Amityville Herald 03_18_2026

ReCORD

Also serving Amityville, North Amityville, Amity Harbor, Copiague, and East Massapequa

CHS names fine arts honor students

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Obituary: ASD teacher Donald Twomey Page 6

Amityville students protest ICE

By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com

Students at Amityville Memorial High School walked out of the building Monday morning, March 9 to protest immigration enforcement policies and raise awareness about how they affect families in their community.

“Our Voices Matter,” “Abolish ICE” and “Education not deportation” were among the phrases students chanted as they gathered outside the school along Merrick Road.

The walkout, organized by junior honor student Stephanie Benitez, began at 10:20 a.m. More than 100 students walked out of the school cafeteria at that time, holding signs and chanting as cars passed by on Merrick Road, many honking their horns in support.

Benitez said the “peaceful walkout” was meant to raise awareness about how immigration enforcement actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement impact

local families.

“We want to spread awareness for all the families that can’t be out here today, or are scared about what might happen,” said Benitez.

Many of the students said they fear how immigration policies are affecting families in their community.

“The fact that families are getting ripped apart is why I’m out here today,” said Cynthia Pena, a sophomore at Amityville Memorial High School who joined the protest with her classmates. “It’s not fair that children are losing their parents.”

Her friend Michael Urbina, who stood beside her, echoed her sentiment.

“I feel that it’s unfair to break families apart,” he said. “We are all human; we are not aliens.”

Students also said they believe it is important for young people to speak up.

“People should speak up more about it and

AMHS musicians perform Page 10

Police safety lesson engages students at Northeast Elementary

Pre-K and kindergarten students at Northeast Elementary School in Amityville recently enjoyed a special visit from the Suffolk County Police Department during a schoolwide assembly.

Officer Kathy Hawkins of the SCPD visited the district’s youngest learners to introduce them to the role of police officers and other first responders. Through an engaging slideshow presentation, Hawkins explained how police officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel work together to

keep students, families, and the community safe.

Many students proudly wore decorative police crowns as they listened and participated in the presentation.

The assembly concluded with an opportunity for students to personally greet Officer Hawkins, thanking her with fist bumps and high fives. The visit provided students with an age-appropriate introduction to police safety while fostering positive relationships between young learners and local law enforcement.

Copiague High School inducts students into fine arts honor societies

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School celebrated its top musicians and artists during a Fine Arts Honor Society induction ceremony on March 5.

Students were joined by family members, friends, school administrators and members of the Copiague Board of Education as they were recognized and pledged their commitment to the arts.

As guests arrived in the cafeteria, student musicians performed selections while artwork created by the newest inductees was displayed throughout the room.

Tri-M Music Honor Society adviser Eric Dobmeier welcomed attendees and presented former Copiague music teacher Paul Mercieca with an honorary lifetime membership award. Tri-M officers also spoke about the organization’s five pillars — scholarship, leadership, service, character and citizenship — which students must demonstrate to qualify for membership. Students must also participate in a musical ensemble for at least two semesters.

Crystal Gray, adviser for the National Art Honor Society, presented art teacher Krystof Lipinski with an honorary lifetime membership. Membership requires a teacher recommendation, a 90 or higher average in art classes and submission of an original artwork.

TRI-M MUSIC HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTEES

Ethan Abello

Shyla Brown

Kaitlyn Caldwell

Camille Calma

Sebastian Chavez Minaýa

Dean Coleman

Samari Cooper

Lola Cruz

Jeasiah Guelee

Isabella Kogan

Alexa Leone

Denise Lizama Urrutia

Kaitlyn Lombardo

Madison Lombardo

Anecia Lowndes-Harris

Jimena Machuca Arriola

Sheily Martinez

Laila Mederos

Sofia Mendoza Rodriguez

Rebecca Molina

Kaitlyn Molina Godoy

Eliza Nieznalska

Kamila Nieznalska

Juliet Nohs

Denise Ordenana

Emilio Reyes

Isabella Rufrano

Kersteen Sylvain

NATIONAL ART HONOR

SOCIETY INDUCTEES

Brianna Begley

Bryan Calderon Mejia

Aliyah Fernandez

Bella Jean Torres

Angelina Kretz

Oliwia Nawrocki

Rashel Nunez

Nicolette Orlando

Sydney Osorio-Brathwaite

Rocsi Ramirez

Genevia Roberts

Emily Vargas

Maxumis Yandel Aguilera

Amityville Kiwanis hosts annual Mayor’s Social

Event is a tradition in the Village for half a century

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherld.com

On March 1, the Kiwanis Club of Amityville hosted the village’s annual Mayor’s Social, drawing a large crowd of residents eager to reconnect with neighbors and friends after the long winter months.

The gathering, held at the Unqua Corinthian Yacht Club, has long been a community tradition. First launched in 1976 by then-Mayor Lou Howard, the event was originally known as the Mayor’s Tea Dance. Though the name has changed over the years, the spirit behind it has remained the same — bringing the community together as winter fades and spring approaches.

Howard was inspired after visiting Le Bourget, France, Amityville’s sister city, where a similar mayoral tea had been held for many years. Wanting to recreate that sense of civic fellowship at home, he introduced the event in Amityville, where it has continued annually for nearly five decades.

Today, the Mayor’s Social is seen by many residents as an informal welcome to spring in the “beautiful village by the

bay.” Held as local elections begin to take shape, it also offers candidates a chance to meet voters in a relaxed setting, while neighbors catch up and celebrate their shared community.

“It was a great day with great weather and we had more than 150 people,” said Kevin Smith, vice president of Kiwanis.

“After the snow storm, I think people were looking to get out of their houses and communicate with their neighbors and friends.”

Smith thanked the community for supporting the event. “We are grateful to everyone who came out,” he said.

Townsend Thorn, president of Kiwanis reiterated the fact that the event was well attended, something that Kiwanians appreciated. He noted that the Village took the opportunity to address the latest versions of its new logos, which are still being tweaked but which also received positive feedback from everyone at the event.

Funds raised at the event help Kiwanis support some of its projects throughout the year.

Anyone interested in Kiwanis and its activities can call (516) 446 6475 or go to facebook.com/AmityvilleKiwanisClub/

Manetta launches Easter candy drive

Donations to benefit Babylon’s food pantries

Babylon Town Councilman Anthony Manetta is inviting residents across the Town of Babylon to help support local families by participating in his fifth annual Easter candy collection.

Now through March 31, residents are encouraged to donate new, unopened Easter candy. The donations will be distributed to local food pantries throughout the Town of Babylon to help families in need during the Easter season.

Donations can be dropped off Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Babylon Town Hall, 200 E. Sunrise Highway in Lindenhurst. A designated drop-off bin is in the Town Hall lobby.

“All children deserve the chance

to experience the joy of the Easter holiday,” Manetta said. “This collection is a simple way for our community to come together and make sure families who rely on local food pantries can still celebrate. Every donation helps bring a smile to a child’s face.”

The annual candy drive is co-sponsored by the West Babylon Lions Club, whose members support charitable efforts throughout the community.

Residents with questions or those interested in arranging additional drop-off options can contact Manetta’s office at 631-957-4482.

Community members are encouraged to participate to help families across the Town of Babylon.

Bronx men arrested in Lindenhurst; charged with stealing catalytic converters

Suffolk County police arrested two Bronx men March 7 after a high-speed chase saying they were linked them to multiple catalytic converter thefts in the area.

at large. During the foot pursuit, a Suffolk County police officer suffered a broken fibula and underwent emergency surgery; he is expected to fully recover.

1

8

Apple Tartlets (4 oz.)

Police said Henry Cruz and Luis Acosta were observed removing converters from vehicles on East Hoffman Avenue, North Clinton Street, 48th Street, and 40th Street, Lindenhurst. Police said they fled a traffic stop in a 2021 Maserati Levante SUV, prompting a pursuit onto the westbound Southern State Parkway. Officers deployed stop sticks, flattening the SUV’s tires. The suspects attempted to flee on foot into nearby woods but were apprehended.

Two other occupants of the SUV remain

Cruz and Acosta face charges including assault on an officer, auto stripping, criminal mischief, and resisting arrest. Cruz was also charged with unlawful fleeing. Authorities are investigating whether the pair are connected to other catalytic converter thefts in the First Precinct.

Over the past several months, there have been dozens of incidents in which catalytic converters have been stolen from vehicles throughout the First Precinct. In addition

CRIME WATCH

The following incidents have been reported by the Suffolk County and Amityville Village police departments and other law enforcement and emergency service units.

PETIT LARCENY

North Amityville: Someone went into an unlocked 2014 Infiniti that was parked on Dr. Reed Blvd., on March 5, and stole a set of house keys. The theft was reported at 5:01 p.m.

Copiague: Suffolk Police arrested Maria Batista Detavares, 53, of 222 41 St., North Amityville charging her with stealing an assortment of cosmetics from Target, 1149 Sunrise Hwy., Copiague. On March 4. The arrest was made at 3:30 p.m.

BURGLARY

Copiague: A woman, Jaclyn Marino, was arrested and charged with burglary after she went into Target, 1149 Sunrise Highway, and stole an assortment of items valued at $315. Marino, 37, of 47 Wellington Pl., Amityville, was charged with burglary because she had been cautioned that she was not permitted in the store following several other incidents, police said.

ARRESTS DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED/IMPAIRED

Francisco Justiniano, 52, of 447 42 St., Lindenhurst; Roberto Dominguez, 45, of 181 Maple Ave., Rockville Centre; Alexander Williams, 27, of 116 Pickwick Ln., North

Babylon; Michael Gonzalez, 37, of 41 Fischer Ave., Islip Terrace (drugs); Gianfranco Trujillo, 34, of 31 Oak St., Centereach; Ernest Simpson, 33, of 26 Irvin St., Central Islip; Maricelo Nunez Huaman, 21 of 2 Jaro Ct., Bay Shore; Alana Parisi, 38, of 515 Lombard St., North Babylon.

ANIMAL ABUSE

Peter Miller, 61, of 1088 Connetquot Ave., Central Islip (charged with failing to register as an animal abuse offender.)

GRAND LARCENY

Carlos Torres Rodriguez, 28, of 16223 102 St., Howard Beach; Latoya Rolle, 41, of 76 E. Minerva Rd., Copiague; Mekayla Whitter, 29, of 116 Williams Ave., Brooklyn.

PETIT LARCENY

Callie Giambalvo, 24, of3014 Clovermere Rd., Wantagh; Jana Johanson, 35, of 236 S. 9 St., Lindenhurst; Pauline Woolworth, 50, of 100 Spagnoli Rd., Melville; Desmond Persaud, 42, of 5 Dubon Ct., East Farmingdale; Maria Storms, 45, of 1396. Illinois Ave., Bay Shore; Jonathan Pachaspuchuri, 35, of 231 E. 1st St., Deer Park; Douglas Reyes, 24 of 911 11 St., West Babylon; Valentina Cassarino, 26, of 250 Grant Ave., Copiague.

BURGLARY

Michele Brown, 29, of 1225 St., St. Paul St., Baldwin.

ROBBERY Davon Johnson, 43, of 16 Penndale Dr., North Amityville.

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.

Honoring Copiague’s top 20 students in the class of 2026

In celebration of outstanding academic achievement and the educators who helped make that success possible, Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School hosted its annual top 20 luncheon for the Class of 2026 on Jan. 23. The event recognized the top 20 students in the graduating class, who each had the opportunity to invite a teacher who had a positive influence on their academic journey in the Copiague School District. The luncheon brought together students, families, teachers, Board of Education members, Senator Monica Martinez, Regent Thomas-Williams and central office administrators for a meaningful afternoon of recognition and gratitude.

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Principal Joseph Agosta welcomed attendees and reflected on the significance of the event. “Each of you is a beacon of hope for the future, and I have no doubt that your input will impact and extend far beyond these hallways,” he said.

During the ceremony, Agosta invited each honoree to the stage to be recognized for their academic excellence. Students also shared a few words about the

teacher who inspired and supported them throughout their educational journey, creating heartfelt moments of appreciation and reflection.

The district extends its congratulations to the top 20 students, in order beginning with No. 20: Raffy De Lamar Sime, Christian Cruz, Heily Fernandez, Rocsi Ramirez, Kaia Mabli, Catherine Yanase, Anne Marie De Oleo Mayorga, Jimena Machuca Arriola, Jocelyne Carranza Orellana, Carlos Bravo Hernandez, Rosina Wickham, Aneisa Nicholas, Damaris Bonilla, Olivia Tyszko, Bielka Perez, Ronan Higgins, Enshan Ramkissoon, Daniel Zheng, Darein Reyes and Krzysztof Krasnowski.

The teacher and staff honorees, in order of the top 20 students whom they were selected by, included: Sylvia Walsh, James Travis, Melisa Dias, Crystal Gray, Anastasia Kourtis, Thomas Korn, Michelle Penyy, Jessica Jablonski, Alline Stanton, Matthew Miles, Kaitlyn Thompson, Colleen Gurtner, Jules Goeke, Kerri Hall, Taylor Cardone, Rosa Benaburger, John Danaher, Jason Taibi, Tracy Wenzler and Nicholas Lorenzen.

Suffolk Police charge two men with stealing catalytic converters

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

to the thefts for which Cruz and Acosta are accused, police have reported that over the past two weeks, catalytic converters have been stolen from vehicles on 12th and 13th streets, Lindenhurst; 50th St., North Lindenhurst; two on Bolton Street, North Lindenhurst; June Street, North Lindenhurst; Dixon Avenue, Maple Court, Ferndale Court, and Bergen Court, Copiague, and two on Nathalie Avenue, North Amityville.

According to catalyticconverter.com, thieves target catalytic converters because of the valuable metals inside. These components contain platinum, palladium, and

rhodium—precious metals whose prices have surged in recent years. Hybrids, SUVs and trucks are most at risk because the catalytic converters are accessible and can be quickly and easily removed, usually within less than five minutes. Replacement costs can exceed $3,000 for the vehicle’s owner. Companies sell shields that can be placed over the catalytic converters to make them more difficult to remove which slows down thieves.

For reporting a theft in progress, call 9/11. To provide police with information call 631-852-COPS (2677).

ASD mourns longtime special education teacher Donald Twomey

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

The Amityville school community is remembering Donald Twomey as a devoted educator whose patience and kindness shaped the lives of countless students over more than two decades.

Twomey, a special education teacher in the Amityville School District for over 20 years, died Feb. 22. He was 58.

At the district’s March 4 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Gina Talbert asked the community to pause for a moment of silence in his honor, remembering him as a teacher who brought compassion and commitment to his classroom.

“He was committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment,” Talbert said. Colleagues, she added, often saw in Twomey a steady example of “dedication, kindness and patience.”

A longtime West Islip resident, Twomey earned his teaching degree from SUNY Cortland and later received a Master of Science degree from Long Island University. Over the years, he built a reputation among students and colleagues alike as an educator who cared deeply about helping children succeed.

Outside the classroom, his family said, Twomey’s love of teaching was something his children grew up hearing about often.

“I can recall when I was younger how my father would talk about his love of teaching,” said his son, Chris Twomey. “He always encouraged us to try new things and to participate in the things we liked as much as possible.”

Mr. Twomey grew up in Jamesport where he helped manage and care for many dogs in a kennel his father maintained at their home. It was there, said his son, that he developed a great affection for dogs.

Twomey was a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church in West Islip and a member of the church’s men’s group. He was also an avid sports fan who followed the New York Mets and Islanders.

He especially enjoyed visiting Walt Disney World in Florida — trips his son said brought out his father’s playful side.

“He loved the park and the rides; his favorite was the Pirates of the Caribbean,” Chris Twomey said.

Humor was also a defining trait.

“He also loved making jokes,” his son said. “And if he got people to laugh at one, he would tell it over and over again.”

Twomey is survived by his wife, Nancy; his son, Christopher and his daughter, Deirdre both of West Islip, and his sister, Traci Turecek and her husband Mike of Killingworth, Connecticut. He also leaves behind his dog, Jordan, and his cats, Ben, Jerry and Chloe.

Visitation was held March 6 at Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home in West Islip. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated the following day at Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church.

ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

147 Park Ave., Amityville

Office Tel. 631-264-0763

The Rev. Thomas W. Cusanelli, Pastor

WORSHIP SERVICES: Sunday Worship & Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Wednesday Worship 7:30 p.m.

Accessible to the Physcially Challenged “The Friendly Church”

Susan E. Wiley first graders are 100 days smarter

First grade students in Teressa Brown’s class at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School in the Copiague School District celebrated the 100th day of school

on February 25 with a day of hands-on, 100-themed learning activities.

To mark the occasion, students rotated through interactive stations centered

Amityville student protest

CONTINUED FROM COVER not be afraid,” said Aurora Morales. “We have a voice.”

In a statement, school officials said Amityville Memorial High School administration was aware that students gathered on the front lawn to participate in a peaceful protest, consistent with similar activities seen recently across other Long Island school districts. Throughout the gathering, students remained under supervision, and building staff and security actively monitored the situation to ensure everyone’s safety, they said. “Students have since returned to the building, and the school day is proceeding normally. There are no safety concerns, and all instructional activities are continuing as scheduled. We appreciate the cooperation of our students and staff in ensuring that the school day continues in a safe and orderly manner.”

To watch video of the walkout, go to: https://shorturl.at/ukHoe

Great South Bay project seeking volunteers in Amityville April 11

Volunteers are needed for the Village of Amityville and Town of Babylon environmental partnership to control invasive plant species in local waterways.

This project is to remove invasive parrot feathers. The event will take place on April 11, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and concluding at noon at the Delano Preserve, Union Ave., east of Route 110. A rain date will be set for April 18. Volunteers must wear old clothing.

around the number 100. Working collaboratively, they challenged themselves to stack 100 plastic cups and created colorful posters using 100 stickers. Creativity was on full display as students designed one-of-a-kind structures using 100 Lego pieces and engineered tower creations with toothpicks and gumdrops.

In addition to the building challenges, first graders also reflected on the milestone by writing about what their

lives might be like when they are 100 years old, encouraging imagination and thoughtful writing.

The celebration provided a meaningful opportunity for students to reinforce math, teamwork and problem-solving skills while marking an important milestone in the school year. With 100 days of learning behind them, first graders continue to grow, achieve and look ahead to the rest of a successful school year.

March 29th - 10:00 a.m. (No 4:00 p.m. service)

April 2nd - 12 Noon & 7:00 p.m.

Please bring boots, waders or hip boots are best. Also, please bring rubber gloves, or disposable plastic gloves will be provided.

Coffee and breakfast will be available. Please park on the south side of Union Ave.

For further details about the location, visit amityville.com/facilities/ facility/details/delano-nature-trail-6.

For more information, contact Amityville Village Hall at (631) 264-6000.

April 3rd - 12 Noon & 7:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. ASL interpreter)

April 5th - 10:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. (10:00 a.m. ASL Interpreter)

Our “Easter Family Fun Fest” following our 10:00 a.m. service

St. David’s Lutheran Church 20 Clark Blvd., Massapequa Park (516) 799-7832 • www.stdavidslutheran.net

Flooded streets are signs of larger challenges

Rising seas, stormwater runoff and pollution affect communities from shore to shore

By ROKSANA AMID, ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN & ABBEY SALVEMINI of the Herald Community Newspapers

Fourth installment in a series about water.

Flooding streets, polluted bays and aging infrastructure are reshaping life along Nassau and Suffolk counties’ coasts. From the barrier island neighborhoods of Long Beach and Island Park to the waterways of the Great South Bay and Hempstead Harbor, communities are confronting the growing impacts of rising water, runoff and environmental strain.

Across Long Island, scientists and planners say, climate change, development patterns and aging infrastructure are converging to create new risks for coastal communities.

Nassau’s South Shore

Heavy rain can quickly overwhelm parts of Nassau County’s South Shore. In the West End of Long Beach, storm drains can fill within minutes as water pools at intersections, climbs curbs and creeps toward front steps. In nearby Freeport, residents sometimes wade through ankle-deep water along canal-side streets. In a Facebook poll from the Herald, residents of Oceanside and Island Park were invited to share experiences with bayside flooding.

RISING TIDES TIDES

Heavy rain combined with high tide, residents say, can push water back up through storm drains. Major flooding events, they report, have struck several times in recent years. High tides — particularly during a new moon and combined with strong winds — can bring roughly a foot of water onto some blocks.

Across the South Shore, flooding is no longer unusual. In many communities, it has become a regular part of life.

Long Beach and Island Park sit on narrow barrier islands only a few feet above sea level, while Freeport and Oceanside stretch along canals and bays that funnel water inland. All four communities connect through Reynolds Channel and the Western Bays, allowing tidal surges to move freely between them.

Much of the infrastructure in and beneath these communities — storm drains, sewer lines and bulkheads — was built decades ago, before sea levels began rising and extreme rainfall became more common.

“When you look at repeated flooding in coastal places like Long Beach and Freeport,” Amy Chester, managing director of the climate resilience nonprofit Rebuild by Design, said, “a huge part of the vulnerability comes down to how these neighborhoods were originally built, where houses went, how high they were built and what infrastructure was put underneath them.”

Many South Shore communities expanded rapidly during the post–World War II housing boom. Natural landscapes that once absorbed rainfall were replaced with pavement and development, while stormwater systems were designed with the assumption that rain would fall and simply drain away. Today, that assumption often proves faulty.

Living with water

Flooding now shapes daily life in many South Shore neighborhoods. Many residents move their cars to higher ground when storms threaten. Others install

pumps in crawlspaces to push water back outside, though many say it still seeps back in. For many households, flooding now affects everyday decisions — from where to park to whether work or school schedules may change.

And flooding doesn’t stop at municipal borders. Rain falling in higher-elevation communities such as Lynbrook eventually flows downhill toward the bay. During intense storms, runoff travels from Nassau’s glacial high points on the North Shore toward its lowest-lying southern communities.

“If you look at the topography, it’s the result of a terminal moraine left by a glacier,” said Georgeen Theodore, an architect and urban planner with Interboro Partners. “Water flows from the high point to the low point. What happens to a town on the bay is connected to towns uphill.”

Because of that connection, Theodore said, climate resilience must be addressed regionally. “Climate vulnerability cannot be solved by one village alone,” she said.

In Long Beach, the highest elevations are along the oceanfront, descending toward Reynolds Channel, where flooding is more common. Similar patterns appear along Freeport’s canals and along Island Park’s lowest blocks, where water tends to pond first and recede last.

Many resilience programs focus on homeowners, offering grants to elevate houses or retrofit properties. Renters, and residents of multifamily buildings, often have fewer options.

“If you don’t own your home, what are your choices?” Chester asked. “You can’t elevate the building. You can’t redesign the drainage.”

Historic housing policies also play a role. In the 1930s and 1940s, federal mortgage maps labeled certain neighborhoods risky for investment, often based on

race or religion. “What we see today is the legacy of those decisions,” Chester said. “Areas that were denied investment then are often the same places facing higher climate risk now.”

Theodore cautions against viewing flooding as purely natural. “Is it a natural disaster,” she asked, “or the outcome of decades of planning and housing decisions?”

Fragmented solutions

Residents say that official responses to flooding have been inconsistent. Some recall sewer improvements in Island Park, but broader efforts have been limited. Experts say that effective solutions necessitate a regional approach.

The best way to manage rainfall, Theodore said, is to slow it before it reaches storm drains through strategies such as permeable pavement, rain gardens, increased tree cover and reducing paved surfaces.

“We want to slow the way water flows,” she said. “But we built for speed.”

With Nassau County already densely developed, creating space for water absorption has become increasingly difficult. Addressing flooding one property at a time won’t solve the larger problem, Theodore said, and long-term coordination will likely be necessary.

Some residents worry about what the next decade may bring as sea levels rise and flooding becomes more common. Communities including Long Beach, Freeport, Island Park and Oceanside increasingly represent the front line of a worsening problem.

The Great South Bay

Pollution entering the Great South Bay is closely tied to what happens on land, particularly through

Wading into the debate over rising water

Continued from PreViouS PAGe

groundwater and runoff. The bay stretches along the South Shore, between the Island’s “mainland” and Fire Island. While it receives freshwater from rivers and streams, a significant portion flows underground through Long Island’s aquifer system.

As groundwater moves through soil, it carries pollutants on its way to the bay. “Excess fertilizer can then make its way into the water column, and that is going to stimulate these algal blooms,” Ryan B. Wallace, assistant professor of environmental studies and sciences at Adelphi University, said. “We have to be able to reduce the amount of nitrogen that’s entering into our groundwater.”

Nitrogen pollution is one of the most significant environmental challenges facing the bay. Much of it originates from cesspools and septic systems, while fertilizers used on lawns, golf courses and farmland also contribute.

Excess nitrogen fuels algae growth. As algae die and decompose, bacteria consume oxygen in the water.

The bay has also experienced harmful algal blooms such as brown tide, which block sunlight from reaching the bay floor and damage seagrass habitat. Because groundwater moves slowly, pollution entering the aquifer today may take years — or even decades — to reach coastal waters.

Despite these challenges, local organizations are working to improve water quality.

Save the Great South Bay, a nonprofit founded in 2012, focuses on reducing pollution and restoring the bay’s ecosystem.

“In each of the 16 towns that cross that area, we have appointed a creek defender who is a local steward,” Executive Director Robyn Silvestri said. “They go out, they patrol the creeks, look for trash or anything else that might be blocking the creek. And then, once a year, they organize a major community cleanup.”

Volunteers patrol waterways for debris in addition to organizing the annual cleanups. Over the past several years, they have removed more than 85,000 pounds of trash from creeks feeding into the bay.

“Oysters used to be all over the bay, and now there’s basically no natural oysters in the bay,” Sylvestri said. “We have oyster farms, but no naturally occurring oysters. So we’re looking to reverse that.”

Because a single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, restoring oyster reefs could significantly improve water quality.

Nassau’s North Shore

Environmental advocates say that conditions in Hempstead Harbor have improved significantly over the past several decades, though pollution from runoff, septic systems and aging infrastructure still affects nearby communities.

The harbor connects to Glen Cove Creek and several tributaries along the North Shore, and serves as both an ecological system and a drainage outlet for

the surrounding watershed.

“We have a long-term water monitoring program, which is really the backbone of what we do,” Michelle Lapinel McAllister, programs director for the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor, said. “We’ve had consistent and uninterrupted monitoring since 1992.”

Researchers collect water samples year-round to measure nitrogen, bacteria and dissolved oxygen. “The main issues come down to nutrient pollution, bacteria and plastic pollution,” McAllister said.

Nitrogen pollution remains a persistent challenge, because excess nutrients can fuel algal blooms that reduce oxygen levels in the water.

Despite those challenges, the harbor has improved. In 2011, roughly 2,500 acres of shellfish beds reopened after being closed for more than 40 years because of high bacteria levels.

Oyster restoration has also helped improve water quality. Through partnerships with volunteers and federal grants, the coalition has planted more than 1.7 million oysters in Hempstead Harbor since 2022.

Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton said that wastewater infrastructure remains a concern on the North Shore, where many communities still rely on septic systems.

“90 percent of Nassau County is sewered, and out of the 10 percent that is not sewered, 90 percent is in my district,” DeRiggi-Whitton said.

County officials have also targeted pollution flowing from Scutter’s Pond, in Sea Cliff, once identified as a major

contamination source for Hempstead Harbor. Officials installed a catch basin and weir system designed to filter runoff before it reaches the harbor.

“It’s basically a filter,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “It just skims the water and takes out the pollutants that would go into Hempstead Harbor.” The roughly $250,000 project significantly reduced the amount of contamination entering the harbor.

Assemblyman Charles Lavine said that flooding in Glen Cove in 2024 illustrated how stormwater moves through the landscape. “Any groundwater that collects as a result of storms is going to find its way toward the lowest point,” Lavine said. “That’s gravity.”

Residents of Glen Cove’s Woolsey Avenue say they have repeatedly experienced flooding during major storms.

“The water isn’t just rain — it’s runoff from other streets, and it’s filled with garbage and bacteria,” resident Linda Melbinger said. “We’ve had dead animals in our yard in the past, and there’s a layer of contamination on everything that smells.”

“It impacts so many things,” McAllister said. “Everyone moves here because they want the beauty of the harbor, but it’s only going to be beautiful to the extent that you take care of it and you have a healthy and thriving harbor.”

The harbor, she said, supports local recreation, fishing and the broader coastal ecosystem.

“As good citizens,” McAllister said, “we have to make sure that we’re doing our part to respect the harbor and everything it has to offer.”

What residents can do to help

While large infrastructure projects and policy changes play a major role in addressing flooding and water pollution, environmental experts say residents can also take steps to reduce runoff, limit pollution and help protect local waterways.

Reduce fertilizer use

■ Fertilizers used on lawns and gardens can wash into storm drains and eventually reach bays and harbors.

■ Experts recommend using fertilizers sparingly — or avoiding them altogether — especially before heavy rain. Nitrogen from fertilizer is one of the leading contributors to harmful algal blooms in Long Island waters.

Upgrade septic systems

■ Many homes on Long Island still rely on older septic systems or cesspools, which can release nitrogen into groundwater.

■ Programs in Suffolk County offer incentives for installing nitrogenreducing septic systems.

Environmental advocates say similar upgrades across the region could significantly reduce pollution entering coastal waters.

Limit runoff from driveways and yards

■ Rain that falls on paved surfaces flows quickly into storm drains, carrying pollutants with it.

■ Residents can help reduce runoff by installing rain barrels, planting rain gardens, adding trees or replacing pavement with permeable materials that allow water to soak into the ground.

Protect storm drains

■ Storm drains typically flow directly into nearby waterways.

■ Residents can help by keeping leaves, grass clippings and trash out of drains and reporting blocked drains to local public works departments.

Volunteer with local groups

■ Several Long Island organizations rely on volunteers to monitor waterways and remove debris. Programs such as Save the Great South Bay’s Creek Defender initiative organize cleanups and waterway patrols throughout the region.

Mount Sinai School District.

AHS musicians perform at jazz festival

Amityville Memorial High School’s Jazz Ensemble and the Select Choir recently performed at the Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association Day of Jazz festival in the Mount Sinai School District.

Within this festival, jazz ensembles from school districts across Suffolk County prepared and performed several jazz pieces for an adjudicator and received constructive performance feedback. This information will be utilized by each group during future rehearsals and lessons to further refine their performance practice for their upcoming spring performances.

The district commended the members of the high school Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Anthony Abate, and members of the high school Select Choir, under the direction of Joseph DeMato-Garcia, for their participation in this countywide festival.

Amityville Memorial High School Jazz Ensemble, directed by Anthony Abate, includes Jayden Adebola, Osaherumwen Aighewi,

Trevor Angus, Carlos Arriola, Jimmy Ayala, Sayma Bermudez Ruiz, Joshua Bolten, Naomi Chavez Duran, Moise Desulme, John Encalada, D’Janae Francis Hibbert, Katherine Garcia Lus, Kimberly Guevara Torres, Samarah Horace, Remi Johnson, Samiya Lynch, Tyliah Maynor-Mendez, Sydney McPherson, Kevin Monge, David Morales Flores, Jeffrey Navarrete Chavez, Jackson Nehring, Mason Nehring, Linora Nelson, Julia Olivo Valdez, Christophen Pancan Ramos, Jessica Portillo, Maleek Solomon, Arianna Thomas, Michael Torres, Nayomi Urquia, and Chelsea Vergara.

Amityville Memorial High School Select Choir, directed by Joseph DeMato-Garcia, includes Shania Austin, Jasmine Brown, Melanie Caballero, Erlin Canales, Naomi Chavez Duran, Christine Contreras, Susan Leach, Valerie Louis, Shadae Maxwell, Annabel Meyer, Joel Moran, Nicola Patruno, Kaleb Rivera, Kassandra Ruiz Esquivel, and Stefanny Tapia.

Students share their voices at local forum

Four students from Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School were selected to participate in the annual Long Island Regional Student Forum on February 27 at St. Joseph’s University. The event was organized by the Eastern Suffolk and Western Suffolk BOCES superintendents.

Juniors Melanie Robertson and Skya

Courtesy Copiague school district

Four students from Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School — Melanie Robertson, Skya Cham, Damaris Bonilla and Olivia Tysko — recently attended the Long Island Regional Student Forum.

Cham were selected as participants, while senior Damaris Bonilla, who attended the forum last year, was trained as a student facilitator. In addition, Copiague School District’s ex-officio student board member Olivia Tysko joined other ex-officio members from school districts across Long Island. During the forum, students expressed their views on pivotal issues concerning mental health, academic pressures, career planning and the school environment. Their findings were shared with state and local leaders. The students were accompanied by Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School social studies teacher David Leboff, who was also trained as an adult facilitator.

Violinist Plays “Mewsic” for Maine Coons -

Can any animal rescues brag that a violinist performed for their cats? Last Hope can. This string serenade came to our rescued Maine Coon cats in a roundabout way.

As Last Hope outreach coordinator, I get constant requests from schools, scout troops, and community organizations. Usually, the groups want to do a project to help our homeless pets. Occasionally, a call starts a broader partnership with Last Hope.

Pets, Pets, Pets...

JOANNE ANDERSON

After Barbara Davis inquired about her young adult autistic clients at Blue Raven Ministry, printing T-shirts for the future Maine Coon adopters, the project began with the violinist visit as a bonus.

During the pandemic, Larry Hung, left a lucrative job in NYC, to found Blue Raven Ministry in an Albertson warehouse. There, he taught printing and embroidery skills to special needs adults, who age out of public-school instruction at age 21. The participants learn job skills, socialize, and give back to the community through the non-profit’s projects.

Davis explained their Valentine effort. Her clients-some are non-verbal-created personalized T-shirts for 60 nursing home residents with the person’s name on the sleeve and “You are Loved” on the front. When the group delivered the shirts, one client played Bach on the lobby piano, another did a native dance from India, and a third, Kevin, played “Amazing Grace” on the violin.

If the clients were going to make custom shirts for adopters, it seemed fitting they should meet the Maine Coon crew first. Ten Last Hope’s Maine Coon cats, from the West Islip hoarding situation, stay in a free roaming room and listen to classical music on a radio each day. I knew harp music soothed cats and wondered if this friendly breed would enjoy live string music, especially with a moving bow.

INTERMEZZO: WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO CATS PREFER?

In 2015, two scientists worked with University of Maryland music professor David Teie who composed feline favorites. Cats moved toward the sound, bobbed their heads to the beat and rubbed against the speakers.

The team studied cats’ natural vocalizations which have a frequency range about an octave higher than human voices and added sliding notes to the songs because cats use more sliding notes than our music does. They incorporated tempos that they hoped would interest cats including high harp notes played at the same rate as a cat’s purr. The harp is accompanied by bird chirps. Another piece was written at a tempo, suggesting the nursing comfort of kittenhood.

Teie’s three songs were intended to pique interest in cats. “Kittie Ditties” was playful and lively, like acoustic catnip meant to stir curiosity. “Cat Ballads” was slower and calmer, while “Feline Airs”

after all, cats love strings

mimicked the rhythm of purring which is consistent throughout all domestic cat breeds.

“MR. MAESTRO, BEGIN, YOUR MAINE COON AUDIENCE IS WAITING!”

Kevin said he would bring his violin to play because he loved cats. However, he refused to touch any cats during his visit.

Larry brought Blue Raven clients -Kevin, age 21, and Sammy, age 31, who I called Kevin’s agent. Kevin left his music at home, so his mom sent sheet music to Larry’s phone to enlarge. Larry became Kevin’s music stand.

Kevin first rehearsed in the lobby for the volunteers. Next, he entertained the free roamer cats. He had a mesmerized audi-

ence on the floor. Others watched from their beds on a mezzanine above cages. Our Maine Coon Mayor LaGuardia slithered through Kevin’s legs in approval. Kevin’s finale was in a room with caged Maine Coons. All eyes stared at the soloist. O’Brien, a big orange tabby whose tongue always sticks out, stood on his back legs and tried to grab Kevin and his bow. Song over, Kevin quickly announced he was done- much like a cat that abruptly decides a petting session is over.

COMING SOON:

Blue Raven students design and make “Maine Coon Mom” and “Maine Coon Main Man” T-shirts for adopters. For more information: https://blueravenminsitry.org.

Business summit highlights entrepreneurs, innovation

By ABBEY SALVEMINI

The Herald Long Island Business Summit & Thrive Awards brought together entrepreneurs, executives and family-owned businesses at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury on March 3 for a day of networking, education and celebration focused on helping businesses expand and compete in a challenging market.

An all-day networking expo

featuring organizations such as the New York Small Business Development Centers, Trellus and the Secure Choice Savings Program kicked off the summit.

A featured executive session, “The Future is Now: Protecting Your Wealth and Legacy,” led by attorneys Morris Sabbagh and Joseph Trotti, of Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP, emphasized proactive planning, wealth preservation and safeguarding family legacies.

Sabbagh encouraged a forwardthinking approach to protecting businesses and personal legacies.

“Most successful people are optimists, that’s what makes them successful,” he said, emphasizing that confidence, preparation and strategic vision drive long-term, generational success.

After the executive session, event leaders took the stage to formally greet attendees and highlight the summit’s mission of supporting and strengthening Long Island’s business community. Those lead-

ers underscored their commitment to strengthening Long Island’s business community and supporting small and mid-size companies.

Marc Perez, senior vice president at Bank of America, highlighted the bank’s commitment as a presenting sponsor of the event and to the region’s entrepreneurs, stating, “Bank of America remains deeply committed to supporting businesses, the backbone of Long Island’s economy.”

Stuart Richner, CEO of Richner Communications Inc., echoed that sentiment.

“Small and mid-size businesses are the backbone of Long Island’s economy,” emphasizing the vital role they play in driving regional growth,” he said.

Amy Amato, executive director of corporate relations/events at Richner Communications, encouraged attendees to maximize the day’s opportunities.

“I want you to leave here with tangible strategies and meaningful relationships,” she said.

14 Joseph Milizio, managing partner at Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP, highlighted the energy in the room and the value of collaboration.

“We have a room filled with excitement,” he said. “This is where you form partnerships to grow your business,” underscoring how connection and strategic guidance can help businesses thrive for generations.”

At the heart of the summit were the 2026 Thrive Awards, celebrating the small and family-owned businesses that drive Long Island’s economy. Stew Leonard Jr. was honored with the Legacy Leadership Award, alongside winners in categories such as Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Social Impact, Creative Excellence and Health & Wellness Leadership. The awards showcased the innovation and resilience that shape the region’s business community.

The opening keynote of the summit featured fashion entrepreneur and native Long Islander Steve Madden, who shared insights on balancing ambition with sustainability in business during his session, “Building a Business That Doesn’t Break You.” Emmy Awardwinning broadcaster Curt Chaplin, guided the discussion on the challenges and triumphs of growing a successful enterprise.

“An entrepreneur is someone who breaks the rules and thinks of things differently,” Madden said, giving attendees an inside view of the unconventional strategies and mindset that have driven his success.

“His entire story is just remarkable,” Chaplin said, framing the conversation and asking questions that highlighted the lessons behind Madden’s journey.

Guests then attended “Workshop Session I: The Money Hour,” focused on financial strategy and growth. Panels on scaling startups, managing cash flow and protecting business legacy featured experts from Bank of America, CliftonLarsonAllen, GC Advisory Group and Empire State Development, offering practical guidance for sustainable success.

The afternoon continued with “Workshop Session II: Mind Your Business,” which covered legal essentials, AI tools and marketing strategies. Speakers included Milizio and Derek Gibbs of Casper Studios and Brad Harmon of Richner Communications.

“All decisions are driven through

data,” Harmon said. He reminded attendees that “it’s not about you, it’s about the consumer,” urging them to understand their target market and where their audience is. When challenges arise, his advice was simple: “Ask yourself, what did the data say?”

Motivational speaker and entrepreneur Brandon Steiner, founder and president of The Steiner Agency and CollectibleXchange, delivered his closing keynote, “The 5 Essentials to Thrive in Business in 2026.”

He emphasized innovation, empathy and growth, telling attendees, “I’m always trying to outthink my competition,” and urging them to “lead with empathy” by truly listening to customers’ needs. Steiner also encouraged continuous improvement, reminding the audience, “Don’t let success get in the way of more success.”

The Bank of America Small Business Spotlight Awards honored three standout businesses in the Micro, Small and Growth categories. Cholados y Antojitos Corp, Charles Krull + Son, Inc. Plumbing and Heating and Curl Evolution each received $5,000 in unrestricted funds. Participants entered by submitting how their business gives back to the community, and how they would use the prize money.

“We are thrilled to have been chosen to receive this award,” Curl Evolution owner Allison Bridges said. “We are very invested in Long Island and the people here. This will help us open an additional location at the end of the year helping us get more curl care options to the residents here as well as hire more talent.”

The event was powered by Bank of America, with additional support from Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP, whose sponsorship underscored a shared commitment to strengthening and sustaining Long Island’s small and family-owned business community. Event highlights were also shared on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Attendees left with new connections, actionable strategies and renewed inspiration to navigate an evolving business landscape. By combining expert insight, meaningful networking and recognition of local excellence, the Herald Long Island Business Summit & Thrive Awards reinforced a shared commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and ensuring

WEDNESDAY

MARCH 25 • 6:00-9:00PM

The Heritage Club at Bethpage 99 Quaker Meeting House Road Farmingdale, New York

For more information or to sponsor this event, contact Amy Amato,

Executive Director, Corporate Relations and Events at aamato@richnerlive.com or 516.569.4000 x224

ACCOUNTING EXCELLENCE

DONNA M. DISCLAFANI

Partner Prager Metis CPAs

VANESSA M. GORDON

Principal, Nonprofit Practice Grassi Advisors

BANKING LEADERSHIP

CAROL A. ALLEN

President & CEO

People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union

LUCY ZHANG

FVP/Commercial Lender

Royal Business Bank

NICOLE A. STEFANAKOS

Senior VP, Commercial Banking Citizens

COMMUNITY IMPACT

GIOVANA BRACCHI

Executive Director

La Fuerza Community Development Corporation

KATHERINE FRITZ

President & CEO

Long Island Cares

LISA BURCH

President & CEO

EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies

LAUREN WAGNER

Executive Director Long Island Arts Alliance

PATRICIA CHARLEMAGNE, ED.D., J.D

Executive Director Girls, Inc.

SUZETTE GORDON

President & CEO

SCO Family of Services

VALENTINA JANEK

Founder & Host

Long Island Breakfast Club

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS

MEET THE 2026 AWARD WINNERS

CORPORATE & INDUSTRY

AGNES FALCONE

Controller Winter Bros.

ERIN NOURIJANIAN VP of Marketing UBS Arena

MELISSA MATASSA

Business Owner

GEICO Lynbrook & iSmash Farmingdale

MERLISA FAIRLEY, BS, PH. MBA COO Pronto of Long Island, Inc.

EDUCATION & YOUTH

ELLEN MORRIS TIEGERMAN, MD

Founder & CEO Tiegerman School and Tiegerman Community Services

JASMIN VARELA, MD

District Superintendent

Eastern Suffolk BOCES

ENTREPRENEURIAL

CHARLENE JACKSON, ESQ.

CEO

Thompson Economic Development Services, LLC

JOANNA AUSTIN

CEO

31st State

LETY ALGERI

Founder & CEO Plant Up

FINANCIAL SERVICES

ANA LUDEMANN, MBA

VP / Wealth Management Financial Advisor

Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC

KATHERINE M. DEAN, CFP®, MBA

Financial Advisor

Opal Wealth Advisors

HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS

CARMINE PEÑA, DDS Endodontist

Peña Dentistry PLLC Practice Limited to Endodontics

CAROL GOMES CEO & COO

Stony Brook University Hospital

JANIS HOFFMAN, LCSW-R Co-Founder Mindful Therapy

JILL KOFLER, LMHC-D Co-Founder

Mindful Therapy

MARINA CORTESE, DAC, LAC, CMES, CCES, CSCS Founder MoveMed Rx

TARA BUONOCORE-RUT President & CEO CenterLight Health System

VANESSA BAIRD-STREETER President & CEO Health & Welfare Council of Long Island

INSURANCE

EVELYN GELLAR

Managing Director Forest Hills Financial Group

LEGAL

BARBARA MARISSA MAISTRO Member

Bond Schoeneck & King

CHERYL L. FRATELLO, ESQ. Founding Attorney Fratello Law, P.C.

MEDIA EXCELLENCE

ASTRID CORDOBA President AVC Media

MOR GREENBERG Founder MOR Media Group

SKYE OSTREICHER, MPH, MA Founder & President In the Room Media & The Political Personality

MINORITY WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS

NOREEN CARRO

President LMN Printing of NY, Inc.

PUBLIC SERVICE

MAEGAN FOX President Project Thank a Cop

REAL ESTATE

GINA COLETTI, PHD, ABR, SRES, RSPS President, Broker/Owner GC Advisory Group, Inc.

SUCI PADRO

Producing Sales Manager OwnIt Home Loans

TECHNOLOGY

LUCIA SULJIC

Vice President of Corporate Legal Canon U.S.A., Inc

RISING STARS UNDER 40

JILLIAN KASHUBA

Managing Associate Forest Hills Financial

JANNA RODRIGUEZ

President The Innovative Daycare Company

POWER TEAM AWARDS

DRIVE FORE SUCCESS

JAMIE FRANCHI

Director of Communications & Government Relations

SHERYL BURO

Deputy Executive Director & CFO

Long Island Contractors Association

STEPHANIE ROSADO

COO

REENA WALIA

Lead, Marketing and Growth Strategy

Always Compassionate Health

ST. JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS

CENTERPIECE SPONSOR

SPONSORS

Sports stars to headline Herald Reworld event

and

Rjoin sustainability leaders for May 14th awards program honoring Long Island’s environmantal champions

eworld™, presenting sponsor of the 2026 Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island, announced that former NFL quarterback and sports broadcaster Boomer Esiason and New York Islanders forward Kyle Palmieri will join this year’s event, with longtime broadcaster Tom Kelly returning as master of ceremonies.

Produced by RichnerLIVE and the Long Island Herald in partnership with Reworld™, the awards program will take place on May 14 at The Heritage Club in Bethpage. The evening will recognize outstanding environmental leadership across Long Island, honoring nonprofit organizations, educators, elected officials, and community leaders who are advancing sustainability efforts throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.

“As this program enters its second year, we are proud to elevate leaders who are making meaningful environmental progress across Long Island,” said Maureen Early, lead community relations specialist at Reworld™.

“Bringing together respected voices from our region, including Boomer Esiason and Kyle Palmieri, helps shine a spotlight on the inspiring work happening in our communities.

Sustainability

is built through partnership, and this event reflects the collective commitment required to move our region forward.”

eVeNt DetailS

• Date: May 14

• locatioN: The Heritage Club, Bethpage

• preSeNteD by: Reworld™

• proDuceD by: RichnerLive

the 2026 herald Sustainability awards of long island presented by reworld™ will recognize individuals and organizations in several categories, including:

• Environmental Leader in Policy

• Champions of Municipal Stewardship

• Community Impact for Sustainability

• Environmental Infrastructure Leader

• Environmental Development Leader

• Environmental Leader in Entertainment

Esiason, who enjoyed a distinguished NFL career and later became a nationally recognized sports commentator, and Palmieri, a veteran NHL forward with the New York Islanders, will join Reworld™ in celebrating this year’s honorees and highlighting the importance of community leadership in tackling environmental challenges.

Kelly will guide the evening’s program, introducing award recipients and leading the ceremony.

The program will also feature the Student Sustainability Champion Award, honoring one exceptional student from Nassau County and one

from Suffolk County for leadership in promoting sustainable change. Each student honoree will receive a $2,500 prize provided by Reworld™ and will be recognized during the ceremony.

Reworld™ continues to invest in initiatives that empower communities and advance environmental stewardship across Long Island.

For more information about Reworld™ and its environmental initiatives, visit ReworldWaste.com. For more information about the 2026 Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island Presented by Reworld™ or to request an invitation, visit: RichnerLive.com/richner-event/ herald-sustainability-awards-powered-by-reworld/

STEPPING OUT

GIVE IN TO TEMPTATION

Life is sweet at the Chocolate Expo

By Abbey Salvemini

Chocolate lovers, mark your calendars for a day of indulgence for all the senses. The Chocolate Expo returns on Sunday, March 22 — this year bringing its tasty wonders to its new venue, following many years at Hofstra University. Nassau Coliseum’s Expo Hall, a vast — more than 44,000 square foot — space, is ready to welcome all to an immersive chocolate wonderland of decadent flavors, irresistible aromas and family-friendly fun.

Upon entering everyone is immediately greeted by chocolate fountains, flowing with rich white, dark and milk chocolate, setting the tone for a deliciously unforgettable experience.

One of the largest and most celebrated chocolate festivals in the U.S., according to its founder Marvin Baum, more than 80 vendors are represented at what he describes as “the official home of chocolate, food and fun.” Visitors can treat themselves to everything from artisan chocolates and baked goods to specialty foods, cheeses and spirits.

“We’re happy to bring the Chocolate Expo to the Nassau Coliseum,” Baum says. “With more space comes more vendors. We’re bringing in vendors who don’t normally come to events on Long Island, so people will get to see something truly different.”

Beyond shopping and sampling, visitors can enjoy demonstrations, chocolate-themed presentations and interactive moments throughout the day.

From classics like bonbons, fudge and chocolatedipped treats there are no shortage of desserts to sample. Savory pairings, baked goods, specialty foods, wine, and cheeses are also tempting; there’s something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.

Some of the most buzz-worthy treats that you won’t to miss out on include chocolate-covered bacon, a favorite since 2012. For those looking to try something new, the Dubai-style chocolates are trending this year, with creative twists like chocolatecovered donuts, including offerings from a purveyor based in Lebanon.

These unexpected goodies add an adventurous edge to the festival, making it as much about discovery as it is about indulgence.

“People often find new favorites at the Expo, whether it’s a specialty cheese they will look for in stores or a spirit they want to visit at the distillery,” Baum says highlighting its lasting impact.

Be sure to check out the Long Island confectioners represented, such as Bellmore’s Chocolate Works, a

Trevor Wallace

chocolaterie selling chocolate-covered pretzels, platters, and more. Other local favorites include Chez Hedwidge, an artisan gluten-free bakery, based in Valley Stream; also the Sunflower Bakeshop, a Kosher bakery in West Hempstead, offering a wide range of gluten-free and vegan options.

In addition to culinary delights, this year’s edition includes a dose of television nostalgia. Cast members from the classic series “Little House on the Prairie” and ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ are scheduled for special guest appearances. Dean Butler, Patrick Labyorteaux and Todd Bridges will be on hand to meet fans throughout the day. The actors will be available for autographs and selfies (fees are set individually) and will participate in a panel discussion with an audience Q&A at 1 p.m., included with event admission.

The combination of chocolate with pop culture has become an Expo hallmark, with Baum noting that “Little House on the Prairie” holds a special place for many.

“Chocolate is very nostalgic,” he says. “People are always looking for treats and desserts, and we also want to bring in that element of nostalgia.”

• Sunday, March 22, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; early VIP access starts at 9 a.m.

• Tickets are $30, $15 ages 5-12 online only; general admission timed-entry tickets: $20, $15 child online; $30, $15 child at the door; available from thechocolateexpo.com

• Nassau Coliseum, Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale

Providing a visual centerpiece sure to attract attraction (and serve as a vibrant, imaginative backdrop for photos), acclaimed balloon artist Robbie Furman returns to craft an intricate balloon sculpture display featuring scenes and characters from both iconic TV series. When his demo wraps up, children eagerly dive in to pop the balloons, in what Baum playfully terms a “balloon popping party.”

For more family-sized fun, young visitors can drop by the Kidz Zone. Face painting, balloon twisting and a scavenger hunt will surely keep the young set entertained, in addition to being surrounded by chocolate treats.

“Seeing the smiles on people’s faces is what it’s all about,” Baum enthuses.“This is a chance for people to get away from everything, whether that’s trying a new chocolate or just enjoying the moment.” He encourages everyone — whether coming solo, with friends or family — to make this a must-visit.

“It’s really about the experience and having a good time.”

For Baum, supporting local businesses and building relationships with returning chocolatiers is just as important as the treats themselves, making it a unique and meaningful day for the community.

Photos courtesy Chuck Fishman

Photos: From chocolate-dipped treats to inventive creations, every bite is a delicious discovery.

The comedian brings his Alpha Beta Male Tour to the Paramount stage. The energetic comic-digital creator has gained a growing following with sharp observational bits, viral character sketches, and fast-paced crowd work. Rising from early internet sketches to sold-out clubs and theaters, he blends internetsavvy humor with classic jokecrafting, making his shows accessible to longtime fans and first-timers alike. He co-hosts the popular Stiff Socks podcast, further expanding his reach to comedy listeners nationwide. Wallace’s tour is packed with fresh stories, act-outs, and interactive riffs. His ascent started with viral sketches lampooning internet culture, energy-drink bros, entrepreneurs, and micro-trends; those clips earned millions of views and a loyal fan base that now fills venues everywhere. As his reputation grew, he transitioned from shortform videos to touring, proving he could translate online momentum into consistent, in-person laughs.

Friday, March 20, 7 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Three Italian Tenors

Direct from Rome, the Three Italian Tenors stop at Tilles Center on their North American Tour debut. Everyone will be captivated by Giovanni Maria Palmia, Ugo Tarquini, and Alessandro Fantoni accompanied by pianist Fabrizio Mocata. Their salute to the great Italian tenors — Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Mario Lanza and Enrico Caruso — is an exhilarating and unique musical event. It features original arrangements and universally loved Italian songs and tenor arias, fusing Italian wit and charm with romanticism, lyricism, dramatic flair and operatic style. Their repertoire also includes romantic ballads like “Musica Proibita” and “Dicitencello vuje,” a tribute to Dean Martin with Volare, and a lively piano medley of popular Italian tunes — all culminating in a thrilling celebration of vocal artistry and Italian musical heritage. You’re sure to be enthralled by their rich vocals, heartfelt emotion and the golden tradition of Italian vocal artistry.

Tuesday, March 24, 7 p.m. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

MAR 19

‘Everybody

Loves Raymond: Celebrating 30 Years’

Visit the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame for an immersive exhibit (designed by LIMEHOF Creative Director, renowned designer Kevin O’Callaghan). It features the 70-foot-wide set from the show’s recent 30th anniversary TV special on CBS, never before on display. Visitors can walk into the world of the Barone family and explore their home through original studio sets, which include the living room, the kitchen and other areas of the house. Also see a variety of iconic items, including original clothing, the famous fork and spoon, and the Christmas toaster, among other classic items from the series. Multimedia clips, including behind the scenes and rare out-takes and a range of related videos play in LIMEHOF’s surround sound theater.

• Where: 97 Main St., Stony Brook

• Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Contact: limusichalloffame.org or (631) 689-5888

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner

First Presbyterian Church of Babylon holds a special sit-down dinner in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. All are welcome to attend. There is no cost.

• Where: 79 E. Main St., Babylon

• Time: 4:30-6 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 587-5838

Zoning Board of Appeals meets The Town of Babylon holds their next ZBA meeting. All are welcome to attend.

• Where: Babylon Town Hall, 200 E. Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst

• Time: 6 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 957-3012

Thrift Shop

MAR 29

The Man In Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash

MAR

24

Detox The Mind Through Meditation Science of Spirituality Meditation Center hosts a workshop on the benefits of meditation with Andrew Vidich, PhD. All are welcome.

• Where: 79 County Line Road, Amityville

• Time: 7-9 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 822-7979, sos.org/event/detoxmindNYmar10/

Kid Zone

MAR

25

MAR 20

Stop by Simpson United Methodist Church’s Thrift Shop for some unique finds.

• Where: 30 Locust Ave., Amityville

• Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 789-2569

St. Mary’s Thrift Shop

Stop by St. Mary’s Thrift Shop to check out some found treasures. Choose from collectibles, glassware, clothing and other gently used items.

• Where: St. Mary’s, 175 Broadway, Amityville (enter

With his strikingly similar looks, baritone voice, and spot-on mannerisms, Shawn Barker’s uncanny resemblance to the original “Man In Black” revitalizes the true character and spirit of Mr. Cash himself, one of America’s greatest musical icons, for a truly one-of-a-kind show. The energetic concert features Barker in character throughout the entire evening, walking the audience through each era of Cash’s life and music, including hits like “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk The Line,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Hurt,” and “Ring of Fire,” backed by a full band. Born and raised in a working-class suburb of St. Louis, Barker took a schoolboy love for singing in church with his family and turned it into a career. The path to his current success wasn’t a straight line from gospel choir to Johnny Cash tribute act. After serving his country in the Army, Barker returned home to Missouri, took a job as a carpenter and spent all of his free time learning how to play the guitar. He developed strength and versatility in his voice by modeling his crooning on a cast of legends — Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent. His performances quickly turned from hobby to profession, but oddly enough, Barker’s first touring gigs were portraying Elvis, not Johnny Cash. Everything changed, however, when Barker was asked to audition for the part of Cash in a Hollywood production, as it became evident to the director and Barker himself that Johnny Cash was his true calling. From that point there was no turning back.

from rear parking lot)

• Time: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 464-4899

MAR

21

Ready for Bonko?

Amityville Fire Department Chemical Hose Co. #3 hosts a game of Bonko with dinner and drinks at the Amityville Fire House.With cash game prizes and raffles. To purchase your tickets, mail players name (s), address and phone number to Ex-Chief Charles Scudlo at 75 Hamilton St., Amityville, NY 11701 with check(s) of $85 per couple. Include the names of all players. Tickets for cash raffle are available for $20 each. Make check(s) payable to Chemical Hose Co. #3.

• Where: 55 West Oak St., Amityville

• Time: Cocktails at 7 p.m.; dinner at 7:30 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 691-9081

Church Attic Thrift Shop

Visit First United Methodist Church for their weekly thrift shop

• Where: 25 Broadway, Amityville

• Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 264-0152 or email amitychurch1792@gmail. com

Night Sky Live

Visit Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum’s Reichert Planetarium for a family-friendly program with an astronomy educator. Tour the night sky from right in Centerport. Topics vary depending on the time of year, but can include seasonal constellations, visible planets, galaxies, nebulae, and more. $22, $18 seniors and students, $16 child 12 and under.

• Where: 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport

• Time: 8 p.m.; also March 28

MAR

22

Spring Artisan Market

Celebrate local creativity and craftsmanship at Copiague Memorial Public Library. Browse a selection of handmade goods from talented local artisans including soap, handbags, sourdough and more!

• Where: 50 Deauville Blvd., Copiague

• Time: Noon-3 p.m.

• Contact: copiaguelibrary.org or (631) 691-1111

• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

In concert

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame welcomes welcomes the Songwriters of Long Island with ‘Loopers in the Round’, ‘The Write of Spring.” This Spring 2026 Equinox timed show features three of Long Island’s top and trending songwriters, improvisation masters and legends of the Looper pedals. The artists at this special one of a kind show are J. Peter Hansen, Rorie Kelly and Dan Graziano (aka Graztopia). The show is presented “Nashville style” in the round, as the artists will take turns sharing their “live compositions” and improvising together.

• Where: 97 Main St., Stony Brook

• Time: 3 p.m.

• Contact: limusichalloffame.org or (631) 689-5888

MAR

23

Nourish Babylon Sit-Down Dinner

Every Monday Nourish Babylon holds a sitdown dinner at Christ Episcopal Church. All are welcome to attend.

• Where: 12 Prospect St., Babylon

• Time: 5-6:30 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 661-5757

Children in grades Pre-K-5 are invited to First Presbyterian Church’s Kid Zone, weekly. Included is dinner, a Bible story, as well as crafts and games.

• Where: 79 E. Main St., Babylon

• Time: 5:30-7 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 587-5838

Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group

This group meets weekly, at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9592, in person with Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. All calls are confidential.

• Where: 55 Hickory Lane, Levittown

• Time: 7:30 -9 p.m.

• Contact: Steve at (631) 332-0552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808

MAR

26

Serving Our Savior Feeding Ministry

First Presbyterian Church of Babylon holds their weekly “Grab and Go.” No questions are asked. All are welcome.

• Where: 79 E. Main St., Babylon

• Time: 4-6 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 587-5838

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.

NOTICE OF SPECIAL DISTRICT MEETING

COPIAGUE MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY

TOWN OF BABYLON, SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the qualified voters of the Copiague Union Free School District, Copiague, Suffolk County, New York, that a Special District Meeting will be held in the Copiague Memorial Public Library, 50 Deauville Boulevard, Copiague, New York on April 14, 2026, for the purpose of voting upon the appropriation of the necessary funds to meet the estimated expenditures of the Copiague Memorial Public Library for the 2026/2027 year, and the election of one (1) trustee of the Copiague Memorial Public Library. The term of said trustee shall be as follows: April 15, 2026 to June 30, 2031. The voting shall be by machine, and the polls will remain open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., prevailing time.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for the office of Copiague Memorial Public Library Trustee must be filed with the District Clerk’s Office of the Copiague Union Free School District during regular business hours no later than 4:00 p.m. on the 30th day prior to the Special District Meeting. The Petitions shall be directed to the District Clerk; shall be signed by at least twenty five (25) qualified voters of the School District or two (2%) percent of the voters who voted in the previous annual election, whichever is greater; shall state the residence of each

signer and shall state the name and residence of the candidate being nominated for the office of trustee of the Copiague Memorial Public Library including the name of the incumbent and the length of the term of office of the position sought.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law, personal registration of voters is required and no person shall be entitled to vote at said meeting and election whose name does not appear on the register of the said School District, or who does not register as hereinafter provided except as may otherwise be provided by the laws of the State of New York. The register so prepared includes all persons who have presented themselves personally for registration in accordance herewith, and all persons who shall have been registered previously hereunder for an Annual or Special Meeting, and who shall have voted at any Annual Meeting or Election, held or conducted at any time within four (4) years prior to April 14, 2026.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Copiague Memorial Public Library will hold a Special Budget Hearing on April 8, 2026 at the Copiague Memorial Public Library, 50 Deauville Boulevard, Copiague, New York, at 6:00 p.m., prevailing time.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that voters at the May 19, 1998 Copiague Union Free School District Budget/Trustee Election approved Continuous Voter Registration. Qualified

Public Notices — Your right to know

voters may register on a continuous basis for Copiague Union Free School District and Copiague Memorial Public Library votes/ elections as follows: Registration will be conducted Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the school year, and from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday during school recesses at the Office of the District Clerk, Central Administration Office, 2650 Great Neck Road, Copiague, NY 11726 except there will be no registration allowed seven [7] days prior to the election.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for early voting ballots and absentee ballots for the purpose of voting upon the appropriation of the necessary funds to meet the estimated expenditures of the Copiague Memorial Public Library for the 2026/2027 year, and for the election of one (1) Library Trustee may be obtained from the Office of the District Clerk of the Copiague Union Free School District, 2650 Great Neck Rd., Copiague, NY 11726. Such application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. No early mail ballot or absentee voter ballot will be canvassed unless it has been received in the office of the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. [prevailing time] on the day of the election. A list of all persons to whom early mail ballots and absentee ballots have been issued will be available in the Office

of the District Clerk on each of the five (5) days prior to the day set for the Budget Vote and Election of a Library Trustee, except Saturdays and Sundays.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that military voters who are qualified voters of the Copiague Union Free School District may request an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk by mail to the Office of the District Clerk, Central Administration Office, 2650 Great Neck Road, Copiague, NY 11726, by e-mail at dvanflorcke@copiague.net or by fax at 631-841-4614. In such request, the military voter may indicate his/her preference for receiving the application by mail, fax or e-mail. A military voter must return the original military ballot application by mail to the office of the District Clerk at Central Administration Office, 2650 Great Neck Road, Copiague, NY 11726. This application must be returned by mail or in person to the Office of the School District Clerk, or appropriate official designated by the school district public library, as applicable, not later than 5:00 PM on the twenty-sixth (26th) day before the election for all school districts and school district public libraries, except city school districts with less than 125,000 inhabitants in which case the application must be received not later than 5:00 PM on the fifteenth (15th) day before the election. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a non-military ballot application under Section 2018 of

the Education Law. The application for a military ballot should include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail, fax or e-mail.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN a military voter’s original military ballot must be returned by mail to the Office of the District Clerk, Central Administration Office, 2650 Great Neck Road, Copiague, NY 11726. Military voters must submit a separate military ballot application for each election at which they wish to cast a vote, except any necessary budget revote. Military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the office of the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. (prevailing time) on the day of the election, or showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received no later than 5:00 p.m. (prevailing time) on the day of the election and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election/vote. By order of the Board of Trustees of the Copiague Memorial Public Library, Copiague Union Free School District, Town of Babylon, Suffolk County, New York 26-52. 3/11, 18, 25, 4/1

SUFFOLK COUNTY NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTSTATE OF NEW YORK- COUNTY OF SUFFOLK BETTER PROPERTY

ENTERPRISES LLC., Plaintiff, -AGAINSTALBANY AMITYVILLE LLC, 510 AMITYVILLE LLC, et al., Defendants. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August 8, 2025, the court appointed Referee, will sell at public auction at the Town of Babylon, Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Hwy, Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on March 23, 2026, at 9:30 AM. Premises known as 51O Albany Avenue, Amityville, NY 11701. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Suffolk, State of New York. Section 173.00 Block 01.00 and Lots 13.00. Approximate amount of judgement: $294,688.93 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgement, Index No.: 630800/2023 Referee: Laurie Gatto, Esq. Plaintiff Attorney: Solomon Herrera McCormick, PLLC - 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 202, Melville, New York 11747

Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Suffolk County and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing.

26-45 2/25, 3/4, 11, 18

Notice of formation of EMILY EVER AFTER Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SS Y) on 02/08/2026

Office location, County of

Suffolk  SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.  SSNY shall mail a process served to: Emily Ever After 6 Albert Road Amityville, NY 11701

Purpose: any lawful act.

26-58. 3/18, 25, 4/1, 8, 15, 22

NOTICE is hereby given that the PLANNING BOARD of the Village of Amityville will hold a Public Hearing in the Court Room of Village Hall, 21 Ireland Place, Amityville, NY at 6:00 P.M. on THURSDAY, April 2, 2026, to consider the following applications: Applicant of Amityville Historical Society. Applicants seek architectural review and approval for the addition of an 11’ x 43’ extension pursuant to Section 24-6 A. (1) (g) of the Village of Amityville Code. Premises located on the corner of Broadway (Route 110), Ireland Place, and Park Avenue in a "Historical" district known as 170 Broadway a/k/a SCTM# 101-5-7-2.1 By Order of the Planning Board, Village of Amityville Catherine Murdock, Clerk/Treasurer

26-59 . 3/18, 25

NOTICE OF PUBLIC AND/OR INFORMATIONAL HEARINGS BY THE TOWN OF BABYLON PLANNING BOARD

Pursuant to Chapter 186, Site Plan Review, and Chapter 213, Zoning, of the Babylon Town Code and Section 276 of the Town Law, notice is hereby given that the Town of Babylon Planning Board will hold public and/or informational hearings(s) at the Babylon Town Hall, Town Board Room, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, New York, on the Monday, March 23, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. prevailing time or as soon thereafter as can be heard to consider the following application(s):

PUBLIC HEARING/ MAJOR SUB DIVISION

JOB# HPLN-89 (2536C); Great Neck Road Holdings, LLC.: SCTM# 0100-179-419.001,19.002,19.00 3,19.004,19.005,19.0 06,19.007: Zone - C Residence: SEQRA Unlisted Action, Coordinated Review: Applicant proposes a major subdivision of overall lot into six lots for six new singlefamily homes to be built on a cul-de-sac.: Property is located on the west side of Great Neck Road, 482.61' south of Copiague Place, Copiague, Suffolk County, Town of Babylon, New YorkAll interested persons should appear at the above time and place by order of Patrick Halpin, Chairperson of the Planning Board, Town of Babylon, North Lindenhurst, Suffolk County, New York

PRINTING INSTRUCTIONS

Amityville Record: 03/18/26

26=60 3/18

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Supreme Court of New York, Suffolk County. US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR CABANA SERIES V TRUST, Plaintiff -againstSEBASTIAN RASPANTI; ROSE ANN RASPANTI A/K/A

ROSEANN A. RASPANTI A/K/A ROSEANN PERILLO, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF CARMELA DICARLO; JOHN J. PERILLO, JR., AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF CARMELA DICARLO; MICHELLE A. O’BRIEN A/K/A MICHELLE A. PERILLO, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF CARMELA DICARLO; MEGAN N. OLIVER

A/K/A MEGAN N. PERILLO, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF CARMELA DICARLO; MELANIE SANTLOFER A/K/A MELANIE PERILLO, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF CARMELA DICARLO; KAREN A. PERILLO, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF CARMELA DICARLO; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN S. PERILLO, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF CARMELA DICARLO; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF CARMELA DICARLO; CITIZENS BANK, N.A. F/K/A RBS CITIZENS, N.A.; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA O/B/O INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; CLERK OF THE SUFFOLK

COUNTY TRAFFIC & PARKING VIOLATIONS AGENCY; "JOHN DOE" and "JANE DOE" said names being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of premises being foreclosed herein, Defendants Index No. 627293/2023. Mortgaged Premises: 5 Clifton Street Farmingdale, NY 11735 District: 0100 Section: 070.00 Block: 03.00 Lot: 002.000TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above captioned action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the Plaintiff's attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a Defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECTIVE of the above-captioned action is to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $416,650.00 and interest, recorded in the Suffolk County Clerk’s Office on May 5, 2011, in Book M00022073, Page 051, covering the premises known as 5 Clifton Street, Farmingdale, NY 11735. The relief sought herein is a final judgment directing sale of the premises described above to satisfy

Public Notices — Your right to know

the debt secured by the mortgage described above. Plaintiff designates Suffolk County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is located. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. FRIEDMAN VARTOLO, LLP 1325 Franklin Avenue, Suite 160 Garden City, NY 11530, Attorneys for Plaintiff.

26-56. 3/11, 18, 25, 4/1

NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Village of Amityville will hold a Public Hearing in the Court Room of Village Hall, 21 Ireland Place, Amityville, NY at 7:00 P.M> on THURSDAY, March 19th, 2026, to consider the following applications: Application of Christine & Michael Danna.  Applicants seek renewal of a previously approved Special Ex-

ception for an owneroccupied two-family dwelling pursuant to 183-26 C (6) of the Village Code.  Premises located on the West side of South Ketcham Ave approximately 322 ft. South of Hamilton St, in a “Residential BB” district known as 193 South Ketcham Ave a/k/a SCTM#10111-1-8.

Application of Gustavo Moreira.  Applicant seeks renewal of a previously approved Special Exception for an owner-occupied two-family dwelling pursuant to Section 183-43 C (6) of the Village of Amityville Code.  Premises located on the West side of Lake Street, approximately 419 feet North of Oak Street, in a “Residential B” District known as 38 Lake Street, a/k/a SCTM# 101-4-3-13.

Application of Horace Hill.  Applicant seeks renewal of a previously approved Special Exception for a non-owner-occupied two-family dwelling pursuant to Section 183-43 C (6) of the Village of Amityville Code.  Premises located on the South side of Locust Drive approximately 250 feet West of Broadway in a “Residential B” district known as 22 Locust Drive a/k/a SCTM# 101-1-2-21.

Application of Michael Pellechia.  Applicant seeks a Special Exception to maintain a 6 foot vinyl fence pursuant to Section 183-139 A (3) of the Village of Amityville Code.  Premises located on the South side of Lombardi Place approximately 150 feet East of Bayview Avenue in a “Residential B” district known as 15 Lombardi Place a/k/a SCTM#101-4-4-49. Application of James Schwartz.  Applicant seeks a Special Ex -

ception to maintain a 6 foot vinyl fence pursuant to Section 183-139 A (3) of the Village of Amityville Code.  Premises located on the North side of Sterling Place approximately 609mfeet West of Broadway (Rt. 110) in a “Residential B” district known as 51 Sterling Place a/k/a SCTM#101-3-1-22.3

Application of Mark Anthony Ministeri on behalf of Patrick Russo.  Applicant seeks a Use Variance to maintain a two-family dwelling pursuant to Section 183-9 of the Village of Amityville Code.  Premises located on the West side of Section 183-9 of the Village of Amityville Code.  Premises located on the West side of Ocean Avenue approximately 135 feet North of Bourdette Place in a “Residential A” district known as 292 Ocean Avenue a/k/a SCTM#101-1112-24.

Application of Ulises Molina.  Applicant seeks a variance to expand on the preexisting non-conforming side yard setback where 12 feet is required, and 8.1 feet exists pursuant to Section 183-51 of the Village of Amityville Code.  Premises located on the South side of Union Avenue approximately 308 feet West of Bayview Avenue in a “residential B” District known as 147 Union Avenue a/k/a SCTM#101-6-1-31.

Application of Kelly Bennett on behalf of VC Property Group, LLC.  Applicant seeks a Special Exception for the outdoor storage of business-related materials and commercial vehicles pursuant to Section 183-82 of the Village of Amityville Code.  Premises located on the West side of Broadway (Rte. 110)

approximately 145 feet North of Maple Drive in a “ B-2 Business” district known as 5666 Broadway a/k/a SCTM# 101-1-1-23.

By order of the Zoning Board of Appeals, Village of Amityville, Catherine Murdock, Clerk/Treasurer

26-55 3/11, 18

Notice of formation of JC Edward Consulting LLC.

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 1/19/2026

Office location, 19 Francine Ave., Amityville, NY, County of Suffolk. Secretary of State of New York has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. Secretary of State of New York shall mail a process served to: JC Edward Consulting LLC, 54 State Street, STE 804, Albany, NY 12207

Purpose: any lawful act

26-40 2/18, 25, 3/4, 11, 28, 25

Notice of Formation of ENCLAVE HOMES LLC

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/14/2025

Office location: County of Suffolk. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.  SSNY shall mail a process served to: ENCLAVE HOMES LLC, 216 E State Street, Suite 100, Trenton, NJ 08608 Purpose: any lawful act.   26-57 3/11, 18, 25, 4/1, 8, 10

Affidavit of Identity State of New York County of Suffolk Jovanni Giuseppe Whyte-Bey [hereinafter “Affiant”] including any derivatives or derivation of my name, currently residing at 25 Grant Avenue Amityville, New York USA hereby affirm, depose and state for the record that the following actual facts are true under sworn penalty of perjury:

•Identity: I am over the age of majority 25 years or older a natural living being of sound, mind, and body who is always to be identifiably addressed in his legal composition of a PROPER STATUS NOUN, never to be confused/construed to that of a common noun in the absence of rights and having first right hand knowledge of all the facts stated herein.

•Personal Details: My full legal name is JOVANNI GIUSEPPE WHYTEBEY last 4 SSN 2136 involving Year of Birth 1982. My current mailing and transportation address on record for identification purpose is provided by New York State Address

Confidentiality Program at ACP 5156 PO BOX 1110, ALBANY, NEW YORK 12201-1110 USA.

•Purpose: This Affidavit is submitted under the laws of the American and states constitution to SUFFOLK COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE to verify my identity in and for All and any scenario research reason(s) of records request and/or commercial transactions taking place in affiant identity name within

the State of New York or any other state’s jurisdiction.

•Proof of Identity: I have presented the following valid, government-issued photo identification to the Notary Public:

•Type of Identification: Passport Card

•ID Number: C36759047

•Issuing National Authority: United States of America (USA)

•Expiration Date: May 19, 2034

5. Truthfulness Oath: I, Affiant declare under sworn penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of New York and The Laws of New York in association with D.C. constitution and any related Minnesota consumer protection laws that the information above is True and Correct to the very best of my knowledge, understanding and true standing.

Affiant Signature in propria rem of Proper Status Noun: Printed/Title Name: Jovanni Giuseppe Whyte-Bey, Affiant. Notary Witness Acknowledgement Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this 9th day of March 2026, by JOVANNI GIUSEPPE WHYTE-BEY, proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to being affiant who appeared before me without waiving or conferring any jurisdiction.

Notary Public Signature Under Act of 1850: My Commission Expires: 09/11/2029

SANDEEP A SHAH

NOTARY PUBLICSTATE OF NEW YORK No. 01 SH6364434

Qualified in Suffolk County 26-61 3/18

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City

is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!

$22 - $27/ Hour

Bell Auto School

516-365-5778

Email: info@bellautoschool.com

EDITOR/REPORTER

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

Graphic Designer. Develop visually appealing designs for websites, landing pages, marketing collateral, logos & branding materials. Record/edit videos incl. conceptualization, shooting & post-production. Serve as client contact during onboarding & project lifecycle. Manage multiple projects under tight deadlines. Req Bachelor's in Graphic Design or rltd. $53,955/yr. Mail resume to HR, Efferent Media, 145 E Sunrise Hwy, Lindenhurst, NY 11757.

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

Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

To place an ad call 516-569-4000

Once In a Lifetime

TAll about wood beams

Q. We are talking with contractors about rebuilding our large deck, and we would like to have fewer columns so they don’t block our water view. The contractor suggested that there are wood beams that can do the job, and mentioned something called a lam beam to go a longer distance and open up the space underneath. We would also like to have the deck be sealed so that we can use the underneath area, even in the rain. What do you suggest we use and not use?

A. For starters, laminated wood beams are generally a poor choice for outdoor use, even though there are some on the market that are specifically treated with waterproof adhesives. These few products on the market for outdoor use are much more expensive, and often only used in commercial projects or where the expense is not the greatest concern. Not all beams are the same material or made the same way.

When I have conversations with people who build, I sound negative instead of enthusiastic, but that is based on the experience of writing insurance reports and investigating the damage and cost of failed products and applications. Remember, in order to succeed, you first have to know how to fail, so as to avoid failure.

What I have witnessed is not failure at the center of beams, where the beam would bend the most, but at the ends and tops, where water penetrates more frequently. If the product isn’t waterproof, the grain of the laminations will start to split. For these reasons, I discourage outdoor use of manufactured, laminated beams because when they are specified very carefully for a project, there is little or no control over what ends up on the jobsite unless the ordering is micro-managed.

I keep samples in my office of beam cutaways to demonstrate how one beam product was specified for a job and what ended up on the jobsite was similar but, with careful inspection, clearly shows the two beams are not the same. They were laminated using different species of trees, one weaker than the other and an inferior number of plies and glues. To a person dropping the material off, based on an order for a “lam beam,” the inferior material looked the same but after installation the floor bounced like a trampoline. The beam had to be removed, at great expense, and the right product ordered. Even though a lesson was learned, it came at a great price. So indoor locations can also be a problem if the wrong configuration of laminations and species are used. If the correctly engineered lumber beam or steel reinforced beam is designed, they will last for years without another thought. I would use an interlocking aluminum deck product called Versadeck or another product called Lock Dry. They conduct heat rapidly, which means they dissipate heat quickly, making them cool enough on hot summer days to walk on while barefoot, and they keep water from getting through. Good luck!

© 2026 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

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We need to do more about kratom

suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine last year wrote a letter to state Health Commissioner James McDonald about a “drug known as 7-OH … a synthetic compound that is made in a laboratory and is a concentrated version of a compound found in a low concentration” in a “leaf product called kratom … Both kratom and 7-OH are sold over the counter in smoke shops and gas stations throughout my county.”

“7-OH is known as ‘drug store’ heroin,” Romaine wrote. “Its full name is 7-hydroxymitragynine.

“It is available in our community in convenience stores, smoke shops and most gas stations,” he continued. “7-OH is sold in tangerine and berry flavored tabs, packaged like candy, and in 15 mg and 30 mg. tabs. They cost approximately 6 dollars and 19 dollars per pill, respectively.

“7-OH behaves in the body like an opiate,” the county executive wrote. “It results in rapid sinister physical dependence. … Users can get hooked” in “a little over a month. The withdrawal expe-

Irience is severe and is prolonged.

“I am concerned with the availability of this unregulated drug increasing in our community,” Romaine continued.

“Currently, 7-OH is banned in the state of Florida and the FDA is considering making it a Schedule I drug.

“The lack of awareness of what this is has provided a loophole for dangerous, legal opiate/opiatelike risk in our community.

I would encourage your office to act quickly before it creates another public health crisis. We need to stay ahead of this.”

sold over the counter, it has a high risk of abuse and no accepted medical use.

At the end of 2025 came an announcement from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office that “two pieces of landmark legislation to protect New Yorkers against the harmful effect of commercial herbal product known as kratom,” passed by the State Legislature, were signed by the governor.

“No parent in New York should have to endure the loss of a child to a substance simply because they didn’t know what it is,” Hochul said. “This legislation ensures transparency and strengthens our public health laws so that information about the ingredients and potential harmful risks associated with kratom are clear.”

Still, Assemblyman Peter Steck, of Schenectady, told me, “Much more regulation is needed. I am proud the governor signed my bill requiring warning labels on kratom products, and another restricting kratom sales to individuals under 21. These are important steps forward. However, much more regulation is needed to safeguard people from the dangers associated with kratom.

“I am currently working to pass legislation that would prohibit the sale of products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine — synthetic kratom — at levels exceeding 2 percent of total alkaloids, or one milligram per serving,” Steck said. “7-hydroxymitragynine acts like an opioid and can lead to addictive behaviors, which may result in serious consequences for users. I am working hard this session to get this measure passed to better protect New Yorkers.”

Steck added: “It is also important that there be stronger federal regulation so kratom can be properly evaluated and addressed at the national level, given its potential for abuse and lack of approved medical use.”

Another bill on kratom under consideration in the Legislature is a measure sponsored by Assemblyman Ed Ra, of

Franklin Square, which, it declares, “establishes kratom … as a Schedule I controlled substance.” Such substances have a “high abuse risk” and “no safe accepted medical use.”

A tiny portion — less than 1 percent — of the kratom leaf contains natural 7-OH, but it can be and is being synthesized to a strength of many, many times its potency in the plant.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a report last July titled, “Preventing the Next Wave of the Opioid Epidemic: What You Need to Know About 7-OH.” It stated that 7-OH “is a powerful psychoactive compound that occurs naturally in very small amounts in the kratom plant.” But, as the heading of one page of the report said, “7-OH is Engineered to be Addictive. It is a Potent Opioid by Design.”

The report went on: “‘Enhanced’ or ‘spiked’ kratom products may appear to be natural leaf, but actually contain as much as 500% more 7-OH than would be expected naturally.”

Further: “7-OH is 13 [times] more potent than morphine.”

Much more, indeed, needs to be done — on both the state and national levels.

Karl Grossman has been an investigative reporter in a variety of media for more than 50 years. He is a professor of journalism at the State University of New York at Old Westbury.

Trump’s Iran war chaos makes us all less safe

n unleashing a disastrously ill-conceived assault on Iran, President Trump brought new chaos in the world, and in doing so, made us all less safe. Contrary to repeated campaign promises to never go to war in Iran, he did just that — without Congressional authorization or any clear or concise justification. Let me be clear: Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was a tyrant and an international menace. During a nearly four-decade reign of terror, his autocratic regime slaughtered thousands of peaceful protesters and viciously oppressed and brutalized women. His regime was one of the most repressive in the world to LGBTQ people, with punishments ranging from public beatings to execution. Khamenei unabashedly sought and supported the eradication of Israel, made “Death to America!” the regime’s rallying cry at home and abroad, launched countless unprovoked assaults on the Middle East’s only democracy and fanned the flames of antisemitism

through rhetoric, his educational system, and the active persecution of the few remaining Iranian Jews as well as those in surrounding states. His regime flouted its nuclear agreements with the West and rattled the saber of atomic annihilation as a bargaining chip.

The end of this monstrous regime, if achieved thoughtfully and strategically, would certainly benefit the cause of peace in the Middle East and throughout the world. But no one who is following this spiraling crisis could ascribe such an attribute to the Trump administration’s approach.

Tconsequences. Already, no fewer than 13 American service members have lost their lives, a fact met with callous resignation by the administration. Trump dropped hints of a possible deployment of U.S. ground troops, making a greater loss of life a grim possibility.

here doesn’t seem to be a clear understanding of the effort’s goals.

The Feb. 28 incursion was launched without advising or securing consent from Congress, as required by the Constitution, and without any level of bipartisan discussion or a plan to facilitate lasting peace. The administration’s claims of a pre-emptive strike are easily dismantled, and there doesn’t seem to be a clear understanding of the effort’s goals or how to end the war.

Trump said the attacks were designed to instigate regime change, and later admitted that they could produce a leader worse than Khamenei.

The chaos has led to real and tragic

Israel and the Middle East are now the targets of daily bombardments. This is personal for me, because my son-in-law was raised in Israel, and he still has family living there. I’m sure the stress and worry I feel for their safety is felt by many Nassau County families that are in a similar situations.

Here at home, concerns for the safety of Jews and Muslims alike have surged amid a wave of hateful online rhetoric and conspiracy theories. The Nassau County Police Department has stepped up patrols of houses of worship so that congregants of all faiths can worship freely and in peace.

When it comes to combating religious hatred, for me there is never right or left; there is just right and wrong. As a Jew, combating antisemitism must never become a partisan exercise. As we navigate a time of extraordinary upheaval, I am incredibly gratified that

the legislation I spearheaded to create a countywide Task Force to Combat Antisemitism passed with bipartisan, unanimous support.

Moreover, we must never discount the power of education as an antidote to the poisons of ignorance and hatred that infect hearts and minds. In 2022, New York state law was amended to require Holocaust education in every classroom across the state — something I believe should become a nationwide model for combating hatred against Jews, Muslims and all religious minorities. This mission has never been more urgent and compelling, and it is a challenge that we must all be ready to meet head-on.

Nassau County draws strength from its rich and beautiful tapestry of religious and cultural diversity, and as a lifelong resident, I know that we can come together to pray fervently for the safety of American service members entering this conflict, and we must embrace our shared humanity in every aspect of our lives. Together it is our duty to create a future in which our children and grandchildren can reap the benefits of a more accepting, enlightened and peaceful society.

Arnold W. Drucker represents Nassau County’s 16th Legislative District, and is the Legislature’s deputy minority leader.

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iInspire the next generation of leaders

n speeches and campaign platforms, public officials frequently speak about the importance of inspiring the next generation of civic leaders.

Far fewer take the concrete step of bringing young people into the halls of government to see how democracy actually works.

When students are given the opportunity to witness the legislative process firsthand, ask questions of policymakers and engage with peers from across the state, civics education moves beyond textbooks and becomes real.

A trip to a legislative chamber or a youth summit in a state capital can transform abstract lessons about government into tangible experiences. Students see debates unfold, observe how laws are crafted and understand that decisions made in these rooms affect the lives of millions of people.

Exposing students firsthand to the responsibilities of public service helps them understand how decisions made in government affect their communities — and their own futures. These experiences also demonstrate that leadership isn’t reserved for a select few. Instead, it is something young people can aspire to through education, service and engagement. In a Zoom-first world, it is critical that school districts budget for field trips that put students in the civic arena.

Programs that open the doors of government to students also provide something increasingly valuable in today’s civic climate: a sense of connection. When young people interact with elected officials and government staff, they learn that government is not some distant or mysterious institution. It is a

letters

Peter King defends Trump’s hockey locker room remarks

To the Editor:

system run by people who are accountable to the public, and whose work shapes the policies that affect schools, transportation, public safety and economic opportunity.

Across Long Island, many villages and towns have taken small but meaningful steps in this direction through “Mayor for a Day” or “Supervisor for a Day” programs. These initiatives give students a chance to shadow a local leader, attend meetings and get a brief but memorable glimpse into municipal government. For many students, the experience is their first real exposure to how decisions are made in their own communities.

Those programs are valuable, but they could go further. Municipal leaders might consider expanding them into broader outreach efforts that bring the experience directly into classrooms. A rotating “government road show,” in which mayors, supervisors, council members and department leaders visit schools in their communities, could reach far more students than a singleday shadowing opportunity.

By bringing government into schools — rather than just inviting a handful of students to visit government buildings — officials could spark interest among young people who might never otherwise consider public service. A conversation with a mayor or council member can demystify the process and show students that civic leadership begins with curiosity, participation and a willingness to serve.

We know that local institutions don’t always have the capacity to build these programs from scratch — and they don’t have to. We encourage students, munici-

It is continually sad to read Peter King’s opinion pieces. His notions of patriotism, justice and morality are warped by his political fervor for President Trump and his administration — and it shows.

In last week’s op-ed, “A heart-stopping hockey victory was marred by politics,” by trying to bend the president’s boys-club remarks about the U.S. women’s hockey team into a “friendly jibe,” King showed just how behind the times he is. “Lighten up!” he wrote. Really?

King went further. He tried to validate Trump’s failure to acknowledge the women’s hockey team by pointing out that the women were favored to win anyway and had secured their third gold medal since 1998. So no big deal, I guess. Talk about disrespectful.

palities and school districts to partner with established organizations that have proven track records of connecting young people to public service. Two we especially recommend are Civics Unplugged and Govern For America. CU equips high school students to work on government projects they care about, providing the skills, mentorship and connections to make that work transformative for communities. GFA places high-achieving early-career professionals in impactful, full-time state government roles — channeling elite talent where it can do the most good.

Government internships are crucial entrees into public service, too. Too often, however, these internships are unpaid. We need these positions and other entry-level jobs to pay a living wage; otherwise, the only young people who can take them are those from wealthy families, leading to further societal inequality as well as biases among policy creators who lack diverse lived experiences.

At a time when civic participation is often uneven and public trust in institutions is frequently tested, investing in meaningful engagement with young people is not simply educational — it is essential. The more these young people grow, the more our communities gain — and that cycle is the point.

If leaders truly want to inspire the next generation of public servants, they must do more than speak about civic engagement. They must open the doors of government and invite young people inside. Our children are ready to enter the arena.

Let them in.

L.I.’s economy is solid — but is increasingly K-shaped

assessing current economic conditions over the past year has been unusually challenging due to delays in federal data releases, volatile inflation readings and shifting labor-market dynamics. As more complete data has recently become available, however, a clearer picture is emerging for Long Island — one that reflects strength in aggregate, but growing divergence beneath the surface.

Long Island’s economy continues to outperform many regions nationally. Home values remain elevated, hospitality and tourism activity are robust, and unemployment rates in Nassau and Suffolk counties remain below the national average. These indicators point to a region that has weathered recent economic shocks relatively well.

Yet aggregate strength masks important distributional differences. Increasingly, Long Island reflects what economists describe as a K-shaped recovery, in which different segments of the population experience sharply disparate economic outcomes.

Households in the upper echelon of income and wealth distribution have

benefited substantially since 2020. Financial markets have posted significant gains, increasing retirement balances and household net worth for those with market exposure. At the same time, residential real estate values across Nassau and Suffolk have risen markedly since the pre-pandemic period, reinforcing wealth accumulation for existing homeowners. Those households have seen stronger balance sheets, greater financial resilience and sustained consumption capacity.

iincomes have not kept pace with the rising costs of living.

The implications extend beyond household well-being. Long Island’s economy, like the broader U.S. economy, is fundamentally consumer-driven, with roughly two-thirds of economic activity tied to consumer spending. While higher-income households account for a disproportionate share of consumption, sustainable regional growth depends on broadbased purchasing power across income groups.

llustrating the difference between wealth and incomes that aren’t keeping pace.

While affordability in our region impacts all Long Islanders, many lower- and middle-income households have faced a more constrained economic reality. While nominal wages — what you see in your pay stub — have increased over the past several years, real wage growth — your pay adjusted for inflation — has been limited by persistently higher prices of essential goods and services. Housing costs, food prices and energy expenses have accounted for a growing share of household budgets, eroding purchasing power even as headline inflation shows moderation.

This divergence is central to the concept of a K-shaped economy. The upper arm reflects asset-driven growth and wealth accumulation, while the lower arm captures households whose

Recent measures of consumer sentiment underscore this tension. Despite relatively low unemployment, confidence levels remain subdued. Concerns about job security, trade policy and long-term affordability continue to weigh on household expectations, suggesting that employment alone is an insufficient indicator of economic confidence on the national level.

There are also macroeconomic risks associated with sustained divergence. If equity markets weaken or housing price growth moderates, the wealth effects currently supporting higher-income consumption could diminish. In such a scenario, the economy would be vulnerable if lower-income households lack the income growth necessary to offset that slowdown.

Importantly, these dynamics do not

suggest that Long Island is entering a period of economic decline. The region’s proximity to New York City, its diversified industry base and the relative strength of sectors such as health care, professional services, technology and finance continue to provide stability. Recent improvements in office occupancy and continued strength in hospitality further reinforce this resilience.

But resilience shouldn’t be confused with inclusivity. The central economic challenge facing Long Island isn’t simply maintaining growth, but also ensuring that growth benefits all industry sectors and sizes. Workforce development, housing affordability and goodpaying jobs that offset higher inflation are essential components of long-term regional economic health. Policymakers and business leaders should remain attentive not only to aggregate indicators, but also to the real impacts of policies on Long Islanders.

As more complete data becomes available in 2026, the contours of Long Island’s economic trajectory are becoming clearer. Aggregate performance remains strong, but the divergence across households warrants careful attention. Economic strength is most durable when the entire population is benefiting from it — and addressing these imbalances will be critical to sustaining Long Island’s long-term prosperity.

Dr. Steve Kent is chief economist of the Long Island Association.

King also called out those athletes who had the nerve to express their dismay and concern over our current administration’s actions and the climate it has created here. Every American athlete has a right to speak their mind. Our athletes travel and train at their own expense, typically requiring immeasurable sacrifice from their families. While chosen to represent our country, they are private citizens, not representatives of the state.

Unfortunately, King missed the point. Everyone was celebrating the men’s victory, just as they had celebrated the women’s win a few days earlier — until the locker room antics. First of all, the FBI director was seen chugging beer, screaming and pouring beer over players’ heads like a sophomoric jock. Then Trump called and invited the team to the White House, and as an afterthought, said the women would have to be invited. And no one winced. No one stood up for the women’s team, which had beaten Canada just days before in overtime. As a matter of fact, they laughed.

The men’s win wasn’t marred by politics. It was marred by the leader of our country’s public disregard for

a select group of Olympians, it was marred by the excuses made for his behavior, and it was marred by those who think it was no big deal.

ELIzABETH MURPHY Franklin Square

Trump’s, and King’s, words matter

To the Editor:

As I’m sure Peter King knows, words still matter. Tone still matters (thank goodness!). A president’s words still matter. Trump’s use of the words “I guess I have to invite the women” has behind it a long history of his sexism and disrespect for women. If someone else had said it, maybe it would have landed differently.

King’s printed words “Lighten up!” are furthering a culture of disrespect toward women. Shame on him. And to think my late grandfather loved him so much. I would hope this article would have changed his mind.

SUzANNE VERA North Bellmore

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