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Rockville Centre Herald 10-22-2026

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St. Pat’s group tabs Mahoney to lead parade and became a fixture in community life. He said he was surprised by the announcement F o r d e c a d e s , T h o m a s but excited to be selected. “I was very excited about it,” Mahoney has helped make Rockville Centre a community the Island Park said. “Very where families and traditions excited, thought it was an icon endure. Next March, the long- that the parade committee time MacArthur Park restau- picked me to do it this year.” Ashley Brennan, the parade rant proprietor will take center committee’s presistage as grand marshal of the village’s dent, said Mahoney St. Patrick’s was a natural Parade, which will choice for the milecelebrate its 30th stone year. He has anniversary while supported the raising money for parade since its three charities. inception and has T h e Ro ck v i l l e remained involved Centre St. Patrick’s in village life Parade Committee through his busir e c o g n i z e d AsHLEy BRENNAN ness, family and M a h o n e y, a l o n g president, charitable work. with its three chari“He’s been such Parade committee table beneficiaries a great supporter for 2027, during the and an advocate for kickoff party Sept. 25 at Centre us,” Brennan said. “He’s a comStation. The beneficiaries are munity person. He’s raised all The Maurer Foundation, the those kids in Rockville Centre. G2H Foundation and Anam He’s been a part of every aspect Cara, an Irish organization that of Rockville Centre.” provides bereavement support Mahoney has served the to families who have lost a community in various capacichild. ties since 1972, when his father For Mahoney, 64, the honor established MacArthur Park recognizes decades of support- Restaurant. Mahoney has been ing the village where he raised involved with the restaurant his three children, helped build since 1980 and has helped susa longstanding family business Continued on page 23

By BRIAN KACHARABA

bkacharaba@liherald.com

H

Courtesy Meagan Nocella

inspired by their uncles’ service in the South Hempstead Fire department, sisters Katie twomey, left, and Meagan nocella became Rockville Centre volunteer firefighters to give back to the community where they grew up and help their own neighbors in times of need.

Four village residents earn Community Hero awards By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

For four Rockville Centre residents, helping others is more than an occasional act of kindness. It is a commitment shaped by family, personal experiences and a willingness to support people facing life’s toughest challenges. Sisters Meagan Nocella and Katie Twomey and married couple Mary Ellen LehrOwens and Kenny Owens were recognized at Assemblywoman Judy Griffin’s 2026 Community Heroes Awards ceremony on Sept. 29 at the Rockville Centre Public Library. The

annual event honored residents from 13 communities in the 21st Assembly District. Their work ranges from disaster recovery and emergency response to helping families facing serious medical challenges.

From disaster recovery to emergency response For Nocella, 35, the award came as a surprise. Having her sister honored alongside her made it especially meaningful. The sisters grew up in Rockville Centre and joined the village fire department together, completing firefighter training Continued on page 29

e’s been such a great supporter and an advocate for us.


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ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — OCTOBER 22, 2026 Tim Baker/Herald photos

Rockville Centre Little League players joined village officials and state representatives at Hickey Field on Saturday to celebrate $9.5 million in state grants, including $7 million for a new iron filtration plant and $2.5 million to complete funding for the field’s renovation.

Village gets millions for water, Hickey Field By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

Rockville Centre has secured $9.5 million in state funding for two major local projects, advancing plans for a third iron filtration plant and completing the financing for renovations at Hickey Field. Gov. Kathy Hochul presented checks for the grants at Hickey Field late Saturday afternoon, as a fall Rockville Centre Little League baseball game was underway. After arriving, Hochul met with players and league officials before the game resumed. The funding includes $7 million for the village’s new iron filtration facility and $2.5 million for the Little League’s long-planned field renovation. The water grant will cover the iron filtration portion of the project, Mayor Francis X. Murray said. The village is also planning separate treatment improvements for PFAS and 1,4-dioxane, two types of chemical contaminants that can affect drinking water. Murray estimated that the additional work would cost approximately $7 million. PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” are man-made substances that break down very slowly in the environment. 1,4-dioxane is an industrial chemical that can enter groundwater and is difficult to remove through conventional water treatment. Murray said the village is planning ahead for the additional treatment, noting that the contamination plume associated with the Bethpage area has not reached Rockville Centre. The new iron filtration plant will be built near Molloy University to address a remaining iron problem in the northern part of the village. Iron can affect water’s appearance and taste. Rockville Centre already has two iron filtration facilities. The first was built

A long-awaited milestone came into focus as Challenger Division founder Gene Kirley, from left, Little League President Peter Klugewicz and Chairman Mike Lawless held up the $2.5 million check that brings Hickey Field’s renovation closer to reality. near the water tower by South Side High School during the tenure of Murray’s father, Eugene Murray, as mayor. A second was later added near the Maple Avenue water tower during Murray’s own tenure. Murray said state funding helps the village avoid borrowing through its capital budget and raising taxes to pay for the project. Deputy Mayor Kathy Baxley said she, Murray and the village administrator met with state Sen. Siela Bynoe to discuss the funding need. Bynoe then advocated for the village with Hochul. Assemblywoman Judy Griffin had also sought state funding for Rockville Centre’s infrastructure needs. In letters to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie in February 2025 and 2026, she requested $8.6 million and $5 million, respectively,

to rehabilitate the village’s 85-year-old Marlborough Court Pump Station, warning that “the potential for leaks of untreated wastewater is real and probable in this densely populated village.” The additional $2.5 million is expected to cover the remaining costs of the Hickey Field renovation, Rockville Centre Little League President Peter Klugewicz confirmed. The latest funding follows two earlier grants of $2 million each toward the project. The first was announced by U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen after the Little League parade on April 18, and Griffin announced her $2 million grant on July 22. Klugewicz, Chairman Mike Lawless and Challenger Division founder and commissioner Gene Kirley helped lead the effort, which has spanned more than three years.

“It’s a good day,” Klugewicz said. “The three of us are the ones that started this journey over three years ago.” Lawless said the organization is ready to begin construction. “Let’s get shovels in the ground,” he declared. The renovation is particularly important to the league’s Challenger Division, which serves children with disabilities. Kirley said the existing field’s dusty conditions and accessibility limitations had caused some children to leave the program. “We’ve lost kids over the years because of the dust and the inaccessibility of the field for wheelchairs and walkers,” Kirley said. “It’s going to really open the league to everyone with a disability who wants to play.” Kirley said the league hopes to have the renovated fields ready in time for the 2028 season. Hochul, who described herself as a Little League mom, spoke about the importance of providing children with safe places to play and learn sportsmanship. She recalled helping her husband coach their children and working concessions to raise money for uniforms and field improvements. “I know how important it is for our kids to have safe environments, a good field, a place they can make lifelong friendships, learn about sportsmanship, winning and losing,” Hochul said. Murray said Rockville Centre has secured approximately $78 million in grants over the past 15 years, not including the latest funding. He credited the village board’s efforts to secure outside funding and follow projects through to completion. “We’ve never made any elected official look bad,” Murray said. “So they don’t mind coming to us because they know we’re going to finish the project that we start.”


OCTOBER 22, 2026 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

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An architect for a sunroom? Ask The Architect

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

A. Do things once, the best way. A deck isn’t habitable, but a sunroom is, and a permit is required. Plans have to show structural onte eeper support, energy and building code compliance. Rain, moisture and ice are your primary concerns. You need the whole story without the sales part. Just like any purchase, issues you might not expect are still important, like finding out what kind of oil to add to your snowblower before the engine seizes or that windows without factory tinting can allow ultraviolet sunlight rays to fade your carpet. As an architect for a largely popular sunroom manufacturer in the 1980s and ’90s, I experienced many issues with their construction. Pre-engineered panel systems are designed by the company, hopefully by engineers, and should come with plans from the manufacturer that can be sealed and signed by their in-house engineer. If not, plans may need to be drawn from scratch by an architect or engineer that you hire so those plans can be integrated with your house. Integrated means that the company generally just sells you a product and doesn’t necessarily give any indication of how to support the unit or how to attach the unit system to your house so that it won’t leak or move. This is the general failing of the system, since, as I experienced with most of the installations, the part I could detail was free of leaking or movement, but the units themselves leaked nearly every time. We could detail how the edges of the unit could be sealed and redundantly weather-stripped and flashed, but the frames around the glass and wall edges would unseal and leak. I even met with the corporate president/owner and identified the specific problems. Promises to correct leak issues were made but not kept, and eventually I gave up. I looked at a 2-year-old system while discussing other work for a home recently. The owner described the back-and-forth misery he and his family were experiencing with their sunroom and the company. Even 25 years after I gave up, the same company is still doing things the same way. You need a detail-oriented architect and installer. The cost of doing things twice is much greater. Good luck.

M

L

Crime watCh Fraud

LarCeny

On Oct.12, a Lynbrook resident reported that a caller posing as a representative of her bank persuaded her to withdraw $15,000 from her account and hand it to an unknown man in the parking lot of the bank’s Merrick Road branch, which she later determined to be a scam.

On Oct. 14, a Maple Avenue resident reported that her son’s bicycle was stolen from in front of their residence sometime overnight after being secured to a pole with a lock.

On Oct. 12, a Morris Avenue resident reported three unauthorized debit charges totaling $886.02 posted to her checking account. On Oct. 15, the owner of a Sunrise Highway dental practice reported that an unknown person remotely accessed the complainant’s business computer and used her identity to apply for a personal loan. On Oct. 14, the manager of a Sunrise Highway business reported that a former employee deposited a payroll check for a second time, fraudulently obtaining funds from the business account.

On Oct. 14, a resident of a Hempstead Avenue apartment building reported that a delivered package was taken from the building’s vestibule the previous day.

unusuaL inCident On Oct. 12, a Morris Avenue resident reported several fraudulent charges on her debit card account.

arrest On Oct. 14, Nathaniel Paulino, 31, of Freeport, was arrested and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, unlicensed operation and operating with a suspended registration after a records check revealed he was operating a vehicle with 25 suspensions on his license.

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.

© 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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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

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.

October 11 – October 18

Year To Date

General Alarms – 9 Still Alarms – 3 Rescue – 6 Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 45 Mutual Aid Fire – 0 Mutual Aid Rescue – 0 Mutual Aid Ambulance – 0 Total – 63

General Alarms – 434 Still Alarms – 253 Rescue – 182 Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 2,031 Mutual Aid Fire – 64 Mutual Aid Rescue – 0 Mutual Aid Ambulance – 8 Total – 2,972

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Little Town celebrates year two of fall fun bkacharaba@liherald.com

Rockville Centre’s Little Town business district will once again become a gathering place for families when the second-annual Little Town Fall Festival returns this weekend, featuring seasonal activities, entertainment and a new corn maze. Hosted by the Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce, the festival is scheduled for Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. along North Long Beach Road, between Seaman Avenue and Greystone Road. Activities are expected to include a Halloween scavenger hunt, trunk-or-treat, crafts, giveaways, live entertainment provided by the School of Rock students, and inflatable costume characters featuring students from Molloy University. A corn maze is also among the new features planned for this year’s festival, as well as a petting zoo and fire truck provided by Rockville Centre-based Montemarano Plumbing and Heating. Those ideas grew out of the chamber’s effort to highlight Rockville Centre’s different business districts. “What a good event planning committee does is that they take a look at what we did to kick it off for the first time, we recap, and then we build from there a bigger and better event,” said chamber First Vice President Donna Einemann of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. “In

Herald file photo

Families gathered in Rockville Centre’s Little Town business district for last year’s inaugural Fall Festival, enjoying seasonal activities, live entertainment and visits to local businesses throughout the day. Rockville Centre, our community is really young, believe it or not, and from what we’re hearing, people like local events.” Another “huge hit” from last year’s event, according to Einemann, was the

Halloween scavenger hunt, which allowed people to visit local shops in the area to collect items needed for the hunt. “As families went into the businesses, we overhead some of them say, ‘I didn’t

know this business was here,’ as they went in to find the scary spider and then get a nice treat,” she said. Lisa Umansky, the chamber’s immediate past president and owner of Polka Dot Café, said the chamber was pleased with the community’s response to the inaugural festival. “We were really thrilled with the support of everyone last year,” she said. “It turned out really great.” Additional sponsors that are contributing to the festival include Nissan of Rockville Centre, The George, Gino’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant, Entertainment Unlimited by Ted Fass, Spring Linden, and KT Raine Designs. “It’s nice to be a participant in this,” said chamber President Ed Asip. “Everything we do is to try to highlight the businesses of Rockville Centre. We make sure that members of the Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce is extremely active in participating in these community events.” The chamber hopes the event can eventually serve as a model for similar gatherings in other parts of the village. “This is something that the chamber’s been wanting to do for a long, long time,” Umansky said. “And the decision was made to just try it out in one section of town as a test, and to reach all the business. Our goal eventually is to have these little festivals in each little section of town.”

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ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — OCTOBER 22, 2026

By BRIAN KACHARABA

5


BRiNgiNg local spoRts home eVeRY weeK

spotlight athlete

HERALD SPORTS

South Side defeatd by Plainedge By DYLAN BUTLER sports@liherald.com

TRISTEN ROSE EAST ROCKAWAY Junior FOOTBALL PREVIOUSLY UNBEATEN NORTH SHORE had no answer for Rose Oct. 10 as East Rockaway/ West Hempstead won its second straight game following an 0-3 start. Rose exploded for 327 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries to lead the way in a 30-26 victory over the Vikings, who were 4-0. Through five games, Rose racked up 800 yards on the ground and nine touchdowns. As last year’s sophomore backup, he gained 234 yards.

games to watch Friday, Oct. 23 Football: Glen Cove at Hewlett .................................. 6 p.m. Football: Manhasset at Plainedge........................6:30 p.m. Football: Syosset at Freeport................................6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 24 Football: Mineola at Clarke ..................................1:30 p.m. Football: Hicksville at Uniondale ..........................1:30 p.m. Football: North Shore at Malverne .......................1:30 p.m. Football: New Hyde Park at Carey .......................1:30 p.m. Football: Wantagh at Elmont ................................1:30 p.m. Foortball: Roosevelt at V.S. Central .......................1:30 p.m. Football: South Side at Sewanhaka.....................1:30 p.m. Football: Garden City at Kennedy.........................1:30 p.m. Football: Long Beach at Calhoun .........................1:30 p.m. Football: Farmingdale at Massapequa.................1:30 p.m. Football: Mepham at Baldwin ..............................1:30 p.m. Football: C.S. Harbor at Lynbrook.............................. 2 p.m. Football: Lawrence at V.S. North ................................ 2 p.m. Football: Seaford at Floral Park ................................. 2 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 31 Boys and Girls Cross-Country: Nassau County Class I, II and III Championsips at Bethpage State Park ........ 10a.m., 10:25a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 1:55 p.m.

Playing hard and playing physically have long been staples of the Plainedge football team. That was the case duri n g Ro b S h ave r ’s t h r e e decades as head coach and remains true in Adam Hovorka’s first season at the helm. The Red Devils put that on full display in a decisive 36-7 victory over host South Side in a Nassau Conference III clash Friday night. Plainedge forced tur novers on the Cyclones’ first three drives, setting the tone defensively en route to handing the preseason No. 1 team in the conference its first defeat. “I think we pride ourselves on how physical we want to be and how hard we play,” said Hovorka, who is also the defensive coordinator. “I think those are two things we want to be good at every game, and walking off the field, we knew we were those two things. We were incredibly physical, and I thought our effort was fantastic.” Nick Moutsatsos got it started early for Plainedge (5-1) with an interception on South Side’s third play from scrimmage, returning it to the Cyclones’ 10-yard line. On the next play, Dom Agovino took a pitch left, followed a Casey Auer block and ran in for a 10-yard touchdown. Niko Dimakopoulos added the extra point, and Plainedge led 7-0 just 1:38 into the game. Auer then recovered a fumble on a botched snap on South Side’s second drive at the Cyclones’ 32-yard line. Agovino added his second v

Don’t let injuries sideline you.

Michelle Ebel/Herald

The Red Devils went on the road and South Side its first loss of the season last Friday night, 36-7. touchdown run, this a 3-yard score, to extend the Red Devils’ lead to 14-0 with 2:57 left in the first quarter. “Casey’s a great leader for us. He plays so hard. We have him do a bunch of things,”

Hovorka said. “We move him all around defensively, he’s all over the place on offense. He is the tone setter for us. He’s the engine that makes us go, really.” Lucas Rizzo followed with

an interception on South Side’s third drive. Evan Vasquez had a 1-yard touchdown run, and Agovino connected with Mike Ranaudo o n a f a ke d e x t r a p o i n t attempt as the 2-point conversion gave Plainedge a commanding 22-0 halftime lead. Auer extended the Red Devils’ lead to 29-0 with 3:08 left in the third quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run. Rob Cesario Jr. found Alex Provost for a 5-yard touchdown with 7:35 remaining, the lone score for a South Side team that had only given up 40 points in its first five games. “We knew it was going to be a tough game,” South Side head coach Phil Onesto said. “They are very well coached and have some great players — very physical and fast.” Ranaudo capped the scoring for Plainedge with a 23-yard touchdown run with 3:11 left in the fourth quarter in what could be considered a statement win for the Red Devils. Hovorka doesn’t see it that way. “Other people could view it how they like, and that’s their business, I guess,” Hovorka said. “We’re just going to play who’s in front of us and worry about us. We’re not worried about what other people are doing or what they think about us.” Next up, Plainedge hosts Manhasset this Friday night, while South Side (5-1) will look to rebound at Sewanhaka on Saturday. “It definitely can be a positive,” Onesto said. “Sometimes you need to be humbled to fix your mistakes. We will be better because of it.”

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OCTOBER 22, 2026 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

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9/2/26 11:21 AM


News brief

Judy Griffin’s record shows she

Among the 25 awards that the United States Tennis Association handed out Association at its 36th Annual Long Island Region awards dinner, one went to Herald Community Media’s sports editor Tony Bellissimo. With the help of an outstanding staff of freelance reporters, Bellissimo received the Press Service Award given to an individual, company, retailer or news organization that goes above and beyond to support Long Island tennis. He was also the recipient of this award in 2015. After serving 13 years as a freelance sports reporter for Herald Community Media, Bellissimo joined the company as its full-time sports editor in the summer of 2007. In addition to providing the majority of weekly sports content for the large Nassau County based chain, which also publishes special sections previewing football, basketball, and multiple spring sports, Bellissimo oversees a staff of eight freelance sportswriters and a dozen freelance sports photographers. Before joining the Herald on a fulltime basis, he worked the National Football League beat for nine years and held the title of NFL Editor at College and Pro Football Newsweekly. The Oct. 14 dinner was at the Sea Cliff Manor. –Staff report

FOR

LONG ISLAND FAMILIES As your Assemblywoman, Judy:

Strengthened oversight of utility companies, limiting unjustified rate hikes and returning excess profits to ratepayers. Secured a moratorium on data centers that raise our rates.

Required excess auto insurance industry profits be returned to policyholders while lowering out-of-control costs by tackling fraud. Fought for tax breaks and tax-free savings programs for first-time homebuyers, and state programs that ease the rental market.

Fought for $3 billion investment in childcare and expanded full-day universal Pre-K for 4-year-olds to keep parents in the workforce.

Secured $75M for law enforcement technology, passed NY’s Red Flag Law to keep firearms out of dangerous hands, passed laws to better protect victims of domestic violence and stalking, and established peer-based mental health support for law enforcement officers. Proudly Endorsed By:

Full List of Endorsements Can be Found Here: www.re-electjudyforassembly.com/endorsements-1

Scan the QR Code to learn more and help Re-elect Judy this November!

Jordan Vallone/Herald

Herald Community Media sports editor Tony Bellissimo earned USTA recognition for his support of Long Island tennis.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30TH • 7:30 PM

Paid for by Judy 2026.

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ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — OCTOBER 22, 2026

GETS THE JOB DONE

Tennis group honors Herald’s Bellissimo

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OCTOBER 22, 2026 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

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Griffin touts record, outlines plan for district By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

State Assemblywoman Judy Griffin is making affordability, education, public safety and infrastructure priorities as she seeks another term representing the 21st Assembly District, pointing to legislation she has supported and funding she has secured for communities across the district. Griffin, 63, who served two previous terms before returning to the Assembly in 2024, said her experience has helped her build relationships and advance legislation. She returned, she said, because she wanted to continue bringing resources to local schools, municipalities, parks and nonprofit organizations. One of her proudest accomplishments, Griffin said, was passing the Lieutenant Joseph Banish Mental Health Act last year, which provides confidential peer counseling for law enforcement officers. Griffin said that police officers face particular challenges when seeking help with personal and professional issues. “I’m proud of that because it helps save lives,” she said. Affordability remains another central focus. Griffin said she wants to address the costs of housing, utilities, health care and prescription drugs while finding ways to help residents without increasing taxes. She pointed to legislation extending the time allowed for school districts to repay energy-performance contracts, giving them the chance to invest in improvements such as air conditioning systems and solar energy while using future savings to offset costs. She also discussed efforts to change automobile insurance regulations, including restrictions on using ZIP codes to determine rates and requiring insurers to return some excess profits to policyholders. Education is another of Griffin’s priorities. She supports more equitable school funding, additional

21 st ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

Jeff Bessen/Herald

Assemblywoman Judy Griffin discussed her re-election bid, noting her work on affordability, school funding, public safety and infrastructure in Assembly District 21. resources for special education and expanded access to mental-health services for students. “I would love to see those mental health clinics modeled and put in more schools,” she said. She also favors changes in charter-school funding, and has advocated for requiring families to talk with public-school administrators before enrolling children in charter schools. Griffin said she believes school districts should have the opportunity to explain the programs and services they offer. She also highlighted free school meals and a pause on the implementation of electric school buses, arguing that districts should not have to shoulder the cost

of the new vehicles without adequate planning and support. Flood mitigation is another major concern in the 21st District, particularly for South Shore communities. State funding can help municipalities improve drainage and reinforce shorelines, Griffin said, but larger projects may require federal involvement. She noted that floodgates are a potential long-term solution, while acknowledging that such projects would require substantial funding and coordination. Griffin also supports efforts to establish a South Shore Water Authority, which would require negotiations to purchase Liberty Water before it could begin operating. She said that municipal water systems can offer lower bills, but the authority would need funding to address aging infrastructure. On the subject of public safety, Griffin highlighted legislation addressing stalking and domestic violence, as well as funding for police community-outreach programs. She also supports expanding workforce-development opportunities, including training programs that prepare residents for manufacturing and other indemand careers. Griffin said her approach to her job centers on remaining accessible to residents and securing resources for local communities. “I show up, I listen to constituents,” she said. “I’m always available, I’m accessible, and that’s what you want in an Assembly member.”

Villacci pitches change as Assembly challenger By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

After more than three decades of practicing law and years of working in government and community service, Irene Villacci is seeking a new role representing the communities she has called home for most of her life. The East Rockaway resident, a Republican, is challenging Democratic incumbent Assemblywoman Judy Griffin for the seat in the 21st Assembly District, and is making taxes, affordability, public safety and education central themes of her campaign. “I’m pretty disgusted with our New York state taxes and crime — I was fed up with it,” Villacci said. “And I believe, and I see it in the proof, that my district isn’t getting the representation that we need from Albany.” Villacci, 62, moved from Brooklyn to Lynbrook with her family when she was 2, and later moved to East Rockaway, where she has lived for about 25 years. She has practiced law for roughly 35 years, including the past two decades in her own Rockville Centre practice, focusing on residential real estate, special-needs trusts, guardianships, elder law, trusts and estates. She also spent about four years as a Nassau County deputy county attorney, serving as counsel to the Office of Community Development before becoming its executive director last August. Villacci previously worked for the State Senate, and served as an East Rockaway village trustee from 2005 to 2011. She was

Jeff Bessen/Herald

Irene Villacci is focused on lowering taxes and utility costs, repealing cashless bail, increasing school funding and strengthening support for police and firefighters. president of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York from 2014 to 2015. Affordability is central to her campaign. The state, she said, should reduce spending and identify govern-

ment waste while preserving funding for priorities such as education. “I think there’s tons of waste,” she said. “I think if we get rid of the waste and find the revenue and find the money and take back the money into our state, not paying it out to other states, I think that’s the beginning of the property tax reduction.” Villacci also supports repealing New York’s cashless-bail laws, particularly for repeat offenders, while saying she could envision cashless bail remaining in place for some minor offenses. “I think the repeal of it is necessary,’ she said. “I can see it possibly with minor offenses, but it can’t be for repeat offenders.” On education, Villacci said she supports increasing the amount of funding per student, and believes school districts across the state are not receiving a fair share of available resources. She is also opposed to defunding the police and “anything that’s going to risk the safety of our corrections officers.” Her approach to governing, Villacci said, would draw on her years of working with clients, lawmakers and community members with differing views. She said she hoped to bring a more collaborative spirit to Albany, where lawmakers can discuss their differences and work toward finding common ground. “I care and I listen, and I have a conscience that when I come home from Albany, I need to be able to face the people that I just represented,” she said. “And voting against them will not be my job in Albany. Voting for them and with them will be my job.”


Bynoe seeks second term, outlines priorities bkacharaba@liherald.com

Siela Bynoe is seeking a second term in the State Senate, pointing to legislation she helped advance during her first two-year term and issues she wants to continue addressing, including education, affordability, housing and public safety. The Westbury resident said she also wants to revisit legislation concerning lead in school water, escrow audits, mental health first aid and safety along the Southern State Parkway. Among her accomplishments, Bynoe, 58, highlighted a new foundation aid formula for school districts where at least 20 percent of students attend charter schools. The Democrat said the change provided additional state funding to districts including Hempstead, Albany and Lackawanna. “We’re not only looking at the headcount in each school, we’re also looking at the needs of the students,” Bynoe said, explaining that the formula provides additional funding based on students’ needs. The issue remains significant in several communities. Bynoe said Hempstead has about 40 percent of its students attending charter schools, compared with about 18 percent in Roosevelt and 13 percent in Uniondale. Bynoe said affordability is the biggest concern she hears from constituents, citing property taxes, insurance, utility bills and other household expenses. She said increasing the housing supply could help address rising costs. “If we’re able to build housing, that allows us to stave off the increases people are seeing in the cost of renting and provide inventory that I think offsets these rising costs for purchasing and renting on Long Island,” Bynoe said.

SENATE DISTRICT 6

Stacy Driks /Herald

State Sen. Siela Bynoe is campaigning on affordability, increased school funding, expanded affordable housing, infrastructure improvements and public safety. Bynoe also cited helping to secure roughly $45 million in additional state funding for schools in her district during the latest session. She also noted her work involving utilities and auto insurance. On infrastructure, Bynoe cited attaining $3.5 million in state funding for flood mitigation in Freeport and about $12 million in funding for roads in villages and towns. She also pointed to efforts with state programs supporting downtown revitalization and prohousing initiatives. Public safety is another priority. Bynoe noted con-

cerns over e-bikes, support for police and volunteer firefighters, and legislation restricting ghost guns. She also plans to introduce legislation aimed at collecting detailed statewide data on knife-related crimes. “I think that we need to look at data and make very measured changes if necessary,” Bynoe said when discussing bail and criminal justice reform. Bynoe, who serves on the Senate Education Committee, said she supports the statewide restrictions on cellphones in classrooms and mental health first-aid training for students and educators. A primary sponsor of the Living Libraries Bill, Bynoe said it would allow libraries to consider using excess land or air rights for affordable housing. Looking ahead, she said she wants to examine the rising cost of long-term care insurance and continue working on education, housing, affordability and public safety. “I understand the issues. I know how to work with my colleagues in government to make sure that we are delivering here in Nassau County,” Bynoe said. She said her more than 25 years of public service, including work with the Nassau County Legislature, Westbury school board and housing authority, has prepared her to continue representing the district in Albany.

Capp places taxes front and center in first run By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

Matt Capp is running for the New York State Senate with a campaign centered on lowering taxes, expanding housing, supporting public safety and improving educational opportunities, while presenting himself as a new voice for a district he believes is looking for a change in direction. Capp, 29, a Rockville Centre resident, is challenging incumbent Democrat Siela Bynoe for the 6th District seat. He said his decision to run was partly inspired by his first government job as a legislative aide to former state Sen. Kemp Hannon, who represented the district for many years. “This feels like a very full circle moment for me to have an opportunity to run for a seat that I previously worked for the legislator who held it,” Capp said. Capp is the press secretary for the Town of Hempstead. He previously worked as communications director for former Republican Congressman Anthony D’Esposito and held positions in the state Senate and Assembly. On taxes, Capp said he supports Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman’s plan to eliminate state income taxes on the first $50,000 of income for single filers and $100,000 for joint filers, a proposal Capp said would provide relief to Long Island residents. He also said he would examine the state budget for potential spending reductions or limits on expansion. “Trying to do more with less I think would be the overall plan,” he said.

Jeffrey Bessen /Herald

Matt Capp is campaigning on lowering taxes, expanding affordable housing, supporting the police, improving school funding and investing in public transportation. Capp said housing affordability should be addressed by increasing the supply of housing while maintaining local control over zoning. He supports incentives for housing, particularly near public transportation, but said municipalities should have the final say on zoning decisions. “I do believe that local control is important,” Capp

said. “Townships and villages should have the final say in the zoning of their respective municipalities.” He said increasing housing stock could help younger residents remain on Long Island while maintaining the suburban character of communities. On public safety, Capp said he would rely on law enforcement agencies to identify the resources they need. “I always believe in deferring to the law enforcement professionals, like what they need to be successful, tools that they need,” he said. Capp also said he supports changes to the state’s school funding formula to ensure Long Island districts receive what he considers their fair share of state aid. He said his experience attending CUNY Baruch College shaped his support for affordable SUNY and CUNY education. “I genuinely, genuinely believe that our CUNY and SUNY system needs to be attainable, affordable for middle class and working class people,” he said. Capp also identified the Long Island Rail Road as an infrastructure priority, saying the state should invest in its system and improve reliability. He said he has concerns about the state’s enacted medical aid-in-dying legislation, arguing that safeguards are important because of the potential for misuse. If elected, Capp said he would bring a different perspective to Albany as a first-time candidate. “I think they should vote for me because I present a new voice in Albany, and I will work every single day, 365 days a year, on the ground in the district and in Albany for the interest of the voters,” he said.

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — OCTOBER 22, 2026

By BRIAN KACHARABA

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OCTOBER 22, 2026 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

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Juan Alzamora/Herald photos

First-grader Matthew Persico, left, and fifth-grader Kenneth Finnerty were all smiles as they posed for a photo together during Buddy Day.

Big hearts, little buddies and new beginnings First-graders found a new friend to look up to, while fifth graders had a chance to become role models, as Riverside Elementary School’s Buddy Day brought students together for a morning of friendship, breakfast and new beginnings. Held on Sept. 25, the event kicked off Riverside’s First and Fifth Grade Buddy Program, a school tradition that pairs the youngest students with older classmates for activities throughout the school year. Students shared breakfast and met their buddies, beginning relationships that will continue in the

months ahead. “The program is about so much more than having fun,” Riverside Principal Chris Zappia said. “It’s about building relationships, developing leadership skills, and creating a strong sense of community.” Throughout the school year, the buddy pairs will participate in activities such as holiday crafts and classroom projects, giving fifthgraders opportunities to support their younger partners while fostering connections across grade levels. –Brian Kacharaba

Riverside Elementary School Principal Chris Zappia helped fifth-grader Luis Miguel Abreu Cepeda, left, and first-grader Aaron Escar get acquainted during Buddy Day.

Allie Vanaski, left, and Annie Escar helped serve up a recipe for friendship, preparing breakfast for the Riverside Elementary School students.

First-grader Cassidy Vanaski, left, and fifth-grader Penelope Quiroz teamed up to solve a crossword puzzle, building friendship through teamwork.

Fifth-grader Max Owens made sure to start Buddy Day right with a full breakfast plate.

Fifth-grader Alexander Vargas, from left, teacher aide Jenna Fusco and first-grader Malekai Gonzalez celebrated the cross-grade friendships.


Davis outlines priorities in re-election bid bkacharaba@liherald.com

Nassau County Legislator Scott M. Davis is seeking re-election to represent Legislative District 1, which includes Rockville Centre, South Hempstead, parts of Hempstead and Baldwin, and Roosevelt following recent redistricting changes. Davis, a Rockville Centre resident, said his approach to the position is centered on being present in the communities he represents and connecting residents with county resources. “The biggest part of the job for me is getting into the community,” Davis said. “I go to as many places as I possibly can, but I go with a purpose. And the purpose for me is really to learn about the community and listen to the residents.” Davis’s campaign platform lists four areas of focus: fiscal transparency, responsible development, community safety, and economic stewardship and sustainability. He said the district’s communities have different needs, from road conditions and abandoned vehicles in Baldwin and Roosevelt to relationships with the fire department in South Hempstead. Davis said navigating county, town, state and village responsibilities require cooperation with other government officials. During his first term, Davis said a priority was securing $1.75 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for Hempstead for a water filtration system. He also cited efforts to create an exercise trail and replace an outdated high school championship sign through partnerships with local institutions. Looking ahead, Davis, 64, said infrastructure is a priority. He said nearly $30 million is available for projects and that he wants to see improvements completed throughout the district, including county roads

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 1

Jeffrey Bessen/Herald

County Legislator Scott M. Davis cites infrastructure improvements, fiscal transparency, public safety and connecting residents with resources as key priorities. in Roosevelt and Rockville Centre. “Because, at the end of the day, when we talk about what people complain about, one of them is the roads,” Davis said. Fiscal management and transparency are also central to Davis’s platform. He said he wants to scrutinize county spending he considers wasteful and has questioned the use of outside legal counsel. He also said residents should be better informed about propertytax exemptions and other programs that could reduce their costs.

On transparency, Davis said county spending projections should reflect expected costs more accurately. “Let’s just have a real number here,” he said. “So, when we’re putting forth that budget, it’s a budget that reflects reality.” Davis also emphasized sustainable budgeting, saying the county should not rely on one-time funding to support ongoing expenses. Public safety is another priority. Davis said he favors building relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve, particularly in areas without village police departments. “I kind of have a phrase when it comes to police in the community, and it’s ‘a partnership, not patrol,’” he said. For small businesses, Davis said he works with chambers of commerce across the district and supports efforts to promote local businesses and shopping. He said the county can help connect businesses with available resources while encouraging stronger relationships among business organizations and local government. Davis said his goal is to remain accessible to residents throughout the district. “I’m very fortunate that I have the ability to go into each part of my diverse district with the same care in an authentic way,” he said.

Lino makes tax relief a campaign priority By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

Ed Lino, a Republican and Conservative candidate for Nassau County ‘s 1st Legislative District seat, says he is running to preserve the county’s quality of life, citing concerns about taxes, public safety and infrastructure. Lino, 36, grew up in the Bethpage-Levittown area and lives in Rockville Centre with his wife and two daughters. An attorney, he has worked for the Town of Hempstead for more than 15 years and serves as deputy town attorney. “I have two young daughters,” he said. “I want to make sure that they can grow up in the same Nassau County that I grew up in. I don’t want to give up on Nassau County. It’s meant a lot to me. I feel like it’s made me who I am. I want to be able to try to do my part and try to make it a better place.” Lino said he would prioritize responsible government spending and seek to freeze county property taxes, arguing officials should review expenditures before considering increases. “The money is the people’s money, it’s not the government’s money,” he said, “so they should spend it wisely.” He said he would examine spending on park staffing and road projects to identify efficiencies. He suggested shifting workers between departments, subject to collective bargaining agreements. Lino said he would work with other municipalities and invest in small businesses to create jobs, while exploring state grants.

Jordan Vallone /Herald

Nassau County Legislature candidate Ed Lino is campaigning on tax relief, public safety, infrastructure improvements and responsible government spending. On public safety, Lino said he would work with police unions and department officials to identify resource needs. He said representatives of the Police Benevolent Association and detectives told him staffing was down and additional support was needed. “I think we need to support our police,” Lino said. “I think that we need to give them the backing that

they deserve and that they need, because they’re the ones that are putting their lives on the line every day, not civilians.” Lino supports a countywide ban on kratom products, which he described as “gas station heroin.” He said he would work with health officials to increase public awareness about substance misuse. He supports keeping girls’ and boys’ sports separate, saying he believes each should compete in their respective groups. Infrastructure is another priority. Lino cited Grand Avenue in Baldwin and Lakeview Avenue in Rockville Centre as roads needing attention. He said he would work with local officials to address road, sewer and pothole problems across jurisdictional boundaries and keep residents informed about projects. Lino pledged to respond promptly to constituents and seek fair distribution of county investments throughout the district, which includes parts of Hempstead, South Hempstead, Rockville Centre, North Baldwin and Roosevelt. He identified three first-year goals: freezing or lowering taxes, investing in roads, parks and community services, and improving neighborhood safety and relationships with law enforcement. Lino said he opposes what he characterized as a socialist agenda in New York City and wants to prevent its policies from extending into Nassau County. He also argued that Democrats hold elected offices representing the district and said voters should consider a change in representation. “I’m trying to bring a change to that and shake it up,” Lino said.

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — OCTOBER 22, 2026

By BRIAN KACHARABA

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OCTOBER 22, 2026 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

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Village honors legacy of fallen firefighters By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

The Rockville Centre Fire Department remembered two of its members who died during the past year during its annual memorial service last weekend, honoring their decades of service and the lasting impact they made on the department. Held on Oct. 18 at Memorial Park next to the Reliance Firehouse on Forest Avenue, the ceremony drew about 120 people, including firefighters, family members, local officials and clergy. ExChief John Hennig served as master of ceremonies. Honorary Chief Carl Weeks and ExCaptain Peter Scarinzi were remembered through Words of Remembrance delivered by captains from their respective companies. “We lost Peter and Carl this year, but over the years we stop [after the ceremony] and then, after the breakfast, we always tell stories to keep their memories alive,” Hennig said. Weeks joined Eureka Hook, Ladder and Bucket Company No. 1 in May 1954 before transferring to Woodland Engine Company No. 4 in 1962. He served as a Woodland officer from 1965 to 1971, including as captain from 1969 to 1971. He also served as a warden on the department’s Fire Council and as its longtime chief chauffeur.

Courtesy Rich Law Photography

Members of the Rockville Centre Fire Department salute during the department’s annual memorial service at Firefighters Memorial Park, honoring Honorary Chief Carl Weeks and Ex-Captain Peter Scarinzi, who died during the past year. Nicknamed “Squeaky” for his ladder climbing during fire department competitions, Weeks continued competing into his 40s, keeping pace with younger participants. In 2001, he was named an honorary chief. He was also grand marshal of the 2023 Nassau County Parade hosted by the department. Weeks remained active into his 80s,

often being the first to arrive at Woodland’s firehouse for daytime calls and preparing it for responding crews. He died on September 25, 2025, at age 90. “He was an ex-captain of Woodlands and just a real solid good man,” Hennig said. “He was always there for us.” Scarinzi joined Live Oak Engine Company No. 1 in October 1991 and

became one of its active members, completing fire academy training and earning New York state emergency medical technician certification. He served as second lieutenant from 2002 to 2004, first lieutenant from 2004 to 2006, and captain in 2006. He transferred to Eureka Hook, Ladder and Bucket Company No. 1 in 2007. Scarinzi was also known for his chili. After relocating to the FASNY Firemen’s Home, he competed in its annual chili contests, winning first place twice, including in March 2026. He was invited to compete in the New York state finals in Albany. Scarinzi died last May 11 at the age of 55. The service included a bagpipe entrance, a wreath-laying ceremony, ceremonial bell tolls, and the playing of Taps and “Amazing Grace” by piper Stephen Crockett. Father Michael Duffy, rector of St. Agnes Cathedral, delivered the invocation and benediction. Hennig explained that the bell-ringing tradition dates to the days when telegraphs transmitted signals to firehouses following a line-of-duty death. “They would tap out a special signal of 5-5-5 on a tele g raph,” Hennig explained. The department continues the tradition by ringing the bell in three rounds of five to remember its deceased members.

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things to know halloween at the library

By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

The Rockville Centre Public Library is getting into the Halloween spirit with three seasonal activities for children and families. From decorating pumpkins and crafting spooky creatures to trick-or-treating throughout the library, the events offer opportunities for young residents to celebrate the holiday in a fun, creative setting. Activities are scheduled for Oct. 24, 29 and 30, with some requiring advance registration. Families should check the details for each event, including age requirements and available time slots, before making plans to attend.

Kids young and old can get creative with pumpkins Pumpkin decorating will bring a creative twist to the library on Oct. 24, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Children should bring a pumpkin from home and can use library supplies to paint and personalize it, with teen volunteers available to help bring their ideas to life. The program is designed to let young artists get messy while leaving the cleanup to library staff. No registration is required, making it an easy option for families looking for a seasonal activity. Participants can turn their pumpkins into festive creations and enjoy a hands-on start to the Halloween celebrations at the library with friends.

Preschoolers can craft their own Halloween bats

Trick-or-treating brings Halloween fun to the library

Preschoolers can make a Halloween creature of their own during an afternoon craft on Oct. 29. Children ages 3 to 5 are invited to stop by the library from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. to build a bat for the holiday. The activity will take place in the Helen Kraus Room and requires advance registration; the library’s event listing indicates seats are available. Parents and caregivers should plan accordingly to ensure children have appropriate supervision during the program. Families should register only the number of children attending and review the library’s event details before arriving for this seasonal craft activity.

Costumes are welcome when the library hosts its trick-or-treating activity on Oct. 30. Families can travel throughout the library, collect treats and explore activity stations featuring Halloween tricks and surprises. Registration is already underway, and participants must choose one of two available time slots: 4:30 to 5 p.m. or 5 to 5:30 p.m. Families should select the session that works best for them when registering. The event offers children a chance to show off their costumes and celebrate Halloween in a library setting, with activities designed to make the visit more than a quick stop for candy with family and friends.

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ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — OCTOBER 22, 2026

Pumpkin painting, bat crafts, and trick-or-treating awaits


OCTOBER 22, 2026 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

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Local senior center takes on medieval fun The Renaissance fair event was developed in collaboration with Molloy as a way to get seniors active and get some The Salvation Army Freeport Corps of the students experience working in a Community Center hosted its unique clinical capacity. “We’ve had a working relationship Renaissance fair for local seniors who are a part of their senior program. The with them for many years now, and they send students here as part of community center partnered their health promotion prowith nursing students from gram where they do blood Molloy University’s Barbara pressure checks and socialH. Hagan School of Nursing ize with the seniors here at to host the interactive event. the center,” Rosario said. The community center, “Last year we did a circus located on Church Street in carnival for them, and now Freeport, opened its doors to this one, the Renaissance nearly 65 seniors for the fair, we want them to engage afternoon event on Oct. 6. in different ways, and two of Throughout the fair, seniors AWIlDE RoSARIo those are recreation and took on different chair aero- Director of Senior socialization.” bic exercises, crafts, games Services, Some recreational activiand even a pool noodle joust- Salvation Army ties included seniors being ing session. Themed decora- Freeport tasked with catapulting tions and costumes helped create an even more lively atmosphere objects into baskets and working together for different craft projects. for the participants. Beyond the fun of the event, the The Salvation Army’s community afternoon offered a glimpse into the center in Freeport provides a variety of services to seniors and other communi- important role the program plays for ty members, like its food pantry and free local seniors. The Salvation Army’s breakfast, that attempts to address com- senior program are free of cost to its munity needs. The community center members, which helps alleviate some of has between 50 to 80 seniors present for the burdens many residents experience dif ferent activities each weekday as the cost of living rises on Long according to Senior Program Director Island. The senior program offers a chance Awilde Rosario.

By ANDREW FRANCIS

afrancis@liherald.com

W

e want them to engage in different ways.

Courtesy Sophia Arin

Members of The Salvation Army Freeport Community Center’s senior program enjoyed a festive Renaissance Fair. for socialization and physical activity that are especially impactful for those at risk of becoming socially isolated or experiencing deep loneliness. Seniors have a consistent place to gather and build relationships through the community center. The center is open from 9:30

a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and closed on Saturdays. To learn more about the Freeport Corps Community Center and how to support or participate, please contact them at 516-378-4557.

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15

LOCAL ELECTIONS GUIDE Candidate profiles, ballot Information and more inside!

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — OCTOBER 22, 2026

OCTOBER 22, 2026


OCTOBER 22, 2026 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

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ElEcTiON ‘26

NEW YORK STATE GOVERNOR

Kathy Hochul

Bruce Blakeman

Party affiliation: Democrat Profession: Governor

Party affiliation: Republican Profession: Nassau County Executive

On the Issues

On the Issues Affordability and tax relief

Affordability and tax relief

Hochul identifies lowering costs as a central priority. Her campaign points to inflation refund checks sent to more than 8 million New Yorkers, an expanded child tax credit and middle-class tax cuts as measures aimed at easing household expenses. She also cites universal free school meals as a way to help families save money.

Blakeman proposes eliminating state income tax on the first $50,000 of income for single filers and the first $100,000 for joint filers. He also proposes doubling the state’s multibillion-dollar property tax rebate program. Blakeman says restructuring the state budget, using state reserves, could finance the tax cuts and redirecting taxpayer funds currently allocated to services for undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers.

Housing and child care Hochul supports building and preserving more affordable housing. Her campaign highlights her support for running mate Adrienne Adams’ City for All housing plan during Adams’ tenure as New York City Council speaker. The two also worked together to secure child care funding. Hochul says she is working toward universal child care to make it more accessible and affordable for New York families.

Housing and childcare Blakeman aims to invest in schools and reduce the overall tax burden on residents. He looks to give families more disposable income as they contend with housing, childcare and other rising costs.

Public safety and schools

Public safety and schools Hochul emphasizes investments in community safety and cites gun safety legislation enacted during her administration. Her campaign also highlights her work with Adams on city and state gun-free zone laws. In schools, Hochul points to the ban on student cellphone use during school hours as another initiative enacted during her tenure.

Blakeman has pledged to increase support for police, expand counterterrorism funding for the NYPD and build or reopen state prisons. He also strongly opposes sanctuary state and city policies and supports greater cooperation with federal immigration authorities to deport undocumented immigrants with criminal records. He supports restricting biological males from competing in female school sports categories.

Federal policies

Federal policies Hochul has made opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies a central part of her campaign. She says she will defend New Yorkers against federal actions she considers harmful and, alongside Adams, oppose what her campaign describes as “MAGA extremism.”

Blakeman has made opposition to New York’s sanctuary policies and the state’s spending on services for migrants and asylum seekers a central part of his campaign. He supports working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to remove undocumented immigrants with criminal records and redirecting state resources currently used for migrant services.

ElEction ‘26

congrEssional District 4

Laura Gillen

Jeanine Driscoll

Party affiliation: Democrat Profession: U.S. Representative

Party affiliation: Republican Profession: Hempstead Receiver of Taxes

On the Issues Bipartisanship and legislative accomplishments Gillen is seeking re-election to a second term, emphasizing her successful efforts working across party lines. Gillen views hyperpartisan voting as a major roadblock to passing legislation. One of the first bills she introduced into Congress, which eventually passed in the House, sought to extend TPS for Haitian immigrants.

Affordability, housing and economic growth Gillen understands that affordability is a major concern for Long Island families. She supports restoring Affordable Care Act tax credits, lowering prescription drug and potentially capping the price of insulin, and eliminating tariffs which she says cost households an average of $1,700 annually. She also backs affordable housing initiatives.

Infrastructure, transportation and community Gillen highlighted her role in delivering $42 million in improvements to the NICE bus system, commuter tax deductions regarding congestion pricing and road safety grants. She has found funding for water filtration upgrades in multiple communities, flood prevention, emergency vehicles and accessibility improvements.

Public safety and national security Gillen considers the encroachment of drugs into local communities on of the most pressing threats to public safety. Gillen notes her attachment to the Republicanbacked “HALT Fentanyl Act” as another example of her ability to work across the aisle. Gillen favors protections against antisemitism continued U.S. assistance to Israel.

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FUN

Facts Bagel Order:

g bagel, Ever y thind with toas te ee se cre am ch

Hockey Team:

s Isl ande r

Favorite Music Artist:

wif t Tay lor S

On the Issues Government experience Driscoll has served as the Town of Hempstead receiver of taxes since 2019. With her current constituency in the Town of Hempstead covering more than 95 percent of New York’s 4th Congressional District, Driscoll believes her qualifications over the past seven years have prepared her for the role of representative.

Taxes, spending and the economy Driscoll identifies as a fiscal conservative who prioritizes reducing taxes and limiting government spending. She supports restoring the full SALT — state and local tax — deduction to provide relief to homeowners facing high property taxes. Driscoll would prioritize an elimination of taxes on tips, overtime pay and Social Security benefits.

Immigration and health care Driscoll has noted that two members of her immediate family are naturalized immigrants. She supports increased clarity of immigration rules as well as a tightening of immigration legislation. Driscoll favors work or volunteer requirements for eligible Medicaid recipients.

Education, accountability and constituent services Driscoll supports parental involvement in a school’s curriculum, particularly regarding controversial topics that a parent may personally disagree with, particularly in elementary school. She will look to restrict a school district’s ability to pierce the tax cap.

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Facts Bagel Order:

Sal t b ag e l Baseball Team:

Me ts

Favorite Music Artist:

Q ue e n


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Judy Griffin

Irene Villacci

Party affiliation: Democrat Profession: Assemblywoman

Party affiliation: Republican Profession: Nassau County deputy county attorney

On the Issues

On the Issues

Taxes and affordability

Taxes and affordability

Griffin said affordability remains a major concern for district residents, citing housing costs, rent, utilities, health care, prescription drugs and insurance. She supports changes to utility rate-setting that would require companies to provide evidence for proposed increases and demonstrate their impact on customers. She also discussed auto insurance reforms, including restrictions on using ZIP codes to set rates.

Villacci said she would seek to reduce state income taxes, including eliminating state income taxes on the first $50,000 of income for single filers and $100,000 for joint filers. She said she would look for waste and additional revenue in the state budget before pursuing property-tax reductions. She also supports repealing clean-energy charges she said are contributing to higher utility bills.

Education and school funding

Public safety

Griffin supports more equitable state funding for public schools and additional resources to address rising special education costs. She also supports expanding universal prekindergarten, providing free breakfast and lunch to students, and establishing mental health clinics in more schools. Griffin discussed changes to charter school funding and said they should consult with public school administrators before enrolling students.

Public safety and mental health Griffin highlighted the Joseph T. Banish Mental Health Act, which she said passed in 2025 and provides confidential peer counseling for law enforcement officers. She described the legislation as one of her proudest accomplishments because it is intended to help save lives amid concerns about police suicide. She also cited legislation addressing stalking and domestic violence.

Villacci supports repealing cashless bail, particularly for repeat offenders, while saying she could see it applying to some minor offenses. She supports fully funding police departments and corrections officers and said judges should have greater discretion in setting bail. She also expressed support for Nassau County’s approach to public safety and enforcement.

Education Villacci supports increasing state funding for schools and said she believes the current distribution of school aid is not equitable. She said schools need additional resources for students and teachers and criticized what she described as differences in funding between Long Island districts and New York City.

Water, infrastructure and flooding

First responders and governing

Griffin said addressing aging water infrastructure, drinking water contamination and coastal flooding requires continued state investment and cooperation with local and federal officials. She supports using Environmental Bond Act funding to help remove contaminants. She also discussed the proposed South Shore Water Authority, saying a takeover of Liberty Water would require negotiations and state and funding to replace infrastructure.

Villacci said she would make support for volunteer firefighters and other first responders a priority. She also said her approach to governing would emphasize collaboration and working with people who hold different views. As a challenger, she said she is seeking to provide what she considers stronger representation for district residents in Albany.

SENATE DiSTricT 9

ElEcTioN ‘26

Lisa “Malkie” Vider

Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick

Party affiliation: Democrat Profession: Health care Administrator and Business Owner

Party affiliation: Republican Profession: Attorney, CPA and Small-Business Owner

On the Issues

On the Issues

Health Care

Public Safety

Vider said that affordable health care is a central issue. She wants to make the system easier for families and seniors to navigate and less expensive. She supports increasing competition among health insurers and reducing regulations she believes contribute to higher costs.

Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said public safety is among her top priorities. She supports giving judges greater discretion in setting bail and continuing state investment in police departments, including funding for equipment and technology.

Affordability Vider said rising property taxes and other household expenses are putting pressure on Long Island families. She wants to bring more state resources to the district and support funding for schools, roads, libraries, police and first responders.

Affordability Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said New York’s high spending and utility costs are contributing to an affordability crisis for families and businesses. She supports reducing government waste and examining programs to identify areas where spending can be cut, with the goal of controlling the state budget and lowering costs.

Volunteer Firefighters Public safety Vider said police officers and first responders need adequate funding, equipment and resources. She wants to ensure the district receives its share of state support for public safety services.

Antisemitism Combating antisemitism and other forms of hate is another major priority. Vider supports educating children about antisemitism, hate and how to recognize and report hateful content online and in schools. She also wants to encourage greater cooperation among different communities to reduce division.

Supporting volunteer firefighters is another central issue for Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick. Drawing on her experience as a former Malverne fire commissioner, she wants increased state funding for volunteer departments, including capital improvements, equipment and other resources. She said volunteers provide essential fire protection and deserve greater support for the time and training required to serve their communities.

Experience A lifelong Malverne resident, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, an attorney, CPA, small-business owner and mother of four, was elected to the state Senate in 2022. Before entering the Senate, she served as a Malverne village trustee, deputy mayor, fire commissioner and police commissioner. She said her local government experience prepared her to represent Long Island in Albany.

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ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — OCTOBER 22, 2026

Assembly District 21

election ‘26


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WHO’S ON THE BALLOT FORM COURTESY OF THE HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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GENERAL ELECTION

’26

FEDERAL

November 3, 2026 NASSAU COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS

This is not an actual ballot, but a composite of several sample ballots so as to reflect all the districts within the communities covered by your edition of the Herald. Complete reporting on candidates running in districts covered by the Herald may be found at LIHerald.com under the Elections ’26 tab.

Rockville centRe

For election results after the polls close Tuesday night, go to LIHerald.com

TowN oF HEmPSTEAD

Attorney General Procurador General

DEM

Congressional District 4 Cuarto Distrito Congresual

DEM

Laura Gillen

Vote for One (1)

REP

DEM

Vote for One (1)

REP

Adrienne Adams

Vote for One (1)

REP

Comptroller DEM

Thomas DiNapoli

Vote for One (1)

REP

Joseph Hernandez

Scott Davis

DEM REP

Joseph Scianablo John Ferretti

Vote for One (1)

Citizens Not Developers

Martin Oliner

Edward Lino

Secretario del Ayuntamiento

Vote for One (1)

REP

Kate Murray

FAmiLy CouRT JuDGE

Irene Villacci

REP

Town Clerk

Joylette Williams

REP

La Legislatura del Condado de Nassau, Distrito 1

DEM

Supervisor de laciudad

DEM

Vote for One (1)

DEM, REP, CON

Nassau County Legislature District 1

Todd Hood

Contralor

Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick

NASSAu CouNTy

Lt. Governor DEM

REP

Distrito 21 de la Asamblea Estatal Vote for One (1)

Judy Griffin

Town Supervisor

Vote for One (1)

State Assembly District 21 DEM

Bruce Blakeman

Vicegobernador

Saritha Komatireddy

Lisa Malkie Vider

Governor Kathy Hochul

Letitia James

Distrito 9 del Senado Estatal

STATE

DEM

REP

State Senate District 9

Jeannine Driscoll

Gobernador

Vote for One (1)

Vote for One (1)

Ellen Greenberg

DEM, REP, CON

Ayesha Keri Brantley

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — OCTOBER 22, 2026

OCTOBER 22, 2026 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

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SAMPLE ELECTION BALLOT

OCTOBER 22, 2026 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

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PULL OUT ElEction ‘26

toWn oF HEMPStEAD SUPERViSoR

Joe Scianablo

John Ferretti

Party affiliation: Democrat Profession: Veteran, former NYPD, attorney

Party affiliation: Republican Profession: Town of Hempstead Supervisor

On the Issues Affordability and taxes Scianablo supports reviewing the town’s budget, expenditures and propterties to identify wasteful spending and redirect taxpayer dollars toward community services. He has questioned the sustainability and transparency of the town’s proposed 2027 budget and supports rebuilding financial reserves.

Infrastructure and development Scianablo supports reinvesting in roads, parks, pools and other infrastructure while ensuring that resources are distributed fairly across communities. He wants to hold regular town halls to identify neighborhood priorities and pursue state and federal funding for revitalization projects.

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Facts Bagel Order:

g bagel Ever y thind with toas te t ter light bu

Baseball Team:

Housing Scianablo supports addressing housing affordability while preserving the character of established neighborhoods. He has raised concerns about overdevelopment and the approval of variances, calling for enforcement of existing codes. He believes housing and development decisions should reflect the individual needs of communities.

Public safety and government transparency Scianablo, a former New York City police officer and prosecutor, supports strengthening partnerships with Nassau County and local law enforcement. He also wants to expand services for domestic violence survivors and their children. He has called for greater government transparency and more accessible board meetings.

Me ts

Favorite Music Artist:

n Band Zac Bro w

On the Issues Affordability and taxes Ferretti supports reducing property taxes and controlling government spending to make the town more affordable. He pointed to an 18 percent reduction in the town’s general fund tax levy in 2026 and a proposed tax freeze for 2027. He also supports reducing staffing costs and eliminating discretionary spending.

3

Public safety and infrastructure Ferretti supports continued cooperation with Nassau County and village police departments to strengthen public safety. He also prioritizes roadway improvements, including repaving at least 100 miles annually, installing illuminated stop signs and addressing traffic concerns.

FUN

Facts Bagel Order:

Egg b ag e l Baseball Team:

Housing and local zoning Ferretti opposes state housing proposals that would override local zoning authority, arguing that residents should have a say in developments affecting their neighborhoods. While acknowledging the need for affordable housing for seniors and young adults, he favors lowering property taxes and preserving the town’s suburban character.

Parks and recreation Ferretti supports continued investment in the town’s parks, pools and beaches to improve recreational opportunities for residents. He highlighted improvements including new splash pads, upgraded pool facilities and extended swimming seasons. He also supports using state and federal grants to fund recreational projects.

Me ts

Favorite Music Artist:

O.A.R .

ELECTiON ‘26

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD CLERK

Joylette Williams

Kate Murray

Party affiliation: Democrat Profession: English Professor, Nassau Community College

Party affiliation: Republican Profession: Town of Hempstead clerk, attorney

On the Issues

On the Issues

Access and efficiency

Access to services

Williams wants to make the clerk’s office easier for residents to navigate. She supports developing an app that would allow residents to access town services and track requests, including Freedom of Information Law requests, in real time. She also wants the office to serve as a clearer one-stop source for information so residents are not repeatedly transferred between departments.

Murray says making government services convenient for residents remains a priority. She points to the clerk’s passport program, which allows residents to have photographs taken, applications reviewed and documents mailed from one location. The office also offers passport services on select weekends and provides marriage licenses, parking permits and other licenses and records.

Transparency and independence

Residents first

Williams highlights the clerk’s responsibility to operate independently from the town supervisor and Town Board, particularly when handling public records. She argues that properly submitted requests for public information should be handled consistently regardless of who requests the records and supports reviewing how the office processes, approves and denies FOIL requests.

Community outreach Williams proposes the clerk’s office to hold workshops throughout the town explaining services available to residents. Topics could include how to submit FOIL requests, what public information residents can access and how to apply for licenses. She says residents should be better informed about how to obtain town records and services.

Equal access to services Williams says services should be provided consistently across Town of Hempstead communities. She argues that where residents live or voting patterns should not determine the level of government services they receive. Although the clerk does not vote on Town Board policy, Williams says she would advocate for equal access to town resources and services.

Murray says the clerk’s office should help residents navigate government requirements, particularly when they need important documents during difficult circumstances. She supports having staff work within existing laws and policies to find solutions for residents, including delivering documents when someone cannot physically come to Town Hall.

Expanding identification programs Murray has expanded the office’s identification programs for children, seniors and people with special needs. The special-needs identification card includes information that could assist first responders, including whether a person is nonverbal. Murray says the initiative is part of an effort to adapt existing clerk services to additional groups of residents.

Coordination with town departments Murray says her previous experience as town supervisor helped her consider how the clerk’s office interacts with other town departments. She supports coordinating clerk services with programs run by departments such as parks and recreation and considering how the office’s staffing and budget needs affect public safety.


Scott Davis

Ed Lino

Party affiliation: Democrat Profession: Nassau County legislator

Party affiliation: Republican, Conservative Profession: Deputy Hempstead town attorney

On the Issues

On the Issues Fiscal transparency

Taxes and spending

Davis said he wants greater scrutiny of county spending and more accurate budget projections. He has questioned the use of outside legal counsel and said residents should have better access to information about property-tax exemptions and other programs that could reduce their costs. He also supports avoiding the use of one-time funding for recurring expenses.

Lino said he would seek to freeze or lower county property taxes and review government spending before considering tax increases. He wants to identify efficiencies in areas such as park staffing and road projects, while exploring state grants and other ways to fund local needs.

Infrastructure and investment

Infrastructure and development Davis identified infrastructure as a priority for a second term, pointing to nearly $30 million available for projects. He said he wants improvements to county roads throughout the district, including in Roosevelt and Rockville Centre. His campaign platform also lists responsible development as a priority.

Public safety Davis said he supports building stronger relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve, particularly in areas without village police departments. He described his approach as “a partnership, not patrol.” He also said cooperation among county, town, state and village officials is important when addressing local concerns.

Lino identified road repairs, sewer issues and potholes as priorities, citing Grand Avenue in Baldwin and Lakeview Avenue in Rockville Centre. He said he would work with village, town and county officials to address infrastructure needs across jurisdictional boundaries and seek fair distribution of county resources throughout the district.

Public safety Lino said he supports law enforcement and would work with police unions and department officials to address staffing and resource needs. He identified safer neighborhoods and stronger relationships with law enforcement as first-year priorities.

Economic stewardship

Economic development and community concerns

Davis said he works with chambers of commerce throughout the district to promote small businesses and connect them with available resources. He also cited his first-term effort to secure $1.75 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for a Hempstead water filtration system as an example of securing county resources for local projects.

Lino said he would work with other municipalities to support small businesses, create job opportunities and pursue state grants. He also supports a countywide ban on kratom products and said he would work with health officials to increase public awareness about substance misuse. Lino supports keeping girls’ and boys’ sports separate and said he would prioritize timely responses to residents’ concerns.

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21

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — OCTOBER 22, 2026

LEGISLATIVE DISTrIcT 1

ELEcTIon ‘26


OCTOBER 22, 2026 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

22

Focusing on transparency in Hempstead race By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com

Joe Scianablo says residents across the Town of Hempstead are asking for lower costs, safer communities and a government that puts taxpayers ahead of political connections. The Garden City resident and Marine combat veteran is making those concerns central to his second campaign for Hempstead town supervisor, challenging incumbent John Ferretti. Scianablo, a former New York City police officer and prosecutor, said conversations with residents have shaped his grassroots campaign. “We’re hearing from residents in the Town of Hempstead that they’re concerned about affordability, safety and protecting taxpayer dollars,” Scianablo said. “That’s going to be our focus this cycle.” Scianablo, 49, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1996 and served in Iraq before joining the NYPD, where he specialized in domestic violence. After retiring, he earned his law degree and pursued a legal career focused on justice and public safety. He said his background in the military, law enforcement and the courtroom has prepared him to lead the town, particularly as residents raise questions about spending, development and access to services. One of his primary concerns is the town’s budget. Although the current administration has cited a 2026 general fund tax levy cut and proposed tax freeze, Scianablo questioned the sustainability of its finances. “Objectively speaking, it’s very concerning,” he said. “Yes, the taxes are frozen, but how? Where is this money coming from then?” His campaign’s preliminary budget review identified what he described as a 97 percent increase in miscellaneous fund spending and millions of dollars being transferred from the town’s Highway Department. He

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD SUPERVISOR

Jeffrey Bessen/Herald

Garden City resident Joe Scianablo is running for Hempstead Town Supervisor against incumbent John Ferretti. also questioned the town’s reliance on selling municipal property to help close a budget gap. “The first thing that we’re going to be doing is have financial experts review not just the budget, but every town-owned property, every major expenditure, every department,” he said. “Just like I did as a prosecutor, we’re going to find and hunt down the wasteful spending, and we’re going to redirect those resources right

back in the community where they fall.” Scianablo said he would eliminate unnecessary spending without cutting essential services, rebuild financial reserves and direct more resources toward infrastructure, including road repairs and snow removal. Housing and development are other priorities. He attributed overdevelopment partly to zoning variances and inconsistent enforcement of existing building codes, arguing that officials should work with the individual communities to preserve neighborhood character by understanding their needs. “If we can just start complying with our own building codes within the town, we can eliminate a lot of this overdevelopment and overbuilding,” he said. On public safety, Scianablo said he would continue working with local law enforcement while expanding resources. He said the closure of The Safe Center LI has heightened the need for services for vulnerable residents. He also called for greater transparency in town government and more opportunities for residents to participate in decisions. Ultimately, Scianablo said he hopes voters will judge his candidacy on local issues rather than party affiliation. “It’s not meant to be political,” he said. “We’re focused on the right and wrong, not the right and left.”

Outlining priorities, challenges ahead of bid By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com

Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti is seeking re-election, wrapping up a little over a year in office, citing tax cuts, infrastructure improvements, public safety and preserving local control as priorities. Ferretti, 43, a lifelong Levittown resident and attorney, was appointed to the supervisor position in August 2025, following the resignation of his predecessor, Don Clavin. Previously, he served four terms in the Nassau County Legislature. He said his county experience prepared him to oversee the nation’s largest township. One of his first priorities was the town’s 2026 budget, which included an 18 percent reduction in the general fund tax levy. The Town Board adopted the budget in October 2025. Ferretti recently unveiled his proposed 2027 budget, which would maintain the $5 million reduction and keep the tax levy essentially flat. The proposed budget totals $591.7 million. “By freezing the budget for 2027, freezing my tax cut of last year in place, we’re giving residents a total of $10 million — $5 million tax cut last year, holding that over for 2027,” he told Herald reporters at a roundtable interview. He said the town faces financial challenges from rising costs and what he described as unfunded state mandates, including increased pension and health insurance expenses. “While we project conservatively, there are challenges that we face going forward, but we continue to work to give residents more while taking less,” Ferretti said, pointing to workforce reduc-

Tim Baker /Herald

Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti is seeking re-election, after completing a little over a year in office following his appointment to the position. tions, retirement incentives and efforts to generate revenue. Infrastructure is another priority. As of Oct. 15, Hempstead has repaved 115 of its 1,200 miles of roadway — which sets an annual record, according to Ferretti. Ferretti also highlighted improvements to parks, pools and recreational facilities, as well as efforts to secure state and federal grants to fund projects.

The South Shore’s vulnerability to storms and flooding remains a concern. Ferretti said the town prepares by “cleaning storm drains, reinforcing dunes and coordinating with local village officials, regardless of party, during major weather events.” Housing and zoning are also significant issues. Ferretti opposed the proposed state’s REVIVE Act, arguing it would limit local control over zoning and development by allowing higher-density housing while overriding local zoning authority. He said he supports development that incorporates community input but opposes what he views as a onesize-fits-all approach. “I’m not opposed unilaterally to any development,” he said. “But in the Town of Hempstead, residents and the people they elect need to have a say.” Looking ahead, Ferretti said affordability is the concern he hears most often. His goals for another term include keeping the town financially accessible, maintaining public safety and preserving its suburban character. “I want people to be able to say that they can continue to live here and that they believe that down the road their children and grandchildren will be able to stay here,” Ferretti said. “Nassau County will not be the sixth borough of New York City.” He also emphasized cooperation with Nassau County and local villages on public safety, noting that the town does not operate its own police department. “Public safety sees no party,” Ferretti said. “The number one priority of any elected official is keeping their residents safe. As he campaigns for another term, Ferretti said he will continue to emphasize lower taxes, maintained services, infrastructure investment and local control.


Longtime restaurateur named grand marshal tain its place in the village for decades. He was a former manager of the Rockville Centre Little League and continues to sponsor a team. He has also supported youth basketball and other community organizations, often providing space at the restaurant for coaches and league organizers to meet. Brennan said Mahoney’s generosity extends beyond financial contributions. He has made his restaurant available to community groups and has consistently supported organizations seeking help. “He is so generous with his time and anything that he can give to us, he has,” Brennan said. “He helps a lot of organizations.” Mahoney, married to his wife Donna for 43 years, said his family’s experiences with youth sports helped shape his commitment to keeping children involved in their communities. “I feel it was important and a big part of their life,” Mahoney said. “And I think it’s important for these kids today to play sports and let them keep involved and keep busy.” That commitment was also evident during the Covid-19 pandemic. When MacArthur Park received money through the parade committee’s March for Small Business program, Mahoney donated the funds to his employees, believing they needed the assistance more than the business did. The parade committee’s charitable selections also include an organization with deep Rockville Centre ties. The Maurer Foundation, founded by Virginia Maurer, who is originally from the village, focuses on breast health education and breast cancer prevention. The foundation provides educational programs in schools and other settings to help young people understand breast health, recognize potential warning signs

Michael Rechter/Herald

ashley Brennan, left, president of the rockville Centre St. patrick’s parade Committee, praised thomas mahoney for his generosity and community involvement, earning him next year’s grand marshal honor. and learn about steps they can take to reduce their risk. Its educational outreach has reached Rockville Centre schools and expanded nationwide. Brennan said the foundation’s emphasis on education and awareness made it a strong choice for the parade’s charitable program. “Awareness really starts with education,” Brennan said, describing the foundation’s approach to helping people better understand breast cancer prevention and early detection. The third beneficiary, Anam Cara, provides emotional and practical support to parents and families in

Ireland following the death of a child. Its programs include bereavement support and therapy, with funds directed toward services for grieving families. The G2H Foundation, based in Long Beach, was also selected. Founded in memory of Gerrin Hagen, the organization supports youth sports, scholarships and community causes. Brennan said the foundation’s growth and commitment to helping children participate in sports made it a good fit for the parade. “They are a relatively young organization, and what they’ve been able to do so far has been amazing,” Brennan said. She added that G2H’s strong presence in Long Beach gives the parade committee an opportunity to expand its reach beyond Rockville Centre. The committee is exploring a possible event in Long Beach, though details have not been finalized. The three charities reflect the parade committee’s tradition of supporting local, national and Irish causes. Brennan said the organization surpassed $1 million in charitable donations over its first 29 years, making the upcoming anniversary an especially meaningful milestone. For Mahoney, the parade has long been a family tradition, with generations of residents returning each year to celebrate together. “It’s just a big family event,” he said. “I watch people who were kids who now have their own kids coming to this event.” He is looking forward to marching alongside his children and six grandchildren, some of who will travel from out of state for the occasion. The 2027 Rockville Centre St. Patrick’s Parade is scheduled for March 20. Mahoney said he is particularly excited to see the crowds gathered along the route, including near his restaurant.

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — OCTOBER 22, 2026

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News brief

Courtesy John Madson

St. Agnes Knights of Columbus Council No. 2548 members Bob Curran, from left, Neil Moran, Grand Knight Joe D’Aleo, Dan Quinn, John Madson and Joe McDonagh helped organize the council’s 2026 blood drives.

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Sixty donors rolled up their sleeves at St. Agnes Parish Center, helping the St. Agnes Knights of Columbus Council No. 2548 collect 63 pints of blood during its third and final blood drive of 2026. Last month’s drive brought the council’s total for the year to 168 pints — a 63 percent increase over 2025 — as longtime donors continued to support an effort that helps provide blood for lifesaving medical procedures and surgeries. The drive was staffed by 13 Knights of Columbus volunteers and eight employees from the New York Blood Center. John Madson, the St. Agnes blood

drive coordinator, thanked donors who supported all three of the council’s blood drives this year. He said the increase was largely driven by returning donors, who accounted for most of the blood collected in 2026. “We have made significant progress with motivating previous donors as they donated 95% of this year’s donations,” Madson said. While returning donors have helped increase the council’s collections, Madson said new donors are needed to replace those who are no longer able to give blood. –Brian Kacharaba

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MERRICK FESTIVAL NASSAU COUNTY BUSINESS & CRAFT FAIR

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STEPPING OUT

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Dee Shapiro’s My Olympia, 2018. Mixed media on paper. Courtesy of the artist.

Susan Grabel’s North Frieze of the Legendary Crone Goddess Temple, 2009. Cast paper, wood. Courtesy of the artist.

Beyond beauty

Women artists reimagine Venus at Hofstra Museum

By Abbey Salvemini

F

or centuries, the Roman goddess Venus has been used to represent ideals of feminine beauty, youth, desire and motherhood. What happens when women artists take those traditional ideals and reinterpret them through their own experiences? That question is at the center of ‘Deconstructing Venus,’ a new exhibition at Hofstra University Museum of Art. The museum opens its Emily Lowe Gallery to highlight the work of 20th- and 21st-century women artists to explore changing ideas about femininity and womanhood. Now on view through Dec. 11, the exhibition features an inspired group: Lee Krasner, Käthe Kollwitz, Elizabeth Catlett, Marisol, Lori Horowitz, Dee Shapiro and sculptor-printmaker Susan Grabel. The exhibit challenges, reconsiders and expands traditional ideas about femininity and women’s roles in society. Works explore themes of beauty, aging, identity, motherhood, activism and gender roles, while materials from Hofstra’s permanent collection and Special Collections add historical context to the exhibition. “Deconstructing Venus” begins with a question that has shaped art history for millennia: Who defines what a woman should be? Across cultures and centuries, the female figure has embodied fertility, beauty, devotion, temptation, motherhood, and power. Yet these images have most often been created within systems that limit women’s authority, over their own bodies and representation. By tracing this artistic legacy, the exhibition explores how women artists of the 20th and 21st centuries have challenged, embraced, and redefined these ideals, explains Sasha Giordano, director of the Hofstra University Museum of Art, in the exhibit catalog. The artists’ works approach long-standing expectations of women from different vantage points. “Some challenge conventional gender roles and beauty standards, while others embrace aspects of traditional womanhood or examine the constraints women have encountered in a male-dominated society,” Giordano says. Susan Grabel’s “Venus Cycle,” a series that traces Venus through the stages of aging while challenging idealized notions of the female form,

inspired the exhibit. Grabel’s work offers the most direct challenge to the traditional image of Venus, Giordano explains. She makes her own paper and casts her physical body, creating works that show an older body rather than an idealized, youthful figure. “There’s a long history of women being presented and idealized through the attributes of Venus and Aphrodite. It’s very hard to live up to these standards of perfection,” Giordano relates. After visiting Grabel’s studio, Giordano and cocurator Presley Rodriguez, the museum’s assistant Lori Horowitz’s Venus Amongst Her director of exhibitions Treasures, 2024. Mixed-media relief: and collections, turned aluminum sculpted photo, fabric, paper, • Now through Dec. 11 to Hofstra’s collection wood, fiber, and encaustic wax. Courtesy of • Emily Lowe Gallery, behind to find works that could Emily Lowe Hall, Hofstra the artist. University’s South Campus, expand the conversation. Hempstead Undergraduate intern • For more information about Sarah Braun was also involved in examining the collection, bringing the exhibition, gallery hours another generation’s perspective to the process. and related public programs, “The exhibition primarily shares art from the museum’s permanent visit hofstra.edu/museum collection to communicate a variety of women’s stories,” Rodriguez explains. The artists represented in the exhibition reflect an important shift in art history: women increasingly gained the ability to work independently and tell their own stories. The exhibit also includes works of non-Western art, demonstrating how women outside Europe and North America have responded to similar societal expectations surrounding gender and womanhood. Additionally, Hofstra Special Collections has contributed archival materials that offer insight into the challenges and achievements of women. “By bringing these varied perspectives together, Deconstructing Venus asks viewers to consider how ideas about women have been constructed over centuries – and what changes when women become the creators rather than simply the subjects of art,” Giordano adds. One of the archival materials on view is a diary belonging to an unidentified woman suffrage activist. An entry dated Nov. 18, 1918, records the writer watching her daughters vote for the first time. These archival materials offer a more intimate glimpse into the stories behind the exhibit. “When you’re looking at these smaller documents, it becomes a more personal experience,” Giordano adds. As always, public programming extends the conversation beyond the gallery. On Oct. 28, all are invited to “Speak Up! The Art of Civic Engagement.” This discussion examines the relationship between art, social change, and democratic participation. Susan Gottehrer and Arlo Fleischer of the Nassau County Regional Office of the New York Civil Liberties Union offer practical guidance on civic engagement, including how to advocate for issues they care about, communicate effectively with elected officials, and participate in events that shape their community. “Deconstructing Venus” brings women’s history into conversation with art made by women. Together, these artists replace a singular or limited ideal of womanhood with many individual narratives. No longer confined to stories written for or ascribed to them, these women rightfully claim agency as the authors, witnesses and truth-tellers of their own bodies, histories, struggles, and triumphs.

Anthony Rodia is back with his “Insanely Funny” tour, an all-new stand-up showcase packed with sharp observations and plenty of larger-than-life characters. Building on the success of his previous outing last year, this is his biggest and most ambitious yet, on the Paramount stage for two performances. A firstgeneration Italian-American raised in Westchester, Rodia discovered his knack for comedy early on.Drawing on family life, Italian-American culture, parenting and the everyday absurdities of modern life, Rodia has a knack for turning the familiar into the hilarious. His observational humor, self-deprecating wit and uncanny impressions have made him a rising star.

Friday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.

Ghostly Gala Halloween fun gets a kid-friendly twist when Long Island Children’s Museum hosts its annual Ghostly Gala. Designed for little ghosts and goblins, this after-hours bash delivers all the Halloween thrills without the scares. Families can create festive crafts, hit the floor at the Monster Mash Dance Party, trick-or-treat through the galleries, meet creepycrawly animal friends and explore the museum’s hands-on exhibits after hours. Costumes are encouraged, but not required, and families can enjoy the festivities at their own pace. Adding theatrical mischief to the mix, LICM Theater presents “Uncle Vlad’s Pumpkin Patch: The Vladuation,” the newest chapter in the museum’s annual Halloween theater tradition.

Saturday, Oct. 24, 6-9 p.m. Special performances of “Uncle Vlad’s Pumpkin Patch: The Vladuation” at 6:15, 7:45, and 8:30 p.m. (separate ticket required). 11 Davis Ave., Garden City. Contact licm.org or call (516) 224-5800.

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — OCTOBER 22, 2026

Anthony Rodia


OCTOBER 22, 2026 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

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Your Neighborhood OCT

23

Spookyfest

CALENDAR

ages can wear their Halloween costumes and go trick-or-treating throughout the building. Children in third grade and younger must have an adult present. Registration is required.

Spookyfest, a Halloween adventure for families, returns on select evenings at the Center for Science Teaching and Learning. Enjoy seasonal fun: a non-scary Enchanted Forest walk with friendly characters, arts and crafts, face painting, fortune telling and Halloween music, along with a Spooky Woods experience featuring zombies and other scary characters. Tickets are $22 for non-spooky attractions and $27 for all attractions. Tickets are required for ages 2 and older.

• Where: 221 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre • Time: 4:30-5 p.m. or 5-5:30 p.m. • Contact: rvcpl.org or call (516) 766-6257

Long Island Nets Fan Fest

• Where: 1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre • Time: 6-9 p.m., continues Oct. 24-25 • Contact: cstl.org or call (516) 764-0045

‘Sweeney Todd’ Molloy University’s CAP21 Musical Theatre students stage the indisputable masterpiece by Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim.”Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” is a gripping musical thriller that will leave your heart pounding. Filled with razor-sharp wit, haunting melodies, and diabolical humor, it tells the chilling story of an exiled barber bent on revenge against the corrupt system that destroyed his family. Dark, daring, and deliciously macabre, this unforgettable score soars with intensity. Attend the tale, if you dare. • Where: 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre • Time: 8 p.m., also Oct. 24-25, varied times • Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

OCT

24

School of Rock Fall Fest

Get ready for an afternoon of music, fun and fall festivities as School of Rock Rockville Centre hosts its Fall Fest. A showcase of live performances by School of Rock’s talented student musicians gives attendees a chance to enjoy some great music while celebrating the season. Bring the family, grab some friends and come cheer on the next generation of local rock stars. • Where: 197 N. Long Beach Road, Rockville Centre • Time: Noon-3 p.m. • Contact: (516) 234-7625

Dog Days Weekend Bring your pup to enjoy a relaxed autumn day at Old Westbury Gardens. Visitors are once again welcome to bring their leashed canine companions for a special opportunity to explore the grounds

NOV

5

Dweezil Zappa

Guitarist Dweezil Zappa brings his DZ20 Like Father, Like Son Tour to the Paramount, marking 20 years of performing his father Frank Zappa’s music. With jaw-dropping musicianship and a deep appreciation for his father’s singular sound, Dweezil takes audiences on a thrilling ride through a wildly inventive, technically dazzling musical legacy. His virtuosity on the guitar is matched only by his prolific compositional skills, which have generated numerous original works spanning multiple albums including “Confessions of Deprived Youth” (1991) and “Via Zammata” (2015). His music effortlessly traverses genres, seamlessly weaving together elements of rock, fusion, and experimental sounds, all while maintaining a signature style that is unmistakably his own. His collaborative spirit has led him to work with a diverse array of musicians all while honoring the legacy of his father. In addition to his solo work, Zappa has collaborated with an impressively varied roster of artists, • Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington including Edward Van Halen, Deep Purple, Lisa Loeb, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Steve • Time: 8 p.m. Vai, among others. Notably, his compositions have even been performed by a 100-piece • Contact: ticketmaster.com orchestra in Holland, showcasing his versatility and command of orchestral arrangements. or paramountny.com

as the gardens take on their fall color. Stroll winding treelined paths, take in the seasonal landscape, and enjoy the crisp air as you and your pup discover some of the most scenic corners of the estate. It’s a laid-back weekend designed for fresh air, fall foliage, and time well spent outdoors with the whole family — paws included. With costume parade on Sunday. • Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., also Oct. 25 • Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

Ghostly Gala

Bring the kids to Long Island Children’s Museum’s annual Halloween celebration. Enjoy the holiday in a fun, safe and spooky (not scary) way! Show off your costumes and dance moves in a Monster Mash Dance Party. Visit the Spooky Studio and meet mysterious underwater creatures. Also make some cool and creepy crafts. Start off your spooky night by decorating a bewitching trick-or-treat bag, then collect ghostly goodies from the museum’s roaming staff. Also a special showing of “Uncle Vlad’s Pumpkin Patch: The Vladuation” in the LICM theater. $18, $16 members; show $5. • Where: Museum Row, Garden

City • Time: 6-9 p.m. • Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

OCT

25

Halloween party

Calling all little ghosts, goblins and superheroes! The Rockville Centre Recreation Center is throwing a Halloween party, with costumes, games, music and plenty of spooky fun. Kids can show off their favorite Halloween looks during a costume parade around Mr. B’s Playground, enjoy Halloween hits and monster mash-ups with DJ Pace, and take part in activities and more. The rain-or-shine event will move indoors if needed. Registration is required, so sign up and get ready for a frightfully fun afternoon! • Where: 111 N. Oceanside Road, Rockville Centre • Time: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. • Contact: (516) 678-9338

OCT

27

Let’s Meet And Network On Long Island

Join in this community business networking dinner. Share advice, grow your business network,

and enjoy a casual evening. Free and fun. Separate checks. RSVP needed. • Where: Oceanside IHOP, 2971 Long Beach Road, Oceanside • Time: 6-7:30 p.m. • Contact: Register for Evite at lmnoli.com or call Mark at (516) 993-0053

OCT

30

South Shore Symphony’s ‘Halloween Spooktacular’

Calling all ghosts and goblins! Kick off Halloween weekend with the spooky sights and sounds of the South Shore Symphony at the Madison Theatre. The orchestra’s second annual Halloween-themed concert features Hans Zimmer’s Batman Suite, Lalo Schifrin’s Mission Impossible Theme, frightfully fun music by Anton Dvořák and Anton Bruckner, and much more. Costumes are highly encouraged! • Where: 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre • Time: 7:30 p.m. • Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

Trick-or-Treat Bring the family to trick-or-treat at the library. Children of all

The Long Island Nets, the NBA G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, host their annual Fan Fest at Nassau Coliseum. Check-in begins at 6 p.m., followed by a youth basketball clinic where Long Island Nets clinicians teach kids the fundamentals of basketball. At the same time, fans 16 and older of all skill levels can participate in a Pilates class with The Furm.The Long Island Nets Dance Team and Kids Dance Team take the court for performances, followed by appearances from select 2026-27 Long Island Nets players, at 7 p.m. Fans can enjoy free play on the Nassau Coliseum court, beginning at 7:30 p.m., while Long Island Nets players sign autographs. Kids Zone activities are ongoing throughout the event. Registrations required. • Where: 1255 Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale • Time: 6 p.m. check-in • Contact: linets.leagueapps.com/ events/5178106-long-island-netsfan-fest

NOV 27th Annual Long Island Jolson Festival

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Society President Jan Hernstat invites all to participate in the annual tribute to Al Jolson, rescheduled. With Ed Greenbaum’s unique outtakes from “The Jolson Story, Noah Diamond as Grouch Marx, comedian Jeff Greenberg, with Tony Babino’s “The Heart of Al Jolson, and more. Tickets are $54.95. • Where: Lambrou’s Catering Hall, 4073 Austin Blvd., Island Park • Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • Contact: Jan Hernstat at (516) 678-3524

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.


Four residents recognized for giving back

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — OCTOBER 22, 2026

Continued from page 1

before becoming emergency medical technicians. Both are members of Defender Hose Company No. 1. “We really wanted to make sure that we were making some sort of good impact in this community that we’ve grown up in,” Nocella said. A lifelong resident and one of seven children, Nocella credits her mother, Maureen Remy, and aunt, Mary Testa, who have led Rockville Centre’s Adopta-Family efforts for as long as she can remember, with instilling a commitment to service. Each holiday season, relatives and volunteers raise money, wrap gifts and deliver meals and presents to neighbors in need. Nocella’s daughters, Charlotte, 6, and Molly, 4, now help select toys for children in the program. “It really was something that they modeled for us and then we’re modeling for our kids, which I’m really happy about,” she said. After graduating from the University of Delaware, Nocella joined AmeriCorps through SBP, a nonprofit that rebuilds homes after disasters. She began working in disaster recovery after Superstorm Sandy struck New York, expecting to stay only a few months. Eleven years later, she runs the organization’s AmeriCorps program, overseeing recruitment, training and grants and supporting deployments to disaster-affected communities. Her uncles, Walter and Joe, also influenced her path. Both served in the South Hempstead Fire Department, where family gatherings often took place. Inspired by their example, Nocella and Twomey eventually joined their own community’s department. “I think that people need help, and we can be the helpers,” Nocella said. She hopes her daughters learn that service can take many forms.

Making service part of everyday life Twomey’s commitment to service also grew from watching her mother and aunt support families through Adopt-a-Family. “When you see that there are inequi-

Herald file photo

Kenny owens, seen here participating in the 2024 Kevin owens run to remember, was honored for his dedication to helping families facing serious medical challenges through the foundation and annual event established in memory of his late brother Kevin. ties that exist around you and you are in a place of privilege, it is your job to correct that wrong,” Twomey said. She brings that outlook to her work as senior vice president of finance and operations and chief compliance officer at Illumen Capital, which seeks to reduce bias in investing and direct more investment toward women, people of color and historically underrepresented groups. Previously, Twomey was chief operating officer of Mama Hope, a nonprofit that connects communities, particularly in East Africa, with resources. Her nonprofit experience showed her how access to funding affects communities’ opportunities and futures. After returning to Rockville Centre from Boston in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic, Twomey joined the fire d e p a r t ment with her sister. She described the firehouse as a “third space” beyond home and work, where she continues learning from experienced volunteers. “It filled me up and allowed me to kind of show up to my other spaces in a better way,” she said.

HERALD

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that an On-Premise Restaurant Liquor License, NYS Application ID: NA-0240-26-127945 has been applied for by RVC Food Group LLC d/b/a Catch 13 to sell liquor, beer, wine and cider at retail in an on-premises restaurant establishment. For on premises consumption under the ABC Law at 13 N Park Avenue Rockville Centre NY 11570

Rockville 11570

Centre

NY

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff AGAINST ROSA KARANASOS A/K/A ROSA POLLATOS; ET AL, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered August 19, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the

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Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 19, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 390 Woodbridge Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being near Rockville Centre, Town of

and being near Rockville Centre, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 36 Block: 494 Lot: 474. Approximate amount of judgment $366,886.66 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #603429/2024. Jack Libert, Esq., Referee FEIN, SUCH & CRANE, LLP 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800 Rochester, NY 14614 CHNY1272 91628

Courtesy Katie Twomey

a shared commitment to service earned sisters meagan nocella and Katie twomey recognition as community heroes, with assemblywoman Judy griffin and rockville Centre mayor francis X. murray celebrating their dedication to helping their neighbors. Twomey lives in Rockville Centre w i t h h e r h u s b a n d , Kev i n , t h e i r 19-month-old daughter, Nora, and their dog, Bodie. She hopes her daughter grows up seeing service as part of everyday life. “Giving back is a non-negotiable and just kind of fully part of who we are,” Twomey said. “And I want that to be carried on with the next generation for sure.”

Turning loss into a legacy For Lehr-Owens and Owens, helping others is a way to honor Kenny’s brother, Kevin Owens, who died of cancer in 2017. Through the Kevin Owens Memorial Foundation and its annual Run to Remember, the couple support families facing serious health challenges. Kevin spent his final 27 days in the intensive care unit at Mercy Hospital. In tribute, Kenny takes on a 24-hour challenge that includes running 27 miles.

The event marked its sixth year in 2026, bringing together community members, sponsors and local businesses to help families facing serious illness, childhood medical challenges and other hardships. Lehr-Owens coordinates fundraising and sponsorships alongside Kenny. Kenny, who grew up in East Rockaway and now lives in Rockville Centre, also coaches youth basketball, emphasizing kindness and responsibility. He was named the Rockville Centre Herald’s 2024 Person of the Year for his community contributions. Neither Owens nor Lehr-Owens could be reached for comment by press time. In her welcome message, Griffin encapsulated the efforts of these people and emphasized that community service is defined by action, not status. “What makes a community hero is not a title or position, but a willingness to step forward when help is needed,” Griffin wrote.


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OCTOBER 22, 2026 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

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opinions

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e are in the final weeks of this year’s election campaigns for federal, state and local offices. Having run in 19 campaigns for town, county, statewide and federal office, and assisted with and observed countless others, I know firsthand the adrenaline rush, doubts and dreams that the candidates, their families, friends and supporters are feeling during this final, exhausting rush to the finish. (And having lost my one statewide campaign, for attorney general, by 1.3 million votes in 1986, I certainly know that not all campaigns end well.) But campaigns are about much more than drama and individual glory, or wins and losses. At their essence, they affect the security, opportunities and quality of life of our children and grandchildren. That’s particularly true of this year’s election for governor of New York, a race that I believe is definitely a crossroads moment for the state. The issues are serious. The differenc-

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es between the candidates are stark and real, as are the differences between the two major parties, and indeed among the American people. I’m strongly supporting Bruce Blakeman as the leader the state needs at this defining moment. I say this having no personal animus toward Gov. Kathy Hochul. I knew her during the roughly 18 months in which she served as a Democratic member of Congress in 2011 and 2012, and was assigned to the Homeland Security Committee when I was its chairman. During that time I found her to be constructive and moderate, certainly not radical. In fact, in her previous office, Erie County clerk, Hochul had denied driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. After she was defeated in a bid for reelection to Congress in 2012, Hochul was chosen by Andrew Cuomo to be his lieutenant governor, and then became governor when Cuomo was forced to resign in 2021. During her five years in office, she has governed from the left, and now sides with New York City’s self-styled democratic socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, whose progressive wing of the Democratic Party is taking it over

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with its anti-police, pro-Hamas collectivist policies, much to the concern of traditional Democrats like James Carville and Rahm Emanuel. I’ve known Blakeman for over three decades. He and his wife, Segal, are close friends of Rosemary’s and mine, and Bruce worked closely with my daughter, Erin, when they served together on the Hempstead Town Board. Years before that, Bruce’s father, Bob Blakeman, was my Assemblyman when I lived in eastern Queens. More than any personal or family relationship, I admire Bruce’s integrity, his common-sense commitment to governing and his fierce sense of patriotism. He’s also a proven winner. He overcame the Democrats’ advantage of 85,000 registered voters in Nassau County to unseat County Executive Laura Curran in 2021, and was overwhelmingly re-elected last year. As county executive, Blakeman blocked a $150 million tax increase proposed by Curran, and has hired 800 law enforcement professionals without raising taxes. Fighting crime and standing with law enforcement have been hallmarks of his administration, as Nassau has been judged the safest county in the

e’s leading the resistance to socialist policies more typical of Europe.

country. He has also shown strong leadership by forging agreements and working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to remove thousands of criminal aliens with no resultant violence — this at a time when Mamdani slanders ICE as “rotten to the core” and demands its abolition. Tens of thousands of New Yorkers are leaving our state because of high taxes, which penalize success, and softon-crime policies that make streets and neighborhoods unsafe. This year’s gubernatorial campaign isn’t about the traditional differences between the two parties, which have always been hashed out in the American mainstream. Instead we see Blakeman leading a resistance effort against socialist policies more typical of Europe than the United States. Though he is being outspent many times over, and despite the fact that there are 3 million more registered Democrats than Republicans in the state, Blakeman has been making steady progress, and the momentum is definitely in his direction. He has overcome the odds before, and is on his way to doing it again. And New York will be the winner. Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

Hitting bottom on the decency meter

ecency is a bedrock human quality, and you know it when you see it. It sets the bar for behavior among people. Decency, especially in an American president, should be a non-negotiable requirement, and in that respect, Donald Trump disqualified himself from the highest office in the land more than 10 years ago. For the moment, let’s set aside political differences, forget the huge issues of a troubled economy, ignore the war that no one wanted, stop arguing about taxes, data centers, the environment or medical care, all life-and-death issues. Consider just one qualifying attribute for leadership: human decency. If that’s too high a bar for an American president, then who are we? Can we agree that a flagrant display of indecency should end any candidate’s quest for office, especially the presidency? The president must model moral leadership, compassion, forgiveness and inspiration. How have we spiraled so far away from those American ideals of

American excellence? On Nov. 24, 2015, Trump took the stage at a campaign rally in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and mocked the body movements of a reporter, Serge Kovaleski, who, according to reporting at the time, had a congenital condition affecting joint movement. That was it — the moment the people of this country, whatever their politics, could have and should have said no, not Trump for president. Not ever. We’re better than that. But history took a sickening twist, and Trump not only gathered support but was elected to the presidency; decency was sacrificed that day in Myrtle Beach, and every day since. From the time of his emergence on the political stage, Trump has infected the public ethos with indecent remarks, attacks on reporters’ behavior and appearance, and shocking insensitivity to others’ feelings. His public humiliation of women is common. Even the people who surround and support him now, from Marco Rubio to Ted Cruz, have been targets of his belittling remarks. We should have known from the very first time he mocked a physically challenged person that he was unfit. We

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should have known that a man who would boast of grabbing women by the genitals was not White House material. We should have known that a man who would sanction the separation of young children from their parents had no place in high office. We should have known that a leader who would denigrate entire populations of people as coming from s-hole countries could not be the standard-bearer for America. We should have found him unsuitable for office when he was convicted of sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll. We should have turned him out of office when he faced multiple indictments for trying to overturn the 2020 election results, which led to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. We should have considered his sneering, mocking, abusive insults of political enemies patently unacceptable and yes, indecent. We should have found his wrecking of the White House and trashing of its grounds and its honored spaces wrong and indecent. We should have found his lies, his many outright lies, documented by legitimate fact-checking organizations, profoundly indecent. Until last week, he approved of

e should have deemed Donald Trump unfit for office a number of times.

livestreaming an execution by firing squad in Maryland. You wonder if someone in Trump’s world spends time conjuring the most heinous, offensive and indecent policies to roll out and distract the voting population from the sad state of this country, in a war with no end, in an economy that is punishing the poorest among us. Public executions are the tactics of authoritarian regimes and tyrants. If we ever take this next step toward craven indecency, heaven help us. What will we have become? And who would have watched this execution? Would our teenagers have viewed it as a thrill-a-minute video experience? Would younger children have gotten to see it? How would anyone have controlled the viewership? According to The New York Times, the last public execution in the United States was in 1936. Are we thinking it’s time to bring back this violent spectacle? In recent history, public executions have become the terror tactic of outlier extremists like ISIS and Hamas. Are these the groups we want to emulate? Do we want to promote violence by taking it public? The death penalty challenges our humanity. To have broadcast it live would have only compounded the offense to human decency. Copyright 2026 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — OCTOBER 22, 2026

Blakeman will be the governor New York needs


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Herald editorial

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OCTOBER 22, 2026 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

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No excuses: Voting starts Saturday

very election season, the loudest voices belong to the biggest races. The national headlines, the ads that interrupt your evening news, the arguments at the dinner table — most of them are about Washington. Those contests matter. But if you stop paying attention once you get past the top of the ballot, you’re handing over decisions that shape your daily life far more directly. Think about what actually touches your week. The state legislators you elect decide how much aid flows to your school district, which shapes your property tax bill. They write the laws on housing, transportation and public safety. Your town officials decide whether that pothole gets fixed, how your parks are maintained and what gets built on the empty lot down the street. Judges on your ballot will rule on cases involving your neighbors, and maybe one day, you. These races are often decided by a few hundred votes, sometimes fewer. In a local contest, your single ballot carries real weight. Yet turnout typically falls off as you move down the ballot. Voters fill in the races they’ve heard about and leave the rest blank, or guess. Candidates for the State Assembly or Town Board don’t have the budgets to reach every household, and national coverage rarely mentions them. This week’s Herald includes our voter’s guide, with candidates in the races on your ballot explaining in their own

letters Do Republicans have solutions to the high cost of housing? To the Editor: It is definitely time for County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the Republicans to take responsibility for the high cost of living in Nassau County. Residents’ exit from Nassau started way before Gov. Kathy Hochul took office. It began in the 1990s, when high taxes pushed retired people to move to lower-taxed states. Lack of affordable housing also forced their grown children to settle in areas with lower taxes and better housing options. Multi-generational family life in Nassau continues to be gravely challenged. Many seniors today who would prefer to move to an easier lifestyle are forced to remain in big houses. A great number, some now without spouses,

words where they stand on the issues that matter to our communities. Read it. Compare their answers. You may find that the candidate you assumed you’d support doesn’t share your priorities, or that someone you’d never heard of does. Informed voting isn’t about having strong opinions on everything. It’s about knowing enough to make a choice you can stand behind. Once you’ve done your homework, the next step is simple: Make a plan. It sounds obvious, but research has shown that people who decide in advance when and how they’ll vote are more likely to actually do it. Life gets in the way. A late meeting, a sick child, a long line on a rainy Tuesday night — any of these can turn good intentions into a missed opportunity. A plan protects your vote from the unexpected. New York makes this easier than it once was. Early voting begins this Saturday and runs through Sunday, Nov. 1, including weekends. That’s nine days of opportunity before Election Day on Nov. 3. If your calendar is packed, if you work long hours or commute into the city, or if you just don’t want to worry about it, early voting gives you ample time to cast your ballot, on your schedule. Early voting sites and hours may differ from your usual Election Day polling place. To find out where to vote before or on Nov. 3, go to NassauCountyny.gov/566/Board-of-Elections. So pick a day. Put it on your calendar, just you’d schedule a doctor’s appoint-

ment or a Little League game. Decide whether you’ll go before work, on your lunch break or on a Saturday morning. Bring your child or grandchild to instill in them a sense of civic responsibility starting at a young age. If you’re accompanying an elderly parent or a first-time voter, coordinate travel in advance. Treat it as a commitment — because it is one. Then take one more step: Mark up your sample ballot before you go. The Herald publishes a sample ballot so you can see exactly what you’ll face in the booth — every race, every candidate and anything on the back of the ballot. Sit down with it, alongside our voter’s guide, and make your choices in advance. Circle your picks. Bring it with you. When you get to the polling site, you’ll be in and out quickly, confident in every selection rather than staring at unfamiliar names and guessing. That small bit of preparation will also help everyone else in line. Voters who know what they’re doing keep things moving, which means shorter waits for your neighbors. Democracy doesn’t happen only every four years, and it doesn’t happen only in Washington. It happens in our town halls, our school board meetings and our state capital, shaped by the people that we choose to send there. Those choices are made by the citizens who show up to the polls. Read the guide. Mark your ballot. Schedule your vote. And then go do it.


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opinions

hese days, no matter where you look for some quick news, there’s an item about artificial intelligence. It seems like everyone is an expert on the subject, and has an opinion on A.I.’s pros and cons. What’s scary is that the real experts want some type of guardrails or protections against its abuse, and politicians, who have much less expertise, can’t come to a consensus on anything. During the course of a typical day, we experience the wonders of A.I. in the most subtle ways. As I type a text message, I notice that it’s attempting to finish my thoughts before I do. That’s a simple example. Try using A.I. on any subject and you’ll find it asking you if you want more answers, or if you’d like a memo drafted for you. It’s ready, willing and able to do anything you ask, which is what makes it so scary. Up until a few months ago, A.I. was

in the news but not dominating it. In July, Geoffrey Hinton, who’s been called “the godfather of A.I.,” warned lawmakers that humanity could lose control of it within a year if proper safeguards were not established. Dario Amodei, the CEO of Anthropic, has been arguing that robust ethical and technical guardrails are needed to prevent misuse or loss of control. To heat up the debate, Bill Gates recently said he has been “growing increasingly alarmed by the rate of change that A.I. is undergoing, especially because there are no guardrails in place.” Gates also said, “I’m just stunned at the lack of concern and discussion outside of the industry.” A few weeks ago, a number of well-known industry figures sounded the same alarm — and then did a quick turnaround when summoned to the White House. In an effort to quell any alarm, President Trump threw cold water on the discussion, claiming that there’s no need for any protection, and there’s no such thing as a runaway A.I. He gathered

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emember ‘Person of Interest’? Our leaders need to watch the entire CBS series.

LeTTeRs have no affordable options in which to downsize. Their income is too high for Town of Hempstead apartments, and private senior developments cost more than they can afford and sell for more than their homes can sell for. In fact, seniors who live alone in the houses where they raised their families unwittingly contribute to inflated housing prices! Hochul proposed to build affordable housing for all age groups in downtown areas. Republicans nixed the idea from the get-go. Republicans, instead of blame, how about some solutions? JOyCE LITWIn ZIMMERMAn East Meadow

Where are the Jerry Kremers in today’s Congress? To the Editor: I commend Jerry Kremer for his excellent op-ed in the Oct. 8-14 issue, “The Republicans keep dropping easy passes.” I read it and said to my wife, “This is exactly what I’ve

every big tech name you can think of at the White House and got them to agree that the industry could regulate itself, and didn’t need any help from Congress. That’s the equivalent of the fox guarding the henhouse. As the drama has deepened, a number of elected officials, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders, have been yelling from the rooftops that Congress has a role to play, and has to do it now. I have no doubt that Sanders has some knowledge about the subject, but most of the members of Congress still haven’t figured out the difference between Medicare and Medicaid, so the last thing to expect is a quick bipartisan solution. Maybe the next Congress will do something, but don’t hold your breath. I’m one of the least-qualified people to offer an opinion on A.I., but I do remember a frightening television show called “Person of Interest,” which aired on CBS from 2011 to 2016. It was about an advanced artificial intelligence computer system built by a reclusive billionaire software genius named Harold

been saying.” As a retired social studies teacher with a degree in political science, I still look at politics as a case study, especially because today the reality is much too painful. Why are today’s politicians so different from the political leaders of yesterday such as Kremer? My dad was a lobbyist of sorts and knew many people in D.C., both Republican and Democrat. When I was in college in the late 1970s, studying political science, he told me that the representatives and senators he knew from both parties would rail at each other during the day in Congress, but when the day was over, they would go to each other’s homes for dinner. In reality, they were friends, and most of them had the country’s best interests at heart. Today, the animosity — dare I say hatred — across the aisle appears much too real, and doesn’t bode well for our nation. nevertheless, thanks to Kremer for a very cogent and well-written essay. I can only hope politicians from both sides will read it and reflect. MICHAEL SERIF East Meadow

Finch, played by Michael Emerson. The machine surveilled the world and used predictive algorithms to flag people who were about to be involved in violent crimes. It sent Social Security numbers to Finch and his field partner, John Reese, played by Jim Caviezel, essentially telling the good guys what the bad guys were planning so they could stop it. In the final seasons, a malicious rival A.I. system called Samaritan was brought online, creating a god-against-god cyber war. In the finale, the characters used a cyber weapon that, when uploaded to a satellite, destroyed both computer systems to save humanity from digital control. I think that the president, all of the tech barons and the elected officials with some knowledge of A.I. should be locked in a room to watch the entire “Person of Interest” series, so they can genuinely understand the technology’s real threat. They might figure out that “guardrails” isn’t a dirty word. Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm.

FRamewoRk by Tim Baker

Seasonal spookiness on Hendrickson Avenue — Merrick

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD — OCTOBER 22, 2026

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Can A.I. regulate itself? I don’t think so.


OCTOBER 22, 2026 — ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

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