Rockville Centre Herald 02-20-2025 by Richner Communications, Inc

HERALD ROCKVILLE CENTRE

Rockville

a proposed development at the site of a Civil War-era building on South Park Avenue.

Rockville Centre voices concerns over development

By KElSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com

The Rockville Centre Civic Association hosted a meeting on Feb. 11, with over 50 attendees gathering at the Rockville Centre Library to discuss the proposed redevelopment of 24 South Park Ave. into a three-story mixed-use building.

The proposal has garnered strong reactions from residents, many of whom are concerned about the project’s impact on parking on South Park Avenue and the character of the neighborhood.

The proposal for the building has changed since it was introduced last November “based upon communications with the village,” according to William Bonesso, the zoning and land use attorney with the firm Forchelli, Deegan and Terrana Law representing the owner of the property, Joseph DiFigueroa.

The original three-story building had a restaurant on the first floor, medical offices on the second and third floor and a rooftop dining area. This proposed development required 56 parking spaces to be available for use, as it was deemed a medi-

Continued on PAge 13

Community responds to the county’s ICE agents

By KElSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced earlier this month that the county’s police force would collaborate with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in a “targeted” crackdown on undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds.

At a news conference on Feb. 4, Blakeman said that the Nassau County Police Department was “enthusiastically” prepared to assist ICE. “If you are a criminal and you are here illegally, then of course the pro-

gram will take effect and we will take action,” he said, adding that 10 county detectives would be deputized to work with ICE agents. Those detectives will have the same authority as ICE officers, he said, so they can assist in investigations and potential arrests of undocumented immigrants involved in criminal activity.

Marguerite Keller, co-director of the Hispanic Brotherhood of Rockville Centre, said two weeks after the conference that she noticed Blakeman’s actions had created fear in the community.

“What has happened because of this press conference is that

the community is very fearful,” Keller said. “They don’t know what’s going to happen if they walk out the door.”

Standing alongside Blakeman at the news conference, County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder confirmed the 10 detectives’ authority, and said they could question people during investigations. If those being questioned were found to be undocumented, he said, they could be arrested and detained.

Blakeman’s announcement was met with backlash and confusion over the program’s limitations. Two days later, he attempted to clarify the initiative, posting a bilingual public

service announcement on his official Facebook page. He emphasized that the initiative would focus on deporting criminals with illegal immigration status, not undocumented people who have not committed other crimes.

Blakeman’s stance was supported by U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, who said she backed the

targeted enforcement of noncitizen criminals. “Violent criminals with no legal right to be here should be deported in accordance with the law,” Gillen said in a statement on Feb. 6. “Our local officials know our communities best, and we need them working with federal immigration authorities to

on PAge

Kelsie Radziski/Herald

Centre community members expressed concerns over

Strikes, spares and Bowl-A-Thon cheers

Maple Lanes bowling alley was the center of community fun, food and friendly competition on Feb. 9, as Congregation B’nai Sholom – Beth David’s sixth annual Super Bowl-A-Thon rolled into town. Held every year on Super Bowl Sunday, the event successfully brought together congregation members and local supporters to raise donations for the shul, while building a sense of camaraderie that has come to define the fundraiser over the years.

The event, which attracts bowlers of all ages, was organized by a dedicated team of volunteers from the Rockville Centre synagogue. Nancy Hochhauser took charge of coordinating the bowlers and managing the venue, ensuring everything ran smoothly. Elisa Matas Skolnick, along with her committee, provided attendees with a large spread of food, supported by team members Fortune Kaufman, Judy Greenberg, Nanci Moskowitz and Connie Salwen.

Samantha Melendez contributed her creative touch by designing the event’s commemorative t-shirts, which will now be a staple for all future Bowl-A-Thons. Marty Greenberg kept the energy high by efficiently handling the scorekeeping throughout the event.

Rabbi David Lerner and Rabbi Howard Diamond were in attendance, as well as security guard Steve Rampanelli and many members of the congregation. There were also special guest appearances by The Dude and Walter Sobchak from “The Big Lebowski,” played by Jonathon Winderman and Brandon Melendez.

With its successful combination of community spirit, entertainment and fundraising, the Super Bowl-A-Thon remains a key event on the synagogue’s calendar. Each year, the event’s hardworking organizers and enthusiastic participants help raise funds for the synagogue while strengthening bonds within the community.

–Kelsie Radziski

Kids of all ages came to the bowling fundraiser to raise money for the synagogue and have a fun afternoon of bowling.

Holden Leeds/Herald photos

Congregation B’nai Sholom – Beth David held their annual Super Bowl-A-Thon on Feb. 9, which drew a big crowd.

Rabbi Howard Diamond joined the congregation in bowling to support the fundraiser.

Nancy Hochhauser shows off her bowling skills.

Marcy Colton, Carrie Moffett, Howard Colton and Steven Rampanelli spent their afternoon bowling with other members of the congregation.

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Pet Trusts

Bob and Laura were ready to move forward with their estate plan to save estate taxes and avoid probate. The only hitch was who would take care of their beloved pets, Samson, the dog and Delilah, the cat, after Bob and Laura passed away.

Under New York law, trusts for the care of our pets are valid and enforceable. You can set up a pet trust in either a trust or a will. A trust is a private document that generally does not go to court, so if you create a pet trust within your own trust, it’s a private affair. A will, once submitted to court, is a public document and the court oversees the directions in your will, including your pet trust provisions.

Bob and Laura created pet trusts in their own living trusts. After more searching and discussion, they chose Bob’s brother, Rich, to be the trustee, or manager, of the pet trusts, meaning Rich will oversee and keep account of the money allocated to care for Sampson and Delilah. Rich will also be the caretaker. The trustee and caretaker do not have to be the same person but often that is the arrangement.

According to their trusts, after Bob and Laura are both gone, they leave $10,000 for each of their surviving pets. The trust money is to be used for the “proper medical care, support and maintenance” of their pets until the last pet dies. Then, the remainder of the money, called the “trust balance,” is distributed according to Bob’s and Laura’s wishes.

Instead of leaving a specific amount of money, a technique developed by Ettinger Law Firm may be preferable. What we suggest is that an amount to care for the annual feeding and medical care of the pet be placed in a trust, based on the actuarial life expectancy of the pet as determined by a local veterinarian. After all, the amount needed varies greatly depending on the age of the pet. To that, an average of five thousand or more may be added for unseen expenses. Consideration should also be given as to what a fair fee may be for the trustee.

Our free review of your estate plan every three years assures that the pet trust will be updated as circumstances change.

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Crime watCh

LarCeny

On Feb. 8, a motorist reported someone stole the spare tire from their vehicle while parked in Municipal Parking Field #9.

arrest

On Feb. 11, Jarred Crenshaw, 29, of Bellmore, was arrested and charged with numerous felony-level drug crimes, culminating an ongoing multilaw enforcement agency narcotics

investigation by detectives from the Rockville Centre Police Department, Nassau County Police Department and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.

Leaving the sCene

On Feb. 9, a Baldwin resident reported that her parked vehicle was struck and damaged by another vehicle, which fled without leaving any information.

People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.

Fire watCh

The Rockville Centre Fire Department is always looking for help in serving our community. If you live here or in any one of the adjacent communities and are interested in joining or just

Feb. 9 – Feb. 16

General Alarms – 5

Still Alarms – 10

Rescue – 2

Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 67

Mutual Aid Fire – 1

Mutual Aid Rescue – 0

Mutual Aid Ambulance – 1

Total – 86

have questions, please visit any firehouse on Sunday mornings and speak with one of the officers or call (516) 6789320. For emergencies dial 911 or (516) 766-0400.

Year To Date

General Alarms – 72

Still Alarms – 34

Rescue – 19

Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 390

Mutual Aid Fire – 8

Mutual Aid Rescue – 0

Mutual Aid Ambulance – 2

Total – 525

news brieF

RVC begins revitalization of Front Street

Rockville Centre began its revitalization project on Front Street on Feb. 10. This construction project is taking place between Village and Centre Avenues.

According to a statement issued by the village, the scope of the project includes several significant improvements, such as new concrete sidewalks, the addition of brick pavers, the creation of safer crosswalks and pavement restoration.

While construction is underway, access to this section of the roadway will be limited, and parking will be restricted in the area. The project is weather-dependent, and the village will residents know of any delays in the revitalization of Front Street.

For any questions, call the village’s Engineering Department at (516) 6789271.

–Xiomara Trinidad Perez

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rockville centre

Sisterhood returns to baking tradition

By KELSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com

For the first time since 2020, the Central Synagogue – Beth Emeth Sisterhood has returned to baking its beloved hamantaschen for their annual Purim celebrations. The traditional treat, made with dough and filled with a variety of sweet fillings, has been a hallmark of the synagogue’s annual celebration of the Jewish holiday, but Carol Fisher, the Sisterhood’s corresponding secretary, said that the Covid-19 pandemic forced the suspension of community baking activities

This year, however, congregants were back in the synagogue kitchen, preparing 1,800 hamantaschen to deliver to members of the congregation in time for the holiday, which begins March 6. Fisher stores the cookies until the holiday.

Riesterer’s Bakery in West Hempstead provided the dough and fillings, Fisher said, which were then assembled by the Sisterhood volunteers. The group of 21 women and two children gathered on three separate baking dates — Jan. 22, Feb. 2 and Feb. 4 — to bake the cookies together in the synagogue’s kitchen.

Fisher said the baking for the past five years was done at home individually, but this year — five years after the pandemic — everyone felt comfortable enough to come back and bake all together.

“We haven’t been able to do it since the pandemic,” she said. “So this is the first year since 2020 since we’ve been able to do it in the synagogue kitchen.”

The hamantaschen will be included in gift baskets for the community, which are the centerpiece of the Sisterhood’s major annual fundraiser during the holiday. In addition to the cookies, the baskets will feature a mix of chocolate treats and other goodies. Each basket will be delivered to members of the congregation, as well as teachers and staff, in the beginning of March, Fisher said. Members living outside the area will also receive a special delivery.

The Sisterhood’s fundraising efforts don’t end with Purim. Throughout the year, in partnership with the synagogue, the group organizes social action projects, supports the synagogue’s religious school and hosts events to build community. Recent initiatives, Fisher said, include an Alzheimer’s walk and a cof-

feehouse event featuring live music.

“We really kind of do all kinds of things,” Fisher said. “(We’re) really kind of multi faceted, but always in mind, generating community and supporting the larger synagogue.”

The Sisterhood, an arm of the temple, plays a central role in supporting both religious and social activities within the synagogue. From holiday celebrations to charitable endeavors, the group’s dedication to building connections is clear.

“The Sisterhood is a great organization, and we support the temple, and we support each other,” Fisher said. “Purim is a happy holiday, and we enjoy sharing it.

Photos courtesy Central Synagogue – Beth Emeth Sisterhood

Women and children gathered at Central Synagogue – Beth Emeth to bake hamantaschen for Purim over three days.

This is the first time the women have baked together in the synagogue since the Covid-19 pandemic, Carol Fisher, the Sisterhood corresponding secretary, said.

A group of 21 women and two children came together to bake for the Sisterhood’s biggest annual fundraiser.

By Lesley Sauls

Any parent who has asked a child how the day went is likely to have received a glazed stare, shrugged shoulders or the dreaded oneword answer: “Fine.”

Getting into the mind of a child can be akin to breaking into Fort Knox. There has to be a secret code, but what is it? It may seem impossible, but there are some sure-fire ways to engage your child and become privy to the goings-on about which every parent wants to be aware.

Plant the seed of communication before your child even knows what you are up to.

Be sincere

Offer your highs and lows, too, edited for young ears, so that she can see that everyone has ups and downs in life and that you value her enough to share yours. You will soon earn her trust in return and be included in her private thoughts.

Joan Bohman, director of professional standards and continuing professional development for the National Association of School Psychologists, supports laying groundwork as soon as possible for family communication.

“If, during early school years, children know that the parent is going to ask what they learned today, it becomes a standard topic in which all are expected to take part. Then the

Talking points Start

early and communication won’t get a bad rap

pattern is set for older years.”

She adds: “Parents need to be careful to listen and validate the students’ point of view rather than jump in with the ‘right answer’ or ‘right way’ to think about something.”

Conversation starters

Meet your son’s friends, teachers and afterschool program instructors. Volunteer at school if you have time and participate with class

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activities as often as possible.

Schools are constantly providing announcements. Scour them for potential conversation starters about upcoming projects, school programs, retiring teachers, peer successes and any other topic you can find. Ask your child’s friends carefully placed questions, and the answers you receive will become conversation starters to use at home.

A question that can be answered with a

one-word answer most likely will be, so ask open-ended questions that can’t possibly be satisfied with a “yes,” “no” or “fine” answer. Instead of asking how your daughter’s day was, ask about specifics.

Ask what kind of math problems she is working on, what she read during her free time and what exercises she did in gym class. You’ll get short answers, but each will open a door to more questions. Relate similar stories from your youth and you’ll likely elicit questions that can easily be bounced back to her.

Age and timing is everything

Consider your child’s age when you gear up for an after-school chat. Younger kids will be open and eager to tell you about their day right away. Parental attention at that age is key, and they’re ripe for conversation. Tweens and teens usually need a little time to themselves before they’re willing to talk. It’s better to let them come home and shift gears from school to family before you start asking questions.

Of older kids, Bohmann suggests, “Ask questions about the day while working on another task. If the student helps set or clear the table, that may be a good time to talk. “

Photo: Knowing when and how to talk to your child or teen makes a world of difference in getting them to open up.

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Immigration policies spark anxiety on L.I.

By SCOTT BRINTON

Special to the Herald

First in a series of stories on immigration through a partnership between Herald Community Newspapers and Hofstra University.

Sergio Jimenez, of Amityville, an activist with an immigrant rights coalition that includes the Workplace Project in Hempstead, was recently approached by an acquaintance with an unusual proposition: The man asked whether Jimenez would take over his car payments.

The Honduran man had had enough of the Trump administration’s treatment of the immigrant community, and planned to return to his home country. He needed someone to assume his car payments rather than abandon the vehicle.

“He’s going back to Honduras because he can’t stand all this suppression,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez spoke during a nearly twohour-long conversation on Feb. 5 that the Herald hosted at a restaurant down the street from Hempstead Town Hall, attended by 15 immigrants and advocates from the local community and beyond. They came to discuss President Trump’s immigration policy, with its increased focus on identifying and deporting undocumented immigrants.

To protect its owners’ privacy, the Herald is not naming the restaurant.

Trump, Jimenez said, is ignoring the potential economic impact of tens of thousands, perhaps millions, of undocumented and documented immigrants returning to their home countries, either because they are forced or choose to. If a growing number of immigrants leave, the economy will suffer, he said.

Immigrants comprise a third of Nassau County’s workforce and a third of its small-business owners, and New York’s immigrants, documented and undocumented, pay more than $3.1 billion annually in state and local taxes, according to the New York Immigration Coalition.

Nadia Marin-Molina, co-executive director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, which has an office at the Freeport Workers Justice Center, said she believes the Trump administration aims to “make people’s lives miserable and to scare people, to terrorize people into leaving themselves, because they can’t deport everybody that they say they’re going to deport.”

As of Feb. 3, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported nearly 8,800 arrests of immigrants from 121 countries, with almost 5,700 deportations and removals since Trump took office. As of 2022, an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants lived in the U.S., 3 percent of the population, according to the American Immigration Council.

Many immigrants were already on edge and thinking of returning to their homelands before Trump’s increased enforcement, according to Deyanira Barrow, who immigrated to the U.S. 35

An increasing number of immigrants are considering returning to their home countries because of the Trump administration’s “suppression” of immigrant rights, according to Hempstead-area activists. Advocates and 15 immigrants gathered to talk with the Herald on Feb. 5.

years ago following the Nicaraguan civil war from 1978 to 1990.

Theft is often why “our people say, no, no, I’m going back to my country. They know some people spend a lot of money for nothing,” Barrow, a Workplace Project activist from Baldwin Harbor who owns a cleaning business, said. An attorney might charge $3,000 to $5,000 to process an immigration claim and provide no services, she added.

Local cooperation with ICE?

According to the National Immigration Law Center, on Jan. 20, his first day in office, Trump signed executive orders calling for, among other measures:

■ A recommitment to mass detention of undocumented immigrants.

■ Potential punishment of municipalities that act as “sanctuaries” for them.

■ A DHS review and audit of federal grants and contracts with non-governmental agencies that aid them.

■ Possible reinstatement of countrybased immigration bans.

■ An examination of Temporary Protected Status designations that allow immigrants fleeing violence and natural disaster to remain in the U.S.

■ Expansion of the expedited removal policy that allows the federal government to deport undocumented immigrants without their day in court.

■ Authorization for local municipalities to act as immigration enforcement agents.

This final point was most disconcerting for a number of the immigrants interviewed by the Herald. They wonder whether local governments, such as the villages of Freeport, Hempstead and

Westbury, and area school districts might cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, signed an agreement with the Trump administration on Feb. 4 that deputized county police officers to carry out immigration enforcement in tandem with ICE.

Blakeman’s policy has received bipartisan support. Freshman U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, a Democrat, issued a statement on Feb. 6, saying, “Violent criminals with no legal right to be here should be deported in accordance with the law. Nassau County detectives now being able to work directly with ICE agents on targeted enforcement against known noncitizen criminals will help keep Long Islanders safe.”

Whether local governments and school districts will cooperate with ICE is an open question. Last month, Hempstead Board of Education President Victor Pratt told Newsday, “We will continue to comply with federal mandates, and the law is the law, whether we agree with it or not.”

That prompted the immigrant rights organization LatinoJustice PRLDEF to respond. “Allowing ICE into our schools or working with this federal agency jeopardizes the safety, rights and wellbeing of the district’s student body,” Lourdes Rosado, the group’s president and general counsel, said.

Hempstead Schools Superintendent Susan Johnson posted a message on the district website last week to reassure concerned parents and students: “We understand that there are concerns circulating in our community regarding the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. During these times, it is important to know that our schools are safe spaces where all children are valued, protected and supported.”

No village or school district could be reached by phone for comment at press time.

‘The struggle continues’

“We are in a dire situation, as I see it,” Jimenez said. “Part of it is the lack of cohesion in the community. There’s no one representing, working with us, except organizations” like the Workplace Project.

The immigrant community was very active politically during the 1980s, “but then somehow the community fell asleep, and we remain sleeping,” Emilio Alfaro Ruiz, national advertising director for La Tribuna Hispana, a Hempstead-based Spanish-language newspaper, said. “It’s a state of mind. We have to tell the people that the struggle continues.”

Elected leaders of both parties have disappointed the immigrant community, Ruiz said, adding, “We always hope the Democrats will do more.” In particular, he said, the community had hoped that President Barack Obama, with a Democratically controlled Congress from 2009 to 2011, would push through comprehensive immigration reform, but that never happened.

Many immigrant activists have grown tired of the fight, Ruiz said. As they see it, the “politicians don’t give a damn about us,” he said, “and I’m going to do my own business — self-care.”

Miguel Alas Sevillano, a community organizer with the Workplace Project and a Salvadoran immigrant, said the organization is holding a workshop series to help immigrants understand their rights under the law. “We prepare people in the community how to act in case ICE comes to our homes or our workplaces or any public area,” Sevillano said.

To learn more about the workshops, call (516) 565-5377.

Courtesy Scott Brinton

RVC gets ready for annual Red and Blue

South Side High School is gearing up for its 109th annual Red and Blue competition, a highly anticipated three-day event from Thursday Feb. 27 to Saturday. March 1 this year. With girls from all four grades set to compete, this long-standing tradition sees teams battling it out for victory and a chance to be remembered in the school’s history.

The school and community have expressed their excitement, noting the growing visibility of the event with signs popping up around Rockville Centre.

“We look forward to a great event where our students work cooperatively to bring their vision to life, all along with a little healthy competition,” Matt Gaven, superintendent of the Rockville Centre school district, said at the Feb. 6 board of education meeting.

To help organize the event, two alumni, Lisa Guerriero and Jenna Carey, both former Red team captains, are returning as co-directors. While they didn’t know each other before, they’ve since become close friends and now oversee all event details. Guerriero, a 2000 graduate, teaches physical education, while Carey, a 2006 graduate, works as a freelance TV producer.

The students will compete on randomly assigned teams, with Red and Blue captains chosen by student vote. The teams are supported by alumni advisers who help coordinate practice schedules. The event will feature revue night, a series of skits and dance performances, followed by sports competitions, including relay races and volleyball. Points are awarded for performance, sportsmanship and attendance.

Since its inception in 1917, Red and Blue has evolved, fostering school spirit and community. While the Blue team has historically dominated with 51 wins, the Red team has 45 victories and both teams have tied 11 times.

–Kelsie Radziski

Tim Baker/Herald

The Blue team celebrated their win after the 2024 Red and Blue tournament.

RVC celebrates jazz education with concert

South Side Middle and High Schools came together for their annual jazz concert on Feb 5. The middle school jazz band, the high school stage band and the high school wind ensemble put on show for families, friends and community members at South Side High School.

Every year, the Rockville Centre school district celebrates jazz education, culminating in the combined concert. The event is dedicated to the memory of Stefan B. Lichter, a former student who was an avid trombone player in the high school wind ensemble and jazz ensemble.

Stefan’s parents, Carolyn and Aaron Lichter, set up a Memorial Scholarship Award after their son’s passing in 1993 that they present to a student each year at the concert. This year’s recipient was Eric Junker, a trumpet player at South Side Middle School. The Lichters presented him with the scholarship during the concert in honor of their son.

annual concert brought out a crown of families, friends and community members to listen

performances and

–Kelsie Radziski

Photos courtesy Rockville Centre school district

The student ensembles performed jazz pieces for the audience as a way to celebrate jazz education.

Carolyn and Aaron Licther presented Junker with the scholarship on stage.

Eric Junker, a trumpet player at South Side Middle School, was awarded the Stefan B. Lichter Memorial Scholarship at the district’s annual jazz concert on Feb. 5.

The

to the students’

honor the memory of Stefan B. Lichter.

Barry Lebron, a music teacher at South Side High School, spoke to the audience in between conducting the wind ensemble.

Flu surges in ‘under-vaccinated’ population

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

Anna Sequoia had never had the flu before. At 79, the Glen Cove resident thought she knew what to expect when she developed a sore throat while on a Caribbean cruise last week. But by the time she got home, the illness had taken a frightening turn.

“By the third night, I could barely sleep because of the coughing,” Sequoia recounted. “The coughing was so horrible my chest really hurt.”

Sequoia, who has asthma, went to an emergency room after struggling to breathe. “I told them that I was short of breath,” she said. “I immediately told them that I had been out of the country. They always want to know that. And at that point, everybody put masks on.”

Doctors diagnosed her with the flu and prescribed multiple medications, including Tamiflu, prednisone and a nasal decongestant. They also told her to use a nebulizer every four to six hours to ease her breathing. Now recovering at home, she remains shaken by the experience.

“I was scared, actually,” she said. “It’s frightening to me that people are walking around now without masks.”

Flu cases in New York have surged to more than 53,000, with Long Island recording 11,862 cases in a single week — the highest in at least two seasons. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that flu-related doctor visits nationwide are at a 15-year high. The CDC estimates that, so far this season, 24 million Americans have had the flu, resulting in 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths.

In New York, flu activity has reached its highest level in years. The number of flu-related doctor visits

Courtesy Metro Creative Health officials continue to stress the importance of vaccination as the number of flu cases remains high.

climbed 7 percent in the first week of February, approaching levels last seen during the 2009-10 flu pandemic.

Dr. Bruce Farber, chief of epidemiology at Northwell Health, said this year’s flu is being driven by low vaccination rates and changes in the virus strains.

“Flu seasons vary year by year, depending upon minor drifts in the virus,” Farber said. “Secondly, the population is under-vaccinated. Flu vaccination rates are much lower than they have been in years previous

… And then, of course, the matchup of the flu vaccine to this year’s strains is also always a prediction, at best.”

In New York, flu vaccination rates among children ages 6 months to 17 have dropped from 60 percent in 2020 to 49 percent this season, according to the CDC. Public health officials stress that the vaccine reduces the severity of illness and the likelihood of hospitalization, even if it doesn’t prevent infection entirely.

Health officials expect flu cases to remain high for several more weeks. “Rates have been very high the first week of February. They’re just starting to level off and fall,” Farber said. “It usually remains at high levels of infection for about eight to 10 weeks, and then slowly declines.”

Officials track the flu’s spread through hospital admissions, flu test positivity rates and emergency room visits.

The Nassau County Department of Health stressed the importance of flu vaccinations in an email to the Herald, noting that it is not too late in the season to get protected. In addition to vaccination, health officials recommend frequent hand-washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces to reduce the spread of the virus. Those who are not feeling well should stay home from work, school and social gatherings until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication.

Those who need help finding a vaccine can call the county health department, at (516) 227-9697.

With between 20,000 and 60,000 flu-related deaths expected annually, Farber stressed the seriousness of the illness, particularly for vulnerable populations. “People should realize that this disease is responsible for a lot of mortality every year,” he said. “It’s not a cold.”

RVC fire department receives new grant

On Feb. 9, the Rockville Centre Fire Department was awarded a grant of $117,652 to help fund the purchase of a new ambulance for the village. The grant was presented by Nassau County Legislators Scott Davis and Debra Mulé, as well as Mayor Francis Murray.

The Legislature voted unanimously on Dec. 16 in favor of releasing American Rescue Plan Act funding in support of this investment in public safety. The ARPA, signed into law by the federal government in 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, allocated $2 million to Rockville Centre as part of a broader $12.75 billion aid package to New York State, according to Budget. ny.gov.

Mayor Murray explained how the 2023 redistricting of Nassau County’s legislative lines resulted in the village losing people who were meant to help the village with its funding. However, Davis and Mulé stepped up.

“After redistricting changed the Legislative lines, the other two who were going to help us with the money weren’t involved in Rockville Centre anymore –so we got into a little bit of a pickle,” Murray said. “Then, along came Scott Davis – he stepped up to the plate with Debra Mulé to deliver these funds for our Village.”

Murray further expressed how grateful he is for Davis and Mulé’s help in securing the funds.

“I would like to thank Legislators Scott Davis and Debra Mulé for securing this vital grant,” Murray said. “The safety of our residents continues to be our top priority and this vital funding will allow our first responders to better serve our residents and community.”

According to Dave Schowerer, captain of Floodlight Company No. 1 and paramedic, the RVC fire department receives a tremendous number of calls daily.

“We’re always looking for ways to better service the community,” Schowerer said. “We’ve been very inventive in Rockville Centre, and we plan to use that inventively on the new ambulances to improve patient care for our Village residents.”

–Xiomara Trinidad Perez

Courtesy Peter M. Budraitis

Legislators Scott Davis and Debra Mul é, holding the check, presented the village of Rockville Centre with a grant for $117,652 for a new ambulance for the village.

Offner/Herald the original development, a three-story building holding two floors of medical offices, a restuarant on the ground floor and rooftop dining, has since been amended.

Community worries over parking, village character

from page 1

cal building, as well as a 10-foot setback from the road.

The new building, Bonesso explained, no longer has the proposed rooftop dining component, and it only has one floor of medical offices, with the third floor holding regular offices, therefore removing its designation as a medical building by the village. This reduces the parking requirement from 56 spaces to 42 spaces.

Bonesso is asking for a parking variance to remove the requirement of 42 spaces, as well as a front yard setback variance to remove the requirement of the 10-foot setback.

“If you take a look at South Park Avenue, every building on it is right on the front property line,” he said. “So, if we complied with that (setback), we would actually be out of character with the rest of the area.”

Despite the changes, community members voiced concerns about the building’s size and proximity to the street, with some expressing it would appear out of place among the smaller buildings lining the street.

A significant point of concern expressed at the civic meeting was the lack of parking spaces. Meghan Kerns, a member of the civic association, said that small businesses in the area are worried about how the already existing parking challenges for customers would be exacerbated by this new building.

“They would be impacted by the additional traffic and parking demand that comes with that building,” she said.

In addition to parking concerns, some attendees are worried about the building’s potential impact on the neighborhood’s character. The existing structure that would be replaced is a Civil War-era home with a rich history in the village.

According to the Rockville Centre Historical Society, the home dates back to 1863, 30 years before Rockville Centre became an official village. South Park Avenue was mostly residential until the 1920s and 30s, when it housed a variety of businesses. Most recently, the house served as a bar modeled as a speakeasy, which closed in 2020.

The historic home also hosts the history of early immigration into the town, with the Goldstein family, Polish immigrants who moved to the U.S. in 1929, renting it.

Matt Clisziz, a member of the historical society, said he wrote a letter to the house’s current owner, suggesting alternatives to demolition.

“You could have offices upstairs and a restaurant downstairs by redeveloping the existing building changing the building around slightly to conform to the use that he’s looking for,” Clisziz said.

Clisziz stated that offers have been made to connect the owner with a local architect who is willing to donate her time to help create plans for repurposing the space.

“It’s a shame to lose the last remaining home on South Park Avenue, on the street that was once all a residential street,” Clisziz said. “That house is one of the oldest in the village. And so, to lose something like that, would not only change the character of the street itself but also take away from the history of our village that dates back that far.”

From what the Historical Society can gather, Clisziz said, the home is “pretty much” in its original form. He said the town does not have “any sort of preservation ordinances,” meaning that historical houses like this are always under threat of development.

“I think as a village, we need to understand whether or not enacting some sort of protection for buildings like this is something that we all feel is important,” Clisziz said.

The developer is currently working on a new traffic study based on the revisions to the development.

The project’s approval process requires a zoning board hearing, scheduled for March 5. Kerns said the civic association encourages everyone to attend the hearing to express their opinions on the development.

Additional reporting by Xiomara Trinidad Perez.

Dan

STEPPING OUT

Those ‘wild’ days

Director Billy Bustamante, whose credits include Broadway and off-Broadway, brings his ﬂair to the Madison Theatre’s latest production.

The stage is set for a steamy

By Danielle Schwab

IProhibition tale at Molloy’s Madison Theatre

t’s “the party to end all parties” and everyone’s on the guest list.

You’re invited to travel back to the decadent world of 1920s Prohibition-era Manhattan when the roaring musical production of Andrew Lippa’s “The Wild Party,” arrives on the Molloy University campus shortly, March 7-9.

Audiences can expect a lively show ﬁlled with vibrant jazz and eclectic guests — also some uninvited “surprises” — that’s sure to keep the joint buzzing.

Observing the talented young performers involved with Molloy’s renowned CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory, guided by Director-Choreographer Billy Bustamante, you’ll surelly be thinking: ‘Let’s raise the roof, let’s make a scene!’

Set in the Roaring Twenties, it tells the tale of two vaudevillians, Queenie and Burrs, as they throw the party to end all parties. Jealousy and decadence abound in this spicy concoction whose tasty musical stew of jazz, blues, gospel, and Tin Pan Alley sounds remarkably contemporary.

Vaudeville dancer Queenie, (played by senior Jessica Olexy) and her intense partner Burrs (senior Cade Eller) host an evening of delight only to see it spiral into chaos with every twist and turn.

• Friday through Sunday, March 7-9; times vary

• Tickets start at $35; available at madisontheatreny.org or the box ofﬁce at (516) 323-4444

• Molloy University campus, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

Sondheim’s “Here We Are” (choreographer). Now Molloy’s theater students can beneﬁt from his talents.

“I have history with this story,” Bustamente says. “I directed an off-Broadway production of the other version back in 2016, so this feels like a full circle moment, getting to explore this story again through different writers.”

There’s even a ‘show within a show’ musical number, “ A Wild, Wild Party,” a favorite of senior Angelo Domingo, who appears as a party guest, the rambunctious boxer Eddie.

The Pirates of Penzance

Shiver me timbers! Book your passage to the Madison Theatre when Molloy University’s renowned CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory, stages the classic musical, accompanied by the South Shore Symphony, Sail away to the whimsical world of Gilbert & Sullivan’s beloved operetta, where a merry band of parading pirates — led by their Pirate King — clash swords and nightsticks with the bumbling Bobbies on the shores of Cornwall. The story revolves around Frederic, who was apprenticed by mistake to a band of tenderhearted pirates. He meets the daughters of Major-General Stanley, including Mabel, and the two young people instantly fall in love. With its humorous blend of romantic entanglements and memorable melodies, this delightful production promises an evening of laughter and theatrical magic.

Friday through Sunday, Feb. 2123, times vary. Tickets start at $35. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org or (516) 3234444.

“At this party, everyone has a secret and something to hide. This show explores what happens when those secrets and the masks — that we all wear — get ripped off,” Bustamante says.

Based on Joseph Moncure March’s 1928 poem of the same name, the award-winning off-Broadway musical wowed audiences with its look into love in a messy and exciting fashion when it debuted 25 years ago.

the award-winning off-Broadway musical wowed audiences with its the score,” Bustamante says. “The nature of the music

While the narrative poem is almost a century old, Lippa’s adaptation brings a modern take to the story, blending the captivating allure of the 1920s with a modern feel.

“The music is a lot more contemporary and eclectic, all while being rooted in jazz. There are some really exciting pop, Latin and contemporary musical theater elements in the score,” Bustamante says. “The nature of the music allows audiences today to engage with the story and see themselves in the characters’ experiences in a really impactful way.”

From larger-than-life dancing sequences such as “Juggernaut,” to soulful reﬂections as in “What Is It About Her?,” the production traverses the range of human emotions and complicated identities those vaudeville entertainers of that era.

“All these people at the party are people who don’t belong in other places. The nature of what it meant to be a vaudevillian performer was you were uplifted and applauded at one moment and then not allowed certain restaurants or rooms at the next,” Bustamante explains.

“At its core, it’s something really beautiful. But on the

“At its core, it’s something really beautiful. But on the other hand, these are all damaged people because of the lives that they’ve had to leave, and that sets the stage for an evening where a lot can really go down.”

This isn’t the ﬁrst time that Bustamante has helmed the story. In fact, he was involved with a different musical adaptation of the famous poem, created by Michael John LaChiusa. His resume includes acting in productions such as Broadway Theatre’s “Miss Saigon” in addition to his directorial turns in “Here Lies Love” (assistant director) and Stephen

as a party guest, the rambunctious boxer Eddie. says.

“It was the number that introduced me to the show, and it has just a very fun, infectious vibe,” Domingo

For the cast of 25, this production is an opportunity to hone their performing skills before going forward professionally.

opportunity to hone their performing skills before [being with] working professionals who are

“The [CAP21] program teaches you a lot about how to be an individual in theater. Because we’re in New York, you get the experience of [being with] working professionals who are working on Broadway, Off Broadway and developing musicals,” Domingo continues.

“I’ve grown in more ways than I thought I ever would. And when it comes to my training, I achieved things that I thought would take way longer to achieve already.”

Czech National Symphony Orchestra

So get ready to head to the theater — it’s time to join the party.

I thought I ever would. And when it head theater — it’s time to join the party.

audience Party” feeling

“I hope that our audience can leave “The Wild Party” feeling entertained, but at the same time a little educated and with a deeper understanding of themselves,” Bustamante

understanding of themselves,” Bustamante says.

masks serve you, and what masks might you

“And our version of the show can really help ask the question of our audience: ‘What masks serve you, and what masks might you be ready to let go.’

Recognized as one of Europe’s ﬁrst-rank symphonic ensembles and renowned for its versatility, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra brings its current U.S. tour to Long Island, under the baton of music director Steven Mercurio. Dynamic guest soloist Maxim Lando, an American pianist and winner of the 2022 New York Franz Liszt International Competition, joins CNSO. He and violinist Sandy Cameron perform beloved works from the Romantic repertoire — Jan Václav Hugo Voríšek’s Sinfonia Re Maggiore, Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 and selected works from Antonín Dvorák, including Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 33 and Czech Suite.

The Wild Party contains mature themes.

Saturday, Feb. 22, 3 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Photos courtesy Madison Theatre Angelo Domingo and Mariposa Boyd step lively on stage.

a different musical adaptation of the famous poem, created by Michael John LaChiusa.

THE

Colin Jost

March 13

Live … from Long Island … it’s Colin Jost! He appears on the Paramount stage, Thursday, March 13, 8 and 10 p.m. From Saturday Night Live to standup to his appearances in film, other TV ventures and even authoring a memoir, Jost is seemingly everywhere. He is currently in the middle of his 11th season as SNL’s “Weekend Update” coanchor, and his 20th as an SNL writer. His accolades are many: five Writers Guild Awards, two Peabody Awards and 15 Emmy nominations for his writing on “SNL.” Jost and his Weekend Updatemate Michael Che have hosted special editions of “Weekend Update” on MSNBC during the 2016 Republican and Democratic national conventions as well as co-hosted the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2018.

Also, in 2024 they executive produced and co-hosted Peacock’s first live comedy event, “Colin Jost and Michael Che Present: New York After Dark,” which featured an evening of surprise dropin performances from stand-up comedians. As a writer, Jost has been published multiple times in the New Yorker and has contributed to the New York Times Magazine, among other endeavors. In 2020, Jost debuted “A Very Punchable Face.” A New York Times bestseller, the memoir is a series of essays that documents pivotal moments in Jost’s life, including growing up in Staten Island in a family of firefighters, commuting three hours a day to high school, attending Harvard while Facebook was created and more. And in 2024, he even appeared as a correspondent from Tahiti for NBC Sports for the surfing competition at the summer Olympic Games, plus last year he was featured entertainer of the 2024 White House Correspondents Dinner. $129.50, $119.50, $89.50, $79.50, $69.50, $59.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

On stage

Adelphi University Performing Arts students present the musical adaptation of “The Spitfire Grill,” Wednesday through Sunday, Feb. 26-March 2. Based on the 1996 film by Lee David Zlotoff, this is a heartwarming and inspirational musical tale of redemption, perseverance and family. It follows a troubled young parolee yearning for a fresh start who follows her dreams to Wisconsin, based on a page from an old travel book, only to find a small town with a gritty heart aching with longing and regret. Unexpectedly discovering the healing power of community while working at the Spitfire Grill, Percy reawakens the entire town’s capacity for rebirth, forgiveness and hope.

Set to a melodic folk-inspired score, it’s a joyous celebration of human kindness. $30, with discounts available for seniors, students Adelphi alumni and staff. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.

In concert

The influential proto-punk/garage band The Dictators performs at My Father’s Place, Sunday, March 2, 7-9 p.m. My Father’s Place at The Roslyn, 1221 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn. For tickets/ information, visit MyFathersPlace. com or call (516) 580-0887.

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues, Saturday, Feb.22, noon-3 p.m. Kids and their adult partners talk about and make art together. While there, enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit nassaumuseum. org to register or call (516) 484-9337.

Board of Trustees meeting

The next Village of Rockville Centre Board of Trustees meeting takes place on Monday, March 3, 7 p.m. at Village Hall, 1 College Place.

Black History Month commemoration

In honor of Black History Month, the Town of Hempstead hosts an extensive educational exhibit suitable for all ages, Friday, Feb. 21, 6-8 p.m., at Hempstead Town Hall. It highlights the labor of African-Americans from past to present on 1 Washington St., Hempstead. For more information, call (516) 4895000, ext. 4303.

Family theater

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to its stage, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21,22, 11 a.m and 1:30 p.m.; also Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 26-27, 10:15 a.m. and noon. It is 3017 in this futuristic, musical retelling of “Cinderella.” She’s now a space engineer looking to revolutionize space travel. When the Prince holds a space parade, Cinderella saves it by helping fix the Prince’s spaceship. and show the Prince her new hyper warp speed engine.

But first, she’ll have to keep her evil stepmother from throwing a wrench in her plans! $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.

Memories into memoir

Join Iyna Bort Caruso at the Phillips House Museum, Tuesday, March 4, 7 p.m. Learn a step-by-step guide on how to craft engaging narratives from your life experiences. 28 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. To register, visit RVCHS. org/Event-List.

In

concert

Jupiter String Quartet returns to Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, Friday, Feb. 28, 8 p.m. The intimate group of violinists Nelson Lee and Meg Freivogel, violist Liz Freivogel (Meg’s older sister), and cellist Daniel McDonough (Meg’s husband, Liz’s brotherin-law) are brought together by ties both familial and musical.

The ensemble brings its well-honed musical chemistry to three works shaped by bold musicality and deeply meaningful thematic inspirations, including Warmth from Other Suns by Carlos Simon; String Quartet No. 3, Glitter, Doom, Shards, Memory by Shulamit; and String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat Major, Op. 130 with the Grosse Fuge by Ludwig van Beethoven. 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.

Having an event?

A Band Called Honalee

Plaza Theatricals welcomes the modern-day folk trio, Sunday, Feb. 23 , 2:30 p.m. Inspired by the music and legacy of Peter, Paul & Mary, the ensemble offers up an energetic interactive tribute. Satisfying diehard PPM lovers as well as newcomers to this wonderful era of music, their concer features all of PPM’s beloved hits, including “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” “Blowing in the Wind,” and of course “Puff The Magic Dragon.”

With stirring vocal harmonies and polished showmanship, they also offers favorites from Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Pete Seeger, Joni Mitchell, The Mamas & The Papas, Joan Baez, The Weavers, and more. $40, $35 seniors. Groove along at Plaza’s stage at Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit plazatheatrical. com.

Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct followup to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.

Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. On view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum. org.

Hempstead House tour

Feb. 23

Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Sunday, Feb. 23, noon-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR PRETIUM MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST ARTHUR EDWARDS, ELIZABETH EDWARDS

AKA ELIZABETH MC ARDLE, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 16, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 10, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 259 LINCOLN AVENUE, ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY 11570. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situated, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Rockville Centre, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 38, Block 347, Lots 380 & 381. Approximate amount of judgment $723,702.12 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #609188/2019. Karen C. Grant, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 18-009233 84137 151396

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE

VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on February 13, 2025, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Rockville Centre, in the County of Nassau, New York, adopted a bond resolution entitled:

“Bond Resolution of the Village of Rockville Centre, New York, adopted February 13, 2025, authorizing the issuance of bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $6,700,000 to finance the construction of road improvements, stating the estimated maximum cost thereof is $6,700,000 and appropriating said amount for such purpose,”

an abstract of such bond resolution, concisely stating the purpose and effect thereof, being as follows:

FIRST: AUTHORIZING the Village of Rockville Centre, New York to issue bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $6,700,000 pursuant to the Local Finance Law of the State of New York, to finance the construction of road improvements, at the estimated maximum cost of $6,700,000;

SECOND: STATING that the estimated maximum cost thereof, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto and the financing thereof, is $6,700,000; appropriating said amount for such purpose; and STATING that the plan of financing includes the issuance of bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $6,700,000 to finance said appropriation and the levy and collection of taxes upon all the taxable real property in the Village to pay the principal of said bonds and the interest thereon as the same shall become due and payable;

THIRD: DETERMINING and STATING the period of probable usefulness applicable to the purpose for which said bonds are authorized to be issued is fifteen (15) years; the proceeds of said bonds and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation thereof may be applied to reimburse the Village for expenditures made after the effective date of this bond resolution for the purpose for which said bonds are authorized; and the proposed maturity of said bonds will exceed five (5) years;

FOURTH: DETERMINING that said bonds and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of said bonds and the renewals of said bond anticipation notes shall be general obligations of the Village; and PLEDGING to their payment the faith and credit of the Village;

FIFTH: DELEGATING to the Village Treasurer the powers and duties as to the issuance of said bonds, and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of said bonds, or the renewals thereof;

SIXTH: STATING the

conditions under which the validity of the bonds, or any notes issued in anticipation thereof, may be contested; and

SEVENTH:

DETERMINING that the resolution is subject to a permissive referendum.

DATED: February 13, 2025

Nancy Howard Village Clerk 151706

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE

VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK

FIRST: AUTHORIZING the Village of Rockville Centre, New York to issue bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $3,850,000 pursuant to the Local Finance Law of the State of New York, to finance the acquisition of fire trucks for use by the Village Fire Department, including equipment and apparatus used in connection therewith;

SECOND: STATING that the estimated maximum cost thereof, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto and the financing thereof, is $3,850,000; appropriating said amount for such purpose; and STATING that the plan of financing includes the issuance of bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $3,850,000 to finance said appropriation and the levy and collection of taxes upon all the taxable real property in the Village to pay the principal of said bonds

and the interest thereon as the same shall become due and payable;

THIRD: DETERMINING and STATING the period of probable usefulness applicable to the purpose for which said bonds are authorized to be issued is twenty (20) years; the proceeds of said bonds and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation thereof may be applied to reimburse the Village for expenditures made after the effective date of this bond resolution for the purpose for which said bonds are authorized; and the proposed maturity of said bonds will exceed five (5) years;

FIFTH: DELEGATING to the Village Treasurer the powers and duties as to the issuance of said bonds, and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of said bonds, or the renewals thereof;

SIXTH: STATING the conditions under which the validity of the bonds, or any notes issued in anticipation thereof, may be contested; and

SEVENTH: DETERMINING that the resolution is subject to a permissive referendum.

DATED: February 13, 2025 Nancy Howard Village Clerk 151705

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE

VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK

is $3,000,000 and appropriating said amount for such purpose,” an abstract of such bond resolution, concisely stating the purpose and effect thereof, being as follows:

FIRST: AUTHORIZING the Village of Rockville Centre, New York to issue bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $3,000,000 pursuant to the Local Finance Law of the State of New York, to finance the acquisition of heavy-duty vehicles and equipment;

SECOND: STATING that the estimated maximum cost thereof, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto and the financing thereof, is $3,000,000; appropriating said amount for such purpose; and STATING that the plan of financing includes the issuance of bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $3,000,000 to finance said appropriation and the levy and collection of taxes upon all the taxable real property in the Village to pay the principal of said bonds and the interest thereon as the same shall become due and payable;

FIFTH: DELEGATING to the Village Treasurer the powers and duties as to the issuance of said bonds, and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of said bonds, or the

renewals thereof;

SIXTH: STATING the conditions under which the validity of the bonds, or any notes issued in anticipation thereof, may be contested; and

SEVENTH: DETERMINING that the resolution is subject to a permissive referendum.

DATED: February 13, 2025

Nancy Howard Village Clerk 151704

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE

VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on February 13, 2025, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Rockville Centre, in the County of Nassau, New York, adopted a bond resolution entitled: “Bond Resolution of the Village of Rockville Centre, New York, adopted February 13, 2025, authorizing the issuance of bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $10,000,000 to finance the construction of sewer improvements, stating the estimated maximum cost thereof is $10,000,000 and appropriating said amount for such purpose,” an abstract of such bond resolution, concisely stating the purpose and effect thereof, being as follows: FIRST: AUTHORIZING the Village of Rockville Centre, New York to issue bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $10,000,000 pursuant to the Local Finance Law of the State of New York, to finance the construction of sewer improvements, including, but not limited to, the upgrades and improvements to the Marlborough Court Pump Station;

SECOND: STATING that the estimated maximum cost thereof, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto and the financing thereof, is $10,000,000; appropriating said amount for such purpose; STATING that the plan of financing includes the issuance of bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $10,000,000 to finance said appropriation and the levy and collection of taxes upon all the taxable real property in

the Village to pay the principal of said bonds and the interest thereon as the same shall become due and payable; and STATING that any funds received from grants and/or other sources are hereby authorized to be applied toward the cost of said project or redemption of the Village’s bonds or notes issued therefor, or to be budgeted as an offset to the taxes to be collected for the payment of the principal of and interest on said bonds or notes;

THIRD: DETERMINING and STATING the period of probable usefulness applicable to the purpose for which said bonds are authorized to be issued is forty (40) years; the proceeds of said bonds and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation thereof may be applied to reimburse the Village for expenditures made after the effective date of this bond resolution for the purpose for which said bonds are authorized; and the proposed maturity of said bonds will exceed five (5) years;

FIFTH: DELEGATING to the Village Treasurer the powers and duties as to the issuance of said bonds, and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of said bonds, or the renewals thereof;

SIXTH: STATING the conditions under which the validity of the bonds, or any notes issued in anticipation thereof, may be contested; and

SEVENTH: DETERMINING that the resolution is subject to a permissive referendum.

DATED: February 13, 2025

Nancy Howard Village Clerk 151710

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on February 13, 2025, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Rockville Centre, in the County of Nassau, New York, adopted a bond resolution entitled:

“Bond Resolution of the Village of Rockville Centre, New York, adopted February 13, 2025, authorizing the issuance of bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $8,350,000 to finance the construction of improvements to various Village buildings, stating the estimated maximum cost thereof is $8,350,000 and appropriating said amount for such purpose,” an abstract of such bond resolution, concisely stating the purpose and effect thereof, being as follows:

FIRST: AUTHORIZING the Village of Rockville Centre, New York to issue bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $8,350,000 pursuant to the Local Finance Law of the State of New York, to finance the construction of improvements to various Village buildings; SECOND: STATING that the estimated maximum cost thereof, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto and the financing thereof, is $8,350,000; appropriating said amount for such purpose; and STATING that the plan of financing includes the issuance of bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $8,350,000 to finance said appropriation and the levy and collection of taxes upon all the taxable real property in the Village to pay the principal of said bonds and the interest thereon as the same shall become due and payable;

for

Public Notices

made after the effective date of this bond resolution for the purpose for which said bonds are authorized; and the proposed maturity of said bonds will exceed five (5) years;

FOURTH:

DETERMINING that said bonds and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of said bonds and the renewals of said bond anticipation notes shall be general obligations of the Village; and PLEDGING to their payment the faith and credit of the Village;

FIFTH: DELEGATING to the Village Treasurer the powers and duties as to the issuance of said bonds, and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of said bonds, or the renewals thereof;

SIXTH: STATING the conditions under which the validity of the bonds, or any notes issued in anticipation thereof, may be contested; and

SEVENTH: DETERMINING that the resolution is subject to a permissive referendum.

DATED: February 13, 2025 Nancy Howard Village Clerk 151709

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on February 13, 2025, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Rockville Centre, in the County of Nassau, New York, adopted a bond resolution entitled:

“Bond Resolution of the Village of Rockville Centre, New York, adopted February 13, 2025, authorizing the construction of water system improvements, stating the estimated maximum cost thereof is $7,000,000, appropriating said amount for such purpose, and authorizing the issuance of bonds of the Village in the principal amount of not to exceed $7,000,000 to finance said appropriation,” an abstract of such bond resolution, concisely stating the purpose and effect thereof, being as follows:

FIRST: AUTHORIZING said Village to construct water system improvements; STATING the estimated maximum cost thereof, including preliminary costs, and costs incidental thereto and the financing thereof, is $7,000,000; APPROPRIATING said amount for such purpose; STATING the plan of financing includes the issuance of bonds of the Village in the principal amount of not to exceed $7,000,000 to finance said appropriation, and the levy and collection of taxes on all the taxable real property in the Village to pay the principal of said bonds and the interest thereon as the same shall become due and payable;

SECOND: AUTHORIZING the issuance of not to exceed $7,000,000 bonds of the Village pursuant to the Local Finance Law of the State of New York (the “Law”) to finance said appropriation;

THIRD: DETERMINING and STATING the period of probable usefulness applicable to the objects or purpose for which said bonds are authorized to be issued is forty (40) years; the proceeds of said bonds and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation thereof may be applied to reimburse the Village for expenditures made after the effective date of this bond resolution for the purpose for which said bonds are authorized; and the proposed maturity of said bonds will exceed five (5) years;

FIFTH: DELEGATING to the Village Treasurer the powers and duties as to the issuance of said bonds, and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of said bonds, or the renewals thereof; and

SIXTH: DETERMINING that the bond resolution is subject to a permissive referendum.

DATED: February 13, 2025

Nancy Howard Village Clerk 151708

Search for notices online at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE

VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK

FIRST: AUTHORIZING the Village of Rockville Centre, New York to issue bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $1,575,000 pursuant to the Local Finance Law of the State of New York, to finance the construction of parking lot improvements;

SECOND: STATING that the estimated maximum cost thereof, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto and the financing thereof, is $1,575,000; appropriating said amount for such purpose; and STATING that the plan of financing includes the issuance of bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $1,575,000 to finance said appropriation and the levy and collection of taxes upon all the taxable real property in the Village to pay the principal of said bonds and the interest thereon as the same shall become due and payable;

THIRD: DETERMINING and STATING the period of probable usefulness applicable to the purpose for which said bonds are authorized to be issued is ten (10) years; the proceeds of said bonds and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation thereof may be applied

to reimburse the Village for expenditures made after the effective date of this bond resolution for the purpose for which said bonds are authorized; and the proposed maturity of said bonds will exceed five (5) years;

FIFTH: DELEGATING to the Village Treasurer the powers and duties as to the issuance of said bonds, and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of said bonds, or the renewals thereof;

SIXTH: STATING the conditions under which the validity of the bonds, or any notes issued in anticipation thereof, may be contested; and

SEVENTH: DETERMINING that the resolution is subject to a permissive referendum.

DATED: February 13, 2025

Nancy Howard Village Clerk 151703

LEGAL NOTICE

(NOTICE AND SUMMARY OF RESOLUTION FOR PUBLICATION)

NOTICE

The resolution, a summary of which is published herewith, has been adopted on the 13th day of February, 2025, and the validity of the obligations authorized by such resolution may be hereafter contested only if such obligations were authorized for an object or purpose for which the Village of Rockville Centre, in the County of Nassau, New York, is not authorized to expend money or if the provisions of law which should have been complied with as of the date of publication of this Notice were not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the publication of this Notice, or such obligations were authorized in violation of the provisions of the constitution.

Nancy Howard

Village Clerk BOND RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK, ADOPTED FEBRUARY 13, 2025, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $300,000 TO FINANCE THE ACQUISITION OF VEHICLES FOR USE BY THE VILLAGE’S FIRE DEPARTMENT, STATING THE ESTIMATED MAXIMUM COST THEREOF IS $300,000 AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT FOR SUCH PURPOSE

The object or purpose for which the bonds are authorized is to acquire Fire Department vehicles, at the estimated maximum cost of $300,000. The period of probable usefulness is three (3) years. The maximum amount of obligations authorized to be issued is $300,000.

A complete copy of the bond resolution summarized above shall be available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the Village Clerk, Village of Rockville Centre, Village Hall, 1 College Place, Rockville Centre, New York. 151699

Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Rockville Centre (Village) will hold a public hearing with respect to the following proposed local law: Bill RVC 2025A. A local law authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in General Municipal Law §3-c Time and Place of Hearing: Eugene J. Murray Village Hall, Second Floor One College Place, Rockville Centre, New York

Date of Hearing: March 3, 2025

Time of Hearing: 7:00 pm The proposed local law is available for public inspection at the Village Clerk’s office at One College Place, Rockville Centre, New York, between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. All interested persons will have an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing.

The Village complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Disabled persons with special needs should contact the Village Clerk’s office at 516-678-9212 at least three business days prior to the hearing, so that reasonable efforts may be made to accommodate such needs.

Dated: February 14, 2025 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE 151698

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF TENTATIVE ASSESSMENT ROLL; NOTICE OF MEETING OF BOARD OF REVIEW; HEARING OF COMPLAINTS

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Assessor of the Village of Rockville Centre has completed the tentative assessment roll of the Village for the current year and that a copy thereof has been filed with the Village Clerk at One College Place, Rockville Centre, New York, where it may be seen and examined by any interested person during regular office hours until February 18, 2025 at 3:30 pm.

The undersigned Board of Assessment Review will meet at Village Hall, One College Place, Rockville Centre, New York on February 18, 2025 at 4 pm to 8pm. to hear complaints in relation to assessments.

All changes in the tentative assessment roll made as a result of said Board of Review hearing of such complaints will be entered on such roll on or before the date when the final assessment roll is to be completed. A publication containing procedures for contesting an assessment is available at the Assessor’s Office, 110 Maple Avenue, Rockville Centre, New York. Individual property assessments are also available at http://www.rvcny.us/Bu ildings/lookupsblfinal.h tml and information regarding the grievance process is available at http://www.rvcny.gov/t ax-office

Francis X. Murray, Mayor Kathleen Baxley, Deputy Mayor Emilio F. Grillo, Trustee Katie Conlon, Trustee

Gregory P. Shaughnessy, Trustee

Thomas Domanico, Assessor Dated: January 1, 2025 151697

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE

VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK

FIRST: AUTHORIZING the Village of Rockville Centre, New York to issue bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $1,300,000 pursuant to the Local Finance Law of the State of New York, to finance the construction of recreation and park improvements, at the estimated maximum cost of $1,300,000;

SECOND: STATING that the estimated maximum cost thereof, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto and the financing thereof, is $1,300,000; appropriating said amount for such purpose; and STATING that the plan of financing includes the issuance of bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $1,300,000 to finance said appropriation and the levy and collection of taxes upon all the taxable real property in the Village to pay the principal of said bonds and the interest thereon as the same shall become due and payable;

THIRD: DETERMINING and STATING the period of probable usefulness applicable to the purpose for which said bonds are authorized to be issued is fifteen (15) years; the

proceeds of said bonds and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation thereof may be applied to reimburse the Village for expenditures made after the effective date of this bond resolution for the purpose for which said bonds are authorized; and the proposed maturity of said bonds will exceed five (5) years;

FIFTH: DELEGATING to the Village Treasurer the powers and duties as to the issuance of said bonds, and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of said bonds, or the renewals thereof;

SIXTH: STATING the conditions under which the validity of the bonds, or any notes issued in anticipation thereof, may be contested; and

SEVENTH: DETERMINING that the resolution is subject to a permissive referendum.

DATED: February 13, 2025 Nancy Howard Village Clerk 151702

LEGAL NOTICE (NOTICE AND SUMMARY OF RESOLUTION FOR PUBLICATION)

NOTICE

Diocese designates churches as safe spaces

ensure enforcement is targeted and properly carried out.”

Keller said that attendance had declined at programs and events run by the Hispanic Brotherhood because of people’s worries. The fear goes beyond just undocumented individuals, she explained.

“They’re fearful because they’re Latino and they speak a different language,” she said.

Public Notices

obligations were authorized in violation of the provisions of the constitution.

Nancy Howard Village Clerk BOND RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK, ADOPTED FEBRUARY 13, 2025, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,700,000 TO FINANCE THE ACQUISITION OF COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE, STATING THE ESTIMATED MAXIMUM COST THEREOF IS $1,700,000 AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT FOR SUCH PURPOSE The object or purpose for which the bonds are authorized is to acquire computer hardware and software, at the estimated maximum cost of $1,700,000. The period of probable usefulness is five (5) years. The maximum amount of obligations authorized to be issued is $1,700,000.

LEGAL NOTICE (NOTICE AND SUMMARY OF RESOLUTION FOR PUBLICATION) NOTICE

Nancy Howard Village Clerk

BOND RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK, ADOPTED FEBRUARY 13, 2025, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $850,000 TO FINANCE THE ACQUISITION OF

VEHICLES FOR USE BY THE VILLAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, STATING THE ESTIMATED MAXIMUM COST THEREOF IS $850,000 AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT FOR SUCH PURPOSE

The object or purpose for which the bonds are authorized is to acquire vehicles for use by the Village Police Department, including related equipment, at the estimated maximum cost of $850,000. The period of probable usefulness is three (3) years. The maximum amount of obligations authorized to be issued is $850,000. A complete copy of the bond resolution summarized above shall be available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the Village Clerk, Village of Rockville Centre, Village Hall, 1 College Place, Rockville Centre, New York. 151700

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Mortgage Assets Management, LLC,, Plaintiff AGAINST Nassau County Public Administrator, as Limited Administrator of the Estate of Yolande E. BayardGaston a/k/a Yolande Gaston; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 17, 2023 I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 24, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1180 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of NY, Section 38 Block 105 Lot 153. Approximate amount of judgment $506,388.47 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 607221/2017. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Peter Kramer, Esq., Referee- 516-510-4020

LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC

Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: February 5, 2025 151729

The brotherhood is a local resource for immigrants, offering them support and supplies. Founded in 1984 to assist the growing Latino population in and around the village, the nonprofit organization provides immigration and legal assistance, along with naturalization and citizenship counseling. It also offers resettlement services such as housing and employment counseling, translation, and emergency food, and advocates for individuals in disputes, including in living and work spaces.

“We’re just monitoring the situation right now,” Keller said.

Last month, President Trump authorized ICE agents to conduct searches near schools and churches, which raised further concerns among immigrant communities. The Diocese of Rockville Centre, which oversees Catholic parishes in the area, issued a statement stressing that churches are safe spaces.

“The Diocese expects the sanctity of Churches as places where all peoples feel safe to come and be fed in their spiritual and physical needs to continue to be respected,” the statement read. “In addi-

tion to offering worship and sacraments, our parishes often provide food to anyone who is poor, regardless of their religion or any other circumstances.”

The Migration Office of Catholic Charities, which is based in Amityville and serves both Nassau and Suffolk counties, also supports immigrants in need. Catholic Charities provides legal counseling and representation before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and immigration courts, as well as refugee resettlement services, services for victims of human trafficking, and immigrant victims of crimes.

While Blakeman’s initiative has caused anxiety in some local communities, Bruce Foucart, a former ICE official, defended the program. He said that county detectives, familiar with their communities, would help ICE focus on identifying and removing dangerous criminals.

“Detectives are the eyes and ears of the community,” Foucart said. “They generally know who the (criminal) players are, where the fake document mills are located, where the bad guys hang out.”

Foucart acknowledged that while the primary goal is to deport “criminal aliens,” ICE agents might encounter individuals of uncertain legal status during investigations. “If a person can’t positively identify themselves, ICE officers have the authority to bring them in,” he said, citing reasonable suspicion as the threshold for further action.

Additional reporting by Juan Lasso.

News brief

FCA welcomes new RVC board member

Family & Children’s Association, a Long Island health and human services nonprofit, announced the appointment of Domenique Camacho Moran, partner at Farrell Fritz and Rockville Centre resident, to its Board of Trustees.

“I’m grateful to be part of this organization,” Camacho Moran said in the news release. “To me, FCA is about empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities that truly matter.”

to advancing diversity and inclusion, facilitating events to celebrate the achievements of women executives.

Moran, an employment lawyer at Farrell Fritz, has served as legal counsel to FCA for over 15 years, a role that has shaped her appreciation for serving Long Island’s most vulnerable populations. She has been an advocate for women professionals and has long championed career development initiatives that benefit all members of the workforce. In addition, she is committed

A respected legal professional, Moran has been consistently recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America in Employment Law and Management from 2013 to the present.

She was inducted into the Long Island Business News Hall of Fame in 2024 and was named one of Long Island Business Influencers’ Most Dynamic Women Leaders in 2023.

“We are thrilled to have Domenique join the Board of Trustees,” Jeffrey Reynolds, FCA President and CEO, said in the news release. “She brings a wealth of knowledge, a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those we serve and a longstanding commitment to our mission.”

–Kelsie Radziski

Herald file photo

the Hispanic Brotherhood of rockville Centre, located on Clinton avenue, offers programs and services for the Latino community.

Domenique CamaCho moran

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Houses in flood zones had to be raised, but businesses?

Q. I am interested in leasing a building that I am certain was flooded during several recent storms. The landlord says the sheetrock and insulation were replaced, and there were only a “few inches of water.” I doubt that. The metal building is stained around the bottom 4 feet, in between tall weeds, since nobody takes care of it. It’s in an industrial area. I wonder why I had to lift my house, but these buildings, which clearly were seriously flooded, never had to make changes to deal with future flooding. I can’t risk losing inventory, and I don’t see where there was much done to prevent water from getting in. I probably won’t take the lease, but I still wonder why these buildings didn’t either have to be raised or make changes for better flood protection.

A. Most commercial buildings were not considered “substantially damaged,” a definition by the Federal Emergency Management Agency requiring flood-prevention implementation. In most cases, only when renovating, waterproofing materials were required to be added to either the inside or outside of buildings, but this was not enforced uniformly with required permits. Part of the reason that flood-proof materials were added was, just as you said, to prevent loss of inventory, but also because businesses can’t be out of commission for very long without losing money.

Flood protective panels that attach at the exterior doors and windows, membranes placed on interior walls behind new finishes, and waterproofing of exterior walls up to 2 feet above the flood elevation, designated by FEMA for your area, have become standard practice for projects where people are concerned about their businesses continuing to operate after the next serious storm. The owner or tenant has to be concerned enough to implement these safeguards, because most commercial buildings in flood-prone areas were either not considered damaged enough to lift or not required to flood-proof unless brought to the attention of officials.

The issue comes down to one thing: insurance. Many people think of FEMA as just a federal government program, but it’s much more than that. It’s a large insurance company, one of the largest in the world. Because there are so many disasters to handle each year — roughly $200 billion worth of damage — most insurance companies stopped insuring coastal communities around the country. There’s just too much risk. So FEMA is designated to cover the high risk, backed by taxpayers to pay for the gaps and losses. That falls to taxpayers because otherwise-thriving communities would cease to exist, tax revenue would be lost, bonds and debt failures would occur and the economy could collapse. It’s all tied together.

So even though evaluation or enforcement may not have been done, taking steps as a tenant may be your only recourse. Consult with experienced professionals to create a flood-proof building. Water gets through floors, gaps in walls and places you may not have thought of. Good luck!

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opinions

Recalling the presidents I’ve met

As we celebrated Presidents’ Day on Monday, I thought back on presidents I’ve had the opportunity to meet over the years. Except for my first meeting with Richard Nixon in 1967, before he was president, all of those meetings resulted from my involvement in politics.

In the summer of 1967, between my second and third years of law school, I worked as an intern in Nixon’s Wall Street law firm. (The fellow intern I was assigned to work with that summer was Rudy Giuliani — who was then a liberal Democrat.)

In addition to the chance encounters we had with Nixon in the hallway or elevator, we interns had a long lunch discussion with him, during which he demonstrated his expansive knowledge of foreign and domestic issues. Surprisingly, he also displayed a certain shyness.

A quarter-century later, in 1993, the then former president was in Washington to address Republicans in Congress, where I told him how much I appreciated the long-ago internship. He was no longer shy, but seemingly at peace. The following year, I attended his funeral in

California.

President Gerald Ford was in the closing days of his 1976 campaign against Jimmy Carter when he spoke at a massive rally at the Nassau Coliseum. At a reception afterward, Ford was gracious and friendly, a class act.

The next time I saw him was in 1998, at Sonny Bono’s funeral in California.

From Nixon to Trump, there have been 10, and each left a different impression.

I had just two brief encounters with Jimmy Carter, the first an introduction at Yitzhak Rabin’s funeral in Jerusalem in 1995. The second was about 10 years ago, when I was on a Delta Shuttle, waiting to take off for Washington, when Carter got on the plane, recognized me, shook my hand and gave me a warm hello and a big smile — an awkward moment for me, since I had attacked him for something on national TV just the day before!

Except for a White House briefing for New York Republicans in 1987, my dealings with President Ronald Reagan consisted of handshakes and photos at political events in Nassau County and Manhattan. I was always struck by his sense of dignity and leadership. He never disappointed.

President George Bush 41 was the last of the old-school presidents, in the best sense of that term. He was very knowl-

edgeable and always respectful of his office. In addition to greeting him at political events before and after his presidency, I was invited, along with other newly elected Republicans, to meet with him in the Oval Office in his final days as president in January 1993. It was inspiring and memorable. He didn’t have a word of regret or complaint. True stature.

Though President Barack Obama offered to appoint me ambassador to Ireland, my dealings with him were infrequent and businesslike. He was always polite, and always “no drama Obama.”

My contacts with Joe Biden were when he was senator and vice president, primarily at social events in Washington. He was invariably cordial and humorous. Always greeted me with a big grin, and would kid me that Irish guys should always be Democrats. He was sharp; very different from how he was as president.

The presidents I spent the most time with were Bill Clinton, George Bush 43 and Donald Trump, all of whom are within two years of me in age. I worked closely with Clinton on the Irish peace process, traveling with him on his historic visits to Northern Ireland. I stood with him during his impeachment. He

couldn’t have been more gracious and friendly to my family. He and Hillary were the first to call the night my mother died. We remain friends.

I saw up close how dedicated the younger George Bush was to helping New York and defeating Islamist terrorism following the horrific Sept. 11 attacks. I was with him in the ruins of the World Trade Center three days afterward, and over the succeeding months and years was at numerous meetings he had with cops, firefighters and 9/11 victims’ family members. A true patriot. Great sense of humor.

Donald Trump was and is one of a kind. He and I grew up in Queens at the same time. Though we lived in different Zip codes, one on one he was like the guys I grew up with, totally down to earth. Despite his public persona, he could be caring and concerned, like when he reached out to my daughter when she was sick, or when he invited my grandchildren to the White House. Most significantly, I’ll always be appreciative of his visits to Long Island, where he led the effort to crush MS-13. These are just some of the recollections from my front-row seat of the 10 men who led our nation over the past six decades.

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

Somewhere, the Founding Fathers must be fretting

As best I can remember when I was in fourth grade, we were taught that there are three branches of government — the legislative, the judicial and the executive. And we were taught that they were co-equals, with each possessing powers that the other branches couldn’t interfere with.

To make it simple, our teacher stated that the legislative branch, represented by Congress, is responsible for making laws. The executive branch, headed by the president, enforces laws made by Congress and oversees federal agencies. The judicial branch, led by the Supreme Court, interprets laws and ensures that they comply with the Constitution. In my lifetime, over many decades, I have seen how the wishes of our Founding Fathers were complied with. While I was too young to understand the maneuvers of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, when he stepped over the line, the

Supreme Court reversed a number of his actions. In blunt terms, he was told that some of his actions violated the Constitution.

Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama saw their controversial legislation overridden by a vote of three-fourths of Congress. And on quite a few occasions, the Supreme Court told Congress that it had violated the Constitution and its actions were null and void. That seemed to be in line with what I learned at Public School 26 in Brooklyn.

Wcal issues. Some are consistent with campaign promises Trump made, but others clearly step on the toes of the 435 members of Congress.

e once learned that the White House, Congress and the courts were co-equals.

Having served in the State Assembly for 23 years, I am very much aware of how the systems work in both Washington and Albany. I have seen the Legislature in Albany flex its muscles and override the governor on many occasions. I have seen the courts tell the Legislature that it has stepped over the line and violated the state Constitution.

On Jan. 20, President Trump issued an avalanche of executive orders. Many of them have escaped public attention, because voters don’t spend all their time watching the news and following politi-

Under Article I of the Constitution, Congress is given the sole authority to appropriate money for the operation of the government. There is no language that allows the president to impound funding authorized by Congress. The president campaigned on the promise of abolishing the U.S. Department of Education, but only Congress can dissolve a federal agency.

Some of the most challenging developments in the new Trump term are the actions taken by Elon Musk. He may have been given a blanket direction to cut government waste, but he is not allowed to abolish any federal agency that has been created by Congress. Musk has effectively shut down one agency already by restricting funding, but his powers will no doubt be challenged in the federal courts.

The biggest surprise to me, as a former state and local official, is how civil service protections are being totally ignored. Notices have been sent to thou-

sands of federal workers offering them buyouts with no guarantees that they will keep their jobs if they don’t take them. Actions taken by the administration to force career employees out of their jobs defy what the civil service system is about.

The most eye-popping development is the failure of any Republican member of Congress to complain about the impact of the funding impoundments on their own home communities. Major cancer research hospitals in Louisiana, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas have made urgent cries about the loss of anticipated dollars. Special drugs for serious diseases can’t be purchased without assurances that the money will be available. Rather than free up these dollars, the White House is focusing on efforts like halting the production of pennies that are popular with the public. There seem to be no people in Washington who are echoing the voices of the Founding Fathers. That is our loss.

Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.

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In civil discourse, everyone deserves respect

in February we celebrate Black History Month, honoring the achievements, resilience and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. In March we recognize Women’s History Month, acknowledging the pivotal role of women in shaping our society. Throughout the year, we take time to celebrate mothers, fathers, military veterans, educators, grandparents and others who have made an impact on of our lives, and continue to.

These moments of recognition remind us of something fundamental: Every person, the members of every ethnic and demographic group, and those of every faith deserve R-E-S-P-E-C-T, as the great Aretha Franklin sang. Yet in today’s world, respect often seems to be in short supply. This reality is magnified by the noise blasting from social media, the nonstop discourse on television and radio masquerading as news, and the constant barrage of opinions that seek to divide rather than unite.

We can, and should, engage in constructive discussions on pressing issues such as climate change, education, housing, economic opportunity and social justice without resorting to dehumanization. It is possible to stand firm in our

letters

How about taking on property taxes, Jerry?

To the Editor:

Re Jerry Kremer’s op-ed in the Feb. 6-12 issue, “Cleaning the 2024 slate is comforting”: While we don’t share the same political philosophy, I respect Mr. Kremer’s career and his accomplishments. He was known in Albany as a fellow who actually did the people’s business.

His piece had a regular-guy ring to it. His protestations were mine, as were the laments. I no longer go to Yankee Stadium. I do get to Citi Field for a game or two, but the Mets are moving into the high-priced arena as well. I’ll still go, but I do mourn the old days.

Supermarkets are on my canceled list. I have throwback moments at Costco now.

Jerry’s recollection of the movies took me back to a story my father told me when I was a kid. The son of Sicilian immigrants who didn’t have much, he told me that one day, as a 14-year-old, he found a quarter on the street. With that quarter he got a trolley ride, a hero sandwich and a triple feature. It was 1934, and a quarter got you somewhere in Brooklyn.

Jerry did skip over my major annoyance, property taxes. Last October, the Herald printed my op-ed, “Nassau is no county for old

beliefs while recognizing the humanity of those who see the world differently. Diversity of thought is essential to a thriving society. Healthy debate strengthens our communities, fosters new ideas and leads to meaningful progress. But progress is only possible when conversations are grounded in mutual respect.

As we address the challenges facing our nation, we must acknowledge that the path forward is not always clear. Intelligent, clear-thinking people will advocate different solutions based on their experiences and beliefs. That is to be expected. But what should never change is our commitment to engaging with one another as individuals deserving of respect, regardless of our differences.

It isn’t enough to simply argue about policies or demand that others see the world exactly as we do. True progress requires dialogue. It requires the humility to recognize that none of us has all the answers, and we must be open-minded enough to find solutions together, even when our collective problems seem impossibly difficult.

We must also reject the idea that disagreement makes those who disagree

into enemies. Too often, political and social divisions are deepened by rhetoric that seeks to demonize rather than understand. But a just and equitable society cannot be built on division. Rather, it requires the recognition that, despite our differences, we are all part of the same human family.

In the year ahead, let’s recommit to fostering a culture in which mutual respect is not an afterthought, but instead a guiding principle. Let’s teach our children — not just with words, but also with actions — that disagreement is not a reason to hate, but an opportunity to learn. Let’s model the kind of civil discourse that allows communities to grow stronger rather than splinter apart.

Black History Month, Women’s History Month and all the other days on which we honor those who have shaped our communities serve as indelible reminders of the R-E-S-P-E-C-T everyone deserves, every day. Despite the challenges we face, a just, equitable society remains within our reach — one in which opportunity isn’t determined by race or Zip code, where debate isn’t defined by hostility, and where respect is a cornerstone of its foundation.

men.” I’ll be 80 this summer, and my property taxes, which I’ve been paying for 47 years, are now north of $30,000. I hope that in his editorial role, Jerry can advocate

for seniors who want to stay in their homes.

PHIL COMO Sea Cliff

It’s time for the county executive to do his job

as I enter my 14th year as a Nassau County Legislator and reflect on my time in office, it dawned on me that I have served for all of those years as a member of the Legislature’s minority caucus. While there have been disagreements with county executives and my colleagues in the majority along the way, I have always maintained cordial and productive relationships, and worked with county executives of both parties to get things done for my district and the county’s taxpayers.

the Nassau County Charter, a capital plan must be adopted by Dec. 15 each year — but the Blakeman administration has achieved this only once in the past three years. The 2025 plan is once again running late, jeopardizing economic growth, good jobs and increased safety and quality of life generated by these projects.

Since Bruce Blakeman took office as county executive in 2022, however, progress on crucial initiatives, grants and capital infrastructure proposals has stalled — and minority caucus-represented areas have shouldered a disproportionate impact. To get all areas of the county back on the right track, I urge the Blakeman administration to begin addressing these key priorities:

■ Finalize a comprehensive, equitable capital plan that invests in the communities of all 19 legislative districts. Per

B■ Get the politics out of CRP grants. Since the beginning of 2024, the majority has received more than 30 Community Revitalization Program grants, and the minority has received none. Some grant proposals for volunteer firefighters, village police departments and other first responders in minority districts have been held up for years. These funds need to get out to our communities regardless of legislators’ party affiliation.

donate heavily to his campaigns and profit handsomely off a broken system. Until then, the best way to protect yourself from overtaxation is to grieve your home’s assessed value, and the deadline to do so is March 3.

ruce Blakeman has failed to deliver on his promises for three years.

■ We need real solutions to stabilize the future of Nassau University Medical Center. NUMC is an essential part of our regional health care matrix, a Level 1 trauma center with a state-of-the-art burn center and an in-demand drug detox facility. Moreover, it serves as a lifeline for some of the county’s most economically vulnerable patients. The Blakeman administration must stop treating this vital facility like a political football and have a serious conversation with the state about keeping it open.

accounts collecting interest, and the ordinance currently making its way through the Legislature to create a grant portal for agencies on the front lines of addiction, treatment, prevention and recovery services is long, long overdue.

■ Last, but certainly not least, disband the dangerous, illegal militia. Nassau County has one of America’s besttrained police departments, and it is instrumental in making us the safest county of our size year after year. An armed militia with minimal training by the county — regardless of its participants’ previous experience or background — is not something the public or police ever asked for or needed, and Blakeman has no legal authority to marshal such a force. End the militia and allow our outstanding law enforcement professionals to do their jobs without interference.

■ Blakeman promised to “fix” the county’s assessment system. He hasn’t and it’s only gotten worse. His administration has frozen the assessed values of our properties for three consecutive years. With each passing year, the tax rolls become even more unfair and distorted. The administration must live up to its promises and put the people ahead of the big tax-grievance firms that

LeTTers

There’s good news about younger readers, Randi

To the Editor:

Re Randi Kreiss’s recent column, “When was the last time your read a book?”: I was happy to be informed about Randi’s impressions of the reading habits of children and young adults. This is a subject that I have a firsthand knowledge of.

Over the past 10 to 15 years, I have observed a tendency among my paying customers, most of whom are, in fact, 16 to 30 years old. Most come to me to fill a gap in their knowledge of classics, science fiction, general fiction, mystery and other literary genres. It seems that high schools and colleges assign them books that are online, but those who come to me seem to prefer hard copies. For me the trend is notable and rewarding, and boosts my hope that reading physical books, particularly classics, has not lost its luster in our over-technological, disgustingly over-computerized society.

AMNON TISHLER

Booklovers Paradise Bellmore

Alarmed at Blakeman’s ‘outrageous behavior’

To the Editor:

I am alarmed at the lack of alarm in Nassau County in response to County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s outrageous behavior.

First he organized an independent local armed security force, and denied it was a “militia.” It actually fits the dictionary definition of a militia, which means Blakeman is either uninformed or disingenuous — or both.

Then he declared that the New York Post, a tabloid owned by Rupert Murdoch, is the official publication of Nassau County, because Blakeman doesn’t like the leanings of Newsday, which, for better or worse, has been a Long Islandcentric publication for decades.

Both moves are autocratic and partisan, and both are indefensible — but the public outcry has been muted, at best. I believe we need to react to — and reject — this sort of overreach, which I do not believe represent either the feelings or the interests of many Nassau County residents.

RICHARD SCHWARz Bayville

■ Distribute the opioid funding the county has been sitting on for years. In the past several years, the county has received nearly $100 million in settlement funds from the distributors, manufacturers and retailers of the addictive opioids that continue to devastate families. But the Blakeman administration has only spent roughly $3.3 million of that money to date. It is infuriating that so many people have died in the past year while settlement funds sat in bank

Blakeman took an oath to serve all of Nassau’s 1.4 million residents, but his hyper-partisan approach and failure to deliver on promises has been evident throughout the past three years. We deserve better, and addressing these key issues would be a step in the right direction for an administration that has routinely focused on matters far beyond its proper jurisdiction or control.

Delia DeRiggi-Whitton represents Nassau County’s 11th Legislative District and is the Legislature’s minority leader.

Framework by Tim Baker

DeLia

DeriGGi-wHiTTon