Massapequa Herald 02_05_2025

HERALD Massapequa

Also serving Farmingdale, Massapequa, Massapequa Park and Plainedge pOsT

Janine O’Connor of ASD promoted Page 2

Massapequan designs memorial plaques...Page 10

Massapequa Park Village officials announce their re-election bids

By MIKE POLANSKY Correspondent

Massapequa Park Village Mayor Daniel Pearl, Deputy Mayor Tina Schiaffino and Trustee Christine Wiss announced they are seeking re-election for another two years in the upcoming village election on Tues., March 18. They are running unopposed.

The mayor has lived in Massapequa Park since he was four years old, after his family moved from Brooklyn. A graduate of Massapequa High School, he now resides in the village with his wife, Alison, and their three children.

Pearl’s career in public service began at age 14 with the Town of Oyster Bay, and he served in various roles, including as commissioner of the newly created Sanitation Department in 2022. He was elected mayor four years ago, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pearl credits his administration’s handling of the pandem -

ic, including efforts to support local businesses and provide COVID testing and vaccinations at the Senior Center, as one of his key accomplishments.

He also highlights infrastructure upgrades such as road refurbishments, the installation of new HVAC systems at Village Hall and the Senior Center, and the conversion of all streetlights to LED. Pearl points to parks improvements, including a new basketball court and pickleball court at Brady Park, as major achievements.

He says the village is in “excellent shape” financially and physically, praising the work of the board and the village workforce.

Pearl has expressed no ambitions for higher office, stating, “Where I can do the best is where I want to be, which is right here in Massapequa Park.”

Deputy Mayor Tina Schiaffino moved to Massapequa Park in 1998 after living

DEADLINE MARCH 3RD

Massapequa BOE approves next year’s calendar, with tweaks

By MIKE POLANSKY

Correspondent

With a bit of adjusting, the Massapequa Board of Education approved the official calendar for the 2025-2026 school year at its January 23 meeting.

Robert Schilling, the district’s assistant superintendent for human resources, explained that flexibility was limited this year because of statewide scheduling constraints. In New York, the school year must end by Regents Rating Day, which in 2026 falls on June 26. This date is designated for teachers and administrators to grade and record Regents exams.

Under the terms of the contract between the district and the Massapequa Federation of Teachers (MFT), classes cannot begin earlier than August 31 and the district is required to schedule 181 instructional days and 184 teacher reporting days between that date and June 26.

As a result, the district faced challenges with school closures. It would be unable to close for the day before Thanksgiving, as it has in previous years. Additionally, schools would need to remain open on January 2, 2026, following the winter break—a day Schilling predicted would result in a high absenteeirate among students.

After discussions with the union, the district proposed

an adjustment to the calendar. Teachers’ orientation and conference days will now take place on August 27 and 28, allowing school to begin on Tuesday, September 2, the day after Labor Day. That will enable the district to close on November 26 and January 2.

“This provides a solid weekand-a-half winter break, which reduces absenteeism, and gives families an extra travel day for Thanksgiving,” Schilling said.

Board Vice President Jeanine Caramore, who chaired the meeting in the absence of President Kerry Wachter, thanked Schilling for the solution and expressed appreciation for the MFT’s cooperation. The board then adopted the 20252026 school calendar as recommended.

In other business, the board: • Heard a presentation from Bryan R. Piotrowski, assistant to the superintendent for technology and general administration, on a recent data breach affecting multiple school districts, including Massapequa. Piotrowski outlined steps being taken to prevent future incidents.

• Heard from Dr. Jordan McCaw, assistant superintendent for pupil personnel services, and Dr. Michelle Walsh, assistant to the superintendent

Photo courtesy of the MPK Village Board

Deputy Mayor Tina Schiaffino, Mayor Daniel Pearl and Trustee Christine Wiss are seeking re-election.

Bill would allow NY schools to opt-out of zero-emission bus mandate

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

Assemblymen Keith Brown and Michael Durso, both Republicans, are cosponsoring a bill that would allow local school districts to opt out of a new state law mandating the transition to electric school buses.

The lawmakers argue that the measure, which requires districts to replace diesel buses with zero-emission models, presents significant energy and cost-related challenges.

At a news conference on January 28, Brown (12th AD) and Durso (9th AD) introduced the proposed bill that, if passed, would give school districts the option to apply for a waiver from the state’s commissioner of education, allowing them to bypass certain zero-emission bus requirements.

Under current law, starting in 2027, school districts in New York will be required to purchase electric school buses to replace traditional diesel models. The state offers transportation aid as partial reimbursement for bus purchases, but the new measure has raised concerns about its affordability.

A group of Republican state senators sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul, expressing concerns over the high costs of electric buses. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that the average new electric school bus costs approximately $400,000,

compared to about $130,000 for traditional diesel buses. However, in a statement to the press, Hochul defended the initiative, stating, “It is not enough to encourage New Yorkers to buy electric—we must build green infrastructure that will drive New Yorkers to choose cleaner and greener modes of transportation.”

The push for electric school buses is part of New York’s broader environmental goal of reaching 850,000 zero-emission vehicles by 2025, with plans for all new passenger vehicles to be electric by 2035. Critics of the mandate argue that electric buses cost two to four times more than traditional buses. One analysis estimated that it could cost between $8 billion and $15.25 billion for school districts to transition their fleets from gas-powered to electric buses. Brown also noted that the costs of infrastructure and facility upgrades were not included in these estimates. “School district superintendents, board members, and educators recognize the environmental benefits of reducing vehicle emissions, but they also understand the financial and logistical challenges this transition poses,” Brown said. “School districts work with tight budgets, and the unpredictability of costs—along with issues like electrical capacity, infrastructure, and energy efficiency—varies widely by district.”

Amityville School Superintendent Dr. Gina Talbert noted that the school district outsources its transportation services to a local contractor.

“Local bus companies are already experiencing significant financial pressures due to rising costs in personnel and maintenance required to operate existing bus services,” she said. “The transition to electric buses, while environmentally beneficial, is anticipated to further escalate these expenses, posing a substantial chal -

lenge to our already stretched budget.”

Brown emphasized that New York’s school districts are diverse, both geographically and socioeconomically. “We need to address the concerns of districts statewide and either reconsider this mandate or give schools the option to opt out,” he said.

Photo

Credit/Metro Creative Connection

A proposed measure in the state would give schools the option to opt out of the state’s electric bus measure.

Nancy Leftenant-Colon, lifelong Amityville resident and trailblazing U.S. Army veteran, dies at 104

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

In January 2019, the Amityville School District paid tribute to Nancy LeftenantColon, renaming the high school’s media center in her honor. Leftenant-Colon, a lifelong Amityville resident, was a pioneering figure in American military history. As a registered nurse and sister to one of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, she became the first African American woman to serve in the Army Nurse Corps. Her motto, “The sky’s the limit,” reflected her unwavering spirit and commitment to breaking barriers.

Major Nancy Leftenant-Colon died on Jan. 8 in Amityville at the age of 104.

Throughout her life, Leftenant-Colon achieved a series of milestones. She became the first commissioned Black nurse integrated into the U.S. Army Air Nurse Corps and was the first and only woman to serve as president of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.

“Nancy is probably one of the most significant and consequential individuals to hail from our town in our generation,” said Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer. “She is an historical figure that all of us can learn from and emulate as we live our lives.”

During the dedication of the media center in her name, Lt. Gen. Stayce D. Harris, then inspector general of the U.S.

Air Force, called the tribute “an incredible and most-deserved honor.” She presented Leftenant-Colon with an artistic canvas featuring two photos—one from her time as a major and another from a 2009 meeting between the two women.

Former Babylon Town Councilwoman and retired Army Lt. Col. Jacqueline A. Gordon also spoke at the event, highlighting the path Leftenant-Colon forged for women in the armed forces. Lenore Braithwaite of the American Legion Hunter Squires Jackson Post 1218 in Amityville fondly recalled LeftenantColon as her school nurse at Amityville High School and presented her with the Legion’s 100th anniversary com-mander’s pin.

Leftenant-Colon graduated from Amityville High School in 1939 and from the Lincoln School for Nurses in the Bronx the same year. The Lincoln School was the first in the U.S. to train Black women as nurses. After initially being told the military was not accepting Black nurses, she worked briefly at a local hospital before volunteering for the Army Nurse Corps in January 1945. She was accepted as a reservist and sent to Lowell General Hospital at Fort Evans, Massachusetts, where she cared for wounded World War II soldiers. Her exemplary performance earned her a promotion to First Lieuten-

ATTENTION FAMILIES AND FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Family members and funeral directors may submit obituary notices to us at: Massapequa Herald Post Newspaper, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530 or may call us at 516-569-4000 ext. 329

We will also consider publishing clear black and white or color photos with the articles.

CRIME WATCH

The following incidents and arrests have been reported by the 7th and 8th Nassau County Police Precincts: LARCENY

Massapequa — A vehicle’s license plates were stolen from a car parked in front of 48 Lincoln Ave. on Jan. 2. Police were notified at 8 a.m.

In a separate incident, seven bags were stolen from The Paper Store at 5260 Sunrise Hwy. on Jan. 23. The theft was

People

reported at 3:30 p.m., though the value of the stolen items was not disclosed.

South Farmingdale — Bolla Market representatives reported that an unknown woman removed three cases of beer from the store on Jan. 26. The theft was reported to police at 1:16 p.m.

Farmingdale — Thomas Tyrell, 33, of Jamaica, was arrested on Jan. 27 and charged with shoplifting at Stop & Shop, located at 55 Motor Ave.

Correction

A story that ran in the Post Jan. 30. (“Crossroads Farm and Dominican Sisters are cultivating a new partnership”) incorrectly stated the location of the farm. It is on the property of the Sisters of St. Dominic.

ant after only 11 months.

In 1946, Leftenant-Colon made history again when she was assigned to the 332nd Station Medical Group at Lockbourne Army Air Base in Columbus, Ohio, becoming the first Black nurse to be integrated into the Army Air Corps. She later transferred to the Air Force and served as a flight nurse during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, evacuating wounded soldiers from Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. She also set up hospital wards in active war zones, saving countless lives.

After retiring from the military, Leftenant-Colon returned to Amityville and served as a high school nurse until her retirement in 1984.

Veteran Juan Leon, an Amityville resident and former Amityville School Board trustee, reflected on her legacy upon hearing of her death. “Women are

tough, but women who serve in the military overseas dur-ing war—they’re in a category of their own, especially nurses,” he said. “I’m glad she was able to see the community’s dedication to her, which was fitting and well-deserved.”

Born in Goose Creek, South Carolina, Leftenant-Colon was the daughter of James and Eunice Leftenant. She married Air Force Reserve Captain Bayard Colon, who died in 1972. The couple had no children. She is survived by her sister, Amy Leftenant of Amityville, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service and Celebration of Life ceremony were held on Jan. 25 at Zion Cathedral in Freeport.

She will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. on April 9.

Photos by the late Joe Turner

Lt. Gen. Stayce D. Harris, right, congratulated Major Nancy Leftenant-Colón at the 2019 dedication of the Amityville Memorial High School media center in her honor.

Leftenant-Colon, left, in 2019, and, above, as a registered nurse in the military.

Brain scans of cats in crocheted caps reveal insights into feline pain relief

Researchers at the University of Montreal have found a creative way to study brain activity in cats, aiming to improve pain management for older felines. In a study funded by the Morris Animal Foundation, Canadian scientists sought to determine whether electroencephalogram (EEG) technology could identify brain signals in cats suffering from osteoarthritis, a chronic condition that affects about 25.6% of cats worldwide.

Pets, Pets, Pets...

JOANNE ANDERSON

Cats are known for masking pain, a survival instinct inherited from their wild ancestors. While brain scans can provide valuable insights into pain, cats rarely tolerate electrodes attached to their heads. Attempts to conduct EEGs on awake cats often fail as the animals tend to shake off or chew the wires. Heavily sedating the cats to complete the procedure doesn’t capture how they feel when conscious. The only alternative, a surgical implant of sensors, sparks ethical concerns, explained Aude Castel, assistant professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Montreal and lead author of the study.

To overcome this, Castel’s team developed a non-invasive method for attaching the electrodes. Ph.D. student Aliénor Delsart, the study’s first author, found inspiration from an unlikely source— a YouTube tutorial for crocheting cat hats. The video, titled “Narby Pom Pom Cat Video Tutorial,” gave Delsart the idea to create custom crocheted hats for the cats, which could securely hold the EEG electrodes.

“We knew crochet hats were meant to be cute, but we wanted to adapt them for a scientific purpose,” Delsart said. “It turned out to be a successful bet!”

With the help of another talented crocheter in their lab, the team designed beanies, without pom-poms, to embed ten gold-plated EEG electrodes. The researchers then trained 11 cats, each with

osteoarthritis, to wear the hats in preparation for the brain scans. The cats, who were all at least seven years old, were housed in temperature-controlled rooms with perches, beds, scratching posts, and toys. They received rewards, such as treats and petting, for tolerating their new headgear.

The cats’ positive conditioning to wearing the caps allowed the researchers to complete the EEGs without sedation. Some cats even fell asleep during the process, so the team waited for them to wake up before continuing the scans. Others had to be distracted from purring, as the vibrations could interfere with the data.

The team then used the EEGs to investigate whether soothing stimuli— such as blue and green light exposure and citrus scents—could help reduce the cats’ pain and promote relaxation.

The study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience Methods, marks a significant step forward in understanding and managing chronic pain in cats. Researchers are now working to further develop EEG technology as a tool for detecting and modulating chronic pain in animals. Preliminary findings were presented by Delsart at the Royal Society of Medicine in London.

“We aim to secure funding, in partnership with private companies, to establish a reliable EEG signature for chronic pain,” said Eric Troncy, a co-author of the study. “This could eventually lead to automated chronic pain detection in the future.”

In a separate collaboration, the team is also working with Guillaume Dumas, a professor of computational psychiatry at the University of Montreal, to study the synchronicity of brainwaves between cats, dogs, and their owners. All of this progress was made possible by the cats’ adorable, crocheted thinking caps.

At the University of Montreal, Fee, an abandoned cat with osteoarthritis,

a crocheted beanie to secure the electrodes for her EEG.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The following are a list of public meetings and special events for the coming week: Please note: All meetings are subject to change without notice.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6

•Massapequa School District Board of Education Meeting: 8 p.m., Board Room, 4925 Merrick Rd., Massapequa.

•Town of Oyster Bay Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting: 7 p.m., Town Board Hearing Room, Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay. For more information, call (516) 624-6333.

• The Long Island Dahlia Society: 9 a.m., Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Hwy., Great River. All are welcome. Come and learn how to care for your dahlias. Tubers will be available for sale starting in April. For more information, call (631)-972-8829 (leave message) or visit longislanddahlia.org

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7

• Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631)-789-2569

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8

• The Long Island Dahlia Society: 9 a.m., Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Hwy., Great River. All are welcome. Come and learn how to care for your dahlias. Tubers will be available for sale starting in April. For more information call (631)-972-8829 (leave message) or visit longislanddahlia.org

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9

• Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631)-789-2569.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11

• Republic Airport Commission Meeting: 7p.m., Room 201, 7150 Republic Airport, Farmingdale. For more information, call (631) 752-7707 ext. 6109 or email info@republicairport.net

• Town of Oyster Bay Town Board Meeting: 10 a.m., Town Board Hearing Room, Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay. For more information, call (516) 624-6380.

•Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9592, 55 Hickory Lane, Levittown. Free weekly, in-person meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631)332-0552 or Jill at (516)-220-7808. All calls are confidential.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12

• Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free weekly, virtual meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631)-332-0552 or Jill at (516)220-7808. All calls are confidential.

• The Long Island Dahlia Society: 9 a.m., Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Hwy., Great River. All are welcome. Come and learn how to care for your dahlias. Tubers will be available for sale starting in April. For more information call (631)-972-8829 (leave message) or visit longislanddahlia.org

• Massapequa Fire District Meeting: 7:30 p.m., District Administration Building, 1 Brooklyn Ave., Massapequa. For more information, call (516) 798-9849.

Photo Credit/Universiy of Montreal

wears

CHASE TIMBERLAKE

Baldwin Senior Basketball

AFTER HELPING LEAD the Bruins to a historic 2023-24 season highlighted by a fourth straight Nassau Class AAA title, Timberlake joined a very short list of 1,000-career point scorers in program history. On Jan. 17, he reached the milestone previously achieved only by his head coach Darius Burton, a 1993 Baldwin graduate. Timberlake is well on his way to a second All-County selection, averaging a team-high 24 points per game.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, Feb. 6

Boys Basketball: Baldwin at G.N. North 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Carey at Roosevelt 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Elmont at Hewlett 5

Boys Basketball: G.N. South at Long Beach 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Lawrence at West Hempstead 5 p.m.

Girls Basketball: South Side at Manhasset 5 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Mepham at New Hyde Park 5 p.m.

Girls Baksetball: Jericho at MacArthur 7 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Bethpage at Kennedy 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: V.S. Central at Mepham 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Manhasset at South Side 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 7

Girls Basketball: V.S. South at Lynbrook 4:45 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Syosset at Oceanside 5 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Clarke at Mineola 6:30 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Seaford at Malverne 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Floral Park at Wantagh 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 8

Wrestling: Nassau County Division 1 qualifier tournaments at Farmingdale, Long Beach, Oceanside, Jericho, Massapequa and Kennedy 9 a.m.

Gymnastics: Coaches Invitational at North Shore 10 a.m.

Boys Basketball: Uniondale at Hicksville 12 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a winter 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.

North Shore rebounds, tops Plainedge

By MARC BERMAN sports@liherald.com

After a last-second loss to Seaford soiled its unbeaten conference record, the North Shore girls’ basketball team had something to prove when it visited Plainedge on Jan. 28.

With another conference title still very much alive, the Vikings made another large statement when they took out Plainedge, 46-37, for a giant road win.

The Maroon followed up that Plainedge win by bludgeoning Island Trees, 62-39, last Saturday to lift its Conference A2 record to 9-1.

If the Vikings win their final two conference games, they will be at least co-conference champions with Seaford. North Shore, which has won the last three conference titles, finishes its league schedule against Malverne and Friends Academy.

“To be conference champions coming into the season with such little expectations, we were the underdogs,’’ Erin Lily La Rosa said. “We came out and showed people what they weren’t expecting. Winning a conference championship would prove something.’

With a halftime adjustment getting La Rosa more involved in running the offense up top and taking pressure off superstar Sofia Della Ratta, the Vikings emerged from a 23-22 halftime deficit.

La Rosa finished with 8 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists and Annabella Misiti chipped in with 12 points. Per usual, Della Ratta copped a game-high 21 points with 10 rebounds.

As large a key was North Shore holding Plainedge to

46-37 win over the Red Devils Jan. 28.

just 9 points in the second half until the last 45 seconds when the Red Devils scored 5 in garbage time.

“Plainedge has tough, scrappy kids that really get after you defensively and make every bucket hard,’’ North Shore head coach Keith Freund said. “We struggled early to score. The girls are

very smart. The coaches made some adjustments at halftime. Defensively, they listened, and we stymied their offense and ran ours through La Rosa. That opened up a lot of stuff for us.’’

On the defensive side, Freund sicked defensive specialist Ally Basile on Plainedge sophomore star Pey-

ton Wise, a 5-foot-5 tough shooting guard. “We told Basile to shut her off and she did a great job,’’ Freund said. Plainedge still has aspirations after falling to 5-4 in conference play as it would clinch a playoff berth with a win over Friends Academy. Wise is averaging 11.3 points and 7 rebounds despite her youth.

“She’s a shooter and shoots the 3 pretty well but also gets to the basket,’’ Plainedge head coach Sarah Tansey said. The Red Devils point guard is Allie Younghans, also a sophomore who is averaging 4 assists, 4 steals and 7.9 points. Only eight players are on the Plainedge roster that doesn’t have height.

“Any game it could be any girl,” Tansey said. “I could give all eight of their names.’’

For North Shore, the victory showed The Sea Cliff/Glen Head program is more than Della Ratta, who often set screens to open things for La Rosa and others. “She did what it took to win so it showed her character also,’’ Freund said of Della Ratta.

“It’s tough for Sophia,’’ La Rosa added. “She’s always face-guarded. I wouldn’t be ready to run the offense without the rest of team all constantly moving around the court. It allowed openings to drive to the net.’’

A chance to post a second straight unbeaten league record got squashed by Seaford. But that’s now behind the Vikings. “Playing Plainedge is always a tough game,’’ La Rosa said. “Both teams go into it really wanting to win. We wanted that victory more than anything coming off the loss to Seaford. We used the loss from Seaford to motivate us.’’

Media Origin Inc./Herald

Plainedge’s Peyton Wise, left, drove against North Shore’s Ally Basile during the Vikings’

Dr. Edward A. Salina, Jr. Superintendent of Schools; Dr. Eileen Santoro, STEAM specialist at Eastplain Elementary School; honoree Kevin White; Perry Fuchs, Plainedge Federation of Teachers president; Samantha Cartusciello, curriculum associate for Math, Science, Technology & Research K-12; Samantha McHugh and Deborah Fallon, STEAM specialists at Charles E. Schwarting Elementary School

Plainedge teacher Kevin White receives

ASSET Bright Light Award

Kevin White, a Plainedge Elementary STEAM specialist and high school CTE teacher, was one of 21 educators across Long Island to receive the ASSET Bright Light Award.

White also teaches college-level video production classes and is one half of

the team responsible for creating stateof-the art planetarium experiences for grades K through 8. White is said to be continually brainstorming technologyenhanced experiences for his students that empower them to make a positive contribution to the world.

Lunar New Year in Massapequa celebrated in high style at school

Berner Middle School students in Mandarin Chinese classes demonstrated for second graders at Birch Lane Elementary School how to draw different symbols at a Lunar New Year celebration

Students in Mandarin Chinese classes at Berner Middle School recently took their budding knowledge of Chinese language and culture to youngsters at Birch Lane Elementary School for a Lunar New Year celebration.

More than two dozen seventh and eighth graders in the Massapequa School District made their short trip to work with second graders on a craft that celebrated the year of the snake.

Students colored and cut out two halves of a snake, which were then put

together with fanned pieces of paper.

Before getting to work on the craft, second graders learned about the traditions of Lunar New Year celebrations, as well as how to say different works and phrases in Mandarin Chinese. They also practiced writing some symbols.

The Berner students were joined by Mandarin Chinese teachers Yunting Tseng-Montana and Xinrui Zhang.

Single-handedly, he created handmade memorials to honor the 13 U.S. soldiers killed at Abbey Gate

By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com

There are individuals out there who witness a tragedy and are propelled to do what they can to help. Long-time Massapequan George Pfirman is one of them.

Pfirman created 13 handmade wooden plaques honoring the 13 U.S. soldiers killed at the Kabul, Afghanistan airport in 2021. A suicide bomber detonated an explosive at the Abbey Gate entrance as the U.S. was pulling out from the country, and 169 others were also killed.

Pfirman designed and handcrafted the 13 plaques with only his right hand because he suffered a stroke the year before the Kabul tragedy. Pfirman’s wife, Maria, said her husband not only wanted to commemorate the lives lost but also to remind others that they shouldn’t let a disability hinder their ability to do good for others.

“He was very touched by the story of the 13 soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan and always wants to do something when he hears of tragedies like what happened at Abbey Gate,” said Maria.

All 13 soldiers’ names are engraved on each plaque with a different soldier highlighted on each one. His hope is that these plaques can be given to the families and he is looking for anyone who could help search for them.

Vietnam combat veteran Sal Polito said Pfirman has created something that truly touches his heart. “They’re beautiful, and he did it all with just one hand,” said Polito, emphasizing how nice it would be to present the plaques to the families through delivery or a presentation in New York that families can attend.

“Those soldiers should have never been left there, but these plaques come from the heart and it’s really nice what her husband did for those soldiers,” he said.

STEPPING OUT

SCORE BIG

on Super Sunday

Go for the ‘tasty ‘win’

By Karen Bloom

It’s the biggest sports day of the year. The big game — on Feb. 9 — is great opportunity for casual winter entertaining.

Thrilling plays, must-see commercials and your pals are all quintessential elements of the perfect game-day get-together. Of course that game on the big screen is the main focus, but plenty of action takes place around the table — keeping everyone well fed is a sport in itself.

While crowd-pleasing Buffalo flavor-inspired foods and football always seem to go together, think beyond those traditional flavors for a new twist on your Super Bowl cuisine.

Baked Spinach and Chicken Dip

A tasty dip is always a winner. Try this flavorful, creamy variation — in addition to the guacamole.

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed

• 1 cup ranch dressing

• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

• 1/2 cup cooked chicken, chopped Heat oven to 375 F.

In microwave-safe medium bowl, add cream cheese and dressing. Microwave on high 30 seconds, or until cream cheese is soft. Stir to combine. Add spinach and Parmesan cheese. Mix well. Add chicken and stir to combine.

Transfer mixture to baking dish that holds at least 6 cups. Bake 20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown. The internal temperature should be 165 F.

Serve with crackers, bread or veggie sticks.

Note: If you like it spicy, substitute a chipotle ranch

dressing and add diced pickled jalapenos. To make ahead, prepare unbaked dip up to 3 days ahead; store covered and refrigerated. Bake prior to serving.

Pull-Apart Garlic Bread Pizza

Instead of the pizza delivery, get creative with “garlic bread” version.

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup ricotta

• 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, divided

• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

• Kosher salt

• 3/4 cup pizza sauce

• 1 cup mini pepperoni

• 2 (16 ounce) cans refrigerated biscuits (such as Pillsbury Grands)

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley

Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, mix together 2 cups mozzarella, cream cheese, ricotta, cup Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt. Transfer mixture to a 9”-x13” baking dish then spread pizza sauce on top. Top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella and pepperoni.

Halve biscuits and roll into balls, then place on top of dip.

In a small bowl, whisk together oil, garlic, and parsley. Brush on biscuits and sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan.

Bake until biscuits are golden and cheese is melty, about 45 minutes, then cover with aluminum foil and bake until biscuits are cooked

Sheng Wang

through, another 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Step up your chili with a barbecue twist.

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 yellow onion, chopped

• 3 carrots, chopped

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped

• 1/2 tablespoon chili powder

• 1/2 tablespoon cumin

• 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano

• 26-28 ounces crushed or chopped tomatoes

• 2 cups vegetable broth

• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels

• 1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce

• Salt and pepper to taste

Chili fixin’s: shredded Mexican cheese, avocado, jalapeno, sour cream, cilantro, green onions, fresh tomato, corn chips, and salsa are all great additions.

Over medium heat, saute onion and carrots in olive oil until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the bell pepper and spices and saute another minute. Add the tomatoes and vegetable broth and simmer over low heat until thickened, about 20 minutes.

Stir in the corn, beans, and barbecie sauce and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add more chili powder and cumin to spice up if necessary.

Simmer another 5 minutes or until ready to eat.

Serve with your favorite chili add-ons.

With his signature laid-back style, as showcased in his Netflix special “Sweet & Juicy” produced and directed by Ali Wong, comedianactor-writer Sheng Wang brings his hilarious standup to the Paramount stage. Wang is now truly coming into his own. Two decades of performing has taken him from doing stand-up for touristy audiences in New York to a successful Netflix special, “Sweet and Juicy,” produced and directed by Ali Wong. He mines comedy from the mundane, everyday parts of life — from the meditative ritual that is shopping at Costco to how to get maximum value from health insurance. Because he’s from Texas, Wang also speaks with a slight Southern drawl, giving a relaxed quality to his delivery. Among his other credits, Wang was a featured standup on HBO’s “2 Dope Queens” special and wrote for ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat.” Wang now resides in L.A. and in his time explores botanical gardens and new ways to snack.

Saturday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m. $69.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.

Boyz II Men

R&B superstars Boyz II Men are always in the groove. They arrive at Tilles Center with their soulful multi-octave sound and incredible vocals, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Given the monumental success of their albums and the timeless quality of their vocals, it’s easy to see why they remain one of the most popular R&B groups of all time. Boyz II Men redefined popular R&B and continue to create timeless hits that appeal to fans across generations. Their four Grammys are just the tip of the iceberg. The trio holds the distinction of being the best-selling R&B group, with an astounding 64 million albums sold. And the reason is abundantly clear. For the past three-plus decades, Boyz II Men have given fans a rich catalog of hits filled with smooth harmonies and enduring themes. And for Boyz II Men, the hits just keep on coming.

Tuesday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Barbecue Three Bean Chili

Nassau BOCES GC Tech Open House

Nassau BOCES GC Tech, Long Island’s state-of-the arts career and technical education high school, is opening its doors to all students with a passion for a hands-on career. Come and get a “Taste of Tech” at an open house at the campus in Levittown, Thursday, Feb. 13, 6-7:30 p.m. Nassau BOCES GC Tech prepares students for a future in the workforce by providing them with the skills, knowledge and professional qualities they will need to be successful in their chosen career fields. The school boasts a new spa where aspiring estheticians learn skin care and massage techniques.

There is also a newly revamped auto shop. Prospective students and families from Nassau County are invited to tour the GC Tech campus at 150 Abbey Lane, meet with expert teachers, counselors and administrators. Register at nassauboces.org/gctech or call the school for more information at (516) 604-4200.

Line Dancing at Massapequa Public Library

Join Massapequa Public Library and presenter Jenn Mule for a night of line dancing on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 7-8 p.m. To register for this event and for more information, call (516) 798-4607 ext. 6303. Massapequa Public Library, 40 Harbor Lane,

Jan. 24

Co-ed Badminton

For adults looking for an indoors sport to keep active in the winter, join Co-ed Badminton! Classes take place on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, at Hicksville Athletic Center. Classes are for those 18 years of age or older and run for 10 weeks. Online registration is open at oysterbaytown.com/ portal. There are fees for the classes. For information, (call 516) 797-7945. 167 Broadway, Hicksville.

February Recess Fun

Vanderbilt Museum hosts

Portraits and Mixed Media

Selfies, Monday, Feb. 17, 10 a.m.–noon. Children will visit the mansion, search for interesting elements in the collection of portraits, and create self-portraits. For kids in grades K-4. $20, $18 members. To register and more information, visit vanderbiltmuseum.org or call (631) 854-5579. 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport.

Having an event?

Golden Tones Chorus

The Town of Oyster Bay is seeking members for its Golden Tones Entertainment Group. The senior chorus is a social group open to town residents over the age of 60 who have an interest in singing, dancing or entertaining. Meetings are held every Friday at the North Massapequa Community Center, at 214 North Albany Ave., N. Massapequa. There are two planned shows, a spring show and a holiday show. Senior citizens interested in joining the Golden Tones should call (516) 797-7916 for more information.

Art Explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues, Saturday, Feb. 8, noon-3 p.m. Kids and their adult partners talk about and make art together. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit nassaumuseum.org to register or call (516) 484-9337.

Items on The Scene 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

On Exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct follow-up to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/ Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.

Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. On view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Letter Writing Workshop

Kids can unlock the art of letter writing at Planting Fields Arboretum, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 4-6 p.m. Participants will meet a professional archivist, explore the history of written communication, and experience the magic of writing by hand. Children will explore real letters from the Coe family’s children and use vintage typewriters, quills, homemade ink and stamps to write their own letter. They will have the opportunity to add their letters to a time capsule that will not open until 2034. Each participant will take home their own vintage letter-making kit. $25 per child, and the program is for children ages 5 through 12. To register, visit shorturl.at/MasgF. For more information, call (516) 922-9210. 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay.

NEWS BRIEFS

O’Bay seniors invited to join the ‘Golden Tones’ chorus

Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Laura Maier has announced that the town’s “Golden Tones Entertainment Group”is returning to the North Massapequa Community Center in February and is looking for new members.

This senior chorus is a social group open to town residents over the age of 60 who have an interest in singing, dancing or entertaining. Anyone 60 and over is welcome, a great singing voice is not required to participate in this social group.

“We hear from choir members all the time how singing together lifts their spirits while providing great enjoy-

ment to others in senior care facilities, schools and at public events,” said Maier. “The Golden Tones chorus provides a creative and social outlet for seniors to make new friends and bond over their love of music. Join us today!”

Meetings are held every Friday at 10 a.m. at the North Massapequa Community Center, located at 214 North Albany Avenue in North Massapequa.

There are two planned shows, a Spring Show and a Holiday Show, scheduled to be performed at the North Massapequa Community Center.

Interested seniors should call (516) 797-7916 for more information.

You can pre-register now for kids’ summer programs

Oyster Bay residents interested in having their children participate in the 2025 Summer Recreation Program can upload necessary documents and materials for review in advance of the final registration period. This process is mandatory prior to registration this spring and will once again be performed only online.

This year’s Summer Recreation Program will include a full-day option at all locations for children ages 4 through 12. Space is limited at each facility. Parents can upload documents and register online

“The Town’s Summer Recreation Program features great summer fun for children at six of our town parks, with activities including arts and crafts, various games, themed days, water fun, scavenger hunts and so much more,” said Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “To help streamline the registration process, residents will be able to sign-up their children online this spring and can begin pre-registration today!”

registration this spring).

• Parents/guardians can visit www. oysterbaytown.com/portal

• Select “My Account” on the top right corner and log-in or create a new account (if your child was registered for the 2024 Summer Program, you already have an account, however documents must be uploaded)

• After logging in, select ‘My Account,’ then Household & Member. Confirm all family members are listed. If needed, select ‘Add Family member’ at bottom of page and add a child or guardian to the household. Then save.

• Select Document Upload from the portal menu. Each document must be uploaded as a separate file (make sure all scanned documents are legible)/

All registrations for the program must be made online. Residents should upload all necessary documentation, including proof of residency, child’s birth certificates, and recent physicals to a portal on the town’s website prior to the final registration period. This process is mandatory and ends on Friday, March 21. Once all documentation is properly uploaded, parents/guardians will receive notification of approval to register, as well as directions for online registration.

How to upload materials (note: preregistration does not guarantee a spot in this year’s Summer Recreation Program. Parents will need to perform final

• Required documents include proof of residency (tax or utility bill); child’s birth certificate, child’s immunization records (for full-day campers only) and child’s recent physical (for full-day campers only) Submission of materials does not guarantee a spot in the 2025 program— parents must complete their registration this spring when final registration opens. Following final registration, refunds are given on a prorated basis and subject to a 10 percent administrative fee through July 1h Parents will receive an email from the Recreation Division confirming that all documents have been received, as well as directions on how to complete registration. For more information, visit www. oysterbaytown.com/summerrecreation or call the Town’s Recreation Office at 516-7977945.

Chambers workshop focuses on marketing

Local businesses, hosted by Richner Communications, learn to reach customers in new ways

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

Nassau County small businesses gathered to learn about cutting-edge digital marketing strategies from Richner Communications’ Lori Berger at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Roslyn, on Jan. 21.

The Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce organized a series of workshops to help local businesses thrive in 2025, sharing information about computer systems, financial planning and communications and marketing. Berger was a presenter for two marketing classes: one in Malverne, on Jan. 14, and the class a week later in Roslyn.

“I’m so passionate about helping people and small businesses with marketing,” Berger said. “We’re a community newspaper company. That’s what we do.”

Her presentation walked attendees through four core aspects of marketing: offline, social media, E-commerce and websites.

The marketing presentation was for businesses in Zone 1, north of Route 25, and it was attended by about 50 small business leaders from throughout the zone. The workshop was made possible by a Nassau County Technical Services grant, which is designed to help the local economy by offering guidance to small businesses free of charge.

Ira Reiter is a co-owner of the Barking Biscuit with his wife, Hillary, and president of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce. Their business took off five years ago, around the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Social media proved to be a vital tool that helped their to succeed.

Richner Communications offered complimentary one-on-one meetings for all attending businesses to review their search engine optimization and social

media presence — a service Reiter intends to follow up on.

“We are looking forward to it — were just hoping that we can absorb everything,” Reiter said. “So much, and so much fantastic information that came out of last night, and it will help us with our online presence.”

The workshop encouraged Reiter to use Geo-Fencing, a technique to target advertisements to potential customers in a specific area.

Janna Rodriguez, founder of the Innovative Daycare Corp., in Freeport, has been helping children learn and grow for 12 years. “We’ve created a strong support system between the families, the community, the educators and the other organizations that we partner with,” she said.

The NCCC provides a service that makes entrepreneurship much more accessible in Nassau County, Rodriguez said. “The reason that I was interested in marketing is because small businesses, such as myself, find it very difficult to be able to hire a marketing consultant, especially when you’re first starting up,” she said.

In the workshop she discovered that her business comes up on the front page of search engines, and she was advised her to plan more content for Facebook and Instagram.

This was the first time the NCCC has offered classes at no cost, according to Russel Green, a board member of the council and president of the Syosset and Woodbury Chambers of Commerce.

A Chamber “allows other businesses and individuals in the community to know who you are and when you’re starting,” Green said. “We’ll support you, hopefully, for many, many years.”

To learn more about the NCCC and future events, visit ncchambers.org.

Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald

About 50 small businesses owners gathered at Roslyn’s Hilton Garden Inn on Jan. 21 to learn about digital marketing with Lori Berger, of Richner Communications.

Public Notices

leGal noTIce puBlIc noTIce of counTy Treasurer’s sale of TaX lIens on real esTaTe

Notice is hereby given that I shall, commencing on February 18, 2025, sell at public on-line auction the tax liens on real estate herein-after described, unless the owner, mortgagee, occupant of or any other party-ininterest in such real estate shall pay to the County Treasurer by February 13, 2025 the total amount of such unpaid taxes or assessments with the interest, penalties and other expenses and charges, against the property. Such tax liens will be sold at the lowest rate of interest, not exceeding 10 per cent per six month’s period, for which any person or persons shall offer to take the total amount of such unpaid taxes as defined in section 5-37.0 of the Nassau County Administrative Code. Effective with the February 18, 2025 lien sale, Ordinance No. 175-2015 requires a $175.00 per day registration fee for each person who intends to bid at the tax lien sale. Ordinance No. 175-2015 also requires that upon the issuance of the Lien Certificate there is due from the lien buyer a Tax Certificate Issue Fee of $20.00 per lien purchased.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Nassau County Administrative Code at the discretion of the Nassau County Treasurer the auction will be conducted online. Further information concerning the procedures for the auction is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/526/County-Treasurer

Should the Treasurer determine that an in-person auction shall be held, same will commence on the 18th day of February, 2025 at the Office of The County Treasurer 1 West Street, Mineola or at some other location to be determined by the Treasurer.

The liens are for arrears of School District taxes for the year 2023 - 2024 and/or County, Town, and Special District taxes for the year 2024. The following is a partial listing of the real estate located in school district number(s) 23, 306,18,22 in the Town of Hempstead only, upon which tax liens are to be sold, with a brief description of the same by reference to the County Land and Tax Map, the name of the owner or occupant as the same appears on the 2023/2024 tentative assessment roll, and the total amount of such unpaid taxes.

IMporTanT

THE NAMES OF OWNERS SHOWN ON THIS LIST MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE THE NAMES OF THE PERSONS OWNING THE PROPERTY AT THE TIME OF THIS ADVERTISEMENT. SUCH NAMES HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM THE 2023/2024 TENTATIVE ASSESSMENT ROLLS AND MAY DIFFER FROM THE NAMES OF THE OWNERS AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. IT MAY ALSO BE THAT SUCH OWNERS ARE NOMINAL ONLY AND ANOTHER PERSON IS ACTUALLY THE BENEFICIAL OWNER.

Town of oysTer Bay school:18 plaIneDGe ufsD

00630

ROBINSON EUGENE & MARIE 3,041.82

48184 00340 34-38,79

LANE WALTER C & LOUISE 2,576.39

48191 00010 1-4

FORTE ANTHONY & CARMELA 9,443.61

48194 00520

REGINA MICHAEL & KASHUBA KARA 2,864.00 48245 00770

KEENAN L E D KEENAN ETAL,J&A 6,350.13 48253 00650

LARBERG STEPHEN & MARY 17,104.92 48258 00670

GODLEY EDITH H 4,633.24 48273 00040 4-5

MEYER THEODORE & LUCILLE 4,308.43 48292 00490

DEANGELIS NICOLE 18,234.21 48303 00870

BOYCE MICHAEL & LAGATTUTA-BOYCE 4,901.64 48352 01840

PUETZ BOYD J 4,084.19

48357 04230 423-425

BLAIR SALES CORP 374.30

48443 00050 5-6

BLAIR SALES CORP 1,410.72

48443 00070 7-8

BLAIR SALES CORP 370.57 48443 00090

MUNDIYA ZUBAIR 15,963.24 48487 00260 26-30

SPAULDING LEANORE D 1,251.76 48487 00310 31-32

DOSCHER EDWIN & DOSCHER YOLANDA 5,189.81 48490 00420 42-44,64

MALIZIA MICHAEL G 7,656.88

48500 01410

MC CONNELL SEAN P & MC CONNELL 12,363.23

48502 01260

TEMPLE DONALD E 18,662.38

48503 01140

GRUTTADAURIA ROSEMARY 12,072.32

48513 00060 6-8

CENCI DOMENICK 2,385.76

48514 01040

HSBC BANK USA NA TRU 20,704.93

48517 07410

GIANINO EDWARD R & VAN NOSTRAND 2,942.47

48520 02470 247-251

PANTELIS FANNIE 311.45

48520 08830

FLOREZ RUBEN 11,656.55

48567 00210

MCINTYRE WILLIAM & DORIS 11,284.99

48574 00140

PERRI CRAIG 12,876.68 48581 00020

QUINN JOHN A & CATHLEEN 5,542.26

48584 00050

TYAS KEITH & TONI MARIE 417.67 48594 00300

HUDSON CHARLENE A 14,638.04

48598 00190

WHATTY I 14,956.56

49 B0200480

SOETE SIEGLINDE LIFE ESTATE 5,762.70 49013 00160 16-18

MILLER CHERYL L 19,203.72

49059 0039A 39A,39B,40A,40B

CANDELARIO EVAN & GABRIELLE 12,022.14

49060 01270

ALI MOHAMMAD & SOFIA 7,992.26 49063 01710

ALRIDGE TIMOTHY 2,445.70

49068 00160 16-17

MACKEY MARY 1,522.16 49069 03610

ALDRIDGE TIMOTHY 3,934.72 49072 00110 11-12

ALDRIDGE TIMOTHY 3,934.72 49072 00130 13-15

GARCIA ANTHONY 18,062.51 49072 00160 16-17

MORNING STAR PROPERTY INC 20,347.64

49076 00550

ZOLFO ROSARIO LIFE ESTATE 10,950.77 49088 00100

DALLOW CONSTANCE J 9,888.12 49088 0016A 16A-16B

KUDRICK KENNETH & LINDA & 12,879.04

490970100280

ALDRIDGE TIMOTHY 6,863.81

490970100480

ALDRIDGE TIMOTHY 10,504.66

49098 03360

DEFRANCISCO DENISE & MARY 6,523.23

49100 00570 57-59

HRUBEC VENDELIN & SLAVICA & WIL 17,172.91

49101 00900

ERDODY

49102 02570

Public Notices

Continued from previous page

URBINATI JOSEPH GARONE & R 3,467.81

48085 12870

48088 12970 1297-1301

RICE ELAINE TRUST

48089 00310 31-34

NIEWIAROWICZ

48090 00150 15-18

48101 00740

48117 07770 MC CORMICK EUGENE L & ELEANOR

48121 10910 ABRAMOWITZ LARRY S & SPADA STEP

48134 00760

48144 00350 35-36,88

SABERNICK

48160 00010 1-7

48196 00230 23-24,100

48205 01180 WALSH TERRENCE & LYNNE

48208 00880

GIACHETTI RONALD & NANCY

48217 00350 35-37

SCHMIDT WALTER C & ESTHER LIFE

48221 01760

GIUSEPPE BRUZZESE 738.87 48224 00690

48401 20150 2015-2017

54290

40460

48442 42950 4295-4297

48515 00900

00010

48524 00160

48525 00060

48525 00100

16450 1645-1647

19640

19650 1965-1967

BELESKI RICHARD & MARION 3,170.70

65092 01330 133-135

CONDON FREDERICK & PHYLLIS 2,705.95

65097 03330 333-334

MCGUINN MARY ELLEN & MATTHEW TR 5,941.80

65097 04070 407-410

LIEBMAN, EUGENE 17,736.39

65097 04690 469,470

REAL REALTY MANAGEMENT CORP 17,276.00

65103 00360 36-37,133,135

ZWEIBACH ARLENE F 8,205.24

65104 15400 HUD 20,127.29

65107 12020 1202-1207 & 1402

BROWN GRACE H 2,631.35

65125 00290

BROWN LAWRENCE W & GRACE 351.35 65125 00320

MILLER CRAIG J & MICHELE P 4,903.84 65131 00270 27-31

POWELL G MATTURRO & MARK 15,191.11 65135 02230 223-224

DEVINE TIMOTHY & DEVINE GINA 12,517.70

65135 02510 251-254

LAU GEORGE T & YEUNG YAN CHING 13,728.43

65135 06030

LIVOTI STELLA & MASTROCOLA JOSE 38,563.72

65139 00410 41-46

FLORES RANDOLF & KOLLBECK JUDIT 26,555.64

65147 00150

CASELNOVA TENA L 6,203.95

65168 01570

VITALE JACK & ROSE 7,461.53

65168 01580

PICHKHADZE IRINA 32,627.53

65170 08120 812-815

KRAMER L CAMPBELL & LYNNE 19,360.20

65173 07900

KUBACZ EDWARD & ROSE 8,906.65

65188 01980

BRESLAU JUSTIN & DANIELLE 650.68

65202 00260

SIMONELLI ELIZABETH 17,755.60

65204 00180

VYSOTSKY INNA 29,700.74

65209 00750

DOBRZENIECKI ROBERT & DAWN 16,113.56

65212 00070

MALONE NADINE 6,090.13

65213 00340

PECK SLIP ASSOCIATES PARTNERS L 26,411.38

65213 00680

RICHARDS CHRISTOPHER M 41,308.21

65215 00710

HIOTIS DIANA & 12,498.13 65216 00050

FRINK JR WILLIAM & ROSEMARY 23,080.45

65220 00040

WASSON ROBERT & MAURA 4,210.79

65223 00190

NEUWIRTH ERIC & NINA 21,236.85 65225 00200

VAUGHAN JAMES A & SANTINA A 17,465.75 65234 00050

ALLEGRO CATHERINE 11,737.60 65243 00130

TADDONIO ROBERT LIFE ESTATE 3,086.80 65245 00060

ROBALINO GINA MARIA & VICTOR PI 8,353.68 65246 00020

PICCOLO FAY TRUST 2,311.74 65251 00700

WASSERMAN RICKIE 13,815.53 65251 01650

HOGAN CAROLINE & DANIEL 28,033.83 65262 00100

CARAMELLI JEROME & KAREN 3,529.21 65264 00160

ROESCH DAWN 30,638.34 65268 00180

5368 HOLDING CORP 4,708.12

66003 01100

LOWE PHILLIP S & RACHEL 10,045.90

66007 00010 1-6

ARANGO ANTHONY 11,395.71

66014 00920

CRUDELE MICHAEL & NANCY A 9,553.92

66022 00460 46-49

JAFER MAHMUT & ALIYE

66023 00570 57-58

66024 00250

65040

65092

Public Notices

53166 00040

53208 00020

53208 00200 SMITH

53210 00140

53211 00160

53211 00450

53211 00480

53211 00810

53212 00260

53213 00020

66103 00040

66104 00960

66105 00240

66108 00300

66108 00920

66108 00970 ACEVEDA SERGIA

66113 01110

66113 01280

66114 00320

00250

66118 00230 23-27

66119 00530 53-54

EARL & NAVAREE

66121 00270 27-31

66122 00010 1-5

66122 00270

66124 00610

66128 02510 251-252 THOMAS JOSHUA & NORMA 6,652.58

66128 02550 255-256

BUCKSHAW DENNIS 4,889.23

66130 00950 95-96 WAGNER KURT J & HEIDI

66132 02070 207-210

GEOTOM PROPERTIES INC 3,014.21

66133 02390 239 SAMUEL GEORGE & ALICE 14,234.42

66135 04490 449-451

SWANSON LULA TRUST 4,045.46

66135 04560 456-459

CLASSIC BUILDERS GROUP LLC

66139 00090 9-11

14-34 110TH ST BAY VIEW APARTME 7,652.10

66142 00110 11-13

BOYD SINGLETON TRUST 2,427.79

66150 00470

THOMAS-NEWTON JUDITH M 16,376.25

66150 00480

TERMS OF SALE

Such tax liens shall be sold subject to any and all superior tax liens of sovereignties and other municipalities and to all claims of record which the County may have thereon and subject to the provisions of the Federal and State Soldier’s and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts.

However, such tax liens shall have priority over the County’s Differential Interest Lien, representing the excess, if any, of the interest and penalty borne at the maximum rate over the interest and penalty borne at the rate at which the lien is purchased.

The Purchaser acknowledges that the tax lien(s) sold pursuant to these Terms of Sale may be subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or may become subject to such proceedings which may be commenced during the period in which a lien is held by a successful bidder or the assignee of same, which may modify a Purchaser’s rights with respect to the lien(s) the property securing same. Such bankruptcy proceedings shall not affect the validity of the tax lien. In addition to being subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/ or the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts, said purchaser’s right of foreclosure may be affected by the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA), 12 U.S.C. ss 1811 et.

seq., with regard to real property under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) receivership.

The County Treasurer reserves the right, without further notice and at any time, to withdraw from sale any of the parcels of land or premises herein listed.

The rate of interest and penalty which any person purchases the tax lien shall be established by his bid. Each purchaser, immediately after the sale thereof, shall pay to the County Treasurer ten per cent of the amount from which the tax liens have been sold and the remaining ninety per cent within thirty days after such sale. If the purchaser at the tax sale shall fail to pay the remaining ninety per cent within ten days after he has been notified by the County Treasurer that the certificates of sale are ready for delivery, then all deposited with the County Treasurer including but not limited to the ten per cent theretofore paid by him shall, without further notice or demand, be irrevocably forfeited by the purchaser and shall beretained by the County Treasurer as liquidated damages and the agreement to purchase be of no further effect.

Time is of the essence in this sale. This sale is held pursuant to the Nassau County Administrative Code and interested parties are referred to such Code for additional information as to terms of sale, rights of purchasers, maximum rates of interest and other legal incidents of the sale.

Furthermore, as to the bidding,

1. The bidder(s) agree that they will not work with any other bidder(s) to increase, maintain or stabilize interest rates or collaborate with any other bidder(s) to gain an unfair competitive advantage in the random number generator in the event of a tie bid(s) on a tax certificate. Bidder(s) further agree not to employ any bidding strategy designed to create an unfair competitive advantage in the tiebreaking process in the upcoming tax sale nor work with any other bidder(s) to engage in any bidding strategy that will result in a rotational award of tax certificates.

2. The tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) bid, will be arrived at independently and without direct or indirect consultation, communication or agreement with any other bidder and that the tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) to be bid, have not been disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder, and will not be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder prior to the close of bidding. No attempt has been made or will be made to, directly or indirectly, induce any other bidder to refrain from bidding on any tax certificate, to submit complementary bids, or to submit bids at specific interest rates.

3. The bids to be placed by the Bidder will be made in good faith and not pursuant to any direct or indirect, agreement or discussion with, or inducement from, any other bidder to submit a complementary or other noncompetitive bid.

4. If it is determined that the bidder(s) have violated any of these bid requirements then their bid shall be voided and if they were the successful bidder the lien and any deposits made, in connection with, said bid shall be forfeited. This list includes only tax liens on real estate located in Town of Hempstead. Such other tax liens on real estate are advertised as follows:

Town of HempsTead

Dist 1001

HEMPSTEAD BEACON, NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK TREND

NEWSDAY

UNIONDALE BEACON Dist 1002

HEMPSTEAD BEACON, NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK TREND

NEWSDAY

UNIONDALE BEACON Dist 1003

EAST MEADOW HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS

NEWSDAY Dist 1004

BELLMORE HERALD

MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS

NEWSDAY Dist 1005

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS

NEWSDAY

THE NASSAU OBSERVER

Dist 1006

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SEAFORD HERALD CITIZEN

WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN Dist 1007

BELLMORE HERALD

MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY Dist 1008

BALDWIN HERALD

BALDWIN/FREEPORT TRIBUNE

HEMPSTEAD BEACON, NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY Dist 1009

BALDWIN/FREEPORT TRIBUNE

FREEPORT HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY Dist 1010

BALDWIN HERALD

BALDWIN/FREEPORT TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

Dist 1011

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

OCEANSIDE TRIBUNE

OCEANSIDE/ISLAND PARK HERALD

Dist 1012

MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE

Dist 1013

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

VALLEY STREAM HERALD

VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE

Dist 1014

FIVE TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

FIVE TOWNS TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU HERALD (FIVE TOWNS)

NEWSDAY

Dist 1015

FIVE TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

FIVE TOWNS TRIBUNE

JEWISH STAR

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

Dist 1016

FRANKLIN SQ/ELMONT HERALD

FRANKLIN SQUARE BULLETIN

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

Dist 1017

FRANKLIN SQ/ELMONT HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER

NEWSDAY

Dist 1018

GARDEN CITY NEWS

GARDEN CITY TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEWSDAY

Dist 1019

EAST ROCKAWAY TRIBUNE

LYNBROOK/EAST ROCKAWAY HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

ROCKAWAY JOURNAL

Dist 1020

EAST ROCKAWAY TRIBUNE

LYNBROOK/EAST ROCKAWAY HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

Dist 1021

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

ROCKVILLE CENTRE TRIBUNE

Dist 1022

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER

NEWSDAY

Dist 1023

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SEAFORD HERALD CITIZEN

WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN

Dist 1024

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

VALLEY STREAM HERALD

VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE

Dist 1025

MERRICK HERALD

MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY Dist 1026

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 1027

MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

WEST HEMPSTEAD BEACON Dist 1028

LONG BEACH HERALD

LONG BEACH TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY Dist 1029

MERRICK HERALD

MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY Dist 1030

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

VALLEY STREAM HERALD

VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE Dist 1031

ISLAND PARK TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

OCEANSIDE/ISLAND PARK HERALD Dist 1201

EAST MEADOW HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEWSDAY Dist 1205

MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER

NEWSDAY

Town of norTH HempsTead

Dist 2001

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEWSDAY

Dist 2002

MINEOLA WILLISTON TIMES

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEWSDAY Dist 2003

MANHASSET PRESS

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

ROSLYN NEWS TIMES

Dist 2004

MANHASSET PRESS

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

PORT WASHINGTON NEWS

Dist 2005

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER

NEWSDAY

Dist 2006

MANHASSET PRESS

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

PORT WASHINGTON NEWS

Dist 2007

GREAT NECK NEWS RECORD

JEWISH STAR

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

Dist 2009

MINEOLA WILLISTON TIMES

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEWSDAY

Dist 2010

MINEOLA WILLISTON TIMES

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEWSDAY

Dist 2011

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEWSDAY

Dist 2122

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER

NEWSDAY

Dist 2301

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NORTH SHORE LEADER

Public Notices

JERICHO NEWS JOURNAL

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE

Town of oysTer Bay Dist 3001

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NORTH SHORE LEADER Dist 3002

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SEA CLIFF - GLEN HEAD HERALD

THE NORTH SHORE LEADER Dist 3003

JERICHO NEWS JOURNAL

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE Dist 3004

LONG ISLAND PRESS

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NORTH SHORE LEADER Dist 3006

LONG ISLAND PRESS

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NORTH SHORE LEADER Dist 3008

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

OYSTER BAY GUARDIAN Dist 3009

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

OYSTER BAY GUARDIAN Dist 3011

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

OYSTER BAY ENTERPRISE PILOT

SYOSSET ADVANCE Dist 3012

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SYOSSET ADVANCE

SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE Dist 3013

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SYOSSET ADVANCE

SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE Dist 3014

the basis of treatment or activities. those required (ADA) will be disabilities to parand public Treasurer’s made availother alternaplease call

JERICHO NEWS JOURNAL

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE Dist 3015

JERICHO NEWS JOURNAL

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE Dist 3017

HICKSVILLE/LEVITTOWN TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3018

BETHPAGE NEWSGRAM

MASSAPEQUA POST

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3019

BETHPAGE NEWSGRAM

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3020

BETHPAGE NEWSGRAM

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3021

BETHPAGE NEWSGRAM

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3022

MASSAPEQUA POST

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3023

MASSAPEQUA POST

MID-ISLAND TIMES

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3024

GLEN COVE HERALD GAZETTE

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

SEA CLIFF - GLEN HEAD HERALD Dist 3203

LONG ISLAND PRESS

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY ROSLYN NEWS TIMES Dist 3306

MASSAPEQUA POST

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY THE NASSAU OBSERVER

CiTy of Glen Cove Dist 4005

GLEN COVE HERALD GAZETTE

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

THE NORTH SHORE LEADER

CiTy of lonG BeaCh Dist 5028

LONG BEACH HERALD

LONG BEACH TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEWSDAY

Nassau County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities.

Upon request, accommodations such as those required by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in all services, programs, activities and public hearings and events conducted by the Treasurer’s Office. Upon request, information can be made available in braille, large print, audio tape or other alternative formats. For additional information, please call (516) 571-2090 ext. 13715.

Dated: February 05, 2025

THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER

MINEOLA, NEW YORK 1288763

Valentine’s Day gift ideas for the special man in your life

A holiday devoted to love and affection is nestled in the middle of the chilly days of February. Valentine’s Day is a big day for retailers, and many advertising campaigns focus on gifting women everything from jewelry to chocolate to stuffed animals. That focus may not be unwarranted, but men also deserve tokens of love and appreciation on Valentine’s Day.

With February 14 right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about shopping for items that show you care. Consider this list of carefully curated gifts that can provide inspiration for gifting the special man in your life.

• Gaming gear: The appeal of video games is hard to ignore. A new report from the gaming industry researchers at DFC Intelligence indicates that billions of people across the globe people play video games. The next gaming generation is approaching with the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Gift ideas can include consoles and peripherals like headsets, gaming chairs and laptop keyboards, among others.

• At-home luxury: Some men steer clear of massage therapy clinics or spas. That doesn’t mean they should forgo the benefits of a deep massage. With a portable back and neck shiatsu massager, he can enjoy a massage while watching the game or streaming movies or television shows.

• Treat bouquet: Floral bouquets may

be unusual gifts for men, but a bouquet of another sort certainly may be a winning Valentine’s Day gift. More and more companies are getting creative with food bouquets. From cupcake bouquets that require a double-take to ensure they’re edible to exotic jerky bouquets, there are items to tempt every palate.

• Cordless earbuds or headphones: Fitness enthusiasts, movie lovers or music fans know that the freedom to move around can be impeded by cords on headphones and earbuds. A new pair of Bluetooth-enabled wireless headphones can be just the thing to make men smile this Valentine’s Day.

• Coffee mill: Many people are sticking closer to home these days. That may mean skipping a favorite coffee shop and barista on the way to work, and brewing a cup of Joe before heading to the home office. According to Sam Spillman of Dillanos Coffee Roasters near Seattle, the 2019 Barista winner of the U.S. Coffee Championships, coffee loses flavor minutes after it is ground. Buying whole beans and grinding fresh before every brew ensures a more flavorful cup. Gifting a coffee grinder, particularly a burr grinder, can help improve the taste of that morning brew.

These are just some of the many gift ideas to make men smile this Valentine’s Day.

Popular Valentine’s Day traditions

Valentine’s Day is a day of love nestled in the middle of February. Sweethearts use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to show the people they care about just how deep those feelings run. A recent survey from the National Retail Federation found consumers expected to spend $25.9 billion on Valentine’s Day, up from $23.9 billion in 2022. Forecasters suspect spending is likely to increase this year as well.

Valentine’s Day is awash in many different customs. Here’s a deep look at some of those enduring traditions and others that some may feel should be brought back into favor or adopted entirely.

Handwritten cards

It’s a common scene each year in card retailers and pharmacies: people three-deep in the aisle trying to pick out Valentine’s

Day cards in the eleventh hour. People can save themselves the hassle of fighting the crowds if they make their own handmade cards. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, sweethearts created unique cards from scratch, according to Country Living. And prior to products produced by Hallmark and other greeting card companies, people used to send one another cards customized with personalized messages.

Heart-shaped chocolate boxes

British chocolatier Richard Cadbury is credited with creating the first heartshaped box for Valentine’s Day. The boxes were intended to be so beautiful they would be kept to hold trinkets or love letters. Ornate chocolate boxes are not quite as common today, although the gifting of chocolate for the holiday is still strong.

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative Connection

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF MASSAPEQUA

PARK NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to the provision of the State of New York that a Public Hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals in the Incorporated Village of Massapequa Park on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Village Hall, 151 Front Street, Massapequa Park, New York 11762 for the following purposes:

Case No. 4477 To consider the variance application of Mr. Ahmad Naderi, 270 Bannon Place, Massapequa Park, NY 11762 to maintain an air conditioning condenser in the second front yard in violation of Village Code.

Such proposal is in violation of Chapter 345-30 (D2) Permitted Structures in Front Yards which permits only a front covered portico, porch, egress window well, and a temporary storage container.

Existing air conditioning condenser is located approximately 22 feet from south property line.

Case No. 4478 To consider the variance application of Mr. Patrick Black, 1450 Lakeshore Drive, Massapequa Park, NY 11762 for a proposed second floor addition, to maintain masonry benches with two (2) columns, and pool pavers too close to property lines all in violation of Village Code.

Such proposals are in violation of the following Village Codes:

Chapter 345-30 Front Yards A (1a) In a Residential A District: 25 feet required. The setback to the proposed second floor addition is 23.3 feet and 24.0 feet to front property line.

Chapter 345-31 (E2) Exceptions which states: A building and any accessory buildings erected on the same lot shall, for the purpose of side and rear yard requirements, be considered as a single building, except that a garage or other accessory building in a residence district may occupy not more than 40 percent of the rear yard area and shall have a side yard and a rear yard of not less than one (1) foot.

Existing masonry benches with two (2) columns are located zero point three (0.3) feet from side north property line and zero point

Public Notices — Your right to know

six (0.6) feet from west rear property line.

Chapter 345-41 (H, J) Pools, Walkways, Distances, which states: An unobstructed walk area of not less than 24 inches wide shall be provided to extend entirely around pools below grade. Also, no portion of a pool, including walkways, pump, filters, showers, accessories, or pool water disinfectants, shall be located at a distance less than five (5) feet from any side or rear property lines or building setback line.

Existing pool pavers are located zero point six (0.6) feet from west property line, two point five (2.5) feet from south property line and approximately zero (0) feet from north property line. Existing pool is located six point nine (6.9) feet from west property line.

Case No. 4479 To consider the variance application of Mr. Steven Orlando, 338 Bannon Place, Massapequa Park, NY 11762 for a proposed front addition and emergency escape and rescue opening are deficient in setbacks and are in violation of Village Code.

Such proposals are in violation of the following Village Codes:

Chapter 345-30 (A) Front Yards which states: Minimum front yard setback must be 25 feet. Proposed front yard addition to be located 24’-2 ¾” from the front property line.

Chapter 345-31 (C1) Rear and Side Yards which states: Must maintain a five (5) foot side yard setback.

Proposed emergency escape and rescue opening to be located four (4) feet to north side property line.

Case No. 4480 To consider the variance application of Mr. Roy Lamberson, 215 Whitewood Drive, Massapequa Park, NY 11762 for a proposed garage addition exceeding allowable square footage, deficient side yard setback and exceeding lot coverage all in violation of Village Code.

Such proposals are in violation of the following Village Codes:

Chapter 345-33 A (1,2)

Residential Space and Garages: Amount of Space: The number of motor vehicles for which space may be provided as accessory to an authorized use in a residential district shall be as follows: For a single-family dwell-

ing, two (2) motor vehicles; space for additional motor vehicles may be provided only after receiving a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Not more than 200 square feet of floor area for each vehicle authorized in the preceding subsection may be provided, but the floor area so located with respect to walls, doors or permanent obstructions that cannot be used for storage of motor vehicles shall not be included.

The proposed combined garage space is approximately 678 square feet.

Chapter 345-31 (C2) Rear and Side Yards: In a Residential AA District: A minimum of five (5) feet to a garage and five (5) feet to a building, with a minimum of 30 feet between structures of the adjacent properties.

Proposed distance of 19.0 feet is between the garage addition and the adjacent property’s home structure.

Chapter 345-28 (C) Lot and Building Area: In a residential district the maximum lot coverage permitted shall be 30 percent.

Proposed lot coverage including all structures on the property is 33.6 percent.

Case No. 4481 To consider the variance application of Mr. Christopher Zecha, 211 Glengariff Road, Massapequa Park, NY 11762 for a proposed front porch and to enlarge an existing garage both in violation of Village Code.

Such proposals are in violation of the following Village Codes:

Chapter 345-30 (D2) Permitted Structures in Front Yards which states: The following are permissible encroachments: a portico, porch, emergency egress well and a temporary storage container. A front covered portico shall have a width not greater than eight (8) feet. The roof line may only extend an additional one (1) foot on each end. A front covered portico cannot extend more than six (6) feet from the house line. A covered porch may encroach not more than five (5) feet into the 25 foot setback and shall not have a width greater than the width of the house to which it is attached.

The furthest projection of the porch roof overhang is proposed at 18.73 feet from the front property line.

Chapter 345-33 A (1,2)

Residential Space and Garages: Amount of Space: The number of motor vehicles for which space may be provided as accessory to an authorized use in a residential district shall be as follows: For a single-family dwelling, two (2) motor vehicles; space for additional motor vehicles may be provided only after receiving a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Not more than 200 square feet of floor area for each vehicle authorized in the preceding subsection may be provided, but the floor area so located with respect to walls, doors or permanent obstructions that cannot be used for storage of motor vehicles shall not be included.

The proposed combined garage space is approximately 673 square feet.

Case No. 4482 To consider the variance application of Ms. Carole Ferrara, 575 Rockne Avenue, Massapequa Park, NY 11762 to erect an inground pool, walkway, and pool equipment without the required setbacks in violation of Village Code.

Such proposal is in violation of Chapter 345-41 (H, J) Pools, Walkways, Distances, which states: An unobstructed walk area of not less than 24 inches wide shall be provided to extend entirely around pools below grade. Also, no portion of a pool, including walkways, pump, filters, showers, accessories, or pool water disinfectants, shall be located at a distance less than five (5) feet from any side or rear property lines or building setback line.

Proposed inground pool is located three (3) feet from rear property line and six (6) feet from side property line, deficient four (4) feet and one (1) foot, respectively.

Proposed to have no walkway at the north and east sides of the pool.

Proposed pool equipment to be three (3) feet eight (8) inches from rear property line, deficient by one (1) foot four (4) inches.

By order of the Zoning Board of Appeals January 30, 2025 25-114. 2/5

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as successor-in-interest to all permitted successors and assigns of JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as Trustee for Specialty Underwriting and Residential Finance Trust Mortgage Loan AssetBacked Certificates, Series 2005-BC2, Plaintiff AGAINST Eddie Maiorino a/k/a Eddie A. Maiorino; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 5, 2019 I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 24, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 45 Beverly Place, Massapequa, NY 11758. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Massapequa, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau, State of NY, Section 65 Block 101 Lots 2314, 2315, 2316, and 2317. Approximate amount of judgment $590,059.64 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 614095/2017. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the 10th Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held "Rain or Shine."

John Kennedy, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC

Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: November 26, 2024 25-108 1/22, 29, 2/5, 12

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN, that a Public Hearing will be held February 24, 2025, at 7 PM in Village Hall, 151 Front Street, Massapequa Park to consider the adoption of a Local Law to allow the Incorporated Village of Massapequa Park to adopt a budget for the fiscal year

commencing 2025 that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the “tax levy limit” as defined by General Municipal Law Section 3-c. Anyone wishing to be heard will be given the opportunity at the above time and place mentioned.

LINDA TUMINELLO, RMC VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR By Order of the Board of Trustees Dated this 28th day of January 2025 25-113. 2/5

LEGAL NOTICE

GRIEVANCE DAY

TAKE NOTICE: On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, the Board of Assessment Review will meet between the hours of 4:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. at Village Hall, 151 Front Street, Massapequa Park, New York 11762 to hear complaints in connection with assessments.

LINDA TUMINELLO, RMC Village Administrator/Clerk By Order of the Board of Trustees Dated at Massapequa Park, New York this 14th day of January 2025 #POST. 2/5

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: CL-25-100271-01 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Bar/Tavern under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 149 Glen St, Glen Cove, NY 11542, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at Southdown Coffee LLC. 25-110. 1/29, 2/5

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0340-25-101535 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 908-912A Hempstead Turnpike, Franklin Square, NY 11010, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at My Carmela's, Inc. 25-112. 1/29, 2/5

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

Applicants should contact: lsveda@sewanhakaschools.org for an application.

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.

STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $16.50 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.

Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must.

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

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778

Email: info@bellautoschool.com

EDITOR/REPORTER

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

To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour.

Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

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HomesHERALD

Do we have beams we don’t need?

Q. We were meeting with our contractor during our home reconstruction, literally tearing the entire house apart and adding a floor. He introduced his “framer,” who was polite but left us with concern. He said the beams going across our house were “overkill.” The beams support a new balcony and high ceilings, so our foyer and living room are two stories tall, very dramatic, and we love what our architect did. We started wondering if we had overpaid for beams that maybe we didn’t need, since the framer said the structure was much more than necessary. Should we ask our architect for an explanation, or just let it go? Construction isn’t cheap, and we understand that, but there is concern about spending more than needed. What do you suggest?

A. Let it go. What you’re experiencing is common and frustrating to hear, because there are so many aspects to designing a building, and I wonder if your framer understands. For example, beams are designed for much more than carrying material loads. Roof beams must carry what we call “dead” loads as well as “live” loads, such as wind and heavy snow.

I have asked framers who have made these statements if they were aware of the several different code-required load capacities a beam is subjected to, to which they either answer, honestly, that they aren’t sure, or make remarks like, “Well, that’s your job,” or “I just know this is overkill.” They just know. And they probably don’t, or they could explain.

Wind impacts buildings in many ways, and is considered a load with multiple effects, requiring calculations, for your safety, to keep the walls and roof from tearing away, or lifting off the house, or crushing down on you in a push-and-pull manner that wind naturally has. Then there are connectors to attach everything. These braces, stirrups and saddles keep structure from pulling apart, but each type comes with engineered calculations.

We often start selecting beams, rafters and joist sizes based on stringent energy codes, which dictate that you must have certain thicknesses of insulation, to prevent heat from escaping quickly or causing your air conditioning to work constantly from heat migrating inward. If you choose the more expensive compact foam insulation, which has greater resistance per inch to heat gain and loss, then we can sometimes reduce the size of some structure. But if you choose less costly fiberglass insulation, which looks like cotton candy, the structure must be deeper, taller, larger — however you can describe it — to accommodate the required insulation thickness.

Larger rafters and joists weigh more, and their angled end cuts require deeper-sized beams to join them. So now you know part of why those beams probably aren’t “overkill,” and why your framer should do a different kind of “home-work” before professing his knowledge. A building is a large jigsaw puzzle of custom parts, and “under-kill” can lead to disaster. Will the framer be there to take responsibility? Good luck!

2025 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

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opinions

An inauguration that was decidedly different

Last month I traveled to Washington, joining many Nassau County Republicans, including County Executive Bruce Blakeman and GOP Chairman Joe Cairo, to celebrate the inauguration of Donald Trump as our 47th president. Beginning with Richard Nixon’s second inaugural in 1972, I had attended 10 previous ones, seven of them during my 28 years in Congress.

This year’s event was certainly memorable, and not just because the tundra-like weather forced the ceremony indoors. From the moment I arrived at the historic Mayflower Hotel, where many of New York’s elected officials and party leaders were staying, I was struck by the extraordinary level of excitement, enthusiasm and hope. This was significantly different from Trump’s first inaugural in 2017, when, though he had many strong supporters, there was an air of uncertainty about whether his administration would hit the ground running. There had been multiple leaks from the Trump camp and a number of his top cabinet officials, like Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, had no previous

connection to Trump or any political or governmental experience.

This time around, Trump was striding into Washington as a conquering hero who had made the greatest political comeback of any president in history. And he was as prepared for action as any of his predecessors. There was no doubt he would hit the ground running.

The cold and the intense security made getting around Washington more difficult than I remember for any previous inauguration. Cairo and I were in a car for almost two hours, encountering constant roadblocks and rerouting as we tried to get to a Newsmax event at the relatively nearby Andrew Mellon Auditorium, before we gave up and returned to the Mayflower, where New York was staging its Inaugural Party, featuring Elise Stefanik, the upstate congresswoman and the nominee for ambassador to the United Nations.

old friends and prominent officials gathered to reminisce and share the latest news and rumors.

Trump’s inaugural address was truly unique. No president has ever been so direct or detailed, as he laid out the specifics of his agenda and the myriad executive orders he would be issuing on everything from border security to energy production. He was unsparing in his criticism of what he saw as the terrible failings of the Biden administration — all of this as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris sat just several feet away.

iwas struck by the extraordinary excitement, enthusiasm and hope.

But none of this dampened the spirit of hope and optimism. The Mayflower event, the day before the inauguration, drew an overflow crowd of hundreds, who heard powerful speeches from EPA nominee Lee Zeldin, Congressman Mike Lawler and Blakeman. And there was always action in the hotel lobby, as

Ordinarily I would consider it wrong to disrespect a former president at an inaugural ceremony, but these are not ordinary times. Trump strongly believes that the Biden administration and its allies abused the legal system in attempts to destroy Trump with criminal prosecutions and bankrupt him and his family. Ironically, Trump didn’t know that just moments before his term expired, Biden had pardoned five members of his family.

The main impact of Trump’s address was that he would do all he could to change the direction of the country. The days of woke progressivism were over.

After the ceremonies, the president went to the Capitol One Arena for an

indoor version of the inaugural parade. I was particularly proud that one of the bands taking part was the NYPD Pipes & Drums. By some mistake, the band hadn’t been included in the original lineup, but when its leaders came to me just weeks before the inauguration, I was able to reach out to the Trump team and get it done.

The almost frenetic energy of the inauguration continued in the days that followed, as Trump signed one executive order after another. (While I strongly agreed with most of them, I believe it was wrong to issue blanket pardons to those who carried out violence against police officers and other law enforcement on Jan. 6, 2021. Despite all the injustice carried out by the Justice Department against Trump, and the department’s failure to prosecute violent rioters on the left, these pardons cannot be defended.)

Trump has promised America a new Golden Age — an age in which American economic, diplomatic and military power will be respected around the world. An America where we will no longer be subject to government censorship and strangling bureaucratic regulations or be defined by race, religion or sexual preference. If he succeeds, it will indeed be an American Golden Age!

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

Cleaning the 2024 slate is comforting

The beginning of a new year is a chance to clean the slate from 2024 and to look ahead to more positive things. If you have your health, when you aren’t at work, it’s a chance to enjoy taking long walks, squeezing in a vacation and maybe finding a good book to read. But to erase the 2024 board clean, it’s important to get some things off my chest.

One of my pet peeves is our national airline system. These days it costs a lot of money to travel almost anywhere in the United States, and we’re often treated like cattle, unless you fly first class. Boarding the plane can be demeaning, and the seats are uncomfortable. For a round-trip costing $800, asking for an extra bag of pretzels shouldn’t be a big deal, but I’ve had a

few turn-downs on flights to Florida. My wife has designated me the family shopper, and I don’t mind the periodic trips to the supermarket. My parents had a grocery store, so I know how to move quickly from aisle to aisle. I’m sure many readers have heard the term “shrinkflation,” which is rampant in supermarkets. Almost every item weighs less and costs more. My favorite boxes of cereal not only weigh half as much, but their contents don’t taste anything like they did when I was a child. Especially Kix and Rice Krispies.

Tgains are anything but.

o get a fresh start in the new year, it’s important to get some things off my chest.

Department store shopping was once an adventure. You could go from floor to floor, and it would take hours to go from the ground floor to the top. The shelves were once stacked with many interesting items, and the quality of the merchandise was pretty good. These days, though, there seem to be many less items for sale, and the so-called bar-

I’ve been a loyal Yankees fan for as long as I can remember. I try to get to at least two or three games a season, but the ticket prices can be staggering. I truly feel bad for a family with young kids who make an annual trip to the ballpark. The hot dogs, pizza and ice cream are costly, and if the kids want a few souvenirs, the outing can costs hundreds of dollars. Baseball owners need the revenues to pay high-priced players, but not everyone can afford to be a talent sponsor.

Going to a movie isn’t what it used to be, either. I recall childhood trips to theaters with my parents that were affordable and frequent. Once upon a time, theatergoers would even get some type of premium for buying a ticket. A movie ticket today can cost over $20, and if you and your companion want popcorn, candy or soda, the price of this night out is pretty high.

There are more things that bug me. I look at Facebook from time to time because it’s nice to see people celebrating happy occasions, but there is no shortage of party-poopers who insist on posting political barbs that are of no interest to most viewers. We’ve just survived a period of intense political bickering, and I’m not anxious to see a Facebook testimonial to a politician who my crazy uncle worships.

I have bad feelings about a lot of people both in and out of the political arena, but we’ll save that for another time. There are things going on right now that I could talk about for hours. I’ve chosen the things that upset all of my friends and neighbors as well, with little or no dissent. I’m sure I skipped over some of your annoyances, but I have a whole year to write about them.

Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.

JERRY KREMER

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Dialing up a possible cellphone plan

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s newly unveiled plan to restrict smartphone use in schools across New York state has sparked robust discussion among educators, parents and policymakers.

With the goal of creating distractionfree learning environments, the proposal would direct schools to limit cellphone use throughout the school day while providing practical solutions for communication and storage. The initiative has notable advantages as well as challenges, warranting careful consideration as it moves forward and is considered by the State Legislature.

The primary argument in favor of Hochul’s plan is the undeniable distraction that the phones pose to students. Research consistently shows that smartphones can impede focus, reduce academic performance and foster excessive screen time. By eliminating unsanctioned use of the devices, students would be expected to engage more deeply with their lessons and their peers, improving their classroom experience, their grades and their interpersonal skills.

Hochul’s thinking also aligns with growing concerns about youth mental health. Excessive smartphone use, particularly on social media, has been linked to anxiety, depression and reduced self-esteem among adolescents. The governor’s effort builds on her earlier success in regulating addictive social media feeds for minors, emphasizing the state’s commitment to protecting the mental well-being of its youth.

The proposal also addresses safety concerns, a priority highlighted by law

letters

Randi shares the joy of books

To the Editor:

enforcement experts. Distracted students are more vulnerable to accidents and less likely to be aware of their surroundings during emergencies. A focus on reducing these distractions could enhance student safety.

Allocating $13.5 million for smartphone storage solutions — such as pouches or cubbies — would ensure that schools, regardless of budget constraints, have access to the resources needed to implement the plan.

Despite its merits, however, the proposal raises several concerns. Chief among them is the potential challenge of enforcing the restrictions uniformly across diverse school settings. Administrators and teachers may find it difficult to monitor compliance, especially in larger schools with limited staff.

The plan also risks alienating students and parents who view cellphones as essential tools for communication and personal safety. While the initiative includes provisions for parents to contact their children during the school day, it may not fully address the anxieties of those who rely on immediate connectivity, particularly in emergencies.

Another issue is the reliance on alternative devices, such as school-issued tablets and laptops, for instruction. While these tools are permitted under the plan, they, too, can be distractions if not properly managed. Critics of Hochul’s plan argue that simply replacing smartphones with other internet-enabled devices may not fully eliminate the problem of divided attention in classrooms.

Exemptions outlined in the proposal — such as those for medical needs or individualized education programs —

Re Randi Kreiss’s recent column, “When was the last time you read a book?”: As she stated, one of the great joys in life is having a wonderful book to read. I never go anywhere without one. I taught English on the junior and high school levels on Long Island for 39 years, and I loved it. I would do it all over again.

The exciting discussions I had with my students triggered by great literature were priceless. I loved teaching “Of Mice and Men”; “The Picture of Dorian Gray”; “Romeo and Juliet”; “The Great Gatsby”; my nominee for the greatest novel of all, “To Kill a Mockingbird”; and many others.

Randi’s statement that in some of the country’s “elite” colleges, many students are neither willing nor able to read the books they are assigned is scary. What does that bode for our future leaders? And presently we have one in the White House who I’ll bet has never read a complete book,

highlight the necessity of accommodating diverse student populations. Ensuring that these exemptions are applied fairly and without reinforcing stigmas, however, could add complexity to the plan’s implementation.

A strength of the proposal is its flexibility, allowing schools to design their own storage and implementation strategies. This autonomy acknowledges that a one-size-fits-all approach may not work across New York’s varied educational landscapes. However, the success of this flexibility hinges on clear guidelines and adequate support from the state to help schools navigate potential challenges.

The plan’s focus on equity, including ensuring that students without internetenabled devices are not disadvantaged, demonstrates an awareness of the broader implications of digital access. This consideration is crucial in preventing unintended disparities.

Hochul’s proposal is a bold step toward addressing the challenges of the digital age in education. While its goals are commendable —enhancing focus, promoting mental health and improving safety — it must carefully navigate the concerns of enforcement, equity and parental confidence.

As the state prepares to roll out the measure by the 2025-26 school year, ongoing collaboration with educators, parents and students will be essential to refine it, and ensure its effectiveness. With a proper balance of structure and flexibility, the initiative has the potential to foster a more focused, healthier and distraction-free learning environment for New York’s students.

It’s time for riders to take control of the runaway MTA

new York City’s congestion pricing program has begun!

After much political pushpull, this unbearable tax is upon us all. As far north as 60th Street in Manhattan — Central Park — is included in this over-reaching, overpriced tax that hits drivers and train riders alike going into Manhattan, but luckily, not as they are leaving Manhattan.

Now, during weekday peak hours, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., there is a $9 increase, a $2.25 increase in offpeak commuting. Weekend peak hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. This doesn’t just apply to someone driving south in Manhattan; if you are headed into

Letters

including our Constitution.

I belong to a book club in which we read mostly nonfiction and sports, but I also enjoy mysteries and detective novels. I am currently reading “All the Sinners Bleed,” by S.A. Cosby. A sheriff in Charon County, Virginia, with a very unpleasant case. Cosby is a terrific writer.

Thanks to Randi for her other suggestions. I hope she has fun teaching the class.

JIM HAWKINS Baldwin

Randi’s given me some catching up to do

To the Editor:

I’ve been reading Randi’s columns in the Herald for years, and enjoying her take on everything, as well as her style. I am 81. Been reading since I was a single digit. My first novel was “Black Beauty,” by Anna Sewell, which I read when I was about 7.

I’ve read 135 books in each of the past two years, and I’m going to look into all the books in Randi’s curriculum, because I find I’ve read maybe one, “Of Mice and Men,” when I was way younger. Lol. No matter what, I’m going to tackle her list. I hope they don’t have to be read in that order, because I’ve chosen “The Wren, the Wren” to be my first.

RINA COHEN East Meadow

Manhattan on the Queensboro (60th Street, Central Park), Williamsburg (Lower East Side), Manhattan (Canal Street), or Brooklyn Bridge, or the Lincoln, Holland, Hugh Carey (Brooklyn-Battery) or Queens-Midtown Tunnel, you are paying this new tax.

iTo add insult to injury, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority just increased all the tolls, unrelated to congestion pricing, on all of New York City’s bridges. So, if you are using the George Washington, Bayonne or Goethals Bridge or the Outerbridge Crossing, you will have to pay an increase there as well.

n addition to congestion pricing, are you using a bridge?

Guess

which tolls have risen.

Originally sold to New Yorkers as a plan to save the environment, congestion pricing is nothing more than just another money grab to bail out the inept and ever-failing MTA. The agen -

cy has always been mismanaged, but its current chair, Janno Lieber, has proven particularly tone-deaf. He made a comment just days after a woman was burned to death on the subway, that crime on the subways was just “in people’s heads” and that it isn’t a huge issue. His total disregard for his customers’ sense of safety is appalling, and only confirms his inability to oversee public transportation.

The MTA did no customer service survey to see how it could accommodate commuters by expanding train service, because the truth is, Lieber doesn’t care. With all these toll increases, he’s taking your money no matter what method of travel you choose.

Recognizing how bad this policy is, we saw Gov. Kathy Hochul even pause

Framework by Diane Revinskas

congestion pricing in June due to the concern that it would hurt her fellow Democrats in the November election — especially those on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley who were running for Congress. The governor only made matters worse by reinstating the policy after Election Day, with the claim that she would save us money by temporarily lowering the new tax from its original proposed fee of $15 to $9.

For all these reasons, I am co-sponsoring legislation with my fellow senators from Long Island that would permanently end congestion pricing, force the MTA to be independently audited, and create a financial control board to take control of the agency’s finances. We have paid enough into this failed authority, and it’s time for the riders to take control of this runaway train.

Alexis Weik represents the 8th State Senate District. She previously served as receiver of taxes for the Town of Islip.

At the Knossos Palace — Crete, Greece

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