Curtesy Kevin Corey Kevin Corey, a Uniondale High School teacher, is a co-owner of Stall Mates, individually wrapped, flushable bathroom wipes. His company offers three non-scented varieties — aloe vera, feminine fresh and witch hazel, which are all U.S.-made and plant-based.
By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com
Students enrolled in Kevin Corey’s business courses at Uniondale High School aren’t just learning from a textbook — they’re receiving real-life lessons from a teacher who runs his own multi-million-dollar company.
In addition to teaching, Corey, 41, is president and co-founder of Stall Mates founded in Islip — a U.S.-made, plant-based, individually wrapped flushable bathroom wipe brand that brought in $3.8 million in revenue in 2025. Corey and his longtime friend, Greg Schipf, started the company in 2013 after an unexpected moment sparked an idea, a year before he began teaching business classes in Uniondale. While trying to pay off undergraduate and
graduate school debt from St. Joseph’s College and Dowling College, Corey cleaned pools across Long Island with Schipf, who was also working to pay off college loans after attending Queens College.
Because of the nature of the job, they often did not have access to bathrooms and would stop at places like McDonald’s to use public restrooms. During one such trip, Schipf used a bathroom that was out of toilet paper.
“When he came back to the work van, I said to him, ‘How much would you pay for one baby wipe right now?” Corey recalled. “He said, ‘I’d pay five bucks,’ and that moment was like, ‘Wow.’”
Corey now sells the product on Amazon and through online retailers like Walmart,
By ABBY GIBSON Intern
After nearly seven weeks out of service, the Uniondale Public Library elevator is operating again — but with only temporary repairs, as the board of trustees awaits word on federal funding for a full replacement.
Library Director Mara Marin said the elevator was out of service from Feb. 28 through April 15 after its motor seized — the latest disruption in what Marin described as a twoyear cycle of intermittent failures attributed to underground water damage in the elevator shaft.
Though there is a staircase, the lift is essential for many patrons using the library’s downstairs meeting room, classroom and gallery space, all of which are difficult or impossible to reach for elderly visitors and those with limited mobility when the elevator is inoperable.
been on a constant ‘on-again, off-again’ cycle for the last two years,” Marin wrote in an email on April 23, adding that the cost of repairing it is just over $472,000.
Although the elevator has returned to service, its longterm reliability remains uncertain. During a recent visit, a Herald reporter watched as it dipped noticeably before continuing downward with passengers aboard, underscoring concerns about the temporary nature of the repairs.
MARA MARIN Director, Uniondale Public Library
The trustees said that U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen had informed them that the library’s application for a Community Project Fund grant to replace the elevator had been submitted to the U.S. House Appropriations Committee for consideration. The library expects to learn in June whether the project will receive funding.
“As a result, the elevator has
“I’m fighting in Congress for ContinUed on page 7
Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks, who represents part of Uniondale and part of Hempstead joined Nassau Community College administrators on April 8 to recognize students receiving the college’s 2026 Educational Opportunity Program Academic Achievement Award, along with Nassau County Legislature citations.
Presented in partnership with the State University of New York, the Educational Opportunity Program provides academic support, access and financial assistance to students who demonstrate strong potential for college success despite financial or educational barriers.
Nicks, joined Chief Administrative Officer Maria Conzatti in celebrating the students’ academic accomplishments. The ceremony also featured performances by The Academy Charter School, Uniondale’s orchestra and dance ensemble, as well as remarks from NCC EOP alumnus David Myers.
“Nassau Community College’s EOP is more than a program – it is a community and a hub for mentorship and guidance,” Legislator Nicks said. “The pursuit of higher education can sometimes be filled with obstacles, and programs such as EOP help lighten those burdens. It was a pleasure to be part of a celebration that highlights outstanding students who have overcome so much in their educational journey.”
— Stacy Driks
By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com
Residents from around Hempstead left Hempstead Plains Preserve in Uniondale with native trees tucked under their arms, flowering shrubs in hand and a deeper understanding of how small backyard plantings can contribute to Long Island’s environmental health.
More than 400 people registered for the Town of Hempstead’s Arbor Day native plant and tree giveaway, set for April 24. The community event designed to encourage sustainable landscaping while helping restore local ecosystems.
“Native species offer a lot of ecological functions that you don’t get from a lot of ornamental plants,” Derek Betts, district manager of the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District, said. “Those are really beautiful but don’t provide a deep root system that prevents erosion and help control storm water runoffs.”
Stacy Driks/Herald
Smooth blue aster, a native wildflower known for attracting pollinators, was among the species available at the Town of Hempstead’s partnership, Arbor Day plant giveaway.
Abby Marino of Hewlett, who works in invasive species management, said she came specifically for an Eastern redbud sapling after watching the same tree thrive at her parents’ home.
“My parents have one in front of their house, so I was going to plant it in my backyard now,” Marino said.
Marino said preserving native plants helps support wildlife well beyond a single property.
“People think of their backyards as separated from nature but really, we’re all connected to it,” she said. “And every choice that we make and the things that we plant in our front yards and our backyards.
“Native plants also help maintain the health of our drinking water because they do provide that filter service which is really important,” he said.
The Soil and Water Conservation District alone distributed about 600 native plants during the event, with additional trees and shrubs supplied by partner groups. Organizers said the giveaway was expanded after a smaller version
Betts said deep-rooted native vegetation helps slow stormwater runoff and allows water to better filter through Long Island’s sandy soil before reaching the island’s sole-source aquifer, which supplies the region’s drinking water. He added that the plants can also provide natural buffering during severe weather by helping stabilize land and reduce erosion.
held last year quickly ran out.
“Native plantings are essential to preserving the natural ecosystem that is shared by residents, animals, marine life, and plants throughout the region,” Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti said.
For many attendees, the event served as both a practical resource and an educational opportunity about how individual yards can contribute to a healthier ecosystem.
By planting native plants, you’re supporting the insects that are going to come to it and pollinate it, the birds that feed on those insects,” she added. “The whole chain of events down from there.”
Marino added that native gardens can also be a manageable option for homeowners because many species are already adapted to Long Island’s local conditions.
“There’s just more available, like where that you can plant out there, more knowledge out there, turning something that’s just like a corner of your lawn that you don’t even think about into a really nice garden,” she said.
By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com
What was supposed to be a simple ride around the block turned into a costly ordeal for West Hempstead resident Carmine Macchia, who said Nassau police confiscated his class-2 electric bicycle despite his understanding that it was legal under New York state law.
“On Thursday, I was pulled over riding my bicycle by a marked police cruiser,” Macchia said Monday during a news conference. “The police told me that a law was passed last year that outlawed e-bikes throughout Nassau County. Turns out there was no such law.”
Macchia, said he had owned the foldable pedal-assist bicycle for several years and was using it for what he described as a short recreational ride near his home when officers stopped him.
Macchia’s bike was taken to a private impound lot, he said, and he was charged $179 plus a $20 daily storage fee to retrieve it. And now won’t ride his bike out of fear that something like this would happen again because he believes he will have a criminal record.
His case became the centerpiece of a push by Nassau County Democratic legislators, where Olena Nicks who represents parts of West Hempstead introduced legislation Monday.
Nicks is stressing for an update an outdated county ordinance and clarify which electric bicycles and scooters are permitted
Stacy Driks/Herald
West Hempstead resident Carmine Macchia spoke during a news conference on Monday after Nassau police confiscated his class 2 electric bicycle on April 23, prompting Democratic lawmakers to introduce legislation aimed at clarifying the county’s e-bike rules.
on county roads. “What we are changing are the outdated county restrictions that punish our residents for using legal, affordable transportation options,” Nicks said. “These residents
are treated like they are doing something wrong, simply because Nassau County does not want to modernize its code and it make no sense at all.”
The proposal would amend Nassau’s cur-
rent motorized vehicle code, which Democrat lawmakers said was last updated in 2006, before e-bikes and e-scooters became common.
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles guidance classifies Class 2 electric bicycles — throttle-assisted bikes with a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour — as legal bicycles with electric assist that may be operated on roads with posted speed limits of 30 miles per hour or less.
“The law allows people to operate electric scooters (e-scooters) and bicycles with an electric assist (e-bikes) on some streets and highways in New York State,” according to the motor vehicles.
Nassau police said on social media on March 5 that motorized scooters and Class 2 and 3 e-bikes cannot ride on any Nassau County roadway or property, meaning those devices are prohibited under county law despite New York state legalizing and establishing operating rules for three classes of electric bicycles in 2020, including throttleassisted and pedal-assist models.
“Enforcement of existing laws are the reason why we are the safest county in America,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said in a statement on Monday.
Democrat lawmakers said the measure would bring Nassau County’s e-bike rules in line with New York state law while keeping current prohibitions on reckless riding, sidewalk riding and other unsafe conduct in place.
“I legally bought it. I legally rode it. And that did not keep me safe,” Macchia said.
The Uniondale Fire District is seeking a highly organized, detail-driven professional to serve as our full-time District Secretary. This role is central to the District’s daily operations and governance.
Key Responsibilities
• Maintain official records and documentation
• Prepare and record minutes for all Fire District meetings
• Process weekly payroll
• Manage civil service and NYS retirement administration
• Support additional administrative functions as needed
Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proficient in Microsoft Office – preferred Compensation & Benefits
• $70,000-$80,000 annual salary (overtime exempt)
Annually Appointed Position
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage
Apply by June 1st Email résumé to districtsecretary@uniondalefd.org or mail to: Uniondale Fire District P.O. Box 248, Uniondale, NY 11553
Uniondale Fire District is seeking a
Key Responsibilities
•
•
•
A Uniondale man was arrested after police said he attempted to kidnap an 11-year-old boy near the intersection of Chester Street and Front Street.
According to detectives, the incident occurred on April 13, when the child was walking on a sidewalk and was approached by Nelson Acevedo, 51, who offered him money in an attempt to lure him into a nearby home.
Police said the child refused and tried to walk away, but the man grabbed his wrist in an effort to stop him, causing the child to fear for his safety. The child was able to pull away and walk toward
Jose Cedeno, 44, of Uniondale, was arrested on April 18 after Nassau County police said he shoplifted merchandise from Dick’s Sporting Goods at 630 Old Country Road.
Alfonso Mejia Reyes, 44, of Uniondale, was arrested on April 19 after Nassau County police said he shoplifted merchandise from Marshalls at 1240 Old Country Road in Westbury.
Reyanna Brown-Reyes, 19, and Madison Brown-Reyes, 18, both of Hempstead, were arrested on April 11 after Nassau County police said they shoplifted merchandise from Lululemon at 630 Old Country Road.
Russell Charles, 69, of Hempstead, was arrested on April 4 after Nassau County police said he shoplifted merchandise from DSW Shoe Warehouse at 357 Old Country Road in Carle Place.
Front Street without injuries.
Police said officers located, Acevedo of 373 Maple Grove Avenue, on April 15 and arrested him in connection with the incident.
Acevedo was charged with attempted kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child. He was arraigned on April 16 at First District Court in Hempstead where he pleaded not guilty represented by the Legal Aid Society. Bail was set at $250,000 bond or $625,000 bond and temporary order of protection.
Dashante Daniels, 31, of Hempstead, was arrested on March 24 after Nassau County police said she shoplifted merchandise from Victoria’s Secret at 630 Old Country Road.
An unknown female subject removed $40 worth of gasoline from Gemma’s Towing & Automotive, 324 Uniondale Ave., in Uniondale, on April 19.
An unknown male subject removed assorted items from Walgreens, 603 Uniondale Ave. in Uniondale, on April 21.
Two unknown subjects removed a pair of gloves from Oak Street Check Cashing, 315 Oak St. in Uniondale, at 4:40 a.m. on April 23.
Unknown subject or subjects removed two copper grounding rods from an AT&T cell tower at 650 Nassau Road in Uniondale on April 2. The theft was reported at on April 3.
People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.
By SAHANA SHASTRY Special to the Herald
Town of Hempstead residents urged town board members to repeal zoning in the Nassau Hub during a meeting last month. The zoning had previously been approved to build a casino.
The hub is the area that centers immediately near the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale. The town board approved zoning changes last June to allow a hotel and casino at the coliseum site. Las Vegas Sands, a resort hotel developer, proposed the project in 2022.
After years of leasing issues and delays since 2022, Sands withdrew its bid for a New York state gaming license in April 2025 and later exited its lease agreement. The company had said it would seek a third-party developer, but no replacement was secured before the state’s licensing deadline. The zoning changes remained in place.
Monica Kiely, a member of the “Say No to the Casino” Civic Association, called on the town board to repeal the zoning, citing uncertainty around the site’s future. The Las Vegas Sands Corporation “was supposed to compete for one of the three New York State casino licenses. They withdrew from the competition. They were looking for somebody to take their place at the last minute.
“Nobody did,” Kiely said. “So we don’t need zoning for gambling anymore. There’s no project on the horizon.”
The zoning proposal drew backlash from residents and nearby institutions when it was approved. Hofstra University issued an open letter opposing Sands’ proposal in 2023.
“The Nassau Hub is an entirely inappropriate location for a casino. It is surrounded by educational institutions from preschool through graduate school, and a diversity of suburban communities that should not be
exposed to the increased traffic congestion, crime, economic harm to local businesses, and other negative impacts that a casino development would likely bring,” Hofstra’s letter stated.
With Sands no longer involved, the future of the site remains unclear.
Lynn Krug, of Garden City, expressed concern about the vacancy of the land and the potential negative impacts of gambling activity.
“We don’t want gambling because of the crime it brings. It’s going to bring down our communities, and we don’t want it here,” Krug said. “It’s a dirty business. Look at Atlantic City — kaput. We don’t need the Sands.’”
The site’s future is also affected by state legislation. Local leaders, including Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti, have opposed the proposed REVIVE Act,
which would allow for commercial properties and parking lots such as that found at the coliseum to be converted into residential and mixed-use developments, bypassing existing zoning laws.
Ferretti called the act a “one-size-fits-all mandate that strips municipalities of their authority over local zoning” in comments to the state. The act’s status remains uncertain as discussions continue.
At the March 24 meeting, Ferretti said the Nassau Coliseum site could qualify under the proposal, allowing more than 1,500 residential units to be built.
“I joined my colleagues in the state legislature, in the minority side, to oppose this ridiculous legislation,” he said. “It would literally transform the Town of Hempstead and other suburban communities in New York State into the sixth borough of New York City without any ability by the local municipality to have any zoning jurisdiction whatsoever.”
The proposed legislation would accelerate redevelopment of “underutilized” commercial properties into high-density housing by overriding local zoning laws. The Town of Hempstead opposes the act, citing potential impact on local neighborhoods, especially without local oversight.
Residents opposing the casino proposal urged the board to consider alternative development plans.
“Kiely also emphasized her sentiments about the gambling zoning in an email response. “There are so many good options for that land,” Kiely said. “Why invite gambling development by leaving that zoning in place?”
Hempstead Village Mayor Waylan Hobbs Jr. said it is unlikely that any new developer will take over because of Las Vegas Sands’ backing out and the hesitance of others.
“I hope that they do something with that coliseum area that’ll be beneficial to our community,” Hobbs said.
A DYNAMIC THREE-SPORT athlete, Paccione last spring helped lead Wantagh to Nassau and Long Island Class C lacrosse championships and earned All-America honors. He followed that up this fall as a major contributor to the Warriors’ county football title. This spring, the University of Villanova bound attacker was leading Nassau County in points with 72 (26 goals and 46 assists) as of April 28. He has over 300 career points.
Thursday, April 30
Baseball: Plainedge at Wantagh 4:30 p.m.
Baseball: Lynbrook at V.S. North 5 p.m.
Softball: East Meadow at Clarke 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Elmont at Freeport 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Massapequa at South Side 5 p.m.
Flag Football: Freeport at Bell-Merrick 5 p.m.
Flag Football: East Meadow at V.S. District 5 p.m.
Flag Football: Long Beach at Glen Cove 5 p.m.
Flag Football: Bethpage at Plainedge 5 p.m.
Friday, May 1
Softball: East Rockaway at Freeport 4:15 p.m.
Softball: Syosset at Wantagh 5 p.m.
Softball: V.S. South at V.S. Central 5 p.m.
Softball: Kennedy at Seaford 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Carey at Mepham 5 p.m.
Baseball: Lawrence at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.
Baseball: South Side at Calhoun 5 p.m.
Baseball: Carey at MacArthur 5 p.m.
Softball: Oceanside at Massapequa 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 2
Softball: South Side at Floral Park 10 a.m.
Flag Football: East Rock. at West Hemp. 10 a.m.
Softball: Baldwin at Hewlett 2 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
By PATRICK MOQUIN sports@liherald.com
Uniondale softball has enjoyed its fair share of wild games, which have pulled players closer together in the face of injuries and other misfortunes. Coach Amanda Prescia said those back-andforth games have prepared the Knights for practically anything.
“I’ve never coached a team in a non-contact sport that has gotten so many injuries,” Prescia said. “But they lose their top players for a game and they just know what they have to do to keep pushing.“
In a 4-6 campaign so far, no game may be more representative than a 24-23 victory over Westbury on April 11. After losing two pitchers to minor injuries early in the game, the Knights never yielded and kept up the pressure in a high-scoring shootout.
Down one run the bottom of the seventh inning, senior infielder Elizabeth Melgar made all the effort worthwhile with her third home run of the game, a two-run shot to give the Knights their third victory.
“That game was one of the most exciting games that I’ve been a part of,” Prescia said. “But it was also the most chaotic.”
Uniondale has not been as lucky since, dropping a 17-14 game in a rematch against Westbury on April 18 and losing in more convincing fashion to the likes of Roslyn and Great Neck South. Still, among conference rivals, Prescia said she was proud of the identity her players have forged.
Melgar has been the heart of Uniondale’s potent offense, but others around her have done an excellent setting the table all year.
Seniors Elizabeth Flores and Cindy Blanco have consistently managed to get on base, creating opportunities for Melgar to produce runs.
Melgar and Blanco, who plays catcher, are the Knights’ captains and offer contrasting leadership styles.
“Cindy’s more of the lighter energy, where she’s always laughing and making jokes,” Prescia said. “Elizabeth is the one that really pulls everyone back, gets the seriousness in them.”
Junior third baseman Melanie Saravia has hit her stride and now has two home runs, improving into an effective power hitter throughout the year. She is joined by effective contributors like senior outfielders Jordyn Sullivan and Amaya Grier.
For most of her varsity career, senior pitcher Varsha Ramrookum has been Uniondale’s first and only option in the circle, which molded her into a competitor used to handling high pressure. Junior Brianna Marquez has only been able to start in a limited capacity, but freshmen Gabby and Abby Petgrave have done an admirable job stepping up to take some of the workload off their older teammates.
Prescia noted that softball is only a small part of so many of her players’ lives, making it all the more impressive for them to commit anyway. Grier is a talented musician prepared to pursue her passion in college, while Ramrookum is prominent in student government and performs in show choir.
Yet, for a few hours everyday this spring, the Knights have managed to create a unique identity on the field, marked by high scoring, perseverance and an eagerness to adapt. Their coach couldn’t ask for much more.
direct investments in our communities and am proud to have already brought back $13 million for project funding across Nassau County,” Gillen said in a statement to the Herald last Friday. “I will continue to push to get back more of our tax dollars to help improve the lives of Long Islanders.”
“There is no guarantee that we will receive the funds, and the money hasn’t been distributed yet,” Marin said.
At the same time, the trustees have been exploring relocation options for the library. “The Library Board of Trustees has been looking for a new location to build a new library for our community,” Marin said in an email on April 23, noting a potential site on Jerusalem Avenue, adjacent to the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility.
Still, as long-term plans are considered, immediate fixes remain necessary. “We have to do our best to keep this building safe and operational for the public and staff alike as long as we are here,” Marin said.
The elevator is expected to remain operational for the time being.
“The elevator hasn’t been working,” Claudia Barnes, a patron and a Uniondale resident, said. “And it’s actually working now because they did fix it, but this is a temporary fix.”
Barnes says she goes to the library
often to work remotely, and has hosted several teen programs there with her daughter, Jessica, a student at Lawrence Road Middle School.
“The library getting that grant would definitely show that Laura Gillen, and whoever is able to give that grant, supports the community,” Barnes said. “Anything they could do for the library would benefit the community significantly.”
Even when the elevator is operational, its performance remains inconsistent. “It is anyone’s guess if it will remain operational and for how long,” Marin said.
“The library’s meeting room, classroom and gallery space are all downstairs,” she added. “Without a working elevator, they are not accessible to the public.”
Artist Imani Monroe’s “Transformation — The Works of My Hands” exhibit, part of a Women’s History Month program, was canceled by trustees five days after opening on March 15.
According to Monroe the trustees claimed the elevator poses safety concerns.
For her part, Barnes relies on the elevator less, because she usually takes the stairs. But she recognizes its importance, and for now, patrons and staff are left hoping the elevator continues to operate.
Join WEDLI for a strictly social eventnetworking and catching up with friends! We will also install the new WEDLI officers and board members. All are welcome to attend.
meeting on april 15 revealed that the cost of repairing the elevator was
By JEFFREY BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com
Herald Community Media received 11 awards at the New York Press Association’s 2025 Better Newspaper Contest. The awards were presented at the organization’s spring convention in Saratoga Springs on April 23-24.
Creative Designer Jeffrey Negrin took first place for Best Special Section Cover, Division I, for the Herald’s basketball section. Karen Millindorf was the photographer.
“The layout is clean and bold,” the judges said. “Good use of the isolated subjects placed center frame and the text is well balanced. Overall solid.”
Negrin also placed second in the same category for a Rockville Centre cover. “The mostly monotone color scheme is well complimented to [the] line art doodle graphic,” the judges said. “The lightness of the graphic placed center frame is well balanced with the heaviness of the text at both the top and bottom of the layout.”
“It’s always an honor to be recognized by our peers,” Herald Community Media publisher Stuart Richner said. “We’re proud to continue telling the stories of our communities, and I congratulate our team on this well-deserved recognition. Ultimately, our greatest reward is delivering comprehensive local news to our readers each week.”
Vice President of Sales Rhonda Glickman, Special Sections Editor Karen Bloom and Negrin combined their talents and captured second place for Best Special Section in Advertising, Division I.
“An eye-catching and meaningful special section,” the judges said. “The editorial is local, informative and well writ-
ten. The ads complement the section and align with the section’s intent.”
Negrin and Advertising Director Ellen Reynolds partnered to grab second and third place in the Best Multi-Advertiser Pages.
“This piece does a nice job of capturing the spirit of this campaign and community,” the judges said of the secondplace submission, “combining the multiple advertisers into a harmonious layout. A subtle mix of patterns and color makes a strong impression. Well done.”
Of the third-place entry, the judges said, “A fun piece that visually captures the reader while being based on a strong concept that is a service to the community. The art and topography are appropriate for the theme and lend themselves to the overall mood of the piece. Nice job.”
“Good journalism doesn’t chase applause — it chases accountability,” COO Brad Harmon said. “That’s what makes me proud and reminds me why the work we do matters.”
On the editorial side, Copy Editor Jim Harmon and Production Designer Yolanda Rios received second-place recognition for editorial pages that appeared in all 24 weekly editions of the Heralds. “This was a close second,” the judges said. “The editorial writer is excellent.”
Staying on the editorial page, Managing Editor Jeffrey Bessen, Harmon and Zack Richner combined their efforts to take third place in Editorials, Division 1.
“Three editorials delve into some of the troubling dangers of our time — unaddressed impacts of long Covid; Meta abandoning moderators and the implications on civility and democracy; and the harshness of the housing crisis,” the judges said. “All are told with
perspective and expertise.”
Multiple sports stories that appeared in the Massapequa Herald Post were part of the package that took second place in Sports Coverage, Division 1.
“Greatly enjoyed the range of stories covered in this issue, from the longtime Hofstra soccer coach to the Ryder Cup volunteers,” the judges said. “Well written and attractive layout, easy to read.”
It takes a great team to bring back awards from NYPA — we have the best!” Glickman said. “From finance to sales to editorial, production, press, circulation etc. Together we win!”
For Online Breaking News, Will Sheeline, editor of the Oyster Bay and Sea Cliff/Glen Head Heralds, and past reporter Luke Feeney placed second for their story “Pirate Booty founder Robert Ehrlich addresses attempt to seize control of Village of Sea Cliff.”
The judges said: “The reporters not only identified Robert Erhlich first as the person behind the attempted power grab, but also landed the first on-therecord, exclusive interview with him and posted it online before state, national and international outlets followed. Excellent use of community trust and source relationships to turn a chaotic, somewhat bizarre local power struggle into a clear, timely story.”
Sports Editor Tony Bellissimo and Negrin earned third place for Special Sections/Niche Publications for the Herald’s lacrosse book.
“Very well organized, and comprehensive,” the judges said. “Visually appealing and something for everyone who likes Lacrosse.”
Sheeline also took third place in the Environment Story category for his “Keeping the ‘oyster’ in Oyster Bay” story.
The Herald’s
winner in the category Best Special Section Cover.
“I kept reminding myself that this is a reporter’s award and not an award for which environmental project was the coolest,” the judges said. “And this project was cool! I’ve decided not to hold it against the reporter, however, because the reporter has done an excellent job of making me feel invested in these people and this place and their oysters without getting mawkish or too purple in the prose.”
For the Better News Contest, 150 newspapers submitted 2,732 entries and competed in 67 categories, and a total of 389 awards were presented. The Michigan Press Association judged the contest submissions in January.
By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
Calls to protect religious institutions from harassment and intimidation took center stage last Friday morning at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.
There, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi unveiled the bipartisan Safeguarding Access to Congregations and Religious Establishments from Disruption Act, known as the SACRED Act, legislation Suozzi said would address growing concerns among his constituents about safety at houses of worship.
“There’s too much hate in our country right now,” Suozzi said. “A lot of people are being intimidated as they enter into their religious institution to practice their faith.”
The bill, co-led by Rep. Max Miller, a Republican from Ohio, would make it a federal crime to intentionally intimidate, obstruct or harass individuals within 100 feet of a place of worship, including blocking their path or approaching within 8 feet with the intent to harass.
Suozzi said the measure “ensures that people can access their place of worship safely and without obstruction, while still preserving First Amendment protections for peaceful expression.” He added that it draws “a clear line: Intimidation and threats have no place in our communities.”
“We at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center understand religious persecution,” Alan Mindel, the center’s chairman, said, “and so we are so proud to stand with Congressman Suozzi in protecting the rights of all Americans, regardless of where they pray.”
Leaders of several national advocacy and faith organizations attended the event, including represen-
Community leaders, elected officials and faith advocates gathered at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County to highlight efforts to protect religious institutions and ensure safe access to places of worship.
tatives of the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, Hadassah and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitism has reached historic levels, with 9,354 incidents recorded in 2024, underscoring concerns about the safety of those attending religious services.
“Religious freedom thrives where respect prevails,” Azhar Azeez, CEO of the Islamic Society of North America, said. “Let every place of worship be a sanctuary free from intimidation, obstruction or harassment so all people may practice their faith in peace, dignity and safety within every sacred space.”
The proposal has also drawn political criticism.
Mike LiPetri, who is challenging Suozzi for his 3rd Congressional District seat in November, said he believed the congressman had not been sufficiently vocal on the issue in the past.
“Now in an election year he wants to take action?” LiPetri wrote in a statement to the Herald. “We’re not buying it.”
Rep. Laura Gillen, who was not in attendance, emphasized the need for additional protections.
“In the wake of rising hate crimes in our own backyard, we must safeguard our houses of worship and ensure every Long Islander has the freedom to gather without fear of violence,” Gillen wrote. “Establishing buffer zones is a step in the right direction.”
Target and Grove Collaborative. He also expanded the business by packaging home wet wipes.
Corey said his experience running an online business has shown him how quickly the industry can change, particularly in e-commerce and customer behavior, lessons that now shape his teaching. He teaches students how factors like pricing, shipping costs and packaging influence success, drawing directly from his own experience running the company.
“We like saying, ‘Doing Stall Mates gave us a doctorate in Amazon’ — none of it applied by the time I started my business,” Corey said of what he learned about e-commerce in college. “It had changed so much. I had to adjust my brand, prices, change warehouses because of fulfillment fees, the weight of shipping.”
“Everything I was learning and adjusting to on the fly every year with Stall Mates, I was then bringing it into the classroom,” Corey said. “And then using that instead of like a textbook.”
He said that because of these changes since college, he thinks his teaching methods would be “robotic” if he did not run his own company.
He also uses real-world examples to explain changes in the industry. He gave examples from the toilet paper crisis during the pandemic in 2020 and how it impacted his own business while showing data from it on the SMART Board.
One of Corey’s former students, Esdras Duran, 20, pursued graphic design to help bring business ideas to life. He now works on commission for Corey, designing packaging and labels.
“It was 100 times more impactful — if it was a different teacher, the class would have been different,” Duran said about learning from Corey with his real-life experiences.
“The fact he was somebody who was actively doing all these things,” Duran recalled. “He had proof and showed me — ‘This is my business on the side, outside of teaching and seeing how I apply this in real life.’”
Duran’s journey in high school is how he slowly maneuvered himself into graphic design. He started creating logos and small designs for his friends. However, he explained he became serious during his senior year.
“That’s when I bought a laptop and started working on the senior yearbook and taking a second-year course in graphic design,” Duran said. “That’s when I started getting into brand design and found out it’s more than just a logo.”
During Duran’s senior year, he took three courses with Corey, one being business management. He also was a member of the Yearbook Club, which Corey spear-
heads.
Duran said Corey’s class helped him understand how design connects to real-world business, even with handson projects. In one assignment, he remembers creating products like candles and being responsible for branding them, including designing labels and thinking about how they would be marketed.
Corey added that his students create and market their own products, from building items in a woodshop to developing pricing and sales strategies. He also shows films such as “The Founder,” a 2016 biographical flick about McDonald’s, teaching marketing and business concepts.
After graduating in June 2024, Duran stayed in touch and later collaborated with Corey on a design project for Stall Mates, creating packaging for new products. Duran
now runs his own brand design studio, working with clients to develop business identities.
“I like the brand and seeing him grow was amazing,” he added. “I want to work with businesses like this because I want to help people like Corey who have their own business. Branding is very important with every business.”
Corey said he encourages students to take risks and learn through experience, because he was in the same spot. He added that he was fearful at first because he wasn’t sure customers would like his product.
“I’ve been doing this for 12 years, and it still can be intimidating because you’re trying to come up with new products,” Corey said. “You have to spend money on those ideas and hope it works. What I try to teach them is trying and failing is better than not trying at all.”
Residents across Long Island are being asked to take part in the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive on May 9 by leaving donations at their homes for pickup.
Island Harvest Food Bank and the National Association of Letter Carriers are partnering for the nationwide one-day effort.
Community members can leave nonperishable food items and personal care products in a bag by their mailboxes, where letter carriers will collect them during regular delivery. All donations collected on Long Island will support Island Harvest’s network of community-based food pantries and feeding programs.
The need remains significant, according to Randi Shubin Dresner, president and chief executive of Island Harvest Food Bank, which distributed a record 21 million pounds of food across Nassau and Suffolk counties last year.
“Hunger and food insecurity impact about a quarter of a million Long Islanders, including children, families, older adults, and veterans — and virtually every ZIP code is affected,” Shubin Dresner said in a news release. “We have always depended on the generosity of Long Islanders to support their neighbors. The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is an easy yet powerful way for our community to come together. When Long Islanders act as one island for one day, the impact is extraordinary.”
Items needed include canned goods, cereal, pasta, rice, boxed juices and shelf-stable milk. Prepared food and items in glass containers are not accepted. Personal care products such as toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant and disposable diapers are also accepted.
Tom Siesto, executive vice president of NALC Branch 6000, said that letter carriers see the effects of
food insecurity every day.
“Our members see firsthand the impact of food insecurity on Long Island during their daily routes,” Siesto said in the release. “We are proud to partner
with Island Harvest once again and to help bring neighbors together for the 34th annual Stamp Out Hunger food collection. This one day when letter carriers and residents unite island-wide makes a real difference.”
Stamp Out Hunger is held annually on the second Saturday in May, and has collected more than 2 billion pounds of food nationwide since it began in 1993.
Last year, Long Island residents donated more than 360,000 pounds of food, enough for more than 600,000 meals. Island Harvest aims to collect more than 500,000 pounds this year.
This year’s collection campaign on Long Island is supported by presenting sponsor National Grid, lead sponsor JPMorgan Chase, and IPRO Healthcare, along with nearly 40 additional corporations.
Island Harvest Food Bank is a leading human-services organization whose mission is to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island. It has organized innovative programs and services aimed at enhancing hunger awareness, short-term case management, nutrition education, outreach and advocacy initiatives, its Healthy Harvest Farm, a Workforce Skills Development Institute, and efficient food collection and distribution.
Island Harvest’s work directly supports children, families, seniors and veterans who turn to the organization in times of crisis, and supports a network of community-based nonprofits. Its Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks leading the effort to combat hunger in the United States. To learn more, go to IslandHarvest.org.
–Jeffrey Bessen
You don’t have to be a kid to love bubbles. Step into the museum’s bubble playroom and see why bubbles are fun for any age.
By Abbey Salvemini
For many folks a trip to the Long Island Children’s Museum isn’t just a childhood outing, it’s a shared community memory. Now, those of us “big kids” who grew up visiting here will have a chance to step back inside but this time as grown-ups.
Relive the wonder of childhood at the museum’s inaugural “Adults Only Nostalgia Night” on May 6. Open to guests ages 23 and up, this after-hours event (starting at 6:30 p.m.) offers a lively, playful reimagining of a beloved local destination — welcoming visitors to explore familiar exhibits in a whole new light, long after the kids have gone home.
“This has been something that’s been talked about for years,” Communications Coordinator Stephanie Silver says. “We have so many people who came here as kids and are now bringing their own children or even grandchildren. There’s always been this desire to come back and experience it again for themselves.”
That idea recently gained momentum online after a nostalgic TikTok post comparing the museum’s former Stewart Avenue location with its current home in Garden City went viral, creating a wave of former visitors in the comments reminiscing and sharing memories.
The result is an occasion designed to feel equal parts reunion and night out.
For three hours, the museum’s galleries are open exclusively to adults, giving guests the rare opportunity to explore exhibits at their own pace. From the popular bubble station to newer installations, visitors can revisit old favorites or discover exhibits they may have missed.
“It’s really about giving people the freedom to explore,” Silver explains. “They can go wherever they want, spend as much time as they want, and just enjoy it without any responsibilities.”
Beyond exploring the exhibits, the evening comes
alive with a DJ spinning crowd pleasing hits from across the decades, inviting guests to hit the dance floor or simply enjoy the music. Classic games add a touch of friendly competition, while photo stations capture the fun along the way. Together, these elements transform the museum into a vibrant, social “playground,” a striking departure from its usual daytime pace. The result is a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where nostalgia, play and connection come together for a memorable night. Light bites and refreshments are available; admission includes two drink tickets for beer and wine. Organizers aim to create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where everyone can mingle, unwind, and rediscover a beloved space in an entirely new way — all without straying far from home.
Guests are also invited to take part in hands-on memory-making activities throughout the evening.
Design your own I Heart LICM friendship bracelet to keep as a personal memento, or contribute to the Nostalgia Wall by posting photos and sharing stories from past visits. Over the course of the night, the growing display will reflect decades of community connection — ranging from childhood snapshots to treasured, multigenerational memories — woven together into a heartfelt collective tribute.
For Silver, that piece hits close to home.
• Wednesday, May 6, 6:30-9 p.m.
• Tickets are $45 per person, $40 members, with limited availability; Advance registration and valid ID required
• Visit the events calendar at licm.org for tickets and additional information
• 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
“I grew up coming here,” she says. “My own photos will be up there. It’s special to see how many people have that same connection.”
While designed to be lighthearted and fun, the museum’s educational spirit remains an underlying thread throughout. Exhibits originally created to spark curiosity in children take on a new dimension for adults, offering a fresh perspective that invites reflection, rediscovery and a touch of wonder in a familiar setting.
“That’s actually the easiest part,” Silver adds. “Everything here is already grounded in education. The nostalgia just comes naturally.”
If the evening proves successful (as expected), museum leadership aims to make this a recurring offering and potentially expand it in future seasons, building on what’s anticipated to be strong community enthusiasm.
“We’d love to make this a reoccurring event,” Silver says, enthusiastically. “But we also want to hear from visitors … what they enjoy, what they want to see. This is really about the community.”
Nostalgia Night will offer something that’s familiar yet new: a chance to revisit a childhood staple, reconnect with friends or neighbors and see a well-known local institution in a completely different light.
“We want people to walk away feeling reconnected, not just to the museum, but to that sense of joy and creativity,” Silver adds. “Play is just as powerful for us as adults as it is for the children.”
And for those who recall spending rainy afternoons or birthday parties inside the museum’s walls, this might feel somewhat like coming home — only this time, with music, companions and no curfew.
For the past five-plus decades, over 8,000 live shows and more than 15 million albums sold, George Thorogood and The Destroyers have been “The All-American Rock & Roll Party Band” (Goldmine Magazine). In celebration of their 53rd year of “playing rock ‘n roll hot enough to melt the polar icecaps and flood the world’s major population centers” (Rolling Stone), the group continues The Baddest Show On Earth Tour — a stage-shaking, roof-raising, guitar-snarling blast. For an artist whose music honors the blues, rock and country legends of the past, Thorogood’s forward momentum is now stronger than ever. And along with longtime Destroyers Jeff Simon (drums), Bill Blough (bass), Jim Suhler (guitar) and Buddy Leach (saxophone), they continue “to slap a custom flame paint job onto those classic sounds” (Blues Blast Magazine) like never before.
Saturday, May 2, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Til Death Do Us Part … You First!
Love, regret and second chances take center stage in a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud solo show directed by Broadway veteran Chazz Palminteri. Written and performed by comedian Peter Fogel, the 90-minute multimedia performance blends sharp humor with heartfelt reflection on the realities of modern relationships. At the heart of the story is Fogel himself — an eternal bachelor blindsided by a Valentine’s Day breakup that forces him to confront more than just heartbreak. As he wrestles with questions of love, timing and personal growth, he’s guided by his own conscience, voiced by Palminteri, in a clever theatrical device that adds both wit and depth. What follows is a whirlwind of storytelling as Fogel transforms into more than a dozen characters, Saturday, May 2, 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $40. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org.
Paint like Picasso
Adults can create a serene floral scene featuring lavender asters set against a bright blue sky, guided by instructor Lisa Colon at Uniondale Public Library, Colon guides participants through painting techniques step by step, while encouraging creativity in bringing soft clouds, delicate leaves and vibrant blooms to life.
• Where: 400 Uniondale Ave.
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: uniondalelibrary.org or (516) 489-2220
Family theater
Long Island Children’s Museum stages
“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!,” back at the museum by popular demand. With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the award-winning “Pigeon” picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma (Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!), this show is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party! It’s not easy being the Pigeon since you never get to do anything. But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird can finally do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon.; also May 2 and May 6-7
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Celebrate the season at Smith Street Elementary School’s Spring Fling, hosted by the Smith Street School and Northern Parkway Elementary School PTA. This lively community event includes local vendors, student performances, music and a variety of food options. Families can enjoy spirited afternoon of entertainment and as the school community comes together to welcome springtime. A raffle is available for purchase ahead of time.
• Where: 780 Smith St., Uniondale
• Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 918-2000
p.m.; Action meeting 7 p.m.
• Contact: districtclerk@ uniondaleschools.org or (516) 560-8945
9
Celebrate Haitian Heritage Families can experience the energy and tradition of Haitian culture through live drumming and a vibrant folkloric dance performance by Cumbe Dance at Uniondale Public Library. The program invites the community to take part in an interactive lesson, offering a hands-on introduction to the rhythms and movements that define Haitian dance.
• Where: 400 Uniondale Ave., Uniondale
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Contact: Contact: uniondalelibrary.org or (516) 489-2220
Enjoy two delightful days of romance, revelry, and refinement in true Jane Austen-style at the lush estate. Step onto the grounds, don your finest gowns and cravats, and prepare for a weekend of charm, wit, and elegant amusements. Stroll the gardens, try your hand at lawn games and crafts, enjoy classical melodies, test your Austen knowledge, and admire the finery of fellow guests dressed for the occasion. Between diversions, indulge in sweet treats at the café and discover Regency-inspired treasures in the gift shop. Visit the website for programming details.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: Ongoing, through May 3
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
Families are welcome to Long Island Children’s Museum to mix, pour and create your own sidewalk chalk. Then bring it home to create a sidewalk masterpiece. This is a drop-in program, free with admission.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave.,
Garden City
• Time: Noon-2 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
Celebrate America’s skating superstars! Fresh off their Olympic performances, the 2026 Stars on Ice tour brings the thrill of the Games to fans/ Headlined by Ilia Malinin, the “Quad God” and Olympic Gold Medalist Alysa Liu, Olympic Silver Medalists Madison Chock & Evan Bates, the tour also stars National Champions Isabeau Levito, Amber Glenn, Jason Brown and more. Feel the passion, precision and power of the U.S. National Figure Skating Team — live on the ice.
• Where: 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont
• Time: 4 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com
The Madison Theatre welcomes Goldie who introduces “The After-School Kindness Crew #1: Pooch on the Loose,” the first
• Where: Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville
• Time: 8 p.m.
Ben Folds, widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of his generation. brings his latest tour to the Tilles Center, joined by multi-talented actress-singer- composer Lindsey Kraft. Known for pushing genre boundaries, Folds first rose to prominence with Ben Folds Five before launching a wide-ranging solo career that blends sharp lyricism, piano-driven melodies and orchestral ambition. Over the years, he has released multiple solo albums alongside collaborative projects, earning an Emmy nomination and a devoted global following. His most recent pop album (2023) drew critical praise and played to sold-out audiences, followed by a holiday release in 2024. Folds’ recent work also reflects his deep engagement with orchestral music, including a live album featuring a live orchestral performance of his hits recorded just before concluding his eight-year tenure as Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center — an appointment that marked a first for the role. Today, he continues to move fluidly between pop tours and performances with leading orchestras worldwide, while also developing new work for film, television and theater. A bestselling author and former podcast host, Folds remains a restlessly creative force — an artist constantly expanding the reach of his music.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100
book in an inspiring new series about friendship, community, and the power of kindness. In this rare Long Island appearance, the award-winning actress, producer, director and best-selling author discusses her legendary career, and her children’s book series, written with Lin Oliver and illustrated by Breanna Chambers.
• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
5
The Board of Education holds its next session, reviewing the upcoming school budget. Residents who want to ask a question at the Uniondale Board of Education Action Meeting must submit the official form in full by the Thursday before the meeting. Only pre-submitted questions will be acknowledged by the Board president during the Public Comments portion.
• Where: Uniondale High School, 933 Goodrich St., Uniondale
• Time: Budget discussions 6:30
Mother’s Day Spring Into Health Spring into Health brings a day of wellness, community and fun for the whole family at Uniondale Public Library. Hosted by the Uniondale Empoerment Resource Center, event includes free giveaways, food, raffle prizes, local vendors, face painting and live entertainment, this event offers something for everyone. Come enjoy a vibrant atmosphere focused on health, happiness and appreciation — all in honor of moms.
• Where: 400 Uniondale Ave., Uniondale
• Time: 1-5 p.m.
• Contact: Contact: uniondalelibrary.org or (516) 489-2220
Eisenhower Park Craft Fair
Check out the many craft vendors at Eisenhower Park.
• Where: Eisenhower Park, Field 8
• When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. also May 10, weather permitting
• Contact: NassauCountyFairs. com
Having an event?
Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION UNIONDALE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK,
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing of the qualified voters of the Uniondale Union Free School District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, New York, will be held at the little theater of Uniondale High School, located at 933 Goodrich St, Uniondale, NY 11553 in said District on May 5, 2026 at 6:30 PM, prevailing time, for the transaction of such business as is authorized by the New York State Education Law, including the following items.
1. Presentation of the budget document.
2. To discuss all of the items herein set forth, to be voted upon by voting machine, at the election to be held on May 19, 2026, as hereinafter set forth.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that said vote and election will be held on May 19, 2026, from 6 AM to 9 PM, prevailing time, in the school buildings located in such districts as enumerated below: District No. 1: California Avenue Elementary School 236 California Avenue Uniondale, NY 11553
District No. 2: Grand Avenue Elementary School 711 School Drive North Baldwin, NY 11510
District No. 3: Northern Parkway Elementary School 440 Northern Parkway Uniondale, NY 11553
District No. 4: Smith Street Elementary School 780 Smith Street Uniondale, NY 11553
District No. 5: Walnut Street Elementary School 1270 Walnut Street Uniondale, NY 11553 at which time the polls will be open from 6 AM to 9 PM, prevailing time, to vote by voting machines upon the
following items:
1. SCHOOL BUDGET
Copies of the text of this proposition for the appropriation of the estimated expenses of the School District for the year 2026-2027 and authorizing the levy of taxes therefore, will be available at each schoolhouse in the District as hereinafter specified.
2. Elect two (2) members of the Board of Education
The following seats are up for election:
a. The office of Dr. Mary Bediako, a member of the Board of Education, whose term expires on June 30, 2026, for a new term commencing July 1, 2026, and expiring on June 30, 2029.
b. The office of Ms. Yvette Janniere a member of the Board of Education, whose term expires on May 19, 2026, for a new term commencing May 19, 2026, and expiring on June 30, 2027.
3. CAPITAL PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED THROUGH THE CAPITAL RESERVE PROPOSITION
Shall the Board of Education of the Uniondale Union Free School District be authorized, to expend from the Capital Reserve Fund, which was established on May 18, 2021 (“Reserve Fund”) pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law, for the following capital improvement projects: (1) Playground replacements and upgrades at Walnut Street Elementary School, California Avenue Elementary School, Cornelius Court School, Grand Avenue Elementary School, Smith Street Elementary School and Northern Parkway Elementary School ($1,000,000); and (2) Tennis court upgrades at Lawrence Road Middle School ($500,000) and other work required in connection therewith; and to expend from the Reserve Fund therefore, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto, an amount not to exceed the estimated total cost of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000), provided that the Board of Education may allocate funds amongst various components within the overall total expenditure at its discretion?
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for the office of Member of the Board of Education of the Uniondale Union Free School District shall be filed with the District Clerk of said School District at the District Clerk’s office, 933 Goodrich St, Uniondale, NY 11553, not later than April 20, 2026,between 9 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., prevailing time. All nominating petitions must be signed by at least 25 qualified votes of the District or 2% of the number of voters who voted in the 2025 District election, whichever is greater); must state the name and residence of each signer and must state the name and residence of the candidate. Each petition be directed to the District Clerk and shall describe the specific vacancy for which the candidate is nominated. Each vacancy upon the Board of Education to be filled shall be considered a separate specific vacancy.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 or pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 and has voted at any annual or special district meeting within the past four (4) (20222025) calendar years, such voter is eligible to vote at this election; if a voter is registered and eligible to vote pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law, such voter is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register. The Board of Registration will meet for the purposes of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to Education Law §2014 in the school buildings designated for each election district on Thursday, May 7, 2026 and Wednesday, May 13, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 Am to 7:00 PM, prevailing time, to add any additional names to the Registers to be used at the aforesaid Budget Vote and Election, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Registers, provided that at such
meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such Budget Vote and Election for which the Register are prepared. The Registers so prepared pursuant to Education Law §2014 will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the School District in the Administration Building, located at 933 Goodrich St, Uniondale, NY 11553, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on May 14, 2026, between the hours of 9 AM to 4 PM, prevailing time, on weekdays, and each day prior to the day set for the Budget Vote and Election, except Sunday or holidays, and on Saturday by prearranged appointment, and at the polling places on the day of the Budget Vote and Election.
AND FURTHER NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Education Law §2014, the Board of Registration shall meet on May 19, 2026, in the school buildings designated for each election district between the hours of 6 AM to 9 PM, prevailing time, to prepare the Registers of the School District to be used at the annual meeting and election that is to be held in 2027, and any special meeting that may be held after the preparation of said Registers, at which time any person will be entitled to have her or his name placed on such Registers, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school meeting or election for which Registers are prepared.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that qualified voters with disabilities who seek information about access to polling places may, in advance of the day of the vote, contact the District Clerk at (516) 560-8945 for information about accessibility.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Education Law §2017 of the State of New York, the Board of Education has divided the Uniondale Union Free School District into
five election districts, said districts being bounded and described as follows:
California Avenue School Election District - The area within the District beginning at a point on the east side of Grove Street at Commercial Avenue (not including any houses on Grove Street), south on Grove Street to Hempstead Turnpike; thence south along the district line (see district line list) to Jerusalem Avenue; then east on the north side of Jerusalem Avenue to Uniondale Avenue to Front Street; thence east on Front Street to Pamlico Avenue to the center of the intersection of Pamlico and Warwick Street; thence west to Walton Avenue; thence north on the west side of Walton Street to Hempstead Turnpike; thence west on Hempstead Turnpike to Oak Street; thence north on Oak Street to Commercial Avenue; thence west on Commercial Avenue to the point of beginning. Grand Avenue School Election District - The area within the District beginning at #585 Willis Street to Helena Drive, all numbers to Central Avenue #1012 to Willis Street #681 to Grand Avenue #1219 to Village Avenue #1218 to South Drive, all numbers to Fenimore Place, all numbers to School Drive #942 to Coes Neck Road #1185 to Notre Dame Court all numbers; thence north on Milburn Avenue to Harold Avenue; thence east on Harold Avenue to Nassau Road; thence northwest on the southwest side of Nassau Road to the western boundary of the District.
Northern Parkway School Election District - The area within the district beginning at Martin Avenue and Nassau Road west on the south side of Nassau Road to Northern Parkway; thence south on a line to the Southern State Parkway so as to include all of the houses on Nassau Road and west of Nassau Road; thence east along Southern State Parkway to Nassau Road; thence northwest on the west side of Uniondale Avenue to Jerusalem Avenue; thence west on the south side of Jerusalem Avenue to Perry Street; thence north on the west side of Perry Street to Cedar Street; thence west on
the south side of Cedar Street to the District boundary line.
Smith Street School Election District - The area within the District beginning at a point on the east side of Nassau Road where it crosses Southern State Parkway, northwest to the east side of Uniondale Avenue; thence north on the east side of Uniondale Avenue to Jerusalem Avenue; thence east on the south side of Jerusalem Avenue to Winthrop Drive, to include Mitchell Place, continuing east on a line from Winthrop Drive to the District boundary line.
Walnut Street School Election District - The area within the District beginning at a point on the eastern boundary of the district, south of the end of Sterling Street on a line due south to the middle of Jerusalem Avenue; thence west on the north side of Jerusalem Avenue to Uniondale Avenue; thence north on the east side of Uniondale Avenue to Front Street; thence east on the south side of Front Street; thence north on the east side of Pamlico Avenue to the center of the intersection of Pamlico and Warwick; thence north on the east side of Walton to Hempstead Turnpike. Also including all of Mitch Field. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that beginning seven (7) days immediately preceding the May 5, 2026, public budget hearing, any resident in the District may request to review a copy of the proposed budget by appearing at the Office of the District Clerk, 933 Goodrich St, Uniondale, NY 11553. Additionally, a statement of the estimated expenses for the ensuing year may be obtained by any resident in the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding said election on the school district website https://district. uniondaleschools. org/, at the Uniondale Public Library during its normal hours of operation, located at 400 Uniondale Ave, Uniondale, NY 11553, at the School District Administrative Center, 933 Goodrich St, Uniondale, NY 11553 and at each of the following school buildings in which school is maintained between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., prevailing time, except
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays:
California Avenue
Elementary School, 236 California Avenue, Uniondale, NY 11553
Grand Avenue
Elementary School, 711 School Drive, North Baldwin, NY 11510
Northern Parkway
Elementary School, 440 Northern Parkway, Uniondale, NY 11553
Smith Street Elementary School, 780 Smith Street, Uniondale, NY 11553
Walnut Street
Elementary School, 1270 Walnut Street, Uniondale, NY 11553
Lawrence Road Middle School, 50 Lawrence Road, Hempstead, NY 11550
Turtle Hook Middle School, 975 Jerusalem Avenue, Uniondale, NY 1153
Uniondale High School, 933 Goodrich Street, Uniondale, NY 11553
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 495, the School District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how much of the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted, identified by statutory authority, and show: (a) the cumulative impact of each type of exemption expressed either as a dollar amount of assessed value or as a percentage of the total assessed value on the roll; (b) the cumulative amount expected to be received from recipients of each type of exemption as payments in lieu of taxes or other payments for municipal services; and (c) the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. The exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any website maintained by the District.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for absentee and early mail ballots will be obtainable during school business hours at the office of the District Clerk beginning April 17, 2026. In accordance with Education Law §§ 2018-a and 2018e, completed absentee
and early mail ballot applications may not be received by the District Clerk earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the election, and must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or to the agent named in the absentee or early mail ballot application. Absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued, and a list of all persons to whom early mail voter’s ballots shall have been issued, will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the office of the District Clerk on and after May 14, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays prior to the day set for the annual election and on May 16, 2026, by advanced appointment by contacting the District Clerk at (516) 560-8945 and on May 19, 2026,the day set for the election. Any qualified voter may, upon examination of such lists, file a written challenge of the qualifications as a voter of any person whose name appears on such lists, stating the reasons for such challenge. A challenge to an absentee ballot may not be made on the basis that the voter should have applied for an early mail ballot nor shall a challenge be made to an early mail ballot on the basis that the voter should have applied for an absentee ballot. Any such written challenge shall be transmitted by the District Clerk or a designee of the Board of Education to the inspectors of election on election day.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the Uniondale Union Free School District by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to sedwards@ uniondaleschools.org or fax sent to 516-9181060. The request for the
LUNI2-3
registration application may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the registration application by either mail, fax or email. Military voter registration application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 12, 2026.
AND FURTHER NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the Uniondale Union Free School District may request an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk and return such military ballot application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to sedwards@ uniondaleschools.org or fax sent to516-9181060.. In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military ballot application must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., on April 23, 2026. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a non-military ballot application under Section 2018-a of the Education Law. The application for military ballot may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail, fax, or email. A military voter’s original military ballot application and military ballot must be returned by mail or in person to the office of the District Clerk at 933 Goodrich Street, Uniondale, NY 11553along with the required signed affidavit by the voter.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk before the close of polls on May 19, 2026, showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received not later than 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026, and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
that pursuant to a rule adopted by the Board of Education in accordance with New York Education Law §2035, any referenda or propositions to change the number of Board of Education members, or a bond issue for capital improvements, or any other petition required by law to be stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Election must be filed with the District Clerk at 933 Goodrich Street, Uniondale, NY 11553, not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on March 20, 2026. Any other petition, except those petitions required by law to be stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Election, must be filed with the District Clerk at 933 Goodrich Street, Uniondale, NY 11553, no later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time on March 20, 2026. Any amendments to the propositions must be filed with the District Clerk no later than 30 days prior to the annual meeting or election. All such petitions must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the Clerk of the School District; must be signed by at least 25 qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 or 2% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); and must legibly state the name of each signer. However, the Board of Education will not entertain any petition to place before the voters any proposition, the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, nor any proposition or amendment which is contrary to law.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that those voters seeking information regarding this Budget Vote and Election in Spanish should contact the Office of the Superintendent of Schools at (516) 5608824.
Sandra Edwards
District Clerk of the Board of Education Uniondale Union Free School District 933 Goodrich Street, Uniondale, NY 11553 159235
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. STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU ____ CITIMORTGAGE, INC. Plaintiff, vs. Any unknown heirs to the Estate of EDDIE KNIGHT A/K/A EDDIE D. KNIGHT next of kin, devisees, legatees, distributees, grantees, assignees, creditors, lienors, trustees, executors, administrators or successors in interest, as well as the respective heirs at law, next of kin, devisees, legatees, distributees, grantees, assignees, lienors, trustees, executors, administrators or successors in interest of the aforesaid classes of persons, if they or any of them be dead, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff; ROBERT E. KNIGHT; ALVIN K. KNIGHT; CHANDRA D. KNIGHT; CEDRIC LYDELL KNIGHT; DERRICK NEWBY; PAULA KNIGHT JENKINS; TERRY NEWBY; EDDIE MARTIN; RECHEAL KNIGHT; LINDA JORDAN; JAMIKA HAYES; PATRICE JORDAN; SHANNAIRIAN TYWAYNE JORDAN; PATRICK JORDAN; DEBORAH THOMAS; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA O/B/O INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; CITIBANK, N.A.; SERVHL UNDERLYING TRUST 2019-1 C/O WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION; SYNCHRONY BANK; PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; and “JOHN DOE” and “MARY DOE,” (Said names being fictitious, it being the intention of plaintiff to designate any and all occupants, tenants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises being foreclosed herein.)
Defendants. ____ Filed: 08/21/2024 Index No.: 614364/2024
SUPPLEMENTAL
SUMMONS Mortgaged Premises: 604 Clinton Avenue Uniondale, (Town of Hempstead) NY 11553 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action
and to serve a copy of your Answer on Plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a Defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.
NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF
SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is for the foreclosure of: Mortgage bearing the date of March 27, 2002, executed by Eddie Knight and Arletta Knight to CitiMortgage, Inc. to secure the sum of $152,000.00 , and interest, and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Nassau County on June 28, 2002 in Liber Book: M 22602 Page: 317. That CitiMortgage, Inc. duly assigned said Note and Mortgage to Citibank, N.A. by Assignment dated June 14, 2013 and recorded on August 19, 2013 in the Office of the Clerk of Nassau County in Liber Book: M 39051 Page: 62. Mortgage bearing the date of July 9, 2013, executed by Eddie Knight and Arletta Knight, Husband and Wife to Citibank, N.A. to secure the sum of $1,932.48 , with interest, and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Nassau County on August 19, 2013 inLiber Book: M 39051 Page: 64. Said Mortgages were consolidated and modified so as to constitute a single lien in the amount of $128,068.00 by agreement dated July 9, 2013 and recorded on August 19, 2013 in the Office of the Clerk of Nassau County in Liber Book: M 39051 Page: 83. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the Mortgaged Premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. Plaintiff designates Nassau
County as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the County in which the Mortgaged Premises is situated. Section: 36 Block: 122 Lot: 222 and 223 DATED: August 20, 2024 Rochester, New York NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the Mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your Mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. BY: Miranda L. Jakubec, Esq. DAVIDSON FINK LLP
Attorneys for Plaintiff 400 Meridian Centre Blvd., Ste. 200 Rochester, New York 14618 Tel: (585) 760-8218 WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. SCHEDULE A LEGAL DESCRIPTION ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land situate, lying and being at Uniondale (Unincorporated Area), Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, known and designated as and by the Northerly 10 feet of Lot Number 24 and all of Lots 22 and 23 on a certain map entitled, “Map of Hempstead Park, Section Number 2, situated at Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, property of O.L. Schwencke Land and Investment Company, Fairfield and Dow Engineers, Mineola, New York” and filed in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office on July 9, 1910 as Map Number 318, Case Number 2227, which said lots and part of lot, when taken together are
more particularly bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Westerly side of Clinton Avenue, distant 525 feet Southerly from Southerly the corner formed by the intersection of the Southerly side of Jerusalem Avenue; RUNNING THENCE Westerly at right angles to the Westerly side of Clinton Avenue, a distance of 100 feet; THENCE Southerly and parallel with the Westerly side of Clinton Avenue, a distance of 60 feet to a point; THENCE Easterly again at right angles to the Westerly side of Clinton Avenue, 100 feet to the Westerly side of Clinton Avenue; THENCE Northerly along the Westerly side of Clinton Avenue, 60 feet to the point or place of BEGINNING. 159452
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE OF UPLAND MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST A, Pltf. vs. SERGIO D. VERA, et al, Defts. Index #607926/2023. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered March 26, 2025, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on May 20, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a 582 Liberty Street, Uniondale, NY 11553 a/k/a Section 50, Block 386, Lot 2. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Uniondale, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, known and designated as Lot #2 in Block G-3 on a certain map entitled, “Map of Purdy Terrace Homes, Inc., Section1, located at Uniondale, Nassau County, New York, dated April 1945 made by William E. Debruin, Civil Engineer, Hempstead, New York and filed in the office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on Dec. 31, 1945, as Map #4289. Approximate amount of judgment is $458,725.17 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. BRIAN J. DAVIS, Referee. HILL
WALLACK, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 261 Madison Ave., 9th Fl. Ste. 940, New York, NY 10016. File No. 017511-04224 -#102908 159642
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR OCWEN LOAN ACQUISTION TRUST 2023-HB1, Plaintiff, vs. JUANITA WRIGHT, AS HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF DIANE GILLIAM, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JUANITA HENRY, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 19, 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 May 19, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 411 Northern Parkway, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 36, Block 121 and Lot 8. Approximate amount of judgment is $396,359.34 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 603294/2019. Matin Emouna, Esq., Referee Greenspoon Marder, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105, Attorneys for Plaintiff 159646
Richner Communications, Inc. public notice rates will increase at a minimum of 9% for all notices published on or after May 1, 2026, to reflect rising production and distribution costs. To place a public notice contact 516-569-4000 x232.
To Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE OF STANWICH MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST F, Plaintiff, vs. PIERRE JEAN, ET AL., Defendant (s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on December 15, 2025 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 May 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 485 STERLING STREET, UNIONDALE, NY 11553. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section: 50, Block: 128, Lot: 427. Approximate amount of judgment is $371,017.77 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 602934/2023.
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU M&T BANK, Plaintiff AGAINST DERLIN BONILLA, FELIPE GARCIA, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 19, 2026, 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 May 14, 2026 at 3:30 PM, premises known as 1116 Pembroke Street, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Uniondale, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 50 Block: 13 Lot(s): 1, 2 and 3. Approximate amount of judgment $500,472.77 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #009314/2015. Gerard DeGregoris, Jr., Esq., Referee Tromberg, Miller, Morris & Partners, PLLC 39 Broadway, Suite 1840 New York, NY 10006 25-000406 89371 159605
If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee’s attorney, or the Referee.
JOSEPH TERINO, Esq., Referee Roach & Lin, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 159638
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK INDEX NO. 624964/2025 COUNTY OF NASSAU
FAREVERSE LLC I/L/T/N FINANCE OF AMERICA REVERSE LLC Plaintiff, vs.
MICHELLE BRADSHAW BIZZELL, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ISAIAH BRADSHAW; ISAIAH BRADSHAW JR., AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ISAIAH BRADSHAW; RODNEY BRADSHAW, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ISAIAH BRADSHAW; KIAMESHIA BRADSHAW, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ISAIAH BRADSHAW; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF ISAIAH BRADSHAW, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband,
widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND UBRAN DEVELOPMENT; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE-DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY; CIARA BIZZELL AS JOHN DOE #1; BERNARD BRADSHAW AS JOHN DOE #2; LEONARD BRADSHAW AS JOHN DOE #3, “JOHN DOE #4” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last nine names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Plaintiff designates NASSAU as the place of trial situs of the real property SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS
Mortgaged Premises: 1012 ARTHUR STREET,
UNIONDALE, NY 11553
Section: 36, Block: 148, Lot: 162 and 163 Servicer: Compu-Link Corporation Servicer Telephone: (866) 444-0026 Defendants.
To the above named Defendants YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.
NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT
THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $780,000.00 and interest, recorded on January 26, 2024, in Liber M, Vl-47416 at Page 51, of the Public Records of NASSAU County, New York., covering premises known as 1012 ARTHUR STREET, UNIONDALE, NY 11553.
The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.
NASSAU County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.
NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME
If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
Dated: April 1st, 2026
ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC
Attorney for Plaintiff Matthew Rothstein, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310 Westbury, NY 11590
516-280-7675 159748
To Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232
EAC Network officially became Long Island’s lead agency for child protection services last week, opening the Nassau County Child Advocacy Center in Bethpage and expanding its coordinated response to child abuse, sexual exploitation and trafficking across both Nassau and Suffolk counties.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new center, located at 15 Grumman Road West, Suite 1000, included Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, state lawmakers and officials from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
EAC Network already operates the Suffolk County Child Advocacy Center, and with the addition of the Nassau location, it is now the only agency overseeing child advocacy centers in both counties.
“Child abuse and sex trafficking don’t stop at county lines, and neither do we,” EAC Network President and Chief Executive Officer Neela Mukherjee Lockel said in a statement. “With our Child Advocacy Centers now in both Nassau and Suffolk, EAC Network is the first organization in Long Island’s history to offer a unified, island-wide response to child exploitation.”
According to Lockel, the Nassau center has already received nearly 200 referrals for suspected physical or sexual abuse of minors in its first three months of operation.
The Nassau County Child Advocacy Center will operate two main programs under EAC Network’s leadership. Its Child Advocacy Center program provides forensic interviews, medical evaluations and mental health support for children who have experienced abuse in a child-friendly setting. Its Safe Harbour program focuses on minors under age 18 who are victims of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, offering advocacy and compre -
hensive services.
“Nassau County is committed to ensuring every child is safe, protected, and supported,” Blakeman said in a written statement. “By taking the helm of the Child Advocacy Center, they are strengthening our county’s ability to respond swiftly and compassionately to our most vulnerable residents.”
Donnelly called the center “a cornerstone of how we protect children and hold offenders accountable,” noting that the partnership between law enforcement, prosecutors and victim advocates helps ensure traumainformed care while cases are investigated.
EAC Network works alongside Nassau and Suffolk police departments, both district attorneys’ offices, the FBI, child protective services agencies, hospitals and mental health providers.
The opening comes amid growing statewide concern over child abuse and trafficking. New York’s child protective system received nearly 149,000 reports of suspected child abuse and maltreatment in 2022, according to state data, with more than 31,700 reports formally indicated. The New York State Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking also confirmed 114 human trafficking referrals on Long Island and in the lower Hudson Valley in its most recent reporting period, with minors accounting for 38 confirmed victims statewide.
A former child advocacy center client, identified only as Julianna, spoke at the ceremony about the center’s role in her recovery from abuse, calling it “a place where I could begin to rebuild myself.”
EAC Network officials said the new Nassau center is intended to ensure that children facing abuse or exploitation receive coordinated care, advocacy and support closer to home.
Help Wanted
Building Maintenance
Assistant and Porter needed for Management Co. in Long Beach Experience Preferred Email: humanresoures5771 @gmail.com or Call: (212) 873-7575
CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE
Full Time/Part Time
Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour.
For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com
Data Analyst New York Sage Prep Inc in Jericho, NY seeks a Data Analyst ($79456/yr - $82000/yr) to analyze student performance data; track key metrics; design, develop and maintain data dashboards and reports; monitor marketing campaign performance and conduct ROI analysis; assist in forecasting student enrollment; ensure system data accuracy; and prepare periodic reports. Must have a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, or a closely related field. Must also have 3 months’ experience as a data analyst, or related occupation with concentration in data analysis. Mail resume to New York Sage Prep Inc, 15 Jericho Tpke, Jericho, NY 11753
Full Time and Part Time Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!
$22 - $27/ Hour
Bell Auto School
516-365-5778
Email: info@bellautoschool.com
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA
ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PARISH ADMINISTRATOR PT. Immediate. Weekdays. Organized, writing, social media, office management skills. $22- $27/hr. Email resume/ cover letter church@clcwantagh.org.
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact
Q. My daughter is in architecture school, and she has always had an interest in doing more artistic things, thinking outside the box, so to say. When she comes back home after architecture school, she wants to look for somewhere that she can do more artistic designs, not just the ordinary kinds of buildings that you see around us, for the most part. Where would you recommend that she look? What communities are more open to doing unusual designs?
A. Not on Long Island. I, too, was once a starry-eyed young architecture graduate, ready to change the world with groundbreaking designs that inspired forward thinking, etc. I even got an amazing opportunity I didn’t plan on when I was hired to work in a firm that landed three entire cities to redesign Jeddah, Jubail and Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
Between my minor in city planning and studying with a group called Superstudio in Florence, Italy, I ,too, thought this was the most extraordinary opportunity. And it was, for a time, but the process of building design is very long, and cash flow changes by the day. The city design started with a lot of statistical analysis, referred to as the scope of work or program, which was better suited to an accountant, so that by the time the design phase began, the cost analysis showed that the exciting ideas had to be cut back.
On Long Island, government regulations such as zoning, parking, height restrictions, use allowances, groundwater containment you get the idea create so many restrictions that artistic creativity is limited. Then you encounter architectural review boards that won’t let you deviate from their version of local styles, such as no flat roofs in some communities, to adding colonial trim details and only specific colors. If you ever notice in architecture magazines, most of the more creative, curvy or flat-roof homes are somewhere out away from cities. The land of the free isn’t so free when it comes to suburban building design.
Your daughter will need to search for communities with fewer restrictions, away from populated or conservative towns and villages, if she wants to generate her ideas. You could bond over road trips, like my family did. My father was an aerospace engineer who worked on Saturn, Gemini and Apollo rockets, and my mother was an interior designer, so we set out to find the latest new designs by piling into the family car and traveling all over. Fortunately, with the internet, your daughter can research the regulations of community governments before you drive off to the horizon.
Remember, some things that stand out may have taken many years to even get permission because of restrictions and politics. For example, the Guggenheim Museum, on Manhattan’s Central Park, a complete departure from convention, took 14 years to obtain approvals to build. Even the replacement World Trade Center tower took three years to get final approvals. Your daughter must persist if she wants to fulfill her dreams. Good luck!
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While the headlines have focused on science funding cuts at elite national universities, we shouldn’t lose sight of the local impact. Long Island is home to major research centers, including Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the Feinstein Institutes at Northwell and Stony Brook University, among others.
The $47 billion in cuts to the National Science Foundation and other federal sources of research funding affect those institutions, too. The administration has halted thousands of approved grants for projects focusing on infectious diseases, energy management and quantitative computing, while also releasing staff and curtailing new funding, causing major upheavals in research.
Some now argue that the United States model for research, involving universities, research institutes and private corporations, should change because there’s too much reliance on unstable federal support. Fair enough, but first we should ask how we got here, and how federal support became so important. Our current research enterprise originated in World War II. Reflecting on the
immense and immediate response of universities and scientific laboratories to the war effort, Dr. Vannevar Bush, an engineer at MIT, accepted President Harry Truman’s invitation to write a report on what worked and how to plan for the future.
Bush assembled several committees of experts to examine the issues, and wrote an essay entitled, “Science: The Endless Frontier.” In it he summarized the various reports and recommended goals and a strategy for the president to consider.
RFirst, Bush highlighted the fact that many of the discoveries and advances that aided the war effort were made by scholars who had migrated to the United States from countries under totalitarian rule. One conclusion was that immigration was an important source of intellectual talent. A second was that the war had kept millions of Americans from advanced education, and that we should create a program that offered them opportunities to earn college and higher degrees. The G.I. Bill was one result.
years. They include support for federal student aid, immigration policy and grant programs for basic and applied research at universities and private companies.
esearch here has led the world, and Washington shouldn’t forget that.
The war also gave birth to the Grumman Corporation, which mass-produced aircraft as well as an innovative wing configuration that made it possible to fit more planes on aircraft carriers. The story of how this unique folding feature was developed from a model using two paper clips and a soap eraser is engineering legend. That same spirit launched the lunar module that transported two astronauts to the surface of the moon.
Another example is Brookhaven National Laboratory, established on an unused Army base in1946 by a consortium of nine major universities. Today it is a leader in high-energy physics, materials chemistry, national security and nonproliferation, neurosciences and computational sciences.
A significant source of science innovation is Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, home to eight Nobel Prize winners in physiology and medicine. It has an education division that awards doctoral degrees, hosts international conferences and partners with regional medical schools affiliated with Hofstra/Northwell and Stony Brook University.
Stony Brook’s prominence is grounded in biomedical science, including work that led to the development of magnetic resonance imaging, which was recognized with a Nobel Prize in 2003. Other research is dedicated to understanding and addressing water quality challenges on Long Island, in the interest of restoring the health of bays and waterways, safeguarding fisheries and protecting the coastal environment that is so central to the region’s identity and economics.
A third conclusion was that the country needed systemic support for ongoing research and advanced learning not limited to defense. The National Science Foundation was another result.
The models that Bush’s report inspired have worked well for over 80
The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health, established in 1999, is home to 50 research labs, 2,500 clinical trial studies and 5,000 professional and support staff. They conduct research in molecular medicine, genetics, cancer, neuroscience, behavioral science and bioelectronic medicine.
Together, these Long Island enterprises employ thousands and operate with millions of dollars in federal grants. They contribute to improved health outcomes and the economic well-being of individuals and communities. The products and services they develop create businesses, expand services and contribute tax revenue that supports our schools and public services. Rather than shutter these programs, let’s work together to remember why they exist and consider how they can improve even further.
Robert Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and the author of “How University Boards Work.”
In January, I received a phone call at my Garden City office that no parent should ever have to make.
Andrew Jedlicka, a father from Merrick, whose 5-year-old son is fighting a rare and debilitating genetic disorder, was desperately seeking help. The only lab in the world treating, and potentially capable of curing, his son was set to shut down because its federal funding had run out.
The lab, in Queens, had been partially funded by grants from a federal program known as the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer. The program is branded as “America’s Seed Fund” for high-risk, highreward medical and technological research and development that is often not attractive to investors. The federal funding is the crucial factor to incentivize and enable private-sector investment
in these types of innovations.
For the Jedlicka family and others, SBIR/STTR program dollars promise a future for a child whose life depends on them. And the program not only aids the families and smallbusiness owners who directly benefit from it; it also grows and strengthens our economy and enhances the United States’ competitive edge and dominance in medicine and technology. For every dollar the federal government invests in SBIR/STTR, taxpayers see a return of $22 to $33 in economic impact.
I helped a unique lab in Queens get some of those crucial federal funds.
The program has supported everything from new, innovative cancer treatments to semiconductors that power our lives to the world’s smallest heart pumps. It should have been reauthorized without delay. Unfortunately, it ground to a halt in late 2025, leaving small businesses and families like the Jedlickas in peril.
Andrew’s plea was heartbreaking — I certainly understood the anguish and
fear his family felt, and was determined to break the gridlock and get his family the help they needed. Reauthorizing the program had broad bipartisan support — a bill had passed the House, but because of delays in the Senate, the program expired without being reauthorized.
I immediately reached out to and pushed my colleagues on the Senate Small Business Committee, including the chair, to work across the aisle to reauthorize the program. Following my efforts, the Senate finally reached a bipartisan deal to reauthorize funding for five years.
After passage of a revised bill in the Senate, followed by the House, with a bipartisan, veto-proof majority, we thought the Jedlicka family’s nightmare might be over. But then, instead of moving to the president’s desk, the bill inexplicably sat on the House speaker’s desk for weeks, awaiting his signature. There was no good reason for this, and on April 1, I demanded that the speaker
act. Two days later, the bill was at last presented to the president, and on April 13 it was finally signed into law.
I’m glad colleagues on both sides of the aisle came together to finally reauthorize the SBIR/STTR program. This long-overdue victory belongs to Andrew and his son, and it is an honor to fight on their behalf. Andrew’s relentless advocacy shows how one father can make a real difference for Americans at a time when constant partisanship in Washington leaves many families feeling helpless. His family, and others facing the diagnosis of a rare disease, should never have faced this uncertainty.
My office is now working to ensure that the National Institutes of Health moves the funding to the lab immediately. We have extended vital medical research funding for the next five years, but Washington should not need a crisis to compel it to act. I will never stop fighting for Long Island families, and will use every tool available to cut through the partisanship and political games that put their futures at risk.
Laura A. Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.
atroubling pattern is emerging across Nassau and Suffolk counties — and it should force leaders in both to act with urgency. In recent weeks, there have been a number of serious and fatal crashes involving pedestrians in our communities, from Wantagh to Freeport, Rockville Centre and Lindenhurst.
In Wantagh on March 9, a 53-year-old woman was killed when a pickup truck struck her while it was making a turn at an intersection. On April 4, In Freeport, a 66-year-old man died after being hit while crossing Merrick Road, with police later charging the driver for a hitand-run.
In Rockville Centre on April 10, a 76-year-old woman died of injuries she sustained when she was struck by a vehicle at an intersection. And in Lindenhurst on April 15, an 85-year-old woman was seriously injured when she was hit by a vehicle making a left turn. These were not isolated incidents. They were part of a steady, devastating rhythm of crashes that too often end in tragedy for people doing something routine — crossing the street.
Even in Long Beach, where city officials are now reviewing traffic data in an effort to improve safety, the response remains reactive. Studying the problem isn’t the same as solving it. Long Island has reached the point where analysis
To the Editor:
The “local control” lauded by Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti in his April 16-22 op-ed, “REVIVE Act is the wrong solution to the housing crisis,” is spelled NIMBY, for Not In My Backyard, and he spells it out by rote. On Long Island, local control is widespread, a slogan for a politician’s assertion of veto power.
It is, in effect, a feudal remnant of the creation days of “suburbia,” shaped by the interests of bankers, builders, insurance and real estate. It was an illusion then, and is now a distraction from broader visions needed for a better future. Mr. Ferretti’s claim that REVIVE is the wrong solution suggests some better choice on offer. The one he offers is the status quo — a denial, in effect, that any crisis exists.
The REVIVE Act will benefit the same interests named above, and will not solve the housing crisis alone, but “house” construction is core to any solution, and thus the right one for the present.
must give way to action.
The uncomfortable truth is that Nassau and Suffolk are still operating under an outdated suburban model of road design that prioritizes speed and vehicle flow over human safety. Wide lanes encourage faster driving. Long crossing distances expose pedestrians to danger. Intersections are designed for convenience, not caution.
We do not need to reinvent the solution. We need to look west.
New York City, through its Vision Zero initiative, has spent years reshaping its streets with a different philosophy: that no loss of life on the road is acceptable. That approach has led to lower speed limits, redesigned intersections, pedestrian islands, expanded enforcement and a fundamental shift in the way streets are used. The results haven’t been perfect, but they have been meaningful. Fatalities have declined over time, and the conversation has changed.
Now the city is going even further, considering a “full stop” rule that would require drivers and cyclists to remain stopped at intersections until pedestrians have completely crossed the street — not just cleared their immediate path. It is a simple idea with powerful implications: The pedestrian comes first, fully and without compromise.
Long Island should not wait to see how that proposal plays out. The princi-
ple behind it is already clear, logical, and overdue here.
And not every solution requires tearing up asphalt. Some changes can happen quickly: reducing speed limits on local roads, increasing enforcement of failure-to-yield laws, improving signage and crosswalk visibility, and launching public-awareness campaigns that reinforce a culture of caution.
The data makes this urgency undeniable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 90 percent of crashes in the United States are tied, at least in part, to human error — speeding, distraction, poor judgment. That means safer systems are not optional; they are essential. Road design must anticipate mistakes and reduce their consequences.
Long Island has the benefit of proximity to one of the largest real-world laboratories for traffic safety reform. The question is whether its leaders are willing to learn from its city neighbors. How many more deaths will it take before that happens?
The recent fatalities in our area shouldn’t fade into the background of the next news cycle. They should serve as a call to action. Nassau and Suffolk must act now to prioritize pedestrians, redesign dangerous roads and adopt proven safety measures. The cost of waiting is already far too high.
economic trends remain solid on Long Island and across most of the united States, yet consumers still seem “unhappy.” Measures of sentiment, both local and national, are more downbeat than some relevant information would suggest. For example, inflation, as measured in the consumer price index, continues to moderate from the highs of 2022, up 3.3 percent in March nationwide, while our region was up 3.6 percent. Even with higher gas prices likely to fuel an uptick in inflation overall, we’ve been seeing moderating trends.
Even so, the cumulative increase in inflation since early 2017 remains roughly 32 percent. Prices have gone up over the past five years, and consumers haven’t forgotten it, even if the recent trends are more moderate — or even if they temporarily move in the wrong direction.
To the Editor:
The perception that prices are still going higher can be partially attributed to what we call the Snickers Bar Effect: consumers remember the prices of more frequent purchases. Economists at uBS began examining this issue in early 2024, and it remains highly relevant today. In 2020, the popular candy bar cost $1.50, but today it costs $2.39, an increase of nearly 80 percent. Most consumers, however, don’t know how much their car insurance has gone up over the past few years.
Ysis suggests that in 2015, the average price of a BEc was $3, and in 2020 it was $4.25. Today it’s closer to $7.50. People see the higher prices every morning, which reminds them daily that expenses are higher.
ou’re more likely to know about its price increases than those of your insurance.
We’re all much more aware of the price increases on everyday products, which creates a sense that inflation is still surging. So, even though it has in fact been moderating, most consumers still feel that prices are too high.
For those who don’t scarf down a mix of savory peanuts, caramel and chocolate for breakfast, lunch or a snack several times a week, let’s drill down to a very Long Island-specific product: the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. Nearly every neighborhood deli or bodega serves it, on a roll or a bagel. Our analy-
Last week was National Work Zone Awareness Week, a nationwide campaign reminding motorists that warmer temperatures bring an increase in construction activities along our transportation system.
Here on Long Island, the state Department of Transportation is scheduled to perform hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of paving and bridge projects this year. For the safety of the highway workers doing this work, NYSDOT will deploy signs, cones, barrels and attenuators to make these work zones as visible as possible. Motorists, however, must also do their part to ensure that our workers return home safely each night: slow down, move over and stay alert. Honoring this simple request can save a life.
Earlier this year, a NYSDOT worker was senselessly struck by a vehicle while setting up a closure on the Long Island Expressway. It’s a miracle that worker survived. Throughout this construction season, in an effort to better protect our workers, NYSDOT will be working with our police partners on targeted enforcement, and will be deploying automated speed-enforcement cameras in our work zones. Thank you for doing your part to keep our highway workers safe.
RIcHARD cAuSIN
L.I. regional director, New York State Department of Transportation Hauppauge
To be clear, it isn’t just Snickers, bacon, egg and cheeses or even overall inflation that weighs on purchasers on Long Island. Data shows that consumers are also worried about possible layoffs, the seeming likelihood of artificial intelligence replacing jobs, and the so-called K-shaped economy, in which high earners thrive while low earners struggle. These concerns are real, even if they aren’t fully showing up in the hard economic data.
Recent survey data reinforces this point. A few months ago, PKF O’connor Davies, in partnership with the Siena Research Institute, released its annual Long Island Economic Survey–Outlook 2026. Like consumers, Long Island businesses also seem more worried about the economy, even though current trends are solid. Economic sentiment in
Framework by Tim Baker
the survey is the third lowest since 1995. Even with March housing data showing continued strength and the stock market rebounding dramatically, affordability and inflation for residents of Nassau and Suffolk counties remain issues. If you bought a home five or more years ago, you are sitting on strong price appreciation. But if you’re entering the market today, there aren’t enough reasonably priced alternatives. Entry-level buyers are being squeezed, and affordability remains a major problem. That’s why the Long Island Association and business leaders have been advocating for federal, state and local support for more housing development. Sentiment matters, because it drives spending, hiring and investment decisions. When consumers and business leaders feel downbeat, they may pull back — even in a relatively solid economy. until they begin to feel relief in their day-to-day purchases, housing becomes more attainable and there’s less volatility in economic news, that disconnect is likely to persist, even if the numbers continue to tell a more positive story.
Steven Kent is chief economist at the Long Island Association. Comments? Skent@longislandassociation.org.
