Merrick Herald 02-12-2026 by Richner Communications, Inc

HERALD Merrick

Holden Leeds/Herald Volunteers from Team Heart & Cure take part in the Blood Cancer United Student Visionaries of the Year campaign during the Feb. 7 community clothing drive.

JFK junior leads cancer fundraiser

Madison

Brand is turning her loss into action

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Madison Brand, a junior at John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore, is turning personal loss into community action by leading a fundraising campaign for Blood Cancer United, formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Brand is serving as a student visionary, heading a team of more than 20 students working to raise $50,000 in seven weeks to support blood cancer research, patient services and advocacy.

Her father, Michael, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2017 and underwent months of chemotherapy before he died on Feb. 18, 2018, at age 38.

“I just wanted to make a change so no one else has to go through what my dad went through,” Brand said.

Blood Cancer United played a major role in supporting her family during his illness, inspiring her to give back through the organization’s Student Visionaries of the Year program, a nationwide, teen-led fundraising initiative, Brand said.

Blood Cancer United funds medical research, provides free patient support services and leads advocacy efforts aimed at improving access to care and advancing early diagnosis. The organization recently changed its name to reflect its broader mission to combat all forms of blood cancer.

Brand first became involved with the

Democratic clubs plan anti-ICE rally

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Democratic clubs across Nassau County are organizing a coordinated peaceful rally later this month to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions, local leaders said.

Claudia Borecky, president of the Bellmore Merrick American Democratic Club, said the rally — scheduled for 11 a.m. Feb. 21 — will span from Valley Stream to Massapequa along Sunrise Highway, with participating clubs stationed at train stations and other public points. The Bellmore Merrick club will gather at the Merrick Long Island Rail Road station.

Tdone before.

neapolis resident, by an ICE agent in January — a shooting that has stirred national outrage and widespread protests. Good, a U.S. citizen, was shot and killed during a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis on Jan. 7, drawing solidarity rallies in cities from Boston to San Francisco and congressional hearings on use of force by federal officers. The heightened attention comes not long after the Jan. 24 fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis resident killed during federal immigration enforcement operations, which has also sparked nationwide protests and calls for accountability.

“This is bigger than anything we’ve done before,” Borecky said. “It’s most of the clubs in the area — stepping up to show solidarity with immigrant families who are living in fear.”

The protest comes amid heightened scrutiny of ICE after the fatal shooting of Renée Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Min-

Borecky said local rallies in Nassau County are meant to “give a face to immigrant communities” and bring attention to how enforcement actions affect families, businesses and public safety.

According to independent analysis of federal data by FactCheck.org, roughly 43 per -

ConTinUed on page 16

things to know Black history Month

February is Black History Month

By CHRIS COLUCCI

ccolucci@liherald.com

Each year, the US celebrates dozens of month-long observations including Women’s History Month in March, Jewish American Heritage Month in May

n Black History Month is 100 years old

February’s designation as Black History Month has been formally recognized across the United States for 50 years. In 1976, during the United States Bicentennial, President Gerald Ford was the first president to declare the month was a way to honor what he called, “the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

However, its foundation of awareness and attention traces back to 1926 when historian and journalist Dr. Carter G. Woodson launched and popularized Negro History Week. Woodson chose the second week in February in order to capture the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln, Feb. 12, and Frederick Douglass, Feb. 14 — both men being crucially influential to Black history. The week was acknowledged for decades somewhat informally from city to city, with Ford ultimately issuing the first presidential message to recognize the entire month.

and National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Every February, Black History Month turns a spotlight toward countless Black figures who’ve influenced society, as well as the issues they faced which continue to impact the population of 51 million Black Americans today. Here are three things to know:

n It’s for education, activity, community

Schools use February as a chance to dive into age-appropriate lessons regarding Black history, culture, contributions, and key personalities. Whether it’s elementary schools teaching about George Washington Carver’s peanut-based innovations or high schoolers learning about the hard-fought Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, educators take the opportunity to explore topics more in-depth than general lesson plans otherwise accommodate.

The month-long acknowledgment isn’t limited to school settings. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History — the organization founded by Woodson in 1915 — suggests reading books written by Black authors, watching films and documentaries created by Black filmmakers, supporting local Blackowned businesses, learning about important Black leaders, and attending or organizing educational events. The ASALH also points out that the recognition and research doesn’t need to be limited to the 28-day month .

While Black History Month is often used to reflect on notable people and their work in general, every year is technically given a specific theme determined by the ASALH. Dating back to the initial conception in 1926, Woodson believed that focusing on specific concepts could be potentially more beneficial than working in broad strokes. As listed on their main website, ASALH.org, the theme for 2026 is, appropriately, “A Century of Black History Commemorations.”

In a statement posted on their site, the ASALH explained, “We have never had more need to examine the role of Black History Month than we do when forces weary of democracy seek to use legislative means and book bans to excise Black history from America’s schools and public culture.” They continued succinctly, “Black history’s value is not its contribution to mainstream historical narratives, but its resonance in the lives of Black people.” n

Two Kennedy seniors earn prestigious awards

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Two seniors at John F. Kennedy High School have earned top honors in the annual Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, a nationally recognized program that celebrates creative achievement among students in grades 7 through 12.

Tiffany Yam received exceptional recognition, earning a Gold Key — the highest level of regional honor — for her oil painting titled “Congratulations.” Gold Key works advance to national judging in New York City, with only about 5 to 7 percent of submissions receiving the distinction.

Yam also earned a Silver Key for her self-portrait, “Flickers,” which marked her first time working with oil paints.

“I was pretty excited because I didn’t realize the results were coming out that day,” Yam said. “Ms. A told me right when I walked into class.”

Both pieces were created as part of Yam’s Advanced Placement Drawing portfolio under teacher Vanessa Albaneze. Her portfolio explores the theme of juxtaposition between beauty and darker or more unsettling elements.

“I wanted people to feel a sense of curiosity,” Yam said. “I hope they wonder about the story behind the piece and what’s happening behind the scenes.”

Yam said both oil paintings took several months to complete, with the floral piece presenting the greatest challenge due to the subtle changes in color and lighting among the petals.

Fellow senior Rachel Watson also earned a Silver Key for her photorealistic oil painting titled “Ethereal Blue,” a

close-up portrait of her best friend Sophie’s eye adorned with reflective gems.

“I’m fascinated with color,” Watson said. “One of the first things people notice about my friend is her striking blue eyes. I wanted to make the iris as bright as possible to signify light within the darkness of all the shadow around it.”

Watson said she worked on the painting from June through October, overcoming periods of creative block with encouragement from Albaneze.

“She’s been so supportive from the start,” Watson said. “She introduced me to water-based oils and always makes sure I have everything I need. I adore her.”

Although both students plan to pursue careers outside of fine arts — Yam in

engineering and Watson in law — they said the experience has helped them grow creatively and gain confidence.

Yam encouraged younger students to take chances when submitting artwork.

“I would tell them to submit even if they don’t think it’s good enough,” she said. “I didn’t have any expectations, so I was really surprised when I won something.”

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards receive hundreds of thousands of entries each year from students across the country.

“We congratulate Tiffany Yam and Rachel Watson for their outstanding accomplishments and commend Ms. Albaneze for her dedication to fostering artistic excellence,” said Cheryl Fontana, director of fine and performing arts.

331-hub plan targets 911-operator burnout

By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com

Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks on Monday introduced legislation to create a countywide 311 nonemergency service, a move that she and other Democratic lawmakers say will reduce burnout on 911 operators and improve emergency response times.

County residents often call 911 for non-emergency issues — including potholes, sanitation problems, streetlight outages and noise complaints. Nationwide data suggests nearly 50 percent of 911 calls fall into these categories.

The proposed 311 system would include a centralized call center staffed by trained personnel. It would allow residents to submit service requests via mobile app — including uploading photos — and track their status in real time. Lawmakers say that reducing non-emergency call volume would help address a 20 percent staffing shortage among emergency operators and cut down delays in life-threatening situations.

“While these calls deserve attention, they shouldn’t compete with someone reporting a fire, a violent crime or a medical emergency when only seconds count,” Nicks said. “Here in Nassau, our operators are handling everything from noise complaints to service requests, and these non-emergencies calls pull resources away

from urgent needs.”

She pointed to similar systems in New York City, Suffolk County and the Town of North Hempstead. North Hempstead launched its 311-call center in 2005, and has handled more than three million calls, according to Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena. The center acts as a one-stop hub for municipal services, with requests tracked through completion.

County Legislator Viviana Russell, who represents parts of Uniondale and North Hempstead, said she was part of the original team that launched North Hempstead’s system. She also took part in the Suffolk operating system as well.

“I can tell you first-hand how it helped residents of the Town of North Hempstead,” Russell said. “Through tracking the calls, you are able to see where there are needs in different departments as well as where residents need additional help, within the confines of the county.”

The county would also launch a public education campaign to help residents understand when to call 311 versus 911. Nicks said labor unions would be included in planning for staffing and training. As of now, the legislators are in close contact with CSEA, one of the largest public service unions in the state, and other labor groups have expressed support for the legislation.

“It’s about protecting the people who will protect us,

this proposal will help reduce burnout, improve retention and strengthen emergency responses across Nassau County,” said Delia DeRiggi Whitton, a county legislator who represents Glen Cove and Sea Cliff, who serves as the Legislature’s minority leader. This is a commonsense workforce and public safety investment that benefits residents, employees and emergency responders.”

Also, the short staffing concerns have grown since County Executive Bruce Blakeman passed a voluntary buyout program for longtime employees in his $4.4 billion executive budget in January. Possibly saving $30 million annually, concerns were raised about losing experienced staff in public safety.

Under the plan, full-time workers with at least 10 years of service would receive a $2,000 lump-sum payment for each year worked. About 3,400 employees are eligible — including 911 operators.

As a former emergency medical service responder and fire captain with Uniondale’s Manor Company 3, Nicks said she knows how critical a fast response can be.

“This is most apropos for her to introduce this legislation,” said County Legislator Scott Davis, who represents North Baldwin and Rockville Centre. “This is an opportunity to provide 21st-century service. Nassau County deservse services that are accessible, convenient and efficient.”

Photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District.

Rachel Watson’s artwork, “Ethereal Blue.”

Rachel Watson.

Tiffany Yam’s winning artwork, “Congratulations” and “Flickers.”

Tiffany Yam.

YOU TASTE IT

Town recognizes Holocaust Remembrance Day

Hempstead Town officials marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day by illuminating the historic clock tower atop Town Hall in yellow, honoring the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazi persecution.

Supervisor John Ferretti and members of the Town Board were joined by representatives of the town’s Antisemitism Task Force for the commemoration, which officials said reaffirmed Hempstead’s commitment to combating antisemitism, hatred and bigotry.

“The words ‘Never Forget’ are not just a phrase, they are a responsibility,” Ferretti said. “Lighting our clock tower yellow is a solemn reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust and a clear statement that antisemitism and intolerance have no place in the Town of Hempstead. We remember the victims, we honor the survivors, and we recommit ourselves to educating future generations. Never Forget. Never Again.”

The yellow lighting symbolized the yellow stars Jews were forced to wear during the Holocaust. By illuminating the clock tower, town officials said Hempstead joined broader efforts to transform the color into a symbol of remembrance, resilience and resolve.

Hempstead, the nation’s largest township and home to one of the largest Jewish populations in the world, has long participated in International Holocaust Remembrance Day observances. Officials said the commemoration has taken on greater urgency in recent years amid rising antisemitism locally and nationally,

along with the spread of misinformation and gaps in Holocaust education among younger generations.

Town officials also cited several antisemitic incidents in recent years, including graffiti containing hateful rhetoric. In one notable case, antisemitic graffiti defaced private property in East Meadow shortly before Passover. Authorities later made an arrest, and the case resulted in a hate crime conviction following cooperation among local and county officials.

In response to such incidents, the Town Board approved a local law aimed at curbing hate-filled graffiti and vandalism, allowing for enhanced penalties against offenders. The town also created its Antisemitism Task Force, bringing together community leaders, educators and faithbased organizations to confront antisemitism through outreach and awareness initiatives.

Hempstead officials noted that the town was also among the first in the region to adopt anti-BDS legislation and the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism, measures intended to strengthen local efforts to address hate and discrimination. For generations, the Hempstead Town Hall clock tower has served as a community landmark, marking civic events and milestones throughout the township. Officials said the yellow illumination added a new chapter to that tradition, using the structure as a symbol of remembrance and solidarity on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

— Jordan Vallone

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

The Town Board commemorated International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Nassau girls wrestling takes center stage

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

Reese Adams experienced a wave of emotions for the second time in as many years at the Nassau County girls wrestling championships.

While recovering from knee surgery last February, the thenCalhoun High School junior was devastated to be a spectator for the inaugural tournament. This year, however, she was elated to not only participate but to capture a title in what would be her lone opportunity.

Adams rallied from behind to pin MacArthur’s Olivia Rausenberger in 1:52 of the first period of the finals to win the 126-pound crown Feb. 1 at her home away from home — Long Beach High School. Her father, Ray, has coached the Marines’ wrestlers for 30 years.

“It was thrilling and a relief at the same time because I put so much pressure on myself,” Reese said. “To finally accomplish what I’ve worked so hard for is exciting.”

She underwent surgery the day before Thanksgiving in 2024 and missed all of last season. That didn’t stop her from attending the county championships at Bethpage High School, but it wasn’t easy to watch.

“I cried a lot, but I wanted to support some of my best friends who were competing,” said Reese, who is Calhoun’s lone female wrestler and practiced with the boys team every day. “I’m glad it was at Long Beach this time,” she added. “I practically grew up watching wrestling in that gym so it was a comfortable environment.”

Adams fell behind Rausenberger 5-0 before scoring a take-

down to get on the board, followed by the pin.

“It was a rough year for her rehabbing and I’m so proud to see her win a county title,” Ray Adams said of his Lehigh University bound daughter. “She worked so hard to get back on the mat.”

Long Beach girls coach Miguel Rodriguez said the vibe for the finals was “incredible.”

The Marines had five finalists and saw seventh-grader Brooke Varian finish a surprise runner-up at 94 pounds, and freshman Harley Eidens repeat as a county champ, taking the 107pound title.

“We had a lot of great performances and those two really had a day,” Rodriguez said. “Brooke is a great athlete who loves lacrosse and is so coachable. Harley was familiar with her opponent in the finals and was very strong defensively at the end to hold on.”

Harley’s sister, Presley, was second at 114 to MacArthur’s Grace Palumbo and earned a wild-card berth to join her twin at the state tournament Feb. 26 in Albany. Junior Goddiss Hodge and Arianna Balsamo and also reached the county finals stage.

Uniondale, which captured the Nassau dual meet team title with a 34-30 victory over Long Beach Jan. 21, continued its spectacular season with three county champions and two runners-up. Coach Tim Godoy said the Knights began the campaign with 45 girls as interest in the sport has exploded.

“The girls are excited to be a part of something new and they really put the work in,” he said. “We had great support from parents and family members as well as about half of

Uniondale’s Angeline Bonilla, won the first finals bout of the tournament at 94 pounds.

our boys team showed up. It was a special day.”

Uniondale junior Angeline Bonilla, who took third place last season, captured the 94-pound title over Varian with a 12-5 decision.

“The impossible doesn’t seem that far away if you keep pushing,” Bonilla said. “It was the first match of the finals and not going to lie, I was a little nervous. Brooke is a tough wrestler and I felt it was a 50-50 match. I couldn’t have done it without my coaches.”

Also for the Knights, junior Brianna Marquez captured the 100-pound championship and junior Keishara Tulloch was a repeat county champ, winning at 152 over junior teammate Gabrielle Christian. Senior and first-year wrestler Emely Ramos reached the finals at 165, pulling several upsets along the way.

“The support these girls have for each other is awesome,” Godoy said. “They were all screaming at the top of their lungs.”

Arianna Balsamo, top, was one of five Long Beach finalists.

Terry Uellendahl/Herald photos Calhoun’s Reese Adams, top, rallied to capture the 126-pound title.

Top real estate professionals honored at Heritage Club

By HAILEY FULMER

The Herald’s Real Estate Achievement +Leadership Awards at the Heritage Club on Jan. 28 celebrated professionals whose leadership and innovation have shaped the region’s real estate landscape.

Kelly Killoren Bensimon, founder, owner and broker specialist of Kelly Killoren Bensimon Inc. and Douglas Elliman was honored for her impact on real estate leadership. A former model and reality television personality, Bensimon has successfully transitioned into a successful real estate career. Her keynote speech reflected on her path into the industry.

After her mother became ill, Bensimon said she sold her family home by herself — a moment that inspired her to shift from television to real estate. Today, she focuses on client relationships and enhancing the value of the properties she represents.

I became licensed because I needed to protect my family — and today, that instinct drives everything I do,” she said.

Steven Krieger, chief executive officer of B2K Development, was named Real Estate Visionary of the Year, while Jan Burman, chairman of B2K Development, received the Legacy in Real Estate award.

The Rising Stars category recognized emerging professionals. Honorees included James La Dolce, vice president and branch manager at Flushing Bank, and Ashley Infantino, a licensed real estate salesperson with DeSimone Real Estate Agency.

Awards for construction, development and engineering recognized Rob Mannino, chief operating officer of The Kulka Group, who received the Commercial and Residential Construction Management award.

“It is such a pleasure to go to work every day and be surrounded by those people,” Mannino said, crediting his team’s growth over the past two years. He also expressed gratitude to partner Devin Kulka, chief executive officer of The Kulka Group, and his father, citing their guidance and leadership.

Joseph Picataggi Jr., principal of Terra Construction Group, received the Development and Construction award, while Matthew K. Aylward, a partner at R&M Engi-

neering, was recognized for excellence in engineering.

Michael S. Ackerman, managing partner of Ackerman Law, took home the Excellence in Real Estate Law, PLLC. Keith P. Brown, a partner at Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman LLP, received recognition in the Legal category, and Robert M. Connelly of Romer Debbas, LLP, earned the Excellence in Real Estate Law award.

“We are proud to honor Long Island’s most accomplished real estate professionals — individuals whose vision, dedication and innovation continue to shape the towns where we live, work and raise our families,” said Stuart Richner, president of Richner Communications for 26 years.

The Father/Son Duo award was presented to John and Dylan Vitale, president and vice president of Vitale Properties, recognizing multigenerational leadership.

The Next Gen Brokerage category recognized Luca Di Ciero, founder and CEO of NYSpace Finders, and Giuseppe Gregorio, an associate broker with the firm. Gregorio, who began his real estate career 12 years ago, said he was drawn to the industry’s evolving challenges. he Power Team honor was awarded to Darab Lawyer and Vanessa Ambrosecchia, licensed real estate salespersons with Douglas Elliman. Ambrosecchia highlighted the impact of her work on clients.

“I just like helping people,” she said, “to change more lives.”

Additional awards recognized

leadership across the industry. Shaan Khan, president of the Long Island Board of REALTORS® and broker-owner of RK Realty Group, received the Real Estate Excellence award. Denise Savino-Erichsen, president and CEO of Automatic Industries, was honored in the Technology category.

In the commercial sector, Jonathan M. Stern, chief growth officer of Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group, was recognized in celebration of the firm’s centennial anniversary. Michael Tucker, associate broker at DGNY Commercial, received the Commercial Brokerage award. Joel Lipsky, chief executive officer of Lipsky Construction, received the Construction Management award.

Tom Attivissimo, CEO and principal of Greiner-Maltz Co. of Long Island LLC, was named Top In-

dustrial and Investment Sales and Leasing Counselor of the Year. Shalom Maidenbaum, founder and owner of Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group LLC, received the Property Tax Reduction award.

Additional residential awards were presented to Nicholas Sforza of Manhasset Realty Group and Marisa Filardo of Douglas Elliman, both recognized for Real Estate Excellence. Filardo, a mother of two, serves clients across Long Island and Queens.

The Team Leadership award went to Rachel King, a licensed associate real estate broker and team leader of The King Team at SERHANT.

For photos, go to RichnerLive. com/realawards/2026-photos/ For more on RichnerLive events visit RichnerLive.com.

Tim Baker and Holden Leeds/Herald photos

The real estate movers and shakers networked before the awards ceremony.

Keynote speaker Kelly Killoren Bensimon from Kelly Killoren Bensimon Inc. and Douglas Elliman.

The Kulka Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Rob Mannino.

R&M Engineering, Partner, Matthew K. Aylward, PE.

Interior Motives New York, Founder and Principal Designer, Susan Mandel.

Awarded the Father/Son Duo Award, President and Vice President, respectively, Dylan and John Vitale from Vitale Properties.

DGNY Commercial, Associate Broker, Michael Tucker walking up to accept his award.

From NYSpace Finders, Founder & CEO Luca Di Ciero and Associate Broker Giuseppe Gregorio took home the Next Gen Brokerage award.

Licensed Real Estate Salespersons Darab Lawyer and Vanessa Ambrosecchia from Douglas Elliman won the Power Team award.

From Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP, Partner, Keith P. Brown.

Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group, Chief Growth officer, Jonathan M. Stern with his award.

From Greiner-Maltz Co. of Long Island, LLC, CEO & Principal, Tom Attivissimo heads to accept his award.

Hewlett students lead Kindertransport rembrance

Honoring Holocaust survivors through education

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

In honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Hewlett High School freshmen Romy Fruman and Harley Moritz presented their Kindertransport project to students in grades five to seven at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Merrick earlier this month.

Their generation is getting older, and their memory is very

RoMy FRuMAN

Freshman, Hewlett High School

Jan. 27 marked 81 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, the largest of the Nazi concentration camps and extermination centers. International Holocaust Remembrance Day was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005, and is observed annually on that date, a global reminder of the dangers of hatred, bigotry and antisemitism, according to UN.org.

When the Chabad students took their seats for the presentation on Jan. 28, they found nametags to wear, each with the name of a Kindertransport survivor.

The Kindertransport was a rescue effort that relocated nearly 10,000 mostly Jewish refugee children from Nazi German to Great Britain between December 1938 and May 1940, according to the Holocaust Encyclopedia.

“It was an incredible rescue mission just for kids,” Harley said. “Thousands of kids, mostly Jewish, were sent from dangerous countries such as Germany and Austria to safety in Britain before World War II.”

Parents in those countries were given an option to send their children on the Kindertransport, and possibly never see them again, or keep them with them.

“These children, some as young as 5 years old, had to board trains alone, with only one small suitcase or backpack,” Harley explained.

Nicholas Winton, a British stockbroker, organized foster families in Britain, and saved the lives of 669 children that arrived from Czechoslovakia.

“Because he chose to act and not stay silent, those children didn’t just survive,” Romy said. “They grew up to have families of their own. Today there are four generations of families living all across the world because of the children Nicholas Winton saved.”

The girls taught the younger students that one person could change the world, no matter how many people he or she saved.

Years later, the writer Michael Bond was inspired by stories of the Kindertransport to create Paddington Bear, a bear who arrived in England with a similar nametag around his neck that read,

“Please look after this bear” — Just like the children who were relocated.

Romy and Harley explained why they were passionate about this chapter of history, and how their interest expanded from a school history project to wanting to educate the next generation about the Holocaust.

“One year ago, this was just supposed to be a history project,” Harley recalled. “We wanted to just get 100 and get the perfect grade. As we researched and started hearing these stories, it became something much bigger.”

They girls interviewed 94-year old Kindertransport survivor Manfred Korman in 2024, and were inspired to continue learning, and created a plan to share survivors’ stories.

“In that moment, we knew we had to be their voices,” Romy said. “Since the beginning of our mission, we have given many presentations and assemblies to keep these voices alive.”

In collaboration with Donna Rosenblum, director of education at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center, in Glen Cove, Romy and Harley created an educational packet for fifth- and sixth-grade students. Now 13 school districts on Long Island have begun to implement the lesson into their curriculum.

“We realize that in just a few short years, we will no longer be able to hear these accounts directly from Kindertransport survivors,” Romy said. “Their generation is getting older, and their

memory is very precious.”

Chabad students were encouraged to share their families’ stories of survival during the Holocaust, and Gregory Goldman, 11, of Merrick, was the first to raise his hand and stand in front of the gathering.

“My great-grandparents had just got married, and there was an attack by the Nazis in Ludlow, Poland, and they had to escape,” Gregory recounted. “There was a miracle that happened.”

Two German soldiers came into his great-grandparents’ shop to buy something, and, Gregory said, his greatgrandfather treated them like any other customers. One of the soldiers told him what was going to happen, because he was an “honest Jew.” They were told to leave in one day, because after that, all the Jews in Poland would be killed.

“They got a boat and crossed the river to Russian territory with six other people,” Gregory said. “When they got there, a Russian soldier stopped them. My great-grandparents were honest about why they were there, and were sent to a labor camp in Siberia.”

His great-grandparents spent two years in the labor camp before they were liberated. They returned to Poland, but there the Nazis were still executing Jews. A nun helped them hide, and after the war ended, they received documentation to go to the United States.

“Their presentation encouraged meaningful discussion,” Rabbi Shimon Kramer, of the Chabad Center, said of Romy and Harley. “Students shared family Holocaust stories and spoke openly about antisemitic incidents they encounter today.”

Melissa Berman/Herald photos

Romy Fruman, left, and Harley Moritz presented their Kindertransport project to students in fifth to seventh grades at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life, in Merrick, last week, in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Gregory Goldman, 11, of Merrick, left, shared his family’s story of survival after listening to Romy Fruman, center, and Harley Moritz talk about the Kindertransport.

precious.

DEC head discusses state’s goals, policies

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

More than 200 people attended the Long Island Association’s Energy and Environment Committee meeting on Feb. 5 at LIA headquarters in Melville. The highlight of the program was a discussion with the commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, Amanda Lefton.

“Long Island’s environment is our economy,” Matt Cohen, LIA president and CEO, said. LIA is a nonprofit association that works to ensure Long Island’s economic vitality.

Lefton previously served as the director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in the Department of the Interior. She has over 15 years of experience working on energy and environment in both the public and private sector.

“As Long Islanders, we know that things like water quality and our natural resources are critical to our livelihood,” she said. “We know these things aren’t in competition, but actually complement each other if done correctly. That is the perspective that I bring to the department.

“We continue to move forward,” Lefton added, “to make sure that we’re not just delivering on our mission of protecting the state’s environment, protecting water quality, delivering on clean air, protecting our natural resources,

but also doing so in a way that there’s transparency.”

Billy Haugland, vice chair of the Energy and Environment Committee, who led the discussion, praised Lefton’s ability to bring government and industry leaders together, leading to productive outcomes, increased collaboration, and reliable environmental stewardship.

Lefton discussed aspects of the state’s policy proposals and 2026 executive budget, and highlighted its steps to reduce pollution, its transition to clean energy and investments in infrastructure and transportation. She contrasted state actions with federal efforts to dismantle environmental protections. “The jobs and benefits that could be lost on Long Island through the stalling of offshore wind projects are one of the many causalities of this chaos,” she said.

Lefton pledged to continue communicating with stakeholders around New York. The DEC is prioritizing accessibility, streamlining its processes and improving data navigation, supported by investments from Gov. Kathy Hochul to modernize its website and technology.

Hochul’s 2026 budget proposal also supports a robust environmental agenda, and Lefton complimented the tangible results for New Yorkers. The governor’s “Let Them Build” agenda includes a series of reforms to speed up housing and infrastructure projects and reduce costs. The initiative includes adopting

common-sense reforms of the State Environmental Quality Review Act to speed up construction of zoned and permitted housing while preserving environmental safeguards. It also aims to reduce delays in building critical infrastructure, including clean-water projects.

“The governor’s common-sense approach to securing more certainty in environmental review timelines,” Lefton said, “will help advance more critically important projects.”

She discussed Hochul’s investments in water infrastructure, a commitment of $3.75 billion to clean-water projects over the next five years, including improving sewer infrastructure. “We can ensure that we’re continuing to tackle urban contaminants, protecting clean water, and delivering on the funding for our municipalities,” Lefton said.

The Hochul administration has authorized a critical resiliency project on Long Island, with a $1.7 billion investment in protecting the expanse from Fire Island to Montauk against storms and erosion. Additional investments have been made for various other Army Corps of Engineers resiliency projects in the Rockaways and Long Beach.

Lefton also mentioned a state grant award to Freeport, supporting the expansion of its advanced stormwater system, which is designed to reduce chronic flooding of the village’s lowlying streets.

“We have strong programs in place to protect our air and water while encouraging investment in our communities,” Lefton said. “We’re ensuring that we have these programs available specifically to deliver for Long Islanders.”

Madison Gusler/Herald Amanda Lefton, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, spoke at the Long Island Association’s Energy and Environment Committee meeting on Feb. 5.

Long Island–based

Legally incorporated In business 2+ years

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School Day of Play comes to Chatterton School

Chatterton School students put down their devices and picked up board games, cards and puzzles on Feb. 4 as the school marked the Global School Day of Play, an event designed to promote creativity, collaboration and social-emotional learning through student-led activities.

The first 45 minutes of the school day were set aside for socialization and peer play, organized by school social worker Marisa Taddeo.

“Play is a powerful tool for social-emotional growth,”

Taddeo said. “Opportunities like the Global School Day of Play allow our students to practice important social skills in an authentic way. Days like today reinforce that learning doesn’t stop at academics — it happens through connection and shared experiences as well.”

Students participated in non-electronic activities that encouraged teamwork, communication and problem-solving,

including strategy games, board games and shared group play.

Each grade level also focused on a specific social-emotional learning skill introduced during morning meeting and practiced throughout the play sessions. Kindergartners worked on turn-taking and sharing, while fourth graders concentrated on problem-solving strategies when challenges arose.

“When you take turns, you have to learn to wait your turn, you have to learn to share and you have to learn to let everyone have a turn so we can be fair,” teacher Jenna Russo said.

Teacher Brittany Grassi guided fourthgrade students in discussions about resolving conflicts and finding solutions during play.

To reinforce the lessons, teachers held

student reflection activities following the event. The school’s multipurpose room was also converted into a game room for indoor recess during lunchtime.

Students were also given a no-homework day, allowing families to continue enjoying playtime together at home.

— Hernesto Galdamez

Photos courtesy of the Merrick Union Free School District. Will and Nolan engage in a chess match.

Fourth grade teacher Mr. Fowler and Jason discuss UNO strategies.

Love your heart…

Change is an important part of living with heart disease or trying to prevent it. A jump in blood pressure or cholesterol earns you a lecture on healthy lifestyle changes. Heart attack and stroke survivors are often told to alter a lifetime of habits.

Some people manage to overhaul their exercise pattern, diet, and unhealthy habits with ease. The rest of us try to make changes, but don’t always succeed. Instead of undertaking a huge makeover, you might be able to improve your heart’s health with a series of small changes. Once you get going, you may find that change isn’t so hard. This approach may take longer, but it could also motivate you to make some big changes.

Here are important small steps to get you on the road to better health.

Take a 10-minute walk. If you don’t exercise at all, a brief walk is a great way to start. If you do, it’s a good way to add more exercise to your day.

Give yourself a lift. Lifting a hardcover book or a two-pound weight a few times a day can help tone your arm muscles. When that becomes a breeze, move on to heavier items or join a gym.

Eat one extra fruit or vegetable a day. Limit the sweet treats and go for the fruit instead. Fruits — and vegetables — taste good and are good for everything from

your brain to your bowels.

Make breakfast count. A good breakfast is one that supplies plenty of protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. Protein should be the main focus to start the day, with additions of whole grains, fruits and vegetables and good fats.

Stop drinking your calories. Cutting out just one sugar-sweetened soda or calorie-laden latte can easily save you 100 or more calories a day. Over a year, that can translate into a 10-pound weight loss.

Have a handful of nuts. Walnuts, almonds, peanuts, and other nuts are good for your heart. Try grabbing some instead of chips or cookies when you need a snack, adding them to salads for a healthful and tasty crunch, or using them in place of meat in pasta and other dishes.

Sample the fruits of the sea. Eat fish or other types of seafood instead of red meat once a week. It’s good for the heart, the brain, and the waistline.

Breathe deeply. Try breathing slowly and deeply for a few minutes a day. It can help you relax. Slow, deep breathing may also help lower blood pressure.

Wash your hands often. Always important, this matters so much more since the pandemic. Scrubbing up with soap and water often during the day is a great way to protect your heart and health. Flu, pneumo-

Count your blessings. Taking a moment each day to acknowledge the blessings in your life is one way to start tapping into other positive emotions. These have been linked with better health, longer life and greater well-being, just as their opposites

lifts your mood and promotes mental well-being. And if you have diabetes, regular physical activity can actually lower your blood sugar and raise your life expectancy.

and underestimated — contributors to heart problems and mental fog. It often builds quietly, weaving its way into daily life before we even notice. The good news? You’re not powerless. Simple, accessible strategies can help calm your mind, protect your heart, and restore a sense of balance.

Deep breathing: Intentional breathing is one of the quickest ways to ease stress. Close your eyes, inhale deeply through your nose, pause briefly, then slowly exhale through your mouth. Repeat a few times and feel your body begin to relax.

Movement: Exercise is a proven stress reliever, but it doesn’t have to mean intense workouts. Yoga, walking or jogging outdoors, stretching, or even dancing around your living room can elevate your mood, relax your nervous system, and reconnect you with your body.

Practice self-care: Self-care isn’t indulgent — it’s essential. Whether it’s a warm bath, a good book, or meaningful time with loved ones, carving out moments of comfort and joy helps keep stress in check.

Power of perspective: Stress is often less about circumstances and more about how we view them. Reframing negative thoughts, practicing gratitude, or simply reminding yourself that you’re doing your best can create powerful emotional relief.

Importance of boundaries: Saying no, managing expectations, and protecting time for rest are necessities, not luxuries. You can’t show up for others if you’re running on empty.

There

toolkit — practical steps to support heart health and mental clarity. Choose what resonates, build a routine that fits your life, and remember: stress doesn’t get the final say.

nia and other infections can be very hard on the heart.

— chronic anger, worry, and hostility — contribute to high blood pressure and heart disease.

Photo: Exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight,

Counter protest will be held in Bellmore

Continued from page 1

cent of people detained by ICE as of January 2026 had no criminal conviction or pending charge, while TRAC Immigration Project statistics show that nearly 74 percent of those in ICE detention in late 2025 lacked a criminal conviction.

“Our communities are hurt by these raids,” Borecky said. “Local stores that cater to immigrant residents have closed. People are afraid to go to work; call the police or shop at the places they love.”

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Speakers at the rally plan to highlight economic impacts on small businesses and argue that cooperation between local police and ICE undermines trust in law enforcement, Borecky said.

The call for action in Nassau follows a candlelight vigil last month in Freeport honoring Good, where hundreds gathered to remember her life and warn that immigrant families on Long Island “are living in fear” amid stepped-up enforcement. The vigil was organized by Freeport resident Hazel Leon, founder of the advocacy group Así Vamos NY, and Borecky with the South Shore Women’s Alliance.

Borecky said the local “rapid response” network modeled in part on community groups that track and alert neighbors to ICE activity has grown in recent weeks. Activists carry whistles and quickly converge when agents are spotted to draw public attention.

Critics of increased enforcement contend ICE operations have contributed to a climate of fear that hampers community policing and safety. Borecky said local police forces risk losing the trust of immigrant residents when routine interactions become linked to federal immigration actions.

A counterprotest has also been announced. Organizers of a caravan titled “We Love ICE” said participants will gather at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 21 in the Bellmore Long Island Rail Road parking lot, according to a flyer circulating on social media. The flyer includes a statement reading, “We are activists too. We are pros at this. We are unafraid and protected by God.”

Concerns over the broader political climate have also surfaced among local residents.

“I’m deeply worried about the direction our country is heading,” wrote John Gonzalez of Bellmore in a recent letter to the editor. “Both political parties seem more focused on fighting each other than listening to everyday Americans, and it feels like the divisions are growing wider instead of smaller.”

“We want transparency and accountability, both here locally and on the federal level,” Borecky said. “Families shouldn’t live in fear of being torn apart.”

Tim Baker/Herald

democratic clubs across nassau County are organizing a peaceful rally later this month.

STEPPING OUT

Our nation 250 years later

An artistic perspective

By Abbey Salvemini

The American Revolution might have happened 250 years ago, but the conversation about who really benefited from it is far from over. That’s the idea behind Hofstra University Museum of Art’s newlly opened exhibition, “Our Unfinished Revolution(s).” On view, through July 24, it invites visitors to reflect on the promises of liberty, exploring how the ideals of the Declaration of Independence have shaped the nation.

July 4, 1776, has long been ascribed as the date that the United States was formed, Presley Rodriguez — the museum’s assistant director of exhibitions and collections — writes in her essay in the exhibit catalog. There are other events that could have represented the birth of the nation — perhaps first battles of the Revolutionary War, or the signing of the treaty that formally ended the conflict. But it is the day that the Declaration of Independence was ratified that is credited with changing the world as we know it.

‘RENT’ in concert

Today, many consider the Declaration of Independence as the document that proclaimed “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” as guiding priorities of the United States. As signiﬁcant as the signing of the Declaration of Independence was, however, it was also a rebellious act that those loyal to the English king viewed unfavorably in 1776.

“The Declaration of Independence is the North Star of liberty, democracy and freedom,” says Hofstra Museum Director Sasha Giordano. “The exhibition explores who most beneﬁtted from the Declaration of Independence. Although women, Black and enslaved people, Indigenous peoples, and immigrants played instrumental roles during the Revolution and were closely connected to the events surrounding the Declaration, they were not granted the same liberties at the nation’s founding.”

The 250 years of history are organized into four dated sections: 1776, 1876, 1976 and 2026. The artworks and archival materials on view illuminate the ways in which the Declaration of Independence has been interpreted, challenged and defended over time. Works drawn from the museum’s permanent collection, alongside loans featuring artists such as Faith Ringgold, demonstrate the diversity of artistic responses to the Revolution’s legacy across 250 years. Included are a mix of 18th-century prints, mid-century works and contemporary pieces by artists such as Alexander Calder, Larry Rivers and Jeremy Dennis, the show’s featured artist.

Groups whose liberties were initially denied come into focus: women, Black, Indigenous and immigrant communities. Rodriguez — who curated this exhibit — searched Hofstra’s database for art that best captures their stories.

“This is really an homage to 250 years of freedom,” she explains. “There are walls in the gallery dedicated to each of these anniversary years, and the artwork was created around these moments.”

Beginning with 1776 section, works reﬂect the founding ideals and the exclusion of certain communities, while later sections show how those

Map of New England, 1676, ink on paper. Gift of unknown donor, HU62.7.

Washington Crossing the Delaware, Evening Previous to the Battle of Trenton, December 5 (sic), 1776, 18001900, hand-colored lithograph. Gift of Mary Estabrook, HU64.98.

Bill of Sale for Enslaved Person, 1779. Courtesy of Special Collections/ Long Island Studies Institute, Hofstra University Library.

struggles continued and evolved.

For Giordano, framing the Revolution as “unﬁnished” allows us to revisit and reclaim its milestones. It’s presented as an ongoing conversation, rather than a closed chapter in history.

“Anniversaries are a way to remind us of what we celebrate and how we honor our country’s life,” she says. “This exhibition meets viewers where they are. You bring your own ideas and thoughts, and it encourages reﬂection. It could challenge you, or it could reafﬁrm what you already feel.”

Jeremy Dennis, an enrolled member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation and founder of Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio Inc., brings an Indigenous perspective into the narrative of America’s evolving freedom through his photography.

“As a leader making art representing Indigenous people, his work speaks to current times and shares a relevant story,” Giordano adds. “Through his art and photography, he takes us into that world.”

Another standout is Faith Ringgold’s 2009 series, “Declaration of Freedom and Independence.” Her work perfectly embodies the exhibition’s theme and reﬂects the ongoing struggle to make liberty a reality for all, according to Rodriguez.

“The exhibition invites you to consider your own role in shaping the nation’s future. The response wall allows visitors to contribute their perspectives, and those ideas will literally be on display for others to see,” she adds.

Her aim is that visitors reﬂect not only on the past but think hard about what our future holds. Everyone is encouraged to contribute to the Wish Wall Project, the collaborative response wall developed by a nationwide network of museums and libraries, where all can leave their thoughts, reﬂections and reactions to the exhibition.

“Our Unﬁnished Revolution(s),” connects to the broader Untold Stories of Revolution: A Hofstra University Initiative for the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, a campus-wide exploration of the Revolution’s lesser-known narratives. Related programming tied to the exhibit invites students, faculty and the public to engage with themes of democracy, equity and civic responsibility.

Events include a conversation with Dennis on March 5 and a curator-led gallery tour on April 9; programs that allow participants to engage more deeply with the exhibit.

“During the gallery tour, visitors will have a chance to notice details they might miss on a casual visit, and they can hear the stories behind why speciﬁc works were included,” Rodriguez says.

The unforgettable music of Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking musical ﬁlls Tilles Center in a powerful symphonic concert setting. RENT is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, marking three decades since its Off-Broadway debut in January 1996 and subsequent move to Broadway. Experience the music of Larson’s landmark work through its original Broadway legacy as Adam Pascal, who originated the role of Roger, hosts the evening and returns to the stage for a special encore performance. Presented in a symphonic concert format with full orchestra, the event celebrates the iconic songs that changed musical theater forever. “To be able to host RENT in concert and then step back on stage for an encore is incredibly special, Pascal says. This concert is about honoring Jonathan Larson’s voice, the community that formed around this show, and the power of these songs to still speak, loudly and honestly, to audiences today.”

Friday, Feb. 13, 8 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

‘So don’t stop me now’ Queen-mania rolls on. Almost Queen returns to the Paramount stage with their homage to the beloved band. They don’t just pay tribute to the legendary band, Almost Queen transports you back in time to experience the magic and essence of Queen themselves. The band — featuring Joseph Russo as Freddie Mercury, Steve Leonard as Brian May, Randy Gregg as John Deacon, and John Cappadona as Roger Taylor — is “guaranteed to blow your mind” with iconic four-part harmonies and expertly executed musical interludes. The band’s authenticity shines through in their impeccable attention to detail and genuine costumes, while their live energy and precision captivates fans of all ages with an unforgettable concert experience. The carefully curated setlist featuring Queen’s best-loved songs, including, of course, classics like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions!” It’s no wonder fans keep coming back for more.

Saturday, Feb. 14, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

• Now through July 24 Programs require advance registration; visit events. hofstra.edu to RSVP or call (516) 463-5672

• Emily Lowe Gallery, behind Emily Lowe Hall, Hofstra University’s South Campus, Hempstead

Courtesy Hofstra University Museum of Art

Jeremy Dennis’ Cloak of Divisibility, from the series Rise, 2025, archival inkjet print. Courtesy of the artist.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

FEB 14

Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores installation

The Chamber of Commerce welcomes members to the annual installation and awards dinner. $125 per person. Registration required.

• Where: Crest Hollow Country Club, 8325 Jericho Turnpike

• Time: 6:30 p.m.

• Contact: bellmorechamber.com

Lunar New Year program

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes Chinese Theatre Works to the museum stage. Join in a celebration of the Lunar New Year with an original “budaixi” glove puppet production that features the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. This year’s show stars the Horse, who presides over a jolly selection of wild puppet skits, dances, popular songs, and well known Chinese sayings that celebrate the wit and wisdom of the zodiac animals. Hao Bang Ah! Horse! A hands-on post show demonstration will make the Chinese bilingual cultural experience accessible to even the youngest audience members. $5, $4 members, $10 theater only.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

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

Valentine’s Day Story/ Craft

Families can visit Bellmore Public Library for storytime and craft to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Registration required.

• Where: 2288 Bedford Ave.

• Time: 11-11:30 a.m.

• Contact: bellmorelibrary.org

Monster Jam Freestyle Mania

See the world’s best drivers tear up the dirt and show off crazy skills and all-out racing in fierce head-to-head battles of speed and skill when Monster Jam roars into UBS Arena. Get ready for the event that will change everything you thought you knew about freestyle. Monster Jam trucks team up with Freestyle Motocross bikes to deliver gravity-defying skills and thrills. It’s an adrenaline rush not to be missed.

• Where: 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont

• Time: Noon and 6 p.m.; also Feb. 15 and Feb. 16

• Contact: ticketmaster.com

FEB 22

Wild days in the Bronx

Coliseum. This centennial season is a once-in-a-century celebration of 100 years of jaw-dropping “No Way!” moves, Wow!” moments and basketball thrills. From gravitydefying dunks to game-changing tricks, fans feel the history, the joy, and the fun that only the Globetrotters can deliver. For the first time, the team will also debut their new 100 Year jerseys, honoring a century of global impact, as they face off against their longtime rivals, the Washington Generals. Fans can also expect all-new surprises like the Golden Basketball by Spalding®, epic pre-game Magic Pass experiences, and an unforgettable 5th Quarter autograph session.

• Where: Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale

• Time: 2 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com

Art talk

FEB

• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

Chazz Palminteri is back on the Paramount stage with his electrifying solo performance of “A Bronx Tale,” the autobiographical one-man show that launched his remarkable career. Raw, riveting and deeply personal, the play draws on Palminteri’s own bruising childhood in the Bronx, including the moment — at just nine-years-old — when he witnessed a gangland killing that would forever shape his view of the world. Onstage, Palminteri inhabits 18 vividly drawn characters, seamlessly shifting between friends, foes and family members to conjure an entire neighborhood with nothing but his voice, physicality and storytelling prowess. First written and performed in 1989, A Bronx Tale quickly became a sensation, hailed as one of the most sought-after stage properties since Rocky. The original production paved the way for the acclaimed film adaptation — directed by Robert De Niro — and later a hit Broadway musical. Born and raised in the Bronx, Palminteri stands firmly in the lineage of iconic Italian-American artists who redefined New York storytelling in the 1970s, including Martin Scorsese, De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci. Like them, he brings grit, muscle and an unflinching realism to his work, capturing both the violence and the humanity of life on those sidewalks. This return engagement offers audiences a chance to experience the original, powerhouse performance that started it all — up close, uncompromising and unforgettable.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

Nassau County Museum of Art hosts Dee Shapiro, a New York–based artist, is known for her richly detailed paintings exploring geometry, architecture, and place. She discusses works from her City and Landscapes series featured in The Real, Surreal, and Photoreal exhibit, which capture the rhythm and structure of urban and natural environments.. $20, $15 seniors, $10 students (members free). Limited seating, register in advance.

FEB

Long Island’s Black Whalers

Get involved in Black History Month with the AdvoKids at Long Island Children’s Museum. Learn about the important impact Black whalers had on Long Island, like Pyrrhus Concer, and create your own whale to take home at the dropin program.

• Where: 11 Davis. Ave., Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

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

an adventure no matter where you wind up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. Join Jimmy and Pete on an adventure of friendship, all the way to Paris and back in a VW bus! $16 ($14 members), $20 theater and catwalk experience only.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: Starting at 11:30 a.m.

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

FEB

15 Bath bomb workshop

FEB

Pete’s Blue Carpet Catwalk

Walk the blue carpet as a VIP to celebrate Long Island Children’s Museum’s premiere performance of Pete the Cat! Dress your best, smile for the paparazzi, and take a picture with Pete! A special youth emcee will be interviewing VIPs on camera. Gain exclusive access to Pete’s Groovy Lounge for refreshments, enjoy the opening day performance of the show and take home a fun swag bag! You’ll even get to meet the cast after the show! For Pete the Cat, life is

Create custom bath bomb using kitchen and pantry ingredients at Merrick Library.

• Where: 2279 Merrick Ave.

• Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m.

• Contact: merricklibrary.org

‘The Wedding Singer’

Molloy University’s CAP21 Musical Theatre students stage the musical comedy based on the iconic film. The show will have you partying like it’s 1985! Travel back to the outrageous 1980s, when hair was huge, neon ruled fashion and everything MTV was “like, totally tubular.” Based on the

mega-hit Adam Sandler movie, this Broadway romance about a heartbroken rock star wannabe finding love again is jam-packed with big laughs, dazzling dance numbers, and a score as bold and electric as the decade itself. From popped collars to power ballads, “The Wedding Singer” is a nostalgic, feel-good celebration of love, friendship, and all things ‘80s.

• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: 8 p.m.; also Feb. 21, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Feb 22, 3 p.m.

• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

BenAnna Band

BenAnna Band is back with a concert for children of all ages at Merrick Library. Registration required.

• Where: 2279 Merrick Ave.

• Time: 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m.

• Contact: merricklibrary.org

Harlem Globetrotters

Don’t miss out on the action when the Globetrotters bring the team’s 100 Year Tour — the most legendary tour in Globetrotters history — to Nassau FEB

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 3 p.m.

• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337

Pokémon club

FEB

Bellmore Library welcomes kids ages 5-12 for some Pokemon fun. Meet other trainers while playing at the library.Bring your cards to trade or play. Children under age 10 must be accompanied by parent, caregiver or responsible person over 14. Space is limited and registration required.

• Where: 2288 Bedford Ave.

• Time: 7-8 p.m.

• Contact: bellmorelibrary.org

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.

Newbridge Road’s principal for a day

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Hayley Dunne, a third grader at Newbridge Road Elementary School in North Bellmore, recently won a PTA raffle, earning her the honor of serving as the school’s principal for a day on Jan. 23.

Hayley began her day alongside Amanda Licci, the school’s actual principal, helping supervise morning arrival as students were dropped off. After students settled into their classrooms, she joined third-grade student council members in delivering the morning announcements, closing with a message about good character and a reminder to demonstrate the school’s “Newbridge HEART.”

Throughout the day, Hayley accompanied Licci on classroom visits across multiple grade levels. They visited sixthgrade classrooms for a read-aloud of “Why Not?” and walked the hallways while Licci answered Hayley’s questions about the principal’s role.

Hayley also participated in school-wide incentive activities that reward positive behavior. At Newbridge Road, classes earn hearts for good conduct during lunch and recess, with prizes awarded after collecting 20 hearts. Hayley joined a fourth-grade class for Pause and Play and a third-grade class for Cub Comedy Corner, where students shared jokes. She also assisted second graders in writing their names on cafeteria windows as part of the Tiger Ink reward.

The student principal ate lunch with Licci in the principal’s office, with food provided courtesy of the PTA. Hayley selected macaroni and cheese, a Sprite and strawberry ice cream for dessert.

During the afternoon, she made another school announcement, continued visiting classrooms and helped with dismissal. She even briefly returned to her regular schedule to participate in recess and gym class.

“I never knew what it is like to run a school,” Hayley said. “It is a hard-working day but a lot of fun.”

Licci said the principal-for-a-day raffle was introduced this year to offer students insight into school leadership and daily operations.

“Being a principal, you’re constantly moving,” Licci said. “Hayley got to see a lot of different things a principal might do.”

Talia Granshaw, co-president of the Newbridge Road PTA, said the fundraiser was designed to give a student an in-depth look at how the school operates while also supporting programs that benefit students.

“The goal of this fundraiser was to give a student an opportunity to see what it was like to run the school behind the scenes and to learn what administrators and a principal do,” Granshaw said. “We had many eager students participate.”

Granshaw added that the PTA is always seeking creative ways to raise funds while enhancing the student learning experience. She said the winning stu-

dent shadowed the principal throughout the day and received a sponsored lunch from International Delight, a local restaurant.

“This was such a fun fundraiser,” Granshaw said. “It was a successful event, and we plan on doing this again next year.”

Licci expressed hope that the experience leaves Hayley with a lasting memory and a better understanding of how the school operates behind the scenes.

Courtesy of the North Bellmore School District

Hayley Dunne won a PTA raffle and was principal for a day on Jan. 23.

Rallying community to fight blood cancer

program last year as a team member, raising more than $3,600 on her own, while helping spread awareness throughout her school and community.

“Everyone knows someone who has battled blood cancer or is currently facing it,” she said. “It’s so important to keep spreading the word about how serious it is and how many people it affects.”

This year, as a team leader, Brand expanded her efforts beyond fundraising by organizing advocacy projects and community outreach, including

LEGAL NOTICE

writing letters to state lawmakers supporting early blood cancer detection initiatives and creating cards for young patients at Cohen Children’s Medical Center.

One of the team’s recent events was a community clothing drive held at JFK High School, where members collected bags of gently used clothing to be donated while also generating funds toward the team’s goal. Brand said clothing drives are effective because they allow community members to contribute in a meaningful way while helping others in need.

Public Notices

NOTICE OF FORMATION of OPPROS LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/10/2025. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 21 Richard Ave, Merrick, NY 11566. Purpose: any lawful act. 157822

LEGAL NOTICE

A nonprofit organizationin Nassau County is seeking sealed bids to provide and install: (1)perimeter doors; (2)intercom system; and (3)security alarm system sensors. These requests are being made under a grant funded project. Selection criteria will be based on knowledge of security, adherence to work schedule and proposal requirements, prior experience, references, and project cost. It is presently anticipated that bids will be accepted until Noon on March 27, 2026, and work is expected to commence by May 2026 and to be completed by June 2026. All interested vendors will be required to demonstrate preliminary qualifications and licensing for this work, acknowledge receipt of the proposal documents, and provide company name, business address, telephone, fax and email address, and primary contact name and corresponding contact information. Please forward an expression of interest in placing bids on these

projects to Merrick.grants@gmail. com. 158349

LEGAL NOTICE Request for Proposals

The Board of Education of the North Merrick Union Free School District invites sealed proposals from reputable and qualified contractors for: Universal PreKindergarten Program2026-2027 school year Proposals must be received by 11:00 a.m. prevailing time on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the North Merrick Union Free School District, Dr. Irene H. Lenhart Administrative Center, Business Office, 1057 Merrick Avenue, North Merrick, NY 11566. Specifications may be requested via email (mdonnelly@nmerrick. org) prior to the submission deadline. For further information, please contact Marie Donnelly, Assistant Superintendent for Business & Operations, at (516) 292-3696 or via email 158350

LEGAL NOTICE

BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO BIDDERS VENDOR___________

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Education, Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, Merrick, New York, at the Business Office, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York ll566-1500, for the following categories up to the times on the dates indicated:

BUILDING AND GROUNDS EQUIPMENT BID

CUSTODIAL EQUIPMENT

PURCHASE, SERVICE & REPAIR BID

GROUNDS SUPPLIESATHLETIC MIX BID

VENETIAN BLINDSREPAIR & PURCHASE BID

March 18, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Bid Room and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud. All information for bidders, specifications and bid forms may be obtained at the abovementioned address.

The Board of Education, BellmoreMerrick Central High School District, reserves the right to waive any informalities in, or to reject any or all bids, or to accept that bid, or any part of that bid, which in its judgment is for the best interests of the School District. All bid awards are pending budget approval. The School District may receive bids for the above listed items periodically during the 2026-2027 school year, if necessary. These bids will not be readvertised for this purpose. The frequency of bid solicitations will be determined by operating requirements.

Detailed specifications may be obtained at the above address.

Contact Mr. Jon Simpkins at 516-992-1032 with any questions regarding this bid.

By order: Board of Education Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Bellmore U.F.S.D.

North Bellmore U.F.S.D.

North Merrick U.F.S.D.

Merrick U.F.S.D.

By:Jon Simpkins

Director of School

Facilities & Operations 158348

“So many people have clothes they no longer use,” she said. “It’s a great way to support the cause without just asking for money, and it also helps families who need clothing.”

Brand’s mother, Dayna, said she is proud of her daughter’s dedication and advocacy.

“To see her work so hard to spread awareness and help others is amazing,” she said. “It takes so much commitment, and she does it all with such heart.”

al moments of her involvement came last year when she was selected to speak at the Long Island Student Visionaries closing gala as a standout team member.

“It felt really special to share my experience and how important this organization is to me and my family,” she said.

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In addition to the clothing drive, the team has hosted fundraising events, including an ice cream night at Catch the Wave frozen yogurt shop in Plainview, and has partnered with COBS Bread in Merrick for a month-long fundraiser, with a portion of proceeds supporting the campaign. Upcoming plans also include raffle baskets and a virtual bingo event.

Brand said one of the most emotion-

When asked what she thinks her father would say about her efforts today, Brand paused before answering. “I think he would be really proud,” she said. “I know he’d be happy to see me trying to make a change.”

As the campaign continues, Brand hopes her work inspires others — especially young people — to get involved in community service and fundraisers for cancer research.

“Even students can make a big impact,” her mother said. “It’s all about supporting one another and spreading awareness.”

Holden Leeds/Herald

madison Brand and rebecca melman serve as student visionaries of the year.

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What do we do about cold spots in a new house?

Q. We are in our house for the first winter, and are noticing lots of cold spots. Our concern is pipes freezing. Is there anything we can do, temporarily, before spring comes, when we can open outside walls to see where insulation is missing? Also, we have a lot of creaking in the stairs and doors, and even just when the wind is howling. Is there anything we can do?

A. With freezing temperatures comes the reveal of lots of cold spots. As you stated, the biggest concern, immediately, is whether cold areas are near pipes, such as heat pipes or bathroom plumbing. Cold air outside will radiate cold to anything not protected, and if you see that the heat has dropped and the pipes feel cool or cold to touch, that should be the first place to start.

Sometimes people just add a jacket of pipe insulation, but this may worsen the problem in some instances, because the warmer interior air must reach the pipes to keep them from being jammed with ice from the cold-air exposure. In situations like this, it’s best to open the walls where the pipes have frozen and get the pipes warmed up. Don’t use anything with extreme heat or an open flame. A hair dryer may work, but be careful not to make the heat intense enough to start any kind of melting or scorching of the surrounding materials.

I once felt around heat pipes, found the specific spot by touch, and before heat could be applied, the pipe actually split right there in front of me. My plumber used an electric heat clamp to thaw the pipe before cutting the section and replacing it.

As for other parts of the house where it just feels chilled, check for visible gaps around windows, walk barefoot to feel the cool spots and make a list. Some may be almost unreachable without tearing out large sections of interior gypsum or plaster, while others may be able to be filled with insulation. I recommend blown-in cellulose instead of foam, because the foam may encase wires or pipes that later will take much more effort to remove.

Apply foam to areas you can see. Be careful not to use expanding foam in areas that will cause the materials around to move too much, such as around window frames, unless the windows and doors are tightly closed in the frame. Expanding foam will bow the door and window frames so that you can’t close doors and windows later.

This is a good time to use a silicone lubricant, adding a few drops to hinges of doors. The stairs need to be addressed with care, especially hardwood finished treads, so as to not damage them. If you can get under the stairs, try using construction glue at joints before moving on to screws. Only treated, finished nails, adhesive-coated, will work from above. Be prepared to match the wood finish over the tiny nail heads. Good luck!

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There are better ways to resolve the immigration crisis

The raging debate over Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s policies and practices has potential long-term consequences for the nation that transcend the political partisanship of the moment. Let me say up front that I support ICE, and believe it serves an important national purpose. I also believe that constructive changes can be made in those policies and practices that will not undermine the agency’s underlying mission to enforce America’s immigration laws. As a grandson of immigrants who grew up in an immigrant environment, I strongly support legal immigration, which I believe is the lifeblood of our nation and has made us unique in the world. I emphasize “legal” because, especially in today’s world of drug cartels and violent gangs, it is vital that we know who it is we are inviting to live among us. There is also the reality that a country without borders isn’t really a country. It is generally accepted that the Biden administration allowed at least 10 million immigrants to enter the country illegally. If only 1 percent of that number were bad actors, it would mean that at least 100,000 potential drug dealers,

sex traffickers and gang members are loose on our streets and in our neighborhoods.

Some historical perspective: President Obama determined that 5 million undocumented immigrants in the country constituted a crisis, and during his administration more than 3 million were deported. Not only was there little or no media hysteria about Obama’s reliance on ICE, but it was actually hailed.

ICNN, which now runs antiICE stories almost 24/7, not only supported ICE, but had star reporter Pamela Brown accompany ICE agents on raids as they broke into homes in a sanctuary city in the dark of night to apprehend undocumented immigrants.

tions in Minneapolis is a major step in that direction. Administration officials like Stephen Miller setting arbitrary quotas of apprehensions makes no sense and is inevitably counterproductive.

CE remains an essential component, but raids no longer need to be as extensive.

In dealing with Minneapolis, however, it must be noted that almost no other city or state where ICE is operating has seen these kinds of disturbances, primarily because other elected leaders, and local and state law enforcement, cooperate with ICE. At a minimum, that means keeping demonstrators from getting in the faces of ICE agents or interfering with their operations.

will be accepted and implemented. But I would strongly oppose any requirement that ICE agents remove their masks. Despite the hysterics of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and others who shamelessly label ICE agents “Nazis” and “Gestapo,” wearing masks has become absolutely essential for them. There are well-organized, systematic efforts to identify and “dox” ICE agents and their families. In cases of their alleged improper actions, they can be identified for investigation by numbers on their uniforms.

While ICE remains an essential component of immigration enforcement, raids no longer need to be as extensive. President Trump’s strict border-enforcement policies have brought illegal immigration to the lowest levels in decades. It is virtually nonexistent.

While the law must be enforced, however, there is always room for reasonable discretion. There is no longer the need for dragnet-style raids. The time has come for a more surgical strategy, focusing almost entirely on criminal elements. Trump’s designation of border czar Tom Homan to oversee ICE opera-

Also, Minnesota, and Minneapolis, must agree to honor ICE detainers and turn over undocumented criminals in their prisons and jails before their release. This minimizes the possibility of fatal interactions. (It is slanderous and irresponsible for officials and critics to describe ICE agents as “murderers.” While investigations are ongoing, the reasonable interpretation of the multitude of videos we’ve all seen is that, at worst, there were heat-of-themoment reactions to unexpected incidents.)

Various “reforms” of ICE are being suggested, and I’m sure a number of them, such as the use of body cameras,

Now that the border is secure and the crisis is past, our elected officials should make reasonable immigration reforms. Those who are undocumented, but were brought to our country as children and have lived here for a specified period of time without incident, should be given a path to citizenship. There should be no attempts to track down undocumented people who are living here without bothering anyone. They should be urged to register and, after a certain period, be allowed to apply for residency.

It is to everyone’s benefit, and society’s gain, for people to be brought out from the shadows. With proper leadership and cooperation, we could be approaching a reasoned resolution of this divisive crisis.

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

Keep driverless cars off Long Island roads

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced that the state plans to test driverless forhire cars outside New York City. I’m a Long Island resident, and the idea of robot cars on our streets is scary. As a transportation professional with over 25 years of experience on the roadways of our communities, I know how extraordinarily unsafe a plan like this would make us. On Long Island, our cars are how life happens. Parents, kids, commuters and seniors are on the road every day, often navigating heavy traffic, construction and unpredictable weather. Spend five minutes on the Long Island Expressway at

rush hour, or near a busy school zone at the beginning or end of a school day, and it becomes clear why safety cannot be left to unproven technology.

And let’s be honest about what’s really going on here. The goal for these tech companies is New York City. Testing driverless cars just outside the city line is a sneaky way to move closer to that goal without facing the complexity, scrutiny and opposition that would come with starting in the city itself. In the meantime, Long Island is expected to carry the risks as the testing ground.

of the country. When you complicate that track record with a February snowstorm or a rainy evening rush hour here, the risks become obvious.

T he safety of so many drivers cannot be left to unproven technology.

Safety is where this proposal really starts to fall apart. Driverless cars have already stalled in traffic, blocked emergency vehicles, sped past school buses loading children and failed to handle basic roadway situations in other parts

And these risks aren’t just on paper — driverless cars are already hurting people. Reuters reported three weeks ago that a Waymo self-driving car hit a child during morning school drop-off near an elementary school in California. Federal regulators were investigating the incident, which raised serious questions about whether this technology can safely operate around children, parents and busy school zones. It should give every Long Island family pause.

The pressure behind the proposal to deploy more driverless cars is coming from powerful technology companies and executives like Elon Musk, who are focused on expanding their platforms

and opening new markets. Their priorities are driven by growth and investors’ demands, not by the realities of Long Island roads or the safety concerns of the families who live here.

Long Islanders tend to be practical. We care about safety, accountability and systems that work. Decisions that affect our roads and neighborhoods should reflect those values, not treat our communities as a steppingstone to somewhere else.

Governor Hochul should listen to the people who live and work here and understand these roads firsthand. Long Island should not be asked to bear unfair risks so that technology companies can inch closer to New York City. Transportation policy should put safety first. For Long Island, that means protecting our roads, our workers and the people who rely on them every day. We’re nobody’s guinea pigs.

Tom Gouldsbury is president of the Long Island Limousine Association.

Black History is Long Island history

every February, Black History Month arrives with familiar names and stories. We rightly honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman and other giants whose courage reshaped the nation. Their legacies deserve remembrance.

But for many people on Long Island, those stories might feel distant — heroic, yes, but abstract, having unfolded somewhere else, in another place at another time.

What often goes missing is the understanding that Black history did not only happen on the National Mall or in Southern courtrooms. It happened here. It happened in the neighborhoods we walk every day, in the schools our children attend, in churches tucked onto residential blocks, and in town halls where decisions quietly shaped who could live where, who could teach, who could lead and who could serve.

On Long Island, Black residents confronted segregated housing patterns long after the law said discrimination was over. Veterans returned home from fighting for democracy abroad only to find out that it did not fully extend to them in their own communities. Black educators pushed open doors in school districts where they were once excluded from classrooms except as students. Black churches became organizing centers, social safety nets and sources of political power when other institutions shut their doors.

King spoke at Rockville Centre’s South Side Junior High School — now

South Side Middle School — on March 26, 1968, just nine days before he was assassinated in Memphis. In his remarks, he spoke of poverty and injustice, and urged unity. People like Roslyn’s Hazel Dukes, who served as president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People from 1990 to 1992, made it their life’s work to combat pervasive housing discrimination in many of our communities.

These are not footnotes to history. They are history.

Local athletes who broke color barriers on high school fields, teachers who became the first Black faces in faculty rooms, small-business owners who built livelihoods despite limited access to credit, and community leaders who advocated for basic services all helped shape what our communities look like today. Their contributions did not always come with applause or recognition. Many are remembered only by those who lived through the changes, if they are remembered at all.

That absence matters. When history is presented only as something that happened “somewhere else,” it becomes easier to disconnect from it. It becomes symbolic rather than instructive.

But when Black history is grounded in familiar places — the elementary school you attended, the block where you grew up, the library or park you pass without a second thought — it becomes harder to ignore and easier to understand.

It also forces uncomfortable but necessary questions. Why do some figures

receive plaques and street names while others fade from memory? Why are certain struggles celebrated as defining moments, while local battles for fairness are overlooked? And what does it say about us if we fail to acknowledge the people who made our own communities more just, more open and more representative?

Black History Month should be an invitation to look closer, not just farther away. It should prompt school districts to examine whose stories are included in local curriculums. It should challenge libraries, historical societies and news organizations to document and elevate the experiences of Black residents who helped build these communities. It should encourage towns, villages and neighborhoods to ask whether public recognition truly reflects their full history.

This is not about diminishing national heroes. It is about completing the picture. National change is always the sum of local actions, people showing up to meetings, organizing neighbors, mentoring students, opening businesses and insisting on dignity in places where they were told to wait their turn.

For Black history to matter, it cannot live only in textbooks or documentaries. It must live where people live.

On Long Island, Black history did not unfold at a distance. It unfolded on our blocks, in our schools and in our town halls. Remembering that truth honors the past, helps us understand the present and reminds us that the next chapter of history is still being written, right here.

Framework by Tim Baker

We can deliver affordability with a historic tax cut

new Yorkers don’t experience the state budget in billions and balance sheets. They feel it at the kitchen table — when the utility bill arrives, when rent jumps (again), when child care costs nearly as much as a mortgage, and when too much of every paycheck disappears before it ever reaches a savings account.

The numbers tell the story families already know. New York ranks first in the nation in individual tax burden, second in total tax burden and fourth in property taxes. Endless regulations drive up the cost of housing, energy and doing business. Median home prices rank seventh nationally; auto insurance, third; health insurance, fifth; and the cost of child care is among the highest in the country.

Yet the governor’s $260 billion executive budget doubles down on the approach that created this crisis. State operating spending is set to grow 5.7 percent, pushing New York’s budget just above the combined size of Florida’s and Texas’s, even though those states have more than twice our population.

TDespite $17 billion in higher-thanexpected revenues, this plan treats the affordability crisis like a paper cut, a flimsy Band-Aid on a wound that demands real, lasting care.

To add to this, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently warned of a fiscal crisis worse than the Great Recession. His plan? More taxes and a bailout from Albany, using your dollars. Who’s going to start the next big job-creating business here with a 22 percent income tax rate? They won’t. They’ll go to Florida, Texas or North Carolina.

The Taxpayer Rescue Act would save the average New York family $5,000 per year.

Meanwhile, another report showed that the MTA, already receiving millions from the congestion pricing commuter tax, spent $1.5 billion on overtime — hundreds of millions over budget. Who pays? You do. This cycle of higher taxes, more spending and more regulations — while you get less — must stop.

Affordability doesn’t come from spending more. It comes from keeping government out of your pocket, letting you keep more of what you earn. That’s why I’ve introduced the Taxpayer Rescue Act, bold legislation that would deliver the largest personal income tax cut in state history. It would eliminate state income tax on the first $50,000 of

income for single filers, the first $75,000 for head-of-household filers and the first $100,000 for married couples. It would also lower the tax rate to 4 percent for middle-class earners and cap it at 5 percent below the millionaire threshold. Phased in over 10 years, it would provide $35 billion in tax relief, and save the average family $5,000 per year — without cutting funding for vital programs.

Affordability also means lowering everyday costs driven by Albany’s mandates and overregulation. Taxes, fees and surcharges can account for 25 to 50 percent of utility bills. Regulations can add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of building a single-family home. Child care costs force parents to choose between careers and care. These are policy choices — and they can be reversed.

Affordability also means ending Albany’s habit of reaching deeper into family budgets whenever spending gets out of control. That’s why I’ve sponsored legislation that would require a two-thirds supermajority vote to raise any tax, fee or surcharge. It would force bipartisan consensus, curb reckless tax hikes and finally bring accountability to a system that too often treats taxpayers as an unlimited revenue source.

I’m proud to have joined my Senate Republican conference in a series of affordability roundtables across the state, hearing from residents about the challenges they face every day. We hear you, and we’re taking action. We recently unveiled our affordability agenda: exempting tips and overtime from state income tax, freezing property taxes for three years, cutting bureaucratic red tape, returning nearly $1 billion in unused energy funds to ratepayers, slashing private water company bills by up to 30 percent, offering utility tax holidays, reducing costly housing mandates, and strengthening child care support with full funding, a $1,000 “baby bonus” and staffing flexibility for child care centers. If history repeats itself, this budget will only grow beyond $260 billion. Albany Democrats can’t seem to stop spending your hard-earned tax dollars. That’s why the Senate Republican conference will go line by line, calling out waste and fighting to hold the line for taxpayers. Saving New York means changing course. It means cutting taxes, lowering everyday costs, reducing regulations and putting working families first. Real affordability isn’t about bigger budgets — it’s about giving New Yorkers the freedom to build a future they can truly afford. I will keep fighting to make that a reality.

Steve Rhoads represents the 5th State Senate District.

Thirty days of the good, the bad and the ugly

he year 2025 was a dizzying one for all Americans. So many things happened in Washington that it would take about 50 pages of the Herald to walk readers through every one. Rather than take on that project, I prefer to write about January, and how we were impacted by the news of the month. I declare January the month of the good, the bad and the ugly.

Of the good things that happened, I’ll focus on the Cinderella story of Indiana University football quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Every time I think about him and his accomplishments, I can’t help but smile. If you love an example of perfection, Mendoza is exactly that. It starts with his decision to enroll at Indiana, which was roundly criticized by all of his supporters. Why would you go to a school that has never won a national championship? But Mendoza defied the taunts and joined that muchmaligned Hoosiers team.

Then, with smarts and determination, he guided the team to a 16-0 season and a national championship. He won the coveted Heisman Trophy and charmed all of America with his mature and impressive interviews. His displays of love for his wheelchair-bound mother were touching and memorable.

So the Mendoza story tops the good. The decision to send thousands of ICE and border-patrol agents to Minneapolis definitely tops January’s bad news. The Trump administration’s actions were poorly handled by Kristi Noem, the secretary of homeland security. Her instant labeling of Alex Pretti, the second Minnesotan shot by ICE agents, as a “domestic terrorist” was a reckless reaction to the death of a U.S. citizen with no criminal record.

crowds of protesters. The 600 members of the Minneapolis police force, who handled the George Floyd demonstrations, were the best people to deal with such a crisis, but they were bypassed.

F rom Fernando Mendoza to Alex Pretti to federal buildings in Philadelphia.

The White House staff, headed by close Trump adviser Stephen Miller, bungled every stage of the Pretti shooting, and poured more gasoline on the fire by labeling him an “assassin.” Miller and Noem were the wrong people to juggle a political crisis, and every step they took proved it. President Trump, who ordered the mass invasion into Minneapolis, was eventually forced to say he wanted to “de-escalate” the situation, but he’s stuck with the optics of a horrible event.

any references to slavery in numerous federal facilities.

The attempts to erase this sad chapter of American history are part of the run-up to the July Fourth observation of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Apparently, some people in the White House have decided that we must reflect only on the happy things that have happened during the past 250 years, but slavery is part of our history, and it can’t be wiped away. There are people who promote the idea that the Holocaust never happened, which is why we observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day each year.

The idea of drowning a major American city with thousands of law enforcement agents never made sense to begin with. Ask any respected police official about how the situation in Minneapolis was handled and he or she will tell you that the vast majority of the officers sent there were not trained to handle

There are so many things I could classify as ugly, but one stands out, because it has largely escaped public attention. A few weeks ago, a group of federal employees in Philadelphia were captured on local television removing historical materials relating to the history of slavery. This on top of media reports that the administration is taking a number of measures to eliminate

It’s hard to predict what the next 11 months are going to be like in our nation’s capital. There’s new evidence every day of our bitter partisan divide. The president’s postings on social media are often inflammatory. The tone that dominates the daily news is depressing. I wish there were a little more happy talk in our political world, but that, as Shakespeare said, is devoutly to be wished.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.

sTeve rhoads

JerrY KreMer