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JULY 16 - 22, 2025
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Thousands turn out for MPK July 4 parade By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondent
Mike Polansky/Herald
Massapequa Road Runners, one of the many local groups that took part in the parade.
Under sunny skies and nearperfect weather, several thousand people lined the streets of Massapequa Park Village on the morning of July 4 for the village’s annual Independence Day parade. More than 40 local organizations marched the 1.6-mile route, which began at the intersection of Walker Street and Lakeshore Drive, continued south along Lakeshore, then headed down Park Boulevard through the village to Front Street. Among the spectators was Deborah Loseto, who arrived CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
Take Me Out to the Ballgame hosting ‘Christmas in July’ fundraiser at Mulcahy’s By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
When Rich Genovese of Massapequa read about the 2006 murder of 7-year-old Nixzmary Brown, a Brooklyn girl who suffered years of abuse, he couldn’t shake the story from his mind. “It bothered me so much that my wife said, ‘Well, do something,’” Genovese recalled. That moment of heartbreak became a catalyst for change. Rich and his wife, Lenore, went on to establish Take Me Out to the Ballgame, a nonprofit, allvolunteer organization that creates and funds events for children affected by drug and alcohol abuse. The foundation was
officially launched in 2007. “We wanted to do something to help kids,” said Genovese. Joining forces with lifelong friends Matt Dowd and John D’Elia — whom Genovese calls his “left and right arm” — the trio has spent nearly two decades building a foundation that now supports hundreds of families across Long Island. In line with that, the organization’s sixth annual “Christmas in July” fundraiser will take place on Thur., July 24, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall, 3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh. Other funded events through the foundation include trips to Adventureland, fishing excur-
sions, tickets to Long Island Ducks games and other sporting events, and an annual Christmas party. “We take these kids to Adventureland and Long Island Ducks games, and the smile on their face doesn’t come off,” Genovese said. Beyond events, the foundation provides essential holiday meals, gifts, and school supplies to families in need. They regularly stock nine local food pantries and assist with back-toschool drives. “Backpacks, notebooks — many of these people can’t afford it,” said Dowd. “That could put a real sticker on a kid who doesn’t have the same school supplies as
their classmates. We combat that as best we can.” The group partners with organizations including YES Community Counseling Center in Massapequa, Freeport Inn Soup Kitchen, and the Angels of Long Island in Patchogue, often helping children from “really disjointed families,” Genovese said. “The issues that the families have range from being a single
mom and struggling to afford diapers and formula to parents who suffer from drug abuse and alcoholism,” he said. Dowd added, “The cost of diapers and formula is off the charts. The food pantries always need servicing.” Genovese reflected on the organization’s growth, recalling their first Thanksgiving when CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
Farmingdale seniors mark graduation with pride and purpose More than 500 Farmingdale High School seniors marked the end of their high school journey on June 17 during a graduation ceremony filled with pride and reflection. Led by Principal Jed Herman and Superintendent of Schools Paul Defendini, the event at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex at Hofstra University honored the Class of 2025 for its academic accomplishments, resilience and contributions to the school community. “This class has led with heart, intellect and purpose,” Herman said during his opening remarks. “They are prepared not only to face the future, but to shape it.” Defendini praised the graduates and the broader Farmingdale community for their collective support and perseverance.
“This is a moment of celebration not just for these students, but for all who have supported them — teachers, parents and peers,” he said. “The Class of 2025 has made us proud every step of the way.” The ceremony included speeches from Class Valedictorian Shea Hiotidis and Salutatorian Jaylyn Umana, who reflected on their experiences and encouraged classmates to embrace the opportunities ahead. Members of the Farmingdale Board of Education presented diplomas as families and friends applauded from the stands. The evening concluded with the traditional turning of the tassels, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the graduates as they head off to colleges, careers and other post-graduation paths.
Courtesy Farmingdale school district
Farmingdale High School Valedictorian Shea Hiotidis
Farmingdale High School Salutatorian Jayln Umana
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AFA opens new resource center in Amityville cjames@liherald.com
Senior citizens in the Massapequa, Amityville and Babylon areas now have access to free music, arts, movement, rhythm and memory exercise classes—no long-distance travel required. The newly opened AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center in Amityville is offering these and other support services at no cost. Operated by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, the center provides a range of programs designed to support seniors and their families, all under the guidance of professional caregivers. “I enjoy coming here because it keeps my mind active,” said Richard Ludes, who spent one morning at the center taking part in the programs. Located in the former residence of the Dominican Sisters on Schlegel Boulevard, the fully renovated building was designed to serve the particular needs of older adults, especially those affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia. It includes space for education, hands-on learning, and therapeutic activities in a warm, inviting setting. “We wanted to make it comfortable and welcoming,” said Cathy Serpico, the center’s senior manager. “During construction, we made sure every room had large windows and natural light, because that’s important for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. It helps them keep track of the time of day.” Serpico added that the color palette was also carefully selected to promote calm and comfort. That attention to detail was evident as about a dozen seniors recent-
ly participated in a music-based session designed to lift their spirits and encourage mindfulness. “It’s interesting to go to another place and do something different,” said Camille Iazzetta of West Babylon, who attended the class. Like many others in the session, she was transported by a town-run bus from a local senior center in Babylon. The classes typically last one to two hours. Afterward, seniors are brought back to their respective centers, providing them with both stimulation and companionship. “I’m 84 years old and I live alone,” said Eileen Bencosme who took part in one of the sessions one day. “It gives me some companionship with others, and I’m not alone.” The facility is funded through charitable donations and grants. Last year the Town of Babylon provided a $49,000 grant to help with the completion of the center. Looking ahead, the center plans to open a library and resource center to assist students, caregivers, and health professionals seeking information about Alzheimer’s and dementia. A fully furnished apartment is also in development to help seniors practice daily living skills in a safe, supervised environment. Therapists are on staff to support all programming. “All of this allows us not only to create activities but to tailor them for each person, addressing their individual needs and abilities,” Serpico said. In addition to participants who arrive by bus from senior centers, others are brought by family members who register them in advance. A full schedule of classes is available at afalongisland.org or by calling 631-223-4000.
MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — July 16, 2025
By CAROLYN JAMES
Carolyn James/Herald
Richard Ludes, a retired firefighter, with his daughter, Mary Jane Rohan, at the center with therapeutic program specialists Sasha Hicks and Lizanne Lachat.
• Free memory screening available • The center also offers free memory screenings for Long Islanders of all ages, with no insurance or age requirements. The screenings take approximately 10 to 15 minutes and consist of a series of questions that evaluate memory,
language, and thinking skills. Results can help determine whether further medical evaluation is needed. Appointments for memory screenings can be scheduled by calling 631-223-4000.
Grand Opening ceremony July 24 The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) will hold a grand opening ceremony for the AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center, 149 Schleigel Boulevard in Amityville, on Thurs, July 24 at 11 am. “Whether it’s free community programs, free memory screenings, and more, the AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center is
a new, valuable community-based resource for Long Islanders,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s President and CEO. He added, “We invite Long Islanders to help us cut the ribbon on July 24 and see what the new center has to offer.” RSVP by contacting the center at 631-223-4000.
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A conference room, once the chapel in the Dominican Sisters’ residence, retains the historical chandeliers, a reminder of the history of the site.
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CRIME WATCH
July 16, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST
The following incidents were reported by the Nassau County Police Department’s 7th and 8th precincts and other local law enforcement agencies.
MASSAPEQUA WOMAN CHARGED WITH DWI/ASSAULT
kicked officers, injuring one, and spat on another. Castillo was charged with second-degree assault, DWI and second-degree obstruction of governmental administration. She was scheduled for arraignment July 6 at First District Court in Hempstead.
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Massapequa — A 21-yearPETIT LARCENY old woman was arrested and South Farmingdale — charged with assault and Three cases of Corona driving while intoxicated folbeer were stolen from the lowing a crash early SaturSpeedway gas station at day, July 5. 4000 Hempstead Turnpike Police said Jamy Castillo, of around 11:25 p.m. on June 420 Jefferson St., Massapequa, 26. was driving a 2010 Honda PiMassapequa — Chrislot southbound on Floral Avten P. Dwyer, 37, of Massenue around 2:25 a.m. when JAMY CASTILLO apequa, was arrested and she struck a guardrail. Officharged with shoplifting cers from the Eighth Precinct responded to the scene and determined Cas- from the LIDL supermarket at 5601 Merrick Road. The incident occurred at 6:32 p.m. on tillo was intoxicated. June 29. She was transported to a hospital for OTHER ARRESTS evaluation after complaining of neck pain. Criminal Mischief: Michael Harrison, 45, While in the ambulance, Castillo allegedly became combative with officers and a po- of Farmingdale. lice medic. At the hospital, she reportedly
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MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — July 16, 2025
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Left fielder River Town had a team-leading 69 hits in the first half of the season as well as 17 stolen bases.
Erik Lee/Herald photos
Jonah Dipoto is one of four righthanders in the Ducks’ starting rotation.
Ducks build momentum for second half By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
Only time will tell if the Long Island Ducks can carry the momentum they built down the stretch of the first half of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball season when a 9-1 finish still left them four games behind the York Revolution in the North Division. The Ducks, who went 35-28 and saw Ronaldo Flores lead the league in firsthalf batting with a .362 average, have shown second-year manager Lew Ford they’re more than capable of qualifying for the playoffs and making a push for the franchise’s fifth championship. “We’re doing a lot of good things and know we have a solid ballclub,” said Ford, the Ducks’ all-time hits leader with 1,036, good enough for third in league history. “Our pitching, hitting and fielding were all first or second in the league. If we keep that going we absolutely can make the playoffs.” Including Flores, the Ducks had nine players appear in at least 45 of the first half’s 63 games. The 23-year-old catcher, who began the second half on the dis-
abled list, had 59 hits in 163 at-bats with 7 homers and 30 RBIs. The franchise typically leads the Atlantic League in annual player departures to either Major League Baseball contracts or overseas, but the Ducks entered the second half with as much stability as they’ve had in quite some time. Another example of how the Atlantic League is an outstanding option for those looking to reach or return to the next level is pitcher Zach Plesac, who made seven starts for the Ducks, winning four with a 2.84 ERA before inking a deal with the St. Louis’ Cardinals organization June 5 and reporting to Triple-A affiliate Memphis. Plesac has six seasons of MLB experience and Ford is now working with a starting rotation consisting of four righthanders (Tim Melville, David Griffin, Ryan Sandberg and Jonah Dipoto) and southpaw Juan Hillman, “Our pitchers are throwing well and keeping us in every game,” Ford said. Melville’s tenure with the Ducks dates back to 2017 and he’s currently in his third stint in Central Islip. In
between he’s had his contract purchased by the Minnesota Twins and Colorado Rockies. He threw just 26 innings in the first half this season, mostly in relief, and earned three wins with a 4.15 ERA. “He’s a veteran leader who’s been in the big leagues more than once,” Ford said. Griffin made 10 starts in the first half, going 5-1 with a 3.90 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 60 innings. “He took a nohitter into the eighth inning a couple of starts back,” Ford said of Griffin, who joined the Ducks in August of last season. Sandberg, from Island Park and a 2016 graduate of West Hempstead High School, is in his first season with the Ducks after spending two years with Quebec in the Frontier League. He made six starts in the first half and produced an impressive 3.16 ERA with a record of 3-2. “Ryan’s been doing a great job and has become a big part of the rotation,” Ford said. With closer Peyton Williams currently on the injured list, Ford is using a committee to seal the deal. “We’re hop-
ing to get him back before the season ends,” Ford said of Williams. The offense produced six runs per game through the first 63 and was aggressive on the bases with 109 steals. Leadoff hitter and star defensive centerfielder Chris Roller (19) and left fielder River Town (17) are the stolen base leaders, and the latter had a team-best 69 hits in the first half. “We’ve got a nice core group and closing the first half on a hot streak boosted confidence and showed what we can do,” Town said. “Our pitchers have been lights-out and offensively we’re having fun and playing hard-nosed baseball.” In the power department, third baseman Troy Viola belted 11 homers and knocked in 44 runs to lead the team in both categories, and outfielder Cody Thomas had 10 dingers and 39 RBIs. Other mainstays in the lineup are outfielders Taylor Kohlwey and JC Encarnacion, shortstop Kole Kaler, and catcher Justin O’Conner. We’re too good of a team to not build off how we finished the first half,” Town said.
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Massapequa Park draws huge crowd for annual July 4th parade
July 16, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST
CONTINUED FROM COVER
early with her children, Lorenzo and Giuliana, to claim a spot along Park Boulevard. “We come to the parade every year,” she said. “My husband is with the Fire Department, and the kids get to hop on the truck with Daddy at the end of the parade.” Leading the parade were the Nassau County Police Color Guard, the Nassau Police Motorcycle Platoon, the MTA Police Color Guard, and the New Wave Drum and Bugle Corps. They were followed by a lineup of elected officials, including Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman; Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino; Town Board members Steve Labriola, Tom Hand and Lou Imbroto; Town Receiver of Taxes Jeff Pravato; Nassau County Legislator James Kennedy; Nassau County District Court Judge James Saladino; state Assemblyman Michael Durso; Massapequa Park Deputy Mayor Tina Schiaffino; Village Trustees Todd Svec and Dana Durso; and Massapequa School District Board of Education members Kerry Wachter, Cher Lepre, Danielle Ocuto and Chris Brooks. After walking the parade route, Schiaffino took over as mistress of ceremonies, introducing participants as they passed the Showmobile on Park Boulevard in the heart of downtown. As the parade began, Blakeman reflected on the meaning of the day. “It’s a great day to remember all of the
sacrifices made by our Founding Fathers and Mothers, and all of our military and law enforcement who protected us over the years,” he said. “This is the greatest country in the world, and it’s a beautiful and very patriotic turnout here in Massapequa Park.” Several veterans groups took part in the event, including American Legion Post 1066 and its Amityville Pipe Band, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7763, AMVETS Post 88, and the Sunrise Detachment of the Marine Corps League. Other organizations included Tara Pipes and Drums; the Museum of American Armor, which featured five military vehicles; the Massapequa Chamber of Commerce, Massapequa Historical Society, Massapequa Road Runners, the Knights of Columbus, the Sons of Italy, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Massapequa International Little League, the South Shore Chiefs, local Cub Scouts, Brownies, Boy Scouts, and the Massapequa Families of Multiples. A stretch of the parade was also dedicated to antique cars. The Massapequa Fire Department brought up the rear with its Color Guard, marching band, approximately 100 department members, and a full lineup of fire apparatus. American flags were on display throughout the route, mostly donated by Coldwell Banker on Park Boulevard. The real estate office began distributing flags to paradegoers more than an hour before the start.
Tom Murtagh, manager of the local “We give out flags every year at the MeColdwell Banker office, estimated they morial Day parade and again today for the handed out more than 1,000 flags. Fourth of July,” he said. “It’s what we do.”
Oyster Bay Town Receiver of Taxes Jeff Pravato with his nephews, Army 2nd Lt. Matthew Sullivan and Navy Ensign Luke Sullivan
Daniel and Therese London and their daughters, Teresa and Lorelei, enjoyed the parade
The Nassau Police Color Guard leads the parade
Area officials crack down on animal abusers cshaw@liherald.com
Nassau County officials are taking a tougher stance against animal abusers with a new law that bans them from owning pets and keeps their names on a public registry for up to 20 years. On July 10, the same day the bill was signed, Town of Hempstead officials gathered in Wantagh to promote a pair of pet adoption initiatives at the municipal animal shelter. County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed the bill into law at a news conference at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola. The measure is co-sponsored by County Legislator John Ferretti, a Levittown native who is running for Town of Hempstead supervisor in November as a Republican. Blakeman said that the bill, which took effect immediately, ensures that people with a record of animal abuse in Nassau County will not be allowed to own animals. “If they have an animal and they’re abusive, this takes away their right,” Blakeman said. Joining Blakeman and Ferretti at the signing were County Legislator Rose Walker, District Attorney Anne Donnelly and Comptroller Elaine Phillips, as well as Gary Rogers, board president of the Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a nonprofit headquartered in Bethpage. According to Ferretti, people convicted of animal abuse are placed on a registry maintained by the SPCA and available on its website. The new law extends the amount of time an animal abuser remains on the registry from five years to 10 years for a first offense, and from 10 years to 20 for subsequent offenses. Those on the registry are prohibited from owning an animal for the duration of their time on the list.
Courtesy Town of Hempstead
Town Supervisor Don Clavin announced a new pet adoption initiative at the town animal shelter in Wantagh on July 10. According to the new law, anyone on the registry who is found in possession of an animal will be charged with a misdemeanor and could face a $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail. “No longer will people who have abused animals be able to own an animal or to possess an animal,” Ferretti said. “If you want to abuse an animal in Nassau County, you lose the right to have one in your possession.” Donnelly thanked Ferretti and Walker for working on the bill, and for providing prosecutors with another tool to hold animal abusers accountable.
“The more tools a prosecutor has in their toolbox, the better we are in our job,” Donnelly said, “and this just gives us more tools to work with when we have animal abuse cases, and it’s unbelievable the number of abuse cases we get a year.” Candy Udell, president of the Glen Cove-based London Jewelers and a guest at the news conference, has worked with roughly 20 animal shelters across Long Island, including Bideawee Animal Rescue, in Wantagh. Udell also launched the Rescue Paw Foundation in 2011, a nonprofit that supports humane, no-kill shelters. She thanked county officials for creating the law, calling it “a dream come true” for pets. “The abuse and horrors that I see every day from what people do to animals is now hopefully going to be erased in Nassau County,” Udell said, “and I commend all these wonderful people around me for helping make this true.” Also on July 10, officials gathered at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter, in Wantagh, to announce a pair of adoption initiatives. In honor of National Kitten Day, the town partnered with Peter’s Clam Bar, in Island Park, to offer free gift cards to anyone who adopted a cat at the Wantagh facility between July 11 and 18. Town Supervisor Don Clavin was joined by Deputy Supervisor Dorothy Goosby, Councilman Thomas Muscarella, Town Clerk Kate Murray and Butch Yamali, the owner of Peter’s Clam Bar. Town officials also highlighted the ongoing “Summer of Love” Pet Adoption Program, in which all adoption fees — excluding license fees — are waived through Aug. 31. The initiative aims to help more shelter pets find permanent homes during the busy summer season. “I encourage everyone to come on down to the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter and remember to adopt, not shop, when looking for a family pet,” Clavin said.
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MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — July 16, 2025
By CHARLES SHAW
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July 16, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST
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WHAT’S UP NEXT DOOR AND AROUND THE CORNER
HERALD NEIGHBORS Plainedge choir director Peter Lakes shares grief, hope and music in debut album By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
For Peter Lakes, the choir director at Plainedge High School, his debut album “One Release” is more than just music—it’s a personal journey through grief, healing, and connection. The album, released June 6, surpassed 100,000 streams on Spotify within its first week and became a lesson in perseverance for both Lakes and his students. He began writing music following the death of his wife, Alyssa, after a six-year battle with cancer. The emotional stillness that followed her passing inspired him to sit at the piano — and start creating. “There was this moment where everything felt very quiet for the first time in a long time,” Lakes said. “I realized that now is the time. Now is the time to finally come out with that album, and I thought my wife Alyssa would have wanted me to do that too.” Lakes, an East Northport resident, was recently interviewed about his life and his music.
You said your songwriting journey began after your wife died of cancer. Tell us the moment you discovered that the way through your grief was in putting pen to page? Sometimes creativity can spawn itself from difficult times. I think a lot of musicians have that in common. After my wife passed, there was just myself and my sixyear-old son, and there was this moment where everything felt very quiet for the first time in a long time. She had been ill for six years, and a couple months after she passed, there was just this stillness in the house. I found myself being gravitated more and more to the piano. I realized that now is the time. Now is the time to do it. Now is the time to finally come out with that album, and I thought my wife, Alyssa, would have wanted me to do that too.
And your son Abraham was actually on one of the tracks, “Original Sin.” What was that like having him part of your album? This process has been so good for my son, and me too. My son has heard every variation of every song, every demo, and he has been there throughout the whole process. He has been giving me feedback like— ‘Dad, you know I like this part, but this part needs to be different.’ So, I’ve kind of had a six-year-old’s input throughout this process, which has brought us even closer together. He’s nine now. He sings harmony with me on the track. He has been with me on the creation of all of the songs,
but on that one in particular— ”Original Sin,” that is the only song on the album that I wrote when I was a kid. “Original Sin” I wrote when I was 13, and my dad, Carl, wrote the words to that song. He wrote the lyrics and I wrote the music. So, it’s a three-generation track there. And I remember Abe sitting next to me at the piano while we were writing some of the parts and he suddenly starts singing some harmony parts, and I said to him— “Hey, that’s sounds really good, so let’s record it and include it.” It was just a very organic, coming together with that song.
A student of yours, Matthew Marino, plays the guitar on “Free To Be.” Tell us about that. Matt graduated in 2023 and this was about a year into the process of writing the album. I was heavily sharing my music with my students at Plainedge. Matt was a senior, and an electric guitar player in the choir. I was sharing that song “Free to Be” with the class and I was telling them that I really need a good electric guitarist in this song, and everybody kind of looked at Matt. A week later, we recorded him playing the electric guitar part right there on stage at Plainedge High School, and we used that recording and put it into the real recording of “Free To Be.” And you know, it was important to me to have somebody from Plainedge involved because as a teacher I am part of that community. To have that community represented on the album felt good for me, and I know for Matt, too.
Your students at Plainedge High School were heavily involved in the creation of “One Release.” Tell us more about how your students took part in the process and what you hope they gained from this experience? In 2023, a year in on the album, I had already written 27 songs for the album, and actually right now I’m up to 50. I have the next several albums ready to go. So back then in 2023, we actually took a week and I spread all of my students out around the auditorium -- 100 students in the choir— we turned the lights off, and I played for them all 27 songs. The goal was for them to give me feedback on the music and for them to select which songs were going to be on the album. We used the texting app GroupMe. In that texting app, you can create a live poll, so as the kids were listening to the songs, they were essentially voting on the song in real time. I would see 80 out of 100 kids are giving this song a 3 or better out of 5, or this song doesn’t seem
Courtesy Peter Lakes
Plainedge High School choir director, musician and songwriter Peter Lakes as popular. I really let the kids decide the 12 songs that were going to be on the album. I think an important thing is, the day the album came out I was talking with my students about it and I ended the class by asking them— “Who’s going to be next, which one of you is going to be the next person to get yourself on Spotify?” I explained to the students how for me I’m putting myself in a vulnerable position of releasing my own music, opening up myself to both praise and rejection, and I said my only goal for me as your teacher is to hopefully inspire you to say ‘You know, he did it. He put himself out there.’ I told my students that they have an opportunity now, they have a resource, somebody who knows how to arrange, distribute and produce music, so I asked them which one of them is going to be next. I could see a lot of lightbulbs going on even though no one raised their hand. Until you’ve done something, it seems impossible.
You noted that your music is influenced by the music of Elton John and Billy Joel. Can you tell us about those artists’ influence, while at the same time how you created your own path musically? The part that I want to keep alive is, artists like Elton John, Phil Collins and Billy Joel are melody writers. These are songwriters who create these amazing melodies that get stuck in our head. A lot of today’s pop music, it has catchy melodies but it has a tendency to feel generic, whereas when you listen to a classic Billy Joel song, he’s bringing you on a journey. It’s not just this little kernel of this catchy thing. So that’s the part of song-
writing that I want to keep alive. Some things I think I’m doing a little bit differently—my producer Dan Ferguson, he’s actually a metal guy, and he has done all of my drumming for the album, and so the album kind of has a bit of a different feel to it because you’ve got this traditional songwriting on top of some pretty hard metal drumming at times. And it really melded itself into a fresher sound, like an older 80’s sound modernized a bit. And another thing that is original, besides Matt Marino playing electric guitar. And on one track Dan Ferguson plays electric guitar, other than that, there’s no guitar on the album. In this day and age, that’s pretty rare. The piano on my album is what the guitar does for most bands.
What is your reaction to the success ot this debut album and the 00,000 Spotify streams worldwide in the first week? What’s cool with Spotify is every artist for the first seven days of a release gets a live stream count. On release day, I actually projected it in the auditorium, and so kids were coming by all day long to see what it was up to. It’s very exciting and I’m also very humbled because I know there are a lot of musicians who have released music and are still trying to get their first 500 plays. I really didn’t anticipate it, which I think made it all the more special. “One Release” is available on all streaming platforms and is available for purchase on vinyl and CD. To learn more, visit peterlakes.com.
Gail Saul is Bar Association’s new president rdelorenzo@liherald.com
Gail Saul, co-founder of Saul Law Firm, LLP, in Uniondale, was installed as president of the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association on June 17. In her new role, she will oversee the association’s board of directors, lead meetings, organize events, and continue efforts to recruit new members. The NCWBA promotes the advancement of women in society and the legal profession through mentorship, education, fundraising, networking and pro bono legal services for women and children. Saul has been practicing law for 30 years. She focuses on matrimonial and family law at the firm she manages with her husband, Richard Saul, who handles personal injury cases. Gail graduated from SUNY Binghamton in 1991 with a degree in law and society, and earned a law degree from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University in 1994, where she was a member of the Hofstra Law Review. She was admitted to the New York State Bar on March 15, 1995, and also practices in United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York and United States Tax Court.
Saul opened the Law Office of Gail B. Saul, Esq., in 2007. In 2012, she and her husband launched the Saul Law Firm. The Sauls each manage about 30 active cases at a time. A legal assistant, Julie Monderine, helps Gail manage her caseload, but otherwise, she said, “After so many years, you kind of get used to it. You just keep going.” Her appointment to the association’s presidency, she explained, was the result of years of service on the organization’s board of directors. She served two terms as a trustee from 2017 to 2021, was treasurer from 2021 to 2022, was an alternate delegate to the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York from 2022 to 2023, and then retur ned to the NCWBA board as recording secretary the following year. She was approached to serve as president-elect in June 2024, under then President Tammy Smiley, leading up to her installation last month. “It’s a process, but it’s exciting,” Gail said. “I was very proud to be honored with this appointment because there’s a lot of women — very successful women — that were in this position prior to me.” Richard described his wife as a talented lawyer and a wonderful partner both in and out of the office. “She’s an
absolutely fantastic lawyer,” he said. “She’s very patient with clients, compassionate, but at the same time strong in court and the law.” When he learned she would become president of the association, he was thrilled. Watching her rise through the ranks, he said, has been inspiring. “Her future is open to anything she wants it to be,” Richard said. “She will continue to fight for the families and children she represents in whatever situation they might be in.” Gail credited Smiley, her predecessor, for preparing her for the role. Smiley, who has known Saul since she joined the board of directors eight years ago, said she has thoroughly enjoyed working with her and is confident in a smooth transition. “She’s not afraid to take on responsibility,” Smiley said. “She will hopefully continue to move the mark a little bit closer to equality with the work that we do.” Smiley praised Saul’s work ethic and her willingness to take on additional roles to support the legal profession. Saul has served as president of Yashar Group of Nassau County since 2021, and is a member of the National Association of Professional Women, the Theodore Roosevelt American Inn of
MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — July 16, 2025
By RENEE DeLORENZO
Courtesy Gail Saul
Gail Saul, co-founder of Saul Law Firm, LLP, was installed as president of the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association on June 17. Court, and the New York Family Law American Inn of Court. “I want to assist the organization so it continues to thrive and succeed,” she said.
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NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE
presents
HARRY CHAPIN LAKESIDE THEATRE
CONCERTS
Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald
Annual Christmas breakfast at YES in Levittown with more than 100 children and parents. In photo: Tom Daly, John D’Elia, Bill Carroll, Matt Dowd, Dolores Genovese, and Richard Genovese.
‘Christmas in July’ fundraiser set for July 24
SATURDAY, JULY 19TH | 6:30PM
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they handed out five turkeys from the trunk of a car. Last year, they distributed over 1,100 turkeys and hams. “We pulled up to one of the pantries and there was a long line outside with raffle tickets, waiting,” Genovese said. “The one thing we have is instant gratification from seeing the results of what we’re doing.” “Every penny that comes in goes out to what we do,” he added. “And my buddies all put their hands in their pockets if need be.” The foundation’s “Christmas in July” fundraiser on July 24 will feature a full BBQ dinner, dessert, and free popcorn; one complimentary Michelob Ultra (21+); live music from Radio Daze; a live auction featuring tickets to New York sports games and concert tickets as well as an auction with sports memorabilia and jewelry and raffles with curated gift baskets. There will be special appearances by Yankees and Mets great Dwight “Doc”
Gooden, and Joe Rock of WBAB, who will serve as MC and auctioneer. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at muls.com or at the door. Children 10 and under are free. “It’s a wonderful event, and it’s nice to see people come to the Massapequa area that we don’t see day to day,” Dowd said. “We’re hoping a lot of people come and support the foundation and see what we’re all about.” “It’s a great night out,” Genovese added, saying they have “great raffle items this year.” “We’re not a multi-million-dollar foundation,” Genovese noted. “We’re boots on the ground. We do the work. We do the shopping. We drop everything off, and it’s very gratifying because we’re all very blessed. To give back a little and see our impact in person is cool.” For more information, visit takemeouttotheballgamefoundation.org or call (516) 783-7500.
RUSSELL DICKERSON EISENHOWER PARK FREE ADMISSION
Bring Blankets or Chairs | Field #6
Weather permitting, call 516-572-0200 for up-to-date information.
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July 16, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST
BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN
Matt Dowd, John D’Elia, Frank DiGregorio, Marty Voigt, and Rich Genovese distributed more than 1,100 turkeys last Thanksgiving.
STEPPING OUT
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Courtesy Jeremy Lock
Arturo Sandoval
Gotham Kings
Courtesy Tilles Center
John Pizzarelli
Courtesy Tilles Center
Courtesy Meredith Truax
Summer Camargo
Musical expressions Jazzin’ it up on the North Shore
Rock Hall of Fame inductee Daryl Hall brings his current tour to Long Island, featuring opening act Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze. It’s of particular significance as it marks a reunion for Hall and Tilbrook, who have shared the stage in previous performances, most notably in Hall’s acclaimed web series “Live from Daryl’s House.” The format is the same, with Tilbrook performing a solo set to open, then joining Hall on stage to close the show. Beyond the music, the tour holds sentimental value, as it coincides with significant milestones in Hall’s career. In 2024, Hall celebrated the 10th anniversary of his venue, Daryl’s House, in Pawling, N.Y., where he offered a free concert to acknowledge the support of his fans. Hall’s shared the stage with icons such as Elvis Costello and Howard Jones, emphasizing his prowess in delighting audiences with diverse musical experiences. This tour solidifies his commitment to keeping his music fresh and engaging.
Wednesday, July 23, 7:30 p.m. $226.75, $186.75, $118.75 (GA), $108.75. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
By Karen Bloom
F
ollowing last year’s popular debut, Tilles Jazz Fest returns to the beautiful and historic Long Island University Post campus, on Saturday, offering an immersive day of world-class jazz, family-friendly fun and community celebration across four stages. Presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, this second annual festival brings together both legendary artists and rising stars on the jazz scene. Complemented by top LIU student and alumni ensembles, it’s a full indoor/outdoor experience — from lawn picnics and Second Line parades during the day to Grammywinning headliners Arturo Sandoval and John Pizzarelli with his Big Band at the evening’s • July 19, starting at noon Concert Hall show. • Adult day pass: $55; ages 11-18, $15; 10 and under free Recently added to the lineup are rising • All-event pass (includes soulful Brazilian-born vocal powerhouse evening concert): $100 adults, Jamile and acclaimed young trio New Jazz $75 18 and under Underground. They join previously announced • LIU Post campus, 720 artists including Afro-Cuban percussionist Northern Blvd., Brookville • Tickets available at Pedrito Martínez; trailblazing trumpeter ticketmaster.com or Summer Camargo with her quintet; dynamic tillescenter.org or brass band The Gotham Kings, led by Wynton (516) 299-3100 Marsalis protégé Alphonso Horne; vocalist/ composer Vanisha Gould, and many more. This is a festival where legends meet the future. “It’s a joyful celebration of jazz in all its forms — on a campus built for discovery, creativity and community,” Tilles Center’s Executive and Artistic Director Tom Dunn says. The festival proudly showcases the creativity of future talents who wil surely take their place in the professional musical landscape. LIU Jazz Combo (current LIU students) and Long Island Rising Stars (featuring LIU alumni and others) will welcome guests as they enter at festival entrances, The LIU Post Jazz Ensemble (LIU students and faculty) takes the University Arches Stage with a set of Afro-Cuban Jazz, echoing the festival’s global spirit, at 2 p.m. LIU Marching Band members add energy to the festival’s New Orleans-style Second Line parade, closing the daytime festivities at 5:45 p.m.. This festival is truly where the young superstars of tomorrow are given their due, alongside the acclaimed jazz greats. Of course, the spotlight shines on Arturo Sandoval and John Pizzarelli with his Big Band, in Dear Mr. Sinatra.
Pizzarell, the renowned jazz guitarist and singer, has been hailed by the Boston Globe for “reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and repopularizing jazz.” Established as one of the prime contemporary interpreters of the Great American Songbook, Pizzarelli continues to expand that repertoire. For this concert, he’s joined by trumpet superstar Sandoval for what is sure to be a swinging tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes. Another trumpeter forging a path to greatness is one of the few females to enter what might be considered a “boy’s club.” At all of 23, Juillardtrained Summer Camargo is fast on her way to arriving at the top of the jazz scene. Besides performing on the festival circuit and in notable Manhattan jazz venues such Dizzy’s Club and Birdland, she’s quite at home on some renowned stages. Camargo appears on your TV screen weekly as part of Saturday Night Live’s house band, in her third year with SNL. And now she finds herself sharing the stage with the one-and-only Jonathan Groff. She’s thrilled to be bringing her talents to his accomplished band as second trumpet in Broadway’s buzzy hit, “Just In Time,” the jukebox musical celebrating the life and times of Bobby Darin. “I’m very grateful to be here [in New York City],” the Florida native says. “I feel like I’m living the dream. I’m doing stuff I never imagined for myself. I’m so grateful for the opportunity and family and friends and all those who have helped me along the way.” Camargo was bitten by the jazz bug early on. Her parents, although not musicians themselves, had affinity to jazz and exposed her to old Hollywood films and all things jazz from a young age. She took up violin at age 8 and by fifth grade became enthralled with the trumpet. From there, it quickly became apparent that she and the trumpet were meant to be. “It’s a glamorous sound,” she says. Recalling the fiery intensity of Louis Armstrong, she describes the trumpet’s appeal as “a shimmery, brilliant quality.” Surely attributes that one can ascribe to Camargo. Check her out on the afternoon stage, when she does a 45-minute set with her quintet. From jazz lovers to families looking for a summer outing, there’s something for everyone here. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for a day of relaxed listening and discovery. Youngsters will enjoy the Kids Zone, with an instrument “petting zoo,” crafts and face painting. When everyone is ready for a bite, check out the food trucks and artisan purveyors with their tempting wares. Or bring your own picnic!
Comic showcase Laugh the night away at Mom’s Night Out, presented Long Island Comedy Festival. Are you a Mom? Do you have a Mom? Do you know a Mom? Then this is the show for you! You’ll enjoy witty standup delivered by four clever comics. The lineup includes Seaford’s Marla Schultz (pictured), a comedian, speaker and actress. An advocate for mental health awareness, Marla’s motto blends comedy and therapy; “Saving lives one punchline at a time.” She’s joined by Brooklyn-based Meghan Hanley, known for her quick wit and upbeat persona. Also, Kendra Cunningham surely does it all: writer, actress and award-winning screenwriter. She’s known for “Last Comic Standing” and her latest work “Meatball Therapy,” in addition to the comedy ciruit. Finally, Peaches Rodriguez wows audiences with her twisted perspective and edgy humor, a regular in Atlantic City and Las Vegas.
Thursday, July 24, 8 p.m. $45$50. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org or call (516) 323-4444.
MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — July 16, 2025
Daryl Hall
July 16, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST
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Your Neighborhood Town of Oyster JULY Bay Workforce Partnership
CALENDAR Music under the stars
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The Town of Oyster Bay’s summer concert series continues at John J. Burns Town Park, with The New York Tenors, featuring Andy Cooney, Daniel Rodriguez and Christopher Macchio. For comfort, bring blankets, chairs and coolers. Performances are subject to change and will be held weather permitting.
Job training opportunities are currently available through the Town’s Workforce Partnership. The Workforce Partnership offers eligible job seekers the opportunity to advance their career with grant funding for training and certification through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act. Training opportunities are available in various fields.
• Where: 4990 Merrick Rd., Massapequa Park • Time: 8 p.m. • Contact: (516) 797-7925 or oysterbaytown.com/summer
• Contact: (516) 797-4560, shorturl.at/lJv0r
Movie time JULY Massapequa Public
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On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s unveils its new exhibition, “At Play,” a survey of artists’ perennial fascination with entertainment in all forms. Framing this topic between the nineteenth century Belle Époque and today, the exhibit includes works by Pablo Picasso, Reginald Marsh, Everett Shinn, and Max Beckmann among many others. The works are gathered to represent a wide range of expressions, from entertainmentrelated activities to the fascinating personalities involved. It encompasses dance, music, theater, movies, circus, boating, and beach scenes, along with horseracing and various sports, both active and passive Also featured are archival items from The Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic, including costumes by Marc Chagall for Die Zauberflöte, vintage fashion items by such designers as Alfred Shaheen, and iconic costumes from the Folies-Bergère in Paris. On view until Nov. 9. • Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor • Time: Ongoing • Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
Bubble Magic JULY Check out Long Island
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Children’s Museum’s Bubbles exhibit for some extra sudsy fun. Through playful, hands-on experiments explore what makes a bubble form, what makes them pop and discover new creative ways to make bubbles. Stop by anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to participate. • Where: Museum Row, Garden City • Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. • Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Westbury House Tour
For many years visitors to Westbury House at Old Westbury
JULY
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Best of Broadway
Sounds of the Great White Way return to Eisenhower Park with Neil Berg’s “100 Years of Broadway.” Back for its annual crowd thrilling celebration of Broadway’s greatest songs from its finest shows, the acclaimed touring Broadway concert never disappoints. The lively musical revue, hosted by Neil Berg, on piano, shares those dynamic showstopping tunes performed by a cast of Broadway actors and actresses. Backed by Neil Berg and a small combo, these amazing Broadway talents light up the stage with songs from the hit shows in which they starred.Berg presents creatively revived arrangements of Broadway classics as well as thrilling numbers from some of the newest hits, along with his fascinating commentary and historical notes in between songs. This gorgeous, guided tour of the American art form that is musical theater, is a production both hypnotic and historical. The dazzling • Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside new edition appeals to all ages and will have everyone humming along. Berg, Theatre, Eisenhower Park, an award-winning composer-lyricist-producer, and his cast of vocal powerhouses East Meadow combine the century’s greatest hits into a performance that brings everyone to • Time: 7 p.m. their feet. • Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
Gardens asked what was beyond the first floor corridor. Now go beyond the door and discover “secrets of the service wing,” during a 60-minute guided tour. Be introduced to the intensive labor required to create the lifestyle experienced by the Phipps family and their guests; tour the many rooms that were “behind the scenes” to create the formal dining experiences of early 20th century. Go along the corridors to the butler’s pantry and silver cleaning room then descend the 17 steps to the kitchen, scullery, and wine storage rooms located on the ground floor. Reservations required. • Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: Noon-1 p.m. and 3-4 p.m.; also July 20-21, July 23-25 • Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call(516) 333-0048
Summer sounds
JULY The Town of Oyster
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Bay welcomes all to Country Fest at John J. Burns Town Park. Enjoy Tennessee Whiskey, a tribute to Chris Stapleton with the Ultimate Eric Church Experience at the summer concert series. With family-friendly activities, photo opportunities, line dancing, inflatables, food trucks and more.
For comfort, bring blankets, chairs and coolers. Performances are subject to change and will be held weather permitting. • Where: 4990 Merrick Road, Massapequa Park • Time: 6 p.m. • Contact: (516) 797-7925 or oysterbaytown.com/summer
Dog Days Weekend
Bring your pup to enjoy the sunshine and explore the beauty of Old Westbury Gardens. Visitors are once again welcome to bring their leashed canine companions for a relaxing walk through our lush, picturesque grounds. Wander along blooming garden paths, relax on the lawn, and roam designated pet-friendly areas where you and your pup can soak in the sights and scents of summer together. It’s a tail-wagging good time for dogs and dog lovers alike. • Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., also July 20 • Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
Farmers Market JULY Schneider’s Farm
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Farmingdale Farmers Market is open weekly until Nov. 23, weather permitting, at
Farmingdale Village Green. • Where: 361 Main St., Farmingdale • Time: Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Contact: (516) 249-0093
Children’s Book JULY Author Expo
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American Legion Post 1066 hosts a Children’s Book Author Expo. With author readings, face painting and fun surprises. Admission is free. • Where: 66 Veterans Blvd., Massapequa • Time: Noon-3 p.m. • Contact: (516) 795-1504
Library shows the 2024 action comedy “Wolfs.” The movie follows two rival fixers who cross paths when they’re called in to help cover up a prominent New York official’s misstep. Starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Amy Ryan. Rated R. • Where: 40 Harbor Lane, Massapequa Park • Time: 1-3:30 p.m. and 6-8:30 p.m. • Contact: massapequalibrary.org or call (516) 799-0770
Vacation Bible AUG School
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Registration is ongoing now for VBS at Community United Methodist Church in August, open to ages 4-11. VBS adventures include daily deepsea voyages into Bible fun with stories, games, crafts, mission work, water science, snack and music. All children must be toilettrained. $25 per child if registered prior to Aug. 3; $30 after that date. Payment is by cash or check and is due the first day of camp. • Where: 100 Park Blvd., Massapequa • Time: Aug. 11-15, 9:15 a.m.12:45 p.m. • Contact: (516) 541-7008 or cumcmassapequa.org
Brain health presentation
Join the AARP Speaker Bureau for “Six Pillars of Brain Health” at Massapequa Public Library. The session focuses on strategies to improve and support a healthy brain. Participants will learn the importance of being socially and mentally engaged along with the value of exercise, proper nutrition and restorative sleep. • Where: 40 Harbor Lane, Massapequa Park • Time: 2-4 p.m. • Contact:massapequalibrary.org or call (516) 798-4607 ext. 6304
Having an event? Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Lane, Levittown. Free weekly, in-person meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12step 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, JULY 23 • 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) 3320552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808. All calls are confidential. • The Long Island Dahlia Society: 9 a.m., Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Highway., Great River. All are welcome. Come and learn how to care for your dahlias. For more information call (631) 972-8829 (leave message) or visit longislanddahlia.org.
Calendar items are printed for non-profit organizations, as space permits, or when an event, service or information is being sponsored by a profit-making organization without charge to readers. Submit items to us at Richner Communications, attn: Post Editor, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530; or email: dconsola@liherald.com at least two - three weeks prior to the publication date in which the item must appear. Sorry, but open-ended requests without the specific dates of the events are not acceptable. While we make every attempt to accommodate each request, we cannot guarantee publication of any items. For more information, call 516-569-4000.
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MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — July 16, 2025
FRIDAY, JULY 18 •Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631)-789-2569. SUNDAY, JULY 20 •Farmingdale Farmers Market: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Village Green, 361 Main St., Farmingdale. For more information, call (516) 249-0093. •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, JULY 21 •Massapequa Fire District Monthly Work Session Meeting: 7:30 p.m., District Administration Building, 1 Brooklyn Ave., Massapequa. For more information, call (516) 798-9849. TUESDAY, JULY 22 •Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9592, 55 Hickory
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July 16, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST
LMAS1
Town of Oyster Bay Zoning Board of Appeals TOWN HALL, AUDREY AVENUE, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK 11771-1592 TELEPHONE: (516) 624-6232 – FAX: (516) 624-6149 RITA BYRNE, Chairwoman – LOIS S C H M I T T, Vi c e Chair woman – KATHLEEN MULLIGAN REBECCA M. ALESIA –LISA CICCOLELLA – FLORESTANO GIRARDI – BRIAN GRIFFIN ********************** ********************** PUBLIC HEARING CALENDAR NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING BY THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 246, Section 246-12 of the Code of the Town of Oyster Bay, notice is hereby given that the Zoning Board of Appeals has scheduled a public meeting, which will take place in the Town Hall Meeting Room, Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, New York, on JULY 24, 2025, at 7:00 P. M., to consider the following appeals: BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS APPEAL NO. 12-176 - AMENDMENT M A S S A P E Q UA PARK BENEDETTO LOMANTO: Amend Specific Plan as presented for Appeal No. 12-176 and granted by Decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals, dated June 7, 2012, for the submittal of updated survey. SE/ cor. of Violet St. & Pacific St., a/k/a 323 Violet Street, Massapequa Park, NY ------------------------APPEAL NO. 25-128 MASSAPEQUA DYAN BEREND: (A) Variance to allow ex-
Public Notices isting above ground swimming pool having less rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing pool equipment having less rear yard setback and side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance to allow existing air conditioning unit having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. S/s/o Massachusetts Ave., 340 ft. W/o Central Ave., a/k/a 96 Massachusetts Avenue, Massapequa, NY ------------------------APPEAL NO. 25-138 MASSAPEQUA LAURA DELETTO: (A) Variance to allow existing second story addition, front addition and shed abutting dwelling having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance; also encroachment of eaves and gutters. (B) Variance to allow existing second story addition having less aggregate side yards than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance to allow existing gazebo having less side yard setback and rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (D) Variance to allow existing air conditioning unit having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (E) Variance to allow existing in-ground swimming pool having less rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (F) Variance to allow existing pool equipment having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (G) Variance to allow existing 6 ft. high PVC fence having less setback from swimming pool than permitted by Ordinance. (H) Variance to allow existing front addition, front roofedover porch, pergola and gazebo exceeding
maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance. (I) Variance to allow existing second story addition, front addition, pergola and gazebo exceeding maximum gross floor area than permitted by Ordinance. N/s/o Polo Rd., 160 ft. E/o Surrey Rd., a/k/a 13 Polo Road, Massapequa, NY ------------------------APPEAL NO. 25-146 MASSAPEQUA STEVEN & ELISSA COUNIHAN: Variance to erect 6 ft. high PVC fence exceeding maximum height across side/front yard (Shinnecock Avenue) than permitted by Ordinance. NE/ cor. of Bayview St. E. & Shinnecock Ave., a/k/a 43 Bayview Street E., Massapequa, NY ------------------------Z O N I N G B OARD OF APPEALS MEETING OF 07/24/25 PAGE 2 ----------------------APPEAL NO. 25-124 NORTH MASSAPEQUA MARY REDICAN: Variance to allow existing shed abutting detached garage having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. S/s/o N. Elm St., 350 ft. W/o N. Park Ave., a/k/a 270 N. Elm Street, North Massapequa, NY ------------------------APPEAL NO. 25-126 FARMINGDALE RENU BALA: Variance to allow an existing second kitchen in a one-family dwelling for use as a PARENT/ CHILD residence. N/s/o Spencer St., E/o Sinclair St., a/k/a 77 Spencer Street, Farmingdale, NY -----------------------APPEAL NO. 25-137 FARMINGDALE DIMITRIOS BOZIRIKDIS TRUST:
(A) Variance to allow existing pool deck having less rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to pool equipment in storage shed having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance to allow existing swimming pool having less rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (D) Variance to allow existing first story addition having less aggregate side yards than permitted by Ordinance. N/s/o Damin Dr., 415 ft. W/o Cardinal Ln., a/k/a 33 Damin Drive, Farmingdale, NY ------------------------APPEAL NO. 25-77 MASSAPEQUA LARRY BATISTA: (A) Variance to construct 16 ft. by 36 ft. rectangular-shaped vinyl lined in-ground swimming pool with pool spill over catch basin and inside steps having less front yard setback (Ocean Avenue) permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to install pool equipment having less front yard setback (Ocean Avenue) than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance to allow existing 6 ft. high PVC fence exceeding maximum height across front yard (Ocean Avenue) than permitted by Ordinance. SW/ cor. of Commonwealth Ave. & Ocean Ave., a/k/a 186 Commonwealth Avenue, Massapequa, NY -------------------------JULY 14, 2025 BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK 25-233. 7/16
Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0370-25119115 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 C ontrol L aw at 3490 Merrick Road, Seaford, NY 11783, County of Nassau, for on pre m i s e s consumption at RKA Hospitality Corp. 25-234. 7/16. 23 Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0267-25119684 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, w i n e , an d c i d e r at retail in a Bar/ Tavern under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 1500 Old Country Road, Spaces 243 and 244, Westbury, NY 11590, County of Nassau, for on pre m i s e s consumption at Long Island Board Game Cafe LLC. 25-235. 7/16, .23 Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0340-25118939 for liquor, b e e r, w i n e , a n d 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 3100 Whaleneck Drive, Merrick, NY 11566, County of Nassau, for on pre m i s e s consumption at Saltshaker 1 LLC. 25-236. 7/16, 23
Read the legals and stay informed
Studies suggest dogs may experience jealousy, researchers say Dogs may be capable of experiencing jealousy, a concept first suggested more than 150 years ago by Charles Darwin. In his 1871 book The Descent of Man, Darwin wrote, “Everyone has seen how jealous a dog is of his master’s affection, if lavished on any other creature.” Historically, researchers believed jealousy was too complex and only an adult human response. But more recent findings suggest a basic or “primordial” form of jealousy—defined as an emotional JOANNE response rooted in social attachment— ANDERSON can be seen in babies as young as six months and only one other species-dogs. Experts distinguish this from the complex, self-reflective jealousy typically observed in people. Two notable studies have provided evidence supporting the idea of jealousy in dogs.
Pets, Pets, Pets...
University of California San Diego Study – 2014
In July 2014, researchers at the University of California, San Diego, published the first experimental study of jealousy in dogs. Led by psychology professor Christine Harris and then-student Caroline Provost, the study examined how dogs reacted when their owners appeared to give affection to another animal. The study involved 36 dogs in their own homes. Owners were asked to show affection to a realistic stuffed dog that barked, whined and wagged its tail. In comparison tests, owners interacted with a jack-o’-lantern pail or read aloud from a musical pop-up book. In all cases, owners were instructed to treat the objects as if they were real dogs, petting and praising them. The researchers videotaped the interactions and had two independent observers code the footage for aggressive, disruptive and attention-seeking behaviors. Results showed that dogs were nearly twice as likely to push or touch their owner when the owner interacted with the stuffed dog (78%) compared to the pail (42%), and even less during the book reading (22%). About 30% of the dogs tried to position themselves between their owner and the stuffed dog. A quarter of the dogs snapped at the toy dog, while only one did so toward the pail or book. Researchers also noted that 86% of the dogs sniffed the rear of the stuffed dog, suggesting they believed it was a real animal.
University of Auckland Study – 2021
A 2021 study led by psychologist Amalia Bastos at the University of Auckland added further evidence that dogs experience jealousy—and may even imagine social interactions they cannot see. In the experiment, 18 dog owners were separated from their pets by a chest-high barrier. Dogs were briefly shown their owner petting either a realistic-looking fake dog or a fur-covered cylinder. When the barrier was closed, the dogs continued to pull more strongly on their leashes if they believed their owner was still interacting with the fake dog. This marked the first time any study demonstrated that dogs may imagine social interactions happening out of view. Together, the two studies indicate when dogs try to banish a rival, they are demonstrating a more complex emotional understanding than previously recognized. “I think people tend to underestimate what dogs are capable of in terms of their social intelligence,” Bastos said.
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MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — July 16, 2025
Employment
HERALD
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• www.olasjobs.org or www.recruitfront.com • Email: HR@northbellmoreschools.org • Call: (516) 992-3000 ext.3023
Hiring Directors, Assistants, Group Leaders and Assistants Up to a $500 Signing Bonuses, Scholarships, Employee Referrals Important: Must Bring a Resume and Photo ID with you for an interview Questions call: 631-360-0800 ext. 149 SCOPE Education is an equal opportunity Employer 1309941
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Part-time Paraprofessionals $19.30/hr. • Monday-Friday; Shifts are assigned to the employee based on availability (8:15am-11:45 am, 10:45am-2:15pm, 11:30am-3:00pm)
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Experience A Must • $20+/ Hour
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Full Time and Part Time Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
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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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Call 516.678.3838, Leave Message 1307956 MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286 Why Not Print
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OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250 PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
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USA Classified Network today!
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EMPLOYMENT
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. H i s t o r i c a l l y, r e p o r t e r s w h o h ave 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
July 16, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST
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Homes
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HOME Of tHE WEEK
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Hewlett Neck
Stunning Staycation Home
M
ove right into this custombuilt expanded ranch set on a magnificent ¾-acre property and enjoy resort-style living all year-round. Featuring 6 bedrooms and 4.5 baths, including two primary suites, this home offers a spacious layout with 10-foot ceilings throughout and a dramatic 20-foot ceiling in the formal dining room. The modern kosher chef’s kitchen includes stainless steel appliances, a large island, and a sunny breakfast area. Relax in the family room with built-in entertainment center or outside on the covered patio overlooking the sprawling lawn, heated inground pool, hot tub, and waterfall. Includes a 2-car garage, circular driveway, and upscale finishes. SD#14. Call Ronnie Gerber at 516-238-4299 for a private showing.
Ronnie Gerber Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Mobile: 516-238-4299 Direct: 516-623-2776 Office: 516-623-4500 Ronnie.Gerber@elliman.com Douglas Elliman Real Estate 2300 Merrick Road Merrick, NY 11566
REAL ESTATE Real Estate Palm Coast Florida totally renovated 4 bedroom,2 bath,2 car garage house $335,000 listed on zillow.com, address 37 Lindsay Drive. Call Owner for info 1-386-437-7058 landline. WE BUY HOUSES for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670
Apartments For Rent MERRICK: 1 BR, 2nd Floor, No Pets. $1500/ Monthly. 2 Months Security Plus Electric. By Owner. 516-486-6139
Rent Your Apartment through the Herald and PrimeTime Classified section. Call us for our great *specials. 516-569-4000, press 5 for Classified Dept. *(private party only)
Helping you find a HOME or sell a HOME … a place to call your own. Suburb or country, house, condo, townhouse or apartment, our Classifieds can help you find a HOME that fits your style, your budget and Real Estate needs... it’s a MUST SEE!
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The architect made our project sound so complicated, Part 2 Q. I met with an architect whom my contractor recommended, and I’m now very upset and confused. We need to get our job done by the end of the summer, and the building department said I should speak to an architect, get plans and they could process my permit. It sounded a lot simpler than the architect said. What seemed like a simple job — to do plans for a small bump-out back dormer to match the front one — has been made to sound like a major project. Why is there such exaggeration of the things the architect says need to be done? This shouldn’t take so long, and the cost is a lot more than we planned. What should I expect, minimally, to get plans and a permit? A. Continuing from two weeks ago, you may need many more things than most of the people you talk to think you need. This is based on the fact that the people who review the plans require many more things than you or others may realize are required. If we show a roof that has a nearly flat 2 inches in 12 inches pitch, a onte eeper reviewer can insist on a quoted note from the code, placed on the plans, explaining the type of roofing membrane, distance to the roof edge — which requires researching the code section and making certain that the right section is transposed to the plans. Those notes crowd the plans. Many contractors say they are unnecessary, and are there to beef up the architect’s fee for cut-and-paste notes. Maybe you can imagine the sense that we architects have about being caught in the middle, between the insistent officials and the bad-mouthing contractor who chooses to become a wedge between the owner and the architect instead of a team player. Trained, licensed professionals can advise you, and point out the not-so-obvious things that others you speak to cannot. An architect or engineer approaches the project from a different perspective, as one who prepares the drawings you will need to present. Much of what you don’t hear from others is that there are many, many building codes — thousands — and some contradict others, so we have to know which ones are acceptable by the plan reviewer. For example, if you turn on your vent fan in a bathroom, you have contradicted the requirement in the energy code that you are required to have a fairly airtight home. It is understandable to think this is all unimportant minutia to be left out, but you won’t receive the all-important permit if the requirements of government aren’t met. The best you can do is listen and respond positively when it’s explained that these notes, details and requirements must be met. If you listen to the negative that “nobody else has to do this” from people who don’t do “this,” then you’re being misled. It’s best to cooperate and get the whole picture. Good luck!
Ask The Architect
M
L
© 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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Market Place • •
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MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — July 16, 2025
HERALD
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July 16, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST
20
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Stuff
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Wanted To Buy COSTUME JEWELRY WANTED
Garage Sales WANTAGH: SATURDAY 7/19/25 And Sunday 7/20/25 9am-3pm. 3019 Post Avenue. Tools, Books, CD's, Kitchenware, Household Items, Etc.
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Answers to todAy’s puzzle
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opinions
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he recent primary election in New York City reminded me of the first time I voted, and every vote since. I even voted when I was in the Navy in the Philippines and used a mail-in ballot. Voting is a statement of our values as well as a civic duty. Our vote is our voice. Why should we be silent when we have the right to express our opinion? On Long Island, residents have nearly 700 opportunities to do so, when we count 127 school districts, 63 sewer districts, 37 county legislative districts, 13 towns, two cities, two RoBERT A. reservations, 95 incorporated vilsCoTT lages, five congressional districts and two counties, without mentioning presidential and senatorial elections or neighborhood associations, among others. That may be too many, but there they are until we vote to consolidate them. Voting promotes our values and affects everyday life. It helps decide where our tax dollars go and demonstrates our priorities, whether they be schools and education, libraries, land
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use or voting rights. Voting is a community endeavor. It connects us to those with whom we agree as well as those with whom we disagree. We’re all in this together. This is the democratic way. Voting is good for our health. It is recognized as a public health priority, according to Medicare Watch (“Voting May Be Good for Your Health,” Julie Carter, Aug. 29, 2024). Voting improves your sense of optimism, possibility and connectedness. When voting is restricted, health outcomes worsen, according to Carter. Democracy requires informed choice. We can choose which political party to join, which candidate to support, and which policy proposals meet our criteria. We can choose to vote or not. However, we must educate ourselves about the issues and the candidates, and support civics education. Our country faces new challenges from external and internal threats. We need to do more to control disinformation and conspiracy theories, help voters learn the truth, and ensure the integrity of elections. We must do more to ensure informed choices at the ballot box. Not choosing to do so is itself a choice, a choice that can lead to the
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demise of democracy. It starts by not exercising our right to vote. We claim to have representative democracy, but we tolerate efforts to limit representativeness. What are we afraid of? Other Western democracies — Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom — have more flexible voting systems. If we worry that Americans aren’t knowledgeable enough, the answer is to strengthen the teaching of civics, U.S. history and the meaning and methods of our Constitution. For a country obsessed with rankings of sports teams and colleges, it’s curious that we seem satisfied with ranking 31st in voter turnout in 2020 among 50 developed countries that held national elections that year, according to the Pew Research Center. The 2024 presidential election campaigns spent more than $5.5 billion, yet more than one-third of eligible voters stayed away. In the 2022 congressional elections, more than half stayed away. Some were deemed ineligible, others were afraid of the unofficial “marshals” monitoring voting sites, and still others were dissuaded by disinformation on social media. Many just decided not to show up, seeming to forget that with
country obsessed with sports rankings ranks too low in voter turnout.
freedom comes the responsibility to vote. We are fortunate that we can vote in person or by mail, on Election Day or in advance. We can write in the names of people we think could do a better job than those on the ballot. Early voting and voting by mail are steps forward, but not the only ones we could take. Why is voting in national elections limited to the first Tuesday in November? Wouldn’t it make sense to allow voting over several days, as in some other countries? What about holding elections on a weekend, when fewer people would have to take time off from work to vote? Perhaps Election Day should be a federal holiday. We can participate in elections by volunteering to campaign for a candidate or writing postcards encouraging others to register and vote. These, too, are ways to make our voices heard. Our vote is our voice. Voting is an act of choice, and the exercise of our voice in expressing our values and priorities. We should make it easier to learn about candidates and issues, and to vote. After all, our choice of leaders and policies can affect our health and extend our years. Robert A. Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and co-author of “Letters to Students: What it Means to be a College Graduate” (Bloomsbury, 2024).
Quiet joy on the edge of Woods Creek
ust over two months ago, my wife, Christine, and I, along with our son, Matthew, bought a house in Amity Harbor, outside the village of Amityville. Our daughter, Elizabeth, is with us as well. It isn’t a grand estate nor a landmark restoration — just a modest place tucked along Woods Creek, with sunlight spilling across its decks and quiet waters lapping nearby. Christine calls it her cottage. It’s ours. JEffREy And though it’s smaller than the BEssEn home we moved out of, its simplicity has given us something larger: time. It begins with the southern exposure. Light streams in by mid-morning and lingers well past dinnertime. It fills the rooms with warmth and clarity, casting long shadows across the hardwood and igniting the water below with a golden
shimmer. In a world that often feels rushed and overly complicated, that daily sun — steady, patient, ever returning — feels like a gift. The front deck faces a canal; the back, the creek. From either side, there’s a steady procession of life: boats of all sizes moving gracefully past, the occasional hum of a personal watercraft, kayakers gliding by in near silence, dipping paddles into the water like metronomes keeping time. There’s a rhythm to it all that you start to feel in your bones after a while — a kind of aquatic heartbeat that replaces the stress and rush of highways and crowded schedules. That the house is smaller than what we were used to was intentional. Less to clean, less to maintain, less to distract us from what matters. It forces a kind of editorial process on daily life — what stays, what goes, what actually matters when the noise is stripped away. A book and a chair are enough. A turntable and
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a record collection feel like luxury. Conversations now stretch longer. Silence becomes something we’re comfortable sharing. What’s more surprising than the house itself is what’s returned to fill the new space: reading, music and the soft, spontaneous conversations with my wife that I’d missed in the whirl of raising children, working long hours, commuting, living the busy life. And now our children, grown into thoughtful, curious adults, come by to sit with us on the deck, feet up on the rail, drinks in hand. We talk about their lives, our memories, the people they know, things that matter. No television blaring, no hurried dinners. Just time — our most precious resource — finally being spent wisely. The house sits at the end of a quiet street — an inlet that goes nowhere, which I hesitate to call a dead end. We need a better phrase for it. Maybe a “peaceful cul-de-sac” or a “welcoming
elcoming back things I missed in the whirlwind of raising kids and working late.
finish.” It’s the kind of place where you can hear your own thoughts and, better still, hear someone else’s, shared without interruption. In the mornings, the stillness is profound. In the evenings, it feels earned. The beauty of Woods Creek isn’t just the water, the views or the boats drifting by. It’s what it draws out of you — the slowing down, the reconnecting and the rediscovering. I get to read and listen to music instead of just putting it on as background noise. And perhaps most important, I’m more present — truly present — with the people I love. In the end, the house isn’t about escaping life, but about stepping into it more fully. It’s smaller, but it’s opened a larger world. Sometimes all it takes is some sun on your face, the sound of water nearby and the chance to listen — to the birds, to your children, to yourself. Amityville may be known for other stories, but here on Woods Creek, we’re writing a quieter one — page by page, with gratitude and grace. Jeffrey Bessen is the managing editor of Herald Community Newspapers.
MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — July 16, 2025
Your vote is your voice
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Herald editorial
Massapequa
HERALD July 16, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST
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Incorporating Massapequa Post CaroLyn James Associate Publisher / Editor
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Avoid disaster by heeding emergency alerts
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he catastrophic floods that devastated parts of the Texas Hill Country on July 4 were a grim reminder of how unforgiving nature can be — and how crucial it is to heed emergency warnings. As rainfall overwhelmed creeks and roadways, scores of people were swept away or trapped by the fast-rising water, some having ignored alerts, others caught unaware. Tragically, too many lives were lost. The stories from Texas have been heartbreaking, but they also serve as a warning of their own: ignoring official advisories during emergencies can be a fatal mistake. In New York, and especially on Long Island, we are no strangers to extreme weather. From Hurricane Sandy in 2012 to the torrential downpours of recent summers, our region has faced floods, hurricanes, nor’easters and heat waves. The frequency and severity of these events are only increasing with climate change. What’s different now, however, is that there are more advanced tools to warn residents — but those tools are only effective if people actually use them. New York state has several emergency alert systems in place. NY-ALERT, the state’s official system, provides email and text notifications about severe weather, public health threats, road closures and more. Wireless Emergency Alerts sent to smartphones by government agencies are timely warnings about flash floods, tornadoes and evacuations. At the county level, both Nassau and Suffolk offer opt-in notification systems that deliver local alerts via text, phone or email. (See box for sign-up instructions.) These systems work — but only when people pay attention. Far too often, warnings are dismissed as overblown or
Tips for staying informed ■ Sign up for NY-ALERT: Alert.ny.gov ■ Nassau County alerts: NassauCountyny.gov/2920/ Emergency-Notification-Sign-Up ■ Suffolk County alerts: SuffolkCountyny.gov/Departments/ FRES ■ Check evacuation routes and flood zones at your town or county website inconvenient. The it-won’t-happen-here mentality is downright dangerous. So is alert fatigue, in which frequent messaging leads people to tune out. In Texas, some residents ignored evacuation orders until it was too late. We should ask ourselves: If such intense storms hit Long Island tomorrow, would we be any better prepared than central Texas was? This isn’t just a matter of individual responsibility — it’s also about how well local and state governments communicate the risks we face. New York has made significant progress in emergency preparedness since Sandy, but there is plenty of room for improvement. Awareness campaigns remain limited, and many residents don’t know how to sign up for alerts or what the different warning levels actually mean. Long Island’s diverse population includes many non-English speakers. Warnings are distributed in English, but
letters
The voting process wasn’t the problem, Jerry To the Editor: Re Jerry Kremer’s column “Ranked-choice voting threw New York City for a loop” in last week’s issue: The Democratic primary election used the ranked-choice process, and Zohran Mamdani won. That doesn’t mean that Mamdani won because of ranked-choice voting. Given his large margin, he may have won under the traditional voting process. We’ll never know, but misplacing the cause does no one any good. This event was part of a campaign conducted in “poetry.” It may be that Andrew Cuomo’s Longfellow and Frost have grown stale and Mamdani’s more urban Sandberg and Langston Hughes are a refreshing change, with greater resonance. It seems clear that a large portion of New York City residents are not happy with successive administrations that have failed to
can be translated into other languages through the recipients’ devices. Accessibility for the disabled community is lacking, however, with few alerts available in formats suitable for the hearing or visually impaired. These shortcomings could delay critical action during an emergency. We also need to normalize public drills and test alerts. These aren’t mere formalities; they’re tools to help people make responses to emergencies almost instinctive. Local governments should partner with schools, companies and media outlets to ensure that emergency preparedness becomes part of the public routine, not just a test bulletin that flashes across a screen once a year. And while we commend first responders and emergency managers across Long Island for their tireless work, we urge elected officials to double down on public education and transparency. What criteria trigger an evacuation? How are flood-prone areas being mapped and monitored? Do communities with historically poor infrastructure have equal warning access? These questions deserve — demand — clear answers. The bottom line is this: We have the technology, the data and the experience to save lives, but none of that matters if we don’t listen. The nightmare in Texas must be the wake-up call. We Long Islanders must take preparedness seriously. Every household should be registered for NYALERT and their county system. Every household should know when to leave in an emergency, where to go and how to care for vulnerable family members. Preparedness is protection. The next storm-induced flood or blackout may not give us the luxury of time to figure out what to do. Let’s make sure that when the warnings come, we don’t ignore them.
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nce again, there was an exposé on outrageous salaries of some public employees on Long Island, and once again, we can bet the farm that not a damn thing will be done about it by our state or local representatives. The article, which appeared recently in Newsday, noted how pressure from the public unions on Long Island and New York has led us to the point where the “pool of Nassau County employees making more than steVe $300,000 nearly LeVY doubled last year, after Suffolk County saw a similar spike the year before, the analysis found. A group of 178 current Nassau employees took home between $300,000 and $457,000 last year, up from 91 the year before. Suffolk saw a similar trend in 2023, when 258 employees made more than $300,000 versus 81 the previous year … Nearly 240 Suffolk employees made more than $300,000 in 2024.”
Lillian Clayman, a professor of labor history at SUNY Old Westbury, was quoted, saying politicians gain power by satisfying union demands, and describing the practice as “quid pro quo.” Nassau and Suffolk unions are “very vocal about who they support and don’t support,” Clayman said. “Any politician worth their salt who is looking for votes,” she added, is going to support good union contracts. Ar Rafee, of the Empire Center for Public Policy, stated, “The higher pay you see is kind of a product of how strong the (union) bargaining units are.” Clayman and Rafee are absolutely correct in their analysis that these outrageous salaries, overtime and pensions are a direct result of the undue influence of municipal unions on the elections of candidates for elected office. So how do we mitigate the influence of these unions? One way is to legally challenge the concept of their donations to the elected officials who will negotiate their contracts as being a violation of the Constitution’s Guarantee and Equal Protection clauses.
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ublic-sector unions have too much influence on candidates for elected office.
Letters resolve central issues of life in the city, like housing and rent. Remember The Rent Is Too Damn High party in the gubernatorial race in 2010? Once upon a time, solutions were at least proposed. Yet now, with more money on Wall Street than ever, nothing of any size is produced. Mr. Kremer’s advice that candidates avoid ranked-choice elections is misplaced. It isn’t the process, but a positive relationship between voters’ concerns and a candidate’s vision that is the point of either process. The question of whether rankedchoice or simple majority more effectively reveals the will of the people may be understood in a decade or two, but the fact before us is that the former process has not brought forth change commensurate with need. BRIAN KELLY Rockville Centre
Albany Democrats ‘love spending money on themselves’ To the Editor: The Democrats in the State Legisla-
The Guarantee Clause prohibits measures that farm out the decision-making powers of management, constitutional attorney Philip Howard explains. That’s what happens when contracts tie the hands of managers to implement efficiencies. Secondly, as we have stressed at the Center for Cost Effective Government, the argument could be made that taxpayers are placed at a disadvantage vis-à-vis public employees because the employees union is able to legally influence the elected officials who are sitting on the other side of the negotiation table by handing them donations. (By the way, don’t blame the unions or the elected officials for playing the game that prior officials made legal. Blame the politicians who refuse to reform the process.) That’s why both President Franklin D. Roosevelt and union leader Samuel Gompers opposed the creation of public unions. There is another way that avoids court challenges. It is through the use of the public financing system, which is now in place on the state level and other
ture passed a measure as part of the budget so that New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is being investigated by the Justice Department for fraud — which had nothing to do with her elected office — will have all her legal bills paid by us, the citizens of New York state. This was a special Democratic measure, appearing to be just for James. She allegedly engaged in mortgage fraud as a private citizen, with no connection to her work as an elected official. But the Democrats want us to pay for her defense. And now, to top it off, the Democrats in the Assembly are opposed to providing the pension of an assassinated New York police officer, Miosotis Familia, a single mother, to her three children. The Assembly claimed it was too costly. But they can provide all the money needed for Letitia James instead of these children, who now have to take care of themselves. The Democrats love spending money just on themselves. These children deserve better.
jurisdictions. A simple condition can be tied to the acceptance of public funds whereby no one can do so unless they first agree to refuse donations from the municipal unions. Another solution to the huge pensions bulked up through excessive overtime is to ban overtime payments from being factored into the base of an employee’s pension. The State Legislature limited the use of overtime for these purposes with the Tier 6 legislation that took effect in 2012. But when no one was looking last year, they started to reverse these reforms. Our center’s analysis noted that if overtime was prohibited as of now for all employees who retire in the future, state taxpayers could save $50 billion to $80 billion over the next two decades. The problems have now been identified, as have the solutions. The only question remaining is whether there will be the political will to effectuate them. Steve Levy is executive director of the Center for Cost Effective Government, a fiscally conservative think tank. He has served as Suffolk County executive, as an assemblyman and as host of “The Steve Levy Radio Show.”
Framework by Tim Baker
STEvE GROGAN Lynbrook Grogan is a former federal agent and a former Lynbrook village trustee.
Comments about our stories? Send a letter to the managing editor to jbessen@liherald.com.
At last weekend’s Eternal Con — Hofstra University
MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — July 16, 2025
A solution to runaway costs and taxes in New York
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July 16, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST
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