Holocaust Museum and Tolerance Center board members and Symphony of Hope Committee Robert Meyer, Bernard Furshpan, Jolanta Zamecka, David Winkler, Betty Tufariello, and Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews helped organize the March 12 concert at Molloy University. Maxine and her husband Dean Mayreis enjoyed the show. Story, Page 10.
By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
Antonio Mazilu, owner of Scoop N Fruit in downtown Glen Cove, has recently been relying on a gas-powered generator to keep his ice cream inventory from melting.
High winds Monday night knocked down a power line in his backyard, leaving his home without electricity and forcing him to run a generator to power commercial freezers in his garage while waiting for the issue to be resolved.
The situation has made Mazilu especially aware of the recent rise in fuel costs. Crude oil prices have increased since the onset of the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
TOM SUOZZI U.S. Rep.
Gas prices nationwide are currently averaging about $3.71 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association. In New York, the statewide average recently reached about $3.60 per gallon, while in
Nassau and Suffolk counties, the average was about $3.55. As of Tuesday, prices in Glen Cove range from $3.39 to $3.69 per gallon, according to data from GasBuddy.com. The lowest reported price was at the Gulf station, at 85 Sea Cliff Ave., where gas was listed at $3.39. Nearby, the Speedway station, at 86 Glen Cove Ave., reported gas at $3.49, while both the Mobil station, at 43 Glen Cove Ave., and the Sunoco station, at 1 Glen Cove Ave., listed prices at $3.69. The roughly 30-cent difference between stations means drivers filling a 15-gallon tank could pay about $4.50 more depending on where they choose to fuel up.
Oil briefly surged to nearly $120 per barrel about a week after the war with Iran began and has since fallen to around $100, where it has hovered for several days. Before the conflict, oil prices were closer to $70 per barrel.
Mazilu said he began notic -
The North Shore Historical Museum will host an evening of music and history on Friday, March 27, featuring acclaimed vocalist Rhonda Denét. The event, titled “From Jazz to Soul,” celebrates the legacy of influential women in American music who helped shape the sounds of jazz, soul and popular music across generations.
The program begins at 6:30 p.m. with a 15-minute guided tour of the museum’s newest exhibition, No Longer Hidden: Celebrating Black Innovation on the North Shore. The concert will follow at 7 p.m., combining music, storytelling and historical reflection. Light refreshments will be served during the evening.
Denét’s performance honors the pioneering female artists whose voices and artistry transformed American music. Through a mix of jazz standards, soulful interpretations and popular classics, she will pay tribute to performers whose work helped define entire eras of music and influence generations of singers and musicians.
The evening also highlights the museum’s newest exhibition, which explores the achievements of Black innovators whose contributions have often gone unrecognized. Inspired in part by the themes of Hidden Figures, the exhibit expands the narrative of
discovery beyond the well-known stories of space exploration to include inventors, entrepreneurs and community leaders whose ideas shaped everyday life.
“No Longer Hidden” features both nationally recognized trailblazers and local figures connected to the North Shore. The exhibit highlights the creativity, resilience and ingenuity of Black Americans whose work influenced technology, industry and culture.
Organizers say the exhibition encourages visitors to reflect on how these innovators helped shape the modern world while bringing attention to stories that have often remained overlooked.
The North Shore Historical Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is currently free thanks to a grant supporting public access to the museum’s exhibits and programs. Tickets for the March 27 concert are available through the museum.
The museum preserves the rich history of Long Island’s North Shore and features exhibits highlighting local culture, notable residents and the region’s Gold Coast Past. It also serves as an educational resource for students and historians.
–Roksana Amid
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 together for an evening focused on both fel-
lowship 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.
–Roksana Amid
By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
The Glen Cove City School District’s four elementary schools — Deasy, Gribbin, Landing and Connolly — recently wrapped up their 35th annual Pick-AReading-Partner program, a long-standing initiative designed to encourage students to develop a lifelong love of reading.
Through literacy activities, guest readers and author visits, the program invites students to experience reading beyond the classroom while strengthening ties between the schools and the broader community.
When our young readers see that so many people share a love of literacy, they’re inspired.
RANDY ARNOLD Principal, Gribbin Elementary School
Danielle Monaco, a firstand secondgrade reading teacher, said the program plays an important role in helping young students see reading as both enjoyable and essential.
“Kids need role models,” Monaco said. “They need adults who are proficient readers to show them that everybody reads and that this is something they can grow up and be able to do. It’s not just books — they can be reading recipes or instructions. Reading is everything.”
District officials say the program has also produced measurable results. According to administrators, reading scores have risen significantly in recent years, reflecting the district’s continued emphasis on literacy and family engagement.
Several events took place throughout the week across the district’s elementary schools. On March 3, Landing School hosted Community Reader Day in the afternoon, welcoming volunteers to read to students. The following morning, Connolly School held its Vocabulary Parade, where students dressed as vocabulary words and paraded through the building to celebrate language and literacy. Deasy Elementary also hosted a Community Reader Day later that morning.
On March 5, Connolly School welcomed additional community readers, while author Derek Valance visited Landing School to speak with students during two classroom sessions.
The program concluded on March 6 with Community Reader Day at Gribbin Elementary School.
Community members from across Glen Cove participated in the reading sessions. Courtney Callahan, a founding member of NOSH Delivers, visited a second-grade classroom and read aloud to students, encouraging them to embrace kindness and self-confidence.
“Love yourself, love the world and love others,” Callahan told the students
Community readers and Glen Cove school officials came together during the Pick-A-Reading-Partner program, which welcomed local volunteers into classrooms to share stories and inspire students’ love of reading.
Fire Chief Justin Valeo and his son, Bryan, read to students during the Pick-A-Reading-Partner program, encouraging a love of books.
as she read to them. “That’s really all you need to do.”
Educators say events like PARP are particularly important as children increasingly spend time on screens and digital devices.
“Technology is becoming so much more prominent in their lives,” Monaco said. “It’s really easy for kids to go on an iPad or a screen, so helping them build their stamina and a love of reading is so important so they can continue to grow and learn.”
At Gribbin Elementary School, Principal Randy Arnold said the program highlights the many ways the community supports the district’s youngest learners. The school welcomed two authors during the program, including children’s author Nina Ross and Glen Cove Police Officer Owen Valance, who wrote the book About a Bear.
“When our young readers see that so many people share a love of literacy, they’re inspired,” Arnold said. “Wheth-
Courtney Callahan, a founding member of NOSH Delivers, read to a group of students during the Pick-A-Reading-Partner program, sharing a story that encouraged kindness and self-confidence.
er it’s an author reading to them, a pilot, a police officer or our superintendent, it leaves a mark on them.” Arnold added that the program’s success reflects the community’s collective investment in Glen Cove’s students.
Glen Cove Police Officer Owen Valance read to students during the Pick-AReading-Partner program, sharing his children’s book titled About a Bear, and helping inspire a love of reading.
“So many people are invested in our children — firefighters, police officers, educators,” Arnold said. “It creates a sense of community and all the things you want positive in a special place like Glen Cove.”
An 18-year-old Glen Cove man was arrested on March 16 for burglary in the second degree, assault in the second degree, criminal mischief in the second degree, criminal trespass in the third degree and obstructing governmental administration in the second degree on Charles Street.
A 36-year-old man from Pennsylvania was arrested on March 15 for criminal contempt in the second degree on Glen Cove Ave.
A 46-year-old Glen Cove woman was arrested on March 15 for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle on a highway, inadequate lights and failure to notify the DMV of an address change on Landing Road.
A 34-year-old Glen Cove man was arrested on March 12 for driving while
intoxicated and leaving the scene of a property damage accident on Porter Place.
A 46-year-old Glen Cove man was arrested on March 12 for burglary in the second degree, criminal contempt in the second degree and criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree on Tulane Road.
A 39-year-old Glen Cove man was arrested on March 11 for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second degree, unlicensed operation and no inspection on Glen Cove Ave.
A 40- year-old Glen Cove woman was arrested on March 11 for aggravated unlicensed operation, criminal possession of a controlled substance, unlicensed operation, bbstructed view, broken front windshield, no inspection on Hendrick Ave.
People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.
A community blood drive will be held at the Glen Cove Fire Department on March 28, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 10 Glen Cove Ave., to help replenish the region’s critically low blood supply. The event is organized in partnership with the New York Blood Center and coordinated locally by volunteer firefighter Pete Prudente. Donors will be served breakfast prepared by members of the Glen Cove Fire Department. Garvies Point Brewery will also participate by offering a “pint for a pint” promotion, giving donors a voucher for a pint of beer in recognition of their blood donation. Residents can schedule an appointment by contacting Prudente at (516) 606-0014 or by scanning the QR code on the event flyer.
The drive comes as the New York Blood Center has declared a blood emergency across the region. Blood donations have fallen nearly 40 percent below the level needed to meet hospital demand, leaving hospitals with less than a two-day supply of blood. The shortage has been attributed to winter illnesses, severe weather, holiday travel and the cancellation of blood drives during the colder months.
Health officials say regular donations are essential because blood has a limited shelf life and is needed daily for surgeries, trauma care, cancer treatment and other medical needs.
–Roksana Amid
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By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
The National Republican Congressional Committee has named former New York State Assemblyman Mike LiPetri to a new initiative aimed at boosting Republican candidates in competitive congressional districts — including New York’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes much of Nassau County’s North Shore as well as parts of Queens, currently represented by Democrat Tom Suozzi.
The effort, called the “MAGA Majority,” is the rebranded version of the NRCC’s long-running Young Guns program. It identifies Republican candidates the party believes are well positioned to compete in battleground districts and provides them with early strategic support, resources and national visibility.
Republicans currently hold a narrow 218–214 majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. With Democrats needing a net gain of just three seats to take control, both parties are preparing for a closely contested midterm election cycle.
The NRCC says the new pro-
gram is designed to highlight candidates aligned with former President Donald Trump’s political agenda, including policies focused on border security, energy production and economic issues.
“Mike LiPetri is a battle-tested winner and fighter for Long Island families,” NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole said in a statement. “He’s committed to helping House Republicans and President Trump deliver a safer and stronger America, and he has what it takes to flip this seat and send Tom Suozzi packing this November.”
LiPetri, who previously represented parts of Nassau County in the New York State Assembly, is positioning himself as part of what Republicans describe as a new generation of candidates. In a statement, he criticized Suozzi’s long tenure in public office and argued that the district needs new leadership.
LiPetri criticized Suozzi’s lengthy tenure in public office and argued that the district would benefit from new leadership and a different policy approach, especially with regard to taxation . “It’s time for a next generation common sense New
Mike LiPetri, left, a former New York State assemblyman, is challenging U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, who represents New York’s 3rd Congressional District.
Yorker to shake up Washington and put hardworking taxpayers first,” LiPetri said.
Republican strategists argue that recent election results suggest the district may be competitive. According to GOP messaging surrounding the announcement, President Trump carried the district in 2024, and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman won the district by more than 12 percentage points in 2025. Blakeman is now the
Republican nominee for governor. Republicans also point to local victories in North Hempstead, Oyster Bay and Glen Cove as signs of shifting political momentum on Long Island.
Democrats, however, dispute the Republican characterization of the district and say Suozzi continues to deliver results for constituents through bipartisan work in Washington.
“Congressman Suozzi continues to work across party lines to
deliver common-sense solutions: lowering everyday costs, advancing safe and humane immigration policy, reinstating the full SALT deduction, pushing back on reckless environmental policies, and demanding the White House work with Congress on a plan for Iran that does not waste billions of dollars, risk American lives, or drive up gas prices,” Kim Devlin, a senior political adviser to Suozzi, said.
The MAGA Majority program rollout comes as Republicans attempt to defend their narrow House majority during a midterm cycle that could prove challenging for the party in power. Historically, the party that controls the White House often loses seats during midterm elections, and Republicans have faced political pressure tied to economic concerns and inflation.
NY-03, which includes much of Nassau County’s North Shore as well as parts of Queens, has been a closely watched district in recent election cycles. Suozzi, who previously served as Glen Cove mayor and Nassau County executive, returned to Congress in 2025 and won his most recent race with 51 percent of the vote.
By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com
Hofstra’s men’s lacrosse team reached the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) tournament last spring for the first since 2021 and longtime head coach Seth Tierney hopes that building block lays a solid foundation for a bigger climb.
The Pride reached the CAA semifinals and just missed out on the opportunity to play for a conference title with an 11-10 overtime heartbreaking loss at topseeded Towson. Hofstra brought back plenty of key pieces from that breakthrough season looking to write a different script this May, but returning to the four-team CAA postseason stage will come down to crucial regular season contests against closely-matched opponents.
“The CAA games just take on a different meaning and they have a lot of weight because they’re technically playoff games without being in the playoffs,” said Tierney, who is also the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team head coach as it gears up for 2027 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship, in Japan next year. “They’re tiebreaker games and every time that you can get a win then you can get a tiebreaker over that team not knowing how the future is going to play out.”
Hofstra opened CAA play March 13 with a 12-7 setback at Long Island rival Stony Brook which puts even more weight on Pride’s upcoming conference games.
The Pride (2-5) entered the season with plenty of promise seeing three returning players named to the preseason All-CAA team in red-shirt senior attackman Trevor Natalie, red-shirt junior defenseman Austin Clarke and red-shirt sophomore goalie Shea Kennedy. Natalie was also named a preseason USA Lacrosse AllAmerican after a 2025 season in which he tallied 40 points on 28 goals and 12 assists.
Natalie leads Hofstra in goals through seven games with 16 including three in a hard-fought 11-8 loss to Big Ten foe Rutgers on Feb. 28. The Stuart, Fla. native also tallied four goals in Hofstra’s 14-7 season-opening win at Iona on Feb. 2.
The offense is also led by senior attackman Anthony Mollica, who registered a career-best six goals in Hofstra’s 11-10 home win against UMBC on March 7. Mollica, a former Massapequa High School standout, has 11 goals and nine assists so far this season after tallying 50 points as a junior.
“Anthony is this quiet leader who leads by example with a quiet voice,” Tierney said. “He works hard and he is reaping the rewards.”
The Pride offense boasts plenty of other scoring weapons including senior midfielder Trey Parkes, sophomore attackman Drew Bogardus, redshirt sopho-
more midfielder Joey DeYoung and freshman attackman Gus Langtry.
Langtry, who was ranked 94th on Nike/Inside Lacrosse Power 100 Freshman Rankings out of Parker, Colo., is off to a strong start in his collegiate career with 10 goals including three in the Rutgers loss. He has solid lacrosse genes as the son of former Hofstra All-American Brian Langry.
“He’s got some great DNA and some great characteristics,” said Tierney of Langtry. “He is a very confident and skilled player.”
The close defense is anchored by Clarke, a Parkton, Md. native who recorded 24 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers last season. Redshirt senior Will Delaney also brings veteran experience in front of the cage after registering 20 ground balls last season.
Kennedy patrols the net for a second straight season after making 167 saves last year. He is off to another strong start this season with 83 saves and 54 percent save percentage so far this season.
Hofstra will host Monmouth in a critical CAA game this Saturday at 1 p.m. at Shuart Stadium. The Pride also has a big conference home game against Fairfield on April 4 at 3 p.m. and will face Ivy League power Yale in anon-league tilt on April 14 at 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
MARCH 25 • 6:00-9:00PM
The Heritage Club at Bethpage 99 Quaker Meeting House Road Farmingdale, New York
For more information or to sponsor this event, contact Amy Amato,
Executive Director, Corporate Relations and Events at aamato@richnerlive.com or 516.569.4000 x224
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Senior VP, Commercial Banking Citizens
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President & CEO
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By ROKSANA AMID, ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN & ABBEY SALVEMINI of the Herald Community Newspapers
Fourth installment in a series about water.
Flooding streets, polluted bays and aging infrastructure are reshaping life along Nassau and Suffolk counties’ coasts. From the barrier island neighborhoods of Long Beach and Island Park to the waterways of the Great South Bay and Hempstead Harbor, communities are confronting the growing impacts of rising water, runoff and environmental strain.
Across Long Island, scientists and planners say, climate change, development patterns and aging infrastructure are converging to create new risks for coastal communities.
Heavy rain can quickly overwhelm parts of Nassau County’s South Shore. In the West End of Long Beach, storm drains can fill within minutes as water pools at intersections, climbs curbs and creeps toward front steps. In nearby Freeport, residents sometimes wade through ankle-deep water along canal-side streets. In a Facebook poll from the Herald, residents of Oceanside and Island Park were invited to share experiences with bayside flooding.
Heavy rain combined with high tide, residents say, can push water back up through storm drains. Major flooding events, they report, have struck several times in recent years. High tides — particularly during a new moon and combined with strong winds — can bring roughly a foot of water onto some blocks.
Across the South Shore, flooding is no longer unusual. In many communities, it has become a regular part of life.
Long Beach and Island Park sit on narrow barrier islands only a few feet above sea level, while Freeport and Oceanside stretch along canals and bays that funnel water inland. All four communities connect through Reynolds Channel and the Western Bays, allowing tidal surges to move freely between them.
Much of the infrastructure in and beneath these communities — storm drains, sewer lines and bulkheads — was built decades ago, before sea levels began rising and extreme rainfall became more common.
“When you look at repeated flooding in coastal places like Long Beach and Freeport,” Amy Chester, managing director of the climate resilience nonprofit Rebuild by Design, said, “a huge part of the vulnerability comes down to how these neighborhoods were originally built, where houses went, how high they were built and what infrastructure was put underneath them.”
Many South Shore communities expanded rapidly during the post–World War II housing boom. Natural landscapes that once absorbed rainfall were replaced with pavement and development, while stormwater systems were designed with the assumption that rain would fall and simply drain away. Today, that assumption often proves faulty.
Living with water
Flooding now shapes daily life in many South Shore neighborhoods. Many residents move their cars to higher ground when storms threaten. Others install
pumps in crawlspaces to push water back outside, though many say it still seeps back in. For many households, flooding now affects everyday decisions — from where to park to whether work or school schedules may change.
And flooding doesn’t stop at municipal borders. Rain falling in higher-elevation communities such as Lynbrook eventually flows downhill toward the bay. During intense storms, runoff travels from Nassau’s glacial high points on the North Shore toward its lowest-lying southern communities.
“If you look at the topography, it’s the result of a terminal moraine left by a glacier,” said Georgeen Theodore, an architect and urban planner with Interboro Partners. “Water flows from the high point to the low point. What happens to a town on the bay is connected to towns uphill.”
Because of that connection, Theodore said, climate resilience must be addressed regionally. “Climate vulnerability cannot be solved by one village alone,” she said.
In Long Beach, the highest elevations are along the oceanfront, descending toward Reynolds Channel, where flooding is more common. Similar patterns appear along Freeport’s canals and along Island Park’s lowest blocks, where water tends to pond first and recede last.
Many resilience programs focus on homeowners, offering grants to elevate houses or retrofit properties. Renters, and residents of multifamily buildings, often have fewer options.
“If you don’t own your home, what are your choices?” Chester asked. “You can’t elevate the building. You can’t redesign the drainage.”
Historic housing policies also play a role. In the 1930s and 1940s, federal mortgage maps labeled certain neighborhoods risky for investment, often based on
race or religion. “What we see today is the legacy of those decisions,” Chester said. “Areas that were denied investment then are often the same places facing higher climate risk now.”
Theodore cautions against viewing flooding as purely natural. “Is it a natural disaster,” she asked, “or the outcome of decades of planning and housing decisions?”
Residents say that official responses to flooding have been inconsistent. Some recall sewer improvements in Island Park, but broader efforts have been limited. Experts say that effective solutions necessitate a regional approach.
The best way to manage rainfall, Theodore said, is to slow it before it reaches storm drains through strategies such as permeable pavement, rain gardens, increased tree cover and reducing paved surfaces.
“We want to slow the way water flows,” she said. “But we built for speed.”
With Nassau County already densely developed, creating space for water absorption has become increasingly difficult. Addressing flooding one property at a time won’t solve the larger problem, Theodore said, and long-term coordination will likely be necessary.
Some residents worry about what the next decade may bring as sea levels rise and flooding becomes more common. Communities including Long Beach, Freeport, Island Park and Oceanside increasingly represent the front line of a worsening problem.
Pollution entering the Great South Bay is closely tied to what happens on land, particularly through
Continued from PreViouS PAGe
groundwater and runoff. The bay stretches along the South Shore, between the Island’s “mainland” and Fire Island. While it receives freshwater from rivers and streams, a significant portion flows underground through Long Island’s aquifer system.
As groundwater moves through soil, it carries pollutants on its way to the bay. “Excess fertilizer can then make its way into the water column, and that is going to stimulate these algal blooms,” Ryan B. Wallace, assistant professor of environmental studies and sciences at Adelphi University, said. “We have to be able to reduce the amount of nitrogen that’s entering into our groundwater.”
Nitrogen pollution is one of the most significant environmental challenges facing the bay. Much of it originates from cesspools and septic systems, while fertilizers used on lawns, golf courses and farmland also contribute.
Excess nitrogen fuels algae growth. As algae die and decompose, bacteria consume oxygen in the water.
The bay has also experienced harmful algal blooms such as brown tide, which block sunlight from reaching the bay floor and damage seagrass habitat. Because groundwater moves slowly, pollution entering the aquifer today may take years — or even decades — to reach coastal waters.
Despite these challenges, local organizations are working to improve water quality.
Save the Great South Bay, a nonprofit founded in 2012, focuses on reducing pollution and restoring the bay’s ecosystem.
“In each of the 16 towns that cross that area, we have appointed a creek defender who is a local steward,” Executive Director Robyn Silvestri said. “They go out, they patrol the creeks, look for trash or anything else that might be blocking the creek. And then, once a year, they organize a major community cleanup.”
Volunteers patrol waterways for debris in addition to organizing the annual cleanups. Over the past several years, they have removed more than 85,000 pounds of trash from creeks feeding into the bay.
“Oysters used to be all over the bay, and now there’s basically no natural oysters in the bay,” Sylvestri said. “We have oyster farms, but no naturally occurring oysters. So we’re looking to reverse that.”
Because a single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, restoring oyster reefs could significantly improve water quality.
Environmental advocates say that conditions in Hempstead Harbor have improved significantly over the past several decades, though pollution from runoff, septic systems and aging infrastructure still affects nearby communities.
The harbor connects to Glen Cove Creek and several tributaries along the North Shore, and serves as both an ecological system and a drainage outlet for
the surrounding watershed.
“We have a long-term water monitoring program, which is really the backbone of what we do,” Michelle Lapinel McAllister, programs director for the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor, said. “We’ve had consistent and uninterrupted monitoring since 1992.”
Researchers collect water samples year-round to measure nitrogen, bacteria and dissolved oxygen. “The main issues come down to nutrient pollution, bacteria and plastic pollution,” McAllister said.
Nitrogen pollution remains a persistent challenge, because excess nutrients can fuel algal blooms that reduce oxygen levels in the water.
Despite those challenges, the harbor has improved. In 2011, roughly 2,500 acres of shellfish beds reopened after being closed for more than 40 years because of high bacteria levels.
Oyster restoration has also helped improve water quality. Through partnerships with volunteers and federal grants, the coalition has planted more than 1.7 million oysters in Hempstead Harbor since 2022.
Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton said that wastewater infrastructure remains a concern on the North Shore, where many communities still rely on septic systems.
“90 percent of Nassau County is sewered, and out of the 10 percent that is not sewered, 90 percent is in my district,” DeRiggi-Whitton said.
County officials have also targeted pollution flowing from Scutter’s Pond, in Sea Cliff, once identified as a major
contamination source for Hempstead Harbor. Officials installed a catch basin and weir system designed to filter runoff before it reaches the harbor.
“It’s basically a filter,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “It just skims the water and takes out the pollutants that would go into Hempstead Harbor.” The roughly $250,000 project significantly reduced the amount of contamination entering the harbor.
Assemblyman Charles Lavine said that flooding in Glen Cove in 2024 illustrated how stormwater moves through the landscape. “Any groundwater that collects as a result of storms is going to find its way toward the lowest point,” Lavine said. “That’s gravity.”
Residents of Glen Cove’s Woolsey Avenue say they have repeatedly experienced flooding during major storms.
“The water isn’t just rain — it’s runoff from other streets, and it’s filled with garbage and bacteria,” resident Linda Melbinger said. “We’ve had dead animals in our yard in the past, and there’s a layer of contamination on everything that smells.”
“It impacts so many things,” McAllister said. “Everyone moves here because they want the beauty of the harbor, but it’s only going to be beautiful to the extent that you take care of it and you have a healthy and thriving harbor.”
The harbor, she said, supports local recreation, fishing and the broader coastal ecosystem.
“As good citizens,” McAllister said, “we have to make sure that we’re doing our part to respect the harbor and everything it has to offer.”
While large infrastructure projects and policy changes play a major role in addressing flooding and water pollution, environmental experts say residents can also take steps to reduce runoff, limit pollution and help protect local waterways.
Reduce fertilizer use
■ Fertilizers used on lawns and gardens can wash into storm drains and eventually reach bays and harbors.
■ Experts recommend using fertilizers sparingly — or avoiding them altogether — especially before heavy rain. Nitrogen from fertilizer is one of the leading contributors to harmful algal blooms in Long Island waters.
Upgrade septic systems
■ Many homes on Long Island still rely on older septic systems or cesspools, which can release nitrogen into groundwater.
■ Programs in Suffolk County offer incentives for installing nitrogenreducing septic systems.
Environmental advocates say similar upgrades across the region could significantly reduce pollution entering coastal waters.
Limit runoff from driveways and yards
■ Rain that falls on paved surfaces flows quickly into storm drains, carrying pollutants with it.
■ Residents can help reduce runoff by installing rain barrels, planting rain gardens, adding trees or replacing pavement with permeable materials that allow water to soak into the ground.
Protect storm drains
■ Storm drains typically flow directly into nearby waterways.
■ Residents can help by keeping leaves, grass clippings and trash out of drains and reporting blocked drains to local public works departments.
Volunteer with local groups
■ Several Long Island organizations rely on volunteers to monitor waterways and remove debris. Programs such as Save the Great South Bay’s Creek Defender initiative organize cleanups and waterway patrols throughout the region.
By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
The sound of instruments once carried through ghettos, concert halls and the upheaval of World War II filled Madison Theatre at Molloy University on March 12, when the Symphony of Hope brought together musicians, educators and community members for an evening of remembrance through music.
Presented collaboratively by Molloy University, the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County and the Long Island Concert Orchestra, the concert featured instruments from the internationally known Violins of Hope collection — violins once owned and played by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust that have since been meticulously restored for modern performance.
Bernie Furshpan, chair of the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County, highlighted the importance of preserving Holocaust history through education and the arts.
“It really brings to life the people who once owned them and played on them in real time,” said David Winkler, executive director and composer-in-residence of the Long Island Concert Orchestra.
Winkler, who founded the orchestra in 2016, described the performance as both a memorial and a communal experience.
“I consider Symphony of Hope to be a celebration of the human spirit through music,” he said.
The program paired local and international talent. The Long Island Concert Orchestra performed alongside the Long Island Choral Society, with rising guest conductor Jeffrey Dokken on the podium and violinist Simon Zhu appearing as a featured soloist.
The repertoire blended historical reflection with contemporary composition, including Violin Concerto No. 7 by Long Island composer Alexey Shor and a work by Winkler titled Pacifica, which is “dedicated to peace.” Grammy-nominated music director Enrico Fagone was listed as the orchestra’s artistic leader.
Institutional leaders said the concert also carried a broader educational mission.
“Molloy University is honored to host The Symphony of Hope at our Madison Theatre,” Molloy University President James Lentini said.
Jolanta Zamecka, vice chair of the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County and a Long Island Concert Orchestra board member, emphasized the importance of connecting the performance to remembrance and education.
“The Symphony of Hope enables us to honor musicians whose lives ended far too soon and to inspire future generations to reject hatred and intolerance,” Zamecka said.
Michael Klinghoffer, president of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, said the arts have a unique ability to bridge time and geography.
“They have a power to transcend time and place and bring the world together with a healing presence,” Klinghoffer said.
During the Holocaust, which lasted from 1933 to 1945 under Nazi Germany and its collaborators, millions of Jews were systematically persecuted and murdered. Beginning in the late 1930s and early 1940s, Jewish families were forced into overcrowded urban ghettos across occupied Europe, where they endured starvation, disease and brutal living conditions. Many were later deported to concentration camps and exter-
Restored instruments from the Violins of Hope collection, once owned and played by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust, were featured during the Symphony of Hope concert at Molloy University’s Madison Theatre on March 12.
mination camps such as Auschwitz, Treblinka and Sobibor, where forced labor, imprisonment and mass killings became central components of the Nazi regime’s genocide. In many ghettos, Nazi authorities established strict curfews, rationed food to near-starvation levels and prohibited residents from leaving the enclosed districts. Deportations from these ghettos often occurred with little warning, as families were forced onto trains bound for camps across occupied Poland and Germany. By the end of World War II, approximately six million Jews had been killed in the Holocaust, along with millions of other victims targeted by the Nazi regime.
Only a portion of the Violins of Hope collection was used during the Madison Theatre performance. Roughly 70 instruments in the collection are currently in performing condition, while many others are still awaiting restoration.
Avshi Weinstein, who continues the restoration legacy begun by his father, master luthier Amnon Weinstein, participated in the presentation, bringing historical insight and craftsmanship connected to the project.
Winkler said violins played a unique role in preserving cultural identity during the Holocaust.
“Only the violins fall into this category,” he said. “All other instruments were either discarded or torn apart. Violins are relatively small instruments that can be taken, put into a knapsack, into a bag.”
Because of their portability, persecuted musicians were sometimes able to carry the instruments with them, preserving a connection to their culture and, in some cases, even a means of survival.
The Long Island Concert Orchestra traces its roots to the Sea Cliff Chamber Players, which formed in 1971. The group evolved through several iterations before Winkler established the Long Island Concert Orchestra in 2016 after the Long Island Philharmonic ceased operations.
Winkler said the orchestra was created to meet Long Island’s “growing needs” with large-scale performances and community-oriented programming.
Each instrument in the Violins of Hope collection carries its own story — some were played in ghettos or camp orchestras, others were hidden away or carried by musicians who escaped persecution.
By performing with the restored violins, organizers hoped the stories behind them would resonate with modern audiences while preserving the memory of those who once played them.
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.
By ABBEY SALVEMINI
The Herald Long Island Business Summit & Thrive Awards brought together entrepreneurs, executives and family-owned businesses at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury on March 3 for a day of networking, education and celebration focused on helping businesses expand and compete in a challenging market.
An all-day networking expo
featuring organizations such as the New York Small Business Development Centers, Trellus and the Secure Choice Savings Program kicked off the summit.
A featured executive session, “The Future is Now: Protecting Your Wealth and Legacy,” led by attorneys Morris Sabbagh and Joseph Trotti, of Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP, emphasized proactive planning, wealth preservation and safeguarding family legacies.
Sabbagh encouraged a forwardthinking approach to protecting businesses and personal legacies.
“Most successful people are optimists, that’s what makes them successful,” he said, emphasizing that confidence, preparation and strategic vision drive long-term, generational success.
After the executive session, event leaders took the stage to formally greet attendees and highlight the summit’s mission of supporting and strengthening Long Island’s business community. Those lead-
ers underscored their commitment to strengthening Long Island’s business community and supporting small and mid-size companies.
Marc Perez, senior vice president at Bank of America, highlighted the bank’s commitment as a presenting sponsor of the event and to the region’s entrepreneurs, stating, “Bank of America remains deeply committed to supporting businesses, the backbone of Long Island’s economy.”
Stuart Richner, CEO of Richner Communications Inc., echoed that sentiment.
“Small and mid-size businesses are the backbone of Long Island’s economy,” emphasizing the vital role they play in driving regional growth,” he said.
Amy Amato, executive director of corporate relations/events at Richner Communications, encouraged attendees to maximize the day’s opportunities.
“I want you to leave here with tangible strategies and meaningful relationships,” she said.
14 Joseph Milizio, managing partner at Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP, highlighted the energy in the room and the value of collaboration.
“We have a room filled with excitement,” he said. “This is where you form partnerships to grow your business,” underscoring how connection and strategic guidance can help businesses thrive for generations.”
At the heart of the summit were the 2026 Thrive Awards, celebrating the small and family-owned businesses that drive Long Island’s economy. Stew Leonard Jr. was honored with the Legacy Leadership Award, alongside winners in categories such as Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Social Impact, Creative Excellence and Health & Wellness Leadership. The awards showcased the innovation and resilience that shape the region’s business community.
The opening keynote of the summit featured fashion entrepreneur and native Long Islander Steve Madden, who shared insights on balancing ambition with sustainability in business during his session, “Building a Business That Doesn’t Break You.” Emmy Awardwinning broadcaster Curt Chaplin, guided the discussion on the challenges and triumphs of growing a successful enterprise.
“An entrepreneur is someone who breaks the rules and thinks of things differently,” Madden said, giving attendees an inside view of the unconventional strategies and mindset that have driven his success.
“His entire story is just remarkable,” Chaplin said, framing the conversation and asking questions that highlighted the lessons behind Madden’s journey.
Guests then attended “Workshop Session I: The Money Hour,” focused on financial strategy and growth. Panels on scaling startups, managing cash flow and protecting business legacy featured experts from Bank of America, CliftonLarsonAllen, GC Advisory Group and Empire State Development, offering practical guidance for sustainable success.
The afternoon continued with “Workshop Session II: Mind Your Business,” which covered legal essentials, AI tools and marketing strategies. Speakers included Milizio and Derek Gibbs of Casper Studios and Brad Harmon of Richner Communications.
“All decisions are driven through
data,” Harmon said. He reminded attendees that “it’s not about you, it’s about the consumer,” urging them to understand their target market and where their audience is. When challenges arise, his advice was simple: “Ask yourself, what did the data say?”
Motivational speaker and entrepreneur Brandon Steiner, founder and president of The Steiner Agency and CollectibleXchange, delivered his closing keynote, “The 5 Essentials to Thrive in Business in 2026.”
He emphasized innovation, empathy and growth, telling attendees, “I’m always trying to outthink my competition,” and urging them to “lead with empathy” by truly listening to customers’ needs. Steiner also encouraged continuous improvement, reminding the audience, “Don’t let success get in the way of more success.”
The Bank of America Small Business Spotlight Awards honored three standout businesses in the Micro, Small and Growth categories. Cholados y Antojitos Corp, Charles Krull + Son, Inc. Plumbing and Heating and Curl Evolution each received $5,000 in unrestricted funds. Participants entered by submitting how their business gives back to the community, and how they would use the prize money.
“We are thrilled to have been chosen to receive this award,” Curl Evolution owner Allison Bridges said. “We are very invested in Long Island and the people here. This will help us open an additional location at the end of the year helping us get more curl care options to the residents here as well as hire more talent.”
The event was powered by Bank of America, with additional support from Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP, whose sponsorship underscored a shared commitment to strengthening and sustaining Long Island’s small and family-owned business community. Event highlights were also shared on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Attendees left with new connections, actionable strategies and renewed inspiration to navigate an evolving business landscape. By combining expert insight, meaningful networking and recognition of local excellence, the Herald Long Island Business Summit & Thrive Awards reinforced a shared commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and ensuring
By Jocie Dye and Dave Hickman
Are you confident you’re heading toward sustainable and positive change? Are you concerned about the effectiveness of your operations and workforce, and if they can keep pace with your growth?
Reviewing your structure, processes, and systems with an eye toward your strategic vision can help your organization make informed, targeted, and impactful decisions.
Many businesses and organizations face uncertainty as competition, tax, and funding structures continue to evolve. Organizations need to be nimble and lean, while operating efficiently through leveraging data, automation, and their workforce to help drive growth.
Start with a 360-degree view of your business. If you’re already feeling stretched, think about helping fill those gaps while you focus on core strategy.
Getting a fresh perspective in three key areas – structure, process, and systems – can help you thrive now and in the face of new disruptions and business opportunities.
1. Understand the structure required to support your operations
Ask these questions to help determine if your operations are supporting the needs of your mission, strategy, and leadership now and in the future:
• Are managers receiving the training, tools, and information they need to do their work effectively?
• Do they understand their budget and spending?
• Do they feel they have the right tools and resources to operate efficiently?
• Do managers know who they can turn to if they have questions on financial or human resource matters?
People strategy: Filling the skills gap with the right team
If the answer to any of the above is
“no,” it’s possible you are experiencing either skills or capacity gaps within your operations functions.
Ideally, your organization’s operations serve in both a compliance and risk management role, as well as one of customer support to the rest of the organization. If you’re feeling gaps in either compliance or customer service, it’s likely time to further evaluate and identify where and why those exist — and begin planning to remediate.
Many businesses find outsourcing some or all their business operations can help fill skills gaps in required compliance areas, as well as add capacity, particularly through change and growth. Outsourcing often provides the ability and flexibility to right-size in a way that can grow with you as your needs change.
2. Review key operating processes
Your team is only as effective as the processes they follow and the tools and technology they use. To help you understand how effectively and efficiently your team is operating, ask:
• Do we have documented and wellunderstood standard operating procedures?
• Are we leveraging electronic and auditable system workflows for things like employee onboarding, accounts payable, expense approvals, and signatures on cash disbursements?
• Do sales and billing data flow seamlessly into the financial system of record?
• Are we storing documentation electronically, in shared and documented locations?
• Do managers know where to access the reporting data and information they need when they need it?
A “no” answer may indicate manual, inefficient processes, and risks associated with human error, weak controls, lost documentation, and the potential for missed revenues.
3. Modernize your technology systems for efficiency and security
Updating your technology doesn’t have to be a major undertaking. For some, it may be as simple as converting to a cloud-based version connected to other platforms.
Automation
Do you use outdated, unintegrated technologies, or have modern tools staff struggle to use effectively? If your workflows aren’t automated and you don’t have data at your fingertips, you should be asking yourself why.
Today’s business systems — and increasingly, AI-driven tools — make it possible to automate nearly any and all routine data entry tasks, which not only increases efficiency, but lends itself to stronger controls, documentable audit trails, and better data and analytics. Other systems can track a company’s full financial profile, which helps with everything from setting revenue targets to taxes.
Protecting technology, including software your employees use to work from home, is critical. Hackers, or threat actors, are constantly on the move, using AI and other tactics to hone their attacks. Anti-virus software,
employee education, strong passwords, a two-factor identification system, and regular system scans are just some of the cybersecurity techniques available
Artificial intelligence
AI-powered platforms can go beyond automation by learning patterns in your financial data, predicting cash flow, and identifying cost-saving opportunities. Combined with outsourcing support, these technologies allow your back-office team to shift from manual tasks to strategic analysis, helping leadership make smarter decisions faster.
For more information on business operations improvements, contact Nicola Ellam at nicola.ellam@CLAconnect.com or 646-604-0015.
The information contained herein is general in nature and is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal, accounting, investment, or tax advice or opinion provided by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA) to the reader. For more information, visit CLAconnect.com.
CLA exists to create opportunities for our clients, our people, and our communities through our industryfocused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services. CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) is an independent network member of CLA Global. See CLAglobal.com/disclaimer Investment advisory services are offered through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SECregistered investment advisor.
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the same time tensions escalated in the Middle East, following the Feb. 28 U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran.
“I noticed that it went from $3.09 to like $3.50 in a matter of a few days,” Mazilu said.
To save money, he said he often drives outside Glen Cove to buy gas in nearby Greenvale.
Mazilu said the rising prices are affecting both his business and his family. He and his wife, Olga — a Delta Air Lines employee who has worked for the company for 19 years — are raising five children, and transportation costs are becoming a growing concern. Olga commutes 23 miles each way to John F. Kennedy International Airport, which adds to the family’s fuel expenses.
“It is more than 50 cents per gallon, which adds up,” Mazilu said.
Mazilu said he is also concerned about the impact higher fuel costs could have on his business if delivery expenses increase.
“As a business owner, I’m only afraid that because gas prices are going up, then the price of my products being delivered to me will also go up,” he said. “Hopefully that’s not the case, but I’m preparing myself just in case the prices go up where I would have to increase my prices to actually survive.”
Other Glen Cove residents said the timing of the increase has created additional stress.
Tammy Lanham, whose husband, Tommy, is the pastor at Glen Cove Christian Church, said the family is currently traveling daily for medical treatments.
“It’s bad timing for us,” Lanham said. “Tommy Lanham has daily radiation treatments for his cancer. We’re
just thankful his treatment center is just in Greenvale. There are people there that travel an hour or more every day.”
At the Long Island Association’s “What’s New in Washington” event, held at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury on Monday, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi said the situation could continue affecting energy prices in the coming weeks.
“We see what’s happening with the Strait of Hormuz, and what’s the plan? Shouldn’t that have been thought of ahead of time?” Suozzi said. “We don’t want to see more soldiers die. We don’t want to see gas prices going through the roof. We don’t want to see our alliances fracture because we didn’t work together as a team. I can’t give you a prediction other than it’s going to be rough sailing for the next 30 days.”
By Abbey Salvemini
Chocolate lovers, mark your calendars for a day of indulgence for all the senses. The Chocolate Expo returns on Sunday, March 22 — this year bringing its tasty wonders to its new venue, following many years at Hofstra University. Nassau Coliseum’s Expo Hall, a vast — more than 44,000 square foot — space, is ready to welcome all to an immersive chocolate wonderland of decadent flavors, irresistible aromas and family-friendly fun.
Upon entering everyone is immediately greeted by chocolate fountains, flowing with rich white, dark and milk chocolate, setting the tone for a deliciously unforgettable experience.
One of the largest and most celebrated chocolate festivals in the U.S., according to its founder Marvin Baum, more than 80 vendors are represented at what he describes as “the official home of chocolate, food and fun.” Visitors can treat themselves to everything from artisan chocolates and baked goods to specialty foods, cheeses and spirits.
“We’re happy to bring the Chocolate Expo to the Nassau Coliseum,” Baum says. “With more space comes more vendors. We’re bringing in vendors who don’t normally come to events on Long Island, so people will get to see something truly different.”
Beyond shopping and sampling, visitors can enjoy demonstrations, chocolate-themed presentations and interactive moments throughout the day.
From classics like bonbons, fudge and chocolatedipped treats there are no shortage of desserts to sample. Savory pairings, baked goods, specialty foods, wine, and cheeses are also tempting; there’s something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
Some of the most buzz-worthy treats that you won’t to miss out on include chocolate-covered bacon, a favorite since 2012. For those looking to try something new, the Dubai-style chocolates are trending this year, with creative twists like chocolatecovered donuts, including offerings from a purveyor based in Lebanon.
These unexpected goodies add an adventurous edge to the festival, making it as much about discovery as it is about indulgence.
“People often find new favorites at the Expo, whether it’s a specialty cheese they will look for in stores or a spirit they want to visit at the distillery,” Baum says highlighting its lasting impact.
Be sure to check out the Long Island confectioners represented, such as Bellmore’s Chocolate Works, a
Trevor Wallace
chocolaterie selling chocolate-covered pretzels, platters, and more. Other local favorites include Chez Hedwidge, an artisan gluten-free bakery, based in Valley Stream; also the Sunflower Bakeshop, a Kosher bakery in West Hempstead, offering a wide range of gluten-free and vegan options.
In addition to culinary delights, this year’s edition includes a dose of television nostalgia. Cast members from the classic series “Little House on the Prairie” and ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ are scheduled for special guest appearances. Dean Butler, Patrick Labyorteaux and Todd Bridges will be on hand to meet fans throughout the day. The actors will be available for autographs and selfies (fees are set individually) and will participate in a panel discussion with an audience Q&A at 1 p.m., included with event admission.
The combination of chocolate with pop culture has become an Expo hallmark, with Baum noting that “Little House on the Prairie” holds a special place for many.
“Chocolate is very nostalgic,” he says. “People are always looking for treats and desserts, and we also want to bring in that element of nostalgia.”
• Sunday, March 22, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; early VIP access starts at 9 a.m.
• Tickets are $30, $15 ages 5-12 online only; general admission timed-entry tickets: $20, $15 child online; $30, $15 child at the door; available from thechocolateexpo.com
• Nassau Coliseum, Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale
Providing a visual centerpiece sure to attract attraction (and serve as a vibrant, imaginative backdrop for photos), acclaimed balloon artist Robbie Furman returns to craft an intricate balloon sculpture display featuring scenes and characters from both iconic TV series. When his demo wraps up, children eagerly dive in to pop the balloons, in what Baum playfully terms a “balloon popping party.”
For more family-sized fun, young visitors can drop by the Kidz Zone. Face painting, balloon twisting and a scavenger hunt will surely keep the young set entertained, in addition to being surrounded by chocolate treats.
“Seeing the smiles on people’s faces is what it’s all about,” Baum enthuses.“This is a chance for people to get away from everything, whether that’s trying a new chocolate or just enjoying the moment.” He encourages everyone — whether coming solo, with friends or family — to make this a must-visit.
“It’s really about the experience and having a good time.”
For Baum, supporting local businesses and building relationships with returning chocolatiers is just as important as the treats themselves, making it a unique and meaningful day for the community.
Photos courtesy Chuck Fishman
Photos: From chocolate-dipped treats to inventive creations, every bite is a delicious discovery.
The comedian brings his Alpha Beta Male Tour to the Paramount stage. The energetic comic-digital creator has gained a growing following with sharp observational bits, viral character sketches, and fast-paced crowd work. Rising from early internet sketches to sold-out clubs and theaters, he blends internetsavvy humor with classic jokecrafting, making his shows accessible to longtime fans and first-timers alike. He co-hosts the popular Stiff Socks podcast, further expanding his reach to comedy listeners nationwide. Wallace’s tour is packed with fresh stories, act-outs, and interactive riffs. His ascent started with viral sketches lampooning internet culture, energy-drink bros, entrepreneurs, and micro-trends; those clips earned millions of views and a loyal fan base that now fills venues everywhere. As his reputation grew, he transitioned from shortform videos to touring, proving he could translate online momentum into consistent, in-person laughs.
Friday, March 20, 7 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Direct from Rome, the Three Italian Tenors stop at Tilles Center on their North American Tour debut. Everyone will be captivated by Giovanni Maria Palmia, Ugo Tarquini, and Alessandro Fantoni accompanied by pianist Fabrizio Mocata. Their salute to the great Italian tenors — Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Mario Lanza and Enrico Caruso — is an exhilarating and unique musical event. It features original arrangements and universally loved Italian songs and tenor arias, fusing Italian wit and charm with romanticism, lyricism, dramatic flair and operatic style. Their repertoire also includes romantic ballads like “Musica Proibita” and “Dicitencello vuje,” a tribute to Dean Martin with Volare, and a lively piano medley of popular Italian tunes — all culminating in a thrilling celebration of vocal artistry and Italian musical heritage. You’re sure to be enthralled by their rich vocals, heartfelt emotion and the golden tradition of Italian vocal artistry.
Tuesday, March 24, 7 p.m. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Participate in the interactive true crime dinner show featuring a mystery to solve alongside a full meal.
• Where: The Mansion at Glen Cove, 200 Dosoris Lane
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Contact: TheMansionatGlenCove.com/ events
The Northwinds Symphonic Band visits Hempstead House for an afternoon of music fun for families with children of all ages. Conductors Helen P. Bauer and Brandon Bromsey have put together a program designed to engage young listeners and aspiring young musicians. The program includes well-known selections from “The Sound of Music” and a medley of music from Disney movies. Band members introduce and demonstrate their instruments, and the children in attendance will be given the opportunity to take the podium as guest conductors! $10, $5 children.
• Where: Hempstead House, 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point
• Time: 1-2:30 p.m.
• Contact: call (516) 571-7901 or sandspointpreserveconservancy. org
Nassau County Museum of Art joins in the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Its landmark exhibition explores how Long Island has reflected and shaped the story of American art. From Revolutionary-era portraiture and folk art to nineteenth-century landscapes, Impressionism, and the bold innovations of Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art, the exhibition highlights how every major art movement found expression here. From Brooklyn to Montauk, Long Island’s natural beauty, coastal light, and close connection to New York City inspired generations of artists and gave rise to thriving art colonies and postwar creative communities. Featuring paintings, decorative arts, and historical objects displayed together in immersive settings, the exhibit celebrates the region’s enduring influence and its rich artistic legacy. Opens March 21, on view through July 12.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: Ongoing
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
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With his strikingly similar looks, baritone voice, and spot-on mannerisms, Shawn Barker’s uncanny resemblance to the original “Man In Black” revitalizes the true character and spirit of Mr. Cash himself, one of America’s greatest musical icons, for a truly one-of-a-kind show. The energetic concert features Barker in character throughout the entire evening, walking the audience through each era of Cash’s life and music, including hits like “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk The Line,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Hurt,” and “Ring of Fire,” backed by a full band. Born and raised in a working-class suburb of St. Louis, Barker took a schoolboy love for singing in church with his family and turned it into a career. The path to his current success wasn’t a straight line from gospel choir to Johnny Cash tribute act. After serving his country in the Army, Barker returned home to Missouri, took a job as a carpenter and spent all of his free time learning how to play the guitar. He developed strength and versatility in his voice by modeling his crooning on a cast of legends — Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent. His performances quickly turned from hobby to profession, but oddly enough, Barker’s first touring gigs were portraying Elvis, not Johnny Cash. Everything changed, however, when Barker was asked to audition for the part of Cash in a Hollywood production, as it became evident to the director and Barker himself that Johnny Cash was his true calling. From that point there was no turning back.
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
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 mansions, or in the Hempstead House Garden when weather permits. Explore techniques specifically aimed at stress reduction. No feeling is final. $17 per class.
• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point
• Time: 6-7 p.m.
• Contact: call (516) 571-7901 or sandspointpreserveconservancy. org
Book Talk: ‘Beneath the Lightless Sky’
Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County hosts a discussion of the powerful memoir “In Beneath the Lightless Sky” with Doron Keren, the authors’s grandson. Ignacy Chiger recounts how his family survived Nazi persecution by hiding for 14 months in the sewers of wartime Lvov, Poland.
• Where: 100 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove
• Time: 1-2:30 p.m.
• Contact: hmtcli.org or (516) 571-8040
The 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parade runs through the streets of Glen Cove, celebrating Irish heritage and community spirit.
An after-parade party follows at St. Patrick’s Parish Hall at the end of the parade route. Parking is available at Glen Cove’s downtown municipal parking garages and at St. Patrick’s Parish lot, and a shuttle bus will circulate among parking, formation, and spectator areas.
• Where: Parade route through Glen Cove; after-party at St.
Patrick’s Parish Hall
• Time: 1 p.m.
• Contact: Glen Cove City Hall at (516) 676-2000
Join certified guide Linda Lombardo on an Ecotherapy Walk at Sands Point Preserve. Celebrating the Spring Equinox with balance, renewal and growth. Ecotherapy, also known as Forest Bathing, is not simply hiking in the woods, or a walk on a beach. The focus is on connection and relationship, allowing the heart to open to the beauty of the natural world, and at the same time, understand our belonging in that world. Register for individual walks or a series of three. $135 for series of 3, $120 members; $49 per session, $44 members.
• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point
• Time: 2 p.m.
• Contact: sandspointpreserveconservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901
City Council meets The City Council holds its next session. Participate to be
updated on important issues.
• Where: Glen Cove City Hall, 9 Glen St.
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 676-2000
Visit Planting Fields for the thrilling season opener of “Notes in Nature,.” This program features a unique and atmospheric combination of the flute, harp, violin, viola, and cello with the Long Island Chamber Music collective that shouldn’t be missed! The program opens and closes with two French impressionist masterworks, starting with Françaix’s nuanced Quintet. $45 per person in advance, $50 at the door if seats are available. Includes a complimentary glass of wine.
• Where: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay
• Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
• Contact: plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210
apr
2
Sands Point Preserve’s historic mansions and waterfront grounds
Step into a multisensory exploration of the plants that shape global cuisine and the cultural stories they carry at Planting Fields Park. This guided tour weaves through the gardens, greenhouses, and exhibition spaces, connecting the living history of the gardens with the 2025 Catalyst installation, Sam Van Aken’s The Planting Fields Stand, a grove of four multi-grafted fruit trees. Drawing on the estate’s agricultural history from Indigenous stewardship to present day, the tour traces how food has been grown, shared, and celebrated here for generations. Blending horticulture, history, and contemporary art, this tour invites guests to reflect on the fruits, both literal and cultural, that nourish us. $25.
• Where: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay
• Time: 10-11 a.m.
• Contact: plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210
apr
Join in the annual Spring Egg Hunt at Morgan Memorial Park. Families are encouraged to arrive early, as the hunt begins promptly at 11 a.m.
• Where: Morgan Memorial Park, Germaine St., Glen Cove
• Time: 11 a.m.
• Contact: Glen Cove City Hall at (516) 676-2000
and
Rjoin sustainability leaders for May 14th awards program honoring Long Island’s environmantal champions
eworld™, presenting sponsor of the 2026 Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island, announced that former NFL quarterback and sports broadcaster Boomer Esiason and New York Islanders forward Kyle Palmieri will join this year’s event, with longtime broadcaster Tom Kelly returning as master of ceremonies.
Produced by RichnerLIVE and the Long Island Herald in partnership with Reworld™, the awards program will take place on May 14 at The Heritage Club in Bethpage. The evening will recognize outstanding environmental leadership across Long Island, honoring nonprofit organizations, educators, elected officials, and community leaders who are advancing sustainability efforts throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.
“As this program enters its second year, we are proud to elevate leaders who are making meaningful environmental progress across Long Island,” said Maureen Early, lead community relations specialist at Reworld™.
“Bringing together respected voices from our region, including Boomer Esiason and Kyle Palmieri, helps shine a spotlight on the inspiring work happening in our communities.
Sustainability
is built through partnership, and this event reflects the collective commitment required to move our region forward.”
eVeNt DetailS
• Date: May 14
• locatioN: The Heritage Club, Bethpage
• preSeNteD by: Reworld™
• proDuceD by: RichnerLive
the 2026 herald Sustainability awards of long island presented by reworld™ will recognize individuals and organizations in several categories, including:
• Environmental Leader in Policy
• Champions of Municipal Stewardship
• Community Impact for Sustainability
• Environmental Infrastructure Leader
• Environmental Development Leader
• Environmental Leader in Entertainment
Esiason, who enjoyed a distinguished NFL career and later became a nationally recognized sports commentator, and Palmieri, a veteran NHL forward with the New York Islanders, will join Reworld™ in celebrating this year’s honorees and highlighting the importance of community leadership in tackling environmental challenges.
Kelly will guide the evening’s program, introducing award recipients and leading the ceremony.
The program will also feature the Student Sustainability Champion Award, honoring one exceptional student from Nassau County and one
from Suffolk County for leadership in promoting sustainable change. Each student honoree will receive a $2,500 prize provided by Reworld™ and will be recognized during the ceremony.
Reworld™ continues to invest in initiatives that empower communities and advance environmental stewardship across Long Island.
For more information about Reworld™ and its environmental initiatives, visit ReworldWaste.com.
For more information about the 2026 Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island Presented by Reworld™ or to request an invitation, visit: RichnerLive.com/richner-event/ herald-sustainability-awards-powered-by-reworld/
By CHRIS COLUCCI
ccolucci@liherald.com
For nearly 40 years, the U.S. has used the month of March to commemorate National Women’s History Month. While women makeup just over 50 percent of the population, their fight for equality on all fronts — economic, social and political — has been a constant. The annual acknowledgment highlights the impact made by women across the country.
The National recognition has international roots
The American celebration of Women’s History Month began somewhat informally, without official government support, as National Women’s History Day in the early 1900s. Early advocates for women’s rights created the day to bring attention to key issues, including suffrage — the right to vote — in 1909. The idea spread quickly and, by 1913, European countries including Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland were celebrating International Women’s Day.
The international counterparts used the day in similar fashion — raising awareness of women’s issues and holding rallies to protest unfair treatment. On March 8, 1917, the Petrograd Women’s March took place in Petrograd, Russia (now Saint Petersburg), protesting food shortages during WWI.
It began as a day, then a week, then a month
National Women’s Day, Feb. 28, was first recognized in 1909. After gaining traction across the globe and shifting into March, American interest in the celebration expanded in 1980 when President Jimmy Carter declared the first Women’s History Week — the week containing March 8. By 1986, individual states increased awareness further, spurring President Ronald Reagan to declare Women’s History Month in 1987. “From earliest times, women have helped shape our Nation,” He wrote in a Presidential proclamation. “Historians today stress all that women have meant to our national life, but the rest of us too should remember, with pride and gratitude, the achievements of women throughout American history.”
This year’s theme: Shaping a sustainable future
Women’s History Month isn’t only a chance to support women-owned businesses, celebrate local women electeds, or learn about an array of historical figures. Each year has a specific theme chosen by the National Women’s History Alliance — a nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to promote women’s history throughout the United States.
The 2026 theme is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,”focusing on long-term sustainability in multiple arenas — environmental, economic, educational, and societal. Previous themes include “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations” in 2025 and “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion” in 2024.
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Student parents attending Nassau Community College may soon have greater access to child care as part of a statewide expansion announced this week by Kathy Hochul aimed at supporting adult learners across the State University of New York system.
Hochul said the initiative will expand child care services at 11 SUNY community colleges, either by extending hours into evenings and weekends or by creating additional child care spots for infants and toddlers. Nassau Community College is among six campuses that will add more spaces for younger children, a move intended to help student parents balance their academic and family responsibilities.
At Nassau Community College, the funding will support the campus’s Children’s Greenhouse by creating additional spots for infants and toddlers, allowing more than a dozen student parents to access safe, reliable child care at no cost while attending classes. The investment aims to remove barriers to higher education by ensuring students have the support they need to balance family responsibilities with their academic goals, including those participating in the SUNY Reconnect program at the college.
“The support from the State has been integral in allowing Nassau Community
College to expand our childcare offerings at the Children’s Greenhouse,” Maria Conzatti, the college’s chief administrative officer, said. “Our campus is grateful for this investment in our community.”
“We are both grateful and excited to have this increased capacity to support student-parents with the addition of a second infant room,” Lorie Mulhern, director of the Children’s Greenhouse, said. “This funding will allow the Greenhouse to accommodate additional infants throughout the week, ensuring students have the supports needed to succeed in the classroom.”
The effort is designed in part to support participants in SUNY Reconnect, a state program that offers free tuition, fees, books and supplies to New Yorkers ages 25 to 55 who do not already hold a college degree and want to pursue an associate degree in a high-demand field.
“We are investing in the futures of our adult learners and student parents to ensure they can pursue and achieve their dreams,” Hochul said in a statement announcing the expansion.
“Through the expansion of child care across SUNY’s community college campuses … we are reinforcing our commitment to meeting the needs of adult learners and offering them a path to upward mobility.”
State officials say access to reliable child care remains one of the most sig -
nificant barriers facing adult students, particularly parents returning to school while working or raising young children. By expanding child care availability, SUNY hopes to make it easier for those students to enroll in classes and complete degree programs.
John B. King Jr., chancellor of the State University of New York, said the expansion is intended to give student parents the support they need to stay focused on their education.
“Student parents should be able to focus on their studies without having to worry about finding safe and affordable child care,” King said. “The expansion of the child care programs across SUNY’s community colleges will work to remove barriers, so all of our students can receive the support they need to pursue the education of their dreams.”
In addition to Nassau Community College, five SUNY community colleges will expand child care hours to better align with evening or nontraditional class schedules. SUNY Broome Community College will create additional evening care hours, while Dutchess Community College plans to add two weeknights of evening care and expand infant and toddler capacity. Finger Lakes Community College will extend evening hours until 9 p.m. two days a week, and Monroe Community College will add 16 hours of evening child care while also increasing capacity for
will add additional infant and toddler child care spaces as part of a statewide initiative announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
younger children. Onondaga Community College is partnering with the YMCA to provide evening child care spots for adult learners enrolled through the SUNY Reconnect program. Additional infant and toddler child care spaces will also be created at Jamestown Community College, SUNY Niagara Community College, Rockland Community College,
By JULIA CAPITELLI jcapitelli@liherald.com
The Sea Cliff Board of Trustees is drafting legislation regulating residential battery energy storage systems. There is one open application by a resident to install a unit, but the village code does not currently include regulations on battery storage.
Ibelieve, with the way things are going, we’ll be seeing more and more and more of these applications.
Discussion at Monday’s public conference meeting about battery storage legislation centered around permits, capacity and location on a resident’s property. The board previously brought in Nassau County Assistant Chief Fire Marshal Andrew Schmitt and Brian O’Donnell, Sea Cliff’s first assistant fire chief, on Feb. 2 to discuss fire suppression systems and controlling a fire if a battery ignites.
ELENA VILLAFANE Mayor, Sea Cliff
Schmitt also suggested the board speak with other experts like electrical engineers. O’Donnell recommended that residents only be allowed to store batteries outdoors.
The law would make it legal for residents to install battery energy storage systems within certain parameters. Should a resident want to install a system outside those parameters, they will have to appear before the village’s planning board to make their case.
Storing energy generated by solar panels is one reason for keeping lithium batteries. Solar panels are not required for installing battery energy storage systems.
“I believe, with the way things are going, we’ll be seeing more and more and more of these applications,” Mayor Elena Villafane said. “So, I’d really like to wrestle this thing to the ground.”
The board dedicated most of its discussion to deliberating the maximum capacity in kilowatt hours that residents should be able to store. New York State’s code allows for a maximum of 80 kilowatt hours. Anything higher than that gets classified as commercial rather than residential.
Trustee James Versocki initially said he was comfortable allowing residents the full 80 kilowatt hours. Villafane and Village Administrator Bruce Kennedy made a case for a lower maximum capacity. Kennedy said his concern is how quickly a battery fire can spread, though a fire is unlikely.
The more kilowatt hours you have, that’s the more batteries, the more outgassing, more chance of evacuation,” he said. “The more kilowatt hours there are, the further away (the Fire Department has) to work from the fire. So, it just becomes more dangerous the more you put in.”
Villafane echoed these concerns, emphasizing how close together some houses in Sea Cliff are to one another, making it more dangerous for neighbors in the unlikely event that a resident’s battery ignites.
Versocki later expressed uncertainty in choosing where the maximum capacity should be.
“As a non-professional, the state has given a code,” he said. “I’m fine with looking at something, but I’m not just going to pick a number because I think it’s a number.”
Kennedy and Trustee George Williams invoked Tesla’s Powerwall Three, which provides 13.5 kilowatt hours of usable energy. According to EnergySage, an online marketplace that helps homeowners compare quotes on solar panels and battery storage, Powerwall Three can potentially power a house for more than a day. The Powerwall stores solar energy for later use, such as in the event of a power outage.
The board used the idea that three Tesla Powerwalls can last a resident three days as a baseline when deciding on a maximum capacity to allow. Williams suggested a maximum of 41 kilowatt hours, multiplying 13.5 by three. The board agreed to 41 kilowatt hours for the proposed legislation. Residents who want a system accommodating more than that would have to go before the Planning Board for approval.
New York State has created a model law for municipalities to follow when drafting legislation for battery energy storage systems. In that model law, a building permit and electrical permit are required for installing a system. Sea Cliff’s law is expected to mirror these requirements. Appropriate location for storage systems was also debated. The board discussed whether it should require storage systems to be kept outdoors only, or if some indoor installa -
tion may be acceptable. An instance of installation in a resident’s basement was noted, and Villafane expressed doubt that this was a good idea.
“That doesn’t really,” she said, “seem like something I would think is best practices.”
The board decided the proposed legislation should allow outdoor installation and systems to be kept indoors with enclosures designed to prevent fire from spreading and with proper ventilation. Much of the discussion around indoor installation pertained to garages rather than basements.
Another location factor that board discussed was how far systems should be placed from neighboring houses. Fire safety was the primary concern when deciding on a distance to include in the proposed legislation. While uncommon,
battery fires can pose a threat to the owner’s house and neighboring houses. In this case, fire departments focus on controlling the fire’s spread.
“My thought process is, ‘What’s reasonable?’” Kennedy said. “Being what we know, what we don’t know, the fears of others, the potential for disaster, which exists, what’s reasonable?”
The board settled on including in the proposed legislation that storage systems must be placed a minimum of 30 feet from neighboring houses whether the system is indoors or outdoors. This would mean that if a resident installs a unit indoors, the structure where the unit is kept must be at least 30 feet from neighboring houses.
Once the legislation is drafted by the village attorney, the board will review it before scheduling a public hearing.
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, 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 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
President Trump has removed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The reasons appear less administrative than political: mounting outrage after federal immigration agents killed innocent people in Minneapolis, and a $200 million advertising campaign at Mount Rushmore amid a sputtering economy. Both had begun to cost Trump and the Republican Party support. Presidents have always dismissed cabinet officials for political reasons. But moments like these raise a more basic question: what standards should we use to judge the performance of the people who hold public office?
Voting matters. Laws are essential. But a democracy also depends on the day-to-day choices leaders make: how they answer criticism, whether they follow the same rules as everyone else, and whether they comply with court orders, cooperate with lawful investigations and accept verified election results. When leaders don’t make these their priorities, they’re not doing the job Americans hired them to do.
There are minimum qualifications for such jobs. They define the difference between holding office and doing its work. They apply to presidents, governors, mayors, attorneys general, agency heads and legislators alike — anyone entrusted with public authority.
These jobs call for leaders who can:
Distinguish between political disagreement and disloyalty to the country. Elected officials are expected to face criticism without suggesting that their opponents are acting in bad faith or undermining the nation itself.
Ssary (and constitutionally protected) role. Critical reporting may be inconvenient, embarrassing or even incriminating, but it provides the public with information needed to evaluate official conduct.
ome ways to tell whether leaders are doing the worked they were hired to do.
Treat oversight as a safeguard rather than as sabotage. Legislative inquiries and independent investigations are not attacks; they are part of the system of checks and balances designed to ensure that public authority is exercised lawfully.
Welcome independent courts, inspectors general and auditors rather than fear them. These bodies are tasked with reviewing executive action. Their scrutiny has long been among the distinguishing and most admired features of the American experiment: no one is above the law.
n Accept that journalists play a neces-
n Do not claim in advance that an election loss would be illegitimate. In most cases, election losses are defeats to be acknowledged, not scandals to be alleged before any evidence is presented.
n Publicly correct false statements. Courageous leaders clarify errors, acknowledge inaccuracies and take responsibility for their mistakes.
Do not demand personal loyalty from those tasked with enforcing the law. Leaders should demand competence, objectivity and adherence to the highest professional standards. Blind loyalty to an individual is the earmark of an undemocratic system.
Respect — and adhere to — the independence of agencies charged with regulation or investigation. Regulatory and investigative bodies exist to apply statutory authority without political interference. In other words, they help ensure that government functions responsibly, ethically, legally and fairly.
Operate within lawful limits on executive authority. Officeholders are expected to comply with statutory and constitutional boundaries on their power. They may not ignore, circumvent or defy those boundaries without legal consequence.
Do not use the machinery of government to punish critics. Public institutions are not instruments for settling personal or political scores. Law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies, tax authorities and licensing boards must not be used to target opponents.
Leaders make these choices in public — in how they respond to court rulings, to investigations and to verified election results. Disagreement is part of the job, as are scrutiny, limits on authority and compliance with lawful rulings. Treating those requirements as obstacles to be worked around, rather than obligations to be met, is not.
This checklist is one way to tell whether leaders are doing the work they were hired to do. Moments like these offer the public a chance to assess whether they are meeting their jobs’ fundamental requirements. That kind of assessment must be part of the routine maintenance of a democracy.
Michael Blitz is professor emeritus of interdisciplinary studies at the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Like most New Yorkers, I start my workday by dropping my daughter off at school before heading to the office. Unfortunately, like some, I recently got involved in a rearend accident as I waited to find parking. The crash served as a sudden reminder of something New Yorkers experience every day.
Auto insurance has become too costly, too complicated and too disconnected from the concept of fairness. Nearly every household in the state depends on a car, and when insurance premiums rise, families feel it immediately.
Across New York, people rely on their vehicles to get to work, to take their children to school, to care for loved ones and to stay connected with their communities. Car insurance is not optional. It is a basic requirement of daily life. Yet too many responsible drivers are paying inflated rates because fraud, staged crashes and systemic abuse continue to push costs higher for everyone.
A fair system should discourage reckless and unlawful behavior, not create incentives that undermine accountability. When responsibility breaks down, law-abiding New Yorkers are left to absorb costs that do not reflect how they live or drive. Restoring balance is not about punishment. It is about fairness, responsibility and trust.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has put forward a clear and thoughtful plan to address these challenges. Her proposal strengthens efforts to combat insurance fraud, closes loopholes that contribute to unnecessary litigation, and reinforces the principle that responsibility should matter. At the same time, it preserves protections for those who are legitimately injured and ensures that the system continues to function for those who follow the rules.
misuse or exploitation of the system. Hochul is advancing a coordinated, statewide approach to restore accountability and bring greater balance to the auto insurance system. Her proposal includes:
W e all share the road — and we share responsibility for one another.
The proposal reflects the important role of government — not simply reacting when costs spiral upward, but stepping in when systems no longer operate as intended. New Yorkers expect their government to protect consumers, promote fairness and ensure that everyday people aren’t left paying the price for the
n Strengthening efforts to identify, investigate and prosecute staged accidents and organized insurance fraud.
n Expanding accountability for people who organize or financially benefit from fraudulent crash schemes.
n Increasing oversight of medical providers who participate in fraudulent claims or improper diagnoses.
Addressing illegal out-of-state vehicle registrations that shift costs onto lawabiding New York drivers
Strengthening insurer anti-fraud programs by giving insurers more time and flexibility to investigate suspicious claims.
Limiting non-economic damage awards for those engaged in unlawful or reckless conduct at the time of an accident.
Ensuring that drivers who are primarily responsible for causing acci-
dents are not rewarded with excessive damage awards.
Clarifying and tightening the definition of serious injury to reduce abuse while protecting those who are genuinely harmed.
Ensuring that cost savings benefit consumers by maintaining strong oversight and protection so reduced system costs translate into relief for policyholders.
This approach reflects the values New Yorkers expect from their government. As part of the governor’s proposed budget, these reforms recognize that affordability is not abstract. It is personal. Bringing down auto insurance costs means easing pressure on household budgets, supporting workers and small businesses, and making our state more livable for everyone. We all share the road, and we all share responsibility for one another. Governor Hochul’s proposal moves New York toward a system that reflects that shared responsibility and puts fairness back where it belongs. That is a goal worth advancing for families in every corner of New York state.
Walter T. Mosley is New York’s secretary of state.
amid
Editor
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Julia Capitelli
Reporter
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Vice President - Sales
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Garden City, NY 11530
Phone: (516) 569-4000
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Web: glencove.liherald.com
In speeches and campaign platforms, public officials frequently speak about the importance of inspiring the next generation of civic leaders.
Far fewer take the concrete step of bringing young people into the halls of government to see how democracy actually works.
When students are given the opportunity to witness the legislative process firsthand, ask questions of policymakers and engage with peers from across the state, civics education moves beyond textbooks and becomes real.
A trip to a legislative chamber or a youth summit in a state capital can transform abstract lessons about government into tangible experiences. Students see debates unfold, observe how laws are crafted and understand that decisions made in these rooms affect the lives of millions of people.
Exposing students firsthand to the responsibilities of public service helps them understand how decisions made in government affect their communities — and their own futures. These experiences also demonstrate that leadership isn’t reserved for a select few. Instead, it is something young people can aspire to through education, service and engagement. In a Zoom-first world, it is critical that school districts budget for field trips that put students in the civic arena. Programs that open the doors of government to students also provide something increasingly valuable in today’s civic climate: a sense of connection. When young people interact with elected officials and government staff, they learn that government is not some distant or mysterious institution. It is a
To the Editor:
system run by people who are accountable to the public, and whose work shapes the policies that affect schools, transportation, public safety and economic opportunity.
Across Long Island, many villages and towns have taken small but meaningful steps in this direction through “Mayor for a Day” or “Supervisor for a Day” programs. These initiatives give students a chance to shadow a local leader, attend meetings and get a brief but memorable glimpse into municipal government. For many students, the experience is their first real exposure to how decisions are made in their own communities.
Those programs are valuable, but they could go further. Municipal leaders might consider expanding them into broader outreach efforts that bring the experience directly into classrooms. A rotating “government road show,” in which mayors, supervisors, council members and department leaders visit schools in their communities, could reach far more students than a singleday shadowing opportunity.
By bringing government into schools — rather than just inviting a handful of students to visit government buildings — officials could spark interest among young people who might never otherwise consider public service. A conversation with a mayor or council member can demystify the process and show students that civic leadership begins with curiosity, participation and a willingness to serve.
We know that local institutions don’t always have the capacity to build these programs from scratch — and they don’t have to. We encourage students, munici-
It is continually sad to read Peter King’s opinion pieces. His notions of patriotism, justice and morality are warped by his political fervor for President Trump and his administration — and it shows.
In last week’s op-ed, “A heart-stopping hockey victory was marred by politics,” by trying to bend the president’s boys-club remarks about the U.S. women’s hockey team into a “friendly jibe,” King showed just how behind the times he is. “Lighten up!” he wrote. Really?
King went further. He tried to validate Trump’s failure to acknowledge the women’s hockey team by pointing out that the women were favored to win anyway and had secured their third gold medal since 1998. So no big deal, I guess. Talk about disrespectful.
palities and school districts to partner with established organizations that have proven track records of connecting young people to public service. Two we especially recommend are Civics Unplugged and Govern For America. CU equips high school students to work on government projects they care about, providing the skills, mentorship and connections to make that work transformative for communities. GFA places high-achieving early-career professionals in impactful, full-time state government roles — channeling elite talent where it can do the most good.
Government internships are crucial entrees into public service, too. Too often, however, these internships are unpaid. We need these positions and other entry-level jobs to pay a living wage; otherwise, the only young people who can take them are those from wealthy families, leading to further societal inequality as well as biases among policy creators who lack diverse lived experiences.
At a time when civic participation is often uneven and public trust in institutions is frequently tested, investing in meaningful engagement with young people is not simply educational — it is essential. The more these young people grow, the more our communities gain — and that cycle is the point.
If leaders truly want to inspire the next generation of public servants, they must do more than speak about civic engagement. They must open the doors of government and invite young people inside. Our children are ready to enter the arena.
Let them in.
Assessing current economic conditions over the past year has been unusually challenging due to delays in federal data releases, volatile inflation readings and shifting labor-market dynamics. As more complete data has recently become available, however, a clearer picture is emerging for Long Island — one that reflects strength in aggregate, but growing divergence beneath the surface.
Long Island’s economy continues to outperform many regions nationally. Home values remain elevated, hospitality and tourism activity are robust, and unemployment rates in Nassau and Suffolk counties remain below the national average. These indicators point to a region that has weathered recent economic shocks relatively well.
Yet aggregate strength masks important distributional differences. Increasingly, Long Island reflects what economists describe as a K-shaped recovery, in which different segments of the population experience sharply disparate economic outcomes.
Households in the upper echelon of income and wealth distribution have
benefited substantially since 2020. Financial markets have posted significant gains, increasing retirement balances and household net worth for those with market exposure. At the same time, residential real estate values across Nassau and Suffolk have risen markedly since the pre-pandemic period, reinforcing wealth accumulation for existing homeowners. Those households have seen stronger balance sheets, greater financial resilience and sustained consumption capacity.
Iincomes have not kept pace with the rising costs of living.
The implications extend beyond household well-being. Long Island’s economy, like the broader U.S. economy, is fundamentally consumer-driven, with roughly two-thirds of economic activity tied to consumer spending. While higher-income households account for a disproportionate share of consumption, sustainable regional growth depends on broadbased purchasing power across income groups.
llustrating the difference between wealth and incomes that aren’t keeping pace.
While affordability in our region impacts all Long Islanders, many lower- and middle-income households have faced a more constrained economic reality. While nominal wages — what you see in your pay stub — have increased over the past several years, real wage growth — your pay adjusted for inflation — has been limited by persistently higher prices of essential goods and services. Housing costs, food prices and energy expenses have accounted for a growing share of household budgets, eroding purchasing power even as headline inflation shows moderation.
This divergence is central to the concept of a K-shaped economy. The upper arm reflects asset-driven growth and wealth accumulation, while the lower arm captures households whose
King also called out those athletes who had the nerve to express their dismay and concern over our current administration’s actions and the climate it has created here. Every American athlete has a right to speak their mind. Our athletes travel and train at their own expense, typically requiring immeasurable sacrifice from their families. While chosen to represent our country, they are private citizens, not representatives of the state.
Unfortunately, King missed the point. Everyone was celebrating the men’s victory, just as they had celebrated the women’s win a few days earlier — until the locker room antics. First of all, the FBI director was seen chugging beer, screaming and pouring beer over players’ heads like a sophomoric jock. Then Trump called and invited the team to the White House, and as an afterthought, said the women would have to be invited. And no one winced. No one stood up for the women’s team, which had beaten Canada just days before in overtime. As a matter of fact, they laughed.
The men’s win wasn’t marred by politics. It was marred by the leader of our country’s public disregard for
a select group of Olympians, it was marred by the excuses made for his behavior, and it was marred by those who think it was no big deal.
ELIZABETH MURPHY Franklin Square
Trump’s, and King’s, words matter
To the Editor:
As I’m sure Peter King knows, words still matter. Tone still matters (thank goodness!). A president’s words still matter. Trump’s use of the words “I guess I have to invite the women” has behind it a long history of his sexism and disrespect for women. If someone else had said it, maybe it would have landed differently.
King’s printed words “Lighten up!” are furthering a culture of disrespect toward women. Shame on him. And to think my late grandfather loved him so much. I would hope this article would have changed his mind.
SUZANNE VERA North Bellmore
Recent measures of consumer sentiment underscore this tension. Despite relatively low unemployment, confidence levels remain subdued. Concerns about job security, trade policy and long-term affordability continue to weigh on household expectations, suggesting that employment alone is an insufficient indicator of economic confidence on the national level.
There are also macroeconomic risks associated with sustained divergence. If equity markets weaken or housing price growth moderates, the wealth effects currently supporting higher-income consumption could diminish. In such a scenario, the economy would be vulnerable if lower-income households lack the income growth necessary to offset that slowdown.
Importantly, these dynamics do not
suggest that Long Island is entering a period of economic decline. The region’s proximity to New York City, its diversified industry base and the relative strength of sectors such as health care, professional services, technology and finance continue to provide stability. Recent improvements in office occupancy and continued strength in hospitality further reinforce this resilience.
But resilience shouldn’t be confused with inclusivity. The central economic challenge facing Long Island isn’t simply maintaining growth, but also ensuring that growth benefits all industry sectors and sizes. Workforce development, housing affordability and goodpaying jobs that offset higher inflation are essential components of long-term regional economic health. Policymakers and business leaders should remain attentive not only to aggregate indicators, but also to the real impacts of policies on Long Islanders.
As more complete data becomes available in 2026, the contours of Long Island’s economic trajectory are becoming clearer. Aggregate performance remains strong, but the divergence across households warrants careful attention. Economic strength is most durable when the entire population is benefiting from it — and addressing these imbalances will be critical to sustaining Long Island’s long-term prosperity.
Dr. Steve Kent is chief economist of the Long Island Association.
