Ashton Harris, from left, Logan Harris, River La Sala, and Sedona La Sala were all dressed up and had plenty of places to go during The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores annual Halloween parade, trunk-or-treat, and carnival on Oct. 25. Story, more photos, Page 3.
By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
For three-quarters of a century, Temple Beth Am has been a cornerstone of Jewish life in Merrick and Bellmore. Established in 1950, the Reform congregation began humbly, holding services in a nursery school, fire hall, Presbyterian church, and a center for cerebral palsy, before moving into its first permanent home in December 1954.
The temple expanded in 1974 and, nearly four decades later, merged with Shaarei Shalom of Bellmore to form Temple Beth Am – The Reform Jewish Congregation of Merrick and Bellmore. Today, it remains a place that embraces tradition while evolving with change.
Among those guiding the congregation for-
ward is Jeff Newman, the vice president of ritual and president of the Chai Society. Newman, 80, coordinated the 75th anniversary gala that took place in the Temple Social Hall on Oct. 18. He recently reflected on the synagogue’s milestone anniversary and the enduring spirit that defines Temple Beth Am.
Q: Temple Beth Am is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. What does that milestone mean to you and the congregation?
A: “The milestone is absolutely amazing. I’m an active member for 41 years. I’ve held many different posts through the temple. And to have this milestone, knowing how it is these days, not just with synagogues, but all houses of worship
By CHARlES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
A turf field at Seamans Neck Park in Seaford was recently named in honor of the late Town of Hempstead Councilman Chris Carini, who dedicated his time in office to championing park and infrastructure improvements for the town’s residents.
The dedication ceremony, held on the baseball turf field on Oct. 19, brought together dozens of friends and family of the late councilman to witness the event.
Hplate and reads “Councilman Chris Carini Field.” Joey, 13, has played in the Seaford Little League and for the Broncos since kindergarten. Danielle called it “an honor” to have a field named after her husband and said she was happy to see the community come together to celebrate it.
e’d be so proud of this turnout and that kids will be able to play on this field for years to come.
In attendance were elected officials, Beyond the Badge NY, the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce and several members of law enforcement. The Seaford Little League and the Seaford Broncos, a football and cheerleading organization that competes in the Nassau County Youth Football League, were also in attendance.
DANIEllE CARINI Wife of the late Town of Hempstead councilman
Carini’s wife, Danielle, and their son, Joey, unveiled the sign, which hangs above home
“He’d be so proud of this turnout and that kids will be able to play on this field for years to come,” she said.
Carini, a Seaford resident, was involved with local sports, having coached both the Seaford Little League and the Seaford Broncos. Since 2020, he served as councilman for the town’s 5th District, which includes Wantagh, Seaford, Bellmore, Merrick, Freeport, Lido Beach and Point Lookout. He died unexpectedly on July 14, 2024, at age 49, while visiting family in Florida.
Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti hosted the ceremony, calling Carini a “dedicated public servant” who had an
Continued on page 5
By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
Residents in the Bellmore-Merrick area and beyond turned out to safely dispose of unused and expired medications during the community’s latest “Shed the Meds” collection event, held Oct. 25 at the Brookside School.
The annual initiative encourages residents to drop off unwanted prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, needles and other sharps to help prevent misuse and protect the environment.
This year, organizers collected 23 large bags of medications and 40 containers of sharps — totaling roughly 410 pounds — according to the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District officials.
“On behalf of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, the Bellmore-Merrick Community Coalition, and the Community Parent Center, we would like to extend our sincere thanks for your participation and assistance at our 12th Drug Take-Back Day at the Brookside School,” the district said in a statement. “Your dedication, commitment, and support helped make this event a tremendous success. We were truly overwhelmed by the community’s response.”
Eric Caballero, the district’s director of physical education, athletics, driver education, and health, said people began lining up as early as 9 a.m. to dispose of their unwanted medications.
“It went great,” he said. “That’s 23 less bags of drugs that are in someone’s household.”
“Shed the Meds” has become a longstanding collaboration among the school district, the Bellmore-Merrick Community Coalition, the Community Parent Center, local county legislators and the Nassau County Police Department. The effort has been underway for about a decade, Caballero noted, and has become a familiar fixture in the community’s calendar.
“It’s always a good day,” Caballero said. “It’s a collective effort. We work with some of our local county legislatures and the Nassau County Police Department. It’s a community event that’s been going for probably about a decade or so now.”
According to the school district, more than 2,000 teens between the ages of 12 and 17 begin abusing prescription drugs. Experts warn that misuse of prescription narcotics often serves as a gateway to illegal drugs such as heroin. The rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States remain alarmingly high, as do the numbers of accidental poisonings and overdoses. Most abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends—often from home medicine cabinets.
By offering a drive-up, drop-off system, the program aims to make proper disposal easy and accessible while reducing the possibility of medications being misused, accidentally ingested or flushed into waterways.
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By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
Downtown Bellmore transformed into a sea of costumes and color on Oct. 25, when the The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores hosted its annual Halloween parade, trunk-or-treat and carnival.
Costumed children and families kicked off the parade in front of the Bellmore Movies on Pettit Avenue before making their way up Bedford Avenue. Along the route, participating merchants welcomed trick-or-treaters with candy and other good-
ies.
After the parade, the festivities continued in the Long Island Rail Road parking lot, where attendees enjoyed a trunk-ortreat and fair. Halloween characters mingled among the crowd, and children lined up for face painting, balloon animals and temporary tattoos. A lively magic show added to the fun, delighting kids of all ages.
The annual parade and carnival highlighted the chamber’s ongoing efforts to bring the community together through family-friendly celebrations that also support local businesses.
Face painter
Gabby Lavoie added a touch of sparkle to five-year-old Olivia Sottile
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Police and first responders at the scene of a fatal
North Bellmore on Oct. 26. Daniel Bliss, 63, of North Bellmore was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
A North Bellmore man was killed in a hit-and-run crash involving a motorcycle late Sunday night, and a Levittown man has been arrested in connection with the incident, Nassau County police said.
The crash occurred around 11 p.m. on Oct. 26, when a 59-year-old man driving a 2009 Chevrolet westbound on North Jerusalem Road struck a 63-year-old motorcyclist traveling eastbound near Sherman Avenue, according to homicide detectives.
Police identified the victim as Daniel Bliss, 63, of North Bellmore. He suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Chevrolet fled the
On Oct. 20, an employee at CVS on Jerusalem Avenue in North Bellmore reported that an unidentified female stole merchandise.
scene on foot, police said. Officers searched the area and located the suspect, identified as Patrick Thompson, of Levittown, a short distance away. He was taken into custody without incident with the assistance of the department’s canine unit.
Following an investigation, Thompson was charged with vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident resulting in a fatality, and driving while intoxicated.
He was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Oct. 27. The investigation is ongoing.
—Brian Kacharaba
On Oct. 21, someone reported that $200 was stolen from his vehicle while parked at Crunch Fitness on Centre Avenue in Bellmore.
People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.
“immeasurable” impact on the community.
“Chris did so much for the Seaford community,” Ferretti said. “When kids and parents come here to enjoy America’s pastime, they’ll see Chris’s name, and his legacy of serving the community will live on.”
Carini played a key role in securing funding and advancing the Seamans Neck Park field upgrades, which broke ground in 2021. He helped obtain the $2 million investment through the town’s capital improvement program, citing an improved bond rating that allowed the town to borrow at lower costs and save taxpayers money. Carini also worked closely with Little League leaders to address drainage issues that had left fields unusable after rain.
“He helped make this happen,” Christopher Roth, Seaford Little League president, said of Carini’s accomplishments regarding the turf field. “He was an amazing supporter of the Seaford Little League.”
Councilman Chris Schneider, who was sworn in to fill Carini’s seat and won election to retain it last year, said the naming of the field was a “perfect” tribute to the late councilman.
“This is a place that he really loved being at,” Schneider said. “When I think of Chris Carini, I have good memories of him at Seamans Neck
the town of Hempstead honored the late Councilman Chris Carini by naming a turf field at Seamans neck park
him. the honor pays tribute to his years of public service, dedication to youth sports, and key role in securing the $2 million in upgrades that transformed the park into a safer, more modern recreational space for local families.
Park watching his son play baseball.”
Carini’s friend, State Sen. Steve Rhoads, who also attended the event, said providing safe places for kids to play was one of Carini’s passions as a councilman.
“To see this field — that he fought so hard to improve — dedicated in his honor is a fitting tribute to him,” Rhoads said. “It’s a reminder to all of us of what public service is about:
making our community better.”
Carini held a long career in public service, including more than two decades in law enforcement with the NYPD, MTA, and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department. He was also involved in community safety, civic activities, and local quality-of-life initiatives.
After the dedication ceremony, the Little League held an exhibition game
on the field, with Danielle throwing out the first pitch to her son. A memorial sign with a biography of Councilman Carini was also unveiled on the fence leading to the ballfield.
“Every time a child steps onto this field, and every time a family gathers here to cheer on a game, Chris’s legacy of public service and community involvement will live on,” Ferretti said.
The Sanford H. Calhoun High School On Tour Company opened its 2025-26 season with its production of “As You Like It” on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25, marking the first two performances of the fall play.
The show, directed by James Crichton, offered a contemporary interpretation of the Shakespearean comedy, placing the story in early 20th-century New England during the rise of American industrialization. The setting reimagines the Forest of Arden as the wooded edges of the Adirondacks, where those seeking meaning escape the pressures of an encroaching industrial world.
The cast features Kara Dobbs as Rosalind, Holly Henrickson as Celia, Evan Leicht as Orlando, and Carlos Miranda-Perez as Touchstone, among a wide ensemble of Calhoun student performers. The company’s approach emphasizes transformation and self-discovery, ideas reflected both in the script and the updated setting.
The performance space itself contributed to the atmosphere, with the audience seated very close to stage and near the actors. This intimate configuration allowed viewers to watch the story unfold only a few feet away, heightening emotional moments and comic exchanges alike.
Behind the scenes, the production was supported by a detailed creative effort. Nick Giordano served as technical director and designer for sets and lighting, Lydia Gladstone designed the costumes, and Tony Melfa handled sound. Original music composed by junior Jake Schwartz added another dis-
Charles, played by Jackson Amiruddin, flexes his muscles during the fight
tinctive layer to the staging.
The production continues with two additional performances on Nov. 1, including an understudy matinee at 2 p.m., led by Amiera Cavé and Addison Kelson in the roles of Rosalind and Celia, respectively, followed by the final evening performance at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors, available at the door.
Brian Kacharaba
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Bruce Blakeman has had four years to make his mark as Nassau County executive — and he believes he has delivered. From boosting public safety to cutting taxes and protecting the county’s quality of life, his administration has stayed focused on core priorities.
Blakeman, 70, spent his early political career in various offices in the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County. He was the commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from 2001 to 2009, and was appointed to the Hempstead Town Board in 2015. Blakeman challenged then County Executive Laura Curran in 2021, and won.
As he seeks a second term, Blakeman told Herald reporters at a roundtable: “Now I have a record to run on.”
He acknowledged Las Vegas Sands’ withdrawal from its proposed casino project at the Nassau Hub, noting that alternative development plans are now progressing under a “Plan B” strategy. That alternate plan, Blakeman said, includes entertainment, residential, retail and hospitality components. Sands is now working with local developers to refine the new proposal, interviewing and vetting potential options, and Blakeman said he hoped to have information to present to the public in early January.
He expressed pride in the county’s partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — the first of its kind in the U.S. — which is using a portion of the Nassau County Correctional Center in East Meadow to hold detainees.
“I think the general public is very happy,” he said. “It’s made us a much safer county.”
In regard to the state’s takeover of Nassau University Medical Center, also in East Meadow, Blakeman said
County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is seeking re-election, touted his successes over the past four years. From public safety to quality of life, he believes he has delivered what he promised for Nassau County.
that in recent years, New York’s leadership has eliminated the hospital’s funding. It was headed in the right direction, he said, under its previous leadership, eliminating its financial deficit and maintaining its commitment to treating underserved populations.
He said he believed the state’s actions suggest an intent to either close the hospital or repurpose it as a mental health facility. “I think it’s nefarious,” he said, “and I think that it’s deleterious to the health of the community.”
Blakeman expressed support for his civilian deputy force, which he said is not a “militia.” Under state law, he said, county executives have the right to declare emergencies and deputize people for service.
“I created nothing more than a database of people who are willing to serve, who will be willing to train without getting paid,” he said. Most are military veterans or former law enforcement, he added, and will undergo firearms training in accordance with state law.
He also defended the county’s transgender sport ban, which prevents transgender women and girls from competing on female sports teams at county-run parks and facilities. The bill, he said, received highly publicized support from Caitlin Jenner.
Blakeman also highlighted rising home values, the hiring of 600 new law enforcement officers, and seven Wall Street credit rating upgrades over the past four years — indicators, he said, of a structurally sound and fiscally responsible county budget.
Blakeman acknowledged that there is a need to address housing affordability for young people and senior citizens, but added that he disagreed with the state’s attempts to supersede local control.
“We’re densely populated, and we don’t have the land, and the public doesn’t want the density,” he said. “That’s why people move to the suburbs, and out of an urban environment.”
By JORDAN VALLONE
jvallone@liherald.com
Seth Koslow wears many hats — husband, dad, attorney and legislator in Nassau’ County’s 5th District. This year the Democrat has taken on a new challenge: running for county executive against incumbent Bruce Blakeman. His campaign has focused on values like transparency, common-sense policies and bipartisan communication.
Koslow, 43, grew up in Baldwin, and now lives in Merrick with his wife, three children and their rescue dog, Coco. After college he worked in a variety of sales jobs before returning to law school. He started his career as a prosecutor in the Queens district attorney’s office, and now has his own law practice.
In 2023, he won an open seat in the 5th District, which encompasses Merrick, Freeport and parts of North Bellmore. When the opportunity arose for him to run for county executive, he decided to take it.
“The same way I wanted to make a difference in my district,” he told Herald reporters at a roundtable interview, “I want to make a difference in the county.”
Koslow was critical of the Blakeman administration’s communication with the Legislature’s minority caucus, and he pointed to the Nassau University Medical Center as a “perfect example” of where the county lacks transparency. The public hospital in East Meadow, which serves all patients regardless of their ability to pay for medical care, was taken over by New York state earlier this year.
“Instead of actually working with the state to save the hospital, (Blakeman) fought with them, and now we lost control,” Koslow said.
He said he had similar concerns about the Nassau
Tim Baker/Herald
County Legislator Seth Koslow is Bruce Blakeman’s Democratic challenger for the county executive seat. He was critical of the county’s lack of transparency and bipartisan communication.
County Correctional Center, also in East Meadow. The county agreed to a partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is using a portion of the jail to hold detainees. In September, a Honduran national in custody at the jail died, roughly 18 hours after he was detained.
“We don’t know what’s going on with the buildings at the jail, whether ICE is using buildings indepen -
dently,” Koslow said. “It’s a lack of transparency — it’s a lack of planning for the county.”
With Las Vegas Sands officially stepping away from its casino proposal at the Nassau Coliseum site, Koslow said that while he doesn’t have a real estate background, he is open to partnering with others to find the best path forward for the Nassau Hub. He outlined a vision that includes a convention center, a hotel and housing, elements he believes would support revenue generation, boost tourism and promote development.
Koslow was very critical of Nassau County’s “militia” — a unit of armed volunteer residents that, he said, makes the county “less safe” and raises chain-ofcommand and liability issues. Koslow said that the Nassau County Police Department does a great job, describing them as “well-trained” and “very responsive,” and he couldn’t picture a situation in which armed volunteers would be necessary.
He also disagreed with the county’s transgender sport ban, which prevents transgender women and girls from competing on female sports teams at countyrun parks and facilities.
“Let the (local) leagues handle it,” he said. “It’s not a county issue.”
Koslow said that the county needs to return to a “traditional” separation of the branches of government. If elected, he said, he would let legislators “do their jobs.”
“If I don’t necessarily like a law they pass, I have the right not to sign,” he said. “But that also gives me some leverage to negotiate.”
Local government, he said, has to work to support the people. “We’re talking about life and death here,” Koslow said. “We’re talking about your safety. We can’t play games in local politics.”
Compiled by Herald staff
Destin Guerrier 9, Uniondale
I love going shopping for my costume! I want to be a Minecraft character this year.
Courtesy Ebony Guerrier
Mandell 6, Atlantic Beach
I like eating candy, picking candy from people and dressing up!
Berman/Herald
Stella Madero Massapequa
Seeing the kids dress up and enjoy it. I love giving kids their candy and seeing the excitement on their faces.
Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald
where membership is down, so it’s hard to function and it’s hard to survive. Nassau County has 219 synagogues and, of the 219, 10 up until recently made it to 75 years. We are number 11. That is just amazing.”
Q: What do you think has allowed Temple Beth Am to endure for so long?
The milestone is absolutely amazing.
Jeff NewmaN Vice president of ritual
A: “We had long-term clergy. In the beginning, there was just lay leadership. And it was even before we had a building that would meet in the firehouse and other places. And then after there was finally a building, there was a rabbi and somebody else just doing part-time cantorial things. They went through one or two rabbis, I think, before Rabbi [Sanford] Saperstein came on board. And he was the glue. I only knew him a little bit because we joined in his last year when we joined and he served for 27 years as a spiritual leader of the synagogue. And during that period, there were only three different cantors. The last one who was with him served for many years also, and I think that helps to pull the congregation together…long-term leadership that everybody likes.”
Q: What makes Temple Beth Am unique among Long Island’s Reform congregations?
A: “Our leadership, in both clergy and lay leadership. We care. We don’t have any ‘infighting.’ If we have disagreements among the lay leadership, we usually resolve it. We make it happen. Our clergy, our spiritual leadership definitely makes us above everybody in my feeling. I know many of the other rabbis in the area, not just Reform rabbis, Conservative and lords of docs. It sets us apart from other synagogues because we have this leadership.”
Q: You chaired the search committee that brought Rabbi Michael “Mickey” Baum to the temple. What stood out to you about him?
A: “Hamish (down to earth). That was the ultimate honor as far as volunteering myself and to really be involved in choosing the spiritual leadership for the next 20-plus years. At that time, he was our director of education, and I knew him pretty well, and most people did almost 20 years already at that point. I interviewed everybody for an hour, at least on the phone prior to the committee getting involved. It came down to Rabbi Mickey and another rabbi who was very staid. By the way, this is during the period now where we’re losing members. And we thought in committee that we need somebody who’s Hamish, somebody who’s going to work and embrace the cantor, as opposed to just working with the cantor, and embrace the membership as their own friend. We decided on Rabbi Mickey because we felt we needed somebody who’s going to be down in the dirt, down in the trenches, with everybody else.”
Q: How would you describe the relationship between the Merrick and Bellmore communities within the merged congregation?
A: “We have always had a lot of members from Bellmore in our synagogue. The merge was good. There weren’t a lot of members left in Shaarei Shalom. Rabbi [Paul] Kushner came over along with his wife, Shoshana. We loved Rabbi Kushner. He did lead services and give sermons in his retirement. He loved doing it and was very learned. What a wonderful man and what a
loss when he passed. One of our co-presidents right now, Mark Spivack came over. A fellow by the name of Jerry Glassman, who was a past president at Shaarei Shalom, he came and stayed for a very long time until he passed. Some people are still here who were not active, but they’re just members and they come to services. Of course, they’re very happy with Rabbi Mickey. So that’s the way the merge went.
Q: How was the 75th anniversary gala on Oct. 18?
A: “Pre-COVID, I realized we were coming up to 70, and I said to [Baum], ‘Why don’t we do a 70th anniversary party?’ And we formed a committee, and we started getting to talk about it. And then along came COVID, and that squashed the whole thing. While we were bringing the synagogue out of COVID while I was president, that was quite a job. And Rabbi kept asking me, ‘Jeff, we can do a 75th?’ And I said, ‘Yeah.’ I run a lot of the events and I had a vision of how I want to do it. Unfortunately, it was just too huge a thing to do as far as what we were going to do and what we would have to charge for a ticket, so we downsized it a
little bit, and we had a magnificent affair this past Saturday night with over 100 people in attendance and some wonderful entertainment, an amazing caterer that I was finally able to use for an event at the temple.”
Q: As vice president of ritual and leader of the Chai Society, what are your priorities looking ahead?
A: “The priorities are to continue on the path of growing our membership. I don’t like to use the word congregation. To me, Temple Beth, translated loosely, means house of the people. And I like to remind people that we’re members. I don’t like to use the word congregation. So to build our membership, to build our family, that is a goal for me. We have a tremendous amount of involvement between brotherhood and sisterhood and the social club and Chai Society. We have so much going on because it needs to be a center, not just a place to go and pray. It needs to be a community center where you get together for social events and to do things and to be together and meet new people and make new friends.”
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
For the second time in three seasons, Kennedy’s football team has secured at least a .500 finish against conference rivals.
The Cougars, whose lone win in 2024 came in a season-ending non-conference matchup against Oyster Bay, ripped off three straight victories in October before falling 54-14 to visiting New Hyde Park last Saturday to slip to 4-3 in Conference II with a trip to MacArthur on deck.
“We’ve been progressing ever week,” Kennedy head coach John McGuire said. “Kids are excited. If you asked me in August we’d be 4-2 going into the last two games, I’d sign up in two seconds.”
Ranked No. 12 in the 14-team conference, the Cougars have knocked off Roslyn twice, as well as Jericho and Roosevelt. McGuire said their 33-14 win at Roosevelt Oct. 11 was the most impressive of the four.
“That was huge to beat a higher-seeded team,” he explained. “Coach [Joe] Vito is a legend and Roosevelt has a rich
football tradition.”
Behind senior Anthony Scali, who torched the Rough Rider defense for 202 yards rushing and four touchdowns, Kennedy exploded to a 26-8 halftime lead and never looked back. Scali had only 11 carries but made the most of them, covering 7, 12, 51 and 21 yards on his scoring runs.
The defense was also lights out against Roosevelt, led by seniors Dom Vaglica’s pair of interceptions and Chase Rule’s two forced fumbles and one recovery. Vaglica also added a 6-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to give the hosts a 19-8 lead.
Against Jericho, junior quarterback Dylan Babek, Scali and sophomore Nico Pasquariello starred as the Cougars scored a touchdown in every quarter and earned a 27-7 victory. Babek and Scali hooked up through the air for two scores, a 42-yard connection in the second quarter and a 23-yard dagger in the fourth. Babek opened the scoring with a 2-yard rushing touchdown. Pasquariello had 86 yards on the ground and a touchdown. Senior Jake Epstein’s 11 tackles and junior C.J. Siegler’s nine stops and
two sacks led the defensive effort. Siegler has six sacks on the year.
Roslyn remains winless and the Cougars are part of the reason why. They rolled over the Bulldogs 34-0 on the road Sept. 20 and 49-14 at home Oct. 18. Scali had four touchdowns and senior Johnathan Mazzio one in the first meeting, while juniors Demetri Christopoulos and Jonny Cohen each had an interception. The rematch saw Scali not only rush for three scores but answer both Roslyn touchdowns with kickoff-return touchdowns of 80 and 90 yards, respectively.
“Anthony is having an unbelievable season,” McGuire said of Scali, an AllCounty candidate who has 763 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns behind an offensive line that’s been led by seniors Ian Garcia and Ethan Polinsky, juniors Aaron Ribenbach, Connor Timoney and Ryder Bac6 hisin.
Garcia is out for the remainder of the year with an injury, replaced by senior Logan Cohen. Senior Christian Cruz started in place of the injured Bachisin last week but the latter could be back Thursday evening at MacArthur. Kickoff is 6 p.m.
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
John Ferretti says the purpose of serving in local government is to make a difference in people’s lives every day — something he hopes to continue if he is elected to a full term as Hempstead town supervisor.
Ferretti, of Levittown, said he was proud of his record as a Nassau County legislator, where he opposed tax increases and supported responsible budgeting. In seven and a half years in the Legislature, he helped reduce county taxes by $70 million and block $150 million in proposed hikes. His top priority, he said, is ensuring that the community he grew up in remains affordable for families.
“My track record as an elected official is very clear,” Ferretti said, “I am a tax cutter, and that’s the way to keep residents able to continue to live in the homes that they grew up in, like myself.”
Ferretti, a Republican, was appointed town supervisor on Aug. 5 following Don Clavin’s resignation. Since he took office, the town passed a 2026 budget that cuts property taxes by $5 million. Ferretti said it is the responsibility of local officials to do everything possible to help residents afford to stay in the communities where they grew up.
His appointment was not without controversy. His Democratic opponent, Joseph Scianablo, filed a lawsuit claiming that Ferretti and the town board violated the state’s Open Meetings Law, which requires 24 hours’ public notice for resolutions scheduled at meetings. In response, the board reappointed Ferretti at its Sept. 16 meeting — a move town officials said was necessary to protect taxpayers from the lawsuit. On Oct. 9, State Supreme Court Justice Gary Carlton ruled that the Aug. 5 appointment had violated the law, finding
Tim Baker/Herald
John Ferretti, who was appointed Hempstead town supervisor in August, says he wants to continue serving residents by keeping taxes low, supporting law enforcement and protecting the town’s quality of life.
that plans had been made before the meeting.
Ferretti emphasized that his appointment was not nullified. He said he could not comment on the pending litigation, but remained confident that the town would prevail in the case.
As supervisor, Ferretti said, he wants to prioritize public safety. He noted that during his time in the County Legislature, he supported measures to provide law enforcement with the tools they need, and led the
effort to reopen police precincts that had been closed. He also co-sponsored the Mask Transparency Act, which bans wearing face coverings in public to conceal identities.
Ferretti said he wanted police to be fully funded, and given the opportunity to put criminals behind bars. He said that he was against public safety reforms, such as bail reform and “Raise the Age” laws.
In response to Scianablo’s claims that he lacks transparency, Ferretti said he demonstrated openness in the budget process by publishing the preliminary budget several days before the Sept. 30 deadline and posting subsequent amendments online with more than 24 hours’ notice — a step not legally required and not customarily taken prior to his administration, he said.
“Every opportunity we have had since Aug. 5 to be transparent, we have taken that opportunity,” he said.
Ferretti said he supports protecting the town’s suburban quality of life, and opposes state efforts to allow high-rise apartments or change local zoning laws. He added that while Scianablo has called his appointment an advantage in the race, it’s only an advantage if he proves himself through his work.
“I believe that so far, from Aug. 5 until today,” Ferretti said, “my record has been pretty flawless.”
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
Democrat Joseph Scianablo, a Marine combat veteran, former NYPD officer and prosecutor, is running for Town of Hempstead supervisor on a platform of restoring transparency, lowering taxes and holding local government accountable.
Scianablo, of Garden City, said he is running because of what he views as a lack of transparency from the current Town Board. He noted that families across the town are feeling the strain of rising costs — from a 12 percent property tax hike to increases in water, power and fuel bills.
Following the Aug. 5 appointment of his Republican opponent, John Ferretti, as town supervisor, Scianablo filed a lawsuit alleging that Ferretti and the board violated the state’s Open Meetings Law, which requires 24 hours’ public notice for resolutions scheduled at meetings. On Oct. 9, State Supreme Court Justice Gary Carlton ruled that the appointment had violated the law, but the decision did not nullify Ferretti’s appointment.
The violation, Scianablo said reflected a disregard for basic laws meant to ensure accountability. He added that he was frustrated with government waste and the misuse of taxpayer money. “This is what’s wrong with our local government,” he said. “It reeks of corruption. It reeks of waste, fraud and abuse. The people deserve better.”
Scianablo said he wants to restore integrity by getting the town’s finances in order with operational and financial audits. He also aims to make local government more accessible to working families by holding more Town Board meetings in the evening.
Jeffrey Bessen/Herald
Democrat Joe Scianablo, a Marine veteran and a former NYPD officer, is running for supervisor focused on transparency, fiscal accountability and expanded services for residents, veterans and domestic violence survivors.
“We all want the same thing from our government, and that’s what you’re going to get from me,” he said. “Your voices are going to be heard and you’re going to be governed fairly, and the people are going to be put first.”
If elected, Scianablo said, he would focus in his first 100 days on converting all town streetlights to LED fixtures to save an estimated $1 million annually, imple-
menting zero-based budgeting to ensure that every dollar is justified, and exploring shared services with neighboring towns to reduce duplicate costs.
His platform emphasizes what he calls “commonsense solutions,” including proactive infrastructure maintenance, performance-based funding and energy efficiency upgrades. He added that communities such as Hempstead, Uniondale, Roosevelt, and especially Baldwin have been calling for long-overdue development.
Improving public safety and supporting veterans, Scianablo said, would also be key priorities. Drawing on his law enforcement background, he hoped to strengthen trust between communities and public safety agencies. “I’m excited to see what we could do to make sure we bridge that divide between community and policing,” he said.
Scianablo said he also wants to support residents affected by domestic violence by partnering with nonprofits, law enforcement, and the Nassau County district attorney’s office. He has criticized the closure of the Safe Center LI, a Nassau-based facility for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors that closed in March, and pledged to expand related services through collaboration with the county and community partners.
“There is no one-stop shopping for survivors, victims and children to domestic violence,” Scianablo said. “We need to continue with that approach.”
He emphasized that he wants to serve as a supervisor who is accountable to the people of the Town of Hempstead.
“We are all seeking a government that is accountable for the people,” he said. “We are all seeking a government that’s transparent for the people. We are all on the same team here.”
By ISABELLA PLANTE Intern
Families from across the community gathered on Oct. 17 as the North Bellmore Fire Department held its annual Fire Prevention Day — an event dedicated to teaching vital safety tips and home protection practices designed to keep residents safe year-round.
The department not only hosted the event but also welcomed representatives from PSEG Long Island, the New York State Police, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, and the county fire marshal’s K-9 unit. Each organization shared safety tips, distributed educational materials and offered fun giveaways for children.
Although the event was geared toward young children, valuable safety information was available for all ages. The department distributed free Vials of Life to every attendee — an important resource that helps first responders access critical medical information during emergencies.
Andrew Grob, who attended the event to watch his grandson participate in a vehicle emergency demonstration, said he had never considered keeping a Vial of Life at home but was glad to take one after learning about its importance.
“Just leave it handy in case you have to go to the hospital,” he said. “You don’t have to worry — just grab this thing and it has all your data.”
Younger visitors enjoyed plenty of fun activities, including a bounce house, a water game, candy, coloring books and plastic firefighter helmets. The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office also provided children with identification cards.
In addition to distributing safety materials, PSEG Long Island, the K-9 unit and the fire department performed demonstrations related to their work and shared procedures that families could apply at home.
Chief Joseph Capuano, who has been with the North Bellmore Fire Department for 15 years, said he has been attending Fire Prevention Day since childhood.
ATTENTION STUDENTS: THE HERALD IS HOLDING A CONTEST TO DESIGN HOLIDAY WRAPPING PAPER
THE WINNING DESIGNS WILL BE PRINTED AS HOLIDAY GIFT WRAP IN 12/4/25 & 12/11/25 ISSUES OF YOUR HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
Three-year-old Angel LaMonica got to sit on a fire truck during the event.
“We open up so the kids can learn who to call and who to trust when there is an emergency,” he said.
Capuano emphasized the importance of emergency preparedness and safety by ensuring that every home is equipped with both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. He explained that each household should have at least two carbon monoxide detectors, and every bedroom should be equipped with a smoke detector — ideally connected to an alarm system for added safety.
“I would love to see [carbon monoxide detectors] increase, and planning for if there is a fire, because it seems that sometimes people lose their minds and there’s no escape route, there’s no meeting place,” Capuano said.
Who can enter: There will be 2 categories:
Students in grades k-5. Students in 6-12
One entry per student
Deadline: Entries must be received by 5 p.m.
Friday, November 14, 2025
Requirements: All entries should have the student’s name, age, address, telephone number, email, grade and school printed on the back. Design can be reflective of all religious holidays. Entries will not be returned.
Mail or hand-deliver to:
Wrapping Paper Contest
Herald Community Newspapers
2 Endo Boulevard, Garden City, NY 11530 OR Scan and email to:
(No Photos of Artwork Will Be Accepted). Winners will be notified by email or phone by November 21
• Must use 8 1/2 x 11” unlined paper, copy paper or construction paper.
• Be creative & original.
• Use bright colors.
• Fill the entire page.
Ejecutivo del Condado
Amendment to Allow Olympic Sports Complex In Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land. Allows skiing and related trail facilities on state forest preserve land. The site is 1,039 acres. Requires State to add 2,500 acres of new forest land in Adirondack Park. A yes vote authorizes new ski trails and related facilities in the Adirondack forest preserve. A no vote does not authorize this use.
Enmienda para Permitir Complejo Olímpico de Deportes En el Condado de Essex en Tierra de Reserva Forestal Estatal. Permite el esquí e instalaciones relacionadas de pistas en tierra de reserva forestal estatal. El sitio es de 1,039 acres. Requiere que el Estado añade 2,500 acres de nueva tierra forestal en el Parque Adirondack. Un voto afirmativo autoriza nuevas pistas de esquí e instalaciones relacionadas en la reserva forestal Adirondack. Un voto negativo no autoriza este uso.
DEM,MOD Seth I. Koslow REP,CON Bruce A. Blakeman
Fiscal del Distrito
DEM, MOD Nicole Aloise
Controlador del Condado
DEM, MOD Wayne H. Wink, Jr.
Secretario
CON Anne T. Donnelly
CON Elaine R. Phillips
DEM, MOD Joylette E. Williams REP, CON Maureen C. O’Connell
Supervisor
DEM, MOD Joe Scianablo REP, CON John R. Ferretti
Justice
actual ballot, but a composite of several sample ballots so as to reflect all the districts within the communities covered edition of the Herald. Complete reporting on candidates running in districts covered by the Herald may be found at under the Elections ’25 tab. For election results after the polls close Tuesday night, go to LIHerald.com
Hempstead Council Member
Matthew Pasternak REP, CON Dennis Dunne, Sr.
6 Vote for One (1)
Juez del Tribunal Sucesorio
DEM, REP, CON
David P. Sullivan
Hempstead
Secretario Municipal Vote for One (1)
MOD
Yveline L. Dalmacy REP, CON Kate Murray
County Legislator District 12
Legislador del Condado Distrito 12 Vote for One (1) REP, CON
Michael R. Gionesi
Michael J. Giangregorio
la Corte Suprema Vote for Eight (8) REP, CON
Kenny
Mark A. Cuthbertson
Margaret C. Reilly
Joseph C. Pastoressa
Steven A. Pilewski
James W. Malone
Carl J. Copertino
Bronwyn M. Black-Kelly
Juez de la corte de distrito
DEM, REP, CON
Nancy Nicotra Bednar
Donald X. Clavin, Jr.
Juez del Tribunal de Familia
REP, CON
Robert E. Pipia
Juez del Tribunal de Distrito
DEM, REP, CON Maria Boultadakis
Robert G. Bogle
Howard E. Sturim
Baker/Herald
Stuart Richner, CEO of the Long Island Herald, left, with Phyllis Quinlan, director of Holistic Services Administration at Cohen Children’s Medical Center; Amy Amato, executive director of RichnerLIVE; and Sofia Agoritsas, vice president of operations at the medical center.
Herald Community Media and RichnerLIVE presented a $2,000 donation to Cohen Children’s Medical Center, the charity beneficiary of the Herald Women’s Executive Summit on Sept. 9 at the Crescent Beach Club.
The medical center is home to Long Island’s first Pediatric Heart Failure and Transplant Program and a nationally recognized team of specialists. This year the hospital earned its third con-
secutive Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, underscoring its mission to help families raise stronger, healthier kids.
Phyllis Quinlan, the medical center’s director of Holistic Services Administration, noted, “We are on track to offer over 5,000 15-minute holistic services to the CCMC staff, parents/family caregivers, and admitted pediatric patients in 2025.”
Director Cindy Rosenthal steps up to the challenge of this rarely performed play, based on a story from Chaucer.
By Abbey Salvemini
Shakespeare’s final — and perhaps most overlooked — play steps into the spotlight as “The Two Noble Kinsmen” arrives on Hofstra University’s celebrated Globe stage. Now in its 77th year, the annual Shakespeare Festival invites audiences to experience a production that follows the intense journey of two noble cousins, Palamon and Arcite, whose unbreakable bond is shattered when they fall in love with the same woman.
As the headline production, this tragicomedy sets the tone for a rich, two-week long festival season that includes “What Fools!,” a whimsical, one-hour version of A “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” ideal for children; also Hofstra Collegium Musicum’s concert of Elizabethan and Jacobean music inspired by Shakespeare’s era. Together, these performances promise a dynamic festival experience for audiences of all ages.
Directed by drama professor Dr. Cindy Rosenthal, the production brings to life a powerful story about friendship, competition and the messy realities of love. Whether you’re a Shakespeare devotee or new to his catalogue, this rarely-performed play offers a fresh, thought-provoking look at the Bard.
According to Rosenthal, the decision to produce “The Two Noble Kinsmen” is rooted in its relative obscurity — and its potential. She acknowledges that among her fellow theater historians, not many have studied the play or seen it performed.
“In that there is opportunity,” she says.“We may be the one production of this play that our audience members see. The question is: How can we best present this under-illuminated text by the greatest writer in the history of civilization? Let’s make the most of whatever ways we think it has value and interest. That’s the job.”
She recognizes that taking on the play is a learning curve for both herself and her students. Still, the opportunity to present something rare and meaningful made it worth the challenge.
“We would be able to offer something to our
• Now through Nov. 2
• Tickets are $15, members of the Hofstra community may receive up to two free tickets
• Visit hofstra.universitytickets. com to purchse tickets; more festival information at events. hofstra.edu
• John Cranford Adams Playhouse, South Campus, Hempstead.
audiences that they don’t get to see — and very likely won’t see again in their lifetime.”
She’s particularly interested in exploring the play’s layered emotional dynamics and how they speak to today’s audiences. The staging doesn’t shy away from the text’s “queer sensibility,” which runs throughout, making it an integral part of the storytelling.
This play “absolutely brings forward the value and the strength of same-sex relationships,” Rosenthal says, describing the work (that Shakespeare co-wrote with John Fletcher) as a significant reflection of today’s lineage of queer love.
Hofstra’s Globe stage — considered the most authentic recreation of Shakespeare’s original stage in North America — adds a unique dimension to the production. Rosenthal refers to the stage as “a real phenomenon.”
While she has directed for previous Shakespeare festivals at Hofstra, this is her first time with the Globe replica.
“Performing on the Globe stage makes it feel like we are part of history. It’s a beautiful achievement. Just being able to engage with the set is another part of the experience I look forward to sharing with the students and our audience,” she says.
Guiding her student actors on a play that few had encountered before was both a challenge and a joy for Rosenthal. Among the aspects most interesting to all involved is how the play celebrates love, both heterosexual and queer.
“It does that all the way through the text, both with women and men. Scholars have studied and written about the queer sensibility that permeates this play. I’m excited and the students are excited to explore and bring life to the relationships among the characters,” she adds.
Anthony Avalos, of Roosevelt, is among Rosenthal’s young cast who fully embraces his director’s enthusiasm. Avalos, who does the roles of both a soldier and a knight, declared that his appreciation for the play grew with every reading of it.
“When I actually saw everyone molding these characters, that’s when I really fell in love with the story,” he says.
Rosenthal’s visual approach is designed to blend tradition with fresh interpretation.
“We want to find a way to bridge the gap and to resonate with our own community,” she notes.
Costume choices, for example, were guided by the characters’ journeys and how those stories can connect with audiences today — incorporating playful, contemporary touches into the overall aesthetic.
Rosenthal recalls visiting Hofstra’s Globe to see a performance of “Hamlet,” on a school trip as a student at Jericho High School, The experience, she says, led her to realize just how much she loved and admired both the show and Shakespeare’s language.
“It’s an amazing full-circle moment for me.”
For those who may not know the play — or Shakespeare at all — she invites them to approach it with curiosity, offering a simple message: “Have an open mind.”
The always-enthralling South Shore Symphony invites ghosts and goblins of all ages to its first Halloween Spooktacular at its longtime Madison Theatre home. Music Director and Conductor Adam Glaser leads his musicians — all decked out in costumes — in orchestral favorites. The audience is encouraged to join in the fun by wearing costumes, but are also welcome, of course, to “come as you are.” The spirited program includes six most popular and accessible works. In fact, nearly all of them will be familiar given their usage in movies, television shows and cartoons. For instance, many will instantly recognize the concert’s opening, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice: by French composer Paul Dukas. This piece was the “soundtrack” for the beloved segment in Disney’s “Fantasia.” during which Mickey Mouse plays the role of the apprentice who begins practicing his boss’ magic tricks.
Saturday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. $35, $30 seniors, $10 students. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org or (516) 3234444.
Music Director Cristian Macelaru guides the Orchestre National de France on its first U.S. tour in nearly 10 years at Tilles Center, during their brief three-concert tour. Joined by pianist-extraordinaire Daniil Trifonov the orchestra performs repertoires that lie at the core of its identity: Maurice Ravel (to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his birth), Elsa Barraine and Camille SaintSaëns. This masterful program brings the listener on a picturesque journey from start to finish. The programming of Elsa Barraine’s Symphony No. 2 with its gumptous string lines that compliment the playfulness of the work’s structure sits beautifully in the program with Ravel’s Daphnis & Chloé.
Saturday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100
North Merrick Public Library hosts a special Halloween event for children up to age 5 years old (not yet in kindergarten). All are encouraged to dress up in their favorite costumes and listen to some friendly Halloween stories. With a special trick-or-treating session throughout the library following. Registration required.
• Where: 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick
• Time: 10:30 a.m.
• Contact: nmerricklibrary.org
Car show
The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores and the Town of Hempstead welcome all to the Friday Night Car Show for the final time this year. Weather permitting, attendees are sure to find a wide selection of automotives, whether it be vintage vehicles, vans and buses, or newer models, like sports cars. Spectators can enter free of charge. The admission fee for cars is $5.
• Where: Bellmore LIRR, across from King Kullen parking lot
• Time: 5 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 679-1875
Merrick Chamber of Commerce invites all its annual Halloween parade, beginning at Loines Avenue Park and marching down to the Merrick Gazebo and Broadcast Plaza. businesses along the route join in the fun and hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters. All participants will receive a free Halloween bag.
• Where: Loines Avenue Park
• Time: 11 a.m.
• Contact: Christine Mooney/Lori Berger at info@merrickchamber.org
Long Island Turkey Trot
Step into November with the Long Island Turkey Trot 5K.
• Where: Eisenhower Park, Parking Field 2.
• Time: 9 a.m.
• Contact: EliteFeats. com/25LITurkeyTrot
Dia de Muertos Nichos
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to experience Dia de Muertos, the vibrant holiday that is widely celebrated in Mexico. Learn about nicho, the beautifully adorned frames are a popular form of folk art of the region and are often used on ofrendas to memorialize someone special. Make one to take home at
Ted Nash’s Big Band brings the Grammy Award-winning “Presidential Suite” to the Tilles Center stage. This fascinating program pairs historic speeches by figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Winston Churchill, and others with bold, jazz-driven orchestrations. With Nash’s thoughtful direction and expressive playing, the hard swinging band offers a powerful and resonant performance that bridges history, music and the spirit of swing. Each movement is tied to a different speech by world leaders, giving the words new resonance through music. Presidential Suite is considered Nash’s most significant work. Inspired by great political speeches of the 20th century dealing with the theme of freedom, it is rich with social and political awareness. It involved a very creative approach; Nash transcribed the speeches for their actual musical pitches and created themes, placing them into contexts that embraced the speakers and the location and era of the speeches. A longtime member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Nash has spent 25 years blending intellect, emotion and bold creativity through his compositions. Acclaimed as one of the most innovative voices in modern jazz, he’s known for his boundless creativity as an arranger and performer. Nash leads multiple innovative projects while remaining at the forefront of the jazz scene with a demanding touring schedule as a core member of the JLCO. From pushing boundaries with the Jazz Composers Collective — of which he’s a co-founder — to appearing on “best-of” lists in the New York Times, The New Yorker and Billboard, Nash continues to redefine what jazz can be. He has that uncanny ability to mix freedom with substance, blues with intellect and risk-taking with clarity.
the drop-in program. For ages 3+.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: Noon-2 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Converse, collaborate and create with kids at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork. Kids and adults connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. For ages 2-14. Registration required. $20, $10 child; members free.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: Noon-3 p.m
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
NOV
Hang out with some Long Island Children’s Museum’s “residents” at the drop-in program. Join an animal educator in the Hive
Studio’s in the Feasts for Beasts Gallery to learn what goes into the care of LICM’s animal “residents.” Observe animal bath time.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: 1:30-2 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Bellmore Lions Club hosts the final flea market of the year at the Bellmore LIRR train station parking lot (B-2). No fee. Weather permitting.
• Where: Bellmore LIRR, across the street from King Kullen
• Time: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 783-1471
workshop
Kids ages 8-12 can work on their 3D printing skills Bellmore Memorial Library. Tinker the children’s librarian and create a special 3D design. Under the age of 10 must be accompanied and closely supervised by a responsible person. Space is limited and registration required.
• Where: 2288 Bedford Ave., Bellmore
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Where: Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100
• Contact: bellmorelibrary.org or (516) 785-2990
Join in the Second Annual Merrick Fall Bar Crawl veterans’ fundraiser on Merrick Avenue. It begins at Paddy Power Pub with stops at Margarita’s, RS Beanery, Riko’s, Outback Steakhouse and finishing back at Paddy Power for some karaoke. Special apparel such as sweatshirts, long-sleeved t-shirts, and hats aee available for purchase (cash only) and anyone wearing that merchandise will receive discounted drinks at each location. All proceeds support the local VFW post.
• Where : 70 Merrick Ave., Merrick
• Time: 2-7 p.m.
North Bellmore Public Library hosts ThemAgain. The seasoned duo blends exceptional talent with modern technology to deliver memorable performances. They perform beloved covers from iconic artists including the Eagles, the Beatles, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Tom Petty, and many other classic rock favorites. No registration required, first-come, first seated.
• Where: 1551 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore
• Time: Doors open 2 p.m., concert at 2:30 p.m.
• Contact: northbellmorelibrary. org or (516) 785-6260 com/25LITurkeyTrot
‘Once Upon A Song!’ Join L.I. Cabaret Theatre for their latest performance. In this spirited show books in a library are brought to life in song and dance. A cast of 40 keeps the action moving along, with a live band and and a special appearance by Steve Mitchell as Elvis. The singers and dancers perform current hits, oldies and tunes from the Broadway stage, with a tribute to Woodstock and “Wicked.” With refreshments and post-show dancing until 1 A.M. Seating is night-club style at round tables. $30 per person, available in advance or at the door. Refreshments provided; guests can bring in your own food (just no pork or shellfish).
• Where: Temple B’nai Torah, 2900 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh
• Time: 7:30 p.m., also Nov. 15
• Contact: licabaret@aol.com or (516) 946-7207
Babysitting prep course North Bellmore Public Library’s class is ideal for tweens and teens getting ready to babysit for the first time. Discuss child safety, developmental stages of children, and how to plan activities that are age appropriate. Course certification and youth guide from Cornell Cooperative Extension are included. Registration required.
• Where: 1551 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore
• Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Contact: northbellmorelibrary.org or (516) 785-6260
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.
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LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANY. NAME: Aligned Mvmnt LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on __/__/__. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as an agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 110 Ampel Ave Bellmore NY 11710
Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 156002
Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. 12 Not applicable.
13. Publication Title: BELLMORE HERALD.
14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: SEPTEMBER 25, 2025
15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: a. Total No. Copies: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 1400; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 1500 b. Paid Circulation (By Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue
During Preceding 12 Months, 8; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue
Published Nearest to Filing Date, 9. (2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue
During Preceding 12 Months, 111;Actual No.
Copies of Single Issue
Published Nearest to Filing Date, 102. (3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mails including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, and Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 456; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 482. (4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; Actual No. Copies of
of Nassau Bank of America, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Mario Colagrande, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on March 28, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM premises known as 2548 Columbus Avenue, North Bellmore, NY 11710
A/K/A Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the
Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0. c. Total Paid
Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 575; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue
Published Nearest to Filing Date, 593 d. Free or Nominal Rate
Distribution( by Mail and Outside the Mail) : (1) Free or Nominal Rate Outside-County as Stated on Form 3541:
Average No. Copies
Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0. (2)Free or Nominal In-County as Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue
Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0 (3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other classes Mailed Through the USPS: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue
Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0. (4) Free or Nominal Rate
Distribution Outside the Mail: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 250; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue
Published Nearest to Filing Date, 400.
e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution:
Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 250; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 400. f. Total Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During
County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 51, BLOCK: 523, LOT: 34.
Approximate amount of judgment is $538,029.40 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 006084/2013. Ralph Madalena, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-045119-F00 87478 156106
Preceding 12 Months, 825; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue
Published Nearest to Filing Date, 993.
g. Copies Not
Distributed: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 575; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue
Published Nearest to Filing Date, 507.
h. Total: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 1400; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 1500.
i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 69.70% Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 59.72%.
16. This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the October 30, 2025 issue of this publication.
17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner: Stuart Richner, Owner; Date: October 1, 2025 I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material information requested on the form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties). 1322418
Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 19, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 4 Bay Street, Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Bellmore, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, and State of New York, Section: 63. Block: 40 Lot(s): 22, 26, 123, & 125.
The North Bellmore School District will begin its annual central registration period for incoming kindergarten students for the 2026-27 school year on Nov. 17. Families with children who will turn 5 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2026, are eligible to enroll.
Registration will take place by appointment only through Feb. 6, 2026, at the district office, located at 2616 Martin Ave. in Bellmore, on the west side of Martin Avenue School. The district is encouraging parents and guardians to review all required materials in advance to streamline the process. Registration packets can be accessed online through the Central Registration section of the district website at northbellmoreschools.org.
The packet includes personal documentation and residency verification forms that must be submitted to confirm eligibility. Families are asked to complete the forms before the registration appointment and to bring all necessary records, including proof of age, immunization history, and proof of residency. A child will not be officially enrolled until all required documents have been submitted and verified by the district registrar.
The registration period is one of the district’s major annual preparations, as kindergarten enrollment plays a key role in planning class sizes, staffing needs, transportation, and building space for the upcoming school year. The district typically encourages families to register as
The North Bellmore School District will open its central registration for incoming kindergarteners for the 2026–27 school year on Nov. 17.
early as possible within the appointment window to avoid delays and to ensure all student records are processed prior to summer placement and orientation activities.
Parents or guardians seeking to schedule an appointment or ask questions about which documents are needed may call the registration office at 516-992-3000, ext. 3821. Families who may require translation assistance or special accommodations are encouraged to mention this when making their appointment so the district can provide appropriate support.
— Brian Kacharaba
Approximate amount of judgment $509,161.81 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #001958/2017. Charles Casolaro, Esq., Referee Tromberg, Miller, Morris & Partners, PLLC 39 Broadway, Suite 1250 New York, NY 10006 25-000 799 87040 156098
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, PMIT REI 2021-A LLC, Plaintiff, vs. JOSEPH FERRETTE, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August 15, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100
Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 12, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 2726 Orchard Street, North Bellmore a/k/a Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Bellmore, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 56, Block 385 and Lots 115 & 116. Approximate amount of judgment is $521,353.86 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #612129/2022. Cash will not be accepted. Michael Sepe, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 156142
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Bank of America, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Jodi A. Albanese, a/k/a Jodi Albanese; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 8, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 20, 2025, at 2:00PM, premises known as 2715 Short Street, Bellmore, NY 11710. 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, State of New York, Section: 63 Block: 218 Lot: 3.
Approximate amount of judgment $149,863.57 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 603669/2023. Foreclosure auction will be held “Rain or Shine”. Jane Shrenkel, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792
Dated: September 27, 2025 156298
Q. Our home seemed very normal when we first moved in, but little by little, things began to happen that we couldn’t explain. Doors would open and close, floors creaked with nobody in the room, a particular wall “sweats” one day a year, and we keep hearing a low moaning sound followed by tapping coming from our den. We’ve had a handyman come and try to assess some of the door squeaks and things, but is any of what I described normal, or could some of it truly be a sign of something unexplainable?
A. When things go bump in the night, you can’t always run to your mummy. It seems we humans have always had a fascination with death, and our minds create endless possible scenarios.
The first two things I was taught in architecture school were that we need to always be concerned about water and movement. How water affects our lives as a gas, liquid or solid is fascinating, and maybe a little spooky. Materials like the center of a tree trunk, when exposed, sanded and coated, become reactive to humidity we can’t easily see, which causes the wood to re-swell. The fibers in wood were once a set of feeding tubes, drawing water from the roots to the leaves, before someone came along and cut the tree down, stripped, sliced and kiln-dried it. Nature is super and natural, so it’s no wonder that it seems supernatural for wood to want to regain its former capability, and creak and moan as it delightfully regains its former life.
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Some things can’t be explained easily, like why someone doesn’t check to see that a door is hung correctly, to be plum in the horizontal and vertical, so that the slightest breeze or pressure change makes it seem to move on its own. When heated or cooled water moves through a metal pipe (more so than through a plastic pipe), it expands or contracts it. If the pipe hangers holding it in the floor structure or the holes it snakes through are only the size of the pipe, the materials push and pull against each other, making banging and tapping sounds or, in some cases, squealing sounds.
I’ve often explained that homes are, in many ways, just like other living things, possessing a nervous system (their electric wiring), a skeleton, a skin and the ability to breathe in and out. Even though your home may have “good bones,” it still gets creaky and expands and contracts with the heat and cool cycles, when it’s hit with the hot sun and cool winds. Every day, your home lifts itself out of the ground, expands outward toward the sun and then, as you lie in bed in the darkness, you hear the materials all move past each other as they contract, settling in for the night, just like you.
Just remember, if you don’t pay your exorcism bill when it comes due, you run the risk of being repossessed!
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president Trump’s achievement of reaching an agreement to end the two-year war in Gaza is a truly historic moment. It is a tribute to Trump’s leadership, and to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s determination to stand firm against an amalgam of critics ranging from the simply misinformed to virulent anti-Israel and/or antisemitic voices.
The return of the hostages who are still alive and the enactment of a ceasefire are critical and monumental. Even more significant in the quest for a lasting peace is how the major Arab nations, and a leading nonArab Muslim country like Turkey, have lined up against Hamas. Trump capped off the significance of the moment by delivering a fiery speech to the Israeli Knesset before jetting to Egypt for a Gaza agreement signing ceremony with the Arab leaders and President Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.
Just months ago, all this would have been deemed improbable, if not impossible. But as important as these monumental steps are, they are only first
steps. Much difficult work remains for Trump’s overall plan to succeed.
Who will carry out the weapons inspections to ensure that Hamas has fully disarmed? How and when will a transition government for Gaza, without Hamas, be formed?
Which of the nations will provide the troops for the peacekeeping force that will maintain the agreement? How much will it cost to rebuild Gaza? All of these questions are real, but should not be allowed to derail the agreement, which has provided the greatest opportunity for real peace since Israel’s creation as a nation state in 1948.
But any reluctance to remain fully engaged will incentivize Hamas.
ist organization is fanatical and suicidal, and will take whatever disruptive action it can. If it refuses to show evidence of complete disarmament, the United States must support the Israel Defense Forces going in to forcibly take away Hamas’s weapons. If Arab nations don’t provide the necessary troops for the international peacekeeping force, Trump must do what he does best, and bring to bear whatever pressure is required for them to live up to their obligations.
Trump will have to stand strong behind the agreement that he formulated and brought to fruition. It is clearly in America’s national interest to make it work. The president will have to resist the anti-Israel/antisemitic attacks and the isolationist rants from uninformed elements in his MAGA base. Any reluctance to remain fully engaged will incentivize Hamas and lead to the crumbling of Arab nations’ support for the agreement.
Now that we are so fully engaged, the United States cannot afford to back away. Hamas realizes that if this agreement survives, Hamas won’t. The terror-
As for bringing together a Hamas-free transition entity, the United States must work with Israel and other key regional countries to have our intelligence agencies coordinate an effective vetting process to ensure that Hamas does not infiltrate the transitional governing body that must be created. Trump would be well advised to work with Britain’s former Prime Minister Tony Blair throughout this process, and make use of his proven diplomatic and peacekeeping abilities. Rebuilding Gaza is essential. Gaza is wrecked, much of it reduced to rubble. Rebuilding it seems insurmountable. But so did rebuilding Germany and Japan after World War II. The United States realized that it was in our national and economic interests to have those coun-
Ltries rebuilt and stabilized, and formulated the Marshall Plan to coordinate the rebuilding of Germany. In Japan, Gen. Douglas MacArthur was given the power to create a democratic government and a free economy. With American leadership, these two nations created strong democratic societies while rebuilding their countries with vibrant economies. None of this came easy. President Harry Truman had to fight off resistance from isolationists and remnants of the discredited America First movement, which had kept the United States from being fully prepared for World War II. Truman was able to effectuate this by coordinating efforts with national security-minded Republicans to rebuild Europe and establish NATO, which, over the course of four decades, deterred Soviet aggression, overwhelmed the Russian economy and led to the collapse of the Communist government there, the disintegration of the Iron Curtain and the liberation or Eastern Europe’s captive nations. Today’s isolationists have no sense of history, and naively claim that “nation building” must be disregarded. Trump must stand firm behind his Gaza agreement and solidify his position in history as a true peacemaker.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
this one was a doozy
ong Island is a populous region. It is estimated to have a combined two-county population of just under 3 million people. The island boasts many famous names, including Billy Joel and Billy Crystal. One name that keeps cropping up, not in the category of highly respected people, is that of former U.S. Rep. George Santos a wellknown regional figure for all the wrong reasons. In August 2024 Santos pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud and identify theft. In April he was sentenced to seven years in a federal prison — and Long Islanders were able to turn their attention to other, more serious matters. That was so until two Fridays ago, when President Trump announced in a Truth Social post that he was issuing a commutation of Santos’s sentence. Sadly, within hours, Santos was freed from prison after having served less than three months.
There aren’t many news items that
can jolt Long Islanders, but that commutation hit many like a ton of bricks. For the better part of 2024, the media had had a field day with Santos. While he had been a member of Congress, representing the Island’s North Shore, friends from as far away as Florida and California flooded my phone with inquiries about whether I knew Santos, and what he was like. Other than being familiar with his name and the allegations, I was glad that our paths never crossed.
During my many years on earth I have heard of hundreds of pardons and commutations, issued by presidents and governors, but very few have stunned me like this one. I can cite name after name of people who have benefited from this variety of kindness. Presidents of both parties have pardoned or commuted the sentences of such famous names as the late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, and Patty Hearst. Any American with a knowledge of history knows of President Gerald Ford’s pardon of the disgraced President Richard Nixon. The first recorded act of American governmental discretion was the amnes-
N ot many news items jolt Long Islanders, but George Santos’s pardon did.
ty issued to participants in the Whiskey Rebellion in the early 1790s. George Washington granted relief to those who were convicted. Bill Clinton pardoned financier Marc Rich and Roger Clinton, his half- brother. President Biden issued a blanket pardon of a number of members of his family. To date, Trump has pardoned or commuted the sentences of more than a dozen present or former public officials.
So what’s the big deal about George Santos? No figure from our region has been the subject of so much public scorn from so many people in both political parties. Republican County Executive Bruce Blakeman and County Chair Joe Cairo both called for Santos’s expulsion from Congress. Wellknown Democrats including Congress members Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen asked for similar action.
Regrettably, Santos has become the poster boy for conduct that we have never experienced in our fairly closeknit community. His exaggerations about his record, when he presented himself to the Island’s voters, are now part of our political folklore. He claimed so many false things about his life that
there are too many to recite in one column. But his mistruths eventually caught up with him, and he wound up being sentenced to federal prison.
Santos’s release following his presidential gift continued to attract political scorn from Republican Congressmen Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota, who were among those who had called for his expulsion from the House. Since he was released, he has claimed that he would consider becoming a “prison reform” advocate. Absent proof in the future, his post-prison remarks very much resemble his original exaggerations.
Those of us who live in the political world are very cognizant of the quality of the people who sign their sworn oath of office and promise to abide by the Constitution of our republic. We ask that they be true to us in order to gain our trust. They sometimes stray from their path, but most of them toe the line and don’t ignore their pledge to America.
Santos was a big disappointment, and all of Long Island regrets the leniency he was given that he didn’t deserve.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.
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When disaster strikes — from Amityville to Alaska — the American Red Cross answers the call. It’s one of the most recognized humanitarian organizations in the world, yet its reach is often most powerful in our own neighborhoods.
On Long Island, the Red Cross stands as a beacon of compassion and readiness, providing aid when emergencies leave families shattered and communities reeling.
The Red Cross exists to meet human need, fast. Whether it’s a house fire in Baldwin, flooding in Freeport or a snowstorm that knocks out power across Nassau and Suffolk counties, the American Red Cross on Long Island mobilizes within hours to provide food, blankets and shelter. The organization’s volunteers are often the first to arrive and the last to leave. They help displaced families find stability, deliver health services and connect victims with longer-term recovery resources.
Beyond disaster relief, the Red Cross supports hospital networks and local blood drives, trains residents in lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid, and educates communities about home safety. Perhaps its most impactful local program is the Sound the Alarm campaign, in which free smoke alarms are installed in homes
across Long Island. These simple devices have saved hundreds of lives nationwide and dozens here at home — tangible proof that prevention is just as important as emergency response.
The organization’s effectiveness stems from its people. Across Nassau and Suffolk, the Red Cross is powered by volunteers from all walks of life — doctors who lend their expertise in medical emergencies, retired police officers who bring calm to chaos and educators who teach safety preparedness in schools.
Among them is Jennifer Keane, athletic director and trainer in the Wantagh School District. Keane was one of the Long Island chapter’s heroes for helping to save the life of referee Joe Gaskin at a Nassau County boys’ basketball finals game in March. With a medical team administering CPR and Keane using an automated external defibrillator, they revived Gaskin after he collapsed. Keane stayed by his side, reassuring him and helping to calm him as he regained consciousness.
The results speak for themselves. Every year the American Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters nationwide. In the Greater New York region that includes Long Island, the organization responds to roughly 2,300 emergencies each year, from building collapses to home fires to flooding.
The shutdown is ‘malpractice’ by both parties
To the Editor:
Re U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi’s op-ed in last week’s issue, “How does this shutdown finally end?”: The question should be, How was this made to happen from the beginning? We have military personnel serving and not getting paid. We have air traffic controllers and other federal employees working and not getting paid. Yet we have a Congress not working and getting paid.
Are they truly representing the people, or their party affiliations and their own selfish interests?
When leverage is discussed, it isn’t about the people affected, but the perception of which party thinks it has the upper hand. We have politicians who, when they were the majority party, were for continuing resolutions, and now, because they are the minority party, are against them. How much damage of people’s personal lives are they willing to hold out for?
There are issues that should be discussed, but shutting down the government isn’t the way to go about it. This is not only an embarrassment, but a disgraceful malpractice committed by both parties toward the citizens of this country.
Thanks to those smoke alarm installations, the Red Cross has prevented tragedies before they could happen.
These outcomes ripple far beyond the crises at hand. Each act of service strengthens community resilience, teaching residents how to prepare for the next emergency and ensuring that no one faces it alone. The Red Cross model proves that organized compassion, backed by training and teamwork, can turn heartbreak into hope.
The success of that mission depends on all of us. You don’t need a medical degree or a uniform to make a difference. You can join a disaster response team, train to install smoke alarms, or simply contribute funds to support relief efforts. Every dollar, every hour volunteered helps save lives and restore dignity to those in need.
When a crisis strikes, the Red Cross shows that humanity’s greatest strength lies in our willingness to help. On Long Island, it’s not just an organization; it’s a community of neighbors ready to act. In moments of disaster, the Red Cross doesn’t just respond. It reminds us who we are — a region, and a nation, defined by generosity, courage and the unyielding belief that no one should face tragedy alone.
To learn more or to become a Long Island volunteer, call (516) 747-3500, or go to RedCross.org.
election season is a fitting time to take stock — not only of what our leaders have and have not done, but also of what we have tolerated from them, and from ourselves.
Truth be told, there’s an unease in the air — not just about elections or economics, but about something deeper: the slow erosion of trust, the hardening of contempt, the growing sense that truth itself has become negotiable. These aren’t the hallmarks of a confident democracy. They’re the early shadows of something dangerous. When people hear the word “totalitarian,” they imagine parades and police states, not school boards or town councils. But the most enduring form of authoritarianism doesn’t arrive with tanks; it creeps in through the corrosion of truth-telling, respect and shared responsibility. Totalitarianism, in its embryonic stage, works to silence disagreement, to treat opponents as enemies, to bend institutions toward personal or partisan ends. It begins when loyalty to a leader becomes more prized than integrity, and when public life becomes less about dialogue than domination.
That, increasingly, is the shadow stretching across our civic landscape. We are losing the antibodies that protect us from tyranny.
At the federal level, we’ve seen the guardrails of restraint weaken. Laws once thought firm are now bent to accommodate personal power. Agencies created to serve the public are recast as instruments of political loyalty. Facts — about elections, pandemics or climate — are recast as matters of opinion. At the state level, officials redraw district maps to predetermine election outcomes, Boards of Education decide which books and histories may be taught.
iruption scandal fades because “they all do it.” Cynicism replaces vigilance. And soon the line between disappointment and danger blurs.
t begins when loyalty to a leader becomes more prized that integrity.
The civic contract — our shared assumption that good-faith debate is possible — is fraying.
Even in our towns and neighborhoods, the tone has changed. School board meetings devolve into shouting matches. Civic volunteers are harassed. Journalists and teachers second-guess whether candor is worth the backlash. Citizens withdraw, exhausted, convinced that their voices no longer matter.
History teaches that authoritarianism rarely arrives announced. It spreads through small acts of indifference. A lie goes unchallenged because correcting it seems tedious. A cruel remark passes as “just politics.” A cor-
To the Editor:
I loved Randi Kreiss’s column last week, “Returning to autumn in New York, 2025.” I grew up in Woodmere myself. We lived off West Broadway, on a little dead-end street called Crestwood Road. The street contains some seven houses. Four guys, including me, who grew up there still get together for lunch now and then.
I graduated from George W. Hewlett High School in 1957, and remember Woodmere Dock and the rowboat rentals. I remember it as Simon’s dock. Thanks for the memories, Randi!
KEN WALKER Amityville
To the Editor:
Thanks to Jordan Vallone for her recent column, “My grief for my late grandma is love imploding.” I’m now 79 years young, but still miss my Harry and Nanny, my Bronx maternal grandparents. That bond is unbreakable. Thanks to what they gave me, I now have a similar bond with my youngest grandson, Jackson, 5. One way to honor the departed loved ones is to pass the love on. This makes the days with the little guy very special. So I hope Vallone enjoys and rejoices in the memories of her grandmother. Such wonderful relationships make the world a better place.
RICK HERMAN Lido Beach
The response to this drift isn’t louder slogans or angrier partisanship. It’s reclaiming the daily practices of citizenship. Voting is one, but only one. Equally vital are reading beyond sources that simply echo what we already believe, defending the legitimacy of local journalism and supporting honest education even when it challenges our comfort. It means expecting integrity from leaders — not because they share our ideology, but because they serve the public.
That same principle applies to law enforcement and border security. A nation must protect its citizens, but it must also protect its character. The rule of law loses its legitimacy when it is enforced with cruelty or indifference to human dignity.
We can also reclaim the moral vocabulary that once anchored our public life — words like decency, fairness, humility and truth. These aren’t partisan terms; they are the language of citizenship. They’re the quiet, everyday antidotes to authoritarian temptation.
Some people hear warnings about democracy’s decline and shrug. They prefer to focus on tangible things: business, markets, growth. Yet authoritari-
anism is no friend to those, either. Where power consolidates, corruption follows. Unpredictable governance and politicized law breed instability. Investors and entrepreneurs, like citizens, rely on the predictability of fair rules. When those rules are warped by loyalty or fear, commerce and civic peace both suffer.
The defense of democratic institutions isn’t a liberal or conservative cause; it’s a stability cause. It is in everyone’s self-interest to preserve the conditions in which disagreement remains peaceful, contracts remain reliable and the law applies equally.
Ordinary citizenship takes courage — the courage to insist on truth when it’s inconvenient, to practice civility when it’s unfashionable, to defend fairness even when it costs us something. The survival of democracy has always depended on the willingness of ordinary people to do the unglamorous work of maintaining it.
The future of this country won’t be decided by the loudest voices; it will be decided by those who keep faith with the idea of shared citizenship. The health of our democracy doesn’t depend on who holds office next year; it depends on whether we still believe, collectively, that truth and decency are worth defending.
Michael Blitz is professor emeritus of interdisciplinary studies at the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
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