Courtesy Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Hospital
Arlene Ramirez, head of nursing in the Emergency Department at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream hospital, with scissor, said the staff is excited about the renovated space and is undergoing rigorous, simulation-based training to implement a new evidence-based split-flow model that will deliver faster, safer care.
By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com
Years of incremental construction and quiet logistical maneuvers have the Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Hospital entering the final phase of a $31 million renovation to its emergency department.
The conceptual work at play is to move patients through the system faster, with fewer and greater clinical precision. The centerpiece of the overhaul is a redesigned emergency department lobby and a novel intake system known as split-flow.
While most emergency departments rely on triage nurses to prioritize patients before they wait—sometimes for hours—to see a doctor, Valley Stream’s new model flips the
process. Patients will now encounter a physician in the waiting room, who will direct care at the point of entry. In short: medical decisions begin immediately.
“People don’t come to the hospital to fill out paperwork. They come to see a doctor,” said Dr. Salvatore Pardo, Chair of Emergency Medicine at LIJ Valley Stream. “This model gets care started faster and, more importantly, gets the right patients to the right place without unnecessary delays.”
The new emergency room will serve a projected 55,000 patients annually—up from 44,000. The redesigned space doubles the department’s square footage, adds three dedicated intake rooms, and integrates directly with Valley Stream’s broader hospital infra-
By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com
Ahead of next Tuesday’s school board election, the Herald posed three key questions to candidates running in contested races across Valley Stream District 13. The questions focus on leadership stability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility—issues that have sparked intense community conversation in recent months.
The race for Vincent Caposio’s seat features candidates Anthony Bonelli and Cecil Mathew.
Q1: Recent administrative shifts—such as the sudden reassignment of Howell Road School’s principal after 24 years—have raised concerns about leadership continuity. With long-serving principals nearing or eventually approaching retirement, how would you work to retain and attract strong new leadership and ensure a smooth transition across schools?
Matthew: Strong schools start with strong leadership. Sudden changes understandably raise concerns, which is why I would advocate for a
more intentional approach to leadership development and succession planning. That includes mentoring emerging leaders, preserving institutional knowledge, and involving the community in meaningful ways. We should be proactive— developing leaders from within while also welcoming new voices that align with our district’s values. With guidance from the superintendent and current administrators, this kind of thoughtful, collaborative process can ensure smoother transitions, greater continuity, and ultimately stronger outcomes for students and staff alike.
Bonelli: With a strong, active, and responsible Board of Trustees, the negative impact of a principal or superintendent’s departure can be minimized. Unfortunately, Dr. LaRocca has gotten away with going against a significant number of parents and teachers in reassigning Mr. Huplosky to Wheeler Avenue School. It makes no managerial sense to remove a respected and dedicated principal from one school just to fill a gap in another. Howell now has to spend its resources getting a new principal up to speed.
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025 • 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
WOODMERE EDUCATION CENTER•ONE JOHNSON PLACE, WOODMERE, NY
The proposed 2025–2026 school budget maintains all of the programs and services valued most by our community while keeping the projected tax levy increase below the District’s allowable limit.
Transition to a nine-period day at Woodmere Middle School to better prepare students for high school and offer a broader range of subjects, electives, and exploratory courses.
The District is investing in our facilities in three ways: the annual transfer to capital and the utilization of existing funds from two of our established capital reserve accounts.
• HES Boiler Replacement
• HHS/WMS Storage Buildings
• FECC/HES/OES Playground Additions • HHS Tennis Court Lighting
• FECC Kitchen Equipment
PROPOSITION TWO
• WMS Baseball/Softball Field • FECC Bathroom Renovation
• WMS Security, Floor, and Interior Door Replacement
PROPOSITION THREE
• District-wide Security Upgrades (one-button lockdown, door replacements, communication upgrades)
• WMS Baseball/Softball Field Lighting
• WMS Tennis Court Lighting • District-wide Technology
WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT?
PROPOSITION ONE 2025–2026 School Budget $143,082,665
PROPOSITION TWO*
Authorization for use of $3,879,968 from Long-Range Building Improvement Fund
PROPOSITION THREE*
Authorization for use of $6,500,000 from Long-Range Building Improvement Fund #2
Applications for absentee/early mail ballots are available in the Office of the District Clerk, Woodmere Education Center. The forms may also be downloaded from the District Website at www.hewlett-woodmere.net
PROPOSITION FOUR 2025-2026 Library Budget
$6,955,218
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
New York lawmakers have approved a $254 billion state budget package for fiscal year 2026, carrying several provisions affecting Nassau University Medical Center, including a state “takeover” of the hospital system.
The newly approved Nassau Health Care Corporation board structure, passed on May 7 by the legislature, shifts control away from Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman to Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Democrats. The restructured board — overseeing NUMC in East Meadow and the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility in Uniondale — will include 11 members, with a majority appointed by the governor, who will also designate the chair. The county executive will lose approval authority over the corporation’s chief executive.
Appointments to the board could be made as early as June.
The corporation has long faced scrutiny and accusations of financial mismanagement, despite the hospital system serving all patients, including the uninsured and undocumented, regardless of their ability to pay for medical care.
But significant financial improvements were reported in 2024, with the hospital system ending the fiscal year with nearly $80 million in its cash reserves, up from $28 million in December 2023. Additional financial reports showed that revenue increased by $6.2 million in November 2024, while operating expenses were down by $1.7 million, compared with 2023.
What we are seeing now is a long-overdue intervention to protect patients and save the institution from those who failed it.
In late-April, the hospital’s current medical board strongly opposed the state’s plan before its approval last week, stating in a letter to Hochul and the state legislature, that the changes “strip the hospital of its autonomy and replace its leadership
GORDON TEppER
Long Island spokesman For Gov. Kathy Hochul
KEy chANGEs TO ThE Nhcc BOARD, EffEcTiVE JuNE 1, 2025: ThE BOARD WiLL iNcLuDE 11 mEmBERs.
Appointments:
·6 by the governor, including:
– 1 upon recommendation of the Assembly speaker
– 1 upon recommendation of the Senate temporary president
· 2 by the Nassau County executive
·2 by the majority of the Nassau County Legislature
·1 by the minority of the Nassau County Legislature
·The governor will designate the board chair
· The county executive will no longer have approval authority over the chief executive of the Nassau Health Care Corporation
with political appointees,” according to a news release.
Dr. Irina Gelman, the current chair of the NHCC board, also rejected the state’s decision in a statement shared with the Herald on May 7.
“The state’s hostile takeover of Nassau County’s only public safety-net hospital is unprecedented, immoral and dangerous,” she said. “This disparate targeting of only NHCC and none of the other public benefit corporations in New York state, is indicative of the moral turpitude of Albany using the employees, patients and most vulnerable of Nassau County’s residents as political cannon fodder. By continuing to put politics, any politics left, right or center, before the needs of the people that work and seek care at Nassau Health Care Corporation is deplorable.”
Gelman also brought up a December 2020 study by Alvarez & Marsal, a management-consulting firm, outlining various models the hospital system could implement “to address NHCC’s precarious financial condition.” One of those models proposed “a continuing but minimal inpatient medical/surgical footprint with the full suite of current inpatient behavioral health services.”
The assessment added that “a second collocated behavioral health hospital (Article 31) license would be needed to provide inpatient psychiatric beds at current levels.”
“Both the state’s overreach of power, as well as the proposed 19 story behavioral/ health facility in the middle of Nassau County must be of critical con-
gross negligence and abuses of power.
Additionally, the bill, which can be read on the state Senate’s website, calls for a study to look into “the modernization and revitalization of the Nassau Health Care Corporation.” It directs the NHCC to explore ways to strengthen NUMC and the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility.
The study would examine health care delivery trends, the hospital’s financial history and projections, infrastructure and capital needs, community health disparities, available inpatient and outpatient services, regional service capacity, operational efficiency and care quality, and student training and job placement outcomes. The study should be completed and provided to NIFA no later than Dec. 1, 2026.
“If NUMC’s outgoing leadership had put half as much effort into fiscal management and patient care as they’ve put into politics and propaganda, the hospital wouldn’t be in crisis,” Gordon Tepper, the Long Island spokesman for Hochul said in an email to the Herald.
cern to all Nassau County residents,” Gelman said, in reference to the proposed changes outlined in the 2020 study. “The notion that a state appointed board would have a higher rate of success in managing this critical care facility from Albany is a logical fallacy, given the abysmal record New York State has with their own SUNY hospital facilities.”
The legislation passed on May 7 also included provisions that allow the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, a public benefit corporation that assumed financial oversight of the hospital system in 2020, to impose additional control over NHCC. The hospital system filed litigation in December, accusing NIFA of
“Their focus has never been on fixing NUMC; it’s been on protecting their own interests. What we are seeing now is a long-overdue intervention to protect patients and save the institution from those who failed it.”
Assemblyman John Mikulin, a Republican who represents parts of East Meadow, said in an emailed statement he voted “no” on the state budget.
“Unfortunately, this year’s state budget of $254 billion did not deliver for New Yorkers,” he said. “There were several policy decisions included in the FY2025-26 Enacted Budget I could not support, chief among them was the state takeover of the Nassau University Medical Center. NUMC plays a vital role in the Nassau County community and should remain under local control, not Hochul control.”
Carmen “Sunny” Rodriguez passed away after a brief illness on May 2, 2025, at her home in Valley Stream, at the age of 85. Born August 25, 1939, in Havana Cuba she fled Cuba to the United States, with her family, when the island nation fell to communism. She proudly became a United States citizen later in life.
Sports were always an important part of Sunny’s life. Though she qualified for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics in Women’s swimming she was not able to compete due to her age, only 13! She continued to pursue her passion for tennis becoming the National Champion in Cuba in Women’s Singles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles in the late 1950’s.
Later, in the 1970’s, Sunny pursued a career in Real Estate in Queens. Upon moving to Valley Stream in 1977, she volunteered as an early member of the board for the Valley Stream Soccer Club and served as Head Coach for the Valley Stream Central High School Boy’s Tennis Team. Sunny also enjoyed playing soccer in Adult Women’s Soccer leagues.
Sunny is predeceased by her husband, Hector, brother, William, parents, Maria and William Veranes, and maternal grandparents, Adeana and Angel Jolias. Sunny is survived by her sons, William (Katie) of Alicante, Spain, Ed (Ellie) of DeWitt, New York, and grandchildren, Alexander (Kristen) of Denver, Colorado, and William of Brooklyn, New York.
Per the request of Sunny, there are no public services.
F&B AD 2022 New Size.qxp_Layout 1 3/16/22 5:43 PM Page 1
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
A week and half after 100 volunteers gathered outside Atlantic Beach Village Hall to search for Petros Krommidas, a Democratic candidate for the Nassau County Legislature from Baldwin, remains missing.
Krommidas has been missing since April 23 when he went for a triathlon-training swim, in Long Beach.
The May 3 search was organized by County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
“Petros’ dad reached out to Nassau County and said that he’d like to make another big push, so we did it on parallel tracks, one being if God willing he’s alive and the other was unfortunately if it tuned out to be tragic,” Blakeman said.
Leaflets were handed out to community members that asked for anyone who has information abut where he could be.
“We also did a search of the beach and the inlets, to make sure that the public knew we were still looking for Petros and also to make sure that we didn’t miss anything on the shoreline,” Blakeman added.
The search was comprised of first responders from Atlantic Beach Search and Rescue Squad, local fire departments, Fire Marshall’s office, Nassau County Police Department, Community Emergency Response Team, Office of Emergency Management, Long Beach Police Department.
Drones were also launched in an aerial search for Krommidas. They set up base at the Catalina Beach Club, in Atlantic Beach and traveled along the coast and nearby areas.
Dan Hamelburg, the Atlantic Beach Search and Rescue Squad chief, led the group and noted that the county’s OEM reached out for a drone and beach gator led the search.
“We’ve been doing that everyday since they requested us, for about a week now,” he said. “They go out for at least
an hour everyday and search the beaches. We’re really just trying to bring closure to the family, we don’t know what the situation is or where he is.”
Hamelburg said he knew the search was going to be big and reached out to other as well as asking other fire departments for assistance.
“There was an overwhelming response, a lot of people came pout and helped,” he said. “I’m glad we could help, I wish we were able to find someone or something or some clue. At the end of the day it’s a disappointment but it was nice to see everyone come out and help.”
Nat Etrog, an Atlantic Beach Fire Commissioner and a village trustee, said that the mission spanned the whole weekend and that people are still going out and searching everyday.
“The circumstances are very strange, for a tri-athlete to be training at 10:30 at night in cold water is unusual but anything is possible,” Etrog said.
The search has continued throughout the past week and weekend and will continue until authorized to stop.
“When you’re apart of the search it’s almost like a military operation, with PD present, ATVs, all of the volunteers, it was just a very large operation,” he said. “It takes on additional urgency, but I don’t think anyone is more vigilant than if it was a regular loss. When people go out on a search and rescue they’re doing everything in their power and talent to find people.”
• Pre-Arrangement Counseling
• Serving All Faiths
• Monuments
• Medicaid Approved Burial Trusts
• Funeral Directors available
24 hours a day
• Cremation Services
34 Hempstead Avenue (at Peninsula Blvd)
Lynbrook, New York 11563
516-599-3600 • fax 516-599-3602
email: info@flinchandbruns.com
www.flinchandbruns.com
Serving All of Valley Stream with Tradition, Commitment, and Integrity since 1932 Funeral Home, Inc. Est. 1932
John F. Ferrante • Michael J. Grant
Edward A. Bruns President Emeritus
■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/valleystream ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: vseditor@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 282 E-mail: vseditor@liherald.com
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249 E-mail: rglickman@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643
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Clarke Senior Lacrosse
IT’S BEEN AN IMPRESSIVE rise for Clarke’s girls’ lacrosse program since it endured a winless 2022 campaign, and Kesabian has been a major part of the turnaround. Last spring she helped lead the Rams to 10 wins, scoring 26 goals and earning All-Conference honors in the process. This season, both the third-year attack and the team continued to flourish. Kesabian finished with 39 goals and 13 assists, and Clarke won 12 of 15 games.
Thursday, May 15
Softball playoffs: First round at higher seed ...................TBA
Boys Lacrosse: Freeport at
Boys Lacrosse: Elmont at
G.N. South at V.S. Central ..........................5 p.m.
Friday, May 16
Boys Lacrosse: Garden City at Carey....................4:30 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Oceanside at Farmingdale................5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Plainedge at South Side ...................5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Massapequa at Syosset ...................5 p.m.
Saturday, May 17
Softball: Nassau quarterfinals at higher seed ................TBA
Monday, May 19
Softball: Nassau semifinals GM1 at higher seed ...........TBA
Tuesday, May 20
Softball: Nassau semifinals GM2 at lower seed.............TBA
Baseball: Nassau Class A quarterfinals GM 3................TBA
Baseball: Nassau Class B semifinals GM 2 ...................TBA
Baseball: Nassau Class AAA play-in games ...................TBA
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
By BRIAN KACHARABA sports@liherald.com
For the past five years, the Valley Stream Central baseball team has been in and out of the Nassau Countywide Conference, a developmental league that doesn’t have a playoff berth. The Eagles won it in 2021 and finished third there two years later, but that success has yet to carry into the upper leagues.
This season is arguably the team’s best-ever in the division as the Eagles sit 14-0-1 to move within a win of another title entering the final week of action. After going 0-18 in Conference AAA2 last year, the Eagles have steamrolled the competition this spring to the tune of 10 run-rule victories and an average margin of victory of just over nine runs.
Coach Tino Muscatelli is now hoping his latest stay in Countywide is his last for a while.
“We go into the Countywide league and we just crush every team, and then we come out and play very good competition,” he said. “We have more depth, we have a stronger cohort of younger kids coming up, so our goal is to come out this year and stay out of the Countywide.”
Central’s only blemish came on April 4, when it allowed two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning for an 8-8 tie at Great Neck North. The Eagles have won 12 straight since, including last week’s two-game sweep of Uniondale by a combined score of 17-1 and a soggy 14-4 against third-place Westbury that was highlighted by junior Justin Camacaro’s grand slam.
“Our depth is really what separated us, the back end of the lineup,” Muscatelli said of the stretch.
The Eagles close the season with a home-and-home set against Great Neck South.
Central has been getting plenty of contributions from an offense that is averaging just over 12 runs a game and a pitching staff that has yielded just under three a contest, including one shutout and a stretch of allowing just
Senior Justin Owolabi is raking at the plate for the red-hot Eagles with a .535 batting average and six homers.
one run in four straight games in midApril.
The top four batters in the order are all batting over .500, including seniors Justin Owolabi (.535) and Zion Phillips (.528), sophomore Jaiya Vera (.571), and junior Jayden Garcia (.531), who has bounced back from a slow start. Senior Adam Norton is topping them all at a .583 clip from the seventh spot.
Leadoff hitter Owolabi has five home runs in his last six games to up his season total to six and also leads the team with 25 RBIs and 26 runs scored.
“He’s leading the group for us,” Muscatelli said. “Very aggressive at the plate and if he sees a first-pitch fastball, he doesn’t hesitate to swing at it. It’s been very successful for him.”
Senior Xavier Mason is 5-0 on the mound and Phillips and sophomore Julian Vera have three wins apiece, with the latter allowing just three earned runs and five hits with 36 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings for a 1.15 ERA.
Junior Elijah Castillo is a strong defensive catcher who is also batting .387 with a homer.
Leadership continuity is undermined when productive leaders are removed without cause. On my website, I explain strategies to maintain leadership and why employee morale is crucial. What message does it send when a principal with over 25 years of service is abruptly moved? Should teachers nearing retirement worry the same will happen to them?
Q2: Community members have voiced frustration over a lack of timely and clear communication regarding major announcements and incidents. What concrete steps would you take to improve realtime communication and transparency between the district, schools, and families?
Matthew: With my background in leadership and organizational management, I see clear opportunities to improve how we communicate as a district. While I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, we can still grow—starting with building stronger trust and partnership among students, families, educators, and administrators. That means exploring innovative communication tools, ensuring everyone knows how to access and use what’s already in place, and creating more opportunities for real dialogue. Whether through town halls, feedback sessions, or community forums, we need spaces where people feel heard and engaged. Good communi-
cation isn’t just about sending messages—it’s about building relationships.
Bonelli: When a Board of Trustees is ineffective, the superintendent is free to act unilaterally. Despite a petition with over 700 signatures opposing the principal’s removal, including mine, Dr. LaRocca ignored it. As a former trustee, I alerted her to unsafe conditions at Dever School as early as January 16, 2024. Communication exists, but if the Board doesn’t hold the administration accountable, transparency suffers. I’ve documented all of this on my website. I also proposed a bus plan that could save millions, but despite a promise, no costbenefit analysis was done. I filed for the report in February—nothing. That’s not just a failure of communication; it’s a failure of duty.
Q3: The proposed 2025–2026 school budget includes a 2.12 percent tax increase, raising concerns among residents already strained by inflation. How would you balance the need for high-quality education with the importance of keeping the tax burden manageable?
Matthew: We have a responsibility to deliver a top-tier education while being thoughtful stewards of public resources. That means prioritizing what matters most—strong academics, safe and inspiring learning environments, student wellness, and retaining great teachers. As I continue to study the proposed budget, I’m asking key questions:
Are we fully utilizing available state and federal aid? Can we expand shared services or seek new grants and partnerships? Does each investment have a direct impact on students or educator development? My experience in executive leadership has taught me to lead with both vision and accountability, always centering our students and families in every decision.
Bonelli: For years, I believe the administration has intentionally over budgeted and overtaxed District 13 families—as well as those in Districts 24, 30,
and the Central High School District. They distract voters by focusing on the tax levy, but the real issue is spending. District 13’s budget has increased 49 percent in the last eight years; the Central High School District’s has risen 76 percent in seven years. These are outrageous numbers. I urge families to vote No on the budgets. If the budget fails, it goes to a contingency plan—spending still increases, but at a slower rate. Under state law, academic programs cannot be cut under a contingency budget.
Corner of Merrick Road & Arlington Avenue Valley Stream, New York
Friday, May 16th, 2025, 1pm
By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
Second story in a series on the Southern State Parkway.
Ana Marte, 67, said that a fatal car accident on the Southern State Parkway in January changed her life.
Her grandson Anthonie Marte, 23, was severely injured in a one-car crash shortly after 11 p.m. on Jan. 12, in the eastbound lanes not far from Exit 30, near Farmingdale and Massapequa, according to the New York State Police.
Investigators said that the car in which Marte was a passenger, a black 2016 Dodge Dart, was traveling at a high rate of speed and weaving between lanes before the driver lost control and crashed into a tree.
Two rear-seat passengers, ages 23 and 21, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Jaden Dsouza, 19, of College Point, Queens, and Marte, of East Elmhurst, Queens, who was in the front passenger seat, were both extricated from the vehicle and transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition.
Marte’s grandmother said he suffered major head injuries, and she still takes care of him daily, feeding him and giving him pain medicine. He is slowly recovering, with doctors’ appointments and physical therapy. “He’s like a baby again,” she said. “He doesn’t want to go outside because he’s scared, and all he does is sleep.”
Marte does not remember the accident, his grandmother said.
Dsouza was later charged with one count of driving while ability impaired by drugs, second-degree manslaughter, first-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree assault and aggravated vehicular homicide, police said.
Crash data from the New York State Police shows a fluctuating, but persistent, pattern of accidents on the Southern State Parkway over the past six years, with the number of fatal crashes in a year reaching as high as six.
Crashes resulting in serious personal injury in Nassau have remained relatively low throughout the period, with no more than two reported in any given year.
While most incidents are non-fatal, serious crashes often involve an added risk: intoxication. Speed and distraction remain consistent contributing factors, but impairment by drugs or alcohol increases the potential for deadly outcomes.
“It’s on the driver for the most part,” State Police Capt. Mike Rhodes said. “If they’re inattentive, if they’re speeding, if they’re not following the vehicle and traffic law, they do not understand the severity of what could happen.”
Rhodes oversees 56 state troopers and eight sergeants, many of whom patrol the 25.3-mile long Southern State. Most accidents, he said, occur during peak congestion, at around 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Crash data from the state police show a fluctuating but persistent pattern of accidents on the parkway over the past six years, with fatal crashes increasing in 2024.
In 2019, there were 3,127 crashes on the Nassau County stretch of the parkway, including six fatalities. That number dropped to 2,331 in 2020, but rose again in subsequent years, reaching 2,716 in 2022 and 2,725 in 2023. In 2024, state police recorded 2,549 crashes and five fatalities. Thus far this year, there have been 328 crashes and one fatality.
“A lot of these things, they hit every single age category,” Rhodes said.
To combat the persistent problem, state police focus on enforcement and outreach. Not every traffic stop results in a citation; many serve as opportunities for education.
Personal injury attorney Stephen Cohen said that in his more than five decades of handling lawsuits, most of those that involve accidents on the Southern State involve intoxicated drivers.
Cohen, a partner at the law firm Cohen and Jaffe, in New Hyde Park, said that speed, intoxication and reckless driving continue to be the common factors in the region’s most serious accidents.
“I don’t believe road design is an issue at all,” Cohen said. “Posting more signs to slow down isn’t an answer, because when somebody is either speeding or just intoxicated, they don’t really care what the sign says.”
Many collisions during rush hour, he explained, stem from traffic congestion and insufficient braking distance. “People are gliding along, and they hit a certain spot, and all of a sudden they weren’t prepared, because they’re going 70 miles an hour,” Cohen said. “So you
see a lot of rear-end collisions, not necessarily death-related.”
Fatal crashes, he noted, often involve younger drivers, high speeds and intoxication or impairment.
“You don’t see fatalities at 11 o’clock in the morning,” Cohen said. “You just don’t. You may see them at 4 in the morning. When your ability to observe is not sharp because of either impairment or intoxication, the car is going to go airborne. And if there happens to be a tree there, that’s the next thing you’re going to hit.”
In his practice, Cohen said, the firm represents victims or passengers, but not intoxicated drivers.
Under state law, he noted, lawsuits require plaintiffs to meet the “serious injury” threshold defined in insurance law. In cases involving fatalities, death, families must petition a Surrogate’s Court to appoint a representative for the estate before filing a lawsuit. That process can take over a year, he said.
Insurance coverage limits often dictate how quickly a case can be resolved. “If somebody has — let’s say, the responsible party — has a $100,000 policy, that case is going to be over in two seconds,” Cohen said.
Efforts to reform wrongful death laws in New York have repeatedly stalled, despite advocacy from legal organizations.
Despite changes in laws and vehicle technology over the years, Cohen said, the root problems remain unchanged.
“It only seems to get worse because cars are faster than they were 20, 30 years ago,” he said. “There’s more people drinking or doing some sort of drugs. And that’s what you see in all horrific accidents.”
Additional reporting by Mohammad Rafiq.
2019 – Total: 3,987
(3,127 Nassau, 860 Suffolk)
Serious personal injury: 2 (Nassau)
Fatal: 8 (6 Nassau, 2 Suffolk)
2020 – Total: 2,977
(2,331 Nassau, 646 Suffolk)
Serious personal injury: 3 (2 Nassau, 1 Suffolk)
Fatal: 9 (6 Nassau, 3 Suffolk)
2021 – Total: 3,566
(2,782 Nassau, 784 Suffolk)
Serious personal injury: 1 (Nassau)
Fatal: 9 (6 Nassau, 3 Suffolk)
2022 – Total: 3,552
(2,716 Nassau, 836 Suffolk)
Serious personal injury:
5 (1 Nassau, 4 Suffolk)
Fatal: 13 (5 Nassau, 8 Suffolk)
2023 – Total: 3,500 (2,725-Nassau, 775-Suffolk)
Serious personal injury: 1 (Nassau)
Fatal: 6 (3 Nassau, 3 Suffolk)
2024 – Total: 3,405 (2,549 Nassau, 856 Suffolk)
Serious personal injury:
2 (1 Nassau, 1 Suffolk)
Fatal: 15 (5 Nassau, 10 Suffolk)
2025* – Total: 426 (328 Nassau, 98 Suffolk)
Serious personal injury: 0
Fatal: 3 (1 Nassau, 2 Suffolk)
* To date
structure. Though it remains physically constrained by its urban footprint, the hospital has navigated the challenge by constructing in phases, without disrupting daily operations.
Some upgrades—such as a CT scanner installed in 2020 and new X-ray suites added in 2022—are already in use. But the forthcoming opening of the lobby marks the project’s most publicfacing transformation. Pardo emphasized that the full integration of splitflow—rebranded internally as “Super Track”—will define the new patient experience. “It’s not just architecture,” he noted. “It’s operational redesign.”
The approach is not entirely untested. Northwell Health, the hospital’s parent system, has piloted similar models in other facilities. But Valley Stream’s build is the first in Nassau County constructed specifically with this intake strategy in mind.
Beyond triage, the new design includes three isolation rooms—crucial for infectious disease containment—and a dedicated ambulance triage area, slated for completion by 2026. These features, while less visible, are essential in a post-Covid healthcare environment where adaptability and containment remain core concerns.
Dr. Pardo is quick to remind that Valley Stream is not a tertiary-care center, but a community hospital. It treats a broad swath of ailments—from fractures to heart attacks—with one common denominator: urgency. “Our patients are sick. They need timely care. This redesign is about meeting that need more intelligently.”
But implementation demands more than good intentions. It requires retraining staff across all levels of care; a challenge Ramirez has taken seriously.
“We’ve mandated simulation-based
training for all emergency department personnel—from nurses and techs to even non-clinical staff,” she said. “We’ve partnered with local high schools to act as simulated patients. This isn’t a drill— it’s real prep.”
Roughly 60 percent of the department’s 125-person staff has already completed training, with additional sessions underway. The inclusion of licensed practical nurses — a new feature under this model — is aimed at maximizing the efficiency of registered nurses, who will be freed to focus on more acute cases.
The changes are not only structural and procedural but also environmental.
“This isn’t just a new coat of paint,” said Ramirez. “We’re talking about a completely new infrastructure—air quality, piping, ventilation—all of it rebuilt.”
The aged bones of the building necessitated a phased approach to avoid shutting down services entirely. Combined with pandemic slowdowns and surprise setbacks revealed behind demolition walls, the multi-year effort often felt Sisyphean. Yet Ramirez is quick to note that the result justifies the grind.
For a facility that once contended with overcapacity and understaffed triage, the improvements are long overdue. “We’ve seen an increase in both volume and complexity—more strokes, more sepsis, more pediatric cases,” said Ramirez. Much of the patient load now comes from Southeast Queens—working-class families who often arrive in crisis.
“The emergency department is often the first point of contact with our patients and we have designed this space to ensure that every individual who walks through these doors receives the highest level of care, compassion, and urgency they deserve,” said Jason Tan, RN, president of Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Hospital. “This $31.3 million project has transformed our emergency
services with cutting-edge technology, increased capacity and put a focus on patient experience.
The work, now nearing completion, reflects a broader shift in emergency medicine: toward faster decision-mak-
ing, more flexible infrastructure, and an unapologetic focus on operational efficiency. In a field where time is often the most valuable commodity, Valley Stream is betting that speed, not size, is what counts.
Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac appeared from 1732 to 1758. Amongst other information, it provided pithy sayings and proverbs, many of which have withstood the test of time.
“An empty bag cannot stand upright.”
“Anger is never without a reason, but seldom a good one.”
“Anoint a villain and he’ll stab you: stab him and he’ll anoint you.”
“An old young man will be a young old man.”
“Don’t think to hunt two hares with one dog.”
“Eat few suppers and you’ll need few medicines.”
“Great almsgiving, lessens no man’s living.”
“Happy’s the wooing that’s not long a doing.”
“He that lies down with dogs, shall rise up with fleas.”
“If your riches are yours, why don’t you take them with you to the other world.”
“Lost time is never found again.”
“The noblest question in the world is, what good may I do in it?”
“They who have nothing to trouble them, will be troubled at nothing.”
“The sleeping fox catches no poultry.”
“The tongue is ever turning to the aching tooth.”
By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com
District 24 residents can vote for either Jennifer Marlborough or Annette Matthew for Board of Education trustee. Incumbents Markus Wilson and John Maier are running unopposed. Voting is on May 20
The Herald asked Marlborough and Matthew three questions, focusing on long-term facility modernization, expanding inclusive support for diverse learners and improving the quality and safety of school meals.
Q: How will you ensure that the district’s investment in innovative classroom redesigns — including advanced technology and flexible learning layouts — truly enhances student learning and doesn’t become obsolete or underused over time?
Marlborough: I’ll tackle innovative redesigns through collaboration and community engagement while being mindful of costs to mitigate tax increases. I will work with BOE members to create a Facilities Task Force, which would include a diverse group of stakeholders such as educators, parents, and residents. Before embarking on the redesigns, we must determine our goals, using them as our guide; all redesigns should support active learning, collaboration, differentiated instruction, and digital literacy. Through surveys and roundtables, we need to ensure that teachers’ and students’ needs shape the redesigns, incorporating scalable technology and modular furniture that align with educational goals. Moreover, we should use student engagement data to refine plans. To prevent obsolescence, all changes must be driven by instructional goals rather than trends, and the technology must be durable and upgradeable. We must also consider how the rooms will be used and ensure that they are adaptable and universal enough so that they can be modified with the changing needs of our students, without additional costs. To mitigate tax increases, we should seek grants, state funding, and local business partnerships to support projects and choose energy-efficient materials to lower long-term expenses.
this issue really hits home for me. Making sure our kids have access to modern classrooms and technology is something I care deeply about — it’s one of the main reasons I’m running. One of my top priorities is digital literacy, which means helping students learn how to think critically and use technology in smart, safe, and meaningful ways — a skill that’s more important than ever with AI becoming part of everyday life. To support that, we need up-to-date tools and flexible learning spaces that actually work for students and teachers.
I’ve been a strong advocate for this because of my own experience, and I’m proud that District 24 has already started moving in this direction. At Brooklyn Avenue, the district has begun rolling out modern, collaborative classroom setups in a few rooms — it’s a great start. But keeping things current takes more than just a one-time investment. We need a plan to regularly review what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to be upgraded. As a board member, I’d push for regular school visits and even a committee that checks in yearly to make sure our investments are really helping kids learn. We can also be creative by partnering with companies that upgrade their tech frequently — many are happy to donate gently used equipment instead of tossing it. It’s
Q: With a growing population of English Language Learners and students requiring special education services, how would you ensure all students receive equitable support and the district retains qualified staff?
Marlborough: I champion equitable support for diverse learners, including English Language Learners (ELLs) and students with special education needs, while retaining top talent. Collaborating with the BOE, Office of Pupil Services, and the Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA), I’ll form an Inclusion Task Force to assess what’s needed to provide equitable support to these students. Using that data, we would work to provide resources, such as bilingual aides and tailored curricula. SEPTA’s insights will guide family engagement and staff training, fostering inclusive classrooms. To attract and retain qualified
staff without raising taxes, I’ll advocate for competitive salaries, a supportive work environment, and professional development. Partnering with Districts 13, 30 and VSCHSD, we would offer workshops on differentiated instruction and special education and ELL innovations and strategies, enhancing teacher skills cost-effectively. Grant-funded after-school and summer school programs (like extended year) can close learning gaps for ELLs and special education students, ensuring that they retain their skills.
Community input via surveys and SEPTA collaboration will ensure transparency and trust. Mental health resources will further support equity. By prioritizing collaboration, fiscal responsibility, and innovative programs, I’ll ensure District 24 delivers inclusive education, empowers diverse learners, and retains exceptional educators, while mitigating tax increases.
Matthew: With a growing population of English Language Learners and students requiring special education services, how would you ensure all students receive equitable support and the district retains qualified staff? When it comes to English Language Learners, I believe our district has done a solid job helping students reach the right language level, pass the necessary exams, and transition into general education classes. I personally know a few of our ELL teachers — they’re incredibly dedicated and truly exceptional at what they do.
On the Special Education side, the district has been working to bring more of these services back into our own schools rather than outsourcing them. This not only saves money but also allows students to grow up alongside their neighbors, in their own communities. I think this is a great step forward. The district is moving in the right direction, and with a little patience, we’ll start seeing the full impact of these efforts.
To make sure we retain highquality staff, we have to invest in them — that means better training, competitive pay, and real support, especially for those working with students who have additional learning needs. These are incredibly demanding roles, and we need to recognize the value of that work.
Finally, I’d love to see us revisit
our hiring process. We should be casting a wider net when looking for talent and making the process more collaborative — including input from families who rely on ELL and special education services. After all, they know best what their children need.
Q: What steps would you take to improve the overall quality, nutritional value, and safety of school lunches and how would you ensure that students receive healthy, appealing meals every day?
Marlborough: This has long been a concern in the district. Access to nutritious, satisfying meals is vital for children’s success and well-being. VS24 currently provides free meals to all students through the Community Eligibility Provision, and the recent New York State Budget provides funds for all districts to provide free meals starting September 2025. Students and parents agree that the current offerings are unsatisfactory and unappetizing.
In fact, many children throw out the provided lunch. What is the point of a free lunch if the students won’t eat it? When asked, the Superintendent informed parents that the district is currently required to contract with the food vendor with the lowest bid. A further complication is that our schools do not have full kitchens. We need to be creative and collaborate with district leaders to refine the bidding process and select vendors who provide highquality meals at competitive prices, and secure grants to fund them. To celebrate diversity in our schools, we should partner with local businesses and leaders to donate affordable cultural dishes a few times a year to
enrich students’ experiences. By optimizing bidding, leveraging grants, and utilizing local partnerships, I will work collaboratively to deliver delicious and nutritious meals.
Matthew: Improving school lunches are something parents bring up every year — and for good reason. One of the biggest challenges we face in District 24 is that many of our schools don’t have full kitchens/ovens to cook fresh food. That means we rely heavily on pre-cooked, frozen meals that are simply reheated on-site. While the meals meet basic nutritional standards, the quality and taste can sometimes fall short — and let’s be honest, if the food doesn’t taste good, the kids won’t eat it.
That said, I do think the district has made efforts to offer variety and meet the needs of our diverse community — with options like vegetarian lunches for vegan, halal, and kosher students. That’s a strong foundation to build on. We’ve also done food tastings with students in the past, which I think is a great idea.
I’d love to bring that back across all three school buildings so we can really hear from the kids about what they like — and what they don’t. From there, we can work with our current vendor to stick with the favorites that students actually enjoy.
Longer term, we should take a close look at whether we’re getting the best bang for our buck. That might mean revisiting our food vendors, revisiting the bidding process, and exploring new alternatives that provide both better taste and better nutrition — all while keeping student safety and dietary needs front and center.
Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages joined New York State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages and the Haitian American Family of Long Island, Inc. to celebrate Haitian Heritage Month at the Valley Stream VFW.
The event, held on May 9 shortly before Haitian Flag Day on May 18, featured a vibrant evening of fine art, dancing and cultural presentations. The gathering highlighted the contributions of Haitian Americans and celebrated Haitian culture and history.
A special sense of pride filled the room in light of Pope Leo XIV’s recent ascension, whose Haitian heritage was recognized as a moment of joy and significance for the community.
Legislator Solages, the first Haitian American elected to the Nassau County Legislature in 2012, emphasized the Haitian American community’s importance in the region’s broader cultural fabric.
“Haitian Americans are a vital thread that strengthens the rich cultural tapestries found here in Nassau County and all across America,” Solages said. “Let this celebration of our heritage renew our commitment across the diaspora to supporting the people of our beloved homeland in the fight to restore peace and prosperity to the Caribbean’s first independent republic.”
The celebration brought together community members and leaders in a spirited
recognition of Haitian contributions to American society and the ongoing legacy of the Caribbean’s first independent republic.
Haitian Heritage Month is a monthlong celebration observed in May to honor the rich culture, history and contributions of the Haitian people, particularly in the United States. It was first celebrated in Boston in the late 1990s and has since spread to communities across the country.
Haitian Flag Day traces its origins to May 18, 1803, during the Congress of Arcahaie, a pivotal meeting of Haitian revolutionaries fighting for independence from French colonial rule. It was at this congress that leaders, including JeanJacques Dessalines, agreed to remove the white stripe from the French tricolor flag, symbolically rejecting French authority. They stitched together a new flag using the remaining blue and red bands, representing unity between Haiti’s Black African and mixed-race citizens.
This flag became a powerful emblem of the revolution and the fight for freedom, eventually leading to Haiti’s declaration of independence on Jan. 1, 1804. Haitian Flag Day has since become a national holiday in Haiti and a central celebration for Haitians around the world, honoring the country’s revolutionary legacy and cultural identity.
—
Angelina Zingariello
jenniferforvs24.wixsite.com/home
Saturday, June 7, 2025 10 a.m.
At Hofstra University, graduate students grow the seeds to advance in their career. Hear from representatives across 200 programs that include business, communications, education, engineering, health sciences, nursing, and psychology, and learn all the ways your success can sprout at Hofstra University. Your future awaits.
For event details and to RSVP, visit hofstra.edu/visit
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
What’s the best-tasting tap water on Long Island?
That was the question posed to students at Farmingdale State College during the Long Island Water Conference’s 37th annual drinking water tasting contest, held during National Drinking Water Week.
The conference, also known as LIWC, is made up of members of public and private water suppliers across Long Island. According to LIWC Commissioner Robert McEvoy, the event has taken place at the Farmingdale campus for the past four years, sparking student interest in water quality.
“It draws in a lot of the students,” McEvoy said. “They’re interested in where the water comes from, and if there’s any variance in taste. We also try to promote tap water as being the most regulated and tested, even more so than bottled water.”
The finals, held on May 7, featured 16 Long Island water providers competing for the title of best-tasting drinking water in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Students, faculty and staff on campus participated in a blind taste test, sam
Charles Shaw/Herald
Oyster Bay Water District Secretary Michael Rich, second from right, and Treasurer Nick Niznik offered samples to students during the Long Island Water Conference’s annual water tasting event at Farmingdale State College.
the Greenlawn Water District took the top spot in Suffolk. Both districts will advance to the New York State Regional Metro Tap Water Taste Contest in New York City in August, where they will compete for a spot in the statewide competition held later that month at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse.
LIWC representatives at the event also took the opportunity to educate attendees about the water supplied to their
and the chairman of the Oyster Bay Water District, said that frequent testing is conducted by the state Department of Health to ensure the water’s quality.
“It’s safe, it’s highly regulated and it’s extremely affordable,” McEvoy said. “It’s something that should be utilized by the public, and it’s a far greater value than bottled water.”
Michael Rich, a commissioner and the secretary of the Oyster Bay district, has
nity and have everyone get involved with local water,” Rich said.
He noted that most people aren’t aware of where their water comes from. On Long Island, drinking water comes from an aquifer system, a naturally formed underground storage area.
In an aquifer system, unwanted chemicals are capable of seeping into the water supply. The LIWC urges residents to dispose of hazardous household waste properly at designated town drop-off sites and never pour it down drains, into storm sewers or on the ground.
“Anything that we put on the ground will ultimately find its way into the aquifer,” Rich stated.
Lawn irrigation, he said, accounts for much of Long Island’s water use. He urged residents to follow odd/even watering schedules, watering on days that match their house numbers. He also highlighted the importance of leak detection, noting that undetected leaks can waste hundreds of thousands of gallons each month, making it vital for both residents and water providers to monitor and address them.
Rich added that it doesn’t take much water to maintain a healthy lawn.
“You don’t have to water your lawn for a half-hour a day,” Rich said. “You’ll get the same results 15 minutes a day, so we
For more information on the local
Focusing
Some people think that only people with mental illnesses have to pay attention to their mental health.
But the truth is that your emotions, thoughts and attitudes affect your energy, productivity and overall health. Good mental health strengthens your ability to cope with everyday hassles and more serious crises and challenges. Good mental health is essential to creating the life you want.
It’s always important to take stock of your mental well-being and its connection to overall health. Just as you brush your teeth or get a flu shot or other immunization, you can take steps to promote your mental health. A great way to start is by learning to deal with stress.
How stress hurts
Stress can eat away at your well-being, like acid eating away at your stomach. Actually, stress can contribute to stomach pains and lots of other problems, like headaches, insomnia, overeating, back pain, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, irritability, vulnerability to infection, and poorer brain functioning.
Stress also can lead to serious mental health problems, like depression and anxiety disorders. If you think you have such a problem, get help. Of course you can’t magically zap all sources of stress. But you can learn to deal with them in a way that promotes the well-being you want — and deserve. You can figure out ways to cope better with whatever comes your way. And decades of research suggest which steps are most likely to work.
The evidence
The concrete steps mental health professionals suggest are not based on guesses, fads or advice from grandma (though she probably got a lot right). They represent hundreds of research studies with thousands of participants, often conducted over decades and backed by major universities or government agencies.
This research shows that how good you feel is to a fairly large extent up to you. No matter how stressful your situation, you can take steps to promote your well-being.
In order to maintain and strengthen your mental and emotional health, it’s important to pay attention to your own needs and feelings. Don’t let stress and negative emotions build up. Try to maintain a balance between your daily responsibilities and the things you enjoy. If you take care of yourself, you’ll be better prepared to deal with challenges if and when they arise.
Taking care of yourself includes pursuing activities that naturally release endorphins and contribute to feeling good. In addition to physical exercise, endorphins are also naturally released when we:
Do things that positively impact others. Being useful to others and being valued for what you do can help build self-esteem.
Practice self-discipline. Self-control naturally leads to a sense of hopefulness and can help you overcome despair, helplessness, and other negative thoughts.
Appeal to your senses. Stay calm and energized by appealing to the five senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. Listen to music that lifts your mood, place flowers where you will see and smell them, massage your hands and feet, or sip a warm drink.
Engage in meaningful, creative work. Do things that challenge your creativity and make you feel productive, whether or not you get paid for it — things like gardening, drawing, writing, playing an instrument, or building something. Make time for contemplation and appreciation. Think about the things you’re grateful for. Meditate, pray, enjoy the sunset, or simply take a moment to pay attention to what is good, positive, and beautiful as you go about your day.
Limit unhealthy habits like worrying. Try to avoid becoming absorbed by repetitive mental habits — negative thoughts about yourself and the world that suck up time, drain your energy, and trigger feelings of anxiety, fear, and depression.
Sometimes it all seems too much to handle
Keep your ‘thought life’ healthy and your stress level low
Life gives people plenty of reasons to be stressed.
Relationship problems, child-rearing issues, job woes and a lack of money are just some of life’s complications that can weigh people down — and cause health problems.
In today’s society, stress and change often are thought of as the same thing. Stress is a physiological and psychological response to a change in a situation the body and mind find to be overwhelming.
With the fast pace of work and home, being constantly inundated with technology and still wanting to have time to connect with those around you, life can feel overwhelming and stressful at times.
“It’s difficult to stay healthy and energized when stress is a daily reality,” says Dr. Greg Wells. “Chronic stress can damage your body, threaten your mental health, put a strain on relationships, and take the joy out of life.”
But there’s no reason to surrender to stress, Wells, author of “The Ripple Effect: Eat, Sleep, Move and Think Better,“ says. He suggests some techniques that can help you have a healthier “thought life” and recover from chronic stress.
Move your body. Rhythmic, repeated motion is particularly soothing to the mind and body. A long walk, cycling, swimming, or running will all work, but any kind of movement relieves tension, improves circulation and clears your mind.
Get into nature. Head to the garden or the park to lower your blood pressure, strengthen your immune system, reduce tension and depression, and boost your mood. “It’s stunning how good it is for your health to be in nature,” Wells says. “And I recommend you leave the cell phone and earbuds at home.”
Practice yoga or Tai Chi. Therapy, yoga and Tai Chi are good ways to decrease stress and anxiety, increase energy and boost the immune system. They also give you more staminaand improve the quality of your sleep. Have perspective. Don’t be so quick to conclude that you “can’t handle” a stressful situation. “This is truly a mind-over-matter opportunity,” Wells says. “Believing that you are strong and resourceful actually makes you stronger and more resourceful.”
Change the nature of your response. Research indicates that taking an active, problem-solving approach to life’s challenges relieves stress and can transform it into something positive. If you withdraw, deny the problem, or spend all your time venting, you’ll feel helpless. Instead, be determined to make a change, put effort into it, and plan for better results. Practice slow, deep breathing. Start applying the power of deep breathing each day. It will make a huge difference. Wells recommends you start small by taking three deep breaths each time you sit down at your desk — in the morning, after breaks, after lunch and so on. It will help you become more patient,
Block time for single-tasking. Each day, schedule time in your calendar for focusing exclusively on one task. This task should be something that is important to you. “People love to talk about multi-tasking, but while doing several things at once might make it seem as if you are working hard, it’s an illusion,” Wells says. Your body and mind are not designed to work that way and it causes extra stress.
“Ultimately, it’s important to remember that your thoughts have a strong influence over stress levels,” Wells says. “What you choose to think about, or not think about, dictates how your body and mind react to everyday life.”
Photo: Stressful experiences are a normal part of life, and the stress response is a survival mechanism that primes us to respond to threats. Some stress can be considered positive; but when a stressor is negative and can’t be fought off or avoided — such as layoffs at work or a loved one’s medical crisis — or when the experience of stress becomes chronic, our biological responses to stress can impair our physical and mental health.
Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation proudly hosted the 2025 Medal Day for the New York Police Departments 105th Precinct.
At the ceremony, which was held in Parker’s spacious auditorium, NYPD officials recognized officers who exemplified extraordinary merit and excellence in their police duties. In attendance were community leaders and supporters, as well as family members who had gathered to show their appreciation.
Michael N. Rosenblut, Parker’s president and CEO, accepted an NYPD award on behalf of Parker. The award recognized Parker’s dedication to the 105th Precinct and Parker’s continued commitment to community partnership with local first responders.
“We were honored to host NYPD’s 105th Precinct Award Ceremony and show our support to New York’s Finest,” Mr. Rosenblut said. “These highly skilled, empathetic officers help ensure the safety
of the Parker Jewish Institute community each and every day.”
About The Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation
The Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation is headquartered in
New Hyde Park, New York. The facility is a leading provider of Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care. At the forefront of innovation in patient-centered health care and technology, the Institute is a leader in teaching and geriatric research.
Parker Jewish Institute features its own
Parker Jewish Institute • (718) 289-2212
Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.
medical team, and is nationally renowned as a skilled nursing facility, as well as a provider of community-based health care, encompassing Home Health Care, Medical House Calls, Palliative Care and Hospice. Parker Jewish Institute is also home to Queens-Long Island Renal Institute (QLIRI) — providing patients with safe, comfortable Hemodialysis treatments in a relaxed setting — as well as PRINE Health — a Vascular Center offering advanced vascular services. The Center and QLIRI further Parker’s ability to expand access to essential health-care services to adults in the greater New York metropolitan area. For more information, visit parkerinstitute. org or call (877) 727-5373.
In a recent Mount Sinai South Nassau “Truth in Medicine” public health poll, 51 percent of metro area residents said they would consider drinking less as a result of the advisory by former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, linking alcohol use to certain types of cancer.
According to the Surgeon General’s advisory, alcohol consumption contributes to nearly 100,000 cancer cases and about 20,000 cancer deaths each year in the United States. Studies show alcohol use increases the risk for breast, colorectal, liver, and esophageal cancer, as well as cancers of the mouth, throat, and voice box.
The poll, sponsored by Four Leaf Federal Credit Union, has sparked a debate over the benefits of reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption, highlighting the tough road ahead for public health experts trying to shift behaviors. Although 58 percent of respondents agree that alcohol can lead to overeating and smoking, fewer than half—46 percent—said they believe it increases the risks of cancer. Meanwhile, 58 percent believe there is a safe level of alcohol that can be consumed without raising one’s risk of cancer.
“Alcohol is a carcinogen, so the more alcohol a person drinks — particularly over time — the greater their risk of developing an alcohol-associated cancer,” said Adhi Sharma, MD, President of Mount Sinai South Nassau. “It would be prudent to add the cancer risk to the warning label, which could have a dual effect of reducing alcohol-related accidents as well as a range of serious health complications, such as liver and heart disease, stroke, depression, and brain damage.”
Studies show that alcohol may increase cancer risk by disrupting cell cycles, triggering chronic inflammation, damaging DNA (which controls cell growth and function), and elevating hormone levels, including estrogen, which plays a role in breast cancer development.
“As a hepatologist and gastroenterologist, I remind my patients
that while complete abstinence is the safest path, reducing consumption (no more than 1 standard drink for women and no more than 2 for a man), staying hydrated, avoiding binge drinking, and supporting liver health with a balanced diet might help mitigate some of alcohol’s toxic effects,” said Pruthvi Patel, MD, Associate Program Director of Outpatient Hepatology, Division of Gastroenterology, Mount Sinai South Nassau, and Associate Professor of Medicine (Liver Diseases), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “But there’s no completely safe level when it comes to cancer risk.”
According to the American Association of Cancer Research’s 2024 Cancer Progress Report, 40 percent of all cancer cases in the United States are associated with modifiable risk factors like alcohol consumption. The Surgeon General affirmed in the advisory that, “The largest burden of alcohol-related cancer in the United States is for breast cancer in women, with an estimated 44,180 cases in 2019, representing 16.4 percent of the approximately 270,000 total breast cancer cases for women.”
Adding the cancer risk warning to alcohol labels may be the inspiration some need to quit drinking alcoholic beverages, as 54 percent of poll respondents say they generally trust warning labels on food and beverages. Seeing the warning in print could provide the motivation for the 20 percent (of those who said they drink alcoholic beverages) to act on their desire to cut back on alcohol.
“I strongly encourage everyone to make it a priority to consider whether they should reduce the amount of alcohol they drink,” said Aaron Glatt, MD, Chief of Infectious Diseases and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau. “Additional benefits of drinking less include lowered blood pressure, weight loss, a healthier complexion, sharper mental clarity, balanced mood, reduced anxiety, and better liver function.”
Mount Sinai South Nassau has provided behavioral health and substance use disorder services to Nassau County residents for more than 50 years. The hospital is committed to providing the highest-quality treatment and support to children, adults, and
A recent Mount Sinai South Nassau “Truth in Medicine” public health poll revealed that 51 percent of metro area residents said they would consider drinking less as a result of the advisory by former U.S. Surgeon General, linking alcohol use to certain types of cancer.
families with a wide variety of symptoms and diagnoses, from substance abuse to anxiety and depression to attention deficithyperactivity disorder and more.
The hospital counseling centers offer outpatient, in-person, and telehealth services in Baldwin and Hempstead; they accept a variety of payment options and use a sliding scale for uninsured patients. Treatment is provided in English and Spanish, as well as in more than 100 other languages via interpreter services. Call (516) 3775400 to schedule an appointment.
Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff. One Healthy Way Oceanside, NY 11572 • 877-SOUTH-NASSAU (877-768-8462) • www.mountsinai.org/southnassau
The new Fennessy Family Emergency Department at Mount Sinai South Nassau doubles the size of our previous emergency department, o ering 54 private exam rooms with clear lines of sight for physicians, nurses, and support sta . Our new emergency department also o ers a separate triage area, dedicated areas for children and behavioral health patients, and has been designed to reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes.
The Fennessy Family Emergency Department is located within the new Feil Family Pavilion, opening later this year, which will have 40 new critical care suites and nine new operating rooms, designed to support the most complex surgeries on the South Shore.
To learn more visit www.mountsinai.org/feilpavilion
Queens-Long Island Renal Institute (QLIRI), a 2025 Bests of Long Island winner and located at The Parker Jewish Institute, now offers a state-of-the-art Home Hemodialysis Program for people battling kidney disease. Those patients who also require Certified Home Health Care can access it conveniently through QLIRI’s affiliate, Parker Jewish Institute.
With QLIRI’s Home Hemodialysis Program, patients can transition from an in-center setting to receiving hemodialysis from the comfort of their home, using the Tablo Hemodialysis System. Enrolled patients are first trained by a registered nurse. The nurse provides step-by-step guidance four days a week over the course of four weeks, or longer if necessary. With this training, patients learn to use the system before transitioning to the convenience of home hemodialysis.
If needed, patients of Parker’s Certified Home Health Care Agency receive individualized nursing, medical, and rehabilitation services, so they can maintain maximum independence in the comfort of their homes. Home-care services can include skilled-nursing care; physical, occupational and speech therapy; home-health aides; medical social services; medical supplies; and 24-hour telephone availability.
Call (718) 289-2600 with questions.
To learn more about QLIRI’s Home Hemodialysis Program, visit qliri.org.
For more on Parker’s Certified Home Health Care, visit parkerinstitute.org.
Queens Long Island
• 271-11 76th Ave., New Hyde Park • (718) 289-2600
Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, a Democrat representing New York’s 4th Congressional District, and Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, of the 17th District, have reintroduced a bipartisan bill aimed at protecting access to in vitro fertilization across the country.
The Access to Family Building Act, which Gillen is shepherding with support from Lawler and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, seeks to federally codify the right to access IVF services. The legislation is in response to growing concerns that reproductive technologies like IVF are being threatened by recent state-level legal developments and court rulings.
During a virtual press conference on May 7, Gillen emphasized the importance of ensuring legal certainty for families relying on reproductive technology. Infertility, she said, is a widespread issue affecting Americans of all backgrounds, and she called for Congress to act swiftly to protect the procedure.
“We believe, like most Americans do, that the right to start and grow family through IVF should be protected,” Gil-
len said. “The Access to Family Building Act will simply ensure that IVF remains accessible to families in every state.”
Lawler echoed Gillen’s sentiments, sharing his own family’s experience with fertility challenges. He reaffirmed his support for protecting IVF access, calling it a nonpartisan issue with widespread public backing. Lawler also referenced other related legislative efforts he supports, including tax credits and insurance mandates to reduce the financial burden of IVF treatments.
“Access to IVF should not be a partisan issue,” he said. “We want to help people through this journey and certainly make sure that their right to IVF is protected.”
The press event also featured Barbara Collura, president and CEO of Resolve: The National Infertility Association, who stressed the emotional and financial toll of infertility and the need for guaranteed nationwide access to IVF.
“There are so many challenges that our communities face in building their families,” Collura said. “Our goal is to reduce and eliminate those barriers. We know firsthand that our communities want to know that IVF is protected in all 50 states.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, IVF accounted for nearly 3 percent for U.S. births in 2022, with over 91,000 babies born through assisted reproductive technology.
Democrats that year introduced the Right to Build Families Act, to protect access to IVF and other fertility treatments amid concerns after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The bill was blocked by Senate Republicans.
The lawmakers emphasized the bipartisan nature of the new legislation, with Gillen noting that Republican support like Lawler’s is vital to passing it in the current Congress.
When the Herald asked about the path forward, both lawmakers said they planned to advocate within their parties and with the congressional leadership to advance the bill through committee and onto the House floor.
The legislation comes amid renewed national attention to IVF following recent court rulings in states like Alabama, where embryos created through IVF were legally recognized as children, prompting clinics to suspend services due to the legal risks.
“I think it’s really important to dem-
vitro fertilization at a virtual press conference on May 7.
onstrate that this is not a partisan issue,” Gillen said. “This is an easy one for us to agree on. We want to support couples and individuals who want to bring a child into the world. IVF may be the only way that they can do that.”
By Danielle Schwab
Long Island Children’s Museum transforms into a colorful hub of creativity for some of its smallet visitors, every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. Its Little Learners Art Lab welcomes young artists — and the grownups with them — for a handson art adventure designed to spark curiosity and imagination. Whether it’s painting, planting or playing with textures, sessions offer an inviting space where toddlers and preschoolers can explore the world through art. This is more than about creating something beautiful — it’s about growing minds and nurturing self-expression.
“We try to infuse in all of the themes different mediums, exposure to different artists and different approaches to art,” says Ashley Niver, the museum’s director of education.
Each week, children are introduced to artists, techniques, and styles through engaging projects and materials, led by museum educators. Parents and grandparents are welcome to join in the fun, making it a bonding experience that’s as enriching for adults as it is for kids. Through these immersive projects, the tots explore their creativity and even make new friends.
“Around a third of our visitors are under the age of five. It’s important for early childhood development to have activities that are process-focused to give them that expressive freedom [to create],” Niver explains.
In each class, young learners are encouraged to ask questions, try new things and take the lead in their creative journey. The program mixes play with gentle guidance, helping children explore big concepts in age-appropriate ways.
The activities act as a gateway to talk about new concepts for young learners as they discover the world around them, combining inquisitive thinking with instructional supervision. On the schedule, May 22, families can explore the lifecycle of a plant while decorating terracotta pots during Art In Bloom. Kids will plant seeds in those pots and take their tiny gardens home to watch, water and nurture as litle sprouts grow into blooming plants.
That’s followed by Crystallized Creations on May 29. The salt-based art project allows kids experiment with textures and observe how salt and paint interact — adding a rocky twist to their creativity.
“Science isn’t just happening behind the scenes. It can
‘Murr’ goes solo
Get ready to laugh — and laugh you will. Prepare for an unforgettable night filled with comedy, chaos and wild antics as Impractical Jokers’ James “Murr” Murray hits the stage on The Errors Tour. Known for his outrageous pranks, laugh-out-loud moments and unpredictable humor, Murr brings the party to you with a show packed full of hilarious stories, ridiculous mishaps and plenty of jaw-dropping moments. With his signature style of comedy and a few unexpected surprises, Murr will have you in stitches from start to finish. It’s surely a non-stop ride of comedy, antics and pure fun you won’t want to miss. For more than a decade, Murr and his lifelong Friends — Sal, Joe and Q — have been making audiences laugh across the country, and now he’s bringing the laughs to you. Murr Live is hysterical — of course, interactive — stand-up comedy, in true Impractical Jokers style. Hangout with Murr as he tells funny stories, shows off his own personal never-before-seen videos from Impractical Jokers and plays Jokers “live” on stage with the audience.
• Weekly Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.-noon
• Admission: $18 adults and children over 1 year old, $16 for seniors, free to members and under one year; additional fees for theater and special programs may apply
• For more information, visit licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
happen when you’re mixing paint and looking at changes in color or how, for instance, the salt disperses the paint pigment,” Niver says.
Other sessions examine techniques like pointillism or even introduce self-portraits in a thoroughly kid-friendly approach.
“When the parents see these ‘sticky moments’ for younger kids where they’re ingrained in these memories and these experiences, they are right there for the ride,” Niver adds.“They’re going through it with their children, and seeing their children light up and experience joy and learning of these new concepts connects the parents to the activities.”
Of course, art doesn’t have to happen in a classroom or museum space, it can also be done right at home! Niver encourages families to use these classes as an accessible way to bring the creativity back to their households.
“We want to give the opportunity for parents to incorporate making art in easy forms at home that may be less daunting for them,” Niver says.
And often, the youngsters can try materials and methods they may not have access to elsewhere. The sessions offer an introduction to new media as well.
“We also try to balance with materials that maybe they wouldn’t be exposed to normally at home. We could bring in easels one day and have the kids do canvas painting,” she adds.
The fun doesn’t stop when class ends. The museum’s exhibits and upcoming events are often tied into the weekly themes. So, when the class concludes, there’s plenty more to explore!
For example, in celebration of National Zoo and Aquarium Month, in June, kids can make majestic underwater creatures using recycled materials and bubble wrap. This is a creative “sneak peek” teaser what’s to come as the museum prepares to open its newest permanent exhibit, “Saltwater Stories,” in October.
Accessibility is another important component of the museum’s approach to arts programming. Little Learners Art Lab provides families with high-quality early childhood education at a fraction of the cost of private art classes or specialized preschool programs, according to the leadership team. The program’s affordability ensures that all children in the community have access to enriching artistic experiences that contribute to cognitive, social, and emotional development.
“Our whole point is to bring people in, and celebrate and cater to the audience that is coming to us daily, and that is the early childhood audience,” Niver says.
“We hope that for years to come families will bring back other children in their family, as their family grows, and continue to value the museum.”
Photos courtesy LICM
Kids and their adult partners play and create together at the Art Lab. Artistic inspiration involves developing young motor skills as everyone fully engages in the moment.
Friday, May 16, 7 p.m. $65, $55, $45, $35. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
and Chad Hoopes
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Artistic Directors David Finckel (piano) and Wu Han (cello) have assembled a scintillating collection of works that reveal the joy and depth of the chamber music literature. Starting as frequent collaborators, Finckel and Han have been married since 1985. As a duo, they began to tour regularly while retaining residencies in New York. In this program, volin sonatas from the Baroque and Classical eras are performed by the young virtuoso Chad Hoopes, followed by Mendelssohn’s invigorating Second Sonata for cello and piano, a gem of the Romantic era. The art of romantic music hits a high point in the concluding work, in which all combine for a trio by the founder of Czech music, Bed�ich Smetana.
Sunday, May 18, 3 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Honoring Valley Stream Fire Chiefs
Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce pays tribute to Village of Valley Stream Fire Chiefs complete with culinary treats, music, and raffles. General admission is $75, $65 for firefighters and chamber members.
• Where: Valley Stream Veterans of Foreign Wars, 65 East Merrick Road
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 507-4663 or Lauri.vscc@gmail.com
Garden Days
Garden lovers, green thumbs and spring seekers: Old Westbury Gardens’ beloved Garden Days return. Four vibrant days are filled with plants, programs, and purpose, highlighted by the much-anticipated Plant Sale Preview Party on Friday evening.
On May 16 (6-8 p.m.), guests are invited to sip, shop and stroll through the gardens during this exclusive first-look event, featuring live music, sweet and savory treats, and early access to a lush array of rare perennials and signature plants grown right here on Long Island. The two-day plant sale runs May 17–18, (10 a.m.-4 p.m.), where shoppers can select from a curated selection of garden favorites with expert guidance from the Gardens’ horticulture staff. Addition highlights include a panel discussion, Guided walks and garden tours and spring celebration chamber concert.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury
• Time: Ongoing, May 15-18
• Contact: Visit oldwestburygardens.org/2025garden-days for full schedule and ticket details
Hug a happy tree
K&A Tree Service offers free tree inspections throughout Long Island. Tree professionals will visit in person to inspect tree and provide free advice to help treat your tree right and make it happy.
• Time: Ongoing
• Contact: (516) 208-3131
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) that publicly launched the movement. The direct
Comedy legend Jon Lovitz brings his signature wit and unforgettable characters to the Paramount stage for a night of nonstop laughs. Best known for his Emmy-nominated run on SNL and roles in hit films like “A League of Their Own” and “The Wedding Singer,” Lovitz has been a staple of comedy for over 30 years. He got his start acting in high school productions, developing his skills at the University of California, Irvine where he earned a B.A. in Drama. He also studied acting with Tony Barr at the Film Actors Workshop. At the advice of Tony Barr, Jon decided to concentrate solely on comedy. From there his trajectory took off. He began taking classes with the famed improv comedy group The Groundlings in 1982. One year later, Jon got his first acting job on the television show “The Paper Chase: the Second Year.” Two years followed and then he was accepted into The Groundlings main company. In March 1985 The Groundlings appeared on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” where Jon premiered his character “Tommy Flanagan of Pathological Liars Anonymous. SNL and numerous other offers followed and Jon was on his, working non-stop since. Along with his comedy, Jon is well known for his distinctive voice. It has served him will in his varied TV and film career. He is one of the few performers to start as an actor and then become a stand-up comedian who successfully headlines venues nationwide. Jon’s humor is unique, which is attributable to his quirky personality, and he is sure to entertain. $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, $29.50.
follow-up 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. On view through June 15.
• Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor
• Time: Ongoing
• Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org
The beloved musical adventure, ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved award-winning, best-selling children’s books, is back on stage at Long Island Children’s Museum. Willems’ classic characters Elephant and Piggie storm the stage in a rollicking musical romp filled with plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense perfect for young audiences.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: Also May 17 and May 20-22, times vary
MAY
Grace Church Thrift Shop
Grace United Methodist Church’s thrift shop offers clothing in new or
gently used condition for all ages, as well as curious finds and attic gems. Please use the Liberty Ave. entrance.
• Where: 21 S. Franklin Ave.
• Time: Ongoing Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Contact: (631) 226-8690 or GraceUMUCLindy.org
EPIC Family’s South Shore Guidance Center encourages everyone and their four-legged companions to participate in the annual walk for mental wellness. With face painting, games, raffles, and more. Free t-shirts while supplies last.
• Where: Cow Meadow Park, Freeport
• Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Contact: p2p.onecause.com/ springfling2025
Converse, collaborate and create at Nassau County Museum of Art. Kids and their adult partners can talk about and make art together. Enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. Registration required.
In concert Sands Point Preserve’s reserve’s historic mansions and waterfront grounds are the backdrop for the latest edition of its unique chamber music series, “Amami in primavera” (Love me in Spring).” A trip to Italy is a good idea any time of the year, but spring is the best. There is love in the air and new life everywhere. With a little Puccini, Donizetti, Verdi and more, it will be a “bel pomeriggio di Musica (a beautiful afternoon of music).” duoJalal ensemble-in-residence featuring Kathryn Lockwood, viola and Yousif Sheronick, percussion, with violinists Karla Donehew Perez and Rebecca Fischer, and cellist Raman Ramakrishnan, are joined by vocalist Abby Brodnick. With wine reception following. $56, $45 members.
• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Contact: sandspointpreserveconservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
• Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor
• Time: Noon-3 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org
Join the Long Island Choral Society and Music Director Michael C. Haigler for their final concert of the season. “From the Sublime to the Ridiculous”, offers the beautiful melodies of Johannes Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes as well as the ridiculous antics of P.D.Q. Bach’s Liebeslieder Polkas. Liebeslieder translates as Love Song and this concert will give two very different visions of musical expressions of love. Act I features Brahms lush waltzes, scored for 4-hand piano and sure to elicit emotions and romantic memories through its lush melodies and sublime poetry. Act II presents P.D.Q. Bach’s interpretation of love songs through energy driven polkas scored for 5-hand piano in such a manner as to create chaos, musical mayhem, visual hijinks and some seriously bad puns. $20, $10 youth. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at door.
• Where: Garden City Community Church, 245 Stewart Ave., Garden City
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: lics.org or call (516) 652-6878
Tunes with Parrot Beach Plaza Theatricals welcomes the Jimmy Buffet tribute band. Get ready for summer with your favorite Buffet classics. Enjoy “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Margaritaville,” “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere,” and “Volcano.” $40, $35 seniors. Groove along at Plaza’s stage at Elmont Memorial Library.
• Where: 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont.
• Time: 2:30 p.m.
• Contact: plazatheatrical.com or call (516) 599-6870
The Village of Valley Stream holds its next regular board of trustees meeting.
• Where: Village Hall. 123 S. Central Ave.
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 872-4159 or Vsvny.org
Having an event?
Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR STRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT LOAN TRUST, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES
2006-BNC1, Plaintiff, vs. MICHAEL R. HIGGINS; IF LIVING, AND IF HE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 7, 2022, 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 27, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 9 Jasper Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Elmont, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37, Block 458 and Lot 156. Approximate amount of judgment is $577,472.04 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #608825/2018.
Geri Friedman, Esq., Referee Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, 10 Bank Street, Suite 700, White Plains, New York 10606, Attorneys for Plaintiff 153091
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Name: 704 Dispatch LLC
Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 02/12/2025. NY Office location: Nassau County. The registered agent of the LLC is: United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 153020
To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE, IN TRUST FOR REGISTERED HOLDERS OF LONG BEACH MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2004-2, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-2, Plaintiff AGAINST ROLAND KATWAROO, CHANDRADAI KATWAROO, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 24, 2018, 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 June 3, 2025 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 86 Fletcher Avenue, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Valley Stream, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37, Block 169, Lot 5, 6, 7. Approximate amount of judgment $272,870.67 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #002 574/2016.
William Boccio, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 17-002896 85327 153191
LEGAL NOTICE INDEX NO.: 620247/2023
Date Filed: 04/22/2025
SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS WITH NOTICE MORTGAGED
PREMISES: 392 Arkansas Drive, Valley Stream, New York 11580
SBL #: 37-554-44
Plaintiff designates NASSAU County as the place of trial; venue is based upon the county in which the mortgaged premises is situate.
STATE OF NEW YORK
SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU United Wholesale Mortgage, LLC, Plaintiff(s), -against-
Syed F. Azharuddin, if living and if he be dead, his heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees, and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid defendants; and all heirs-at-law, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees, and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid classes of person, if they or any of them be dead, and their respective husbands, wives or widows, if any, and all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to plaintiff, except as herein stated; New York State Department of Taxation and Finance; United States of America o/b/o Internal Revenue Service; John Doe #1 through #6, and Jane Doe #1 through #6, the last twelve names being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants, tenants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises being foreclosed herein.
TO THE ABOVE NAMED
DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the attorneys for the Plaintiff within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Amended Complaint.
NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE MORTGAGE COMPANY WHO FILED THIS FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU AND FILING THE
ANSWER WITH THE COURT, A DEFAULT JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AND YOU CAN LOSE YOUR HOME. SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY OR GO TO THE COURT WHERE YOUR CASE IS PENDING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON HOW TO ANSWER THE SUMMONS AND PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY. SENDING PAYMENT TO YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY WILL NOT STOP THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION.
YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $712,500.00 and interest, recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Nassau on April 8, 2022, in Liber 46519, Page 981 as Instrument No. 2022-43095 covering premises known as 392 Arkansas Drive, Valley Stream, NY 11580, SBL #: 37-554-44
The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. The Plaintiff also seeks a deficiency judgment against the Defendants and for any debt secured by said Mortgage which is not satisfied by the proceeds of the sale of said premises.
TO the Defendants Syed F. Azharuddin, if living and if he be dead, his heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees, and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid defendants; and all heirs-at-law, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees, and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid classes of person, if they or any of them be dead, and their respective husbands, wives or widows, if any, and all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown
to plaintiff, except as herein stated, the foregoing Supplemental Summons with Notice is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Jeffrey A. Goodstein, J.S.C. of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Nassau, dated February 10, 2025.
Dated: April 23, 2025 /s/ Deborah M. Gallo Deborah M. Gallo, Esq. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLP
420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, New York 10170
Phone: 347.286.7409
Fax: 347-286-7414
Attorneys for Plaintiff, United Wholesale Mortgage LLC HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE.
The State encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department of Financial Services at 1-800-342-3736 or visit the Department’s website at www.dfs.ny.gov. FORECLOSURE RESCUE
SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. 153183
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that license number NA-0138-25-111792 for eating place beer has been applied for by TAQUERIA 5 DE MAYO INC. to sell beer at retail in an eating place under the Alcohol Beverage Control Law at 33 S Central Ave. Valley Stream, NY 11580 for on premises consumption. 153411
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE ASSET-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-KS2, -againstRONALD AUGUSTIN, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on August 3, 2023, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE ASSET-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-KS2 is the Plaintiff and RONALD AUGUSTIN, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public
auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on June 10, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 235 DOGWOOD ROAD, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580; and the following tax map identification: 37-541-43. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF VALLEY STREAM, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 606069/2021. Scott H. Siller, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 153372
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Section 202-48 of the code of the Town of Hempstead entitled, “Handicapped Parking On Public Streets,” a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 27th day of May 2025, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, to consider the adoption of a resolution setting aside certain parking spaces for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons at the following locations: BELLMORE
OCEAN AVENUE - west side, starting at a point 393 feet south of the south curbline of Merrick Road, south for a distance of 14 feet. (TH-177/25)
ELMONT MADISON STREETnorth side, starting at a point 416 feet west of the west curbline of Cross Street, west for a distance of 20 feet. (TH-156/25)
(NR)VALLEY STREAM LAW STREET - east side, starting at a point 532 feet south of the south curbline of Stuart Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet. (TH-176/25) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons:
ELMONT
MURRAY HILL STREETnorth side, starting at a point 43 feet east of the east curbline of Biltmore Avenue, east for a distance of 22 feet.
(TH-37/14 - 9/16/14) (TH-3/25)
TRAVIS AVENUE - east side, starting at a point 74 feet south of the south curbline of Surprise Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-115/19 - 5/23/19) (TH-173/25)
ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.
Dated: May 13, 2025 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.
Supervisor
KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 153510
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU The Bank of New York Mellon FKA The Bank of New York, as Trustee for the certificateholders of the CWABS, Inc., AssetBacked Certificates, Series 2006-25, Plaintiff, Against Manuocheka Jeunes; Homability, LLC; New York State Department of Taxation and Finance; Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 12/19/2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the
May 15, 2025 —
Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 6/17/2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 21 Cochran Pl, Valley Stream, NY 11581, And Described
As Follows:
ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Village of Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, the County of Nassau and the State of New York.
Section 39 Block 386 Lot 121
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $1,408,167.56 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale. 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; Index # 606730/2022 For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee.
SHELDON MAY & ASSOCIATES Attorneys at Law, 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Dated: 5/12/2025 File Number: 34818 MB 153532
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, D/B/A Christiana Trust as Trustee for PNPMS Trust I, Plaintiff AGAINST John Lane, et al., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 8, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 17, 2025 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 65 Hungry Harbor Road, Valley Stream, NY 11581. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Valley Stream, Unincorporated Area,
Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 39, Block: E, Lot: 240. Approximate amount of judgment $228,126.71 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #615498/2021. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-098732-F00 85200 153483
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION
VALLEY STREAM CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing of the qualified voters of the Valley Stream Central High School District, Nassau County, New York, will be held in the James A. Dever School for District No. 13 on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 7:30 PM prevailing time, in the William L. Buck School for District No. 24 on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 7:30 PM, prevailing time, and for District No. 30 in the Shaw Avenue School on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM, prevailing time, for the transaction of such business as is authorized by the New York State Education Law, including the following items.
1. To present to the voters a detailed statement (proposed budget) of the amount of money which will be required for the 202526 fiscal year.
2. To discuss all of the items herein set forth, to be voted upon by voting machine, at the Budget Vote and Election to be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting pursuant to Education Law of the State of New York and acts amendatory thereto.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that said Budget Vote and Election will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in such districts and at such time as enumerated below:
District No. 13:
Between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. (prevailing time)
District No. 24: Between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. (prevailing time)
District No. 30: Between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. (prevailing time) at which time the polls will be open to vote by voting machines upon the following items:
1. To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal year 2025 - 26 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.
2. To authorize the Board of Education to appropriate and expend the maximum amount of $4,500,000 as follows from fund balance for the purpose of completing capital improvements, including restoration of Valley Stream South Stream bank, Renovation of District Offices and Renovation of Classrooms. All of the above to include labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental costs.
3. To authorize the Board of Education to acquire, by purchase, that certain real property and improvements located at 10 Fifth St., 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 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.
In District No. 13, all qualified voters of the District pursuant to § 2014 of the Education Law may register at the Wheeler Avenue School, the James A. Dever School, the Howell Road School and the Willow Road School, on any school day prior to
Tuesday, May 13, 2025, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., prevailing time. The Board of Registration shall meet on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, to add any additional names to the register to be used at the aforesaid election, at which time any person will be entitled to have her or his name placed on such Register provided that at the meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known, or proven to the satisfaction of the Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such public hearing or election for which such registers are prepared.
In District No. 30, the Board of Registration will meet for the purpose of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to § 2014 of the Education Law at the Clear Stream Avenue School, the Shaw Avenue School, and the Forest Road School, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., prevailing time, to add any additional names to the register to be used at the aforesaid election, at which time any person will be entitled to have her or his name placed on such Register provided that at the meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known, or proven to the satisfaction of the Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such public hearing or election for which such registers are prepared. In addition, open registration will be conducted through Tuesday, May 13, 2025, during the hours for enrollment of children for a school term at each of the District schools and between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., prevailing time, at each of the school buildings.
In District No. 24, for the purpose of registering all qualified voters, the Board of Registration will conduct a continuous registration of the qualified voters during the hours of enrollment of children for a school term at the principal’s office of each schoolhouse and at the office of the District Clerk of District No. 24 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., prevailing time. The Board of Registration shall meet on Tuesday,
May 13, 2025, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., prevailing time, at the William L. Buck School, to add any additional names to the register to be used at the aforesaid election, at which time any person will be entitled to have her or his name placed on such Register provided that at the meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known, or proven to the satisfaction of the Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such public hearing or election for which such registers are prepared. The registers so prepared pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the School District in the district offices of Union Free School Districts No. 13, No. 24 and No. 30, Valley Stream, New York, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District on weekdays prior to the vote, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., prevailing time, beginning Thursday, May 15, 2025, and Saturday, May 17, 2025 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., prevailing time, at the District Office, and at the polling place(s) on the day of the vote. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to New York Education Law § 2014, the Board of Registration will meet on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, in District No. 13, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, in District No. 24, and between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, in District No. 30, 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, or any special district
meeting held after Tuesday, May 20, 2025. 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) 872 - 5628 for information about accessibility. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that beginning seven (7) days immediately preceding the May 7, 2025 public budget hearing for School District No. 24, and the May 12, 2025 public budget hearing for School District No. 13 and School District No. 30, a copy of the proposed budget will be made available, upon request, to residents of School District No. 13, School District No. 24, and School District No. 30, by appearing at the Office of the District Clerk, One Kent Road, 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.vschsd.org, at the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library during its normal hours of operation, located at 60 Verona Plaza, Valley Stream, New York, and at each schoolhouse in the High School District between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., prevailing time, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. 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 from the District Clerks in Union Free School Districts No. 13, No. 24, and No. 30, beginning Monday, April 21, 2025. In accordance with Education Law §§ 2018a and 2018-e, 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 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 Districts
No. 13, No. 24, or No. 30, by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk of the respective District in person, by email, or fax. 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 Districts No. 13, No. 24, and No. 30, may request an application for a military ballot in person, by email, or by fax, during school business hours, from the District Clerks in the Union Free School Districts No. 13, No. 24, and No. 30. 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. 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 amend the budget, or otherwise to be submitted for voting at said election, must be filed with the District Clerk, Board of Education at the District Office, One Kent Road, Valley Stream, New York, to permit notice of the proposition to be included with the Notice of the Public Hearing, Budget Vote and Election required
by Section 2004 of the Education Law on or before Friday, March 21, 2025, no later than 4:00 p.m., prevailing time. 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 105 qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 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) 8725628 SCHOOL ELECTION DISTRICTS
AND FURTHER NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Election Districts have been established in the School District. The Boundaries of the Election Districts, as adopted by resolution of the Board of Education, and the place in each election district for voting shall be as follows:
13-1: The place of voting is the Wheeler Avenue School;
13-2: The place of voting is the James A. Dever School;
13-3: The place of voting is the Howell Road School;
13-4: The place of voting is the Willow Road School
24-1: The place of voting is the South Corona Avenue Firehouse, between Jamaica Avenue and Hawthorne Avenue;
24-2: The place of voting is the William L. Buck School;
24-3: The place of voting is the Brooklyn Avenue School; 24-4: The place of voting is the Robert W. Carbonaro School;
30-1: The place of voting is the Clear Stream Avenue School;
30-2: The place of voting is the Shaw Avenue School;
30-3: The place of voting is the Forest Road School. Dated:
By Order of the BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE
Valley Stream, New York
Mary E. Colgan, District Clerk 152359
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE AUDIENCIA
PÚBLICA, VOTACIÓN PRESUPUESTARIA Y ELECCIÓN DISTRITO CENTRAL DE ESCUELAS SECUNDARIAS DE VALLEY STREAM CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK
POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que se llevará a cabo una audiencia pública de los votantes calificados del Distrito Central de Escuelas Secundarias Valley Stream, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York, en la Escuela James A. Dever para el Distrito No. 13 el lunes 12 de mayo de 2025 a las 7:30 p.m., hora prevaleciente, en la Escuela William L. Buck para el Distrito No. 24 el miércoles, 7 de mayo de 2025 a las 7:30 p.m., hora prevaleciente, y para el Distrito No. 30 en la Escuela Shaw Avenue el lunes 12 de mayo de 2025 a las 7:00 p.m., hora prevaleciente, para la transacción de dichos negocios según lo autorizado por la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, incluidos los siguientes elementos.
1. Presentar a los votantes una declaración detallada (presupuesto propuesto) de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año fiscal 2025-26.
2. Discutir todos los puntos aquí expuestos, para ser votados por máquina de votación, en la Votación y Elección de Presupuesto que se llevará a cabo el martes 20 de mayo de 2025.
3. Para llevar a cabo cualquier otro asunto que pueda presentarse adecuadamente ante la reunión de conformidad con la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York y las leyes que la modifiquen.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL de que dicha Votación y Elección del Presupuesto se llevará a cabo el martes 20 de mayo de 2025, en los distritos y en el momento que se enumeran a continuación:
Distrito Nº 13:
Entre las 6:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente)
Distrito Nº 24: Entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente)
Distrito Nº 30: Entre las 6:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente) momento en el cual las urnas estarán abiertas a votación por las máquinas de votación sobre los siguientes puntos:
1. Adoptar el presupuesto anual del Distrito Escolar para el año fiscal 2025-26 y autorizar que la parte requerida del mismo se aumente mediante impuestos sobre la propiedad imponible del Distrito.
2. Autorizar a la Junta de Educación a asignar y gastar la cantidad máxima de $4,500,000 de la siguiente manera del saldo del fondo con el propósito de completar mejoras de capital, incluyendo la restauración del banco Valley Stream South Stream, la renovación de las oficinas del distrito y la renovación de las aulas. Todo lo anterior incluye mano de obra, materiales, equipos, aparatos y costos imprevistos.
3. Para autorizar a la Junta de Educación a adquirir, por compra, ciertos bienes inmuebles y mejoras ubicados en 10 Fifth St., Valley Stream, Nueva York, ubicados en la ciudad de Hempstead, Nueva York, Sección 39 Bloque 27 Lote 4-7 y 418, a un costo que no exceda los $6,400,000, y dicha suma se asigna por la presente del Fondo de Reserva de Capital del Distrito establecido el 15 de mayo, 2018, y el saldo de fondos no asignados.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADICIONALMENTE que se requiere el registro personal de los 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 dentro de 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 deben registrarse. En el Distrito No. 13, todos los votantes calificados del Distrito de conformidad con § 2014 de la Ley de Educación pueden registrarse en la Escuela de la Avenida Wheeler, la Escuela James A. Dever, la Escuela Howell Road y la Escuela Willow Road, en cualquier día escolar antes del martes 13 de mayo de 2025, entre las 8:00 a.m. y las 3:30 p.m., tiempo prevaleciente. La Junta de Registro se reunirá el martes 13 de mayo de 2025, entre las 5:00 p.m. y las 9:00 p.m., en el momento prevaleciente, para agregar cualquier nombre adicional al registro que se utilizará en la elección antes mencionada, momento en el cual cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se coloque en dicho Registro, siempre que en la reunión de la Junta de Registro se sepa, o se demuestre a satisfacción de la Junta de Registro, que tiene derecho a votar en dicha audiencia pública o elección para que se preparan dichos registros. En el Distrito No. 30, la Junta de Registro se reunirá con el propósito de registrar a todos los votantes calificados del Distrito de conformidad con la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación en la Escuela Clear Stream Avenue, la Escuela Shaw Avenue y la Escuela Forest Road, el martes 13 de mayo de 2025, entre las 8:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m., en el momento prevaleciente, para agregar cualquier nombre adicional al registro que se utilizará en la elección antes mencionada, momento en el cual cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se coloque en dicho Registro, siempre que en la reunión de la Junta de Registro se sepa, o se demuestre a satisfacción de la Junta de Registro, que tiene derecho a votar en dicha audiencia pública o elección para que se preparan dichos registros. Además, la inscripción abierta se llevará a cabo hasta el martes 13 de mayo de 2025, durante el horario de inscripción de niños para un período escolar en cada una de las escuelas del Distrito y entre las 4:00 p.m. y las 8:00 p.m., en el horario prevaleciente, en cada uno de los edificios escolares.
En el Distrito No. 24, con el propósito de registrar
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL de que los votantes calificados con discapacidades que buscan información sobre el acceso a los lugares de votación pueden, antes del día de la votación, comunicarse con el Secretario del Distrito al (516) 872-5628 para obtener información sobre la accesibilidad.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL de que a partir de los siete (7) días inmediatamente anteriores a la audiencia de presupuesto público del 7 de mayo de 2025 para el Distrito Escolar No. 24, y la audiencia de presupuesto público del 12 de mayo de 2025 para el Distrito Escolar No. 13 y el Distrito Escolar No. 30, una copia del presupuesto propuesto se pondrá a disposición, previa solicitud, para los residentes del Distrito Escolar No. 13, el Distrito Escolar No. 24 y el Distrito Escolar No. 30, presentándose en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, One Kent Road, 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.vschsd. org, en la Biblioteca Conmemorativa Henry Waldinger durante su horario normal de operación, ubicada en 60 Verona Plaza, Valley Stream, Nueva York, y en cada escuela del Distrito Escolar Superior entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m., hora prevaleciente, excepto sábados, domingos y feriados.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL de que, de conformidad con la Sección 495 de la
a todos los votantes calificados, la Junta de Registro llevará a cabo un registro continuo de los votantes calificados durante las horas de inscripción de los niños para un período escolar en la oficina del director de cada escuela y en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito No. 24 entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m., tiempo prevaleciente. La Junta de Registro se reunirá el martes 13 de mayo de 2025, entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m., hora prevaleciente, en la Escuela William L. Buck, para agregar cualquier nombre adicional al registro que se utilizará en la elección antes mencionada, momento en el cual cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se coloque en dicho Registro siempre que en la reunión de la Junta de Registro esté conocido, o probado a satisfacción de la Junta de Registro, que tiene derecho a votar en ese momento o en lo sucesivo en dicha audiencia pública o elección para la cual se preparan dichos registros. Los registros así preparados de conformidad con la Ley de Educación de Nueva York §2014 se presentarán en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar en las oficinas del distrito de los Distritos Escolares Libres de la Unión No. 13, No. 24 y No. 30, Valley Stream, Nueva York, y estarán abiertos para la inspección de cualquier votante calificado del Distrito en días laborables antes de la votación. entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m., hora prevaleciente, a partir del jueves 15 de mayo de 2025 y el sábado 17 de mayo de 2025 entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 12:00 p.m., hora prevaleciente, en la Oficina del Distrito y en los lugares de votación el día de la votación. Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA 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, entre las 6:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m., hora prevaleciente, en el Distrito No. 13, entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m., hora prevaleciente, en el Distrito No. 24, y entre las 6:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m., tiempo prevaleciente, en el Distrito No. 30, para preparar el Registro del Distrito Escolar que se utilizará en la reunión anual y la elección que se llevará a cabo en 2026, y cualquier reunión especial que pueda celebrarse después de la preparación de dicho Registro, momento en el cual cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se coloque 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 la reunión escolar o elección para la cual se prepara dicho Registro, o en cualquier reunión especial del distrito que se celebre después del martes 20 de mayo de 2025.
Ley de Impuestos sobre Bienes Inmuebles, se requiere que el Distrito Escolar adjunte a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exención. Dicho informe de exención, que también formará parte del presupuesto final, mostrará qué parte del valor total de la tasación en la lista de liquidación final utilizada en el proceso presupuestario está exenta de impuestos, enumerará cada tipo de exención otorgada, identificada por la autoridad legal, y mostrará: (a) el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención expresado como un monto en dólares del valor tasado o como un porcentaje del valor tasado total en el rollo; (b) el monto 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 efecto acumulativo de todas las exenciones concedidas. El informe de exención se publicará en cualquier tablón de anuncios mantenido por el Distrito para avisos públicos y en cualquier sitio web mantenido por el Distrito. Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL de que las solicitudes de boletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado se podrán obtener durante el horario escolar de los Secretarios del Distrito en los Distritos Escolares Libres de la Unión No. 13, No. 24 y No. 30, a partir del lunes 21 de abril de 2025. De acuerdo con la Ley de Educación §§ 2018-a y 2018-e, el Secretario del Distrito no puede recibir las solicitudes completadas de boletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado antes de treinta (30) días antes de la elección, y el Secretario del Distrito debe recibirlas al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la boleta se va a enviar por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección, si la boleta se va a entregar personalmente al votante o al agente nombrado en la solicitud de boleta de voto en ausencia o por correo anticipado. Las boletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m., hora prevaleciente, el martes 20 de mayo de 2025.
Una lista de las personas a las que se les habrán
emitido boletas de voto en ausencia, y una lista de todas las personas a las que se les habrán emitido boletas de voto anticipado por correo, estará disponible para inspección para los votantes calificados del Distrito en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a partir del jueves 15 de mayo de 2025, entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m., los días laborables anteriores al día fijado para las elecciones anuales y el martes 20 de mayo de 2025, el día fijado para las elecciones. Cualquier votante calificado puede, después de examinar dichas listas, presentar una impugnación por escrito de las calificaciones como votante de cualquier persona cuyo nombre aparezca en dichas listas, exponiendo las razones de dicha impugnación. Cualquier impugnación por escrito será transmitida por el Secretario del Distrito o una persona designada por la Junta de Educación, a los inspectores de elecciones, el día de las elecciones.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que los votantes militares que no están registrados actualmente pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados de los Distritos Escolares Libres No. 13, No. 24 o No. 30 de Valley Stream Union, solicitando y devolviendo una solicitud de registro al Secretario del Distrito respectivo en persona, por correo electrónico, o fax. La solicitud de la solicitud de registro puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar para recibir la solicitud de registro por correo, fax o correo electrónico. Los formularios de solicitud de registro de votantes militares deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del 24 de abril de 2025.
Y SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL POR LA PRESENTE, que los votantes militares que son votantes calificados de los Distritos Escolares Libres de Valley Stream Union No. 13, No. 24 y No. 30, pueden solicitar una solicitud para una boleta militar en persona, por correo electrónico o por fax, durante el horario escolar de trabajo, de los Secretarios del Distrito en los Distritos Escolares Libres de Union No. 13,
Nº 24 y Nº 30. Para que a un votante militar se le emita una boleta militar, se debe recibir una solicitud de boleta militar válida en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m., el 24 de abril de 2025.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL de 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 recepción por otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o recibidas a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. 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 determina que no será posterior al día anterior a la elección.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL de que de conformidad con una regla adoptada por la Junta de Educación de acuerdo con la Ley de Educación de Nueva York §2035, cualquier referéndum o proposición para enmendar el presupuesto, o de otra manera que se presente para votación en dicha elección, debe presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito, Junta de Educación en la Oficina del Distrito, One Kent Road, Valley Stream, Nueva York, para permitir que la notificación de la proposición se incluya con la Notificación de la Audiencia Pública, la Votación del Presupuesto y la Elección requerida por la Sección 2004 de la Ley de Educación en o antes del viernes 21 de marzo de 2025, a más tardar a las 4:00 p.m., hora prevaleciente. Todas estas peticiones deben ser mecanografiadas o impresas en el idioma inglés; debe dirigirse al Secretario del Distrito Escolar; debe estar firmada por al menos 105 votantes calificados del Distrito (que representen el mayor de 25 o 5% del número de votantes que votaron en la elección anual anterior); y debe indicar de manera legible el nombre de cada firmante. Sin embargo, la Junta de Educación no admitirá ninguna petición para
presentar a los votantes cualquier proposición cuyo propósito no esté dentro de los poderes de los votantes para determinar, ni ninguna proposición o enmienda que sea contraria a la ley.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL de que aquellos votantes que buscan información sobre este Presupuesto Votación y Elección en español deben comunicarse con la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito al (516) 872 - 5628
DISTRITOS ELECTORALES ESCOLARES
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL de que los Distritos Electorales se han establecido en el Distrito Escolar. Los límites de los distritos electorales, según lo adoptado por resolución de la Junta de Educación, y el lugar en cada distrito electoral para votar serán los siguientes:
13-1: El lugar de votación es la Escuela de la Avenida Wheeler; 13-2: El lugar de votación es la Escuela James A. Dever; 13-3: El lugar de votación es la Escuela Howell Road; 13-4: El lugar de votación es la Escuela Willow Road
24-1: El lugar de votación es la estación de bomberos de South Corona Avenue, entre Jamaica Avenue y Hawthorne Avenue; 24-2: El lugar de votación es la Escuela William L. Buck; 24-3: El lugar de votación es la Escuela de la Avenida Brooklyn; 24-4: El lugar de votación es la Escuela Robert W. Carbonaro; 30-1: El lugar de votación es la Escuela de la Avenida Clear Stream; 30-2: El lugar de votación es la Escuela de la Avenida Shaw; 30-3: El lugar de votación es la Escuela Forest Road. Fechado: Por orden de la JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN DE LA ARROYO DEL VALLE CENTRAL DISTRITO DE ESCUELAS SECUNDARIAS Arroyo del Valle, Nueva York
Mary E. Colgan, Secretaria de Distrito 152361
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF BUDGET
HEARING, ANNUAL DISTRICT ELECTION, AND BUDGET VOTE OF VALLEY STREAM UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT THIRTEEN, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK TO BE HELD ON MAY 20, 2025
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Education of Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen shall hold a public hearing for the purpose of discussion of the proposed budget of expenditure of funds for the school year 20252026; that such public hearing will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the vote by the qualified voters of Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen upon the following propositions and elections will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at the polling places set forth herein, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Daylight Savings Time on said day.
PROPOSITION NO. 1
DISTRICT THIRTEEN
BUDGET
The vote upon the appropriation of the necessary funds to meet the estimated expenditures of Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen for the school year 20252026 and authorizing the levy of taxes to meet the estimated expenditures of money during said school year will be held on May 20, 2025 as set forth herein.
Copies of the proposed budget, together with the text of any resolution which will be submitted to the voters as well as copies of the estimated expenditures of Valley Stream Central High School District for the school year 20252026 may be obtained by any taxpayer of the School District at the Principal’s Office of each school building on each school day, during the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., during each of the 14 days preceding the voting day, except on Saturday, Sunday or holidays, and at such annual election.
will show how the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted by the statutory authority, and show the cumulative impact of each type of exemption, the cumulative amount expected to be received as payments in lieu of taxes and the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted.
PROPOSITION NO. 2
DISTRICT THIRTEEN EXPENDITURE FROM CAPITAL RESERVE RESOLVED, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby authorizes the placement of a proposition to expend monies from the District’s Capital Reserve Fund, established on May 15, 2018, at the Annual Budget Vote and Election on May 20, 2025, and directs the District Clerk to place said proposition in the Annual Notice of said Vote and Election: SHALL the Board of Education of the Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen be authorized to expend from the Capital Reserve Fund which was established on May 15, 2018, for the following capital improvement project of improving the field at Wheeler Avenue School, the playground at Willow Road School, the prekindergarten playground at Howell Road School, security fencing District wide, replacing the main play structure at Wheeler Avenue School, and upgrading door security District-wide and other improvements, additions, renovations and other work required in connection therewith; and to expend from the Capital Reserve Fund therefor, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto an amount not to exceed the estimated total cost of $1,200,000.
PROPOSITION NO. 3
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET
and other sources, as provided by law.
PROPOSITION NO. 4
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT VOTER
PROPOSITION 2025
SHALL the Board of Education hereby authorize the placement of the following voter proposition at the Annual Budget Vote and Election on May 20, 2025 and directs the District Clerk to place said proposition in the Annual Notice of said Vote and Election:
SHALL the Board of Education 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 Stream South Streambank, Renovation of District Offices and Renovation of Classrooms. All of the above to include labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental costs.
PROPOSITION NO. 5
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT CAPITAL RESERVE PROPOSITION 2025
SHALL the Board of Education hereby authorize the placement of the following voter proposition at the Annual Budget Vote and Election on May 20, 2025 and directs the District Clerk to place said proposition in the Annual Notice of said Vote and Election:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Valley Stream Central High School District is authorized to acquire by purchase that certain real property and improvements known as 10 Fifth Street, Valley Stream, New York, Section 39 Block 27 Lot 4-7 & 418, at a cost not to exceed $6,400,000.00 dollars, and said sum is hereby appropriated for out of the District’s Capital Reserve Fund established on May 15, 2018 and unappropriated fund balance.
ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
of Vincent Caposio, a member of the Board of Education, for a threeyear term commencing May 21, 2025 and expiring June 30, 2028.1
b) The office of Milagros Vicente, a member of the Board of Education, for a threeyear term commencing July 1, 2025 and expiring June 30, 2028. NOMINATION PETITIONS
REGISTRATION
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT qualified voters may register at the James A. Dever School, Howell Road School, Wheeler Avenue School and Willow Road School any day up until Tuesday, May 13, 2025 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. except Saturday, Sunday, and school vacations and at such times that the school facilities are open.
polling place on election day.
EARLY MAIL AND ABSENTEE BALLOTS
Notice is further given that pursuant to Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law, the District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget,
SHALL the proposed budget of expenditures of Valley Stream Central High School District, Nassau County, New York for the year 20252026 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
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that for the purpose of electing two members of the Board of Education of the Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen, an election will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at the same times and at the same polling places as set forth herein. The following are the vacancies to be filled on the Board of Education:
a) The office
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that each vacancy is a separate, specific office and a separate petition is required to nominate a candidate to each separate office. Each petition must be directed to the Clerk of the District, must be signed by at least 26 qualified voters of the District, must state the residence of each signer, must state the name and residence of the candidate, and must describe the specific vacancy for which the candidate is nominated, including at least the length of the term of the office and the name of the last incumbent. Petitions nominating candidates for the office of the Board of Education must be filed with the Clerk of the District between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. except that on the thirtieth (30th) day preceding the date set for election of trustees, namely Monday, April 21, 2025, nominating petitions may be filed between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The deadline for submitting petitions is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025. No person shall be nominated for more than one separate office on the Board of Education. A nomination may be rejected by the Board of Education if the candidate is ineligible for office or declares his/her unwillingness to serve. In the event of the physical absence of the District Clerk from the District, nominating petitions are to be received and acted upon by the Acting District Clerk in the same manner as required of the District Clerk. Voting machines will be used for the tabulation of all votes upon propositions and the election of Trustees. The meeting and the election will be conducted according to the Education Law and the rules previously adopted by the Board of Education.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Board of Registration of this School District shall meet on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at the James A. Dever School, Howell Road School, Wheeler Avenue School and Willow Road School for the purpose of preparing a register of the qualified voters of this District for said annual District election, at which time any person shall be entitled to have his/her name placed upon such register provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration, he/she is known, or proven to the satisfaction of the Board of Registration, to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the annual District election for which such register is prepared.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the register shall include (1) all qualified voters of the District who shall personally present themselves for registration; and (2) all previously qualified voters of the District who shall have been previously registered for any annual or special District meeting or election and who shall have voted at any annual or special District meeting or election held or conducted at any time within the four calendar years (2021-2024) prior to preparation of the said register; and (3) voters permanently registered with the Board of Elections of the County of Nassau. The register shall be filed in the office of the District Clerk at James A. Dever School, 585 N. Corona Avenue, Valley Stream, New York where it shall be open for inspection by any qualified voter between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on each of the five days prior to the day set for the election, except Sunday, and between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on Saturday, May 17, 2025; and at each
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that applications for absentee and early mail ballots will be obtainable during school business hours from the District Clerk beginning March 21, 2025. Completed applications may not be received by the District Clerk earlier than April 21, 2025, 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.3:00 p.m. on weekdays prior to the day set for the annual election and on 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 13 by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to districtclerk@ valleystream13.com. The request for the registration application may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the registration application by either mail or email. Military voter registration application forms must be received PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
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 13, 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@ valleystream13.com. 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 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 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 585 N. Corona Avenue, Valley Stream, New York 11580.
AND FURTHER NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk before the close of polls on May 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 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.
ELECTION DISTRICTS
The boundaries of the four election districts are as previously adopted by the Board of Education by a resolution adopted on January 28, 1959, and
By BRIAN NORMAN bnorman@liherald.com
Students at Ogden Elementary laced up their sneakers and kicked it after school with their moms at the school’s first ever Mother-Son Sneaker Ball.
Organized by the Ogden Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association, the dance invited mothers and sons to dress up in their best sneakers and wear sports jerseys or team gear.
The school has hosted many similar events in the past, such as their annual father-daughter dance, which took place in February.
PTA Co-President Kristina Aronshtein, said that they wanted to host an event geared towards the boys of Ogden, and figured this would be the perfect theme.
“We wanted something fun for the boys and their moms,” Aronshtein said. “All boys like to wear sneakers, so we decided to do a dress up sneaker dance.”
Plenty of those sneakers took to the dance floor at the event on May 6, hoofing it across the gymnasium floor, including a special slow dance with their moms to end the night.
Yemit Harel, a district parent, said she has attended many PTA events before and said they are a great way for students to get out of the house and reconnect with classmates.
I t’s just important way for the parents, I think, to get involved and see their kids having fun at school.”
LeNA FIeLdINg cO-pResIdeNt ptA
“I think it is important to have events so the kids can play together outside of the school learning and it’s important to meet the other parents and the teachers,” Harel said. “They get out of their computers and their PlayStations and they socialize, it’s important especially these days, they’re always on their computers.”
Students partied the night away to some of their favorite hits, showing off their best moves during games and challenges that offered prizes, such as gold chains, glow sticks.
The event also featured a red carpet for students and parents to walk in on, a photo booth with decorations and a separate room with refreshments for both students and parents to take a break and connect.
Fifth-grader Colin Mohamed said that it was “pretty cool” to get to see all of his classmates after school hours. He joked that his favorite part of the evening was the snacks.
The money raised benefits the PTA fund, which supports other school events.
PTA Co-President Lena Fielding said this was the first post-pandemic motherson event at Ogden. She said it was an enjoyable way for parents and students to get together outside of the classroom.
“It’s just an important way for the parents, I think, to get involved and see their kids having fun at school,” Fielding said. “Seeing them with their friends, and also help out and see the kids help and they also have a good time together.”
which resolution is filed in the minutes of the District Clerk’s Office.
The places of voting and the general boundaries of the election districts are:
Election District One
The place of voting will be the Wheeler Avenue School, Wheeler Avenue and Rockaway Parkway, Valley Stream. Said District is the area in the vicinity of the Wheeler Avenue School and the southwesterly portion of the District.
Election District Two
The place of voting will be the James A. Dever School, 585 N. Corona Avenue, Valley Stream. Said District is the area in the vicinity of the James A. Dever School and the southeasterly portion of the District.
Election District Three
The place of voting will be the Howell Road School, Howell Road and Dana Avenue, Valley Stream. Said District is the area in the vicinity of the Howell Road School and the northwesterly portion of the District.
Election District Four
The place of voting will be the Willow Road School, Willow Road
and Catalpa Drive, Franklin Square. Said District is the area in the vicinity of the Willow Road School and the northeasterly portion of the District.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that this Board shall convene a special meeting thereof within twenty-four hours after the filing with the District Clerk of a written report of the results of the ballot for the purpose of examining and tabulating said reports of the result of the ballot and declaring the result of the ballot; that the Board hereby designates itself to be a set of poll clerks to cast and canvass ballots pursuant to Education Law 2019-a, subdivision 2b at said special meeting of the Board.
Dated: March 27, 2025 Valley Stream, New York BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, VALLEY STREAM UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT THIRTEEN, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK Jennifer Mercatante District Clerk 152582
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Q. We bought our home three years ago, and are finally ready to finish our basement to make a family room, guest bedroom and a bathroom while enclosing our laundry. Right now it’s just a big open space with a lot of columns. The ceiling is low, and we’ve had estimates to cut down the basement floor. It seems like a lot of money to do all these things at once, but we understand that we need to do it before the prices for materials, as we’ve been warned, go a lot higher. We want to know what needs to be done if we want to lower the floor, take out two columns so our recreation room is bigger, and put in a bathroom. Is there any way to save money?
A. This third column ties together the previous two to state that, basically, you get what you pay for, and sometimes less. I explained that basement bathrooms may not be allowed to have a bathing fixture, tub or shower, depending on the municipal requirements, and that many communities also won’t allow a bedroom in a basement, for safety reasons. I also outlined the process for figuring out beams so that columns can be removed, and that while “guessers” may save you some money up front, repairs can erase the savings.
Now we’re up to lowering the basement floor. “Saving money” and “lowering a basement floor” should rarely be in the same sentence, except for when writing an answer as to why. In general, you want more living space, structurally sound and waterproof. Both of those needs are hard to achieve if any part of the process is left out.
It’s always best to gain the most amount of interior space, and I can often tell when either saving money was the focus or amateur work was done when I see a foundation wall projecting into the basement like a concrete bench. To avoid this look and to get the most use out of the space, you have to start with knowing where the underground water table is. Unless you dig a hole or order a soil-boring test from a professional company, you may soon find out why the floor wasn’t lower to begin with. This test could save you great expense.
The process of correctly supporting the exterior concrete foundation walls is called “underpinning.” The excavation can be done from the interior side of the foundation wall if the exterior isn’t accessible. Either way, the underpinning process must be done in sections, not all at once. There would be complete collapses of walls and floors above if entire foundations were removed at one time. When this is done, it usually causes tremendous damage, possible death and news coverage.
Engineered sections, with waterproofing to the exterior, have to be planned. The old sections are carefully cut out, and then replaced several feet apart before the next sections are removed. Good luck!
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Last month, a handful of Nassau County town supervisors stood in front of a firehouse on Barnum Island and took the low road, whipping up fear, distorting facts and conflating fallacy and fantasy with reality to try to block progress. Their target was the Renewable Action through Project Interconnection and Deployment, or RAPID, Act, a new state law designed to streamline the approval process for large-scale renewable energy and electric transmission projects.
The RAPID Act creates a more efficient and transparent process for reviewing the major infrastructure projects we desperately need. If we’re serious about clean energy, grid reliability and energy security, this is our path toward resiliency and sustainability. It’s good for consumers and developers because the streamlined process reduces costs, making investments in the grid more affordable. Unfortunately these days, facts don’t seem to matter much to some. But here are the facts.
Before the RAPID Act became law in April 2024, New York state had a patchwork of laws that made siting energy
projects difficult, confusing and expensive. Today there is a clear, easy-to-follow, streamlined system under the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission. The new system saves time and money, increases consistency, and gives communities a meaningful voice from the very beginning.
Here’s how it works.
Before even submitting an application, developers are required to consult with local officials. Throughout the process, the public is invited to comment. Each project must have meaningful community outreach in which residents are invited to participate, along with ORES.
Tfor clean, reliable energy.
The reality is that most projects comply with local laws almost entirely, and the few disputes thus far have largely been resolved through mutual agreement. Waivers aren’t done casually. They must be fully justified. And towns can challenge them. As of last month, only five towns in the entire state had appealed such rulings, and all five rulings were upheld.
here have been over 50 energy project siting hearings across the state.
To date, there have been over 50 hearings across the state. That’s not secrecy. That’s real public engagement. Your comments have been heard, as have developers — who often modify projects in response to public feedback.
Another fallacy is how the RAPID Act treats local laws. It did not create new authority for the state to waive local laws — that ability has been part of the siting process in New York for decades. The act was designed to make those waivers less likely by addressing points of conflict early. And the law allows ORES to waive those laws only when they are unreasonably burdensome and conflict with the state’s goals
If that sounds like a heavy-handed state bulldozing towns, you might want to check the script the town supervisors are reading from, because it’s fiction. What we saw last month was not thoughtful concern for our future infrastructure needs. It was a political strategy that assumes that every environmental policy from Albany is a threat, every clean-energy initiative a conspiracy and every step forward something to block. Lumping everything together and crying foul to whip up outrage doesn’t benefit the New Yorkers that we public servants are here to serve. Meanwhile, our infrastructure is aging, and doing nothing is no longer an option. The RAPID Act moves us forward. It helps make sure our homes have power during extreme storms. It helps reduce pollution. It helps create good-paying jobs in clean energy. That
should be something we can all get behind.
If the supervisors want to sit down and talk seriously about how to improve the process, our door is always open. But yelling about non-existent dangers doesn’t help anyone. It misleads the public. It slows progress. And it makes it harder to build the kind of energy future Long Island deserves and desperately needs.
We believe in transparency, community input and in building a future in which Long Island is stronger, safer and cleaner. The RAPID Act is a big step in that direction.
It’s time to stop the political games. Time to stop pretending that doing nothing is somehow safer. I know firsthand that Long Islanders care about their communities, and the environment. They’re smart enough to see through rhetoric designed to instill fear, and they deserve better: They deserve leadership that tells the truth about the very real needs and demands of our infrastructure and its impacts on growing our economy. As I’ve said in countless hearings and committee meetings, the RAPID Act isn’t about taking power away from towns. It’s about keeping the lights on, making sure everyone has a seat at the table, and making sure we’re ready for the future.
Let’s move forward together.
Rory Christian is chairman of the New York State Public Service Commission.
Consumers have changed our shopping habits across New York state. The transition to online shopping has significantly increased plastic, paper and cardboard packaging waste. Those materials go to Reworld, which takes our trash, and are turned into ash. The ash needs to go somewhere, but where?
On Long Island, most of the ash goes to Brookhaven Landfill, but that clock is ticking. The Brookhaven facility will soon reach its capacity for ash, and that means it will close in the next few years, leaving towns such as Hempstead and North Hempstead with no ash-disposal options on Long Island. As packaging waste increases, recycling rates remain lackluster, which adds to our solid-waste burden. The good news is that we can reduce packaging waste and increase recycling rates to help address this challenge. Citizens Campaign for the Environment
chairs a statewide coalition of environmental leaders, local governments, stakeholders and elected officials who have joined to back state legislation called the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. This important bill is urgently needed.
New York is experiencing a solid-waste crisis, with skyrocketing costs to municipalities, abysmal recycling rates, and plastic pollution littering our communities and waterways. Our state generates more than 17 million tons of municipal solid waste annually. Long Island is responsible for 1.6 million tons per year, 205,000 tons of which go to landfills off Long Island, and 1.4 million tons are sent to waste-toenergy facilities, resulting in 400,000 tons of ash that must be landfilled. There is currently no plan to manage this ash once the Brookhaven landfill is closed. The one wise choice everyone agrees on is to reduce our waste stream, and this legislation would do just that.
The financial burden of managing recyclable waste falls on local taxpayers. Municipalities are struggling with
recycling costs and outdated infrastructure that significantly limits the volume of materials that are recycled. It is estimated that local governments statewide spend more than $200 million each year to keep local recycling programs going. That is not sustainable.
The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act would revolutionize New York’s approach to solid waste by shifting the responsibility of managing plastic, paper and packaging waste to corporations, not taxpayers and local governments. Those that put packaging into the waste stream are best positioned to reduce the amount of packaging that’s created in the first place.
The measure would require large corporations to reduce consumer packaging by 30 percent in 12 years, increase post-consumer recycled content in packaging and invest in new reuse/ refill infrastructure. The bill includes strong oversight and enforcement provisions to ensure that corporations comply.
Other states, including California,
Colorado, Maine and Oregon, have passed such laws, and similar policies have been in effect in parts of Europe and Canada for over 30 years. Where fully implemented, recycling rates exceed 70 percent, and the cost of consumer goods has not increased one penny.
It is time for corporations take out their own trash! Each year, companies ship billions of products with excess packaging, exacerbating the solid-waste crisis, yet they bear no responsibility for managing the waste they create. This sensible legislation promises to save money for municipalities and taxpayers, remove toxic substances from packaging, increase recycling and require producers to reduce waste.
We need to modernize New York’s recycling system and make producers take responsibility for managing their packaging waste. We need the governor, the State Senate and the Assembly to support this critical bill and get it signed into law this year. Every year we do nothing is another year we waste money, and allow our solid-waste management problem to grow.
We can do this!
it is essential that Congress do all it can to fully restore the World Trade Center Health Program. I commend Long Island Congressmen Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota for leading a bipartisan effort to undo the damage, intentional or not, to this program by Elon Musk’s chainsaw cuts of government health programs.
During my years in Congress, no issue was more vital or intensely personal to me than ensuring that all of the surviving victims of the attacks of Sept. 11 — police officers, firefighters, emergency responders, construction workers and civilians — receive the care they require and deserve for the illnesses caused by the toxins they breathed in at ground zero in the days, weeks and months afterward.
It wasn’t until several years after 9/11 that evidence emerged of a growing number of blood cancers and lung and breathing disorders suffered by 9/11 first responders and nearby residents and students. The concern was bipartisan. Democratic Representatives Jerry Nadler and Carolyn Maloney and
ARepublicans Vito Fossella and I were the original prime advocates. We introduced legislation in 2005 and again in 2007 to establish and fund a 9/11 illness detection and treatment program.
ed a rare and fatal blood cancer after working together at ground zero. The chances of this being a coincidence were infinitesimal. And there were countless similar situations.
session, our efforts paid off: Zadroga passed both the House and Senate.
TToday we know that more people have died from 9/11 illnesses than from the attacks, but in those early years, the numbers of victims weren’t yet especially high, and there was no proof of direct linkage to 9/11, which made it difficult to generate strong interest or support outside the New York and New Jersey congressional delegations.
hey’re causing many of the 9/11 doctors and experts to be terminated.
Soon enough, however, there was too much evidence to ignore. Anecdotally, I would see FDNY and NYPD neighbors who had worked at ground zero wearing oxygen masks as they watched their kids’ Little League games or stopped by 7-Eleven for coffee. Those scenes were repeated across Long Island and the entire downstate region, and there would eventually be victims among rescue workers who had come to New York from almost all 50 states. To make our case, we asked 9/11 heroes to visit Congress to make direct appeals to individual members. I particularly recall NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly sitting in my Washington office telling me about two cops who contract-
The enormity of what was becoming a 9/11 health crisis could no longer be denied. In 2008, we thought our legislation — named the Zadroga Bill, after James Zadroga, who was believed to be the first NYPD officer to die from a 9/11 illness — would be included in a large year-end package of legislation agreed on by Congress and the White House. Unfortunately the combined tumult of a Presidential election and a stock market collapse prevented it from coming to a vote, and there was no opportunity to salvage it.
After close but disappointing nearmisses over the next two years, primarily because of opposition from Republicans in Southern and Western states, I and others fought furiously to get Zadroga passed. I had no tolerance for opposition from the crowd who primarily represented states and districts that received disproportionate levels of federal assistance at the expense of donor states like New York, which effectively subsidized them. Finally, on Dec. 22, 2010, the last day of the congressional
Unfortunately the bill had a five-year limit, so we had to wage the fight again in 2015. This time the struggle wasn’t as difficult, and Zadroga was extended. But then, in 2019, we learned there were many more victims than expected, and the fund was running short. With the bipartisan support of Democrats like then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and House Republicans like then Whip Steve Scalise and Representatives Doug Collins and Mike Johnson, Zadroga was extended to the end of the century. I was proud to be with President Trump when he signed this legislation at a ceremony on the White House lawn.
Now the fund is seriously threatened by Musk’s misplaced cuts, which, probably made unknowingly, are causing many of the 9/11 doctors and experts to be terminated, including program Director Dr. John Howard.
Though the White House has promised to fully reinstate the program, so far it has not been done. Victims are being denied necessary testing. This insanity must end. Our nation’s commitment to the victims of 9/11 must be honored!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
merica is fixated on picking winners and losers. We use that term every day, applying it to sports, the stock market and every other field of endeavor. I heard it during the trial of O.J. Simpson, and I remember hearing it as far back as the 1960s, when, following a massive snowstorm, some parts of Queens were the last neighborhoods in New York City to see snowplows. Winners and losers are proclaimed extensively in politics, because politicians are tested on an almost daily basis.
Which leads to a discussion of the long-delayed New York state budget. Over the years, when there was an agreement between the three leaders — the governor, the leader of the State Senate and the Assembly speaker — they would all show up at a much-heralded news conference, at which each would take credit for some portion of the budget bill. For the past few years, that practice has changed, because the only person who has been taking the
media spotlight is Gov. Kathy Hochul. Before talking about winners and losers, it’s worth looking at this year’s budget process. The new spending plan budget is the latest to be finalized since 2010. Since the April 1 deadline, there have been 11 legislative extensions, which assures state employees that they can collect their paychecks.
LCould the governor have refused to delay the passage of an agreed-on budget and submitted her own spending plan on a take-itor-leave-it basis? The answer is yes. During the administration of Gov. David Paterson, the courts decided that if the Legislature can’t agree on a budget by March 31, the governor can force a vote on his or her own plan with no further delays.
cation, housing, mental hygiene and tax reform. When the dust settled, the two leaders got their asks, but the governor got the lion’s share of what she proposed back in January.
ooking to next year’s election, she set aside money for every region of the state.
But in the spirit of harmony, succeeding governors have chosen to go through the arduous process of countless meetings and formal extensions until all of the parties sign on to a final accord. This year, Hochul made it clear that she had a long list of priorities, and had no plans to give in on them. She presented the Assembly and Senate with a long list of programs covering criminal law, edu-
With an eye on next year’s election, Hochul set aside money for every region of the state. She addressed subway crime, and sided with the state’s district attorneys on their demand for reforms that will allow them to prevent the dismissal of pending cases. Taxpayers can anticipate expansion of childcare tax credits and many other goodies, including $400 checks for families on limited incomes. School districts will get a hefty increase in education aid, and students won’t be unable use their cellphones from the first school bell to the last.
During a typical give-and-take that is part of the negotiating process, each of the parties shows some willingness to bend on their key issues. But this time, the governor stuck to her guns and yielded on very few issues. Facing what could be a very tough re-election campaign next year, Hochul dug in on almost every proposal she made and
gave little ground, which added to the delays. Albany insiders were surprised at her insistence on winning on so many issues, but she has powers, and used them.
An outsider might wonder why budgets take so long these days, compared with the process 20 and 30 years ago, when spending plans were adopted days and weeks before the deadline. Once upon a time, the state budget was strictly a numbers game. The leaders would promote their pet programs, and possibly sneak in a new program or two. But in the late 1980s, the leaders began to introduce items that were controversial and had little to do with the budget. Wrapped up in one big bill, these nonfiscal items would pass, because the members would have no choice but to swallow the whole document.
Is there a chance that state budgets will once again become just a numbers package? That’s highly unlikely, because all of the leaders have developed an appetite for inserting proposals in the budget that would have no chance of passing as stand-alone bills.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.
as college dorm rooms empty across the nation, millions of parents are preparing for a significant homecoming. Your freshman is returning — perhaps changed, certainly tired, and undoubtedly with more laundry than you thought humanly possible. This transition marks the beginning of a new chapter in your family story, one that requires delicate navigation, open communication, and occasional deep breaths as you adjust to your evolving relationship.
The transformation that occurs during college’s freshman year is nothing short of remarkable. The timid student who needed reminders about deadlines may return with strong opinions about political systems you’ve never discussed. The picky eater might come home raving about kimchi or curry. The once-shy teenager might stride through your door with newfound confidence and independence. Your child has spent months making independent decisions, forming new social circles, and discovering aspects of themselves that may surprise you — and them.
What parents sometimes fail to acknowledge is that we’ve changed, too. We’ve adjusted to quieter evenings, reclaimed bathroom counter space, and perhaps discovered new routines or even aspects of our identities that had been subsumed by active parenting. Your student’s return disrupts not just their new normal, but yours as well.
The first summer home represents uncharted territory for both generations. Your student has grown accustomed to complete autonomy — deciding when to eat, sleep, study and socialize without consultation or explanation. Meanwhile, you’ve maintained a household with certain rhythms and expectations. Within the first few days of your college student’s homecoming, have a detailed conversation with them about expectations to prevent misunderstandings.
What routines did they develop at college? What do they need to feel comfortable at home? How will household responsibilities be shared? This opens the door to compromise rather than confrontation.
For many freshmen, college is their first opportunity to define themselves beyond their family context or high school reputation. They’ve experimented with new identities, beliefs and social circles. Coming home can feel like stepping backward, especially if you still see them as the person they were before they left.
This identity navigation works both ways. Your student may struggle to integrate their college self with their home self. They might seem different with college friends than with family. They might challenge family traditions or political views that once went unquestioned. These explorations, while sometimes uncomfortable, represent healthy development and should be met with curiosity rather than defensiveness.
Don’t be surprised if your student spends the first week home sleeping extraordinary hours, eating everything in sight, or displaying emotional volatility. Freshman year is physically and emotionally exhausting — particularly its conclusion, with final exams, packing and goodbyes to new friends. The transition home often reveals the school year’s toll. Students maintain a frantic pace during the semester, running on adrenaline and caffeine. When they finally reach the safety of home, their bodies and minds demand recovery time. Parents should view excessive sleeping or emotional sensitivity as necessary healing, not regression or laziness.
The social landscape for your adult child has likely shifted dramatically as well. High school friendships that once seemed permanent may have drifted. New romantic relationships may have formed. Your student might spend little
time at home as they reconnect with local friends or process the changes in these relationships. Alternatively, they might seem isolated if their primary social connections now exist at school. Both scenarios require your patience and understanding.
And while your instinct might be to recreate family traditions exactly as they were before, this summer presents an opportunity to develop new ways of connecting that honor your student’s developing adulthood. Ask them to teach you about their newfound passions. Take them to places that were once offlimits — a sophisticated restaurant, an art exhibit — that signal your recognition of their maturation. When they share stories about college experiences, practice active listening without immediately offering advice. Questions like, “How did you handle that?” communicate respect for their problem-solving abilities and invite deeper conversation. There’s a poignant truth most parents discover during this first post-college summer: Each homecoming from now on will be temporary. Your child’s primary residence increasingly exists elsewhere — in dorms, apartments and, eventually, their own home. The full nest you’ll experience this summer will empty again, with each cycle of departure becoming more permanent.
This realization, while sometimes painful, also brings opportunity. The time-limited nature of these summers encourages making the most of the moments you share. Rather than focusing on the inevitable goodbye at summer’s end, embrace the gift of time together, even if it seems fleeting.
What awaits in these summer months is a delicate dance of holding close and letting go — a choreography that, when performed with grace, becomes the foundation for a relationship that will sustain you both long after the last box is packed for sophomore year.
f prior the Department department administration Carter. 1980 as
We have to be cautious while supporting sustainability
To the Editor:
As communities across New York and the nation explore ways to transition to cleaner energy, there is growing momentum behind battery energy storage systems, particularly those using lithium-ion technology. However, we must not let the promise of sustainability blind us to the inconvenient truths of our present reality. The concept of a circular battery economy — in which batteries are reused, repurposed, and ultimately recycled to recover key materials — is a commendable goal. Yet we are far from achieving it. Our current
understand ous rankings. we were least, and are determined areas. ber of diplomas the world Fare
if you graduated from high school prior to 1980, you did so without the benefit of the United States Department of Education. The department was established during the administration of President Jimmy Carter. It began operating on May 4, 1980 as a cabinet-level department of the U.S. government.
At the time, the United States was ranked No. 1 worldwide in education. So, basically, those of us older than 61-ish graduated from high school without the Federal Department of Education.
Now, it’s important to understand the breakdowns of the various rankings. Saying or claiming that we were No. 1 is confusing, at the very least, and disingenuous, at most. Ranks are determined in so many different areas. There are rankings for the number of adults receiving high school diplomas (the U.S. is currently No. 8 in the world rankings), and the number of
years spent in formal education (the U.S. is no. 23). We’re ranked sixth in reading, 13th in science and 28th in mathematics.
The U.S. spends $21,000 per pupil, ranking us third, behind Luxembourg and Norway. Our “overall” world ranking is just 17th.
Now, again, trying to follow my policy of not taking sides, but rather just putting the facts out there for people to digest, these numbers are almost impossible to correlate in a straight line. It is also very difficult for me to be objective, having spent my life in education.
aareas spend more per pupil than economically disadvantaged areas.
nd can’t the states, along with local school boards, handle its tasks?
So, since we know that Americans typically prefer local control over just about everything, education should be no different. Local school boards and state governments really drive the dayto-day operations of our schools. We know that educational standings vary greatly from state to state. There seems to be no federal benchmark for states to maintain, so standardization doesn’t seem to be a goal of this federal agency.
better, and more efficiently, than a federal department in Washington?
Most of us have a gut feeling that education was better in the 1940s, ’50s, ’60s and even the ’70s than it is today. I often hear people saying, let’s get back to the basics — reading writing and arithmetic. But obviously the global economy, expanding technology and changing times often require studying more than the basics.
The United States does try to educate everyone, while many countries do not. We also provide more in the areas of transportation, meals and special services for students in need. These things do not reflect well in all the statistical data.
All of this data is also nationwide averages. We must realize that many of our states are larger than other countries. The other variable is local funding — what we collect in property taxes. Obviously, higher-income geographical
infrastructure for battery recycling is still in its infancy, and the environmental and economic costs of lithium extraction remain extraordinarily high.
Lithium mining is not benign — it consumes vast amounts of water, devastates ecosystems, and often occurs in regions with poor labor and environmental protections. Meanwhile, the lack of cost-effective and widely available recycling facilities means that today’s lithium-based storage systems could become tomorrow’s toxic waste problem.
Until we have robust recycling infrastructure, updated fire and safety codes, and enforceable end-of-life regulations for BESS, policymakers must exercise caution. Approving large-scale lithiumbased projects now, without these safeguards, risks trading one environmental crisis for another.
Sustainability must be more than a buzzword. It requires full-cycle accountability — from cradle to grave and, ideally, cradle to cradle. Let’s not build the clean-energy future on the unstable foundation of unresolved waste and extraction.
These are my beliefs as a private citizen, and do not reflect the official stance or opinion of the Village of Sea Cliff.
BRUCE KENNEDy Glen Cove Sea Cliff village administrator
We must urge Israel to cease its military campaign
To the Editor:
I am not a Jew, but I am a Zionist, in that I support Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign state.
I regard Hamas as a terrorist organization guilty of a barbaric attack on Israeli civilians in October 2023 as well as vicious repression of the people it purports to represent. Hamas must free all hostages immediately and unconditionally.
But the time has come for American Jews and gentiles alike who share these views to publicly urge the Israeli government to cease its military campaign in Gaza. Our voices can be powerful — if we exercise our moral duty to speak out.
Even if Hamas has inflated the death count, it is incontestable that many thousands of non-combatant Palestinians, including children and aid workers, have been killed in Israeli strikes. It is likewise certain that civilian suffering, already acute, is intensifying as a result of Israel’s two-month-long blockade of food and medicine deliveries to Gaza. And any escalation of the war is sure to further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages, accord-
In that case, what, exactly, does the federal, cabinet-level U.S. Department of Education do? Well, it currently has 4,400 employees and a $238 billion budget. And, under the 10th Amendment, the Department of Education should not be involved in local educational standards. It is tasked with actually doing the following: 1) administering federal financial aid, 2) undertaking research, 3) recommending reforms and 4) prohibiting discrimination.
Again, can’t the states, along with locally elected school boards, handle these tasks? And probably handle them
I can tell you this: During my 40 years of teaching, I would be hard pressed to tell you of any influence the U.S. Department of Education had on my classroom, curriculum or daily lessons. I do know that those who my local Board of Education has hired and fired, as well as all of the policies and procedures the board has implemented and overseen, are the factors that affected students, teachers, administrators and staff on a daily basis. Parents who elected those school board trustees and attended school board meetings were far more important to me than the U.S. secretary of education.
We are talking about our future, our children and our hard-earned money. How can we stay active, informed and do what is best for the next generation?
Ed Fare is the mayor of Valley Stream.
Framework by Tim Baker
ing to the Israeli forum of families of the hostages.
There’s nothing antisemitic about opposing Israel’s disproportionate response to Hamas’s atrocities. Indeed, this stance should rest firmly upon the
core Jewish values of rachamim (mercy and compassion) and chesed (loving kindness).
