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Blizzard blankets the Northeast Page 2 Schools mark first 100 days Page 3
On P.S. I Love You Day, Feb. 13, Seaford Manor Elementary School students showed off their notes listing acts of kindness, joined by social worker Jennifer DiMieri, far left, and Assistant Principal Rich Schwartz.
By lUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com
Students headed into February vacation wrapped in purple — and with a shared message of support.
Across the Wantagh, Seaford and Levittown school districts, purple shirts, handwritten notes and student-led initiatives marked P.S. I Love You Day on Feb. 13 — a growing movement to normalize conversations about mental health.
P.S. I Love You Day, held on the second Friday of February, was created by West Islip student Brooke DiPalma in 2011, to honor her father, a retired New York City police officer, who took his own life when Brooke was 14.
At Wantagh High School, members of Morgan’s Message, a club focused on mental well-being, set up in the lobby before the first bell rang, inviting classmates to sign a banner and talk.
Morgan’s Message is a nonprofit organi-
zation founded in the memory of Duke lacrosse player Morgan Rodgers, who died by suicide in July 2019. With over 1,900 chapters in high schools across the country, the organizations goal is to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental heath.
Though cliques remain part of high school life, adviser Valerie Gompers said the social barriers softened.
“Just talking to them and saying, ‘Oh, how was your day today?’” Gompers said. “It was a whole vibe, and everything about how they wanted everyone to feel included and to be a part of it.”
This year’s theme at Wantagh was “Be the Light.” Students wrote encouraging messages on purple hearts, created kindness chains and launched a “Pin for a Purpose” initiative, in which clothespins with uplifting notes were passed from student to student. “They didn’t want to let go of those pins,” Gompers added.
Around 50 club members decorated the
By lUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com
Several Long Island officials paid tribute to the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the longtime civil rights leader whose advocacy for a broad coalition of poor and marginalized Americans shaped national politics for decades after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s death.
Jackson’s death was confirmed by his family in a written statement last Tuesday. They wrote that the 84-year-old “died peacefully,” but did not list a specific cause of death.
HU.S. Rep. Laura Gillen described Jackson as one of the most consequential civil rights leaders in the nation’s history, adding that he dedicated his life to working toward a more free and just society.
is legacy fighting for the fundamental rights of Black Americans and to ‘Keep Hope Alive’ will never be lost.
“His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity,” the Feb. 17 statement read. “He elevated the voices of the voiceless — from his presidential campaigns in the 1980s to mobilizing millions to register to vote — leaving an indelible mark on history.”
lAURA GillEN
U.S. Representative
“His legacy fighting for the fundamental rights of Black Americans and to ‘Keep Hope Alive’ will never be lost,” Gillen wrote.
Peter King, who represented South Shore communities such as Wantagh and Seaford in Congress from 1993 to 2021, praised Jackson as a force of nature and a good man.
“Despite our political differences I had the opportunity to meet with Rev. Jackson a number of times,” King, a Seaford resident, wrote in a Feb. 17 Facebook post. “I always found him friendly, extremely intelligent and focused.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul described Jackson’s life as defined by courage and conviction.
COntInuED On PAgE 19
Heavy snow and strong winds swept through Wantagh and Seaford overnight into Monday, closing schools and libraries and knocking out power to thousands across Long Island.
The Levittown, Wantagh and Seaford school districts, along with local libraries, are closed Feb. 23 as the winter storm continues to impact the South Shore.
The major winter storm arrived as forecast, bringing significant snowfall and sustained winds that have downed trees, branches and power lines. As of 10 a.m., PSEG Long Island reported 15,118 of its 1.2 million customers across Long Island and the Rockaways were without power.
Since 3 p.m. Sunday, the utility said it has restored service to more than 15,000 customers affected by the storm. Nassau and Suffolk County imposed a temporary travel ban due to the storm.
“As the winds subside to safe levels over the next few hours, we will be deploying more and more crews to restore service to customers,” PSEG wrote in a Feb. 23 update. “For safety reasons, field crews at times may be unable to make repairs during periods of high winds.”
Due to sustained winds, snow-covered roads and difficult rear-property access, the utility warned that many outages could extend beyond 24 hours.
“PSEG Long Island recognizes that being without power for any length of time is a hardship and appreciates cus-
Snow blankets Walters Avenue near Pine Street in Wantagh as heavy snowfall and strong winds move through the South Shore on Feb. 23, reducing visibility and covering roadways and driveways.
tomers’ patience and understanding as crews work to restore electric service,” the statement said.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman previously outlined the county’s storm response plan at a news conference at Nickerson Beach in Lido Beach last Saturday.
“We’ll have about 75 trucks on the road, first salting and preparing the roads and highways,” Blakeman said. “When the accumulation reaches approximately three inches, they will be out plowing for
the duration.”
In Wantagh and Seaford, both within the Town of Hempstead, Supervisor John Ferretti urged residents to move vehicles off neighborhood streets to allow for curb-to-curb plowing.
“If there are fire hydrants in front of your home, please clear them out,” Ferretti pointed out. “So our first responders, in case of an emergency, have access to them.”
High winds combined with heavy, wet snow increase the likelihood of falling
A
backyard
several inches of windblown snow Feb. 23 as steady snowfall and gusting winds create near-whiteout conditions across the area.
tree limbs and downed power lines, officials said. Blakeman noted that “wet snow,” which accumulates heavier, is more likely to break branches, especially when paired with strong gusts.
Residents can report power outages directly to PSEG Long Island at (800) 4900075. Dial 911 only for emergencies, including medical situations or downed power lines.
—Staff Report
Kindergartners in the Seaford and Wantagh school districts marked the 100th day of school with celebrations, reflections and hands-on activities.
At Seaford Harbor Elementary School, students dressed as if they were 100 years old on Feb. 11, donning glasses, wigs, dresses and suspenders. They paraded through the school as students in first through fifth grades lined the hallways to cheer and give high-fives.
Back in their classrooms, students used 100 as inspiration for posters and crowns. They also stacked 100 cups, built with 100 blocks and made gumball machines with 100 colorful stamps.
At Mandalay Elementary School in Wantagh, students — also dressed as 100-year-olds — rotated through activity stations that highlighted the milestone. Family members volunteered to help with stacking cups, making gumball machines and rolling dice to reach 100.
In the days leading up to the Feb. 12 celebrations, students counted straws each day, bundling them by tens. Teachers read stories aloud, including “100th Day Worries” and “Fancy Nancy: The 100th Day of School.” Students practiced counting to 100 by ones and tens.
They also wrote about what they would do with $100. At home, students gathered 100 of a specific item to place in a clear plastic bag. At school, they analyzed the objects to compare size and weight in a math measuring activity.
The origins of celebrating the 100th day of school date back to 1979 in Livermore, California.
Teacher Lynn Taylor marked the 100th day in her classroom to help children understand the number 100, using a puppet of the “Sesame Street” character Count von Count to turn 100 pennies into a dollar.
The idea spread quickly. Teachers across the country adopted the 100-day celebration, turning it into a mainstream classroom event. Today, thousands of printable lesson plans, activities and celebration ideas are available.
The 100th day is viewed as an important milestone because it means students are more than halfway through the 180-day school year. It also highlights how much progress children have made since the beginning of the academic year.
Marking the 100th day is especially popular in kindergarten through second-grade classrooms, when teachers focus heavily on reinforcing foundational math skills and number recognition.
just before 9 p.m on Feb. 14.
By LUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com
Two house fires in Wantagh and Seaford were among seven that broke out across Nassau County within a 13-hour span, authorities said.
The Wantagh Fire Department responded to a house fire at 1662 Cornelius Ave. just before 9 p.m on Feb. 14. Third Assistant Chief Rich Mongiello arrived first and reported heavy flames along the side of the home. Downed electrical wires were sparking, prompting a request for PSEG Long Island to respond.
Chief of Department Bill Stevens assumed command shortly after arriving. Firefighters from Engine 1 stretched a hose line and attacked flames that had climbed the exterior wall and were extending to the second floor. Crews from Ladder 2 began search and ventilation operations, while additional engines and a ladder company assisted and stretched a second hose line.
Visible flames were knocked down within about 10 minutes, and firefighters remained on scene opening walls to check for fire spread. Mutual aid crews from Bellmore stood by in case of additional alarms. All units cleared the scene just over an hour later. No injuries were reported.
Earlier that day, at 11:42 a.m., firefighters responded to a house fire on Ray Street in Seaford that displaced two resi-
No injuries were reported as a result of the fire, which was one of seven that happened in Nassau County over a 13-hour-span.
dents. A neighbor carried a woman out of the home before crews arrived. No injuries were reported.
About 40 firefighters brought the Seaford fire under control within 20 minutes.
Investigators from the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office and Nassau County police arson and bomb squad are working to determine the causes of the fires. Authorities said the incidents remain under investigation.
two moms opened a spa. It had one big,
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.
By LUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com
Residents are being encouraged to roll up their sleeves and donate blood during Wantagh Fire Department’s community blood drive on March 2.
The drive will be held from 1:45 to 7:45 p.m. at the fire department’s headquarters, at 3470 Park Ave.
“We know the tough times and the shortages and the need for this out there,” Thomas Bloomfield, a former chief of the Wantagh Fire Department, said. “We try to stay on top of it and make sure we do it at least twice a year.”
With New York constantly experiencing a shortage in blood supply, the department typically hosts its drives in the first week of March and October.
There’s always a need for blood
Thomas BLoomFiELd
Wantagh Fire Department ex-chief
“There’s only so much blood out there, and the blood only lasts so long,” Bloomfield explained. “There’s always a need for blood.” He estimated that the department typically collects around 70 pints of blood per drive.
Donated red blood cells have a shelf life of up to 42 days, according to the Red Cross, and this contributes to the constant demand for blood donations.
“The start of the year is one of the most challenging times to collect blood,” Dr. Lawrence Fialkow, divisional medical officer of the American Red Cross, recently wrote to the New York Department of Health. “Severe winter weather, seasonal illnesses and postholiday schedules can disrupt donations.”
Organizations will typically hold multiple blood drives within a year to capitalize on a fast turnaround time for repeat donors. Whole blood can typically be donated every 8 weeks, according to the Red Cross.
In addition to the fire department, also co-hosting the drive will be State Sen. Steve Rhoads, Assemblyman Dave McDonough, Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips, Town of Hempstead Councilman Chris Schneider and County Legislator Kayla Knight.
Ensuring a safe and reliable blood supply, Rhoads argued, is the epitome of helping neighbors in their most critical moments.
“Every two seconds, someone in our country needs blood, whether it’s an accident victim, a cancer patient, or a child facing a serious illness,” he said. “In those critical moments, they are relying on the generosity of people they may never meet.”
Phillips echoed similar sentiments in a Jan. 28 Facebook post by writing, “Be a hero. Donate blood. Save lives.”
During a whole blood donation, one pint of blood is drawn from the body, which typically holds 10 to 12 pints. With proper nutrition, the body will replenish its own supply in less than two months.
For the safety of donors and blood recipients, pro-
spective donors must meet certain eligibility requirements before collection can begin. In New York, donors must be at least age 17, or 16 with their parents’ permission.
In addition, most donors must be at least 120 pounds, or heavier, depending on the type of donation being made. Other ways of collecting blood include “power red donations,” where the focus is on collecting red blood cells. It is more time intensive than a standard donation and can be done every 112 days.
Appointments, which are preferred for the March 2 drive, can be made at NYBC.org. The Red Cross recommends that donors eat iron-rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, spinach, iron-fortified cereals or raisins, prior to donating blood. A good night’s sleep and proper hydration are also recommended.
“Community blood drives play a vital role in saving
The fire department holds blood drives semi-annually, typically in the first week of March and October.
lives and ensuring our hospitals have the resources they need during emergencies and everyday medical care,” Knight said. “By coming together as a community, we can make a real difference for neighbors in need. I encourage everyone who is able to participate and help support this lifesaving effort.”
Because agencies are eager to encourage donations, nearly anyone can apply to host a blood drive by contacting the American Red Cross or the New York Blood Center, and completing the application process.
What separates Wantagh’s blood drive from others across Long Island, Bloomfield argued, is the unique community atmosphere.
“It’s a homey place,” he explained. “It’s not like you’re giving blood in a factory somewhere. It’s just a nice vibe that we have there, that we’ve been keeping.”
Additional reporting by Chris Colucci
By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD & CAROLYN JAMES of the Herald
As employers across Long Island struggle to fill open positions, State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon visited Suffolk County Community College’s Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood on Feb. 17 to spotlight workforce training and emphasize child care access as a critical barrier to employment.
“There are many pathways leading to middle-class, family-sustaining jobs right now, and many of them lead through community college programs,” said Edward Bonahue, president of Suffolk County Community College. “An apprenticeship, an industry-recognized certification or license or a two-year degree. Eventually, many of them can also lead to bachelor’s degrees as well, and I appreciate Commissioner Reardon helping to shine a light on these opportunities.”
Reardon toured the college’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, met with students and educators and highlighted several workforce development and child care initiatives included in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed state budget.
Long Island faces ongoing shortages in skilled trades like electrical work, heating and air conditioning, plumbing and advanced manufacturing. Nassau and Suffolk community colleges offer workforce training in those areas, as well as in
Carolyn James/Herald
Suffolk County Community College President Edward Bonohue, left, state Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon and Mike Fabrizio, director of the college’s Computer Numerical Control program, at the Brentwood campus on Feb. 17.
health care. And the Long Island Educational Opportunity Center, sponsored by SUNY Farmingdale, offers regional residents tuition-free vocational training.
Officials said the programs help create a pipeline of locally trained workers who can remain in their communities.
Will Testa, owner of Will Testa Remodeling Inc., in Copiague, noted the shortage of workers. “There are not enough people coming in to the workforce who are trained properly,” he said. “The problem is, everyone forces their kids to go to college, which may be good for some, but
it’s not good for everyone, and trade schools are important — it’s the infrastructure of our society.”
What’s important, Testa added, is that this training is designed hard in hand with local employers.
While workforce-training programs are expanding, Reardon said, employment growth also depends on addressing Long Island’s child care shortage.
Reardon, who also co-chairs the state’s Child Care Task Force, said that increasing access to affordable care is essential to strengthening the labor force. The task
force, relaunched in 2023, is developing strategies aimed at universal, high-quality, affordable child care statewide.
“The governor has spoken a lot about this issue, and made it clear that she wants every New Yorker to be able to work at their fullest capacity and desire,” she said. “And that means that we have a responsibility to help them have accessible, affordable child care to do that.”
Child care costs on Long Island are among the highest in the country, second only to Massachusetts. Families typically spend between $15,000 and $24,000 annually per child for full-time, center-based care, according to the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island.
“When you couple that with the high costs of everything else — housing, food, utilities — child care is a tremendous stress on families,” Reardon noted.
Prachi Shah, owner of Kiddie Academy, in Hicksville, said that care providers also face financial pressures. “We are grateful for Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon’s visit to the Brentwood Campus and her attention to matters affecting our industry,” Shah said.
The Kiddie Academy of Hicksville and Bethpage are independently owned and operated franchise locations that serve 350 children and employ 75 early-childhood educators. “It is essential to keep this discussion going,” Shah said, “and highlight ways the state can better support providers on Long Island.”
building the afternoon before, so classmates would walk into a visibly unified space. “There’s so much going on with mental health in our world that … you want them to feel like they have a safe place to go,” she said, “and that even in school, when it gets overwhelming, there’s always outlets, and there’s always someone to talk to and always a place to go. Everyone feels that way, and it’s not just them.”
Gompers said that students have grown increasingly open about discussing stress and anxiety. “They don’t hold back, and they’re not ashamed or embarrassed by it,” she said. “The outpouring of kids that really just want to be involved and want to help one another … is overwhelming. Everybody just really wants to come together to help the school community and be supportive of one another.”
At Seaford High School, similar themes played out through initiatives organized by Students Against Destructive Decisions and the Brackett Leadership Team, known as BLT — a student group focused on emotional awareness and leadership empowerment. This year’s Seaford theme was “You Matter!”
Students organized a districtwide purple shirt sale, created a “You Matter Because” wall in the main hallway and wrote letters to teachers and classmates thanking them for “showing up” and making Seaford stronger. Principal Nicole Schnabel noted that the day reinforces a broader cultural shift.
“It empowers students to recognize that they’re not alone in whatever feelings they might be having,” Schnabel said. “There are resources out there … you don’t have to feel that way.”
The high school maintains a Wellness Center that expanded around 2020, and Schnabel said that students regularly seek out support. She often references a phrase tied to the leadership curriculum: “If you can name it, you can tame it.”
The goal, she said, is simple: “They need to know that they do matter.”
At Seaford Manor Elementary School, younger students filled banners with ways they could spread love, creating heart boards with uplifting messages and writing notes of appreciation to classmates and staff. Fifth-graders ensured that every student received a number of compliments.
Whether in an elementary classroom or a high school hallway, Schnabel said, the message extends beyond a single day.
In Levittown, a message of positivity and perseverance echoed across the district. At Jonas E. Salk Middle School, a mural displayed in the front lobby represented every student in the building and reflected this year’s theme, “Be the Light.” Outside the cafeteria, students sold purple bracelets, stress-relief toys and sunglasses, and raffle tickets for prize baskets supporting the initiative.
Gina Pagnotta, a social worker at the middle school, emphasized that this year’s theme “encourages us to shine a
brighter light on mental health, reminding us that each of us can support someone who is struggling.”
At Division Avenue High School, students decorated paper hearts with uplifting messages for their peers, while paper chains bearing every student’s name were hung throughout the building — a visible symbol of unity and shared support.
“This day brings our entire school community together to spread the message of care and belonging,” Pagnotta added.
While each district approached the day differently, the message remained consistent: fostering inclusion, reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and reminding students that they’re not alone.
“There’s absolutely no reason to treat anyone with anything less than ultimate respect and kindness,” Schnabel said. “Everyone does bring something so special to the table.”
By ABBEY SALVEMINI asalvemini@liherald.com
Sweeping new legislation aimed at cracking down on unlicensed backyard breeders was introduced at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter in Wantagh as Supervisor John Ferretti said the goal is simple: “protect animals and prevent suffering before it starts.”
This legislation is about action, it’s not about money.
JohN FErrETTI Town supervisor
Ferretti outlined a proposed local law that would require all dog and cat litters born in the town to be registered within 30 days. Pet owners would need to report the breed or species, the name of the veterinarian who treated the animals and where they are being housed.
The measure is largely complaint-driven; allowing residents to report suspected illegal breeding to the town, which would then dispatch animal control.
“We need the community to help us out and report people who are breeding or selling out of their backyards,” he said. “We will send an animal control officer or a building department inspector out to investigate.”
Town officials say unregulated breeding operations often lead to overpopulation, inbreeding and unsafe living conditions. Puppies and kittens are frequently separated from their mothers too early, resulting in long-term health and behavioral issues. Many end up sick, abandoned or surrendered to shelters when they are no longer considered profitable.
“If we didn’t have backyard breeding,
we probably wouldn’t have as many animals in any shelter around the country as we do daily,” said Animal Shelter Director Ashley Behrens, voicing her support for the proposed legislation and its focus on preventing overpopulation before it reaches local shelters.
“Cracking down on what’s best for the community and the animals is something we are fully in support of,” Behrens
added.
Under the proposal, violations would start at $250 and increase to $500 for repeat offenders. However, fines could be dismissed if the animals are sterilized or surrendered to a licensed shelter within 16 weeks. Ferretti stressed that the legislation is about accountability — not revenue.
“This legislation is about action, it’s not about money,” he said. “We’re not here to collect a penny. We want what’s best for the animals.”
Ferretti pointed to a recent case involving a golden retriever that arrived at the shelter still lactating after having given birth. He said the dog appeared to have been abandoned once she was no longer useful for breeding. The retriever was quickly adopted, but the case underscored the broader issue.
“When their owners are done with them, they throw them in the streets,” Behrens said. “We see this day in and day out.”
Ferretti emphasized that while he is proud that the town’s animal shelter operates a no-kill facility with long-term care management, prevention is key.
Town officials did not say when the new regulations would be discussed at a town board meeting.
Have an opinion on the town’s new animal-oriented laws? Send letter to jbessen@ liherald.com.
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By ABBEY SALVEMINI asalvemini@liherald.com
Residents gathered at the and Joseph Scianablo and other Town of Hempstead residents took to Cornwall Avenue Park in West Hempstead demanding greater transparency from the town, calling for a formal state audit after Hempstead officials acknowledged failing to file the legally required financial statements.
Scianablo announced on Feb. 19, he has formally requested that the New York State Comptroller’s Office, led by Thomas DiNapoli, conduct an independent financial and operational audit of the town. The request follows a Jan. 9 “Material Event Notice” in which the town admitted it did not submit its audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2024, and acknowledged violations tied to bond disclosure obligations.
“I’m standing here today as a resident and a concerned taxpayer,” said Scianablo, who is once again the Democratic supervisor candidate. He lost to Supervisor John Ferretti, a Republican, in November. “This is not an accusation — it’s facts, Scianablo added. “The Town of Hempstead failed to comply with the requirements for filing financial statements. They failed the people. They failed to submit the required 2024 audit.”
He described the missed filings as part of what he called a broader “pattern of secrecy and noncompliance,” arguing that independent oversight is “not optional — it’s necessary.”
Scianablo pointed to major fiscal decisions over the past two years, including a 12 percent tax hike followed by what he described as an unexplained 18 percent reduction the following year, as examples of why closer scrutiny is warranted.
“Critical decisions in the Town of Hempstead are
being made without clear answers,” he said. “This is exactly why an independent audit is necessary. If everything is being done properly by the town, this audit will show that. If problems are uncovered, they must be fixed.”
He also raised concerns about the town’s animal shelter, citing questions about budgeting, staffing and public access. Referencing the Companion Animal Care Standards Act, Scianablo said transparency should be prioritized rather than “creating a barrier between the shelter and the public.”
“The state comptroller exists to provide independent oversight and protect taxpayers,” he said. “We need to know our money is being managed responsibly. Real leadership means welcoming transparency, not avoiding it.”
Resident Leslie Martin echoed those concerns, alleg-
ing that reserve funds were used to give the appearance of tax relief ahead of the 2025 election.
“Instead of providing real relief, the town dipped into reserve funds,” Martin said. “The purpose of reserve funds is to act as a financial safety net, not to create tax breaks for political purposes. As taxpayers, we deserve transparency and accountability.”
The town pushed back on the claims. Spokesman Brian Devine said Ferretti has lowered taxes for residents and that the 2024 financial audit was completed on time and publicly posted online.
“Any suggestion that the town failed its auditing duties is false and misleading,” Devine said, emphasizing that the town has met all state requirements.
Have an opinion on Hempstead Town issues? Send letter to jbessen@liherald.com.
By ABBY GIBSON & KUMBA JAGNE Interns
Hempstead native Karine Jean-Pierre, the former press secretary in President Joe Biden’s administration, was the latest guest in Hofstra University’s “Signature Speaker” series.
Jean-Pierre, who served in the White House from May 2022 to January 2025, made history as the first Black and first openly LGBTQ person to be press secretary.
She is a graduate of Kellenberg High, in Uniondale, and Columbia University, and her involvement with Hempstead has not diminished: She gave Hempstead High School’s commencement speech in 2022, and was given the keys to the village by Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. in 2024.
“This is very much home for me,” Jean-Pierre said on Feb. 12. “This is not unfamiliar ground.”
Sister members of her honorary sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Hofstra students, community members and students from 18 area high schools attended the event.
Hempstead High senior Zeydi Guerra, 17, said that Jean-Pierre’s speech left her with more motivation to succeed in her own career. “She’s a Hempstead native,” Guerra said. “I feel like if she can make it, I can definitely do something as well.”
Speaking directly to the high school students, JeanPierre encouraged them to be curious, ambitious and passionate. A common thread through her speech, a panel discussion and an interview with student media was urging people to become involved in politics, even though the options may be imperfect.
“Your civic identity doesn’t begin at 18 — it begins when you start paying attention,” she said. “When you
notice what feels fair and what doesn’t, who gets heard and who has to jump higher just to be seen.”
Eleanor McKay, of Hempstead, president of the Long Island Cross County Chapter of the National Council of Negro Women, said she attended because she recognizes the importance of Jean-Pierre being a Black woman who held a high-profile government position.
“She talked about seeing someone touch President
Obama’s hair, a young [Black] boy, and realize that from the texture he was here and how real it is that he is just like us,” McKay said. “Sometimes it’s not really appreciated, or we don’t understand the magnitude of representation. It impacts us and the next generation.”
Hofstra University President Susan Poser introduced Camryn Bowden, a senior majoring in political science and journalism, who in turn introduced JeanPierre. Poser spoke so glowingly of Bowden’s resumé that Jean-Pierre said she would be working for Bowden one day.
“I had the opportunity to get her to sign my copy of her book ‘Independent,’” Bowden said. “She wrote in the book, ‘I’ll be watching you on the news someday.’ It was, again, just a surreal experience to hear someone who held such a high position of power in the White House say such sweet things.”
Jean-Pierre’s first book was “Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America.” Her most recent, published last October, is “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines.”
She empathized with young people’s feelings of being disconnected from the two-party system. “The two-party system often feels rigid, outdated and unresponsive,” she said. “It forces false choices and limits imagination. Questioning that system is not a failure of citizenship.”
She expressed disdain for the current administration, saying, “This too shall pass.”
“We have to work as a people to make sure that there is people power in this time, that our voices are heard, that we hold powerful people accountable,” Jean-Pierre said. “We are celebrating 250 years of this country, and that is a young democracy. If we don’t fight for it every day, we will lose it.”
Nominate a student under 18 for the Sustainability Champion Award to recognize their efforts in driving sustainable change.
Submit a nomination of approximately 100 words or less describing the student’s leadership in promoting sustainability: What motivates them? What impact have they had?
Be sure to include a photo or an example of their work—whether it’s a community garden, an environmental campaign, or a creative solution to a sustainability challenge.
By Abbey Salvemini
Let the good times roll when the museum opens its doors to Carnival on Saturday.
As a globally cherished cultural celebration, Carnival honors the unique traditions and diverse identities of the Caribbean and Latin American cultures it touches. Locally, Long Island Children’s Museum transforms into a vibrant street festival for its second annual Carnival — a vibrant showcase of creativity and self-expression — through a blend of music, dance, crafts and interactive programming.
Supported by New York State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, the event highlights the museum’s commitment to creating shared cultural experiences for Long Island families.
“As a woman of Caribbean descent, I am proud to sponsor this event at the Long Island Children’s Museum, an institution that plays a vital role in educating and inspiring our young people,” Solages says. “Events like this remind us, and teach the next generation, that diversity is our strength and that honoring our roots can be both joyful and meaningful.”
Hofstra University’s renowned ensemble-in-residence celebrates the legacies of founding clarinetist Naomi Drucker and longtime violist Lois Martin at its upcoming concert. The program — a diverse selection of works by Mendelssohn, Hurlstone, Beach, Dimmler, and Steven Gerber — honors both who were instrumental in shaping ACE’s storied history. In a special tribute to Martin, the ensemble performs Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, a masterpiece known for its prominent viola scoring. Drucker, a revered educator and co-founder, is remembered with David Holsinger’s On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss. In a testament to her impact, f Drucker’s former students, colleagues, and friends join the ensemble on stage for this moving tribute
• Saturday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Admission: $18, $16 65+
• View the LICM events calendar at licm.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800
• 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
While the iconic celebrations in Rio de Janeiro and Portau-Prince often steal the spotlight, the museum’s festival dives deeper into the tapestry of the region — from the energetic parades of Barranquilla to the historic traditions of Oruro and Montevideo. They are expressions of heritage and identity, artistic creativity and community spirit that define the joy of marking the changing seasons and the region’s rich tapestry.
Visitors will get a taste of Carnival’s jubilant spirit of throughout the day’s programming.
“We were looking for a festival that embodies the diversity of Long Island,” Aimee Terzulli, the museum’s vice president of program and visitor experience shares. “These cultural festivals are invitations to the community.”
Throughout the day, families can expect a lively mix of music, movement and creative experiences, set against the backdrop of upbeat Caribbean rhythms that create a lively, tropical atmosphere.
The Brazilian Samba Novo troupe, a returning favorite, gets everyone moving to the sounds of Samba and salsa music. The lively dancers and energetic drummers once again entertain the crowd and teach kids some of the dance steps, adding an interactive element to their entertainment. Those towering “Jumbie” stilt walkers, rooted as a symbol of spirit guardians, are also back, bring the magic to life as an iconic part of the Carnival celebration.
“The performances resemble what Carnival would really be like,” Terzulli enthuses.
No Carnival is complete without a massive parade to ring in the holiday. Here everyone gets into the parade spirit during what she describes as “the fantastic float parade.”
Kids can help decorate miniature floats before pulling them through the parade, accompanied by dancers and stilt walkers. And, of course, there’s a Carnival King and Queen involved — chosen from
and celebrate
those in the “crowd” to reinforce the event’s playful, inclusive spirit.
Little faces, big imaginations! From butterflies to bold designs, creativity takes center stage as kids are transformed into works of art.
The museum’s animal ‘residents” even join in the fun, helping families understand how wildlife has historically inspired Carnival imagery and costume design. New craft offerings this year include maraca-making, ribbon stick design and face painting.
However, the day isn’t just about play — it’s about perspective.
“We want everyone to find an entry point,” Terzulli says.
While the event is undeniably festive, education remains a core focus. Museum staff and performers involve conversations about Carnival’s history and meaning throughout the day, helping visitors understand its cultural roots while enjoying it all. Through partnerships with authentic cultural contributors, the museum ensures the history of the experience remains front and center.
“We make sure that when they are making the crafts, there is an exchange of why they are making it,” Turzelli adds.
Of course, no festival is complete without flavor. Families can pause for a “pit stop” to sample sweet and savory treats inspired by various Latin American and Caribbean nations, providing a literal taste of the regions being celebrated.
At its heart, the aim is for families to leave with more than just memories of a fun day. Carnival also reflects the museum’s broader mission of serving as a community gathering place.
“I hope they walk away with a sense of joy about the holiday. I think it’s a beautiful, multicultural event,” Terzulli adds. “We want LICM to be a space where people come to learn about each other.”
Sunday, March 1, 3 p.m. $20, $15 seniors 65+ or students with ID; available at the door. Hofstra University, Monroe Lecture Center, California Ave., Hempstead. For information or reservations, call (631) 242-5684 or (516) 586-3433.
“Don’t stop believin’…
Voyage rocks on with another dynamic tribute to Journey. The popular band takes everyone back to the ‘80s when Journey’s timeless music ruled the airwaves. Hailed by fans and critics alike, the band performs the music with chilling accuracy. Voyage is celebrated for their uncanny ability to recreate the legendary sound, energy and passion of one of rock’s greatest bands. With their blistering guitar solos, lush keyboard arrangements, electrifying stage presence, and stunning harmonies, the band has earned a reputation as the ultimate homage to Journey’s timeless music. Fronted by vocalist Pedro Espada, whose range and tone is acclaimed as rivaling the iconic Steve Perry, he’s backed by a lineup of world-class musicians — Robby Hoffman, Greg Smith, Lance Millard, and Dana Spellman — who bring every note to life with precision and heart. Voyage doesn’t just perform Journey’s greatest hits — they transport audiences back to the height of arena rock glory.
Friday, Feb. 27, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
The Grammy-winning percussionists return to the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center. For 25 years and counting, the quartet has redefined chamber music for the 21st century through an “exhilarating blend of precision and anarchy, rigor and bedlam” (The New Yorker). Their commitment to the creation and amplification of new work have made them a trusted partner for composers, allowing the writing of music that expands the style and capacity of brilliant voices of our time.
• Where: Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or 9516) 877-4000
Long Island Children’s Museum stages “Pete the Cat,” the charming musical based on the book series by Kimberly and James Dean. Life is certainly an adventure for Pete, no matter where he winds up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out. Together, they set out on a mission to help Jimmy conquer second grade art, and along the way, they both learn a little something new about inspiration. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon; also March 3-5
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
memory-making moments. Dance, cheer and celebrate from your seat.
• Where: 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont
• Time: Various, through March 8
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or ringling.com/circus
Professional Championship
Bull Riders
Buckle up — ’cause you ain’t seen nothin’ like this before. The PCB has been a full-throttle tour de force: a mano-a-toro showdown where the toughest cowboys on the planet face off against the rankest bulls in the game. May the boldest rider win. And it’s not just the cowboys. Watch the cowgirls blaze through barrel racing, showcasing speed, agility and sheer determination in a race for the fastest times.
• Where: Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com
Torah
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
Drag out that neon once again and give your hair its best ‘80s ‘do. Those crazy days are back — as only Jessie’s Girl can pull off, on the Paramount stage. The band of NYC’s top rock/pop musicians and singers gets everyone into that “Back To The Eighties” vibe with the latest edition of their popular concert experience. With a lineup including four pop-rock vocalists dressing and performing as 80s icons, backed by a dynamic band, this is the definitive ‘80s experience. Jessie’s Girl’s primary line-up includes a team of NYC’s top rock and pop vocalists: Jenna O’Gara, Jerome Bell-Bastien, and Mark Rinzel. They are backed by one of the tightest bands in the city comprised of 20+ year veterans of the NYC music scene: Eric Presti on guitar, Drew Mortali on bass, Michael Maenza on drums, and Karlee Bloom on Keys and the Keytar. Each with dozens of credits performing with authentic ‘80s icons who made the music famous to begin with! From the synth-pop glitz of the early MTV era to the power ballads of stadium rock, the band captures the specific magic that defined a generation. Throw on top of that: a load of super-fun choreography, audience participation, props, costumes bubbles, and confetti — and you have a party that audiences don’t want to leave. Their motto: There’s no decade like the Eighties and no party like Back To The Eighties with Jessie’s Girl. Whether you lived through the ‘80s the first time or are just a fan of the timeless anthems, you’ll want to join in the fun.l..
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
Temple B’nai Torah hosts weekly bingo with prizes, progressive games, and refreshments every Wednesday and Thursday.
interactive family concert! Also make a grogger, the traditional noisemaker used during the telling of the Purim story at a drop-in program, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $5 with museum admission ($4 members), $10 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis. Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Mar 1 Mar
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to dress up and celebrate Purim —costumes encouraged and fun guaranteed! Enjoy a performance by Metropolitan Klezmer on the museum stage. The band brings eclectic exuberance to Yiddish musical genres from all over the map. Performing vibrant versions of lesser-known gems from wedding dance, trance, folk, swing and tango styles, as well as soundtrack material from vintage Yiddish films, they re-invent tradition with both irreverence and respect. Sing and dance along with us at this
Nassau County Museum of Art welcomes acclaimed artist Adam Straus for engaging conversation with noted art critic-writerfilmmaker Amei Wallach. Together, Straus and Wallach discuss his artistic process, share insights from his current and past work, and present images that illuminate the evolution of his practice. Their dialogue offers a unique window into the artist’screative journey and the broader role of art in reflecting and responding to our contemporary world. $20, $15 seniors, $10 students (members free). Limited seating, register in advance.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
• Where: 3285 Park Ave.
• Where: 2900 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh
Eligible residents urged to donate blood at the Wantagh Community Blood Drive at the Wantagh Fire Department. Walk-ins are welcome, however, appointments are preferred and can be scheduled at NYBC.org.
• Where: 3470 Park Ave., Wantagh
• Time: 1:45-7:45 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 369-2165 or KKnight@nassaucountyny.gov
2 Mar 3
The Wantagh Library is once again hosting IRS-Certified AARP Tax-Aide Foundation tax preparers available for assistance. This program is aimed at low to moderate income taxpayers with simple tax returns that can be prepared in less than one hour. Taxpayers with complicated tax returns (more than 12 documents) or out-of-scope subjects will be advised to seek professional tax preparation assistance as will those with incomes exceeding $100,000. Taxpayers must bring Social Security Cards for everyone listed on the tax return (this includes any dependents), valid photo ID, last year’s tax return and all tax-related documents.
• Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., through April 7
• Contact: wantaghlibrary.org or call (516) 221-1200
Molloy University’s CAP21 Musical Theatre students tackle Shakespeare. The Bard’s beloved comedy is a magical tale that explores the irrationality of love, desire, friendship, jealousy and magic. When the mortal worlds of four young lovers and a bungling group of amateur actors collide with a feuding fairy kingdom in a mystical forest on a midsummer eve, romantic misadventures ensue, causing chaos that only a bit of fairy magic can sort out.
• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 8 p.m.; also March 7, 2 and 8 p.m.; March 8, 3 p.m.
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
The all-new circus tour is a nonstop celebration of jaw-dropping acts, world-class performances and
• Time: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.1 p.m.; Thursdays, 7:15-10 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 221-2370
Game time
Play Mah Jongg and Canasta every Thursday at Congregation Beth Tikvah. Snacks and drinks are provided. $5 contribution.
• Where: 3710 Woodbine Ave., Wantagh
• Time: Noon-4 p.m.
• Contact: mahjonggCBT@ yahoo.com or (516) 785-2445
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.
“From Selma to the national stage, he stood tall against injustice,” Hochul wrote in a statement. “We honor his legacy and the generations he inspired.”
State Sen. Steve Rhoads, who represents Wantagh and Seaford, and the Town of Hempstead — which encompasses the two communities — declined to comment on Jackson’s death.
Jackson’s work brought him to Long Island where he visited Nassau and Suffolk counties during his first run for president in 1984, including a campaign stop at Hofstra University that April. Four years later, he returned to Nassau County for a senior citizens forum at Adelphi University alongside Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis and thenSen. Al Gore of Tennessee.
Jackson returned to Long Island following a mass shooting on the Long Island Rail Road in December 1993 that left six people dead and 21 injured. He said he was there to soothe racial tensions after reports indicated the shooter, Colin Ferguson, harbored animosity toward white people.
When the first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump came to Hofstra in 2016, Jackson was there, throwing his support behind Clinton in her campaign.
Jackson, a protégé of King, led a lifetime of activism in the United States and abroad, advocating for the poor and underrepresented on issues including voting rights, job opportunities, education and health care.
Through his Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, he pressed corporate leaders to open boardrooms to more diverse voices, while also engaging in diplomatic efforts abroad.
Jackson was viewed as one of the most successful Black politicians of his generation. He was also a polarizing figure at times, drawing both admiration and criticism for his outspokenness and ambition.
Born in Greenville, South Carolina on Oct. 8, 1941, he died in Chicago, surrounded by family.
Several current and former elected officials across the political spectrum — including President Trump, former President Barack Obama and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres — honored Jackson’s leadership and accomplishments.
“His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions,” Jackson’s family statement concluded, calling to “honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by.”
PSEG Long Island marked National Energy Assistance Day on Feb. 2 by encouraging customers facing high winter heating costs to explore available financial assistance programs and energy-saving options.
The utility said its consumer advocacy team is assisting residents across Long Island and the Rockaways through phone and email support, community outreach events and webinars to help customers enroll in bill assistance and payment programs.
Among the available options is PSEG Long Island’s Household Assistance Program, which provides qualifying customers with a monthly bill credit of at least $45 for up to 18 months. Customers may also qualify for state and federal programs, including New York’s Home Energy Assistance Program and Emergency HEAP, which help eligible households pay heating costs during the winter.
Additional programs include Project Warmth, administered by United Way of Long Island, which offers emergency heating assistance to low-income households, and the Residential Energy Affordability Partnership, which provides free home energy audits, efficiency upgrades and bill credits for incomeeligible customers.
PSEG Long Island will host upcom-
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
pSeg Long island detailed programs meant to assist customers financially.
ing assistance webinars on Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. Registration information and outreach schedules are available on the company’s social media pages and at PSEGliny.com.
Customers seeking help can contact the consumer advocacy hotline at (631) 755-3407 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or email Consumeradvocacyli@ psegliny.com.
The utility also encouraged customers to lower energy costs by sealing drafts, adjusting thermostats, using programmable thermostats and energy-efficient lighting, and running high-energy appliances outside peak hours.
–Jordan Vallone
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION, Plaintiff, vs. JAMES DILLON, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 30, 2017 and an Ex Parte Order Amending Judgement of Foreclosure Sale and Appointing Successor Referee duly entered on January 14, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 3549 Wadena Street, Seaford, NY 11783. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 63, Block 20 and Lot 694. Approximate amount of judgment is $399,728.60 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 007076/2015.
Jane Shrenkel, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.:254677-1 158221
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST
MARK VAUGHAN, CASEY VAUGHAN, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 8, 2020, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 3982 Kingsberry Road, Seaford, NY 11783. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Plainedge-Wantagh, partly in the Town of Oyster Bay and partly in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 52, Block 450, Lot(s) 19A & 19B. Approximate amount of judgment $433,510.28 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #008440/2015. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Jared Kasschau, Esq, Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 16-000890 88633 158155
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold
a public hearing in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Town Hall Plaza, One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York on 03/11/2026 at 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:
THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. 152/26. SEAFORDLDG Group LLC, d/b/a Gino’s of Seaford, Variance in off-street parking (expand pizzeria into portion of existing building)., N/E cor. Merrick Rd. & Kenora Pl. running thru to Naomi Pl., a/k/a 3535-3555 Merrick Rd. ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550.
This notice is only for new cases in Seaford within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it. 158551
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CTT, Plaintiff, vs. ALEXANDER CANTWELL, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 16, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 31, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 2240 Walsall Street, Seaford, NY 11783. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Seaford, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 57, Block 147 and Lot 121. Approximate amount of judgment is $705,379.43 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 011968/2008. Peter T. Bauer, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.:190750-2 158561
CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE
Full Time/Part Time
Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City
is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!
$22 - $27/ Hour
Bell Auto School
516-365-5778
Email: info@bellautoschool.com
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
Inside Sales Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours
Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS
FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
Valley Stream Subaru Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM Answer Phones, Light Clerical $17.00/Hour, Benefits, 401K Call Therese 516-825-8700
place an ad call 516-569-4000
Q. I have a basement with a bathroom and nothing else except a washer and dryer, back to back, with the sink and toilet on the other side of the wall. Everything else is unfinished, and I bought it this way. I was recently told that I need to have a permit for a finished basement or I have to remove the bathroom. I don’t want either of those options, but I’m being told I will be issued a violation, because the building department sent me a notice about this. I consulted an architect, who started to explain all the rules, but I need a second opinion. What should I do if I just want the bathroom and don’t want to finish everything else?
A. Sorry to disappoint you, but your building department has interpreted that your bathroom in a basement is leading to habitable use, meaning that the basement is more than just a place to store boxes and other household items. The same is true of basements that have a fireplace or a mattress-and-night-table setup. Even occasional use by a houseguest puts you in the category of a “finished” basement.
What the consultant architect may have told you is that you’ll either have to remove the bathroom, with a permit for the demolition (since your building department knows about the condition) and a separate plumbing permit to have the capping of pipes inspected, or you’ll need a lot of other items, at greater expense. Your spaces will need to meet the ceiling height requirement of 80 inches from floor to finished ceiling, or anything constricting someone from walking around, such as a steam pipe or built soffit. If you don’t have 80 inches (6 feet 8 inches), then the rest of what you do will also be important to evaluate, since your plans and application paperwork will be on hold until the requirement is appealed through a separate codeappeal process, and more paperwork will need to be submitted to the state for a code compliance variance. This means you will have to request to vary or be allowed an exception after evaluation by a review board at the state level.
Either way, a finished basement will require a second means to escape in an emergency. This can be accomplished with a larger window, with an opening no higher than 44 inches from the floor and at least 5.7 square feet of clear opening, a minimum of 24 inches in height and 20 inches in width. A window that is only 20 inches by 24 inches would not meet the requirement, however. Those are just minimums for each dimension.
The escape well has to be a minimum of 9 square feet of outside floor area, and must at least have a ladder for climbing up and away. You could also have a door and stairwell, with proper drainage, at even greater expense. There’s more, so wait until next week.
with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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Every administration has its ideologues. Every president has advisers who translate impulse into policy. But once in a while, a single figure emerges whose real work is not governance but sabotage — the deliberate narrowing of civic life.
In Donald Trump’s White House, that figure is Stephen Miller.
Miller is often described as the architect of Trump’s immigration agenda.
That may be true, but it’s incomplete. Immigration is simply the most visible stage on which Miller operates. The deeper project is broader and more corrosive: a politics designed to make Americans afraid — not only of immigrants, but of one another, and of acting freely in public life.
Miller’s real architecture isn’t just about who gets in. It’s about what kind of country we become.
The through-line is intimidation. The point isn’t merely enforcement but atmosphere: to show that the state can reach into your life suddenly, harshly,
without apology. To make people think twice before speaking, gathering, helping or dissenting. To shrink civic space until citizenship itself begins to feel conditional. In such a climate, obedience becomes the safest form of participation, and democracy begins to feel like a risk.
That’s why Miller matters. He isn’t simply a policy adviser. He is both symptom and accelerant — a product of a political sickness and one of its most effective carriers. The sickness is the belief that democracy is too messy, pluralism too dangerous, compassion too soft. Miller gives that belief bureaucratic form.
idone profound damage. And once that atmosphere is established, the most vulnerable are always the first to suffer the worst of it.
n a Millershaped America, protest would be treated as menace.
Miller’s defenders characterize him as “tough.” But toughness isn’t the same as callousness. A serious country can enforce laws without turning the machinery of government into an engine of humiliation. Miller’s politics depend on a story: that America is perpetually under siege, that outsiders are threats, that pluralism is weakness, that empathy is naïveté.
tions would be staffed by loyalty, not expertise; protest would be treated as menace; law would be less a shield than a club; and citizenship would be a conditional permit, not a shared inheritance. It’s tempting, and comforting, to say, “The Constitution will save us.” It won’t. Constitutions don’t rescue republics by themselves. They are frameworks, not force fields. They depend on officials who honor them, courts that enforce them, legislators who defend their authority, and citizens who refuse to be intimidated into silence.
It’s not a secret that his fingerprints are on some of the harshest immigration measures of the last decade, including family separation at the southern border — a policy widely condemned because it treats children not as human beings, but as instruments of deterrence. Whatever you believe about border control, using suffering as a message is a show of cruelty, not strength. But the deeper lesson is about power. A government that can make ordinary people afraid — afraid to speak, gather, help or dissent — has already
Civil rights organizations have raised alarms for years about Miller’s proximity to white nationalist rhetoric. The Southern Poverty Law Center took the extraordinary step of listing him in its extremist files. That is not a marginal controversy; it goes to the moral and ideological foundations of the policies he designs. Whether you accept every charge or not, the pattern is difficult to miss: Miller’s governing worldview is built on suspicion — of difference, of openness, of the very idea of a shared civic “we.”
In a Miller-shaped America, the safest posture would be silence; institu-
The danger of Stephen Miller’s politics is that they treat laws not as a restraint but as an instrument — something to stretch, weaponize and exhaust until rights feel theoretical and the public stops believing that resistance matters.
So the question isn’t whether the Constitution can save us. The question is whether Americans will still insist on the constitutional order itself: limits on power, equal citizenship, lawful process, and a public life in which fear isn’t the organizing principle.
Miller’s project runs in the other direction. And if it succeeds, no piece of parchment will protect us.
Michael Blitz is professor emeritus of interdisciplinary studies at the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
On Feb. 5, not long after Black History Month began, President Trump’s Truth Social account posted a video depicting former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes. In response to criticism from Republicans, the video was removed the next day, but with no apology from the president.
That’s the immediate context in which Black History Month takes place, but it’s been an entire year since the last celebration of this month, during which the Trump administration has advanced white supremacy and moved aggressively to undermine America’s longstanding commitment to diversity.
The administration’s support for white supremacy isn’t new. In November 2019, in Trump’s first term, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights called for the firing of Trump adviser Stephen Miller, stating, “Stephen Miller represents white supremacy, violent extremism, and hate — all ideologies that are antithetical to
the fundamental values that guide our democracy. Allowing him to remain a White House advisor is a betrayal of our national ideals of justice, inclusion, and fairness.”
Yet in the second Trump administration, Miller has even more power. As Ashley Parker, of the Atlantic, told NPR recently, “He’s incredibly powerful. Steve Bannon and other people jokingly call him the prime minister.”
Miller is perhaps best known, as NPR reports, as “a chief architect of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.”
The Trump government has undermined our country’s commitment to diversity.
That crackdown has generated intense public opposition due to the killings in Minneapolis of two American citizens with no criminal records by ICE officers. Because ICE is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, it ironically shares the department’s mission to “safeguard the American people.” That irony is not lost on Americans, and the public response to those two deaths has echoed the outcry after the 2020 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers.
The irony of the administration continues, as the White House acts to ensure that America’s schools instill, in the words of Executive Order 14190, “a
patriotic admiration for our incredible Nation and the values for which we stand” — while detaining children through ICE crackdowns at accelerating rates. As MS NOW reports, “Recent independent analysis by the Marshall Project shows that the number of children held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement has skyrocketed in Trump’s second term — from an average of about 25 children detained per day during the final 16 months of Biden’s presidency to about 170 children per day under Trump.” On some days, the analysis found, “ICE held 400 children or more.”
What values, exactly, are those detained children learning at the hands of the administration? What values are all children learning as they witness detentions of other children, day care workers and young parents? These are actions of cruelty, not respect for human life and liberty. They are acts of lawlessness, not patriotism.
Now the administration proposes to change the way we vote in America. As The New York Times reports, “President Trump has repeatedly suggested that he wants the Republican-led federal government to ‘nationalize,’ or ‘take over,’
the running of elections.” His allies in Congress are simultaneously advancing legislation — the Make Elections Great Again, or MEGA, Act — that would make voting more difficult. These proposals completely ignore the fact that elections in the United States are free and fair.
As the Brennan Center for Justice writes, “In 2025, a new threat to free and fair elections emerged: the federal government. Since day one of his second term, the Trump administration has attempted to rewrite election rules to burden voters and usurp control of election systems, targeted and threatened election officials and others who keep elections free and fair, supported people who undermine election administration, and retreated from the federal government’s role of protecting voters and the electoral process.”
Nationalizing state elections is blatantly unconstitutional, and the legislative actions would make voting more difficult. That is exactly what this White House and its allies want to achieve.
As Black History Month continues, and in the months and years ahead, ERASE Racism will be championing inclusiveness, fairness and justice for all.
Elaine Gross is founder and president emerita of ERASE Racism, a regional civil rights organization based on Long Island.
The arrival of spring training, and the anticipation of another baseball season, brings back great memories. My earliest baseball memories date back to the early 1950s and the Brooklyn Dodgers, the famed “Boys of Summer,” in what is now regarded as the sport’s Golden Age. Baseball was the unquestioned national pastime, and New York’s Yankees, Dodgers and Giants were the dominant teams. From 1947 to 1956, the Yankees won eight league pennants, the Dodgers six and the Giants two.
For nine of those 10 seasons, at least one World Series teams was from New York, and for eight years, both teams were. That was a true monopoly of excellence.
The Dodgers teams of my youth included such Hall of Famer players as Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella, Duke Snider and Gil Hodges. There was nothing better than sitting in the stands at Ebbets Field, watching these stars excel. (Tickets for bleacher seats cost 75 cents!) As mighty as the
Dodgers were, however, the Yankees, led by legendary stars like Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford, prevailed in five of the teams’ six World Series encounters.
And then, in 1957, Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley announced the unthinkable: He would move the Dodgers from Brooklyn to Los Angeles the following year, and the Giants would go to San Francisco. My childhood had come to a crashing halt. National League baseball would be gone from New York.
JMy final goodbye to the Dodgers would come on Sept. 22, 1957, when I went to their final home day game at Ebbets Field. Brooklyn beat the Phillies, 7-3, and Duke Snider hit two home runs, but that was small consolation. Dodgers baseball in New York, and my years of sports innocence, were behind me. National League baseball didn’t return to New York until the Mets arrived in 1962. They were an expansion team, which meant they were composed of players others teams didn’t want. There were some rough, lean years, but to Mets fans, it didn’t matter. They rallied behind the team, and after seven seasons, and many losses, the 1969 Mira-
cle Mets, led by their manager, Dodgers legend Gil Hodges, won the World Series in a never-to-be-forgotten triumph over the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles.
ust one example: thousands of area kids looking forward to Little League.
The Mets captured the Series again in 1986, defeating the Red Sox in a memorable seven-game struggle. There have been several good runs since then that fell just short, including a World Series defeat to Kansas City in 2015 and, most recently, a League Championship Series loss to the Dodgers in 2024. Now the Mets face the 2026 season having decided to go forward without their all-time leading home run hitter, Pete Alonso, and star relief pitcher Edwin Diaz, as well as proven veterans Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil. Their core four are gone. For Mets fans, spring training will be filled with questions and unknown answers.
I know that baseball has changed dramatically since years ago. There are almost twice as many teams now as there were then; players move from team to team, season to season; and teams regularly play inter-league games. As well, the Super Bowl has surpassed the World Series in public attention, and sports such as hockey and bas-
ketball crowd the calendar, playing well into the baseball season.
But still, that sense of anticipation remains. There is something about the fresh spring air and the crack of the bat that brings our attention back to the baseball diamond. The distances from the pitcher’s mound to home plate, and between the bases, remain the same, as do ball and strike counts. And, especially on Long Island, many thousands of kids are looking forward to playing Little League baseball in a new season, when, as always, their parents and grandparents will be in the stands, cheering them on. They’ll create new memories that, in years to come, they’ll pass on to their children and grandchildren.
No matter the rule changes or league realignments, baseball will remain unchanged as an essential component of the American fabric. Almost 75 years ago, the renowned cultural historian Jacques Barzun famously proclaimed, “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball.” That is as true today as it was then, and I believe it will be true for generations to come.
Play ball!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Having spent 23 years of my life in the State Assembly, I keep close contact with members and monitor the progress of significant legislation. I make it a point to call individual members to encourage them to take action on proposals that are good for Long Island. Which is why I was thrilled that Republican Assemblyman Ed Ra was chosen as minority leader earlier this month, in a unanimous vote.
Living as a bipartisan person, I have been supportive of Ra in his many roles as an elected official. During his 10 years in office he has been a proactive legislator, proposing laws focusing affordability, antisemitism, workforce development and controlling state costs. I was especially pleased when he became the ranking minority member of the Ways and Means Committee.
I had the good fortune to chair that
committee for 10-plus years, and have great respect for committee members who pay attention to pending laws and ask questions. Ra has been a diligent member of the committee, and he has kept the majority members on their toes. Ways and Means is the most important committee in the Assembly, and it desperately needs members who keep an eye on the 7,000plus bills that are sent to it each year.
He’s worked hard to become the Assembly’s Republican minority leader.
Ra is the third Assembly member from Long Island in my career who has held the title of minority leader. The late Assembly members Perry B. Duryea and Jack Kingston also held that job. Duryea eventually became the speaker, and holding the minority post was a springboard to the top job. I know for a fact that Ra didn’t get the leadership job without a lot of preparation, forging coalitions to win the support of the minority caucus.
I doubt that even the Republican leaders on Long Island fully understand what it took for Ra to get his new job. Over the years he has taken on all of the
thankless jobs that most members do not covet. He has been involved in reviewing all of the bills that affect the Island, and for a few years he acted as the Republican floor leader, organizing debates on bills advanced by the majority. It’s the job of minority members to craft credible arguments opposing majority legislation.
There’s a separate issue that most of the Albany establishment doesn’t understand. The Assembly’s Republican membership is dominated by upstate legislators. They tend to be anti-downstate, and want all of the key jobs for their delegation. If you talk to an upstate Republican member, don’t be surprised if he or she is anti-Long Island. They are jealous of the attention Long Island gets, and many think negatively about the downstate region in general.
When the previous minority leader, Will Barclay, an upstater, announced that he wouldn’t seek re-election this year, the upstaters immediately began to caucus to support one of their own to
keep the job in their region. At the same time, Ra had to move quickly to win a majority of the conference. That backroom stuff happens in any type of legislative body, and it takes political smarts to pull it off.
Why make a fuss about the election of an assemblyman who’s in the minority party? We’re a very big island, with multiple needs and demands. We need all the voices we can get to speak out for the bi-county area. New York City legislators have a strong voice on a variety of issues, and the Island has to fight for recognition when the dollars are being disbursed and laws are passing that help other areas of the state.
Last year I wrote a column singling out Democratic Assemblywoman Mickey Solages and Ra for their hard work in Albany. I was pleased then and now that Ra has advanced in his party leadership. Solages is a rising star in the Democratic Party, and I’m happy that Ra is now a part of the four-way leadership.
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.
on Long Island, where school boards debate curriculum priorities and districts navigate tight budgets, one subject can no longer be treated as optional: media literacy.
Across Nassau and Suffolk counties, students scroll through a relentless stream of headlines, commentary and viral content, frequently without formal instruction on how to tell the difference between verified reporting and misinformation.
In an era when misinformation travels faster than facts and algorithms reward outrage over accuracy, the future of journalism and civic trust hinges on what young people understand about news.
A November 2025 study from the News Literacy Project makes the stakes unmistakably clear: Teenagers are not rejecting journalism outright, but they are struggling to distinguish it from everything else crowding their feeds.
The nationwide study builds on a troubling News Literacy Project 2024 finding that 45 percent of teens believed journalists harmed democracy. But the new research goes further, examining not just skepticism but the roots of distrust — and the confusion at its core.
Teens often lump professional reporting, partisan commentary and outright online misinformation into a single category: “news.” When everything looks the same, nothing earns trust.
However, there is a mandate for action. An overwhelming 94 percent of teens said news or media literacy should
be part of their education. They are not tuning out because they don’t care. They are asking for help.
The problem is access. Only 39 percent of students reported receiving any media literacy instruction during the prior school year. More than six in 10 teens are left to decode a complex information ecosystem by themselves. They scroll through algorithm-driven headlines, influencer commentary masquerading as reporting and viral misinformation engineered for emotional impact — often without being taught how to verify a claim or evaluate a source.
That gap isn’t just an educational oversight. It is a civic vulnerability.
According to Donnell Probst, executive director of the National Association for Media Literacy Education, the most effective time to teach these skills is early, before beliefs harden and misinformation calcifies into identity.
Encouragingly, instruction works. Students who had lessons in media literacy were more likely to seek out news, and reported higher levels of trust in journalists. This is measurable impact backed by research.
Long Island school districts should take note.
Across Nassau and Suffolk counties, some schools offer journalism electives or student newspapers. Others offer none. According to a 2022 survey by Baruch College, 73 percent of New York City public schools lacked student newspapers — with access concentrated in private and selective schools. The same inequities often surface on Long Island,
where opportunities vary widely by district.
The decline of school newspapers and journalism classes compounds the media literacy crisis. These programs teach students what real journalism requires: cultivating sources, verifying facts, and asking tough follow-up questions.
If we want a generation that values journalism, we must first ensure that it understands journalism. This isn’t a “kids these days” problem. It is a larger one — and it is also a business imperative for local news organizations across Long Island. If the next generation cannot differentiate between a reported investigation and a viral conspiracy thread, it will not subscribe to, support or defend professional journalism.
Doubling down on media literacy in school curriculums is no longer optional. It should be embedded across grade levels, integrated into English and social studies classes and reinforced through experiential learning like student newsrooms. Policymakers should treat media literacy as foundational civic infrastructure, not a niche elective.
News organizations on Long Island must also step forward and partner with schools, open newsrooms, support media literacy initiatives and provide mentorship and transparency about how reporting is done.
The answer isn’t louder defenses of journalism, but deeper public understanding — teaching media literacy so people can recognize misinformation and think critically for themselves.
If you turn on a local radio station, chances are you’ll hear a commercial for a new and upcoming charter school in the area. These schools are being promoted as a new and improved alternative to our current public schools. As they continue to spread across Long Island, we, the taxpaying community members, need to ask these questions: Why the sudden influx?
And who is benefiting financially from these charter schools?
While public schools across the Island are currently facing tight budgets, staffing shortages and increasing numbers of students with greater needs, how can we take money slated for these students and schools to line someone else’s pocket? It’s time for the community to question where the tax dollars that we voted to send to our public schools are actually going. Don’t we deserve transparency and accountability for every one of those dollars?
Charter schools promote themselves
as public schools, since they’re funded by taxpayers and families don’t pay outof-pocket tuition. But unlike public schools, these institutions aren’t watched over by elected boards of education. Who approves a charter school budget? In public schools, budgets are presented to the community over the course of several board meetings. Community members then have an opportunity to question the spending plans and ultimately vote to accept or reject them.
As charter schools continue to spread, taxpayers should be asking questions.
On the other hand, charter schools receive money directly from public schools. They are able to spend money without being accountable to the community that provides them with these funds. Their budgets are never presented to their communities, and the local school districts are unable to see where the money is going. Their spending isn’t approved by voters, and communities can’t monitor how their tax money is being spent. This lack of transparency allows public money to be spent without any accountability or oversight.
Many of the charter schools that are popping up across Long Island are run
by private management companies, real estate firms and vendors who profit from public funds. These companies often aren’t even local. They don’t have any vested interest in the community. They look at the school as a business where they don’t educate all children, but rather essentially hand-pick the students they want.
Students with special needs, or for whom English is a second language, or who have behavioral problems or learning difficulties, are often sent out of charter schools and back to public schools — which open their doors to them and welcome them. They educate every student who walks through those doors, regardless of their need. Public schools also absorb the full cost of educating them. When funding is redirected from public schools to charter schools, districts are often forced to cut programs, increase class sizes and delay crucial building repairs.
And when it comes to buildings, have you noticed how structures at charter schools can seem to be constructed overnight? This doesn’t happen because charter school administrations are more efficient. It happens because while
public schools are required to disclose contractors’ bids on capital projects, charter schools can erect a building, add an extension or do major renovations with no bidding, no approval and, once again, no community oversight. If these are publicly funded improvements using taxpayers’ dollars, shouldn’t we all be held to the same standards? This raises more questions about transparency, accountability and equality.
This isn’t about opposing school choice. It’s about making sure that public education doesn’t become a moneymaker for big business rather than an organization to educate our students. The message here is about fiscal and educational transparency. If charter schools really claim to serve the public, then shouldn’t we see how our tax dollars are being spent?
When school budgets are created, we, the taxpayers, should have a voice in the process. That money we provide should go toward educational programs for classrooms, and books and resources for children. The budgets we approve should support learning. Our tax dollars belong with the children, not in a corporation’s pocket.
Alison Chaplar, of Massapequa, is a longtime public school educator, a mother and a community advocate.
The strength of our community comes from open dialogue.
The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.
We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.
The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.
Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com
Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com
Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com
Be heard. Be part of the conversation.
Be heard. Be part of the conversation.
Be heard. Be part of the conversation.
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