Massapequa Herald 01_28_2026

NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, right.

Tax cap holds at 2 percent

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

School officials will again be limited to a 2 percent increase in their tax levy growth for the 2025–26 school year, according to State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. The cap also applies to 10 cities statewide, marking the fifth consecutive year the levy growth has been held to that level.

The decision arrives as Long Island continues to see rising costs. The cost of living on Long Island has increased an estimated 24 to 26 percent since 2020, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data using the New York metro region as a proxy.

The cap, first implemented in 2012, limits property tax levy increases for school districts and most local governments outside New York City to either 2 percent or the rate of inflation — whichever is less — with some exceptions. Although districts can override the cap with voter approval, DiNapoli’s office calculated the inflation factor at 2.63 percent, meaning the 2 per -

cent cap remains in effect for those with a June 30, 2027, fiscal year end.

“School district and municipal officials must continue to find ways to deliver services efficiently as they deal with higher costs and the potential impact of federal actions,” DiNapoli said.

The cap applies to a district’s total tax levy — not individual budget lines — and generally covers salaries, supplies, utilities, contracts, dependent special districts such as water or fire, and most debt service.

“It should come as no surprise to any trustee, board of education, or school district personnel that the calculated rate of inflation exceeded the 2 percent tax cap,” said Christopher Faplillo, president of the West Babylon Board of Education. “We must look no further than the bills on our kitchen table to understand the financial implications facing school districts and communities across Long Island.”

Faplillo added that what school leaders

Demolition of Budget Inn underway, finally!

By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondent

Nearly two years after being declared a “dangerous building” and “public nuisance,” the long-troubled Budget Inn on Carman Mill Road in East Massapequa has been demolished.

Located just north of Berner Middle School and across from its athletic fields, the motel had long drawn criticism from residents and officials due to code

violations, criminal complaints and its proximity to school grounds.

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, joined by Councilman Andrew Monteleone, Town Clerk Richard LaMarca and Deputy Highway Commissioner John C. Tassone, visited the site on Jan. 20 to mark the start of demolition.

“This is an important day for the people of the Massapequas,” said Saladino. “This eyesore is

School districts brace for budget challenges amid rising costs

hope for is “a timely, supportive, and financially reflective budget from our representatives in Albany.”

DiNapoli’s office acknowledged the pressures districts are facing.

“The Comptroller’s office does recognize the cost of providing services and the challenges facing school districts and local governments,” said Rebecca Dangoor, DiNapoli’s deputy press secretary. “He encourages local officials to take advantage of various training events and OSC resources.”

The law allows limited exclusions to the cap — such as pension cost spikes, tort-related court judgments, voterapproved capital debt, and tax base growth due to new construction.

“Philosophically, the 2 percent tax cap is an important tool for fiscal discipline,” said Kerry Wachter, president of the Massapequa Board of Education. “That said, it’s important to be honest with the public: ‘2 percent’ does not always mean 2 percent. With allowable adjustments, our actual tax levy limit this year is 4.67 percent.”

School districts across the state — including those on Long Island — are now drafting budgets for the upcoming year. Voters will have the chance to approve or reject those budgets during school board elections and budget votes on May 20.

The cap applies to 675 school districts and 10 cities statewide, including all on Long Island.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U (New York–Newark–Jersey City region) Annual consumer price increases for the New York metro region, the standard measure used for Long Island.

Consequences for overriding the Tax Cap

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

• Must receive 60 percent voter approval in a referendum to adopt a budget that exceeds the tax cap.

• If the supermajority is not achieved, the district must:

• Revise the budget to remain within the cap,

• Submit the budget for another vote, or

• Adopt a contingency budget with no levy growth.

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS (COUNTIES, CITIES, TOWNS, VILLAGES)

• Must adopt a local law or resolution approved by 60 percent of the governing body to override the cap.

CONSEQUENCES OF EXCEEDING THE CAP WITHOUT AN OVERRIDE

• If a school district levies taxes above its allowable limit without a valid override, the excess amount must be placed in an interest-bearing reserve account and used to reduce the following year’s tax levy.

• If the state comptroller determines after a post-audit that a local government exceeded the cap, the excess must similarly be reserved to lower the next year’s levy.

In effect, the primary penalty for an unauthorized override is financial: the excess levy cannot stand as a permanent increase and must be used to offset future taxes, reinforcing the requirement that governing bodies follow the law’s supermajority procedures.

Honoring the fallen, one renovation at a time

Local youngsters help build access for first responder in Seaford

The Fight for Firefighters Foundation recently brought together firefighters and young volunteers from the community to build a wheelchair-accessible ramp at the Seaford home of a first responder, turning a day of service into a lesson in remembrance.

The project was organized in honor of FDNY firefighters Timothy Klein and Steven Pollard, both members of Ladder Company 170 in Canarsie, Brooklyn, who died in the line of duty.

“We do this work in honor of Timothy Klein and Steven Pollard,” said John Vaeth, the foundation’s president. “We build ramps and make home alterations for First Responders in need, and one of the main things is to get kids involved.”

Klein, 31, was killed April 24, 2022, during a fire at a Brooklyn home. According to the FDNY, he was critically injured in a collapse inside the building while he was fighting the fire.

Pollard, also 31, died Jan. 6, 2019, while responding to an overturned vehicle on the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. He fell approxi-

Dr. Martin Luther King remembered

On Tuesday, January 13, Nassau County employees, management officials, clergy, educators, and community members gathered at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building to honor and celebrate the writings and enduring moral vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

At a time when the nation continues to grapple with issues of justice, equality, and civic responsibility, this year’s commemoration centered not only on Dr. King’s leadership in the civil rights movement, but also on the extraordinary power of his words — words that continue to shape America’s conscience more than 50 years after his passing.

Dr. King’s speeches, sermons, and letters were far more than historical artifacts; they remain living guides for reflection, empathy, and action. His writings challenged Americans to reject fear and division, embrace moral courage, and commit to serving one another with intentional love.

The program featured readings of Dr.

King’s most enduring messages by: Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (virtual remarks), Minority Affairs Executive Director Lionel Chitty, Deputy County Executive Anissa Moore, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, County Legislator Kayla Knight, Deputy Commissioner of Social Services Rudolph Carmenaty and Rabbi Anchelle Perl, Human Rights Commissioner

Participants reflected on the continued relevance of Dr. King’s teachings. Musical selections and powerful readings from Dr. King’s works helped underscore the day’s message, grounding attendees in unity and shared purpose.

“As we in Nassau County honor Dr. King, participants will be reminded that his legacy is not only something to remember — it is something to practice,” said Deputy County Executive Anissa Moore. “His vision endures as a blueprint for a more equitable and humane society, challenging each of us to lead with love, act with integrity, and treat others with dignity.”

mately 50 feet through a gap in a bridge. Pollard had been with the FDNY for two years and followed in the footsteps of his father, Raymond, a retired FDNY firefighter of 32 years, and his brother, Raymond Jr.

According to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Pollard loved his job and was proud to serve with Ladder Company 170.

“His dedication to his job was apparent,

always arriving early with a smile on his face for every tour,” a spokesman said. Young volunteers for the project were recruited from local basketball and baseball teams, as well as other youth groups, to help construct the ramp for a retired Nassau County police detective.

For information about the Fight for Firefighters Foundation, call (516) 893-1694 or visit fightforfirefightersfoundation.com.

Hometown Hero applications being accepted

The Town of Oyster Bay is now accepting applications for the 2026 Hometown Heroes Community Recognition Program. This cherished initiative honors the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces – both living and deceased – who are current or former residents of the Town of Oyster Bay.

“This Hometown Heroes Banner Recognition Program allows us to show our deep gratitude to the men and women who have put their lives on the line for our nation,” said Town Councilman Steve Labriola.

The program features banners bearing the honorees’ names, ranks, photographs, and areas of service. These banners will be displayed at selected park facilities

throughout the Town of Oyster Bay in the months leading up to Veterans Day in November. To participate, individuals or organizations may sponsor a banner for $75, covering the production cost. No profit is made from this program.

After Veterans Day, the banners will be taken down to prevent damage from winter weather and returned to the service member’s family or loved ones. Those who sponsored banners in the previous year must submit a new application to be included in the 2026 season. Applications are due by March 13, 2026.

For more information or to download an application, visit www.oysterbaytown. com/herobanners or call (516) 797-4121.

Massapequa man charged in multiple credit card thefts

A Massapequa man was arrested for allegedly committing multiple credit card thefts in Nassau County from April through September 2025, police said.

Anastassios Poukamisas, 30, of 240 North Virginia Avenue, was charged with second-degree grand larceny after detectives from the Nassau County Police Department’s Electronic Squad (ELS) and Fraud/Forgery unit traced

unauthorized charges totaling about $108,000 to him.

The original theft was reported on Oct. 23, 2025. Poukamisas was arrested without incident and arraigned Saturday, Jan. 17, at First District Court, 99 Main St., Hempstead. The case is pending.

Police are asking anyone with information to call 1-800-244-TIPS (8477).

CRIME WATCH

The following incidents have been reported by the Nassau County police Department and other law enforcement and emergency service units: PETIT LARCENY

Massapequa: Nassau County Police reported that a front license plate was stolen off a vehicle parked in front of 9 Ford Drive South between January 8 and 11. The theft was reported at 2 p.m.

This was among numerous similar thefts throughout the county reported to police last week including in Island Park and Elmont.

Massapequa Park: Nassau County Po-

lice arrested Daniel Carrier, 63 of Brooklyn January 9 and charged him with shoplifting at Nani Rose. Boutique, 1000 Park Boulevard. The arrest was made at 1:20 p.m.

South Farmingdale: A representative of Walgreens at 918 Main Street reported the theft of two cases of ensure shakes from that location. The theft was reported at 9:50 a.m., January 12.

OTHER ARRESTS

Petit Larceny: Rhonda Tyler, 57, of Massapequa was arrested and charged with shoplifting at TJ Maxx, 5500 Sunrise Highway, Massapequa. January 14.

People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.

Self Help/Crisis Hotlines

Residential Program: Beacon House

Short-term, long-term and transitional housing is provided throughout Long Island in 58 group homes, emergency shelters, and select single-family residences. Those eligible include homeless veterans, veterans with families, veterans and nonveterans with substance abuse and mental health issues, women in need of supportive housing, and those living with HIV/AIDS. Every veteran resident has access to intensive case management, transportation and daily living essentials. For assistance, call 631 665-1571.

Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

•Maryhaven Center of Hope-New Hope 24hr. substance abuse crisis center: 516-5467070; maryhaven.chsli.org/new-hope

•N.C. Drug & Alcohol Hotline: 516-227-8255

•LI Crisis Center: 516-679-1111

•24/7 Behavioral health helpline: 516-2278255, namiqn.org/crisis-info

Domestic Violence

N.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence Crisis services for victims of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault; group/individual counseling for adults and children; bilingual court advocacy; legal consultation and representation; safe emergency housing; elder abuse services; referrals and systems advocacy; community education. Eligibility criteria: Nassau County residents or non-residents seeking safe housing in Nassau. Will serve undocumented immigrants. Payments accepted free or on sliding scale. Address is 250 Fulton Avenue, Mezzanine West, Hempstead. Call 516-572-0700; 24-hour hotline is 516 542-0404.

■ WEB SITE: www.massapequapost.com / www.liherald.com/Babylon ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: cjames@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT:

rglickman@liherald.com

AFA Health Screening Day

THURSDAY

February 12 10 AM - 2 PM

AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center

149 Schleigel Blvd., Amityville

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF:

Memory screenings to help identify early signs of cognitive changes

Blood pressure screenings to support cardiovascular health

Balance screenings to assess fall risk and mobility

Information on other health screenings and resources for older adults

All screenings are free and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointments are required.

Contact the AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center at 631-223-4000 for more information.

SPONSORS

spotlight athlete

MEAGHAN CAMPBELL

MacArthur Senior Basketball

WELL ON HER WAY to earning All-County honors for a third consecutive season, Campbell joined the 1,000-career rebound club Jan. 14 in the Generals’ victory over New Hyde Park. She’s the first player in program history to accomlish the feat and has a chance to reach 1,000 career points before season’s end. Bound for Vasser, she ranks among Nassau’s top 10 scorers this season at 16.2 points per game. Last season, she averaged 14.5 ppg.

games to watch

Thursday, Jan. 29

Boys Basketball: Port Wash at Oceanside 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Farmingdale at Uniondale 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Lawrence at North Shore 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: E.Meadow at V.S. Central 6:45 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Massapequa at Baldwin 6:45 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Syosset at Freeport 6:45 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 30

Boys Basketball: Clarke at Carey 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Plainedge at V.S. North 5 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Glen Cove at Hewlett 6:45 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Carey at Clarke 6:45 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Division at South Side 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Kennedy at MacArthur 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 31

Girls Basketball: Westbury at Uniondale 10 a.m.

Boys Basketball: Lynbrook at Floral Park 11 a.m.

Girls Basketball: Syosset at Oceanside 11:45 a.m.

Girls Basketball: Seaford at Friends Aca. 11:45 a.m.

Girls Basketball: Floral Park at Lynbrook 11:45 a.m.

Girls Basketball: V.S. North at Plainedge 11:45 a.m.

Girls Basketball: No. Shore at Lawrence 11:45 a.m.

Girls Basketball: E. Meadow at Plainview 11:45 a.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a winter 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.

Farmingdale battling for playoff spot

By MARC BERMAN sports@liherald.com

Making a big playoff push would be all gravy for the Farmingdale girls basketball team.

Yes, the Dalers will fight for a playoff seed in the rugged AAA-1 as they have weaved a .500 record (6-6 overall, 4-4 conference).

But the future has never looked more promising. The Green only has one senior on the squad – a role player –and are led by budding stars, sophomore point guard Izzy Aristy, freshman Molly McNamara and defensive specialist, junior Regan O’Connor.

“It’s good we have a young group,’’ said Aristy, averaging 12 points and 5 assists. “We have many years and seasons to work together and build strong connections and get to know how each other plays. It helps our chemistry.’’

There will be bumps along the road. Last Friday, Farmingdale fell to .500 record after a loss to perennial power Baldwin, the defending state AA champion back in AAA.

“In my opinion, we’re in the toughest league in Nassau County,’’ Stein said. “It’s a 14-team league with a lot of good teams in it. Every other conference is six, seven teams and get to play each other twice. If you have a team not so wonderful, you get to play them twice. We don’t have that luxury. It’s tough sledding but to keep our heads above water as young as we are, it’s definitely positive.’’

Last season, Farmingdale snuck into the playoffs but suffered a first-round defeat to Freeport.

The reason there is hope for another playoff berth is how Farmingdale overwhelmed its arch rival, Uniondale, Dec. 17, 70-38. “That’s always a pivotal swing game,” Stein said. “Fighting for the 6,7, 8 (playoff) spot, it’s a big victory.’’

McNamara, whom Stein lauds as his most coachable player, logged 20 points with 14 rebounds. She’s averaging a double-double (16 and 11).

Aristy scored14 with 6 assists. “Izzy she controlled the entire pace of the

game,’’ Stein said.

“We came out strong with an urge to want to win,’’ Aristy said. “Our defense was amazing and that allowed us to score easy baskets.’’

Aristy has college basketball on the radar. “The key to my success as a point guard is to hold my own and be confident bringing up the ball, especially against strong defenses having to get past,’’ Aristy said. “Having a good team helps me.’’

The defense is led by O’Connor, averaging 8 points and 5 steals. She guards the opponent’s top scorer. The lone senior, Gianna Racine, only came out for

basketball this season and has been a huge surprise as an athletic piece off the bench. Stein wishes she had played for the team sooner.

Farmingdale will need to win three of its final five conference games to reach the postseason. “They’re all big,’’ Stein said. “When you’re at the 500 mark they’re all big games. A win, you’re one step closer to the playoffs or a loss, you’re one step further from the playoffs.’’

And if there’s no playoffs? “We’re going to have the same crew for a bunch of years,’’ Stein said. “You’ll really see the difference.’’

Future doctors learn pain, addiction care

By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com

Third-year medical students at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell gained skills that many physicians do not learn until well into their careers during Pain and Addiction Care Prevention Week Jan. 13-16.

In more than 25 hours of intensive instruction, students were trained to address pain, substance-use and alcohol-use disorders using harm-reduction strategies, non-opioid alternatives and patient-centered care.

Beyond clinical techniques, students were taught to listen more closely to patients’ experiences and approach treatment with empathy, a skill educators said is critical to addressing the ongoing substanceuse crisis.

“While opioids certainly have a place in medicine, historically doctors weren’t adequately trained in judicious prescribing practices,” said Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, assistant professor of medicine, emergency medicine, psychiatry and science education at the Zucker School.

Kapoor, who is also vice president of emergency medicine addiction services and director of screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment at Northwell Health, added, “Ensuring the next generation of physicians is equipped to approach complex conditions like pain and substance-use disorders will undoubtedly drive positive change in patient and community health,” he added.

PACE Week builds on instruction students receive during their first two years of medical school. In total, Zucker students complete more than 30 hours of patient-centered education focused on pain and substance use — more than at any other U.S. medical school — addressing a topic many clinicians find

uncomfortable or difficult to discuss.

The program also fulfills a federal requirement mandating that clinicians seeking or maintaining DEA registration complete at least eight hours of training in treating pain and opioid or other substance-use disorders.

Each day of PACE Week began with first-person accounts from people in recovery, family members affected by addiction, medical residents and Zucker alumni. Among them were two physicians in recovery, who shared the challenges of seeking help while navi-

gating professional expectations and fear of judgment. Family members described the emotional, financial and personal toll substance use disorders can have, emphasizing the need for compassion, strong support systems and recovery resources not only for patients, but also for those who care for them.

Students took part in workshops covering medications for opioid-use disorder, medicinal cannabis and multimodal pain care. One component focused on femoral nerve blocks, a non-opioid pain management technique that interrupts pain signals at their source using ultrasound-guided injections.

“Adding this level of training means our students are starting their careers with skills many clinicians only learn later,” said Dr. Simone Rudnin, a Northwell Health Emergency Department physician. “They’re prepared from day one to treat pain differently than we did even a decade ago.”

Kapoor said that such interventions could reduce reliance on opioid medications and lower the risk of future substance use disorder. “Students are learning practical interventions that can offer equal or better pain relief while reducing long-term risks of patients,” he said.

PACE Week concluded with student capstone presentations for Northwell executives and Hofstra leaders. Students made “elevator pitches,” debated ethical scenarios, shared public-service announcements and offered narrative reflections on addiction and care.

“Hearing physicians and family members speak openly about their lived experiences with addiction was profoundly impactful,” Alexandra Boubour, a third-year medical student, said. “Their vulnerability challenged stigma and reinforced the importance of empathy, transparency and community in both healing and medical culture.”

Supervisor Saladino adresses the onlookers prior to the start of th e demolition as Deputy Commissioner Tassone (L) and Town Clerk LaMarca look on.

Budget Inn demolished

Om Shiv Sai Guru, Inc.

Registration for Oyster Bay Town’s toddler sports program

The Town of Oyster Bay’s Toddler Sports Program will return beginning February 10. This 6-week program offers sports classes at the Hicksville Athletic Center for children ages 3 and 4.

“The Town’s Toddler Sports Program is a fantastic way to teach your toddler the fundamentals of sports in a fun and social environment,” said Councilman Lou Imbroto. “This program is sure to be a hit with children and parents alike, as youngsters are given the opportunity to learn the basics of various different sports such as tee-ball, flag football and more along with children their own age.”

The Toddler Sports Program runs for six weeks and begins February 10. Residents who sign their toddler up for the program must choose one class per week, per child. Classes will take place on: Tuesdays, at the Hicksville Athletic Center in Hicksville; and at the Hicksville Athletic Center in Hicksville.

Classes are held at 10 and 11 a.m. Registration will be available online through the Parks Registration Portal at oysterbaytown.com/sports beginning 9 a.m., Wednesday, January 14. Space is limited- first come, first serve. Registration will close when the program reaches full capacity.

Each class is approximately 50 minutes. The cost of the program is $75 per child who is a Town resident, and $90 per child whose care giver is a Town resident but not the child. The child’s birth certificate and a tax or utility bill will be required to validate age and proof of residency. A guardian must be present during the class. The child must be 3 years old by the start of the program. The last day to request a refund for this program will be February 19.

The Toddler Sports Program is run by the Town’s Parks Department, Recreation Division. For further information, please call (516) 797-7945.

no more. The town stands on the side of its residents and not on the side of neglect.”

Saladino personally climbed into the excavator to help begin the demolition — a moment he described as particularly satisfying. The demolition and required asbestos abatement are being carried out at the expense of the property owner, CONTINUED FROM COVER

The town and the property owner have been in a years-long dispute over the condition of the site, and conversations continue regarding a possible purchase by the town.

According to a June 2025 Town Environmental Quality Review Report, the site could be repurposed as open space or low-intensity parkland if acquired by the town.

Play Ball! 2026 summer

softball league registration open in TOBAY

Registration is now open for Oyster Bay Town’s Summer Softball Night League, with games scheduled to begin in May 2026. Games will be held at three parks throughout the Town with a season consisting of 10 weeks of regularly scheduled double headers (20 games total) plus playoffs and championships. Residents and non-residents alike are welcome to sign up for the softball league. Players must be 18 years of age and older.

“The Town’s Summer Softball Night League is a fun and competitive league that provides a great opportunity for both residents and non-residents to enjoy their love of the game and appreciate some of our wonderful Town parks and facilities,” said Supervisor Jospeh Saladino. “So, get your team together and take advantage of one of the Town’s most popular programs!”

Games begin in May and will be held at 3 different locations:

•John J. Burns Park, 4990 Merrick Road in Massapequa

•Ellsworth Allen Park, 45 Motor Avenue in Farmingdale

•Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park, 175 Washington Avenue in Plainview

Registration is currently available at oysterbaytown.com/sports. The fee is $850 per team, and each team is responsible for liability and accidental insurance as well as umpire fees. Umpire fees are paid in cash to the umpires at the start of each game. Each team will sign up for one of three divisions: A, B, or C, with A being the most advanced.

Teams interested in more information can call the Town of Oyster Bay’s Parks Department, Recreation Division at (516) 797-7945.

January

Lower and manage energy costs for your household or business

Understand outage response & reliability priorities that impact homes and local businesses

Use smart meters & Time-of-Day rates to better manage when and how you use energy

Learn what makes PSEG Long Island #1 for Small Business Electric Service in the East, and how those service improvements benefit all customers

HERALD NEIGHBORS

Massapequa’s Lockhart authors scribe, sketch and

A month of brainstorming, writing and drawing paid off for proud first graders at Lockhart Elementary School in the Massapequa School District. They officially published their personal narratives during a writing celebration on Jan. 14.

The topic for their short books was family traditions. Each student selected a favorite yearly custom, with many of the stories relating to birthdays, holiday celebrations or family vacations. They practiced sequencing and included details based on the five senses. It was also a chance for the young writers to practice their grammar, spelling and punctuation.

The pieces were part of a nonfiction writing unit. In addition to being authors, every student also took on the role of illustrator, drawing pictures to match the words. Students shared their books with their families and other special guests at the celebration.

share their family stories

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30

•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631)-789-2569.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1

•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631) 789-2569.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2

•Massapequa Fire District Monthly Work Session: 7:30 p.m., District Administration Building, 1 Brooklyn Ave., Massapequa. For more information, call (516) 798-9849.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3

•Emotional Health Recovery and

Meet some local scholars

The following students were recently recognized for academic achievements and graduation at their respective colleges:

•The following students were recently named to the Dean’s List at SUNY Oneonta: Colin Bresnihan of Massapequa Park; Christopher Cordero of Massapequa; Emily Gaba of Farmingdale; Dylan Harrison of Massapequa Park; Marco Interlandi of Massapequa Park; Ava Lembo of Massapequa Park; Michael Mannarino of Massapequa Park; Jason McCauley of Massapequa Park; Kendra Moran of Massapequa Park; Hailey ODonnell of Farmingdale; Jessica Ozner of Massapequa Park; and Madyson Stark of Massapequa.

•The following students were recently named to the Provost’s List at SUNY Oneonta: Keira Amiruddin of Massapequa Park; Travis Gfrerer of Massapequa Park; Claudia Sanzone of Massapequa Park; and Christopher Schimkus of Massapequa Park.

•Nicholas Hinck of Massapequa Park was recently named to the Dean’s List at Nazareth University.

•The following members of the New York Army National Guard were recently promoted: Jose Hernandez of Farmingdale, assigned to Headquarters, NY Recruiting and Retention Battalion, was promoted to the rank of sergeant major and Daniel Williams of Farmingdale, assigned to 1156th Engineer Company, was promoted to the rank of private first class.

•The following students were named to the President’s List at SUNY Potsdam: Ryan Mahlmeister of Massapequa, majoring in Business Administration; Ava Pallone of Massapequa, majoring in Music Education; and Matthew Williams of Farmingdale, majoring in Music Business.

•The following students were recently named to the Dean’s List at James Madison University: Nicole Kelly of Farmingdale, majoring in Elementary Education; Charlotte Rutkowski of Farmingdale, majoring in History; and Taryn McColgan of Massapequa, majoring in Political Science.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9592, 55 Hickory Lane, Levittown. Free weekly, in-person meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631) 332-0552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808. All calls are confidential.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4

•Farmingdale School District Board of Education Meeting: 8 p.m., How -

itt Middle School, 70 Van Cott Ave., Farmingdale. For more information, call (516) 434-5189.

• Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free weekly, virtual meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631) 332-0552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808. All calls are confidential.

Calendar items are printed for non-profit organizations, as space permits, or when an event, service or information is being sponsored by a profit-making organization without charge to readers. Submit items to us at Richner Communications, attn: Post Editor, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530; or email: dconsola@liherald.com at least two - three weeks prior to the publication date in which the item must appear. Sorry, but open-ended requests without the specific dates of the events are not acceptable. While we make every attempt to accommodate each request, we cannot guarantee publication of any items. For more information, call 516-569-4000.

Long Island’s rescues tackle Main Coon mania

My role in what quickly became “Maine Coon mania” began with a phone call last Wednesday afternoon.

“How many carriers do you have?” asked Doreen, Last Hope Animal Rescue’s cat coordinator. “We’re with Suffolk SPCA at a West Islip breeder’s house filled with neglected Maine Coons.”

Pets, Pets, Pets...

I was at our thrift shop in Huntington, where three carriers were available. A quick call to Babylon Shelter secured more, stored outside the shelter. By the time I reached the Patricia Avenue home in West Islip, an SPCA worker had already retrieved them.

JOANNE

ANDERSON

Suffolk SPCA had received an anonymous tip that breeder Grace Etzelberger was keeping roughly 80 Maine Coon cats at her residence in deplorable conditions. When I arrived around 5:30 p.m., Etzelberger had been charged with animal neglect, the house condemned, and the cats signed over to the SPCA.

Inside, it became immediately clear that 80 was a drastic underestimate.

Cats pressed against us as we moved through the house—rubbing, crying, imploring to be removed from the filth. The final count is believed to be closer to 120 cats, now dispersed among Long Island rescue organizations.

I have worked other hoarding cases. My last two dogs—Edgar Afghan Poe and Charlotte, an English Toy Spaniel mix—survived similar conditions. Hoarding is a mental ill-

ness with complex psychiatric roots. But this case felt different. This was not a delusional “rescuer” convinced no one else could care for the animals. This was a commercial operation. When the raid began, Etzelberger’s website— where Maine Coons were listed for more than $4,000 each—vanished.

Investigators believe breeding cats were kept in cages inside a cottage on the property, while customers were shown cats and kittens in a trailer. Rarely, if ever, did anyone see the main house, where garbage, litter, cat waste, and sick, matted animals filled nearly every room. Neighbors were reportedly unaware that cats were being bred and sold there.

The cats themselves defied expectations. Maine Coons—one of North America’s oldest breeds—are known as gentle giants: large, long-haired, and intensely social. Though they originated in Maine, the popular myth linking their bushy tails to raccoon ancestry is pure fiction.

These cats were cooperative. Humane traps weren’t needed. We simply picked them up and placed them into carriers. They wanted out of their cluttered prison.

Many are undersized for the breed, and at least four appear to be mixed with Scottish Fold or Norwegian Forest cats. Their colors vary widely. About ten are polydactyl— born with extra toes—a trait once common in the breed but bred out of show lines. One

large cream-colored male has front paws so oversized they resemble Yogi Berra’s mitts.

Last Hope was the first private rescue to enter the house. Navigating bedrooms was difficult due to the debris and trash piled everywhere. Three vehicles transported 37 cats to Last Hope’s facility in Wantagh. Five kittens were placed with Save-A-Stray, a small nonprofit rescue.

At Last Hope, 32 cats were set up in three rooms. As I photographed and documented them for SPCA inventory, their injuries became clear. A small tabby had lost an eye, likely from an untreated infection. A striking female I named Patrice was missing a front leg—so seamlessly that it wasn’t noticeable until she was lifted. With no stump, the defect appears congenital.

The cats range from one to four years old and arrived with a long list of ailments: fleas, ear mites, scabby necks, respiratory infections, eye infections, head tilts, pressure sores, severe matting, emaciation, and uterine infections. They were flea-treated the first night. Those with infections received antibiotics. Over two days, our veterinarian conducted initial exams.

Every cat has now been sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, tested for FeLV/FIV, dewormed, weighed, and de-matted. Some were bathed. Others received Convenia, a long-acting antibiotic. Classical music now plays as they nap; toys are finally able to roll freely across clean floors. Spay and neuter surgeries will follow once each cat is strong enough.

Media attention began almost immediately. News 12 Long Island covered the raid, followed by ABC, CBS, and NBC, all of whom

filmed at Last Hope. I spoke with ABC Eyewitness News. As always, long interviews were reduced to brief sound bites. The magic words “Maine Coons” did the rest—much like “Yorkies” did when Charlotte’s Lindenhurst hoarder house was raided in 2003. Adoption requests flooded in from across the country, including California and Las Vegas. While the cats are now safe, warm, and well-fed, they are not yet ready for adoption—or for showing. Their medical rehabilitation will be extensive and costly. Our “main” Coon concern is keeping each cat in optimal health. Last Hope will not accept adoption applications until all veterinary care, sterilization, and rehabilitation are complete. After 45 years in rescue, Last Hope has a deep pool of devoted feline guardians. The 32 cats will be posted for adoption some time in February, and homes will be carefully screened.

STEPPING OUT

‘Metamorphosis’ unleashed

South Shore Symphony reinvents familiar melodies — and itself

By Abbey Salvemini

When the South Shore Symphony takes the stage on Jan. 31 at their Madison Theatre home, on the Molloy University campus, the evening represents more than a single stop in its season. It reflects the orchestra’s artistic transformation under the leadership of esteemed conductor Adam Glaser, now in his third year as music director.

Since he took the helm of the South Shore Symphony (from former Music Director Scott Jackson Wiley) he’s continued to foster connections with its musicians and shape a shared artistic identity. He describes his group as “a community of friends and musicians who are always striving for excellence,” and says the experience has been both energizing and collaborative.

expanded to include a full orchestra — involving winds, brass and percussion.

Pete Correale

As Glaser explains, the passacaglia is a type of continuous variation built over a repeating bass line, a form that dates back centuries.

“Among the many musical interests I enjoy exploring over lunch with my colleague Jim Millar, the Brahms symphonies constantly rise to the top, particularly the final movement of the Fourth Symphony, an orchestral passacaglia. When accepting Jim’s commission for a new work to be performed by the highly advanced orchestra he leads in beautiful Tenafly, I chose the passacaglia form for inspiration and structure,” he continues.

Glaser adds that his time with the South Shore Symphony inspired him to revisit the piece, allowing him to reimagine its full expressive possibilities.

After opening for Sebastian Maniscalco on his massive “It Ain’t Right” arena tour, Pete Correale is now doing his own. Be prepared for the laughs when he brings his “As I Was Saying” tour to the Paramount stage. The Long Island-born comedian-actor-writer, best known for his conversational, reality-based humor, is one busy guy. He co-hosts co-host of the “Pete and Sebastian Show,” a podcast with comedian Sebastian Maniscalco, that’s of the most popular comedy podcasts on air today, consistently growing in audience eight years after its launch. His comedy is reflective of his life and the experiences he’s been through. Being married for over 20 years and having a young daughter, Pete’s never at a loss for material. With a conversational delivery and his trademark disarming regular guy attitude, Pete makes you feel like you’re listening to the funniest guy at a party as opposed to just another comedian on a stage.

Friday, Jan. 30, 9 p.m., doors open 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

• Saturday, January 31, 7:30 p.m.

• Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org

An established composer, Glaser — whose prolific career includes roles as Music Director of the professional-caliber Juilliard Pre-College Orchestras and Director of Orchestras and Associate Professor of Music at Hofstra University — brings his keen musicality to this concert, titled “Metamorphosis.” Programmed around the time-honored musical form of “theme and variations,” the repertoire highlights how composers begin with a simple musical idea and reshape it in inventive, surprising and often dazzling ways.

“[They] are all unique in their own way, but they are presented together because they all share a common theme,” Glaser says.

This fascinating program unites four works from the 19th and 20th centuries, each offering its own take on the theme and variations form. It opens with the “Wedding March” from Karl Goldmark’s Rustic Wedding Symphony.

“While I would rarely excerpt one movement from a symphony, in this case, it is just brilliant as its own piece,” Glaser explains.

The concert’s centerpiece is a world premiere: the full orchestral version of Glaser’s own “Passacaglia.”

Originally written in 2018 for a high school string orchestra in New Jersey, the piece has now been

“Since 2018, I have often felt that the string orchestra version of Passacaglia packed a lot of material into a relatively compact canvas, and wondered if the underlying composition might warrant an expansion that embraces all instrument families. Inspired by my new “musical family,” I am pleased to dedicate this new version to my friends in the orchestra and honored to conduct the premiere. This new version makes a few subtle references to a five-note musical signature derived from Rockville Centre’s zip code, 11570.”

Glaser acknowledges that conducting works by other composers presents its own challenges, requiring a balance between honoring the composer’s intentions and bringing his own interpretive insight to the music.

“Our job [as the conductor] is to be an advocate for the composer, but we only have notes on a page,” he says.

The evening’s second half celebrates musical reinvention with Korngold’s “Theme and Variations, Op. 42.” In seven short minutes, it delivers the sweeping melodies and lavish orchestration that earned Korngold his reputation for “Hollywood sound.”

“[Theme and Variations] takes it to the highest level possible,” Glaser says, pointing out that audiences will recognize the Hollywood influence in the brief composition.

The concert closes with Hindemith’s “Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes” by Carl Maria von Weber, a piece that literally transforms Weber’s melodies into a bold, rhythmically vibrant orchestral adventure — bringing the program’s title of “Metamorphosis” full circle.

“[Symphonic Metamophosis] is such a brilliant example of how a composer can take a small amount of material and spin so many wonderful variations from it,” Glaser enthuses.

Beyond the individual works, he sees “Metamorphosis” as a symbol of the South Shore Symphony’s evolving journey.

This concert offers the audience both familiarity and discovery: beloved repertoire alongside a brand-new works, all connected by a single unifying idea. For Glaser, it is an opportunity to begin shaping the orchestra’s future while honoring its past.

The season continues with a trio of exciting performances in the months ahead. Jazz vocalist Jane Monheit joins the South Shore Symphony on March 8 for an evening of rich, lyrical storytelling. Later that month, on March 28, the orchestra tackles Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring,” promising a thrilling display of rhythm and energy. The season concludes on May 29 with their annual concert at St. Agnes Cathedral, uniting powerful voices and orchestra for Beethoven’s monumental “Ninth Symphony.

With “Metamorphosis,” the orchestra invites concertgoers to experience music as a living, evolving art form — where familiar melodies are reborn, new works take flight and the orchestra’s journey of transformation continues under Glaser’s inspired leadership.

‘Madness takes its toll’ Fasten your garter belt and come up to the lab and see what’s on the slab: It’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show! Do the Time Warp in celebration of 50 years of Richard O’Brien’s legendary cult classic musical on the big screen! In this legendary comedyhorror cult classic, sweethearts Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon), stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a self-proclaimed “sweet transvestite” scientist. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker (Meat Loaf) and a creepy butler (Richard O’Brien). Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named “Rocky.” Nothing beats a Rocky Horror screening where you can jump up and dance to the Time Warp in this live, interactive experience. Get into it and dress to impress!

Friday, Jan. 30, 8 p.m. $25. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CALENDAR

‘Everybody Loves Raymond: Celebrating 30 Years’

Visit the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame for its latest exhibit. It features the 70-foot-wide set from the show’s recent 30th anniversary TV special on CBS, never before on display. The exhibit (designed by LIMEHOF Creative Director and renowned designer Kevin O’Callaghan) is a completely immersive experience. Visitors can walk into the world of the Barone family and explore their home through original studio sets, which include the living room, the kitchen, and other areas of the house. Also see a variety of iconic items, including original clothing, the famous fork and spoon, and the Christmas toaster, among other classic items from the series. Multimedia clips, including behind the scenes and rare outtakes and a range of videos related to the show, will play in LIMEHOF’s surround sound theater.

• Where: 97 Main St., Stony Brook

• Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Contact: limusichalloffame.org or (631) 689-5888

JAN

30

Thrift Shop

Stop by Simpson United Methodist Church’s Thrift Shop for some unique finds.

• Where: 30 Locust Ave., Amityville

• Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 789-2569

St. Mary’s Thrift Shop

Stop by St. Mary’s Thrift Shop to start your new year with found treasures. Choose from collectibles, glassware, clothing and other gently used items.

• Where: St. Mary’s, 175 Broadway, Amityville (enter from rear parking lot)

• Time: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 464-4899

A Cappella Festival

The SingStrong International A Cappella Festival returns to the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center. This exciting threeday, all-vocal event features five unique concerts and two days of classes and coaching, showcasing the versatility and power of the human voice. Festival proceeds support music programs and the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. Audiences will experience a diverse range of a cappella styles, including pop, jazz, rock, barbers hop, hip-hop, doo-wop, and more. The festival hosts performances by professional a cappella groups from around the world, alongside talented collegiate and high school ensembles. Visit singstrong.org for

Michael Carbonaro

Foreign Wars Post 9592, in person with Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. All calls are confidential.

• Where: 55 Hickory Lane, Levittown

• Time: 7:30 -9 p.m.

• Contact: Steve at (631) 332-0552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808

Farmingdale BOE meets Farmingdale Board of Education holds their next meeting. All are welcome to attend.

• Where: Howitt Middle School, 70 Van Cott Ave., Farmingdale

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 434-5189

Valentine’s Greeting Card workshop

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

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

Actor-magician-comedian Michael Carbonaro has built a career turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Best known as the star of the hit truTV series “The Carbonaro Effect,” he’s made millions laugh in astonishment by blending quick-witted comedy with jaw-dropping illusions in everyday settings. On stage, Carbonaro has headlined two hit national tours, with a live show that mixes theatrical magic, sly improv, gleeful trickery, and playful audience participation. Now, he’s delighting audiences with his newest adventure, Michael Carbonaro: Wonderboy — a tour where audiences discover him as the Hero of Mischief, in a world where magic is the superpower and laughter is the sidekick. An accomplished actor, he’s appeared in “Law & Order: SVU,” “CSI: Miami,” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” among other projects. As a magician, he’s been named Magician of the Year by the Academy of Magical Arts and is the sole recipient of the Copperfield Prize, awarded for elevating the art of magic itself. A performing magician since his youth, Carbonaro studied experimental theater at New York University with the aspirations of entertaining audiences through a variety of theatrical mediums, including hidden-camera magic, which he later showcased frequently on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” Following Carbonaro’s frequent late-night appearances, Michael was presented with the opportunity to launch his hit comedic series, “The Carbonaro Effect.” A trickster at heart, Michael performs inventive tricks on unsuspecting members of the public who are unaware that he is a magician. Bringing wonder, mischief and magic to the stage — reality doesn’t stand a chance.

details.

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

• Time: Varied, through Feb. 1

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

FEB

1

Amazing Animal Encounter

Join Long Island Children’s Museum’s animal educator in the Hive Studio in the Feasts for Beasts Gallery to learn what goes into the care of the museum’s “residents.”

Meet some of our real-life animals up close.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 1:30-2 p.m.

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

Talking art

Nassau County Museum of Art welcomes Christian White. He discusses his work and artistic process rooted in the tradition of Realism. A descendant of a storied lineage of American artists, White continues to honor and expand this legacy through his detailed, perceptive paintings that capture the beauty and truth of everyday life.. $20, $15 seniors, $10

students (members free). Limited seating, register in advance.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 3 p.m.

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

FEB

2

Long Island Choral Society Audition

The Long Island Choral Society is looking for new members for the final concert of their 97th Season. The Spring 2026 concert features Franz Schubert’s Mass in G. Auditions are by appointment only. If you love to sing consider auditioning to be part of this treasured Long Island tradition. For additional information about the Long Island Choral Society, visit lics.org.

• Where: Garden City Community Church, 245 Stewart Ave, Garden City

• Contact: (516) 652-6878 or audition.info@lics.org

FEB

3

Farmingdale

Library Cinema

Stop by Farmingdale Public Library for a showing “The Life of Chuck” starring Tom Hiddleston and Nick Offerman. The

2025 film is a life-affirming, genrebending story about three chapters in the life of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz. Registration is not required.

• Where: 116 Merritts Road, Farmingdale

• Time: 10 a.m.-noon

• Contact: farmingdalelibrary.org or (516) 249-9090

Groundbreaking Black Comedians

Godfrey Cambridge, Redd Foxx, Dick Gregory, Flip Wilson, Nipsey Russell, Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby and Eddie Murphy. In this unique presentation at Massapequa Public Library, attendees learn about the incredible contributions these eight comedians brought to the world of comedy. This is a multimedia lecture led by Sal St. George. Registration required.

• Where: 40 Harbor Lane, Massapequa Park

• Time: 1-2:30 p.m.

• Contact: massapequalibrary.org or (516) 799-0770

Emotional Health

Join Christina Del Piano at Plainedge Public Library for a fun evening of handcrafted Valentine’s Day card-making. Create beautiful cards for someone special as Christina guides you step-by-step through the process. A $5 non-refundable fee is due within one week of registration. Your spot is not reserved until payment is received. Payment can be made at the library by cash or check. For ages 18 and up only.

• Where: 1060 Hicksville Road, N. Massapequa

• Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

• Contact: plainedgelibrary.org or (516) 735-4133

Movie matinee

FEB

5

Stop by Massapequa Public Library, for a showing “Eleanor the Great” starring June Squibb and Erin Kellyman. After a devastating loss, witty and proudly troublesome Eleanor Morgenstein, 94, tells a tale that takes on its own dangerous life.

• Where: 40 Harbor Lane, Massapequa Park

• Time: 1-2:30 p.m.

• Contact: massapequalibrary.org or (516) 799-0770

Having an event?

Recovery and Support Group

This group meets weekly, at Veterans of FEB

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.

Notice of formation of Flawlyss LLC

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/17/2025 Office location, County of Nassau. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.  SSNY shall mail a process served to:

Flawlyss LLC, 5 Dougherty St, Glen Cove NY 11542

Purpose: any lawful act.

25-315. 12/24,31, 1/7, 14, 21, 28

Notice of Formation of XLAB82 LLC

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/18/2025 Office Location, County of Nassau. SSNY has been desginated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a process served to: XLAB82 LLC, 82 Parkhill Ave, Massapequa, NY 11758.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

25-317. 12/24, 31, 1/7, 14, 21, 28

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application

ID: NA-0340-26100769 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 1132 Wantagh Ave, Wantagh, NY 11793, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at Wantagh Diner Group LLC. 26-13 1/21, 28

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as Indenture Trustee for the Registered Holders of Saxon Asset Securities Trust 2006-3 Mortgage Loan Asset Backed Notes, Series 2006-3, Plaintiff AGAINST Jeffrey A. Mazes, Leslie A. WillisMazes; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered April 13, 2018, 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, New York, 11501 on March 3,2026, at 2:00PM, premises known as 21 Delta Road, Massapequa, NY 11758. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Amityville, in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 66 Block 100 Lot 650. Approximate amount of judgment $535,622.74 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 003203/2015. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the Tenth Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held "Rain or Shine."

Jane Pastor Shrenkel, Esq.

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: January 9, 2026

For sale information, please visit www. Auction.com or call (800) 280-2831

26-16 1/28, 2/4, 11, 18

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0267-26100013 for beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Bar/ Tavern under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 1701 Merrick Road, Merrick, NY 11566, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at R K MERRICK ENTERPRISES INC. 26-8. 1/21. 28

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0370-25139548 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Bar/ Tavern under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 3490 Merrick Road, Seaford, NY 11783, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at JGAP LLC. 26-9. 1/21, 28

Notice of Application for Authority AD MORT LLC filed an Application for Authority with the New York Department of State on November 6, 2025. The LLC was

Public Notices

organized in the State of New Jersey on March 11, 2021. The county within New York State in which the office of the LLC is to be located is Nassau County.

The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served, and the address to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process is 316 Fulton Avenue, Apt. 7, Hempstead, NY 11550.

The address of the office of the LLC in its jurisdiction of formation is 912 Cedar Bridge Avenue, #7, Brick, NJ 08723. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.

26-7 1/14, 21, 28, 2/4, 11, 18

LEGAL NOTICE GRIEVANCE DAY

TAKE NOTICE: On

Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Board of Assessment Review will meet between the hours of 4:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. at Village Hall, 151 Front Street, Massapequa Park, New York 11762 to hear complaints in connection with assessments.

LINDA TUMINELLO, RMC Village Administrator/Clerk By Order of the Board of Trustees Dated at Massapequa Park, New York this 13th day of January 2026 26-15. 1/28

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY.

NAME: Notoriously Made Photography LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY)

on 12/19/2025. NY

Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as an agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 11 Clarissa Drive, Syosset, NY 11791 Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity.

26-14. 1/18, 2/4, 11, 18, 25, 3/4

NOTICE OF FORMATION of Devora Finkel Law

PLLC. Arts of Org

filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/31/25 OBice location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 262 Mulberry Lane West Hempstead NY 11552. Purpose: any lawful act.

26-11. 1/21. 28. 2/4, 11, 18, 25

Town of Oyster Bay Zoning Board of Appeals

TOWN HALL, AUDREY AVENUE, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK 11771-1592TELEPHONE: (516) 624-6232 – FAX: (516) 624-6149

RITA BYRNE, Chairwoman – LOIS SCHMITT, Vice Chairwoman –KATHLEEN MULLIGAN

REBECCA M. ALESIA –LISA CICCOLELLA – FLORESTANO GIRARDI – BRIAN GRIFFIN

********************* *********************

PUBLIC HEARING CALENDAR

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING BY THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 246,

Section 246-12 of the Code of the Town of Oyster Bay, notice is hereby given that the Zoning Board of Appeals has scheduled a public meeting, which will take place in the Town Hall Meeting Room, Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, New York, on FEBRUARY 5, 2026, at 7:00 P. M., to consider the following appeals: BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

APPEAL NO. 25-433

MASSAPEQUA

MICHAEL & JANELLE KEENE: Variance to construct one story addition exceeding maximum building coverage and gross floor area than permitted by Ordinance.

S/s/o Cherry St., 200 ft. E/o Forest Ave., a/k/a 50 Cherry Street, Massapequa, NY

APPEAL NO. 25-349

NORTH MASSAPEQUA

MICHELLE PULEO: (A) Variance to allow existing above-ground swimming pool having less side/front yard setback (North Hawthorne Street) than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing pool equipment having less side/front yard setback (North Hawthorne Street) than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance to allow existing 6 ft. high wood fence exceeding maximum height across side/front yard (North Hawthorne Street) and maximum height within 30 ft. of intersection than permitted by Ordinance. NE/ cor. of N. East Blvd. & N. Hawthorne St., a/k/a 143 North East Boulevard, North Massapequa, NY

APPEAL NO. 25-406

NORTH MASSAPEQUA

SEAN DIAZ: (A)

Variance to erect 6 ft. high PVC fence exceeding maximum height across front yard than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing 6 ft. high PVC fence exceeding maximum height across front yard than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Amend Specific Plan as presented for Appeal No. 19-77 and granted by Decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals, dated February 28, 2019.

W/s/o Imogene Dr., 68.91 ft. N/o Cheryl Rd., a/k/a 25 Imogene Drive, North Massapequa, NY

APPEAL NO. 25-514

NORTH MASSAPEQUA

FRANK J. BRUCELLA: Variance to allow existing deck having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance.

S/s/o N. Syracuse Ave., 210 ft. W/o N. New York Dr., a/k/a 174 N. Syracuse Avenue, N. Massapequa, NY

JANUARY 26, 2026 BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, OYSTER BAY, NEW YOR 26-17 1/28

PUBLIC NOTICE OF NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER’S SALE OF TAX LIENS ON REAL ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that commencing on February 17th, 2026, will sell at public online auction the tax liens on certain real estate, unless the owner, mortgagee, occupant of or any other party in interest in such real estate shall have paid to the County Treasurer by February 12th, 2026 the total amount of such unpaid taxes or assessments with the interest, penalties and other expenses and charges against the property.

Such tax liens will be sold at the lowest rate of interest, not exceeding 10 percent per six-month period, for which any person or persons shall offer to take the total amount of such unpaid taxes as defined in Section 5-37.0 of the Nassau County Administrative Code.

Effective with the February 2019 lien sale Ordinance No.

175-2015 requires a $175.00 per day registration fee for each person who intends to bid at the tax lien sale. Ordinance No. 175-2015 also requires that upon the issuance of the Lien Certificate there is due from the lien buyer a Tax Certificate Issue Fee of $20.00 per lien purchased. Pursuant to the provisions of the Nassau County Administrative Code at the discretion of the Nassau County Treasurer the auction will be conducted online. Further information concerning the procedures for the auction is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at:

https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/526/ County-Treasurer

Should the Treasurer determine that an inperson auction shall be held, same will commence on the 17th day of February 2026 at the Office of The

County Treasurer 1 West Street, Mineola or at some other location to be determined by the Treasurer. A list of all real estate in Nassau County on which tax liens are to be sold is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at:

https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/527/ Annual-Tax-Lien-Sale

A list of local properties upon which tax liens are to be sold will be advertised in this publication on or before February 05th, 2026.

Nassau County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodations such as those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in all services, programs, activities and public hearings and events conducted by the Treasurer’s Office. Upon request, information can be made available in Braille, large print, audio-tape or other alternative formats. For additional information, please call (516) 571-2090 ext. 1-3715.

Dated: January 22, 202 6 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, New York TERMS OF SALE

Such tax liens shall be sold subject to any and all superior tax liens of sovereignties and other municipalities and to all claims of record which the County may have thereon and subject to the provisions of the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors' Civil Relief Acts. However, such tax liens shall have priority over the County's Differential Interest Lien, representing the excess, if any, of the interest and penalty borne at the maximum rate

Public Notices

over the interest and penalty borne at the rate at which the lien is purchased.

The Purchaser acknowledges that the tax lien(s) sold pursuant to these Terms of Sale may be subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or may become subject to such proceedings which may be commenced during the period in which a tax lien is held by a successful bidder or the assignee of same, which may modify a Purchaser's rights with respect to the lien(s) and the property securing same. Such bankruptcy proceedings shall not affect the validity of the tax lien. In addition to being subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or the Federal and State Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Acts, said purchaser's right of foreclosure may be affected by the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA),12 U.S.C. ss 1811 et seq., with regard to real property under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) receivership.

The County Treasurer reserves the right, without further notice and at any time, to withdraw from sale any of the parcels of land or premises herein listed. The Nassau County Treasurer reserves the right to intervene in any bankruptcy case/litigation where the property affected by the tax liens sold by the Treasurer is part of the bankruptcy estate. However, it is the sole responsibility of all tax lien purchasers to protect their legal interests in any bankruptcy case affecting their purchased tax lien, including but not limited to the filing of a proof of claim on their behalf, covering their investment in said tax lien.

The Nassau County Treasurer and Nassau County and its

agencies, assumes no responsibility for any legal representation of any tax lien purchaser in any legal proceeding including but not limited to a bankruptcy case where the purchased tax lien is at risk.

The rate of interest and penalty at which any person purchases the tax lien shall be established by his bid. Each purchaser, immediately after the sale thereof, shall pay to the County Treasurer ten per cent of the amount for which the tax liens have been sold and the remaining ninety per cent within thirty days after such sale. If the purchaser at the tax sale shall fail to pay the remaining ninety per cent within ten days after he has been notified by the County Treasurer that the certificates of sale are ready for delivery, then all amounts deposited with the County Treasurer including but not limited to the ten per cent theretofore paid by him shall, without further notice or demand, be irrevocably forfeited by the purchaser and shall be retained by the County Treasurer as liquidated damages and the agreement to purchase shall be of no further effect. Time is of the essence in this sale. This sale is held pursuant to the Nassau County Administrative Code and interested parties are referred to such Code for additional information as to terms of the sale, rights of purchasers, maximum rates of interest and other legal incidents of the sale.

Furthermore, as to the bidding,

1. The bidder(s) agree that they will not work with any other bidder(s) to increase, maintain or stabilize interest rates or collaborate with any other bidder(s) to gain an unfair competitive advantage in the random number generator in the event

of a tie bid(s) on a tax certificate. Bidder(s) further agree not to employ any bidding strategy designed to create an unfair competitive advantage in the tiebreaking process in the upcoming tax sale nor work with any other bidder(s) to engage in any bidding strategy that will result in a rotational award of tax certificates.

2. The tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) bid, will be arrived at independently and without direct or indirect consultation, communication or agreement with any other bidder and that the tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) to be bid, have not been disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder, and will not be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder prior to the close of bidding. No attempt has been made or will be made to, directly or indirectly, induce any other bidder to refrain from bidding on any tax certificate, to submit complementary bids, or to submit bids at specific interest rates.

3. The bids to be placed by the Bidder will be made in good faith and not pursuant to any direct or indirect, agreement or discussion with, or inducement from, any other bidder to submit a complementary or other noncompetitive bid.

4. If it is determined that the bidder(s) have violated any of these bid requirements then their bid shall be voided and if they were the successful bidder the lien and any deposits made in connection with said bid shall be forfeited.

Dated: January 22, 2026

THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, New York 26-12. 1/21, 28

Family Math Night equals fun

The Farmingdale School District hosted students and families for their annual Family Math Night on Jan.13. The event took place at Howitt Middle School at 6 p.m., bringing the community together for an evening dedicated to educational entertainment.

District teachers were on hand to guide families through a variety of interactive games and managed to sneak in valuable learning moments amidst the fun. The hands-on approach allowed parents and students to explore mathematical concepts together in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Principals from the district’s K-8 schools attended the event to greet families and support the teachers running the stations. The presence of administration and staff highlighted the strong partnership between home and school within the Farmingdale community.

State parks mark Black History Month with LI programs

Residents will have several opportunities to explore African American history and culture this February as New York state parks across Long Island recognize Black History Month with informational displays and public programs.

The monthlong observance highlights notable African Americans and their contributions to American history. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month commemorations, recognized by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.

Informational displays will be available throughout February at the following locations:

• Hempstead Lake State Park, Environmental Education and Resiliency Center, West Hempstead Open daily 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Information: (516) 766-1029

• Jones Beach State Park, Administration Building, Wantagh Open daily 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Information: (516) 785-1600

• Long Island State Parks regional headquarters, West Babylon Open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: (631) 321-3510

• Planting Fields Arboretum, Hoffman Conference Center, Oyster Bay Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: (516) 922-8600

• Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center, West End 2, Wantagh Open daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Information: (516) 809-8222

In addition, the state parks environmental education department will host special programs throughout the month, including:

• Black History Space Explorers, Saturday, Feb. 7, 5:45 to 8 p.m., Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale

•Jean-Michel Basquiat art program, Sunday, Feb. 15, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Nissequogue River State Park, Kings Park

• Art in the Park: Alma Thomas, Saturday, Feb. 7, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Hempstead Lake State Park

• Art in the Park: Charles McGee, Saturday, Feb. 21, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Hempstead Lake State Park

•Black experiences in the Revolutionary War, Sunday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Bethpage State Park Heritage Club

•Storytime Corner: Black History Month, Saturday, Feb. 7, 11 a.m. to noon, Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center

•Black history in exploration, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2 to 3 p.m., Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center

Information on registration is available at JonesBeachENC. org/programs.

Wanted- Director of The Town of Babylon Director of Bureau of Administrative Adjudication. Candidate must be in possession of a New York State license to practice law before the Bar of the State of New York with a minimum of five (5) years of experience as an Attorney in the State of NY. Candidate shall oversee a large staff as well as attorneys who prosecute cases for the Town of Babylon, establish fines and collection procedures. Shall establish rules for the practice and procedure of the Bureau, the conduct of adjudications and the dismissal or settlement of proceedings. Be fully knowledgeable of all town and New York State codes and procedures and experience and ability to act in the capacity of an Administrative Law Judge pursuant to NY State General Municipal Law Section 381. Salary commensurate with experience.

Resumes only. Send to: Judith Garrick Town of Babylon Personnel Officer Municipal Building-2nd Floor 456 Albany Ave Amityville, NY 11701

EDITOR/REPORTER

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

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DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time Positions Available!

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

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

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

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

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To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com Help Wanted MAILROOM/

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Keeping indoor air clean

Q. Every winter I get terrible colds, and this year I got a postcard from a company that cleans air conditioning ducts. Does this help? I’m concerned about stirring up more dust. What else can I do except buy one of those portable air cleaners?

A. These days, with all the requirements for home energy savings, airtight homes and pressurized air testing, homes are much more likely to have impurities in the air.

Homes used to be built with alkali-laden plaster, which mold couldn’t live on. People wore sweaters, because windows leaked cold air and homes were cooler. It seems that modern materials and methods actually brought on more sickness.

The paper backing on gypsum wallboard provides an excellent place in a dark wall cavity for mold spores to live. Inert, sprayed-in foam does help, but most people are intimidated by the cost. Carpets gather dust and, when vacuumed, may release more impurities into the air.

Cleaning hard-walled metal air ducts is a good idea after a couple of years of continuous use. If you only use the system in midsummer heat spells, the main reason to clean the ducts is because dust settles there and adheres to the sides of the air ducts. Spores and other mold prosper in the layers of dust, and can remain inactive until moisture is present, which is why, at certain times of the year, condensation from cold meeting warm air allows the mold to develop.

You should be aware that some air conditioning companies make life easier for themselves by putting in flexible, soft, round duct, which comprises an inner lining of foil attached to a wire spiral frame covered with a thin layer of fiberglass insulation and a plastic sheeting cover. The system installation costs less if the installer passes on the savings to you, and is simpler to install. By simpler, I mean that duct tape is used instead of mechanical fastening with bends of metal and screws.

Unfortunately, you can’t clean flex duct, since the devices used to clean duct apply pressure, with vacuum and scraping techniques that will destroy your flex duct and render your system useless. You should consider cleaning the main “trunks,” which are probably made of metal duct. Duct cleaning is the first step to better breathing in the home. Then, after cleaning, have a reliable mechanical contractor install a filter in your central air conditioning unit, so you have “in-line” filtration.

Ask about the different types of filter systems, such as an electronic, static-type unit that catches dust like a magnet, and also how often the filter requires cleaning or replacement. Don’t just look for the lowest-priced unit, since the maintenance or replacement of the filter may be much more than the savings. With the electrostatic filter, you may be able to simply wash the filter and put it back. Once the filter is installed, you won’t require the portable type, and you should breathe easier, which is nothing to sneeze at.

© 2026 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

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What did Trump gain by badmouthing Denmark?

President Trump’s myriad pronouncements on Greenland have been confusing and convoluted, and appear to serve no American national interest.

I agree with him that Greenland is vital to our national security, and that increased measures must be taken for missile defense and to prevent incursions by Russia and China into the Arctic region.

Trump’s insistence, however, that the United States must “own” Greenland is wrong and actually counter to our national security interests.

For starters, Greenland is a territory of Denmark, one of our most loyal allies and a founding member of NATO, the linchpin of our defense against Russian aggression for more than 75 years, which caused the defeat and collapse of the Soviet Union. Under our existing treaty agreements with Denmark, the U.S. has the power to take whatever measures we believe necessary to defend Greenland, including constructing military bases, installing missile defense systems and deploying troops on the ground.

If we simply allow Greenland to

remain under Danish “ownership” while we take whatever strategic security measures we deem essential, we would have the full support of NATO, which, with its 32 member nations, is the most powerful and effective military alliance in history, and under Article 5 is required to come to the defense of any member nation when attacked.

HTrump’s threat to invade Greenland and take it by force made no sense. Such a move would fracture NATO — and, ironically, constitute the first attack ever made against a NATO nation, weakening our defenses at a time when we are facing major military challenges in the Caribbean, Pacific and Middle East. It would be the diplomatic and military equivalent of shooting ourselves in the foot — “America First” turned upside down.

except the U.S.

is threat was a dismissive, condescending disparagement of a loyal friend.

From a personal perspective, I visited Denmark in 1987 and 2024, and found the people to be exceptionally pro-American. The dismissive, condescending disparagement of such a loyal friend, for no apparent or meaningful purpose, sends a chilling message not just to allies, but also to other nations thinking of engaging with the U.S. It reflects Trump’s proclivity to demean democratic allies such as Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, whom Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance ganged up on and berated in the Oval Office) while extolling enemy dictators like Russia’s Vladimir Putin (whom Trump greeted literally with a red carpet), China’s Xi Jinping (“my friend”) and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un (“sends me love letters”).

cessfully than at any time in recent memory.

Those successes, with no loss of American lives, make Trump’s actions toward Greenland and Denmark all the more inexplicable. Sometimes it appears that he is seeking almost immediate validation of his diplomatic policies. History shows, however, that world affairs don’t lend themselves to neat, precise timetables or overnight successes.

Most notably, President Harry S. Truman’s Marshall Plan, enacted in 1948 to rebuild Europe, and his support of NATO, which was formed in 1949, did not receive acclaim until more than four decades later, with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Nor did President Richard Nixon’s skillful diplomatic efforts, which rescued Israel from defeat by Egypt and ended the Yom Kippur War in 1973, have their maximum effect until the signing of the Camp David Accords in 1978, which brought about a peace that has lasted almost 50 years.

Almost as damaging to our national interest was Trump’s demeaning language and attitude toward a nation that has stood so loyally with us. Describing Denmark’s military capabilities as limited to “dogsleds” ignores the reality that Danish troops fought side by side with Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan, and suffered more combat deaths in Afghanistan, as a percentage of Denmark’s population, than any country

What is so disappointing about Trump’s actions toward Denmark is how they contrast with his clear foreign policy successes: standing with Israel against Hamas and bringing about a cessation of that war; carrying out immensely effective attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities; brilliantly extricating Nicolas Maduro from his Venezuelan hideout and bringing him to the U.S. for trial; and sealing our borders more suc-

TTo consolidate the legacy of his already considerable foreign policy achievements, Trump must cease his needless antagonism of our closest allies so America can further the quest for world peace. If not, “America First” might well become “America Alone.”

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

Health care reform is a failure from top to bottom

here are very few things that scare me. Black cats coming my way are a nuisance. Bumps on an airliner are expected, and I don’t panic. Those crazy e-bike drivers who can kill you in a heartbeat are dangerous, but I’m constantly on the lookout for them. Odd-looking people on the street can be frightening, but I cross fast to avoid them.

So what scares me? It’s the American health care system, which can frighten people to death, no pun intended. A month ago I wasn’t feeling peppy, and was sleepy in the middle of the day. It felt like a hangover, but I’m not a drinker, so that wasn’t it. I decided to go to an emergency room, fearing some malady that I didn’t recognize. It turned out that I had a pulse of 38, which is dangerously low unless you’re, say, a professional triathlete.

I arrived at the ER (of a purposely unnamed hospital) on a Friday, which

means you’re destined to stay in the hospital over the weekend. In fairness, if you’re having a heart attack or a stroke, you’ll get immediate attention, but all other symptoms get lesser treatment. Once I saw some physicians, they gave swift attention to the issue and how to resolve it. I spent a total of four nights at the hospital, and a few weeks later I learned that the bill was $249,892.

TFortunately, I have coverage for the claim, which eventually was reduced to $13,405, which was paid by my insurer. The size of the original statement is typical in hospitals all over the country, which tend to inflate their charges to astronomical numbers in order to get to a fair settlement. For the better part of my life, I have seen dozens of bills that list crazy charges, all in the effort to get to a livable amount.

alive.

Let’s start with the hospitals. In 23 years in Albany, I heard countless stories about the hospital lobby and the steps it takes to protect its turf. Periodically, legislation is introduced that would correct a flaw in the delivery system, but if it doesn’t meet with the approval of the hospital industry, it dies a silent death.

he clock will continue to tick, and many more patients will face $250,000 bills.

Last year the health care industry spent $653 million on issues involving Congress. Hospitals are a part of that mammoth number, but there’s a heated competition among all types of providers. And the major blame is on Congress and the presidents.

— in 2020. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he had a bipartisan bill ready for action, but in the end he passed a onehouse, partisan bill that is going nowhere. Over in the Senate they had a “great bill” three weeks ago, and it crashed and burned. At this moment, a bipartisan group of senators say they are “making progress” on a bill, but I’ll get many haircuts before their dream comes true.

Two presidents have come and one is gone since Obamacare was passed. No bill has come from a White House occupant or Congress, so what should health care providers do? Year after year goes by, and there are no changes to existing law. Obamacare patients are getting hit with horrifying increases. Congress is in a state of continuous gridlock.

Are the hospitals the major culprit? No, it’s the entire system. There’s a massive game going on all over America, played by health care providers, insurers and Congress, which makes the system the mess that it is. Each one has to use all the gimmicks it knows to stay

Waiting for Congress to come up with a health care bill that satisfies all of the parties is an impossible dream. Part of the reason there’s never any compromise solution is the role of the president. The Obama administration passed a major bill that everyone agrees is in need of tweaking. But who’s going to tweak it?

President Trump promised to come up with a new bill “ within two weeks”

The clock will continue to tick, and there will be many more patients dealing with $250,000 bills. Congress’s failure to find a solution is an indictment of our elected officials from top to bottom.

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

History’s lessons demand lifelong vigilance

though this month’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day and International Holocaust Remembrance Day have passed, the lessons we can take from both are lifelong.

On Jan. 19, the nation commemorated the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement. MLK Day isn’t just a celebration of one man’s achievements; it is a call to examine the enduring struggle for racial justice, equality and human dignity. King’s life and legacy remind us that progress is neither automatic nor permanent. It must be protected through vigilance, education and moral courage.

Eight days later was Holocaust Remembrance Day — another solemn day of commemoration. Each year on Jan. 27 — the date of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in 1945 — we pause to reflect on one of history’s darkest chapters and reaffirm our responsibility to remember.

The day commemorates the 6 million Jewish men, women and children murdered by the Nazi regime during World War II, along with millions of others, including Roma, people with disabilities, political dissidents, members of sexual minorities and others who were targeted and killed.

Remembrance days such as these are often accompanied by moments of

silence, educational programs, survivor testimonies, memorial ceremonies, museum exhibits and classroom discussions across the globe. These observances are intentional acts of learning and reflection, meant to ensure that history is not forgotten, distorted or repeated.

What unites the remembrance of the Holocaust, MLK Day and similar historical observances is their shared warning: injustice thrives in silence, ignorance and apathy.

In our era, which is experiencing rising antisemitism, racism, xenophobia and political polarization, these lessons are more urgent than ever. Misinformation spreads quickly, and historical facts are sometimes questioned or deliberately distorted. Remembrance days serve as anchors of truth. They remind us that these events are not abstract or distant; they happened to real people, within living memory, and their consequences still shape our world today.

Education is the most powerful antidote to hate. Learning about the Holocaust helps people understand where intolerance can lead when fear and conspiracy replace empathy and critical thinking. Studying the civil rights movement reveals how ordinary people, from students to clergy to workers, can challenge unjust systems through collective action, nonviolence and moral clarity.

These stories empower new generations to recognize injustice and believe that change is possible.

Importantly, remembrance is not about assigning guilt to those alive today, but about assigning responsibility. Responsibility to speak out against hate, to protect democratic values, to stand with marginalized communities and to recognize early warning signs of injustice. When we remember, we honor the victims by committing ourselves to a more humane future.

These observances also create space for empathy. Survivor testimonies and historical narratives humanize events that can otherwise feel overwhelming or distant. They remind us that behind every statistic is a person with dreams, family and dignity. This human connection is essential in countering the tendency to reduce others to labels or stereotypes.

Remembering is not passive. It is an active commitment to learning, teaching and acting. By honoring the lessons of the Holocaust, King’s legacy and other pivotal moments in history, we affirm the shared values of dignity, justice and humanity. In doing so, we help ensure that “Never again” and “Justice for all” aren’t empty phrases, but guiding principles for the present and the future.

New Yorkers deserve more retirement investment options

as the cost of living continues to rise across New York — from housing and energy to groceries and health care — many families and small-business owners, especially those from historically underserved communities, are being forced to make painful tradeoffs that leave little room to save for retirement.

To build a more resilient financial future, workers with 401(k) plans should have more opportunities to diversify their nest eggs. That’s why we need to ensure that private-sector employees have access to the same options long enjoyed by publicsector pension holders.

Today, that parity does not exist. While public pension systems have long been able to invest in private-market assets such as private equity, real estate and infrastructure — which can generate outsized long-term growth — the vast majority of 401(k) plans remain confined to traditional public stocks and bonds. This leaves millions of privatesector workers — including a dispropor-

tionate share of African American employees — with fewer tools to grow their retirement savings in an increasingly expensive economy.

There is some good news: the U.S. Department of Labor has taken initial steps to implement rulemaking that would expand access to private-market investments, creating a path toward closing this gap. Critically, the proposal also aims to protect employers from speculative lawsuits for offering employees more options to invest.

in 2025, and generated an impressive 11.9 percent return on investment. Private-sector workers of every stripe should be allowed the same retirement opportunities as public-sector workers.

privatesector employees don’t have publicsector pension holders’ choices.

A clear majority of voters favor allowing access to these assets, according to a recent poll by the Council for a Safe & Secure Retirement. Support is broad and bipartisan, with 62 percent of Black voters, 69 percent of Hispanic voters, and majorities of both workingclass and middle-class voters — no matter whom they voted for in the last election — backing the inclusion of private markets and more diverse investment options in 401(k) plans.

For decades, public pension plans have enjoyed access to these investments, while those working for Main Street businesses missed out. In fact, infrastructure made up a total of $9.1 billion of New York City pension plans

Framework by Patrick Baker

Beyond New York, private assets have been outperforming public stocks for years. From 2002 to 2022, the average annual returns for private-equity investments were estimated to be 14.75 percent, compared with 9.25 percent for the S&P 500 and 8.84 percent for the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Private investment also helps drive capital to minority-owned businesses. Earlier this year, the New York City Employees’ Retirement System reported a total of $26.5 billion allocated to minority- and women-owned investment managers, representing 14.6 percent of the fund’s U.S.-based actively managed assets. These allocations not only expand opportunities for diverse firms, but also demonstrate that investing with minority, women and emerging managers can deliver competitive returns, with privatemarket portfolios outperforming publicmarket equivalents by roughly 7 percent.

New York’s pension funds illustrate how private markets can generate wealth while promoting inclusion. This

model can and should be emulated with 401(k) plans by enabling them to offer private-market investments for privatesector employees.

Unlocking these investments for private-sector workers can also strengthen local economies, build wealth and create a cycle of opportunity and prosperity. A whopping 85 percent of private-equitybacked businesses are small companies. By investing in private-equity funds that support local entrepreneurs, retirees won’t just enhance their returns; they can nurture economic growth in their own communities.

By moving forward with formal rulemaking to clarify how private-market investments can be included in 401(k) plans, the Labor Department can provide plan fiduciaries with the certainty needed to diversify investment options and help our historically underserved communities grow long-term wealth. Acting decisively would ensure that retirement security and inclusive investing aren’t just goals for public funds, but for private-sector workers as well. All of our communities deserve the same opportunity to invest and build a more secure future.

Phil Andrews is president of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce and founding president of the New York City Minority Small Business Chamber of Commerce.

Any snowstorm coverage? — East Rockaway