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Valley Stream schools are bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience by connecting students with valuable local business internships in hopes of establishing a long-term pipeline.
High schools invest in trades career program
By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com
In the halls of Valley Stream’s high schools, a new norm is taking shape as the district fully embraces trade and technical training, with Lori Rodriguez at the helm as its first-ever work-based learning coordinator.
Hired last year by the Valley Stream Central High School District, Rodriguez, 62, has been tasked with a tall order: bridging the gap between classroom instruction and real-world experience for students in the district’s five growing career and technical education programs — medical assisting, certified nursing, automotive, cosmetology, and culinary arts.
And she’s wasting no time.
“This is my first year in the role, the first time the district has hired someone specifically for this,” Rodriguez said. “And it’s all about creating a more technical career-ready climate — giving students a
Flagging the major hurdles of Hochul’s phone ban
By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com
Governor Kathy Hochul is moving to curb smartphone use by banning them entirely during school hours to ensure “distraction-free learning.” New York is gearing up to take part in a nationwide experiment to remove what has been labeled a persistent and powerful classroom distraction out of students’ hands.
“The mental health of our children, especially middle school and high school is really declining” as a key reason for the ban, said Hochul in a press release.
But cutting off access to the digital world via a device that students are accustomed to having constantly at their fingertips may prove unsettling.
According to Jennifer DiMaio, assistant superintendent for curriculum & instruction, enforcing that task is far easier said than done.
DiMaio recalls a recent conversation with students over possible student-friendly ways to enforce the ban. She thought the Yondr lockable pouch, a low-tech device that seals with a magnet and an increasingly popular tool among schools going phoneless could work — or, so she thought, until one
student told her plainly: “Miss just give up. It’s not going to work. We already know how to hack the bags.”
Students outsmart phone restrictions
On TikTok, videos amassing thousands, even millions of views, share simple hacks for unlocking school-issued cell phone pouches — from popping them open with a pencil — to using decoys to bypass restrictions. One viral hack video, posted by user Belle Hesse, has garnered 20.1 million views as of April.
If students have ways to circumvent them, you have to con-
sider what is the point of investing money in phone storage devices, argued DiMaio.
“Nobody’s arguing that cell phones have a lot of negative impacts on kids,” she said. “It’s just that when you task schools with managing (screen time), a lot of issues come up.”
Smartphones have become so ubiquitous and ingrained,
educators like DiMaio agree that a student’s focus, mental health, and emotional wellbeing can be shaped as much by what happens on those screens as by what happens off them. Excessive smartphone use is linked to rising rates of anxiety, loneliness, and depression among students. While social
Herald file
Top 3 things to know about high school CTE program
By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com
College isn’t the only pipeline to a stable future —
and the Valley Stream Central High School district knows it. With a revamped approach to career and technical education, the district is building real-world pathways that aren’t just for show. These programs
New in-district CTE programs offer hands-on career preparation
Valley Stream has significantly expanded its in-house CTE programming post-pandemic, turning what was once a modest offering into a district-wide priority. Longstanding anchor programs like cosmetology, now in its 55th year, and culinary arts, approaching three decades, have been joined by newer—and newly retooled—offerings like automotive technology, nursing assisting, and medical assisting.
The strategy? Make industry-relevant training not only accessible but also seamlessly integrated into the school day. These programs run on a block schedule for juniors and seniors, with classes taking place in purpose-built facilities—like the newly upgraded automotive garage at Central High School, where students don’t just read about engines, they tear them apart.
At the same time, students still have access to half-day specialized programs at Barry Tech through Nassau BOCES, where fields like aviation, veterinary assisting, dental tech, and construction trades are on offer. The district’s goal is maximum exposure: give students room to explore different careers before they commit—and make sure every pathway is treated with equal legitimacy.
are structured, credentialed, and quietly re-engineering what high school can be in 2025. Here are the top three things to know about what’s happening under the hood.
A dedicated work-based learning coordinator is building bridges between students and employers
You can’t teach workplace culture from a textbook. That’s where Lori Rapapport-Rodriguez comes in. Hired in the 2023–2024 school year as the district’s first Work-Based Learning Coordinator, her job is to move CTE out of the classroom and into the real world.
One example is Valley Stream’s Trade Fair—a vocational spin on the traditional college fair. Instead of brochures from campuses, students connected with trade unions, military branches, local contractors, and hiring employers. The message was clear: this is about pathways, not pecking orders.
But Rodriguez isn’t stopping there. She’s placing students in hands-on internships and community events—like cosmetology students logging hours at local salons and culinary students volunteering at food festivals. She’s also laying the groundwork for deeper partnerships through outreach with the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce and local employers, with the long-term goal of building a community advisory board that keeps employer needs and student training in sync.
State certification, graduation pathways on the horizon
In education, certification equals credibility—and Valley Stream is going for it. The district is working to regain New York State CTE approval for its cosmetology and culinary arts programs. That stamp of approval does more than check a box: it opens the door for students to graduate through CTE, not just the traditional Regents route.
Here’s how it works: students enrolled in certified programs could qualify for graduation by combining career and technical coursework with a pareddown set of Regents exams. For cosmetology students, completing the two-year program—and logging enough work-based hours—means they’re eligible to sit for the state licensing exam in hairdressing. It’s not just a class—it’s a pipeline to licensure.
The district hopes to expand that model to culinary arts, with future credentialing that could directly connect students to jobs in commercial kitchens, restaurants, and food service companies.
Behind all this is a growing advisory council of business owners, educators, and civic leaders, tasked with keeping the district’s CTE programs aligned with industry needs and economic trends. As assistant superintendent Jennifer DiMaio puts it, the mission is twofold: “to offer immediate job opportunities for students who need them, and to foster exploration for those still figuring out their future.”
This isn’t a throwback to old-school vocational tracks—it’s a system upgrade. With more programs, real industry buy-in, and a focus on statealigned credentials, Valley Stream is reengineering what a 21st-century public education can look like: practical, flexible, and job-ready by design.
PSEG outlines L.I. business programs
By RENEE DeLORENZO rdelorenzo@liherald.com
PSEG Long Island announced several programs available to business owners in Franklin Square, Valley Stream’s immediate neighbor to the north, which offer financial incentives for energy efficiency upgrades, beautification projects, business relocations and more.
Christine Bryson, an economic development specialist for PSEG, presented three programs funded through the Long Island-based energy company that could benefit businesses including those in Valley Stream at a Franklin Square Chamber of Commerce meeting at Trotter’s Bar and Grill on April 2.
“These are great programs,” said Santino Sarrica, president of the FSCC. “We encourage everyone to take advantage of them.”
According to Sarrica, the FSCC is looking into new initiatives to support local businesses and the community by revitalizing town infrastructure, promoting aesthetic improvements and encouraging economic growth.
The three programs presented by Bryson were the Main Street Revitalization, Vacant Space Revival and Community Thrive Program.
The Main Street Revitalization program, Bryson said, is aimed at new businesses, existing businesses, businesses relocating to the area, and expanding businesses.
It awards up to $25,000 for building façade renovations, interior upgrades, and streetscape enhancements, according to the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal.
The grants, some of which are administered by the state, were introduced by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation in 2004 and are managed by the Office of Community Renewal. Businesses interested in the localized program can apply at PSEGLINY.com.
Businesses already awarded grants through the program are Issi Beauty Spa in Port Washington, Zuzu in Farmingdale and Harborfields Music Center in Greenlawn.
Bryson said many downtowns on Long Island are doing very well as a result of grants awarded through the program, which also serves as an employment generator to local communities.
The Vacant Space Revival program, Bryson continued, is available to new businesses opening a location in a space that has been vacant for at least 12 months. The program provides bill credits for the business’s first year in the location up to $3,000 for small businesses and up to $10,000 for medium-sized businesses.
The application is only one page, Bryson said, making it an easy way to help businesses open in the town.
The program was introduced in 2018 and is administered directly through PSEG. According to their website, they have awarded over $350,000 in Vacant Space Revival grants as of last December.
The last program, Bryson said, is the Community Thrive Program, which is currently offering $10,000 annually to cham-
bers of commerce, business improvement districts and civic associations.
According to their website, these grants were also introduced in 2018 and provide reimbursement for community projects that include items such as benches, bike racks, garbage cans, information kiosks, plants, public art, and welcome signs.
The FSCC is already taking advantage of the Thrive Program and will be using grant reimbursement for new welcome signs. As of now, the Town is still approving possible locations for the signs.
PSEG is accepting applications for the Thrive Program through September 30. Bryson said there is additional Thrive Program reimbursement available for Disadvantaged Communities, as per the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, which provides the communities with a 10 percent bonus.
According to Bryson, PSEG has given out $3 million in grants through these three economic programs since 2018, making PSEG a reliable partner for local businesses.
“We know how difficult it is to start a business,” Bryson said. “This is one nice way to give them a little bit of help.”
There are also programs available to large businesses in Franklin Square. These programs include the New York State Excelsior Jobs Program, which offers tax credits to large businesses that relocate to the state and create new jobs. Details on the jobs programs are available on the Empire State Development website, ESD.NY.gov.
Bryson concluded her presentation stating Business First Advocates are available to provide one-on-one assistance to businesses in neighborhoods like Franklin Square. Advocates can advise business owners on issues such as streetscaping, business accounts, and attaining energy assessments.
Bryson specifically encouraged business owners to receive energy assessments because lowering energy consumption can save them a significant amount of money. Popular projects include replacing existing lights with LED lights and changing HVAC pumps, she said, which businesses are then provided a rebate for.
Domenico Ciaccio, the secretary for the FSCC, said a lot of towns are already taking advantage of the programs.
Business owners should review the current programs, Ciaccio recommended,
and determine whether or not they could benefit from any of them. Then, he said, if any business owners have ideas for future projects to look into, they can email the FSCC at info@FranklinSquarreChamber.com.
“You never know if there’s something out there you think we should consider,” Ciaccio said. “We’ll consider anything.”
Sarrica said he hopes to transform the FSCC into a hub for local businesses and residents that benefits the community by building connections and fostering economic growth.
Getting the word out, he continued, is an important part of his goal this year, and he emphasized that their website, FranklinSquareChamber.com, contains a calendar with upcoming news and events so residents can stay up-to-date on what’s going on in the town.
As of now, Sarrica said, their next event will be a community cleanup day Sunday, April 23.
The event is in response to numerous requests by residents for cleaning up their business fronts, he continued, and will go hand-in-hand with the PSEG programs presented during the meeting.
Christine Bryson, an economic development specialist for PSEG, discusses grant programs that could benefit Long Island businesses.
Santino Sarrica, president of the Franklin Square Chamber of Commerce, shares his vision for the future of Franklin Square and emphasizes the benefit fo
Renee DeLorenzo/Herald photos
Members of the Franklin Square Chamber of Commerce, representing numerous businesses in Franklin Square and neighboring towns, learned details of PSEG programs that are available to qualifying businesses.
Domenico Ciaccio, the secretary for the Franklin Square Chamber of Commerce, encourages local business owners to stay involved in the community.
News briefs
Fire department rescues person at LIRR
Valley Stream’s Volunteer Fire Department had a busy morning and afternoon on March 20 and 27.
Just before 5 a.m. on March 20, firefighters were alerted to a report of a person trapped under a train at the Valley Stream Station. Chief Anthony Capone, who was first to arrive, quickly requested mutual aid from the Elmont Fire Department’s Technical Rescue unit. Firefighters worked with MTA personnel and Nassau County Police to extricate the patient. The individual was transported by the Nassau County Police Ambulance Bureau to a nearby hospital. Chief Capone oversaw all operations at the scene.
On March 20, Valley Stream firefighters successfully extricate a person trapped under a train at the Long Island Rail Road Valley Stream station.
On March 27, at 1:20 p.m., Valley Stream firefighters were called to a reported basement fire on Charles Court. Upon arrival, responding units learned that one person was still inside the home. Smoke was visible from the front door. Firefighters located the blaze in the basement, which had spread to the first floor via a pipe chase. As crews battled the fire, the first arriving units, along with NCPD, assisted a resident out of the home.
A Signal 10 (working fire) was transmitted, prompting mutual aid from neighboring departments. Two hand lines were deployed to suppress the flames. Three civilians were treated for smoke inhalation on site. Chief Capone managed all operations at the scene, with Engine 343 and Ladder 346 leading the charge.
–Juan Lasso
Your Future
The Young Family Estate Plan (YFEP)
Parents of young children often overlook the need to plan for death or disability. Many believe they don’t have enough assets yet or that anything they have will automatically go to their spouse. However, every young parent needs basic documents – a Will, Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy –what we term a “Young Family Estate Plan” (YFEP), that formalize your wishes in a variety of unexpected circumstances.
Without a YFEP, if one spouse dies, any assets that were in the husband’s or wife’s name alone will be subject to a court proceeding to name an “administrator” of the estate and New York law decides who gets which assets. The first $50,000 goes to the surviving spouse and the rest is divided 50% to the spouse and 50% to the children. The court will appoint a legal guardian to manage the money for them and then, ready or not, any remaining funds would be turned over at age 18.
If your spouse becomes disabled, and
you don’t have a Power of Attorney for them, you must petition the court to be appointed as your spouse’s legal guardian to handle their affairs (such as selling or refinancing the house or drawing funds from their accounts). The court may decide against you as legal guardian and appoint someone else.
A YFEP also includes life insurance reviews and recommendations, so in the event your spouse dies you will have the financial resources to raise your children.
A YFEP (1) ensures that all of your spouse’s assets go to you and not half to your children if your spouse dies unexpectedly, (2) allows you to choose the legal guardian for your children, and at what age they will receive the unused assets, (3) avoids guardianship proceedings should your spouse have a disabling accident or illness, and (4) provides the financial wherewithal so that your children may continue to prosper and thrive.
ETTINGER LAW FIRM
Two students charged in BB gun scare
Two Valley Stream North High School students were arrested on April 2 after Nassau County cops caught them with a black BB gun on campus, authorities said.
The pair—a 14-year-old and a 17-year-old—were found with the gun inside the school, sparking a police response, officials said.
Cops say the older teen allegedly pointed the BB gun at two students.
The 17-year-old is facing weapons and menacing charges and is set to appear in family court today. The younger teen, charged with criminal possession of a weapon, will face a judge later this month. In a statement, Superintendent Wayne Loper assured parents that “all students are safe” and
that “at no point were students at any risk of harm or danger.”
The district promised disciplinary action “to the full extent of the law” against any student caught bringing a weapon to school.
This isn’t the first time Valley Stream schools have had a scare involving a weapon, real or fake. Just months ago, a fifth grader at James A. Dever Elementary brought an inoperable pistol to school, prompting a police investigation. And last year, two separate gun-related incidents at district elementary schools raised concerns about security and transparency.
Driver sentenced in brother’s death
A Valley Stream man will serve up to eight years in prison for a deadly high-speed crash that killed his 23-year-old half-brother on the SeafordOyster Bay Expressway.
Joshua Pena, 25, was sentenced Monday to 3½ to 8¼ years after pleading guilty to manslaughter and other charges stemming from the June 2022 wreck. Prosecutors say Pena was drunk, unlicensed, and driving 127 mph when he lost control of his Mercedes and crashed into a guardrail.
The impact left his half-brother, Xavier Pena, trapped inside the wreckage. An off-duty firefighter passing by spotted the car leaning against a tree and called for help. Emergency crews extricated Xavier and rushed him to Nassau University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead less than an hour later.
Joshua, found walking near the scene, had a blood alcohol content of 0.17—more than twice the legal limit.
His license had already been suspended in Queens for failing to respond to traffic summonses. He turned himself in to Nassau police seven months later, in January 2023.
“Joshua Pena’s recklessness—driving drunk, speeding, and ignoring a suspended license—sealed his brother Xavier’s fate,” District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a statement. “Xavier was just 23 years old, with plenty of life to live. Now his family mourns the years they’ve lost with a loving son.”
The DA’s office had pushed for a 6-to-12-year sentence. A Nassau County judge handed down less, though still enough to send a clear message.
Pena pleaded guilty in January to manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, DWI, and aggravated unlicensed operation.
–Juan Lasso
–Juan Lasso
Courtesy Valley Stream Fire Department
We don't do it for the attention. We don't do it for the recognition. We don't do it for the personal gain. And we certainly don't do it for the awards. We do it for you.
Catholic Health is the winner of Press Ganey’s 2025 HRO Foundation Award for exceptional reliability and patient safety.
At Catholic Health, we pursue the very best in health care for one reason only: you. Every single one of you that walks through our doors, every day. So, while we’re honored by this recognition, we also know there’s no finish line in health care. There’s always a new goal just over the horizon, and a new level of excellence for us to achieve for the health of Long Island.
Learn more at DedicatedtoBetter.org
JULIANA CERASI
Wantagh Senior Lacrosse
IT HAS BEEN A HISTORIC run for Cerasi since last spring when she and classmate Riley Forthofer and the Warriors defeated Manhasset for the Nassau Class C girls’ lacrosse title. The pair went on to win county championships in soccer and basketball, making for a rare backto-back-to back. Cerasi earned All-County and Second Team All-Long Island in lacrosse in 2024 when she totaled 34 goals with 11 assists. She’s headed to James Madison.
GAMES TO WATCH
Thursday, April 10
Baseball: Baldwin at Kennedy 5 p.m.
Baseball: Long Beach at Mepham
Baseball: Hewlett at Calhoun
Softball: West Hempstead at Hewlett
Boys Lacrosse: V.S. District at Freeport
Boys Lacrosse: Clarke at Baldwin 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: North Shore at Garden City 5 p.m.
Friday, April 11
Baseball: Oceanside at Massapequa 5 p.m.
Baseball: V.S. North at Wantagh 5 p.m.
Baseball: Clarke at V.S. South 5 p.m.
Baseball: West Hempstead at Uniondale 5 p.m.
Softball: Lawrence at V.S. Central 5 p.m.
Softball: Long Beach at Freeport 5 p.m.
Softball: East Rockaway at Elmont 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Plainedge at Oceanside 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Farmingdale at Carey 5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Calhoun at South Side 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Farmingdale at Massapequa 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Carey at Kennedy 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Clarke at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Wantagh at South Side 7 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Manhasset at Long Beach 7 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
Experience a key for V.S. North
By NIKO SCARLATOS sports@liherald.com
For the past 15 years, Phil Sanfilippo has been the head baseball coach at Valley Stream North.
Under his leadership, the Spartans, who have started 3-1 with wins over Herricks and Valley Stream South (twice), have used their experience as an advantage. This season, expectations are high for a team that Sanfilippo expects to be very competitive. “We are returning seven starters from last year’s team,” he said. “So there is tons of experience on this roster.”
One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s group is the strong foundation laid by the seven returning players who gained meaningful playing time last season. The Spartans are hungry to build on last year’s success and go further.
After making it to the Class A quarterfinals last year, the Spartans’ goal is clear according to Sanfilippo. “Routine things need to become second nature,” he said. “If we can put the ball in play, throw strikes, and execute the fundamentals, we have a chance to be very successful.”
This year’s roster is loaded with talent including senior Nick Lang, a pitcher headed to Pace University. He’s one of Valley Stream North’s most reliable arms and No. 1 in the rotation. “Having been on varsity since his freshman year, he has continued to improve, adding velocity to his pitches,” said Sanfillipo. “His presence on the mound gives us a strong chance to win every time he takes the ball, making him one of the top pitchers in the area.”
Michael Pagano, a senior catcher and first baseman, is another key player to watch. A SUNY Purchase commit, Sanfillipo called Pagano a dangerous hitter with one of the best bats on the team. “He battled through a tough recovery from surgery on his right throwing arm last season but still made an impact,” Sanfilippo said. “This season, he’s hitting the ground running, already showcasing his power with five extra-base hits in the first two games.”
The Spartans’ junior class also brings plenty of talent to the table. Anthony Muscatelli is a versatile player capable of filling multiple roles on the field, providing flexibility for the coaching staff. Senior Gavin Ferreira brings unmatched fielding ability to the infield. “He is one of the best defensive shortstops we’ve had,” Sanfillipo said of Ferreira. Aaron Sibblies, an outfielder and Farmingdale commit, adds speed and power, making him a constant threat.
Daniel Banach, another versatile player, can pitch, catch, and play the outfield. “His strong arm and power at the plate make him a formidable presence,” Sanfillpo said. Liam Corbett, who can man both the infield and outfield,
has a positive attitude that contributes greatly to team chemistry.
Sophomore pitcher/third baseman Jared Polanshansky and freshmen first baseman Richie Ravo and pitcher Billy Mitchell have also made their presence felt in the early going. Ravo went 3-for-4 in North’s 9-4 win over South.
At the heart of it all, Sanfilippo’s commitment to the game is unwavering. He understands coaching goes beyond just gameday. “If you don’t have a love for the planning and execution of practice, this isn’t the right job for you,” he said. “That’s what makes you committed. None of our coaches are hesitant to be active during the offseason or on weekends.”
Donovan Berthoud/Herald Freshman Richie Ravo went 3-for-4 April 2 as the Spartans knocked off Valley Stream South 9-4.
HERALD SchoolS
Robert Carbonaro hosts ‘The Masked Reader’
Teachers at Robert W. Carbonaro School put a creative twist on Read Across America Week this year by hosting a special event inspired by the popular show The Masked Singer. In the days leading up to the main event, teachers visited classrooms each day to read aloud beloved stories, building excitement and deepening students’ love for literacy.
“This fun activity not only promoted a love for reading by engaging students in new ways but also catered to diverse interests with its wide selection of books,” said Reading Specialist Chelsea Cittadino. “It united the school community, with everyone sharing the joy of watching the masked reader videos and then with the excitement of each reveal. The event left a lasting impact, sparking conversations and inspiring a renewed enthusiasm for reading among students,” added Reading Specialist Jennifer Mechetti.
Throughout the week, students listened closely, not only to the stories but also to the voices behind the masks, as clues were dropped hinting at which teacher might be reading. Each reading session added to the mystery and anticipation, turning the school into a hub of literary enthusiasm and curiosity.
The week-long celebration ended in a high-energy assembly where the big reveal took place. Teachers took the stage in elaborate costumes, ranging from an eagle to a snowman, a shark, and a unicorn. Final clues were given about each teacher. Cheers and
Blending the thrill of performance with the joy of reading, the event was a resounding success, captur-
laughter erupted as students finally discovered the identities of the mystery readers.
ing students’ imaginations and reinforcing the message that reading is not only important, but also fun.
–Juan Lasso
Courtesy Valley Stream District 24
Teachers at Robert W. Carbonaro School donned elaborate costumes to mask their identities and read beloved stories to students during an exciting event inspired by the popular game show The Masked Singer.
Valley Stream swears in new leadership
The Village of Valley Stream held its annual reorganization meeting on April 7 to formally install its elected officers to the board of trustees as well as to reshuffle and renew village government positions.
Political newcomer Sharon Daly was sworn in to begin her first elected term as trustee.
“I am humbled by the support I have received from the people of Valley Stream,” Daly said in a statement, “and look forward to working with the village board to represent all residents of this community I love,” she told the Herald.
Political veterans John Tufarelli and Dermond Thomas were sworn in and took the oath of office as village trustees, extending their place at Village for another four years. The board also appointed Thomas to serve as deputy mayor, succeeding Tufarelli, and James J. Hunter as village clerk.
Carol McKenna was appointed as the village historian, and the Valley Stream Herald, Newsday, and the Long Island Tribune were declared the official newspapers of the village. David Sabatino as Deputy Vil-
lage Treasurer for Planning and Development. Sabatino was also appointed as a member of the village’s Community Economic Development team alongside Thomas McAleer and chairperson of the Sports, Parks, Arts, and Recreation Committee.
On Thursday, April 3, the Valley Stream Volunteer Fire Department held its annual Chief’s elections, with Mayor Fare and the Village Board present to oversee the ceremony and install the newly elected Chiefs, Officers, Wardens, and Third Battalion Delegate.
Anthony Capone was sworn in by Mayor Fare for his final year as Chief of Department. Assistant Chiefs Michael Colucci and Kyle O’Brien, along with the company officers, wardens, and third battalion delegate, also took their oaths. Chief Capone expressed gratitude for the unwavering support and dedication of the department’s members, wishing the newly elected officers a successful and safe year ahead. He also thanked the officers completing their terms for their service.
Schools build a pipeline for student internships
real chance to see what their future might look like.”
Rodriguez is no stranger to this work. She previously served in a similar capacity with Nassau BOCES, where she coordinated internships for automotive students — some of whom now work full-time in the very dealerships where they interned. Those same successful pipelines are now taking shape in Valley Stream.
Just last year, she placed students from the district’s nascent automotive program into internships at the Valley Stream Subaru dealership and the Crown Ford dealership in Lynbrook. Both were offered full-time jobs after graduation.
“It’s that straight path — from classroom to internship to career — that we want to build on,” Rodriguez said. Her approach is refreshingly handson. She’s embedded herself in the local business community, attending Chamber of Commerce meetings, walking into salons and restaurants to pitch partnerships, and establishing a district-wide Community Advisory Board. The board, made up of business owners, nonprofit leaders, educators, and public officials, serves as both a sounding board and a think tank — offering feedback on curriculum and helping align student training with real industry needs.
“They’re the experts,” Rodriguez said. “So, if we’re rolling out a new curriculum, we want their input. Does it reflect
what’s actually happening in the field today? Are we preparing students with the right tools — not just technically, but professionally?”
Those soft skills — punctuality, communication, problem-solving — are what employers value most, she said. And she’s determined to help students sharpen them.
To that end, the district is gearing up to host its second annual Skilled Trade and Career Expo — a one-stop showcase for students to explore alternatives to four-year college. Featuring trade unions, military representatives, workforce development programs, and training schools, the expo is aimed squarely at the student who’s still unsure about their next steps.
“We do a great job with college fairs. But what about the kid who’s not going to college? Are we showing them all their options?” Rodriguez asked. “Because some of these are very viable — livingwage jobs, real careers — and students deserve to know they exist.”
But the road ahead is still taking shape. The internships she coordinates generally begin in the spring, after students have had enough classroom instruction to walk into a workplace with confidence.
In the fall, her focus is on outreach — laying the groundwork for those opportunities through meetings, site visits, and one-on-one conversations.
Herald file photo
The Village of Valley Stream held its annual reorganization meeting on April 7, swearing in new and re-elected trustees, reshuffling government positions, and installing leadership in both the village board and the volunteer fire department.
Stuart Richner Publisher Rhonda Glickman
Sales
Why cell phone ban may be a hard sell
media doesn’t directly cause these mental health issues, research shows people already struggling with their well-being tend to spend more time online. Experts warn that social media is engineered to be addictive, with ‘gamified’ features tailored to keep users engaged to drive ad revenue. This constant engagement when taken to an extreme promotes unhealthy habits—like poor sleep and less time outdoors—that fuel emotional distress.
Enforcement challenges and parent objections
Silencing the daily drum beat of notification pings and curbing the urge to scroll or check feeds can eliminate one of the biggest distractions teachers face in capturing students’ attention. But teachers will also have to bear the additional burden of policing students during the school day, which could place an unwanted demand on their time.
“On a daily basis, it’s the principal, assistant principals, and teachers who must remain vigilant,” said DeMaio. “However, teachers want to teach, not spend their time catching students with cell phones or handing out referrals.”
The last thing the school district wants to do is confiscate the phones, especially when they need buy-in from students, teachers, and parents to make any enforcement policy work, noted DiMaio. General consensus among the school community “is the best-case scenario.”
That is far from guaranteed. Across Long Island, parents have raised concerns about the need for immediate communication access. In a time when school shootings and violence are an ever-present fear, phones have evolved into a crucial safety tool for parents to track their kids’ whereabouts and receive real-time updates during a crisis.
DiMaio rebutted the smartphone-driven safety philosophy, arguing it falls short as a reliable security measure.
“In schools, there are designated areas for students to make calls in emergencies, and it’s essential to return to those procedures rather than relying on students’ immediate access to phones,” she said. “While we prioritize student safety and support, communication should flow through the proper channels, with parents reaching out to the school rather than texting their children directly. This ensures that emergencies are handled appropriately, with professionals guiding the response.”
Overall, while many studies point to phone bans as a potential way to reduce distractions and boost focus in the classroom, the evidence remains mixed. The impact on academic performance varies, and more research is needed to fully grasp the long-term effects on both student achievement and well-being.
DeMaio noted that, based on her discussions with administrators and education leaders, there may be varying levels of receptiveness to the policy between younger high school students and their older counterparts.
“Seventh and eighth graders are still
A 2021-2023 survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics suggests that older teens tend to have longer daily screen times as well as girls tend to have greater screen time than boys.
A 2021-2023 survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics suggests roughly half of young people aged 12-17 are behind screens for more than four hours a day.
in that middle school mindset, responding well to clear rules and expectations,” she said. “Older students having had access to phones throughout their entire
high school years, have become accustomed to it,” which could make compliance a lot harder. Despite their reservations, Valley Stream and other districts
will have little choice but to comply. Hochul recently had the program approved in the spending plan, and slated to take effect in the 2025-2026 school year.
DataWrapper Illustrations by Juan Lasso/Herald
Steven Kent appointed LIA’s chief economist
By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com
Steven Kent, an economist and financial expert with over 25 years of experience with Goldman Sachs, was recently named chief economist of the Long Island Association Research Institute.
The LIA is a nonprofit business organization advocating for the region’s economic vitality and overall business community. In his role, Kent will provide real-time economic insights that will allow business across Long Island to forecast for operational success and growth.
“Our mission will be enhanced with the addition of Dr. Steven Kent to the LIA team as the new Chief Economist of the LIA Research Institute,” Matt Cohen, president and CEO of the Long Island Association, stated in a press release. “The LIA will be well-served by his extensive private-sector experience and the valuable data and analyses he will provide to our members at this pivotal inflection point for the future of Long Island, and indeed the entire country, as we navigate uncertain economic conditions and the existential crisis of affordability.”
Kent is a lifelong Long Island resident, having grown up in Islip before
attending Stony Brook University, where he became fascinated with economics and received a B.A. in the subject.
“I walked into SUNY Stony Brook and took a class with one of the best professors on campus, intro to economics, and it basically changed my life,” said Kent. “I like the analytic part, the mathematical part, and the social science part.”
Kent joined Goldman Sachs as a junior analyst after graduating, before leaving for another firm and pursuing an MBA at NYU’s Stern School of Business. Then he returned to Goldman Sachs, where he researched and oversaw investments in the global hospitality and leisure sector before he retired as managing director in 2016. Kent was named “best stock picker” eight times by the Wall Street Journal.
“I learned you had to know the companies, you had to understand the stocks, but I started to look at what was going on in the broader economy,” he said.
After retiring, Kent wanted to share what he learned in the industry. “I always wanted to help the next generation of business leaders,” he said. “My whole career, both academic and business, I have had lots and lots of mentors
who guided me, focused me, and helped me out along the way. I wanted to do the same.”
Kent, a Baldwin resident, guest lectured at several universities before becoming a professor of economics and finance at Molloy University. He also received a Ph.D. in hospitality management.
Being named LIA’s chief economist was “a little bit of a surprise,” he said.
Kent will continue teaching at Molloy while serving the LIA. As chief economist, he will share data-informed insights and explanations of the Island’s economy, helping business owners make informed decisions about their businesses.
Kent will be releasing a newsletter broadly reporting on the U.S., New York, and Long Island economies. He will focus on specific topics and develop special projects to uplift the local economy.
According to Kent, Long Island’s current economy is vibrant. “Our unemployment rate is lower than the rest of the country. Our economic activity continues to expand,” he said. “One of the advantages Long Island has is where we’re located, so we have access to transportation and access to great universities, and that facilitates a lot of
growth.”
He said he wants to “help to allow the Long Island economy to continue its robust trajectory.”
Courtesy Steven Kent
Steven Kent grew up in Islip, earned an economics degree at Stony Brook, and then joined Goldman Sachs.
Lindenhurst’s Pat Benatar rocks and writes
By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
Singing and writing for over four decades, Pat Benatar has been inspiring her fans with hits including “We Belong “and “Love Is a Battlefield,” and new songs as well, performing alongside her husband and partner, Neil Giraldo. A multi-platinum artist who has had 15 U.S. Billboard Top 40 singles and a fourtime Grammy Award winner, Benatar is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, and even received the Key to Babylon from then Town Supervisor Steve Bellone. Benatar spoke with the Herald about what Lindenhurst still means to her, what continues to inspire her, and some exciting news.
Herald: What are your thoughts on having been inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame?
Benatar: It’s great. I’m still very attached to Lindenhurst. I’m still close friends with all of the girls I went to elementary school, junior high and high school with. We still see each other all the time. Every time we go back, I always try to go to Patsy’s to get a cannoli cookie and Italian Ice. I’m still attached to where I grew up. It was such a wonderful childhood, so being inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame was important and sweet.
Herald: You are not only a singer but a songwriter as well. What has inspired your writing over the years?
Benatar: It’s pretty organic. We don’t begin songs together, my husband and I. He’ll come up with a line or a melody and I’ll come up with a poem. I write all day, that’s all I do. So I’ll come up with a poem, which will become a chorus. Once we do begin the songs, we come together and write the songs together. Inspiration comes from everywhere, which is so fascinating to me, and probably the most seductive thing about what we do. Everything is still interesting, a mystery and exciting, because the world is just an amazing place — crazy and beautiful.
Herald: What has given you strength over the years to truly give your all at your live shows?
Benatar: I just love it. It has never changed for Neil or me. Live performance is still my favorite thing to do. The joy of actually being in a shared experience of performing is still the thing I love the most, that keeps me going, and it’s never old.
Herald: I’m sure you’ve had many career highlights. Are there a couple of moments that have stood out?
Benatar: There are so many moments. Sometimes they’re very small
— a little child will come up to the front of the stage and they hand you a flower. You’re always in awe of being blessed with something like this. I feel like my only job is to be a good steward of what I have.
The thing that stopped me in my tracks, though, I would have to say, was 9/11. We had to perform that night. The promoter begged us to perform. We begged him to please cancel the concert. We were just as distraught as everyone
else. The promoter said that people wanted to come, they wanted to be together. So we went out there and I just said to the audience that before we do this, I need to talk to you all first, because I don’t know how I’m going to do this and I may have to stop songs. The audience was sobbing. It was amazing. It was awful. They had bed sheets with God Bless America on them. This was one of the moments where you understand how important it is what you’re giving to each other in a performance. What they gave to me and what I hope I gave back to them at that moment is healing, it’s an embrace. That’s what it felt like. I felt like they were embracing us and we were embracing them. And songs like “Invincible,” were so powerful that night, it became like a rallying cry. I sang that song a billion times, but that night it was different.
Herald: Do you have any advice regarding resilience, overcoming odds and pursuing a dream, that you would like to share with our women readers in particular?
Benatar: Much has changed, and then much hasn’t changed, and someone is always ready to take it all back away from us. Everyone will push that limit, and you have to stand there like a warrior. Don’t think that you’re safe and everything is going to be OK, because every single day there’s someone challenging the position, trying to take away any strides we have made. I have two daughters, two granddaughters, and my whole thing is, you are unique and at the same time you are part of a collective, you are part of every female that went before you and every female that will go after you. Make it count!
Herald: And what do you have coming up in regard to new music, touring and projects?
Benatar: We’re going out on a spring tour and hitting all the places we didn’t hit last year. We’re looking forward to it. We’ll be pulling out a lot of new songs that haven’t been recorded yet. Neil and I also have a children’s book coming out, “My Grandma and Grandpa Rock.” It’s such unbelievable fun.
The one thing about art is it has so many forms. We have these three darling grandbabies. They are very precocious, and have seen us perform a few times, and they ask us all kinds of questions, so we thought it would be really fun to write them a book about why we do what we do and that people do all different kinds of things for jobs — some people are teachers and doctors, and these are people’s grandpas and grandmas too. It was joyous and fun, and it’s a very inclusive book. I really believe diversity is a superpower.
To learn more about “My Grandma and Grandpa Rock” or to pre-order a copy, visit read.sourcebooks.com/my-grandmaand-grandpa-rock-by-pat-benatar-andneil-giraldo. To find out more about Benatar and her upcoming tour, visit benatargiraldo.com.
Travis Shinn
Pat Benatar with her husband and creative partner, Neil Giraldo.
STEPPING OUT
Where the audience always comes first
Long Island Children’s Museum Theater Director
Jim Packard says goodbye to his role of a lifetime
By Danielle Schwab
There are 140 seats at the theater at Long Island Children’s Museum and Jim Packard has sat in almost every single one.
“There’s not a bad seat in the theater. Wherever you sit, you can see the whole stage, and you’re no more than five, six rows away from the stage, which is pretty special,” he says.
Packard has been instrumental in the growth of the museum’s theatrical programming from inception, since the theater’s construction in 2001. It all begin with a committee he didn’t know he was on, when he was asked to consult on the museum’s theater then in development.
Prior to joining the museum, Packard was involved with theater and event management in Manhattan, and has taught stage technology and design.
“I was asked by a friend on the LICM theater committee to look at the plans the architect had drawn up. Then that spring, they had listed me as ‘not present’ at a theater committee meeting,” Packard recalls.
“I said: ‘I didn’t know I was on this committee, but I’m happy to serve on it and to help out the museum in whatever way I can.’ They said: ‘That’s all right. The committee has dissolved at this point.’
“I asked: ‘Who’s watching out for the theater?’ And that’s when I got hired.”
From his first position — as Theater Coordinator to his final role as Director of Theater Programs — Packard has made his mark over these past 24 years.
His philosophy, in keeping with the museum’s mission, is to put the audience first.
“It always boils down to making sure that the audience is the one that you’re paying attention to, because there’s no point in doing theater without an audience,” he explains. The productions are carefully chosen with a strong focus on audience interaction, with many tying into exhibits and related events.
“Our dressing room door has a big sheet of brown paper on it, and every time the actors hear something fun or interesting coming from the audience, they will write it on that board, just to remind them to pay attention to what the audience is saying,” he adds.
There is sure to be plenty of audience response to the upcoming production of “Elephant and Piggie’s We are in a Play!” The beloved show, opening April 14, which involves the audience as a character in the story, is always popular with visitors. Adapted from Mo Willems’ best-selling children’s series, the hilarious duo of Elephant and Piggie gets tangled in all sorts of antics, learning the meaning of friendship along the way.
“Elephant and Piggie realize there’s an audience watching them, and then they talk and interact with the audience, invite them to sing along and be a part of the show,” Packard says.
With Packard’s retirement this month, the production
• Performances April 14-19, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• View the LICM events calendar at licm.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800 for tickets
• Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City
acts as a passing of the baton to new hands. Taking on the assignment are not one but two folks: Lisa Rudin as artistic director and Austin Costello as technical director.
It’s a full circle moment for both Rudin and Costello, who appeared as Elephant and Piggie in previous stagings of the production.
Costello, a distinguished puppeteer in his own right, has worked with the museum’s theater since 2015.
His love of puppetry started back as a kid in ‘90s, when he visited the museum and saw a puppet on display. His career led him to roles in children’s theater, including Sesame Street.
“The little lessons that we find along the way in our shows are the major takeaways that we get to share with families and especially with kids who might be having problems. It’s such an important thing to me to bring children up in a good way, and to help them understand the world around them,” Costello says.
“It’s wonderful to be able to carry on the legacy of Jim, who’s worked so hard for so many people, and who has taken a lot of time to take me under his wing and train me,” he adds.
Rudin also has a personal history with the museum.
“The first time I came to the theater here was when I brought my children in 2019. I was like, ‘what a beautiful theater this is.’ This is just perfect,” she says.
She has worn many theatrical hats throughout her career, including as an actor on Sesame Street Live and an education director for a children’s theater school.
Rudin and Costello will surely continue the theater’s aim to connect with children through imaginative and creative storytelling,
”Children learn empathy from watching characters on stage. They understand content and what happens in the story more from seeing it live,” Rudin says.
While Packard may be waving goodbye as director, his legacy remains rooted to the museum’s very foundation.
Joan Osborne sings Dylan
The seven-time Grammy nominee brings her extraordinary voice and artistic depth to the timeless music of Bob Dylan.The recent biopic “A Complete Unknown” brings Dylan to the forefront once again. Meanwhile Osborne has spent over 25 years captivating audiences with her fearless exploration of genres ranging from rock and blues to soul, gospel and country. Her journey with Dylan’s catalog began in 2016 with a series of “Dylanology” concerts. Her critically-acclaimed 2018 album, “Songs of Bob Dylan,” and her live performances showcase her ability to reimagine Dylan’s iconic works, highlighting the emotional resonance and poetic brilliance of his music. Osborne turns back the clock with her soulful reinterpretations that exude passion, emotion and energy. .
Friday, April 11, 8 p.m. $59, $55, $48, also special VIP package. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
Rick Wakeman
“When I was 19-years-old, walking
“When I was 19-years-old, walking across my college theater’s auditorium, I thought I could do this every day for the rest of my life — and I got that opportunity,” he shares.
“It’s been one of the more wonderful
“It’s been one of the more wonderful experiences in life, in terms of just getting to do so much that makes so many people happy.”
Photos courtesy LICM
Top photo: Outgoing Director Jim Packard, center, and cast and crew of “Interstellar Cinderella” gather at the final performance.
Bottom photo: Elephant (Finn MacDevitt) and Piggie (Anneka Shepherd ) return to the museum’s stage in a production helmed by new Artistic Director Lisa Rudin.
Experience the magic of progressive rock legend Rick Wakeman when he brings his “Final Solo Tour” to Long Island. Renowned for his keyboard wizardry and captivating stage presence, Wakeman invites you on a journey through iconic Yes classics, unforgettable solo compositions and personal favorites. With a career spanning over five decades and album sales exceeding 50 million, Rick’s extraordinary contributions to music have earned him accolades, including a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II. This tour is a heartfelt farewell to his legendary one-man shows in the U.S., but his music will continue to inspire fans worldwide. Rick’s career is a testament to his versatility and enduring artistry. His live performances seamlessly blend masterful musicianship with humor and storytelling, creating an intimate and unforgettable experience.
Wednesday, April 16, 8 p.m. $75, $65, $55, $45, $35, $29.50. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
THE Your Neighborhood
‘Cold Beer on a Saturday Night’ Spring blooms with Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band. Before you know back on the beach, but Jimmy Kenny and his band come to the rescue, on the Paramount stage, Saturday, April 19, 8 p.m. Join in their “Ultimate Beach Party Tribute” to Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band. Parrotheads, No Shoes Nation and the Zamily: it’s 5 o’clock somewhere so let’s ‘raise ‘em up and sing along.
The Long Island-based band — guided by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals/ acoustic guitar, with Linn DeMilta (aka Lovely Linn), lead and backing vocals, Luis Rios, lead guitar/ backing vocals, Frank Stainkamp, keyboard/backing vocals, Dan Prine, bass, and drummer Mike Vecchione, have been celebrating the beach country sounds of Buffett, Chesney and Zac Brown Band for over a decade, spreading their vibe up and down the Northeast coast. Everyone has a great time grooving to their lively mix of their popular sing-along hits and feel good, easy living flair. If you like your toes in the sand, wasting away with a margarita or a cold beer, then you’ll surely have a great time with the Jimmy Kenny Band. $35, $25, $20, $15. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Jazz it up
Jazz at Lincoln Center brings its Webop Family Jazz Party’s “Swingin’ Nursery Rhymes and Lullabies” to the Long Island Children’s Museum theater, Sunday, April 13, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Get ready to hear classic nursery rhymes and lullabies like “Old McDonald,” “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “Wheels on the Bus” with a jazzy twist! Led by talented musicians and educators, little ones will be introduced to the magic of jazz while singing, dancing, and joining in on the fun. This family-friendly performance is sure to inspire future jazz lovers, so be sure to bring the whole crew for a toe-tapping, finger-snapping good time! $5 with museum admission ($4 members), $10 theater only. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. Go to licm.org or call (516) 2245800 for more information.
District 13 budget meeting
Valley Stream District 13 Board of Education holds their budget meeting, Wednesday, April 23, 8 p.m., at Wheeler Avenue School auditorium. 1 Wheeler Ave. West. For more information call (516) 5686140 or visit ValleyStream13.com.
ApRil 20TH 11:30 Am - 3:30 pm Adults $39.00 Children Under 12 $19.00 The Menu
Bacon, Sausage, Scrambled Eggs, French Toast, Home Fried potatoes
Eggplant Rollatini, Sausage & peppers, penne Ala Vodka, Chicken Francese, Stuffed Sole
Chicken Fingers & Fries, mac ’N Cheese, Caesar Salad
Dessert - Cookies, pies & Cakes
$5.00 Bloody mary’s / Screwdriver’s / mimosa’s
Little Learners’ Earth Day
Planting Fields Little Learners series continues with an Earth Day celebration, Friday, April 18, 10-11 a.m. Families will enjoy a heartwarming fun-filled experience, with a reading of “Gifts from the Garbage Truck” by Andrew Larsen. Together, explore the importance of reusing, reducing, and recycling in a way that’s perfect for young minds. With an Earth-inspired craft project. For ages 2-5. $15 per child. 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay. Visit plantingfields. org or call (516) 922-9210 to register and for information.
Art explorations
Converse, collaborate and April 19, noon-3 p.m., at Nassau County Museum of Art’s Manes Education Center. The drop-in program continues, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators to explore and discover different materials to create original artwork. Kids and their adult partners connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. While there, enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. $20 adult, $10 child. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum. org for more information and to register or call (516) 484-9337.
Grace Church Thrift Shop
Grace United Methodist Church’s thrift shop is open every Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Find adult and children’s clothing and accessories, including shoes, coats, and pocketbooks. Browse the special table replete with jewelry, electronics, household and kitchen items, art, and more. 21 S. Franklin Ave.
Art for Kids Program
The Village of Valley Stream holds an art class for children ages 7-12 to explore basic artistic elements, Wednesdays, at 4:30 p.m., at the Valley Stream Community Center. Members must register. For more information, visit Vsrec. org or call (516) 825-8571.
Arthur J. Hendrickson Park, 123 W. Merrick Road.
Easter Goodie Bag Give Away
The Village of Valley Stream will host its annual Easter Goodie Bag Give Away on Saturday, April 12, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the mini golf area at Arthur J. Hendrickson Park. Children 12 and under will receive a pre-made Easter goodie bag while supplies last. To register, call (516) 821-3786. For more, visit Vsvny.org. 123 W. Merrick Road..
Silver Threads Paint Party
Village of Valley Stream holds their annual Silver Threads Paint Party art classes for the village’s Silver Thread members, Fridays,1 p.m., at the Valley Stream Community Center in Arthur J. Hendrickson Park. Members must register. Class fee is $5 on the day of class. For more information, visit vsrec.org or call (516) 825-8571. 123 W. Merrick Road
Zumba
The Village of Valley Stream hosts Zumba at the Valley Stream Community Center in Arthur J. Hendrickson Park, Saturdays, starting at 10 a.m. Attendees must register. There are no refunds or make-up classes. For more information, visit Vsrec.org or call (516) 8258571. 123 W. Merrick Road.
Spring Dog Festival
Get ready to wag those tails, at Old Westbury Gardens with your pooch (leashed of course), Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Bring your canine companions for a scenic stroll through grounds bursting spring’s first blooms. Browse a selection of local dog-friendly vendors offering unique products and services for your furry friends, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information contact (516) 333-0048 or visit oldwestburygardens.org.
American Legion Post 854 meets
Valley Stream American Legion Post 854 holds their regular monthly meeting, Thursday, April 24, 7 p.m. 51 Roosevelt Ave. For more information, call (516) 791-9791 or visit AmericanLegion845.com.
Having an event?
Items on The Scene 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 thescene@liherald.com.
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct followup to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.
Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. On view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum. org.
Hempstead House tour
April 13
Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Sunday, April 13, noon-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TOP 3 FINALISTS
COLLEGE PREP SERVICES/ADVISORS
Chaminade High School
Hofstra University
Lawrence Woodmere Academy
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Adelphi University
Hofstra University
Molloy University
Nassau Community College
Stony Brook University
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
Dr. Kimberly Cline, Phd, Long Island University
Dr. Maria Conzatti, Nassau Community College
Dr. Susan Poser Phd, Hofstra University
James Lentini, DMA, Molloy University
DANCE SCHOOL
Dance Workshop
Dream Center Dance Academy
Hart & Soul Dance and Performing Arts
JAM Dance and Fitness Center
DAY CAMP
Bellmore United Methodist Nursery School
Bright Star Academy
Rolling River Day Camp
DAY CARE
Bellmore United Methodist Nursery School
Bright Star Academy
Lawrence Woodmere Academy
DRIVING SCHOOL
Bell Auto Driving School
East Meadow Driving School
Suffolk Auto Driving School
GYMNASTICS CENTER
CATS: Children Athletic Training School
MGA Gymnastics
Spring Gymnastics
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Giovanni Durante, Syosset High School
Hank Williams, Lawrence Woodmere Academy
Richard Schaffer, East Rockaway High School
KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Epic Escape Rooms LI
Long Island Children’s Museum
Party In The Park
LEARNING CENTER/TUTOR
Huntington Learning Center
Long Island Tutoring Service
Tutoring Club of Bellmore, NY
MARTIAL ARTS
Champions Martial Arts
United Martial Arts Center
Warren Levi Martial Arts & Fitness
MUSIC SCHOOLS/CLASSES
Center Stage Music Center
Lawrence Woodmere Academy
School of Rock
NURSERY SCHOOL
Bellmore United Methodist Nursery School
Bright Star Academy
Big Becks Pools and Pavers
Gibraltar Home Improvements Magic Masonry Inc. SWIMMING POOL BUILDER Aquacade Pools Big Becks Pools and Pavers
Pools
TREE SERVICE COMPANY
Bartlett Tree Experts
K & D Tree Masters
We Care Tree Service
UPHOLSTERY
A & B Upholstery
CLS Custom Upholsterers & Refinishing
East Meadow Upholsterers
WINDOWS COMPANY
NSE Windows
Renewal by Andersen of Long Island
Unified Home Remodeling
KIDS & EDUCATION
ADULT EDUCATIONCONTINUING EDUCATION
Hofstra University
Molloy University
Nassau Community College
ART SCHOOL
Key to My Art
South Shore Art Center
The Art Studio
BEAUTY SCHOOL
Brittany Beauty Academy
Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute
Nassau BOCES Joseph M. Barry Career
& Technical Education Center
CHARTER/PAROCHIAL/PRIVATE SCHOOL
Grace Christian Academy
Lawrence Woodmere Academy
Sacred Heart Academy
St Rose of Lima R.C. Church
ANIMAL ADOPTION/RESCUE SERVICES
Carol’s Senior Pet Sanctuary
North Shore Animal League America
Ruff House Rescue
APPLIANCE REPAIR STORE
M&L Appliance Repair
Reliable Appliance
The Appliance Doctor
ARBITRATION & MEDIATION FIRM
Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP
NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation)
Vaz Law, PLLC
ARCHITECT
H2M Architects + Engineers
Impact Architecture
Joe Bello Architects
JRS Architects
Long Island Architecture Studio
CAR WASH
Majestic Auto Spa
Seaford Car Wash & Detail Center
Ultimate Express Car Wash
CAR/LIMO SERVICE
Camelot Specialty Limos
Executive Limousine of Long Island
Long Island Elite Limousines
CEMETERIES
Mount Ararat Cemetary
Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum
St. Charles / Resurrection Cemeteries
CORPORATE LAW FIRM
Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP
Love Law Firm, PLLC
Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, PC
DIVORCE ATTORNEY
David Mejias, Mejias, Milgrim, Alvarado & Lindo, PC
Gilbert L. Balanoff, PC
Robert C. Keilson, Esq.
Vesselin Mitev, Esq., Mitev Law Firm, PC
DRY CLEANER
American Drive-In Cleaners
Bethpage Best Cleaners
Delta Cleaners
ELDER LAW ATTORNEY
Ilana Davidov, Davidov Law Group
Jennifer B. Cona, Cona Elder Law
Richard A. Leff, Esq., Law Firm of Richard A. Leff, PC
Ronald Fatoullah, Esq., Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein and Breitstone, LLP
ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY
Jennifer B. Cona, Cona Elder Law
Richard A. Leff, Esq., Law Firm
of Richard A. Leff, PC
Stephanie D’Angelo, D’Angelo Law Associates, PC
Vesselin Mitev, Esq., Mitev Law Firm, PC
FAMILY LAW FIRM
Ezdrin, Woods, & Gluzberg, PC Mejias, Milgrim, Alvarado & Lindo, P.C.
Lawrence Woodmere Academy
SPORTS CAMP
Beach Baseball Camp
Future Stars
Hofstra University
PEOPLE & PLACES
EVENT VENUE
Epic Escape Rooms LI
Michael’s Billiards NY
Oheka Castle, Hotel & Estate
The Paramount
HOTEL
Hampton Inn & Suites by Rockville Centre
Oheka Castle, Hotel & Estate
The Garden City Hotel
LOCAL TOURIST ATTRACTION
Long Beach Boardwalk
Nunley’s Carousel
Robert Moses State Park
MUSEUM
Heckscher Museum of Art
Long Island Children’s Museum
Rock Hall Museum
PLACE TO HAVE A PARTY
Epic Escape Rooms LI
Michael’s Billiards NY
Oheka Castle, Hotel & Estate
PLACE TO WORSHIP
Temple Avodah
Temple B’nai Torah
Temple Israel, Lawrence
WEDDING VENUE
Oheka Castle, Hotel & Estate
The Fox Hollow
The Seawane Club
SERVICES
ADVERTISING AGENCY
Didit
Jillian’s Circus
Social Beehive
LITIGATION/BUSINESS
LITIGATION LAW FIRM
Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP
Mitev Law Firm, P.C.
The Rizzuto Law Firm
MATRIMONIAL LAW FIRM
Gilbert L. Balanoff, PC
Mejias, Milgrim, Alvarado & Lindo, P.C.
Mitev Law Firm, P.C.
Robert C. Keilson, Esq.
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
BELOvEDS, A Nania Foundation
Hewlett House
Options for Community Living, Inc.
PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY - FIRM
Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro, LLP
The NHG Law Group P.C
The Rizzuto Law Firm
PET GROOMER
Neighborhood Grooming
Posh Paws Pet Spa & Boutique
The Dirty Dawg
PHOTOGRAPHER
Capturing the Moments Photography
Edwin Echavez Photos
Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, GSM Communications
PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION SERVICES
Empire Property Tax Reduction
Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction
ZapMyTax
PUBLIC RELATIONS COMPANY
Austin Williams
Corbett Public Relations
Epoch 5
ZE Creatve Communications
REAL ESTATE LAW ATTORNEY
Anthony A. Nozzolillo, Esq.
Gilbert L. Balanoff, PC
Robert C. Keilson, Esq.
REAL ESTATE LAW FIRM
Ackerman Law PLLC
Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP
Diamond Law Group
SELF-STORAGE COMPANY
CubeSmart Self Storage
Freeport Self Storage
Men On The Move, Moving & Self-Storage
TAX LAW FIRM
Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP
Maidenbaum & Sternberg, LLP
Schroder & Strom, LLP
TRAVEL AGENCY
Beforeyoubookit.com
Superior Travel Consultants
Vitas Travel Service
VETERINARIAN
Alexis Tischler, DVM, CHPV, Comforted
Companions Veterinary Care
Jon Foy, DVM, Terry Animal Hospital
Mitev Law Firm, P.C.
FEMALE MENTORING GROUP
Girl Scouts of Nassau County
Girl Scouts of Suffolk County
Moxxie Mentoring Foundation
FUNERAL HOME
Gutterman’s Funeral Home
Hungerford & Clark Funeral Home
James Funeral Home
GREEN BUSINESS
Green Home Logic
Long Island Green Homes
Reworld
Winters Bros. Waste Systems
HEALTH CARE LAW FIRM
Cona Elder Law
Law Firm Of Richard A. Leff, PC
The Rizzuto Law Firm
IMMIGRATION LAW FIRM
Clarke & Associates, LLC
Kapoor Law Firm
Villacorta Law Group
LABOR LAW FIRM
Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP
Law Office of William L. Teitler
Wolfson and Klein-Wolfson, PLLC
LAUNDROMAT
Laundry Palace
Lynbrook Laundry
WashUp RVC
LAW FIRM (OVERALL) OVER 35 EMPLOYEES
Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP
Cona Elder Law
Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, PC
LAW FIRM (OVERALL)
UNDER 35 EMPLOYEES
Anthony A. Nozzolillo, Esq.
Mitev Law Firm, P.C.
The Rizzuto Law Firm
CONSIGNMENT/THRIFT STORE
Lucky Finds Boutique
LuxeSwap
National Council of Jewish Women
Peninsula Section, Thrift Shop
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
EYEWEAR STORE
Accent On Eyes
Eyes On Broadway
Mount Sinai Optical
FARMERS MARKET
Crossroads Farm at Grossmann’s
Deep Roots Farmers Market
Meyer’s Farm Stand
FLORIST
Baron Floral Designs
Locust Valley Florist
Pequa Park Florist, Inc.
FURNITURE STORE
Furniture Gallery of Long Island
Raymour and Flanigan
The Rustic Loft
GIFT SHOP
Baron Floral Designs
THE SHOPPE by Trubee Hill
The Urban Farmhouse Bellmore
GOURMET MARKET
Iavarone Brothers
Seven Brothers Gourmet
Southdown Marketplace, West Islip, NY
GROCERY/SUPERMARKET
Bileddo’s Key Food Marketplace
Fairway Market
Stew Leonard’s
HEALTHY MARKET
Innovation Weight Loss and Health Food Store
Trader Joe’s
Wild By Nature
LOCAL CHILDREN’S CLOTHING
Denny’s
Koukla Children’s Boutique
Mur-Lees
LOCAL HARDWARE STORE
Costello’s Ace Hardware
Millers True Value
Schaefer’s Ace Hardware
LOCAL JEWELRY STORE
Good Old Gold
Ritz Jewelry
Unicorn Jewels
LOCAL MEN’S CLOTHING
Luxe Swap
Mur-Lees
Standard Thread
LOCAL WOMEN’S CLOTHING
DCD Boutique
Fórea
Sage & Angie Boutique
MARIJUANA DISPENSARY
Happy Days Dispensary
Mark Verdino, DVM, North Shore
Animal League America
WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANY
Jamica Ash and Rubbish Removal Co., Inc.
Long Island Waste Services, LLC
Reworld
Winters Bros. Waste Systems
SHOPPING
ANTIQUE STORE
Collectors Coins and Jewelry
Garden City Antiques & Fine Arts Ltd
Remember Yesteryears Vintage Center
APPLIANCE/HOME ELECTRONICS STORE
Best Buy
Home Appliance
P.C. Richard & Son
BOUTIQUE
DCD Boutique
My Happy Place Boutique
THE SHOPPE by Trubee Hill
BRIDAL STORE
Blossom Brides
David’s Bridal
Princess Bridals
CARPET STORE
Anthony’s World of Floors
Carpet Depot
Class Carpet Floor & Home
COIN STORE
American Coins & Gold
Collectors Coins and Jewelry
Long Island Rare Coin & Currency
COLLECTIBLES STORE
Collectors Coins and Jewelry
Remember Yesteryears Vintage Center
Syl-Lee Antiques
PERSONAL TRAINER
Hype Fitness
SoHappy2BFit
The Bodysmith Fitness & Massage LLC
PERSONAL TRAINING FACILITY
Planet Nugg
Strain Stars Cannabis Dispensary
NURSERY & GARDEN CENTER
Atlantic Nursery & Garden Shop
Broadway Garden & Nursery Center
Dees’ Nursery And Florist
PAWN SHOP
Coin Galleries of Oyster Bay
Collectors Coins and Jewelry
Gem Pawnbrokers
WINDOW TREATMENT STORE
Homestead Window Treatments
Simply Shades
The Blind Spot Inc.
SPORTS BICYCLE STORE
Brands Cycle and Fitness
Merrick Bicycles
Valley Stream Bicycle Center
BOXING CENTER
iLoveKickboxing - Carle Place
Mayweather Boxing + Fitness
Results Fitness & Nutrition
CROSSFIT GYM
CrossFit Massapequa
CrossFit Strong Island
Results Fitness & Nutrition
GYM & FITNESS CENTER
Hype Fitness
Results Fitness & Nutrition
Steel Fitness
ICE SKATING RINK
City of Long Beach Ice Arena Grant Park
Newbridge Arena
KIDS’ SPORTS LEAGUE East Coast Football Club
Hewlett Lawrence Soccer Club Lynbrook Little League
Propel NY aims to update L.I. connectivity
By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
The Propel NY Energy project is a $3.26 billion initiative aimed at modernizing Long Island’s aging electric transmission system.
Why the project Is needed
New York’s electric transmission infrastructure is largely outdated — roughly 80 percent of it was built before 1980, at a time when energy needs were vastly different. With electric vehicles, heat pumps, data centers, and advanced digital technologies there will be a projected 50 to 90 percent increase in electricity demand over the next 20 years. Long Island’s grid, currently connected to the statewide network through only two points, is vulnerable to congestion and outages.
The existing grid faces significant congestion, akin to a crowded highway, which leads to inefficiencies and increased costs. Propel NY Energy is designed to add new transmission pathways that facilitate bidirectional power flow, enhancing both the reliability and resilience of the grid. This project prepares the region for a more robust and future-ready energy infrastructure.
Project scope and technical details
At the heart of the project is the construction of 90 miles of new underground transmission lines, including 66 miles in Nassau County. Additional segments will extend into Suffolk County, the Bronx and Westchester. Unlike surface lines, these cables will be installed underground using conventional trenching methods — typically 5 to 7 feet deep. In logistically challenging areas, advanced trenchless technologies such as horizontal directional drilling will be used. Propel NY Energy will add three new interconnec-
tion points. This enhancement will enable power to flow in multiple directions, relieving congestion and providing critical redundancy.
Propel NY Energy is exclusively focused on upgrading electric transmission infrastructure. It is not associated with battery storage systems or offshore wind projects, though the upgraded grid will support future renewable energy integration. Selected through a competitive solicitation process by the New York Independent System Operator from among 19 proposals by four developers, the project was chosen for its costeffectiveness and technical merits.
Environmental and community considerations
To reduce new environmental disruptions, most of
the project’s new lines will follow existing road corridors and disturbed areas. For segments crossing environmentally sensitive zones, such as the Long Island Sound, the team is applying sediment transport modeling and best management practices. When unavoidable impacts occur — particularly in wetlands — compensatory measures will be implemented by creating two to three acres of new wetlands for every acre affected.
The project is undergoing a review under New York’s Article Seven permitting process. This comprehensive environmental and socio-economic evaluation involves multiple state agencies. Anticipated approval is around July 2026.
Regular open houses and public meetings are planned to keep local communities informed and dispel misconceptions. The project prioritizes local union labor and contractors, ensuring that Nassau County and surrounding areas benefit from job opportunities. Any temporary disruptions will be addressed through detailed restoration plans.
Cost, funding and timeline
The total investment for Propel NY Energy is capped at $3.26 billion, and is funded by ratepayers across the state. For the average residential customer, the project is expected to add roughly 6 cents per day to utility bills. Projected costs are expected to be offset by long-term savings, with enhanced grid efficiency estimated to save nearly $3.3 billion in congestionrelated costs over time.
Construction is slated to begin in mid-2026 and will continue for up to four years, with project completion anticipated by mid-2030. During construction, crews are expected to progress between 50 and 150 feet per day per.
For more on Propel, go to PropelNyEnergy.com.
Power Up Your Business: Energy Savings, Rebates & Expert Tips
Join us on April 23rd at 6pm for a dynamic webinar to learn how:
What is an Energy Assessment? – Learn about PSEG Long Island’s free energy assessment, what it includes, and how it can help identify energysaving opportunities tailored to your business.
Cut Your Energy Costs – Get expert tips on simple, low-cost ways to start reducing your energy bills immediately.
Maximizing Rebates & Incentives – Explore available rebates and incentives to make energy-efficient upgrades more affordable.
Live Q&A with Energy Experts – Ask questions and get real-time answers from PSEG Long Island specialists on how to optimize your energy efficiency efforts.
MAUREEN FITZGERALD Herald Community Newspapers
Michael Voltz, P.E. Director, Energy Efficiency and Renewables
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE
SERVICING, Plaintiff, vs. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS-AT-LAW, NEXTOF-KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST, AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS OR PARTIES HAVING OR CLAIMING, UNDER, BY OR THROUGH THE DECEDENT LOUIS P. VIEGAS, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Discharge the Guardian Ad Litem, Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 3, 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 April 21, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 35 Marlow Road, 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 573 and Lot 134. Approximate amount of judgment is $332,868.30 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #615230/2022. Cash will not be accepted. Michael W. Alpert, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 152301
Place
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET
VOTE AND ELECTION
VALLEY STREAM UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. TWENTY-FOUR TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD AND NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing of the qualified voters of the Valley
Stream Union Free School District No. Twenty-Four of the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, will be held at the William L. Buck School on Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York in said District on May 7, 2025 at 7:30 p.m., prevailing time, for the transaction of such business as is authorized by the New York State Education Law, including the following items.
1. Presentation of the budget document.
2. To discuss all of the items herein set forth, to be voted upon by voting machine, at the election to be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, as hereinafter set forth.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that said vote and election will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 7:00 a.m., prevailing time, in the school buildings located in such districts as enumerated below:
District No. 1: Valley Stream Fire Department
112 South Corona Ave, Valley Stream, New York
District No. 2: William L. Buck School 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York
District No. 3: Brooklyn Avenue School 24 Brooklyn Avenue, Valley Stream, New York
District No. 4: Robert W. Carbonaro School
50 Hungry Harbor Road, Valley Stream, New York at which time the polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, to vote by voting machines upon the following items:
1. To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal year 2025-2026 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.
2. To elect three (3) members of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term commencing July 1, 2025 and expiring on June 30, 2028, as follows:
a. One (1) member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term to succeed John Maier, whose term expires June 30, 2025;
b. One (1) member of the Board of Education for a three
(3) year term to succeed Kimberly Wheeler, whose term expires June 30, 2025;
c. One (1) member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term to succeed Markus Wilson, whose term expires June 30, 2025;
3. SHALL the proposed budget of expenditures of Valley Stream Union Free School District Twenty-Ffour, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York for the year 20252026 in the amount of $41,285242,4980 and for the purposes shown in the statement thereof presented at the Annual Meeting, that the sum be raised through a levy upon the taxable property in the Valley Stream Union Free School District Twenty-Ffour, after first deducting the monies from state aid and other sources, as provided by law.
4. SHALL the Board of Education of the Valley Stream Union Free School District Twenty-Four be authorized to appropriate and expend the maximum amount of $850,000 from the 2018 and 2024 Capital Reserve Funds established for the purpose of completing capital improvements as follows: District wide door control access and alarms, District wide roofing replacement and repairs, Three (3) classroom renovations District wide, all of the above to include labor, materials, equipment and incidental costs.
5. SHALL the proposed budget of expenditures of Valley Stream Central High School District, Nassau County, New York for the year 2025-2026 be approved in the amount of $166,848,681 and that the sum be raised through a levy upon the taxable property in the Valley Stream Central High School District, after first deducting the monies from state aid and other sources, as provided by law.
6. SHALL the Board of Education of Valley Stream Central High School District Union Free School District Twentyfour be authorized to appropriate and expend the maximum amount of $4,500,000 as follows from fund balance for the purpose of completing capital improvements as follows: Restoration
of Valley Strean South Streambank, Renovation of District Offices and Renovation of Classrooms. All of the above to include labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental costs.
7. SHALL the Board of Education of the Valley Stream Central High School District be authorized to acquire by purchase that certain real property and improvements known as 10 Fifth Street, Valley Stream, New York, located in the Town of Hempstead, New York, Section 39 Block 27 Lot 4-7 & 418, at a cost not to exceed $6,400,000, and said sum is hereby appropriated for out of the District’s Capital Reserve Fund established on May 15, 2018 and unappropriated fund balance.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for the office of Member of the Board of Education of the Valley Stream Union Free School District No. Twenty-four shall be filed with the District Clerk of said School District at the District Clerk’s office, 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, not later than April 21, 2025, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., prevailing time. All nominating petitions must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 qualified voters or 2% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); must state the name and residence of each signer, and must state the name and residence of the candidate. Each petition shall be directed to the District Clerk and shall describe the specific vacancy for which the candidate is nominated. Each vacancy upon the Board of Education to be filled shall be considered a separate specific vacancy. A nominating petition may be rejected by the Board of Education if the candidate is ineligible for the office or declares his or her unwillingness to serve. Forms for nominating petitions may be obtained at the office of the Superintendent of Schools at the William L. Buck School on Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York and the office of the District Clerk of said School District.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 or pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 and has voted at any annual or special district meeting within the past four (4) calendar years, such voter is eligible to vote at this election; if a voter is registered and eligible to vote pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law, such voter is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register. The Board of Registration will meet for the purposes of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to Education Law §2014 at the William L. Buck School, on May 12, 2025 at 5:30 p.m., prevailing time, to add any additional names to the Registers to be used at the aforesaid Budget Vote and Election, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Registers, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such Budget Vote and Election for which the Register are prepared. The Registers so prepared pursuant to Education Law §2014 will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the School District in the Administration Building, located at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on Thursday, May 15, 2025, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., prevailing time, on weekdays, and each day prior to the day set for the Budget Vote and Election, except Sunday or holidays, and on Saturday by prearranged appointment, and at the polling places on the day of the Budget Vote and Election.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to New York Education Law §2014, the Board of Registration shall meet on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the respective polling places between
the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., at the prevailing time, to prepare the Register of the School District to be used at the annual meeting and election that is to be held in 2026 and any special meeting that may be held after the preparation of said Register, at which time any person will be entitled to have her or his name placed on such Register, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school meeting or election for which such Register is prepared.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that qualified voters with disabilities who seek information about access to polling places may, in advance of the day of the vote, contact the District Clerk at 516-497-9398 for information about accessibility.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that beginning seven (7) days immediately preceding the May 7, 2025, public budget hearing, any resident in the District may request to review a copy of the proposed budget by appearing at the Office of the District Clerk, 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York. Additionally, a statement of the estimated expenses for the ensuing year may be obtained by any resident in the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding said election on the school district website www. valleystreamschooldist rict24.org, at the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library during its normal hours of operation, located at 60 Verona Place, Valley Stream, New York, at the School District Administrative Center, 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, and at each of the following school buildings in which school is maintained between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., prevailing time, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays:
1. Brooklyn Avenue School located at 24 Brooklyn Avenue, Valley Stream New York; 2. William L. Buck School located at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream New York; and 3. Robert W. Carbonaro School
located at 50 Hungry Harbor Road, Valley Stream New York. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 495, the School District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how much of the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted, identified by statutory authority, and show: (a) the cumulative impact of each type of exemption expressed either as a dollar amount of assessed value or as a percentage of the total assessed value on the roll; (b) the cumulative amount expected to be received from recipients of each type of exemption as payments in lieu of taxes or other payments for municipal services; and (c) the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. The exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any website maintained by the District. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for absentee and early mail ballots will be obtainable during school business hours at the office of the District Clerk beginning April 21, 2025. In accordance with Education Law §§ 2018-a and 2018e, completed absentee and early mail ballot applications may not be received by the District Clerk earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the election, and must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or to the agent named in the absentee or early mail ballot application. Absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued, and a list of all persons to whom early mail voter’s ballots shall have been issued, will be available for inspection
to qualified voters of the District in the office of the District Clerk on and after Thursday, May 15, 2025, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays prior to the day set for the annual election and on Saturday, May 17, 2025, by advanced appointment by contacting the District Clerk at 516-497-9398 and on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the day set for the election. Any qualified voter may, upon examination of such lists, file a written challenge of the qualifications as a voter of any person whose name appears on such lists, stating the reasons for such challenge. Any such written challenge shall be transmitted by the District Clerk or a designee of the Board of Education to the inspectors of election on Election Day.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the Valley Stream Union Free School District No. TwentyFour by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to districtclerk@vs24.org or fax sent to 516-2560163. The request for the registration application may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the registration application by either mail, fax or email. Military voter registration application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 24, 2025.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the Valley Stream Union Free School District No. Twenty-Four may request an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk and return such military ballot application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to districtclerk@vs24. org or fax sent to 516256-0163. In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military ballot application must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., on April 24, 2025. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as
April 10, 2025 —
Public Notices
a non-military ballot application under Section 2018-a of the Education Law. The application for military ballot may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail, fax, or email.
A military voter’s original military ballot application and military ballot must be returned by mail or in person to the office of the District Clerk at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, along with the required signed affidavit by the voter.
AND FURTHER NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk before the close of polls on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received not later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a rule adopted by the Board of Education in accordance with New York Education Law §2035, any referenda or propositions to change the number of Board of Education members, or a bond issue for capital improvements, or any other petition required by law to be stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Election must be filed with the District Clerk at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on February 20, 2025. Any other petition, except those petitions required by law to be stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Election, must be filed with the District Clerk at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, no later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time on March 21, 2025. All such petitions must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the Clerk of the School District; must be signed by at least one hundred (100) qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 100 or
5% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); and must legibly state the name of each signer. However, the Board of Education will not entertain any petition to place before the voters any proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, nor any proposition or amendment which is contrary to law. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that those voters seeking information regarding this Budget Vote and Election in Spanish should contact the Office of the District Clerk at 516-497-9398.
Jennie L. Padilla District Clerk of the Board of Education Valley Stream Union Free School District No. Twenty-Four 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York 152495
Search for notices online at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTIFICACIÓN DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA, VOTACIÓN DE PRESUPUESTO Y ELECCIÓN DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE UNIDO VALLEY STREAM VEINTICUATRO CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD Y CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que el 7 de mayo de 2025 a las 7:30 p.m., hora en vigor, se celebrará una audiencia pública de los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Libre Unido de Valley Stream Veinticuatro la ciudad de Hempstead, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York, en la Escuela William L. Buck en Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, en dicho Distrito, para la transacción de los asuntos autorizados por la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, incluyendo los siguientes puntos. 1. Presentación del documento presupuestario.
2. Diálogo sobre todos los puntos aquí establecidos, que se votarán mediante máquina de votación, en las elecciones que se celebrarán el martes 20 de mayo de 2025, según se expone a continuación.
3. Tramitar cualquier otro asunto que pueda plantearse en la reunión. Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE que dicha votación y
elección se llevará a cabo el martes 20 de mayo de 2025, a las 7h00, hora en vigor, en los edificios escolares ubicados en los distritos que se enumeran a continuación:
Distrito No. 1
Departamento de Bomberos de Valley Stream
112 South Corona Ave, Valley Stream, Nueva York
Distrito No. 2
Escuela William L. Buck 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York
Distrito No. 3
Escuela Brooklyn Avenue 24 Brooklyn Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York
Distrito No. 4: Escuela Robert W. Carbonaro
50 Hungry Harbor Road, Valley Stream, Nueva York en cuyo momento las urnas estarán abiertas de 7h00 a 21h00, hora en vigor, para votar por máquinas de votación sobre los siguientes puntos:
1. Adopción del presupuesto anual del Distrito Escolar para el año fiscal 2025-2026 y la autorización para que la parte necesaria del mismo se recaude mediante impuestos sobre la propiedad imponible del Distrito.
2. Elección de tres (3) miembros de la Junta de Educación para un período de tres (3) años a partir del 1 de julio de 2025 hasta el 30 de junio de 2028, como se detalla a continuación:
a. Un (1) miembro de la Junta de Educación por un mandato de tres (3) años para suceder a John Maier, cuyo mandato finaliza el 30 de junio de 2025;
b. Un (1) miembro de la Junta de Educación por un período de tres (3) años para suceder a Kimberly Wheeler, cuyo mandato finaliza el 30 de junio de 2025;
c. Un (1) miembro de la Junta de Educación por un período de tres (3) años para suceder a Markus Wilson, cuyo mandato finaliza el 30 de junio de 2025;
3. SE DEBERÁ [autorizar] el presupuesto de gastos propuesto del Distrito Escolar Libre Unido de Valley Stream Veinticuatro, ciudad de Hempstead, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York para el año 2025 -2026 por un monto
de $41,242,480 y para los propósitos que se muestran en la declaración del mismo presentada en la reunión anual, que la suma se recaude a través de un gravamen sobre la propiedad imponible en el Distrito Escolar Libre Unido de Valley Stream Veinticuatro, después de deducir primero el dinero de la ayuda estatal y otras fuentes, según lo dispuesto por la ley.
4. SE DEBERÁ autorizar a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre Unido de Valley Stream Veinticuatro a apropiarse y a gastar la cantidad máxima de $850,000 de los Fondos de Reserva de Capital 2018 y 2024 establecidos con el propósito de llevar a cabo mejoras de capital como sigue: acceso y alarmas de control de puertas en todo el Distrito, reemplazo y reparaciones de techos en todo el Distrito, renovaciones de tres (3) aulas en todo el Distrito; todo lo anterior cubriendo la mano de obra, materiales, equipos y costos incidentales.
5. SE DEBERÁ aprobar el presupuesto propuesto de gastos del Distrito Central de Secundaria de Valley Stream, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York para el año 20252026 por un monto de $166,848,681 y la suma que se recaude a través de un gravamen sobre la propiedad imponible en el Distrito Central de Secundaria de Valley Stream, después de deducir primero el dinero de la ayuda estatal y otras fuentes, según lo dispuesto por la ley.
6. SE DEBERÁ autorizar a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Central de Secundaria de Valley Stream Veinticuatro a apropiarse y gastar la cantidad máxima de $4,500,000 como sigue del saldo de fondos con el propósito de llevar a cabo las mejoras capitales como sigue: restauración de la ribera sur de Valley Stream, renovación de las oficinas del distrito y renovación de las aulas. Todo lo anterior cubriendo la mano de obra, materiales, equipos, aparatos y costos incidentales.
7. SE DEBERÁ autorizar a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Central de Secundaria de Valley Stream a
adquirir por compra esa cierta propiedad real y mejoras conocidas como 10 Fifth Street, Valley Stream, Nueva York, ubicada en la ciudad de Hempstead, Nueva York, Section 39 Block 27 Lot 4-7 & 418, a un costo que no exceda los $ 6,400,000, y dicha suma se apropia por la presente con cargo al Fondo de Reserva de Capital del Distrito establecido el 15 de mayo de 2018 y el saldo de fondos no apropiados.
Y SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS POR LA PRESENTE que las peticiones de nominación de candidatos para el cargo de Miembro de la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre Unido de Valley Stream Veinticuatro deberán presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito de dicho Distrito Escolar en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, a más tardar el 21 de abril de 2025, entre las 9h00 y las 17h00, hora en vigor. Todas las peticiones de nominación deben estar firmadas por al menos veinticinco (25) votantes cualificados del Distrito (que representen el mayor número de 25 votantes cualificados o el 2% del número de votantes que votaron en la elección anual anterior); deben indicar el nombre y la residencia de cada firmante, y deben indicar el nombre y la residencia del candidato. Cada petición deberá ser dirigida al Secretario del Distrito y deberá describir la vacante específica para la cual el candidato es nominado. Cada vacante de la Junta de Educación que deba cubrirse se considerará una vacante específica independiente. Una petición de nominación puede ser rechazada por la Junta de Educación si el candidato no es elegible para el cargo o declara su falta de voluntad para servir. Los formularios para las peticiones de nominación pueden obtenerse en la oficina del Superintendente de Escuelas en la Escuela William L. Buck en Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York y en la oficina del Secretario de Distrito de dicho Distrito Escolar. Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE que se requiere el registro personal de votantes de conformidad con la Ley de Educación de Nueva York §2014
o de conformidad con el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York. Si un votante se ha registrado hasta ahora de conformidad con la Ley de Educación de Nueva York §2014 y ha votado en cualquier reunión anual o especial del distrito en los últimos cuatro (4) años calendario, dicho votante es elegible para votar en esta elección; si un votante está registrado y es elegible para votar de conformidad con el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York, dicho votante también es elegible para votar en esta elección. Todas las demás personas que deseen votar deberán inscribirse. La Junta de Registro se reunirá con el propósito de registrar a todos los votantes calificados del Distrito de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2014 en la Escuela William L. Buck, el 12 de mayo de 2025 a las 17h30, hora en vigor, para agregar nombres adicionales a los Registros que se utilizarán en la Votación y Elección Presupuestaria antes mencionada, momento en el cual cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dichos Registros, siempre que en dicha reunión de la Junta de Registro se sepa o se pruebe a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro que tiene derecho a votar en ese momento o posteriormente en la Votación y Elección Presupuestaria para la cual se preparan los Registros. Los Registros así preparados de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2014 se archivarán en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar en el Edificio de Administración, ubicado en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, y estarán abiertos a la inspección de cualquier votante calificado del Distrito a partir del jueves 15 de mayo de 2025, entre las 9h00 y las 15h00, los días laborables y todos los días anteriores al día fijado para la Votación y Elección del Presupuesto, excepto los domingos o días festivos, y los sábados con cita previa, y en los colegios electorales el día de la Votación y Elección del Presupuesto. Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE que, de conformidad con la
Ley de Educación de Nueva York §2014, la Junta de Registro se reunirá el martes 20 de mayo de 2025, en los respectivos lugares de votación entre las 7h00 y las 21h00, hora en vigor, para preparar el Registro del Distrito Escolar que se utilizará en la reunión y elección anual que se celebrará en 2026 y en cualquier reunión especial que pueda celebrarse después de la preparación de dicho Registro, en cuyo momento cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de la Junta de Registro se sepa o se demuestre a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro que tiene derecho a votar en ese momento o posteriormente en la reunión o elección escolar para la que se prepara dicho Registro. Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE que los votantes calificados con discapacidades que busquen información sobre el acceso a los lugares de votación pueden, antes del día de la votación, comunicarse con el Secretario del Distrito al 516-497-9398 para obtener información sobre la accesibilidad. Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE que a partir de los siete (7) días inmediatamente anteriores a la audiencia pública sobre el presupuesto del 7 de mayo de 2025, cualquier residente del Distrito podrá solicitar revisar una copia del presupuesto propuesto presentándose en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York. Además, cualquier residente del Distrito puede obtener una declaración de los gastos estimados para el año siguiente durante los catorce (14) días inmediatamente anteriores a dicha elección en el sitio web del distrito escolar www. valleystreamschooldist rict24.org, en la Biblioteca Conmemorativa Henry Waldinger durante su horario normal de atención, ubicada en 60 Verona Place, Valley Stream, Nueva York, en la Administración del Distrito Escolar, en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York y en cada uno de los siguientes edificios escolares en los
que se imparten clases entre las 9h00 y 16h00, hora en vigor, excepto sábados, domingos y días festivos:
1. Escuela Brooklyn Avenue situada en 24 Brooklyn Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York;
2. Escuela William L. Buck situada en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream Nueva York; y
3. Escuela Robert W. Carbonaro situada en 50 Hungry Harbor Road, Valley Stream Nueva York. Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE, que de conformidad con la Ley de Impuestos sobre Bienes Inmuebles Sección 495, el Distrito Escolar debe adjuntar a su proyecto de presupuesto un informe de exención. Dicho informe de exención, que también formará parte del presupuesto final, mostrará qué parte del valor total tasado en la lista final de tasaciones utilizada en el proceso presupuestario está exento de impuestos, enumerará cada tipo de exención concedida, identificada por autoridad estatutaria, y mostrará: (a) el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención, expresado en dólares o en porcentaje del valor catastral total del padrón; (b) el importe acumulado que se espera recibir de los beneficiarios de cada tipo de exención como pagos en lugar de impuestos u otros pagos por servicios municipales; y (c) el impacto acumulado de todas las exenciones concedidas. El informe de exenciones se publicará en cualquier tablón de anuncios que mantenga el Distrito para avisos públicos y en cualquier sitio web que mantenga el Distrito. Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE, que las solicitudes de voto en ausencia y voto anticipado por correo podrán obtenerse durante el horario escolar en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a partir del 21 de abril de 2025. De conformidad con la Ley de Educación §§ 2018-a y 2018-e, el Secretario del Distrito no podrá recibir solicitudes completas de boletas para voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado antes de los treinta (30) días previos a la elección, y el Secretario del Distrito deberá recibirlas al menos
Public Notices
siete (7) días antes de la elección si la boleta se enviará por correo al votante, o el día anterior a la elección, si la boleta se entregará personalmente al votante o al agente designado en la solicitud de boleta para voto en ausencia o por correo anticipado. El Secretario del Distrito debe recibir las papeletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado no más tarde de las 17h00, hora en vigor, del martes 20 de mayo de 2025. Una lista de las personas a quienes se emitieron las boletas para votantes ausentes y una lista de todas las personas a quienes se emitieron las boletas para votantes por correo anticipado estarán a disposición de los votantes calificados del Distrito para su inspección en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a partir del jueves 15 de mayo de 2025, entre las 9h00 y 16h00 los días laborables anteriores al día fijado para la elección anual y el sábado 17 de mayo de 2025, con cita previa llamando al Secretario del Distrito al 516-4979398 y el martes 20 de mayo de 2025, día fijado para la elección. Cualquier votante calificado puede, al examinar dichas listas, presentar una impugnación por escrito de las calificaciones como votante de cualquier persona cuyo nombre aparezca en dichas listas, indicando las razones de dicha impugnación. Dicha impugnación escrita será transmitida por el Secretario del Distrito o una persona designada por la Junta de Educación a los inspectores electorales el día de las elecciones. Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE, que los votantes militares que actualmente no están registrados pueden solicitar registrarse como votante calificado del Distrito Escolar Libre Unido de Valley Stream Veinticuatro solicitando y devolviendo una solicitud de registro al Secretario del Distrito en persona, o por correo electrónico a districtclerk@vs24.org o fax enviado al 516256-0163. La solicitud de inscripción puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar para recibir la solicitud de inscripción por correo, fax o correo electrónico. Los formularios de
solicitud de inscripción de votantes militares deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17h00 del 24 de abril de 2025. Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE, que los votantes militares que sean votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Libre Unido de Valley Stream Veinticuatro pueden solicitar una solicitud de papeleta militar al Secretario del Distrito y devolver dicha solicitud de papeleta militar al Secretario del Distrito en persona, o por correo electrónico a districtclerk@vs24.org o fax enviado al 516256-0163. Para que a un votante militar se le emita una papeleta militar, debe recibirse una solicitud válida de papeleta militar en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17h00 del 24 de abril de 2025. Las solicitudes de boleta militar recibidas de conformidad con lo anterior se procesarán de la misma manera que una solicitud de boleta no militar en virtud de la Sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación. La solicitud de papeleta militar puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar de recibir la papeleta militar por correo, fax o correo electrónico. La solicitud original de boleta militar y la boleta militar del votante militar deben devolverse por correo o en persona a la oficina del Secretario del Distrito en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, junto con la declaración jurada firmada requerida por el votante.
Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA
POR LA PRESENTE, que las boletas militares serán escrutadas si son recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el martes 20 de mayo de 2025, mostrando una marca de cancelación del Servicio Postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o mostrando un endoso fechado de recibo por otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o recibidas a más tardar a las 17h00 del martes 20 de mayo de 2025 y firmada y fechada por el votante militar y un testigo de la misma, con una fecha que se compruebe que no sea posterior al día anterior a la elección.
Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA
POR LA PRESENTE, que, de conformidad con una norma adoptada por la Junta de Educación de acuerdo con la Ley de Educación de Nueva York §2035, cualquier referendo o proposición para cambiar el número de miembros de la Junta de Educación, o una emisión de bonos para mejoras capitales, o cualquier otra petición que la ley requiera que se indique en el Aviso de Reunión
Anual y Elección debe presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, a más tardar a las 17h00, hora en vigor, el 20 de febrero de 2025. Cualquier otra petición, excepto aquellas peticiones que la ley exige que se indiquen en el Aviso de Asamblea Anual y Elección, deberá presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, a más tardar a las 17h00, hora en vigor, del 21 de marzo de 2025. Todas estas peticiones deben estar escritas o impresas en idioma inglés; deben estar dirigidas al Secretario del Distrito Escolar; deben estar firmadas por al menos cien (100) votantes cualificados del Distrito (representando el mayor de 100 o el 5% del número de votantes que votaron en la elección anual anterior); y deberá indicar de forma legible el nombre de cada firmante. Sin embargo, el Consejo de Educación no admitirá ninguna petición para presentar a los votantes una proposición cuyo objeto no esté dentro de las facultades de los votantes para determinar, ni ninguna propuesta o enmienda que sea contraria a la ley.
Y ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA POR LA PRESENTE que aquellos votantes que busquen información con respecto a esta Votación Presupuestaria y Elección en español deben comunicarse con la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito al 5164979398.
Jennie L. Padilla Secretaria del Distrito de la Junta de Educación Distrito Escolar Libre Unido de Valley Stream Veinticuatro
75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York 152497
To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: THAMAR MUSIC LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 3/18/25. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: thamarjoseph4@gmail. com
Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 152555
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU DLJ
MORTGAGE CAPITAL, INC., Plaintiff AGAINST KELVIN GALLOWAY, ET AL., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 1, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 13, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 29 Clinton Avenue, Inwood, NY 11096. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 40, Block 63, Lot 196. Approximate amount of judgment $650,851.82 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #611961/2019. Jane Shrenkel, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 20-003157 84806 152779
LEGAL NOTICE
ASSESSOR’S NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF THE FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL THE ASSESSOR OF THE COUNTY OF NASSAU HEREBY GIVES NOTICE that he has completed the 2025/2026 final assessment roll, which will be used for the 2026 levy of Town and County Taxes in the Towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay, and the City of Glen Cove and the City of Long Beach, and for the 2025/2026
levy of school taxes in such Towns and in the City of Long Beach. A certified electronic copy of the roll was filed with the Department of Assessment on April 1, 2024. The electronic roll may be examined on public terminals located in the offices of: DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENT
NASSAU COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING
240 OLD COUNTRY ROAD, FOURTH FLOOR MINEOLA, NY 11501 where the same will remain open for public inspection for fifteen days.
Dated this 1st day of April 2025.
JOSEHA A. ADAMO
Assessor, Nassau County 152810
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. PATRICK MOLONEY, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 22, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 13, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 24 West Dover 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 164 and Lot 123. Approximate amount of judgment is $506,554.82 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #608747/2018. Cash will not be accepted. Heather Crosley, Esq.,
Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 152832
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF THE RESIDENTIAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES
TRUST VIII-C, Plaintiff, vs. STEVEN L. OLSEN A/K/A STEVEN OLSEN, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on March 4, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 13, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 107 East Saint Marks Place, 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 108 and Lot 15-16. Approximate amount of judgment is $356,804.30 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 617713/2022.
Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 240474-1 152834
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE HOLDERS OF THE GEWMC ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-2, Plaintiff, AGAINST EDITH COOK, et al. Defendant(s) Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on August 13, 2024.
I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM premises known as 932 Dana Avenue, Valley Stream, NY 11580.
Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Nassau County and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Valley Stream, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 0037, Block 00633-00 and Lot 00014.
Approximate amount of judgment $560,291.44 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #601430/2018.
Ellen Durst, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLPAttorneys for Plaintiff - 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 152850
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU SELENE FINANCE LP, Plaintiff, Against
JERD ORIENTAL A/K/A JERD M. ORIENTAL, MIRLYNE RICHARDSONORIENTAL, GARDY ORIENTAL, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 10/18/2016, 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 5/15/2025 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 16 Hudson Ave, Valley Stream, New York 11580, 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 37 Block 452 Lot 11-14. The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $643,572.55 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 3680/2012 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.
George P. Esernio, Esq., Referee.
MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573
Dated: 3/14/2025 File Number: 464-0051 CA 152856
OUTSIDE
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Q. My neighbor loves animals, so much that they have constructed little houses for feral cats and stray dogs. Although I haven’t said anything because we have a tall fence, and I don’t have to look at the menagerie of wildlife — including many ducks, squirrels and raccoons that also eat the food scraps my neighbor puts out — I wonder if this is allowed, and now that they’re starting to build very large bird “hotels” that I can see, I’m thinking this is really getting to be too much. Do they need approval to attract all of these animals, a permit or something?
A. There are restrictions, such as section 152-8 of Town of Hempstead code, prohibiting dogs at large. You can check your municipality code regulations, online, by typing in the name of your municipality followed by “ecode360.” Many communities restrict the number of pets and the containment of pets, and have a restriction that pets can’t be constrained for more than two hours to a stationary object, like a post.
Stray dogs and cats are prohibited, even though many people take care of them. I wrote about this 25 years ago, and received hate mail for my insensitivity to these cats and dogs, even though I was quoting the ordinances, in addition to writing about how to keep strays from wandering into your yard. If the strays become a problem for you, there are regulations that your neighbor may be subject to.
Birdhouses seem fairly innocent, and unless they’re built to an abundant size, like the “hotel” you describe, there are no limits. When there are a number of birdhouses, or they become large enough to fall under the regulation of treehouses and sheds, the regulations become relevant, and the construction of these “accessory structures” falls under the zoning codes. I’ve seen birdhouses with 25 units in them, which is large enough to make it necessary to regulate. It brings new meaning to Airbnb. I’m not sure if the local governments that placed prohibitions on renting out homes to transients also included the bird population, since most birds have no place to carry cash or a credit card, but it may be worth looking into in your spare time. A call to either your local building inspector or to animal and wildlife control centers can confirm the handling of the animals, and whether your neighbor is creating a nuisance. The biggest concern may be health considerations, since some species may carry diseases that can be harmful to other species or to you. For example, raccoons, cats and squirrels are known to carry rabies, and an even more dangerous disease called toxoplasmosis. They endanger dogs in particularly, since these diseases cause ailments that can cripple or destroy their immune systems. Cats are also in danger, and the droppings from each of these animals may also cause sickness in humans, but to a lesser degree. You are not wrong to be concerned. Good luck!
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opinions Democrats put Nassau at risk by not passing Capital Plan
nassau County has enjoyed a lot of success during my time as county executive. Our residents have benefited from a notax-increase budget for three years straight, and I plan to deliver them a fourth. My administration cut $150 million in taxes planned by the previous administration. I hired over 300 new police and correctional officers to protect our streets.
And the county was named the most desirable place to live in all of New York state by Niche magazine.
But our county now faces a crisis that threatens to halt our growth and impede our progress. I am deeply disappointed and frustrated that the 2025 Capital Plan was not passed by the County Legislature. The plan, which is vital for the continued development and safety of all of Nassau, has been blocked by Democratic legislators who have refused to give it their bipartisan support. It is disturbing to witness such a politically motivated decision when it directly jeopardizes the welfare of our residents.
The implications of not passing the Capital Plan extend far beyond politics. I am very concerned about delaying funding for important public-safety ini-
tiatives. I am proud to say that Nassau County holds the title as the safest county in America, but we risk throwing that away and undermining the systems designed to protect our families and neighborhoods without the funding and resources guaranteed by the plan.
Under the negotiated proposal blocked by Democratic legislators, the plan would provide tens of millions of dollars in funding to secure essential tools for police officers who put their lives on the line to protect us. Those investments include:
■ $1.14 million for bulletproof vests
■ $1.1 million for tasers
■ $105,000 for upgraded firearms
Fals vehicle.
We also negotiated a six-figure investment in the Fire Service Academy Master Plan so that our volunteer firefighters get the best training available. Setting back that training by not passing the Capital Plan would be an egregious mistake by our Democratic legislators.
ailing to secure this funding will hurt communities across the county.
■ $1.5 million for body cameras.
Support for our firefighters and emergency responders is also jeopardized while the Capital Plan stalls in the Legislature. For 2025 alone, we have millions of dollars budgeted for key items that include:
■ $3 million for new ambulances
■ $550,000 for new firefighting equipment and high-axle vehicles to save residents during floods
■ $500,000 to upgrade fire department communications system
■ $600,000 for a new hazardous-materi-
iOn top of spending on public safety, the Capital Plan also includes important initiatives aimed at improving the county’s infrastructure, including improvements that will improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety. The hamlet of Elmont, for example, was scheduled to receive $2.7 million in traffic and pedestrian safety improvements that are now being blocked.
Another $1.5 million in similar improvements was slated for the Village of Lynbrook, at the five-way intersection at Hempstead Avenue.
Blocked.
We planned to spend $250,000 on traffic safety and pedestrian improvements for Merrick Road in Freeport.
Blocked.
You can see just how quickly the money adds up. Failing to secure this funding will hurt communities across the county if we don’t act now. We cannot afford indecision or crass political posturing when our taxpayers are relying on us. I am calling on our Democrat-
ic legislators to put aside politics and prioritize the well-being of Nassau County residents by passing the Capital Plan. It is time to focus on what truly matters — the safety and quality of life of our citizens.
I also urge county residents to make their voices heard. Contact your legislators, express your concerns, and advocate for the passage of the Capital Plan. Here is the contact information for the Democratic legislators who blocked the plan and put you at risk.
Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton
Phone: (516) 571-6211
Email: dderiggiwhitton@nassaucountyny.gov
Legislator Scott Davis
Phone: (516) 571-6201
Email: SDavis@nassaucountyny.gov
Legislator Olena Nicks
Phone: (516) 571-6202
Email: onicks@nassaucountyny.gov
Legislator Carrie Solages
Phone: (516) 571-6203
Email: csolages@nassaucountyny.gov
Legislator Seth Koslow
Phone: (516) 571-6205
Email: skoslow@nassaucountyny.gov
Legislator Debra Mulé
Phone: (516) 571-6206
Email: dmule@nassaucountyny.gov
Legislator Arnold Drucker Phone: (516) 571-6216
Email: adrucker@nassaucountyny.gov
Bruce Blakeman is Nassau County executive.
Why I still cheer like a kid for my teams
am 64 years old. I have lived a full life, raised a family, built a career and seen the world change in ways I never imagined. But when one of my favorite sports teams takes the field, I’m still a 12-year-old boy, heart pounding, stomach twisting, living and dying with every play or atbat.
A great touchdown catch or a clutch base hit still sends me into wild fist pumping. A botched play or a baffling coaching decision has me pacing the room, muttering in disbelief.
The baseball season just started, and I moaned about the Mets’ slow start in a sports text thread. One of my friends texted, “They’ve faced strong pitching.” I responded, “Aren’t they supposed to have a strong lineup and that Soto guy?” The same friend wrote: “It’s one week, calm down.”
When you’re a fan, calm isn’t your default state of mind. This isn’t a hobby — it’s a lifelong relationship. And like any deep, long-term commitment, it started early.
I still remember my first baseball game. I was 7, holding my father’s hand as we made our way through the crowded concourse of Yankee Stadium. Though I was a Mets fan, we went with family friends. The air smelled of hot dogs, beer and cigars.
s ports are a connection — to my childhood, to my dad, to my friends.
Two years later, I went to my first football game, also in Yankee Stadium. I’m a Giants fan, and on that October Sunday my dad and I watched Big Blue defeat the then St. Louis Cardinals. Sitting around us were football fans who held transistor radios to their ears so they’d know what penalty had been called and exactly where the ball was on the field. At the time, no planet-sized TV screen showed the previous play seconds after it ended.
Sports fandom isn’t just about watching games — it’s about the rituals, the
superstitions, the little things we do that make us feel like we’re part of something bigger. For me, it started with where I sat to watch at home. Every time my team was in the playoffs, I had to be in the same spot on the couch. Not just the same couch — the same spot on that couch.
Before the most recent two Super Bowls that the Giants played in (and won), I had to watch the movie “Friday Night Lights” two hours before game time. Was there any logical reason to believe that watching a film about high school football would influence the outcome of a Super Bowl? Of course not. But did I dare test my illogical theory by not watching it? Absolutely not. If you ask any true sports fan why they put themselves through the emotional rollercoaster of fandom, they’ll tell you the highs are worth the lows. And it’s true — when my team wins, when they pull off an improbable comeback or dominate their opponent, it’s
pure joy. The kind of joy that makes you jump up and down like a kid on his birthday.
But the lows? Oh, the lows hurt. A blown lead, a boneheaded play that costs the game, a gut-wrenching loss — they stay with you. You replay them in your head and commiserate about them with friends.
People who don’t follow sports don’t get it. They ask why I let a game played by people I’ve never met affect me so deeply. Or they ask whether I have a big bet on the game.
But it’s not just a game. It’s a connection — to my childhood, to my father, who took me to those first games, to my friends who have shared in the victories and defeats. It’s a constant in a world that constantly changes.
At 64, I’m not the same person I was at 12. But when my team takes the field, that kid inside me comes roaring back across the decades, full of hope, excitement and the unshakable belief that this time, maybe this time, we’ll win it all.
Jeffrey Bessen is the managing editor of Herald Community Media.
JEFFREY BEssEn
opinions
We must address Long Island’s road safety crisis
The sudden rise in deadly accidents on Long Island’s streets and highways is deeply alarming, and demands actions. Every seven minutes, a crash causing death, injury or significant property damage occurs on our roads. And our region currently leads the state in traffic fatalities: One in five deaths resulting from car crashes in New York happens on Long Island. The failure to secure our roads has led to thousands of lives being cut short, families tragically ripped apart and a terrible void left in too many of our communities.
I wrote to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, calling for immediate action to keep Long Islanders safe. In addition to a federal investigation into the surge of fatal crashes, I urged Duffy and the Department of Transportation to issue specific recommendations to
Congress on additional funding or authority that the department needs to improve our roadways and increase safety for drivers and pedestrians.
I’m fighting for a comprehensive roadway safety strategy to encourage safer driving and create safer roads. This means giving our law enforcement agencies the tools and resources to police aggressive and unsafe driving, investing in infrastructure that puts safety first and keeping impaired drivers off our roads.
We’ve lost far too many community members to fatal traffic accidents.
Unsafe driving has devastating consequences that we can and must prevent. Every day, our nation’s law enforcement officers work to prevent serious accidents on our roads. But strained budgets and workforce reductions have harmed their ability to conduct traffic stops and other forms of high-visibility traffic enforcement. Studies show that increasing high-visibility enforcement deters drivers from making reckless decisions that endanger others and makes our streets safer for all. Additionally, I’m calling for infra-
structure investments that prioritize safety, not speed. Area residents have long voiced safety concerns about the Southern State Parkway, Sunrise Highway and other routes, which account for a disproportionate share of roadway injuries and fatalities on Long Island. We should use proven safety countermeasures to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe on our roads, prevent roadway departures, and make intersections less deadly.
I’ll continue to advocate for these common-sense improvements. In Congress, I’m drafting legislation that incentivizes states and localities to build roundabouts, which make intersections safer. By introducing these measures into our infrastructure planning, we can significantly reduce roadway fatalities and injuries.
We must also take action to keep impaired drivers off the roads. Many road safety groups have endorsed lowering our drunken-driving limit to a blood alcohol content of .05 percent. There’s strong evidence that lowering this limit
reduces the number of crashes and saves lives: After Utah lowered its drunken-driving limit to .05 percent in 2018, fatal car crashes dropped by nearly 20 percent over the next calendar year. I support the push at the state level to bring this limit to New York, and I’m exploring federal options to make this the law of the land across the U.S.
We’ve lost far too many community members to fatal traffic accidents. It’s time for local, state and federal authorities to come together to improve our roadways and increase safety for drivers and pedestrians.
I’m proud to represent Long Island on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has authority over the nation’s highways and bridges. As Congress considers a new surface transit reauthorization bill this year, the committee will be a key player in negotiating this bill. I’ll continue to use my seat on T&I to advocate for our communities, make smart infrastructure investments and push for policies that keep drivers, passengers and pedestrians safe.
Laura A. Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.
A holiday homily: the family that ate its pets
Thus it came to pass, in the Land of Brooklyn, that Morris Brownstein knew Anna Brownstein, his second cousin, and they begat Hilda, Murray, Pearl and Zelda. Pearl, third in the family order, was my mother, and the only one who seemed to have entirely escaped the questionable legacy of having parents who were also blood relatives.
In the warm bosom of my mother’s nuclear family, accent on nuclear, Passover was a sacred time. Sacred not in a religious way, but in a culinary way. Grandma Annie and Grandpa Morris spared no effort in bringing to their four children an authentic holiday experience.
Perhaps the most cherished Brownstein family tradition was dining on homemade gefilte fish for the holiday. Let me digress. Gefilte fish (from the Yiddish word for “stuffed”) is an acquired taste. A cement-colored composite of various scaled fish, such as carp and pike and whitefish, mixed with
ground vegetables and matzo meal, it tastes like a fishy matzo ball. People eat it cold, with mouth-scorching horseradish to kill the taste.
When I say it is an acquired taste, I mean you had to be there at the beginning. Let’s see, it’s 5785 on the Hebrew calendar, so if you started eating gefilte fish two or three thousand years ago, you probably look forward to having it on the Seder table this year. You can’t just munch gefilte with no prior experience.
himself too thin.
Anyway, keeping the carp in the tub wasn’t without consequences for the Family Brownstein. First, since the carp was in the tub for some time, and there was only one bathtub, well, draw your own conclusions.
M y mother always wanted a kitten or a puppy, but learned to bond with a carp.
For her gefilte fish, Grandma Annie believed in going to the source, so she would buy a large, live carp and keep it in the bathtub for a week or two until it was time to ease it from its comfortable aquatic home into a grinder.
This was fish farming in its most primitive form. The business possibilities were not lost on young Murray, who was blessed with an entrepreneurial spirit. When he was 19, he considered buying up tens of thousands of bathtubs to raise carp. Unfortunately, at the time all his funds were tied up in a machine that made shoes out of sweet potatoes, and he didn’t want to spread
The second consequence of growing their own, so to speak, was that my mother, the most tenderhearted of the lot, immediately bonded with the carp. She had always longed for a kitten or a puppy, but her parents weren’t about to indulge her, so once a year she had what you might call a transitory experience in nurturing an animal. Granted, a carp isn’t much of a pet, but young Pearl had little else to call her own.
This was not what you would call a psychologically enlightened family. Since “Sesame Street” had not yet been created, Grandma would entertain her kids by taking them to the Canarsie slaughterhouse, where they would watch the chickens being killed. You can see why they didn’t worry much about young Pearl playing with the carp in the tub.
When the day came, a few days before Passover, Grandma was the designated
executioner. This was an interesting division of labor, since Grandpa Morris displayed distinct homicidal potential, having once chased a woman around a butcher shop with a knife after she insulted President Roosevelt. He was also enlisted in a civilian patrol, looking for submarines in Brooklyn, when he fell into a sidewalk hole and wasn’t found for days. But that’s another story.
Anyway, Grandma Annie, ignoring all pleas for clemency for the fish, would drain the tub and dispatch the carp with her cleaver. A day later, they set a beautiful table, and after a few prayers, devoured the fish, which lived on in its new incarnation — homemade gefilte fish swimming in its own aspic.
For dessert, Grandma made what came to be known as the Cake of Affliction, a 12-egg, foot-high sponge cake that, year after year, stuck to the pan, fell like a pancake instead of rising like a soufflé and broke our hearts.
Times pass, and so do people. Rituals change. This Passover, my husband is the only one at the table who will eat gefilte fish. The Cake of Affliction isn’t on the menu. At today’s egg prices, the family sponge cake has become a highrisk investment.
Copyright © 2025 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
Laura a . GiLLen
ranDi Kreiss
Spring into the new season by volunteering
as the winter chill fades and the warmth of spring sets in, April presents us with the perfect opportunity to step out of our homes and into our communities. It is National Volunteer Month, a time to recognize the vital contributions of volunteers and encourage others to take part in acts of service. With the season’s longer days, there’s no better moment to embrace the spirit of giving, and making a difference.
Volunteering is more than just a noble act — it’s a powerful way to foster change, make personal connections and enhance our well-being. Whether you’re helping clean up a local park, mentoring a young student or lending a hand at a food bank, your contributions have a lasting impact. This month, let’s not only celebrate those who dedicate their time to service, but also join them in strengthening our communities.
National Volunteer Month highlights the invaluable role that volunteers play in shaping society. The best, most selfless volunteering isn’t confined to a single day or week; it’s an ongoing effort that promotes social responsibility, empathy and collective progress.
It also benefits the volunteer. Studies show that devoting time to helping others can reduce stress, combat loneliness and engender a sense of purpose. It helps people acquire new skills and build professional as well as social networks, and often opens doors to new career opportunities.
One of the best aspects of volunteering is its flexibility — there’s something for everyone. Whether you have a few hours to spare each month or can commit to a regular schedule, there are countless ways to contribute. Here are just a few examples:
■ Community cleanups: Help beautify
Thanks
for a
letters
young woman’s perspective
To the Editor:
Great places to lend a hand
American Red Cross, Long Island Chapter
195 Willis Ave. Mineola (516) 747-3500
RedCross.org/local/new-york
Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center
100 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove (516) 571-8040
hmtcli.org
Island Harvest 126 Spagnoli Road, Melville (516) 294-8528 (631) 873-4775
IslandHarvest.org
Last Hope Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation 3300 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh (631) 425-1884
LastHopeAnimalRescue.org
Long Island Cares 10 Davids Drive, Hauppauge (631) 582-3663 LiCares.org
United Way of Long Island 819 Grand Blvd., Deer Park (631) 940-3700 UnitedWayLi.org
your local parks, streets and other community spaces by picking up litter, powerwashing sidewalks or planting flowers.
■ Animal welfare: Volunteer at an animal shelter or foster a rescue pet. The need for volunteers at these facilities has
I very much appreciated Jordan Vallone’s recent op-ed, “Some thoughts on books, privilege and girlhood.” As a lifelong reader, I think life is so much more enjoyable having a good book to read. Books are, in many ways, our teachers. Vallone’s emphasis on the importance of books for young women dealing with this complex and stressful world is so relevant. As I look back on my teaching career, I think we should have had more literature from a woman’s point of view, focusing on the situations and problems they had to face.
And thanks to Jordan for her book suggestions. I feel I should read some literature from the perspective of young
never been greater.
■ Educational support: Tutor a student, chaperone a school field trip or help out in your local library.
■ Food assistance: Work at a food pantry or take part in a meal delivery program. Lots of community members lend a hand during the holiday season, but here, too, volunteers can find plenty to do all year round.
■ Health care and support services: Visit a nursing home, assist hospital staff, or support a mental health initiative.
■ Environmental advocacy: Take part in a tree-planting effort, a recycling program or a sustainability project.
April is also Global Volunteer Month, celebrating the many ways people and organizations support their neighbors and strengthen their communities around the world. Volunteer Recognition Day, April 20, will kick off National Volunteer Week, April 20-26, a weeklong celebration of the efforts of volunteers. There are numerous opportunities this month to take part in events, campaigns and initiatives that need and will welcome your help. It’s a time to take action, and inspire others to do the same. And by getting children and young adults involved, we can help instill a lifelong commitment to service and civic responsibility. Whether through school programs or community projects, we can encourage the next generation to embrace the values of kindness, empathy, and community involvement.
If you’ve been looking for a way to give back, let the month that symbolizes renewal and growth be the time you take that first step. Whether you join a oneday event or dedicate a few hours a week, your contribution matters. Step outside, lend a hand and experience the joy of making a difference.
Wage theft is quietly fueling L.I.’s affordability crisis
the cost of living remains a critical issue On Long Island. High housing prices. Rising rents. Expensive groceries, gas and child care. But there’s another side to the affordability crisis — one that gets less attention and even fewer headlines: stolen wages.
Wage theft happens when workers aren’t paid what they’ve legally earned. It shows up as unpaid overtime. Off-theclock hours. Misused job titles. Stolen tips. Below-minimumwage pay. For many low-wage and immigrant workers, it’s not the exception — it’s the norm. And the impact is real. These are the workers who keep Long Island running. They build our homes, clean our schools, care for our aging parents. Yet too often they go home without the full pay they’re owed. In a region where even a modest apartment can cost over $2,000 a month, missing wages mean missed rent, skipped meals, or another job added to the list.
One of the most common forms of wage theft is misclassification. That’s when a worker is labeled an “independent contractor” when he or she is really an employee. It sounds like simple paperwork, but it isn’t.
It strips away basic protections — no overtime, no workers’ comp, no unemployment insurance. It’s also costly. The IRS estimates that 15 percent of employers misclassify workers, costing the government $1.6 billion a year. The Department of Labor has found that up to 30 percent of audited employers do it. This, coupled with rising inflation, is detrimental to the economic stability of Long Island.
oand teachers to serious harm. It’s not just about fair wages. It’s about the health and safety of our communities. Construction projects must be safe for both the workers and those who will be using the facilities. Cutting corners for these projects poses significant risks to many.
ff-theclock hours. Belowminimum-wage pay. Stolen tips. It’s all theft.
The practice is rampant in construction — an industry that is critical to Long Island’s growth. Some contractors cut corners. They pay under the table. Skip training. Ignore safety rules. They underbid responsible companies and walk away with the profits. Workers get shortchanged. Communities get shortchanged.
Worse, the risks go beyond paychecks. On school job sites, untrained workers handling hazardous materials — like asbestos — can expose students
Letters
people growing up in 2025.
More power to her pride in being a woman, her seeing the importance of literature for young women and her having the talent to bring attention to women’s stories that deserve to be told and heard.
JIM HAWkINS Baldwin
Why so much opposition to the president?
To the Editor:
Spreading propaganda is an evil tool used to create anger, hysteria, rage and jealousy among unthinking people. This method was successfully used in Nazi Germany in the 1930s. It encouraged book burning and k ristallnacht. It appears very similar to Tesla burning and mob protesting against Jewish students at Columbia University.
When children are young, they are taught to obey their parents, because they are the adults. In a mob mentality, people behave very similar to children, because they are also told what to do, and encouraged to engage in destructive, harmful, irrational behavior. When those who attack our American citizens are released and defended by judges, whose civil rights are violated? Can judges overrule the president of the United States?
We need strong leadership to prevent civil disobedience and violence, and more credit must be given to President Trump, who was given this arduous task by a clear majority. Why is there so much opposition?
PAT kING Merrick
The Senate should not confirm D’Esposito
To the Editor:
Just how much confidence can we have in a failed congressman, Anthony D’Esposito, whose brief tenure was marked by slavish obeisance to the grossly unqualified President Trump (before he returned to office), and who now, ironically, Trump has appointed inspector general for the Labor Department, which the administration is eviscerating, after Trump has dismissed independent inspectors-general in more than a dozen such agencies?
The answer is a resounding, Not a scintilla of trust!
More likely, like the multi-failed kari Lake in Arizona, who lost races for both governor and senator but became Trump’s nemesis of the hugely successful Voice of America, D’Esposito is keeping a political profile for a return run for
That’s where Project Labor Agreements come in. PLAs require contractors on public projects to meet clear standards, pay their workers fairly, train them properly and make job sites safe. PLAs help prevent wage theft. They also protect taxpayers by making sure the job is done right the first time. Studies have shown that PLAs also ensure projects’ cost-effectiveness.
Wage theft thrives when enforcement is weak. New York has laws on the books, but not enough investigators to enforce them. Contractors know this. Some count on it. Without proper enforcement, bad actors continue to exploit workers, undercut responsible businesses, and drain resources. We need stronger oversight. More accountability. This means increasing funding for labor investigators, strengthening penalties for violations,
and ensuring that state and local agencies coordinate efforts to hold offenders accountable. It also means empowering workers to report violations without fear of retaliation. And we should stop awarding public contracts to those who break the rules — no exceptions.
This isn’t just about workers. It’s about fairness. It’s about safety. It’s about protecting the people who make Long Island work — and making sure they can afford to live here, too.
When workers are shortchanged, entire communities suffer. Families struggle to pay rent, put food on the table and cover basic necessities. Local businesses lose customers as working people have less to spend. Taxpayers bear the burden when wage theft leads to increased reliance on social services. If we’re serious about addressing the affordability crisis, we can’t ignore the money being stolen in plain sight. Cracking down on wage theft isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s essential for building a stronger, fairer economy. By enforcing labor laws, holding bad actors accountable and ensuring fair pay, we can create a Long Island where workers thrive, businesses compete on a level playing field and communities prosper. The time to act is now.
Michaelle Soles represents the 22nd Assembly District.
elective office.
They, along with the current administration, belong not to a (Pete) Hegseth “meritocracy,” but together form the gang that couldn’t shoot straight: incompetent, ignorant, intol-
erant and dangerous to our liberal democratic republic. D’Esposito should be denied Senate confirmation.
ASHER MATATHIAS Woodmere
Framework by Tim Baker
At Culinary Delights at the Mansion — Glen Cove
miCHaeLLe soLaGes