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First graders at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School participated in the fourth annual Social Studies Night on March 19. Learning about history, civics, community and more. Story, more photos, Page 3.
By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
Tensions boiled over on Monday as the Nassau County Legislature failed to pass County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s $426 million capital improvement plan, leaving critical infrastructure funding in limbo amid a bitter partisan standoff over fire department funding.
All 12 Republican legislators voted to approve the plan, which includes money for roadwork, park upgrades, police equipment and emergency vehicles. But all seven Democrats abstained, arguing that Blakeman failed to provide a written commitment to fund safety upgrades for fire
By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com
The Locust Valley Central School District held its fourth budget meeting on Wednesday night, at which Karen Horoszewski, assistant superintendent for business, detailed the district’s financial plans for the 202526 school year. Addressing an array of topics from tax caps to capital projects, Horoszewski offered insights into the district’s financial health and future expenditures.
We recognize the importance of (the tax levy’s) impact on our community, our balance and the reserve.
million, an increase of roughly 2.7 over the current year. A significant portion, roughly threequarters, of the budget is allocated to staff salaries and benefits. Tax revenue will cover just over 91 percent of spending, with an additional $5.6 million coming from the state.
KAREN HOROSZEWSKI Assistant superintendent for business, Locust Valley Central School District
“I just want to apologize for those who have seen my other presentations,” she joked at the start of the presentation.
departments and EMS services in their districts. After a hour of debate in the legislative chamber, the plan was tabled. The reason for the stalemate, according to Democrats, is a lack of trust.
John Jarvis, a Glen Cove resident who volunteers for the Oyster Bay Fire Department, was one of a dozen people who spoke to legislators before their vote.
“A lot of these grants going back to 2023 and 2022 are from those years’ capital plans, and they just want assurance that those that they’re going to going to be able to get their grants,” Jarvis said of the legislators. “I find it extremely offensive that my fire department is able to secure a
“I’m repeating myself quite a bit, but I think it’s important to start at the beginning.”
Horoszewski began by highlighting next year’s projected spending plan, totaling $96.4
The discussion turned to the state’s property tax cap, implemented in 2011 to limit annual tax levy growth for local governments and school districts. Next year the district will once again keep the tax levy increase to 2 percent, which will accommodate necessary expenditures such as capital projects and debt service.
“You can see that we are well within the range for our district,” Horoszewski said. “We recognize the importance of (the tax levy’s) impact on our community, our
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
$386,000 grant to buy a new ambulance, but meanwhile, 20 minutes away in Glen Cove and Sea Cliff, they can’t even secure grants for their fire departments. It’s very offensive. I want to be safe when I go into a fire. I want to be able to use modern, modernized equipment. Be the people that you were on Sept. 12, 2001. On that day, we weren’t Republicans, we weren’t Democrats. It didn’t matter who we were, we all worked together on the side of the World Trade Center to rescue victims.”
of us in Nassau County will get the funding we deserve, especially for our first responders.”
Blakeman, however, forcefully rejected the Democrats’ demand, accusing them of political gamesmanship.
“You want to play political games with people’s lives? So you’re going to have to answer to your constituents,” Blakeman said at a heated news conference before the vote. “We have a capital plan that’s got $400 million of basic improvements to the quality of life and the public safety of Nassau County, and they’ve got about $2 million in pet projects that they want to hold hostage.”
Legislator Seth Koslow, a Democrat and a candidate for county executive, said, “Over a million dollars in funding for CPR equipment, turnout gear for firefighters when they run into a burning building, (and) communication upgrades for our local police departments has been ignored.”
Koslow accused Blakeman of “blatant political bias,” noting that since 2023, “$2.5 million in funding (has been) sent to Republican districts,” while “there has been zero approved for Democratic-led districts.”
Democrats say the money they’re requesting was approved under previous capital plans and is not new spending.
“What other reason besides petty politics could there be for not approving these requests for money?” Koslow said.
The capital plan requires a 13-vote supermajority to pass, meaning Democratic support is essential. In a rare move hours before the vote, the minority caucus presented Blakeman with a written contract guaranteeing funding for specific projects in their districts — including basic equipment for volunteer fire departments — and threatened to withhold their votes if he did not sign it.
“At the end of the day, he has our agreement. All he has to do is sign it,” Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton said. “I cannot, and I will not, support this capital plan unless I know that all
Blakeman listed the safety projects that would be jeopardized if the plan isn’t passed including $1.14 million for bulletproof vests for police, $3 million for new ambulances, $1.5 million for body cameras and $50,000 for personal protection gear for firefighters. He also cited a $550,000 high-axle vehicle that would assist in flood evacuations.
“I think (this is) is irresponsible — a violation of their oath as a legislator,” Blakeman said.
The day culminated with dueling news conferences and a public exchange between Blakeman and DeRiggi-Whitton, who confronted him with the unsigned agreement.
“If you don’t sit down, you’ll be asked to leave,” Blakeman said.
Democrats maintain that their concerns are about fairness, not obstruction. “County Executive Blakeman has politicized every issue, from the most basic, of water, to first responders, to getting funding for really basic needs that were never honestly a problem in the past,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “Every single thing has become a fight.”
Koslow added, “There’s no such thing as Democratic or Republican fires … When our first responders run into buildings, we want them prepared to help us.”
First graders and their special guests gathered at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School for the fourth annual Social Studies Night on March 19, an interactive event designed to encourage family participation in learning. The night featured a series of activities focused on civics, community, local history and geography, reinforcing the importance of being active and informed citizens.
Teachers from various disciplines led the activities in five different classrooms, with assistance from high school members of the Social Studies National Honor Society (Rho Kappa), under the guidance of adviser David Pontillo. Throughout the evening, students and their guests rotated through stations that made learning both fun and interactive.
Among the activities, participants assembled a jigsaw puzzle map of the United States, played social studies bingo and learned patriotic songs, which they performed in a lively parade. They also crafted teddy bears while listening to a story about Theodore Roosevelt and explored his legacy in conservation by planting seeds to take home.
As a special keepsake, each student received a small globe, serving as a reminder of the broader world and their role in it.
balance and the reserve.”
Fund balance, a critical measure of financial health, was detailed in four categories: non-spendable, restricted, assigned and unassigned funds. As of June 2024, the district’s fund balance stood at just under $26 million, with the unassigned portion comprising 4 percent of this year’s budget, in accordance with state regulations. Horoszewski also underscored the district’s fiscal prudence, stability and flexibility in financial planning.
The presentation detailed employee benefits, noting an increase next year of roughly $300,000 due to contractual obligations and adjustments in the State Retirement System. And capital projects were another topic, including renovations and infrastructure improvements across district facilities. Proposed projects included the renovation of the middle school-high school cafeteria and the installation of a multi-sport artificial-turf field at Bayville Intermediate School. These initiatives will be funded by a combination of capital reserve withdrawals and transfers from the general fund, underscoring the district’s commitment to making improvements without impacting the tax levy.
“This proposition that will ask for the withdrawal from the capital reserve is simply a request to withdraw money
from a savings account,” George Vasiliou, vice president of the Board of Education, emphasized after the presentation. “This money is there, and this money is there to be spent on projects like these. We’ve done enormous amounts in this district in terms of our infrastructure and more day-to-day operational facility work, and it’s our chance to do something a little bit more innovative, to do something a little bit more forward-thinking, less utilitarian, a little bit more of a statement project.”
Looking ahead, Horoszewski outlined the timeline for budget adoption and community engagement, with key dates including the April 22 budget adoption and issuance of the property tax report card, culminating in the May 20 school board election and budget vote.
“Thank you Karen,” board President Lauren Themis said. “We appreciate that you’re so intelligent, that you’re somebody who understands all those numbers, and that you can present them in such a fantastic way. So thank you for all your hard work, and your department.”
For more information on the district budget and upcoming meetings, residents are encouraged to visit the district website, LocustValleySchools.org, or attend the next board meeting, scheduled for April 22.
As estate planners, we consistently meet with people who are suffering from traumatic relationships with their children or grandchildren. Children themselves may become estranged or at odds with parents or their siblings. Sometimes, an in-law is involved that seems to turn the client’s son or daughter into someone completely different from the child they raised. The pain that these clients are going through is palpable.
Some wise sage once said that all pain comes from resistance. Many of these relationship issues may be difficult or impossible to overcome, but one thing we can all do is work on ourselves — by accepting what is. Accepting what is does not mean agreeing with or condoning certain behavior. What it does mean is that you stop saying to yourself that it is not fair, it “should” be otherwise, etc. That will not do you one bit of good and may do you considerable harm. Stress has been called “the silent killer”.
We recall reading a pithy quote a while back that went something like this “when someone disappoints you, you have two choices, you
&
can either lower your expectations or walk away”. What is disappointment but dashed expectations? Those who learn to expect less are disappointed less.
“Accepting what is” cannot be accomplished overnight. It is a concept or thought process that improves your outlook the more you think about it, work on it and form new neural pathways to forge the new outlook.
Estate planners inevitably become “therapists” for their clients because estate planning involves social relationships. Over the years, we have observed that many social problems occur between the clients two ears. As Shakespeare said in Hamlet “There is nothing good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” Forget about what’s fair or right and what’s not. You are only hurting yourself. The other person is often blissfully unaware of how you’re feeling. Michael J. Fox, the actor known for his optimism despite suffering from Parkinson’s, put it best when he said “My happiness grows in direct proportion to my acceptance, and in inverse proportion to my expectations”.
The New York Islanders and the Town of Oyster Bay invite boys and girls interested in learning hockey to a street hockey clinic at Marjorie Post Park in Massapequa. This 6-week program will introduce children aged Pre-K through 5th grade to hockey in a noncompetitive and instructional clinic.
The program begins April 9 and meets on Wednesdays at the following times by age:
■ Pre-K – K: 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.
■ 1st & 2nd Grade: 6:15 - 7:15 p.m.
■ 3rd– 5th Grade: 7:15 - 8:15 p.m.
Registration fee is $165 per child. To register and for more information, visit NewYorkIslanders.com/ streethockey.
— Will Sheeline
By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com
The Hofstra softball team struggled out of the gate to open the 2025 season but still has time to ready the ship for its bid to reach the postseason.
The Pride dropped 19 of its first 21 games before charting a four-game winning streak and has the bulk of the remaining Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) schedule ahead to earn one of the six available spots in the conference tournament. The winner of the CAA playoffs will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, which Hofstra achieved in 2023.
“We definitely have hit some moments of growth and challenges,” said fourth-year head coach Adrienne Clark, whose team took 2-of-3 games from first-place Delaware last weekend to stand at 3-6 in the CAA with 18 league games remaining. “We’re trying not to focus on the outcomes as much and focus on the things that we can control and our adjustments within.”
adjustment entering the season with the loss of ace pitcher Julia Apsel, who was an integral part of the 2023 CAA championship squad and is using her final year of college eligibility at Florida State.
Junior Emma Falen is the team’s new number one pitcher after transferring from UC Riverside. The Folsom, Calif. native recorded eight strikeouts in a 4-1 win against Towson on March 14 to earn the Pride their first league win.
The pitching staff also includes freshman Carley Ernst, a two-time Lancaster-Lebanon League First Team selection during her high school career in Pennsylvania. Senior Haley Venturini, a Rhode Island native, has battled injuries over the past two seasons and Clark is hoping she can play a key part of the rotation down the stretch of the season.
The Pride’s offense returned some key pieces from last year’s 23-26 team including junior shortstop Alanna Morse, a Mepham High School graduate, who hit a home run in Hofstra’s 11-3
Feb. 16. She also has been solid anchoring the infield recording a .932 fielding percentage last season as a sophomore with 79 putouts and 88 assists.
“She’s doing a fantastic job,”said Clark of Morse, who is second on the team with a 308 batting average. “She’s also learning how to be a better teammate and support others and she’s sort of doing it in a way that is allowing her to play free and compete hard.”
Morse’s former Mepham teammate, sophomore right fielder Lily Yepez, has also emerged as a key part of the lineup after registering 14 hits in 20 starts as a freshman.
Senior first baseman Anna Butler, a Seaford High School product, adds to the Nassau County South Shore presence on the roster. Butler tied a program record for most hits during a seveninning game when she 5-for-5 in a 4-3 loss to Cornell on Feb. 28.
Butler also can contribute in the pitching circle as well and made her first relief appearance in a 1-0 victory against Howard on March 18, tossing five innings of scoreless relief to earn
the win.
“She is so committed to competing hard and to the team,” said Clark of Butler. “That dynamic is really what has been allowing her to figure some things out.”
Sophomore center fielder Chelsea Villar has begun to make waves in the lineup and entered the week as the Pride’s leading leading hitter with a .313 batting average and three home runs. Sophomore Mackenzie Fitzgerald is also making strides as a sophomore with a .293 average.
Hofstra will be on the road the next two weekends for series against Campbell and Drexel before hosting UNCWilmington for three games from April 11-13 and College of Charleston from April 18-20. The Pride conclude the regular season by hosting CAA foe Monmouth for a three-game series from May 1-3.
“In the rest of conference play it is about continuing to focus on the things we can control and continue to focus on us,” Clark said. “When we do that, we’re capable of beating any team.”
“The
—George Karatzas, James Cress Florist, Smithtown
Unoccupied business spaces are an opportunity to help bring vitality to downtown areas. For George Karatzas, owner of James Cress Florist, staying downtown was a priority, but costs were prohibitive. Then George applied for our Vacant Space Revival Program, which has provided $2,462 in bill credits to help offset his overhead.* And Smithtown continues to have a business that brings warmth and charm to the area. It’s a beautiful thing to see come together—just like George’s floral arrangements.
*Incentives, grants, and savings will vary with every project. psegliny.com/businessfirst
By JEFFREY BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com
At the annual New York Press Association Spring Conference in Saratoga Springs last week, Herald Community Media won seven state awards in the 2024 Better Newspaper Contest.
Long Beach reporter Angelina Zingariello won a first place award in the Feature Story category, Division 4. With so many submissions in each of six divisions, it is a very difficult award to win.
About the story with the headline “A long, cold, healing journey” the judges said: “Good combination of personal struggle and outcome with unconventional therapy. Well written and edited, a compelling read.”
The Nov. 21 story focused on how Long Beach resident Mindi Dovberg uses cold-water immersion as a technique for an emotional reset when dealing with physical challenges and emotional setbacks.
The Herald took the top spot in Best Large Space Ad, Division 1, which was printed in the Nassau Herald and other Herald newspapers.
“This stunning ad touches me,” one judge wrote. “The simplicity and pure elegance of this is beautiful. Love how white space was used to create such an impact. Proves the point that sometimes less really is more! Outstanding!”
There were 10 entries in the Rookie Reporter of The Year category, and Sea Cliff/Glen Head reporter Brian Norman captured second place with stories ranging from the controversy surrounding the proposed state regionalization plan to how the food is prepared for North Shore High School students.
Sea Cliff/Glen Head reporter Brian Norman, left took second place in the Rookie Reporter of the Year category. His colleagues Melissa Berman and Charles Shaw congratulate him.
The judges said: “Reporter does a great job conveying story to readers, whether the subject be ‘hard’ news or a feature article.”
Norman, a 2024 graduate of Quinnipiac University, interned with the Herald last summer and was hired in September as a full-time reporter for Sea Cliff/Glen Head. He is now a reporter for the Nassau Herald, the flagship newspaper for the community weekly chain.
Photographer Brian Ballweg placed second in the Sports Feature, Division 1 category. The photograph appeared on the front page of the June 13 Rockville Centre Herald.
The judges said: “This photo shows
excellent framing of the lacrosse winners in this overtime state championship moment. Their faces run to the spectrum of elation, stopping the viewer — the joy here is studying their faces, bodies contained in the goal.”
Creative Director Jeffrey Negrin earned a trio of third-place awards.
In the Best Special Section Cover, Division 2 category, the judges said: “Another really excellent use of text on black with fun ‘clinks’ of glasses as backdrop. Long Island Choice Awards makes me want to open this up over a cocktail.”
For Special Sections/Niche Publications-Newsprint, Division 1 the judges said: “Excellent school recognition.”
The publication was the Herald’s annual special section for the Red and Blue competition at South Side High School that was published for the Feb. 29, 2024 Rockville Centre Herald.
In the Best Multi-Advertiser Pages category, judges said: “Cute organic for a shared page. Makes you want to read each one.”
The 2024 Better Newspapers Contest had 132 newspapers statewide submit 2,082 entries in 68 categories. The Missouri Press Association judged the submissions.
“It’s always nice to be recognized by our peers and colleagues,” said Herald Community Media publisher Stuart Richner. “We look forward to continuing to tell the stories of our communities in the weeks and years ahead. Congratulations to our team on well deserved recognition.”
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
With thousands of older New Yorkers losing more than $200 million annually to scams, AARP New York is urging legislative leaders to join Gov. Kathy Hochul in including consumer protections in the final state budget to combat elder financial fraud.
A coalition — including the chairs of the state Legislature’s Aging Committees, other lawmakers, the state police superintendent and a credit union industry security expert — highlighted the growing crisis during a news conference Monday at the state Capitol.
More than 4,300 New Yorkers age 60 and older lost a total of $203.4 million in 2023, the fourth highest total of any state, according to an FBI report. That amounts to roughly $557,000 per day — or $23,200 per hour — lost to financial exploitation. The average victim lost $47,000.
“These numbers are appalling, and they’re made worse by the fact that so many of the victims are people who worked their whole lives to put aside funds for retirement, only to see much of it—or all of it—stolen through a financial scam,” AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel said.
Finkel called on Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie to include fraud prevention measures in the budget to help financial institutions recognize and prevent scams targeting older adults.
“Where are financial institutions in helping to stop this crime? The big banks cannot sit idle on the sidelines,” Finkel said. “They need to work with the governor, Legislature and AARP to make sure their own customers have the protections they need.”
Hochul’s executive budget includes a provision to train bank tellers and other financial institution
employees to recognize signs of financial exploitation. The measure would allow employees to place a hold on suspicious transactions and refer cases to law enforcement for investigation.
One of the most common scams targeting older adults is the “grandparent scam,” in which criminals pose as a relative — often a grandchild — and claim to need emergency financial help. Victims frequently withdraw cash to assist their “relative,” only to later realize they were deceived. Since scammers often request payment in cash, gift cards or wire transfers,
victims have little chance of recovering their money.
State Sen. Cordell Cleare, chair of the Senate Aging Committee, praised AARP’s advocacy on the issue. “It is despicable that our beloved older New Yorkers would be targeted in this way,” Cleare said. “Every proactive solution must be on the table, including legislation I already passed this year establishing the Interagency Elder Justice Task Force.”
Assemblymember Gabriella Romero echoed the call for stronger safeguards.
“Elder fraud and financial abuse are a heartbreaking but all-too-common reality,” Romero said. “New Yorkers are losing hundreds of millions of dollars to these scams — often the retirement savings they worked their whole lives to earn.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven James said scams targeting older residents are becoming more sophisticated, making it difficult for law enforcement to intervene before money is lost.
“With this legislation, the financial sector will have the authority to stop or delay payments when fraud is suspected,” James said. “This will prevent seniors from being stripped of their savings and give law enforcement a better chance of arresting the suspects before they escape with the stolen money.”
State Chief Cyber Officer Colin Ahern said financial exploitation of older adults has reached “alarming levels,” with cyber fraud losses rising rapidly.
“The rise in these crimes underscores the urgent need to pass the legislation proposed by Gov. Hochul,” Ahern said. “It will enable financial institutions to take action to prevent consumer losses and ensure law enforcement can investigate these crimes.”
For updates, follow AARP New York on X, formerly Twitter: @AARPNY, Facebook: AARP New York, and LinkedIn: AARP New York.
The streets of Glen Cove came alive on Sunday with the vibrant sights and sounds of the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, drawing families, friends, and neighbors together in a joyful celebration of Irish culture and community pride. Led by Grand Marshal Joe McDonald and his dedicated aides, Irene Abrams and Sean Basdavanos, the parade marched from Finley Middle School through the heart of downtown, culminating at St. Patrick’s Church. Bagpipers, dancers, community groups, and local organizations filled the route with music, laughter, and color. Following the parade, attendees gathered at St. Patrick’s Parish Hall for a lively after-party featuring entertainment, refreshments, and family-friendly activities. The event not only fostered a strong sense of unity but also supported a meaningful cause, with proceeds benefiting the Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club and its mission to provide a safe, enriching environment for local youth.
–Roxy
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
Continuing a month-long series of interviews with influential area women in honor of Women’s History Month. Helen Dorado-Alessi is CEO of El Dorado Consulting and executive director of the Long Beach Latino Civic Association.
Herald: Tell me about yourself.
Dorado-Alessi: I grew up in Woodside, Queens, a very tight-knit community, so I was very accustomed to that kind of a world. When my husband and I looked for a new place to live when our children were growing up, Long Beach fit the bill for us. Beyond being a closeknit community, we found a community that was very charitable, giving and open.
I’m of Latin descent from the Caribbean, my dad from Cuba, my mother from Puerto Rico. So it’s kind of in my DNA to be close to the water, sun and sand. Youth development has always been a love of mine because of how hard it was for me coming up. There wasn’t any
such thing, so I always wanted to be on that side of my work. I have two kids, two grandchildren — (I’m) always out and about with them. I see the future in my grandchildren’s eyes and want to make sure that I make them proud with whatever work I am doing.
Herald: What do you do? Why?
Dorado-Alessi: I have my own company called El Dorado Consulting. I work on projects that have helped to broker relationships between philanthropy and nonprofits to get the work done. Right now I’m a consultant to Herstory Writers Workshop, an organization that helps people in jails and schools write their social justice memoirs. We ask people, if your words had the power to change hearts, minds and policies, what would they say? Through that work, I’ve been able to help people have confidence in their voice and their his-
tory, their families, their communities, and then share those stories with politicians, with businesses, with others who may not know what it’s like to walk in somebody else’s shoes.
The other thing I do is that I’m the executive director of Long Beach Latino Civic Association. No immigrant is illegal; a person cannot be illegal, but more importantly, their dreams are not illegal. They’ve left some very violent, scary places to come here, to have a life that they could be proud of. If you give people the information and the education, the knowledge, they’re more than happy to be part of Long Beach or New York or the United States.
Herald: What has challenged you in your career so far, and what keeps you going/inspires you?
Dorado-Alessi: The most challenging part of my whole career and life has
been this particular time where there’s so much animosity, hurtfulness and bullying. I think also the biggest challenge is, how do we fight misinformation and bold-faced lies? I could see why a lot of people would want this particular person to be running the country. I understand that they have their views. I’m just hoping that people, when they see what is really happening, will take a step back.
I think the parts that really drive me is when I work with young people, and I think that could have been my mom or my dad having just arrived. When I see them succeed, when I see them with a little bit of help, they’re going to college, or they’re getting a job on Wall Street. I think other men and women in the field who are fighting as hard as I am and we are, that’s what inspires me. I’m not alone.
More information can be found atherstorywriters.org, and LBlatinocivic.org. Responses have been edited for clarity. The rest of this interview can be found online, at liherald.com.
By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com
Juli Grey-Owens is founder and executive director of Gender Equality New York.
Herald: Tell me about yourself.
Grey-Owens: I am a senior trans women who does advocacy work for our community. I grew up in northwestern New Jersey, had a relatively normal childhood. I knew something was different around (age) 3 or 4. In my preteen years I experimented, but didn’t know what was up because this was the 1960s.
I went to high school and was a good student. I was a decent athlete, co-captain of my football team. Met a girl in eighth grade, and we were friends until we started going out in junior year. My experimentation stopped during high school because I was busy with school, sports — I had a girlfriend. I graduated with high honors and applied to engineering schools.
Then my parents had a tough divorce, and I had no money. College was a mess, trying to work multiple jobs and school. I felt a lot of pressure and began experimenting again.
I was recruited to a Fortune 500 company out of college, started work, paid off my bills, and then I went to a counselor to see if I could get rid of this “thing.”
The counselor was really terrific, and he said to me, “You’re not gonna get rid of it. You have to decide how you’re
gonna deal with it.”
I decided to blend this into my life. I continued as a cisgender man, but on weekends I would maybe go to a party or something, just to try to figure out the community and how I fit in it.
In 1981 a work opportunity brought my fiancée and I to Long Island. I got my MBA, I married that girl from junior year, and at 35 we had a child. As I got older, I felt stifled because between career and family, there was no time to go out.
A real turning point was when my father passed away. I was 47 at the time and I started looking at my life, as you do when your parent passes away, and I decided I needed to be more authentic. I started going to trans events in 2003, and it progressed from there.
ing at Northwell Health and Memorial Sloan-Kettering.
Herald: What has challenged you in your career so far, and what keeps you going/inspires you?
Grey-Owens: The public has a very poor idea of our community, and we suffer as a result. There’s a lot of bad information out there, outright lies in some cases. For example, 8-year-olds are not getting surgery, and school nurses are not giving out hormones. If we don’t get information out, if we don’t start making people aware of our communities, these lies will continue.
My wife and I separated in 2007, and then in 2008 I met my second wife. We’ve been together for 16 years and married for 13.
Herald: What do you do? Why?
Grey-Owens: I’m founder and executive director of Gender Equality New York, a nonprofit that advocates for transgender, gender nonbinary and intersex New Yorkers. The work we do is largely educational: We provide information to agencies, legislators. I provide training to the Nassau and Suffolk police academies. I also provide train-
We currently have a federal government that’s attacking our community and trying to make us disappear. So the work has to be done to normalize our community and make people aware of the conditions we live under.
Herald: What has been the proudest moment in your life?
Grey-Owens: Getting the transgender civil rights bill passed in 2019. Prior to January 2019, a transgender person could be discriminated against in employment, housing and public services.
In 2003, lesbians, gays and bisexuals were able to pass a bill called the Sexual
Orientation Non-Discrimination Act in New York dtate, granting them their civil rights, (but it) specifically excluded the transgender community. It was 16 years before the trans community got their civil rights.
In 2019, the Gender Expression NonDiscrimination Act was signed into law, and we have had civil rights protections in New York state since then. There are no federal protections, so if we leave there are no guaranteed protections.
Herald: What advice do you have to offer? What work is left to be done?
Grey-Owens: Trying to get federal protections for our community is a big thing, but right now we’re just trying to get our community to survive the next four years.
And to some of our younger members, who might still be in school, or living under their family’s rule, and are unable to come out and be themselves: Be patient. Be safe. Make sure you have a roof over your head, that you’re fed and taken care of, get your high school diploma, if you’re able to, get to college. Usually you’re able to be more authentically yourself in college.
It does get better once we get older, but once you’re out as an adult, anything you can do to help move the community forward is important and necessary.
For more information, visit genderequalityny.org or follow @genderequalityny on Instagram and Facebook.
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BANKRUPTCY & COMMERCIAL LITIGATION
MICHAEL S AMATO
Partner Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P C
BUSINESS LITIGATION
JOSHUA M LIEBMAN Partner
Rosenberg, Calica, Birney, Liebman & Ross, LLP
CIVIL LITIGATION
AMY E. BEDELL
Partner Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP
CONSTRUCTION & REAL ESTATE LITIGATION
NEIL P. DISKIN
Counsel Nixon Peabody LLP
CORPORATE
JOSEPH G. MILIZIO ESQ.
Managing Partner Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP
ASHLEY MISTRETTA
Counsel Nixon Peabody LLP
CHARLES SKOP
Shareholder Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P C
CRIMINAL DEFENSE
DANIEL W RUSSO, ESQ Founder and President Law Office of Daniel W. Russo Nassau County Bar Association
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Partner
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By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
The Propel NY Energy project is aiming to revo-
1
The Big Investment
$3.26 Billion:
Ratepayers fund the total capital cost for the entire project across New York state.
Six Cents a Day:
Estimated additional cost to an average residential ratepayer—about six cents per day—to support the new infrastructure.
2
The New Grid
90 Miles of Transmission Lines:
The project will construct 90 miles of new underground transmission lines, with 66 miles in Nassau County and additional segments extending into Suffolk County, the Bronx, and Westchester.
3 Additional Interconnection Points:
Long Island currently relies on just two connection points to the statewide grid. Propel NY Energy will add three
lutionize Long Island’s electric grid. The project is currently in the Article Seven permitting process — a two-year review involving environmental and engineering assessments. Construction is slated to
new connections, strengthening overall grid reliability and resiliency.
5 Interconnection Points in Total: With the new additions, the grid will have five connection points, ensuring that power flows efficiently in both directions.
Construction & Permitting
Article Seven Permitting:
The rigorous Article Seven process, covering environmental, socioeconomic, and engineering assessments, is expected to take approximately two years, with submissions made in July and anticipated approval around July 2026.
Construction Timeline:
Construction is slated to begin in mid-2026 and continue for three to four years, with completion expected by mid-2030.
begin in mid-2026 and continue until mid-2030. Here’s the key numbers and figures driving this $3.26 billion initiative:
Underground cables will be installed at a depth of roughly 5 to 7 feet, ensuring they are protected from weather and other external risks.
Daily Progress:
Crews are projected to advance between 50 and 150 feet per day per crew, minimizing long-term disruption to local neighborhoods.
4
Future-Proofing the Grid 50 to 90 Percent Increase in Demand:
As much as a 50 to 90 percent surge in electricity demand is projected over the next 20 years, driven by electrification, including electric vehicles, heat pumps, and data centers.
50 percent Renewable Energy by 2030: By 2030, it’s anticipated that 50 percent of Long Island’s power will come from offshore wind—made possible by the upgraded grid capacity.
Avoided Congestion Savings:
Enhanced transmission efficiency is expected to save the state an estimated $3.3 billion in congestion-related costs over time.
5
Selection & Local Impact 19 Proposals Reviewed:
The project was chosen through a competitive process that evaluated 19 proposals from four developers, with Propel NY Energy emerging as the most cost-effective solution.
Local Workforce:
The project will utilize local union labor and contractors, ensuring economic benefits and community engagement throughout Nassau County and beyond.
The Propel NY Energy project is about building a resilient electrical grid that meets the rising energy demands of Long Island and supports a more sustainable energy future.
By Karen Bloom
Sure … the Hollywood moviemakers grab your attention. Yet there’s so much more to the movie biz beside that tentpole blockbuster. Check out the Asbury Short Film Concert, which returns to its local “home” at the Madison Theatre next Friday and see an abundance of creative offerings. There’s certainly no denying the appeal of a major feature film. But for those who crave something different that certainly strikes an emotional chord, Asbury’s “concert” is for you. This national touring showcase brings a diverse, focused lineup — in many cases featuring up-and-coming filmmakers — of smaller efforts you generally won’t find on the big screen.
And it’s most definitely not a festival.
“We present the best in comedy, drama, animation, even the occasional documentary,” says Doug LeClaire, Asbury Shorts’ founder and longtime director. “We call it a concert rather than a festival because there are no awards, no Q&A or panel discussions, it’s all about entertainment value for the audience.”
As in previous years, Asbury Shorts offers up an eclectic mix of films, what LeClaire describes as a “potpourri of the short film world.” LeClaire, who was in commercial and film production for over four decades, has been passionate about short films since his student days at New York Institute of Technology. He pivoted to promoting his beloved short films full time and the result has been a resounding success.
“Myself, and those who have been with me the longest, didn’t think our short film party that began in Westbury in 1981 would evolve into a major global touring event that has presented Asbury Shorts shows from Berlin to L.A. over the years with many, many stops in between,” LeClaire says. “The mission has always been to keep great short films, from all years, projected on real cinema screens as opposed to YouTube, smart phones, computers or tablets or the big screen TVs. Asbury Shorts is strictly a theatrical cinema event, no virtual allowed!
“Our number one priority is the enjoyment of our audience. We’re proud to provide an outlet for the filmmakers’ product. For us, it is all about the experience, showing these films to an audience. We give them the opportunity to experience great films on a big screen the way they were meant to be seen.”
He and his team cull them from the film festival circuit — including the prestigious SXSW (South by Southwest), Sundance and Toronto International Film Festival, and Tribeca Festival, among others.
“To get an award at one of these festivals is just as good as an Oscar nomination,” LeClaire says. “These young filmmakers are so happy to get that wreath. They collect them the way we would collect baseball cards back in the day.”
• Friday, April 4, 7:30 p.m.
• For tickets, visit madisontheatreny.org or call the box office at (516) 323-4444
• Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
Think of this as your personal film festival experience. As LeClaire puts it: “We’re bringing these films to folks who can’t get to film festivals.”
His formula certainly has resonated with audiences.
“We have demonstrated that we are entertaining and blessed to have fans that keep coming back,” LeClaire says, “while also reaching out to new audiences.”
The two-hour show moves along briskly. The films range from a brief few minutes to 20 minutes at most.
“A good short film is to the point, fast paced, and most important of all, is the ending,” LeClaire says. “It must make sense.”
And that ending will surely leave you wanting more.
Among the highlights, LeClaire points to Martín Rosete’s 10-minute “Voice Over,” which depicts the urgency of life’s pivotal moments in a desperate race against time.
Three different stories are told by the same narrator searching for the correct story. The same actor appears in all three. Will the narrator find what he’s looking for? We don’t know — maybe, maybe not.
Rosete, a Spanish filmmaker now based in New York, was awarded the Goya, Spain’s Academy Award, for “Voice Over.”.
LeClaire describes it as “sort of the ‘perfect’ short film” due its story and production values.
“It has outstanding and mind boggling production design for an indie produced short film and an ending that I really like,” he explains.
Another standout is “Anomaly” from director Ryan Jenkins, which was honored recently with Best Short Film at the Lake Placid Film Festival. In this 15-minute drama, a renowned magician features an inexplicable illusion in his final run of performances. Meanwhile, a government agent who witnesses the baffling act becomes hell-bent on uncovering its method.
As for the rest, well, you’ll have to attend and see for yourself. LeClaire doesn’t like to reveal too much, promising it’s all “great fun.”
He is delighted to come back to his Long Island roots with his film showcase.
“We’re very heartened by the audience at the Madison. We are grateful to [Artistic Director] Angelo Fraboni and his staff for allowing us to return each year. It’s been a terrific relationship.”
‘Good times…’
Neil Diamond is certainly forever — as honored by Neil Forever, returning to the Paramount stage. David Jacobson, the tribute band’s founder, has a great passion for the music and legacy of the legendary performer. David, along with his son and music director Dylan Jacobson and drummer John Cardoso began their journey in January 2023. Today, the 14-person ensemble delivers an authentic, exciting and joyful concert that captivates the legendary superstar’s fans. Performing Diamond’s music is as much about heart and soul as it is talent; it’s a celebration of the music and the man who created it. The band has forged an exciting path, as discovered by excited and passionate fans, of all ages. Audiences are thrilled by the authentic renditions of classic hits like “Sweet Caroline,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” “Coming to America,” and “Kentucky Women.”
Friday, March 28, 8 p.m. $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, $29.50, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
The South Shore Symphony Orchestra springs forward with its next concert, “Slavic Masterworks,” at its Madison Theatre home. The orchestra is joined by renowned cellist Amy Barston, featured in Polish composer Grayna Bacewicz’s Cello Concerto No. 1. A rare gem, according to Barston, she notes that it is fresh to the concert stage in that it is quasi-newly discovered, but it feels like a familiar, beloved masterwork. Electrifying, often dance-like energy, paired with soaring lyrical melodies, it has received an enthusiastic reception from audiences. The evening’s repertoire also includes Dvorak’s Slavonic Dances, op. 46, no. 3 in Ab major and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, op. 64, e minor.
Saturday, March 29, 7:30 p.m. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org or (516) 3234444.
Grab those leather jackets, and rock on! The Wallflowers are back on the road and bringing their sound to the Paramount stage, Sunday, April 6, at 8 p.m., with special guest Jackson Melnick. For the past 30 years, the Jakob Dylanled act has stood as one of rock’s most dynamic and purposeful bands — a unit dedicated to and continually honing a sound that meshes timeless songwriting and storytelling with a hard-hitting and decidedly modern musical attack. That signature style has been present through the decades, baked into the grooves of smash hits like 1996’s “Bringing Down the Horse” as well as more recent and exploratory fare like 2012’s “Glad All Over.” Even so, in recent years, Dylan — the Wallflowers’ founding singer, songwriter and guitarist — has repeatedly stepped outside of his band. First with a pair of more acoustic and rootsy records, 2008’s “Seeing Things” and 2010’s “Women + Country,” and then with the 2018 film “Echo in the Canyon” and the accompanying soundtrack, which saw him collaborate with a host of artists classic and contemporary, from Neil Young and Eric Clapton to Beck and Fiona Apple.
But while it’s been nine long years since we’ve heard from the group with whom he first made his mark, the Wallflowers are silent no more. And Dylan always knew they’d return. And return the band has, with “Exit Wounds,” their new studio offering. It marks the first new Wallflowers material since “Glad All Over.” And while the wait has been long, the much-anticipated record finds the band’s signature sound — lean, potent and eminently entrancing — intact, even as Dylan surrounds himself with a fresh cast of musicians. $75, $45, $35, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Discover the beauty of dried flowers in a hands-on workshop,” Preserved Petals: Dried Flower Art Experience,” at Hive Market & Gallery, Saturday, March 29, 1:30-3 p.m. Learn various preservation techniques, then use dried blooms to create their own floral art on canvas. The workshop is guided by Curious Flowers, a local flower grower and florist based in Centerport. $45 per person. To register, visit HiveMarket.com/ workshops-events. For questions call (516) 588-9400 Head to 100102 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay.
Long Island Children’s Museum invites families to participate in Holi, the Festival of Colors, Sunday, April 6 , 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Originating in India, this Hindu festival marks the end of winter and the arrival of the colorful spring season. During this joyous celebration, families eat sweets, dance to traditional folk music and throw colorful powder made from flowers called gulal.
Crafts, color throwing and dancing are part of this vibrant event. Welcome spring’s arrival with Holi. Participants are encouraged to wear clothes that they won’t mind getting messy. Museum Row, Garden City. Go to licm.org or call (516) 224-5800 for more information.
Join Egyptologists-authorsprofessors Drs. Colleen and John Darnell at Nassau County Museum of Art, Sunday, March 30, 3 p.m., for a fascinating lecture on “Egyptomania” in the 1920s. The Darnells are authors of several books and dozens of articles. With academic careers in Egyptology at Yale University, they are committed to bringing ancient Egypt’s rich history, religion, art, and language to a worldwide audience. Their passion for vintage fashion and modeling has led to exciting collaborations with Egypt’s premier jewelry designers, photographers and magazines. Limited seating. Registration required. $20, $15 seniors, $10 students; members free. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org.
Hop on over with the little ones, ages 2-5, to Locust Valley Library for a spring celebration featuring an egg hunt, stories, and more fun, Tuesday, April 2, 2-3 p.m. Registration is required, with a maximum of three children per registration. To register, visit locustvalleylibrary.org/calendar. For more information call (516) 671-1837. 170 Buckram Road.
Tax time is upon us but help is on the way! AARP volunteers are able to assist you with your taxes, Mondays, through April 14, at Oyster Bay-East Norwich Public Library, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. By appointment only. Call (516) 922-1212 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit oysterbaylibrary.org. 89 E. Main St., Oyster Bay.
Visit Raynham Hall Museum on, Friday, March 28, 7:309 p.m., to learn about the historic building and its three generations of Townsend family occupants. Samantha Lynn Difronzo, a spiritualist healer, will help commune with the spirits of the dead. $25 members, $35 nonmembers. To purchase tickets visit raynhamhallmuseum.org. For questions call (516) 922-6808. 30 W. Main St., Oyster Bay
Polar
Head down to TOBAY Beach, Saturday, March 29, to join in the Town of Oyster Bay’s “Freezin’ for a Reason” annual Polar Bear Plunge, benefiting Special Olympics of New York. Registration takes place 9-10:30 a.m. on the day of the plunge. For more information visit OysterBayToday.com.
Theodore’s Books hosts local author Thomas Salerno who will discuss and sign copies of his new book, “Riddle of the Tongue-Stones,” Tuesday, April 2, 7 p.m. The book follows the life of Nicolas Steno, a Danish scientist, Catholic bishop and pioneer in anatomy and geology during the 17th century. No fee, but registration is required. Register at theodoresbooks.com. For questions or more information, call (516) 636-5550. 17 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay.
Planting Fields Arboretum’s Little Learners Series continues with a bug safari for ages 2 to 5, Thursday, April 4, 10-11 a.m. Kids canchance to read, explore and learn fun facts about the various insects and arachnids that make Planting Fields their home. $15 per child and is non-refundable. This is not a drop-off program; one guardian is admitted free with a registered child. To learn more, visit plantingfields.org/ happenings.
Long Island Children’s Museum opens its doors to a weekend devoted to STEM activities, Saturday and Sunday, March 29-30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., that will ignite the imaginations of children and adults alike. Guest experts offer engaging demonstrations, experiments and interactive activities.
Highlights include sampling the science of molecular gastronomy with flash frozen ice cream; learn about native and invasive species that swim in Long Island waters; discover how oysters are coming to our rescue; study the water cycle and Long Island’s unique geographic formations and more. Activities free with museum admission. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. Visit licm.org or call (516) 224-5800 for more.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct followup to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/ Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.
Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. On view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Sunday, April 13, noon-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
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28, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF LIBRARY
BUDGET HEARING
Oyster Bay-East Norwich Public Library
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Hearing on the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Public Library Budget for 2025-2026 will be held at the Library on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Michele Vaccarelli Library Director
POR FAVOR TENGA EN CUENTA, que la reunión de consideración para el presupuesto bibliotecario 2026-2026, se realizará en la biblioteca pública en Oyster Bay-East Norwich el martes, 6 de mayo de 2025 a las 7:00 de la noche.
Michele Vaccarelli Directora de la Biblioteca 152322
LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE
VILLAGE OF UPPER BROOKVILLE
A public hearing will be held before the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Upper Brookville, Nassau County, New York, at the Upper Brookville Village Hall, 24 Wolver Hollow Road, Glen Head, NY on Monday, April 7, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. The hearing will be on the 2025/2026 budget of estimated expenses and revenues for the Village’s fiscal year commencing 6/1/25 and ending 5/31/26 which has been prepared by the Board of Trustees. The budget shows $3,000 compensation for the Mayor and no compensation for the Board of Trustees. This budget is on file and open to the public for inspection at the Upper Brookville Village Office Monday thru Thursday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. , and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., from the date of this notice until the time of the hearing. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to continue or adjourn such hearing as provided by law. All persons interested will be given an opportunity to be heard at said hearing. All citizens have a right to attend the public hearing and provide written and oral comments and ask questions concerning the proposed Village budget.
Any person needing special assistance in attending, please notify the Village Clerk at (516) 624-7715 at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.
By Order of the Board of Trustees
Tracy L. Lynch Village Clerk Dated: March 28, 2025 152485
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PROPOSED LOCAL LAW
A-2025 INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF UPPER BROOKVILLE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held before and by the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Upper Brookville, Nassau County, New York at the Upper Brookville Village Hall, 24 Wolver Hollow Road, Glen Head, NY on Monday, April 7, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.
The hearing will be on whether to enact proposed Local Law A-2025 which will allow the Board of Trustees to override the tax levy limit established in the General Municipal Law §3-c as it pertains to the Incorporated Village of Upper Brookville’s budget for the fiscal year commencing June 1, 2025.
A copy of proposed Local Law A-2025 on file at the office of the Attorneys for the Village, Humes & Wagner, LLP, 147 Forest Avenue, Locust Valley, New York, where it may be reviewed between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. during usual business days until the time of the hearing.
All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at said hearing. Any person needing special assistance in attending, please notify the Village Clerk at (516) 624-7715 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
By Order of the Board of Trustees
Tracy L. Lynch
Village Clerk/Treasurer
Dated: March 28, 2025 152486
LEGAL NOTICE
VILLAGE OF UPPER
BROOKVILLE
BOARD OF APPEALS
PUBLIC NOTICE
An adjourned public hearing and meeting will be held before and by the Board of Appeals of the Incorporated Village of Upper Brookville, Nassau County, New York at the Village Hall, 24 Wolver Hollow Road, Glen Head, NY on April 10, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
The adjourned hearing will be on the appeal of Louis Eustache, owner of a parcel of land located at 18 Locust Lane in the Village, designated as Section 22, Block G, Lot 144 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map, and located within the Village=s R-1 (2-acre) zoning district.
The Appellant seeks the following variances to permit the construction of additions and alterations to the existing dwelling:
1. Front yard setback of 74.3 feet rather than the required 75 feet;
2. A total cubic volume of 94,247.03 cubic feet rather than the maximum permitted 90,000 cubic feet;
3. Off-street parking area located in the front yard and having a front yard setback of 30 feet rather than the required 75 feet; The above application is on file at the office of Humes & Wagner, LLP, attorneys for the Village, 147 Forest Avenue, Locust Valley, New York where it may be seen by appointment during the regular hours of the usual business days until the time of the hearing.
All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at said time and place. If any individual requires special assistance to attend, please notify the Village Attorney at 516-676-4600 at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.
Philip H. Wachtler Chairman Z-451 March 27, 2025 152484
LEGAL NOTICE Locust Valley Central School District Request for Proposals
Proposals from qualified and experienced firms are requested by the Board of Education of Locust Valley Central School District, Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York for Financial
Advisor Services to meet the needs of the District for the 2025-2026 school year, with an option to renew the contract annually for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030. Proposals will be received until 11:00 a.m. on April 29, 2025, in the Business Office, at Locust Valley CSD, 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, NY 11560. Attention: Karen Horoszewski, Assistant Superintendent for Business. Interested, qualified and experienced providers can pick up a copy of the Request for Proposal in the Administration Building, or you may request a copy by email t o iwright@locustvalleysc hools.org 152481
LEGAL NOTICE VILLAGE OF UPPER BROOKVILLE BOARD OF APPEALS
PUBLIC NOTICE
A public hearing and meeting will be held before and by the Board of Appeals of the Incorporated Village of Upper Brookville, Nassau County, New York at the Village Hall, 24 Wolver Hollow Road, Glen Head, NY on April 10, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. The hearing will be on the appeal of Nunzio Gaglio, owner of a parcel of land located at 73 Linden Lane in the Village, designated as Section 22, Block J, Lots 247 & 1003 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map, and located within the Village=s R-1 (2-acre) zoning district. The Appellant seeks a variance to permit a second curb cut to allow access to the property from Farmers Lane, where one (1) curb cut is permitted.
The property already has an existing curb cut onto Linden Lane.
The above application is on file at the office of Humes & Wagner, LLP, attorneys for the Village, 147 Forest Avenue, Locust Valley, New York where it may be seen by appointment during the regular hours of the usual business days until the time of the hearing.
All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at said time and place.
’ m too lazy and impatient to cook, so I order takeout all the time. Since I’ve been at it for decades, I feel I can say grabbing takeout on a regular basis requires skill and talent. It’s an art form. Are you a true takeout artist? Answer the four questions below, which relate to new foods in our neighborhood, and find out.
Domino’s Pizza (104 School St., Glen Cove)
Is there a truckload of pizza in your life? If so, you might agree, the crust is the boring part. Thankfully, those days are over. Domino’s now offers Parmesan Stuffed Crust. The dough is filled with a layer of mozzarella cheese. I ordered this delicious version and was so excited when I sank my teeth into the crust. Oozy cheese was in every bite.
(271 Bayville Ave., Bayville)
Do you like to watch the way your takeout order is being prepared? I do, so I love to bop into this gelato, pastry and coffee shop. Shop owner, Andy Lin, told me, “Every gelato flavor is crafted in small batches using a machine you can see in front of you. It allows the customers to watch the gelato-making process in real time. There are 12 pots dedicated to creating base flavors such as vanilla and chocolate. From there, the possibilities of combinations are endless. Blending hazelnut and chocolate creates a flavor reminiscent of Ferrero Rocher candy—a customer favorite.”
Okaru (1401 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn)
To avoid “takeout boredom,” do you appreciate restaurants where food is designed and plated in imaginative ways? If the answer is yes, you’ll have fun in this new, upscale Japanese restaurant. When I ordered avocado crispy rice, I was expecting a bowl of rice surrounded by avocado slices. Instead, I was served an elegant plate filled with sushi-shaped pieces. The top layers were decorated with a silky avocado spread. The bottom layers were made of crunchy fried rice with a toasty-nutty texture. For dessert, my pumpkin kabocha cheesecake looked like a delicate flower. Its candied pumpkin seeds were encased in a paper-thin sheet of clear sugar that resembled a tiny scarf.
A wonderland of sushi is featured on the menu as well, along with entrees ranging from Miso Red Lamb Chops to Grilled Branzino. It’s a happy place.
The smooth-as-silk salted caramel gelato is my favorite. Other favorite rotating flavors such as Cookie Butter are back, joined by pastries baked every morning, and countless coffee flavors, lattes and slushies. Tamago Sando, a Japanese-inspired egg sandwich that pairs perfectly with their buttery croissants is new!
Rising Tide (42 Forest Ave., Glen Cove)
Do you refuse to cook anything that requires more than one step? For example, I love baked tofu, but I’ll never consider draining it, drying it and putting it in the oven. That exceeds my step quota. Instead, I’m thrilled Rising Tide has introduced baked sesame tofu in the deli section. It’s firm and ginger-y (but not too ginger-y) and comes in a container filled with bite sized pieces. When I’m driving, I pop a piece in my mouth every time I stop at a red light.
If you read through this entire column, you’re a true takeout artist. Congratulations. See you next month!
If any individual requires special assistance to attend, please notify the Village Attorney at 516-676-4600 at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.
Philip H. Wachtler Chairman Z-462 March 27, 2025 152483
Small businesses are the backbone of Long Island, fueling local economies and creating jobs.
But despite their vital role in empowering Long Islanders and enhancing local main streets, small businesses are struggling. Countless mom-and-pop shops are still reeling from the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, and small-business owners are grappling with inflation and facing fierce competition from corporate giants with massive marketing budgets.
Last month I took a major step to support Long Island’s small-business community by introducing the Lift Our Communities, Advertise Locally, or LOCAL, Act in the State Senate. The LOCAL Act, which was also introduced in the Assembly by member Jen Luns-
ford, would establish a tax credit for small businesses to promote their goods, products and services in local media outlets, from print and digital to television and radio.
The goal of the LOCAL Act is simple yet powerful: to help small businesses stretch their marketing dollars while connecting with their most important audience, their neighbors.
IThe LOCAL Act would level the playing field for Long Island’s small businesses by making marketing more affordable. It would also support local news outlets, which provide the journalism our communities rely on but that are struggling to stay afloat. As advertising revenue shrinks, more newsrooms are being forced to cut staff or shut down altogether, leaving neighborhoods without the local reporting they count on. The LOCAL Act directly addresses this issue head-on by encouraging small businesses to invest in these news outlets, providing a mutually beneficial lifeline for economic
growth.
t would level the playing field for them by making marketing more affordable.
When small businesses thrive, so do their communities. The LOCAL Act would focus on supporting any business with 10 or fewer employees as well as minority-, woman- and veteran-owned businesses of any size. For many owners of these businesses, the ability to advertise affordably in trusted, community-driven platforms like local newspapers would be a gamechanger. Local media outlets are well positioned to connect businesses with their neighbors and loyal customers who are eager to shop locally and uplift their communities.
Small businesses do more than drive economic growth — they strengthen the neighborhoods they serve, sponsor local initiatives and reflect the cultural identity of their communities. For this reason, The LOCAL Act has already garnered strong support from business groups across Long Island and the state, including the Long Island Association,
the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business and the thousands of small businesses each organization represents, as well as the more than 200 newspapers that make up the Empire State Local News Coalition. This is a testament to the urgency and importance of this legislation.
The LOCAL Act is a clear benefit for all New Yorkers. It’s a chance to make sure every dollar invested in marketing can help Long Island foster a vibrant economic environment where small businesses can grow and communities can prosper.
State legislators have a real chance to invest in solutions that make a difference for businesses and local economies across New York this year. By working alongside the Long Island business and local news community to pass this transformative bill, we will empower small businesses, uplift local journalism and create stronger, more vibrant communities for generations to come.
Monica Martinez represents the 4th State Senate District.
The current threat of deportation for many of Long Island’s immigrants is unjust, unwise and cruel. Members of Pax Christi Long Island, representing the Catholic peace movement, urge our community to recognize the long tradition of Catholic social teaching that guides us to the command of Jesus in Matthew 25 that we “welcome the stranger.”
As a devout Jew, Jesus knew well the command of Leviticus 19:33-34: “When an alien resides with you in your land, do not mistreat such a one. You shall treat the alien who resides with you no different than the natives born among you …”
Catholic bishops:
Our belief in the dignity of the human person demands that we treat immigrants with respect and recognize their great contributions. But our nation imposes quotas and bureaucracies that make legal immigration overwhelmingly difficult, and brands those who flee their troubled homelands as “illegals.”
At this time, our nation seems to be both shunning and relying on immigrants. As a new surge of poisonous nativism creates fear among the immigrant communities, Pope Francis has spoken clearly in a letter to American
“I have followed closely the major crisis that is taking place in the United States with the initiation of a program of mass deportations. The rightly formed conscience cannot fail to make a critical judgment and express its disagreement with any measure that tacitly or explicitly identifies the illegal status of some migrants with criminality. At the same time, one must recognize the right of a nation to defend itself and keep communities safe from those who have committed violent or serious crimes while in the country or prior to arrival. That said, the act of deporting people who in many cases have left their own land for reasons of extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution or serious deterioration of the environment, damages the dignity of many men and women, and of entire families, and places them in a state of particular vulnerability and defenselessness. . . . The true common good is promoted when society and government, with creativity and strict respect for the rights of all — as I have affirmed on numerous occasions — welcomes, protects, promotes and integrates the most fragile, unprotected and vulnerable.”
As Long Island residents, we have deep connections with the immigrant community. They are family members, friends, classmates, neighbors and coworkers. Our decades of experience show that most immigrants are hardworking and law-abiding. The Immigration Research Institute reports that immigrants account for 22 percent of Long Island’s economic output. Across New York state, undocumented immigrants contribute $1.1 billion in state and local taxes.
We value and respect local law enforcement officers. We remind them that enforcing federal policy on immigrants is the responsibility of the federal government. We urge local law enforcement to refrain from collaboration with federal immigration agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, unless a person is detained because of a criminal act or has a criminal record. We also remind local law enforcement that:
ship have always been respected as places of refuge. No law enforcement agency should be allowed to violate those spaces without probable cause.
■ People reporting crimes should not be forced to prove their identity before they are helped. This is especially true in cases of domestic violence.
■ Minors should not be intimidated or questioned unnecessarily; rather, they should be protected.
Pax Christi Long Island stands with our immigrant community because it’s the right thing to do. We acknowledge their sizable contribution to the health and welfare of Long Island. We ask all Long Islanders to embrace and protect them nonviolently from injustice and abuse. We hope to remain true to our religious tradition and the universal standard of decency, by treating all people the way we would like to be treated.
■ No one can enter a private dwelling unless they have a warrant signed by a judge. An administrative order signed by ICE does not meet legal criteria for entering a private dwelling.
■ Hospitals, schools, and places of wor-
Pax Christi Long Island members Sister Mary Beth Moore and Sister Evelyn Lamoureux are Catholic nuns who have worked with immigrants for decades. Pax Christi Long Island can be contacted at catholic peaceli@gmail.com.
Every day, nearly 8,000 New Yorkers wait for a lifesaving organ transplant. Each year, too many of them die before receiving one. Despite the extraordinary advancements in medicine and the generosity of registered organ donors, New York still has one of the lowest donor registration rates in the country. But we have the power to change that — through education.
As an assemblyman, I’ve met countless advocates fighting to raise awareness of organ donation, but none as inspiring as Ava Walia, above left, a 12-year-old from Syosset who has dedicated herself to this cause. Ava isn’t just a student; she is a leader, a Donate Life Child Ambassador, and an advocate determined to make a difference. She knows that knowledge is key to increas-
ing donor participation, and she has a bold idea to ensure that every child in New York understands the importance of organ donation. Together we’ve even traveled to the White House to advocate for greater organ donation education initiatives.
A va Walia and I have been to the White House to advocate for our cause.
Ava’s impressive legislative proposal, the Organ Donation Education in Schools Act, would require New York schools to incorporate organ donation education into health curriculums from elementary through high school. The legislation is simple, but its impact would be profound. Texas has already implemented similar lessons in its schools, and New York should follow suit. By teaching students about organ donation in an age-appropriate way, we can dispel myths, address fears, and empower young people to have informed conversations with their families.
For Ava, this issue is personal. Her grandfather’s health struggles opened her eyes to the lifesaving power of
organ donation. She saw firsthand how transplants give people a second chance at life, and she has made it her mission to spread awareness. She has already educated her own classmates through presentations, and now she is pushing for change at the state level.
The truth is, many people hesitate to register as organ donors because of misinformation. Some believe they won’t receive proper medical care if they are donors, or that their religious beliefs prevent them from donating — neither of which is true. Education is the best way to dispel fear with facts. Studies show that people who learn about organ donation early in life are more likely to become registered donors when they turn 16.
In addition to expanding education in K-12 schools, the Organ Donation Education in Schools Act would build on New York’s commitment to increase donation rates by making it easier for young adults to register. Under this
proposal, students applying to SUNY and CUNY schools would have the option to enroll in the state Donate Life Registry directly on their college applications. This simple step would increase donor participation among young New Yorkers at a critical decision-making moment in their lives.
This is more than just a policy proposal — it’s a movement built on compassion, knowledge and the power of young voices. Ava’s advocacy has already inspired action at the state level, and together we are working to pass this legislation and make a lasting difference.
To the students, parents and educators reading this: Let’s ensure that every young New Yorker has access to the lifesaving knowledge of organ donation. By teaching kindness, civic responsibility and the science behind transplants, we can create a future in which no one dies waiting for a donor. Ava is proof that one person — even one young person — can change the world. Now it’s time for New York to act.
Jake Blumencranz represents the 15th Assembly District.
As an avid reader, I’ve always had a fond place in my heart for historical fiction and period pieces, but I enjoy exploring a number of genres. Toward the end of 2024 and so far this year, I’ve found myself gravitating toward women-centric contemporary fiction and coming-of-age novels, which would normally imply that they feature teenagers or young-adult characters and themes, but I think their impact is broader. We’re constantly changing and growing, and whether we come to realizations about life at 15 or 55, they impact our sense of self.
I’ve often said that the best writers are also the best readers, and as a young woman navigating the craziness of life, I’ve found comfort in books that showcase both the hardships, and the joys, of girlhood. There is so much pressure these days to adhere to societal standards — which can vary so greatly depending on whom you’re talking to — and not enough conversations
about what’s actually important to modern, up-and-coming women. Everything we want for ourselves, and every decision we make, is so important.
of comfort in knowing that the struggles of young women aren’t unique to our culture, but rather, are shared by many.
hard to achieve.
SMarch is Women’s History Month, and I considered just rattling off a number of my favorite empowering reads, but I realized I could never narrow down the list. So instead I’m switching gears, and homing in on a recent read of mine, the young adult novel “Firekeeper’s Daughter,” by Angeline Boulley.
ome days, it’s so hard to be a woman that I wonder if we’re heading backward.
This was my first exposure to Native American literature. The book’s protagonist, Daunis Fontaine, is a biracial high school senior who lives in a mostly indigenous community near an Ojibwe reservation in Northern Michigan. The Ojibwe are a large Native group in the Great Lakes region of the U.S. and Canada. While the book is largely about a drug-related scandal that wreaks havoc in Fontaine’s Native community, it also conveys so many important undertones relating to her culture and womanhood. Full of twists and turns, it kept me on my toes, and left me with an understanding of a culture I wasn’t familiar with and a sense
Over the past few weeks, I’ve thought a lot about the concept of privilege because of another book, “Difference Matters,” by Brenda J. Allen, which I read for a class I’m taking through Stony Brook University. Allen crafts meaningful observations about various social groups, and effectively communicates why and how our differences matter in fascinating ways. She defines privilege as “unacknowledged entitlement that one receives,” and in a series of exercises, she encourages readers to think about the things in their lives that have given them privilege.
I’ll be the first to admit that some days, it is so hard to be a woman. The negative rhetoric, and the legal moves that are stripping women in the United States of rights they previously had, sometimes make me wonder if we’re heading backward. Despite those doubts, I am also so proud to be a woman — one with a voice, and drive, and dreams that I know I will work
Daunis Fontaine has a voice, drive, and dreams, too. As do Rocky, the middle-aged, comical protagonist in Catherine Newman’s novel “Sandwich”; Caroline Ferriday, a real person whose story is told in Martha Hall Kelly’s “Lilac Girls”; and Isabelle Rossignol, a young woman who is part of the French resistance in World War II in Kristin Hannah’s work of historical fiction, “The Nightingale.”
I’ve listed a few additional reads of mine to make this point: I am so privileged to have had access to these works — to read and think about things with free will — and to be able take the time to ponder what they mean to me, and hopefully to other women, too.
The weight of girlhood is heavy, but so is its strength. Reading these stories has reinforced what I’ve always known to be true — that women’s voices, whether in fiction or in real life, hold immense power. The privilege of having access to these narratives is one I don’t take lightly, and as I continue to learn and grow, I hope to carry that same power into the spaces I occupy. Because every woman’s story deserves to be told, and more important, heard.
Jordan Vallone is a senior editor of the Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? jvallone@liherald.com.
Recent actions by the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies to remove web pages highlighting the contributions of Black, Hispanic and female veterans raise a critical question: Are we confusing history with diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives? And more important, what does the loss of historical information mean for present and future generations?
The removal of these pages from Arlington National Cemetery’s website, along with thousands of other web pages across government platforms, was carried out to comply with an executive order issued by President Trump.
The order, which aimed to eliminate DEI initiatives in federal programs, mandated that any DEI-related content published between Jan. 20, 2021, and Jan. 19 of this year be either archived or removed. As a result, significant historical records, including those recognizing the sacrifices and achievements of marginalized groups in the U.S. military, have been erased from public view.
The decision reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the distinction between diversity efforts and historical documentation. DEI initiatives are designed to promote fairness, representation and opportunity for marginalized communities. History, on the other hand, is an objective record of the past — one that cannot be rewritten or selec-
tively deleted without serious consequences for society as a whole.
When we remove historical information under the guise of eliminating DEI, we are erasing the stories and experiences that have shaped the nation. The contributions of African American soldiers who fought in segregated units during World War II, the bravery of Hispanic servicemen in the Korean War, and the pioneering achievements of female military officers are not “DEI content.” They are part of the fabric of American history.
By erasing these stories from public platforms, we are denying future generations the opportunity to learn from the struggles and triumphs of those who came before them. We are also depriving historically marginalized communities of the recognition and respect they deserve. History gives us a deeper understanding of our nation’s progress — and its failures. Without it, we risk repeating the mistakes of the past and failing to appreciate the diversity and resilience that define America.
The removal of content highlighting the contributions of marginalized groups does not end DEI; it merely attempts to silence the voices of those who have long fought for recognition and equality in our society. The effort to scrub this content from government websites sets a dangerous precedent. It suggests that historical facts can be elimi-
Our representatives must stand up for Medicaid funding
To the Editor:
On March 7, hundreds gathered at the State Office Building in Hauppauge to advocate for a 7.8 percent targeted increase in Medicaid rates for disability services to address rising costs, ensure fair pay for staff, and stabilize the care system for people with disabilities.
As a father of an adult child with disabilities who relies on Medicaid-supported services, I feel an overwhelming responsibility to advocate for the protection and support of staff, whose roles are crucial in caring for those with disabilities. These significant issues have profound personal and far-reaching effects for families like mine.
For over 25 years, my son Bobby has received exceptional care from the Developmental Disabilities Institute in Smithtown. The dedication and compassion of their staff have greatly enriched his life, helping him accomplish daily tasks. Their work is more than just a job; it is a calling driven by empathy and a commitment to improving lives. These critical services deserve fair compensation and job security.
In addition, the proposed hundreds of billion of dollars in cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental
nated or hidden when they become politically inconvenient. That isn’t the behavior of a free and democratic society.
The loss of historical information has far-reaching implications. For educators and students, online resources serve as vital tools for teaching American history. For researchers and historians, they provide access to primary sources and documentation that help us understand the evolution of social and political movements.
Restoring the content that was removed from Arlington National Cemetery’s website and other federal platforms isn’t just about complying with government policy — it’s about protecting the truth. Historical documentation must be treated as sacred, separate from politics or ideological battles. Federal agencies must prioritize the preservation of historical records, regardless of whether those stories align with the current political environment. Educational institutions, historians and advocacy groups must also work to archive and share information through independent platforms to ensure that those stories are not lost forever.
In a democracy, history belongs to the people — all the people. It is our collective responsibility to safeguard that history, not erase it. Without an honest and complete understanding of our past, we cannot hope to build a more just and equitable future.
Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are deeply troubling. These programs serve as lifelines, supporting people like my son and often the staff caring for him and his peers, many of whom seek supplemental food support
because of their low-wage status. Cutting funds for these programs is more than an economic decision; it is a moral one that will have devastating consequences for vulnerable populations.
As high school seniors and others contemplate their college plans, it is timely to remind them about the purpose of higher education. This is especially true at a time when there are those who question the value of universities and focus on vocational rather than on advanced education. Critics also tend to focus on the means for learning rather than on its purpose.
ROBERT A. SCOTT
A college education is much more than job prep. It is as much about character development and preparation for civic engagement as it is about preparing for a career. Too many people focus on immediate job placement instead of preparing for a life with the potential for multiple careers.
As Bill Gates once said, jobs are eliminated, but “work” — opportunities for solving problems — expands. So how best can students prepare for a future in which they see themselves as problem-solvers in constantly evolving work settings? That’s the role of colleges and universities.
In 1900, farm employment accounted for nearly 40 percent of all jobs. Today it’s about 10 percent. Technology and new management techniques are the
difference. At the end of World War II, service industries accounted for 10 percent of nonfarm employment, compared with 38 percent for manufacturing. Since the 1970s, the American economy has moved away from producing goods to providing services, and the service sector has accounted for an increasing proportion of jobs and workers.
CThe work necessary for sustainable, civil communities will continue to expand. Technological tools are increasingly available, but create ethical challenges and require educated judgment. AI should be used as a tool, not as a crutch or a substitute for thinking. Work requires information verification, not just data gathering. AI will eliminate jobs, and those graduating from colleges and universities must be prepared for this new world of employment options.
ollege is as much about character development as it is about career prep.
ing a civilization compatible with its inhabitants’ aspirations and the limitations of the natural environment; teach students to appreciate other cultures; and apply theory to practical problems. Colleges seek to help students’ transformation into productive citizens and professionals. Cooperative education, internships and service learning all reinforce classroom learning. Students gain the confidence to formulate ideas, take initiative, increase their ability to reason in different modes, solve problems, and develop communication and computational skills as well as imagination, the ability to consider ideas from different angles through exposure to the arts, literature and other cultures.
■ Graduates have lower unemployment rates than those with only a high school diploma. They also report higher job satisfaction and better career prospects.
■ Most graduates view their college education as a good investment.
We know the skills and abilities that organizations want in employees. Beyond technological know-how, they want people who can learn to analyze problems and create ethical solutions — i.e., add value and perform — without AI support. These are the skills and abilities necessary for all work, from corporate to public service to community-based jobs.
The purpose of a college education is to help students advance their knowledge, both general and expert; skills such as writing and speaking; abilities such as analysis and leadership; and values such as respect for others and teamwork. This includes the ability to understand the choices that await them as citizens, consumers, decision-makers, and arbiters of ethical alternatives. The purpose is also is to inspire students to contemplate the meaning of life; help them become capable of build-
I urge our local congressional representatives, including Nick LaLota and Andrew Garbarino, to oppose these cuts. I encourage them to advocate for sustainable funding that prioritizes the well-being of those who depend on these critical support services. An investment now will secure the present and safeguard the future for people like my son.
JOSEPH W. SCHMIDT Board of Directors chair Developmental Disabilities Institute Wantagh
To the Editor:
Nassau County has received $95.5 million from New York state for opioid treatment and awareness, part of the opioid lawsuit settlement. Of that amount, $39.5 million has been awarded. However, awarded does not mean spent. In reality, the county has only spent $3 million of that
$95.5 million.
Meanwhile, 210 residents died of overdoses in 2023. Data for 2024 has not yet been released.
To make matters worse, County Executive Bruce Blakeman has been publicly highlighting the $39.5 million in awarded funds — an impressive figure on its face — while omitting the far less impressive $3 million that has actually been spent.
This lackadaisical approach to deploying lifesaving resources is not only negligent and callous, but also appears to be financially motivated. Since receiving the funds, Nassau County has accrued millions in interest from the unspent balance sitting idle on its books.
What does it say about our county executive that he appears willing to gamble with lives for financial gain? Surely there are more ethical and effective ways to manage the county’s finances — ones that don’t come at the expense of public health.
PETROS KROMMIDAS
They learn how to learn on their own as well as in groups. We hope they will learn to think strategically about their lives, even taking a job so they have a base from which to pursue bigger dreams. We also hope they will develop a sense of humor and can laugh at themselves.
The benefits of college graduation are well known:
■ Possessing a degree provides access to a wider array of opportunities.
■ Certain fields in technology, health care and education require a degree.
Just think of the work to be done in a society: clean, affordable and dependable energy sources; reliable, inexpensive mass transportation and infrastructure; secure information systems; effective schools, health care, and fire and flood protection; safe, nourishing and affordable food; affordable housing; clean water and sanitation; peaceful relations among nations; and equal access to the rule of law.
These and other requirements for a sustainable, civil society represent problems to be identified, analyzed and solved — work to be done.
Dr. Robert A. Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and co-author of “Letters to Student: What it Means to be a College Graduate” (Roman & Littlefield, 2024).
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