Rockville Centre Herald 02-05-2026

HERALD ROCKVILLE CENTRE

Chamber night mixes business and buzz

Skye Margies/Herald

The Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce held its annual installation dinner at MacArthur Park on Jan. 28, marking the start of the organization’s new year and the swearing-in of the chamber’s board, including President Ed Asip, First Vice President Donna O’Reilly Einemann, new Secretary Catie Seward, and Treasurer Tom Bogue, administered by Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray. The event featured the reinstallation of officers and board members and highlighted themes of inclusion and cooperation within the village. There was also a fundraising raffle benefiting the Rockville Centre Beautification Council. Story and more photos, Page 3.

By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

The Rockville Centre School District is facing a projected $3.78 million budget deficit in 2026-27, district officials said at a Jan. 29 Board of Education work session, citing rising costs, declining enrollment and state-imposed limits on how much revenue the district can raise through property taxes.

Jacqueline Rehak, assistant superintendent for finance and operations, presented an overview of the district’s finances, beginning with the fund balance — the amount left at the end of

the fiscal year, figuring in revenues and expenses. While the balance has been stable, Rehak said, it is trending downward.

“It was projected to decline, and it was purposeful,” she said, “but it’s also a signal that we need to be mindful moving forward.”

Rehak explained that the fund balance includes appropriated and unappropriated funds, reserves and restricted funds. The largest portion of reserves is the Employee Benefit Liability Reserve, which covers payouts for retiring district employees.

Other reserves cover the state and teacher

By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

After nearly 10 inches of snow fell across Rockville Centre, two dozen or so South Side High School football and lacrosse players spent the following day shoveling driveways and walkways for neighbors instead of sleeping in and lazing around.

IThe effort, dubbed South Side Shovels, was organized by former South Side player Griffin Condon, a 2015 graduate who owns Centre Station Bar & Grill in the village and employs several of the athletes. Condon posted the offer on the RVC Network Facebook page on Jan. 21, four days before the storm, asking residents to text his phone number for service.

to his restaurant at no extra cost.

The athletes were eager to help.

“It does not surprise me one bit,” Condon said. “I know a great deal of these kids just through the games that I’ve gone to and being a player myself, and just knowing them and seeing them through training camp. So it’s not surprising at all that they’re willing to go out in conditions like this.”

t showed me how much the community comes together when people are in

RYAN

need.

MAddEN football and lacrosse player, SSHS

He expected a modest response, but instead received roughly 120 calls and messages requesting help. Residents were charged a flat rate of $60, and Condon included $20 gift cards

The players worked from 7 a.m. until about 7 p.m. and raised just over $7,000 by day’s end, which they divided among themselves.

“It showed me how much the community comes together when people are in need,” said South Side junior Ryan Madden, who plays football and lacrosse. “The community really bonded through these hard times, like that snowstorm. I thought everyone was super grateful.”

Madden and his teammates

Continued on page 14

Crystal Dunn retires after storied career

By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

Crystal Dunn, a Rockville Centre native and one of the most accomplished players in women’s soccer, announced her retirement from professional soccer in a statement posted on Instagram.

“Today, I am announcing my retirement,” Dunn wrote on Jan. 29. “This decision has not come easily, but I am at peace and deeply fulfilled with all that I have accomplished.”

She added that she “gave all I had to give” during a career that spanned youth, collegiate, professional and international soccer.

Dunn grew up in Rockville Centre and starred at South Side High School, where she established herself as one of the top high school players in the country. She was a central figure on three New York State championship teams in 2006, 2007 and 2009. Over the course of her high school career, Dunn scored 46 goals and recorded 35 assists while playing both midfield and forward.

She did not play her junior season at South Side while competing with the United States U-17 National Team in New Zealand. Her senior season included a standout performance in the 2009 state championship game, when she scored four goals, including three in the opening 20 minutes.

Dunn’s individual honors included Parade Magazine All-American recognition, Gatorade New York State Player of the Year, and New York State Sportswriters Class A Player of the Year.

Dunn went on to the University of North Carolina, where she became one of the most decorated players in program history. She won three NCAA championships with the Tar Heels, was a two-time All-American, and received both the Hermann Trophy and the Honda Award as the top collegiate player in the nation. She entered the professional ranks as the first overall pick in the 2014 National Women’s Soccer League Draft and went on to earn NWSL Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot honors. Dunn won multiple NWSL championships and Shields during her professional career and was known for her ability to play multiple positions at a high level.

Internationally, Dunn was a long-time member of the United States Women’s National Team. She helped the U.S. win the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and Olympic gold medals, including at the Paris Olympics in 2024. Over the course of her national team career, she played both attacking and defensive roles, including a shift to defense during major international tournaments.

In her Instagram announcement, Dunn reflected on her journey in the sport.

“I first kicked a soccer ball at the age of four, never knowing it would change my life and bring me so many moments beyond my imagination,” she wrote. She also acknowledged those around her, writing, “I did not travel this road alone. The locker room became my home away from home.”

Dunn was inducted into the Nassau County High School Athletics Hall of Fame in September 2024.

RVC Chamber hosts annual installation dinner

The Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce hosted its yearly installation dinner at MacArthur Park and welcomed Catie Seward of the Seward & Seward law firm as the board’s new secretary.

The Jan. 28 ceremony, which kicked off the chamber’s year, opened with the reinstallation of officers and board members by Mayor Francis X. Murray, followed by welcoming remarks from Chamber President Ed Asip, who said the evening emphasized inclusion and cooperation within the village.

A highlight of the night came with the announcement of the raffle winners. Although the original grand prize was reduced from $10,000 to $7,000, five people still walked away with cash prizes.

The winners included Brian Croutier ($300), Nicole Galante ($500), Virginia Fitzpatrick ($700), Rhonda Glickman ($1,500) and Keely Collins, who claimed the $7,000 grand prize.

Asip said Collins’ win was especially fitting.

“She recently, this past year, took over the RVC Beautification Council as the chair,” he said following the raffle. “This is well deserved.”

The raffle served as a fundraiser for the Rockville Centre Beautification Council, which supports efforts to enhance public spaces throughout the village. Participants had the opportunity to win prizes while contributing to local beautification initiatives. Proceeds from the event will support future projects led by the Beautification Council, including landscaping improvements, lighting enhancements and other initiatives aimed at maintaining and improving the village’s appearance.

For more information on the Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce, visit rockvillecentrechamberofcommerce.com.

–Alyssa R. Griffin

GLYNN FUNERAL HOME

Crime watCh

Fire alarm

On Jan. 27, police and fire units responded to Kashi restaurant on Sunrise Highway for a flooding condition caused by a burst pipe.

harassment

On Jan. 27, a nurse at Mercy Hospital reported that a patient threatened her after being discharged, causing her to fear for her safety.

larCeny

On Jan. 27, a North Bellmore resident reported that someone stole her wallet from her purse while she was eating at Catch 13 on North Park Avenue.

leaving the sCene

On Jan. 28, a Hempstead resident reported that his vehicle was struck by another vehicle which then fled the scene after an accident on North Long Beach Road.

On Jan. 29, a Wantagh resident reported that her vehicle was struck by another vehicle and damaged while it

was parked on Merrick Road.

lost property

On Jan. 29, a Freeport resident reported that she lost a bag containing personal items while traveling on a NICE bus through Rockville Centre.

arrest s

On Jan. 29, Collin O’Neill, 25, of South Huntington, was issued an appearance ticket for three violations of the Alcohol and Beverage Control Law after a State Liquor Authority inspection at Ivy Kitchen and Bar on South Park Avenue.

On Jan. 30, Phillip McTootle, 19, of Rockville Centre, was arrested along with a juvenile accomplice after they were observed stealing a package from a residence near Grand Avenue and Lee Avenue. Both subjects were charged with petit larceny.

On Jan. 31, Whitney Vecchione, 39, of Rockville Centre, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated after an investigation at the scene of an auto accident.

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

Fire watCh

The Rockville Centre Fire Department is always looking for help in serving our community. If you live here or in any one of the adjacent communities and are interested in joining or just

January 25 – February 1

General Alarms – 14

Still Alarms – 8

Rescue – 5

Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 34

Mutual Aid Fire – 6

Mutual Aid Rescue – 0

Mutual Aid Ambulance – 0

Total – 67

have questions, please visit any firehouse on Sunday mornings and speak with one of the officers or call (516) 6789320. For emergencies dial 911 or (516) 766-0400.

Year To Date

General Alarms – 47

Still Alarms – 28

Rescue – 23

Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 212

Mutual Aid Fire – 10

Mutual Aid Rescue – 0

Mutual Aid Ambulance – 0

Total – 320

spotlight athlete

MIA DISALVO

SOUTH SIDE Senior Gymnastics

A MEMBER OF SOUTH SIDE’S varsity for five seasons, DiSalvo is considered one of the most talented gymnasts in Nassau County. She earned All-County honors on vault in the 202122 campaign and has been All-County in three events (vault, balance beam and floor exercise) in each of the past four seasons. Her career highs are 8.45 on vault, 8.95 on beam and 9.3 on floor. She’s also one of the Cyclones’ captains.

games to watch

Thursday, Feb. 5

Girls Basketball: Sewanhaka at Carey 4:30 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Manhasset at Elmont 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Roosevelt at Mepham 6:45 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Calhoun at Long Beach 6:45 p.m.

Girls Basketball: South Side at Clarke 6:45 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Lawrence at Seaford 6:45 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Long Beach at Calhoun 6:45 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Clarke at South Side 7 p.m.

Girls Basketball: G.N. South at MacArthur 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 6

Boys Basketball: Carey at Sewanhaka 4:30 p.m.

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

Girls Basketball: Carle Place at West Hemp 5 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Island Trees at Malverne 6 p.m.

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

Girls Basketball: Lo. Valley at North Shore 6:45 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Seaford at Lawrence 7 p.m.

Girls Basketball: V.S. North at V.S. South 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 7

Boys Basketball: Hempstead at Freeport 11:45 a.m.

Boys Basketball: Massapequa at Uniondale 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Massapequa at South Side 3 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Oceanside at Baldwin 4 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

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

HERALD SPORTS

Conference title in Cyclones’ reach

By MICHELLE RABINOVICH sports@liherald.com

South Side boys basketball is doing quite well and looking to pull out a conference title and make another deep playoff run.

The Cyclones are 13-3 overall and 10-1 against conference rivals, sitting in a first-place tie in the loss column with Manhasset in the AA-5 standings. The teams have a showdown set for Feb. 11 at Manhasset at 6:45 p.m.

South Side is riding a three-game win streak, after a 50-32 win over Sewanhaka Monday, a 69-43 victory over Division Jan. 30, and a 56-22 trouncing over Carey on Jan. 27.

Monday marked its fifth straight game without injured standout point guard John Pericolosi. Ryan Schmitt stepped up with 18 points in the win. Against Division, Schmitt and Robert Griffo put up 14 points apiece, while Trevor Walsh added 11 and Connor Erickson 9. Griffo’s 14 paced the win over Carey.

At face value, the Cyclones are on fire, but it’s not quite the picture head coach Jerry D’Angelo painted at this point in the season.

There’s a chance Pericolosi, will miss the rest of the regular season. The 6-foot-4 All-County guard was leading the team in points, rebounds and steals, and was second in rebounds until he was injured in South Side’s first meeting with Manhasset Jan. 14. Despite the injury, Pericolosi put up 22 points, 11 rebounds and 5 steals.

“It’s rough,” D’Angelo said. “In many ways John is our catalyst, and while I have other quality players, John is kind of the spearhead for us. He is a three-year starter for me, returning all-county [player], two-year captain for me, so it’s a little tough.”

Now, Erickson starts at point guard in the interim, with Jesse Kuo getting some additional minutes at the top of the key off the bench.

“It’s been a little bit of an adjustment without [John]; we’d now had

[over] a week of practice to adjust without John, so I think we’re getting there,” D’Angelo said. “Connor, who I think is a capable guard, normally is our starting [shooting] guard, is starting at the point guard spot, and Jesse will come in now and play more minutes than when John was around.”

D’Angelo said how being away from the action has been a struggle for Pericolosi, but the two have found a working solution: someone who encourages his teammates between plays and cycles ideas back and forth between the point guards who are on the court and point out what they are missing. Two minds are greater than one.

“John is the bench kid that needs to

keep on talking to Jesse and Connor and give them some advice,” D’Angelo explained. “Guards that are playing more minutes would kind of lean on John in the locker room, they lean on John before the game in terms of preparation, to help these kids in terms of what they may or may not see.”

It’s a team effort to success, according to D’Angelo. He added how Schmitt is one of the faces that stepped up in the last few games, now averaging close to 15 points per game. All that remains to be seen in how South Side will continue with less than a handful of games left in the regular season. The finale is Feb. 14 at home versus Bethpage at noon.

Chris Herren returns with recovery message

By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com

The Rockville Centre Coalition for Youth is inviting residents to take part in what organizers hope will be an honest and urgent community conversation about substance abuse.

As addiction continues to affect families across Long Island, former professional basketball player Chris Herren will return to the village to speak — not about sports, but survival and recovery.

Herren, whose promising NBA career was derailed by a yearslong heroin addiction, will share his personal story during a presentation, “The First Day,” for students, parents and community members at South Side High School on Feb. 9.

He last spoke at South Side in 2018.

“I am grateful to be back in Rockville Centre on Feb. 9 to share a message of prevention and hope,” Herren said in a statement to the Herald. “We need to continue the conversation on substance use to prevent and educate. Through sharing my story, I hope to reach just one person with the message that no matter how far you may fall, recovery is possible.”

A standout player from Fall River, Mass., Herren rose to national prominence by breaking scoring records and drawing attention from top college programs before fulfilling a lifelong dream when he was drafted by the Denver Nug-

gets in 1999. He later played for the Boston Celtics.

Despite his success on the court, Herren’s career — and nearly his family — were derailed by addiction. Sober from alcohol and drugs since Aug. 1, 2008, Herren has since transformed his life’s trajectory, speaking to more than two million students nationwide. Through candid presentations, he encourages

audiences to rethink how addiction is viewed, shifting the focus from the last day of use to the first and emphasizing prevention, awareness and hope.

The event aims to raise awareness about substance use, the importance of early intervention and the role adults play in prevention.

“An important lesson I hope the community takes, particularly adults and

BRANDED CONTENT

parents, is to spend time with your kids and watch what they’re doing,” said Ruthanne McCormack, program director of the Rockville Centre Coalition for Youth. “It’s great that they’re on teams and play sports, but what do they do after that? When they’re out and about, they’re in parks, they’re on bridges, they’re in people’s homes, and drinking.”

Coalition leaders say addiction can affect anyone, regardless of background or success.

“This could happen to anyone, even a very successful athlete or someone who’s not successful,” said Joe Adipietro, a licensed clinical social worker and program coordinator. “Substance abuse, the disease of addiction, it doesn’t discriminate. It affects everyone and it shows what it can do to someone’s life and destroy it.”

Funded entirely through donations, the program will also address New York’s social host law and encourage open discussions about mental health, addiction and available community resources.

“We have our billboard going up at the beginning of February for two months that’s addressing the social host law, which we find is a real problem,” McCormack said. “Whether it’s an adult or an 18-year-old giving alcohol to someone younger, that’s a violation. We felt that this was important to take us through the winter.”

Powering Long Island: A History of Resilience and Reinvention

The story of Long Island’s energy infrastructure is one of growth, ambition, missteps and resilience.

From the development of the Long Island Lighting Company (LILCO) and the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) to handle a growing need, to key historical events like

the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant saga and Hurricane Sandy, Long Island’s power grid has a storied history.

The Formation of LILCO

Around 1910, LILCO was created by combining four small Suffolk County utility companies to make improvements on the existing system to deliver electric power.

For much of its history, LILCO focused on

large, centralized fossil-fuel power plants supported by an expanding grid.

Long before the adverse effects of climate change would be felt, the dangerous choice to rely on fossil fuels was evident in the Bay Shore gas explosion in 1919, knocking out power for three days.

Through the 1950s and 60s, negative effects were felt to a greater impact. Most famously the New York smog event of 1966, where air pollution from coal power plants and other sources led to poisonous air quality, severe health impacts and deaths.

While plagued by these negative public health circumstances, this system did meet the energy demand of the day. But, in the 1960s and ‘70s, the development of air conditioning made demand for electric power skyrocket. LILCO’s answer? The Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant.

The Shoreham Nuclear Plant: A Defining Turning Point

The Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant was constructed, but was met with public opposition and significant safety concern studies. The 1979 accident at the Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania amplified these concerns.

Though completed, and still reflected on Long Island ratepayers utility bills, Shoreham never operated commercially, and it became a national symbol of failed centralized energy planning. Ultimately, the plant was decommissioned, leaving Long Islanders with debt—and a lasting skepticism toward large, single-point energy solutions.

Storms, Blackouts and a Grid Under Stress

From 1985’s Hurricane Gloria that knocked out electricity to two-thirds of LILCO’s customers, to the Northeast blackout of 2003 that halted the Long Island Rail Road, to Hurricane Sandy in 2012 where 90 percent of Long Island lost power, to every tropical storm and weather event in between, these natural disasters continued to expose deep flaws in the aging infrastructure. Each event compounded existing wear on the system, accelerating the need for reinforcement, storm hardening, smarter grid design and diversity of energy sources— while costing a premium to do so. These moments also reshaped public expectations: reliability is no longer just about everyday demand, but about resilience under extreme conditions.

From LILCO to Long Island Power Authority (LIPA)

As a result of the Long Island Power Act of 1985, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) was created to assume responsibility for LILCO’s debt, which totaled around $7.3 billion, and the infrastructure. LIPA inherited a vast, but inadequate grid that must be upgraded.

Now, as the AI and data-center revolution demand more and more of our power grid, and new technologies have become available, namely renewables like wind, solar and battery storage, Long Island has the opportunity to transform to a modern, affordable and resilient power grid.

Long Island’s fragile drinking water system

Experts explain what lies beneath the surface, and detail the threats to our crucial aquifers

By JORDAN VALLONE, WILL SHEELINE & ABIGAIL GRIECO of the Herald Community Newspapers

First installment in a series about water.

On Long Island, we’re not talking enough about water.

From the drops coming out of our taps to the waves breaking along both shores, myriad water-related issues have the potential to impact Long Islanders’ day-to-day lives.

The water system is not a single pipeline or policy, but a web of underground aquifers, aging infrastructure, coastal ecosystems — and policymakers — that together determine who has access to clean, affordable water — and who faces the greatest risk when that system begins to fail.

This series will break down how Long Island’s water system works, from aquifers to coastal bays, and clarify how policy, infrastructure and governance shape access to clean, affordable water. It will also examine the environmental pressures facing that system, from contamination and climate change to the health of bays, fisheries and drinking water supplies.

Through global reports that demonstrate the rapid growth of freshwater use over the past century, and interviews with environmental experts and regional advocates who connect these issues locally, this first installment examines what lies beneath the surface: the water we drink, and how contamination and access may disproportionately affect certain communities.

The sole source beneath Long Island

In order to understand Long Island’s relationship with drinking water, it’s essential to understand where the water comes from. The island relies on aquifers, underground layers of sand, gravel and clay that store billions of gallons of water accumulated over tens of millions of years. More specifically, Long Island relies on three: the Upper Glacial, the Magothy and the Lloyd (as well as a fourth, significantly smaller one, the Jameco).

These aquifers together are designated a single-source aquifer system by the Environmental Protection Agency, which means that “your groundwater supply is provided by an aquifer that serves at least 50 percent of your water needs,” according to Sarah Meyland, a former professor at New York Institute of Technology.

Meyland explained that both Nassau and Suffolk counties rely on this single aquifer system for 100 percent of our freshwater, whether it comes from a tap, shower or sprinkler. While this has meant that Long Islanders have had access to clean, easily accessed drinking water for decades, the aquifers, particularly in Nassau County, have one major downside.

“This aquifer needs to be particularly well protected, because if you damage it,

or if you ruin it, you don’t have any other source of water,” Meyland said. “And that’s exactly the situation Long Island is in. We don’t have a secondary backup source of water.”

Since the federal government began measuring water usage in Long Island’s aquifers in 1900, roughly 5 percent of drinkable water has been consumed or lost due to salinization, the process by which freshwater is turned into saltwater. It occurs in aquifers due to overpumping, as water is taken out faster than it is replaced, causing saltwater from the Long Island Sound and the ocean to fill in the missing volume.

tion of the aquifer system is already nonfunctional, Queens is barely better, and both now get their water from the New York City water system, which pumps freshwater in from upstate. Nassau is well on its way to following them; the difference is there is no municipal entity to bail Nassau out.

RISING TIDES

as of 2021, the United States withdraws the third-highest amount of freshwater from underground globally, roughly 444.4 billion cubic meters per year.

A key conclusion from the university’s report put the crisis in simple terms: “The world is already in the state of ‘water bankruptcy.’” In many basins and aquifers, long-term overuse and degradation, the report says, means that “hydrological and ecological baselines cannot realistically be restored.”

What areas are more affected?

If Long Island continues on the same path of aquifer depletion without any intervention from state authorities, such as the Department of Environmental Conservation, Meyland said, Nassau County will suffer more than Suffolk within the next 50 years.

“It’s about a third of the size of Suffolk with roughly the same number of people,” she said. “The Town of Brookhaven is the same size as the county of Nassau. So Nassau County will continue to experience saltwater intrusions. That’s going to put pressure on virtually all of the water suppliers along the north and south shore.”

Meyland singled out Long Beach as an area that would likely lose its entire local water supply because of saltwater intrusion to the Lloyd Aquifer, the only aquifer the city draws from.

The vast majority of the used water is consumed by private sprinklers and irrigation systems, many of which are automated to water yards and home gardens. According to Meyland, Long Island has the highest per-capita water use of any community from New York to North Carolina, and the vast majority of that use occurs from spring through fall, when sprinklers turn on and swimming pools fill up.

There is no known way to create new water, or to speed up the natural replenishment process. Desalination plants, which remove salt from water, are becoming more common globally, but they are expensive projects, according to Meyland.

“It’s like a bank account,” Meyland said. “The water, the money coming in, needs to be at least equal to the money going out.”

Water bankruptcy

While a 5 percent loss may seem inconsequential, the real problem is there’s no way to efficiently and cheaply replenish that loss. And the damage is not evenly distributed: The vast majority of the loss takes place in Brooklyn, Queens and Nassau, which have not effectively stewarded their portions of the aquifers.

Suffolk, which has the lowest population density of the four counties, has proactively monitored and managed its water intake and outflow for years, leaving its portion of the aquifers “a system in balance,” as Meyland described it.

She pointed out that Brooklyn’s por-

The issues impacting drinking water supply are not unique to Long Island. According to a report released by the United Nations University last month, the world is entering an “era of global water bankruptcy” — a new, formal definition of a reality for billions of people. The report called for a “fundamental reset” of the global water agenda, as irreversible damage pushes sources of fresh drinking water beyond recovery.

“This report tells an uncomfortable truth: Many regions are living beyond their hydrological means, and many critical water systems are already bankrupt,” said the report’s lead author, Kaveh Madani, the director of the UN University’s Institute for Water, Environment and Health.

Numbers published by Our World In Data, a nonprofit publication that uses data to explain global issues like poverty, disease and climate change, showed that

“They will have already been forced to look for other sources of water, whether they make arrangements from New York City, or they make arrangements and buy water from some of their neighboring water suppliers,” Meyland explained. “I’m sure there will be a lot of pressure to desalinate water, but that will be very expensive.”

On the North Shore of Nassau County, she said, areas of the Great Neck and Manhasset peninsula, including Sands Point, are at risk of losing their supplies of water, also due to salinity. And their options are limited, she added, because some of these communities are already piping water from other parts of Long Island.

Water suppliers are aware of the risk the future holds, Meyland said, but it is unfair to put the burden on them to fix the situation. “They are not at fault for what is happening to the water supply for coastal communities,” she said. And water supplies are not only depleting on Long Island, but they are also contaminated.

The Environmental Working Group affiliated with Citizens Campaign for the Environment, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for stronger environmental policies in New York and Connecticut, released a report in 2025 showing that a least 189 New York water systems — primarily serving residents of Long Island — detected high levels of toxic so-called “forever chemicals,” or PFAS, in tap water.

The report showed that 702,000 residents in Nassau County and 122,200 resi-

Detailing the threats to L.I.’s drinking water

dents of Suffolk have elevated levels of PFAS in their water supplies. Some particularly vulnerable communities include those serviced by the Lynbrookbased Liberty Utilities, the Water Authority of Western Nassau and the Hempstead Town Water District.

What can be done?

According to Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, geography and land use play a major role in why some Long Island communities experience more severe water quality issues than others.

“The biggest driver for water quality in the marine environment is land activity,” Esposito said, noting that polluted stormwater runoff, fertilizer use and marine debris all flow from developed areas into surrounding bays and waterways.

Highly populated and heavily developed regions — particularly along the South Shore — generate greater amounts of runoff, which carries excess nitrogen from lawn fertilizers, bacteria and debris into nearby bays. That nitrogen fuels algae growth, which depletes oxygen levels and can lead to fish kills and damage to shellfish populations.

Aging infrastructure in some coastal communities continues to pose challenges. Esposito pointed to the Long Beach’s sewage treatment plant, which discharg-

es roughly 5 million gallons of wastewater per day into Nassau County’s Western Bays. While the wastewater is treated, Esposito said the facility is old and in need of major repairs.

The Western Bays have been among the most degraded areas, in part due to decades of treated sewage discharges and runoff from surrounding communities. Marine debris, including plastic bottles, cigarette butts and food packaging, often originates farther inland, and makes its way through tributaries before washing into coastal waters, Esposito said.

On the North Shore, in areas that still rely on septic systems, groundwater contamination presents another challenge, as pollutants can leach directly into aquifers and nearby waterways.

Iresult of years of advocacy and scientific review.

In addition to regulating water systems themselves, Esposito highlighted a first-of-its-kind state law, passed in 2019, that limited the amount of 1,4-dioxane allowed in common household and personal care products. The law was phased in over several years and was fully implemented in 2023, reducing the amount of chemicals entering wastewater systems in the first place.

f you want to protect our waters and public health, sometimes you have to speak out

Esposito pointed to several major policy changes that have reshaped how New York addresses water contamination, particularly by emerging chemicals like PFAS and 1,4-dioxane.

water quality in the Western Bays once the Bay Park Conveyance Project is completed.

At the local and state level, municipalities are also tapping into grant programs designed to reduce stormwater pollution. These initiatives fund upgrades to stormwater systems, filtration devices that remove nitrogen and bacteria before runoff reaches waterways. Environmental organizations, including Citizens Campaign, Operation SPLASH and the Nature Conservancy have played a key role in advocating for these measures through long-term collaboration and public pressure.

AdrIenne d’esposIto Executive director, Citizens Campaign for

the Environment

She noted that the state now has some of the nation’s strongest drinking water standards for these chemicals — standards that are fully implemented across Long Island’s public water systems, the

Mary L. Etienne

March 14, 1926 – January 21, 2026

Mary Loretta (Gay) Etienne passed away peacefully of natural causes on January 21, 2026, just shy of her 100th birthday. Raised in New Brunswick, New Jersey, she was the eldest daughter of a close-knit Irish Catholic family and graduated from St. Peter’s High School.

Mary’s life was long, but more importantly, it was full—deeply rooted in family, with a love of dance and reading, a wonderful sense of humor and enduring connections with extended family, friends and neighbors. Her kindness, grace and joy for life enriched the lives of all who knew her.

Esposito also emphasized the importance of preventing pollution at its source, rather than relying on expensive treatment systems after contamination occurs. Citizens Campaign has spent several years advocating for legislation aimed at reducing packaging waste, a significant contributor to marine debris found in Long Island’s bays and waterways.

One of the most significant steps underway is the long-awaited redirection of treated sewage from the South Shore Water Reclamation Facility, in Bay Park, away from the Western Bays and into the Cedar Creek ocean outfall pipe — a nearly $600 million project more than a decade in the making. The change is expected to dramatically improve

OBITUARY

Looking ahead, Citizens Campaign plans to launch a new marine debris prevention campaign this spring, focused on public education and outreach, emphasizing that litter discarded anywhere on Long Island can ultimately end up in coastal waters. The organization is also continuing its push in Albany for legislation aimed at reducing packaging waste and monitoring contaminants entering waterways through wastewater systems.

Residents can make a difference, Esposito said, by limiting fertilizer use, properly disposing of trash and supporting redevelopment over construction on green spaces.

“We encourage people to get up, show up and speak up,” she said. “If you want to protect our waters and public health, sometimes you have to speak out.”

Robert G. Etienne

July 13, 1926 – March 25, 2024

Robert George Etienne died peacefully of natural causes on March 25, 2024. Raised in a lively, multigenerational French-Canadian household in South Ozone Park, New York, he graduated from St. Francis Preparatory High School in Brooklyn and attended Georgetown University through the GI Bill.

A proud U.S. Army veteran, Robert served in the European Theatre during World War II. He was known for his creativity, intelligence and gift for storytelling. He “didn’t know a stranger” and shared his humor, curiosity and love of history with everyone he met. His strength of character and indomitable spirit left a lasting impression.

While stationed at Fort Dix at the end of the war, Robert met the love of his life, Mary, who worked on base. They were married on October 13, 1951 at St. Peter’s Church in New Brunswick, New Jersey and built a life together in Rockville Centre, New York. Mary and Robert’s devotion to each other and to their family will continue to inspire all that knew them. This enduring partnership, lived side by side, became the foundation of a legacy far greater than either could have created alone—making it so fitting to remember them together.

The couple is survived by their loving family, including eight children: Jeff (Marie Marinello), Mark (Patricia), James (Shawn Wardle), Lorette Pribil, Robert, Timothy (Sharmaine), Michael and MaryEllen (Steven Box); eleven grandchildren: Dawn Etienne-Smith (Chris Smith) and Craig Etienne (Giocanda Gallo), Jaqueline Morreale (Amedeo) and Kevin Pribil (Kate), Carolyn Etienne, Caitlin, Brianne, Analiese and Devon Etienne, and Patrick Box; and seven great-grandchildren: Bridgette Smith, Gabriel and Selene Etienne, Natalia and Luciano Morreale and Quinn and Camille Pribil. They were preceded in death by their beloved grandson, Kenneth Pribil. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Ken Pribil Jr. Foundation.

Middle school students perform at Coliseum

By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

Select seventh- and eighth-grade band students from South Side Middle School performed two national anthems prior to the Long Island Nets’ NBA G League game against Raptors 905 at Nassau Coliseum.

Under the direction of music teacher Christina Tomek, the students performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “O Canada” before the Jan. 23 game. The performance took place on the court in front of players, coaches, and nearly 2,500 fans in attendance for the international matchup.

The opportunity allowed the students to showcase their musicianship in a professional sports setting and experience performing in a large venue. The appearance marked a special moment for the young musicians, many of whom had not previously performed before a crowd of that size.

Following the pregame performances, the Long Island Nets defeated Raptors 905 109-93.

Living Well with Hearing Challenges

Practical, science-backed strategies to improve connection,

Firefighters honored for service, legacy

Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray and Deputy Mayor Kathy Baxley attended the Defenders of the Rockville Centre Fire Department Annual Awards Dinner, an evening dedicated to honoring the dedication and service of the village’s volunteer firefighters. During the Jan. 17 event, the Defenders proudly recognized Andrew Krahm, Charlie Krahm, and Thomas Nofi for their outstanding service. Attendees also paused to remember and honor the life and legacy of Charlie Krahm, whose commitment and contributions to the community will not be forgotten.

Cyclone athletes trade cleats for shovels

met at Centre Station on Monday morning to collect shovels and gift cards before dispersing into seven “zones” across the village. Teams of three worked on houses within walking distance of their own.

Madden shoveled with multi-sport athletes Brendan and Kieran Vetter. Other football players who took part included senior Colin Kenny and juniors Leonard Budden, Will Durdaller, Jaylen Fletcher and D’Andre MullingsNewberry.

Junior running back and safety A.J. Magaraci, who underwent shoulder surgery last November after playing much of the football season with a torn labrum, coordinated assignments and logistics for the teams.

“We just made groups [based] on where the houses were the closest for everyone, because most of us couldn’t get a car out and go drive,” Magaraci explained. “I made the groups like that so everyone was able to walk to the places that they were going. It was pretty easy from there because everyone gets along, so no one was having trouble.”

Madden and his group cleared about 12 houses, and he acknowledged that fatigue set in just past the seventh home. Magaraci’s parents helped refuel the players with pizza and hot chocolate.

“We had one long driveway, we had a pizza box, and we were laying in the

snow just eating the pizza,” Madden recounted. “It was, like, our seventh house, and we were dying, and we were just, like, oh my God, it’s gonna be a long day.”

Magaraci said the experience reinforced the importance of community responsibility for young athletes. “This town is great for all the sports, not just football,” he said. “So whenever we get the chance, we all love to go out and help

them out in any way they can, like they do for us.”

For South Side football coach Phil Onesto, the effort highlighted leadership and character development beyond the field.

“When you put on a football uniform, you’re representing your school and your family and your community,” Onesto said. “It’s not an individual thing, and it even expands much farther

than just the football program itself. You’re representing South Side High School.”

The initiative dates back to 2021, when a major snowstorm at the height of the coronavirus pandemic first inspired athletes to volunteer.

“The kids were very eager to get out,” Onesto recalled. “We had a team meeting, and we were, like, ‘Look, there’s going to be a big snowstorm coming up. We want to open up and help.’ It was a really big success.”

Residents were overwhelmingly appreciative, offering the shovelers tips, snacks and drinks. The experience also gave players some perspective on their role in the community.

“It’s nice sitting around on a snow day, relaxing,” Madden said, “but it’s even better just helping out your community, doing what you can and having fun with your friends.”

Magaraci said the effort could help change perceptions of high school athletes. “I feel like some people might think they’re not the type of people to go out and go help the community,” he said, “but this will definitely help change their perspective on that.”

Condon and the players hope to repeat the effort in future storms, with the goal of making South Side Shovels an ongoing tradition.

“We’re ready to do it again whenever the community needs us,” Madden said.

STEPPING OUT

West Bank Wings Blazin’ Buffalo Potato Skins Sweet Chili Meatballs

Big game, big flavor

Score from kickoff to crunch time

By Karen Bloom

It’s the biggest sports day of the year — and a perfect excuse to throw a bash that’s almost as exciting as the game itself. The Super Bowl on Sunday isn’t just about touchdowns, commercials and the halftime show: it’s about friends, fun and food that’s worth a victory dance.

Sure, the game on the big screen is the main event, but let’s be honest — some of the best plays happen around the snack table. Wings, dips, even desserts are all part of the strategy to keep your fans happy (and maybe even sneak a second helping before halftime). When it comes to dessert, fuss-free is the way to go. An array of cookies, brownies and dessert bars will satisfy the sweet tooth. You can take your dessert table to the next level by icing your treats in team colors. Here’s your playbook for scoring big with game-day treats that’ll make your party a championship-worthy hit.

West Bank Wings

No football party is complete without a generous serving of wings. Try these Asianinspired chicken wings, with a spicy Creole twist.

• 3 pounds chicken wing pieces

• 1 tablespoon oil

• 2 teaspoons Creole Seasoning

• 1/2 cup pineapple juice

• 1/4 cup cane syrup or molasses

• 1/4 cup ZATARAIN’S® Creole Mustard

• 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce

• 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic

• 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

• Chopped fresh cilantro

• Sesame seeds

Preheat oven to 450°F. Toss chicken wings with oil and Creole Seasoning in large bowl. Arrange wings in single layer on foil-lined large shallow baking pan.

Bake 35 minutes or until wings are cooked through and skin is crisp.

Mix remaining ingredients, except cilantro and sesame seeds, in large skillet. Bring to boil on high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer about 15 minutes or until sauce is reduced by a third and is a “syrup” consistency. Add wings; toss to coat with sauce. Transfer wings to serving

platter. Garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Cajun Buffalo Wings

Here’s another zesty take on the footballwatching favorite.

• 2 1/2 pounds chicken wing pieces

• 1/2 cup any flavor Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce

• 1/3 cup ketchup

• 2 tsp. Cajun seasoned spice blend

Bake wings in foil-lined pan at 500 °F on lowest oven rack for 20 to 25 minutes until crispy, turning once.

Mix Buffalo Wings Sauce, ketchup and spice blend.

Toss wings in sauce to coat.

Tip: You may substitute 1/2 cup Red Hot Sauce mixed with 1/3 cup melted butter for the Wings Sauce.

Alternate cooking directions: Deep-fry at 375°F for 10 minutes or broil 6-inches from heat 15 to 20 minutes turning once.

Blazin’ Buffalo Potato Skins

This the ideal game day snack! Seriously, it’s a crowd pleaser.

• 3 pounds small russet potatoes

• Olive oil cooking spray

• 1 cup shredded reduced-fat or regular Monterey Jack cheese

• 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken

• 1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce

• 1/2 cup chopped Blue Diamond Smokehouse

• Almonds

• 1/2 cup light sour cream

• 1/4 cup sliced green onion tops

Preheat oven to 450 F and line baking sheet with foil.

Rinse potatoes and pat dry; pierce with fork or sharp knife. Place in large microwave-safe bowl; cover and microwave high for 15 minutes or until potatoes are soft when gently squeezed. Remove and let cool slightly.

Cut in half and scoop out potato leaving 1/4inch rim of potato inside skin. Place on prepared baking sheet and spray both sides of potato skins liberally with cooking spray; bake for 15 minutes to crisp.

Billy Stritch and Friends celebrate Judy Garland

Sprinkle equal amounts of cheese into each skin. Stir together chicken and wing sauce and spoon over cheese. Top with almonds and bake for 5 minutes more. Add dollop of sour cream to each and sprinkle with green onions. Serve with and additional wing sauce, if desired. Makes 6-8 servings.

Sweet Chili Meatballs

Round out your lineup with this tasty addition to your game day spread.

• 1 pound lean ground turkey or ground beef

• 1/3 cup Japanese panko crumbs or bread crumbs

• ¼ cup cilantro, finely chopped

• 3 green onions, chopped

• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely minced

• 1 large egg, beaten

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 12 ounces Frank’s RedHot Sweet Chili Sauce, divided

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Mix ground meat, panko crumbs, cilantro, green onion, ginger, egg, salt and 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce. Form into one-inch meatballs. Place meatballs on lightly greased baking sheets.

Bake 20 minutes, turning once halfway through. Put meatballs in slow cooker or Dutch oven to keep warm, pour remaining sweet chili sauce over meatballs. Gently stir to coat meatballs and serve.

Bacon Avocado Dip

Game day requires guacamole. Try a new twist on the must-have dip.

• 1 large avocado, peeled and mashed

• 1/2 tomato, seeded and chopped

• 1/3 cup Blue Diamond Jalapeno Smokehouse

• Almonds, chopped

• 1/4 cup diced red onion

• 3 strips cooked bacon, roughly chopped

• 2 tablespoons sour cream

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

• Juice of 1/2 lime

• Salt and pepper, to taste

In small bowl, mix all ingredients. Serve with tortilla chips or other favorite dippers, such as carrots, bell peppers and broccoli.

Judy on TV! This concert shines a long-overdue spotlight on a unique chapter of Garland’s legendary career: her 1963–64 CBS television series. It’s a look at Garland’s iconic talent through the lens of her landmark 1963-64 weekly television broadcasts. Renowned entertainer and music director Billy Stritch leads this dazzling tribute that brings together a stellar lineup of jazz and Broadway favorites including acclaimed vocalists Gabrielle Stravelli and Nicolas King. The Judy Garland Show lasted only nine months and the star saw its cancellation as a devastating failure. Stritch sees it much differently, noting that the show’s 26 hours of concert material capture a crucial era of her life and legacy as one of the greatest entertainers of all time. These terrific performers revive the unforgettable music, intimate moments and sheer star power that defined the show.

Saturday, Feb. 7, 8 p.m. $58, $48, $38. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.

Feel the beat with Step Afrika!

The acclaimed dance company visits Hofstra University with a high-octane performance, Step Afrika! 101. Since its 1994 founding, Step Afrika! has been recognized as a cultural ambassador for this percussive dance tradition rooted in African American communities and historically linked to Black Greek-letter organizations. Their signature style fuses precise footwork and rhythmic movement with contemporary African dance, AfroBeats and popular music, in a powerful celebration of culture and community. Everyone is encouraged to clap, stomp, and join in calland-response moments that make the show feel as communal as it is electric. In keeping with Step Afrika!’s emphasis on service and community, it’s requested to bring non-perishable food items or basic toiletries to benefit the Hofstra Pantry and the Mary Brennan INN.

Sunday, Feb. 8, 3:30-5 p.m. Free admission. John Cranford Adams Playhouse, South Campus, Hempstead. For more information, visit hofstra.edu/academics/culturalcenter or call (516) 463-5669 or email hofculctr@hofstra.edu.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

Friday flicks

FEB

6

The Rockville Centre Public Library shows “One Battle After Another,” the 2025 Paul Thomas Anderson film about retired revolutionary Bob Fergusson (Leonardo DiCaprio), who is forced back into action to protect his daughter, Willa, from his nemesis, Colonel Lockjaw, who seeks revenge for their past anti-government work with the French 75 group. The movie is rated R.

• Where: 221 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: 2 p.m.

• Contact: rvclibrary.org or (516) 766-6257

FEB

FEB

16

Pete’s Blue Carpet Catwalk

St. Agnes Super Bowl Pancake Breakfast

Join the St. Agnes Knights of Columbus Council #2548 for a Super Bowl pancake breakfast at the St. Agnes Parish Center. Enjoy a delicious breakfast featuring pancakes, eggs, sausages, and beverages while supporting the Knights of Columbus$. 10 adults. $5 children, $20 families of 4 or more. Payment can be made via Venmo at @KOFC2548.

• Where: 29 Quealy Place

• Time: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

• Contact: John Madson at (516) 306-9127

FEB

10

8 Civic Association meets The Rockville Centre Village Civic Association holds an in-person meeting at Rockville Centre Public Library.

• Where: 221 North Village Ave.

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: Rvc.Civic@gmail.com

Book talk

Karine Jean-Pierre, former White House press secretary and senior advisor to

President Joseph R. Biden Jr., visits Hofstra University to discuss her two books published last year, “Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America” and “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House Outside the Party Lines.” Copies of both books will be available for purchase, and her talk will be followed by a book signing. Advance registration is required.

• Where: John Cranford Adams Playhouse, Hofstra University South Campus, Hempstead

‘So

don’t stop me now’

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

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: Starting at 11:30 a.m.

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

• Time: 8 p.m.

Queen-mania rolls on. Almost Queen returns to the Paramount stage with their homage to the beloved band. They don’t just pay tribute to the legendary band, Almost Queen transports you back in time to experience the magic and essence of Queen themselves. The band — f eaturing Joseph Russo as Freddie Mercury, Steve Leonard as Brian May, Randy Gregg as John Deacon, and John Cappadona as Roger Taylor — is “guaranteed to blow your mind” with iconic four-part harmonies and expertly executed musical interludes. The band’s authenticity shines through in their impeccable attention to detail and genuine costumes, while their live energy and precision captivates fans of all ages with an unforgettable concert experience. Almost Queen’s concerts are a true testament to the band’s love for Queen’s music. The carefully curated setlist featuring Queen’s best-loved songs, like “Somebody to Love,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “Fat Bottomed Girls,” and “Radio Ga Ga,” along with lesser known tracks. And of course, no Queen tribute concert would be complete without classics like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions!” It’s no wonder fans keep coming back for more.

• Time: 11:15 a.m.- 2:45 p.m.

• Contact: events.hofstra.edu to RSVP

Board of Education

meeting

Rockville Centre Board of Education holds their next regular meeting in the South Side High School Commons Room. This is a crucial opportunity for parents, students, and community members to stay informed about key updates in local education, including upcoming initiatives and district-wide plans. Public participation is encouraged, with time allocated for community members to address the Board.

• Where: 140 Shepherd St.

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 255-8957

FEB

14

Lunar New Year program

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes Chinese Theatre Works to the museum stage. Join in a celebration of the Lunar New Year with an original “budaixi” glove puppet production that features the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. This year’s show stars the Horse, who presides over a jolly

selection of wild puppet skits, dances, popular songs, and well known Chinese sayings that celebrate the wit and wisdom of the zodiac animals. Hao Bang Ah! Horse! A hands-on post show demonstration will make the Chinese bilingual cultural experience accessible to even the youngest audience members. $5, $4 members, $10 theater only.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m..

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

Monster Jam Freestyle Mania

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

• Where: 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont.

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

• Contact: ticketmaster.com

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

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

Valentine’s Evening with Jimmy Webb Nassau County Museum of Art hosts a special benefit concert. Renowned songwriter-composersinger Jimmy Webb warms everyone up with a performance of his legendary hits, followed by a champagne and dessert reception, also exclusive evening access to the magnificent” Real, Surreal, Photoreal” exhibit. Limited availability, RSVP soon. $250 per person.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 8-10 p.m.

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

Blood Drive

FEB

The St. Agnes Knights of Columbus Council #2548 holds a community blood drive at the St. Agnes Parish Center. All are welcome to attend, especially those who would like to become a blood donor with their first donation.

• Where: 29 Quealy Place, Rockville Centre

• Time: 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

• Contact: John Madson at (516) 306-9127

FEB

20

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

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

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

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

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.

things to know BLACk

Center keeps Dr. King’s legacy alive through youth

By ALYSSA R. GRiffin

agriffin@liherald.com

Around Rockville Centre and at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, this month is about helping young people connect with their roots, reflect on the present, and take pride in the legacy that shaped their future.

Black history is more than the past — it’s a guide for the future

Black History Month is about more than remembering historic figures or dates. It’s about understanding the struggles, resilience, and achievements of Black Americans in ways that inform how we live, act, and advocate today. At the MLK Community Center, staff focus on connecting local youth to their roots, particularly because much of that history is no longer taught in schools. “A lot of Black history in schools is glazed over,” said Patrick Morris, the director of the MLK Center. “It’s definitely important for us to educate children of color about their past, because without knowing your past, you don’t know your future.” The center’s programs aim to help children of color see their history not as a side topic, but as a core part of who they are — and who they can become.

Rockville Centre has its own place in Dr. King’s

story

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is often remembered for his marches in Washington and Selma, but his mission reached right here in Rockville Centre. In March 1968, less than 10 days before his assassination, King visited Long Island, marching alongside local activists through the streets of Long Beach. That same day, he delivered a speech at South Side Middle School in Rockville Centre — a moment still remembered today. To honor his impact, King’s birthday became a federal holiday in 1986. In Rockville Centre, honoring him is personal. “We can’t stop spreading the word or passing on the history and legacy of Dr. King, because if we do, the generations that come up will not know anything about Dr. King or the civil rights movement,” Morris said. “They would be missing an aspect of their history, of their culture.”

The next generation must carry the movement forward

The fight for equity and justice is not over. Leaders at the MLK Center want youth to understand that progress does not happen without purpose. With distractions like social media and misinformation pulling young people away from their roots, Black History Month becomes an opportunity to refocus. “The message for the MLK program is to try and connect the youth with the history, with their history, and with the past,” Morris said. For the center, this means hosting spoken word performances, mentoring circles, and storytelling events — all designed to educate and empower. “Kids definitely have to learn the history and the culture, because they have all these freedoms and privileges that were fought for by their ancestors, their grandparents, and the people before them,” he said.

Public Notices

leGal noTice

pUBlic noTice of coUnTY TReasUReR’s sale of TaX liens on Real esTaTe

Notice is hereby given that I shall, commencing on February 17, 2026, sell at public on-line auction the tax liens on real estate herein-after described, unless the owner, mortgagee, occupant of or any other party-ininterest in such real estate shall pay to the County Treasurer by February 12, 2026 the total amount of such unpaid taxes or assessments with the interest, penalties and other expenses and charges, against the property. Such tax liens will be sold at the lowest rate of interest, not exceeding 10 per cent per six month’s period, for which any person or persons shall offer to take the total amount of such unpaid taxes as defined in section 5-37.0 of the Nassau County Administrative Code. Effective with the February 17, 2026 lien sale, Ordinance No. 175-2015 requires a $175.00 per day registration fee for each person who intends to bid at the tax lien sale. Ordinance No. 175-2015 also requires that upon the issuance of the Lien Certificate there is due from the lien buyer a Tax Certificate Issue Fee of $20.00 per lien purchased.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Nassau County Administrative Code at the discretion of the Nassau County Treasurer the auction will be conducted online. Further information concerning the procedures for the auction is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucountyny.

gov/526/County-Treasurer

Should the Treasurer determine that an in-person auction shall be held, same will commence on the 17th day of February, 2026 at the Office of The County Treasurer 1 West Street, Mineola or at some other location to be determined by the Treasurer.

The liens are for arrears of School District taxes for the year 2024 - 2025 and/or County, Town, and Special District taxes for the year 2025. The following is a partial listing of the real estate located in school district number(s) 20, 21 in the Town of Hempstead only, upon which tax liens are to be sold, with a brief description of the same by reference to the County Land and Tax Map, the name of the owner or occupant as the same appears on the 2024/2025 tentative assessment roll, and the total amount of such unpaid taxes.

impoRTanT

THE NAMES OF OWNERS SHOWN ON THIS LIST MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE THE NAMES OF THE PERSONS OWNING THE PROPERTY AT THE TIME OF THIS ADVERTISEMENT. SUCH NAMES HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM THE 2024/2025 TENTATIVE ASSESSMENT ROLLS AND MAY DIFFER FROM THE NAMES OF THE OWNERS AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. IT MAY ALSO BE THAT SUCH OWNERS ARE NOMINAL ONLY AND ANOTHER PERSON IS ACTUALLY THE BENEFICIAL OWNER. Town of HempsTead scHool:20 lYnBRook Ufsd

Town of HempsTead scHool:21 Rockville cenTRe Ufsd

Name

Parcel Group Lot Amount

MCMANUS KIMBERLY & TIMOTHY 304.67

36 P0204800

HERRERA LYNN 1,711.51

36015 0123A 123A-123B

BENITEZ BLANCA,SORTO BLADIMIR & 9,286.40

36191 02970 297-298

HUNTER JOSEPH & BRIDGET 6,785.33

36204 00130 13-14

AYMAMI WILLIAM 9,579.27

36206 01850 185,186

PENKAVA ERIC & DEBRA 25,554.46

36243 01040

PUELLO FAMILY TRUST 19,344.43

36277 00610

DEMARCO SAMUEL & JOSEPHINE 17,937.17

36279 00920

GARDNER DIANA 29,124.14

36281 00590 59,66

LAPIERRE DANIELLE 6,865.68

36282 00720

POSTIGLIONE MICHAEL & GENEROSA 1,412.07

36302 00050 5-7,55

MARQUARDT RICHARD & MARY 1,367.91

36303 00190 19-23

PELLEGRINI JAMES & XOCHITL 24,879.23

36335 00850 85-87

BEAVER ELSIE 30,276.50

36335 05410

COHEN E D 1,215.90

36340 01410

KLAESS NOREEN & FRANCIS 20,887.74

36348 00230 23,30

STANISLAUS TRUST 365.42

36357 02880

ST JOHN JAMES & RUTH 1,390.00

36448 01590

GLASER CATHERINE LIFE ESTATE 2,699.29

36494 04680 468-469

DESIMONE SERAFINO D & ASHLEY 3,538.55

36496 00360

ROSENBERG SELIG & HARRIET 18,207.78

36497 00200

LYUTSE ILYA & POSINA ELLEN 1,039.00

38162 02430

STOEHR LAWRENCE & SARAH 11,644.41

38163 01160

ALAIMO FRANK 1,195.12

38177 01420

ERRICO ANTHONY M & 1,834.31

38184 00870 87-88,153

43 CLINTON AVENUE CORP 25,431.78

38190 00490 49-50

CAMMAROTA JOHN & JEAN 20,143.72

38203 02970

KOLLITIDES MARGARET & TRIPHON 17,512.26

38205 06340

HANLEY CHRISTOPHER T & KATHLEEN 1,894.28

38209 01660 166-167

PETERS MARIE TRUST 950.69

38212 00100 10-11

HARMS JR J WESLEY & JOANNE 21,065.11

38213 00430 43-45

KAPLAN GLENDA 23,430.66

38225 00010 1-4

ZOGAS PETER & CHRIS-ANN 8,887.45

38233 01120

ROBERTS ADAMS & KERI 18,901.93

38246 00010 1-2

HODGE JAMES J & MARIANNE 5,626.68

38261 05120 512-513

LEE JAMES & SHEILA 2,051.85

38262 01470

DALY KEVIN & JACQUELINE 21,001.14

38262 04120 412-413

MASOTTI DOMENICK & JANINE 10,740.64

38265 00160

WOLLWEBER STEPHEN & E 18,463.24

38267 00080

NILSSON HB 10,611.16

38268 00230

NIEDRITIS ERIK ALVIS 10,798.18

38274 03310

SWEITHELM DOUGLAS & ROBERTA 1,226.29

38275 00470 47-48

RMAG PROPERTIES LLC 40,970.09

38282 02400

GREY PATRICK & ROSEMARIE

38286 00270

38290 00410

38294 02320

BORENSTEIN ETAL IRVING 6,325.34

38318 03580

MAURELLO LAWRENCE R & GIANNA & 10,192.04

38329 00150

KILARJIAN MARK & ANNE 1,061.08

38332 00010

TeRms of sale

Such tax liens shall be sold subject to any and all superior tax liens of sovereignties and other municipalities and to all claims of record which the County may have thereon and subject to the provisions of the Federal and State Soldier’s and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts.

However, such tax liens shall have priority over the County’s Differential Interest Lien, representing the excess, if any, of the interest and penalty borne at the maximum rate over the interest and penalty borne at the rate at which the lien is purchased.

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

The County Treasurer reserves the right, without further notice and at any time, to withdraw from sale any of the parcels of land or premises herein listed.

The rate of interest and penalty which any person purchases the tax lien shall be established by his bid. Each purchaser, immediately after the sale thereof, shall pay to the County Treasurer ten percent of the amount from which the tax liens have been sold and the remaining ninety percent within thirty days after such sale. If the purchaser at the tax sale shall fail to pay the remaining ninety percent within ten days after he has been notified by the County Treasurer that the certificates of sale are ready for delivery, then all deposited with the County Treasurer including but not limited to the ten percent theretofore paid by him shall, without further notice or demand, be irrevocably forfeited by the purchaser and shall be retained by the County Treasurer as liquidated damages and the agreement to purchase be of no further effect.

Time is of the essence in this sale. This sale is held pursuant to the Nassau County Administrative Code and interested parties are referred to such Code for additional information as to terms of sale, rights of purchasers, maximum rates of interest and other legal incidents of the sale.

Furthermore, as to the bidding, 1.The bidder(s) agree that they will not work with any other bidder(s) to increase, maintain or stabilize interest rates or collaborate with any other bidder(s) to gain an unfair competitive advantage in the random number generator in the event of a tie bid(s) on a tax certificate. Bidder(s) further agree not to employ any bidding strategy designed to create an unfair competitive advantage in the tiebreaking process in the upcoming tax sale nor work with any other bidder(s) to engage in any bidding strategy that will result in a rotational award of tax certificates.

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

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

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

Public Notices

feited.

This list includes only tax liens on real estate located in Town of Hempstead. Such other tax liens on real estate are advertised as follows:

Town of HempsTead

Dist 1001

HEMPSTEAD BEACON, NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK TREND

NEW YORK POST

UNIONDALE BEACON Dist 1002

HEMPSTEAD BEACON, NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

UNIONDALE BEACON Dist 1003

EAST MEADOW HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS

NEW YORK POST Dist 1004

BELLMORE HERALD

MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS

NEW YORK POST Dist 1005

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS

NEW YORK POST

THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 1006

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

SEAFORD HERALD CITIZEN

WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN

Dist 1007

BELLMORE HERALD

MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST Dist 1008

BALDWIN HERALD

HEMPSTEAD BEACON, NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

Dist 1009

Dist 1010

Dist 1011

Dist 1012

Dist 1013

Dist 1014

FREEPORT HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

BALDWIN HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

OCEANSIDE TRIBUNE

OCEANSIDE/ISLAND PARK HERALD

MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

VALLEY STREAM HERALD

VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE

FIVE TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

FIVE TOWNS TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU HERALD (FIVE TOWNS)

NEW YORK POST Dist 1015

FIVE TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

FIVE TOWNS TRIBUNE

JEWISH STAR

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST Dist 1016

FRANKLIN SQ/ELMONT HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

Dist 1019

Dist 1020

Dist 1021

Dist 1022

EAST ROCKAWAY TRIBUNE

LYNBROOK/EAST ROCKAWAY HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

ROCKAWAY JOURNAL

EAST ROCKAWAY TRIBUNE

LYNBROOK/EAST ROCKAWAY HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

ROCKVILLE CENTRE TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER

Dist 1023

Dist 1024

Dist 1025

Dist 1026

Dist 1027

Dist 1028

Dist 1029

Dist 1030

Dist 1031

Dist 1201

Dist 1205

NEW YORK POST

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

SEAFORD HERALD CITIZEN

WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

VALLEY STREAM HERALD

VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE

MERRICK HERALD

MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

THE NASSAU OBSERVER

MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

LONG BEACH HERALD

LONG BEACH TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

MERRICK HERALD

MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

VALLEY STREAM HERALD

VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE

ISLAND PARK TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

OCEANSIDE/ISLAND PARK HERALD

EAST MEADOW HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW YORK POST

MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER

NEW YORK POST

Town of norTH HempsTead

Dist 2001

Dist 2002

Dist 2003

1017

Dist 2007

Dist 2009

Dist 2010

Dist 2011

Dist 2122

MANHASSET PRESS

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

PORT WASHINGTON NEWS

GREAT NECK NEWS RECORD

JEWISH STAR

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

MINEOLA WILLISTON TIMES

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW YORK POST

MINEOLA WILLISTON TIMES

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW YORK POST

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW YORK POST

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER

NEW YORK POST

Dist 2301

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

THE NORTH SHORE LEADER

Dist 2315

JERICHO NEWS JOURNAL

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE

Town of oysTer Bay

Dist 3001

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

THE NORTH SHORE LEADER

Dist 3002

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

SEA CLIFF - GLEN HEAD HERALD

THE NORTH SHORE LEADER

Dist 3003

Dist 3004

Dist 3006

Dist 3008

Dist 3009

Dist 3011

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW YORK POST

MINEOLA WILLISTON TIMES

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW YORK POST

BNH

MANHASSET PRESS

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

ROSLYN NEWS TIMES

FRANKLIN SQ/ELMONT HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER

NEW YORK POST

1018

Dist 3015

JERICHO NEWS JOURNAL

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE NEW YORK POST

SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE Dist 3017

HICKSVILLE/LEVITTOWN TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE NEW YORK POST THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3018

BETHPAGE NEWSGRAM

MASSAPEQUA POST

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE SOUTH BAYS NEIGHBOR - N. MASSAPEQUA THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3019

BETHPAGE NEWSGRAM

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

BETHPAGE NEWSGRAM

COUNTY WEBSITE

YORK POST SOUTH BAYS NEIGHBOR - BETHPAGE THE NASSAU OBSERVER Dist 3021

BETHPAGE NEWSGRAM NASSAU COUNTY

JERICHO NEWS JOURNAL

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE

LONG ISLAND PRESS

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

THE NORTH SHORE LEADER

LONG ISLAND PRESS

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

THE NORTH SHORE LEADER

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

OYSTER BAY GUARDIAN

GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY RECORD PILOT

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

OYSTER BAY GUARDIAN

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

SYOSSET ADVANCE

Dist 3012

Dist 3013

Dist 3014

Dist 2004

Dist 2005

GARDEN CITY NEWS

GARDEN CITY TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW YORK POST

MANHASSET PRESS

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

PORT WASHINGTON NEWS

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

NEW HYDE PARK FLORAL PARK HERALD COURIER

NEW YORK POST

Dist 2006

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

SYOSSET ADVANCE

SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

SYOSSET ADVANCE

SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE

JERICHO NEWS JOURNAL

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

SYOSSET JERICHO TRIBUNE

Nassau County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities.

Upon request, accommodations such as those required by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in all services, programs, activities and public hearings and events conducted by the Treasurer’s Office. Upon request, information can be made available in braille, large print, audio tape other alternative formats. For additional information, please call (516) 571-2090 ext. 13715.

Dated: February 05, 2026

District confronts deficit amid rising costs

retirement systems, which are budgeted annually. Rehak noted that the employee retirement system reserve of $2.5 million is slightly more than one year of expected expenditures, below the typical three- to six-year range. The teacher retirement system reserve stands at $1.65 million, less than one-third of one year’s expenditures, below the statutory limit of one year.

The appropriated fund balance — used to offset next year’s budget — has decreased from $2.8 million to a projected $1.6 million.

“Once it goes down to $1.6 million, I have to cut the budget,” Rehak said. “It becomes part of the revenue stream, and reliance on it is not sustainable long term.”

The unappropriated, unreserved fund balance, which can be used for emergencies, stands at $4.8 million, or 3.5 percent of the overall budget, slightly below the statutory maximum of 4 percent.

Rehak also discussed the impact of the state’s tax cap and inflation. While inflation has been high in recent years, the tax cap has remained at roughly 2 percent, limiting how much the district can raise through property taxes.

“It’s good for taxpayers, but it forces us to figure out how to operate within that cap,” she said.

Rehak projected the district’s allowable tax levy for 2026-27 at just under

LEGAL NOTICE

$112 million, a 2.45 percent increase over the current year.

The expected budget gap is driven by several factors, including declining state aid, rising health insurance costs, and out-of-district special-education placements. Foundation aid from the state is projected to rise by only 1 per-

Public Notices

Public Notice to Bidders

Sealed Bids will be received by the Purchasing Department of the Village of Rockville Centre, One College Place, Rockville Centre, New York for the matter stated below until 11:00 am prevailing time on FEBRUARY 19, 2026 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud. The contract will be awarded as soon thereafter as practicable for:

REVEREND DAYS PARK

BASKETBALL COURT

REHABILITATION

@

REVEREND DAYS

NASSAU STREET

Bid No. 2602CP1(1176)

The contract documents, specifications and plans can be examined on the Village’s website at www.rvcny.gov. Follow the link to the Purchasing Department. Each bid must be accompanied by a certified check, bank check or bid bond payable to the

Incorporated Village of Rockville Centre in the amount of five (5%) percent of the gross amount of the bid. All questions should be directed to the Purchasing Department. Please contact Lisa Strazzeri via email only at Lstrazzeri@rvcny.us. Questions must be submitted no later than February 12, 2026. Award of Contract will be made to the lowest responsible bidder in accordance with applicable provisions of the law. The Village reserves the right to reject all bids or make such determination as in the best interests of the Village, as provided by law.

Purchasing Department

Lisa Strazzeri

Purchasing Agent 516-678-9213 158228

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF TENTATIVE ASSESSMENT ROLL; NOTICE OF MEETING OF BOARD OF REVIEW; HEARING OF COMPLAINTS

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Assessor of the Village of Rockville Centre has completed the tentative assessment roll of the Village for the current year and that a copy thereof has been filed with the Village Clerk at One College Place, Rockville Centre, New York, where it may be seen and examined by any interested person during regular office hours until February 17, 2026 at 3:30 pm. The undersigned Board of Assessment Review will meet at the Assessor’s Office 110 Maple Avenue, Rockville Centre, New York on February 17, 2026, at 3:30 pm and the hearing will be immediately adjourned to meet at Village Hall One College Place, Rockville Centre, New York on February 24, 2026, from 4 pm to 8 pm to hear complaints in relation to assessments. All changes in the tentative assessment roll made as a result of said Board of Review hearing of such complaints will be

entered on such roll on or before the date when the final assessment roll is to be completed. A publication containing procedures for contesting an assessment is available at the Assessor’s Office, 110 Maple Avenue, Rockville Centre, New York. Individual property assessments are also available at http://www.rvcny.us/Bu ildings/lookupsblfinal.h tml and information regarding the grievance process is available at http://www.rvcny.gov/t ax-office

Francis X. Murray, Mayor Kathleen Baxley, Deputy Mayor Emilio F. Grillo, Trustee

Katie Conlon, Trustee

Gregory P. Shaughnessy, Trustee

Thomas Domanico, Assessor

Dated: January 30, 2026 158227

cent next year — down from 2 percent the previous year — while health insurance costs are expected to increase roughly 10 percent, adding about $2 million to the budget.

Out-of-district tuition and services are projected to rise by $2 million, due to increasing student needs.

K-12 enrollment in the district has fallen steadily over the past decade, mirroring a broader decline on Long Island. Total enrollment has dropped from 3,548 students in 2016 to a projected 3,260 in 2026-27.

Currently, student enrollment at South Side High School has declined from 1,102 students in 2016 to 969. South Side Middle School has seen a decrease from 816 to 789, Floyd B. Watson Elementary from 295 to 220, and Riverside Elementary School from 173 to 135. Other schools have experienced smaller changes, including William S. Covert Elementary School, which declined slightly from 299 to 298. However, Gaven noted that without its special classes, Covert “would clearly be at its lowest point.” Francis F. Wilson Elementary School also decreased from 399 to 376.

Jennie E. Hewitt Elementary School was the only one to show an increase in enrollment from 464 to 473 students.

Enrollment in private schools has also declined by nearly 15 percent over the past decade.

Board Vice President Donna Downing noted the impact. “These children are more expensive to educate,” she said. “We need to look at a lot of different scenarios.”

Board trustees emphasized the challenges of balancing rising costs with limited revenue. Downing noted that “the formula is antiquated. These are not the economic conditions we’re living in, with declining enrollment, yet students are more expensive to educate.”

Secretary Janet Gruner and Trustee Tara Hackett highlighted the impor-

Upcoming school district budget meetings

Feb. 25 — Budget presentation: revenue, capital and administration

March 12 — Budget presentation: instruction and special education

March 26 — Budget presentation: athletics and arts

April 16 — Preliminary budget hearing

May 7 — Budget hearing

tance of sustainable budgeting and building reserves to protect the district’s century-old buildings.

State and federal funding uncertainty also adds pressure. Superintendent Matthew Gaven said the board continues to advocate for changes to the state funding formula, which has not kept pace with current economic conditions or enrollment trends. Rehak noted that federal funding does not contribute to the general fund, making it unreliable for long-term planning.

The trustees acknowledged that difficult decisions lie ahead. Board President Kelly Barry requested that the district present a scenario for exceeding the property tax cap at the next meeting, while others emphasized the need to protect essential programs and special education services despite budget constraints.

Finally, Rehak outlined the next steps, including administrative meetings to finalize instructional schedules, staffing analyses and continued refinement of the tentative budget.

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

BOOKKEEPER FOR QUICKBOOKS

Desk Top P/T, May Work Remotely. $40 Per Hour. Email Resume To: 2026paychexforgia4@gmail.com

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour.

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

Situations Wanted

CLEANER PART-TIME For The Baldwin Public Library. Up to 17 hours / week; Sundays optional at 2X. For more info. contact rduccilli@baldwinpl.org. Send resume to employment@baldwinpl.org or visit Library to complete an application by 2/12/26.

DRIVERS WANTED

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

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@bellautoschool.com

Situations Wanted

EDITOR/REPORTER

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

F/T CHAIRSIDE DENTAL ASSISTANT Lynbrook Location. Experienced Individual With Impeccable Work Ethics. Immediate Opening. Email Resume to:nylaserendo@gmail.com Call 516-599-7111

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

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

MULTI MEDIA

ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

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

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

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

RETAIL SALES P/T

Standard Clerical Work, Filing, Phones, And Light Computer Work. Flexible Hours. Call 516-766-5277 email:17northvillage@gmail.com

Health Care/Opportunities

HEALTHCARE WORKER with 40Yrs Experience is Seeking Position Caring

HomesHERALD

place an ad call 516-569-4000

A House You'll Call Home

Welcome to this beautifully updated and spacious 5-bedroom, 3 full bath expanded Ranch in Hewlett Harbor! The most desirable section of the Five Towns! Low taxes, no Sandy damage and no flood insurance required! Step into an atmosphere enhanced by brand-new wall-to-wall windows that fill every room with natural light and custom-built blinds. The primary bedroom offers a private ensuite bath with a triple door closet. The eat-in kitchen is newly renovated with gorgeous countertops, modern new appliances, a wine cooler, and a butler’s pantry with additional counter space for effortless entertaining. A mudroom with ample storage provides the perfect spot to keep seasonal and holiday items neatly organized and out of the way. There are two additional updated bathrooms, new air conditioning and gleaming hardwood floors flow throughout the home. The second floor is a private oasis, complete with two bedrooms and a full bath, and a stand-up attic for extra storage. The outside is beautifully landscaped with oversized fenced-in backyard. There is plenty of room for a pool, hot tub, outdoor fireplace, swing set, and even a basketball hoop. The ultimate space for entertainment and relaxation. Enjoy new siding, a newer roof under 10 years old, freshly installed pavers, and a beautiful patio that’s perfect for gatherings or outdoor relaxation under the stars. Well water for sprinklers. Don't miss the opportunity to make it your Home

REAL ESTATE

Real Estate

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Apartments For Rent

CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978

How do we keep our home livable

during renovations?

Q. Do you have any suggestions on how we can guarantee our house won’t be damaged while we have a renovation done? We’re doing a lot of work to add a back family room and a second floor. Our house is a cape that already has a second floor, but we want a full second floor. Everyone we spoke to called it a dormer, but we read your column in which you clarified that a dormer is pushed out through the current roof and a second floor is the whole thing, so we know. We want to stay on the first floor, and even though we’ll get a POD for the driveway, we’re concerned about staying on the first floor. The contractor showed us the plastic curtains he uses, but is there anything else? Our daughter has asthma, and we’re very concerned.

A. It’s tough to guarantee that dust won’t get in, since there are many ways dust travels and the average home, without any air filtration, usually get dusty, anyway. I have seen countless projects with zippered air curtain separations, sealed at the walls, floors and ceilings — even double curtains separated by 4 feet to create a vestibule, with a fan drawing air to the outside just before people open the first zipper. This is called a negative air method, and the fan should only be turned on when someone is about to enter the vestibule from the clean side, because if the fan is left on, it’s drawing air from the dusty side to the clean side.

Several clients purchased boxes of disposable booties to slip over shoes to keep from tracking in dust and dirt. If you have carpeting or just want to protect your finished floors, it’s best to have the walking paths covered in plywood and heavy plastic. Lift the plastic and fold inward to discard periodically, or vacuum with a brush attachment so as not to suck up the plastic. Also, if the path is highly trafficked, it will tear and may be slippery from the booties and dust, so monitor the surface and how affected it will be.

Sometimes just a smooth fiberboard, without splinters, is best. One client even used a spray bottle to spray the air and then the booties before discarding them in a plastic bag. Unfortunately, some people did not completely understand the air flow issues, and left their exterior windows open in the clean areas, adjacent to where the work was being done, allowing the dust to float in through the windows from outside.

Depending on how much you want to spend, there are elaborate portable units with high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filters that will rid the air of a large amount of dust as well as less-visible matter such as pollen. You may want to consult your child’s doctor for advice about filtered respirators, or whether it’s a good idea for her to be there during the construction at all. Good luck!

© 2026 Monte Leeper

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

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Extremist green policies have made electric rates soar

Anew report issued by our Center for Cost Effective Government confirms that progressive policies implemented by New York’s Legislature designed to tackle climate change have caused energy rates in the state to skyrocket, with few environmental benefits.

In fact, these policies increased electric bills by roughly 50 percent in the six years since their implementation.

In 2019, Albany enacted a sweeping law, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, imposing mandates seeking a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It also calls for 100 percent renewable electricity use by 2040.

But recently, New York’s government has been quietly telling the utilities to slow-walk the decommissioning of gasfired power plants. And after the November election, Gov. Kathy Hochul officially retreated from the unrealistic mandate requiring electric heat in new buildings until a lawsuit on the issue concludes.

The state’s progressive policies

included numerous initiatives many now regret, including shutting down nuclear plants; refusing to frack in New York; refusing to approve natural-gas pipelines; requiring all new buildings be heated with electricity; imposing carbon penalties on utilities, passing costs to consumers; and mandating that all cars be electric by 2035.

OIronically, New York’s carbon footprint wound up being worse after passage of this bill, while electric rates soared. Curtailing natural gas had devastating consequences, both economically and environmentally. It was the transition from dirtier coal and oil to cleaner natural gas that dropped U.S. greenhouse emissions by 14 percent from 2005 to 2019, while emissions were increasing worldwide. Rates are slated to increase further, with the New York State Electric & Gas company saying it will charge 23.7 percent more in 2026, while National Grid is seeking increases that could raise bills upstate by $600 a year. And Con Edison is seeking increases that would increase average gas and energy bills more than $150 higher than in 2020. This reduced supply is exacerbated by the enormous energy required for the A.I. revolution. Large companies at the forefront of A.I. innovation put

immense strain on the grid. A.I. data centers are becoming large energy users, outpacing even electric vehicles in their power demand growth.

verly ambitious initiatives have had negative consequences worldwide.

Overly ambitious policy initiatives to shut down traditional power generation and replace it with less-reliable wind and solar energy have resulted in significant negative consequences worldwide. In Germany, an optimistic energy transition plan involved shutting down nuclear plants. In 2011, Germany’s 17 nuclear reactors generated over 33 percent of the country’s electricity. Their shutdown led to a return to fossil fuels. Consequently, greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on foreign energy sources actually increased.

These extreme policies have been mirrored in California, resulting in electric costs that are roughly 50 percent higher than the national average and gasoline costs that are 47 percent above the average.

The typical residential customer in New Jersey, which also promulgated extreme green policies, saw an increase of 17 to 20 percent last year. One resident of Clark, N.J., claimed that her bill rose from $174 in June to over $300 in July — this despite New Jersey’s Public Service Electric & Gas having told her

to expect an increase of 17 percent. Even once-touted wind projects are losing their luster when they come under greater scrutiny. According to NY Energy Ratings, “Developers are looking for a way to pay for the mounting costs of new wind energy projects. They have even asked the [Public Service Commission] to increase New York electric rates.” This is estimated to result in an increase of 4 percent, or $4.67 per month for ratepayers. Some projects are costing double what they were expected to.

Billionaire Bill Gates, who previously sided with the climate doomsday faction, has tempered his position, noting that the trillions of dollars being funneled to climate initiatives could be better spent relieving worldwide poverty. Are you a better person if you pay an arm and a leg for extreme green policies that will have little impact on reducing the carbon footprint decades down the road? Or is it more cost-effective to concentrate those funds on saving lives today, via better health care and economic opportunity, while simultaneously investing in innovations that can provide cheaper, cleaner energy over a rational, gradual period of time?

Steve Levy is president of Common Sense Strategies, a political consulting firm, and has served as Suffolk County executive and as an assemblyman. He can be reached at steve@commonsensestrategies.com.

We can make our school cafeterias safer

in recent years, we’ve seen stories on the news of everyday heroes who have saved the lives of choking children. There have been incidents all over Long Island, from Elmont to East Setauket, yet New York does not currently require cafeteria monitors to be certified in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the Heimlich maneuver.

My new bill, SS6127A, known as Stella’s Law, would correct this oversight. The legislation is named in honor of Stella Tsimis, a teacher’s aide in the Connetquot school district who, in February 2023, saved the life of a 7-year-old boy in the school cafeteria by performing the Heimlich maneuver on him while he

was choking.

Tsimis received the New York State Liberty Medal for saving the boy’s life.

The Liberty Medal is the highest civilian honor awarded by New York state, and is presented only for extraordinary, heroic and life-saving acts.

Tsimis’s actions that day highlighted the need for all adult cafeteria monitors in school cafeterias to be trained in and hold current certifications for first aid, CPR and the Heimlich maneuver, to help ensure the safety of the children who eat there. Requiring the First Aid for Choking poster to be displayed in all school eating areas further supports this goal by providing clear, life-saving instructions that can be followed in an emergency.

such posters, but it’s important for teachers, monitors and staff to be able to successfully intervene in an emergency.

s taffs need to be trained in first aid for choking and the Heimlich maneuver.

Many rescuers have learned the Heimlich maneuver in school health classes, workplace training or even from

Stella’s Law would ensure that personnel are trained, and that informative posters showing the Heimlich maneuver are displayed where students are at the greatest risk of choking. The instructional posters help make sure students are not fearful or afraid if a choking emergency occurs, because they understand this life-saving technique.

There are many resources available in your community. Organizations like the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association hold classes to help people be prepared for such emergencies. We hosted our first CPR-Heimlich maneuver training in cooperation with the West Babylon Fire Department on Jan. 24.

In 2024, a Patchogue-Medford math

teacher, Chris Schiefer, came to the rescue of one of his students. Schiefer noticed the student choking on a gumball and quickly went into action, performing the Heimlich maneuver and helping to dislodge the obstruction. After making sure the student saw the nurse to confirm he was all right, Schiefer turned the incident into a learning opportunity by teaching his students about the Heimlich maneuver and pointing out a chart on the wall demonstrating how to handle a choking incident.

This was a great effort made by a responsible educator, but we should have standard training in place, as well as step-by-step signage for school staff, so they can be frontline administrators of these life-saving techniques.

Please contact your local school district, state senator or Assembly member and encourage them to support Stella’s Law, and to make our schools safer.

Brian KacharaBa

alyssa r. Griffin

lHERALD

Out of practice, but not out of resolve

ast week, for the first time in three years, Long Island was forcefully reminded that winter isn’t just a suggestion. The Jan. 25 snowstorm dumped more than a foot of snow, whipped it around with high winds and then sealed it in place with a deep freeze, making it the most significant storm in these parts since Jan. 29, 2022. For a region that had grown used to mild winters and more rain than snow, it was a rude, icy wake-up call.

Within hours, schools and businesses were closed, and familiar streets transformed from wet pavement to skating rinks masquerading as thoroughfares.

Snow shovels were unearthed from garages, boots were rediscovered in the backs of closets and many residents wondered, “Wait, how do we do this again?”

The storm highlighted the dedication of emergency workers and the importance of preparation, but it also revealed something else: After a few relatively snow-free winters, Long Island was a little out of practice.

Emergency crews, plow drivers, sanitation workers, police officers, EMS personnel and other essential workers put in long hours in harsh and dangerous conditions. Their efforts kept major roadways passable and ensured that critical services remained available. These people don’t get snow days, and Long Island is better off because of it.

Elected officials also moved quickly. Roads were treated with pre-storm brine to prevent ice from bonding to

letters

pavement. Hundreds of plows were deployed across towns and villages. Gov. Kathy Hochul sent more than 100 members of the National Guard to assist with snow removal, including on major parkways that thousands of drivers rely on every day.

County Executives Bruce Blakeman and Ed Romaine, in Nassau and Suffolk, respectively, declared states of emergency, helping streamline coordination and resources.

Many residents noticed and appreciated responders’ efforts. Social media was filled with thank-yous to plow drivers and sanitation crews, often described as “the backbone of the operation.” Credit where it’s due: Without their efforts, the storm’s aftermath would have been far worse.

Still, once the snow stopped falling, patience began to melt, unlike the ice. Complaints poured in about side streets that weren’t plowed quickly enough, leaving cars stuck and neighbors frustrated as snow hardened and became virtually unmovable. In some areas, plows managed little more than a single narrow lane, pushing snow into piles that quickly froze into what might as well have been concrete barriers.

The storm’s heavy mix of snow and sleet didn’t help. Parked cars made matters worse. Town officials, including in Oyster Bay, pointed to vehicles left on streets despite parking restrictions as a major obstacle to proper plowing. And then there was the Long Island tradition of shoveling snow into the street

Our foreign policy ‘is heading in the wrong direction’

To the Editor:

I read Peter King’s opinion piece last week, “What did Trump gain by badmouthing Denmark?” about the administration’s various foreign policy accomplishments and failures during the first year of President Trump’s second term. I agree that the approach that’s being taken in regard to Greenland is not wise. Our current treaty with Denmark gives the United States great leeway for the use of Greenland’s territory for U.S. bases in the defense of the U.S. and our NATO allies.

I feel that our foreign policy in general is heading in the wrong direction. The “America First” policy that’s being promoted by the administration is doing great damage to our peaceful relationships around the world. We may have the greatest military in modern history, but we live in a complex world. We need to preserve NATO and make sure that treaties established at the end of World War II remain strong. We need cooperation, not condemnation of friends.

I agree that we need secure and safe borders, and

— illegal, counterproductive and, in Nassau County, potentially a $200 mistake.

All of this slowed cleanup, especially when you consider the scale of the task. The Town of Hempstead alone is responsible for clearing roughly 1,200 miles of roadway. That’s not a quick lap around the block — it’s a marathon in snow boots.

Snow removal is a team sport. Municipalities can plan routes, deploy equipment and send alerts, but residents have to do their part, moving vehicles, following restrictions, staying informed and resisting the urge to dump snow where plows just cleared it.

After three quiet winters, Long Island’s collective snow-day muscle memory had weakened. The key takeaway from Jan. 25 is that the storm exposed gaps while providing a muchneeded refresher. Main roads were cleared. Most neighborhoods were eventually serviced. Emergency operations held up under pressure. With better coordination, clearer communication and stronger public cooperation, the next response can be even smoother. Snowstorms on Long Island are inevitable, and we should be ready for them. If everyone — from county and state governments to towns, villages, businesses and residents — gets back in practice, the next big storm can be met not with surprise and frustration, but with confidence, coordination and maybe even a little less slip-sliding around.

The political distraction industry — and its cost

something’s wrong. It’s hard to put a finger on it. We live in a political world, and something about the way that world slides between the foreground and the background of daily life just seems off — not dramatic, not mysterious, just persistently wrong.

That unease has a source.

Contemporary politics now functions within what can fairly be called a political distraction industry. Large, highprofile controversies generate a media fog that draws our attention toward whatever is loudest or most immediate, while steadily pulling our focus away from decisions that more directly shape our lives.

In any given week, we may be urged to fixate on the latest scandal, to listen to conflicting stories about exploding motorboats off the coast of South America, to dissect executive orders that change little in practice, to scroll through a flood of presidential social media posts, or to follow lawsuits filed theatrically against judges and officials with no realistic chance of success.

Each story is framed as urgent. Each demands our attention. It’s hard to keep up, and it’s harder to see through the fog of information to discern things that may be far more important.

This isn’t an accident. Distraction has become a strategy.

The incentives aren’t difficult to see. Media outlets compete in an overcrowded attention economy. Social media platforms reward speed, outrage and repetition. Political fundraising thrives on alarm. Issues and decisions are boiled down to simplistic either/or choices. Complexity doesn’t travel well. The most consequential changes tend to arrive quietly, already dressed as routine.

w here every problem is a ‘crisis,’ and every disagreement ‘unprecedented.’

scrutiny. Constant conflict fragments potential coalitions. Attention jumps from flare to flare, rarely lingering long enough for consideration of the most basic questions: What has actually changed? Who benefits? What precedent has just been set? Distraction works in part because it enlists us. We share the clips, repost the provocations, argue over headlines designed to provoke argument. It feels like engagement, but reaction isn’t the same as agency, and outrage — however understandable — doesn’t substitute for influence.

chasing.

The result is a loss of perspective. Minor controversies swell into national emergencies, while decisions affecting housing costs, public education, health care access, environmental protections and local governance are made quietly. We debate the tone of a speech while overlooking the budget it obscures. We argue about personalities while the machinery of government is adjusted — often in ways that prove difficult to reverse.

It’s no secret: a distracted public is easier to manage than an attentive one. Constant motion prevents sustained

LeTTers

those who illegally entered our country should be dealt with through our justice system. But I hope that the constant rhetoric we see daily in our news media starts to abate, and that cooler heads prevail. We need the direction of our politics, and our policies, to return to a sense of normalcy.

JErOME I. rOSEn Hewlett

Where have all the plows gone?

Editors’ note: The following letter was sent to the Herald on Jan. 29, after last week’s issues went to press.

To the Editor:

It’s frustrating that nearly five days after the significant snow we had on Jan. 25, our neighborhoods, thoroughfares and side streets are still not cleared. Did the plows come? Yes, they did. Main roads have been cleared. But who’s responsible for the mess left behind along Hempstead Turnpike, Franklin Avenue and other highly traveled streets that could certainly benefit from another pass of the plow?

Why are cars forced to park next to huge mounds of snow that haven’t been removed? The plows should still be out there, helping to widen the streets. Instead I’ve seen multiple town highway trucks with plows removed.

An example is Goldenrod Avenue in Franklin Square, which leads to both Washington Street School and H. Frank Carey High School. During school hours, Goldenrod is almost impassable, whether you’re driving north or south, because it

Even our political vocabulary has been thinned by overuse. Everything is a “crisis.” Every disagreement is “unprecedented.” When every day is framed as an emergency, real emergencies become harder to recognize. Fatigue follows. People disengage — not because they don’t care, but because constant alarm is mentally exhausting. There is no need to tune out — but there is a need to slow down. When a story breaks, a few stubborn questions help restore a sense of scale: Does this materially change how power is exercised? Does it affect people’s rights, safety, or economic security? Will it still matter a year from now? If not, it may be worth keeping an eye on — but not

has at least 4 feet of snow sticking out into the street on both sides.

Why are all the corners leading to crosswalks not cleared? This is a safety issue. Are people expected to climb a snow mound to get to businesses on Hempstead Turnpike?

If the curb outside a store is still piled with snow and the crosswalk at the corner of that street isn’t cleared, how are people expected to get to the store? Businesses are clearing their own sidewalks, but it seems that curbs, corners, crosswalks and some bus stops are orphans of the storm.

When talking to the Town of Hempstead Highway Department, I was told they are only responsible for “residential areas.” They did offer to put in a “ticket” to replow Goldenrod Avenue. I was told that the state Department of Transportation is responsible for large thoroughfares like Hempstead Turnpike and Sunrise Highway. I called the DOT, and an employee repeated “from curb to curb” when I asked what snow clearing they were responsible for.

It seems to me that during these storms, the town, as the “first responder” agency, funded by our tax dollars, should do more to make traveling in our community easier — especially since the town isn’t responsible for plowing main thoroughfares. Why can’t they send crews out to dig out street corners and crosswalks when a storm is over? If we’re expected to take our kids to school, go to work and go about our daily lives, we should get better assistance from the town in order to return to our normal routine.

ELIzABETH MUrPHY Franklin Square

The normalization of continuous distraction carries a cost most of us have experienced without quite naming it. The news and social media flood the airwaves with stories and endless commentary about the latest nasty thing the president has said about a celebrity — who insulted whom, who clapped back. Meanwhile, we hear only a sidebar about a court decision that permits the administration to empower ICE agents to arrest U.S. citizens as though they were undocumented immigrants, the decision mentioned only briefly before disappearing from coverage. One story dominates our attention for days; the other slips past almost unnoticed. Again, the imbalance is not accidental.

Distraction isn’t merely noise, but leverage. The point is not to stop us from seeing anything at all, but to keep us looking in the wrong direction long enough for other, potentially more consequential, decisions to settle into place. By the time our attention shifts back, the argument is over, the paperwork is filed and the change is treated as a fact rather than a choice. What is lost is not awareness, but the chance to intervene at the moment when our scrutiny might have made a difference.

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