_______________ east meadow ______________
HERALD
Trusted by the Com munity Dedicated to Bette r Hearing
Hear Better Experience More
Concerts in Eisenhower Park
Keeping local schools clean
Page 6
Page 10
VOL. 26 NO. 22
MAY 28 -JUNE 3, 2026
$1.00
We offer Loss Treatment, Hearing Aid Hearing Aid Fitting, and Tinnitus Therapy
Demo the newest hearing aid technology available!
Scan for more info
(516) 788-7830 ilovehearing.com
30 Merrick Avenue, Su
ite 109, East Meadow
Fighting addiction, from the experts $200 prize for sobriety challenge personal. Each of them faced spent time inside the federal For those struggling with prison system for drug-related substance abuse and other offenses and spent years learnaddictions, help is always ing how to undo the damage around the corner. While hot- through research, mentorship lines, support groups and per- programs and teaching various sonal counseling are available, classes. When the two men two experts in the field are pio- were released, they sought to neering a new, modern method. take these ideas farther and Spencer Cook of East Mead- help people stay out of trouble ow and Frantz Michel of Bald- and avoid being behind bars win are partners in the addic- altogether. Cook, the founder of tion treatment platform SoberIn40, was SoberIn40, a digital arrested in a multiprogram that offers agency operation in special, automati2014. Initially facing cally tailored coursa 20-year prison es and challenges to sentence, Cook was help people in need commuted under get through tough the Second Chance times. Act for a reduced This month, they SPENCER COOK sentence. In 2020, announced a new Founder of SoberIn40 after six and a half initiative to take the effort farther than ever years of incarceration and a before: anyone who can achieve year under house arrest, he 40 days of sobriety from alcohol dedicated his new lease on life or other substances can receive to becoming sober. “I’m going to do everything a $200 reward and a complimentary dinner for two at a res- in life that is completely oppot a u r a n t p a r t n e r e d w i t h site from what I’m used to and SoberIn40. The challenge offi- what feels normal,” he recalled cially launched May 21 and will thinking. “In order for me to do continue through May 21, 2027. that successfully long term, I P a r t i c i p a n t s w i l l u s e t h e needed to understand my disSoberIn40 platform for account- ease on a scientific level.” ability, daily check ins, and Michel is the director of motivation throughout the criminal justice partnerships experience. The two men’s motivation in at SoberIn40. He was serving combatting addiction is deeply CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO
jdalessandro@liherald.com
I
needed to understand my disease.
Courtesy Kevin Kamper
Carrying on a Memorial Day tradition East Meadow residents, veterans and local organizations gathered for the community’s annual Memorial Day ceremony. Above, Liz Fries and Dolores Rome, the event’s organizers, with Joe Parisi, president of the Council of East Meadow Community Organizations. Story, more photos, Page 3.
East Meadow voters back budget $286.8M spending plan funds added academic offerings By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
East Meadow voters approved the school district’s $286.8 million budget for the 2026-27 school year on May 19 — a spending plan district officials said maintains current programs while adding new career-focused opportunities for students. The budget passed by a vote of 1,279 to 436, or roughly 74.5 percent. Voters also re-elected Board of Education President Jessica RiccoSimeone and Trustee David Carl, who both ran unopposed for new three-year terms. Ricco-Simeone received 1,115 votes, while Carl received 1,056 votes.
The approved spending plan totals $286,776,667, a $15.5 million, or 5.71 percent, increase over the current year’s budget. The tax levy will rise 2.86 percent, within the district’s allowable limit under the state’s tax cap formula. District officials said the budget was designed to expand opportunities for students while remaining mindful of the tax impact on residents. The district received a 1 percent increase in state aid for the coming year, requiring officials to balance resources while sustaining and enhancing student programs, according to the district’s budget newsletter. The budget maintains all current instructionCONTINUED ON PAGE 7