Sea Cliff/Glen Head Herald 04-02-2026

Sea Cliff supports rabbit fundraiser

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

Families from across the North Shore packed Still Partners for the 10th annual Rabbit Rescue fundraiser, an event that has grown into a community tradition while raising money and awareness for abandoned and abused domestic rabbits.

Founded and organized by Sea Cliff resident Mark Hagan, the event benefits Long Island Rabbit Rescue, a nonprofit that provides medical care, rehabilitation, temporary housing and foster placement for rescued or injured rabbits until permanent homes can be found. This year the event, held on Sunday, raised over $5,000.

Held from 1 to 4 p.m., the fundraiser featured raffle baskets, themed merchandise, photos with the Easter Bunny and the event’s now-signature “ambassador bunnies,” live rabbits supervised for children and families to meet and pet.

“Originally, we just had merchandise to sale and we had an Easter Bunny, we had a little backdrop,” Hagan said. “But it’s evolved now that we have what we call ;ambassador bunnies.’”

Hagan said the fundraiser began as a way to thank the rescue organization for helping his late rabbit, Luci, who was special-needs. The annual event is dedicated in her memory.

The fundraiser also serves as an educational effort around Easter, when rabbit rescues often see a rise in abandoned pets.

“It’s to raise awareness that these are animals,” Hagan explained. “They’re not playthings. They’re not toys.”

He noted that domesticated rabbits are often purchased impulsively during the holiday season and later abandoned when owners are unprepared for the responsibility.

“They get dumped in parking lots and public parks on the sides of roads,” Hagan said. “Most of the domesticated rabbits are not built for being outside,

The event’s ‘ambassador bunnies’ help spread awareness while also letting children get to interact with rabbits in a safe and fun environment.

and they die very quickly.”

Former Sea Cliff Mayor Ed Lieberman, speaking on behalf of the Sea Cliff-Glen Head Lions Club, said the organization donated $250 to support the event.

Lieberman said the event aligns with the Lions Club’s mission of service, particularly in creating opportunities for children to connect with nature and learn compassion.

“Bringing young children into a situation where they can explore, where they could learn, where they can appreciate nature and have fun,” he said. “It’s always important smiles on children’s faces.”

Hagan said the strong turnout reflected Sea Cliff’s close-knit spirit.

“Sea Cliff’s a very unique town,” he said. “It’s very community oriented, and everybody chips in.”

Richner Publisher Rhonda Glickman V.P. Sales

Vallone Managing Editor Deputy Editor

Rabbits like Sal, who attended the fundraiser as an ‘ambassador bunny,’ are often adopted around Easter by owners who don’t realize how much work goes into taking care of the animals.

Celebrating Easter Dawn at Morgan Park

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

The Community Easter Dawn Service will return to Morgan Memorial Park on April 5, bringing together local congregations for a bilingual sunrise gathering overlooking Hempstead Harbor.

Set against the backdrop of the harbor and a 16-foot cross erected near the jetty, the annual service has become a staple in Glen Cove since it was first established in 2016 by three churches seeking to create a shared space of worship. Now in its 10th year, the event is organized by a coalition of seven local churches and continues to emphasize unity across denominations.

Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, an elder in the Presbyterian denomination and chair of the organizing committee, said the service is designed to complement traditional Easter worship.

“The service has always been intended not as a replacement for worship at one’s own church, but rather as an opportunity for area churches and all who celebrate Easter to come together briefly at the start of the day, united by a shared faith,” Stevenson-Mathews said. “It is not meant to take the place of one’s regular Easter service or fulfill any obligation within one’s own tradition, but rather to complement those celebrations.”

He added that the structure of the program reflects that intention.

“For this reason, the gathering is kept to approximately 30 minutes,” he said. “It is not a full Mass, does not include Communion, and the Easter message — typically shared by two or three clergy — is also shorter than one would typically experience in a full service.”

Clergy leading the service will include Rev. James E. Booker of Calvary A.M.E. Church, Pastor Raul Martinez of Iglesia Ciudad Casa de Dios Internacio-

The sunrise Easter service last year on the beach at Morgan Memorial Park began with the soulful sounds of “Amazing Grace,” played by bagpiper Robert Lynch, who stood at the base of a 17-foot-tall cross.

nal, Pastor Tommy Lanham of Glen Cove Christian Church and Rev. Roger C. Williams of First Baptist Church.

Assisting with the service will be Merle Richards, choir president and evangelist at Calvary A.M.E. Church; Claudette Bryan, evangelist at Calvary A.M.E. Church; Donna Brady, worship leader at Shelter Rock Church; Stevenson-Mathews; and Minister Carol Buchanan of First Baptist Church.

The service will be held in person at Morgan Park and streamed live on the Easter Dawn Facebook page, allowing those unable to attend to participate virtually.

Pastor Raul Martinez, who has par-

ticipated in the service for the past three years, said the event carries a powerful message of unity.

“It is a blessing to gather as one community united by the promise of the Resurrection, central to all of the Christian faith,” Martinez said.

That sense of unity is also reflected in the service’s multilingual components. Lydia Wen, a Mandarin Chinese interpreter who has participated in past services, said the gathering offers a rare moment of connection across cultures and denominations.

“Sunday morning is like the most segregated time of the week for Christians,” Wen said. “Everybody kind of

goes to their own denominations, and I think this is pretty incredible to come together to do this before we all go to our own services.”

Wen added that the shared message transcends language.

“I just think it really is a reflection of heaven in the future, because there’s going to be so many different languages spoken,” she said. “Even though it’s just ‘He is risen,’ it’s such a short line, but really I think it’s profound because it’s everything that we all believe.”

Community members are also invited to take part in the service’s choir. A rehearsal will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 30. For more information on the event or to donate towards advertising contact organizers at: easterdawnglencove@gmail.com.

The service, which runs approximately 30 minutes, is open to all and will take place rain or shine.

THE GREAT BOOK GuRu

An Irish idyll?

Dear Great Book Guru, St Patrick’s Day (March 17) is past and Bloomsday (June 16) is yet to come. but I have a strong urge to read about Ireland! Do you have a short novel set in Ireland that will satisfy my yearnings ?

Lover of All Things Irish

Dear Lover of All Things Irish, I recently read a lovely gem of a book (160 pages) “The Spinning Heart” by Donal Ryan. Beautifully written and very disturbing, this novel is set in a rural Irish village as the economy crashes in 2008.

ANN DIPIETRO

It tells the stories of a community whose world has gone awry. A local construction company- the primary source of employment for the village- has gone bankrupt and its corrupt owner has fled

the country. His family, his workers, and their children face this new impoverished reality with varying degrees of grace and bitterness. Each chapter is told by a different character so by the end of the book, we have heard from twenty-one villagers with their stories revealing starkly contrasting views. We hear a six-year-old girl’s concerns about parental strife, her parents‘ fear of economic ruin, an aging patriarch’s shame at his son’s illicit dealings, the son’s unspoken plea for forgiveness…

This is a work of enormous beauty, some humor- offering great insight into the Irish psyche- highly recommended!

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

NEiGHBORs iN THE NEws

Matcha Pop-up at Sea Cliff General

With matcha drinks and pouches for sale, the Sea Cliff General Store hosted a matcha pop-up by the company Troncha Matcha on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lemon and lychee flavors were available.

Customers were welcome to purchase a Troncha Matcha drink and shop. The Sea Cliff General Storehas held severl events since it opened in November. The Sea Cliff Porch Pickers will perform at the store on April 26.

—

Julia Capitelli

Courtesy Laura Bonelli

Residents express desire for home mail delivery

“overflow condition.” This condition is when a box exceeds capacity on 12 out of 20 consecutive business days, according to policy 4.3.3.

Customers can also rent a larger box but would have to pay for it. Glenwood Landing residents are part of Fee Group E, meaning they are assigned the smallest available box that reasonably accommodates their volume of mail for free.

Glenwood Landing residents are assigned to this fee group because they live within a zip code boundary administered by a post office, their physical addresses are potential carrier delivery points, and the postal service does not provide carrier delivery to homes. Customers must meet all of these criteria in order to qualify for a free P.O. box as part of Fee Group E. The only other community in Nassau County that does not get home mail delivery is Point Lookout.

According to residents, a bulletin board was used for community purposes like posting information about events or finding a babysitter, dog walker or someone to shovel snow. The bulletin board had been up for at least two decades, according to 21-year resident Jodi Vosilla, but was recently removed.

“It was just a super cute thing,” said resident Donna Edquist, “that the community had.”

Federal regulations regarding conduct on postal property put in place in 1972 prohibit posting materials like flyers, pamphlets, signs and posters that are not official postal or government notices and announcements.

“In the past,” Amy Gibbs, USPS Spokeswoman for Long Island Queens wrote in response to written questions, “a bulletin board was erroneously erected in front of the Glenwood Landing Post Office.”

A common concern among residents since January is difficulty getting their packages after they are notified that a package has been delivered. Some are able to get certain packages delivered to their homes by Amazon and Federal Express, but many have to be picked up at the post office.

Similarly to January, residents say they arrive at the post office after learning their package has been

delivered just to find out they cannot yet pick it up.

“You see you get a package,” Edquist said. “It gets delivered at nine o’clock in the morning. You stop by around two and they’re like, ‘No, haven’t sorted it yet.’”

Gibbs explained in a response Monday that customers must include their P.O. box number along with their address on a package. She wrote that packages arriving without a P.O. box number will be delayed in being sorted. Leaving out the P.O. box number is the same reason Gibbs provided for sorting delays in January.

Several residents, including Edquist and McAree, said they would prefer to get mail delivered to their homes. Glenwood Landing historically has not had home delivery because it has had fewer than 750 delivery addresses per route, the number required by the USPS to deliver mail directly to homes.

“I have family in remote areas of Ireland,” McAree said. “They have a man come up on a motorbike and drop their mail off. But here we can’t get mail delivery.”

Vosilla echoed this frustration. She said she has been “wishing” for home delivery the entire time she has lived in the hamlet.

“We’re in the middle of Nassau County,” she said. “We’re not in the middle of the boondocks.”

Vosilla, among others, also expressed concerns about getting mail when institutions, such as banks, do not accept a P.O. box number as an address.

“We can’t control,” Gibbs wrote, “the mailing requirements of other institutions.”

Easter Butter Cookies, Easter Candy, Hot Cross Buns, Quiches, Strawberry Rhubarb Pies, Baked Bries, Key Lime Pies, & Creamy Cheesecakes.

Colorful Easter Cupcakes, Spring Fling Cakes, and Easter Festival Cakes that can be used as centerpieces for your table!

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Hofstra baseball impacted by weather

By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com

The Hofstra baseball team is looking to take flight in the heart of spring after it was largely grounded to open the season in the dead of winter.

After opening the 2026 season with a three-game series at then fourth-ranked Mississippi State from Feb. 13-15, the Pride were only able to play three games over the next three weeks as mother nature unleashed historic snow totals across the Long Island region.

“You count on those early games to be able to evaluate the team and see where we’re going into conference play,” said fifth-year Hofstra head coach Frank Catalanotto. “It’s tough to replicate that when you’re inside in the gym or in the bubble.”

Playing just six games in the first three weeks of the season didn’t give Hofstra much preparation before starting the critical Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) portion of its schedule on March 6 at College of Charleston. The Pride took one of three games in series at Charleston and Monmouth to open conference play before taking two of three against Northeastern last weekend to move to 4-5 entering April.

Hofstra is looking to reach the sixteam CAA tournament with 21 returners from last year’s disappointing 18-36 team that went 8-19 in the league to miss out on the postseason. The Pride can assure a CAA playoff spot by placing among the top two in the league’s north division featuring Monmouth, Northeastern, Stony Brook and Towson or by having one of the two highest NCAA RPI ratings at the end of the regular season for the remaining teams.

Leading Hofstra’s charge for some late May baseball is red-shirt senior center fielder Tyler Cox, who hit .276 last season after transferring from West Virginia. The local lefty product from Clarke High School is second on the team in hitting as of March 30 with a .304 average and four home runs.

“He’s probably my best hitter in the

lineup and his approach has gotten better as lately he’s been more aggressive in hitting counts,” said Catalanotto of Cox. “He’s a leader on the team.”

Junior shortstop Michael Brown who leads the Pride in hitting with a .361 average and two home runs. Brown drove in the winning run in Hofstra’s 5-4 11 inning win against Northeastern on March 27.

Sophomore catcher CJ Griggs entered the final week of March hitting .304 and recording the winning RBI in a dramatic 11-10 win against Northeastern Sunday in which the Pride rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth.

JJ DeVito, a graduate student transfer from St. Johns, who was a former standout at Wantagh High School, has added some offensive punch to the lineup with a .268 average including four hits in a 5-4 loss at Charleston on March 8.

The pitching staff got a boost to start the season with the return of 2024 First-

Team All-CAA honoree Carlos Martinez, who missed last season due to Tommy John surgery. Martinez missed some early non-league action as he worked his way back from injury and Catalano is hoping he can peak during the crucial CAA portion of the schedule in April and May.

“He was struggling a little bit early with some pain in his arm, but now he’s feeling close to 100 percent,” said Catalanotto of Matinez.

The starting rotation for weekend CAA games also features sophomore Chris Bedford and senior Sean Hamilton. Key hurlers out of the bullpen include Nick Reese, Deuce Musial, Maddon McArthur, Tanner Sanderoff and Brayden Gregg.

Sophomore Michael Heyman, a Hewlett High School graduate, is another relief pitching option who could be called upon in non-league midweek games this season.

The Pride will look to get the April part of their CAA schedule off on the right foot with a series at Towson this weekend before hosting Long Island rival Stony Brook for three games from April 10-12. Hofstra will host series against Towson from May 1-3 and Monmouth from May 8 -10 before closing the regular season at Stony Brook.

Hofstra dug itself an early hole to gain a playoff spot by dropping four of six CAA games to start the season, but taking two of three from Northeastern gives the Pride a winning foundation to build off with plenty more conference games left to finish strong.

“There are a lot of games left and we’ve got to go take care of business,” said Catalanotto, a former 14-year Major League Baseball player who led Hofstra to a CAA title in his season as head coach in 2022. “We’ve got the talent to do it.”

Glen Head residents oppose battery storage

residents… we do not want to jeopardize anyone’s life.”

The moratorium covers proposals for battery energy storage facilities, including the Oyster Shore Energy Project, a proposed 44-megawatt project on Shore Road in Glenwood Landing on a one-acre parcel within the former Grumman property.

Jupiter Power, a Texas-based battery storage company owned by BlackRock, cancelled its contract to build the proposed Oyster Shore Energy Storage facility in May of 2025.

Montesano outlined the history of the moratorium, first adopted in April 2024 and extended multiple times since. He said amendments to the New York State fire code related to battery storage sites took effect Dec. 31, 2025, but that significant concerns remain.

“While the new code contains several additional requirements that will reduce the risk associated with best facilities,” Montesano said, “the risks still remain.”

He also referenced recent fires at battery storage facilities in Moss Landing, California, and Warwick, New York, noting the Warwick fire took firefighters two days to suppress.

Supervisor Joseph Saladino echoed those concerns, asking whether the science behind the technology had changed significantly since the board first imposed the moratorium.

“Has anything changed in the science to make this technology tremendously more safe in terms of fires,” Saladino inquired, “in terms of all of the important issues they brought to our attention.”

Montesano responded that “based on the information I’ve received and looked at I would say no.”

During the public comment portion, several Glen Head and Glenwood Landing residents voiced support for the extension and called for even stronger protections.

Andrew Lauder of Glen Head said he supports continuing the pause while more information becomes available.

emphasized that “It’s not safe now.”

Doug Augenthaler of Glen Head said officials should not only focus on the storage facilities themselves but also on related infrastructure projects.

“The back door is Propel,” Augenthaler claimed. “Propel goes in if that’s allowed to proceed, it’s an open invitation for battery story all over Long Island.”

I do not have the manpower or the technology to extinguish a fire that may occur at this magnitude.

DonalD SInSkI chief, Glenwood Hook and Ladder Engine and Hose Company

“I think the moratorium is good,” Lauder said. He acknowledged that as more technology and information come out, battery storage systems may be viable in the future, but

Several speakers sought to tie the issue to concerns over Propel NY Energy’s proposed transmission cable project, which would run through parts of Glen Head and neighboring communities. Propel NY Energy representatives have emphasized multiple times, including at their March 18 office hours event in Glen Head, that their project is not tied to any battery storage projects.

George Pombar of Glen Head, head of the Glen Head/Glenwood Landing Civic Council, said residents remain deeply opposed to allowing battery storage systems into their communities.

“We need your support in extending the moratorium; the stakes are high,” Pombar said.” We have many young families in the area that have children attending local schools next to the areas where the installations would be.”

Chief Donald Sinski of the Glenwood Hook and Ladder Engine and Hose Company also spoke in support of the moratorium, citing emergency response limitations.

“I do not have the manpower,” Sinski said, “or the technology to extinguish a fire that may occur at this magnitude.”

Asked directly whether there is currently a safe way to put out a battery storage fire, Sinski answered, “There is not.” He also affirmed concerns about toxic smoke and contaminated runoff.

The board did not vote on the proposal, instead leaving the public record open for 20 days to allow additional residents to submit comments by email, letter or phone. A vote is expected at the next town board meeting on April 14, following a hearing by the Nassau County Planning Commission.

“This is one of those issues that, for me, is straightforward and very clear,” Saladino said. “We will be voting at the next town meeting.”

Public, private water rates differ drastically

Continued from PreViouS PAGe

largest private alternatives, currently supplying water to nearly 120,000 Nassau residents, primarily in the Town of Hempstead. A homeowner who wants an alternative to either public or private water suppliers would need to install and maintain a private well, subject to local and state requirements.

“For most customers, remaining connected to a regulated public water system provides reliability, water quality oversight and long-term infrastructure support,” Bellings said.

As a result, most Long Islanders continue to receive water service from the provider assigned to their area, even if they are dissatisfied with it. Because water is tied to geographic districts, homeowners typically cannot choose their provider.

As a matter of public safety, water suppliers — public and private — must adhere to state and federal guidelines to monitor and remove waterborne contaminants. “Private suppliers have the same health department and [Department of Environmental Conservation] requirements — federal, state and local requirements for pure water,” McEvoy said. “They have the same maximum contaminant levels for the same contaminants. Their testing requirements are the same as us, whether it’s a public or a private water supplier.”

McEvoy has decades of experience in the water industry, having previously served as chairman of the Long Island Water Conference and president of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association — both organizations dedicated to ensuring water quality, safety and affordability across the Island.

Nadel explained that the Water Authority of North Shore has two main options to deliver public water: build and operate its own system or contract with an existing public provider. In her own research with North Shore Concerned Citizens, she has concluded that contracting with nearby systems — such as Jericho, Glen Cove, or Roslyn — would be the fastest and most practical approach because those providers already have infrastructure in place.

Long Island’s water systems are interconnected, allowing supplies to be rerouted during emergencies such as contamination events or periods of high demand, demonstrating that a transition from private to public supply may be feasible. Nadel said the shift would not be overly complex, but rather a matter of political will.

Homeowners having scant options is an issue on both shores, but potential alternatives have been considered for several years. The South Nassau Water Authority was created in 2021 to potentially offer Town of Hempstead residents an alternative to Liberty Water. A plan to establish a new water authority and create a sustainable, efficient and effective alternative to Liberty has been in the works for years. Residents and legislators are eager to move forward, but negotiations to transition away from the current water supply are complex and have moved slowly.

“Right now, the options are very limited,” explained Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, who represents District 21, which encompasses Baldwin, East Rockaway, Lynbrook, Malverne, Rockville Centre, South Hempstead and parts of Freeport and Valley Stream. “Residents that live in the Village of Rockville Centre and the Village of Freeport have municipal water; however, those who live anywhere else in AD-21 are served by Liberty Water with no ability to opt out, unless the municipalization of South Nassau Water Authority becomes a reality. The primary goal being to transition these private customers to public control to lower costs.” Public funding for some, but not for others

“Strong communities start with a strong infrastructure,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a 2024 news release. “Clean water is a basic human right.”

Last month, Hochul announced a plan to direct $28 million in state and federal grants to Long Island to help facilitate water infrastructure upgrades. The

Customers who received water from Liberty utilities opposed a 2023 rate hike that potentially saw bills in nassau County increase by a cumulative 34.2 percent. the increase ultimately went into effect in August 2024.

Drip, drip, drip: Where are your dollars going?

If your water bill seems excessive, there are some relatively simple steps to pare it down.

20-minute shower with standard showerhead

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15-minute shower with low-flow showerhead

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5 loads of laundry, standard machine

Up to 200 gallons of water per week

4 loads of laundry, Energy Star-certified machine

Up to 115 gallons of water per week

Standard toilet with minor running leak

Up to 1.6 gallons per flush plus up to 180 gallons per week

EPA-verified WaterSense-label toilet

Up to 1.28 gallons per flush

funds are part of a $250 million statewide project to improve water infrastructure.

The plan follows similar financial support in January of this year, when Hochul sent $18 million to Long Island — one part of a $288 million project — with the similar aim of making water and sewer infrastructure improvements.

In a statement supporting the most recent funding, Village of Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. wrote, “We know that access to clean water is not a luxury, but it is a necessity.” Hobbs continued, “Upgrading our aging water system, replacing outdated pipes and improving the overall system is critical to protecting public health.”

The influx of funds can play a significant role in maintaining and upgrading anything from deteriorating equipment at water treatment plants to damaged

underground supply lines. As government agencies, water districts can benefit from funding directly from the state, while private businesses cannot. The trickledown effect, so to speak, of extra governmental funding is that cost savings can be passed to residents. More important, water quality and safety can be more easily maintained. Private suppliers address potential safety issues at their own expense, without state or federal aid.

“Currently they’re not available for private water companies,” McEvoy said. “But the Long Island Water Conference has put it on their agenda to seek legislation that would give them access [to public funds] only for treatment of the contaminants. Not for any other purpose.”

Due to the unequal funding for environmental upgrades, public water providers are in a stronger financial position to improve infrastructure and remove contaminants using state and federal funds, while private systems are excluded from receiving them — meaning costs are passed on to residents.

The Environmental Protection Agency requires community water systems — public and private — to publish “community confidence reports,” most commonly in the form of yearly water-quality reports that reveal test results for contaminants, as well as facts and figures detailing overall water consumption.

The Jericho Water District Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2024, for example, highlighted nearly 4.9 billion gallons of water provided to 58,000 customers, averaging 13.4 million gallons per day. Jericho Water charges a minimum of $13 per calendar quarter, at a rate of $1.30 per 1,000 gallons up to 10,000 gallons. Fees increase on a sliding scale with usage — similar to the conservation rate used in other municipalities — reaching $3.90 per 1,000 gallons for usage above 200,000 gallons per quarter.

According to the 2025 Liberty Annual Water Quality Report for the Sea Cliff Operations District, the average customer used just under 95,800 gallons of water, at a cost of about $1,340, or $3.67 a day. Liberty also revealed that it served roughly 4,388 customers, at a total cost of $5.9 million.

The reports highlight how costs and scale can vary widely between systems, even as both draw from the same regional water supply.

For many residents, the issue is not just how much water they use, but who controls the system that delivers it.

Bringing Pym’s work to life at St. Luke’s

By JULIA CAPITELLI jcapitelli@liherald.com

Performers took to the stage at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church for a dramatization of Barabara Pym’s “Crampton Hodnet” as roughly 100 people filled the parish hall. Ticket proceeds from the sold-out event will go toward renovations, including air conditioning installation and accessibility improvement, at St. Luke’s.

Saturday night marked Sea Cliff’s third live performance of a Pym novel adapted by residents Dan DiPietro and Fred Stroppel. The same group of actors performs in the Sea Cliff Civic Association’s annual Scrooge Stroll and James Joyce Jaunt.

“I’m a fan,” said Carol Vogt, a Sea Cliff resident who regularly attends the performances. “I think that all of the theatrical events going on in Sea Cliff are very worthwhile.”

The play was narrated by Dan and his wife and civic association President Ann DiPietro, who took on the role of Pym herself. Prior to the event, Ann said Pym was her favorite author. Some attendees dressed up in costumes representative of the 1930s, the era in which the posthumously published novel takes place.

Dan said that the organizers felt “really good about the whole night” and that he observed the audience’s engagement with the performance.

“I really felt that people kind of got the jokes,” he said. “They laughed at almost always the right time.”

Vogt, who has read some Pym novels, praised the production and described the performance as “marvelous.”

“Even if you had never heard of Barbara Pym, the play was interesting,” she said. “It was funny, it was enjoyable. It was very professional.”

Songs from the era, including Frank Sinatra’s “You Make Me Feel So Young”, played between scenes of the play. After the performance, attendees had the opportunity to play trivia based on the music played during the show.

Dinner was catered by longtime resident Lisa Harir, and dessert, including cupcakes decorated with fondant Pym book covers, was provided by local Sleepy Jeane’s Bake Co.

Dan said there are plans for an encore performance of “Crampton Hodnet” but that a date has not yet been chosen.

“We were relieved,” he said of Saturday night. “You’re never sure you know if what you’ve chosen to present is going to resonate in the way you think it will.”

For more information, contact Dan at dan@dipietroconsult. com..

The event, a fundraiser for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, sold out with roughly 100 people in attendance.

Climate activists rally against Hochul plan

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

Dozens of advocates and concerned residents gathered at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola last month to protest Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposal to revise New York state’s 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

The CLCPA is an environmental policy that requires greenhouse gas emissions in the state to be reduced by 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2030 by replacing much of the state’s fossil fuel electricity with renewable energy. Hochul wrote about the policy in an opinion essay published by the Empire Report on March 20, titled “Climate Action and Affordability Must Go HandIn-Hand.”

Following the loss of federal support for solar, wind and other energy initiatives and the rapid increase of oil prices, Hochul suggested that the climate act could lead to severe utility cost increases if it is not revised.

“So much has radically changed since the climate act was enacted, necessitating common-sense adjustments that keep us on our path to a greener future in a way that is affordable for New Yorkers,” Hochul wrote. “We need more time, and so I am proposing we amend the law to require regulations to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions to

Eric Weltman, a senior organizer for Food and Water Action, led the crowd in urging legislators to defend the state’s climate law on March 20.

be issued at the end of 2030.”

Eric Weltman, senior organizer of the national nonprofit Food and Water Watch, led a group of protesters urging state legislators to defend the climate law later that day.

“We are here because Governor Hochul, unfortunately, is threatening to weaken New York’s landmark climate law,” Weltman said, “and we’re here to urge our legislators to stand up and

defend and protect the climate law. Hochul is embracing policies that would promote fracking and more costly fossil fuel pipelines and power plants.”

The CLCPA, Weltman said, reduces costs related to fossil fuels, decreases air pollution and supports a shift toward renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.

Joe Sackman, executive director of the Long Island Progressive Coalition,

said the 2019 legislation “fully expressed New York’s willingness to take on climate change and move us toward a just and working-class-centered economy.”

“Governor Hochul, by demanding rollbacks to the CLCPA, you are playing politics with our future,” Sackman added. “It’s time to do what is right. No rollbacks on New York’s climate law.”

T.J. Shivers, representing New York Communities for Change, focused on the climate crisis’s direct effects on Long Islanders’ budgets.

“Energy burdens are crushing families from many low- and moderateincome communities,” Shivers said. “People are paying 6 to 10 percent or more of their income just on energy bills, far above what is considered affordable … When my bill goes up, it’s not just the number on paper, that’s food off the table.”

A number of community organizations joined the protest and spoke against revisions to the CLCPA, including the New York Public Interest Research Group, Transition Town Port Washington, the South Shore Audubon Society, the Green Party of Nassau County, All Our Energy, Grassroots Environmental Education, Renewable Heat Now and Bend the Arc Jewish Action: Long Island, calling for Nassau County residents to contact their local elected officials to advocate for preserving the climate act.

STEPPING OUT

From sketchbooks to the spotlight

Young artists stand out in ‘Long Island’s Best’

By Abbey Salvemini

Fresh talent is in full bloom this spring at Heckscher Museum of Art. For three decades, the Heckscher Museum of Art has served as a prestigious launchpad for the next generation of visual storytellers. “Long Island’s Best” is back, marking its 30th anniversary as it spotlights emerging high school artists throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties, now through May 3.

As the only juried exhibition of its kind on Long Island, this program offers high schoolers the rare distinction of seeing their work hanging in a professional museum and memorialized in a full-color commemorative catalog. The selection process is famously rigorous: For the 2026 season, 84 finalists were curated from over 400 submissions representing 63 schools across Nassau and Suffolk. Tasked with this challenge were jurors Meredith Brown, Ph.D., the museum’s consulting curator of contemporary art, and guest juror Aaron Feltman — an accomplished artist and a proud Long Island’s Best alumnus.

“It is never an easy process,” says Brown, who explained that the strongest pieces combine technical skill with originality and meaningful themes.

This year’s exhibition included an unusually high number of sculptures — more than in any previous “Long Island’s Best” exhibitions — that reflect both the students’ ambition and influenced by the recent exhibition “Emma Stebbins: Carving Out History.”

“I was surprised by the number of sculptural submissions,” Brown adds. “Sculpture is tricky, and many schools don’t have the resources, but these students took the challenge on and produced really compelling work.”

Among standout pieces is Luminous Harvest, a ceramic sculpture by Lyla Pinto, a senior at Long Beach High School, which earned fourth place and the Stan Brodsky Award. Inspired by painter Darragh Park’s “To Here/From Here,” Pinto created a tree-like form composed of branches holding symbolic fruit and candles.

“I was drawn to Park’s artwork because it seemed alive, as though the forms are changing and expanding rather than remaining still,” she explains. “The handcrafted fruits represent abundance, sustenance and the various attributes each branch offers. I made seven branches because the number seven represents completeness and balance, suggesting a full cycle of growth rather than a single moment. Like Park, I wanted to convey a sense of natural rhythm through organic shapes as demonstrated in the abundance and repetitious organic greenery.”

For Director of Education Joy Weiner — whose program leadership is being honored at a “30th Birthday Bash” on April 18 — the most rewarding aspect of her involvement is observing students experience the thrill of having their work displayed in a museum.

“Just watching their faces as they show their parents how special this opportunity is, that’s one of the happiest memories every year,” she relates.

“Long Island’s Best” has evolved considerably since its early years.

“Years ago, there were landscapes, still lifes and portraits. That was pretty much what you got,” Weiner

Lyla Pinto: Lyla Pinto’s ceramic sculpture “Luminous Harvest, was awarded Fourth Place and honored with the Stan Brodsky Scholarship Award.

• Now through May 3

• Open Thursday through Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

• Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington

• Visit Heckscher.org or call (631) 380-3230 for information on related programming

adds. “Over the years, the different kinds of materials became something that students were interested in exploring. And they’re also much more aware of the world around them, tackling social issues, personal experiences and big-picture ideas through their art.”

While the program certainly sharpens their technical craft, its true value lies in instilling the professional rigor required of a working artist. It also underscores the lasting influence of arts education, with many alumni pursuing careers in art, design, filmmaking, and teaching.

“The whole process from beginning to end involves meeting deadlines, working with teachers, creating the work and writing about it,” Weiner says. “That’s very important as they continue in their careers, to not only create a work of art but to be able to speak about it and share it with others.”

Looking ahead, both Brown and Weiner encourage students to embrace the process, even if their work isn’t selected.

“Sharing your work is a powerful experience. It helps students grow as artists and lets others engage with their vision.” Weiner adds.“Even if your piece isn’t chosen, you learn something about yourself and your art. And when people connect with your work, it’s a truly rewarding experience.”

Teachers, Long Island’s Best alumni and the community are all invited to the stylish “Birthday Bash” celebrating this momentous milestone. Alumni and local artists will contribute works for a fundraiser, underscoring the lasting influence of “Long Island’s Best” throughout the region. The gathering includes an opportunity to meet students and hear firsthand how the program shaped their creative journeys.

“I’ve been privileged to watch the growth of Long Island’s Best,” Weiner says. “I have seen elementary school students eventually become LI Best finalists, have watched students’ progress to becoming Long Island Biennial artists as professionals; and have been lucky to work with students who now teach art in our community, inspiring the next generation.”

This milestone exhibit not only celebrates the talent of today’s students but also emphasizes the enduring value of arts education in shaping Long Island’s creative future. It’s an opportunity to explore a wide variety of media and themes while experiencing the fresh perspectives and voices of the next generation of artists, gaining insight into how young people interpret the world around them through art.

Dan Soder

Come chill with stand-up comedian Dan Soder! Get ready for a night of sharp, laugh-out-loud comedy when he takes the stage on The Golden Retriever of Comedy tour. Known for his quick wit and effortlessly relatable storytelling, Soder has built a devoted following. His credits include ”Not Special” on Comedy Central, a standout turn on Netflix’s The Standups” and his acclaimed HBO special “Son of a Gary.”Fans have also embraced his hit YouTube special, “Dan Soder: On The Road,” a laugh-packed set filled with smart, surprising takes on relationships, growing up and everything in between. Offstage, Soder hosts the popular podcast Soder and was a longtime co-host of SiriusXM’s The Bonfire from 2015 to 2023. Many will also recognize him from his role as Dudley “Mafee” on Billions. With his easygoing charm and razor-sharp observations, Soder delivers comedy that feels both down-to-earth and unexpectedly insightful.

Saturday, April 4, 7 and 9 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

‘…how I wish you were here’

Wish You Were Here celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here,” acclaimed as one of the greatest albums of all time and cited by Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright and guitarist David Gilmour as their favorite album. The band continues its 30-year tradition of combining sight and sound to capture the mood, emotions, and intensity of the Floydian theatrical concert experience — in a spectacular tribute of music, performers, lighting, video, lasers and inflatables — all performed without backing or click tracks. The veteran 10-piece musical ensemble features seven vocalists and a Floydian stage production — sound effects and vintage videos, flying inflatables, theatrical vignettes with props, and a sensational light show with moving lasers, rolling fog and state-of-the-art intelligent lighting — all produced with a fan’s obsession for detail.

Thursday, April 9, 7:30 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

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On Exhibit Nassau County Museum of Art joins in the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Its landmark exhibition explores how Long Island has reflected and shaped the story of American art. From Revolutionary-era portraiture and folk art to nineteenth-century landscapes, Impressionism, and the bold innovations of Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art, the exhibition highlights how every major art movement found expression here. Featuring paintings, decorative arts, and historical objects displayed together in immersive settings, the exhibit celebrates the region’s enduring influence and its rich artistic legacy. On view through July 12.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Ongoing

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

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Mike DelGuidice

First Fridays: Plants, People, Place

Step into a multisensory exploration of the plants that shape global cuisine and the cultural stories they carry at Planting Fields. This guided tour weaves through the gardens, greenhouses, and exhibition spaces, connecting the gardens’ living history with the 2025 Catalyst installation, Sam Van Aken’s The Planting Fields Stand, a grove of four multi-grafted fruit trees. Drawing on the estate’s agricultural history from Indigenous stewardship to present day, the tour traces how food has been grown, shared, and celebrated here for generations. Blending horticulture, history and contemporary art, this tour invites guests to reflect on the fruits, both literal and cultural, that nourish us. $25.

• Where: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay

• Time: 10-11 a.m.

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

Sonido Valentino

Still Partners welcomes Sheriff Sonido for a night of disco.

• Where: 225 Sea Cliff Ave., Sea Cliff

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: stillpartners.com or call (516) 200-9229

Local favorite Mike DelGuidice returns to the Paramount stage with his popular residency, delivering the high-energy, feel-good performances that have made him a hometown standout. Backed by his powerhouse band, DelGuidice brings the music of his idol, Billy Joel, to life with passion and precision, celebrating decades of iconic hits in a rousing, crowd-pleasing show. A multi-instrumentalist who grew up immersed in music, DelGuidice’s deep knowledge of Joel’s catalog ultimately led to sharing the stage with the Piano Man himself, touring around the world. Alongside beloved classics, he weaves in his own original songs, showcasing the songwriting that has earned him a devoted following. His releases include My Street, Miller Place and Mask Production, and his track “Ordinary Guy” was featured as the theme for Kevin Can Wait starring Kevin James. Whether performing on stage or connecting with fans through his “Live on the Porch” series, which brought audiences together during the pandemic, DelGuidice continues to share his love of music in ways that resonate far beyond the Long Island community.

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

• Time: 8 p.m., also Apr 11

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

series at Sands Point Preserve takes a closer look at the lives of George and Myrtle Wilson, the servants of East and West Egg, and the Valley of Ashes. Explore how Fitzgerald portrays the lower classes through the lens of the privileged Nick Carraway and how his personal biases impact the narrative. Join in a rare tour of the service areas and a thought-provoking discussion on invisible labor, exploitation, and the human cost of a society obsessed with wealth and status. $25, $20 members.

• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point

• Time: 6:30-8 p.m.

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

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Tunes with Orlo Billingsly and Deirdre & Adam

Sea Cliff Arts Council welcomes mutil-instrumentalist and producer Orlo Billingsly, Sea Cliff musicians Deirdre and Adam and special guests. Enjoy an afternoon of mostly original acoustic music with Tickets are $20 per person.

• Where: 86 Roslyn Ave., Sea Cliff

• Time: 2:30 p.m.

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Village Board meets

The Sea Cliff Board of Trustees holds its public meeting at Village Hall. Residents are encouraged to attend.

• Where: 300 Sea Cliff Ave., Sea Cliff

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 671-0080

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Voices & Visions: Poetry and Photography Show

Gold Coast Public Library invites all for an evening of poetry and photography. Poet

Patti Tana and photographer John Retter read poems and show images from local places.

• Where: 146 Glen Head Road, Glen Head

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: oldcoastlibrary.org or (516) 759-8300

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Slow Art Day

Nassau County Museum of Art joins museums around the world for Slow Art

Day. Visitors have the opportunity to experience art with intention and mindfulness, led by docents. Free with museum admission. Registration required.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 9:30 a.m.

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

Curator’s Talk

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Join Nassau County Museum of Art Chief Curator Franklin Hill Perrell for an illuminating talk on the current exhibit “250 Years of Art on Long Island.” Drawing on his deep knowledge of the region’s artistic heritage, Perrell explores how Long Island has both reflected and shaped the story of American art over the past two and a half centuries. From Revolutionary-era portraiture and nineteenth-century landscapes to Impressionism, Abstract Expressionism, and Pop Art, he traces the artists, communities, and movements that flourished from Brooklyn to Montauk. $20, $15 seniors, $10 students (members free). Limited seating, advance registration required.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive,

Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 3 p.m.

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

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Town board meets

The Town of Oyster Bay holds its next public meeting. Residents are encouraged to attend.

• Where: 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay

• Time: 10 a.m.

• Contact: (516) 624-6380

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North Shore BOE meets

The North Shore School District Board of Education holds its next meeting. Residents are encouraged to attend.

• Where: 505 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Head

• Time: 7:45 p.m.

• Contact: northshoreschools.org

‘The Great Gatsby’ Talk & Tour Part II: Beneath the Glamour This portion of Hempstead House’s Gatsby talk and tour

• Contact: SeaCliffArtsCouncil. org

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Artist talk Former Newsday staff photographer Michael Ach holds his third artist talk, hosted by the Sea Cliff Arts Council. His photography exhibit is on display through April.

• Where: 86 Roslyn Ave., Sea Cliff

• Time: 2 p.m.

• Contact: SeaCliffArtsCouncil. org

Having an event?

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

APRIL 16 • 10AM-12:30PM

FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle

Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers

Take advantage of on-site health screenings

Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences

Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A

Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways

Snack station for all

*Boxed lunches for first 150 attendees

All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.

MAE CAIME FOUNDER, AMAEZING MIDLIFE & BEYOND

Register for this FREE event: Deerpark.eventbrite.com or email lcreem@LIHerald.com or call 516.569.4000 x243 AGENDA:

EXHIBITORS EXPERT PANEL + Q&A

RAFFLE DRAWINGS MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN

These two moms opened a spa. It had one big, on the community.

Mery and Sindy always knew they wanted to open a spa to bring beauty to customers. Little did they know it would have the same effect on the community. And Business First was there. We provided $23,000 in grants to help with much-needed renovations so Mery and Sindy could bring their vision to life.* Now, not only does their spa impact clients in a beautiful way, it gives the community an economic lift as well. *Incentives, grants, and savings will vary with every project.

FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle

Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers

Take advantage of on-site health screenings

Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences

Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A

Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways

Snack station for all

*Boxed lunches for first 150 attendees

All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.

MAE CAIME FOUNDER, AMAEZING MIDLIFE & BEYOND

Register for this FREE event: Seaford.eventbrite.com or email rbamgbose@liherald.com or call 516.569.4000 x273 AGENDA:

+ Q&A

RAFFLE DRAWINGS MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ANNUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION

NORTH SHORE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK (MAY 19, 2026)

NOTICE IS GIVEN that a Public Hearing of the qualified voters of the North Shore Central School District, Nassau County, N.Y. will be held at the District’s Middle School, 505 Glen Cove Avenue, Glen Head, N.Y., on May 7, 2026 at 7:45 p.m. for the presentation of the budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, and for the purpose of discussing the necessary funds to meet the estimated expenditures of the School District during the ensuing school year, and for the transaction of such other business as is authorized by the Education Law.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing year for school purposes (Proposed Budget) may be obtained by any resident of the School District at each schoolhouse, on the District website at www. northshoreschools.org and at the District Office between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on each day other than a Saturday, Sunday or holiday during the fourteen (14) days preceding the annual meeting and election, and on the day of the election, together with the text of any resolution which will be presented to the voters.

PLEASE TAKE

NOTICE that voting, by voting machine, will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026 at the Gymnasium of the North Shore Senior High School, on the following Proposition:

PROPOSITION NO. 1 -

SCHOOL BUDGET 20262027

RESOLVED, that the North Shore Central School District budget for the school year 20262027 proposed by the Board of Education in accordance with Section 1716 of the Education Law shall be approved and the necessary taxes be levied therefore on the taxable real property of the District.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that at said election to be held on May 19,

2026, qualified voters shall also elect two (2) members to serve on the Board of Education each for three-year terms commencing July 1, 2026 and expiring on June 30, 2029. Candidates for the office of members of the Board of Education must be nominated by petition. Candidates run at-large and nominating petitions shall not describe any specific vacancy for which the candidate is nominated. Each petition shall be directed to the District Clerk, shall be signed by forty-seven (47) qualified voters of the School District, shall state the name and residence of each signer and shall state the name and residence of the candidate. Each such petition shall be filed in the District Clerk’s Office, located at 112 Franklin Avenue, Sea Cliff, New York 11579 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on or before April 20, 2026.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that persons must be registered in order to be entitled to vote. The Board of Registrars will meet to register voters on Saturday, May 9, 2026, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the North Shore Schools Administrative Office, 112 Franklin Avenue, Sea Cliff, N.Y. 11579. Persons who shall have been previously registered for any District annual or special election and who shall have voted at any such District election held in the prior four calendar years (2022-2025), and/ or persons who are registered to vote at general elections within the District pursuant to Election Law §352, need not register to be eligible to vote at said Annual District Election.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the District Register will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the School District between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. during the five (5) days immediately preceding this Annual Budget Vote and Election, except Sunday, and Saturday when it may be inspected, by appointment, between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots are to be completed on a form prescribed by the state board of elections and may be obtained by visiting the State Education

Department’s Website (http://www.counsel. nysed.gov/common/ counsel/files/absenteeballot-application-andinstructions-english.pdf, http://www.counsel. nysed.gov/common/ counsel/files/absenteeballot-application-andinstructions-spanish. pdf), or by contacting the District Clerk by email at ciampib@ northshoreschools.org or phone (516) 2777801. Applications for early mail ballots are to be completed on a form prescribed by the state board of elections and may be obtained by visiting the State Education Department’s website (https://www. counsel.nysed.gov/ miscellaneous), or by contacting the District Clerk by email at ciampib@ northshoreschools. org or phone (516) 277-7801. Completed applications for absentee and early mail ballots must be received at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or to his or her designated agent, but such applications will not be accepted before April 20, 2026. Absentee and early mail ballots must be received in the District Clerk’s office not later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 to be canvassed. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots have been issued will be available for inspection in the District Clerk’s office on each of the five days prior to the election during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except Sunday, and by appointment only from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on the Saturday prior to the election.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that pursuant to Education Law §2018-d, any person serving in the military, including spouses and dependents, may register to vote in the upcoming School District election. A military voter who is a qualified voter of the District may obtain a registration form by contacting the District Clerk by telephone (516277-7801), facsimile (516-2777805), email (ciampib@ northshoreschools.org), mail (112 Franklin Ave. Sea Cliff, NY 11579), or in person (during regular office hours or between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00

p.m.) A military voter who is duly registered may apply for a military ballot by requesting an application from the District by also contacting the District Clerk. Completed applications must be personally delivered or mailed to the District Clerk and received no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 24, 2026. Military ballots must be received by 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026 if signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto with a date which is not later than the day before the election, or not later than the close of the polls on May 19, 2026 if showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States government. A military voter may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration form, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile or electronic mail in the request for such registration, ballot application, or ballot.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a Real Property Tax Exemption Report prepared in accordance with Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law will be annexed to any tentative/preliminary budget as well as the final adopted budget of which it will form a part; and shall be posted on the District’s website.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that this Board shall convene a special meeting thereof within 48 hours after the filing with the District Clerk of a written report of the results of the ballot for the purpose of examining and tabulating said reports of the result of the ballot and declaring the result of the ballot; that the Board designates itself to be a set of poll clerks to cast and canvass ballots pursuant to Education Law §2019a(2b) at said special meeting of the Board.

NOTICE APPROVED: March 12, 2026 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, NORTH SHORE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT AT GLEN HEAD, GLENWOOD LANDING, SEA CLIFF, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

ELIZABETH A. CIAMPI, DISTRICT CLERK 159419

LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE VOTACIÓN Y ELECCIÓN ANUAL DEL PRESUPUESTO DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR DISTRITO ESCOLAR CENTRAL DE NORTH SHORE CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK (19 DE MAYO DE 2026)

SE NOTIFICA que se llevará a cabo una Audiencia Pública de los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Central de North Shore, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York, en la Escuela Secundaria del Distrito, 505 Glen Cove Avenue, Glen Head, Nueva York, el 7 de mayo de 2026 a las 7:45 p. m. para la presentación del presupuesto para el año fiscal 2026-2027, y con el propósito de discutir los fondos necesarios para cubrir los gastos estimados del Distrito Escolar durante el año escolar siguiente, y para la transacción de cualquier otro asunto autorizado por la Ley de Educación.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que cualquier residente del Distrito Escolar puede obtener una copia de la declaración de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año siguiente para fines escolares (Presupuesto propuesto) en cada escuela, en el sitio web del Distrito en www. northshoreschools. org y en la Oficina del Distrito entre las 8:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m. todos los días que no sean sábados, domingos o feriados durante los catorce (14) días anteriores a la reunión anual y la elección, y el día de la elección, junto con el texto de cualquier resolución que se presentará a los votantes.

TENGA EN CUENTA que la votación, mediante máquina de votación, se llevará a cabo de 7:00 a. m. a 10:00 p. m. el 19 de mayo de 2026 en el Gimnasio de la Escuela Secundaria North Shore, sobre la siguiente Propuesta:

PROPOSICIÓN N.º 1PRESUPUESTO ESCOLAR 2026-2027

SE RESUELVE que el presupuesto del Distrito Escolar Central de North Shore para el año escolar 20262027 propuesto por la Junta de Educación de conformidad con la Sección 1716 de la Ley de Educación se aprobará y se aplicarán los impuestos necesarios sobre los bienes inmuebles

imponibles del Distrito.

SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que en dichas elecciones que se llevarán a cabo el 19 de mayo de 2026 los votantes calificados también elegirán dos (2) miembros para servir en la Junta de Educación cada uno, por un periodo de tres (3) años, que comenzará el 1 de julio de 2026 y vencerá el 30 de junio de 2029. Los candidatos para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación deben ser nominados por petición. Los candidatos que se presenten en general y las peticiones de nominación no deben describir ninguna vacante específica para la cual se nomina al candidato. Cada petición deberá estar dirigida a la Secretaria del Distrito, deberá estar firmada por cuarenta y siete (47) votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar, deberá indicar el nombre y la residencia de cada firmante y deberá indicar el nombre y la residencia del candidato. Cada una de estas peticiones deberá presentarse en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito, ubicada en 112 Franklin Avenue, Sea Cliff, Nueva York 11579, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 5:00 p. m., el 20 de abril de 2026 o antes. TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que las personas deben estar registradas para tener derecho a votar. La Junta de Registradores se reunirá para registrar a los votantes el sábado 9 de mayo de 2026, entre las 10:00 a. m. y las 2:00 p. m. en la Oficina Administrativa de las Escuelas de North Shore, 112 Franklin Avenue, Sea Cliff, N.Y. 11579. Las personas que se hayan registrado previamente para cualquier elección anual o especial del Distrito y que hayan votado en cualquier elección del Distrito celebrada en los cuatro años anteriores (2022-2025), y/o las personas que estén registradas para votar en las elecciones generales dentro del Distrito de conformidad con la Ley Electoral §352, no necesitan registrarse para ser elegibles para votar en dicha Elección Anual del Distrito. TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que el Registro del Distrito estará abierto para inspección por cualquier votante calificado del Distrito Escolar entre las 8:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m. durante los cinco (5) días inmediatamente

anteriores a esta Votación y Elección del Presupuesto Anual, excepto los domingos y sábados, cuando se podrá inspeccionar, con cita previa, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 10:00 a. m.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que las solicitudes de papeletas de voto en ausencia se deben completar en un formulario prescrito por la junta electoral estatal y se pueden obtener visitando el sitio web del Departamento de Educación del Estado (http://www.counsel. nysed.gov/common/ counsel/files/absenteeballot-application-andinstructions-english.pdf, http://www.counsel. nysed.gov/common/ counsel/files/absenteeballot-application-andinstructions-spanish. pdf), o comunicándose con la Secretaria del Distrito por correo electrónico a ciampib@ northshoreschools. org o por teléfono al (516) 277-7801. Las solicitudes para las papeletas de voto anticipado por correo deben completarse en un formulario prescrito por la junta electoral estatal y pueden obtenerse visitando el sitio web del Departamento de Educación del Estado (https://www. counsel.nysed.gov/ miscellaneous), o comunicándose con la Secretaria del Distrito por correo electrónico a ciampib@ northshoreschools. org o por teléfono al (516) 277-7801. Las solicitudes completas para las papeletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado deben recibirse al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la papeleta se enviará por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección si la papeleta se entregará personalmente al votante o a su agente designado, pero dichas solicitudes no se aceptarán antes del 20 de abril de 2026. Las papeletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado deben recibirse en la oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del martes 19 de mayo de 2026 para ser escrutadas. Una lista de todas las personas a quienes se les han emitido boletas de voto en ausencia y por correo anticipado estará disponible para inspección en la oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito cada uno de los cinco días anteriores a la elección durante el horario de 8:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m., excepto los domingos, y solo con cita previa de 9:00 a. m. a 10:00 a. m. el sábado anterior a la elección. TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2018-d, cualquier persona que preste servicio en el ejército, incluidos los cónyuges y dependientes, puede registrarse para votar en las próximas elecciones del Distrito Escolar. Un votante militar que sea un votante calificado del Distrito puede obtener un formulario de registro comunicándose con la Secretaria del Distrito por teléfono (516-277-7801), fax (516-277-7805), correo electrónico (ciampib@ northshoreschools. org), correo postal (112 Franklin Ave. Sea Cliff, NY 11579), o en persona (durante el horario de oficina habitual o entre las 8:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m.). Un votante militar que esté debidamente registrado puede solicitar una boleta militar solicitando una solicitud al Distrito comunicándose también con la Secretaria del Distrito. Las solicitudes completas deben entregarse personalmente o enviarse por correo a la Secretaria del Distrito y recibirse a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. el 24 de abril de 2026. Las papeletas militares deben recibirse antes de las 5:00 p. m. del 19 de mayo de 2026 si están firmadas y fechadas por el votante militar y un testigo de ello con una fecha que no sea posterior al día anterior a la elección, o no posterior al cierre de las urnas el 19 de mayo de 2026 si muestran una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o muestran un respaldo fechado de recibo por otra agencia del gobierno de los Estados Unidos. Un votante militar puede designar una preferencia para recibir un formulario de registro de votante militar, una solicitud de papeleta militar o una papeleta militar por correo, fax o correo electrónico en la solicitud de dicho registro, solicitud de papeleta o papeleta. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que un Informe de Exención de Impuestos sobre Bienes Inmuebles preparado de conformidad con la Sección 495 de la Ley de

Public Notices

Impuestos sobre Bienes Inmuebles se anexará a cualquier presupuesto tentativo/preliminar, así como al presupuesto final adoptado del cual formará parte; y se publicará en el sitio web del Distrito.

SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que esta Junta convocará una reunión especial de la misma dentro de las 48 horas posteriores a la presentación ante la Secretaria del Distrito de un informe escrito de los resultados de la votación con el fin de examinar y tabular dichos informes del resultado de la votación y declarar el resultado de la votación; que la Junta se designa a sí misma como un grupo de secretarios electorales para emitir y escrutar los votos de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2019a(2b) en dicha reunión especial de la Junta.

AVISO APROBADO: 12 de marzo de 2026

POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN, DISTRITO ESCOLAR CENTRAL DE NORTH SHORE EN GLEN HEAD, GLENWOOD LANDING, SEA CLIFF, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK

ELIZABETH A. CIAMPI, SECRETARIA DE DISTRITO 159421

LEGAL NOTICE

REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff - against - M&H ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING INC., et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on January 16, 2026. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y.

11501 on the 16th day of April, 2026 at 2:00

PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Glenwood Landing, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Premises known as 14 Vine Street, Glenwood Landing, NY 11547.

(Section: 20, Block: 43, Lot: 205)

Approximate amount of lien $505,692.65 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.

Index No. 605771/2024. Christy M. DeMelfi, Esq., Referee.

McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409

For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832

Dated: February 4, 2026

During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 158910

LEGAL NOTICE

NORTH SHORE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

SEA CLIFF, NEW YORK INVITATION TO BID: CARPENTRY SUPPLIES

BID SCHOOL YEAR 2026-2027

Participating Districts:

North Shore Central School District & Glen Cove School District

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that sealed bids will be received by the Board of Education, North Shore Central School District, 112 Franklin Avenue, Sea Cliff, New York, 11579, for Carpentry Supplies Bid Receipt Day & Time: April 21st, 2026 at 11.00am

Bids will be received until the above-stated hour of prevailing time and date to the attention of Matthew Backes, Director of Facilities at the Business Office of North Shore Central School District located at 112 Franklin Avenue, Sea Cliff, NY 11579. Promptly at 11:00am prevailing time on April 21st, 2026. Bids will be opened and read aloud.

OBTAINING DOCUMENTS: Specifications and bid forms may be obtained via email Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm, excluding holidays. Requests for bid documents must be sent via email to Mathew Cheravallil cheravallilm@northsho reschools.org .

Bid Submissions:

Each board of education reserves the right to waive any informalities in or to reject any or all bids, or to accept that bid which, in the Board of Education’s judgment, is in the best interest of the School District. The Board of Education further reserves the right to consider experience, service and reputation in the above referenced fields. In addition, the Board of Education reserves the right to consider the financial responsibility and specific qualifications, set forth

in the bid specifications, of the prospective bidder in evaluation of the bids and award of contracts.

BOARD OF EDUCATION

North Shore Central School District

By: Elizabeth Ciampi, District Clerk 159424

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

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC

HEARING

PROPOSED LOCAL LAW

A-2026

INCORPORATED

VILLAGE OF BROOKVILLE

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that a public hearing will be held before and by the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Brookville, Nassau County, New York at the AHRC located at 189 Wheatley Road in said Village on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

The hearing will be on whether to enact proposed Local Law A-2026, entitled “Property Tax Cap,” which will override the tax levy limit established in the General Municipal Law Section 3-c as it pertains to the Village of Brookville.

A copy of the proposed Local Law A-2026 is on file at the Village Hall located at 18 Horse Hill Road, Brookville, New York, where it may be reviewed between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. during usual business days until the time of the hearing.

All interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard at said hearing.

Dated: March 18, 2026

By Order of the Board of Trustees

Winsome Citarella Village Clerk/Treasurer 159423

READ THEM

Takeout Hunting Tips

I’m always hunting for new takeout, which requires persistence and human-restaurantradar. This month, I’m happy to share four of my takeout hunting tips. Give these tips a try and you’ll find:

ZoZo’s on the Bay (424 Bayville Ave., Bayville)

Tip #1: Take a scenic drive to the end of a street you’ve never visited. That’s the way I discovered this new family-friendly restaurant with pizza galore and much more. During my visit, the place was filled with neighborhood families and friends ordering foods ranging from 20 types of Neapolitan, woodfired pizza, to six types of Detroit-style pizza, plus pasta, sandwiches, calzones, soups, salads and four versions of Nonna’s meatballs. If you build your own pizza, you can add 17 different toppings.

ie, and the to-die-for Oatmeal cookie. They all have width and height! When I bite into any old regular cookie, I expect it to be soft and chewy, or crunchy and nutty, or chocolate-y and buttery. Miraculously, Bill’s cookies are all of these at the same time. He bakes with his suit on as soon as he gets home from work.

Danny’s Chinese Kitchen (147 Mineola Ave., Roslyn)

I ordered a Margherita pizza with soft dough underneath joined by a crisp crust on top. I also ordered a Greek salad on the side, which was so large, I was delightfully surprised to carry the leftovers home.

Sugar Daddy Baker (63 Fourteenth Ave., Sea Cliff)

Tip #2: In a quaint neighborhood, stroll along the side streets. That’s the way I stumbled on this amazing Cookie Stand in front of a private home. Every Sunday at 8 a.m., the homeowner/licensed baker, Bill Kocis, places incredible cookies on shelves which you can purchase on the spot or order in advance through the website (www. sugardaddybaker.com). A few of my favorites are the Chocolate Walnut Crunch cookie, the Papa Bar, the Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter cook -

Tip #3: While traveling past a strip of stores on a busy street, drive slowly. You won’t want to miss a small, new restaurant. That’s the way I found this new Chinese takeout café. The enormous menu includes all popular Chinese dishes, plus many highlights. I love the vegetable zoodles—which are a mixture of shredded zucchini, carrots, bamboo shoots and mushrooms. I also love the 47 types of soups on the menu including “China Town Style” noodle soups. The proteins and vegetables are vibrant and super fresh. Best of all, every meal includes three fortune cookies. I love deciding which one I think is true.

Dough & Co Pizza Oyster Bay (25 E. Main St., Oyster Bay)

Tip #4: If you notice a restaurant has closed, stalk the location in case a new café opens in its place. That’s the way I found this new artisan pizza shop. There are many gourmet slices to go, in addition to whole pies that are round, square, GF, vegan, or created with cauliflower. I loved my spinach and artichoke slice in a shallot cream on a thin square. The ingredients worked together so beautifully, they seemed to say, “We got this. We’ll be annoyed if you add more toppings.”

The big ta-daah at the end of my meal was the Italian-style donut filled with pistachio cream. Twelve different versions will be coming soon!

See you next month.

NEWs bRIEf

Town to host marine education day

Town of Oyster Bay residents are invited to participate in an Oyster Bay Harbor spring cleanup and marine education day, scheduled for April 18 (rain date May 2) at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Bay, the day offers volunteers an opportunity to give back to the environment by removing litter from the shoreline and below. Volunteers are invited to participate in the harbor cleanup, which will run from 9 a.m. to noon. The central meeting place will be Theodore Roosevelt

Memorial Park launching ramps and waterfront gazebo off of Larrabee Avenue in Oyster Bay. Additional locations for the clean-up include Stehli Beach in Bayville and Centre Island Beach in Bayville. Certificates are available upon request for students seeking to fulfill volunteer requirements.

To register, visit OysterBayTown. com/volunteerform or call the Department of Environmental Resources at (516) 677-5943.

—Will Sheeline

opinions Blakeman doesn’t know who planned Jan. 6?

County Executive Bruce Blakeman was the keynote speaker at a dinner honoring John Eastman — the disgraced attorney widely known as the chief legal architect of the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol — and then claimed that he didn’t know “who John Eastman is or what he stands for.”

That is not ignorance. That is a calculated insult to every New Yorker who watched Jan. 6 on live television. It is classic deception.

Eastman drafted the memos telling Vice President Mike Pence he could simply discard the certified electoral votes of states President Trump lost. He stood on the stage at the Ellipse on Jan. 6 and laid out his case for “fraud” and “dead people” voting — before thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, leaving multiple people dead and more than 100 police officers injured.

The man is not obscure. He is infamous.

And yet the Queens Village Republican Club chose to honor him with a “freedom fighter” award. And Blakeman, who’s now running for governor, chose to be the keynote speaker.

The real “freedom fighters” of Jan. 6 are the law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to save our democracy, not those who ginned up the crowd with lies.

oThis was not an isolated lapse. It was also reported that Blakeman was scheduled to be a featured speaker at a Long Island event at which Stewart Rhodes — the Oath Keepers founder who was sentenced to 18 years for seditious conspiracy — spoke, and which included a man who pleaded guilty to storming the Capitol. Blakeman’s name was on the poster. His biography is on their website.

school student in New York to receive instruction on the Jan. 6 insurrection.

As Trump continues his self-serving effort to erase that infamous day from the memory of history, New Yorkers will fulfill our solemn obligation to teach our children the truth.

ur legislation would ensure that New York’s public-school children do.

A pattern is not a coincidence. A design is not inadvertence.

Blakeman’s blatant cynicism, so reminiscent of the man he holds the umbrella for, and that of so many of Trump’s other sycophants, is why I am sponsoring legislation in the Assembly, along with Sen. John Liu in the Senate, which would require every public-

The legislation exists because the people responsible for Jan. 6 have spent years trying to make the country forget what happened. Trump has called it a “day of love,” and as he promised throughout the campaign leading to his second election victory, he made it one of his first actions to issue a proclamation pardoning more than 1,200 people who were involved and halting the ongoing prosecution of many more. People convicted of violent assaults on police. Insurrectionists recast as heroes, and in Trump’s own words, “patriots.”

Not since the War of 1812, when British forces set fire to the Capitol, have the halls of power in Washington been overtaken by violent intruders as they were on Jan. 6. With this legislation, we would ensure that it’s a day that will not be forgotten.

The American Historical Association

writes that “teaching today’s events, which are not a ‘moment,’ but the product of a long history, presents a familiar, yet unusually urgent, challenge: How can students use historical knowledge and thinking to understand the present?”

Young people are looking to their teachers to help them understand both history and current events. New York’s educators have a responsibility to help our students understand what happened on that day, and to help them analyze the legacy of that historic moment.

Bruce Blakeman’s bogus claim of ignorance, “I don’t know who Eastman is,” is a continuation of the effort to make the public forget, and just another pretext to stay on Trump’s good side while attempting to fool New Yorkers into thinking he isn’t as extreme as the president.

If Blakeman genuinely doesn’t know who Eastman is, New York’s schoolchildren soon will. And if he does know, then he owes voters a truthful explanation of why he believes Eastman is an appropriate person to honor, and what that says about the kind of governor he would be.

New Yorkers don’t forget. And we don’t elect governors who pretend to.

Charles Lavine represents the 13th Assembly District.

The county exec fails to deliver on his big promises

on March 9, we all heard a polished speech, with a lot of promises, from Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. But the county needs leaders that not only make promises, but keep them. Over and over again, Blakeman has failed to meet that standard. When he first ran for county executive in 2021, he promised to fix Nassau’s assessment system. Fast-forward five years, and it’s more broken than ever before. Why? Because Blakeman has kept the assessment rolls frozen ever since he took office. Whether you challenge your assessment or not, this hurts all county taxpayers. However, it benefits the tax grievance firms that fund his political campaigns.

Blakeman promised to deliver tax cuts — but there hasn’t been one. Rather than use $385 million in federal pandemic relief funds to directly help families and small businesses, he used it to cover budget deficits. And instead of giving the people tax breaks, he wasted tens of millions of dollars on politically con-

nected lawyers, parades and galas. As families get crushed by soaring prices from the tariffs that Blakeman supported with his Rose Garden appearance, this is a critical failure.

That should make you ask, if he doesn’t keep his promises at home, why should we believe that he’ll do it for New York state?

During Blakeman’s last campaign, he promised that his only focus was serving the people of Nassau County. Literally the day after being re-elected, he began talking about running for governor.

make his budget look better. Ninety percent of these funds remain unspent — while families continue to lose loved ones to addiction and overdoses.

These aren’t the actions of a bipartisan leader, or someone who is focused on their job.

n assau residents deserve leadership that is focused on their needs.

Now we’re hearing new promises about working across the aisle to get things done. The truth is that Blakeman is one of the most partisan elected officials I have ever dealt with. He ignores requests from the Democratic caucus to meet on critical issues, like fixing aging roads and sewers and improving our parks. While Democratic lawmakers waited for vital public safety grants, Blakeman handed out big prop checks for election photo ops. Our lifesaving first responders are still waiting for the actual money.

Blakeman sat on nearly $100 million in opioid settlement funds, intended to prevent addiction and save lives, just to

We’re all very proud that, under former County Executive Laura Curran, Nassau became the safest county in America — and we need to make sure that it stays that way in the future. Today, police staffing is below required levels, and the number of 911 operators is far below safe levels. This will only get worse as a wave of early retirements take effect.

Blakeman continues to divert county detectives to assist ICE — all while a critical detective shortage remains unaddressed. There has been no transparency from the administration on why Nassau taxpayers should be covering the costs of an agency that just got $75 billion in new federal funding.

And, he has refused to shed light on his dangerous, illegal armed militia — likely because court records showed that he is related to at least one member, and several have criminal and arrest records. As a fiduciary of this county, I question why Blakeman would

expose Nassau taxpayers to so much risk.

While all of this has been happening, he has failed the basics. He promised billions of dollars in economic development at the Hub and at Nassau Community College, but didn’t deliver a dime. Nassau University Medical Center, our only safety-net hospital, was so dysfunctional that the state was forced to take it over to save it. Routine tasks, such as filling potholes in county roads, are ignored.

Nassau County deserves better. Campaign promises are easy, but governing requires focus to succeed. Compare Blakeman’s promises to what he has actually done. You will see the gap between rhetoric and reality, and how politics comes before public service. Nassau residents deserve leadership that is focused on their needs — not personal ambition.

We, the members of the Democratic caucus, will continue trying to work with this administration to get our fair share of funding, especially for our first responders. Again, the future is best predicted by the past. I encourage everyone to keep that in mind — especially later this year.

Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, of Glen Cove, represents Nassau County’s 11th Legislative District and is the Legislature’s minority leader.

Rhonda GliCkman

Vice President - Sales

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offiCe

2 Endo Boulevard

Garden City, NY 11530

Phone: (516) 569-4000

Fax: (516) 569-4942

Web: seacliff.liherald.com

glenhead.liherald.com

HERALD

Smart housing reform needs local trust

New York’s housing crisis is undeniable. Rents are high, supply is tight and too many families are struggling to find a place to call home.

In response, Albany is advancing proposals like the REVIVE Act alongside Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Let Them Build agenda — efforts designed to cut red tape and accelerate development.

The goal is right. The challenge is getting the approach right, too. At the heart of the debate is a familiar tension: how to build faster without sacrificing thoughtful planning and public trust.

It’s not just about process; it’s about trust. Residents are more likely to support new housing when they believe their voices are heard. Developers are more likely to invest when rules are consistent. And elected officials are more effective when they can balance urgency with accountability.

Supporters of reform make a compelling case. New York’s development process is notoriously slow and expensive. Reviews under the State Environmental Quality Review Act can stretch timelines by years, even for projects that ultimately pose little or no environmental risk.

According to state data, projects can take up to 56 percent longer to start compared with other states, and cost up to $45,000 per unit on Long Island. Those costs are usually passed on to renters and buyers. In a state where affordability is already a crisis, those inefficiencies matter.

The REVIVE Act seeks to address this by targeting underused commercial properties — shopping centers, office

letters

Keeping things in numerical perspective in the Middle East

To the Editor:

parks and large parking lots — and encouraging their conversion into housing. In concept, this is smart policy. Repurposing dormant or declining properties into vibrant residential communities can ease the housing shortage while revitalizing local economies.

But the concerns raised by local officials and residents are just as valid. Critics argue that the legislation could sideline local zoning authority, limit public hearings and reduce meaningful community input.

The inclusion of a “deemed approved” provision — allowing projects to move forward automatically if municipalities fail to act within an expedited timeline — is a flashpoint.

One side says projects would move forward without public hearings or meaningful community input. That might overstate the case, but it isn’t entirely off base. The proposal appears to compress timelines and shift leverage away from local governments. If those timelines are too tight, or if municipalities lack the resources to review complex proposals quickly, the result could be approvals by default rather than by design.

And what about the timeline itself? That remains a critical detail. Without clear and reasonable deadlines, “expedited” can quickly become “unworkable.” Municipal boards might need additional support to operate on stateimposed clocks. If they are rushed, oversight suffers. If they miss deadlines, community members may feel that decisions are being made for them, not with them.

Yet it would be a mistake to dismiss

With all the rhetoric being bandied about over the war in the Middle East, I would like to add something that rarely seems to enter into the discussion. That is the size of the various sides. My source is the 2025 World Almanac.

Israel has an area of approximately 8,470 square miles, which is about the size of the state of New Jersey. The West Bank and Gaza have a combined area of about 2,402 square miles, which is about the size of the city of Detroit and the state of Delaware.

The area of Israel’s near neighbors — Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon — is just over 1.3 million square miles, or about one-third the size of the United States.

The population of Israel is just over 9.4 million. The population of the West Bank and Gaza is just

the need for reform altogether. Doing nothing is not an option. The current system is too slow, too costly and too unpredictable. Developers face uncertainty and communities can miss opportunities.

The answer lies not in choosing sides, but in combining the best ideas from both. New York should streamline environmental review for projects that consistently demonstrate minimal impact, particularly those on previously developed sites. It should set clear, enforceable timelines for decisions.

Those timelines, however, must be realistic, and paired with resources, training and technical assistance for local governments. The state’s proposal to modernize permitting and create a “permitting academy” is a step in the right direction.

At the same time, local decision-making must be preserved. Communities deserve a voice in shaping their neighborhoods, especially when it comes to density, infrastructure and quality of life. Public hearings should not be eliminated, but they can be made more efficient and focused.

If “deemed approved” provisions are included, they must come with safeguards: flexibility for municipalities acting in good faith, transparency in the review process and mechanisms to ensure that projects meet clear standards before moving forward.

New York doesn’t need a rushed solution. It needs a smart one. Albany has an opportunity to get this right. By blending efficiency with oversight, and speed with community input, lawmakers can craft a housing policy that works for all.

opinions

Warm bodies don’t add up to expertise

most of the harm done by an incompetent cabinet doesn’t show up on cable news. It shows up slowly — in weakened institutions, degraded norms and decisions whose consequences only become visible much later.

After a year of this administration, fatigue and noise have made it easier to stop paying close attention to who is actually running the federal government. That’s understandable. The damage rarely arrives with sirens. But it does accumulate, quietly and bureaucratically, in ways that are difficult to reverse once they are finally recognized. every cabinet position, every agency head, every senior appointment comes with an assumption baked in: that the person selected has some meaningful relationship to the work itself. not perfection. not brilliance. competence — earned familiarity with the terrain. Anything less isn’t leadership; it’s negligence.

In a functional government, leadership roles are filled by people who have spent years grappling with the problems they are tasked to manage — often imperfectly, sometimes frustratingly,

Letters

under 5.4 million. The population of Israel’s near neighbors is 188.2 million. As a reference, the population of the United States is nearly 342 million. There are rights and wrongs on both sides, but the constant drive to destroy Israel is not the correct solution to these issues.

LAwrence Levy Rockville Centre

but with a working knowledge of consequences. Increasingly, that assumption appears optional.

consider Pete Hegseth, elevated to oversee military matters after a career defined more by media performance than institutional leadership. Public visibility isn’t the same thing as operational command, and confidence on camera doesn’t translate to managing the readiness and morale of millions of service members. Or take

Kash Patel, whose record suggests a talent for political combat rather than institutional stewardship, now entrusted with matters of national security and justice that demand discretion, restraint and credibility.

Hypocrisy may be common in politics, but it becomes more troubling when it appears to be a qualification rather than a liability.

p resident Trump’s pattern of appointments is nothing short of dangerous.

Then there are those whose careers have been shaped by opposition to the very missions they are now meant to steward. Lee Zeldin, long skeptical of environmental regulation, is tasked with protecting it, which requires not merely administrative oversight, but belief in the legitimacy of the mission itself. russ vought has spent years arguing that much of the federal government shouldn’t exist, and now occupies a position that allows him to weaken institutions from the inside. This isn’t reform; it is inversion, with dismantling as a form of leadership and hostility as a governing philosophy.

Other appointments raise different alarms. robert F. Kennedy Jr. brings notoriety rather than scientific grounding to public health, an arena where misinformation has already proven deadly. Linda McMahon arrives with business credentials that bear little connection to education policy. Pam Bondi has repeatedly blurred the line between law enforcement and political loyalty, raising questions about whether the law is being served or selectively shielded.

The same pattern is visible even in vice President J.D. vance, whose rise has been fueled less by governing experience than by ideological performance. His background as a venture capitalist and culture-war commentator offered little preparation for executive leadership at the national level, where persuasion, coalition-building and institutional knowledge should matter more than rhetorical combat.

To be clear, the problem here is not ideology. conservatives can govern. Liberals can govern. Outsiders can sometimes govern very well. The problem is indifference to competence itself — the idea that anyone can do anything

Framework by Tim Baker

as long as they are loyal to the person at the top.

That’s not how complex systems work. we understand this instinctively in ordinary life: experience matters, familiarity matters, and the work itself sets limits on who can reasonably do it. Government is no exception.

what makes President Trump’s pattern of appointments especially dangerous is that many of these offices exist precisely to restrain power — to enforce laws, protect public health, manage national security and safeguard the environment. when those roles are filled by people hostile to their purpose, the damage does not announce itself all at once. It accumulates quietly, and often irreversibly.

If these appointees were merely adequate, it would be far better than what we are seeing. Adequacy would mean respect for expertise, patience with complexity and an understanding that governing is not performance art. warm bodies don’t add up to expertise. These positions are not symbolic, and they are not rewards. They are work — technical, demanding work that carries real consequences. Most of us would never accept lower standards in our own lives, whether at a hospital, a school or a job site. There is no legitimate reason to accept them here.

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

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