Glen Cove Herald 02-26-2026

HERALD Glen COVe

the area.

Amid/Herald

City digs out homes and roads after blizzard

By ROKSANA AMID

ramid@liherald.com

With snow piled high around them and shovels scraping against dense drifts, Anthony and Olivia Gigliotti worked steadily on Monday morning to clear their family’s driveway — one of many similar scenes unfolding across Glen Cove as a blizzard blanketed Long Island with more than 2 feet of snow.

The siblings were mid-dig when the Herald spoke with them, carving a narrow path from their front door to the street as plowed snow formed a heavy ridge at the curb.

“We went to the supermarket and loaded up on a bunch of groceries,” Anthony Gigliotti, 21, said, pausing to lean on his shovel. “We bought ice melt for when it gets icy after we shovel, and we just kind of stayed inside. I was very surprised and shocked. I did not think it would be as bad as it was.”

For Olivia Gigliotti, 19, the frustration was com -

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

Cronin is 38th St. Patrick’s Day Parade grand marshal

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

John Cronin has been preparing for his big moment. As grand marshal of the 38th Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade, he says he has already begun practicing greeting the crowd. “I’m practicing my parade wave,” he said.

Cronin, a native of Huntington, will lead the parade on March 22, when it steps off at 1 p.m., continuing a tradition that has become one of the North Shore’s most anticipated spring celebrations.

Parade Committee President Lisa Forgione first saw Cro -

nin’s enthusiasm in December when members of the committee invited John and his parents to meet them at St. Patrick’s Church after he was selected as a finalist for grand marshal.

“I waited outside for him,” Forgione recalled. “And here he comes walking, and he’s waving with his arm up in the air. So I said, ‘Hey,’ so I waved back and he says, ‘I’m practicing my parade wave.’ Oh, from that second, I fell in love with this guy.”

Cronin, who just turned 30, is co-founder of John’s Crazy Socks, an online business he created with his father, Mark X. Cronin, in 2016. Born with

Down syndrome, Cronin has become a nationally recognized entrepreneur and advocate. He was recently named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2026 in the Social Impact category becoming the first person with the condition ever to appear on the list.

“John belongs in that company,” his father said. “Not because of a feel-good story. Not because of sympathy. But because of what he has built and what he continues to build.”

The business began when John was nearing the end of his time at Huntington High School and Wilson Tech, in Dix

Hills.

“When John was in his last year of high school … he couldn’t find any good job or a good program to join,” Mark recounted.

“I want to create one — I want to make one,” John told his father at the time. “I want to sell crazy socks. It’s fun. It’s colorful. It’s rare. It always lets

me be me. I wore crazy socks my whole life.”

Mark agreed. “He would create his own job,” he said. “And he came to me and said, ‘Dad, let’s go into business together.’”

The online store was launched by just the two of them. “It tested well,” Mark said. “So we grew the business.

Annual Cooking for a Cure fundraiser

The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation will celebrate a major milestone this spring as it hosts its 20th annual Cooking for a Cure fundraiser, honoring Glen Cove resident and attorney Jaime Greenberg for his advocacy and longtime support of diabetes research.

The event is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the Crescent Beach Club in Bayville. Tickets are priced at $125, and proceeds will directly benefit the foundation’s mission to fund cutting-edge research aimed at curing and preventing diabetes.

Greenberg, a partner at Greenberg & Greenberg, has a deeply personal connection to the cause. His 21-year-old son, Sean, lives with type 1 diabetes, a lifelong autoimmune condition that requires constant monitoring and insulin management. Years later, Greenberg himself was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes following a serious health incident. Those experiences have fueled his commitment to raising awareness and supporting research that could one day eliminate the disease.

Over the past two decades, Cooking for a Cure has grown into one of Long Island’s signature charitable culinary events, drawing community members, business leaders and advocates togeth-

er for an evening focused on both fellowship and fundraising. Since its inception, the fundraiser has generated more than $1.5 million to advance the foundation’s work.

Funds raised through the event support research initiatives centered on restoring the body’s natural insulin production and pursuing a biological cure. Scientists affiliated with the foundation are working on therapies that aim to regenerate insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, improve transplant techniques and develop innovative treatments that reduce the burden of daily disease management.

As the 20th anniversary event approaches, organizers say the goal remains the same: to unite the community around a shared mission of hope, progress and ultimately, a cure. This year’s fundraiser will both honor Greenberg’s personal dedication and continue the decades-long effort to turn scientific breakthroughs into lifechanging results for families affected by diabetes. According to the Center for Disease Control, over 40 million Americans have diabetes, with 11 million cases undiagnosed. Type 2 Diabetes accounts for over 90 percent of cases. Globally, 1 in 9

–Roksana Amid

Uber driver indicted in fatal 2025 crash

A 52-year-old Glen Cove woman has been indicted on charges including aggravated vehicular homicide and driving while ability impaired by drugs in connection with a fiery July 2025 crash in North Hills that killed a 58-year-old woman and seriously injured her husband.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that Nina Varrino was arraigned Feb. 18 before Judge Helene Gugerty on a grand jury indictment charging her with aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter in the second degree, vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, multiple counts of assault and vehicular assault, driving while ability impaired by drugs and combined drugs, and reckless driving.

Prosecutors allege that on July 12, 2025, at approximately 12:49 p.m., Varrino was driving a 2025 Kia Sportage on the South Service Road of the Long Island Expressway between New Hyde Park Road and Shelter Rock Road in North Hills when she crashed into the rear of a 2010 Harley-Davidson motorcycle carrying a 64-year-old man and his wife, 58-year-old Lisa Pelaez.

The couple was heading to Port Jefferson and a motorcycle museum in Oyster Bay when the collision occurred. Both riders were ejected as

the motorcycle and SUV became fully engulfed in flames. Varrino exited the vehicle and sustained minor injuries. Pelaez suffered blunt force trauma and was transported to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, where she died approximately two hours later. Her husband sustained multiple broken ribs, a fractured spine, fractures to both shoulders and a collapsed lung, requiring surgery and intubation. He remained hospitalized for about a month.

According to prosecutors, Varrino had worked the night before as an Uber driver and allegedly stayed up drinking and ingesting drugs. Blood tests taken about four hours after the crash revealed active levels of cocaine and Xanax.

Investigators also allege that about 80 minutes before the fatal crash, Varrino was driving erratically on the Cross Island Parkway and was told by witnesses not to continue driving. Roughly 12 minutes later, she allegedly rear-ended another vehicle on Marathon Parkway in Queens before continuing on to the North Hills crash. Varrino pleaded not guilty and was remanded. She is due back in court March 20. If convicted, she faces up to 8⅓ to 25 years in prison.

Ed Norris honored by LI Music Hall of Fame

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

When Ed Norris was a freshman violinist at Freeport High School, he did not plan to become a choral conductor. But one holiday performance of “Silent Night” in German — and the tears of an elderly woman in the audience — changed the course of his life.

This year, that life in music earned Norris one of Long Island’s highest honors. The director of choral music at Glen Cove High School has been named the 2025 Educator of Note by the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. He will be recognized at a ceremony at the Hall of Fame’s Stony Brook location.

“Gold medals, national conferences and international tours tell part of the story, but Edward Norris’ real legacy lives in the generations of students whose lives he’s transformed through music,” LIMEHOF Vice Chairman Tom Needham said in the organization’s announcement.

For Norris, the recognition is deeply personal.

“Being recognized as the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame 2025 Educator of Note is a profound honor and a deeply humbling moment,” he said in the Hall of Fame’s press release. “Long Island’s rich musical legacy has shaped generations of artists, and to play a role in nurturing that tradition through education is incredibly meaningful to me.”

But long before Carnegie Hall and international tours, there was a moment in Freeport that reshaped his path.

After growing up playing violin since third grade, Norris joined his high school choir and experienced what he now calls a pivotal turning point. When the ensemble sang “Silent Night” in German for an elderly woman at the Salvation Army, she began to cry, telling the students it reminded her of her

childhood.

“I went home that day and said to my parents, ‘I want to do that. I want to do what he did for that woman today with my life,’” Norris said. “I can pinpoint the day where everything abruptly changed.”

He still tells that story to his students each year and continues the tradition of singing the carol in German. The lesson, he said, is simple.

“It’s the moments where we make somebody feel something,” Norris said. “That’s what I hope to pass on to my students.”

At Glen Cove, Norris conducts the Mixed Chorus and Select Chorale and teaches music theory and AP Music Theory. His ensembles have consistently earned Gold and Gold with Distinction ratings at New York State School Music Association major ensemble festivals. Students have performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and

toured internationally, most recently presenting the European premiere of Dr. Jeffrey Ames’ “Requiem for Colour” in London in 2025.

Yet Norris measures success differently.

“Every kid matters. Every kid has a voice. Every kid deserves the opportunity to sing and make music,” he said. “You never know where the talent lies.”

He described the Glen Cove program as a place where students from different walks of life — athletes, theater performers, high-achieving scholars and those who find their primary identity in choir — come together.

“That’s where that magic really happens,” Norris said. “Especially with singing, the instrument is inside you. There’s a vulnerability there, and there’s a connection.”

He strives to create a classroom where students feel safe and valued.

“It’s tough to be a teenager now,” he said. “I try to provide a place where they

can exist without fear of being judged.”

Senior Sophia Zapata Diaz, 17, said that environment is what sets Norris apart.

“He believes in his students before they really believe in themselves,” Sophia said. “He has a way of really seeing everyone’s potential.”

She recalled the London tour as one of her favorite memories, particularly the premiere of “Requiem for Colour,” where Glen Cove was the only high school choir performing.

“Everyone was super emotional,” she said. “And Norris gave an amazing speech.”

One phrase from that speech, she said, has stayed with her: “Special people do special things.”

Beyond Glen Cove, Norris directs the Nassau Chamber Chorale of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra and serves as an adjunct professor at Long Island University. He has also contributed to national education initiatives, including the “Teaching with Heart” series developed in collaboration with prominent choral educators.

Still, Norris insists the honor belongs to others.

“Being a teacher and conductor is not what I do — it is who I am,” he said in the Hall of Fame announcement. “This recognition belongs not to me, but to the thousands of students that have allowed me to make music with them over the course of my career, to my colleagues, and community who believe in the power of music to inspire, connect and transform lives.”

For the freshman violinist who once stood in the corner of a Salvation Army and watched music move someone to tears, the Hall of Fame distinction is a milestone. But Norris said his mission remains unchanged.

“You never know who needs to hear you,” he said. “And if you can make a difference for even one person, then that’s the mission.”

Gorgeous, Grandma-ish Takeout

Everything my grandmother cooked was perfect. I have such fond memories as a child, sitting at her kitchen table, shoveling down whatever she put in front of me. Everything she served had a smile on its face. This month, I found four eateries with new foods that remind me of my grandma’s meals. Maybe they’ll remind you of someone you loved too.

Matt’s

Deli (303 Sea Cliff Ave., Sea Cliff)

While strolling on Sea Cliff Avenue, I noticed a mini blackboard hanging on the wall outside Matt’s Deli that said, “Hot Soup Today.” It turns out, owner Matt and his chef associates now offer a different homemade soup every day. My favorites, split pea and tomato, are both thick-but-not-toothick and are filled with grandma-friendly herbs and spices that seem to say, “I love you.” Other endearing soups include chicken and dumpling, lobster bisque, corn chowder, chicken vegetable, beef barley and lentil. Hearty winter dishes accompany all the soups.

saying, “Keep eating! No matter what you do, you’re a good girl.”

Crepe Town (17 N Broadway, Hicksville)

This new cafe features so many variations on crepes, waffles, pancakes and shakes, it’s like the FAO Schwarz of desserts. Crepe flavors range from Dubai chocolate, to Biscoff, to Ferrero Rocher. Brownie waffles, blueberry cheesecake pancakes and Frosted Flake Shakes are just a few of the stars on the menu.

Gioia (94 South St., Oyster Bay)

The menu in this charming restaurant celebrates Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. Seasonal vegetables and handmade pastas dance together on many of the plates. Chef Jesse Schenker mentioned his maltagliati pasta is made with homemade dough that is cut into random shapes. So cool! The dish is offered with asparagus and shrimp. Since I can’t eat shellfish for dietary reasons, I was very happy to learn I could order the pasta with the chef’s light marinara sauce instead. Oh my goodness. The pasta’s silky texture partnered perfectly with the loving flavors in the sauce. I shoveled it down the way I used to in my grandma’s kitchen. As I munched, I imagined my grandmother

I watched the chef create my strawberry shortcake sushi crepe. Plump, juicy strawberries, plus sweet, gooey sauces, and pink and red sprinkles were all rolled inside a freshly made crepe. The roll was then sliced into six sushi-sized pieces. Each bite felt like a hug from my grandma.

The Sweet Tooth Booth (121 Frost Pond Rd., Glen Cove)

While driving on Frost Pond Road, I noticed a sign outside a house that said, “The Sweet Tooth Booth.” I found the menu online and noticed fairy bread was offered. I was hooked.

Here’s the way it works. Heather Fiorita is a stay-at-home-mom who loves to bake. She just opened an official athome baking business. In her kitchen, she creates everything from blueberry scones to potato chip cookies to muffins, cinnamon rolls, and fairy bread. On weekends, Heather places her baked goods on shelves in front of her house. Stop by, pick out what you love, pay with cash or an app, or order online in advance.

Most importantly, Heather’s fairy bread is made with sourdough bread and colored sprinkles. Toast it and add butter. Triple yum! If I’m a grandma someday, I’ll definitely buy it for my grandchildren.

See you next month!

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Grand marshal will have socks for the occasion

We’re now in our 10th year. We have shipped over 500,000 packages to 94 different countries. John has now donated over $800,000 to our charity partners. We’ve created dozens of jobs, and more than half of those were held by people with different abilities.”

At peak season, during the holidays, the company employs 30 people, more than 20 of whom have different abilities.

Cronin’s work extends beyond retail. He and his father travel the country, speaking about disability employment issues. They have testified before Congress twice, and they meet regularly with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

“That creates an obligation on our part to speak up for people,” Mark said. “That advocacy is a very important part of what we do.”

Iyour dreams. Work hard. So you can, too.”

Forgione said that Cronin rose to the top of the Parade Committee’s list of finalists for parade marshal during its selection process. The committee initially considered three finalists — one from Glen Cove, one from Hicksville and Cronin. The parade does not require the honoree to be Irish or from Glen Cove.

’ m practicing my parade wave.

JOHN CRONIN

Grand marshal

One of their focuses has been eliminating the federal sub-minimum wage, allowed under Section 14C of the Fair Labor Standards Act. “When we started, there were over 400,000 people being paid less than minimum wage,” Mark said. “Now it’s down to under 40,000 people. We still have a distance to go, but that’s a lot of progress.”

Beyond business and advocacy, John Cronin often shares encouragement with others who may be struggling or unsure of their next step.

“My advice, follow your heart,” he said. “Follow

“It has to be somebody that did something well for our community, which is the whole Nassau County,” Forgione said.

The parade receives no municipal funding, and relies entirely on donations and banner sponsorships. Last year the committee donated $12,500 to the Boys and Girls Club of Glen Cove.

“This is a very special day not only for the Irish, but also for the whole North Shore,” Forgione said. “Everybody comes out that day.”

Cronin, for his part, is ready. “I’m really excited to be grand marshal,” he said. “And I’m really excited about the parade.”

Those who want to support the parade can purchase banners, make donations or become sponsors. Banners, often bought by local businesses, are displayed along the parade route. For information, visit glencoveparade.com, reach out on the Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade Facebook page, or call Forgione at (516) 528-5180.

Learn more about how we’re helping communities thrive. psegliny.com/revitalization These two moms opened a spa. It had one big,

Mery and Sindy always knew they wanted to open a spa to bring beauty to customers. Little did they know it would have the same effect on the community. And Business First was there. We provided $23,000 in grants to help with much-needed renovations so Mery and Sindy could bring their vision to life.* Now, not only does their spa impact clients in a beautiful way, it gives the community an economic lift as well.

*Incentives, grants, and savings will vary with every project.

Jean-Pierre encourages civic engagement

By ABBY GIBSON & KUMBA JAGNE Interns

Hempstead native Karine Jean-Pierre, the former press secretary in President Joe Biden’s administration, was the latest guest in Hofstra University’s “Signature Speaker” series.

Jean-Pierre, who served in the White House from May 2022 to January 2025, made history as the first Black and first openly LGBTQ person to be press secretary.

She is a graduate of Kellenberg High, in Uniondale, and Columbia University, and her involvement with Hempstead has not diminished: She gave Hempstead High School’s commencement speech in 2022, and was given the keys to the village by Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. in 2024.

“This is very much home for me,” Jean-Pierre said on Feb. 12. “This is not unfamiliar ground.”

Sister members of her honorary sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Hofstra students, community members and students from 18 area high schools attended the event.

Hempstead High senior Zeydi Guerra, 17, said that Jean-Pierre’s speech left her with more motivation to succeed in her own career. “She’s a Hempstead native,” Guerra said. “I feel like if she can make it, I can definitely do something as well.”

Speaking directly to the high school students, JeanPierre encouraged them to be curious, ambitious and passionate. A common thread through her speech, a panel discussion and an interview with student media was urging people to become involved in politics, even though the options may be imperfect.

“Your civic identity doesn’t begin at 18 — it begins when you start paying attention,” she said. “When you

notice what feels fair and what doesn’t, who gets heard and who has to jump higher just to be seen.”

Eleanor McKay, of Hempstead, president of the Long Island Cross County Chapter of the National Council of Negro Women, said she attended because she recognizes the importance of Jean-Pierre being a Black woman who held a high-profile government position.

“She talked about seeing someone touch President

Obama’s hair, a young [Black] boy, and realize that from the texture he was here and how real it is that he is just like us,” McKay said. “Sometimes it’s not really appreciated, or we don’t understand the magnitude of representation. It impacts us and the next generation.”

Hofstra University President Susan Poser introduced Camryn Bowden, a senior majoring in political science and journalism, who in turn introduced JeanPierre. Poser spoke so glowingly of Bowden’s resumé that Jean-Pierre said she would be working for Bowden one day.

“I had the opportunity to get her to sign my copy of her book ‘Independent,’” Bowden said. “She wrote in the book, ‘I’ll be watching you on the news someday.’ It was, again, just a surreal experience to hear someone who held such a high position of power in the White House say such sweet things.”

Jean-Pierre’s first book was “Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America.” Her most recent, published last October, is “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines.”

She empathized with young people’s feelings of being disconnected from the two-party system. “The two-party system often feels rigid, outdated and unresponsive,” she said. “It forces false choices and limits imagination. Questioning that system is not a failure of citizenship.”

She expressed disdain for the current administration, saying, “This too shall pass.”

“We have to work as a people to make sure that there is people power in this time, that our voices are heard, that we hold powerful people accountable,” Jean-Pierre said. “We are celebrating 250 years of this country, and that is a young democracy. If we don’t fight for it every day, we will lose it.”

IAMS celebrates Black History month

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

Nearly 300 community members gathered to celebrate history, service and sisterhood at the I Am My Sister Black History Month Legacy Awards, an evening that honored local leaders while also marking a transition for the organization’s future.

I Am My Sister is a Glen Cove–based mentoring and empowerment organization focused on uplifting girls and young women through leadership development, academic support and community service. With chapters in local schools, including Finley Middle School, the group promotes confidence, sisterhood and civic engagement while connecting students with mentors and positive role models.

The gala recognized several community members for their leadership and impact. Among those honored were Edward P. Norris III, Nicole RobinsonHelmus, Irma Gente, Officer Darren Pittman Jr., and Phyllis Barnett, each celebrated for service, mentorship and contributions to Glen Cove. A Glen Cove High School senior was also awarded a scholarship, underscoring the organization’s investment in the next generation.

Lela Watson, founder of I Am My Sister, opened the evening by framing the celebration as something deeper than an awards ceremony.

“Tonight is a celebration of legacy,” Watson said. “A celebration of excellence. And a celebration of people who make the community stronger every single day.”

She reminded attendees that history is shaped not only by well-known national figures, but by everyday people who commit themselves to service in their own communities.

“Because history is not only written in history books,” she said. “History is written by the people who show up, who serve, who lead, and who care. And tonight, we honor those people.”

Watson also announced that this would be the organization’s final Black History Month Legacy Awards gala. Beginning next year, I Am My Sister will shift its focus to celebrating local women community members, broadening its spotlight to recognize women making a difference across Glen Cove.

The announcement signaled a new chapter while maintaining the organization’s core mission of empowerment and recognition.

Roderick Watson, executive director of I Am My Brother, spoke about the importance of preserving and sharing Glen Cove’s Black history — stories that often go untold despite being rooted in the city’s landscape.

“We always complained that it was the shortest month of the year,” he said of Black History Month. “We forget that we have history here too.”

He referenced local landmarks and figures, encouraging attendees to reflect on the deeper history embedded in familiar places.

“Many of you all probably have gone

to the Boys Cove, the Green Cove,” Watson said. “But did you know that particular building was created by the Pratt family so Black people had a place to worship that worked on the estates in Glen Cove?”

He also pointed to Brewster Street and Black World War I veterans, as well as the Samuel Pierce Apartments near the senior center.

“Did you know that the apartments next to it were named after a Black man that was born in Glen Cove that worked, I believe, in three administrations in the federal government?” he asked. “We don’t talk about the history, so that’s one of the reasons why we gave this thing.”

The awards, he said, are about honor-

ing both past trailblazers and presentday leaders.

“We do it for the history — those in the past who we salute — and we give the flowers for the ones that are here, the ones that are still serving,” he said.

Youth leadership was also highlighted during the program. Allison Romera, president of the Finley Middle School chapter of I Am My Sister, spoke about how the club has shaped her and her peers.

“This club is important to me because it helps us build trust, leadership and confidence,” Romera said. “It teaches us how to support one another.”

She acknowledged the challenges students face in middle school.

“Middle school can be hard. There

can be drama, bullying and other stuff, but I Am My Sister helps us rise above it,” she said. “We don’t have to be best friends, but we should be kind and respectful to our other peers and club members.”

“In this club, we lift each other up,” she added. “We shine together.”

Honoree Phyllis Barnett reflected on the broader civil rights legacy, referencing the recent passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson.

“His life reminds us that the fight for justice and equality for all people of color continues,” Barnett said. “We are still pushing, still advocating and still demanding dignity, and I’m proud to be part of that ongoing struggle in my own way.”

State highlights workforce training on L.I.

By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD & CAROLYN JAMES of the Herald

As employers across Long Island struggle to fill open positions, State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon visited Suffolk County Community College’s Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood on Feb. 17 to spotlight workforce training and emphasize child care access as a critical barrier to employment.

“There are many pathways leading to middle-class, family-sustaining jobs right now, and many of them lead through community college programs,” said Edward Bonahue, president of Suffolk County Community College. “An apprenticeship, an industry-recognized certification or license or a two-year degree. Eventually, many of them can also lead to bachelor’s degrees as well, and I appreciate Commissioner Reardon helping to shine a light on these opportunities.”

Reardon toured the college’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, met with students and educators and highlighted several workforce development and child care initiatives included in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed state budget.

Long Island faces ongoing shortages in skilled trades like electrical work, heating and air conditioning, plumbing and advanced manufacturing. Nassau and Suffolk community colleges offer workforce training in those areas, as well as in

campus on Feb. 17.

health care. And the Long Island Educational Opportunity Center, sponsored by SUNY Farmingdale, offers regional residents tuition-free vocational training.

Officials said the programs help create a pipeline of locally trained workers who can remain in their communities.

Will Testa, owner of Will Testa Remodeling Inc., in Copiague, noted the shortage of workers. “There are not enough people coming in to the workforce who are trained properly,” he said. “The problem is, everyone forces their kids to go to college, which may be good for some, but

it’s not good for everyone, and trade schools are important — it’s the infrastructure of our society.”

What’s important, Testa added, is that this training is designed hard in hand with local employers.

While workforce-training programs are expanding, Reardon said, employment growth also depends on addressing Long Island’s child care shortage.

Reardon, who also co-chairs the state’s Child Care Task Force, said that increasing access to affordable care is essential to strengthening the labor force. The task

force, relaunched in 2023, is developing strategies aimed at universal, high-quality, affordable child care statewide.

“The governor has spoken a lot about this issue, and made it clear that she wants every New Yorker to be able to work at their fullest capacity and desire,” she said. “And that means that we have a responsibility to help them have accessible, affordable child care to do that.”

Child care costs on Long Island are among the highest in the country, second only to Massachusetts. Families typically spend between $15,000 and $24,000 annually per child for full-time, center-based care, according to the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island.

“When you couple that with the high costs of everything else — housing, food, utilities — child care is a tremendous stress on families,” Reardon noted.

Prachi Shah, owner of Kiddie Academy, in Hicksville, said that care providers also face financial pressures. “We are grateful for Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon’s visit to the Brentwood Campus and her attention to matters affecting our industry,” Shah said.

The Kiddie Academy of Hicksville and Bethpage are independently owned and operated franchise locations that serve 350 children and employ 75 early-childhood educators. “It is essential to keep this discussion going,” Shah said, “and highlight ways the state can better support providers on Long Island.”

Icons. Insights. Impact.

STEPPING OUT

Rhythms, rituals and revelry

Carnival is back at Long Island Children’s Museum

By Abbey Salvemini

Let the good times roll when the museum opens its doors to Carnival on Saturday.

As a globally cherished cultural celebration, Carnival honors the unique traditions and diverse identities of the Caribbean and Latin American cultures it touches. Locally, Long Island Children’s Museum transforms into a vibrant street festival for its second annual Carnival — a vibrant showcase of creativity and self-expression — through a blend of music, dance, crafts and interactive programming.

Supported by New York State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, the event highlights the museum’s commitment to creating shared cultural experiences for Long Island families.

“As a woman of Caribbean descent, I am proud to sponsor this event at the Long Island Children’s Museum, an institution that plays a vital role in educating and inspiring our young people,” Solages says. “Events like this remind us, and teach the next generation, that diversity is our strength and that honoring our roots can be both joyful and meaningful.”

American Chamber Ensemble in concert

Hofstra University’s renowned ensemble-in-residence celebrates the legacies of founding clarinetist Naomi Drucker and longtime violist Lois Martin at its upcoming concert. The program — a diverse selection of works by Mendelssohn, Hurlstone, Beach, Dimmler, and Steven Gerber — honors both who were instrumental in shaping ACE’s storied history. In a special tribute to Martin, the ensemble performs Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, a masterpiece known for its prominent viola scoring. Drucker, a revered educator and co-founder, is remembered with David Holsinger’s On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss. In a testament to her impact, f Drucker’s former students, colleagues, and friends join the ensemble on stage for this moving tribute

• Saturday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Admission: $18, $16 65+

• View the LICM events calendar at licm.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800

• 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

While the iconic celebrations in Rio de Janeiro and Portau-Prince often steal the spotlight, the museum’s festival dives deeper into the tapestry of the region — from the energetic parades of Barranquilla to the historic traditions of Oruro and Montevideo. They are expressions of heritage and identity, artistic creativity and community spirit that define the joy of marking the changing seasons and the region’s rich tapestry.

Visitors will get a taste of Carnival’s jubilant spirit of throughout the day’s programming.

“We were looking for a festival that embodies the diversity of Long Island,” Aimee Terzulli, the museum’s vice president of program and visitor experience shares. “These cultural festivals are invitations to the community.”

Throughout the day, families can expect a lively mix of music, movement and creative experiences, set against the backdrop of upbeat Caribbean rhythms that create a lively, tropical atmosphere.

The Brazilian Samba Novo troupe, a returning favorite, gets everyone moving to the sounds of Samba and salsa music. The lively dancers and energetic drummers once again entertain the crowd and teach kids some of the dance steps, adding an interactive element to their entertainment. Those towering “Jumbie” stilt walkers, rooted as a symbol of spirit guardians, are also back, bring the magic to life as an iconic part of the Carnival celebration.

“The performances resemble what Carnival would really be like,” Terzulli enthuses.

No Carnival is complete without a massive parade to ring in the holiday. Here everyone gets into the parade spirit during what she describes as “the fantastic float parade.”

Kids can help decorate miniature floats before pulling them through the parade, accompanied by dancers and stilt walkers. And, of course, there’s a Carnival King and Queen involved — chosen from

in the air,

every

to life and invite young guests to move, groove and celebrate together.

get

those in the “crowd” to reinforce the event’s playful, inclusive spirit.

Little faces, big imaginations! From butterflies to bold designs, creativity takes center stage as kids are transformed into works of art.

The museum’s animal ‘residents” even join in the fun, helping families understand how wildlife has historically inspired Carnival imagery and costume design. New craft offerings this year include maraca-making, ribbon stick design and face painting.

However, the day isn’t just about play — it’s about perspective.

“We want everyone to find an entry point,” Terzulli says.

While the event is undeniably festive, education remains a core focus. Museum staff and performers involve conversations about Carnival’s history and meaning throughout the day, helping visitors understand its cultural roots while enjoying it all. Through partnerships with authentic cultural contributors, the museum ensures the history of the experience remains front and center.

“We make sure that when they are making the crafts, there is an exchange of why they are making it,” Turzelli adds.

Of course, no festival is complete without flavor. Families can pause for a “pit stop” to sample sweet and savory treats inspired by various Latin American and Caribbean nations, providing a literal taste of the regions being celebrated.

At its heart, the aim is for families to leave with more than just memories of a fun day. Carnival also reflects the museum’s broader mission of serving as a community gathering place.

“I hope they walk away with a sense of joy about the holiday. I think it’s a beautiful, multicultural event,” Terzulli adds. “We want LICM to be a space where people come to learn about each other.”

Sunday, March 1, 3 p.m. $20, $15 seniors 65+ or students with ID; available at the door. Hofstra University, Monroe Lecture Center, California Ave., Hempstead. For information or reservations, call (631) 242-5684 or (516) 586-3433.

“Don’t stop believin’…

Voyage rocks on with another dynamic tribute to Journey. The popular band takes everyone back to the ‘80s when Journey’s timeless music ruled the airwaves. Hailed by fans and critics alike, the band performs the music with chilling accuracy. Voyage is celebrated for their uncanny ability to recreate the legendary sound, energy and passion of one of rock’s greatest bands. With their blistering guitar solos, lush keyboard arrangements, electrifying stage presence, and stunning harmonies, the band has earned a reputation as the ultimate homage to Journey’s timeless music. Fronted by vocalist Pedro Espada, whose range and tone is acclaimed as rivaling the iconic Steve Perry, he’s backed by a lineup of world-class musicians — Robby Hoffman, Greg Smith, Lance Millard, and Dana Spellman — who bring every note to life with precision and heart. Voyage doesn’t just perform Journey’s greatest hits — they transport audiences back to the height of arena rock glory.

Friday, Feb. 27, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

MAR

1Drawing

Parallels with Simon Deng Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center hosts Simon Deng, a South Sudanese-American human rights activist and former child slave who has dedicated his life to fighting modern-day slavery and promoting freedom. Enslaved at age nine during a militia raid, he escaped after three years and later found refuge in the U.S., where he became a prominent voice against human rights abuses in Sudan and Darfur. Deng joins Alan Mindel, Chair of HMTC’s Board of Directors, for a powerful conversation about the hardships, resilience and purpose that have defined his life and advocacy. Register at hmtcli.org/events. Free with suggested donation of $18.

• Where: The Inn at Great Neck, 30 Cutter Mill Road, Great Next

• Time: 2-4 p.m.

• Contact: hmtcli.org or 516-571-8040

Art Perspectives

Nassau County Museum of Art welcomes acclaimed artist Adam Straus for engaging conversation with noted art critic-writerfilmmaker Amei Wallach. Together, Straus and Wallach will discuss his artistic process, share insights from his current and past work, and present images that illuminate the evolution of his practice. Their dialogue offers a unique window into the artist’screative journey and the broader role of art in reflecting and responding to our contemporary world. $20, $15 seniors, $10 students (members free). Limited seating, register in advance.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 3 p.m.

• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337

Hempstead House Tour

See the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion at Sands Point Preserve, the former summer residence of Howard Gould (19121917) and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim (1917-1930). For adults, but children 5+ are allowed. $10 per person.

• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point

• Time: Noon-2 p.m.; also March 15

• Contact: sandspointpreserveconservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901

Draw KPop

Demon Hunters Students in grades 3-8 are invited to Glen Cove Public Library for a workshop with

Jessie’s Girl

MAR 6

Stacey Karathanasis, Christopher Moll, and Maria Venuto. The evening supports the Glen Cove Community Scholarship Fund and the Class of 2026 Glen Cove High School graduates. $140. No tickets are sold at the door.

• Where: Soundview Caterers, 45 Bayville Ave., Bayville

• Time: 6-10 p.m.

• Contact: Sandra Potter, (516) 669-7703, sandrapotter27@ yahoo.com; or Kelley Montesano, (516) 680-9706, kimesano@hotmail.com

Winter Forest Walk

Join naturalist Virginal Dankel for an interactive winter stroll across the Nassau County Museum of Art grounds. During this seasonal walk, participants can expand their knowledge of the natural world and strengthen their powers of observation. Adults only. $20, $10 members. Registration required.

• Where: Manes Education Center, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337

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

• Time: 8 p.m.

Drag out that neon once again and give your hair its best ‘80s ‘do. Those crazy days are back — as only Jessie’s Girl can pull off, on the Paramount stage. The band of NYC’s top rock/pop musicians and singers gets everyone into that “Back To The Eighties” vibe with the latest edition of their popular concert experience. With a lineup including four pop-rock vocalists dressing and performing as 80s icons, backed by a dynamic band, this is the definitive ‘80s experience. Jessie’s Girl’s primary line-up includes a team of NYC’s top rock and pop vocalists: Jenna O’Gara, Jerome Bell-Bastien, and Mark Rinzel. They are backed by one of the tightest bands in the city comprised of 20+ year veterans of the NYC music scene: Eric Presti on guitar, Drew Mortali on bass, Michael Maenza on drums, and Karlee Bloom on Keys and the Keytar. Each with dozens of credits performing with authentic ‘80s icons who made the music famous to begin with! From the synth-pop glitz of the early MTV era to the power ballads of stadium rock, the band captures the specific magic that defined a generation. Throw on top of that: a load of super-fun choreography, audience participation, props, costumes bubbles, and confetti — and you have a party that audiences don’t want to leave. Their motto: There’s no decade like the Eighties and no party like Back To The Eighties with Jessie’s Girl. Whether you lived through the ‘80s the first time or are just a fan of the timeless anthems, you’ll want to join in the fun.

artist McKel Supreme. Learn to draw characters including Rumi, Mira and Zoey in this hands-on session. Registration required.

• Where: 4 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Cove

• Time: 7-8 p.m.

• Contact: glencovelibrary.org or (516) 676-2130

Blood Pressure Screening

St. Francis Hospital nursing staff conducts free blood pressure screenings on the first Wednesday of each month at Glen Cove Public Library. No appointment required; participation is first come, first served.

• Where: 4 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Cove

• Time: 1-3 p.m.

• Contact: glencovelibrary.org or (516) 676-2130

Monthly

meditation

Sands Point Preserve’s historic mansions and waterfront grounds are the backdrop for an evening of nature-based mindfulness and meditation with Hildur Palsdottir, first Thursday monthly. Classes are held in the beautiful rooms of the Preserve’s MAR

mansions, or in the Hempstead House Garden when weather permits. Explore techniques specifically aimed at stress reduction. Hildur adapts ancient Buddhist teachings to modern applications for calming the mind. With transformative practices you will access wisdom and clarity to live a more compassionate life. In addition to facilitating these monthly groups, Hildur offers support with establishing a home meditation practice. No feeling is final. $17 per class.

• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point

• Time: 6-7 p.m.; also March 5

• Contact: sandspointpreserveconservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901

First Fridays: Through Stained Glass

Explore the extensive collection of medieval and renaissance stained glass at Planting Fields! During this walk and workshop for adults, participants discover the travels and stories of a few of the 40-plus stained-glass panes that illuminate the historic housemuseum, the Main House. Guests are guided by Collections and Exhibitions Manager Emily Leger,

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

and Archivist, Marie Penny and will view the Corpus Vitrearum, an International scholarly compilation of historic glass windows. Also make your own faux stained glass to bring home and enjoy! $25.

• Where: Main House, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay

• Time: 2-3:30 p.m.

• Contact: plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210

Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus

The all-new circus tour is a nonstop celebration of jaw-dropping acts, world-class performances and memory-making moments. Dance, cheer and celebrate from your seat.

• Where: 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont

• Time: Various, through March 8

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or ringling.com/circus

Scholarship/

7

MAR

10

City Council meets

The Glen Cove City Council holds their next regular meeting. All are welcome.

• Where: Glen Cove City Hall, 9 Glen St.

• Time: 7:30- 8 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 676-2000

MAR

Friends of the Glen Cove Public Library meet

The Friends of the Glen Cove Public Library hold their monthly meeting.

• Where: 4 Glen Cove Ave.

• Time: 11 a.m.-noon

• Contact: glencovelibrary.org or (516) 676-2130

Having an event?

Diamond Club Awards Dinner

The Glen Cove Council of PTAs hosts its annual Scholarship & Diamond Club Awards Dinner. Honorees are Ida Johnson, MAR

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.

pounded by lingering accumulation from the major storm earlier this month.

“The previous snow didn’t even melt, so that’s kind of disappointing,” she said. “That’s just piling on and piling on.”

City schools were closed on Monday and Tuesday as the Department of Public Works labored to clear main roads and residential blocks. While Glen Cove received roughly 18 inches, some totals farther south and east exceeded 2 feet. According to the National Weather Service, there were accumulations of 23.7 inches in East Meadow, 24 inches in Lynbrook, 29.1 inches in Islip and 29.5 in Babylon.

For part of its duration, the storm met the technical definition of a blizzard — sustained winds or frequent gusts over 35 mph for at least three hours, with falling or blowing snow reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile. Gusts reached 45 to 55 mph in some areas, creating whiteout conditions and significant drifting.

Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck said that DPW crews were deployed before the storm began, pretreating roads and staging equipment.

“When we get a snowstorm, the men are out ahead of time preparing,” Panzenbeck said. “They’re putting product down to help the snow to melt. It isn’t just for the point of the storm that people see the trucks — they’re out before the storm as well.”

The city ordered roughly 3,000 tons of salt for the season, and continues to replenish its supply, she said. Repeated weekend storms have also increased overtime costs.

“The unbelievable thing is this has all been on the weekends — Saturdays and Sundays,” Panzenbeck said. “So it’s overtime. That’s wear and tear on our budget as well.”

She said the city would likely make budget transfers once final overtime figures are calculated.

Councilman John Perrone acknowledged that two major snowfalls in close succession can strain municipal planning. “A budget is only an estimate of what you think anticipated costs are going to be,” he said. “Is it going to affect the budget? Possibly. If there’s an unexpended surplus someplace else, that can offset it.”

At Tuesday night’s council meeting, resident Harris Pepper thanked the city for clearing main roads, but added a pointed critique of conditions on side streets,

particularly his cul-de-sac on Midwood Place.

“Our main roads were totally clear and safe when I left for work this morning at 5:30 a.m.,” Pepper said. “My issue tonight involves the side roads of Glen Cove.” A plow, he said, came down Midwood Place — “right down the middle of the road” — on Sunday and again around 3 a.m on Monday, but never returned to clear closer to the curb.

“Every house on the street had their vehicles off the street,” Pepper said, noting that one car was parked legally on the odd side as directed by the city. “Not one resident shoveled snow into the street. No plow ever returned to Midwood Place to get closer to the curb or to clean up again.”

He added that neither plowing nor salting was completed on the southern portion of the cul-de-sac as of 5:30 p.m. Monday.

“At the entrance to the block, two medium-sized pickup trucks became stuck and had to be shoveled out,” Pepper said. “I am certain that this happened on numerous side streets.”

He emphasized that he wasn’t criticizing DPW workers themselves. “I know the personnel at DPW are great personnel,” he said. “But they must be stretched to the limits in order to miss such large amounts of snow.”

He also tied the issue to broader infrastructure concerns discussed at previous meetings, referring to proposed housing near the Glen Street LIRR station and other development projects.

“We’re talking about upgrading infrastructure and bringing people to live here,” Pepper said. “But our schools, our roadways and infrastructure systems that are in place are not ready for a dramatic increase in population of any size. It is time for the city to do more, and to do right by its present constituents.”

Nominate a student under 18 for the Sustainability Champion Award to recognize their efforts in driving sustainable change.

Submit a nomination of approximately 100 words or less describing the student’s leadership in promoting sustainability: What motivates them? What impact have they had?

Be sure to include a photo or an example of their work—whether it’s a community garden, an environmental campaign, or a creative solution to a sustainability challenge.

Advocates say deregulation threatens L.I.

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi stood along the waterfront in Glen Cove on Tuesday, Feb. 17, warning that Long Islanders cannot afford to ignore what he described as a sweeping rollback of federal climate protections.

“Climate change is real,” Suozzi repeated several times during the news conference, held just days after President Donald Trump and the Environmental Protection Agency rescinded the 2009 “endangerment finding,” a policy that concluded greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare.

The Feb. 12 deregulatory action eliminates federal greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and trucks and could pave the way for undoing regulations on stationary sources such as power plants and oil and gas facilities. The EPA said the decision would save taxpayers $1.3 trillion and remove regulatory burdens on manufacturers, including requirements to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions for vehicles and engines.

Suozzi, a Democrat who represents parts of Long Island and Queens, sharply disagreed.

“I don’t think we should be saying let’s celebrate clean, beautiful coal. That’s absurd,” he said. “This is very real, serious business. This is affecting the quality of your life.”

The Obama-era endangerment finding has served as the legal foundation for nearly all federal climate regulations under the Clean Air Act, including limits on emissions from motor vehicles, power plants and other major sources of pollution. Without it, environmental advocates warn, the federal government’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions would be significantly weakened.

Amid/Herald

U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi spoke ON Feb. 17 where he and local environmental advocates criticized the rollback of the 2009 “endangerment finding” and warned of its potential impact on Long Island’s coastline.

Suozzi cited a 2023 Moody’s report that ranked Long Island fourth among major American population centers for exposure to the physical and economic risks of climate change. He said residents are already feeling the impact through rising insurance premiums, higher food prices and more frequent and severe storms.

“We are here on Long Island, right by the water, and we’re subject to the effects of rising sea levels,” Suozzi said. “We have to wake up. This is very real.”

Several environmental leaders joined him at the

news conference, condemning the federal government’s action and pledging legal challenges.

Pete Budden, senior advocate for hydrogen, climate and energy at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said greenhouse gas emissions pose a clear danger to public health and should be regulated under the Clean Air Act. He announced that the NRDC would file a lawsuit in federal court to challenge the repeal.

Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, called the rollback a direct threat to both environmental sustainability and economic stability. She argued that climate change is already costing billions nationwide through extreme weather events and property damage.

Michelle Lapinel McAllister, programs director for the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor, said the impacts of climate change are measurable and growing, stressing that sustained federal action is necessary to reduce pollution and protect communities.

Suozzi said he is working to build a coalition in Congress to strengthen environmental protections and preserve the Clean Air Act’s authority. He also said the rollback underscores the importance of the 2026 midterm elections.

“Legislation is the number one vehicle available to us now,” he said. “But people need to speak up.”

Standing along Hempstead Harbor, Suozzi framed the issue as both environmental and economic, calling climate change an “existential threat” to Long Island’s coastline, infrastructure and quality of life.

“This is affecting your wallet,” he said. “It’s affecting your property. It’s affecting your future.”

26, 2026

LEGAL NOTICE

Public Notices

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU

HSBC Bank USA, N.A., as trustee for the registered holders of the Renaissance Home Equity Loan AssetBacked Certificates, Series 2004-4, Plaintiff AGAINST

John Kerry Webber, Jr.; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 31, 2024, 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 March 9,2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 99 A Forest Avenue, Glen Cove, NY 11542. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the City of Glen Cove, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 30 Block D-00 Lot 86. Approximate amount of judgment

$668,600.09 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 004249/2015. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies

Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the 10th Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Rita Solomon, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP

f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC

Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: December 29, 2025 158263

LEGAL NOTICE

VILLAGE OF

A public hearing will be held by and before the Planning Board of the Incorporated Village of Lattingtown, Nassau County, New York, on March 19, 2026 at 5:30 p.m., at the Village Hall - 299 Lattingtown Road in the Village. The hearing will be on the application of Jennifer Devito, owner of a 2.05-acre parcel of land located on the southerly side of Meudon Drive in the

Village, also known as Section 30, Block 45 Lot 25 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map and located in the Village’s R-2A (2-acre) zoning district.

The Applicant seeks a Freshwater Wetlands Development Permit and Tree Removal Permit to permit the construction of a single-family dwelling with driveway, inground swimming pool, patios and other appurtenant structures, along with drainage and sanitary systems for the proposed dwelling, all of which will occur within a regulated freshwater wetland as defined in Village Code Section 161-2, and as shown on the site plan entitled “Landscape, Tree Removal, Protection and Preservation Plan…” prepared by Michael Michel, RLA and last dated January 12, 2026. The above application is on file at Humes & Wagner, LLP, Attorneys for the Village, 147 Forest Avenue Locust Valley, New York 11560, where it may be seen by appointment during the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday until the time of the hearing.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at said time and place. If any individual requires special assistance to attend, please notify the Village Clerk at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

Charles Gresalfi Chairman P-140

February 26, 2026 February 27, 2026 158622

LEGAL NOTICE

North Shore Central School District 112 Franklin Ave. Sea Cliff, New York

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

On behalf of a cooperative of school districts in Nassau County, the Board of Education of the North Shore Central School District, Sea Cliff, New York, in accordance with Section 103 of General Municipal Law, hereby invites the submission of sealed bids from reputable and qualified contractors for the provision of labor and materials for the following contract: Cooperative Bid for General A/C, Ventilation &

Refrigeration Repairs & Services

Bid receipt day and time: March 17th, 2026 at 11:00am

This is a Cooperative bid. Participating school districts are as follows: Baldwin UFSD, Bellmore UFSD, Bellmore-Merrick CHSD, Bethpage UFSD, Carle Place UFSD, East Meadow UFSD, East Rockaway UFSD, East Williston UFSD, Elmont UFSD,Floral Park UFSD, Freeport UFSD, Garden City UFSD, Glen Cove CSD, Great Neck UFSD, Hempstead UFSD, Herricks UFSD, Hewlett-Woodmere UFSD, Hicksville UFSD, Island Trees UFSD, Jericho UFSD, Levittown UFSD, Locust Valley CSD, Long Beach CSD, Lynbrook UFSD, Manhasset UFSD, Massapequa UFSD, Merrick UFSD, Mineola UFSD, New Hyde ParkGCP UFSD, North Bellmore UFSD, North Merrick UFSD, North Shore CSD, Oceanside UFSD, Plainedge UFSD, Plainview-Old Bethpage CSD, Port Washington UFSD, Rockville Center UFSD, Roosevelt UFSD, Seaford UFSD, Syosset CSD, Uniondale UFSD, Valley Stream CHS, Valley Stream #13, Valley Stream UFSD #24, Valley Stream#30, Wantagh UFSD, West Hempstead UFSD, Westbury UFSD.

Bids for the term of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 will be received until the above-stated hour of prevailing time and date at the Business Office of North Shore Central School District located at 112 Franklin Ave , Sea Cliff, NY 11579. Promptly at 11:00am prevailing time on March 17th, 2026, bids will be opened and read aloud .Bids will be opened and read in this manner from the District Offices, located at 112 Franklin Avenue, Sea Cliff NY 11579. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained via email on Feb 26th , 2026, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm, excluding holidays. Requests for bid documents must be sent via email to Mathew Cheravallil cheravallilm@northsho reschools.org . All questions regarding this cooperative bid shall be submitted in writing and faxed to the attention of

Matthew Backes at 516-277-7833.

Bids must be presented on the standard proposal form in the manner designated and as required by the specifications. All bids must be enclosed in sealed envelopes which are clearly marked on the outside: “North Shore Central School District -Cooperative Bid for General A/C, Ventilation & Refrigeration Repairs & Service” Bids shall remain firm for a period of forty-five (45) days following the date of the bid opening. Each board of education reserves the right to waive any informalities in or to reject any or all bids, or to accept that bid which, in the Boards of Education’s judgment, is in the best interest of the School District. The Boards of Education further reserve the right to consider experience, service and reputation in the above referenced fields. In addition, the Boards of Education reserve the right to consider the financial responsibility and specific qualifications, set forth in the bid specifications, of the prospective bidder in evaluation of the bids and award of contracts BOARD OF EDUCATION North shore Central School District By: Elizabeth Ciampi, District Clerk 158623

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWABS, INC., ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-1, -againstROCIO RIOS, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on January 15, 2026, wherein THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWABS, INC., ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-1 is the Plaintiff and ROCIO RIOS, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee,

Family feud

Dear Great Book Guru, I was having a delicious breakfast with friends at Matt’s Deli here in Sea Cliff, when one of the group mentioned a book we might all enjoy - a family drama about a train wreck, business ethics, aging parents, and the dangers of medical googling. Needless to say - we were intrigued…

Book Lovers and Breakfasters

Dear Book Lovers and Breakfasters,

“Wreck” by Catherine Newman does indeed cover a myriad of subjects. Rachel aka Rocky is the lead character and the novel opens with an inexplicable rash that she obsessively googles, with each piece of information offering a more dire diagnosis.

Her husband Nick is a patient, loving mate and her recently widowed father is weighing his future housing options while staying with them. Her anxiety

THE GREAT BOOK GURU NEWS BRIEF

ridden daughter Willa has returned home after finishing college and son Jaimie has taken on a new job in New York City.

Everything seems normal except for the family members’ obsession with a train/ car fatality that happens shortly before the book opens. Was it suicide …was it human error… or was it corporate malfeasance?

We soon learn that Jaime’s new job involves representing the train company and as the story unfolds it appears there is a strong likelihood the company bears much blame. Throughout we see how every family member shoulders some guilt about this incident, but the question remains – how will they find absolution?

A complex ethical dilemma and highly recommended.

Would you like to ask the Great Book Guru for a book suggestion? Contact her at annmdipietro@gmail.com.

Youth Recreation Dinner

The 5th annual Glen Cove Youth Recreation Dinner will be held March 19, at 6 p.m. at The Crescent Beach Club in Bayville, raising funds to support local youth sports programs.

The fundraiser benefits Glen Cove Youth Sports and will recognize community members for their contributions to athletics and recreation. Tickets are $125 per person and include dinner and an open bar. Raffles will also be sold during the evening.

This year’s 2026 honorees include Dan Mariana for baseball and softball; Tip Henderson for golf; Kerry Catanzano, honored posthumously, for junior basketball; Joe and Lisa Marconi for

will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 31, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 2 DOXEY DRIVE, GLEN COVE, NY 11542; and the following tax map

identification: 21-246-5. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE CITY OF GLEN COVE, TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK

on March 19

junior football and cheer; Scott and Jessy Kaffi for junior lacrosse; and Paul Dennis, honored posthumously, for junior soccer. Jerry Cornelis will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Susan Discala will be recognized as Parent Volunteer of the Year.

Attendees are asked to RSVP by Feb. 27 by emailing Kfoster@glencoveny.gov. Payments may be made online via QR code or by check payable to The Friends of the Glen Cove Youth Board, 128B Glen St., Glen Cove, NY 11542. Sponsorship opportunities ranging from $250 to $5,000 are also available. – Roksana Amid

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 614405/2022. Brian J. Davis, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 158620

OPINIONS Stephen Miller’s politics of sabotage

Every administration has its ideologues. Every president has advisers who translate impulse into policy. But once in a while, a single figure emerges whose real work is not governance but sabotage — the deliberate narrowing of civic life.

In Donald Trump’s White House, that figure is Stephen Miller.

Miller is often described as the architect of Trump’s immigration agenda.

That may be true, but it’s incomplete. Immigration is simply the most visible stage on which Miller operates. The deeper project is broader and more corrosive: a politics designed to make Americans afraid — not only of immigrants, but of one another, and of acting freely in public life.

Miller’s real architecture isn’t just about who gets in. It’s about what kind of country we become.

The through-line is intimidation. The point isn’t merely enforcement but atmosphere: to show that the state can reach into your life suddenly, harshly,

without apology. To make people think twice before speaking, gathering, helping or dissenting. To shrink civic space until citizenship itself begins to feel conditional. In such a climate, obedience becomes the safest form of participation, and democracy begins to feel like a risk.

That’s why Miller matters. He isn’t simply a policy adviser. He is both symptom and accelerant — a product of a political sickness and one of its most effective carriers. The sickness is the belief that democracy is too messy, pluralism too dangerous, compassion too soft. Miller gives that belief bureaucratic form.

Idone profound damage. And once that atmosphere is established, the most vulnerable are always the first to suffer the worst of it.

n a Millershaped America, protest would be treated as menace.

Miller’s defenders characterize him as “tough.” But toughness isn’t the same as callousness. A serious country can enforce laws without turning the machinery of government into an engine of humiliation. Miller’s politics depend on a story: that America is perpetually under siege, that outsiders are threats, that pluralism is weakness, that empathy is naïveté.

tions would be staffed by loyalty, not expertise; protest would be treated as menace; law would be less a shield than a club; and citizenship would be a conditional permit, not a shared inheritance. It’s tempting, and comforting, to say, “The Constitution will save us.” It won’t. Constitutions don’t rescue republics by themselves. They are frameworks, not force fields. They depend on officials who honor them, courts that enforce them, legislators who defend their authority, and citizens who refuse to be intimidated into silence.

It’s not a secret that his fingerprints are on some of the harshest immigration measures of the last decade, including family separation at the southern border — a policy widely condemned because it treats children not as human beings, but as instruments of deterrence. Whatever you believe about border control, using suffering as a message is a show of cruelty, not strength.

But the deeper lesson is about power. A government that can make ordinary people afraid — afraid to speak, gather, help or dissent — has already

Civil rights organizations have raised alarms for years about Miller’s proximity to white nationalist rhetoric. The Southern Poverty Law Center took the extraordinary step of listing him in its extremist files. That is not a marginal controversy; it goes to the moral and ideological foundations of the policies he designs. Whether you accept every charge or not, the pattern is difficult to miss: Miller’s governing worldview is built on suspicion — of difference, of openness, of the very idea of a shared civic “we.”

In a Miller-shaped America, the safest posture would be silence; institu-

The danger of Stephen Miller’s politics is that they treat laws not as a restraint but as an instrument — something to stretch, weaponize and exhaust until rights feel theoretical and the public stops believing that resistance matters.

So the question isn’t whether the Constitution can save us. The question is whether Americans will still insist on the constitutional order itself: limits on power, equal citizenship, lawful process, and a public life in which fear isn’t the organizing principle.

Miller’s project runs in the other direction. And if it succeeds, no piece of parchment will protect us.

Michael Blitz is professor emeritus of interdisciplinary studies at the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

The challenge of celebrating Black History Month

On Feb. 5, not long after Black History Month began, President Trump’s Truth Social account posted a video depicting former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes. In response to criticism from Republicans, the video was removed the next day, but with no apology from the president.

That’s the immediate context in which Black History Month takes place, but it’s been an entire year since the last celebration of this month, during which the Trump administration has advanced white supremacy and moved aggressively to undermine America’s longstanding commitment to diversity. The administration’s support for white supremacy isn’t new. In November 2019, in Trump’s first term, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights called for the firing of Trump adviser Stephen Miller, stating, “Stephen Miller represents white supremacy, violent extremism, and hate — all ideologies that are antithetical to

the fundamental values that guide our democracy. Allowing him to remain a White House advisor is a betrayal of our national ideals of justice, inclusion, and fairness.”

Yet in the second Trump administration, Miller has even more power. As Ashley Parker, of the Atlantic, told NPR recently, “He’s incredibly powerful. Steve Bannon and other people jokingly call him the prime minister.”

The Trump government has undermined our country’s commitment to diversity.

Miller is perhaps best known, as NPR reports, as “a chief architect of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.” That crackdown has generated intense public opposition due to the killings in Minneapolis of two American citizens with no criminal records by ICE officers. Because ICE is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, it ironically shares the department’s mission to “safeguard the American people.” That irony is not lost on Americans, and the public response to those two deaths has echoed the outcry after the 2020 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers.

The irony of the administration continues, as the White House acts to ensure that America’s schools instill, in the words of Executive Order 14190, “a

patriotic admiration for our incredible Nation and the values for which we stand” — while detaining children through ICE crackdowns at accelerating rates. As MS NOW reports, “Recent independent analysis by the Marshall Project shows that the number of children held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement has skyrocketed in Trump’s second term — from an average of about 25 children detained per day during the final 16 months of Biden’s presidency to about 170 children per day under Trump.” On some days, the analysis found, “ICE held 400 children or more.”

What values, exactly, are those detained children learning at the hands of the administration? What values are all children learning as they witness detentions of other children, day care workers and young parents? These are actions of cruelty, not respect for human life and liberty. They are acts of lawlessness, not patriotism.

Now the administration proposes to change the way we vote in America. As The New York Times reports, “President Trump has repeatedly suggested that he wants the Republican-led federal government to ‘nationalize,’ or ‘take over,’

the running of elections.” His allies in Congress are simultaneously advancing legislation — the Make Elections Great Again, or MEGA, Act — that would make voting more difficult. These proposals completely ignore the fact that elections in the United States are free and fair.

As the Brennan Center for Justice writes, “In 2025, a new threat to free and fair elections emerged: the federal government. Since day one of his second term, the Trump administration has attempted to rewrite election rules to burden voters and usurp control of election systems, targeted and threatened election officials and others who keep elections free and fair, supported people who undermine election administration, and retreated from the federal government’s role of protecting voters and the electoral process.”

Nationalizing state elections is blatantly unconstitutional, and the legislative actions would make voting more difficult. That is exactly what this White House and its allies want to achieve.

As Black History Month continues, and in the months and years ahead, ERASE Racism will be championing inclusiveness, fairness and justice for all.

Elaine Gross is founder and president emerita of ERASE Racism, a regional civil rights organization based on Long Island.

OPINIONS

Another baseball season full of hope

The arrival of spring training, and the anticipation of another baseball season, brings back great memories. My earliest baseball memories date back to the early 1950s and the Brooklyn Dodgers, the famed “Boys of Summer,” in what is now regarded as the sport’s Golden Age. Baseball was the unquestioned national pastime, and New York’s Yankees, Dodgers and Giants were the dominant teams.

From 1947 to 1956, the Yankees won eight league pennants, the Dodgers six and the Giants two.

For nine of those 10 seasons, at least one World Series teams was from New York, and for eight years, both teams were. That was a true monopoly of excellence.

The Dodgers teams of my youth included such Hall of Famer players as Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella, Duke Snider and Gil Hodges. There was nothing better than sitting in the stands at Ebbets Field, watching these stars excel. (Tickets for bleacher seats cost 75 cents!) As mighty as the

Dodgers were, however, the Yankees, led by legendary stars like Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford, prevailed in five of the teams’ six World Series encounters.

And then, in 1957, Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley announced the unthinkable: He would move the Dodgers from Brooklyn to Los Angeles the following year, and the Giants would go to San Francisco. My childhood had come to a crashing halt. National League baseball would be gone from New York.

Just one example: thousands of area kids looking forward to Little League.

My final goodbye to the Dodgers would come on Sept. 22, 1957, when I went to their final home day game at Ebbets Field. Brooklyn beat the Phillies, 7-3, and Duke Snider hit two home runs, but that was small consolation. Dodgers baseball in New York, and my years of sports innocence, were behind me. National League baseball didn’t return to New York until the Mets arrived in 1962. They were an expansion team, which meant they were composed of players others teams didn’t want. There were some rough, lean years, but to Mets fans, it didn’t matter. They rallied behind the team, and after seven seasons, and many losses, the 1969 Mira-

cle Mets, led by their manager, Dodgers legend Gil Hodges, won the World Series in a never-to-be-forgotten triumph over the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles. The Mets captured the Series again in 1986, defeating the Red Sox in a memorable seven-game struggle. There have been several good runs since then that fell just short, including a World Series defeat to Kansas City in 2015 and, most recently, a League Championship Series loss to the Dodgers in 2024. Now the Mets face the 2026 season having decided to go forward without their all-time leading home run hitter, Pete Alonso, and star relief pitcher Edwin Diaz, as well as proven veterans Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil. Their core four are gone. For Mets fans, spring training will be filled with questions and unknown answers.

I know that baseball has changed dramatically since years ago. There are almost twice as many teams now as there were then; players move from team to team, season to season; and teams regularly play inter-league games. As well, the Super Bowl has surpassed the World Series in public attention, and sports such as hockey and bas-

ketball crowd the calendar, playing well into the baseball season.

But still, that sense of anticipation remains. There is something about the fresh spring air and the crack of the bat that brings our attention back to the baseball diamond. The distances from the pitcher’s mound to home plate, and between the bases, remain the same, as do ball and strike counts. And, especially on Long Island, many thousands of kids are looking forward to playing Little League baseball in a new season, when, as always, their parents and grandparents will be in the stands, cheering them on. They’ll create new memories that, in years to come, they’ll pass on to their children and grandchildren.

No matter the rule changes or league realignments, baseball will remain unchanged as an essential component of the American fabric. Almost 75 years ago, the renowned cultural historian Jacques Barzun famously proclaimed, “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball.” That is as true today as it was then, and I believe it will be true for generations to come.

Play ball!

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

Ed Ra’s new post is good for Long Island

Having spent 23 years of my life in the State Assembly, I keep close contact with members and monitor the progress of significant legislation. I make it a point to call individual members to encourage them to take action on proposals that are good for Long Island. Which is why I was thrilled that Republican Assemblyman Ed Ra was chosen as minority leader earlier this month, in a unanimous vote.

Living as a bipartisan person, I have been supportive of Ra in his many roles as an elected official. During his 10 years in office he has been a proactive legislator, proposing laws focusing affordability, antisemitism, workforce development and controlling state costs. I was especially pleased when he became the ranking minority member of the Ways and Means Committee.

I had the good fortune to chair that

committee for 10-plus years, and have great respect for committee members who pay attention to pending laws and ask questions. Ra has been a diligent member of the committee, and he has kept the majority members on their toes. Ways and Means is the most important committee in the Assembly, and it desperately needs members who keep an eye on the 7,000plus bills that are sent to it each year.

He’s worked hard to become the Assembly’s Republican minority leader.

Ra is the third Assembly member from Long Island in my career who has held the title of minority leader. The late Assembly members Perry B. Duryea and Jack Kingston also held that job. Duryea eventually became the speaker, and holding the minority post was a springboard to the top job. I know for a fact that Ra didn’t get the leadership job without a lot of preparation, forging coalitions to win the support of the minority caucus.

I doubt that even the Republican leaders on Long Island fully understand what it took for Ra to get his new job. Over the years he has taken on all of the

thankless jobs that most members do not covet. He has been involved in reviewing all of the bills that affect the Island, and for a few years he acted as the Republican floor leader, organizing debates on bills advanced by the majority. It’s the job of minority members to craft credible arguments opposing majority legislation.

There’s a separate issue that most of the Albany establishment doesn’t understand. The Assembly’s Republican membership is dominated by upstate legislators. They tend to be anti-downstate, and want all of the key jobs for their delegation. If you talk to an upstate Republican member, don’t be surprised if he or she is anti-Long Island. They are jealous of the attention Long Island gets, and many think negatively about the downstate region in general.

When the previous minority leader, Will Barclay, an upstater, announced that he wouldn’t seek re-election this year, the upstaters immediately began to caucus to support one of their own to

keep the job in their region. At the same time, Ra had to move quickly to win a majority of the conference. That backroom stuff happens in any type of legislative body, and it takes political smarts to pull it off.

Why make a fuss about the election of an assemblyman who’s in the minority party? We’re a very big island, with multiple needs and demands. We need all the voices we can get to speak out for the bi-county area. New York City legislators have a strong voice on a variety of issues, and the Island has to fight for recognition when the dollars are being disbursed and laws are passing that help other areas of the state.

Last year I wrote a column singling out Democratic Assemblywoman Mickey Solages and Ra for their hard work in Albany. I was pleased then and now that Ra has advanced in his party leadership. Solages is a rising star in the Democratic Party, and I’m happy that Ra is now a part of the four-way leadership.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.

Long Island students need news literacy

On Long Island, where school boards debate curriculum priorities and districts navigate tight budgets, one subject can no longer be treated as optional: media literacy.

Across Nassau and Suffolk counties, students scroll through a relentless stream of headlines, commentary and viral content, frequently without formal instruction on how to tell the difference between verified reporting and misinformation.

In an era when misinformation travels faster than facts and algorithms reward outrage over accuracy, the future of journalism and civic trust hinges on what young people understand about news.

A November 2025 study from the News Literacy Project makes the stakes unmistakably clear: Teenagers are not rejecting journalism outright, but they are struggling to distinguish it from everything else crowding their feeds.

The nationwide study builds on a troubling News Literacy Project 2024 finding that 45 percent of teens believed journalists harmed democracy. But the new research goes further, examining not just skepticism but the roots of distrust — and the confusion at its core.

Teens often lump professional reporting, partisan commentary and outright online misinformation into a single category: “news.” When everything looks the same, nothing earns trust.

However, there is a mandate for action. An overwhelming 94 percent of teens said news or media literacy should

be part of their education. They are not tuning out because they don’t care. They are asking for help.

The problem is access. Only 39 percent of students reported receiving any media literacy instruction during the prior school year. More than six in 10 teens are left to decode a complex information ecosystem by themselves. They scroll through algorithm-driven headlines, influencer commentary masquerading as reporting and viral misinformation engineered for emotional impact — often without being taught how to verify a claim or evaluate a source.

That gap isn’t just an educational oversight. It is a civic vulnerability.

According to Donnell Probst, executive director of the National Association for Media Literacy Education, the most effective time to teach these skills is early, before beliefs harden and misinformation calcifies into identity.

Encouragingly, instruction works. Students who had lessons in media literacy were more likely to seek out news, and reported higher levels of trust in journalists. This is measurable impact backed by research.

Long Island school districts should take note.

Across Nassau and Suffolk counties, some schools offer journalism electives or student newspapers. Others offer none. According to a 2022 survey by Baruch College, 73 percent of New York City public schools lacked student newspapers — with access concentrated in private and selective schools. The same inequities often surface on Long Island,

where opportunities vary widely by district.

The decline of school newspapers and journalism classes compounds the media literacy crisis. These programs teach students what real journalism requires: cultivating sources, verifying facts, and asking tough follow-up questions.

If we want a generation that values journalism, we must first ensure that it understands journalism. This isn’t a “kids these days” problem. It is a larger one — and it is also a business imperative for local news organizations across Long Island. If the next generation cannot differentiate between a reported investigation and a viral conspiracy thread, it will not subscribe to, support or defend professional journalism.

Doubling down on media literacy in school curriculums is no longer optional. It should be embedded across grade levels, integrated into English and social studies classes and reinforced through experiential learning like student newsrooms. Policymakers should treat media literacy as foundational civic infrastructure, not a niche elective.

News organizations on Long Island must also step forward and partner with schools, open newsrooms, support media literacy initiatives and provide mentorship and transparency about how reporting is done.

The answer isn’t louder defenses of journalism, but deeper public understanding — teaching media literacy so people can recognize misinformation and think critically for themselves.

Supporting seniors is not optional. It’s a responsibility.

This year, the City of Glen Cove will continue making one priority clear. Supporting our seniors is not optional. It is a responsibility.

Across Long Island, we are aging. More residents are choosing to remain in their homes longer. More families are stepping into caregiver roles. Communities are being called on to meet the evolving needs of older adults in thoughtful and practical ways.

In Glen Cove, we embrace that responsibility. A community is measured not only by how it grows, but also by how it cares for those who built it. Our seniors are longtime neighbors; former small-business owners, teachers and firefighters; veterans, parents and volunteers. They are the foundation of our city. Ensuring that they have access to transportation, nutrition, safe housing and meaningful programming is essential to maintaining the strength of our community.

This year we will continue strengthening transportation and nutrition services that so many seniors rely on.

These programs offer rides to medical appointments, grocery stores and community events as well as daily meal services that help combat both food insecurity and isolation.

For some residents, these services are a convenience. For others they are a lifeline.

AThe Congregate Meals Program at our Senior Center offers more than a hot lunch. It provides connection, conversation and community. Members can enjoy a healthy lunch for just $3, making it one of the most affordable and welcoming gathering places in our city. That daily interaction keeps people engaged, active and connected. For so many of our seniors, the Senior Center is a “home away from home.”

fixed incomes, these improvements make the difference between remaining safely at home and facing difficult housing decisions.

We also operate one of the most affordable local transportation options on Long Island. Our loop bus service costs just $1 per ride. This small but meaningful service connects seniors who no longer drive, or prefer not to, to shopping, services and community activities.

ge-friendly towns require planning, discipline and

consistent investment.

Aging in place requires more than meals and transportation. It requires safe and stable housing.

Through our Community Development Agency, Glen Cove offers Community Development Block Grant funds to income-eligible seniors ages 60 and older to help them with home repairs, energy conservation improvements, code remediation and disability accommodations. These grants help homeowners who have lived in their homes for at least a year and meet income eligibility guidelines. For many seniors living on

One of the most inspiring examples of Glen Cove’s spirit is our volunteer-run medical transportation program. Coordinated by the Senior Center, volunteer drivers use a city vehicle to transport residents to essential medical appointments in the city. This is neighbors helping neighbors in a very real way. We are currently seeking additional volunteer drivers to help sustain this important service. Even a few hours a week can make a meaningful difference.

Beyond transportation and housing, we continue strengthening social services at the Senior Center to ensure that these vital supports remain in place. Professionals help seniors and their families navigate health care systems, access benefits, manage housing concerns and connect to critical resources

during some of life’s most challenging moments.

We have also taken steps to ensure the long-term sustainability of our Adult Day Program, which provides structured engagement for participants and essential support for caregivers. Caregiving is one of the fastest-growing roles on Long Island. Adult children balancing careers and families are often quietly supporting their aging parents. Local government must respond thoughtfully, ensuring that programs remain strong, sustainable and accessible.

Age-friendly communities do not happen by accident. They require planning, discipline and consistent investment. In Glen Cove we focus on the fundamentals. Transportation that works. Homes that are safe. Meals that nourish. Services that protect dignity. Opportunities for seniors to remain active and engaged. Every decision is reviewed carefully to ensure that we are protecting taxpayer dollars while strengthening the programs our residents depend on.

Supporting seniors isn’t about one resolution or one program. It’s about building an age-friendly Glen Cove. It’s about ensuring that residents can live well and fully at every stage of life. That commitment continues this year and beyond.

Pamela Panzenbeck is the mayor of Glen Cove.

Your opinion Matters

Your opinion Matters

The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.

The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.

The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.

Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com

Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com

Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com

Be heard. Be part of the conversation.

Be heard. Be part of the conversation.

Be heard. Be part of the conversation.