Nassau Herald 02-12-2026

HERALD Nassau

After

HHS robots dominate FIRST Tech Challenge

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

RoboBoogie and Bionica, two Hewlett High School robotics teams, continued their winning ways on Feb. 1 at Locust Valley High School, forming an alliance at the FIRST Tech Challenge that earned them first- and second-place finishes for the Inspire Award.

The Inspire Award recognizes teams that act professionally, and as role models for other students, showcasing cohesion in programming, engineering and community outreach.

Daniel Birkenstock, a Hewlett High Continued on pAge 7

World War II Navy veteran Gerald Savarese turns 102

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

Gerald Savarese, a Navy veteran who served in World War II, marked his 102nd birthday on Feb. 4, surrounded by family members, fellow residents and caregivers at a patriotic celebration at Five Towns Premier Rehab and Nursing Center in Woodmere.

Born on Feb. 4, 1924, in the Bronx, Savarese enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served through the end of the war, in 1945, on the Xanthus-class repair ship, the USS Dionysus.

The staff of Five Towns Premier transformed the center’s

third floor into a red, white and blue tribute with patriotic displays, and guests waved small American flags in honor of Savarese’s service.

“Today is a special day,” Cathy Byrne, a gerontologist at the center, said. “Gerald Savarese just turned 102 years young. To know Mr. Savarese is to love him.”

Balloons marking the occasion floated above the celebration as residents and staff gathered with Savarese; his wife of 76 years, Bernadette; and other family members.

“There are so many memories to add to our special book of moments,” Bernadette said.

“We thank God for giving us this wonderful life.”

After serving in the war, Gerald worked as an insurance executive for Empire Mutual and American Transit Insurance Company, and retired at age 90. The Savareses raised a daughter and three sons, and have 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

“Mr. Savarese enjoys spending his leisure time with his family at Jones Beach and playing golf,” Byrne said. “He loves Italian food, and his secret to longevity is eating salads.”

Savarese was presented with citations recognizing both his military service and his birth-

day by Ralph Esposito, director of Nassau County’s Veterans Service Agency, on behalf of County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County Office for the Aging, U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen and Five Towns Premier Recreation Director Anthony Matese, who announced that Savarese had been named February’s Resident of the Month.

“You’ve reached a milestone of 102 years old,” Matese told the guest of honor. “We are making you Resident of the Month for February for celebrating a life milestone and for being a part of the Five Towns Premier community and family.”

“Not only is he a gentleman, but he’s got a sense of humor,”

Continued on pAge 19

PSEG, others, remind people of the dangers of scamming

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

Utilities across New York State are reporting an increase in scams among customers and residents—especially those involving the impersonation of utility personnel.

In a statement to customers, PSEG Long Island urged residents to understand scammers’ tactics. Many scammers—digitally, over the phone, or in person—try to convince people that there is an urgent problem in the hopes that they’ll panic and send money.

The statement comes at a time when scamming is on the rise, as seen in a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) analysis from 2024. Consumers reported losing more than $12.5 billion to fraud, a reported 25 percent increase from the previous year. They also noted that 38 percent of people reported losing money—an 11 percent increase from 2023.

“If someone threatens to immediately shut off your power, check your account online or call the number that’s printed on your bill to verify before giving them any money,” Lou DeBrino, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of customer operations, wrote in a statement.

The Five Towns is familiar with scam attempts. This time last year, a 90-year-old woman was the victim of

Family Owned & Operated

Since 2008

Utility scams are on the rise since the start of the year, with many customers reporting impersonations and demands for money.

an “elder scam,” in which she received a call from a man claiming to be from the FTC. She gave him $10,000 before

realizing she was being scammed and notified the Nassau County Police Department.

State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick will be hosting a scam prevention seminar on Feb. 27 in collaboration with the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD). In a written statement to the Nassau Herald, she encouraged residents to stay informed and avoid the risk of falling victim to scams.

“Scam calls and emails pose a real threat to residents across our community,” she wrote. “It’s critical that we take the time to learn how these scams work and what steps we can take to protect ourselves.”

Last week, the NCPD released a graphic on Facebook to educate people on scam prevention. They noted that legitimate companies will never come to your home to receive payment. Businesses and government agencies will never threaten arrest and demand immediate payment. They also highlighted that authorized businesses never need your username and password to access your account.

PSEG Long Island is a member of Utilities United Against Scams, an association of 150 utility companies focused on raising awareness of common utility-related scams. Their work has helped shut down more than 14,000 toll-free numbers used by scammers. If you believe you are a target of a scam of any kind, contact the county’s D.A. office at (516) 571-3505. For PSEG customers, call 1-800-490-0025.

Hewlett High School sophomores unite against Blood Cancer

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

Sophia Abramovich and Jenna Shvartsshteyn, two sophomores from Hewlett High School, are leading a fundraiser. Commonly known as the Blood Cancer United Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign, the seven-week fundraiser began on Feb. 2.

The process began over the summer, when Abramovich and Shvartsshteyn— friends since childhood— agreed to partner up on their team, Hearts for Hope. After a friend familiarized Shvartsshteyn with the visionaries campaign while at summer camp, she knew Abramovich would be a good person to ask for help.

“I knew that she would kind of be the right person for this job,” Shvartsshteyn said. “I knew with her dedication and hard work she’d be good at it.”

The girls met with adviser Clara Leyendecker, the 2017 runner-up who is now a staff worker at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. While working together, Leyendecker, 25, said their passion and desire to be difference makers stand out.

“This program is a lot of extra work,” Leyendecker said. “It’s not something that the average student would sign up for and really go after as aggressively as they have, and as successfully as they have.”

Students are tasked with raising as much money as possible for patient advo-

cacy, research and blood cancer awareness—a personal battle for both girls.

Russell Shvartsshteyn, Sophia’s father, is currently battling colon cancer. For Abramovich and her family, they’ve experienced hardships with breast cancer and

prostate cancer, as well as melanoma.

To start, the girls orchestrated Super Bowl Boxes for the big game this past Sunday, going door-to-door in the community asking for donations. They’ve also printed T-shirts with their fundraiser QR

codes on the back, which they will wear in public places outside of school to raise awareness.

During the process, Leyendecker said that she tries to give the students a handson experience, allowing them to build skills that will transfer to a professional setting. She said that many of them tell her that they haven’t written an email, or cold-called someone before.

“My job is to give them all the tools, resources, and support I possibly can,” Leyendecker said. “But they are the ones doing the actual work and receiving that experience and building those skills.”

As part of Hearts for Hope, Abramovich and Shvartsshteyn lead a team of 13 other sophomores and juniors. For the two girls, they said they’ve developed skills that they’ll carry with them beyond high school.

Abramovich said the campaign has helped her develop stronger social skills like leadership, teamwork, and working with others. For Shvartsshteyn, she noted the importance of presenting herself in a professional matter.

“It’s helped me learn how to speak to people,” Shvartsshteyn said. “People may see me as a kid, but I’m doing something much bigger than that.”

Those interested in donating can visit pages.lls.org/svoy/li/svoyli26/TeamSophiaandJenna. The winners of this year’s campaign will be announced at the Student Visionaries of The Year’s Grand Visionary Gala on Mar. 19.

HWPL showcases Schust’s “Threaded Visions” quilt gallery

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

The Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library is showcasing Patricia Schust’s handcrafted quilts in their gallery, throughout February and March.

Schust, 69, a Uniondale School District alumna who resides in North Merrick, has been quilting for 40 years.

Her gallery “Threaded Visions” features three pieces made out of neck ties, one large piece draped over a pole and numerous quilts, which fill the walls and display cases. Along with decoupage plates and shells with a Valentine’s theme.

“These are truly some of the most beautiful quilts I’ve ever seen,” said Michelle Young, director of the HWPL.

Schuster was not the original artist to be featured during these months, and filled in on a last-minute notice.

“She’s the best backup showing we’ve ever had,” Young said. “She’s an incredible person and extremely talented.”

The library will be hosting an artist reception on March 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. for the community to personally meet with Schuster.

“It Means a lot to the library to not just showcase traditional art but different kinds of art being expressed,” she added. “I feel like her quilts are on a level of an oil painting because they are all so unique and beautiful.”

Young said that Schust uses texture in her pieces and was creative within the

pieces along with on top of them.

“It’s such a joy to see her pieces,” Young said. “Every time I go downstairs, It’s like I’m seeing it for the first time because it’s that stunning.”

Librarian Diana Brewster organized Schust’s art gallery and reached out to her after hearing about her quilt show at the North Bellmore Public Library.

“I found out Patricia was having a quilt show at the library so I reached out to her to do a virtual art show here at the library,” Brewster said. “She wanted to do a physical show and we had a last minute opening for the February and March time slot for 2026. “

Brewster said her artwork is amazing and that the quilts were different and intricate.

“I’m happy that the library was able to host an art show for Patricia,” she said.

Schuster had been encouraged to do art since she was in elementary school and her mother bought her first set of oil paints.

“My mother always encouraged anything that had to do with art,” Schuster said. “From what I remember, whenever there was something that had to be done in school artistically I was always chosen to do it.”

She continued to pursue art throughout her time in school and always knew she would go to college for art.

Schust went to Adelphi University where she was in the fine arts program. She has held numerous jobs in the art field over the years.

As a retired librarian, Schust is dedicated all of her time to quilting and spends her days in her quilt room.

“I just create every single say, in one way or another,” she said.

This is her third consecutive year of showcasing her talents in art galleries in libraries across Long Island.

“Oftentimes I hear people looking at a quilt exhibit saying things like ‘look at all of these beautiful blankets,” Schust said. “Quilts are more than blankets, each one tells a story. From early times when they were pieced with love from wellworn clothing carrying with it memories from those who wore the items.”

News brief

EHS receives grant for maternal health care

Episcopal Health Services has received a $150,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to continue providing free, individualized and culturally responsive support to pregnant women of color in the Rockaways.

The funding will support a maternal health initiative aimed at reducing disparities in pregnancy outcomes in historically marginalized communities by addressing social, economic and environmental factors that influence maternal and infant health. Through the program, EHS plans to provide comprehensive support services to 120 participants, regardless of gestational age.

Participants receive individualized care plans tailored to their medical, social and emotional needs, with a focus on continuity of care, culturally competent engagement and community-based support. Health officials say those components are key to improving maternal health outcomes and strengthening family stability.

This marks the fourth grant Episcopal Health Services has received from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. Previous funding helped establish and expand maternal health programming, including St. John’s Episcopal Hospital’s doula program, which provides additional support to expectant mothers before, during and after childbirth.

Foundation officials said the continued partnership reflects a shared focus on improving access to care and strengthening health systems that serve vulnerable communities across New York.

“Our grantee partners are navigating an incredibly challenging landscape, and yet their commitment to serving their communities continues to deepen,” Gregory Mustaciuolo, chief executive officer of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation wrote in a news release. “These grants demonstrate our resolve to stand with them by addressing urgent needs today, while strengthening the systems and workforce that will support New Yorkers’ health for years to come.”

“This grant allows us to advance our commitment to mothers who face disproportionate risks during pregnancy,” Dr. Jacqueline M. Marecheau, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at EHS wrote in a news release. “By addressing not only clinical needs but also the social conditions that influence health, we are creating a more equitable system of care for families on the Rockaway Peninsula and surrounding communities.”

Hospital officials said the Maternal Social Determinants of Health Program is part of a broader effort by Episcopal Health Services to expand women’s health services in the Rockaways and strengthen its role as a regional hub for comprehensive care.

Nassau girls wrestling takes center stage

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

Reese Adams experienced a wave of emotions for the second time in as many years at the Nassau County girls wrestling championships.

While recovering from knee surgery last February, the thenCalhoun High School junior was devastated to be a spectator for the inaugural tournament. This year, however, she was elated to not only participate but to capture a title in what would be her lone opportunity.

Adams rallied from behind to pin MacArthur’s Olivia Rausenberger in 1:52 of the first period of the finals to win the 126-pound crown Feb. 1 at her home away from home — Long Beach High School. Her father, Ray, has coached the Marines’ wrestlers for 30 years.

“It was thrilling and a relief at the same time because I put so much pressure on myself,” Reese said. “To finally accomplish what I’ve worked so hard for is exciting.”

She underwent surgery the day before Thanksgiving in 2024 and missed all of last season. That didn’t stop her from attending the county championships at Bethpage High School, but it wasn’t easy to watch.

“I cried a lot, but I wanted to support some of my best friends who were competing,” said Reese, who is Calhoun’s lone female wrestler and practiced with the boys team every day. “I’m glad it was at Long Beach this time,” she added. “I practically grew up watching wrestling in that gym so it was a comfortable environment.”

Adams fell behind Rausenberger 5-0 before scoring a take-

down to get on the board, followed by the pin.

“It was a rough year for her rehabbing and I’m so proud to see her win a county title,”

Ray Adams said of his Lehigh University bound daughter. “She worked so hard to get back on the mat.”

Long Beach girls coach Miguel Rodriguez said the vibe for the finals was “incredible.”

The Marines had five finalists and saw seventh-grader Brooke Varian finish a surprise runner-up at 94 pounds, and freshman Harley Eidens repeat as a county champ, taking the 107pound title.

“We had a lot of great performances and those two really had a day,” Rodriguez said. “Brooke is a great athlete who loves lacrosse and is so coachable. Harley was familiar with her opponent in the finals and was very strong defensively at the end to hold on.”

Harley’s sister, Presley, was second at 114 to MacArthur’s Grace Palumbo and earned a wild-card berth to join her twin at the state tournament Feb. 26 in Albany. Junior Goddiss Hodge and Arianna Balsamo and also reached the county finals stage.

Uniondale, which captured the Nassau dual meet team title with a 34-30 victory over Long Beach Jan. 21, continued its spectacular season with three county champions and two runners-up. Coach Tim Godoy said the Knights began the campaign with 45 girls as interest in the sport has exploded.

“The girls are excited to be a part of something new and they really put the work in,” he said. “We had great support from parents and family members as well as about half of

Uniondale’s Angeline Bonilla, won the first finals bout of the tournament at 94 pounds.

our boys team showed up. It was a special day.”

Uniondale junior Angeline Bonilla, who took third place last season, captured the 94-pound title over Varian with a 12-5 decision.

“The impossible doesn’t seem that far away if you keep pushing,” Bonilla said. “It was the first match of the finals and not going to lie, I was a little nervous. Brooke is a tough wrestler and I felt it was a 50-50 match. I couldn’t have done it without my coaches.”

Also for the Knights, junior Brianna Marquez captured the 100-pound championship and junior Keishara Tulloch was a repeat county champ, winning at 152 over junior teammate Gabrielle Christian. Senior and first-year wrestler Emely Ramos reached the finals at 165, pulling several upsets along the way.

“The support these girls have for each other is awesome,” Godoy said. “They were all screaming at the top of their lungs.”

Courtesy Daniel Birkenstock

The girls of the Bionica robotics team have shown their perseverance and patient approach this season, which helped them earn a second-place finish last week.

Two Hewlett High teams aim for L.I. robotics title

ELA and algebra teacher, who became the coach of the school’s four teams in December, said that the decision the members of Roboboogie and Bionica made to collaborate at last week’s event, unlike past competitions, was nice to see as an educator.

“Getting to see my students working in tandem across their teams, as opposed to going against each other, was incredible,” Birkenstock said.

More than 20 high school teams from across Nassau County took part, their robots tasked with launching softballsized Wiffle balls at a goal. The balls could be loaded by a team member or picked up by the robot. Judges graded the robots’ ability to complete stages of the task based on their hardware and software.

The members of RoboBoogie, a co-ed team that finished 17th at a qualifying competition in December, knew they had to adjust their strategy to improve. Zarina Wadiwala, a senior co-captain, said that the upperclassmen wanted to teach younger students the finer points of robotics while, at the same time, trying to win. Wadiwala, 17, explained that half of the 20 members would be graduating this year.

“It was hard to balance that ambitious goal,” she said.

In the December competition, Wadiwala said, the team’s robot didn’t perform well during the “autonomous” period — when it had to rely solely on coding — because it couldn’t throw the ball with enough force to reach the goal. And there were mechanical issues as well: The robot’s flywheel, rotating at 6,000 revolutions per minute, had a tendency to vibrate, causing screws and other parts to loosen.

To prepare for last week’s event, team members reduced the flywheel’s RPMs, adjusted its coding and improved their time management.

“We had to set deadlines,” Wadiwala said of the process, “talk to our departments and allow the programmers ample time to be able to test the program to make sure it’s working perfectly.”

This time around, RoboBoogie finished first. Birkenstock was impressed

with the team’s success, saying they “really went back to the drawing board.”

“They took a fresh look at their robot design and how they were approaching the competition,” he said. “They ended up coming with basically a completely new robot.”

While RoboBoogie wasted no time starting the competition season, Bionica took a wait-and-see approach. The allgirls team scheduled its first qualifier on Jan. 18 so team members would have more time to test their robot and ask other teams — including RoboBoogie — for advice. As a result, they delivered what Birkenstock described as a dominant performance.

Like RoboBoogie, Bionica also faced challenges. Many of the girls have afterschool commitments to sports, music or theater. Birkenstock said that in some weeks, it felt like only half the team was there.

“They spent a lot of time on their own, having to meet and coordinate to get people up to speed,” he said.

Unlike RoboBoogie, which used a human player to pick up the balls for the robot, Bionica chose to use a vacuum intake. Members sought feedback from their mentor, Alex Kaplan — an engineer by profession — and another Hewlett High team, Innovo, which Bionica junior captain Aviv Paz called “crucial to the design process.”

“They helped us lay out our priorities for the design,” Paz said. “What our robot was during our first qualifier is not what it was originally.”

Despite the team members’ busy schedules, Paz, 16, said their planning was sound. She noted that her teammates held one another accountable and stepped up when others were away.

“We felt it was important to give people deliverables with certain deadlines so that they knew what their job is,” she said.

With both teams qualifying for the FIRST Tech Challenge Long Island Regional Championship, which Hewlett will host on March 1, Birkenstock said the stakes are high for his host teams.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for us,” he said.

Top real estate professionals honored at Heritage Club

By HAILEY FULMER

The Herald’s Real Estate Achievement +Leadership Awards at the Heritage Club on Jan. 28 celebrated professionals whose leadership and innovation have shaped the region’s real estate landscape.

Kelly Killoren Bensimon, founder, owner and broker specialist of Kelly Killoren Bensimon Inc. and Douglas Elliman was honored for her impact on real estate leadership. A former model and reality television personality, Bensimon has successfully transitioned into a successful real estate career. Her keynote speech reflected on her path into the industry.

After her mother became ill, Bensimon said she sold her family home by herself — a moment that inspired her to shift from television to real estate. Today, she focuses on client relationships and enhancing the value of the properties she represents.

I became licensed because I needed to protect my family — and today, that instinct drives everything I do,” she said.

Steven Krieger, chief executive officer of B2K Development, was named Real Estate Visionary of the Year, while Jan Burman, chairman of B2K Development, received the Legacy in Real Estate award.

The Rising Stars category recognized emerging professionals. Honorees included James La Dolce, vice president and branch manager at Flushing Bank, and Ashley Infantino, a licensed real estate salesperson with DeSimone Real Estate Agency.

Awards for construction, development and engineering recognized Rob Mannino, chief operating officer of The Kulka Group, who received the Commercial and Residential Construction Management award.

“It is such a pleasure to go to work every day and be surrounded by those people,” Mannino said, crediting his team’s growth over the past two years. He also expressed gratitude to partner Devin Kulka, chief executive officer of The Kulka Group, and his father, citing their guidance and leadership.

Joseph Picataggi Jr., principal of Terra Construction Group, received the Development and Construction award, while Matthew K. Aylward, a partner at R&M Engi-

neering, was recognized for excellence in engineering.

Michael S. Ackerman, managing partner of Ackerman Law, took home the Excellence in Real Estate Law, PLLC. Keith P. Brown, a partner at Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman LLP, received recognition in the Legal category, and Robert M. Connelly of Romer Debbas, LLP, earned the Excellence in Real Estate Law award.

“We are proud to honor Long Island’s most accomplished real estate professionals — individuals whose vision, dedication and innovation continue to shape the towns where we live, work and raise our families,” said Stuart Richner, president of Richner Communications for 26 years.

The Father/Son Duo award was presented to John and Dylan Vitale, president and vice president of Vitale Properties, recognizing multigenerational leadership.

The Next Gen Brokerage category recognized Luca Di Ciero, founder and CEO of NYSpace Finders, and Giuseppe Gregorio, an associate broker with the firm. Gregorio, who began his real estate career 12 years ago, said he was drawn to the industry’s evolving challenges. he Power Team honor was awarded to Darab Lawyer and Vanessa Ambrosecchia, licensed real estate salespersons with Douglas Elliman. Ambrosecchia highlighted the impact of her work on clients.

“I just like helping people,” she said, “to change more lives.”

Additional awards recognized

leadership across the industry.

Shaan Khan, president of the Long Island Board of REALTORS® and broker-owner of RK Realty Group, received the Real Estate Excellence award. Denise Savino-Erichsen, president and CEO of Automatic Industries, was honored in the Technology category.

In the commercial sector, Jonathan M. Stern, chief growth officer of Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group, was recognized in celebration of the firm’s centennial anniversary. Michael Tucker, associate broker at DGNY Commercial, received the Commercial Brokerage award. Joel Lipsky, chief executive officer of Lipsky Construction, received the Construction Management award.

Tom Attivissimo, CEO and principal of Greiner-Maltz Co. of Long Island LLC, was named Top In-

dustrial and Investment Sales and Leasing Counselor of the Year. Shalom Maidenbaum, founder and owner of Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group LLC, received the Property Tax Reduction award.

Additional residential awards were presented to Nicholas Sforza of Manhasset Realty Group and Marisa Filardo of Douglas Elliman, both recognized for Real Estate Excellence. Filardo, a mother of two, serves clients across Long Island and Queens.

The Team Leadership award went to Rachel King, a licensed associate real estate broker and team leader of The King Team at SERHANT.

For photos, go to RichnerLive. com/realawards/2026-photos/ For more on RichnerLive events visit RichnerLive.com.

The Lawrence High School Music and Drama Department performed “Anastasia” last week.

LHS brings “Anastasia” to the stage

the Lawrence High School Music and Drama Department transported audience members back to 1920s Russia with their production of “Anastasia” last week.

“Anastasia” follows a young amnesiac woman who may be the long-lost daughter of Russia’s last royal family, as she journeys from post-revolutionary Russia to Paris in search of her true identity. Along the way, she teams up with two con men planning to pass her off as the missing princess, only to discover that her connection to the Romanovs may be real.

Director Shelly Goldman said she felt an immediate pull to this story the first time she saw it as her family is from Russia and her first language is Russian.

“This is definitely a story that need story be told,” Goldman said. “Not only historically and what it meant to live in Russia during that time. But, it’s also fascinating because the story of ‘Anastasia’ is real, there have been people throughout history that believe they were here.”

Arbi Corbita, a senior who plays Anastasia, said she watched the movie two days before auditions and fell in love with the songs, the score and staging.

“When I found out I was Anastasia I was really happy,” Corbita said. “I didn’t really know what to expect or step into with this role. I feel like I went into this as a challenge in my senior year and I wanted it to be beautiful and wonderful on stage.”

— Melissa Berman

Entering a new leadership era at the Five Towns Premier

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

The Five Towns Premier Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Woodmere has entered a new chapter under new ownership led by Isaac Weiner, with Avi Terebelo stepping in as the facility’s administrator.

The leadership transition marks a shift for the well-known nursing and rehabilitation center, which serves residents across the Five Towns and surrounding South Shore communities.

Weiner, a Lawrence resident, will be celebrating one year with the Five Towns Premier on March 1 and he also serves as a local Hatzalah EMT. He worked at Excelsior

Care Group from 2008 to 2024, before buying the premier.

“There was an opportunity to buy the building and I took it,” Weiner said.

The new management team aims to enhance patient care, strengthen rehabilitation services and invest in facility improvements while continuing to serve local families in need of short-term recovery and longterm care.

“The vision is to come to a facility in the neighborhood we grew up in,” Terebelo said. “It gives us the opportunity to give back to the families and people we know from the community.”

Terebelo lives in Cedarhurst and began his role as administrator on Nov. 24, 2025.

Located on Central Avenue, Five Towns Premier provides post-acute rehabilitation services, skilled nursing care and long-term residential services for patients recovering from surgeries, illnesses and injuries, as well as for residents requiring ongoing medical support.

Weiner, now overseeing ownership operations, said the goal is to build on the center’s existing programs while improving the overall patient and family experience. Planned updates include investments in staff support, facility upgrades and expanded rehabilitation offerings aimed at helping patients return home safely after hospitalization.

“We are working on the quality of care,”

Icons. Insights. Impact.

Terebelo said. “We are trying to make an easy transition for residents and to make the best of a situation. We value and support the families in every way that we can.”

Terebelo, who assumes responsibility for day-to-day operations as administrator, will oversee clinical services, staffing coordination and regulatory compliance. He said strengthening communication with families and ensuring quality care remain top priorities.

“Our focus is on creating a supportive environment where residents receive highquality care while families feel confident in the services their loved ones are receiving,” Terebelo said. “We want to continue building trust within the community.”

The new leadership team also plans to strengthen partnerships with local hospitals, physicians and community organizations to ensure smoother transitions for patients entering rehabilitation following hospital stays.

Long Island facilities like Five Towns Premier have seen growing demand in recent years as the region’s population ages and more residents seek rehabilitation services close to home. Short-term rehabilitation programs, including physical, occupational and speech therapy, are increasingly used to help patients recover mobility and independence after surgery or serious illness.

“Maintaining a compassionate environment for long-term residents will remain equally important as the center expands services for short-term rehabilitation patients,” Weiner added.

Five Towns Premier continues to accept residents requiring skilled nursing care, post-hospital rehabilitation and long-term support, serving families throughout the Five Towns, Far Rockaway, and neighboring communities.

“We’re working very hard on customer service,” Weiner said. “We want the residents here to be comfortable, we have to try the best we can to enhance the residents experience as best we can.”

Community members can call (516) 5883200 Ext. 1041 to schedule a tour.

News briefs

Lawrence-Cedarhurst FD to continue dispatching for Long Beach Fire Department

Fire engines don’t roam the streets on constant lookout for emergencies — they’re dispatched from a firehouse when citizens call in to report a situation. While emergency dispatchers don’t directly affect residents themselves, the trained crew working the phone system is a critical, if sometimes overlooked, part of the emergency response team.

At the Jan. 20 Long Beach City Council meeting, board members unanimously agreed to authorize City Manager Daniel Creighton to renew the Long Beach Fire Department’s contract with the Lawrence/Cedarhurst Fire Depart -

ment. This allows the LBFD to continue providing fire, ambulance, and emergency dispatch services for the nearby community.

During the meeting, Creighton explained, “This brings income to the city and helps to offset the costs for equipment and salaries for dispatchers, while not degrading our capacity to field emergency calls.”

Under the terms of the five-year arrangement, the LBFD will receive $27,000 per year in quarterly payments, increasing 3 percent each year until reaching just over $30,000 in 2030. Under

the terms of the department’s previous contract, the annual increase was limited to 1 percent. Long Beach Fire Commissioner Joseph Miller says the LBFD has been providing the paid service for roughly 20 years and the contract renewal includes a modest rate increase to reflect comparable services.

Miller clarified that Nassau County Fire Communications, aka Firecom, handles emergency dispatching for many fire departments throughout the county, but it’s not uncommon for some departments to outsource the service and utilize the dispatch system of other

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areas. The Long Beach Fire Department currently provides emergency call management for Atlantic Beach, Inwood, Lawrence/Cedarhurst, and Woodmere, in addition to the immediate Long Beach area — Lawrence/Cedarhurst was one of the first departments taken on board when the LBFD began offering the service to outside departments. The multiple service areas require no additional LBFD personnel — the current trained staff handles all calls — and the additional workload does not strain department resources. In 2025, the LBFD dispatched a total of nearly 10,000 alarm calls for Long Beach and the surrounding areas. The department handles 1,200 to 2,000 calls per year for the Lawrence/Cedarhurst Fire Department.

Representatives from LCFD could not be reached for comment, but the decades-long cooperation between Lawrence/Cedarhurst and Long Beach is a strong testament to the professionalism and efficiency found in their joint effort maintaining public safety with fast emergency response.

— Chris Colucci

Tu B’Shevat fun at Gan Chamesh

Classrooms at Gan Chamesh, the Chabad of the Five Towns Early Childhood Center, recently transformed into hubs of creativity and imagination as students took part in the school’s annual “Box Week.”

Inspired by the holiday of Tu B’Shevat and themes of caring for the environment through recycling, the program invited preschoolers to collect and bring in boxes of various shapes and sizes to use in open-ended play and building activities.

During the week, traditional classroom toys were temporarily set aside as boxes became the focus of learning and play. Students used the materials to construct towers, houses, rocket ships and even railroad stations, while empty food boxes and containers were incorporated into dramatic play and kitchen areas.

Teachers said the activity encouraged early engineering and architectural thinking as children experimented with which boxes provided the strongest foundations for their structures. The experience also fostered cooperation and problem-solving skills as students worked together, discussing how different materials could be used to achieve their designs.

Following the program’s success, school officials said many classrooms plan to continue incorporating boxbuilding activities into lessons in the coming weeks, allowing students to further develop creativity and collaborative skills through hands-on play.

— Melissa Berman

DEC head discusses state’s goals, policies

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

More than 200 people attended the Long Island Association’s Energy and Environment Committee meeting on Feb. 5 at LIA headquarters in Melville. The highlight of the program was a discussion with the commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, Amanda Lefton.

“Long Island’s environment is our economy,” Matt Cohen, LIA president and CEO, said. LIA is a nonprofit association that works to ensure Long Island’s economic vitality.

Lefton previously served as the director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in the Department of the Interior. She has over 15 years of experience working on energy and environment in both the public and private sector.

“As Long Islanders, we know that things like water quality and our natural resources are critical to our livelihood,” she said. “We know these things aren’t in competition, but actually complement each other if done correctly. That is the perspective that I bring to the department.

“We continue to move forward,” Lefton added, “to make sure that we’re not just delivering on our mission of protecting the state’s environment, protecting water quality, delivering on clean air, protecting our natural resources,

but also doing so in a way that there’s transparency.”

Billy Haugland, vice chair of the Energy and Environment Committee, who led the discussion, praised Lefton’s ability to bring government and industry leaders together, leading to productive outcomes, increased collaboration, and reliable environmental stewardship.

Lefton discussed aspects of the state’s policy proposals and 2026 executive budget, and highlighted its steps to reduce pollution, its transition to clean energy and investments in infrastructure and transportation. She contrasted state actions with federal efforts to dismantle environmental protections. “The jobs and benefits that could be lost on Long Island through the stalling of offshore wind projects are one of the many causalities of this chaos,” she said.

Lefton pledged to continue communicating with stakeholders around New York. The DEC is prioritizing accessibility, streamlining its processes and improving data navigation, supported by investments from Gov. Kathy Hochul to modernize its website and technology.

Hochul’s 2026 budget proposal also supports a robust environmental agenda, and Lefton complimented the tangible results for New Yorkers. The governor’s “Let Them Build” agenda includes a series of reforms to speed up housing and infrastructure projects and reduce costs. The initiative includes adopting

common-sense reforms of the State Environmental Quality Review Act to speed up construction of zoned and permitted housing while preserving environmental safeguards. It also aims to reduce delays in building critical infrastructure, including clean-water projects.

“The governor’s common-sense approach to securing more certainty in environmental review timelines,” Lefton said, “will help advance more critically important projects.”

She discussed Hochul’s investments in water infrastructure, a commitment of $3.75 billion to clean-water projects over the next five years, including improving sewer infrastructure. “We can ensure that we’re continuing to tackle urban contaminants, protecting clean water, and delivering on the funding for our municipalities,” Lefton said.

The Hochul administration has authorized a critical resiliency project on Long Island, with a $1.7 billion investment in protecting the expanse from Fire Island to Montauk against storms and erosion. Additional investments have been made for various other Army Corps of Engineers resiliency projects in the Rockaways and Long Beach.

Lefton also mentioned a state grant award to Freeport, supporting the expansion of its advanced stormwater system, which is designed to reduce chronic flooding of the village’s lowlying streets.

“We have strong programs in place to protect our air and water while encouraging investment in our communities,” Lefton said. “We’re ensuring that we have these programs available specifically to deliver for Long Islanders.”

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STEPPING OUT

Our nation 250 years later

An artistic perspective

By Abbey Salvemini

The American Revolution might have happened 250 years ago, but the conversation about who really benefited from it is far from over. That’s the idea behind Hofstra University Museum of Art’s newlly opened exhibition, “Our Unfinished Revolution(s).” On view, through July 24, it invites visitors to reflect on the promises of liberty, exploring how the ideals of the Declaration of Independence have shaped the nation.

July 4, 1776, has long been ascribed as the date that the United States was formed, Presley Rodriguez — the museum’s assistant director of exhibitions and collections — writes in her essay in the exhibit catalog. There are other events that could have represented the birth of the nation — perhaps first battles of the Revolutionary War, or the signing of the treaty that formally ended the conflict. But it is the day that the Declaration of Independence was ratified that is credited with changing the world as we know it.

‘RENT’ in concert

Today, many consider the Declaration of Independence as the document that proclaimed “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” as guiding priorities of the United States. As significant as the signing of the Declaration of Independence was, however, it was also a rebellious act that those loyal to the English king viewed unfavorably in 1776.

“The Declaration of Independence is the North Star of liberty, democracy and freedom,” says Hofstra Museum Director Sasha Giordano. “The exhibition explores who most benefitted from the Declaration of Independence. Although women, Black and enslaved people, Indigenous peoples, and immigrants played instrumental roles during the Revolution and were closely connected to the events surrounding the Declaration, they were not granted the same liberties at the nation’s founding.”

The 250 years of history are organized into four dated sections: 1776, 1876, 1976 and 2026. The artworks and archival materials on view illuminate the ways in which the Declaration of Independence has been interpreted, challenged and defended over time. Works drawn from the museum’s permanent collection, alongside loans featuring artists such as Faith Ringgold, demonstrate the diversity of artistic responses to the Revolution’s legacy across 250 years. Included are a mix of 18th-century prints, mid-century works and contemporary pieces by artists such as Alexander Calder, Larry Rivers and Jeremy Dennis, the show’s featured artist.

Groups whose liberties were initially denied come into focus: women, Black, Indigenous and immigrant communities. Rodriguez — who curated this exhibit — searched Hofstra’s database for art that best captures their stories.

“This is really an homage to 250 years of freedom,” she explains. “There are walls in the gallery dedicated to each of these anniversary years, and the artwork was created around these moments.”

Beginning with 1776 section, works reflect the founding ideals and the exclusion of certain communities, while later sections show how those

Map of New England, 1676, ink on paper. Gift of unknown donor, HU62.7.

Washington Crossing the Delaware, Evening Previous to the Battle of Trenton, December 5 (sic), 1776, 18001900, hand-colored lithograph. Gift of Mary Estabrook, HU64.98.

Bill of Sale for Enslaved Person, 1779. Courtesy of Special Collections/ Long Island Studies Institute, Hofstra University Library.

struggles continued and evolved.

For Giordano, framing the Revolution as “unfinished” allows us to revisit and reclaim its milestones. It’s presented as an ongoing conversation, rather than a closed chapter in history.

“Anniversaries are a way to remind us of what we celebrate and how we honor our country’s life,” she says. “This exhibition meets viewers where they are. You bring your own ideas and thoughts, and it encourages reflection. It could challenge you, or it could reaffirm what you already feel.”

Jeremy Dennis, an enrolled member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation and founder of Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio Inc., brings an Indigenous perspective into the narrative of America’s evolving freedom through his photography.

“As a leader making art representing Indigenous people, his work speaks to current times and shares a relevant story,” Giordano adds. “Through his art and photography, he takes us into that world.”

Another standout is Faith Ringgold’s 2009 series, “Declaration of Freedom and Independence.” Her work perfectly embodies the exhibition’s theme and reflects the ongoing struggle to make liberty a reality for all, according to Rodriguez.

“The exhibition invites you to consider your own role in shaping the nation’s future. The response wall allows visitors to contribute their perspectives, and those ideas will literally be on display for others to see,” she adds.

Her aim is that visitors reflect not only on the past but think hard about what our future holds. Everyone is encouraged to contribute to the Wish Wall Project, the collaborative response wall developed by a nationwide network of museums and libraries, where all can leave their thoughts, reflections and reactions to the exhibition.

“Our Unfinished Revolution(s),” connects to the broader Untold Stories of Revolution: A Hofstra University Initiative for the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, a campus-wide exploration of the Revolution’s lesser-known narratives. Related programming tied to the exhibit invites students, faculty and the public to engage with themes of democracy, equity and civic responsibility.

Events include a conversation with Dennis on March 5 and a curator-led gallery tour on April 9; programs that allow participants to engage more deeply with the exhibit.

“During the gallery tour, visitors will have a chance to notice details they might miss on a casual visit, and they can hear the stories behind why specific works were included,” Rodriguez says.

The unforgettable music of Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking musical fills Tilles Center in a powerful symphonic concert setting. RENT is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, marking three decades since its Off-Broadway debut in January 1996 and subsequent move to Broadway. Experience the music of Larson’s landmark work through its original Broadway legacy as Adam Pascal, who originated the role of Roger, hosts the evening and returns to the stage for a special encore performance. Presented in a symphonic concert format with full orchestra, the event celebrates the iconic songs that changed musical theater forever. “To be able to host RENT in concert and then step back on stage for an encore is incredibly special, Pascal says. This concert is about honoring Jonathan Larson’s voice, the community that formed around this show, and the power of these songs to still speak, loudly and honestly, to audiences today.”

Friday, Feb. 13, 8 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

‘So don’t stop me now’ Queen-mania rolls on. Almost Queen returns to the Paramount stage with their homage to the beloved band. They don’t just pay tribute to the legendary band, Almost Queen transports you back in time to experience the magic and essence of Queen themselves. The band — featuring Joseph Russo as Freddie Mercury, Steve Leonard as Brian May, Randy Gregg as John Deacon, and John Cappadona as Roger Taylor — is “guaranteed to blow your mind” with iconic four-part harmonies and expertly executed musical interludes. The band’s authenticity shines through in their impeccable attention to detail and genuine costumes, while their live energy and precision captivates fans of all ages with an unforgettable concert experience. The carefully curated setlist featuring Queen’s best-loved songs, including, of course, classics like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions!” It’s no wonder fans keep coming back for more.

Saturday, Feb. 14, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

evening of Love and Laughter

Enjoy an evening of entertainment with Dovi Neuburger at the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC’s Harrison-Kerr Campus. Tickets are $75 each with dairy dessert provided. Proceeds to Benefit the Gural JCC’s Rina Shkolnik Kosher Food Pantry

• Where: 140 Central Ave., Lawrence

• Time: 8-10 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 569-6733

Monster Jam Freestyle Mania

See the world’s best drivers tear up the dirt and show off crazy skills and all-out racing in fierce head-to-head battles of speed and skill when Monster Jam roars into UBS Arena. Get ready for the event that will change everything you thought you knew about freestyle. Monster Jam trucks team up with Freestyle Motocross bikes to deliver gravity-defying skills and thrills. It’s an adrenaline rush not to be missed.

• Where: 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont.

• Time: Noon and 6 p.m.; also Feb. 15 and Feb. 16

• Contact: ticketmaster.com

Lunar New Year program

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes Chinese Theatre Works to the museum stage. Join in a celebration of the Lunar New Year with an original “budaixi” glove puppet production that features the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. This year’s show stars the Horse, who presides over a jolly selection of wild puppet skits, dances, popular songs, and well known Chinese sayings that celebrate the wit and wisdom of the zodiac animals. Hao Bang Ah! Horse! A hands-on post show demonstration will make the Chinese bilingual cultural experience accessible to even the youngest audience members. $5, $4 members, $10 theater only

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

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

Feb 15

Hudson Valley Chamber Musicians

Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library welcomes the Hudson Valley Chamber Musicians. This woodwind group based in the Hudson Valley takes everyone on trip through France. The quintet comprises performers on flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, and bassoon.

• Where: 1125 Broadway, Hewlett

Feb

Wild days in the bronx

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

Harlem Globetrotters

Don’t miss out on the action when the Globetrotters bring the team’s 100 Year Tour — the most legendary tour in Globetrotters history — to Nassau Coliseum. This centennial season is a once-in-a-century celebration of 100 years of jaw-dropping “No Way!” moves, Wow!” moments and basketball thrills. From gravity-defying dunks to game-changing tricks, fans feel the history, the joy, and the fun that only the Globetrotters can deliver. For the first time, the team will also debut their new 100 Year jerseys, honoring a century of global impact, as they face off against their longtime rivals, the Washington Generals. Fans can also expect all-new surprises like the Golden Basketball by Spalding®, epic pre-game Magic Pass experiences, and an unforgettable 5th Quarter autograph session.

• Where: Nass au Coliseum, Uniondale

• Time: 2 p.m.

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

Chazz Palminteri is back on the Paramount stage with his electrifying solo performance of “A Bronx Tale,” the autobiographical one-man show that launched his remarkable career. Raw, riveting and deeply personal, the play draws on Palminteri’s own bruising childhood in the Bronx, including the moment — at just nine-years-old — when he witnessed a gangland killing that would forever shape his view of the world. Onstage, Palminteri inhabits 18 vividly drawn characters, seamlessly shifting between friends, foes and family members to conjure an entire neighborhood with nothing but his voice, physicality and storytelling prowess. First written and performed in 1989, A Bronx Tale quickly became a sensation, hailed as one of the most sought-after stage properties since Rocky. The original production paved the way for the acclaimed film adaptation — directed by Robert De Niro — and later a hit Broadway musical. Born and raised in the Bronx, Palminteri stands firmly in the lineage of iconic Italian-American artists who redefined New York storytelling in the 1970s, including Martin Scorsese, De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci. Like them, he brings grit, muscle and an unflinching realism to his work, capturing both the violence and the humanity of life on those sidewalks. This return engagement offers audiences a chance to experience the original, powerhouse performance that started it all — up close, uncompromising and unforgettable.

• Time: 2:30 p.m.

• Contact: hwpl.org or (516) 374-1967

Pete’s blue Carpet Catwalk

Walk the blue carpet as a VIP to celebrate Long Island Children’s Museum’s premiere performance of Pete the Cat! Dress your best, smile for the paparazzi, and take a picture with Pete! A special youth emcee will be interviewing VIPs on camera. Gain exclusive access to Pete’s Groovy Lounge for refreshments, enjoy the opening day performance of the show and take home a fun swag bag! You’ll even get to meet the cast after the show! For Pete the Cat, life is an adventure no matter where you wind up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. Join Jimmy and Pete on an adventure of friendship, all the way to Paris and back in a VW bus! $16 ($14 members), $20 theater and catwalk experience only.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: Starting at 11:30 a.m.

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

‘Hamilton’ screening

See musical phenomenon “Hamilton” at Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, Daveed Diggs, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Leslie Odom Jr. Directed by Thomas Kail. The life of one of America’s foremost founding fathers and first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. It is rated PG-13 and runs for 2 hours, 40 minutes.

• Where: 1125 Broadway, Hewlett

• Time: 2 and 6:45 p.m.

• Contact: hwpl.org or (516) 374-1967

Sanitary District 1 Meeting

Sanitary District 1 holds their monthly meeting. Meetings are every third Wednesday of the month.

• Where: 2 Bay Blvd., Lawrence

• Time: 6 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 239-5600

Game Time Visit Peninsula Public Library for Canasta, Mah Jongg, Scrabble and more. Seating is limited and is first

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

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

come, first seated.

• Where: 280 Central Ave., Lawrence

• Time: Ongoing weekly, 2 p.m.

• Contact: peninsulapublic.org or (516) 967-5777

‘The Wedding Singer’ Molloy University’s CAP21 Musical Theatre students stage the musical comedy based on the iconic film. The show will have you partying like it’s 1985! Travel back to the outrageous 1980s, when hair was huge, neon ruled fashion and everything MTV was “like, totally tubular.” Based on the mega-hit Adam Sandler movie, this Broadway romance about a heartbroken rock star wannabe finding love again is jam-packed with big laughs, dazzling dance numbers, and a score as bold and electric as the decade itself. From popped collars to power ballads, “The Wedding Singer” is a nostalgic, feel-good celebration of love, friendship, and all things ‘80s.

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

• Time: 8 p.m.; also Feb. 21, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Feb 22, 3 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com

Feb 22

Art talk

Nassau County Museum of Art hosts Dee Shapiro, a New York–based artist, is known for her richly detailed paintings exploring geometry, architecture, and place. She discusses works from her City and Landscapes series featured in The Real, Surreal, and Photoreal exhibit, which capture the rhythm and structure of urban and natural environments.. $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

Having an event?

Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.

Honoring service and a milestone birthday

Matese said.

Residents and staff members offered their congratulations and thanked Sava-

Any veteran is a gift — you sacrificed so much for our country

CAthy Byrne Gerontologist,

Five Towns Premier

“happy birth-

“We are so honored to have you in our facility,” Byrne said. “Any veteran is a gift — you sacrificed so much for our country, and we wanted to give a gift of love to you. Singing is a gift of love and life.”

Savarese’s daughter, Susan Meriam, spoke for him, because he is hard of hearing and has dementia.

“He is thrilled at the moment, then he forgets he’s 102, because he was never somebody who acted old to begin with,” Meriam said. “He’s young at heart, and he’s sweet and easy-going all the time.”

Now that he is more than eight decades removed from his wartime service, Savarese’s birthday celebration offered a reminder of both personal longevity and the enduring legacy of those

who served during one of the most consequential periods in American history.

“We’re lucky to have him — he’s a national treasure,” his daughter said.

“He always had a good sense of humor,

smart, and sat and did homework with me and my friends. He helped coach baseball and basketball teams. He was always there for us.”

“Words can’t describe how wonderful

is it to be here and celebrate with him,” she added. “I’m very blessed, because I don’t know many people that have their dads still at my age. We’re happy that he’s still here.”

February 12, 2026 —

LEGAL NOTICE

Public Notices

Notice of Qualification of Meteorite Camillus LLC, a Delaware limited liability company formed on 12/04/25. Authority filed with New York Secretary of State on 12/09/25. County in New York: Nassau. Address: 1030R Broadway, Woodmere, NY 11598. Designated agent for service of process: Joshua Jacobs, 1030R Broadway, Woodmere, NY 11598. Purpose: any lawful purpose. 157654

LEGAL NOTICE

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS

Docket: 24-cv-07716

TRUSTEE FOR DEUTSCHE ALT-A SECURITIES

MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2007OA2 MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, Plaintiff, vs. JOSEPH J. FENELON, Defendants.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, filed in the office of the clerk on January 9, 2026, wherein HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR DEUTSCHE ALT-A SECURITIES MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2007-OA2 MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES is the Plaintiff and JOSEPH J. FENELON is the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction on the front steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 4, 2026 at 11:00AM, the premises in said Final Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale described and therein directed to be sold, to which Final Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale reference is made for the terms of sale and for a description of the premises which may be briefly described as follows: 11 PARSONS DRIVE, HEMPSTEAD NY 11550; and the following tax map

identification: Section 35, Block 442, Lot 7. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATE LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.

Dated:

Melissa D. Mohan, Esq. Court Appointed Referee 158077

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR RASC 2006KS9 Plaintiff, Against MICHELLE WILLIAMS A/K/A MICHELLE D. WILLIAMS, et al Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 11/14/2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 3/9/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 37 Cedar Road, Inwood, New York 11096, and described as follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Inwood, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York. Section 40 Block 144 Lot 350

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $524,686.09 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 606755/2022 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction.

This Auction will be held rain or shine.

Anthony C. Curcio, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573

Dated: 1/8/2026 File Number: 20-303082 CA 158242

LEGAL NOTICE PUEBLO DE HEWLETT HARBOR AVISO DE ELECCIÓN DE PUEBLO TENGA EN CUENTA que, de conformidad con la Sección 15-104 (3) (a) de la Ley Electoral, se notifica que la Aldea de Hewlett Harbor celebrará la Elección Anual de la Aldea para las oficinas designadas de la Aldea El Dia Martes 16 de Junio, 2026 entre las 12:00 p.m. y las 9:00 p.m. en Village Hall, 449 Pepperidge Road, Hewlett Harbor, New York 11557. Alcalde Plazo: (4) Cuatro Años Fideicomisario Plazo: (4) Cuatro Años Fideicomisario Plazo: (4) Cuatro Años

LISA JAMES

Secretaria Adjunto de la Aldea

Fecha: 4 de Febrero de 2026

Hewlett Harbor, Nueva York 158342

LEGAL NOTICE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF LAWRENCE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING and PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that there will be a Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Lawrence, at Lawrence Village Hall, 196 Central Avenue, Lawrence, New York 11559, on the 19th day of February, 2026, at 8:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time, and three (3) Public Hearings with respect to the following matter:

Public Hearings re: Proposed Local Laws #4, 5 & 6 of 2026

“ A Local Law to amend the Village Code regarding the Prohibition of Burning Certain Items on Private Property

“ A Local Law to amend the Village Code regarding Chapter 70-33 for Certificate of Occupancy Required

“ A Local Law to amend the Village

Code regarding Chapter 212.27 Required Off Street (Parking) Spaces NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN THAT copies of the proposed items described above are on file/available in the office of the Village Clerk of the Village of Lawrence, NY, where the same is available for public inspection during regular office hours.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that all interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard on all meeting matters at the place and time aforesaid. If anyone needs special accommodations for a disability, such person should contact the Village Clerk at least 5 days before the meeting.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to the requirements of the Open Meetings Law of the State of New York, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lawrence will convene in public meeting at the place and time aforesaid for the purpose of conducting a regular meeting where general business will be conducted.

Dated: January 26, 2026

By Order of the Board of Trustees Village of Lawrence, NY

Gerry Castro, Village Administrator 158343

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Town Hall Plaza, One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York on 02/25/2026 at 9:30

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

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30

A.M.

112/26. WOODMEREIvan & Victoria Silverman, Variance, height, maintain 2-story addition & portico both attached to dwelling in

News brief

LCFD’s Robert Hicks honored by Cedarhurst

The Village of Cedarhurst Board of Trustees honored Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department member Robert Hicks for his valor and commitment to the safety of residents, on Feb. 2.

He was presented a citation on behalf of the village and from Assemblyman Ari Brown.

Hicks, 19, sustained serious burned to his legs while operating the nozzle at a house fire on Spring Street in Lawrence on Dec. 20. He joined the LCFD on Feb. 6, 2024.

“From the moment he took the oath, he proved himself to be a dedicated, dependable and selfless member of the department,” said Trustee Daniel Plaut. “In a remarkably short time, firefighter Hicks has responded to a significant number of alarms and consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, commitment to fellow firefighters and a deep

Berman/Herald Village of Cedarhurst Trustees Israel Wasser, left, and Daniel Plaut honored Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department member Robert Hicks, middle, on Feb. 2.

sense of responsibility to the community he serves.”

Public Notices

conjunction with previously granted case 63/20 (construction & alterations in excess of 50%)., W/s Grant Ave., 109.85’ N/o West Broadway, a/k/a 307 Grant Ave. 124/26. - 125/26. WOODMERE - Caryn Gordon, Variances, lot area occupied, front yard setback, side yards aggregate, construct additions, 2 story addition, 2nd story addition, 2nd story balcony, roofed over open porch & deck all attached to dwelling; Variance, side yard, install generator on platform attached to dwelling., W/s Barnard Ave., 375’ S/o Raleigh St., a/k/a 595 Barnard Ave.

ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550.

This notice is only for new cases in Woodmere within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals

The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo Interested parties may appear at the above

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

158338

LEGAL NOTICE

VILLAGE OF HEWLETT HARBOR

NOTICE OF VILLAGE ELECTION

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Section 15-104 (3)(a) of the Election Law, notice is hereby given that the Village of Hewlett Harbor shall hold the Annual Village Election for the designated Village offices on Election Day, Tuesday, June 16, 2026 between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at Village Hall, 449 Pepperidge Road, Hewlett Harbor, New York 11557. Mayor Term: (4) Four Years Village Trustee Term: (4) Four Years Village Trustee Term: (4) Four Years

LISA JAMES

Village Clerk Dated: February 4, 2026 Hewlett Harbor, New York 158341

NOTICE INC. VILLAGE OF HEWLETT BAY PARK

NOTICE NOTICE OF COLLECTION OF TAXES TAKE NOTICE that I the undersigned Clerk of the Village of Hewlett

Bay Park have received the tax roll and Warrant for the collection of taxes for the forthcoming fiscal year, March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027, and that I will attend to my office from March 1st to April 1st, from 8 o’clock in the morning until 4 o’clock in the afternoon, excepting Saturdays, Sundays and holidays for the purpose of receiving such taxes; during which period taxes may be paid to me without additional charge. Checks for the payment of taxes will be received at the Village Office, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York 11557. TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that on all such taxes remaining unpaid after April 1st, 2026, five per centum (5%) will be added for the first month. Thereafter, the rate will be that percentage determined by the Commissioner of Taxation and Finance of the State of New York and will be added for each month or fraction thereof thereafter until paid.

MICHELLE BLANDINO VILLAGE CLERK Inc. Village of Hewlett Bay Park

Dated: February 12, 2026 158345

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…

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

LEGAL NOTICE INC. VILLAGE OF WOODSBURGH LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF COLLECTION OF TAXES TAKE NOTICE that I the undersigned Clerk of the Village of Woodsburgh have received the tax roll and Warrant for the collection of taxes for the forthcoming fiscal year, March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027, and that I will attend to my office from March 1st to April 1st, from 8 o’clock in the morning until 4 o’clock in the afternoon, excepting Saturdays, Sundays and holidays for the purpose of receiving such taxes; during which period taxes may be paid to me without additional charge. Checks for the payment of taxes will be received at the Village Office, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York 11557.

TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that on all such taxes remaining unpaid after April 1st, 2026 five per centum (5%) will be added for the first month. Thereafter, the rate will be that percentage determined by the Commissioner of Taxation and Finance of the State of New York and will be added for each month or fraction thereof thereafter until paid.

MICHELLE BLANDINO VILLAGE CLERK Inc. Village of Woodsburgh Dated: February 12, 2026 158344

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What do we do about cold spots in a new house?

Q. We are in our house for the first winter, and are noticing lots of cold spots. Our concern is pipes freezing. Is there anything we can do, temporarily, before spring comes, when we can open outside walls to see where insulation is missing? Also, we have a lot of creaking in the stairs and doors, and even just when the wind is howling. Is there anything we can do?

A. With freezing temperatures comes the reveal of lots of cold spots. As you stated, the biggest concern, immediately, is whether cold areas are near pipes, such as heat pipes or bathroom plumbing. Cold air outside will radiate cold to anything not protected, and if you see that the heat has dropped and the pipes feel cool or cold to touch, that should be the first place to start.

Sometimes people just add a jacket of pipe insulation, but this may worsen the problem in some instances, because the warmer interior air must reach the pipes to keep them from being jammed with ice from the cold-air exposure. In situations like this, it’s best to open the walls where the pipes have frozen and get the pipes warmed up. Don’t use anything with extreme heat or an open flame. A hair dryer may work, but be careful not to make the heat intense enough to start any kind of melting or scorching of the surrounding materials.

I once felt around heat pipes, found the specific spot by touch, and before heat could be applied, the pipe actually split right there in front of me. My plumber used an electric heat clamp to thaw the pipe before cutting the section and replacing it.

As for other parts of the house where it just feels chilled, check for visible gaps around windows, walk barefoot to feel the cool spots and make a list. Some may be almost unreachable without tearing out large sections of interior gypsum or plaster, while others may be able to be filled with insulation. I recommend blown-in cellulose instead of foam, because the foam may encase wires or pipes that later will take much more effort to remove.

Apply foam to areas you can see. Be careful not to use expanding foam in areas that will cause the materials around to move too much, such as around window frames, unless the windows and doors are tightly closed in the frame. Expanding foam will bow the door and window frames so that you can’t close doors and windows later.

This is a good time to use a silicone lubricant, adding a few drops to hinges of doors. The stairs need to be addressed with care, especially hardwood finished treads, so as to not damage them. If you can get under the stairs, try using construction glue at joints before moving on to screws. Only treated, finished nails, adhesive-coated, will work from above. Be prepared to match the wood finish over the tiny nail heads. Good luck!

© 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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There are better ways to resolve the immigration crisis

The raging debate over Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s policies and practices has potential long-term consequences for the nation that transcend the political partisanship of the moment. Let me say up front that I support ICE, and believe it serves an important national purpose. I also believe that constructive changes can be made in those policies and practices that will not undermine the agency’s underlying mission to enforce America’s immigration laws. As a grandson of immigrants who grew up in an immigrant environment, I strongly support legal immigration, which I believe is the lifeblood of our nation and has made us unique in the world. I emphasize “legal” because, especially in today’s world of drug cartels and violent gangs, it is vital that we know who it is we are inviting to live among us. There is also the reality that a country without borders isn’t really a country. It is generally accepted that the Biden administration allowed at least 10 million immigrants to enter the country illegally. If only 1 percent of that number were bad actors, it would mean that at least 100,000 potential drug dealers,

sex traffickers and gang members are loose on our streets and in our neighborhoods.

Some historical perspective: President Obama determined that 5 million undocumented immigrants in the country constituted a crisis, and during his administration more than 3 million were deported. Not only was there little or no media hysteria about Obama’s reliance on ICE, but it was actually hailed.

ICNN, which now runs antiICE stories almost 24/7, not only supported ICE, but had star reporter Pamela Brown accompany ICE agents on raids as they broke into homes in a sanctuary city in the dark of night to apprehend undocumented immigrants.

tions in Minneapolis is a major step in that direction. Administration officials like Stephen Miller setting arbitrary quotas of apprehensions makes no sense and is inevitably counterproductive.

CE remains an essential component, but raids no longer need to be as extensive.

In dealing with Minneapolis, however, it must be noted that almost no other city or state where ICE is operating has seen these kinds of disturbances, primarily because other elected leaders, and local and state law enforcement, cooperate with ICE. At a minimum, that means keeping demonstrators from getting in the faces of ICE agents or interfering with their operations.

will be accepted and implemented. But I would strongly oppose any requirement that ICE agents remove their masks. Despite the hysterics of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and others who shamelessly label ICE agents “Nazis” and “Gestapo,” wearing masks has become absolutely essential for them. There are well-organized, systematic efforts to identify and “dox” ICE agents and their families. In cases of their alleged improper actions, they can be identified for investigation by numbers on their uniforms.

While ICE remains an essential component of immigration enforcement, raids no longer need to be as extensive. President Trump’s strict border-enforcement policies have brought illegal immigration to the lowest levels in decades. It is virtually nonexistent.

While the law must be enforced, however, there is always room for reasonable discretion. There is no longer the need for dragnet-style raids. The time has come for a more surgical strategy, focusing almost entirely on criminal elements. Trump’s designation of border czar Tom Homan to oversee ICE opera-

Also, Minnesota, and Minneapolis, must agree to honor ICE detainers and turn over undocumented criminals in their prisons and jails before their release. This minimizes the possibility of fatal interactions. (It is slanderous and irresponsible for officials and critics to describe ICE agents as “murderers.” While investigations are ongoing, the reasonable interpretation of the multitude of videos we’ve all seen is that, at worst, there were heat-of-themoment reactions to unexpected incidents.)

Various “reforms” of ICE are being suggested, and I’m sure a number of them, such as the use of body cameras,

Now that the border is secure and the crisis is past, our elected officials should make reasonable immigration reforms. Those who are undocumented, but were brought to our country as children and have lived here for a specified period of time without incident, should be given a path to citizenship. There should be no attempts to track down undocumented people who are living here without bothering anyone. They should be urged to register and, after a certain period, be allowed to apply for residency.

It is to everyone’s benefit, and society’s gain, for people to be brought out from the shadows. With proper leadership and cooperation, we could be approaching a reasoned resolution of this divisive crisis.

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

Keep driverless cars off Long Island roads

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced that the state plans to test driverless forhire cars outside New York City. I’m a Long Island resident, and the idea of robot cars on our streets is scary. As a transportation professional with over 25 years of experience on the roadways of our communities, I know how extraordinarily unsafe a plan like this would make us. On Long Island, our cars are how life happens. Parents, kids, commuters and seniors are on the road every day, often navigating heavy traffic, construction and unpredictable weather. Spend five minutes on the Long Island Expressway at

rush hour, or near a busy school zone at the beginning or end of a school day, and it becomes clear why safety cannot be left to unproven technology.

And let’s be honest about what’s really going on here. The goal for these tech companies is New York City. Testing driverless cars just outside the city line is a sneaky way to move closer to that goal without facing the complexity, scrutiny and opposition that would come with starting in the city itself. In the meantime, Long Island is expected to carry the risks as the testing ground.

of the country. When you complicate that track record with a February snowstorm or a rainy evening rush hour here, the risks become obvious.

T he safety of so many drivers cannot be left to unproven technology.

Safety is where this proposal really starts to fall apart. Driverless cars have already stalled in traffic, blocked emergency vehicles, sped past school buses loading children and failed to handle basic roadway situations in other parts

And these risks aren’t just on paper — driverless cars are already hurting people. Reuters reported three weeks ago that a Waymo self-driving car hit a child during morning school drop-off near an elementary school in California. Federal regulators were investigating the incident, which raised serious questions about whether this technology can safely operate around children, parents and busy school zones. It should give every Long Island family pause.

The pressure behind the proposal to deploy more driverless cars is coming from powerful technology companies and executives like Elon Musk, who are focused on expanding their platforms

and opening new markets. Their priorities are driven by growth and investors’ demands, not by the realities of Long Island roads or the safety concerns of the families who live here.

Long Islanders tend to be practical. We care about safety, accountability and systems that work. Decisions that affect our roads and neighborhoods should reflect those values, not treat our communities as a steppingstone to somewhere else.

Governor Hochul should listen to the people who live and work here and understand these roads firsthand. Long Island should not be asked to bear unfair risks so that technology companies can inch closer to New York City. Transportation policy should put safety first. For Long Island, that means protecting our roads, our workers and the people who rely on them every day. We’re nobody’s guinea pigs.

Black History is Long Island history

every February, Black History Month arrives with familiar names and stories. We rightly honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman and other giants whose courage reshaped the nation. Their legacies deserve remembrance.

But for many people on Long Island, those stories might feel distant — heroic, yes, but abstract, having unfolded somewhere else, in another place at another time.

What often goes missing is the understanding that Black history did not only happen on the National Mall or in Southern courtrooms. It happened here. It happened in the neighborhoods we walk every day, in the schools our children attend, in churches tucked onto residential blocks, and in town halls where decisions quietly shaped who could live where, who could teach, who could lead and who could serve.

On Long Island, Black residents confronted segregated housing patterns long after the law said discrimination was over. Veterans returned home from fighting for democracy abroad only to find out that it did not fully extend to them in their own communities. Black educators pushed open doors in school districts where they were once excluded from classrooms except as students. Black churches became organizing centers, social safety nets and sources of political power when other institutions shut their doors.

King spoke at Rockville Centre’s South Side Junior High School — now

South Side Middle School — on March 26, 1968, just nine days before he was assassinated in Memphis. In his remarks, he spoke of poverty and injustice, and urged unity. People like Roslyn’s Hazel Dukes, who served as president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People from 1990 to 1992, made it their life’s work to combat pervasive housing discrimination in many of our communities.

These are not footnotes to history. They are history.

Local athletes who broke color barriers on high school fields, teachers who became the first Black faces in faculty rooms, small-business owners who built livelihoods despite limited access to credit, and community leaders who advocated for basic services all helped shape what our communities look like today. Their contributions did not always come with applause or recognition. Many are remembered only by those who lived through the changes, if they are remembered at all.

That absence matters. When history is presented only as something that happened “somewhere else,” it becomes easier to disconnect from it. It becomes symbolic rather than instructive.

But when Black history is grounded in familiar places — the elementary school you attended, the block where you grew up, the library or park you pass without a second thought — it becomes harder to ignore and easier to understand.

It also forces uncomfortable but necessary questions. Why do some figures

receive plaques and street names while others fade from memory? Why are certain struggles celebrated as defining moments, while local battles for fairness are overlooked? And what does it say about us if we fail to acknowledge the people who made our own communities more just, more open and more representative?

Black History Month should be an invitation to look closer, not just farther away. It should prompt school districts to examine whose stories are included in local curriculums. It should challenge libraries, historical societies and news organizations to document and elevate the experiences of Black residents who helped build these communities. It should encourage towns, villages and neighborhoods to ask whether public recognition truly reflects their full history.

This is not about diminishing national heroes. It is about completing the picture. National change is always the sum of local actions, people showing up to meetings, organizing neighbors, mentoring students, opening businesses and insisting on dignity in places where they were told to wait their turn.

For Black history to matter, it cannot live only in textbooks or documentaries. It must live where people live.

On Long Island, Black history did not unfold at a distance. It unfolded on our blocks, in our schools and in our town halls. Remembering that truth honors the past, helps us understand the present and reminds us that the next chapter of history is still being written, right here.

Thirty days of the good, the bad and the ugly

The year 2025 was a dizzying one for all Americans. So many things happened in Washington that it would take about 50 pages of the Herald to walk readers through every one. Rather than take on that project, I prefer to write about January, and how we were impacted by the news of the month. I declare January the month of the good, the bad and the ugly.

Of the good things that happened, I’ll focus on the Cinderella story of Indiana University football quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Every time I think about him and his accomplishments, I can’t help but smile. If you love an example of perfection, Mendoza is exactly that. It starts with his decision to enroll at Indiana, which was roundly criticized by all of his supporters. Why would you go to a school that has never won a national championship? But Mendoza defied the taunts and joined that muchmaligned Hoosiers team.

Then, with smarts and determination, he guided the team to a 16-0 season and a national championship. He won the coveted Heisman Trophy and charmed all of America with his mature and impressive interviews. His displays of love for his wheelchair-bound mother were touching and memorable.

So the Mendoza story tops the good. The decision to send thousands of ICE and border-patrol agents to Minneapolis definitely tops January’s bad news.

From

crowds of protesters. The 600 members of the Minneapolis police force, who handled the George Floyd demonstrations, were the best people to deal with such a crisis, but they were bypassed.

Fernando

Mendoza to Alex Pretti to federal buildings in Philadelphia.

The Trump administration’s actions were poorly handled by Kristi Noem, the secretary of homeland security. Her instant labeling of Alex Pretti, the second Minnesotan shot by ICE agents, as a “domestic terrorist” was a reckless reaction to the death of a U.S. citizen with no criminal record.

The idea of drowning a major American city with thousands of law enforcement agents never made sense to begin with. Ask any respected police official about how the situation in Minneapolis was handled and he or she will tell you that the vast majority of the officers sent there were not trained to handle

The White House staff, headed by close Trump adviser Stephen Miller, bungled every stage of the Pretti shooting, and poured more gasoline on the fire by labeling him an “assassin.” Miller and Noem were the wrong people to juggle a political crisis, and every step they took proved it. President Trump, who ordered the mass invasion into Minneapolis, was eventually forced to say he wanted to “de-escalate” the situation, but he’s stuck with the optics of a horrible event.

There are so many things I could classify as ugly, but one stands out, because it has largely escaped public attention. A few weeks ago, a group of federal employees in Philadelphia were captured on local television removing historical materials relating to the history of slavery. This on top of media reports that the administration is taking a number of measures to eliminate

any references to slavery in numerous federal facilities.

The attempts to erase this sad chapter of American history are part of the run-up to the July Fourth observation of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Apparently, some people in the White House have decided that we must reflect only on the happy things that have happened during the past 250 years, but slavery is part of our history, and it can’t be wiped away. There are people who promote the idea that the Holocaust never happened, which is why we observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day each year.

It’s hard to predict what the next 11 months are going to be like in our nation’s capital. There’s new evidence every day of our bitter partisan divide. The president’s postings on social media are often inflammatory. The tone that dominates the daily news is depressing. I wish there were a little more happy talk in our political world, but that, as Shakespeare said, is devoutly to be wished.

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.