attending pFY’s 2025 pride gala at Westbury Manor on June 4 were tawni J. engel, center, pFY associate executive director; Marsha Silverman, left, glen Cove city councilmember; and Juli grey-owens, gender equality new York executive director. grey-owens and Silverman were honored for their commitment to LgBtQ+ advocacy.
By JACK SCHWED Intern
PFY, formerly Pride For Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ communities, hosts a fundraising gala each year to celebrate Pride, but this year’s event also served as a call to action.
The PFY’s 2025 Pride Gala, dubbed “Now More Than Ever,” was held at the Westbury Manor on June 4.
“Now, more than ever, not only does our agency need support, the whole community needs support,” Tawni J. Engel, PFY’s associate executive director, said. “We need people who are willing to speak up and speak out.”
Engel is responsible for securing corporate sponsorships for PFY fundraising events, such as the gala. In the past, she said, the organiza-
tion has received large donations, but this year, many corporations pulled out, resulting in the loss of thousands of dollars.
“That speaks to these corporations that were very much, just last June, waving their Pride flags on all of their marketing materials,” she said. “This year, they’ve completely pulled out and said, ‘No, we can’t put our face to this anymore because it’s too controversial.’”
PFY has also been receiving hateful comments on social media, Engel added.
“There’s a lot that we’re facing on a daily basis that is very, very stressful,” she said.
“(But) it’s just the tip of the iceberg of what’s going on across the country right now.”
At the gala, she aimed to educate attendees about the current political climate and its
Continued on page 11
By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
Vladimir Tate has been a mainstay at the Cure of Ars Church in Merrick for the past eight years, entertaining and enlightening the parishioners with his inspirational piano and organ playing. He performs at the Sunday masses, as well as weddings and funerals, and even rented space in the Parish Center to start his own music school.
into the Children’s Music School, where he performed his first recital at age nine.
That night turned into a premonition.
“It was a big event because it’s very rare for someone who is that young can play a solo concert,” he recalled. “I played everything by memory, the whole program. It was about 30-40 minutes, and after that, because it was successful as well, I saw the reaction of the people and they liked it and everything. I felt good and, at that time, I decided that that’s what I wanted to do.”
I heard him play and I thought, ‘Oh my God!’
PAtRICIA RyAN
Co-music
But what the congregants may not know is that Tate, just 35, is also an internationallyrenowned musician who has performed all over the world -collecting numerous awards and honors along the way -- and has released four albums that covered classical pieces by Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Chopin and Tchaikovsky among others.
director
at
Cure of Ars Church
Born Vladimir Tiagunov in Temirtau, Kazakhstan, in 1989, Tate and his family moved to Nizhny, Russia when he was three and he began playing the piano under the tutelage of his father, Boris, three years later. Tate was eventually accepted
Tate would go on to practice about 4-5 hours a day and his hard work would later earn him a master’s degree at the Chelyabinsk State Academy of the Culture and Arts, where he studied under the person that would prove to be his mentor, Professor Evgeny Levitan.
“He had a huge influence on me when I was his student,” he said. “I was always listening to his advice, and I would ask him questions and whatever was happening in my life as well
Continued on page 2
merrick for the past eight years.
and I would trust him. I would ask him what to do for advice. I believe he’s one of the best teachers ever.”
Tate’s musical talents took him all over the world to places like Ukraine, where he earned first-place in the International Music Competition “21st Century Art” competition in 2010, Spain, Germany, and Poland. But soon he faced a crossroads as to how to develop his musical career. With opportunities scarce for classical music performers in Russia, his dad suggested moving to another country.
He considered places in Europe but ultimately chose the United States in late 2013. Tate went through the usual struggles of an immigrant with learning a new language, figuring out living arrangements, and how to support himself. But he eventually settled into Fresh Meadows, Queens, with a teaching job, and later West Hempstead before moving into his new digs in East Meadow about three months ago.
“Everything felt new at that time when I came here and I had to figure out a lot of things on my own regarding how to get different documents here, for example, and getting my driver’s license,” he said. “But at the same time, it was very interesting and fascinating, and I loved it. I love this country.”
A year after winning the prize for best piano technique at the Forte International Competition in Carnegie Hall, Tate joined the Church of Ars in 2017 and is the musical co-director along with Patricia Ryan. A pastor at the church heard about a Russian who was teaching at the Long Island Conservatory in Albertson, Queens, and invited Tate to audition. Ryan immediately knew that he was the person they were looking for.
“I heard him play and I thought, ‘Oh my God!’ she said. “I quickly hired him and started working with him. He was very intelligent. He’s a very ambitious, talented, man.”
Ryan said the parishioners were unaware of Tate’s story when he first arrived at the Cure of Ars, but they soon learned quickly that they had a
prodigy in their midst. Tate even expanded his repertoire to include some jazz music, and he began to adapt with the other performers and Ryan‘s style during rehearsals.
“He has a lot of energy,” Ryan said. “And I have a lot of energy, so I say to the choir, ‘You guys have to keep up with us.’ I’ll be conducting like a wild person and he’s keeping up with me. He’s never worked with a choir or professional singers when he came over, so he gets it very quickly and his musical instincts are fantastic.”
Even the choir members are impressed.
“We feel extremely lucky to have this young man help us grow musically in the church,” said two-year member Alicia McManus.
At the same time, Tate released four piano classical music albums – all in 2020 -- and started the Merrick School of Music in the Parish Center two years later, where students, some of which have already won competitions, can learn a wide range instruments as well as dance. He also founded the Long Island Music Magazine, which focuses on local artists.
Tate has not returned to Russia since emigrating, with Covid and the current conflict between his homeland and Ukraine making it nearly impossible. His older brother, niece, and nephew still reside there as does his mother, Olga, who visits occasionally despite having to travel to Turkey to obtain her visa to come to the U.S.
“My mom, thank God, is able to come here, even though it’s so difficult that way,” he said. “But she is very happy when she comes here, and she can spend some time with me.”
Despite having a “KEYMASTR” licenses plate on his car, Tate said he hasn’t really reflected on his quick and abundant success and just wants to continue teaching and inspiring with music. He will also embark on a new chapter in his life with his recent engagement to fiancée Franceska.
“I just try to [focus on] those ideas I have regarding music,” he said. “I just try to make them come alive.”
Merrick Avenue Middle School’s Class of 2025 celebrated its moving up with two ceremonies on the school’s turf field on June 13.
The ceremony began with a performance from vocal group Word of Mouth, under the direction of Dana Brandwein.
Principal Katelyn Dunn then took the stage, along with Assistant Principals Nicole Rhodes and Nathalie Job, as well as Superintendent of Schools Michael Harrington and Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Eric Gomez.
She expressed her “adoration, gratitude and hope” for this year’s graduating class.
“You’ve shown us time and time again what it means to be a community,” she said. “Not just in the way you cheer for each other or help others with their lockers or greet teachers with a smile, but in a way that you carry yourselves with kindness, empathy and respect.”
Dunn added that this class “kept her on her toes, but in the best ways.”
“You asked the important questions, you spoke up when something didn’t feel right, you included others, you set up lunch meetings and appointments to talk about ways you want to raise money, you laughed easily and you showed how you care very deeply,” she said.
Hope Brugge, Grace Colapinto, Liam Mahoney and Emma Makowsky, student speakers from their respective teams, also addressed the crowd.
Madison Figuero, from left, Kaylee Flores, and Erin Forie were among the MAMS graduates.
Sophie Reese, a senior at John F. Kennedy High School, and Samantha Chaiken, a senior at Sanford H. Calhoun High School, both provided insight into what is to come in high school.
— Jack Schwed
By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
Local residents Jordan Breslow and Tina Baron will be featured in the chorus of Gilbert & Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore,” a new production of the classic comic opera, presented by the Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island.
Performing in the theatre has been nothing new for Bellmore’s Breslow, who has been with the company since 2009. He was most recently seen as Bob Cratchit in 2024’s ”A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol,” and this time plays a member of the crew of the Pinafore, anchored off of Portsmouth.
Baron, who also resides in Bellmore, is in her first season with the company. She will play one of Sir Joseph Porter’s entourage of sisters, cousins and aunts.
Courtesy Delaney R. Page
Bellmore residents Jordan Breslow, right, and Tina Baron are featured in the chorus of the Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island’s 2025 production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore.
Director David Macaluso complimented both for being strong members of the ensemble.
“Jordan comes to it with a veteran’s eye, having done Gilbert & Sullivan for the past 15 years and being thoroughly familiar with Pinafore,” Macaluso said. “Tina brings the freshness and enthusiasm as a newcomer, and they both are clearly having a lot of fun. That they’re good friends offstage only adds to the good time they’re both having.”
The plot centers on the love story of Josephine, the captain’s heart-driven daughter who is torn between devotion and duty. She is betrothed to the wealthy, high-ranking politician Sir Joseph Porter, the First Lord of the Navy, but her heart yearns for the lowly, earnest and strangely eloquent sailor, Ralph Rackstraw. As the sinister Dick Deadeye warns them, love across the boundaries of rank is
unheard of, but will he take measures to thwart the lovers? The love story is mirrored by the cheerful shipboard saleswoman Little Buttercup, who hints at a dark secret and a furtive love of her own.
“H.M.S. Pinafore is buoyant,” Macaluso said. “It has an effervescent story with heart, and our talented cast brings these colorful characters to life through a trove of quintessential G&S songs. H.M.S. Pinafore was a global phenomenon when it premiered, and its combination of exciting music and comic wit has charmed audiences for 147 years. It’s as bright as ever.”
The remaining performances will take place at the Jeanne Rimsky Theatre in Port Washington on Saturday, June 28, at 8 p.m. and the Star Playhouse at the Suffolk Y JCC in Commack on June 29. Admission is $35 at the door (seniors/students $30), and $30 in advance (seniors/ students $25).
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In April of 2015, these two Nobel Peace Prize laureates celebrated His Holiness’s 80th birthday by meeting for a week at the Tibetan leader’s exiled home in Dharamshala, India. Their purpose? To answer the question: How do we find joy in the face of life’s inevitable suffering?
“From the moment of birth, every human being wants to discover happiness and avoid suffering. Sadly, many of the things that undermine our joy and happiness we create ourselves. Often it comes from the negative tendencies of the mind, emotional reactivity, or from our inability to appreciate and utilize the resources that exist within us. We create most of our suffering. So it should be logical that we also have the ability to create more joy. It simply depends on the attitudes, the perspectives, and the reactions we bring to situations and to relationships with other people. When it comes to personal happiness there is a lot that we as
individuals can do”, says the Dalai Lama
“The problem is that our world and our education focuses on external, materialistic values. We are not concerned enough with inner values. I believe everyone has the responsibility to develop a happier world. We need, ultimately, to have a greater concern for others’ well-being. In other words, kindness or compassion, which is lacking now. We must pay more attention to our inner values. We must look inside,” he further states.
Lasting joy – joy as a way of being – arises from the serenity of deep well-being and benevolence, say the authors.
A strong sense of concern for the well-being of others will make you happy in the morning, says the Dalai Lama, even before coffee. Even ten minutes of meditating on compassion, on kindness to others, and you will see its effects all day. That’s the way to maintain a calm and joyous mind.
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
Donning the uniforms of the past two collegiate national champions, Ohio State and Michigan, respectively, added a special touch to last Saturday’s inaugural National Football Foundation All-Star Classic featuring the top high school seniors from Long Island and New York City at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium.
After the Boomer Esiason Foundation enjoyed a tremendous 24-year run presenting the Empire Challenge game culminating in 2019, its replacement
made a striking debut despite real-feel temperatures in the upper 80s.
Long Island, behind Islip quarterback Brady Nash, Garden City running back Michael Berkery, Westhampton kicker/safety Brody Schaffer and a run defense as stifling as the weather, led after every quarter of a 33-15 victory before a crowd of 1,500. Nash completed 10 of 14 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a score to earn the Boomer Esiason Player of the Game award.
“The last time this game was played, we were all in sixth grade,” said Nash, who completed scoring strikes to Berk-
ery and Half Hollow Hills West’s Jesse Brooks. “As the week went on, it got more and more serious. You could tell how much it meant to everyone,” he added.
Schaffer went 4-for-4 on extra points, booted a 24-yard field goal and had a game-sealing interception late in the fourth quarter, and Massapequa’s Tyler Villalta added a touchdown run for Long Island, which compiled a topnotch coaching staff led by Garden City’s Dave Ettinger.
Carey head coach Mike Stanley, who led the Seahawks to last season’s LI Class II title and a perfect 12-0 campaign, served as the offensive coordinator. Reade Sands, who coached Sayville to the Suffolk Division III title last fall, ran the defense. Additional highly successful coaches on the L.I. staff were Manhasset’s Jay Iaquinta, who enjoyed lengthy stints in Lynbrook and Hewlett, Wantagh’s Keith Sachs, who led the Warriors to the Conference IV title last fall, Oceanside’s Rob Blount, Longwood’s Sean Kluber, Half Hollow Hills East’s Alex Marcelin, BayportBlue Point’s Mike Zafonte and St. Anthony’s Joe Minucci.
Angelo Portillo (Sachem North) formed a wall all afternoon.
Long Island’s lead swelled to 23-9 by halftime. An early turning point came on the first play of the second quarter when a bad snap over the head of New York City punter Andrew Stosko (Xaverian) resulted in a safety to make it 9-3.
“This is such an awesome experience for the kids,” Stanley said. “Their attention to detail in practice was outstanding and they did a really nice job of executing on both sides of the ball.”
Lincoln’s quarterback-receiver tandem of Kory Reese and Solomon DeCoteau hooked up for both New York City touchdowns.
New York City/Erasmus Hall head coach Danny Landberg said logistics were a challenge and several obstacles prevented the team from having a full roster at any practice. “It was fun to be a part of this but it was really difficult to come to Long Island two hours each way for practices,” he said. “We made four of the eight sessions and attendance varied.”
Long Island trailed 3-0 before Nash directed an 11-play, 68-yard scoring drive capped by his 2-yard touchdown run. The starting O-line with center Clint Chichester (Longwood), tackles Dylan Kakareko (Oceanside) and Howie Silverstein (Carey), and guards Brennan Kurtz (Ward Melville) and
Carey’s Chrisian Todaro returned the ensuing free kick 26 yards to the NYC 35 and Long Island’s offense needed only four plays to take a 16-3 lead on Villalta’s 2-yard touchdown run. Both offenses reached paydirt on their next possessions. A 40-yard pass from Reese to another Lincoln teammate, Gicah Paul, set up DeCoteau’s 12-yard touchdown grab to cut the margin to 16-9 after a failed two-point conversion try. Long Island answered with Berkery’s 37-yard touchdown catch.
Long Island’s defense, led by run stuffers Bellport’s Trevon Holland and Wantagh’s Shareef McMillian, pitched a shutout in the third quarter and Schaffer’s field goal extended the lead to 26-9 entering the fourth.
Freeport’s Curtis Ealy III and Bayport-Blue Point’s Dylan Spano had sacks for Long Island, which outgained NYC by a 339-232 margin.
“We got the win and it was so much fun,” Nash said. “I’m a Notre Dame fan but it’s cool we get to keep these jerseys.”
The future of soccer in Merrick and Bellmore is extremely bright thanks to a group of young boys who have ripped through the competition in recent months.
Winning has become the norm for the U10 Merrick Sharks Academy travel soccer team with first-place finishes in two different leagues as well as several tournament victories. Their run began last summer with wins during the LERSC Summer Showdown and John Jay Labor Day tournaments last summer and that success carried over into the spring season, when they claimed the Baymen Easter, Hershey, and Platinum Challenge Cups while also finishing first in the LIJSL Premier and EDP Division 1 leagues.
The boys’ most recent victory was a 2-0 win over Chelsea Piers that gave them the EDP Cup at the SUSA Orlin & Cohen Sports Complex in Central Islip on June 22.
The team is coached by Manfred Kapper, and his 11-player roster has players from both the Merrick and Bellmore areas. They include Angelo Amanna, Ryan Biscardi, Max Findlay, Max Kopelowitz, Reid Londis, Leo Mahindra, Liam Matos, Christian Nicholson, Giuseppe Nicolosi, Donagh O’Grady, and Nicholas Spataro.
“We’re so proud of the boys for working so hard,” said team manager Lori Biscardi, who formerly coached the Calhoun
Center midfielder Christian Nicholson has played like the famous Cristiano Ronaldo by using the acrobatic bicycle kick to score goals.
High School girls’ soccer team. “They practice three times a week and we try to play as much soccer as possible, even through the winter. “
Amanna is a consistent goal scorer at striker despite being one of the younger players on the roster. He had a breakaway goal in a 5-1 win over the NYC Soccer Club at Islip on June 21 before getting both tallies in the cup clincher.
Center midfielder Nicholson had a hat trick in the first half against the NYC Soccer Club and has been known to score using the acrobatic bicycle kick this season. Ryan Biscardi also scored against NYC and anchors a stellar defense that
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August 17
By MADISON GUSLER & CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD of the Heralds
Final part in a series on the Southern State Parkway.
State.
In April, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $7 million plan to reconfigure ramps at Exit 15 of the parkway. The state will eliminate the southbound exit ramp, and all traffic will exit via a redesigned northbound ramp. Exit 15N will consolidate both north- and southbound traffic entering the intersection at Corona Avenue. The changes aim to improve traffic flow for the more than 8,000 vehicles that use those ramps each day.
The Southern State Parkway is one of the busiest highways in New York state. It opened in 1927, and its original design has not been able to meet the demands of Long Island’s increased population and consistent roadway congestion, which has resulted in many deadly crashes.
Nearly 100 years later, work on the 25.3-mile parkway has ramped up, in an effort to ensure the roadway’s safety, and longevity.
Stephen Canzoneri, a public information officer for the state Department of Transportation Region 10, noted that New York has one of the most aggressive road and bridge renewal programs in the United States, and that it is investing more in the modernization of its transportation infrastructure now than at any point in the state’s history.
Canzoneri explained that a $34.1 billion, five-year capital plan adopted in 2022 to invest in major infrastructure projects is the largest of its kind in state history. This plan, which is entering its fourth year, includes substantial investments in modernizing roads and bridges on Long Island, including the Southern
At the end of the ramp, a new traffic signal will be installed, as well as crosswalks, a pedestrian refuge island, and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalk ramps. The westbound connection to the parkway from Corona Avenue will be enlarged for easier left turns, accompanied by improved signage to better direct drivers.
There will also be a reconfiguring of Exit 13, with a new single exit ramp providing access to both Central Avenue and Linden Boulevard. The entrance ramp from Central Avenue to the eastbound Southern State will be rebuilt, the traffic signal will be updated with pedestrian countdown timers, and the sidewalks along Central Avenue, between Stuart Avenue and Linden Boulevard, will be improved. This project is currently in the design phase, with construction expected to begin construction in 2027 Enhancements at Exit 41A, from the eastbound Southern State to the northbound Sagtikos State Parkway, include increased safety measures. In 2024, new
U.S.
reflective signs were installed and pavement markings were added. This year the ramp will undergo concrete pavement work, and a new concrete barrier will be installed.
Between 2021 and 2024, a significant portion of the parkway and several ramps were resurfaced with new asphalt, and highly reflective pavement markings were installed in an effort to increase driver safety. In an email to the Herald, Assemblyman Michael Durso, whose District 9 encompasses towns in both Nassau and Suffolk counties, wrote that in 2023, Wrong Way and Do Not Enter signs were refreshed or installed at all parkway ramps.
“Safety is always the top priority of the New York State Department of Transportation,” Canzoneri said. “We
continuously review safety measures in place on all our highways on Long Island and across the state, implementing enhancements wherever it is necessary.”
Safety improvements rely on responsible driving Canzoneri noted that safety is everyone’s responsibility.
“Working with our partners in law enforcement, local government and the community, we will continue to do our part to ensure the safety of our roadways. But motorists must do their part,” he said. “We urge everyone to obey the rules of the road, drive responsibly and remain alert, especially in work zones.”
Durso echoed Cazoneri’s sentiment
that safety is a shared responsibility, writing that “all of the wrong way crashes that occur along the Southern State Parkway have involved impaired drivers.”
However, Durso noted an ongoing effort to address roads that have become unsafe. “As Assemblyman, I continue to work with the New York State Department of Transportation to pass along concerns from constituents and identify areas that can be improved,” he said. “Safety is my top priority.”
U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, who represents the 4th Congressional District, which includes Exits 13 to 28 on the parkway, serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, as well as the Science, Space and Technology Committee. Gillen recently sent an open letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy about a spike in traffic fatalities.
Working with our partners in law enforcement, government and the community, we will continue to do our part to ensure the safety of our roadways, but motorists must do their part.
STEPHEN CANzONERI State Dept. of Transportation
“Traffic crashes are the single leading cause of accidental death among young people on Long Island, and the second-leading cause for all residents under the age of eighty,” she wrote. “Every seven minutes on average, a serious traffic accident happens on Long Island. The failure to secure our roads has led to thousands of lives being cut short, families being ripped apart, and a terrible void left in too many communities.”
Gillen urged Duffy and the DOT to open an investigation into these accidents, and advocated for larger investments to improve roadways and increase driver safety. She is also pushing for the state to lower the legal blood alcohol limit.
“Many road safety groups have endorsed lowering our drunk-driving limit to a blood alcohol content of .05,” Gillen wrote in an email to the Herald, noting evidence that lowering the limit reduces the number of accidents and saves lives. She noted that the state of Utah, which lowered its drunk-driving threshold to .05 in 2018, saw a nearly 20 percent drop in fatal car crashes over the next calendar year.
“There is already a push to bring this limit to New York at the state level, and I’m exploring federal options to make this the law of the land across America,” she wrote.
Gillen also mentioned distracted
New York State Department of Transportation
a draft of plans for the Southern State parkway’s exit 15, where two exits are being replaced by one.
the parkway near exit 13. “We need to increase high-visibility traffic enforcement,”
driving and speeding motorists. “My plan to make our roads safer includes stepping up enforcement on reckless and dangerous driving,” she wrote.
“That means giving our law enforcement agencies the tools and resources to police unsafe driving.”
Gillen stated that it’s crucial that
drivers reduce their speeds. “No matter what day or time you drive on the Southern State Parkway, there are people recklessly speeding and street racing,” she wrote. “We need to increase highvisibility traffic enforcement, and I’ll continue to push for New York State to increase the number of troopers on the
Southern State Parkway and other Long Island roads to keep people safe.”
“It’s important to remember that safety is everyone’s responsibility,” Durso wrote. “We remind residents to abide by the posted speed limit, put down your cellphone, and never drink and drive.”
Grand Avenue Middle School’s Class of 2025 celebrated its moving up with three ceremonies on the school’s turf field on June 13.
Vocal group Grand Voices, led by director Amanda Cantwell, kicked off the ceremony with two songs. Vocalist and eighth grader Ava Andrews sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” for all three ceremonies.
Principal Carlo Conte was joined on stage by Assistant Principals James Mollica and Chris Riccardi, as well as Superintendent of Schools Michael Harrington, Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Eric Gomez, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Scott Bersin and Assistant Superintendent of Business Mikaela Coni.
Conte used life lessons from Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham” as an analogy for students stepping out of their comfort zone.
“You tried new things, you took chances — maybe you tried out for the school play even though you were nervous or maybe you raised your hand in science class even though you weren’t totally sure about the answer,” he said. “That, my friends, is growth.”
Conte added that more choices and challenges lie ahead for these eighth graders.
“More chances to say, I don’t like this or that,” he began. “Let’s add to that sentence the word ‘yet.’”
Safa Ahmad, Caroline Maxon and Lucas Senicola, student speakers from their respective teams, also addressed the crowd.
Samantha Bremer and Luke Yepez, seniors at Wellington C. Mepham High School, and Zachary Greenseid, a senior at John F. Kennedy High School, offered advice on navigating high school.
— Jack Schwed
impact on the LGBTQ+ communities. She stated that recent efforts to pass antiLGBTQ+ legislation can be likened to “rolling back the clock 50 years,” which has left her clients “hurting.”
Engel said the Bellmore-based PFY tries to provide a space where people can feel welcome and comfortable being themselves. Of the 35 programs and services that the organization offers, she said, an increased need for counseling services has stood out.
“People really (need) support mentally and emotionally and (to come) together and (feel) a solidarity with their community,” she said.
Around 200 people attended the June 4 gala, raising about $80,000. In previous years, the organization also received a grant, enabling it to expand services beyond just LGBTQ+ youth, which led to the adoption of the PFY acronym.
During the gala, Juli Grey-Owens, executive director of Gender Equality New York, and Glen Cove City Councilmember Martha Silverman were honored for their commitment to LGBTQ+ advocacy. Grey-Owens founded the nonprofit GENY in 2019 to advocate for transgender, gender nonbinary and intersex New Yorkers.
Last June, Nassau County banned transgender athletes from playing at county-owned facilities on teams aligned with their gender identity. Since then,
GENY has held several transgender rights rallies, including one on May 31.
“We held a large transgender rights rally to make sure that people were aware of the fact that we’re still here,” GreyOwens said. “We still exist, and the attacks on our community should stop.”
Access to gender-affirming healthcare, especially for those under age 19, is one aspect of the transgender community under attack. Eliminating this would prohibit a transgender girl from receiving
hormone blockers, which can pause puberty while she decides whether she wants to transition, Grey-Owens said. She explained that this would cause the girl to undergo male puberty, resulting in the development of an Adam’s apple, a deep voice and facial hair. She said this can heighten gender dysphoria, a disconnect between one’s biological sex and gender identity, which can range in intensity from “manageable to debilitating.”
GENY is pushing the passage of Shield Law 2.0, which would expand protections for gender-affirming and reproductive healthcare.
Grey-Owens wants people to realize that being transgender is not tragic or a result of confusion or sickness, but rather a positive identity.
“We want people to understand that you don’t necessarily have to understand someone’s gender identity to be able to support it,” she said. “If you love someone, you believe in them, you trust them and you support them.”
Silverman, who’s running for mayor of Glen Cove, has hosted a Pride flag-raising event every year since becoming a member of the Glen Cove City Council.
“I’m really proud that we have the event and fly the flag, showing that Glen Cove is welcoming to everyone,” she said.
“To this day, people are not treated equally,” she noted. “Until every single person, regardless of race, religion, gender identity and sexuality, is treated equally, Pride is a necessity.”
Silverman said people could work to uplift the LGBTQ+ communities by having conversations.
“I hope someday we can get to the point where we don’t need to celebrate our differences,” Silverman said. “But, until every single person is treated equally, we need to. We need to celebrate our differences, so we recognize our similarities.”Continued from
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Fandom conventions are a haven for lovers of comics, movies and TV series, where they can dress up as characters from their favorite franchises without anyone batting an eye.
Merrick Library will be dedicating a day exclusively to their very own fandom convention: “MerriCon,” which will take place July 19 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. People of all ages are welcome and encouraged to dress up in family-friendly cosplay.
Attendees can participate in various arts and crafts activities, such as Harry Potter wand-making, Pokémon card-crafting, a superhero drawing workshop for kids and a slime lab led by NYC Ghostbusters, a nonprofit Ghostbusters charity group.
For those feeling nostalgic, a Saturday morning cartoon lounge will also be available, accompanied by a bowl of cereal. Other activities include a pop-up arcade, board games and themed photo ops. In typical fandom convention fashion, there will be an artist alley, where dozens of vendors, artists and exhibitors will be selling comics, artwork and collectibles.
Author-illustrator Penny Schneider and special effects artist Carl Paolino, known for his work on MTV’s Celebrity Deathmatch, will both be making appearances as well.
Fans of Japanese manga and anime can peruse the library’s growing manga collection along with an exhibit featuring digital anime and manga art.
Throughout the day, attendees can join fan panels covering a wide range of topics, including retro gaming, Marvel and Star Wars. Those in costume can also enter a cosplay contest.
Merrick Library is located at 2279 Merrick Ave, Merrick, NY. Regular library services will not be available on the day of the convention. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
For further information, visit MerrickLibrary.org or call (516) 377-6112.
— Jack Schwed
By Danielle Schwab
The proud culture and legacy of Shinnecock Nation will be full display soon, representing the region’s cherished heritage. Everyone is invited to celebrate the arrival of a newly crafted dugout canoe at the museum, on June 30.
The Arrival Ceremony — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — is an opportunity for connection with our Indigenous community. Traditional songs, music and remarks from community leaders and culture bearers provide gratitude, context and a spiritual welcome as the canoe is greeted at its new home. Families can also participate in hands-on activities and sample traditional Native foods.
• June 30, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• View the LICM events calendar at licm.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800
• Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City
The 10-foot 500-pound white pine mishoon, commissioned by Long Island Children’s Museum, was created through the collaboration of Shinnecock Cultural Steward Chenae Bullock, her mentor Darius Coombs of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and apprentice Shane Weeks of the Shinnecock Nation.
Named “Pewea Koowa,” or “Little Pine,” the vessel reflects the enduring relationship between Long Island’s waterways and the Indigenous communities who have lived in balance with the region’s waterways for generations.
“One of the most important things is for us to understand that the indigenous population is still here, as an active, living part of our community. We’re often taught ‘that’s the old times’ or ‘that was hundreds of years ago,’ when actually, no, they’re here. They’re part of us,” Museum President Erika Floreska says.
Carving the mishoon involves deep care — rooted in ancestral knowledge. It was crafted by hollowing out a 1,700-pound white pine tree using fire, controlled burning and hand tools — a method passed down through the generations.
“The best way to learn is to be an apprentice, because you have to know how to identify the right tree for the vessel,” says Bullock, who guided the project (her seventh mishoon) as lead artisan.
“You strip the bark off. You get the log right where you want it to be. Then, you roll it over and begin to start the fire on top of the log,” Bullock explains. “Once you light that fire, your eyes do not leave that mishoon at all. You are on that mishoon until it is complete.
“Paddling a mishoon in Shinnecock waters was a profoundly special experience for me. Throughout my life, I have crafted numerous mishoons, participated in a handful of maiden voyages, and paddled in many of them. However, this particular journey was unparalleled, as it took place in my home waters. Water holds memory, and I believe that in this moment, we unlocked memories for our community, as well as for the land and water that we cherish.”
Symbols carved into the vessel offer further cultural meaning. Bullock added a whale tail to honor the importance of whales in Indigenous life here.
“It begins to teach the kids what these mishoons were used for. It’s kind of hard for people to think about how our ancestors took these mishoons and actually hunted whales. Whales are a big part of our culture,” Bullock adds.
The mishoon will be placed in the museum’s upcoming permanent exhibit, “Saltwater Stories: We Need the Sea and the Sea Needs Me”, opening In October.
“It’s important to celebrate what makes Long Island unique and this connection to the ocean, but also our responsibility for taking care of it. The mishoon is a really good representation of the history, the ecology and the climate,” Floreska says.
In the spirit of reciprocity, resources for a second mishoon will be gifted to the Shinnecock community in September.
“The tradition of gifting and showing reciprocity in relationships is very important to represent the balance between each other. The idea of them gifting [the mishoon] to us, us gifting to them, is very symbolic,” she adds.
Everyone can also contribute to the making of a wampum belt from quahog clam shells, led by artist and educator Tecumseh Caesar during the event.
This ongoing collaboration between Indigenous communities and the museum offers meaningful ways for families to explore deep connections — not only to the land and water, but to histories that continue to shape the present.
“There’s a whole culture that we’ve inherited and that we have a responsibility to include and think about as we all work together to shape the future,” Floreska reminds us all.
Get The Led Out
Led Zeppelin fans, rejoice! Get The Led Out returns with “A Celebration of the Mighty Zep,” for two electrifying nights of classic rock, The six veteran musicians who make up the Philadelphia-based group delivers Led Zeppelin live with the all passion and fury these bluessoaked, groove-driven rock anthems deserve. Hailed for their powerful tribute to what many consider the greatest rock band of all time, the band delivers a faithful and highoctane recreation of Zeppelin’s iconic sound. From thunderous anthems to mystical acoustic ballads, GTLO captures the full range of Led Zeppelin’s brilliance — complete with the layered instrumentation and soaring dynamics that the band rarely performed live. . With no wigs or phony accents, just pure musical passion, GTLO focuses on the legendary band’s early years and dives deep into beloved hits and rare cuts alike. Their approach is reverent and precise, more like a classical concert than a cover band — a true celebration of timeless rock.
Friday and Saturday, June 27-28, 8 p.m. $75, $45, $35. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Paula Poundstone
Get ready for an evening of razor-sharp humor and brilliantly unpredictable comedy with the one and only Paula Poundstone. When she’s not dishing out laughs as a beloved panelist on NPR, she’s hosting her wildly popular podcast, Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone. It’s a quirky “comedy field guide to life,” filled with offbeat segments like taste tests, “cat of the week” tributes, and interviews. Her stand-up résumé is as robust as it is hilarious, with HBO specials like “Cats, Cops and Stuff, Goes to Harvard” and “Look What the Cat Dragged In.” In 2017, she added “bestselling author” to her list of accomplishments with “The Totally Unscientific Study Of The Search For Human Happiness “— a laugh-out-loud account of her quirky quest for joy. Oh, and if her voice sounds familiar to your kids? That’s because she played Forgetter Paula in “Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out.”
Friday, June 27, 8 p.m. $65, $55, $45. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
26,
North Bellmore Public Library kicks off its Summer Reading Program with the return of its popular free outdoor movie night. This year’s theme is “Color Our World,” aimed at increasing awareness of the fact that art is all around us; you need only to look for it. The movie is shown on the library’s lawn.
• Where: 1551 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: northbellmorelibrary. org/summerconcert
As a part of Merrick Library’s Apples to Oranges New York to Florida series, all are invited to a screening of “The Last Resort.” The 70-minute documentary, winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2018 Miami Jewish Film Festival, captures photographers Andy Sweet and Gary Monroe’s vivid portraits of Miami Beach’s Jewish retiree community in the 1970s. With a raffle and refreshment. No registration is required.
• Where: 2279 Merrick Ave., Merrick
• Time: 1 p.m.
• Contact: merricklibrary.org or call (516) 377-6112
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s unveils its new exhibition, “At Play,” a survey of artists’ perennial fascination with entertainment in all forms. Framing this topic between the nineteenth century Belle Époque and today, the exhibit includes works by Pablo Picasso, Reginald Marsh, Everett Shinn, and Max Beckmann among many others. Works are gathered to represent a wide range of expressions, from entertainment-related activities to the fascinating personalities involved. It encompasses dance, music, theater, movies, circus, boating, and beach scenes, along with horseracing and various sports, both active and passive Also featured are archival items from The Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic, including costumes by Marc Chagall for Die Zauberflöte, vintage fashion items by such designers as Alfred Shaheen, and iconic costumes from the Folies-Bergère in Paris. On view June 28 to Nov. 9.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: Ongoing
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
• Where: Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
Join members of the Astronomical Society of Long Island for a nighttime skywatching session at Old Westbury Gardens. Free with admission.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
TD Bank ‘Celebrate America’ Eisenhower Park welcomes the annual TD Bank Celebrate America Fireworks and Show. Enjoy tunes with Chicken Head and Glenn Strange Band, followed by fireworks. As always, bring seating. Rain date is July 5.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
Independence Day Walk/Run Bellmore Striders hosts its annual Independence Day 4-mile Run and Walk through the streets of Bellmore.
Ride in support of others. The Nassau Bicycle Challenge (formerly Nassau to Suffolk Bicycle Challenge) supports the work of the Kiwanis Club of North Shore Foundation. It supports charities such as Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center, Pediatric Lyme Disease Foundation, Kamp Kiwanis, NOSH, Boys and Girls Club and charities aligned with those of Kiwanis International “Serving the Children of the World”, including Kiwanis’ signature programs of Klothes 4 Kids, Koats 4 Kids and Kicks 4 Kids. The beautiful ride through the Gold Coast features picturesque vistas and water views. Choose from a 25 mile loop with 1,060 feet of vertical climb or the more challenging ride with an additional 10 mile loop, totalling 35 miles, with 1,600 feet of vertical climb. Routes are clearly marked and ride is equipped with a rest stop. Snacks and water provided. Sponsorships also available. Online registration ends June 24, but walk-ins are welcome. Online registration is $50, day of is $60.
• Where: Starting at Harry Tappen Beach, Sea Cliff
• Time: Staggered starts, rain or shine
• Contact: n2nbc.org
by Nassau County Poet Laureates
Visit Nassau County Museum of Art for this inaugural poetry event. Join current Nassau County Poet Laureate, writermusician-educator Alan Semerdjian who hosts readings by former Laureates Paula Curci, Evelyn Kandel, Linda Opyr, and Gayl Teller. Readings will respond to the artwork on view in NCMA’s new exhibition “At Play – Artists & Entertainment.” Pre-registration recommended. $15, $10 seniors, $5 children, members free.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: 4-6 p.m.
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
Book discussion: ‘The Great Alone’
Visit North Bellmore library for a discussion about Kristin Hannah’s “The Great Alone.”
• Where: 1551 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Contact: northbellmorelibrary.org
• Contact: (516) 767-6444 or landmarkonmainstreet.org
Share in some lively repartee when four stand-up comedians — two men, two women, two are married, two are single — sling comedy barbs at one another in The Ivy League of Comedy’s “Skirmish of the Sexes.” The troupe — known for their elite brand of clever comedy as seen on late-night TV and Comedy Central appearances — is armed and ready with high-brow, clean fun. Laugh the night away wty tales of love and not-love, bad dinners and good dates, broken cars and unbroken dreams. Check out this lively comic take on the age-old dichotomy of who’s right and who’s wrong — done with panache and good humor. The lineup features Tony Deyo, known for his sharp, quick material and near-perfect comedic timing almost certainly gained from his years as a professional symphony musician; Calise Hawkins, a single mom who stands out with her hair, but also her smile and her onstage likability. Also Shaun Eli, rightfully called one of America’s smartest comics. Whether it’s a story about dining with a vegetarian or successfully fighting a parking ticket in criminal court, master storyteller Shaun Eli shows you that there’s hilarity in the ordinary. And Ophira Eisenberg (pictured), host of the comedy podcast Parenting Is A Joke with iHeart and Pretty Good Friends, who delivers a unique blend of smart irreverent standup and storytelling. $40, $30.
The Mystic kicks off the Town of Hempstead’s concert series at Newbridge Road Park. Bring your chairs, coolers and welcome the holiday weekend under the stars. Food trucks will be on-site serving a variety of delicious options, perfect for a casual night out with family and friends.
• Where: 2600 Newbridge Road, Bellmore
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: themysticmusic.com
Each week in this engaging workshop, participants are introduced to hands-on materials, artmaking, and inspiration from artists and techniques. Young kids, ages 2-5, build critical thinking skills, expand vocabulary, and support imaginations as they play, create and explore. This week families create a vibrant firework painting. $4 with museum admission.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: 11:30 a.m.-noon
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
• Where: Bedford and Pettit Avenues, Bellmore
• Time: 8 a.m.
• Contact: events.elitefeats. com/25Bellmore
Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for another storybook adventure Stroll the gardens and enjoy a telling of Arnold Lobel’s “The Rose in My Garden” With a take-home craft. For ages 3-5. Storybook Strolls start at the Beech Tree (next to Westbury House), and end at the Thatched Cottage.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
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.
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY.
WILMINGTON
SAVINGS FUND
SOCIETY, FSB, Pltf. vs. CIRO CINIGLIO, et al, Defts. Index #607176/2023.
Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Aug. 15, 2024, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on July 8, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a 108 Kenny Ave., Merrick, NY 11566 a/k/a Section 63, Block 133, Lot 14. Approximate amount of judgment is $320,426.23 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
JANE P. SHRENKEL, Referee. BALLARD SPAHR, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 1675 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10019. #102338 153957
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU CitiMortgage, Inc., Plaintiff AGAINST Michael B. Kosowski a/k/a Michael B. Kosowki, Doreen E. Kosowski, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered May 15, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 7, 2025 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 11 Roydon Drive West, North Merrick a/k/a Merrick, NY 11566. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 50, Block: V-01, Lot: 22. Approximate amount of judgment $538,516.87 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #005990/2016. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Maria Sideris, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson
Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-081476-F00 85748 153864
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY CHRISTIANA TRUST AS CUSTODIAN FOR GSRAN-Z LLC, Plaintiff against BHNV REALTY 2 CORP (AKA BHNV REALTY 2 CORP.), et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Hersko & Ehrenreich P.C., 555 Willow Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516, (516) 942-4216. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered September 5, 2024, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being, and identified on the land and tax map of the County of Nassau in the State of New York. Premises known as 1765 Carroll Ave., Merrick, NY 11566. Sec 55 Block 081 Lot 364 (Group Lot: 364-365). Approximate Amount of Judgment is $3,913.40 plus interest, fees, costs, and attorney fees. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 607315/2023. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Gerard DeGregoris, Jr., Esq., Referee File # 19-6406 154172
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR LB-
CABANA SERIES IV TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. RONALD NEUGEBAUER, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 3, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 23, 2025 at 4:00 p.m., premises known as 1753 Suffolk Drive, Merrick, NY 11566. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Merrick, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 373 and Lot 5. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,082,270.68 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #601525/2023.
Thomas Montiglio, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 211744-3 154166
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF NASSAU, WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR RMAC REMIC TRUST, SERIES 2009-9, Plaintiff, vs. CLAUDIO JOVELL, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on October 25, 2016 and an Order Appointing Successor Referee duly entered on January 6, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 22, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1720 Montague Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 55,
Block 24 and Lot 120. Approximate amount of judgment is $633,799.60 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #003996/2014. Cash will not be accepted. Scott Siller, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 154162
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 07/02/2025 at 9:30
A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:
THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30
A.M.
367/25. - 369/25. MERRICK - Anthony & Tiziana Como, Variance, side yard, maintain two (2) a/c units attached to dwelling; Special exception to construct 2nd accessory structure (pavilion) higher & larger than permitted & exceeding horizontal maximum on all sides with lot area occupied variance; Maintain fence varying in height from 7’ to 9 1/2’ & within clear sight triangle at neighbors driveway, which may substantially obstruct line of sight., N/W cor. Halyard Dr. & Pemaco Rd., a/k/a 2288 Halyard Dr. ALL PAPERS
PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550.
This notice is only for new cases in Merrick within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The
full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals
The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo
Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it.
154283
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the North Merrick Fire District, 2095 Camp Avenue, North Merrick, New York, 11566, until 4 PM on Tuesday July 8, 2025. At the regular Board Business meeting on Tuesday July 8, 2025 at 8 PM, all proposals will be opened and publicly read aloud and the contract awarded as soon as therefore practicable to the lowest responsible bidder for: REPAIRS AND RECONSTRUCTION OF SECOND FLOOR MEETING ROOM
The Board of Fire Commissioners reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal which is not in the best interests of the North Merrick Fire District. Price(s) must include any and all of the options specified in the proposal. No additional costs may be added, with the exception of additional options added by the North Merrick Fire District.
All proposals shall be returned in a sealed envelope with the Name, and Address of the bidder and the words “SECOND FLOOR MEETING ROOM BID” clearly written on the outside of the envelope. An information packet with specifications regarding this Request for Proposal may be obtained by contacting Jared Mandel Architects, 25 Hillside Avenue, Williston Park, New York 11596, 516-629-9060. In submitting a proposal, the bidder agrees not to withdraw the proposal within (40)
days of the opening thereof. If you have any questions regarding the above, or I can be of any assistance to you please call me at the number listed above. By order of the Board of Fire Commissioners North Merrick Fire District
David Ward - District Clerk June 10, 2025 154291
LEGAL NOTICE CASE NO. 21527
RESOLUTION NO. 632-2025
Adopted: June 17, 2025
Councilmember Miller offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AND SETTING ASIDE CERTAIN PARKING SPACES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE SOLE USE OF HOLDERS OF SPECIAL PARKING PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COUNTY OF NASSAU TO PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS. WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 623-2025, adopted May 27, 2025 a public hearing was duly held on the day of 17th day of June 2025, at the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the proposed establishment and setting aside of a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons, in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, all as set forth in said resolution; and WHEREAS, after due consideration, this Town Board finds it to be in the public interest to establish and set aside a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, the following parking spaces be and the same hereby is set aside for the sole use
of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons:
ELMONT
HERBERT AVENUEwest side, starting at a point 118 feet south of the south curbline of Chelsea Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-180/25)
ROQUETTE AVENUEwest side, starting at a point 397 feet south of the south curbline of Pelham Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-216/25)
ROOSEVELT
EAST RAYMOND AVENUE - north side, starting at a point 402 feet west of the west curbline of Cottage Place,west for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-202/25) (NR)VALLEY STREAM BARRY DRIVE WESTwest side, starting at a point 210 feet north of the north curbline of Stephen Place, north for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-171/25)
WEST HEMPSTEAD
WADLEIGH AVENUEsouth side, starting at a point 255 feet west of the west curbline of Jennings Avenue, west for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-215/25) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons: MERRICK HEWLETT AVENUEeast side, starting at a point 625 feet south of the south curbline of Donna Drive, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-256/24 - 8/06/24)
(TH-206/25) ; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk shall enter this resolution in the minutes of the Town Board and shall publish a copy of this resolution once in a newspaper having a general circulation in the Town of Hempstead, and shall post a copy hereof on the signboard maintained by her, and file in her office affidavits of such publication and posting. The foregoing resolution was seconded by Councilmember Ryder and adopted upon roll call as follows: AYES: SEVEN (7) NOES: NONE (0) 154276
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 36-2025
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held June 17, 2025, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 36-2025, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 36-2025, amending Chapter 202 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “REGULATIONS & RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking at various locations.
Dated: June 17, 2025 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 154271
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 37-2025
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held June 17, 2025 by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 37-2025, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 37-2025, amending Section 202-1 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at various locations. Dated: June 17, 2025 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.
Jazz, soul and R&B icons took the stage at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre in Eisenhower Park for a Juneteenth celebration on June 19.
Juneteenth is a holiday celebrated to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S. It first became a holiday in 1865, three years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation, when enslaved people in Texas were declared free.
The performance featured The Trammps, which includes Earl Young, a drummer who is considered one of the leading figures in Philadelphia’s soul scene during the 1970s. The group’s hits include “Disco Inferno,” famously featured in the 1977 movie, “Saturday Night Fever,” starring John Travolta.
Other hits include “Hold Back the Night,” “The Dark Side of the Moon” and “Disco Party,” among others.
A band paying tribute to Earth, Wind and Fire, a classic six-time Grammyaward winning musical group that has spanned a vast range of genres throughout their career, including R&B, soul, funk, disco, jazz and pop.
Earth, Wind and Fire has sold over 90 million records worldwide, producing countless hits, such as “September,” “Boogie Wonderland” and “Reasons.”
Although the event was cut short due to rain, each musician played with enthusiasm, making the celebration all the more memorable for those who attended.
—Jack Schwed
Although the event was cut short due to rain, each musician played with enthusiasm, making the celebration all the more memorable for those who attended.
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Q. Our house was damaged by a fire over 10 years ago, renovated and finished. We are now refinancing, and discovered we have no “closed” permits for the work. Our bank says that they can’t continue processing until plumbing, electrical and building permits are finalized and we give the bank a copy of our certificate of occupancy. We aren’t sure why this happened, and we can’t reach the contractor or the plumber. We got a certificate that our electric was inspected. Can you explain what to do, how this happened and how long this could take? The bank is pushing us to get this done.
A. Speed and control of the project are the reason this happened. People doing construction need to get in, get out and get paid, and often there is little attention to documentation. Construction, with permits, has many steps that can be ignored. It’s rewarding to work with people in construction who respect the process.
Even with your emergency repair, the whole job, from planning to final paperwork, had to be done completely. The concern about time, and how quickly plans can be made and a permit received, sets the tone for the rest of the work. In his “Poor Richard’s Almanac,” Benjamin Franklin phrased it well: “Haste makes waste.” Rushing through planning can lead to delays if the plans are incomplete.
At each step, it seems, speed is of utmost importance. Banks, lawyers, insurance companies, contractors, real estate salespeople and building officials all have an interest, at some point, in moving you through the process of pushing for plans to be finished, a permit to be obtained and the construction work commenced. But plans and permits aren’t done by pushing a button on a computer. By diminishing this part of the process and only concentrating on getting the work done, other important parts are also ignored.
The back end of the job is making sure that each step of the work was inspected, and passes inspections. Covering up work before it is inspected is very common and done with purpose, often to avoid losing time, covering up inferior work or because the customer isn’t as important as their wallet.
You needed a full outline, a checklist, to follow through. The checklist would have shown you needed a final electrical inspection, for which you received a written certificate; a final plumbing inspection, which your plumber was required to arrange; and a final building inspection, which your contractor should have arranged. After the final inspection, you would have then received the final document you needed.
You’ll need to call your building department and confirm what inspections are needed. If you can’t find the plumber, you’ll need to either request the final plumbing inspection or spend the money to have another plumber follow through with starting the paperwork over again. Once these have been done, you’ll request the final building inspection walk-through, and hopefully thereafter receive the final certificate of completion. Good luck!
© 2025 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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Former New York City Police
Commissioner Bernie Kerik died recently. In many ways, Bernie’s death marked the beginning of the passing of an era. He was the commissioner when New York was attacked by terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001, and he became a symbol of New York’s resistance and courage with his leadership in the days, weeks and months afterward.
Before becoming commissioner, he was a heroic police officer and detective, receiving numerous departmental awards, including the Medal of Valor.
Rosemary and I were proud to call Bernie our friend, in good times and bad. And there were some bad times, primarily when he was imprisoned for ethical crimes for which he was later pardoned. A number of us believed that he had been targeted for prosecution, and that his sentence was excessive. But Kerik would be the first to admit he was no saint. He did his time and went on with his life. Besides occasionally getting together with him for dinner, I looked forward to the massive barbecues he hosted for police officers and veterans
at his home in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. I believe in judging people on the entirety of their lives. For those who knew him or even just observed him, Kerik passed that test. The respect and admiration for him were amply demonstrated by the crowd of mourners at his funeral Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, who shared memories of Bernie — especially his loyalty to friends, his patriotism and his unwavering leadership after 9/11.
In addition to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the attendees included law enforcement officials, government leaders and well-known New Yorkers.
HCairo and I went after President Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally. On the day of the funeral, Kash described Kerik as a “titan among men” and “our warrior in the Colosseum when the world needed saving.”
e came to symbolize New York’s courage in the aftermath of Sept. 11.
The day of the funeral, Rosemary and I arrived early. Among the first people we met outside the cathedral was famed journalist and media personality Geraldo Rivera, a longtime friend of Kerik’s. Rivera and I spoke about the times we spent with Bernie during his tough days, and how tough he was during those days.
Also outside the cathedral was FBI Director Kash Patel. The last time I had seen Kerik was with Patel last October at Il Milano Restaurant in Manhattan, where County Executive Bruce Blakeman, county Republican Chairman Joe
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and FDNY Commissioner Tom Von Essen, the city officials who were closest to Kerik in leading New York back after 9/11, appeared heartbroken and devastated. Current Mayor Eric Adams also attended, and I commended him for authorizing this ceremonial tribute to Kerik.
I also spoke with the NYPD’s longest-serving commissioner, Ray Kelly, and current Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Kelly succeeded Kerik, and served for 12 years as commissioner. I met Tisch when she served as Kelly’s deputy commissioner for information and technology.
The NYPD Pipes & Drums performed, and many hundreds of NYPD officers lined up to pay their respects. Before the Mass began, Rosemary and I had the chance to meet in the cathedral with Dolan, a true man of God and a man for all seasons who always supports the efforts of the men and women in blue.
The hearse carrying Kerik’s remains arrived outside the cathedral as the bag-
pipes blared. Then the flag-draped coffin was carried up the steps of the cathedral to be blessed by Dolan, who led the funeral procession of family members and friends up the center aisle to the altar. Rosemary and I sat with Joe Lhota, formerly Giuliani’s deputy mayor, who is now chief of staff at NYU Langone Medical Center.
The funeral was definitely a celebration of Kerik’s life, best summarized by an opening sentence of NYPD Chaplain Msgr. David Cassato’s eulogy, which elicited laughter and knowing smiles as he patted the coffin: “Each of us has a Bernie Kerik story.” Kerik’s brother and his son Joe, a hero Newark SWAT team cop, also delivered moving eulogies.
At the conclusion of the funeral, Kerik’s coffin was carried from the cathedral. Taps was played. The American flag was taken from the coffin and presented to Bernie’s widow, Halla, by Patel and Giuliani. Accompanied by the pipe band playing “America the Beautiful,” the hearse headed slowly south on Fifth Avenue. A man who had done so much to lead New York through its darkest hour was leaving the arena. But the memories would remain. Bernie Kerik, R.I.P.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Alot of people are upset about the recent reports of the murder of the former speaker of the Minnesota legislature. If there is a list of concerned citizens, please put me at the top. Having served in elected office for 23 years, I have good reason to be worried about the fate of thousands of public officials who dedicate their lives to serving us. We are living in very sick times, and it’s time for the American people to become a part of the solution and not the problem. Less than two weeks ago, a deranged man took it upon himself to launch a carefully orchestrated campaign to kill elected officials in Minnesota. He created an enemies list and armed himself with AK-47s and other deadly weapons. You will note that I do not describe his victims and intended targets as Democratic lawmakers because party affiliation does not give potential murderers a free pass to kill only certain people. The Minnesota horror show coincid-
Ded with the eighth anniversary of the mass shooting during a practice session for the Congressional Baseball Game in Alexandria, Virginia. U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, a Republican, suffered serious injuries that have left him with permanent disabilities. His attacker also shot three other people. It is coincidental that Scalise’s attacker was angry with Republicans, and the Minnesota killer had grievances with Democrats.
These events are part of a long history of people acting out of hatred for elected officials. In January 2011, U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords was shot during a constituent meeting in Casas Adobes, Arizona. Six innocent people were killed that day. The assassin was Jared Lee Loughner, who had a longstanding grievance with Giffords. He is currently serving a life sentence in prison.
today, whether you’re a Democratic or Republican official, there’s a target on your back and there are an abundance of people out there who want to harm you.
emocrat or Republican, there are lots of people out there who want to harm you.
Some people think the solution to this madness is providing more security guards for certain officials. That easy fix would cost taxpayers billions of dollars, and is not the solution. Instead, the first step is to voice loud criticism of anyone who supports violence against any elected official. Shortly after the Minnesota slaughter of two innocents, Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee baselessly suggested that their assassination was connected to the political left.
The second solution to this constant wave of horror is very much in the hands of the political establishment, starting with President Trump, who has escaped two attempts on his life. It is incumbent on him to set a new tone against violence by either side. While the nation might be split politically, a president who speaks out on this issue is doing all Americans a favor.
Aside from my worry for the people who currently serve the people, I am deeply concerned about the impact these attacks will have on potential candidates for public office. I think if I were interested in running for the first time, my family would be begging me to reconsider. If qualified people decide that being an elected official is too dangerous, the country, and our system of government, will be the losers.
Since that time there have been countless cases of violence against public officials. President Trump has been the target of two assassination attempts, and just two months ago, another deranged person attempted to kill Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro by setting fire to the governor’s mansion. Sadly,
“This is what happens when Marxists don’t get their way,” Lee wrote on his personal X account with an image of suspected murderer Vance Boelter. In a follow-up tweet, he wrote “Nightmare on Waltz Street” in a misspelled reference to Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Waltz. Lee’s comments were met with a firestorm of complaints, but to date he has not retreated from his inflammatory remarks. If they go uncensored by the Senate leadership, America is the loser.
It is my fervent hope and prayer that this cycle of violence will end, but it won’t be without all Americans being a part of a new crusade.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.
Summer should be a time of freedom, fun and new experiences for young people. But for teenage and young-adult drivers, the warmest months of the year come with a chilling nickname: the 100 Deadliest Days.
During this span, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, fatal crashes involving teen drivers spike significantly. The reasons are numerous and well documented — but the solutions are equally clear and achievable, if families and communities act with urgency.
Between 2019 and 2023, 13,135 people nationwide were killed in crashes involving teen drivers. One more person per day died in those crashes during the summer than at any other time of the year, according to an American Automobile Association analysis of accident data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Why is this time of year so deadly for young drivers?
The first and most obvious reason is increased time on the road. School is out, teens have more freedom, and that translates to more hours behind the wheel — many of them without adult supervision. This newfound autonomy can lead to increased exposure to risky situations, especially for drivers still learning the nuances of safe vehicle operation, who often create those situation.
Then there are the social factors. Summer is filled with gatherings, beach trips and late nights with friends. Often, teen drivers are not alone in the car, so
To the Editor:
It was refreshing to see a Democrat, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, offering ideas about the concerns of everyday people in his op-ed last week, “Centrist Democrats need to listen, learn and lead.”
Suozzi wrote a column not once bashing President Trump.
He went one step further. He sent a letter to the president about working together to address border security, immigration reform and a path to legalization, and the release of a bagel manager from Port Washington who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Working with the president may not make Suozzi popular with his fellow Democrats, but the majority of the people approve of both parties cooperating.
It’s what the people want, not about the power of the parties.
Recent developments involving Iran are more reasons why we should heal our divi -
each fatal crash involving a teen has the increased chance of claiming a number of lives. The distractions of conversation, music, phones and peer pressure can divert a driver’s attention at exactly the wrong moment. Reading and sending text messages, as well as watching and recording TikTok and Instagram videos, while driving are accidents waiting to happen, too.
Inexperience compounds the problem. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has noted, teen drivers are still developing the judgment and skills they need to respond to rapidly changing road conditions. They may fail to recognize hazards, misjudge distances or respond too late to hazardous situations. Add common behaviors such as speeding and driving under the influence, and it becomes clear why summer teen crash statistics rise so predictably.
Other risks are more situational, but just as serious: unfamiliar routes, fatigue from erratic summer sleep schedules, heat-related vehicle problems and heavy seasonal traffic. Each of those factors can test a teen’s ability to maintain control behind the wheel.
What can, and should, parents do without unnecessarily limiting their children’s freedom? First, set clear rules about when, where and with whom they can drive. That includes enforcing curfews and limiting the number of passengers that can accompany them. Research has consistently shown that the presence of more than one teenager in a car increases the risk of a
crash.
Second, lead by example. Teens model the behavior they see. Parents should avoid using phones while driving, follow traffic laws and show that safe driving is a lifelong habit — not just the subject of a lecture.
Open, honest communication is also vital. Conversations about the dangers of drinking, drugs and distracted driving should be ongoing, not one-time talks. When teens understand the reallife consequences of risky driving, they’re more likely to make responsible choices.
Technology can help, too. Apps that provide driving feedback and location tracking — like those recommended by Family1st GPS — offer an added layer of safety and accountability. These tools aren’t about spying; they’re about creating a support system.
Emphasize safety basics: always wearing a seatbelt, obeying speed limits, and keeping eyes on the road and off the phone.
The 100 Deadliest Days will continue to claim many more lives than they should until families, schools and communities step up. Public service campaigns, driver education refreshers and localized policies — like New York state’s Zero Tolerance law, which dramatically reduced the allowable blood alcohol content for drivers under age 21 — can make an impact.
This summer, let’s treat teen driving safety like the urgent public health issue it is — and make sure that the road to adulthood isn’t cut short by tragedy.
As the leader of the Democratic caucus in the Nassau County Legislature, I’ve always believed that public service is about one thing: delivering results for the people who elected us. That means putting partisanship aside and focusing on what matters — keeping our communities safe, ensuring fair access to resources and doing the hard work of good government.
Unfortunately, we’ve had to fight tooth and nail for basic fairness from the administration of County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
Until recently, over $1.3 million in grant funding for first responders in Democratic districts was being blocked. That’s not just wrong; it’s dangerous. Meanwhile, the county executive approved 34 Republican-backed projects worth $2.5 million, many of them nearly identical to the proposals submitted by
Democrats. Thirty-four to zero. That’s not a coincidence. That’s a political blockade.
Our Democratic team wasn’t going to let that slide. We made the decision to leverage our power on the capital plan, something that can’t pass without a 13-vote supermajority. We drew a line in the sand and demanded that these long-overdue grants be awarded. The result? A month later, we secured the funding our districts deserved, and we passed a capital plan that invests in roads, buildings, parks and other critical infrastructure across the county.
cosplay isn’t what Nassau families asked for, and we deserve full transparency about how such a dangerous and misguided idea was ever allowed to take root.
We got the job done by demanding that longoverdue grants be awarded.
That’s what happens when you stand up instead of standing by. We got the job done.
But make no mistake, our work is far from over. We’re still holding this administration accountable, especially when it comes to public safety.
My colleagues on the Legislature’s Public Safety Committee are continuing their legal efforts to dismantle Blakeman’s reckless, unauthorized “armed militia.” Taxpayer-funded paramilitary
sions. There are many external actors who would like to see our country torn apart. We shouldn’t make it so easy for them.
TONY GIAMETTA Oceanside
To the Editor:
Organizations in New York can pay a person with a disability as little as 5 cents hour, and it is legal. This must end.
It’s time for the state to eliminate the subminimum wage and treat people with disabilities with the fairness they deserve. The State Senate has passed Bill S.28 to do just that, and now it’s time for the Assembly to act before their session ends.
As the father of a young man with Down syndrome, I’ve seen firsthand what people with differing abilities can accomplish when given the chance. My son, John Cronin, co-founded a business with me, John’s Crazy Socks, and we have learned that hiring people with differing abilities isn’t charity; it’s good business. More than half of our employees have a disability. They work hard, produce extraordinary results, and earn the same wage as their colleagues.
The subminimum wage law, a relic of 1938, allows people with disabilities to be paid as little as 5 cents an hour. That’s not just outdated, it’s wrong. It tells people that their labor, and their lives, are worth less.
New York should lead the nation by ending this discriminatory practice. No more second-class workers. No exceptions. I urge the Assembly to pass S.28 and help build a more inclusive and just future for all.
MARk X. CRONIN
Cofounder and president, John’s Crazy Socks
Farmingdale
We’re also facing a crisis that cuts across every ZIP code, every income level, every community: the opioid epidemic.
Nassau County has received nearly $100 million in opioid settlement funds from drug manufacturers, money meant to save lives. Yet barely $5 million of it has actually been spent. That’s inexcusable. People are dying while bureaucracy and mismanagement keep help out of their reach.
That’s why we took action. To break through the delays and dysfunction, the Legislature approved the hiring of an outside firm to manage a public grant portal that will finally move this process forward. This change will help expedite funding to the nonprofits and agencies that provide prevention, treatment and recovery services. We’re making sure
the money gets where it belongs, which is with people and organizations fighting to save lives.
Through all of this, I remain inspired by the everyday heroes in our communities: first responders, educators, nurses, outreach workers and so many others who make Nassau County a better place. It’s their example that keeps me going, and it’s why I will never stop fighting for a government that serves everyone, not just the politically connected few.
So whether it’s pushing for fairness in funding, protecting our communities from dangerous policies or getting lifesaving resources into the right hands, know this: The Democratic caucus is united, we are focused, and we are just getting started. We’ll keep showing up. We’ll keep holding this administration accountable. And we’ll keep fighting for you.
Delia DeRiggi-Whitton represents Nassau County’s 11th Legislative District, and is the Legislature’s minority leader.
The new Fennessy Family Emergency Department at Mount Sinai South Nassau doubles the size of our previous emergency department, o ering 54 private exam rooms with clear lines of sight for physicians, nurses, and support sta . Our new emergency department also o ers a separate triage area, dedicated areas for children and behavioral health patients, and has been designed to reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes.
The Fennessy Family Emergency Department is located within the new Feil Family Pavilion, opening later this year, which will have 40 new critical care suites and nine new operating rooms, designed to support the most complex surgeries on the South Shore.
To learn more visit www.mountsinai.org/feilpavilion
