Sea Cliff/Glen Head Herald 02-05-2026

SEA CLIFF/GLEN HEAD

chamber holds annual gala Page 3

Maureen Tracy, of Glen Cove, made clear her feelings about ICE’s activities.

Roksana amid/Herald

Suozzi backtracks on ICE funding

By RoKSANA AMID & WIll SHEElINE of the Sea Cliff/Glen Head Herald

More than 50 current and former constituents gathered outside the Glen Cove office of Rep. Tom Suozzi on Monday, demanding the immediate cessation of funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement after Suozzi, along with six other Democrats, crossed party lines to support a Department of Homeland Security funding bill that included major financial backing for the agency.

“I was angry, because we had called his office many, many times asking him to vote no,” said Marsha Wiseltiar, of Glen Head, who joined the protest with other residents. “We don’t want to see our citizens hurt and killed and taken and handled by a bunch of thugs, and this is how you send that message.”

Maureen Tracy, a retired teacher who

lives in Glen Cove, said Suozzi’s vote felt like a betrayal after she had supported his campaigns for years.

“My grandparents were immigrants from Ireland, and they were not treated the way immigrants are being treated here today,” Tracy said. “When I heard about Tom Suozzi’s vote, I was furious. We did door-todoor for him. We supported him 100 percent. There are plenty of fabulous people in our communities who are not criminals like they’re trying to say.”

Outside Suozzi’s office, demonstrators held signs and chanted, drawing a mix of encouragement and criticism from passing drivers. One shouted, “Get a job!” prompting a protester to respond, “Get a conscience!” Other drivers honked in support and asked how they could help.

The rally was sparked by Suozzi’s Jan. 22 vote in favor of a $64 billion Department of

North Shore builds new AI task force

By JUlIA CAPITEllI jcapitelli@liherald.com

Amid the rise of artificial intelligence and concerns surrounding its use, North Shore School District is preparing to begin instruction on understanding AI, its appropriate use and safety.

The district formed a task force to manage AI use in its schools.

Led by Superintendent Chris Zublionis, Director of Technology Elliot Kaye and Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Carol Ann Smyth, the task force is developing guidelines that focus on student wellbeing and learning.

Zublionis said the team is moving toward implementing the instructional framework. Teachers account for most of the task force’s members.

“They are the practitioners,” Zublionis said. “They have the day-to-day experience, and they’re seeing the impact of AI directly, so their voice is critical.”

ur overarching belief on this is that, yes, we need to do the work with A.I.

CHRIS ZUBlIoNIS

North Shore also has a technology committee that includes parents, administrators and faculty. The AI task force sprouted from there. Kaye noted the speed with which AI is advancing and being integrated into programs as a reason for the task force’s development.

Superintendent North Shore Schools

With roughly 20 faculty members and one student on the task force, it is still in its early stages.

The framework will include guidelines for students and staff regarding AI use. Included in the instruction will be “dos and don’ts” and facts vs. myths about AI as well as checklists to steer appropriate use.

Kaye said a goal is to have teachers become more comfortable with AI and understand how it works in their lives and their students’ in order to better guide students.

Among the focuses of the framework and policy named by Zublionis and Kaye are academic integrity, student data privacy, safety, appropriate AI use and college and career readiness.

“Our overarching belief on

ConTInuEd on paGE 7

Hispanic chamber honors community members

The North Shore Hispanic Chamber held its 5th Annual Winter Celebration at the Sea Cliff Yacht Club on Jan. 29, honoring the contributions of five community members for years of work and public service.

This years honorees were Pascual Blanco, co-founder of the nonprofit La Fuerza Unida, for the American Dream Award; Felicia Kasow, director of PURE Mammography and member of the Long Island Advisory Board of the American Cancer Society, for the Outstanding Community Supporter Award; Christopher Ortiz, Glen Cove’s chief of police, for the Lifetime Achievement Award; Dr. Alexa Doeschner, superintedent of the Glen Cove City School District, for the Community Leader Award; and Rafael Maldonado, owner of James Auto Works, for the Business of the Year Award.

Nassau County Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whtton and Glen Cove City Mayor Pam Panzenbeck also awarded city and county citations, and attendees, the honorees and their families ended the event with dancing.

North Shore community to vote on spending propositions North Shore SuperiNteNdeNt

By JULIA CAPITELLI jcapitelli@liherald.com

New facilities could be coming to North Shore School District within the three to five years. The district is holding a vote Tuesday on two spending propositions. The first is for $11.76 million in bond projects spanning all five schools. These projects include replacement and improvement of some indoor spaces and large space air conditioning, athletic and recreation improvements and new bleachers and fencing.

The second proposition is for $2.48 million from the district’s capital reserve funds for the replacement of the high school track and installing stadium lights at the high school football field.

Bond and capital reserve fund projects do not impact the yearly budget. Superintendent Chris Zublionis explained the need for and timeliness of the projects included.

Q:Why are these projects so necessary?

A: These are basically projects that have not been attended to. Our track is at the end of its useful life, and every high school does need a track. The Glen Head elevator, that’s a simpler project. That has been repaired and repaired. It cannot be repaired anymore. It needs to be rebuilt. Every school doesn’t need an elevator for accessibility. Same with the high school auditorium ceiling that needs to be replaced…Each of these projects does involve student safety (and) they’re difficult to fund in a regular budget, so that’s why we’re grouping them together. Large space air conditioning is a mandate from Governor Hochul that was signed into law effective Sept. 1, 2025. We need to have large spaces that can stay at a lower temperature.

Q:Why are capital reserve funds being

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used?

A: The capital reserve fund is there so that we can complete these projects without having an impact on the budget, and the track and the lights kind of go together as one project in the same space. The track is at the end of its useful life, we’ve done everything we can to repair it. We cannot repair it any longer. The lights is something that’s been talked about throughout my time here in the district. So I’d say about the last 10 or 15 years, it’s been a topic of conversation, and with the lights, it will allow students to have more use of the fields, because the field use will be extended to later hours. Most of the time spent will be from students practicing, not spectator events, not games. There would be some games. Currently we have situations where students have to leave class early for some games because we don’t have lights. But it would also allow the community to use the track and the field as well. We are meeting with residents. If the proposition passes, we will form a formal committee to talk about light usage as well.

Q:What else do you want the community to know about the projects?

A: In general, we really feel that we’ve tried to be very targeted and precise with what we’re asking the community to approve in terms of the amounts of funding, the projects that are in there. They are very specific, and we really do believe it will provide students with what they need, and for decades, and now is a good time to do it in terms of the cost of materials, doing it before things become more expensive, and doing it in the most efficient way possible.

Voting on Tuesday will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. A complete list of the projects included can be found on the district website.

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things to know s.C. Board of trustees meeting New legislation, updating language

By JULIA CAPITELLI

jcapitelli@liherald.com

The Sea Cliff Board of Trustees moved forward with several projects at its Feb. 2 conference meeting. From new legislation to residential battery storage, here are three things to know:

n Public hearings on new legislation to be held Monday

The board adopted new legislation on chickens and charging stations for electric vehicles on Feb. 2.

One law amends chapter 125 of the village code to allow for designation of public parking stations for parking and charging electric vehicles. Only electric vehicles that are charging will be allowed to park in these spaces, otherwise the driver will be fined.

The other amends article one of chapter 36 of the village code regarding regulations for residents to own chickens. There is a restriction against owning a rooster, but hens are permitted. Mayor Elena Villafane described the law as a “cleaned-up version” of the current rules.

Public hearings on both new laws will be conducted at the public board meeting on Monday.

n The village is updating language in its code pertaining to zoning

Several terms and definitions were discussed, such as “personal service,” “retail use” and “home office” versus “working from home.”

These definitions play a role in obtaining permits for different places of business.

Village Administrator Bruce Kennedy questioned how broad the definition of “personal service” in a business should be and if it should include services like yoga.

Villafane drew a distinction between a “home office” and “working from home,” giving the example that someone who physically meets with clients in their home could quality as having a home office.

Someone who meets with clients via Zoom would be working from home.

n Consulting with N.C. assistant chief fire marshal on battery storage

Andrew Schmitt, assistant chief fire marshal for Nassau County, and Brian O’Donnell, Sea Cliff’s first assistant fire chief, joined the board on Feb. 2 to discuss residential battery energy storage systems.

Schmitt and the board discussed where residents should be allowed to store batteries, fire suppression systems that should accompany battery storage and battery disposal.

Schmitt explained different fire suppression options, and O’Donnell recommended only allowing residents to store batteries outside of their houses.

Schmitt directed the board to other experts, such as electric engineers, for further guidance.

MIA DISALVO

SOUTH SIDE Senior Gymnastics

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

games to watch

Thursday, Feb. 5

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

Boys Basketball: Manhasset at Elmont 5 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, Feb. 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

Boys Basketball: Seaford at Lawrence 7 p.m.

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

Saturday, Feb. 7

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

Boys Basketball: Massapequa at Uniondale 12 p.m.

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

Boys Basketball: Oceanside at Baldwin 4 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

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

HERALD SPORTS

Three-Peat for North Shore girls

By MARC BERMAN sports@liherald.com

A third straight Nassau County Class C winter track and field title came easily for North Shore’s girls juggernaut on Monday night.

The Vikings posted their third straight winter track county title and 44th overall county title combining crosscountry and spring track for legendary North Shore coach Neil Levy.

“Yeah, it is (feeling like a given),’’ junior racewalk champion Chloe Brady said. “I feel cocky saying that, but that’s what it feels like at this point.’’

The Vikings posted 118 points – swamping the runner-up Oyster Bay (76). North Shore had 12 All-County finishers.

“You can’t control what other teams do,’’ Levy said. “We just had a plan in place and the kids executed it. We were hoping to get over 100 and we did that. In some aspects, we met our goals and some were exceeded.

“It’s the first time I can remember that everyone who participated in the meet got a medal (top 4) or was AllCounty (top 3),’’ Levy added.

Per usual, North Shore dominated the middle distances. In the 1000 meters, the Maroon were 2, 3 and 4 with seniors Joanna Kenney, Chloe Connolly and eighth grader Tulla Belle Gumm.

Gumm was one of two eighth-graders who showed their excellence. The other was Millie Valente in relays.

“I’m happy for the new kids who hadn’t been part of it before,’’ Levy said. “We have two eighth graders spe-

cifically. They’re new to winter track with us and there’s a lot of history and tradition. The girls really supported them. Whenever a young kid for the first time does very well, it makes me happy.’’

The brilliance of Levy is he guides athletes to events they never dreamed about competing in.

Take Brady, for example.

Brady never envisioned being a winter racewalk specialist. Yet Brady won the event Monday, doing the mile in 9.09. Brady does the 800 and high jump in the spring.

“Levy likes me to focus on racewalking because I’m the best at that,’’’ Brady said.

She started as racewalker last season. “At the start of every season, he has everyone try out in niche events like race walk in the winter,’’ Brady said. “It was mostly as a joke I tried it. Levy told me that I was actually very good at it and wanted me to start doing it. I did my first race and finished first.’’

Last season, she was third in the counties. “It was really nice,’’ Brady said of copping the first-place medal. “I worked hard this season and last season too. It’s nice to get credit for the effort I put in.’’

There were other stalwart performances. Danielle Demillio won the pole vault title with a 9-07. In the 1500 North Shore was 1-2-3 with Connolly, Kenney and freshman Sloane Bonvicino. (Kenney also won the 3000).

In the 600, senior Hannah Sadowski finished third. Two relay teams finished in second place for All-Couty. The 4x800 with Valante, Bonvicino, Sinead Reagan and Hannah Checo, and the 4x400 of Gumm, Sadowski, Harper Wilson and Kashvi Bhogadi.

A trove of Vikings head to the state qualifier Monday St. Anthony’s. Kenney, a 3000-meter star, is already All-State from last winter in that category. She could compete for a state title next month when the state meet is held at a new venue in Staten Island for the first time.

Administrators share plan

this is that, yes, we need to do the work with AI,” Zublionis said. “We need to teach, students need to become comfortable with prompting, with the technology, but going into the world, students need to be learners.”

Kaye pointed out that AI is becoming increasingly prevalent and therefore be ignored. According to research conducted by College Board, 84% of high school students in the United States reported using generative AI for schoolwork as of May 2025.

“It’s impossible to imagine an AI-proof industry at this point that won’t have some kind of caveat that you have to think about,” he said. “which is why we don’t want to necessarily discourage and be doomerous about this.”

He added that encouraging AI usage only goes as far as guiding students in understanding how to use it appropriately, so they are not at a disadvantage.

A year-long study by the Center for Universal Education at Brookings found some benefits to AI in school such as aiding teachers in lesson planning and making education more accessible for some students. However, the center concluded that the developmental risks of AI still outweigh the benefits. Zublionis said that there is a certain “promise” of AI and that it can be used in beneficial ways.

“AI offers a possibility of accessibility for differentiating instruction for students with disabilities, for English language learners,” he explained. “But for all students, it could be a powerful teaching tool, and it’s also powerful learning tool.”

Companies like Google and Meta have integrated AI tools into their services. While Google allows users to opt out of using its Gemini AI program in Gmail, Meta does not offer an opt-out for users living in the United States. Meta will be able to train its generative AI on user data starting in June.

Kaye noted that several companies are integrating AI, framing it as a helpful tool, without an opt-out. He described this phenomenon as “the ultimate ‘trust me, bro’.”

“None of these companies, none of these products, are thinking in student terms,” Kaye said. “They’re thinking in market terms. They’re thinking in shareholder terms. They’re thinking (of) being the first to ship a product and (being) the leader in a particular technology or sector.”

He added that part of the challenge with this easy access to AI is that students may be looking to use AI to save time, so the district must teach them which tasks

are appropriate for AI use versus which are not.

Academic integrity and chatbots were other concerns raised by Zublionis and Kaye. Regarding academic integrity, Zublionis said determining ownership of work after prompting an AI, such as ChatGPT, for assistance may be an issue.

“It’s hard for an adult, much less a high school student, to decipher, ‘okay, is that mine? Or is that AI?’” he said. “And so, it can be very unclear in terms of the originality of the authorship of things when you prompt it.”

Safety and data privacy come into play

with the use of AI chatbots. Kaye said that parasocial relationships with chatbots are a concern because people seek relationships and chatbots see users as customers. He added that bots may continue engaging users so that they keep conversing with the program.

“Adults can be just as susceptible to this as kids,” Kaye said. “And so, we want to work on what it means to protect your privacy, what it means to speak to a trusted adult versus a chatbot, what it means to share something online, who you’re sharing it with, why are you sharing this?”

The task force is constructing the framework for students and staff. It will not ban AI use. According to Kaye, district policy surrounding AI will be broad but not vague in order to anticipate and accommodate changes in the technology and programs.

Although there is only one high school student on the task force, Zublionis and Kaye agreed that they want to involve more in the future.

“I need a wide swath of opinions from different students,” Kaye said. “from different backgrounds, different mindsets of how they approach their education.

Long Island’s fragile drinking water system

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

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

First installment in a series about water.

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

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

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

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

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

The sole source beneath Long Island

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

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

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

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

or if you ruin it, you don’t have any other source of water,” Meyland said.

“And that’s exactly the situation Long Island is in. We don’t have a secondary backup source of water.”

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

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

RISING TIDES

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

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

What areas are more affected?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Water bankruptcy

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

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

She pointed out that Brooklyn’s por-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What can be done?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I f you

result of years of advocacy and scientific review.

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

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

AdrIenne d’esposIto Executive director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GWL showgirl performs in Taylor Swift tribute

By JULIA CAPITELLI jcapitelli@liherald.com

When she started character entertainment in college, a Taylor Swift tribute show was not part of the plan for Glenwood Landing resident Kelsey Edquist. In fact, cosplaying at children’s parties began as a side job before eventually starting her own character entertainment company.

As the owner and founder of Royal Princess Prep Entertainment, based in Glen Head, Edquist has played the role of many characters, primarily for parties. The New York University Tisch graduate starting putting on her “Totally Taylor” tribute show in 2024.

With the Eras Tour becoming increasingly popular, Edquist said people began requesting character entertainers dressed as Taylor Swift. Her company did not previously include live people tributes in its repertoire, which focuses largely on princesses and superheroes. It now offers impersonators for celebrities like Marilyn Monroe. Edquist began appearing dressed as Swift at private parties in 2023.

“I wasn’t sure at first,” she said. “and then the costume came in, and the wig came in, and I thought, ‘I think we can pull this off.’ So, we announced it, and then it blew up.”

Soon, people began asking if the company would consider concert style events. Edquist said she questioned if it was doable considering the costumes, dancers and set pieces required.

With a high level of demand and a venue willing to work with her, Edquist said she decided to try it. She now performs the tribute show across Long Island and sometimes out of state.

“Taylor is like an offshoot of the orig-

inal company,” Edquist explained. “just because it’s so massive and such a big undertaking. And the concerts are a whole different situation than a party, but that’s kind of amazing.”

Edquist performs songs across almost all of Swift’s albums and wears several costumes throughout. She will add songs from Swift’s newest album, “Life of a Showgirl” at the next concert on Feb. 16 at Bayway Arts Center in East Islip.

As a self-proclaimed Swiftie since childhood, Edquist said she enjoys experiencing every “era” during the show and remembering where she was during each. She added that she loves getting to share the music with her younger audience.

“As they’re growing up, they’re just starting to learn so they know her greatest hits,” Edquist said. “but maybe there are some songs they’re not as familiar with. It’s really fun for me to kind of share with them some of my favorite songs that are lesser sung or heard.”

Edquist was voted FourLeaf Best of Long Island’s best celebrity impersonator in 2025 for her performances as Swift.

“I still can’t kind of get over the fact that people come to see me do a concert for (two and a half hours), whether it’s as Taylor or not,” Edquist said. “It’s a really cool experience to get to share that with the audience and be in that space with them when they’re as excited as I am.”

ICE acts ‘outrageously wrong, un-American’

Homeland Security appropriations bill. Suozzi and fellow Long Island Democrat Laura Gillen were two of just seven House Democrats who supported the measure, which will fund DHS and agencies under its umbrella, including ICE.

Days later, Suozzi publicly distanced himself from the vote, following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis. Pretti’s was the second deadly shooting of a U.S. citizen by a federal agent in the city in last month, after the killing of Renee Good.

“I failed to view the DHS funding vote as a referendum on the illegal and immoral conduct of ICE in Minneapolis,” Suozzi wrote in a statement. “I hear the anger from my constituents and I take responsibility for that.”

An employee of Suozzi’s office met with protesters during Monday’s rally, distributing comment sheets on which residents could write concerns and complaints for the congressman to review. In a follow-up statement after the protest, Suozzi condemned recent immigration enforcement tactics while reiterating support for border security.

“ICE’s illegal and immoral actions have dramatically affected all Americans and protestors today represent all of us who are demanding change,” he wrote. “The Trump administration is right to secure the border and deport violent criminals, but masked agents breaking car windows and dragging people out of their cars, assaulting protestors, conducting violent warrantless raids and killing people is outrageously wrong, un-American, and I will fight to stop them.”

Halle Brenner, a Huntington resident and a cofounder of Show Up Long Island, who organized the protest, said the group formed in 2017, during Presi-

Vote

Will Sheeline/ Herald

protesters held hand-written signs, one of which read ‘maga ignores the Constitution.’

dent Trump’s first term.

“We spend a lot of time holding Republican officials accountable because they’ve pushed these policies,” Brenner said. “But when a Democratic politician does something we don’t agree with, we have to be there, too. We’ve written postcards for Tom Suozzi, knocked on doors, made phone calls for his campaigns. That’s why this hurt.”

Brenner said that the group views ICE’s actions

across the country as increasingly violent and unconstitutional. “They’re smashing car windows, dragging people out of vehicles, breaking down doors without warrants, separating families,” she said. “To keep funding this agency is astonishing. It’s un-American, and dangerous to all of us.”

While Brenner said she appreciated Suozzi acknowledging his mistake, she emphasized that future votes will matter more than statements. “Apologies are meaningless unless actions follow,” she said. “We’ll see what he does the next time funding comes up.”

Tracy echoed that sentiment, saying she was encouraged by Suozzi’s reversal but wanted to make sure he stuck to it. “I was thrilled to see a congressman admit he was wrong,” she said, “but we’re here to remind him — and to make sure he does the right moral thing moving forward.”

Wiseltiar said that recent events have motivated residents who were previously less politically active.

“What’s happening now has really pushed people into action,” she said. “We’re watching neighbors taken, communities destroyed. People can’t stay silent anymore.”

In a phone call to the Herald on Tuesday, a representative from Suozzi’s office confirmed that he personally responded to all of the comment forms submitted by protesters.

Organizers said they plan to continue demonstrating if future congressional votes continue to fund ICE, stressing that Monday’s protest was only one step in a broader push for immigration reform and accountability.

“This isn’t going away,” Brenner said. “We still have time to stop what’s happening — but only if we keep showing up.”

Long Island Children’s Museum

things to know Black history Month February is Black History Month

By CHRIS COLUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com

Each year, the US celebrates dozens of month-long observations including Women’s History Month in March, Jewish American Heritage Month in May

n Black History Month is 100 years old

February’s designation as Black History Month has been formally recognized across the United States for 50 years. In 1976, during the United States Bicentennial, President Gerald Ford was the first president to declare the month was a way to honor what he called, “the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

However, its foundation of awareness and attention traces back to 1926 when historian and journalist Dr. Carter G. Woodson launched and popularized Negro History Week. Woodson chose the second week in February in order to capture the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln, Feb. 12, and Frederick Douglass, Feb. 14 — both men being crucially influential to Black history. The week was acknowledged for decades somewhat informally from city to city, with Ford ultimately issuing the first presidential message to recognize the entire month.

and National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Every February, Black History Month turns a spotlight toward countless Black figures who’ve influenced society, as well as the issues they faced which continue to impact the population of 51 million Black Americans today. Here are three things to know:

n It’s for education, activity, community

Schools use February as a chance to dive into age-appropriate lessons regarding Black history, culture, contributions, and key personalities. Whether it’s elementary schools teaching about George Washington Carver’s peanut-based innovations or high schoolers learning about the hard-fought Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, educators take the opportunity to explore topics more in-depth than general lesson plans otherwise accommodate.

The month-long acknowledgment isn’t limited to school settings. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History — the organization founded by Woodson in 1915 — suggests reading books written by Black authors, watching films and documentaries created by Black filmmakers, supporting local Blackowned businesses, learning about important Black leaders, and attending or organizing educational events. The ASALH also points out that the recognition and research doesn’t need to be limited to the 28-day month .

While Black History Month is often used to reflect on notable people and their work in general, every year is technically given a specific theme determined by the ASALH. Dating back to the initial conception in 1926, Woodson believed that focusing on specific concepts could be potentially more beneficial than working in broad strokes. As listed on their main website, ASALH.org, the theme for 2026 is, appropriately, “A Century of Black History Commemorations.”

In a statement posted on their site, the ASALH explained, “We have never had more need to examine the role of Black History Month than we do when forces weary of democracy seek to use legislative means and book bans to excise Black history from America’s schools and public culture.” They continued succinctly, “Black history’s value is not its contribution to mainstream historical narratives, but its resonance in the lives of Black people.”

STEPPING OUT

Big game, big flavor

Score from kickoff to crunch time

By Karen Bloom

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

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

West Bank Wings

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

• 3 pounds chicken wing pieces

• 1 tablespoon oil

• 2 teaspoons Creole Seasoning

• 1/2 cup pineapple juice

• 1/4 cup cane syrup or molasses

• 1/4 cup ZATARAIN’S® Creole Mustard

• 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce

• 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic

• 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

• Chopped fresh cilantro

• Sesame seeds

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

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

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

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

Cajun Buffalo Wings

Here’s another zesty take on the footballwatching favorite.

• 2 1/2 pounds chicken wing pieces

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

• 1/3 cup ketchup

• 2 tsp. Cajun seasoned spice blend

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

Mix Buffalo Wings Sauce, ketchup and spice blend.

Toss wings in sauce to coat.

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

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

Blazin’ Buffalo Potato Skins

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

• 3 pounds small russet potatoes

• Olive oil cooking spray

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

• 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken

• 1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce

• 1/2 cup chopped Blue Diamond Smokehouse

• Almonds

• 1/2 cup light sour cream

• 1/4 cup sliced green onion tops

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

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

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

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

Sweet Chili Meatballs

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

• 1 pound lean ground turkey or ground beef

• 1/3 cup Japanese panko crumbs or bread crumbs

• ¼ cup cilantro, finely chopped

• 3 green onions, chopped

• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely minced

• 1 large egg, beaten

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

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

Preheat oven to 350° F.

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

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

Bacon Avocado Dip

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

• 1 large avocado, peeled and mashed

• 1/2 tomato, seeded and chopped

• 1/3 cup Blue Diamond Jalapeno Smokehouse

• Almonds, chopped

• 1/4 cup diced red onion

• 3 strips cooked bacon, roughly chopped

• 2 tablespoons sour cream

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

• Juice of 1/2 lime

• Salt and pepper, to taste

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

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

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

Feel the beat with Step Afrika!

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

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

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

FEB

First Friday: Under Glass

Explore the beauty and remarkable history of Planting Fields

historic Camellia House. Join Sustainability Coordinator

Rebecca Slagle, and Archivist, Marie Penny tour-goers for a tour of a living legacy, discovering the Coe family’s passion for horticulture through a historic collection of more than 200 blooming camellias. Designed by the famed Olmsted Brothers Firm, the Camellia House stands as one of northeast’s most treasured architectural and horticultural gems. Learn about the English traditions of growing camellias under glass, uncover the fascinating design elements and evolution of the planthouse, and hear the story of the fire that once threatened this extraordinary collection, as well as the efforts that saved it. $25.

• Where: Camellia House. 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay

• Time: 10-11 a.m.

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

FEB 7

Winter Forest Walk

Join naturalist Virginal Dankel for an interactive winter stroll across the Nassau County Museum of Art grounds. During this seasonal walk, participants can expand their knowledge of the natural world and strengthen their powers of observation. Adults only. $20, $10 members. Registration required.

• Where: Manes Education Center, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

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

‘So

don’t stop me now’

Valentine’s Evening with Jimmy Webb

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

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 8-10 p.m.

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

Winter’s Heartbeat

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

org or call (516) 571-7901

Petty/Cash Tribute

Join Frank Ferrara and Jim Bennett, hosted by Sea Cliff Arts Council, for a celebration of the lives and music of Tom Petty and Johnny Cash. $20 per person.

• Where: 86 Roslyn Ave., Sea Cliff

• Time: 6 p.m.

• Contact: seacliffartscouncil.org or (516) 671-5895 Children’s concert

The Northwinds Symphonic Band visits Hempstead House for an afternoon of music and fun for families with children of all ages. Conductors Helen P. Bauer and Brandon Bromsey have put together a program designed to engage young listeners and aspiring young musicians. The program includes well-known selections from “The Sound of Music” and a medley of music from Disney movies. Band members introduce and demonstrate their instruments, and the children in attendance are given the opportunity to take the podium as guest conductors! This immersive experience is enjoyable for all and not to be missed. $10, $5 children.

• Where: Hempstead House, 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point

• Time: 1-2:30 p.m.

• Contact: sandspointpreserveconservancy.

FEB

8

Princess Adventure

Families can step into a real-life storybook on a journey through the castle at Sands Point Preserve on a magical adventure! Your little royal will be welcomed by two of their favorite princesses and begin their quest by creating a sparkling friendship bracelet. Next, venture into the castle library, where Princess Beauty and her Prince will challenge your storybook knowledge with a lively and interactive guessing game. Continue onward to the grand ballroom, where Rapunzel and Eugene leads everyone in the enchanting Kingdom Dance. The adventure concludes with the Snow Sisters where you will “Let It Go” and make magical snow fall inside

and build a snowman to take home. Tickets are limited. $70 per child.

• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point

• Time:Session One, 11:30 a.m.; Session Two, 11:45 a.m., Session Three, noon; Session Four, 12:15 p.m.

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

FEB

12

Sea Cliff Senior Outreach Luncheon

Sea Cliff Senior Outreach Network welcomes all for lunch and live music at Jeanine’s American Bistro. Tickets are $10 per person for North Shore School District residents and $15 per person for non-residents.

• Where: 242 Glen Cove Ave, Glen Cove

• Time: Noon

• Contact: (516) 671-0080

Tunes with Trilogy

13

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

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: seacliffartscouncil.org or (516) 671-5895

FEB

14

Camillia Festival

Planting Fields welcomes all to its annual winter festival. Experience the season’s most enchanting sight: over 200 camellia varieties in full bloom! These stunning flowers offer the perfect escape from the winter blues. This multi-sensory festival spans both the Main House and Camellia Greenhouse, with something for every visitor. Talented poets craft personalized, one-ofa-kind poems. Explore the historic dining room adorned with the family’s rare and exquisite camellia plates, a glimpse into the estate-era elegance, with curated tea tastings, workshops and more. Plus guided tours of the Camillia Greenhouse. Don’t miss this joyful celebration of winter’s most elegant bloom. Come for the flowers, stay for the experience! Tickets required.

Explore Sands Point Preserve’s natural environment on a guided tour. Environmental educator Hildur Palsdottir engages participants on a guided winter walk to explore the quiet but active life of the season. Look for animal tracks, signs of winter survival, and the subtle movements that reveal how wildlife stays active even in the coldest months. Bring your Valentine — whether that’s a partner, family member, friend, your four-legged walking companion, or simply yourself! Perfect for all ages, this walk offers a refreshing, engaging way to connect with nature and experience the hidden heartbeat of winter. Meet at Castle Gould’s Clock Tower. $15, $10 members; children $5, free for members.

• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point

• Time: 10-11:30 a.m.

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

FEB

17

Mardi Gras Pancake Supper

Celebrate Mardi Gras St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. The “pancake party” includes food, music, piñatas and free-will offering.

• Where: 253 Glen Ave., Sea Cliff

• Time: 5:30 p.m.

• Contact: office@saintlukes-seacliff.org or call (516) 676-4222

Having an event?

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

Sea Cliff Arts Council hosts local acoustic band Trilogy. $20.

• Where: 86 Roslyn Ave., Sea Cliff FEB

• Time: Sessions from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.; also Feb. 15

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

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.

Public Notices

LEGAL nOTICE

pUBLIC nOTICE OF COUnTY TREASURER’S SALE OF TAX LIEnS On REAL ESTATE

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

Pursuant to the provisions of the Nassau County Administrative Code at the discretion of the Nassau County Treasurer the auction will be conducted online. Further information concerning the procedures for the auction is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucountyny. gov/526/County-Treasurer

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

The liens are for arrears of School District taxes for the year 2024 - 2025 and/or County, Town, and Special District taxes for the year 2025. The following is a partial listing of the real estate located in school district number(s) 24, 2 in the Town of Oyster Bay only, upon which tax liens are to be sold, with a brief description of the same by reference to the County Land and Tax Map, the name of the owner or occupant as the same appears on the 2024/2025 tentative assessment roll, and the total amount of such unpaid taxes.

IMpORTAnT

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

TOwn OF OYSTER BAY SCHOOL:2 GLEn HEAd

TERMS OF SALE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TOwn OF HEMpSTEAd Dist 1001

HEMPSTEAD BEACON,

Public Notices

EAST ROCKAWAY TRIBUNE

LYNBROOK/EAST ROCKAWAY HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

ROCKVILLE CENTRE HERALD

Dist 1021

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW

Dist 1024

Dist 1025

1026

1027

1028

Dist 1029

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Dist 1031

WANTAGH HERALD CITIZEN

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

VALLEY STREAM HERALD

VALLEY STREAM/MALVERN TRIBUNE

MERRICK HERALD

MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

YORK POST

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

YORK POST

NASSAU OBSERVER

MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

YORK POST

BEACH HERALD

BEACH TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

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MERRICK HERALD

MERRICK/BELLMORE TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

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NEW YORK POST

VALLEY STREAM HERALD

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ISLAND PARK TRIBUNE

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

NEW YORK POST

OCEANSIDE/ISLAND PARK HERALD

Dist 1201

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EAST MEADOW HERALD

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NASSAU ILLUSTRATED NEWS

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LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU

DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL

ASSET

SECURITIZATION

TRUST SERIES 2006-A8 MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2006-H, -againstLENORE ROTONDARO, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on February 4, 2025, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET

SECURITIZATION

TRUST SERIES 2006-A8 MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES

Continued from previous page LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, NA, successor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, NA, as trustee, for the Chase Mortgage Finance Trust Multi-Class Mortgage

MASSAPEQUA POST

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE

2006-H is the Plaintiff and LENORE ROTONDARO, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on February 19, 2026 at 2:30PM, premises known as 31 GLENWOOD RD, GLEN

NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE NEW YORK POST THE NORTH SHORE LEADER

CiTy of lonG BeaCh Dist 5028 LONG BEACH HERALD LONG BEACH TRIBUNE NASSAU COUNTY WEBSITE NEW YORK POST

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

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

Dated: February 05, 2026 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER MINEOLA, NEW YORK

1334640

HEAD, NY 11545; and the following tax map identification: 20-55-249. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT GLEN HEAD, IN THE TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 018713/2009. Ernest T. Bartol, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 157977

Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-S3, Plaintiff AGAINST Horace Patrick; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered May 10, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 25, 2026, at 2:30PM, premises known as 2502 Cedar Swamp Road, Glen Head, NY 11545. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section: 17. Block: 14 Lot: 1. Approximate amount of judgment $1,785,886.15 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 601382/2018. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Willis Carman, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: December 29, 2025 For sale information,

please visit Servicelinkauction.com or call (866) 539-4173 88443 157856

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU REVERSE MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS, INC., Plaintiff, AGAINST STEPHANIE CAPONE AS SOLE HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT LARSON, et al. Defendant(s) Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on September 26, 2025. I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 27, 2026 at 2:30 PM premises known as 151 Jefferson Ave, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577. Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Nassau County, and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in Roslyn, Town of North Hempstead, County of

Public Notices

Nassau and State of New York. Section 7, Block G and Lot 503. Approximate amount of judgment

$427,770.28 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #001689/2016 / 16-001689.

Roger Hausch, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLPAttorneys for Plaintiff40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 158112

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

INC. VILLAGE OF SEA CLIFF

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Sea Cliff will hold a public hearing with respect to the following local law:

Bill VSC 2602 - EV Charging

A local law amending Chapter 125 of the Code of the Village of Sea Cliff (Vehicles and Traffic) to add a section providing for regulations permitting the designation of public parking spaces for parking and charging of electric vehicles only.

Date: Mach 9, 2026

Time:7:00 pm

Place:Village Hall, 300 Sea Cliff Avenue, Sea Cliff, New York

The proposed local law is available for public inspection at the Village Clerk’s office at 300 Sea Cliff Avenue, Sea Cliff, New York, between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. All interested persons will have an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Any person having a disability which would inhibit attendance at or participation in the hearing should notify the Village Clerk at least three business days prior to the hearing, so that reasonable efforts may be made to facilitate such attendance and participation.

Dated: February 2, 2026 BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR AND TRUSTEES

Sarah Beaudin, Village Clerk 158277

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

INC. VILLAGE OF SEA CLIFF

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

that the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Sea Cliff will hold a public hearing with respect to the following local law:

Bill VSC 2601Chickens

A local law amending Article I of Chapter 36 of the Code of the Village of Sea Cliff with respect to the regulation of animals other than dogs and cats.

Date: Mach 9, 2026

Time:7:00 pm

Place:Village Hall, 300 Sea Cliff Avenue, Sea Cliff, New York

The proposed local law is available for public inspection at the Village Clerk’s office at 300 Sea Cliff Avenue, Sea Cliff, New York, between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. All interested persons will have an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing.

Any person having a disability which would inhibit attendance at or participation in the hearing should notify the Village Clerk at least three business days prior to the hearing, so that reasonable efforts may be made to facilitate such attendance and participation.

Dated: February 2, 2026 BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR AND TRUSTEES

Sarah Beaudin, Village Clerk 158278

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE

INC. VILLAGE OF SEA CLIFF RESOLUTION NO. 4, YEAR 2026

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Election Law, the Board of Trustees is required, at least 40 days prior to the Village election, to appoint an even number of inspectors of election, and fix their compensation, and designate one of them as Chair, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following persons are hereby designated and appointed inspectors of election, each at the rate of $200 per day of service, and they shall meet on March 18, 2026 at the place designated for such

village election, between the hours of noon and 9 p.m., inclusive, for the purpose of the Village election:

INSPECTORS: Kenneth Krumenacker

Robert Sherman

Barbara Manogue

Zachary Chebuske POLL CLERKS: The Village Clerk shall be authorized to hire poll clerks as required, and that the pay of these officials shall be at the rate of $153 per day of service.

The Mayor appointed Barbara Manogue as Chair of Election Inspectors for the purpose of the Village election March 18, 2026. On motion by Deputy Mayor Pinto, seconded by Mayor Villafane and unanimously approved by those present, the Board approved the appointment of Barbara Manogue. 158279

LEGAL NOTICE

TENTATIVE ASSESSMENT ROLL VILLAGE OF BROOKVILLE

Notice of completion of the Tentative Assessment Roll and hearing of complaints Real Property Tax Law 1406.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Assessor of the Village of Brookville has completed the 2026-2027 Tentative Assessment Roll. A copy has been filed with the Clerk Treasurer at Village Hall, 18 Horse Hill Road, Brookville, where it may be examined by any person interested therein from February 1, 2026 during business hours until the 17th of February, 2026. On February 17, 2026 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm a representative of the Board of Trustees will receive complaints in relation to any assessment in the 2026/2027 Tentative Assessment Roll. Thereafter the Board of Trustees will convene as the Board of Assessors to hear said complaints. The Board of Assessors reserves the right to continue or adjourn such hearings as provided by law. Winsome Citarella Clerk Treasurer Dated: January 29, 2026 Brookville, New York 158269

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF

BROOKVILLE NOTICE IF HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held by and for the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Brookville to consider the advisability of entering into a one (1) year fire protection contract with the Roslyn Fire Companies. Said hearing is to be held on February 17, 2026 at Village Hall, 18 Horse Hill Road, Brookville, New York at 5:30 P.M. At said time and place interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard.

By Order of the Board of Trustees.

Winsome Citarella Village Clerk Treasurer January 29, 2026 158270

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS SEALED PROPOSALS will be received by the Village Clerk of the Village of Brookville, at the office of the Village Clerk, located at 18 Horse Hill Road, Brookville, Long Island, New York 11545, until 11:00 o’clock a.m.

(Prevailing Time) on March 20, 2026 at which time, they will be publicly opened and read aloud and the contract awarded as soon thereafter as practical for:

PROJECTS:

INC. VILLAGE OF BROOKVILLE

MUNICIPAL BUILDING COMPLEX

VILLAGE HALL AND POLICE DEPARTMENTBUILDING

193-195 BROOKVILLE ROAD AT HAROLD DOUGHERTY WAY, BROOKVILLE, N.Y.

INC. VILLAGE OF BROOKVILLE MUNICIPAL BUILDING COMPLEX

SITE IMPROVEMENTS

193-195 BROOKVILLE ROAD AT HAROLD DOUGHERTY WAY, BROOKVILLE, N.Y. For further information, contact:

Michael James

Palladino Architect P.C.

Sean Brown, Architectural Project Manager 105 Birch Drive Port Jefferson, N.Y. 11777

mjpallarch@gmail.com

Steven P. Uccellini P.E.

J.R. Holzmacher P.E., LLC 3555 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite A Ronkonkoma, New York 11779-7636

steveu@holzmacher.co

m; Instructions to bidders,

News briefs

Discussion on youth heart health

The Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club will partner with Glen Cove Hospital to host a community discussion focused on youth heart health and the potential cardiac risks facing student athletes.

The event, titled “Cardiac Risk for Student Athletes: A Community Conversation,” will take place Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m. at the Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club in Locust Valley as part of the club’s Community Cares Conversation Series.

Led by telemetry physicians Dr. Brittney Grella and Dr. Sophie Golden, the session is designed for parents, coaches, educators, caregivers and community members who want to better understand how heart conditions can affect young athletes and what steps can be taken to reduce serious risks.

The discussion will explore a range of topics, including which students may be most vulnerable to cardiac issues, common and lesser-known warning signs that should never be ignored, and strategies to promote safer participation in school sports. Preventive measures such as education, emergency preparedness and proactive medical care will also be addressed.

A key component of the conversation will focus on cardiac screenings, including whether baseline heart testing should be mandatory for all student athletes before they participate in competitive sports. Organizers hope the dialogue will help families make informed decisions about their children’s health while encouraging schools and athletic programs to adopt best safety practices.

Drs. Grella and Golden bring handson experience in cardiac monitoring and patient care, giving them firsthand insight into how heart conditions can present in young people and how early detection can make a critical difference.

“The goal is to empower families and coaches with knowledge,” organizers said, “so warning signs are recognized early and student athletes can stay safe while enjoying the benefits of sports.”

The event is free and open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Tara Butler-Sahai at 516-7595437, Ext. 214, or email tara.butlersahai@gbbgc.org.

hear from

We want to know what you think. Send your letters to 2 Endo Blvd, Garden City, NY 11530 or email execeditor@liherald.com

—Roksana Amid

Public Notices

plans and specifications, proposal sheets and form of contract may be viewed at or procured at the office of the Village Engineer, LiRo Engineers Inc., Consulting Engineers, located at 235 E. Jericho Turnpike, Mineola, Long Island, New York on and after 12:00 o’clock noon, February 9, 2026. A non-refundable fee of ($50.00) dollars made payable to the Village of Brookville will be required for a copy of the plans, specifications, proposal and form of contract provided on a flash drive. Each proposal must be

accompanied by either a certified check on a solvent bank or trust company, or bid bond from a surety company acceptable to the Village, in an amount equal to not less than ten percent (10%) of the amount bid, made payable to the Village of Brookville as assurance that the Contract will be executed if awarded to such bidder.

The Contractor will be required to complete the form of “Evidence of Successful Completion of Similar Projects” included in the proposal. The Contractor will be required to comply with the provisions of

the Labor Laws of the State of New York.

Public Liability and property damage insurance and construction bond will be required. The successful bidder will be required to enter into a contract for the performance of the work that may be awarded to said bidder for the total amount of the awarded contract price.

The Village reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any informalities in any bid, and to accept the bid of the lowest responsible bidder as determined by the Village after all bids and bidders have been

examined and checked. The two projects indicated above will be bid and awarded separately as two separate contracts, to two separate low bidders or one low bidder.

BY ORDER OF THE VILLAGE BOARD

Village of Brookville, New York

Winsome Citarella

Village Clerk

DATED: February 5, 2026

Brookville, New York 158271

opInIonS

Let’s get real about immigration

The immigration debate has left the realm of reality and become driven by fear, myths and political theater. The consequences show up in the cruelty of ICE’s detention and deportation practices and the unrest we’re seeing in communities across the country. It’s time to talk about a rational solution, one that respects the rule of law, strengthens our economy, keeps communities safe and honors the dignity of millions of people who are already part of our national fabric. Today, despite the false claim that most undocumented immigrants are criminals — multiple peer-reviewed studies conclude otherwise — millions of law-abiding people live, work and raise families here. Many have been here for decades, and millions have, or until recently had, legal protections such as pending asylum claims, work permits, Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Last year the Trump administration cancelled TPS for roughly 2.5 million people, turning legal migrants into undocumented ones.

These immigrants fill essential jobs — food production, construction, care-

giving — and serve in our military. Many have American children, spouses and parents. Most have broken no laws — immigration violations for the most part are civil offenses — and they contribute nearly $300 billion in spending power and close to $90 billion in taxes annually, while being excluded from most public benefits.

Yet because they lack full legal status, they are subjected to harsh tactics by an ICE agency that appears dangerously out of control. Trump’s massdeportation regime’s defining features are chaos and cruelty. U.S. citizens have been mistakenly swept up, and Renee Good and Alex Pretti were killed.

Wfrom pursuing drug trafficking and white-collar crime to focus on immigration enforcement, which caused prosecutions for those serious crimes to plummet in 2025.

Let’s get real: Contrary to the widespread narratives, the choice is not open borders or mass deportation. There is a middle ground, a modern, common-sense immigration system built on three pillars.

e need smart, targeted enforcement, not chaotic political theater.

Once detained, immigrants are often held in overcrowded and unsanitary facilities without adequate access to food, water or medical care. Last year was the deadliest year for ICE detainees since the 1990s, with more than 30 reported deaths, including at least one homicide.

There is a simple truth: We cannot deport our way out of this situation. Over the next decade, according to the Wharton/Penn budget model, mass deportation is projected to cost $1 trillion, shave 4 percent off the nation’s GDP, devastate industries and tear families apart. At the same time, according to Reuters, federal prosecutors and lawenforcement agents have been diverted

First, an earned pathway to legal status. Longterm residents who have no serious criminal record should be able to come forward, pass background checks and earn legal status in the only home many have ever known. That is not amnesty; it is accountability paired with opportunity.

Second, smart, targeted enforcement, not political theater. ICE should focus on “the worst of the worst,” not families, workers and students. Border management should rely on technology, orderly processing and due process, not cruelty. Also, ICE’s increasingly unconstitutional and chaotic tactics must be reined in, and the agency held to the same professional and constitutional standards expected of other lawenforcement agencies.

Third, as outlined by David J. Bier of the Cato Institute, we must fix our legal immigration system to reflect economic reality, making immigration courts

independent, expanding lawful pathways for both high- and low-skilled workers based on labor demand, removing arbitrary caps and per-country limits that create decades-long backlogs, modernizing temporary worker programs, and removing punitive rules that discourage legal compliance. A flexible, lawful system would reduce illegal immigration by allowing people to enter, work and reunite with their families legally, while meeting the needs of an economy that simply will not grow without immigration.

This is not a radical vision. It is practical, supported across the political spectrum and advanced by presidents from Reagan to Biden. What we lack is not consensus, it’s the leadership and political will to replace xenophobic slogans with comprehensive solutions. We The People must make up for that lack of vision and will and call on our representatives to make this happen once and for all.

Ultimately, this is about who we want to be: a nation that solves problems or one that exploits them; one guided by fear or one guided by fairness and common sense. Let’s get real: Immigration has never been a drain on America, but rather is a vital source of its strength and greatness.

Roger Street Friedman, who lives in Sea Cliff, is a singer-songwriter and the chief executive officer of Leo D. Bernstein & Sons Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of visual display products based in Manhattan.

We can make our school cafeterias safer

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

ALEXIS WEIK

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

was choking.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There are many resources available in your community.

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

In 2024, a Patchogue-Medford math

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

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

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

Alexis Weik represents the 8th State Senate District.

pathlow-skilled removper-country limbacklogs, prorules A reduce people their will is pracpolitical presidents lack is and xenophobic slosolutions. We lack repreonce we want problems or by comImmigration America, but strength in Sea chief Bernstein & distribubased in

Rhonda GliCkman Vice President - Sales

offiCe

2 Endo Boulevard

Garden City, NY 11530

Phone: (516) 569-4000

Fax: (516) 569-4942

Web: seacliff.liherald.com

glenhead.liherald.com

E-mail: seacliffeditor@liherald.com

glenheadeditor@liherald.com

Twitter: @NSHeraldGazette Copyright

HERALD

lOut of practice, but not out of resolve

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

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

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

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

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

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

letters

Our foreign policy ‘is heading in the wrong direction’

To the Editor:

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

I feel that our foreign policy in general is heading in the wrong direction. The “America First” policy that’s being promoted by the administration is doing great damage to our peaceful relationships around the world. We may have the greatest military in modern history, but we live in a complex world. We need to preserve NATO and make sure that treaties established at the end of World War II remain

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Yorkers are at the breaking point

For many New Yorkers, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address felt less like a progress report and more like an SOS — a distress signal from a state buckling under the crushing weight of an affordability crisis.

Responses to my recent constituent survey told the same sad story: New York has become wildly unaffordable for almost everyone. Over and over, respondents complained about soaring housing costs, escalating school taxes, over-the-top utility bills and the never-ending list of state fees as the reasons they’re falling behind.

Yet our detached governor spoke about this crisis as though it mysteriously fell from thin air — an economic disaster with no one to blame, rather than the result of years of poor policy decisions made by her administration and Albany Democrats. What’s worse, her so-called “solutions” actually double down on those bad ideas. Her latest proposals would pile on more costs while conveniently sidestepping her very policies that make

Letters

strong. We need cooperation, not condemnation of friends.

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

JeROMe I. ROSeN Hewlett

everyday life here so expensive to begin with.

I read these surveys and could feel the frustration. New Yorkers are at a breaking point. Rising costs are pushing families to the edge, and the anxiety is real, widespread and impossible to ignore.

Unfortunately, Hochul is engaging in a highstakes shell game, shuffling the financial burden from one group of residents to another. Some get a giveaway, and everyone else gets the bill.

and are somehow stuck subsidizing tax breaks for vehicles they don’t own. How is that fair?

I

f the governor wants to talk about affordability, it can’t just be lip service.

Take her child care proposal. Under the current plan, the state would fully fund the first two years of New York City’s child care program for 2-year-olds and expand funding for the city’s 3-K program, while families across the rest of the state get nothing. That doesn’t fix affordability statewide. It tilts the scales toward the city and forces families from Buffalo to Brookhaven to pay for benefits their children will never see.

The state plays the same charade with its energy policies. Keeping the gas tax in place while eliminating the sales tax on electric-vehicle charging helps just a narrow sliver of New Yorkers. Millions of drivers who rely on gaspowered vehicles get no relief at all,

What is glaringly absent is any proposal to lower taxes and energy costs for all New Yorkers. We could start by rolling back costly green energy mandates and eliminating the energy delivery fees and taxes that drive up utility bills. That would be an equitable first step that delivers the greatest benefit to the most New Yorkers, but it would also ruffle some special-interest feathers.

And even when viable solutions are within reach, they are intentionally stalled for far too long. Take for example the much-heralded no-tax-ontips. While I’m glad Hochul embraced the idea, I proposed this common-sense bill 16 months ago, because our serviceindustry workers needed immediate, tangible relief. If it’s good policy now, why wasn’t it good policy then? What took so long?

You get the playbook by now. Dump the burden on middle-class households and ask them to pay more to prop up state-funded programs that offer them nothing in return. Tell taxpayers it’s to save the planet, erase traffic or cure the common cold, and then vilify anyone who dares to complain.

Framework by Mallory Wilson

For New Yorkers, it’s death by a thousand cuts. It’s not one bill that breaks a family budget, but the dozens that pile up month after month: utility fees and delivery charges; auto and homeowners’ insurance hikes; fare hikes on the Long Island Rail Road; higher subway and bus fares; rising bridge and tunnel tolls; congestion pricing in Manhattan; DMV vehicle and registration fees; and permits and licensing fees for small businesses. And don’t forget that every vendor, contractor and business has to charge you more because the state is charging them more. Unfortunately, it appears we’re all on the governor’s hamster wheel together, and you can’t get off unless you move to another state — and New Yorkers are moving out of state in historic numbers.

We’re not asking for a handout — we’re demanding a fair shot, free from the bureaucracy that makes everyday life so expensive. If Hochul wants to talk about affordability, it can’t just be lip service. It means getting government out of the way. Real reform means lower monthly bills, higher paychecks and enough breathing room to cover life’s basics. Because for countless families across New York, there’s no wiggle room. They’re already at the breaking point.

Jack Martins represents the 7th State Senate District.

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