “We need to create a freeway of communication. Constituents have a right to voice their concerns before decisions are made, not after.” If elected, she said is committed to working with her colleagues. “I cannot, in good conscience, just collaborate with Democrats and think that will resolve everything,” Nuñez said. “We have to be able to collaborate as a unit.”

Cynthia Nuñez, a member of the Valley Stream District 24 school board, is running for legislator. If elected, she hopes to create a more transparent Legislature.

Norton honored at WHCSA fall meeting

ments earned her the West Hempstead School Board Lifetime Achievement Award and the New York State PTA Lifetime Membership Award.

In 2002, Norton became vice president of the West Hempstead Civic Association, and three years later, she took over as its president. In 2008, when the civic association became the WHCSA, she assumed the presidency and held the position until she retired in 2020.

“When you enjoy doing something so much and you’ve got the community behind you,” Norton said, “it doesn’t seem fair for one person to get this award. It should go to the entire community.”

As WHCSA president, Norton accomplished several major undertakings. In 2008, she secured a $2 million grant for renovations to Halls Pond Park through the 2006 Environmental Bond Act. As a result of her efforts, a new gazebo, playground and benches were installed in the park, along with a new facade for the footbridge, new railings and landscaping, and a system of baffles, which direct water flow, to help keep the pond clean. The work was completed in 2009.

Norton helped beautify the community by securing an additional $90,000 in state grants to fund the installation of new street signs, benches and planters, as well as the creation of a community newsletter. She also worked with state and local legislators to promote traffic safety, creating school speed zones and installing stop signs throughout the community.

“My aim and my goal has always been to help our community,” she said. “And I hope I’ve done that.”

In addition, Norton was instrumental in closing the Courtesy Hotel, which community members described as a crimeridden building that brought prostitution and drugs and caused West Hempstead property values to diminish. Norton and other residents worked tirelessly to shutter the hotel, and in 2011, the hotel was permanently closed, sold and demolished — replaced with West 130, a luxury apart-

ment building.

“If the community didn’t stand up, help me — and really help themselves as well — then nothing would have been done,” Norton said.

Norton expressed pride that several community events she spearheaded continue to be held, such as the Holiday at Halls celebration, which unites the local religious communities with holiday spirit, and the annual 9/11 Memorial Service remembering community members lost in the 2001 terrorist attacks. In 2012, Nor-

ton established the 9/11 Memorial at Halls Pond Park, after petitioning the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for a piece of steel from the World Trade Center and then raising funds for construction of the memorial.

“Rosalie’s unwavering dedication, selfless service, and inspiring leadership have left an indelible mark on West Hempstead,” Mahoney said. “From education to beautification, from advocacy to remembrance, she has given her heart and soul to this community. Without Rosalie’s guidance I wouldn’t be here tonight.”

Norton remains a member of the West Hempstead Lions Club, which she joined in 2010, and is an honorary life member of the West Hempstead Historical Society.

The 2007 Malverne/West Hempstead Herald Person of the Year, Norton has received awards from the New York State Senate, Assembly, the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, the Rotary Club, and Vision Long Island.

Moshe Hill and Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks, candidates running for the newly redrawn 5th Legislative District, both presented citations to Norton for her dedication to the West Hempstead community. Hill presented the citation on behalf of Legislator Bill Gaylor, who represents the 14th District, which encompasses West Hempstead.

After receiving her awards, Norton celebrated her achievements with cake and speaking with family, friends and WHCSA members who continuously supported her work in the community.

Honoring Malverne’s firefighter history

By Madison Gusler Mgusler@liherald.com

The Malverne Historical and Preservation Society hosted a historical exhibit honoring the Malverne Fire Department on Sunday.

On Oct. 19, members of the fire department brought a fire truck to the historical house, which was open for the public to explore. Firefighters gathered to view the displays and learn more about their department’s history.

“We’re very proud of our Malverne fire department,” David Weinstein, the president of the Malverne Historical Society, said. “We feel this is an opportunity to pay tribute to them and give them a special thank you for what they do for the Village of Malverne.”

The Norwood Hook, Ladder and Hose Company was created in 1911, when it received the official charter recognizing the fire department. A volunteer effort, funds were raised to purchase equipment such as a truck, uniforms, a fire signal and a firehouse. In 1914 the firehouse was built on Broadway, where the current department stands today.

In 1921, Malverne became an incorporated village, and as the local population expanded, so did the demand for fire equipment. The Norwood Company

became the Malverne Fire Department, as the village provided financial support to help upgrade the equipment.

Weinstein has a personal connection to the department as well. A secondgeneration Malverne firefighter, Weinstein is a former chief who has served over 60 years as a member of the department.

“We provide service to the community and the protective area 24 hours, 7

days a week for fire and rescue calls,” Weinstein said. “It’s important that we continue to grow in membership and training, and to provide the best possible service for our residents.”

Weinstein said he hoped the exhibit would show residents how primitive emergency services in the village once were. In his 60 years as a firefighter, he has been impressed with the modernization of the equipment used in their

careers.

“When I first joined all the coats and boots were made of rubber,” he said. “Today they’re made of a more durable, safer material that will protect you much better than rubber.”

The Historical Society’s next event will be a Veterans Day Celebration. On Nov. 11 at 9 a.m., there will be a free continental breakfast available to all veterans in Malverne.

Madison Gusler/Herald

rosalie norton, 90, received the person of the Year award at the West Hempstead Community Support association meeting on thursday.

Madison Gusler/Herald members of the malverne f ire depatment joined the malverne Historical and preservation Society to learn more about the history of the local department.

Show Off Your Little Fans!

Snap a photo of your “Little Fan“ in their favorite football, hockey or any sports gear or outfit and enter our Little Fans Photo Contest!

Whether it’s your pet in a jersey or child in their favorite team’s colors, we want to see how you get into the sport spirit!

Scan the QR code to submit your photo today for a chance to win a pair of New York Islanders tickets to a game this season and be featured in your Long Island Herald.

Contest Ends 11/20/25

Aloise, a prosecutor, hopes to become D.A.

By LUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com

Nicole Aloise, a Democrat running for Nassau County district attorney, is focusing her campaigning on public safety, community investment, and experience forged in courtrooms.

“I firmly believe in the job of a prosecutor,” she said. “It’s all I’ve done in my career.”

Aloise, 41, has worked as a prosecutor for 16 years in both Nassau and Queens, most recently as a senior assistant district attorney in the Queens Homicide Bureau. She began her legal career in 2008 after graduating from St. John’s University School of Law. While in Queens, she secured more than 20 violent felony convictions and helped establish case law by making use of NYPD body camera footage for the first time in a trial in New York City.

Aloise moved with her family from Astoria to Garden City in 2019. From 2019 to 2023, she prosecuted homicides and violent felonies as senior litigation counsel in the Nassau D.A.’s office. She returned to Queens for a brief period before stepping down in 2024 to launch her campaign.

Despite its staff of hundreds, one of the largest D.A.’s offices in the country, it has fallen behind, Aloise said. “The office now being run,” she said, “is not appropriate for a 2025 D.A.’s office.”

She criticized what she called a lack of courtroom experience in the office’s current leadership, and said that has led to high staff turnover. The issues that are central to her platform include strengthening the county’s Hate Crimes Bureau, especially when it comes to antisemitic and anti-Asian attacks; sup-

porting a statewide “death by dealer” law to hold drug suppliers accountable in fatal overdoses; and increasing funding for youth, mental health and violence prevention programs. Aloise has also pledged to pursue tougher prosecutions in drunken-driving cases, and expanding cooperation

‘It’s been my life’s work,’ Anne

By LUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com

For Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, pursuing justice and supporting crime victims isn’t just a job — it’s a passion.

“It’s been my life’s work,” she said. “I have worked in every bureau in the office. I have been a boss, a supervisor, and I’m very passionate about what we do.”

Donnelly, 61, a Republican and a longtime prosecutor, defeated former State Sen. Todd Kaminsky in 2021 to become district attorney — the fourth consecutive woman to hold the office. A Garden City resident who graduated from Fordham Law School in 1989, she is seeking a second term on a platform of public safety, gang enforcement and law enforcement support.

Since taking office in 2022, Donnelly has created three county law enforcement units. The Firearms Suppression and Intelligence Unit, focuses on illegal gun sales and weapons trafficking.

“We’ve had an uptick of guns being taken off the street, and I wanted to know why,” she said. The Pharmaceutical Diversion and Cybercrimes Unit targets opioid diversion by medical professionals and prosecutes cybercrimes, including dark web activity. The Hate

DISTRICT ATTORNEY

with local police departments. “I’ve got the best experience to be in this job,” she said, “because I won’t be asking anybody to do something I myself personally haven’t done, and I will know what resources and guidelines to put into place to make sure they’re successful.”

Like the Republican incumbent, Anne Donnelly, Aloise has criticized New York’s 2020 discovery and bail reform laws. “It absolutely makes our job harder,” she said. “I’ve been outspoken about these laws since prior to their inception.”

But, she noted, she successfully worked under the same rules in Queens, and argued that the county badly needs an upgraded functioning discovery system. “They have one in Queens,” she added. “They have one in Suffolk.”

“I won’t run a stagnant office,” Aloise said. “I’ve got the passion, I’ve got the energy and I’ve got the vision to make the Nassau’s district attorney’s office one of the premier offices in the country — because we have the resources, if used correctly.”

Donnelly says

Tim Baker/Herald

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly is seeking a second term as the county’s top prosecutor.

Crimes Unit is tasked with investigating bias-motivated violence and boosting community outreach, training and reporting.

“There’s always going to be crime,” Donnelly said. “The important aspect of maintaining or keeping Nassau safe

is to target the crimes that we see increases in.” She has been an outspoken critic of New York state’s bail reform and Clean Slate laws, which she described “problematic,” and argued they allow repeat offenders back onto the streets.

She also raised concerns about the state’s discovery reform law, passed in 2020, which requires prosecutors to quickly share evidence with defense attorneys. Under the law, prosecutors originally had 20 to 35 days after a defendant’s arraignment, depending on pretrial custody, to provide all evidence — with a possible 30-day extension.

“It’s not like we’re trying to hide anything from them,” Donnelly said. “Getting all the information within the window is the challenge.” A 2025 amendment now allows cases to proceed if prosecutors show “good faith and due diligence” in providing evidence.

On the subject of the 2019 bail reform law, which eliminated cash bail for many non-violent offenses, she pointed to aggravated animal abuse and DWI as examples of “violent and dangerous” offenses that don’t meet the law’s definition of violence.

With nearly 250 attorneys and a staff of more than 450, the Nassau County district attorney’s office is one of the largest in the country. Donnelly said that her management experience stands in contrast to her challenger in next month’s election, Democrat Nicole Aloise. “She’s a very nice person, but has never managed one person,” Donnelly said. “I don’t think she’s the person for it. I think I am.”

Charles Shaw/Herald

Nicole Aloise is the challenger in the race for Nassau County district attorney.

School briefS

District Supervisor of Music and Fine Arts Michael Messina, left, with Jasmine Lugo, Evelyn Brown and choral director Ken Zagare. Lugo and Brown were selected to participate in the 2025 NYSSMA All-State Music Festival.

Singers selected for state music festival

Two Malverne High School seniors have been selected to participate in the prestigious New York State School Music Association All-State Music Festival, taking place this December in Rochester, New York.

“Kids Helping Kids” with pediatric cancer

Maurice W. Downing Primary School’s Student Council led a “Kids Helping Kids” initiative to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer.

lost her life to rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of pediatric cancer, in 2018, just two days shy of her 13th birthday.

Jasmine Lugo has earned a spot performing in one of the choral ensembles, while Evelyn Brown was recognized as an alternate for the ensemble. Both honors showcase their exceptional musicianship and dedication. The NYSSMA All-State Festival is regarded as one of the highest honors a student musician can achieve in New York State. To earn this distinction, students are recommended by their music teachers and must prepare a NYSSMA Level VI All-State solo, which is evaluated by a certified adjudicator.

On Sept. 25, students and staff showed their support by wearing yellow and gold — the colors used to raise awareness of pediatric cancer. They also collected donations for the Mary Ruchalski Foundation, a Rockville Centre based non-profit that works to raise awareness and funding for pediatric cancer research.

Carol Ruchalski created the foundation in honor of her daughter Mary, who

— Madison Gusler

During Ruchalski’s visit to Maurice W. Downing Primary School, she spoke about Mary’s story, read aloud to students and explained the foundation’s mission to help children battling cancer.

“This event exemplifies the compassion and civic mindedness of our students,” principal Erik Walter said. “We are proud of our young leaders for making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”

— Madison Gusler

Courtesy Malverne school district

Courtesy Malverne School District

Students, staff and special guests at Maurice W. Downing Primary School join to raise awareness and funding for pediatric cancer research.

MALVERNE/WEST

HEMPSTEAD HERALD — October 23, 2025

Archive Day returns for a spooky show

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

The Archive Day Trading Card Games Show returned to West Hempstead’s Cherry Valley Sports on Oct. 19. After a successful first event in August, Archive Day cocreators Taha Ahmed of Bellerose and Sabbir Ahmed of New Hyde Park, were invited to return for a spooky event.

The Archive Day Spooky Card Show included over 50 vendors from across the region. Over 200 attendees had the opportunity to buy, sell and trade cards related to sports, Pokémon, Yugioh, Magic the Gathering, Lorcana and more. Tickets to the event were $5 with early admission costing $10 and kids under 12 received free entry.

“I’ve been into cards since I was a little kid,” Taha said. “I’ve always been into collecting throughout my life, but recently it’s become really popular and a lot more people are involved, there’s more of a community presence.”

“I just wanted to help contribute to that,” he said.

Longtime friends, Taha and Sabbir bonded over Pokémon and attended card shows throughout New York and New Jersey. “We were like, there’s nothing here in Nassau County,” Taha said. “We just wanted to fill that hole and we wanted to

the help of

create something a bit more local for everyone to enjoy.”

During the Spooky Card Show, the first 100 attendees received a free goodie bag, which included a Pokémon card pack and candy. They raffled off card packs and prizes to attendees as well.

“The growth we’ve seen has been unbelievable,” Taha said. “When we first held

the event so many people walked in and bought a ticket, that we weren’t expecting. We had rented out a smaller portion of this venue and we quickly outgrew that. By the second event we’re renting a bigger area, have way more people, and attendees.”

Archive Day will return in December for a holiday themed card event.

Christine Rivera/Herald

Chris Dimatteo, of Slabfreakz, sells Pokémon cards and collectables with

Charmander.

Louis Lau and Mia Peterson with Mia Pop Colllectibles sold cards, key chains and more.

VOTERS GUIDE 2025

Candidate profiles, ballot Information and more inside!

HEMPSTEAD

ELECTION ‘25

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DISTRICT 1

On the issues:

Carelus, 55, was approached by members of the West Hempstead Republican Club and, after discussing it with his wife, decided to step forward. “She said, ‘Yeah, why not? You have some good ideas,’” Carelus recalled in a conversation with the Herald. “And so I said, evidently, this might be the best time, since I was approached.”

Jean-Bapitste Carelus Party: Republican

Born in Haiti, Carelus immigrated to the United States with his family in 1977, settling in Westbury and later Hempstead. A Hempstead High School graduate, he went on to earn a master’s degree in economics from CUNY Brooklyn College. Professionally, Carelus has spent over two decades in financial services, including roles in structured finance and consulting. He currently works for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, focusing on the risks and regulations of the insurance industry.

Kadeem Brown, a 34-year-old Elmont resident, is the Republican candidate challenging for Nassau County’s 3rd Legislative District seat. A graduate of Elmont Memorial High School and Penn State University, Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in technology management and has 12 years of experience in private wealth management. He says his financial background shapes his vision for a more efficient government that lowers costs for families.

On the issues:

Carelus is also deeply rooted in community service. For nearly 30 years, he has served as a lector at St. Thomas the Apostle Church and is a member of the Knights of Columbus. At 50, he became a volunteer firefighter and later an EMT, twice earning EMT of the Year honors.

“The biggest thing that they want, just like at the fire service, when there’s a call, respond, show up and work with everyone there to make sure that the issues are addressed,” he said. His campaign centers on housing, taxes, and equitable access to education and services. He supports affordable housing models like the Uniondale Community Land Trust and advocates for fairer property tax grievance processes.

“There are services that are being denied to these communities,” he said. “All the while the burden of the taxes have increasingly fallen on them.”

On the issues:

For more than a quartercentury, Dorothy Goosby, 86, councilwoman of District 1 and deputy supervisor, has been a pillar of public service and a trailblazer for minority representation in the Town of Hempstead. She is now running once again for re-election.

Dorothy Goosby Party: Democrat

Goosby’s journey into public office began with a fight for fair representation. In the late 1980s, she was the lead plaintiff in a landmark lawsuit challenging Hempstead’s at-large voting system, which had long prevented minority communities from electing their own representatives.

“We started in ’88 and it took us to 1999 in order to finally win the suit,” Goosby recalled to the Herald. The victory led to the creation of councilmanic districts, ensuring that every community had a voice at the table.

Goosby became the first African American woman to serve on the Town Board, representing Hempstead,

Uniondale, Roosevelt, and Freeport. “I go to all of them, and I check to see what’s going on,” she says. This year, Goosby’s re-election bid stands apart she is running without Nassau Democratic Party backing. Instead, supporters mounted a grassroots petition drive that gathered more than twice the 4,000 signatures required to get on the ballot. Known for her persistence, Goosby said the key lesson of her 25-year career is “to make sure that whatever it is I need, I get it.”

“And I do,” she added, “because they don’t like to hear from me.”

Goosby’s priorities include addressing illegal dumping, promoting safer neighborhoods, and opposing highdensity housing developments she believes could strain local resources. She has also championed youth enrichment, running a summer reading program for more than two decades.

District 1 includes Hempstead, and Roosevelt as well as portions of Baldwin, Uniondale, and West Hempstead.

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 3 ELECTION ‘25

as parks, traffic improvements and first responders.

Public safety is another priority for Brown, who stresses collaboration with law enforcement and supports the use of technology like license plate readers and “shot spotters” to deter crime. At the same time, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining open communication between police and immigrant communities to build trust.

Carrié Solages, the Democratic incumbent representing Nassau County’s 3rd Legislative District, is seeking re-election on a platform centered on public safety, community investment and government accessibility.

Affordability is at the center of Brown’s campaign. He argues that Nassau County must reduce the tax burden on residents and keep property taxes stable so that longtime community members can afford to remain or return. He also supports cutting wasteful spending and conducting annual reviews of social programs, with savings redirected toward essential services such

The son of Jamaican immigrants and a dual citizen, Brown supports stricter monitoring of immigration and believes it should be handled “the right way” to ensure both safety and fiscal responsibility.

He says his experience in finance and community work, including serving on the board of the Southeast Queens Merchants Association, has prepared him to deliver accountability, strengthen civic engagement and help bring more resources to the district.

Solages, 46, of Valley Stream, is a Haitian American who grew up in Elmont and attended Dutch Broadway Elementary School and H. Frank Carey High School. He earned degrees from Georgetown University and Boston College Law School before co-founding Solages and Solages, P.C., a civil and criminal law practice in Suffolk County with his brother, Phil Solages.

Elected in 2011, Solages represents portions of Valley Stream, Elmont, West Hempstead, Franklin Square and Lakeview. Throughout his tenure, he has emphasized that government should be accountable and responsive to residents’ needs.

On the issues:

Public safety remains a key priority for

Solages. He has secured funding for license plate readers, surveillance systems and body cameras for Nassau County police and envisions creating a “virtual security wall” along the QueensNassau border to aid law enforcement in crime prevention and traffic management. At the same time, he has long advocated for police accountability and has supported body cameras since 2014.

Traffic safety and infrastructure are also central to his agenda. Solages has pushed for new traffic lights at high-risk intersections, particularly along Dutch Broadway in Elmont, and has called for improved signage, road upgrades and safer driving conditions as congestion increases countywide.

Solages has also spoken out on immigration enforcement, emphasizing that local police should not assume federal duties and urging fairness in protecting immigrant rights.

Carrié Solages Party: Democrat

Kadeem Brown Party: Republican

OF THE HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS PULL OUT

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 5 ELECTION ‘25

Moshe Hill, 39, a lifelong West Hempstead resident running for Nassau County’s 5th Legislative District, is centering his campaign on preserving suburban values, boosting public safety, and promoting economic growth.

With experience as chief project coordinator for the Nassau County Board of Elections and a background in accounting and business analysis, Hill says he understands both the fiscal and community sides of policymaking.

Nassau’s housing and revenue challenges by creating a more businessfriendly environment. He believes that encouraging development projects, such as the $200 million apartment complex underway in West Hempstead, can bring economic vitality without sacrificing the character of suburban neighborhoods.

A political writer with more than 500 published opinion pieces in outlets such as “Newsweek” and the “Daily Wire”, Hill has long engaged in public debate and local activism. His decision to run for office came after years of volunteering on local and state campaigns, driven by what he describes as a commitment to making government more responsive to residents.

On the issues:

One of Hill’s priorities is addressing

Sheharyar Ali, a Valley Stream-based attorney, is making his second run for a seat in the Nassau County Legislature this time for the newly redrawn District 14, which includes parts of Lynbrook, Valley Stream, and Malverne. Ali, 32, grew up in Elmont and is raising his two young sons in the area. After graduating from Sewanhaka High School and earning his law degree from St. John’s University, he served in the Brooklyn and Nassau attorney’s offices before opening his own law firm earlier this year

On the issues:

Public safety and community cohesion are also central to Hill’s campaign. He has voiced concern over rising antisemitism in surrounding areas and praised local law enforcement for preventing similar issues in Nassau County. Hill argues that continued investment in police and community engagement programs is key to keeping neighborhoods safe Hill describes his approach as collaborative and practical, focused on solving problems rather than partisanship. He says he plans to work closely with both residents and fellow legislators to ensure Nassau County remains strong and family-oriented.

Olena Nicks, 33, has built her career on community service and practical problem-solving, with a focus on education, workforce development, and revitalizing local neighborhoods. Growing up in Uniondale, she knows firsthand how access to opportunity can shape a young person’s future and she’s determined to expand those opportunities for others.

Nicks supports programs that help students pursue higher education without taking on overwhelming debt. She encourages collaboration between schools, unions, and trade programs to prepare young people for the workforce right out of high school.

Recently, she worked alongside school officials to promote apprenticeships and vocational training, helping students who prefer hands-on careers find pathways to success. She also wants to strengthen partnerships with state and local institutions, pushing for expanded tuition assistance through CUNY and SUNY for

middle-income families struggling with the rising cost of living.

Nicks belives safety is a growing concern in communities like West Hempstead, especially amid rising antisemitic crimes.

On the issues:

While the failed Sands casino bid at the Nassau Coliseum site remains a point of contention, Nicks believes the area still holds tremendous potential. She supports exploring new projects such as a conference center, hotel expansion, or medical facilities that would boost tourism and create jobs without compromising the character of nearby communities.

Whether it’s through education reform, infrastructure investment, or small-business support, Nicks remains focused on building communities that thrive together where opportunity, safety, and a sense of belonging are within everyone’s reach.

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 14 ELECTION ‘25

he feels better positioned to represent residents.

“The same concerns that residents had when I was campaigning two years ago are the exact same concerns that they still have,” he said.

Ali supports community-based policing, expanded funding for the Fifth Precinct, and hiring more officers. He also wants to ensure local zoning remains in local hands. While backing transitoriented development near train stations, he opposes overdevelopment in residential areas.

Cynthia Nuñez, a longtime Valley Stream resident and school board trustee, is running for the Nassau County Legislature in the newly redrawn District 14, which includes parts of Lynbrook, Valley Stream, and Malverne.

On the issues:

Frustrated by what he sees as declining quality of life, Ali said he’s focused on local issues from public safety to affordability and suburban preservation. “I’m just trying to play my part to help my community,” he said. Ali lost a bid in 2023 for District 3. After redistricting moved his neighborhood into District 14, he said

Ali is focused on tackling the boring, every day issues of the local communities, from road repaving to a tree falling in the road. “You want to make sure that you can pick up your phone, call your legislator, and they’re there to help and guide your to the appropriate resources that are available,” Ali said.

“I don’t want to be the politician that just talks,” Ali added

Nuñez, 47, has lived in Valley Stream for 16 years with her husband and two children. She has served on the Valley Stream District 24 Board of Education since 2022 and helped lead the restoration of programs, construction of a sensory playground, and secured a $500,000 grant for the district.

Cynthia Nuñez Party: Democrat

Her campaign centers on fiscal accountability and communication. If elected, Nuñez said she would conduct a full review of county finances and push for more transparency in how tax dollars are spent. “I need the community to understand where our taxes have been allocated so we can figure out if it’s in the best interest of this district,” she said. “If not, then let’s come with a plan and see where we can implement these changes.”

“Service is entrenched in me,” Nuñez said. “I have dedicated my life, my professional career, to helping out the small guy, to giving a voice to those that don’t have one.”

Professionally, she is director of legal operations at Labaton Keller Sucharow, where she focuses on data privacy and consumer protection. She is currently pursuing an MBA at NYU.

She also supports creating forums for residents to weigh in before decisions are made. “What I’m hearing when I’m knocking on doors is that people are being spoken at instead of spoken with,” she said. “We need to create a freeway of communication.”

Nuñez emphasized bipartisan collaboration and said she would work with all 19 legislators, regardless of party. “We have to be able to collaborate as a unit.,” she said.

Sheharyar

Olena Nicks Party: Democrat

Moshe Hill Party: Republican

Legislative District 5 includes Portions of Hempstead, portions of Uniondale, portions of West Hempstead, and portions of Franklin Square.

PULL OUT WHO’S ON THE BALLOT FORM COURTESY OF

GENERAL ELECTION Candidates

County Executive

Ejecutivo del Condado

Amendment to Allow Olympic Sports Complex In Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land. Allows skiing and related trail facilities on state forest preserve land. The site is 1,039 acres. Requires State to add 2,500 acres of new forest land in Adirondack Park. A yes vote authorizes new ski trails and related facilities in the Adirondack forest preserve. A no vote does not authorize this use.

Enmienda para Permitir Complejo Olímpico de Deportes En el Condado de Essex en Tierra de Reserva Forestal Estatal. Permite el esquí e instalaciones relacionadas de pistas en tierra de reserva forestal estatal. El sitio es de 1,039 acres. Requiere que el Estado añade 2,500 acres de nueva tierra forestal en el Parque Adirondack. Un voto afrmativo autoriza nuevas pistas de esquí e instalaciones relacionadas en la reserva forestal Adirondack. Un voto negativo no autoriza este uso.

DEM,MOD Seth I. Koslow

District Attorney

Fiscal del Distrito

DEM, MOD Nicole Aloise

Comptroller

Controlador del Condado

REP,CON Bruce A. Blakeman

REP, CON Anne T. Donnelly

DEM, MOD Wayne H. Wink, Jr. REP, CON Elaine R. Phillips

County Clerk

Secretario

DEM, MOD

Joylette E. Williams REP, CON Maureen C. O’Connell

Hempstead Supervisor

Supervisor

DEM, MOD Joe Scianablo REP, CON John R. Ferretti

OF THE HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS PULL OUT

ELECTIon’25

actual ballot, but a composite of several sample ballots so as to refect all the districts within the communities covered edition of the Herald. Complete reporting on candidates running in districts covered by the Herald may be found at under the Elections ’25 tab. For election results after the polls close Tuesday night, go to LIHerald.com

Hempstead Council Member

1 Vote for One (1) REP, CON

Dorothy L. Goosby Jean-Baptiste Carelus

Hempstead Council Member

Darien D. Ward REP, CON Laura A. Ryder

Hempstead Town Clerk

4

Vote for One (1)

Justice of the Supreme Court

Juez de la Corte Suprema

DEM, REP, CON

Paul Kenny

Mark A. Cuthbertson

Margaret C. Reilly

Joseph C. Pastoressa

Surrogate Court Judge

Juez del Tribunal Sucesorio

DEM, REP, CON

Steven A. Pilewski

James W. Malone

Carl J. Copertino

Bronwyn M. Black-Kelly

Secretario Municipal Vote for One (1)

MOD Yveline L. Dalmacy REP, CON Kate Murray

County Legislator District 3

Legislador del Condado Distrito 3 Vote for One (1) REP, CON

Carrie Solages Kadeem M. Brown

County Legislator District 5

Legislador del Condado Distrito 5 Vote for One (1) REP, CON

Olena Nicks Moshe E. Hill

County Legislator District 14

Legislador del Condado Distrito 14 Vote for One (1) REP, CON

Cynthia Nunez Sheharyar Ali

David P. Sullivan

County Court Judge

Juez de la corte de distrito

DEM, REP, CON

Nancy Nicotra Bednar Donald X. Clavin, Jr.

Family Court Judge

Juez del Tribunal de Familia

REP, CON Robert E. Pipia

District Court Judge

Juez del Tribunal de

DEM, REP, CON

Maria Boultadakis

Robert G. Bogle Howard E. Sturim

PULL OUT WHO’S ON THE BALLOT FORM COURTESY OF

ELECTiON ‘25

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD SUPERViSOR

Republican John Ferretti, appointed Hempstead Town Supervisor in August following Don Clavin’s resignation, is running to retain the position with a focus on fiscal discipline, public safety, and community values.

On the issues:

A former Nassau County legislator, Ferretti, a lifelong Levittown resident, has emphasized his record of opposing tax increases and supporting responsible budgeting.

officials to increase patrols at houses of worship and co-authored legislation to prevent individuals from concealing their identities during acts of intimidation.

In addition to his focus on safety and fiscal management, Ferretti has positioned himself as a defender of suburban neighborhoods, opposing proposals for high-density housing developments he believes would alter the character of local communities.

Democrat Joe Scianablo, a Marine combat veteran, former NYPD officer, and prosecutor, is running for Town of Hempstead supervisor with a pledge to restore transparency, lower taxes, and hold local government accountable.

During his tenure, he led efforts to reduce county taxes by $70 million and block $150 million in proposed hikes. He has said government should operate within its means, similar to the financial discipline of local families.

Ferretti’s platform highlights a commitment to maintaining public safety and supporting law enforcement. As a legislator, he helped expand police presence, reopen a closed precinct, and invest in advanced public safety technology. He also worked with town

Before his election to public office, Ferretti served as Chief Deputy County Clerk, overseeing a staff of more than 100 employees and managing over $240 million in annual revenue.

Ferretti has also prioritized strengthening community infrastructure and ensuring that development and town policies reflect the needs and values of local residents, supporting initiatives that preserve open spaces and enhance the quality of life in Hempstead.

Scianablo, a Garden City resident, says families across the town are feeling the strain of rising costs, from a 12 percent property tax hike to increases in water, power, and fuel bills. He is calling for a full financial audit of all departments, a freeze on nonessential spending, and new measures to root out waste and corruption.

On the issues:

Joseph Scianablo Party: Democrat

If elected, Scianablo said his first 100 days would include converting all town streetlights to LED to save $1 million annually, implementing zero-based budgeting where every dollar is justified, and exploring shared services with nearby towns to eliminate duplicate

NASSAU COUNTY CLERK

costs. His platform emphasizes “commonsense solutions,” including proactive infrastructure maintenance, performance-based funding, and energy efficiency upgrades. He has also vowed to hold monthly town halls and establish resident oversight to keep taxpayers informed.

Scianablo said improving public safety and supporting veterans would also be key priorities. Drawing on his law enforcement background, he aims to strengthen trust between communities and public safety departments. As a Marine veteran, he wants to expand access to healthcare, housing, and employment programs for fellow veterans.

He has also criticized the closure of the Safe Center and pledged to expand domestic violence services by working with Nassau County and community partners.

Maureen O’Connell, Nassau County Clerk since 2006, is seeking re-election to continue her work modernizing the office and expanding services for seniors and non-English-speaking residents. With over 30 years in public service, O’Connell brings experience as both a registered nurse and attorney, having previously served in the New York State Assembly and as Deputy Mayor of East Williston

On the issues:

state’s earliest Supreme Court e-filing systems and integrated digital connections with state and local agencies. She has also prioritized digitizing historical documents, making decades-old records more accessible for residents, particularly seniors who often need to retrieve property information.

During her nearly two decades as clerk, O’Connell has overseen a major transformation of the office’s operations. Under her leadership, millions of backlogged documents were processed, and the office transitioned to a fully digitized system for court and land records. This modernization has allowed residents and attorneys to file and access official documents online, reducing the need for in-person visits.

O’Connell implemented one of the

In an effort to protect homeowners, O’Connell launched a Property Fraud Alert Program, allowing property owners to receive email notifications if deeds or mortgages are filed in their name, helping to prevent fraud.

If re-elected, she plans to continue digitizing older records and expand parking at the Mineola office. She also intends to further adapt services for residents who speak languages other than English, building on the existing language line currently in place.

A lifelong Nassau County resident, O’Connell lives in East Williston and teaches nursing at SUNY Farmingdale.

Joylette E. Williams, a longtime educator and community leader, is running for Nassau County Clerk with a platform focused on modernization, accessibility, and administrative efficiency. A county resident since 1993, Williams has spent over two decades in public service and education, currently serving as a professor of English at Nassau Community College and a two-term member of the Hempstead School Board.

Hempstead Industrial Development Agency. Williams is also actively involved in civic organizations, including the NAACP, the Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club, and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, among others

On the issues:

Williams holds a Ph.D. in English and is completing a second doctorate in Higher Education Administration at the University of Connecticut. Her academic and professional background includes extensive experience in document management, recordkeeping, and organizational leadership—skills she says directly translate to the responsibilities of the clerk’s office. Her public service includes prior roles as a Village of Hempstead trustee and current board member of the Town of

If elected, Williams plans to prioritize the digitization of county records, improve online access to public documents, and expand the use of the clerk’s mobile outreach van to underserved communities. She also proposes extending office hours one day a week to better serve working residents and increasing language accessibility for non-English-speaking residents.

Williams advocates for reducing or waiving fees on property transactions for groups such as seniors, veterans, first responders, and first-time homebuyers, citing Nassau’s fees as higher than neighboring counties.

John Ferretti Party: Republican

Joylette E. Williams Party: Democrat

Maureen O’Connell Party: Republican

‘25

NASSAU COUNTY COMPTROllER

Elaine Phillips, the Republican Nassau County Comptroller, is seeking re-election on a platform centered on fiscal responsibility, government efficiency, and taxpayer protection. Since taking office in 2022, she has focused on modernizing Nassau County’s financial systems, strengthening oversight of county spending, and ensuring residents receive measurable value for their tax dollars.

payments owed to Nassau County, identified inefficiencies in procurement and contract management, and implemented updated auditing procedures to prevent waste and fraud. She has also emphasized modernization, leading efforts to digitize accounting systems.

On the issues:

A former New York State senator representing the 7th District, Phillips previously served as mayor of Flower Hill, where she managed local budgets and enacted cost-saving reforms. Before entering public office, she built a successful career in finance with senior roles at J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and MetLife, bringing private-sector expertise to government operations.

As comptroller, Phillips has prioritized accountability and transparency in county finances. Her office has recovered millions in outstanding

Phillips has focused on strengthening fiscal stability, monitoring contract performance, and scrutinizing the county’s partnerships with major public entities such as the MTA. She has also overseen audits addressing delayed payments to small businesses and service providers, ensuring timely reimbursements and greater financial clarity. Phillips points to her background in both finance and local government as key to her pragmatic approach to fiscal management. She has emphasized longterm planning, responsible borrowing, and efficiency-driven reforms designed to safeguard public resources.

Wayne Wink, the Democratic candidate for Nassau County Comptroller, is running on a platform centered on transparency, fiscal integrity, and restoring independence to the county’s chief financial office. With more than two decades of public service, he brings extensive legislative and administrative experience to the race.

A resident of Roslyn, Wink began his career in local government on the North Hempstead Town Board, where he served from 2003 to 2007. He was later elected to the Nassau County Legislature, representing the 10th District from 2007 to 2014, which includes parts of Great Neck, East Hills, Roslyn, and Manhasset. During his tenure, he developed a reputation for fiscal diligence and constituent advocacy, focusing on responsible budgeting and government accountability.

In 2014, Wink was elected North Hempstead Town Clerk, a position he held until 2021. In that role, he oversaw

On the issues:

modernization of the town’s recordkeeping and licensing systems, implemented digital accessibility initiatives, and ensured compliance with open government and transparency laws. His administrative experience as clerk further solidified his focus on efficiency

On the issues: Wink has framed his campaign for comptroller around independence and transparency. He emphasizes the need for unbiased financial oversight, ensuring that county contracts, audits, and expenditures are handled with integrity and free from political influence. His platform includes expanding digital access to county financial data, improving internal controls, and strengthening collaboration with local municipalities to enhance fiscal efficiency. Wink holds a bachelor’s degree from Union College and a law degree from St. John’s University School of Law.

NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE ElECTION ‘25

Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is seeking a second term, emphasizing public safety, fiscal stability and preserving suburban character as the foundation of his administration. He said Nassau remains the safest large county in America, citing expanded law enforcement ranks, a stable budget and seven Wall Street bond-rating upgrades as evidence of sound fiscal management. Blakeman has repeatedly highlighted that county taxes have not increased during his tenure and that Nassau’s average home value has risen, which he sees as proof of prosperity and stability.

A central point of pride for Blakeman has been Nassau’s partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — the first of its kind in the country — which dedicates jail space and crosstrained detectives to assist federal agents. He said the agreement improves safety and has strong support among Hispanic residents who want “safe

neighborhoods and strong schools.” On crime prevention, Blakeman defended his creation of a volunteer emergency database, which critics have called a militia, describing it instead as a vetted roster of former police and military members who could be mobilized Blakeman continues to challenge the state’s takeover of Nassau University Medical Center, calling it “illegal” and harmful to residents who rely on it as a safetynet hospital. He contends the move is part of a broader state plan to reduce local control and diminish services. On housing, he opposes state-mandated density requirements, arguing that Nassau is already one of the nation’s most developed suburban counties and that zoning decisions should remain local.

Overall, Blakeman’s campaign message centers on fiscal prudence, public safety and protecting Nassau’s suburban quality of life.

On the issues:

Democratic Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow, of Merrick, is running for county executive on a platform centered on transparency, fiscal accountability and restoring public trust in local government.

A former Queens assistant district attorney and small business owner, Koslow said his decision to run was motivated by frustration over what he views as secrecy and mismanagement under the current administration. He cited ongoing problems at Nassau University Medical Center and the county jail as examples of a government unwilling to answer questions or plan for the future.

Seth Koslow Party: Democrat

waste and redirect resources toward infrastructure, housing and public services. He supports using county-owned properties for new mixed-use housing and simplifying the permit process for small businesses to boost local revenue without raising taxes. Koslow also said he would end Nassau’s cooperation agreement with federal immigration authorities, arguing it strains community relations and overextends county resources.

Koslow criticized County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s creation of a civilian militia, saying it undermines law enforcement and creates liability, and argued that Nassau’s shortage of detectives poses a more urgent safety threat. On fiscal issues, he said the county must better track its spending, cut

On social policy, he has rejected measures like the county’s bans on transgender athletes and public masking as divisive distractions from more pressing issues of affordability and public safety. His approach, he said, would emphasize collaboration with state and regional leaders, community input on major development projects such as the Nassau Hub, and long-term planning to keep future generations living and working on Long Island.

Wayne Wink Party: Democrat

Elaine Phillips Party: Republican

Bruce Blakeman Party: Republican

Nassau COuNty DistriCt attOrNey

Anne Donnelly, a Republican and prosecutor for over 30 years, defeated former State Sen. Todd Kaminsky in 2021 to become Nassau County’s top prosecutor; becoming the fourth consecutive woman to do so.

Donnelly, 61, is campaigning on her record as a career prosecutor who has prioritized public safety, gang enforcement and support for law enforcement. She is a Garden City resident and took office in 2022.

Anne Donnelly Party: Republican

Upon taking office she assembled a team of prosecutors and law enforcement officials—including a former police commissioner—to focus on violent crime, narcotics, and unsolved cold cases.

Donnelly also assisted in the Gilgo Beach serial killer investigation and helped close multiple cold cases from the 1960s and 1970s. Donnelly has said her administration prioritizes justice for vulnerable populations, including animals, and has prosecuted abusers under animal cruelty laws.

On the issues:

To address gun violence and online drug trafficking, she created a Firearm Suppression Unit and a Cyber Crimes and Pharmaceutical Unit. Her office has also expanded education programs in schools and invested in hate crime prevention efforts.

Donnelly has been an outspoken critic of New York’s “Cashless Bail” and “Clean Slate” laws, which she argues put repeat violent offenders back on the streets. She has called for their repeal while voicing continued support for police.

Before her election, Donnelly served 32 years in the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, most recently as deputy bureau chief of the Organized Crime and Rackets Bureau. Her cases included murder-for-hire schemes, narcotics rings, and a counterfeit electronics bust that led to the largest asset forfeiture in county history.

Donnelly holds degrees from Fordham University and Fordham Law School.

Nicole Aloise, a Democrat and candidate for Nassau County District Attorney, is mounting a campaign centered on addressing crime in the county, community investment and public safety.

Aloise, 41, brings 16 years of experience as a prosecutor in both Nassau and Queens counties, including recent work as a senior assistant district attorney in the Queens Homicide Bureau. She began her career in 2008 after earning her law degree from St. John’s University. In Queens, she helped secure more than 20 violent felony convictions and made case law by introducing the first NYPD body camera footage used in a New York City trial.

run for district attorney.

On the issues:

Her platform includes strengthening the county’s Hate Crimes Bureau to better address attacks on Jewish and Asian communities, supporting the creation of a “death by dealer” statute to hold drug traffickers accountable in fatal overdose cases, and boosting funding for mental health, youth and violence prevention programs.

Aloise has also pledged to crack down on DWI cases through the county’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau and continue partnering with local police departments to improve public safety.

From 2019 to 2023, she served in the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office as senior litigation counsel, prosecuting violent felonies and homicide cases. She returned to Queens in 2023 and continued her work until stepping down in 2024 to

She lives in Garden City with her family, serves on her school’s PTA, coaches youth soccer and teaches legal ethics as an adjunct professor at Molloy University.

Nassau COuNty DistriCt attOrNey

Anne Donnelly, a Republican and prosecutor for over 30 years, defeated former State Sen. Todd Kaminsky in 2021 to become Nassau County’s top prosecutor; becoming the fourth consecutive woman to do so.

Donnelly, 61, is campaigning on her record as a career prosecutor who has prioritized public safety, gang enforcement and support for law enforcement. She is a Garden City resident and took office in 2022.

On the issues:

To address gun violence and online drug trafficking, she created a Firearm Suppression Unit and a Cyber Crimes and Pharmaceutical Unit. Her office has also expanded education programs in schools and invested in hate crime prevention efforts.

Nicole Aloise, a Democrat and candidate for Nassau County District Attorney, is mounting a campaign centered on addressing crime in the county, community investment and public safety.

Upon taking office she assembled a team of prosecutors and law enforcement officials—including a former police commissioner—to focus on violent crime, narcotics, and unsolved cold cases.

Donnelly also assisted in the Gilgo Beach serial killer investigation and helped close multiple cold cases from the 1960s and 1970s. Donnelly has said her administration prioritizes justice for vulnerable populations, including animals, and has prosecuted abusers under animal cruelty laws.

Donnelly has been an outspoken critic of New York’s “Cashless Bail” and “Clean Slate” laws, which she argues put repeat violent offenders back on the streets. She has called for their repeal while voicing continued support for police.

Before her election, Donnelly served 32 years in the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, most recently as deputy bureau chief of the Organized Crime and Rackets Bureau. Her cases included murder-for-hire schemes, narcotics rings, and a counterfeit electronics bust that led to the largest asset forfeiture in county history.

Donnelly holds degrees from Fordham University and Fordham Law School.

Aloise, 41, brings 16 years of experience as a prosecutor in both Nassau and Queens counties, including recent work as a senior assistant district attorney in the Queens Homicide Bureau. She began her career in 2008 after earning her law degree from St. John’s University. In Queens, she helped secure more than 20 violent felony convictions and made case law by introducing the first NYPD body camera footage used in a New York City trial.

From 2019 to 2023, she served in the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office as senior litigation counsel, prosecuting violent felonies and homicide cases. She returned to Queens in 2023 and continued her work until stepping down in 2024 to

run for district attorney. On the issues: Her platform includes strengthening the county’s Hate Crimes Bureau to better address attacks on Jewish and Asian communities, supporting the creation of a “death by dealer” statute to hold drug traffickers accountable in fatal overdose cases, and boosting funding for mental health, youth and violence prevention programs.

Aloise has also pledged to crack down on DWI cases through the county’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau and continue partnering with local police departments to improve public safety.

She lives in Garden City with her family, serves on her school’s PTA, coaches youth soccer and teaches legal ethics as an adjunct professor at Molloy University.

Nicole Aloise Party: Democrat

Nicole Aloise Party: Democrat

Anne Donnelly Party: Republican

10th Judicial District 2025 JUDICIAL CANDIDATES

Bronwyn Black-Kelly

Cross endorsed by Democratic, Republican and Conservative parties

Age: 65

Legal career: Bronwyn Black-Kelly has served as a Suffolk County District Court judge since 2023, following a long career in both public service and private practice. From 1990 to 2022, she was a partner at the Law Offices of Black & Black, a general practice firm. Earlier in her career, she worked as an assistant district attorney in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office from 1985 to 1989.

Black-Kelly earned her law degree from Hofstra University School of Law in 1985, and her bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University in 1981. She was admitted to the state bar in 1986, and is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and the U.S. Supreme Court. She is a member of both the Suffolk County and New York State bar associations.

James Malone

Endorsed by Democratic, Republican and Conservative parties Age: 59

Legal career: Since 2018, James Malone has been a District Court Judge. From 2014-2017, he was a principal law clerk for State Supreme Court Justice William Condon. He received his undergraduate degree from Clarkson University in 1983 and a law degree from Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center in 2005.

Carl Copertino

Cross endorsed by Democratic, Republican and Conservative parties

Age: 69

Legal career: Judge Carl Copertino currently presides over family cases in the Family Court of Suffolk County and has served as a New York judge for 13 years.Previously, he spent five years as an attorney with the New York City Transit Authority. He received his law degree from Fordham University School of Law in 1981. He was admitted to the New York State bar in 1981.

Mark Cuthbertson

Endorsed by Republican and Democratic parties

Age: 59

Legal career: Mark Cuthbertson, a lifelong Huntington resident, focused his legal career on commercial real estate, municipal litigation, and the representation of municipalities and notfor-profit cemeteries.

Admitted to practice in New York and Connecticut, Cuthbertson earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Albany Law School of Union University. There, he served as the executive editor of the Symposium for the Albany Law Review. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Villanova University.

In addition to his legal practice, Cuthbertson has served on the Huntington Town Board since 1998, where he has worked to reduce and stabilize taxes while advancing environmental protection and smart growth initiatives. He sponsored legislation preserving hillside areas and open space throughout the town.

Matthew McDonough

Endorsed by the Conservative party Age: 36

Legal career: Matthew McDonough, of Massapequa, has been admitted to practice law in New York since 2019. He is also admitted to the District of Columbia, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern districts of New York, the U.S. Tax Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit. McDonough, a graduate of the City University of New York School of Law at Queens College, he earned his Juris Doctor before serving a clerkship with the State Supreme Court. In 2020, he opened his private practice in Babylon, focusing on municipal and public sector law. He works often with local governments, businesses and residents on municipal policy, taxation and regulatory compliance.

Joseph Pastoressa

Cross endorsed by Democratic, Republican and Conservative parties Age: 66

Legal career: Justice Joseph C. Pastoressa has served on the state Supreme Court in Suffolk County since 2012. Before that, he was an acting Supreme Court justice from 2004 to 2011, while also serving as a Court of Claims judge. Earlier in his career, Pastoressa worked in private practice, and later as a principal law clerk for a justice on the state Appellate Division, a Court of Claims judge and a state Supreme Court justice. He earned his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University, and graduated cum laude from Brooklyn Law School.

Steven Pilewski

Cross endorsed by Democratic, Republican and Conservative parties Age: 69

Paul Kenny

Cross endorsed by Democratic, Republican and Conservative parties Age: 64

Legal career: Paul Kenny, a Glen Head resident, began his career in 1986 as a court attorney in the New York City Criminal Court and later joined a general practice firm in Queens. He served as co-counsel to the State Court Officer’s Association. From 1992 to 2007, he worked in the Kings County Supreme Court Law Department, as a court attorney-referee for matrimonial matters, and from 2000 as the deputy chief court attorney. He was appointed chief clerk of the Appellate Term, Second Department in 2007 and edited the Election Law Handbook for more than a decade. He serves on the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, is an instructor at Lehman College, an adjunct professor at the NYC College of Technology and lectures at the Appellate Division, Second Department and State Judicial Institute on election law.

Margaret Reilly

Endorsed by Republican, Conservative, and Democratic parties Age: 61

Legal career: Steven A. Pilewski is a longtime member of the state’s court system, with more than two decades of experience in judicial chambers. From 2000 to 2022, he served as principal law clerk to Justice Guy J. Mangano Jr. in the state Supreme Court in Kings County. Before that, he worked as a principal appellate law clerk for the Appellate Term of the 2nd Department from 1995 to 2000.

Pilewski earned his law degree from Touro College in 1994, and received a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University in 1989. He has been a member of the Suffolk County Bar Association since 1999.

Legal career: Margaret Reilly has served as a Nassau County Surrogate’s Court judge since 2016. She was previously a Nassau County Supreme Court Justice from 2012 to 2015, an acting justice from 2007 to 2012, and a twice-elected County District Court judge from 1998 to 2011. Earlier in her career, Reilly practiced law as a deputy Nassau County attorney, the Stewart Manor village prosecutor and a senior associate at Mulholland Minion & Roe and the Law Office of Vincent D. McNamara. She has lectured at Hofstra and Touro law schools, co-chaired the Nassau County Courts’ Women in the Courts Committee, and served as an adjunct professor in trial advocacy at St. John’s.

2025 JUDICIAL CANDIDATES

County Court Judge

Nancy Nicotra Bednar

Cross endorsed by Democratic, Republican and Conservative parties

Age: 54

Legal career: Nancy Nicotra Bednar is a lifelong Nassau County resident raised in Elmont. She lives in Rockville Centre.

A 1993 Notre Dame graduate with a bachelor’s in English, she graduated from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York City in 1996 She has over 25 years of legal experience working with the Innocence Project to her leadership roles in the Nassau County Attorney’s Office and state courts.

In 2003, Bednar became a deputy bureau chief-for the General Litigation Bureau in the County Attorney’s office until 2008. Then a senior principal law clerk for Appellate DivisionSecond Department She is now a principal law clerk in the County Supreme Court

Court Judge, 2nd District

Robert G. Bogle

Cross endorsed by Democratic, Republican and Conservative parties

Age: 68

Legal career: Bogle has served as a New York judge for over 40 years and began his term after election in 2015. He also serves as a supervising judge of the Village Courts in the county. He received his law degree from Hofstra University in 1982 after receiving his bachelor’s degree in political science from Niagara University in 1979. Bogle has received awards such as the Magistrate of the Year Award from the State of New York in 2006 and the Frank J. Santagata Memorial Award from the Nassau County Magistrates Association in 2008. A lifelong resident of Valley Stream, he and his wife, Kathleen, have two children. He is a Knights of Columbus member.

Donald X. Clavin Jr.

Cross endorsed by Democratic, Republican and Conservative parties Age: 56

Legal career: Donald X. Clavin Jr. is the former Town of Hempstead Supervisor who served almost 3 terms from 2020-2025. He stepped down in August. Clavin was the Town of Hempstead Receiver of Taxes from 20012019.

Previously Clavin worked as a trial attorney and as deputy county attorney in Nassau County’s Attorney’s office. Clavin holds a law degree from Hofstra University and a bachelor’s in history from Canisius College. Clavin lives in Garden City with his wife and two children. He has stated “tax relief” as his top priority. He also helped develop the town’s 2019 and proposed 2020 budgets, including tax cuts. He has also hosted public information forums

Robert E. Pipia

Cross endorsed by Democratic, Republican and Conservative parties Age: 61

Legal career: Robert E. Pipia is a judge on the Nassau County District Court in the 10th Judicial District of New York. He was first elected in 2014.

Before that, Pipia was the executive assistant to then Town of Hempstead Supervisor’s Office. This followed his work as deputy town attorney for the town’s Attorney’s Office where he served as the Americans with Disabilities Act compliance coordinator.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from SUNY Albany in 1987, and earned his law degree from Hofstra University in 1992. He was licensed in New York in 1993.

Born in Queens and raised in Elmont, he attended the Henry Viscardi School.

Court Judge, 3rd District

Maria Boultadakis

Cross endorsed by Democratic, Republican and Conservative parties Age: 39

Legal career: Maria Boultadakis is a candidate for district court judge in Nassau County’s 2nd District. She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2012 and is registered with the New York State Unified Court System. She earned her law degree from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. Boultadakis has served as a law clerk for three New York State Supreme Court justices, and she also held the position of deputy county attorney in Nassau County from 2022 to 2023.

Karen L. Moroney

Cross endorsed by Democratic, Republican and Conservative parties Age: 55

Legal career: Karen L. Moroney serves as a judge in the Nassau County District Court, first elected in 2007, she was re-elected in 2013 and is currently serving a five-year term that expires at the end of this year.

Since 2017, she has also served as principal law clerk to Justice Sharon M.J. Gianelli of the Nassau County Supreme Court, and previously held similar roles for three other county Supreme Court justices. Her legal experience includes work as an attorney for the state Supreme Court and as an assistant district attorney in Queens County from 1992 to 1999.

Moroney earned her law degree from St. John’s University School of Law and was admitted to the bar in 1992. She is also admitted to practice before multiple federal courts.

Diana Hedayati

Cross endorsed by Democratic, Republican and Conservative parties Age: 41

Legal career: Diana Hedayati is an attorney based in Plainview and a candidate for district Court judge in Nassau County’s 3rd District. She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2010 by the Appellate Division, First Judicial Department and is currently registered with the New York State Unified Court System.

Hedayati graduated from Pace University School of Law. Her professional background includes over a decade of legal experience in the public sector, with a focus on administrative and regulatory law.

Howard E. Sturim

Cross endorsed by Democratic, Republican and Conservative parties Age: 66

Legal career: Howard E. Sturim is a New York Judge in the Supreme Court of Nassau County and has served for 10 years. His career began as an assistant district attorney for the Nassau County District Attorney’s office from 1991 to 2004. He prosecuted misdemeanor and felony cases then became head of the Arson Unit and Major Offenses Unit. He then became a principal law clerk for the state Court of Claims to Alan L. Honorof before his term as New York Judge began in 2016.

Sturim earned his bachelor’s degree from the New York Institute of Technology in 1987 before receiving his law degree from Hofstra University in 1990 in the Maurice A. Deane School of Law.

Court Judge, 4th District

James A. Saladino

Cross endorsed by Democratic, Republican and Conservative parties Age: 60

Legal career: James A. Saladino is a district court judge in Nassau County, appointed in March of this year. He has over 30 years of legal experience, including service as a judge, law clerk, prosecutor and private practitioner. From 2019 to 2024, he served as a district court judge in Suffolk County, presiding over criminal and civil matters. Before that, he spent eight years as a principal law clerk in the New York State Supreme Court and practiced law as a partner at Saladino & Hartill, LLP. Earlier in his career, he was an assistant district Attorney in Suffolk County from 1991 to 2002.

Saladino earned his law degree from St. John’s University School of Law and a B.A. from Boston University. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1991.

STEPPING OUT

Scare up a Halloween soirée Get

your

ghoul

on

By Karen Bloom

The big day of tricks — and treats — is fast approaching. Ir’s the perfect excuse to let your spooky side shine. Whether you’re hosting little ghouls or adults who love a good fright, transform your home into a playful (or slightly spooky) party lair. Think mad scientist candy tables,“frightfully” delicious bites, bubbling mocktails, and enough treats to satisfy every sweet tooth.

Costumes optional, fun required. Not everyone wants to go all out with a full costume — and that’s fne! A Halloween Disguise Table lets guests add just a touch of whimsy. From goofy glasses and wacky hats to plastic fangs and spinning bow ties, everyone can join the fun, one accessory at a time.

Go for some spooky eats and magical drinks. Turn everyday foods into Halloween delights with cookie cutters, clever renaming, or inventive presentation. Sandwiches become tombstones, cookies turn into ghosts, you get the idea. Drinks? Pour them into vintage bottles and jugs and label them “magic potions” for an instant wow factor.

With a little imagination, your Halloween gathering can be a playful mix of tricks, treats and memorable moments — no matter your age. Try these tricked-out goodies for tasty spooking.

Spooky Ghosts

These friendly ghosts are sweetly spooky.

• 4 large egg whites, at room temperature

• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

• 1 cup extra-fne Baker’s Special Sugar

• Chocolate mini chips, for eyes

Preheat the oven to 200°F, with a rack in the center. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Prepare a pastry bag with a 1/2” plain tip. Place the room-temperature egg whites into the bowl of a mixer. Add the cream of tartar. Beat on slow speed until the cream of tartar is dissolved and the egg whites are foamy. Slowly increase the speed of the mixer. When

with a tricky treat of a bash

the volume of the eggs has doubled and they begin to look opaque, sprinkle in about half the sugar. Continue to beat until the whites are glossy and getting stiff. Add the remaining sugar and mix until it’s evenly distributed and the whites hold a stiff peak.

Transfer the meringue to the pastry bag and, holding the bag perpendicular to the baking sheet, pipe, with even pressure, about 2”-high mounds of meringue.

Carefully press two chocolate mini chips into each meringue ghost, to make eyes.

Bake the meringues for approximately 60 to 90 minutes, or until they’re dry and crisp to the touch.

Turn off the oven, open the door a couple of inches, and leave the meringues in the oven to fnish drying several hours, or even overnight.

Remove the ghosts from the completely cold oven, and store them loosely covered. They should keep for several days at cool/dry room temperature. Yield: 20 to 24 ghosts.

Meatball Mummy Bites

Take a bite out of these mummies if you dare.

• 1 can (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls

• 20 meatballs, pre-made

• Ketchup or mustard

• Marinara sauce, as desired

Heat oven to 375°F. Line work surface with cooking parchment paper. On parchment-lined surface, unroll dough and press perforations to seal; cut into 4 rectangles.

With knife or pizza cutter, cut each rectangle lengthwise into 10 pieces, making a total of 40 pieces of dough.

Wrap 2 pieces of dough around each meatball to look like “bandages,” stretching dough slightly to cover meatballs.

Separate “bandages” near one end to show meatball “face.” On ungreased large cookie sheet, place wrapped meatballs.

Bake 13 to 17 minutes or until dough is light golden brown and meatballs are hot. With ketchup and mustard, draw “eyes” on mummy

bites. Serve with warm marinara sauce.

Monster Mouths

A spooky treat you’ll want to sink your teeth into.

• 1 roll (16.5 oz) refrigerated peanut butter cookies

• 3/4 cup hazelnut spread with cocoa

• 1 cup miniature marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350°F. Shape dough into 16 balls. On ungreased cookie sheet, place balls 3 inches apart.

Bake 15 to 17 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.

Spread hazelnut spread on bottom of each cookie; cut each cookie crosswise in half. For each “mouth,” press 4 to 5 marshmallows into hazelnut spread along rounded edge of 1 cookie half. Top with second cookie half, bottom side down; gently press together.

Melted Witch Punch

Take a sip and you’ll be feeling “witchy.”

• 6 cups water

• 1 cup white sugar

• 1 (6 ounce) package lime-favored gelatin mix

• 1 (46 fuid ounce) can pineapple juice

• 2 quarts orange juice

• 1/2 cup lemon juice

• 2 (2 liter) bottles chilled lemon-lime soda

Mix water, sugar, and gelatin mix in a large saucepan and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and cook at a boil, whisking frequently, until gelatin and sugar have dissolved, about 3 minutes. Stir pineapple juice, orange juice, and lemon juice into gelatin mixture and transfer into resealable plastic bags. Place in freezer until slushy, about 4 hours.

Pour mixture into a large punch bowl and stir in lemon-lime soda; foat a black plastic witch hat atop the punch.

Ruthie Foster is eager to share tunes from her new CD, “Mileage.” Renowned for her ability to weave together a tapestry of diverse musical infuences ranging from gospel and blues to folk and soul, Foster’s musical odyssey has taken her from singing in churches in rural Texas to earning multiple Grammy nominations, gracing the stage with the Allman Brothers, and collaborating with Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks. With her milestone 10th studio album, Foster continues to tell stories that refect her personal triumphs, losses and the universal human experience. Born into a family steeped in gospel tradition, she initially shied away from the spotlight, preferring to play guitar, piano and write songs for others. Now, many albums later, she stands as a testament to the power of authenticity and resilience in music.

Friday, Oct. 24, 8 p.m. $43, $38, $33. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.

Little Feat

One of America’s most distinctive and longest-running rock bands, Little Feat is back in a big way with a revitalized lineup and a stellar new album — its frst of original material in over a decade. The venerable band is touring in support of ‘Strike Up the Band,” their frst new studio album reliant on new material since 2012’s Rooster Rag. It’s Little Feat’s triumphant return to rock ‘n roll with plenty of swampy Southern soul. The band builds on a deep, over 50-year history of elite musicianship and brilliant, idiosyncratic songwriting that transcends boundaries. California rock, funk, folk, jazz, country and rockabilly mixed with New Orleans swamp boogie has kept audiences grooving for decades.

Saturday, Oct 25, 8 p.m. $141.25, $120.25, $99.75, $77.75, $66.25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Ruthie Foster

Spooky Ghosts Meatball Mummy Bites

Monster Mouths

Melted Witch Punch

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CALENDAR

Trunk or Treat

The West Hempstead Elementary PTA is hosting a Trunk or Treat at George Washington School to support 6th grade fun day. Reserve your place for $15 per spot, as spots are limited. Treats and glow sticks will be for sale. The school will be closed and school parking is for Trunk and Treat cars only. All are welcome to trick or treat.

• Where: 347 William St., West Hempstead

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: Fiorella Llanos at (516) 637-6019

Ragamuffn Parade

Legion. Tickets are $15 for a fun flled night of racing and prizes. Admission includes dinner and dessert. Beer or wine is $5. Deadline for reserving a table is Oct. 25.

• Where: American Legion 250 Franklin Ave., Malverne

• Time: 6 p.m.

• Contact: malvernesal@gmail.com

Long Island Turkey Trot Step into November with the Long Island Turkey Trot 5K.

• Where: Eisenhower Park, Parking Field 2

• Time: 9 a.m.

• Contact: EliteFeats. com/25LITurkeyTrot

Orchestre National de France

NOV

The Village of Malverne hosts its Ragamuffn Costume Parade at Gazebo Park. Children are invited to dress in their favorite costumes and enjoy a festive stroll flled with laughter, music, and clowns. Followed by a candy crawl throughout the village for trick-or-treating. With carnival games, Halloween crafts, pumpkin decorating and more.

• Where: Church Street, Malverne

• Time: 10 a.m.

• Contact: malvernevillage.org OCT

Dog Days Weekend

Enjoy the glorious grounds of Old Westbury Gardens with your pooch (leashed of course), With fall dog parade and costume contest on Sunday.Prizes awarded to best dog costumes, including Prettiest, Most Handsome, Most Original, Best Duo or Group, Funniest. Costume contest participants must register.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury

• Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: also Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with costume parade/contest, 3-5 p.m.

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

‘Uncle Vlad’s Pumpkin Patch: Under New Management’

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes all to its latest theater production. Horrible news! The Mountain Boo Soda Company has their eyes on a piece of property for their new factory — Uncle Vlad’s pumpkin patch! Join Uncle Vlad, his nephew Chad, and their freakish friends as they team up to protect their Halloween home from the bony fingers of big business. The company is run by a skeleton, after all! With puppeteers and actors from LICM’s Theater, this musical adventure will tickle your funny bone as a Halloween treat for the

Music Director Cristian Maˇcelaru leads the Orchestre National de France on its frst U.S. tour in nearly 10 years, performing with Grammy-winning pianist Daniil Trifonov. Their brief three-concert tour, with a stop at Tilles Center, culminates in a much-anticipated return to Carnegie Hall. Founded in 1934 and prized as France’s leading orchestra, the Orchestre National frst toured in North America in 1948. Joined by the pianist-extraordinaire (whose career has taken him far and wide, to Paris, throughout France, and to the most prestigious classical music venues in the world), the Orchestre National de France, the orchestra performs repertoires that lie at the core of its identity: Maurice Ravel (to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his birth), Elsa Barraine and Camille Saint-Saëns. Their brilliant repertoire features Saint-Saëns’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, along with Elsa Barraine’s Symphony No. 2 and two works by Ravel — Concerto in G and Daphnis et Chloe Suite No. 2 — with Trifonov as soloist on both of the program’s concerti. Under the baton of Cristian Maˇcelaru, this masterful program stuns in the musical story it provides, bringing the listener on a picturesque journey from start to fnish. The programming of Elsa Barraine’s Symphony No. 2 with its gumptous string lines that compliment the playfulness of the work’s structure sits beautifully in the program with Ravel’s Daphnis & Chloé. The two piano concertos bring different stylistic characters to the stage, with Saint-Saëns offering late romantic era lushness and Ravel offering the lavish fancy. Hearing these two works performed by Trifonov, a performer with a dedication to perfecting concerto repertoire for piano, is iconic.

whole family. $5 with museum admission ($4 members). $10 theater only.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., also Oct. 26

• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

Haunted Halloween

Step back in time at Old Bethpage Village Restoration for some Halloween fun. Enjoy safe trick or treating, a kids’ costume parade and contest, witch-broom making, pumpkin painting, and other family fun. Meet the Headless Horseman and listen to a reading of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Enjoy the spooky fun while you appreciate the colors and beauty of the fall season in the farms, woods, and felds of the historic site. $15, $12 seniors and children 5-12.

• Where: 1303 Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage

• Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Contact: oldbethpagevill agerestoration.org or call (516) 572-8409

Not-So-Spooky

Ghost’s Missing Candy Halloween Puppet Show

Get into the Halloween Spirit with

giggles, not goosebump at Old Westbury Gardens. After trickor-treating around the gardens, take in The Not-So-Spooky Ghost Puppet Show by Wonderspark Puppets, taking place in The Barn at Orchard Hill! When a timid little ghost’s Halloween candy goes missing, only one detective is clever enough, brave enough, and smart enough to solve the case

– Mystery Max! Join Max on a wild adventure to find the ghost’s missing candy. Along the way meet crazy characters, make new friends, sing songs and find clues. Whodunit? $18, $15 seniors 65+, $12 ages 3+

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 1-2 p.m.

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

• Where: Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100

• Time: 10 a.m.

• Contact: Carrie Aronson at (516) 865-3944 or afsp.org/ longislandwalkwest

Dog Halloween Parade

VIP Small Dog Sitting hosts a Halloween Parade. People and dogs are invited to come participate in costumes! With human snacks, doggy treats, music and more.

• Where: 683A Woodfield Road, West Hempstead • Time: 4 p.m.

NOV

1

Chapter holds their Long Island Out of the Darkness Community Walk to raise awareness about suicide at Jones Beach. Register to walk or become a sponsor.

• Where: Field 5, 2400 Ocean Parkway,

Paper Shredding

Malverne Civic Association hosts its annual paper shredding. Bring your paper to the Malverne LIRR station, along with a non-perishable food item as a donation to support the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at Our Lady of Lourdes.

• Where: Malverne LIRR

• Time: 9 a.m.-noon

Night at the Races

Enjoy a Night at the Races, hosted by the Malverne Sons of the American

2

Splish Splash… Animal Bath Hang out with some Long Island Children’s Museum’s “residents” at the drop-in program. Join an animal educator in the Hive Studio’s in the Feasts for Beasts Gallery to learn what goes into the care of LICM’s animal “residents.” Observe animal bath time.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 1:30-2 p.m.

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

‘Hats Off to Liza’

Plaza Theatrical invites to all to its stage at Elmont Memorial Library for dazzling tribute to the international sensation Liza Minnelli. Enjoy Liza’s showstopping songbook. $40, $35 seniors.

• Where: 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont

• Time: 2:30 p.m.

• Contact: PlazaTheatrical.com or call (516) 599-6870

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.

Continued success at Malverne 5K run-walk

munities.”

The fun run, which drew nearly 40 children, took place at 8:30, on Wicks Lane, and shortly before 9, more than 140 runners and walkers lined up at Howard T. Herber Middle School for the 5K. The finish line was behind Malverne High School.

Kasal, who has been running for decades, said he enjoys gathering the local running community in Malverne for the race each year. And, he added, “I think the spring run, organized by a different organization, complements ours very well.”

Greg Waxman, who organizes the Freedom 5K in Malverne, which takes place on Memorial Day and benefits veterans organizations, ran Sunday’s 5K as well, leading the crowd while carrying an American flag.

“I’m out here running because I support local races — especially this one in Malverne,” Waxman said. “Its good to get the community together to support a good cause. Jan has been organizing this race for a long time, and it’s one of the races that inspired me to start mine.”

Kasal estimated that the event raised $5,000 for MEFF, which will support PTA programs at Malverne district schools as well as the high school’s music programs this year.

Brian Guiheen, 16, took first overall in the 5K with a time of 17 minutes, 20 seconds. A senior at Chaminade High

School, the Malverne native has been running since sixth grade. “I’m in the middle of my cross-country season right now,” he said. “We’re looking to do big things this season, so this is a good experience to have.”

“I live around here,” Guiheen added, “so it’s nice to see the community come out and support people that do this kind of sport.”

Jayde Defreitas-Sean, 10, finished first in the women’s race in 21:35. A Brooklyn native, she has been running for three years. “It feels really great to win a race,” Jayde said. “It tells me that I put in the hard work, and it always

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU

LAKEVIEW LOAN

SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST

KEVIN D. WILLIAMS, TERRELL STALEY, ET

AL., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered July 28, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 274 Coventry Road, West Hempstead, NY 11552. All

pays off.”

Jayde is a member of the all-girls youth track club Jeuness Track Club in Brooklyn, which her father signed her up for after he noticed she enjoyed running races against her friends. “I like running because it makes me stronger,” she said. “It also helps me know that everything pays off in different ways.”

Awards were given to the top three

male and female racers overall, the top three boys and girls ages 11 and under, and age groups all the way up to 80 to 84, as well as a wheelchair division and the physically challenged. First-place winners received a plaque and a pair of running shoes.

After the race, attendees enjoyed snacks and refreshments provided by MEFF.

Jayde defreitas-Sean won the women’s 5K on Sunday.

Christine Rivera/Herald photos all of the participants in the kids’ fun run received medals.

the 20th annual malverne 5K run-walk for education is a community event in which all are invited to participate.

Lynbrook resident Jacob Suchit, 16, took third overall.

Our window replacement looks complicated

Q. With winter coming, we’re realizing that our windows are drafty and hard to open. It’s time to replace them after 40 years in our house. As we start shopping around, are there windows you recommend, and why? We keep seeing commercials for replacement windows, and were wondering if there’s a difference since our window openings aren’t standard. I took some measurements, and some of the windows are very uniform — like 4 feet tall, and others are off by 2 or 3 inches and those don’t match one another. Will the new windows be custom fit to the openings, or will we need to change the openings? I’m concerned, because our house is brick, and it seems like not every window is going to fit. What should I look for when talking to a contractor, and will we need a permit?

A. The most important thing to look for with windows is energy compliance and the strength and ease of operating the hardware. Windows that will lose more energy are a poor investment, followed by those that can’t be opened easily as they age. The strength of the frames goes hand in hand with the window operation, because less costly vinyl windows are made of less costly materials that will distort over time and directly affect the seal around the frames, making for more difficulty opening and closing.

Lately I’ve noticed that clients are searching for unique styles and brands from faraway places and even other countries. One person asked me to look at a lift-out window from Southern California that was meant for a café serving counter, but they wanted to use it for a second-floor bedroom. The window was a push-out-and-up type that didn’t look like it could handle our weather in the Northeast. There was no energy data to show resistance to our winters, and nothing published that could pass our local codes.

Another client is getting windows from Poland. They’re very strong, triple-pane units that cost less and will probably comply with the energy codes, but it was a struggle to get the energy data in a format required in your state codes.

The rule with most building departments in your area is that direct replacement doesn’t need a building permit, but altering window sizes does. You should still verify this with your building department, because you want to avoid receiving a warning or summons during the installation and then having to stop to get plans made and permits filed.

Custom window sizes require creating extra framing to attractively insert standard sizes. If you reduce the window opening, it must still comply with safety requirements. Consult either a local official or an architect to be sure that you comply. The codes vary for existing window openings, which require 4 square feet versus altered openings that bump the required size up to 5.7 square feet. The architect can also give you some guidance about wood versus

fiberglass versus metal, etc. Good luck!

AFFORDABLE

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

(2) 30 X 36 mirror, bevelled edge, etchings in corners, hardware attached. beautiful 516-579-9089 $45.00 36 INCH DOG crate $35.00. Call 516-872-8486

BRAND NEW HOLLY Pattern Vase, Vintage Statues (Christmas), Christmas ornaments, excellent. (516)579-9089 under $25.00 all

CEDAR RABBIT HUTCH: Mica cleanout drawers, Casters, 54" X 24", Solid construction. $95. 516-343-4010

DRESSERS: TWO BLACK Wood. Single drawer, 2 doors w/shelf. Formica top. W-32"xH-30"xD-18" $35 each. 516-320-1906

GIRLS SIZE 10, Hoodies, Long-sleeve tops & pants, New with Tags $10. Text (917) 420-5814

GIRLS SIZE 6 Tops and Jeans - New with Tags $8. Text (917) 420-5814

IKEA SOLID OAK: Unassembled, Media Storage Cabinets, New in Box: DVD, CD VCR $50 each. 516-486-7941

MIKASA SENTIMENTS CARAFE, glass, new, boxed, inscribed with Happiness, Success, Wisdom and Friendship. $25, 516-678-0694.

MIKASA SENTIMENTS CHAMPAGNE Fluted Glasses, 4, inscribed with Friendship, Wisdom, Success and Happiness. $40. 516-678-0694.

QUARTERS: ALL FIFTY STATES: Uncirculated, in presentation folders. 3 sets all 50 States. $50. 516-486-7941

Home Improvement

Finds Under $100

SEIKO SCHOOLHOUSE CLOCK: Like New, Excellent condition, Chimes, $80 (516) 486-2363 Jack Taylor.

WOMAN'S REVERSIBLE BLACK shearing coat for $90.00. Pictures upon request. 516-668-7286

SERVICES

Brick/Block/Concrete/Masonry

***MASONRY & CONSTRUCTION*** EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS! GIUSEPPE MUCCIACCIARO

We Do Pavers, Cultured Stone, Concrete, Bluestone, Blacktop, Fireplace, Patio, Waterproofing, Walkways, Pool Work. Lic#H2204320000 Family Operation Over 40Years. 516-238-6287

Cable/TV/Wiring

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

Electricians

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

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

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

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

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

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

Miscellaneous

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

Painting

CHARLIE THE PAINTER: Highly Skilled Professional Painter. All Phases Of The Painting Trade. Interior/ Exterior. Expert Repairs. Commercial. 25 Years Experience. FREE Estimates. Charlie 516-325-6574

Plumbing

PLUMBER! PLUMBER! PLUMBER! FREE ESTIMATES! Heating, Repairs, Installations. $25 OFF New Customers. Family Plumbing. 516-825-3606

Power Washing

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

Services

AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER?

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

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

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

Telephone Services

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

Tree Services

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

Satellite/TV Equipment

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

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Health & Fitness

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

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

AUTOMOBILE & MARINE

Autos For Sale

FORD FOCUS, 2014, 4 Door, Hatchback, Fully Loaded, Garaged, 8K-Miles, Showroom Condition, $10,000 Cash. 516-941-5874

MERCEDES C350, 2015: 4Matic, Sunroof, 77K,

opiNioNs

How does this shutdown finally end?

The federal government has been shut down since Oct. 1. I can’t stand it. I’ve been back and forth to Washington, but the Capitol is relatively quiet. Federal workers are missing paychecks; Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare applications can’t get processed; flights are being delayed; and without any action come Nov. 1, millions of Americans will be notified that their health insurance premiums are going up by over $1,000 — per month!

Why can’t we fix this? Republicans have the White House and majorities in both the Senate and the House, but they need eight Democratic votes in the Senate to pass a government funding bill. Despite the high stakes and the need for high-level bipartisan negotiations to end this crisis, no one is talking. Why?

Republicans say they won’t negotiate until the government is reopened. House Speaker Mike Johnson hasn’t called us back to Congress for a month. Senate Majority Leader John Thune refuses to budge, and President Trump continues his my-way-or-the-highway

“Nposture, unilaterally — and likely unlawfully — firing federal employees, cutting projects in Democratic states and eliminating programs to try to impose his will, making this shutdown as painful as possible.

The Democrats are just as dug in. They warn that those health insurance premiums will soon skyrocket because Republicans refuse to extend the tax credits that keep the premiums down. We’re running out of time.

We need a solution that staves off spikes in health insurance premiums.

If the credits expire, 22 million Americans, including more than 100,000 Long Islanders, will see their premiums spike. Healthy people all over the country will choose to forgo coverage, which will shrink the risk pool and raise premiums for everyone. The results will be catastrophic.

The crazy thing is, most Democrats want to reopen the government, and many Republicans want to extend the tax credits. The problem is that no one trusts one another. Republicans want to open the government with a handshake promise to talk about health insurance later. Democrats want it dealt with as part of the reopening. There must be compromise, often a dirty word in D.C.

Normally, I’d advocate for trust. I don’t believe shutdowns should be used

as negotiating tactics for these kinds of policy debates. But these aren’t normal times. For the past nine months, the administration has ignored the Democrats, unilaterally eliminating jobs and cutting key programs, reversing budget decisions without warning and generally steamrolling Congress’s constitutional authority over “the power of the purse” and the use of the military in our cities.

Johnson and Thune have refused to negotiate with Democrats. I’ve voted to keep the government open more than 40 times over my five terms in Congress. Each time, the governing majority has negotiated with the minority party, with the understanding that they simply don’t have the votes on their own.

How can Democrats reasonably be expected to trust that health care will be dealt with after the reopening in an environment of such fear, anger and distrust in Washington?

Nevertheless, we need to find a way to reopen the government as soon as possible, or things will only get worse. We need a solution that also staves off spikes in health insurance costs.

That’s why I’m leading a bipartisan effort with Republican Congresswoman Jen Kiggans. Our bill, the Premium

Tax Credit Extension Act, would extend the credits for one year, protecting families while giving Congress time to reach a broader health care deal. It’s not perfect. Like most of my Democratic colleagues, I’d prefer extending the credits permanently. But we’re in the minority, and we can’t let our aspiration for perfection stop us from achieving the good. Republicans, who can’t open the government without Democrats, must also see that truth.

The sticking point in this shutdown is health care affordability: Polling shows that the top concern in our country is the cost of living, and health care costs are a key contributor. At Trump’s inaugural address, he said he would “rapidly reduce prices.” I, like many Americans, hoped that he would.

Now inflation is up, costs are climbing, and Americans feel duped. They want us to reopen the government, prioritize lowering costs —health care a big part of that — and stop playing partisan games while they pay the price.

For many Americans, Washington hasn’t just shut down this month — it’s felt closed for far too long. We need to reopen it in every sense: by rebuilding trust, negotiating honestly, and committing to working together to find solutions for the people we represent.

Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.

Returning to autumn in New York, 2025

o man can step into the same river twice.” — Heraclitus, 500 B.C. After spending the past few years in Florida, my husband and I decided this season to rent a place near Woodmere, where we lived in the same house for 51 years. I taught in the local schools, our kids grew up here, and our roots in the community run deep. We’ve been back in town for about two months. I don’t have meteorological data, but I believe we’ve had the most glorious autumn weather ever experienced in southwestern Nassau County. Until the nor’easter, of course, which brought back memories of Hurricanes Belle and Irene and Sandy.

I took myself to Woodmere Dock and found the seascape of the bay, the waterside holes of the Rockaway Hunting Club and the vast marshes all the same. I imagine I’m one of few people who

recall that the dock was owned at one time by the Ike family, who rented rowboats by the hour and owned an access road to the dock known as Ike’s Lane.

You can go home again, but if you do, be prepared. Everything is the same, but entirely different. And, of course, you are different, too. Our old house looks as if we closed the door and walked away yesterday. The tiny memorial to our dog Sheba still rests in a flower bed where we buried her ashes.

You can go home again, but be prepared. Everything is the same, but entirely different.

The second day up North, I walked into a doctor’s office and into a friend from our kids’ high school days. We looked the same, other than dusted and stamped by time. That afternoon, a woman jogged by our rental house, and I realized she was in a book group I ran 25 years ago. I kept running into people who looked as if a makeup artist had worked them over. And they did double takes when I reintroduced myself.

Things are where I remember them — firehouses and supermarkets and a few restaurants. But some stores are now banks, and many small businesses

have been replaced by medical megapractices, gyms or nail spas. Community boards advertise unfamiliar events and groups. I felt like Emily in “Our Town,” when she returns from the dead to revisit her 12th birthday and realizes that no one ever appreciates the everydayness of their lives while they’re living them.

I took the LIRR to the city from Lawrence one day. I didn’t know where or how to park, how to buy a ticket or how to find the train schedule. Since I last rode the Snail, it went digital. I got a tutorial from my granddaughter and enjoyed a glorious day with her traipsing through downtown Manhattan. BTW, despite the fearmongering of many Floridians, the subway was clean, and it all felt safe.

Penn Station was emblematic of my experience, looking completely new and kind of brazen and futuristic, but foundationally the same. Track 19 is still Track 19, and the train back to Lawrence still left from there.

Another day, I drove from the Five Towns to Astoria. I hadn’t driven in city

traffic for six years. That was hell and a half. I felt gratified that my memory of the roads was accurate, and the Van Wyck still went to the Grand Central and then to Steinway Street — but what a holy mess the roads are. Everything is under construction, and cement trucks terrorized me all the way from here to there. My Waze app told me to go right so I could go left, and then an 18-wheeler backed into my lane. More people gave me the finger salute during that 50-minute ride than in all of my years driving.

The Woodmere and other towns of my younger self have evolved and, in some cases, disappeared. That’s what happens. New people, new shops, new activities festoon the old infrastructure. All the little back roads are the same, though. I realized I knew 10 different ways to drive anyplace.

I also know the origin stories, the history, of people and places, and it all came flooding back as I zipped about town. I felt grounded in the way you can only feel when your present is layered with rich memories of the past.

It’s autumn in New York again, and it’s good to be home.

Copyright 2025 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

ToM sUoZZi

RANDi KREiss

Herald editorial

Science strengthens justice on Long Island

For decades, justice in Nassau and Suffolk counties often depended on eyewitnesses, confessions and detective work that, while diligent, was limited by the science of its time. But today, the breakthroughs of modern forensic science are rewriting history, freeing the innocent and holding the guilty accountable.

Last week, the Nassau County district attorney’s office announced a stunning development in one of Long Island’s most haunting cold cases, the 1984 murder of 16-year-old Theresa Fusco in Lynbrook. Fusco disappeared after finishing her shift at the Hot Skates Roller Rink. A month later, her body was found in a nearby wooded area.

For nearly 40 years, her family lived with grief and confusion, compounded by the wrongful convictions of three men whose lives were destroyed before DNA technology could prove their innocence. Those men — Dennis Halstead, John Kogut and John Restivo — spent nearly two decades in prison before DNA testing cleared them in 2003.

Now, that same science has brought the case full circle. Investigators linked Richard Bilodeau, 63, of Center Moriches, to the crime after obtaining DNA from a discarded smoothie cup earlier this year. When tested, it was a 100

letters

percent match with evidence preserved from the Fusco crime scene.

“Science and DNA evidence doesn’t lie,” the district attorney’s office stated. And it doesn’t coerce confessions. It doesn’t forget. It doesn’t play favorites. It tells the truth when the truth is hard to find.

The Fusco case isn’t just about closure — it’s a lesson in progress. Four decades ago, detectives couldn’t imagine a world in which a cold case could be revived by a few microscopic cells. Today, the Nassau County forensic unit has reopened a number of cases, identifying both victims and suspects through genetic technology once considered science fiction.

Science is also central to another major Long Island case now unfolding in court: that of Rex Heuermann, the Massapequa Park architect accused of being the Gilgo Beach serial killer. There, too, DNA stands at the center of the search for truth. Prosecutors are relying on cutting-edge testing from Astrea Forensics, a California lab that analyzes even the tiniest hair fragments. Defense attorneys have tried to discredit the science as “magic,” claiming that New York courts haven’t yet accepted it.

But experts such as Dr. Kelley Harris,

There should be funding in the county budget for a safe center

The following letter was sent to Nassau County legislators.

The South Shore Women’s Alliance is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of women and families. In line with this mission, SSWA hosted “Not Me” workshops for parents and their daughters, in which the Safe Center LI, of Bethpage, played a crucial role, providing instruction on fundamental prevention and protection strategies, as well as education on the warning signs and cycles of abuse.

In addition to serving as the primary center for people affected by domestic violence and sexual abuse, the Safe Center operated as an advocacy center for child-abuse prosecutions, maintained a crisis-intervention hotline and offered an advocate-response program that dispatched trained volunteers to emergency rooms to assist survivors of rape, sexual assault and domestic violence.

The Safe Center was the lifeline for over 5,000 people each year, providing crucial resources and support to victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence, the only center of its kind in Nassau County. It is unconscionable that County Executive Bruce Blakeman allowed it to close.

Nassau provided $2.9 million to the Safe Center in 2023. But when asked for county grants to keep the center going, Blakeman failed not only to provide the needed funding, but also to facilitate a takeover by another organization, forcing the center to shut its doors.

The Safe Center board’s former president, Shanell Parrish-Brown, said, “The county sort of left the Safe Center

a University of Washington geneticist, defend the method as “elegant and powerful”— a reminder that while justice is constant, the tools to attain it evolve. Every forensic innovation, from fingerprints to fiber analysis to DNA sequencing, was once new and controversial. Yet each step forward has given law enforcement stronger, fairer tools to uncover facts that human memory or intuition alone could never provide.

Whether it’s exonerating the innocent, as in Fusco’s tragic case, or convicting the guilty, as prosecutors hope in the Gilgo Beach murders, forensic science is reshaping the path toward justice on Long Island. It demands accuracy. It demands accountability. And it demands that we trust evidence grounded not in guesswork or coercion, but in chemistry, genetics and time-tested truth.

For the Fusco family, science may finally bring the closure they’ve waited for since 1984. For the families of the Gilgo Beach victims, it may soon bring answers to a mystery that has haunted this area for years.

From Lynbrook to Massapequa Park and across Long Island, one message is clear: Science keeps faith with the facts — and with the people who deserve justice.

out to dry.”

As reported in Newsday, County Legislator Seth Koslow “said the impending closure could have been avoided with better county planning.”

“This was a failure of leadership in Nassau to ensure the safety of these children who have been victimized once and are now being victimized again by the Blakeman administra -

tion,” Koslow said. “This wasn’t something that just fell out of the heavens — people saw this coming.”

Why weren’t there hearings about the future of the center when the financial problems first became known? Why hasn’t the Legislature’s Health and Social Services Committee held hearings about how it might save the center?

opinions

Haven’t heard about kratom? It’s a new cause for concern.

kratom is a substance that has caught the attention of legislatures across the country — in New York especially, due to its wide usage as a stimulant and because of its alleged medicinal properties, but mainly as a cause of recent tragic deaths. I believe you should be aware of the risks of kratom, its compounds and synthetic derivatives. According to Dr. Marty Makary, commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “Concentrated, synthetic 7-OH” — the herb’s chemical byproduct — “may be the fourth wave of the opioid epidemic.”

Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves are sold on the market as tea, powder, pills, tablets or capsules. It is found in energy drinks, vapes, herbal supplements and gummies. Unregulated kratom products have been found to contain lead.

People use kratom to treat conditions such as pain, insomnia, anxiety, depression, opioid use disorder and withdrawal, and to boost energy and enhance wellness. Depending on the dosage,

however, it can produce both stimulant effects and opioid-like sedative effects. Its risks include liver toxicity, seizures and addiction.

The use of kratom started to become mainstream over the past decade. It’s relatively inexpensive, but according to industry statistics, the industry is valued at between $1.3 billion and $5.62 billion, and is projected to grow rapidly. This is concerning!

The FDA has not approved any uses for kratom, and it is not lawfully marketed in the United States. The FDA describes it as lacking medicinal value, and has raised concerns about risks it says are similar to those of using morphine. The FDA warns consumers to avoid usage until it is better understood.

Although it occurs naturally in the kratom plant, it is considered a synthetic substance in its potent form, in commercial products. The recommendation is now under review by the DEA.

T he head of the FDA says it ‘may be the fourth wave of the opioid epidemic.’

In 1970, Congress established five schedules of classification for controlled substances, Schedule 1 being the worst, and granted the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FDA the authority to determine which substances could be added or removed from those schedules.

In July, the FDA announced that it would recommend to the DEA that 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, the powerful compound found in kratom, be classified as a Schedule I substance.

LeTTers

Even more egregious is how Blakeman uses women’s trauma as a political ploy in mailings and TV ads against his opponent, while abandoning survivors of rape, abuse and domestic violence — effectively casting them onto the streets.

The South Shore Women’s Alliance gathered hundreds of Nassau resident signatures urging that, rather than spending millions of dollars on outside legal fees for frivolous culture war lawsuits or for his own personal militia, Blakeman reinstate the county’s only domestic violence center.

The SSWA requests that Nassau County allocate funds in the 2026 budget for opening a new facility that shelters and provides the services that the Safe Center provided to women and children of Nassau County.

CLAUDIA BORECKY Executive director,

South Shore Women’s Alliance

Should D’Esposito be an inspector general?

The following letter was sent to United States Senate Majority Leader John Thune. It has been reported that the U.S. Senate is advancing the confirmation of former Congressman Anthony D’Esposito to be Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Labor. Nassau Residents for Good Gov-

Until the review is complete, New York can’t pass legislation that deviates from a federal classification standard because of the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Although this was a step in the right direction, the kratom plant itself was not included in the recommendation. I recently signed a letter written by the chairman of the Assembly’s Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee requesting that the DEA and FDA add kratom products as a Schedule I substance.

At least half of the states in the U.S. regulate kratom, often including age restrictions. As of this year, Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C., have banned it, and classified it as a Schedule I substance. Florida and Missouri have banned synthetic 7-OH.

The inconsistency of these laws demonstrates exactly why federal regulation streamlining the classification and use of kratom is so vital. While it may have medicinal benefits, the focus should be

ernment is a nonpartisan group concerned about transparency, accountability and integrity. We believe Mr. D’Esposito is wholly unqualified for this job, and ask that you block his confirmation.

Anthony D’Esposito’s history of questionable hiring practices has been well documented. While at the New York City Police Department, he reportedly broke labor rules by working a second job. More recently, D’Esposito was at the center of a scandal. In September 2024, it was reported that that while he was serving as a congressman in the 4th District, he put his fiancée’s daughter and his mistress on his congressional payroll, despite the House Code of Conduct prohibition against employing spouses, relatives and stepchildren.

There are also questions about his judgment. D’Esposito was part of the GOP’s slate of 2022 freshmen candidates for Congress, which included the disgraced George Santos, who was expelled in 2023 (and just released from prison). D’Esposito reportedly had a close financial relationship with Santos, and coordinated with him during their concurrent 2022 House campaigns, sharing a campaign treasurer (who later pleaded guilty to conspiring to defrauding the U.S. government) and raising money together through the Santo D’Esposito Nassau Victory Committee.

D’Esposito says that if confirmed, he will bring “grit, independence and accountability to the Department of Labor.” In fact,

on harm reduction. Individual choice needs to be respected, but I believe public health is at stake.

We have taken action in New York state. I co-sponsored two bills that passed unanimously in June and are awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature. One would require manufacturers of kratom products in New York to include a warning label stating that the product hasn’t been approved by the FDA, and is prohibited from being labeled as all natural. The other bill would prohibit the sale of kratom to anyone under age 21. It is vital that we protect this age group, just as we do with the sale of alcohol and marijuana.

It is paramount that these bills be signed, and that kratom products be classified as Schedule I substances. The tragic deaths of too many New Yorkers have shown how dangerous and addictive kratom can be. Some people seeking alternative remedies to pain, insomnia, anxiety, fatigue and other problems have unknowingly been at risk, and some have died believing this substance was natural, safe and had therapeutic value.

Unfortunately, this sounds all too familiar. “We got burned with fentanyl. We got burned with prescription drugs,” Makary said. “We cannot get behind the eight-ball again.”

Judy Griffin represents the 21st Assembly District.

his record is antithetical to that position and that promise. As detailed above, his record is one of corruption and a general disregard for ethical considerations.

President Trump chose D’Esposito despite his ethical lapses amid lingering questions about his hiring practices. But the Senate doesn’t have to.

Here in Nassau County, we have seen up close D’Esposito’s labor practices, which we believe should disqualify him from consideration. Instead of advancing D’Esposito’s confirmation, it should be blocked.

Framework by Tim Baker

A bingo costume party fundraiser for the Rescuing Families charity — Mineola

JUDY GriFFin