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NYC street now honors Seaford Sept. 11 hero rushed to the scene and was killed when the north tower collapsed. His first NYPD assignment A Manhattan street just two blocks from Central Park now came at the Central Park prebears the name of Seaford cinct, connecting the streetnative John William Perry, who naming to a place where his spent his life learning, run- career with the police force ning, acting, serving and, on first began. “It’s a stone’s throw,” Joel Sept. 11, 2001, sprinting toward said of the distance danger. between John WilPerry was honored on Sept. 5 with liam Perry Way and the unveiling of Central Park. John William Perry The ceremony Way at East 101st brought together Street and Madison Perry’s family, Avenue, near Mount police officers and Sinai Hospital and members of his Seaclose to the Central ford community for Park precinct where a day that included he began his career TOM CONDON a police escort, an with the NYPD. honor guard and Chairman, For P e r r y ’ s Seaford 9/11 visits to several younger brother, Memorial Committee places tied to his life Joel, the location and service. was especially Tom Condon, meaningful. “He loved New chairman of the Seaford 9/11 York City,” Joel said. “He was Memorial Committee and a more passionate about the city longtime Seaford educator, than he was NYPD.” attended the ceremony alongPerry, a Seaford High School side Perry’s family. He knew graduate, was a 38-year-old Perry long before he became a NYPD officer and lawyer who New York City police officer, was preparing to retire from serving as his guidance counthe department and practice selor and track coach at Sealaw when the World Trade Cen- ford High School. ter was attacked. Though he Condon remembered Perry was off duty that morning, he
By HUNTER FENOLLOL
hfenollol@liherald.com
Courtesy Wantagh School District photos
Seaford’s Sept. 11 memorial ceremony drew more than 1,000 people, including Board of Education trustees, school administrators, elected officials, local clergy and community members. They honored five Seaford High School alumni who died that day.
Their legacy lives on, 25 years later By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
Twenty-five years have passed since five Seaford High School graduates left home for work and never returned. Their names are now enshrined on the memorial outside Seaford High School: Timothy Haskell. Thomas Haskell. John William Perry. Robert Francis Sliwak. Michael Robert Wittenstein. On Sept. 11, Seaford once again gathered to remember them as more than 1,000 people came together to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. For the families, the anniversary isn’t simply about remembering how the five men died. It’s about remembering who they were when they were alive: sons, brothers, husbands, fathers, athletes, friends — and young men with futures that were abruptly taken away. For Barbara Haskell, that means remembering the two sides of her husband, Tommy, whom she met in high school. She and Tommy began dating during their senior year, in 1981, and married seven
years later. Tommy was known to many for his strong, reserved demeanor. He was a leader and a man of few words. At home, Barbara knew a different Tommy. “He was our hero first,” she said. He was a playful father who knew how to make his daughters laugh. Once, he turned their kiddie pool into a makeshift lazy river, holding a watering can over the pool to create a waterfall as his daughters floated by. He went to their soccer games and dance recitals. On family trips to Disney World, he led them through the theme parks, sharing Mickey Bars and turkey legs with his daughters. Twenty-five years later, Barbara sees parts of Tommy in the daughters he left behind — their leadership, determination, athleticism, stubbornness and playfulness. His youngest daughter, she said, even bears an uncanny resemblance to him. The passage of time has brought a new generation, too, one Tommy never met. His granddaughters are growing up, but without the love, laughter and guidance Barbara believes he would have given them. Her famCONTINUED ON PAGE 3
H
e had a choice, and his choice was to save people.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
Bang Bang Burritos plans Oceanside location By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com
Courtesy Bang Bang Burrito
Bang Bang Burritos is expanding across Long Island, with new restaurants planned in Oceanside, Wantagh and Melville. “We had a lot of interest in it,” he said. “Within the first two weeks, we probably had 15 appointments over there and by the second week it was leased.” The Oceanside restaurant will add
another fast-casual dining option along one of the community’s major commercial corridors. Construction and permitting could affect the planned opening timeline.
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Wantagh is expected to be the first of the three new locations to open. The restaurant will occupy a 960-square-foot space at 1906 Wantagh Ave., with an opening targeted for October. Bang Bang Burritos’ website is currently advertising job openings for the Wantagh restaurant. A third location is planned for Melville at 718 Walt Whitman Road. The 1,600-square-foot restaurant is expected to open in spring 2027. Bang Bang Burritos was incorporated in New York in June 2019 and opened its first restaurant that year in West Islip. The company later expanded to Bay Shore and Manhasset. The restaurant’s menu includes burritos, tacos, nachos, quesadillas and empanadas. Bang Bang Burritos is entering a competitive fast-casual Mexican restaurant market dominated by larger national brands, including Chipotle Mexican Grill, Taco Bell and Qdoba. Still, industry analysts have said fastcasual Mexican remains one of the restaurant categories experiencing growth, creating opportunities for smaller and independent chains to expand alongside national brands. With three new restaurants planned, Bang Bang Burritos is poised to double its Long Island presence while continuing its growth from the single location it opened in West Islip seven years ago.
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Seaford High School senior Meridith Goldberger has been actively involved in student life and is adding another title to her resumé – ex-officio student member of the board of education. Meridith was sworn into the role, now in its second year, at the July 8 reorganization meeting. Although she will not vote or attend executive session, she will provide a student perspective and give an update at each business meeting. She was selected for the position as the senior class president and is also the president
of the Drama Club and Model Congress, a member of the color guard, cross-country team, dance team, track team and Shared Decision Making Committee. The Seaford Harbor Elementary School graduate says she looks forward to being able to represent the student body, voicing ideas, sharing concerns and highlighting events that are occurring across the entire district. “I am excited to hear about decisions that are made and see how they directly impact our community,” she said.
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Bang Bang Burritos is expanding across Long Island, with new restaurants planned in Oceanside, Wantagh and Melville. The fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain, which opened its first location in West Islip in 2019, has signed leases for all three locations. The expansion will bring the Long Island-based chain to six restaurants across Nassau and Suffolk counties, doubling its current footprint. The Oceanside restaurant will occupy a 1,500-square-foot end-cap space at 2904 Long Beach Road, a highly visible corner location that was most recently home to a smoothie shop. The restaurant is expected to open in the fourth quarter of this year. Mike Lightcap of Douglas Elliman Commercial, who represented the transaction in Oceanside, said Bang Bang Burritos signed a 10-year lease for the space. The property’s existing layout helped make it attractive to food-related businesses, Lightcap said. “A lot of the foundation was there,” Lightcap said of the space. “The freezers, and the walk-in box, and just how the counter was set up already for a smoothie shop.” The Long Beach Road location also had significant attraction because of its visibility and traffic, Lightcap said.
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SEAFORD HERALD — September 17, 2026 Tim Baker/Herald photos
Family members of Seaford High School’s five alumni who died on Sept. 11 gathered at the school’s memorial to honor their loved ones 25 years later.
They were more than names on a memorial CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
ily will make sure they know him through the stories they tell. “I’m so proud of the lives they lived and the love they gave,” Barbara said of Tommy and the four others who died. The effort to preserve the memories of those men has driven the Seaford 9/11 Memorial Committee for a quarter-century. Its president, Kenneth Haskell, knew that mission from the beginning. Tommy and Timmy were his brothers. All three were New York City firefighters.
One brother survived
Ken, who was 32 at the time, was off duty when the first plane struck. He had previously served with the New York City Police Department, and had responded to the World Trade Center after it was bombed in 1993. On Sept. 11, he reported to his Brooklyn firehouse, where he and other off-duty firefighters commandeered a bus and headed to Manhattan. Tommy, 37, was a captain with Ladder 132, and was an acting battalion chief that morning. Timmy, 34, was a firefighter with Squad 18. He was off duty, but had been staying at another firehouse because his regular quarters were being painted. When Timmy walked outside and saw the burning towers, he immediately went to help. Ken later learned that Timmy had assisted a man with a medical emergency in the north tower. When another firefighter needed help on an upper floor, Timmy headed upstairs. The firefighter who called for help, and the man Timmy assisted, got out before the collapse. Timmy did not. His remains were recovered four days later. Tommy’s remains were never found. Ken said that learning about Timmy’s final actions made him proud, but not surprised. “I was proud of my brother,” he said. “Not surprised at the choice he made.” Dawn Haskell Carbone, their sister, remembers her brothers differently. She still calls them “the boys,” the same way she did growing up. Tommy, she said, was driven and serious — a man whose life revolved around what she calls the “three Fs: family, football and the fire department.” Timmy was the wild one. He loved biking, soccer and extreme sports. He was funny, adventurous and
seemingly willing to jump off anything. The brothers’ path to the FDNY was hardly surprising. Their father was a firefighter, and the family grew up on Neptune Avenue, just six houses from the Wantagh Fire Department. The fire service was part of the family’s life for decades. Haskell Carbone, who serves as secretary of the memorial committee, has spent the years since Sept. 11 trying to ensure that the five men remain at the center of the community’s remembrance. “Sometimes, you know, it’s 25 years later, things get forgotten,” she said. “To me, I still think it was yesterday.” The committee was created in the chaotic months after the attacks, when residents began giving money to the families simply because they wanted to do something. The Haskell, Perry, Sliwak and Wittenstein families helped turn roughly $10,000 in community donations into something lasting. The committee built the memorial outside the high school and established the annual Patriot Awards, $2,000 each for five graduating seniors in memory of the five men. It also funds an annual trip for Seaford High School’s graduating class to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Ken Haskell and his cousin, retired U.S. Army Col. David Haskell, spoke at this year’s remembrance ceremony, which included a flag presentation by the Nassau County Police Department Color Guard, escorted by the department’s Pipe and Drum Honor Guard.
This close to retiring
John Perry was a Seaford attorney, an NYPD officer, an actor and a lifelong athlete. He competed in five New York City marathons, took part in Hudson River swims, learned several languages and volunteered his legal services to friends and organizations. On Sept. 11, he was at One Police Plaza, filing his retirement papers when the attacks began. He immediately ran toward the World Trade Center. John’s brother, Joel Perry, has described him as a man who loved New York City deeply. Earlier this month, the city honored that connection by naming a street near Central Park John William Perry Way. Robert “Sli” Sliwak, a member of Seaford High’s class of 1977, was a co-captain of the school’s championship football team, and earned All-County honors
and a full scholarship. His memorial biography describes a gentle, easygoing man who was humble about his accomplishments. He loved his seven siblings, his wife, Susan, and their three children, Ryan and twins Kyle and Nicole. His greatest joy was being a father — whether playing tackle football in the basement or walking along the beach with his family. And then there was Michael Wittenstein. Barbara Wittenstein, his mother, remembers him as “the nicest kid you ever wanted to meet.” Michael was 24 and working at Cantor Fitzgerald, on the 104th floor of the North Tower. He was bright, funny and generous, a Mets and Jets fan who was often the life of a party. He loved his friends and his family and would help anyone who needed it. He also had a wedding to look forward to. Wittenstein and his fiancée, Carrie, were planning to be married in October 2001. Relatives from Israel were expected to attend. His mother says seeing Michael’s photograph again, surrounded by the other Seaford graduates, is emotional for her. For Haskell Carbone, the committee continues it work in order to preserve the memories of the five men. Students who were born years after the attacks will encounter their names at the high school. They will visit the 9/11 museum. They will compete for the Patriot Awards. The committee wants them to understand that those men weren’t simply names associated with a tragedy. “They were real people like every one of us, living our lives,” Haskell Carbone said. Barbara Haskell hopes that schools continue teaching the history of Sept. 11, but she also wants young people to remember what came afterward — the courage and unity that emerged from the tragedy. And her sister-in-law hopes the community continues to remember the men themselves. When she stands at the memorial, she thinks about her brothers and the lives they never got to live — Tommy’s granddaughters he never met, the family milestones he missed, and all the moments the five men should have experienced. Twenty-five years later, she said, the work of the committee remains remarkably simple: “I just want other people to think of them, too.”
Books are on the menu in Harbor fifth grade classrooms By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
Fifth graders at Seaford Harbor Elementary School are ready to read. On Sept. 9, students in each class took part in a book tasting to inform their reading choices for the next several weeks. Students were given stacks of books from their classroom libraries and encouraged to read the summaries and few pages of ones that looked appealing. Each pile contained a mix of fiction and nonfiction books, representing different authors and genres. Fifth graders then reviewed and rated the choices to select books for their independent reading. Teacher Mackenzie Hickey said the goal was for students to find “just right” books. She wants students reading books that are interesting and relatable, and not
too difficult but challenging enough to help them grow as readers. The ability to find the right book is a life skill, she added, such as when they are visiting a library or browsing at a book store. Samantha Mahan gave her students about 10 minutes with each book to help them craft their rankings. In addition to independent reading time in class, students also take books home where they are expected to read each night for 30 minutes and complete a short response based on prompts relating to story elements. The book selections ranged from decades-old stories like “The Baby-Sitters Club and “Charlotte’s Web” to more modern choices like the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and “I Survived” series. Teachers said the nonfiction “Who Was” books are also popular, helping students learn about influential figures of the past and present.
Joey Donnelly and Paulina Tirino were hard at work selecting books they want to read this year.
Courtesy Seaford School District photos
Seaford Harbor Elementary School fifth graders took part in a book tasting on Sept. 9 to select their “just right” books for independent reading time.
They Were Coming Home They left that morning under ordinary And some ran upward while the world skies, ran down, A hurried kiss, a wave, the smallest of Through choking smoke and darkness goodbyes. all around. “See you tonight,” they For strangers whose called, then walked away, names they would never Not knowing night would know, never come that day. They climbed toward heavThen from the smoke, the en while we watched below. final phone calls came, So when September brings A trembling voice, a whisthat blue sky into view, pered loved one’s name. Remember they had plans No word of anger, wealth, that evening too. or what was due, They were not numbers Just one last breath that chiseled into stone, said, “I love you.” They were somebody’s oshe eis A child stood listening whole world, somebody’s each time the front door own, bluM stirred, They were coming home Still waiting for the footthat night. They were coming steps once so often heard. home. A coat stayed hanging where it used to Rabbi Moshe P. Weisblum, PhD serves as be, the Spiritual Leader of Congregation Beth An empty chair beside the family.
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SEAFORD HERALD — September 17, 2026
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Lynbrook rallies to defeat Seaford By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
CHACE MORRIS OCEANSIDE Senior FOOTBALL A YEAR AFTER LEADING Nassau County in touchdowns with 28 and rushing for 1,294 yards, Morris picked up where he left off in Oceanside’s season-opening 37-29 victory at Farmingdale Sept. 4. He carried 34 times for 200 yards and two touchdowns as the Sailors kicked off the new season on a winning note. Both of Morris’ scores came in the fourth quater from 10 and 11 yards as the visitors upped their 24-21 halftime lead.
GAMES TO WATCH Thursday, Sept. 17 Boys Soccer: Seaford at V.S. South......................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Lawrence at Plainedge ...................5 p.m. Girls Soccer: South Side at Calhoun ...................5 p.m. Girls Soccer: North Shore at Wantagh..................5 p.m. Field Hockey: North Shore at Baldwin ..................5 p.m. Girls Soccer: Lynbrook at Plainedge ....................7 p.m. Girls Soccer: Lawrence at V.S. North ....................7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 18 Football: Mepham at Calhoun ........................3:30 p.m. Football: Seaford at EastRock/WestHemp ...........6 p.m. Football: Division at Plainedge .......................6:30 p.m. Football: Sewanhaka at Wantagh ........................7 p.m. Football: C.S. Harbor at Malverne .......................7 p.m. Football: Oyster Bay at Lawrence .........................5 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19 Football: V.S. Central at New Hyde Park ...............1 p.m. Football: East Meadow at Uniondale ..............1:30 p.m. Football: Locust Valley at Lynbrook .................1:30 p.m. Football: Kennedy at Long Beach ...................1:30 p.m. Football: Bethpage at Elmont .........................1:30 p.m. Football: Baldwin at Carey ..............................1:30 p.m. Football: Clarke at South Side .............................2 p.m. Football: MacArthur at Garden City ......................3 p.m.
Despite trailing defending Nassau Conference IV football champion Seaford by 11 points late in the third quarter of Thursday night’s opener. visiting Lynbrook didn’t panic. The Owls got within a field goal on junior Thomas Potash’s second rushing touchdown and then flew past the Vikings, 24-21, with a long fourth-quarter scoring drive capped by senior quarterback William O’Riordan’s 7-yard touchdown run with 7:24 remaining. “This win is not only for all of us but for all of our brothers who were on last year’s team,” O’Riordan said. “We’ve worked so hard since Seaford beat us in the semifinals last November. We showed out tonight and I couldn’t be happier.” O’Riordan set up his game-winning score — his first in a varsity uniform — with connections through the air to seniors Orji Agwu and Peter Rahaniotis for 12 and 30 yards, respectively. It was the Owls’ first and only lead. Rahaniotis helped preserve it on Seaford’s ensuing possession with a strip sack takeaway, with junior Elias Vanderos recovering the fumble. Lynbrook’s defense also stood its ground in the final two minutes as junior quarterback Finn Curry (3 touchdown passes) had the Vikings knocking on the door before their final possession stalled at the Owls’ 19. “This is nearly a year’s worth of work,” Lynbrook head coach Dave Yaker said. “We didn’t start three weeks ago. We gave them a week off after we lost to Seaford at Hofstra and got right back to work. I’m really happy for our guys. This is a big win against one of the most successful programs in the county for a long time.” Senior Michael Calvacca had a pair of touchdown receptions and senior Carmine Pandolfino had the other for Seaford, which led 21-10 with 7 minutes left in the third quarter. “We knew it was going to be a battle,” Seaford head coach Mike McHugh said. v
Don’t let injuries sideline you.
Ryan Kind/Herald
Junior quarterback Finn Curry had three touchdown passes for the Vikings in their 24-21 loss to Lynbrook Sept. 10. “The top two ranked teams in the conference and there’s a good chance we’ll see each other again down the road. We had our chances, but tonight they got the better of us.” The Vikings, who beat Lynbrook 48-20 in last year’s semis on the way to the county title, struck first with less than a minute remaining in the first quarter on Calvacca’s nifty 50-yard touchdown grab and run. Lynbrook cut the lead to 7-3 on senior Phillip Dzieciolowski’s 25-yard field goal midway through the second. Both offenses found paydirt late in the first half. Seaford led 14-3 with 2:12 remaining on Pandolfino’s 5-yard touchdown catch, but O’Riordan & Co.
responded with 40 seconds left when Potash found the end zone from 5 yards out. Potash answered Calvacca’s second touchdown with a second of his own, a 22-yard run with 32 seconds to go in the third. Rahaniotis’ 2-point conversion followed to cut the margin to 21-18. The Owls’ defense allowed just one first down on the ensuing possession to set the stage for the winning drive. “It’s a great start to the season for us, but we’ve got a lot of work to do,” Yaker said. Lynbrook hosts Locust Valley next Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Seaford visits East Rockaway/West Hempstead next Friday at 6:30 p.m.
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Molloy is among Time’s top 100 colleges bkacharaba@liherald.com
Molloy University has been named to Time magazine’s inaugural America’s Best Colleges list for 2026-27, placing No. 85 among the top 100 colleges and universities in the nation. Molloy was one of 14 New York institutions on the list, and the only Long Island college or university to receive the distinction. It was recognized alongside Columbia University, Barnard College and New York University. Time evaluated colleges based on student outcomes, learning environment and attractiveness to students. Student outcomes accounted for 75 percent of an institution’s overall score, including graduation rates, graduate earnings and economic value for students. The remaining 25 percent of the score factored in educational costs, student resources and demand. Molloy earned an overall score of 79.93. For President James Lentini, the recognition came as a surprise, because the university was not asked to submit information. “It was totally a surprise to me,” Lentini said. “They did their own research by pulling up return-on-investment info and all kinds of metrics that are out there that people can find, and so, yeah, it was a surprise.” Lentini said that
Courtesy Molloy University
Molloy University is ranked No. 85 among the nation’s top 100 colleges and universities in Time magazine’s inaugural America’s Best Colleges list for 2026-27. Time used information including the cost of tuition, graduation rates and graduate salaries. “A lot of this data is available publicly through something called IPEDS” — the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System — “which is a system we all have to report to,” he said. “It was a pleasant surprise.”
The recognition follows another national ranking based on student outcomes. Lentini noted that Molloy was ranked No. 75 by the Wall Street Journal last year. “It was great that these two publications, and this one being Time, are the same kind of results based on student outcomes,” he said.
The distinction, Lentini added, reflects Molloy’s focus on students. “It says a lot about what we’re doing here and the high quality of the work, and what we’re doing for our students here,” he said. “We have the kind of institution that offers degrees where they’re highly regarded in health care and the arts and business and education, and it just speaks highly of the work that’s happening at Molloy.” Lentini attributed the success of the university’s students in part to its mission and student support. “I think we’re a different kind of place,” he said. “Our mission, being a Catholic school, I think the kind of care our students get, the kind of way we treat each other, the attention we pay to each student, I think it’s a lot missionbased, and I think it speaks to retention rates and graduation rates. “Those kinds of things speak to the fact that our students feel a sense of belonging here,” he added. “They stay, and they get nurtured in a way where they succeed when they graduate.” Time’s recognition, Lentini said, could bring attention from prospective students and families. “I think it should give [us] a boost,” he said. “We’re right in the backyard of a lot of these great students, so we’re worth a look from all these students, and we hope that more recognition will even take us further.”
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SEAFORD HERALD — September 17, 2026
By BRIAN KACHARABA
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September 17, 2026 — SEAFORD HERALD
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Rhoads seeks to build on second-term success By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
State Sen. Steve Rhoads spent his first two years in Albany learning the ropes of the Senate — and adjusting to a role in a minority caucus. After winning the 5th Senate District seat in 2022, Rhoads transitioned from the Nassau County Legislature, where Republicans held the majority, to a chamber controlled by Democrats. “Being in the minority of the State Senate is a different dynamic,” Rhoads told Herald reporters at a recent roundtable interview. Now, as he ends his second full term and his fourth year of advocating on behalf of his constituents, Rhoads said, “It was nice to be able to capitalize on what I learned. “There are issues that we can’t compromise on,” he added of working across the aisle, “but my job is to try and find areas of common ground and to work together.” Among those bipartisan successes, Rhoads said he was especially proud of the state’s efforts to protect children online. The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation for Kids Act, which had its final rules unveiled in July, aims to regulate social media algorithms and prevent minors from being served addictive feeds. Rhoads is also working with Sen. Jeremy Cooney, a Democrat from Monroe County, on legislation that would offer volunteer first responders three free credits per semester at SUNY and CUNY colleges. The measure expands on an initiative Rhoads helped create in the County Legislature. Of course, there are areas of disagreement. Rhoads has been critical of what he feels is overspending in the state budget, which he said has grown by 65 percent over the past eight years. Medicaid benefits
5 th STATE SENATE DISTRICT
Jeffrey Bessen/Herald
State Sen. Steve Rhoads, the incumbent in the 5th District, highlighted his successes during his second term in Albany in a roundtable with Herald reporters. account for a large chunk of state spending plan — a system that has not been audited to determine whether all who receive benefits still belong in the program. “How do you not look at that?” Rhoads said. “It seems as though the solution is always: We’re just going to increase the budget. We need to be doing something to control costs.” One of his proposals to rein in state spending, he
said, is a bill thath would restore a 2 percent cap on the growth of state spending. Rhoads argued that the measure, supported by the Republican gubernatorial candidate, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakmean, would not mandate cuts to existing programs, but would instead slow the rate at which state spending increases each year. By keeping budget growth in check, Rhoads said, economic growth could help generate enough revenue over time to support what he described as a major personal income tax cut. Among concerns he hears about from residents, affordability and crime remain at the top of the list. Rhoads has long opposed cashless bail policies, which can make it harder for judges to keep people accused of certain crimes in jail before trial. “It’s lower-level crimes, and allowing those to happen sort of sets the stage for larger crimes to take place,” he said. “That’s the major complaint I get.” Ultimately, Rhoads said, “You’re not going to be able to change what comes out of Albany until you change who’s in charge,” but he is hopeful, he added, about progress in his next term if he wins re-election in November. “For me, it’s not about Republicans and Democrats at this point,” he said. “It’s sort of a difference between common sense and chaos.”
Piddoubny outlines priorities in first campaign By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Wantagh resident Andrew Piddoubny is embracing his first campaign for public office with open arms, focusing on affordability and securing a greater share of state funding for Long Island. The Democratic candidate in the 5th State Senate District is originally from Queens, and has lived on Long Island with his wife since 2019. A father of 2-year-old twins, Piddoubny said he understands the struggles Long Islanders face. “I have ideas for how to directly address those,” he told Herald reporters at a recent roundtable interview. “It’s going to benefit everybody — my neighbors, friends, family.” Affordability is a concern Piddoubny is hearing about from residents of the district. The cost of child care, for many, can often be higher than a mortgage. Piddoubny said that New York state will have universal pre-K beginning in the 2028-29 school year, which he said will be a great first step. He also pointed to New York City’s programs, which include a robust 3-K program and a pilot 2-K program. “What about us?” he said. “I think that we’re not getting our fair share of state-allocated funds. I want to make sure that we’re on par with other counties. I think there needs to be more fairness and equity here on Long Island,” he added. “We pay much more into the state than we get back.” Piddoubny also pointed to rising homeowner’s insurance premiums as another affordability issue. His own family’s bill, he said, has gone up by several hundred dollars in each of the past two years, and
Jeffrey Bessen/Herald
Andrew Piddoubny, an attorney and a State Supreme Court law clerk who is the Democratic challenger, discussed his campaign priorities. research has shown that the average annual cost in New York has increased by about $1,000 since 2020 —
more than the national average. He argued that insurers are making disproportionately high profits in New York, saying that companies keep about 24 cents of every premium dollar here, compared with about 8 cents nationally. He suggested that New York consider capping excessive profits or preventing insurers from raising rates after especially profitable years, with excess money returned to ratepayers instead of going to large companies. On the subject of the state budget’s increases over the past decade, Piddoubny said it would be worth looking into where funds are being allocated. “I think we do have to look at areas of where we are overspending, and at the same time, making sure that we’re putting them in the proper place,” he said. Piddoubny is an attorney who works as a law clerk for a State Supreme Court judge, and is active in the Ukrainian-American community, serving on the board of the Ukrainian-American Bar Association. He has been involved in sometimes complex legal negotiations, he said, which he feels has prepared him for working with others in government he may not necessarily caucus or agree with. “It’s [about] diffusing tense situations, trying to keep the focus on practicality and the resolution, what’s best overall,” he said. “Find that middle ground … that’s been essentially my entire career.” If elected, Piddoubny said, serving in the state’s majority caucus would put him in a strong position to advance legislation and deliver results for the district. “We need somebody who’s in the room where it happens, who’s there for negotiations,” he said, “to make sure we can secure our fair share of funds, and get laws and bills passed.”
Trucking program at NCC offers fresh start By JULIA GILLEGO jgillego@liherald.com
Rebound on the Road celebrated the graduation of its sixth cohort at Nassau Community College earlier this month, recognizing students who completed an intensive program designed to prepare them for careers in commercial trucking while providing support focused on mental health, recovery and personal growth. The graduation, on Sept. 3, marked more than the completion of an eightweek training program. It represented a new beginning for many participants. The program, founded by former NBA star Jayson Williams, is a partnership between Rebound on the Road, Nassau County and NCC. The program offers vocational training to people seeking a second chance, helping participants earn commercial driver’s licenses. For Jerry Kornbluth, NCC’s vice president of community and government relations, the most meaningful part of the ceremony was seeing how much the students had changed over the course of eight weeks. “And when you see them, eight weeks later, at a graduation, and what they’re saying to the other people, and the camaraderie that they built, and the family that they built, they’re going to
Julia Gillego/Herald
Emil Arthur-Ricketts celebrating his completion of the Rebound on the Road program at Nassau Community college with his father, Martin Ricketts. stay forever,” Kornbluth said. “They’re never going to go back to their old ways.” The program, Williams said, emphasizes professionalism, safety and discipline. Participants train in driving, pretrip inspections and other skills needed to become commercial drivers. But the program also places a strong emphasis on mental health. Students began their mornings with time devoted
to reflection and discussion with mental health professionals before moving into their driving lessons. “I don’t want to put them behind 80,000 pounds if they’re not feeling it,” Williams said. “The psychiatrist and the psychotherapist are very important in what we do.” The combination of training and support, he added, helps turn the participants not only into better drivers, but
professionals prepared for long-term careers. “The thing I’m most proud of is that we become family here,” Williams said. That sense of community was echoed by graduate Emil Arthur-Ricketts, who said the program gave students an environment in which they could support one another while working toward a common goal. “I really enjoyed it,” Arthur-Ricketts said. “I love the fact that it’s family-oriented. It’s more than just trucking itself. It’s really about people coming together — brotherhood, fatherhood — and we all have a common goal in life.” The impact of the program extends beyond graduation day. Kornbluth said that more than 100 students who have graduated from the program have gone on to work driving trucks throughout the United States. Williams said that graduates also remain connected, returning to support one another and helping open doors for future cohorts. For the students celebrating at NCC, the ceremony marked both an ending and a beginning: the end of eight weeks of demanding training, and the start of careers built on responsibility, stability and the promise of a second chance. For more information, visit ReboundontheRoad.org.
SEAFORD HERALD — September 17, 2026
Former NBA All-Star Jayson Williams’s course prepares trainees for new careers behind the wheel
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Remembering 12 lives lost, 25 years after 9/11 By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
For State Sen. Steve Rhoads, the sound of firehouse bells on Sept. 11, 2001, remains one of the clearest memories of that day. Rhoads, a Wantagh High School alumnus, then a 32-year-old practicing attorney and a volunteer firefighter, was on his way to Queens Supreme Court when he saw smoke rising from the World Trade Center. He returned to his office in Mineola before reporting to the Wantagh Fire Department, where his Company Five was sent to Long Island City to provide fireprotection coverage for a Queens fire company whose firefighters had been deployed to Ground Zero. While in Long Island City that night, Rhoads said he heard the FDNY’s traditional five-bell signal for a firefighter killed in the line of duty ring repeatedly. “The realization that every time that bell would sound, that it was another firefighter who would not be returning home to his family was something that I will always remember,” Rhoads said. Last Friday, 25 years later, Rhoads stood among students, educators, first responders, veterans and community members at Wantagh High School as the school district dedicated a monument intended to make sure those memories — and the people behind them — remain close to home. The memorial, several years in the making, features a 1:170-scale replica of the twin towers of the World Trade Center atop a Pentagon-shaped base. Twelve names of Wantagh residents who died in the attacks are etched in granite. The towers are illuminated at night, and the benches that surround them recognize the organizations and individuals whose contributions helped make the project possible. The ceremony marked the culmination of work led by Wantagh High’s assistant principal, Christopher Widmann, chairman of the district’s 9/11 committee, which was formed in 2024. When the project began, Widmann said, the committee was unsure what it could accomplish. “Maybe we could get, like, a big stone with a plaque on it and put the list of the names of the people on there,” he recalled thinking. Instead, raising funds at the annual Wantagh Warrior 9/11 Memorial 5K Run, and supported by the Gary Sinise Foundation, the Wantagh 6-12 Association, Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Group and Nassau County Legislator Michael Giangregorio’s office, the Wantagh 9/11 Memorial Committee created something much larger. The 5K, Widmann said, has grown into a community event of its own, drawing nearly 800 runners last year, along with hundreds of spectators. This year’s race is scheduled for Sunday. “This is something that I don’t think any of us real-
Community members, including local firefighters and veterans, gathered at Wantagh High School for the dedication of the district’s new Sept. 11 memorial.
Tim Baker/Herald photos
The monument, honoring the 12 Wantagh residents who died at the World Trade Center, was dedicated last Friday. ly thought we would be standing in front of 25 years later,” Widmann said. His work with the Gary Sinise Foundation also helped shape the district’s emphasis on education. Tom Gibbs, the foundation’s director of education outreach, said the project began with the vision of Wantagh High Principal Paul Guzzone. “This would never have happened without him first dreaming big to teach and engage with the next generation,” Gibbs said of Guzzone. “He represents the very foundation of our educational mission to connect generations.” The foundation previously took Wantagh students to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, along with World War II veterans as part of its Soaring Valor program. The foundation later sponsored a trip for about 150 Wantagh students to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in Manhattan. The district has made firsthand learning a central part of its 9/11 education, and continued fundraising will support an annual trip for 11th-graders to the museum, where they receive guided tours and hear from people who experienced the attacks or took part in the recovery. “Getting students out there to hear it, to see it, and to experience the sites firsthand is absolutely para-
mount to the mission,” Gibbs said. That mission is especially important to Widmann because an entire generation of Wantagh students has grown up after Sept. 11. He compared it to Pearl Harbor, an event that all but a few Americans know only through photos and history books. “We wanted the kids to be able to understand that community members from here, who lived here, who graduated from here, they perished that day,” Widmann said. “And we wanted the kids to be able to walk by and reflect on that every time they walk by that memorial.” During last week’s dedication, at which students filled the area behind the monument, Widmann read the names of the Wantagh residents who died, sharing details about their lives. Their family members then placed flowers at the monument. Guzzone presented a wooden carving of an American flag to Gibbs in recognition of the foundation’s support. A bagpiper and drummer played taps. District Superintendent John McNamara and Board of Education President Jennifer Perfetti also reflected on the significance of the memorial. “Looking at this beautiful monument, I am overwhelmed with immense pride,” McNamara said. “To be a part of the Wantagh community is to know a rare brand of solidarity.” “These individuals are not distant figures in a history textbook,” Perfetti said of the names on the monument. “They are our neighbors, our family members and our friends.” For Rhoads, that’s what will make memorials like this one important for generations that have no firsthand memory of the attacks. “These things are important to reinforce the message that this isn’t just a date in history,” he said, “that these were real people that were impacted, real lives, and real lessons that we hope are learned as we go forward.” Gibbs said he hoped those lessons extend beyond the school. “I hope they tell their kids that their community came together to memorialize and recognize ordinary people whose lives were taken abruptly by the events of Sept. 11,” he said. Widmann added that he hoped the monument would continue to inspire that effort simply by being there, with its names visible to students walking past it each day. “Sept. 11 was a day filled with darkness,” he said. “But darkness does not have to be the end of the story.”
SEAFORD HERALD — September 17, 2026
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New York City honors a hero from Seaford CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
as a tall, lanky runner who competed in track and was deeply curious about the world around him. “He was really into learning,” Condon said. Perry attended Stony Brook University and NYU School of Law, served in the National Guard and became fluent in several languages. Condon recalled Perry speaking Portuguese, Spanish, French, Russian and English. “He knew a lot about everything,” Condon said. Perry was also an avid runner, competing in five New York City marathons and countless 5Ks and 10Ks and was a member of the NYPD running club. Acting was another one of his passions, having appeared in soap operas, films and other productions, sometimes taking roles that drew on his police background. “He was really kind of a renaissance man,” Condon said. To his siblings, Joel and Janice Perry-Montoya, he was also a mentor. Joel said he would not have become a lawyer without his brother’s encouragement. All three Perry siblings eventually went to law school. John also introduced Joel to books and ideas, encouraging him to explore economics and philosophy and challenging him to think about the world from different perspectives.
Photo courtesy Tom Condon
Siblings Joel Perry and Janice Perry Montoya with the new John William Perry Way street sign alongside New York City police officers and members of the NYPD High School Police Explorers. “He was an intellectual,” Joel said. “He was very philosophical. He was a thinker.” When asked what people in Seaford should remember most about Perry, Condon pointed to two things. “His love of learning,” he said. Then he added: “His commitment to service.” Perry is already honored on Franklin Avenue near Seaman’s Neck Road, where a street sign bears his name. His story is also included among the Seaford alumni remembered through the
community’s 9/11 memorial efforts. Condon said he meets with Seaford’s senior class each year to tell students about the alumni connected to the tragedy. Perry’s story, he said, offers a lesson that extends beyond the events of one day. “He had a choice, and his choice was to save people,” Condon said. His family said Perry’s connection to New York was personal. He lived in Manhattan and had embraced the city
throughout his adult life. The streetnaming ceremony became a journey through that life. After the new street name was unveiled, Perry’s family and guests visited the 23rd Precinct, where officers remembered him as a valued member of the department. They then traveled to his first assignment at the Central Park precinct. The day ended at the 9/11 Memorial, where Perry’s name is inscribed among those killed in the attacks.
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SEAFORD HERALD — September 17, 2026
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Suozzi pushes protection for worshippers By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
More than two dozen religious leaders representing a number of faiths stood together at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center last week as U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi called for passage of federal legislation intended to protect people from intimidation and harassment at religious services. Suozzi highlighted the bipartisan, bicameral Right to Worship Act at a Sept. 9 news conference at the center in Glen Cove. Alan Mindel, chairman of HMTC’s board of directors, said that protecting religious freedom is central to the organization’s mission. “This bill grants necessary protections to houses of worship so as to protect the constitutional rights of freedom of religion granted to all Americans,” Mindel said. “In the current climate, where people have been obstructed from entering their house of worship, this new law will allow each American, regardless of faith, to freely enter their church, synagogue or mosque for their constitutionally protected right to pray, without obstruction or harassment.” Suozzi said that people should not have to put themselves at risk simply to practice their faith. “Exercising your right to worship should not require you to exhibit partic-
Roksana Amid/Herald
U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, top center, joined religious and advocacy leaders on Sept. 9 to call for passage of the bipartisan Right to Worship Act. ular courage as you enter your synagogue, church, mosque, temple, mandir or gurdwara,” he said. The legislation would establish a 100foot zone around pedestrian and vehicular entrances to houses of worship, beginning one hour before a scheduled service and ending an hour afterward. Within that area, conduct intended to hinder, deter, threaten or intimidate people attending services would be prohibited. Peaceful expression protected by the First Amendment would remain protected. Violations would carry civil penalties, with fines ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 for repeat offenses. The measure would also allow affected worshippers
to pursue civil action, and permit the U.S. attorney general and state attorneys general to bring cases against violators. The Right to Worship Act grew out of Suozzi’s SACRED Act — Safeguarding Access to Congregations and Religious Establishments from Disruption — which he introduced in April, and which included criminal penalties. Negotiations over the legislation, he said, centered on balancing two constitutional rights, freedom of speech and freedom of worship. “Finding a balance between the two is a real challenge,” he said. “It’s why it hasn’t been done — it’s why it’s been controversial.”
Suozzi eventually joined Republican Rep. Brad Knott, of North Carolina, to develop a single proposal that could attract broader support. The House legislation is accompanied by a Senate measure backed by Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, of Texas, and Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin, of Michigan. “You shouldn’t have to show courage to go attend your religious services,” Suozzi said. Brandi Katz Rubin, the Anti-Defamation League’s New York/New Jersey deputy regional director, said that harassment at houses of worship has made such protections increasingly important. “No one should have to push through a hostile crowd, shout over a bullhorn or endure targeted threats while simply trying to enter a house of worship and pray,” Katz Rubin said. The ADL, she added, recorded nearly 530 incidents of antisemitic harassment at synagogues nationwide in 2025, along with dozens of protest-related incidents. According to Suozzi, there was discussion of moving the legislation through the Senate as early as this month. If that doesn’t happen, he said supporters could pursue passage during the lame-duck session in November or December. “We really want to get it done this year,” he said, citing momentum from religious organizations and lawmakers in both parties.
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Aiming to ease emissions on Car Free Day By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
Long Island residents are being encouraged to rethink how they get around when the region marks its 14th annual Car Free Day, an initiative in which participants are asked to replace at least one trip made alone by car with a sustainable option. Car Free Day, on Sept. 22, is observed in cities around the world. Long Island joined the movement 13 years ago with a campaign focused on raising awareness of transportation choices and measuring emissions saved when people leave their cars behind. Mindy Germain, co-chair of Car Free Day LI and program manager for Transit Solutions, said the goal is not for participants to eliminate driving for an entire day. “All we ask you to do is swap out one drive-alone car trip,” Germain said. That could mean walking to a store, taking the train or bus, bicycling, or sharing a ride with someone who would otherwise drive separately. Organizers measure the emissions saved through pledges received leading up to the event, and calculate the total for Long Island. Germain said the campaign had already reached about 75 tons of saved emissions based on those pledges. Transportation, she said, accounts for about a third of the emissions con-
Brian Kacharaba/Herald
The Long Island Rail Road is among the transportation alternatives that Car Free Day LI organizers hope more residents will consider on Sept. 22. tributing to Long Island’s environmental impact, making alternatives to driving important for air quality and efforts to slow global warming. Participation this year is on pace to reach 5,000 pledges, which Germain said would be the most since the pandemic. She also pointed to changing patterns in transit use. In June, the Long Island
Rail Road recorded 5 million rides, a record, with many trips for purposes other than commuting. People are increasingly using the railroad for leisure, she said, while students use it to travel to the city for internships and programs. Family ridership has also increased thanks to an LIRR program that allows
children 17 or younger to ride for $1 when accompanied by a parent. For Germain, the most meaningful measure of success is seeing people actually using alternatives to driving. “What really is exciting to me is seeing that 20-something-year-old take the NICE bus to get to Farmingdale State College,” she said, referring to the Nassau Inter-County Express bus service, “or to see the employees at Northwell Health walk to lunch that day, the actions themselves, and the excitement it generates.” While Car Free Day is held once a year, Germain said the coalition promoting it works throughout the year with municipalities, transit partners, academic institutions and health care organizations. Improving transportation choices, she said, can also expand mobility for people who don’t drive, including older adults who have stopped driving and younger people who can’t afford cars. “I think that mobility offers so much freedom,” Germain said. People who live or work in Nassau or Suffolk counties can take participate by making a pledge on the Car Free Day LI website. Participants can also enter a raffle for prizes, including two hybrid bicycles, a Lululemon bundle and an LIRR weekly ticket. More information, and the pledge form, are available at CarFreeDayLI.com.
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STEPPING OUT
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Michael Carbonaro returns with
T
he music — that’s what keeps him coming back MARY TRAVIS Wife, Randy Travis
Randy Travis’s music lives on, forever and ever
‘More Life’ tour features country star and guest vocalist, James Dupré By JORDAN VALLONE
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ountry Music Hall of Fame legend Randy Travis is bringing one of the final dates of his acclaimed “More Life” tour to Long Island, wrapping up an emotional two-year run that has taken the show to 54 cities across 24 states. The dynamic performance arrives at Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair on Sept. 25. The show begins at 8 p.m. Travis’s four-decade long career generated iconic No. 1 hits, including “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “On The Other Hand,” and “Three Wooden Crosses,” among others. While Travis no longer performs due to the side effects of a stroke he survived in 2013, he joins his wife, Mary Travis, on stage throughout the show, interacting with fans and celebrating his music alongside longtime members of his band and guest vocalist James Dupré.
Randy Travis carries his country music legacy forward
Travis, 67, is a North Carolina native whose music helped usher in a new traditionalist movement of modern country music when he released. Recognized for his baritone voice and an earnest approach to music, he won backto-back Country Music Association Song of the Year awards in 1986 and 1987. The seven-time Grammy award winner has sold sold over 25 million albums, generating 23 No. 1 hits and 31 Top 10s. He was named a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1986 and inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016. Though a near-fatal stroke has left him unable to perform, Travis’s recovery and commitment to his fans and music has inspired many. “The music — that’s what keeps him coming back,” Mary Travis told the Herald on a call with the country music legend. “That was Randy’s heart, his soul. That’s all he ever wanted to do was make music.” In 2024, Travis released “Where That Came From” through Warner Records Nashville, his
first new recording in over a decade, developed through the use of artificial intelligence software which helped recreate his vocals. It was overlaid on an existing recording of the song from his longtime collaborator, Dupré. Dupré, 42, of Louisiana, became a YouTube sensation in 2007 which led to a performance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Since then, he’s released multiple albums, appeared on NBC’s “The Voice” in 2015, and was eventually handpicked by Travis and his wife in 2019 to be the guest vocalist for the “More Life” tour. Dupré and Travis first worked together for a 2015 film, “The Price,” which tells the story of an aging country music singer aspiring to reconnect with his son. Years later, when Travis’s team discussed the possibly of him touring again, Dupré emerged as the best choice for long-term collaboration. “When Tony Conway, Randy’s manager said, several years after the stroke, ‘If we wanted to go back on the road, who would you have sing the music?’ — we immediately said James Dupré,” Mary recounts. “We remembered the connection that the two of them had, and it has proved correct. When you see the two on stage, you can see the relationship and the magnetism. It just works perfectly.” • Friday, Sept. 25, 8 p.m. Dupré’s collaboration with Travis, and the release of “Where That • Tickets begin at $35 per person Came From,” helped launch a new chapter of advocacy for Travis and • Flagstar at Westbury Music his wife, who used the song as a platform to champion creators’ rights Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Road, and responsible AI protections for artists. Westbury “It was a good way to introduce AI to be used in a good way,” • Visit RandyTravis.com for Mary says.“Randy’s heart and soul was still in it. He’s still involved with more details the production of it. It’s not taking his voice and using it and abusing it in some other realm.”
About the ‘More Life’ tour
Travis’s tour debuted as “The Music of Randy Travis,” but last year, his team changed the name to the “More Life” tour. “More Life” was one of the last songs Travis recorded before his stroke. “When we were in the hospital, it kept me going because it’s such a beautiful song,” Mary says. “We decided to name the tour ‘More Life’ because that’s what we felt like we got — more life — as a gift.” She describes the show as more than a “regular concert.” Travis’s songs are performed by Dupré, alongside members of his original band, but there’s also videos of Travis shown to the crowd spanning the entire length of his career. Mary also joins Travis and Dupré on stage to tell stories about her husband and his music. “It’s very interactive,” Mary says “It’s almost like a biopic of Randy Travis. It’s not just a concert — it’s a story, and it’s sad, it’s sweet, it’s happy. It’s just Randy Travis, and it’s a beautiful thing.” Travis’s team looks forward to bringing the show to Long Island and sharing his music and life with many longtime fans. “We get to play at some of the neatest (theaters), which I think is kind of cool, because of Randy Travis and the nostalgia of Randy Travis, and the years he’s been here to raise a lot of us on his music,” Mary says, “and Westbury’s a perfect place for us to land over there in Long Island with you all.”
“Wonderboy,” his all-new live tour. Packed with audience participation, sly improv, and his signature realitytwisting illusions, Carbonaro, from the star of truTV’s “The Carbonaro Effect,” delivers a high-energy, laugh-filled experience for all ages. Part magician, part comedian, all mischief-maker — “Wonderboy” is where magic is the superpower, laughter is the sidekick and reality doesn’t stand a chance. The multitalented actor-magician-comedian has built a career turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. He’s made millions laugh in astonishment by blending quick-witted comedy with jaw-dropping illusions in everyday settings. This tour is where audiences discover him as the Hero of Mischief, in a world where magic is the superpower and laughter is the sidekick.
Friday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
Eddie Griffin Get ready to laugh until your sides hurt! Over his decades-long career, Eddie Griffin has become known for his sharp social commentary and animated storytelling. The popular comedian-turned-actor blends personal experiences with cultural observations and shifts seamlessly from biting satire to playful crowd work, making him a consistent draw for live audiences nationwide. Acclaimed for his appearances in “Deuce Bigalow, Male Gigolo,” “Chappelle’s Show,” 2018’s “A Star Is Born,”and star of “Undercover Brother,” he’s praised for razor-sharp wit, spot-on impersonations and unmatched stage presence.
Saturday, Sept. 19, 8 p.m. Tickets available at LiveNation.com. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury.
SEAFORD HERALD — September 17, 2026
Michael Carbonaro
September 17, 2026 — SEAFORD HERALD
18
Your Neighborhood SEP
17
International Chocolate Day Tasting
CALENDAR
are Beaser’s Mountain Songs for flute and guitar, selections from Copland’s vocal repertoire, piano rags by Joplin and Bolcom, and Hoover’s evocative solo flute work Kokopelli. A pre-concert talk begins at 7:30 p.m., Meet-theArtists reception in the West Porch follows performance. $30, $25 seniors and students.
Celebrate International Chocolate Day with an informative lecture and themed chocolate tasting led by Linda Johnson of Chocology Unlimited at Wantagh Public LibraryExplore the world of chocolate and sample a variety of treats. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own drinks or beverages to enjoy during the tasting. The program is open to adults; registration is required. $5 fee, due at registration.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 8-9:30 p.m. • Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
Jazzin’ with Richard Elliot
• Where: Where: 3285 Park Ave., Wantagh • Time: 6-7:30 p.m. • Contact: wantaghlibrary.org
SEP
18
POW-MIA Night Vigil
Nassau County holds a remembrance ceremony to honor POWs and MIAs by reading the names of local heroes. • Where: Eisenhower Park, Veterans Memorial Plaza, Merrick and Stewart Avenues • When: 7 p.m. • Contact: (516) 572-6565
SEP
19
Outdoor concert
Travel back to the music of the 1960s with Just Sixties, the popular ‘60s tribute band, at Seaford Public Library. Performing since 1982, the group brings the sounds of legendary artists including The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, The Monkees and The Mamas and the Papas to the library’s outdoor concert series. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of classic music outdoors. No registration is required. • Where: Side Parking Lot, 2234 Jackson Ave., Seaford • Time: 7:30-9 p.m. • Contact: seafordlibrary.org
Battle of the Decades
Take a musical journey through three unforgettable eras at Battle of the Decades at the Madison Theatre at Molloy University. The high-energy tribute concert features Radio Gold performing hits from the 1970s, Rock of 80’s celebrating the biggest anthems of the 1980s and Reality Bites bringing the sound of the 1990s to life. The evening will also include the presentation of the Ted Fass Music Scholarship to an incoming Molloy University music student. • Where: 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre • Time: 7:30 p.m.
SEP
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Double Vision
The 1970s and ‘80s come alive when Double Vision brings their “Foreigner Experience” to the Paramount stage. Whether you’re a lifelong Foreigner enthusiast or a newcomer eager to experience the magic of their music, Double Vision promises a night of electrifying entertainment that will leave you singing along and craving more. Composed of some New York City’s top professional rock musicians, the band delivers the highest level of integrity and technical prowess in bring audiences all the hits from the band that you’ve come to love, while honoring Foreigner and its audience, with a show second to none. The spirit of rock ‘n’ roll lives on, one unforgettable performance at a time, with this group of talented musicians and die-hard Foreigner fans. Double Vision has perfected the art of bringing to life the unforgettable hits that have defined generations. From “I Want to Know What Love Is” to “Cold as Ice,” their renditions are a harmonious blend of passion, precision, and nostalgic energy. Drawing inspiration from Foreigner’s unmistakable sound and stage presence, Double Vision delivers a performance that pays homage to the band’s legacy while infusing their own charisma and enthusiasm. They are joined by special guest Frontier for an authentic • Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington Foreigner and Journey tribute. Sing along to some of the greatest hit tunes, including • Time: 8 p.m. “Juke Box Hero,” “Hot Blooded,” “Cold As Ice,” “I Want To Know What Love Is,” “Urgent,” • Contact: ticketmaster.com “Double Vision,” “Head Games,” “Feels Like the First Time,” and more. or paramountny.com
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
Larson Legacy Concert
Adelphi University’s Larson Legacy Concert Series continues with Jonathan Larson Grant recipient abs wilson. This showcase will be a concert reading of the new musical by Kelly Nowak (story/book/ lyrics by abs wilson, story/music by Adam LaPorte). One summer day in 2005, a teenager goes missing from her small Michigan town and is never found. Years later, her family sits for interviews about what they think happened to her. Did Kelly drown in the nearby lake? Is she alive, trapped within a massive conspiracy? Or is she somewhere a little more in between? Framed as a true crime documentary, Kelly Nowak explores the need to hold any kind of tangible truth — no matter the rationality or cost. This 90-minute musical offers a gripping and poignant psychological narrative. This is a fascinating theatrical experience worth checking out. • Where: Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City • Time: 3-4:30 p.m. • Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or call (516) 877-4000
SEP
23
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
SEP
24
an opportunity to enjoy the fall weather, seasonal views and conversation in a relaxed setting. Walks cover approximately 2-4 miles and are best suited for fairly active adults and seniors. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather, wear comfortable shoes and bring water. • Where: Jones Beach Boardwalk Field 6, Ocean Parkway, Wantagh • Time: 10 a.m.-noon, also Sept. 24 • Contact: wantaghlibrary.org
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: Noon-4 p.m. • Contact: mahjonggCBT@yahoo. com or (516) 785-2445
Autumn walk Transition into the autumn season with Wantagh Public Library librarian James Hartmann during a series of refreshing walks through local parks, neighborhood paths and the scenic Jones Beach Boardwalk. The moderately paced walks offer adults and seniors
SEP
26
‘’We the People’
Celebrate 250 years of American independence with an evening of music inspired by the American experience when Old Westbury Gardens emsemble-in-residence Poetica Musica presents We the People: USA at 250. Featuring Poetica Musica artists Barry Crawford (flute), Oren Fader (guitar), William Anderson (guitar), Molly Morkoski (piano), and Eleanor Valkenburg (mezzosoprano), the program showcases works by some of America’s most celebrated composers, including Aaron Copland, Cole Porter, Scott Joplin, William Bolcom, Katherine Hoover, and Robert Beaser. Among the highlights
Grammy-nominated contemporary jazz saxophonist Richard Elliot brings his soulful, bluesy sound to the Madison Theatre for an evening of smooth jazz. Elliot, who has scored more than 20 Top 10 smooth jazz singles and has worked with artists including Tower of Power, Natalie Cole and the Pointer Sisters, will perform music from his latest album, “Straight Up Down.” • Where: 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre • Time: 8 p.m. • Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
SEP
27
Latino American Night Honor Latino heritage and culture with a special event in Eisenhower Park.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park • When: 4 p.m. • Contact: NassauCountyNY.gov
Links of Joy
Celebrate Sukkot by decorating Long Island Children’s Museum Sukkah. Create colorful chains to adorn our outdoor space while learning about this joyful holiday at the drop-in program. • Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City • Time: 1-3 p.m. • Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
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.
19
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SEAFORD HERALD — September 17, 2026
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20
Public Notices
September 17, 2026 — SEAFORD HERALD
LSEA1 0917
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CTT, Plaintiff, vs. ALEXANDER CANTWELL, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 16, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on September 29, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 2240 Walsall Street, Seaford, NY 11783. 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, Section 57, Block 147 and Lot 121. Approximate amount of judgment is $705,379.43 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #011968/2008. Peter T. Bauer, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 190750-2 161937 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY VELOCITY COMMERCIAL CAPITAL, LLC, Plaintiff against 3971 DARBY LANE LLC, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC, 28 Corporate Drive, Suite 104, Halfmoon, NY 12065. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered December 4, 2025, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 5, 2026 at 2:00PM. Premises known as 3971 Darby
Lane, Seaford, NY 11783. Sec 65 Block 253 Lot 19. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, and lying and being at Seaford, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $757,936.96 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 612229/2024. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Fabiana I Talarico, Esq., Referee File # 24-001340-01 162070 PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 72-2026 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 9th day of September 2026, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 72-2026, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 72-2026, to amend Section 202-1 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at various locations. Dated: September 9, 2026
Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 162312
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR PRETIUM MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST, -againstLAURIE K. VON GLAHN A/K/A LAURIE VON GLAHN, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on November 13, 2025, wherein WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR PRETIUM MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST is the Plaintiff and LAURIE K. VON GLAHN A/K/A LAURIE VON GLAHN, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on October 22, 2026 at 3:30PM, premises known as 3970 DARBY LANE, SEAFORD, NY 11783; and the following tax map identification: 65-252-17. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATE LYING AND BEING AT SEAFORD, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 615237/2022. Paul L. Meli, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines
including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 162331
LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR SG MORTGAGE SECURITIES BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-FRE2, Plaintiff against - SUZANNE M. BRADY, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on March 15, 2019. 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 20th day of October, 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 Wantagh, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York. Premises known as 3677 Smith Street, Wantagh, NY 11793. (SBL#: 57-89-105) Approximate amount of lien $614,197.89 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 010340/2015. Michael Joseph Sepe, Esq., Referee. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409 For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832 Dated: August 19, 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
Courtesy Wantagh School District
Principal Paul Guzzone congratulated Matthew and Lauren on their academic achievement, will gives them the opportunity to compete for National Merit scholarships.
Wantagh scholars earn National Merit semifinalist standing By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
Two Wantagh High School seniors were among more than 16,000 semifinalists announced by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in the 72nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Matthew Como and Lauren Furer achieved this prestigious distinction based on their scores on the 2025 PSAT. The academically talented seniors will now have an opportunity to continue in the competition, which offers approximately 6,700 scholarships worth a combined $24 million. About 95 percent of semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing. To become a finalist, a semifinalist and high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application that includes academic record, participation in school and community activities, leadership abilities and honors and awards received. Scholarship winners, who earn the Merit Scholar title, are announced in the spring. Matthew and Lauren have challenged themselves academically at Wantagh High School, each taking numerous Advanced Placement courses. They are well-rounded students who are also
involved in athletics and extracurricular activities. A three-sport athlete on the varsity cross-country, swimming and lacrosse teams, Matthew is also co-president of the National Honor Society, co-president of the band council, a trombone player in the jazz ensemble and marching band, and a member of Science Olympiad. Additionally, he has been inducted into the Math, Science and World Language honor societies. His primary academic area of interest is STEM classes. Lauren is a Science Olympiad captain, president of Model Congress and a first singles player on the varsity tennis team. She has been inducted into the National, Science and World Language honor societies. Her main field of interest is biology and she has focused on neuroscience in her Science Research Academy projects. “Matthew and Lauren being named National Merit Semifinalists is a proud moment for Wantagh High School,” said Principal Paul Guzzone. “This recognition doesn’t just reflect their intelligence, it’s a representation of how hard they have worked to get here. They embrace challenges, enrich our campus through their extracurriculars and are just two of the kindest souls you will find.”
Public Notices
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. 162295
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to:
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to:
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to:
legalnotices@liherald.com
legalnotices@liherald.com
legalnotices@liherald.com
To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
21
S1 09/17
Employment
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SEAFORD HERALD — September 17, 2026
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Malverne UFSD Office of Human Resources 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565 or Call 516-887-6419 dlawlor@malverneschools.org
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
OUTSIDE SALES
1362890
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. Malverne Union Free School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. EDITOR/REPORTER EMPLOYMENT Compensation is based on Part Time & Full Time. The award-winFull Time hours Long Island, New York ning Herald Community Newspapers Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and group, covering Nassau County's North MULTI MEDIA Paid Time Off. and South Shores with hard-hitting news ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Please Send Cover Letter and stories and gracefully written features, Help Wanted Inside Sales Resume with Salary Requirements to seeks a motivated, energetic and creaLooking for an aggressive self starter rglickman@liherald.com tive editor/reporter to join our dynamic who is great at making and maintaining or Call 516-569-4000 X250 (and awesome) team! This education relationships and loves to help businessand general assignment reporting posies grow by marketing them on many diftion offers a unique experience to learn PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS ferent advertising platforms. You will from some of the best in the business. Full Time and Part Time FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIsource new sales opportunities through H i s t o r i c a l l y, r e p o r t e r s w h o h ave Positions Available! ATE openings for Printing Press Operators inbound lead follow-up and outbound launched their careers with us have in Garden City. We are a busy print shop Busy Print Shop in Garden City cold calls. Must have the ability to undergone on to The New York Times, Newslooking for motivated and reliable individuis Hiring Immediately for stand customer needs and requirements week, Newsday, the New York Daily als to assist in various duties in the shop. Time and Part•Time Drivers. • 49270 and turn them in to positive advertising • Clients Full • m-Clients Malverne Malverne Communications News, New York Post, Richner CNN, BBC, NBC Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Must Have a Clean License and solutions. We are looking for a talented News and The Daily Mail, among many 3.125x 3" Richner Communications Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. BoxTruck Driving Experience. and competitive Inside Sales Represenothers. We look for excellent writers who Email resumes or contact info to Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from tative that thrives in a quick sales cycle are eager to learn, enhance their skills, careers@liherald.com environment. Compensation ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour and become well-established and re$35,360 + commissions and bonuses to Night Availability is a Must. spected journalists in our industry. Salaover $100,000 including commission and Please Email Resume to ry range is from $20K to $45K Eldercare Offered bonuses. We also offer health benefits, careers@liherald.com or To apply: Send a brief summary in the 401K and paid time off. Please send form of a cover letter describing your caCall (516)569-4000 x239 cover letter and resume with salary reHOUSEKEEPING/ SENIOR CAREreer goals and what strengths you can quirements to GIVEREmployer. Available. Private/ Professional. bring to our newsroom, along with a Malverne reUnion Free School District is an Equal Opportunity ereynolds@liherald.com CNA* HHA* CCA Certified. Experienced/ sume and three writing samples to Call 516-569-4000 X286 E x c e l l ent References. Emma jbessen@liherald.com DRIVING INSTRUCTOR 516-519-0456
Malverne UFSD
School Monitors Part Time
$17.85/Hour. 17 ½ to 25 Hours/Week.
Starting Immediately! Applications may be picked up at:
Malverne UFSD Office of Human Resources 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565 or Call 516-887-6419 dlawlor@malverneschools.org
Email: info@bellautoschool.com
(Salary is $17.00 per hour)
1361569 1356440
Applications may be picked up at:
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$17.00
Hiring Directors, Assistants, Group Leaders and Substitutes. Up to a $500 Signing Bonuses, Scholarships and Employee Referrals Questions call: 631-360-0800 ext. 149 or send a resume to: cc@scopeonline.us SCOPE Education is an equal opportunity Employer
$17.85/Hour. 17 ½ to 25 Hours/Week.
DRIVERS WANTED
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HOUSE CLEANER FT
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One phone call, one order, one heck of a good price to run your ad in any state, or across the country.
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JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, It’s in the REAL ESTATE & MORE... Herald Classifieds ... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, To Advertise 516-569-4000 REALCall ESTATE & MORE... press 5 JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE...
September 17, 2026 — SEAFORD HERALD
22
S2 09/17
Homes
HERALD
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HOME Of tHE WEEK
• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5
Long Beach
Immaculate New Construction
Open House: Saturday, September 19 11:00-1:00pm. 27 Kerrigan Street
Y
ou'll appreciate the amazing design of this newly built 4-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom home with an elevator. Using only the highest quality building materials, it's designed for the best in beach living, with sunfilled rooms featuring cathedral ceilings, hardwood floors, modern appliances, and stunning views, making this one of the most valuable new listings in the Long Beach area. Come live the good life in the quiet community of the canals, which offers a small city ambience with a neighborhood feel. You’re close to restaurants and markets, with proximity to the beach, parks, parkways and the Long Island Railroad.
A second floor was easier than a small addition
Q. Why is everything so complicated and expensive, just to build a small addition? It has been so frustrating interviewing builders, then needing an architect, then hearing that, even for our little addition, we might face a big delay to get a zoning variance. We just heard that we need something called a drywell, which makes this almost impossible because there really isn’t any place to put one. Do we really need one? Again, why is everything so complicated? When we added to our second floor in 1989, it was nothing like this. A. If you know the expressions “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing” and “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction,” you’ll understand that as time goes by, governing bodies respond to how someone seemed to find a way to twist the meaning of a requirement and manage to get away with something, so they react by making more and onte eeper more strict requirements. Some of those requirements result from the reaction to a catastrophe, such as Superstorm Sandy, that gets twisted back and forth from a tropical storm to a hurricane, depending on who wants to take advantage of the way regulations and insurances define the storm. One mile per hour in wind speed either way meant a difference in eligibility for more coverage, for example, so authorities and insurance companies wanted to close the loopholes. People all over Florida were suddenly hit with fees to cover building assessments after the collapse of the Champlain Towers condominium building in the Miami suburb of Surfside in 2021 — a response to one building. Members of the Surfside building board knew just enough to cause part of the problem but not enough to prevent it, which resulted in an avalanche of new, more restrictive requirements. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, and in the case of overreacting regulators, increased regulations make planned projects more expensive and problematic. Your small project gets lumped together in the reaction to larger projects. People have been known to be sent to a zoning hearing because the proposed stone they want to add to the face of their home will mean that their front setback distance will fall below the required distance by 3 or 4 inches. Some municipalities have tried to relieve these zoning board bottlenecks by giving building officials discretion to bypass review boards when the proposal is simple, while others treat each case the same, so that your stone-facing proposal gets scrutinized alongside a proposed shopping center. Some zoning hearings are scheduled without consideration of your simple proposal, so when you get to the hearing, you may find yourself sitting for hours while a shopping center presentation goes ahead of your request. Drywells are deep, concrete-formed basins that collect rainwater on your property, and different communities have their own requirements. Some don’t require them. Others mandate that if you add 50 percent more roof or modify 50 percent of a building, you have to add a drywell. More next week.
Ask The Architect
M
Tom Tripodi Tripodi | Shemtov Team Douglas Elliman Real Estate 30A West Park Avenue, Long Beach 516-902-3497
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© 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.
23
S3 09/17
Market Place • •
To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5
To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5
SEAFORD HERALD — September 17, 2026
HERALD
To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 Roofing • Chimneys • Decks Gutters • Siding • Skylights • Attic Fans
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*
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HERALD
Stuff
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Finds Under $100
Garage Sales
PET PLAYPEN, 4 panel white 24" with door, Iris USA, in box $30, 516-884-9994.
M E R R I C K : S AT U R D AY 9 / 1 9 / 2 6 9am-2pm. 169 Frankel Blvd. (Off Merrick Rd.). Fundraising Yard Sale For PKD.
PITCHER, VINTAGE HALL, light blue ceramic with lid, $35, 516-884-9994.
Announcements
TEETER COMFORTRAK SERIES Inversion Table, like new, $75, Merr ick, 516-650-4942
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S4 09/17
SERVICES Appliance Srvc./Repair
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Handyman
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PAINTING & HANDYMAN SERVICE
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Over 25 yrs exp.Lic/Ins H3805150000
Cable/TV/Wiring
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HErald
Crossword Puzzle
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Internet Services
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Call 516-534-5907 to schedule your free quote today!
1356085
September 17, 2026 — SEAFORD HERALD
24
Answers to todAy’s puzzle
25
OPINIONS
s the effects of PFAS, the socalled “forever chemicals,” become the focus of discussions across the United States — on Long Island because of their impacts on the underground water table, our sole source of potable water — New York state’s attorney general is suing corporations involved with PFAS for allegedly violating a number of state laws. In a suit brought in July in State Supreme Court, Letitia James presented corporate documents as evidence that DuPont and other companies knew about PFAS’ threats to human health and the environment, but pushed products made with them anyway. And last month, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on Lee Zeldin, a Suffolk County resident who now heads the Environmental Protection Agency, to, as Newsday reported, take “steps to protect Long Island drinking water from forever chemicals as the agency proposes rollbacks on [their] regulations.” In addition to DuPont, which first developed PFAS in 1938 and patented
them as Teflon, James’s lawsuit charges 3M, Chemours, Corteva and its subsidiary EIDP with violations of state laws, including: “Protection of the State’s Natural Resources Under New York State Constitution and Statutory Law; Public Nuisance Under New York Common Law; Strict Products Liability: Failure to Warn Under New York Common Law.” It also cites the “Green Amendment” to the State Constitution, which “provides that ‘each person shall have a right to clean air and water and a healthful environment.’” The lawsuit states: “As a consequence of the defendants’ manufacture, production, marketing and sale of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — PFAS — for use in consumer products, the State of New York faces threats to human health, widespread contamination, and damage to natural resources on an unprecedented scale.” It continues: “Long after they knew their PFAS were toxic, defendants manufactured and sold these compounds for use in consumer products — including personal, family, and household products like Stainmaster carpets, Scotchgard stain-repellent sprays, grease-resistant coatings for food packaging, cosmetics, and personal care items — that defendants knew would be sold, used,
A
and disposed of in New York, thereby exposing people to PFAS and releasing PFAS into New York’s environment.” It goes on: “As the results of defendants’ conduct, PFAS … are in the water we drink, the soil that sustains our crops, the fish we catch, and the air we breathe. … PFAS are highly resistant to degradation in the environment, travel easily through water and air, and bioaccumulate in humans, plants and animals. And: “People exposed to defendants’ PFAS suffer various negative health effects, including higher risks of certain cancers, adverse pregnancy outcomes, liver disease, endocrine disruption, and other increased risks.” As evidence of “knowledge” — that the companies knew about the “severe health and environmental risks” of PFAS — the lawsuit points to numerous corporate documents. DuPont, it says, “knew for decades that PFAS pose substantial dangers to public health and the environment. By 1961 … Dupont’s researchers had concluded that PFOA [a type of PFAS] was toxic … Dupont’s chief toxicologist warned in a memo that products containing PFOA should be ‘handled with extreme care.’ As early as 1966 … DuPont was aware that PFOA could leach into groundwater. … DuPont
.G. Letitia James alleges that companies knew the chemicals’ dangers.
also learned in the 1970s … of the research showing that PFAS had been detected in blood bank samples from the general public. “In 1988,” the suit continues, “DuPont began internally treating PFOA as a possible carcinogen. … In 2000, John R. Bowman … DuPont inhouse counsel wrote … to several colleagues relating to PFOA …‘My gut tells me the biopersistence issue will kill us … We are going to spend millions to defend these lawsuits and have the additional threat of punitive damage.’” A New York Times article on the lawsuit quotes Judith Enck, former director of the EPA region that includes New York state and now president of the organization Beyond Plastics, saying, “This is a blockbuster legal action that should hold these companies accountable for the immense harm caused by their products.” Schumer wrote to Zeldin, “At your confirmation hearing … you told the Senate that you had been a member of the PFAS task force [in Congress], that you voted for the PFAS Action Act, and that addressing PFAS would be a top priority of yours. The proposals now before the agency move in the other direction.” Karl Grossman has been an investigative reporter in a variety of media for more than 50 years. He is a professor of journalism at the State University of New York at Old Westbury.
Celebrate Constitution Week by supporting the ERA
A
s a college professor who has long been involved in civic engagement programs and voter education at Nassau Community College, where I’ve taught for 23 years, I look forward to Constitution Week. From Sept. 17 to 23, educators around the country will teach students about the Constitution, their civic rights and responsibilities, and how their voices, and votes, count because they contribute to a stronger democracy for us all. This week, I’ll be focused not only on this bipartisan responsibility, but also on the November midterm elections — and on one of the most frustrating and misunderstood chapters of constitutional history, the saga of the Equal Rights Amendment. If you’re under the impression that equal rights for all citizens, regardless of sex, are the law of the land in the United States, you have plenty of company, but that’s not the case. Even though this landmark leg-
islation has been approved by both houses of Congress and by 38 states — the requisite three-quarters of the states necessary to ratify an amendment — it is still not part of the Constitution. How can this be, when Article V of the Constitution clearly explains the rules by which it can be amended, and Congress and state legislatures have satisfied those rules? The problem is the legislation’s time-limit loophole. In 1972, when both the House of Representatives and the Senate had passed the ERA, it faced a deadline imposed by Congress for the required ratification by the states — first seven years, then extended to 10 years. By the end of that decade, 35 states had approved the amendment, just three states short of what was needed. Its time was up — even if the deadline was nothing more than a provision added by Congress that could, and still can, be removed by a future Congress to move the legislation forward. When three more states ratified the amendment — Nevada (2017), Illinois (2018) and Virginia (2020) — that milestone
I
should have been enough to certify the Constitution’s 28th Amendment. But since then, the legislation has stalled in Congress: Opponents have relied on filibusters, pointing to the expired timeline, while advocates have called out the arbitrary nature of the deadline and argued for its revocation. The current national campaign for the ERA, backed by more than 300 organizations across the country and many thousands of people who have signed petitions supporting it, is making a persuasive case to the public — and candidates running for Congress this fall — that amendment requirements have been fulfilled and constitutional equality is long overdue. The nation observed Women’s Equality Day on Aug. 26, commemorating the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in 1920. But even the fearless suffragist Alice Paul knew that voting rights were just the beginning of codifying gender equality in the nation’s laws; she knew that grave inequalities remained for women in politics, education, employment and health care.
f you think equal rights for all are enshrined in the Constitution, think again.
That’s why Paul introduced the ERA in 1923, and why gender-equality advocates have introduced it in every congressional session since. Over a century later, it’s time for the ERA to not only be reintroduced in Congress, but also enshrined in the Constitution — ideally by the 120th Congress, which will convene in January. I know that in November, I’ll be voting for candidates who support the work that Paul started — and that the late, great journalist Gloria Steinem continued with her bold exposés on sexual harassment, pay inequality and pregnancy discrimination in Ms. magazine. I’m grateful that my congressional representative, Laura Gillen, is one of 219 U.S. representatives, 53 senators, and all those citizen activists who have affirmed their support for the ERA. Please join this historic campaign, making it clear to our lawmakers that the equal rights movement won’t rest until a future Congress acts. Go to Sign4ERA. org and add your signature. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Constitution Week — and to make history — than that. Susan Cushman, Ph.D., is a professor of English and women’s studies at Nassau Community College and a member of the League of Women Voters of East Nassau.
SEAFORD HERALD — September 17, 2026
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New York state takes on the ‘forever chemicals’
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HERALD EDITORIAL
Seaford
September 17, 2026 — SEAFORD HERALD
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It’s time to update New York’s mansion tax
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ew York lawmakers need to stop pretending that a $1 million home is a mansion. In 1989, when the state created a 1 percent tax on residential properties selling for $1 million or more, the threshold was intended to target luxury homeowners. At the time, it made sense. Thirty-seven years later, it doesn’t. A property on Long Island valued at $1 million back then now costs roughly $4.5 million. On Long Island, $1 million can buy a perfectly ordinary home. In Nassau County, the median home price is now around $880,000, and in Suffolk County, it’s roughly $750,000, both near historic highs. In communities where demand remains strong and inventory remains tight, a $1 million price tag is no longer an indication that someone is purchasing a sprawling estate. It may simply mean they’re buying a house. That’s why the State Legislature should make reforming the so-called mansion tax a priority in 2027. Five major Long Island business organizations — the Association for a Better Long Island, HIA-LI, the Long Island Builders Institute, the Long Island Association and the Long Island Contractors Association — have called for changes to the law. Their proposal deserves serious consideration.
The problem isn’t simply that the threshold is outdated. The structure of the tax is flawed. Once a home reaches $1 million, the additional 1 percent tax applies to the entire purchase price. A house selling for $999,999 doesn’t incur the tax. A house selling for $1 million does — an additional $10,000 charge. That is an illogical cliff. A buyer doesn’t suddenly become wealthy because a home’s sale price crosses an arbitrary line. And on Long Island, where housing costs have risen so dramatically, the tax increasingly falls on middle-class families rather than the ultra-wealthy buyers the law was designed to target. New York already collects a transfer tax on real estate transactions. The additional $10,000 on a $1 million purchase isn’t insignificant, particularly when buyers are already dealing with high mortgage costs, property taxes, insurance, maintenance and closing expenses. There is a legitimate argument for taxing luxury real estate. New York needs revenue, and those who can afford exceptionally expensive homes can reasonably be asked to contribute more. But that argument falls apart when the definition of luxury becomes disconnected from reality. The Legislature shouldn’t eliminate the mansion tax. It should modernize it.
First, lawmakers should substantially increase the threshold to reflect today’s housing market. Second, they should index that threshold to inflation or an appropriate measure of housing prices, so the law doesn’t become obsolete again. And third, they should seriously consider regional thresholds, because $1 million means something very different in Manhattan, Nassau County and upstate New York. The goal should be a tax that targets genuine luxury purchases — not families buying modest homes in one of the nation’s most expensive housing markets. The state cannot simultaneously complain about its high cost of living and defend a tax structure that adds thousands of dollars to the cost of buying a home simply because the housing market has appreciated. If New York wants more people to live, work and raise families here, it should be looking for ways to make homeownership more attainable, not preserving arbitrary barriers created nearly four decades ago. The Legislature has had plenty of time to reconsider the mansion tax. Now it should do so. In 1989, $1 million could make you the owner of a Long Island mansion. Today, it may simply make you a homeowner. New York’s tax policy should reflect that reality.
tury. And we should not forget that 9/11 ended the brief era of bipartisan fiscal responsibility between 1997 and 2000 in which we balanced the national budget. With the national debt now over $40 trillion, it seems there are errors to be corrected, and that we are not economically ready for any future
hostilities. The 9/11 Commission’s investigation found multiple points of failure, producing a homeland security conglomerate supposedly having greater unity and foresight. That agency, by many reports, has been distracted, diminished and diverted. If so, the nation has forgotten the most basic Boy
LETTERS Ways to meaningfully remember Sept. 11 To the Editor: How, the Herald asked in its editorial last week (“Twenty-five years later, we remember”), do we remember Sept. 11 in a meaningful way? One way, I suggest, is to learn from the mistakes made then to avoid repetition. It was novel attack, and the next will be as well, probably by drone, infection or massive infrastructure hack. The list of lessons is long. I’ll mention a few. Next time, the legislative branch should not surrender so much authority to the executive; the former still has not recovered. The distinction between criminal acts and acts of war was lost, and must be clarified lest it be abused again. It must be resolved that no war be declared against abstractions like “terror,” “radical Islam,” “antifa” or for “prevention,” for such amorphisms are easily dressed in new clothes. We have learned, I hope, that no future authorization of the use of military force should be granted without terms of use, including dates of expiration or renewal, and progress reports. The last AUMF has been made a standing license for a series of costly and fruitless abuses over the past quarter-cen-
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OPINIONS
t sounds reasonable. Almost selfevident. And it has become a familiar response to concerns about increasingly aggressive government enforcement. Why worry about ICE? If you’re a citizen, if you’re here legally, what’s the problem? Why object to greater scrutiny of voter rolls? If you’re legally eligible to vote, you have nothing to fear. Except that isn’t how government power works. The statement assumes that only people who have done something wrong will ever be questioned, investigated, detained or frightened. Innocent people, apparently, will somehow be recognized as innocent before anyone bothers them. But being innocent doesn’t prevent the government from suspecting you of wrongdoing, or even arresting you. The government may target people not because they have committed a crime, but to make examples of them, intimidate others, or silence those they regard as troublesome or subversive. Sometimes suspicion begins with little more than how someone looks or speaks. And once you become a suspect, your innocence doesn’t protect you from
being stopped, questioned, searched, detained or required to prove who you are. Being innocent may determine how an encounter with government ends. It doesn’t guarantee that the encounter never begins. That matters as we approach the midterm elections. The Trump administration has undertaken an extraordinary effort to identify noncitizens who may have voted illegally. The justification is election integrity. According to the administration, illegal voting is at epidemic proportions. But the numbers tell another story. ProPublica recently examined the administration’s effort. Federal searches generated tens of thousands of potential leads involving suspected illegal voting. Homeland Security Investigations agents were sent out to pursue them. Between January 2025 and May 2026, just 41 people were charged with voting illegally or other election-related crimes. More than 150 million Americans voted in the last presidential election. Tens of thousands of leads. Forty-one charges. So perhaps the more important question isn’t what should happen to illegal voters. It is what’s going to happen to legal voters. What happens when an American citizen has a name that sounds “foreign”?
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magine you’re a naturalized citizen who’s heard all about ICE. On Election Day, do you vote?
LETTERS Scout precept, “Be prepared.” We have heroes to honor, victims to mourn, survivors to grieve with because the criminals were more clever than we imagined. To meaningfully remember Sept. 11, we should remember that connection, and make their memory a motive to make no more such heroes. BRIAN KELLY Rockville Centre
Borecky is right: Our elections need safeguards To the Editor: Re “Our laws assume, incorrectly, that our leaders have integrity,” the letter from Claudia Borecky, president of the Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club, in the Sept. 3-9 issue: The letter has some important points, and I agree that more must be done to improve our election system. But Ms. Borecky has not fully examined the issues that some of our nation’s cities and states have had with voting irregularities. While there is no question that the demonstrations on Jan. 6, 2021, will forever be a blight on our political system,
What happens when an eligible voter speaks accented English, has brown skin, wears clothing associated with another culture, or simply worries that a government database may contain incorrect information? Those voters may have done absolutely nothing wrong, but they still have plenty to worry about. The concern becomes more serious when immigration enforcement moves from voter records to polling places. President Trump was asked whether he would send National Guard troops or ICE officers to polling locations during the midterms. His answer was that he would “do anything necessary to make sure we have honest elections.” But federal law sharply restricts such activity. The Brennan Center for Justice notes that federal law prohibits armed federal agents from being deployed to election sites, and prohibits government officials from intimidating voters. The reality, however, is that ICE agents need never appear inside a single polling place to make voters fear for their freedom and safety. Imagine that you’re a naturalized citizen. Or that your parents are immigrants. Or that someone in your household has unresolved immigration issues. You hear repeatedly that ICE may be involved in election enforcement, and that federal agents are exam-
and I do not in any way share the belief that Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election, there have been credible news stories in major publications reporting that some cities experienced voting irregularities in that and prior elections that may or may not have benefited either political party. We know from these news reports that in some cities, there were mail-in votes from deceased people. We also have heard about duplicate ballots being cast. And there have been examples of non-citizens casting ballots. I do not think that any of these irregularities have resulted in the wrong candidate winning any presidential election. But that may not be the case in congressional elections or local government races, which can also have a major impact. Again, I agree with Ms. Borecky that we are far behind other countries in creating proper safeguards for our elections. I will go one step further and suggest that our system, which enables each state to decide how elections should take place, has resulted in an imbalanced field, and that all elections should be conducted in the same manner, with the same equipment, all across our country. That way, no state or politi-
ining voter files. You see news reports about investigations of suspected noncitizen voters. On Election Day, do you vote? Or do you decide that one vote isn’t worth the possibility of attracting attention, or being wrongfully arrested even if you’re 100 percent eligible to vote? That’s what makes the nothing-toworry-about argument so dangerous. It reverses the relationship between citizens and their government. It means that government may scrutinize, investigate and intimidate whomever it wishes, and innocent people should simply trust that everything will eventually work out. That isn’t freedom. A right doesn’t disappear only when the government formally takes it away. It can also be weakened, or effectively eliminated, when exercising it feels dangerous. A government doesn’t have to prevent someone from voting if it can make that person afraid to vote. “If you’ve done nothing wrong, you’ve got nothing to worry about.” Maybe so. But in a free country, citizens shouldn’t have to prove their innocence before they can exercise their rights without fear. Government should exercise its power without making innocent people afraid to exercise theirs. Michael Blitz is professor emeritus and former chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
FRAMEWORK by Tim Baker
At the Town of Hempstead’s Sept. 11 memorial service — Point Lookout
cian could cast doubt on any other state or party. And I agree completely with Ms. Borecky about the slander and defamation laws that are missing from our political campaigns. It disgusts me to have to listen to both sides spewing
false information about their opposing candidates. It leaves the voters with tough decisions as we try to uncover the truth. RICHARD S. KAHN Glen Cove
SEAFORD HERALD — September 17, 2026
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Done nothing wrong? That may not protect you.
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