Kelsie Radziski/Herald
The family and friends of Anna Biamonte, a former RVC Homemaker who died in January, came to see the butterfly bushes planted in Biamonte’s honor at Achievement Day on May 13.
School budget passes; Downing wins trustee seat
By KElSIE RADZISKI kradski@liherald.com
The Rockville Centre school budget passed on Tuesday night with 1,955 votes. The $139.89 million spending plan is 1.63 percent larger than the current budget, and includes a 2.6 percent tax levy increase, just under the district’s allowable tax cap of 2.62 percent. It includes $1.8 million in capital improvements across the district, including bathroom renovations, lighting upgrades, HVAC repairs, plumbing and masonry improvements, new pavement and landscaping, and continued investment in flexible furniture for learning spaces.
Donna Downing won the open trustee seat on the Board of Education with 1,641 votes, and will serve her second term.
She cited her first-term accomplishments, such as expanding universal pre-K, launching new academic and extracurricular programs and helping craft a new strategic plan, as key motivations to continue serving. A longtime district parent and college instructor, Downing emphasized her educational expertise and commitment to inclusive, responsive leadership amid evolving challenges in public education.
The Rockville Centre Public Library budget of $4.2 million also passed, with 2,101 votes, and Meryl Sussman and Christine Faraday were elected to the board of trustees. The library plans to make modest adjustments to collections and materials, reducing spending on books and DVDs while increasing investment in eBooks and audiobooks.
By KElSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com
This year, the Rockville Centre Homemakers Achievement Day bloomed with more than crafts — it bloomed with remembrance.
In addition to the display of crafts the members spent the last eight months working on, they also held a ceremony to honor the life and legacy of Anna Biamonte, a devoted member who died in January.
They planted butterfly bushes in her memory, a fitting tribute to a woman whose spirit brought beauty, warmth, and growth to every corner of the community she so dearly loved, as her family and friends all
shared.
At their final meeting for the year, members reflected on a year of meaningful progress while pausing to remember Biamonte, who had been a pillar of the Homemakers for more than 50 years.
“Anna wasn’t just a member of the Homemakers family, she was the heart of it,” Karen Alterson, co-president of the RVC Homemakers, said. “For over 50 years, she served in every imaginable role, always giving, always lending, always supporting. Her dedication, warmth and spirit shaped the very soul of this community, and her absence is deeply felt by all of us.”
Biamonte began her Homemakers jourConTinueD on pAge 6
South Side senior makes DECA history
By KELSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com
South Side High School senior Ella Burbige placed seventh internationally at the Distributive Education Clubs of America International Career Development Conference in Orlando for her work on a business growth plan for her nonprofit. The Heart and Sole Foundation, a student-led organization founded by Burbige, is dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes.
The honor marks the first top-10 international finish in South Side High School’s DECA history.
Burbige founded the nonprofit in June 2023 after a close friend survived sudden cardiac arrest during a high school basketball game. The foundation focuses on early detection of electrical heart abnormalities and donating Automated External Defibrillators to facilities in need.
In less than two years, Burbige has raised more than $10,000, held two free EKG screening events for over 200 student-athletes and donated life-saving AEDs to various locations in the Rockville Centre area.
Her DECA project, which she has been preparing since the end of last school year, was a 15-minute presentation outlining her five year business plan to grow and expand her organization.
“A key component is spreading my services to other communities,” Burbige said, “as well as donating AEDs to campuses.” She also said she wants to start “partnering with organizations helping push laws to mandate EKG screenings before sports seasons and having AEDs in all facilities.”
Burbige first placed first in New York State at the DECA State Career Conference in Rochester in March, qualifying her for the prestigious international
Burbige has been a DECA member since her sophomore year and credits the organization as her “best experience in high school” that has inspired her passion for business.
“It’s really different from a classroom setting,” she said. “You get to apply it to the real world and choose what you want to do and pick your strengths, and you just learn a lot about your skills and what you want to go into.”
Outside of DECA, Burbige is the captain of the varsity basketball team, cofounder of the Public Health Club, president of the National Honor Society and a member of student government. She plans to study business at the University of Virginia in the fall.
“We’re so proud of Ella and all of the South Side High School students who had such a great DECA season,” Patrick Walsh, principal, said. “DECA is a great example of taking classroom knowledge and applying it to real world scenarios.”
competition, which featured top students from countries including China, Guam and Puerto Rico.
In order to be a part of DECA, club advisor Peter English explained, students have to have “an actual business” that is certified and recognized by the state.
“This is why, even on top of [winning], it is such a big deal,” he said, “because it’s a real life thing that she did, which is just so awesome.”
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. South Side High School has one of the largest DECA chapters on Long Island, with about 200 students participating annually.
This year, 60 South Side students moved onto the state conference, and then 17 students went to the international conference.
Kelsie Radziski/Herald
Ella Burbige, center, made history at South Side High School by placing seventh at the international DECA conference and making DECA club advisor Peter English, left, and principal Patrick Walsh proud.
65 voices celebrated 65 years at St. Agnes
By KELSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com
The St. Agnes Cathedral Boys Choir marked its 65th anniversary this year with a celebration of song, legacy and community.
Founded in 1960 at the direction of the first bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Walter Kellenberg, the choir has grown from a local ensemble into a nationally and internationally recognized group. Over the decades, the boys choir has performed for popes, presidents and worldrenowned musicians, all while maintaining a deep connection to its home parish in Long Island.
“It’s a special camaraderie that the singers and their families [develop] over the years,” Michael Bower, music director, said.
Open to boys starting in third grade, the choir includes young sopranos and altos through eighth grade and continues as a men-and-boys choir, allowing older members — high schoolers, college students and even fathers — to sing alongside the younger members.
The choir’s 65th anniversary culminated in a special concert on May 16 featuring a retrospective program of the 65-member group’s most beloved pieces. Alumni from across the decades were invited to take a walk down “memory lane,” Bower said, and join the current members for two final songs: the Southern spiritual “Ride the Chariot” and Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah.”
The concert featured a variety of choral pieces showing off the vocalists’ talents, including a remarkable solo from soprano soloist Marcus Samedy, eighth grader, and another solo from his mother, Joyce Williams-Samedy.
St. Agnes Cathedral, originally part of the Diocese of Brooklyn, became the seat of the newly established Diocese of Rockville Centre in 1957. It was around this time that the vision for a full boys choir took root, realizing the dream of Monsignor Peter Quealy, the parish’s early pastor, who had imagined a grand cathedral to serve Long Island’s growing Catholic population.
Three years later, in 1960, the boys choir was officially established. Since then, it has performed at the White House for three U.S. presidents, sung at Lincoln Center, the New York State Capitol, Citi Field and even performed with famed conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein at the opening of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Internationally, the choir has toured across Europe, Canada and the Vatican, where it performed for Pope St. John Paul II. In 2018, the group sang in Vienna under the direction of the Vienna Boys Choir’s conductor, accompanied by members of the Vienna Philharmonic and the Vienna State Opera.
Also at the concert, Holliday Haynes was honored as she prepares to retire from her lengthy time as cantor for the cathedral. Mayor Francis Murray and Very Reverend Michael Duffy honored Haynes and the choir.
For more information about the anniversary concert or to reconnect as an alumnus, visit StAgnesCathedral.org.
Michael Bower, left, cantor Holliday Haynes, Mayor Francis Murray and Very Reverend Michael Duffy after honoring the choir and Haynes for their many years of service to St. Agnes.
Maureen Lennon/Herald photos
The St. Agnes Cathedral Boys Choir showed off their skills after 65 years at their anniversary concert on May 16.
Soprano soloist and eighth grader Marcus Samedy stunned the audience with his part in ‘Ave Maria.’
Samedy’s mother, Joyce WilliamsSamedy, also had a solo after her son’s.
Bower, who has worked with the choir for over 40 years, conducted at the anniversary performance.
Old World Quality Corp.
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Capital Gains Tax Tips
Your cost “basis” for calculating capital gains taxes is what you paid for the stock or the real estate. For real estate, the basis gets raised by the amount of any capital improvements you make to the property. When you sell your primary residence you may exclude the first $500,000 of gain if you’re a couple or $250,000 if you’re single. The $500,000 exclusion for a couple gets extended for a sale occurring up to two years after a spouse dies.
136 Cherry Valley Ave, West Hempstead 11550 Office: (516) 741-8226
For gifts you receive of appreciated stock or real estate during the donor’s lifetime, no capital gains tax is payable. However, the donee receives the donor’s basis. It is generally considered better to wait, if possible, and pass the gift to the donee at death, due to the “stepped-up basis”. The basis of any inherited property is “steppedup” to date of death value. If the property is sold within six months of the date of death, then the sale price is deemed to be the date of death value.
some time it is helpful to get date of death values to establish the new basis. For real estate, this means getting an appraisal from a licensed real estate appraiser (not a real estate broker!). For stocks, you simply ask the company holding the stocks to provide this information.
Email: Jenn@oldworldqualitycorp.com Instagram and Facebook: @Oldworldqualitycorp
If the property is going to be held for
When a spouse dies with jointly held property, there is a half of a step-up — the deceased spouse’s half gets stepped-up to date of death value, while the surviving spouse has the original basis. However, for a primary residence the capital gains tax exclusions discussed above continue to apply. With combined Federal and New York capital gains taxes reaching about 30%, it is essential to look at holding onto appreciated property until death (especially if you have taken depreciation on the property which can lower your basis to zero). One should also look carefully at the estate plan to see if property should be transferred to a surviving spouse, or their trust if any, to get another step-up on the second death.
Crime watCh
DisturbanCe
On May 17, an Oceanside resident reported she was slapped in the face by an unknown person while attempting to break up a fight on Merrick Road.
homiCiDe (natural)
On May 12, police responded to a Maine Avenue assisted living home for an unresponsive patient, who was later pronounced dead at the scene.
lost property
On May 13, a North Village Avenue
resident reported they lost a New York State license plate.
unusual inCiDent
On May 14, a Marlborough Court resident reported that an unknown person accessed her email and attempted to gain access to her bank accounts without success.
arrest
On May 13, Kyshawn Powell, 37, of Elmont, was arrested and charged with assault after pushing and injuring a nurse at Mercy Hospital.
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
May 11 – May 18
General Alarms – 8 Still Alarms – 3 Rescue – 1
Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 24
Mutual Aid Fire – 0
Mutual Aid Rescue – 0
Mutual Aid Ambulance – 0
Total – 36
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 – 196 Still Alarms – 110
Rescue – 57
Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 979
Mutual Aid Fire – 33
Mutual Aid Rescue – 0
Mutual Aid Ambulance – 3
Total – 1378
news brieF
South Park Avenue house demolished
The Civil War-era home at 24 South Park Avenue has been demolished, though future plans for the site remain uncertain. The original proposal — a three-story, mixed-use building with a ground-floor restaurant, medical offices above, and rooftop dining — was withdrawn in March.
“We were very concerned about sav-
ing that historic home, and the impacts of traffic to the residential buildings in the area,” Meghan Kearns, president of the RVC Civic Association, told the Herald.
The Rockville Centre Historical Society said in an Instagram post on May 2, “We lost a piece of RVC history.”
–Kelsie Radziski
(516) 569-4643
■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com
rockville centre
Butterfly bushes bloom for Anna Biamonte
ney with the Lynbrook Chapter over 50 years ago, dedicating her Mondays entirely to her Homemakers work. According to her daughter, Liane Biamonte Richardson, “From that day on, a lifelong passion bloomed.”
“Everyone in our family knew Mondays from 9 to 2 were sacred,” she added.
After the Lynbrook Chapter closed, Biamonte didn’t miss a beat. “Ever the optimist,” as Richardson described, she immediately looked for a new chapter to join, which led her to bring her energy and optimism to the Rockville Centre Chapter, making Tuesdays her new “sacred” days.
She became a cherished presence at the John A. Anderson Recreation Center, where the Homemakers meet weekly, and was always full of stories and smiles. Even after suffering a stroke at 92, with the help of her caregiver Elsa, she continued to attend meetings and engage with the community she adored.
Barbara Lehman, the first vice president of the chapter, recalled being mentored by Biamonte when Lehman first joined the board and how they became “dear friends.”
“She took me under her wing [and] taught me what I needed to know and do,” Lehman said. “She never missed a week, and she had an unbelievable memory.”
Biamonte’s family expressed deep
a plaque in Biamonte’s name accompanies the bushes, which are planted outside the window of the auditorium at the John a. anderson recreation Center, where the Homemakers meet every tuesday.
gratitude for the tribute. Richardson said, “The Butterfly Garden is a beautiful tribute honoring her love for flowers, plants and the peaceful views of nature.”
In addition to the memorial for Biamonte, the Achievement Day served to showcase all the crafts and creations
Kelsie Radziski/Herald photos at the achievement day, Homemakers showed off the crafts they’ve been working on over the course of the past year, and visitors perused the tables.
the Homemakers worked on for the last eight months. From knitted blankets and dolls to suncatchers and paintings and beyond, each woman had her own display of designs. The group also donates blankets, fleece shawls, Surgi dolls and baby clothes to Mercy Hospital and Love Nana throughout the year. As the butterfly bushes bloom right outside the auditorium where the Homemakers gather and craft, they serve as a living reminder of a woman who nurtured friendships, fostered community, and left a lasting mark on generations of Homemakers.
NYCLU challenges ICE pact in Nassau
By AVA DELA PENA
Special to the Herald
Third in a series of stories on immigration through a partnership between Herald Community Newspapers and Hofstra University.
Susan Gottehrer first became interested in the New York Civil Liberties Union as a teenager. When she read about injustices in local newspapers, “It was like, ‘NYCLU to the rescue,’” recalled the now 61-year-old.
As director of the Hempstead-based Nassau County office of the NYCLU, Gottehrer said she finds it more pressing than ever to “come to the rescue,” especially when it comes to immigrant rights.
There’s a fear right now, and nobody should ever have to live like that
SuSAN GoTTEhrEr Director, Nassau County office, NYCLU
“The lack of humanity in the way that we approach immigrant communities is disgusting,” she said. “I come from a family affected by the Holocaust. I understand the concept of ‘othering.’”
In March, County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced that Nassau County police would partner with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, making it “the first county in America to have a fully comprehensive agreement with ICE under the 287(g) program.”
Blakeman has said that county detectives would only cooperate with ICE in arresting known criminal suspects, but Gottehrer sees the program as one that will not only negatively affect the immigrant community, but also deteriorate Long Islanders’ relationship with law enforcement.
“When the public cannot trust the police — meaning the immigrant communities — then that makes all of Nassau County less safe,” she noted.
Speaking about on the rising concern in Long Island’s immigrant community, particularly the undocumented community, Gottehrer said she has seen the worry that many feel heading to work, sending their children to school or just leaving their homes.
“There’s fear right now, and nobody should ever have to live like that,” she said.
She said she doubted that any immigrant living in such fear would seek the help of law enforcement. “You can bet (many) are not going be reporting crimes,” she said. “If they themselves need help from law enforcement, then they’re not going to trust it, and that creates a situation where no one is safe.
“The police can say all they want, ‘We’re not going to ask for your status,’” she added, “but when they make a 287(g) agreement, why would anyone trust
About the 287(g) program
The 287(g) program authorizes ICE to oversee and delegate state and local law enforcement to perform specific functions of immigration officers under three models:
■ The jail enforcement model, used to identify undocumented immigrants with criminal charges.
■ The task force model, which allows law enforcement to perform immigration duties.
■ The warrant service officer model, which permits law enforcement officers to serve and execute administrative warrants on undocumented immigrants.
Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement
this year the organization is trying harder than ever to convince elected leaders how “unsafe” 287(g) agreements are. On March 20, multiple activist groups, including the NYCLU, joined more than 50 demonstrators in Hauppauge to rally in support of the act.
In the meantime, the NYCLU is concerned with educating immigrants about their rights. The organization has held a number of “Know Your Rights” workshops to inform immigrants on how to tell the difference between administrative and judicial warrants and how to identify different law enforcement agencies.
“At Know Your Rights workshops, we teach immigrants what a judicial warrant looks like,” Gottehrer said. “An administrative warrant is really just a document that ICE has issued. It’s not backed by the constitutionality of due process or a judge.
“Immigrants have the right to say, ‘That is not a judicial warrant. Leave me alone.’”
them?”
To oppose Blakeman’s pledge to work with ICE, the NYCLU is advocating for the New York For All Act. According to the NYCLU, the legislation would prohibit state and local law enforcement agencies “from colluding with ICE, disclosing sensitive information and diverting personnel or other resources to further federal immigration enforcement.”
According to State Senate Bill 2235, the legislation, if enacted, would:
■ Prohibit and regulate the discovery and disclosure of immigration status.
■ Prohibit police officers, peace officers, school resource officers, probation agencies, state entities, state employees and municipal corporations from questioning individuals about their citizenship or immigration status.
■ Regulate the disclosure of informa-
tion relating to immigration status.
The Assembly version of the measure is Bill A3506.
In January, the bill was referred to the Senate and Assembly Codes committees, where it has sat since. The measure must pass through committee before it can be brought to the full Legislature for debate and a potential vote. Finally, Gov. Kathy Hochul must sign it.
Regardless of whether New York for All were to pass, Gottehrer pointed out that immigration falls under civil, not criminal, law, and local police thus should not be involved in immigration enforcement. “ICE is going do its job. There’s nothing we can do about that,” she said. “But federal jurisdiction is over immigration. Local jurisdiction is over criminal law.”
Though the NYCLU has sought to pass the New York for All Act since 2018,
“If you’re new to the country or if there’s a language barrier, you may not know the different levels of government,” she said.
The NYCLU is also conducting trainings in immigrant communities to identify different law enforcement officers, not only so they can protect themselves, but also so they can alert the organization to any potential ICE activity in Nassau. According to Gottehrer, the NYCLU has been mapping reported activity across Long Island while working within a coalition of other activist organizations.
Ultimately, she said, she wants to ensure through her work with the NYCLU that no one lives in fear. “There’s a lot of misinformation and demonization going on,” she said. “It’s historically where our nation has gone to over and over again: to demonize people from ‘the outside.’”
Courtesy Susan Gottehrer
Susan Gottehrer directs the Hempstead-based Nassau County office of the New York Civil Liberties Union, which is working to support undocumented immigrants as they navigate the Trump administration’s deportation push.
RVC honored by Hispanic Brotherhood
The Hispanic Brotherhood, Inc.’s Annual Scholarship Dinner awarded scholarships to four students and honored a number of important people from Rockville Centre and beyond. The May 8 event saw an outpouring of community support for those who earned recognition from the Rockville Centre-based organization.
The evening included a cocktail hour, dinner at and the Presentation of Colors by Cub Scouts Pack 83. After a welcoming video ceremony, Scholarship Awards were presented to Marguerite Keller and Ellen Grossman for their outstanding academic achievements and community service. Guests were treated to “Dreams of Portugal,” a performance by the Portuguese Dancers, before honorees received commemorative plaques.
The event not only awarded scholarships to deserving students but also celebrated community leaders whose dedication strengthens Long Island’s Hispanic community.
2025 honorees
Mr. & Mrs. M. Carvalho
Hon. Emilio F. Grillo, Trustee, Village of Rockville Centre
Dafny Irizarry, President, Long Island Latino Teachers Association
Bill Manteria, President, Rockville Centre Lions Club
Hon. Debra Mulé, Nassau County Legislator
Herminia Bonilla, Owner, Herminia’s Brokerage Inc.
Mrs. Maureen Remy & Mrs. Mary Testa, Coordinators, “Adopt a Family” program
–Kepherd Daniel
Mellissa Baptiste/Herald
Emilio Grillo, Rockville Centre trustee, Kate Murray, Hempstead Town Clerk, and Michael McGinty, Village of Island Park Mayor, were honored at the Hispanic Brotherhood scholarship dinner on May 8.
(Churrasqueira Bairrada Restaurant)
Creative art shines in Molloy thesis show
Molloy University’s Art Department is hosting the 2025 Senior Thesis Exhibition in the Kellenberg Art Gallery on its Rockville Centre campus. The show, running through June 30, features the culminating work of eight graduating art students under the theme “Identity,” with the opening reception being held on May 3.
Participating artists include Jacob Busch, Gabriella Caba, Gianna Calabrese, Katelin Christy, Roberta Monticelli, Rosibel Sanchez, Sara Spragis and AvaBlu Stephens. The exhibition explores personal and cultural identity through a wide range of media, reflecting the students’ artistic growth and academic journey.
The theme “Identity” was developed collectively by the students, according to Hwa Young Caruso, art professor at Molloy, who used their final thesis projects to reflect on the people, events and cultural influences that shaped their young adulthood. The students’ work represents both introspective self-exploration and shared human experience. After working in a collaborative environment with professors to grow both as artists and people, they channeled their shared journey of discovery into artwork that confronted the essential question: “Who am I in this world?”
Jacob Busch’s work centers on digital game art, a medium that defines how he thinks and connects with others. Gabriella Caba, a Chilean-American artist, honors her heritage through mixed media that captures the emotional and historical depth of her dual identity.
Gianna Calabrese focused on symbolic representations of human emotions, aiming to elicit a personal response from viewers. Katelin Christy created serene digital landscapes inspired by her love of nature, while Roberta Monticelli, an exchange student from Milan, Italy, used photography to explore life between two cultures.
Rosibel Sanchez’s work draws from her semester abroad in Florence, Italy, blending memories with the influence of Italian culture. Sara Spragis created spiritual and introspective depictions of the human form using both 2D and 3D media. AvaBlu Stephens examined the balance of opposing forces such as light and dark, strength and weakness, through painting and printmaking.
The Kellenberg Art Gallery is located at 1000 Hempstead Ave. The university invites the public to view the exhibition and celebrate the achievements of its senior art students.
–Kelsie Radziski
handed out certificates to the students at the May 3 opening reception, kickstarting the artwork display.
Caruso
Visitors of the gallery will be greeted with a statement outlining the nature and purpose of the exhibition.
Photos courtesy Molloy University
Gianna Calabrese, Katelin Christy, Jacob Busch, Gabriella Caba, Hwa Young Caruso, Rosibel Sanchez, Roberta Monticelli, Sara Spragis and AvaBlu Stephens at their Senior Thesis Exhibition at Molloy University.
The students’ artwork will be lining the walls of the Kellenberg Art Gallery until June 30.
Food banks brace for surge from tax-cut bill
By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax-cut bill won approval from a key congressional committee on May 18, advancing toward possible passage in the House of Representatives later this week.
The bill involves spending cuts to the Medicaid healthcare programs for lower-income Americans and is set to affect millions who are part of the emergency food system and social service programs on the federal level, including Island Harvest Food Bank that is a leading hunger-relief organization helping to end hunger and reduce food waste here on Long Island.
“We’re calling it an emergency food ecosystem across the island, across the state and across the country,” said Gregory A. May, director of government and community relations for Island Harvest. “A cut to one program is a cut to all programs and folks that are on SNAP benefits, if that is cut, they will be coming to us and other emergency food programs, which will then become more strained.”
SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget and will be affected by this bill that is to be decided upon later this week.
“Feeding people who are hungry, particularly feeding hungry children is not a partisan issue,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said at Island Harvest’s headquarters in Melville on May 18. “It’s not a political issue; it’s a moral issue.”
He said that because of what happened in the House there could be many hungry people in the metropolitan area.
“There are going to be hungry veterans,” Schumer said, referring to the
House committee vote. “They’re going to be hungry middle-class people who lost their jobs and are worrying about feeding their kids, so we’re here to sound the alarm about this deeply troubling proposal coming out of the House of Representatives that could push thousands of Long Islanders, tens of thousands of New Yorkers into deeper hunger and hardship.”
He said that every single month, 150,000 people across Nassau and Suf-
folk counties rely on SNAP and this bill will cut $300 billion in nutrition spending that supports a program which helps more than 42 million people nationwide, while providing tax breaks to billionaires.
Hunger has become a growing concern across Long Island with more and more people coming to food banks. Schumer noted that Island Harvest said that their needs are expected to go up 9 percent next year.
“It’s really about the children and the grandparents that are going to feel this impact,” said Randi Shubin Dresner, Island Harvest’s president and CEO. “If these funds are cut, we are at risk of not being able to distribute millions of pounds of food.”
She said that what’s important is that our local officials across the country understand the need and instead of taking a wide brush to make a broad cut, they’re suggesting to do it carefully.
Schumer said that everyone reach out to their Congressional representatives immediately, urging them to not pass this bill.
“We have seven Republicans in New York state, in the Congress, if only four of them said we’re not voting for this bill that cuts food, it wouldn’t happen,” he said. “I’m asking anyone who hears this call to write, email, visit your Congress members and tell them to not do this.”
Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald
Chuck Schumer addresses concerns with the proposed bill that will make cuts to the emergency food system and social service programs.
Hundreds of people from Rockville Centre and beyond gathered at St. Agnes Parish to see and honor a relic of Carlo Acutis and learn about the remarkable life of the teenager set to become the Catholic Church’s first “Millennial Saint.”
The St. Agnes Knights of Columbus Council #2548 and the Walking with Purpose group coordinated the exhibit, which featured a fragment of the membrane surrounding his heart.
Acutis, born in London in 1991 and raised in Milan, Italy, was known for his deep devotion to the Eucharist and his passion for technology. Before his death from leukemia in 2006 at age 15, Acutis used his computer skills to document Eucharistic miracles from around the world, creating an exhibit that continues to inspire Catholics globally.
Over 600 students and 200 parishioners visited the exhibit at the St. Agnes Parish Center on May 9 and 10, which featured a display of Carlo’s work and a “virtual pilgrimage” to the sites of Eucharistic miracles. The event also included the relic, drawing visitors
seeking to reflect on his life and legacy.
“I am very proud to have hosted the Carlo Acutis exhibit sponsored by our St. Agnes Knights of Columbus Council 2548 members and the women of the Walking with Purpose group volunteers,” Joe D’Aleo, Grand Knight, said.
“I want to thank Father Duffy and his staff, principal [Cecilia] St. John, Greg Pandolfo, Steve Kenny, Jenn Mennigan and all of the volunteers that helped to put this project together.”
Books for children and adults were available for purchase, and visitors were encouraged to view “The Boy from Milan” on the Formed platform to learn more about Acutis’ life.
Carlo Acutis was to be canonized on April 27 by the former Pope Francis, but it has been postponed due to his death on April 21. The canonization, making Acutis an official saint, will mark a historic moment for the Church as it recognizes the sanctity of a modern youth whose faith and digital evangelization continue to resonate with a new generation.
–Kelsie Radziski
Photos courtesy Joe D’Aleo
Cecilia St. John, St. Agnes Cathedral school principal, left, James Ciancimino, Isaiah Haig, Anthony Thomas, Nicholas Modica, Kevin Enright and Father Chris Heller, associate pastor at with the relic of Carlo Acutis at St. Agnes Parish Center.
Joe D’Aleo, Grand Knight, with the relic of Carlo Acutis.
NCC faculty to sue over promotion delays
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
The faculty union at Nassau Community College announced on May 14 that it would take legal action against the college administration for refusing to submit faculty tenure and promotion recommendations to the board of trustees, a move the union claims violates the current collective bargaining agreement.
At a news conference in the County Legislature building in Mineola, Acting NCC Federation of Teachers President David Stern accused the college’s leadership of disregarding established rules and breaching contractual obligations.
“NCC thinks the rules no longer apply to them,” Stern said. “They think they can say one thing and do another. That ends now.”
More than 15 faculty members were recommended for tenure and promotion by committees composed of faculty and administrators in February and March. Stern said the union’s legal counsel had sent a letter to the college administration earlier that day, demanding that the college follow through on the recommendations made by those committees. He called the administration’s failure to advance the recommendations to the board “unprecedented.”
“The issue is simple,” Stern said. “A committee of faculty, including an administrator, recommended tenure and promotions to a number of hardworking, dedicated professors who have labored here for years. NCC not only violated the terms of our contract, it demonstrates an arrogance and disrespect that we have long endured.”
Stern singled out Chief Administrative Officer Maria Conzatti, accusing her of refusing to meet with union representatives or bring the recommendations to
the board of trustees.
“The arrogance begins with Maria Conzatti … who has refused to meet with us, let alone address the concerns in good faith,” Stern said. “She has refused to present these committee recommendations to the board of trustees.”
In response, Jerry Kornbluth, vice president of community and governmental relations at NCC, defended the administration’s stance. He told the Herald in a previous interview that promotions, sabbaticals, and tenure decisions “don’t take effect until the fall of 2025 —
under the new contract,” adding that discussions about the next agreement must begin before such actions can move forward.
In an interview on Friday, Kornbluth reiterated those comments, explaining that Conzatti had presented recommendations for sabbaticals at a board of trustees meeting the previous day. He added that promotions and tenure recommendations would be addressed in June.
Kornbluth explained that the delay in promotions and tenure appointments is due to an ongoing investigation into “potential irregularities on the promotion process,” but he did not elaborate.
But Stern argued that the current contract remains in effect until Aug. 31, and that the administration is obligated to act on recommendations that have already been vetted through the formal committee process.
“That’s absolutely incorrect,” Kornbluth said of Stern’s argument. “This has nothing to do with the contract. This is all about trying to make Maria Conzatti and the administration look bad.”
Suzanne Kaebnick, an English professor and the union secretary, said the administration’s inaction directly affects students. “The cuts, and their refusal to forward the recommendations for tenure and promotion, hurt our students,” Kaebnick said. “In the nursing department, we have classes that have been unstaffed all semester.”
She added, “To not support our full-time faculty … is to say that we’re not invested in this college. That’s not fair to Nassau.”
“Faculty members are hired either temporary or probationary,” Kornbluth said. “They’re fully aware of it, and it’s part of the collective bargaining agreement. After Academic Affairs evaluates the courses and enrollment, there is a good possibility that someone who is terminated on this contract could be re-upped in the fall.”
Hernesto Galdamez/Herald
David Stern, acting president of the Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers, spoke at a news conference in Mineola on May 14, announcing legal action against the college.
Area H.S. seniors are sworn into military
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Thirty-five high school seniors from Nassau County showed their patriotism last week by pledging to serve in the United States military.
The enlistees, from high schools in Baldwin, Freeport, Valley Stream, Wantagh and beyond, are in the final steps of enlisting in the armed forces.
“Only about 23 percent of high school seniors could actually go into the military, and only 1 percent actually do — these kids are the top 1 percent,” said Andrea Nordquist, chair of Our Community Salutes of Nassau County. The organization held a celebration to support the military enlistees and their families at the Nassau County Training and Intelligence Center on May 13.
“They’re very under-recognized,” Nordquist said of high school students who commit to military service. “They don’t get the accolades that they should get, and so this ceremony helps to honor them, and we’re also the first ones to say ‘Thank you for your service.’”
Nordquist is also the president of Blue Star Mothers of America’s Nassau County chapter, a supportive network of families with members in the military. Her son, Gregory, is a senior master sergeant in the Air National Guard.
“I watched him grow up, I watched him mature,” she said. “For kids nowa-
days, not only does it help them mature, it gives them direction.
“It will give them G.I. bills — they can go to college for free,” Nordquist added. “It just opens up their whole world, and they can discover what they’re talented at, and get training.”
Edward Kenneweg, a U.S. Navy commander and executive officer, specializes in talent acquisition. During the cere-
mony, he called all Naval enlistees to receive their honors.
“It’s an opportunity for the community to really give appreciation and thanks to those high school seniors that made the big decision to raise their right hand and serve in the military,” he said. Kenneweg and other military personnel were on hand to express their gratitude to the new recruits.
“My job is to support the recruits and ensure they have the right tools and resources to be successful in their jobs, and overcome barriers and obstacles to reach their long- and short-term goals,” he said.
Nahmare Gilson, a student from Malvern High School, was one of the enlistees honored at the event. He chose to join the military as a career path.
“I realized that college might not have been a decision that I wanted to do,” he said. “My grandfather was in the Army, so I just wanted to join the military to see where that could take me.”
Gilson said he looked forward to “meeting new people in new places,” and challenging himself.
Greg Walpole, of Long Beach High School, enlisted to uphold a family tradition and to prepare for his long-term future. “I’m enlisting because of my family’s footsteps,” he said. “My uncle was in and my cousin’s in right now. I’m going in so it’ll pay for my college and all the benefits that it’s going to give to me.”
Walpole said he looked forward to “learning a new field, getting into school and working hard.”
All of the enlistees received a challenge coin, a copy of the Constitution, and took a ceremonial oath of enlistment after performances from the Coast Guard Band and the Wantagh American Legion Pipe Band.
Experts: Trump cuts threaten drinking water
Loca leaders agree that federal delays of toxic chemical bans put Long Island communities at risk
By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com
Nassau County’s water is under threat — and local leaders are sounding the alarm.
Last Friday, Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages joined County Legislators Olena Nicks and Scott Davis at the Hempstead Public Library, where they stood with environmental and health leaders to denounce recent environmental rollbacks by the Trump administration.
At the heart of the concern is trichloroethylene, or TCE, a toxic chemical once widely used as an industrial solvent. It is known to seep from factories and landfills into the groundwater — the very source of Long Island’s drinking supply. The state warns that TCE, despite its sweet, fruity odor, is a potent carcinogen.
“The decisions being made aren’t based on science — they’re made to protect special interests and polluters,” Solages said, referring to delays on the part of the Environmental Protection Agency in banning harmful chemicals, and her widely shared social media post on the deregulation of a group of chemicals known as PFAS.
The administration’s proposal would slash the EPA’s budget from $9.1 billion to $4.2 billion, a cut of more than 50 percent.
Solages, a lifelong Long Islander, pointed out the Island’s growing vul-
nerability to climate change: rising seas, saltwater intrusion and increasingly toxic groundwater. But she also warned of a different kind of crisis — one she called a “man-made disaster” brought on by federal inaction.
Joseph Stallone, campaign manager of the New York League of Conservation Voters, agreed. “The EPA used to be a bipartisan watchdog,” he said. “We need Congress to fully fund the EPA and reject these dangerous rollbacks.”
Jessica Varghese, a registered nurse with over 23 years of experience and an associate professor at the New York Institute of Technology, drove the message home. “Long Island has the most contaminated water in New York,” he said simply.
Hempstead wells have tested positive for one of the four dioxanes that are known to cause cancer, along with traces of “forever chemicals” — a term that applies in almost a literal sense, because they contain strong bonds that persist for decades. Varghese cited serious health risks including kidney damage, liver disease, cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
“Long Island deserves better,” she said. “The Trump administration’s sweeping regulatory rollbacks pose a serious threat to public health.”
Solages concluded with a warning: “This isn’t about America’s health,” she said. “It’s about profit. And we won’t be silent.”
Tim Baker/Herald
Nassau County Legislator Scott Davis, far left, Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, Legislator Olena Nicks, Joseph Stallone and Jessica Varghese at Hempstead Public Library, where they spoke about environmental rollbacks.
RVC Lions serve up a good time
Rockville Centre Lions President Bill Manteria and Lions Tail Twister Cynthia Costanzo Metzger enjoyed their gelato as participants in the RVC Lions 4th annual Restaurant Crawl to raise money for local charities. ‘Crawlers’ walked through town while 10 different restaurants generously showcased their specialties for sampling. Jeff Chesner, chairperson of the event, said over 100 people joined this year as the numbers keep growing.
Courtesy Marian Thomsen
STEPPING OUT
Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force
Airmen and women execute daring maneuvers in a thrilling display of the might of the Air Force’s premier fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Gaze up at the sky
Photo courtesy Chris Thomas/Warbird Thunder
Warbird Thunder’s World War II-era planes blast overhead on the wings of history.
High-flying stunts always amaze at Jones Beach air show
By Karen Bloom
The unofficial start of summer is here — and it’s coming in with a roar. Memorial Day weekend has arrived, bringing with it all the familiar traditions we love: heartfelt ceremonies, parades, sizzling barbecues, and, of course, that muchanticipated pilgrimage to Jones Beach for the thrill of the FourLeaf Air Show. Set against the sparkling Atlantic, this high-flying spectacle returns Saturday and Sunday, with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds once again leading the charge in a breathtaking display of speed, precision and patriotism. Showtime begins at 10 a.m. — don’t forget your sunscreen and camera.
The distinguished squadron, back for their 10th headlining appearance, is joined by other elite military pilots. This year’s spectacle includes the United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, United States Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II, United States Navy F-35C Demo Team, United State Navy Rhino Demo Team, United States Navy EA-18G Growler Demo Team, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), 106th Rescue Wing NY Air National Guard, also the 105th Airlift Wing unit of the New York Air National Guard.
This show — with its new name as a result of the rebranding of sponsor Bethpage Federal Credit Union as FourLeaf — is an especially patriotic salute to the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army (which got its start as the Continental Army), the Navy and Marines, along with the 110th anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard. A tribute also marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
“We are thrilled to welcome the United States Air Force Thunderbirds as this year’s headliners and look forward to an amazing show by all our performers,” says George Gorman, regional director, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation. “Every year more and more people come to our show. It has become a great tradition for Long Island to honor our military and veterans and kick off the summer at Jones Beach.”
With the anticipated cooperation of the weather, the military and civilian pilots soar — and boom — overhead.
• May 24-25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
• $10 vehicle use fee
• Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh
• For up-to-date information, visit fourleafairshow.com.
The boardwalk also gets in on the action as service branches are on hand to provide visitors with opportunities to interact, including virtual reality simulations and fitness challenges. Everyone will want to check out the booths lining the boardwalk as well, to pick up a souvenir or a snack.
The Thunderbirds, “America’s Ambassadors in Blue,” demonstrate the extraordinary capabilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcon — the Air Force’s multi-role fighter jet. The elite military pilots proudly showcase the capabilities of highly versatile, 19,700-pound aircraft, which can travel at speeds up to 1,500 mph. The supersonic aircraft is known for its agility, speed and ability to perform various roles, including air superiority, air-to-ground combat and intercepting enemy aircraft.
Grace meets power in this mix of six F-16 Falcons demonstrating formation flying and solo routines. Flying only a few feet apart from wingtip to wingtip, the crowd gets a glimpse of the superb skills and capabilities that all fighter pilots must possess as they push the limits of their aircraft.
The civilian teams always elicite ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ as well. Performers include the American Airpower Museum Warbirds; Aarron Deliu, current reigning Air Masters Cup Series champion and current Sky Grand Prix Champion; Warbird Thunder, featuring the North American SNJ Texan, a former World War II Navy advanced training aircraft; also returning are the Farmingdale State College Flying Rams and Long Island’s own David Windmiller.
Warbird Thunder may be familiar to those who watched when the GEICO Skytypers used to grace the sky over Jones Beach. Warbird’s Lead Pilot Chris “CT” Thomas, with his partner, Wingman Mike “Buick” Eberhardt, was with the Skytypers team for many years before heading out on their own. Their meticulously restored World War II-era SNJ planes were used as an advanced trainer by the U.S. Navy and Marines to train “The Greatest Generation” during World War II and the Korean War.
“We’re flying a piece of history,” Thomas proudly explains.“They’ve got quite a military heritage.”
Warbird Thunder’s 12-minute performance is highlighted by what Thomas describes as “big smoke and big noise.” From as low as 100 feet near the surface to 2,000 feet in the air, his two-plane formation will be looping and rolling. You’ll watch formation loops, aileron rolls, barrel rolls, and Cuban Eights; the planes also separate bringing more excitement with opposing aerobatics before rejoining for the final maneuvers in their fast-paced segment.
“These are big planes with a big physical presence,” he says. “It’s always an exciting show.”
Be sure to listen for that signature “bark” — actually the tips of the propeller reaching the speed of sound.
Jon Lovitz
Comedy legend Jon Lovitz brings his signature wit and unforgettable characters to the stage for a night of nonstop laughs. Best known for his Emmy-nominated run on SNL and roles in hit films like “A League of Their Own” and “The Wedding Singer,” Lovitz has been a comedy staple for over 30 years. He got his start in high school productions. After pursuing acting studies, he decided to concentrate solely on comedy, taking classes then accepted into the famed improv group The Groundlings’s main company. In March 1985 The Groundlings appeared on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” where Jon premiered his character “Tommy Flanagan of Pathological Liars Anonymous.” SNL and numerous offers came along; Jon was on his way, working nonstop since. Along with his comedy, he’s well known for his distinctive voice that’s served him well in his varied TV and film career. Jon’s humor is unique, attributable to his quirky personality — and he always entertains.
Saturday, May 24, 7 p.m. $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, $29.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
Unlock the secrets of Westbury House
For years, visitors to Old Westbury Gardens’ Westbury House have wandered its elegant first floor, admiring the grandeur of the Gilded Age. Many have paused at a certain corridor door, wondering what lay beyond. Now, that mystery is unveiled. Join a 60-minute guided tour, “Secrets of the Service Wing,” and step into the hidden world that powered the Phipps family’s opulent lifestyle. This unique experience peels back the curtain on the tireless work and logistics that kept this grand home running smoothly. Explore the heart of domestic operations — from the orderly butler’s pantry and the silver cleaning room, down the 17 steps to the bustling kitchen, scullery and wine storage room. Space is limited; don’t miss your chance to step through the door and into history.
Sunday, May 25, 3-4 p.m. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. Tickets and information available at oldwestburygardens.org or (516) 333-0048.
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
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) that publicly launched the movement. The direct follow-up 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. On view through June 15.
•Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
•Time: Ongoing
•Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org
MAY
Maritime Mastermind
Long Island Children’s Museum celebrates National Maritime Day by inviting families to create their own floating boats. Put your boat to the test in the museum’s water tub to see if it sinks or floats! This is a drop-in program, free with admission. It takes approximately 10 minutes and is yours to keep. For ages 3 and up. Free with museum admission.
•Where: Museum Row, Garden City
•Time: noon-2 p.m.
•Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
MAY
26
Memorial
Day Parade
Support Rockville Centre’s annual Memorial Day Parade honoring heroes.
•Where: Parade steps off at Field #2, N. Village and N. Centre Avenues
•Time: Parade at 10 a.m., ceremony at 11 a.m.
•Contact: (516) 766-9740
JUNE
Asi Wind’s ‘More Than Magic’
After his sold-out run Off-Broadway, “Inner Circle,” and his London’s West End six-month long run, “Incredibly Human,” Asi Wind returns to the U.S. with a new show, featuring his greatest magic hits. Those familiar with Wind’s performances know to expect jaw-dropping feats of magic, inexplicable mind-reading and an utterly captivating night out. Wind was crowned the 2022 Magician of the Year by the Academy of Magical Arts, an award previously given to David Copperfield and Penn & Teller. Moreover, his appearance on Penn & Teller: Fool Us has become one of the most viral performances in the show’s history, with over 16 million views on YouTube. Wind’s recent Off-Broadway show, Inner Circle, was a critically acclaimed, sold-out success, described as “Gobsmacking. Mystifying. Spectacular.” (The Wall Street Journal). Asi now presents his favorite magic from his dazzling lifelong repertoire. His performances are not just mind-blowing; they inspire us to recognize the magic that lies within each of us. This visually stunning performance showcases Asi’s artistic talents while exploring the human spirit. Wind constantly blurs the line between what’s possible and impossible. It’s a theatrical experience that defies expectations and will leave you marveling at human creativity and connection. Wind believes that true magic can only happen if you bring people together and make them feel like they are a part of the show. Asi’s goal is not deceive people but to make them care and experience and magic. “More Than Magic” is a profound reminder that we all possess some magic within us. Tickets are $69.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, $29.50.
•Where: Museum Row, Garden City
•Time: Also May 28-29, times vary
•Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
MAY
29
JUNE
11
Rockville Centre Garden Tour Stroll through RVC gardens while supporting Bethany House. Tickets are $80.
•Where: Must register to receive address
•Time: 10 a.m.-noon
•Contact: bhny.org/events/
JUNE
18
Board of Education meeting
The Rockville Centre Board of Education meets.
•Where: Commons Room, 140 Shepherd St.,
•Time: 7 p.m.
•Contact: rvcschools.org
MAY
27
‘Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!’
The beloved musical adventure, ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved award-winning, best-selling children’s books, is back on stage at Long Island Children’s Museum. Willems’ classic characters Elephant and Piggie storm the stage in a rollicking musical romp filled with plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense perfect for young audiences.
Breastfeeding Support Group
Mercy Hospital offers a peer-to-peer breastfeeding support group facilitated by a certified counselor. Open to new moms with babies from newborn to 1 year. Registration required.
•Where: St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre
•Time: Ongoing Thursdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
•Contact: Call Gabriella Gennaro at (516) 705-2434
24 Paul Ellis Foundation Soccer Tournament Fundraiser
Athletic Complex, Peninsula Blvd.
•Time: Session 1, grades 1-4, at 6-7:30 p.m.; Session 2, grades 5-8, at 7:45-9:15 p.m.
•Contact: PaulEllisFoundation2425.com
Walk for the Backyard
An evening walk-a-thon with music and refreshments to raise funds for the BackYard Players & Friends. Entry fee is $50 a person.
•Where: Track, 140 Shepherd St.
•Time: 6-8 p.m.
•Contact: BYPandFriends.com
Church of the Ascension Anniversary
Celebrate 140 years of the Church of the Ascension, supporting the Ascension Today & Tomorrow campaign.
•Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 7 p.m.
•Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
•Where: 510 Sunrise Highway
•Time: Ongoing Sundays, 7 a.m.-noon
•Contact: (631) 466-8939
JUNE
20
St. Agnes Cathedral Annual Parish Bazaar
Celebrate the Cathedral with rides, music, raffles and more.
•Where: 29 Quealy Place
•Time: 6-10:30 p.m.; also June 21, 5-10:30 p.m.; June 22: 2-6 p.m.
•Contact: stagnesbazaar.com
JUNE
Eat-Shop-Rock
Enjoy a day of eating, shopping, music and more!
Village meeting
•Contact: rvcny.gov JUNE 2
The Village of Rockville Centre Board of Trustees hold their monthly meeting.
•Where: 1 College Place
Library Concert
•Where: Park Avenue between Sunrise Highway and Lincoln Avenue, Rockville Centre
•Time: Noon-5 p.m. •Contact: eatshoprockrvc.com
Enjoy a musical afternoon with The Traditions at Rockville Centre Library.
•Where: 221 N. Village Ave.
•Time: 2 p.m.
•Contact: rvclibrary.org JUNE 8
Having an event?
•Where: Bralower Field, RVC MAY
•Where: 71 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre
•Time: 6:30 p.m.
•Contact: AscensionRVC.org
The Paul Ellis Foundation hosts its inaugural youth soccer tournament fundraiser in honor of soccer coach Paul Ellis, who died from a stroke in 2024.
JUNE
until December 21.
Spring Concert
South Side High School holds its annual spring concert.
•Where: 140 Shepherd St.
•Time: Also June 11, 7 p.m.
•Contact: rvcschools.org
Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.
Molloy welcomes new board members
By KELSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com
Molloy University has appointed two new members to its Board of Trustees: Mary Hughes and Stuart Richner.
Hughes, a Dominican Sister of Amityville, brings decades of experience in education and leadership. A Molloy alumna, she holds degrees from Hunter College, Teachers College at Columbia University and St. John’s University. Her career includes roles as teacher, principal and chair of the education department at Iona College, where she later served as special executive assistant to the president.
She served two terms as Prioress for the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville and held national leadership positions, including president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious from 2009 to 2012. Internationally, she represented North America for Dominican Sisters International and served on the directorium of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
Hughes has been a member of the Molloy Board of Trustees twice before, from 1995 to 2001 and 2007 to 2013, serving as vice chair during her first term. Most recently, she served as interim
president ad publisher of Richner Communications Inc., has joined the Molloy University Board of Trustees. Mary Hughes, a Dominican Sister of Amityville, has become one of the newest trustees at Molloy University.
president of Dominican University of New York and has taught as an adjunct professor at Fordham University.
Richner is the chief executive officer, president and publisher of Richner Communications Inc., a Long Islandbased media company owned by the
Richner family since 1964. He joined the company in 1984 and became president in 1987. Under his leadership, the company has grown to include more than 50 local publications that reach over 250,000 readers each week. Titles include Herald Community Newspa-
pers, LIHerald.com, LIPrime and The Jewish Star. Richner Communications also owns the Pulitzer Prize-winning Riverdale Press in the Bronx and operates a commercial printing facility in Garden City.
In 2019, Richner launched RichnerLIVE, an event division that produces business and community events. He also helped lead the formation of the Empire State Local News Coalition in 2024, which successfully advocated for New York State’s tax credit for local media, the first of its kind in the country.
Richner serves on the boards of PAGE Cooperative, the New York Press Association, Island Harvest, the American Red Cross on Long Island, the Long Island Association and the Rockville Centre Education Foundation. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Northwestern University and a law degree from Georgetown University. Prior to joining the family business, he practiced corporate law in New York City.
Molloy University, founded by the Dominican Sisters of Amityville, continues to emphasize leadership grounded in service and community, values reflected in the diverse experiences of its newest trustees.
Photos courtesy Molloy University
Stuart Richer, CEO,
Young minds experiment, excel at school science fair
By KELSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com
Budding scientists from South Side High School put their research skills to the test at the school’s annual science fair, an event designed to ignite a passion for STEM in younger students.
This year’s fair featured all ninthgrade students and select 10th-grade chemistry students. Under the guidance of their teachers, students conducted experiments or wrote research papers exploring a wide range of scientific topics, from plant growth to paint pigments to biopolymers.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
Public Notice to Bidders
Sealed Bids will be received by the Purchasing Department of the Village of Rockville Centre, One College Place, Rockville Centre, New York for the matter stated below until 11:00 am prevailing time on JUNE 10, 2025 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud. The contract will be awarded as soon thereafter as practicable for: PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE REMEDIATION 10 SUNRISE HIGHWAY
Bid No. 2506CP1(1152)
The contract documents, specifications and plans can be examined on the Village’s website at www.rvcny.gov.
Follow the link to the Purchasing Department. Each bid must be accompanied by a certified check, bank check or bid bond payable to the Incorporated Village of Rockville Centre in the amount of five (5%) percent of the gross amount of the bid. All questions should be directed to the Purchasing Department. Please contact Lisa Strazzeri via email only at Lstrazzeri@rvcny.us.
Questions must be submitted no later than May 30, 2025. Potential bidders for this contract can visit the site: 10 Sunrise Highway prior to
submitting bids. Please contact Mario Bento (516) 852-0859 or (516) 678-9271 to schedule.
All contractors and subcontractors submitting bids or performing construction work on public work projects or private projects covered by Article 8 of the Labor Law are required to register with the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) under Labor Law Section 220i and must include a copy of the registration with their bid response. Award of Contract will be made to the lowest responsible bidder in accordance with applicable provisions of the law. The Village reserves the right to reject all bids or make such determination as in the best interests of the Village, as provided by law.
Purchasing Department
Lisa Strazzeri
Purchasing Agent 516-678-9213 153681
& LEGAL NOTICES
To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU. US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR CMALT REMIC SERIES
2006-A5-REMIC PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES
2006-A5, Plaintiffagainst- JUNIOR T. RICHARDS A/K/A JUNIOR RICHARDS,
LESLIE RICHARDS, ISOLINE WATT, et al
Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated March 4, 2024 and entered on March 27, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on June 20, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the easterly side of Dekoven Street, distant 100.00 feet southerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the southerly side of Pershing Boulevard with the easterly side of Dekoven Street; being a plot 60 feet by 100.00 feet by 60.00 feet by 100 feet. Section:38 Block: 115 Lots: 815, 816-817
Said premises known as 1269 DEKOVEN STREET, ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY 11570
Approximate amount of lien $555,093.83 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further
recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Index Number 4575/2013. KENNETH L. GARTNER, ESQ., Referee David A. Gallo & Associates LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 47 Hillside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhasset, NY 11030 File# 5025.1592 {* ROCK CEN H*} 153592
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…
To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of School District Public Hearing, Code of Conduct Rockville Centre UFSD NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 7:00 PM in the Auditorium at South Side High School, 140 Shepherd Street, Rockville Centre, NY at which time and place the Board of Education of the Rockville Centre Union Free School District will consider revisions to the Code of Conduct. The Public Hearing shall be held at the time and place stated herein. The proposed ‘Code of Conduct’ is available on the District website.
Rockville Centre Union Free School District Rockville Centre, New York By: Marylou Celiberti, District Clerk 153682
“The goal is to expose our younger students to the research process, to try to pique interest in science research as a concept,” Patrick Walsh, South Side High principal, said. “It helps them develop critical thinking, problem-solving and writing skills in the STEM fields.”
Student projects were evaluated by a panel of teachers using a standardized rubric, and winners were announced across several categories at the April 28 fair.
Living Environment Winners
■ First Place: Christina Thangavelu, Julianna Bragino and Olivia Bragino — “The Effects of Recyclable Materials on Plant Growth”
■ Second Place: Daphne Thorne — “The Effect of Various Sugars on Sourdough Yeast Development”
■ Third Place: Elyse Rodriguez and Lila Termini — “The Effects of Preservatives on French Fries”
Chemistry Winners
■ First Place: Darcy Behan, Danielle Lu and Madeline Rich — “How Does the Molecular Structure of Pigments Affect the Rate at Which They Separate from Paint?”
■ Second Place: Natalie Cammalleri, Adelaide Fox and Lyla Murphy — “What is the Effect of Acidic Beverages on Tooth Enamel?”
■ Third Place: Anthony Martinez, Jadyn Bereny Morales and Jayden Nunez Bodden — “How Do Fresh and Canned Pineapples Affect Gelatin Setting Due to the Enzymes in Pineapple?”
Science Research Skills 1 Winners
■ First Place: Basim Jamal, Evangelos Markou and Casey Testa — “Can Capsaicin and Honey Help Battle Bacterial Diseases?”
■ Second Place: Dila Kalem and Cassidy Morris — “How Does Air Quality Measure Before and After Different Air Filtration Treatments?”
Science Research Skills 2 Winners
■ First Place: Christian Chan — “Nature’s Glue: Stabilizing Soil with Bacterial Biopolymers”
■ Second Place: Eric Greene — “Creating a Diagnostic Tool for Parkinson’s Disease Using a KNN Algorithm”
The Science Fair is a cornerstone of the school’s efforts to build a strong foundation in STEM education, encouraging students to think critically, ask questions and explore the world through a scientific lens.
Photos courtesy Rockville Centre school district
The first place winners for Living Environment were Christina Thangavelu, Julianna Bragino and Olivia Bragino.
The first place winners for Science Research Skills 1 were Basim Jamal, Evangelos Markou and Casey Testa.
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MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
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WQ. We started doing work to our home and are just finishing, and the painter suggested that a wall could be taken down to open up the rooms. He says he can do this himself because it’s not a support wall. We’ve looked into it, thinking about an island in the kitchen and matching the floor or replacing it. The painter said we might need an architect, but since the work is interior, it won’t need a permit. We’re wondering what we should do, because we know you’ll say we need a permit, but the painter says we can get one after the work is done, and he can start right away so he can finish the work and avoid interruptions. Do you think this is a good idea?
A. The permit, as a piece of paper or a process of reviewing the work, isn’t the point. As you read this, hundreds of projects around you are underway with no permits. Most of them will either never be found out or are of such small consequence that when an issue comes up, it will be ignored.
Usually, I only learn about problems when either a buyer or a lending bank wants something put on record. I receive frantic calls asking if plans can be made quickly and a permit obtained before the closing in a week. Anyone who tells you the permit process is quick is trying to sell you something.
But remember, the permit document isn’t really the important thing. The permit is a symbol representing a more important issue — safety. Safety not only includes your well-being against doing something dangerous; it also means preventing health risks and the potential of losing a large sum of money if something goes wrong.
Removing a non-structural wall is a little misleading. The wall may not be supporting anything, but it has weight that you want to replace with another load. In general, people rarely look at any kind of building as a system of puzzle pieces, all fitting together in a specific way.
As an example of what can happen, I once got a call from someone who had that wall removed and added an island. The wall load was removed from the beams below, which was a good thing because those beams were now carrying less of a load. Then an island was installed, a four-foot-wide model with a beautiful quartz countertop, a sink and a sixburner stove. The homeowner also wanted an open display for restaurant-sized canned peeled tomatoes, ready for use with one of their famous recipes. The island load was calculated after the finished flooring began to distort and come loose and sagged 4 inches, when I was called to figure out what was going wrong. The island weighed at least six times the load of the wall, and the beam below was buckling. The floor bounced and the wine glasses in a nearby cabinet clinked together every time someone walked by.
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over time, I asked my campus communities to think about what it means to be an ethical person, and our roles and obligations as members of society. Could we remain silent when we knew of social and economic injustice? Could we be indifferent in the face of unethical behavior and discrimination in the public square?
Such thoughts were inspired again by news reports of bullying in politics, schoolyards, public hearings and international relations.
These are difficult times. Relations between groups are strained. I would hope that even in times like these, families, clergy, teachers and leaders would prepare children and inspire others with the basic values of civility, courtesy, sincerity and respect. Our sense of community needs it. Our national values — freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, democracy itself — will wither without it.
I think, as citizens, we must employ an “ethical eye” to observe and chal-
Lopinions A recipe for respect in society
lenge societal patterns that test our sense of what is fair and just. This takes courage as well as compassion. It is our obligation to address injustices wherever they occur in a consistent manner, not with one lens for a friend and another for a foe. We must believe in tolerance, accepting that another can be right without my being wrong.
CCompassion is a key component in how we relate to others. Many texts on leadership emphasize empathy, i.e., feeling the pain of others. This is better than simple sympathy, feeling sorry for others, but does not lead to necessary action. Compassion is an act of service, not just a feeling about others.
others. The most effective leaders know this. Saying “Thank you” or “You’re welcome” is not difficult. Being kind is even good for our health.
Respect is denied through acts of antisemitism, racism and other forms of prejudice. One result is fear. Therefore, it is understandable that those who have been subjected to bias personally or historically want respect and peaceful relations. Indeed, I assume that everyone wants respect as a simple fact of his or her being.
alls for greater ‘civility’ are really calls for compassion and respect.
We often hear calls for greater “civility.” These calls frequently are in response to acts of aggression and other forms of humiliating behavior. Cries for civility are really calls for compassion and respect, to stop using fear or denigrating language as weapons. Such tactics by corporate and political leaders are especially troubling for the messages they send and the models of behavior they represent. What we want is for people to be considerate, friendly, and even generous to
We should teach in our schools and houses of worship, and especially in our homes, that others should be respected, even if they are different from us. But there is a difference between respect for humanity at large, respect for ethnic, national, religious, racial and other groups in general, and respect for any one person.
Respect should be offered freely. An individual’s actions should no more reflect poorly on an entire group than a group’s actions should reflect poorly on any individual.
However, individual respect, once lost, can be regained only through effort: by expressing remorse and trying to help others. Respect is lost when someone acts in a callous manner, by
disregarding others, by belittling the place and relevance of others. When someone “demands” respect and does so in a manner that itself is disrespectful, he or she not only misses the point but also demeans the issue.
A school or college is a precious place. It is where truth, in whatever form, may be pursued without hindrance. It is where freedom of speech must be protected to the utmost. It is a place where diversity — of background, ethnicity, nationality, religion, physical ability or gender — should be respected. It is also a place where civil discourse and respect for one another is essential if a full and honest exchange of views is to be assured.
Without common courtesy, ears are closed. When ears are closed, there can be no mutual respect. We must learn to listen and disagree without being disagreeable. Those who shout the loudest for respect often do the least to gain it. No one should be the other if our education has succeeded. We are one species, with each member seeking to find a unity connecting head, heart and hands — i.e. compassion — which is an act of respect.
Robert A. Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and co-author of “Letters to Students: What it Means to be a College Graduate” (Roman & Littlefield, 2024).
Skip the gamble, wear the sunscreen
ike everyone else, I’ve welcomed the shift to warmer weather this month. The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and more people are spending time outdoors. I don’t have to tell you why — just look up. The sun is back, high in the sky, and with it comes a timely reminder: Don’t forget the sunscreen.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, but also one of the most preventable. It affects people of all skin tones and the most likely cause is overexposure to ultraviolet light, or more simply put, the sun. The main types of skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Melanoma, while less common, is the most aggressive, and often referred to as a “silent killer” due to its early metastatic spread. My dad has battled skin cancer multiple times. He’s vigilant about checking his skin for unusual moles, freckles and sunspots, and late last year he noticed a new growth on his shoulder blade. A dermatologist quickly took a biopsy, and the
results confirmed melanoma. Surgery was scheduled to promptly remove the mole and a wide margin of surrounding skin, leaving a six-inch, cross-sectional scar across his back. His medical team is confident that the cancer was caught in time and removed in totality.
As we head outside and soak up the sun, I can’t think of a better time to share my dad’s story. With his naturally fair skin, he’s especially cautious. He wears baseball caps to shield his face, opts for long-sleeved sun shirts designed to block harmful UV rays, and rarely skips sunscreen on any exposed skin — especially in warmer weather. There’s growing misinformation about sunscreen, with one of the most persistent myths professing that the product — or more specifically, the chemicals in it — can cause cancer, too. This concern was amplified when certain sunscreens were recalled after they were found to contain benzene, a known carcinogen. While the contamination was a manufacturing issue and not an ingredient in sunscreen formulas, the damage was done. Despite repeated assurances from medical experts that sunscreen is overwhelmingly safe and effective, a
wave of online misinformation has fueled an “anti-sunscreen” movement — putting more people at risk just as we enter peak sun exposure season.
Y ou shouldn’t need persuading, but if you do, I’ll let you talk to my dad.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month — a time when national and local organizations step up their efforts to educate the public about prevention. One such group is the Long Island-based Colette Coyne Melanoma Awareness Campaign, named in memory of Colette, who died from the disease. Each year, the campaign partners with Nassau County, gathering at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building in early May to deliver a simple but vital message: The safest way to enjoy summer is to protect your skin.
Despite the critics, there is no medical evidence that suggests sunscreen causes cancer. Evidence overwhelmingly informs the public that sun, and artificial forms of UV light such as tanning beds, are the most common culprits. Many different types of sunblock are available — including chemical sunscreens, which absorb into the skin, and physical blocker sunscreens, or “mineral sunscreens,” which act as a barrier on the skin’s surface.
I think it’s important that people make medical decisions they feel are best for them, and use products that they feel safest using. But the truth is if people consistently skip sun protection, they are two to three times more likely to develop skin cancer over their lifetime, compared with those who use sunscreen regularly. Opting to avoid using sunblock out of fear of the chemicals it contains is not only ignorant, but also dangerous.
I’m not a medical professional, just someone who’s watched my dad undergo a number of procedures to remove cancer. If you’re hesitant about chemical sunscreens, I get it — there are plenty of “cleaner” options out there. I use one myself. What matters most is using something, because doing nothing is the real risk.
Women get mammograms to detect breast cancer. Adults over 45 get colonoscopies to catch colon cancer early. So why skip one of the simplest, most accessible tools we have to prevent skin cancer before it starts?
There’s no need to gamble with your health when we have everything we need to make conscious decisions, ones that are far more likely to help you — rather than hurt you — in the long run.
Jordan Vallone is a senior editor of the Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? jvallone@liherald.com.
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Memorial Day: so much more than a day of rest
as the last Monday in May approaches, many Americans look forward to Memorial Day as the unofficial start of summer — a three-day weekend filled with barbecues, beach trips, travel and clearance sales.
But while there’s nothing wrong with enjoying time with loved ones, we must not allow convenience and celebration to overshadow the solemn significance of the holiday. Memorial Day isn’t just a day off. It is a day of remembrance — a national moment of pause to honor the men and women of the United States military who gave their lives in service to our country.
Established in the aftermath of the Civil War, Memorial Day — originally known as Decoration Day — was born of collective mourning. Families and communities across a fractured nation placed flowers on soldiers’ graves, uniting in grief and reverence. The federal holiday was established in 1971. Over time, the holiday expanded to commemorate all American military personnel who have died in service. It is not to be confused with Veterans Day, which honors all who have served, living and deceased. Memorial Day is specifi-
cally for the fallen.
Yet in our modern era, its meaning often gets lost amid the grilling, the chilling and the discount ads. It’s easy to be swept up in the excitement of an extra day off or the first beach trip of the season. But convenience should not breed complacency. Memorial Day deserves more than a casual nod — it demands deliberate remembrance.
Why does that matter? Because freedom isn’t free, and it never has been. The rights we exercise daily — to speak, to vote, to gather, to live safely — were defended by those who never came home.
Behind every headstone in Arlington National Cemetery, and in others across the nation, lies a story of courage, sacrifice and love of country. Behind every folded flag handed to a grieving family is a reminder that someone paid the ultimate price.
To ignore that reality — to reduce Memorial Day to little more than a festive long weekend — is to forget a fundamental part of our national identity. In honoring the fallen, we not only show respect for their sacrifice, but we reinforce the values they died protecting: duty, service, unity, and democratic freedom.
So what can we do differently?
Start small. Take part in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time on Monday, when Americans are encouraged to pause for one minute in silence. Visit a local veterans’ cemetery or memorial. Attend a parade or ceremony in your town. Talk to children and young people about why the day matters. Share a story of a fallen service member. Fly the American flag at half-staff.
Better yet, turn remembrance into action. Donate to an organization that supports Gold Star families or wounded veterans. Write to an elected official in support of improved services for military families. Volunteer for a group that helps transitioning service members reintegrate into civilian life. Service should not end at the battlefield, and gratitude should not last only one day.
On Memorial Day, we’re not asked to stop living or celebrating. We are asked to remember why we can. We are asked to be present — not just at the picnic table, but in thought and in spirit, connecting with the sacrifices that afforded us this life of liberty.
Horse named Journalism showed what’s possible
He was five lengths back, bumped and bruised, as he fought through a crowded pack in the Preakness Stakes, one of horse racing’s biggest events. But Journalism didn’t fold, even when he looked to be down and out. He found daylight in the final turn, charged down the stretch, and stormed past the leaders to win in spectacular fashion.
It was gritty. It was powerful. And it was symbolic.
Because while Journalism the horse crossed the finish line in triumph, journalism the profession is reeling — and falling further behind every day.
In New York, dozens of local newspapers have shuttered over the past year, even in some of the wealthiest commu-
Peter King goes way too easy on Elon Musk
To the Editor:
nities. Trusted reporters have vanished from towns and villages across the state. There’s no one left to sit through school board meetings, follow the money at town halls, or tell the human stories that hold communities together.
The decline isn’t distant. It’s here. It’s happening now. And yet there is still a clear lane for journalism organizations to triumph — if we fight for it.
Last year, New York passed a first-inthe-nation tax credit to support truly local journalism. That policy, now in effect, offers a lifeline to communitybased newspapers. It was made possible by the Empire State Local News Coalition, a nonpartisan alliance of more than 200 local newspapers in New York — including the Herald — that are com-
letters
fund” last week, Peter King made excuses for Elon Musk’s inexcusable, reckless and immoral cuts: 1) “. . . to undo the damage, intentional or not . . . by Elon Musk’s chainsaw cuts”; and 2) “. . . Elon Musk’s misplaced cuts . . . probably made unknowingly . . .”
Let this Memorial Day be more than an extended weekend. Let it be a day of purpose. A day of honor. A day to remember. people are that they peoprotection, they to lifetime, sunscreen sunblock contains is dangerous. just undergo canchemical plenty of one is the detect colonosSo accescanyour we need that rather the ComMay 22, 2025
Not once, but twice, in his column “We must restore Musk’s cuts of the 9/11 health
A reality check, and some honesty, please, about the cruel and harmful effects of
mitted to keeping local reporting alive.
To turn that legislative victory into a lasting comeback, the Empire State Local News Coalition needs support — from readers, businesses, neighbors and anyone who cares about truth, transparency and community camaraderie.
Because while four legs carried Journalism to victory, it’s the Fourth Estate that carries our democracy — and right now, it’s running out of steam.
If you appreciate the work we do covering your schools, government, family, friends and more, then please donate to the Empire State Local News Coalition at SaveNYLocalNews.com/support. With your help, journalism — the one that informs, uplifts and protects — can make a dramatic comeback, too.
DOGE’s very aware and deliberate actions negatively affecting the American people, totally backed up by this administration and Project 2025.
I will never understand why a spade can’t be called a spade when it comes to Donald Trump. As I recall from Mr. King’s columns, he was a good Catholic Brooklyn kid. Well, so
opinions
GOP cuts to Medicaid will impact all of Long Island
House republicans advanced their plan last week to cut $715 billion in Medicaid funding over the next decade. Medicaid provides essential medical services to millions of children, seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans across our country, including 170,000 of my constituents in new york’s 4th Congressional District. These reductions will surely hurt recipients, but it is important to note that the impact of this budget cutback will stretch far beyond just these groups.
The warnings are already plentiful, and dire. These sweeping cuts have prompted alarm from health policy
experts, economists and medical groups, such as the american Hospital association, who all indicated that republicans’ proposed changes to Medicaid will touch all new yorkers, including those with private insurance. all americans can expect increased costs for private payers and reduced services at hospitals and other health care providers. It is critical that long Islanders understand the impact this legislation could have on all our families, friends and neighbors.
tDowling.
Mr. Dowling made clear that a sudden spike in uninsured patients resulting from Medicaid cuts is likely to force hospitals, clinics, and other health facilities to cut back services, reduce medical staff or even close their doors. When hospitals and other health providers cut back their services or close, it affects all of us, regardless of our health care coverage.
he sweeping cuts have prompted alarm from health policy experts and economists.
To ensure that constituents understand some of the impacts of the GoP budget being advanced in Congress, I hosted a budget briefing with my nassau County colleague, Congressman Tom suozzi. The briefing included factual testimony from nonpartisan presenters including northwell Health Ceo Michael
In fact, policy experts at the John Hopkins University of Public Health have forecast that premiums will rise for all americans as hospitals are forced to pass the cost of keeping their doors open to consumers.
I have spoken with a number of other long Island health providers, including stony Brook Medicine and the Healthcare association of new york,
Letters
was I, and I am thankful every day that I never lost the strength to call out nonsense when needed, no matter who is involved.
JosIe MarIno Lynbrook
The government, as is, won’t restore Musk’s cuts
To the editor:
Peter King’s demand that “this insanity must end” is too narrow, and made of the wrong people. “We” cannot “restore” anything until the elections next year.
Those who can have bigger bills to fry. “We” empowered MaGa to cut undefined waste, fraud and abuse,
which is what they did, and put it all into their current budget. Mr. King’s complaint about the 9/11 fund’s being “seriously threatened” by “misplaced cuts” applies to all items in that bill, and the only way to restore anything begins with dismantling that ugly construction. Fortunately, as of today, that seems possible if 2026 restores sanity to our federal government.
BrIan Kelly Rockville Centre
Time to address decadesold immigration problem
To the editor: I take issue with Murad awahdeh
and Melanie Creps’s opinion piece in the May 8-14 issue, “Cooperating with ICe will not make us safer.” as a son of a legal immigrant, I counted at least 10 mentions of the word “immigrant,” but without the word “illegal” preceding it. Was this an attempt to slant the piece in one direction?
In all my years, I have never seen an outreach toward our own homeless, veterans, mentally ill and addicted like I saw toward people who were allowed to enter our country through the open borders of the previous administration.
I would like nothing more than to see Congress come up with a bipartisan package to make legal immigration more enticing and vetted. What we have now is not only a strain on local budgets, but also the exploitation of these
who also underscored how these cuts would raise health care costs for all patients in our region. not only will new yorkers’ health care costs balloon, but the proposed Medicaid cuts are also likely to increase our tax burden. a brief from the nonpartisan health policy organization KFF concluded that these cuts will cause massive state budget shortfalls, prompting tax increases while downsizing funding to education, infrastructure and other local priorities. long Islanders already pay some of the highest taxes in the country. We cannot afford another tax increase. as your congresswoman, I am committed to fighting against these dangerous attempts to attack long Islanders’ health care. We must work to protect and strengthen access to health care, not make it more expensive and less accessible.
Laura A. Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.
people working for substandard wages and the subsequent strain on social services. allowing self-deportation with the opportunity to come back legally would be the best approach for everybody. With all these companies willing to invest in plants to keep jobs here, and the present shortage of people in the trades, there will be more than enough jobs to be filled, with opportunities for american citizens first, and then legalized immigrants to follow. It would be a win-win for everybody, and also for the Trump administration, by finally addressing a decades-old problem that has never been dealt with properly.
Framework by Tim Baker At Long Island’s largest
Tony GIaMeTTa Oceanside
LaUra a. GiLLen