Lynbrook High School senior Addison Difiore, secretary of the Key Club, above, kicked back while giving blood at the school’s final drive of the year on April 1. Donors Aidan Pearsall president of the club, near right, and business teacher Benedict Tieniber, the Key Club adviser, helped make the New York Blood Center effort a success. Story, more photos, Page 7.
By SEAN KENNEDY Correspondent
Charlotte Webster and Victoria Schaefer have been selected as valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, for the East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School Class of 2026, displaying academic excellence, leadership and community involvement to earn that distinction.
“We are so proud of these two young women,” the school’s principal, Richard Schaffer, said. “They truly represent what our school is all about: working hard, being involved in our community, and showing genuine kindness and compassion to their peers.”
Irecognized for my hard work, and this was made possible by the extensive support and guidance I received throughout my journey.”
During her high school career, Webster has been involved with Key Club, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Herstory, and the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. Webster also has served as class president, a role that taught her lessons both inside and outside of the classroom.
n five years, I can see myself with a bachelor’s degree in biology.
ChARlottE WEBStER Valedictorian
Webster said she understands that the recognition goes beyond the academic honors that she has received.
“Earning the title of valedictorian is more than what it is defined as,” Webster said. “It represents a culmination of the effort, dedication and energy that shaped my four years of high school. It’s an honor to be
“As class president, I faced challenges, successes, and a significant amount of time collaborating with others,” she said.
“In the classroom, it taught me the importance of being a role model and striving for excellence.”
While Webster has been stellar academically, she’s also found success in another setting: the softball diamond. Throughout her five years of playing on East Rockaway’s varsity softball team, she earned the respect of her fellow teammates and peers, eventual-
Continued on page 12
By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com
Congresswoman Laura Gillen announced that her legislation to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians for three years has garnered the bipartisan support necessary to force a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“I’m proud that my bill to extend TPS for Haitian Americans now has the bipartisan support needed to force a vote on this dire issue in Congress,” Gillen said. “Thank you to my colleagues, Representatives Lawler and Pressley, for their efforts to advance this legislation. Since taking office, I have fought tirelessly to extend TPS for Haitian recipients after the Administration refused to do so.”
Gillen also noted that advancing this bill to a vote marks a crucial step in safeguarding the lives of the Haitian community nationwide.
Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, echoing Gillen’s call for action, said, “At a moment that calls for compassion and clear leadership, the Trump administration has chosen the opposite,” she said in a written statement. “Its actions are destabilizing communities and forcing families into danger-
IL AURA GILLEn Congresswoman
ous, impossible choices.”
Solages further explains that TPS is designed for situations like these, especially when returning to one’s home country would endanger lives. She applauds the congresswoman and U.S State Representative Ayanna Pressley for their leadership in gathering the necessary signature to compel a vote.
A discharge petition in the House requires 218 signatures to move forward. Once that threshold is met, a member may notify the House of their intent to call up the motion after seven legislative days. The Speaker is then required to schedule a floor vote within two legislative days.
Since taking office, Gillen has been
a leading advocate for TPS protections for Haitians. In February 2025, she introduced a bipartisan bill directing the Department of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for TPS for 18 months starting August 3, 2025. In June, after the Administration abruptly ended humanitarian parole for Haitian citizens, she urged DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to reinstate the program. Later that year, Gillen supported legislation to crack down on criminal gangs and corrupt officials destabilizing Haiti and signed onto an amicus brief challenging the Administration’s termination of Haiti’s TPS designation.
In January 2026, Gillen joined a bipartisan letter urging the Administration to extend TPS for Haitian nationals before its February 3 expiration and celebrated a federal court ruling that preserved TPS protections. She has also met with White House officials multiple times to advocate for Haitian families legally residing in the U.S.
Gillen’s latest success with the discharge petition marks a significant step toward a full House vote and emphasizes growing bipartisan concern for the safety and stability of Haitians in the United States.
Lynbrook is where Jessica Hollenstein calls home. As a local resident and real estate professional with 12 years of experience, she feels deeply grateful to serve the community she’s part of.
With continued buyer interest in Lynbrook, many sellers are thoughtfully considering what their next chapter may look like. Jessica offers steady guidance, honest advice, and a heart for helping people make wise decisions during important life transitions.
Rooted in faith and committed to serving others, she welcomes the conversations.
The Chocolate Expo drew a large crowd to Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale on March 22, with attendees filling the venue throughout the day.
The one-day event featured more than 80 vendors offering chocolate, baked goods and specialty foods. While chocolate was the focus, many vendors also sold non-chocolate items such as cheeses, matcha tea, honey, and beverages.
The expo included live demonstrations, interactive presentations, and family-friendly activities. A children’s area featured face painting, balloon twisting and balloon art by Robbie Furman, who created hats and animal shapes for attendees.
A balloon sculpture of a horse and carriage was on display near the entrance highlighted television show “Little House on the Prairie.” The Western themed show ran nine seasons from 1974.
Television personalities, Dean Butler, Patrick Labyorteaux and Todd Bridges from “Little House on the Prairie” were the celebrity guests and took photos with visitors. During the event there was a special panel with moderator asking the cast questions. The panel drew a large audience.
The Chocolate Expo, which has been held since 2012, is part of a recurring series that brings food vendors and attendees together at venues across the region.
— Stacy Driks
Ken Jeong,
and executive chef Lawrence Rosenberg hold Reese’s and peanut butter Bacon Bites, a sweetand-savory treat. Rosenberg’s product is made from real bacon and enrobed with chocolate.
attendee
Samantha Phillips, left, and Nimisha Patel of Chocolate Works in Bellmore, which offers handcrafted Belgian chocolates, chocolate-covered pretzels, gift baskets and other sweets show case their products. The store displayed gift baskets for Easter and other chocolate-covered products.
James Carucci of Nut Punch, a vendor offering nut-based snacks, joined the chocolate expo, not entirely selling chocolate but a variety of different vegan snacks inspired by nature with nuts and seeds for an active lifestyle.
Gooseberry Grove, a pop-up shop offering homemade ice cream, pastries and donuts, was one of more than 80 vendors. Its crumb cake donuts were among the featured treats.
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Students got a hands-on lesson in meteorology on March 5, as
ited the school with her traveling program,
Students at Centre Avenue Elementary School got a lesson in weather from a special guest on March 5, when meteorologist Samantha Augeri brought her traveling program, Sam’s Weather School, to the building.
Augeri, an Emmy Award-winning meteorologist who spent more than 20 years in the field, most recently at News 12, is now working toward a master’s degree in Earth science education. She has been visiting schools across the area to share her knowledge and spark students’ interest in science.
During the visit, students watched hands-on demonstrations showing how tornadoes and other weather events form when air masses with different pressures meet, helping make complex ideas easier to understand.
Centre Avenue Elementary School welcomed a special guest on March 5 when meteorologist Samantha Augeri brought her popular educational program, Sam’s Weather School, to campus.
One of the highlights was a green screen activity, where students stepped up to a microphone and tried delivering their own weather forecasts.
Augeri also showed the tools meteorologists use, including rain gauges and other equipment used to measure and track weather.
The program gave students an interactive look at weather science while introducing them to a potential future career.
— Kayla Dechter
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WEST HEMPSTEAD Senior Lacrosse
ONE OF NASSAU COUNTY’S most prolific scorers, Poirot shares the Herald’s 2026 High School Lacrosse preview cover with Seaford’s Brian Falk. Poirot earned Honorable Mention All-County honors last spring after dominating the scoresheet for a second straight season and helping the Rams to 11 wins. As a junior, she racked up 77 goals to go along with 38 assists. This after in 2024 the dynamic attack scored 74 goals and had 25 assists.
Friday, April 10
Softball: Plainedge at Mineola 10 a.m.
Softball: Plainview at
Softball: Kennedy at Bethpage
Softball: Floral Park at South
Softball: East Meadow at Farmingdale
Baseball: Kennedy at Calhoun
Baseball: Long Beach at South Side
Baseball: Glen Cove at Hewlett
Baseball: Garden City at MacArthur
Boys Lacrosse: Wantagh at North Shore
Girls Lacrosse: Oceanside at Wantagh
Girls Lacrosse: Plainedge at Lynbrook
Girls Lacrosse: West Hempstead at Elmont 5 p.m.
Saturday, April 11
Girls Lacrosse: East Meadow at Plainedge 9 a.m.
Softball: V.S. Central at V.S. South 10 a.m.
Softball: North Shore at Hewlett 10 a.m.
Softball: Freeport at East Rockaway 10 a.m.
Softball: Massapequa at Oceanside 10 a.m.
Softball: Elmont at West Hempstead 10 a.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Locust Valley at Seaford 2 p.m.
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last year. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
By MICHELLE RABINOVICH sports@liherald.com
Dominance is the name of East Rockaway’s softball game.
Wins early in the season include, but are not limited to, home runs, batters scoring runs in the double digits, pitchers hammering the strike zone and throwing no-hitters.
After going 16-7 last season, the record was outstanding with a playoff appearance; returning to the diamond this spring meant the players wanted to squeeze out more softball between every inning.
The Rocks opened with a 14-13 win over Baldwin, highlighted by a trio of home runs March 21.
“We’re happy about that, it bodes well for us,” said longtime coach Joe Lores. “Anytime you can start 1-0, we’ll take it and run.”
The concern coming into the season was pitching.
“Now we have Keira Stephens, who pitched against Baldwin, and she kept us in the game,” Lores said. “She didn’t walk people; you can’t defend a walk, you can defend anything else.”
On March 28 against Elmont, Stephens earned her second win of the season in just five innings, striking out a career-high 10 batters. Lores did confess having a senior in the circle is a nice feeling.
Stephens is not the only hurler; the rest of the pitching staff consists of freshman Liliana Germani, who had her first start and win the previous day. She struck out 4 batters and kept West Hempstead hitless through five innings March 25 in a 28-9 victory.
Sophomore Julianna Thorgersen and freshman Khloe Rodriguez round out the pitching staff.
Stephens, a key two-way player, put up three strikeouts in her winning effort, walking five in the process.
A pair of seniors shine alongside Stephens: she’s in 12th grade, as are starting shortstop Charlotte Webster, who opened the season not only as the leadoff hitter but also by going yard
Sue Grieco/Herald
Senior Charlotte Webster had a pair of homers in the Rocks’ season-opening 14-13 win over Baldwin.
twice, and senior first base/outfielder Tristan Conklin, who bats in the cleanup spot.
Webster’s power came through again, this time against West Hempstead with a grand slam.
Her leadership on and off the field is what sets her apart, according to Lores.
“I’ve been coaching her at camp and things like that since she was in the fourth grade, she’s one of our captains [this year],” Lores explained, before mentioning the other captain, complementing Webster, is three-year varsity starter Conklin. “[She] gives us good leadership.”
A freshman you can’t write off is Cassidy Knight, who landed a starting role at third base, also got the nod of batting second in the lineup.
Behind her is sophomore Kristina
Wilkerson, the starting catcher who hits for power, before Stephens does more damage at the 5-spot and junior Caroline Cronin at sixth. Rounding out the bottom of the order are sophomore center fielder Leila Perez, Thorgersen in right field and sophomore Cara Agro at second base.
Don’t let the order of the lineup fool you: she might bat seventh, but it didn’t stop Perez’s production at the plate. Against Elmont, in East Rockaway’s 16-4 win, Perez went 3-for-4, reaching base five times, and batting in one run and scoring three. She also homered against Baldwin.
Overall, the threats are everywhere all at once from East Rockaway, and it’s not halting anytime soon.
The Rocks are home this Saturday versus Freeport at 11 a.m.
By KAYLA DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com
Spectrum Designs, a Port Washington-based nonprofit that provides employment for neurodiverse individuals, introduced a new workshop focused on building communication and self-advocacy skills on March 20.
The program, called the “Find Your Voice Autism Debate Workshop,” was created by Ava Lefkowitz, a student debater at Paul D. Schreiber High School. Lefkowitz designed the workshop to adapt traditional debate and public speaking techniques for individuals on the autism spectrum, using visual tools and strategies informed by her research into communication challenges.
The goal of the workshop is to help participants — particularly those who have aged out of school — strengthen their ability to express themselves and advocate for their needs as they move into adulthood.
During the one-hour session, 12 Spectrum Designs employees and staff members took part in a series of interactive exercises. These included “Lights Out Listening,” a technique aimed at managing sensory overload and improving focus, as well as activities centered on reflecting others’ perspectives and building effective rebuttal skills. Participants who completed the session received personalized certificates.
Spectrum Designs employees come from communities across Long Island, including East Rockaway, Long Beach, West Hempstead, Kings Park and Port Washington.
Lefkowitz, who has volunteered with Spectrum Designs for years, said bringing the workshop to the organization was especially meaningful.
“It was particularly meaningful for me to bring this workshop to Spectrum,” she wrote in an email. “I have
Spectrum participants in the debate club,
and Dylan V.
always held up Spectrum as the gold standard in inclusive employment.”
She added that helping individuals develop stronger communication skills is key to building independence.
“Self-advocacy is an important life skill for anyone,” Lefkowitz wrote. “The ability to be heard and understood is especially important for members of the autism community.”
Spectrum Designs leaders said the workshop aligns closely with the organization’s mission of supporting both employment and personal growth.
“Programs like this are essential to our model — supporting not just employment, but the development of lifelong skills,” Marissa Borzykowski, chief of staff of the Spectrum Designs Foundation, wrote in an email.
“Empowering our team to communicate effectively strengthens both individual independence and our workplace as a whole.”
CEO Patrick Bardsley emphasized the importance of helping employees find their voices.
“Self-advocacy is something we all must learn and it can be especially challenging for those on the autism spectrum,” Bardsley wrote in an email. “This innovative workshop engaged and empowered our employees to find their own voices — a life skill that will help them tremendously both inside and outside of work.”
Lefkowitz said she hopes to expand the program and continue working directly with the neurodiverse community, which she described as one of the most rewarding parts of her work.
By Abbey Salvemini
The room at The Heritage Club at Bethpage was filled with energy, ambition and a shared sense of purpose on March 25 as business leaders gathered for the 2026 Premier Business Women of Long Island Awards. This annual event honored outstanding women who are not only achieving success within their respective industries but also driving innovation and meaningful change across them.
At the heart of the evening was a clear and resonant message: women are no longer waiting for opportunities to be granted; they are creating their own paths and redefining leadership on their own terms.
Amy Amato, executive director of corporate relations and events at Richner Communications, set the tone early in the night, encouraging attendees to “take a look around this room” as a reflection of progress. She also emphasized the significance of the occasion. “Tonight is about celebrating the incredible women who are leading, building and shaping our community,” she said.
She added that the event is part of a broader mission to create spaces “where women don’t just sit at the table, they own the room,” reinforcing the evening’s theme of empowerment and visibility.
She praised the honorees not only for their professional achievements but also for their role in transforming their industries. “You are not just leaders in your field, you are redefining them,’ she said.
Stuart Richner, CEO of Richner Communications, echoed that statement, reflecting on the company’s history and his mother, Edith Richner, a co-founder who once stood alone as the only woman at the table nearly six decades ago. “If she were here tonight, she would be incredibly proud to see a room filled with such accomplished, driven and inspiring women,” he said.
The evening also highlighted the importance of giving back, with proceeds supporting Baby Essentials of Long Island, an organization dedicated to helping families in need provide safe and healthy starts for their children. Richner emphasized the organization’s mission to assist parents facing financial hardship and other challenges, adding a deeper sense of purpose to the celebration.
The honorees themselves brought the evening to life, sharing personal
stories of resilience, leadership and determination that resonated throughout the room.
Among them, Carol Gomes was recognized in the Healthcare and Wellness category, highlighting her leadership as CEO and COO of Stony Brook University Hospital. Reflecting on what it means to be a woman in business today, she described it as a sense of empowerment and the confidence to lead with strong conviction.
“We are nowhere near where we need to be; we’re making progress, but there are still many opportunities to advance women into higher leadership positions,” she said.
Ana Ludemann, MBA, was honored in the Financial Services category, celebrating her success in a competitive, male-dominated industry. Now a vice president and wealth management financial advisor, she built her career after arriving in the United States in 2014 with just $100. Her journey underscored the importance of perseverance and mindset.
“If you work hard and do right by people, there is no way you will not succeed,” she said, adding that resilience is defined not by obstacles, but by how one responds to them.
Honorees in the Insurance and
Rising Stars Under 40, Evelyn Gellar and Jillian Kashuba of Forest Hills Financial Group, echoed the evening’s central themes. Together, they emphasized that while women are increasingly supporting one another and rising into leadership, challenges remain — particularly around work-life balance and equitable opportunities. Their message was clear: building networks and lifting each other up is essential to sustaining momentum in a competitive industry.
Another highlight of the evening was the recognition of the Power Team award, which honored a group of women from St. Joseph’s University. Among them, Jessica McAleer Decatur, Vice President of marketing and communications, reflected on the significance of the recognition and the responsibility that comes with it.
“To follow in the footsteps of these pioneering women is deeply meaningful. As part of the next generation of women leaders, I hope not only to carry forward their legacy, but also to inspire the next generation,” she said.
Throughout the evening, the room buzzed with energy and camaraderie as powerful women mingled,
exchanged stories and shared insights across industries. The atmosphere reinforced the idea that success is not achieved in isolation, but through collaboration, mentorship and a shared commitment to lifting others along the way. Conversations extended beyond individual accomplishments, focusing instead on creating lasting impact and opening doors for the next generation of women leaders.
The event also celebrated the sponsors and partners whose support made the evening possible, including Forest Hills Financial Group, Long Island Contractors Association, and our centerpiece sponsor, St. Joseph’s University. Their involvement underscored the Long Island business community’s ongoing commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion and opportunity.
As the evening ended, the message remained clear: progress is underway, and the future of women in business is being shaped through the shared determination and collaboration of everyone present.
To learn more, see additional photos and view the complete list of honorees and sponsors, visit richnerlive.com.
By KAYLA DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com
The Lynbrook Diamond Club brought together families, friends and alumni at Shannon Rose Pub on March 20 for a fundraiser supporting the Lynbrook High School baseball program.
Organized by Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce President Michaela ArgentoSerra and John Serra, the event featured live entertainment, raffle prizes and guest bartenders, creating a lively night centered around giving back to the team. The Diamond Club, the parent organization for Lynbrook Baseball, raises funds to support student-athletes from middle
school through the varsity level. Proceeds help provide equipment, fund training opportunities like hitting clinics and recognize senior players for their contributions to the program. In addition to fundraisers, the club also supports youth clinics and other initiatives aimed at strengthening the program for current and future players.
“Our goal is to continue building opportunities for our players and supporting them at every level,” said Shannan Pearsall, co-president of the Diamond Club. “The more support we have from the community, the more we can give back to the kids and help the program grow.”
Students in the Lynbrook Career Development Program received the spotlight after giving a presentation about their work at the March 11 board of education meeting.
Students in the Lynbrook Public Schools Career Development Program were recognized during the board of education’s March 11 meeting, where trustees also acknowledged a retiring staff member.
Career Development students, joined by middle school teacher Bryton LaMantia and high school teacher Annie McKenna, presented to the board, sharing highlights of their work throughout the year. A video presentation gave trustees a look inside their classrooms at North Middle School and Lynbrook High School, featuring activities such as pretzel delivery days, tending to the community garden, making morning announcements and operating the Hoot Café.
Students also spoke about their experiences as Owl Buddies and discussed annual trips and events, including the “Cookies and Karaoke” program, which brings together students and guests for holiday-themed performances. At the end of the presentation, students handed out baked goods to board members.
During the meeting, trustees also accepted the retirement of West End Elementary School teacher aide Jane Smithwick, who served the district for 10 years in various roles, including medical aide, group aide and one-on-one aide at the Lynbrook Kindergarten Center, South Middle School and West End Elementary School.
— Kayla Dechter
Two cars parked on Noble Street in the Elks parking lot were destroyed by fire and the blaze also damaged the fencing of a house on the street at 2:09 a.m. on April 2, Lynbrook fire officials said.
Firefighters responded to the scene under the command of Chief Clayton Murphy, along the assistant chiefs. The burning cars were positioned close to the home at 80 Noble Street, raising concern about potential exposure to the structure.
Grogan.
“Vulcan Company 2 responded within minutes, securing a hydrant down the block on Noble Street and stretching a hose line to attack the fires,” said Steve Grogan, the fire department spokesman. “Engine Company1 arrived shortly after, took a second hydrant on Hempstead Avenue, and stretched an additional line to assist in suppression efforts.”
Truck Company responded with both ladders, and once the fires were knocked down, crews began overhaul operations to ensure all remaining hot spots were extinguished, according to
The floodlight unit set up in the Elks Club parking lot and deployed a light tower. The Emergency Medical Company responded as well. Grogan said that the firefighters remained on scene until shortly after 3 a.m.
“The fires were not considered suspicious and appeared to start in the engine compartment of one vehicle and spread to the second one,” Murphy said. “Due to the early morning hours the fire was not noticed until both vehicles were ablaze.”
— Jeffrey Bessen
ly earning the title of team captain.
“The activity that’s had the most significant impact on the development of my character has been playing for the varsity softball team,” Webster said. “Not only have I grown as a player, but I’ve also navigated uncertainty, and now, as captain, understood responsibility and served as a mentor.”
When it comes to her future, Webster has her sights set on studying and working in the sciences.
“In five years, I can see myself with a bachelor’s degree in biology, potentially attending medical school or working in a laboratory,” she said. “Science has always been something that fascinates me, so I know in the future I will definitely be pursuing this passion.”
While Webster’s time in high school may be coming to a close, the lessons she has learned there will shape her for life, she said.
“I look forward to my life after high school, and I hope to continue my success and grow beyond the foundation that East Rockaway High School has provided me with,” Webster said.
East Rockaway’s classrooms also have proven to be a testing ground for Schaefer, who will have completed 10 Advanced Placement courses by the time she graduates. Succeeding despite the rigor of such courses, Schae-
fer sees them as cases of perseverance.
“I can recount all the times I had to remind myself to never give up and to persevere, even when I wanted to give up,” she said. “There were constant setbacks, breakdowns, and small victories that truly shaped all the work I have done and the person I have grown into.”
Schaefer is deeply involved in her school community outside of the classroom as well. In addition to playing lacrosse, she has also taken part in the Student Council, Key Club, National Honor Society and Sources of Strength, a peer-led, evidence-based suicide prevention initiative.
For Schaefer, earning the title of salutatorian also serves as a reminder to continue her efforts as she enters the next phase of her academic career and life.
“Earning this honor is not the end of pushing myself to do better and give my all in everything that I do,” she said. “It is simply an incredible reflection of the stepping stones I encountered to achieve this title.”
Further along her academic path, Schaefer envisions herself pursuing a degree in biology, with a potential path into the field of ophthalmology or eye surgery.
“I know wherever I go, and the things I will learn will help me make a meaningful impact,” Schaefer said.
Daniel J. Warren
Daniel J. Warren, 73, passed away on March 30th, 2026. A lifelong resident of East Rockaway, he lived in a bungalow in Bay Park that has been in the family since the 1930’s.
Best known as Doc, Dan was a woodworker, sculpture, and avid art collector of unique pieces. He remodeled many local restaurants, bars, and churches. His passion project was the renovation of the Grist Mill Museum. Dan will be remembered for his creative talents and his unique sense of humor. He was an active member of the American Legion in East Rockaway.
He is survived by his son Matthew (Samantha) Warren, and daughter Faith (Thomas) Ingenito. He leaves behind five grandchildren, three sisters - Patricia, Mary and Therese, and many other devoted family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to the Grist Mill Museum, 376 Atlantic Ave, East Rockaway, NY 11518. Attention Regina Cunningham. A special project will be done in Dan’s name.
By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com
The Long Island Association hosted state Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez as a guest speaker last week. Dominguez spoke about Gov. Kathy Hochul’s fiscal year 2027 executive budget and policy proposals for the DOT.
Appearing at LIA headquarters in Melville on March 31, Dominguez explained that Hochul’s administration matched the federal funding for New York state’s transportation needs from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021 with a five-year, $35 billion plan. Hochul added $800 million to the plan last year to offset the cost of tariffs and inflation.
“Our federal dollars are expiring on Sept. 30, which presents a unique challenge,” Dominguez said. “We need to make sure that we are positioning New York for the next level of transportation funding.”
She detailed Hochul’s proposed spending plan, which totals $260 billion. Federal funding is down 11.4 percent, or $10.3 billion, and state operating funds have increased by $157 billion. The state is expecting $17 billion more in state revenue over the next two years than earlier estimates.
“The governor is committed to economic growth and making sure there is a social safety net, and funding that social safety net across the board without increasing taxes,” Dominguez said. “In sum, the 2027 Executive Budget successfully balances two simultaneous realities that we have real momentum here in New York, and addressing the volatility that we know is ahead.”
The budget plan includes automated work-zone speed enforcement with new
speed cameras. Dominguez noted that some drivers have been speeding at over 100 miles per hour through work zones, according to the cameras.
The budget proposes deployment of the cameras on non-controlled-access highways, like Sunrise Highway. It also proposes protections for highway maintenance workers against violent assault.
Dominguez also touched on Hochul’s plan to lower the cost of car insurance.
The plan proposes changes to the state’s auto insurance laws that will punish perpetrators of staged car crashes.
The spending plan also includes funding for filling potholes on main roadways. “We are on a blitz statewide addressing potholes,” Dominguez said. It proposes investments of $107 million for paving on Long Island, including 50 miles of the Northern State Parkway and 35 miles of Sunrise Highway.
Action Long Island representative Michael Rodin suggested more improvements he wanted to see. “We want to make sure public transit is a part of the DOT’s agenda in the future,” he said. “We want roads to be able to accommodate buses as well as more cars — a lot of people take public transit to work.”
When the presentation was open for questions, Dominguez addressed a concern about independent contractors’ coverage under the anti-assault provisions in the budget. “The worker assault provision covers state employees as well as independent contractors,” she said.
“We need to make sure elected officials understand that transit and the lives of transit workers are important, so they fund initiatives to help these efforts and these people,” Marc Herbst, executive director of the Long Island Contractors Association, said. “If we don’t ask, they don’t respond.”
By JULIA CAPITELLI jcapitelli@liherald.com
To promote President Trump’s economic agenda, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited Long Island and took part in a panel discussion with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and business executives from across the county.
The March 30 discussion, at the county legislative building, focused on three aspects of the Working Families Tax Cut Act: the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime pay, the creation of so-called Trump Accounts and the higher cap on the income tax deduction for state and local taxes. Under the law, parents can open and contribute funds to accounts for their children under age 18. As part of the pilot program for the accounts, children born during Trump’s term will receive $1,000 from the Treasury Department.
“It’s something that’s going to help every family in America,” Blakeman, the Republican candidate for governor, said of the program.
The law includes an increase in the state and local tax deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000. It also allocates roughly $170 billion to carry out the administration’s immigration and border objectives, and raises the federal debt ceiling to $5 trillion.
“That’s the American way,” Bessent said of the tax cuts. “Work harder, keep more of your money.”
The SALT deduction avoids double taxation and allows certain taxpayers to reduce their federally taxable income. To offset the cost created by this and the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, the law cuts nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid and reduces food assistance and clean-energy incentives.
Panelists shared their perspectives on the law, mostly as it relates to their businesses. Michael Serao, exec-
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and several business executives discussed President Trump’s economic agenda on March 30.
utive vice president and chief administrative officer of First Central Savings Bank, claimed that Trump Accounts could help students build financial literacy.
But much of the discussion focused on the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, and the SALT deduction. “I am surrounded by hardworking people, who come into the diner and tell me how happy they are about their tax returns and about how much more money they are getting back,” Gus Tsiorvas, owner of the Embassy Diner, in Bethpage, said.
According to the Internal Revenue Service, the average tax refund this year is roughly 10 percent higher than it was in March 2025. “This means more discretionary spending here in Nassau County,” County Comptroller Elaine Phillips said, “which allows
BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN
COUNTY EXECUTIVE
Bruce not to raise taxes.”
Blakeman reiterated his assertion that Nassau is “the safest county in America where we haven’t raised taxes one penny in four years.”
In a statement about Blakeman’s use of taxpayer resources to campaign as everyday costs escalate, Democratic County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton said the Bessent visit was “as shameless as it gets.”
“Nassau residents aren’t stupid — they feel the squeeze every time they fill up, check out at the grocery store, or pay a bill,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “The cost-of-living crisis is real, and it’s being driven directly by the disastrous tariffs and global instability coming from the same out-of-touch allies in Washington [Blakeman] continues to stand with.”
The
sive,
By Iris Wiener
When Adam Pascal pulls into Long Island these days, it’s not just a commute; it’s a homecoming layered with memory, coincidence, and creative possibility. This spring, the Tony-nominated performer-turned-director from Syosset is channeling all of that into “Feels Like the First Time: The Foreigner Musical.”
The new production premieres April 17 at the Little Theatre on Long Island University’s Brookville campus.
The project, created in collaboration with the legendary rock band Foreigner, marks the launch of LIU’s New Works Initiative and Pascal’s tenure as the university’s inaugural Artist-in-Residence. But for Pascal, the journey to this moment is anything but typical.
The path to directing the show began not in a rehearsal room, but at a backyard barbecue.
“Tom Dunn [Tilles Center’s creative producer, executive/artistic Director and Dean of LIU’s College of Arts and Design] lives across the street from my sister. I first met Tom and his wife at a barbecue,” Pascal relates. “Tom said, ‘We’re doing this thing. Do you want to direct it?’”
From there, the pieces quickly began to align. A previous version of the musical had been developed, but Pascal and the team — including book writer Stephen Garvey and arranger David Abbinanti — set out to reshape it into something fresh: a high-energy, heart-driven story set in the 1980s, centered on three families whose lives collide when a rock star arrives for a backyard concert after an MTV contest win.
“We wanted to create something that was fun and that had heart, that understood its purpose using Foreigner’s music,” Pascal says.
That purpose, however, comes with a unique creative challenge. The musical weaves iconic songs into an original narrative — a process Pascal describes as both complex and deeply collaborative.
“You’re creating a story, and in many ways building a scene backwards,” he explains. “You have these lyrics that were never written to be narrative in that way, so you have to do a lot of reverse engineering.”
Still, that creative freedom is part of the appeal.
“We get to reimagine these songs,” he adds. “They’ve now become narrative storytelling songs.”
The new musical features a company of 26 performers, primarily LIU students — a fact Pascal calls fortuitous.
“The combination of this process, this particular show, and this university … it couldn’t have been a better melding of all things.”
For Pascal, working with students isn’t just about mentorship — it’s personal, as he has two sons the same age as the young cast. His directing style reflects that perspective, blending instinct, experience and a focus on emotional authenticity.
“I approach it from a much more naturalistic and real place. I’m trying to orchestrate a picture and to get them to use their emotions in a physical way.”
That lived-in approach comes from decades in the industry, which includes roles in Broadway’s “Aida,” “Memphis” and “Something Rotten,” besides the iconic“Rent.” However, Pascal quickly points out that he was never formally trained.
LIU Post’s New Works Initiative, an incubator for developing and refining new theatrical works by both emerging and established writers.
• Friday through Sunday, April 17-19 and Thursday through Sunday, April 23-26, varied times
• Tickets are $43.82, $17.82 students; available at tillescenter.org/events
• Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville
“My approach can only be [described as] a layman approach. I’m fortunate enough to now have 30 years of experience making musicals.”
And yet, for all his Broadway credentials, Pascal is candid about the challenges facing the industry today — particularly the financial barriers that make developing new work increasingly difficult in New York City.
“We all have to change the mindset about working in New York,” he says bluntly, pointing to rising production costs and systemic issues. Instead, he sees projects like “Feels Like the First Time” as part of a larger shift — one that prioritizes creativity, collaboration and accessibility over tradition and expense.
“I want to take the power out of Broadway’s hands and put it back into the hands of people who make theater,” he states.
That philosophy is evident in the show’s development process, which Pascal praises for its efficiency and clarity of vision.
For LIU students like Anna Frost, being part of that process is nothing short of transformative. A senior serving as dramaturg for the show, Frost is deeply embedded in the rehearsal rooms, helping to shape the evolving script.
“It is so exciting for me to work on a show which is in development,” she says. “I get to work with a living, breathing text.”
For her, the experience underscores the importance of new work in today’s theatrical landscape.
“There has to be new art that is relevant to what is happening now,” she adds. “Getting to be a part of something that will be history is really cool.”
Pascal agrees and hopes the students recognize the significance of their involvement.
“They’ll forever be connected to this show as the first people that played these characters,” he says. “If the show becomes a hit, they’ll always have that on their resume.”
That sense of legacy resonates deeply with Pascal himself, particularly given his return to Long Island. He remains deeply connected to his roots, and optimistic about its potential as a hub for theatrical innovation.
“There’s no better place for it,” he says of LIU. “They have the facilities, the desire and the proximity to the city.”
As for what’s next, Pascal continues to develop new musicals through his production company, including an adaptation of “Ruthless People.” He’s also set to direct “Our Little Secret: A True New Musical” in Toronto. For now, “Feels Like the First Time” offers something that feels incredibly meaningful — -a chance to build, collaborate, and rediscover the spark that started it all.
Or, as Pascal might put it, to make it feel like the first time all over again.
Mike DelGuidice
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 Joel’s beloved classics, he weaves in his own original songs, showcasing the songwriting that has earned him a devoted following. 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 and wide.
Friday and Saturday, April 10-11, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Fleetwood Macked
Eighteen years ago Fleetwood Macked set out to provide audiences with the truest live Fleetwood Mac experience as possible and haven’t stopped since. Much of the realism comes from the New York-based band’s history. Husband and wife musical team Hillary and Michael Epstein (Stevie and Lindsey) and friends Tracy Wells, Jay Novas, Phil Weiss and Andrew Nadien (Christine, John and Mick) have made great music together in various incarnations that finally all came together with their mutual love of Fleetwood Mac. They are and have always been professional touring rock musicians, which also adds to the authenticity of the sound of the band. Fleetwood Macked live brings audiences the passion, depth, heart, and the musicianship Fleetwood Mac’s music requires. Out of love and respect musical liberties are not taken, songs are recreated just as Fleetwood Mac intended them.
Friday, April 10, 8 p.m. $48. My Father’s Place 1221 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn. Tickets available at mfpproductions.com.
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
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 14-15
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens to discover the wonders of nature with a one-hour guided tour through the gardens and woodlands, featuring naturethemed games and hands-on activities. This week, children explore plants big and small, learning how they grow and change with the seasons. Each session includes a simple planting or craft project for children to take home and continue their learning. Registration required. $22 adult, $20 seniors 62+ (member discounts available).
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 11 a.m.-noon
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
‘Dog
Hofstra University’s Department of Drama and Dance presents Bert V. Royal’s edgy comedy. The
APR 19
unauthorized continuation of the Peanuts comic strip, reimagines its characters as teenagers dealing with various contemporary issues including, identity, substance abuse, and relationships. When CB’s dog dies from rabies, CB begins to question the existence of an afterlife. His best friend is too burnt out to provide any coherent speculation; his sister has gone goth; his ex-girlfriend has recently been institutionalized; and his other friends are too inebriated to give him any sort of solace. Drug use, suicide, eating disorders, teen violence, rebellion and sexual identity collide and careen toward an ending that’s both haunting and hopeful. $15 general admission, $10 for seniors and Hofstra alumni.
• Where: Hofstra’s Joan and Donald Schaeffer Black Box Theater, Joseph G. Shapiro Family Hall, Hempstead
• Time: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; also April 12, 2 p.m.; April 16-April 19
• Contact: hofstra.universitytickets.com
‘A Dream Is A Wish’ The enchanting “A Dream Is A Wish” princess concert returns to the Madison APR 11
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
Celebrate Holi
12
Families are invited to Long Island Children’s Museum to celebrate Holi, the Festival of Colors. Originating in India, this Hindu festival marks the end of winter and the arrival of the colorful spring season. During this joyous holiday, families eat sweets, dance to traditional folk music and throw colorful powder made from flowers called gulal. Wear white clothes you don’t mind getting messy!
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
• Time: 8 p.m.
Micky Dolenz celebrates the 60th anniversary of The Monkees with a special tour honoring the band’s enduring legacy and timeless sound. In this nostalgic and high-spirited performance, Dolenz takes audiences on a musical journey through The Monkees’ rise to fame, performing their biggest hits in chronological order while sharing personal stories from his decades in entertainment. As the last surviving member of the beloved group, Dolenz brings both heart and history to the stage, paying tribute to bandmates Davy Jones, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith, while celebrating the fans who helped transform a fictional TV band into a global sensation. A true entertainment veteran, Dolenz’s career spans decades and disciplines — from his early days as a child star on “Circus Boy” to his work as a singer, actor, director and radio host. In recent years, he has continued to keep The Monkees’ music alive for new generations, including a solo tour performing the group’s 1967 album “Headquarters” in its entirety. This is sure to be a heartfelt, hit-filled evening that blends music, memories and a lasting connection to one of pop culture’s most iconic acts.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
The Lynbrook Village Board holds its next regular meeting to discuss local government matters, hear updates from village officials, and address community concerns. Residents are encouraged to attend to stay informed and participate in public comment.
• Where: 1 Columbus Drive, Lynbrook
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: Village Hall at (516) 599-8300
15
The Lynbrook Public Library welcomes all to its adult craft program Participants ages 18 and older can create a bouquetstyle painting using pressed flowers and greenery to design a decorative teacup artwork that can be framed as a gift or home decoration. Space is limited and registration required.
• Where: 56 Eldert St., Lynbrook
• Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
• Contact: lynbrooklibrary.org
Hofstra University alumna and novelist Alice Hoffman hosts the third annual Writers & Readers Festival, brings together students, teachers, librarians, emerging writers and the local community for an immersive celebration of storytelling-both the craft of writing and the realities of publishing. Attendees connect with fellow book lovers and hear from prominent authors, including Hoffman, who will share stories from her new anthology, “The Best Dog in the World: Essays on Love.” Hoffman’s forthcoming novel, “Witches of Cambridge,” will be published this August (and is now in development for a television series), followed by the much-anticipated film Practical Magic 2, with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman returning as the Owens sisters in September. Notable participants include “All My Children” star Susan Lucci, in keynote conversation with bestselling author and podcaster Adriana Trigiani about her new memoir, “La Lucci;” Jodi Picoult in keynote conversation with Alice Hoffman about storytelling in a time of book banning, musical director Tim Weil, who talks about his new book, “Making Rent: The Story Behind the Music That Changed Broadway. “ Registration is limited and is now open.
• Where: Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City
• Time: Ongoing through April 17
• Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or (516) 877-4000
JUN
Reunion To Celebrate Life
St. Raymond Grammar School class of 1965 and East Rockaway High School class of 1969 are having a joint reunion at Grandpa Tony’s. Don’t miss the opportunity to catch-up and celebration of the lives of the alumni. Email any inquiries to Lorraine Keegan.
• Where: 101 Althouse Ave., East Rockaway
• Time: 5-9 p.m.
• Contact: LTK271982@yahoo.com
Having an event?
Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.
April 9, 2026
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.
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, 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
April 9, 2026 —
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.
April 9, 2026 —
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 SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU. THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CWALTS, INC., ALTERNATIVE LOAN TRUST 2004-24CB, MORTGAGE PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-24CB, Plaintiffagainst- CRISTA A. BELLEAU, MICHAEL D. BELLEAU; MARIA NUNEZ, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated August 26, 2024 and entered on September 5, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on April 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, County of Nassau and State of New York; known and designated as SBL# 42-21203-5. Said premises known as 3 DOROTHY PLACE, LYNBROOK, NY 11563 Approximate amount of lien $418,018.83 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 611569/2022. LINDA AGNEW, ESQ., Referee Pincus & Tarab Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 425 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, NY 11556 {* LYNBROOK N*} 158900
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)
Residents of Atria Tanglewood
Senior Living will celebrate the 75th wedding anniversary of Rita and Leon Vilinsky on Wednesday, April 8, at 2:30 p.m. The celebration will take place at Atria Tanglewood, 125 Ocean Ave., and will include the couple’s family, friends, and members of their local temple.
Atria Tanglewood is a welcoming senior living community in Lynbrook, New York, where residents enjoy independent and assisted living in a supportive, maintenancefree environment.
The anniversary event will feature a Jewish blessing, a ceremonial cake cutting, and the couple’s wedding song, with opportunities
for dancing and new photographs. The surprise celebration is designed to honor the Vilinskys’ milestone while bringing together the Tanglewood community. More than 120 guests are expected to attend.
Also being recognized will be another couple from Atria Tanglewood celebrating their 72nd wedding anniversary on April 11. Both couples have shared stories about the secrets to a long and happy marriage and reflected on their early years together, including memorable moments such as asking for parental blessings.
— Hailey Fulmer
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
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF DECISION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will hold a WORKSHOP on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026 at 5:30 P.M. in the Court Room at the Village Hall, One Columbus Drive, Lynbrook, NY 11563, on the following cases: VAR #1029 - Joseph Ramacca - 265 Vincent Avenue, Lynbrook. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS, Ginger Fuentes, Chair Person of the Board of Zoning Appeals, Brian Stanton, Superintendent, Department of Buildings Lynbrook Publish 1X 159506
To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or
LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING TENTATIVE BUDGET 2026/2027
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, Nassau County, New York, will hold a Public Hearing at the Lynbrook Village
PSEG Long Island is reminding residents that scammers don’t have an offseason. Utility work is a pathway in which one can be scammed.
Hall, One Columbus Drive, Lynbrook, New York on April 13, 2026 at 7:00 P.M. to consider the Tentative Budget for the 2026/2027 fiscal year. The Tentative Budget also includes a Local Government Exemption Impact Report of exempt amounts of real property.
FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2026/2027 Tentative Budget provides for compensation to be paid to each member of the Board of Trustees will not exceed as follows: Mayor $38,579, Trustee (1) $33,287, Trustees (3) $25,787. A copy of the 2026/2027 Tentative Budget and Exemption Report is available for public inspection at the Office of the Village Clerk, Lynbrook, New York, during normal office hours and on the Village website www.lynbrookvillage.c om.
All interested persons will be given an opportunity to present oral and/or written comments on the 2026/2027 Tentative Budget during the Public Hearing at the time and place aforesaid.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES JOHN GIORDANO, VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR LYNBROOK, NEW YORK 159504
LEGAL NOTICE ASSESSOR’S NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF THE FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL THE ASSESSOR OF THE COUNTY OF NASSAU HEREBY GIVES NOTICE that he has completed the 2026/2027 final assessment roll, which will be used for the 2027 levy of Town and County Taxes in the Towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay, and the City of Glen Cove and the City of Long Beach, and for the 2026/2027 levy of school taxes in such Towns and in the City of Long Beach. A certified electronic copy of the roll was filed with the Department of Assessment on April 1, 2026. The electronic roll may be examined on public terminals located in the offices of:
DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENT NASSAU COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING 240 OLD COUNTRY ROAD, FOURTH FLOOR MINEOLA, NY 11501 where the same will remain open for public inspection for fifteen days. Dated this 1st day of April 2026. JOSEHA A. ADAMO Assessor, Nassau County 159474
Scammers posing as utility workers continue to target Long Island residents year-round, using phone calls, fake websites and even in-person visits to pressure customers into making immediate payments, according to PSEG Long Island officials.
The company is urging customers to take a moment to verify any unexpected communication before taking action, especially when faced with threats of immediate service shutoff.
“PSEG Long Island wants customers to remember one simple thing: Stop and verify first. If someone threatens to immediately shut off your power, check your account online or call the number that’s printed on your bill to double check before giving them any money,” said Lou DeBrino, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of Customer Operations. “It may be an advanced digital scam, an in-person scammer or a telephone call, but nearly all scammers present an urgent problem in the hopes that their victims panic and miss all the clues that they’re not who they appear to be. If you are unexpectedly contacted by someone claiming to be from PSEG Long Island and threatening to immediately shut off your power without payment, take a step back. Contact PSEG Long Island independently and verify before acting.”
Officials said many scammers demand immediate payment through web-based electronic services, prepaid debit cards or even Bitcoin. In some cases, victims are instructed to purchase prepaid cards from convenience stores and read the PIN over the phone. PSEG Long Island does not accept those forms of payment outside of its official “My Account” platform and will never require a specific payment method.
Scammers also frequently use “spoofing” technology to make it appear as though calls are coming directly from PSEG Long Island. In other cases, callers may demand deposits for services such as priority meter installations — a request the company said is not legitimate.
Customers who are unsure about the
authenticity of a call or email are advised to hang up and contact the company directly at (800) 490-0025.
In-person scams have also been reported, with individuals going door to door posing as utility employees. These impostors may wear fake uniforms, display counterfeit identification or place misleading signage on their vehicles. They often request personal information or offer fraudulent discounts.
PSEG Long Island officials said legitimate employees will always carry company identification and present it upon request. Customers are advised not to allow anyone into their home if they have doubts and to call 911 if the individual becomes aggressive.
Online scams are another growing concern. Fraudsters have created fake websites that closely resemble the company’s official site, hoping to trick users into entering personal and payment information. The company emphasized that its official website uses a “.com” domain.
More recently, scammers have targeted electric vehicle users by placing fraudulent QR code stickers on public charging stations. These codes direct users to fake websites designed to collect personal or credit card information. PSEG Long Island said it does not require customers to access its website to activate public charging stations.
The company also reminded customers that legitimate representatives will only discuss account details with the Customer of Record and will provide identifying information, including the account name, address and balance. If that information cannot be verified, customers should assume the call is fraudulent.
PSEG Long Island is a member of Utilities United Against Scams, a national coalition that works to raise awareness and combat utility fraud. Through its efforts, the group has helped shut down more than 14,830 toll-free numbers used by scammers.
—Jordan Vallone
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Q. I saw a billboard and several TV commercials for something called “Let Them Build, NY,” and was wondering what you could tell me about it. The commercial said that there is an extra $82,000 spent on housing, per home, just due to government red tape. Is this true, and is anything being done about it?
A. There is plenty of finger-pointing in the construction industry, on top of the current cost increases due to tariffs, war and subsequent delivery costs due to higher fuel prices. But long before there were these current issues, government officials began, at every level, to either increase enforcement of existing regulations or to add regulations on top of what was already fairly complicated and burdensome.
Many years ago I was very active in the American Institute of Architects, to the point of being vice president of the Long Island chapter. I left them when I realized that they did not want to have the backbone to challenge, as a professional group, the regulations that cause construction and building design to become out of reach for a large segment of our population. In the years following, I daily encountered the thousands of building owners who never even attempted to comply with building regulations, basically skirting the entire permit process altogether because of the added expense.
The first and foremost expense is caused by the delays in getting through the approval process. There are so many reasons for the slowdown that it will take several columns, at 500 words apiece, to get through the long list of problems. If you ask a government official, they will point to the design professionals who “just can’t seem to get the regulations right” in their drawing submissions. I have often listened as officials complained to me about inadequate drawings being submitted. In all fairness, it is a two-way street, because the communications from officials back to the architects and engineers is often incoherent or incomplete.
When a plans examiner uses phrases like “demonstrate compliance” or “incomplete submission,” they are contributing to the problem, not solving it. Instead of pointing to specific sections of code and explaining the very specific problem, they communicate in generalities that are useless and cause a lot of extra work and discussion among the people trying to move a project forward. The phrase “If you aren’t part of the solution, you’re part of the problem” applies here.
I remember when a plans examiner would mark up and discuss specific drawings, and some even went the extra mile and pulled out their code books. In the era of computers, the internet and the “portal,” building officials often abbreviate and confuse both the professional and the customer by not pointing out that “the wording on Sheet 3 in the upper right-hand corner should state…” The lack of specifics creates lots of back-and-forth, delays and cost to the owner for the delays. Rent and taxes still need to be paid during the delays.
More to follow.
© 2026 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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Rosemary and I and our son Sean recently visited the University of Notre Dame. In many ways it was a homecoming.
Rosemary, her mother and her sister graduated from St. Mary’s College, adjacent to Notre Dame, in the days before it accepted female students. Her father and two brothers are Notre Dame grads. Our daughter Erin and I graduated from Notre Dame Law School, and Sean earned his MBA from Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business. Sean is now an affiliated scholar at the university’s Liu Institute for Asian Affairs, and regularly lectures on Asian geopolitics and economic policy at the institute and the Mendoza School. When I was growing up as an IrishCatholic kid in blue-collar Queens, Notre Dame embodied Irish-Catholic immigrant success in becoming a part of the American fabric and achieving the American dream. That success was exemplified by Notre Dame’s fabled football teams, which dominated college
football during that era. Of course, there was and is more to the university than football. Notre Dame was founded at a time of severe anti-Catholic bias in the country, led by hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan and the Know Nothing movement. There also was anti-Catholic bias in academia well into the 20th century, which Arthur Schlesinger Sr. described as “the anti-Semitism of intellectuals.”
My wife and I visited a university you may have heard of to watch our son in action.
Notre Dame, though, went beyond being a defensive religious fortress to making Catholic thought a part of American life, along with full acceptance of other religions, with open debate and finding common ground encouraged. Striking that balance can be difficult, but it is still working. Religious freedom was on display on the campus last year, when pro-Hamas demonstrations did not devolve into the antisemitic violence that occurred at other universities, such as Columbia. Students were given prescribed locations and time periods for demonstrations, and those who ignored them were arrested. The result was intelligent debate without violence.
Rosemary and I visited this year to meet with some of Sean’s academic colleagues and watch him in action. We
ialso walked around the campus, taking in iconic sights like the Golden Dome and rekindling old memories. On our first morning, we met with Frank Pomarico and his wife, Eileen. A Queens native and a graduate of St. Francis Prep, Frank was the captain of Notre Dame’s 1973 national champion football team, coached by the legendary Ara Parseghian. Frank and Eileen live in South Bend, and are amazingly friendly and interesting. It was a great way to start the day.
Then we walked over to the law school to meet with Diane Desierto, a professor of international law and human rights, a native of the Philippines, a friend of Sean’s and a true scholar. Desierto updated me on the state of the law school (all good), her strong belief that law students should be exposed to all sides of issues and that legal education must include a moral component.
We had lunch with Josh Gobel, a good friend and a longtime member of the South Bend Police Department who now works in the Notre Dame P.D. in various key capacities, including protecting visiting dignitaries, such as Supreme Court Justice Amy Cony Barrett — who
attended the law school at the same time as Erin. Great conversation with Josh, as always.
After a visit to the campus bookstore, Rosemary and I joined Sean at the Morris Inn on campus for dinner with Michel Hockx, a Chinese scholar and a professor at the Liu Institute, where Sean had just finished teaching a class. Hockx, who is originally from the Netherlands, has been teaching at Notre Dame for 10 years, and has worked with Sean on various projects. After dinner, we all walked to the Mendoza School to watch Sean give a lecture to a group of students preparing to visit Japan.
He discussed the intricacies of Japanese political, cultural and economic development since the end of World War II, the country’s relationship with the United States and the threats it faces from China. My biased opinion? A thoughtful, virtuoso performance. (He must have gotten it from Rosemary, who was a teacher.)
The next day we flew back to New York. Rosemary and I went home to Seaford, and Sean to his apartment in Manhattan — all three of us with new Notre Dame memories to share. And yes, Notre Dame football is still great. Go, Irish!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Is this the year of the blue wave? Will it be a modified one or a total rout? Is there any chance of a red wave? Not likely. But, once again, we are facing a year in which the U.S. House of Representatives, and perhaps the Senate, are up for grabs, and the early odds favor the party that’s out of power.
We often refer to political prognosticating it as “reading the tea leaves.” But tea leaves are no longer the best way to pick winners and losers. There are now so many more sophisticated ways to handicap the races, some of which we have been used for years and others that are brand new. The media is dominated by daily polling announcements, and if you give the polls any credence, they spell bad news for President Trump and the candidates of his party.
Poll after poll, whether from the left or the right, seem to indicate that this may be a very bad year for Republicans.
You know that things look bad for them when Fox News consistently announces polls showing that everyday Republicans and independents are slowly moving away from long-favored party candidates. In addition, wellknown commentators such as Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson are predicting only bad things for the party come November.
iThe newest form of political projections is occurring on such outlets as Kalshi and Polymarket. On Kalshi, people trade contracts on the outcome of real-world events. They are deep into gambling on sports events, but lately have also been involved in betting on political events. Polymarket is built on a crypto platform. People bet on “yes” and “no” shares that reflect the feelings of the bettors and their inkling to pick winners. Both platforms have become highly controversial. Demands are being made for them to be regulated by Congress, but that won’t happen soon. If you want to find more reliable trends, pay attention to what’s going on in Washington and around the country. This year, more than 30 Republican
’ve seen many waves, red and blue, which are part of the ups and downs of politics.
members of the House have announced that they won’t seek re-election. Some are campaigning for Senate seats and others are running for governor, but the vast majority of the retirees have announced that they’re eager to spend more time with their families, the age-old excuse to get out of Washington.
At last count, there were 35 House seats up for reelection that were tilting toward the Democrats. If the blue wave is really going to happen, most of those seats will go to the Democrats. In 2025 the party won major races in Virginia, New Jersey and New York. This year, a number of Democrats have had upset wins in races for state House seats in districts that Trump won in 2024 by wide margins. If these victories are any indication of the national trend, it’s all bad news for the Republicans.
Up to a few months ago, there was little or no talk about Democrats having any chance to take over the U.S. Senate, but the latest polls seem to show a tightening of the races in Maine, North Carolina, Texas and Ohio. If Democrats can
pull off any upsets in these key states, Jon Ossoff can hold on to his seat in Georgia and a newcomer can win in Michigan, the party’s chances of capturing the Senate will improve remarkably.
One of the more disturbing factors for Republicans is the fact that Trump hasn’t made any strong statements about his desire to see his party stay in power. He is promoting various ideas about how they can win at the ballot box, but any federal effort to take the power to oversee voting away from the states will likely be struck down as unconstitutional.
Having reached an advanced age, I’ve seen many waves, both red and blue. They sometimes last two years, and occasionally continue for four years. The swings back and forth between parties are part of the ups and downs of politics. So if it turns out that the Democrats have a great year, they’d better handle their newfound power very carefully, because two years can pass very quickly.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.
The American people are fed up.
The chaos at our airports was awful, the Department of Homeland Security has not been fully funded during these very dangerous times, and the people are demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement live up to the standards of all other federal law enforcement agencies. They are sick and tired of the endless blame game. All across America, people are demanding that politicians put partisanship aside and work together to fix the very real problems we face. The anger and annoyance are real. And frankly, I agree.
That’s why I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation to immediately reopen DHS while advancing common-sense reforms to ICE. Alongside my Problem Solvers Caucus co-chair, Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, who served as an FBI agent for more than 15 years, I am trying to cut through the dysfunction, isolate the problem areas where negotiations have stalled and work together to actually get something done.
Our solution is common sense: fund the parts of the DHS where there are no disagreements, like disaster response and cybersecurity, and institute real reforms to ICE that most Americans have been hungering for. It only makes sense to hold ICE, a federal law-enforcement agency, to the same safety and accountability standards of every other bureau in the nation.
Calling us ‘Country Destroying, Radical Left Democrats’ doesn’t help.
That means body-camera and officer-identification requirements, higher training standards, a crackdown on roving patrols and limitations on agents wearing masks. The legislation would also lay out stronger warrant requirements and rules governing activity in sensitive locations to ensure that enforcement resources are focused on the “worst of the worst.”
It seems simple, but Congress has been in a political standoff that perfectly exemplifies what’s wrong with Washington. Let me explain.
The budget for the DHS is $97 billion. $87 billion of that funds everything from the TSA agents at our airports to Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster responses, cybersecurity units and the Coast Guard. The remaining $10 billion funds ICE.
iam astonished to tell you that I just marked my 79th birthday.
No greetings and salutations, please. It’s a big number, and it weighs a ton. I’m standing on the threshold of lights-out and wondering how I got from then to now.
In 1949 I could walk under my parents’ dining room table. It was my special parlor trick. Then playground, school, dating, college, marriage, kids, grandkids and closing curtains. I’m still short, but I can’t clear the tabletop. And that’s not all that has changed. Culture, politics, fashion, food and entertainment are often unrecognizable to me. Sometimes I feel estranged from “modern” life. As I write this out of my own brain, sharing my unadulterated, unimproved or revised thoughts, I’m being assaulted by prompts asking if I want “Copilot” to rework my sentences. I don’t know where Copilot came from and have no
Democrats have been saying for weeks that they will fund the $87 billion that doesn’t go to ICE right now. That would have ended the airport disaster, paid our TSA agents far earlier and kept the core functions of DHS operating. We would not vote to fund the other $10 billion for ICE, however, until there were real reforms.
While Republicans resisted at first, there was eventually enough consensus among both Democratic and Republican members of Congress to at least reopen the non-ICE agencies of DHS. But just as bipartisan negotiations in the Senate were making progress, President Trump intervened with a directive to his party: “No deals with the Democrats.”
To be precise, he outlawed deals with the “Crazy, Country Destroying, Radical Left Democrats.”
That’s outrageous. Once again, that’s politics getting in the way of progress. Finger-pointing has been all too prevalent.
I have built my career on finding common ground for the common good. It has always been my philosophy that I’ll work with anyone, regardless of political party, to get things done for my constituents. As co-chair of the biparti-
san Problem Solvers Caucus, I’ve worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to tackle the nation’s toughest issues. Just a few months ago we passed legislation out of the House that extended health care tax credits to prevent skyrocketing premiums for millions. Unfortunately, then as now, the president got in the way, changing the debate from bipartisan health care wins to Venezuela and Greenland before the Senate could close the deal.
I represent a district that voted for Trump and for me. My constituents aren’t interested in partisan talking points — they want results. They want safe airports, secure borders, a functioning government and a lower cost of living. And they want their elected officials to work together to deliver.
People are concerned that the Department of Homeland Security has not been in the game. They’re outraged about the illegal and immoral behavior of ICE. And they’re frustrated that politicians are too busy pointing fingers to solve our problems.
We don’t have to choose between security and accountability. We can do both. We don’t have to accept dysfunction in Washington. And we certainly don’t have to tolerate political games when real people are being affected.
Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.
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idea how to get rid of it. This isn’t a one-off experience. It’s daily combat with technology that threatens to drive me screaming from the house.
I’m barely exaggerating. Many friends are more adept with technology, but many more are less skilled. This is a constant challenge, whether I try to pay a bill or reach a doctor or, heaven forbid, get a copy of a document from the DMV.
Life is hard enough, what with approaching death and such. But add heaven knows how many streaming services when all you want to do is turn on the freaking TV for a half hour; it’s too much. With all the tools that are supposed to make life easier, it has undoubtedly become more complicated. And this isn’t just an oldster’s kvetch.
M y daily combat with technology threatens to drive me screaming from the house.
“Next time you can do better.” I want to be alone, and all day long I’m assailed by pings and rings and notifications ad nauseum. I talk to friends in real time and real space, and as I share my private thoughts with them, they’re talking to the watch on their wrist. This can’t be good for anyone. I know this sounds like every older generation’s observations of the young, but in this case, really, you know I’m right. No one just sits and talks to one another anymore without a prop, like a phone.
We were inexperienced and naïve enough to feel wonder and delight in love and travel and having children. Now “parenting” seems like a burden to many young people, and indeed it is, with apps that track ovulation and breast milk availability. The technology hijacks the entire experience. You can’t do better as a parent by finding the exact time Baby will burp after feeding. What you can do is lose the joy of the moment.
Time was, I could go for a walk in peace and quiet, enjoying my own thoughts. Now I’m fully sucked into the need to do three things at once: walk, listen to a book while I read and answer messages, and have some app count my steps. I never signed on to this app, yet it has the nerve to tell me after a walk:
I think about my first encounters with boys when we were in grade school. We started and stumbled and learned to talk to one another, and then danced and then dated and made out in cars. Today I read story after story about how 20-somethings say that romance and dating are dead. Who killed it? Did we boomers somehow get the best of it? You know, right place, right time? The pace of life, the devices, the culture of increasing isolation are not working to make a better life for the grandkids.
From my vantage point, stepping into my 80th year, it’s been a pretty good life so far. These last years have brought some painful challenges, but the decades before provided a buffer of good memories and gratitude. We can’t travel right now, but it is said that real discovery isn’t looking for something new but seeing the same life with different eyes.
I believe with all my heart that for many of us boomers, the pandemic and its isolation, the separation from kids, grandkids and friends, robbed us of the years we might have eased into older age. And now we’re here. The best I can do is look at this moment, and it will be just a moment, with new eyes.
Copyright 2026 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
Somewhere on Long Island tonight, a village board will vote on a zoning variance, a school district will finalize a budget or a contractor will win a bid. None of it will lead the network news or trend on social media. But it will matter — to the family whose street gets rezoned, to the teachers whose contract is on the line, to the taxpayers footing the bill.
In most cases, a Herald reporter will be in that room. But in too many communities across the country — and increasingly in our own backyard — that reporter’s chair sits empty. And when no one is watching, things have a way of going sideways.
April 9 is Local News Day, a national moment to recognize what local news does, why it matters, and what we lose when it disappears.
Local news isn’t the shouting matches on cable or the partisan warfare that passes for national political coverage. Local news is the Rockville Centre St. Patrick’s Day parade and the Hewlett High School science fair. It’s the Nassau County budget hearing that will affect your property taxes for the next decade, the obituary that captures a neighbor’s life, and the investigation that stops a bad idea before it becomes law. At Richner Communications — publisher of the Long Island Herald — we’ve been doing this work since 1964. Sixty-two years, three generations, over 100 local employees, nearly 30 weekly newspapers.
The Founding Fathers understood the stakes. The free press is the only indus-
try they considered important enough to protect by name in the Constitution. But we are failing that promise. Since 2004, one-third of all American newsrooms have closed. There are 43,000 fewer local reporters and editors working today than there were then. New York alone has lost nearly half its newspapers, and a quarter of the state’s counties now have one or no local news sources. Digital-only outlets have not filled the void.
Today, more than 2½ newspapers shutter in America each week. The consequences are documented and dire: Communities without local news see lower voter turnout, higher taxes and measurable increases in corruption, political polarization, and even toxic environmental emissions.
Wealth is no inoculation from this trend. The Scarsdale Inquirer was founded in 1901 and served one of the wealthiest communities in America for 123 years. It closed without warning in January 2024. The Westchester village — mirroring the demographics of many Long Island communities — still doesn’t have a newspaper over two years later.
Compounding this problem is the rise of artificial intelligence, which can now manufacture articles, quotes, and entire “news sites” that look authoritative and cost almost nothing to create. That means the news environment has only grown harder to navigate. Trusted news brands, with reporters who actually live and work in the communities they cover, are more important than ever. It’s the reason that we at the Herald use A.I. as a tool to support, not replace, the report-
ers you know and respect.
And yet the climate for news in America has rarely been more hostile than today. The United States now ranks 57th in the world in press freedom — labeled “problematic” by Reporters Without Borders, placing us alongside countries we’re accustomed to lecturing about democratic norms. Arrests of reporters and editors in America nearly tripled between 2023 and 2024. A national shield law for reporters has failed to pass Congress twice. Right now, the Pentagon is aggressively curtailing press access, a policy that flies in the face of a functioning democracy. The temperature in Washington sets a tone, and that tone travels — all the way to the reporters covering Long Island’s myriad municipal entities.
The Herald has always believed that local news is worth fighting for. It’s why we helped found the Empire State Local News Coalition, which won a first-of-itskind state tax credit for local newspapers. That legislation is already helping newspapers survive that might otherwise have gone dark, meaning that thousands of New Yorkers who might otherwise have lost their only trusted local news source still have one.
Every community gets the local news it deserves — which is to say, the local news it supports. If you want a paper that shows up, you have to show up for it. On Local News Day, make that decision. Subscribe. Advertise. Tell your neighbors. The Herald has been here for over a century. Whether we’re here for the next one is, in no small part, up to you.
when I was elected, I accepted the responsibility of acting as a liaison between the constituency of Assembly District 21 and Albany, especially when it comes to how the state spends your money.
To be an effective legislator, it’s important to remain transparent about how these processes affect our communities, and to communicate the priorities of our district and Nassau County.
My goal has always been to address constituents’ needs through legislation, advocacy and the highly complex annual state budget process. It begins in January, when the governor releases the Executive Budget, a baseline spending plan that identifies all funding sources for the following year, starting a vigorous negotiation period.
Legislators discuss issues with a variety of state agency leaders, advocates and stakeholders in budget hearings that are necessary in order to gather information on how we can enhance the governor’s proposals. Afterward, the State Senate and Assembly respond by outlining resolutions, so-called “onehouse budgets.” Though not legislatively binding, they guide the governor, the Assembly speaker and the Senate
majority leader in their negotiations.
This year, some substantive issues continue to delay a final agreement, due to the considerable volume of policy involved. I welcome and share the correspondence I receive from constituents and the members of countless district and statewide organizations like local municipalities, law enforcement agencies, school districts, students, libraries, health care workers, labor unions and district attorneys.
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Above all else, it’s clear that rising costs, often attributable to current events beyond the state’s jurisdiction that affect the entire country, are making it impossible for average middle-class families, young adults and senior citizens to thrive. Nevertheless, I work continuously with my colleagues to lighten people’s financial burden and deliver relief. Increased school funding, enhanced municipal aid and expanded funding for road maintenance help minimize local property taxes, while supporting our suburban quality of life.
dens on residents, while allowing time to phase in pragmatic and attainable environmental improvements.
Rising utility rates. Current events have resulted in rising gasoline prices and utility costs. I support proposals that will provide immediate relief and ensure that ratepayers see actual reductions in their utility expenses, instead of convoluted promises that don’t deliver.
ising costs are making it impossible for average middleclass families to thrive.
Addressing health care discrepancies and supporting aging populations. Access to quality, affordable health care is becoming less attainable for many in our communities, which results in increased costs for health insurance, hospital services, prescription medication and nursing facilities. I support increased aid to these health care providers.
impact state, municipal and school district budgets. Our public workforce is crucial, and our communities value our police, firefighters, teachers and other public servants.
Potential climate law revisions. When the ambitious Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act was enacted in 2019,we weren’t experiencing an affordability crisis coupled with supply-chain issues. The business sector maintains that these regulatory deadlines need to be re-examined to prioritize regional economic stability, while environmental advocates claim that any revision will increase energy costs and negatively impact the environment. Any changes to our climate laws must be both environmentally sound and fiscally responsible.
Here are the major issues in our budget negotiations:
School funding. I’m committed to ensuring that our schools receive equitable increases in foundation aid. Fully funding this aid enables schools to give students a robust education. It’s also necessary to halt the mandated transition to electric school buses on an unrealistic timeline to avoid additional tax bur-
Reducing the escalating cost of auto insurance. Supporters of the governor’s auto insurance reforms have identified litigation abuse and fraudulent claims as key factors in skyrocketing rates. While I support measures that prosecute fraud, it is essential that seriously injured people are compensated.
Fixing Tier 6. There are many union households in A.D. 21 calling for equitable changes in public-employee pension programs. I agree with many proposals, but the cost for taxpayers must be considered, since these measures will
Modernizing the State Environmental Quality Review Act. It’s key to strike a balance between the need to increase the housing supply and provide jobs, resulting in economic vitality, and protecting the environment, promoting sustainable growth and ensuring that buildings don’t overload existing water infrastructure.
As we enter the final stage of this process, I’m fighting for a responsible budget that reflects the priorities of A.D. 21. Thank you to those who have shared your opinions with me, so that I can make sure your voice is heard in Albany.
Griffin represents the 21st Assembly District.
