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Page 10 Vol. 28 No. 35 AUG. 28 - SEPT. 3, 2025

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Hard to Reach Savings?

__________________ Merrick _________________

$1.00 $1.00

Locals help ‘Hammer’ repeat By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

Courtesy Scott Baron

The Sid Jacobson Hammer U17 baseball team has established itself as a dynasty on the diamond. Earlier this month in Pittsburgh, the team captured its second straight gold medal at t h e J C C M a c c ab i G a m e s, extending its tournament winning streak to 13. For a program stacked with Long Island talent, the performance confir med what many already knew — the Hammer is the team to beat. The roster included three

The Sid Jacobson Hammer U17 baseball team won its second straight Maccabi gold medal with the help of three local players.

ConTinUed on page 15

Meet Diana Ketcham, the new Merrick S.D. superintendent By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com

Diana Ketcham, an experienced educator, is the new Superintendent of Schools in Merrick. Ketcham was appointed as the new Superintendent on April 8 and officially began her term on July 1. Her 29-year career has taken her to positions ranging from Babylon to Blue Point, general and special education, from teacher to school principal — all along the way, gaining practical experience in meeting the needs of students, teachers and parents.

Q: What do you want community members to know about you? A: “I have been working at the elementary level for 29 years now. I spent the first decade of my career working as a classroom teacher. I worked at both the primary and the intermediate level, and I taught both general education students and students with disabilities. When I was in Blue Point, I had a very unique opportunity to implement, for the first time, the Inclusive Co-Teaching program in the district, and we led the ICT classes for the entire district at Blue Point Elementa-

ry. I bring all of that commitment over the years and kind of the clarity of the purpose — why we are here — to my role as superintendent here in Merrick.”

Q: How does it feel to be the new superintendent of schools? A: “I feel very honored and excited. I feel, of course, a tremendous commitment to elementary education, as it’s been my life passion. Truly, it’s been my work for 29 years, and I feel a deep sense of responsibility to everyone here: the students, staff and families. I have just been so impressed by the dedi-

cation and the warmth of the teachers, the support staff, the families, and, of course, the students have been amazing. I feel grateful to have joined a district where the success of young students is the collective focus. That’s a really special characteristic of Merrick.”

Q: What are some of the shortterm goals that you want to

accomplish in those opening class sessions? A: “In the short term, my initial focus is to be a listener, and to learn, and to focus on the building of strong, positive relationships with all of the members of our community, from our staff to our parents and to local community organiConTinUed on page 2

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New superintendent to focus on listening and learning Continued from page 1

zations, engaging with them to really understand what’s working well. We want to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for our students and make sure that we have all the support in place for them to be successful.”

Q: Long term, what mark do you want to leave on the Merrick community? A: “As far as long-term goals, they will certainly be centered around ensuring that each and every student that passes through our hallways and our classrooms over the years receives the best and most optimal foundation for long term success. It would include academic, social and emotional success. That takes a village, that takes relationships, collaboration, trust and communication, and as the Superintendent of Schools, it will be my responsibility to ensure that all of those important pieces are in place.”

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Q: Are there any specific programs, events or other topics that you’re looking forward to addressing or engaging with? A: “I certainly do have some ideas of some ways that we can expand the experience for students, but I will be spending time in our classrooms really coming to know the academic programs that are in place, how our students are achieving those early literacy skills and their foundations in mathematics, and also taking a close look at how we are supporting students.”

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Ketcham has worked in education for 29 years, 10 as an elementary school classroom teacher. directly to the people of Merrick? A: “I’d like to sincerely thank the Merrick community for the warm welcome. It is a true honor to join this exceptional district as Superintendent of Schools. I feel very fortunate to lead in a community that deeply cares about our children — their growth, their wellbeing, and their future.”

Herald Community Newspapers is looking for:

FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Pay for 3 months and get 3 months FREE! Renews automatically at the then current rate. Offer valid within Nassau County. Credit card payments only.

Courtesy Merrick School District

new merrick School district Superintendent diane Ketcham plans to learn about the community’s needs and how best to address them.

Own own professional-grade camera Must a DSLR or Mirrorless camera Flexibility to to work work days, evenings and weekends Flexibility evenings and weekends Reliable Transportation transportation Reliable Strong work&ethic, and the ability to meet deadlines Punctuality abilitypunctuality, to meet hard deadlines Ability to to communicate interact with subjects and collaborate with our editorial team. Ability with sources and editorial team

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following:

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Please contact Tim application Baker at: to tbaker@liherald.com Please send your Tim Baker at: tbaker@liherald.com with the subject line "FreelancePhotographer” Photographer” or or call call 516-784-8135 with the subjectline “Freelance (516) 784-8135

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August 28, 2025 — MERRICK HERALD

By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

The Town of Hempstead brought the community together for a spirited street hockey tour nament at Newbridge Road Park in Bellmore on Aug. 12, showcasing youth talent and hometown pride. The event filled the park with fast-paced action, cheering families and a festival-like atmosphere. The tournament was co-directed by Joe Fitzpatrick of the town’s athletic department and Olivia McAuley of the physical fitness department. Together, they organized a day that emphasized both competition and camaraderie, highlighting the town’s commitment to youth recreation. Several local teams laced up for the games, including the Salisbury Storm, Rath Park, the Forest City Park Firs and the host Newbridge Road Street Hockey Club. Players of all skill levels took the rink, creating a lineup of matchups that kept the energy high throughout the afternoon. Adding to the excitement, representatives from the New York Islanders were on hand to entertain the crowd. Fans of all ages flocked to interactive games and the team’s prize wheels, bringing a professional hockey flavor to the local event. Islanders staff members also mingled with players and parents, reinforcing the bond between the NHL franchise and the Long Island community. By day’s end, the tournament had accomplished more than crowning winners. It offered young athletes a chance to compete, make friends and deepen their love of the game while giving families a fun summer outing. With support from town officials and the Islanders, the event underscored how grassroots sports can unite a community and foster the next generation of hockey fans.

The Salisbury Storm were one of the teams participating in the street hockey tournament.

Holden Leeds/Herald Photos

Town of Hempstead employees Joe Fitzpatrick and Olivia McAuley co-directed the street hockey tournament at Newbridge Road Park on Aug. 12.

Luca Ryan tended goal for the Forest City Park Firs. Forest City Park gets a great scoring chance against Rath Park.

Representatives from the New York Islanders were on hand to provide guests with interactive games and prizes.

MERRICK HERALD — August 28, 2025

Families, fun, and hockey at the park

August 28, 2025 — MERRICK HERALD

News Brief

Photos courtesy Ken Noon

Around 60 firefighters from five different departments responded to the basement fire at New Place in Bellmore.

Basement fire displaces four By JORDAN VALLONE

1308797

JVALLONE@liherald.com

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The Nassau County Arson Bomb Squad is investigating a house fire that broke out on Aug. 20 in Bellmore, leaving four residents displaced but causing no injuries, officials said. A 911 call reporting a house fire at 2441 New Place was received at 7:42 p.m. The Bellmore Fire Department responded quickly under the command of Chief Conway, arriving to find smoke and flames in the basement. The residents had already evacuated safely. Around 60 firefighters from the Bellmore, North Bellmore, Seaford, Wantagh, and Merrick fire departments worked together to bring the situation under con-

trol within 40 minutes. No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported. The Nassau County Fire Marshal’s office and the Police Department’s Arson Bomb Squad were on the scene to investigate. Detectives said no criminality is suspected at this time, though the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The Town of Hempstead Building Department was also called in to assess the serious damage to the structure. The American Red Cross is assisting the four adult residents who were displaced. Officials said smoke alarms were installed as required and operated properly, alerting the occupants in time to escape safely. The investigation into the fire remains ongoing.

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MERRICK HERALD — August 28, 2025

CONGESTION RELIEF IS WORKING FOR LONG ISLAND

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RELIABLE POWER = RELIABLE SERVICE Major substation replacement at Jamaica Station to power better, faster rides for the LIRR.

BIG IMPROVEMENTS HEADED YOUR WAY Structural improvements like track upgrades, bridge repair, and more are coming to stations that need it most on Long Island.

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HERALD SPORTS Hofstra seeks to regain CAA supremacy By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com

Hofstra women’s soccer kicked off the 2025 season on Aug. 14 with a flair for the dramatic that served as springboard for the program’s best start in four years. In muggy conditions that caused multiple players to go down with cramps, the Pride appeared headed for an opening night draw before sophomore forward Hailey Moschitta headed in a feed from Maggie Peterson with 5.6 seconds remaining for a 2-1 victory against St. Joseph’s (Pa.). It marked the latest game-winning goal in the program’s 32-year history. “We were just knocking on the door all day,” said 20th-year Hofstra women’s soccer head coach Simon Riddiough of the Monmouth match in which the Pride outshot the Hawks 22-2. “We’ve got enough individual talent on this team that we can make a big play at any time.” Momentum from the St. Joseph’s victory carried over into a commanding 3-0 victory against Quinnipac back home at Captains Field on Aug. 17. Hofstra (3-1) then knocked off Columbia 2-1 last Friday for the program’s first 3-0 start since 2021 with its unbeaten streak ended in a a 4-0 setback at Yale on Sunday. The Pride are looking to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022 with a veteran squad of 19 returning players fueled for a deep postseason run after falling to Monmouth in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) semifinals for a second straight season. Hofstra captured five CAA titles in six seasons from 2017 to 2022. The many returners include last year’s leading scorer Millie Davies, who tallied seven goals and five assists. The senior midfielder from Manchester, England was an All-CAA selection the last two seasons and Riddiough said she has a solid chance to play professionally after college. The offense also returned graduate forward Mathilde Braithwaite, a Third Team All-CAA selection who had five goals as a senior. Senior midfielders Thorhildur Thorhallsdottir and Aimee Hodgson are also back on the pitch after tallying points last fall. Hofstra got a big scoring boost with the addition of Manon Lebargy, a Middle Tennessee State transfer who was C-USA Midfielder of the Year last season after scoring 13 goals with four assists. “She is a fantastic addition,” said Riddiough of Lebardy, who scored two goals in the Quinipac

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victory. “She brings a tremendous amount of energy that resonates with the whole team.” Peterson and Moschitta, who connected on the winning goal in the opening match, arew also expected to play an integral part of the offense this season. Alexia Des Croisselles, a Quebec native and Jacksonville State transfer, has also been involved with the offense early on registering a key goal in the Columbia victory. The defense has veteran leadership from graduate students Gabriella Marte and Olivia Pearse, a former standout at Seaford High School. Sasha McTiffin and Emma Johnson also bring plenty of experience in the backline. Pearse, who missed most of last season with an injury, has also displayed offensive ability this season on set pieces with two goals including the tying tally against St. Joe’s. “She’s a tremendous athlete,” Riddiough said. “She brings a lot of physicality and is a huge threat on set piece situations.” The depth of Hofstra’s defense was stung in the opening match when senior defender Ava Lanfredi went down with a high ankle sprain injury. The first-year starter from East Greenwich, R.I. is expected to miss a few weeks and Riddiough hopes she can return for when the heart of the CAA schedule commences. Sophomore goalie Lily Bailey has started in net this season after transferring from Morehead State where she recorded five shutouts as a freshman. Graduate student Carly Travers, a former URI and Eastport South Manor High School keeper, is a capable backup in net. Hofstra will look to continue its solid start to the 2025 campaign with home matches this Thursday against Fairleigh Dickinson at 7 p.m. and Sept. 6 versus Loyola (Md.) at 1 p.m. The Pride conclude the non-league schedule on Sept. 14 at home against Dartmouth before hosting Elon in the CAA opener on Sept. 18. The Pride was picked by CAA coaches to finish third in the conference’s north division behind defending champion Stony Brook and runner-up Monmouth. The top three finishers in the division, which also comprises Drexel, Northeastern and Towson, will qualify for the six-team CAA Tournament and a chance to earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. “If we stay healthy I think we can make a really good push for it,” said Riddiough, who has guided Hofstra to nine NCAA tournaments and seven CAA titles in his two decades leading the sideline.

Courtesy Hofstra Athletics Communications

Grad student Gabriella Marte is a vital part of Hofstra’s defense and also plays an important leadership role.

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Prices, stalled growth fuel housing crisis

State pushes pro-development programs as Long Island towns weigh costs and community impacts By AINSLEY MARTINEZ, CHARLES SHAW & ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN of Herald Community Newspapers

Third in a series about housing on Long Island. Long Island’s housing crisis is more than bricks and mortar — it’s a battleground where zoning, politics and community identity collide. At its root, the issue is a chronic lack of supply, Richard Murdocco, a land use columnist and lecturer at Stony Brook University, says. “Our housing supply has always been inadequate,” Murdocco said. “The pandemic only amplified the problem.” Murdocco said that zoning laws, while often criticized, generally serve a purpose by preventing overbuilding and protecting the environment, including Long Island’s sole-source aquifer. Still, he noted that some restrictions could be updated to allow for more diverse housing types, adding, “Planning is about the balance of economic and social development.” Many Long Island communities rely heavily on single-family zoning, which limits options for renters and first-time homebuyers. Murdocco pointed to examples like allowing accessory dwelling units and legalizing safe basement apartments as steps that could help ease the affordability problem without contributing to overdevelopment. Vision Long Island, a Northportbased nonprofit, promotes Smart Growth planning by working with residents and local leaders to revitalize downtowns, encourage mixed-use development and build transit-oriented housing. Its director, Erik Alexander, said these efforts have produced more than 18,000 units near public transit in 45 communities over two decades, with over 60 downtowns completing visioning or master plans. “The balance comes from the planning — not from us imposing our will,” Alexander noted. “When regional authorities do that, it backfires.” He pointed to Matinecock Court in East Northport — a 146-unit affordable housing project proposed in the 1970s but delayed for decades by lawsuits, opposition and zoning hurdles — as emblematic of Long Island’s housing struggles. Construction finally began in 2021, and as it nears completion, advocates see it both as a symbol of resistance to affordable housing and a hardwon step forward. Alexander said the barriers extend beyond zoning or community opposition to include economics and funding. “Affordability is largely a function of subsidy,” he said, “and Long Island doesn’t get its fair share.” Alexander noted that although Long Island accounts for 15 percent of New

York’s population and contributes over 2 percent in taxes, it receives only about 3 percent of the state’s affordable housing funds. “People want walkable downtowns, community, affordability, safety,” he said. “We can have all of that, but it has to come from within.” Vision Long Island also collaborates with the Long Island Housing Partnership, the region’s oldest affordable housing organization. Since 1988, President Peter Elkowitz has led its mission to preserve affordability while respecting Long Island’s suburban character. Their efforts focus on accessory dwelling units, targeted zoning reforms, and large-scale redevelopment designed to fit into existing communities. Long Island’s complex governance — two counties, 13 townships and 95 villages — adds hurdles, with overlapping approvals from school districts, health departments, and sewer authorities slowing progress, Elkowitz said. “We are inundated with different levels of government that also have overlapping responsibilities,” he said. Programs like down payment assistance, offered through county and town governments, remain key to making homeownership more accessible. Accessory dwelling units, also known as ADUs — small units within or beside singlefamily homes — are also growing in popularity, helping homeowners offset taxes and support multigenerational living, the Long Island Housing Partnership’s executive vice president, James Britz, said. “You’re renovating a single-family home, you’re not creating density in those cases,” Britz said. ADUs have been implemented in several Suffolk towns, including Huntington, Southold, Brookhaven, and soon Riverhead and Islip, while new developments are incorporating them from the start. A Bellport project will add 32 single-family homes with ADUs, and in Bay Shore, a multi-phase revitalization replaced blighted blocks with 118 new homes, sparking further investment and transforming the neighborhood. Advocates stress that there’s no onesize-fits-all solution, but sharing successes, prioritizing quality design and engaging communities early can build support, Elkowitz said. “If you do it right and you include the community, and you include something aesthetically pleasing and creative, the community usually gets behind you,” he said.

State efforts to provide affordable housing have faced backlash on L.I. To address the state’s housing shortage, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed the New York Housing Compact, which aimed to build 800,000 homes over the

Herald file/Courtesy Town of Hempstead

Then Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin, center right, joined by other Long Island officials in 2023, opposed Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Housing Compact. next decade. The plan, proposed for the 2024 fiscal year Executive Budget, included statewide zoning mandates requiring suburban towns to allow higher-density development near transit. The initiative was intended to address New York’s housing shortage: 1.2 million jobs had been added over the previous decade, but only 400,000 homes had been built. In that time, rents had risen 60 percent, and home prices 50 to 80 percent. According to the governor’s office, restrictive zoning, red tape and lengthy approvals had made building new housing more difficult. “The New York Housing Compact is a comprehensive plan to spur the changes needed to create more housing, meet rising demand, and make our state a more equitable, stable, and affordable place to live,” Hochul stated in a news release. The initiative faced strong opposition throughout the state, with over 200 elected officials in both parties voicing their opposition, according to Alexander. “It was completely out of touch — designed to help New York City developers build more cheaply out here,” he said. Long Island elected officials argued that the compact would strip local control over zoning. In March 2023, a month before the 2024 state budget deadline, local leaders — including former Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin — gathered at the Capitol in Albany, promoting a petition signed by more than 20,000 residents against the initiative. “Removing the ability for local municipalities to oversee their housing development is wrong,” Clavin said, “and that’s why we brought a collective voice from all over New York state to Albany.” State Sen. Steve Rhoads called the housing plan “reckless and irresponsi-

ble,” saying residents should have a say in their communities. “Allow those of us who actually know Long Island, the streets of Syracuse or Buffalo, to determine what we are going to do with respect to our own jurisdictions and housing,” Rhoads said. According to reports, Hochul’s housing compact was pulled from the 2024 state budget after receiving little legislative support, but the state has made progress in expanding affordable housing. In February, the State Senate advanced a package of affordable housing bills aimed at helping homeowners and renters, including a home savings program for first-time buyers, free counseling and legal services through the Homeownership Protection Program, and a two-year look-back for senior and disability rent increase exemptions. The bills are currently awaiting action in the Assembly.

Pro-Housing Community Program sees strong support in Suffolk, but not Nassau After the Housing Compact plan collapsed, Hochul signed Executive Order 30 in July 2023, creating the Pro-Housing Communities program, which provides up to $650 million annually to communities that commit to modestly increasing housing supply. To date, over 340 communities have been certified. “There’s only one solution to New York’s housing affordability crisis: we’ve got to build more housing,” Hochul said in a statement. “The ProHousing Communities initiative is delivering the incentives communities are looking for, and this latest round of grant funding will make a real difference in every region of New York.” Downstate municipalities can earn ConTInueD on neXT paGe

State incentives feed local development fears Pro-Housing Community certification by showing 1 percent housing growth in the past year or 3 percent over the past three years, or by committing to future development through a Pro-Housing Resolution. Localities must earn Pro-Housing Communities certification to access key discretionary funding programs, which includes the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the NY Forward program, the Long Island Investment Fund, and the Public Transportation Modernization Enhancement Program. Suffolk leads Nassau in Pro-Housing certifications and letters of intent, reflecting a regional shift toward broader policy acceptance. A Herald analysis, which accounts for land mass and acreage, shows that about 58 percent of Suffolk communities are certified or have submitted a letter of intent, compared to roughly 13 percent in Nassau. Although several municipalities in the Town of Hempstead — such as Valley Stream and Freeport — are certified as Pro-Housing Communities, the town itself is not and has no plans to seek certification. The Village of Hempstead, however, recently earned certification, as development began on two buildings by Conifer-LeChase Construction with 258 affordable units, plus a 96-unit apartment complex on Bedell Street, half reserved for veterans, making it eligible for a $10 million Downtown Revitaliza-

Illustration by Ainsley Martinez

Suffolk leads nassau in Pro-Housing certifications, with about 58 percent of communities participating versus 13 percent, signaling broader regional acceptance in Suffolk. tion Initiative grant. In 2019, the state selected the township to receive a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award for Baldwin. Its assets — including the Long Island Rail Road, strategic downtown investments, and infrastructure improvements — positioned it as an ideal candidate with a head start on the process. “Currently, two housing projects contained within the DRI are underway in Baldwin, with another two projects in the planning phase, and another transit-

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oriented development is approaching completion in West Hempstead,” Brian Devine, the Town of Hempstead’s director of communications, said. The town’s efforts to address affordable housing didn’t start with Baldwin. The Archstone Westbury project, which opened in 2006 at Meadowbrook Crossing, provided 396 units. According to Devine, it was the first Long Island project with an affordable housing component, with 20 percent of units designated as affordable and 10 percent specifically for residents ages 62 and older.

Except for the Village of Farmingdale, the Town of Oyster Bay is also not part of the Pro-Housing Community program. Public Information Officer Brian Nevin said that such programs come with strings attached, pressuring municipalities to meet “unrealistic growth quotas” that could strain infrastructure, schools and public safety while raising taxes for current homeowners. “The Town of Oyster Bay has consistently opposed Albany’s one-size-fits-all housing mandates,” Nevin said in an emailed statement, “which fail to recognize the unique character and alreadydeveloped nature of our suburban communities like ours.” Nevin added that the town is committed to development that balances growth with preserving suburban quality of life. Nearly 500 residential units are underway in Hicksville, including mixed-use and transit-oriented projects. The town, he said, is encouraging the state to remove “unrealistic mandates” and return to the original Downtown Revitalization Initiative, which has proven successful in Hicksville, Westbury and other nearby communities. “Our priority is to promote affordable and attainable housing options in a way that protects taxpayers and maintains the character of our neighborhoods,” Nevin said, “without ceding local control to Albany bureaucrats.”

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MERRICK HERALD — August 28, 2025

Continued from PreViouS Page

August 28, 2025 — MERRICK HERALD

Butterflies take flight at library event The Merrick Library buzzed with excitement on Aug. 21 as children and families gathered for a special 45-minute butterfly release ceremony. Throughout the month of August, the library had raised painted lady caterpillars in netted cages inside its children’s room, giving young visitors a chance to watch the tiny creatures grow and change each day. Librarians used the project as a way to spark curiosity about nature. Alongside the cages, the library displayed books about butterflies and caterpillars in the children’s section, encouraging families to learn more about these colorful insects. The program was open to all, but it was especially recommended for children ages 3-12. Before the release, kids took part in art projects, creating butterfly-themed crafts that celebrated what they had been watching for weeks. The room buzzed with conversation as the children shared their excitement about seeing the butterflies fly for the first time. The activities made the morning feel festive and set the stage for the moment everyone had been waiting for. The transformation from caterpillar to butterfly is one of nature’s most fascinating life cycles. Painted lady caterpillars spend about a week eating and growing before forming a chrysalis, where they undergo metamorphosis. Inside, their bodies completely change structure, emerging after about 10 days as fully formed butterflies, ready to spread their wings. Finally, families stepped outside the library to gather on the Astarita Garden. As the cages were opened, the multicolored butterflies fluttered into the late-summer air. Children pointed and clapped as the butterflies drifted upward, bringing a colorful close to a monthlong learning adventure that began with tiny caterpillars in the children’s room.

Holden Leeds/Herald Photos

The children gathered at the release table as a staff member prepared for the butterfly launch on Aug. 21

— Brian Kacharaba

The Merrick Library raised painted lady caterpillars in netted cages inside its children’s room. The moment of truth finally came when the butterflies were released into the air.

Christina Bonfiglio, the library’s community relations coordinator, helped promote books that children could read about butterflies.

Parker Gage, from left, Rocco Delglorino, and Nicolo Delglorino were all ready to learn about butterflies.

Nathan Hom was on hand to watch the butterfly release.

Concerned about impact of Medicaid cuts agriffin@liherald.com

As they discussed what are considered to be the harmful impacts of Medicaid cuts included in the Republican tax bill signed into law last month, U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen and Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds toured THRIVE Nassau in Westbury on Aug. 18. Reynolds is CEO of the Family and Children’s Association Long Island, a nonprofit that offers assistance to Long Island’s most vulnerable residents, with help in areas such as substance abuse, youth services and mental health. “We really wanted to make sure that people know about the really devastating impact the big, not beautiful, bill is going to have on our community — not just those in need, but all across our community, the threat to health insurance,” said Gillen, who also met with THRIVE’s staff and clients. “So many people, 1.5 million New Yorkers, are going to lose their health insurance.” THRIVE Nassau, created in 2019 by the Family and Children’s Association, provides a safe and supportive environment for patients’ recovery from addictions such as alcohol, drugs and gambling. THRIVE, which stands for transformation, healing, recovery, inspiration, validation and empower ment, offers interactive educational programs, peer-based support and more.

Courtesy Congresswoman Laura Gillen’s office

Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds, CEO of the Family and Children’s Association Long Island, and U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen discussed the impact of Medicaid cuts on Long Islanders. Concerns have risen as programs like it are now at risk of losing their funding. THRIVE is state-funded will not be immediately impacted, but others potentially will. At a time when similar programs began to see hope for the future, Reynolds said it was taken away by political changes in Washington. “We are heartened by the Long Island delegation’s commitment to fight against these potential cuts to make sure that the

voices of people who were impacted by substance use disorder are amplified,” Reynolds said, “and that the potential consequences associated with this are well known, and we’re going to continue to do that as well.” Gillen said she was fighting to ensure that Long Islanders who need Medicaid will retain their coverage, and with it their necessary treatments. A $7 million clinic project being developed for the Westbury community

by the Family and Children’s Association would have provided an integrated clinic with support for substance use, mental health care and some primary care as well. But the future of Medicaid coverage and federal grants for next year and 2027 is currently unclear, so the project was canceled. THRIVE is far from the only program in Nassau County concer ned about the future not only for their prog rams, but their patients as well. Among the others is Confide Counseling Center, in Rockville Centre, which offers a substance abuse outpatient program staffed with addiction specialists, social workers and more. “We hope it’s not to the point where benefits are removed from patients to access the services provided,” Confide told the Herald. The concer ns among nonprofits focus not only on coverage for their patients, but potential cuts to their grant funding. Without that funding, programs like THRIVE wouldn’t be able to treat patients regardless of the status of their health insurance coverage. Some programs and services will be able to continue operating as planned. Integrity Treatment Partners, in Baldwin, is not at risk of losing funding, and there is currently no threat to its patients’ coverage for drug and alcohol treatment, according to partner Josh Goldfeder.

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Scianablo challenges Ferretti’s appointment cshaw@liherald.com

Joseph Scianablo, the Democratic candidate for Hempstead town supervisor, filed a lawsuit in Nassau County Supreme Court on Monday, challenging the appointment earlier this month of his Republican opponent, John Ferretti, calling it an illegal power grab that gives Ferretti, already a Nassau County legislator, the advantages of incumbency. Town officials, however, defended the appointment, saying it was made in full accordance with the law. Scianablo, a Garden City resident, sought to contest what he described as a GOP power grab and overturn Ferretti’s appointment. “What happened the other day in the Town of Hempstead was not democracy, it was political theater,” Scianablo said. “The script was written well in advance, the stage was set, but the taxpayers were locked out of the room.” Scianablo appeared with supporters outside the courthouse, nearly three weeks after Ferretti’s appointment on Aug. 5, the same day Supervisor Don Clavin resigned. Ferretti, of Levittown, was sworn in as interim supervisor. As a county lawmaker, he represented Levittown, Bethpage, North Massapequa, and parts of Farmingdale. Scianablo’s lawsuit alle ges that Republican officials violated the state’s

Charles Shaw/Herald

Joe Scianablo, the Democratic candidate for Hempstead town supervisor, with supporters outside Nassau County Supreme Court on Monday after filing a lawsuit challenging John Ferretti’s appointment to the post. Public Officers Law, which requires 24 hours’ public notice for resolutions scheduled at meetings. Attorney Josh Kelner, who is representing Scianablo in the lawsuit, stated in a news release that the violations are “clear-cut.” “The Public Officers Law is explicit: public bodies must give notice so that citizens can make their voices heard before major decisions are made,” Kelner said. “The Town of Hempstead’s failure to comply with this requirement constitutes a clear violation of the statute.”

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Ferretti’s appointment, Scianablo contends, was prearranged, and Ferretti acknowledged that both his and Clavin’s resignations were planned days in advance. The official meeting agenda for Aug. 5 omitted the resignation and appointment, but quietly transferred Clavin’s salary to fund Ferretti’s new role. In a statement emailed to the Herald, Brian Devine, director of communications for the Town of Hempstead, called the lawsuit a “publicity stunt” and added that the appointment did not

break any laws. “Supervisor Ferretti’s appointment was made in complete accordance with the law,” Devine wrote. “Scianablo even acknowledged this point when he announced his backing for legislation to amend the law with regard to local government succession of officials. This is a silly and disingenuous maneuver that will cost taxpayers money as a result of Scianablo’s frivolous lawsuit.” In June, Scianablo proposed an ethics-reform bill aimed at banning the practice of appointing town supervisors without a public election. In a longstanding pattern in the Town of Hempstead, six out of the last 10 supervisors, according to Democrats, were appointed rather than elected, often behind closed doors. Scianablo’s bill would prohibit midter m appointments to the town supervisor position and require a special election instead, ensuring, he has said, that residents — not political insiders — choose who leads the town. Scianablo, a veteran of the Marines and a former New York City police officer, argued that Ferretti’s appointment gives him the advantages of incumbency, including name recognition through taxpayer-funded mailers, public signage, media coverage and appearances at town events. “This is not democracy,” Scianablo said. “This is rigging the game on the taxpayers’ dime.”

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MERRICK HERALD — August 28, 2025

By CHARLES SHAW

Over 40 arrested in county gang crackdown By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

One of the largest gang takedowns in Nassau County history unfolded from Aug. 13 to Aug. 18, apprehending alleged members of the MS-13, 18th Street and Trinitaros street gangs. County Executive Bruce Blakeman, District Attorney Anne Donnelly and Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder highlighted the more than 40 arrests at a news conference at Nassau County Police Department headquarters on Aug. 19. “We had a very important sweeping pickup of people that were dangerous to our community and the whole region, not just Nassau County,” Blakeman said. “We want to send a clear message that gang activity in Nassau County will not be tolerated. “We in Nassau County are grateful for the federal partnership that we have with ICE, FBI, DEA and other agencies,” he added. “As a result, we are a safer community.” Undercover NCPD officers worked with federal agencies, including Immigration Customs and Enforcement and the FBI, in an intensive multi-day search to arrest the alleged gang members and charge them with a variety of crimes. “In total, we had 42 arrests over the four days,” Ryder said. “This is like

Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald

County Executive Bruce Blakeman with a weapon obtained during a gang-related arrest, at a news conference on Aug. 19. playing Whac-a-Mole. You poke your head up, we’re going to knock it back down. “We promised in the beginning that we were going to go after the worst of the worst,” he added. “You’re looking at it on the screen, that is the worst of the worst — and we’re not done yet.” The team was formed quickly after a home invasion and shooting on Aug. 9, according to Ryder, which was followed

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by a stabbing that night and another shooting on Aug. 12, involving members of MS-13 and the 18th Street gang. Among the incidents was an attack and attempted robbery in Hempstead’s Kennedy Park, where a young pedestrian was injured with a machete and chased for two miles by four men involved with MS-13, Ryder said. The victim ran from Kennedy Park to Roosevelt, where he evaded the men.

Suspects are now being held in various jails and ICE detention facilities. Half of them are alleged gang members, authorities said. “I am pleased to say that 33 of these offenders are in ICE custody without bond pending removal,” ICE Field Office Director Bryan Flanagan said. “ICE is working diligently to implement the administration’s goals, to clear the backlog of illegal aliens that pose a threat to the security of our communities.” During the arrests, law enforcement recovered hatchets, knives, machetes and a loaded firearm, which were displayed at the news conference, as well as cameras and hand radios. The charges against those taken into custody included home invasion, attempted murder, sex trafficking and other felonies, Blakeman said. “These arrests are a testament to how committed we are in Nassau County to dismantling gangs and their toxic influence in our communities,” Donnelly said. “My office will continue to work closely with Commissioner Ryder and the Police Department to investigate, prosecute and take down criminal organizations that put families at risk. Thanks to the cooperation between agencies, the D.A.’s office was able to bring charges against 13 alleged MS-13 gang members connected with “brutal attacks” at the end of 2024, Donnelly added.

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Locals lead S.J. Hammer to another gold standout players from the BellmoreMerrick community who made their mark in the team’s championship run. Kennedy High School’s Zach Adelstein threw a one-hitter in the gold-medal game against Greater Washington, while his classmate, designated hitter Alex Demas, powered the lineup despite an arm injury that will require Tommy John surgery. From Mepham High School, outfielder Justin Lebowitz proved to be a reliable contributor Managed by longtime coach and Seaford native Mark Rosenman, Hammer didn’t just win — they dominated outscoring opponents 72-11 across six games, using the mercy run rule to close out five of them. Their repeat title followed last year’s triumph at Rice University in Houston, a run that cemented the program’s reputation for excellence against top-tier competition. “Coming off of last year, they felt they were the team to beat, actually prior to the tournament,” Rosenman said. “I sent them a text message with the video of the last out of [last year’s] championship game, and told the kids that participated in last year’s game to remember that feeling. Let’s do everything to regain that feeling. And for the kids that weren’t on the team last year to visualize what they would feel like doing that as a team again.”

The departures of key players such as Derek Yormack — another Kennedy product — and Holden Cohen, left some wondering if the program’s streak would stall. Instead, younger talent stepped forward, with Adelstein and Demas leading the charge and Lebowitz providing clutch moments. “I do believe the competition was as good,” Rosenman said. “I know the Greater Washington team that we beat two times within this tournament, and they were in the gold medal game. They saved their best pitcher for the gold medal game, and we knocked him out. We scored 13 runs in one inning.” Despite being limited to designated hitter duties, Demas batted .500 (6-for-12) with eight RBIs, nine runs scored, and five walks. His offensive presence in the three-hole gave Hammer’s lineup a dangerous edge, even as he prepared for surgery that will likely sideline him in his final baseball season at Kennedy. “He wasn’t going be able to play the field, but he didn’t want to miss the tournament, so all he did was hit,” Rosenman said. “So, it’s really a great story, the fact that he put it off because this was his last year of eligibility. He wanted to win back-to-back. And he very unselfishly put off his surgery until after the tournament, and the Tuesday we got back is when he had the surgery.”

Lebowitz also delivered in crucial moments. The Mepham outfielder hit .300 (3-for-10) while driving in seven runs, scoring eight, and drawing four walks. After rolling through their first two opponents by a combined 27-3 margin, Hammer appeared in danger of becoming overconfident. On Aug. 5, they matched up against a mixed squad that quickly exposed the danger of looking past an opponent. Four runs crossed the plate in the top of the first inning, stunning a Hammer roster that had barely been challenged to that point. The wake-up call came quickly. Hammer clawed back to even the score in the bottom of the inning and settled in from there. Demas drew a bases-loaded walk in the third that scored what proved to be the winning run in a slim 5-4 victory. “I kind of felt they were getting too cocky,” Rosenman said. “I kept on explaining to them that baseball is an unforgiving sport, and just when you think you have it all figured out, something happens. I said, ‘How confident are you guys?’ and they said, ‘We’re gonna run-rule this team.’ I said, ‘Listen, I don’t want to do this, but if this is what you feel, go out there and show me that you can play the most complete game of the tournament. “The first ball got hit the center field,” Rosenman continued. “The cen-

ter fielder, who is a very good center fielder, broke in on the ball and it went over his head for a double. The next ball was hit and the third baseman, who never makes an error, double-clutched and didn’t make the play. Next play, same thing, a ball hit that should have been a double play. And they got on the bench and I go, ‘Yeah, this is your perfect game, right?’” Sid Jacobson recovered and defeated Fort Lauderdale 13-4 in its second game on Aug. 5 before blanking another mixed team of Midwesterners 13-0 in the semifinals the next day to advance to the gold medal game against Greater Washington, whom the Hammer beat 10-0 to open the tournament on Aug. 4. Greater Washington started its top pitcher in Michael Newman, but Sid Jacobson knocked him out quick during a 13-run second inning. Adelstein took care of the rest and his second strikeout of the game was the final out for the gold. “It felt really good that Mark had the confidence in me to pitch the championship game,” Adelstein said. “Going into the tournament, he knew I was going to pitch in that game if it came down to it. Once the game started, I knew I was going to have a good game. Obviously, they were a good team, but I knew we were better, especially with the offense backing me up.”

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MERRICK HERALD — August 28, 2025

Continued from page 1

How are you getting ready to go back to school? Compiled by Herald Staff

Sothanee Sainsurin

James McManus

9, Baldwin

16, Calhoun High School

I traveled a lot this summer, so I’ve been reading about the places and writing in my journal. It makes me feel ready for all the new adventures waiting at school.

I’m going to get ready to learn new things. Brian Kacharaba/Herald

Photo by Sophea Sainsurin

Kurt Rauschenbach 14, Merrick

I haven’t really started yet, but my parents have been talking about me getting ready with going back to school shopping and just like getting to start like reading again, because the reading book is about to come out. Just getting back into the grind or whatever.

Jack Wolfrom

Emma Williamson

I’m gonna maybe read some books and get school supplies.

I play lacrosse in college, so I try conditioning as often as I can and going to the gym to get ready for the semester.

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STEPPING OUT

The longtime festival returns with another lively tribute to the ‘World’s Greatest Entertainer’ By Iris Wiener

ecause Al Jolson is forever embraced by many as “The World’s Greatest Entertainer,” celebrating him every year has become an unmissable tradition. The Al Jolson Society is ready with the 26th edition of its annual festival, on Sept. 6, when guests will enjoy an exciting day of music, memorabilia and laughs. Jolson once said: “A responsive audience is the best encouragement an actor can have.” It was immediately clear to audiences that there was an incredible amount to which they would want to respond. The star of the ﬁrst talking picture, 1927’s “The Jazz Singer,” Jolson was an eponymous performer famous for his work in vaudeville and musical theater. In fact, there’s a street named after him on Broadway outside of the Winter Garden Theatre, where he sold out nine vaudeville musical revues. This is why Jan Hernstat, the International Al Jolson Society president and founder, feels it’s important to remember his stamp on entertainment as we now know it. “I always tell people that he was the ﬁrst superstar before that phrase was coined,” says Hernstat. “He was an international star at a • Sept. 6, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. • Information and tickets time when there was no available at Jolson.org or real media to promote call Jan Hernstat at what he did. There (516) 678-3524. wasn’t radio and TV. For • Lambrou’s Catering Hall, 4073 Austin Blvd., Island Park somebody to be as big as he was worldwide. At a time when there was nothing to promote yourself, it really talks about your talent. You think of him and the guys who followed him, and there are so few people in the same category. Frank Sinatra. The Beatles. Bing Crosby. Elvis Presley. “This is why I’m celebrating his talent, his singing and his voice. He was an incredible star. I think it’s important for us to remember who he was and what he did.” The word “celebration” is an understatement when considering the many experiences planned for festival guests. One of the highlights is the auction of Jolson items. “We have a lot of good stuff up for auction that we haven’t had in the past,” Hernstat says. “People donated collections that go back 60 or 70 years. If someone comes as a collector, they would really enjoy it!” The schedule includes a number of unique performances and a luncheon buffet. Eddie Cantor’s grandson, Brian Gari, will be on hand to share stories and greet lucky attendees. Ed Greenbaum will once again be sharing his audio rarities. This year’s festival is serving up unique comedy with new acts from some old favorites. Noah Diamond demonstrates the iconic humor of Groucho Marx with

‘Well my heart went boom…’

Courtesy Jan Hernstat

Tony B gives a rousing rendition of the Jolson standards, an annual festival performance not to be missed.

a re-creation of a radio program the comedian did with Jolson. The unforgettable Bob Greenberg and Jonathan Smith (who have previously graced the stage as Laurel & Hardy) change gears this year and take on Abbott & Costello (expect to hear a rendition of “Who’s On First?”). Jeff Greenberg is returning with his delightful comedy. Plus, for the first time, guests will enjoy Jack West’s comedic stylings as he takes on the great Jack Benny. No Al Jolson Festival is complete without the main event, the musical stylings of Tony Babino. Known as “The Heart of Al Jolson,” Babino performs an entire concert tribute to Jolson, including hits “My Mammy” and “Swanee.” “He gets better every year,” says Hernstat of Babino. “One of the main reasons that we can continue to do things like this is because we have a Courtesy Jan Hernstat guy like Tony who is so talented and Al Jolson in a scene from his fi lm “The Singing Kid” sounds so much like Jolson. It’s a joy. in 1936. It was his final lead role in a musical film. Nobody else does what he does like he does it.” A part of what makes the full-day festival so special is that enthusiasts from all over come together to reflect on their shared passion. Hernstat says guests will be traveling from Philadelphia, New Jersey and even Kansas City to be in a room of likeminded individuals who appreciate Jolson’s magic. “Where can you go nowadays to see the old-time entertainers recreated?” asks Hernstat, as he considers the unique programming planned for the day. “[For us Long Islanders] it’s right in our backyard.” Hernstat hopes that through the work of the Al Jolson Society, members will be able to continue to reach out to Jolson fans who will help keep his legacy alive. “It’s harder and harder to find those people out there who are true Jolson fans. We’re not looking to convert anyone to become a Jolson fan; we just want to find the ones out there who are and let them know that they have this outlet for their enjoyment.”

Courtesy Iris Wiener

The festival “gang” includes, from left, Jeff Greenberg, Richard Halpern, Al Jolson Society President Jan Hernstat, vocalist Tony Babino, and Bob Greenberg.

Experience Beatlemania again when 1964 The Tribute brings the early 1960s Fab Four back to life. Hailed by Rolling Stone as “the best Beatles tribute on earth,” the band channels the pre-Sgt. Pepper era with uncanny authenticity — from period instruments and vintage suits to spot-on vocals and playful onstage banter. This meticulous re-creation captures the energy and joy of The Beatles’ early live performances, offering a rare chance to feel what it was like when Beatlemania swept the globe.“1964” captures the quintessential moment in history, when The Beatles actually played before a live audience. For those that never saw The Beatles live and always wanted to know what it must have been like, this may be as close as anyone could possibly get — to feel the magic.

Friday, Aug. 28, 8 p.m. $82, $66.25, $54.75, $44.25, $31.25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Brave Strangers Get ready to rock when Brave Strangers hits the stage with the music of Bob Seger. Founded by the passionate and talented Tony Paulino, this powerhouse 14-piece group delivers an authentic concert experience that captures the ﬁre, soul, and storytelling that made Seger a rock legend. From “Night Moves” to “Turn the Page” to “Old Time Rock & Roll,” Brave Strangers takes audiences on a high-energy ride through the songs that deﬁned a generation — and continue to win new fans today. With a three-piece female chorus line known as the Segerettes, the Runaway Train horn section, and a blistering eight-piece core band, their sound is as big and bold as the Motor City itself. If you’ve seen Seger live, you know the thrill. If you haven’t, this is the next best thing.

Friday, Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org.

MERRICK HERALD — August 28, 2025

Forever in tune with

August 28, 2025 — MERRICK HERALD

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD Exhibit AUG On Nassau County

CALENDAR SEP

Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “At Play,” surveys artists’ perennial fascination with entertainment in all forms. Framing this topic between the nineteenth century Belle Époque and today, the exhibit includes works by Pablo Picasso, Reginald Marsh, Everett Shinn, and Max Beckmann among many others. The works are gathered to represent a wide range of expressions, from entertainmentrelated activities to the fascinating personalities involved. It encompasses dance, music, theater, movies, circus, boating, and beach scenes, along with horseracing and various sports, both active and passive Also featured are archival items from The Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic, including costumes by Marc Chagall for Die Zauberflöte, vintage fashion items by such designers as Alfred Shaheen, and iconic costumes from the Folies-Bergère in Paris. On view until Nov. 9. • Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor • Time: Ongoing • Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337

show AUG Car The Chamber of

Commerce of the Bellmores and the Town of Hempstead welcomes all to the Friday Night Car Show Weather permitting, attendees are sure to find a wide selection of automotives, whether it be vintage vehicles, vans and buses, or newer models, like sports cars. Spectators can enter free of charge. The admission fee for cars is $5. • Where: Bellmore LIRR, across from King Kullen parking lot • Time: 5 p.m. • Contact: (516) 679-1875

Rock on at the park

Get in the groove with Led Zeppelin tribute band Misty Mountain and The Who tribute band Who’s Next at Eisenhower Park. • Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow • Time: 7 p.m. • Contact: nassaucountyny.gov

vibes AUG Summer Eisenhower Park

welcomes Puerto Rican merengue singer Elvis Crespo.

• Where: Harry Chapin

Art Talk

Join John Grande when he visits Nassau County Museum of Art. The New York-based artist reflects upon modern and contemporary culture with his constructed paintings, sculptures, and murals while carefully utilizing techniques and traditions as far-reaching those of Old Master painters, 19th-century artists to 20thcentury advertising and Pop Art. His subjects are diverse, often readily recognizable and at times quite humorous: from glamorous Hollywood stars to the art world itself and the grittier subjects of street art. $20, $15 seniors, $10 students, members free. Limited seating. Registration required.

SEP

Maren Morris

Maren Morris brings “The Dreamsicle Tour” to the Paramount stage with special guest Jade LeMac. Morris has broken boundaries, smashed records and affirmed herself as a dynamic vocalist, prolific songwriter and showstopping performer on her own terms. Among numerous accolades, she has garnered a Grammy, five ACM Awards, five CMA Awards, and three Billboard Music Awards. She has earned dozens of multi platinum and gold certifications worldwide and tallied billions of streams. Her catalog encompasses a trio of acclaimed albums, namely Hero (2016), Girl (2019), and Humble Quest (2022). Speaking to her versatility, she’s the rare force of nature equally suited to collaborating with Zedd on the 6x-platinum “The Middle” or duetting with everyone from Taylor Swift, Stevie Nicks and Sheryl Crow to Teddy Swims, Hozier, and Jessie Murph. Morris has sold out tours on multiple continents. Along the way, she also co-founded The Highwomen with Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, and Amanda Shires. In September 2023, Maren shared The Bridge, an EP featuring “The Tree” and “Get the Hell Out of Here,” and followed with a cover • Where: The Paramount, 370 of Billy Idol’s classic track “Dancing With Myself” in February 2024. She entered a bold new New York Ave., Huntington era with the release of her Intermission EP in August, which features “Cut!” and the MUNA- • Time: 7:30 p.m. produced and playful single “Push Me Over.” Maren promises to be unapologetically herself • Contact: ticketmaster.com — and it shows in this music and in what is next to come. $114.25, $92, $71.75, $65.25. or paramountny.com

Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow • Time: 7 p.m. • Contact: nassaucountyny.gov

Pterodactyl AUG Flyers

Bring the family to Long Island Children’s Museum to find about Pterodactyls, which are not classified as dinosaurs. Learn about these flying reptiles, make a flying creature and watch it soar in our wind tube at the drop-in program. For ages 3+. • Where: Museum Row, Garden City • Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. • Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

SEP

Daniel Tiger’s birthday party

Merrick Library is the place for a “grr-ific” celebration of Daniel Tiger! Bring your kids ages 1-4 for an enjoyable morning. Registration is underway for both cardholders and noncardholders. • Where: 2279 Merrick Ave., Merrick • Time: 10:30 a.m.

• Contact: merricklibrary.org or (516) 377-6112

Blood drive Donate and support those in need. Assemblyman Dave McDonough and State Sen. Steve Rhoads host a mobile blood drive at Merrick Road Golf Course. Reservations are required for whole blood and double red cell donations. • Where: 2550 Clubhouse Road (back building), Merrick • Time: 1 p.m. • Contact: (516) 409-2070

Sit and be fit

North Merrick Library invites all to a fun, energizing seated exercise class designed for all ages and abilities. This lively, fullbody workout is taught to music and includes stretching, light cardio, flexibility training, and more. No experience necessary, and all equipment is provided. Just bring yourself and get ready to feel great! • Where: 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick • Time: 2 p.m. • Contact: nmerricklibrary.org or call (516) 378-7474

SEP

Outdoor tunes

Bellmore Library welcomes everyone to a night of music, dancing, and fun that can’t be denied. DOCK Holiday, a riotous six-piece cover band that plays the best of funk, country, pop, rock, and soul, is ready to entertain patrons. Bring your own chairs. Seating is first come, first served. • Where: 2288 Bedford Ave., Bellmore • Time: 6:30 p.m. • Contact: bellmorelibrary.org or (516) 785-2990

SEP

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor • Time: 3 p.m. • Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337

Flea market

Bellmore Lions Club hosts a flea market at the Bellmore LIRR train station parking lot (B-2). No fee. Weather permitting. • Where: Bellmore LIRR, located just north of Sunrise Highway and west of Bellmore Avenue, across the street from the King Kullen supermarket. • Time: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. • Contact: (516) 783-1471

SEP

Chamber of Commerce meets

Merrick Chamber of Commerce hosts their monthly meeting at Merrick Library. • Where: 2279 Merrick Ave., Merrick • Time: 8:15 a.m. • Contact: (516) 377-6112

Storybook Stroll

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for the next storybook adventure. Stroll the gardens and enjoy a telling of Allison Sweet Grant’s “Leif and the Fall.” 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.

The Heritage Club at Bethpage 99 Quaker Meeting House Road Farmingdale, New York

MERRICK HERALD — August 28, 2025

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 6:00-9:00PM

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EMCEE

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Executive Producer

SPECIAL AWARDS

DYNAMIC DUO AWARD

Senior Vice President & General Counsel Henry Schein

THE CASEY SKUDIN 343 FUND

KAREN PAIGE, MBA, RN, CPHQ, CPPS, CPXP, OCN

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Executive Vice President & COO Episcopal Health Services

JOHN K. D’ANGELO, MD, FACEP

Founder Bellmore Dermatology

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Executive Vice President Health and Welfare Council of Long Island

NICHOLAS DIPIETRO

VANESSA BAIRD-STREETER

President & CEO Health and Welfare Council of Long Island

MITCHELL GOLDSTEIN, MD

MICHAEL DOWLING

BERNADETTE RILEY, MD, D.O., M.S., FACOFP, DABFM

Weight Loss Doctor The Long Island Weight Loss Doctor

LINDA HARKAVY, MD

Founder/Owner Form & Function Aesthetics and Wellness

LEONARD ACHAN

ANNE YEE FUN LIN, PHARM.D., FNAP

President Northwell Health: Glen Cove Hospital, Plainview Hospital, Syosset Hospital

ROB MILLER

KIMON BEKELIS, MD

Director The Stroke and Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island

General Manager & Senior Vice President, CITIZ3N Government Solutions, A SOFTHEON Brand Softheon

VANESSA MORILLO

Lead Licensed Clinical Social Worker Harmony Healthcare

JESSICA COLON BOHANNON

Founder & Board President Long Island Nurses Honor Guard, Inc.

MICHAEL N. ROSENBLUT

CATHERINE GOODZEI

Dean & Professor, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences St. John’s University

President & CEO LiveOnNY

Professor- Department of Family Medicine & Director, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome/Hypermobility Treatment Center NYIT

President & CEO Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care & Rehabilitation

Nephrology Practice Manager NYU Langone

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Senior Vice President & General Counsel The Speech Language Place

HOWARD GOODMAN, DC

Orthopedic Surgeon Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, PC

DIMITRIA PAPADAPOULOS, MD

Clinic Director, Family Treatment and Recovery Centers Family & Children’s Association

President & CEO Northwell Health

POWER COUPLE AWARD

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Rheumatologist Rheumatology Consultants

COO People’s Arc of Suffolk

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August 28, 2025 — MERRICK HERALD

LMER1 0828

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU. CITIMORTGAGE, INC., SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO ABN AMRO MORTGAGE GROUP, INC., Plaintiff -againstRAMONA MUJICA, JOSE MUJICA, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated May 7, 2025 and entered on May 23, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on September 9, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Merrick, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Easterly side of Wynsum Avenue, distant 230 feet Northerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the Easterly side of Wynsum Avenue with the Northerly side of Merrick Road; being a plot 100 feet by 60 feet by 100 feet by 60 feet. Section: 56 Block: 192 Lots: 622, 623 and 624 Said premises known as 163 WYNSUM AVENUE, MERRICK, NY 11566 Approximate amount of lien $788,140.83 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Index Number 002605/2016. JOSEPH W. RYAN, ESQ., Referee David A. Gallo & Associates LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 47 Hillside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhasset, NY 11030 File# 8243.316 {* MERRICK HE*} 154856 PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… To place a notice here call us us at

516-569-4000 x232

www.liherald.com

or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU. WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF CSMC TRUST 2015 2, Plaintiff against WAFA ABBOUD, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated October 25, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, known and designated as Section 63 Block 146 Lot 34. Said premises known as 2739 MERRICK AVENUE, MERRICK, NY 11566 Approximate amount of lien $1,216,154.12 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 003460/2017. LAWRENCE FARBMAN, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280 2832. DLG# 37135 {* Merrick Life*} 155057 LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CIT, -againstJOSEPH SCHNAIER, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of

Long Island commuters otices push back on MTA hikes

Nassau on July 12, 2024, wherein US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CIT is the Plaintiff and JOSEPH SCHNAIER, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on September 18, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1808 ECHO LANE, MERRICK, NY 11566; and the following tax map identification: 62-24-15. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, BEING AT MERRICK, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 615396/2018. Peter Kramer, Esq. Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 155268

LEGAL NOTICE Notice of Permissive Referendum Notice is hereby given that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the North Merrick Fire District in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, New York, at a regular business meeting held on the twelfth day of August, 2025, duly adopted the following resolution, subject to a permissive referendum. Resolution # 1 A resolution authorizing the Board of Fire Commissioners of the North Merrick Fire District in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, New York to sell or

otherwise dispose of personal property of the Fire District consisting of one (1) 2013 or 2014 Ford E-450 ambulance, which said vehicle is no longer necessary for any of the uses or purposes of the District at such time, and upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Fire Commissioners in its discretion may determine; said monies realized there from to be used toward the purchase of a replacement ambulance. A resolution authorizing the Board of Fire Commissioners of the North Merrick Fire District in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, New York to expend monies from the Apparatus and Equipment Reserve Fund for necessary purchase of a replacement ambulance, and associated equipment. Upon such terms, specifications and conditions as the Board of Fire Commissioners may determine. Said costs shall not exceed $ 400,000. (Four Hundred Thousand Dollars).

Section 1. Pursuant to section 6 G subdivision 7 of the General Municipal Law, the monies authorized for this expenditure shall be paid from the Apparatus and Equipment Reserve Fund. Section 2. Any monies or sums to be realized from the sale of this ambulance shall be paid into the Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund, established pursuant to Resolution # 1 herein, thereby reducing the amount of monies necessary to be expended. Section 3. Pursuant to section 6 G subdivision 5 of the General Municipal Law, any monies received there from shall be paid into such Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund. Section 4. This resolution is adopted subject to a permissive referendum. By order of the Board of Fire Commissioners North Merrick Fire District. David M. Ward District Clerk North Merrick Fire District August 12, 2025 155424

Legal Notices are everyone’s business

READ THEM

By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board faced strong opposition at its headquarters in Brooklyn from Aug. 19-20, when commuters packed public hearings to challenge the agency’s plan to raise ticket and toll prices starting in January 2026. The proposal, released July 30, would mark the MTA’s first round of increases since 2023, when both fares and tolls climbed by more than 4 percent. Officials say the changes are necessary to maintain service levels and support a transit system still recovering from the financial strain of the pandemic. Tim Baker/Herald file One of the more notable Fair hikes may soon impact LIRR commuters due changes would be on the Long to a proposal by the Metropolitan Transportation Island Rail Road, where the MTA is proposing an average Authority that would increase fares and tolls 4.4 percent fare hike on one- starting in January 2026. way peak, monthly, and weekly Whitestone, Throgs Neck and Verrazzatickets. Off-peak city tickets would increase by 25 cents, to $5.25, and no-Narrows bridges, as well as the peak city trips would rise to $7.25. Queens-Midtown and Hugh L. Carey Monthly tickets would be capped at $500. tunnels. The Cross Bay and Marine In addition to the price hikes, the Parkway bridges, which carry discountMTA plans to overhaul its ticketing sys- ed tolls, would rise from $2.60 to $2.80. tem. All one-way mobile tickets would The last toll increase came in 2023. automatically activate upon purchase Hundreds of riders and drivers and expire within four hours. Paper attended the forums to register their tickets would follow the same rule. Cur- opposition, voicing frustration over rently, those tickets remain valid for up higher costs at a time of rising rents, to 60 days, with 10-trip passes lasting six food bills, and other living expenses. But months. The new framework eliminates the MTA defended the plan as a necesthe round-trip ticket in favor of a “Day sary step to sustain reliable service. Pass,” which would allow unlimited “We strive to make fare and toll travel until 4 a.m. the following morn- increases small and predictable,” said ing. If approved, the fare changes would MTA Chief of Commercial Ventures represent the LIRR’s first increase since Jessie Lazarus while re-introducing the August 2023, when prices rose by 4.5 plan during the first night of the hearpercent. ings. “In fact, 15 years ago, the MTA East Meadow LIRR riders expressed adopted a pattern of small and predictfrustrations over the possible hikes. able fare and toll increases every two Craig Adragna, an East Meadow resi- years. And we’ve acted in compliance dent who takes the train out of Bell- with this policy ever since, which has more, is a union steamfitter and said it protected us all from those double-digit can be hard to find steady work with percentage increases we experienced in contracting issues in New York City. the 1980s and helped the MTA keep serCurrently, Adragna said he pays $300 a vice levels steady.” month for the LIRR and $150 a month Lazarus stressed that while no one for other MTA operated trains while welcomes higher prices, the agency traveling to work. must balance affordability with opera“Now the city is charging drivers for tional costs. They pointed to investdriving in the streets that we pay for,” ments in expanded service and affordhe said in a written message to the Her- ability programs such as reduced fares ald, “and now again the LIRR wants to for students and low-income riders. increase our ticket fees. When does it all “Let’s ground ourselves in the fact stop? Why does the cost of living each that residents in the New York region six months need to rise when pay have the lowest transportation costs in checks are staying the same — it’s start- the country,” she said. “As the overing to be more practical to just buy a car whelming majority of New Yorkers and drive in again.” understand because they take public Drivers would also see higher costs. transit every day, the MTA is what keeps The MTA’s plan calls for a 7.5 percent New York affordable. And fares and tolls toll increase on its nine bridges and tun- are what keeps the MTA running and nels for E-ZPass users. That would raise running frequent service.” the standard crossing fee from $6.94 to The proposal is subject to final $7.46 on major spans such as the RFK, approval by the MTA board this fall.

E1 08/28

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E2 08/28

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Did we have the right kind of engineer? Q. We were looking at our permit plans and noticed that they were stamped by an engineer we never met. I looked him up, and found out he’s a chemical engineer, but he sealed our plans for the structure. It made me wonder, can a chemical engineer do that, seal plans for structural? I know there are many different types of engineers from reading your column, like electrical engineer, mechanical, plumbing, etc. Can a chemical engineer be responsible for beams in our house? It just seems like the contractor, who took care of everything, just got a guy to stamp the plans. What can you tell us? A. That’s a great question, but you may find the answer confusing, as I did when I posed it to the Engineering Division of the New York State Office of the Professions. This is the board that qualifies professionals through exams, issues licenses and reviews complaints for prosecution. The person I spoke to was articulate and clearly had onte eeper been asked this question before. She stated that the state Office for Engineering Licensing does not license by “discipline.” This means they do not specifically differentiate among mechanical, electrical or plumbing engineers, and they “assume” the person providing the service will use good professional judgment. They also told me that a complaint can be filed if the person has acted in a way that shows they were not qualified or competent to perform the service. This means you would have a structural failure, revealing that the person acted outside the scope of their competency, education and training. In every instance, the answers I got were sprinkled with assumptions that a person would not knowingly practice in a field they were not qualified for. Clearly, or actually unclearly, the answer to your question would seem simple, but nothing I researched, and nobody I spoke to, had a clear answer, leaving it up to the licensed professional to “do the right thing.” I remember designing a large renovation for a family in which the father was an aeronautical engineer who had designed the wing attachments on aircraft. He asked to sit with me while I designed the main beams of his home. I took him, step by step, through the process, and he was very confident at the end that his home was structurally sound. Even though he had the capability to follow the process as an engineer, he didn’t do this kind of work, and admitted that it was different from what he did. It makes me wonder if the chemical engineer even knows his seal was being used for this structural design, or whether it was properly calculated. I often find that structure is over-compensated and more expensive than necessary in these instances. There are even cases of plans bearing the seal of people long deceased, so at least the chemical engineer is still alive to answer your question. Good luck!

Ask The Architect

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

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opinions

cross New York, families are struggling to afford what should be the most basic necessities — heat in the winter, air conditioning in the summer, clean running water and the electricity to power homes, businesses and lives. In today’s New York, those basics are quickly becoming luxuries. New Yorkers now pay 48 percent more for electricity than the national average — and 35 percent more than residents in neighboring Pennsylvania. For working families, seniors on fixed incomes and small-business sTEVE owners, the rising RHoADs cost of energy is becoming more than a monthly inconvenience. It’s becoming unsustainable. The situation is made worse by Albany’s increasingly aggressive push for electrification — mandating electric vehicles, electric heating and cooling systems, electric stoves and even electric school buses. These policies are being rushed forward without the infrastructure, energy supply or affordability safeguards in place. The result is a dangerous combination: higher bills and a less reliable power grid.

It’s not just consumers who are raising concerns — it’s the state’s own energy experts. During a recent heat wave, the New York Independent System Operator, which manages the state’s power grid, issued multiple energy warnings due to dangerously low operating reserves. These warnings weren’t a fluke. With a few weeks of summer still ahead, the likelihood of more grid instability looms large. The state’s Draft Energy Plan even quietly acknowledges that households relying on natural gas — a clean and affordable energy source — could face significantly higher bills as Albany continues to ban gas in favor of electricity. And what’s behind the sky-high bills New Yorkers are already paying? Nearly 20 percent of the average utility bill now goes directly to government-imposed fees, surcharges and subsidies. These hidden costs fund policies and programs many families neither asked for nor benefit from — and that percentage is only expected to rise. The state Public Service Commission, which was created to protect ratepayers, has instead rubber-stamped repeated rate hikes by utility companies, leaving consumers footing the bill. Enough is enough.

It’s time for a reset. That’s why Gov. Kathy Hochul must declare an energy state of emergency and immediately pause these reckless, top-down mandates. There must be a serious, statewide reassessment of how to balance laudable environmental goals with economic realities. Protecting the environment and ensuring affordable, reliable energy are not mutually exclusive. New York can lead in innovation without leaving working families behind. That means maintaining natural gas as part of our energy mix, modernizing aging power plants and embracing real solutions like green hydrogen, nuclear energy and carbon capture — technologies with the potential to drive down emissions while keeping the lights on and the bills reasonable. State Senate Republicans have put forward common-sense solutions to ease the burden on families. That includes supporting efforts to pump the brakes on costly mandates banning gas stoves and forcing school districts to spend billions on electric buses — before the infrastructure or funding exists to make those transitions viable. Bipartisan legislation has also been introduced to allow private water companies access to grant funds for system improvements, helping relieve ratepayers’ burden.

t’s time for a reset. Gov. Kathy Hocul must declare an energy state of emergency.

Another proposed measure would eliminate the special franchise tax on private water companies — a move that could slash some water bills by more than 30 percent. To deliver immediate relief, legislation has also been proposed to give ratepayers a break of up to $600 on their utility bills, which would put real money back in the pockets of those struggling to keep up with rising costs. The stakes are too high to continue down the current path. Rolling blackouts, exploding energy bills and forced conversions to electric systems that many can’t afford are not signs of a greener future. They are warnings of policy failure. New Yorkers deserve an energy policy grounded in common sense — one that prioritizes affordability, reliability and real progress over rigid ideology. That begins with honest leadership, transparent planning and an unwavering focus on the people who pay the price for Albany’s decisions. Every resident, from Bellmore to Buffalo, should be able to count on affordable energy. Because heat in the winter and A.C. in the summer shouldn’t be considered luxuries — they’re necessities. And no New Yorker should be forced to choose between paying the electric bill and putting food on the table. Now is the time to course-correct — before the lights go out. Steve Rhoads represents the 5th State Senate District.

From Farmingdale High School to forever

wenty-five years ago on Aug. 27, my wife, Nicki, and I stood under a gazebo on a already hot late morning at the Coral House in Baldwin to say our “I do’s.” Everything about that day exceeded my imagination — from the scenic lake in the background to the ceremony, the food and the reception. We made our grand entrance as husband and wife to a medievalsounding trumpet serenade, followed by the ESPN “NHL Hockey Night” theme song. BRiAn (Nicki graciously KACHARABA agreed, even though my first suggestion had been the “Monday Night Football” intro). Every married couple has a unique back story, and ours is no different. I met Nicki in 1991, as I was finishing my junior year at Farmingdale High School. She was a freshman. Unbeknown to me, she had noticed me six months earlier at a mutual friend’s birthday party. After officially meeting, we started talking on

the phone for hours — and I mean hours. (Remember, there was no texting back then.) Finally, after school ended on June 5, we shared our first kiss outside the band room — and then I asked her out. We’ve always been total opposites. She was in band and chorus, and I was playing and watching sports every chance I got. She didn’t think I’d be remotely interested in her because of that. But she was so down-to-earth and easy to talk to, and I felt completely comfortable being myself around her. That supposed barrier? It never even existed for me. Our first date was the movie “Soapdish” at the Sunrise Mall. We often ate at Annabella’s Italian restaurant in downtown Farmingdale (which has since closed, unfortunately), and spent countless summer nights walking around the neighborhood or sitting on a bench by the docks in back of Burns Park in Massapequa, talking about the future. I knew for a long time that she was the one I wanted to marry. By the summer of 1999, I was ready to propose. Peo-

ple suggested that I do it at Yankee Stadium — but I wasn’t about to risk 57,000 fans chanting, “Just say no!” Fortunately I caught a break when Nicki mentioned that she wanted to go on a picnic at Marjorie Post Park in Massapequa. I knew that would be the perfect setting. After lunch by the lake, we went for a walk, and I felt the moment approaching. I chose a tree near the water and, just to have a little fun, started a fake argument as we strolled back — complaining about the construction noise and the screaming kids at the pool. Naturally, she got mad and read me the riot act for a few minutes before demanding that I do something romantic for once — just as we were returning to that tree. And voilà! I backed her into its trunk, got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. I don’t think she’s ever been that quiet, before or since! We’ve lived in Bay Shore now for a little over 20 years, and are the parents of two wonderful children, Sia, 18, and Carter, 9, who we can proudly say are

f I could go back and do it all over again with my wife, Nicki, I wouldn’t change a thing.

already kind and respectful kids. By the time this is published, we will have dropped Sia off at SUNY Fredonia for her freshman year, where she will be majoring in music education with saxophone performance (believe me, that moment could be next week’s op-ed), which just adds to the emotion of this month. If I could go back and do it all over again with Nicki, I wouldn’t change a thing. She is the most beautiful, kind and selfless person I’ve ever known. She always lifts me up when I’m down, and is always looking for ways to make a positive difference in people’s lives — especially her chorus students at Wyandanch High School. The impact she’s had on them was crystal clear when they publicly honored her after their final concert this spring. I couldn’t have been prouder. I’m so lucky and blessed that I get to spend the rest of my life with her. I hope that everyone who reads this has someone like that in their lives, because it’s the best feeling in the world. So here’s to 25 years of an amazing story that I couldn’t have written better myself. Brian Kacharaba is the editor of the Bellmore and Merrick Heralds.

MERRICK HERALD — August 28, 2025

The high cost of Albany’s energy mandates

Herald editorial

Merrick

August 28, 2025 — MERRICK HERALD

HERALD and Merrick Herald News Established 1994

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A school year of excitement and uncertainty

s August winds down, another academic year is approaching for Nassau and Suffolk’s 124 school districts. Yellow buses are getting their final inspections, teachers are setting up classrooms, and families are shopping for supplies with that mix of excitement and anxiety that marks the end of summer vacation. But this coming school year carries more uncertainty than usual. Long Island schools are preparing students for a world that seems to shift beneath our feet daily. Kindergartners are beginning their educational journey in schools grappling with fundamental questions about the future of education itself. While 5-yearolds will still learn to read and write, they will also encounter technology that was science fiction just a few years ago. Artificial intelligence is already reshaping how students access information, complete assignments and develop skills. The question isn’t whether AI will transform education — it’s how quickly, and whether our schools can adapt fast enough to harness its power while teaching students to think critically about its limitations. Teachers will learn alongside their students, figuring out when to embrace AI tools and when to insist on traditional methods. Administrators will write policies for technology they don’t yet fully understand. Parents will try to help with homework that involves apps and platforms they’ve never seen. We’re all on this learning curve together, and that’s not something to be embarrassed about — it’s the reality of living through a technological revolution. Perhaps nowhere is this uncertainty more acute than in our middle schools, where students are forming their first serious academic interests and beginning to imagine their futures. These young people will eventually graduate from high school and college into a job

market where artificial intelligence may have eliminated entire career categories while creating others we can’t yet envision. How do we prepare seventh-graders for careers that don’t exist? How do we teach them to value human creativity and critical thinking in an age of machine learning? Long Island’s high schools face an even more complex challenge. They must prepare students for college admissions that increasingly emphasize authentic achievement over test scores, in an environment where the priorities of colleges and universities have become politically charged. The specter of federal education cuts adds another layer of complexity. The proposed elimination of the Department of Education could reshape everything from special education funding to college financial aid. Programs that have supported Long Island students for decades — from Title I funding in our most challenged districts to federal student loans that make college accessible — face an uncertain future. Combined with rapid technological changes, the gap between Long Island’s poorest and most affluent school districts — sometimes right next door to one another — could expand to unthinkable size. We must not lose sight of districts that need resources the most. These potential cuts extend beyond education budgets. Federal research funding that has sustained STEM careers could evaporate. Environmental programs that employ thousands of Long Island residents hang in the balance. Government functions that provide stable middle-class employment may be transformed or eliminated. These challenges are causing real anxiety for families across the Island. Parents wonder whether they’re preparing their children adequately for an unknowable future. Students feel pres-

letters

Setting the record straight on school upgrades To the Editor: The story that appeared in the Aug. 7-13 issue of the Merrick Herald, “Upgrades continue at elementary schools,” and in the Bellmore Herald, with the title “Construction upgrades continue at schools,” contained several inaccuracies about the facilities upgrades that are taking place in the North Bellmore School District. As superintendent of schools, I am committed to ensuring that our community receives factually correct information. I am addressing several of the mistakes: ■ The article stated that in 2022, the district adopted a bond resolution totaling $39 million. That is incorrect; the bond was put to a vote by the community and did not pass.

sure to make educational choices without knowing which paths will lead to viable careers. Teachers question whether their expertise remains relevant as technology advances. And all of this is compounded by the new statewide cellphone ban, whose consequences on learning, behavior and social dynamics are nervously anticipated by students, parents and teachers. The anxiety is valid and understandable. Rather than pushing these concerns aside or pretending everything is fine, our communities need to create spaces where families can voice their worries and seek support. School counselors, parent groups and community organizations must be prepared to help families navigate not just academic decisions, but the emotional toll of living with constant uncertainty. Success in this coming year won’t be measured solely in test scores or college acceptance rates, though those remain important. The real measure will be whether our students graduate with the adaptability to thrive amid constant change, the critical thinking skills to navigate an information landscape increasingly shaped by AI, and the resilience to build meaningful careers even as traditional paths disappear. Long Island has faced uncertainty before and emerged stronger. The key has always been acknowledging challenges honestly while focusing on what unites us: Ensuring that every child develops not just knowledge, but wisdom. As classroom doors prepare to open, we must acknowledge that we’re sending our children into uncharted territory. Our job — as parents, educators and community members — is to give them the tools to draw their own maps. School bells are about to ring. The future is speaking a language that we’re all still learning.

opinions

ffordable■living■in■Nassau■ County■is■a■great■concern■for■ most■residents.■As■a■former■ member■of ■the■Legislature’s■ Finance■Committee■who■now■serves■on■ the■Rules■Committee,■I■have■kept■an■eye■ on■wasteful■expenditures,■missed■opportunities■for■substantial■revenue,■and■ employment-generating■projects.■ Nassau■County■residents■deserve■to■ know■how■their■ hard-earned■tax■ dollars■are■being■ spent.■So■let’s■take■ a■closer■look. The■county■has■ lost■two■major■ development■ opportunities■this■ year,■one■at■the■ Uniondale■Hub■ sCott m. and■another■on■ DaVis the■Nassau■Community■College■ campus.■In■April■ 2023,■County■Executive■Bruce■Blakeman,■ with■great■fanfare■announced■an■agreement■with■Las■Vegas■Sands■for■a■$6■billion■project■at■the■Hub■anchored■by■a■ casino■and■resort.■According■to■Blakeman,■it■was■a■can’t-miss■opportunity■that■ would■transform■the■property■occupied■ by■Nassau■Veterans■Memorial■Coliseum.■■ That■can’t-miss■opportunity■missed.■ This■April,■the■Sands■abruptly■ announced■that■it■was■no■longer■pursuing■this■project. Also■in■2023,■NYU■Langone,■the■coun-

ty■and■NCC■commenced■negotiations■to■ build■a■$3■billion■medical■facility■on■campus.■Blakeman■boasted■that■the■project■ would■create■“the■number■one■hospital■ in■America.”■This■March,■NYU■Langone■ unexpectedly■withdrew■from■the■project,■ stating■that■“external■factors”■made■the■project■“too■ burdensome■to■proceed.”■ With■that,■$9■billion■in■ projected■growth■for■Nassau’s■future,■thousands■of ■ construction■jobs,■employment■opportunities■and■ millions■in■tax■revenue■to■ sustain■vital■services■were■ erased. Critical■investments■for■ the■greater■good■continue■ to■stagnate.■Since■2022,■the■ county■has■accrued■nearly■ $100■million■in■opioid■lawsuit■settlement■ funds,■but■only■$9.1■million■has■been■disbursed■to■agencies■for■prevention,■treatment■and■recovery■services.■The■prevalence■of ■opioid■use■requires■an■immediate■and■sustained■response,■and■utilizing■ these■settlement■proceeds■increases■the■ likelihood■of ■long-term■success,■which■in■ turn■lessens■crime■as■well■as■the■societal■ and■financial■burdens■of ■addiction■borne■ by■us■all.■ As■for■wasteful■expenditures,■Blakeman■has■nearly■tripled■the■amount■of ■ money■spent■on■outside■counsel■contracts■to■represent■the■county■instead■of ■ using■the■county■attorney’s■office.■ According■to■Newsday,■some■of ■these■

contracts■went■to■firms■that■have■donated■to■Republicans,■including■Blakeman.■ The■cost■of ■these■contracts■increased■ from■$6■million■in■2022■to■over■$20■million■in■2024.■Last■year■alone,■the■county■ spent■nearly■twice■as■much■on■outside■ counsel■than■on■the■entire■ county■attorney’s■office.■ In■early■2024,■with■a■ Republican■majority■vote,■ the■county’s■$200,000■annual■contract■for■legal■advertisements■with■Newsday■ was■canceled■and■replaced■ by■the■New■York■Post,■even■ though■Newsday■published■ over■1,600■articles■about■ Nassau■County■in■2024,■ whereas■the■Post■published■ only■155.■ In■January,■Newsday■ sued■the■county,■alleging■First■Amendment■violations■and■retaliation■for■news■ articles■and■editorials■that■county■officials■considered■unfavorable.■In■May,■the■ Republican■majority■in■the■Legislature■ authorized■up■to■$1.7■million■to■retain■a■ Manhattan-based■law■firm■to■defend■the■ lawsuit,■at■a■rate■of ■$1,400■to■$2,200■an■hour. The■administration■and■the■legislative■ majority■have■also■approved■$3.2■million■ to■fight■a■court■ruling■that■Nassau■County■wrongfully■charged■more■than■$400■ million■in■red-light■camera■ticket■fees.■ They■have■not■planned■for■the■possibility■ that■the■county■will■be■forced■to■return■ millions■of ■dollars■to■impacted■drivers. Then■there’s■Blakeman’s■provisional■

ritical investments continue to stagnate, amid wasteful expenditures.

Letters ■■ The■ article■ indicated■ that■ all■ buildings■ will■ undergo■ HVAC■ installation.■ That■ is■ incorrect;■ the■ HVAC■ systems■ were■ included■ in■ the■ failed■ 2022■ bond.■ The■ district■ is,■ however,■ upgrading■ electrical■service■to■accommodate■air■conditioning■units■in■all■instructional■spaces.■Martin■Avenue,■Newbridge■Road■and■Saw■Mill■Road■schools■ are■ currently■ being■ upgraded.■ Upgrades■ for■ John■ G.■ Dinkelmeyer■ and■ Park■ Avenue■ schools■ are■scheduled■for■fall■2025■and■spring■2026.■

tion,■ we■ thank■ the■ community■ for■ its■ continued■ support■of ■the■North■Bellmore■School■District■as■ we■continually■upgrade■our■facilities.

deputy■sheriff ■program,■known■as■his■ “militia.”■After■he■did■not■respond■to■our■ requests■for■basic■information,■in■the■ interest■of ■public■safety■and■protecting■ taxpayers■from■exposure■to■financial■liability,■Legislator■Debra■Mulé■and■I■sued■ Blakeman■—■which■could■have■been■ avoided■if ■he■had■simply■followed■the■ law.■It■is■important■to■note■that,■while■ our■counsel■in■that■case■is■pro■bono,■the■ administration■has■again■retained■outside■counsel,■at■a■cost■of ■up■to■$200,000. As■for■county■finances,■the■independent,■nonpartisan■Office■of ■Legislative■ Budget■Review■recently■reported■that■the■ Blakeman■administration■would■be■on■ pace■to■run■a■$100■million■deficit■in■2025,■ if ■not■for■the■use■of ■reserves■made■possible■by■last■year’s■one-time■infusion■of ■ money■from■the■federal■American■Rescue■Plan■Act.■In■doing■so,■they■have■created■the■illusion■of ■a■balanced■budget■ while,■in■fact,■they■are■spending■more■ than■they■are■taking■in.■ As■we■move■forward,■it■is■imperative■ to■eliminate■unnecessary■expenditures■ and■make■fiscal■decisions■based■on■reasonable■revenue■projections.■Blakeman■ is■now■crafting■the■2026■budget■during■a■ time■of ■tremendous■uncertainty■in■ which■significant■federal■funding■cuts■ are■likely.■We■must■be■more■fiscally■prudent■and■not■risk■the■county’s■financial■ health■by■gambling■on■potential■revenue■ sources■that■can■disappear■on■a■whim.■ Scott M. Davis represents Nassau County’s 1st District.

Framework by Caroline Opinsky

MARIE■TESTA Superintendent of schools, North Bellmore School District

Extremism, too, will affect the ■■ Additionally,■ the■ article■ incorrectly■ stated■ world’s future

that■ current■ construction■ includes■ repaving■ parking■lots■and■updating■walkways.■In■fact,■the■ work■at■Park■Avenue■and■Saw■Mill■Road■schools■ goes■ beyond■ that■ repaving.■ Existing■ blacktop■ and■ cement■ walkways■ were■ removed■ and■ reconstructed.■Moreover,■land■was■excavated■and■new■ stormwater■ wells■ were■ installed■ to■ enhance■ drainage.■ The■ article■ also■ stated■ that■ this■ work■ is■ similar■ to■ projects■ that■ took■ place■ at■ John■ G.■ Dinkelmeyer■and■Martin■Avenue■schools■in■summer■2024.■That■work■occurred■in■summer■2023.

■■ The■ article■ reported■ that■ each■ school,■ except■ Jacob■ Gunther■ School,■ will■ be■ outfitted■ with■ a■ security■ vestibule■ and■ new■ perimeter■ fencing.■ That■ is■ incorrect;■ that■ work■ was■ completed■ in■ summer■2022.■ ■■ The■article■also■incorrectly■noted■renovations■ of ■bathrooms■at■Park■Avenue■and■Saw■Mill■Road■ schools.■ The■ ADA-compliant■ bathrooms■ will■ be■ placed■ in■ all■ schools,■ with■ an■ anticipated■ completion■date■of ■August■2026. On■behalf ■of ■myself ■and■the■Board■of ■Educa-

To■the■Editor: Re■Peter■King’s■column■last■week,■“Isolation,■ antisemitism■ will■ affect■ the■ world’s■ future”:■ It■ seems■the■world■has■to■wait■for■those■who■have■ survived■the■horrors■of ■war■to■pass■into■history■ before■it■can■be■primed■for■the■same■mistakes■to■ be■ made■ again.■ Ignorance■ or■ agenda■ rule■ the■ day,■and■people,■as■ever,■are■easily■led■by■demagoguery. I■find■it■frightening■that■neither■party■practices■common-sense,■moderate■approaches■to■problems.■ Whereas■ once■ upon■ a■ time,■ the■ two■ political■parties■orbited■closely■around■a■center■point,■ those■halcyon■days■are■but■a■dim■memory.■Nowadays,■each■party■orbits■far,■far■away■from■a■center■that■I■believe■is■the■American■character.■The■ answer■to■our■problems■will■not■be■found■in■jackboots,■nor■will■they■be■discovered■in■those■wearing■ flowers■ in■ their■ hair,■ but■ somewhere■ in■ between. RICHARD■PETERS Merrick

A summer day on the Mediterranean — Tel Aviv, Israel

MERRICK HERALD — August 28, 2025

All that glitters isn’t gold: a closer look at county finances

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August 28, 2025 — MERRICK HERALD