Malverne/West Hempstead Herald 10-09-2025

HeMpstead

West Hempstead wins Homecoming game

The West Hempstead Rams won the Homecoming football game against the Lawrence High School Golden Tornadoes. See more photos, Page 10.

Historical

neighborhood

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY Correspondent

The Malverne Historical and Preservation Society has proven that “home is where the heart is” — instilling its members with a deep emotional connection between a person and a place — by holding a meet-and-greet for neighboring historical societies on Sept. 28.

Guests enjoyed tea and refreshments, as well as the opportunity to tour the society’s house, at 369 Ocean Ave., featuring distinct sections of history of both the village and its residents.

The house provides patrons the opportunity to travel back in time — as early as the late 19th century — exploring artifacts ranging from

By MADISoN GUSlER mgusler@liherald.com

Despite the summer weather, it’s autumn at Crossroads Farm at Grossmann’s.

The farm, on Hempstead Avenue, kicked off a monthlong fall festival over the weekend. To celebrate the season, every Saturday and Sunday this month, from noon to 5 p.m., there will be free fall-themed festivities for all to enjoy.

Farm store hours have been expanded as well. Usually open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, the store will be open until 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Ha pumpkin cider.

world wars to sporting events. Vintage cameras, bottled wine, and even an old Grate door from the Bank of Malverne could be found inside.

The two-floor historic home holds various exhibits highlighting the history of the town and its people.

Amy Bentley, a visiting trustee from the Valley Stream Historical Society, expressed an appreciation for the opportunity to tour the Malverne house, adding that it “unearths the physical beauty of the area.”

David Weinstein, a longtime Malverne resident and president of its historical society, has been a board member for nearly 15 years, carrying on his father’s legacy at the society by also

aving

Saturdays and Sundays gives people time to come either day, and with free entry, they can come back over and over again

SARA SANoTRA Store manager, Crossroads

Farm at Grossmann’s

The festival offers opportunities to have your face painted, listen to live music, play in the bounce house, eat at the food trucks and enjoy children’s activities. Barrier Brewing Co. will serve beers in cans and on tap, including pumpkin ale and

“I’m selling apple cider donuts, pumpkin donuts and pumpkin brownies,” Stephanie Fitzpatrick, owner of the Malverne-based Rare Treats Baking Company, said. She creates sweet treats that are dairy- and nut-free, and others that comply with food restrictions such as gluten, soy and eggs. Fitzpatrick is selling her sweets at the fall festival, but her treats are always available in the farm store during the week. She suggests pairing them with a fall beer from Barrier Brewing. In the pumpkin patch, the farm sells warty pumpkins, winter gourds, and white and Field Trip pumpkins as well as face pumpkins, which are used for jack-o’-lantern carving. To enter the pumpkin patch, there is a suggested $5 donation to the farm, and pumpkin prices range from $3

Continued on page 15

Gillen weighs in on government funding

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

With the federal government currently in shutdown, U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, who represents New York’s Congressional District 4, offered a bipartisan solution.

Gillen shared her perspective on the federal government’s shutdown at the Family and Health Center office in Uniondale on Oct. 2, calling for her Republican colleagues in the house to hear Democrats’ concerns about the budget.

Health care spending is at the center of the disagreement in the House. The budget Congress had attempted to pass, up until Oct. 1 at midnight, includes cuts to a selection of programs that Gillen called “the largest cut to health care in America’s history.”

Gillen called for both parties to seek a bipartisan solution before rising health costs contribute to the financial burden of families across her district.

“If House Republicans governed responsibly, they would have met with us,” she said. “Instead, they’ve chosen to throw our health care system into further crisis, just months after they voted to gut Medicaid for millions of children, seniors and people with disabilities.”

have plans under the Affordable Healthcare Act.

— the largest federal labor union in the country with 800,000 members. In the previous shutdown, Pedeira saw federal workers struggle with delayed pay.

“We had people going to food banks,” he said. “We had people who could not pay their utility bills at the time. We had families who couldn’t pay for childcare at the time. We had people who were forced to go to work and literally couldn’t afford the gasoline.

“This is not something that should be happening in a developed nation like the United States of America,” he continued. “I know we can do better.”

Jeffery Reynolds, president and chief executive of Family & Children’s Association, explained that suicides, divorces and other civil disruptions have been on downward trend postcoronavirus pandemic, but that progress could be at risk.

“I worry that the threats to Medicaid, the threats to the ACA to the grants that we hold here at FCA put all of that in jeopardy,” he said.

The “Big Bad Bill,” according to Gillen, includes cuts that would significantly raise premiums for people who

“A middle class family of four could see their health care bills rise by an additional $3,200 next year,” she explained. “This is really going to hurt people. We are already struggling with the cost of living crisis, and Long Islanders cannot afford another increased bill.”

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does not pass a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which is Oct. 1 for the federal government. During a shutdown, nonessential departments are halted, while vital institutions must continue working without pay.

The last government shutdown was in 2019.

Gabriel Pedeira is the legislative and political organizer for the American Federation of Government Employees

Vanessa Baird-Streeter, president and chief executive of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, urged for healthcare spending to remain a priority in the federal budget.

“They are lifelines for people, for communities and for individuals,” she said. “If we let these credits expire, we will all feel it deeply, personally and collectively.”

Blessing of the cats, dogs and snakes

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

This past weekend churches in Malverne and West Hempstead opened their doors to furry, feathered and even scaled friends for a blessing of the animals.

During the annual Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, churches hold special services to honor the patron saint of animals. During the feast, parishioners are invited to bring their pets to church to receive blessings for the year.

The Feast of Saint Francis was celebrated on Oct. 4, with gatherings in front of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Hempstead and in front of Malverne’s Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

On Oct. 5, Grace Lutheran Church in Malverne welcomed animals into their school gymnasium to receive blessings.

Eileen Down, of Lynbrook, brought her python snake Tiles to get blessed. “I get him blessed every year,” Down said. For 19 years she has shared her blessings with Tiles. “I get blessed and I feel I’m safer. We’re watched over when we’re blessed.”

Down originally purchased Tiles for her son, but she now cares for the python. She said that fellow parishioners are often shocked when she brings a snake to be blessed. Down believes Tiles likes getting blessed, as it allows the snake to spend time outside of its cage.

Keanu Sterling brought his six-monthold bernadoodle, Arlo, to be blessed. “This is our first little fur baby,” Sterling said. “So I decided to have him blessed for health, for strength, and to have a long life.”

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An Inheritance is a Gift, Not a Right

Ann Landers, who published her weekly advice column from 1955 to 2002 listed this as one of her top ten most requested columns – republishing it seven times in her long career.

Dear Ann: Let this letter be a wake-up call to all sons, daughters, and grandchildren. The message I want to convey is this: YOUR INHERITANCE IS NOT AUTOMATIC. IT’S A GIFT.

I am an estate planner. Over the last several years, I have seen many clients change their wills, bypassing children and grandchildren, and leave their money to friends, charities, and people they once worked with who were kind and helpful.

There are many reasons for changing a will, but the two most common are disrespect and isolation. In some families, the only time the old folks see the grandchildren is when their parents need a favor–usually, it’s money. So, the message the old folks wish to convey is as follows: “You didn’t make time for me when I was lonely and would have enjoyed your company, so why should I leave you the

money I worked for all my life?”

Wake up out there. An inheritance isn’t something that is owed to you. It is a gift of love. When there is no love, there should be no gift. — Manasota, Fla.

We like to say that your “family” are those you love and who love you. The rest are your relatives. Or, put another way, it’s not who you’re related to, it’s who you relate to.

For those who have children, the inheritance is usually left to the children in equal shares. However, there is no legal requirement to do so. One of the first concepts we learned in estate planning is that “there is nothing so unequal as the equal treatment of unequals.” Are some considerably better off than others? Has one been more attentive, more caring, gone out of their way for you? Where distributions will be unequal, we often suggest leaving a letter, to be opened after your death, explaining the reasons for your decision. A discussion with an experienced estate planning attorney often will provide ideas and options that you may not have thought of.

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CRIME bRIEfs

Former trooper Mascia sentencing pushed

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

West Hempstead resident and former New York State trooper Thomas Mascia appeared for sentencing at Nassau County Court on Oct. 1.

In court, Mascia’s lawyer Matthew Cohan, with the Law Offices of Jeffrey Lichtman, requested for the sentencing to be adjourned to a later date, which was granted. Mascia, along with his mother Dorothy and father Thomas, will return to court on Oct. 22.

Mascia was arrested in January after falsely claiming he was shot in the leg while patrolling near Exit 17 of the Southern State Parkway last October and setting off a multi-state manhunt.

In May, Mascia, 27, accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to charges of tampering with physical evidence, falsely reporting and official misconduct. He was sentenced to spend six months in

jail, serve five years of probation, fulfill court ordered mental health treatment, and pay restitution of $289,511.32. There is also a full order of protection that was issued against Mascia from an unnamed ex-girlfriend. He waived his right to appeal the charges.

Mascia’s parents also accepted a plea deal after a firearm was discovered during a search of the family’s property. Mascia Sr., a former NYPD officer who pleaded guilty on a charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine in 1993, is not allowed to possess a firearm as a convicted felon. He faces five years of probation. Dorothy accepted a plea agreement for criminal possession of a weapon and faces one year of conditional discharge.

Mascia and his parents were originally scheduled to surrender for sentencing on Aug. 20 but the appearance date was pushed to Aug. 27 after Mascia was hospitalized recently for attempting suicide.

Brooklyn man arrested for selling drugs

The Nassau County Narcotics/Vice Squad Detectives arrested a Brooklyn man for selling illegal substances on Oct. 2 at 4:13 p.m. in West Hempstead. According to a press release, he was arrested for the criminal sale of a controlled substance.

The report states that a narcotics investigation led to the arrest of Bomani Drayton, 29, of Brooklyn. During the investigation, Drayton was found to be in possession of multiple substances believed to be cocaine, ketamine,

MDMA, adderall, and alprazolam, which police say he intended to sell.

Drayton was charged with six counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal sale of a controlled substance. He was arraigned on Oct. 3 at First District Court, where he pled not guilty and was released on his own recognizance. Drayton will return to court on Oct. 14.

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Author Ann Koffsky shares her stories

By Nechama Bluth

Special to the Herald

For West Hempstead native Ann Koffsky she is most well known as children’s book author and illustrator. Are you looking for another author for your children to read? Her book’s are for anyone, from 1 month - 15 years old. Then that’s what she writes. She’s written every kind of book for different ages, including board books, graphic novels, picture books, and chapter books, including both non-fiction and fiction.

Koffsky started out as an illustrator, which she wanted to do since forever. Gradually, she realized what she really loved was storytelling with pictures, so then she started storytelling with words too and became an author as well.

Koffsky has spoken at lots of schools and shuls, to all ages, like TAG, HANC, HAFTR, Bais Yaakov of the LES, Heschel, Stern College and more. She loves speaking — it’s when she gets to share her books with her audience, and see their reactions to them.

values, and inspire in ways that a formal classroom cannot.”

Koffsky explains what the process of putting a book together could be like. The biggest hurdle is having a great idea, and writing that story. Once you have that, and have polished the story to the strongest it can be, then you send it out to publishers for consideration.

“Once you’re fortunate to have an interested publisher, and the story is accepted, then the editor at the publisher will often make suggestions and request changes, to make the book even stronger, or more in alignment with their own vision,” Koffsky said. “Once that is done, an illustrator is hired, the back and forth on the images proceeds… and finally the book is published. Whew.”

According to Koffsky she feels that “it’s important for me to have my books READ. I write for kids to read, I don’t write to leave on my computer. Published is the way my readers get to see my work.”

Surprisingly, she didn’t always want to write. She always wanted to draw and the writing came later.

“Jewish kids books are important for Jewish readers to see themselves in, to validate their experiences,” Koffsky said. “They’re important for non-Jewish readers, to understand others. And stories are essential to any child’s education. They can offer meaning, teach

This is the most challenging part of the process, and can take a long time. Much rejection is involved and it’s definitely the most stressful part.

“It’s important to know that rejection isn’t personal,” Koffsky added. “Just because a story is rejected, doesn’t mean it isn’t excellent. It just means they don’t want to publish it, which could be for any of a zillion reasons.”

She would love for people to know that kid’s books just don’t appear out of nowhere. It takes lots of effort, blood sweat, tears and love. And that it means so much when people take the time to enjoy and appreciate the fruits of all that labor.

From the books that she has written Koffsky feels that her book, “Ping Pong Shabbat” stands out because it’s about a frum 11-year old (at the time) Ping-Pong phenom Estee Ackerman (who is also from West Hempstead) must make a difficult choice. When her

championship match is scheduled on the Sabbath, will she go for the gold medal, or honor her faith? The topic is something unique to have featured in a book and this isn’t something you see in books.

Solages pushes safety, community support

By RENEE DeLORENZO rdelorenzo@liherald.com

Carrié Solages, the Democratic incumbent in Nassau County’s 3rd Legislative District, is seeking reelection on a platform focused on public safety, community investment and government accessibility.

Solages, 46, describes himself as a proud Haitian American who grew up in Elmont after being born in Queens. He attended Dutch Broadway Elementary School, graduated from H. Frank Carey High School, in Franklin Square, and earned a bachelor’s degree in international history at Georgetown University in 2000 and a law degree from Boston College Law School in 2004. He lives in Valley Stream.

Before entering politics, he built a career in law, as a civil and criminal defense attorney in Suffolk County. He has drawn on that background throughout his time in office. Solages was first elected in 2011, and in the years since he has emphasized that government should be accessible, accountable and responsive to residents’ needs.

On crime and public safety, Solages emphasizes that technology must play a central role. In previous legislative budgets, he secured funding for license plate readers, surveillance cameras and body cameras for Nassau County police.

He envisions a “virtual security wall” along the Queens-Nassau border to aid law enforcement in solving crimes and addressing traffic issues. At the same time, however, Solages underscores that accountability for police officers is crucial, and he has fought for body cameras since 2014.

Tim Baker/Herald

Democratic incumbent Carrié Solages, a Boston Collegeeducated attorney, focuses on crime prevention, fair immigration policy, traffic safety and community services.

Immigration enforcement remains a sensitive issue, and Solages has been outspoken in separating local law enforcement from federal immigration duties. He has raised constitutional concerns about racial profiling and has advised immigrant constituents on their rights, stressing that Nassau County must balance safety with fairness. He urges residents to seek legal counsel and protect their families through proper documentation and planning.

Beyond public safety, Solages has supported food pantries, social services and funding for fire departments and emergency responders. He argues that Nassau has the resources to cut taxes while still investing in programs that protect families and improve quality of life.

Looking ahead, one of Solages’s signature projects is the creation of a long-awaited community center in Elmont. Partnering with Gov. Kathy Hochul, other state leaders and organizations like the YMCA, he said he has secured a location and seed funding, with plans for a modern facility that will include an indoor pool. “Elmont deserves this,” he said, noting that the project would fulfill promises made during the UBS Arena development in 2019.

Traffic safety is another pillar of his agenda. Solages has worked to install new traffic lights at busy intersections, particularly where accidents have claimed young lives on Dutch Broadway in Elmont. He has also pushed for infrastructure upgrades across the district.

According to previous reporting by the Herald, Solages voted against a police contract in November 2020 to fund raises for police officers despite the fact that it included funding for body cameras. At the time, he cited the high cost to taxpayers and the need for the police union to complete a state-mandated police reform plan before committing to the contract.

After more than a decade in the Legislature, Solages says his experience helps him navigate complex layers of government and deliver results. “Government should be accessible,” he said, “and as legislator, I work to make sure it works for the people of this district.”

Brown focuses on transparency, affordability

By RENEE DeLORENZO rdelorenzo@liherald.com

Kadeem Brown, a 34-year-old Elmont resident, is the Republican candidate in Nassau County’s 3rd Legislative District, challenging Solages. Brown graduated from Elmont Memorial High School in 2009 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in technology management from Penn State University in 2014. Now, with 12 years of experience in private wealth management, Brown says his expertise in finance drives his vision of more efficient government and lower costs for families.

He emphasizes that affordability is at the heart of his campaign. Acknowledging that many residents feel priced out of Nassau, he argues that the county can and should reduce the burden on taxpayers. “People who grow up here should be able to move back here and live here,” Brown said, emphasizing his support for keeping property taxes stable.

He also advocates cutting wasteful spending, describing a need to review social programs annually and eliminate those with low participation or limited community benefit. While he did not specify programs he would review, he argued that savings could be reinvested in essential services like parks, traffic upgrades and support for first responders.

Public safety and law enforcement resources are another focus for Brown. While Nassau is considered one of the safest counties in the country, he notes the district’s proximity to New York City and stresses the importance of working closely with police. He supports technology such as license plate readers and “shot spotters” to help deter crime and improve investigations.

At the same time, Brown highlights the importance of open communication between law enforcement and immigrant communities to ensure trust and understanding. He describes himself as the son of Jamaican immigrants and a dual citizen, says that immigration “should be done the right way” and supports stricter monitoring of who comes in and out of the county for

both safety and fiscal reasons.

Brown acknowledges the contributions of immigrants, but argues that undocumented populations can strain resources if not properly integrated into the taxation system.

He points to the need for greater transparency and communication from police and county officials. He also emphasizes preserving what he calls Nassau County’s suburban character. He opposes high-rise developments, and says residents pay high property taxes for the quality-of-life benefits of suburban living. While he says he is not against moderate-density housing, such as small apartment complexes or condos, he warns against “overdevelopment” and the traffic congestion that comes with population growth.

Brown links these concerns to infrastructure strains in areas like Dutch Broadway, in Elmont, and Rockaway Boulevard, in Valley Stream, where he supports additional traffic safety measures and a broader review of transportation needs.

Supporting civic groups is another priority for Brown. He said he wants to expand civic engagement by working more closely with organizations across the district, from the Moms Club of Malverne to local chambers of commerce.

When it comes to small businesses, he points to his experience on the board of the Southeast Queens Merchants Association, where he helped connect entrepreneurs with grants and funding opportunities.

Framing himself as a political outsider with financial expertise, Brown says his goal is to deliver accountability and relief for residents. “We have to pay it back,” he said of his community. “And maybe this is the way I pay it back — by fighting for my district to bring resources home.”

CHRISTIAN ANAYA CAREY SENIOR FOOTBALL

A TWO-WAY LINEMAN for the reigning Nassau and Long Island champions, Anaya completed a rare daily double on the defensive side of the ball for the Seahawks in a 35-14 victory at South Side Sept. 27. His sack in the end zone for a safety put Carey ahead for good in the second quarter. Then, late in the fourth, he scooped up a fumble forced by Justin DePietro and raced 69 yards for the game-sealing touchdown as the team won its 15th straight.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, Oct. 9

Girls Soccer: Elmont at Sewanhaka 4:30 p.m.

Boys Soccer: Long Beach at Kennedy 4:45 p.m.

Boys Soccer: Mepham at Garden City 5 p.m.

Boys Soccer: Clarke at Carey 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Garden City at South Side 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: North Shore at Plainedge 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Farmingdale at Baldwin 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Long Beach at Oceanside 6 p.m.

Boys Soccer: South Side at Malverne/ERock 7 p.m.

Girls Soccer: West Hempstead at V.S. South 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 10

Football: Malverne at Seaford 6 p.m.

Football: Oceanside at Syosset 6 p.m.

Football: West Hempstead at Plainedge 6 p.m.

Football: Clarke at V.S. South 7 p.m.

Football: Calhoun at Long Beach 7 p.m.

Football: V.S. Central at Glen Cove 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 11

Football: Mepham at Garden City 1 p.m.

Football: South Side at Wantagh 2 p.m.

Football: East Meadow at Baldwin 2 p.m.

Football: Island Trees at Lynbrook 2 p.m.

Football: Herricks at Freeport 3 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a fall sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

West Hempstead tops Lawrence

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

West Hempstead senior running back/cornerback Kevin Rivera scribed “I believe” on his eye-black tape prior to last Saturday’s game and proved the biggest reason why the Rams celebrated homecoming with another victory.

Rivera had 90 yards and two touchdowns and senior quarterback Jonathan Houston added a pair of scores as West Hempstead (3-2) upped its winning streak to three with a 28-12 win over Lawrence in a Nassau Conference IV football matchup.

“I hadn’t scored yet this season so it felt great,” Rivera said. “We’re starting to build some momentum. We started 0-2 but now we’re right in the playoff race.”

The Golden Tornadoes (0-4) dropped their 24th consecutive game dating back to midseason 2022 but didn’t go down without a fight and had plenty of bright spots. Junior quarterback Khalil Brassell had passing and rushing touchdowns in a hard-fought defeat head coach Akym Land can take some positives into next Saturday’s game against Oyster Bay.

“Khalil is the heart of this team and the best athlete we put on the field,” Land said of Brassell, who connected with junior Dajahn Harris for a 21-yard touchdown in the third quarter and added a 6-yard score on the ground in the fourth. “He’s become a leader and keeps all the guys motivated. He’s the most vocal and wants to win in the worst way.”

Lawrence’s storied program is one win away from 550 all-time. “That’s been our rallying cry, ‘Mission 550,’” said Land, a former Golden Tornadoes quarterback and 2017 graduate. “I couldn’t be happier with our attendance at practice this week and how we executed today in the second half. It’ll give us some confidence going into next game.”

Rivera had touchdowns in each half as the Rams, coming off back-to-back victories over Malverne and Island Trees, stayed hot on an unseasonably warm fall afternoon. He set up Hous -

Post-game pain?

ton’s first touchdown, from a yard out midway through the opening quarter, with a 40-yard burst down the sideline.

West Hempstead led 6-0 after the opening quarter and went ahead two scores on Rivera’s 1-yard touchdown run and junior Dandre Bailey’s twopoint conversion just two minutes into the second. Bailey helped lead the defense with 7 tackles.

Then, after Lawrence faked a punt deep in its own territory, the Rams took possession inside the red zone and needed just three plays to return to the end zone. Houston’s 4-yard score and senior Jayden Higginson’s extra point allowed West Hempstead to build a 21-0 halftime cushion.

“Defensively we’ve been doing a nice

job all year,” Rams head coach Dom Carre said. “Our back seven is flying around and we’ve been controlling the ball pretty well on offense.”

It was 28-0 after Rivera followed key blocks from senior Joe Suarez and junior Rodrigo Quijada for a 30-yard touchdown early in the third quarter. “I couldn’t do anything without my guys up front,” Rivera said of Suarez, Quijada, Dom D’Agosto, Kevin Tator and Ethan Bonilla.

Lawrence engineered scoring drives of 55 and 44 yards in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. Harris’ 30-yard reception set up Brassell’s touchdown run with 3:03 left to cap the scoring. Senior Michael Abarca and junior Michael Merritt both had sacks.

Does Your Doctor Have Time for You?

New Nassau County family medicine practice offers more time, more convenience and a focus on prevention.

When you need to see your doctor, can you get a convenient appointment? How long do you have to wait? Does your doctor spend time with you listening and answering your questions? Do they personalize your care based on your needs?

For most primary care patients, convenient appointments with a doctor who has time to answer questions and discuss care options are more of a dream than a reality. But at Dr. Harold Sirota’s new family medicine practice in Valley Stream, Nassau County patients are experiencing that dream. Dr. Sirota is affiliated with MDVIP, the leader in personalized medicine.

Sirota offers same- and next-day appointments with a strong focus on preventive care in his new practice, which opened in August. He sees fewer patients, so he has more time and can offer longer appointments. He has time to listen, answer questions and coach patients.

“In this new practice, you don’t have to wait days, weeks or months to see me,” Dr. Sirota says. “Patients can get same- and next-day appointments. I’m also available after hours for urgent matters.”

Dr. Sirota was inspired to go into medicine by his family. was the first vascular surgeon in the state of New York, an osteopathic physician, and I was drawn to the way he lived his life, the way he took care of people,” Dr. Sirota says.

“My sister and my two brothers were all physicians, and we passed it down to family. My daughter’s a physician, my niece is a physician, and we all believe that we were compelled to come to the medical field to help people, to give them a better quality of life through medicine.”

The heart of Dr. Sirota’s new practice is the MDVIP Wellness Program. Each year, patients will receive advanced screenings and diagnostic tests not typically covered by insurance. The program looks at risk in more than 12 key areas of health, from heart and brain health to bone strength and emotional well-being.

Dr. Sirota will use the results of these tests to personalize a wellness program for patients.

“I love helping others. I love being part of their overall health environment and really having a good time with them”

Patients in MDVIP-affiliated practices experience better health outcomes, according to 10 published studies, including:

• 79% fewer hospitalizations compared to traditional primary care

• 72% fewer ER visits and urgent care visits versus traditional primary care

• Better control of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol than patients in traditional practices

They are also more satisfied with their care: 97% of patients in MDVIP-affiliated practices are satisfied with their doctor versus 58% in traditional practices.

“I love helping others. I love being part of their overall health environment and really having a good time with them,” Dr. Sirota says. “I want my patients to come in looking forward to seeing me. I want a practice where we can laugh and not only talk about healthcare but also about my patients’ personal needs and their lives.”

Dr. Sirota is a doctor of osteopathic medicine, board-certified in family medicine and a fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice. He went to medical school at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Peninsula Hospital in Far Rockaway, NY. He is chairman of the department of primary care and an associate professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine.

His new practice is located at 210 East Sunrise Highway, Suite 303, in Valley Stream. You can also learn more about his practice by

mdvip.com/Sirota.

MDVIP-affiliated

97%

West Hempstead celebrates Homecoming

Ram Pride was on full display during the West Hempstead Secondary School’s annual Homecoming celebration on Oct. 4.

Students, teachers and administrators of the school district took part in the Homecoming Parade, marching from Chestnut Street School and down Hempstead Avenue, to arrive at West Hempstead Secondary School.

The Secondary School’s marching band and cheerleaders helped keep spirits from the parade to the game, leading cheers and helping marchers stay merry and performing fight songs and dances during the Rams match against the Lawrence High School Golden Tornadoes.

At the end of the parade, West Hempstead Secondary School held a Homecoming Carnival with carnival games to entertain students, along with raffles and other fundraising efforts.

The West Hempstead Secondary School’s Key Club held a ‘Stuff the Bus Food Drive’ before the football game. Nonperishable food items were collected at the football field and all district schools and donated to people in need.

The Rams beat the Golden Tornadoes during the Homecoming Game, winning with a final score of 28-12.

–Madison Gusler

Preserving local history in Malverne

serving as the village historian.

Weinstein found a deep calling for preserving history at a young age. During the seventh grade, Weinstein explained that his social studies topic for that year was New York State, a subject he liked because he could “reach out and touch it.”

As he grew older, Weinstein got more involved in the community, becoming active president of the Malverne Volunteer Ambulance Corps. He also served in the chief’s office for the Malverne Fire Department from 1973 to 1977.

Some time later, Weinstein said he felt it was necessary to “Keep Malverne a Mayberry” town, referring to an idyllic fictional town, a term often representing small-town life highlighting neighborly values, slow pace, and innocence. Weinstein wants to help Malverne continue to be a safe and friendly hometown. He added that the historical society provided him with an opportunity to learn more about the village, and be a liaison for future generations.

“I wanted to learn more about it, and also pass on the information that I know about the village to people, so they can tell their children, tell their family about the lovely village in which they all live in, and how we got to what we have,” he said.

Like Weinstein, the opportunity to learn about one’s hometown and its history has attracted the interest of many other community members.

Trevor Loew, historical society board member for just over a year and a younger member of the community, explained that providing a place like the Malverne house for families and future generations is important because it preserves local history. Loew reflected on the significance of younger people getting involved to preserve the “great educational environ-

ment,” calling it their “responsibility.”

“Young people should continue to seek out opportunities to get involved, because when things like this go away, they’re gone forever,” Loew said. “You can never get them back, so it’s our responsibility as a younger generation to preserve them so they’ll be there for future generations.”

Loew oversees the fundraising aspect of the Malverne house’s operations, with events like taking pictures with Santa, or the annual gala at the Knights of Columbus. “My goal is to help them raise funds so they can sustain and maintain the house,” he said.

Since 1986, The Malverne Historical Society has been committed to organizing, preserving, and displaying historical information pertaining to Malverne and neighboring communities. It has also developed to preserve older structures and landmarks, promoting the identity of Malverne as a community.

“It’s the opportunity to give a person, or Malverne, or anyone outside our village, to look in the historical house, to see what Malverne was yesterday or yesteryear, and we can explain to them (what Malverne once was),” Weinstein said.

For more information, visit MalverneHistory.org.

Carelus is focused on a changing District 1

By MOHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com

Jean-Baptiste Carelus’s campaign for the District 1 council seat in the Town of Hempstead began not with personal ambition, but with a call from his community.

Carelus, 55, was approached by the members of the West Hempstead Republican Club, and after discussing it with his wife, he decided to step forward.

“She said, ‘Yeah, why not? You have some good ideas,” Carelus recalled in a conversation with the Herald. “And so I said, evidently, this might be the best time, since I was approached.”

Carelus’s roots in the area run deep. His family immigrated to the United States from Haiti in 1977, settling first in Westbury and then in Hempstead. He graduated from Hempstead High School in 1987, and later earned a master’s degree in economics from CUNY Brooklyn College.

His professional career spans over two decades in financial services, including roles in public and structured finance and consulting. Currently, he works with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, focusing on the risks and regulations of the insurance industry.

Beyond Carelus’s professional life is a wealth of community involvement that demonstrates his commitment to public service. For nearly three decades, he has

served as a lector at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Five years ago, at age 50, he became a volunteer firefighter and later an EMT, and has earned the honor of EMT of the Year twice.

He explained that he had the time and ability to give back, and there was a need for volunteers during the day, when most people are working.

“The biggest thing that they want, just like at the fire service, when there’s a call, respond, show up and work with everyone there to make sure that the issues are addressed,” he said of his potential constituents.

Carelus’s campaign is grounded in the issues that he believes matter most to District 1 residents: housing, taxes, education and equitable access to services. He is particularly passionate about increasing the availability and affordability of housing.

He points to innovative models like the Uniondale Community Land Trust, which helps keep homes affordable by retaining ownership of the land while families pay own the homes themselves. He is also interested in exploring programs that prioritize first responders and working families for affordable housing opportunities.

Tax fairness is another central concern for Carelus. He notes that many residents of District 1 are either unaware of their rights to grieve property taxes or are unable to attend semi-

tions — the parks, the services, infrastructure, everything else, senior enrichment, all those things.”

“There are services that are being denied to these communities, (and) all the while the burden of the taxes have increasingly fallen on them,” Carelus added, pointing out that infrastructure in some areas of District 1, such as Roosevelt, is in dire need of improvement.

nars due to inconvenient scheduling. He points out that applications for tax grievances are not only filed less frequently in the district, but are also more likely to be denied.

“The combination over time — not applying at the same rates, being turned down when there is an application at higher rates,” he said, “begins to disproportionately place the burden on those communities of paying for our obliga-

Carelus’s personal story also informs his advocacy for education and family support. When his adopted son, who has special needs, required services that were not available in Hempstead, Carelus moved his family just four blocks, to West Hempstead, so they could have access to better educational opportunities. The experience fuels his commitment to ensuring that all families have access to the resources they need.

As he campaigns, Carelus is determined to raise awareness about the changes facing District 1, including recent redistricting, and to fight for fair investment in infrastructure, services and economic development. With a blend of professional acumen, community service and empathy, he is, he says, deeply focused on residents’ needs and the challenges they face.

For Goosby, a unique re-election challenge

By MOHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com

For more than a quarter-century, Dorothy Goosby, 86, councilwoman of District 1, as well as deputy supervisor, has been a pillar of public service and a trailblazer for minority representation in the Town of Hempstead.

She is now running once again for reelection.

Goosby’s journey into public office began with a fight for fair representation. In the late 1980s, she was the lead plaintiff in a landmark lawsuit challenging Hempstead’s at-large voting system, which had long prevented minority communities from electing their own representatives.

“We started in ’88 and it took us to 1999 in order to finally win the suit,” Goosby recalled to the Herald.

The victory led to the creation of councilmanic districts, ensuring that every community had a voice at the table.

Goosby became the first African American woman to serve on the board, representing neighborhoods like Hempstead, Uniondale, Roosevelt, and Freeport.

“I go to all of them, and I check to see what’s going on,” she says.

This year, Goosby’s re-election bid differs from races prior in one notable

way: she does not have Nassau Democratic Party backing.

Rather, the party declined to carry her petitions, citing her alignment with the Republican majority and former Supervisor Don Clavin, as well as calls for younger candidates to step in.

Instead, a grassroots effort was launched by Goosby’s closest supporters to get the necessary signatures of her own accord. In the final analysis, that effort garnered more than twice the 4,000 signatures required to get on the ballot.

In keeping with the theme of not being redirected by resistance, she told the Herald that the most important lesson that she’d learned in her 25-year political career has been “to make sure that whatever it is I need, I get it.”

“And I do,” she added, “because they don’t like to hear from me.”

Whether it’s addressing dumping on vacant lots or advocating for safer public spaces, Goosby’s leadership is rooted in direct engagement with her constituents. Education and youth development are also central to her mission. For over 20 years, she has organized a summer reading program that brings children and parents together, fostering a love of learning and community involvement.

“The kids love this, and it’s helping them,” she explained.

She is an opponent, according to her

attorney, of high-density housing developments that she believes threaten the character and resources of local neighborhoods.

“We’re working with the water,” she said, when asked about whether there is a water crisis on Long Island. “And because we have somebody now that we’re starting with that, we have a big problem in the Village of Hempstead, because we have somebody there not taking care of us with the water.”

“And some places, they do take care of it,” she added. “So we’re still trying to work on that, to get that straight(ened) up. Has to do with the mayor and some people like that.”

Goosby’s approach to governance is defined by bipartisanship and collaboration. As the lone Democrat on the sevenmember Town Board, she has built relationships across the aisle with her fellow council members.

In her wide-ranging conversation with the Herald, she preferred to recount specific anecdotes of constituent service her office provided when district residents approached her in need, rather than to pontificate on the broader issues facing the district. It was unclear at times whether Goosby could recall specific details about the services rendered, and she seemed, understandably, to have difficulty with names of places and people. She depended on the

Dorothy Goosby, longtime Hempstead councilmember and community advocate, says she has learned important lessons in 25 years of public service.

help of her attorney and a longtime friend in answering questions. At 86, what compels Goosby to keep going is her love of service. “I am really helping people,” she said. “They need it, and they don’t want me to leave.”

STEPPING OUT

Autumnal adventures

Reel in some hauntingly good fun

By Karen Bloom

Spooky season is casting its spell — and whether you’re ready for a scare or just some seasonal flair, there’s much to check out.

The Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns

Pumpkin patches have their moment, but a pumpkin trail is even better. The wooded site of Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts in Wheatley Heights is the evocative setting for a spooky 4,200 foot loop of over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins and illuminated objects (10,000 in all) that light up the grounds all month long.

The Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns is now in its 12th season on Long Island, delighting visitors with all sorts of seasonal delights, from those carved pumpkins — of all sizes — to inflatables and even a space to show off some dance moves, complete with disco lights and music.

You may recall Rise from its first eight seasons at Old Westbury Gardens. Its current home at Usdan accommodates a longer trail that enhances the immersive experience.

“We found this trail to be perfect,” says Mike Pollack, Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns’ executive producer, who proclaims this to be “the spookiest walk on Long Island.”

Spooky, most definitely, but not haunted. You won’t find any frightful creatures popping out along the path. As Pollack puts it: “No scares.”

This family-friendly event is designed to get everyone in the spirit of the season, appealing to all ages.

A team of 100 handpicked artists carve their individual pumpkins with facial expressions ranging from scary to silly.

“The artistry of these pumpkins is spectacular and you will not see anywhere else,” Pollack says enthusiastically.

The 40,000 visitors annually would seem to agree. Rise is open on weekends and select weeknight through Nov. 1. All tickets must be purchased online at jackolanterns. com; no tickets are available on site. Rise is located at 185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights.

Spooky Fest

Creatures of all kinds inhabit the woods, and ghosts and ghouls come out to play at Tanglewood Preserve, home to the Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL), in Rockville Centre. A seasonal tradition for area families, the spectacle takes over CSTL’s grounds every weekend through Nov. 2.

Each year the festival offers a spirited fun-filled slate of activities on the preserve’s 16 acres — both scary and not so scary — to appeal to all ages and fright levels. The wooded paths are transformed for the season, with eerie lighting, special effects and characters along the way.

Whether you and the kids are looking to be spooked or not, the choice is yours. This time of year the preserve’s woods are definitely haunted, as those who venture along the scary walk will find out. This quarter mile hike through

the woods is not for the faint of heart, it may leave some younger kids clinging to their parents legs. Step into the darkness of the Haunted Woods where you’ll stumble upon a deserted graveyard and more — you never know what is lurking around the next turn. Be scared if you dare!

“Adults will come out crying and the kids will be laughing,” CSTL Educator Michele Anselmo,says, somewhat bemused. “You need to know your fear factor before you enter.”

As always, the not-so-spooky Enchanted Walk is welcoming haunt for the younger set. Friendly Halloween characters — including witches, fairies, aliens, ghosts, butterflies, and scarecrows — greet visitors. This year a pirate ship with a band of pirates has made its way here to get in on the action. Other activities include holiday-themed arts and crafts, and the return of the Mystic Den, with a fortuneteller and face painting. And, of course, the glow tent, is another popular spot where everyone heads to make “slime.” Just be sure to take the goopy stuff home; “sliming” those nearby is frowned upon.

Costumes are always encouraged. And in the spirit of Hallowen season, kids may find some treats to pick up as they wander about.

“There’s always something for everyone here,” Anselmo says.

Find out what’s lurking in the woods at the Center for Science Teaching and Learning, 1 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre. Visit cstl.org for information and tickets.

Gone Fishing

Anglers — novice and skilled — will be on the scene once again when the Fall Fishing & Children’s Festival returns to Hempstead Lake State Park. Presented by the Department of Environmental Conservation’s “I Fish NY” program, on Oct. 18, the annual event offers an ideal way to make the most of the season with a mix of fishing, fun and family activities.

The day kicks off at 10 a.m., with a fresh stock of trout in the park’s South and MacDonald Ponds to help introduce families to the sport of freshwater fishing. Everyone can take part in fly-fishing instruction, casting practice, fish-cleaning demonstrations, and even borrow rods and bait free of charge.

“All ages are encouraged to attend to enjoy this wonderful fishing experience,” says George Gorman, State Parks’ Long Island regional director. “We hope festival attendees also take the opportunity to explore the beautiful Hempstead Lake State Park and all it has to offer.”

But the fun doesn’t end at the water’s edge. Young visitors can enjoy pumpkin decorating, a magic show, reptile exhibit, and a playful casting contest where the “catch” could be a pumpkin or a prize. Whether you’re an avid angler or just looking for a day outdoors with the kids, the Fall Fishing & Children’s Festival reels in plenty of reasons to drop by.

The fishing license requirement for all anglers over the age of 15 is suspended for this festival, and admission and parking are free. Check out the activities at the park’s MacDonald and South Ponds, also in Rockville Centre. Visit parks.ny.gov for more.

Jessie’s Girl

Break out the neon, dust off those leg warmers and tease up your hair — the ultimate ‘80s party returns to the Paramount stage. Jessie’s Girl, a band of New York City’s top rock and pop musicians, returns with their high-energy Back to the Eighties show, guaranteed to turn back the clock. Fronted by powerhouse vocalists who transform into the decade’s biggest icons, Jessie’s Girl delivers the hits that defined an era. Add in bold costumes, playful choreography, audience participation, and plenty of extras — bubbles, confetti, and props galore — and the result is part concert, part theater and all ‘80s spectacle. These talents each have dozens of credits performing with authentic ‘80s icons who made the music famous to begin with. With over-the-top renditions of memorable songs, Jessie’s Girl captures the glitz and sheer energy of the decade like no one else.

Friday, Oct. 10, 8 p.m. $64.75

$52.25, $49.25, $48.50, $37.25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Tilles Center’s Atrium becomes an intimate lounge, showcasing 23-year-old Kate Kortum, one of the jazz world’s most exciting breakout artists. Hailing from Houston, Texas, her warm, distinctive sound blends bebop, blues, the Great American Songbook, and musical theater with captivating, story-driven lyrics. Her artistry bridges tradition and innovation, offering audiences a fresh, contemporary take on the jazz vocal legacy. Critics have praised her ability to revitalize jazz with authenticity and daring. “Wild Woman,” her sophomore album, features reimagined standards and originals that explore a woman’s relationship with complex emotions.

Thursday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $39. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CALENDAR

OCT 11

Fall Clean-Up

Lakeview Civic Association hosts a fall clean-up day. Come help make your community a cleaner, greener place by volunteering to help beautify the neighborhood.

• Where: Lakeview LIRR, Woodfield Road

• Time: 9 a.m.

Whimsical Wizard School

Families are invited to Old Westbury Gardens for a wizarding adventure. It all begins the moment you’re sorted into one of the enchanted Nature Houses. Create your own wand, adding colors and decorations that reflect your style. Step into a magical herbology class, where you’ll discover the plants that inspire fantasy and design your own terrarium herb garden. Join wizard professors on a Wizard Quest through the gardens, solving riddles and uncovering hidden icons along the way. Celebrate the spooky season with games, crafts, and enchanting surprises in the most magical way possible. For ages 5-10. Registration required. $18, $12 children

• Where: The Barn at Orchard Hill, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

‘Saltwater Stories’ Festival

Families are invited to Long Island Children’s Museum’s special opening weekend festival to celebrate the launch of Saltwater Stories, the new permanent exhibition celebrating Long Island’s coastal heritage. Meet local fisherfolk, explore hands-on activities for all ages, and dive into the rich traditions of our bays and beaches. Enjoy storytelling, crafts, and demonstrations that bring Long Island’s maritime history to life! All activities included with museum admission.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

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

OCT 18

Anthony Rodia

Anthony Rodia is back “Laugh Till It Hurts” tour, an all-new stand-up showcase that’s refreshingly genuine and quick witted. Building on the success of his previous outing, this is his biggest and most ambitious yet. A first-generation Italian-American born and raised in Westchester, Rodia came out of the womb making people laugh. In his 20s he tried a few open mics, but ultimately took a different career path as a finance manager of a luxury car dealership. In 2019, Rodia returned to comedy and left his day job to become a full-time stand-up comic. With a background steeped in family traditions, Italian-American culture and the ups and downs of modern life, Anthony’s comedy feels like a conversation with your funniest friend. His blend of observational humor, self-deprecation and witty impressions has led him on his path as one of the most exciting rising stars on the comedy scene. Anthony’s comedic career skyrocketed thanks to his viral social media videos, where he brought his hilarious, larger-than-life characters and relatable commentary to millions of fans. His most iconic characters, including his over-the-top Uncle Vinny persona, quickly became fan favorites, making him a social media sensation and establishing a loyal following. His ability to turn everyday situations — family gatherings, parenting, and even the quirks of his own Italian heritage —into laugh-out-loud moments has earned him widespread recognition and a rapidly growing fanbase. Tickets are $144.75, $108.75, $98.25, $86.50, $76.25, $6475.

• Where: 1130 Woodfield Road Lakeview

• Time: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 536-3071

Taxpayer Forum

Attend the free Town of Hempstead seminar on important property tax exemptions at Malverne Public Library. Review eligibility requirements and get your questions answered. Know your rights as a taxpayer.

• Where: 61 St. Thomas Place

• Time: 2 p.m.

• Contact: Call (516) 538-1500 or email taxforums@hempstead. ny.gov

Malverne BOE meets

The Malverne Board of Education holds their monthly session.

• Where: Malverne Performing Arts Center 80 Ocean Ave.

• Time: 8 p.m.

OCT

16

West Hempstead Community Meeting

The West Hempstead Community Support Association hosts a community meeting open to all West Hempstead residents. WHCSA honors their Person of the Year and more.

• Where: American Legion Hall Cathedral Post 233, Woodlawn Ave., West Hempstead

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: westhempsteadcivic. org

Little Learners Art Lab

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

• Time: 7 and 9:30 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

OCT

Taxpayer Forum

Attend the free Town of Hempstead seminar on important property tax exemptions at West Hempstead Public Library. Review eligibility requirements and get your questions answered. Know your rights as a taxpayer.

• Where: 500 Hempstead Ave.

• Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Contact: Call (516) 538-1500 or email taxforums@hempstead. ny.gov

Craft and Trade Show

Bridge Church Women’s Ministry hosts a craft and trade show.

Annual Korean Culture Day Celebration. This family-friendly event brings together the sights, sounds and flavors of Korea in the beautiful garden setting. Enjoy authentic Korean foods and flavors, dance performances, Tae Kwon Do demonstrations, and more. Whether you’re discovering Korean culture for the first time or reconnecting with cherished traditions, this afternoon offers something for everyone. Free with Gardens admission.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 2-5 p.m.

• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

OCT

19

Malverne 5K Participate in the 20th Annual Malverne 5K Run/Walk for Education. Organized by the Malverne Educational and Fitness Foundation, proceeds support youth programs in the district.

• Where: Malverne High School 80 Ocean Ave., Malverne

• Time: Fun run 8:30 a.m., 5K 9 a.m.

• Contact: Register at runsignup. com/Race/NY/Malverne/ TheMalverne5KRun

‘Gloria’s Miami Nights’ Plaza Theatrical invites to all to its stage at Elmont Memorial Library for dazzling tribute to Gloria Estefan, Kikki Torres and a pulsating troupe of musicians, singers, and dancers to celebrate the music and career of Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine. $40, $35 seniors.

• Where: 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont

• Time: 2:30 p.m.

• Contact: PlazaTheatrical.com or call (516) 599-6870

Clerk’s Mobile Office The Nassau County Clerk’s Mobile Office is offering services to Nassau County residents at Lakeview Public Library. Representatives are able to provide certified copies of land record and notary services for a fee. OCT

OCT

14 Traffic Commission meets The Malverne Traffic Commission holds a public meeting.

15

• Where: 99 Church St., Malverne

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

Each week in this engaging workshop, participants are introduced to hands-on materials, artmaking, and inspiration from artists and techniques. Young kids, ages 2-5, build critical thinking skills, expand vocabulary, and support imaginations as they play, create and explore. This week create one-of-a-kind wave paintings with a sensory twist. $4 with museum admission.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 11:30 a.m.-noon

• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

This community event celebrates creativity, entrepreneurship and connection. Explore handmade crafts, discover local businesses and support local women artists.

• Where: Bridge Church, 1 Norwood Ave., Malverne

• Time: 7-10 p.m., also Oct 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 561-8101

Korean Culture Day

Celebrate the vibrant traditions of Korea at Old Westbury Gardens at the 3rd OCT

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.

Fall festivities every weekend at the farm

to $30, depending on the size. Farms in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, provide the pumpkins.

“We really like the quality of the pumpkins at the Amish Grove,” Crossroads’ operations manager, Michael D’Angelo, said of the pumpkins provided by Amish farmers. “They give them a lot of time to cure, so you’ll notice the stems are a lot harder and longer. They last longer and they’re all edible, so you can make a pie with them when you’re done. They’re definitely a step up from a regular grocery store pumpkin.”

The farm store is stocked with more than the usual locally grown produce from Crossroads and other local organic farms, including apples, apple cider, apple cider donuts, and pears.

“We have 11 varieties of apples this weekend,” D’Angelo said on Sunday. He added that he expected the varieties to change each weekend depending on what’s available and in season. “They’re all labeled, and we have signs that explain what each variety of apples is good for.”

There are five varieties of pears in the store, including Asian pears grown on the farm. The farm will also soon be stocked with winter squashes, which are harvested from the farm, including spaghetti, butternut, kabocha and delicata squash.

D’Angelo said he expected the farm’s

well.

In previous years, the Fall Festival was a one-day event, but last year Crossroads began holding the festivities every weekend in October.

“We want to be able to accommodate multiple communities of people at

Apples and pears

Types of apples

once,” store manager Sara Sanotra explained. “October’s a busy time for a lot of people — they’re going out of state, going apple picking upstate, out East. So having Saturdays and Sundays gives people time to come either day, and with free entry, they can come back over and over again.”

Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Macoun, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Winesap Types of pears

Anjou, Bartlett, Bosc, Seckel, Sirrine

Public Notices

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 10/15/2025 at 2:00

P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED

STARTING AT 2:00

P.M.

547/25. WEST HEMPSTEAD - Cherry Valley Associates LLC (Storm Baseball Academy Special exception to use part of premises for public assembly & amusement (Storm Sports Academy); Variance in off-street parking., W/s Cherry Valley Ave., 441.83’ N/o Hempstead

Tpke., a/k/a 45 Cherry Valley Ave. (2 Terminal Rd.)

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. 156119

LOCAL LAW NO.

62-2025

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the 30th day of September, 2025, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 62-2025, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 62-2025, to amend Chapter 202 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “REGULATIONS & RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking at various locations.

Dated: September 30, 2025 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor

KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 156129

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 November 6, 2025 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 thereon 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. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee

Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 23-001125 87181 156100

LEGAL NOTICE Notice of Public Hearing West Hempstead Fire District Annual Budget for 2026 Whereas, on the 16th day of September, 2025, pursuant to Section 105 of the Town Law and Section 181 of the Town Law, the Board of Fire Commissioners of the West Hempstead Fire District confirmed that the Annual Fire District Budget Hearing will be conducted with reference to the Annual Fire District Budget for fiscal year 2026 on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 commencing at 7:00 P.M. at the Fire Headquarters located at 295 Hempstead Turnpike, West Hempstead, NY and Whereas, the Board of Fire Commissioners is required to adopt a proposed budget at least 21 days before October 21, 2025 so that it is available for public inspection prior to the budget hearing.

NOW, therefore, BE IT

RESOLVED that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the West Hempstead Fire District has adopted a proposed Annual Fire District Budget for 2026 as of this date for purposes of discussion and review at the Budget Hearing to be held on October 21, 2025 and a copy of the proposed budget is available at the office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Hempstead and at the office of the West Hempstead Fire District Secretary at 295 Hempstead Turnpike, West Hempstead, NY where it may be inspected by any interested persons during office hours. In addition, copies will be available on the night of said hearing. NOW, therefore, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the West Hempstead Fire District will hold the Annual Fire District Budget Hearing to be conducted with reference to the Annual Fire District Budget for fiscal year 2026 on Tuesday October 21, 2025 commencing at 7:00 P.M. at Fire Headquarters 295 Hempstead Turnpike, West Hempstead, NY. NOTICE IS HEARBY

GIVEN that the aforesaid budget will be presented to the residents and taxpayers of the West Hempstead Fire District and to the Board of Fire Commissioners of the West Hempstead Fire District, for their respective consideration at this public hearing and for the purpose of considering the said resolution and hearing all persons interested in the subject concerning same on Tuesday October 21, 2025 commencing at 7:00 P.M. at Fire Headquarters 295 Hempstead Turnpike West Hempstead, NY.

Dated: October 2, 2025 West Hempstead, NY Board of Fire Commissioners West Hempstead Fire District Town of Hempstead Attest: Kenneth Brohm, Fire District Secretary 156188

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Notice is hereby given that SEALED PROPOSALS for “2025 ROAD

IMPROVEMENTS” will be received and must be stamped by the Village Clerk-Treasurer, Incorporated Village of Malverne (“Malverne”), at its Village Hall located at 99 Church Street, Malverne, New York, not later than 11:00 am on October 23, 2025, at which time they will be publicly opened and read for furnishing the following: “ROAD IMPROVEMENTS”

Malverne seeks a qualified vendor for performance of construction work to include paving improvements and ancillary work on Bond, Spruce and Oak Streets in Malverne. Time is of the essence and the proposal must include the project estimated duration. Successful vendor should be prepared to commence work within 10 days from the Notice to Proceed issued by Malverne following award.

Complete Digital Sets of Bidding Documents, Plans and Specifications may be obtained online as a download at the following website: melville.h2mplanroom. com for a nonrefundable fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) beginning Thursday, October 9, 2025. Complete sets of Hard Copy Bidding

News brief

Ed Ra honors local women of distinction

Assemblyman Ed Ra presented the annual 2025 Women of Distinction awards on Sept. 27, recognizing the contributions of women in the 19th Assembly District. Ra represents the Franklin Square, West Hempstead, Garden City, Mineola, and East Meadow communities.

During the ceremony at Adelphi University, 10 women, including one leader in the community, were honored.

Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and other local officials joined Ra to recognize and celebrate the honorees.

“We’re fortunate to have so many generous, kind and remarkable women in our communities. Each of these honorees strengthens our neighborhoods in their own unique way,” Ra said. “Not for recognition—they do this work because they genuinely care about their neighbors. They want to improve our schools, health care facilities and community programs. It’s because of people like them that the towns in our district are such special places.”

–Madison Gusler

Public Notices

Documents, Plans and Specifications, may be obtained from REVplans, 28 Church Steet, Unit 7, Warwick, New York 10990, upon payment of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each set furnished. Any bidder requiring documents to be shipped shall make arrangements with the printer and pay for all packaging and shipping costs. All bid addenda will be transmitted to registered plan holders via email and will be available at melville.h2mplanroom. com. Plan holders who have paid for hard copies of the bid documents will need to make the determination if hard copies of the addenda are required for their use and coordinate directly with REVplans for hardcopies of addenda to be issued. There will be no charge to registered plan holders to obtain hard copies of the bid addenda. Requests for information (RFI) will only be received in writing or electronically. Deadline

for RFI’s will be 12:00 pm on Thursday, October 16, 2025. Any question or comment received after this time will not be answered. All RFI responses will be issued through a written addendum. Any costs incurred for permits, fees, bonds (if applicable), assessments, and municipal inspections in the performance of the Work will be compensated on a nonmarkup reimbursement basis and should not be included in the respondent’s price proposal. Late submissions will not be considered. NO EXCEPTIONS. Malverne’s determination regarding the completeness and timeliness of submissions shall be final. Malverne will notify all respondents of award within a reasonable timeframe. The Board of Trustees reserves the right, in its sole discretion: (a) to reject any or all of the responses received; (b) to cancel the RFP or to change any or all terms or conditions of the

RFP; and (c) to extend or otherwise change any dates specified in the RFP, which in its opinion is in the best interest of the Village. BY ORDER OF THE VILLAGE BOARD OF THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF MALVERNE

Jill Valli, Village Clerk Malverne, New York

Dated: October 9, 2025 156209

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU DLJ Mortgage Capital, Inc., Plaintiff AGAINST Frank J. Gombocs a/k/a Frank Gombocs; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 6, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 29, 2025, at 2:00PM, premises known as 72 Cedar Road, Malverne, NY

11565. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Malverne, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 38 Block 118 Lot 8, 9, 10 & 11. Approximate amount of judgment $817,202.98 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 600336/2020. Foreclosure auction will be held “Rain or Shine”.

Robert Aiello, Esq., Referee

LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC

Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: September 8, 2025 155914

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An architect for a sunroom?

Q. I’m buying a sunroom for my breakfast room on the back of my split-level house, about 8 feet off the ground. I’m being told by the contractor that I need an architect and sealed plans. Since it’s basically a kit of parts that will go on my existing deck, why do I need this? It seems like a lot of extra expense the sunroom people didn’t tell me about. If I already have a permit for the deck, it should be allowed, right? I haven’t bought the sunroom yet. I’m just trying to be sure I know the whole story before I do this, probably by spring, when the weather is better for construction. Any advice would be helpful.

A. Do things once, the best way. A deck isn’t habitable, but a sunroom is, and a permit is required. Plans have to show structural support, energy and building code compliance. Rain, moisture and ice are your primary concerns. You need the whole story without the sales part. Just like any purchase, issues you might not expect are still important, like finding out what kind of oil to add to your snow blower before the engine seizes or that windows without factory tinting can allow ultra-violet sunlight rays to fade your carpet. As an architect for a largely popular sunroom manufacturer in the 1980s and ’90s, I experienced many issues with their construction.

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Pre-engineered panel systems are designed by the company, hopefully by engineers, and should come with plans, from the manufacturer, that can be sealed and signed by their in-house engineer. If not, plans may need to be drawn from scratch by an architect or engineer that you hire so those plans can be integrated with your house. Integrated means that the company generally just sells you a product and doesn’t necessarily give any indication of how to support the unit or how to attach the unit system to your house so that it won’t leak or move.

This is the general failing of the system, since, as I experienced with most of the installations, the part I could detail was free of leaking or movement, but the units themselves leaked nearly every time. We could detail how the edges of the unit could be sealed and redundantly weather-stripped and flashed, but the frames around the glass and wall edges would unseal and leak. I even met with the corporate president/ owner and identified the specific problems. Promises to correct leak issues were made but not kept, and eventually I gave up.

I looked at a two-year-old system while discussing other work for a home recently. The owner described the back-and-forth misery he and his family were experiencing with their sunroom and the company. Even 25 years after I gave up, the same company is still doing things the same way. You need a detail-oriented architect and installer, even if you think you don’t. The cost of doing things twice is much greater. Good luck.

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opinionS

When politics turns violent, democracy loses

in the weeks since the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, I have been deeply troubled by the response across our country. Kirk was a man of faith who placed family and his convictions at the center of his life. He dedicated himself to engaging with others to discuss ideas, challenging others to think critically and promoting dialogue, even in situations where he knew he would face hostility.

College students and young people are voters, and it is crucial for them to understand and engage in discussions about political issues. A strong, informed voice in public conversation can inspire thoughtful debate and meaningful participation, and should never be met with violence, under any circumstances. Murder and violence can never be acceptable solutions to political disagreements. Yet because one individual chose violence, a family with two young children now

faces a life without their father.

As someone who was once a young widow, I know firsthand the profound pain children face when they grow up without a father. That is why the response we have seen from parts of this country, treating a public execution as if it were something to be minimized, is deeply troubling and profoundly disappointing. We must never lose sight of our shared humanity, regardless of political beliefs. Every life lost to violence is a reminder that civility, respect and the rule of law are values worth defending.

Charlie Kirk’s death should compel us to reflect on the values we hold dear.

What has been particularly concerning is the misinformation that often spreads following tragic events. More so, it is troubling when such events are misused to justify or excuse political violence. I was relieved to see other public figures speak out and issue statements firmly refuting any such violence.

But when someone in the public eye minimizes the brutal murder of another public figure, it is not only wrong; it reflects a failure to exercise the respon-

sibility that accompanies that role. Those who hold platforms with vast influence have a duty to act with care and recognize the real-world consequences of their words. Public figures must understand that their speech can foster constructive dialogue or, if misused, inflame division and contribute to hostility. Preserving the integrity of free expression requires accountability alongside protection. One could argue that the most important time to condemn political violence is when it is committed against those with whom you disagree.

Additionally, the repercussions of political violence extend far beyond the immediate tragedy. Communities, institutions and families are left grappling with fear, uncertainty and grief. When violence is used to silence ideas, it threatens the very foundations of democratic society. It undermines the ability of citizens to freely exchange viewpoints, challenge assumptions and participate fully in civic processes. Every person, regardless of age, background

or political perspective, deserves to engage in discourse without fear of physical harm or intimidation. Every life taken, every family shattered and every community unsettled by violence is a call to action. It is a reminder that our words, our actions and our leadership carry weight, and that safeguarding a culture of respect and civility is essential for the health of our nation. Charlie Kirk’s life, his courage to speak openly and the tragic circumstances of his death should compel Americans to reflect on the values we hold dear, and commit to defending them.

This tragedy must be a moment of reflection for our nation. Political violence, intimidation and incivility are never acceptable. Public figures, the media and all citizens share a duty to speak with integrity, engage one another respectfully and uphold the principles that make our democracy strong. Kirk’s life reminds us of the power of conviction and discourse, and his death underscores the cost of failing to protect those values. As a nation, we must stand united against violence and recommit to the civility that strengthens our democracy.

Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick represents the 9th State Senate District.

Libraries are precious, and must be treated with care

Some of my most enduring memories involve libraries. Attending “Story Hour” at the local library with my mother as a child. Working my way through college staffing the Circulation desk and re-shelving books. Viewing the special exhibits at Oxford University’s Bodleian Library while serving as a visiting scholar after retiring from Adelphi. Writing my book on university governance while serving as an Allen Room Scholar at the New York Public Library. Showing the Gutenberg Bible to a grandson while visiting the Morgan Library.

Libraries are precious homes for books and other materials that preserve and interpret the past, stir curiosity and the imagination, and nurture future generations. They are celebrated worldwide on International Literacy Day, Sept. 8.

Andrew Carnegie recognized the importance of libraries over a century ago, when he began supporting free public libraries as places of congregation and education. Carnegie believed that access to information and knowledge

would help those from limited household circumstances advance in careers and civic engagement. That certainly was the case for me.

The heart of a library is the librarian. Librarians are licensed professionals with graduate degrees. They are experts in collecting sources of information and ensuring that valid and valuable knowledge is available. They monitor access to age-appropriate materials and make decisions based on evidence, not emotion.

Jtargeted books focus on sexual identity and racism, including slavery.

The lone Supreme Court ruling against book bans, from Long Island, no less, was Board of Education, Island Trees Union Free School District No. 26 v. Pico, in 1982. Some think it could be overturned by a new case from Texas focusing on the removal of 17 books deemed “obscene” and “pornographic,” including Maurice Sendak’s childhood classic, “Where the Wild Things Are.”

ust like doctors and scientists, the expertise of librarians is now questioned.

Librarians build collections according to mission and library type. They not only promote literacy, foster education and encourage critical thinking, but also offer free access to technology. They support teachers and effective teaching. Businesspeople and professionals as well as students use libraries, and seek the help of librarians, for research assignments of all kinds.

But these temples to truth are being threatened by initiatives to ban books and dismantle the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. PEN America, a nonprofit literary and freeexpression advocacy group, found 10,046 instances of book bans in the 2023-24 school year. It noted book bans in 29 states and 220 public school districts, including on Long Island. Most of the

Banning books denies freedom of speech. In the past, such efforts were isolated and local. Now these campaigns are national, and simply compile lists of books to be banned whose subjects or authors — especially Black authors — are deemed questionable without any evidence. In years past, books such as Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” and Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn” were banned, until successful lawsuits returned them to library shelves.

On Long Island, there are 120 public libraries and 125 public school districts with 656 schools. Public libraries are governed by boards of trustees and funded by fundraising, tax revenue and government grants. They are essential to high-quality schooling and are vital community resources, especially in

rural and low-income regions.

According to one national report, “the American library . . . is a barometer of where we currently stand as a society when it comes to access to knowledge and information.” Libraries host listings of employment opportunities, provide health care bulletins, are sources of election information, make textbooks available for free, lend audio books for the hearing-impaired, offer citizenship classes, and open their rooms for community gatherings.

It seems that increasing numbers of people question the expertise of librarians, just as they question the expertise of doctors and scientists. None of these professions is infallible, of course. What sets them apart is that they are honorbound by professional codes of ethics, and change their conclusions when new evidence is uncovered. For the librarian, this means curating as well as collecting and storing sources of information, whether on discs, in the cloud or in books.

The Swedish designer Josef Frank said, “The world is a book, and the person who stays at home reads only one page.” The librarian is our travel guide to new vistas through books, and libraries are our vehicles. We should treat them with care.

Robert Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and co-author, with Drew Bogner, of “Letters to Students: What it Means to be a College Graduate.”

Malverne/West HeMpstead

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Incorporating: Malverne Community Times 1964-1994

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Long Island’s creative spark deserves investment

long Island is known for its beaches, its vineyards and its suburban sprawl. But a new report reminds us of something too often overlooked: The arts are one of the region’s most powerful economic engines.

According to the Center for an Urban Future, jobs in arts and culture on Long Island grew by a stunning 21.6 percent between 2014 and 2024. That’s five times faster than the region’s overall economy. The number of independent artists nearly doubled during the same period, fueling downtown revitalization, driving tourism and supporting small businesses. From muralists in Patchogue to theater productions in Huntington, creativity is reshaping the Island’s identity, and its bottom line.

And yet, just as this growth is transforming local communities, warning signs are flashing. The same report shows that the average arts worker on Long Island earns just $46,500 annually — barely half the regional average income. The number of performing-arts jobs remains more than 13 percent below pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, the costs of housing and living have skyrocketed, with housing prices alone climbing more than 60 percent in the past decade.

The math doesn’t add up. We are asking artists to do the impossible: generate enormous economic and cultural value for the region while surviving on wages that barely cover rent.

The problem isn’t talent or ambition. It’s support — or rather, the lack of it. Despite being home to 14.7 percent of New York state’s population, Long Island

letters

But Mamdani is giving people hope, Jerry

To the Editor:

receives just 2.8 percent of grants awarded by the state’s Council on the Arts. Less than 1 percent of federal National Endowment for the Arts funding in New York finds its way here.

And while state economic development councils are investing more than ever in arts projects statewide, only 3.1 percent of Long Island’s recent allocation went to the creative sector.

This chronic underinvestment has created what researchers call a “negative feedback loop.” Because the region has historically been overlooked, its institutions lack the resources to compete effectively for competitive funding, which in turn reinforces low funding rates. It’s a cycle that limits growth and puts Long Island’s creative vitality at risk.

The solutions are clear, and the payoff could be enormous. The Center for an Urban Future’s recommendations should be a wake-up call to policymakers.

Among them: dedicating 1 percent of county budgets to arts programming and operations, expanding the state arts budget, and creating a Long Island Grant Academy to strengthen the capacity of local organizations to win state and federal support.

The report also suggests converting underused commercial properties into cultural spaces, integrating the arts into tourism planning, and even embedding artists directly into government initiatives, as upstate Erie County has done successfully.

These aren’t fringe ideas. They’re pragmatic strategies to sustain a sector that has already proven itself indispensable. Arts and culture are not luxuries to be funded only in good times. They are

infrastructure — just as essential to the region’s economic vitality and community well-being as roads, schools and hospitals.

Consider the ripple effects: thriving downtowns anchored by galleries and theaters. Restaurants and shops boosted by performance-goers and festival crowds. Tourists are drawn to more than just beaches and wineries, while young families choose to stay because their communities feel vibrant and alive. At a time when many Long Island towns struggle with empty storefronts and affordability crises, creativity has been a rare and steady growth engine.

To jeopardize this progress through neglect would be shortsighted. As Jonathan Bowles, the center’s executive director, put it: “Unless county leaders and the state step up, Long Island risks losing the very creativity that is powering its success.”

Leaders in Nassau and Suffolk counties must recognize that a modest investment today could safeguard the region’s cultural and economic future. Allocating just 1 percent of county budgets to the arts —around $80 million annually — would not only stabilize existing organizations but also unlock additional state and federal dollars. That kind of leverage is how Long Island can finally get its fair share.

The arts have already proven what they can do for Long Island. The question now is whether Long Island will do right by the arts. If we want downtowns that hum with life, economies that diversify and communities that feel worth staying in, then investing in creativity is not optional. It’s essential.

Re Jerry Kremer’s column in last week’s issue, “There are many reasons not to embrace Mamdani”: Nassau residents’ concern over Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, is curious, as we have no vote on the matter. Perhaps we sense the specter in our basement.

There are, I think, two reasons people embrace Mamdani — desperation and hope. Consider the central issues: housing, homelessness and “affordability,” increasingly enmeshed and worsening to the point of crisis. That’s desperation.

Housing, specifically urban housing, has been in decline since Ronald Reagan was president. Successive New York state and New York City administrations have failed to address the problem, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s and Mayor Eric Adams’s. Curtis Sliwa has no plan. They all focus on the flip side of

opinions

Balanced energy policies will keep our lights on

For too many families and small businesses in New York, high energy bills have become a serious threat to their stability and success. But that burden is not shared equally. A recent study by Binghamton University found that Black and brown households spend a disproportionate share of their income on average utility expenses. That same pressure is felt by the restaurants, retailers and other small businesses that anchor our communities, for whom higher bills mean tighter margins and fewer dollars to reinvest in jobs and growth.

Rising costs hit our communities twice — once at the kitchen table, and again on Main Street.

Our elected leaders, however, have the opportunity to reorient the state’s energy policies to lower bills and protect our communities. To keep families

rfinancially stable and local businesses thriving, policymakers must support a multi-pronged energy strategy to reduce overall costs, lessen disparities and foster a more reliable grid. If energy affordability and equity are left unaddressed, high costs will continue to threaten household budgets and the survival of the very enterprises that drive opportunity in our neighborhoods. The ripple effects are enormous. When families are forced to spend more on basic energy needs, they have less to spend in local shops, less to save for education and less to invest in their future. When small businesses face higher utility bills, they are forced to cut back on hiring, scale down expansion — or in some cases, shut their doors altogether.

existing inequities. For Long Island, that could mean more families in financial distress and more businesses shutting down.

sources are vital to our future, but they can’t meet the demand alone.

As someone who has dedicated his career to bolstering our local economy, I have great concern about the longterm impact of sky-high utility bills. If households are squeezed and small businesses cannot survive, job creation stalls, local wealth declines and entire communities lose ground. Lawmakers must take this seriously.

impose the steepest costs on those least able to afford them.

For Long Island’s business community, the stakes could not be higher. Rising energy bills risk driving entrepreneurs away and weakening our competitiveness. For families, the burden threatens financial stability and quality of life. For both, the wrong policies could deepen historical disparities.

There is no question that New York must do its part to advance sustainability, but the avenues we take to pursue that mission matter. We need a path forward that considers all factors before making decisions that could limit energy resources and further drive up costs.

This is why energy policy cannot be treated as one-size-fits-all. Communities differ in infrastructure, housing stock and business needs. Policies that ignore those differences risk driving up costs, reducing reliability and exacerbating

Letters

housing, speaking of “involuntary commitments” to “treatment” in facilities that don’t exist.

That totally ignores the tens of thousands of shelter-living students who need no treatment beyond a stable home address. The candidates speak of police and clearing the streets, but not of where this refuse would go. Cuomo’s plan is, again, only poetry in future tense while the desperation is now. A “rent freeze” is not “moderate,” but “moderate” has failed. The point is to keep people in their homes, now.

“Socialism” has worked well for the wealthy — maybe it should work a little for the poor as well. For all the obvious obstacles of Mamdani’s proposals, he alone names the problem, addresses its immediacy, acknowledges its multiple entwined factors and sees the human families entangled in those larger forces. That’s where the hope comes from, reflected in votes. It is a hope readily transferable to any other willing leader, but if hope comes only in Muslim garb …

BRIAN KELLY Rockville Centre

It’s Democrats who are threatening our democracy

To the Editor:

Re Randi Kreiss’s column in the Sept. 25-Oct. 1 issue, “Is our democracy suffering growing pains”: The United States is approaching the 250th anniversary of

this political experiment. Kreiss’s op-ed attempted to place the blame on MAGA for the decline in our country, and I respectfully disagree.

■ Standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance has always been a mainstay of our country, until people on the left attempted to turn any display of national pride into a signal of racism.

■ Many on the left applauded the assassination of Charlie Kirk, who was simply engaging young college students in active, respectful debate.

■ Not knowing who was running our country as Joe Biden was in mental decline was a huge threat to our democracy. Who used the autopen? Who issued the pardons? Who ran our country?

■ The Democrats wrote the book on using the Department of Justice to go after political opponents, and now have the nerve to complain when it is used against them. They weaponized the FBI to arrest political opponents like Gen. Michael Flynn, Peter Navarro, Roger Stone, Steve Bannon and Paul Manafort, to name a few. Now the Republicans have indicted Jim Comey as the tip of the spear, with many more to follow. Thank you, Democrats, for paving the way.

■ Arresting a former president for the first time in our nation’s history and attempting to incarcerate and bankrupt him is more proof that Democrats are more of a threat to our democracy.

■ If they gain control of both chambers of Congress, we can look forward to mak-

That means pursuing a balanced energy strategy — one that lowers costs and ensures reliability while advancing toward a greener future. Renewable energy is vital to our future, and requires sustained investments. But renewables alone cannot meet demand without driving costs higher. Natural gas, nuclear, hydro, wind, solar and emerging technologies all play important roles in powering New York. Phasing out reliable sources prematurely would destabilize the system and

The Empire State has always risen to meet big challenges. By adopting a balanced energy strategy that values every resource, invests in innovation and never loses sight of affordability, we can do so again — and set a national example in the process.

Phil Andrews is president of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, New York state’s largest African American chamber. He is also a member of the Long Island Power Authority’s Community Advisory Board.

ing Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., states, packing the Supreme Court, and reopening our borders. Another B.S. impeachment will follow. Sounds undemocratic to me.

■ I could go on, but I will only add one more thing. I challenge you to put on a red “Make America Great Again” hat and walk the streets of Manhattan — especially the Upper West Side — and report back on your First Amend-

ment right of freedom of speech and expression. To all the people on the hard left, if you want to see the real threat to democracy, simply look in the mirror. I enjoy the fact that President Trump lives rent free in the heads of the liberal left. God bless America.