The Nassau County Police Department Emerald Society Pipe Band led the procession to the 9/11 memorial at Seaford High School during last Thursday’s candle lighting ceremony.
Honoring heroes 24 years later
At candle-lighting ceremony, remembering Sept. 11
By CHARlES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
Hundreds gathered on the front lawn of Seaford High School on Thursday evening for the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, joining the community’s annual Memorial Candle Lighting Ceremony to honor the lives lost.
Hosting the event was the Seaford High School 9/11 Memorial Committee, the nonprofit established to honor the memory of the five Seaford alumni and all the victims who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center.
The victims from Seaford were brothers Thomas and Timothy Haskell, John Perry, Robert Sliwak and Michael Wittenstein.
Perry was a New York City police officer; the Haskells were city firefighters; and Sliwak and Wittenstein both worked for Cantor Fitzgerald in the north tower.
In 2002, the 9/11 committee helped build a memorial on the high school front lawn, with plaques dedicated to the five men. Since it was built, community members have gathered there each year for a candle-lighting ceremony to pay their respects.
This year’s event began with a presentation of the American flag by the Nassau County Police Department Color Guard, escorted by the department’s Emerald Society Pipe Band and Honor Guard. They marched down Seamans Neck Road and up to the steps of the high school, next to the
Young voices join Levittown school board
By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com
The mission of the League of Women Voters of East Nassau has been to educate members of the public on civic engagement, especially young adults who will soon have the right to vote.
A new policy affecting schools across New York state was discussed during the league’s meeting held at Levittown Public Library on Sept. 10, a policy giving high school students an even earlier chance to participate in government. As of July 1, school districts that have high schools must include at least one ex officio — or nonvoting — student on their board of education.
Tno, of Division Avenue High School, and Ethan Baloyo, of MacArthur High School, shared the new policy. Winch praised the procedure for improving collaboration in the school district.
“This was a significant shift for the state in regards to student voice,” Winch, who has experience as a social studies teacher, said. “I do believe it’s a phenomenal opportunity for kids. It’s real-world civic engagement.”
his was a significant shift for the state in regards to student voice.
I do believe it’s a phenomenal opportunity for kids.
ToDD WINCH
Superintendent, Levittown schools
The policy also includes criteria for BOCES programs, while exempting New York City schools for the time being.
At the meeting, Levittown School District Superintendent Todd Winch and two of the district’s students, Sarah Loiaco -
The ex officio membership program is a powerful extension of student governments and social studies “participation in government” projects, he said.
“It is a really wonderful component of our educational system, both in Levittown and now across the rest of the state,” he added. “These are actual positions in local government.”
Levittown has included ex officio students on its school board since 2007. Now, the prac-
CoNTiNuED oN PagE 8
Charlie Kirk candlelight vigil draws hundreds
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
Three days after conservative political activist Charlie Kirk was killed while speaking at a public debate at Utah Valley University, hundreds gathered at the Seaford Long Island Rail Road station for a candle light vigil.
Attendees at the Sept. 13 event said Kirk, 31, believed in God, country and family, describing him as a voice for the younger generation, often glued to their phones and tablets. Crowds held up lit candles, brought signs honoring Kirk and signed a truck memorializing him.
Kirk, who was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois in 1993 — co-founded Turning Point USA when he was 18 — a nonprofit advocating for conservative politics in high schools and on college campuses. Since its founding, Kirk has written books, hosted a podcast, and toured campuses for public debates. He was known for making controversial remarks regarding political and social topics, including civil rights, women’s rights and diversity, equity and inclusion.
The vigil drew Kirk supporters from across Long Island. Maryann Flynn, of Smithtown, described him as a “voice for our younger generation,” adding that he gave young audiences at his campus debates a chance to share their opinions.
“Maybe he didn’t agree on everything, but he allowed them to come to the table and voice their opinion, their concerns and how to make it better,” she said. “He is just somebody that this country is going to miss. I don’t think there will ever be another Charlie Kirk.”
Michael Bilello, of Levittown, was at home when he heard of Kirk’s assassination. At the time, he was on his phone reading about Irena Zarutska, a 23-yearold Ukrainian refugee who had been stabbed to death on Aug. 22 while on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bilello said finding out about Kirk’s death on his phone felt like a physical shock, as if his heart had left his body.
“At first, when it happened, I lost hope,” he said, “but seeing everyone here together, it came back really quickly.”
Mary Aguilar, from Hempstead, was also at home when she heard of Kirk’s death and said she was “devastated” by the news. She added that his legacy would live on, as his influence touched many, including those at the vigil.
“In unity, there’s strength,” she said. “Not everybody believes the way I believe but, the fact that all these people are here, each one of us has a mouth and voice.”
Former Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, who lives in Island Park, spoke at the event, saying what he admired most about Kirk was his connection with the nation’s youth.
“Unfortunately, college campuses throughout this nation have become petri dishes of hate,” D’Esposito said, “but Charlie Kirk made it his mission to march into the lion’s den and embrace the young men and women of this nation.”
D’Esposito noted that younger generations are often criticized for living their
lives on their phones and tablets, communicating mostly through text, but Kirk made a point of engaging with them in person.
“He went to college campuses and he made American youth talk again,” he said, “and he made them talk about the things that mattered.”
Jeannine Morgan, of Rockville Centre, said she was “inconsolable” and “angry” about what happened to Kirk, but added
Michael Bilello, of Levittown, said seeing the large turnout at the vigil gave him hope.
that the people at the vigil know what they stand for and will not stop standing, no matter what anyone does.
“I believe that we’re going to turn into a more positive direction for the good of the people in this country,” she said. “For the kids and youth that are going to be left with a really big mess to clean up, this is going to take a long time.”
up signs
Additional reporting by Tim Baker
Tim Baker/Herald photos
Hundreds of people from across Long Island gathered at the Seaford Train Station on Sept. 12 for a candlelight vigil honoring Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist who was killed while speaking at a public debate.
Attendees at the Seaford Train Station candlelight vigil lit candles and waved American flags in honor of Charlie Kirk.
Former Congressman Anthony D’Esposito spoke to the crowd at the Seaford Train Station candlelight vigil honoring Charlie Kirk.
A memorial of candles and flowers was set up in tribute to Kirk.
Attendees held
honoring Kirk, a conservative political activist who was assassinated on Sept. 10.
Bruce Blakeman captures multiple police endorsments
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
The Nassau County Police Benevolent Association, joined by law enforcement unions from across New York state, endorsed Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for re-election on Sept. 9.
Standing with supporters in Massapequa Park village, union leaders urged residents to re-elect the Republican incumbent in November, praising his public safety record and commitment to law enforcement.
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“Many people say they ‘Back the Blue,’ but Bruce Blakeman doesn’t just say it — he acts upon it,” said Tommy Shevlin, president of the Nassau PBA, which represents 2,000 officers. “Bruce has done a great job balancing protecting police officers, recruitment and training, ensuring officers are well paid, while at the same time protecting taxpayers.”
Shevlin added that the union looks forward to another four years of working with Blakeman.
Blakeman has made public safety a central theme of his campaign. In 2024, U.S. News&World Report named Nassau County the safest community in the United States. The ranking considered crime and injury rates, along with public safety spending.
According to the report, Nassau spent
$1,148 per capita on health and emergency services—nearly three times the national average of $440. The report also found that 1.39 percent of Nassau’s population works in public safety, compared to the national average of 0.8 percent
“These numbers are not by accident,” Blakeman said. “They’re the result of a government management plan designed to protect our residents.”
He credited cooperation among multiple agencies — including Nassau and Suffolk County police, the NYPD, MTA police, state police and local departments — with maintaining regional safety.
Democrat Seth Koslow, a Nassau County legislator representing the 5th District, in the Nov. 4 general election, is challenging Blakeman. Early voting runs from Oct. 25 to Nov. 2.
“Bruce Blakeman doesn’t care about community safety — he cares about publicity stunts and whatever advances his political career,” Koslow said.
He argued that Blakeman’s claims, along with those of Nassau PBA officials, that local law enforcement agencies are well trained and fully staffed are not true.
“Our law enforcement agencies are facing severe shortages, which Blakeman has failed to address,” Koslow said.
For more information on the election, visit NassauCountyny.gov/566/Board-ofElections.
Carolyn James/Herald
N.C.Exec. Bruce Blakeman speaks at press conference after receiving the endorsement of all the major local police unions.
JAYDEN
MOYA
MALVERNE Senior SOCCER
IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO tell Malverne/East Rockaway’s boys’ soccer team is coming off a winless 2024 campaign. To say the Rockin’ Mules have enjoyed an incredible start would be an understatement. Moya has been front and center of a club with four wins in its first five matches. He leads Nassau County in goals with 12 and has three or more games with at least a hat trick. He scored 5 times in wins over Valley Stream South and Clarke.
GAMES TO WATCH
Friday, Sept. 19
Girls Soccer: Manhasset at Carey 3 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Mepham at Calhoun 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer: South Side at Oceanside 5 p.m.
Football: Farmingdale at Oceanside 6 p.m.
Football: South Side at Division 6 p.m.
Football: New Hyde Park at East Meadow 6:30 p.m.
Girls Volleyball: Freeport at Baldwin 6:45 p.m.
Football: Long Beach at Glen Cove 7 p.m.
Football: Plainedge at C.S. Harbor 7 p.m.
Football: Lynbrook at Carle Place 7:15 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20
Football: Floral Park at Carey 11:00 a.m.
Boys Soccer: Lynbrook at Plainedge 12 p.m.
Football: Wantagh at Elmont 12:30 p.m.
Football: V.S. North at Hewlett 1 p.m.
Football: Baldwin at Garden City 2 p.m.
Football: Roosevelt at Calhoun 2 p.m.
Football: Lawrence at East Rockaway 2 p.m.
Football: Roslyn at Kennedy
2 p.m.
Football: West Hempstead at Malverne 2 p.m.
Football: Sewanhaka at V.S. South 2 p.m.
Football: MacArthur at Mepham 3 p.m.
Football: Port Washington at Freeport 3 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight
Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a fall sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
SPORTS
Seaford makes an early statement
By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com
The Seaford girls’ soccer team made an early season statement in its quest for a championship after falling just short of the finals stage last fall.
In a rematch of last year’s Class A semifinals, the Vikings edged defending county champion Wantagh 1-0 last Thursday on a second half goal from Ally Cullingford with 9:36 remaining. The end of the game was a far different feeling for Seaford than Nov. 2, 2024 at Cold Spring Harbor when the players walked off the field heartbroken after a season-ending 2-1 overtime defeat to the eventual county champions.
“We felt we underachieved and came up short of our goals,” said 11th-year Seaford coach Ken Botti, whose team also fell in overtime in the 2023 county finals to Plainedge. “We’ve had two straight years of losing overtime playoff games in similar fashion so it certainly is a source of motivation and something we’re trying to focus on.”
A veteran-laden Seaford team entered the new campaign with a number of scoring weapons led by senior strikers Kaylie Conklin and Ryleigh Nocera. The Vikings boast plenty of depth near the net with sophomore Giuliana Viggiano tallying six goals through the first five games off the bench.
The central midfielder duo of junior Ally Cullingford and freshman Grace Cullingford have played an integral part in facilitating the offensive attack. Sophia Santella and Meghan Stovall have also been an integral part of the offense early on as outside midfielders.
The defense is anchored by senior center back Mia Leggio, who is a tri-captain with Ally Cullingford and Conklin. The experienced backline also includes returning starters Linda Donovan, Kiera Lukas and Riley Stovall.
Freshman goalie Cadan Calderaro has taken the reins in net following the graduation of three-year starter Joanna Bello, who led Seaford to the program’s first county title in 2022. Calderaro recorded four saves in a 1-1 tie with
Ebel/Herald Seaford’s Riley Stovall, right, cleared the defensive zone in the Vikings’ 1-0 win at Wantagh Sept. 11.
MacArthur last Saturday.
“If I were her I would feel honored to be at the backside of the team that’s in front of her right now because they’re so talented that they should ease the process for her,” Botti said. “She’s not really going to be tested as much as a weaker team’s goalie would be tested so I think it’s a really ideal situation for her to wet her teeth.”
Seaford (4-0-1) will look to continue its strong start to the season when it hosts Plainedge this Thursday at 5 p.m. and then Minerola on Sept. 25 for a 4:45
p.m. kickoff. The upcoming schedule is highlighted by a home rematch with Wantagh on Oct. 7, a team the Vikings very well could face a third time once again with far bigger stakes in the playoffs.
Botti said for the seniors in particular there is added fuel to end their high school careers as champions three years after holding that trophy as freshmen.
“It’s now or never for these kids so there is a lot of motivation knowing it is their last run,” Botti said. “They really want to end on a high note.”
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Students discuss academic leadership positions
tice has been turned into a policy for school districts across the state to follow — an official channel for students to communicate with school administrators. Students can be elected or appointed as long as they have attended their school for more than a year.
The students may be seated among board members at meetings and hearings, as well as participate in other activities that do not violate the policy’s restrictions. They are prohibited from calling emergency meetings, attending executive sessions and handling confidential materials, among other limitations.
Loiacono and Baloyo joined the Levittown Board of Education at the start of the school year.
Loiacono, appointed to the board by school staff, is a leader in Division’s Key Club and Students Against Drunk Driving, among many other achievements, including helping to secure almost $30,000 in fundraising projects.
“What I’m really excited to do is to get my voice and my fellow students’ voices heard, and inform them of what’s going on at Division,” she said.
Baloyo, MacArthur’s track team captain and Model Congress moderator, was elected to the position by his fellow students.
“What I’m looking for is what things I’m going to take past high school — not
meeting on Sept. 10 to discuss young adults in academic leadership positions were, from left, Barbara epstein, co-president of the League of Women Voters of east nassau; todd Winch, superintendent of the Levittown School district; Sarah Loiacono and ethan Baloyo, high school seniors from Levittown; and peggy Stein, a league member.
only social experience, but the professional experience of having an open discussion about what’s going on in our town,” he said.
The two student representatives weighed in on the recent statewide ban on cell phones in schools, describing the ban as being met with general acceptance.
Winch described how, in the past, collaborating with students has helped change school policy, such as waiving photo ID fees, opening additional bathrooms and reintroducing a late bus pro-
gram in the district’s middle schools after it lapsed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the end of the Sept. 10 meeting, Richard Lyons of Farmingdale College’s Institute for Learning in Retirement encouraged community members to attend the Over 50 Fair, which was held on Sept. 14.
“From a mental point of view… it really helped a lot of people who really were basically like shut-ins,” Lyons said. “It gave them something to look forward to.
Student eligibility requirements
■ Must have attended school for at least a year
■ Restricted to sophomores, juniors and seniors
BOCES’ special provisions
■ 1 student for under or equal to 10 component districts
■ 2 students for 11 to 20 districts
■ 3 students for over 20 districts
Socialization is very important.”
The league is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization whose mission is to increase participation in government, co-president Barbara Epstein said, adding that it focuses on “understanding of major public policy issues” and seeks to influence policy with education and advocacy.
The East Nassau chapter represents several communities, including Wantagh, Seaford, Bellmore, Merrick, East Meadow, Freeport and Levittown. For more information about the league and upcoming events, visit LWVEastNassau.org.
Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald
Long Island Railroad strike on hold... for
By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
A potential Long Island Rail Road strike that was looming on Sept. 18 has been paused for now after the five unions threatening to halt service announced they are requesting intervention from the Presidential Emergency Board.
The move means negotiations will continue under federal mediation, postponing any immediate threat of a strike.
The development comes amid mounting tension between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the five remaining unions that have yet to reach a contract agreement with the railroad. These unions represent more than half of the LIRR’s workforce, and their decision earlier this month to pursue a strike authorization alarmed the MTA and the commuters who depend on the system every day.
More than 270,000 daily riders would be affected by a walkout. While the latest action delays that possibility, the disputes over wages and work rules remain unresolved, leaving the long-term outlook uncertain.
During a Sept. 11 news conference at Penn Station, MTA President Rob Free said negotiations had broken down after the National Mediation Board expedited the release of the unions. That opened the door to a strike that could have begun at 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 18.
The last LIRR strike occurred in 1994.
“We have attempted to negotiate in good faith with these five remaining labor organizations,” Free said. “A fair offer has been made and accepted by the majority of all the other represented employees at the Long Island Rail Road, including the largest union, SMART, and four others.”
The five unions still holding out include the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the Transportation Communications Union. Collectively, they form the Long Island Rail Road Bargaining Coalition, representing 55 percent of the unionized
workforce at the LIRR.
According to the MTA, its current proposal calls for a 9.5 percent wage increase over three years. But the unions are pushing for an additional 6.5 percent raise on top of the existing deal, without giving ground on work rules that management says are ‘outdated.’
“Locomotive engineers make over $49 an hour currently. The average salary is over $160,000 a year, with top earners above $300,000,” Free said. “That’s largely the result of antiquated work rules that allow multiple days’ pay for one day of work. And now they want a bigger raise while keeping those rules in place.”
The BRS’s 809 members voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike as talks stalled. About 600 BLET workers also approved a work stoppage.
“[The] Long Island Rail Road has not negotiated in good faith and has not been serious from the onset of bargaining,” said BRS Vice President of Commuters and Passengers Tim Tarrant in a Sept. 11 statement. “[The] LIRR’s ontime performance has never been better and it’s time for them to recognize their hard-working men and women by offering a fair contract that keeps up with the cost of living in New York.”
BRS General Chairman Mike Sullivan echoed the frustration.
“Our members will not stand for a contract that results in a loss of real wages, and we are prepared to use all means available to achieve a fair contract,” he said in the same statement.
While the Taylor Law prohibits public employees in New York from striking, LIRR workers are covered under the federal Railway Labor Act. That law allows for strikes under certain conditions, though it also provides a process for federal mediation—such as the Presidential Emergency Board request now underway.
The MTA has repeatedly stressed its desire to resolve the dispute without disruption and was preparing contingency plans in case of a walkout. The plan would have included limited shuttle bus service from three LIRR stations—Bellmore, Hicksville, and Ronkonkoma— running every 10 minutes during peak hours to subway connections in Queens.
The Long Island Rail Road strike set for Sept. 18 has been put on hold for now after the five unions announced on Sept. 15 that they are requesting federal mediation from the Presidential Emergency Board.
Riders were also encouraged to use Nassau Inter-County Express buses for connections to Jamaica and Flushing.
“We couldn’t possibly replace the full service that LIRR runs every day, but we are trying our best to accommodate those essential workers in an effort to not leave anyone stranded,” said Shanifah Rieara, MTA senior adviser for communications and policy.
The MTA also announced that month-
ly ticket holders would be eligible for prorated refunds on strike days, subject to board approval.
The strike would have also affected the upcoming Ryder Cup, scheduled for Sept. 23–28 at Bethpage Black.
“Does the union really want to disrupt that and have that on their heads— that they caused Long Island to miss out on this huge economic boom?” Free asked.
Herald File Photo
Community unites in 9/11 remembrance
memorial.
Stephen Bongiovi, a retired Seaford High School teacher who worked at the school when the five alumni were students there, served as Master of Ceremonies. He introduced Seaford Superintendent of Schools Adele Pecora, who led the Pledge of Allegiance. Pecora said she was proud to be an American and “blessed” to be part of a community that honors heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“We are forever grateful to the first responders who selflessly risked their lives in the pursuit of saving others,” the superintendent said.
We are forever grateful to the first responders who selflessly risked their lives in the pursuit of saving others.
Adele Pecor A Superintendent, Seaford School District
The Seaford High School marching band then performed the national anthem under the direction of bandleaders Anthony Romeo and Christopher Coniglio. The honor guard, made up of representatives from the Seaford, Wantagh and Freeport volunteer fire departments, then retired the colors.
The Rev. Joseph Fitzgerald, pastor of St. William the Abbot Church in Seaford, delivered the invocation. He remarked that the past few weeks have brought “a heightened sense of awareness” of the world’s brokenness, pointing to recent mass shootings and the Sept. 10 assassination of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist killed while speaking at a public debate at Utah Valley University.
“Maybe we can all take a collective breath and ask for peace in our hearts,” Fitzgerald said.
He reminded the audience not to forget the kindness, friendship and support that have sustained families who lost loved ones on Sept. 11, 2001 and in the years since.
“We gather this evening to look back with reverence and honor,” he said, “but also look to the future as hopeful, because of the next generation of youth.”
Peter King, a former congressman and a Seaford resident, also spoke, recalling the courage of first responders on Sept. 11 and their dedication during the recovery process. He called the attacks America’s darkest day but also its finest hour, citing the bravery and leadership on display. King emphasized the need
to support those with 9/11-related illnesses and thanked the Seaford community for continuing to honor the lives lost.
“There’s no community that remembers 9/11 the way Seaford has,” King said. “I thank the people of Seaford for all they’ve done, that they continue to do, the leadership they’ve shown, and I commend the first responders.”
Seaford 9/11 Committee President Kenneth Haskell, the brother of Timothy and Thomas, said the ceremony was a painful reminder of loss but a necessary tribute. He called the monument a memorial to those who died and a testament to lives well lived, noting that sharing their stories is the best way families can honor their memory.
“We revere their heroism today and every day,” Haskell said. “Each and every one of them had a name, a story, someone who loved them. All of them were unique.”
His cousin, Col. David Haskell, U.S. Army deputy
commander of the 3rd Special Forces Group, also spoke, thanking him for organizing the memorial and honoring the families who lost loved ones.
“Tonight is a day of remembrance,” he said, “and this memorial tonight, this is a beacon of remembrance, a beacon of healing and a beacon of inspiration.”
He added that while not every American can be a first responder or service member, everyone can serve the country in other ways — through prayer, community involvement, and showing love for the nation regardless of political differences.
“It is our resolve to ensure that our dead did not die in vain,” Col. Haskell said. “We owe it to them to preserve our founding principles and to continue striving to make America a more perfect union.”
The ceremony concluded with the candle lighting, a benediction by the Rev. John Hickey, of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Seaford, and a bell toll by Seaford 9/11 families.
Col. david Haskell, deputy commander of the u.S. army 3rd Special forces group and cousin of thomas and t imothy Haskell, spoke at the Seaford 9/11 memorial Candle Lighting Ceremony, calling the event a beacon of remembrance and healing.
Mike Monahan/Herald photos
Hundreds gathered on the front lawn of Seaford High School for the annual 9/11 memorial Candle Lighting Ceremony, honoring the victims of the terrorist attacks.
former Congressman peter King, a Seaford resident, reflected on the courage of first responders and thanked the community for continuing to honor the lives lost on Sept. 11.
Community members held candles in silence on the front lawn of Seaford High School to honor the lives lost in the Sept. 11 attacks.
First L.I. Heroes breakfast set for Oct. 22
Hosted by American Red Cross on Long Island at Farmingdale’s Heritage Club at Bethpage
By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
A celebration of Long Island heroes is back — with a twist. On Oct. 22, the annual event hosted by the American Red Cross on Long Island will take place in the morning: The inaugural two-hour breakfast will be held at the Heritage Club at Bethpage, in Farmingdale, at 8 a.m.
And after years of having three or so honorees, the Red Cross will honor six heroes in categories including Community Impact Hero, First Responder Hero, Global Citizenship Hero, Disaster Hero and Military Hero. “This was just brought to our attention by our wonderful board and volunteers saying, ‘There are a lot more people that deserve some recognition,’” the organization’s CEO, Jose Dominguez, said.
Luv Michael is the Community Impact Hero honoree this year. Founded in 2015, Luv Michael is a nonprofit created by Michael Kessaris and his parents, Dr. Dimitri Kessaris and Dr. Lisa Liberatore, which is dedicated to producing meaningful work and independent living opportunities for young adults on the autism spectrum.
This year’s First Responder Heroes are Officers Timothy Deegan and Matthew Walling. These graduates of the
Nassau County Police Academy demonstrated exceptional bravery on Jan. 5, when they responded to an off-duty crash involving a fellow officer, and swiftly provided lifesaving care while awaiting EMS.
Dr. Tochi Iroku-Malize is the Global Citizenship Hero being honored. The president of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the founding chair of the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Iroku-Malize dedicated her career
to expanding accessibility to family medicine and shaping a more inclusive future for health care.
The Disaster Hero of the year is Jennifer Keane. When a referee collapsed mid-game, Keane quickly prepared an automated external defibrillator and made a lifesaving intervention. As an athletic director and a certified athletic trainer, she had the ability to stay in control under pressure.
Mel Cohen is this year’s Military Hero honoree. A U.S. Air Force veteran
and a retired Suffolk County police officer, Cohen has spent his life serving the community in honor of his brother Gerald, who died in Vietnam. He supports veterans across New York state, as well as Gold Star families, while staying active in various organizations including Vietnam Veterans of America and Wreaths Across America.
Along with the six honorees, two teens will be honored as Youth Heroes. Charlie Dubofsky and Sydney Hassenbein founded the HERO Project, a peersupport group for grieving students, after both experienced personal losses. The group allows middle and high school students to experience and share their grief in a safe space.
Active on Long Island for over 100 years, the American Red Cross on Long Island continues to serve the area and recognize its local heroes. “The mission of the Red Cross is to alleviate human suffering in so many different categories,” Dominguez said. “It is possible through the generosity of our donors and the time of our volunteers.”
All proceeds raised during the fundraiser will allow the Red Cross to continue its mission of helping those affected by disasters like hurricanes, fires and other crises. For more information on the organization and on attending the event, visit RedCross.org/LIHeroes.
Courtesy American Red Cross on Long Island
The 2024 L.I. Celebration honorees, from left, Anthony Lagos, Jon Ledecky and Kevin J. Losse, at the gala.
BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN
News brief
Ryder Cup Youth Day is Sept. 25
The PGA of America will host Youth Day at the 2025 Ryder Cup on Sept. 25, at Bethpage Black, furthering its commitment to helping the game grow through PGA Jr. League and local youth initiatives.
PGA Jr. League players from the Metropolitan PGA Section and local high school students are invited to attend free of charge with a ticketed adult. Youth Day provides access to Ryder Cup practice rounds and the decisive Junior Ryder Cup singles matches, featuring the top 24 junior golfers from the U.S. and Europe.
Jeffrey Bessen/Herald Youth Day at the 2025 Ryder Cup is on Sept. 25. Above, volunteers Sara Blau and Andres Diez picked up their uniforms last month.
The Junior Ryder Cup, established in 1997, has launched the careers of some of golf’s biggest stars, including Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Scottie Scheffler, Lexi Thompson, Rose Zhang and Rory McIlroy.
A select group of participants will also take part in Beyond the Green, a career exploration program led by the PGA of America REACH Foundation. The event will feature New York-based sports organizations and brands, with youth representatives from groups such as First Tee of Metropolitan New York, The Bridge Golf Foundation and 100 Black Men of New York. Youth Day attendees will also be invited to the Ryder Cup opening ceremony that evening.
As part of the PGA’s mission to
increase inclusion and participation, juniors ages 15 and under receive free admission on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of Ryder Cup week with a ticketed adult (limit two juniors per adult). Tickets for juniors are available only at the Main Spectator Entrance on the day of play.
Additionally, PGA Jr. League Day at Ryder Cup Live will take place on Sept. 27, at Rockefeller Center. Players wearing their PGA Jr. League jerseys will enjoy a watch party, simulator competition, activities, prizes and raffles. For more, go to Bit.ly/3VaI8EN.
For more information, visit RyderCup.com.
–Jeffrey Bessen
STEPPING OUT
‘Love’ is all around us
Photos from the streets on view at Hofstra Museum
By Abbey Salvemini
Hofstra University Museum of Art opens its gallery to “Love Is The Message: Photography by Jamel Shabazz,” an inspiring exhibition honoring the decades-long creative output of the renowned street photographer. With his keen eye, Shabazz’s powerful images reflect pop culture, fashion and especially hip-hop, spanning the 1980s through today. The exhibit is on view in the Emily Lowe Gallery though Dec. 16.
Shabazzz’s striking black-and-white and color photography radiates joy and human connection, offering a deep sense of empathy and cultural pride. Alongside his photographs, visitors can also explore his personal collection of cameras, artwork and memorabilia.
“Jamel Shabazz is history, and it is a real gift that we are able to share this with our community,” Museum Director Sasha Giordano says.
As Giordano puts it, so thoroughly articulated in her forward in the exhibition catalogue: “Community is the heart of a museum.”
The exhibit was conceived with this spirit and curated by “Team Love,” a collective partnership composed of Shabazz; Robert Dupreme Eatman; Dr. Bilal Polson, principal of Northern Parkway School in Uniondale, Erik Sumner, art educator at Northern Parkway School; and the Hofstra University Museum of Art. Over two years, slowly and carefully, through meeting after meeting, the exhibition took shape from concept to fruition.
With Team Love’s valuable insights, “Love Is The Message”honors 50 years of Jamel Shabazz’s artistic achievement and is his first solo exhibition on Long Island — a fitting location as he is a longtime resident of Hempstead.
“Love Is the Message” explores how Shabazz’s work occupies a vital space at the intersection of art, activism and cultural storytelling. Deeply influenced by trailblazers like Gordon Parks, Shabazz embraces the camera not just as a creative tool, but as a means of witnessing everyday life within Black and Brown communities. Shabazz centers dignity, resilience, and beauty in his portraits by capturing not only how his subjects look, but how they live and love. His lens is one of empathy, inviting viewers not simply to observe but to feel and to witness the quiet strength of a
father holding his child, the joy in a group of friends dressed for a block party, or the pride in a young person striking a confident pose. In this way, Shabazz’s work does more than document; it cultivates understanding, mends division and illuminates the shared humanity that connects us all.
“Jamel wanted the team to put fourth an exhibition that showed love of community, friends, family and music,” Giordano explains.
As for Shabazz, he considers this retrospective a significant honor.
“When I look at the current situation of the country and the world, this exhibition is one of the most important shows of my life because we need love in the world right now,” he says. “I’m sharing my work to help inspire the next generation by using this universal global language of photography to create conversation.”
• Now through Dec. 16
• Programs require advance registration; call (516) 463-5672 to register
Shabazz commutes to his day job daily but returns to his Hempstead studio, where he immerses himself in reflection and creativity.
“The Town of Hempstead offers me a space where I can get into deep thought and develop my ideas,” he says.
Among the many photographs and artifacts on view, Shabazz shares that a photograph of his mother holds especially deep meaning for him. Entitled “‘The Giver of Life,’ it’s the work of which he is most proud.
“I went out to Jones Beach with my mother and I caught an incredible photograph of her with bread in her hand as the seagull approaches her. She’s never experienced anything like that before.”
Beyond that moment, his eye offers his special perspective on the world around us.
“My objective was to contribute to the preservation of culture for this generation. It is my hope that the younger generations can look at my work and get a glimpse of the style and culture of back in the day. I want young people to understand the importance of love and see the power of photography,” he adds.
As always, related programming enhances the viewing experience. Upcoming on Oct. 1, 6-7:30 p.m., join Giordano for an exhibition tour. She’ll discuss the community collaboration that shaped the exhibit, offering insight into the artist’s creative process and the legacy of love reflected in the work.
Meet the man behind the camera at “Love Is the Message: A Conversation with Jamel Shabazz,” on Oct. 23, 10 a.m.-noon. He’ll talk about his creative process, personal influence and the impact of his work documenting everyday life in Black and urban communities. It’s followed by an audience Q&A session.
The events schedule also includes “Feel the Love – Experience the Photography of Jamel Shabazz with a Heart Meditation,” on Nov. 6. Denise Peterson, of Denise Peterson Yoga, brings mindfulness and meditation techniques to the art experience.
NYC Ska Orchestra
The NYC Ska Orchestra blends the exuberant musical layers of the jazz era with Jamaican roots music. The top-notch musicians, led by arranger-trumpeter-vocalist Kevin Batchelor, deliver a lively concert that surely will lead you to want to get up out of your seat and dance. This 20-piece big band features star turns from celebrated octogenarian percussionist/vocalist Larry McDonald and master drummer Carl Wright. Alongside a powerhouse collective of instrumental artists from the reggae recording scene, band members have performed with Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Toots & the Maytals. Together they play a non-stop selection of lush original compositions and arrangements of songs from the richly historic and culturally iconic Jamaican musical styles of 1950s and ’60s ska, mento, rocksteady and jazz.
Friday, Sept 26. 8 p.m. $42, $37 members. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
Soulful notes with Vincent Ingala
Contemporary jazz saxophonist/ multi-instrumentalist Vincent Ingala and his electrifying band bring their funky grooves to the Madison Theatre. Declared by Jazziz Magazine as “one of the most exciting artists to emerge this past decade,” Ingala remains an unstoppable, creative force in urban contemporary jazz. His career includes10 #1 Billboard hits, 23 Top 10 singles, with more to come from his latest release and eighth album, “Escape With Me.” Ingala’s unique dual ability to electrify fans while connecting emotionally with them has made him one of the genre’s most popular talents on the scene today. He draws the audience in; becoming part of an exciting musical experience that bridges the gap between the music of his father’s R&B, funk and soul collection ( which he was heavily immersed in) and Ingala’s well executed horn lines.
Saturday, Sept. 20, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $45. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny. org or (516) 323-4444.
Photos courtesy Jamal Shabazz and Hofstra University Musem of Art
A Time of Innocence Series, Flatbush, Brooklyn, 1981
The Giver of Life, Jones Beach, 2005
Youth and Age, Hempstead, Undated
Church Ladies, Harlem, 1997
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CALENDAR
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “At Play,” surveys artists’ perennial fascination with entertainment in all forms. Framing this topic between the nineteenth century Belle Époque and today, the exhibit includes works by Pablo Picasso, Reginald Marsh, Everett Shinn, and Max Beckmann among many others. The works are gathered to represent a wide range of expressions, from entertainment-related activities to the fascinating personalities involved. It encompasses dance, music, theater, movies, circus, boating, and beach scenes, along with horseracing and various sports, both active and passive Also featured are archival items from The Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic, including costumes by Marc Chagall for Die Zauberflöte, vintage fashion items by such designers as Alfred Shaheen, and iconic costumes from the Folies-Bergère in Paris. On view until Nov. 9.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: Ongoing
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
SEPT
19
Parti-gras at the park
Poison frontman Bret Michaels and former Eagles member Don Felder bring their spirited concert to Eisenhower Park. Rock on to fan favorite tunes.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
SEPT
20
DAR presents 250th Anniversary Banner
The Jerusalem Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution presents the Wantagh Preservation Society with an America 250th Anniversary Banner. It will be displayed at the Wantagh Museum; DAR invites all to attend the ceremony on the museum grounds.
• Where: 1700 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh
• Time: 11 a.m.
• Contact: wantagh.li/museum.
Foxtrot Like Gatsby
You can dance like Daisy and Gatsby! Join dance historian and teacher Susan de Guardiola at Old Westbury Gardens to learn to dance a simple 1920s-style foxtrot — the lively original foxtrot as it was danced before modern ballroom
‘…We will rock you’
Get ready to sing along — Queen-mania is back on Long Island. Almost Queen, the acclaimed tribute band, is set to return to the Paramount stage, bringing with them the soaring vocals, electrifying guitar riffs, and theatrical flair that defined one of rock’s most legendary groups. Almost Queen isn’t just another cover band. Their performances are carefully crafted to honor the spirit of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon, and Roger Taylor while delivering a concert experience that feels fresh and alive. The lineup features Joseph Russo as the dynamic and charismatic Mercury, Steve Leonard as guitar virtuoso May, Randy Gregg as bassist Deacon, and John Cappadona as drummer Taylor. Together, they recreate Queen’s iconic sound with impeccable four-part harmonies, precise musical interludes, and the kind of stage energy that pulls audiences to their feet. Attention to detail sets the band apart. From authentic costumes to faithful renditions of classic hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” and “Somebody to Love,” the band captures both the power and the playfulness of Queen’s original shows. Their devotion to accuracy — paired with undeniable chemistry on stage — has earned them a loyal following that grows with every tour. $108.75, $98.25, $76.25, $64.75, $54.25, $48.75.
style! This beginner-friendly class will teach you a simple 1920s-style foxtrot interspersed with a lighthearted history of the early days of the foxtrot. No partner is needed and no experience is necessary!
• Where: Barn at Orchard Hill, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: Noon-1 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
Jazz Age Grooves
The Sparrows are back at Old Westbury Gardens, during Gatsby at the Gardens weekend. After four sold-out productions the Sparrows return with an all new vaudeville revue. Enjoy high-energy jazz, show-stopping choreography, and cheeky comedy of the 1920s. $40. Limited availability. Reservations required.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
Feis and Irish Festival
20
The 53rd Nassau County Ancient Order of Hibernians Feis & Irish Festival returns to Wantagh Park. Enjoy Irish step dancing, music, bagpipers, SEPT
vendors, food, children’s games, a Gaelic football camp, and an afternoon concert by The Brooklyn Bards. A Catholic Mass is celebrated at 11 a.m.; honoree presentation at noon. $15, children under 16 are free.
• Where: Wantagh Park, 1 King Road, Wantagh
• Time: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Contact: nassauaohfeis.com or email nassauaohfeis@gmail.com
SEPT
24
Bingo at Temple B’Nai Torah
Temple B’nai Torah hosts weekly bingo with prizes, progressive games, and refreshments every Wednesday and Thursday.
Wantagh Public Library hosts a History Hub program. The in-person lecture examines Ulysses S. Grant, the Civil War general who led the Union Army to victory, served two terms as U.S. president, and guided the nation through Reconstruction.
Wantagh Library.
• Where: 3285 Park Ave., Wantagh
• Time: 6-7:30 p.m.
• Contact: rlkjb@optonline.net or (516) 781-5019
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: Thursdays, noon-4 p.m.
• Contact: mahjonggCBT@ yahoo.com or (516) 785-2445
Little Learners Art Lab
Each week in this engaging workshop, participants are introduced to hands-on materials, artmaking, and inspiration from artists and techniques. Young kids, ages 2-5, build critical thinking skills, expand vocabulary, and support imaginations as they play, create and explore. This week use blocks to stamp patterns for geometric art. $4 with museum admission.
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
Registration is required.
• Where: Community Room, 3285 Park Ave.
• Time: 2–2:45 p.m.
• Contact: wantaghlibrary.org.
Seasonal Sprouts
Bring the family to Old Westbury Gardens for fun, fresh air and fall beauty. Ages 4-10 can enjoy an educational outdoor tour through the vibrant autumn gardens, filled with colorful leaves, exploration, and nature-themed activities. This guided experience is designed just for kids, sparking curiosity about the changing seasons while encouraging hands-on discovery in the great outdoors. Registration required. $18, $10 children.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 11 a.m.-noon
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
Paumanacke Garden Club
Love to garden or have questions about plants? Join fellow gardening enthusiasts at the Paumanacke Garden Club meeting at SEPT 25
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: 11:30 a.m.-noon
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
OCT
2
Community Yizkor Service
Congregation Beth Tikvah hosts a Community Yizkor Service. Free and open to the community, led by Rabbi Moshe P. Weisblum in the synagogue’s sanctuary.
• Where: 3710 Woodbine Ave., Wantagh
• Time: 2:30 p.m.
• Contact: RSVP by calling the office at (516) 785-2445
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.
rAbbi greeting
United in aspiration, united in hope
As we stand at the threshold of new beginnings, we are united in our shared humanity and our collective aspirations for a brighter future. Across cultures and faiths, the arrival of a new year brings with it a sense of hope and renewal. Whether we celebrate Rosh Hashanah or observe other new year traditions, we share a common desire for peace, love, prosperity, and overall well-being. We seek emotional and physical health, happiness, and fulfillment in our lives. We also seek help in navigating life’s challenges and guidance on our paths forward.
he past few years have presented numerous challenges globally, marked by natural disasters, devastating fires, and the unfortunate reality of ongoing conflicts. As we embark on a new year, it’s essential to reflect on our role in shaping a better world. We recognize that even the smallest actions can collectively lead to significant positive change. In this spirit, I wish everyone a happy new year, filled with success, good health, and nurturing relationships. May this be a year where we prioritize understanding, empathy, and peace.
As we strive for a world free from conflict, the words of Isaiah 2:4 offer a profound vision of peace. He shall judge between the nations and shall arbitrate for many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. May we draw inspiration from this timeless message and work towards a future where nations and peoples live in harmony, redirecting their efforts towards the betterment of humanity. May this new year bring us closer to realizing that vision.
In the face of adversity, we find strength in our collective resilience and our capacity for compassion. As we move forward, let us continue to support one another, fostering a sense of community and cooperation that transcends borders and differences. Together, we can build a world that values peace, justice, and the inherent dignity of every individual. May our actions be
guided by kindness, our decisions be informed by wisdom, and our hearts be filled with the hope of a brighter tomorrow. In this new year, may we emerge stronger, more united, and more determined to create a world that reflects our highest aspirations.
As we reflect on the past and look to the future, let us hold onto the promise of a better world, where people live in peace and harmony, and where every individual has the opportunity to
thrive physically, emotionally, and spiritually. May this new year be a time of renewal and growth, and may we emerge from it with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to one another.
Rabbi Moshe P. Weisblum, PhD
Rabbi Moshe Weisblum is the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Tikvah.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2025 6:30 - 10 PM THE HERITAGE CLUB AT BETHPAGE
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18, 2025 —
LEGAL NOTICE
Public Notices
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
SEAFORD FIRE DISTRICT, IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
OCTOBER 21, 2025
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that pursuant to the resolution duly adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Seaford Fire District, in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, a Special Election of the qualified voters of said Fire District, will be held at the Fire District Headquarters, 2170 Southard Avenue, Seaford, New York, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. (Prevailing Time) and the polls shall remain open until 9:00 P.M. (Prevailing Time) or as much longer as may be necessary to enable the voters then present to cast their votes upon the following Proposition: PROPOSITION YES NO
Shall the Bond Resolution adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Seaford Fire District, in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, on August 25, 2025, entitled “BOND RESOLUTION OF THE SEAFORD FIRE DISTRICT (“FIRE DISTRICT”), IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK, ADOPTED AUGUST 25, 2025, AUTHORIZING (I) THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FIRE DISTRICT BUILDING, ON LAND CURRENTLY OWNED BY THE FIRE DISTRICT AND LOCATED AT 3844 WAVERLY AVENUE, SEAFORD, NEW YORK (THE “NEW BUILDING PROJECT”), INCLUDING GRADING AND/OR IMPROVEMENT OF THE SITE AND PURCHASE OF THE ORIGINAL FURNISHINGS, EQUIPMENT OR MACHINERY
REQUIRED FOR THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH SAID BUILDING IS TO BE USED, AT THE ESTIMATED MAXIMUM COST OF $3,200,000, INCLUDING PRELIMINARY COSTS AND COSTS INCIDENTAL THERETO AND TO THE FINANCING THEREOF AND (II) ALTERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO FIRE DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS
LOCATED AT 2170 SOUTHARD AVENUE, SEAFORD, NEW YORK, (THE “RENOVATION PROJECT”), INCLUDING SITE AND OTHER WORK ANCILLARY OR RELATED THERETO, AT THE ESTIMATED MAXIMUM COST OF $700,000; STATING THAT THE TOTAL COST OF THE NEW BUILDING PROJECT AND THE RENOVATION PROJECT IS $3,900,000; APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT THEREFOR, INCLUDING THE EXPENDITURE OF NOT TO EXCEED $1,000,000 FROM THE FIRE DISTRICT’S EXISTING CAPITAL RESERVE FUND HERETOFORE ESTABLISHED TO PAY AS MUCH OF THE COST OF THE NEW BUILDING PROJECT AS NEEDED AND ALL OF THE COST OF THE RENOVATION PROJECT, WHICH IS HEREBY APPROVED; AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $2,900,000 TO FINANCE A PORTION OF THE COST OF THE NEW BUILDING PROJECT; AND PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF TAXES TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF SAID BONDS AND THE INTEREST THEREON AS THE SAME BECOME DUE AND PAYABLE,” BE APPROVED?
All residents of the Fire District who were duly registered to vote with the Nassau County Board of Elections on or before September 28, 2025, shall be eligible to vote at said Special Election. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS DATED: AUGUST 25, 2025
MICHAEL R. FORAN FIRE DISTRICT SECRETARY 155761
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE ELECCIÓN ESPECIAL DISTRITO DE BOMBEROS DE SEAFORD, EN LA CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK 21 DE OCTUBRE DE 2025
POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con la resolución debidamente adoptada por la Junta de Comisionados de Bomberos del Distrito de Bomberos de Seaford, en la ciudad
de Hempstead, condado de Nassau, Nueva York, se celebrará una Elección Especial de los votantes calificados de dicho Distrito en la sede del Distrito de Bomberos, ubicada en 2170 Southard Avenue, Seaford, Nueva York, el martes 21 de octubre de 2025 a las 18:00 h (hora vigente). Las urnas permanecerán abiertas hasta las 21:00 h (hora vigente) o hasta el tiempo que sea necesario para que los votantes presentes puedan emitir su voto sobre la siguiente
Proposición: PROPOSICIÓN
Sí NO
Deberá la Resolución de Bonos adoptada por la Junta de Comisionados de Bomberos del Distrito de Bomberos de Seaford, en la Ciudad de Hempstead, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York, el 25 de agosto de 2025, titulada “RESOLUCIÓN DE BONOS DEL DISTRITO DE BOMBEROS DE SEAFORD (“DISTRITO DE BOMBEROS”), EN LA CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK, ADOPTADA EL 25 DE AGOSTO DE 2025, AUTORIZANDO (I) LA CONSTRUCCIÓN DE UN NUEVO
EDIFICIO DEL DISTRITO DE BOMBEROS, EN UN TERRENO ACTUALMENTE PROPIEDAD DE EL DISTRITO DE BOMBEROS Y UBICADO EN 3844 WAVERLY AVENUE, SEAFORD, NUEVA YORK (EL “PROYECTO DE NUEVO EDIFICIO”), INCLUYENDO LA NIVELACIÓN Y/O MEJORA DEL SITIO Y LA COMPRA DE LOS MUEBLES, EQUIPOS O MAQUINARIA ORIGINALES REQUERIDOS PARA LOS FINES PARA LOS QUE SE USARÁ DICHO EDIFICIO, AL COSTO MÁXIMO ESTIMADO DE $3,200,000, INCLUYENDO LOS COSTOS
PRELIMINARES Y LOS COSTOS INCIDENTALES AL MISMO Y A LA FINANCIACIÓN DEL MISMO Y (II) LAS ALTERACIONES Y MEJORAS A LA SEDE DEL DISTRITO DE BOMBEROS UBICADA EN 2170 SOUTHARD AVENUE, SEAFORD, NUEVA YORK, (EL “PROYECTO DE RENOVACIÓN”),
INCLUYENDO EL SITIO Y OTROS TRABAJOS AUXILIARES O RELACIONADO CON ELLO, AL PRECIO ESTIMADO COSTO MÁXIMO DE $700,000; DECLARANDO QUE EL COSTO TOTAL DEL PROYECTO DE NUEVA EDIFICACIÓN Y DEL PROYECTO DE RENOVACIÓN ES DE $3,900,000; APROPIANDO DICHA CANTIDAD PARA ELLO, INCLUYENDO EL GASTO DE NO EXCEDER $1,000,000 DEL FONDO DE RESERVA DE CAPITAL EXISTENTE DEL DISTRITO DE BOMBEROS ESTABLECIDO HASTA AHORA PARA PAGAR LA PARTE NECESARIA DEL COSTO DEL PROYECTO DE NUEVA EDIFICACIÓN Y LA TOTALIDAD DEL COSTO DEL PROYECTO DE RENOVACIÓN, LO CUAL SE APRUEBA POR LA PRESENTE; AUTORIZANDO LA EMISIÓN DE BONOS POR UN MONTO PRINCIPAL DE NO EXCEDER $2,900,000
PARA FINANCIAR UNA PARTE DEL ¿SE APRUEBA EL COSTO DEL NUEVO PROYECTO DE EDIFICIO; Y QUE ESTABLECE LA IMPOSICIÓN Y RECAUDACIÓN DE IMPUESTOS PARA PAGAR EL CAPITAL DE DICHOS BONOS Y LOS INTERESES SOBRE LOS MISMOS A MEDIDA QUE VENGAN Y SEAN PAGABLES?
Todos los residentes del Distrito de Bomberos que estuvieron debidamente registrados para votar en la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau el 28 de septiembre de 2025 o antes serán elegibles para votar en dicha Elección Especial. POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE COMISIONADOS DE BOMBEROS FECHA: 25 DE AGOSTO DE 2025
MICHAEL R. FORAN SECRETARIO DEL DISTRITO DE BOMBEROS 155762
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO LEGAL DISTRITO DE BOMBEROS DE SEAFORD
Elaboración de listas de registro Elección especial del distrito de bomberos SE INFORMA que la Junta Electoral del Distrito de Bomberos de Seaford se reunirá el
News briefs
Seaford attorney named to Best Lawyers list
Seaford resident Katie Ann Trotta has been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, 2026 edition.
Russo Law Group, a New York elder law and estate planning firm, announced the recognition on Sept. 5 in Levittown.
Vincent J. Russo, founding partner of the firm, said the honor highlights Trotta’s work.
“This honor reflects Katie Ann’s dedication and outstanding expertise in elder law,” Russo said. “We are
proud to see our attorneys recognized for the exceptional service they provide to families navigating elder law, estate planning, and related matters.”
Best Lawyers selections are determined through peer-review surveys and editorial review. The process relies on feedback from attorneys about the professional abilities of their peers within the same region and practice area.
— Denivia Rivera
Public Notices
21 de octubre de 2025, entre las 16:00 y las 18:00 horas, en la Oficina del Distrito de Bomberos/Edificio del Cuartel General de Bomberos, ubicada en 2170 Southard Avenue, Seaford, Nueva York, para preparar el censo electoral del Distrito de Bomberos de Seaford. Elecciones Especiales
La reunión del Distrito de Bomberos de Seaford para votar sobre una propuesta para autorizar una resolución de bonos se llevará a cabo inmediatamente después, el día 21 de octubre de 2025, entre las 6:00 p. m. y las 9:00 p. m., en el edificio del Cuartel General de Bomberos ubicado en 2170 Southard Avenue, Seaford, Nueva York.
TENGA EN CUENTA que solo aquellas personas que residan en el distrito de bomberos y que se hayan registrado para votar en la Junta Electoral del Condado al menos veintitrés (23) días antes del 21 de octubre de 2025 serán elegibles para votar.
Fecha: Seaford, Nueva York 25 de agosto de 2025
MICHAEL R. FORAN
Secretario
Distrito de Bomberos de Seaford 155760
LEGAL NOTICE
SEAFORD FIRE DISTRICT PREPARATION OF REGISTRATION ROLLS
SPECIAL ELECTION OF THE FIRE DISTRICT
PLEASE BE ADVISED, that the Board of Elections of the Seaford Fire District shall meet on the 21st day of October, 2025, between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Fire District
Office/ Fire Headquarters Building located at 2170 Southard Avenue, Seaford, New York for the purpose of preparing the rolls of registered voters of the Seaford Fire District. The Special Election of the Seaford Fire District to vote upon a proposition to authorize a bond resolution will be held immediately thereafter on the 21st day of October, 2025 between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at the Fire Headquarters Building located at 2170 Southard Avenue, Seaford, New York. PLEASE BE ADVISED that only those persons residing in the fire district who have registered to vote with the County Board of Elections at least twenty-three (23) days before October 21, 2025 shall be eligible to vote.
Dated: Seaford, New York August 25, 2025
MICHAEL R. FORAN Secretary Seaford Fire District 155759
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS COLLATERAL TRUST TRUSTEE OF FIRST KEY MASTER FUNDING 2021-A COLLATERAL TRUST, -againstBERNARD MONTPEIROUS, 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 July 2, 2025, wherein U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS COLLATERAL TRUST TRUSTEE OF FIRST KEY MASTER FUNDING 2021-A COLLATERAL TRUST is the Plaintiff and BERNARD MONTPEIROUS, ET AL., are the Defendants. I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, NORTH SIDE STEPS, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on October 21, 2025 at 2:00PM, the premises known as 2181 HORTENSE AVENUE, SEAFORD, NY 11783; tax map identification 57-164-93; and description: 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.: 616346/2019. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., as 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. 155777
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 RMTP Trust, Series 2019-C, Plaintiff AGAINST David Hoskin a/k/a David A. Hoskin; Ann Hoskin a/k/a Anna C. Hoskin; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered April 22, 2020, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 1967 Russell Court, Seaford, NY 11783. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Seaford, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 57 Block: 06001 Lot: 63 and 64. Approximate amount of judgment $606,487.45 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #614367/2018. Rita Solomon, Esq., Referee McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC 420 Lexington Avenue-Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 21-03542NY 86875 155745
To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
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A reader offers a correction on P.T. boats
A reader from Bellmore, Steven Vella, wrote to question my recent column in which I addressed bomb shelters and the related specific construction of P.T. boats (“In today’s world, bomb shelters are part of the conversation,” July 24-30).
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I stated that gunite concrete has some of the highest construction strength, at over 6,000 pounds per square inch, and that swimming pools and “P.T. boats are as strong as steel, and when all of the layers of steel reinforcement rods are contoured into the shape of a boat hull, the ships prove capable, as they did in World War II, of catching exploding torpedoes and absorbing the impact.” P.T. stands for patrol torpedo, and P.T. boats were meant to be lighter, swifter craft for short-range reconnaissance and rapid deployment of torpedoes to attack enemy ships. Vella, a World War II buff, pointed out that he was only aware, through a relative who worked for the Elco Boat Company, in Bayonne, New Jersey — a major builder of P.T. boats for the U.S. Navy — that “the keel is a 70-foot-long piece of 6 x 6 Alaskan spruce. The stem is of American oak. The frames (ribs) are of African mahogany. Sides and bottom of the hull are double-planked mahogany with canvas laid in marine glue in between the diagonally spaced planking.” I misstated that the steel-rod-reinforced construction was used for P.T. boats, when it was actually used for slower-moving landing craft, such as the type used at the beach landing at Normandy, and for barges shipping supplies. The slower-moving craft needed to be heavily reinforced because they were, presumably, easier targets.
Unlike today, where we can instantly find information on almost any topic using our cellphones, I sat in my Methods and Materials classes in architecture school, 50 years ago, and listened to professors explain the physical and chemical properties as well as the applied uses of materials in construction, without the ability to research or fact-check. I never forgot the story related to us about the strength of the concrete, the application to Navy vessels and the story of torpedoes being trapped without exploding, in the sides of some boat hulls. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to confirm the type of concrete used, or that the boats in which the cement and steel reinforcement were applied weren’t P.T. boats, back then.
The concrete type was still steel-reinforced, but it was fero-cement, and not gunite. Gunite is cement that is sprayed using a high-pressure gun, often referred to as a cannon, and the mix is semi-dry cement and sand. The actual concrete hulls that the Navy engineers came up with were made of handapplied cement over steel reinforcing rods. Concrete and steel are used together in many different configurations, because concrete is extraordinarily strong in compression and highly resistant to crushing, and steel is highly tensile or flexible. When applied together, the combination provides great resistance to impacts, such as bombs. So thank you, Steven, for your noteworthy question.
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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On the stump and on the field, the pressure builds
We’re just past the midway point of September, the month that traditionally signifies key flashpoints in two very competitive American pastimes: Major League Baseball and American politics.
Before MLB initiated division play and wild cards, there were just two leagues, the National and American, and the team with the best record in each league at the close of the regular season, at the end of September, made it to the World Series. That made the league pennant races do-or-die. Sudden death. No “postseason” or second chances.
There were years in which the pennant race had as much drama and tension as the World Series. In 1951, for instance, the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants finished the regular season in a dead heat, necessitating a three-game playoff, which the Giants won on Bobby Thompson’s three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 3 — the fabled “shot heard
Baround the world.” That was one of the most famous moments in baseball history, and the fact that the Giants went on to lose the World Series to the Yankees is barely a footnote.
Now there six divisions, and 12 teams qualify for the postseason, taking away the suddendeath aspect. The flip side of the coin is that with more teams in the hunt and more games to be played, there’s sustained fan interest almost to November. That’s especially welcome news for New York fans this year, since neither the Yankees nor the Mets will win their division, but both are good position to be wild card teams.
TLabor Day. Voters are back from vacation or home from the beach. All that went before was but a prelude to the nine-week race that won’t end until late on election night, Nov. 4.
This campaign run to the finish is both a sprint and a marathon. Having run for elective office 19 times, I can tell you that a campaign is both exhilarating and exhausting. A candidate who has run a serious race should have nothing left at the end.
he candidates and the playoff contenders head down the stretch.
And the postseason is a brand new ball game. Last season, the Mets won postseason series over the Brewers and the Phillies, both of which had finished ahead of the Mets in the regular season. The Mets then pushed the Dodgers to six games before finally succumbing, falling short of the World Series by just two games. This year’s September challenge for the Mets is to make sure they nab a wild card slot so they can go on to October, where anything can happen.
Much like baseball, the American political season begins in earnest after
This is especially true in Nassau County, where there are few easy races. I assure you that despite Bruce Blakeman’s excellent record as county executive, with Nassau being rated the safest county in the United States and no tax increases, he is not taking his re-election for granted. Yes, polls show that Blakeman has a solid lead over his challenger, Democratic County Legislator Seth Koslow, but he also knows there are 100,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans in Nassau County.
Blakeman remembers just four years ago, when he was the challenger and incumbent County Executive Laura Curran was the frontrunner, clearly leading in the polls. But Blakeman waged a strong, hard-fought campaign,
and on election night in November 2021, he was victorious.
Similarly, in the race for county district attorney that same year, Democratic State Sen. Todd Kaminsky was the clear favorite over career prosecutor Anne Donnelly, a Republican. The consensus among political insiders was that Kaminsky would use the D.A.’s office as a steppingstone to state attorney general, and then governor. But Donnelly ran as a strict law-and-order candidate, opposed to the so-called “bail reform” legislation supported by Kaminsky. Election night saw a landslide win for Donnelly.
While national and statewide races get the most media attention, it’s county and town races that are closest to, and most intense for, voters. There are no flyover candidates or Rose Garden campaigns. The candidates are right there in our communities, at local events. We see them up close, and get to know who they are and what they stand for. And the issues are ones that affect us directly: safe streets and neighborhoods, support for our police, preventing tax increases and creating jobs. All of it leading to Nov 4, Election Day, the World Series of politics.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
The battle of egos in the Big Apple
eing a former elected official, I am asked frequent questions about political matters. Some are about national developments or personalities, but lately, almost all are about New York City’s mayoral contest. For most of this year, many people, city and suburban voters, have been transfixed by fear about the possibility that a total unknown, Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, could become the city’s first socialist mayor.
My initial comments have been intended for city dwellers who failed to show up at the June Democratic primary and are now brooding about the potential of having someone so controversial and unqualified running a city of more than 8 million people. I remind them that the city primary elections now use a ranked-choice voting system, which favors unknown candidates, who may have little funding but know how to run a campaign. Mamdani was able to raise a substantial amount of money through
small donations, and ran a professional campaign that is now the envy of the political establishment. The first political shockwave was on primary night, when, early in the evening, it became evident that he would be the clear winner. He won so handily that his opponent, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, made an early concession speech.
UBy the time the sun was up the following day, my telephone was ringing off the hook. While the summer months are usually la-la time, the inquiries continued on a daily basis. In August I switched my responses from “I don’t know” to “Let’s see who will run against Mamdani,” hoping that Mayor Eric Adams, Cuomo and the Republican candidate, Curtis Sliwa, would agree on one independent challenger who could give Mamdani a real contest.
have massive egos, there has been a lot of pushback, though Adams has appeared to leave the door open to “a challenge where my country calls me.”
nless there’s a show of humility, New York City will be led by a political novice.
The “country” Adams is referring to is President Trump, who has made it clear that he doesn’t want Mamdani to win. Even though having a socialist mayor would give Republicans a great issue against traditional Democrats, the president is a New Yorker at heart and has many interests to protect if the city were to take a downturn. It’s possible that Adams will be enticed to drop out, and that may have happened by the time this appears, but even then the picture would still be cloudy if Curtis Sliwa stays in the race.
is hard-nosed, and the winner will be Mamdani.
There is another facet to this New York City battle. Few city elections have ever attracted national attention, but this one is attracting national and even international poll watchers. The Republican Party would love for Mamdani to win, so they could label all Democrats socialist sympathizers. Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed Mamdani over the weekend, but many other major Democratic officeholders have yet to take a position on the race. The few who have were almost forced to act, because their party base is made up of all factions, which include socialist backers.
But now the September clock is ticking, and there is daily buzz about who will stay in the race and who will drop out. Behind the scenes, prominent conservatives, such as the philanthropist Ronald Lauder and the supermarket mogul John Catsimatidis, have been trying to get either Adams or Sliwa, or both, to drop out. But because both men
A recent Siena Research/NY Times poll concluded that if the only candidates in the race were Cuomo and Mamdani, Mamdani would win 48 percent of the vote, and Cuomo 44 percent. But those figures may not take into account how, in a race that tight, voters in all political parties might coalesce around Cuomo because of their fear of the Democratic designee. I expect that on Election Day it will be a three-person contest, because Sliwa
The November date of destiny is coming at us quickly. There are an impressive number of young voters in the city who have been smitten by Mamdani’s pledge of free buses, rent freezes and public grocery stores. But they don’t pay the real estate taxes and support the infrastructure that make New York the most important city in the world. And if the political novice gets elected, all of New York City and state will suffer.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.
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Our disagreements must stop at debate
the United States has long prided itself on being a nation in which political differences are aired by way of ballots, not bullets. In recent years, however, violence has too often invaded our public square, shattering lives, feeding a general atmosphere of fear and distrust, and undermining the democratic ideals we claim to cherish.
As we count down to Election Day on Nov. 4, we must recommit to the principle that civil political discourse — not intimidation, assault or bloodshed — is the only legitimate path forward.
Consider the troubling list of recent events. On Jan. 6, 2021, rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, brutally attacking police officers in an effort to halt the peaceful transfer of power to then President-elect Joseph Biden, a Democrat. Five people died in the rioting. Since then, President Trump, a Republican, has survived two assassination attempts.
In 2022, Paul Pelosi, the husband of former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was bludgeoned with a hammer in the Pelosis’ home in San Francisco. In April of this year, a man attempted to burn down the residence of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a fellow Democrat.
In June, Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, was killed in a targeted attack at her home, along with
letters
Blakeman has a narrow definition of ‘safe’
To the Editor:
Re County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s op-ed last week, “Protecting our kids and keeping Nassau County safe”: Blakeman’s myopia ought not be ours. Though the Nassau County Police Department is top-notch in both competence and compensation, “safety” is a far broader sentiment than armed personnel.
With the most foreclosures in the metropolitan region, Nassau is not a safe place for those who can’t keep up with the Joneses. Our growing population of residents dependent on food bank services, absentee landlords and gig work surely appreciate our police, but don’t feel safe from economic predation. And neither drivers nor pedestrians are especially safe in Nassau, and the roadways themselves would win no awards.
Our famed police are no comfort to anyone viewed through ICE-eyes as dusky, dusty or dawdling. We are not yet saved from Nassau’s dual-action dysfunctional
her husband, Mark Hortman. In a separate incident, Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife were wounded, allegedly by the same gunman.
On Sept. 10, one day before our national commemoration of the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil, the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk shook the nation.
All of these acts, though politically motivated in different ways, shared a tragic theme: a rejection of reasoned debate in favor of violence. The perpetrators’ actions defied both justice and ethics. Political leaders, regardless of party, must unequivocally denounce violence not only when it is directed at their allies, but also when it strikes their adversaries.
The answers to bitter disagreements can be found instead in the very foundation of American law: our Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech, association and petition. These rights were spelled out so that individuals and groups could argue, persuade and organize without fear of reprisal.
Violence, by contrast, seeks to silence opponents permanently. It is not an expression of political conviction but rather a repudiation of it — an attempt to destroy debate rather than contribute to it. That is why every civilized society criminalizes assault, murder and terrorism. To resort to such methods is not
only to break the law but also to tear at the moral fabric that holds communities together.
Violence corrodes democracy itself. When citizens and leaders live under constant threat, they retreat from public engagement. Ordinary people withdraw from activism. Elected officials alter decisions out of fear for their families’ safety. Journalists censor themselves to avoid becoming targets. These chilling effects shrink the civic space, and create an atmosphere of suspicion and anger.
The way forward requires a cultural shift that emphasizes respect, empathy and resilience even in the face of profound disagreements. Everyone from students to business executives to politicians to the media should refuse to share disinformation, avoid demonizing those with whom we have differing opinions and welcome calm, reasoned argument that can change minds more effectively than threats ever could.
Passionate debate is fine. Disagreement is natural in a diverse society, and progress often emerges from that vigorous discussion. In stark contrast, every time a political leader is targeted, every time a citizen is attacked for his or her beliefs, the American experiment itself is weakened.
At this point in our country’s history, the stakes could not be higher. We must choose civility over cruelty, and persuasion over violence.
FLegislation that’s critical to L.I. firefighters’ safety
irefighters across Long Island, especially volunteers, face growing risks not just in the line of duty, but also from the very gear meant to protect them. That’s because many of the region’s fire departments — including those in Nassau and Suffolk counties as well as Brooklyn and Queens — have relied on turnout gear and firefighting foam that contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, a class of synthetic chemicals now strongly linked to a variety of serious health problems. As a result, many fire service personnel around the region deal with repeated and prolonged exposure to toxic compounds, often without access to safer alternatives.
The issue has become even more concerning as PFAS have leached into the water and soil, which ultimately caused widespread contamination. While federal and state agencies have begun to address this ongoing issue, the occupational health risks tied specifically to firefighters remain insufficiently prioritized.
The PFAS Alternatives Act — first introduced in Congress in July 2023 — presents a targeted and science-driven response. By investing in the development of PFAS-free turnout gear and training programs focused on reducing exposure, the legislation advances measures that protect not only full-time firefighters, but also volunteers.
ESince the 1950s, PFAS have become a staple in various commercial goods because of their remarkable resistance to extreme temperatures and moisture. The problem is that, because of their strong carbon-fluorine bond, these so-called “forever chemicals” don’t break down easily. Instead, they accumulate in the environment and even the human body, triggering many catastrophic illnesses, including cancer, immunosuppression, liver damage, Type 2 diabetes in women, and developmental delays in children.
ments in Nassau County and over 100 in Suffolk County. Despite their critical roles in safeguarding their communities, these brave firefighters are often forced to respond to emergencies using contaminated equipment.
quipment meant to protect them contains harmful ‘forever chemicals.’
This public health issue has also led to a big wave of legal battles involving the firefighting community. Thousands of firefighters nationwide have filed lawsuits in multidistrict litigation to hold chemical manufacturers, such as 3M and DuPont, accountable for distributing hazardous products without providing proper warnings about the dangers. As of early last month, there were more than 12,000 active cases. Although this mounting legal pressure indicates a growing awareness among victims of their right to hold chemical manufacturers liable, it also underscores the urgent need for legislative solutions.
safety. The bipartisan group that initiated it included Long Island Reps. Andrew Garbarino and Michael Lawler, as well as former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, all of whom signed on as cosponsors, recognizing the urgent need for action in New York state.
The latest iteration of the legislation prioritizes a vital investment of $25 million annually, through fiscal year 2029, for the innovation and testing of PFASfree turnout gear. Besides this, a $2 million yearly budget is likewise set to be allocated during the same period to support training programs that will help first responders reduce PFAS exposure while safer gear is being developed. This funding is particularly critical on Long Island, where many volunteer fire departments continue using contaminated equipment simply because affordable alternatives are unavailable.
These medical facts prompted the Environmental Protection Agency to issue an advisory stating that no level of PFAS is considered safe, and even the slightest exposure can have serious repercussions.
Unfortunately, this danger is almost unavoidable for hundreds of firefighters on Long Island, in nearly 70 fire depart-
LETTERs
property-tax regime, its failed bus patrol tax, its Nassau University Medical Center mess nor wasteful BLAKEMAN signage. Nassau’s water safety is in question. Discoveries of buried chemical toxins and depleted shorelines threaten real estate, and the police cannot arrest viruses. Nassau has enough police, but not enough security.
BRIAN KELLY
Rockville Centre
Honoring veterans through service and support
To the Editor:
On Sept. 12, the day after 9/11, the National Day of Service and Remembrance, PSEG Long Island, National Grid and the nonprofit General Needs came together to host the first-ever Veteran Warm Up event, serving more than 100 local veterans. At this drivethrough event, veterans received bedding, pillows, heaters, LED light bulbs and information about financial and energy-efficiency
programs designed to help them keep warm when the weather gets colder.
Why would PSEG Long Island step into this role? The answer is simple: because veterans are our neighbors, and many are among the most vulnerable members of our communities. Long Island is home to one of the largest populations of veterans in the country, and too many of them face challenges related to housing, health and employment. At PSEG Long Island, we believe our responsibility goes beyond keeping the lights on — we have a duty to support the well-being of the communities we serve.
That’s why, year after year, our employee-volunteers give their time, energy and compassion at events that provide direct aid to veterans and other neighbors in need. Collaborating with organizations like General Needs amplifies that impact, ensuring that resources reach those who need them most.
This commitment to community is an extension of our mission: to provide safe, reliable energy while also strengthening the fabric of the neighborhoods we call home. By supporting veterans, we
The PFAS Alternatives Act is a crucial federal initiative aimed at tackling the severe health risks firefighters are compelled to confront because of their prolonged exposure to PFAS. First introduced by U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in July 2023 and reintroduced by Rep. Debbie Dingell and other lawmakers this May, the bill reflects a longstanding and even growing concern over firefighter
But for the region and the entire state to fully benefit from this legislation, local leaders must strongly support its immediate ratification and effective implementation. Until PFASfree equipment becomes standard statewide, firefighters will continue to confront serious risks from the very gear that’s supposed to safeguard them.
Jonathan Sharp is chief financial officer of the Environmental Litigation Group, a firm that helps fast-track compensation claims filed by victims of toxic exposure and their families.
honor their service and sacrifices while building a culture of understanding and respect that benefits us all.
DAVID LYONS
Interim president and chief operating officer, PSEG Long Island
The Veteran Warm Up event is just one example of how PSEG Long Island strives to live out its values of safety, security and service. We do this because it’s the right thing to do — for our veterans and for our communities.
JonATHAn sHARp
FRAmEwoRk by Tim Baker
At the Town of Hempstead sunrise Sept. 11 memorial service — Town Park Point Lookout
