The three-day strike forced Valley Stream commuters, who would normally use the Long Island Rail Road, to use alternate forms of travel.
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO & BRIAN KACHARABA of the Herald
The three-day Long Island Rail Road strike ended late Monday, after five unions and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reached a tentative agreement following several days of negotiations, officials announced at an evening news conference.
“It is a great relief that the LIRR strike has been resolved,” Mayor Ed Fare said. “We hope all concerned can get back to their normal routines as quickly and smoothly as possible.”
Union and MTA representatives announced the deal after negotiations resumed on Monday afternoon and continued into the night, ending the work stoppage that had halted service and caused widespread travel disruptions across Long Island and in New York City.
“We have good news tonight,” Kevin Sexton, vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the spokesman for the Long Island Railroad Bargaining Coalition, said. “We’re pleased to announce that the parties have reached an agreement.”
Sexton said that details of the agreement would not be released immediately, citing the need for member review ahead of ratification votes. However, public radio station WYNC reported that the four-year deal includes retroactive pay, and expires in July 2027.
“Due to the nature of the negotiations, we cannot discuss the specifics,” he said. “What I can say is we are looking forward to our members getting back to work and doing what they do best, which is serving the region.” He added that any premature disclosure
All school districts pass their budgets
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
Valley Stream School Districts 13, 24 and 30, along with the Central High School District, approved their budgets for the 2026-27 school year on Tuesday.
District 13, which includes James A. Dever, Howell Road, Wheeler Avenue and Willow Road elementary schools, approved a $71.96 million budget, a 3.28 percent increase over the current year’s spending plan. The proposal includes funding for expanded pre-K programs, mental health services and additional staff.
District 24, which encompasses Brooklyn Avenue, William L. Buck and Robert W. Carbonaro elementary schools, passed a $43.13 million spending plan, up 4.58 percent from the current year. The budget supports academic programs, student services and long-term planning under the district’s Vision 2030 initiative, with investments in instruction, technology and student support systems.
District 30, which includes Clear Stream Avenue, Forest Road and Shaw Avenue elementary schools, approved a $47.87 million budget, 1.51 percent larger than the current spendng plan. Highlights include funding for a social worker, two additional special education classes and new technology for students.
The Central High School Dis-
trict, which includes Valley Stream Central, North and South high schools and Memorial Junior High School, approved a $173.6 million budget, a 4.05 percent increase over the current year’s spending plan. The proposal maintains educational programs and opportunities while supporting capital projects across district schools.
“It is the continued trust and support of this community that allows the Valley Stream Central High School District to carry out its mission of providing an array of high-quality educational opportunities for every student,” Central Superintendent Wayne Loper said.
On the District 13 Board of Education, incumbents President Anthony Grosso and Trustee Patricia Farrell ran uncontested and will retain their positions. Gerardo Cavaliere’s contested seat was won by Cecil Matthew.
Contested seats on the District 24 board were captured by Aisha Darby, Salman Quader and Thomas Dowling
On the District 30 board, incumbents Kenneth Cummings and Teresea Jackson retained their seats.
The Central High School District will swear in the trustees and choose the president and vice president at its July reorganization meeting.
Hochul announces $10M in DRI funding
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
The Village of Valley Stream has been awarded $10 million through New York state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative, an investment local and state officials said will support infrastructure improvements, housing development and economic growth throughout the downtown corridor.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the funding May 13 at American Legion Post 854 in Valley Stream alongside local and state leaders, including Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, Nassau County Legislator Cynthia Nuñez and Village Trustee Kevin Waszak.
The DRI, launched in 2016, provides funding to communities across New York for locally driven development projects to strengthen downtown areas and encourage long-term economic investment.
Hochul described Valley Stream as a strategically located community with strong transportation access and a vibrant downtown that is positioned for continued growth. She said the state’s approach allows municipalities to shape their own plans rather than having Albany dictate projects.
“I knew as governor, if I could invest more money into communities and not tell them what to do, but to allow them to come up with their own vision, what their residents want to see,” Hochul said. “That’s why I love this downtown revitalization
Gov. Kathy Hochul joined local officials and community members at the announcement of Valley Stream’s $10 million grant through New York state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative on May 13.
program so much, because that’s exactly what it does. It empowers localities to fund a vision they otherwise could not.”
According to the governor, proposed projects include improvements to pedestrian and bicycle access, upgrades to lighting and signage near Long Island Rail Road overpasses, expanded public and cultural spaces at the Village Green and new mixeduse housing development opportunities. Officials also highlighted plans for what would become Long Island’s first “cottage court” development, a housing concept centered around smaller single-family homes built around a shared public green space.
The project would be developed on a former industrial property that has remained vacant for years.
Housing affordability and supply were central themes throughout the announcement. Long Island communities are facing increasing pressure from rising home prices and rents, and more housing near transit hubs is necessary to help younger residents and families remain in the communities where they grew up.
“This village is full to the brim of families who are searching for opportunity, small business owners who are looking to invest in our corridors, young people hop-
BELMONT PARK VILLAGE
ing to build a future here and seniors who have spent decades investing in the community, it is truly diverse,” Solages said. “This is why DRI funding is so important. It’s not about beautification. It’s about creating a downtown that truly reflects our culture and our community. It’s about making sure we harness all that energy and make Valley Stream one of the best places to live in America.”
Nuñez called the award transformative, saying the planned improvements would create a safer, more vibrant and more walkable downtown for residents, commuters and local businesses. She also emphasized the importance of expanding housing opportunities while preserving the village’s character.
Valley Stream joins several other Long Island communities that have previously received Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding, including Westbury, Baldwin, Huntington Station, Central Islip and Riverhead.
Waszak said the funding will help Valley Stream improve public spaces and strengthen connections throughout the downtown area. He said investments in infrastructure and housing are critical for retaining young families and seniors in the village.
State officials said community planning efforts will now continue as Valley Stream develops specific proposals and determines how the $10 million award will be allocated in the coming years.
Angelina Zingariello/Herald
LIJ event highlights healing power of pets
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Hospital partnered with North Shore Animal League America on May 15 for a pet adoption event to promote Mental Health Awareness Month and help puppies and kittens find “furr-ever” homes.
The event, held at the hospital and open to both employees and the public, connected prospective pet owners with adoptable animals through an adoption process that organizers said could allow animals to go home with new owners the same day.
The initiative was organized by Mary Olshwitz, a registered respiratory therapist at the hospital.
“I wanted to do this because animals can be such great companions and really help with mental health, comfort and emotional support,” Olshwitz said. “I thought bringing pet adoption and mental health awareness together would be a positive way to help both people and animals.”
Hospital departments, including operations, patient experience and nursing, collaborated with the animal welfare organization to coordinate the event, which organizers hope will become an annual program across the Northwell Health system.
The event highlighted growing research surrounding the connection between pet ownership and emotional
well-being. According to a 2026 report from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, 87 percent of pet owners reported mental health benefits from having a pet, while 80 percent said their animals helped reduce feelings of loneliness. The report also found that 61 percent of pet owners said their animals provided significant comfort and a positive impact on emotional well-being.
Olshwitz said animals can provide companionship, emotional support and a sense of purpose, particularly for individuals struggling with loneliness or depression. She also noted that
caring for a pet can encourage routines and responsibility, such as feeding, walking and providing daily care, which may help motivate people experiencing mental health challenges.
Viktoria Toth, director of psychiatry at the hospital, said the relationship between humans and animals has evolved over thousands of years from working partnerships into emotional bonds that now play a recognized role in health care and psychiatric treatment.
Toth said therapy animals are commonly used in hospitals, nursing homes and psychiatric settings,
including programs involving children, older adults and patients with autism or severe mental illness. She noted that pet therapy programs are already active within Northwell facilities, including at Zucker Hillside Hospital, where therapy animals visit inpatient psychiatric units.
She also pointed to scientific research showing that interaction with animals can increase oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine levels while lowering cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. Toth said these effects have been associated with reduced stress, improved mood and even lower perceptions of physical pain.
“Pets give their owners unconditional love and loyalty with 100 percent acceptance of who they are,” Toth said. “Having a pet helps to combat loneliness; they make you feel loved and appreciated. Who doesn’t want that?”Top of Form
Within psychiatric care, she added, pet ownership can also serve as a protective factor during suicide risk assessments because of the emotional bond and responsibility individuals often feel toward their animals.
Organizers said they hope the adoption event not only helped animals find homes, but also encouraged broader conversations about mental health, companionship and emotional support within the community.
Angelina Zingariello/Herald photos
Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Hospital partnered with North Shore Animal League America on May 15 for a pet adoption event.
Cobey, a terrier who was available for adoption, looked for his new family.
Adoptable Midnight, a lab mix, had some fun outside.
Protecting Your Future
“Joyspan”
by Dr. Kerry Burnight
Subtitled “The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half”, this book reflects the natural progression of our desire to increase our lifespan (the number of our years), to increasing our healthspan (the number of our healthy years), to increasing our joyspan (the number of our joyful years). The author defines joy as an inner feeling of well-being or contentment, as opposed to happiness, which comes and goes, often according to external circumstances.
Burnight writes, “To thrive in old age means to live a fulfilling, purposeful, and satisfying life despite the challenges of aging. It involves maximizing physical health, cognitive function, emotional well-being, social connections, and a sense of meaning. Thriving doesn’t mean being free of all health problems or challenges, rather, it emphasizes resilience, adaptability, and the ability to find joy and value in life.”
Research shows that those who thrive late in life:
Grow: They continue to explore and expand
Connect: They put time into new and existing relationships
Adapt: They adjust to changing and challenging circumstances
Give: They share themselves
As a Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Dr. Burnight was struck by the radical difference in how people experienced their own aging process. “For some it is a frustrating, degrading, painful trajectory of ever-increasing decline. For others, there is visible delight, spirituality, and joy in occupying their eighth, ninth, and tenth decades.”
The thieves of joy are (1) comparison with others (2) frustration with health and mobility limitations (3) feeling like you are a burden (4) feeling heartbroken over the loss of a loved one, and (5) feeling defeated as if your best days are behind you. Nevertheless, she says, “Like the sun, joy is always there. But when it’s hidden by clouds, we mistakenly say it’s gone. Joy is resilient and can break through the clouds because it’s an innate part of the human experience.”
“One might say that following this doctor’s prescription will increase your “joyspan” and decrease your “oyspan”!
ETTINGER LAW FIRM
Crime watCh
Three Suffolk County men arrested for residential burglary in North Valley Stream
The Major Case Squad reports the arrest on May 12 of three men in connection with a residential burglary that occurred on April 11 at 10:30 p.m. in North Valley Stream.
According to Detectives, a 42-year-old man left his residence on Wyngate Drive East on April 10 for vacation. April 12, he remotely checked his surveillance cameras and saw they were not working properly. He asked a family member to go to the residence to check the cameras.
that the home’s internet wiring had been cut and located a signal jammer.
After searching the inside of the home, officers found the bedroom closet to be ransacked, with damage to the flooring where a safe containing $460,000 and $500,000.00 worth of jewelry, had been affixed.
The family member reported the side entrance door was broken and the framing of the door was ripped off. The cameras had also been repositioned and the lenses were covered with tape. When officers arrived, they discovered
After an investigation conducted by Major Case Squad and other Nassau County Police Department units, three men were placed under arrest at their Suffolk County residences: Vincent Repka, 58, of Port Jefferson, Nikitas Margiellos, 53, of West Babylon and Leonard Repka, 63, of Port Jefferson.
All three men are charged with burglary.
— Angelina Zingariello
People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.
Nikitas Margiellos ViNceNt repka
leoNard repka
Veterans groups prepare for Memorial Day
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
Memorial Day in Valley Stream will once again bring residents, veterans and local organizations together to honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States military.
Among the events planned for the holiday weekend, the village’s annual Memorial Day parade will step off at 9:30 a.m. on May 25, assembling at the intersection of Wheeler Avenue and Rockaway Parkway. Following the parade, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1790 and American Legion Post 854 will host a joint Memorial Day barbecue beginning at 1 p.m..
“It is an honor to partner with the American Legion and VFW posts in commemoration of this year’s Memorial Day activities,” Mayor Ed Fare said. “This is when we as a country remember our war dead, those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our great nation. We owe them this solemn tribute.”
The event marks the first time the two Valley Stream veteran organizations have collaborated on a barbecue of this scale. The partnership grew out of conversations between the two groups during previous events and reflects the close relationship shared by many veterans who belong to both organizations.
Patrick Clayton, junior vice commander of VFW Post 1790, said the collaboration is designed to strengthen ties within the com-
munity while increasing awareness of the work local veterans organizations perform year-round. While many residents know the organizations for hosting social gatherings and hall rentals, they also provide support services for veterans and their families, volunteer throughout the community and organize charitable initiatives.
Veterans involved in organizing the parade said they hope this year’s turnout exceeds previous years, with more residents lining the parade route and participating in the day’s ceremonies. They want the event to serve not only as a celebration, but also as an opportunity to educate the
public about the meaning of Memorial Day.
“We want the whole community to come out and support Memorial Day,” Clayton said. “If you don’t, and you’re barbecuing at home, please just take a time to remember the men and women who served and passed away.”
Edward Priest, the new quartermaster of VFW Post 1790, emphasized that many of those who died in service were young people who volunteered to defend the country.
“From World War I to the Spanish War, these were children,” Priest said. “These were not 40 or 50-year-old men. There were
17, 18, and in some cases, 16 who wanted to serve. These were young kids, their age, who took up arms to serve and defend this country and gave their lives to defend it.”
Karen Seawright, a trustee at VFW Post 1790, said veterans organizations also play an important role in supporting activeduty service members returning home. She said local posts aim to provide guidance, camaraderie and resources that many veterans themselves struggled to find after leaving the military.
This year’s parade grand marshal will be Michael Tamayo, a lifelong Valley Stream resident and Valley Stream South High School graduate who joined the United States Navy in 2004 as a hospital corpsman. During the Iraq War, Tamayo deployed with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, known as “The Magnificent Bastards.” His unit earned both the Presidential Unit Citation and National Unit Citation for service during combat operations.
After completing six years of military service, Tamayo pursued a career in healthcare, earning a nursing degree from Molloy University and working throughout the Northwell Health system, including during the Covid-19 pandemic. He is also a member of American Legion Post 854 and remains active in the community.
With community gatherings planned for the holiday weekend, Memorial Day remains an important opportunity for residents to come together in remembrance and reflection.
Herald file photo
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1790 led the march at last year’s village Memorial Day Parade.
District 24 earns recognitions at visual olympics
Sixth-grade students in the Valley Stream 24 School District Challenge Program earned recognition in several categories at the New York State Art Teachers Association Olympics of the Visual Arts in Saratoga Springs, competing against 75 middle school teams from across the state.
Led by District Challenge and Enrichment Teacher Amanda Plutner and art teachers from each school, students participated in competitions in Illustration, Fashion, Painting, Design, Architecture, Sculpture and Drawing.
Students from William L. Buck School earned first place in the drawing category and received the Hyndman Creativity Award for their project, “Forest of Defense.” JiaYin Z. and KalEl D. created the drawing after researching animal camouflage near Niagara Falls. The project used invisible ink to allow viewers to uncover hidden animals throughout the artwork.
William L. Buck students Parker C., Nicholas R. and Shira W. earned second place in the architecture category for “Pollinator Conservation Conservatory.” Their model school design was inspired by the structure of a beehive and focused on pollinator protection and habitat preservation.
In the sculpture category, William L. Buck students Gabrielle C., Benjamin G. and Milan S. received third place for “Majestic Mellifera Mother.” The mixed-media tiled sculpture highlighted the queen bee as the center of the hive and combined scientific research with artistic influences.
Students from Brooklyn Avenue School also earned recognition at the statewide event. Brianna G. and
Sophia S. received third place in the painting category for “Canyon of Light: Where Light Meets the Forest.” Inspired by Letchworth State Park, the mixed-media artwork featured a split dayand-night scene of deer in their habitat and explored the effects of light, emotion and human impact on nature.
Brooklyn Avenue School students Ryan Q. and Sienna W. presented “Earth in Four Courses,” a design project featuring an interactive picnic blanket divided into four seasonal passages. The project incorporated natural materials such as sticks and bark to illustrate connections between cultures and nature around the world.
At Robert W. Carbonaro School, students Manuel G., Ellice J. and Nigel L. showcased their fashion design project, “Ghost Net.” The handmade dress was constructed entirely from paper and origami designs, contrasting a vibrant ocean theme with a tangled netinspired skirt to highlight environmental awareness and marine pollution.
Robert W. Carbonaro students Angel C. and Adam E. created the illustration project “A Quilted Night: The Moonlit Owl.” Inspired by “Owl Moon” by Jane Yolen and the storytelling quilts of Faith Ringgold, the piece used textured materials, layered design and illustrated quilt squares to depict a snowy night spent owling.
The district congratulated all participating students and recognized the accomplishments of the award winners. The district also thanked Plutner and the art teachers who supported students throughout the competition.
— Angelina Zingariello
Photos courtesy Valley Stream 24 School District
William L. Buck School projects included a sculpture, an architectural model and a hand-drawn book.
Brooklyn Avenue School featured a design project and a mixed-media painting.
Robert W. Carbonaro School students created a paper dress and a storytelling quilt.
Strike was the railroad’s first since 1994
of details could complicate ratification.
“We don’t want to fail ratification,” Sexton said. “If they get part of this story through the media, it may impact their decision.”
The agreement is subject to a 30-day period in which union members will review and vote on the tentative deal before it becomes official.
Valley Stream is home to two stations: Valley Stream and Gibson. Although the strike was short, it caused inconvenience to local commuters as they tried to navigate the situation and figure out last-minute arrangements.
Olivia Schwartz, a management associate at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream hospital, is a reverse commuter, taking the train from Grand Central or Penn Station to the Valley Stream station. Schwartz had already made arrangements prior to the strike, including speaking with her boss about remote work or taking the subway to Queens to meet a co-worker who offered to drive her.
muters and taxpayers.
“I’m truly pleased to share that the five Long Island Rail Road unions and the MTA were able to come together and reach a fair deal this evening,” Hochul said. “The contract achieved two principles: protecting affordability for Long Islanders and commuters while giving fair wages to the employees.”
I t’s important for people to stand up for what they believe in ... This is how you inspire change.
OlIvIa Schwartz management associate, Long
Despite the challenges the strike created for commuters, Schwartz acknowledged the reasons for it and its significance for LIRR workers. “It’s important for people to stand up for what they believe in …,” she said. “This is how you inspire change.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the agreement was reached after continued bargaining focused on balancing worker pay with affordability for com-
Officials said that the LIRR would begin restoring service in phases starting Tuesday at noon, with limited hourly service on four main branches, before expanding systemwide service later in the day. The MTA said that the contingency bus service that operated during the shutdown would continue Tuesday morning before being phased out as train service ramped up.
Hochul said that roughly 3,500 LIRR employees would receive raises under the agreement, while fare and tax increases would not be part of the deal. “I also did not accept a deal for compromise affordability for Long Islanders,” she said. “At a time when everything is going up, I’m not going to allow taxes or fares to go up. Period. Full stop. Got it done.”
Officials said that additional details on full system restoration were expected as crews completed inspections, repositioned equipment and returned employees to scheduled assignments.
It was the first Long Island Rail Road strike since June 17, 1994. That strike lasted two days before a contract settlement was reached.
Angelina Zingariello/Herald
Olivia Schwartz, a management associate at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream hospital, arranged alternate travel from Grand Central or Penn Station to Valley Stream during the strike.
VSCHSD appoints new fine arts director
The Valley Stream Central High School District has appointed Monique Retzlaff as its new director of fine and performing arts. Bringing more than 25 years of experience as an arts leader and educator.
Retzlaff will lead the Districtwide instructional program for music, art, theater and dance, working to further strengthen instruction, align programming and expand access while maintaining high expectations for all students.
Retzlaff joins the District from Freeport High School, where she spent nearly two decades as Select Chorale Director. Under her leadership, the Select Chorale performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, Radio City Music Hall, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, with consistent student representation at All-State, All-Eastern and All-National levels. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Queens College, supervising and mentoring future music educators, and remains an active performer with eVoco Voice Collective and was a founding member of the Jason Max Ferdinand Singers.
“What motivates me in this role is the transformation I see in students,” Retzlaff said. “The arts give them a place to take risks, grow and to begin seeing themselves differently. I have watched students walk in unsure and leave with confidence, discipline and a real sense of pride in what they have accomplished. It becomes a space where they feel seen and where their voice matters. That stays with them. It is never just about the performance. It is about who they become in the process, and that impact lasts far beyond the classroom.”
In her new role, Retzlaff said she is focused on building sustainable systems that support both student growth and teacher development.
“Right now, I am focused on listening, observing and understanding what is already in place across the
district,” Retzlaff said. “My role is to strengthen instruction and ensure teachers feel fully supported in their work. That shows up in how I lead. It means being present, being accessible and making sure they have what they need, whether that is the resources they deserve or strong backing behind their programs. When that support is in place, the work deepens and students rise to meet it. From there, it is about building alignment across schools and expanding opportunities so students can grow, take pride in their work and experience the arts at a high level.”
Retzlaff holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music Education from Queens College and a School Administrator degree from Long Island University.
— Angelina Zingariello
Courtesy Valley Stream Central High School District Monique Retzlaff, the new director of fine and performing arts at the Valley Stream Central High School District, brings more than 25 years of experience as an arts leader and educator.
County panel kicks off anti-fraud campaign
Experts detail deceitful practices that cost unsuspecting consumers hundreds of billions of dollars
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Throughout the country, an easily overlooked category of crime has become a multi-billion-dollar industry: Insurance fraud costs consumers $806 billion every year, taking financial bites out of construction, transportation, real estate and other industries. Long Island’s local business leaders are sharing their strategies to avoid contributing to that statistic.
Some 160 business owners and employees welcomed advice from elected officials, security firms and fellow business people at a panel at the Morrelly Homeland Security Center in Bethpage on May 13.
This was the first panel connecting government agencies and local businesses to share information about fighting insurance fraud, according to John Capece, Nassau County’s consumer affairs commissioner.
“This is the first time in Long Island history that we have a meeting with all the building departments and the Department of Consumer Affairs to host a seminar for training and for communication,” Capece said.
The panel, sponsored by the Long Island Builders Institute, is intended to be the first of many. Capece conceived of the idea to kick off a larger effort to improve consumer safety by helping community members and local businesses identify and avoid malicious actors.
“We want to stop them because they prey on the elderly and the vulnerable people that don’t understand contracts … they get sucked into something where they think they’re going to save so much money and they don’t,” Capece said. “We want to educate the
public.”
Panelists discussed the optimal ways of handling everything from home improvement contractor licensing, permitting, solar installations and contracting oversight to responding to fraudulent insurance and
training certificates and staged construction accidents, as well as other topics impacting homeowners and the building industry.
Panelist Gina Farese is a solar energy entrepreneur and a member of Nassau County’s Home Improvement Advisory Committee and many other groups in the industry. She has seen many cases of improper business dealings, ranging from roofing coverage to workers who aren’t on a contractor’s official payroll.
“There’s a lot of things that are broken and so far gone, and I’m seeing so many homeowners get, unfortunately, taken,” Farese said. “So many people just care about their bottom line … at the end of the day, it’s just making sure that the homeowners are protected properly, and educating people.”
Mary Harkins serves as counsel to the county’s Department of Consumer Affairs. She advises Capece and the department on the interpretation of local laws, with a focus on contract violations.
“Now we’re able to address it more proactively, rather than just reacting,” Harkins said. “Our licensing division is about, like, six people, some part-time, and we’re dealing with 10,000 licenses plus about 800 new applications per year. It’s a lot of responsibility, but in reality, we’re moving on it.
“We’re trying to uncover the really great contractors out there,” Harkins added. For bad actors in the industry, the department, she said, is “trying to identify them and take corrective action.”
The number one way to protect yourself against risk, Capece said, is to verify that any contractor in your home is legitimately licensed.
For more information, call Nassau County Consumer Affairs at (516) 571-2465.
Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald
Panelist Gina Farese and Nassau Consumer Affairs Commissioner John Capece advised more than 160 community members about the risks of insurance fraud.
Showing 516 pride at Green Acres Mall
Green Acres Mall marked Nassau County’s annual “516 Day” celebration with a full day of entertainment, giveaways, local business participation and community-focused activities.
The annual event, inspired by the county’s 516 area code, is designed to encourage residents to shop locally and celebrate community pride throughout the county. Guests at Green Acres were encouraged to represent their hometowns and schools by wearing school colors during the event.
This year’s celebration also coincided with Green Acres’ 70th anniversary serving the region.
Activities began in the morning with the launch of the 516 Walking Club, where participants completed 516 steps through the mall for a chance to receive promotional giveaways. Additional events throughout the day included the 516 Trivia Game Show Experience at Center Court, where visitors competed for prizes and gift cards.
The center also hosted complimentary food and beverage samples from participating retailers, including Quickway Hibachi and Smoothie Planet. Artists Mike Stanko, Darren Boerckel, Yuliya Lobach and Jim Zabatta participated in a Local Artist Showcase.
Student artwork from Valley Stream South High School was displayed at the Reflections Art Show, and local organizations and nonprofits participated in a Community Impact Hub, showing the services available to Valley Stream residents.
Entertainment throughout the day included live DJs, stilt walkers, balloon artists, face painters and photo booth activations located around the mall.
A blood drive organized by the New York Blood Center in partnership with the Valley Stream Teachers Association was also held near Macy’s Men’s during the event.
Green Acres leadership said the event reflected the shopping center’s continued focus on community engagement as redevelopment efforts continue at the property.
–Angelina Zingariello
Photos courtesy Green Acres Mall
516 Day filled Green Acres Mall with residents celebrating their county.
Local organizations and nonprofits participated in a Community Impact Hub, showing the services available to residents.
The Local Art Showcase spotlighted work from Valley Stream artists. Entertainment throughout the day included stilt walkers.
Balboni returns to Adelphi as its president
By ALLYSON FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com
Adelphi University has named Michael Balboni, a former state lawmaker and a longtime public servant, as its 11th president.
Balboni, who will take office June 1, is the first Adelphi graduate, the first Adelphi parent and the first Long Island native to lead the Garden City university. He succeeds Interim President Christopher K. Storm Jr., who will move into the newly created role of senior executive vice president of academic affairs and provost. Christine M. Riordan was Adelphi’s 10th president.
“This transition is a homecoming for me, a true full-circle moment,” Balboni said. “Because I know Adelphi from almost every possible angle, I have an intimate understanding of the DNA of this university and the transformative power of the education it provides.”
Balboni graduated cum laude from Adelphi in 1981 with a degree in biology, and has remained closely connected to the university, including as an adjunct faculty member and, most recently, as chair of the board of trustees. He built a career in law, government and public safety, serving in the Assembly and State Senate and later as New York’s deputy secretary for public safety.
Balboni said he plans to serve as Adelphi’s “chief external advocate,” using his experience in government, law and public policy to raise the university’s profile, expand partnerships and pursue new funding.
“I plan to leverage my professional network and my knowledge of the legislative landscapes in Albany and Washington, D.C., to elevate our institutional visibility,” he said.
He added that he will pursue state and federal grants, build corporate partnerships and work to raise Adelphi’s regional and national profile.
William Fuessler, acting chair of the university’s
board of trustees and chair of the presidential search committee, said Balboni’s background makes him well suited to lead the university at a challenging time for higher education.
“To thrive, Adelphi requires an innovative leader and a proven executive capable of navigating complex financial and operational headwinds,” Fuessler said. “Michael Balboni brings precisely this expertise.”
Fuessler added that Balboni’s public- and privatesector experience will help the university secure resources and support institutional growth.
Balboni takes over as colleges and universities nationwide face pressure from shifting enrollment patterns, rising costs and growing scrutiny over the value of a college degree. Adelphi, he said, is entering that period in a position of strength.
Adelphi received a record 17,000 first-year applications for the upcoming fall semester, and has posted record first-year enrollment in two of the past three years, Balboni said. The university also has a balanced budget, a stable financial outlook and a $282 million endowment, up 69 percent since 2016.
“For workforce readiness, proving the return on investment of a degree is critical,” he said.
Affordability, efficiency and new partnerships will be central to his presidency, Balboni explained, as Adelphi works to demonstrate the value of a college degree. The university will focus on aligning programs with market demand in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and health care, while expanding internships, externships, job shadowing and study abroad opportunities.
“I want to make sure our students all have the experiential opportunities through internships, externships, job shadowing and study abroad,” Balboni said, “so they have real-world experiences employers want.”
Courtesy Adelphi University
Michael Balboni will take office June 1 as Adelphi University’s 11th president. He will be the university’s first graduate, the first Adelphi parent and the first Long Island native to hold the position.
things to know about: ticks
How to avoid bites and stay healthy this spring
By WILL SHEELINE
wsheeline@liherald.com
As temperatures rise across the United States, outdoor activity increases on trails, in parks and in backyards. That seasonal shift also brings heightened exposure to ticks, small parasites capable of transmitting serious illnesses. Information from the National Forest Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains what people should understand about ticks before heading outside.
n Tick bites can carry real health risks, despite their small size
While not every tick carries disease, some species can transmit illnesses that lead to significant health complications.
Among the most widely known are Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, both of which can cause symptoms ranging from fever and fatigue to more severe complications if untreated.
Tick species vary by region, and each type may carry different pathogens. That makes regional awareness important.
Understanding which ticks are common in a given area helps determine which symptoms to monitor after a bite.
Early warning signs can include a distinctive bull’s-eye rash, small red spots on extremities, or flulike symptoms in the weeks following exposure.
n Ticks are active in more places and times than many expect
Lawns, gardens and neighborhood trails can all harbor ticks, especially in shaded areas with tall grass, brush or leaf litter.
Ticks typically attach to people or pets when they brush against vegetation. Once on the body, they tend to move in search of concealed areas such as the scalp, underarms, waistline or behind the knees.
Seasonally, ticks are most active during spring, summer and early fall, though they can remain active any time temperatures stay above freezing.
Preventive measures can significantly lower the chance of a bite. Wearing light colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot, while long sleeves and tucked clothing create barriers that slow their movement. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin or IR3535 are recommended for exposed skin, and permethrin treatments can be applied to clothing.
n Prompt removal and follow up are critical to safety
If a tick is found attached to the skin, try to remove it as soon as possible. Use clean, fine tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and pull upward with steady pressure. Twisting or jerking can cause parts of the tick to remain embedded. After removal, the bite area and hands should be cleaned with soap and water or alcohol. The tick itself should be sealed, flushed or put in alcohol. Once indoors, individuals should shower, change clothes and wash garments in hot water. Gear and pets should also be checked carefully.
Medical attention is not usually necessary after a bite, but monitoring for symptoms is important. Anyone who develops a rash, fever or flu-like illness within several weeks should contact a healthcare provider and report when and where the exposure occurred.
STEPPING OUT
By Karen Bloom
The holiday weekend may feel a little different this year with the beloved FourLeaf Air Show shifting to over to Fourth of July as part of the celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Still, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the unofficial start of summer, including a patriotic drone show to fill in for the annual flying spectacle that will illuminate the night sky over Jones Beach on May 24.
No matter how the weekend unfolds, one tradition remains firmly in place: gathering around the grill for a barbecue with family and friends.
Of course, no Memorial Day barbecue would be complete without the familiar favorites — juicy burgers sizzling over an open flame, hot dogs nestled in toasted buns and steaks grilled to smoky perfection. But today’s cookout offers far more than the traditional staples. By adding dishes with bold marinades, fresh seasonal ingredients and unexpected sweet-and-savory flavors, hosts can bring new energy to the holiday barbecue while still honoring the classics everyone loves.
The beauty of grilling is its versatility. From colorful kebabs and charred vegetables to caramelized fruit and herb-infused sides, even the simplest ingredients take on extra flavor over the fire. The tried-and-true will always remain a go-to, but the holiday is also the perfect opportunity to refresh the menu with creative twists and crowdpleasing additions that may just become new favorites.
Spicy Mustard Chicken Kebabs
Kabobs add sizzle to the season. With their easy preparation and quick cooking time, kabobs are a simple way to enjoy many of your favorite fresh flavors.
Sizzle into summer
Fire up Memorial Day
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 1 pound raw boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper
• 1 medium red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
To make sauce, place 3 tablespoons mustard in medium bowl. Add oil and garlic powder, and whisk until uniform. Cover and refrigerate. To make marinade, in small bowl, combine vinegar with remaining 2 tablespoons mustard. Stir until uniform.
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place chicken and marinade in large sealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible and seal.
Gently knead marinade into chicken through bag. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Meanwhile, if using wooden skewers, soak 4 in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning. Alternately thread marinated chicken and onion chunks onto 4 skewers. Bring grill to mediumhigh heat.
Brush both sides of kebabs with sauce. Grill kebabs for 5 minutes with grill cover down.
Flip kebabs and grill for 6 to 8 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Enjoy.
Grilled Pineapple with Lime Dip
Enhance the flavor of fruits and veggies at your barbecue. Try another way to eat pineapple by grilling it and pairing with a lime dip for a tasty treat.
• 1 pineapple
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 3 tablespoons honey
Lime Dip:
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 teaspoons lime zest
Peel pineapple; cut into wedges.
In resealable plastic bag, combine brown sugar, lime juice and honey. Add pineapple wedges, seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate 1 hour.
To make dip: In small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in yogurt, honey, brown sugar, lime juice and lime zest. Cover and refrigerate.
Heat grill to medium heat.
Remove pineapple wedges from plastic bag; discard marinade. Grill pineapple wedges, covered, 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
Serve with dip.
Grilled
Lemon Chive Corn
Grilling adds an extra special flavor to corn on the cob. Try it with a lemon chive butter topping.
• 4 ears fresh sweet corn, in husks
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Pull back husks from each ear of corn, leaving husks attached to base. Remove corn silk. Fold husks back around corn; tie at end of each ear with string or strip of outside corn leaves. Soak in cold water 30 minutes. Drain.
Place corn on grill, uncovered, 20 to 30 minutes or until tender, turning often. Meanwhile combine butter, chives and lemon juice.
Serve corn with lemon-chive butter.
‘Cold Beer on a Saturday Night’
Spring blooms with a taste of summer as Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band bring their “Ultimate Beach Party Tribute” to the Paramount stage, celebrating the music of Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, and Zac Brown Band. Long Island–based and led by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, the group also features Linn DeMilta (Lovely Linn) on lead and backing vocals, Luis Rios on guitar, Frank Stainkamp on keyboards, Dan Prine on bass, and Mike Vecchione on drums. Together, they’ve spent more than a decade channeling the laid-back spirit of beach-country favorites. With a setlist built for singing along, the band blends crowd-pleasing hits with an easygoing, sun-soaked energy that evokes margaritas, ocean breezes and carefree nights where, as they like to say, it’s always “5 o’clock somewhere.”
Saturday, May 23, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Decoration Day
Step back into time to when Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Throughout weekend, the living-history site comes alive with the sights, sounds and traditions of the 19th century, offering visitors an immersive glimpse into how Long Islanders once marked the occasion.Stroll the village while enjoying period craft demonstrations, storytelling and stirring brass band concerts that echo through the historic streets. The weekend culminates with the signature Decoration Day observance, re-creating the holiday as it was first commemorated in the early 1870s. Costumed Civil War “veterans” lead a patriotic parade and heartfelt ceremony honoring departed soldiers, capturing the spirit, pageantry and reverence of an earlier era. The parade and ceremonial program begin at 2:15 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, May 2324, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage. Visit oldbethpagevillagerestoration.org or call (516) 572-8409.
Spicy Mustard Chicken Kebabs Grilled Pineapple with Lime Dip
Grilled Lemon Chive Corn
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
MAY 22
Teen Volunteering: Seed Savers
Teens can help make seed balls with the Valley Stream Local Seed Savers at Henry Waldinger Memorial Library. For Grades 7-12. Registration required..
• Where: 60 Verona Place
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Contact: valleystreamlibrary. org or (516) 825-6422
MAY
25
Memorial Day Parade
The Village of Valley Stream hosts their annual Memorial Day parade. Join in with neighbors and friends.
• Where: Corner of Rockaway Pkwy. & Wheeler Ave.
• Time: 9:30 a.m.
• Contact: (516) 825-4200
MAY
26
Harmonize With Long Island Harmonizers
Love to sing? So do the Long Island Harmonizers. The chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society is a chorus of more than 20 singers, now welcoming new members. The ensemble performs fourpart a cappella harmony in the barbershop style, entertaining audiences at libraries, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and local events. All are welcome to visit one of their weekly rehearsals. Come listen, meet the chorus, and — if you’d like—join in and sing. No musical experience is necessary, just a love of singing and a desire to have fun making music together.
• Where: Faith Lutheran Church, 231 Jackson Ave, Syosset
• Time: Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
• Contact: Call: Rich, (516) 521-4779, or Dennis, (516) 680-8036, or visit longislandharmonizers.org
‘Something
MAY 28
Rotten! The Musical”
See the comedy musical, set in the 1590s, which follows two playwright brothers competing with William Shakespeare as they attempt to create the world’s first musical. From tap dancing eggs to beautiful love stores, this musical really has it all. Songs include “A Musical!,”“It’s Hard to Be the Bard,” and “Welcome to the Renaissance.” The cast of professionals, includes David Hibbard, who was in the
JUN
16
Gary Clark Jr.
Blues-rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter has built a reputation as one of the most exciting live performers of his generation. Blending electric blues, rock, soul, R&B, and hints of hip-hop, his sound is both rooted in tradition and boldly modern. His guitar tone often recalls legends like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, but his songwriting, socially aware lyrics, and willingness to experiment make him stand out as a contemporary artist. On stage, he is known for extended solos, dynamic arrangements, and emotionally charged vocals that move from soft falsetto to gritty growls, making every Gary Clark Jr concert feel unforgettable. Anyone who has listened to a Gary Clark Jr. album or watched the four-time Grammy Award winner perform live knows that he’s a gifted multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and performer. And never more so than on his last album, 2019’s illuminating This Land. But while This Land signaled a breakthrough in displaying his musical versatility beyond the blues, his latest album, JPEG RAW, represents a quantum leap.
original Broadway production, with CAP21 alumni and current students. Performances are scheduled throughout the fourday run.
• Where: Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: Varied times, through May 31
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
Brick Builders
Old Westbury Gardens welcomes families to spend an afternoon exploring, building and creating together! Brick Builders invites children and their grownups to enjoy building a LEGO Friends Flower Stand with Roses Kit. The program begins at the beech tree and includes a guided walk through some of the featured exhibit Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects made with LEGO bricks. After the tour, head to the Barn at Orchard Hill to build a LEGO kit to take home For ages 5+. | $24 per child (includes admission, guided tour, and LEGO kit). $22 per adult (includes admission and guided tour), with member discount. Registration required.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
MAY
30
Sprout and Bloom
Families can dig in and get their hands dirty at Long Island Children’s Museum. The museum welcomes all to celebrating all the beautiful May flowers by planting your own at the drop-in program. Take it home and watch it grow!. For ages 3+.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: Noon-2 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
MAY
31
Hendrickson Park Clean-up
The Valley Stream Beautification Committee hosts a clean-up of A.J. Hendrickson Park. Participants are encouraged to bring waders or rain boots.
• Where: Meet at Fletcher Ave., Central High School parking lot near park path
• Time: 10 a.m.
• Contact: vsbeautification@ gmail.com
participate in a guided stroll through the Gardens, with a reading of “The Secret Garden” by Callista Brill (based on Frances Hodgson Burnett) Along the way, discover nature’s wonders, in the formal gardens. The tour ends at the Thatched Cottage with a story and handson craft for each child to take home.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
JUN
10
Summer Concert Series
The village’s annual concert series kicks off with Shining Star, a tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire.
• Where: Village Bandshell, 123 S. Central Ave.
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 825-4200
JUN
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
JUN
2
Financial Planning Workshop
Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages) is partnering with the Elmont Memorial Library to host a workshop. Experts share their knowledge regarding financial planning, retirement planning, investment accounts, passive income, investment strategies and estate planning.
• Where: 700 Hempstead Tpke.
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 571-6203 or csolages@nassaucountyny.gov
JUN
6
Gibson Community Yard Sale
Check out the yard sale throughout the Gibson section of Valley Stream. For Gibson residents only. Rain date is June 13 and 14.
• Where: Visit bit.ly/ gibsonyardsale for addresses
• Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., also June 7
• Contact: gibson11581@gmail.com
Storybook Stroll
Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a Storybook Stroll. Little listeners are invited to
11
Grooves with Amber Ferrari Band
Eisenhower Summer Concert Series is back and welcomes the Amber Ferrari Band. The nine-piece band plays tunes from the ‘60s through the ‘90s.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 572-0200
JUN
18
Juneteenth Celebration
EEisenhower Summer Concert Series continues with an Earth Wind & Fire Tribute by D’votion, a Gospel Choir and DRIFT featuring members of TAUK and MJT.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 572-0200
Having an event?
Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK N.A. AS TRUSTEE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS, OF THE J.P. MORGAN MORTGAGE
ACQUISITION TRUST
2006--WMC4 ASSET BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES
2006-WMC4, Plaintiff, vs. WILLIAMS FAMILY TRUST, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale With Reference For Sale duly entered on September 12, 2019 and an Order Substituting CourtAppointed Referee duly entered on December 31, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 9, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 187 Fir Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37, Block 395 and Lots 453 and 454. Approximate amount of judgment is $831,973.71 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #000533/2015.
Ira B. Warshawsky, Esq., Referee Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, 10 Bank Street, Suite 700, White Plains, New York 10606, Attorneys for Plaintiff 160051
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court County of Nassau U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, successor in interest to Bank of America, National Association, as Trustee, successor by merger to LaSalle Bank National Association, as Trustee for Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2006-WMC2, Plaintiff AGAINST Wilfrido Dominguez a/k/a Wilfredo A. Dominguez, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of
Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 28, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 5, 2026 at 2:30 PM premises known as 345 Hendrickson Avenue, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 37, BLOCK: 552, LOT: 31. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,061,556.14 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 008065/2016. This sale may be subject to the US Dept of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Real Estate Reporting Rule. In such event, all purchasers are required to provide the information needed for proper reporting in accordance with the terms of sale. For sale information, please visit XOME at www.XOME.com or call 844-400-9663. Michael Postiglione, Referee FRENKEL
LAMBERT WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-064121-F01 89012 160003
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU SELECT PORTFOLIO SERVICING, INC., Plaintiff AGAINST LLOYD MARSHALL; KAELIA MARSHALL; ET AL., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 18, 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 4, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 122 Union Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 37
Block: 682 Lot: 47. Approximate amount of judgment $806,881.35 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #603573/2023. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Natasha Meyers, Esq, Referee FEIN, SUCH & CRANE, LLP 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800 Rochester, NY 14614 YPHNY316 89669 159999
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that a public auction for a used vehicle sale will be held on May 26, 2026 on the website www.auctionsinternati onal.com. Bidders must register on website prior to bidding. Vehicles are sold “as is” condition and do not come with vehicle keys. Vehicles pictures and descriptions can be found on website when bid is live. Vehicles must be paid through the website prior to removal of vehicle. Vehicles are located at 390 E. Clinton Avenue, Roosevelt NY 11575. 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee; Gray; VIN: 1J4GR48K55C523371; Owner: Wayne Huey of 2832 Bruner Ave 1, Bronx, NY 10469
*2007 Kia Sedona; Gray; VIN: KNDMB233876173866; Owner: Renee McDonough of 157 59 27th Ave, Flushing, NY 11354
*2010 Chevrolet Equinox; Gray; VIN: 2CNALDEW4A6371649 ; Owner: Boris Mizhquero-Yunga of 276 Mountain Grove St, Bridgeport, CT 06605 *2009 Chevrolet Malibu; Black; VIN: 1G1ZK57B59F169309; Owner: Glendon Cateau of 716 E. 45th St, Brooklyn, NY 11203
*2007 Dodge Sprinter; White; VIN: WD0PE845X75208525; Owner: Haim Tobaly of 21 Weyant Dr, Cedarhurst, NY 11516
*2004 Toyota Corolla; Blue; VIN: 2T1LR32E04C317785; Owner: Luis V. Peraltamorban of 1934 Harrison Ave 5E, Bronx, NY 10453
*2006 Lexus ES250; Black; VIN: JTHCK262382022200; Owner: Klein Georges of 185 Rutland Rd, Hempstead NY 11550
*2014 Audi AS4; Gray; VIN: WAUBGAFL5EA082964
; Owner: Dominique Blackman of 8400 Lindbergh Blvd Apt 716, Philadelphia PA 19153
*2010 Honda Accord; Black; VIN: 1HGCS2B85AA004466; Owners: Mike Eli Landaverde and C.L. Landaverde of 69 Hewlett St, Hempstead NY 11550
*2005 Nissan Altima; Red; VIN: 1N4AL11D75N900462; Owner: Timothy Wanser of 1141 Norbay St, Franklin Square NY 11010
*2002 Acura MDX; Blue; VIN: 2HNYD188X2H530024; Owner: Zaynah Witter of 632 Nauer Ct, Elmont, NY 11003
*2016 Nissan Sentra; Gray; VIN: 3N1AB7AP1GY299861; Owner: Nissan Infiniti Lease Trust of PO Box 254648 Sacramento, CA 95865
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS Antonio Fanizzi Commissioner 160208
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS INDEX #602670/2026 Original Filed with Clerk February 4, 2026 Plaintiff Designates Nassau County as the Place of Trial The Basis of Venue is that the subject action is situated Nassau County Premises: 6 Sandalwood Ave. Valley Stream, NY 11581 THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE (CWALT 2006-31 CB), Plaintiff, -againstSUSAN GARGIULO, AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF JOSEPH GARGIULO A/K/A JOSEPH J. GARGIULO, DECEASED; any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants,
executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; NASSAU COUNTY TRAFFIC AND PARKING VIOLATIONS AGENCY; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE;, and JOHN DOE AND JANE DOE #1 through #7, the last seven (7) names being fictitious and unknown to the Plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or parties, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the mortgaged premises described in the complaint, Defendants.
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 Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); the United States of America may appear or answer within 60 day of service hereof; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. This supplemental summons and amended complaint are being filed pursuant to granted court order dated April 13, 2026.
TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Jeffrey A. Goodstein, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Nassau County, entered April 29, 2026 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office.
NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT
THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the amount of $250,000.00 recorded in the office of the clerk of Nassau County on November 21, 2006 in Liber Book M 31233 at Page 61 covering premises known as 6 Sandalwood Ave, Valley Stream, NY 11581 a/k/a Section 39, Block 034, Lot 11. 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.
NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME
If you do not respond to this Summons and Complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where
your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE (CWALT 2006-31 CB) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
Dated:
Uniondale, New York 2026
Respectfully submitted, PINCUS & TARAB, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, PLLC.
By: Robert Markel, Esq. Attorneys for Plaintiff 425 RXR Plaza Uniondale, NY 11556 516-699-8902 #102965 160095
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A CHAMPION MORTGAGE COMPANY, V. LYNN ANDERSON, 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 February 3, 2017, wherein NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A CHAMPION MORTGAGE COMPANY is the Plaintiff and LYNN ANDERSON, 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 15, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 193 MARTENS AVENUE, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580; and the following tax map identification: 37-594-23. 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.: 003428/2015. Michael Mirotznik, 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. 160191
LEGAL NOTICE CASE NO. 21527 RESOLUTION NO. 463-2026
Adopted: May 12, 2026 Senior Councilmember Goosby offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AND 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.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 455-2026, adopted April 28, 2026, a public hearing was duly held on the day of May 12, 2026, at the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the proposed establishment and setting aside of a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons, in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, all as set forth in said resolution; and WHEREAS, after due consideration, this Town Board finds it to be in the public interest to establish and set aside a certain parking space for motor
Public Notices
vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, the following parking spaces be and the same hereby is set aside for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons:
BALDWIN
EMERSON AVENUEsouth side, starting at a point 120 feet east of the east curbline of Westervelt Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-101/26)
ELMONT
238th STREET - east side, starting at a point 72 feet south of the south curbline of 117th Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-126/26)
ATHERTON AVENUEsouth side, starting at a point 81 feet west of the west curbline of Emporia Avenue, west for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-113/26)
BUTLER BOULEVARDwest side, starting at a point 79 feet south of the south curbline of James Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-100/26)
SEWANEE AVENUEeast side, starting at a point 146 feet north of the north curbline of Atherton Avenue, north for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-123/26)
(NR)FLORAL PARK
239th STREET - east side, starting at a point 68 feet north of the north curbline of Ontario Road, north for a distance of 15 feet.
(TH-134/26)
FRANKLIN SQUARE
GARFIELD STREETsouth side, starting at a point 81 feet east of the east curbline of Lincoln Road, east for a distance of 22 feet.
(TH-97/26)
HOFFMAN STREETwest side, starting at a point 249 feet south of the south curbline of
Sobo Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-120/26)
ROOSEVELT STREETnorth side, starting at a point 174 feet west of the west curbline of Caroline Avenue, for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-133/26)
ROOSEVELT
BROOKS AVENUEsouth side, starting at a point 48 feet east of the east curbline of Scherer Place, east for a distance of 22 feet.
(TH-136/26)
(NR)VALLEY STREAM
IRVING STREET - east side, starting at a point 244 feet north of the north curbline of Sobro Avenue, north for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-118/26) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons:
FRANKLIN SQUARE
JEFFERSON STREETeast side, starting at a point 77 feet south of the south curbline of Naple Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-517/18 - 1/22/19)
(TH-106/26) ; and, BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk shall enter this resolution in the minutes of the Town Board and shall publish a copy of this resolution once a newspaper having a general circulation in the Town of Hempstead and shall post a copy hereof on the signboard maintained by her, and file in her office affidavits of such publication and posting. The foregoing resolution was seconded by Councilmember Muscarella and adopted upon roll call as follows:
AYES: SIX (6) NOES: NONE (0) 160291
Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF VALLEY STREAM OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE CLERK
123 South Central Avenue Valley Stream New York 11580 (516) 592-5105
PUBLIC NOTICE TO BIDDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received by the Village Clerk of the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream until 11:00 a.m. prevailing time on the 4th day of June, 2026 at the Village Hall, 123 South Central Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, at which time they will be publicly opened and read, and the contracts awarded as soon thereafter as practicable for the purchase of:
A) ROAD AND BUILDING MATERIALS
B) MISCELLANEOUS STEEL AND ALUMINUM MATERIALS
C) ASSORTED LUMBER AND BUILDING MATERIALS
D) ASSORTED PARKS GROUNDSKEEPING MATERIALS
The Bid Documents and Specifications are available for inspection at the Office of the Village Clerk, in the Village Hall of said Village, and copies thereof may be obtained, on regular business days between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or will be sent by mail upon request to vsclrk5@vsvny.org.
All bids shall be submitted upon the forms provided therefor by the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream and shall exclude all Federal, State and local taxes. No Bid Bond is required.
All materials and supplies are to be furnished between the date of acceptance of the bid and May 31, 2027, in such quantities as may be needed by the Village. Prices shall remain in effect for one (1) year from June 1, 2026May 31, 2027. The Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream reserves the right to reject any and all bids in the whole or
in part and to waive any informality of bids and to accept the bid and award the Contract to the lowest, responsible, formal Bidder deemed most favorable to the interest of the Village of Valley Stream therefor, pursuant to Section 103 of the General Municipal Law. Dated: Valley Stream, New York May 21, 2026
JAMES J. HUNTER
Village Clerk/Administrator 160130
To Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY, Plaintiff, vs. JONATHAN CASTILLO, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 3, 2025 and an Order Appointing Successor Referee duly entered on December 11, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 22, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1294 G Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being Elmont, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 35, Block 633 and Lot 38. Approximate amount of judgment is $501,068.35 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #604919/2023.
Joshua D. Brookstein, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 230154-1 160320
The Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre at Eisenhower Park will host concerts and celebrations all summer long. Above, Don Felder on stage during a previous show.
County’s free summer fun takes center stage
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Nassau County’s free summer entertainment series is returning with concerts, movie nights and international celebrations at Eisenhower Park and parks across the county.
The 2026 Nassau County Free Summer Fun Guide, presented by County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums, features live music, family-friendly movies and cultural events throughout the summer. Most Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre concerts at Eisenhower Park begin at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
“Enjoy live music and familyfriendly movies under the stars at Eisenhower Park’s Lakeside Theatre and parks across Nassau County,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman wrote. “Join us all summer long for unforgettable nights of entertainment.”
Some of the biggest names on the schedule include Cole Swindell on Friday, Aug. 7; Loud Luxury on Friday, Aug. 21; Flo Rida on Monday, Aug. 31; ZZ Top on Tuesday, Sept. 1; The Lords of 52nd Street on Thursday, Sept. 3; and Los Lobos on Friday, Sept. 4.
The Lakeside Theatre lineup also includes Fun Lovin’ Criminals and Blessid Union of Souls on Sunday, June 7; a freestyle and salsa night featuring Brenda K. Starr, Tito Puente Jr., TKA/K7, Joey Cruz, La Sonora 495 and Forever Freestyle Band on Saturday, June 27; and reggae night with
Inner Circle, Wayne Wonder and IRIEspect on Sunday, June 28.
Dozens of additional shows will take to the stage throughout the duration of the summer.
A Celebrate America fireworks and drone show is scheduled for Thursday, July 2, at 5:30 p.m., with live music by Glenn Strange, Chicken Head and Let Freedom Rock. The rain date is Friday, July 3.
Families will have several options beyond concerts. Movie nights at Eisenhower Park include “Elio,” “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” “A Minecraft Movie,” “Bad Guys 2,” “Zootopia 2,” “Freakier Friday,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Wicked” and “Wicked for Good.” Movies begin at dusk.
International Nights at Lakeside will celebrate a range of cultures, including Ukrainian American, Indian American, Israeli American, Greek American, German American, Creole American, Italian American, Caribbean, Irish American, Bangladeshi American, Pakistan American, African American, Chinese American, Turkish American, Korean American and Latino American nights.
Neighborhood concerts and movie nights will also be held at Wantagh Park, Cedar Creek Park, Grant Park and North Woodmere Park. The county will also offer noontime concerts Wednesdays from noon to 2 p.m. at Eisenhower Park’s mobile stage near Field 1.
For updates, call Nassau County Parks at (516) 572-0200 or visit NassauCountyNY.gov/parks.
Tim Baker/Herald file
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Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com
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With Luxury Car To Assist With Doctor Appointments, Errands, Shopping, Etc. or Just Going Out For An Enjoyable Day! Call 646-708-2160
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time Positions Available!
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Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com
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For busy Independent Insurance Agency. Duties include answering
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Do I need to file a plan just to build a stone wall?
Q. I planned and started building a stack stone wall in my front yard, but I was stopped by a building inspector. He told me the wall was structural, and needed a professional plan to be approved before I could do the rest of the work. It’s just a landscape wall instead of a fence or hedges at my front sidewalk, so why should it matter? A lot of my neighbors have them, and he told me to file a complaint, and he would check the others out, but I don’t want to tell on my neighbors. What do you suggest?
A. The rules on retaining walls aren’t as clear as for other things you could build. A wall, in most communities, fits into a few different categories.
If it’s a retaining wall, meaning it holds something back, like your front lawn from the sidewalk or your neighbor’s lawn from your driveway, it’s definitely structural, and has drainage conditions you have to show on professionally prepared plans. The wall can’t hold back water from draining, or it could collapse. It must have a frost-depth foundation, which means that, since frost can permeate the ground to a depth, in our zone, of 3 feet, there must be a support wall with a spread footing at least 3 feet deep in the ground to limit heaving during extreme freezing, like we had for most of January this year, as you may recall.
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It may be possible to build with less concrete, on supports spaced several feet apart and a shallow type of footing called a grade beam, but that still has to be calculated to make certain it won’t crack and heave under the extreme forces of frozen ground. The majority of people I meet have no idea about the upward force that develops when moisture in the soil freezes and expands, but it does occur in colder weather, and you only need a small amount of movement to cause the wall to move.
Stacked stone is, essentially, loose, and can move. It may be considered a safety hazard because the individual pieces of stone can fall, or be carried away or thrown, such as by accident, involving people or vehicles. While this kind of wall may harken back to simpler historical times, you are best to avoid the problem and construct a wall that is safer and less difficult to get approved. Stack stone walls may look great on an old New England farm, but not necessarily in a populated suburb.
As for your neighbors, there are rules we all have to follow, including them. I had to legalize a wall in the process of doing an entire home, and discovered that my client’s wall lined up with the neighbors’ walls on both sides. The worst part was that all the walls were built beyond the front property line, on the municipal right-of way. Curiously, only my client had to file a zoning variance request.
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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OpiniOns
Keeping neighborhood traditions and values alive
Recently I attended an early-cut screening of a documentary on Farrell’s Bar in Brooklyn. The film is about much more than just a bar.
Though the world is always turning, these days it seems as if it’s turning more rapidly than ever. Traditions, values and principles are changing dramatically, and some are gone forever. None of us, of course, should want to live in the past or resist progress, which can bring so much good and improve our lives. But in the rush toward progress, we can’t afford to abandon institutions that encourage friendship and lasting bonds, especially in these fast-paced times.
Farrell’s is a legendary institution that has survived the rush of time. Now in its 93rd year — it opened just after the end of Prohibition — it remains a central neighborhood place for the Windsor Terrace community. It’s an oasis of calm in a desert of turmoil. Farrell’s has never betrayed its blue-
collar culture, embodied in its support for cops, firefighters and veterans. (Though newer, the Good Life, in Massapequa Park, and the Embassy Diner, in Bethpage, are cut from that mold.) Farrell’s isn’t far from Brooklyn Prep, where I went to high school, and a short distance from where my father grew up and my grandparents lived until the late 1970s.
Though I’d heard about Farrell’s and read about it in Pete Hamill’s stories, I stopped in for the first time during my very unsuccessful campaign for New York state attorney general in 1986. One of my closest friends and biggest supporters was Jimmy Boyle, who had been president of the FDNY’s Firefighters Union and a fixture in union politics for years. Boyle thought Farrell’s would be an ideal location for a campaign stop.
small part of it true, I climbed up on a chair in the middle of the room and began my speech by admitting that “even though my father was a cop, I have to say, you guys aren’t half bad yourselves.”
i had a small role in cementing the legacy of a legendary hometown bar.
After much friendly booing and catcalls, I thanked those guys for their support and assured them that I’d always be there for them. (A sad footnote: Boyle’s son, Michael, was one of the 343 firefighters killed on Sept. 11, 2001.) Though I went on to lose the election by 1.2 million votes, I had been a winner in Farrell’s, and for the next few years I’d stop by periodically to relive the one bright moment of the campaign.
independent filmmakers Jay Cusato and Rob Martin to produce a documentary on the bar, as a living metaphor for neighborhoods and good people who refuse to allow their values and lasting memories to be plowed over.
Sure enough, when I arrived just before noon that September day, Boyle had packed the place with loud, supportive firefighters, and a few cops had found their way in. It was as enthusiastic and as friendly a reception as I’ve ever gotten in politics. After Boyle gave me a phenomenal introduction, only a
Later, when I was in Congress, I would join Brooklyn friends from high school and make pilgrimages to Farrell’s. Though they couldn’t drink on the job, two detectives on my security detail, Jimmy Skopek and Melissa Zimmerman, took a particular liking to Farrell’s, especially its old-neighborhood flair.
Then, about 10 years ago, a friend of mine from Massapequa, Pat Fenton, wrote a well-received Off-Broadway play centered on Farrell’s. That inspired
On March 8, 2020, Cusato and Martin interviewed me at my home, one of many people they talked to. At the time, their project was close to completion — or so they thought. The coronavirus hit New York before the week was out, and the documentary was put on ice. I actually thought they’d abandoned it until just last month, when Cusato contacted me to let me know that, in the spirit of Farrell’s, they had stayed on the project, titled “Why Farrell’s?” and invited me to a private screening at the St. Francis College campus on Livingston Street in downtown Brooklyn. It was a great experience. Though several interviews remain to be done, and sound and lighting issues need to be worked out, “Why Farrell’s?” is outstanding, so accurately depicting the values that the bar is doing so much to preserve. My role was minor, but I’m proud to be part of what is truly a meaningful work of art.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
It’s way too early to name things after Trump
Over the past few months, I’ve attended many social events, at which I shared a few drinks and conversation with friends from both political parties. Those gatherings have given me an open window into the rapidly emerging fracture among lifelong Republicans as well as the sharp divisions among Democrats. Democrats are always arguing, so it’s been the Republican fissures that have surprised me the most. Regardless of what the pollsters tell you, President Trump is tearing these lifelong partisans apart. There is division about the president’s arguments with the pope and deep concern about the impact of the war in Iran on the party’s chances in November. But the one issue that seems to evoke even more angst is Trump’s encouraging his name to be plastered on anything and everything that is brandable.
George Washington’s name appears
in all kinds of places across the country, including the national capital. The city was named after him while he was still in office, but he strongly opposed it and tried to block the effort when it was brought before Congress. Washington surrendered his military role when the Revolution ended, rejected efforts to have himself declared king and stepped down after two terms as president. His greatness was not only that he led the country, but that he declined a number of honors.
Let presidents serve. Let citizens judge. Let history name the buildings.
Have other presidents drawn the line? During Gerald Ford’s presidency, Congress passed a bill to name a federal building in Grand Rapids, Mich., after him. Ford refused to sign it, saying he knew of no federal building named for a president still in office and did not want to establish a precedent. President Harry Truman also resisted such honors, and once wrote emphatically that he had no desire to have roads, bridges or buildings named after him. His supporters wanted the Marshall Plan to bear his name, but Truman said the plan deserved the name of its author.
Clearly, the temptation to name things after politicians isn’t limited to one party. Members of Congress have long attached their names to federal buildings, courthouses, highways and bridges. Sen. Mitch McConnell has five buildings named after him in Kentucky.
And every president has been surrounded by supporters who want to flatter him, celebrate him and turn policy into legacy. The danger is especially high in our age of branding, social media and permanent campaigning. That is exactly why every president, irrespective of party, should draw the line when there is an effort to rename everything in sight after him. There is something unhealthy in a republic when a president uses public property to enlarge his own image. This isn’t a Republican or Democratic concern — it’s an American concern. The presidency belongs temporarily to one person, but the government belongs permanently to the people. Public buildings, passports, coins, agencies and national institutions should not become personal billboards for whoever hap-
pens to occupy the Oval Office.
There is also a moral difference between a grateful nation honoring a leader after history has had time to judge him, and a president accepting — or encouraging — public honors while he is in office. This isn’t a question of whether a president is admired. The pollsters have attested to the fact that Trump is supported by 85 percent of registered Republicans. But there will be ample time for our country to render honors unto this president and those who follow him.
We need to have a law that applies equally to all parties. That law should prohibit the naming of entities, structures and objects after a sitting president. It must apply equally to Trump and all those who follow him.
Our founders worried about this issue. They knew that republics can decay not only through force, but also through flattery. Let presidents serve. Let citizens judge. Let history name the buildings.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.
Memorial Day means more than barbecues
Memorial Day weekend arrives each year with familiar signs that summer is finally at hand. Beaches begin to fill. Backyard grills fire up. Families and friends gather after months of work, school and routines that too often keep them apart. Across Long Island, from Jones Beach to Montauk, the holiday has long marked the unofficial beginning of a season people eagerly await.
There is nothing wrong with celebration. In many ways, that freedom to enjoy ordinary moments with the people we love is part of what generations of Americans fought to preserve.
But Memorial Day asks something more of us as well.
Especially as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Americans should remember that Memorial Day is not simply another three-day weekend on the calendar. It is one of the country’s most solemn observances — a day set aside to honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States military.
That distinction matters.
Veterans Day honors all who served. Armed Forces Day recognizes those currently in uniform. Memorial Day is specifically for those who never came home.
Their sacrifice stretches across every generation of American history. From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War,
from the beaches of Normandy to the mountains of Afghanistan, over 1 million service members gave their lives believing the country they defended was worth that sacrifice.
Many came from communities across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Their names appear on memorial plaques, downtown monuments and flags lining local streets. Long Island itself carries deep connections to America’s military history.
Roughly 1,180 Long Islanders died in World War II: 855 from Nassau and 325 from Suffolk. At least 552 service members lost their lives in the Vietnam War. After the Sept. 11 attacks, 56 Long Islanders died in Iraq and Afghanistan.
From Revolutionary War sites to Gold Star families who sacrificed during the wars of the past two decades, our region has long contributed to the nation’s service and sacrifice. Memorial Day offers communities an opportunity not only to recognize that history but also to share it with those of younger generations.
As America prepares to commemorate 250 years of independence in July, this Memorial Day carries even greater weight. Anniversaries often invite celebration, reflection and pride. But they should also invite humility. The freedoms Americans treasure did not sustain themselves across two and a half centuries. They endured because generation after generation answered a call to serve, often at extraordinary personal cost.
It can be easy for the deeper meaning of Memorial Day to become overshadowed by travel plans, social gatherings and retail sales. Modern life moves quickly, and holidays increasingly blur together into commercial events disconnected from their origins. But Memoria Day deserves more intentional remembrance — and that does not always require grand gestures.
Attending a local parade or remembrance ceremony before heading to a barbecue is one way to honor the fallen. Visiting a veterans’ memorial or cemetery and taking a few quiet moments to read the names engraved there is another. Americans can also observe the tradition of flying the flag at half-staff until noon, and share stories with children and grandchildren about relatives who served, ensuring that those stories are not lost.
Honoring sacrifice does not diminish the joy of the weekend. In fact, it deepens it. Gratitude gives meaning to celebration. A nation that remembers its fallen understands more clearly the value of the freedoms it enjoys. This year, amid the sound of waves, fireworks and laughter that will soon define the summer season, Americans should make room for remembrance, too. Memorial Day is not ultimately about the start of summer; it is about the cost of freedom, the weight of service and the obligation of a grateful nation never to forget those who gave everything in its defense.
opinions When government puts people before politics
Lately, it seems we hear constant reports of how divided we are, and how this division creeps into the halls of government. Make no mistake about it, this polarization threatens democracy, and as citizens, we get shortchanged, because the focus is on the fight rather than the people and how we can best serve them.
Nevertheless, I remain proud to represent Assembly District 21 in Albany, where I witness many examples of government working for people, and the less contentious initiatives that often aren’t reported, but do get accomplished.
Every day I see bipartisanship — coalitions that work toward the greater good, and individual legislators of both major parties working tirelessly on behalf of their districts. I believe it’s important to keep seeking and finding those alliances, especially when the news of the day becomes so overwhelmingly disheartening.
A good example of what can happen when government puts people before politics happened recently in Albany,
when my bill, A.6804, was passed unanimously by both houses of the Legislature. I introduced it after meeting with the NYS Association of County Clerks, which described an ongoing privacy problem with the potential to do great harm to vulnerable people. The measure provides protection to families when they need it most.
The state’s county clerks joined me in an effort to protect personal information.
When someone becomes mentally incapacitated as the result of any one of a variety of causes, an Article 81 Guardianship proceeding can be filed with a county Supreme Court so that a responsible adult can be legally appointed to manage the person’s finances for them. The court considers evidence of the need for guardianship, and can approve or deny the request. That evidence includes personal information about the person alleged to be incapacitated, including a Social Security number, banking information and other financial records. Incredibly, under current law, those records are publicly accessible, leaving some of our most vulnerable citizens in grave danger of identity theft, fraud and violations of their privacy.
In New York, county clerks are elected, and one of their responsibilities is
Framework by Ellen Jaret
the management and filing of these records. When requested by a citizen, they are obligated to release them. Given what we know about identity theft and the devastating consequences, however, the clerks association joined forces in an effort to change state law to prevent the release of information that should remain private. The clerks represent people from all 62 of the state’s counties — the entire political spectrum, and people from urban, rural and suburban communities.
In this instance, a coalition of bipartisan elected officials united as a formidable force to protect the personal information of citizens who often don’t have the ability to advocate for themselves. In their communication with me, the county clerks stated, “Unlike most court records, the files in these cases are replete with personal and account information, a treasure trove for identity thieves.” They made it perfectly clear to everyone that action was necessary. It was alarming to hear them describe the reasons legislation was vital to safeguard people going through these hearings.
When I introduced A.6804, I received immediate support from Democrats and
Republicans alike. Assembly members from Long Island, Westchester, Queens, western New York and the Capital Region signed on as cosponsors. This is an issue that few New York residents are aware of, unless and until an Article 81 is needed for them or a loved one. Thus far, many have navigated the proceedings without any requests for, or violation or exploitation of, their personal information. The county clerks recognized the very real threat that exists under current law, and worked hard to change it.
I am optimistic that Gov. Kathy Hochul will sign this legislation into law. I remain keenly aware that there are many more issues we need to find consensus on. This is just one example of what can happen when we work toward the common good, set aside political differences and do the right thing.
Imagine what our government could accomplish if we could all work together this way on other issues. As a member of the Assembly, I will continue to search for that common ground and work toward consensus. That is our responsibility to the people who elected us. The story of this bill’s origins and success is a roadmap for how it happens. We simply need to follow it.
Judy Griffin represents the 21st Assembly District.
Overlooking Mgarr Harbour on the Mediterranean island of Gozo— Malta
And the Experts Agree
At Mount Sinai South Nassau, patient safety isn’t just a priority— it’s a standard, one we work on every day. And the experts agree.
We’ve earned national recognition for patient safety, including an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group and the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award.
That means better outcomes for our patients with lower risk of infections or hospital acquired conditions.
When it comes to your health, nothing matters more than knowing you’re in a place where patient safety matters most.
