Bellmore Herald 03-05-2026

McDonough, the longtime state lawmaker representing the 14th Assembly District, will not run for re-election.

McDonough won’t seek re-election

Nassau GOP backs 29-year-old Shannon Fredericks

By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

David McDonough, the longtime state lawmaker representing the 14th Assembly District, will not run for re-election this fall, according to a report by Newsday and an announcement from local Republican leaders.

McDonough, 88, has represented parts of Nassau County for 24 years, first winning a special election in 2002. His decision not to seek another term came about a week after Newsday reported that the Merrick Republican had not appeared in Albany in over two years and had voted on 10 out of the more than 100 votes in that chamber through Feb. 5 this year.

The Nassau Republican Committee announced that it would support Shannon Fredericks, a 29-year-old State Senate staffer and regional coordinator for Senate Republicans in Nassau County, in her campaign for

McDonough’s seat. Fredericks, of Seaford, announced her candidacy on Feb. 21.

“I hope to go to Albany and help make New York more affordable, restore public safety and better the quality of life,” she wrote. “I will be a strong advocate for my constituents and a proponent of common sense policies.”

McDonough has represented the 14th District — a longtime GOP stronghold that includes parts of Bellmore, Wantagh and the Jones Beach area — since 2002. During his tenure, he built a reputation locally for constituent services and community outreach. His district office regularly organized drives to collecting toys, coats, school supplies and pet food for residents in need, along with relief donations for communities impacted by major storms.

In Albany, McDonough served on several committees whose work affected Nassau County, and frequently highlighted biparti-

GUS LAFKAS

Calhoun to induct twelve into its Hall of Fame

By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

The Sanford H. Calhoun High School Alumni Association will honor 11 alumni and one retired staff member as part of its Hall of Fame Class of 2026. The induction ceremony is set for Friday, May 8, at the Coral House, where the Calhoun community will gather to celebrate the honorees’ achievements.

These individuals reflect the very best of Calhoun

“These individuals reflect the very best of Calhoun — lives of service, excellence, courage, and leadership that continue to inspire our students, alumni, and community,” said Denise Murphy McGraw ’89, chairwoman of the Hall of Fame Committee.

DENiSE MuRpHy MCGRAw Chairwoman Hall of Fame Committee

The Calhoun Alumni Association Hall of Fame recognizes alumni and faculty whose achievements bring distinction to the school and embody its values. Established decades ago, the Hall of Fame celebrates contributions in academics, athletics, public service,

and professional life, highlighting the lasting impact of Calhoun graduates and staff. The Class of 2026 includes distinguished figures such as Don Erickson ’66, a Vietnam veteran and helicopter pilot awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with “V” device, and the Air Medal with 21 Oak Leaf Clusters; Steve Grilli ’67, the only Calhoun graduate to play six seasons in Major League Baseball who later became a scout, broadcaster, and mentor; and Bob McIntyre ’73, an extraordinary special education teacher, coach, and mentor. Other honorees include Kevin Conroy ’75, an AllAmerican lacrosse player and Town of Hempstead comptroller; Ross W. Turrini ’81, a senior executive and chief gas engineer at National Grid; Scott Berns ’83, a pediatric trauma director and White House Fellow; and Brian McCauley ’85, a volunteer firefighter who responded at ground zero on Sept. 11 and

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Nassau boosts its security amid Iran conflict

By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com

Nassau County officials said Monday they have heightened security measures and increased police deployments in response to the escalating military conflict with Iran, citing concerns about potential retaliatory attacks, self-radicalized individuals and cyber threats.

Speaking March 2 at the Ceremonial Chamber in the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said the county began reviewing and expanding its security posture immediately after the conflict began.

“As we all know, we are engaged now in a military conflict with Iran,” Blakeman said. He added that he believed the federal government’s response was “an appropriate action to take” and that “Iran has been nothing but an irritant and a danger to America for a long, long time.”

Blakeman said Nassau County is home to residents of Iranian descent, some of whom, he said, have expressed support for changes in their country of origin.

“They are now celebrating the liberation of a once great country that was taken over by a very brutal and dictatorial regime, and that is now come to an end, and I can say, on my own behalf, we are very grateful that that action was taken by President Trump,” Blakeman said.

In Nassau, he said, public safety

remains the top priority.

“That is our number one mission, and we take that mission very seriously,” he said. “When there are extraordinary events that occur — whether it’s a mass gathering, a celebration or a situation where someone may have an ax to grind — we always take special precautions.”

Blakeman said he and Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder have been in constant contact since the outbreak of hostilities, reviewing intelligence and determining how best to deploy additional resources.

Officials referenced a recent shooting at a Texas bar that authorities believe may have been motivated by the overseas

conflict. While that investigation remains ongoing, Blakeman said preliminary information suggests the attack may have been influenced by events in Iran.

“That brought especially to light the fact that there may be a lone wolf that could be motivated, or even a terrorist cell that could be activated,” he said. “Therefore, we will take extraordinary precautions to make sure that our community is safe.”

Ryder said the police department implemented an “all-hands-on-deck” response as soon as intelligence briefings were received.

Specialized units, including the Bureau of Special Operations, criminal

intelligence teams and the Strategic Response Team, have been deployed. K-9 units, mounted patrols, drones and aviation assets are also in use. Ryder said officers conducted more than 1,500 visits to critical infrastructure sites over the weekend.

Police are coordinating daily with the New York City Police Department, Suffolk County Police Department, the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force, Ryder said, sharing intelligence across agencies. Blakeman urged residents to assist law enforcement by reporting suspicious activity.

“It’s not just a cliché,” he said of the phrase “If you see something, say something.” “If you see someone that looks suspicious, if you see a package left somewhere, a suitcase or a backpack — anything that might be suspicious — please call 911 immediately.”

With the Jewish holiday of Purim beginning Monday evening — a celebration that often includes large gatherings and costumes — police had already planned intensified patrols, Ryder said. In light of current events, the county is asking residents not to wear masks while traveling to and from houses of worship so officers can more easily identify individuals in public spaces.

“Whether it’s business, pleasure or family activities, we want you to go about your daily lives,” he said. “Our police department is out there.

Sunday Morning Men’s League tips off NBA-style tournament

For more than 40 years, members of the Bellmore-Merrick Sunday Morning Men’s League have been playing basketball. While participants have come and gone and generations have aged, the league’s love of the game has remained constant.

On March 1, the league held a tournament at Merrick Avenue Middle School, where players gather weekly for Sunday morning games. The event was modeled after the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament.

— Hernesto Galdamez

How Giving Increases Wealth

Queens man faces charges after crossing guard injured

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

A Queens man charged with striking a Nassau County crossing guard with his pickup truck while allegedly under the influence of drugs appeared visibly upset and cried during his Feb. 27 arraignment in Hempstead.

Joshua M. Alvarado, 30, of Rosedale, pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including vehicular assault, assault, driving while ability impaired by drugs, and operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, according to court filings. The charges stem from last Thursday morning’s crash at Sunrise Highway and Merrick Avenue in Merrick, authorities said.

Alvarado’s attorney, George Vomvolakis, said his client was extremely distraught and initially concerned about the condition of the crossing guard, 70-yearold John Miro of Massapequa, when they met Friday morning. Vomvolakis told reporters that the only drugs Alvarado had taken were legally prescribed medications the night before to help with anxiety and pain from a prior stranger assault.

“He has nightly nightmares, can’t sleep, and he is prescribed legally various drugs,” Vomvolakis told reporters. “Did those make him drowsy in the morning at 8 a.m. going to work? Possibly.”

Miro had just assisted students across the busy intersection when Alvarado’s Toyota pickup mounted the curb and struck him, Nassau Assistant District Attorney Nicole Vota told District Judge Ryan E. Cronin. The crossing guard suffered broken ribs, a punctured lung, skull fractures, and brain bleeding and remains in the intensive care unit, as of press time.

Prosecutors said Alvarado acknowledged taking Xanax and other medications the night before to sleep and admitted he should not have driven. Vomvolakis said his client also suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder stemming from an assault a decade ago that left him with a collapsed lung, plates in his skull, and the loss of a finger. He said Alvarado lost control of the vehicle after hitting a patch of ice.

The incident forced authorities to shut

down Merrick Avenue southbound and Sunrise Highway southbound as detectives established a crime scene near the Merrick Long Island Rail Road station. Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said the crash occurred shortly after 8 a.m. while Miro was returning to the sidewalk wearing his reflective vest and hat. Alvarado remained at the scene and was arrested following an investigation.

The pedestrian strike comes just one month after Nassau Police Officer Patricia Espinosa was killed by an alleged drunken driver in Suffolk County while on her way to work early in the morning.

Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County executive, said Miro is a retired tugboat operator who has worked part time as a crossing guard since 2023.

“He was somebody that went out each and every day with the thought of protecting our young people,” Blakeman said. “He was a terrific guy from all accounts.”

Community members expressed their support and admiration for Miro to the Herald.

“John is the nicest guy! I see him in the mornings when I cross Sunrise to walk to the train,” Frank Melaccio said. “He made sure everyone would get across safely and would cheer everyone up with a greeting and great conversation. He is an incredible person and hope he gets better soon. We need more John Miros in this world!”

“Johnny is the nicest guy you will ever meet,” David Sparks said. “A true gentleman and a professional.”

Ceremony set for May 8 at the Coral House

later died from 9/11-related cancer.

Dana Milbank ’86, a Washington Post columnist, MSNBC and CNN contributor, and New York Times bestselling author, and Dina Gentile ’88, a trailblazer in sports management, education, and coaching, will also be honored. The class further includes Brian Sweeney ’89, a Merrick and FDNY firefighter killed during the Sept. 11 attacks, and Fred Harrison, a retired faculty member, union leader, and community environmental activist.

Harrison, who taught at Calhoun for more than 35 years before retiring in 2010, said he was surprised when he first learned he had been selected.

“I was shoveling snow during the snowstorm, and my neighbor from across the street…congratulated me,” he recalled. “I looked at her and I didn’t know what she was talking about, and then she explained to me, so that’s how I learned about it.”

Harrison said his decades at Calhoun gave him the opportunity to engage students on a variety of issues, including the environment, war and peace, and poverty.

He also emphasized the school’s lasting influence on the community.

“In fact, my son, who went to Calhoun, is now a teacher at Mepham High

“It gave me an opportunity to be able to speak on a bunch of different issues,” he said. “I had many clubs over the years at Calhoun…so there was a good group of students to work with, and the administration was generally cooperative in doing that kind of work and supportive. So, it was a good thing.”

School, and his daughters will go to Calhoun High School. That sort of tells you that there’s a lot of confidence in this place, you know, and a lot of good feeling about it,” Harrison said.

“These honorees showcase the powerful impact Calhoun has had on their professions and communities,” said Calhoun Interim Principal Michael Hughes.

For more information or to purchase tickets to the induction gala, visit the Calhoun Alumni Association website at CalhounAlumni.com.

McDonough has served in Albany since 2002

san work on legislation. He supported efforts to expand Holocaust education requirements in schools, and worked with colleagues to strengthen laws requiring private schools to report incidents of sexual assault and abuse.

Joseph Cairo, the Nassau County GOP chairman, described McDonough as an “an effective advocate” for his constituents who, Cairo said, “delivered Long Island its fair share of school aid, and he has fought against the dangerous cashless bail law.”

McDonough also championed publicsafety initiatives, working with local officials and the Nassau County Police Department to secure funding for law enforcement programs and traffic-safety measures.

State Sen. Steve Rhoads, who represents the 5th Senate District, praised McDonough’s decades of service and their long working relationship.

“It has been an honor to work alongside Dave, first during my time as a County Legislator and now as a State Senator,” Rhoads wrote in a statement to the Herald. “He’s a friend and mentor who consistently shows the very best of public service.”

Rhoads added that McDonough brought “a deep sense of duty and integrity” to his work, citing his bipartisan approach and his focus on transportation, local businesses and protecting the South Shore’s quality of life. Rhoads also highlighted McDonough’s community involvement beyond Albany, organizing coat, school supply, toy, food and blood drives and supporting libraries, schools and other neighborhood institutions.

“Dave McDonough’s legacy — not just as our Assemblyman for 24 years,

but in life — is defined by service, compassion and action,” Rhoads added.

“Our communities are stronger and better because of his steady, principled leadership.”

County Legislator Tom McKevitt, a former colleague of McDonough’s in the Assembly, said, “I had the privilege of serving alongside Dave in the Assembly for 12 years, and saw first-hand his dedication and professionalism. I wish him all the very best in the future.”

If elected, Fredericks would represent a generational shift for the district, replacing the state’s oldest legislator with one of the youngest members of Long Island’s delegation.

News brief Transportation deadlines for N. Bellmore

The North Bellmore Union Free School District is reminding families of transportation eligibility requirements and application deadlines for the upcoming school year.

The district provides bus transportation for resident students in kindergarten through third grade who live more than a half mile and up to 15 miles from their assigned schools. Students in grades four through six are eligible if they live more than one mile and up to 15 miles from their schools.

Transportation to a day care provider within the district may be available in certain circumstances.

Parents and guardians with questions are encouraged to contact the district’s Business Office or Transportation Department before April 1, 2026, at 516-992-3000, ext. 3017.

To be eligible, parents or guardians must register with the district and submit a written request for transportation by April 1 each year.

The district said the deadline allows officials to budget funds for transportation services in September.

A transportation application for nonpublic school students is available on the district’s website at northbellmoreschools.org. Requests should be sent to the Business Office/Transportation Department at 2616 Martin Ave., Bellmore, NY 11710.

Applications for students entering middle school in grades seven and eight or high school in grades nine through 12 are available through the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District website or by calling 516-992-1024.

An invisible threat in Long Island’s waters

Researchers study acidification and its potential effects on the future of oysters and clams

By ABIGAIL GRIECO, WILL SHEELINE & JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO of the Herald Community Newspapers

Third installment in a series about water.

For generations, the waters surrounding Long Island have defined its identity — from the wide-open waterfronts of the South Shore to the shellfish beds of the North Shore. But beneath the surface, a quieter transformation is underway.

Ocean acidification is often called climate change’s “evil twin,” and refers to the lowering of the water’s pH, the scale used to measure the concentration of hydrogen ions in the water. While global warming refers to rising temperatures, acidification describes a shift in seawater chemistry.

The science begins with carbon dioxide. As levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increase — predominantly from the burning of fossil fuels — the ocean absorbs roughly 25 to 30 percent of it. When carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, making the water more acidic, and lowering its pH.

farmers — industries that have experienced both revival and setbacks in recent decades — these chemical changes aren’t just theoretical. They are measurable, seasonal and, increasingly, part of daily operations.

The ‘evil twin’ of climate change

Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, a nonprofit advocacy organization in New York and Connecticut, describes ocean acidification as a hidden but mounting crisis for Long Island’s waters — one intensified by warming temperatures, nitrogen pollution and poor circulation in local bays.

“It’s commonly understood that roughly a third of all carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere are absorbed by the marine environment,” Esposito said. That absorption increases acidity levels in bays, estuaries and the open ocean.

The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning that even a small numerical drop represents a significant shift in chemistry. The ocean is naturally slightly alkaline, but since the Industrial Revolution, average ocean surface pH has dropped by about 0.1 units — roughly a 30 percent increase in acidity. That shift reduces the availability of carbonate ions, the building blocks shellfish such as oysters and clams need to form their calcium carbonate shells.

Ryan Wallace, assistant professor of environmental science at Adelphi University, explained that these acidity levels are not evenly distributed.

On Long Island, acidification is not driven by global carbon emissions alone. Local factors intensify the problem. Nitrogen discharged from wastewater, septic systems and fertilizer runoff flows into bays and harbors, fueling harmful algal blooms. When those blooms die and decompose, the process consumes oxygen and releases additional carbon dioxide in the water, further lowering pH.

The result is a compounding effect: global atmospheric carbon dioxide combined with local nitrogen pollution accelerates acidification in shallow, enclosed estuaries.

Warming waters add another layer of stress. As temperatures rise, marine organisms’ metabolic demands increase, but warmer water holds less dissolved oxygen. Together, warming and acidification can weaken shellfish during their most vulnerable larval stages, making it harder for them to survive and build shells.

For Long Island’s oyster and clam

Some bays and harbors on the North Shore are measured at 450 parts per million, close to the ideal level of roughly 300 ppm, while others, particularly in the western portion of Long Island Sound, measured as high as 2,000 ppm.

Wallace emphasized that while these may not sound like huge differences, even minor changes in CO2 levels can have a drastic impact.

“To put it into perspective, over the last 800,000 years or so, the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was only about 300” parts per million, Wallace explained. “Two thousand is a lot more than that, so when you get to concentrations that are that high, this can have implications for, you know, organisms that are living in these ecosystems.”

While the data reflect a global pattern, the consequences are being felt at the regional level as well. As Esposito noted, Long Island’s problems do not exist in isolation.

“It’s being exacerbated by an increase in temperature of the waterways and more nutrient runoff, such as nitrogen, going into waterways,” she said. “All of that causes unfortunate degradation to our water bodies.”

While algae is an important part of a healthy ecosystem, excess nitrogen can fuel algal blooms that, when they die off, consume oxygen and further stress marine life — compounding the chemical impacts of acidification with biological ones.

In the South Shore’s Western Bays, limited water circulation compounds the problem. Research by Stony Brook

University has shown that it can take up to 180 days for water to fully flush out through an inlet into the Atlantic Ocean. Instead, Esposito said, the water “sloshes back and forth” before eventually reaching the ocean, trapping heat and pollutants in the process.

Coastal areas such as the western portion of the Sound are especially vulnerable because of limited circulation. Wallace stressed that scientists differentiate between open-ocean acidification and coastal-ocean acidification because of the unique challenges those areas face.

In Hempstead Harbor, the issue of acidification has been a focus for local environmental organizations for decades. The Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor was formed in 1986 to address a range of environmental issues facing the area, including acidification.

Michelle Lapinel McAllister, the coalition’s programs director, explained that pH monitoring is one of the core services that the nonprofit provides for the harbor. Measuring occurs yearround, with particular emphasis from May to October, when the harbor, in

common with other waterways, sees annual spikes in nitrogen levels.

“Each season we will see periods of low dissolved oxygen, and whenever dissolved oxygen gets low, then we’ll see pH drop as well,” Lapinel McAllister said. “That will typically happen around the hottest part of the year.”

Another complication is the fact that enclosed waters respond more quickly to environmental stressors than the open ocean, meaning local ecosystems can feel the impacts sooner and more intensely.

“The more stagnant the water body is, the more these acidity levels build up,” Esposito said. “The more the temperature builds up, the more damage the increase in acidity levels can do.”

She described three primary consequences of ocean acidification: “reduced water quality, the impact on shellfish and finfish and the degradation of the overall habitat due to low oxygen.”

Shellfish such as oysters and clams struggle to build and maintain their shells in more acidic conditions, while

Rising acidity, rising stakes for coastal shellfish

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finfish larvae have lower survival rates — threatening both the ecosystem and the region’s maritime economy.

“Acidification actually reduces the availability of carbonate ions that are needed for these organisms to build their shells, so that’s a major issue,” Wallace said. “Like shellfish aquaculture, it can impact fisheries, and then there’s this cascading effect that can influence things like recreational activities and tourism.”

This is especially relevant because shellfish play an important role in regulating nitrogen levels. An adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, depending on size and environmental conditions, while a clam can filter roughly half that.

Across Long Island, and across the country, local environmental organizations and governments are throwing their support behind shellfish hatcheries and protection programs, including the towns of Hempstead, Oyster Bay and Babylon. Lapinel McAllister explained that while these efforts serve an important role in safeguarding healthy ecosystems, they can’t singlehandedly save marine ecosystems.

“On their own, shellfish can’t improve the water quality to healthy levels,” she said, “but having a good, healthy, strong population is going to be part of that overall puzzle of maintaining the stability of pH over long term.”

While local efforts to restore wetlands, upgrade sewage-treatment plants and rebuild shellfish populations are making progress, Esposito said the root cause remains global. “The main culprit of ocean acidification is the burning of fossil fuels,” she said. “The only thing we can do is support more renewable energy so that we’re not pouring more carbon dioxide into the waterways.”

The wet work of marine scientists

Across Long Island, scientists are working together to find ways to improve the quality of local waters. A leading solution is all-organic: Restoring local populations of filter-feeders could, with careful management, bear the brunt of decontamination efforts.

The Flax Pond Marine Laboratory, in Old Field, is nestled in the marshes of the North Shore, overlooking the Long Island Sound. This laboratory is a research hatchery, working toward “improving local coastal water quality and replenishing natural shellfish populations,” according to its shellfish restoration manager, Peter Martin.

The facility’s current focus is the Ribbed Mussel Bioextraction Project, in which staff test what growth strategies lead to the healthiest shellfish that could be reintroduced to coastal waters to rejuvenate them.

“There’s a lot of coastal communities and little inlets and even out-of-use small pockets of water that are just polluted and are in need of cleaner water,” Martin said. “Fundamentally … shellfish are natural filters. All they do is filter feed, so they’re cleaning the water as they grow.”’

“One of the big pollutants that we’re focused on is nitrogen removal,” hatchery Research Specialist Ashley Lopez said. “Shellfish take in the bad form of nitrogen, process it in their body, and they still expel some nitrogen, but it’s a safe and more bioavailable kind of nitrogen.”

The ribbed mussel program is exploring new methods of shellfish cultivation; according to Lopez, there is no consensus in the field about growing large amounts of these shellfish. In their nascence, ribbed mussels have delicate health — a larva is as small as a grain of sand. The Citizens Campaign for the Environment staff regularly sterilize equipment and filter externally sourced seawater to minimize diseases and infections from plankton and bacteria.

The researchers grow eight different varieties of algae to feed adult ribbed mussels, which are kept in temperature-stabilized basins. This conditioning pro-

nonprofits like the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor play a vital role in the fight against acidification. Staff members such as michelle Lapinel mcAllister, right, programs director, and Carol diPaolo, water-monitoring coordinator, track pH levels and coordinate a shellfish restoration program to keep the harbor healthy.

Acidification, by the numbers

■ 30 percent of carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere is absorbed by the ocean.

■ From 2008 to 2017, fossil fuel burning and land use changes were responsible for 40 billion tons of emissions per year.

■ Surface waters are 30 percent more acidic than their pre-industrial levels.

■ While the ocean on average has seen a 0.06 decrease in pH units, meaning increasing acidity, since 1985, the Long Island Sound has seen a decrease of 0.04 per decade, according to UConn Marine Sciences.

■ In the past 25 years, the $6 billion clamming industry has seen a 93 percent reduction in harvests, according to the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation.

■ More than 12,000 acres of Long Island waterways have been closed to shellfishing due to algal blooms, according to the Suffolk County Health Department.

■ 76 percent of the nitrogen in the waters off Long Island — home to 40 percent of the state’s population — comes from faulty septic systems.

cess is meant to “ripen the gonads” of the mussels and help them reproduce as effectively as possible, according to Martin.

“What we’re doing is trying to find out the best way

to grow a lot of them from birth on and have them actually survive,” Lopez said. “And the starting point, we think, is the feeding regimens that we’re giving them. So that’s why we’re doing different diets — to see what kind of spawn they produce and see how the larvae survive after that.”

“This two-year project is Phase Two of a larger project,” Martin added. “Phase One was from ’23 to ’25. Each phase is getting further and further, doing more to figure out the best way to grow these things.”

In addition to ribbed mussel cultivation, CCE staff are involved with other restoration efforts, including a Community Aquaculture Restoration and Education program, in which scientists partner with community volunteers to sow “spat-on-shell” oysters into local estuaries, from which larvae will grow and mature into underwater custodians.

The Flax Pond hatchery works with groups ranging from the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County and Stony Brook University to the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission. It is one ecological collective of many working toward improving the quality of local waters from the east end of Long Island to the shores of Nassau County.

Setting course for a healthier future

Even as Long Island’s waterways face the threat of rising acidification, the experts emphasize that all is not lost. Thanks to the efforts of the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor and other environmental groups, the region’s waters have bounced back from near-toxic levels of acidity, not to mention numerous pollutionrelated threats of the 1980s.

According to Wallace, the efforts of scientists and local volunteers, from the South Shore to coastal Connecticut, to monitor and address these issues have already made an impact.

“There’s been a lot of positives,” he said, “but we can’t stop there. There’s more work to be done.”

Purim spirit shines at Mel Polay Carnival

The Jewish community of Bellmore-Merrick came together to celebrate at the annual Mel Polay Purim Carnival on March 1.

Founded by Evelyn Polay, a member of Congregation Beth Ohr in Bellmore, in memory of her late husband, Mel, and has become a longstanding tradition in the community. Attendees enjoyed classic carnival games, including ring toss and basketball throw, as well as numerous other activities. Children collected prizes, savored sweet treats, and posed for photos with family members at a dedicated photo

booth.

Purim commemorates the Jewish people’s salvation from Haman, a high-ranking official in the First Persian Empire who plotted to kill all Jewish residents of Persia. Queen Esther, the Jewish wife of King Xerxes, and her cousin Mordecai are celebrated as the heroes who helped prevent the massacre. Today, the holiday is marked by reading the Book of Esther, or the Megillah, and observing five mitzvot, or commandments.

— Hernesto Galdamez

We may still be in the throes of seemingly endless winter, but fairly soon we’ll be springing ahead. And then thoughts turn to the final months of the school year and what’s ahead.

For generations, the arrival of spring signaled that summer vacation was within reach. Today, however, the final months of the school year can feel more like a sprint than a celebration. Between sports seasons, performances, advanced placement exams, major projects and for high school students college admissions decisions, spring has become one of the most demanding times on the academic calendar.

or concepts present the greatest challenge. Tackling more difficult work when energy levels are highest often earlier in the evening can improve efficiency and reduce frustration. By assigning priority to high-impact tasks, students can focus their attention where it matters most.

Spring in your step: Stay healthy

“As stress builds for students during the second half of the school year, the best release to this ‘academic pressure cooker’ may also be the most simple time,” says education expert Dr. Richard E. Bavaria. “Through effective time management and other strategies, students can create ‘found time’ and find themselves better prepared for the activities and challenges that come with the final months of the school year.”

With thoughtful planning and consistent routines, families can help students finish strong.

Spring cleaning: Get organized

Organization is one of the most effective stress reducers. When students know where to find assignments, notes and supplies, they save time and mental energy.

Help your child create a designated “homework zone” at home a distraction-free space stocked with essential study tools. Encourage students to maintain tidy backpacks and notebooks, use written or digital planners consistently and break larger assignments into smaller, manageable steps.

Equally important are daily routines. Regular bedtimes, homework hours and family time provide structure and predictability. That consistency helps children feel secure and understand what is expected of them.

Spring check-Up: Map out the months ahead

Stay informed about upcoming tests, projects and end-of-year events. A large family calendar in a central location can help everyone visualize deadlines and plan ahead. Encourage students to create personal timelines for longterm assignments, reducing the temptation to procrastinate.

Spring tune-Up: Prioritize wisely

Not all assignments require the same level of effort. Help your child identify which subjects

Physical activity is a powerful antidote to stress. Short movement breaks between study sessions can improve concentration and renew focus. Regular aerobic exercise supports both mental clarity and emotional well-being. Healthy habits matter, too. Adequate sleep, balanced nutrition and consistent exercise help students perform at their best. While late-night study sessions may seem productive, sleep deprivation can impair memory and reduce cognitive performance. Spreading out study time over several days is far more effective than cramming.

Spring forward: Celebrate progres

Use “found time” not only for productivity but also for positivity. Recognize small victories improved organization, better concentration or meeting a homework goal. Encouragement builds confidence, and confidence fuels continued effort.

Recommit to learning

As the school year winds down, sit down as a family and set one or two achievable goals for the remaining weeks. Whether it’s raising a math grade, submitting assignments on time or improving study habits, clear objectives provide motivation.

Agree on age-appropriate rewards and consequences, and emphasize that education is a shared family priority. When parents and children work together planning, supporting and encouraging one another spring can shift from a season of stress to a season of accomplishment.

CAMP & SCHOOL – A guide to programs and activities

Think you know camp? Think again

Camp has become a staple of the summer season. Each year, millions of children, youth and adults head to the hills, lakes, valleys, and parks to participate in the time-honored tradition of camp. And, while most people easily conjure up images of campfires and canoes, there is a lot more to the camp experience. Here are some things you may not have known about the camp experience, courtesy of American Camp Association.

Camp is older than dirt, almost literally Started in 1861, the camp experience turned an impressive 150 years young in 2011. The secret behind the longevity? “Camps are adapting to meet the needs of today’s campers,” says Tom Rosenberg, formr president/CEO of the American Camp Association.“At the same time, the impact camp has on campers, the lifechanging experience, has remained after all these years.”

Camp is worth its weight in gold, and then some!

The camp experience is life-changing –developing friendships and memories that last well beyond the final campfire. And, there is a camp for literally every budget. Often camps offer special pricing or financial assistance, and some camp experiences qualify for tax credits or for payment with preGreen is “zen.”

Research shows that first-hand experience with nature, like those at camp, reduce stress in children and help them better handle stress in

the future. In addition to teaching children how to be good stewards of the environment, camps are teaching children how to enjoy the world around them and take a minute to breathe deep and feel the nature, which ultimately teaches them how to de-stress the natural way.

Mommies and Daddies do it too.

Camp is not just for children and youth. There are family camp experiences, and camps for single adults, senior adults, and any adult that wants to relax and enjoy all camp has to offer. Adults benefit from the same sense of community, authentic relationships, and selfdiscovery that children do. Camp is an excellent vacation option, allowing adults to try a variety of new activities in a safe and fun environment.

Try this on for size!

Camp is a great place to try new activities and hobbies. Afraid of rock walls? According to ACA research, 74 percent of campers reported that they tried new activities at camp that they were afraid to do at first. And, those activities often leave lasting impressions. In the same survey, 63 percent of parents reported that their child continued new activities from camp after returning home.

Manners matter, and often linger.

The camp experience teaches more than just archery or lanyard making. The entire experience is made of teachable moments, perhaps one of the biggest is how to live with a group of people. Campers learn to pick up after themselves, respect each other’s property, and to say

“Please” and “Thank You.”

Camp gets those neurons pumping Education reform debate and concern over summer learning loss have pushed academic achievement into the spotlight. Research shows that participation in intentional programs, like camp, during summer months helps stem summer learning loss. In addition, camp provides ample opportunity for developmental growth, which is a precursor to academic achievement. And, because of the “hands-on” nature of camp, often children who struggle in traditional edu-

SPORTS STEAM & SPECIALTY CAMPS

cation settings do well at camp.

Camp builds leaders for the 21st century and beyond Independence, resiliency, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and the ability to relate to other people these are the skills that tomorrow’s leaders will need, and the skills camp has been adept at building for 150 years.

Photo: Long after the final campfire fades, the skills and friendships built at camp continue to shine.

Monday-Friday • 9am-4pm • extended day & lunch

CAMP & SCHOOL – A guide to programs and activities

The sound of success

Unique

ways

music education supports academic achievement

In today’s schools, science, technology, engineering and mathematics often dominate the academic spotlight. Yet educators and researchers continue to point to another powerful driver of student success: music education.

According to the Arts Education Data Project, an estimated 2.1 million American students lacked access to arts education including music as of 2022. That gap is concerning, as mounting research shows that music instruction strengthens performance across multiple academic areas.

Mathematical Thinking

Music and mathematics share more than a passing resemblance. Reading rhythms involves fractions and division. Recognizing musical patterns mirrors algebraic reasoning.

A 2019 study published by the American Psychological Association found that students who learned to play an instrument and continued in band or orchestra performed nearly one academic year ahead of their peers in several subjects, including math. The structured logic of music timing, sequencing and symbolic interpretation reinforces the same analytical skills students rely on in advanced mathematics.

Boost Literacy And Language Skills

Music education also enhances reading and writing development. Learning to interpret

notes on a page parallels decoding words in a book. Both require attention to symbols, comprehension of meaning and the ability to selfcorrect.

Singing lyrics and studying musical storytelling introduce students to new vocabulary and poetic structure, strengthening comprehension. Research in neuroscience suggests that musical training activates brain regions associated with language processing, giving young learners an added advantage in literacy.

Build Discipline And Study Habits

Mastering an instrument takes time, patience and consistent practice. Students quickly learn that improvement comes from repetition and focus lessons that translate directly to homework, long-term projects and exam preparation.

The resilience developed while tackling challenging passages or preparing for performances can foster greater academic persistence overall.

Enhance Cognitive And Emotional Well-Being

Music engages multiple areas of the brain simultaneously, supporting memory, concentration and problem-solving. At the same time, it offers a creative outlet that can reduce stress and build confidence. Students who feel emotionally supported and

creatively fulfilled are often better equipped to handle rigorous coursework and classroom demands.

Foster Collaboration And Communication

Participation in band, choir or orchestra teaches students to listen closely, follow direction and contribute to a shared goal. Ensemble performance requires cooperation and accountability skills that mirror group projects in science labs, history presentations and other academic settings.

Balanced Learning

As schools continue to prioritize STEM ini-

tiatives, many educators advocate for a broader STEAM approach that includes the arts. Music education does more than enrich school culture; it strengthens cognitive development, academic performance and social skills. By investing in music programs alongside core academic subjects, schools create wellrounded learning environments that prepare students not only for higher test scores, but for lifelong success.

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New ICE office in Woodbury sparks concerns

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is renting office space in Woodbury for what could be as many as 40 agency attorneys, Newsday has reported. The move is drawing concern from immigration advocates and prompting calls for transparency from local officials.

Last month, ICE began leasing offices in a four-story building at 88 Froehlich Farm Blvd., according to Craig J. Padover, president of the Hauppaugebased Aresco Management, which owns the property. The space, Padover said, is being used for legal offices, but he did not confirm the size or extent of the lease, nor could he verify how many ICE attorneys would ultimately work there.

He added that the space would not be used to house detained immigrants.

The expansion comes as controversy intensifies over President Trump’s deportation campaign. ICE received nearly $80 billion in funding through Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” passed last July, increasing the number of agents from roughly 10,000 to 22,000 this year, making it the largest-funded federal law enforcement agency.

ICE already maintains a presence at the federal courthouse in Central Islip and at the Nassau County Correctional Center in East Meadow, where detained

Luke Feeney/Herald

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is leasing office space at 88 Froehlich Farm Blvd. in Woodbury.

migrants are housed. Agents covering Long Island are based primarily in New York City offices.

“One of the most important things to remember is that the Department of Homeland Security and [Secretary] Kristi Noem has not been transparent about what’s going on,” Sylvia LivitsAyass, a partner at Livits Ayass Baskin PLLC and the immigration chair of the Nassau County Bar Association, said.

In Central Islip, marked and unmarked vans have been seen near district courts. Attorneys from ICE’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor repre -

sent the Department of Homeland Security in immigration-removal proceedings, and can facilitate warrants and enforcement actions.

“My guess is that there will be a ramp-up in ICE presence in Nassau and Suffolk, and they’re probably going to try and facilitate these enforcement actions through warrants and by supporting these operations,” Livits-Ayass said, emphasizing that that remains speculation.

She explained that there are different types of warrants. An administrative warrant is not reviewed by a federal

judge, and is often signed by an ICE officer or agency official. A judicial warrant, by contrast, must be signed by a U.S. District Court judge and typically identifies the court, the name and birth date of the subject of the warrant, and the address to be searched.

“Just because they have a warrant doesn’t mean they can go wherever they want,” Livits-Ayass said.

Because immigration court for downstate New York is at Federal Plaza in Manhattan, she added, the Woodbury lease is surprising. She suggested that it could signal expanded enforcement operations, but also noted that it could simply be cost-effective for ICE to house its attorneys on Long Island. “The bottom line is we don’t know,” she said, “because they’re not telling anybody.”

In a letter to Noem, Rep. Tom Suozzi asked if the lease was accurate and how ICE has engaged with local governments.

In a statement to the Herald, Suozzi wrote, “Expanding deportation operations in safe communities creates fear and undermines trust in local enforcement, and would be a bad policy. Our focus should be on removing dangerous criminals while protecting families who contribute to our local economy and way of life.”

ICE offices in New York City did not respond to the Herald’s request for comment.

The physical therapist with a mission to serve

By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com

Emilian Emeagwali has built a life rooted in service, driven by a deep, generational commitment to uplifting and supporting the community around her.

Born and raised in Onitsha, Nigeria, Emeagwali, 60, emigrated to the United States in 1992, where she faced a dramatic change of lifestyle. In Nigeria, she had been surrounded by support, with help raising a baby girl and managing her daily responsibilities. “Everybody was helping with the baby,” she said. “I was like a queen.”

In America there was no such support system, leaving her to adjust to life with just her husband and their daughter, and to take on a variety of responsibilities herself, from child care to cooking and cleaning.

Determined to adapt, Emeagwali immersed herself in American culture. She spent time watching movies, listening to the news and reading books to better understand her new environment. Even everyday things like food and weather required adjustment.

After moving from Nigeria, Emeagwali received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brooklyn College. In 2003 she enrolled at Stony Brook University, where she earned a doctorate degree in physical therapy. Balancing school and family life proved difficult, because she was commuting 50 miles from Elmont and now caring for two children.

Despite these challenges, Emeagwali remained focused on her goal of helping others. After finishing her degree, she was motivated to continue her education by a desire to make an impact.

Her psychology classes helped her understand how to approach and connect with people, but she ultimately felt she could make a greater difference through physical therapy. While working as a therapist’s assistant in hospital settings, she became dissatisfied with the fastpaced environment, in which she often treated multiple patients in a short period of time.

Wanting to provide more personalized care, Emeagwali decided to open her own practice. In 2007 she founded State of the Art PT OT, a clinic in Valley Stream that has now been serving patients for nearly two decades. Her approach centers on treating people with the same care and attention she would give her own family.

That philosophy, she said, stems from her upbringing. As a child, she watched her parents give money to people in need, ensuring that they had food to eat. That instilled in her a lasting commitment to helping others and giving back.

“That is how I was raised,” she said. “I think that was embedded in me when growing up.”

In 2009, Emeagwali expanded that mission by founding the nonprofit Giving Back to Community Corp., headquartered in Valley Stream. The organization, which is funded by fundraisers and donations, focuses

on providing food, educational resources and other support to underserved people in surrounding communities as well as in Nigeria.

Whether through her clinic or her nonprofit work, Emeagwali’s impact extends far beyond individual patients, strengthening entire communities and carrying forward the values that first inspired her to give back.

At South Nassau, a steady hand in cardiac care

By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com

As director of noninvasive cardiology at Mount Sinai South Nassau, Dr. Pilar Stevens-Haynes has built a career centered on precision, compassion and the belief that medicine can be both life-saving and lifechanging.

That sense of connection is what ultimately steered her toward cardiology. Born and raised in the Elmont/ Valley Stream area, Stevens-Haynes discovered her love of science in high school, drawn to biology and fascinated by a senior-year anatomy and physiology elective.

Though she once envisioned herself as a surgeon, clinical rotations changed her mind. “I thought I would just love surgery,” she said. “But I actually found I loved speaking to patients. In surgery, your patients are unconscious.”

Instead she chose a field that allows her to combine long-term patient relationships with moments of dramatic intervention. While many areas of internal medicine focus on managing chronic illness, StevensHaynes noted that cardiology allows physicians to intervene in acute, life-threatening situations — heart attacks, heart failure or dangerous arrhythmias — and dramatically improve outcomes.

“In cardiology, you can treat someone and sometimes give them back the life they had before,” she said. “I find true joy in taking care of people over time and watching them heal.”

A graduate of SUNY Geneseo, Stevens-Haynes completed her medical training in the Mount Sinai system before joining South Nassau over a decade ago. Her current role centers on cardiac imaging, from

electrocardiograms and echocardiograms to multiple forms of stress testing. Four days a week she oversees the lab, ensuring that the facility meets national accreditation standards.

“The lab has to do what it says it’s going to do,” Stevens-Haynes said. “We have to perform the studies accurately and meet the standards that are set.”

Patient care remains central to her. “I’ve got the best

of both worlds,” she said. “I get to practice medicine, but I also get to do a little bit of curative medicine.”

Throughout her career, she has also navigated the realities of being one of few women — and often the only woman of color — in the room. “You have to get very comfortable by being the one and only,” StevensHaynes said. Early on, she admitted, she was “very, very quiet and shy,” hesitant to draw attention to herself. Over time, however, she came to recognize the importance of representation.

“Patients will say how wonderful it is to see women physicians and to see people that look like them take care of them,” she said. “They trust me because I look like me.”

Mentorship has become one of the most meaningful aspects of Steven-Haynes’s work. She recalled sitting down with a tearful young physician who worried that starting a family would jeopardize her medical career. Stevens-Haynes encouraged her to do both. That physician is now a cardiology fellow.

“It’s important that women know they can have grand professional goals and personal goals — and achieve them,” she said.

Stevens-Haynes credits academic medicine with offering flexibility that has allowed her to balance professional growth with family life. She and her husband, Hector Luna, are raising four children in Baldwin. She remains driven by the passion that first led her into medicine, and by her belief that physicians can build meaningful careers without sacrificing the aspects of life that matter most.

“Even if it feels overwhelming or like an all-boys club, you can find your niche anywhere,” she said. “Chase your dreams. You don’t have to sacrifice.”

Expanding services while keeping local roots

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

A longtime Bellmore accounting practice has joined a larger regional financial services organization, a move leaders say will broaden offerings for clients while keeping the firm’s local presence intact.

The firm founded by Lynne S. Fahrer is now part of Fincadia LLC, an independently owned company that provides wealth management, tax, insurance and advisory services nationwide. Officials said the transition will not change day-today operations for existing clients, who will continue working with the same staff.

The Bellmore practice has built its reputation over nearly three decades providing bookkeeping, payroll, sales tax services and tax return preparation for individuals and small businesses across Long Island and the broader tri-state region. Founded in 1997, the firm set out to serve as a single resource for tax compliance and financial guidance, emphasizing personalized service and long-term client relationships.

Under the new structure, those core services will remain, while clients will gain access to a wider range of financial planning tools, including comprehensive wealth management, insurance solutions and certain alternative investment opportunities, according to company officials.

“For nearly 30 years, we have provided

A longtime Bellmore accounting firm

keeping its local presence. From

services to businesses and individuals throughout Long Island, the tri-state area and across the country,” Fahrer said. “We are excited to continue helping our clients and giving them the attention they deserve.”

Fincadia leaders said the partnership reflects the company’s strategy of expanding its footprint through established local firms with deep community ties. The organization has offices in Melville, New York City, Newburgh, Brewster, Carmel, Ballston Lake and Sunrise, and now includes a location in Bellmore.

regional

Leon Fahrer said maintaining close relationships with clients will remain a priority as the firm integrates new resources and capabilities.

“We plan to continue maintaining a close relationship with all of our clients while giving them the best services,” he said.

Joe Gileno, a managing partner at Fincadia, said the addition strengthens the firm’s ability to offer coordinated advice across tax planning and long-term financial strategy.

“Combining their tax expertise and

tremendous client relationships with our wealth management approach strengthens our ability to provide thoughtful, integrated advice tailored to each client’s full financial picture,” Gileno said.

Fincadia oversees more than $2 billion in client assets and includes affiliated entities focused on capital markets, wealth management, tax services and insurance. Officials said the integration is intended to position both organizations for continued growth while preserving the local service model that clients have relied on.

STEP RIGHT UP

Ringling reinvents the Big Top

By Abbey Salvemini

Get ready to cheer, dance and gasp — the legendary Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is back, and it’s dazzling audiences in ways few could have imagined. The self-proclaimed “Greatest Show on Earth” has been boldly reimagined for a new generation, bringing a high-voltage spectacle to UBS Arena from March 6 through March 8.

This is not the circus of decades past. Gone are the traditional three rings and animal acts; in their place is a fast-paced, immersive experience that blends worldclass acrobatics, cutting-edge choreography, live music and vibrant storytelling. The arena transforms into a colorful celebration that feels as much like a concert and dance party as a circus performance.

The energy begins the moment everyone walks through the doors. An interactive pre-show sets the tone, introducing audiences to the dynamic Ringling Hype Crew — a lively cast of dancers and performers who invite everyone to move, clap and join in the fun. Before the first aerialist soars or the first stunt takes flight, the crowd is already part of the action.

At its heart are the performers.

• Friday March 6, 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8, 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m.

• Tickets start at $39.35, $20 kids tickets for all performances; available at ticketmaster.com

• UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont

The 65-person cast, representing 17 countries, is a truly international ensemble that fuses time-honored circus traditions with bold, contemporary feats. Among the most buzzed-about moments is the crisscross trapeze act, in which elite aerialists launch themselves along intersecting flight paths, slicing through the air in breathtaking near-misses that leave audiences holding their collective breath.

The stars of this new incarnation of circus include 33-year-old trapeze artist Miles Postlethwait. He grew up in Florida, attending Ringling shows (and Disney on Ice). Caught up in the spectacle, he in love with trapeze at age 10. A trapeze performer for 10 years (six professionally), he landed at Ringling in November.

Recalling his early circus memories: “I remember going to see Ringling Bros when I was very young. Honestly, what I remember most was the toys (specifically the dragon sword) and the cotton candy. But my mom tells me I was enamored with the acrobats.”

That fascination stuck, leading him to his tour “home” and what’s now billed as “The Greatest Party On Earth,” according to the Ringling mantra.

“Who wouldn’t want to be a part of The Greatest Show On Earth? I saw the previous tour multiple times and loved the show. It’s nonstop fun because you’re part of the show the whole time, interacting with other performers and the audience,” Postlethwait says.

The vibe is fueled by today’s cultural influences — reimagined through the lens of pop culture, concerts and festivals.

Back to the aforementioned trapeze stunt, he points out that the crisscross rig is unique and requires intense precision, but years of training make the nearmisses almost instinctive.

“It keeps me on my toes, and the crowd’s reaction

STEPPING OUT

Photos courtesy Feld Entertainment

A 150-year tradition leaps into the future as the reimagined spectacle delivers fresh thrills, bold artistry and gravity-defying feats that redefine the modern circus.

is incredible.”

The thrills keep on coming. Other highlights include the Double Wheel of Destiny, in which four daredevils leap and jump rope on spinning wheels.

A Chinese acrobatic bicycle act, created exclusively for Ringling, features gravity-defying human pyramids and fearless athleticism, with one acrobat running across the backs of nine moving bike riders. Salsa Colombia, a fiery dance and acrobatics troupe, brings the energy of Latin rhythms to the arena floor. And audiences are fascinated by Cam, a content creator and unicycle rider, who stacks up to 25 wheels towering nearly 35 feet high. Also watch out for Bailey the Robo Pup, a high-tech canine character and PT (Party Time), Ringling’s first-ever hype character, who keeps the crowd engaged and amplifies the celebratory atmosphere.

Giant LED screens and cameras capture acrobats from impossible angles, giving every seat the feel of front-row access.

Music powers the show. A DJ spins everything from hip-hop to Latin beats, driving the action from start to finish, with beat drops, live drumming and dance battles.

Those in the audience are not just spectators — they’re all in. Kids are drawn into onstage interactions, while the LED screens highlight stunts from content creator Cam, adding an extra layer of excitement. From split-second trapeze timing to jaw-dropping acrobatics, the spectacle keeps everyone on the edge of their seats while leaving lasting memories for all involved. The result is a full-on celebration with a festival-style energy that transforms classic circus elements.

Postlethwait sums it up simply: “It’s a super fun, energetic party. Families come and say everybody had a blast. It’s a show where kids aren’t just watching — they’re a part of the action.”

Perhaps most importantly, according to Postlethwait, the spectacle inspires young audiences to dream big.

“I hope they see that anything is possible. Circus acts show that humans’ limits go so much further than we think.”

Whether you’re in it for the stunts, the music or the interactive fun, this version of “The Greatest Show On Earth” promises something for everyone. Experience firsthand why Ringling Bros. has thrilled audiences for generations — now with a fresh, modern twist that makes the circus feel entirely new.

Jessie’s Girl

Drag out that neon once again and give your hair its best ‘80s ‘do. Those crazy days are back — as only Jessie’s Girl can pull off, on the Paramount stage. The band of NYC’s top rock/pop musicians and singers gets everyone into that “Back To The Eighties” vibe with the latest edition of their popular concert experience. With a lineup including four pop-rock vocalists dressing and performing as 80s icons, backed by a dynamic band, this is the definitive ‘80s experience. Jessie’s Girl’s primary line-up includes a team of NYC’s top rock and pop vocalists: Jenna O’Gara, Jerome Bell-Bastien, and Mark Rinzel. They are backed by one of the tightest bands in the city comprised of 20+ year veterans of the NYC music scene, each with dozens of credits performing with authentic ‘80s icons who made the music famous to begin with! Their motto: There’s no decade like the Eighties and no party like Back To The Eighties with Jessie’s Girl.

Friday, March 6, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

South Shore Symphony welcomes Jane Monheit

With a voice radiating warmth, refinement and emotional depth, jazz vocalist Jane Monheit brings her celebrated interpretations of Great American Songbook classics to the Madison Theatre in a special collaboration with the South Shore Symphony Orchestra. Renowned for breathing fresh life into beloved standards, she headlines an unforgettable afternoon, blending the intimacy of jazz with the grandeur of full orchestral sound. Under the baton of Music Director Adam Glaser, the South Shore Symphony accompanies her in a series of orchestral arrangements that highlight both her vocal artistry and the timeless beauty of these enduring songs. The program also offers audiences a more intimate jazz club feel, with Monheit backed by a trio, including Glaser on piano, for several selections.

Sunday, March 8, 3 p.m. Molloy University campus, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

‘A

Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Molloy University’s CAP21 Musical Theatre students tackle Shakespeare. The bard’s beloved comedy is a magical tale that explores the irrationality of love, desire, friendship, jealousy and magic. When the mortal worlds of four young lovers and a bungling group of amateur actors collide with a feuding fairy kingdom in a mystical forest on a midsummer eve, romantic misadventures ensue, causing chaos that only a bit of fairy magic can sort out.

• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: 8 p.m.; also March 7, 2 and 8 p.m.; March 8, 3 p.m.

• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

Family theater

Long Island Children’s Museum stages “Pete the Cat,” the charming musical based on the book series by Kimberly and James Dean. Life is certainly an adventure for Pete, no matter where he winds up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out. Together, they set out on a mission to help Jimmy conquer second grade art, and along the way, they both learn a little something new about inspiration. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon; also March 7, March 11-12

Celtic Woman

Mar 15

The Grammy-nominated global sensation returns to the stage with their highly anticipated new tour, Celtic Woman — A New Era. Featuring the mesmerizing talents of Mairéad Carlin, Muirgen O’Mahony, Ciara Ní Mhurchú, and the dynamic new addition Caitríona Sherlock, this production fuses the ensemble’s signature ethereal harmonies with innovative orchestrations, captivating stagecraft, and a contemporary energy that honors Ireland’s rich musical and cultural legacy while embracing Celtic Woman’s ongoing evolution. Audiences will be transported on a spellbinding journey through Irish music, from timeless classics to stirring original compositions. The evening promises breathtaking vocal performances, intricate instrumental mastery, and the rhythmic grace of traditional Irish dance. Accompanied by a full ensemble, the performers bring to life Celtic staples — including the bagpipe, bodhrán, tin whistles, and Uilleann pipes — creating a lush and immersive soundscape that resonates with both tradition and modernity. From evocative Irish ballads and contemporary favorites to classical masterpieces and fresh original songs, their tour celebrates the vibrancy of modern Ireland while paying tribute to centuries of musical heritage. It is a concert experience that blends elegance, passion, and cultural storytelling, offering audiences an unforgettable evening of artistry, energy and enchantment.

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

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

• Where: 1057 Merrick Ave.

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: nmerrickschools.org Mar

Mar

11

An intimate chat with Valerie Bertinelli

materials. Dispose of such toxic items as antifreeze, drain cleans, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs, and oil-based paints at a S.T.O.P collection event.

• Where: Eisenhower Park, Parking Field 3, East Meadow

• Time: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Contact: HempsteadNY.gov or call (516) 378-4210

welcomes families with kids ages 6-10 to explore how climate change impacts our environment and learn ways both scientists and families can help protect it. These workshops are part of a scientific study surrounding climate education.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Fagins, Mateo Chavez Lewis, and Yael Rizowy.

• Where: Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City

• Time: 3 p.m.

• Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or (516) 877-4000

Professional Championship Bull Riders

• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

Mar 7

St. Raphael Parish Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration

St. Raphael Parish welcomes all to a Saint Patrick’s Day celebration. Ticket includes dinner, dessert, beer and wine, and live entertainment.

• Where: 2341 Washington Ave., Bellmore

• Time: 7-11 p.m.

• Contact: Learn more at StRaphaelParish.org

S.T.O.P. Collection

The Town of Hempstead encourages residents to clean their homes of hazardous

Buckle up — ’cause you ain’t seen nothin’ like this before. The PCB has been a full-throttle tour de force: a mano-a-toro showdown where the toughest cowboys on the planet face off against the rankest bulls in the game. May the boldest rider win. And it’s not just the cowboys. Watch the cowgirls blaze through barrel racing, showcasing speed, agility and sheer determination in a race for the fastest times.

• Where: Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com

Climate Change: How To Help Our Planet Long Island Children’s Museum

Larson Legacy Concert

Acclaimed composer and 2025 Jonathan Larson Grant recipient Dylan MarcAurele performs at Adelphi University Performing Arts Center continuing Adelphi’s tradition of showcasing emerging talents in musical theater. MarcAurele, recognized for his innovative contributions to the genre, performs selections from his current projects, including the critically acclaimed musical “Pop Off, Michelangelo!”that recently enjoyed a successful run in London. His concert is a cabaret-style showcase of music from past and future productions (including his upcoming parody musical “Heated Rivalry” that sold out performances in a matter of hours). Joining him are Taylor

Mar

Jane Monheit in concert

Long Island LitFest hosts an appearance by the actress-turned-author on her book tour, at the Madison Theatre. Moderated by Paulina Porizkova, Bertinelli’s most vulnerable book yet, “Getting Naked,” offers wisdom hard-won through divorce, menopause and generational pain, with a powerful message of self-acceptance and embracing the past with compassion. Each ticket includes a signed copy.

• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

Mar

12

• Where: 2616 Martin Ave.

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Contact: northbellmoreschools.org

In-person Zumba

Get in shape at North Bellmore Library at in-person Zumba with Desiree Durand. $43.75. Registration required.

• Where: 1551 Newbridge Road

• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800 North Merrick BOE meets The Board of Education holds its next meeting. Stay up to date on district issues.

8

Internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist Jane Monheit joins the South Shore Symphony for their next concert. Monheit’s signature warm, expressive sound enhances the lush orchestral arrangements. Known for her elegant interpretations of jazz standards and contemporary classics, she brings her rich vocals to the symphonic stage for a performance that blends jazz sophistication with the power of a full orchestra.

• Where: 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: 3 p.m.

• Contact: madisontheatreny. org or (516) 323-4444

North Bellmore BOE meets The Board of Education holds its next meeting. Stay up to date on district issues.

• Time: 10-11 a.m., also March 26, April 2, April 9, April 16, April 23

• Contact: northbellmorelibrary.org

Having an event?

Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR FREMONT HOME LOAN TRUST 2005-D, MORTGAGE-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-D, Plaintiff, Against MICHAEL BROWN, et al, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 10/09/2018, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 3/23/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1855 Madison Avenue, Bellmore, New York 11710, and described as follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 56 Block L Lot 21 The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $992,729.74 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 5261/09 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.

Louis B. Imbroto, Esq., Referee.

MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573

Dated: 1/16/2026 File Number: 17-300073 CA 158465

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to N.Y. Constitution Article 9, N.Y. Town Law, and N.Y. Municipal Home Rule Law, as amended, the Hempstead Town Board will hold a public hearing at Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street,

Hempstead, New York, on March 10, 2026 at 10:30 A.M., to consider enacting Chapter 10F of the Hempstead Town Code to be entitled “Taxation: Partial Exemption for Surviving Spouses of Fallen Police Officers” regarding a real property tax exemption for surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty pursuant to N.Y. Real Property Tax Law §471. The proposed local law is available at hempsteadny.gov, on the bulletin board at Town Hall as of the publication of this notice, and on file in the Office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Hempstead, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, where the same may be inspected during office hours.

ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

Dated: Hempstead, New York

February 24, 2026 BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NEW YORK.

KATE MURRAY Town Clerk

JOHN R. FERRETTI, JR. Supervisor 158674

LEGAL NOTICE CASE NO.7179

RESOLUTION NO. 2502026

Adopted: February 24, 2026

Councilmember Goosby offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION DETERMINING PARCELS BENEFITED BY CONSTRUCTION OR RECONSTRUCTION OF SIDEWALK AREA IN; BALDWIN, BELLMORE, BETHPAGE, EAST MEADOW, ELMONT, FRANKLIN SQUARE, INWOOD, ISLAND PARK, LEVITTOWN, MERRICK, NORTH BALDWIN, NORTH BELLMORE, OCEANSIDE, ROCKVILLE CENTRE, ROOSEVELT, SEAFORD, SOUTH HEMPSTEAD, UNIONDALE, WANTAGH, WEST HEMPSTEAD, WOODMERE IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NY, ADOPTING PROPOSED ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR THE COST THEREOF AND CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING THEREON. WHEREAS, pursuant to the following

Resolutions adopted by the Town Board: TOWN BOARD

RESOLUTIONS DATE

7179 2/21/2017

267-2021 2/23/2021

693-2022 5/24/2022

508 4/25/2023

6365 4/9/2024

992-2024 9/17/2024

151-2025 2/25/2025

814-2025 8/5/2025

NOTICE WAS GIVEN TO ABUTTING PROPERTY OWNERS DIRECTING THEM TO CONSTRUCT OR RECONSTRUCT SIDEWALK AREA ON : AMBROSE CT, BABYLON TPKE, BALDWIN AVE, BARBARA ST, BAY FRONT DR, BONNIE DR, BROADWAY, CARNATION AVE, CHALADAY LN, CHESTNUT LN, CLEARMEADOW DR, COLONY ST, COLUMBUS AVE, CONDOR RD, COOLIDGE AVE, COURT ST, COURTNEY LN, DALE PL, DAY ST, E ROOSEVELT AVE, EASTERN PKWY, EVELYN AVE, EVERS LN, FARM LN, FENWORTH BLVD, GRAND AVE, GUN LN, HAMILTON AVE, HAMPTON RD, HANCOCK ST, HENRY ST, HOPATCONG AVE, HOWARD PL, HUDSON AVE, IVANHOE DR, IVY CT W, JEFFERSON ST, KINGSTON AVE, LAKEVIEW RD, LAUREL AVE, LINCOLN BLVD, LINCOLN ST, LINKS DR W, LYDIA PL, MANOR PKWY, MARILYN DR, MARJORIE LN, MATTITUCK AVE, MCDONALD AVE, MEADOW LN, MEADOW RD, MERRICK AVE, MERRICK RD, MILBURN AVE, MONACO AVE, MONROE ST, N JERUSALEM RD, NORTHERN PKWY, ORIOLE AVE, OWL PL, PAMLICO AVE, PARK AVE, PARKER AVE, QUARRY LN, REMSEN ST, ROCKWOOD AVE, ROOSEVELT ST, ROYAL AVE, SCHREIBER PL, SKILLMAN AVE, SPRAGUE AVE, SPRUCEWOOD DR, STEPHEN ST, SUNSHINE AVE, SURREY LN, WADLEIGH AVE, WAUKENA AVE, WAVERLY AVE, WESTMINSTER RD, WILLIAM PL, WOLCOTT RD, WOLFSON DR, WOOD PARK DR WHEREAS, the owner(s) who were so notified had failed to construct or reconstruct sidewalk area as required by such Notice and the Town Board has caused said sidewalks to be constructed or reconstructed; and WHEREAS, such construction or reconstruction was completed by the Town at the Total cost of $148,883.11

and which sum includes appropriate administrative fees, which amount has been paid by the Town of Hempstead, pursuant to resolution adopted by the Town Board, subject to assessment against the property benefited thereby pursuant to Chapter 181 (Part 1) Code of the Town of Hempstead, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the actual and completed cost of the construction and reconstruction of sidewalk area on the property hereinabove be assessed against the parcels benefited thereby pursuant to Chapter 181 (Part 1) Code of the Town of Hempstead, is hereby determined to be $148,883.11 and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the parcel(s) listed in the assessment roll be attached hereto and made a part hereof under the heading “PARCELS BENEFITED” are the lots and parcels especially benefited by the said improvements as they appear on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the assessment roll attached hereto is hereby made a part hereof and shall constitute the completed assessment roll for such improvements under Chapter 181 (Part 1), Code of the Town of Hempstead and that the figures under the heading of “ASSESSMENT” on the same line with the said lot designations, is the amount assessed against said lots or parcels and that under the headline “PAID”, and the Receiver of Taxes shall indicate the parcels of land for which assessments shall not have been paid before the return thereof to the Supervisor and that such assessment roll be forthwith filed with the Town Clerk; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the assessment hereunder may be paid in one installment without penalty or interest, or at the option of the payer, in five (5) annual installments with interest thereon, if the benefit is in excess of $100.00; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Board meet at the Town Board Room (Pavilion) of the Town Hall on March 10, 2026, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to hear and consider

any objections which may be made to said assessment roll; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk publish at least once not less than ten (10) or more than twenty (20) days before the time above specified, for said meeting in a newspaper published within the Town of Hempstead, a notice that said Assessment roll has been completed and that at the time and place above specified the Town Board will meet and hear to consider any objections which may be made thereto.

The foregoing resolution was seconded by Councilmember Dunne, Sr. And adopted upon roll call as follows:

AYES: SIX (6)

NOES: NONE (0)

NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OR RECONSTRUCTION OF SIDEWALK AREA ON: AMBROSE CT, BABYLON TPKE, BALDWIN AVE, BARBARA ST, BAY FRONT DR, BONNIE DR, BROADWAY, CARNATION AVE, CHALADAY LN, CHESTNUT LN, CLEARMEADOW DR, COLONY ST, COLUMBUS AVE, CONDOR RD, COOLIDGE AVE, COURT ST, COURTNEY LN, DALE PL, DAY ST, E ROOSEVELT AVE, EASTERN PKWY, EVELYN AVE, EVERS LN, FARM LN, FENWORTH BLVD, GRAND AVE, GUN LN, HAMILTON AVE, HAMPTON RD, HANCOCK ST, HENRY ST, HOPATCONG AVE, HOWARD PL, HUDSON AVE, IVANHOE DR, IVY CT W, JEFFERSON ST, KINGSTON AVE, LAKEVIEW RD, LAUREL AVE, LINCOLN BLVD, LINCOLN ST, LINKS DR W, LYDIA PL, MANOR PKWY, MARILYN DR, MARJORIE LN, MATTITUCK AVE, MCDONALD AVE, MEADOW LN, MEADOW RD, MERRICK AVE, MERRICK RD, MILBURN AVE, MONACO AVE, MONROE ST, N JERUSALEM RD, NORTHERN PKWY, ORIOLE AVE, OWL PL, PAMLICO AVE, PARK AVE, PARKER AVE, QUARRY LN, REMSEN ST, ROCKWOOD AVE, ROOSEVELT ST, ROYAL AVE, SCHREIBER PL, SKILLMAN AVE, SPRAGUE AVE, SPRUCEWOOD DR, STEPHEN ST, SUNSHINE AVE, SURREY LN, WADLEIGH AVE, WAUKENA AVE, WAVERLY AVE,

WESTMINSTER RD, WILLIAM PL, WOLCOTT RD, WOLFSON DR, WOOD PARK DR In the TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK, and of meeting to hear and consider objections thereto.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 181 (Part 1) CODE OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead has prepared and filed with the Town Clerk of said Town, the completed assessment roll for the construction or reconstruction of sidewalk area on: AMBROSE CT, BABYLON TPKE, BALDWIN AVE, BARBARA ST, BAY FRONT DR, BONNIE DR, BROADWAY, CARNATION AVE, CHALADAY LN, CHESTNUT LN, CLEARMEADOW DR, COLONY ST, COLUMBUS AVE, CONDOR RD, COOLIDGE AVE, COURT ST, COURTNEY LN, DALE PL, DAY ST, E ROOSEVELT AVE, EASTERN PKWY, EVELYN AVE, EVERS LN, FARM LN, FENWORTH BLVD, GRAND AVE, GUN LN, HAMILTON AVE, HAMPTON RD, HANCOCK ST, HENRY ST, HOPATCONG AVE, HOWARD PL, HUDSON AVE, IVANHOE DR, IVY CT W, JEFFERSON ST, KINGSTON AVE, LAKEVIEW RD, LAUREL AVE, LINCOLN BLVD, LINCOLN ST, LINKS DR W, LYDIA PL, MANOR PKWY, MARILYN DR, MARJORIE LN, MATTITUCK AVE, MCDONALD AVE, MEADOW LN, MEADOW RD, MERRICK AVE, MERRICK RD, MILBURN AVE, MONACO AVE, MONROE ST, N JERUSALEM RD, NORTHERN PKWY, ORIOLE AVE, OWL PL, PAMLICO AVE, PARK AVE, PARKER AVE, QUARRY LN, REMSEN ST, ROCKWOOD AVE, ROOSEVELT ST, ROYAL AVE, SCHREIBER PL, SKILLMAN AVE, SPRAGUE AVE, SPRUCEWOOD DR, STEPHEN ST, SUNSHINE AVE, SURREY LN, WADLEIGH AVE, WAUKENA AVE, WAVERLY AVE, WESTMINSTER RD, WILLIAM PL, WOLCOTT RD, WOLFSON DR, WOOD PARK DR OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK, and PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that on March 10, 2026, the Town Board will meet at the Board Room of the Town Hall Pavilion, Hempstead, New

York at 10:30 o’clock to hear and consider any objections which may be made to said assessment roll.

DATE : February 24, 2026

Hempstead, New York John Ferretti

Supervisor Town of Hempstead 158651

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO STUDENTS OF NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bellmore Union Free School District parents are reminded that New York State Law requires a written transportation request annually by April 1st, from parents or guardians of students (grades Kdg.-6) who plan to attend private or parochial schools outside the school district in which they legally reside. Requests must be submitted prior to April 1, 2026, for the school year beginning September 2026. Transportation application forms for the 2026-27 school year are available at the Bellmore Union Free School District, Transportation Office, 580 Winthrop Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710 or on our website at www. bellmoreschools.org, under the “District” tab. Also please note that new students to the district must be registered in the Superintendent’s Office at Winthrop Ave School even though they will be attending a private or parochial school outside the Bellmore School District. 158646

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SPECIAL DISTRICT MEETING NORTH BELLMORE PUBLIC LIBRARY NORTH BELLMORE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Library District Meeting and Voting upon the appropriation of necessary funds and tax levy to meet the estimated expenditures of the North Bellmore Public Library for the fiscal year 2026-2027, and the election of one Library Trustee for a full five-year term, to the position currently encumbered by Thomas Vaughn, whose term of office will expire June 30, 2026 will be held at the North Bellmore Public Library at 1551 Newbridge Road North Bellmore, NY 11710 on Tuesday, April 21 from

12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and as much longer as may be necessary for all voters then present to cast their votes.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN THAT:

1. Pursuant to Education Law Section 2020, 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 said Library; and 2. Any person shall be entitled to have his name placed upon such register provided he is known or proven to such Board of Registration to be entitled to vote at the meeting or election for which such registration is prepared to vote at general elections; and 3. Qualified voters may register at the North Bellmore Public Library on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Voters having previously registered for any Annual or Special Library or School District Election or Meeting, or who shall have voted at any Annual or Special Meeting or Election held or conducted at any time within the past four (4) calendar years prior to the preparation of the register, or who are registered to vote at any general election pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law of the State of New York are considered registered to vote. Such register will be filed in the office of the Director of the North Bellmore Public Library five (5) days preceding such Special District Meeting and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District during such days between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

4. In accordance with Education Law No. 2018-a, application for absentee ballots for the Library Special District Meeting may be applied for at the Library. Such application must be received by the Board of Registration at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or on the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. The Board of Registration shall make a list of all persons to whom absentee voters’ ballots have been issued, and have it available during regular office hours until the

Public Notices

day of election. Such list shall be posted at the polling place during the election. No absentee vote ballot shall be canvassed unless it is received not later than 5:00 PM on the day of the election.

BUDGET

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER

NOTICE that a Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM at the North Bellmore Public Library for the purpose of discussion of the said expenditures of funds and the budget thereof.

Copies of the proposed 2026-2027 Library Budget will be available at the North Bellmore Library during regular library hours (9AM8PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday; 10:30AM8PM Wednesday; 9AM6PM Friday; 9AM-5PM Saturday; and 1PM-5PM Sunday) commencing fourteen (14) days immediately preceding the Special District Meeting of April 21, 2026 and at the polling place on the day of the Special District Meeting.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the candidates for the office of Library Trustee shall be nominated by petition. Each petition shall be directed to the Library Board of Trustees and shall be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District, shall state the residence of each signer and shall state the name and residence of the candidate and specific vacancy for which a candidate is nominated, including at least the length of the term of office and the name of the last incumbent, if any. In the event that any such nominee shall withdraw his candidacy prior to the election, such person shall not be considered a candidate unless a new petition nominating such person in the same manner and with the same limitations applicable to other candidates is filed with the Secretary of the Library Board of Trustees. No person shall be nominated by petition for more than one separate office. Each petition shall be filed with the Board of Trustees of the North Bellmore Public Library between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, not later

than the thirtieth (30th) day preceding the day of the election, to wit: March 23, 2026 at 5 PM. BY ORDER OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES

NORTH BELLMORE PUBLIC LIBRARY 158729

LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE REUNIÓN ESPECIAL DEL DISTRITO BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE NORTH BELLMORE NORTH BELLMORE MUNICIPIO DE HEMPSTEAD CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que se celebrará una Reunión Especial del Distrito Bibliotecario y una votación sobre la asignación de los fondos necesarios y la imposición de impuestos para cubrir los gastos estimados de la Biblioteca Pública de North Bellmore para el año fiscal 2026-2027, y la elección de un miembro de la Junta Directiva de la Biblioteca para un mandato completo de cinco años, para el puesto actualmente ocupado por Thomas Vaughn, cuyo mandato expirará el 30 de junio de 2026, en la Biblioteca Pública de North Bellmore, ubicada en 1551 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, NY 11710, el martes 21 de abril, de 12:00 p. m. a 8:00 p. m., y durante el tiempo que sea necesario para que todos los votantes presentes emitan su voto.

SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS QUE:

1. De conformidad con la Sección 2020 de la Ley de Educación, se requiere el registro personal de los votantes y ninguna persona tendrá derecho a votar en dicha reunión y elección cuyo nombre no aparezca en el registro de dicha Biblioteca; y 2. Cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho registro siempre que se sepa o se demuestre ante la Junta de Registro que tiene derecho a votar en la reunión o elección para la cual se prepara dicho registro, o que está registrada para votar en las elecciones generales; y 3. Los votantes calificados pueden registrarse en la

Biblioteca Pública de North Bellmore el martes 24 de marzo de 2026, de 1:00 p. m. a 8:00 p. m. Se consideran registrados para votar los votantes que se hayan registrado previamente para cualquier elección o reunión anual o especial del distrito bibliotecario o escolar, o que hayan votado en cualquier reunión o elección anual o especial celebrada en cualquier momento dentro de los cuatro (4) años calendario anteriores a la preparación del registro, o que estén registrados para votar en cualquier elección general de conformidad con el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York. Dicho registro se archivará en la oficina del Director de la Biblioteca Pública de North Bellmore cinco (5) días antes de dicha Reunión Especial del Distrito y estará disponible para su inspección por cualquier votante calificado del Distrito durante esos días entre las 10:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m. 4. De conformidad con la Ley de Educación n.° 2018-a, las solicitudes de voto por correo para la Reunión Especial del Distrito de la Biblioteca se pueden presentar en la Biblioteca. Dicha solicitud debe ser recibida por la Junta de Registro al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la papeleta se enviará por correo al votante, o el día anterior a la elección, si la papeleta se entregará personalmente al votante. La Junta de Registro elaborará una lista de todas las personas a las que se les hayan emitido papeletas de voto por correo y la tendrá disponible durante el horario de oficina habitual hasta el día de la elección. Dicha lista se publicará en el lugar de votación durante la elección. Ninguna papeleta de voto por correo será escrutada a menos que se reciba a más tardar a las 17:00 horas del día de la elección. PRESUPUESTO SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que se celebrará una Audiencia Pública el martes 24 de marzo de 2026 a las 19:00 horas en la Biblioteca Pública de North Bellmore con el fin de

discutir los gastos de fondos y el presupuesto correspondiente. Las copias del presupuesto propuesto para la Biblioteca 2026-2027 estarán disponibles en la Biblioteca de North Bellmore durante el horario habitual de la biblioteca (9:00 a 20:00 de lunes, martes y jueves; 10:30 a 20:00 los miércoles; 9:00 a 18:00 los viernes; 9:00 a 17:00 los sábados; y 13:00 a 17:00 los domingos) a partir de catorce (14) días antes de la Reunión Especial del Distrito del 21 de abril de 2026 y en el lugar de votación el día de la Reunión Especial del Distrito. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que los candidatos para el cargo de Fideicomisario de la Biblioteca serán nominados por petición. Cada petición deberá estar dirigida a la Junta de Fideicomisarios de la Biblioteca y deberá estar firmada por al menos veinticinco (25) votantes calificados del Distrito, deberá indicar la residencia de cada firmante y deberá indicar el nombre y la residencia del candidato y la vacante específica para la que se nomina al candidato, incluyendo al menos la duración del mandato y el nombre del último titular, si lo hubiera. En caso de que algún candidato nominado retire su candidatura antes de las elecciones, dicha persona no será considerada candidata a menos que se presente una nueva petición de nominación en la misma forma y con las mismas limitaciones aplicables a los demás candidatos ante el Secretario de la Junta Directiva de la Biblioteca. Ninguna persona podrá ser nominada por petición para más de un cargo. Cada petición deberá presentarse ante la Junta Directiva de la Biblioteca Pública de North Bellmore entre las 10:00 a. m. y las 5:00 p. m., de lunes a viernes, a más tardar el trigésimo (30.º) día anterior al día de las elecciones, es decir, el 23 de marzo de 2026 a las 5:00 p. m. POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DIRECTIVA BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE NORTH BELLMORE 158731

the four Chatterton students moving on to the state level of the National Parent Teacher Association’s annual Reflections Arts Program.

Chatterton School artists advance in PTA contest

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

Four young artists from Merrick’s Chatterton School are moving up in the National Parent Teacher Association’s annual Reflections Arts Program, an extracurricular art contest that supports creative and social growth.

After rising through the competition’s school-level qualification round, 16 Chatterton students became county-level finalists. Four found out they would be advancing to to the state-level competition on Feb. 3: fourth-grader Saylor Goldstein, in dance choreography; fourth-grader Marlow Esmay, in film production; first-grader Carson Levine, in film production; and sixth-grader Isabella Zaikowski, in visual arts, all of whom were judged to have captured the competition’s central theme, “I belong.”

“I’m so proud,” said Marlow. “This is my first year as a winner.”

Isabella said she saw the competition as an opportunity to use her special skills. “Participating in this year’s PTA Reflections Program helped me use my love of sewing to create something that shows that there are many different ways and places that I belong and we all belong,” she said. “We are all different but together we make something beautiful.”

For Carson, being a part of the process was its own reward. “My experience with the Reflections contest was fun,” he said. “I liked my video because it made me feel happy. I hoped it would make people smile, too.”

“We’re really excited,” said Kerry Esmay, the PTA Reflections coordinator and vice president of marketing at Chatterton. “It was really nice to see the kids really came through … We saw some really great pieces. The kids really put their heart and soul into a lot of these pieces this year.”

To enter and advance in the contest, students think of a creative way to express the theme provided by the National PTA, which can range from dance choreography and music to literature and visual arts. The contest is elective, and not a part of the school curriculum, giving students a unique opportunity to expand new pathway to expand their boundaries and make new friends.

“Most of these kids do sports and play instruments and are involved in a million other activities,” Esmay said, “I think it’s really notable that these students, and these parents who supported them, opt to engage in a completely optional program in the arts. It just speaks to the dedication of these students.”

Chatterton PTA member Kristen Goldstein, supported her daughter, Saylor, who was taking part in the contest for the second time. Her entry was a dance performance to the song “I Belong,” by MILCK, and it made use of her five years of ballet, complemented by homemade signs and props. Last year, Saylor’s ice-skating routine took her to the state level competition.

“I’m very proud of her for taking this on,” Goldstein said. “This is an optional project, and for her it was not optional. It’s something that was important to her, to send a strong message. It helped her to be a little bit more creative in terms of her dancing and choreography … She’s a determined little girl.”

According to Saylor, the core message of her performance was this: “Everyone belongs no matter what.”

Her mother said that the PTA is a valuable way to supporting her daughter through the school. “It’s a really nice way to engage with the Chatterton community and to be involved and be there for my daughter,” Goldstein said. “She enjoys it when I come up to the school and help out, and volunteer through the PTA.”

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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

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Hudson Steals the Show

Taking a contractor to court

Q. We are suing our contractor and need some advice. A year ago, we finished our second-floor addon and first-floor kitchen and rear family room remodel by opening up walls to join them. Everything seemed fine until it rained the first time. The windows began to leak at the bottom, and then around the tops and sides. Our new sliding glass door did the same. The basement flooded, and we are not in a flood area. Then the air-conditioning company said somebody disconnected the ducts, and when we opened the ceilings, more water poured down. The house is now filled with mold, which we clean with bleach where we can get to it, but we couldn’t move out and have two small children under age 4.

Although we have many questions and hired an attorney, we’re wondering whether we should hire an architect to go over all the problems and identify them, with remedies, or hire one of the contractors who said they could fix the problems, or wait until the lawsuit is finished to make it possible for a jury to see the damage. The job architect, whom we never met, has now had their license revoked for the next two years, but we wouldn’t go to them, anyway.

A. Ugh! This is more common than you would think. It starts with not having the architect working for you and instead working for the contractor. I can guess that the contractor was contacted first, and you hired them to get their architect and provide plans. That was your first mistake.

Next, people are lazy, expecting that anyone they hire knows all the best techniques to build and knows all the rules, codes and laws. That was mistake number two. Even though you hire people, you should have gone over critical details, especially about waterproofing and structural techniques on the plans, to make sure that the building owner looks for those steps to be carried out. You, the building owner, I always say, are the “eyes and ears” on the job, since the architect often isn’t there at critical times, when waterproofing membranes and materials are joined.

Mistake number three was not doing a water test with a garden hose when the finish siding, windows roofing, etc., had been applied. Simulating rain by pointing a hose skyward so that the water cascades down — not a direct fire-hose hit — tells you right away if something is failing.

You’re going to need a licensed expert — an architect or an engineer — to work with your attorney. Document everything with videos during simulated or storm events to show the water coming in and whatever other failures, such as leaking and disconnected air ducts, and hire people who can do the job correctly as soon as you can. You need to have a healthy home for your family, and a lawsuit could take years while you possibly get sick from the mold and the chlorine you’re breathing. 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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The Town of Hempstead needs a checkup

Like members of many families in the Town of Hempstead, I sit at my kitchen table and look at the same numbers you do. Mortgage. Property taxes. Utilities. Groceries. Gas. Insurance.

Everything costs more than it did a year ago. When you’re stretching every dollar just to keep up, the least you should expect from your local government is straight answers about where your tax money is going.

That’s why I formally requested that the New York state comptroller conduct an independent audit of the Town of Hempstead’s finances.

The comptroller’s office exists to provide independent, professional oversight of municipal finances. That kind of objective review strengthens public confidence and protects taxpayers. When questions arise, independent verification reassures everyone. The last publicly available audit on the town’s website is from 2019. Since then, leadership has changed. Budgets have shifted. Taxes have gone up. Financial decisions have been made that directly affect residents across the town.

Yet updated, audited financial statements are not readily accessible to the public.

Earlier this year, the town acknowledged in a public filing that its audited financial statements for fiscal year 2024 weren’t submitted on time. Officials said that a third-party firm had missed the deadline. But accountability ultimately rests with the town.

IAn audit isn’t just a stack of paperwork; it’s the public’s window into how their government manages their money. It tells taxpayers whether finances are stable, whether spending is sustainable, and whether today’s decisions will become tomorrow’s tax increases. Without clear, timely audits, residents are left guessing, and guesswork is no substitute for accountability.

account. Reserve funds are meant to provide stability during true emergencies or unexpected downturns. Just like a family’s savings, that money is there for when something goes wrong.

When that savings account is tapped, residents deserve to understand why, how much was spent, and what the long-term plan is to replenish it. If savings aren’t rebuilt, the pressure often shows up later as higher taxes, layoffs, or reduced services.

’ve requested that the state conduct an independent audit of the town’s finances.

Last year the town approved a 12 percent tax increase. By the end of the year, officials boasted that they would deliver an 18 percent reduction. But many residents say they didn’t feel meaningful relief. Some homeowners, particularly those outside incorporated villages, are reporting higher 2026 town tax bills. When the government says one thing but families experience another, confidence erodes.

The town has also drawn from its reserve funds — essentially its savings

That’s why transparency matters now, not years from now.

I’ve spoken with neighbors who attended budget hearings, hoping for straightforward answers, only to leave more confused than when they arrived. I’ve heard from residents who submitted Freedom of Information requests and received extension after extension, delaying answers they’re still waiting for. I’ve watched financial questions at Town Board meetings get redirected instead of answered directly.

Taken together, these concerns point to a simple conclusion: the need for clarity. An audit isn’t an attack. It’s a checkup. If everything is being managed properly, an independent audit will confirm that. If adjustments are needed, better to identify them now, before small con-

cerns become larger financial burdens for families already feeling squeezed.

I’m a Marine combat veteran. I later served as an NYPD officer and as a prosecutor. In each of those roles, accountability wasn’t optional; it was the foundation of trust. You follow the rules, meet deadlines, answer for your decisions. Government should operate by those same principles.

The same applies to the town animal shelter, a taxpayer-funded service that recently closed. Residents deserve clear explanations about decisions that affect services and tax dollars alike.

Families are working hard to stay in the Town of Hempstead. Seniors are trying to remain in the homes they’ve owned for decades. Young couples are wondering if they can afford to own a home and raise a family.

I know what matters to my family. Stability. Honesty. Affordability. Like you, we sit at the kitchen table and plan for the future. We count every dollar. We shouldn’t have to worry about surprises from Town Hall, because when every dollar matters at home, it should matter in government.

At the end of the day, this is about whether the people who built this community can afford to stay in it. That’s what I care about, and that’s what I’m fighting for.

Joseph Scianablo is the Democratic candidate for Town of Hempstead supervisor.

L.I. pays the price for New York City’s failed leadership

Long Islanders work hard for what they have. Families here build their lives around safe neighborhoods, good schools and the ability to provide for their children. The suburban way of life exists because generations believed in responsibility, accountability and earning their success through hard work.

Increasingly, the policies shaping Long Island’s future are not coming from Long Island. They are coming from New York City.

That reality became unmistakably clear on Feb. 11, during a public hearing in Albany. As ranking member of the Assembly Local Governments Committee, I was questioning New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani in a televised hearing. My questions focused on public safety, antisemitism and the realworld consequences of the Mamdani administration’s decisions.

In the middle of my questioning, my microphone was turned off. The supporters of the mayor, who control the com-

mittee, silenced the ranking member while he was performing his official duties. Other legislators were permitted to continue speaking freely. My questioning was stopped the moment it became uncomfortable for Mamdani.

That moment revealed everything Long Islanders need to understand. If the elected representative of suburban communities can be silenced while questioning the mayor of New York City, the voices of everyday Long Islanders are even easier to ignore.

IAlbany responds with policies that place additional pressure on taxpayers across the state, including Long Island families. Mamdani frequently speaks about working people. He has never lived the life of a working-class laborer. I have.

n the middle of my questioning of Mayor Mamdani, my mic was turned off.

This imbalance defines how Albany operates. Legislative priorities are driven by New York City’s political pressures. Housing policies punish property owners. Regulations expand government control. Tax burdens continue to rise. These policies may serve New York City’s political leadership, but they undermine the suburban communities that form the backbone of New York state.

Mamdani recently proposed raising New York City property taxes by nearly 10 percent while draining billions from reserve funds. That approach reflects a pattern of fiscal irresponsibility. When New York City mismanages its finances,

I’m originally from Franklin Square, and I am a carpenter who has spent five decades swinging a hammer, building homes and working with my hands. I understand what it means to wake up early, work in the heat and cold, and earn every dollar through physical effort.

Working people deserve leaders who understand their lives, not politicians who only talk about them.

Long Islanders live those values every day. Residents here prioritize safe communities, homeownership and fiscal responsibility. Families invest their savings in their homes and neighborhoods because they believe in stability and opportunity. These principles created the quality of life that makes Long Island one of the most desirable places to live.

New York City’s political leadership increasingly embraces a different model. Government expands. Taxes rise. Accountability disappears. The conse-

quences spread far beyond city limits and reach suburban communities like ours.

This issue is bigger than party labels. Long Islanders care about preserving their suburban way of life. Residents want safe streets, affordable living and leadership that respects the people who built these communities.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has demonstrated that suburban communities can be protected and strengthened. His leadership has prioritized public safety, fiscal discipline and defending the interests of Long Island residents. He understands that Long Island is not an extension of New York City. Long Island is its own community, with its own values and its own identity.

New York state needs leadership that understands that distinction. Long Island deserves a governor who will stand up for suburban communities, restore balance in Albany and ensure that our voices are never silenced or ignored.

The events of Feb. 11 were a reminder of what’s at stake. Long Islanders can’t afford to remain silent while decisions are made that shape our future without our input.

Long Island deserves to be heard, deserves to be respected and deserves leadership that will fight for its future.

Ari Brown represents the 20th Assembly District.

Incorporating

Hernesto

HERALD

Sunshine week keeps democracy in the light

every March we observe Sunshine Week, a national initiative dedicated to one of democracy’s most powerful disinfectants: light. This year, Sunshine Week will be celebrated March 15 to 21, anchored by Freedom of Information Day on March 16, the birthday of James Madison. The timing is symbolic and significant. Sunshine Week reminds us that open government is not a luxury. It is a necessity.

Launched in 2005 and rooted in the pioneering 1972 Colorado Sunshine Act, Sunshine Week was created to raise awareness of the public’s right to know. At its core is a simple but profound idea: Democracy works best when the people can see what their government is doing. Transparency is not about satisfying curiosity, it’s about accountability, trust and ensuring that power remains where it belongs: with the citizens.

Sunshine Week’s foundation is the principle that government records and proceedings belong to the public. Taxpayer dollars fund government operations; therefore, the public has both a legal and moral right to understand how decisions are made and how money is spent.

Freedom of Information laws at the federal and state levels give citizens access to public documents, from village board minutes to federal agency communications. But these laws are only as strong as the public’s willingness to use them. Like muscles, transparency laws weaken without exercise. When citizens

stop requesting records, attending meetings and asking questions, secrecy grows stronger.

Open meetings and public records are not bureaucratic technicalities; they are the mechanisms that keep democracy breathing. Transparency reveals how taxpayers’ money is spent, how contracts are awarded and how policies are shaped. It enables watchdog groups, journalists and everyday citizens to trace decisions from proposal to outcome.

Without openness, the risk of waste, fraud and abuse increases. History repeatedly shows that secrecy breeds complacency and, at times, corruption. Open government, by contrast, ensures that decisions must withstand scrutiny. It does not weaken institutions — it strengthens them. Sunshine Week underscores a critical truth: When the public can see the process, officials are more likely to act responsibly.

In times of crisis — economic downturns, national security challenges or public health emergencies — secrecy often expands. Officials may argue that swift action requires less oversight. While emergencies can justify temporary discretion, they must never become permanent excuses for opacity.

Democracy demands vigilance. Sunshine Week serves as an annual reminder that transparency must be defended, especially when it feels inconvenient. Freedom of information cannot be indefinitely sidelined without eroding public trust.

Supporting Sunshine Week means protecting democracy itself. Openness prevents the concentration of unchecked power and ensures that elected officials remain responsive to citizens rather than to special interests.

Transparency helps parents question school board policies, residents examine zoning proposals and taxpayers track infrastructure spending. It provides communities with the tools to advocate for fair and effective governance.

It also allows us, as journalists, to do our jobs. We rely on open-records laws to uncover stories about misuse of funds, conflicts of interest and public safety failures. It’s why studies show that the presence of a local newspaper in a community mitigates waste, fraud and abuse.

Public trust in government is fragile. One of the most effective ways to build and sustain that trust is through transparency. When agencies proactively release information and conduct business in public view, suspicion diminishes.

Transparency does not guarantee agreement. Citizens, and government officials, may still debate policies and priorities. But openness fosters understanding, and understanding is the bedrock of trust.

So this Sunshine Week, take a moment to reflect on the importance of open meetings and public records. And vow to step up whenever someone tries to turn off the light of transparency.

It’s ‘the power of the state against the people of the nation’

To the Editor:

Re Peter King’s column, “There are better ways to resolve the immigration crisis,” in the Feb. 12-18 issue: Immigration is a problem, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement exemplifies the real, much larger crisis. Immigration is a longstanding issue, and many “better ways” have been proposed over the past 30 years, as Mr. King knows. In fact, one such proposal was on track for bipartisan approval last year until President Trump and his allies killed it. ICE has operated for decades with little notice. Violence was seldom used, citizens were not arrested, and habeas corpus was observed — until Trump. The Border Patrol previously confined its racist brutality close to the Mexican border, until Republicans expanded the “border” to a 100-mile-wide

opinions Protecting those that can’t protect themselves

in the Town of Hempstead, we believe in putting compassion before convenience and responsibility before profit. That belief guides our approach to public safety, quality of life and, increasingly, animal welfare. Today it compels us to confront a growing problem in communities across the nation: unlicensed backyard breeding of cats and dogs. Let me be clear — this is not about responsible, licensed breeders who follow the law and treat animals humanely. This is about unregulated, profit-driven operations that put money over the well-being of animals. It’s about puppies and kittens born into overcrowded, unsanitary conditions. It’s about animals separated from their mothers too early. It’s about preventable suffering.

Protecting animals is not a fringe issue. It is a reflection of who we are as a community.

When breeding is left unchecked, the consequences ripple far beyond a single household. Overpopulation strains local shelters. Inbreeding leads to serious, lifelong health problems. Animals raised without proper veterinary care

Letters

or humane conditions often become sick or behaviorally distressed. Too many are ultimately abandoned or surrendered when medical bills mount or behavioral challenges become overwhelming.

At the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter, we see the results firsthand. Our dedicated staff works tirelessly to rehabilitate, treat and rehome animals that deserved better from the start. I’m proud to say that our shelter is a no-kill facility, committed to longterm case management, specialized rehabilitation, behavior training and strong partnerships with rescue groups and sanctuaries. But even the best shelter can’t solve a problem that begins with irresponsible breeding practices.

waccountability where, too often, there has been none.

e’re cracking down on the unlicensed breeding of cats and dogs.

Additionally, the legislation limits female cats and dogs to no more than one litter in a 12-month period. This will help prevent overbreeding, which can be physically taxing and dangerous for animals. The law will also prohibit the transfer or adoption of puppies or kittens before they are 8 weeks old, unless a veterinarian determines it is medically necessary. Those first weeks are critical to an animal’s development. Separating them too early can lead to long-term health and behavioral issues.

on proper medical care. They rely entirely on us. When breeding becomes a backyard business driven by quick cash, animals pay the price — with their health, their safety and sometimes their lives.

This legislation is about prevention. It targets a root cause of shelter overcrowding and animal suffering. By requiring registration, limiting excessive litters and ensuring that basic standards are met, we can reduce the number of animals that end up abandoned, neglected or surrendered in the first place.

That’s why we are passing legislation to crack down on unlicensed backyard breeders and establish meaningful oversight.

Under our proposal, any litter of puppies or kittens born in the Town of Hempstead must be registered with the town within 30 days. The registry — operated through the animal shelter — will document the approximate birth date, species and breed, the address where the animals are housed and the veterinarian providing care. This simple step will introduce transparency and

zone. Even then, cities were not invaded — not even El Paso or Brownsville, much less Portland or Milwaukee — until Trump.

The Department of Homeland Security pursued its intended mission: defending against 9/11 or Beirutand Benghazi-style attacks by foreign terrorists, seldom making the news. Then Trump decided that the homeland itself — Chicago, Los Angeles, Springfield, Ill. — was the “enemy within,” rife with “domestic terrorists” like Alex Pretti, who must be prevented from voting. Meanwhile, Trump allied himself with Saudi Arabian interests, the major sources of the 9/11 and other “homeland” assaults. Remember Jamal Khashoggi.

The FBI, formerly our premier law enforcement agency, is now Trumpified, refusing to investigate homicides by federal agents, interfering with state ballots, arresting journalists and charging members of Congress with sedition. In earlier times, Peter King himself might have been among those in such felonious jeopardy. The depth, breadth and pervasiveness of corruption in all of this is obvious, with beneficiaries openly paying well for more of this new form of republican government — modeled on ancient Rome’s republic of patricians and plebes, paterfamilias all. Our government is using the power of the state against the people of the nation. That is the crisis. Currently, the best — and perhaps only — way to resolve both the crisis and the problem is to end MAGA’s abuse of government, from Blakeman and Garbarino to Vance and Trump.

BRIAn KELLy Rockville Centre

Violations would carry fines starting at $250 and increasing to $500 for repeat offenses. But our goal is compliance, not punishment. Enforcement will largely be complaint-driven, empowering residents to report suspected illegal breeding in their neighborhoods. Our Building Department and the animal shelter will work together to investigate and enforce the law.

Some may ask: Why focus on this? Why make it a priority?

Because the way we treat animals speaks volumes about our values.

Animals cannot advocate for themselves. They cannot report abuse, demand clean living conditions or insist

Framework by Tim Baker

Communities across the country are grappling with the consequences of backyard breeding. Here in the Town of Hempstead, we intend to lead. We have long been at the forefront of animal welfare initiatives, and we will continue to make animal safety a priority of this administration.

Protecting animals is not only the right thing to do — it strengthens our entire community. Fewer animals in crisis means fewer strained resources, safer neighborhoods and more successful adoptions. Most important, it means fewer animals suffering in silence.

In the Town of Hempstead, we are proud to say: paws before profits. And we will continue working every day to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

John Ferretti is the Town of Hempstead supervisor.