Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald 03-26-2026

Sue Grieco/Herald photo

Lynbrook High School students Sophie Deifel, left, Skylar Wolkoff and Regan Casey represented their company, Smyle, at the Virtual Enterprise trade show.

Lynbrook High hosts business trade show for 50 school districts

By KAYl A DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com

What began as a small program in 2024, with 30 student-run businesses, has grown into a large-scale entrepreneurial showcase, as Lynbrook High School hosted its third annual Virtual Enterprise Trade Show last week, featuring 71 firms from 50 school districts across Long Island.

The event gave students the chance to step into the role of entrepreneurs, building simulated companies from the ground up and presenting their ideas in a competitive, trade show-style environment. Led in part by Lynbrook High Virtual Enterprise teacher Ben Tieniber, the program, in which students develop real-world business and com-

munication skills, continues to expand each year.

Among the many student-run businesses at the March 19 event was a Lynbrook High company, Smyle, which focuses on improving dental hygiene with a smart toothbrush connected to a mobile app. It gives users real-time feedback, tracking missed areas, plaque buildup and other potential dental concerns while also sharing the data it collects with dentists.

Skylar Wolkoff, a junior and the company’s chief operating officer, said that the 45 students in Tieniber’s Virtual Enterprise class developed the idea through a competitive process, presenting a number of concepts before narrowing it down by way of a

Calmer U

Women gather for Passover event at temple

By KAYl A DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com

More than 100 women from several Jewish organizations gathered on March 17 at Temple Am Echad in Lynbrook for a long-awaited return of a beloved community Passover tradition — this time re-imagined through music, poetry and shared reflection. Passover begins the afternoon of April 1 and ends after sunset on April 8.

“It was wonderful to see the community together in a happy setting,”

Ia traditional Seder format, this year’s event was intentionally designed differently.

“We made it specifically not a Seder this time,” event Cochair Julie Skiddell said. “We wanted to try something unique, guided by four themes: slavery, hope, redemption and gratitude.”

n the world right now, it’s important we have one voice, and we feel that strength.

Irene Dranch, a member of the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre, said. “It was a beautiful event. They brought it to current — Passover is a story about freedom, and there was so much to celebrate and relate to over this past year.”

ARlIENE

REICH

Event co-chair

Instead of a structured ritual, the evening unfolded as a “musical journey,” blending modern poetry, personal reflection and song. Four female cantors from three congregations — Elana Bell, of Temple Am Echad; Barbara Haimowitz and Hazzan Bonnie Zakarin, of Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre; and Eryka Velazquez, of Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth in Rockville Centre — led the program.

The Jewish holiday of Passover, which commemorates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt, is traditionally observed through a ritual meal called a Seder. While past gatherings followed

“We took each segment and blended music, poetry and a modern perspective on the Passover story,” Skiddell said. “We found poetry we had never used before and incorporated ContinuED on pagE 5

Challenger team shines at Lynbrook homecoming

School spirit filled the Lynbrook High School gymnasium on March 3 as the district’s Challenger team faced off against Valley Stream South Middle School during a special homecoming game.

Players from Lynbrook’s special education program were met with enthusiastic support from classmates, teachers and community members who packed the stands to cheer them on. Throughout the game, the athletes showed determination, teamwork and strong sportsmanship while making sure every player had a chance to participate on the court.

The positive and energetic

Johan Salonga dribbled down the court.

atmosphere reflected the district’s commitment to inclusion and its goal of providing meaningful opportunities for all students to take part in school activities.

“This homecoming game meant so much to our students,” said special education teacher Bryton LaMantia.

“Playing on the high school court and hearing the crowd cheer them on gave them a real sense of pride and belonging.

Moments like this remind our students that their hard work matters and that they are an important part of our school community.”

— Kayla Dechter

Virtual Enterprise expands across Long Island

class vote.

“Smyle is trying to get people to have the best, healthiest smile they can possibly have,” Wolkoff said. She added that collaboration played a key role in refining the company’s concept, with every team member contributing to decision-making and execution.

Senior Anabel Chatterton, Smyle’s chief marketing officer, emphasized the importance of presentation and branding in attracting attention at the trade show. The company, she explained, focused on creating a visually appealing, teen-friendly brand to engage the audience, which resulted in strong interest and positive feedback throughout the event.

“The biggest thing I learned from this experience was how much it takes to make a company come together,” Chatterton said. “It’s a lot of work, delegating tasks and working together — especially assigning roles to people we’ve grown up with — but it was a great experience.”

Fellow senior Sophie Deifel, the company’s chief of sales, said the class has had an impact on her preparation for the future. “This might be the most I’ve ever learned from a class,” Deifel said. “In the long run, I know this is the class that’s going to help me prepare the most for my future career.”

Students also gained experience in making presentations in high-pressure environments. Wolkoff recently competed in a national “elevator pitch” competition at Long Island University, making a pitch about herself to a small group of companies before

advancing to present in front of an audience of 300 high school students.

“To us, it feels like real money, a real product,” Deifel said. “We take it so seriously here.”

Other schools brought equally innovative ideas to

the Lynbrook High show. An East Rockaway High company, Dear Dorm, was created to help families stay connected with first-year college students through customizable care packages containing hygiene products, energy drinks and handwritten letters.

“We want to sell the connection between college and your life at home,” ERHS senior Yihan Wang, the company’s chief technology officer, said. “Most of us are seniors going to college next year, so this is something a lot of us are interested in.”

Like other teams, the group developed a full business model, including a website and marketing strategy, mirroring the process of launching a real company.

Tieniber said the program creates opportunities for students beyond the classroom, including participation in outside events such as a Virtual Enterprise Trade Show at LIU.

“The students gain real-life experience,” he said. “It’s preparing them for the future — a lot of them want to continue careers in business.”

Tieniber added that the program immerses students in professional environments early on. “The students coming in dressed in suits and having business proposals prepared gets them introduced to the environment they will eventually experience in real life,” he said.

As interest continues to grow, Tieniber noted that Lynbrook High’s Virtual Enterprise classes have reached capacity — and have expanded to eighth grade — and he hopes more schools across Long Island will create similar programs.

News briefs

Lynbrook police respond to church scare

Lynbrook police officers are being praised for their quick and professional response to a medical emergency at Our Lady of Peace Church earlier this month.

According to a letter written by Deacon Kevin McCormack, a woman suddenly lost consciousness during the 12 p.m. Sunday Mass, prompting an immediate 911 call. Within minutes, Officers Mike Lanaro, Rob Geldmacher and Brendan Lavista arrived on the scene and took control of the situation.

McCormack noted that the officers handled the situation with calm, professionalism and care, providing reassurance not only to the woman and her

family but also to the entire congregation. He added that their swift response and composed demeanor reflected the high standards of the Lynbrook Police Department.

As a longtime resident and church leader, McCormack expressed his gratitude for the officers’ service, calling them a strong example of the department’s commitment to the community. Lynbrook Mayor Alan Beach also publicly thanked the department, recognizing their continued dedication and service throughout the village.

— Kayla Dechter

L et us K now

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Women reunite for a musical Passover event

it into our program.”

Participants said the updated format made the centuriesold story feel especially relevant.

“They made it very lively and feel-good,” Dranch said. “Sisterhoods came together — Reform, Conservative, all types of religious observance — and it felt very meaningful.”

The event also included readings from contemporary and historical voices, including Israeli feminist activist and Open Orthodox rabbi Haviva Ner-David and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel, along with reflections on current events, including updates on previously held Israeli hostages.

The tradition of hosting a women-centered community Passover gathering dates back to 2007, according to co-chair Arliene Reich. The last event was held in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic paused large gatherings.

attending the march 17 community women’s passover celebration at temple am echad in Lynbrook were, from left, co-chair Julie Skiddell; Hazzan Bonnie Zakarin; elana Bell, the temple’s cantorial soloist; eryka Velazquez, cantor for Central Synagogue-Beth emeth in rockville Centre; Cantor-rabbi

Barbara Haimowitz, of Hewlett-east rockaway Jewish Centre; and co-chair arliene reich.

“After Covid, it took time for people to feel comfortable coming back to something like this,” Reich said. “This year, we made it a priority to bring it back.”

The return carried added significance amid rising antisemitism and challenges facing Jewish communities.

“In the world right now, it’s important that we have one voice together,” Reich said. “To celebrate together, to know each other, to continue tradi -

tions and bring together strong women — we feel that strength together.”

More than 110 attendees representing eight Jewish organizations took part in the March 17 event, creating a multigenerational gathering of women connected through shared heritage.

“There were young people, older people, parents and children — it was really multigenerational,” Reich said.

Though the evening did not include a traditional Seder, symbolic elements such as matzo, grape juice and a Seder plate, alongside a kosher-style meal, were offered.

“The word Seder means order, and we didn’t follow that traditional order,” Rhonnie Fischman, co-chair of the food committee, said. “We incorporated food and music in a different way to match the spirit of the evening.”

For many, the emotional impact of the event lingered well beyond the final song.

“People were emailing us afterward saying they felt uplifted, spiritual and moved,” Fischman said. “They were proud to have been part of it.”

At its core, organizers said, the evening was about connection — honoring the past while strengthening bonds for the future.

“We’re reinforcing our connection as Jewish women,” Reich said, “sharing the same joys and worries we’re facing in the world today.”

Fischman echoed that sentiment with a message she hopes attendees carried home.

“I hope these women leave with the idea of unity — that we are not alone,” she said. “No matter what we’re facing, we are Jewish women doing it together . . . and we are strong.”

New coach guides experienced Hofstra softball

By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com

A Hofstra softball program with a storied history reaching 18 NCAA Tournaments added a coaching legend last year looking to raise more banners.

The Pride appointed Susan CassidyLyke as Hofstra’s new head softball coach in July after 21 years leading the diamond at Molloy University softball where she guided the Lions to three Division II National Championship Tournament appearances.

“I was born and raised on Long Island so I am very familiar with the championship tradition here at Hofstra,” Cassidy-Lyke said. “This is a good experience for me and a good challenge.”

Cassidy-Lyke inherited a Hofstra team that returned 13 players from a 2025 team that went 22-28 and fell in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) semifinals. Hofstra was picked to finish in a tie for first in the CAA North Division with Stony Brook.

Hofstra boasts two preseason All CAA players in senior pitcher Emma Falen and senior shortstop Alanna Morse, a local product out of Mepham High School.

Morse is coming off a 2025 season in which she led the team in hitting with a .343 batting average with 49 hits in 143 at bats. She is off to another strong start during her final season in a Hofstra uniform as a leadoff hitter batting .365 through 25 games with three home runs to lead the team in both categories.

“She is very talented offensively and defensively and just a great kid that seems to do the right thing all the time,” said Cassidy-Lyke of Morse. “She leads by example.”

Falen recorded a 12-10 record with a 3.14 ERA last season after transferring from UC-Riverside. The Folson, Calif. native recorded seven strikeouts in a 2-1 win against Stony Brook on March 7.

Freshman Madison Steppe has emerged as the ace of the Pride pitching staff this season following a standout career at Monticello High School in

Former Mepham star Alanna Morse had a team-high .343 average a year ago.

Charlottesville, Va. Steppe recorded a season-high 10 strikeouts in an 8-5 victory against Buffalo on Feb. 28 in Harrisonburg, Va.

The Hofstra lineup has plenty of balance early in the season with five hitters batting over .290 in Morse, junior third baseman Gabby Sultan, sophomore catcher Gemma D’Orazio and junior second baseman Nicole Cansel. Junior right fielder Lily Yepez, a former Mepham teammate of Morse, has caught fire offensively with a .455 average in 44 at bats after missing the start of the season due to injury.

“She is another homegrown talent and it’s definitely a staple for us,” said Cassidy-Lyke of Yepez. “She really does a lot of different things out of the bottom of the lineup hitting for power, as a slap hitter and can bunt with some good speed.”

Hofstra entered the week at 12-13 overall and 8-1 in CAA play after a sweep at Hampton. The Pride have played the early portion of its home schedule at Farmingdale State due the harsh winter

weather, but are slated to return to Bill Edwards Stadium for a three-game series against Campnell on April 10-12. The regular season concludes with three games against Monmouth at Bill Edwards Stadium from April 30 to May 2.

The six-team CAA Tournament commences from May 6 to May 9 with the winner earning an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Pride can

qualify for the double elimination CAA playoffs by placing in the top four in the North Division or one of two wildcard teams.

“They’ve come a long way since the beginning of the year and we have faith they can do it,” Casidy-Lyke said. “It’s really just going to be about consistency and not letting the game get bigger than it is.”

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celebrating women’s history month

Inspiring girls and LGBTQ youth through music

By JULIA CAPITELLI jcapitelli@liherald.com

Nini Camps was a solo singer-songwriter in New York City when Kristen Henderson, the bassist for the all-female rock band Antigone Rising, asked her to get together to write music in 2009. The band soon got an offer to open for Joan Jett, and invited Camps to be a vocalist. The opportunity launched more than a decade of performances, and nonprofit work, with Camps as Antigone Rising’s lead singer.

The band was formed in 1993 by sisters Cathy and Kristen Henderson, now Kristen Ellis-Henderson. Several members have joined and left over the years. After Camps joined the Hendersons, Antigone Rising quickly made a record and resumed playing shows after a hiatus.

“It just felt like a good fit,” Camps said. “We had so much fun.”

Camps, 54, has lived in Sea Cliff for roughly 15 years with her wife, Brooke. She said that she enjoys Sea Cliff’s thriving music scene.

Before the coronavirus pandemic began in 2020, Antigone Rising band was busy making music, touring and creating a nonprofit, Girl Rising. After the pandemic lockdowns eased, the group continued to play together on a smaller scale.

Girls Rising launched in 2014, after the band was invited by the U.S. State Department to travel to Israel and the Palestinian territory. There Antigone Rising worked in schools and community centers, playing music and talking to students and educators about their creative and musical process.

The trip, Camps explained, helped inspire them to

create the nonprofit. “We were an all-female band, and our crew that we took with us was female, and it was an anomaly,” she said. “… They were like, ‘We’ve never seen this. This is unusual.’ And we realized that as we went along, this was something that we faced a lot, even in the States.”

After returning to the United States, Antigone Rising began visiting LGBTQ centers, community centers and schools as they toured. Camps said the band got so many requests for these visits that they essentially became part of their tours and even events around which they based their schedule.

Girls Rising’s mission is to inspire young girls and LGBTQ youth to pursue nontraditional career paths and encourage all children to think, act and be themselves. Through performances, presentations and workshops, the band carried out the mission for nearly a decade, though it is now in what Camps described as a “pause.” “Things need a chance to sometimes rest and breathe” after operating for so long, she said.

Antigone Rising hosted the Girls Rising Music Festival annually for roughly eight years, first at Sea Cliff Beach and then at Glen Cove’s Morgan Park. It featured female artists, both seasoned musicians and younger ones just starting out.

“We were in a place where we were kind of in the middle,” Camps said, “where we were able to reach out to women who were real game-changers and real trailblazers ahead of us, who are very successful, and we were able to sort of hand that down to young women who were just making their way.”

As part of each year’s festival, the band recognized

women making a difference — who “showed up” — with a Game Changer Award. The band received donations and grants from artists like Joan Jett and Melissa Ethelridge. With that money, Antigone Rising was able to provide instruments and music education in Glen Cove, and help support young women pursuing music education.

Camps said that the band isn’t currently seeking gigs, but will take one if the opportunity presents itself. In the meantime, she is working on a solo album, her first since she joined the group.

A lifelong love of science sparked by dinosaurs

By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com

Not all scientists begin their careers in labs — some start in the shadow of dinosaurs. For Ray Ann Havasy, 63, of Port Washington, that early fascination led to a career defined by academic achievement, creative outreach and global science engagement.

With degrees in zoology, education and biology, and a doctorate in science education from Columbia University in 1998, Havasy built a foundation that combines rigorous scholarship with a passion for making science accessible.

She began her career in education, teaching science at East Meadow High School and Schreiber High School, in Port Washington, and later at the New York Institute of Technology’s School of Education.

Her interest in dinosaurs led to work with the Dinosaur Society and, in the early 1990s, as a technical adviser on “Jurassic Park,” helping guide how dinosaurs were portrayed while balancing scientific accuracy with cinematic storytelling. She partnered in the development of the touring “Dinosaurs of Jurassic Park” exhibit. Blending film props with real fossils and scientific content, the exhibit toured internationally for nearly eight years beginning around 1993, drawing crowds across the United States and in cities in Europe and the Netherlands. What stood out most, Havasy said, was the universal reaction: Children everywhere were captivated.

“The exhibit was amazing — I went all around the world with it,” she said. “That was a great experience,

Ray Ann Havasy,

founder

and

director

Courtesy Ray Ann Havasy

of the Center for Science Teaching & Learning, in Rockville Centre, has built a multifaceted career focused on education.

also seeing that dinosaurs and science are universal.”

The exhibit also supported paleontological research worldwide, turning public interest into funding for scientific discovery — reinforcing her belief that handson experiences can spark lifelong curiosity.

That philosophy led her to Rockville Centre, where she founded the Center for Science Teaching & Learning in the Tanglewood Preserve in 2000. What began as a teacher-training initiative has grown into a hub for interactive, family-focused learning.

“A lot of museums are ‘look but don’t touch,’” Havasy said. “We’re the exact opposite. Our whole mission is to encourage people to learn about science and like science, because a lot of us went through school thinking science was hard and yucky.”

Today she continues to promote hands-on learning while encouraging more young women to pursue science with animals, nature and interactive experiences for fun learning.

“I wasn’t doing it for accolades,” she said. “I was doing it because these opportunities are exciting.”

Michele Anselmo, a teacher and an educator at the center, has worked with Havasy for over 15 years, on several innovative projects. “Ray Ann’s knowledge of science and education provides a wonderful support system for me and the other educators here,” Anselmo said.

Through her work, Havasy hopes to create a future in which more girls see science as a natural and attainable path. “I think it’s important that we find a way to encourage women to get involved in science,” she said. “I speak a lot to young women about encouraging them to be more attuned to being involved in science, and that would be a dream of mine, to have kids — young women — understand that science, engineering and math is for them, and is something that the world wants them to do.”

celebrating women’s history month

Delivering change as a leader in maternal care

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

For Dr. Jacqueline Marecheau, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, Women’s History Month is more than a celebration: It is a call to confront one of the nation’s most urgent and persistent health crises.

Marecheau has spent her career delivering babies and caring for mothers, working on the front lines of maternal health in underserved communities. She has been at Episcopal Health Services for six years, and her work is rooted in community health, equity and supporting the teams who care for women and families every day.

Marecheau earned an undergraduate degree in biomedical education from the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education (now the CUNY Medical School) and a medical degree from the SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn.

U.S. continues to have the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income nations, with Black women facing the greatest risks.

Between 2018 and 2021, Black women were three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, according to federal health data. Marecheau emphasized that these disparities are rooted not in biology, but in systemic inequities including gaps in care, delayed diagnoses, implicit bias and lack of access to resources.

“I went through my third year of medical school rotations and I fell in love with OB/GYN,” she said. “I realized that I was drawn to women’s health because it interested me in medicine and advocacy. OB/GYN is a field where you can see direct results of action and education, and that’s always been meaningful to me.”

Marecheau’s experience underscores a troubling reality: Maternal health risks in the United States remain alarmingly high. About 22 women per 100,000 die from childbirth-related causes each year, and roughly 50,000 experience severe complications. The

If you’ve

At EHS, which serves the diverse and historically underserved Rockaway peninsula, Marecheau sees these challenges play out daily. The community has long faced barriers to high-quality care, but, she said, the hospital is working to change that narrative.

“I love improving access to pre-natal care, helping women navigate complex health decisions,” she said, “and knowing I can create a safer and healthier outcome for women who haven’t always historically been prioritized brings me immense joy.”

In August 2025, St. John’s opened a new state-of-the-art labor and delivery suite, restoring comprehensive maternity services to the area. The facility features private suites and emphasizes patientcentered care.

Marecheau has championed programs including doula support services, postpartum care initiatives and the Centering Pregnancy model, which combines prenatal visits with group education to improve outcomes for mothers and babies.

Tim Baker/Herald

Dr. Jacqueline Marecheau is the chair of obstetrics and gynecology at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, which serves the diverse Rockaway peninsula.

“My focus these days is making sure services are equitable and culturally responsive,” she said.

Hospital staff have received additional training to better recognize early signs of complications, and systems have been implemented to ensure that patients receive follow-up care after they’re discharged, a critical period when many maternal deaths occur.

“No woman should feel that her pain is ignored or her concerns are dismissed,” Marecheau said.

wondered where balloons end up . . .

By ABBEY SALVEMINI asalvemini@liherald.com

For Cynthia Seibold, recognizing the achievements and resilience of women is deeply personal. Raised by a single working mother, she saw firsthand the strength, determination and perseverance it takes to overcome challenges. Today she carries that legacy forward, and takes pride in inspiring strong, capable and resilient women herself.

Seibold’s path to founding Balloon Mission was unconventional. After earning a master’s degree in secondary education, she spent 20 years in the insurance industry, analyzing risk and researching hazards for organizations including the NBA and the NHL. “My mission at that job was to protect people from harm and save money,” she said. The role sharpened her research and problem-solving skills — which would later inspire her environmental advocacy.

The pandemic was a turning point. The health scare forced reflection. “It showed me how precious and fragile life is,” Seibold, 57, said. “Whatever days are left, I want to give back in some way.”

A lifelong Long Islander, she found peace by the ocean, but noticed balloon debris piling up on local beaches. While volunteering at cleanups, she researched the environmental impact of balloon releases. She was stunned by the volume of data on their harm to wildlife, waterways and ecosystems worldwide, with little accountability.

In March 2022, a New York Times article on the surging popularity of balloon decor was published on her late mother’s birthday, and Seibold took that as a sign. “The idea of a solution would not leave me

alone,” she said of the problem of balloon waste. “If not me, who was going to do it?”

So she launched Balloon Mission, the first balloon collection-recycling infrastructure in the United States. “Here I am, an ordinary citizen stepping up,” she said. “Not certified in anything, but I did know how to research.” The early days were challenging,

filled with “soul-crushing” moments and fears of being laughed at for “chasing balloons.”

What began with collection bins in three schools and one library has grown into a regional and national effort. In three years, Balloon Mission has collected more than 65,000 post-event balloons.

Seibold says that collaborative partnerships with strong, inspiring women helped make the initiative possible. “I would not be me without these partners,” she said, citing Allison DePerte, of the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, and Maureen Early, of the waste-management company Reworld.

She also praises Tara Moran-Schneider, senior conservation biologist with the Town of Hempstead’s Department of Conservation and Waterways, for installing 20 “No Balloon Release” signs in local parks and on beaches.

“We’ve become the experts in the room through research and data collection,” Seibold said — not because of advanced degrees, but thanks to research, partnerships and persistence.

Women have guided her journey. “It’s vital for young girls to see female leaders in all roles,” she said. “Leading by example shows that positive change is possible. There is no age limit.” Since Balloon Mission started, she has worked with Girl Scout troops, educating communities about responsible balloon practices by expanding “No Release” signs across Long Island.

Seibold’s message to women with a passion for change is simple: “If you have an idea or solution that has latched onto you and won’t shake free, that wakes you up in the middle of the night,” she said, “you have to pursue it.”

Eagle Scout project honors fallen service members

By KAYLA DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com

For Preston Waters, earning the rank of Eagle Scout marked the culmination of years of dedication — and a project that leaves a lasting impact on the community.

Waters, who grew up in Lynbrook and is a member of East Rockawaybased Troop 332, recently completed his Eagle Scout project by constructing three memorial benches outside the East Rockaway Veterans of Foreign Wars post. Each bench honors a fallen service member, with engraved plaques listing their name, rank, service details and where they died.

The idea came after Waters learned the VFW wanted to create a tribute but had not yet found a way to bring it to life.

“I heard they wanted to commemorate three people and didn’t have benches out front,” Waters said. “So I took the initiative and proposed building them.”

Planning the project took about five months, including developing proposals, organizing materials, securing funding and getting approval from the local scouting council. The actual construction was completed in a single day with the help of fellow Scouts, friends and family.

In total, Waters led a team of about 10 scout volunteers.

“I was the overseer, explaining what needed to be done and making sure

everything went smoothly,” he said. “It felt nice to lead and see everything work out well.”

Waters, who has been involved in scouting since he was a young child, said the experience of leading others was one of the most rewarding parts of the project.

“The best part is feeling the completion, the mutual respect and being able to handle responsibility,” he said. “You have people you’re leading who trust you, and you trust them.”

Before reaching Eagle Scout, Waters served as assistant senior patrol leader for three years, helping guide younger Scouts and stepping in when needed. He said those experiences helped prepare him for the leadership required to complete his final project.

Waters officially earned the rank of Eagle Scout earlier this month following a board of review and was recognized during a Court of Honor ceremony held at St. Raymond’s. East Rockaway Mayor Gordon J. Fox attended the celebration.

“It made me feel really good,” Waters said. “I’ve been scouting all my life, and it took a lot of effort from me, my family and my troop to get here. It’s a high honor.”

Now a student at Delaware Valley University studying animal science, Waters hopes to pursue a future working with animals, potentially in veterinary medicine.

His leadership and dedication have

left a lasting impression on those around him.

“Preston has been a leader and friend our Scouts truly look up to,” said

Edward J. Schenk, Troop 332 committee chair. “He leads by example and is always willing to help others learn and grow.”

HERJC gala honors community leaders

By KAYLA DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com

More than 200 members of the Hewlett–East Rockaway Jewish Centre community gathered at the Seawane Club on March 7 for the synagogue’s annual gala, celebrating individuals whose dedication has helped strengthen the congregation.

This year’s event held special meaning for the community, as Rabbi Michael Schlesinger and his wife, Juliana, were honored for the impact they have made during their five years with HERJC.

The gala also recognized longtime staff member Betsy Kass with the Distinguished Service Award for her years of work in the synagogue office and Early Childhood Center. Michael Goldwasser received the Emerging Leader Award for his growing involvement and contributions to the congregation.

The annual gala serves as the synagogue’s largest fundraiser and offers members an opportunity to celebrate the

people who help sustain the community.

“This year’s HERJC Gala was a tremendous success,” said Lisa Stein, the synagogue’s executive director. “It was a night filled with meaningful speeches, great music and incredible energy as our community came together to celebrate the people who make HERJC such a special place.”

ERHS students at regional photography exhibition

Two student photographers from East Rockaway Junior/Senior High School are receiving recognition beyond the classroom for their creative work.

Remy Bruno and Mikayla Alvarez recently had their photographs selected for inclusion in “Get on Board,” the 2026 juried photography exhibition presented by The Art Guild of Port Washington. The exhibition features artists whose work explores themes related to transportation and movement, including planes, trains and automobiles.

The annual juried show invites photographers to interpret the idea of travel and motion through their own artistic perspectives. Artists were encouraged to capture images that reflect the ways people, places and communities are connected through different forms of transportation and the journeys they inspire.

Entries were reviewed through a competitive selection process, with only a limited number of works chosen for the final exhibition. Bruno and Alvarez were among the photographers selected to have their work displayed, an accomplishment that is particularly notable for high school students submitting work alongside adult and professional photographers.

Having their photographs accepted into the show highlights the students’ creativity, technical skill and ability to capture meaningful moments through the lens of a camera. Their work will be fea-

tured alongside pieces from artists across the region, offering them the opportunity to share their perspectives with a broader audience.

Their achievement also reflects the strength of East Rockaway’s visual arts program, which encourages students to experiment with different artistic mediums and develop their creative voices. Through photography, students learn not only technical skills, but also how to observe the world around them and tell stories through images.

School officials congratulated Bruno and Alvarez on the recognition and praised their dedication to their craft. Their success is a proud moment for the East Rockaway community and a reminder of the growing artistic talent within the district. Their photos will be featured until March 22. — Kayla Dechter

Celebrating America’s 250th at Rock Hall Museum

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Rock Hall Museum is inviting residents to step back into the Revolutionary era and explore the complex choices that shaped the nation’s founding.

The Town of Hempstead museum is marking America’s semiquincentennial with a series of lectures and exhibits this spring that will examine the Revolutionary War from multiple perspectives including the difficult question many colonists faced: Which side would you choose?

Rock Hall pre-dates the United States, being built in 1767 making the semiquincentennial not only a marker for the country but for an anniversary of everything at Rock Hall.

“We are going to commemorate with a special exhibit in the educational center opening in April and a lecture series,” said Amy Vacchio, director of Rock Hall Museum.

Titled “Which Side Are You On?” The exhibit will examine the choices faced by colonists in the 1770s, when loyalty to the British Crown clashed with growing calls for independence.

“We have not only information on Long Island’s role in the revolution but in particular the division between Loyalists and Patriots,” Vac-

chio said. “The Martin family’s story is unique because it’s a story that’s often not told because it’s about their loyalty to the king as a Loyalist family.”

Long Island played a critical role in the early days of the Revolution and many people forget just how significant the region was.

“We’re very excited 250 years is very exciting, and to have it right in our backyard so to speak,” said Doug Sheer, president of the Friends of Rock Hall.

The Battle of Brooklyn and the larger campaign on Long Island unfolded just to the west of the Five Towns in 1776, when British forces dealt a major blow to the Continental Army.

“It didn’t go well,” Sheer said. “Washington was very lucky he got the troops through the East River and up Manhattan.”

Despite the setback, the daring overnight evacuation preserved Washington’s army and allowed the fight for independence to continue, a turning point that historians often credit with saving the Revolution in its earliest days.

Sheer will present a lecture titled “Art and the American Revolutionary War,” exploring how paintings and illustrations helped document the era long before photography existed.

“We didn’t have photography,” he said. “But people who were there, or who heard about the battles and the people involved in the war, were artists. They created paintings of the battles and the figures of the time.”

Artists such as Gilbert Stuart, whose famous portrait of George Washington is now featured on the one-dollar bill, captured key figures and moments from the Revolutionary era. These images, Sheer said, offer modern audiences a powerful visual connection to events that took place nearly 250 years ago.

“There are many things we can show in art that took place during that time to make it come alive for people today,” he said. “When you put the images together with the text, the history really comes alive.”

Through art, lectures and exhibits, Rock Hall’s programming aims to help visitors better understand that turbulent period and the decisions ordinary people had to make.

“We’re trying to encompass all different aspects and different topics from women to slaves ad different peoples and cultures,” Vacchio added. “Not only can you come for a tour of a house that has stood over 250 years, but you can also see displays and learn about Long Island during the Revolutionary War.”

John Ferretti Supervisor

L.I. representatives gather for a lively debate

By ROSKANA AMID, JEFFREY BESSEN & CAROLYN JAMES of the Herald

Against a backdrop of a military action in the Middle East and a domestic economy that swings up and down as the price of oil steadily rises, Long Island’s congressional delegation took part in a spirited but congenial debate of ideas and issues last week at the Long Island Association’s annual What’s New In Washington panel.

Representatives Andrew Garbarino, Laura Gillen, Nick LaLota and Tom Suozzi spoke on issues ranging from the economy to immigration to energy, with LIA Acting President and CEO Stacey Sikes moderating the March 16 discussion.

“The thing that’s so brilliant about the system, I think, is today we’re going to have [four] Congressional representatives —two Democrats, two Republicans,” Lawrence Waldman, the LIA’s board chairman, said. “They’re going to sit in the interview with Acting President Stacey Sikes, and I’m sure they’ll agree on some of these issues and disagree on some.”

Andrew Garbarino

All of the legislators noted progress on the effort to raise or eliminate the limit on the income tax deduction for state and local taxes, a measure critical to Long Island homeowners facing some of the nation’s highest property taxes, as well as a $1.5 billion infrastructure package for transportation, water quality and storm resilience.

“We have worked together on a bipar-

tisan infrastructure bill, one of the best things we did,” Garbarino, a former assemblyman, said, noting frustrations with Albany over implementation.

His 2nd Congressional District stretches from Massapequa, in Nassau County, east to Shirley, in Suffolk County.

The four lawmakers had differing perspectives on Operation Epic Fury, the military effort against Iran. Suozzi and Gillen praised its objectives, but criticized Congress’s lack of oversight and what they described as the Trump administration’s failure to define a long-term strategy.

“There does not seem to be a plan, and shouldn’t that have been thought of ahead of time?” Suozzi asked.

Ithe finish line, by working together.”

Gillen, who represents the 4th Congressional District, which spans nearly the entire South Shore of Nassau County, noted that the administration’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill” has added to the national debt. “It caused the average American to have $1,600 in extra cost,” she said. “We’re not going in the right direction. We can fix that, but there has to be political will.”

’m sure they’ll agree on some of these issues and disagree on some.

Garbarino countered, noting that congressional committees are briefed regularly, and that prior administrations have taken similar actions. All agreed that any escalation involving ground troops would require Congressional approval.

Laura Gillen

L AwRENCE wALDMAN

Board chairman, Long Island Association

Nick LaLota

Gillen noted the impact of the federal crackdown on illegal immigration on local businesses.

“People are afraid to patronize businesses,” she said, adding that new business in Hempstead is “going to go out of business already, because people — there’s an ICE car parked in an apartment lot across from Main Street, and even if no one’s in there, people see it, and they’re afraid to go out.”

that same part of the world,” he noted, jobs will be created and prices will be lower.

LaLota’s 1st Congressional District stretches from Melville, in western Suffolk County, to Montauk.

Tom Suozzi

Suozzi highlighted his work with the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. The group includes 46 members of Congress, evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.

“We have committees that work together on issues, on everything from affordability,” Suozzi said, noting that the caucus also addresses immigration and national security.

Despite those efforts, Suozzi described Washington as increasingly difficult to navigate. “The problem is, the environment is so toxic in Washington, D.C.,” he said. “And the leadership on both sides really is only focused on winning the majority.” He added that the political climate is likely to worsen as the midterm elections approach.

Speaking on her proposed Dignity Act, which would give illegal immigrants what she called “a pathway to legal status,” Gillen said, “If you’re going to do transformative legislation, it’s better to tap in with both sides,” noting that the effort began with 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans. “And that’s the way we can get a law like this across

LaLota said that one party doesn’t have a monopoly on “this nation’s most major issues, and we do work together on certain big things.”

With the cost of energy on the minds of consumers, he noted that “the economy is growing, we have more demand, more power here on the Island and across the nation.” LaLota added that there’s “a ton of natural gas” in New York’s Southern Tier. “If we do things the way that Pennsylvania does them in

Suozzi also pointed to several economic concerns facing many Americans, including tariffs, artificial intelligence data centers, and rising health care costs tied in part to the elimination of the premium tax credit.

“The economy is in trouble,” he said. “Everybody knows the economy is in trouble.” He argued that strong stock market performance does not reflect the experience of most households.

His 3rd Congressional District predominantly includes Glen Cove, Oyster Bay and a portion of Queens, and stretches east to Huntington.

Legal win for residents grieving property taxes

By Chris ColuCCi ccolucci@liherald.com

The Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Second Judicial Division reached an important decision in favor of homeowners last month. The court strengthened residents’ abilities to provide supportive evidence and documentation when challenging their yearly property tax assessments.

The appeal reversed a Nassau County Supreme Court case that had previously complicated the process for homeowners submitting documents, including assessments of comparable properties and completed sales of similar homes, when filing an “unequal assessment claim” during Small Claims Assessment Review proceedings. The appellate verdict went into effect immediately, and applies to the current assessment year, 2027-28.

“This is a very significant case,” said Shalom Maidenbaum, founder of Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group and Maidenbaum and Sternberg, the law firm that brought the case to court. “It could’ve impacted all of Nassau County and curtailed the rights of taxpayers.” The decision affects any Nassau homeowner filing an assessment grievance, and is especially beneficial to residents of certain villages who may have been assessed at an inaccurate or outdated assessment ratio.

In the final order of the matter of Yeung v. Assessor of the Village of Great Neck Estates — the initial case presented to the appellate court — the court wrote in its conclusion, “The hearing officer’s determinations denying the petitioners’ Small Claims Assessment Review applications were arbitrary and

Tim Baker/Herald

“This is a very significant case,” Shalom Maidenbaum said. “It could’ve impacted all of Nassau County and curtailed the rights of taxpayers.”

capricious and lacked a rational basis in the law.”

Mark Miller, one of the most experienced lawyers on the Maidenbaum team, explained that multiple lowercourt decisions throughout Nassau County can now

be clarified, since some hearing officers had been inconsistently applying existing laws to homeowners’ ability to present evidence. “Hundreds of cases can now go back to court,” Miller said. “This decision gives them standing.”

The appellate court’s decision is expected to remain in effect without further challenge. Legal experts say that it would require costly, involved legislation to overturn it.

While the legal victory provides homeowners with invaluable support, experts say they should not misinterpret the ruling as a guarantee that their assessments will be reduced. “They just have the right to present that evidence,” explained Amy Madmon, a partner at both Maidenbaum and Sternberg and Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group, explained. “Essentially, it’s confirming the tools that homeowners have. Whether it’s successful or not depends on the case, but a hearing officer does have to hear the argument and take it into account when they’re making a decision.”

The deadline to file a property tax assessment grievance in Nassau County is March 31. There’s no risk for homeowners — an unsuccessful appeal results in no penalties and no increased assessment. There’s also no inherent expense: Homeowners can either submit a grievance at no cost on their own, or hire a property tax grievance firm, such as Maidenbaum, which typically charges no fees if the appeal is unsuccessful, and charges a percentage of the amount of the reduction, often up to 50 percent, for a successful appeal.

More information about filing a grievance, including applications and steps to file, can be found at nassaucountyny.gov/arc/arow.

Compiled by Herald Staff

Eleanor Furbush Farmingdale

The flowers and sun coming up, and every day being alive.

I really like it when the trees bloom and you’re driving down the streets with beautiful flowers around. And not having to shovel anymore snow!

I’m most excited to feel warmer weather, longer days and everything starting to bloom again. I’m also excited that I won’t need to bundle up every time I go outside.

Abbey Salvemini/Herald photos

Caleb Kolanovic Lynbrook, age 9 I get to play baseball when it’s warmer and have fun at the park. And the birds are chirping.

STEPPING OUT

A gentle first step into the concert hall

‘Peppa Pig’ brings music to life

By Abbey Salvemini

Oink if you love Mozart! The world’s most famous piggy is trading muddy puddles for the conductor’s baton. “Peppa Pig –My First Concert” is headed to Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, on Saturday, March 28, offering families a vibrant, interactive introduction to the world of classical music.

Joined by Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig and George, Peppa leads young audiences through playful romp designed to give toddlers and preschoolers their very first taste of an orchestra — in this case, the Aurora Orchestra. By blending catchy hits from the popular TV series with masterpieces by Mozart and Beethoven, the production creates a bridge between playground favorites and the concert hall. At just 60 minutes long, it’s a perfectly sized musical adventure for “little piggies” as young as 18 months.

Families explore how different instruments create sound in this playful production giving the little ones their first taste of classical music in an engaging setting. From the first notes of the Peppa Pig theme to the soaring strings of the masters, the production invites families to see how an orchestra actually works. Peppa and her brother George learn alongside their audience, discovering the distinct sounds and shapes of the instruments as the music comes to life. It’s an engaging, front-row seat to the wonders of the woodwind, brass and string families.

“This is really an interactive introduction to a live orchestra for very young audiences,” says Stephanie Turner, Tilles Center’s director of education and outreach.

This is a ‘first concert’ in the truest sense — approachable, loud and full of life. Stripping away the formality of a standard concert hall, the production encourages little ones to respond to the music however they feel moved. Children are welcome to participate throughout — whether that means clapping along, dancing in the aisles or simply reacting to the music.

“Anything they want to do,” Turner says. “When kids hear familiar music, they love to get up and dance. Whatever movement or sound kids want to make is totally open.”

The production also introduces a fresh face to the Peppa-verse: Lucy. Played by Evie James, this specially created character serves as the show’s lively narrator, helping children navigate their very first symphonic experience, while interacting with Peppa and her friends.

The show blends puppetry, live music and audience participation, featuring four puppeteers and 12 musicians performing alongside Lucy and the Peppa Pig family. James eplains that the production offers young audiences a whimsical introduction to live theater and classical music through the adventures of Peppa and her family.

“The kids respond to it so well,” she says. “It’s a really sweet and fun show with an educational element.”

Continuing the Tilles Center’s commitment to inclusive programming, this program — part of its “Family Fun!” series — it’s done as a relaxed performance. The atmosphere is intentionally crafted to be welcoming and accommodating, providing a supportive space for neurodivergent audiences to enjoy the arts together.

“These performances feature modified sound and lighting levels,” Turner explains. “There’s also a quiet space with sensory toys if a child gets overwhelmed.”

Families can check out a ‘social story’ before the big day. This visual guide uses photos and simple descriptions to walk children through the entire theater experience, turning the ‘unknown’ into a familiar and exciting adventure. Everyone is also welcome to a free family workshop prior to showtime (for ticket holders), with crafts, games and storytime.

• Saturday, March 28, 2 p.m.

• Tickets start at $39, VIP tickets are $79.50; available at ticketmaster.com

• Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville

“Our goal is to provide the arts to the greater Long Island population,” Turner adds. “Through the Family Fun series, we bring shows like Peppa Pig, along with productions featuring characters like Curious George and ‘Sesame Street, so families can experience live performances together.”

Of course, for many children in the audience, Peppa Pig will be their first live performance.

“It’s age-appropriate, gentle and welcoming,” Turner continues. “You can come at any age or level and enjoy it. Even adults who’ve never been exposed to classical music can learn something.”

For James, the true magic happens after the curtain falls. Her goal is simple: to send the kids home feeling delighted with what’s transpired on stage.

“I hope they just have a fun time,” she says. “Maybe it will inspire them to listen to music, play an instrument themselves or develop an interest in theater.”

as Peppa and George discover the magic of live music together at Tilles Center.

Isaac Mizrahi

Actor-host-writer-fashion designerproducer, performer extraordinaire

Isaac Mizrahi is a truly unique talent. He regales his fans — and those just experiencing him for a first time — with song and his signature wit when he appears at Tilles Center. His one-of-a-kind show brings together comedy, commentar and an array of classic and soon-to-be classic songs from Stephen Sondheim to Blondie, Comden & Green to Madonna. He’s worked extensively in the entertainment industry for over 30 years. Most recently seen as Amos Hart in the Broadway production of “Chicago,” he heads here after his annual (triumphant) residency at Café Carlyle in Manhattan. Isaac also performs at such venues as Joe’s Pub and nationwide. Among his many credits, he’s the subject and co-creator of “Unzipped,” a documentary following the making of his Fall 1994 collection which received an award at the Sundance Film Festival.

Saturday, March 28, 8 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

The Man In Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash

With his strikingly similar looks, baritone voic and spot-on mannerisms, Shawn Barker’s uncanny resemblance to the original “Man In Black” revitalizes the true character and spirit of Cash himself, for a one-of-a-kind show. In character throughout the entire evening, he takes 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,” 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. His act then quickly turned from hobby to profession.

Sunday, March 29, 7 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at

26,

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

MAR 26

On Exhibit

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. On view through July 12.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Ongoing

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

‘You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown’ Adelphi University Department of Theatre students give a concert performance of the beloved classic. With charm, wit and heart, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” explores life through the eyes of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy and their friends in the Peanuts gang. This revue of songs and vignettes, based on the beloved Charles Schulz comic strip, showcases Adelphi’s talented students. Musical numbers include “My New Philosophy,” “The Book Report,” “The Baseball Game,” “Little Known Facts,” “Suppertime” and “Happiness.”

• Where: Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or (516) 877-4000

Family theater

‘…how I wish you were here’

• Where: Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

company while exploring one of Lynbrook’s local restaurants. It’s a joint village gathering perfect for networking, socializing and reconnecting with friends over a delicious meal. Reservations are required and should be made directly with the restaurant.

• Where: 100 Ocean Ave.

• Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

• Contact: Polly Talbott at (516) 317-2075

‘An Evening of Magic’ fundraiser

MAR

27

Long Island Children’s Museum stages “Pete the Cat,” the charming musical based on the book series by Kimberly and James Dean. Life is certainly an adventure for Pete, no matter where he winds up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most

Wish You Were Here celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Pink Floyd’s album “Wish You Were Here,” acclaimed as “one of the greatest albums of all time,” and cited by Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright and guitarist David Gilmour as their favorite album. The band delivers a critically-acclaimed, stunningly authentic and heartfelt tribute experience, faithfully and expertly reproducing Pink Floyd’s timeless musical soundscapes with entirely live music and vocals. Immerse yourself in this captivating journey through Pink Floyd’s musical catalog with this top-level act! Wish You Where Here continues its 30-year tradition of combining sight and sound to capture the mood, emotions, and intensity of the Floydian theatrical concert experience — in a spectacular tribute of music, performers, lighting, video, lasers and inflatables — performed live with no backing or click tracks. The band is arguably the longest continually-performing Pink Floyd tribute act with an unparalleled history of sold-out concerts, record-breaking festival events and celebrated theater productions. The show utilizes a veteran 10-piece musical ensemble featuring seven vocalists and a Floydian stage production — sound effects and vintage videos on a large circle screen, flying inflatables, theatrical vignettes with props, and a sensational light show with moving lasers, rolling fog and state-of-the-art intelligent lighting — all produced with a fan’s obsession for detail. The band authentically recreates the music from Pink Floyd’s entire career, performing the crowd favorites that all rock fans recognize, interspersed with the show-stoppers that appease even the most ardent Floyd fanatics.

organized second grader on planet Earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out. Together, they set out on a mission to help Jimmy conquer second grade art, and along the way, they both learn a little something new about inspiration. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon; also March 28, April 1-April 2

• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

MAR 28

South Shore Symphony

The beloved orchestra springs forward with its next concert “The Rite of Spring.” The program includes Marquez’s Conga del Fuego Nuevo, Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending (Romance for Violin and Orchestra) and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.

• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

Hop Into Spring

Families are invited to hop on over to Long Island Children’s Museum to welcome spring! Meet Peter Rabbit and Baby Chick costume characters, explore the museum to collect goodies, interact with live animals, and create themed craft activities. Celebrate the arrival of spring with a day of family fun!

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

MAR

29

‘The Identity Reset’

Join author Ashley Olivia Nelson for an intimate afternoon conversation celebrating the release of “The Identity Reset: A Guide to Discovering Yourself After Loss, Change, and Survival.” It features a moderated conversation with a special guest (to be announced), a short reading by the author, and an audience Q&A exploring how people can move forward when life changes, and how to reconnect with themselves along the way. Attendees will leave with language for what they’ve been experiencing, insight into navigating change with more clarity, and a renewed sense of direction for the season ahead.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100

The afternoon includes light hors d’oeuvres, time for connection, and a book signing with photo opportunities. Each attendee receives a signed copy of the book.

• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: 3 p.m.

• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

MAR

Lynbrook Village Board meets

The Board of Trustees holds its next regular meeting. Residents are encouraged to attend to stay informed on village business and community updates. Meeting agendas are typically available on the village website prior to the session.

• Where: Columbus Drive, Lynbrook

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: lynbrookvillage.gov or call (516) 599-8300

Lynbrook DineAround

This welcoming community event offers a chance to enjoy great

The Sarah Grace Foundation for Children With Cancer hosts its annual “An Evening of Magic” gala dinner. Award-winning magician Will Fern brings highenergy entertainment, including strolling magic and mind reading, to benefit children with cancer. The dinner fundraiser takes place in the Philodendrum Room at The Milleridge Inn. Tickets are $125 and include dinner, drinks and the show; advance purchase is required. Raffles and a 50/50 drawing will also be held.

• Where: 585 N. Broadway, Jericho

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: thesarahgracefoundation.org

jun

13

Reunion To Celebrate Life

St. Raymond Grammar School class of 1965 and East Rockaway High School class of 1969 are having a joint reunion at Grandpa Tony’s. Don’t miss the opportunity to catch-up and celebration of the lives of the alumni. Email any inquiries to Lorraine Keegan.

• Where: 101 Althouse Ave., East Rockaway

• Time: 5-9 p.m.

• Contact: LTK271982@yahoo. com

Having an event?

Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.

APRIL 16 • 10AM-12:30PM

FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle

Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers

Take advantage of on-site health screenings

Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences

Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A

Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways

Snack station for all

*Boxed lunches for first 150 attendees

All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.

MAE CAIME FOUNDER, AMAEZING MIDLIFE & BEYOND

Register for this FREE event: Deerpark.eventbrite.com or email lcreem@LIHerald.com or call 516.569.4000 x243 AGENDA:

PANEL + Q&A RAFFLE DRAWINGS MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON TRUST, NA, SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO CITIBANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE

F/B/O HOLDERS OF STRUCTURED ASSET

MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS II INC., BEAR STEARNS ALT-A TRUST 2007-3, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-3, Plaintiff AGAINST SONIA F. GARNES AKA SONIA GARNES, ORLANDO FINDLAYTER

INDIVIDUALLY AND AS SURVIVING SPOUSE OF YVETTE FINDLAYTER, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 23, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 67 Lawrence Avenue, Lynbrook, NY 11563. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 38, Block 54, Lot 219. Approxi mate amount of judgment

$516,776.20 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #003213/2017. George Esernio, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 17-000730 89034 158640

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST WILLIAM G. BREVAIRE, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 9, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 13, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 76 Driving Park Avenue, Lynbrook, NY 11563. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 38

LHS senior earns art scholarship at county exhibition

The 22nd annual ASA Nassau All-County Art Exhibition, hosted by the Art Supervisors Association, showcased student artwork from across Nassau County including Lynbrook High School, and added scholarship awards for graduating seniors. The exhibition was held March 1 from 12 to 4 p.m. at W.T. Clarke High School in East Meadow.

LHS senior Kamila Ramirez was named a Senior Scholarship winner, earning a certificate and scholarship award in recognition of her artistic achievement. Additional works by Lynbrook High School students Payton Stalter (senior) and Melinda Olalde (freshman) were also featured in the exhibition.

— Kayla Dechter

Block 54 Lots 12 and 112. Approximate amount of judgment $698,018.56 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #605725/2023. John Boklak, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-003337 89120 158781

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU. THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CWALTS, INC., ALTERNATIVE LOAN TRUST 2004-24CB, MORTGAGE PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-24CB, Plaintiffagainst- CRISTA A. BELLEAU, MICHAEL D. BELLEAU; MARIA NUNEZ, et al

Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated August 26, 2024 and entered on September 5, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on April 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of

Lynbrook, County of Nassau and State of New York; known and designated as SBL# 42-21203-5. Said premises known as 3 DOROTHY PLACE, LYNBROOK, NY 11563 Approximate amount of lien $418,018.83 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 611569/2022.

LINDA AGNEW, ESQ., Referee Pincus & Tarab Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 425 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, NY 11556 {* LYNBROOK N*} 158900

Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com

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A permit just for my parents?

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Q. We just moved from the city, and found a notice on our door saying we have to get a permit for my parents to continue living with us. Neighbors were probably the ones who called the building department. My parents have always shared a house with us, in their own separate basement area with a kitchen, where they can come and go as they wish and spend time with their grandchildren, especially while we’re at work. We can’t just send my parents somewhere. What is the easiest way to get what we need?

A. You will need 1) the whole home measured, 2) floor plans drawn, 3) paperwork filed with a building department, 4) rejected for zoning reasons, 5) the application package forwarded to a separate zoning board, 6) wait your turn to get your documents reviewed before you get a zoning hearing, 7) given an appearance date, 8) attend a public hearing to see your case presented, 9) await a building plan review for the necessary safety and code requirements, 10) pay for the approved permit(s) to be issued, 11) get a contractor, plumber and electrician, and 12) arrange for plumbing, electric and final inspections to complete the process.

In some communities, the procedures can take well over a year. You will need patience and trust that you will eventually get to the end.

It’s admirable that you have a family that is appreciative enough to support one another’s needs, like watching the children and spending valuable time together. You might think this kind of extended family unit would be encouraged, but there are reasons it is scrutinized, including safety concerns, home values, parking and monitoring the number of people on a property. Although neighbors do not have authority to reject your living situation, if you are not respectful of everyone around you, including parking considerately, keeping the property neat and quiet, neighbors will complain.

Cooking fires are a leading cause of home casualties. Primary or second kitchens located in a basement are prohibited in nearly every community I have ever dealt with. I just saw that a father and son perished in a basement fire, coincidentally, in a home I wrote a safety report about within the past year. I commented on how the basement was a nonhabitable space, and yet someone cleaned it up, moved in, and now a father and child have died.

The fire chief said it is very difficult, almost impossible, to fight a basement fire, because flames are blasting up at you while you’re trying to get down and into the space. Basement walls can’t be cut to relieve the heat and smoke buildup.

You may think of a home as a place to live, and fortunately, or unfortunately, disasters have shaped strict rules made to prevent more disasters. Not having a basement kitchen can save lives. Your parents won’t be sent away, but you will need to start the process as outlined above. Good luck!

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opinions Islamist terrorism remains a clear and present danger

The recent series of terrorist attacks in Austin, Texas; on the East Side of Manhattan, outside Gracie Mansion; at a synagogue in Bloomfield, Mich.; and at Old Dominion University, in Norfolk, Va.; send the clear signal that federal, state and local law enforcement must be on full alert, especially for the duration of the conflict with Iran.

Threats and potential terror attacks could range from ISIS, Al Qaeda and the Iranian proxy Hezbollah to radically inspired lone wolves. Prior to the horrific Sept. 11 attacks, our nation’s counterterrorism efforts were basically uncoordinated, both here at home and overseas. The FBI and CIA, for instance, were effectively precluded by policy and design from sharing information and intelligence with each other. Similarly, the FBI often withheld information from local police departments, including the NYPD. There were also few adequately constructed lines of communication between the United States and overseas intelligence agencies regarding terror threats (Great Britain, Canada and Isra-

el being among the few exceptions).

President George W. Bush and the majority of both parties in Congress agreed on the absolute necessity to tear down existing walls and barriers, and to establish new structures to enhance cooperation and communication.

intrusion. NYPD officers were assigned to key overseas embassies to report back actionable intelligence on possible terrorist plans for action in New York.

The past few weeks have been very distressing for the few of us who have had any experience living in America when a real war took place. There is no doubt that we are not in the middle of a world war in Iran, but that conflict has all the earmarks of a happening that will trigger years of violence that could hit extremely close to our country.

I’m not an expert on military issues. I have no doubt that Iran is a major threat to the world, and every possible step should be taken to curb its efforts to acquire nuclear weapons. I believe that Israel should be protected from a country that has pledged to wipe it off the map. But we must understand that there are consequences to these wars, and we should be aware of them. The problem is no one is telling us whether we should be concerned and why.

At the federal level, this was achieved by establishing the Department of Homeland Security, which incorporated 22 previously separate agencies into one coordinated entity. These bodies included the Customs Service, Immigration and Naturalization, the Coast Guard and the Secret Service. While the FBI and CIA remained independent, protocols were established to enable greater sharing of intelligence and information between them. As well, the Office of National Intelligence was created, and the CIA, the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency were required to report to the director of national intelligence.

our emphasis has shifted from terrorism to illegal immigration.

This caused some resentment among elements of the FBI and CIA, but proved successful. For example when Al Qaeda carried out a deadly attack in the Madrid train system, an NYPD officer was quickly on the scene, reporting procedures to be implemented in the New York City transit system that proved to be very effective. Overall, under Commissioner Ray Kelly, the NYPD had over a thousand officers assigned to counterterrorism and intelligence, resulting in more than 20 attempted attacks being prevented. Unfortunately progressive-minded elected officials assailed the NYPD’s efforts as “Islamophobic,” resulting in Mayor Bill de Blasio’s cutting back on the NYPD’s counterterrorism and intelligence operations. (Fortunately, much of its basic structure remains.)

2005 and 2006 — and again for another two-year term in 2011 and 2012. During both terms I focused on defending against Islamist terrorism — the main achievements being port and chemical plant security in my first term, and the investigation of radicalization of the Muslim community in my second term. Though key witnesses were Muslim, the radicalization hearings drew extensive media opposition but were successful.

Action was also initiated at the state and local levels. The NYPD was particularly innovative, creating intelligence and counterterrorism units that in many ways are comparable to the CIA and FBI. Sources were developed in neighborhoods reasonably believed to be subject to terrorist influence and

Following the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, Congress established a comparable committee to oversee it, similar to the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees monitoring the Defense and State departments. I was elected chairman of the committee in its first two years —

In recent years, funding for counterterrorism programs has been reduced. The emphasis of the DHS has shifted drastically from terrorism to illegal immigration. And elected officials like Mayor Mamdani are threatening to restrict police counterterror efforts. Most significantly, because of an unrelated dispute over ICE, congressional Democrats shut down the DHS at this time of maximum threat, when Islamists are using encrypted apps to circumvent our cybersecurity defenses. This is suicidal. The threat of Islamist terrorism cannot be relegated to the rearview mirror. It is a clear and present danger. Federal, state and local governments must face up to their responsibilities. (I am proud that Nassau and Suffolk are doing what has to be done.) We cannot risk another 9/11.

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

The faraway war in Iran is closer than you think

Iran isn’t just some crazy faraway country like Afghanistan, where a war took place that didn’t represent any kind of serious threat to America. During the American military involvement in that country, no one ever stopped me on the street to express fears about the “Afghanistan war.” Even though we deployed thousands of our troops in that country, there was no concern on the part of our government that it could spill over into our country.

Ehad gone through training programs that prepared it for such an event. The war has stirred up further incidents of antisemitism.

ven if it ends with some kind of settlement, there will be other consequences.

In the case of Iran, we are dealing with a bunch of idealogues who are not capable of being fully contained. History shows us that Iran enters into peace agreements and breaks its word almost immediately. Even If this current war ends on some type of settlement, there are other consequences that our nation should be aware of. What are they?

In the past month, there have been two incidents involving people who were true believers. In one, a man drove a truck into a Michigan synagogue in an effort to kill Jews. Luckily, that temple

The proof that the Iran incursion isn’t a faraway event is what we have been experiencing at the gas pump. When you pick a fight in the Middle East, lots of things happen. The war is having worldwide consequences. As energy costs go up, prices on all types of goods go up. No one is telling us what the long-range plan is to blunt price increases.

There are not too many people around now who can talk about what it’s like to live in our country when there was a real war. As an 8-yearold boy, I experienced what happens when a country is at war. We had blackout shades in our house to protect us in the event of an air raid. Food was rationed and our neighbors became wardens in the event that faraway battle reached us in some way. Luckily, we had President Franklin Roosevelt to assure us that all would be well.

The war in Iran is far away from our country, and there won’t be any air raid sirens. But we have a lot to be concerned about because of the events now taking place thousands of miles from this nation. We are dealing with a different type of enemy and must be aware of that. The zealots who embrace Iran can be found anywhere.

There is no reason for us to start hiding in our homes, nor to curtail our daily activities. But we have to be aware of what is going on on this planet and get the comfort that we deserve. We should question our representatives in Washington on what steps are being taken to keep us away from harm. It would help heal the divide over this new war.

There is no politics to this story. Our leaders, whether Clinton, Bush, Obama or Trump, must tell us what they want our wars to accomplish and what steps they are going to take to limit our pain. That’s not asking too much.

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

2

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HERALD

aSpring reset should send us outside

fter months of bundling up, shoveling out and watching gray skies linger over Long Island, the arrival of spring offers something more than a change in temperature — it signals a long-awaited reset.

The return of the Major League Baseball season is as reliable a marker as any: fresh grass, open stadiums and the simple joy of being outside again.

But spring’s promise goes well beyond symbolism. It offers a tangible opportunity to improve both physical and mental well-being in ways that winter simply does not allow.

The act of stepping outside — whether for a short walk, a bike ride or an afternoon at the park — can have an immediate and lasting impact. Sunlight helps regulate sleep cycles and boosts vitamin D levels, which are often depleted during the darker months. Fresh air, even in small doses, can sharpen focus, reduce stress and improve mood.

There is also something quietly restorative about reconnecting with the rhythms of the natural world. The budding of trees, the return of birds and the gradual greening of lawns and fields serve as reminders that change, even after the harshest stretches, is inevitable. After a winter defined by confinement, that sense of renewal

letters

Sunshine Week highlighted freedom of information

To the Editor:

The editorial “Sunshine week keeps democracy in the light” (March 5-11) was just what our struggling democracy needs — a timely reminder of the importance of open government.

We should all remember that in some parts of the world, governments routinely operate behind closed doors and keep their citizens in the dark about what takes place there. But not here in America, despite the efforts of some in power to block transparency.

A few months from now, when we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we will also mark the 60th anniversary of another landmark moment: the signing of the Freedom of Information Act. On July 4, 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed the act into law at his ranch in Texas. As a result of this legislation, Americans can now access many government records — at federal, state and local levels — that were once unavailable to

feels especially meaningful. Long Island is uniquely suited to take advantage of this seasonal shift. From local neighborhood parks to expansive destinations such as Grant Park in Hewlett, Hempstead Lake State Park in West Hempstead, Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, Marjorie Post Park in Massapequa and Tanner Park in Copiague, there is no shortage of places to stretch your legs and spend time outdoors. Walking paths, ball fields, playgrounds and open green spaces are not just amenities; they are essential parts of community life that come alive again in the spring.

For families, the change in season is an opportunity to reset routines that may have grown stagnant during the colder months. Screen time can give way to outdoor play. Weekends can shift from indoor errands to shared experiences such as picnic, a pickup game or simply time spent exploring a new trail. These moments, often simple and unplanned, are the ones that tend to linger.

For individuals, the benefits are just as significant. Even a brief daily walk can serve as a mental reset, a chance to step away from the demands of work and the constant pull of screens. Outdoor activity has been linked to lower levels of anxiety and depression, improved cardiovascular health and

increased overall energy. And unlike many wellness trends, it requires no special equipment or expense — just the willingness to step outside.

There is also a social dimension to spring that should not be overlooked. As temperatures rise, communities begin to reawaken. Youth sports leagues resume, neighbors linger a little longer in conversation, and public spaces once again become gathering places. After months of isolation, these interactions help rebuild a sense of connection that winter often erodes.

Not just a season, spring is an invitation. It encourages people to be more present, more active and more engaged with their surroundings. It asks us to take advantage of longer days and milder weather, to trade routine for spontaneity and to rediscover the simple pleasure of being outside.

The message, then, is straightforward: step outside. Make plans, but leave room for the unplanned. Visit a park you haven’t been to in years. Take a walk after dinner. Sit on a bench and watch a game, or better yet, join one. These small choices add up, shaping not just how we experience the season, but how we feel within it.

After a long winter, the urge to stay inside may still remain. But the better instinct — the healthier one — is to go outside.

Hochul’s insurance proposal: a disaster for crash victims

nassau and Suffolk counties continue to rank highest in New York state in traffic-related injuries and fatalities. As drivers, cyclists or pedestrians, even when we do everything right, we’re still one bad driver’s actions away from the E.R.

Now Albany wants to make it worse. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s latest budget proposal would quietly strip away basic legal protections for people injured by cars and dump the costs of traffic violence onto victims, their families and taxpayers. Bad drivers and their insurance companies would get a pass.

Redefining “serious injury” is wrong.

New York’s no-fault insurance system is designed so that anyone involved in an accident gets medical care and compensation for lost wages, up to a maximum of $50,000. That goes fast with hospital stays, physical therapy and months off work.

To seek damages beyond the $50,000 in no-fault coverage, a victim must meet the legal definition of a “serious inju-

Letters

them.

Ironically, President Johnson wasn’t a huge fan of FOIA. In a 2005 speech recalling the circumstances leading to the legislation’s becoming law, Bill Moyers, who was Johnson’s press secretary in the 1960s, noted that Johnson had at first resisted signing it.

“He hated the thought of journalists rummaging in government closets and opening government files,” Moyers said in 2005. “He hated them challenging the official view of reality.”

Nevertheless, Johnson signed the bill, largely due to pressure from the press, which supported FOIA, and Congress, which had overwhelmingly supported the legislation. It was an especially sweet victory for John Moss, a Democratic member of the House of Representatives who’d spent 12 years lobbying for greater access to government agency records, and Donald Rumsfeld, a Republican member of the House at the time who supported Moss in the effort.

But the real winners were the American people. It was a victory for democracy, a genuine “We the People” moment. Remember FOIA on July Fourth.

ry.” For decades, one category of a “serious injury” has been an injury that keeps you from living your normal life for the first 90 days after a crash.

The governor’s proposal would wipe that away.

Anyone who has ever been in a serious crash knows how absurd that is. These injuries might not be permanent, but are still serious and, indeed, take a lasting toll. They can keep you from caring for your family and out of work.

Three months out of work isn’t just inconvenient — it can be devastating to you and your family.

it won’t protect victims, and it won’t guarantee lower insurance premiums.

Hochul’s proposal would eliminate the right to sue the negligent driver who caused this category of injury and harm to you and your family.

Letting big companies off the hook.

Most serious crashes aren’t simple. They often involve multiple negligent actors: a speeding vehicle, a poorly designed roadway, a multi-vehicle crash caused by more than one driver. Multiple bad decisions lead to an injured victim. The term describing this is “joint and several liability.”

The longstanding legal concept of joint and several liability exists so that innocent victims aren’t left uncompen-

sated when more than one party is responsible. It ensures that the risk falls on all the people who caused the harm when a jury decides that more than one party contributed to the crash. The budget proposal would gut that protection. Crash victims would be left without full compensation. Insurance companies would avoid fiscal responsibility, and the financial burden would shift back to the injured victims.

“Modified contributory negligence” is open season on victims.

New York, like most states, has long used a comparative negligence standard. This system evaluates each party’s actual level of responsibility in causing a crash. A jury, at trial, decides fault and addresses any comparative negligence of the claimant by apportioning any share of their own responsibility and then awards a dollar amount that corresponds to fault.

Hochul’s proposal would throw that out. Under the new rule, if you were found just 51 percent at fault, you would get nothing. A driver could be 49 percent responsible for a crash and the insurance company would pay nothing. It would reward dangerous driving and leave victims without recourse.

Framework by Tim Baker

It won’t make streets safer or insurance cheaper.

None of this will prevent crashes. None of it will protect victims, and it won’t guarantee lower insurance premiums, the guise of these changes. The states that have implemented similar measures did not see rates drop. Don’t be fooled — the ones behind this change are the insurance companies, and Big Tech, such as Uber, which have dumped millions into the governor’s campaign as she goes about the state, reciting their talking points.

A recent report by the Center for Policy and Justice showed that insurance company profits have ballooned. S&P Market Intelligence reported in November 2025 that “the U.S. property/casualty insurance industry had its best quarter in at least a quarter of a century — and maybe longer.” Insurance companies continue to profit at the expense of you, the ratepayer.

What this proposal will do is make New York’s streets more dangerous by removing accountability, discouraging safety, and forcing injured victims to rely on public assistance instead of the insurance system that is supposed to cover their claims.

Daniel Flanzig is president of the board of directors of the New York Bicycling Coalition and a partner in the law firm Flanzig and Flanzig LLP.