Students at Seaford Harbor Elementary School took on a cup-stacking challenge as part of the annual STEAM night on April 3, after they took part in science, technology, engineering, arts and math activities throughout the event. Story, more photos, Page 3.
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
The Wantagh Middle School cafeteria was decorated to resemble a city street on April 10, as the school hosted its 10th annual “Word on the Street” literacy celebration.
Lamppost cutouts and skyline posters set the scene for an evening of student and faculty performances celebrating the written word.
The English department organized the event, featuring more than 20 students, in the sixth through eighth grades, as well as faculty members, who took turns reciting poetry. Some shared original poems, lyrics or short stories,
while others read favorites from well-known poets, including Shel Silverstein and Robert Frost.
English teacher Christine Hult, who has organized the event since its inception, said it offers a valuable opportunity for students who may be hesitant to speak in front of a crowd.
“That’s all I want,” Hult said, “is for them to have an experience speaking in front of people, because they’re going to be doing that in the high school.”
Poems ranged from humorous — such as a piece explaining lab safety using visual props like beakers and flasks — to more serious works
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
With grade point averages above 104 and 102, respectively, General Douglas MacArthur High School seniors Melody Hong and Katherine Tian have been named valedictorian and salutatorian of the class of 2025, earning top honors at the Levittown school after years of academic dedication.
Hong and Tian learned of their honors in February. While both had a feeling they were near the top of their class, they were still surprised when the news became official.
We’re
really grateful for all the love and care we’ve received from our teachers, but also our amazing friends here.
dents earned the recognition. “These two phenomenal young ladies possess all the necessary traits, skills and empathy that are paramount not only for success, but also for truly embodying all the characteristics that make up the ideal role model for others,” Sheehan said. Over the course of her high school career, Hong took 11 Advanced Placement courses, and Tian completed 10. For Hong, AP Physics 2 stood out as a defining challenge. As a junior, found herself in a class filled with seniors.
MELody HoNg
Valedictorian, General Douglas MacArthur High School
For Tian, the announcement marked the realization of a goal she had envisioned since her sophomore year. “There are a lot of really smart students that are competitive here,” she said. “It was happy news. Definitely not what I was expecting.”
MacArthur Principal Joseph Sheehan said that both stu-
“It was definitely eye-opening knowing nothing about it beforehand, and then having to keep up with the class,” she said, “but I’m really grateful that I did.”
She credited her teacher, George Donavan, and her classmates for encouraging her to ask questions and work through problems.
For Tian, AP Calculus BC, which she took this year,
Continued on page 4
Tips for staying physically and mentally healthy came straight from the source recently, as Seaford High School students stepped into the role of mentors for their younger peers. Over the course of two days, volunteers from the high school visited seventh grade
The idea for the program came from the school’s Wellness Committee, which includes administrators, teachers and pupil personnel services staff. With support from health teachers Kristen Ancona, Ken Botti, Kurt Dankenbrink and Cara Klasson, the high schoolers were invited into classrooms to share what they’ve learned. Mantay said they’re hoping to make it an annual event, adding that the project highlighted key Seaford Scholar traits, such as being communicators, networkers, mindful, principled, reflective and risk-takers.
health classes at Seaford Middle School to lead wellness presentations on topics that matter most to teens. Each session was student-led and covered subjects like healthy eating, exercise, time management, bullying, cyberbullying and vaping. “Whatever topic they
Students didn’t just recite facts—they shared their own stories. Junior Rob Jeranek was part of a group that presented on diet, exercise and vaping. “It’s great that students get to learn new health tips from people like them,” he said. He also spoke about how changing his eating habits led to a major improvement in his health. Mantay said the presentations were filled with genuine, personal stories, and he praised the students for their honesty and willingness to be vulnerable.
chose is something they felt passionate about presenting,” said Assistant Principal Alex Mantay. “The students really stepped up, as some of these issues can be hard to talk about. If we got through to even just one student that would make it worthwhile.”
Four groups of high school students were paired up based on shared interests and gave presentations to middle school health classes. Topics were chosen by the students themselves and included a digital slideshow, discussion, and a class activity.
As part of a series of wellness presentations, high school students shared tips on healthy eating.
Residents on Duncan Court in Wantagh say their street has fallen into disrepair, with one neighbor claiming it hasn’t been fully repaved since the 1970s, according to news reports.
The 11-house block has long dealt with chipped pavement, cracks and potholes. In a News12 report, residents said the conditions have caused people to fall, damaged car tires and kept children from riding their bikes.
Brian Devine, spokesperson for the
Town of Hempstead, told the Herald the town has increased the number of roads it repaves annually and is on track to surpass 100 miles of roadway repaved this year — including Duncan Court.
“While we are immediately addressing area potholes, Duncan Court is slated for a new valley gutter this year and a full mill and pave next year,” Devine said.
Charles Shaw
Seaford Harbor Elementary School students had a magical time exploring math and science during the annual STEAM night on April 3. The event featured hands-on projects and lively demonstrations.
This year’s theme was “Happily Ever STEAM Night,” as it was a follow-up to the fairy tale-themed literacy night earlier in the year. Students were dazzled during a math magic show that educated students on realworld uses of numbers.
Students in grades K-2 attended the show while third, fourth and fifth graders visited different STEAM sta-
tions in the gym. The two groups then switched halfway through the night. The activities focuses on collaboration, critical thinking and innovation. Students could make mazes out of various materials to help Little Red Riding Hood get through the woods. At Huff, Puff and Build It, the young engineers built houses for the Three Little Pigs and then tested the durability of their creations with a hair dryer.
There was cup stacking, shadow puppets, a fairy tale costume design station and a spot to design a bridge for the Three Billy Goats Gruff.
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
What began as a routine championship game quickly turned into a life-saving emergency, and Wantagh Athletic Director Jennifer Keane didn’t hesitate to act.
Keane was working as the Assistant Coordinator for Boys Basketball for Section VIII during the Nassau County finals between West Hempstead and Floral Park at Farmingdale State College in March when referee Joe Gaskin suddenly collapsed near the West Hempstead bench.
“I thought he may have tripped,” Keane said. “But then I saw he was struggling to breathe, and I could see he was starting to turn not the right color, to say the least.”
Keane quickly directed the West Hempstead team away from the area, called for help, and rushed to Gaskin’s side.
“I yelled for the AED,” she said. “All of a sudden, there were nurses and a doctor there.”
Keane, a certified athletic trainer, received the automated external defibrillator and worked alongside the medical team, who began chest compressions. A pulse was detected at first, then lost.
“They began CPR and we administered the AED,” she said. “I just kept talking to him, calling his name.”
Keane stayed by Gaskin’s side, reassuring him and helping to calm him as he regained consciousness.
“He was disoriented and confused,” she said. “I told him, ‘Joe, we got you. You’re gonna be okay.’”
Keane has known Gaskin for two decades and considers him a friend. Her presence appeared to comfort him as he was taken from the gym by emergency personnel.
“He was awake and alert when he left,” Keane said. “I couldn’t have asked
Wantagh Athletic Director Jennifer Keane sprang into action to help save a referee’s life after he collapsed during the Nassau County boys basketball finals in March.
for a better outcome.”
Her actions earned praise from colleagues and school officials alike. Wantagh Superintendent John McNamara, in a post on the district’s website, said he wasn’t surprised Keane responded so quickly in such a critical moment.
“Her quick thinking and ongoing dedication to her field leaves her prepared for situations just like this,” he said in the post. “She is a tremendous asset to our school community and the greater Nassau Section VIII athletics community.”
Keane said she’s grateful things turned out well, adding that everyone who helped was in the right place at the right time.
“Joe’s alive, and that’s what’s most important,” she said. “We all worked together as a team to get that outcome, and I take that outcome any day.”
State Senator Steve Rhoads attended the Wantagh Fire Department Installation Ceremony on March 1, joined by Councilman Chris Schneider, Councilman Dennis Dunne, Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray, Nassau Comptroller Elaine Phillips, Legislator John Ferretti, and Legislator Michael Giangregorio. Rhoads congratulated Chief Mathewson and all the incoming officers. The ceremony also honored members celebrating milestone anniversaries, including those marking 50 years of service. Rhoads expressed gratitude to the entire department for their dedication, bravery and commitment to keeping the community safe.
proved memorable because of its difficulty.
“It’s one of the only math classes that I’ve actually struggled with,” she said. “There’s a lot of studying and work put into it.”
Last month, Hong placed sixth in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, a prestigious national science research competition for high school students, earning an $80,000 scholarship. She was one of 40 finalists nationwide, and one of just four from Nassau County. For the talent search, she submitted a project titled, “A Bayesian Exploration into more Flexible trans-Methylation Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping,” in which she developed alternative statistical methods to better identify genetic variants of complex diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Type 1 diabetes. According to Hong, these variants are important to help understand the genetic basis of DNA methylation, a chemical modification of DNA that helps control the function of a gene.
In addition to Regeneron, Hong has been involved in Science Olympiad since middle school, and became team captain as a sophomore. It is a national competition in which students compete in various events related to science, including biology, chemistry, physics and engineering. She said she enjoyed preparing for competitions and exploring science while leading and collaborating with her teammates.
“All the memories I’ve made with my teammates, as well as all the friends I’ve made outside of school through it, I’ll never forget,” Hong said.
She is also principal cellist in the school’s chamber orchestra and is a member of the National, Math and Tri-M honor society, the last a national organization recognizing academic and musical achievement, leadership and service.
After graduation, Hong plans to major in applied
mathematics, pursue a Ph.D. and become a biostatistician. She has been accepted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, her top choice, as well as Harvard and Princeton universities.
Tian credited her community service for shaping her educational journey. Originally from Flushing, Queens, she is still active in her old neighborhood. Last year she canvassed for Vickie Paladino’s New York City Council campaign and took on a leadership role in Ron Kim’s campaign for the Assembly — experiences she said deepened her understanding of the community in which she grew up in. She also tutors elementary school students through the New York Tutoring Center in Flushing.
Tian plans to study neuroscience at New York University next year, and is excited about the next chapter of her life, despite the larger workload she anticipates.
Asked if she had any advice for incoming students, Hong said it’s good to set goals while prioritizing personal growth and learning.
“Everyone has their own aspirations, and they’re all totally valid,” Hong said, “so it’s good to set those and spend high school just doing what you enjoy and learning more about yourself.”
Grades are important, but they can only take you so far, Tian said. Her goal in high school was to maintain good grades, but she also emphasized the importance of considering future goals.
“Don’t be too sensitive about just academic scores,” she said. “Try to find something that you want to do instead.”
Both said they appreciated the encouragement of their teachers and the friendships they’ve made along the way. “We’re really grateful for all the love and care we’ve received from our teachers,” Hong said, “but also our amazing friends here.”
Each one of us experience countless injustices in the course of everyday living. Like other experiences, it is not the experience itself so much that counts, but how you process it. The Mayo Clinic addresses the health benefits of “forgiveness” which they define as “an intentional decision to let go of resentment and anger”. Letting go of grudges and bitterness can lead to:
• Healthier relationships
• Improved mental health
• Less anxiety, stress and hostility
• Fewer symptoms of depression
• Lower blood pressure
• A stronger immune system
• Improved heart health
• Improved self-esteem
• Better sleep
Everett Worthington, Profession Emeritus of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, provides a free workbook at evworthington-forgiveness.com to aid those for whom forgiveness may be difficult (most
of us!), focusing on the REACH method.
Recall: Recall the hurt. Look at the incident in an objective way and don’t try to push aside your feelings.
Empathize: Empathize with the offender without excusing the action or invalidating your own feelings. Maybe the person was having a bad day or was raised in dire circumstances.
Altruistic gift: Give the altruistic gift of forgiveness. Think about a time when you were rude or harsh, and recognize that everyone has shortcomings.
Commit: Make a decision to forgive. You can write a letter that you don’t send to help yourself make the commitment.
Hold: Hold on to forgiveness. Memories of the transgression or event won’t change. But how you react to those feelings will.
“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned”. —Buddha
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Calhoun Senior Lacrosse
IT WAS A HISTORIC afternoon for Aievoli April 7 when the Colts defeated Carle Place, 14-6. The senior midfielder found the back of the net seven times, including the 100th goal of her high school career, to lead Calhoun’s offense. On the season, the multitalented threat ranks among Nassau County’s top 5 scorers with 26 goals and 11 assists through seven games, leading the Colts to a 6-1 start in the process. In 2024, she tallied 30 goals and 13 assists.
Thursday, April 17
Baseball: Farmingdale at Massapequa...................10 a.m.
Baseball: Malverne at Plainedge.............................10 a.m.
Baseball: MacArthur at East Meadow .....................10 a.m.
Baseball: Long Beach at Baldwin ...........................10 a.m.
Baseball: Mepham at Hewlett .................................10 a.m.
Baseball: Calhoun at Kennedy ................................10 a.m.
Softball: Uniondale at East Rockaway.....................10 a.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Plainedge at Mepham .....................10 a.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Baldwin at Calhoun .........................10 a.m.
Boys Lacrosse: South Side at Carey........................11 a.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Long Beach at Oceanside ................1 p.m.
Saturday, April 19
Softball: Freeport at East Rockaway ..........................9 a.m.
Baseball: West Hempstead at V.S. Central ..............10 a.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Lynbrook at North Shore .................10 a.m.
Boys Lacrosse: North Shore at Plainedge ...............11 a.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Mepham at Baldwin ..........................1 p.m.
Monday, April 21
Girls Lacrosse: Lynbrook at Mineola .......................10 a.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Freeport at Malv/East Rock. .............1 p.m.
Baseball: Mepham at Calhoun .................................5 p.m.
Baseball: Long Beach at Kennedy ............................5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Plainedge at Oceanside ....................5 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
By MICHELLE RABINOVICH sports@liherald.com
Seaford softball knows it boasts a strong offense, supported by some good arms in the circle, according to coach Joe Nastasi who’s Vikings have captured back-to-back county championships.
A senior-led staff helps with that, starting with Skylar Secondino, a crucial part of the pitching staff. “[Secondino] is really going to take the brunt of the load and has been the backbone of the team the past few years,” he said.
On the other side of the same coin is a highly talented freshman pitcher in Rylie Betz. “She does not play like [a freshman], she plays like she’s older than she is,” Nastasi said. “Definitely a threat in the circle as well.”
Lastly, junior Lauren LoPresti is one of the top performers among the pitching staff that [coach] boasted about as well. “LoPresti has thrown an competed at a high level for the last three years, and we know that when called upon she will execute as well,” Nastasi said.
Overall, what sets his pitchers apart is his team’s ability to deal with adversity.
“To fight and battle back; we’re never out of a fight, we’re never out of anything, a game is never over until we’re off those lines,” Nastasi said.
Seaford’s biggest asset is the fact the pitchers all throw different pitches, and have unique methodologies from inside the circle.
“They’re all different style pitchers that bring a little bit of a different looks and aspect into the game,” he said. “They balance each other out very well in my opinion, I think they’re a formidable group.”
There’s a couple of batters that have been key to the team’s success, seniors Katie Young (catcher), Kaitlyn Young, Secondino (she’s more than just a pitcher), as well as freshman Betz (also more than just a pitcher). Betz leads all of Nassau in home runs with five so far.
Seniors Alyssa Rodriguez and Shannon McClernon, with junior LoPresti are noted as huge parts of the team’s offense this year according to Nastasi.
“It’s a great thing for me this year, but it’s really not us leaning on a single player or two or three to carry us,” Nastasi said. “Everybody is very tough across the board and can produce who’s ever in the lineup.”
The Vikings have a target on their backs after winning consecutive county titles. They took Class B in 2023 and Class A last spring.
“Out of the 16 girls on the team, 10 of them are seniors so there’s a lot of expe-
rience as far playing in Nassau County championship games the last three years,” he said. “We’re never out of the fight, no matter who we see in the circle.” How this all blends together is the fact that Nastasi sees plenty of mentoring to go around in the program, whether it’s a form of hands on teaching from an upperclassman to a lower classman, or a lead-by-example situation. All in all, the traditions of the program are getting passed along.
dealing with personal feelings, including depression and anxiety.
Eighth grader Valentina Rodriguez-Beltran, a master of ceremonies for the evening, has participated in the event since sixth grade. The experience has helped her and fellow emcee and eighth grader, Giada Petrillo, gain confidence in expressing their work publicly.
“It’s amazing,” Valentina said. “It’s just a bunch of people that love literature coming here to share pieces that they love, and you also learn from these pieces.”
Valentina recited two of her original poems — “The Future,” which reflects her thoughts on what lies ahead, and “Eve’s Temptation,” which explores Eve’s perspective in the biblical story of Adam and Eve.
For Valentina, poetry is a way to express herself — whether she’s reciting lines from a favorite piece or writing down her own thoughts.
“It’s a way of art to be able to express your feelings and just show it throughout all of your works,” she said.
Giada, who has also participated since sixth grade, said the event is similar to a family gathering, with everyone connected by a love of writing. The evening marked the first time she shared her poetry with others, she said.
Giada recited her poem “Flame,” which reflects on feeling overwhelmed by doing too much. She compared herself to a flame that dims with time, capturing the emotional toll of being constantly busy.
Science teacher Tom Vereline presented his poem, “Home,” which looks back on his 32 years of teaching in Wantagh. Vereline, 55, said he’s retiring at the end of this school year and wrote the opening lines of the poem two years ago, knowing his retirement was
He said he’s always loved the annual event and felt inspired by the students to share one of his own pieces during his final year at the school.
“I figured if these kids can get up here and put themselves out there, I figured it’s the least I could do,” he said.
In his poem, Vereline, of Massapequa Park, describes Wantagh as his “second home.” Over the years, he has coached the middle school’s baseball and basketball teams and served as faculty advisor to Student Council.
“More than half my life has been spent in this town,” he said. “It will always be a second home to me.”
“Word on the Street” offers students a chance to come out of their shell — something that can be difficult for this generation, who are often self-conscious, Hult noted.
“When I can get kids to do this, I know that my job is done,” she said, “because they don’t want to put themselves out there. It’s very hard for them to do that.”
She said she works throughout the year to build trust with her students, encouraging them to participate and helping them gain the confidence to go on stage. Hult added that she doesn’t give up on them or take “no” for an answer.
“They trust me,” she said. “I have a disarming personality by nature, I’m goofy, I have fun with them, and they know that if they work for me, we’re going to have fun.”
Giada said Hult, who is her teacher this year, has taught her students valuable life lessons, such as understanding that no one is perfect and that it’s OK to express themselves.
“She’s just helped me come out of my shell so much more,” Giada said. “I’m much more comfortable with other kids in my grade, and I’m more comfortable at just expressing myself and not having to be so perfect
In a welcoming space, preparing kids of all ages to compete in Long Island Junior League
By MELINDA ROLLS & CHRISTINA ARLOTTOA Special to the Herald
Second in a series of stories on immigration through a partnership between Herald Community Newspapers and Hofstra University.
As the sun dipped behind the trees in Uniondale on a recent Thursday, the rhythmic pulse of soccer balls colliding with cleats mixed with the sharp calls of coaches in Spanish. On the well-worn grass, athletes lined up one by one in familiar ritual, launching powerful kicks into the net as the goalkeeper battled each incoming shot.
The young athletes scattered across the field behind NuHealth’s A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility in Uniondale were members of the New York Soccer Latin Academy. The club, based in Uniondale-Hempstead, was founded in 2002 by NYSLA coach Francisco Guerrero to train players ages 5 to 19 for competition in the Long Island Junior Soccer League.
Community roots
Volunteer coaches, including Salvador Alvarenga, of Long Beach, who emigrated from El Salvador and started coaching when the team was founded, run the team. He began playing soccer at age 6, and after his playing career ended, transitioned to coaching to stay connected to the game.
Alvarenga highlighted the team’s family-centered culture, noting that many players have virtually grown up on soccer fields, especially those with older siblings already on the team. “For most of them, their mom was pregnant and they were already on the field … They practically were born here,” Alvarenga said.
He added that it was rewarding to know that the local Hispanic community recognizes NYSLA as a welcoming space for their children. “It’s really good to know that the Spanish community knows that we are here, and that they can bring the kids here,” Alvarenga said.
In line with family values, one of the academy’s core commitments since its creation has been maintaining affordable costs for families, which Alvarenga said is often not the case for American soccer academies. “We just charge basic fees to cover our expenses,” he said. “And now we’ve been surviving for 23 years, so we’re doing something good.”
With over two decades of coaching experience with NYSLA, Alvarenga explained that his coaching philosophy centers on more than developing skilled players. Instead, it is about instilling a deep love for the sport and discipline to prepare players for success beyond the game.
“They have to try their best,” Alvarenga said. “That’s what we try to tell them all the time, so they try to excel in whatever they do.”
Alvarenga shared that his greatest source of motivation to continue coach-
ing comes from watching young players grow and evolve through the academy.
“That’s our payment,” he said.
Friendship on the field
Two players share a bond that extends beyond passing the soccer ball. Kelli Crespin, 15, of Hempstead, and Angelina Escobar, 14, of Franklin Square, have spent the past seven years as the only two girls on their team’s roster.
Escobar, with family from Mexico and El Salvador, was first introduced to soccer by her grandfather. Crespin, with roots in El Salvador and Honduras, discovered the game through her older brother while he was playing for the academy
“I just came along with him, and the coach asked if I wanted to play,” Crespin said. “I ended up liking it, and I just kept coming back.”
But it wasn’t just the game that kept her coming back — it was also her friendship with Escobar, who became her closest friend on the team.
Both girls said that while playing exclusively with boys presents its own set of challenges, they are grateful for the resilience it has instilled in them. “Playing with the boys made me really strong,” Escobar said. “I’m not as sensitive anymore.”
Both girls shared that their coaches at the academy have also taught them valuable lessons that extend beyond the field. “I’ve learned a lot, and not just about soccer,” Crespin said. “It’s about becoming a better person while being more active.”
Escobar said her time under Guerrero’s coaching has profoundly shaped her as a player and beyond. “I’ve learned a lot from him because he’s taught me everything I know,” Escobar said. “How to play on the field, how to not be dirty,
how to act.”
After years of dedication to the team, Crespin emphasized her desire to now serve as a role model for younger team members.
face off during practice.
“I would like to show them that no matter what, you can always do what you want to do,” Crespin said. “If you’re passionate about something, continue it. Keep on going.”
The Firefighter Michael J. Cawley Memorial Foundation held its 23rd annual benefit on April 5 at Mulcahy’s in Wantagh, continuing its mission to support those affected by 9/11-related illnesses and to provide scholarships to students at Archbishop Molloy High School.
The event honors Michael J. Cawley, an FDNY firefighter who died while responding to the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Cawley, a Queens native and 1987 graduate of Archbishop Molloy, was known for his community service and dedication to helping others.
Proceeds from the evening will benefit both causes central to the foundation’s work.
— Charles Shaw
Brendan Cawley, Michael’s brother, spoke to the audience as award recipients stand behind
By MELISSA BERMAN & JEFFREY BESSEN of the Herald
Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti, a Republican, will face off against Democrat Joseph K. Scianablo for Hempstead town supervisor.
Both are replacement candidates, because incumbent Supervisor Don Clavin, a Republican, and his expected Democratic opponent, Justin Brown, both declined their parties’ nominations. There are reports that Clavin will run for a county court judgeship on this year’s ballot.
Ferretti, a Levittown resident, has served as a county legislator for over seven years, and he highlighted his efforts to control the tax burden for Nassau County residents.
“The committee looked for someone who is a proven tax slayer, helped make Nassau County the safest in the United States, fought antisemitism and hate in general, is involved in the community and with his family, and has been a lifelong resident of the Town of Hempstead,” Joe Cairo, the Nassau County Republican Committee chairman, said at the April 10 announcement.
Scianablo, a Garden City resident, brings a career of leadership, integrity and compassion, according to the county Democratic Party, having served in the Marines in Iraq and as a New York City police officer. Most recently he was
an assistant district attorney in Queens.
Raised in what was described as a working-class family, Scianablo enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1996. After his military service, he joined the NYPD, in which his focus was domestic violence. After retiring he earned his law degree, and dedicated his legal career to justice and public safety.
“Public service isn’t only what you do, it’s who you are. I’ve served my country, my city, and my community — and I’m ready to serve the people of
Hempstead,” Scianablo said in a news release. “I’m running to lower the tax burden, clean up our broken infrastructure, and bring transparency back to Town Hall.”
Ferretti highlighted his work to stop antisemitism and hate crimes, enhance resources for police and protect women.
“When you decide to run for elected office, you do it because you want to make a different in people’s lives,” he said. “I feel I have the experience in both the private sector and government
that qualifies me for this position. In government, I have both administrative and legislative experience.”
The Democrats highlighted the town’s 12.1 percent property tax increase, pay raises for top officials and long-neglected infrastructure problems as the issues they are aiming to resolve.
“Joe Scianablo is exactly the kind of leader Hempstead needs right now,” County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs said in the release. “His courage, character, and deep commitment to public service make him the right candidate to take on the status quo. Joe has spent his life protecting others — he’ll bring that same fierce dedication to fighting for every family in Hempstead.”
The Republicans focused on Ferretti’s two local landmark laws, Fairness for Women and Girls in Sports and the Mask Transparency Act.
“Nassau Legislator John Ferretti has distinguished himself as a county legislator, holding the line on taxes every year and even reducing the tax burden for Nassau homeowners,” Cairo said.
Scianablo’s campaign aims to focus on lifting up working families. “I’ve never backed down from a fight — and I won’t back down from the fight for the people of Hempstead,” he said in the release. “This town deserves a leader who shows up, stands tall, and delivers real results. That’s exactly what I intend to do.”
By Anna Graci
Herald Community Media and RichnerLIVE successfully launched the first event in the 2025 Senior Health & Beyond Expo series, presented by Nassau University Medical Center, on Friday, April 4, at the East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center in East Meadow. This free community event drew hundreds of attendees, including seniors, families, and caregivers, eager to learn about the latest in wellness, lifestyle enhancements, and essential health resources.
The expo featured a vibrant lineup of educational vendors and interactive activities, ensuring that attendees were both entertained and informed. “It was an incredible turnout,” said Amy Amato, executive director of corporate relations and events at RichnerLIVE.
A key highlight of the day was the “Stop the Bleed” training session led by Nassau University Medical Center’s Sloan Yoselowitz, DPT, CSCS, the hospital’s director of community outreach. This national campaign teaches people how to control severe bleeding in emergency situations before medical help arrives. The presentation emphasized the importance of immediate action in improving survival rates.
The crowd also enjoyed a dose of humor during a comedy show featuring comedian Larry Izzo.
Attendees were given complimentary swag bags sponsored by Silver Lining Homecare. A 10-minute guided exercise session by Excel Homecare Inc. helped get audience members’ blood pumping, while SightGrowth Partners offered eye test screenings.
Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Nassau University Medical Center, and our program sponsors — PSEG Long Island, Parker Jewish Institute Health Care and Rehabilitation, Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the NYS Department of Public Service Long Island, and the Sid Jacobson JCC — for their vital support.
Please visit our website to view our photo gallery from April 4: www.richnerlive.com/seniorexpo/2025senior-health-beyond-expo-of-long-island-photo-gallery.
Join us for the next Herald Senior Health & Beyond Expo for 2025, which will be held on May 22 at the Massapequa Elks Lodge #2162 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For a full list of Expos, go to liherald.com.
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Faculty tensions at Nassau Community College escalated last week after Chief Administrative Officer Maria Conzatti announced that she would not submit faculty names for tenure, promotion or sabbatical to the college’s board of trustees until a new contract agreement is reached — despite the fact that the current contract is in effect until Aug. 31.
The announcement, made at the April 3 general faculty meeting, drew sharp criticism from the Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers. Union leaders claim the decision circumvents provisions of the existing collective bargaining agreement, particularly those related to faculty advancement during the final year of a signed contract.
“Our faculty was absolutely stunned to learn that NCC has unilaterally chosen to deny these standard promotions, sabbaticals and tenure positions to our hardworking professors,” David Stern, the acting NCCFT president, said. “This is truly unprecedented, and demonstrates why NCC and the board of trustees are losing confidence and enrollment while slashing programs and mismanaging our finances.”
Jessica Harris, attorney for the union, said that the administration is legally obligated to follow the recommendations of committees, composed of faculty members and an administrator, that approve faculty members’ advancement and sabbaticals.
“NCC administrators have no legal basis to refuse to
ees of the committees’ recommendations, in flagrant disregard of the CBA, we will explore all legal options.”
Speaking on behalf of the administration, Jerry Kornbluth, vice president of the Office of Community and Governmental Relations, pushed back against the union’s claims. He said the accusation that the administration is violating the collective bargaining agreement is a “false narrative,” emphasizing that the college is operating under the current 2021–25 contract.
According to Kornbluth, union representatives have not responded to invitations to begin discussions of the 2025–26 contract. He also noted that faculty members must meet “certain standards,” depending on the promotion they are seeking, with evaluations
conducted by the committees. Once approved, nominations are forwarded to the president.
“Until there is a conversation about the contract for 2025–26, those promotions, sabbaticals and tenure don’t take effect until the fall of 2025 — under the new contract,” Kornbluth said. “The contract acts on Aug. 31; a new one, whether there is a negotiated one or not, kicks in on Sept. 1.”
Many faculty members have already completed the formal review process and received committee approval. The union accuses the administration of stalling contractual obligations and blocking professional advancement at a time when many professors face increased financial strain due to the rising cost of living.
Kornbluth said that when no formal contract is in place, the college operates under a memorandum of agreement signed by both the administration and the union. That agreement allows the president to move faculty nominations forward for board approval.
Stern said that 15 faculty members had been recommended by their respective committees. “There has been virtually no dialogue or willingness by Ms. Conzatti or her administration,” he said.
The faculty organized a gathering on April 8 in the CCB building. Organizers said the event aimed to draw public attention to the ongoing contract and personnel disputes.
“In all my years that I’ve been at the college — which is 50 — there has never been a time that somebody who is nominated for promotion, sabbatical or
There is a public health threat looming across the United States that’s not visible to most but affects nearly half of all Americans daily: loneliness. Social isolation is as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and is twice as harmful as obesity.
It’s always been an issue among the aging population, but it’s become even more prevalent as a silent epidemic during and in the years following the pandemic. Seniors can suffer from prolonged loneliness that can quickly manifest into more serious issues.
Worst of all, loneliness is a contributing factor in senior suicides, which are rising in the U.S. While it is not something people like to think about, now more than ever, Americans must remove the stigma around mental health and spread awareness to better combat loneliness.
Loneliness does not have to be synonymous with getting older or with aging in place. Make an effort keep loneliness and its negative health effects at bay.
Intervene early: Spotting loneliness in yourself or someone you love can be difficult. The most common physical and behavioral signs of loneliness include persistent sadness, impaired cognitive performance, lower self-esteem, or lack of motivation and energy. Early intervention can positively
Older and lonely A public health threat that’s not much talked about
affect one’s quality of life, so it’s important to address these symptoms as soon as possible before they become overwhelming.
Leverage technology: Technology can play a key role in reducing loneliness, ensuring seniors are always connected to loved ones and care teams who can monitor and
interact with them.
Over the last few years, older adults have made up the fastest growing segment of the online population. More and more people over the age of 60 are going online and connecting with the world. They are emailing, texting and even blogging, and it
is having a positive impact on their lives, allowing them to communicate with family more often, reconnect with old friends, keep up with community developments and stay connected with others who share similar interests. And since the start of the pandemic, zooming with loved ones and friends.
Phone applications also represent major advancements in technology that help both seniors and caregivers in a number of ways. With any basic smartphone, seniors can now keep track of things like whether or not they’ve taken their medication, monitor vital signs such as heart rate and respiration, as well as keep track of their location and help them navigate where they want to go.
Make a connection: Connecting with people, purpose and passions will help eliminate feelings of isolation. Consider organizing a reoccurring social gathering, such as a book club or a group fitness class. Explore local activities organized by your library or senior community center.
Too much time alone can be bad for your health. It’s important to stay active and connect with others. People who engage in meaningful, productive activities they enjoy with others feel a sense of purpose and tend to live longer.
While you are hopefully getting wiser as you get older, your immune system is weakening, increasing your risk for severe cases of vaccine-preventable illnesses such as influenza, COVID-19, pneumonia, or shingles.
These diseases can lead to extended hospitalization or even death. While vaccination does not guarantee you will not get sick, getting vaccinated almost certainly will make your illness less severe, especially for individuals 65 and above. The fix is an easy one: get vaccinated!
Approximately 25,000 to 50,000 U.S. adults aged 65 and older die every year from complications caused by vaccine-preventable viral illnesses. This is more than the deaths attributed to breast cancer, traffic accidents and HIV/AIDS combined. Many of those who died were unvaccinated. During your annual checkup, be sure to speak with your doctor and make sure you are up to date on all your vaccinations.
During the 2023-2024 flu season, adults 65 and older accounted for more than 50 percent of flu-related hospitalizations and 72 percent of flu-related deaths. Meanwhile, adults 65 and older accounted for approximately twothirds of all COVID-19-associated hospitalizations from October 2023 to April 2024, while those 75 and older accounted for approximately 50 percent of COVID-19 deaths. These data are especially compelling in older adults with underlying conditions such as heart or lung disease or diabetes.
As for measles, which is increasing in prevalence across the country, there have been four cases in New York State so far this year—one in Suffolk County and three in New York City. As of Thursday, March 13, of the 373 confirmed measles cases reported in the United States, 86 (21 percent) involved individuals above age 20, and 11 of those cases required hospitalization. Approximately 2 of every 1,000 adults who contract measles die.
Aaron E. Glatt, MD, Chair of the Department of Medicine and Chief of Infectious Diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau, says people born before 1957 are presumed to be immune and don’t require a MMR (mumps, measles, rubella) vaccination or testing to see if they are immune. However, if they know they are not immune because of work related testing or other reasons, vaccination might be appropriate. “People born during or after 1957 who are traveling to
a high-risk area who do not have evidence of immunity to measles (which can be determined by a blood test ordered by your physician to assess your antibody levels or vaccination status or by your immunization records) should get the vaccination,” Dr. Glatt added.
Infectious disease experts also recommend that people born after 1957 and vaccinated before 1968 consider getting a single additional vaccine dose, as the vaccine used from 1963 to 1967 has proven not to be as effective or long-lasting as the current MMR vaccine. When in doubt, ask your doctor! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that most people over age 65 get the following immunizations:
• Shingles vaccine: Shingles can be a very painful rash that can last for months. The CDC recommends the vaccine Shingrix for healthy adults aged 50 and older to prevent shingles.
• RSV vaccine: Respiratory syncytial virus infections are often mild but can be serious for older people, especially those above 75 and for those 60 and older with underlying
conditions such as heart or lung disease.
• Pneumococcal vaccine: Pneumococcal disease can include pneumonia, meningitis, and blood infections. There are several vaccines available, and you should discuss with your doctor which one is most appropriate for you, based on any prior pneumococcal vaccinations and your age. The current recommendation is for all people over 50 to receive a pneumococcal vaccine, as well as those 18 years and older with significant underlying medical conditions.
• Annual flu vaccine: It remains the very best way to protect yourself and others from the flu.
• Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, or whooping cough): Everyone needs to get the Tdap vaccine at least once. After getting a Tdap vaccine, get a Td vaccine every 10 years to protect against tetanus and diphtheria.
• COVID-19 vaccine: How often you should receive this vaccine to reduce your risk and others from getting severe COVID-19 will also vary greatly based upon your underlying health, age, and when your most
recent COVID-19 illness was. Discuss this with your doctor.
• Hepatitis B vaccine: The CDC recommends this for all adults ages 19 to 59 who do not have natural immunity to hepatitis B, and for adults 60 and older who have risk factors for hepatitis B. If you are 60 and older and don’t have known risk factors, it’s okay to get the hepatitis B vaccine if you want it.
If you’re not up to date on your vaccinations, Dr. Glatt says to see your physician to set up a schedule to get them. If you haven’t received the annual flu or COVID-19 vaccination, you can get one at the Vaxmobile, Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Community Education Health Screenings and Wellness outreach effort, which will be at the following senior centers:
April
• 4/24 – Nassau County Senior Services at St Anthonys Church, Oceanside, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• 4/29 – Freeport Library, Freeport, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
May
• 5/1 – Long Beach Library, Long Beach, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• 5/6 – Hispanic Brotherhood, Hempstead, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• 5/13 – Nassau County Senior Birthday Party at the Old Barn Bethpage, Restoration Village, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• 5/15 – Baldwin Library, Baldwin, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• 5/20 – Freeport Library, Freeport, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• 5/22 – Nassau County Senior Services at St Anthonys Church, Oceanside, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
For more information, call Mount Sinai South Nassau Community Education at (516) 377-5333 or send an email to vaxmobile@snch.org.
The new Fennessy Family Emergency Department at Mount Sinai South Nassau doubles the size of our previous emergency department, o ering 54 private exam rooms with clear lines of sight for physicians, nurses, and support sta . Our new emergency department also o ers a separate triage area, dedicated areas for children and behavioral health patients, and has been designed to reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes.
The Fennessy Family Emergency Department is located within the new Feil Family Pavilion, opening later this year, which will have 40 new critical care suites and nine new operating rooms, designed to support the most complex surgeries on the South Shore.
To learn more visit www.mountsinai.org/feilpavilion
Local filmmaker debuts ‘Godless’
By Iris Wiener
Filmmaker Michael Ricigliano writes what he knows, and there is nothing he knows better than Long Island. His roots are certainly evident through his creative vision in his latest feature, “Godless,” which is now streaming on multiple platforms.
Starring Harry Lennix (“The Blacklist”) and Ana Ortiz (“Ugly Betty”), “Godless” explores the turbulent intersection of faith and politics. Ricigliano makes his directing debut with the film after having turned heads as a playwright (“A Queen for a Day”) and screenwriter (“The Brooklyn Banker”). He shot it in Huntington and Great Neck, only a stone’s throw away from where he grew up in Garden City.
“I think that for any writer, your own personal experiences craft how you see the world,” he says. “Growing up on Long Island, meeting the many people and remembering conversations with them, plus the stories my family would tell me about how they grew up. It all affects my work.”
Ricigliano is easily able to draw from Long Island’s “flavor,” as he is firmly entrenched in numerous communities.
Ricigliano’s father moved to Uniondale from Brooklyn in the early 1940s, and stayed until 1985; at age 15, his family moved to Garden City. Ricigliano went to private schools in Uniondale and Old Westbury, then going to law school at Hofstra where he played lacrosse. For the past 20 years, Ricigliano and his family have resided in Locust Valley. He has never left Long Island!
It wasn’t until Ricigliano was 40 that he began to write; a real estate lawyer who counsels with Spano Abstract Service Corp. (“an incredibly supportive company”) he began writing on a whim when he realized that he had an idea for a short film based on stories he heard from his family when he was very young in Brooklyn. Despite never having taken a film class, his screenplay for “The Brooklyn Banker” was picked up by Federico Castaluccio (of “The Sopranos” fame), and made into a feature length film starring Paul Sorvino.
“Everything I write is based off of things that have happened in my life and that I have experienced in my Catholic upbringing,” he says of how he began working on “Godless,” which centers on a devout Catholic governor (Ortiz) who is excommunicated after signing a progressive bill into law. “Godless” is about the crisis of faith that she endures when her religious beliefs contrast with her ambitions.
“Canon law is something I have always been fascinated with,” says Ricigliano. “From there it merged into the process of an excommunication. I wanted to explore the political fallout of her getting excommunicated when she wants to become president, as well as what’s happening with the bishop (Lennix) who has gone to the next step because the church is very politically driven as well.”
Ricigliano’s mother first suggested that her son shoot his directorial debut at Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington.
“We had the ability to use the chapel and the church, the hallways, the high ceilings, the offices which were from a different era, the beautiful grounds. It was all there,” he says. “It was beautiful and magnificent.”
The number of ways in which Ricigliano is creative are endless. He is also an accomplished pop artist who has shown his work at galleries (one of his pieces adorns a set in “Godless”) and a musician. Some of his original songs can be heard in the film.
“I have a mantra: Create every day,” he says thoughtfully. “I try and do something every day and I look forward to it, whether it’s art, writing or playing guitar. Doing this has become ingrained in me. It’s a passion.”
Ricigliano’s next film is based on the play “The Court of Oyer and Terminer,” and is also set to star Lennix. The story is about a retired judge from Nassau County who lives in the city and has dementia. He hopes to shoot scenes in Manhasset and other nearby areas.
“Long Island is one of the greatest places to live on the planet,” he says excitedly as he looks to the future. “The nature, the history, the architecture, some of the court houses. The resources that we have and the people are magnificent. We worked with the Nassau County and the Suffolk County Film Commissions for ‘Godless’ and they were so helpful.”
Ricigliano hopes that “Godless,” which can be streamed on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Google Play, and Fandango, makes people want to talk.
“Any of the issues within can’t be one way or the other. People have certain beliefs that are instilled in them. In today’s society, a lot of times, people don’t want to listen. They just yell at each other. Hopefully this film will open up more of a dialogue. We’re all fallible. At the end of the day, the movie is about forgiveness and understanding. All I want is for people to walk out and say, ‘Okay. But I understand what the other person is saying.’”
Spring blooms with Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band. Before you know it, we’ll be back on the beach; meanwhile Jimmy Kenny and his band keep the vibe going with their “Ultimate Beach Party Tribute” to Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band. Parrotheads, No Shoes Nation and the Zamily: it’s 5 o’clock somewhere so let’s ‘raise ‘em up and sing along. The Long Island based band — guided by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals/acoustic guitar, with Linn DeMilta (aka Lovely Linn), lead and backing vocals, Luis Rios, lead guitar/backing vocals, Frank Stainkamp, keyboard/ backing vocals, Dan Prine, bass, and drummer Mike Vecchione, have been celebrating the beach country sounds for over a decade, Everyone has a great time grooving to their lively mix of their popular sing-along hits and feel good, easy living flair.
Saturday, April 19, 8 p.m. $35, $25, $20, $15. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, takes listeners on a thrilling ride with Contemporary Jazz Masterpieces. Hear fascinating new works composed and orchestrated by composers and Big Band leaders of today, including Miho Hazama, Darcy James Argue, Helen Sung, Jihye Lee. The concert also feature newly commissioned works by George DeLancey, Leo Steinriede, and Steven Feifke — that reflect the depth and breadth of the Big Band tradition. With music direction by Marsalis and Steven Feifke, expect an evening of fresh takes and exploratory sounds from the acclaimed orchestra. Feel the vibe of thrilling works that ignite the senses with spontaneity, virtuosity and an unwavering passion.
Thursday, April 24, 7:30 p.m. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Game time Play Mah Jongg and Canasta every Thursday at Congregation Beth Tikvah. Snacks and drinks are provided. $5 contribution.
•Where: 3710 Woodbine Ave., Wantagh
•Time: Ongoing Thursdays, noon–4 p.m.
•Contact: mahjonggCBT@ yahoo.com or (516) 785-2445
‘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.
•Where: Museum Row, Garden City.
•Time: Also April 19, April 23-24, times vary
•Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
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 Dr., Roslyn Harbor.
•Time: Ongoing
•Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org
Planting Fields Little Learners series continues with an Earth Day celebration. Families will enjoy a heartwarming fun-filled experience, with a reading of “Gifts from the Garbage Truck” by Andrew Larsen. Explore the importance of reusing, reducing, and recycling. With an Earthinspired craft project. For ages 2-5. Registration required.
•Where: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay.
•Time: 10-11 a.m.
•Contact: plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210
Drag out that neon once again and give your hair its best ‘80s ‘do. Those crazy days are back — as only Jessie’s Girl can pull off, on the Paramount stage. The band of NYC’s top rock/pop musicians and singers gets everyone into that “Back To The Eighties” vibe with the latest edition of their popular concert experience. With a lineup including four pop-rock vocalists dressing and performing as 80s icons, backed by a dynamic band, this is the definitive ‘80s experience. Throw on top of that: a load of super-fun choreography, audience participation, props, costumes bubbles, and confetti — and you have a party that audiences don’t want to leave. Tickets are $49.50, $37.50, $35, $25.
Easter Plant Sale
Seaford Fire Department hosts its annual Easter Plant Sale featuring a wide variety of plants and flowers available for purchase while supplies last. Come early for the best selection. Rain or shine.
•Where: Seaford Fire Department Headquarters, corner of Waverly and Southard Avenues
•Time: Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
•Contact: seafordfd.com
Converse, collaborate and create at Nassau County Museum of Art. Kids and their adult partners can talk about and make art together. Enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. Registration required.
•Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor.
•Time: noon-3 p.m.
•Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org
Russo Law Group
hosts an Earth Day Shred event to safely and securely dispose of sensitive documents. All shredding handled by Arrow Transfer & Storage. Attend Fraud Awareness workshops at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
•Where: 100 Quentin Roosevelt Blvd #102, Garden City; 250 Lido Blvd, Lido Beach.
• Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
•Contact: vjrussolaw.com
•Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
•Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
Parade
Nassau County Police Department 100th Anniversary
Celebrate 100 years of the Nassau County Police Department with a parade and block party on Sunday, April 27 featuring music, antique cars, horses, and more. Rain date is Sunday, May 4.
•Where: Parade steps off at Wantagh Avenue and Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh; block party on Railroad Avenue
•Time: Parade starts at 2 p.m., block party, 3-8 p.m.
•Contact: pdcn.org
Bingo at Temple B’Nai Torah Temple B’nai Torah hosts weekly bingo with prizes, progressive games, and refreshments.
•Where: 2900 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh
•Time: Ongoing Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.; Thursdays, 7:15–10 p.m.
•Contact: (516)221-2370
Walk like MADD Long Island Join Walk Like MADD Long Island to raise funds for 24/7 victim services and support efforts to end impaired driving. In addition to the walk, the event will feature a Community & Engagement Fair with live music, art activities, and a special Victim Tribute Area.
•Where: Northwell at Jones Beach Theater, 895 Bay Pkwy, Wantagh
• Time: 10 a.m.
•Contact: Register at walklikemadd.org/longisland
MAY
8
William Desroches Fundraiser
Support the fundraiser honoring William Desroches. With entertainment, raffles and auctions Proceeds will support a new soccer and lacrosse field at Forest Lake Elementary. Admission is $75; includes food, drinks, and an open bar for adults 21+.
•Where: Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall, 3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh
• Time: 6-10 p.m
• Contact: ticketbud.com
17
Kiwanis Club of Wantagh hosts its ninth annual Spring Festival. With featuring over 80 vendors, a food truck show, kids fun zone, and live music. Rain date is May 31.
•Where: Wantagh LIRR, between Beech Street and Oakland Avenue, Wantagh
• Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
•Contact: (516) 644-5615
The Seaford Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Spring Fling on Saturday, May 3, with live music, food trucks, shopping, and a kids fun zone. Rain date is May 17.
•Where: Seaford LIRR, 1933 Jackson Ave., Seaford
• Time: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
•Contact: (516) 644-5615 or visit lifairs.com
Having an event? Items on The Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.
April 17, 2025 —
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY.
L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. ROGER DENNIS CHAFFEE, et al, Defts. Index #612456/2022.
Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered June 12, 2023, I will sell at public auction on the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on May 5, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. prem. k/a Section 52, Block 302 Lot 743. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Foreclosure auction will be held “rain or shine.” If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the sale.
RICHARD L. FARLEY, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Drive, Great Neck, NY. #102203 152612
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING, ELECTION AND PERSONAL REGISTRATION, LEVITTOWN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Annual Meeting of the School District, the vote on the School District budget and election of candidates for the School Board of Levittown Union Free School District, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, and the vote on the Public Library budget and election of a candidate for the Board of Trustees for the Levittown Public Library, will be held in the several election districts of the School District at the voting places designated below on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 between the hours of 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM, to vote by ballot on voting machines on the proposition or propositions set forth below, as well as any other propositions which may properly come before the electorate, and to elect members of the Board of Education and to elect a member of the Library Board of Trustees. Shall the following resolutions be adopted:
PROPOSITION NO. 1 SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET
BE IT RESOLVED, that the School District budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026, as presented to the Board of Education, in the amount of $274,120,957 approved and the necessary taxes be levied therefore on the taxable real property of the district.
PROPOSITION NO. 2
EXPENDITURE OF THE 2023 CAPITAL RESERVE FUND AND UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE FOR SCHOOL BUILDING IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Levittown Union Free School District is hereby authorized to expend the following remaining balances of the District Reserve Funds listed below: 2023 Capital Reserve in the amount of $18,000,000 In addition the Board of Education is hereby authorized to expend up to the sum of $4,000,000 in unassigned fund balance, so that the total expenditure in an amount not to exceed $22,000,000 is hereby approved for purposes of performing school building improvement projects, including District-wide safety system upgrades, District-wide electrical system upgrades; District-wide roof reconditioning and replacement; Districtwide HVAC upgrades and replacements; District-wide interior and exterior masonry restoration; Districtwide asbestos abatement projects; District-wide athletic field renovations and tennis court lighting; District-wide roadway reconstruction and site improvements; Districtwide bathroom reconstruction; Districtwide instructional space renovations, and for any similar projects as contained in the District’s five year Capital Facilities Plan adopted by the Board of Education on March 19, 2025. Expenditures funded from the Capital Reserves and unassigned fund balance will not increase the tax levy.
PROPOSITION NO. 3
SALE OF SEAMANS NECK SCHOOL BUILDING
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Levittown Union Free School District (the “District”) is hereby authorized to sell the premises known as the Seaman’s Neck Road School, excluding the athletic fields which shall remain owned by the District, located at 1100 Crestline Place, Seaford, New York 11783, at a price of Seven Million Two Hundred Sixteen Thousand Dollars ($7,216,000) to Nassau BOCES, pursuant to the terms of a certain Contract of Sale dated as of February 25, 2025, which contract is available for review at the office of the District Clerk, 150 Abbey Lane, Levittown, New York 11756, and on the District’s website: www.levittownschools. com.
PROPOSITION NO. 4
AUTHORIZING TRANSPORTATION TO STUDENTS WITHIN THE CHILD SAFETY ZONE
Shall the Board of Education of the Levittown Union Free School District be authorized to provide transportation to those students attending District schools and residing in the Child Safety Zone established by the Board of Education, area bounded by the following: South of the Southern State Parkway, North of Jerusalem Avenue, West of Wantagh Avenue and East of Wantagh State Parkway; plus the area known as Lea Ann Terrace, and such transportation shall be provided by the District, starting in the 2025-2026 school year, for an estimated annual cost of $25,000.
PROPOSITION NO. 5
LIBRARY BUDGET RESOLVED, that the Public Library Budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026 proposed by the Library Board of Trustees of the Levittown Public Library heretofore filed pursuant to law shall be approved and the necessary taxes be levied therefore on the taxable real property of the district.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education and for the office of member of the Library Board of Trustees must be filed with the District Clerk between the hours of
8:00 AM and 1:00 PM but between the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. on April 21, 2025. Forms of the petitions may be obtained from the District Clerk.
The following vacancies are to be filled on the Board of Education: Two (2) members for the term of three (3) years, commencing July 1, 2025 and expiring June 30, 2028.
A separate petition is required to nominate a candidate for member of the Board of Education. The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected. Each petition must be directed to the District Clerk, must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District, or 2% of the voters who voted in the 2024 election, whichever is greater, and shall state the residence of each person who signed, must state the name and residence of the candidate and the length of the term of office. This year all nominating petitions must include 44 signatures.
The following vacancies are to be filled on the Library Board of Trustees: One (1) member for the term of five (5) years, commencing July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2030; one member for a term commending July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2028; and one member for a term commencing July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026.
A separate petition is required to nominate a candidate for member of the Library Board of Trustees. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to the term which ends June 30, 2030. The candidate receiving the second highest number of votes will be elected to the term which ends June 30, 2028. The candidate receiving the third highest number of votes will be elected to the term which ends June 30, 2026. Each petition must be directed to the District Clerk, must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District, or 2% of the voters who voted in the 2024 election for members of the Library Board of Trustees, whichever is greater, and shall state the residence of each
person who signed, must state the name and residence of the candidate and the length of the term of office. This year all nominating petitions must include 44 signatures.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that a statement of estimated expenses for the 2025-2026 school year will be presented at a Public Hearing on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 7:30 PM in the Board Meeting Room of the Levittown Memorial Education Center and copies of such statement, as well as the statement of the amount of money required for the 2025-2026 fiscal year of the Public Library, will be made available on the District’s website and at each schoolhouse and library in the District during the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM on each day other than a Saturday, Sunday or holiday during the fourteen (14) calendar days immediately preceding the election together with the text of any resolution which will be presented to the voters.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law, personal registration of voters is required and only those persons whose names appear on the register of the said school district, or who are registered pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law, shall be entitled to vote at said meeting and election.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that all qualified voters who have previously registered for any annual or special meeting or election and have voted at any annual or special election held or conducted at any time within four (4) calendar years prior to this year are not required to register with the Board of Registration for this meeting.
All other persons who wish to vote must register. A voter may register at the office of the District Clerk of the Levittown UFSD between the hours of 8:00 AM. and 1:00 PM on school days provided that such registration is effected no later than May 15, 2025.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that said
register will be filed in the office of the District Clerk and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District on each of the five (5) days prior to the day of the election, except Sunday, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM, on Monday through Friday by appointment on Saturday ( May 17, 2025), in the office of the District Clerk and at each voting place on the day of the election.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that absentee ballots for those eligible pursuant to the provision of Section 2018a of the Education Law are available, and that applications for absentee ballots may be applied for at the office of the District Clerk. A list of all persons to whom absentee ballots have been issued will be available in the office of the Clerk on each of the five (5) calendar days prior to the day of election except Sunday, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM on Monday through Friday and by appointment on Saturday (May 17, 2025), in the office of the District Clerk. Such application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) calendar days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter or by the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. No absentee voter’s ballot will be canvassed unless it has been received in the office of the District Clerk not later than 5:00 PM on the day of the election.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that pursuant to Section 2018-e of the Education Law, applications for early mail ballots may be obtained at the Office of the District Clerk of the School District, during all days in which the School District is in session. Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than April 21, 2025 and by May 13, 2025, if the early mail ballot is to be mailed to the voter. If the early mail ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter at the Office of the District Clerk the completed application must be received by the District Clerk no later than May 20, 2025. No early mail voter’s ballot
will be canvassed unless it has been received in the Office of the District Clerk of the School District no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 20, 2025. A list of all persons to whom early ballots have been issued will be available in the Office of the District Clerk’s office during office hours on and after May 14, 2025 until May 19, 2025, except on Saturday May 17, 2025, by prearranged appointment. A challenge to an early voting ballot may not be made on the basis that the voter should have applied for an absentee ballot.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that during the voting hours on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, between the hours of 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM, in the various election districts, the Board of Registration will meet to receive registrations for subsequent elections. During the hours of 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM on voting days, the District Clerk shall be in her office at the Levittown Memorial Education Center.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law requires the District to attach to its proposed budget an Exemption Report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how the total assessed value of the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted by statutory authority, and show the cumulative impact of each type of exemption, the cumulative amount expected to be received as payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) and the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. In addition, said exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on the District’s website.
FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Education Law §2018-d, Military Voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the District by submitting a Military Voter Registration
Application to the District Clerk, no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 24, 2025. A copy of the Military Voter Registration Application is available both by contacting the District Clerk by email at vesposito@levittownsc hools.com and online at the District’s website located at <http://www.levittown schools.com/>.
Military voters who are qualified voters of the District may submit an application for a military ballot. A Military Voter is entitled to designate a preference to receive a Military Voter Registration Application, Military Ballot Application or Military Ballot by mail, facsimile or electronic mail. Such designation will remain in effect until revoked or changed by the voter. If no preference is designated, the District will transmit the Military Voter Registration Application, Military Ballot Application or Military Ballot by mail. Military Voter Ballot Application forms must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 24, 2025. Military Ballots will not be canvassed unless they are received by the District Clerk on or before 5:00 p.m. on May 20, 2025.
SCHOOL ELECTION DISTRICTS:
The boundaries of the school election districts and the place of each election district for voting and registration shall be as follows:
ELECTION DISTRICT #1 - GARDINERS AVENUE SCHOOL
Beginning at Wantagh Parkway and Chase Lane; east on Chase Lane to Center Lane, thence south to Prairie Lane; thence east to Gardiners Avenue; thence south to Slate Lane; then east and north to Swan Lane; then east and north to Grey Lane; continuing east to Wantagh Avenue; thence south on Wantagh Avenue to Jerusalem Avenue; thence west to Oakfield Avenue; continuing north to Old Jerusalem Road; thence east on Old Jerusalem Road to Wantagh Parkway Line; north along Line to the point of beginning.
ELECTION DISTRICT #2 - EAST BROADWAY SCHOOL
Beginning at north side
of Southern State Parkway and east side of Wantagh Avenue; north on Wantagh to Miller Place; thence east to Exit Lane; thence south to Elm Drive; thence west to Elbow Lane; thence southwest to End Lane; south to End Lane and Elm Drive East to Pope Street; thence east to District Line; thence south to Regent Lane; thence east to Red Maple Drive; thence northeast, and south to Regal Lane; east on Regal Lane and Cordwood Lane to Arlington Drive; thence southeast to Town Line; thence south to Southern State Parkway; west along Parkway to point of beginning. Beginning at south side of Southern State Parkway and west side of Town Line; south on Town Line to Jerusalem Avenue; thence west to Wantagh Avenue; thence north to Southern State Parkway; thence east to point of beginning.
ELECTION DISTRICT #3
- LEVITTOWN
MEMORIAL
EDUCATION CENTER
Beginning at east side of Wantagh Parkway and south side of Hempstead Turnpike; east on Hempstead Turnpike to Silver Lane; thence south to Forge Lane; thence east to Cotton Lane; thence southeasterly to Wantagh Avenue; then south to Grey Lane; thence west to Swan Lane; then southwesterly to Slate Lane; then south to Gardiners Avenue, thence north to Prairie Lane; thence west to Center Lane; thence north to Chase Lane; thence west to Wantagh Parkway Line; north along Line to point of beginning.
ELECTION DISTRICT #4
- DIVISION AVENUE HIGH SCHOOL
Beginning at north side of Hempstead Turnpike and west side of Jerusalem Avenue; west on Hempstead Turnpike to District Boundary Line at Wantagh State Parkway; thence northeast to northerly border of School District; east on Boundary Line (Flamingo Rd., Magpie Lane, Blacksmith Rd) to Jerusalem Avenue; thence south to point of beginning.
Dated: Levittown, New York March 2025 BY ORDER
BOARD OF EDUCATION
LEVITTOWN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK 152588
PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES
To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE ELECCIÓN ANUAL DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR Y BIBLIOTECA DISTRITO ESCOLAR SEAFORD UNION FREE Y BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE SEAFORD, MUNICIPIO DE HEMPSTEAD POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que la votación sobre los gastos estimados para fines escolares y bibliotecarios para el Distrito Escolar Seaford Union Free (en adelante, el “Distrito Escolar”) y la Biblioteca Pública de Seaford (en adelante, la “Biblioteca Pública”), para el año escolar 2025/2026, la elección de los miembros de la Junta de Educación y la Junta de Fideicomisarios de la Biblioteca, la Propuesta No. 1 (Presupuesto escolar 2025/2026), la Propuesta nº 2 (Gasto de fondos de la reserva de capital 2018), la Propuesta nº 3 (Gasto de fondos de la reserva de capital 2024), y la Propuesta nº 4 (Presupuesto de la biblioteca pública 2025/2026), como se indica a continuación, se celebrarán el martes 20 de mayo de 2025 en cada uno de los distritos electorales escolares aquí establecidos:
PROPUESTA NO. 1
PRESUPUESTO ESCOLAR 2025/2026 SE RESUELVE, que la propuesta de Presupuesto 2025/2026 que prevé la asignación de los fondos necesarios para hacer frente a los gastos estimados del Distrito Escolar para el año fiscal que comienza el 1º de julio de 2025, tal como fue presentada por la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Seaford Union Free en Seaford, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York, en la Audiencia Pública, sea aprobada y la Junta de Educación sea autorizada a recaudar el impuesto necesario para ello.
PROPUESTA NO. 2
GASTOS DE FONDOS DE RESERVA DE CAPITAL 2018
SE RESUELVE, autorizar a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Seaford Union Free a gastar hasta
$1.000.000 del Fondo de Reserva de Capital establecido el 15 de mayo de 2018 con el propósito de realizar los siguientes proyectos: mejoras en la seguridad y protección en todo el distrito y modernización del ascensor de la Escuela Secundaria de Seaford, incluyendo todos los costos asociados de mano de obra, materiales, equipos, aparatos e incidentales relacionados.
PROPUESTA NO. 3
GASTO DE DINERO DEL FONDO DE RESERVA DE CAPITAL 2024
SE RESUELVE, autorizar a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Seaford Union Free a gastar hasta
$6.500.000 del Fondo de Reserva de Capital establecido el 21 de mayo de 2024 con el propósito de realizar los siguientes proyectos: (1) Reemplazo del techo en la Escuela Manor de Seaford; (2) Reemplazo del techo en la Escuela Harbor de Seaford; y (3) Trabajos en el sitio de la Escuela Secundaria de Seaford, trabajo de los cimientos y renovaciones del patio, incluyendo todos los costos relacionados con mano de obra, materiales, equipos, aparatos e incidentales.
PROPUESTA NO. 4
PRESUPUESTO DE LA BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA 2025/2026
SE RESUELVE que el presupuesto de la biblioteca para el año 2025-2026, por un monto de $2.627.022, propuesto por la Junta de Fideicomisarios de la Biblioteca Pública de Seaford, así como la recaudación de impuestos correspondiente por un monto de $2.411.009, conforme a lo dispuesto en la Ley de Educación, sean aprobados. La votación se llevará a cabo mediante boletas en máquinas de votación en los edificios escolares designados en cada uno de los distritos electorales previamente establecidos. Las urnas permanecerán abiertas desde las 7:00 a. m. hasta las 9:00 p. m., extendiéndose según sea necesario para permitir que todos los
votantes presentes emitan su voto.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que los electores han aprobado previamente una propuesta que establece que las vacantes en la Junta de Educación no se considerarán cargos específicos y que las peticiones de nominación no deberán referirse a una vacante específica en la Junta de Educación para la cual se postula un candidato.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que la elección de los miembros de la Junta de Educación se desarrollará conforme a lo siguiente: dos (2) miembros de la Junta de Educación serán elegidos para un mandato completo de tres (3) años, con inicio el 1º de julio de 2025.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que la elección para un (1) miembro de la Junta de Fideicomisarios de la Biblioteca Pública de Seaford se llevará a cabo como sigue: un (1) miembro será elegido para un mandato de cinco (5) años, con inicio el 1º de julio de 2025 y finalización el 30 de junio de 2030 (titular: Catherine DiPietro).
NOMINACIÓN DE CANDIDATOS: Los candidatos al cargo de miembro del Consejo de Educación serán nominados por petición. Cada petición de candidatos para el cargo de miembro del Consejo de Educación deberá dirigirse al Secretario del Distrito Escolar (“el Secretario del Distrito”), en la escuela Manor de Seaford, Washington Avenue, Seaford, Nueva York, deberá estar firmada por al menos treinta (30) votantes registrados del Distrito Escolar, deberá indicar la residencia de cada firmante y deberá indicar la residencia del candidato. Para nominar a un candidato a la Junta de la Biblioteca Pública, la petición debe estar firmada por al menos treinta (30) votantes registrados del Distrito Escolar. Las vacantes en la Junta de Fideicomisarios no se consideran cargos específicos separados; los candidatos se presentan en general. Las peticiones de nominación no describirán ninguna vacante específica de la Junta para la que se nomine al candidato. Cada petición deberá
presentarse en la Secretaría del Distrito entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m., y a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del 21 de abril de 2025.
DISTRITOS
ELECTORALES
ESCOLARES: Los límites de los siguientes
Distritos Electorales Escolares serán los determinados y publicados por el Consejo de Educación y el lugar en cada distrito electoral para el registro y la votación será el siguiente: a) PRIMER
DISTRITO ELECTORAL
ESCOLAR - Inscripción y votación en la escuela primaria Seaford Manor, Washington Avenue, Seaford, Nueva York. Los miembros de la comunidad que residan dentro de los límites geográficos de la Escuela Primaria Manor deberán emitir su voto en la Escuela Primaria Manor.
b) SEGUNDO
DISTRITO ELECTORAL
ESCOLAR - Votación en la Escuela Primaria Harbor de Seaford, Bayview Street, Seaford, Nueva York. Los miembros de la comunidad que residan dentro de los límites geográficos de la Escuela Primaria Harbor deberán emitir su voto en la Escuela Primaria Harbor. Los límites geográficos de estas zonas de asistencia se establecen en el mapa de transporte que se encuentra en la oficina del Superintendente Adjunto de Negocios y pueden revisarse previa solicitud.
REGISTRO PERSONAL DE VOTANTES
Todos los votantes registrados del Distrito Escolar deberán estar inscritos en los libros de Registro Escolar para poder votar en dichas elecciones de 2025/2026.
Las siguientes personas serán aptas para votar: Todas las personas que se hayan presentado personalmente para registrarse de conformidad con el presente documento y todas las personas que se hayan registrado previamente en virtud del presente documento para cualquier reunión o elección anual o extraordinaria y que hayan votado en cualquier reunión o elección anual o extraordinaria celebrada o llevada a cabo durante los cuatro años naturales
anteriores a 2025 (es decir, 2020-2024). Además, podrán votar todas las personas que estén registradas para votar de conformidad con las disposiciones de la sección trescientos cincuenta y dos de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York. El registro de votantes no registrados previamente y con derecho a voto continuará realizándose hasta el 13 de mayo de 2025, entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m. en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito. El Secretario del Distrito preparará el Registro del Distrito Escolar en las fechas y horas arriba especificadas, y cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre sea incluido en dicho Registro siempre que en ese momento tenga derecho a votar en la reunión o elección escolar para la que se prepare dicho registro. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS, que el Secretario del Distrito también estará presente durante la elección anual del Distrito Escolar y de la Biblioteca Pública en cada escuela donde se lleve a cabo la votación con el propósito de preparar un registro para las elecciones del Distrito Escolar y de la Biblioteca Pública que se lleven a cabo posteriormente. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que el Registro de Votantes así preparado como se menciona anteriormente se archivará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito una vez terminado, donde estará abierto para su inspección por cualquier votante calificado del Distrito Escolar, entre las horas de 9:00 a.m. y 3:30 p.m. y en cada uno de los cinco días anteriores a la fecha fijada para la elección, excepto el domingo, y también estará abierto para su inspección el sábado, previa cita. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que habrá una Audiencia Pública sobre el presupuesto propuesto del Distrito Escolar el miércoles 7 de mayo de 2025 a las 7:30 p.m. en el Auditorio de la Escuela Secundaria de Seaford, 1575 Seamans Neck Road, Seaford, Nueva York. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que la Junta de
Fideicomisarios de la Biblioteca celebrará una audiencia pública con el propósito de debatir el gasto de fondos y la presupuestación de los mismos para la Biblioteca Pública de Seaford para el año fiscal 2025-2026. Dicha audiencia se celebrará el lunes, 12 de mayo de 2025, a las 7:00 P.M. en la Biblioteca Pública de Seaford, Sala de Reuniones Valentine Meehan, 2234 Jackson Avenue, Seaford, Nueva York.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que las copias del presupuesto propuesto para el Distrito Escolar 2025/2026, según lo preparado por la Junta de Educación y el presupuesto de la Biblioteca Pública, estarán disponibles a petición de los contribuyentes y se podrán obtener en cualquier escuela del Distrito Escolar entre las 8:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m. todos los días que no sean sábado, domingo o festivo, y en la Biblioteca Pública de Seaford, Jackson Avenue, Seaford, Nueva York, entre las 10:00 a.m. y las 6:00 p.m. los lunes, martes, jueves y viernes, entre las 1:00 p.m. y las 6:00 p.m. los miércoles, y entre las 10:00 a.m. y las 5:00 p.m. los sábados, todos los días que no sean domingo o festivo, durante el período de catorce (14) días anterior a la reunión y elección anual.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que un Informe de Exención del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles, elaborado de conformidad con la Sección 495 de la Ley de Impuestos sobre Bienes Inmuebles, será anexado a cualquier presupuesto tentativo o preliminar, así como al presupuesto final aprobado, del cual formará parte. Dicho informe también será publicado en los tablones de anuncios del Distrito destinados a avisos públicos y en el sitio web del Distrito.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que las solicitudes de boletas de votación anticipada y por correo para la elección del distrito escolar y la biblioteca pública podrán presentarse en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, de lunes a viernes (excepto festivos), en horario de 9:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m. Las solicitudes deberán
presentarse con al menos siete días de antelación si la boleta debe enviarse por correo al votante y hasta el día previo a la elección si la boleta será entregada personalmente al votante o a su representante designado. El Secretario del Distrito enviará la boleta a la dirección indicada en la solicitud a más tardar seis (6) días antes de la votación. Ninguna boleta de votación anticipada o por correo será contabilizada a menos que sea recibida en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito antes de las 5:00 p. m. del día de la elección. Una lista de todas las personas a quienes se les hayan expedido boletas estará disponible en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, de lunes a viernes (excepto festivos), en horario de 9:00 a. m. a 3:30 p. m., hasta el día de la elección.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS QUE LOS VOTANTES MILITARES QUE NO ESTÉN REGISTRADOS ACTUALMENTE PUEDEN SOLICITAR REGISTRARSE COMO VOTANTES CALIFICADOS DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR. Los votantes militares que cumplan con los requisitos para votar en el distrito escolar pueden presentar una solicitud de papeleta militar. Los votantes militares pueden designar una preferencia para recibir un registro de votante militar, una solicitud de papeleta militar o una papeleta militar por correo, transmisión por fax o correo electrónico en su solicitud de dicho registro, solicitud de papeleta o papeleta. Los formularios de registro de votantes militares y los formularios de solicitud de papeleta electoral militar deben recibirse en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito no más tarde de las 5:00 p.m. del 24 de abril de 2025. No se escrutará ninguna papeleta militar a menos que (1) se reciba en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el día de las elecciones y muestre una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o muestre un endoso fechado de
17,
recepción por otra agencia del gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o (2) se reciba en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del día de la elección y firmada y fechada por el votante militar y un testigo de la misma, con una fecha que se asocia que no es posterior al día anterior a la elección.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS de que la Junta de Educación convocará una reunión especial dentro de las veinticuatro horas posteriores a la entrega al Secretario del Distrito del informe escrito con los resultados de la votación. El propósito de dicha reunión será examinar, tabular y oficializar los resultados electorales. Por medio del presente aviso, la Junta de Educación se designa a sí misma como el cuerpo encargado de la emisión y escrutinio de los votos, en conformidad con lo establecido en la Sección 2019-a, subdivisión 2(b), de la Ley de Educación, en la mencionada reunión especial.
Fechada: 3 de abril de 2025 Por orden del Consejo de Educación Distrito escolar de Seaford Union Free Ciudad de Hempstead, condado de Nassau, Nueva York Carmen T. Ouellette Secretaria de distrito 152442
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ANNUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT AND LIBRARY ELECTION
SEAFORD UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND SEAFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that voting upon the estimated expenses for school and library purposes for the Seaford Union Free School District (the “School District”) and the Seaford Public Library (the “Public Library”), for the school year 2025/2026, the election of members of the Board of Education and Library Board of Trustees, Proposition No. 1 (School Budget 2025/2026), Proposition No. 2 (Expenditure of Money from Capital Reserve Fund 2018), Proposition No. 3 (Expenditure of Money from Capital Reserve Fund 2024), and Proposition No. 4 (Public Library Budget
2025/2026), as follows, will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in each of the school election districts heretofore established:
PROPOSITION NO. 1
SCHOOL BUDGET 2025/2026
RESOLVED, that the proposed 2025/2026 Budget providing for the appropriation of the necessary funds to meet the estimated expenditures of the School District for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, as presented by the Board of Education of the Seaford Union Free School District at Seaford, Nassau County, New York, at the Public Hearing, be approved and the Board of Education be authorized to levy the necessary tax therefor.
PROPOSITION NO. 2
EXPENDITURE OF MONEY FROM CAPITAL RESERVE FUND 2018
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Seaford Union Free School District be authorized to expend up to $1,000,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund established on May 15, 2018 for the purpose of performing the following projects:
District-wide Safety and Security Upgrades and Seaford High School Elevator Upgrades, all of the foregoing to include all labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental costs related thereto.
PROPOSITION NO. 3
EXPENDITURE OF MONEY FROM CAPITAL RESERVE FUND 2024
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Seaford Union Free School District be authorized to expend up to $6,500,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund established on May 21, 2024 for the purpose of performing the following projects:
(1) Roof Replacement at Seaford Manor School; (2) Roof Replacement at Seaford Harbor School; and (3) Seaford High School Sitework, Foundation work and Courtyard Renovations, all of the foregoing to include all labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental costs related thereto.
PROPOSITION NO. 4
PUBLIC LIBRARY
BUDGET 2025/2026
RESOLVED, that the library budget in the amount of $2,627,022 for the year 20252026 proposed by the Board of Trustees of the Seaford Public Library and the levy of
a tax therefor in the amount of $2,411,009 in accordance with the Education Law shall be approved.
VOTING will be by ballot on voting machines in the schoolhouses designated in each of the separate school election districts heretofore established and the polls will remain open from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., and as much longer as may be necessary for all voters then present to cast their votes.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the electors have previously adopted a proposition providing that vacancies upon the Board of Education shall not be considered separate specific offices and that the nominating petitions shall not describe any specific vacancy upon the Board of Education for which the candidate is nominated.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the election of members of the Board of Education shall be as follows: Two (2) members of the Board of Education each for a full term of three (3) years, commencing July 1, 2025.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER
NOTICE that the election for one (1) member of the Board of Trustees of the Seaford Public Library shall be as follows: One member for a five (5) year term commencing July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2030 (incumbent Catherine DiPietro).
NOMINATIONS OF CANDIDATES: Candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education shall be nominated by petition. Each petition for candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education shall be directed to the Clerk of the School District (“the District Clerk”), in the Seaford Manor School, Washington Avenue, Seaford, New York, shall be signed by at least thirty (30) qualified voters of the School District, shall state the residence of each signer, and shall state the residence of the candidate. To nominate a candidate for the Public Library Board, the petition must be signed by at least thirty (30) qualified voters of the School District. Vacancies on the Board of Trustees are not considered separate specific offices; candidates run at large. Nominating petitions shall not describe any
specific vacancy upon the Board for which the candidate is nominated. Each petition shall be filed in the District Clerk’s Office between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and by not later than 5:00 p.m. on April 21, 2025.
SCHOOL ELECTION DISTRICTS: The boundaries of the following School Election District shall be as heretofore determined and published by the Board of Education and the place in each election district for registration and voting shall be as follows:
a) FIRST SCHOOL ELECTION DISTRICTRegistration and voting at the Seaford Manor School, Washington Avenue, Seaford, New York. Community members who reside within the geographic boundaries of the Manor Elementary School shall be required to cast their ballots at the Manor Elementary School.
b) SECOND SCHOOL ELECTION DISTRICT - Voting at the Seaford Harbor School, Bayview Street, Seaford, New York. Community members who reside within the geographic boundaries of the Harbor Elementary School shall be required to cast their ballots at the Harbor Elementary School.
The geographic boundaries for these attendance zones are set forth on the transportation map contained within the office of the Assistant Superintendent for Business and may be reviewed upon request.
PERSONAL
REGISTRATION OF VOTERS
All qualified voters of the School District must be registered in the School Registration books in order to vote at such election on 2025/2026. The following persons shall be eligible to vote: All persons who shall have presented themselves personally for registration in accordance herewith and all persons who shall have previously registered hereunder for any annual or special meeting or election and who shall have voted at any annual or special meeting or election held or conducted during the four calendar years prior to 2025 (i.e., 2020-2024). In addition, all persons who are registered to vote pursuant to the
provisions of section three hundred fifty-two of the Election Law of the State of New York shall be eligible to vote. Registration of voters not previously registered and eligible to vote shall continue to take place until May 13, 2025, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. in the District Clerk’s office.
The District Clerk shall prepare the Register of the School District on the dates and times above specified, and any person shall be entitled to have his/ her name placed upon such Register provided that at that time, he/ she is then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school meeting or election for which such register is prepared.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that the District Clerk shall also be present during the annual School District and Public Library election at each schoolhouse where voting shall take place for the purpose of preparing a register for School District and Public Library elections held subsequent thereto.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Register of Voters so prepared as aforesaid shall be filed in the District Clerk’s Office upon its completion where it shall be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the School District, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and on each of the five days prior to the date set for the election except for Sunday, and it shall also be open for inspection on Saturday, by appointment.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that there will be a Public Hearing on the proposed School District budget on Wednesday May 7, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in the Seaford High School Auditorium, 1575 Seamans Neck Road, Seaford, New York.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER
NOTICE that a public hearing will be held by the Board of Trustees of the Library, for the purpose of discussion of the expenditure of funds and the budgeting thereof for the Seaford Public Library for the fiscal year 2025-2026. Said hearing will be held on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 7:00 P.M. in the Seaford Public Library, Valentine Meehan Meeting Room, 2234 Jackson Avenue, Seaford, New York.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that copies of the proposed 2025/2026 School District budget, as prepared by the Board of Education and the Public Library budget, will be available on request to the taxpayers and be obtained at any school house in the School District between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on each day other than a Saturday or Sunday or holiday and at the Seaford Public Library, Jackson Avenue, Seaford, New York, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, and 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, on each day other than a Sunday or holiday, during the fourteen (14) day period preceding the annual meeting and election.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a Real Property Tax Exemption Report prepared in accordance with Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law will be annexed to any tentative/preliminary budget as well as the final adopted budget of which it will form a part; and shall be posted on District bulletin board(s) maintained for public notices; as well as on the District’s website.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE Application for absentee and early mail ballots for the school district and public library election may be made at
the District Clerk’s office on Mondays through Fridays, excluding holidays, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Applications for absentee or early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than thirty (30) days before the election. Furthermore, such application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or his/her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely request for a mailed absentee or early mail ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application by no later than six (6) days before the vote. No absentee or early mail voter’s ballot will be canvassed unless it has been received in the office of the District Clerk not later than 5:00 P.M. (prevailing time) on the day of the election. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots shall have been issued will be available in the District Clerk’s office on Mondays through Fridays, excluding holidays between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., until the day of election.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district. Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district may submit an application for a military ballot. Military voters may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail in their request for such registration, ballot application or ballot. Military voter
registration forms and military ballot application forms must be received in the Office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 24, 2025. No military ballot will be canvassed unless it is (1) received in the Office of the District Clerk before the close of the polls on election day and showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States government; or (2) received by the Office of the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m. on election day and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is associated to be not later than the day before the election.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Board of Education shall convene a special meeting thereof within twenty-four hours after the filing with the District Clerk of a written report of the results of the ballot for the purpose of examining and tabulating said reports of the results of the ballot and declaring the result of the ballot. The Board of Education hereby designates itself to be a set of poll clerks to cast and canvass ballots pursuant to Education Law, Section 2019-a subdivision 2(b) at said special meeting of the Board.
Dated: April 3, 2025 By Order of the Board of Education Seaford Union Free School District Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York Carmen T. Ouellette District Clerk 152440
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Q. We’re planning to replace our old windows, and are doing research online to make sure we make the right decision. I saw that there’s an option for “triple pane” windows instead of double panes. It appears to be much more money, but the writer of one article says it’s well worth it. Are you familiar with triple panes, do we need permits to change our windows and is it worth the expense? We’ve lived in our current home for five years and plan to be here for the rest of our lives, hopefully a long time, while we raise our family. What do you think?
A. I could simply say that you get what you pay for, but I’m certain you need more of an explanation, since you’ve taken the time to investigate and educate yourself. In your investigation, I’m sure you saw engineering data, lots of comparative numbers and U-values, the rating acronym for glass unit values. The lower the U-value, the better the insulating value of the glass.
Because the majority of heat or cool transmission or loss of energy is through the windows, while the walls, floor and roof are more insulated, it’s most important to do something to prevent losing all that energy you’re paying to create. Whether it’s your air conditioning or your heat, the outside of your house, referred to simply as the “envelope,” is of critical importance to insulate, especially with ever-rising energy prices. While most building departments don’t require a permit for changing out the windows “in kind,” meaning in the same size and location, some will require a permit for any little thing, like sanding your floors or adding closets, and I’m not kidding, so it’s best to check their rules online, or call your local building department directly.
Another thing to be aware of is that changing windows can trigger fire safety escape rules, referred to as egress windows, and most up-anddown, or double-hung colonial windows don’t meet the requirement if you don’t have at least one window in every habitable room with a size of 5.7 square feet. The window must have a clear escape opening of 20 inches in width and a minimum height of clear opening of 24 inches. Remember that a large fire rescuer must be able to save you.
Triple pane is a great value, because you’re always losing costly energy, so the return on investment, especially if this is your long-term home, makes it well worth it. Windows lose the most energy at the edges, so the type of gasket joining the windows to the frame is critical. The most effective frames have insulation blocking, not just a thermal break in the frame. A thermal break is usually a thin gasket between the outside and inside frames. Adding insulation, instead of leaving open air spaces in the frame, saves more energy, so it’s important to look for.
© 2025 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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The Major League Baseball season is well underway. It’s been three weeks since the first pitch was thrown amid all the festivities of Opening Day. As a Brooklyn Dodgers fan since my youth, until they were hijacked from us to Los Angeles, and as a Mets fan since their creation in 1962, baseball has always been a major part of my life.
Love of the game was imparted to me by my father, and it’s something I share with my son and grandson. Whether it’s watching a Mets, Yankees or Long Island Ducks game or going to a local Little League game in Wantagh or Seaford, baseball definitely transcends generations.
What made this year’s Mets opening day more meaningful to me was the tribute to Mets legend Ed Kranepool, who died last year. To honor him, Mets players will wear a patch on their uniform sleeve emblazoned with his number 7 all season.
Kranepool was more than a guy who happened to play for the Mets. In so
many ways, he personified what New York baseball was all about. He was the real Mr. Met. Born and raised in the Bronx, he was signed by the Mets when he graduated from high school in 1962, and at age 17 actually played for them in their first season.
iKranepool went on to play 18 seasons, appearing in more games than anyone in Mets history. His career included the peaks and valleys of Mets history. In the team’s first seven years, they didn’t have one winning season. Their horrific 1962 campaign, when they set the major league record for most losses, prompted Jimmy Breslin’s famous book “Can’t Anybody Here Play This Game?”
n so many ways, he personified what New York baseball was all about.
But then, in 1969, the “Miracle Mets” shocked the baseball world by winning the World Series. Kranepool, who had suffered and persevered through the dark days, was not only playing on a championship team, but smashed a key home run off the Baltimore Orioles in Game 3 of the Series. And in 1973 he was the team captain when the Mets won the National league championship and, in the World Series, took the mighty Oakland A’s to seven games. Throughout his career, Kranepool
remained a New Yorker, living in Nassau and Suffolk counties and opening a celebrated restaurant, the Dugout, in Amityville. He was also a fixture at countless Little League, charity and community events all over Long Island, and hosted batting and fielding clinics for kids.
Through the rest of his life after he retired from baseball, Kranepool suffered from diabetes and kidney disease, which progressively worsened, necessitating a toe amputation. Never once, though, did I hear him complain or bemoan his fate. After several false starts, he underwent a successful kidney transplant in 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Mets’ miracle season.
Though I was a fan of his from day one, I got to know Kranepool about 10 years ago. He was always a great guy to be with, whether at sports events or at lunch with friends. I particularly looked forward to and always enjoyed lunches with Ed, his Mets teammate Art Shamsky and former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Fred Cambria.
It was a terrific experience just to sit and listen to their stories. What struck me the most was that none of them talk-
ed about their own heroics. It was always the other guy. So very different from so many of today’s ego-driven athletes. And I’ll always remember that Kranepool was one of the very first to call me after I had successfully stomach cancer surgery two years ago.
He died last September, from cardiac arrest apparently brought on by the years of diabetes and kidney disease that preceded the kidney transplant. His death was mourned by generations of New York baseball fans.
I focus on Kranepool here because he personified, for me, what baseball in particular and sports in general should be all about, and how they can be lessons for life. Give it your best shot in good times and bad. Don’t panic or complain when life takes a bad turn, or be arrogant when things break your way and you’re on top of the heap.
I think those lessons are especially relevant today, when too many parents put too much pressure on kids to win, forgetting the admonition that it’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game. If you play hard and give it your best shot, you’ll be a winner in life, no matter what the scoreboard says.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Words, words and more words. Everything we do every day is connected to the use of words and their meaning. Shakespeare’s Hamlet spends a lot of time complaining about words. In “My Fair Lady,” Eliza Doolittle expresses her frustration with excess talking and her desire for action.
I relate the use of words to the political arena, where I spent a great deal of my life. In our history books, public officials gain notoriety by using memorable words.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt soothed a fearful nation with promises that America would go to war and win it. Great Britain’s prime minister, Winston Churchill, lacking enough troops and ammunition, uplifted his nation with his brilliant use of words. If I asked you to remember some of the greatest words from President Ronald Reagan, you might say, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” President
Bill Clinton was believable when he told the voters that he felt their pain. President Barack Obama was elected on the promise of change.
President Trump has used the word “tariff” with enormous frequency, but after major drops in the markets, even he may temporarily realize that the word is toxic.
TThis month’s economic crisis is a good example of how politicians fail to talk to the average consumer in simple terms. When the stock market takes a dramatic plunge, stockholders and pensioners get nervous about their long-term economic fate. Over the past few weeks, there wasn’t one person who consistently crafted a message that could soothe the millions of people who were on edge.
but he may not be the right person to talk to the American public, because he is known to change his mind often, and has already said so.
Most people don’t understand how pure partisan politics emerges when there are complex fiscal headaches and multiple talking heads.
he Wall Street crisis may be on hold, but does the White House have a plan?
An example of the confusion is the back-and-forth between Elon Musk and Peter Navarro, the president’s voice on tariffs. Recently Musk referred to Navarro as being “dumber than a sack of bricks.” Navarro referred to Musk as a “car assembler.” If these two people are supposed to be the economic face of the administration, which one should the public trust?
To add to the boiling pot, there’s Vice President J.D. Vance, who has found ways to throw dynamite into a Washington crowd. While his boss is trying to find a working strategy against Chinese tariffs, Vance, who comes from so-called hillbilly country, said, “We borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture.” China is our Number 2 lender. With all these crazy intra-party fights going on, one would think the Democrats would be delighting in the bloodbath. Instead, they seem to be suffering from some kind of vocal paralysis, and are unable to find a few key players to articulate the case that the MAGA party is floundering. The United States is currently in a state of total confusion, thanks to the confusing words coming from the Republicans and the silence of the Democratic lambs.
The Wall Street crisis may be on hold, but there are no assurances that the White House has a real long-term plan. One of the underlying problems right now is that there are no assurances that anyone will emerge who will be a credible voice, able to keep the nation calm. The president has promised to negotiate with multiple nations on trade issues,
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is widely respected on Wall Street, but at the height of last week’s turmoil in the markets he was telling us that “things are going to be just fine.”
This should be alarming to all Americans, because it appears there’s no one person who is capable of uttering the words that investors need to keep their collective blood pressure under control.
For now, we’ll have to hope that the country doesn’t free-fall into a recession. We could use a few words from somebody out there who’s never heard of Pinocchio.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.
Established
april 22 might not jump out on your calendar like a holiday or a long weekend, but maybe it should. On Earth Day, which has been around for over 50 years, we are urged us to pay attention to the natural world — the land we walk around on, the air we breathe, the oceans that surround us and the future we’re shaping.
And let’s be honest: The future of our environment is looking a little shaky right now.
Extreme weather, rising sea levels, shrinking green spaces — even here in our own communities, we’re feeling the effects. Unseasonal heat waves, water restrictions, and poor air quality brought on by summer wildfires aren’t some abstract global issue. They’re right here at home.
Long Island has at times been a case study of why Earth Day is important.
After Hurricane Sandy, many residents whose homes were flooded had to rebuild, and they aimed to mitigate future damage by raising their homes and, where possible, strengthening bulkheading. Some built seawalls, and in some cases municipalities rebuilt roadways to reduce the impact of flooding.
To the Editor:
Despite the evidence that the earth’s climates are changing, however, Earth Day too often comes and goes without much more than a passing mention. That needs to change, because the day isn’t just about planting trees or switching off the lights for an hour. It’s about recognizing the power of collective local action — and that starts with us.
That’s why this Earth Day, we encourage everyone in our communities to show up and get involved. There are countless ways to make a difference, and many of them are happening right in your backyard.
There is an event focused on recycling in Long Beach on April 26, and a celebration of tree planting in Amityville that same day. And there will be a number of beach cleanups, including one in Atlantic Beach on April 27. Last weekend in Lakeview, more than 50 people planted flowers at the train station and collected litter in the business district.
Join a community cleanup at a park or along a river trail. Volunteer with a local conservation group. Support farmers markets and businesses that use sustainable practices. Start a compost bin. Cut back on single-use plastics. Attend a
town council meeting and ask about green initiatives. Plant something — even if it’s just one flower or herb on your windowsill.
The point isn’t to do it all. It’s to do something.
And when a bunch of people do something together, momentum builds. The ripple effect is real. Small acts pile up into cultural shifts. And when those shifts start to take root in towns like ours, they grow into the kind of broad environmental awareness that leads to lasting policy, cleaner spaces and stronger communities.
Let’s move past the idea that one person can’t make a difference. You can. You do. And when you team up with a few friends, a group, or a neighborhood? That’s how change begins.
So don’t let Earth Day pass by like just another date on the calendar. Take a moment to step outside and look around. And then, do one thing for the Earth. Just one.
Because the more we treat this planet like it matters, the more likely we can preserve everything about it that we know and love. Next Tuesday, let’s do more than acknowledge Earth Day. Let’s take it personally.
In her letter in last week’s issue, “Why so much opposition to the president?” Pat King asked a question that demands a response. “Can judges overrule the president of the United States?”
The answer, of course, is not only yes, but it’s their responsibility to do so when the president goes beyond the scope of the law. The day judges can no longer do that, or choose not to, is the day democracy ends. Hundreds of our judges are now being threatened with harm to themselves and their families for upholding their oaths to defend the constitutional requirement to check presidential and legislative power.
What follows the rule of law is the rule of predation and fear, and that’s why there is so much opposition to this would-be tyrant.
BrIAN KELLY Rockville Centre
To the Editor:
Former U.S. rep. Anthony D’Esposito seems hellbent on bringing the Town of Hempstead’s hiring practices to Washington, whether it’s in Congress or as inspector general in the Department of Labor. Hemp-
stead is notorious for wasting tax dollars on high-salaried political appointments. So of course, former Councilman D’Esposito thought nothing of hiring his mistress and his fiancée’s daughter to work for him in Congress, which, unlike the town, has actual labor laws against such practices.
Given the qualifications of all of President Trump’s appointees, however,
appointing someone who openly violated labor laws to the position of inspector general overseeing the Labor Department shouldn’t surprise anyone. And there is no expectation that D’Esposito will investigate waste and abuse in the department. Not surprisingly, it didn’t take long for D’Esposito to confirm his reputation for labor law abuse. He approved
spring is here, which also means it’s school budget time. School spending plans will be decided on May 20. Now is the time for everyone to take part in what is one of the most local ways to exercise civic responsibility. Not only is a school budget vote as local as it gets, but its impact is also important for everyone in the community.
Did you know that district administrators begin the following year’s budget process at the start of the school year? In October we begin to build our budgets, anticipating what the future may hold. What will enrollment look like? What will the economy look like? What will state aid revenue be? What do families want for their students? How is our infrastructure holding up? These are just a handful of the many questions we ask as we work to ensure our students’ future success while remaining fiscally responsible to the community.
The largest portion of any school budget is directly related to student
instruction. Seventy to 80 percent of the budget represents the program component, or the salaries and benefits for teachers and staff that serve students each day. School districts should provide a competitive wage to all employees so they can afford to live in the local communities near where they work. This is essential for recruiting and retaining the best employees for our children so that students can succeed now and into the future.
FRoughly 10 percent of the budget is the administrative component, for the general operation and management of the school district. The remaining 10 to 15 percent is the capital component, for transportation and facilities costs.
ings, floors, lighting, ADA compliance and masonry maintenance, to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment.
Lastly, the spending plan will inform us about what is new and innovative. New playgrounds, outdoor learning spaces, classroom redesign, and the latest technological improvements may all be part of the budget.
ind out what’s in your district’s spending plan and be an informed voter.
Did you know that public school district budgets include funding for private and charter schools? Students whose families choose to send them to private schools have a personal stake in the publicschool budget process. The costs of transportation, textbooks and nursing services are all covered by publicschool budgets.
ership affordable in New York. School districts must aim to craft their budgets as closely as possible to what they anticipate their expenditures will be. While employee raises, instructional enhancements and capital projects are important, so is balancing affordability for taxpayers. The tax levy is an important indicator of a balanced and fiscally responsible spending plan that keeps a district moving forward without unnecessarily burdening taxpayers.
Families with school-age children have the most direct stake in the school budget process. The spending plan will outline what class sizes are projected to be. It will indicate what services, and how many, will be available in schools — special education, reading and math, multilingual learner, and mental health support. Sports, music, art, library, clubs, assemblies, and field trips are all funded in the budget, as are necessary capital improvements — new roofs, ceil-
giving the deputy secretary of labor, the man tasked with cutting federal funds to local libraries and museums, 24-hour security detail.
Despite the White House’s claims to the contrary, government spending since Trump’s inauguration is $154 billion more than during the same period last year. Between Trump’s golf days, which have cost taxpayers roughly $30 million since January, and D’Esposito approving unwarranted $2 million security details, the waste and abuse committed by the Trump administration, while taking a chainsaw to agencies that provide critical services, is unconscionable.
This cavalier attitude that our tax dollars are theirs for the taking must stop in Washington, and in Nassau County.
CLAuDIA BORECkY President, Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club
To the Editor:
The big things in the Trump administration are so appalling that it’s hard to wrap your mind around them. The little things sometimes fall through the cracks. For example, a friend noted the
frequency of the alliterative “trust in Trump” phrase the White House press secretary keeps slipping into press conferences.
Or the fact that the president of the united States called his own people “yippy” for gasping in horror as their savings plummeted — not to mention watching him manipulate the stock market like a toy.
But I heard something on the news that I found so chilling that I can’t stop thinking about it: In response to a request for evidence for deporting a u.S. resident, Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded in a memo that he can deport anyone he wants. A terrifying message, yes, but I can’t stop thinking about responding with a memo to a judicial request, dismissing not only the request, but the entire judicial system and branch of government. Just waving them away like someone soliciting you to buy something cheap and tawdry. The disdain is breathtaking.
A confluence of events — Trump’s inexplicable popularity and infallibility in the eyes of a great deal of the country; the Republican majority in both the Senate and the House — have allowed Project 2025 not just to come to fruition, but to flourish. We must do something other than watch in horror from the sidelines as our entire system of government is dismantled before our eyes.
In our area, property values are closely tied to the performance of neighborhood schools. People choose to buy homes in specific areas because of the reputation of the school district. Whether you’re invested in your home or plan to buy or sell, taking part in, and understanding, the school budget process should be at the top of your list.
Residents should know how much a district is asking to raise its tax levy. The state tax cap helps keep home own-
Over the next month, school districts across the state will be presenting their 2025-26 budgets to their communities. Whether you’re a family with a child in school or a homeowner, now is the time to find out what’s is in the budget, so you make an informed decision in May. Review the budget information page on your district website. Attend a budget hearing in May, and read the budget newsletter that is sent home to district residents. If you have a question, reach out to the district business official. Most important, ensure that your voice is heard by participating in the budget vote and trustee elections on May 20. Your active engagement in this important process will help shape your community next year and for years to come.
Judith A. LaRocca, Ed.D., is superintendent of Valley Stream Union Free School District 13.
Our Founding Fathers may have been imperfect, but they created a brilliant system of government with three equal branches, which both support and check each other, and consequently give the people the power.
If power is consolidated in the execu-
tive branch, we will witness the death of democracy. We can’t let the devil — speaking literally and figuratively — win here.
Join us on April 23rd at 6pm for a dynamic webinar to learn how:
What is an Energy Assessment? – Learn about PSEG Long Island’s free energy assessment, what it includes, and how it can help identify energysaving opportunities tailored to your business.
Cut Your Energy Costs – Get expert tips on simple, low-cost ways to start reducing your energy bills immediately.
Maximizing Rebates & Incentives – Explore available rebates and incentives to make energy-efficient upgrades more affordable.
Live Q&A with Energy Experts – Ask questions and get real-time answers from PSEG Long Island specialists on how to optimize your energy efficiency efforts.
