Sea Cliff/Glen Head Herald 04-09-2026

learning about fairy tales at Sea Cliff

Sea Cliff School first graders celebrated the annual Fairy Tale Ball on March 25, where they sang songs and showed off their knowledge of folk tales. Story, more photos, Page 19.

Flag raising celebrates inclusion for North Shore neurodivergence

By RoKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

The movement to redefine how New Yorkers understand neurodiversity is gaining momentum — and much of that progress can be traced back to one advocate’s vision. For Josh Mirsky, 33, a Jericho resident on the autism spectrum, that vision took shape in the form of a flag. Bold in color, direct in message and designed to challenge long-standing stigmas.

“I was bullied tremendously; I already faced all this bigotry when I was a kid,” Mirsky said. “There are deep-seated societal stigmas… and these are the kinds of things I’m trying to change.”

Mirsky’s design, known as the Neurodiversity Strength Flag, raised in Glen Cove on Tuesday, features a red-and-gold color scheme with an infinity symbol set inside a diamond. Each element carries meaning: red represents power and resilience, gold signifies value and equality, and the infinity symbol reflects the wide spectrum of how neurodivergent people think, learn and behave.

“It’s meant to be bold. It’s meant to be almost in your face, because that’s the only way to make change,” he said.

What began as a personal mission has since

Board adopts 2026-27 spending plan

By JUlIA CAPITEllI jcapitelli@liherald.com

The Sea Cliff village board adopted a $7.86 million budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year this week, along with a measure to allow the tax levy increase to exceed the state cap. The proposed spending plan is 2.89 percent larger than the current budget.

In a presentation Tuesday night, Mayor Elena Villafane noted the various rising costs the village is facing, including insurance premiums, unfunded state mandates and, most likely, fuel and energy.

Jroughly $6.5 million by 2.27 percent. Average homeowners in Sea Cliff can expect their taxes to increase by $159, or $13.25 per month.

ust as you in your own home are feeling the pinch of increased costs, we here in the village are experiencing those same costs across all our budget categories.

Villafane emphasized that the board thought the decision to exceed the state tax cap was necessary, and that she and the trustees, Nick Pinto, George Williams, Mark Sobel and James Versocki intend to be transparent and fiscally responsible. She credited them for their work, along with Village Treasurer Judy Phelp, Clerk Sarah Beaudin and Administrator Bruce Kennedy.

ElENA VIll AfANE Mayor

“Just as you in your own home are feeling the pinch of increased costs,” Villafane said, “we here in the village are experiencing those same costs across all our budget categories.”

The proposed tax levy is roughly $6.7 million, which exceeds the state limit of

“We have spent countless hours going over the budget,” Villafane said, “having meetings with our vendors, and looking at every possible place where we could cut so that we did not have to go one nickel over that which was absolutely necessary.”

“No one likes to raise taxes,” Pinto, the deputy

Continued on page 7

Local student named National Merit finalist

By JULIA CAPITELLI jcapitelli@liherald.com

Even when she was in elementary school, Joanna Kim strove to perform to a high standard. Now, the high school senior has been named a National Merit Scholarship finalist.

Kim received the news during a school day in February, similarly to when she learned she was a semifinalist.

“I think it was also through an email,” Kim said. “So, I was like ‘nice!’”

The score a student receives on the PSAT/NMSQT determines whether they will be considered for a National Merit Scholarship. To qualify as a finalist, students must also be planning to enroll fulltime in college the next fall, be endorsed by their high school principal, have a record of high academic performance throughout high school including in any college level courses, complete the application including an essay and earn a score on the SAT or ACT that confirms their PSAT/NMSQT performance.

Kim said that studying for the SAT was what most helped her to score high enough to be considered for the scholarship. Students can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship when they take the PSAT as a junior. Kim said that she thought qualifying was achievable.

“I think I remember,” she said, “having in my mind this was a specific goal

that I wanted to obtain.”

Kim described herself as always having been “self-motivated,” and said that this played a large role in qualifying.

“I feel like I always try to push myself academically because I know what I’m capable of, but also I have a very good support system around me,” she said. “My family is always very supportive, and I have good friends.”

Aside from her academic performance, Kim has been involved in extracurricular activities in high school. She has been playing the violin since third grade and said she plans to continue in college sine it is something she enjoys.

Throughout high school, Kim has been in North Shore’s chamber orchestra. She also plays in the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York, a highlevel orchestra that gives Long Island student musicians an opportunity to rehearse and perform with recognized leaders in music education and performance. Kim said that seeing people around her achieving their goals has always been inspiring to her.

“When I was an underclassmen, I would always look up to the seniors and be like, ‘Wow, they’re doing such cool things’,” she said, “like research or in orchestra, and I would always aspire to be like them a little.”

Kim has also been a part of North Shore’s microbes and anatomy club since her sophomore year of high school.

In elementary school, Kim was a part of Glenwood Landing’s enrichment program, led by Audra Marcantonio.

“I remember I really enjoyed those because I remember in elementary school, I used to be pretty bored in class

all the time,” Kim said. “But this helped me. That program was really interesting for me, so then it helped me to push myself outside of the classroom.”

Kim described the college application process as being “a lot” at the beginning but said she was able to get all of her applications in with time to spare on her deadlines. She credited her guidance counselor, Tim Shea with being paramount to helping her get through the process.

“He’s been so helpful,” Kim said. “I feel like I’ve been bombarding him with questions every once in a while, but then he always answers them, and he’s always happy to help out. So, that’s been a huge help.”

Now that she has been accepted, Kim said she plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study chemistry in the fall. She took Advanced Placement chemistry sophomore year at North Shore, and said that she liked it a lot even though it was the hardest class she had taken up to that point

She also had the opportunity to do organic chemistry research during a summer program at St. John’s University the summer before her junior year.

“That was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” Kim said. “I enjoyed it all so much, and it was super fun. And it kind of made me see how chemistry could be applied in real life.”

Exploring Sea Cliff’s history through architecture

By JULIA CAPITELLI jcapitelli@liherald.com

Originally a summer resort town in the late 1800s, Sea Cliff’s grounds were filled with Victorian and Gothic style houses. Many of those houses have have been preserved, and hold their own history as residents continue to live in them today.

Affluent people in the late 1800s, largely from Brooklyn, often spent their summers in Sea Cliff where they owned homes. Village Museum Director Courtney Chambers said that in addition to religious practice, primarily Methodist, these summer visits were recreational.

“They were swimming, they were sailing,” she said, “they were playing tennis, they were having parties.”

The Sea Cliff Landmarks Association was founded in 1972 to honor and preserve the village’s architectural and historical heritage. Visitors to the association’s website can request access to a database containing information on many Sea Cliff structures. Leslie Guerci, president of the landmarks association, explained that home prices in Sea Cliff were low due to redlining after World War II and that many artistic people could afford to move into the village during the 1950s and 60s.

She added that developers stayed out of Sea Cliff during this time, allowing the architecture to remain largely intact.

“I think one of the interesting things about Sea Cliff,” Guerci said, “is that it was preserved by neglect.”

Among the late 1800s houses that are still standing is “The Woodshed,” located at 115 Central Ave. According to the landmarks association, the Carpen-

ter Gothic style house was built in 1888 as a summer boarding house and residence for John Wood, a businessman who built the first gymnasium in New York City. It hosted paying guests until 1915, after Wood’s death.

The Woodshed was used in the movie “Family Reunion,” starring Bette Davis, in 1981. Though the year of the occurrence is unclear, an application for demolition was submitted, and preservationists began requiring a land -

marks review before any demolitions could be approved. Along with several other Sea Cliff houses, the Woodshed is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“I think our architecture is definitely appreciated by the people in the village and visitors to the village,” Chambers said, “and is something that makes us really special.”

Previously the Monterey Hotel from 1895-1912, the Second Empire style

house at 362 Sea Cliff Ave. was built in 1875. After a fire, it was expanded in 1893 to accommodate more guests, according to the landmarks association.

After its use as a hotel, it became a summer house in the 1900s. Rosemarie Pucci, a nun, archaeologist and teacher, lived in the house with her mother and aunt, to whom it was left in 1974. Pucci denied a real estate agent’s suggestion to demolish the house and sell the land, and she was responsible for the house’s restoration. She was also involved with the landmarks association early on. 362 Sea Cliff Ave. is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

While Guerci joked that she would be in trouble for choosing a favorite house in the village, she mentioned a few with their own stories. For example, sets of “twin” houses that are identical, one set on Prospect Avenue and the other on Maple Avenue. She also said the landmarks association once stopped a developer from tearing down the house at 19 Locust Place.

“It’s a magnificent house inside,” Guerci said. “It is thought to have had a speakeasy.”

Guerci described Sea Cliff as “one of the most charming towns” she has ever been to. The median home price in Sea Cliff is $1.4 million which is above that of Nassau County in general at $889,999, according to realtor.com. Guerci said she is not against contemporary architecture in the village but does not like certain trends.

“I hate to see people take the traditional architecture,” she said, “and make it generic.”

For more information, visit the landmarks association website at SeaCliffLandmarks.org.

THE GREAT BOOK GuRu

A salon soap

Dear Great Book Guru, It has been a wonderful week of celebrations: Easter and Passover feasts, family and friends gathering for seders, egg hunts, and lots of chocolate! As always when we are together, the topic of good books comes up. One of the partygoers recommended a book set in a nail salon… any thoughts?

Holiday Book Lover

Dear Holiday Book Lover, “Pick A Colour” by Souvankham Thammavongsa is a beautifully written look into a world many of us think we know …but do we really? Set over one day in a small nail salon, this short novel (under two hundred pages) introduces us to a myriad of characters described by a first-person narrator, Ning, owner of the shop. Her five employees all wear Susan name tags, identical black dresses, and have the same hairstyles so that their privileged cli -

ents assume their “Susan” is always ready, always available to meet their needs. There is a practiced script the workers follow – carefully enunciating “pick a color” twice and quickly offering a “ten dollar” special if a customer objects to a price. Throughout the day, Ning and her employees talk in their native language about their customers with great humor, insight, and – yes - crudity. Ning lives alone above the shop in a sparse studio apartment, and we learn that she had been a famous boxer in her earlier years. Lessons she had learned in the ring come back to her as she maneuvers the intricacies of her daily existence. This book is a subtle look into the immigrant experience, workplace relationships, and the shifting dynamics of power. Highly recommended.

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

NEws BRiEf

Sea Cliff’s Love Your Neighbor Project has opened the application for its “All You Need is Love” grant. The $500 grant will be awarded to one North Shore School District resident to be used for a proposed project. The winner will be chosen for a proposed project that best aligns with the organization’s mission of “social goodness.” The application can be found at lynp.org. Submissions are due by April 15 at 11:59 p.m.

Love Your Neighbor Project also offers the All You Need is Love schol -

arship. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to up to three North Shore High School graduating seniors. Last year’s recipients were Jared White, Kaitlin Ho and Kalista Lin.

Both the scholarships and grant originated from the organization’s All You Need is Love Prom Night in 2023. They are meant to fund projects by neighbors, classes, groups and clubs within the school district and support graduating seniors.

— Julia Capitelli

ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460

■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: rglickman@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643

■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com

Cliff/Glen

Following the music from Sea Cliff to Great Britain

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

For Lily Perrotta, the cello has been part of her life since childhood, beginning in the music classes at Sea Cliff School and now carrying her across the Atlantic for graduate study in the United Kingdom.

Perrotta, who is completing the final year of her undergraduate degree in instrumental performance at Temple University in Philadelphia, will attend the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire at Birmingham City University, where she plans to focus on both Baroque and modern cello.

The move marks the culmination of years of study for Perrotta, who first picked up the instrument as a child in Sea Cliff. She said she began playing around age 8, as part of musical education in the district.

“Well, I don’t think I chose it,” Perrotta joked. “I think that they just gave it to me because I was tall for third grader.”

What began as a school assignment gradually evolved over the years, though not without challenges. Like many young musicians, Perrotta went through a period of frustration with the instrument.

“I loved it, and then I went through sort of a period where I hated it, and then I came back to loving it after like 10th grade in high school,” she said, “and that was when I decided to pursue it professionally.”

Her renewed passion came through the music itself, particularly the repertoire she discovered as she matured as a performer. Perrotta’s musical interests lie primarily in Western classical music, with a special love for Renaissance and Baroque works.

She said the conservatoire’s flexibility was a major factor in her decision.

“They offered me the opportunity to do whatever I wanted, and create my own course plan, so I could do Baroque cello and modern cello,” Perrotta said. “I really liked the idea that I could create my own degree.”

Her graduate program at Temple culminated in two recital performances rath-

Lily Perrotta of Sea Cliff will be taking her talents at cello across the pond to Birmingham City University, where she will pursue a master’s degree in the classical instrument.

er than a written thesis, which were held on April 1. Perrotta said she had long planned to pursue a master’s degree and knew she wanted to do so abroad.

Her choice of the United Kingdom was not initially specific, but after studying in Rome last summer and exploring opportunities overseas, the British conservatoire emerged as the right fit.

Currently, Perrotta balances performing with teaching, an aspect of the profession she has come to love. She teaches mostly children through a youth orchestra program in Trenton and Princeton, New Jersey, while also working with private students.

As she looks ahead to Birmingham, she said the city’s vibrant student population and musical culture remind her of Philadelphia.

“Like Philly… I feel like it’s often overlooked,” Perrotta said. “But there’s some really excellent schools and musicians here, and there’s a real, really competitive and in interesting musical culture here, and I’m getting the same vibe from Birmingham.”

SEEKING TO FULFILL

Detail-oriented and organized secretary handling calendar management, correspondence, record keeping, overseeing mail receipt and processing light number of invoices. Water Authority will pay at a range of $30 to $40 per hour. Estimated monthly hours of work, approximately 15 to 20 hours. Please submit your proposal by email to (info@wanorthshoreny.gov), or mail to the above post office address.

ELIZABETH POIROT

WEST HEMPSTEAD Senior Lacrosse

ONE OF NASSAU COUNTY’S most prolific scorers, Poirot shares the Herald’s 2026 High School Lacrosse preview cover with Seaford’s Brian Falk. Poirot earned Honorable Mention All-County honors last spring after dominating the scoresheet for a second straight season and helping the Rams to 11 wins. As a junior, she racked up 77 goals to go along with 38 assists. This after in 2024 the dynamic attack scored 74 goals and had 25 assists.

games to watch

Friday, April 10

Softball: Plainedge at Mineola 10 a.m.

Softball: Plainview at Carey 10 a.m.

Softball:

Softball: Floral Park at South Side

Softball: East Meadow at Farmingdale 10 a.m.

Baseball: Kennedy at Calhoun 10 a.m.

Baseball: Long Beach at South Side 10 a.m.

Baseball: Glen Cove at Hewlett 10 a.m.

Baseball: Garden City at MacArthur 10 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Wantagh at North Shore

Girls Lacrosse: Oceanside at Wantagh

Girls Lacrosse: Plainedge at Lynbrook 11

Girls Lacrosse: West Hempstead at Elmont 5 p.m.

Saturday, April 11

Girls Lacrosse: East Meadow at Plainedge 9 a.m.

Softball: V.S. Central at V.S. South 10 a.m.

Softball: North Shore at Hewlett 10 a.m.

Softball: Freeport at East Rockaway 10 a.m.

Softball: Massapequa at Oceanside 10 a.m.

Softball: Elmont at West Hempstead 10 a.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Locust Valley at Seaford 2 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

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

HERALD SPORTS

Improved pitching bolsters Vikings

By MARC BERMAN sports@liherald.com

Through the first four games, the North Shore baseball team soared to an undefeated record with a pitching staff that dominated.

In two wins apiece over Locust Valley and Valley Stream North, North Shore didn’t allow a run and issued seven walks.

The offseason mantra had paid off during its 4-0 start. Junior lefty Brady Ayres went 2-0 with 18 strikeouts. Jake Lau was equally solid as he flirted with a no-hitter against Locust Valley April 2, allowing his first hit in the seventh inning.

“I’m proud the boys put in the work we needed to do,’’ North Shore coach Rob Gates said. “Our pitching wasn’t good enough last year. That was our biggest focus all winter along. We put away the radar gun and high-tech stuff and went back to charting balls and strikes. We’ve seen a gigantic improvement. All of our guys are pounding the zone.’’

North Shore took its 4-0 record into a two-game series versus Class A powerhouse Plainedge last Saturday and Monday.

“When I saw schedule, I wanted to come out of the gates 4-0 going into Plainedge,’’ Gates said. “And there we were. They’re a measuring stick but I would like to see us compete against them.’’

The first Plainedge match was a sobering 15-0 defeat in which the Vikings got nohit. However, that was followed by North Shore flexing its pitching muscle, taking a two-run lead into the sixth inning before Plainedge rallied for a 6-4 win.

It was still a superlative pitching performance by senior Marco Visintainer, who carried a shutout into the bottom of the sixth.

“We’re still young and growing,’’ Gates said. “We didn’t have to beat them Saturday and Monday. We have to beat them in the playoffs.”

North Shore finished just 7-13 in 2025, missing the Class A playoffs in League 2. In the new format, all teams are bunched under the same Class A umbrella with 8 of

11 teams making the postseason.

“The (4-0) start puts us in good position no matter what happened against Plainedge,’’ Gates said.

That’s because of the deep pitching staff that also includes senior pitcher Aurelio Cagno. Visintainer and Cagno combined for a 1-hitter March 30. Valley Stream North.

When not pitching, Ayres (first baseman) and Lau (second baseman) are still in the lineup, both flirting around .400 during the 4-0 start.

The duo will key the playoff push. Ayres has been in the rotation since freshman year. Lau’s control has been exquisite with his three-pitch mix.

“(Ayres) is the guy who made the jump we needed,’’ Gates said. “A legit Game 1 starter.’’

Hitting-wise, the Vikings are usually

formidable when Plainedge isn’t the foe. Senior James Camardella, who missed last season with a knee injury, has six RBI in the first four games and homered on opening day.

An All-League outfielder as a sophomore, Liam Ricco is back doing damage with six RBI, five runs scored and a homer and is arguably their best hitter.

Senior Jonathan Versocki is a catcher and third baseman and hit.500 in the first four wins. Versocki and Canon Evans rotate at catcher and have been super steady with just one passed ball.

With Plainedge out of the way, the future looks advantageous. “It’s 20 games so it’s too early to say,’’ Gates said of making the playoffs. “But last year we had two freshman, six sophomores playing a lot and we had growing pains as young team, young lineup. But we’ve made the jump.’’

Village spending to increase by 2.9 percent

mayor, said on Wednesday. “But this was unavoidable, and it was necessary.”

One of the “revenue highlights” in the spending plan is the village’s new policy of billing insurance providers for ambulance transports. There will be no out-of-pocket cost for residents. The revenue from the ambulance trips will be put in a reserve fund for future equipment replacement rather than being used for village operations.

General government allocations, which include health and disability insurance for village employees, will increase to roughly $2.64 million, an increase of just over $10,000. The costs of hospital and medical insurance, as well as contributions to the state retirement system have increased. The village has eliminated a staff position, which will almost fully offset these expenses.

One category of spending that will increase significantly is library transfers, the amount budgeted for library operations, to nearly $440,600, a hike of just under $140,600. The library built up a fund balance during the pandemic, which has been used to finance operations over the past three years, but the village is returning to funding the library through the regular budget because the fund balance has been depleted.

“This reflects a return to sustainable, ongoing funding,” Villafane said, “rather than reliance on one-time reserves.”

Debt service, the amount the village owes in a given year because of borrowing, will drop to just under $195,200 next year, a decrease of nearly $159,600. According to Villafane, the village has maintained low debt levels and earned a high bond rating from the state comptroller, meaning that it is on solid financial

the Sea Cliff village board adopted the proposed 2026-27 budget and a provision to exceed

tuesday.

ground. This can help it negotiate advantageous borrowing agreements.

There are capital projects planned that Villafane said would lead to a higher cost of debt service in the future.

According to the presentation, the village expects to fund four equipment purchases next year, for Village Hall, the Department of Public Works and the Fire Department, with capital borrowing.

Assigned reserves are being used to make purchases for the DPW and the Fire Department as well as improvements at the Village Museum including steps, lighting and repairs. Grant matches for Fire Department equipment, a zoning update, a study of the village’s Safe Streets for All plan and the bus for the Sea

Cliff Senior Outreach network will also be funded by assigned reserves.

“This approach balances responsible use of reserves with long-term financing for major capital needs.” Villafane explained.

In a statement on Wednesday, Williams reiterated the board’s view that the tax increase is necessary. “We have managed to stay within the cap and below inflation over the last few years by prudent fiscal management and judicious use of reserve funds,” he wrote. “However, we have reached a point where we simply have to increase the tax ley to maintain a sustainable financial footing for the village going forward.”

The board will hold its next public meeting on April 15.

Premier Business Women of Long Island Awards honor top female leaders and innovators

By Abbey Salvemini

The room at The Heritage Club at Bethpage was filled with energy, ambition and a shared sense of purpose on March 25 as business leaders gathered for the 2026 Premier Business Women of Long Island Awards. This annual event honored outstanding women who are not only achieving success within their respective industries but also driving innovation and meaningful change across them.

At the heart of the evening was a clear and resonant message: women are no longer waiting for opportunities to be granted; they are creating their own paths and redefining leadership on their own terms.

Amy Amato, executive director of corporate relations and events at Richner Communications, set the tone early in the night, encouraging attendees to “take a look around this room” as a reflection of progress. She also emphasized the significance of the occasion. “Tonight is about celebrating the incredible women who are leading, building and shaping our community,” she said.

She added that the event is part of a broader mission to create spaces “where women don’t just sit at the table, they own the room,” reinforcing the evening’s theme of empowerment and visibility.

She praised the honorees not only for their professional achievements but also for their role in transforming their industries. “You are not just leaders in your field, you are redefining them,’ she said.

Stuart Richner, CEO of Richner Communications, echoed that statement, reflecting on the company’s history and his mother, Edith Richner, a co-founder who once stood alone as the only woman at the table nearly six decades ago. “If she were here tonight, she would be incredibly proud to see a room filled with such accomplished, driven and inspiring women,” he said.

The evening also highlighted the importance of giving back, with proceeds supporting Baby Essentials of Long Island, an organization dedicated to helping families in need provide safe and healthy starts for their children. Richner emphasized the organization’s mission to assist parents facing financial hardship and other challenges, adding a deeper sense of purpose to the celebration.

The honorees themselves brought the evening to life, sharing personal

stories of resilience, leadership and determination that resonated throughout the room.

Among them, Carol Gomes was recognized in the Healthcare and Wellness category, highlighting her leadership as CEO and COO of Stony Brook University Hospital. Reflecting on what it means to be a woman in business today, she described it as a sense of empowerment and the confidence to lead with strong conviction.

“We are nowhere near where we need to be; we’re making progress, but there are still many opportunities to advance women into higher leadership positions,” she said.

Ana Ludemann, MBA, was honored in the Financial Services category, celebrating her success in a competitive, male-dominated industry. Now a vice president and wealth management financial advisor, she built her career after arriving in the United States in 2014 with just $100. Her journey underscored the importance of perseverance and mindset.

“If you work hard and do right by people, there is no way you will not succeed,” she said, adding that resilience is defined not by obstacles, but by how one responds to them.

Honorees in the Insurance and

Rising Stars Under 40, Evelyn Gellar and Jillian Kashuba of Forest Hills Financial Group, echoed the evening’s central themes. Together, they emphasized that while women are increasingly supporting one another and rising into leadership, challenges remain — particularly around work-life balance and equitable opportunities. Their message was clear: building networks and lifting each other up is essential to sustaining momentum in a competitive industry.

Another highlight of the evening was the recognition of the Power Team award, which honored a group of women from St. Joseph’s University. Among them, Jessica McAleer Decatur, Vice President of marketing and communications, reflected on the significance of the recognition and the responsibility that comes with it.

“To follow in the footsteps of these pioneering women is deeply meaningful. As part of the next generation of women leaders, I hope not only to carry forward their legacy, but also to inspire the next generation,” she said.

Throughout the evening, the room buzzed with energy and camaraderie as powerful women mingled,

exchanged stories and shared insights across industries. The atmosphere reinforced the idea that success is not achieved in isolation, but through collaboration, mentorship and a shared commitment to lifting others along the way. Conversations extended beyond individual accomplishments, focusing instead on creating lasting impact and opening doors for the next generation of women leaders.

The event also celebrated the sponsors and partners whose support made the evening possible, including Forest Hills Financial Group, Long Island Contractors Association, and our centerpiece sponsor, St. Joseph’s University. Their involvement underscored the Long Island business community’s ongoing commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion and opportunity.

As the evening ended, the message remained clear: progress is underway, and the future of women in business is being shaped through the shared determination and collaboration of everyone present.

To learn more, see additional photos and view the complete list of honorees and sponsors, visit richnerlive.com.

Celebrating Easter Sunday at Morgan Park

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

Community members gathered at sunrise at Morgan Memorial Park for the 10th annual Bilingual Community Easter Dawn Service, a tradition that brought together local churches in a shared celebration of Easter and its message of renewal.

R“It was 10 years ago today that three churches said, ‘we all share something in common as Christians, and that is the resurrection,” organizer Gaitley StevensonMathews said at the start of the service. “And that is where this service began.”

esurrection this morning is about letting go so that the new and the unseen can come into your life.

THE REV. ROGER WILLIAMS

Held along the waterfront overlooking Hempstead Harbor, the early morning service began around 7 a.m., with attendees standing together in prayer, music and reflection as daylight broke through the cloudy sky.

The event, which began in 2016 with the Presbyterian Church, Calvary AME Church and Iglesia Ciudad de Refugio, has grown into a multi-church gathering emphasizing unity across denominations and cultures. The service was conducted in both English and Spanish, reflecting Glen Cove’s diverse community.

Though unable to attend due to health reasons, Pastor Tommy Lanham of Glen Cove Christian Church delivered a recorded prayer centered on togetherness.

“As we come together as a body of believers from different churches, from different traditions, to worship you and

to celebrate the resurrection of your son, Jesus Christ,” Lanham said.

Throughout the service, attendees took turns proclaiming “Christ is risen” in their native languages, reinforcing the event’s inclusive spirit.

Clergy members reflected on the meaning of the holiday and its symbolism of light overcoming darkness. The Rev. Fr. Philip Sandrick drew a comparison between the morning’s overcast sky and the message of hope central to the day.

“The physical sun is still shining just as that light of Christ’s truth shines in the darkness,” Sandrick said.

The Rev. Roger Williams emphasized the personal meaning of the resurrection, describing it as an opportunity for renewal.

“Resurrection this morning is about letting go so that the new and the unseen can come into your life,” Williams said.

Music and spoken word complement-

ed the natural setting, while a 16-foot cross placed along the beach served as a focal point for reflection.

Easter, one of the most significant holidays in Christianity, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which believers say occurred three days after his crucifixion. The holiday is observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox, meaning its date varies each year. It marks the culmination of Holy Week, which includes Good Friday, and symbolizes hope, renewal and new life.

The Glen Cove service drew roughly 100 to 150 attendees and served as a unifying moment before many participants continued on to individual church services later in the day.

Over the past decade, the Easter dawn service has become a meaningful local tradition, offering residents an opportunity to gather across cultural and denominational lines in reflection and shared faith at sunrise.

Bessent, Blakeman tout Trump’s tax cuts

By JULIA CAPITELLI jcapitelli@liherald.com

To promote President Trump’s economic agenda, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited Long Island and took part in a panel discussion with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and business executives from across the county.

The March 30 discussion, at the county legislative building, focused on three aspects of the Working Families Tax Cut Act: the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime pay, the creation of so-called Trump Accounts and the higher cap on the income tax deduction for state and local taxes. Under the law, parents can open and contribute funds to accounts for their children under age 18. As part of the pilot program for the accounts, children born during Trump’s term will receive $1,000 from the Treasury Department.

“It’s something that’s going to help every family in America,” Blakeman, the Republican candidate for governor, said of the program.

The law includes an increase in the state and local tax deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000. It also allocates roughly $170 billion to carry out the administration’s immigration and border objectives, and raises the federal debt ceiling to $5 trillion.

“That’s the American way,” Bessent said of the tax cuts. “Work harder, keep more of your money.”

The SALT deduction avoids double taxation and allows certain taxpayers to reduce their federally taxable income. To offset the cost created by this and the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, the law cuts nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid and reduces food assistance and clean-energy incentives.

Panelists shared their perspectives on the law, mostly as it relates to their businesses. Michael Serao, exec-

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and several business executives discussed President Trump’s economic agenda on March 30.

utive vice president and chief administrative officer of First Central Savings Bank, claimed that Trump Accounts could help students build financial literacy.

But much of the discussion focused on the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, and the SALT deduction. “I am surrounded by hardworking people, who come into the diner and tell me how happy they are about their tax returns and about how much more money they are getting back,” Gus Tsiorvas, owner of the Embassy Diner, in Bethpage, said.

According to the Internal Revenue Service, the average tax refund this year is roughly 10 percent higher than it was in March 2025. “This means more discretionary spending here in Nassau County,” County Comptroller Elaine Phillips said, “which allows

Bruce not to raise taxes.”

Blakeman reiterated his assertion that Nassau is “the safest county in America where we haven’t raised taxes one penny in four years.”

In a statement about Blakeman’s use of taxpayer resources to campaign as everyday costs escalate, Democratic County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton said the Bessent visit was “as shameless as it gets.”

“Nassau residents aren’t stupid — they feel the squeeze every time they fill up, check out at the grocery store, or pay a bill,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “The cost-of-living crisis is real, and it’s being driven directly by the disastrous tariffs and global instability coming from the same out-of-touch allies in Washington [Blakeman] continues to stand with.”

L.I. Association hosts state transport chief

Presentation by DOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez ranges from speeding to potholes

By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com

The Long Island Association hosted state Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez as a guest speaker last week. Dominguez spoke about Gov. Kathy Hochul’s fiscal year 2027 executive budget and policy proposals for the DOT.

Appearing at LIA headquarters in Melville on March 31, Dominguez explained that Hochul’s administration matched the federal funding for New York state’s transportation needs from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021 with a five-year, $35 billion plan. Hochul added $800 million to the plan last year to offset the cost of tariffs and inflation.

“Our federal dollars are expiring on Sept. 30, which presents a unique challenge,” Dominguez said. “We need to make sure that we are positioning New York for the next level of transportation funding.”

She detailed Hochul’s proposed spending plan, which totals $260 billion. Federal funding is down 11.4 percent, or $10.3 billion, and state operating funds have increased by $157 billion. The state is expecting $17 billion more in state revenue over the next two years than earlier estimates.

“The governor is committed to economic growth and making sure there is a social safety net, and funding that social safety net across the board without increasing taxes,” Dominguez said. “In sum, the 2027 Executive Budget successfully balances two simultaneous realities that we have real momentum here in New York, and addressing the volatility that we know is ahead.”

The budget plan includes automated work-zone speed enforcement with new

speed cameras. Dominguez noted that some drivers have been speeding at over 100 miles per hour through work zones, according to the cameras.

The budget proposes deployment of the cameras on non-controlled-access highways, like Sunrise Highway. It also proposes protections for highway maintenance workers against violent assault.

Dominguez also touched on Hochul’s plan to lower the cost of car insurance.

The plan proposes changes to the state’s auto insurance laws that will punish perpetrators of staged car crashes.

The spending plan also includes funding for filling potholes on main roadways. “We are on a blitz statewide addressing potholes,” Dominguez said. It proposes investments of $107 million for paving on Long Island, including 50 miles of the Northern State Parkway and 35 miles of Sunrise Highway.

Action Long Island representative Michael Rodin suggested more improvements he wanted to see. “We want to make sure public transit is a part of the DOT’s agenda in the future,” he said. “We want roads to be able to accommodate buses as well as more cars — a lot of people take public transit to work.”

When the presentation was open for questions, Dominguez addressed a concern about independent contractors’ coverage under the anti-assault provisions in the budget. “The worker assault provision covers state employees as well as independent contractors,” she said.

“We need to make sure elected officials understand that transit and the lives of transit workers are important, so they fund initiatives to help these efforts and these people,” Marc Herbst, executive director of the Long Island Contractors Association, said. “If we don’t ask, they don’t respond.”

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.

Learn more about how we’re helping communities thrive. psegliny.com/revitalization

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. APRIL 16 • 10AM-12:30PM

+ Q&A RAFFLE DRAWINGS MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN

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

‘A massive win for every... neurodivergent person’

evolved into a statewide movement.

In 2021, the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities launched a design contest to create an official symbol for neurodiversity awareness. Nearly 40 submissions were reviewed, with individuals who have lived experience helping select the final design — Mirsky’s.

Since then, the flag has steadily gained recognition across New York. This year marks a major milestone: for the first time, landmarks throughout the state are being illuminated in red, white and gold in honor of Neurodiversity Acceptance Month.

“This is a massive win for every single neurodivergent person in the state of New York,” Mirsky said.

Behind that progress is a growing coalition of advocates and public officials working to elevate the message of inclusion — including Charles D. Lavine, who has been instrumental in supporting Mirsky’s efforts.

Lavine, who represents parts of Sea Cliff and Oyster Bay, has helped bring the initiative into the public sphere, coordinating local events and advocating for broader recognition at the state level. Though he was unable to attend the recent flag-raising ceremony in Glen Cove due to legislative obligations in Albany, he emphasized the importance of the movement in a

statement.

“I am very proud of Josh Mirsky’s efforts to promote the understanding that each of us learns differently and that it is our responsibility to guarantee that everyone is treated with respect and equality,” Lavine said.

Mirsky said that kind of institutional support has been critical — not just in advancing awareness, but in ensuring the effort remains inclusive and effective.

“A very beautiful thing which is happening is I’m noticing it’s becoming bipartisan,” he said. “Because if it becomes partisan then you’re going to have one side not wanting it, then the other.”

At the state level, officials have also embraced the initiative as part of a broader shift in how neurodiversity is discussed and understood.

Commissioner Willow Baer of the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities said the flag represents more than awareness — it signals a move toward recognition and celebration.

“I am so proud to fly New York’s Neurodiversity Strength Flag to represent belonging for the tens of thousands of self-neurodiverse New Yorkers who add value to our families, workplaces, and communities,” Baer wrote in a statement. “The new colors of red, white, and gold shift the narra-

tive from one of acceptance to one of celebration.”

That shift reflects a broader understanding of neurodiversity itself. The concept encompasses conditions such as autism, dyslexia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and frames them as natural variations in brain function rather than deficits.

Advocates say that perspective is essential — not only in reducing stigma, but in creating more inclusive schools, workplaces and communities.

For Mirsky, the mission remains deeply personal. He often speaks about the importance of confronting stigma head-on and encouraging others not to internalize negative perceptions.

“Don’t hate yourself because you can always figure stuff out,” he previously told the Herald. “Lots of times people hate themselves because they internalize all the stigma, and that never turns out well.”

By creating a symbol that is equally bold and unmistakable, Mirsky hopes to spark similar change for the neurodivergent community.

Years after first bringing his idea to Lavine, he said the growing recognition of the flag — from local ceremonies to statewide displays — is both validating and motivating.

“It took a lot of hard work every day,” he said. “But it’s worth it.”

BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Come learn about local disability rights pioneer Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. and explore over 125 artifacts highlighting the fight for equal opportunity for people with disabilities.

The museum provides an inclusive, fully accessible experience for all visitors and is the perfect place to spend a fun and educational day with your family. School field trips and group tours welcome.

STEPPING OUT

‘Rent’ star Adam Pascal returns to reimagine the jukebox musical

By Iris Wiener

When Adam Pascal pulls into Long Island these days, it’s not just a commute; it’s a homecoming layered with memory, coincidence, and creative possibility. This spring, the Tony-nominated performer-turned-director from Syosset is channeling all of that into “Feels Like the First Time: The Foreigner Musical.”

The new production premieres April 17 at the Little Theatre on Long Island University’s Brookville campus.

The project, created in collaboration with the legendary rock band Foreigner, marks the launch of LIU’s New Works Initiative and Pascal’s tenure as the university’s inaugural Artist-in-Residence. But for Pascal, the journey to this moment is anything but typical.

The path to directing the show began not in a rehearsal room, but at a backyard barbecue.

“Tom Dunn [Tilles Center’s creative producer, executive/artistic Director and Dean of LIU’s College of Arts and Design] lives across the street from my sister. I first met Tom and his wife at a barbecue,” Pascal relates. “Tom said, ‘We’re doing this thing. Do you want to direct it?’”

From there, the pieces quickly began to align. A previous version of the musical had been developed, but Pascal and the team — including book writer Stephen Garvey and arranger David Abbinanti — set out to reshape it into something fresh: a high-energy, heart-driven story set in the 1980s, centered on three families whose lives collide when a rock star arrives for a backyard concert after an MTV contest win.

“We wanted to create something that was fun and that had heart, that understood its purpose using Foreigner’s music,” Pascal says.

That purpose, however, comes with a unique creative challenge. The musical weaves iconic songs into an original narrative — a process Pascal describes as both complex and deeply collaborative.

“You’re creating a story, and in many ways building a scene backwards,” he explains. “You have these lyrics that were never written to be narrative in that way, so you have to do a lot of reverse engineering.”

Still, that creative freedom is part of the appeal.

“We get to reimagine these songs,” he adds. “They’ve now become narrative storytelling songs.”

The new musical features a company of 26 performers, primarily LIU students — a fact Pascal calls fortuitous.

“The combination of this process, this particular show, and this university … it couldn’t have been a better melding of all things.”

For Pascal, working with students isn’t just about mentorship — it’s personal, as he has two sons the same age as the young cast. His directing style reflects that perspective, blending instinct, experience and a focus on emotional authenticity.

“I approach it from a much more naturalistic and real place. I’m trying to orchestrate a picture and to get them to use their emotions in a physical way.”

That lived-in approach comes from decades in the industry, which includes roles in Broadway’s “Aida,” “Memphis” and “Something Rotten,” besides the iconic“Rent.” However, Pascal quickly points out that he was never formally trained.

New Works Initiative, an incubator for developing and refining new theatrical works by both emerging and established writers.

• Friday through Sunday, April 17-19 and Thursday through Sunday, April 23-26, varied times

• Tickets are $43.82, $17.82 students; available at tillescenter.org/events

• Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville

“My approach can only be [described as] a layman approach. I’m fortunate enough to now have 30 years of experience making musicals.”

And yet, for all his Broadway credentials, Pascal is candid about the challenges facing the industry today — particularly the financial barriers that make developing new work increasingly difficult in New York City.

“We all have to change the mindset about working in New York,” he says bluntly, pointing to rising production costs and systemic issues. Instead, he sees projects like “Feels Like the First Time” as part of a larger shift — one that prioritizes creativity, collaboration and accessibility over tradition and expense.

“I want to take the power out of Broadway’s hands and put it back into the hands of people who make theater,” he states.

That philosophy is evident in the show’s development process, which Pascal praises for its efficiency and clarity of vision.

For LIU students like Anna Frost, being part of that process is nothing short of transformative. A senior serving as dramaturg for the show, Frost is deeply embedded in the rehearsal rooms, helping to shape the evolving script.

“It is so exciting for me to work on a show which is in development,” she says. “I get to work with a living, breathing text.”

For her, the experience underscores the importance of new work in today’s theatrical landscape.

“There has to be new art that is relevant to what is happening now,” she adds. “Getting to be a part of something that will be history is really cool.”

Pascal agrees and hopes the students recognize the significance of their involvement.

“They’ll forever be connected to this show as the first people that played these characters,” he says. “If the show becomes a hit, they’ll always have that on their resume.”

That sense of legacy resonates deeply with Pascal himself, particularly given his return to Long Island. He remains deeply connected to his roots, and optimistic about its potential as a hub for theatrical innovation.

“There’s no better place for it,” he says of LIU. “They have the facilities, the desire and the proximity to the city.”

As for what’s next, Pascal continues to develop new musicals through his production company, including an adaptation of “Ruthless People.” He’s also set to direct “Our Little Secret: A True New Musical” in Toronto. For now, “Feels Like the First Time” offers something that feels incredibly meaningful — -a chance to build, collaborate, and rediscover the spark that started it all.

Or, as Pascal might put it, to make it feel like the first time all over again.

Mike DelGuidice

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 Joel’s beloved classics, he weaves in his own original songs, showcasing the songwriting that has earned him a devoted following. 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 and wide.

Friday and Saturday, April 10-11, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Fleetwood Macked

Eighteen years ago Fleetwood Macked set out to provide audiences with the truest live Fleetwood Mac experience as possible and haven’t stopped since. Much of the realism comes from the New York-based band’s history. Husband and wife musical team Hillary and Michael Epstein (Stevie and Lindsey) and friends Tracy Wells, Jay Novas, Phil Weiss and Andrew Nadien (Christine, John and Mick) have made great music together in various incarnations that finally all came together with their mutual love of Fleetwood Mac. They are and have always been professional touring rock musicians, which also adds to the authenticity of the sound of the band. Fleetwood Macked live brings audiences the passion, depth, heart, and the musicianship Fleetwood Mac’s music requires. Out of love and respect musical liberties are not taken, songs are recreated just as Fleetwood Mac intended them.

Friday, April 10, 8 p.m. $48. My Father’s Place 1221 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn. Tickets available at mfpproductions.com.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

APR

9

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

APR

11

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

APR

12

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

Micky Dolenz

• Time: Noon •

(516) 671-0080

APR

25

Branches in Bloom Spring Festival

Visit Planting Fields during the magical time when the spring landscape comes alive with color and fragrance. All are welcome to a new spring festival taking root in celebration of Arbor Day. Centered on the spectacular collections of magnolias and flowering cherries near the expansive lawn west of the Main House, the festival showcases hundreds of trees at the height of their bloom: an unforgettable celebration of spring in full flower! The festival includes educational displays and demonstrations, guided tours of the historic grounds, entertainment, music, and family-friendly activities. $30 per car. Registration required.

• Where: West Lawn, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay

• Time: 11 a.m-4 p.m., also April 26

• Time: 8 p.m.

Micky Dolenz celebrates the 60th anniversary of The Monkees with a special tour honoring the band’s enduring legacy and timeless sound. In this nostalgic and high-spirited performance, Dolenz takes audiences on a musical journey through The Monkees’ rise to fame, performing their biggest hits in chronological order while sharing personal stories from his decades in entertainment. As the last surviving member of the beloved group, Dolenz brings both heart and history to the stage, paying tribute to bandmates Davy Jones, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith, while celebrating the fans who helped transform a fictional TV band into a global sensation. A true entertainment veteran, Dolenz’s career spans decades and disciplines — from his early days as a child star on “Circus Boy” to his work as a singer, actor, director and radio host. In recent years, he has continued to keep The Monkees’ music alive for new generations, including a solo tour performing the group’s 1967 album “Headquarters” in its entirety. This is sure to be a heartfelt, hit-filled evening that blends music, memories and a lasting connection to one of pop culture’s most iconic acts.

APR

14

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

APR 15

Village board meets

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

• Where: 300 Sea Cliff Ave., Sea Cliff

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 671-0080

APR 16

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 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

APR

18

Tunes with Orlo Billingsly and Deirdre & Adam

The Sea Cliff Arts Council welcomes mult-instrumentalist and producer Orlo Billingsly, Sea Cliff musicians Deirdre and

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

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

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.

• Contact: SeaCliffArtsCouncil. org

Artist talk

APR

19

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

APR

21

Ed Lieberman on ‘Van Gogh Self Portraits’

The Sea Cliff Senior Outreach Network hosts former Mayor Ed Lieberman for a discussion of the works of Van Gogh accompanied by art at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

• Where: 253 Glen Ave., Sea Cliff

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

Earth Day Exploration

Join certified guide Linda Lombardo on a spring walk at Sands Point Preserve. Celebrate Earth Day on the trails searching for the signs of spring all around us. Look for swelling buds, emerging wildflowers, animal tracks in the soil, newly built nests, and other clues that the season is changing. Along the way, discuss what these discoveries tell us about the plants and animals that call this place home — and how everything is connected in early spring. $15 ($10 members). $5 children (member children free) .

• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point

• Time: 10 a.m.-noon

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

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.

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

LSCG2-2

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)

LEGAL NOTICE

RESOLUTION NO. 31, YEAR 2026

Inc. Village of Sea Cliff

RESOLVED, that the following is a listing of dates for the 2026/27 Board Meetings to take place at Sea Cliff Village Hall, 300 Sea Cliff Avenue:

Monday May 4, 2026 Conference Meeting

Monday May 11, 2026 Public Meeting

Monday June 1, 2026 Conference Meeting

Monday June 8, 2026 Public Meeting

Monday July 6, 2026 Conference Meeting

Monday July 13, 2026 Public Meeting

Monday August 3, 2026 Conference Meeting**one meeting in August

Tuesday September 8, 2026 Conference Meeting

Monday September 14, 2026 Public Meeting

Monday October 5, 2026 Conference Meeting

Tuesday October 13, 2026 Public Meeting

Monday November 2, 2026 Conference Meeting

Monday November 9, 2026 Public Meeting

Monday December 7, 2026 Conference Meeting

Monday December 14, 2026 Public Meeting

Monday January 4, 2027 Conference Meeting

Monday January 11, 2027 Public Meeting

Monday February 1, 2027 Conference Meeting

Monday February 8, 2027 Public Meeting

Monday March 1, 2027 Conference

Monday March 8, 2027 Board Meeting

Monday April 5, 2027 Organizational Meeting

Note: Conference meetings are scheduled for 6:00 pm Board Meetings are scheduled for 7:00 pm

The Mayor may schedule special meetings in accordance with New York State Law 159567

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

Students told stories and performed skits as part of the Fairy Tale Ball.

of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 158910

LEGAL NOTICE THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF BROOKVILLE Zoning Board of Appeals Notice of Public Hearing 18 Horse Hill Road Brookville, N.Y. 11545 (516) 626-1792

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held before the Board of Zoning Appeals of the Incorporated Village of Brookville, Nassau County, New York in the main administration building of AHRC located at 189 Wheatley Road in said Village on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. when all interested persons will be given an opportunity to express their views.

The hearing will be on the appeal of Alex and Maria Nocerino, owners of a parcel of land in the Village known as 16 Old Wheatley Road, Brookville, NY 11545. Said property is designated as Section 18, Block B, Lot 246 on the Land and Tax

Map of Nassau County.

The Applicant seeks variances from the provisions of Chapter 218 (Zoning) §218.24.4 (M)(N) for the R-2 Residence District which limits the maximum allowable square footage of a pool cabana to 500 sf and the maximum allowable combined building volume to 104.008 cubic feet. Applicants propose to construct a pool cabana having a square footage of 668 sf and a combined building volume of 109,200 cubic feet.

The above application is on file at the Village office located at 18 Horse Hill Road, Brookville, NY 11545 where it may be reviewed between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by appointment (516) 626-0973 during the regular hours of the usual business days until the time of the hearing.

All interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard.

Vito Ranieri Chairman

Dated: March 26, 2026 159566

A fairy tale evening for Sea Cliff School students

Sea Cliff School first graders took to the stage to celebrate the annual Fairy Tale Ball. This interdisciplinary event culminated on March 25 following over a month of literary studies in folk and fairy tales as part of the English curriculum. It also combined many lessons in art and music.

As part of the English and Literacy curriculum, the first graders led by teachers Ashley Hassett-Bordes and Lisa Giurlanda focused on story elements including: settings, story lines, characterization, and problems and solutions. Prior to the celebration, they were taught about the

wonders of magic, repeating words, and happy endings.

Principal Megan McCormack, parents, families, and friends were invited to the Fairy Tale Ball where their children dressed up as characters in literature to become part of their favorite fairy tales including Cinderella, Goldilocks and The Three Bears, The Three Little Pigs, The Gingerbread Man, and Jack and the Beanstalk. During the celebration, activities included skits, poems, limericks, and fun songs.

—Will Sheeline

Sea Cliff School first graders learned about the elements of storytelling, including magic and happy endings, that define fairy tales.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE ASSESSOR’S NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF THE FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL THE ASSESSOR OF THE COUNTY OF NASSAU HEREBY GIVES NOTICE that he has completed the 2026/2027 final assessment roll, which will be used for the 2027 levy of Town and

County Taxes in the Towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay, and the City of Glen Cove and the City of Long Beach, and for the 2026/2027 levy of school taxes in such Towns and in the City of Long Beach. A certified electronic copy of the roll was filed with the Department of

Assessment on April 1, 2026. The electronic roll may be examined on public terminals located in the offices of: DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENT NASSAU COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING 240 OLD COUNTRY ROAD,

where the same will remain open for public inspection for fifteen days. Dated this 1st day of April 2026. JOSEHA A. ADAMO Assessor, Nassau County 159474

Did I ever tell you about my grad school?

Rosemary and I and our son Sean recently visited the University of Notre Dame. In many ways it was a homecoming.

Rosemary, her mother and her sister graduated from St. Mary’s College, adjacent to Notre Dame, in the days before it accepted female students. Her father and two brothers are Notre Dame grads. Our daughter Erin and I graduated from Notre Dame Law School, and Sean earned his MBA from Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business. Sean is now an affiliated scholar at the university’s Liu Institute for Asian Affairs, and regularly lectures on Asian geopolitics and economic policy at the institute and the Mendoza School. When I was growing up as an IrishCatholic kid in blue-collar Queens, Notre Dame embodied Irish-Catholic immigrant success in becoming a part of the American fabric and achieving the American dream. That success was exemplified by Notre Dame’s fabled football teams, which dominated college

football during that era. Of course, there was and is more to the university than football. Notre Dame was founded at a time of severe anti-Catholic bias in the country, led by hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan and the Know Nothing movement. There also was anti-Catholic bias in academia well into the 20th century, which Arthur Schlesinger Sr. described as “the anti-Semitism of intellectuals.”

My wife and I visited a university you may have heard of to watch our son in action.

Notre Dame, though, went beyond being a defensive religious fortress to making Catholic thought a part of American life, along with full acceptance of other religions, with open debate and finding common ground encouraged. Striking that balance can be difficult, but it is still working. Religious freedom was on display on the campus last year, when pro-Hamas demonstrations did not devolve into the antisemitic violence that occurred at other universities, such as Columbia. Students were given prescribed locations and time periods for demonstrations, and those who ignored them were arrested. The result was intelligent debate without violence.

Rosemary and I visited this year to meet with some of Sean’s academic colleagues and watch him in action. We

ialso walked around the campus, taking in iconic sights like the Golden Dome and rekindling old memories. On our first morning, we met with Frank Pomarico and his wife, Eileen. A Queens native and a graduate of St. Francis Prep, Frank was the captain of Notre Dame’s 1973 national champion football team, coached by the legendary Ara Parseghian. Frank and Eileen live in South Bend, and are amazingly friendly and interesting. It was a great way to start the day.

Then we walked over to the law school to meet with Diane Desierto, a professor of international law and human rights, a native of the Philippines, a friend of Sean’s and a true scholar. Desierto updated me on the state of the law school (all good), her strong belief that law students should be exposed to all sides of issues and that legal education must include a moral component.

We had lunch with Josh Gobel, a good friend and a longtime member of the South Bend Police Department who now works in the Notre Dame P.D. in various key capacities, including protecting visiting dignitaries, such as Supreme Court Justice Amy Cony Barrett — who

attended the law school at the same time as Erin. Great conversation with Josh, as always.

After a visit to the campus bookstore, Rosemary and I joined Sean at the Morris Inn on campus for dinner with Michel Hockx, a Chinese scholar and a professor at the Liu Institute, where Sean had just finished teaching a class. Hockx, who is originally from the Netherlands, has been teaching at Notre Dame for 10 years, and has worked with Sean on various projects. After dinner, we all walked to the Mendoza School to watch Sean give a lecture to a group of students preparing to visit Japan.

He discussed the intricacies of Japanese political, cultural and economic development since the end of World War II, the country’s relationship with the United States and the threats it faces from China. My biased opinion? A thoughtful, virtuoso performance. (He must have gotten it from Rosemary, who was a teacher.)

The next day we flew back to New York. Rosemary and I went home to Seaford, and Sean to his apartment in Manhattan — all three of us with new Notre Dame memories to share. And yes, Notre Dame football is still great. Go, Irish!

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

Will there be a blue wave this fall?

Is this the year of the blue wave? Will it be a modified one or a total rout? Is there any chance of a red wave? Not likely. But, once again, we are facing a year in which the U.S. House of Representatives, and perhaps the Senate, are up for grabs, and the early odds favor the party that’s out of power.

We often refer to political prognosticating it as “reading the tea leaves.” But tea leaves are no longer the best way to pick winners and losers. There are now so many more sophisticated ways to handicap the races, some of which we have been used for years and others that are brand new. The media is dominated by daily polling announcements, and if you give the polls any credence, they spell bad news for President Trump and the candidates of his party.

Poll after poll, whether from the left or the right, seem to indicate that this may be a very bad year for Republicans.

You know that things look bad for them when Fox News consistently announces polls showing that everyday Republicans and independents are slowly moving away from long-favored party candidates. In addition, wellknown commentators such as Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson are predicting only bad things for the party come November.

i’ve seen many waves, red and blue, which are part of the ups and downs of politics.

The newest form of political projections is occurring on such outlets as Kalshi and Polymarket. On Kalshi, people trade contracts on the outcome of real-world events. They are deep into gambling on sports events, but lately have also been involved in betting on political events. Polymarket is built on a crypto platform. People bet on “yes” and “no” shares that reflect the feelings of the bettors and their inkling to pick winners. Both platforms have become highly controversial. Demands are being made for them to be regulated by Congress, but that won’t happen soon.

If you want to find more reliable trends, pay attention to what’s going on in Washington and around the country. This year, more than 30 Republican

members of the House have announced that they won’t seek re-election. Some are campaigning for Senate seats and others are running for governor, but the vast majority of the retirees have announced that they’re eager to spend more time with their families, the age-old excuse to get out of Washington.

At last count, there were 35 House seats up for reelection that were tilting toward the Democrats. If the blue wave is really going to happen, most of those seats will go to the Democrats. In 2025 the party won major races in Virginia, New Jersey and New York. This year, a number of Democrats have had upset wins in races for state House seats in districts that Trump won in 2024 by wide margins. If these victories are any indication of the national trend, it’s all bad news for the Republicans.

Up to a few months ago, there was little or no talk about Democrats having any chance to take over the U.S. Senate, but the latest polls seem to show a tightening of the races in Maine, North Carolina, Texas and Ohio. If Democrats can

pull off any upsets in these key states, Jon Ossoff can hold on to his seat in Georgia and a newcomer can win in Michigan, the party’s chances of capturing the Senate will improve remarkably.

One of the more disturbing factors for Republicans is the fact that Trump hasn’t made any strong statements about his desire to see his party stay in power. He is promoting various ideas about how they can win at the ballot box, but any federal effort to take the power to oversee voting away from the states will likely be struck down as unconstitutional.

Having reached an advanced age, I’ve seen many waves, both red and blue. They sometimes last two years, and occasionally continue for four years. The swings back and forth between parties are part of the ups and downs of politics. So if it turns out that the Democrats have a great year, they’d better handle their newfound power very carefully, because two years can pass very quickly.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.

Local News Day now means more than ever

Somewhere on Long Island tonight, a village board will vote on a zoning variance, a school district will finalize a budget or a contractor will win a bid. None of it will lead the network news or trend on social media. But it will matter — to the family whose street gets rezoned, to the teachers whose contract is on the line, to the taxpayers footing the bill.

In most cases, a Herald reporter will be in that room. But in too many communities across the country — and increasingly in our own backyard — that reporter’s chair sits empty. And when no one is watching, things have a way of going sideways.

April 9 is Local News Day, a national moment to recognize what local news does, why it matters, and what we lose when it disappears.

Local news isn’t the shouting matches on cable or the partisan warfare that passes for national political coverage. Local news is the Rockville Centre St. Patrick’s Day parade and the Hewlett High School science fair. It’s the Nassau County budget hearing that will affect your property taxes for the next decade, the obituary that captures a neighbor’s life, and the investigation that stops a bad idea before it becomes law. At Richner Communications — publisher of the Long Island Herald — we’ve been doing this work since 1964. Sixty-two years, three generations, over 100 local employees, nearly 30 weekly newspapers.

The Founding Fathers understood the stakes. The free press is the only indus-

Your opinion Matters

try they considered important enough to protect by name in the Constitution. But we are failing that promise. Since 2004, one-third of all American newsrooms have closed. There are 43,000 fewer local reporters and editors working today than there were then. New York alone has lost nearly half its newspapers, and a quarter of the state’s counties now have one or no local news sources. Digital-only outlets have not filled the void.

Today, more than 2½ newspapers shutter in America each week. The consequences are documented and dire: Communities without local news see lower voter turnout, higher taxes and measurable increases in corruption, political polarization, and even toxic environmental emissions.

Wealth is no inoculation from this trend. The Scarsdale Inquirer was founded in 1901 and served one of the wealthiest communities in America for 123 years. It closed without warning in January 2024. The Westchester village — mirroring the demographics of many Long Island communities — still doesn’t have a newspaper over two years later.

Compounding this problem is the rise of artificial intelligence, which can now manufacture articles, quotes, and entire “news sites” that look authoritative and cost almost nothing to create. That means the news environment has only grown harder to navigate. Trusted news brands, with reporters who actually live and work in the communities they cover, are more important than ever. It’s the reason that we at the Herald use A.I. as a tool to support, not replace, the report-

ers you know and respect.

And yet the climate for news in America has rarely been more hostile than today. The United States now ranks 57th in the world in press freedom — labeled “problematic” by Reporters Without Borders, placing us alongside countries we’re accustomed to lecturing about democratic norms. Arrests of reporters and editors in America nearly tripled between 2023 and 2024. A national shield law for reporters has failed to pass Congress twice. Right now, the Pentagon is aggressively curtailing press access, a policy that flies in the face of a functioning democracy. The temperature in Washington sets a tone, and that tone travels — all the way to the reporters covering Long Island’s myriad municipal entities.

The Herald has always believed that local news is worth fighting for. It’s why we helped found the Empire State Local News Coalition, which won a first-of-itskind state tax credit for local newspapers. That legislation is already helping newspapers survive that might otherwise have gone dark, meaning that thousands of New Yorkers who might otherwise have lost their only trusted local news source still have one.

Every community gets the local news it deserves — which is to say, the local news it supports. If you want a paper that shows up, you have to show up for it. On Local News Day, make that decision. Subscribe. Advertise. Tell your neighbors. The Herald has been here for over a century. Whether we’re here for the next one is, in no small part, up to you.

opinions Washington must start solving problems

The American people are fed up.

The chaos at our airports was awful, the Department of Homeland Security has not been fully funded during these very dangerous times, and the people are demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement live up to the standards of all other federal law enforcement agencies. They are sick and tired of the endless blame game. All across America, people are demanding that politicians put partisanship aside and work together to fix the very real problems we face.

The anger and annoyance are real. And frankly, I agree.

That’s why I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation to immediately reopen DHS while advancing common-sense reforms to ICE. Alongside my Problem Solvers Caucus co-chair, Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, who served as an FBI agent for more than 15 years, I am trying to cut through the dysfunction, isolate the problem areas where negotiations have stalled and work together to actually get something done.

Our solution is common sense: fund the parts of the DHS where there are no disagreements, like disaster response and cybersecurity, and institute real reforms to ICE that most Americans have been hungering for. It only makes sense to hold ICE, a federal law-enforcement agency, to the same safety and accountability standards of every other bureau in the nation.

C alling us ‘Country Destroying, Radical Left Democrats’ doesn’t help.

That means body-camera and officer-identification requirements, higher training standards, a crackdown on roving patrols and limitations on agents wearing masks. The legislation would also lay out stronger warrant requirements and rules governing activity in sensitive locations to ensure that enforcement resources are focused on the “worst of the worst.”

It seems simple, but Congress has been in a political standoff that perfectly exemplifies what’s wrong with Washington. Let me explain.

The budget for the DHS is $97 billion. $87 billion of that funds everything from the TSA agents at our airports to Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster responses, cybersecurity units and the Coast Guard. The remaining $10 billion funds ICE.

Framework by Tim Baker

Democrats have been saying for weeks that they will fund the $87 billion that doesn’t go to ICE right now. That would have ended the airport disaster, paid our TSA agents far earlier and kept the core functions of DHS operating. We would not vote to fund the other $10 billion for ICE, however, until there were real reforms.

While Republicans resisted at first, there was eventually enough consensus among both Democratic and Republican members of Congress to at least reopen the non-ICE agencies of DHS. But just as bipartisan negotiations in the Senate were making progress, President Trump intervened with a directive to his party: “No deals with the Democrats.”

To be precise, he outlawed deals with the “Crazy, Country Destroying, Radical Left Democrats.”

That’s outrageous. Once again, that’s politics getting in the way of progress. Finger-pointing has been all too prevalent.

I have built my career on finding common ground for the common good. It has always been my philosophy that I’ll work with anyone, regardless of political party, to get things done for my constituents. As co-chair of the biparti-

san Problem Solvers Caucus, I’ve worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to tackle the nation’s toughest issues. Just a few months ago we passed legislation out of the House that extended health care tax credits to prevent skyrocketing premiums for millions. Unfortunately, then as now, the president got in the way, changing the debate from bipartisan health care wins to Venezuela and Greenland before the Senate could close the deal.

I represent a district that voted for Trump and for me. My constituents aren’t interested in partisan talking points — they want results. They want safe airports, secure borders, a functioning government and a lower cost of living. And they want their elected officials to work together to deliver.

People are concerned that the Department of Homeland Security has not been in the game. They’re outraged about the illegal and immoral behavior of ICE. And they’re frustrated that politicians are too busy pointing fingers to solve our problems.

We don’t have to choose between security and accountability. We can do both. We don’t have to accept dysfunction in Washington. And we certainly don’t have to tolerate political games when real people are being affected.

Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.

With its collections fully stocked and meeting spaces prepared, the library has officially reopened its doors to both long-term residents and newcomers. The return of this institution provides another high-quality resource, designed to support and enrich the local community.

Kathy Wallach

In real estate, nothing beats local knowledge. For a quarter of a century, I’ve lived in this neighborhood and specialized in selling homes within our North Shore School District. I understand the unique value of our community because I live it every single day.

From the opening of our newest resource like the Gold Coast Library to the hidden gems that make our streets special, I know what makes our area a destination. If you are looking for a broker who knows the history of your home and the heart of your neighborhood, let’s connect.

Associate Real Estate Broker | Gold Circle Charter Member c.516.353.4318 | kathywallach@danielgale.com

Sea Cliff Office | 329 Glen Cove Avenue, Sea Cliff, NY danielgale.com