Oyster Bay Herald 02–19-2026

Courtesy FBI

nazi sympathizers ran a summer camp, Camp Siegfiried, named after a mythological german hero, in Yaphank, which also provided cover for nazi espionage during World War ii

Uncovering L.I.’s Nazi past

The lingering impact of local fascism in the 1930s

By WIll SHEElINE wsheeline@liherald.com

The North Shore Historical Museum welcomed historian Christopher Verga on Sunday for a presentation on homegrown fascism, foreign propaganda and its lingering impact on Long Island today.

Titled “Nazis of Long Island: Sedition, Espionage & the Plot Against America,” the presentation examined the growth of the various far-right German nationalist movements active on Long Island, and across America, in the 1930s and ’40s.

Verga, who teaches at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where he specializes in

radicalization, framed his talk as both local history and national warning.

“This is bigger than Long Island,” he said. “These guys were trying to flip the United States. ‘Der Tag’ — ‘the Day’ — that’s what they were trying to go for.”

Attendees from across the North Shore, including Assemblyman Charles Lavine, asked Verga questions throughout.

Drawing on archival research from institutions including the Longwood Public Library, in Middle Island, and the Suffolk County Historical Society, Verga traced the rise of the German American Bund, or Federation, and affiliated groups across Long

Continued on page 6

Tech Challenge

By WIll SHEElINE wsheeline@liherald.com

Locust Valley High School’s robotics team, Kuiper, is preparing for the next stage of the FIRST — For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology — Tech Challenge season after a strong showing at regional qualifying events and a busy weekend hosting two of their own.

IAl

and Feb. 1, serving as volunteers rather than competitors.

The Tech Challenge is one of several programs run by FIRST, an organization that oversees robotics competitions from elementary through high school across the country. At Locust Valley, FTC is an after-school club at the high school and middle school levels.

t’s more than just robots

The team emerged from qualifiers on Jan. 17 and 18, at Sewanhaka High School, with a first-place Reach Award and its first Inspire Award win in a decade.

AN StEll A Coach, Locust Valley High School robotics

The Inspire Award recognizes a team that displays professionalism and shares its experiences, enthusiasm and knowledge with others. The Reach Award celebrates teams that recruit and introduce new participants to FIRST programs.

Kuiper — named for the Kuiper Belt in the outer solar system— advanced to the Tech Challenge’s state championships in March.

Meanwhile, the team hosted back-to-back qualifiers at Locust Valley High on Jan. 31

“We meet after school, sometimes on weekends, a lot of hours outside,” one of Kuiper’s cocoaches, Eva Pappas said, “but we don’t have anything formally in the classroom.”

The high school team currently has 14 members. Across all levels in the district, including its FIRST Lego League teams in elementary and middle school, co-coach Alan Stella, who has been with the high school team since 2011, estimated that 70 to 75 students participate.

Kuiper’s members learned the theme and rules of this year’s challenge last August, when FIRST released a livestreamed video outlining the game. The competition has Continued on page 11

Learning to better treat the deaf community

By JULIA CAPITELLI jcapitelli@liherald.com

Second year medical students at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell filled the lecture hall on Feb. 12 for a presentation by Bradely Porche, superintendent of Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf.

In what has become an annual event, Zucker School of Medicine students listened to firsthand experiences to learn how to best communicate with deaf and hardof-hearing patients. As a deaf person, Porche shared his experiences and insights regarding communication methods and respecting each individual’s autonomy and preferred method.

“He has a lot of experience,” said Ryan McCann, a student who attended the presentation, “not only in his own life, but also can bring in his interactions with other people from his community that I thought, ‘we wouldn’t get that from a hearing person just reciting things out of a textbook or from a lecture’.”

Porche originally received a Bachelor of Science in finance and economics from Gallaudet University before getting a Master of Science in Deaf education and Deaf studies at Lamar University. He then earned a doctorate in deaf education/deaf studies, and has worked in that field for 22 years.

Lisa Denison, American Sign Language interpreter, accompanied Porche. He conducted the presentation in ASL.

“I think it’s wonderful for the students here at Hofstra to be studying medicine,” Porche signed in an interview following the presentation, “and to have the opportunity to hear from a Deaf individual through

Julia Capitelli/Herald Bradely Porche, superintendent of Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf, spoke to students at the Donald and Barabara Zucker School of Medicine on Feb. 10.

my shared experience, my journey, my knowledge, my history.”

Porche spent part of the presentation discussing misconceptions and myths surrounding deaf and hardof-hearing people and communication methods. For example, Porche debunked the myth that many deaf people can read lips and that it is an effective form of

communication. He included a set of communication methods listed from most preferred in the deaf community to least preferred. Lipreading was at the bottom of the list with ASL or another form of sign language at the top. Written communication was in the middle.

One point Porche repeatedly mentioned is that each deaf or hard-of-hearing individual has had different experiences and may prefer a different method of communication. He emphasized the importance of talking directly to each person rather than to a hearing person who may accompany them.

“We all grew up different ways,” he informed the students during the presentation. “Different ways of communicating with our parents, language, school, environment, community, there are many different factors that go into making a deaf person. So, I’m going to speak from my experience, and that’s going to be my experience alone.”

Porche also spoke about the difference between people who identify as deaf in a medical sense versus those who identify as part of the deaf community in a cultural sense. He explained parts of the Americans with Disabilities Act and how it applies to the medical field, emphasizing the right to have a sign language interpreter provided.

Students had the opportunity to ask questions for further insight following the lecture.

“We’re grateful to the team at Mill Neck,” Julia Caton MD, associate professor of medicine and science education at the Zucker School of Medicine, wrote in a statement, “for preparing our students to deliver person-centered care to individuals who are Deaf or have hearing loss.”

HERALD SCHOOLS

OBEN students get masterclass in photography

Photography students at Oyster Bay High School got to participate in a two-part masterclass led by educators from Adorama, the New York Citybased photography retailer. Through a partnership with Pentax, Adorama loaned students a number of Pentax 17 camera – a half-frame film camera that is one of the first modern film cameras Pentax has produced in years.

The masterclass unfolded over two sessions. In the first, held on Jan. 30, Adorama educator Daniel Norton introduced students to the fundamentals of shooting on film: how to load their cameras, understand basic operation and navigate the Pentax 17’s design. Each student was tasked with shooting a full roll of Ilford HP5 blackand-white film, which meant capturing 72 images each.

The second session on Feb. 13 transformed the school itself into a working darkroom. Students spent the day learning to extract and develop their own film, using blackout bags and an art room sink to mix chemicals and rinse their negatives before hanging them to dry on a line strung across the auditorium stage. Norton and an additional educator from Adorama, Seth Miranda, guided students through each step of the process, then reviewed the developed negatives with them. The negatives have since been sleeved and will be scanned so students can select and print their best work.

THE GREAT BOOK GuRu

The blame game

1

On Kindness

Dear Great Book Guru, I was at a fabulous Mardi Gras celebration at St. Luke’s here in Sea Cliff where someone mentioned a book that sounded interestinglots of great discussion points: artificial intelligence, sibling rivalry, self-driving cars, parental guilt… perfect for my next book club meeting. Are you familiar with it?

Book Club Searcher

Dear Book Club Searcher, “Culpability” by Bruce Holsinger would be a great choice with its myriad of ethical dilemmas. The story opens as the Cassidy-Shaw family is driving to a lacrosse tournament. Seventeen-year-old Charlie - the eldest child - is in the driver’s seat. Noah, his father, is riding next to him… in their self-driving minivan.

also in the back - are texting on their phones. Suddenly the car crashes into another vehicle killing an elderly driver and her passenger. Each of the family members harbors secret guilt over the accident, but what about the role of the car?

ANN DIPIETRO

The mother, Lorelei, an internationally respected researcher of AI ethics, is in the back seat on her computer, and the two younger siblings Alice and Izzy -

While Noah is the narrator, we are privy throughout to conversations Alice has with her AI chatbot, Blair, and also included are passages from Lorelei’s book about the ethics of artificial intelligence. When the parents decide to spend a week in a Chesapeake Bay beach house to recover from the trauma, the pressure mounts with the prospect of Charlie going to prison.

None of the family is guilt-free and their only hope is… will AI absolve them? A fascinating book for our times and highly recommended!

Would you like to ask the Great Book Guru for a book suggestion? Contact her at annmdipietro@gmail.com.

NEws BRiEf

Oyster Bay offers special passport weekend

To help residents looking to obtain new passports, the Town of Oyster Bay clerk’s office will offer a special one-stop passport weekend on March 7 and March 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at both Town Hall North in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South in Massapequa. Residents are required to book appointments in advance.

Requirements for applying for a passport include:

■ One 2×2 color photograph with a clear view of the applicant’s face against a plain white or light colored background. Photos will also be available for $10 at both town halls during passport weekend.

■ Proof of U.S. citizenship – Previously issued undamaged U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad or certification of birth, naturalization certificate, or certificate of citizenship.

■ Proof of Identity – Naturalization certificate, valid driver’s license (cannot have been issued or renewed in the last six months), current government ID (city, state or federal), current military ID (military and dependents).

This service does not apply to adult renewals unless your passport is expired for 5+ years.

For appointments in Oyster Bay, call (516) 624-6324.

Museum welcomes historian Chris Verga

Island, the New York metropolitan area and the rest of the country in the 1930s.

He began by discussing the work of journalist Dorothy Thompson, who warned early about Adolf Hitler and fascism. Thompson “blew all the whistles, she sounded all the alarms,” Verga said, but was largely ignored as Nazi ideology took root in pockets of the United States.

Verga described a Long Island traumatized by World War I losses, the 1918 influenza pandemic and the Great Depression.

“Most Americans,” he said, “still did not want to get involved in the war.”

Across the country there were approximately 25,000 members of German-American Bund–related groups around the country. He emphasized that fear of another global conflict created fertile ground for isolationist and extremist movements.

Central to his talk was Camp Siegfried in Yaphank, a Bund-run summer camp and community in Suffolk County.

The camp name itself referenced a Germanic mythological hero used in Nazi propaganda. In the myth, retold in composer Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle of operas, the hero Siegfried slays the dragon Fafnir to rescue the warrior-queen Brunhilde, with its roots in pre-Christian Germanic paganism.

Verga adding that the dragon slain in the legend was often used by fascists as an antisemitic metaphor.

Camp Siegfried was part of a broader network that included camps in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, upstate New York and the Midwest. The stated goal was youth indoctrination modeled on the Hitler Youth. Children were trained in weapons use and nationalist ideology, he said, and the Bund promoted what he described as Aryan-only housing policies in the surrounding community.

Verga devoted time to the German-American Settlement, the housing development corporation that operated the Yaphank community surrounding Camp Siegfried. The settlement required proof of German heritage for property purchases until forced to stop by court order in 2016.

Verga said the Bund structured itself through a series of separate corporations, including the German-American Settlement League and related travel and publishing arms, allowing it to dissolve and reconstitute entities as legal pressure mounted. Publicly, the organization adopted an “America first” front while privately advancing Nazi doctrine.

He also highlighted the scale of Nazi propaganda spending. Citing research attributed to William Donovan, later head of the Office of Strategic Services,

which became the CIA, Verga said the Nazi government spent an estimated $200 million in 1930s currency on propaganda abroad, including support for American-based groups and sympathetic writers.

Of that money, roughly $3 million was spent on Long Island, equivalent to nearly $70 million today.

Local resistance was equally part of the story. Antifascist organized boycotts and protests. Disabled American veterans sent undercover investigators into camps. Brookhaven Town Council member Gustav Neuss attempted to use zoning laws to restrict activities at Camp Siegfried.

In 1938, six camp managers were convicted in Suffolk County for violating New York’s civil rights law by requiring loyalty oaths without proper filings. Verga recounted a chilling exchange from the trial: when asked in court to demonstrate the camp salute, a witness performed the Nazi salute. The district attorney then asked whether it was an American salute. The witness replied, “No, but it will be soon.”

The Bund’s most infamous public display came on Feb. 20, 1939, when it held a rally at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.

An estimated 20,000 supporters gathered inside for what was billed as a “true Americanism” rally. According to Verga, Bund leader Fritz Kuhn spoke for about 30 minutes and attempted to align Nazi ideology with American Revolutionary imagery, including invoking

George Washington.

Outside, thousands of protesters clashed with police. A Jewish plumber named Isadore Greenbaum rushed the stage in protest and would likely have been killed had he not been removed by police officers.

“Thank God for New York City Police Department,” Verga said, “because they saved him that night.”

Those same officers chipped in to pay Greenbaum’s bail after he was held for disturbing the peace.

Beyond rallies, Verga emphasized that Bund activity extended into espionage. He detailed Operation Pastorius, a 1942 sabotage plot in which German agents landed on Long Island and in Florida with plans to attack American infrastructure. One of the saboteurs, George Dasch, turned himself in to the FBI, leading to the arrest of others. Most were executed.

Verga also described intelligence gathering related to shipping timetables and aviation manufacturing on Long Island, including facilities in Garden City and at Republic Aviation in Farmingdale.

“This is espionage. This is sedition,” he said. “It’s not just a crazy bunch of people in the woods.”

The museum will host an upcoming exhibit on Black and Women’s history months titled No Longer Hidden debuting on Saturday. For more information on the museum’s offerings and upcoming events, visit NorthShoreHistoricalMuseum.org.

What’s underground comes back around

Undoing the damage: the challenges of managing Long Island’s largest chemical spill

By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN & JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO of the Herald Community Newspapers

Second installment in a series about water.

It’s impossible to discuss Long Island’s groundwater without addressing Northrop Grumman.

The Long Island aeronautics industry was a key asset to the United States armed forces in the last century, testing and manufacturing nearly 30,000 airplanes for the U.S. Navy starting in the 1930s, and later producing the lunar module for Apollo 11’s landing on the moon. For over 50 years, the Northrop Grumman Bethpage Facility and Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant Site was at the center of American defense and innovation — and one of the largest chemical contamination sites in New York.

According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the degreasing agent trichloroethene leaked from NWIRP’s plumbing and dumping sites into the Magothy Aquifer — which provides water to much of Nassau County — creating the Navy Grumman groundwater plume.

tions or captured in granulated carbon, preventing any future leaks.

The DEC’s 2019 Record of Decision was the first formal plan for cleaning up the site. Before then, there were around 10 extraction wells in the affected area. Since the ROD, the number of wells has risen to 26, supported by five watertreatment plants. The aggressive plan to stop the plume’s southward migration was motivated by the DEC’s zero-tolerance attitude toward chemical contamination, Pelton said.

“Groundwater exists in these voids between grains of sand and soils in what we call pore spaces,” Granzen explained. “Water moves in between those pore spaces. When the contaminants get mixed with the groundwater, that causes movement.”

RISING TIDES

“The water districts should not have to address this,” Pelton said. “That’s the primary driver here: removing the TCE from the aquifer system so that we’ve got a better drinking water source.”

The plume is a twomile-by-four-mile body of TCE with the potential to leach into Long Island’s South Shore waters and the Great South Bay, according to Jason Pelton, director of Remedial Bureau D in the DEC’s Division of Environmental Remediation.

“As plumes go, it’s probably the largest in New York state,” Pelton said. “It may be one of the largest in the country.”

Bethpage’s tarnished legacy

Shortly after the plume was identified in 1983, the DEC formed a partnership with both the responsible parties, the Navy and Northrop Grumman, to begin restoration efforts. The two groups operate extraction wells, large structures that siphon water out of the aquifer, filter out TCE, and send the water back underground by way of recharge basins.

“I’ve been very impressed with the Navy and Northrop Grumman’s ability to locate these wells precisely where they need to be, and to see the contaminant numbers that are coming out in these locations,” Kristin Granzen, DEC project manager for the U.S. Navy Bethpage site, said.

The joint cleanup effort processes about 10 million gallons of contaminated water per day, according to DEC documents provided to the Herald. The agency estimates that about 80 percent of the contamination — 276,000 pounds — has been removed from the Magothy Aquifer and destroyed in chemical reac-

The DEC’s goal is to reduce the aquifer’s TCE levels to 5 parts per billion, the groundwater safety standard, though much of the plume’s area is still over 50 ppb, according to DEC map data from May 2025.

“The fact that it’s predominantly TCE makes it a little bit easier,” Pelton added. “The challenge is the magnitude of the contamination … I would say maybe we’re pumping in the interior of the plume for 30 or 40 more years.”

Chemicals linger, at what cost?

While the cleanup continues, the plume’s public health effects have been a topic of endless discussion. Its cleanup is made possible by collaboration with local municipalities, home to the county’s hundreds of monitoring wells collecting data on groundwater. They are a strict quality-control measure assessing whether the water is safe to consume or to use in irrigation.

Kevin Reilly, who oversees the monitoring of the Massapequa Water District as its superintendent, told the Herald that if the chemicals posed no real health risks to the community, there would be no need for the decades-long cleanup effort. The district serves parts of Massapequa, Massapequa Park and North Massapaqua, all areas just south of Bethpage, where the plume originated.

After filtration, there are no risks to residents’ health, the DEC maintains. “I would say the overall health of the aquifer is healthy,” Pelton said. “It’s important that people know that their drinking water is really high quality, and it’s absolutely safe to drink that water.”

According to a chemical profile from the Agency for Toxic Substances and

Courtesy Department of Environmental Conservation this map shows the estimated extent of the navy grumman groundwater plume, which was first identifed in 1983, based on the most recent data from 2025.

Disease Registry, a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, TCE can be a carcinogen with high exposure, and the state Department of Health conducted an environmental health investigation in Bethpage, finalized in 2013, on whether long-term exposure to contamination from the sites had affected local cancer rates.

According to the department’s report, there was no correlation between the presence of TCE in the aquifer with cancer rates on Long Island. The most commonly diagnosed cancers in the areas affected by the plume were those typically seen most often in adults, and no single rare cancer type appeared more than once. Most diagnoses occurred at ages when cancer is generally most common. There was no indication that the cancers were linked to environmental findings.

The health department continues routine monitoring of drinking water and remediation efforts to protect public health as the cleanup progresses.

At the request of the Bethpage community, the department is revisiting the

2013 study, and its work is expected to be completed by the end of this year. In a written statement, the department told the Herald that the update cannot provide a direct link between cancer cases and environmental exposure, including the plume. Evaluations of environmental exposure can draw some health associations, but they cannot determine causality.

“There is no new threat to public health, and prior exposures have been addressed for more than a decade due to the efforts of New York State,” the statement read. “The Department is currently working on the study and upon completion of the report will announce findings and host a public meeting.”

The race against the spread

The state continues its effort to clean up the plume while keeping the affected communities informed. The DEC facilitates regular community meetings through its Community Participation Working Group, comprising elected officials, agencies, businesses and experts

Saga of Navy-Grumman plume continues

Continued from PreViouS PAGe

that meet on a quarterly basis. The group was established to foster dialogue, improve public understanding, and encourage discussion of the cleanup.

The DEC staff also provides regular project updates at Bethpage Community Council meetings, which are held at the Bethpage Public Library and open to the public.

According to the DEC’s January Groundwater Plume Cleanup Update, public water suppliers treat groundwater using established methods to contain regulated contaminants before they reach homes and businesses. Water is drawn from designated sources, treated to meet all federal and state drinking water standards, and distributed through a network of mains and storage tanks. Throughout the process, water quality is continuously monitored to ensure that it remains safe to drink.

The challenge is the magnitude of the contamination.

Jason PelTon Remedial bureau director, Department of Environmental Conservation

“We work really closely with the water districts in Nassau County,” Pelton said. “Every single day they provide high-quality drinking water that meets all of the New York State Department of Health drinking water requirements.”

The system relies on multiple safeguards to maintain high water quality and protect public health. This approach ensures that if standards are not met, suppliers notify customers and take corrective action, which can include temporarily taking wells out of service.

Negotiations among public water suppliers, the DEC, Northrop Grumman and the Navy have focused on funding the treatment systems used to maintain safe drinking water. The Bethpage Water District, for example, operates treatment systems that are considered among the most advanced in the nation, according to the DEC.

Though it is currently not affected, the Massapequa Water District is just outside the current spread of the plume. “We are not an active part of the cleanup yet,” Reilly said. “We monitor — there’s monitoring wells that we get the data from the Navy and their consultants and the DEC. But we don’t have any contamination in our wells from the Grumman Navy plume at this time.”

Common misconception has led many Long Island residents to believe the entirety of the South Shore has been impacted, which is not the case. Nonetheless, Reilly said, “The plume is migrating and flowing towards our district.”

He explained that while large-scale, permanent systems for treating the underground water are currently under construction, temporary systems have been installed along the leading edge of the plume. They operate on a smaller scale, but they are designed to be mobile, and can be relocated as needed to respond to changing conditions while the permanent treatment infrastructure is being completed.

“The water districts to the north of us are already treating their wells for the contaminants, and they’ve spent millions upon millions of dollars to get these treatment systems in place,” Reilly said. “We haven’t had to do that yet — we’re watching. We don’t want to have to do that, and we’re constantly involved in pushing to get these Navy treatment systems up and running, to treat the groundwater.”

Northrop Grumman did not respond to requests for comment.

the northrop Grumman rW-21 Area Groundwater extraction and treatment system processes water

pumped out of the aquifer, before sending it back underground.

Courtesy Northrop Grumman northrop Grumman was a major manufacturer in the aeronautics industry for the u.S. armed forces. Above, airplane parts in of one its factories.

study that shows local governments and corporations working together to protect communities. The plume’s development and spread also show that the consequences of a mistake can be challenging to deal with, and that decades of damage require as much or more time to repair. The DEC’s expertise, Northrop Grumman and the Navy’s willingness to take responsibility, and the help of local water districts, were essential in making the restoration effort possible.

The public can receive updates about the plume cleanup effort at the DEC’s Bethpage Community Council meetings at the Bethpage Public Library, the Navy’s semi-annual Resident Advisory Board meetings online at NAVFAC.Navy.Mil/Divisions/Environmental, and Northrop Grumman’s website, NorthropGrumman.com/Sustainability.

deCeX6 is an early exploration well designed to support the cleanup of the plume. the well, installed in the town of oyster Bay by the State department of environmental Conservation, awaits potential future use if needed.

Celebrating 20 years of hope and research

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

When Jaime Greenberg’s son, Sean, began guzzling water between hockey drills and running to the bathroom after nearly every shift on the ice, it didn’t immediately raise alarms. “We thought he was just thirsty from playing so much because he played six days a week,” said Greenberg, 52, of Glen Cove. Sean, who’s now 20, was 12 at the time, a travel hockey goalie, tough and determined — until the day when he vomited during a game.

Looking back, Greenberg recalls the moment with regret. “I was so upset,” he said. “I was like, ‘What’s going on? You’re not sick.’ And he just literally threw up in his goalie helmet.”

We thought he was just thirsty from playing so much, because he played six days a week

JAIMe GReeNBeRG Honoree

Sean had also lost so much weight that his heavy goalie equipment hung loosely on his frame. Within days, a blood test confirmed what his parents had begun to fear: He had Type 1 diabetes. His body was no longer producing insulin.

Greenberg will be honored on April 22 at the 20th annual Cooking for a Cure fundraiser, which supports the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation. The event, co-founded by Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton and held in Bayville has raised more than $1.5 million over its two-decade run to advance cure-focused diabetes research.]

For Greenberg, an adoption lawyer, the cause is deeply personal. Just months before Sean’s diagnosis, he had a frightening health scare of his own. Driving his son to a hockey tournament near Boston, Greenberg blacked out behind the wheel. “My blood sugar was probably in the 300s or 400s,” he said. Sean had to grab the steering wheel and guide the car to the side of the road. Shortly afterward, Greenberg was diagnosed with Type 2, or adult-onset, diabetes.

“I finally said, I need to get involved in things that are going to help my family and help people with diabetes,” Greenberg said. “I’m involved in a lot of things, but this comes right home.”

His path to involvement began at Glen Cove Junior Soccer, where he serves as president. There he has spoken often with DeRiggi-Whitton, the event cofounder, and they spoke frequently about their children and their respective experiences with type 1 diabetes and love of soccer. At 3-years-old, her daughter, Amanda, was diagnosed after manifesting subtle symptoms that could easily have been missed.

“She started to wet the bed again,” DeRiggi-Whitton recalled. “She was lethargic a little bit, she’d lost 2 pounds — nothing too dramatic.” Trusting her instincts, she insisted on having her daughter tested. Amanda’s blood sugar was 530 — more than five times the typical value. “Had I taken her home that night, she could have ended up in a diabetic coma,” she said. “I always tell people just to follow their gut feeling and keep an eye on the water.”

Cooking for a Cure was born out of that fear and determination. “This is our 20th event,” DeRiggiWhitton said. “It took 22 years to get here because we had Covid, so we stopped for two years. It’s a big milestone for a group of friends who decided to help me and run this.” What began as a grassroots effort has grown into a powerful network of families directly affected by juvenile diabetes.

“One of the worst things that happened to me was my daughter being diagnosed,” she said. “But one of the best things that’s ever happened to me are the

people I’ve met through this.”

Greenberg joined the event’s committee in 2019, shortly after he challenged and lost to DeRiggi-Whitton in the race for the 11th seat in the county Legislature. Despite their political rivalry, the two bonded over their children’s diagnoses. “After the election, here we are, and we’re friends,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “I am so honored to be having him as our honoree. That’s the way the world should work.”

The funds that Cooking for a Cure raises support cutting-edge research at the Diabetes Research Institute, in Miami, Fla., a global leader in cure- and prevention-focused science. Dr. Joana Lemos, the institute’s associate director of scientific communications and data analytics, said the organization’s work centers on one goal: “changing the course of diabetes by finding the cure, not just managing it.”

Its research encompasses protecting and restoring insulin-producing beta cells, refining targeted immune therapies and advancing cell replacement strategies. “The unifying goal is the same,” Lemos said. “To preserve or restore the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar naturally.”

She added that the institute’s work differs from traditional treatment models. “From the DRI’s perspective, the most promising near-term advances are those that modify the disease itself rather than simply improving symptom management,” Lemos said, pointing to prevention trials and refined cell-replacement therapies that aim to make treatments safer and longer lasting.

Researchers now understand that Type 1 diabetes does not begin suddenly, with its diagnosis. “We now understand much more about the early stages, when beta cells are stressed but still present,” Lemos said. Preserving even partial insulin production can lead to “more stable glucose levels and fewer complications.”

For Greenberg, that research represents hope — not just for Sean, who is now thriving, but also for families that may face the same diagnosis. Greenberg calls his son his “hero.” Despite the daily management of insulin pumps, glucose monitors and strict dietary vigilance, Sean has adapted. “He just took it head-on,” his father said. “He took something negative and made it a positive.”

Cooking for a Cure will celebrate that resilience while continuing its mission to fund research aimed at preventing and ultimately curing diabetes. Tickets to the April fundraiser are $125. For more information, contact Mariah Moscone at (954) 964-4040, ext. 1123, or mmoscone@drif.org.

an archaeological theme, and robots collect and launch foam balls, referred to as artifacts, into goals. Matches begin with a 30-second “autonomous” period, in which robots operate solely on preprogrammed instructions, followed by a driver-controlled period.

Robots can earn additional points by sorting and launching the artifacts in a specific order, determined by a QR code displayed before each match. Top teams also program their robots to collect additional artifacts, to boost their scores, during the autonomous period.

After that, teams control their robots remotely. While that may sound easier than programming a robot to work autonomously, it comes with its own challenges.

“A huge issue this year is trying to navigate the field and trying to shoot the balls while everybody else is also trying to shoot,” Henry Brown, a sophomore who works primarily on engineering and programming, said. “Defense is a big thing this year.”

Brown recounted that at an earlier qualifier, opposing robots were bumping Kuiper’s machine just as it prepared to shoot. Team members have been working on ways to correct for this, and will see if their labor has borne fruit in the championships next month.

Building a competition-ready robot begins the day the rules and restrictions

Will Sheeline/Herald

the firSt tech Challenge requires teams to build a robot capable of competing in a series of challenges that test their engineering skills.

are revealed. Students consider different mechanisms, conduct research and use 3D computer aided software to design parts before printing and assembling them.

“As we’re building, we’ll maybe discover issues that we can work around, or some issues you can’t work around,” Brown explained, “and sometimes you have to do a redesign or a reprint.”

Harry Fraser, a sophomore member of Kuiper who focuses on outreach and event planning, said that hosting eight

other schools at the recent qualifiers required extensive preparation. “We had to make sure we would have enough food and everything to keep up with the demand,” he said. “It took us a lot of time to set up make sure everything was all perfect.”

Locust Valley set up three competition fields, and relied on adult as well as student volunteers. Many of the volunteers devote a number of weekends each winter to judging, refereeing and organizing events.

“Everybody, all the time is volunteer — nobody’s getting paid,” Pappas said. “They just do it because they love it.”

Although Kuiper had already qualified for the championships and did not compete at its home event, team members made the most of the chance to observe other teams and refine their own strategy. They are now experimenting with a swerve-drive system, Brown said, which allows each wheel to rotate independently and move in any direction.

Beyond engineering, Kuiper’s coaches emphasize that FTC is about community and outreach. “It’s more than just robots,” Stella said, echoing one of FIRST’s catchphrases. He noted that teams are judged not only on technical performance but also on outreach, mentorship and community engagement.

Kuiper members recently secured space at April’s New York Auto Show, and invited other robotics teams to take participate in demonstrations, an initiative conceived and organized by the students.

With the championships approaching, Kuiper will continue refining its robot and strategy, hoping that months of planning, programming and perseverance will pay off on the field.

“I’m confident, but nervous, because, you know, sometimes it doesn’t work out how you want it to,” Brown said. “But we are confident.”

State Republicans rally around Blakeman

County executive, now the GOP nominee for governor, has plenty to say about Hochul at convention

By Chris ColuCCi, ABig Ail grieCo & AngelinA Zing Ariello of the Herald

After three days of official business, rallying the party faithful and nominating the state Republican slate, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman was front and center at the party’s convention in Garden City last week, and accepted the GOP’s nomination to be its gubernatorial candidate.

If elected, Blakeman would be only the second Long Islander to become governor, 127 years after Teddy Roosevelt did so, and the first Nassau County executive to hold the state’s top office.

Blakeman criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul and pledged to cut income taxes for middle-class families, reduce electricity bills by rolling back stateimposed fees and mandates, and redirect spending he said is being wasted to instead fund schools, infrastructure, hospitals and services for veterans.

“Taxes are soaring, electric bills and insurance premiums keep climbing out of control,” Blakeman said on Feb. 11, the third and final day of the convention. “Crime is rising. Businesses are leaving the state in record numbers. Families and seniors are being priced out of their homes. New York ranks dead last for economic development, and number 45 out of 50 states in the nation for affordability, and it’s all a direct result of Kathy Hochul’s failed policies.” He vowed to oppose congestion pricing, protect Second Amendment rights and support law enforcement, including keeping violent offenders in prison and revisiting criminal justice policies such as cashless bail and parole standards.

“I will bring the experience, leadership and focus on public safety,” Blakeman said. “We will make you safer in your homes and your communities, and we will continue to fight for your families. I will be governor for all the people, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, abilities and lifestyles.”

Upstate Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood was introduced as Blakeman’s running mate, the candidate for lieutenant governor. Hood pledged to support Blakeman and help lead what he described as an effort to fix the state’s pressing problems. A third-term elected sheriff with more than 30 years of law enforcement service, Hood framed his candidacy around public safety and government accountability. He argued that the state has become less safe and more expensive under oneparty rule, criticizing bail laws, antipolice rhetoric and high taxes that he said have hurt communities and driven families and small businesses out of the state.

Hood said that he and Blakeman would stand with law enforcement and crime victims, cut taxes, rein in state spending and work to make New York more affordable.

“That’s the kind of leadership that I’ll bring to the lieutenant governor’s office,” Hood said. “Bruce Blakeman and

Feb. 11.

I are running to restore common sense.”

Former Gov. George Pataki, New York’s last Republican governor, who served three terms, from 1995 to 2006, offered his support as well, making clear the party’s push to win back the governor’s office.

“I’ve known Bruce for decades,” Pataki said of Blakeman. “He is someone who loves this country and loves this state. He is someone who has dedicated his life to public service to make the lives of others better. And he hasn’t just tried. He has succeeded.”

Delegates also nominated Saritha Komatireddy, a former federal prosecutor, for attorney general, with 86.3 percent of the vote. She defeated Brooklyn attorney Khurram Dara. Komatireddy emphasized her experience prosecuting terrorism and public corruption, and pledged to focus on public safety.

“I’ve spent my life in public service and public safety,” she said. “New Yorkers are tired of seeing criminals released over and over again while families feel

unsafe in their own communities.”

The party’s nominee for comptroller, Joseph Hernandez, shared his family’s story of emigrating from Cuba after his father was a political prisoner. He criticized current Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and outlined plans to invest $1 billion in Israeli bonds and launch a proposed $10 billion “Empire Opportunity Fund.”

“I know a communist when I see a communist,” Hernandez said of DiNapoli. “My friends, he is a communist.”

Long Beach Republican Chairman Jim Moriarty pointed to Nassau County as a microcosm of the state.

“In Nassau County, the demographics and all other statistics mirrors the state of New York,” Moriarty said on the second day of the convention. “He’s got tremendous executive experience,” he added of Blakeman. “He’s shown he can win and attract bipartisan support. He’s going to be a tremendous candidate and a great governor.”

Along with Hochul, the Democratic

the office.

slate includes incumbents Attorney General Letitia James and DiNapoli, a native Long Islander. The lieutenant governor candidate is Adrienne Adams, the former speaker of the New York City Council.

Hochul received a boost in her campaign when current Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado suspended his campaign for governor, deciding not to challenge her in the Democratic primary.

Blakeman is expected to face a challenge in the Republican primary from Libertarian candidate Larry Sharpe. That election is June 23. The general election is on Nov. 3.

Despite Republican support inside the building, Democrats outside made their presence known on Feb. 11.

“We’re here to send a message to our Republicans over in the hotel across the street that we’re not going to stand for electing a man as governor of this state who’s going to kowtow to Donald Trump,” state Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs said.

Compiled by Herald Staff

Ariel Borkowsky Farmingdale

Someone paid for my coffee in front of me, and I paid for the person in back of me

Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald

What is one act of kindness you have experienced or given recently?

Joe Mascaro

Merrick

I shoveled my elderly neighbor’s driveway after the snowstorm.

Abbey Salvemini/Herald

Jarrod Murphy

Rockville Centre, age 10

When somebody was being mean to me at recess, my friends invited me to play football with them. Then, when they were feeing sad, I helped them back and let them play with my friends.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Maria DeLuca

Glen Cove

Somebody on the Glen Cove neighbors Facebook created a group for people to come together and ideate on ways they can help homeless people in the area.

Roksana Amid/Herald

Carson Giacopelli

Lynbrook, age 18

A neighbor with dementia didn’t have anybody to help her shovel. So, my family and I showed up to shovel her property for her. No money, it is all part of Lynbrook Cares.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

STEPPING OUT

Hoops, hijinks and history

By Andrew Coen

Acentury after the team’s founding, Harlem Globetrotters storied history comes alive when the latest iteration of the quickfingered hoops stars return here.

The Globetrotters bring their 100 Year Tour to Nassau Coliseum, on Feb. 21, giving fans a chance to see the team’s well-known acrobatic dunks, trick shots and long-range shots up close. This special appearance marks the first time the iconic team — debuting their new 100 Year jerseys — has performed in the arena against longtime rivals, the Washington Generals, since 2017. From gravity-defying dunks to game-changing tricks, everyone will certainly feel the history, the joy, and those “wow” moments in true Globetrotters style.

What started with Curly, Meadowlark, Wilt, and Geese continues on today with Hammer, Torch, Bulldog, Cheese, Jet, Wham, Thunder, TNT — and so many more. Taking inspiration from the fun-loving and awe-inspiring players of the past, today’s Globetrotters stars are ready to wow you on the court and in the crowd

The team is full of a number of talented men and women basketball players who were for various

Harlem Globetrotters at 100

courtesy Harlem Globetrotters Andrew “Big Dog” Whitsett, right, a 7’1” forward/finisher, commands attention with his size and presence on the court.

Wild days in the Bronx

reasons counted out throughout their lives, according to Lucius “Too Tall” Winston, who has spent the last nine years with the Globetrotters. Winston, despite his nickname, only measures 5’11’’ and was told by a former coach at age 15 he was too short to play college or professional basketball.

“You have a ton of guys through our team that had to face adversity and that builds character,” he says. “I got a chance to see that coach a couple years ago after he saw me play and he said he wanted to apologize for what he said to me and I told him if he didn’t tell me those words at that age I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.”

The centennial season’s “5th Quarter” postgame session gives fans some special moments with players. and

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. Riveting and deeply personal, it draws on Palminteri’s bruising Bronx childhood, including the moment — at nine-years-old — when he witnessed a gangland killing that forever shaped his view of the world. Palminteri inhabits 18 vivid haracters, 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” became a sensation, hailed as one of the most sought-after 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.

Sunday, Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.

• Feb. 21, 2 p.m.

pursue their dreams — anything is possible with good

Winston is as fanatical about basketball today as he was as a young player in his hometown of Russellville, Ala. His love of the sport has crossed from player to coach to motivational speaker. Winston dedicates his personal time to organizations that shine a light on the sport with emphasis on leadership, team work and focus. True joy for him comes with motivating kids to get out of their comfort zone and pursue their dreams — anything is possible with good character, good grades and hard work.

• Tickets range from $50-$200; available at ticketmaster.com and harlemglobetrotters.com

The Globetrotters have revolutionized the sport of basketball throughout its 100-year history, including popularizing the slam dunk The team’s roster includes Zeus McClurkin, who set a record for the most dunks in a minute with 16 in 2016.

• Nassau Coliseum, Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale

Guard Lucius “Too Tall” Winston’s favorite trick is the 2 Ball Spin. He holds eight Guinness World Records, including Most Figure Eight Dribbles in One Minute (2020 and Most Three Point Shots Made By a Pair in One Minute (2020).

In addition to the Globetrotters’ famed high-flying dunks, the number of longdistance shots are always a thrill.The Globetrotters famously introduced a 4-point shot in 201, 30 feet from the basket, which is seven feet longer than the NBA’s three-point line.

Winston, who played college basketball at Tuskegee University, relates that interaction with the fans is what makes attending a Globetrotter game particularly unique. Among the signature moments, the team holds a free postgame autograph session. And during the game those in the crowd are frequently called down to the court to participate in stunts. Everyone can also take part in premium options that enable pregame access to meet players along with joining the team for warmups on the court.

“You get to see guys that can play the game at a high level who can jump out of the gym and shoot the ball extremely well and you’ll also see plenty of entertainment as well,” Winston says. “It’s a high quality game from start to finish and then at the end fans are allowed to come down courtside and get autographs and take pictures with us.”

McClurkin, who set a record for the most dunks in a minute courtside and get autographs and take pictures with us.”

future Hall of Famers like Wilt Chamberlain and Connie Hawkins; or Curly Neal and Meadowlark

International icons, the Globetrotters are considered “ambassadors” of the game, beloved the world over for their special brand athleticism that combines the skills and foundations of basketball with a uniquely theatrical flare. From breaking the NBA color barrier with alums like Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton signing a pro contract as a member of the New York Knicks or courting future Hall of Famers like Wilt Chamberlain and Connie Hawkins; or Curly Neal and Meadowlark Lemon dazzling sellout crowds; to ushering women into professional basketball; to the current group, the Globetrotters’ reach and impact attract attention.

Tilles Center Atrium becomes an intimate lounge to showcase exciting up-and-coming jazz talent Sarah Hanahan, presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center. The dynamic, soulful alto saxophonist is swiftly emerging as one of the most compelling new voices in jazz. A graduate of both the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz and The Juilliard School, she blends deeprooted swing and bebop traditions with a bold, modern intensitySince stepping onto the scene, Hanahan has performed with an extraordinary range of jazz luminaries. =Her commanding tone, technical mastery, and melodic imagination have taken her to major stages across the U.S. and abroad, with regular appearances at premier New York City venues. Whether fronting her own quartet or collaborating with some of the music’s most revered artists, Hanahan plays with passion, precision and an unwavering commitment to the ever-evolving art of jazz.

The current team of elite men and women, holders of an unprecedented 60+ Guinness World Records, including 18 set just last year — the most of any team in any sport — bring a fresh look of gravity-defying dunks and game-changing tricks against their renowned rivals in this special centennial season.

Thursday, Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

FEB

Rock The Night

Bayville Village Arts Council invites all to Rock The Night, featuring local band The Mad Hatter.

The band performs classic rock, Motown, R&B, and more at the Bayville Arts Center. No admission.

• Where: 88 Bayville Ave, Bayville

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: BayvilleNY.gov/aboutus/arts-council

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create with kids at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork. Kids and adults connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. For ages 2-14. Registration required. $20, $10 child; members free.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Noon-3 p.m.

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

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

Ink & Impressions

Stop by Sands Point Preserve to step into the role of ancient scribes with instructor Mike Evans. Craft your own reed pens and natural ink using plant-based materials, all while exploring how ancient writing evolved from the land itself. This workshop blends history, artistry, and reflection — perfect for those who enjoy tactile creativity with a story-rich context. For adults and youth 12+. $40, $35 members. Registration required.

• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point

• Time: 10 a.m.-noon

“Don’t stop believin’…

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 3 p.m.

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

Hempstead House Tour

See the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion at Sands Point Preserve, the former summer residence of Howard Gould (1912-1917) and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim (1917-1930). For adults, but children 5+ are allowed. $10 per person.

• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point

• Time: Noon-2 p.m.; also March 15

• Contact: sandspointpreserve conservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901

Mar

6

First Fridays: Through Stained Glass

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

Voyage rocks on with another dynamic tribute to Journey. The popular band takes everyone back to the ‘80s when Journey’s timeless music ruled the airwaves. Hailed by fans and critics alike, the band performs the music with chilling accuracy. Voyage is celebrated for their uncanny ability to recreate the legendary sound, energy and passion of one of rock’s greatest bands. With their blistering guitar solos, lush keyboard arrangements, electrifying stage presence, and stunning harmonies, the band has earned a reputation as the ultimate homage to Journey’s timeless music. Fronted by vocalist Pedro Espada, whose range and tone is acclaimed as rivaling the iconic Steve Perry, he’s backed by a lineup of world-class musicians — Robby Hoffman, Greg Smith, Lance Millard, and Dana Spellman — who bring every note to life with precision and heart. Voyage doesn’t just perform Journey’s greatest hits — they transport audiences back to the height of arena rock glory. From the soaring ballads of “Faithfully” and “Open Arms” to the anthemic energy of “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Separate Ways,” every performance is a journey through the soundtrack of a generation. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering the magic of Journey for the first time, Voyage promises a night of unforgettable rock ‘n’ roll.

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

• Contact: sandspointpreserve conservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901

FEB 23

Bayville Board meets

The Village of Bayville invites residents to attend their upcoming board meeting.

• Where: 34 School St., Bayville

• Time: 6:30 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 628-1439

LVCSD Board of Education meets

Locust Valley Central School District’s Board of Education invites the community to their next public meeting at Locust Valley High School/Middle School Auditorium. All district residents are welcome.

• Where: 99 Horsehollow Road, Locust Valley

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Contact: LocustValleySchools.org

‘Brown

FEB

Bag’ Art Chat

director of Friends of the Bay/covice president of the HuntingtonOyster Bay Audubon Society. With an introductory “Duck Talk” at the WaterFront Center followed by a “Duck Walk” along Beekman Beach and West Shore Road. Dress appropriately.

• Where: 1 West End Ave., Oyster Bay

• Time: 10 a.m.

• Contact: FriendsOfTheBay.org/ events or call (516) 922-6666

Explore the extensive collection of medieval and renaissance stained glass at Planting Fields! During this walk and workshop for adults, participants will discover the travels and stories of a few of the 40-plus stainedglass panes that illuminate the historic house-museum, the Main House. Guests arebe guided by Collections and Exhibitions Manager Emily Leger and Archivist Marie Penny and will view the Corpus Vitrearum, an international scholarly compilation of historic glass windows. Also make your own faux stained glass to bring home and enjoy! $25.

• Where: Main House, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay

• Time: 2-3:30 p.m.

• Contact: plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210

Mar

Town meeting

The Town of Oyster Bay holds its next town board meeting. All are welcome.

• Where: 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay

• Time: 10 a.m.

• Contact: (516) 624-6300 FEB

ZBA meets The Village of Bayville Zoning Board of Appeals holds their next meeting. All residents are welcome.

• Where: 34 School St. Bayville

• Time: 6:30 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 628-1439

Grab your lunch and join Nassau County Museum of Art Docent Riva Ettus for her popular “Brown Bag Lecture” at the museum. Explore “The Real, Surreal, and Photoreal,” through a lively and informative presentation. No reservations. First come,first seated.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 1 p.m.

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

FEB 28

Winter Ducks of Oyster Bay Check out the program presented by Christine Suter, executive

Art Perspectives

1

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

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.

BOCES replacing fuelpowered buses with EVs

Nassau BOCES has begun replacing fossil fuel-powered school buses with electric vehicles after securing state and federal funding to support the transition, marking a significant shift toward cleaner transportation for students across Nassau County.

The Nassau BOCES Transportation Office received a $145,000 Environmental Protection Agency grant through the Clean Bus Program, along with a $100,000 voucher from the New York State Bus Incentive Program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. An additional $55,000 incentive helped fund installation of an electric charging station.

Officials said the transition supports both environmental goals and New York State requirements for school transportation fleets. State regulations require districts to gradually move away from emissions-based vehicles, with all new school bus purchases required to be electric beginning in 2027 and all school bus fleets statewide transitioning to zero-emission vehicles by 2035.

Supporters of the transition say the move will help reduce emissions and improve air quality while also lowering long-term operating costs by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

“Transitioning to electric vehicles is an important operational change for our department,” Denise Gillis, director of Nassau BOCES Business Services, said. “The grant supports our efforts to comply with the state’s EV requirements. The new buses are expected to reduce emissions and contribute to improved air quality on Long Island.”

Officials said the grant funding allowed Nassau BOCES to purchase its first electric bus at less than half the typical cost. In total, EPA funding covered more than $300,000 in costs, helping the agency begin transitioning its fleet sooner than anticipated.

“Electric buses create a safer environment for our students,” Nakia Jackson, supervisor of Nassau BOCES Transportation Services, added. “EV buses are quieter, enabling our bus staff to pay better attention to the students and ensure a safe, well-managed ride for everyone on board.”

Nassau BOCES provides educational

programs and shared services to school districts across the county, including career and technical education, special education, professional development and technology services, as well as transportation operations serving thousands of students each day.

More information about Nassau BOCES programs and services is available at nassauboces.org.

–Jordan Vallone

19, 2026 —

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

Public Notices

SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. LOAN FUNDER LLC, SERIES 48848, Pltf. vs. 19 TIFFANY RD HOMES HOUSE 58 INC., et al, Defts. Index #600544/25. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Jan. 9, 2026, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 3, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a 19 Tiffany Road, Oyster Bay, Ny 11771 a/k/a Section 26, Block A, Lots 752 & 753. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,267,502.77 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. The foreclosure sale will be held, “rain or shine.” SCOTT H. SILLER, Referee.

DEUTSCH & SCHNEIDER, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 79-37 Myrtle Ave., Glendale, NY 11385. File No. LF-570 - #102749 158109

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court County of Nassau Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, successor by merger to Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association (formerly known as Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association), not in its individual or banking capacity, but solely in its capacity as Trustee for the Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Trust, Series 2006-WMC 1, Plaintiff AGAINST David O’Brien a/k/a David C. OBrien, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on December 22, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 9, 2026 at 2:00 PM premises known as 54 Cocks Lane, Locust Valley, NY 11560. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 29, BLOCK: 1, LOT: 24. Approximate amount

of judgmen t is $1,104,084.42 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 611343/2019. For sale information, please visit XOME at www.XOME.com or call 844-400-9663.

Brian Carmody, Referee

FRENKEL LAMBERT

WEISMAN & GORDON

LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-082086-F01 88634 158163

LEGAL NOTICE

VILLAGE OF UPPER BROOKVILLE

BOARD OF APPEALS

PUBLIC NOTICE

A public hearing and meeting will be held before and by the Board of Appeals of the Incorporated Village of Upper Brookville, Nassau County, New York at the Village Hall - 24 Wolver Hollow Road in the Village on March 2, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.

The hearing will be on the application of Sonu Arora, owner of a 2.3 acre parcel of land located at 1095 Pine Valley Road in the Village, designated as Section 24, Block E, Lot 1069 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map, and located within the Village’s OP-1 (5-acre) zoning district. The Appellant seeks variances to maintain the following existing structures constructed without a building permit:

1.The following two (2) masonry entrance piers located on a nonhistoric road, each pier having:

a.At the driveway entrance: A height of 11.2 feet to the top of the pier rather than the maximum permitted 7 feet and 13.1 feet to the top of the light fixture rather than the maximum permitted 7.5 feet, and

b.At the opposite end of the pier: A height of a height of 7.2 feet to the top of the pier rather than the maximum permitted 7 feet and a height of 9.1 feet to the top of the light fixture rather than the maximum permitted 7.5 feet at the opposite end

2.Generator which has a rear yard setback of 41 feet rather than the required 50 feet;

3.Air conditioning unit which has a rear yard setback of 38.7 feet rather than the required 50 feet;

4.Pool patio which has a rear yard setback of 36.1 feet rather than

the required 50 feet;

5.Detached garage/cabana addition which has a side yard setback of 41.7 feet, a rear yard setback of 39.2 feet rather than the required 50 feet, and a flat roof area of 1,619 square feet rather than the maximum permitted 1,439 square feet.

6.Above-ground LP tank which has a side yard setback of 9.2 feet rather than the required 50 feet.

The above application is on file at the office of Humes & Wagner, LLP, attorneys for the Village, 147 Forest Avenue, Locust Valley, New York where it may be seen by appointment during the regular hours of the usual business days until the time of the hearing.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at said time and place. If any individual requires special assistance to attend, please notify the Village Attorney at 516-676-4600 at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

Philip H. Wachtler Chairman Z-467

February 20, 2026 158498

LEGAL NOTICE VILLAGE OF UPPER

BROOKVILLE BOARD OF APPEALS

PUBLIC NOTICE

A public hearing and meeting will be held before and by the Board of Appeals of the Incorporated Village of Upper Brookville, Nassau County, New York at the Village Hall - 24 Wolver Hollow Road in the Village on March 2, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. The hearing will be on the application of Ruth Reddington, owner of a 24.57 acre parcel of land located at 1329 Chicken Valley Road in the Village, designated as Section 24, Block E, Lots 49, 50, 59, 60, 65, 179, 180 & 251 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map, and located within the Village’s OP-1 (5-acre) zoning district. The Appellant seeks a variance to permit the construction of a detached accessory building to be used for meditation sessions with others, which would have a floor area of 1,765 square feet rather than the maximum permitted 1,200. The above application

is on file at the office of Humes & Wagner, LLP, attorneys for the Village, 147 Forest Avenue, Locust Valley, New York where it may be seen by appointment during the regular hours of the usual business days until the time of the hearing. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at said time and place. If any individual requires special assistance to attend, please notify the Village Attorney at 516-676-4600 at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

Philip H. Wachtler

Chairman Z-468

February 20, 2026 158499

3.Swimming pool equipment pad which has an easterly side yard setback of 46.5 feet rather than the required 50 feet.

The above application is on file at the office of Humes & Wagner, LLP, attorneys for the Village, 147 Forest Avenue, Locust Valley, New York where it may be seen by appointment during the regular hours of the usual business days until the time of the hearing.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at said time and place. If any individual requires special assistance to attend, please notify the Village Attorney at 516-676-4600 at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

Philip H. Wachtler Chairman Z-469 February 20, 2026 158500

LEGAL NOTICE

VILLAGE OF UPPER BROOKVILLE BOARD OF APPEALS

PUBLIC NOTICE

A public hearing and meeting will be held before and by the Board of Appeals of the Incorporated Village of Upper Brookville, Nassau County, New York at the Village Hall - 24 Wolver Hollow Road in the Village on March 2, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.

The hearing will be on the application of Punit Sabharwal, owner of a 2.13 acre parcel of land located at 6 Centre View Drive in the Village, designated as Section 24, Block 26, Lot 6 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map, and located within the Village’s R-1 (2-acre) zoning district.

The Appellant seeks a variance to allow the construction of a swimming pool cabana with breezeway attachment to the existing dwelling, which cabana would have an easterly side yard setback of 27.94 feet rather than the required 50 feet.

The Appellant also seeks variances to maintain the following existing construction:

1.Pool patio which has an easterly side yard setback of 46.8 feet rather than the required 50 feet;

2.”Tiki Bar” structure with deck which has an easterly side yard setback of 48 feet to the “Tiki Bar” and 45.8 feet to the deck rather than the required 50 feet;

or to waive technical defects, irregularities and omissions, when doing so is deemed, in its sole discretion, to be in the best interest of the School District. Board of Education Locust Valley CSD By: Alison Dunne District Clerk 158497

LEGAL NOTICE

VILLAGE OF UPPER BROOKVILLE

BOARD OF APPEALS

PUBLIC NOTICE

rather than the maximum permitted 6’6” 4. The above application is on file at the office of Humes & Wagner, LLP, attorneys for the Village, 147 Forest Avenue, Locust Valley, New York where it may be seen by appointment during the regular hours of the usual business days until the time of the hearing.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Board of Education

Locust Valley CSD Administration Building 22 Horse Hollow Road Locust Valley, NY 11560

The Board of Education of the Locust Valley CSD, Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York hereby invites the submission of sealed bids for the following: Electrical Installation, Repair and Maintenance ServicesMarch 13, 2026 at 11:00 A.M Sealed bids will be addressed to the attention of Ingrid Wright, Purchasing Agent, Administration Building, 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, NY 11560, until the times listed above at which time the proposals will be publicly read. All bids must be submitted in sealed envelopes, bearing on the outside the name and address of the bidder and the title of the bid in the lower left-corner. The specifications and bid forms for each may be secured on or after February 23, 2026 from the Purchasing Office, Administration Building, 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, NY 11560 or by emailing lvpurchasing@locustval leyschools.com

The Board of Education reserves the right to reject all bids and to readvertise for new bids,

A public hearing and meeting will be held before and by the Board of Appeals of the Incorporated Village of Upper Brookville, Nassau County, New York at the Village Hall - 24 Wolver Hollow Road in the Village on March 2, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. The hearing will be on the application of The Hatami Family Trust, owner of a 21.58 acre parcel of land located at 573 Remsens Lane in the Village, designated as Section 24, Block E, Lot 21 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map, and located within the Village’s OP-1 (5-acre) zoning district.

The Appellant seeks to permit the construction of a detached cabana which will require the following variances:

1.A gross floor area of 1,947.5 square feet rather than the maximum permitted 1,200 square feet, and which would result in an aggregate gross floor area of all accessory structures of 4,470.5 square feet rather than the maximum permitted 2,000 square feet; 2.A building height of 24 feet rather than the maximum permitted 22 feet.

The Appellant also seeks to maintain the following existing masonry entrance piers located on a historic road (Remsens Lane) which were constructed without a building permi:

1.Entry pier walls located within 10 feet of Remsens Lane, which have heights of 4’8” and 6’0” rather than the maximum permitted 4 feet;

2.Entry gates which have a height of 7’10” rather than the maximum permitted 6’0” on a historic road; 3.Masonry entrance piers having a height of 7’10” to the top of the pier rather than the maximum permitted 6’0” and 10’5” to the top of the light fixture,

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at said time and place.

If any individual requires special assistance to attend, please notify the Village Attorney at 516-676-4600 at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

Philip H. Wachtler Chairman Z-470

February 20, 2026 158501

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF VOTE/ ELECTION OF THE THE COLD SPRING HARBOR LIBRARY NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Vote/Election of the qualified voters of the COLD SPRING HARBOR CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTIRCT, TOWN OF HUNTINGTON, SUFFOLK COUNTY AND OYSTER BAY, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK, will be held at the Cold Spring Harbor Library, 95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724 on April 14, 2026 at 9:30 AM, prevailing time, to vote upon the Annual Operating Budget of the Cold Spring Harbor Library for the 2026-27 year and to elect Trustees to vacancies on the Board of Trustees of the Cold Spring Harbor Library. The proposition will appear on ballot in the following form:

“Shall the Board of Education contract with the Cold Spring Harbor Library pursuant to Education Law § 256 for the providing of library services to the residents of the School District and appropriate funds in the amount of $3,186,096 supporting the 2026-27 Operating Budget of the Cold Spring Harbor Library, with the requisite portion thereof to be raised by tax on the taxable property of the Cold Spring Harbor Central School District.” AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that an election to elect three (3) Trustees to

the Cold Spring Harbor Library to fill three-year terms commencing July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2029; AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that an election to elect one (1) trustee to the Cold Spring Harbor Library to fill a two (2) year remainder of an unexpired term commencing July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2028 will be conducted; AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that voting at such meeting will be by paper ballots; polls will be open during the period commencing 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM on April 14, 2026; AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Budget Information Meeting will be held on March 23, 2026 at 7:00 p.m., prevailing time; Library Trustees and personnel will be present to provide information to the public; AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the 2026-27 fiscal year for the Cold Spring Harbor Library purposes may be obtained by any resident of the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding said Vote/Election except Sundays and holidays from the Library located at 95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724 during the operating hours of the Library; AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that petitions nominating candidates for Office of the Trustee of the Cold Spring Harbor Library are to be filed in the office of the Director of the Library not later than 5:00 PM, prevailing time, on March 16, 2026. Each petition must be directed to the Director of the Library and must be signed by at least 25 qualified voters of the District, must state the residence of each signer and must state the name and residence of the candidate; AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that personal voter registration is required either pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law or pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to

Propel waits on approvals, some still oppose

By JULIA CAPITELLI jcapitelli@liherald.com

As the Propel project to install underground powerlines across Long Island into the Bronx and Westchester awaits approvals, Glen Head residents continue to raise concerns and oppose the construction.

The New York Power Authority and New York Transco plan to install nearly 90 miles of cables in the Propel project. Three of the proposed lines will pass through Glen Head and Glenwood Landing. A roughly 9.1-mile line will run from a Uniondale hub to Shore Road and a 17.7-mile line from Melville to Shore Road. Another 17.7-mile line will

run from Shore Road to Westchester. With construction expected to start later this year, Propel continues moving through the permitting process which includes permits at the federal, state and local levels. The project is still waiting for approvals from the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the New York State Public Service Commission.

The project is going through the Article VII process at the state level to review several aspects of a project, including environmental compatibility and public need. It also requires public input. Transco says the Propel team has used many methods of public outreach, such as public information sessions, surveys and open houses, but Glen Head

Public Notices

Section 2014 of the Education Law and has voted at an annual or Special District meeting within the last four years, such voter is eligible to vote at this election/vote; if a voter is eligible to vote pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law, such voter is also eligible to vote at this vote. All other persons who desire to vote must register. A voter may register within the offices of the Cold Spring Harbor Central School District, 75 Goose Hill Road, Cold Spring Harbor between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM on school days provided that such registration is effective not later than five days prior to the Election of April 14, 2026; pursuant to § 2014 of the Education Law the Register of voters will be filed in the office of the District Clerk of the School District immediately upon its completion and not less than five days prior to the time set for the Election at which it is to be utilized. Such register shall be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM on each of the five days prior to the day set for the Election, except Saturdays and Sundays and between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM on the day set for the Election. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that in accordance with Education Law § 2018-a absentee ballots for the election of Trustees of the Library and said Library Budget Vote may be obtained from the Election Clerk of the

Cold Spring Harbor Library, 95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor, between the hours of 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM during those hours and days of operation of the office of Election Clerk. Such application must be received by the Election Clerk no later than 4:00 PM seven days prior to the vote/election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter or by 4:00 PM on April 13, 2026, if the ballot is to be personally delivered to the voter. No absentee voter’s ballot shall be canvassed unless it shall have been received in the Office of the Election Clerk of the Library not later than 5:00 PM on the day of the vote/election. A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available in the Office of the Clerk of the School District between the hours of 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on each of the five days prior to April 14, 2026 except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available in the Office of the Election Clerk of the Library between the hours of 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM on each of the five days prior to April 14, 2026 except Saturdays and Sundays.

Dated: Cold Spring Harbor, New York February 3, 2026

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

COLD SPRING HARBOR

LIBRARY

95 Harbor Road

Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724

David Berman, President 158493

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

NASSAU COUNTY SERVIS ONE, INC DBA BSI FINANCIAL SERVICES, Plaintiff against DINA SCOGNAMIGLIO, et al Defendant(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Stern & Eisenberg, P.C., 20 Commerce Drive, Suite 230, Cranford, NJ 07016 and 1131 Route 55, Suite 1, Lagrangeville, NY 12540.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered September 13, 2023, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 24, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 5 Vivona Court, Bayville, NY 11709. Sec 28. Block 075 Lot 5. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Bayville, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau, State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $744,869.75 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 610631/2019. For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. During the COVID-19 health emergency, Bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of the sale including but not limited to wearing face coverings and maintaining social

residents say there is a lack of communication to their community specifically.

“The fact that they refuse to come and meet with our community,” said Glen Head resident Christine Panzeca, “is more than insulting.” Panzeca has opposed the project from the beginning and has joined George Pombar, head of the Glen Head Glenwood Landing Civic Council, in organizing informational events for the community regarding Propel.

Marykate Guilfoyle, manager of media, communications and events for New York Transco wrote in response to written questions that Propel is still on track to meet its permitting targets and start construction this year. New York Independent System Operator, the state grid operator, requires the project to be in-service by May 2030. However, the timeline of construction itself remains unclear.

distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Should a bidder fail to comply, the Referee may refuse to accept any bid, cancel the closing and hold the bidder in default. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction.

Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Peter Kramer, Esq., Referee File # NY201900000595-1 (516) 510 - 4020 158491

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

LEGAL NOTICE LOCUST VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

A REMINDER TO ALL LOCUST VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT PARENTS

Transportation applications for private and parochial schools for the 2026-2027 school year are due to the Transportation Department (Ryefield Road) NO LATER THAN APRIL 1, 2026. Application forms are available on the district website. Please call 516-277-5510 if you have any questions. 158495

“Each project is unique,” Guilfoyle wrote, “and there are no specific standards.”

Residents raised concerns related to construction, such as worsening traffic, difficulty getting students to and from school and trouble accessing driveways.

In Guilfoyle’s response to written questions, she wrote that construction will be done in phases to limit disruptions. She added that people will not be blocked from getting in or out of their driveways.

Pombar also expressed concerns about impact on local businesses, especially if construction makes it difficult for people to find parking and access buildings.

On a phone call, Guilfoyle said that the Propel team put out a survey that businesses can take to communicate details such as their parking situations and seasonality.

She explained that the Propel team will use the information to plan construction so impact to businesses is minimized.

A public notice from the Army Corps

of Engineers from June 2025 states that the overall purpose of the proposed project is “to satisfy the New York State Public Service Commission-declared Long Island Offshore Wind Export Public Policy Transmission Need to increase transmission capability from Long Island into southeastern New York.”

Some offshore wind projects off Long Island have been cancelled after the Trump administration did not issue permits. Residents also continue to claim that Propel is connected to both wind projects and battery energy storage systems.

“It’s disingenuous,” Panzeca said. “for them to present these as all separate projects.”

In the same response to written questions, Guilfoyle reiterated that Propel does not include battery storage nor is it affiliated with battery storage developers. She said via phone call that Propel is not a wind project.

The Public Service Commission released a Public Policy Transmission Need in 2021. Since then, the state grid operator has identified issues with downstate grid pertaining to congestion, reliability and capacity to move power.

Guilfoyle explained in a separate written response that Propel’s transmission lines are “energy agnostic,” meaning they do not move any one specific type of power. The state grid operator selected Propel in 2023 to address trouble with reliability and power flow.

“Propel NY is not tied to offshore wind and does not rely on any generation source,” Guilfoyle wrote. “The Propel NY project holds no contracts or agreements with wind developers or projects, better storage companies or projects, or any other generation sources.”

Should all required permits be issued, Propel construction is expected to begin this year. Guilfoyle wrote that as construction gets closer, the companies will share “detailed, location-specific information” with affected residents, businesses and municipalities.

I’m focused on getting New York’s tax dollars back

For decades, New Yorkers have faced high taxes, rising prices and infrastructure in need of repair. At the same time, we’ve been subsidizing other states with our federal tax dollars. New York is a big “donor” state, while most red states are “taker” states. I’m always trying to bring money back to my district, and in the past couple of weeks I’ve had some new success doing just that. I announced more than $17 million in funding for community projects in my district.

Everyone knows that we’re facing a cost-of-living crisis. From health care to housing, energy to groceries, prices are sky-high. To make matters worse, New Yorkers bear one of the heaviest tax burdens in the country, which only adds to our cost of living. People are leaving our state at a record pace.

When I was born, New York had more than 40 representatives in the U.S. House. Now we only have 26. That number will be smaller after the next census,

as low-tax states continue to grow rapidly while New York’s population stays essentially the same. That’s not just a loss of political power, but a referendum on how expensive it is to live here. Between our skyhigh property taxes and the loss of our full SALT deduction (which I continue to fight to reinstate), it’s no wonder people are moving out.

TThey’re fleeing to red states in the South with much lower state taxes. The irony is that states like New York have long sent more money to the federal government than we get back, and Washington spends it propping up “poor” states like Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee. For every dollar we pay in federal taxes, we get 91 cents back. Kentucky gets $2.50. It’s just unfair.

in Congress is simple and direct: bring our money back home.

I’m working to make sure my constituents get a fairer return on the dollars we contribute to the federal government. That means fighting for federal funding that eases the burden on local governments, strengthens our infrastructure and protects public health and safety.

hat means fighting for federal funding to ease the burden on local governments.

Recently that work paid off. I secured millions of dollars worth of projects for my district, making sure federal money was included in a funding package that Democrats and Republicans worked together to craft. Those funds will support a wide range of critical projects that directly affect my constituents’ lives.

the Glen Cove Police Department. In Bethpage, the money will help build infrastructure to remove chemicals from the water supply linked to the Navy-Grumman plume. It will help create a vibrant downtown in Huntington by supporting affordable housing and business spaces. And in Lattingtown, these funds will go toward repairing emergency evacuation routes along East Beach Drive, improving our roads and safety during severe weather.

Securing funds for sewer repairs and water wells isn’t glamorous work, but it’s crucial. It’s not only about improving public health, environmental protection and local infrastructure; it’s also about fairness. New Yorkers contribute massively to the federal government, subsidizing growth in other states, and it’s time we got our fair share back.

Meanwhile, our town and village governments are under water. Our infrastructure is older and more expensive to maintain, and local budgets scramble to keep up. While New Yorkers fund new projects in the South, our own infrastructure risks lagging behind and our taxes continue to rise. We have been subsidizing our own demise. That’s why one of my core missions

They’ll help replace old sewer pipes in Roslyn and Manorhaven, and replace old cesspools with new sewer lines in Sea Cliff. They will help prevent harmful runoff into Hempstead Harbor and Manhasset Bay, helping preserve our Long Island Sound ecosystem. Other projects will protect drinking water supplies from so-called “forever chemicals” and other contaminants.

The funding will also provide muchneeded technology and equipment for

I’ll never stop fighting to make sure we get back as much of the money we send to the federal government as possible, and use it to lessen the pressure on local budgets, improve our public health and safety, and reduce costs. In the months ahead I’ll propose a dramatic change to the federal tax code to try and bring more of New Yorkers’ money back to New York, to reduce our tax burden. Stay tuned.

Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.

Combating the scourge of kratom in Nassau County

Our most consequential responsibility as public servants, parents and community leaders is to confront emerging threats to our children’s health and wellness. Frighteningly, many of these can be found within arm’s length at our local convenience stores, and there’s a new one on the shelf.

arnOld w. drucker

We are all aware of the everpresent threats of alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products and the risks of lifelong addiction, cancers and terminal illnesses their use can cause. More recently, we witnessed the frightening rise of dangerous fruit- and candy-flavored vaping products that get our kids hooked on nicotine and can cause irreversible health problems like “popcorn lung.” Thankfully, our efforts to stem that tide have made slow but steady progress. Now we are confronted by the threat of a new and alarming substance — an emerging stimulant known as kratom — and it is incumbent on all of us to act swiftly to protect our communities.

A constituent recently contacted my office and asked to meet with me to discuss how Nassau County could address the dangers of this drug, which their son, and many others, had gotten hooked on. It had caused devastating damage, and I knew action was necessary.

It’s easy to see how people can be enticed by kratom. It is often falsely marketed as a natural, plantbased energy booster, mood lifter, pain reliever and opioid withdrawal remedy. But, as they say, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

It’s a stimulant with side effects ranging from psychosis to liver damage.

Experts at the Mayo Clinic warn that kratom has not been proven safe or to have any medical efficacy. The Food and Drug Administration similarly cautions against its use, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has labeled it a drug of concern, with side effects including confusion, delusions, tremors, psychosis, depression toxicity, liver damage and addiction. Because it is unregulated and its labeling is inconsistent, its users have little idea how much they’ve actually taken until it’s too late.

During a five-year span, poison-control centers across America received

more than 3,400 reports of kratomrelated incidents, and some cases ended in patients’ deaths. My constituent told me that when their son finally embarked on a path to recovery, the withdrawal symptoms he experienced were similar to, if not worse than, someone going through heroin withdrawal.

Based on these disturbing facts, I filed legislation on Feb. 6 that would ban the sale and distribution of kratom products in Nassau County. Those found in violation would be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to a year in jail for each offense.

Suffolk County has already banned kratom, and New York state restricts its sale to people over age 21. Passing my legislation would bring us in line with our neighbors in Suffolk and hopefully serve as a catalyst for a statewide ban. The fact that the Republican majority has followed my lead and filed similar legislation gives me hope that this common-sense approach to protecting public health is on the fast track to approval.

Throughout my decade as a legislator, I have remained laser-focused on preserving the wellness of our commu-

nities and protecting our young people from dangerous, misleading products that can ruin their health. In 2019 I proudly introduced and passed a ban on the sale of most flavored vaping products in Nassau — products that we have proven vape companies market directly to unsuspecting youths. The ban was later adopted statewide. The proposal built on my previous bill to restrict the advertising of age-restricted items such as cigarettes, tobacco and vaping products within 1,000 feet of establishments frequented by young people.

Before taking steps to regulate vaping, I focused intently on finishing the work that the late Legislator Judy Jacobs began to ban the sale of tobacco and cigarettes to anyone under age 21 — a goal that we achieved in 2018.

All of these proposals were ultimately enacted with bipartisan, unanimous support. As our focus now turns to kratom and addressing the devastation it has already caused for far too many families, I implore my colleagues to once again set aside our partisan labels. Banning kratom will protect our children and our communities from irreversible harm. Let’s work together and get it done.

Arnold W. Drucker represents Nassau County’s 16th Legislative District and is the Legislature’s deputy minority leader.

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aMisleading safety data could hurt kids

Feb. 2 report, “Violent and Disruptive Incidents and Bullying in New York Schools,” from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli should serve as a wake-up call for anyone tempted to declare victory on school safety.

While official data shows that rates of “serious” violent and disruptive incidents are near zero, bullying, cyberbullying and drug-related incidents are rising statewide — in many cases exceeding pre-pandemic levels. That disconnect matters, because it reveals a system that risks measuring safety by definitions rather than by students’ lived experiences.

According to DiNapoli’s analysis of seven years of School Safety and Educational Climate data from the State Education Department, bullying is now the most frequently reported school safety incident.

In the 2023-24 school year, bullying, not including cyberbullying, accounted for nearly two-thirds of all reported incidents statewide. Almost 30,000 bullying incidents were reported, translating to 12.4 incidents per 1,000 pupils. In schools that reported at least one incident, the rate was far higher.

Cyberbullying, meanwhile, remains officially “low” in the data, but that is precisely the problem. Anonymity, offcampus activity and the digital lives students have after dismissal make cyberbullying notoriously difficult to detect and report. The report itself acknowledges that many incidents likely go unreported. When nearly 35 percent of public schools report no bullying or

letters

Peter King goes too easy on ICE agents

To the Editor:

Re Peter King’s column “There are better ways to resolve the immigration crisis” in last week’s issue: The videos we all saw of Renee Good and Alex Pretti being shot to death by ICE agents contradict Mr. King’s description. He referred to these horrific acts as “heat-of-the moment reactions to unexpected incidents.”

Additionally, Mr. King opposes “any requirement that ICE agents remove their masks” because “wearing masks has become absolutely essential for them.”

If only Mr. King found it in his heart to have similar consideration and respect for the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

cyberbullying incidents, the question is not whether bullying exists, but whether schools are capturing it honestly.

Drug-related incidents tell a similar story. After dropping during the period of remote learning, the number of drug incidents in secondary schools has risen above pre-Covid levels. Statewide rates climbed from 4.2 incidents per 1,000 students in 2017-18 to 6.5 in 2023-24, with especially high rates in upstate districts. These are not abstract numbers. They reflect daily realities that students, teachers and families confront in hallways, bathrooms and social spaces.

Yet at the same time these troubling trends are rising, reports of serious violent and disruptive incidents — such as assault, sexual offenses and weapons possession — have plummeted. That decline coincides not with a dramatic transformation of school culture, but with changes to reporting definitions implemented in 2021-22. Under the revised rules, incidents are only reportable if the offender is at least 10 years old, the incident meets felony criteria, and it has been referred to law enforcement.

The result is a dataset that may be technically accurate under state rules, but deeply misleading if taken at face value. Schools may still experience serious incidents that never meet the threshold for state reporting, creating a false sense of security for parents and policymakers who rely on these numbers to assess safety.

This is not the intent of New York’s school safety laws. The Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act,

enacted in 2000, and the Dignity for All Students Act, adopted a decade later, were designed to protect young people and ensure transparency in reporting harassment, bullying and violence. After the Sandy Hook tragedy in Connecticut, New York state rightly sought to refine and streamline reporting to focus on prevention. But refinement must not become minimization.

Limiting cellphone use during the school day is a modest step in the right direction. It will reduce in-school distractions. But bullying and cyberbullying don’t stop at the dismissal bell. Students carry their social worlds and their conflicts home in their pockets. Without sustained education, intervention and accountability, phones will simply resume their role as weapons after school hours.

Schools need to be honest with themselves about what these incidents are and properly report them to the State Education Department. That honesty isn’t about protecting reputations or presenting a picture of perfect calm. It’s about identifying real problems so they can be addressed.

Pretending a school or district is blissful may look good on paper, but it does nothing to protect students. Reliable, transparent data is the foundation of meaningful solutions.

If we want safer schools in reality and not just safer statistics, we must confront bullying, cyberbullying and substance use head-on, report them accurately, and commit to prevention that extends beyond the school day. Our children deserve nothing less.

The part of Tom Suozzi’s record no one is talking about

i’ve spent my life around politics, and I’ve learned that it’s easy to judge a leader by a single headline. It’s much harder, and far more meaningful to look at their entire record, the choices they’ve made over time and the values that guided them when it truly mattered.

That’s why I feel compelled to speak up about Tom Suozzi.

Long before immigration became a national wedge issue, before cable news shouting matches and social media outrage dominated the conversation, Tom Suozzi was doing the work. Quietly. Consistently. He acted because he believed in what was right and what actually made communities stronger. He followed his conscience.

Tom was just 31 when he was elected mayor of Glen Cove. In the 1990s, long before immigration was a political talking point or a cable news obsession, he helped create the first hiring site for immigrant workers on the East Coast. It wasn’t just about connecting people to jobs. While workers waited for employment, they were offered English classes,

citizenship preparation, and access to support services that helped them navigate life in a new country.

The message was simple and powerful: we want you to succeed here.

No one talked about the “Latino vote” back then. It happened because Suozzi believed, and still believes, that integration strengthens communities, that dignity matters, and that when people are treated with respect, the entire community benefits. Those values weren’t rhetorical. They were embedded in real policies that improved lives.

Lcooperation between police and the people they serve. It was about making sure victims of crime felt safe enough to seek help, regardless of where they were born.

The results were real. Victims of real crimes were more willing to come forward. officers could focus on stopping violence and keeping neighborhoods safe. Trust was preserved, and Nassau County was stronger because of it.

ong before immigration became a national wedge issue, he was doing the work.

When Suozzi became Nassau County executive, those same principles guided his leadership. He has always believed in strong, professional law enforcement. But he also understood that real public safety depends on trust. When communities are afraid of the police, crimes go unreported. Witnesses disappear. Victims stay silent. And we are all less safe as a result.

That’s why his administration made clear that Nassau County police would focus on local public safety, not federal immigration enforcement. This was about protecting the integrity of policing and ensuring that officers could do their jobs effectively, without turning neighbors into targets or undermining

Letters

Who’s left to report the truth?

To the Editor:

As a former reporter, I cherish a free press — and with our democracy hanging by a thread, I refuse to sit by while truth tellers are silenced.

I was bothered that Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos caved to President Trump’s demand that the Post stay out of presidential endorsements. But what bothered me more was watching people cancel their subscriptions over it. That’s cutting off your nose to spite your face. Why punish a newspaper already struggling to survive? Did we forget that reporters are stationed around the world, risking their lives to bring us the truth — and that in times of conflict, they’re always the first targets, precisely so the truth never reaches us?

The Post loses $100 million a year, yet it remains an essential truth teller. This is the paper that exposed Watergate. Not surprisingly, Trump admired President Richard Nixon. Both detested the press because its job is to investigate corruption and

report the truth. And let’s not forget: a Washington Post journalist was murdered at the direction of a Saudi prince while Trump looked the other way.

While Trump manufactured a crisis in Greenland and ICE gunned down American citizens, the final board meeting of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting barely registered. Jimmy Kimmel’s being pulled off the air and the cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” already feel like ancient history. Even as wars rage in Ukraine and the Middle East, coverage keeps shrinking — and that is no accident. And now Bezos is laying off a third of the Post’s staff, including a war correspondent in Ukraine. With Secretary of War Pete Hegseth blocking Pentagon reporting, Trump forming a “Board of Peace” with Putin and other authoritarian leaders, and independent news sources collapsing, who is left to deliver the truth?

CLAUDIA

BoRECKy President, Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club Merrick

At the same time, while Suozzi was county executive, just next door, in Suffolk County, inflammatory rhetoric and aggressive enforcement were tearing at the fabric of communities. That atmosphere of fear and dehumanization didn’t exist in isolation. It contributed to the climate that led to the murder of Marcelo Lucero, a heartbreaking reminder that words and policies have consequences far beyond politics.

Suozzi chose a different path, one rooted in safety, accountability and humanity. And his commitment to inclusion wasn’t symbolic. It was structural. When he became county executive, the county had never elected a Hispanic legislator. Suozzi didn’t just talk about representation; he helped make it happen. I know, because he helped me get

elected as the first Hispanic legislator in county history. He understood that government should look like the people it serves, and he took concrete steps to make that a reality.

Today, he serves in Congress, where immigration policy is shaped by federal realities and national challenges. He has made real immigration reform a priority, understanding that lasting solutions require serious governing, not slogans, not fear-mongering and not political theater. He has been clear: The border should be secure, and violent criminals should be deported. But immigrants who have lived here for decades, worked hard, paid taxes and raised families deserve a legal path forward, not to be targeted, treated inhumanely or used as political props.

I’ve seen Tom Suozzi lead when it was hard. I’ve seen him take risks when others stayed silent. And I’ve seen him stand with immigrant communities throughout his career, not just when it was convenient.

No person, and no politician, is perfect. But Suozzi has always put himself on the front lines, never shied away from a fight, and never walked away from the people he serves.

That’s the part of his record people should be talking about.

Dave Mejias, an attorney in Glen Cove, served in the Nassau County Legislature from 2004 to 2009.

Nominate a student under 18 for the Sustainability Champion Award to recognize their efforts in driving sustainable change.

Submit a nomination of approximately 100 words or less describing the student’s leadership in promoting sustainability: What motivates them? What impact have they had?

Be sure to include a photo or an example of their work—whether it’s a community garden, an environmental campaign, or a creative solution to a sustainability challenge.