From Seaford’s first baby of 1989 to Goddard Teacher of the Year
By HuNTER FENollol hfenollol@liherald.com
As a little girl growing up in Seaford, Kerry Holland would head down to the basement of her house, line up imaginary students and teach them lessons using a blackboard that had belonged to her grandmother.
Decades before she was recognized as one of the top kindergarten teachers in the country, Holland was already making headlines in her hometown. Born on January 13, 1989, she was named the Seaford/Wantagh Observer’s first baby of the year — a fitting distinction for someone whose life would eventually center around caring for and educating children.
Holland’s mother, Diane Allaire, remembers hearing her daughter’s tiny voice drift upstairs as she played school.
“She could hear my little voice downstairs in the basement being like, ‘Bobby,
make sure that you’re listening. Pay attention to this math lesson,’” Holland recalled with a laugh. “I always loved that aspect of being a teacher.”
That childhood dream has come full circle.
Holland, a 2007 Seaford High School graduate and a longtime kindergarten teacher at the Goddard School in Wayne, Pa., was recently named the school’s 2026 Teacher of the Year for the Northeast region. The honor recognized Holland as the region’s top kindergarten teacher, one of 16 regional honorees selected from more than 7,500 teachers at more than 680 Goddard School locations nationwide. It marks the second time Holland has received the distinction, having first earned it in 2017.
This year’s recognition, however, had special meaning. “I was definitely very surprised, but also super excited,” Holland said.
Seaford, New York516-591-3338
mymove@asupermove.com www.asupermove.com
Nancy Setzler: from troop to board leader
By HuNTER FENollol hfenollol@liherald.com
What began as a way for Nancy Setzler to help her daughter make friends became a more than decade-long journey of mentorship, leadership and empowering young women.
Now the Seaford resident is bringing that experience to a new role with Girl Scouts of Nassau County, having been elected to serve on the organization’s Board Development Committee through 2028.
Gback to an organization that has been a major part of her family’s life since her daughter, Jacqueline Bodycomb, joined Girl Scouts as a firstgrader.
“Girl Scouts has always been an important part of our family’s life,” Setzler said. “I just feel that you need to give back, and this is how I’m trying to do that.”
irl Scouts has always been an important part of our family’s life
Setzler was sworn in during Girl Scouts of Nassau County’s 61st annual meeting at Nassau Community College late last month. The committee is responsible for identifying, recruiting and preparing future board members while helping ensure that the organization’s leadership reflects the communities it serves.
NaNcy SElTzER Member of Girl Scouts of Nassau
County’s Board Development
For Setzler, the appointment represents another way to give
Setzler got involved because she wanted to help Jacqueline transition into the Seaford community. After attending a Montessori school in kindergarten, Jacqueline entered a new environment where friendships and social groups had already formed.
Setzler saw Girl Scouts as an opportunity for her daughter to connect with others — but the organization quickly became much more than that. “I thought this would be a good way for her to meet people,” Setzler said. “And it was a wonderful expe-
ContinuEd on pAgE 2
Courtesy Kerry Holland
Kerry Holland with her daughter, Avery, who was wearing a jumper that Holland wore as a Seaford Manor Elementary student.
Longtime volunteer leads Girl Scouts of Nassau
rience. It brought us together as a family.”
Over the years, Setzler became a troop leader, and served as the Seaford-Wantagh service unit manager, helping local troop leaders connect with Girl Scouts of Nassau County resources and supporting leaders throughout the community. Eventually she took on a larger role at the council level.
The experience also gave Jacqueline the opportunity to watch her mother lead. “My mom has been my constant support system from day one,” Jacqueline, now 20, said. “When everyone else lost interest in Girl Scouts after middle school, she didn’t let me quit, and instead helped me transition into a Juliette” — an individually registered member who plans their own participation — “so I could keep pursuing my goals.”
Her mother’s dedication, Jacqueline said, shaped the way she approaches challenges today as a class of 2028 student of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, studying chemistry and preparing for medical school.
“She showed me what resilience and dedication look like in practice,” Jacqueline said. “Her success as a brilliant woman in tech taught me never to shrink myself in academic spaces.”
Setzler’s professional career has also influenced her Girl Scout work. She is an executive manager and programmer with a BS in Accounting and an MBA in Information Systems. She also owns Snapology, a STEAM education company in Westbury.
A longtime advocate of STEM education, Setzler has worked with programs including Girls Who Code and FIRST Lego League, in which students build and program robots while developing teamwork and problem-solving skills. One of the biggest changes she has seen in Girl Scouts over the past decade has been the
growth of STEM opportunities. “At a national level, they have brought STEM badges to the girls,” she said. “There’s programming badges, there’s engineering badges, more science badges, and being a programmer, I just love that.”
For Jacqueline, growing up with a mother whose career was in technology made science feel accessible. “Growing up with a mom in tech, science was never presented to me as a daunting field or something not meant for me,” she said. “She demystified STEM by connecting it to real-world examples, which naturally fueled my love for chemistry.”
Setzler said she hopes Girl Scouts continues to provide girls with opportunities to explore their interests, build confidence and discover their own paths. One of the most rewarding parts of volunteering, she said, has been helping girls realize their potential.
“Knowing that they don’t like something is just as important as knowing they like something,” Setzler said. “You’re putting them on their path.”
Jacqueline said that her mother’s leadership style has always stood out. “She didn’t just give everyone instructions, but actively listened, encouraged critical thinking and advocated for us all to continue with our education,” she said. “Her ability to guide without micromanaging makes everyone around her feel capable of tackling hard challenges.”
As Setzler begins her term on Girl Scouts of Nassau’s Board Development Committee, she will help identify future leaders who can continue Girl Scouting’s mission of developing girls’ courage, confidence and character.
Jacqueline said that her mother’s impact extends far beyond her own troop. “She has spent a lifetime turning curiosity into confidence for countless young women, ensuring that every girl she encounters knows she belongs at the forefront of academics and leadership,” she said.
Setzler encouraged families considering Girl Scouts to get involved. “Do it,” she said. “You can expose the girls to so many different things.”
•
– Rabbi Mickey, Director of Education
Courtesy Girl Scouts of Nassau County
Seaford resident Nancy Setzler will serve on Girl Scouts of Nassau County’s Board Development Committee through 2028, continuing more than a decade of volunteer leadership with the organization.
Hands-on farm effort helps feed Long Islanders
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Fresh berries and vegetables were harvested, weeds pulled and farmland prepared as state senators, legislative interns and volunteers spent the day working at Island Harvest’s Healthy Harvest Farm in Brentwood, supporting an effort to provide fresh produce to Long Islanders experiencing food insecurity.
The volunteer event marked the third annual Senate Farm Day of Action, an initiative led by State Sen. Steve Rhoads that brings Long Island senators together for a day of hands-on service focused on hunger relief, sustainability and strengthening local food systems.
WWorking alongside Island Harvest staff and volunteers, participants harvested produce, weeded fields and helped maintain the farm. The fruits and vegetables grown at the farm are distributed to Long Islanders facing food insecurity and can reach dinner tables as soon as the following day.
e are helping provide fresh, locally grown food to our neighbors.
STEVE RHOADS
State senator, 5th District
“Fighting hunger requires more than just talking about the problem—it requires action, compassion, and a commitment to serving our communities,” Rhoads, who represents the 5th Senate District, said. “The Senate Farm Day of Action is a great reminder that even a few hours of hands-on work can make a meaningful difference for families across Long Island. By supporting Island Harvest’s Healthy Harvest Farm, we are helping provide fresh, locally grown food to our neighbors while strengthening the partnerships that make our communities stronger. I am grateful to Senator Murray, our interns, volunteers, and the entire Island Harvest team for their dedication to this important mission.”
Volunteers also received a behind-the-scenes look at the operation of Healthy Harvest Farm, which is managed by one full-time staff member, Cassidy, with the support of volunteers. Cassidy guided participants throughout the day and explained the farm’s role in supplying fresh produce to Island Harvest’s hunger relief efforts.
Rhoads thanked Cassidy, Island Harvest President and Chief Executive Randi Shubin Dresner and the organization’s staff for their continued work addressing food insecurity across Long Island.
State Sen. Dean Murray, who represents the 3rd Sen-
ate District, also participated in the event.
“One of the greatest strengths of so many communities on Long Island is their willingness to come together to help our neighbors in need. I was proud to volunteer at this year’s Island Harvest’s Long Island Senators Farm Day, where we helped plant and prepare crops that will provide fresh, nutritious food to Long Islanders experiencing food insecurity. Every seed planted represents hope for families who may not know where their next meal will come from. Thank you to all the volunteers who continue to dedicate their time and energy to this important mission. By working together, we can help ensure that more of our neighbors have access to healthy food while strengthening the spirit of compassion and service that makes Long Island such a special place to call home,” Murray said.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Sens. Dean Murray and Steve Rhoads, not just in Albany and their districts, but here at our Healthy Harvest Farm,” Shubin Dresner said. “Our hardworking, communityminded senators spent the morning harvesting wholesome and nutritious locally grown fruits and vegetables that will feed our neighbors across Long Island. We always look forward to their Senate Day of Service with us, and we invite all our elected representatives to spend time at our farm, centrally located at the Sisters of St. Joseph campus in Brentwood.”
Courtesy State Sen. Steve Rhoads photos
Legislative interns and volunteers from the 5th and 3rd State Senate District spent the day working at Island Harvest’s Healthy Harvest Farm in Brentwood.
Volunteers above with Randi Shubin Dresner, chief executive of Island Harvest. The volunteer event marked the third annual Senate Farm Day of Action.
State Sen. Steve Rhoads said the efforts help provide locally grown food to neighbors in need.
New arts, humanities leaders join Seaford schools
By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
The Seaford School District welcomes two new department leaders for the 20262027 school year. Robert Drysielski has taken on the role of director of humanities and Frank Cannella is the new coordinator of fine and applied arts.
As director of humanities Drysielski will oversee the English language arts, social studies, world language and English as a new language programs. He comes to Seaford from the Islip School District, where he was the director of K-12 social studies and business for the past decade. Prior to that, he was at St. Dominic High School in Oyster Bay for six years, holding various positions including assistant principal of academics, dean of students, summer school principal, English and social studies chairperson, and history teacher. His teaching career began in 2004 as a middle school social studies teacher at St. Mary’s Elementary School in Manhasset.
Drysielski holds a bachelor’s degree in sports management from St. John’s University, a master’s degree in secondary education, social studies from Hofstra University, a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Fordham University and doctorate in administration and supervision from St. John’s. He is an adjunct professor at Molloy University and a member of the Association for Supervision and Curric-
Courtesy
is the new director of humanities for the Seaford School District.
ulum Development, and the National, New York State and Long Island chapters of the Council for the Social Studies.
“Seaford is a really close-knit community that is very supportive of its students, evidenced by the district’s strong partnerships with local organizations,” Drysielski said. “In preparing students to be successful along many paths, the
Taxation of The Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT)
Your writer has often stated that, in elder law, there is more misinformation than information. For example, one of the most pernicious myths about MAPTs is that they lose the stepped-up basis at death. Indeed, a syndicated columnist under the byline “Ask the Expert” recently wrote “...the IRS has determined that assets in an irrevocable trust don’t qualify for a step-up in tax basis at your death.”
For those unfamiliar with the step-up in basis, it works this way. Let’s say you bought your house many years ago for $200,000 and when you pass away it is worth $850,000. The basis gets stepped-up from what you paid to what it was worth on the date of your death. If the heirs sell it shortly after inheriting, they pay no capital gain tax. Savings would be about $200,000 in taxes! In 2023, the IRS issued a widely misunderstood Revenue Ruling stating that a certain type of irrevocable trust did not get the stepped-up basis. In tax law, it is well understood that (1) if assets pass at death they are includible in the estate and get the stepped-up basis, and (2) if the assets are given away during your lifetime, they keep your original basis. You either get the tax break of the
stepped-up basis and inclusion in the estate OR you get the exclusion from the estate but no stepup. Some aggressive tax lawyers tried to write a trust that purported to get both -- inclusion for capital gains tax purposes but exclusion for estate tax purposes. The 2023 IRS ruling simply stated that you cannot have your cake and eat it too. If the taxpayer claims the irrevocable trust is excluded from the estate for estate tax purposes, then no step-up in basis will be allowed.
Seeing as the estate tax exemption for New York is $7.35 million, most clients are not concerned about inclusion for estate-tax purposes, they want the step-up! Every elder law attorney worth their salt knows this and drafts the MAPT as a “Grantor Trust” keeping the trust assets in the estate.
A very common way of doing this is to provide a “power of appointment” giving the grantor (creator of the trust) the right to change who they leave it to. This way the gift is “incomplete” until death, as which time the grantor can no longer change it. Since the gift is only “completed” at death, it is included in the estate and gets the stepup.
ETTINGER LAW FIRM
district has a strong foundation with the Seaford Scholars Profile. The administrators and teachers are committed to bringing that vision to life, and I am excited to have a hand in that success through the programs I oversee.”
Cannella, who joins Seaford from the South Huntington School District, has extensive teaching and performance
experience. He served as the band director at the Silas Woods Sixth Grade Center for the past 10 years.
As a percussionist in the Henry Mancini Orchestra, Cannella has performed with Terrence Blanchard, Christine Ebersole, Monica Mancini, John Secada and more. He recorded an original movie soundtrack for “A Change of Heart” with Gloria Estefan in 2016, and performed internationally including in Dublin, Ireland; Bogata, Colombia; Thessaloniki, Greece; and Trinidad and Tobago. Cannella holds a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in percussion performance from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music.
In Seaford, Cannella will supervise several programs including art, business, family and consumer sciences, music and technology education.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to join Seaford as the coordinator of fine and applied arts,” he said. “I look forward to working alongside our talented teachers, administrators, students and families to foster creativity, innovation and meaningful learning experiences. The arts have an amazing power to inspire, connect and empower every student. I am eager to build upon Seaford’s long-lasting tradition of excellence while creating new opportunities for students to explore their passions and showcase their talents.”
Seaford School District
Robert Drysielski
Frank Cannella joins Seaford as the coordinator of fine and applied arts.
psegliny.com/revitalization These two moms opened a spa. It had one big,
Mery and Sindy always knew they wanted to open a spa to bring beauty to customers. Little did they know it would have the same effect on the community. And Business First was there. We provided $23,000 in grants to help with much-needed renovations so Mery and Sindy could bring their vision to life.* Now, not only does their spa impact clients in a beautiful way, it gives the community an economic lift as well.
*Incentives, grants, and savings will vary with every project.
Learn more about how we’re helping communities thrive.
Mery Seminario and Sindy Catalan, ISSI Beauty Spa, Port Washington
First rounders shine at Isles development camp
By TONY BELLISSIMO
tbellissimo@liherald.com
Unlike 2025 when the New York Islanders selected three players within the first 17 picks of the NHL Draft, including eventual unanimous Calder Trophy winning defenseman Matthew Schaefer No. 1 overall, they had only one pick in the first three rounds this year.
That came at No. 13 overall when Schaefer, in Buffalo for draft weekend June 26-27, stepped to the podium to announce the selection of 6-foot-4, 203-pound left-shot defenseman Malte Gustafsson.
“I’m a big two-way defender, I like to contribute all over the ice,” said the 18-year-old Gustafsson, who played 27 games in the Swedish Hockey League with HV71. “I like to use my size, my length and I play physical. Being annoying is part of my game,” he added.
Gustafsson was one of 37 players at Islanders Development Camp June 29-July 2 and impressed in the Blue & White Scrimmage played before an overflow crowd July 1 at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow.
Gustafsson signed a one-year contract to remain with HV71 for the 2026-27 season, but perhaps one day he’ll be teammates with fellow Swedes Simon Holmstrom, Emil Heineman and Victor Eklund.
The latter two became Islanders property during the early stages of the 2025 Draft when General Manager Mathieu Darche dealt defenseman Noah Dobson to Montreal. Heineman scored 22 goals in his debut season on Long Island, while Eklund, drafted 16th, and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, 17th, were nothing short of dynamic in the SHL and Ontario Hockey League, respectively.
Eklund is very much looking forward to playing a full season in North America, either with the Islanders or recently relocated Hamilton Hammers of the American Hockey League. The 19-year-old winger registered 6 goals and 18 assists in 43 games for Djurgardens IF in the SHL and made his way to the Bridgeport Islanders (10 points in nine games) and ultimately Long Island for his NHL debut April 14. He recorded his first NHL point, an assist, against Carolina.
“I think I made the right decision at the end of last season to come to North America and adapt as fast as I can,” Eklund said after the Blue & White Scrimmage. “Being here with the boys and playing in front of the fans is a lot of fun. Now I’m looking to get stronger, gain weight and be ready for camp in September.”
Aitcheson, who brings a rare combination of physicality and offensive sizzle, is ready for the next step as well after the 19-year-old earned the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenseman award after posting 70 points (28 goals, 34 assists) during the regular season and 27 in the playoffs (8, 19) for the Barrie Colts, helping them to the finals.
“Just putting my head down and putting the work in,” Aitcheson said. “This is another step to get ready for training camp. It’s been fun so far.”
Nobody had more fun at the Blue & White Scrimmage than Gleb Veremyev, an undrafted 23-year-old 6-5, 218pound forward born in Brooklyn. He had a hat trick to lead Team Blue to a 6-3 victory and also scored the winner in a shootout that followed the 40-minute game.
“I’m trying to take everything in this summer, and I feel like I have something to prove for the rest of my career,” Veremyev said.
Kashawn Aitcheson, one of the Islanders’ three first-round picks in 2025 is ready for the next level after starring in the Ontario Hockey League.
Tony Bellissimo/Herald photos
Goaltender Sam Hillebrandt made a stop on Jesse Nurmi during development camp held June 29-July 2 at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow.
Program proposed for neurodivergent drivers
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Two Nassau County legislators have introduced legislation that would create a Blue Envelope Program aimed at improving communication between law enforcement officers and neurodivergent drivers during traffic stops and emergency situations.
The measure, introduced by Nassau County Alternate Deputy Presiding Officer Michael Giangregorio, who represents Bellmore, Merrick, Wantagh and Seaford, and Legislator Patrick Mullaney, who represents Long Beach, Island Park and Oceanside, co-sponsored by the Republican majority, would provide free blue envelopes and blue seat belt sleeves through the Nassau County Police Department to neurodivergent drivers and those who regularly transport neurodivergent passengers.
The blue envelopes would hold a driver’s license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance and other important documents while discreetly alerting responding officers that a driver or passenger may communicate or respond differently during an interaction. The program would also include instructions for both drivers and officers to help facilitate communication during traffic stops.
“As the father of a child with autism, I understand firsthand that even routine interactions, like a traffic stop, can be especially overwhelming for individuals with autism and other neurodivergent conditions,” Giangregorio said in a statement. “That’s why programs like the Blue Envelope Program are so important.”
Mullaney, a first responder, said the program would help emergency personnel recognize when someone may have different communication needs.
“The Blue Envelope Program provides an immediate
NEWS BRIEF
indication that an individual may have unique communication needs, allowing first responders to adjust their approach, reduce unnecessary anxiety, and focus on delivering the assistance that’s needed,” Mullaney said.
Under the proposal, the Nassau County Police Department would distribute the blue envelopes and seat belt sleeves free of charge by mail and at each county police precinct.
Nassau County Presiding Officer Howard Kopel said the legislation would help make the county safer and more inclusive by giving officers additional tools to recognize and respond to the needs of neurodivergent individuals.
Tropical luau arriving in East Meadow
The Town of Hempstead is bringing a tropical twist to its public pools this summer with a new Traveling Summer Luau Series.
The program, introduced by Supervisor John Ferretti, will transform town pools into Hawaiianthemed destinations featuring live music, inflatables, mocktails, games and other family-friendly activities.
The East Meadow event is sched-
“The Blue Envelope Program is a thoughtful initiative that reflects our Legislature’s commitment to protecting every member of our community,” Kopel said. “By giving law enforcement officers additional tools to recognize and respond to the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals, we can help ensure that routine encounters remain respectful, less stressful and focused on everyone’s safety.”
The legislation is scheduled to be reviewed by Nassau County Legislature committees on July 13 before advancing to the full Legislature for a vote on July 27. If approved, the Blue Envelope Program would be implemented by March 1, 2027.
uled for Sunday, July 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. Additional luaus will be held at town pools throughout the summer.
The Traveling Summer Luau Series is designed to encourage families to enjoy local pools while participating in themed activities in a festive, tropical atmosphere.
—Jordan Vallone
Herald file photos
Nassau County Alternate Deputy Presiding Officer
Michael Giangregori represents Bellmore, Merrick, Wantagh and Seaford.
Legislator Patrick Mullaney represents Baldwin, Freeport and Oceanside.
7 SEAFORD HERALD — July 16, 2026
ClearVote system set for November election
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
The new voting machines Nassau County residents will use in November are designed to make casting a ballot faster while keeping the voting experience largely unchanged, according to election officials and the machines’ manufacturer.
Voters heading to the polls this fall will use an allnew voting system, after the county Board of Elections selected Clear Ballot’s ClearVote system following a competitive procurement process.
The system will replace the county’s traditional voting equipment, and Nassau will join more than a dozen New York counties that have already adopted ClearVote’s paper-ballot technology.
Although the machines are new, election officials said that voters should notice very little difference in how they cast their ballots. “To the public it will be pretty much the same as they’re used to,” Republican Elections Commissioner James V. Moriarty wrote in a news release. “These machines will be smaller, more efficient and new. New and better equipment.”
The ClearVote system uses full-sized paper ballots that voters fill out by hand or, for those requiring accessibility accommodations, through an ADA-compliant ballot-marking device that prints a full-sized ballot. Every voter ultimately casts the same type of paper ballot, regardless of how it is marked.
The biggest improvements, Democratic Elections Commissioner James Scheuerman explained, will take place behind the scenes, allowing election workers to administer elections more efficiently while preserving the familiar voting experience.
“It’s easier for us to build and run the election and it’s going to be the exact same for the voter, which is
what you’re looking for when you’re bringing on a new voting system,” Scheuerman wrote in a news release.
Once a ballot is filled out, it is inserted into a scanner that reads and records the vote while securely storing the ballot for auditing and recount purposes. Unlike some voting systems that rely on barcodes or summary cards, ClearVote records votes directly from the paper ballots, giving voters the chance to visually verify every selection before casting it.
According to Clear Ballot CEO Bob Hoyt, that transparency is central to the company’s philosophy.
“We believe the best way to establish voter trust is through paper ballots,” Hoyt said. “It allows people to verify their own vote before it’s cast so they know that it counted.”
The new scanners also process ballots significantly faster than older equipment. A ballot, Hoyt said, is scanned and accepted almost immediately after it is inserted — about one second — compared with four to five seconds on many older voting systems.
As soon as the ballot is processed, the screen confirms that the vote has been successfully cast and displays a running ballot count. “It processes the ballot almost immediately,” Hoyt said. “You get a message on the screen that your ballot has been cast, and you can actually see the ballot count increase.”
Clear Ballot first came to New York in 2017, providing high-speed scanners for absentee and mail-in ballots and conducting independent post-election audits. The company introduced its first in-person voting system in the state in 2023. Nationally, its election technology is used in 14 states, serving more than 46 million registered voters.
Preparing Nassau County for the transition has been a months-long process. Roughly 500 voting machines have already been delivered for testing and poll worker training, with the remaining equipment — roughly 12 trailer loads — scheduled to arrive beginning later this month.
The company is also implementing a learning-management system that will help Nassau comply with New York’s mandatory poll worker training requirements by documenting training and providing ondemand instructional materials.
“If you train the election workers really well, and you have good equipment and good people servicing it,” Hoyt said, “you’ll probably have a really good election.”
Courtesy Clear Ballot Group
Nassau County voters will be using the new ClearVote voting system in the November election.
Viral Long Island DJ’s beach plans put on pause
By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
A Long Island DJ whose beachside performances have gone viral on TikTok hoped to spend the summer bringing his pop-up sets to some of the region’s most recognizable shorelines, including Jones Beach. But before those plans could get off the ground, a planned gathering at Robert Moses State Park was shut down by state officials.
Antonio Espinosa, a Central Islip native who now lives in Hauppauge, has built a growing online following by filming house music DJ sets in scenic locations across Long Island. His videos, featuring portable DJ equipment powered by a battery pack, have attracted thousands of viewers and sparked a wave of interest from followers eager to attend a live performance.
His latest idea was simple: invite followers to a free pop-up DJ set at Robert Moses State Park on July 9. The event was never intended to be a large-scale festival, Espinosa said, but rather a chance for a few dozen people to enjoy music while helping him create content and grow his brand.
“I figured if I can get 20 to 30 people to just pop up to my events, it won’t be the end of the world,” Espinosa said. “I wanted people in the background. I wanted people to have fun and enjoy the music and look good on camera. At the same time, I didn’t want that many.”
Instead, the online buzz quickly grew beyond what he expected.
Espinosa said comments poured in from people across Long Island — and even New York City — saying they planned to attend. Others began suggesting future locations, with Jones Beach emerging as one of the most requested stops alongside Smith Point County Park and Far Rockaway.
“I had plenty of people wanting me to come to Jones Beach,” he said. “Jones Beach, Smith Point and Far Rockaway were probably the three beaches everybody was asking for.”
The idea grew out of nearly a decade of DJing and several years spent trying to build an audience after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the nightlife industry.
Espinosa began DJing in 2017 after discovering electronic dance music while in college. As clubs slowly recovered from the pandemic, he turned to social media to reach listeners directly.
Inspired by DJs posting performances from unusual locations around the world, he began recording his own sets across Long Island. His first was filmed at Bay Shore Marina, followed by another at Lake Ronkonkoma during freezing winter temperatures.
Last summer, he recorded a sunrise set at Robert Moses that helped introduce his videos to a wider audience. A return visit this year unexpectedly drew a crowd of beachgoers participating in a nearby yoga class.
“I started off by myself,” Espinosa said. “They weren’t dancing, but they were enjoying the music. I wasn’t expecting it, and people loved the footage.”
Encouraged by the response, Espinosa decided to organize his first public meetup.
He said he visited the Robert Moses park office about two weeks before the event to explain his plans and later submitted a permit application through the state. His goal, he said, was to work with park officials rather than surprise them.
“I basically snitched on myself,” he said with a laugh.
Instead, about a week before the event, Espinosa said two New York State troopers arrived at his home and hand-delivered a cease-and-desist letter.
The notice informed him that the planned DJ event was unauthorized and warned that proceeding could result in fines, summonses or arrest. Espinosa said the letter also included screenshots from his TikTok page promoting the event.
“What shocked me wasn’t necessarily getting denied,” he said. “It was how high they went to tell me, ‘Don’t do this.’”
Espinosa said he understood officials’ concerns, particularly as interest in the event continued to grow online.
“I care about safety first and foremost,” he said. “People were talking about bringing their kids. I wanted everybody to leave having had a good experience.”
He acknowledged that, as a one-man operation, he did not have formal plans for crowd management or security and hoped park officials could help if the event moved forward.
“I wanted to work with security, the beach and the police to help facilitate that if anything,” he said. “As much as I want the footage and I want to build my brand, safety comes first.”
Since canceling the event, Espinosa said he has been exploring other opportunities to perform at restaurants and venues across Long Island while continuing to grow his audience online.
Although this summer’s beach meetup won’t happen, he hasn’t given up on eventually performing at Robert Moses, Jones Beach or other waterfront locations through the proper channels.
“I would love to have that event,” he said. “I’d love to work with the people who are really in charge and figure out how to make it happen. Maybe it won’t happen this summer, but there’s always next summer.”
Courtesy Antonio Espinosa
A letter that arrived at Espinosa’s door stated that the pop up event was not permitted.
Courtesy Antonio Espinosa
Antonio’s Long Island beach sets have garnered hundreds of thousands of views across TikTok and YouTube.
Courtesy Antonio Espinosa
The TikTok announcing the event was in the report.
Espinosa plays pop ups across Long Island.
Espinosa’s house sets incorporate afro and melodic beats.
Holland’s Seaford education comes full circle
“The great part was that it came from the parents.”
Unlike her first Teacher of the Year award, when her school director nominated her for a long-term classroom project, this year’s nomination was made by families whose children had spent the year in her classroom.
“My boss sees what I do every day,” she said. “But having the parents see that I’m truly making that difference in their child’s life, it was a little bit more meaningful this time.”
Holland attended Seaford Manor Elementary School, Seaford Middle School and Seaford High before earning a master’s in education from Cabrini University in Radnor, Pa. Although she has built her career in Pennsylvania, she said that the years she spent growing up in Seaford and the teachers she met here helped shape the educator she has become.
She especially credits her secondgrade teacher, Mrs. Conti, and her fourth-grade teacher, Jean Marie Aplustille, with inspiring her.
“They made those meaningful connections where I didn’t just feel like one of 20 other kids in the class,” Holland said. “They always cared for me in special ways, and just made me fall in love with learning so much.”
Years later, while completing her student teaching, Holland reached back out
to Aplustille for guidance. For Aplustille, hearing that a former student had chosen the same profession was deeply rewarding. “Watching a family that I fell in love with years ago go on to make beautiful career choices means so much,” she said.
She remembers Holland as an eager fourth-grader who wasn’t afraid to ask questions or tackle difficult assignments. “She was just a role model to other students,” Aplustille recalled.
“She was hardworking, always eager to please, came from a great family and always had a smile on her face.”
Even then, Aplustille said, Holland showed the nurturing qualities that define her today. “We used to do a buddy project with second-graders, and she just took them under her wing,” Aplustille recalled. “She showed them the ropes, didn’t judge them and just made them feel confident and loved. She was born to be an educator.”
builds long-term projects designed to give students real-world experiences. In past years she has taught students about elections through classroom voting projects. This year, her kindergartners spent months writing and publishing their own books before celebrating with a classroom publishing party.
“When I went to kindergarten, it was, ‘A is for Apple,’” Holland said. “Now we’re taking that step up.”
By the end of the school year, many of her students are reading independently and writing complete stories.
For Holland, however, the biggest rewards come in quieter moments. “I always call them those light bulb moments,” she said. “When a student finally gets something, when they’re reading a sentence all by themselves and you just see that little light bulb go off — they’re so excited that they were able to do it on their own.”
throughout the year.
“It was really touching,” Holland said. “Some parents wrote paragraphs. It was special to read that and really see the difference that I made.”
Although she now lives in Exton, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Mike, and their two children, Avery and Nolan, Holland said that Seaford remains an important part of her life. Her parents are active in the Seaford Historical Society, and a nephew now attends Seaford Manor, creating what she called a “full-circle moment” for the family.
This fall, Holland will begin another new chapter, leaving Goddard after 15 years to become a kindergarten teacher in the Phoenixville (Pa.) Area School District — a longtime professional goal. She said she is excited about collaborating with fellow kindergarten teachers while continuing to help young students discover a love of learning.
“I tell my students all the time that you can go and do whatever you want to do,” Holland said. “You just have to work hard and achieve it.”
Holland strives to create those same kinds of lasting memories in her own classroom. Rather than focusing only on traditional kindergarten lessons, she
Parents echoed that impact in the nominations supporting her award, writing about the confidence and growth they saw in their children
For Aplustille, Holland’s success is more than a point of pride — it’s a reminder of why she became a teacher in the first place. “I’ve been thinking about retiring next year,” Aplustille said. “But this made me realize that maybe I’m not done yet. I think maybe I still have a few more Kerrys in me.”
Courtesy Kerry Holland
Seaford native Kerry Holland recently earned Teacher of the Year honors from the Goddard School.
STEPPING OUT
Wild Child
Jazz is in the air
By Karen Bloom
Tilles Jazz Fest is going strong in its third season. The festival returns to the historic LIU Post campus, on Saturday, offering a full day of world-class jazz, family-friendly fun and community celebration across four stages.
Presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, this year’s edition again brings together legendary artists and rising stars. This is an immersive indoor/outdoor experience — from lawn picnics and second line parades during the day to headliner The Buena Vista Orchestra performing in the evening.
The day’s lineup includes the Bobby Sanabria Octet, the Grammy-nominated percussionist blends Afro-Cuban jazz with big band flair; Bluesy Beats and Jazzy Treats with Dan and Claudia Zanes, with a lively, family-friendly set of jazz rhythms; young vocalist Ruby Laks, a fresh, expressive voice in contemporary jazz; along with a swinging Second-Line Parade, led by Hot Jazz All-Stars, including up-and-coming trumpeter Bria Skonberg, when all artists and the audience are invited to join in.
As Tom Dunn, Tilles Center’s executive and artistic director puts it: “This festival captures the spirit of jazz, where iconic voices and emerging artists share the stage. It’s an energizing celebration of artistry, innovation, and community, set in a place that inspires creativity at every turn.”
The LIU Jazz Combo (current LIU students) and Long Island Rising Stars (LIU alumni and regional talent) welcome guests at festival entrances from 12:15 p.m. Members of the LIU Marching Band add energy to the New Orleans-style Second Line parade, closing the daytime festivities at 5:45 p.m.
The young superstars of tomorrow are certainly given their due, alongside the jazz greats. Of course, headliner, The Buena Vista Orchestra, surely deserves the spotlight. The orchestra (sometimes referred to as The Buena Vista Social Orchestra, Orquesta Buena Vista) is acclaimed as the world’s foremost Cuban music repertory ensemble — featuring a revolving lineup. Virtuoso Cuban violinist Rolando Morejón Reyes leads an exciting set of musicians pulled from The Buena Vista Social Club, AfroCuban All Stars, the bands of Celia Cruz, Omara Portuondo, Chucho Valdés, Willie Colón, and others.
To date, The Buena Vista Orchestra and related projects have toured the world and garnered global accolades, making it one of the biggest-selling and best known Cuban music projects in history.
On a more intimate scale are Dan and Claudia
Feel that beat
Zanes, who are delighted to bring what Dan Zanes described as their “community music” to this year’s festival audience.
“It was an exiting call to get,” he says, of the invite. He notes that while they’ve performed at Tilles before, their festival appearance allows the Zanes to show a different side of their musicianship.
• July 18, starting at noon
• Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100
• LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville
This is not a typical tribute or pretend concert act. Wild Child relies on recapturing the original: sound, feel, mood, dynamics and delivery of the Doors music. It’s about the music and its delivery. Wild Child lead singer Dave Brock’s Doors concert tribute debuted with a triple sellout at the Whisky a-Go-Go. Since then the act has been touring and playing at sold out national act venues and festivals around the world. Wild Child became the mold that “tribute bands” aspired to become, as they flooded the market with good and bad impersonations of famous artists. In 2010 Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors, invited Dave to tour with them as their vocalist on their concert engagements: a hug honorl Wild Child performances are praised as the closest thing to a real live Doors experience.
Friday, July 17, 8 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
“I come from the folk and rock ‘n roll world, but Claudia, my wife and partner in all this, is a jazz singer. She was performing and touring as a jazz vocalist before I met her. And Tyree Austin who’s also going to be singing with us is also a jazz vocalist. He sings jazz and gospel. So the spirit of jazz is really in what we do.”
Zanes, a Grammy-winner, occupies a unique place in American music — where sea shanties, English Music hall, play party songs, the spirit of early rock ‘n roll, soul, North American and West Indian folk music collide. For the past 20 years, he has toured the world with his band, Dan Zanes and Friends, sharing 21st century social music with enthusiastic crowds of all ages.
In the 1980s Zanes was a member of The Del Fuegos, the roots rock band that released several albums and toured heavily before spontaneously combusting in 1989. In 1994 he became a father and began trying to create music that he and his daughter could enjoy together as a shared experience — an updated version of the Folkways records he grew up on. In 2000, he released Rocket Ship Beach, which became an immediate hit with families in America. NPR called him “The Gold Standard in kid’s music.”
And while their music does have a certain kid-friendly appeal, Zanes is quick to point out that there’s much more to it than that. The Zanes prefer not to be categorized as “children’s entertainers.”
“Our music is social music. It’s very participatory. We come out of a lot of different folk traditions: North American folk traditions, blues, as well as Haitian folk traditions {influenced by Claudia who is Haitian-American). It’s for all ages, including young folks but also older.
“At our concerts there’s quite a bit of singing along. It’s a social experiment. Even though we’re a modern group we work with ancient traditions and one of those traditions is galvanizing people with song. There’s movement, there’s dancing. Three voices and a 12 string guitar is the foundation of what we do, with addition of trombone, horn and some percussion.”
He describes their sound as “joyful music.”
“These are hard times for a lot of people and music reminds us that there is so much beauty in the world and so much that we get from being with each other. There’s something about singing together that gives all a sense of life’s best possibilities. Behind it all is joy always.”
Guests are encouraged to come with lawn chairs and blankets for a day of relaxed listening and discovery. Youngsters will also enjoy the Kids Zone, with an instrument “petting zoo,” crafts and face painting. When everyone is ready for a bite, check out the food trucks and artisan purveyors with their tempting wares. Or bring your own picnic!
Derek Hough Symphony of Dance: Encore
Following sold-out successes of his previous tours, Derek Hough is back. The Emmy-winning dancerchoreographer-entertainer — known for his dazzling performances on “Dancing With The Stars” — takes his audience on an exhilarating journey through dance with breathtaking choreography, vibrant visuals and his signature stage presence. The high-energy production celebrates the artistry and emotion of movement while showcasing the versatility that has made Hough one of today’s most celebrated performers. Experience a thrilling fusion of dance and music; the fan-favorite dancer explores styles ranging from ballroom, tap, salsa, hip-hop and everything in between.
Sunday, July 19, 8 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter. org or (516) 299-3100. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville.
Courtesy Anna Zanes Dan Zanes
partner in performing and
Courtesy Tilles Center Bobby Sanabria
Courtesy Andrea Escobar
The Buena Vista Orchestra
Courtesy Mark Mann Claudia Zanes
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
jul
Summertime tunes
Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series continues with Corey Reimer and The Dilemma Band with Scarborough Fair for a Simon & Garfunkel tribute.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
jul
17
Happy Birthday, Franklin!
Long Island
Children’s Museum invites families to celebrate the Eastern Box Turtle’s 50th Birthday! Make him a one-of-a-kind cake craft inspired by all his favorite things! Come help honor 50 turtle-tastic years at the drop-in program. For ages 3+.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 1-3 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’
The Madison Theatre’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” brings the beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical to the stage, retelling the biblical story of Joseph, his colorful coat and his rise from slavery to Pharaoh’s trusted advisor. Told entirely through song, the family-friendly production features memorable numbers including “Any Dream Will Do,” “Close Every Door” and “One More Angel in Heaven,” blending musical styles from calypso to country-western.
Suitable for audiences of all ages, the show continues to be one of the world’s most frequently performed musicals.
• Where: Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: Various dates and times, through Aug. 2
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
jul
18
Library concert
Step back in time with classic doo-wop as The Tribunes perform at Seaford Public Library’s outdoor summer concert series. The five-man a cappella group brings the timeless harmonies and memorable hits of the 1950s and ‘60s to life, delivering a
A Celebration of the Mighty Zep
Pearl Jam tribute and Foo For All with Foo Fighters tunes.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200
22
Bingo at Temple B’Nai Torah
Temple B’nai Torah hosts weekly bingo with prizes, progressive games, and refreshments every Wednesday and Thursday.
• Where: 2900 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh
• Time: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.1 p.m.; Thursdays, 7:15-10 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 221-2370 jul
Game time
jul
23
Play Mah Jongg and Canasta every Thursday at Congregation Beth Tikvah. Snacks and drinks are provided. $5 contribution.
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.; also July 25
Led Zeppelin fans, rejoice! Get The Led Out returns to the Paramount with “A Celebration of the Mighty Zep,” two electrifying nights of classic rock, running through June 28. From the bombastic and epic, to the folky and mystical, GTLO has captured the essence of Led Zeppelin and brought their music to the concert stage. The Philadelphia-based group consists of six veteran musicians, intent on delivering Led Zeppelin live, like you’ve never heard before! Utilizing the multi-instrumentalists at their disposal, GTLO re-creates songs, in all their depth and glory, with the studio overdubs that Zeppelin themselves never performed. Hailed for their powerful tribute to what many consider the greatest rock band of all time, the band delivers a faithful and highoctane recreation of Zeppelin’s iconic sound. From thunderous anthems to mystical acoustic ballads, GTLO captures the full range of Led Zeppelin’s brilliance — complete with the layered instrumentation and soaring dynamics that the band rarely performed live. With no wigs or phony accents, just pure musical passion. When an album calls for three guitars, GTLO brings three guitarists to the stage — no shortcuts, no gimmicks. GTLO focuses on the legendary band’s early years and dives deep into beloved hits and rare cuts alike. Their approach is reverent and precise, more like a classical concert than a cover band — a true celebration of timeless rock. jul
nostalgic performance that celebrates the golden age of rock and roll. Presented in cooperation with the Friends of the Seaford Library, the concert promises an enjoyable evening for all ages. Bring seating.
• Where: Side Parking Lot, Seaford Public Library, 2234 Jackson Ave., Seaford
• Time: 7:30-9 p.m.
• Contact: seafordlibrary.org
Magic in the Making
Old Westbury Gardens welcomes young witches, wizards, and magical makers to special after-hours evening in the gardens. Families are invited enjoy an evening of creativity and a little bit of magic. Activities include Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects exhibit, I LUG NY Challenge Zone, LEGO-freeplay area, “My Own Creation” build contest, craft stations and spell-bound sports. Dress as your favorite wizard, witch or whimsical character! $34 general admission, $24 child, with member discounts. Registration required.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 5-8 p.m.
Country sounds
Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series welcomes Simply Stapleton for a Chris Stapleton tribute.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200
Summertime vibes
Cover City Soundtrack takes over the Jones Beach Bandshell for a free, all-ages night of pop-punk anthems, emo nostalgia, and shoreline summer energy. Parents can relive their Warped Tour days while kids discover why this music still hits hard. Expect jump-worthy pop-punk, heart-tugging emo classics, and the kind of electric beach-night vibe only Jones Beach delivers. From toddlers to teens to full-grown elder emos, everyone can dance, laugh, and sing along. Bring your crew, your kids, your nostalgia, and your energy.
• Where: Jones Beach Boardwalk Bandshell, Field 4, 2400 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh
• Time: 8-10 p.m.
• Contact: CoverCitySoundtrack.com
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
jul
19
Family theater
Lance the Eagle welcomes families to “A Semi-QuincentenEAGLE Birthday” on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage. In this original production, families are invited to celebrate his birthday. His message: As the national bird, this party will be happening throughout the whole month of July. Come to think of it, I did hear something about a birthday for the United States of America as well. Hmm... must be a coincidence! I’ll be throwing a parade through LICM’s galleries and a celebratory spectacle in the Theater. Come ready to party!” Keep an eye out 30 minutes before each show for a special interactive pre-show! For ages 3+. $5 with museum admission ($4 members), $10 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also July 22
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Rockin’ on Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series continues with a double bill of Last Exit with a
• Where: 3710 Woodbine Ave., Wantagh
• Time: Noon-4 p.m.
• Contact: mahjonggCBT@yahoo. com or (516) 785-2445
jul
25
Tunes in the park
Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series welcomes a lively lineup of Jefferson Starship with Atlanta Rhythm Section, Firefall and Pure Prairie League.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200
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.
FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle
Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers
Take advantage of on-site health screenings
Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences
Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A
Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways
Snack station for all
*Boxed lunches for first 150 attendees
All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.
MAE CAIME FOUNDER, AMAEZING MIDLIFE & BEYOND
Register for this FREE event: Merrick.eventbrite.com or email rbamgbose@liherald.com or call 516.569.4000 x273
New Wantagh Dairy Mart to open with upgrades
By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
For years, residents knew the small drive-through at the corner of Wantagh Parkway as a place where they could grab a gallon of milk, order cold cuts, pick up a case of drinks or get everyday necessities without leaving their cars.
Now, after a brief run as a coffee shop, the familiar Dairy Mart will return to its roots. This time with a few modern upgrades.
Wantagh resident and entrepreneur Alan Jacoby, along with his business partner Justin Heath, owner of Jones Beach Deli in Wantagh, recently purchased the property and are renovating the location with hopes of reopening it as a refreshed version of the neighborhood staple.
“I live within walking distance of the place, so it’s kind of near and dear to my heart,” Jacoby said. “I used to be able to call up and say, ‘I want a pound of turkey, a pound of ham and some rolls,’ and I’d walk up the block and they’d be ready for me.”
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST MARK VAUGHAN, CASEY VAUGHAN, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 8, 2020, and the Ex Parte Order Amending the Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on June, 25 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 3982 Kingsberry Road, Seaford, NY 11783. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Plainedge-Wantagh, partly in the Town of Oyster Bay and partly in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 52, Block 450, Lots 19A & 19B. Approximate amount of judgment $433,510.28 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #008440/2015. For sale
The location, which was once part of the Dairy Barn franchise before becoming Lighthouse Dairy, had most recently operated as Rocket Coffee. Jacoby said he
information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832.
Jared Kasschau, Esq, Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 16-000890 90356 160867
LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR CMALT REMIC SERIES 2007-A7-REMIC PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2007-A7, Plaintiffagainst - CAROL KOENIG, et al Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on May 19, 2026. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on the 11th day of August, 2026 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Seaford, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.
Premises known as
2575 Peconic Avenue, Seaford, NY 11783. (SBL#: 63-208-113,114 and 115)
Approximate amount of lien $669,471.16 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index No.
601616/2019. Brian J. Carmody, Esq., Referee. Davidson Fink LLP
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 400 Meridian Centre Blvd, Ste 200 Rochester, NY 14618 Tel. 585/760-8218
Dated: June 1, 2026
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 161036
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 60-2026
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the 7th day of July 2026, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 60-2026, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 60-2026, to amend Chapter 202 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “REGULATIONS & RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking at various locations.
Dated: July 7, 2026
Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor
KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 161223
saw an opportunity to restore the convenience and community feel residents missed.
“When Lighthouse Dairy sold, it became a coffee business and it just didn’t resonate well with the community because they missed the dairy barn vibe,” Jacoby said. “They missed the cold cuts, the 12-packs, the milk, the eggs, the bread — all those things that were part of the neighborhood.”
Jacoby said he approached Heath after seeing the property become available, and the two agreed to partner on bringing back the concept.
The new Wantagh Dairy Mart will offer many of the familiar staples residents remember, including cold cuts, bread, milk, beverages and convenience items, while also introducing updated offerings such as a refreshed coffee menu with hot and cold drinks, iced teas and lemonade blends.
The goal, Jacoby said, is to combine the nostalgia of the former Dairy Barn and Lighthouse Dairy with improvements suited for today’s customers.
“We want to bring that back, but offer some other updated things,” he said. “It’s kind of new yet old.”
The owners are also making improvements to the property itself. The building is being repainted in the classic red-andwhite barn colors, new lighting and signage are planned, and the previously overgrown exterior area is being trans-
formed with landscaping and crushed blue stone.
Jacoby said the outdoor improvements could eventually allow for a seating area where customers can enjoy coffee and other offerings.
“We’re trying to make it aesthetically pop,” he said. “We want people to drive by and say, ‘That’s got that old-school Long Island nostalgic dairy barn vibe. Let’s go there and see what they have.’”
The response from the Wantagh community has already been strong, Jacoby said. After sharing the plans on local Facebook groups, he said residents quickly voiced their excitement about the return of a familiar business.
“The response has been great,” he said. “People have been saying they missed the dairy barn vibe and missed not being able to call in their cold cut orders and pick them up.”
The Wantagh Chamber of Commerce has also reached out to welcome the new business, Jacoby said. He plans to become involved with the chamber and support local schools, organizations and community events.
Jacoby said he and Heath both have strong ties to Wantagh, and he hopes the business becomes a place where residents feel connected.
“We plan on supporting Wantagh any way possible, whether it’s through the Chamber of Commerce, through the schools and events,” he said. “We want to be rooted in the community.”
Jacoby, who has worked in the insurance industry and owns an online cigar brand, said opening the Dairy Mart is about more than just starting another business.
“I’m opening a business to make a living, obviously, but it’s also about bringing back what the community was missing,” he said. “I want it to become a community destination for those necessities people are looking for.”
As renovations continue, Jacoby hopes residents will soon see the familiar location once again become a neighborhood gathering place.
A year from now, he hopes customers describe Wantagh Dairy Mart as a dependable local staple.
“I hope they say they can get everything they need here, and that it’s a local business that’s going to be rooted in Wantagh for years to come,” he said. “I want it to be the go-to spot.”
Courtesy Alan Jacoby photos
A painter applies the iconic red and white colorway to the new Dairy Mart.
The Dairy Mart is replacing Rocket Coffee on Wantagh Avenue.
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA
ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours
Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT &
HomesHERALD
Waterfront Dream Home
Spectacular 8,100-square-foot stately brick Colonial offering seven bedrooms, seven full and two half baths on 215 feet of prime waterfront property. Beautifully renovated throughout, this exceptional home features a dramatic two-story entry foyer that opens to a second-floor balcony. Walls of windows flood the home with natural light while showcasing magnificent water views. Designed for both comfortable living and elegant entertaining, the home offers an exceptional flow and generously proportioned rooms throughout. The main-level primary suite overlooks the water and features two enormous walk-in closets and a luxurious radiant-heated bath with double vanities, separate water closets, a steam shower, and a Jacuzzi tub. The 2,100-square-foot finished basement, renovated just 10 years ago, includes a theater, recreation room, gym, wine cellar, bonus room, and full bath. The resortstyle backyard features a heated Gunite pool and spa, outdoor kitchen, expansive patio, and a newly renovated 215-foot raised vinyl bulkhead with a private dock for your boat. Additional highlights include a grand circular driveway and an attached three-car garage. Every luxury amenity has been thoughtfully included. Located in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District #14, this remarkable waterfront estate is conveniently close to the LIRR, shopping, and houses of worship. Asking $5,570,000. Call today to arrange your private viewing of this exceptional waterfront residence.
Ronnie Gerber Licensed Real Estate Salesperson C: 516-428-4298 O: 516-623-2776
ronnie.gerber@elliman.com For Everything 5 Towns & More Douglas Elliman / Merrick
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What to do about cracking concrete, Part 2
Q. We have large cracks in our concrete driveway and garage floor, and want to make sure they are repaired correctly, since they appear to be recently done, possibly within a year before we purchased the house. In particular, there is a nearly round hole that turned to gravel, kind of, and we want to know why it happened and avoid having it happen again. What can you tell us?
A. As I previously explained, concrete reacts to extreme weather changes, and isn’t as stable as people think. Nature moves mountains, so your driveway was no challenge to the forces of nature. Extreme cold causes concrete to contract — push in on itself — while heat has the effect of stretching rigid concrete to the point of literally ripping apart.
As with any material, water and movement are the most critical factors to work with. You’ll never win over nature. The hole is basically like a zit, a buildup of pressure in a weaker place across the surface. Concrete develops strength as a chemical reaction to the specific combination of materials it is made from. With too much water in the mix, it will be weaker, especially in a particular spot. With not enough water to support the chemical reaction of Portland cement, sand and stone, the concrete will be weak. It’s important to follow the directions on the package(s) to get the correct mix.
Like any successful repair or construction project, analysis and planning are extremely important. You should have a professional take a look at the problem before you repair it, to decide if a repair is even worth it. A short consult more than pays for itself if it turns out you’d be wasting money on something that isn’t worth a quick fix. If that round hole reveals that there’s no steel reinforcement, for example, then the rest of the driveway is on its way to needing more serious work in the near future. If the hole reveals that the mix was too wet or too dry, or was poured in weather that was too cold, or that admixtures were the wrong combination, you’ll just be throwing good money after bad.
When I see concrete work being done in extreme cold or excessive heat, as I’m driving by, I make a mental note to double back, over time, to see how the experiment worked or didn’t work. You can only shake your head when you understand the possible outcome. There are concrete repair mixtures that include epoxy adhesives, but, again, follow the directions to the letter if you’re making the less expensive, quick repair.
It was invaluable for me to work with a mason, carpenter and painter during summers off from architecture school. The mason taught me to wet the area before continuing after our lunch break, not adding wet next to dry mortar. The dry area was already curing. The fresh mortar would have the moisture sucked right into the drier surface, weakening both, and the work in general. Good luck!
© 2026 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.
Monte Leeper
Stuff HERALD
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OPINIONS
America must not abdicate its leadership
Almost 60 years ago, former Secretary of State Dean Acheson wrote a memoir, “Present At the Creation,” which focused on the reality that the United States had to remake the world — or at least Europe — in the years after World War II. That required a rejection and repudiation of the isolationist “America First” policy that had predominated after World War I until Pearl Harbor.
In 1945, Hitler and Nazi Germany had been destroyed, and postwar Germany was in ruins. Though England and France had been victors, the war left them seriously weakened. The British economy was in shambles, and France, which had largely surrendered to Nazi collaborators during the war, was economically damaged and politically unstable.
Most ominously, it soon became apparent that Stalin’s Russia was intent on expanding Soviet rule in Europe, with no regard for treaties or territorial boundaries. Agreements such as Yalta and Potsdam were ignored as Soviet communist rule was imposed on
Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, East Germany and most of Eastern Europe, creating what Winston Churchill so accurately labeled the Iron Curtain.
Fortunately, the United States would not repeat the tragic errors it made after World War I, which led to the inexorable rise of Hitler and World War II. The first world war had left Germany impoverished, creating fertile ground for Hitler and the growth of Naziism. The U.S. had basically demobilized its armed forces after the “war to end all wars.”
UAs Hitler rebuilt the German war machine in the 1930s and Europe appeased Hitler at Munich, the U.S. was slow to respond, and then the America First movement opposed helping Churchill when England was under siege.
Ultimately, the Soviet empire would implode.
kraine needs American support, and in Iran we need NATO’s support.
Today, our world is in need of another act of creation. Russian President Vladimir Putin envisions a new Russian empire, beginning with the invasion of Ukraine. This was the first invasion of one sovereign European nation by another in the almost eight decades since World War II. This continuing attack threatens European stability and, as we should have learned from the two 20th-century conflagrations, America’s security is imperiled. The concept of Fortress America, with oceans protecting us, is outmoded, and potentially suicidal.
In the aftermath of World War II, however, the U.S. assumed the leadership of the free world. Unlike Germany under Hitler, Stalin’s Russian expansion would be halted. America First would be no more. The Marshall Plan was enacted to rebuild West Germany and Western Europe.
To prevent a replay of Munich and appeasement, NATO was created so that an attack on one would be an attack on all. Isolationism was over.
While Europe has stepped forward and provided Ukraine with needed weaponry, the Trump administration has cut off arms sales to Ukraine, instead selling them to Europe, which will provide them to Ukraine. This is unnecessarily convoluted, and is causing Ukrainian lives to be lost. The administration somehow sees a moral equivalence between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which isn’t that different from equating Hitler with Churchill.
Our lead negotiator, Steve Witcoff, is a real estate guy from New York with
no diplomatic experience, and he hasn’t met with the parties in months. Ukraine is fighting valiantly, and actually beating Russia on the battlefield. But being outnumbered and outgunned, Ukraine can’t survive without American support. Echoes of Munich! Similarly, we will not prevail in our struggle against Iran by announcing that we will never use ground troops or by pretending we are winning when we are stalemated by the Iranians, who have the ability to shut down the Strait of Hormuz. To succeed we will need the support of NATO nations to use their minesweeper expertise to clear the strait. That would have been easier if we had informed NATO of our intention to attack Iran in the first place. Every effort must be made to obtain congressional support, and to level with the American people that no war is easy, especially a war against religious fanatics. And every war has risks. Telling the enemy we won’t ever use ground troops only increases the risk of having to use them.
These are perilous times, and we cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past. America must show firm leadership. America First cannot be America alone!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
No need for Democrats to panic about Mamdani & Co.
These past few weeks have been difficult for middle-of the-road Democrats. Candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America have won roughly half of 70 or so contested primary contests nationwide. The Wall Street Journal called the DSA successes “the political story of 2026.”
But will the DSA drag the Democratic Party permanently to the left, or will it fade away, as the Tea Party did on the Republican side in the mid-2010s?
Over the past 50 years, I have seen the Democratic Party tugged left and center by a number of forces, but in the end the moderates have always won the tug of war. The first big DSA win was in New York City, when Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor. He has now been in office just over six months, and the political jury is still out on whether he will be able to hold on to his job for more than one term. To date, Mamdani has won some major victories, and kept his pledges to
the voters who supported him. He has gotten lots of money from Albany for pre-K and child care programs, and his promised rent freeze has been approved. He has not delivered yet on his promise of free buses, because that’s a cost that would hurt all New Yorkers who use mass transit, and can’t afford to subsidize bus riders.
GMamdani got elected by virtue of the fact that his only primary opponent was former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who turned out to be a weak candidate. Mamdani’s success can also attributed to the so-called socialists’ mastery of social media. Moderate Democrats have failed to use that medium as effectively, giving the DSA a gift that other candidates around the country have benefited from as well. Can the DSA become a major force in American politics? I personally doubt its long-term ability to survive, but I may be proven wrong. An August 2025 Gallup poll found that 39 percent of Americans had a positive view of socialism, while 57 percent had a negative view. Socialist positions like defunding the police, eliminating rent and solidarity with the Palestinian cause may ener-
overning in the modern era is a big challenge for a fledgling movement.
gize the base, but they remain liabilities in swing districts and national races. A recent article in the Atlantic reported that the DSA’s sectarian wing has refused to endorse a Democratic presidential nominee. That will undercut its political influence.
The recent DSA wins have been concentrated in cities such as New York, Seattle, Denver and Washington, where progressive voters dominate. The organization has no U.S. senators and only a handful of House members, and no member of the DSA has never won a statewide race. And the Mamdani victory is instructive. He won because he softened his image, distancing himself from defunding the police, and stuck to breadand-butter issues.
The socialist movement has an internal contradiction. Its ideologically pure wing alienates voters it needs to build majority coalitions, while its more electable candidates drift toward positions that look a lot like those of typical progressives. In the early 1970s, the New Democratic Coalition made a run at taking over the moderate wing of the Democratic Party, but failed because it
lacked a strong party structure. Electoral success in blue cities does not equal long-term political viability. For socialist candidates to establish durable legitimacy, they will need to demonstrate competence at governing. Mamdani is being watched closely to see if he can hold on to his base. To do so he will have to relax some of his stated positions, which has already unnerved some of his DSA supporters. One example, that went beyond his campaign pledges, was his decision to keep the city police commissioner, Jessica Tisch, in her position.
Some of my Democratic friends in high party positions have reached for the panic button, but I’ve urged them to hold their fire. The DSA and its base have yet to capture the Democratic centrists and hold them hostage. They may notch a few more wins, but governing in the modern era is a big challenge for a small, fledgling movement. History informs me that the moderates in the Democratic Party are still in charge, and, while threatened, are very much alive and well.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm.
Sports still bring us together
Sports have always been about more than wins and losses. At their best, they remind us that we have far more in common than the headlines, social media feeds and political arguments would have us believe.
Over the past several weeks, Long Islanders saw two remarkable examples.
The New York Knicks’ championship run transformed Long Island and New York City into one giant community gathering. Bars overflowed with fans wearing blue and orange. Families planned evenings around playoff game tipoffs. Friends who hadn’t watched a game together in years reunited.
Even people who only casually followed basketball found themselves caught up in the excitement. Whether you watched from a crowded sports bar, a watch party or your living room, you became part of something bigger than yourself.
The FIFA World Cup offered a different, but equally meaningful, lesson.
U.S. forward Folarin Balogun’s red card sparked spirited debate among soccer fans. Many questioned the referee’s decision, others defended it, and nearly everyone had an opinion. Yet those conversations, like so many others about the competition, remained focused on the pitch. Fans dissected tactics, coach-
YOUR OPINION MATTERS
ing decisions and player performances not as ideological opponents, but as people who simply loved the game.
That distinction matters.
In too many corners of public life today, disagreement quickly turns into hostility. Every issue seems destined to become another battle in an endless culture war. Sports remind us that there is another way. You can passionately disagree with someone’s opinion, make your case, and then sit beside that same person to watch the next match.
Even after Belgium eliminated the United States, American supporters found themselves tipping their caps to a talented Belgian squad. There was disappointment, certainly, but also respect. Some fans even joked that Belgium had earned a little good karma along the way for not making Balogun’s controversial reinstatement an issue. That’s the beauty of sports. Defeat doesn’t have to produce bitterness. Sometimes it simply produces appreciation for excellence.
The same spirit carried Knicks fans through every dramatic moment of their championship run. Complete strangers celebrated together after clutch baskets. Subway rides morphed into rolling pep rallies. Neighborhood restaurants and bars became gathering places where age, politics, profession and background mattered far less than
the logo on a jersey.
For a few hours at a time, everyone was simply a fan. Those shared experiences strengthen communities in ways that statistics never can. They create memories between parents and children, lifelong friends and even strangers who may never meet again.
Years from now, many people won’t remember every score or every lineup change. But they will remember where they were, whom they were with and how it felt when an entire room erupted in celebration.
Our communities need more moments like that.
Sports won’t solve our political differences or erase the challenges we face. They shouldn’t have to. Their value lies elsewhere. They remind us that healthy competition doesn’t require contempt, that spirited debate doesn’t have to become personal, and that people with different backgrounds and viewpoints can still cheer, groan and celebrate together.
The Knicks gave New Yorkers a championship to remember. The World Cup is giving the world another reminder of soccer’s unmatched ability to unite people across borders and cultures. Long after the trophies are lifted and the final whistles blow, that is the real victory worth celebrating.
Your opinion Matters
The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.
The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.
Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send them to execeditor@liherald.com.
Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com
Be heard. Be part of the conversation.
Be heard. Be part of the conversation.
OPINIONS
This Regents raised questions that need answers
When an assessment becomes the story instead of student learning, it’s time to pause, listen, and make it right.
Throughout my career, previously as an assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction and now as a superintendent, I have helped lead school districts through a number of instructional transitions. We have adopted new learning standards, implemented new curricula and prepared teachers and students for revised Regents exams in nearly every subject area. While change hasn’t always been met with universal agreement, I have rarely seen the level of consensus that emerged following the first administration of New York’s new Earth and Space Science Regents. The concerns expressed by educators across the state were immediate, widespread and remarkably consistent.
School districts statewide spent years preparing for this transition. Teachers took part in professional development, revised lessons, developed new instructional materials and adjusted classroom practices to reflect the new standards.
Students invested countless hours learning the revised content and preparing for an exam that was expected to measure their understanding of those standards.
Instead, many educators walked away from the June exam with the same conclusion: The assessment did not accurately reflect the curriculum students had been taught.
TWhile it isn’t unusual for educators to debate individual test questions or discuss the level of difficulty of an exam, what occurred this time was different. Teachers, administrators and science professionals from districts large and small, urban and suburban, reached similar conclusions about the quality and alignment of the exam.
position of having to overcome the shortcomings of a new assessment.
here were concerns statewide about the new Earth and Space Science exam.
That kind of consensus deserves attention.
Creating a high-quality assessment is one of the most challenging tasks in education. Every question must accurately measure the intended learning standard. The language must be clear and accessible. The exam should distinguish between students who have mastered the content and those who have not, not between students who interpret ambiguous questions differently or those who understand the content but struggle with reading comprehension. Students should not be placed in the
FRAMEWORK by Tim Baker
This is not an argument against accountability or high expectations. New York has long maintained rigorous graduation standards, and those standards have helped ensure that a Regents diploma continues to carry value. Maintaining high expectations and acknowledging when an assessment falls short are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they are complementary. Strong educational systems recognize when improvements are needed and respond accordingly.
Additionally, the state has struggled to fully restore public confidence in its assessment system for grades three through eight following the troubled implementation of the Common Core Learning Standards and the Annual Professional Performance Review. The problems associated with this test administration only further erode public trust in assessments, which are a critical component of a strong educational system.
As the state moves away from traditional Regents exams as graduation requirements through the New York Inspires initiative, public confidence in our educational system will become more important than ever. Families, colleges, employers and the broader com-
munity must have faith that the new graduation requirements will continue to uphold the value and integrity of a state diploma.
Many educators have expressed understandable concern about what will replace an assessment system that has provided a strong educational framework for over a century. Public confidence is not lost simply because challenges arise. It is strengthened or diminished by how those challenges are acknowledged and addressed. How the state responds to concerns about the first Earth and Space Science Regents will send an important message about its commitment to fairness, accountability and continuous improvement.
The true measure of accountability is not insisting that every assessment is beyond criticism. It is being willing to acknowledge when concerns are legitimate, and taking appropriate action to protect students while improvements are made.
The concerns about this exam present an opportunity for the State Education Department to demonstrate that commitment. Listening to the consistent feedback from educators, carefully reviewing the test and providing appropriate relief for students who were unsuccessful would reinforce public confidence in both the assessment process and the department’s commitment to fairness.
Todd Winch is superintendent of the Levittown school district.
Thrilling the thousands on chairs and blankets below, the Blue Angels celebrated the nation’s 250th birthday — Jones Beach
Your Safety is Our #1 Concern—
And the Experts Agree
At Mount Sinai South Nassau, patient safety isn’t just a priority— it’s a standard, one we work on every day. And the experts agree.
We’ve earned national recognition for patient safety, including an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group and the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award.
That means better outcomes for our patients with lower risk of infections or hospital acquired conditions.
When it comes to your health, nothing matters more than knowing you’re in a place where patient safety matters most.
Learn more at mountsinai.org/southnassau