Andrew Kempski/Herald
East Rockaway Mayor Gordon Fox, far left, Past Kiwanis Gov. Joe Corace, President Michael Califano, Chair Theresa Gaffney, Long Island Southwest Lt. Gov. Michael Gliner, Past Gov. Joe Ruggerio and Past Lt. Gov. Ethel Gilloon were among the attendees at the East Rockaway Kiwanis Club’s 75th anniversary event.
By KAYl A DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com
The East Rockaway Kiwanis Club is celebrating its 75th anniversary, honoring decades of service to children and families in the community. Founded in 1950, the club has supported local students through scholarships, youth service programs, food drives and other outreach efforts.
The anniversary celebration, held March 26 at Knights of Columbus in Oceanside, recognized both the club’s long history and its continued commitment to giving back.
For generations, East Rockaway Kiwanis has played a steady role in village life, supporting local schools, families and community organizations. The club is part of the Long Island Southwest Division of the New York District of Kiwanis International, a worldwide service organization focused on improving the lives of children. Today, the
East Rockaway club has 25 members ranging in age from under 30 to almost 90.
“There’s really something for everyone in this club,” Past Lt. Gov. Michaelene AbbottCooper wrote in an email. “For 75 years, East Rockaway Kiwanis has found ways to support children and families both locally and beyond.”
Among the club’s local efforts are support for K-Kids clubs at Rhame Avenue and Centre Avenue schools and the Key Club at East Rockaway High School, which encourage young students get involved in service. Members also raise money for five graduation scholarships named in honor of past Kiwanians, organize food drives for local pantries and support events and organizations including the Memorial Day Parade, the Huckleberry Frolic, the Senior Center and the Children’s Recreation Center.
Beyond East Rockaway, the club also sup-
By KAYl A DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com
As artificial intelligence tools become more accessible to students, educators in East Rockaway are grappling with how to incorporate the technology into classrooms without sacrificing critical thinking and creativity.
At East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School, teachers across disciplines say the impact of A.I. is already being felt — from computer science to English — creating new opportunities for learning while sparking growing concerns about student reliance on the technology.
There is a fine line between teaching students how to use A.I. responsibly and students becoming reliant on it.
Cordaro said she has already noticed changes in students’ foundational thinking skills, comparing the shift to earlier debates over calculator use in classrooms. She added that some younger students now struggle with basic mental problemsolving in ways teachers may not have seen just a few years ago.
In computer science, however, she emphasized that A.I. is not a replacement for coding, but rather a tool that can enhance it when used correctly.
MARIE CoRDARo AP computer science teacher
“There is a fine line between teaching students how to use A.I. responsibly and students becoming reliant on it,” said Marie Cordaro, who has taught math and computer science at the high school since 2019. “We don’t want to create a generation of students who can’t think for themselves.”
“There’s a big misconception that A.I. is a replacement for computer science,” Cordaro said. “It’s not — it works alongside it.”
She described an in-class experiment in which students asked ChatGPT to generate a specific Python program — a set of instructions followed by a computer to perform a specific task. The result, she said, was largely unusable without ConTInuEd on PaGE 24
By KAYLA DECHTER
kdechter@liherald.com
From the Seder to symbolic foods, here’s what to know about the Jewish holiday and the traditions that define it. Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in Judaism. Beginning at sundown on Wednesday, April 1 and ending the evening of Thursday, April 9, the holiday commemorates the story of the ancient Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt. For many Jewish families, Passover is a time of reflection, tradition and togetherness, marked by meaningful rituals and special foods.
Passover is centered on the story of freedom.
At the heart of the holiday is the biblical story of the Exodus, in which Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt after generations of oppression. Because of that, Passover is a time to remember the journey from hardship to freedom and the resilience that came with it. For many families, the holiday is not only about remembering history, but also about reflecting on the value of freedom, gratitude and perseverance in everyday life.
The Seder is one of the most important Passover traditions.
On the first nights of Passover, many families gather for a special ceremonial meal called a Seder, translating to “order” in Hebrew. During the Seder, participants follow a traditional sequence of prayers, readings, songs and storytelling from a book called the Haggadah. One of the best-known moments of the evening is when the youngest person at the table asks, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” The meal is designed to help families retell the Passover story and pass traditions from one generation to the next, often in a fun and creative way, with toys and props to engage children.
Many of the foods eaten during Passover are symbolic.
Passover is especially known for its meaningful foods, many of which help tell the story of the holiday. One of the most recognizable is matzah, an unleavened flatbread eaten during Passover. According to tradition, the Israelites fled Egypt so quickly that there was no time for their bread to rise. A traditional Seder plate also includes symbolic foods such as bitter herbs, representing the bitterness of slavery, and charoset, a sweet mixture that symbolizes the mortar used by enslaved Israelites. Together, these foods help bring the story to life in a hands-on and memorable way.
For many, Passover is both a religious observance and a joyful opportunity to gather with loved ones, honor tradition and celebrate family.
By KAYLA DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com
The Rhame Avenue 6th Grade Class has spent the year celebrating key milestones made possible through strong community support and successful fundraising efforts. One of the biggest fundraisers, “Photos by the Bay,” was held in November at Hewlett Point Beach, where local families gathered for holiday photos while helping raise money for the graduating class.
“What began as a simple idea turned into a celebration of community, kindness and connection by the bay,” parent volunteer Nicole Muller wrote in an email.
The fundraiser continued to support students in the months that followed, including a January dance at East Rockaway High School and a February overnight trip to Ashokan in the Catskills. The dance marked the first time students from Rhame Avenue and Centre Avenue officially came together ahead of junior high, while the Ashokan trip focused on teamwork and building friendships.
“Starting junior high can feel intimidating, but when students begin building friendships now, they’ll walk into their new school with a stronger sense of community,” Muller wrote.
Together, the events highlight a year of connection, transition and shared experiences for the graduating class.
from local families and community partners.
Sixth
students from
elementary school enjoyed an evening of music, food and celebration at the East
4
8
Science, math, geography and literacy all come together in Lynbrook Public Schools’ Flight School enrichment program, where students learn through hands-on activities centered around environmental sustainability. At West End Elementary School, fourth graders recently put their skills to the test, working in teams to solve a series of puzzles that led them to a final mystery.
When students walked into the Flight School classroom, they were met with locked boxes that could only be opened by solving four different challenges, each focused on a type of renewable energy: solar, wind, hydropower and geothermal. Along the way, they mapped locations across the United States known for sustainable practices, analyzed how solar panels work, evaluated energy use in different rooms and solved math problems involving wattage. Each correct answer revealed part of a lock combination, and once all the boxes were opened, students were rewarded with bracelets.
Other Flight School activities have included rewriting lyrics to popular songs, designing lizard habitats that retain heat efficiently and coding Ozobots to travel along clean energy paths while avoiding pollution. The goal of each lesson is to keep students engaged while encouraging teamwork, creativity and problem-solving.
“Flight School gives students the opportunity to think outside of the box,” teacher Corinne Teichmann said. “They’re collaborating, problem solving and applying what they’ve learned in meaningful ways. Watching their excitement as they succeed through each challenge has been incredibly rewarding.”
Originally offered to students in grades three through five across Lynbrook’s elementary schools, the program expanded to second grade last year and is expected to include first grade next year.
— Kayla Dechter
■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/lynbrook or www.liherald.com/eastrockaway
■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: lyn-ereditor@liherald.com
■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 265 E-mail: lyn-ereditor@liherald.com
■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: subscriptions@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942
■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460 ■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext.
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Happy Easter to you and your families!
This Easter Sunday, Easter Octave, Divine Mercy Sunday and Easter Season we continue to pray and contemplate our Lord’s Resurrection appearances, and we give thanks for Pope Leo XIV and his worldwide spirit of Catholic mission.
In his Cycle of Catechesis on the Resurrection of Christ, Pope Leo writes: “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is an event that one never finishes contemplating and meditating on, and the more one explores it, the more one is filled with wonder, drawn in as if by an overwhelming yet fascinating light. It was an explosion of life and joy that changed the meaning of reality itself, from negative to positive; yet it did not happen in a striking way, much less a violent one, but gently, hidden, one might say humbly.”
of the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus. Their hearts burn and their joy is restored as the Risen Lord explains the Scriptures to them and they recognize Him in the breaking of the bread. In this way, the Paschal Mystery gives us hope and strength in every trial and circumstance.
Pope Leo recognizes that there is much sadness in the world - “a feeling of precariousness, at times profound desperation.” We think especially of the daily crosses and trials of those from war-torn and violence-ridden areas of the world.
The Holy Father then reflects on the despair
Pope Leo concludes: “May the unexpected joy of the disciples of Emmaus be a gentle reminder to us when the going gets tough. It is the Risen One who radically changes our perspective, instilling the hope that fills the void of sadness. On the paths of the heart, the Risen One walks with us and for us. He bears witness to the defeat of death and affirms the victory of life, despite the darkness of Calvary... He alone makes the impossible possible!”
May the Light of the Risen Christ illumine with God in Heaven our path to holiness on earth and our path to eternal life and happiness
Sincerely yours in the Risen Lord, Most Reverend John O. Barres Bishop of Rockville Centre
The Most Reverend John O. Barres is the Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
The East Rockaway Union Free School District has been awarded a 2025 VISION Endorsement and named a Community of Excellence in Visual Arts by the New York State Art Teachers Association, making it one of only 25 districts in New York to receive the honor.
The recognition is given to schools and districts that show a strong commitment to visual arts education through a sequential, standards-based curriculum while also promoting inclusivity, equity and accessibility in the arts.
District officials said the honor reflects East Rockaway’s continued dedication to providing students with meaningful and engaging visual arts opportunities throughout their education. That commitment is also reflected in the accomplishments of student artists, who have been featured in exhibits across Long Island and recognized in competitions such as the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the Northwell Health Erase the Stigma Art Contest and Long Island’s Best: Young Artists.
“This recognition is long overdue and incredibly well deserved,” Superintendent James DeTommaso said in a statement congratulating the district’s art department, students and families for helping bring the program to life.
— Kayla Dechter
News Brief items including awards, honors, promotions and other tidbits about local residents are welcome. Photographs may be emailed as well. Deadline for submissions is noon Thursday, week prior to publication. Send to execeditor@liherald.com
Mayor Alan Beach Deputy Mayor Michael Hawxhurst
Trustee Ann Marie Reardon
Trustee Robert Boccio
Trustee Michael Habert
By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com
The Hofstra baseball team is looking to take flight in the heart of spring after it was largely grounded to open the season in the dead of winter.
After opening the 2026 season with a three-game series at then fourth-ranked Mississippi State from Feb. 13-15, the Pride were only able to play three games over the next three weeks as mother nature unleashed historic snow totals across the Long Island region.
“You count on those early games to be able to evaluate the team and see where we’re going into conference play,” said fifth-year Hofstra head coach Frank Catalanotto. “It’s tough to replicate that when you’re inside in the gym or in the bubble.”
Playing just six games in the first three weeks of the season didn’t give Hofstra much preparation before starting the critical Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) portion of its schedule on March 6 at College of Charleston. The Pride took one of three games in series at Charleston and Monmouth to open conference play before taking two of three against Northeastern last weekend to move to 4-5 entering April.
Hofstra is looking to reach the sixteam CAA tournament with 21 returners from last year’s disappointing 18-36 team that went 8-19 in the league to miss out on the postseason. The Pride can assure a CAA playoff spot by placing among the top two in the league’s north division featuring Monmouth, Northeastern, Stony Brook and Towson or by having one of the two highest NCAA RPI ratings at the end of the regular season for the remaining teams.
Leading Hofstra’s charge for some late May baseball is red-shirt senior center fielder Tyler Cox, who hit .276 last season after transferring from West Virginia. The local lefty product from Clarke High School is second on the team in hitting as of March 30 with a .304 average and four home runs.
“He’s probably my best hitter in the
lineup and his approach has gotten better as lately he’s been more aggressive in hitting counts,” said Catalanotto of Cox. “He’s a leader on the team.”
Junior shortstop Michael Brown who leads the Pride in hitting with a .361 average and two home runs. Brown drove in the winning run in Hofstra’s 5-4 11 inning win against Northeastern on March 27.
Sophomore catcher CJ Griggs entered the final week of March hitting .304 and recording the winning RBI in a dramatic 11-10 win against Northeastern Sunday in which the Pride rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth.
JJ DeVito, a graduate student transfer from St. Johns, who was a former standout at Wantagh High School, has added some offensive punch to the lineup with a .268 average including four hits in a 5-4 loss at Charleston on March 8.
The pitching staff got a boost to start the season with the return of 2024 First-
Team All-CAA honoree Carlos Martinez, who missed last season due to Tommy John surgery. Martinez missed some early non-league action as he worked his way back from injury and Catalano is hoping he can peak during the crucial CAA portion of the schedule in April and May.
“He was struggling a little bit early with some pain in his arm, but now he’s feeling close to 100 percent,” said Catalanotto of Matinez.
The starting rotation for weekend CAA games also features sophomore Chris Bedford and senior Sean Hamilton. Key hurlers out of the bullpen include Nick Reese, Deuce Musial, Maddon McArthur, Tanner Sanderoff and Brayden Gregg.
Sophomore Michael Heyman, a Hewlett High School graduate, is another relief pitching option who could be called upon in non-league midweek games this season.
The Pride will look to get the April part of their CAA schedule off on the right foot with a series at Towson this weekend before hosting Long Island rival Stony Brook for three games from April 10-12. Hofstra will host series against Towson from May 1-3 and Monmouth from May 8 -10 before closing the regular season at Stony Brook.
Hofstra dug itself an early hole to gain a playoff spot by dropping four of six CAA games to start the season, but taking two of three from Northeastern gives the Pride a winning foundation to build off with plenty more conference games left to finish strong.
“There are a lot of games left and we’ve got to go take care of business,” said Catalanotto, a former 14-year Major League Baseball player who led Hofstra to a CAA title in his season as head coach in 2022. “We’ve got the talent to do it.”
By Chris Colucci and Kayla Dechter ccolucci@liherald.com
Lynbrook and East Rockaway residents are spending more to fill their cars as gas prices have steadily increased over the past month. The average price of gas on Long Island has jumped almost 65 cents in recent weeks, with the national average spiking nearly 90 cents over the same period. Local stations have followed a similar, significant upward trend.
Prices across the state, and the country, have been hit with increases after U.S. military activity in Iran created political and financial pressure. With local schools on hiatus for spring break in less than three weeks, some residents are concerned about the cost of gas affecting travel plans, even factoring in several competitive options to fill their tanks.
In Lynbrook, gas prices currently average $3.85 per gallon of regular, with one station as high as $3.99 per gallon. For East Rockaway, gas prices currently average $3.80 per gallon of regular. The increased cost of fuel isn’t only felt by residents, but by business owners as well. Gas stations need to refill their own supply from tankers, with the increased cost of inventory being an underlying factor in pricing. With stations refilling 20,000 gallons or more, an increase in their cost gets passed on to consumers.
One manager of a local gas station, who asked to remain nameless, explained that larger gas station franchises can offer lower prices than individually owned stations. “It went up a dollar from two weeks ago,” he said. “Everyone has a different price. It depends how big you are or how small you are. We’re small over here.”
On Feb. 28, President Trump initiated a military attack against Iranian targets. Iran, one of the world’s foremost oil producers, retaliated by slowing overall oil
production and blocking the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial waterway through which roughly 20 percent of worldwide oil passes. The reduced oil supply is a crucial factor in the cost of fuel.
The last time oil spiked above $100 per barrel — a standard benchmark of fuel costs —was in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, reaching a peak of $123 per barrel. It remained above $100 for five months. On March 12 of this year, oil reached $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022, bouncing to $106 on March 15.
On March 11, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright announced a plan to release 172 barrels from American
Prices have seen a rapid increase due to global events.
National Average per Gallon, Regular Current: $3.79
One week ago: $3.54
One month ago: $2.92
One year ago: $3.08
Source: AAA Fuel Prices, rounded to nearest penny
Long Island Average per Gallon, Regular Current: $3.61
One week ago: $3.40
One month ago: $2.97
One year ago: $2.98
Source: AAA Fuel Prices, rounded to nearest penny
petroleum reserves over the next 120 days. The action, which mirrors President Biden’s release of 180 barrels during the price increase of 2022, should ultimately reduce the financial strain on consumers but will leave the country’s stockpile of raw oil at its lowest point since 1982. “The United States has arranged to more than replace these strategic reserves,” Wright wrote in a statement, “with approximately 200 million barrels within the next year 20% more barrels than will be drawn down and at no cost to the taxpayer.”
politics of profits, taxes and surcharges have roiled the debate over public and private service
By Allyson Ferr Ari & Chris ColuCCi of the Herald
Fifth installment in a series about water.
Water is a business.
Advocates argue that water is a basic human right. It’s also a product, provided for a cost and purchased by consumers. Whether filling a 40-ounce water bottle, taking a long, relaxing shower or running the tap for two minutes of teeth-brushing, water consumption is an often overlooked part of our everyday lives.
Like other expenses considered essential for life such as food, electricity and a Wi-Fi signal, the water bill is a recurring payment. And just like other utilities, residents sometimes have limited options for their service provider.
Long Island residents are served by either public water districts or private water suppliers and, depending on location, some pay significantly more for the same basic necessity — often with little or no ability to choose their provider. While a majority receive water from public providers, a smaller portion of the population is served by private companies, often at higher cost.
The dollars and cents
When their water bill comes in, many ratepayers feel a sharp pain in the wallet. Costs can fluctuate based not only on how much they use, but what they use it for.
Several water districts estimate that the average use for a family of four is nearly 400 gallons per day. In some cases, especially in private service areas, water bills can range from $500 to $800 per month during peak summer periods, according to longtime advocate Agatha Nadel, a resident of Glen Head.
Pricing differs sharply between public and private water systems. According to Pamela Bellings, a communications specialist at Liberty Water, “Residential water rates are set through a regulatory process overseen by the New York Public Service Commission.”
“Rates are designed to recover the cost of operating, maintaining and upgrading water infrastructure while ensuring service remains safe and reliable,” Bellings said of how Liberty determines its residential rates.
“Rates do not fluctuate month to month, but they may change over time following regulatory review and approval,” she added. These proposed changes require detailed justification and include opportunities for public input before a decision is made, which helps balance customer affordability with the need to maintain and modernize critical water infrastructure, according to Liberty.
Critics argue that despite regulatory oversight, the structure of private water systems can lead to significantly higher costs due to general service charges, meter charges, regulatory charges and other fees.
Public water suppliers typically pro-
vide a standard water usage rate, a conservation rate — a type of sliding scale applying higher fees to higher use, intended to encourage judicious water use — and an irrigation fee for dedicated sprinkler systems, which are presumed to be relatively lower priority than consumption.
“We feel water is a basic need. You need it for drinking, cooking and bathing,” said Robert McEvoy, chairman of the Oyster Bay Water District.
“Once you get past that, whether you’re putting 15,000 gallons on your lawn in the course of a quarter or you’re drinking every last drop, it has to meet the same standards, health-wise. We have to treat all our water the same way.”
“Water districts are determined or created as part of town law,” McEvoy explained. “A lot of the boundaries preexist the Nassau Subdivisions Act and the Nassau County charter — when they were established. Some of them run sort of coterminous with school district lines.”
of about 9.75 percent per project by the New York Public Service Commission, and that can rise to as much as 12 to 15 percent.
According to Nadel, a four-year rate cycle in the mid-2010s brought an increase of about 120 percent, significantly driving up household water costs.
While treatment standards remain consistent for public safety, pricing can vary significantly depending on the provider. In some towns, prices may even vary between houses on the same block due to water zoning boundaries or the homeowners’ use of private or public water supplies.
Nadel’s residence, for example, is in the Liberty Water service area, while homes just 100 feet away are served by the public Jericho Water District.
“My neighbor pays a fifth of what I pay in an entire year,” Nadel said. “No taxes, no surcharges, nothing.”
Pricing differences, advocates say, are driven largely by the structure of private systems, which include profit margins and surcharges and have limited access to the government funding that public providers rely on to offset costs.
Residents in a private system can pay three to five times more than those served by public water providers, according to Nadel. Private water companies are guaranteed a baseline profit
A major issue voiced by private water customers is the amount they pay in fees added to their water bills, which typically include base usage rates and additional charges such as taxes and surcharges. In some cases, nearly half of the bill is not for water usage. Surcharges can include the cost of infrastructure projects such as filtration systems, water towers and other capital improvements.
“It’s an absolute sin,” Nadel said of the surcharges. “Forty-one percent of a typical water bill goes to charges and taxes that have nothing to do with the actual water usage. It really is an absolute sin.”
Public vs. private water suppliers
While most Long Island homeowners rely on public water services from their local municipality, private water suppliers may be an option for certain service areas. Liberty Water is one of the area’s
Continued from PreViouS PAGe
largest private alternatives, currently supplying water to nearly 120,000 Nassau residents, primarily in the Town of Hempstead. A homeowner who wants an alternative to either public or private water suppliers would need to install and maintain a private well, subject to local and state requirements.
“For most customers, remaining connected to a regulated public water system provides reliability, water quality oversight and long-term infrastructure support,” Bellings said.
As a result, most Long Islanders continue to receive water service from the provider assigned to their area, even if they are dissatisfied with it. Because water is tied to geographic districts, homeowners typically cannot choose their provider.
As a matter of public safety, water suppliers — public and private — must adhere to state and federal guidelines to monitor and remove waterborne contaminants. “Private suppliers have the same health department and [Department of Environmental Conservation] requirements — federal, state and local requirements for pure water,” McEvoy said. “They have the same maximum contaminant levels for the same contaminants. Their testing requirements are the same as us, whether it’s a public or a private water supplier.”
McEvoy has decades of experience in the water industry, having previously served as chairman of the Long Island Water Conference and president of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association — both organizations dedicated to ensuring water quality, safety and affordability across the Island.
Nadel explained that the Water Authority of North Shore has two main options to deliver public water: build and operate its own system or contract with an existing public provider. In her own research with North Shore Concerned Citizens, she has concluded that contracting with nearby systems — such as Jericho, Glen Cove, or Roslyn — would be the fastest and most practical approach because those providers already have infrastructure in place.
Long Island’s water systems are interconnected, allowing supplies to be rerouted during emergencies such as contamination events or periods of high demand, demonstrating that a transition from private to public supply may be feasible. Nadel said the shift would not be overly complex, but rather a matter of political will.
Homeowners having scant options is an issue on both shores, but potential alternatives have been considered for several years. The South Nassau Water Authority was created in 2021 to potentially offer Town of Hempstead residents an alternative to Liberty Water. A plan to establish a new water authority and create a sustainable, efficient and effective alternative to Liberty has been in the works for years. Residents and legislators are eager to move forward, but negotiations to transition away from the current water supply are complex and have moved slowly.
“Right now, the options are very limited,” explained Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, who represents District 21, which encompasses Baldwin, East Rockaway, Lynbrook, Malverne, Rockville Centre, South Hempstead and parts of Freeport and Valley Stream. “Residents that live in the Village of Rockville Centre and the Village of Freeport have municipal water; however, those who live anywhere else in AD-21 are served by Liberty Water with no ability to opt out, unless the municipalization of South Nassau Water Authority becomes a reality. The primary goal being to transition these private customers to public control to lower costs.” Public funding for some, but not for others
“Strong communities start with a strong infrastructure,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a 2024 news release. “Clean water is a basic human right.”
Last month, Hochul announced a plan to direct $28 million in state and federal grants to Long Island to help facilitate water infrastructure upgrades. The
Customers who received water from Liberty utilities opposed a 2023 rate hike that potentially saw bills in nassau County increase by a cumulative 34.2 percent. the increase ultimately went into effect in August 2024.
If your water bill seems excessive, there are some relatively simple steps to pare it down.
20-minute shower with standard showerhead
Up to 50 gallons of water
15-minute shower with low-flow showerhead
Up to 30 gallons of water
5 loads of laundry, standard machine
Up to 200 gallons of water per week
4 loads of laundry, Energy Star-certified machine
Up to 115 gallons of water per week
Standard toilet with minor running leak
Up to 1.6 gallons per flush plus up to 180 gallons per week
EPA-verified WaterSense-label toilet
Up to 1.28 gallons per flush
funds are part of a $250 million statewide project to improve water infrastructure.
The plan follows similar financial support in January of this year, when Hochul sent $18 million to Long Island — one part of a $288 million project — with the similar aim of making water and sewer infrastructure improvements.
In a statement supporting the most recent funding, Village of Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. wrote, “We know that access to clean water is not a luxury, but it is a necessity.” Hobbs continued, “Upgrading our aging water system, replacing outdated pipes and improving the overall system is critical to protecting public health.”
The influx of funds can play a significant role in maintaining and upgrading anything from deteriorating equipment at water treatment plants to damaged
underground supply lines. As government agencies, water districts can benefit from funding directly from the state, while private businesses cannot. The trickledown effect, so to speak, of extra governmental funding is that cost savings can be passed to residents. More important, water quality and safety can be more easily maintained. Private suppliers address potential safety issues at their own expense, without state or federal aid.
“Currently they’re not available for private water companies,” McEvoy said. “But the Long Island Water Conference has put it on their agenda to seek legislation that would give them access [to public funds] only for treatment of the contaminants. Not for any other purpose.”
Due to the unequal funding for environmental upgrades, public water providers are in a stronger financial position to improve infrastructure and remove contaminants using state and federal funds, while private systems are excluded from receiving them — meaning costs are passed on to residents.
The Environmental Protection Agency requires community water systems — public and private — to publish “community confidence reports,” most commonly in the form of yearly water-quality reports that reveal test results for contaminants, as well as facts and figures detailing overall water consumption.
The Jericho Water District Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2024, for example, highlighted nearly 4.9 billion gallons of water provided to 58,000 customers, averaging 13.4 million gallons per day. Jericho Water charges a minimum of $13 per calendar quarter, at a rate of $1.30 per 1,000 gallons up to 10,000 gallons. Fees increase on a sliding scale with usage — similar to the conservation rate used in other municipalities — reaching $3.90 per 1,000 gallons for usage above 200,000 gallons per quarter.
According to the 2025 Liberty Annual Water Quality Report for the Sea Cliff Operations District, the average customer used just under 95,800 gallons of water, at a cost of about $1,340, or $3.67 a day. Liberty also revealed that it served roughly 4,388 customers, at a total cost of $5.9 million.
The reports highlight how costs and scale can vary widely between systems, even as both draw from the same regional water supply.
For many residents, the issue is not just how much water they use, but who controls the system that delivers it.
ports larger Kiwanis causes including the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center Foundation, Ronald McDonald House outreach, Kamp Kiwanis, disaster relief efforts and the Kiwanis Children’s Fund. This year, members are also contributing to a governor’s project supporting foster care through the donation of blessing bags to local agencies. The anniversary celebration featured entertainment by Witches Brew, and spotlighted not only the club’s history, but the many ways it continues to serve the community.
By Christy Hinko
The connection between vision and hearing is an increasingly important topic in patient care, particularly as sensory impairments can significantly affect overall health and well-being. Many patients, according to Audiologist Dr. Esther Fogel, owner of Comprehensive Audiology, present with challenges that extend beyond a single sense.
“Many of my patients have both hearing and vision sensory issues, going on,” Fogel says.
Sensory health does not exist in isolation. Any impairment — whether related to hearing or vision — can have wide-ranging effects.
“What I think the biggest thing to understand is how any sensory impairment, whether it’s hearing or vision, can affect a person’s overall health and well being,” she says. “The impact can compound if not treated properly.”
Hearing loss can interfere with communication and social interaction, which may in turn affect cognitive function. Vision impairment can similarly disrupt independence and daily activities. When both are present, the impact can compound.
In some cases, vision issues may not be treatable. Fogel notes that certain conditions affecting eyesight cannot be corrected.
“It becomes even more important to address a patient’s hearing, because that is their connection to the world around them. Preserving sensory input becomes critical to maintaining engagement and quality of life.”
Treatment decisions in audiology often require consideration of other impairments. When recommending hearing aids, Fogel evaluates more than just the degree of hearing loss.
“The other thing that I take into account when I’m discussing treatment solutions such as hearing aids, is understanding a patient’s other impairments,” she says.
Visual impairment and dexterity challenges can influence which devices are appropriate. Many modern hearing aids are smaller and rechargeable, advancements that improve convenience and cosmetic appeal. However, small components can pose challenges for patients with limited vision or difficulty manipulating tiny parts. In those situations, audiologists may modify devices with larger removal handles or more visible color indicators.
“Hearing aids have come a long way in terms of ease, comfort and being more discreet,” Fogel says.
replacement.
even if they have not noticed symptoms. Medical conditions can further increase risk. Fogel cites diabetes, cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure and kidney disease as examples of conditions associated with both hearing and vision loss. Patients with these diagnoses should be monitored closely for sensory changes. Certain medications may also carry side effects that affect hearing.
The role of primary care providers is an important entry point in identifying sensory issues. Fogel encourages patients to maintain a relationship with a primary doctor.
“It is important to have someone overseeing your overall care,” she says.
Primary care offices often conduct screenings during wellness checkups, including basic hearing assessments. Screenings differ from diagnostic testing.
“What is being done at the primary care is more of a screening, just to rule out if you’re at risk for hearing loss,” she says. A screening typically determines whether a patient hears tones at a certain level, but it does not establish the degree or cause of hearing loss. If a patient does not pass a screening, referral to a specialist is essential. Comprehensive diagnostic testing can determine the level of hearing loss and identify underlying causes, which may range from age-related changes to medical conditions affecting the ear. Early specialist evaluation supports more precise treatment and management.
In private practice, Fogel says individualized care is central to effective treatment.
“We definitely take our time; gathering a full medical history, not just hearing.”
Understanding the broader picture — including vision impairment and other health concerns — allows for customized solutions.
For patients with vision impairment, those indicators may need to be enlarged, or the entire device may be made more visibly distinct, color coded, for instance, to ensure proper use.
Hearing aids have come a long way technologically and also in design and functionality, including being rechargeable and less burdensome with battery
Age remains a significant factor in both hearing and vision loss.
“We all know that age plays a big factor in both hearing loss and vision loss,” Fogel adds. Still, she emphasizes that hearing loss can occur at any age and should not be dismissed. She recommends that adults over 55 obtain a baseline hearing test,
Addressing one impairment while ignoring another can limit a patient’s ability to communicate, remain socially engaged and maintain cognitive function. Coordinated care among primary providers and specialists ensures that sensory changes are identified, evaluated and treated appropriately.
As Fogel’s experience illustrates, preserving hearing and vision is not only about managing individual symptoms but about protecting overall well-being.
By Dr. Esther Fogel, Comprehensive Audiology
At Comprehensive Audiology, we often see firsthand how hearing health is about much more than just the ears, it touches every part of life, especially our most cherished relationships. Whether it’s sharing a laugh with a friend, hearing a grandchild’s first words, or simply understanding a partner during everyday conversations, clear hearing is central to feeling connected.
When hearing starts to decline, however, communication can become strained. Misunderstandings may happen more often, and loved ones might feel ignored or frustrated, even though the person with hearing loss isn’t intentionally tuning them out. Over time, these small miscommunications can lead to feelings of isolation, tension, and emotional distance.
Research consistently shows that untreated hearing loss has a profound impact on the home dynamic. Partners of individuals with hearing difficulties often report a loss of intimacy and fewer shared activities. Family members may mistakenly interpret hearing struggles as a lack of
interest or engagement, leading to hurt feelings on both sides.
The good news? Addressing hearing health can repair and even strengthen these vital bonds. Open communication is the first step toward a solution. If you or a loved one suspect a change, it’s important to talk about it openly and without blame.
A conversation framed with understanding can make a world of difference.
We believe that hearing healthcare isn’t just about devices; it’s about people.
Comprehensive Audiology’s team is here not just to test hearing, but to truly listen to your concerns, your lifestyle, and your goals. We view ourselves as your dedicated partners in care, helping you find solutions that support both your hearing and your relationships.
For many, the right technology restores more than sound; it restores confidence and ease in conversations. Hearing care is a journey, and no one should walk it alone. Having a trusted provider in Lynbrook means having a reliable source of support every step of the way.
By valuing your sense of hearing and investing in local, expert care, you can safeguard your connections and enjoy a
Book your hearing evaluation today!
better quality of life. Ready to take charge of your hearing and health?
ComprehensiveAudiology, at 261 Broadway in Lynbrook,helps people of all ages live better by hearing their best. Appointments can be made by calling (516) 387-4000 or by scheduling online at comprehensiveaudiology.com/scheduleappointment. Follow us on Facebook,
Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.
LinkedIn, Google,YouTube, and Instagram at @comprehensive_audiology.
261 Broadway, Lynbrook, NY 11563 (516) 387-4000 comprehensiveaudiology.com
By Christy Hinko
Protecting your hearing no longer applies only to loud workplaces or rock musicians. Everyday environments such as yardwork, commuting and concerts expose people to sound levels that can gradually damage the delicate structures of the inner ear. Because hearing loss is permanent, health experts emphasize prevention through simple, consistent habits that reduce exposure and give ears time to recover.
Everyday noise adds up
Many common activities reach volumes that can strain hearing. Gas-powered lawn equipment, leaf blowers and chainsaws often exceed levels considered safe for prolonged use. Commuters encounter steady noise from traffic, trains and buses, which can push sound exposure higher than people realize. Concerts and sporting events regularly reach levels that can cause damage in minutes. Even if the noise doesn’t feel painful, repeated exposure can contribute to long-term loss or persistent ringing in the ears.
Protecting hearing during yardwork
Outdoor chores are among the most overlooked sources of noise. Equipment
that runs on gas or high-powered motors produces sustained sound that can exceed safe limits. Wearing well-fitted earplugs or earmuff-style protectors reduces the intensity reaching the inner ear. Choosing electric or battery-powered tools, which tend to run more quietly, also helps lower exposure. Taking short breaks during long tasks gives ears time to recover, and maintaining equipment can reduce unnecessary noise from worn parts or engines running at high strain.
Reducing exposure while commuting
Daily travel exposes people to a mix of traffic, engines and crowd noise. Small adjustments can make a difference. Noisecanceling headphones reduce the need to turn up music or podcasts to compete with background sound. Standing farther from train doors or bus engines lowers exposure during rides. For drivers, keeping windows closed in heavy traffic and avoiding prolonged idling near loud vehicles helps limit cumulative noise. These changes are subtle but meaningful over months and years of routine travel.
Staying safe at concerts and events
Live music and large venues create some of the loudest environments people encounter. Wearing high-fidelity earplugs,
which lower volume without distorting sound, allows listeners to enjoy performances while protecting their hearing. Standing farther from speakers or rotating positions during long shows reduces direct exposure. Taking breaks in quieter areas between sets gives ears a chance to recover. After an event, temporary muffled hearing or ringing is a sign that the ears have been stressed; allowing quiet time afterward helps them recover and reduces the risk of long-term effects.
Building long-term habits
Protecting hearing is most effective when it becomes part of everyday routines.
Keeping ear protection with yard tools, in a car or in a bag makes it easier to use consistently. Paying attention to early signs of strain, such as ringing or difficulty hearing conversations after loud activities, encourages people to adjust their habits. Regular hearing checks can help detect changes early and reinforce the importance of prevention.
I was very interested to learn about how my hearing loss was affecting my brain health and the possibility that my hearing loss could lead to dementia or early Alzheimer’s.
SPONSORED CONTENT
During Brain Awareness Week (March 16–22), Hearing and Brain Centers of America is highlighting one of the most overlooked—but proven—ways to protect brain health: treating hearing loss and tinnitus.
Research shows untreated hearing loss is one of the largest modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia. As auditory input to the brain decreases, the brain must work harder to process sound, diverting resources away from memory, focus, and comprehension. Over time, this cognitive overload can accelerate brain atrophy, social isolation, and dementia risk.
Studies from Johns Hopkins Medical Center reveal that individuals with mild hearing loss are twice as likely to develop dementia, while
those with moderate to severe hearing loss face up to a five-fold increased risk. A 2023 study published in The Lancet further confirmed that treating hearing loss can significantly slow cognitive decline.
At Hearing and Brain Centers of America, traditional hearing aids have been replaced with prescriptiongrade NeuroTechnology™,
designed not just to amplify sound—but to stimulate the brain. These advanced devices improve clarity, reduce listening effort, and support neural pathways critical for memory and cognition.
The landmark ACHIEVE Study (The Lancet, 2023) found that older adults who treated hearing loss experienced a 48% reduction in cognitive decline over three years. Additional research shows hearing aid use is linked to improved memory recall, increased social engagement, and lower dementia prevalence.
Dr. Keith Darrow, neuroscientist and clinical audiologist, emphasizes: “We hear with our brains, not our ears.” Treating hearing loss early helps protect brain function, enhance quality of life, and promote healthier aging. In recognition of Brain
Awareness Week, Hearing and Brain Centers of America encourages adults over 50 to schedule regular hearing and cognitive screenings. If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss or tinnitus, contact us to schedule a comprehensive hearing and cognitive assessment.
Together, we can protect brain health and add more life to your years.
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Dozens of advocates and concerned residents gathered at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola last month to protest Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposal to revise New York state’s 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
The CLCPA is an environmental policy that requires greenhouse gas emissions in the state to be reduced by 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2030 by replacing much of the state’s fossil fuel electricity with renewable energy. Hochul wrote about the policy in an opinion essay published by the Empire Report on March 20, titled “Climate Action and Affordability Must Go HandIn-Hand.”
Following the loss of federal support for solar, wind and other energy initiatives and the rapid increase of oil prices, Hochul suggested that the climate act could lead to severe utility cost increases if it is not revised.
“So much has radically changed since the climate act was enacted, necessitating common-sense adjustments that keep us on our path to a greener future in a way that is affordable for New Yorkers,” Hochul wrote. “We need more time, and so I am proposing we amend the law to require regulations to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions to
be issued at the end of 2030.”
Eric Weltman, senior organizer of the national nonprofit Food and Water Watch, led a group of protesters urging state legislators to defend the climate law later that day.
“We are here because Governor Hochul, unfortunately, is threatening to weaken New York’s landmark climate law,” Weltman said, “and we’re here to urge our legislators to stand up and
defend and protect the climate law. Hochul is embracing policies that would promote fracking and more costly fossil fuel pipelines and power plants.”
The CLCPA, Weltman said, reduces costs related to fossil fuels, decreases air pollution and supports a shift toward renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.
Joe Sackman, executive director of the Long Island Progressive Coalition,
said the 2019 legislation “fully expressed New York’s willingness to take on climate change and move us toward a just and working-class-centered economy.”
“Governor Hochul, by demanding rollbacks to the CLCPA, you are playing politics with our future,” Sackman added. “It’s time to do what is right. No rollbacks on New York’s climate law.”
T.J. Shivers, representing New York Communities for Change, focused on the climate crisis’s direct effects on Long Islanders’ budgets.
“Energy burdens are crushing families from many low- and moderateincome communities,” Shivers said. “People are paying 6 to 10 percent or more of their income just on energy bills, far above what is considered affordable … When my bill goes up, it’s not just the number on paper, that’s food off the table.”
A number of community organizations joined the protest and spoke against revisions to the CLCPA, including the New York Public Interest Research Group, Transition Town Port Washington, the South Shore Audubon Society, the Green Party of Nassau County, All Our Energy, Grassroots Environmental Education, Renewable Heat Now and Bend the Arc Jewish Action: Long Island, calling for Nassau County residents to contact their local elected officials to advocate for preserving the climate act.
By Abbey Salvemini
Fresh talent is in full bloom this spring at Heckscher Museum of Art. For three decades, the Heckscher Museum of Art has served as a prestigious launchpad for the next generation of visual storytellers. “Long Island’s Best” is back, marking its 30th anniversary as it spotlights emerging high school artists throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties, now through May 3.
As the only juried exhibition of its kind on Long Island, this program offers high schoolers the rare distinction of seeing their work hanging in a professional museum and memorialized in a full-color commemorative catalog. The selection process is famously rigorous: For the 2026 season, 84 finalists were curated from over 400 submissions representing 63 schools across Nassau and Suffolk. Tasked with this challenge were jurors Meredith Brown, Ph.D., the museum’s consulting curator of contemporary art, and guest juror Aaron Feltman — an accomplished artist and a proud Long Island’s Best alumnus.
“It is never an easy process,” says Brown, who explained that the strongest pieces combine technical skill with originality and meaningful themes.
This year’s exhibition included an unusually high number of sculptures — more than in any previous “Long Island’s Best” exhibitions — that reflect both the students’ ambition and influenced by the recent exhibition “Emma Stebbins: Carving Out History.”
“I was surprised by the number of sculptural submissions,” Brown adds. “Sculpture is tricky, and many schools don’t have the resources, but these students took the challenge on and produced really compelling work.”
Among standout pieces is Luminous Harvest, a ceramic sculpture by Lyla Pinto, a senior at Long Beach High School, which earned fourth place and the Stan Brodsky Award. Inspired by painter Darragh Park’s “To Here/From Here,” Pinto created a tree-like form composed of branches holding symbolic fruit and candles.
“I was drawn to Park’s artwork because it seemed alive, as though the forms are changing and expanding rather than remaining still,” she explains. “The handcrafted fruits represent abundance, sustenance and the various attributes each branch offers. I made seven branches because the number seven represents completeness and balance, suggesting a full cycle of growth rather than a single moment. Like Park, I wanted to convey a sense of natural rhythm through organic shapes as demonstrated in the abundance and repetitious organic greenery.”
For Director of Education Joy Weiner — whose program leadership is being honored at a “30th Birthday Bash” on April 18 — the most rewarding aspect of her involvement is observing students experience the thrill of having their work displayed in a museum.
“Just watching their faces as they show their parents how special this opportunity is, that’s one of the happiest memories every year,” she relates.
“Long Island’s Best” has evolved considerably since its early years.
“Years ago, there were landscapes, still lifes and portraits. That was pretty much what you got,” Weiner
Lyla Pinto: Lyla Pinto’s ceramic sculpture “Luminous Harvest, was awarded Fourth Place and honored with the Stan Brodsky Scholarship Award.
• Now through May 3
• Open Thursday through Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
• Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington
• Visit Heckscher.org or call (631) 380-3230 for information on related programming
adds. “Over the years, the different kinds of materials became something that students were interested in exploring. And they’re also much more aware of the world around them, tackling social issues, personal experiences and big-picture ideas through their art.”
While the program certainly sharpens their technical craft, its true value lies in instilling the professional rigor required of a working artist. It also underscores the lasting influence of arts education, with many alumni pursuing careers in art, design, filmmaking, and teaching.
“The whole process from beginning to end involves meeting deadlines, working with teachers, creating the work and writing about it,” Weiner says. “That’s very important as they continue in their careers, to not only create a work of art but to be able to speak about it and share it with others.”
Looking ahead, both Brown and Weiner encourage students to embrace the process, even if their work isn’t selected.
“Sharing your work is a powerful experience. It helps students grow as artists and lets others engage with their vision.” Weiner adds.“Even if your piece isn’t chosen, you learn something about yourself and your art. And when people connect with your work, it’s a truly rewarding experience.”
Teachers, Long Island’s Best alumni and the community are all invited to the stylish “Birthday Bash” celebrating this momentous milestone. Alumni and local artists will contribute works for a fundraiser, underscoring the lasting influence of “Long Island’s Best” throughout the region. The gathering includes an opportunity to meet students and hear firsthand how the program shaped their creative journeys.
“I’ve been privileged to watch the growth of Long Island’s Best,” Weiner says. “I have seen elementary school students eventually become LI Best finalists, have watched students’ progress to becoming Long Island Biennial artists as professionals; and have been lucky to work with students who now teach art in our community, inspiring the next generation.”
This milestone exhibit not only celebrates the talent of today’s students but also emphasizes the enduring value of arts education in shaping Long Island’s creative future. It’s an opportunity to explore a wide variety of media and themes while experiencing the fresh perspectives and voices of the next generation of artists, gaining insight into how young people interpret the world around them through art.
Dan Soder
Come chill with stand-up comedian Dan Soder! Get ready for a night of sharp, laugh-out-loud comedy when he takes the stage on The Golden Retriever of Comedy tour. Known for his quick wit and effortlessly relatable storytelling, Soder has built a devoted following. His credits include ”Not Special” on Comedy Central, a standout turn on Netflix’s The Standups” and his acclaimed HBO special “Son of a Gary.”Fans have also embraced his hit YouTube special, “Dan Soder: On The Road,” a laugh-packed set filled with smart, surprising takes on relationships, growing up and everything in between. Offstage, Soder hosts the popular podcast Soder and was a longtime co-host of SiriusXM’s The Bonfire from 2015 to 2023. Many will also recognize him from his role as Dudley “Mafee” on Billions. With his easygoing charm and razor-sharp observations, Soder delivers comedy that feels both down-to-earth and unexpectedly insightful.
Saturday, April 4, 7 and 9 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
‘…how I wish you were here’
Wish You Were Here celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Pink Floyd’s “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 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 — all performed without backing or click tracks. The veteran 10-piece musical ensemble features seven vocalists and a Floydian stage production — sound effects and vintage videos, 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.
Thursday, April 9, 7:30 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
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
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 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: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also April 6-9
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens, now open for the 2026 season, to xplore creativity in nature during this one-hour guided
Local favorite Mike DelGuidice returns to the Paramount stage with his popular residency, delivering the high-energy, feel-good performances that have made him a hometown standout. Backed by his powerhouse band, DelGuidice brings the music of his idol, Billy Joel, to life with passion and precision, celebrating decades of iconic hits in a rousing, crowd-pleasing show. A multi-instrumentalist who grew up immersed in music, DelGuidice’s deep knowledge of Joel’s catalog ultimately led to sharing the stage with the Piano Man himself, touring around the world. Alongside beloved classics, he weaves in his own original songs, showcasing the songwriting that has earned him a devoted following. His releases include My Street, Miller Place and Mask Production, and his track “Ordinary Guy” was featured as the theme for Kevin Can Wait starring Kevin James. Whether performing on stage or connecting with fans through his “Live on the Porch” series, which brought audiences together during the pandemic, DelGuidice continues to share his love of music in ways that resonate far beyond the Long Island community.
program through the gardens and at the barn at Orchard Hill. Children will observe colors, textures, and patterns in the landscape, play art-inspired games, and create a simple hands-on art project using natural inspiration. Meet at the Beech Tree. Registration required. $22 adult, $20 seniors 62+ (member discounts available).
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury
• Time: 11 a.m.-noon
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
Old Westbury Gardens welcomes families for some Easter fun. Take part in a reading of the classic Peter Rabbit tale, “The Great Big Easter Egg Hunt.” Afterward join in an exciting egg hunt in the Cottage Garden! Perfect for children ages 3-6. Up to 12 eggs per child may be redeemed for prizes; eggs are empty. Registration required. $22 adult, $20 seniors 62+ (member discounts available).
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury
• Time: 10:30 a.m., noon and 1:30 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
Families are invited to take part in a fun outdoor scavenger hunt at Greis Park on Participants search the park for hidden clues, and those who find them all will receive a prize. The event is open to children of all ages with a caregiver and takes place weather permitting. Come ready to explore the park, solve clues and enjoy a morning of community fun. Registration required.
• Where: 55 Wilbur St.
• Time: 10 a.m.-noon
• Contact: lynbrook.recdesk.com
Families are invited to Long Island Children’s Museum to illuminate their imagination and inspire creativity
In this educator-led, handson workshop, participants are introduced to the history and process of lantern making while creating their own unique drawing. In collaboration with LuminoCity, participants’ 2-D artwork will
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
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
• Time: 8 p.m., also Apr 11
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
be submitted for a chance to have it brought to life as a 3-D light sculpture featured on display at the 2026 LuminoCity Festival. Free limited ticket with museum admission, available at the Box Office on the day of the workshop.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11-noon and 3-4 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
DineAround
This welcoming community event offers a chance to enjoy great 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
The Sarah Grace Foundation for Children With Cancer hosts its
‘A Dream Is A Wish’ The enchanting “A Dream Is A Wish” princess concert returns to the Madison Theatre with new adventures and Disney Classics. Families are invited to sing along to all their favorite Disney songs including “Let It Go,” “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes,” “Part of That World,” “ A Whole New World,” and many more. Enjoy a magical journey and maybe even meet your favorite princess! Breakfast and tea ticket options also available.
• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: Varied times, also April 12
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
Jun 13
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?
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ANNUAL DISTRICT ELECTION AND BUDGET HEARING OF LYNBROOK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK TO BE HELD ON MAY 19, 2026.
MAY 19, 2026
NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual School District Election of the voters of the Lynbrook Union Free District will be held on May 19, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., in the following locations: Election District 1Lynbrook North Middle School, 529 Merrick Road, Lynbrook, NY; Election District 2Lynbrook High School, 9 Union Avenue, Lynbrook, NY; Election District 3Lynbrook South Middle School, 333 Union Avenue, Lynbrook, NY. The election shall be for the purpose of: (1) filling two vacancies on the Board of Education; (2) voting on the appropriation of the necessary funds to meet the estimated expenditures of the District for the 20262027 school year (Proposition One);
Proposition One: Budget BE IT RESOLVED, that the Budget of the Board of Education of the Lynbrook Union Free School District for the school year 20262027 in the amount of $115,248,293 as proposed by the Board of Education of the Lynbrook Union Free School District be adopted and the Board of Education be authorized to levy a tax for that sum upon the taxable property of the school district to meet said expenditures after first deducting the monies available from state aid and other sources. Adoption of this budget requires a tax levy increase of 1.97%, which exceeds the statutory tax levy increase limit of 0.95% for this school fiscal year and, therefore, would exceed the state tax cap and must be approved by 60% of the qualified voters present and voting.
(3) voting on the following two additional propositions (Propositions Two and Three):
Proposition Two: Use of the Technology Replacement Capital Reserve Fund
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Lynbrook Union Free School District (“District”) be authorized to expend from the Technology Replacement Fund, established on May 15, 2007, and extended and amended by the voters of the Lynbrook Union Free School District at the Annual District Meetings held on May 15, 2012, May 16, 2017, and on May 17, 2022, an amount not to exceed $560,000 for the purposes of providing instructional technology devices and equipment, as well as continuing a multi-year data wiring replacement and improvement project at no additional cost to District taxpayers and to commence during the 2026-2027 school year; all of the foregoing to include furnishings, equipment, machinery, demolition and other work required in connection therewith, as well as preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto and to the financing thereof; provided that the costs of the components of said project may be reallocated among such components if the Board of Education shall determine that such reallocation is in the best interests of the District and no material change shall be made in the scope of the project.
Proposition Three: Acquisition of 36 Carpenter Avenue, Construction of Fitness Center, Amendment And Expenditure of Capital Reserve Funds, and Authorization of Other Capital Projects
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Lynbrook Union Free School District (“District”) be authorized: (A) to acquire the real property located at 36 Carpenter Avenue, Lynbrook, New York (Section 42, Block 124, Lot 22), currently owned by the Village of Lynbrook, and to construct, furnish, and equip a school district fitness center on said site (“Property Acquisition and Development”), and to include site improvements, furnishings, equipment, machinery, demolition, and other work required in connection therewith, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto, at a total cost not to exceed $3,000,000, to be funded at no additional cost to the taxpayers, provided that
the detailed costs of the components of the Property Acquisition and Development as set forth in this clause (A) may be reallocated among such components if the Board of Education shall determine that such reallocation is in the best interests of the District and does not materially change the overall scope of the Property Acquisition and Development as presented to the voters; and further provided that such Property Acquisition and Development is expressly conditioned upon: (i) the execution of a purchase agreement between the District and the Village of Lynbrook; (ii) satisfactory completion of environmental due diligence, including a Phase I and, if warranted, a Phase II environmental assessment; and (iii) receipt of all required State and local permits and approvals, including all necessary approvals from the New York State Education Department, fully authorizing the aforesaid Property Acquisition and Development; and (B) to amend the purposes of the District’s existing Renovation & Improvement of Facilities Fund Capital Reserve, Building Renovation, Improvement, Upgrade, and Equipment Capital Reserve, and Continuous Facilities Improvement Capital Reserve, each established pursuant to Education Law §?3651, so as to authorize, as additional lawful purposes, the Property Acquisition and Development described in clause (A) above; and (C) to authorize the aggregate expenditure of not to exceed $3,000,000 toward the costs of the Property Acquisition and Development described in clause (A) above, as follows: (i) an amount not to exceed $2,803,859 plus any interest accrued thereon from the Renovation & Improvement of Facilities Fund Capital Reserve, and (ii) an amount not to exceed $2,352 plus any interest accrued thereon from the Building Renovation, Improvement, Upgrade, and Equipment Capital Reserve, and (iii) an amount not to exceed $193,789 from the Continuous Facilities Improvement Capital Reserve; and (D) to authorize the expenditure from the District’s existing
Continuous Facilities Improvement Capital Reserve of an additional amount not to exceed $1,220,000 in the aggregate for other capital projects, consisting of: renovation of a classroom at North Middle School, replacement of rooftop air conditioning units at Lynbrook High School, repair/replacement of heating equipment at North Middle School, and the replacement of the PA system at West End elementary school (“Capital Projects”), to be funded at no additional cost to the taxpayers, all of the foregoing to include site improvements, furnishings, equipment, machinery, demolition and other work required in connection therewith, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto; provided that the detailed costs of the components of the Capital Projects as set forth in this clause (D) may be reallocated among such components if the Board of Education shall determine that such reallocation is in the best interests of the District and does not materially change the overall scope of the Capital Projects as presented to the voters; and Further provided that, if for any reason one or more of the express conditions described in clause (A) cannot be satisfied and the Property Acquisition and Development cannot be consummated, the authorization set forth in clause (D) shall nevertheless remain fully effective, and the District shall be authorized to undertake the Capital Projects described therein.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that nominations for the office of Board of Education member shall be made by petition subscribed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District and filed in the District Clerk’s office at the Atlantic Avenue Administration Office, 111 Atlantic Avenue, Lynbrook, NY, during regular office hours not later than the 30th day before the election, this year, on April 20, 2026, petitions may be filed from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Each petition shall state the name and residence of the signer and the name and residence of the
candidate. The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will each be elected to serve a three (3) year term to commence on July 1, 2026.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Board of Education shall hold a public budget hearing to discuss the expenditure of funds and the budgeting thereof for the 2026-2027 school year on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. in the Lynbrook High School cafeteria. The budget hearing will also be livestreamed at https://lynbrookschools. community. highbond.com/Portal/ MeetingTypeList.aspx Copies of the condensed form of the budget proposition, the text of all other propositions to appear on the ballot and a detailed statement in writing of the amount of money that will be required for the 20262027 school year, specifying the purposes and the amount for each, will be made available, upon request, to any District resident at each school house in the District which school is maintained from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding the election, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, at the public library within the District and on the District website.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that pursuant to Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law, the District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how the total assessed value of the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted by the statutory authority, and show the cumulative impact of each type of exemption, the cumulative amount expected to be received as payments in lieu of taxes and the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that registration is permitted in the District Clerk’s office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, up to and including May 13, 2026. The Board of Registration will meet on Wednesday, May 13,
2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lynbrook High School, to prepare a register of the qualified voters for the Annual District Election, at which time any person shall be entitled to have his/her name placed upon such registry provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration, he/she is known, or proven to the satisfaction of the Board of Registration, to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the election for which such register is prepared. The Board of Registration will also meet during the Annual District Election at each polling place to prepare a register for subsequent elections. The register shall include (1) all qualified voters of the District who personally present themselves for registration; (2) all previously qualified voters of the District who have been registered for and voted at any annual or special district election held within the last four calendar years (20222025); and (3) voters permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections. The register will be filed in the District Clerk’s office where it will be open to inspection by any qualified voter from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on each of the five (5) days prior to the election, except Sunday, by appointment from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturday, and at each polling place on the day of the election.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that applications for absentee ballots may be obtained by by contacting the District Clerk by email theresa. moran@ lynbrookschools.org or phone (516-887-6558). Applications for early mail ballots must be completed on a form prescribed by the state board of elections and may be obtained by visiting the State Education Department’s website https://www. counsel.nysed.gov/sites/ counsel/files/24-04school-application-withform.pdf Español https://www. counsel.nysed.gov/ miscellaneous or by contacting the District Clerk by email (theresa.moran@ lynbrookschools.org) or phone (516-887-6558).
Completed absentee and early mail ballot applications must be received at least seven
(7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the applicant, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the applicant or to his or her designated agent. Absentee and early mail ballot applications will not be accepted prior to April 20, 2026. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots have been issued will be available in the District Clerk’s office on each of the five (5) days prior to the election except Sunday, and by appointment only from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on the Saturday prior to the election.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that pursuant to Education Law §2018-d, any person serving in the military, including spouses and dependents, may register to vote in the upcoming district election. A military voter who is a qualified voter of the District may obtain a registration form by contacting the District Clerk by telephone (516-8876558), facsimile (516887-3263), email (theresa.moran@ lynbrookschools.org), mail (111 Atlantic Avenue, Lynbrook, NY 11563), or in person (during regular office hours or from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
A military voter may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration form, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile or electronic mail in the request for such registration, ballot application, or ballot.
A military voter who is duly registered may apply for a military ballot by requesting an application from the District Clerk. Completed applications must be personally delivered or mailed to the District Clerk and received no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026. Military ballots must be received by 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026, if signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto with a date which is not later than the day before the election, or not later than the close of the polls on May 19, 2026, if showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that any proposition or question to be placed upon the voting machines shall be submitted in writing by petition subscribed by at least 250 qualified voters of the District and filed in the District Clerk’s office during regular hours, except on the 30th day preceding the election at which such question or proposition shall be voted upon (this year April 20, 2026), when the hours shall be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except that this rule shall not apply to those questions or propositions which the Board of Education has authority by law to present at any annual or special meeting of the District or propositions which are required by law to be placed in the legal notice.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that this Board shall convene a special meeting thereof within twenty-four (24) hours after the filing with the District Clerk of a written report of the results of the ballot for the purpose of examining and tabulating said reports of the result of the ballot and declaring the result of the ballot; that the Board hereby designates itself to be a set of poll clerks to cast and canvass ballots pursuant to Education Law, Section 2019-a, Subdivision 2b at said special meeting of the Board.
By Order of: Board of Education Lynbrook Union Free School District Administration Building 111 Atlantic Avenue Lynbrook, NY 11563 Theresa Moran District Clerk 159333
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING AND ANNUAL DISTRICT ELECTION OF EAST ROCKAWAY UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK, TO BE HELD ON MAY 19, 2026
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting of the qualified voters of the East Rockaway Union Free School District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, will be held on May 19, 2026, from 7:00 A.M and 9:00 P.M. States government.
April 2, 2026 —
in the East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School, 443 Ocean Avenue, East Rockaway, New York, for the transaction of such business as is authorized by law.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a public budget hearing will take place on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 6:00 P.M. in the library of Centre Avenue School, to discuss the expenditure of funds for the 2026-2027 school year (proposed budget). The meeting will be open to the public and livestreamed at www. eastrockawayschools. org.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the vote upon the proposed budget, on all propositions duly filed with the Board of Education, and to fill two (2) vacancies on the Board of Education, will be held in the East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School, from 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. for the following purposes:
a) To elect two (2) members of the Board of Education to fill the offices currently held by Dineen Cilluffo and Aspasia Lonergan, whose terms expire on June 30, 2026, for two (2) new three-year terms commencing on July 1, 2026.
b) To vote upon the annual school budget for the school year 2026-2027 and to authorize the levying of a tax upon the property of the district for the foregoing purposes.
c) To vote upon the following proposition:
PROPOSITION NO.
2: (Capital Reserve Fund for Capital Improvement Projects): Resolved, that the East Rockaway Union Free School District is hereby authorized to undertake certain capital improvements, renovations, and reconstruction work at the East rockaway Jr./ Sr. High School and the sites thereof consisting of the following: Slate Roof Replacement and Waterproofing of the 1967 Wing; Gutter, Fascia, Decorative Wood Column Repairs/ Replacement/ Painting; and HVAC Reconstruction (the “Project”); all of the foregoing to include furnishings, equipment, machinery, demolition and other work, and preliminary, incidental, and financing costs required in connection therewith, to commence
during 2026-2027 and to be funded from existing reserves at no additional cost to District taxpayers; and to appropriate and expend therefor an amount not to exceed $1,600,000 from the District’s Capital Reserve Fund for Building Improvements and Repairs III, previously established by voters on May 17, 2022; provided that the detailed component costs of the Project may be reallocated among such components if the Board of Education shall determine that such reallocation is in the best interests of the District and can be made without any material change in the scope of the Project.
d) To vote upon such other propositions as may properly come before the meeting.
The election will be held in accordance with the Rules for the Conduct of Meetings and Elections adopted by the Board of Education.
The condensed form of the budget proposition and the text of all other propositions to appear on the voting machine, and a detailed statement in writing of the amount of money which will be required for the 2026-2027 school year, specifying the purposes and the amount for each, will be prepared and copies thereof will be made available, upon request, to any District resident at each school house in the District from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., at the East Rockaway public library, and on the District website during the fourteen days before the May 19, 2026 election, excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays, and at the budget hearing and at the election.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that pursuant to Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law, the District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted by the statutory authority, and show the cumulative impact of each type of exemption, the cumulative amount expected to be received as payments in lieu of taxes and the
cumulative impact of all exemptions granted.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that nominations for the office of member of the Board of Education will be made by petition subscribed by at least 25 qualified voters of the District, and filed in the District Clerk’s Office, in the East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School, from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., not later than the 30th day before the election, this year April 20, 2026. Such petition must state the name and residence of each signer, the name and residence of the candidate, and the length of the term of office. The two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes will be considered elected to office. Where terms are of different length, the candidate receiving the highest vote will be elected to the longest term. A nomination may be rejected by the Board of Education if the candidate is ineligible for the office or declares his unwillingness to serve.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that any proposition or question to be placed upon the ballot must be submitted in writing by petition subscribed by at least 100 qualified voters of the District and filed in the District Clerk’s Office from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., not later than the 30th day preceding the meeting or election at which such question or proposition will be voted upon, this year, April 20, 2026, except that this rule does not apply to those questions or propositions which are required to be stated in the published notice of the meeting, or to those propositions or questions which the Board of Education has the sole authority by law to present at any annual or special meeting of the District.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that registration of the qualified voters is permitted in the District Clerk’s Office, from 8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M., Monday through Friday, up to and including Thursday, May 14, 2026. A register will be prepared and filed in the District Clerk’s Office and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter from 8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. on each of the five days prior to the election, except Sunday, from 8:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on Saturday,
May 16, 2026, by appointment only, and at the polling place on election day. The register will include: (1) all qualified voters of the District who personally present themselves for registration; (2) all previously qualified voters of the District who have registered for any annual or special District meeting or election and who have voted at any annual or special District meeting or election held or conducted at any time within the last four years (2022-2025); and (3) voters permanently registered with the Board of Elections of Nassau County. The Board of Registration will meet during the hours of voting on May 19, 2026, to prepare a register for subsequent District meetings or elections.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE THAT early mail ballots are to be completed on a form prescribed by the state board of elections and may be obtained by visiting the District’s website (https://www. eastrockawayschools. org/voter-registrationinformation) or by contacting the District Clerk (namayamoran@ eastrockawayschools. org) (516-887-8300, Ext.1-433) from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on school days. Applications for absentee ballots are to be completed on a form prescribed by the state board of elections and may be obtained by visiting the District’s website (https://www. eastrockawayschools. org/voter-registrationinformation) or by contacting the District Clerk (namayamoran@ eastrockawayschools. org) (516-887-8300, Ext.1-433) from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on school days. Completed applications for absentee and early mail ballots must be received at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or to his or her designated agent, but such applications will not be accepted before April 20, 2026. Absentee and early mail ballots must be received in the District Clerk’s office not later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, to be canvassed. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots have been issued will be available for inspection in the District
Clerk’s office on each of the five days prior to the election from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. except Sunday, and by appointment only from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on the Saturday prior to the election.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that pursuant to Education Law §2018-d, any person serving in the military, including spouses and dependents, may register to vote in the upcoming school district election. A military voter who is a qualified voter of the District may obtain a registration form by contacting the District Clerk by telephone (516-887-8300, Ext. 1-433), facsimile (516887-1802), email (namayamoran@ eastrockawayschools. org), mail (433 Ocean Avenue, East Rockaway, NY 11518), or in person (during regular office hours or from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M) A military voter who is duly registered may apply for a military ballot by requesting an application from the District by also contacting the District Clerk. Completed applications must be personally delivered or mailed to the District Clerk and received no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026. Military ballots must be received by 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026, if signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto with a date which is not later than the day before the election, or not later than the close of the polls on May 19, 2026, if showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States government. A military voter may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration form, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile, or electronic mail in the request for such registration, ballot application, or ballot.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that this Board will convene a special meeting thereof within twenty-four hours after the filing with the District Clerk of a written report of the results of the ballot, in the East Rockaway Jr./ Sr. High School for the purpose of examining
and tabulating said reports of the result of the ballot and declaring the result of the ballot; that the Board hereby designates itself to be a set of poll clerks to cast and canvass ballots pursuant to Education Law, §2019-a(2)(b) at said special meeting of the Board.
Dated: March 24, 2026, East Rockaway, New York BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, EAST ROCKAWAY UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK NEREYDA AMAYA MORAN District Clerk 159335
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PRESUPUESTARIA Y ELECCIONES ANUALES DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE LA UNION DE EAST ROCKAWAY, CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, ESTADO DE NUEVA YORK, QUE SE CELEBRARÁ EL 19 DE MAYO DE 2026 POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que la reunión anual de los votantes cualificados del Distrito Escolar Libre de East Rockaway, ciudad de Hempstead, condado de Nassau, se celebrará el 19 de mayo de 2026, de 7:00 a. m. a 9:00 p. m., en la Escuela Secundaria East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School, 443 Ocean Avenue, East Rockaway, Nueva York, para tratar los asuntos autorizados por la ley. SE INFORMA ADEMÁS que el martes 5 de mayo de 2026, a las 6:00 p. m., se celebrará una audiencia pública sobre el presupuesto en la biblioteca de la escuela Centre Avenue School, con el fin de debatir el gasto de los fondos para el año escolar 20262027 (presupuesto propuesto). La reunión estará abierta al público y se retransmitirá en directo en www. eastrockawayschools. org. SE INFORMA ADEMÁS que la votación sobre el presupuesto propuesto, sobre todas las propuestas debidamente presentadas ante la Junta de Educación y para cubrir dos (2) vacantes en la Junta de Educación, se llevará a cabo en la Escuela Secundaria East Rockaway Jr./Sr., de 7:00
a. m. a 9:00 p. m., con los siguientes fines: a) Elegir a dos (2) miembros de la Junta de Educación para cubrir los cargos que actualmente ocupan Dineen Cilluffo y Aspasia Lonergan, cuyos mandatos expiran el 30 de junio de 2026, para dos (2) nuevos mandatos de tres años a partir del 1 de julio de 2026.
b) Votar el presupuesto escolar anual para el año escolar 2026-2027 y autorizar la recaudación de un impuesto sobre la propiedad del distrito para los fines antes mencionados.
c) Votar la siguiente propuesta: PROPUESTA N.º 2 (Fondo de reserva de capital para proyectos de mejoras de infraestructura): Se resuelve que, por la presente, se autoriza al Distrito Escolar Libre de la Union de East Rockaway a llevar a cabo determinadas mejoras de infraestructura, renovaciones y obras de reconstrucción en la Escuela Secundaria y Preparatoria de East Rockaway y sus instalaciones, que consisten en lo siguiente: Sustitución del techo de pizarra e impermeabilización del ala construida en 1967; reparación, sustitución y pintura de canaletas, fascias y columnas decorativas de madera; y reconstrucción del sistema de climatización (el “Proyecto”); todo lo anterior incluirá mobiliario, equipo, maquinaria, demolición y otros trabajos, así como los costos preliminares, incidentales y de financiamiento necesarios en relación con los mismos, que se iniciarán durante 2026-2027 y se financiarán con las reservas existentes sin costo adicional para los contribuyentes del Distrito; y a asignar y gastar para ello una cantidad que no exceda los $1,600,000 dólares del Fondo de Reserva de Capital del Distrito para Mejoras y Reparaciones de Edificios III, establecido previamente por los votantes el 17 de mayo de 2022; siempre que los costos detallados de los componentes del Proyecto puedan reasignarse entre dichos componentes si la Junta de Educación determina que dicha reasignación redunda en el mejor interés del Distrito y puede realizarse sin ningún cambio
sustancial en el alcance del Proyecto. d) Votar sobre cualquier otra propuesta que se presente debidamente ante la reunión.
La elección se llevará a cabo de conformidad con las Normas para la celebración de reuniones y elecciones adoptadas por la Junta de Educación. Se preparará un resumen de la propuesta presupuestaria y el texto de todas las demás propuestas que aparecerán en la máquina de votación, así como una declaración detallada por escrito de la cantidad de dinero que se necesitará para el año escolar 20262027, especificando los fines y la cantidad para cada uno, y se pondrán a disposición copias de los mismos, previa solicitud, a cualquier residente del Distrito en cada escuela del Distrito de 8:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m., en la biblioteca pública de East Rockaway y en el sitio web del Distrito durante los catorce días previos a las elecciones del 19 de mayo de 2026, excepto sábados, domingos y días festivos, así como en la audiencia presupuestaria y en las elecciones.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, de conformidad con la Sección 495 de la Ley del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles, el Distrito está obligado a adjuntar a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exenciones. Dicho informe de exención, que también formará parte del presupuesto definitivo, mostrará cómo el valor total catastral del catastro definitivo utilizado en el proceso presupuestario está exento de impuestos, enumerará todos los tipos de exención concedidos por la autoridad legal y mostrará el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención, el importe acumulativo que se espera recibir en concepto de pagos en lugar de impuestos y el impacto acumulativo de todas las exenciones concedidas.
TENGA EN CUENTA que las candidaturas para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación se presentarán mediante una petición suscrita por al menos 25 votantes cualificados del distrito y se depositarán en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, en la Escuela Secundaria East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School, de 5:00 p. m., 30 días elección, de abril petición nombre de cada nombre del candidato duración Los dos que obtengan número considerados para el los mandatos diferente candidato el mayor votos será el mandato La Junta podrá candidatura candidato para el su falta para desempeñarlo. TENGA ADEMÁS propuesta que se papeleta deberá escrito petición menos cualificados y presentarse oficina del distrito 9:00 a. p. m., a días antes o elección votará o propuesta, 20 de excepto no se aplica preguntas que deben convocatoria de la aquellas preguntas de Educación autoridad ley para cualquier o especial SE INFORMA que el votantes se realizará Oficina del Distrito, a. m. a lunes a el jueves de 2026, preparará que se Oficina del Distrito abierto de cualquier calificado a. m. durante los cinco la elección, domingo, a 11:00 16 de mayo solo con en el lugar el día de El registro (1) todos cualificados que se personalmente
School, de 9:00 a. m. a 5:00 p. m., a más tardar 30 días antes de la elección, este año el 20 de abril de 2026. Dicha petición debe indicar el nombre y la residencia de cada firmante, el nombre y la residencia del candidato y la duración del mandato. Los dos candidatos que obtengan el mayor número de votos serán considerados elegidos para el cargo. Cuando los mandatos tengan diferente duración, el candidato que obtenga el mayor número de votos será elegido para el mandato más largo.
La Junta de Educación podrá rechazar una candidatura si el candidato no es elegible para el cargo o declara su falta de voluntad para desempeñarlo.
TENGA EN CUENTA
ADEMÁS que cualquier propuesta o pregunta que se incluya en la papeleta electoral deberá presentarse por escrito mediante una petición suscrita por al menos 100 votantes cualificados del distrito y presentarse en la oficina del secretario del distrito entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 5:00 p. m., a más tardar 30 días antes de la reunión o elección en la que se votará dicha pregunta o propuesta, este año, 20 de abril de 2026, excepto que esta norma no se aplica a aquellas preguntas o propuestas que deben figurar en la convocatoria publicada de la reunión, ni a aquellas propuestas o preguntas que la Junta de Educación tiene la autoridad exclusiva por ley para presentar en cualquier reunión anual o especial del Distrito. SE INFORMA ADEMÁS que el registro de votantes cualificados se realizará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, de 8:30 a. m. a 3:30 p. m., de lunes a viernes, hasta el jueves 14 de mayo de 2026, inclusive. Se preparará un registro que se archivará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito y estará abierto a la inspección de cualquier votante calificado de 8:30 a. m. a 3:30 p. m. durante cada uno de los cinco días previos a la elección, excepto el domingo, de 8:00 a. m. a 11:00 a. m. el sábado 16 de mayo de 2026, solo con cita previa, y en el lugar de votación el día de las elecciones. El registro incluirá: (1) todos los votantes cualificados del Distrito que se presenten personalmente para
registrarse; (2) todos los votantes previamente cualificados del Distrito que se hayan inscrito en cualquier reunión o elección anual o especial del Distrito y que hayan votado en cualquier reunión o elección anual o especial del Distrito celebrada o llevada a cabo en cualquier momento durante los últimos cuatro años (2022-2025); y (3) los votantes inscritos de forma permanente en la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau. La Junta de Registro se reunirá durante el horario de votación del 19 de mayo de 2026 para preparar un registro para las siguientes reuniones o elecciones del Distrito.
TENGA EN CUENTA
TAMBIÉN QUE las solicitudes para votar por correo deben completarse en un formulario prescrito por la junta electoral estatal, que puede obtenerse en el sitio web del distrito (https://www. eastrockawayschools. org/voterregistrationinformation) o poniéndose en contacto con el secretario del distrito (namayamoran@ eastrockawayschools. org) (516-887-8300, Ext. 1-433) de 8:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m. los días lectivos. Las solicitudes para votar por correo anticipado deben completarse en un formulario prescrito por la junta electoral estatal y pueden obtenerse visitando el sitio web del distrito (https://www. eastrockawayschools. org/voter-registrationinformation) o poniéndose en contacto con el secretario del distrito (namayamoran@ eastrockawayschools. org) (516-887-8300, Ext.1-433) de 8:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m. en días lectivos. Las solicitudes completadas para votar por correo y por correo anticipado deben recibirse al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la papeleta se va a enviar por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección si la papeleta se va a entregar personalmente al votante o a su agente designado, pero dichas solicitudes no se aceptarán antes del 20 de abril de 2026. Las papeletas de voto por correo y por adelantado deben recibirse en la oficina del secretario del distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del martes 19 de mayo de 2026 para ser escrutadas. La lista de todas las
personas a las que se han expedido papeletas de voto por correo y de voto anticipado estará disponible para su inspección en la oficina del secretario del distrito durante los cinco días anteriores a las elecciones, de 8:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m., excepto los domingos, y solo con cita previa de 8:00 a. m. a 11:00 a. m. el sábado anterior a las elecciones.
TENGA EN CUENTA, además, que de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2018-d, cualquier persona que preste servicio en el ejército, incluidos los cónyuges y dependientes, puede inscribirse para votar en las próximas elecciones del distrito escolar. Los votantes militares que sean votantes cualificados del distrito pueden obtener un formulario de inscripción poniéndose en contacto con el secretario del distrito por teléfono (516887-8300, ext. 1-433), fax (516-887-1802), correo electrónico (namayamoran@ eastrockawayschools. org), correo postal (433 Ocean Avenue, East Rockaway, NY 11518) o en persona (durante el horario habitual de oficina o de 8:00 a. m. a 3:00 p.m.). Un votante militar que esté debidamente registrado puede solicitar una papeleta militar solicitando una solicitud al distrito, también poniéndose en contacto con el secretario del distrito. Las solicitudes completadas deben entregarse personalmente o enviarse por correo al secretario del distrito y recibirse antes de las 5:00 p. m. del 23 de abril de 2026. Las papeletas militares deben recibirse antes de las 5:00 p. m. del 19 de mayo de 2026, si están firmadas y fechadas por el votante militar y un testigo con una fecha que no sea posterior al día anterior a las elecciones, o no más tarde del cierre de las urnas el 19 de mayo de 2026, si muestran una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o si muestran un respaldo fechado de recepción por parte de otra agencia del gobierno de los Estados Unidos. Un votante militar puede designar su preferencia por recibir un formulario de registro de votante militar, una solicitud de
boleta electoral militar o una boleta electoral militar por correo, fax o correo electrónico en la solicitud de dicho registro, solicitud de boleta electoral o boleta electoral.
SE INFORMA ADEMÁS que esta Junta convocará una reunión extraordinaria en un plazo de veinticuatro horas tras la presentación ante el secretario del distrito de un informe escrito con los resultados de la votación, en la East Rockaway Jr./Sr. con el fin de examinar y tabular dichos informes de los resultados de la votación y declarar el resultado de la misma; que la Junta se designa a sí misma como un grupo de secretarios electorales para emitir y escrutar los votos de conformidad con la Ley de Educación, §2019a(2)(b) en dicha reunión extraordinaria de la Junta.
Fecha: 24 de marzo de 2026, East Rockaway, Nueva York DE EAST ROCKAWAY POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN, DE EAST ROCKAWAY DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE LA UNION DE EAST ROCKAWAY, CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK
NEREYDA AMAYA MORAN Secretaria del Distrito 159337
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION VALLEY STREAM UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. TWENTY-FOUR TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD AND NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing of the qualified voters of the Valley Stream Union Free School District No. Twenty-Four of the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, will be held at the William L. Buck School on Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York in said District on May 6, 2026 at 7:30 p.m., prevailing time, for the transaction of such business as is authorized by the New York State Education Law, including the following items.
1. Presentation of the budget document.
2. To discuss all of the items herein set
forth, to be voted upon by voting machine, at the election to be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, as hereinafter set forth.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that said vote and election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 7:00 a.m., prevailing time, in the school buildings located in such districts as enumerated below:
District No. 1: Valley Stream Fire Department 112 South Corona Ave, Valley Stream, New York
District No. 2: William L. Buck School 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York
District No. 3: Brooklyn Avenue School 24 Brooklyn Avenue, Valley Stream, New York
District No. 4: Robert W. Carbonaro School
50 Hungry Harbor Road, Valley Stream, New York at which time the polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, to vote by voting machines upon the following items:
1. To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal year 2026-2027 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.
2. To elect three (3) members of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term commencing July 1, 2026 and expiring on June 30, 2029, as follows:
a. One (1) member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term to succeed Armando Hernandez, whose term expires June 30, 2026;
b. One (1) member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term to succeed Melissa Herrera, whose term expires June 30, 2026;
c. One (1) member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term to succeed Cynthia Nunez (last incumbent-currently vacant), whose term expires June 30, 2026;
the person elected shall also serve the remainder of the unexpired term commencing May 19, 2026.
3. To present the following propositions for consideration:
a. SHALL the proposed budget of expenditures of Valley Stream Union Free School District TwentyFour for the year 20262027 be approved in the amount of $43,131,639 and for the purposes shown in the statement thereof presented at the annual meeting, and that such sum be raised through a levy upon the taxable property in the district after first deducting the monies from state aid and other sources, as provided by law.
b. SHALL the Board of Education of Valley Stream Union Free School District TwentyFour be authorized to appropriate and expend from the Capital Reserve Fund, which was established on 2024 (“Reserve Fund”) pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law, for the following capital improvement projects: Renovating Three (3) Classrooms district-wide, and resurfacing the parking lot and playground at William L. Buck school in the approximate amount $1,200,000, and other work required in connection therewith; and to expend from the Reserve Fund therefore, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto an amount not to exceed the estimated total cost of $1,200,000.
c. SHALL the proposed budget of expenditures of Valley Stream Central High School District, Nassau County, New York for the year 2026-2027 be approved in the amount of $173,600,882 and that the sum be raised through a levy upon the taxable property in the Valley Stream Central High School District, after first deducting the monies from state aid and other sources, as provided by law.
d. SHALL the Board of Education of the Valley Stream Central High School District be authorized to establish a Capital Reserve Fund for the purpose of financing capital improvements to District facilities and sites, including but not limited to additions, reconstruction,
renovation, rehabilitation, expansion and equipping of District buildings and grounds; site work and improvements; parking areas and paving; sidewalks and curbing; drainage and utility infrastructure; ADA features; auditoriums; ceilings; computer and technology systems; data and communication networks; doors; mechanical, electrical, plumbing and sanitary systems; energy management and conservation systems; exterior and interior lighting; fencing; flooring; fire safety and suppression systems; heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; gymnasiums; masonry; roofs; security systems; toilet rooms; walls; windows; furnishings and equipment permanently affixed to buildings, and similar projects together with architectural, engineering and other incidental costs related thereto; with the ultimate amount of such Capital Reserve Fund to be $15,000,000, plus accumulated interest, and with a term of fifteen (15) years, to be funded by transfers of unappropriated fund balance from the District’s general fund and interest earned thereon.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for the office of Member of the Board of Education of the Valley Stream Union Free School District No. Twenty-four shall be filed with the District Clerk of said School District at the District Clerk’s office, 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, not later than April 20, 2026, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., prevailing time. All nominating petitions must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 qualified voters or 2% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); must state the name and residence of each signer, and must state the name and residence of the candidate. Each petition shall be directed to the District Clerk and shall describe the specific vacancy for which the candidate is nominated. Each vacancy upon the Board of Education to be filled shall be
considered a separate specific vacancy. A nominating petition may be rejected by the Board of Education if the candidate is ineligible for the office or declares his or her unwillingness to serve. Forms for nominating petitions may be obtained at the office of the Superintendent of Schools at the William L. Buck School on Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York and the office of the District Clerk of said School District.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 or pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 and has voted at any annual or special district meeting within the past four (4) calendar years, such voter is eligible to vote at this election; if a voter is registered and eligible to vote pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law, such voter is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register. The Board of Registration will meet for the purposes of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to Education Law §2014 at the William L. Buck School, on May 11, 2026 at 5:30 p.m., prevailing time, to add any additional names to the Registers to be used at the aforesaid Budget Vote and Election, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Registers, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such Budget Vote and Election for which the Register are prepared. The Registers so prepared pursuant to Education Law §2014 will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the School District in the Administration Building, located at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on Thursday, May 14, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., prevailing time,
on weekdays, and each day prior to the day set for the Budget Vote and Election, except Sunday or holidays, and on Saturday by prearranged appointment, and at the polling places on the day of the Budget Vote and Election.
AND FURTHER NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to New York Education Law §2014, the Board of Registration shall meet on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the respective polling places between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., at the prevailing time, to prepare the Register of the School District to be used at the annual meeting and election that is to be held in 2027and any special meeting that may be held after the preparation of said Register, at which time any person will be entitled to have her or his name placed on such Register, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school meeting or election for which such Register is prepared.
AND FURTHER NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN that qualified voters with disabilities who seek information about access to polling places may, in advance of the day of the vote, contact the District Clerk at 516-434-2839 for information about accessibility.
AND FURTHER NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN that beginning seven (7) days immediately preceding the May 6, 2026, public budget hearing, any resident in the District may request to review a copy of the proposed budget by appearing at the Office of the District Clerk, 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York. Additionally, a statement of the estimated expenses for the ensuing year may be obtained by any resident in the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding said election on the school district website www. valleystreamschool district24.org, at the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library during its normal hours of operation, located at 60 Verona Place, Valley Stream, New York, at the School District
Administrative Center, 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, and at each of the following school buildings in which school is maintained between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., prevailing time, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays:
1. Brooklyn Avenue School located at 24 Brooklyn Avenue, Valley Stream New York;
2. William L. Buck School located at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream New York; and
3. Robert W. Carbonaro School located at 50 Hungry Harbor Road, Valley Stream New York.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 495, the School District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how much of the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted, identified by statutory authority, and show: (a) the cumulative impact of each type of exemption expressed either as a dollar amount of assessed value or as a percentage of the total assessed value on the roll; (b) the cumulative amount expected to be received from recipients of each type of exemption as payments in lieu of taxes or other payments for municipal services; and (c) the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. The exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any website maintained by the District.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for absentee and early mail ballots will be obtainable during school business hours at the office of the District Clerk beginning April 20, 2026. In accordance with Education Law §§ 2018-a and 2018e, completed absentee and early mail ballot applications may not be received by the District Clerk earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the
election, and must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or to the agent named in the absentee or early mail ballot application. Absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued, and a list of all persons to whom early mail voter’s ballots shall have been issued, will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the office of the District Clerk on and after Thursday, May 14, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays prior to the day set for the annual election and on Saturday, May 16, 2026, by advanced appointment by contacting the District Clerk at 516-434-2839 and on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the day set for the election. Any qualified voter may, upon examination of such lists, file a written challenge of the qualifications as a voter of any person whose name appears on such lists, stating the reasons for such challenge. Any such written challenge shall be transmitted by the District Clerk or a designee of the Board of Education to the inspectors of election on Election Day.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the Valley Stream Union Free School District No. TwentyFour by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to districtclerk@vs24.org or fax sent to 516-2560163. The request for the registration application may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the registration application by either mail, fax or email. Military voter registration application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026.
AND FURTHER NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the Valley Stream Union Free School District No. Twenty-Four may request an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk and return such military ballot application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to districtclerk@vs24. org or fax sent to 516256-0163. In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military ballot application must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., on April 23, 2026. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a non-military ballot application under Section 2018-a of the Education Law. The application for military ballot may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail, fax, or email. A military voter’s original military ballot application and military ballot must be returned by mail or in person to the office of the District Clerk at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, along with the required signed affidavit by the voter.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk before the close of polls on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received not later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a rule adopted by the Board of Education in accordance with New York Education Law §2035, any referenda or propositions to change the number of Board of Education members, or a bond issue for capital improvements, or any other petition required by law to be stated in the Notice of
Annual Meeting and Election must be filed with the District Clerk at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on February 18, 2026. Any other petition, except those petitions required by law to be stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Election, must be filed with the District Clerk at 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, no later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time on March 20, 2026. All such petitions must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the Clerk of the School District; must be signed by at least one hundred (100) qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 100 or 5% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); and must legibly state the name of each signer. However, the Board of Education will not entertain any petition to place before the voters any proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, nor any proposition or amendment which is contrary to law.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that those voters seeking information regarding this Budget Vote and Election in Spanish should contact the Office of the District Clerk at 516-434-2839.
Jennie L. Padilla District Clerk of the Board of Education Valley Stream Union Free School District No. Twenty-Four 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, New York 159363
LEGAL NOTICE CONVOCATORIA DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA, VOTACIÓN DEL PRESUPUESTO Y ELECCIONES DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE DE VALLEY STREAM N.º VEINTICUATRO MUNICIPIO DE HEMPSTEAD Y CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK
POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que se celebrará una audiencia pública de los votantes habilitados del DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE de Valley Stream n.º veinticuatro de la ciudad de Hempstead, condado de Nassau, Nueva York,
en la escuela William L. Buck, situada en Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, en dicho distrito, el 6 de mayo de 2026 a las 19h30, hora local, para tratar los asuntos autorizados por la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, incluidos los siguientes puntos.
1. Presentación del documento presupuestario.
2. Diálog o sobre todos los puntos aquí expuestos, que se someterán a votación mediante máquina de votación, en las elecciones que se celebrarán el martes 19 de mayo de 2026, tal y como se establece a continuación.
3. Diálogo sobre cualquier otro asunto que pueda surgir debidamente en la reunión.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que dicha votación y elección se celebrarán el martes 19 de mayo de 2026, a las 7h00, hora local, en los edificios escolares situados en los distritos que se enumeran a continuación:
Distrito n.º 1: Departamento de Bomberos de Valley Stream
112 South Corona Ave, Valley Stream, Nueva York
Distrito n.º 2: Escuela William L. Buck 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York
Distrito n.º 3: Escuela Brooklyn Avenue 24 Brooklyn Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York
Distrito n.º 4: Escuela Robert W. Carbonaro 50 Hungry Harbor Road, Valley Stream, Nueva York
en ese momento, las urnas estarán abiertas de 7h00 a 21h00, hora local, para votar mediante máquinas de votación sobre los siguientes puntos:
1. Aprobación del presupuesto anual del Distrito Escolar para el año fiscal 2026-2027 y autorización para que la parte necesaria del mismo se recaude mediante impuestos sobre los bienes sujetos a impuestos del Distrito. 2. Elección de
tres (3) miembros de la Junta de Educación para un mandato de tres (3) años que comenzará el 1 de julio de 2026 y expirará el 30 de junio de 2029, de la siguiente manera:
a. Un (1) miembro de la Junta de Educación para un mandato de tres (3) años que sucederá a Armando Hernández, cuyo mandato expira el 30 de junio de 2026;
b. Un (1) miembro de la Junta de Educación para un mandato de tres (3) años que sucederá a Melissa Herrera, cuyo mandato expira el 30 de junio de 2026;
c. Un (1) miembro de la Junta de Educación para un mandato de tres (3) años que suceda a Cynthia Núñez (última titular, puesto actualmente vacante), cuyo mandato expira el 30 de junio de 2026; la persona elegida también ocupará el cargo durante el resto del mandato no vencido a partir del 19 de mayo de 2026.
3. Presentación de las siguientes propuestas para su consideración:
a. APROBACIÓN del presupuesto de gastos propuesto por el DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE de Valley Stream Número Veinticuatro para el año 2026-2027 por un importe de 43 131 639 dólares y para los fines indicados en el informe del mismo presentado en la reunión anual, y que dicha suma se recaude mediante un impuesto sobre los bienes sujetos a impuestos del distrito, tras deducir primero los fondos procedentes de la ayuda estatal y otras fuentes, según lo dispuesto por la ley.
b. AUTORIZACIÓN para que la Junta de Educación del DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE Número Veinticuatro de Valley Stream asigne y utilice fondos del Fondo de Reserva de Capital, creado en 2024 (“Fondo de Reserva”) de conformidad con el artículo 3651 de la Ley de Educación, para los siguientes proyectos de mejora de capital: Renovación de tres (3) aulas en todo el distrito y repavimentación del aparcamiento y el patio de recreo de la escuela William L. Buck por un importe aproximado de
1 200 000 dólares, así como la ejecución de otras obras necesarias relacionadas con ello; y para que utilice recursos del Fondo de Reserva para tal fin, incluidos los costes preliminares y los costes incidentales, una cantidad que no exceda el coste total estimado de 1 200 000 dólares. c. APROBACIÓN del presupuesto de gastos propuesto por el Distrito Escolar Central de Secundaria de Valley Stream, condado de Nassau, Nueva York, para el año 2026-2027, por un importe de 173 600 882 dólares, y que dicha suma se recaude mediante un impuesto sobre los bienes inmuebles sujetos a impuestos en el Distrito Central de Secundaria de Valley Stream, tras deducir primero los fondos procedentes de la ayuda estatal y otras fuentes, ¿según lo dispuesto por la ley. d. AUTORIZACIÓN para que la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Central de Secundaria de Valley Stream establezca un Fondo de Reserva de Capital con el fin de financiar mejoras de capital en las instalaciones y terrenos del Distrito, incluyendo, entre otras cosas, ampliaciones, reconstrucción, renovación, rehabilitación, expansión y equipamiento de los edificios y terrenos del Distrito; obras y mejoras en los terrenos; zonas de aparcamiento y pavimentación; aceras y bordillos; infraestructura de drenaje y servicios públicos; elementos de accesibilidad ADA (Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades); auditorios; techos; sistemas informáticos y tecnológicos; redes de datos y comunicaciones; puertas; sistemas mecánicos, eléctricos, de fontanería y sanitarios; sistemas de gestión y conservación de la energía; iluminación exterior e interior; vallas; suelos; sistemas de seguridad y extinción de incendios; sistemas de calefacción, ventilación y aire acondicionado; gimnasios; albañilería; tejados; sistemas de seguridad; baños; paredes; ventanas; mobiliario y equipamiento fijado de forma permanente a los edificios, y proyectos similares, junto con los costes arquitectónicos, de ingeniería y otros gastos incidentales relacionados con los mismos; con un importe
final de Reserva 15 000 intereses y con quince se financiará transferencias de fondos del fondo Distrito devengados mismos.
Y POR SE NOTIFICA que las de nominación candidatos cargo de la Junta del DISTRITO INDEPENDIENTE Valley veinticuatro presentarse secretario dicho distrito la oficina del distrito, Avenue, Nueva tardar el 2026, entre las 17h00, Todas las nominación estar firmadas menos votantes del Distrito represente los siguientes 25 votantes o el 2 % votantes las elecciones anteriores); indicar la residencia firmante, nombre del candidato. petición secretario y deberá vacante para la al candidato. vacante Educación cubrirse una vacante independiente. de Educación rechazar de nominación candidato los requisitos el cargo su falta para Los formularios las peticiones nominación obtenerse del Superintendente de Escuelas, la Escuela Buck, en Valley York, y en secretario dicho distrito
Y POR SE NOTIFICA que se registro los votantes, de conformidad artículo de Educación York o
dólares, así ejecución de necesarias con ello; y recursos Reserva incluidos los preliminares y los incidentales, una exceda estimado dólares. APROBACIÓN del gastos Distrito Central de Valley condado de Nueva York, 2026-2027, de 173 dólares, y que recaude impuesto bienes sujetos a Distrito Secundaria Stream, tras primero los procedentes estatal y ¿según lo ley. AUTORIZACIÓN Junta de Distrito Central de Valley establezca Reserva con el financiar capital instalaciones y Distrito, entre otras ampliaciones, y de los terrenos del mejoras terrenos; zonas aparcamiento y aceras y infraestructura servicios elementos de ADA (Ley Estadounidenses Discapacidades); techos; informáticos y redes de comunicaciones; sistemas eléctricos, de sanitarios; gestión de la iluminación interior; vallas; sistemas de extinción de sistemas de ventilación acondicionado; albañilería; sistemas seguridad; paredes; mobiliario y fijado de permanente a proyectos con los arquitectónicos, y otros incidentales con los importe
final de dicho Fondo de Reserva de Capital de 15 000 000 $, más los intereses acumulados, y con un plazo de quince (15) años, que se financiará mediante transferencias del saldo de fondos no asignados del fondo general del Distrito y los intereses devengados por los mismos.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que las solicitudes de nominación de candidatos para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación del DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE de Valley Stream n.º veinticuatro deberán presentarse ante el secretario del distrito de dicho distrito escolar en la oficina del secretario del distrito, 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, a más tardar el 20 de abril de 2026, entre las 9h00 y las 17h00, hora local. Todas las peticiones de nominación deberán estar firmadas por al menos veinticinco (25) votantes habilitados del Distrito (lo que represente el mayor de los siguientes valores: 25 votantes habilitados o el 2 % del número de votantes que votaron en las elecciones anuales anteriores); deberán indicar el nombre y la residencia de cada firmante, así como el nombre y la residencia del candidato. Cada petición se dirigirá al secretario del Distrito y deberá describir la vacante específica para la que se nomina al candidato. Cada vacante de la Junta de Educación que deba cubrirse se considerará una vacante específica independiente. La Junta de Educación podrá rechazar una petición de nominación si el candidato no reúne los requisitos para el cargo o declara su falta de voluntad para desempeñarlo. Los formularios para las peticiones de nominación pueden obtenerse en la oficina del Superintendente de Escuelas, situada en la Escuela William L. Buck, en Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, y en la oficina del secretario del distrito de dicho distrito escolar.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que se requiere el registro personal de los votantes, ya sea de conformidad con el artículo 2014 de la Ley de Educación de Nueva York o de conformidad
con el artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York. Si un votante se ha inscrito hasta la fecha de conformidad con el artículo 2014 de la Ley de Educación de Nueva York y ha votado en cualquier reunión anual o extraordinaria del distrito en los últimos cuatro (4) años naturales, dicho votante tiene derecho a votar en estas elecciones; si un votante está inscrito y tiene derecho a votar de conformidad con el artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York, dicho votante también tiene derecho a votar en estas elecciones. Todas las demás personas que deseen votar deben inscribirse. La Junta de Inscripción se reunirá con el fin de inscribir a todos los votantes habilitados del Distrito de conformidad con el artículo 2014 de la Ley de Educación en la Escuela William L. Buck, el 11 de mayo de 2026 a las 17h30, hora local, para añadir cualquier nombre adicional a los registros que se utilizarán en la citada votación presupuestaria y elección, momento en el que cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre figure en dichos registros, siempre que en dicha reunión de la Junta de Registro se demuestre, a satisfacción de dicha Junta, que tiene derecho, en ese momento o posteriormente, a votar en dicha votación presupuestaria y elección para la que se preparan los registros. Los registros así preparados de conformidad con el artículo 2014 de la Ley de Educación se depositarán en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar, situada en el Edificio Administrativo, en el 75 de Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, y estarán abiertos a la inspección de cualquier votante habilitado del Distrito a partir del jueves, 14 de mayo de 2026, entre las 9h00 y las 15h00, hora local, los días laborables, y todos los días previos a la fecha fijada para la votación sobre el presupuesto y las elecciones, excepto los domingos y festivos, y los sábados con cita previa, así como en los colegios electorales el día de la votación sobre el presupuesto y las elecciones.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, de conformidad
con el artículo 2014 de la Ley de Educación de Nueva York, la Junta de Inscripción se reunirá el martes, 19 de mayo de 2026, en los respectivos colegios electorales entre las 7h00 y las 21h00 horas, según la hora vigente, para preparar el Registro del Distrito Escolar que se utilizará en la reunión anual y las elecciones que se celebrarán en 2027, así como en cualquier reunión extraordinaria que pueda celebrarse tras la preparación de dicho Registro, momento en el que cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que se incluya su nombre en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de la Junta de Registro se conozca o se demuestre, a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro, que tiene derecho, en ese momento o posteriormente, a votar en la reunión escolar o en las elecciones para las que se prepara dicho Registro.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que los votantes con discapacidad que cumplan los requisitos y deseen obtener información sobre el acceso a los colegios electorales podrán, con antelación al día de la votación, ponerse en contacto con el secretario del distrito en el número 516-4342839 para obtener información sobre la accesibilidad.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, a partir de los siete (7) días inmediatamente anteriores a la audiencia pública sobre el presupuesto del 6 de mayo de 2026, cualquier residente del Distrito podrá solicitar consultar una copia del presupuesto propuesto acudiendo a la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, situada en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York. Además, cualquier residente del Distrito podrá obtener un estado de los gastos estimados para el año siguiente durante los catorce (14) días inmediatamente anteriores a dicha elección en el sitio web del distrito escolar www. valleystreamschool district24.org, en la Biblioteca Henry Waldinger Memorial durante su horario habitual de apertura, situada en 60 Verona Place, Valley Stream, Nueva York, en el Centro Administrativo del Distrito Escolar, 75
Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, y en cada uno de los siguientes edificios escolares en los que se imparten clases entre las 9h00 y las 16h00 horas, hora local, excepto los sábados, domingos y festivos:
1. Escuela
Brooklyn Avenue, situada en el 24 de Brooklyn Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York;
2. la Escuela
William L. Buck, situada en el 75 de Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York; y
3. la Escuela
Robert W. Carbonaro, situada en el 50 de Hungry Harbor Road, Valley Stream, Nueva York.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, de conformidad con el artículo 495 de la Ley del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles, el Distrito Escolar está obligado a adjuntar a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exenciones. Dicho informe de exenciones, que también formará parte del presupuesto definitivo, indicará qué parte del valor catastral total que figura en el registro catastral definitivo utilizado en el proceso presupuestario está exenta de impuestos, enumerará todos los tipos de exención concedidos, identificados por la autoridad legal, y mostrará: (a) el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención expresado bien como importe en dólares del valor catastral, bien como porcentaje del valor catastral total que figura en el registro; (b) el importe acumulado que se espera recibir de los beneficiarios de cada tipo de exención en concepto de pagos en lugar de impuestos u otros pagos por servicios municipales; y (c) el impacto acumulado de todas las exenciones concedidas. El informe de exenciones se publicará en cualquier tablón de anuncios mantenido por el Distrito para avisos públicos y en cualquier sitio web mantenido por el Distrito.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que las solicitudes de voto por correo y voto anticipado podrán obtenerse durante el horario de atención al público de la escuela en la oficina del secretario
del Distrito a partir del 20 de abril de 2026. De conformidad con los artículos 2018a y 2018-e de la Ley de Educación, las solicitudes de voto por correo y voto anticipado cumplimentadas no podrán ser recibidas por el secretario del Distrito antes de treinta (30) días antes de la elección, y deberán ser recibidas por el secretario del Distrito al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la papeleta se va a enviar por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección, si la papeleta se va a entregar personalmente al votante o al agente designado en la solicitud de voto por correo o voto anticipado. Las papeletas de voto por correo y anticipado deben ser recibidas por el secretario del distrito a más tardar a las 17h00 horas, hora local, del martes 19 de mayo de 2026.
La lista de personas a las que se hayan expedido papeletas de voto por correo, así como la lista de todas las personas a las que se hayan expedido papeletas de voto anticipado por correo, estarán a disposición de los votantes habilitados del Distrito para su consulta en la oficina del secretario del Distrito a partir del jueves 14 de mayo de 2026, entre las 9h00 y las 16h00 los días laborables previos al día fijado para las elecciones anuales y el sábado 16 de mayo de 2026, previa cita concertada llamando al secretario del distrito al 516-434-2839, así como el martes 19 de mayo de 2026, día fijado para las elecciones. Cualquier votante habilitado podrá, tras examinar dichas listas, presentar una impugnación por escrito de la condición de votante de cualquier persona cuyo nombre figure en dichas listas, indicando los motivos de dicha impugnación. Dicha impugnación por escrito será transmitida por el secretario del distrito o una persona designada por la Junta de Educación a los inspectores electorales el día de las elecciones.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que los votantes militares que no estén actualmente inscritos pueden solicitar su inscripción como votantes habilitados del DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE de Valley Stream
n.º 24 solicitando y devolviendo una solicitud de inscripción al secretario del distrito en persona, o por correo electrónico a districtclerk@vs24. org o por fax al 516256-0163. La solicitud de inscripción puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar de recibir el formulario de inscripción por correo, fax o correo electrónico. Los formularios de solicitud de inscripción de votantes militares deben recibirse en la oficina del secretario del distrito a más tardar a las 17h00 horas del 23 de abril de 2026.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que los votantes militares que sean votantes habilitados del DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE de Valley Stream n.º 24 pueden solicitar un formulario de solicitud de papeleta militar al secretario del distrito y devolver dicho formulario al secretario del distrito en persona, por correo electrónico a districtclerk@vs24.org o por fax al 516-2560163. Para que se expida una papeleta electoral militar a un votante militar, debe recibirse una solicitud válida de papeleta electoral militar en la oficina del secretario del distrito a más tardar a las 17h00 horas del 23 de abril de 2026. Las solicitudes de papeleta electoral militar recibidas de conformidad con lo anterior se tramitarán de la misma manera que una solicitud de papeleta electoral no militar en virtud de la sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación. La solicitud de papeleta militar puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar para recibir la papeleta por correo, fax o correo electrónico. La solicitud original de papeleta militar y la papeleta militar del votante militar deben devolverse por correo o en persona a la oficina del secretario del distrito, situada en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, junto con la declaración jurada firmada por el votante que se requiere.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que las papeletas militares se contarán si son recibidas por el secretario del distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el martes 19 de mayo de 2026, y muestran un sello del Servicio Postal de
los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o muestran un endoso con fecha de recepción por parte de otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o recibidas a más tardar a las 17h00 del martes 19 de mayo de 2026, y firmadas y fechadas por el votante militar y un testigo del mismo, con una fecha que se compruebe que no sea posterior al día anterior a la elección.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, de conformidad con una norma aprobada por la Junta de Educación en virtud del artículo 2035 de la Ley de Educación de Nueva York, cualquier referéndum o propuesta para modificar el número de miembros de la Junta de Educación, o una emisión de bonos para mejoras de capital, o cualquier otra petición que la ley exija que figure en la convocatoria de la reunión anual y las elecciones, deberá presentarse ante el secretario del distrito en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, a más tardar a las 17h00, hora local, del 18 de febrero de 2026. Cualquier otra petición, salvo aquellas que la ley exija que figuren en la Convocatoria de la Asamblea Anual y las Elecciones, deberá presentarse ante el secretario del distrito en 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York, a más tardar a las 17h00, hora local, del 20 de marzo de 2026. Todas estas peticiones deben estar escritas a máquina o impresas en inglés; deben dirigirse al secretario del distrito escolar; deben estar firmadas por al menos cien (100) votantes habilitados del distrito (lo que represente el mayor de 100 o el 5 % del número de votantes que votaron en las elecciones anuales anteriores); y deben indicar de forma legible el nombre de cada firmante. No obstante, la Junta de Educación no admitirá ninguna petición para someter a los votantes ninguna propuesta cuyo objeto no esté dentro de las competencias de los votantes para decidir, ni ninguna propuesta o enmienda que sea contraria a la ley.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que aquellos votantes que deseen obtener información sobre esta votación presupuestaria y estas elecciones en
español deben ponerse en contacto con la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito al 516-4342839.
Jennie L. Padilla Secretaria del Distrito de la Junta de Educación DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE de Valley Stream N.º 24 75 Horton Avenue, Valley Stream, Nueva York 159365
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 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
April 2, 2026
prior knowledge of coding. Students with programming experience were able to debug and improve the program, while those without that background struggled to make it functional.
“Unless you have the knowledge to correct it and be specific with what you want, it’s not going to work,” Cordaro said. “The students who can use A.I. to enhance what they already know — those are the ones who will stand out.”
Jennifer Isik, an English teacher at East Rockaway since 2019, said the effects of A.I. are even more pronounced in writing-based subjects, where creativity, voice and original thought are central to students’ work.
She said students are increasingly using A.I. to summarize texts, generate essays and even conduct research — sometimes leading to misinformation and confusion in the classroom.
“It’s preventing students from thinking creatively on their own,” Isik said, adding that the technology can “diminish authenticity and creativity in the arts.”
“It’s bypassing the research and writing aspect,” Isik added. “My concern is for the future — we’re sending students into the world who may not know how to do that on their own.”
Isik said she has been informally tracking A.I. misuse in student writing and has documented seven cases since 2022 in which students used A.I. inappropriately for papers. She noted that many of those students were involved in multiple activities and advanced-level courses, making the temptation to rely on A.I. even stronger.
Still, she said, the issue is more complex than simply cheating.
“It’s on every app,” she said, noting the growing presence of A.I. tools on platforms students already use daily.
“It’s very tempting.”
To address these challenges, teachers are beginning to shift their approach. Isik said classroom teachers are placing
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
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING, Plaintiff against VERNA LAPOINTE A/K/A VERNA FAZZOLARI LAPOINTE, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Leopold & Associates, PLLC, 80 Business Park Drive, Suite 110, Armonk, NY 10504.
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered February 19, 2026, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 77 Wood Street, Lynbrook, NY 11563. Sec 37 Block 305 Lot 34. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, Nassau County, New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $929,221.47 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to
provisions of filed Judgment Index No 012056/2012. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Lisa
Segal Poczik, Esq., Referee File # 7754956 159301
a way to clarify complex ideas.
Still, defining appropriate use remains difficult.
“Editing is where it gets tricky,” Isik said. “It can point out where something needs to be fixed, but it shouldn’t be doing the work for you.”
Cordaro agreed, saying that in some cases, A.I. can be a helpful resource for students who are genuinely trying to understand material outside of class.
She said she would rather see a student use A.I. to get help with a homework concept than give up entirely or simply copy someone else’s work.
As teachers themselves learn how to navigate A.I., both Isik and Cordaro said schools must continue adapting. Many educators, Isik said, are already returning to more in-class, handwritten assessments to better evaluate authentic student understanding.
Bonnie McClelland, East Rockaway High School’s director of Technology and Learning Analytics, released statements on the school district’s website regarding A.I. guidelines for students and how they could use the technology responsibly.
“Our priority will always be providing a safe, human-centered learning experience that values integrity, curiosity, and critical thinking,” she stated.
Cordaro and Isik agreed that A.I. is not going away, making it essential for schools to find a balance between innovation and integrity.
a greater emphasis on digital literacy and ethical A.I. use, instructing students how to use the technology as a tool rather than a shortcut.
She noted that A.I. could still serve a positive role when used appropriately — for example, as a brainstorming tool or
“It’s uncharted territory,” Isik said. “We have to teach students how to use it ethically and send them into the world with those skills.”
Have an opinion on A.I. use in schools? Send a letter to jbessen@liherald.com.
On March 18, students in East Rockaway High School’s health and EMT classes got hands-on experience with life-saving techniques during a visit from three U.S. Army medics.
The session focused on basic trauma care used in emergency situations. Students practiced applying tourniquets, packing wounds and performing fullbody assessments to check for injuries. The medics walked them through each step, giving them a better understanding of what these situations look like in real life.
In addition to the training, students had the chance to ask questions about careers in medicine and what it’s like to serve in the U.S. Army. The medics spoke about different paths available through military service, including opportunities for college tuition assistance and the variety of medical roles within the Army.
The visit gave students a closer look at how their classroom learning can apply in real-world situations, while
took time to answer students’ questions about careers in the medical field and what life in the army is actually like.
also introducing them to potential career paths in both emergency medicine and the military.
— Kayla Dechter
AFFORDABLE
If
DOLL HOUSE KIT half finished. (balsa wood) All parts and instructions included. $20. 516-643-3623 DRESSER WOOD: W34" D18 1/2" H 30" Walnut, 3 Drawers, Good. $40 S. Freeport 516-279-7696 GLASS TOP, WHITE wrought iron outdoor table, 4 chairs/cushions, $99. Merrick, 516-650-4942
Finds Under $100
SEIKO SCHOOLHOUSE CLOCK, 21Hx13Wx4D, VGC, Battery Op, Chimes, like new,, light oak. $65 (516)486-2363
SONY HT-MT300 TV Sound Bar. Still in box. $90. text 516-647-1999.
WEBER GENESIS OUTDOOR gas grill, working condition, $75. Merrick, 516-650-4942
Finds $100-$350
SOFA: LOVE SEAT/ Pull Out Bed, Chocate Brown, Never Used. $350.00. Leave message 516-643-3623
Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069
WENDY'S CLEANING SERVICES INC. Commercial/Residential. We Specialize In Houses, Apartments, Offices, Airbnb & More. Good References. Free Estimates. Call/Text Wendy 516-406-5375 Or Email wencruzpa@gmail.com
E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.
BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-833-807-0159
DO YOU KNOW what's in your water? Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as little one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Restrictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today. Call 1-866-247-5728
PREPARE FOR POWER outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-877-516-1160 today to schedule a free quote. It's not just a generator. It's a power move.
PREPARE FOR POWER outages with Briggs & Stratton® PowerProtect(TM) standby generators - the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty - 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-888-605-1496
SAFE STEP. NORTH America's #1 WalkIn Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-855-916-5473
GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391
POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES: Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516-678-6641
AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-833-880-7679
INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-833-323-0318. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider.
PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-833-549-0598 Have zip code of property ready when calling!
Sprinkler Syst./Irrig.Wells
LAWN SPRINKLERS
Installed & Serviced. Repairs, Installations, Upgrades. EARLY SPRING SPECIALS! FREE WIFI TIMER ($550 Value) w/Any New Sprinkler System Installation Completed by 4/15/26. Satisfying Customers For Over 44 Years. Licensed & Insured. COUNTY IRRIGATION 515-255-9595 www.countyirrigation.com
Telephone Services
CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682
Tree Services
T&M GREENCARE TREE SERVICE *TREE REMOVAL *STUMP GRINDING *PRUNING. FREE ESTIMATES. 516-223-4525, 631-586-3800 www.tmgreencare.com
Satellite/TV Equipment
DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Directv and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Health & Fitness
ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-833-661-4172
ATTENTION: VIAGRA AND CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-833-641-6397
AUTO BUYERS $Highest$ Ca$h Paid$. All Years/ Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct + Ca$h. DMV ID#1303199. Call LUKE 516-VAN-CARS. 516-297-2277
DONATE YOUR CAR today, running or not. Support Patriotic Hearts for our Veterans
Real Estate
WE BUY HOUSES for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670
CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978
Can we use a
Q. We own a home in Boston that needs a lot of work, and were wondering what to do about hiring an architect. We want to hire one who is familiar with the area, the codes and the building department, because we understand they are very strict there. We have a local friend who’s an architect, and he has gotten his “reciprocal” license in Massachusetts. How do you think we should handle this? Should we work with our friend, Zoom with a local architect or have them try to work together?
A. This is not an uncommon problem, but it’s all based on communication, as is most of what we deal with in our daily lives. It’s best to weigh the issues of how the communication will work, including the making of the plans, which are also the basis for your project and the most important communication tool.
Over the years I’ve seen where clients didn’t take the planning process seriously, thinking, and even saying, that they just want to get the permit to start the work. That approach generally leads to failure, with either the owner not getting what they want or causing problems along the way. For example, many people assume that the plans are a suggestion, a kind of open guide to the approximate outcome, and that they will just handle changes for what they really wanted during construction.
One recent client, who didn’t last very long, was in another city and, being in the medical field, said we could do Zoom meetings like they do in tele-health. Conversations fell apart immediately, because the building has major structural deterioration, and on my first walk-through, I had to order column supports to be installed immediately where collapse was imminent. The owner was told this, and that, at the very least, building plans would be absolutely necessary, detailing the exact remedy. But in order to prepare the structural plans, measuring of the building areas contributing loads and further investigation were necessary. The owner got very upset, because his contractor was ready to go and just needed to know what to do.
Having made medical appointments over the years to get one test in a particular hospital, and then shuttling to another site for another test, I realized this client just didn’t get it. His profession required all kinds of very specific testing, and his perception was that mine did not. Buildings are custom. They’re not kits. There are many ways that buildings, even homes, can fail, and we always want to prevent leaking, movement and subsequent damage, in addition to wanting to make the spaces function and be attractive.
I would recommend working with your friend, and having him develop an agreement and relationship with the local professional who knows the area best, if possible. Otherwise I would work with the local professional, but arrange for in-person meetings. With issues and questions that happen during construction, you want a good team of people you can trust. Good luck!
Help Wanted
Building Maintenance
Assistant and Porter needed for Management Co. in Long Beach Experience Preferred Email: humanresoures5771 @gmail.com or Call: (212) 873-7575
CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE
Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour.
For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com
DENTAL ASSISTANT
CHAIR SIDE F/T Lynbrook Office, Immediate Opening. Looking for Experienced Individual Email Resume nylaserendo@gmail.com Call 516-599-7111
Full Time and Part Time Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@bellautoschool.com
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA
ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PHOTOGRAPHERS WANTED $20 - $25 Per Hour Must Be Available On Weekends April - June 516-902-6258 Randy@LISNYC.com
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour.
With my second term as county executive underway, I’m proud to say that Nassau County’s future is bright. Like my first term, these coming years will be defined by a strong commitment to public safety, excellent economic growth that increases affordability for our residents, and expanded opportunities for business owners that will benefit everyone.
raise even higher in 2026 and beyond.
Growing our economy remains a top focus for my administration.
After canceling a $150 million tax hike in my first year in office, I have not raised taxes for four consecutive years — a promise that I will keep in this year’s budget. Through smart financial management, we have earned an unprecedented seven bond upgrades and have been cited by Democratic State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli as a county with no fiscal stress. Our local businesses are thriving, with minority- and women-owned business certifications increasing by 40 percent last year alone — a number I hope to
As deputy managing editor of Herald Community Newspapers, I am privileged to work alongside a staff of honest and creative reporters and editors who deliver the local news that you’re used to receiving. They embody what it means to be a strong journalist, acting with integrity and passion, which is reflected in every story we write and share with the communities that we love to cover.
The ethos I’m describing embodies the pillars of American journalism — a press that thrives on freedom and a drive to seek the truth and report it.
Many of my former colleagues — my good friends — have moved on from their time with the Herald to apply that passion in other media circuits, delivering more, albeit different, news to readers close to home and nationally, too. In a media climate so polarized, where it may feel difficult to decipher right from wrong and the truth from exaggerations, it’s important to remember that we are privileged to live in a
Positive economic activity lets us invest in initiatives that matter to residents. We’ve restored local historical sites like the Roslyn Grist Mill, invested in cultural centers like the Joysetta and Julius Pearse African American Museum, in Hempstead, and upgraded local community hubs like Centennial Park, in Roosevelt. These are testaments to how a well-run government can provide for all of its residents.
since taking office, with more to come. We opened the state-of-the-art Harry Singh Bolla Police Training Village to give all of our officers, new and old, cutting-edge training to ensure that Nassau County remains a leader in public safety.
We’re focused on public safety, economic growth and business opportunities.
I’m proud to report that Nassau County remains the safest county in the United States, a distinction we owe to the courageous men and women of the Nassau County Police Department, the Corrections Department, the Probation Department, the Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office. These dedicated professionals — along with emergency services personnel like our firefighters, EMS workers and fire marshals — work tirelessly for our security, and we cannot thank them enough.
My administration recognizes the importance of investing in public safety efforts. I’ve authorized the hiring of 600 new police and corrections officers
During my time in office, our emergency services staff has also grown, with more than 1,000 residents signing up to become volunteer firefighters. This year’s budget will expand the number of fire marshals and dispatchers, ensuring that we are prepared for anything that comes our way.
The good news is that our initiatives are already paying off. Major crimes have fallen by more than 10 percent in the past year, with huge declines in serious crimes like murder, rape, assault and robbery. In 2025 our police executed the largest drug bust and gang takedown in county history. Major investments in our battle to alleviate the opioid crisis led to a drop of more than 16 percent in overdose deaths last year. These results speak for themselves, and show that our policies are working.
My administration has also taken steps to protect our religious freedoms.
I recently signed a new law that prevents protesters from targeting churches, synagogues and mosques. Nassau County will always stand for the safety and rights of everyone who practices their religion here.
Our stance on immigration enforcement remains firm: Nassau County is not a sanctuary county. Collaborating with our federal partners has helped us remove dangerous and illegal criminals from our streets — many of whom come from known gangs like MS-13, the 18th Street Gang and the Trinitarios. I want to reiterate that all of our enforcement actions are targeted at criminals, not honest and hardworking people who enrich our communities. My administration is continuing to work on a guest-worker program to support law-abiding immigrants, many of whom are pillars of our business community.
Even as we continue to build on our successes, I know that there’s a lot of work ahead to keep us moving in the right direction, but my commitment to making Nassau County the safest, most affordable and healthiest place to live, work and raise a family remains strong. Thank you for helping to make us the best place to live in all of New York.
Bruce Blakeman is the Nassau County executive.
country where we can ask questions. We can challenge what we’re told. We can yearn for more than what appears in black and white.
A few weeks ago, I attended the 2026 Marie Colvin Distinguished Lecture at Stony Brook University, hosted by the school’s Marie Colvin Center for International Reporting. The center was established in memory of Colvin, a fearless war correspondent who was raised on Long Island and died on the front lines of the Syrian civil war in 2012.
T his work matters, and we must never take our freedoms for granted.
The featured speaker was Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian politician and journalist who was arrested in Moscow in 2022 and sentenced to 25 years in prison for “high treason” for opposing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Kara-Murza spent over two years in prison, including 11 months in solitary confinement. His release in 2024 was orchestrated by the Biden administration, and part of the largest prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia since the Cold War.
For the writing he completed while in prison, Kara-Murza was awarded the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary.
He was the type of speaker who drew you in from the start, painting a bleak
picture of what it’s like to be a journalist in Russia, a place where independent media voices have been not only silenced but directly targeted for telling the truth. He named fellow writers — many of them friends — who were killed by the Russian government. Kara-Murza himself has survived two suspected poisonings in the past decade, marked for his relentless, fearless, truthful reporting.
His opening thoughts captivated me. “There’s nothing dictatorships hate more than the truth,” he said, “and the first targets in that quest for absolute power are usually, almost always, independent media voices.”
In Russia, the press is never protected. In the U.S., by contrast, federal courts usually appear committed to upholding the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech. Just two weeks ago, federal courts ruled that the Pentagon’s newly implemented press policy, which bars news outlets from reporting information not officially sanctioned for release, is a violation of the amendment. U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman wrote in his ruling that it was “more important than ever that the public have access to information from a variety of perspec-
tives about what the government is doing.” That, in essence, makes good journalism possible.
Kara-Murza made it clear that a democracy thrives only when its people put forth the effort to sustain it. He invoked Ben Franklin’s reminder that the United States was founded as “a republic, if you can keep it”— which resonates with renewed urgency.
I became a journalist because I love to write. I’m committed to upholding the values I believe in so strongly. Like my Herald colleagues, I love telling your stories, and I love diving into the important topics I believe you, our readers, deserve to know about.
I can’t say that I’m as courageous as Vladimir Kara-Murza, who embodies everything journalists should hope to be — fearless, principled, and unwavering in the pursuit of truth. But his story reminds me why this work matters, and why we must never take our freedoms for granted. Every day that we can report honestly, ask challenging questions, and share your stories is a privilege — one I never intend to lose sight of.
Jordan Vallone, the deputy managing editor of Herald Community Newspapers, is a graduate student in Stony Brook University’s School of Communications and Journalism. Comments? jvallone@liherald.com.
2
Phone: (516) 569-4000
Fax: (516) 569-4942
Web: www.liherald.com
E-mail: lyneditor@liherald.com
ew York’s housing crisis is undeniable. Rents are high, supply is tight and too many families are struggling to find a place to call home.
In response, Albany is advancing proposals like the REVIVE Act alongside Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Let Them Build agenda — efforts designed to cut red tape and accelerate development.
The goal is right. The challenge is getting the approach right, too. At the heart of the debate is a familiar tension: how to build faster without sacrificing thoughtful planning and public trust.
It’s not just about process; it’s about trust. Residents are more likely to support new housing when they believe their voices are heard. Developers are more likely to invest when rules are consistent. And elected officials are more effective when they can balance urgency with accountability.
Supporters of reform make a compelling case. New York’s development process is notoriously slow and expensive. Reviews under the State Environmental Quality Review Act can stretch timelines by years, even for projects that ultimately pose little or no environmental risk.
According to state data, projects can take up to 56 percent longer to start compared with other states, and cost up to $45,000 per unit on Long Island. Those costs are usually passed on to renters and buyers. In a state where affordability is already a crisis, those inefficiencies matter.
The REVIVE Act seeks to address this by targeting underused commercial properties — shopping centers, office
To the Editor:
parks and large parking lots — and encouraging their conversion into housing. In concept, this is smart policy. Repurposing dormant or declining properties into vibrant residential communities can ease the housing shortage while revitalizing local economies.
But the concerns raised by local officials and residents are just as valid. Critics argue that the legislation could sideline local zoning authority, limit public hearings and reduce meaningful community input.
The inclusion of a “deemed approved” provision — allowing projects to move forward automatically if municipalities fail to act within an expedited timeline — is a flashpoint.
One side says projects would move forward without public hearings or meaningful community input. That might overstate the case, but it isn’t entirely off base. The proposal appears to compress timelines and shift leverage away from local governments. If those timelines are too tight, or if municipalities lack the resources to review complex proposals quickly, the result could be approvals by default rather than by design.
And what about the timeline itself? That remains a critical detail. Without clear and reasonable deadlines, “expedited” can quickly become “unworkable.” Municipal boards might need additional support to operate on stateimposed clocks. If they are rushed, oversight suffers. If they miss deadlines, community members may feel that decisions are being made for them, not with them.
Yet it would be a mistake to dismiss
With all the rhetoric being bandied about over the war in the Middle East, I would like to add something that rarely seems to enter into the discussion. That is the size of the various sides. My source is the 2025 World Almanac.
Israel has an area of approximately 8,470 square miles, which is about the size of the state of New Jersey. The West Bank and Gaza have a combined area of about 2,402 square miles, which is about the size of the city of Detroit and the state of Delaware.
The area of Israel’s near neighbors — Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon — is just over 1.3 million square miles, or about one-third the size of the United States.
The population of Israel is just over 9.4 million. The population of the West Bank and Gaza is just
the need for reform altogether. Doing nothing is not an option. The current system is too slow, too costly and too unpredictable. Developers face uncertainty and communities can miss opportunities.
The answer lies not in choosing sides, but in combining the best ideas from both. New York should streamline environmental review for projects that consistently demonstrate minimal impact, particularly those on previously developed sites. It should set clear, enforceable timelines for decisions.
Those timelines, however, must be realistic, and paired with resources, training and technical assistance for local governments. The state’s proposal to modernize permitting and create a “permitting academy” is a step in the right direction.
At the same time, local decision-making must be preserved. Communities deserve a voice in shaping their neighborhoods, especially when it comes to density, infrastructure and quality of life. Public hearings should not be eliminated, but they can be made more efficient and focused.
If “deemed approved” provisions are included, they must come with safeguards: flexibility for municipalities acting in good faith, transparency in the review process and mechanisms to ensure that projects meet clear standards before moving forward.
New York doesn’t need a rushed solution. It needs a smart one. Albany has an opportunity to get this right. By blending efficiency with oversight, and speed with community input, lawmakers can craft a housing policy that works for all.
For years, my son cody and I were known in court papers only by our initials. Today I am using my full name — as a Long Island mother, a family peer advocate and one of the formerly anonymous plaintiffs in c.K. v. McDonald. I joined this class action lawsuit to challenge new york state’s widespread failure to provide mental health services to children on Medicaid.
In January, a federal judge approved a settlement, and the state agreed to dramatically improve access to these services. It’s a measure of justice, but it is incomplete without investments in the struggling nonprofit providers who deliver this vital care to kids like cody.
cody needed help almost from the moment he entered this world. I worked as an early childhood educator, and I recognized the signs. By age 3, he was diagnosed with ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder and severe social anxiety; at 4 he was psychiatrically hospitalized. He struggled to function in school. From ages 10 to 12 he was in a residential treatment center, where he finally
under 5.4 million. The population of Israel’s near neighbors is 188.2 million. As a reference, the population of the United States is nearly 342 million.
There are rights and wrongs on both sides, but the constant drive to destroy Israel is not the correct solution to these issues.
LAwrence Levy Rockville Centre
The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.
Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com Be heard. Be part of the conversation.
began to thrive. In 2019 cody was discharged and came home. He was supposed to receive home- and community-based mental health services to give him the tools to re-integrate. He was entitled to at-home therapy to manage his emotions, as well as crisis respite services — an alternative to hospitalization to provide stability during crises.
cate, I saw the chronic understaffing, the underfunding, and the burnout.
we can’t afford to continue neglecting the services our children need.
He received care through Medicaid, its access guaranteed by federal law. But the reality was different: Providers changed constantly, programs had waitlists and services disappeared without explanation. without consistent, medically necessary services, cody couldn’t handle the transition to home, and while lingering on waitlists, he had his first suicide attempt.
All the while, I was working inside the system. I took a job with wellLife network, a nonprofit mental health provider, as a supervisor of communitybased services and a family peer advocate. These advocates are an indispensable component of our behavioral health system. we provide care as parents of children with mental health issues. As such, we are trusted messengers when offering services like skill development. But working as an advo-
I knew that the system was failing, even as my family lived it personally. And we aren’t alone. Across the state, three in four Medicaid-eligible children who need outpatient behavioral health services are not receiving them. The disparities are similar on Long Island, and grow worse the closer you look. eighty-five percent of Medicaid-eligible children in our area are not receiving the outpatient clinical services they need, and nearly 500 more practitioners are needed to fill the gap.
without an investment for providers to expand services, children will lose out on programs that stabilize them before a crisis lands them in the hospital, or in handcuffs. we cannot afford to continue neglecting these services. Medicaid reimbursement rates for them have stagnated, even as costs have risen. nonprofit providers can’t pay competitive wages. Staff leave, caseloads grow, and some programs stop offering Medicaid services altogether.
I joined that lawsuit because I was fed up with a broken system. Alongside three other families, we charged that new york was violating Medicaid law by failing to provide required communi-
ty-based services. As part of the settlement, new york must review long-inadequate Medicaid reimbursement rates to improve services. But the settlement gives the state a yearslong runway, and families can’t wait for reform.
If new york is serious about meeting both its legal and moral responsibilities, lawmakers must act this budget season. Providers across the state are calling for a $200 million investment to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for children’s behavioral health services.
Unfortunately, the governor’s and the State Senate’s proposed budgets do not include new resources. The Assembly did include $20 million to improve reimbursement rates, but that is far short of the support that is needed.
without investment, the promises in the settlement risk becoming hollow. It may be too late to give my son back the years he lost, but it doesn’t have to be too late for others.
every child on Long Island and across the state deserves timely mental health care in their home and community. The settlement made clear that new york falls short. now our lawmakers must make the investment necessary to turn that legal victory into real change for families like mine.
Christina Hauptman is a family peer advocate and a New York state peer specialist on the Intensive and Sustained Engagement Team at Hands Across Long Island.
SIGNATURE A&S ANTIPASTO PLATTER
(Half Tray - Choice of 1)
BAKED STUFFED SHELLS
OUR TRADITIONAL LASAGNA with homemade sausage, homemade mozzarella, chopped meat and fresh ricotta
OUR TRADITIONAL BAKED ZITI with homemade sausage, chopped meat homemade mozzarella, and fresh ricotta
PENNE ALLA VODKA
Easter Menu $269 99 Easter Menu $449 99 +
SERVES 6–8 PEOPLE
BLUE CHEESE AND WALNUTS with dried cranberries
TOSSED SALAD with cucumbers, tomatoes and carrots
(Half Tray - Choice of 1)
GLAZED SPIRAL CUT HAM
BONELESS STUFFED LOIN OF PORK with prosciutto, provolone, locatelli romano and spices. Cooked and sliced with potatoes.
ITALIAN SEASONED EYE ROUND BEEF ROAST
Cooked and sliced with potatoes.
SIGNATURE A&S ANTIPASTO PLATTER
(Full Tray - Choice of 1)
BAKED STUFFED SHELLS
OUR TRADITIONAL LASAGNA with homemade sausage, homemade mozzarella, chopped meat and fresh ricotta
OUR TRADITIONAL BAKED ZITI with homemade sausage, chopped meat homemade mozzarella, and fresh ricotta
PENNE ALLA VODKA
SERVES 12-15 PEOPLE
BLUE CHEESE AND WALNUTS with dried cranberries
TOSSED SALAD with cucumbers, tomatoes and carrots
of Main Course
(Full Tray - Choice of 1)
BONELESS STUFFED LOIN OF PORK with prosciutto, provolone, locatelli romano and spices. Cooked and sliced with potatoes.
ROSEMARY AND HERB ENCRUSTED LEG OF LAMB ROAST
ITALIAN SEASONED EYE ROUND BEEF ROAST Cooked and sliced with potatoes.
GLAZED SPIRAL CUT HAM
Choice of oneVegetable (Half Tray - Choice of 1)
GRILLED ASPARAGUS with sundried tomatoes
BROCCOLI AND CAULIFLOWER OREGANATA
STRING BEANS ALMONDINE
ROASTED ROSEMARY RED POTATOES
Includes 2 fresh breads and 1 cookie platter
Choice of two Vegetables
(Half Tray - Choice of 2)
GRILLED ASPARAGUS with sundried tomatoes
BROCCOLI AND CAULIFLOWER OREGANATA
STRING BEANS ALMONDINE
ROASTED ROSEMARY RED POTATOES
Includes 2 fresh breads and 1 cookie platter
Seafood Fridays during Lent FLOUNDER
FRIED SHRIMP
MUSSELS MARINARA
SEAFOOD PASTA
We
SEAFOOD SALAD ALL MADE FRESH
