STREAM
STEAM around the world at Buck
William L. Buck School welcomed families from its K–2 classes for an engaging Cultural STEAM Night that brought learning to life through hands-on exploration of world landmarks, cultures and geography. Students and their families traveled the globe without leaving the school, discovering destinations including the Amazon rainforest, the Great Wall of China, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Egyptian pyramids and the Statue of Liberty. Each station was designed to represent a famous landmark while encouraging creativity, problem-solving and collaboration among the district’s youngest learners.
By ANGElINA ZINGARIEllo azingariello@liherald.com
Henry Waldinger Memorial Library is marking Black History Month with its annual essay contest, an initiative that has grown steadily over more than a decade and continues to reflect both national history and the local community the library serves.
“You want to make sure that certain groups are represented,” library director Mamie Eng said. “Black History Month is an important group that needs to be represented each year.”
al level. This year’s essay prompt asks students to reflect on why Black History Month remains important today, 100 years after Woodson’s original effort began.
e really are
more looking at the content of it and the creativity
“It’s important everywhere, but it’s important especially in Valley Stream, because of how diverse our community is — to try to acknowledge and honor as many different groups and people as we possibly can,” children’s librarian Jaclyn Kunz added.
JAclYN KUNZ Children’s librarian, Henry Waldinger Memorial Library
This year’s contest theme is “100 Years of Honoring Black History,” tying the modern observance of Black History Month to its origins in 1926, when historian Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week to highlight the achievements of Black Americans. Fifty years later, in 1976, the commemoration was expanded to a month and formally recognized at the nation-
The contest is open to students from kindergarten through 12th grade, with winners selected in age-based categories: kindergarten through third grade, fourth through sixth grade, seventh through ninth grade and 10th through 12th grade. Essays must be submitted to the library’s Children’s Room or emailed to kidsroomvs@nassaulibrary.org by Feb. 28. Prizes for this year’s contest are provided by Green Acres Mall,
Continued on page 5
Photos courtesy Valley Stream 24 School District
Round two for Scianablo, Ferretti this fall
By LUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com
Joseph Scianablo, a Marine combat veteran, retired New York City Police officer, and former Queens prosecutor, announced his candidacy for Hempstead Town Supervisor last week, launching a rematch against incumbent Republican Supervisor John Ferretti. Here we go again.
Scianablo, a Democrat who ran for the same office last year, said his previous campaign helped bring attention to what he described as backroom deals,
inflated fees and political favoritism in Town Hall. Now, he says he’s returning “to finish the job.”
Ferretti defeated Scianablo last November. Terms for town supervisors are two years, however following a change in state law next year that shifted county, town and village municipal elections to even years, meaning that Ferretti will return to the ballot this year.
“I am running because the people of the Town of Hempstead deserve a government that works for them, not for a handful of insiders,” Scianablo wrote
in his announcement on Feb. 4. “What we uncovered was only the beginning, and it makes it clear there is still more that needs to be brought into the open.”
Following the appointment of Ferretti last August as town supervisor, Scianablo filed a lawsuit alleging that Ferretti and the board violated the state’s Open Meetings Law, which requires 24 hours’ public notice for resolutions scheduled at meetings. State Supreme Court Justice Gary Carlton ruled last October that the appointment had violated the law, but the decision did not nullify Ferretti’s appointment.
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His campaign is centered on the slogan “No Community Left Behind,” a promise, he said, to provide equal service to every neighborhood, regardless of political influence or affluence.
“Whether you live in one of the Town’s most affluent neighborhoods or one that’s been ignored for years,” Scianablo said, “you deserve the same level of service, the same respect, and the same value for your tax dollars.”
If elected, prioritizing exposing mismanagement, initiating an independent audit of town finances, and reducing fees and water costs, are among Scianablo’s top priorities. “We are going to put your money back to work for you,” he added.
His campaign has received the endorsement of New York State and Nassau County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs, who praised Scianablo’s background in military service, law enforcement and the legal system.
“Joe Scianablo represents the very best of public service,” Jacobs wrote in a statement. “He has the courage to tell the truth, the experience to lead, and the determination to deliver real results for the people of Hempstead.”
Scianablo acknowledged that he expects a difficult campaign, but he is prepared. “I’ve taken on tough fights my entire life,” he said. “This is no different. We know there is a lot more to fix and that needs to be brought into the open, and we are ready.”
In response to Scianablo’s announcement, Brian Devine, director of communications for the Town of Hempstead, wrote in a statement to the Herald “Supervisor John Ferretti has made life more affordable for residents by cutting Town taxes by millions of dollars and he will continue to work tirelessly to keep our community the safest in the nation.”
Joseph Cairo, the Nassau County GOP chairman, expressed his confidence in Ferretti’s reelection chances. “John Ferretti has delivered meaningful tax relief, making life more affordable for all residents,” Cairo wrote in an emailed statement to the Herald.
Tim Baker/Herald
Joseph Scianablo, a Marine combat veteran, retired NYPD officer, and former Queens prosecutor, announced his run for Hempstead Town Supervisor Feb. 4.
North dedicates hallway to honor math teacher
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
Valley Stream North High School formally honored longtime mathematics teacher Louise Scanlon with the dedication of a hallway bearing her last name, recognizing more than five decades of service to the school community and the lasting legacy she left behind.
Scanlon began teaching at North in 1957 at age 22 and remained in the same classroom, Room 119, for her entire 55-year career, retiring in 2012. During that time, she taught generations of students and became a constant presence in the building, particularly within the mathematics department. Her career spanned periods of significant change in education, yet her commitment to high standards, organization and preparation remained consistent throughout.
The newly named hallway, Scanlon’s Way, is located in the math wing, where most mathematics classes are housed. The designation reflects not only the subject area she devoted her career to, but also her long-standing connection to that part of the building. Two signs mark the hallway, and a plaque is being prepared for display near her former classroom to further commemorate her contributions.
The hallway dedication was organized by North teacher Anna Matheos, who worked alongside Scanlon for more than a decade. Matheos initiated a small staff fundraiser to support the memorial efforts. The fundraiser also acknowledged Scanlon’s longtime love of gardening and flowers, an interest well known among colleagues and former students.
“I’m very thankful that I had the support of my district and my administrators to make this happen, because without their support, I wouldn’t have been able to even have this naming and get this wall plaque,” Matheos said. “I have their support, which means a lot to me.”
Beyond the classroom, Scanlon played a significant role in the school’s extracurricular life. She volunteered extensively with the Spartan Club, an organization focused on school spirit and community involvement, and frequently assisted with events and activities. She was also closely connected to the Kickline program, consistently supporting students involved in the team and attending performances. In addition, she served as an advisor to the Math Honor Society, further extending her influence on students outside regular class hours.
Even after retiring, Scanlon
remained active in the school community. She continued to volunteer, chaperone events and maintain relationships with staff and former students.
“After high school, she really kind of stayed in contact with my mom at first, but then she really wanted to hear from me how my college semester was going when I was home on breaks, she would want to catch up and go out to lunch or dinner at her set places that she preferred, her times and at her convenience, because she was very particular when she ate dinner,” former North student and current Valley Stream Central High School Special Education teacher Joe Mando said. “She just liked routines, I guess is the best way of putting it. We maintained really good contact through my college years. Then, when I got a job at the district, she came to my board appointment when I was board-approved for the job.”
Mando described Scanlon as a demanding but deeply committed teacher who set clear expectations and maintained a highly structured classroom environment. Her attention to detail, consistent routines and insistence on precision in mathematics prepared students not only for future coursework but also for long-term academic responsibility.
“She was always well prepared,” Mando said. “She was never absent as a teacher, and she was very meticulous with her grading. If she wasn’t able to see your decimal point, or I used to put colons instead of an equal sign, she would take off a 10th of a point, just to show how important calculations should be and how you should visually represent something. She was a tough one.”
As part of the broader recognition of her legacy, the Spartan Club plans to award a scholarship in Scanlon’s name to a graduating senior who demonstrates strong involvement in the community. The scholarship is intended to reflect the values Scanlon upheld throughout her career, including service, dedication and engagement.
Scanlon died last March, prompting renewed reflection on her impact within the district. The hallway dedication stands as a permanent acknowledgment of a career that has shaped North’s culture. For students, staff and visitors who walk through Scanlon’s Way, the space serves as a reminder of an educator whose influence extended far beyond the classroom and whose record of service remains unmatched in the school’s history.
Photos courtesy Valley Stream Central School District
Louise Scanlon served generations of students as a mathematics teacher at Valley Stream North High School.
The dedicated Scanlon’s Way sign marks the school’s mathematics hallway.
Revocable v. Irrevocable Trusts
Joseph Petraro with his facsimile check at last year’s Herald Sustainability Awards with Reworld President and CEO Azeez Mohammed, Richner President Stuart Richner and former NFL player Justin Tuck.
Herald, Reworld event
Long Island’s environmental champions will take center stage at the 2026 Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island Presented by Reworld.™
The May 14 event at the Heritage Club in Bethpage will mark the second year of a growing regional tradition dedicated to recognizing those driving meaningful sustainability efforts across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
ETTINGER LAW FIRM
Presented by Reworld™ and hosted by the Herald Community Media and RichnerLIVE, the awards program is designed to spotlight local individuals and organizations whose work is shaping a more sustainable future for Long Island.
Former NFL quarterback and sports broadcaster Boomer Esiason — a Long Islander — is scheduled to make a special guest appearance. His participation is expected to bring added energy and visibility to an evening focused on teamwork, leadership and long-term impact.
Reworld™ views its continued investment in the Sustainability Awards as a natural extension of its mission to empower communities and advance sustainable practices.
From grassroots nonprofits and forward-thinking businesses to classroom innovators and public officials, the evening will celebrate leadership rooted in action, collaboration and community impact.
Attendees can expect an evening that brings together voices from across the environmental spectrum. Conversations will center on waste reduction, renewable practices, conservation, and education — issues that affect Long Island’s neighborhoods, shorelines and future generations. Rather than focusing solely on large-scale solutions, the event emphasizes commu-
nity-driven initiatives that begin locally and create lasting change.
A highlight of the night will be the presentation of multiple sustainability awards recognizing nonprofit organizations, companies, educational leaders and elected officials who have made significant contributions to environmental progress. The program will also feature the Student Sustainability Champion Award, honoring one outstanding student each from Nassau and Suffolk Counties. These young leaders represent the next generation of environmental stewardship, demonstrating that innovation and advocacy can begin at any age.
As a leader in sustainable waste solutions, the company works with partners across Long Island to promote environmental stewardship, inspire action and support initiatives that reduce waste and reimagine resource use. The awards program reflects Reworld™’s belief that strong partnerships and local engagement are essential to driving real environmental progress.
Organizers from RichnerLIVE and the LI Herald see the 2026 program as an opportunity to build on the momentum of last year’s inaugural event. By shining a spotlight on sustainability leadership across Long Island, the awards aim to elevate local efforts, encourage broader participation and foster continued dialogue around the environmental challenges and opportunities facing the region.
For more information about the 2026 Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island Presented by Reworld™ and to request an invitation, visit RichnerLive. com.
– Jeffrey Bessen
Writers to honor 100 years of Black history
which is partnering with the library for the second consecutive year.
“We really are more looking at the content of it and the creativity behind it, rather than the grammar and the spelling, all of those nitpicky details,” Kunz said.
The Black History Month essay contest began in 2012, when schools were placing greater emphasis on Black history education, according to Eng. Library staff saw an opportunity to complement that work with a communitybased program that encouraged reflection, creativity and independent learning. From the beginning, the goal was not only to recognize historical figures but also to give children and teens a meaningful way to engage with Black history outside the classroom.
In its earliest years, the contest followed a simple format. Participants were asked to choose an African American who inspired them and either write about that person or create artwork. For several years, the library compiled submissions into small brochures that showcased student writing and drawings. Over time, however, staff noticed that many entries focused on the same wellknown figures, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.
“We don’t need to know when he was born, where he went to college,” Eng said. “We can find that in an encyclopedia. I want you to read into what you’ve read about it, or maybe, if you read a biography and there was something in his childhood that spoke to you, or that incident resonated with you.”
Beginning in 2018, the contest format started to change. That year, the library experimented with providing information about Black Americans and asking students to complete identification-based activities. While the approach added variety, it also proved logistically challenging. In following years, the library shifted
toward themed prompts designed to spark creativity and require students to apply research in more original ways.
This year’s theme builds on that evolution. By focusing on the 100-year history of Black history observances, the contest invites students to reflect not just on individuals but on the broader significance of recognition, remembrance and education. The theme also coincides with the nation’s 250th anniversary, highlighting the central role Black history plays in the United States’ development.
Judging for the contest is handled internally by library staff using an anonymous process. Submissions are sorted by age group, with identifying information removed before review. Multiple staff members participate in reading and voting on entries to ensure fairness and avoid bias, particularly since many participants are regular library users. One winner is selected from each age category.
Library staff look for evidence that participants have reflected on what they learned, made personal connections or explored new perspectives, rather than simply repeating widely known facts.
Winners are usually notified within a week after the submission deadline. In addition to prize baskets and certificates, recipients typically receive age-appropriate books related to Black history. For many years, the village has also recognized winners with citations at a board meeting.
Along with Black History Month activities, the library regularly observes other cultural and heritage celebrations throughout the year. By doing so, the library aims to ensure that community members see their histories acknowledged and to encourage residents to learn about experiences beyond their own.
As the 2026 contest gets underway, library staff are encouraging students to participate, explore new topics and engage with the resources available.
As per the District must legally provide transportation for District children in grades K-6 attending private/parochial schools.
This transportation is provided only when the following requirements of Education Law are met:
• The Distance from home to school is not less than (2) miles and not more than (15) miles.
• The parent must submit a written request for transportation each year and include the child's name, date of birth, grade, and school.
• The request must be submitted to the Transportation Department of at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, NY 11581
• All applications must be accompanied by proofs of residency consisting of an original utility bill an original lease, deed, or tax receipt. The application must also include a photo ID of the parent/guardian.
• If your child is of kindergarten age, a copy of your child's birth certificate must also accompany the application request. If your child qualifies for transportation, please be sure that your request is submitted on time. Applications received after will be considered except for new residents who are required by law to apply within after establishing residence in the District.
Last year’s fourth-through-sixth-grade Black History month essay contest winner, mason Kashaka, was presented with a certificate and a gift basket provided by green acres mall.
NEWS RELEASE
TRANSPORTATION FOR PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS 2026-2027
As per Education Law, Section 3635, the District must legally provide transportation for District children in grades K-6 attending private/parochial schools. Kindergarten children must be five (5) years of age as of December 1st, 2026.
• The parent must submit a written request for transportation each year and include the child’s name, date of birth, grade, and school.
• The request must be submitted to the Transportation Department of Valley Stream School District Thirteen at 585 N. Corona Ave., Valley Stream, NY 11580 on or before APRIL 1, 2026 for the school year beginning September 2026.
If your child qualifies for transportation, please be sure that your request is submitted on time. Applications received after April 1st will not be considered except for new residents who are required by law to apply within (30) thirty days after establishing residence in the District. Visit the Valley Stream 13 website for additional information/ application: www.valleystream13.com
VALLEY STREAM UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT THIRTEEN
Courtesy Jaclyn Kunz
Nassau girls wrestling takes center stage
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
Reese Adams experienced a wave of emotions for the second time in as many years at the Nassau County girls wrestling championships.
While recovering from knee surgery last February, the thenCalhoun High School junior was devastated to be a spectator for the inaugural tournament. This year, however, she was elated to not only participate but to capture a title in what would be her lone opportunity.
Adams rallied from behind to pin MacArthur’s Olivia Rausenberger in 1:52 of the first period of the finals to win the 126-pound crown Feb. 1 at her home away from home — Long Beach High School. Her father, Ray, has coached the Marines’ wrestlers for 30 years.
“It was thrilling and a relief at the same time because I put so much pressure on myself,” Reese said. “To finally accomplish what I’ve worked so hard for is exciting.”
She underwent surgery the day before Thanksgiving in 2024 and missed all of last season. That didn’t stop her from attending the county championships at Bethpage High School, but it wasn’t easy to watch.
“I cried a lot, but I wanted to support some of my best friends who were competing,” said Reese, who is Calhoun’s lone female wrestler and practiced with the boys team every day. “I’m glad it was at Long Beach this time,” she added. “I practically grew up watching wrestling in that gym so it was a comfortable environment.”
Adams fell behind Rausenberger 5-0 before scoring a take-
down to get on the board, followed by the pin.
“It was a rough year for her rehabbing and I’m so proud to see her win a county title,” Ray Adams said of his Lehigh University bound daughter. “She worked so hard to get back on the mat.”
Long Beach girls coach Miguel Rodriguez said the vibe for the finals was “incredible.”
The Marines had five finalists and saw seventh-grader Brooke Varian finish a surprise runner-up at 94 pounds, and freshman Harley Eidens repeat as a county champ, taking the 107pound title.
“We had a lot of great performances and those two really had a day,” Rodriguez said. “Brooke is a great athlete who loves lacrosse and is so coachable. Harley was familiar with her opponent in the finals and was very strong defensively at the end to hold on.”
Harley’s sister, Presley, was second at 114 to MacArthur’s Grace Palumbo and earned a wild-card berth to join her twin at the state tournament Feb. 26 in Albany. Junior Goddiss Hodge and Arianna Balsamo and also reached the county finals stage.
Uniondale, which captured the Nassau dual meet team title with a 34-30 victory over Long Beach Jan. 21, continued its spectacular season with three county champions and two runners-up. Coach Tim Godoy said the Knights began the campaign with 45 girls as interest in the sport has exploded.
“The girls are excited to be a part of something new and they really put the work in,” he said. “We had great support from parents and family members as well as about half of
Uniondale’s Angeline Bonilla, won the first finals bout of the tournament at 94 pounds.
our boys team showed up. It was a special day.”
Uniondale junior Angeline Bonilla, who took third place last season, captured the 94-pound title over Varian with a 12-5 decision.
“The impossible doesn’t seem that far away if you keep pushing,” Bonilla said. “It was the first match of the finals and not going to lie, I was a little nervous. Brooke is a tough wrestler and I felt it was a 50-50 match. I couldn’t have done it without my coaches.”
Also for the Knights, junior Brianna Marquez captured the 100-pound championship and junior Keishara Tulloch was a repeat county champ, winning at 152 over junior teammate Gabrielle Christian. Senior and first-year wrestler Emely Ramos reached the finals at 165, pulling several upsets along the way.
“The support these girls have for each other is awesome,” Godoy said. “They were all screaming at the top of their lungs.”
Arianna Balsamo, top, was one of five Long Beach finalists.
Terry Uellendahl/Herald photos Calhoun’s Reese Adams, top, rallied to capture the 126-pound title.
VSN boys dominate Class C track and field
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
If it were a boxing match, the Nassau Class C boys track and field championship meet would’ve been stopped early Feb. 2 with Valley Stream North winning by knockout.
The Spartans crushed the 20-team field by an astounding 90 points over their closest competitor (Wheatley) and captured first or second place in 10 events, including all three relays en route to racking up 141 points on the way to repeating as winter county champs at St. Anthony’s High School.
“We cover every event really well and one of the best things about this team is we have a lot of underclassmen,” VSN coach Mike Frazer said. “The kids did a fantastic job all around.”
Senior A.J. Strojan (shot put) and juniors Max Estrada (pole vault) and Evan Troung (1000 meters) earned individual county championships for the Spartans, which also took home the crown in a thrilling 4x800 relay with Troung making up 12 seconds on
ground as the anchor leg.
“Evan’s a true competitor and what he did in the relay, after already winning the 1000, was awesome,” Frazer said of Troung, who followed seniors Ryan Carra and Matthew Gangi, and freshman Gavin Trusty.
Strojan set a personal best in the shot put with a heave of 42 feet, becoming the program’s 29 th throwing county champion in the past 10 years. “He wasn’t going to be denied,” Frazer said.
“We’re fortunate to have a long line of talented throwers and all those kids take a lot of pride in what they do.”
Junior Dominick Rios was also instrumental in the runaway victory, earning second place in the 55-meter hurdles and the 300-meter dash, and teaming with junior Adebayo Kayode and sophomores Sebastian Madruga and Dario Joseph for a runner-up finish in the 4x200 relay.
“Dominick set PRs in both of his individual events and bettered the state standards,” Frazer said of Rios.
“He’s the best athlete on our team and that’s saying something. He’s a tireless worker with excellent sprint and mid-
dle distance speed.”
Senior Satveer Thind keyed the 4x400 relay that placed second and was also runner-up in the 600. That relay included seniors Jack Dusel and Nigel Monrose, as well as junior Lorenzo Yegros. Sophomore Mathew Anthraper was second behind Estrada (11-feet, 1-inch) in the pole vault.
Additional All-County (top 3 in each event) performances for VSN were Trustey (1600m) and fellow freshman Kyle Farina (3200m), senior Thierry Bennett (1000m), Dusel (55 hurdles) and Kayode (long jump.)
“Usually seasoned distance runners get All-County in those 1600 and 3200 races, but Gavin and Kyle were both cross country scorers for us in the fall and did tremendous jobs,” Frazer said. It marked the 12th winter title in 16 seasons for the Spartans, who also secured a 20th straight conference championship.
Senior A.J. Strojan won the Nassau C shot put title, helping the Spartans roll to the county championship.
Erik Lee/Herald
Top real estate professionals honored at Heritage Club
By HAILEY FULMER
The Herald’s Real Estate Achievement +Leadership Awards at the Heritage Club on Jan. 28 celebrated professionals whose leadership and innovation have shaped the region’s real estate landscape.
Kelly Killoren Bensimon, founder, owner and broker specialist of Kelly Killoren Bensimon Inc. and Douglas Elliman was honored for her impact on real estate leadership. A former model and reality television personality, Bensimon has successfully transitioned into a successful real estate career. Her keynote speech reflected on her path into the industry.
After her mother became ill, Bensimon said she sold her family home by herself — a moment that inspired her to shift from television to real estate. Today, she focuses on client relationships and enhancing the value of the properties she represents.
I became licensed because I needed to protect my family — and today, that instinct drives everything I do,” she said.
Steven Krieger, chief executive officer of B2K Development, was named Real Estate Visionary of the Year, while Jan Burman, chairman of B2K Development, received the Legacy in Real Estate award.
The Rising Stars category recognized emerging professionals. Honorees included James La Dolce, vice president and branch manager at Flushing Bank, and Ashley Infantino, a licensed real estate salesperson with DeSimone Real Estate Agency.
Awards for construction, development and engineering recognized Rob Mannino, chief operating officer of The Kulka Group, who received the Commercial and Residential Construction Management award.
“It is such a pleasure to go to work every day and be surrounded by those people,” Mannino said, crediting his team’s growth over the past two years. He also expressed gratitude to partner Devin Kulka, chief executive officer of The Kulka Group, and his father, citing their guidance and leadership.
Joseph Picataggi Jr., principal of Terra Construction Group, received the Development and Construction award, while Matthew K. Aylward, a partner at R&M Engi-
neering, was recognized for excellence in engineering.
Michael S. Ackerman, managing partner of Ackerman Law, took home the Excellence in Real Estate Law, PLLC. Keith P. Brown, a partner at Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman LLP, received recognition in the Legal category, and Robert M. Connelly of Romer Debbas, LLP, earned the Excellence in Real Estate Law award.
“We are proud to honor Long Island’s most accomplished real estate professionals — individuals whose vision, dedication and innovation continue to shape the towns where we live, work and raise our families,” said Stuart Richner, president of Richner Communications for 26 years.
The Father/Son Duo award was presented to John and Dylan Vitale, president and vice president of Vitale Properties, recognizing multigenerational leadership.
The Next Gen Brokerage category recognized Luca Di Ciero, founder and CEO of NYSpace Finders, and Giuseppe Gregorio, an associate broker with the firm. Gregorio, who began his real estate career 12 years ago, said he was drawn to the industry’s evolving challenges. he Power Team honor was awarded to Darab Lawyer and Vanessa Ambrosecchia, licensed real estate salespersons with Douglas Elliman. Ambrosecchia highlighted the impact of her work on clients.
“I just like helping people,” she said, “to change more lives.”
Additional awards recognized
leadership across the industry.
Shaan Khan, president of the Long Island Board of REALTORS® and broker-owner of RK Realty Group, received the Real Estate Excellence award. Denise Savino-Erichsen, president and CEO of Automatic Industries, was honored in the Technology category.
In the commercial sector, Jonathan M. Stern, chief growth officer of Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group, was recognized in celebration of the firm’s centennial anniversary. Michael Tucker, associate broker at DGNY Commercial, received the Commercial Brokerage award. Joel Lipsky, chief executive officer of Lipsky Construction, received the Construction Management award.
Tom Attivissimo, CEO and principal of Greiner-Maltz Co. of Long Island LLC, was named Top In-
dustrial and Investment Sales and Leasing Counselor of the Year. Shalom Maidenbaum, founder and owner of Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group LLC, received the Property Tax Reduction award.
Additional residential awards were presented to Nicholas Sforza of Manhasset Realty Group and Marisa Filardo of Douglas Elliman, both recognized for Real Estate Excellence. Filardo, a mother of two, serves clients across Long Island and Queens.
The Team Leadership award went to Rachel King, a licensed associate real estate broker and team leader of The King Team at SERHANT.
For photos, go to RichnerLive. com/realawards/2026-photos/ For more on RichnerLive events visit RichnerLive.com.
Tim Baker and Holden Leeds/Herald photos
The real estate movers and shakers networked before the awards ceremony.
Keynote speaker Kelly Killoren Bensimon from Kelly Killoren Bensimon Inc. and Douglas Elliman.
The Kulka Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Rob Mannino.
R&M Engineering, Partner, Matthew K. Aylward, PE.
Interior Motives New York, Founder and Principal Designer, Susan Mandel.
Awarded the Father/Son Duo Award, President and Vice President, respectively, Dylan and John Vitale from Vitale Properties.
DGNY Commercial, Associate Broker, Michael Tucker walking up to accept his award.
From NYSpace Finders, Founder & CEO Luca Di Ciero and Associate Broker Giuseppe Gregorio took home the Next Gen Brokerage award.
Licensed Real Estate Salespersons Darab Lawyer and Vanessa Ambrosecchia from Douglas Elliman won the Power Team award.
From Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP, Partner, Keith P. Brown.
Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group, Chief Growth officer, Jonathan M. Stern with his award.
From Greiner-Maltz Co. of Long Island, LLC, CEO & Principal, Tom Attivissimo heads to accept his award.
Dever students create valentines for veterans
Students at James A. Dever Elementary School joined forces in a collaboration that combined literacy, learning and community service.
Fourth grader students in Noelle Rogers’ class partnered with kindergarten students from Michele DiScala’s class as reading buddies to create handmade “Valentines for Veterans.”
During the activity, older and younger students paired up to read together and discuss the significance of community service. They learned about what a veteran is and why it is important to honor those who have served. Through shared stories and conversations, the students developed a deeper understanding of gratitude, respect and civic responsibility.
Following the reading sessions, each buddy pair created Valentine’s Day cards decorated with colorful artwork and heartfelt messages. The completed cards were then donated to local veterans, providing students with a meaningful way to give back to their community.
This project not only strengthened reading skills but also fostered friendships across grade levels, encouraging compassion and empathy. Dever commended its students for their kindness, teamwork and dedication to honoring local veterans through this special initiative.
–Angelina Zingariello
Photos courtesy Valley Stream UFSD 13
James A. Dever Elementary School students proudly displayed their completed “Valentines for Veterans” after finishing their collaborative project.
A kindergarten and fourth-grade student read a book together during their buddy session.
The reading buddies discussed the importance of community service as they shared stories.
Students learned about what a veteran is and why it is important to honor those who have served.
Kindergarten and fourth-grade students collaborated closely to design heartfelt cards for local veterans.
To
Long Island–based
Legally incorporated In business 2+ years
DEC head discusses state’s goals, policies
By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com
More than 200 people attended the Long Island Association’s Energy and Environment Committee meeting on Feb. 5 at LIA headquarters in Melville. The highlight of the program was a discussion with the commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, Amanda Lefton.
“Long Island’s environment is our economy,” Matt Cohen, LIA president and CEO, said. LIA is a nonprofit association that works to ensure Long Island’s economic vitality.
Lefton previously served as the director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in the Department of the Interior. She has over 15 years of experience working on energy and environment in both the public and private sector.
“As Long Islanders, we know that things like water quality and our natural resources are critical to our livelihood,” she said. “We know these things aren’t in competition, but actually complement each other if done correctly. That is the perspective that I bring to the department.
“We continue to move forward,” Lefton added, “to make sure that we’re not just delivering on our mission of protecting the state’s environment, protecting water quality, delivering on clean air, protecting our natural resources,
but also doing so in a way that there’s transparency.”
Billy Haugland, vice chair of the Energy and Environment Committee, who led the discussion, praised Lefton’s ability to bring government and industry leaders together, leading to productive outcomes, increased collaboration, and reliable environmental stewardship.
Lefton discussed aspects of the state’s policy proposals and 2026 executive budget, and highlighted its steps to reduce pollution, its transition to clean energy and investments in infrastructure and transportation. She contrasted state actions with federal efforts to dismantle environmental protections. “The jobs and benefits that could be lost on Long Island through the stalling of offshore wind projects are one of the many causalities of this chaos,” she said.
Lefton pledged to continue communicating with stakeholders around New York. The DEC is prioritizing accessibility, streamlining its processes and improving data navigation, supported by investments from Gov. Kathy Hochul to modernize its website and technology.
Hochul’s 2026 budget proposal also supports a robust environmental agenda, and Lefton complimented the tangible results for New Yorkers. The governor’s “Let Them Build” agenda includes a series of reforms to speed up housing and infrastructure projects and reduce costs. The initiative includes adopting
common-sense reforms of the State Environmental Quality Review Act to speed up construction of zoned and permitted housing while preserving environmental safeguards. It also aims to reduce delays in building critical infrastructure, including clean-water projects.
“The governor’s common-sense approach to securing more certainty in environmental review timelines,” Lefton said, “will help advance more critically important projects.”
She discussed Hochul’s investments in water infrastructure, a commitment of $3.75 billion to clean-water projects over the next five years, including improving sewer infrastructure. “We can ensure that we’re continuing to tackle urban contaminants, protecting clean water, and delivering on the funding for our municipalities,” Lefton said.
The Hochul administration has authorized a critical resiliency project on Long Island, with a $1.7 billion investment in protecting the expanse from Fire Island to Montauk against storms and erosion. Additional investments have been made for various other Army Corps of Engineers resiliency projects in the Rockaways and Long Beach.
Lefton also mentioned a state grant award to Freeport, supporting the expansion of its advanced stormwater system, which is designed to reduce chronic flooding of the village’s lowlying streets.
“We have strong programs in place to protect our air and water while encouraging investment in our communities,” Lefton said. “We’re ensuring that we have these programs available specifically to deliver for Long Islanders.”
Madison Gusler/Herald Amanda Lefton, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, spoke at the Long Island Association’s Energy and Environment Committee meeting on Feb. 5.
STEPPING OUT
Our nation 250 years later
An artistic perspective
By Abbey Salvemini
The American Revolution might have happened 250 years ago, but the conversation about who really benefited from it is far from over. That’s the idea behind Hofstra University Museum of Art’s newlly opened exhibition, “Our Unfinished Revolution(s).” On view, through July 24, it invites visitors to reflect on the promises of liberty, exploring how the ideals of the Declaration of Independence have shaped the nation.
July 4, 1776, has long been ascribed as the date that the United States was formed, Presley Rodriguez — the museum’s assistant director of exhibitions and collections — writes in her essay in the exhibit catalog. There are other events that could have represented the birth of the nation — perhaps first battles of the Revolutionary War, or the signing of the treaty that formally ended the conflict. But it is the day that the Declaration of Independence was ratified that is credited with changing the world as we know it.
‘RENT’ in concert
Today, many consider the Declaration of Independence as the document that proclaimed “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” as guiding priorities of the United States. As significant as the signing of the Declaration of Independence was, however, it was also a rebellious act that those loyal to the English king viewed unfavorably in 1776.
“The Declaration of Independence is the North Star of liberty, democracy and freedom,” says Hofstra Museum Director Sasha Giordano. “The exhibition explores who most benefitted from the Declaration of Independence. Although women, Black and enslaved people, Indigenous peoples, and immigrants played instrumental roles during the Revolution and were closely connected to the events surrounding the Declaration, they were not granted the same liberties at the nation’s founding.”
The 250 years of history are organized into four dated sections: 1776, 1876, 1976 and 2026. The artworks and archival materials on view illuminate the ways in which the Declaration of Independence has been interpreted, challenged and defended over time. Works drawn from the museum’s permanent collection, alongside loans featuring artists such as Faith Ringgold, demonstrate the diversity of artistic responses to the Revolution’s legacy across 250 years. Included are a mix of 18th-century prints, mid-century works and contemporary pieces by artists such as Alexander Calder, Larry Rivers and Jeremy Dennis, the show’s featured artist.
Groups whose liberties were initially denied come into focus: women, Black, Indigenous and immigrant communities. Rodriguez — who curated this exhibit — searched Hofstra’s database for art that best captures their stories.
“This is really an homage to 250 years of freedom,” she explains. “There are walls in the gallery dedicated to each of these anniversary years, and the artwork was created around these moments.”
Beginning with 1776 section, works reflect the founding ideals and the exclusion of certain communities, while later sections show how those
Map of New England, 1676, ink on paper. Gift of unknown donor, HU62.7.
Washington Crossing the Delaware, Evening Previous to the Battle of Trenton, December 5 (sic), 1776, 18001900, hand-colored lithograph. Gift of Mary Estabrook, HU64.98.
Bill of Sale for Enslaved Person, 1779. Courtesy of Special Collections/ Long Island Studies Institute, Hofstra University Library.
struggles continued and evolved.
For Giordano, framing the Revolution as “unfinished” allows us to revisit and reclaim its milestones. It’s presented as an ongoing conversation, rather than a closed chapter in history.
“Anniversaries are a way to remind us of what we celebrate and how we honor our country’s life,” she says. “This exhibition meets viewers where they are. You bring your own ideas and thoughts, and it encourages reflection. It could challenge you, or it could reaffirm what you already feel.”
Jeremy Dennis, an enrolled member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation and founder of Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio Inc., brings an Indigenous perspective into the narrative of America’s evolving freedom through his photography.
“As a leader making art representing Indigenous people, his work speaks to current times and shares a relevant story,” Giordano adds. “Through his art and photography, he takes us into that world.”
Another standout is Faith Ringgold’s 2009 series, “Declaration of Freedom and Independence.” Her work perfectly embodies the exhibition’s theme and reflects the ongoing struggle to make liberty a reality for all, according to Rodriguez.
“The exhibition invites you to consider your own role in shaping the nation’s future. The response wall allows visitors to contribute their perspectives, and those ideas will literally be on display for others to see,” she adds.
Her aim is that visitors reflect not only on the past but think hard about what our future holds. Everyone is encouraged to contribute to the Wish Wall Project, the collaborative response wall developed by a nationwide network of museums and libraries, where all can leave their thoughts, reflections and reactions to the exhibition.
“Our Unfinished Revolution(s),” connects to the broader Untold Stories of Revolution: A Hofstra University Initiative for the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, a campus-wide exploration of the Revolution’s lesser-known narratives. Related programming tied to the exhibit invites students, faculty and the public to engage with themes of democracy, equity and civic responsibility.
Events include a conversation with Dennis on March 5 and a curator-led gallery tour on April 9; programs that allow participants to engage more deeply with the exhibit.
“During the gallery tour, visitors will have a chance to notice details they might miss on a casual visit, and they can hear the stories behind why specific works were included,” Rodriguez says.
The unforgettable music of Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking musical fills Tilles Center in a powerful symphonic concert setting. RENT is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, marking three decades since its Off-Broadway debut in January 1996 and subsequent move to Broadway. Experience the music of Larson’s landmark work through its original Broadway legacy as Adam Pascal, who originated the role of Roger, hosts the evening and returns to the stage for a special encore performance. Presented in a symphonic concert format with full orchestra, the event celebrates the iconic songs that changed musical theater forever. “To be able to host RENT in concert and then step back on stage for an encore is incredibly special, Pascal says. This concert is about honoring Jonathan Larson’s voice, the community that formed around this show, and the power of these songs to still speak, loudly and honestly, to audiences today.”
Friday, Feb. 13, 8 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
‘So don’t stop me now’ Queen-mania rolls on. Almost Queen returns to the Paramount stage with their homage to the beloved band. They don’t just pay tribute to the legendary band, Almost Queen transports you back in time to experience the magic and essence of Queen themselves. The band — featuring Joseph Russo as Freddie Mercury, Steve Leonard as Brian May, Randy Gregg as John Deacon, and John Cappadona as Roger Taylor — is “guaranteed to blow your mind” with iconic four-part harmonies and expertly executed musical interludes. The band’s authenticity shines through in their impeccable attention to detail and genuine costumes, while their live energy and precision captivates fans of all ages with an unforgettable concert experience. The carefully curated setlist featuring Queen’s best-loved songs, including, of course, classics like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions!” It’s no wonder fans keep coming back for more.
Saturday, Feb. 14, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
• Now through July 24 Programs require advance registration; visit events. hofstra.edu to RSVP or call (516) 463-5672
• Emily Lowe Gallery, behind Emily Lowe Hall, Hofstra University’s South Campus, Hempstead
Courtesy Hofstra University Museum of Art
Jeremy Dennis’ Cloak of Divisibility, from the series Rise, 2025, archival inkjet print. Courtesy of the artist.
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
Lunar New Year program
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes Chinese Theatre Works to the museum stage. Join in a celebration of the Lunar New Year with an original “budaixi” glove puppet production that features the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. This year’s show stars the Horse, who presides over a jolly selection of wild puppet skits, dances, popular songs, and well known Chinese sayings that celebrate the wit and wisdom of the zodiac animals. Hao Bang Ah! Horse! A hands-on post show demonstration will make the Chinese bilingual cultural experience accessible to even the youngest audience members. $5, $4 members, $10 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Monster Jam Freestyle Mania
See the world’s best drivers tear up the dirt and show off crazy skills and all-out racing in fierce head-to-head battles of speed and skill when Monster Jam roars into UBS Arena. Get ready for the event that will change everything you thought you knew about freestyle. Monster Jam trucks team up with Freestyle Motocross bikes to deliver gravity-defying skills and thrills. It’s an adrenaline rush not to be missed.
• Where: 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont.
• Time: Noon and 6 p.m.; also Feb. 15 and Feb. 16
• Contact: ticketmaster.com
Pete’s Blue Carpet Catwalk
Walk the blue carpet as a VIP to celebrate Long Island Children’s Museum’s premiere performance of Pete the Cat! Dress your best, smile for the paparazzi, and take a picture with Pete! Our special youth emcee will be interviewing VIPs on camera. Gain exclusive access to Pete’s Groovy Lounge for refreshments, enjoy the opening day performance of the show and take home a fun swag bag! You’ll even get to meet the cast after the show! For Pete the Cat, life is an adventure no matter where you wind up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. Join Jimmy and Pete on an adventure of friendship, all the way to Paris and back in a VW bus! $16 ($14 members), $20
Wild days in the Bronx
Valley Stream Board of Trustees meet Valley Stream Board of Trustees hold their regular meeting to discuss village matters and community updates. Residents are welcome to attend.
• Where: Village Hall Auditorium, 123 S. Central Ave.
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: valleystreamny.gov
District 13 BOE meets District 13 School Board holds its regular policy and business committee meetings. Stay informed on district matters.
• Where: James A. Dever Auditorium
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: valleystream13.com
District 24 BOE meets District 24 School Board holds its regular policy and business committee meeting. Stay informed on district matters.
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
Chazz Palminteri is back on the Paramount stage with his electrifying solo performance of “A Bronx Tale,” the autobiographical one-man show that launched his remarkable career. Raw, riveting and deeply personal, the play draws on Palminteri’s own bruising childhood in the Bronx, including the moment — at just nine-years-old — when he witnessed a gangland killing that would forever shape his view of the world. Onstage, Palminteri inhabits 18 vividly drawn characters, seamlessly shifting between friends, foes and family members to conjure an entire neighborhood with nothing but his voice, physicality and storytelling prowess. First written and performed in 1989, A Bronx Tale quickly became a sensation, hailed as one of the most sought-after stage properties since Rocky. The original production paved the way for the acclaimed film adaptation — directed by Robert De Niro — and later a hit Broadway musical. Born and raised in the Bronx, Palminteri stands firmly in the lineage of iconic Italian-American artists who redefined New York storytelling in the 1970s, including Martin Scorsese, De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci. Like them, he brings grit, muscle and an unflinching realism to his work, capturing both the violence and the humanity of life on those sidewalks. This return engagement offers audiences a chance to experience the original, powerhouse performance that started it all — up close, uncompromising and unforgettable.
theater and catwalk experience only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: Starting at 11:30 a.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
BioBus Mobile Lab
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes all to climb aboard the newest BioBus Mobile Lab sponsored by National Grid. Community scientists show visitors how to use one of the highpowered microscopes to explore samples such as bugs, dirt, water, flowers, and other organic matter from your neighborhood! You can even look at your own skin, hair and clothing up close with a microscope.
• Where: 11 Davis. Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
the musical comedy based on the iconic film. The show will have you partying like it’s 1985! Travel back to the outrageous 1980s, when hair was huge, neon ruled fashion and everything MTV was “like, totally tubular.” Based on the mega-hit Adam Sandler movie, this Broadway romance about a heartbroken rock star wannabe finding love again is jam-packed with big laughs, dazzling dance numbers, and a score as bold and electric as the decade itself. From popped collars to power ballads, “The Wedding Singer” is a nostalgic, feel-good celebration of love, friendship, and all things ‘80s.
• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 8 p.m.; also Feb. 21, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Feb 22, 3 p.m.
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
‘The Wedding Singer’ Molloy University’s CAP21 Musical Theatre students stage Lunar New Year Celebration
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the Valley Stream South High School Cultural Society at Henry Waldinger Memorial Library. The program includes the New Year Dragon Dances and other performances,
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
treats and more. Registration required.
• Where: Where: 60 Verona Place
• Time: 11 a.m.
• Contact: valleystreamlibrary. org or (516) 825-6422
Harlem Globetrotters
Don’t miss out on the action when the Globetrotters bring the team’s 100 Year Tour — the most legendary tour in Globetrotters history — to Nassau Coliseum. This centennial season is a once-in-a-century celebration of 100 years of jaw-dropping “No Way!” moves, Wow!” moments and basketball thrills. From gravity-defying dunks to game-changing tricks, fans feel the history, the joy, and the fun that only the Globetrotters can deliver. For the first time, the team will also debut their new 100 Year jerseys, honoring a century of global impact, as they face off against their longtime rivals, the Washington Generals. Fans can also expect all-new surprises like the Golden Basketball by Spalding®, epic pre-game Magic Pass experiences, and an unforgettable 5th Quarter autograph session.
• Where: Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale
• Time: 2 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com
• Where: William L. Buck School
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: valleystream13.com
Teen Winter Trivia Teens are invited to play trivia kahoot with a winter theme at Henry Waldinger Memorial Library. Participants are encouraged to bring a smartphone or iPad if possible. Registration required.
• Where: Where: 60 Verona Place
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Contact: valleystreamlibrary.org or (516) 825-6422
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.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU
UMB Bank, National Association, not in its individual capacity, but solely as legal title trustee for LVS Title Trust XIII
Plaintiff, Against Unknown heirs at law of Compton I Wilson Jr., and if they be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally 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; Louanne V. Wilson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, The People of the State of New York, The United States of America Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 11/14/2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 2/24/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 139 Locust Street, Valley Stream, New York 11581, a/k/a 139 Locust Boulevard, South Valley Stream, New York 11581 and described as follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying
and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.
Section 39 Block 47 Lot 12
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $685,838.32 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 613616/2023
If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Glenn J. Wurzel, Esq., Referee.
SHELDON MAY & ASSOCIATES Attorneys at Law, 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Dated: 1/5/2026 File Number: 39393 CA 157938
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff, vs. JONATHAN CASTILLO, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 3, 2025 and an Order Appointing Successor Referee duly entered on December 11, 2025, 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 February 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1294 G Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Elmont, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 35, Block 633 and Lot 38. Approximate amount of judgment is $501,068.35 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of
filed Judgment Index #604919/2023.
Joshua D. Brookstein, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 230154-1 157932
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-HE1 ASSET BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, -againstWILHELMENA KELLY, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on October 5, 2017, wherein HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-HE1 ASSET BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES is the Plaintiff and WILHELMENA KELLY, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 3, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1369 CAROLE COURT, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580; and the following tax map identification: 003700660-00 - 00008. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT NORTH VALLEY STREAM, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 003133/2015. Anthony W. Russo, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310,
Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 158075
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT: NASSAU COUNTY. PINE VALLEY ONE REAL ESTATE, LLC, Pltf. vs. AZAAN BUTT, et al, Defts. Index #603058/25. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered December 22, 2025, I will sell at public auction on the north side front steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., prem. k/a 30 South Montgomery Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580 a/k/a District 30, Section 37, Block 363, Lot 26. Approx. amt. of judgment is $34,576.87 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
BRIAN J. CARMODY, Referee. BRONSTER, LLP, Attys. for Pltf. 156 West 56th Street, Ste. 703, New York, NY. File No. 720049.047- #102729 158069
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF NASSAU, MTGLQ INVESTORS, L.P., Plaintiff, vs. MARIANELA MARTINEZ, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on October 16, 2025, 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 March 9, 2026 at 3:00 p.m., premises known as 107 Dean Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, County of
Nassau and State of New York, Section 37, Block 397 and Lot 258. Approximate amount of judgment is $855,419.54 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 616499/2023. Cash will not be accepted. Joseph Covello, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 158246
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION (“FANNIE MAE”), A CORPORATION ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff AGAINST DONOVAN GRANT, ROSALEE GRANT, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered July 23, 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 March 11, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 7 Everitt Street a/k/a 7 Everett Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Elmont, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37, Block 468, Lot 0122. Approximate amount of judgment $331,151.42 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #009030/2016. Charles John Casolaro, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 16-002698 88542 158161
LEGAL NOTICE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF VALLEY STREAM OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE CLERK/ ADMINISTRATOR 123 South Central Avenue Valley Stream New York 11580 (516) 592-5105 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PUBLIC NOTICE IS
HEREBY GIVEN that there will be a Public Hearing of the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream in person and on ZOOM at Village Hall, 123 South Central Avenue, Valley Stream, New York on Monday, the 23rd day of February, 2026, at 7:00 o’clock p.m. before the scheduled Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees. The public may attend the Public Hearing or join on ZOOM using the link provided: https://us02web.zoom. us/j/7148140969
The Public Hearing is to consider the continuation of expenditure of money in regards to community development projects that include:
1.Public Facilities & Improvements -
a.To request funding ($300,000) to update the existing restrooms to ADA compliant restrooms at 120 Albermarle Avenue (Firemen’s Memorial Field).
b.To request funding ($300,000) to update the existing restrooms to ADA compliant restrooms at 50 Jadwin Street (Barrett Park).
2.Streetscape Improvements - To request funding ($100,000) for the beautification of Sunrise Highway from Hook Creek Blvd. to Horton Avenue.
3.Residential Rehabilitation Program -To request continuation of funds ($100,000) for income eligible residents to have essential home improvements performed such as roof repairs or the replacement of energy efficient windows.
ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on the proposed project at the time and place aforesaid.
Dated: Valley Stream, New York
February 12, 2026
By Order of the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream
JAMES J. HUNTER
Village Clerk/Administrator 158351
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
Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232
LEGAL NOTICE INCORPORATED
VILLAGE OF VALLEY STREAM
123 So. Central Avenue Valley Stream, New York 11580
516-592-5105
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution and the provisions of the Village Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, as amended a Public Hearing will be held by the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream at Village Hall, 123 S. Central Avenue, Valley Stream, NY 11580, on the 23rd day of February, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. to consider the adoption of Proposed Local Law 1- 2026 - a Local Law amending Chapter 99 of the Village Code entitled, “Zoning”, by amending §§99-202 & 99-3001. The amendment(s) will regulate the instances of basement apartments and ingresses/egresses thereto.
All parties of interest and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard concerning the Local Law at the time and place advertised, or by joining the public hearing with the following ZOOM link: https://us02web.zoom. us/j/7148140969
The Proposed Local Law will be posted on the Village’s website and on file in the Office of the Village Clerk/Administrator prior to the hearing and may be examined during regular business hours.
Dated: Valley Stream, New York February 12, 2026
February 19, 2026
By Order of the Board of Trustees Incorporated Village of Valley Stream
JAMES J. HUNTER Village Clerk/Administrator 158352
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, -againstARTHUR J. TEICHBERG, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of
Nassau on August 22, 2018, wherein NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC is the Plaintiff and ARTHUR J. TEICHBERG, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 16, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 4 VALLEY LANE NORTH, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11581; and the following tax map identification: 39-621-14.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF VALLEY STREAM, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 002388/2015. John M. McFaul, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 158364
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff against SHARIQ M. MAJEED, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Stern & Eisenberg, P.C., 20 Commerce Drive, Suite 230, Cranford, NJ 07016 and 1131 Route 55, Suite 1, Lagrangeville, NY 12540.
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered July 26, 2024, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 96
331-hub plan targets 911-operator burnout
By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com
Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks on Monday introduced legislation to create a countywide 311 nonemergency service, a move that she and other Democratic lawmakers say will reduce burnout on 911 operators and improve emergency response times.
County Legislator Carrie Solages, who represents Valley Stream, highlighted the public safety implications of reducing unnecessary emergency calls.
“When dispatchers are overwhelmed, it impacts response times for critical emergencies,” Solages said in a news release. “This legislation helps ensure emergency services remain focused on situations where every second counts.”
County residents often call 911 for non-emergency issues — including potholes, sanitation problems, streetlight outages and noise complaints. Nationwide data suggests nearly 50 percent of 911 calls fall into these categories.
The proposed 311 system would include a centralized call center staffed by trained personnel. It would allow residents to submit service requests via mobile app — including uploading photos — and track their status in real time. Lawmakers say that reducing nonemergency call volume would help address a 20 percent staffing shortage among emergency operators and cut down delays in life-threatening situations.
“While these calls deserve attention, they shouldn’t compete with someone reporting a fire, a violent crime or a medical emergency when only seconds count,” Nicks said. “Here in Nassau, our operators are handling everything from noise complaints to service requests, and these non-emergencies calls pull resources away from urgent needs.”
She pointed to similar systems in New York City, Suffolk County and the Town of North Hempstead. North Hempstead launched its 311-call center in 2005, and has handled more than three million calls, according to Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena. The center acts as a one-stop hub for municipal services, with
times.
requests tracked through completion.
County Legislator Viviana Russell, who represents parts of Uniondale and North Hempstead, said she was part of the original team that launched North Hempstead’s system. She also took part in the Suffolk operating system as well.
“I can tell you first-hand how it helped residents of the Town of North Hempstead,” Russell said. “Through tracking the calls, you are able to see where there are needs in different departments as well as where residents need additional help, within the confines of the county.”
The county would also launch a public education campaign to help residents understand when to call 311 versus 911. Nicks said labor unions would be included in planning for staffing and training. As of now, the legislators are in close contact with CSEA, one of the largest public service unions in the state, and other labor groups have expressed support for the legislation.
Public Notices
Brentwood Lane, Valley Stream, NY 11581. Sec 39 Block 525 Lot 13. 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.
Approximate Amount of Judgment is $750,454.63 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 607408/2023. For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. During the COVID-19 health emergency, Bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of the sale including but not limited to wearing face coverings and maintaining social
distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Should a bidder fail to comply, the Referee may refuse to accept any bid, cancel the closing and hold the bidder in default. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee File #
NY202200000810-1 158362
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK
MORTGAGE AGENCY (SONYMA), Plaintiff, vs. MARVIN DARIUS, Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on December 8, 2025, 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 March 18, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 21 North Montague Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements
thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37, Block 221 and Lot 10-12. Approximate amount of judgment is $598,329.41 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 620598/2024. Cash will not be accepted.
Jared A. Kasschau, Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 158356
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
“It’s about protecting the people who will protect us, this proposal will help reduce burnout, improve retention and strengthen emergency responses across Nassau County,” said Delia DeRiggi Whitton, a county legislator who represents Glen Cove and Sea Cliff, who serves as the Legislature’s minority leader. This is a commonsense workforce and public safety investment that benefits residents, employees and emergency responders.”
Also, the short staffing concerns have grown since County Executive Bruce Blakeman passed a voluntary buyout program for longtime employees in his $4.4 billion executive budget in January. Possibly saving $30 million annually, concerns were raised about losing experienced staff in public safety.
Under the plan, full-time workers with at least 10 years of service would receive a $2,000 lump-sum payment for each year worked. About 3,400 employees are eligible — including 911 operators.
News brief
Alzheimer’s Association to host webinar
In recognition of Black History Month, and in partnership with the Divine Nine Consortium, the Alzheimer’s Association is offering a free live webinar, “Alzheimer’s & Dementia: What You Need to Know” on Feb. 18 at 8 p.m.
The one-hour webinar will feature a dynamic panel of clinicians, researchers, caregivers and advocates representing the Divine Nine, exploring the intersection of dementia science, health equity, and lived experience. It will examine how Alzheimer’s and related dementias impact diverse communities, discuss participation in research and clinical trials, and share culturally responsive practices to improve awareness, engagement and outcomes.
Currently, more than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Black Americans are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease as older white Americans. Chronic health conditions associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, disproportionately affect
Black Americans.
According to the 2021 Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures report, nearly two-thirds of Black Americans, or 62 percent, believe that medical research is biased against people of color. A history of exclusion from clinical trials and a lasting history of discrimination from the medical establishment contribute to high levels of mistrust of clinical trials among Black Americans.
“We know that Alzheimer’s disease disproportionately affects Black older Americans,” Dr. Carl V. Hill, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at the Alzheimer’s Association said. “We are committed to continue engaging underrepresented communities.”
Visit Alz-org.Zoom.us to register or call (800) 272-3900.
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.
–Jordan Vallone
Stacy Driks/Herald
Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks introduced her proposal for a countywide 311 system on Feb. 9, saying the service would help reduce 911 call volume and improve emergency response
East End Elegance
What do we do about cold spots in a new house?
Q. We are in our house for the first winter, and are noticing lots of cold spots. Our concern is pipes freezing. Is there anything we can do, temporarily, before spring comes, when we can open outside walls to see where insulation is missing? Also, we have a lot of creaking in the stairs and doors, and even just when the wind is howling. Is there anything we can do?
A. With freezing temperatures comes the reveal of lots of cold spots. As you stated, the biggest concern, immediately, is whether cold areas are near pipes, such as heat pipes or bathroom plumbing. Cold air outside will radiate cold to anything not protected, and if you see that the heat has dropped and the pipes feel cool or cold to touch, that should be the first place to start.
Sometimes people just add a jacket of pipe insulation, but this may worsen the problem in some instances, because the warmer interior air must reach the pipes to keep them from being jammed with ice from the cold-air exposure. In situations like this, it’s best to open the walls where the pipes have frozen and get the pipes warmed up. Don’t use anything with extreme heat or an open flame. A hair dryer may work, but be careful not to make the heat intense enough to start any kind of melting or scorching of the surrounding materials.
I once felt around heat pipes, found the specific spot by touch, and before heat could be applied, the pipe actually split right there in front of me. My plumber used an electric heat clamp to thaw the pipe before cutting the section and replacing it.
As for other parts of the house where it just feels chilled, check for visible gaps around windows, walk barefoot to feel the cool spots and make a list. Some may be almost unreachable without tearing out large sections of interior gypsum or plaster, while others may be able to be filled with insulation. I recommend blown-in cellulose instead of foam, because the foam may encase wires or pipes that later will take much more effort to remove.
Apply foam to areas you can see. Be careful not to use expanding foam in areas that will cause the materials around to move too much, such as around window frames, unless the windows and doors are tightly closed in the frame. Expanding foam will bow the door and window frames so that you can’t close doors and windows later.
This is a good time to use a silicone lubricant, adding a few drops to hinges of doors. The stairs need to be addressed with care, especially hardwood finished treads, so as to not damage them. If you can get under the stairs, try using construction glue at joints before moving on to screws. Only treated, finished nails, adhesive-coated, will work from above. Be prepared to match the wood finish over the tiny nail heads. Good luck!
© 2026 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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There are better ways to resolve the immigration crisis
The raging debate over Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s policies and practices has potential long-term consequences for the nation that transcend the political partisanship of the moment. Let me say up front that I support ICE, and believe it serves an important national purpose. I also believe that constructive changes can be made in those policies and practices that will not undermine the agency’s underlying mission to enforce America’s immigration laws. As a grandson of immigrants who grew up in an immigrant environment, I strongly support legal immigration, which I believe is the lifeblood of our nation and has made us unique in the world. I emphasize “legal” because, especially in today’s world of drug cartels and violent gangs, it is vital that we know who it is we are inviting to live among us. There is also the reality that a country without borders isn’t really a country. It is generally accepted that the Biden administration allowed at least 10 million immigrants to enter the country illegally. If only 1 percent of that number were bad actors, it would mean that at least 100,000 potential drug dealers,
sex traffickers and gang members are loose on our streets and in our neighborhoods.
Some historical perspective: President Obama determined that 5 million undocumented immigrants in the country constituted a crisis, and during his administration more than 3 million were deported. Not only was there little or no media hysteria about Obama’s reliance on ICE, but it was actually hailed.
ICNN, which now runs antiICE stories almost 24/7, not only supported ICE, but had star reporter Pamela Brown accompany ICE agents on raids as they broke into homes in a sanctuary city in the dark of night to apprehend undocumented immigrants.
tions in Minneapolis is a major step in that direction. Administration officials like Stephen Miller setting arbitrary quotas of apprehensions makes no sense and is inevitably counterproductive.
CE remains an essential component, but raids no longer need to be as extensive.
In dealing with Minneapolis, however, it must be noted that almost no other city or state where ICE is operating has seen these kinds of disturbances, primarily because other elected leaders, and local and state law enforcement, cooperate with ICE. At a minimum, that means keeping demonstrators from getting in the faces of ICE agents or interfering with their operations.
will be accepted and implemented. But I would strongly oppose any requirement that ICE agents remove their masks. Despite the hysterics of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and others who shamelessly label ICE agents “Nazis” and “Gestapo,” wearing masks has become absolutely essential for them. There are well-organized, systematic efforts to identify and “dox” ICE agents and their families. In cases of their alleged improper actions, they can be identified for investigation by numbers on their uniforms.
While ICE remains an essential component of immigration enforcement, raids no longer need to be as extensive. President Trump’s strict border-enforcement policies have brought illegal immigration to the lowest levels in decades. It is virtually nonexistent.
While the law must be enforced, however, there is always room for reasonable discretion. There is no longer the need for dragnet-style raids. The time has come for a more surgical strategy, focusing almost entirely on criminal elements. Trump’s designation of border czar Tom Homan to oversee ICE opera-
Also, Minnesota, and Minneapolis, must agree to honor ICE detainers and turn over undocumented criminals in their prisons and jails before their release. This minimizes the possibility of fatal interactions. (It is slanderous and irresponsible for officials and critics to describe ICE agents as “murderers.” While investigations are ongoing, the reasonable interpretation of the multitude of videos we’ve all seen is that, at worst, there were heat-of-themoment reactions to unexpected incidents.)
Various “reforms” of ICE are being suggested, and I’m sure a number of them, such as the use of body cameras,
Now that the border is secure and the crisis is past, our elected officials should make reasonable immigration reforms. Those who are undocumented, but were brought to our country as children and have lived here for a specified period of time without incident, should be given a path to citizenship. There should be no attempts to track down undocumented people who are living here without bothering anyone. They should be urged to register and, after a certain period, be allowed to apply for residency.
It is to everyone’s benefit, and society’s gain, for people to be brought out from the shadows. With proper leadership and cooperation, we could be approaching a reasoned resolution of this divisive crisis.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Keep driverless cars off Long Island roads
Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced that the state plans to test driverless forhire cars outside New York City. I’m a Long Island resident, and the idea of robot cars on our streets is scary. As a transportation professional with over 25 years of experience on the roadways of our communities, I know how extraordinarily unsafe a plan like this would make us. On Long Island, our cars are how life happens. Parents, kids, commuters and seniors are on the road every day, often navigating heavy traffic, construction and unpredictable weather. Spend five minutes on the Long Island Expressway at
rush hour, or near a busy school zone at the beginning or end of a school day, and it becomes clear why safety cannot be left to unproven technology.
TAnd let’s be honest about what’s really going on here. The goal for these tech companies is New York City. Testing driverless cars just outside the city line is a sneaky way to move closer to that goal without facing the complexity, scrutiny and opposition that would come with starting in the city itself. In the meantime, Long Island is expected to carry the risks as the testing ground.
of the country. When you complicate that track record with a February snowstorm or a rainy evening rush hour here, the risks become obvious.
he safety of so many drivers cannot be left to unproven technology.
Safety is where this proposal really starts to fall apart. Driverless cars have already stalled in traffic, blocked emergency vehicles, sped past school buses loading children and failed to handle basic roadway situations in other parts
And these risks aren’t just on paper — driverless cars are already hurting people. Reuters reported three weeks ago that a Waymo self-driving car hit a child during morning school drop-off near an elementary school in California. Federal regulators were investigating the incident, which raised serious questions about whether this technology can safely operate around children, parents and busy school zones. It should give every Long Island family pause.
The pressure behind the proposal to deploy more driverless cars is coming from powerful technology companies and executives like Elon Musk, who are focused on expanding their platforms
and opening new markets. Their priorities are driven by growth and investors’ demands, not by the realities of Long Island roads or the safety concerns of the families who live here.
Long Islanders tend to be practical. We care about safety, accountability and systems that work. Decisions that affect our roads and neighborhoods should reflect those values, not treat our communities as a steppingstone to somewhere else.
Governor Hochul should listen to the people who live and work here and understand these roads firsthand. Long Island should not be asked to bear unfair risks so that technology companies can inch closer to New York City. Transportation policy should put safety first. For Long Island, that means protecting our roads, our workers and the people who rely on them every day. We’re nobody’s guinea pigs.
Tom Gouldsbury is president of the Long Island Limousine Association.
Black History is Long Island history
every February, Black History Month arrives with familiar names and stories. We rightly honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman and other giants whose courage reshaped the nation. Their legacies deserve remembrance.
But for many people on Long Island, those stories might feel distant — heroic, yes, but abstract, having unfolded somewhere else, in another place at another time.
What often goes missing is the understanding that Black history did not only happen on the National Mall or in Southern courtrooms. It happened here. It happened in the neighborhoods we walk every day, in the schools our children attend, in churches tucked onto residential blocks, and in town halls where decisions quietly shaped who could live where, who could teach, who could lead and who could serve.
On Long Island, Black residents confronted segregated housing patterns long after the law said discrimination was over. Veterans returned home from fighting for democracy abroad only to find out that it did not fully extend to them in their own communities. Black educators pushed open doors in school districts where they were once excluded from classrooms except as students. Black churches became organizing centers, social safety nets and sources of political power when other institutions shut their doors.
King spoke at Rockville Centre’s South Side Junior High School — now
South Side Middle School — on March 26, 1968, just nine days before he was assassinated in Memphis. In his remarks, he spoke of poverty and injustice, and urged unity. People like Roslyn’s Hazel Dukes, who served as president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People from 1990 to 1992, made it their life’s work to combat pervasive housing discrimination in many of our communities.
These are not footnotes to history. They are history.
Local athletes who broke color barriers on high school fields, teachers who became the first Black faces in faculty rooms, small-business owners who built livelihoods despite limited access to credit, and community leaders who advocated for basic services all helped shape what our communities look like today. Their contributions did not always come with applause or recognition. Many are remembered only by those who lived through the changes, if they are remembered at all.
That absence matters. When history is presented only as something that happened “somewhere else,” it becomes easier to disconnect from it. It becomes symbolic rather than instructive.
But when Black history is grounded in familiar places — the elementary school you attended, the block where you grew up, the library or park you pass without a second thought — it becomes harder to ignore and easier to understand.
It also forces uncomfortable but necessary questions. Why do some figures
receive plaques and street names while others fade from memory? Why are certain struggles celebrated as defining moments, while local battles for fairness are overlooked? And what does it say about us if we fail to acknowledge the people who made our own communities more just, more open and more representative?
Black History Month should be an invitation to look closer, not just farther away. It should prompt school districts to examine whose stories are included in local curriculums. It should challenge libraries, historical societies and news organizations to document and elevate the experiences of Black residents who helped build these communities. It should encourage towns, villages and neighborhoods to ask whether public recognition truly reflects their full history.
This is not about diminishing national heroes. It is about completing the picture. National change is always the sum of local actions, people showing up to meetings, organizing neighbors, mentoring students, opening businesses and insisting on dignity in places where they were told to wait their turn.
For Black history to matter, it cannot live only in textbooks or documentaries. It must live where people live.
On Long Island, Black history did not unfold at a distance. It unfolded on our blocks, in our schools and in our town halls. Remembering that truth honors the past, helps us understand the present and reminds us that the next chapter of history is still being written, right here.
Thirty days of the good, the bad and the ugly
The year 2025 was a dizzying one for all Americans. So many things happened in Washington that it would take about 50 pages of the Herald to walk readers through every one. Rather than take on that project, I prefer to write about January, and how we were impacted by the news of the month. I declare January the month of the good, the bad and the ugly.
Of the good things that happened, I’ll focus on the Cinderella story of Indiana University football quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Every time I think about him and his accomplishments, I can’t help but smile. If you love an example of perfection, Mendoza is exactly that. It starts with his decision to enroll at Indiana, which was roundly criticized by all of his supporters. Why would you go to a school that has never won a national championship? But Mendoza defied the taunts and joined that muchmaligned Hoosiers team.
Then, with smarts and determination, he guided the team to a 16-0 season and a national championship. He won the coveted Heisman Trophy and charmed all of America with his mature and impressive interviews. His displays of love for his wheelchair-bound mother were touching and memorable.
So the Mendoza story tops the good. The decision to send thousands of ICE and border-patrol agents to Minneapolis definitely tops January’s bad news.
Fcrowds of protesters. The 600 members of the Minneapolis police force, who handled the George Floyd demonstrations, were the best people to deal with such a crisis, but they were bypassed.
rom Fernando Mendoza to Alex Pretti to federal buildings in
Philadelphia.
The Trump administration’s actions were poorly handled by Kristi Noem, the secretary of homeland security. Her instant labeling of Alex Pretti, the second Minnesotan shot by ICE agents, as a “domestic terrorist” was a reckless reaction to the death of a U.S. citizen with no criminal record.
The idea of drowning a major American city with thousands of law enforcement agents never made sense to begin with. Ask any respected police official about how the situation in Minneapolis was handled and he or she will tell you that the vast majority of the officers sent there were not trained to handle
The White House staff, headed by close Trump adviser Stephen Miller, bungled every stage of the Pretti shooting, and poured more gasoline on the fire by labeling him an “assassin.” Miller and Noem were the wrong people to juggle a political crisis, and every step they took proved it. President Trump, who ordered the mass invasion into Minneapolis, was eventually forced to say he wanted to “de-escalate” the situation, but he’s stuck with the optics of a horrible event.
There are so many things I could classify as ugly, but one stands out, because it has largely escaped public attention. A few weeks ago, a group of federal employees in Philadelphia were captured on local television removing historical materials relating to the history of slavery. This on top of media reports that the administration is taking a number of measures to eliminate
any references to slavery in numerous federal facilities.
The attempts to erase this sad chapter of American history are part of the run-up to the July Fourth observation of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Apparently, some people in the White House have decided that we must reflect only on the happy things that have happened during the past 250 years, but slavery is part of our history, and it can’t be wiped away. There are people who promote the idea that the Holocaust never happened, which is why we observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day each year.
It’s hard to predict what the next 11 months are going to be like in our nation’s capital. There’s new evidence every day of our bitter partisan divide. The president’s postings on social media are often inflammatory. The tone that dominates the daily news is depressing. I wish there were a little more happy talk in our political world, but that, as Shakespeare said, is devoutly to be wished.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.
JERRY KREMER
FRaMEwoRK by Tim Baker
