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Gillen talks health care Page 3 Vol. 90 No. 44
oCToBER 30 - NoVEMBER 5, 2025
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Families enjoy Fall Fest on the Nautical Mile By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
Courtesy Village of Freeport
Showing off one of the vintage firefighting vehicles owned by the Village of Freeport are, from left, Ex-Chief Robert Notheis, Honorary Chief George Schmittzeh, Capt. Randy Aguirre, and Robert McLaughlin, ex-captain and current village attorney.
The Village of Freeport’s annual Fall Festival brought families, friends and neighbors together on Sunday for an afternoon packed with Halloween excitement along the Nautical Mile. Beginning at noon, the free event featured Trunk-orTreating, a Fire Expo, Chowder Fest and the popular Halloween Parade. Festivalgoers gathered at Sea Breeze Park on Richmond Street for the parade before marching down Woodcleft Avenue to the parking lot across from the esplanade, where the celebration continued. Children filled goodie bags with candy provided by the Village of Freeport, the Freeport Police Benevolent Association, and the Freeport Fire Department. Costumes weren’t required, but nearly everyone joined in the spirit, transforming the waterfront into a colorful parade of superheroes, ghosts and ghouls. CoNtiNuEd oN pAGE 10
Community rallies after Jay Street fire displaces 40 By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
After a devastating earlymorning fire left one man critically injured and about 40 residents displaced, civic organizations in Freeport quickly mobilized to provide relief to the victims. The blaze broke out at 5:47 a.m. on Oct. 23 in a three-story apartment building at 1 Jay St., near the corner of Grand Avenue and North Main Street. The Freeport Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting smoke in the area. Within minutes, Engine 216 arrived to find flames inside
the building. Ex-Chief Joseph Sotira notified dispatch that there was a working fire, and occupants potentially trapped inside. Firefighter Stephen Palermo, of Truck Company No. 1, vented a window and made his way into the smoke-filled apartment, where he discovered an unconscious man in the bathroom. With help from fellow firefighters, he brought the victim outside, where Northwell EMS began treating him before rushing him to Nassau University Medical Center in critical condition. Officials said no that smoke alarms were heard or located in
the building. Crews quickly contained the fire to the apartment where it began. Several neighboring departments offered mutual aid, and the response was directed by Chief Anthony Sotira. M ayo r Ro b e r t Ke n n e dy praised Palermo’s actions, calling them “heroic” and commending the volunteers for their courage and professionalism. “Their immediate response and the heroic actions of Firefighter Palermo is testimony to the dedication of the volunteers of our great Freeport Fire Department,” Kennedy said in a statement. The American Red Cross
was called to assist the displaced residents, and with help from the Freeport Housing Authority, temporary shelter was arranged at 100 North Main St. The relief response was spearheaded by Kerry GillickGoldberg, a longtime community advocate and founder of the nonprofit Baby Essentials of
Long Island. Working closely with members of the FreeportMer rick Rotary and social worker Kelly Ureña of the Freeport School District, GillickGoldberg coordinated a rapid effort to collect and distribute supplies to families affected by the fire. The group secured more than $1,000 worth of CoNtiNuEd oN pAGE 6