Malverne/West Hempstead Herald 02-26-2026

HERALD Malverne/West HeMpstead

Black History month celebrated with storytellers

By MADISoN GUSlER mgusler@liherald.com

Lakeview residents gathered at the Lakeview Public Library on Saturday for the library’s annual Black History Month celebration, led by the Nassau County Guardians. The event was organized by the library and the Guardians to bring people together.

“I want you to understand that this is our time,” County Legislator Carrie Solages, who represents Lakeview, said. “The time to emphasize the importance of Black history, the importance of the contributions that we have made to this town and to this great country.”

Solages also introduced the Guardians. “I would like to thank our Guardian Association for playing a very important role when it comes to public safety here in Nassau County,” Solages said. “The Guardians play a very important role as a bridge between law enforcement and our communities.”

The county Guardians Association is a fraternal organization whose members work with county law enforcement

CoNtiNued oN PAGe 6

Registration open for 2026 kindergarten program

By MADISoN GUSlER mgusler@liherald.com

Dozens of families attended the Malverne School District’s informational session on Feb. 4, learning how to register their children for kindergarten for the 2026-27 school year.

“Mission Kindergarten: A Portrait of Discovery” highlighted the programs and processes available for parents and students at Maurice W. Downing Primary School, which houses students in kindergarten through the second grade, at 55 Acorn Way.

“I want to have your children here at Downing because

it’s a beautiful place to learn and grow,” Erik Walter, Downing’s principal, told parents.

“Ultimately, the goal is to graduate your children in 2039 from Malverne High School.”

The district opened kindergarten registration for the 202627 school year on Feb. 9.

Rebecca Gottesman, the district’s director of counseling, explained the registration process for families. She advised parents to contact the district with questions or schedule an appointment for assistance with completing registration forms.

Families enrolling their children in the school district for the first time must register

through the email verification process on Infinite Campus, the districts online portal. Parents who have at least one child already enrolled in the district can register another through the existing Infinite Campus portal by adding a new student in the online registration tab. Those students currently enrolled in the district’s universal pre-kindergarten program are automatically enrolled for kindergarten.

Malverne’s website includes videos in English and Spanish with instructions on the registration process. Early registration is important, allowing the district to prepare the class -

rooms and organize programs.

After registration, parents will receive a letter with contact information to schedule an in-person screening in early May, during which Downing staff will meet with the children and learn about their education. For students enrolled with the district’s UPK, screening will occur at the pre-K site.

During the summer, the district will hold a kindergarten orientation for parents and students. At that time, parents could bring in the school supplies their children will need, which will help teachers begin to set up for the new school year.

In August, the Parent Teacher Association will organize a

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Rave alerts keep Malverne residents safe

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

At the Village of Malverne’s monthly board of trustees meeting on Feb. 4 Deputy Mayor Scott Edwards encouraged village residents to sign up for the new Rave system, Malverne Alerts. This system was designed in partnership with Malverne’s Chief of Police Tom Martini.

“RAVE is an emergency notification system that the village subscribes to,” Edwards said. “The service allows us to send out messages to any residents that have publicly listed phone numbers or that have opted in to receive these emergency notification system.”

Rave Alert is a Motorola Solutions owned service that the village subscribes to, which allows village officials to send critical, real-time alerts to people during emergencies over text, email, and calls.

“These notifications are typically either weather, security or infrastructure based,” Edwards said. “For example we recently sent a message regarding the utility work that’s going on along Hempstead Avenue by Liberty Water and National Grid. We’ve also had some snow events this winter, so we sent out alerts regarding the snow, making sure vehicles are parked off the street

and the curb line is cleared so we can plow properly and safely.”

The various options on the system to inform residents about emergencies was important to Edwards and Martini, as community members have different preferences for information delivery.

“A lot of people don’t get their information from social media,” Martini

said, referring to some of the elderly residents without social media access.

“So rather then relying on Facebook and stuff like that, we’re looking to streamline the information process in regards to emergencies.

“So any type of snow or emergency you can think of, where we want to get information out to the public,” he con -

tinued, “that’s what we’re using this application for.”

The Rave Alert platform also allows residents to subscribe to other local alerts, such as Nassau County and Town of Hempstead.

Malverne previously had an alert system known as Swift Reach before adopting Malverne Alerts. Residents who registered for Swift Reach were transferred to the new platform but Edwards encouraged residents to still register for Malverne Alerts, updating information, preferences, and ensuring you’re informed on local emergencies.

“It would be good for people if they had signed up in the past to go back and either update or re-register,” Edwards said. “Provide as much information as you want to provide, cell phone numbers, home phone, emails, so we make sure they get contacted in case of emergencies.”

To register for Malverne Alerts, visit the village website at www.malvernevillage.org and opt to “subscribe to village alerts” on the home page. Once you enter your information and consent to receive messages, you’re subscribed.

“We pride ourselves on doing the best we can to get the word out to our residents,” Edwards said.

311-hub plan targets 911-operator burnout

By STACY DRIKS

sdriks@liherald.com

Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks introduced legislation to create a countywide 311 non-emergency service, a move that she and other Democratic lawmakers say will reduce burnout on 911 operators and improve emergency response times.

County residents often call 911 for non-emergency issues — including potholes, sanitation problems, streetlight outages and noise complaints. Nationwide data suggests nearly 50 percent of 911 calls fall into these categories.

The proposed 311 system would include a centralized call center with trained personnel. It would allow residents to submit service requests via mobile app, including uploading photos, and track their real-time status. Lawmakers say that reducing non-emergency calls would help address a 20 percent staffing shortage among emergency operators and cut down delays in lifethreatening situations.

“While these calls deserve attention, they shouldn’t compete with someone reporting a fire, a violent crime or a medical emergency when only seconds count,” Nicks said. “Here in Nassau, our operators are handling everything from noise complaints to service requests, and these non-emergencies pull resources away from urgent needs.”

She pointed to similar systems in New York City, Suffolk County and the Town of North Hempstead. North

Stacy Driks/Herald

Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks introduced her proposal for a countywide 311 system on Feb. 9, saying the service would help reduce 911 call volume and improve emergency response times.

Hempstead launched its 311-call center in 2005, and has handled more than three million calls, according to Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena. The center acts as a hub for municipal services, with requests tracked to completion County Legislator Viviana Russell, who represents parts of Uniondale and North Hempstead, said she was part of the original team that launched North Hempstead’s system. She also took part in the Suffolk operating system as well.

“I can tell you first-hand how it helped residents of the Town of North Hempstead,” Russell said. “Through tracking the calls, you are able to see where there are needs in different departments as well as where residents need additional help, within the confines of the county.”

The county would also launch a public education campaign to help residents understand when to call 311 versus 911. Nicks said labor unions would be

included in planning for staffing and training. As of now, the legislators are in close contact with CSEA, one of the largest public service unions in the state, and other labor groups have expressed support for the legislation.

“It’s about protecting the people who will protect us, this proposal will help reduce burnout, improve retention and strengthen emergency responses across Nassau County,” said Delia DeRiggi Whitton, a county legislator who represents Glen Cove and Sea Cliff, who serves as the Legislature’s minority leader. This is a commonsense workforce and public safety investment that benefits residents, employees and emergency responders.”

Also, the short staffing concerns have grown since County Executive Bruce Blakeman passed a voluntary buyout program for longtime employees in his $4.4 billion executive budget in January. Possibly saving $30 million annually, concerns were raised about losing experienced staff in public safety.

Under the plan, full-time workers with at least 10 years of service would receive a $2,000 lump-sum payment for each year worked. About 3,400 employees are eligible, including 911 operators.

As a former emergency medical service responder and fire captain with Uniondale’s Manor Company 3, Nicks said she knows how critical a fast response can be.

“This is most apropos for her to introduce this legislation,” said County Legislator Scott Davis.

Courtesy MalverneTV/Facebook

Margaret Hannan, voice of Malverne TV, dies at 76 OBITUARY

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

Margaret “Peggy” Cronin Hannan, an active member of the Malverne community, passed away on Feb. 11. Born Oct. 31, 1949, she was 76.

Margaret “Peggy” Cronin Hannan, the voice of Malverne TV, passed away on Feb. 11.

Hannan worked for The New York Telephone Company in New York City, beginning in 1967 and retiring in 1994 from the NYNEX Corporation, the New York New England Exchange telecommunications service. She met her husband, Michael Hannan, while working together at NY Telephone Co.

Hannan was an active member of the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

“Her faith was vibrant and active, inspiring others to grow closer to Christ,” OLL posted on Facebook.

“Through her dedication to the Legion of Mary, she lived Our Lady’s humility and courage, always reminding us that evangelization begins with prayer.”

Hannan founded the St. Monica’s Prayer Group, was dedicated to the The Equestrian Order of Jerusalem, created the church’s “Words of Wisdom,” and brought the church together for Wednesday Movie Nights.

“Peggy’s loss is a deep loss for all of us,” Rev. James Stachacz said during Hannan’s funeral mass at OLL on Feb.

19. “When you think of Lourdes, you think of Peggy Hannan, both words are synonymous because of her deep love for the Lord. She continues to be our voice.

Hannan was called “the voice of Malverne TV” in a post on the channel’s Facebook page.

“For over 15 years, Peggy’s dedication kept our community calendar running, but it was her move to the microphone that made her an icon of the station,” the statement said. “Peggy was funny, determined, and remarkably hardworking, and her absence leaves a silence that will be deeply felt by all who knew her.”

To honor Hannan, Malverne TV will not be adding new voice overs to its local announcements for a time and continue to use her voice to share that “You’re watching MalverneTV.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to Our Lady of Lourdes School at ollmalverne.org or Mommas House, a Long Island-based not-for-profit that supports young mothers with pregnancy and parenting and promotes healthy birth outcomes, at www.mommashouse.org.

Her husband, Michael Hannan, her siblings Thomas, Peter, Michael, Marian, their partners, her nieces, nephews, and their families survive her.

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Lakeview library celebrates Black history

agencies. It is dedicated to encouraging the African-American community to be the conscience of the criminal justice system.

Guardians President Brendan Gibbs and library Director Camina RaphaelLubin welcomed attendees to the program. This year’s presentation was “Griots in Concert,” performed by Linda Humes and Hasan Bakr. Griot is a West African term for a storyteller, poet or oral historian.

“It is truly our pleasure to be here to celebrate Black History Month with you,” said Humes, the founder of Yaffa Cultural Arts Inc., an arts organization headquartered in Harlem that encourages education, community building and self-actualization. Specializing in telling stories aligned with the West African tradition of jeli, she aims to inspire and motivate through storytelling. Humes also serves as a doctoral lecturer in Africana Studies at John Jay College, and chairs the Education Committee for the National Association of Black Storytellers.

As part of the program, master drummer Bakr played the djembe, a traditional West African percussion instrument that is known for its wide, versatile sound range — from deep bass to high-pitched slaps — achieved by striking different parts of the drum head.

The pair shared stories and songs from various countries, from Ghana to Jamaica, before inviting the audience to participate in a tradition from the United States. Sea Island and its neighboring barrier islands, off the coast of Georgia and South Carolina, are the wellspring of Gullah Geechee culture, which was created by enslaved West Africans brought to work on rice and cotton plantations in the region. African traditions, trades and a distinct language are highlights of Black History there.

“You have groups of African people that held on to their culture, their food, their language,” Humes said of the Gullah. “Not only did they hold on to their rhythms and melodies, they were influenced by some other music forms — blues, country — and which helped form another music from a group called Ranky Tanky.”

Ranky Tanky is a Grammy-winning group that plays vibrant, jazz-influenced

music that blends with traditional Gullah, which is itself influenced by blues, gospel and other West African traditions. The band’s name translates

to “get funky” or “work it” in the Gullah dialect.

Humes and Bakr invited attendees to get involved in the music by handing

out instruments and teaching a dance to accompany their songs.

Humes wrapped up the program by sharing some Black history. She told the attendees about Augustus Jackson, an African-American confectioner known as the Father of Ice Cream, and John Standard, an African-American inventor who revolutionized kitchen technology by patenting significant improvements to the refrigerator and oil stove in the late 19th century.

“Our history has been erased in a truly demonic way,” Humes said. “Even those of us who might have received a little portion of Black history in school, it’s still not enough.” She emphasized the importance of adults’ actively informing their children about Black history and its impacts on the world.

“You tell them your stories, then you tell them our stories,” she said. “There’s no way that the young people can take the baton and make this world better if they don’t know what happened.”

To end the program, Bakr invited the attendees to join him in singing “One Love,” by Bob Marley.

Lynbrook upsets Malverne in thriller, 51-50

By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com

Lynbrook’s heavy devotion to free throws paid dividends at the end of last Saturday’s Nassau Class A boys’ basketball quarterfinal before a raucous crowd at top-seeded Malverne.

The ninth-seeded Owls, who have every player take 18 foul shots at each practice, sent Devin Byrne to the charity stripe with 0.8 seconds left trailing by one and the senior guard calmly connected on both to deliver a 51-50 upset win. The comeback victory less than two miles from Lynbrook’s home gym rallying from a late nine-point hole sends the it to the semifinals against fourth-seeded Friends Academy at Farmingdale State Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

“That preparation is everything,” said Byrne, who finished with 16 points. “My teammates came up to me and said ‘you’re knocking both of these down’ and I said ‘I got you guys.’”

Byrne’s clutch free throws were set up by a dramatic sequence in which Malverne’s Andrew Innocent drove to the basket and connected on what appeared

to be a game-winning floater in the lane with under a second remaining. Moments later, however, officials issued a technical foul on the Mules bench for running onto the court as Lynbrook was attempting to call timeout, giving Byrne his chance to play the hero.

“We take 18 free throws every single practice and Devin’s been our best free throw shooter all season doing it,” Lynbrook head coach Brian Donaldson said. “We knew putting him in that spot he was going to hit both of them.”

Malverne filed a protest of the game’s final sequence with the Nassau County Section VIII athletics governing body, head coach Darrol Lopez said.

Lynbrook (16-6) positioned itself for Byrne’s heroics by railing from a 45-36 deficit with just over three minutes remaining. A Byrne three-pointer cut the margin to 45-44 and a Orji Agwu bucket with just over a minute left off a Malverne turnover gave the Owls their first lead of the afternoon, 46-45.

After Shane Lee sank two free throws to give Malverne the lead back, Agwu once again came through with a layup on the other end to make it 48-47 in Lyn-

brook’s favor.

Clinging to a 49-48 lead with 15 seconds left, Agwu forced a block that sent the ball down to the other end of the floor but Lynbrook was called for a travel giving Malerne an inbounds play with seven seconds remaining to set up Innocent’s last second shot.

Agwu finished with 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Senior forward Max Dellacona also had a big day with nine points and six rebounds.

Malverne (16-5), which finished 11-1 in Nassau VII during the regular season, was led by 13 points from Lee and 11 by junior point guard Tristan Inswood. Bryce McIntosh Jason Miletic and Innocent all tallied 6 points apiece.

The heartbreaking defeat ends the high school career of eight Malverne seniors who positioned the Mules to host a quarterfinal game the last two seasons. “We had a great journey with the seniors,” Lopez said. “They earned a tremendous amount of respect from me as a coach.”

Lynbrook, which boasts 11 seniors, advanced to the quarterfinals with a 55-31 first round win at No. 8 Wantagh.

Abbey Salvemini/Herald

Town of Hempstead cracks down on breeders

By ABBEY SALVEMINI asalvemini@liherald.com

Sweeping new legislation aimed at cracking down on unlicensed backyard breeders was introduced at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter in Wantagh as Supervisor John Ferretti said the goal is simple: “protect animals and prevent suffering before it starts.”

Ferretti outlined a proposed local law that would require all dog and cat litters born in the town to be registered within

30 days. Pet owners would need to report the breed or species, the name of the veterinarian who treated the animals and where they are being housed.

The measure is largely complaint-driven; allowing residents to report suspected illegal breeding to the town, which would then dispatch animal control.

“We need the community to help us out and report people who are breeding or selling out of their backyards,” he said. “We will send an animal control officer or a building department inspector out to investigate.”

This legislation is about action, it’s not about money.

Town officials say unregulated breeding operations often lead to overpopulation, inbreeding and unsafe living conditions. Puppies and kittens are frequently separated from their mothers too early, resulting in long-term health and behavioral issues. Many end up sick, abandoned or surrendered to shelters when they are no longer considered profitable.

JohN FErrETTI Town Supervisor

“If we didn’t have backyard breeding, we probably wouldn’t have as many animals in any shelter around the country as we do daily,” said Animal Shelter Director Ashley Behrens, voicing her support for the proposed legislation and its focus on preventing overpopulation before it reaches local shelters.

“Cracking down on what’s best for the community and the animals is something we are fully in support of,” Behrens added.

Under the proposal, violations would start at $250 and increase to $500 for repeat offenders. However, fines could be dismissed if the animals are sterilized or surrendered to a licensed shelter within 16 weeks. Ferretti stressed that the legislation is about accountability — not revenue.

“This legislation is about action, it’s not about money,” he said. “We’re not here to collect a penny. We want what’s best for the animals.”

Ferretti pointed to a recent case involving a golden retriever that arrived at the shelter still lactating after having given birth. He said the dog appeared to have been abandoned once she was no longer useful for breeding. The retriever was quickly adopted, but the case underscored the broader issue.

“When their owners are done with them, they throw them in the streets,” Behrens said. “We see this day in and day out.”

Ferretti emphasized that while he is proud that the town’s animal shelter operates a no-kill facility with long-term care management, prevention is key. Town officials did not say when the new regulations would be discussed at a town board meeting.

State highlights workforce training on L.I.

By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD & CAROLYN JAMES of the Herald

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

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

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

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

Carolyn James/Herald

Suffolk County Community College President Edward Bonohue, left, state Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon and Mike Fabrizio, director of the college’s Computer Numerical Control program, at the Brentwood campus on Feb. 17.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kindergartners celebrate 100th day

On Feb. 11, kindergarten students at Chestnut Street School in West Hempstead marked a major milestone as they celebrated 100 days of learning with creativity, laughter and joy.

To commemorate the occasion, many students and teachers dressed as 100-year-olds, arriving at school equipped with walking canes, glasses, gray hair, suspenders and sweater vests. The playful costumes brought smiles to classrooms and hallways alike, making the 100th day of school both memorable and meaningful.

In addition to dressing the part, students created a variety of posters and decorations centered around the number 100. These colorful displays highlighted counting skills, creativity and the progress students have made since the start of the school year. The artwork was proudly showcased throughout the hallways, and each kindergarten class took turns checking out each other’s work.

Students at Malverne’s Maurice W. Downing Primary School marked the 100th day of the school year on Feb. 13 by showing just how “100 days smarter” they are. Kindergarten through second graders engaged in hands-on activities designed to celebrate this milestone, including lessons in math, counting, history and art.

Students wore decorative hats in honor of the 100th day and some students also dressed as 100-year-olds.

“Celebrating the 100th day of school is a fun way for our students to reflect on how much they’ve learned and grown this year,” Erik Walter, Downing principal, said. “It’s exciting to see their creativity and enthusiasm for learning shine.”

The 100th day of school celebrations provided an opportunity for students to reflect on how much they have learned and grown academically and socially

–Madison

Gusler

Hempstead residents for financial report audit

By ABBEY SALVEMINI asalvemini@liherald.com

Joseph Scianablo and other Hempstead residents took to Cornwall Avenue Park in West Hempstead demanding greater transparency from the town, calling for a formal state audit after officials acknowledged failing to file the legally required financial statements.

Scianablo announced on Feb. 19, he has formally requested the New York State Comptroller’s Office, led by Thomas DiNapoli, conduct an independent financial and operational audit of the town. The request follows a Jan. 9 “Material Event Notice” in which the town admitted it didn’t submit its audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2024, acknowledged violating bond disclosure obligations.

“I’m standing here today as a resident and a concerned taxpayer,” said Scianablo, the Democratic supervisor candidate who lost to Supervisor John Ferretti, a Republican, in November. “This is not an accusation, it’s facts, Scianablo added. “The Town of Hempstead failed to comply with the requirements for filing financial statements. They failed the people. They failed to submit the required 2024 audit.”

He described the missed filings as part of a broader “pattern of secrecy and noncompliance,” arguing that independent oversight is “not optional, it’s necessary.” Scianablo pointed to major fiscal decisions over the past two years, including a 12 percent tax hike followed by what he described as an unexplained 18 percent reduction the following year, as to why closer scrutiny is warranted.

“Critical decisions in the Town of Hempstead are being made without clear answers,” he said. “This is exactly why an independent audit is necessary. If everything is being done properly by the town, this audit will show that. If problems are uncovered, they must be fixed.”He also raised concerns about the town’s animal shelter, citing questions about budgeting, staffing and public access. Referencing the Companion Animal Care Standards Act, Scianablo said transparency should be prioritized rather than “creating a barrier between the shelter and the public.”

“We need to know our money is being managed responsibly,” he said. “Real leadership means welcoming transparency, not avoiding it.”

The town pushed back on the claims. Spokesman Brian Devine said Ferretti has lowered taxes for residents and the 2024 financial audit was completed on time. “Any suggestion that the town failed its auditing duties is false and misleading,” he said, emphasizing that the town has met all state requirements.

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Jean-Pierre encourages civic engagement

By ABBY GIBSON & KUMBA JAGNE Interns

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“She talked about seeing someone touch President

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

STEPPING OUT

Rhythms, rituals and revelry

Carnival is back at Long Island Children’s Museum

By Abbey Salvemini

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

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

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

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

American Chamber Ensemble in concert

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

• Saturday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Admission: $18, $16 65+

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

• 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Music in the air, joy in every step. Samba Novo dancers bring rhythms to life and invite young guests to move, groove and celebrate together.

Vsitors get creative with hands-on artmaking, turning tradition into playful masterpieces.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

Feb 26

Ceramic Workshop

Join this hand-on ceramic workshop at Lakeview Public Library to learn the coil method, a traditional handbuilding technique. Participants will create small, customized bowls from raw clay while discovering the basics of ceramics and pottery. Registration required. $5 fee for non-Lakeview residents.

• Where: 1120 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre

• Time: 6 p.m.

• Contact: lakeviewlibrary.org or (516) 536-3071

Feb

27

Sõ Percussion in concert

The Grammy-winning percussionists return to the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center. For 25 years and counting, the quartet has redefined chamber music for the 21st century through an “exhilarating blend of precision and anarchy, rigor and bedlam” (The New Yorker). Their commitment to the creation and amplification of new work have made them a trusted partner for composers, allowing the writing of music that expands the style and capacity of brilliant voices of our time.

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

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or 9516) 877-4000

Family theater

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: 10:15 a.m. and noon; also March 3-5

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

Jessie’s Girl

mar 6

mystical forest on a midsummer eve, romantic misadventures ensue, causing chaos that only a bit of fairy magic can sort out.

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

• Time: 8 p.m.; also March 7, 2 and 8 p.m.; March 8, 3 p.m.

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

Malverne High School

Malverne High School’s Theater Department welcomes all their production of“Chicago: Teen Edition.”

• Where: Howard T. Herber Auditorium 75 Ocean Ave., Malverne

• Time: 7 p.m., also 2 and 7 p.m. on March 7

• Contact: malverneschools.org

Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus

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

mar

1

Library Concert

Live Vinyl presents Ladies Who Rocked

The 80s at West Hempstead Public Library. Seating is on a first come basis.

• Where: 500 Hempstead Ave., West Hempstead

• Time: 2 p.m.

• Contact: whplibrary.org or (516) 481-6591

Art Perspectives

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

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 3 p.m.

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

Metropolitan Klezmer

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to dress up and celebrate Purim — costumes encouraged and fun guaranteed! Enjoy a performance by Metropolitan Klezmer on the museum stage. The band brings eclectic exuberance to Yiddish musical genres from all over the map. Performing vibrant versions of lesser-known gems from wedding dance, trance, folk, swing and tango styles, as well as soundtrack material from vintage Yiddish films, they re-invent tradition with both irreverence and respect. Sing and dance along with us at this interactive family concert! Also make a grogger, the traditional noisemaker used during the telling of the Purim story at a drop-in program, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $5 with museum admission ($4 members), $10 theater only.

• Where: 11 Davis. Ave., Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

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

Community scholarship fundraiser Support West Hempstead High School seniors! Dine

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

• Time: 8 p.m.

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

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

at Gino’s Pizzeria on the first Wednesday monthly and 10 percent of proceeds will support the West Hempstead Community Scholarship Fund’s scholarships. This excludes deliveries and orders with coupons. Let the staff know you are supporting the WHCSF.

• Where: 619 Woodfield Road, West Hempstead

Malverne Village Trustees meet

The Trustees of the Village of Malverne hold their monthly community meeting. All are welcome.

• Where: Village Hall, 99 Church St., Malverne

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

mar

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Molloy University’s CAP21 Musical Theatre students tackle Shakespeare. The Bard’s beloved comedy is a magical tale that explores the irrationality of love, desire, friendship, jealousy and magic. When the mortal worlds of four young lovers and a bungling group of amateur actors collide with a feuding fairy kingdom in a

• Where: 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont

• Time: Various, through March 8

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

mar

7

Professional Championship Bull Riders

Buckle up — ’cause you ain’t seen nothin’ like this before. The PCB has been a full-throttle tour de force: a mano-a-toro showdown where the toughest cowboys on the planet face off against the rankest bulls in the game. May the boldest rider win. And it’s not just the cowboys. Watch the cowgirls blaze through barrel racing, showcasing speed, agility and sheer determination in a race for the fastest times.

• Where: Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.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.

Parents can register their children for kindergarten

kindergarten play date, when the students will have the opportunity to gather, play and get to know one another before the first day of school in September.

“These time lines are in place so that we can have your children feeling comfortable about coming into the building, so it’s not a strange space for them,” Maria Rianna, the district’s superintendent, told parents.

“We all work together as a team,” Walter said. “We all want to do everything possible to make this experience for you and for your children as seamless as possible coming into our building in kindergarten.”

Walter highlighted several aspects of the education provided at Downing, with the staff working to instill the values of the district’s “Portrait of a Graduate,” at a young age, encouraging digital fluency, cultural

Ultimately, the goal is to graduate your children in 2039 from Malverne High School.

Erik

WaltEr Principal, Maurice W. Downing Primary School

responsibility, and collaboration.

Downing also offers its “Essentials of Learning” online, a resource that outlines what Downing students are learning, including content, programs and standards. In addition, tips are available on how par-

Public Notices

ents can support their children’s learning at home. “I want parents to be included in the education of their child and the experiences that they have at Downing,” Walter said.

He explained Downing has an inclusion classroom for kindergarten, first and second grades, so children with different learning needs are able to learn together with the same curriculums and expectations, but teachers can provide support for those who need it. “All of our teachers have such a high level of training when it comes to differentiation in instruction, meeting the individual needs of your children where they are in order to help them learn and grow,” Walter said. For more information or to begin the registration process visit https://mwd.malverneschools. org/68423?articleID=51254.

That pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Real Property Tax Law and the Village Law of the State of New York and pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Malverne, Nassau County, New York adopted at a meeting held on the 4th day of February, 2026 the undersigned as Treasurer of said Village will sell at public auction in the manner prescribed by law, on the 12th day of March, 2026 at 11:00 o’clock in the forenoon of that day and on succeeding days, in the Courtroom of the Village Hall, 99 Church Street, Malverne, New York, as much of each of the following parcels of real estate upon which Village taxes remain unpaid as will be sufficient to discharge the taxes, interest and charges thereon which may be due at the time of such sale. Such real estate will be sold subject to any unpaid assessment thereon levied by said Village and any unpaid lien purchased and held by said Village, and all liens on property included in this sale and sold subject to the provisions of the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act. Each purchaser at such tax sale shall pay the amount of his/her bid to the Village Treasurer within ten (10) days after the sale, and upon such payment the Treasurer shall give the purchaser a certificate in writing describing the real property purchase and the sum paid therefore. THE NAME(S) OF THE OWNER(S) SHOWN ON THIS LIST MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE THE NAME(S) OF THE PERSON(S) OWNING THE PROPERTY AT THE TIME OF THIS ADVERTISMENT. SUCH NAME(S) HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM THE 2025/2026 ASSESSMENT ROLLS AND MAY DIFFER FROM THE NAMES OF THE OWNERS AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

The following is a list of lots, pieces, and parcels of real estate to be sold and the total amount of taxes, interest, and charges thereon.

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the MALVERNE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the MALVERNE VILLAGE HALL, 99 Church Street, Malverne, New York 11565 and will hear the following cases at 7:00 PM: Walter Otero

148 Ackley Ave.; Residential “B” District Building Permit Application #2025-0881 & Swimming Pool Permit Application #2025-0882

Proposes to construct 107 sq. ft. one-story rear addition over crawl space and proposes to install 14 ft. X 31 ft. inground swimming pool with drywell. Claude & Fred

Limprevil 67 McIntosh Ct.; Residential “A” District Building Permit Application #2025-0839

Proposes to construct conversion of 263 sq. ft. existing garage to living space; new 43 sq. ft. footprint rear two story addition; new 551 sq. ft. second story addition over existing first floor and former garage with three fixture bath; and new

front entry concrete ramp. All interested parties should appear at the above time and place. BY ORDER OF THE MALVERNE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF MALVERNE Jill Valli, Village Clerk Dated: February 17, 2026 158556

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the

Town Meeting Pavilion, Town Hall Plaza, One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York on 03/11/2026 at 9:30

A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals: THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M. 144/26. WEST HEMPSTEAD - Michael & Temima Saltzman, Variances, height, lot

area occupied, front yard setback on Howard Ave., construct dwelling with garage., N/W cor. Jefferson St. & Howard Ave., a/k/a 7 Jefferson St. ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in West Hempstead within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo

Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it. 158553

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST KEVIN D. WILLIAMS, TERRELL STALEY, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered July 28, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public

auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 31, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 274 Coventry Road, West Hempstead, NY 11552. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Lakeview in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 35 Block 514 and Lot 17. Approximate amount of judgment $672,939.98 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #604974/2023. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Scott H. Sille r, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 23-001125 88888 158547

To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to:

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT

Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.

Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour.

For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com

Computer & Info. Systems Manager, Hempstead, NY Bachelor+ 1yr. exp.

Salary $148,450yr.

Email res. to; eromosele@iyaho.org

Iyaho Social Services Inc.

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!

$22 - $27/ Hour

Bell Auto School

516-365-5778

Email: info@bellautoschool.com

EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours

Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off.

Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS

FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

RECEPTIONIST F/T

Valley Stream Subaru

Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM Answer Phones, Light Clerical $17.00/Hour, Benefits, 401K Call Therese 516-825-8700

Social & Human Service Assistant, Hempstead, NY Bachelor+ 1yr. exp.

A Place to Call Home

Welcome to this elegant and expansive 5600 sq ft Hewlett Harbor residence built in 2004 on beautifully landscaped ¾ scre property. Grand 2 entry foyer opens to sweeping staircase and second level open balcony. First floor boasts soaring 12' ceilings with grand formal dining room, butler's pantry, gourmet eat in kitchen with center island, den/library,

What makes a basement a basement?‘finished’

Q. I have a basement with a bathroom and nothing else except a washer and dryer, back to back, with the sink and toilet on the other side of the wall. Everything else is unfinished, and I bought it this way. I was recently told that I need to have a permit for a finished basement or I have to remove the bathroom. I don’t want either of those options, but I’m being told I will be issued a violation, because the building department sent me a notice about this. I consulted an architect, who started to explain all the rules, but I need a second opinion. What should I do if I just want the bathroom and don’t want to finish everything else?

A. Sorry to disappoint you, but your building department has interpreted that your bathroom in a basement is leading to habitable use, meaning that the basement is more than just a place to store boxes and other household items. The same is true of basements that have a fireplace or a mattress-and-night-table setup. Even occasional use by a houseguest puts you in the category of a “finished” basement.

What the consultant architect may have told you is that you’ll either have to remove the bathroom, with a permit for the demolition (since your building department knows about the condition) and a separate plumbing permit to have the capping of pipes inspected, or you’ll need a lot of other items, at greater expense. Your spaces will need to meet the ceiling height requirement of 80 inches from floor to finished ceiling, or anything constricting someone from walking around, such as a steam pipe or built soffit. If you don’t have 80 inches (6 feet 8 inches), then the rest of what you do will also be important to evaluate, since your plans and application paperwork will be on hold until the requirement is appealed through a separate codeappeal process, and more paperwork will need to be submitted to the state for a code compliance variance. This means you will have to request to vary or be allowed an exception after evaluation by a review board at the state level.

Either way, a finished basement will require a second means to escape in an emergency. This can be accomplished with a larger window, with an opening no higher than 44 inches from the floor and at least 5.7 square feet of clear opening, a minimum of 24 inches in height and 20 inches in width. A window that is only 20 inches by 24 inches would not meet the requirement, however. Those are just minimums for each dimension.

The escape well has to be a minimum of 9 square feet of outside floor area, and must at least have a ladder for climbing up and away. You could also have a door and stairwell, with proper drainage, at even greater expense. There’s more, so wait until next week.

© 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.

Services

WENDY'S CLEANING SERVICES INC. Commercial/Residential. We Specialize In Houses, Apartments, Offices, Airbnb & More. Good References. Free Estimates. Call/Text Wendy 516-406-5375 Or Email wencruzpa@gmail.com

Electricians

E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.

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OpiniOns

Stephen Miller’s politics of sabotage

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s why Miller matters. He isn’t simply a policy adviser. He is both symptom and accelerant — a product of a political sickness and one of its most effective carriers.

The sickness is the belief that democracy is too messy, pluralism too dangerous, compassion too soft. Miller gives that belief bureaucratic form.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The danger of Stephen Miller’s politics is that they treat laws not as a restraint but as an instrument — something to stretch, weaponize and exhaust until rights feel theoretical and the public stops believing that resistance matters. So the question isn’t whether the Constitution can save us. The question is whether Americans will still insist on the constitutional order itself: limits on power, equal citizenship, lawful process, and a public life in which fear isn’t the organizing principle.

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

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

The challenge of celebrating Black History Month

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

opinions Another baseball season full of hope

The arrival of spring training, and the anticipation of another baseball season, brings back great memories. My earliest baseball memories date back to the early 1950s and the Brooklyn Dodgers, the famed “Boys of Summer,” in what is now regarded as the sport’s Golden Age. Baseball was the unquestioned national pastime, and New York’s Yankees, Dodgers and Giants were the dominant teams. From 1947 to 1956, the Yankees won eight league pennants, the Dodgers six and the Giants two.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Play ball!

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

Ed Ra’s new post is good for Long Island

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

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

I had the good fortune to chair that

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Long Island students need news literacy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Long Island school districts should take note.

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

where opportunities vary widely by district.

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

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

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

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

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

L.I. public schools need charter school funding reform

Public education is one of Long Island’s greatest civic strengths. Our public schools aren’t just places of learning; they are pillars of our communities, drivers of local economic stability and pathways of opportunity for families.

Today that foundation is under increasing structural pressure for multiple reasons, a major one being state policies that redirect public-school funding to the forprofit charter school industry.

In recent years, this industry has diverted a half-billion taxpayer dollars, directly impacting our classrooms, teachers and students.

Two-thirds of the school districts on Long Island have been infiltrated in this way, and the number is growing. Make no mistake: Charter schools are privately operated for-profit entities with no public input or accountability.

Across Long Island, we are seeing measurable financial strain. Since I took office in 2019, charter school tuition and transportation costs have steadily increased. In Freeport and Baldwin, substantial funding is already being diverted from the public school districts to support charter schools. Nearly every district in the 21st Assem-

Framework

bly District is now facing escalating tuition and transportation expenses tied to charter enrollment. Some of Nassau County’s most financially vulnerable districts, Hempstead, Uniondale and Roosevelt, have been among the hardest hit by charter expansion.

should come with taxpayer-level accountability.

rThese costs will only continue to rise as additional charter schools are rapidly approved in areas like West Hempstead. Even more districts will be forced to absorb these rising costs, regardless of local opposition. Meanwhile, newly approved charter schools in areas such as Brentwood and Central Islip can draw students from across county lines, meaning that public school funding can be redirected from multiple communities at once.

esidents have never voted on whether their tax dollars should fund these schools.

At its core, this is an issue of accountability and representation. Long Island has roughly 120 public school districts, yet their residents never had the opportunity to vote on whether their tax dollars should fund charter schools. Public schools are democratic institutions — their boards are elected and their budgets are approved by voters. Charter schools are not. All schools receiving public funds should meet the same standards: educational accountability, spending transparency, fiscal oversight, certified teachers, meaningful local representation and community approval. Taxpayer dollars

by Tim Baker

Of further concern is how charter schools are approved. In New York, both the State Education Department and the SUNY Charter Board have authority to approve charter schools. Yet approvals by the Charter Board have moved forward despite strong opposition from local school communities whose residents have legitimate concerns about fiscal and programmatic impact. As the state teachers union has argued in pending litigation, state law requires demonstration of community support and meaningful analysis of financial and educational impact before a charter is approved — standards that must be enforced.

There is also a clear imbalance in financial accountability. Public-school districts operate with strict reserve limits, extensive audits and direct voter oversight, while charter schools can carry significant cash reserves. Any entity receiving public funds, especially in education, must meet consistent standards of transparency, fiscal responsibility and educational quality.

Equity concerns, too, are growing. Most charter models enroll fewer highneeds students, while still siphoning funding from public schools that serve children of all abilities, leaving publicschool districts to fund these escalating

costs. This is not sustainable fiscal policy. The message I hear from local taxpayers is consistent: They are not opposed to school choice, but they do oppose funding structures that weaken public schools without local consent, transparency or oversight. In fact, many families in my district have chosen nonpublic schools, and the state provides targeted support, but taxpayers are not responsible for fully funding those schools’ operating budgets.

Public schools serve students of every background, circumstance and ability. They are anchors of our communities, stabilizers of property values and drivers of workforce development. We must restore balance between charter expansion and public school stability. This isn’t about limiting school choice; it’s about responsible funding. It’s about fairness, accountability and protecting the public schools Long Islanders depend on.

I will continue fighting to ensure that our public schools receive the support, equity and vital funding solutions they require to serve their students. If forprofit charter schools are to exist within our education system, they shouldn’t be able to rely on traditional public revenue streams. The State Education Department and the SUNY Charter Board must explore alternative funding structures for these operators while ensuring the highest standards of oversight and accountability.

Judy Griffin represents the 21st Assembly District.

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