raise money for the
Students lead volunteer effort for YOLO Strong Foundation
By WIll SHEElINE wsheeline@liherald.com
Two high school students are devoting their spare time and energy to supporting families in need through their work with the YOLO Strong Foundation.
Grace Simodulski, of Oyster Bay, and Natalia Figoni, of Locust Valley, both 17, have taken leading roles in organizing and supporting fundraising efforts for the nonprofit, based in Oyster Bay, which helps families with medically fragile and terminally ill children.
Their involvement began through personal connections but quickly grew into a deeper commitment to community service.
Simodulski said that she and a friend “wanted to start something, and we wanted to be more involved in our community. So I texted Dannie,” she added, referring to Dannie Taylor, YOLO Strong’s founder and board chair, “because she’s a friend of my mom’s, and I know she’s always working on wonderful projects.”
Simodulski, a senior at Oyster Bay High School, said she and her friend helped spread the word about one of the foundation’s endurance races, helping to persuade their peers to take part.
“It got really big and very popular, so it was just such an amazing thing, like, that Dannie made,” Simodulski said. “It’s all
Continued on page 6
Can a new bill make it safer to worship?
By RoKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
Calls to protect religious institutions from harassment and intimidation took center stage last Friday morning at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County. There, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi unveiled the bipartisan Safeguarding Access to Congregations and Religious Establishments from Disruption Act, known as the SACRED Act, legislation Suozzi said would address growing concerns among his constituents about safety at houses of worship.
Tworship, including blocking their path or approaching within 8 feet with the intent to harass.
here’s too much hate in our country right now faith.
Suozzi said the measure “ensures that people can access their place of worship safely and without obstruction, while still preserving First Amendment protections for peaceful expression.” He added that it draws “a clear line: intimidation and threats have no place in our communities.”
ToM SuozzI
U.S. Representative, New York’s 3rd Congressional District
“There’s too much hate in our country right now,” Suozzi said. “A lot of people are being intimidated as they enter into their religious institution to practice their faith.”
The bill, co-led by Rep. Max Miller, a Republican from Ohio, would make it a federal crime to intentionally intimidate, obstruct or harass individuals within 100 feet of a place of
“The safety of congregants and the freedom to worship is integral to a healthy democracy,” Rabbi Irwin Huberman, of Congregation Tifereth Israel, wrote in a statement to the Herald. “This bill is an important step towards assuring religious freedom in our country.”
“We at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center understand religious persecution,” Alan Mindel, the center’s chairman, said, “and so we are so proud to stand with Congressman Suozzi in protecting
Continued on page 11
Courtesy YOLO Strong Foundation
two high school students helped
YoLo Strong Foundation, founded by dannie taylor, above, which supports sick children like Ruthie Reid and their families.
Examining misinformation at Raynham Hall
By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com
Concerns about misinformation and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence took center stage at Raynham Hall Museum, where technology expert Scott Lowenstein delivered a presentation titled “Under Cover: 250 Years of Spying in America: Misinformation in the Age of AI.”
Lowenstein, director of product for AI at The New York Times and a former leader of the News Provenance Project, traced the evolution of misinformation from historical examples to modern digital challenges at the presentation on Monday, emphasizing both the novelty and continuity of the issue.
He described how his interest in misinformation begin during his work as a pollster for political campaigns, then deepened during graduate school in the aftermath of the 2016 election, when public discourse increasingly focused on “politics, misinformation, fake news.”
Lowenstein later worked at Twitter on efforts to improve online discourse before joining The New York Times to address questions of trust in media.
“Because obviously the New York Times is a company,” he said, “and that’s built on trust and the relationship that you all have with us.”
A central focus of the talk was how artificial intelligence has accelerated the spread and sophistication of false or misleading content. Lowenstein highlighted a widely circulated AI generated image of Pope Francis from 2023 wearing a fashionable coat as an early example of the technology’s viral potential.
He demonstrated how similar images can now be created in seconds using widely available tools, warning that improvements in quality are making such
content harder to detect.
“The possibilities of synthetic media,” Lowenstein explained, “and the risk of someone creating something claiming it’s from us or us being fooled by a false image, has just grown exponentially.”
Despite the technological leap, he argued that misinformation itself is not new, drawing parallels to earlier eras. He cited examples ranging from altered his-
torical photographs to misleading newspaper headlines and propaganda.
“Anytime there’s a new sort of mass communication technology, people take advantage of it because it’s amazing to spread new ideas,” he said. “And then as soon as something takes off, someone is figuring out how to use it to their advantage.”
Lowenstein also distinguished between misinformation and disinformation, noting that intent plays a key role. Whereas misinformation is falsified or misleading information spread naturally and without negative intent, disinformation is created is disseminated with clear negative purpose.
He pointed to subtle manipulations, such as slowed video altering perception, as examples of how even minor changes can significantly impact public understanding.
A recurring theme of the presentation was what Lowenstein called the “liar’s dividend,” the idea that widespread skepticism can undermine trust entirely.
“If you can just say, Oh, that was fake, or Oh, that was AI generated… then what is true anymore?” he asked.
To address these challenges, Lowenstein outlined several approaches, including detection tools, improved media literacy and the concept of “media provenance,” which tracks the origin and history of digital content.
However, he acknowledged that no single solution is sufficient and that each approach has limitations, particularly as technology continues to evolve.
The presentation concluded with a discussion of how institutions like The New York Times are trying to adapt to AI.
“We treat it as a tool,” Lowenstein said, “not a replacement for people.”
Will Sheeline/Herald
Scott Lowenstein used an AI-generated image of Pope Francis from 2023 to highlight how quickly this ‘synthetic media’ can spread online.
HERALD SCHOOLS
Spinning a tale at Theodore Roosevelt School
Theodore Roosevelt School’s cafeteria was transformed into a theater on April 23 as second graders stepped into the spotlight for a Reader’s Theater production of “Charlotte’s Web.”
The performance was the culmination of nearly a month of preparation, part of a schoolwide tradition in which each second-grade class selects a book, dives deep into the story and ultimately presents a staged reading complete with character roles, props and a live audience.
Taking turns at the microphone, students read through the story of a pig and his eight-legged friend. The production wrapped up with a song-
and-dance number, prepared with the help of music teacher Brenda Murphy.
The character necklaces and the banner were the creative handiwork of art teacher Meredith Brustman, who worked with students throughout the process.
True to the Reader’s Theater model, the experience extends beyond the stage. In keeping with the spirit of “Charlotte’s Web,” the class has chosen a community service component rooted in kindness – they’ll be partnering with pre-K students to create a kindness chain together.
–Will Sheeline
Theodore Roosevelt School’s second graders stepped into the spotlight for a Reader’s Theater production
Photos courtesy Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District
The event was part of a schoolwide tradition in which each second-grade class presents a staged reading of a book, complete with character roles, props and audience.
After a month of work, the second graders held their ‘Charlotte’s Web’ Reader’s Theater on April 23.
of ‘Charlotte’s Web.’
The production wrapped up with a song-and-dance number, prepared with the help of music teacher Brenda Murphy.
4
Takeout for Mona Lisa
MPotatoes (3.8 oz.)
4 Caramel Apple Tartlets (4 oz.)
1 Omaha Steaks Seasoning (3 oz.)
8 FREE Omaha Steaks Burgers (4 oz.) 81957ZSR
ona Lisa’s “half-smile” can be interpreted in many ways. Here’s my interpretation: after posing for so many hours, Mona Lisa must have been hungry. Instead of asking for a lunch break, I imagine she continued to try her best to smile while dreaming of an egg salad sandwich. If Mona had only known of the four eateries I visited this month with new twists on takeout, she might have enjoyed a great meal and returned with a huge smile on her face.
Angies (550 Plandome Rd., Manhasset)
do; banana; and balsamic. I’ve eaten avocado toast countless times, but never with street corn. I gave it a try. My meal arrived in a paper container. When I opened it, the ingredients seemed to swoon, “We’re here!” A graceful mountain of street corn combined with creamy parmigiana crumbles sat atop a generous, thick spread of avocado. Sourdough bread, a sprinkle of dressing, and arugula held it all together. This is my new favorite version of avocado toast.
The Audrey: Kitchen & Bar (30 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay)
I like Caesar salads and order them often. However, when I’m halfway through the bowl, the mounds of lettuce make me feel like a cow chewing her cud. I’m happy to say this is not the case in this new, contemporary American restaurant. The Caesar salad includes small, elegant balls made of cream cheese and everything bagel seasoning. They make every bite of the crisp romaine lettuce, toasted croutons and creamy Caesar dressing a delightful treat.
An Estate Plan is More Than it Appears
An estate plan consists of a set of documents for older adults most often consisting of a trust, power of attorney, health care proxy and other supporting documents providing certain legal, financial and health instructions. Most people, and even many attorneys, consider the tangible documents to be the plan, the exchange of which, for payment, constitutes the completion of the transaction.
In our view, it is the “relationship” between the client and the law firm, intangible though it may be, that is of greater value. Only the relationship can provide the benefits needed to fully effectuate the plan. First among the intangibles is the peace of mind which the client is seeking in creating an estate plan in the first place. This requires an inquiry into the capabilities and sensibilities of each family member. The substitute decision-making that will be entrusted to others demands nothing less. As to the passing of assets, we are as concerned with the emotional legacy, as with the financial legacy, the client will leave to those loved ones who survive them.
Secondly, for any estate plan to be effective,
care and attention not to mention experience, in funding the plan -- in other words getting the assets either into the trust or left to the trust as beneficiary -- are essential. The extraordinary level of care and knowledge needed to properly fund a trust is, in our experience, often found lacking. You cannot see it, but it is invaluable.
Third, of what benefit is a plan that is inorganic, in other words not subject to change. Some mechanism for the plan to be adjusted as changes in personal circumstances and in the law occur is essential. An estate plan must be designed with a review process so that it works when needed, often decades after it was first conceived.
As a relationship-based, rather than a transaction-based firm, Ettinger Law Firm has developed processes such as not charging for emails and phone calls and providing a free review every three years to provide the safety and security clients are looking for. Together with our proprietary publications and videos, and weekly client newsletter, these features allow our clients to live out the firm’s motto, “Protecting Your Future”.
ETTINGER LAW FIRM
I also ordered vegetarian chicken parmigiana. The smooth-as-silk, plantbased cutlet basking under a blanket of old-school vodka sauce was delicious. Of course, I noticed the dishes ordered by other customers as well. Everything ranging from lobster caviar bites to white clam flat bread, to filet mignon kebabs seemed to be prepared with imagination and great care.
Green Eats (17 Bridge St., Glen Cove)
There are always new specials in this café filled with fresh, healthy salads, warm bowls, sandwiches and smoothies. I was lucky to walk in on a day when three types of avocado toast were making their debuts: street corn with avoca-
While Stellina’s Bakery & Café is closed for renovations, their wine bar, right next door, is open for breakfast and lunch. I stopped by and ordered the breakfast pizza. If a painting from The Museum of Modern Art could be made of food, this would be it. I was served a long, rectangular slice of Roman-style pizza dough. A rich layer of mozzarella oozed elegantly over the crust. Morsels of scrambled eggs, each with its own artistic shape, sat across the top of the pizza as if part of a painting. It was wonderful eating a piece of modern art. The menu also includes frittatas, waffles, gourmet sandwiches on baguettes, additional creative pizza choices, sliders and salads.
Dessertino –The Crafty Spoon (227 Glen Cove Ave., Sea Cliff)
In this international-style bakery/ cafe, I found four 3D mini-cakes which were shaped like animals. A cheesecake shaped like a panda bear, a strawberry tart bear, a grizzly bear mousse cake, and a chocolate cake bear were waiting to be eaten. I tried the pink bear tart. The fluffy, sweet, pudding-ish dessert definitely would have made Mona Lisa smile.
See you next month!
■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/oysterbay ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: llane@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 327 E-mail: oysterbayeditor@liherald.com
C athi t urow
News brief
Harvesting kelp from Oyster Bay Harbor
Members of the Town of Oyster Bay’s Department of Environmental Resources team worked to harvest kelp from Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park together with local environmental partners. The town, Friends of the Bay and Cornell Cooperative each harvested lines of kelp to use in helping improve water quality in Oyster Bay on Wednesday. Additionally, through a new partnership with the Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club, local youth participate in kelp harvesting to gain experience in marine conservation and sustainable environmental practices.
“The Town of Oyster Bay’s kelp harvesting program has resulted in the cultivating and harvesting of thousands of pounds of sugar kelp from our north shore marinas,” asserted Saladino in a statement. “Kelp farming is a sustainable practice that enhances biodiversity, provides habitats for marine life, and improves water quality by reducing excess nitrogen and carbon in the ecosystem. The harvested kelp is repurposed as a nutrient-rich fertilizer for town parks and gardens, promoting ecofriendly practices throughout the community.”
Each winter, kelp lines are planted at marina locations in Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park, Tappen Beach and TOBAY Beach, as well as in Oyster Bay Harbor and Cold Spring Harbor Conser-
on Wednesday.
vation Management Areas, until spring months when it gets harvested.
For more information regarding this program and other environmental initiatives, visit OysterBayTown.com or call the Department of Environmental Resources at (516) 677-5943.
–Will Sheeline
Monday, May 18th 2026
Courtesy Town of Oyster Bay
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino joined in to help harvest kelp from Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park
Students help with Sauce Off, race fundraisers
because of her, and I’m so grateful for her.”
Figoni, a junior at Locust Valley High, said her path to the foundation also came through family ties, along with a desire to help others.
“My brother runs track with Dannie’s son, and so I was seeing her at these track meets,” Figoni explained. “I’ve had some issues in my medical history, and so I really just wanted to help out with these kids.”
Figoni got involved in organizing the foundation’s ninth annual Sauce Off fundraiser in Lindenhurst on Sept. 13 of 2025, helping to recruit volunteers, gather donations and assemble raffle baskets. The Sauce Off is a pasta-sauce-making competition that the foundation has hosted for the past nine years.
“I made some of the gift baskets,” Figoni said. “I went around town to get donations towards this and just post things about it.”
The event raised about $7,500, according to Taylor.
Taylor said that while the organization has had youth volunteers in the past, Simodulski and Figoni went beyond what is typically expected of them. “They’ve been proactive,” Taylor said. “They’ve asked how they can help in between the races.”
She said that Simodulski also played a key role in another fundraising effort, a “4 x 4 x 24” endurance event in which participants run four miles every four hours over the course of 24 hours.
“Gracie found a team of peers, and basically what happens is each of the teams shares our link to our donation site,” Taylor said. “Gracie’s team was the second-highest fundraising team.” Which was particularly impressive, Taylor added, because the top fundraising team was her own, made up of YOLO’s top leadership.
The funds raised at the events were directed to a Long Island family with a child who is undergoing che-
motherapy treatment.
“We went over and we delivered a check,” Taylor said, “and we paid for six months of their mortgage.”
Both students described their experiences as challenging but ultimately rewarding. Both the race and the Sauce Off, despite the work required to make them happen, gave them the chance to see the results of that work.
“Getting all the baskets ready and remembering to post things and get volunteers was obviously a stressful thing while being in school and taking hard, accelerated courses,” Figoni said. “But I think the day of the Sauce Off for me was just really incredible, to see all the people show up and how all the work that you’ve been putting in for months comes together.”
Simodulski echoed those sentiments. “I’m not gonna sugarcoat it: The first few weeks leading up to the 4 x 4 race, it was extremely stressful,” she said. “But it was honestly such a good time.”
Both said the experience has influenced their future plans, and added that they were interested in pursuing careers in nursing.
“I would tell people my age to join a community service,” Simodulski said, “because it actually feels like you’re doing something that truly matters.”
The impact of their work, Figoni said, has stayed with her. “It is just like one of the best feelings that you can experience,” she said, “being able to help with something this big and being able to change someone’s life just by volunteering.”
Their dedication, Taylor said, reflects the broader mission of the foundation, and how it has grown. “The fact that girls like Talia and Gracie have taken it on the way they have,” she said, “is probably one of the proudest moments that I think the foundation can look back on.”
Photos courtesy YOLO Strong Foundation
Volunteers recruited by grace Simodulski, of oyster Bay, and natalia f igoni, of Locust Valley, helped organize two events and raise thousands of dollars.
taylor, bottom, Simodulski, third from bottom, and f igoni, fifth from bottom, volunteered at and ran in one of the foundation’s endurance races.
RESULTS THAT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES ‘‘
‘‘ The branded content advertising with the Herald has proven to be extremely advantageous for me. Not only has it resonated with my current client base and sphere of influence… it has also brought new business, new design projects, and new real estate clients.‘‘
THE GREAT BOOK GuRu
Parent pressures
Dear Great Book Guru, I know it is still some time away, but I would like to get some suggestions for a good book to give for Mother’s Day for some of my favorite mothers. Any thoughts?
Book Gift Giver Extraordinaire
Dear Book Gift Giver Extraordinaire,
I read Mona Simpson’s “My Hollywood” a while ago and I think it might make for an interesting, thought- provoking gift. It tells the stories of two mothers and how their lives intersect over one year.
medical school education. Claire’s torturous introspections about her work, her home, her child, and her role as employer are brutally recounted. Lola recounts the pressures financially and emotionally she faces in this new world.
She quickly bonds with the other caregivers and emerges as a powerful force in their community. The stories of these women - mothers allare recounted in exquisite detail. Tension builds as both sides deal with perceived infractions and injustices.
The lead characters are Claire and Lola, who narrate alternating chapters. Claire is a new mother recently transplanted from New York to California. She is a musician/composer whose career is floundering in its new setting.
Lola is a fifty-year old woman who Claire hires to care for her infant son. Lola has recently emigrated from the Philippines to finance her daughter’s
Throughout, we are confronted with the imbalance that exists between employer and employee, and the troubled dependence that evolves when childcare is outsourced. This is a book that leaves its readers, whatever their present situations, feeling uncomfortable. Highly recommended.
Would you like to ask the Great Book Guru for a book suggestion? Contact her at annmdipietro@gmail.com.
ANN DIPIETRO
— Joseph DeVito
Licensed Real Estate Agent, Douglas Elliman Owner, White House Home – Malverne
Heralds capture 11 awards in N.Y. press contest
By JEFFREY BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com
Herald Community Media received 11 awards at the New York Press Association’s 2025 Better Newspaper Contest. The awards were presented at the organization’s spring convention in Saratoga Springs on April 23-24.
Creative Designer Jeffrey Negrin took first place for Best Special Section Cover, Division I, for the Herald’s basketball section. Karen Millindorf was the photographer.
“The layout is clean and bold,” the judges said. “Good use of the isolated subjects placed center frame and the text is well balanced. Overall solid.”
Negrin also placed second in the same category for a Rockville Centre cover. “The mostly monotone color scheme is well complimented to [the] line art doodle graphic,” the judges said. “The lightness of the graphic placed center frame is well balanced with the heaviness of the text at both the top and bottom of the layout.”
“It’s always an honor to be recognized by our peers,” Herald Community Media publisher Stuart Richner said. “We’re proud to continue telling the stories of our communities, and I congratulate our team on this well-deserved recognition. Ultimately, our greatest reward is delivering comprehensive local news to our readers each week.”
Vice President of Sales Rhonda Glickman, Special Sections Editor Karen Bloom and Negrin combined their talents and captured second place for Best Special Section in Advertising, Division I.
“An eye-catching and meaningful special section,” the judges said. “The editorial is local, informative and well writ-
ten. The ads complement the section and align with the section’s intent.”
Negrin and Advertising Director Ellen Reynolds partnered to grab second and third place in the Best Multi-Advertiser Pages.
“This piece does a nice job of capturing the spirit of this campaign and community,” the judges said of the secondplace submission, “combining the multiple advertisers into a harmonious layout. A subtle mix of patterns and color makes a strong impression. Well done.”
Of the third-place entry, the judges said, “A fun piece that visually captures the reader while being based on a strong concept that is a service to the community. The art and topography are appropriate for the theme and lend themselves to the overall mood of the piece. Nice job.”
“Good journalism doesn’t chase applause — it chases accountability,” COO Brad Harmon said. “That’s what makes me proud and reminds me why the work we do matters.”
On the editorial side, Copy Editor Jim Harmon and Production Designer Yolanda Rios received second-place recognition for editorial pages that appeared in all 24 weekly editions of the Heralds. “This was a close second,” the judges said. “The editorial writer is excellent.”
Staying on the editorial page, Managing Editor Jeffrey Bessen, Harmon and Zack Richner combined their efforts to take third place in Editorials, Division 1.
“Three editorials delve into some of the troubling dangers of our time — unaddressed impacts of long Covid; Meta abandoning moderators and the implications on civility and democracy; and the harshness of the housing crisis,” the judges said. “All are told with
perspective and expertise.”
Multiple sports stories that appeared in the Massapequa Herald Post were part of the package that took second place in Sports Coverage, Division 1.
“Greatly enjoyed the range of stories covered in this issue, from the longtime Hofstra soccer coach to the Ryder Cup volunteers,” the judges said. “Well written and attractive layout, easy to read.”
It takes a great team to bring back awards from NYPA — we have the best!” Glickman said. “From finance to sales to editorial, production, press, circulation etc. Together we win!”
For Online Breaking News, Will Sheeline, editor of the Oyster Bay and Sea Cliff/Glen Head Heralds, and past reporter Luke Feeney placed second for their story “Pirate Booty founder Robert Ehrlich addresses attempt to seize control of Village of Sea Cliff.”
The judges said: “The reporters not only identified Robert Erhlich first as the person behind the attempted power grab, but also landed the first on-therecord, exclusive interview with him and posted it online before state, national and international outlets followed. Excellent use of community trust and source relationships to turn a chaotic, somewhat bizarre local power struggle into a clear, timely story.”
Sports Editor Tony Bellissimo and Negrin earned third place for Special Sections/Niche Publications for the Herald’s lacrosse book.
“Very well organized, and comprehensive,” the judges said. “Visually appealing and something for everyone who likes Lacrosse.”
Sheeline also took third place in the Environment Story category for his “Keeping the ‘oyster’ in Oyster Bay” story.
The Herald’s Basketball section was a winner in the category Best Special Section Cover.
“I kept reminding myself that this is a reporter’s award and not an award for which environmental project was the coolest,” the judges said. “And this project was cool! I’ve decided not to hold it against the reporter, however, because the reporter has done an excellent job of making me feel invested in these people and this place and their oysters without getting mawkish or too purple in the prose.”
For the Better News Contest, 150 newspapers submitted 2,732 entries and competed in 67 categories, and a total of 389 awards were presented. The Michigan Press Association judged the contest submissions in January.
Courtesy NYPA
At the New York Press Association’s spring convention in Saratoga Springs, members of Herald Community Media’s editorial team with President and CEO Stuart Richner, far left.
Herald file photo
HERALD SCHOOLS
History comes to life at Bayville Intermediate
Intermediate School fifth graders dressed up as famous historical figures and athletes and taught their families, friends and teachers about them at their Living Museum on April 17.
The students researched their subject’s early life, family background and accomplishments, why history remembers them and what parts of their story inspired them. They then wrote biographies about their chosen subject, created a timeline of their lives and created a speech from the subject’s point of view.
The project helped the students gain research experience and understand life in different historical eras, all while infusing their own creativity and interests.
–Will Sheeline
Bayville Intermediate School students Nina Orlowsky, left, as John F. Kennedy and Elaina Linnemeyer as Jacqueline Kennedy presented their project to Superintendent of Schools Kristen Turnow.
Photos courtesy Locust Valley Central School District School District
Mary Wendel, left, as Anne Frank and Avi Malouf as Steven Spielberg welcomed family, friends and school administrators to their table.
Bayville
Fifth grader Max Del Pizzo dressed up as Abraham Lincoln and taught his classmates about his life and legacy.
Bayville Intermediate School student Kay Hallock presented her project on Nikola Tesla.
Beth Berglund, left, Michael Berglund as Walt Disney and Brian Berglund at the Bayville Intermediate School Living Museum.
Bill aims to prevent anti-religious attacks
the rights of all Americans, regardless of where they pray — a synagogue, mosque or church. Their right to do so free of danger and harassment will now be granted.”
Leaders of several national advocacy and faith organizations attended the event, including representatives of the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, Hadassah and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitism has reached historic levels, with 9,354 incidents recorded in 2024, including 1,702 at Jewish institutions alone, underscoring concerns about the safety of those attending religious services.
“Religious freedom thrives where respect prevails,” Azhar Azeez, CEO of the Islamic Society of North America, said. “Let every place of worship be a sanctuary free from intimidation, obstruction or harassment so all people may practice their faith in peace, dignity and safety within every sacred space.”
The proposal has also drawn political criticism. Mike LiPetri, who is challenging Suozzi for his 3rd Congressional District seat in November, said he believed the congressman had not been sufficiently vocal on the issue in the past.
“Now in an election year he wants to take action?” LiPetri wrote in a statement to the Herald. “We’re not buying it.”
Rep. Laura Gillen, who was not in attendance, emphasized the need for additional protections.
“In the wake of rising hate crimes in our own backyard, we must safeguard our houses of worship and ensure every Long Islander has the freedom to gather without fear of violence,” Gillen wrote. “Establishing buffer zones is a step in the right direction. I have also
memorial and tolerance Center of nassau County to highlight efforts to ensure safe access to places of worship.
fought tirelessly to expand access to nonprofit security and hate crime prevention grants on a bipartisan basis. These measures will give our religious communities vital tools to keep themselves safe.”
The legislation comes as legal challenges to similar local protections continue. Earlier this month, the New York Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against Nassau County, County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, arguing that the county’s Religious Safety Act — which establishes buffer zones around houses of worship — violates the U.S. Constitution.
Suozzi stressed the importance of balancing constitutional rights with public safety, and added that the country is living in “increasingly volatile times.”
“I strongly support the bipartisan effort led by Congressman Tom Suozzi and Congressman Max Miller to establish a buffer zone protecting houses of worship across the country,” Michael Blitz, president of Congregation Tifereth Israel, wrote in a statement to the Herald. “In a time of rising threats and polarization, this measure affirms a simple principle: every person should be able to gather, pray, and live their faith without fear.”
Roksana Amid/Herald Community and religious leaders and elected officials, including rep. tom Suozzi, center, gathered at the Holocaust
STEPPING OUT
You don’t have to be a kid to love bubbles. Step into the museum’s bubble playroom and see why bubbles are fun for any age.
No kids allowed
By Abbey Salvemini
For many folks a trip to the Long Island Children’s Museum isn’t just a childhood outing, it’s a shared community memory. Now, those of us “big kids” who grew up visiting here will have a chance to step back inside but this time as grown-ups.
Relive the wonder of childhood at the museum’s inaugural “Adults Only Nostalgia Night” on May 6. Open to guests ages 23 and up, this after-hours event (starting at 6:30 p.m.) offers a lively, playful reimagining of a beloved local destination — welcoming visitors to explore familiar exhibits in a whole new light, long after the kids have gone home.
“This has been something that’s been talked about for years,” Communications Coordinator Stephanie Silver says. “We have so many people who came here as kids and are now bringing their own children or even grandchildren. There’s always been this desire to come back and experience it again for themselves.”
That idea recently gained momentum online after a nostalgic TikTok post comparing the museum’s former Stewart Avenue location with its current home in Garden City went viral, creating a wave of former visitors in the comments reminiscing and sharing memories.
The result is an occasion designed to feel equal parts reunion and night out.
For three hours, the museum’s galleries are open exclusively to adults, giving guests the rare opportunity to explore exhibits at their own pace. From the popular bubble station to newer installations, visitors can revisit old favorites or discover exhibits they may have missed.
“It’s really about giving people the freedom to explore,” Silver explains. “They can go wherever they want, spend as much time as they want, and just enjoy it without any responsibilities.”
Beyond exploring the exhibits, the evening comes
Children’s Museum turns childhood memories into an adults-only night out
alive with a DJ spinning crowd pleasing hits from across the decades, inviting guests to hit the dance floor or simply enjoy the music. Classic games add a touch of friendly competition, while photo stations capture the fun along the way. Together, these elements transform the museum into a vibrant, social “playground,” a striking departure from its usual daytime pace. The result is a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where nostalgia, play and connection come together for a memorable night. Light bites and refreshments are available; admission includes two drink tickets for beer and wine. Organizers aim to create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where everyone can mingle, unwind, and rediscover a beloved space in an entirely new way — all without straying far from home.
Guests are also invited to take part in hands-on memory-making activities throughout the evening. Design your own I Heart LICM friendship bracelet to keep as a personal memento, or contribute to the Nostalgia Wall by posting photos and sharing stories from past visits. Over the course of the night, the growing display will reflect decades of community connection — ranging from childhood snapshots to treasured, multigenerational memories — woven together into a heartfelt collective tribute.
For Silver, that piece hits close to home.
• Wednesday, May 6, 6:30-9 p.m.
• Tickets are $45 per person, $40 members, with limited availability; Advance registration and valid ID required
• Visit the events calendar at licm.org for tickets and additional information
• 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
“I grew up coming here,” she says. “My own photos will be up there. It’s special to see how many people have that same connection.”
While designed to be lighthearted and fun, the museum’s educational spirit remains an underlying thread throughout. Exhibits originally created to spark curiosity in children take on a new dimension for adults, offering a fresh perspective that invites reflection, rediscovery and a touch of wonder in a familiar setting.
“That’s actually the easiest part,” Silver adds. “Everything here is already grounded in education. The nostalgia just comes naturally.”
If the evening proves successful (as expected), museum leadership aims to make this a recurring offering and potentially expand it in future seasons, building on what’s anticipated to be strong community enthusiasm.
“We’d love to make this a reoccurring event,” Silver says, enthusiastically. “But we also want to hear from visitors … what they enjoy, what they want to see. This is really about the community.”
Nostalgia Night will offer something that’s familiar yet new: a chance to revisit a childhood staple, reconnect with friends or neighbors and see a well-known local institution in a completely different light.
“We want people to walk away feeling reconnected, not just to the museum, but to that sense of joy and creativity,” Silver adds. “Play is just as powerful for us as adults as it is for the children.”
And for those who recall spending rainy afternoons or birthday parties inside the museum’s walls, this might feel somewhat like coming home — only this time, with music, companions and no curfew.
George Thorogood and The Destroyers
For the past five-plus decades, over 8,000 live shows and more than 15 million albums sold, George Thorogood and The Destroyers have been “The All-American Rock & Roll Party Band” (Goldmine Magazine). In celebration of their 53rd year of “playing rock ‘n roll hot enough to melt the polar icecaps and flood the world’s major population centers” (Rolling Stone), the group continues The Baddest Show On Earth Tour — a stage-shaking, roof-raising, guitar-snarling blast. For an artist whose music honors the blues, rock and country legends of the past, Thorogood’s forward momentum is now stronger than ever. And along with longtime Destroyers Jeff Simon (drums), Bill Blough (bass), Jim Suhler (guitar) and Buddy Leach (saxophone), they continue “to slap a custom flame paint job onto those classic sounds” (Blues Blast Magazine) like never before.
Saturday, May 2, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Til Death Do Us Part … You First!
Love, regret and second chances take center stage in a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud solo show directed by Broadway veteran Chazz Palminteri. Written and performed by comedian Peter Fogel, the 90-minute multimedia performance blends sharp humor with heartfelt reflection on the realities of modern relationships. At the heart of the story is Fogel himself — an eternal bachelor blindsided by a Valentine’s Day breakup that forces him to confront more than just heartbreak. As he wrestles with questions of love, timing and personal growth, he’s guided by his own conscience, voiced by Palminteri, in a clever theatrical device that adds both wit and depth. What follows is a whirlwind of storytelling as Fogel transforms into more than a dozen characters, Saturday, May 2, 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $40. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org.
Photos courtesy LICM
Building boom! ‘Big kids’ are sure to have fun unleashing their creativity by building with KEVA planks
Delve into Long Island’s maritime history and connections at the Saltwater Stories exhibit.
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art joins in the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Its landmark exhibition explores how Long Island has reflected and shaped the story of American art. From Revolutionary-era portraiture and folk art to nineteenth-century landscapes, Impressionism, and the bold innovations of Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art, the exhibition highlights how every major art movement found expression here. From Brooklyn to Montauk, Long Island’s natural beauty, coastal light, and close connection to New York City inspired generations of artists and gave rise to thriving art colonies and postwar creative communities. Featuring paintings, decorative arts, and historical objects displayed together in immersive settings, the exhibit celebrates the region’s enduring influence and its rich artistic legacy. Om view through July 12.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: Ongoing
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
MAY
1
Ben Folds & A Piano
and noted art critic, writer, and filmmaker Amei Wallach. Together, they’ll discuss Straus’s artistic process, share insights from his current and past work, and present images that illuminate the evolution of his practice. Their dialogue offers a unique window into the artist’s creative journey and the broader role of art in reflecting and responding to our contemporary world. $20, $15 seniors, $10 students, members free. Limited seating and registration required.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
Oyster Bay Brewing Company 5K
First Friday: Behind the Bloom –Spectacular Rhododendron
This special walking tour offers a rare opportunity to explore one of Planting Fields’ most celebrated living collections: rhododendrons! Since the Coe family purchased the estate in 1913, rhododendrons have been a defining feature of the landscape. The Coes delighted in collecting and cultivating some of the most beautiful hybrids of the era, creating a collection that has captivated visitors for more than a century. Today, the legacy continues. Get an inside look at the work behind the blooms — from rare plants to innovative propagation projects — and learn how these spectacular rhododendrons are cared for and preserved for future generations. $25.
• Where: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay
• Time: 10-11 a.m.
• Contact: plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210
MAY
The Art of the Graft
2
Join artist Sam Van Aken at Planting Fields Arboretum for a two-hour workshop. Participants explore the history
Ben Folds, widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of his generation. brings his latest tour to the Tilles Center, joined by multi-talented actress-singer- composer Lindsey Kraft. Known for pushing genre boundaries, Folds first rose to prominence with Ben Folds Five before launching a wide-ranging solo career that blends sharp lyricism, piano-driven melodies and orchestral ambition. Over the years, he has released multiple solo albums alongside collaborative projects, earning an Emmy nomination and a devoted global following. His most recent pop album (2023) drew critical praise and played to sold-out audiences, followed by a holiday release in 2024. Folds’ recent work also reflects his deep engagement with orchestral music, including a live album featuring a live orchestral performance of his hits recorded just before concluding his eight-year tenure as Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center — an appointment that marked a first for the role. Today, he continues to move fluidly between pop tours and performances with leading orchestras worldwide, while also developing new work for film, television and theater.
A bestselling author and former podcast host, Folds remains a restlessly creative force — an artist constantly expanding the reach of his music.
and techniques of grafting and graft their own apple tree to take home and plant. $75 per person.
Registration required.
• Where: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay
• Time: 11 a.m.
• Contact: plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210
Spring Sculpture Stroll
Enjoy an hour of discovery and conversation at Nassau County Museum of Art. Travel across the Museum’s grounds to explore a selection of sculptures sited across our property. Each stop on the tour will delve into the choices, inspirations and materials of the artists and their sculptures. Rain date is May 3.$20, $10 members. Registration required.
• Where: Manes Education Center, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
Oyster
Bay Day
The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Oyster Bay invite the community to downtown Oyster
Bay for a day of live music, carnival games, vendors, food trucks, inflatables and more.
• Where: Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay
• Time: 11 a.m.
• Contact: (516) 259-1842
Fine Craft Fair
Venture out to Nassau County Museum of Art for the Fine Craft Fair with the Long Island Craft Guild. Discover unique handmade works by local and regional artisans, including ceramics, jewelry, textiles, woodwork, glass, sculpture, and more. Whether you’re searching for a special Mother’s Day gift or looking to add a unique piece to your home, the Long Island Craft Guild Fine Craft Fair offers extraordinary items for everyone — each is crafted with care, creativity and exceptional talent. Make sure to visit the museum afterwards to view the exhibitions.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; also May 3
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
Fairy Festival
Step into a day of enchantment at Sands Point Preserve, where
• Where: Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100
nature and imagination at the 4th annual festival. Set across the preserve’s forest, pond, meadow and beach ecosystems, this whimsical celebration invites families to explore the outdoors through a magical lens. Highlights include the Fairy House Walk, featuring imaginative creations by the community, along with live music, hula hoop jams and interactive performances. Meet mystical characters like the Queen of the Celestial Fairies, mermaids and the Tooth Fairy, enjoy magic shows with Grig the Felf and immersive theater by the Maidens of Myth, or join in a fairy dance, maypole celebration and imaginative tea party. Hands-on fun abounds with nature walks, spring planting, wilderness skills and creative stations for fairy crafts and art. A Magical Marketplace, food trucks and plenty of bubble-filled surprises round out the experience. $95 per car.
• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point
• Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Contact: sandspointpreserveconservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901
Art talk
MAY
3
Nassau County Museum of Art hosts an engaging conversation between acclaimed artist Adam Straus
Oyster Bay Brewing Company and the Matt Fetzer Foundation host a 5K to benefit children with cancer. Registered runners 21 and over receive a free beer. New toy and gift card donations are encouraged. $38.98 per person or $44.15 on race day.
• Where: 36 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay
• Time: 10:30 a.m.
• Contact: htevents.elitefeats. com/26oysterbrew
Book Signing
Jaime Lynn Sigler, star of “The Sopranos,” discusses and signs her memoir “And So It Is” at LIU Post. Tickets are on sale at TheodoresBooks.com for $30.
• Where: 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville
• Time: 4 p.m.
• Contact: theodoresbooks.com or call (516) 636-5550
MAY 4
May the Fourth Be with You
Join Hive Market and Gallery Inc. and Oyster Bay Brewing Company for a vendor pop-up market featuring local artisans and a viewing of Star Wars. Cosplays are welcome.
• Where: 36 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Contact: hive@hivemarkeob. com or call (631) 838-5008
Having an event?
Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.
Stamp Out Hunger drive will return May 9
Residents across Long Island are being asked to take part in the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive on May 9 by leaving donations at their homes for pickup.
Island Harvest Food Bank and the National Association of Letter Carriers are partnering for the nationwide one-day effort.
Community members can leave nonperishable food items and personal care products in a bag by their mailboxes, where letter carriers will collect them during regular delivery. All donations collected on Long Island will support Island Harvest’s network of community-based food pantries and feeding programs.
The need remains significant, according to Randi Shubin Dresner, president and chief executive of Island Harvest Food Bank, which distributed a record 21 million pounds of food across Nassau and Suffolk counties last year.
“Hunger and food insecurity impact about a quarter of a million Long Islanders, including children, families, older adults, and veterans — and virtually every ZIP code is affected,” Shubin Dresner said in a news release. “We have always depended on the generosity of Long Islanders to support their neighbors. The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is an easy yet powerful way for our community to come together. When Long Islanders act as one island for one day, the impact is extraordinary.”
Items needed include canned goods, cereal, pasta, rice, boxed juices and shelf-stable milk. Prepared food and items in glass containers are not accepted. Personal care products such as toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant and disposable diapers are also accepted.
Tom Siesto, executive vice president of NALC Branch 6000, said that letter carriers see the effects of
food insecurity every day.
“Our members see firsthand the impact of food insecurity on Long Island during their daily routes,” Siesto said in the release. “We are proud to partner
with Island Harvest once again and to help bring neighbors together for the 34th annual Stamp Out Hunger food collection. This one day when letter carriers and residents unite island-wide makes a real difference.”
Stamp Out Hunger is held annually on the second Saturday in May, and has collected more than 2 billion pounds of food nationwide since it began in 1993.
Last year, Long Island residents donated more than 360,000 pounds of food, enough for more than 600,000 meals. Island Harvest aims to collect more than 500,000 pounds this year.
This year’s collection campaign on Long Island is supported by presenting sponsor National Grid, lead sponsor JPMorgan Chase, and IPRO Healthcare, along with nearly 40 additional corporations.
Island Harvest Food Bank is a leading human-services organization whose mission is to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island. It has organized innovative programs and services aimed at enhancing hunger awareness, short-term case management, nutrition education, outreach and advocacy initiatives, its Healthy Harvest Farm, a Workforce Skills Development Institute, and efficient food collection and distribution.
Island Harvest’s work directly supports children, families, seniors and veterans who turn to the organization in times of crisis, and supports a network of community-based nonprofits. Its Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks leading the effort to combat hunger in the United States. To learn more, go to IslandHarvest.org.
–Jeffrey Bessen
Courtesy Don Miller
Long Island residents can help by leaving food donations outside their homes for the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive on May 9.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF BUDGET
HEARING AND ANNUAL DISTRICT ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE OYSTER BAYEAST NORWICH CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE OYSTER BAY-EAST NORWICH PUBLIC LIBRARY TO BE HELD ON MAY 19, 2026
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that the Annual Election of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District will be held in the music wing of the Oyster Bay High School, located at 150 East Main Street, Oyster Bay, New York, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 between the hours of 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM for the following purposes:
1. To vote upon the appropriation of the necessary funds to meet the estimated expenditures of the District for the school year beginning July 1, 2026 which shall be identified on the ballot as Proposition No. 1. 2. To vote on the following propositions:
PROPOSITION
NO.2 (Technology Capital Reserve Fund Expenditure): SHALL the Board of Education of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District be authorized to expend $495,000 from the Technology Capital Reserve Fund established on May 15, 2018 for the purpose of performing the following projects: purchase of student devices; purchase of educational display boards; purchase of classroom devices, all of the foregoing to include all labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental costs related thereto.
PROPOSITION NO.3
(Capital Reserve Fund Expenditure):
SHALL the Board of Education of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District be authorized to expend $980,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund established on May 16, 2006 and amended on May 17, 2011 and May 21, 2013 and May 16, 2017 for the purpose of performing the following projects: auditorium rigging renovations at Oyster Bay High School; hot water heater replacement at Oyster Bay High School; gymnasium air
conditioning at James H. Vernon School; new scoreboard at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School; new playground at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School; and abandon oil tank at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School, all of the foregoing to include all labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental costs related thereto.
? PROPOSITION NO.4: RESOLVED, that a Capital Reserve Fund be created in accordance with the provisions of Education Law Section 3651, for the purpose instructional and non-instructional space improvements/ renovations/upgrades, (including but not limited to classroom improvements/ renovations/upgrades and/or additions to existing facilities), auditorium renovations, gymnasium renovations, cafeteria renovations, library/multi media center renovations, exterior renovations/ reconstruction, plumbing improvements/ renovations/upgrades, electrical improvements/ renovations/upgrades, HVAC improvements/ renovations/upgrades, energy efficiency improvements/ renovation/upgrades, fuel tank replacement, renovations required for compliance with ADA requirements, vocational and career preparation renovations, roof/gutter/ leader replacement, window replacement, structural renovations including masonry, brick and steel replacement, paving and concrete replacement, interior and exterior door/ entry ways replacement (including hardware), toilet room renovations, lighting upgrades, ceiling replacement, floor replacement, wall replacement, boiler replacements, elevators, carpentry renovations, site renovations/ reconstruction including track resurfacing and turf field replacement, press box/dugout/ field house improvements/ renovations/ upgrades, bleacher improvements/ renovations/ upgrades, upgrades of signs, athletic field renovations/ reconstruction, tennis court renovations, playground renovations, lockers/locker room renovations, public address/clock system replacement, sound system upgrades,
telephone system upgrades, hazardous material remediation, storage space renovations, furnishings and equipment, including the purchase of vehicles.
The term of the Capital Reserve Fund will be fifteen years commencing on June 30, 2026 and expiring June 30, 2041. The Capital Reserve Fund will be capitalized in an amount not to exceed twenty-five million dollars, plus interest, during the term of the fund. The source of the funding of the Capital Reserve Fund will be the annual transfer of surplus money, if any, from the General Fund, not exceeding two million dollars in any given year, as may be available at the end of each fiscal year from June 30, 2026 through and including June 30, 2041 and any other sources permitted by law.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon establishment of this Capital Reserve Fund, the Board of Education is authorized to transfer any remaining unexpended balance, including accrued interest, from the District’s existing Capital Reserve Fund to the Capital Reserve Fund established herein, and thereafter to close the existing Capital Reserve Fund.
3. To elect three members for the office of the Board of Education. One office for the balance of an unexpired term from May 19, 2026 through June 30, 2027, and two offices for a four-year term from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030. The two candidates receiving the highest vote totals will be elected to the four-year terms of office. The candidate receiving the next highest vote total will be elected to the balance of the unexpired term.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that the public budget hearing for the purpose of discussing the proposed budget of expenditure of funds for the school year 20262027 will be held May 5, 2026 at 7:30 PM in the Oyster Bay High School auditorium or remotely, if legally permissible. The condensed form of the budget proposition and the text of all
other propositions to appear on the voting machine and a detailed statement in writing of the amount of money which will be required for the school year 2026-2027 for school purposes, specifying the purposes and the amount for each, will be prepared and copies thereof will be made available, upon request, to any resident in the district at each school house in the District between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM during the period of the 14 days immediately preceding said election for May 19, 2026, excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays, and at such annual election.
Notice is further given that pursuant to Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law, the District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted by the statutory authority, and show the cumulative impact of each type of exemption, the cumulative amount expected to be received as payments in lieu of taxes and the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that the Annual Election of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Public Library will be held in the music wing of the Oyster Bay High School, located at 150 East Main Street, Oyster Bay, New York, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 between the hours of 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM for the following purposes:
1. To vote upon the appropriation of the necessary funds to meet the estimated expenditures of the Public Library for the school year beginning July 1, 2026.
2. To elect one member of the Board of Library Trustees for a term of five (5) years beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2031.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that the copies of the proposed library budget will be made available, upon request, to any resident at the Reference Desk of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Public Library, located at 89 East Main
Street, Oyster Bay, New York between the hours of 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and from 1:00 to 4:00 PM during the period of the 14 days immediately preceding said election of May 19, 2026, excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays, and at such annual election.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the voting shall be on voting machines as provided by the Education Law and the polls will remain open from 7:00 AM until 9:00 PM and as much longer as may be necessary to enable the voters then present to cast their ballots. The District Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to have the necessary ballot labels printed for said voting machines in the form corresponding as nearly as may be with the requirements of the Education Law.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the nominations for the Board of Education members and Board of Library Trustee shall be made by petition subscribed by at least 25 qualified voters of the District, and filed with the District Clerk, Administration Building, 1 McCouns Lane, Oyster Bay, New York, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM no later than 5:00 PM on Monday, April 20, 2026. Such petition shall state the residence of each signer and shall state the name and residence of the candidate. For the Board of Education, the two candidates receiving the highest vote totals will be elected to the four-year terms of office. The candidate receiving the next highest vote total will be elected to the balance of the unexpired term. For the Library, the candidate receiving the greatest number of votes shall be considered elected to the office. A nomination may be rejected by the Board of Education if the candidate is ineligible for office or declares his or her unwillingness to serve.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the registration of the qualified voters of this District for said annual District election is permitted in the District Clerk’s Office, located in the Administration Building, 1 McCouns Lane, Oyster Bay, New York, during the hours of 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Monday
through Friday, up to and including May 14, 2026. A register will be prepared and will be filed in the District Clerk’s Office and such register will be open for inspection by any qualified voter between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM on each of the five days prior to the day set for the election, except Sunday, by appointment only on Saturday, May 16, 2026 and at each polling place on election day.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the register shall include: (1) all qualified voters of the District who shall personally present themselves for registration; (2) all previously qualified voters of the District who shall have been previously registered for any annual or special District meeting or election and who shall have voted at any annual or special District meeting or election held or conducted at any time within four calendar years (2022-2025) prior to preparation of the said register; and (3) voters permanently registered with the Board of Elections of the County of Nassau.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Board of Registration will further meet during the hours of voting at the Annual District Meeting on May 19, 2026 for the purpose of preparing a register for District meetings or elections to be held subsequent to May 19, 2026.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that applications for absentee and early mail ballots for the school district election and for the library trustee election may be applied for at the District Clerk’s Office. Applications for absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than thirty (30) days before the election. Furthermore, such application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or his/ her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely request for a mailed absentee or early mail voter ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application no later than six (6) days before the vote. A list
of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots shall have been issued will be available in the District Clerk’s Office on each of the five days prior to the election except Sunday. Eligibility to vote by absentee and early mail ballot will be determined in accordance with the provisions of New York State Education Law §§2018-a and 2018-e. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district. Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district may submit an application for a military ballot. Military voters may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission, or electronic mail in their request for such registration, ballot application or ballot. Military voter registration forms and military ballot application forms (the latter of which is to be delivered only by mail or in person) must be received in the Office of the District Clerk of the school district no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 24, 2026. No military ballot will be canvassed unless it is (1) received in the Office of the District Clerk before the close of the polls on election day and showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States government; or (2) received by the Office of the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m. on election day and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is associated to be not later than the day before the election.
Dated: MARCH 24, 2026 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, OYSTER BAY-EAST NORWICH CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK SUSAN WALSH DISTRICT CLERK 159407
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…
To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PRESUPUESTARIA Y ELECCIÓN ANUAL DE DISTRITO DE LOS MIEMBROS DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR CENTRAL DE OYSTER BAY-EAST NORWICH Y DE LA BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA OYSTER BAYEAST NORWICH QUE SE CELEBRARÁ EN 19 DE MAYO DE 2026
POR EL PRESENTE, SE NOTIFICA que la Elección Anual del Distrito Escolar Central de Oyster Bay-East Norwich se celebrará en el ala de música de la escuela superior de Oyster Bay, ubicada en 150 East Main Street, Oyster Bay, Nueva York, el martes 19 de mayo de 2026 entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m. para los siguientes fines: 1. Votar sobre la asignación de los fondos necesarios para cubrir los gastos estimados del Distrito para el año escolar que comienza el 1 de julio de 2026, que se identificará en el boleto electoral como la Proposición Nº 1. 2. Votar sobre las siguientes proposiciones:
PROPOSICIÓN Nº 2
(Gasto del Fondo de Reserva de Capital Tecnológico): DEBE autorizarse a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Central de Oyster BayEast Norwich a gastar 495.000 dólares del Fondo de Reserva de Capital Tecnológico establecido el 15 de mayo de 2018 con el fin de llevar a cabo los siguientes proyectos: compra de dispositivos electronicos para estudiantes; compra de paneles educativos; compra de dispositivos electronicos para el salon, todo lo anterior incluye toda la mano de obra, materiales, equipo, aparatos y costos incidentales relacionados.
PROPOSICIÓN Nº 3
(Gasto del Fondo de Reserva de Capital): DEBERÁ autorizarse la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Central de Oyster BayEast Norwich a gastar $980,000 dólares del Fondo de Reserva de Capital establecido el 16 de mayo de 2006, modificado el 17 de mayo de 2011, el 21 de mayo de 2013 y el 16 de mayo de 2017 con el fin de llevar a cabo los siguientes proyectos: Renovaciones de
Public Notices
montaje de auditorios en la escuela Superior de Oyster Bay; reemplazo del calentador de agua en la escuela Superior de Oyster Bay; el aire acondicionado del gimnasio en la escuela James H. Vernon; nuevo marcador en la escuela primaria Theodore Roosevelt; nuevo patio de juegos en la escuela primaria Theodore Roosevelt; y abandonar el depósito de petróleo ubicado la escuela primaria Theodore Roosevelt, todo lo anterior incluye toda la mano de obra, materiales, equipo, aparatos y costos incidentales relacionados.
? PROPOSICIÓN Nº 4: RESUELTO, crear un Fondo de Reserva de Capital conforme a las disposiciones de la Sección 3651 de la Ley de Educación, con el fin de mejoras/renovaciones/ modernizaciones de espacios, (incluyendo pero no limitándose a, mejoras/renovaciones y/o ampliaciones de las instalaciones existentes), renovaciones de auditorios, renovaciones de gimnasios, renovaciones de cafeterías, renovaciones de bibliotecas/ centros multimedia, renovaciones/ reconstrucción exterior, mejoras/renovaciones/ mejoras de plomeria, mejoras/renovaciones eléctricas, mejoras/ renovaciones/ de HVAC, mejoras, mejoras de eficiencia energética, mejoras/renovaciones, reemplazo de depósitos de combustible, reformas necesarias para cumplir con los requisitos de la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA), reformas profesionales y de preparación profesional, reemplazo de tejados/canaletas/ reemplazo del bajante de ventanas, reformas estructurales incluyendo mampostería, reemplazo de ladrillo y acero, pavimentación y hormigón reemplazo de puertas y entradas interiores y exteriores (incluyendo herrajes), renovaciones de aseos, mejoras de iluminación, sustitución de techos, sustitución de suelos, sustitución de paredes, sustituciones de calderas, ascensores, reformas de carpintería, renovaciones/ reconstrucción del sitio incluyendo reasfaltado de vías y sustitución de césped, mejoras/ renovaciones en la cabina de prensa/
excavación/casa de campo, mejoras/ renovaciones de gradas, mejoras de señales, campo deportivo, renovaciones/ reconstrucción de pistas de tenis, reformas de parques infantiles, renovaciones de taquillas/vestuarios, reemplazo de megafonía/sistema de reloj, mejoras del sistema de sonido, mejoras del sistema telefónico, remediación de materiales toxicos, renovaciones de espacios de almacenamiento, mobiliario y equipos, incluida la compra de vehículos.
El mandato del Fondo de Reserva de Capital será de quince años, comenzando el 30 de junio de 2026 y expirando el 30 de junio de 2041. El Fondo de Reserva de Capital se capitalizará en una cantidad que no exceda veinticinco millones de dólares, más intereses, durante el plazo del fondo. La fuente de financiación del Fondo de Reserva de Capital será la transferencia anual de dinero excedente, si lo hay, del Fondo General, que no exceda dos millones de dólares en un año determinado, que pueda estar disponible al final de cada año fiscal desde el 30 de junio de 2026 hasta el 30 de junio de 2041 e incluyendo cualquier otra fuente permitida por la ley.
SE RESUELVE
ADEMÁS que, tras el establecimiento de este Fondo de Reserva de Capital, la Junta de Educación está autorizada a transferir cualquier saldo pendiente restante, incluyendo los intereses acumulados, del Fondo de Reserva de Capital existente del Distrito al Fondo de Reserva de Capital establecido en este lugar, y posteriormente a cerrar el Fondo de Reserva de Capital existente.
3. Elegir a tres miembros para el cargo de la Junta de Educación. Un cargo por el resto de un mandato no expirado del 19 de mayo de 2026 al 30 de junio de 2027, y dos cargos por un mandato de cuatro años desde el 1 de julio de 2026 al 30 de junio de 2030. Los dos candidatos con mayor total de votos serán elegidos para los mandatos de cuatro años. El candidato que reciba el siguiente
mayor total de votos será elegido para el resto del mandato no vencido.
POR FAVOR, TOME NOTA ADICIONAL de que la audiencia pública presupuestaria con el propósito de discutir el presupuesto propuesto de gastos para el año escolar 2026-2027 se celebrará el 5 de mayo de 2026 a las 7:30 p.m. en el auditorio de la escuela Superior de Oyster Bay o de forma remota, si es legalmente permitido.
Se preparará en forma condensada la propuesta presupuestaria y el texto de todas las demás propuestas que aparecerán en la máquina de votación, así como una declaración detallada por escrito de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año escolar 2026-2027 para fines escolares, especificando los fines y la cantidad correspondiente a cada una, y se pondrán a disposición copias de la misma, a petición, de cualquier residente del distrito en cada escuela del distrito entre las 8:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m. durante el periodo de los 14 días inmediatamente previos a dicha elección para el 19 de mayo de 2026, excluyendo sábados, domingos y dias feriados, y en dichas elecciones anuales.
Se notifica además que, conforme a la Sección 495 de la Ley del Impuesto sobre la Propiedad Inmobiliaria, el Distrito está obligado a adjuntar a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exención. Dicho informe de exención, que también formará parte del presupuesto final, mostrará cómo el valor total de tasación en el registro final de evaluación utilizado en el proceso presupuestario está exento de impuestos, listará todos los tipos de exenciones concedidas por la autoridad estatutaria y mostrará el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención, la cantidad acumulada que se espera recibir como pagos en lugar de impuestos y el impacto acumulativo de todas las exenciones concedidas.
POR FAVOR, TOME NOTA ADICIONAL de que la Elección Anual de la Biblioteca Pública de Oyster Bay-East Norwich sera en el ala
de música de la escuela Superior de Oyster Bay, situado en 150 East Main Street, Oyster Bay, Nueva York, el martes 19 de mayo de 2026 entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m. para los siguientes fines:
1. Para votar la asignación de los fondos necesarios para cubrir los gastos estimados de la Biblioteca Pública para el año escolar que comienza el 1 de julio de 2026.
2. Elegir a un miembro de la Junta de Síndicos de la Biblioteca por un mandato de cinco (5) años que comienza el 1 de julio de 2026 y finaliza el 30 de junio de 2031.
POR FAVOR TENGA PRESENTE LO SIGUIENTE ADICIONAL de que las copias del presupuesto propuesto para la biblioteca estarán disponibles, a petición, para cualquier residente en el Mostrador de Referencia de la Biblioteca Pública Oyster Bay-East Norwich, situada en 89 East Main Street, Oyster Bay, Nueva York, entre las 10:00 y las 12:00 del mediodía y de 1:00 p.m. a 4:00 p.m. durante el periodo de los 14 días inmediatamente anteriores a dicha elección del 19 de mayo, 2026, excluyendo sábados, domingos y dias feriados, y en esas elecciones anuales.
POR FAVOR
TENGA PRESENTE LO SIGUIENTE ADICIONAL que la votación se realizará en máquinas de votación según lo previsto por la Ley de Educación y que las urnas permanecerán abiertas de 7:00 a 21:00 horas y el mayor tiempo necesario para que los votantes presentes puedan emitir su voto. El Secretario del Distrito está autorizado y instruido a imprimir los boletos necesarios de las papeletas para dichas máquinas de votación en la forma que corresponda tanto como sea posible a los requisitos de la Ley de Educación.
POR FAVOR
TENGA PRESENTE LO SIGUIENTE ADICIONAL que las nominaciones para los miembros de la Junta de Educación y la Junta de Fideicomisarios de la Biblioteca deberán hacerse mediante petición suscrita por al menos 25 votantes cualificados del Distrito, y presentada ante el Secretario del Distrito, Edificio
de Administración, 1 McCouns Lane, Oyster Bay, Nueva York, entre las 8:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m. horas, a más tardar de las 5:00 p.m. del lunes, 20 de abril de 2026. Dicha petición indicará la residencia de cada firmante y el nombre y la residencia del candidato. Para la Junta de Educación, los dos candidatos con mayor total de votos serán elegidos para los mandatos de cuatro años. El candidato que reciba el siguiente mayor total de votos será elegido para el resto del mandato no vencido. Para la Biblioteca, el candidato que reciba el mayor número de votos será considerado elegido para el cargo. Una nominación puede ser rechazada por la Junta de Educación si el candidato no es elegible para el cargo o declara su negativa a servir. POR FAVOR TENGA PRESENTE LO SIGUIENTE ADICIONAL que el registro de los votantes cualificados de este distrito para dichas elecciones anuales del distrito está permitido en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, situada en el Edificio de Administración, 1 McCouns Lane, Oyster Bay, Nueva York, durante las horas de 8:00 a.m. y 1:00 p.m. y de 2:00p.m. a 4:00 p.m., de lunes a viernes, hasta e incluyendo el 14 de mayo, 2026. Se preparará un registro y se archivará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, y dicho registro estará abierto para su inspección por cualquier votante cualificado entre las 8:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m. en cada uno de los cinco días previos al día fijado para la elección, excepto el domingo, con cita previa solo el sábado, 16 de mayo de 2026 y, en cada colegio electoral el día de las elecciones.
POR FAVOR
TENGA PRESENTE LO SIGUIENTE ADICIONAL que el registro incluirá: (1) todos los votantes cualificados del distrito que se presenten personalmente para su registro; (2) todos los votantes previamente cualificados del Distrito que hayan estado previamente registrados para cualquier reunión o elección anual o especial del Distrito y que hayan votado en cualquier reunión anual o especial del Distrito o elección celebrada o realizada en cualquier momento dentro de los cuatro años naturales
(2022-2025) previos a la preparación de dicho registro; y (3) votantes registrados permanentemente en la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau.
POR FAVOR
TENGA PRESENTE LO SIGUIENTE ADICIONAL que la Junta de Registro se require posteriormente durante las horas de votación en la Asamblea Anual de Distrito el 19 de mayo de 2026 con el fin de preparar un registro para las reuniones o elecciones de Distrito que se celebrarán después del 19 de mayo de 2026.
POR FAVOR
TENGA PRESENTE LO SIGUIENTE ADICIONAL que las solicitudes para votos por correo y por correo anticipado para la elección del distrito escolar y para la elección de Administracion de la biblioteca pueden solicitarse en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito. Las solicitudes para boletos por correo y por correo anticipado deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito no antes de treinta (30) días antes de la elección. Además, dicha solicitud debe ser recibida por el Secretario del Distrito al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si el boleto debe enviarse por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección si el boleto debe entregarse personalmente al votante o a su agente designado. Al recibir una solicitud oportuna de una papeleta de votación por correo o por correo anticipado, el Secretario del Distrito enviará el boleto a la dirección indicada en la solicitud como muy tarde seis (6) días antes de la votación.
Una lista de todas las personas a las que se hayan emitido boletos por correo y por correo anticipado, estará disponible en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito en cada uno de los cinco días previos a la elección, excepto el domingo. La elegibilidad para votar mediante voto por correo anticipado y por correo anticipado se determinará conforme a las disposiciones de la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York §§2018a y 2018-e.
POR FAVOR TENGA PRESENTE LO SIGUIENTE ADICIONAL Los
votantes militares que no estén actualmente registrados pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes cualificados del distrito escolar. Los votantes militares que sean votantes cualificados del distrito escolar pueden presentar una solicitud para una papeleta militar. Los votantes militares pueden designar una preferencia para recibir un registro de votante militar, una solicitud de papeleta militar o una papeleta militar por correo, transmisión por fax o correo electrónico en su solicitud de dicho registro, solicitud de papeleta o papeleta. Los formularios de registro de votantes militares y los formularios de solicitud de papeleta militar (estos últimos solo deben entregarse por correo o en persona) deben recibirse en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito escolar a más tardar a las 17:00 horas del 24 de abril de 2026. No se aceptara ningun boleto militar a menos que (1) se reciba en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el día de las elecciones y muestre una marca de sello del servicio postal de Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o que muestre una avalación fechada de recepción por otra agencia del gobierno de Estados Unidos; o (2) recibido por la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del día de las elecciones y firmado y fechado por el votante militar y un testigo, con una fecha que se asocia como no posterior al día anterior a la elección.
Fecha: 24 DE MARZO DE 2026 POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN, OYSTER DISTRITO ESCOLAR CENTRAL BAY-EAST NORWICH, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK SUSAN WALSH SECRETARIO DE DISTRITO 159409
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION OF THE LOCUST VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT LOCUST VALLEY, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a Public Hearing of the qualified voters of the Locust
Valley Central School District, Nassau County, Locust Valley, New York will be held in the MiniTheater of the Locust Valley Middle School/ High School, 99 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, New York on May 6, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. for the transaction of business as authorized by Education Law, including the following items:
1. To present to the voters a detailed statement (proposed budget) of the amount of money which will be required for the 20262027 fiscal year.
2. To discuss all the items hereinafter set forth to be voted upon by voting machines at the Budget Vote and Election to be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting pursuant to Education Law of the State of New York and acts amendatory thereto.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that said Budget Vote and Election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. in the three (3) Election Districts, described below, at which time the polls will be open to vote by voting machine upon the following items:
1. To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal year 2026-2027 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.
2. To approve the following resolution to modify transportation eligibility:
RESOLVED: Shall the Board of Education modify its public school transportation eligibility effective at the beginning of the 20262027 school year to provide transportation for all students by: (1) reducing for Grades 1-5 the existing one-half (.5) mile limit and for Grades 6-12 the existing one (1) mile limit, to a new zero (0) mile limit; and (2) increasing the existing 15 mile maximum limit to a 18 mile maximum limit, at no additional cost to the District.
3.Locust Valley Library Service Area Residents Only: To adopt the
Public Notices
following resolution for the Locust Valley Library appropriation submitted for the fiscal year 20262027:
RESOLVED: That the Locust Valley Library appropriation submitted for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 in the amount of $1,904,941 be approved, of which the sum of $1,759,662 is to be raised by taxes on the taxable property of the district; and that the Board of Education of the Locust Valley Central School District be authorized to levy the necessary tax therefore on the taxable property only of former Union Free School District No. 4, Town of Oyster Bay, New York.
4.To elect three (3) members of the Board of Education for the following terms:
a. To elect two (2) members of the Board of Education to a three-year term commencing July 1, 2026 and expiring on June 30, 2029.
b. To elect one (1) member of the Board of Education to a term commencing May 19, 2026 and expiring on June 30, 2029.
Vacancies on the Board of Education are not considered separate, specific offices; candidates run at large. The candidate receiving the highest vote tally will be elected to the longer term.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required to fund the School District’s budget (the 2026-2027 proposed budget) and the Locust Valley Library’s budget for 2026-2027, exclusive of public monies, may be obtained by any resident of the District between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. beginning May 5, 2026, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays at the District Office, 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, New York and at each school house in the District.
AND FURTHER NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Chapter 258 of the Laws of 2008, Section 495 was added to the Real Property Tax Law, and requires the School District to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how much the
total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted, identified by statutory authority, and show: (a) the cumulative impact of each type of exemption expressed either as a dollar amount of assessed value or as a percentage of the total assessed value on the roll; (b) the cumulative amount expected to be received from recipients of each type of exemption as payments in lieu of taxes or other payments for municipal services; and (c) the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. The exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any website maintained by the District.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that petitions nominating candidates for the office of school board member must be filed with the District Clerk in the Administration Building, 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, New York, not later than April 20, 2026, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Nominating petitions must be signed by at least 25 qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 qualified voters or 2% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); must state the name and residence of each signer, and must state the name and residence of the candidate.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that personal registration of voters is required pursuant to Education Law. If a voter has heretofore registered and has voted at an annual or special district meeting within the last four (4) calendar years, he or she is eligible to vote at this election. In addition, anyone registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections under the provisions of the Election Law shall be entitled to vote without further registration. All other persons who wish to vote must register.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, registration shall be conducted for the purpose of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to
§2014 of the Education Law through May 14, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on all regular days during which the office of the District Clerk is in operation. The register so prepared will be filed in the Office of the District Clerk and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on Thursday, May 14, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, and each day prior to the day set for the election, except Sunday, and on Saturday by prearranged appointment only, and at the polling place(s) on the day of the vote.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the Locust Valley Central School District by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, by mail to Office of the District Clerk, 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, NY 11560, by email to aldunne@ locustvalleyschools.org, or fax sent to (516) 2775098. The request for the registration application may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the registration application by either mail, fax or email. Military voter registration application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026 in order to be issued a ballot for the 2026 Budget Vote and Election.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, those military voters who are qualified voters of the Locust Valley Central School District, may request an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk in person, by mail to Office of the District Clerk, 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, NY 11560, by email to aldunne@ locustvalleyschools. org, or fax sent to (516) 277-5098. In such request, the military voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application by mail, fax or email. A military voter must return the original military ballot application by mail or in person to the Office of the District Clerk. In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military
ballot application must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a non-military ballot application under Section 2018-a of the Education Law. The application for military ballot may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail, fax or email.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, a military voter’s original military ballot must be returned by mail or in person to the office of the District Clerk at 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, NY 11560. Military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk before the close of polls on May 19, 2026 showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received not later than 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026 and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election.
AND FURTHER NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law of the State of New York, the Board of Registration will meet on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. at each of the three (3) separate election districts to prepare the Register of the School District to be used at the Budget Vote and Election to be held in 2026, and any special district meetings that may be held after the preparation of said Register, at which time any person may have their name placed on such Register provided they are known or prove to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be entitled to vote at the school election for which said Register is prepared, or any special district meeting held after May 19, 2026.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for absentee and early mail ballots will be
obtainable during school business hours from the District Clerk beginning April 20, 2026. A completed application may not be received by the District Clerk earlier than April 20, 2026 and such applications must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or his/her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely request for a mailed absentee or early mail ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application by no later than six (6) days before the vote. Absentee and early ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. A list of persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots are issued will be available for inspection in the office of the District Clerk on and after Tuesday, May 14, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays prior to the day set for the annual election and on May 19, 2026, the day set for the election. Any qualified voter may, upon examination of such list, file a written challenge of the qualifications as a voter of any person whose name appears on such list, stating the reasons for such challenge. Any such written challenge shall be transmitted by the District Clerk or a designee of the Board of Education to the inspectors of election on Election Day. A challenge may not be made on the basis that the voter should have voted by absentee ballot.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to a rule adopted by the Board of Education, any referenda or propositions to amend the budget, or otherwise to be submitted for voting at said election, must be filed with the District Clerk in sufficient time to permit notice of the proposition to be included with the Notice of the Public Hearing, Budget Vote and Election required by Section 2004 of the Education Law but no later than April 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.; must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to
the Clerk of the School District; must be signed by at least 63 qualified voters of the District (representing 5% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); and must legibly state the name of each signer. However, the School Board will not entertain any petition to place before the voters any proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, which is unlawful or any proposition which fails to include a specific appropriation where the expenditure of monies is required by the proposition, or where other valid reason exists for excluding the proposition from the ballot.
SCHOOL ELECTION DISTRICTS AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that Election Districts have been established in the School District. The boundaries of the Election Districts, as adopted by resolution of the Board of Education, and the place in each election district for voting shall be as follows:
Bayville Election District Bayville Intermediate School, 50 Mountain Avenue, Bayville (description of election district: former Union Free School District No. 6, Town of Oyster Bay, New York)
Brookville Election District:
Community Hall of the Brookville Reformed Church, 2 Brookville Road, Brookville (description of election district: former Union Free School District No. 3, Town of Oyster Bay, New York)
Locust Valley Election District
Ann MacArthur Primary School, 100 Ryefield Road, Locust Valley (description of election district: former Union Free School District No. 4, Town of Oyster Bay, New York)
Dated: March 11, 2026 By Order of the BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE LOCUST VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Alison Dunne, District Clerk 159411
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA, VOTACIÓN DE PRESUPUESTO Y ELECCIÓN DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR CENTRAL DE LOCUST VALLEY VALLE DE LOCUST, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK
POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que una audiencia pública de los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Central de Locust Valley, condado de Nassau, Locust Valley, Nueva York, se llevará a cabo en el Mini-Teatro de la Escuela Secundaria/ Preparatoria Locust Valley, 99 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, Nueva York, el 6 de mayo de 2026. a las 19:30 para la transacción de negocios autorizados por la Ley de Educación, incluidos los siguientes artículos:
1. A presentar a los votantes una declaración detallada (propuesta de presupuesto) de la cantidad de dinero que se necesitará para el año fiscal 2026-2027.
2. Discutir todos los puntos que a continuación se establecen para ser votados mediante máquinas de votación en la Votación y Elección del Presupuesto a realizarse el martes 19 de mayo de 2026.
3. Tramitar otros asuntos que puedan presentarse adecuadamente ante la reunión de conformidad con la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York y las leyes que la modifican.
Y POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que dicha votación y elección del presupuesto se llevará a cabo el martes 19 de mayo de 2026, entre las 6:00 a. m. y las 9:00 p. m. en los tres (3) Distritos Electorales, que se describen a continuación, momento en el cual las urnas estarán abiertas para votar mediante máquinas de votación sobre los siguientes puntos:
1. Adoptar el presupuesto anual del Distrito Escolar para el año fiscal 2026-2027 y autorizar que la porción requerida del mismo se recaude mediante impuestos sobre la propiedad sujeta a impuestos del Distrito.
2. Aprobar la
siguiente resolución para modificar la elegibilidad para el transporte:
SE RESUELVE: Debería la Junta de Educación modificar los criterios de elegibilidad para el transporte escolar público, con vigencia a partir del inicio del año escolar 2026-2027, con el fin de proporcionar transporte a todos los estudiantes mediante: (1) la reducción del límite actual de media (.5) milla para los grados 1 a 5, y del límite actual de una (1) milla para los grados 6 a 12, a un nuevo límite de cero (0) millas; y (2) el aumento del límite máximo actual de 15 millas a un límite máximo de 18 millas, sin costo adicional para el Distrito.
3. Solo para residentes del área de servicio de la biblioteca de Locust Valley: Adoptar la siguiente resolución para la asignación de la biblioteca de Locust Valley presentada para el año fiscal 2026-2027: SE RESUELVE: Que se apruebe la asignación de la Biblioteca de Locust Valley presentada para el año fiscal que comienza el 1 de julio de 2026 por un monto de $1,865,029, de los cuales $1,711,128 se recaudarán mediante impuestos sobre la propiedad imponible del distrito; y que se autorice a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Central de Locust Valley a recaudar el impuesto necesario únicamente sobre la propiedad imponible del antiguo Distrito Escolar Libre de Unión No. 4, Ciudad de Oyster Bay, Nueva York.
4. Elegir a tres (3) miembros del Junta de Educación para los siguientes periodos: a) Elegir a dos (2) miembros de la Junta de Educación para un mandato de tres años que comenzará el 1 de julio de 2026 y finalizará el 30 de junio de 2029. b) Elegir un (1) miembro de la Junta de Educación para un período que comenzará el 19 de mayo de 2026 y finalizará el 30 de junio de 2029. Las vacantes en la Junta de Educación no se consideran cargos separados y específicos; los candidatos se postulan en libertad. El candidato que obtenga el mayor número de votos será elegido para el mandato más largo.
Y POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS,
Public Notices
que una copia de la declaración del La cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para financiar el presupuesto del Distrito Escolar (el presupuesto propuesto para 2026-2027) y el presupuesto de la Biblioteca Locust Valley para 2026-2027, excluyendo los fondos públicos, puede ser obtenida por cualquier residente del Distrito entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m. a partir del 5 de mayo de 2026, excepto sábados, domingos o días festivos en la Oficina del Distrito, 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, Nueva York y en cada escuela del Distrito.
Y POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, que de conformidad con el Capítulo 258 de las Leyes de 2008, se agregó la Sección 495 a la Ley del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles y requiere que el Distrito Escolar adjunte a su proyecto de presupuesto un informe de exención. Dicho informe de exención, que también formará parte del presupuesto final, mostrará en qué medida el valor tasado total en la lista de tasación final utilizada en el proceso presupuestario está exento de impuestos, enumerará cada tipo de exención otorgada, identificada por la autoridad estatutaria, y mostrará: (a) el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención expresado ya sea como una cantidad en dólares del valor tasado o como un porcentaje del valor tasado total en la lista; (b) el monto acumulativo que se espera recibir de los beneficiarios de cada tipo de exención como pagos en lugar de impuestos u otros pagos por servicios municipales; y (c) el impacto acumulativo de todas las exenciones otorgadas. El informe de exención se publicará en cualquier tablero de anuncios mantenido por el Distrito para avisos públicos y en cualquier sitio web mantenido por el Distrito.
Y POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, que las peticiones que nominen candidatos para el cargo de miembro de la junta escolar deben presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito en el Edificio de Administración, 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, Nueva York, a más tardar el
20 de abril de 2026, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 5:00 p. m. Las peticiones de nominación deben estar firmadas por al menos 25 votantes calificados del Distrito (que representan el mayor entre 25 votantes calificados o el 2% del número de votantes que votaron en la elección anual anterior); debe indicar el nombre y residencia de cada firmante, y debe indicar el nombre y residencia del candidato.
Y POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, que el registro personal de los votantes es obligatorio de conformidad con la Ley de Educación. Si un votante se ha registrado hasta ahora y ha votado en una reunión anual o especial de distrito dentro de los últimos cuatro (4) años calendario, es elegible para votar en esta elección. Además, cualquier persona registrada en la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau conforme a las disposiciones de la Ley Electoral tendrá derecho a votar sin necesidad de registrarse. Todas las demás personas que deseen votar deben registrarse.
Y POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, el registro se llevará a cabo con el propósito de registrar a todos los votantes calificados del Distrito de conformidad con la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación hasta el 14 de mayo de 2026, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m. en todos los días regulares durante los cuales la oficina del Secretario de Distrito esté en funcionamiento. El registro así preparado se archivará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito y estará abierto para inspección por cualquier votante calificado del Distrito a partir del jueves 14 de mayo de 2026, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m. de lunes a viernes y todos los días anteriores al día fijado para la elección, excepto el domingo, y los sábados únicamente con cita previa y en el(los) lugar(es) de votación el día de la votación.
Y POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, que los votantes militares que no están actualmente registrados pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Central de Locust Valley solicitando
y devolviendo una solicitud de registro al Secretario del Distrito en persona, por correo a Office of the District Clerk, 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, NY 11560, por correo electrónico a aldunne@ locustvalleyschools. org, o enviado por fax al (516) 277-5098. La solicitud de solicitud de registro puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar de recibir la solicitud de registro por correo, fax o correo electrónico. Los formularios de solicitud de registro de votantes militares deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario de Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. el 23 de abril de 2026 para que se le emita una boleta para la votación y elección del presupuesto de 2026.
Y POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, aquellos votantes militares que sean votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Central de Locust Valley, pueden solicitar una solicitud para una boleta militar al Secretario del Distrito en persona, por correo a Oficina del Secretario de Distrito, 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, NY 11560, por correo electrónico a aldunne@ locustvalleyschools. org, o enviado por fax al (516) 277-5098. En dicha solicitud, el elector militar podrá indicar su preferencia por recibir la solicitud por correo, fax o correo electrónico. Un votante militar debe devolver la solicitud de boleta militar original por correo o en persona a la Oficina del Secretario de Distrito. Para que a un votante militar se le emita una boleta militar, se debe recibir una solicitud de boleta militar válida en la oficina del Secretario de Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. el 23 de abril de 2026. Las solicitudes de boleta militar recibidas de conformidad con lo anterior se procesarán de la misma manera que una solicitud de boleta no militar según la Sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación. La solicitud de boleta militar puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar de recibir la boleta militar por correo, fax o correo electrónico.
Y POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, la boleta militar original de un votante militar debe devolverse por correo o en persona a la oficina del Secretario de Distrito en 22 Horse
Hollow Road, Locust Valley, NY 11560. Las boletas militares se escrutarán si las recibe el Secretario de Distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el 19 de mayo de 2026 y muestren una marca de cancelación del Servicio Postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o que muestren un endoso fechado de recepción por parte de otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o recibido a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. el 19 de mayo de 2026 y firmado y fechado por el elector militar y un testigo del mismo, con fecha que se determina no posterior al día anterior a la elección.
Y POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, que de conformidad con el artículo 2014 de la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, la Junta de Registro se reunirá el martes 19 de mayo de 2026, entre las 6:00 a. m. y las 9:00 p. m. en cada uno de los tres (3) distritos electorales separados para preparar el Registro del Distrito Escolar que se utilizará en la Votación y Elección del Presupuesto que se llevará a cabo en 2026, y en cualquier reunión especial del distrito que pueda celebrarse después de la preparación de dicho Registro, momento en el cual cualquier persona podrá incluir su nombre en dicho Registro siempre que se sepa o demuestre a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro que tiene derecho a votar en la elección escolar para la cual se prepara dicho Registro, o en cualquier reunión especial del distrito celebrada después del 19 de mayo de 2026.
Y POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, que las solicitudes para boletas en ausencia y por correo anticipado se podrán obtener durante el horario comercial escolar del Secretario del Distrito a partir del 20 de abril de 2026. Es posible que el Secretario del Distrito no reciba una solicitud completa antes del 20 de abril de 2026 y dichas solicitudes deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la boleta se enviará por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección, si el La boleta debe entregarse personalmente al elector o a su agente
designado. Al recibir una solicitud oportuna para enviar una boleta en ausencia o anticipada por correo, el Secretario del Distrito enviará la boleta por correo a la dirección indicada en la solicitud a más tardar seis (6) días antes de la votación. El Secretario del Distrito debe recibir las boletas en ausencia y anticipadas a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. el martes 19 de mayo de 2026.
Una lista de las personas a quienes se emiten boletas en ausencia y por correo anticipado estará disponible para su inspección en la oficina del Secretario de Distrito a partir del martes 14 de mayo de 2026, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m. los días laborables anteriores al día fijado para la elección anual y el 19 de mayo de 2026, día fijado para la elección. Cualquier votante calificado podrá, al examinar dicha lista, presentar una impugnación por escrito de las calificaciones como votante de cualquier persona cuyo nombre aparezca en dicha lista, indicando los motivos de dicha impugnación. Cualquier impugnación por escrito deberá ser transmitida por el Secretario del Distrito o una persona designada por la Junta de Educación a los inspectores de elecciones el día de las elecciones. No se podrá impugnar el voto basándose en que el elector debería haber votado en ausencia.
Y POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, que de conformidad con una norma adoptada por la Junta de Educación, cualquier referendo o propuesta para enmendar el presupuesto, o que de otro modo se presente para votación en dicha elección,
debe presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito con tiempo suficiente para permitir que la notificación de la propuesta se incluya con el Aviso de audiencia pública, votación y elección del presupuesto requerido por la Sección 2004 de la Ley de Educación, pero a más tardar el 20 de abril de 2026 a las 5:00 pm; debe estar mecanografiado o impreso en idioma inglés; debe dirigirse al Secretario del Distrito Escolar; debe estar firmado por al menos 63 votantes calificados del Distrito (que representen el 5% del número de votantes que votaron en la elección anual anterior); y debe indicar de manera legible el nombre de cada firmante. Sin embargo, la Junta Escolar no considerará ninguna petición para presentar ante los votantes ninguna propuesta cuyo propósito no esté dentro del poder de los votantes para determinar, que sea ilegal o cualquier propuesta que no incluya una asignación específica cuando la propuesta requiera el gasto de dinero, o donde exista otra razón válida para excluir la propuesta de la boleta.
DISTRITOS ELECTORALES ESCOLARES Y POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, que se han establecido distritos electorales en el distrito escolar. Los límites de los Distritos Electorales, según adoptados por resolución de la Junta de Educación, y el lugar en cada distrito electoral para votar serán los siguientes:
Distrito Electoral de Bayville Escuela Intermedia Bayville, 50 Mountain Avenue, Bayville (descripción del distrito electoral: antiguo
Distrito Escolar Union Free No. 6, Ciudad de Oyster Bay, Nueva York)
Distrito Electoral de Brookville: Salón Comunitario de la Iglesia Reformada de Brookville, 2 Brookville Road, Brookville (descripción del distrito electoral: antiguo
Distrito Escolar Union Free No. 3, ciudad de Oyster Bay, Nueva York)
Distrito Electoral de Locust Valley Escuela Primaria Ann MacArthur, 100 Ryefield Road, Locust Valley (descripción del distrito electoral: antiguo Distrito Escolar Union Free No. 4, ciudad de Oyster Bay, Nueva York)
Fecha: 11 de marzo de 2026
Por Orden de la JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR CENTRAL DE LOCUST VALLEY
Alison Dunne, Secretaria de Distrito 159413
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the fiscal affairs of the Oyster Bay Sewer District for the period beginning on January 1, 2025 and ending on December 31, 2025 have been examined by an independent public accountant and that the report of examination performed by the independent public accountant has been filed in my office where it is available as a public record for inspection by all interested persons. Pursuant to section thirty-five of the general municipal law, the governing Board of the Oyster Bay Sewer District may in its discretion, prepare a written response to the report of examination performed by the independent public accountant and file any such response in my
office as a public record for inspection by all interested persons not later than 90 days after presentation of report to Board.
OYSTER BAY SEWER DISTRICT
Thomas D. Galasso
Joseph G. Pecora, P.E. James T. Whelan BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 159957
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice to Bidders
The Locust Valley Central School District invites the submission of sealed bids for: LVHS Audio Visual Equipment & Installation Bid Opening: 11a.m. on May 11, 2026 Locust Valley Central School District Administration Office, Board Room 22 Horse Hollow Rd, Locust Valley, NY 11560
Bids will not be accepted after 11 am, where bids are open and read aloud.
The LVHS Audio Visual Equipment & Installation Bid can be obtained on or after April 30, 2026 on the district’s website www.locustvalleyschoo ls.org/page/purchasing or you may request a copy by email to LVpurchasing@locustva lleyschools.org. 159956
Richner Communications, Inc. public notice rates will increase at a minimum of 9% for all notices published on or after May 1, 2026, to reflect rising production and distribution costs. To place a public notice contact 516-569-4000 x232.
Federal funding has helped science thrive on L.I.
While the headlines have focused on science funding cuts at elite national universities, we shouldn’t lose sight of the local impact. Long Island is home to major research centers, including Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the Feinstein Institutes at Northwell and Stony Brook University, among others.
The $47 billion in cuts to the National Science Foundation and other federal sources of research funding affect those institutions, too. The administration has halted thousands of approved grants for projects focusing on infectious diseases, energy management and quantitative computing, while also releasing staff and curtailing new funding, causing major upheavals in research.
Some now argue that the United States model for research, involving universities, research institutes and private corporations, should change because there’s too much reliance on unstable federal support. Fair enough, but first we should ask how we got here, and how federal support became so important. Our current research enterprise originated in World War II. Reflecting on the
immense and immediate response of universities and scientific laboratories to the war effort, Dr. Vannevar Bush, an engineer at MIT, accepted President Harry Truman’s invitation to write a report on what worked and how to plan for the future.
years. They include support for federal student aid, immigration policy and grant programs for basic and applied research at universities and private companies.
RBush assembled several committees of experts to examine the issues, and wrote an essay entitled, “Science: The Endless Frontier.” In it he summarized the various reports and recommended goals and a strategy for the president to consider.
First, Bush highlighted the fact that many of the discoveries and advances that aided the war effort were made by scholars who had migrated to the United States from countries under totalitarian rule. One conclusion was that immigration was an important source of intellectual talent. A second was that the war had kept millions of Americans from advanced education, and that we should create a program that offered them opportunities to earn college and higher degrees. The G.I. Bill was one result.
esearch here has led the world, and Washington shouldn’t forget that.
The war also gave birth to the Grumman Corporation, which mass-produced aircraft as well as an innovative wing configuration that made it possible to fit more planes on aircraft carriers. The story of how this unique folding feature was developed from a model using two paper clips and a soap eraser is engineering legend. That same spirit launched the lunar module that transported two astronauts to the surface of the moon.
Another example is Brookhaven National Laboratory, established on an unused Army base in1946 by a consortium of nine major universities. Today it is a leader in high-energy physics, materials chemistry, national security and nonproliferation, neurosciences and computational sciences.
A significant source of science innovation is Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, home to eight Nobel Prize winners in physiology and medicine. It has an education division that awards doctoral degrees, hosts international conferences and partners with regional medical schools affiliated with Hofstra/Northwell and Stony Brook University.
Stony Brook’s prominence is grounded in biomedical science, including work that led to the development of magnetic resonance imaging, which was recognized with a Nobel Prize in 2003. Other research is dedicated to understanding and addressing water quality challenges on Long Island, in the interest of restoring the health of bays and waterways, safeguarding fisheries and protecting the coastal environment that is so central to the region’s identity and economics.
A third conclusion was that the country needed systemic support for ongoing research and advanced learning not limited to defense. The National Science Foundation was another result.
The models that Bush’s report inspired have worked well for over 80
The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health, established in 1999, is home to 50 research labs, 2,500 clinical trial studies and 5,000 professional and support staff. They conduct research in molecular medicine, genetics, cancer, neuroscience, behavioral science and bioelectronic medicine.
Together, these Long Island enterprises employ thousands and operate with millions of dollars in federal grants. They contribute to improved health outcomes and the economic well-being of individuals and communities. The products and services they develop create businesses, expand services and contribute tax revenue that supports our schools and public services. Rather than shutter these programs, let’s work together to remember why they exist and consider how they can improve even further.
Robert Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and the author of “How University Boards Work.”
Advanced economics: the bacon, egg and cheese effect
Economic trends remain solid on Long Island and across most of the United States, yet consumers still seem “unhappy.” Measures of sentiment, both local and national, are more downbeat than some relevant information would suggest. For example, inflation, as measured in the consumer price index, continues to moderate from the highs of 2022, up 3.3 percent in March nationwide, while our region was up 3.6 percent. Even with higher gas prices likely to fuel an uptick in inflation overall, we’ve been seeing moderating trends.
Even so, the cumulative increase in inflation since early 2017 remains roughly 32 percent. Prices have gone up over the past five years, and consumers haven’t forgotten it, even if the recent trends are more moderate — or even if they temporarily move in the wrong direction.
The perception that prices are still going higher can be partially attributed to what we call the Snickers Bar Effect: Consumers remember the prices of more frequent purchases. Economists at UBS began examining this issue in early 2024, and it remains highly relevant today. In 2020, the popular candy bar cost $1.50, but today it costs $2.39, an increase of nearly 80 percent. Most consumers, however, don’t know how much their car insurance has gone up over the past few years.
Y
sis suggests that in 2015, the average price of a BEC was $3, and in 2020 it was $4.25. Today it’s closer to $7.50. People see the higher prices every morning, which reminds them daily that expenses are higher.
ou’re more likely to know about its price increases than those of your insurance.
We’re all much more aware of the price increases on everyday products, which creates a sense that inflation is still surging. So, even though it has in fact been moderating, most consumers still feel that prices are too high.
For those who don’t scarf down a mix of savory peanuts, caramel and chocolate for breakfast, lunch or a snack several times a week, let’s drill down to a very Long Island-specific product: the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. Nearly every neighborhood deli or bodega serves it, on a roll or a bagel. Our analy-
To be clear, it isn’t just Snickers, bacon, egg and cheeses or even overall inflation that weighs on purchasers on Long Island. Data shows that consumers are also worried about possible layoffs, the seeming likelihood of artificial intelligence replacing jobs, and the so-called K-shaped economy, in which high earners thrive while low earners struggle. These concerns are real, even if they aren’t fully showing up in the hard economic data.
Recent survey data reinforces this point. A few months ago, PKF O’Connor Davies, in partnership with the Siena Research Institute, released its annual Long Island Economic Survey–Outlook 2026. Like consumers, Long Island businesses also seem more worried about the economy, even though current trends are solid. Economic sentiment in
the survey is the third lowest since 1995. Even with March housing data showing continued strength and the stock market rebounding dramatically, affordability and inflation for residents of Nassau and Suffolk counties remain issues. If you bought a home five or more years ago, you are sitting on strong price appreciation. But if you’re entering the market today, there aren’t enough reasonably priced alternatives. Entry-level buyers are being squeezed, and affordability remains a major problem. That’s why the Long Island Association and business leaders have been advocating for federal, state and local support for more housing development. Sentiment matters, because it drives spending, hiring and investment decisions. When consumers and business leaders feel downbeat, they may pull back — even in a relatively solid economy. Until they begin to feel relief in their day-to-day purchases, housing becomes more attainable and there’s less volatility in economic news, that disconnect is likely to persist, even if the numbers continue to tell a more positive story.
Steven Kent is chief economist at the Long Island Association. Comments? Skent@longislandassociation.org.
Long Island must make pedestrians safer now
atroubling pattern is emerging across Nassau and Suffolk counties — and it should force leaders in both to act with urgency. In recent weeks, there have been a number of serious and fatal crashes involving pedestrians in our communities, from Wantagh to Freeport, Rockville Centre and Lindenhurst.
In Wantagh on March 9, a 53-year-old woman was killed when a pickup truck struck her while it was making a turn at an intersection. On April 4, In Freeport, a 66-year-old man died after being hit while crossing Merrick Road, with police later charging the driver for a hitand-run.
In Rockville Centre on April 10, a 76-year-old woman died of injuries she sustained when she was struck by a vehicle at an intersection. And in Lindenhurst on April 15, an 85-year-old woman was seriously injured when she was hit by a vehicle making a left turn. These were not isolated incidents. They were part of a steady, devastating rhythm of crashes that too often end in tragedy for people doing something routine — crossing the street.
Even in Long Beach, where city officials are now reviewing traffic data in an effort to improve safety, the response remains reactive. Studying the problem isn’t the same as solving it. Long Island has reached the point where analysis
letters
Ferretti
favors status quo amid the housing crisis
To the Editor:
The “local control” lauded by Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti in his April 16-22 op-ed, “REVIVE Act is the wrong solution to the housing crisis,” is spelled NIMBY, for Not In My Backyard, and he spells it out by rote. On Long Island, local control is widespread, a slogan for a politician’s assertion of veto power.
It is, in effect, a feudal remnant of the creation days of “suburbia,” shaped by the interests of bankers, builders, insurance and real estate. It was an illusion then, and is now a distraction from broader visions needed for a better future. Mr. Ferretti’s claim that REVIVE is the wrong solution suggests some better choice on offer. The one he offers is the status quo — a denial, in effect, that any crisis exists.
The REVIVE Act will benefit the same interests named above, and will not solve the housing crisis alone, but “house” construction is core to any solution, and thus the right one for the present.
must give way to action.
The uncomfortable truth is that Nassau and Suffolk are still operating under an outdated suburban model of road design that prioritizes speed and vehicle flow over human safety. Wide lanes encourage faster driving. Long crossing distances expose pedestrians to danger. Intersections are designed for convenience, not caution.
We do not need to reinvent the solution. We need to look west.
New York City, through its Vision Zero initiative, has spent years reshaping its streets with a different philosophy: that no loss of life on the road is acceptable. That approach has led to lower speed limits, redesigned intersections, pedestrian islands, expanded enforcement and a fundamental shift in the way streets are used. The results haven’t been perfect, but they have been meaningful. Fatalities have declined over time, and the conversation has changed.
Now the city is going even further, considering a “full stop” rule that would require drivers and cyclists to remain stopped at intersections until pedestrians have completely crossed the street — not just cleared their immediate path. It is a simple idea with powerful implications: The pedestrian comes first, fully and without compromise.
Long Island should not wait to see how that proposal plays out. The princi-
ple behind it is already clear, logical, and overdue here.
And not every solution requires tearing up asphalt. Some changes can happen quickly: reducing speed limits on local roads, increasing enforcement of failure-to-yield laws, improving signage and crosswalk visibility, and launching public-awareness campaigns that reinforce a culture of caution.
The data makes this urgency undeniable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 90 percent of crashes in the United States are tied, at least in part, to human error — speeding, distraction, poor judgment. That means safer systems are not optional; they are essential. Road design must anticipate mistakes and reduce their consequences.
Long Island has the benefit of proximity to one of the largest real-world laboratories for traffic safety reform. The question is whether its leaders are willing to learn from its city neighbors. How many more deaths will it take before that happens?
The recent fatalities in our area shouldn’t fade into the background of the next news cycle. They should serve as a call to action. Nassau and Suffolk must act now to prioritize pedestrians, redesign dangerous roads and adopt proven safety measures. The cost of waiting is already far too high.
opinions When words stop meaning anything
once, words like “won,” “control,” or even “lawyer” carried obligations. They required something of the speaker: evidence, verification, a tether — however strained — to reality. To say a war was “won” meant something had ended. To claim “control” meant something could be demonstrated. Even an insult had to lean, however loosely, on fact.
Not anymore.
We aren’t simply living through an era of political lying. A lie still needs something real to distort. What we are seeing now is something more corrosive: language engineered so that it no longer answers to reality at all.
consider the now-familiar claim that a war is “for the most part won,” or that an adversary has been “decimated.” These aren’t conclusions drawn from observable outcomes. They are verbal end-states — arriving fully formed, requiring no confirmation. When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth predicted that the united States and Israel would achieve “complete control of Iranian skies” in under a week, the statement wasn’t a measurable forecast. It was a declaration of inevitability. When
Letters
reports surfaced shortly thereafter of a u.S. fighter jet being downed, the original claim didn’t collapse. It absorbed the contradiction.
That is the tell.
A meaningful statement carries risk. It can be wrong. If I say a bridge is closed, you can go see for yourself. But now consider the claim: “We are winning.” What would make that false? If we advance, it proves the claim. If we stall, it’s temporary. If we lose ground, it’s tactical. If casualties rise, it shows resolve. Every possible outcome is folded back into confirmation. The claim holds not because events support it, but because events no longer matter.
reality doesn’t disappear. Missiles still land, and soldiers still die.
Raskin is a respected attorney, a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School and a longtime law professor — it is a statement that treats verifiable reality as irrelevant. The assertion does not seek to persuade; it seeks to replace. It invites the audience to inhabit a world in which credentials can be erased by declaration.
tions, then disagreement becomes unresolvable. We are no longer arguing about what is true; we are reacting to what feels aligned, forceful, or familiar. Language stops being a tool for understanding the world and becomes a mechanism for insulating ourselves from it.
The pattern repeats elsewhere. Hegseth also claimed that grieving families of fallen soldiers urged him to “finish the job” in Iran — a statement directly contradicted by at least one of those families. But the power of the claim did not depend on its accuracy. It provided an emotional credential, a pre-emptive moral endorsement. Whether it actually occurred is almost beside the point. The words arrive already carrying their intended effect.
Or consider the spectacle of then Attorney General Pam Bondi telling Rep. Jamie Raskin, “You’re not even a lawyer.” This wasn’t merely false —
Do your part to keep construction workers safe
To the Editor:
Last week was National Work Zone Awareness Week, a nationwide campaign reminding motorists that warmer temperatures bring an increase in construction activities along our transportation system.
Here on Long Island, the state Department of Transportation is scheduled to perform hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of paving and bridge projects this year. For the safety of the highway workers doing this work, NYSDOT will deploy signs, cones, barrels and attenuators to make these work zones as visible as possible. Motorists, however, must also do their part to ensure that our workers return home safely each night: slow down, move over and stay alert. Honoring this simple request can save a life.
Earlier this year, a NYSDOT worker was senselessly struck by a vehicle while setting up a closure on the Long Island Expressway. It’s a miracle that worker survived. Throughout this construction season, in an effort to better protect our workers, NYSDOT will be working with our police partners on targeted enforcement, and will be deploying automated speed-enforcement cameras in our work zones.
Thank you for doing your part to keep our highway workers safe.
RIcHARD cAuSIN
L.I. regional director, New York State Department of Transportation Hauppauge
We see the same structure in claims by Kash Patel that the FBI “uncovered” a hidden annex proving a plot by Hillary clinton to fabricate the Russia investigation — despite the absence of any evidence supporting the claim. Or when President Trump insists that “nobody” anticipated Iranian retaliation, though experts and Iranian officials had publicly warned of exactly that. Or when he speaks of “very good” and “productive” conversations with Iran that Iranian officials themselves deny ever occurred.
Individually, these can be dismissed as exaggeration, error, or fabrication. collectively, they reveal something else: a method.
These statements don’t describe events; they pre-package them. They don’t report reality; they attempt to render it unnecessary.
Once language functions this way, accountability dissolves. If words no longer point to shared, verifiable condi-
And this isn’t solely the fault of those who speak this way. It works because it satisfies a demand. In a landscape of complexity, uncertainty and danger, these statements offer something irresistibly simple: the feeling of clarity without the burden of evidence. They mimic knowledge. They deliver certainty on arrival.
We reward that.
But the cost isn’t abstract. When words detach from reality, reality doesn’t disappear. Missiles still land where they land. Soldiers are still injured or killed. conflicts widen or contract regardless of whether they are described as progress or control. It simply proceeds without us — uninterpreted, unmanaged and, eventually, unrecognizable.
Once, saying something was true meant it could be tested. Now a claim is often treated as true simply because it was said. And when words no longer answer to reality, reality stops answering to us.
Michael Blitz is professor emeritus of interdisciplinary studies at the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Framework by Tim Baker
Showing the teachers a few new tricks, much to the amusement of their students — Hewlett High School
Jaime Vitale Joins the Langone Team
Jaime brings a strong foundation in communication and community connection to her new role. A North Shore native with deep local roots, she spent a decade as a NYC school teacher after earning her Master’s in Literacy Studies.
Her background reflects a passion for helping others and guiding people through important life transitions. As a longtime resident and mom of three, Jaime understands firsthand what makes these communities so special.
Her transition into real estate is a natural progression, joining a high-caliber family team. She works alongside her father, John Langone—a respected industry veteran and former brokerage owner—and her sister, Deana Langone-Roper, an experienced, longtime member of the Langone Team.
Jaime is excited to combine her local knowledge and genuine care to support clients every step of the way. Reach out to congratulate her or connect for your real estate needs!
Real
c.516.369.3144
deanalangoneroper@danielgale.com
Real
c.516.644.9514
jaimevitale@danielgale.com
c.516.901.9116
johnlangone@danielgale.com
