Seaford Herald 10-30-225

Page 1


Childhood friends Matthew Kind, left, and Brian Karaman, who have supported and motivated each other since kindergarten, have been named Seaford High School’s 2026 valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, in recognition of their academic excellence and leadership.

Childhood friends are top of their class

Valedictorian and salutatorian shared their journey

Close friends as well as classmates, Matthew Kind and Brian Karaman have spent years motivating each other — a unique partnership that has culminated in their being named Seaford High School’s 2026 valedictorian and salutatorian.

Kind has an average of 107.47, and Karaman, 106.25. They have known each other since they were in kindergarten at Seaford Harbor Elementary School, and been close ever since.

“I’m beyond grateful,” Kind said of his accomplishment, “and I’m very, very thankful that all the hard work paid off.” Karaman added that he, too, was honored.

Both students have been involved in

numerous clubs and sports at the high school. Kind is president of the senior class and the Athletic Leadership Council, captain of the varsity football team, and plays varsity baseball. He is a member of Mathletes and Key Club, and is the parliamentarian of the National Honor Society and the student representative on the Board of Education.

Karaman is the drum major of the Seaford High marching band, treasurer of the senior class and the Tri-M Music Honor Society and a member of the National Honor Society. He plays saxophone in the high school jazz band, is an All-State clarinetist and is captain of the bowling team.

Kind is a National Merit Semifinalist and has received the Rensselaer Medal from

Continued on page 16

Baseball field named in honor of Chris Carini

An artificial-turf field at Seamans Neck Park in Seaford was recently named in honor of the late Hempstead Town Councilman Chris Carini, who dedicated his time in office to championing park and infrastructure improvements for the town’s residents.

The dedication ceremony, held on the baseball turf field on Oct. 19, brought together dozens of friends and family of the late councilman to witness the event.

Hplate and reads “Councilman Chris Carini Field.” Joey, 13, has played in the Seaford Little League and for the Broncos since kindergarten. Danielle called it “an honor” to have a field named after her husband and said she was happy to see the community come together to celebrate it.

“He’d be so proud of this turnout and that kids will be able to play on this field for years to come,” she said.

e’d be so proud of this turnout and that kids will be able to play on this field for years to come.

In attendance were elected officials, Beyond the Badge NY, the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce and several members of law enforcement. The Seaford Little League and the Seaford Broncos, a football and cheerleading organization that competes in the Nassau County Youth Football League, were also in attendance.

Wife of the late Hempstead town councilman

Carini, a Seaford resident, was involved with local sports, having coached both the Seaford Little League and the Seaford Broncos. Since 2020, he served as councilman for the town’s 5th District, which includes Wantagh, Seaford, Bellmore, Merrick, Freeport, Lido Beach and Point Lookout. He died unexpectedly on July 14, 2024, at age 49, while visiting family in Florida.

Carini’s wife, Danielle, and their son, Joey, unveiled the sign, which hangs above home

Town Supervisor John Ferretti hosted the ceremony, calling Carini a “dedicated public servant” who had an “immeaContinued on page 7

Homecoming parade celebrates school pride

The sights and sounds of Seaford High School’s homecoming filled the streets on Oct. 18 as the annual parade made its way down Washington Avenue and Keily Drive, leading up to a night of celebration at the football field.

The parade featured Seaford students, staff and community groups, including the marching band, cheerleaders, class banners, and youth organizations. Members of the Retired Teachers of Seaford served as grand marshals, recognized for their years of dedication to local education.

Before kickoff, families gathered around a new picnic area near the concession stand to enjoy food and conversation. The stands soon filled as the Vikings prepared to face the Lynbrook Owls.

The pregame ceremony began with chorus students performing the national anthem, followed by a special moment at midfield. Charlie Herbert, a sixth grader at Seaford Middle School who was recently diagnosed with cancer, was named honorary football captain and led the coin toss. Seaford opened the game with a touchdown just 26 seconds in and went on to defeat Lynbrook, 49-28.

Halftime entertainment included performances from the cheerleaders, dance team and marching band, which presented its show, “Seaford Goes to the Movies.” The homecoming court was also introduced, with Matt Kind and Mia Leggio crowned king and queen. Rounding out the court were Robert Jeranek, Connor Murphy, Kayla Martell and Brianna Sidoti.

The annual tradition once again showcased Seaford’s strong school spirit, with students, alumni and families coming together to cheer on the Vikings and celebrate a memorable homecoming victory.

Even

Holden Leeds/Herald Photos
Members of the Seaford High School Marching Band marched in the homecoming parade on Oct. 18.
students from Seaford Harbor Elementary School participated in the homecoming festivities.
Mike Sheedy dressed as a Viking, the high school’s mascot, during the homecoming parade.
Courtesy Seaford School District
Seaford Middle School sixth grader Charlie Herbert, who was recently diagnosed with cancer, joined football captains, from left, Michael Spinella, Brian Falk, Thomas Mirenda, Matthew Kind and Ayden McNamara for the coin toss.
Courtesy Seaford School District
Matthew Kind and Mia Leggio were crowned homecoming king and queen.

Here’s The SCOOP!

Get Seen everywhere in Wantagh/Seaford

Be part of our Wantagh/Seaford Community Guide — mailed to every single home and business in the community on November 13th

This is your chance to reach 100% of your local audience with one powerful ad.

Promote your business in this full-circulation special edition and connect with thousands of potential customers.

Reserve your space now!

Deadline is Friday, November 7th

Call your Sales Representative 569-4000 ext. 250

Increasing Your Intelligence

Anyone can increase their intelligence, resulting in better choices and decisionmaking. All you need are a few simple tools such as those provided below.

Keep in mind that the bar to knowledge is not ignorance - it is thinking you already know. Being humble, and keeping an open mind, will serve you well in this endeavor.

“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you in trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so” — Mark Twain

“No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it” — Albert Einstein

“Being at ease with not knowing is crucial for answers to come to you” — Eckhart Tolle

“No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking” — Voltaire

hits, and Broadway favorites on Nov. 8 and 15.

Cabaret theatre to present ‘Once Upon

a Song!’

The Long Island Cabaret Theatre will present “Once Upon a Song!” a new musical show featuring 40 singers and dancers, at Temple B’nai Torah in Wantagh on Saturdays, Nov. 8 and Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m.

Directed by Gary and Rick Dana, with musical direction by Sid Cherry, the show tells the story of books coming to life in a library through song and dance. The evening will feature 35 musical numbers — from current hits and oldies to Broadway favorites — including tributes to “Woodstock” and “Wicked.”

Special guests include Steve Mitchell performing as Elvis and Eric Wieboldt, who will sing his original song honoring veterans.

The night will also feature contests, a 50/50 raffle, refreshments, and dancing after the show until 1 a.m. Seating will be cabaret-style at round tables.

Tickets are $30 per person. Reservations can be made by calling or texting Gary Dana at 516-946-7207.

What: ‘Once Upon a Song!’ presented by the Long Island Cabaret Theatre

“We are continuously faced by great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems” — Lee Iacocca

“Our best problem-solving resource is peace. Solutions arise easily and naturally out of a peaceful state” — Melody Beattie

“Each problem that I solved became a rule, which served afterwards to solve other problems” — Descartes

Your writer is often faced with difficult family dynamics which must be unraveled and then addressed to draft a workable estate plan. The solutions often encompass an interplay of legal, financial, medical and social/psychological issues.

Using the tools provided above has been of great value in delivering answers to clients about their seemingly intractable problems.

ETTINGER LAW FIRM

ELDER LAW ESTATE PLANNING SINCE 1991 trustlaw.com

Trusts & Estates • Wills & Probate • Medicaid NO-COST CONSULTATION: 516-327-8880 or email info@trustlaw.com 100 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre • 3000 Marcus Ave., Lake Success Other offices in Huntington • Melville

Islandia

When: Saturdays, Nov. 8 and Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Temple B’nai Torah, 2900 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh

Admission: $30 per person

Details: Nightclub-style seating, refreshments, contests, 50/50 raffle, and dancing after the show until 1 a.m.

Tickets: Call or text Gary Dana at 516-946-7207. Payment accepted by cash, check, Zelle or Venmo. Come

Let us Know

News Brief items including awards, honors, promotions and other tidbits about local residents are welcome. Photographs may be emailed as well. Deadline for submissions is noon Thursday, week prior to publication. Send to execeditor@liherald.com

Courtesy Gary Dana
The Long Island Cabaret Theatre will light up Temple B’nai Torah in Wantagh with ‘Once Upon a Song!’ a lively musical featuring 40 performers, popular

Families celebrate the season at library fall fest

Families gathered at the Wantagh Public Library on Oct. 18 for an afternoon of fall festivities.

The outdoor event, held rain or shine, featured Steppin’ Out Ponies’ petting zoo and the Pies on Wheels food truck, which served fresh pizza. Children enjoyed activities including col-

Children at the library’s fall fest enjoyed a petting zoo courtesy of Steppin’ Out Ponies.

oring, dancing and temporary tattoos, while many came dressed in costume to add to the fun. The family-friendly event was open to Wantagh Library cardholders and required no registration.

Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Dalia Elkarimi with Zayn, 7, and Liana, 6, show off their Halloween spirit at the Wantagh Public Library’s fall festival.
James Barrett, 3, with his brother, Owen, 2, dressed as the Super Mario Brothers.
Finn Flanagan, 6, showed off his costume at the library’s fall festival.
Luke Messer, 10, enjoyed feeding the goats at the festival.

Charles Shaw/Herald the town of Hempstead honored the late Councilman Chris Carini by naming an artificial-turf field at Seamans neck park in Seaford after him. the gathering paid tribute to Carini’s years of public service, his dedication to youth sports and his key role in securing the $2 million in upgrades that transformed the park into a safer, more modern recreational space for local families.

Field named in honor of late councilman

surable” impact on the community.

“Chris did so much for the Seaford community,” Ferretti said. “When kids and parents come here to enjoy America’s pastime, they’ll see Chris’s name, and his legacy of serving the community will live on.”

Carini played a key role in securing funding and advancing the Seamans Neck Park field upgrades, which broke ground in 2021. He helped obtain the $2 million investment through the town’s capital improvement program, citing an improved bond rating that allowed the town to borrow at lower costs and save taxpayers money. Carini also worked closely with Little League leaders to address drainage issues that had left fields unusable after rain.

“He helped make this happen,” Christopher Roth, Seaford Little League president, said of Carini’s accomplishments regarding the turf field. “He was an amazing supporter of the Seaford Little League.”

Councilman Chris Schneider, who was sworn in to fill Carini’s seat and won election to retain it last year, said the naming of the field was a “perfect” tribute to the late councilman.

“This is a place that he really loved being at,” Schneider said. “When I think of Chris Carini, I have good

memories of him at Seamans Neck Park watching his son play baseball.”

Carini’s friend, State Sen. Steve Rhoads, who also attended the event, said providing safe places for kids to play was one of Carini’s passions as a councilman.

“To see this field — that he fought so hard to improve — dedicated in his honor is a fitting tribute to him,” Rhoads said. “It’s a reminder to all of us of what public service is about: making our community better.”

Carini held a long career in public service, including more than two decades in law enforcement with the NYPD, MTA, and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department. He was also involved in community safety, civic activities, and local quality-of-life initiatives.

After the dedication ceremony, the Little League held an exhibition game on the field, with Danielle throwing out the first pitch to her son. A memorial sign with a biography of Councilman Carini was also unveiled on the fence leading to the ballfield.

“Every time a child steps onto this field, and every time a family gathers here to cheer on a game, Chris’s legacy of public service and community involvement will live on,” Ferretti said.

Four years in, Blakeman points to successes

Bruce Blakeman has had four years to make his mark as Nassau County executive — and he believes he has delivered. From boosting public safety to cutting taxes and protecting the county’s quality of life, his administration has stayed focused on core priorities. Blakeman, 70, spent his early political career in various offices in the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County. He was the commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from 2001 to 2009, and was appointed to the Hempstead Town Board in 2015. Blakeman challenged then County Executive Laura Curran in 2021, and won.

As he seeks a second term, Blakeman told Herald reporters at a roundtable: “Now I have a record to run on.”

He acknowledged Las Vegas Sands’ withdrawal from its proposed casino project at the Nassau Hub, noting that alternative development plans are now progressing under a “Plan B” strategy. That alternate plan, Blakeman said, includes entertainment, residential, retail and hospitality components. Sands is now working with local developers to refine the new proposal, interviewing and vetting potential options, and Blakeman said he hoped to have information to present to the public in early January.

He expressed pride in the county’s partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — the first of its kind in the U.S. — which is using a portion of the Nassau County Correctional Center in East Meadow to hold detainees.

“I think the general public is very happy,” he said. “It’s made us a much safer county.”

In regard to the state’s takeover of Nassau University Medical Center, also in East Meadow, Blakeman said

County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is seeking re-election, touted his successes over the past four years. From public safety to quality of life, he believes he has delivered what he promised for Nassau County.

that in recent years, New York’s leadership has eliminated the hospital’s funding. It was headed in the right direction, he said, under its previous leadership, eliminating its financial deficit and maintaining its commitment to treating underserved populations.

He said he believed the state’s actions suggest an intent to either close the hospital or repurpose it as a mental health facility. “I think it’s nefarious,” he said, “and I think that it’s deleterious to the health of the community.”

NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Blakeman expressed support for his civilian deputy force, which he said is not a “militia.” Under state law, he said, county executives have the right to declare emergencies and deputize people for service.

“I created nothing more than a database of people who are willing to serve, who will be willing to train without getting paid,” he said. Most are military veterans or former law enforcement, he added, and will undergo firearms training in accordance with state law.

He also defended the county’s transgender sport ban, which prevents transgender women and girls from competing on female sports teams at county-run parks and facilities. The bill, he said, received highly publicized support from Caitlin Jenner.

Blakeman also highlighted rising home values, the hiring of 600 new law enforcement officers, and seven Wall Street credit rating upgrades over the past four years — indicators, he said, of a structurally sound and fiscally responsible county budget.

Blakeman acknowledged that there is a need to address housing affordability for young people and senior citizens, but added that he disagreed with the state’s attempts to supersede local control.

“We’re densely populated, and we don’t have the land, and the public doesn’t want the density,” he said. “That’s why people move to the suburbs, and out of an urban environment.”

Koslow is focused on transparency and unity

Seth Koslow wears many hats — husband, dad, attorney and legislator in Nassau’ County’s 5th District. This year the Democrat has taken on a new challenge: running for county executive against incumbent Bruce Blakeman. His campaign has focused on values like transparency, common-sense policies and bipartisan communication.

Koslow, 43, grew up in Baldwin, and now lives in Merrick with his wife, three children and their rescue dog, Coco. After college he worked in a variety of sales jobs before returning to law school. He started his career as a prosecutor in the Queens district attorney’s office, and now has his own law practice.

In 2023, he won an open seat in the 5th District, which encompasses Merrick, Freeport and parts of North Bellmore. When the opportunity arose for him to run for county executive, he decided to take it.

“The same way I wanted to make a difference in my district,” he told Herald reporters at a roundtable interview, “I want to make a difference in the county.”

Koslow was critical of the Blakeman administration’s communication with the Legislature’s minority caucus, and he pointed to the Nassau University Medical Center as a “perfect example” of where the county lacks transparency. The public hospital in East Meadow, which serves all patients regardless of their ability to pay for medical care, was taken over by New York state earlier this year.

“Instead of actually working with the state to save the hospital, (Blakeman) fought with them, and now we lost control,” Koslow said.

He said he had similar concerns about the Nassau

Tim Baker/Herald

dently,” Koslow said. “It’s a lack of transparency — it’s a lack of planning for the county.”

With Las Vegas Sands officially stepping away from its casino proposal at the Nassau Coliseum site, Koslow said that while he doesn’t have a real estate background, he is open to partnering with others to find the best path forward for the Nassau Hub. He outlined a vision that includes a convention center, a hotel and housing, elements he believes would support revenue generation, boost tourism and promote development.

Koslow was very critical of Nassau County’s “militia” — a unit of armed volunteer residents that, he said, makes the county “less safe” and raises chain-ofcommand and liability issues. Koslow said that the Nassau County Police Department does a great job, describing them as “well-trained” and “very responsive,” and he couldn’t picture a situation in which armed volunteers would be necessary.

He also disagreed with the county’s transgender sport ban, which prevents transgender women and girls from competing on female sports teams at countyrun parks and facilities.

“Let the (local) leagues handle it,” he said. “It’s not a county issue.”

County Correctional Center, also in East Meadow. The county agreed to a partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is using a portion of the jail to hold detainees. In September, a Honduran national in custody at the jail died, roughly 18 hours after he was detained.

“We don’t know what’s going on with the buildings at the jail, whether ICE is using buildings indepen -

Koslow said that the county needs to return to a “traditional” separation of the branches of government. If elected, he said, he would let legislators “do their jobs.”

“If I don’t necessarily like a law they pass, I have the right not to sign,” he said. “But that also gives me some leverage to negotiate.”

Local government, he said, has to work to support the people. “We’re talking about life and death here,” Koslow said. “We’re talking about your safety. We can’t play games in local politics.”

Tim Baker/Herald
County Legislator Seth Koslow is Bruce Blakeman’s Democratic challenger for the county executive seat. He was critical of the county’s lack of transparency and bipartisan communication.

Destin Guerrier 9, Uniondale

I love going shopping for my costume! I want to be a Minecraft character this year.

Courtesy Ebony Guerrier

What are do you like best about Halloween?

Delilah Mandell 6, Atlantic Beach

I like eating candy, picking candy from people and dressing up!

Melissa Berman/Herald

Stella Madero Massapequa

Seeing the kids dress up and enjoy it. I love giving kids their candy and seeing the excitement on their faces.

Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald

Lucia 1st grade, Merrick I like going trick-or-treating.

Courtesy Merrick Union Free School District
Maxine Cappel Mayreis, Glen Cove Halloween lifts the constraints on my goofiness and allows me to torture people with my terrible dad jokes! I think.
Courtesy Maxine Cappel Mayreis

Thousands unite for annual breast cancer walk

Under clear autumn skies, thousands of Long Islanders filled Jones Beach State Park on Oct. 19 for the 32nd annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, joining a sea of pink to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research and support programs.

Hosted by the American Cancer Society, the event drew survivors, caregivers, families and corporate teams from across the region in what has become the largest Making Strides walk in the nation.

“It’s so inspiring to see our community come together year after year,” said Natale Raimo, executive director of the society’s Long Island region. “Every step we take here helps us move closer to ending cancer as we know it.”

This year’s walk also marked the 40th anniversary of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Participants walked in honor of loved ones, celebrated survivorship, and reflected on those lost to the disease. Pink banners, decorated tents and live entertainment lined the boardwalk as teams gathered before sunrise to begin the rolling start.

Among the walkers was 27-year-old Bellmore resident and breast cancer survivor Mairead Ryan, who led Team Mairead, a group of more than 150 friends and family members. Her team raised over $30,000 for the cause.

“To see so many people come out and support not just me, but everyone fighting cancer — it’s incredibly humbling,” Ryan said. “It’s proof that we’re stronger together.”

Ryan, who was diagnosed last year with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, also survived Ewing sarcoma at age 8. She received the Stacey Sager Courage Award at this year’s Strides kickoff event in Melville for her strength and advocacy on behalf of others battling cancer.

Over the past three decades, the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides events have raised more than $600 million for breast cancer research and patient support services, including the society’s Hope Lodge program, which provides free lodging for patients undergoing treatment.

Raimo said the Jones Beach event continues to embody the heart of the movement — community.

“When you look out and see tens of thousands walking for the same purpose, it gives you hope,” she said. “Hope for more research, more survivors, and one day, a world without cancer.”

Tim Baker/Herald photos
Members of the Nassau County Women in the Courts take part in the Strides walk.
Krystina Asbell hands out shirts to breast cancer survivors during the Strides walk.
Thousands gathered at Jones Beach State Park on Oct. 19 for the 32nd annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, uniting in a sea of pink to raise funds, celebrate survivors, and support the American Cancer Society’s ongoing fight against breast cancer.
Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Jaime LaMarca, Justin Taddeo, Clelia Lillo and Nicholas Lillo participate in the walk.
Supporter Meshessna Craig and 14-year survivor Agatha Rankin, both of Freeport, take part in the walk.
The Keppel family of Merrick — Carolyn and Lily, 3, and Lynn and Gabby, 3 — join the Strides walk.

Show Off Your Little Fans!

Snap a photo of your “Little Fan“ in their favorite football, hockey or any sports gear or outfit and enter our Little Fans Photo Contest!

Whether it’s your pet in a jersey or child in their favorite team’s colors, we want to see how you get into the sport spirit!

Scan the QR code to submit your photo today for a chance to win a pair of New York Islanders tickets to a game this season and be featured in your Long Island Herald.

Contest Ends 11/20/25

Ferretti looks to build ‘tax cutter’ reputation

John Ferretti says the purpose of serving in local government is to make a difference in people’s lives every day — something he hopes to continue if he is elected to a full term as Hempstead town supervisor.

Ferretti, of Levittown, said he was proud of his record as a Nassau County legislator, where he opposed tax increases and supported responsible budgeting. In seven and a half years in the Legislature, he helped reduce county taxes by $70 million and block $150 million in proposed hikes. His top priority, he said, is ensuring that the community he grew up in remains affordable for families.

“My track record as an elected official is very clear,” Ferretti said, “I am a tax cutter, and that’s the way to keep residents able to continue to live in the homes that they grew up in, like myself.”

Ferretti, a Republican, was appointed town supervisor on Aug. 5 following Don Clavin’s resignation. Since he took office, the town passed a 2026 budget that cuts property taxes by $5 million. Ferretti said it is the responsibility of local officials to do everything possible to help residents afford to stay in the communities where they grew up.

His appointment was not without controversy. His Democratic opponent, Joseph Scianablo, filed a lawsuit claiming that Ferretti and the town board violated the state’s Open Meetings Law, which requires 24 hours’ public notice for resolutions scheduled at meetings. In response, the board reappointed Ferretti at its Sept. 16 meeting — a move town officials said was necessary to protect taxpayers from the lawsuit. On Oct. 9, State Supreme Court Justice Gary Carlton ruled that the Aug. 5 appointment had violated the law, finding

Tim Baker/Herald

John Ferretti, who was appointed Hempstead town supervisor in August, says he wants to continue serving residents by keeping taxes low, supporting law enforcement and protecting the town’s quality of life.

that plans had been made before the meeting.

Ferretti emphasized that his appointment was not nullified. He said he could not comment on the pending litigation, but remained confident that the town would prevail in the case.

As supervisor, Ferretti said, he wants to prioritize public safety. He noted that during his time in the County Legislature, he supported measures to provide law enforcement with the tools they need, and led the

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD SUPERVISOR

effort to reopen police precincts that had been closed. He also co-sponsored the Mask Transparency Act, which bans wearing face coverings in public to conceal identities.

Ferretti said he wanted police to be fully funded, and given the opportunity to put criminals behind bars. He said that he was against public safety reforms, such as bail reform and “Raise the Age” laws.

In response to Scianablo’s claims that he lacks transparency, Ferretti said he demonstrated openness in the budget process by publishing the preliminary budget several days before the Sept. 30 deadline and posting subsequent amendments online with more than 24 hours’ notice — a step not legally required and not customarily taken prior to his administration, he said.

“Every opportunity we have had since Aug. 5 to be transparent, we have taken that opportunity,” he said.

Ferretti said he supports protecting the town’s suburban quality of life, and opposes state efforts to allow high-rise apartments or change local zoning laws. He added that while Scianablo has called his appointment an advantage in the race, it’s only an advantage if he proves himself through his work.

“I believe that so far, from Aug. 5 until today,” Ferretti said, “my record has been pretty flawless.”

Scianablo: Hempstead needs accountability

Democrat Joseph Scianablo, a Marine combat veteran, former NYPD officer and prosecutor, is running for Town of Hempstead supervisor on a platform of restoring transparency, lowering taxes and holding local government accountable.

Scianablo, of Garden City, said he is running because of what he views as a lack of transparency from the current Town Board. He noted that families across the town are feeling the strain of rising costs — from a 12 percent property tax hike to increases in water, power and fuel bills.

Following the Aug. 5 appointment of his Republican opponent, John Ferretti, as town supervisor, Scianablo filed a lawsuit alleging that Ferretti and the board violated the state’s Open Meetings Law, which requires 24 hours’ public notice for resolutions scheduled at meetings. On Oct. 9, State Supreme Court Justice Gary Carlton ruled that the appointment had violated the law, but the decision did not nullify Ferretti’s appointment.

The violation, Scianablo said reflected a disregard for basic laws meant to ensure accountability. He added that he was frustrated with government waste and the misuse of taxpayer money. “This is what’s wrong with our local government,” he said. “It reeks of corruption. It reeks of waste, fraud and abuse. The people deserve better.”

Scianablo said he wants to restore integrity by getting the town’s finances in order with operational and financial audits. He also aims to make local government more accessible to working families by holding more Town Board meetings in the evening.

Jeffrey Bessen/Herald

Democrat Joe Scianablo, a Marine veteran and a former NYPD officer, is running for supervisor focused on transparency, fiscal accountability and expanded services for residents, veterans and domestic violence survivors.

“We all want the same thing from our government, and that’s what you’re going to get from me,” he said. “Your voices are going to be heard and you’re going to be governed fairly, and the people are going to be put first.”

If elected, Scianablo said, he would focus in his first 100 days on converting all town streetlights to LED fixtures to save an estimated $1 million annually, imple-

menting zero-based budgeting to ensure that every dollar is justified, and exploring shared services with neighboring towns to reduce duplicate costs.

His platform emphasizes what he calls “commonsense solutions,” including proactive infrastructure maintenance, performance-based funding and energy efficiency upgrades. He added that communities such as Hempstead, Uniondale, Roosevelt, and especially Baldwin have been calling for long-overdue development.

Improving public safety and supporting veterans, Scianablo said, would also be key priorities. Drawing on his law enforcement background, he hoped to strengthen trust between communities and public safety agencies. “I’m excited to see what we could do to make sure we bridge that divide between community and policing,” he said.

Scianablo said he also wants to support residents affected by domestic violence by partnering with nonprofits, law enforcement, and the Nassau County district attorney’s office. He has criticized the closure of the Safe Center LI, a Nassau-based facility for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors that closed in March, and pledged to expand related services through collaboration with the county and community partners.

“There is no one-stop shopping for survivors, victims and children to domestic violence,” Scianablo said. “We need to continue with that approach.”

He emphasized that he wants to serve as a supervisor who is accountable to the people of the Town of Hempstead.

“We are all seeking a government that is accountable for the people,” he said. “We are all seeking a government that’s transparent for the people. We are all on the same team here.”

Stuart Richner, CEO of the Long Island Herald, left, with Phyllis Quinlan, director of Holistic Services Administration at Cohen Children’s Medical Center; Amy Amato, executive director of RichnerLIVE; and Sofia Agoritsas, vice president of operations at the medical center.

Herald supports Cohen Children’s Medical Center

Herald Community Media and RichnerLIVE presented a $2,000 donation to Cohen Children’s Medical Center, the charity beneficiary of the Herald Women’s Executive Summit on Sept. 9 at the Crescent Beach Club.

The medical center is home to Long Island’s first Pediatric Heart Failure and Transplant Program and a nationally recognized team of specialists. This year the hospital earned its third con-

secutive Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, underscoring its mission to help families raise stronger, healthier kids.

Phyllis Quinlan, the medical center’s director of Holistic Services Administration, noted, “We are on track to offer over 5,000 15-minute holistic services to the CCMC staff, parents/family caregivers, and admitted pediatric patients in 2025.”

HERALD

ATTENTION STUDENTS: THE HERALD IS HOLDING A CONTEST TO DESIGN HOLIDAY WRAPPING PAPER

THE WINNING DESIGNS WILL BE PRINTED AS HOLIDAY GIFT WRAP IN 12/4/25 & 12/11/25 ISSUES OF YOUR HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

CONTEST RULES:

Who can enter: There will be 2 categories:

Students in grades k-5. Students in 6-12

One entry per student

Deadline: Entries must be received by 5 p.m.

Friday, November 14, 2025

Requirements: All entries should have the student’s name, age, address, telephone number, email, grade and school printed on the back. Design can be reflective of all religious holidays. Entries will not be returned.

Mail or hand-deliver to:

Wrapping Paper Contest

Herald Community Newspapers

2 Endo Boulevard, Garden City, NY 11530 OR Scan and email to:

(No Photos of Artwork Will Be Accepted).

Winners will be notified by email or phone by November 21

Tim Baker/Herald
SEAFORD HERALD — October 30, 2025

GENERAL ELECTION Candidates

County Executive

Ejecutivo del Condado

Amendment to Allow Olympic Sports Complex In Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land. Allows skiing and related trail facilities on state forest preserve land. The site is 1,039 acres. Requires State to add 2,500 acres of new forest land in Adirondack Park. A yes vote authorizes new ski trails and related facilities in the Adirondack forest preserve. A no vote does not authorize this use.

Enmienda para Permitir Complejo Olímpico de Deportes En el Condado de Essex en Tierra de Reserva Forestal Estatal. Permite el esquí e instalaciones relacionadas de pistas en tierra de reserva forestal estatal. El sitio es de 1,039 acres. Requiere que el Estado añade 2,500 acres de nueva tierra forestal en el Parque Adirondack. Un voto afirmativo autoriza nuevas pistas de esquí e instalaciones relacionadas en la reserva forestal Adirondack. Un voto negativo no autoriza este uso.

DEM,MOD

Seth I. Koslow REP,CON Bruce A. Blakeman

District Attorney

Fiscal del Distrito

DEM, MOD Nicole Aloise REP, CON Anne T. Donnelly

Comptroller

Controlador del Condado

(1) DEM, MOD Wayne H. Wink, Jr. REP, CON Elaine R. Phillips

County Clerk

Secretario

DEM, MOD

Joylette E. Williams REP, CON Maureen C. O’Connell

Hempstead Supervisor

Supervisor

DEM, MOD

Joe Scianablo REP, CON

John R. Ferretti

Justice

Surrogate

Your Community. Your

Stay ahead of the races that shape your neighborhood.
Juez del David DEM, REP,
Juez de DEM, REP, Paul
Mark Margaret Joseph
County Legislador
DEM Stephen
Hempstead Concejal DEM
Matthew
Hempstead Secretario DEM, MOD Yveline

ELECTIon’25

actual ballot, but a composite of several sample ballots so as to reflect all the districts within the communities covered edition of the Herald. Complete reporting on candidates running in districts covered by the Herald may be found at under the Elections ’25 tab. For election results after the polls close Tuesday night, go to LIHerald.com

Hempstead Council Member

Matthew Pasternak REP, CON Dennis Dunne, Sr.

Hempstead Town Clerk

Secretario Municipal

MOD

Yveline L. Dalmacy REP, CON Kate Murray

County Legislator

Legislador del Condado Distrito 15

(1) REP, CON

Stephen Richard Hellman Kayla L. Knight

Justice of the Supreme Court

la Corte Suprema

(8) REP, CON Kenny

Mark A. Cuthbertson

Margaret C. Reilly

Joseph C. Pastoressa

Steven A. Pilewski

James W. Malone

Carl J. Copertino

Bronwyn M. Black-Kelly

Surrogate Court Judge

Tribunal Sucesorio

REP, CON

David P. Sullivan

County Court Judge

Juez de la corte de distrito

DEM, REP, CON

Nancy Nicotra Bednar

Donald X. Clavin, Jr.

Family Court Judge

Juez del Tribunal de Familia

REP, CON

Robert E. Pipia

District Court Judge

Juez del Tribunal de Distrito

DEM, REP, CON Maria Boultadakis

Robert G. Bogle

Howard E. Sturim

Top students reflect on their academic journey

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, which honors high school students for exceptional achievement in math and science. Karaman has been an All-County and All-State musician all four years, and earned All-County honors in bowling.

Principal Nicole Schnabel described both teens as natural leaders, noting that from the moment they entered the high school, they consistently did what was right, even when no one was watching. They demonstrate integrity, take pride in their work and set an example for others, Schnabel said.

“You want to be defined as someone who is not selfish, but selfless, so we are so proud,” she said. “We couldn’t have picked a better duo to lead this class.”

As childhood friends, the boys pushed each other to excel academically, Kind said, in what he described as “a friendly competition.”

“We studied together, we prepare for each test and we do homework together,” he said. “It’s all trying to build off of one another.”

Kind received the news that he had topped the senior class at a summer football practice, when administrators and his parents surprised him on the field, and Karaman found out on the first day of school, when Schnabel and other members of the staff came into the band room to make the announce-

Seaford High School principal nicole Schnabel congratulated the 2006 valedictorian and salutatorian, matthew Kind, left, and Brian Karaman, friends since childhood who have motivated each other academically and have been leaders in sports, clubs and school activities.

ment.

“I was very shocked and surprised,” Kind recounted, “because it was very unexpected during the middle of our summer practice.”

Kind has taken 14 Advanced Placement courses, while Karaman has completed 13. Kind said he especially enjoys math, particularly AP Statistics, because of the challenge.

“It’s the problem-solving and thinking outside the box, like the logical thinking,” he said. “And I feel like it’s just a fun way to put yourself in unique situations to get out of.”

Karaman said he likes the sciences, especially chemistry, and finds it fascinating to explore how the world works. “It was very rigid, and it made sense,” he said of his chemistry courses.

Kind plans to attend college out of state, and eventually go to law school and become a lawyer. Karaman also plans to go away to college, major in psychology and then attend optometry school. Neither has decided on a college yet.

Kind described Seaford High as a close-knit community, like one big family, and said that getting involved and building relationships is key to personal growth and future success. Karaman added that Seaford’s small-community feel, where everyone knows one another, helps build strong connections.

“You kind of learn to care for each other in a family type of way,” Karaman said, “so that makes you want to be more involved and just give back as much as you can and do as many things as you can while you’re here.”

Karaman said it’s important for the two of them to be approachable, because other students often seek their guidance and support. He added that hard work pays off, and putting in the effort make the chances they get to relax even more rewarding.

Kind said that students shouldn’t be afraid to take risks and tackle challenging courses, because the sacrifices they make along the way in their journey will be worthwhile.

“In the end, it all pays off,” he said, “so you’ll be happy you did it in the long run.”

Courtesy Seaford School District

STEPPING OUT

Director Cindy Rosenthal steps up to the challenge of this rarely performed play, based on a story from Chaucer.

A tale of eternal friendship

Hofstra’s Shakespeare Festival takes on ‘The Two Noble Kinsmen’

Shakespeare’s final — and perhaps most overlooked — play steps into the spotlight as “The Two Noble Kinsmen” arrives on Hofstra University’s celebrated Globe stage. Now in its 77th year, the annual Shakespeare Festival invites audiences to experience a production that follows the intense journey of two noble cousins, Palamon and Arcite, whose unbreakable bond is shattered when they fall in love with the same woman.

As the headline production, this tragicomedy sets the tone for a rich, two-week long festival season that includes “What Fools!,” a whimsical, one-hour version of A “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” ideal for children; also Hofstra Collegium Musicum’s concert of Elizabethan and Jacobean music inspired by Shakespeare’s era. Together, these performances promise a dynamic festival experience for audiences of all ages.

Directed by drama professor Dr. Cindy Rosenthal, the production brings to life a powerful story about friendship, competition and the messy realities of love. Whether you’re a Shakespeare devotee or new to his catalogue, this rarely-performed play offers a fresh, thought-provoking look at the Bard.

According to Rosenthal, the decision to produce “The Two Noble Kinsmen” is rooted in its relative obscurity — and its potential. She acknowledges that among her fellow theater historians, not many have studied the play or seen it performed.

“In that there is opportunity,” she says.“We may be the one production of this play that our audience members see. The question is: How can we best present this under-illuminated text by the greatest writer in the history of civilization? Let’s make the most of whatever ways we think it has value and interest. That’s the job.”

She recognizes that taking on the play is a learning curve for both herself and her students. Still, the opportunity to present something rare and meaningful made it worth the challenge.

“We would be able to offer something to our

• Now through Nov. 2

• Tickets are $15, members of the Hofstra community may receive up to two free tickets

• Visit hofstra.universitytickets. com to purchse tickets; more festival information at events. hofstra.edu

• John Cranford Adams Playhouse, South Campus, Hempstead.

audiences that they don’t get to see — and very likely won’t see again in their lifetime.”

She’s particularly interested in exploring the play’s layered emotional dynamics and how they speak to today’s audiences. The staging doesn’t shy away from the text’s “queer sensibility,” which runs throughout, making it an integral part of the storytelling.

This play “absolutely brings forward the value and the strength of same-sex relationships,” Rosenthal says, describing the work (that Shakespeare co-wrote with John Fletcher) as a significant reflection of today’s lineage of queer love.

Hofstra’s Globe stage — considered the most authentic recreation of Shakespeare’s original stage in North America — adds a unique dimension to the production. Rosenthal refers to the stage as “a real phenomenon.”

While she has directed for previous Shakespeare festivals at Hofstra, this is her first time with the Globe replica.

“Performing on the Globe stage makes it feel like we are part of history. It’s a beautiful achievement. Just being able to engage with the set is another part of the experience I look forward to sharing with the students and our audience,” she says.

Guiding her student actors on a play that few had encountered before was both a challenge and a joy for Rosenthal. Among the aspects most interesting to all involved is how the play celebrates love, both heterosexual and queer.

“It does that all the way through the text, both with women and men. Scholars have studied and written about the queer sensibility that permeates this play. I’m excited and the students are excited to explore and bring life to the relationships among the characters,” she adds.

Anthony Avalos, of Roosevelt, is among Rosenthal’s young cast who fully embraces his director’s enthusiasm. Avalos, who does the roles of both a soldier and a knight, declared that his appreciation for the play grew with every reading of it.

“When I actually saw everyone molding these characters, that’s when I really fell in love with the story,” he says.

Rosenthal’s visual approach is designed to blend tradition with fresh interpretation.

“We want to find a way to bridge the gap and to resonate with our own community,” she notes.

Costume choices, for example, were guided by the characters’ journeys and how those stories can connect with audiences today — incorporating playful, contemporary touches into the overall aesthetic.

Rosenthal recalls visiting Hofstra’s Globe to see a performance of “Hamlet,” on a school trip as a student at Jericho High School, The experience, she says, led her to realize just how much she loved and admired both the show and Shakespeare’s language.

“It’s an amazing full-circle moment for me.”

For those who may not know the play — or Shakespeare at all — she invites them to approach it with curiosity, offering a simple message: “Have an open mind.”

Adam Glaser

The always-enthralling South Shore Symphony invites ghosts and goblins of all ages to its first Halloween Spooktacular at its longtime Madison Theatre home. Music Director and Conductor Adam Glaser leads his musicians — all decked out in costumes — in orchestral favorites. The audience is encouraged to join in the fun by wearing costumes, but are also welcome, of course, to “come as you are.” The spirited program includes six most popular and accessible works. In fact, nearly all of them will be familiar given their usage in movies, television shows and cartoons. For instance, many will instantly recognize the concert’s opening, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice: by French composer Paul Dukas. This piece was the “soundtrack” for the beloved segment in Disney’s “Fantasia.” during which Mickey Mouse plays the role of the apprentice who begins practicing his boss’ magic tricks.

Saturday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. $35, $30 seniors, $10 students. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org or (516) 3234444.

Orchestre National de France

Music Director Cristian Macelaru guides the Orchestre National de France on its first U.S. tour in nearly 10 years at Tilles Center, during their brief three-concert tour. Joined by pianist-extraordinaire Daniil Trifonov the orchestra performs repertoires that lie at the core of its identity: Maurice Ravel (to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his birth), Elsa Barraine and Camille SaintSaëns. This masterful program brings the listener on a picturesque journey from start to finish. The programming of Elsa Barraine’s Symphony No. 2 with its gumptous string lines that compliment the playfulness of the work’s structure sits beautifully in the program with Ravel’s Daphnis & Chloé.

Saturday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100

Photos courtesy Hofstra University
Hofstra’s exacting replica of London’s Globe Theater is considered the most authentic recreation of Shakespeare’s original theater in the U.S.
Grant Tridone, left, stars as Arcite, with Bela Valente as Emilia and Andrew Heitman in the role of Palamon in this mesmerizing production. Friendship turns to rivalry in a study of the intoxication and strangeness of love.

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CALENDAR

Westbury House Tour

For many years visitors to Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens asked what was beyond the first floor corridor. Now go beyond the door and discover “secrets of the service wing,” during a 60-minute guided tour. Be introduced to the intensive labor required to create the lifestyle experienced by the Phipps family and their guests; tour the many rooms that were “behind the scenes” to create the formal dining experiences of early 20th century. Go along the corridors to the butler’s pantry and silver cleaning room then descend the 17 steps to the kitchen, scullery, and wine storage rooms located on the ground floor. Reservations required.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: Noon-1 p.m. and 3-4 p.m.; also Oct. 31

• Contact: oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048

Art explorations

NOV

1

Converse, collaborate and create with kids at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork. Kids and adults connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. For ages 2-14. Registration required. $20, $10 child; members free.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 10 a.m. start

• Contact: Jen Schmitt at (516) 429-5530 or bit.ly/lnllmlb25 or lindenhurstnationallittleleague. com

Dia de Muertos Nichos

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to experience Dia de Muertos, the vibrant holiday that is widely celebrated in Mexico. Learn about nicho, the beautifully adorned frames are a popular form of folk art of the region and are often used on ofrendas to memorialize someone special. Make one to take home at the drop-in program. For ages 3+.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: Noon-2 p.m.

• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

Long Island Turkey Trot

Step into November with the Long Island Turkey Trot 5K.

Ted Nash’s ‘Presidential Suite’

Ted Nash’s Big Band brings the Grammy Award-winning “Presidential Suite” to the Tilles Center stage. This fascinating program pairs historic speeches by figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Winston Churchill, and others with bold, jazz-driven orchestrations. With Nash’s thoughtful direction and expressive playing, the hard swinging band offers a powerful and resonant performance that bridges history, music and the spirit of swing. Each movement is tied to a different speech by world leaders, giving the words new resonance through music. Presidential Suite is considered Nash’s most significant work. Inspired by great political speeches of the 20th century dealing with the theme of freedom, it is rich with social and political awareness. It involved a very creative approach; Nash transcribed the speeches for their actual musical pitches and created themes, placing them into contexts that embraced the speakers and the location and era of the speeches. A longtime member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Nash has spent 25 years blending intellect, emotion and bold creativity through his compositions. Acclaimed as one of the most innovative voices in modern jazz, he’s known for his boundless creativity as an arranger and performer. Nash leads multiple innovative projects while remaining at the forefront of the jazz scene with a demanding touring schedule as a core member of the JLCO. From pushing boundaries with the Jazz Composers Collective — of which he’s a co-founder — to appearing on “best-of” lists in the New York Times, The New Yorker and Billboard, Nash continues to redefine what jazz can be. He has that uncanny ability to mix freedom with substance, blues with intellect and risk-taking with clarity.

• Where: Eisenhower Park, Parking Field 2.

• Time: 9 a.m.

• Contact: EliteFeats.com/25LITurkeyTrot

NOV

2

Splish Splash…

Animal Bath

Hang out with some Long Island Children’s Museum’s “residents” at the drop-in program. Join an animal educator in the Hive Studio’s in the Feasts for Beasts Gallery to learn what goes into the care of LICM’s animal “residents.” Observe animal bath time.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 1:30-2 p.m.

• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

Bingo at Temple B’Nai Torah

Temple B’nai Torah hosts weekly bingo with prizes, progressive games, and refreshments every Wednesday and Thursday.

• Where: 2900 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh

• Time: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Thursdays, 7:15-10 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 221-2370

Game time

NOV

6

Play Mah Jongg and Canasta every Thursday at Congregation Beth Tikvah. Snacks and drinks are provided. $5 contribution.

• Where : 3710 Woodbine Ave., Wantagh

• Time: Thursdays, noon-4 p.m.

• Contact: mahjonggCBT@yahoo. com or (516) 785-2445

• Where: Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100

available in advance or at the door. Refreshments provided; guests can bring in your own food (just no pork or shellfish).

• Where: Temple B’nai Torah, 2900 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh

• Time: 7:30 p.m., also Nov. 15

• Contact: licabaret@aol.com or (516) 946-7207

NOV

9

NOV

8

‘Once Upon A Song!’

Join L.I. Cabaret Theatre for their latest performance. In this spirited show books in a library are brought to life in song and dance. A cast of 40 keeps the action moving along, with a live band and and a special appearance by Steve Mitchell as Elvis. The singers and dancers perform current hits, oldies and tunes from the Broadway stage, with a tribute to Woodstock and “Wicked.” With refreshments and post-show dancing until 1 A.M. Seating is night-club style at round tables. $30 per person,

in a utopian period where it was thought that peace and love could change the world, these posters advertised the rock “dance concerts” and reflected the very psychedelic and idealistic world around them. Breaking all the rules of graphic design and advertising, the psychedelic rock posters sought to be as illegible as possible, to force competing colors together to create a vibratory effect, and appropriated images from all eras of history, Seating is limited. Registration required. $20, $15 seniors, members free.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 3 p.m.

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

Flip Your Lid

Families are invited to commemorate America Recycles Day at Long Island Children’s Museum by upcycling mason jar lids into beautiful works of art, at the drop-in program. Free with museum admission. For ages 3+.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 1-3 p.m.

• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

DEC

7

Vendors Wanted for Holiday Shopping Day

Congregation Beth Tikvah Sisterhood & Men’s Club seeks vendors for its Holiday Shopping Day. Vendor opportunities available at reasonable rates for selling apparel, jewelry, housewares, collectibles, gifts, toys, seasonal items, crafts, and more.

• Where: 3710 Woodbine Ave., Wantagh

Auction

Last Hope Animal Rescue Annual

Join Last Hope Animal Rescue for its annual “Raise Your Paws,” at Mulcahy’s. With a buffet, open bar, and live music, with proceeds supporting Last Hope’s animal rescue efforts. $80 in advance and $85 at the door, if space is available.

• Where: 3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh

• Time: 2-6 p.m.

• Contact: lasthopeanimalrescue.org

Art Talk

Join Poster Historian and Gallerist Ted Bahr for” In a Furious Moment

- The History and Development of the Psychedelic Rock Poster.” The psychedelic rock poster had a brief but colorful life from 1966 to 1970. Originating out of San Francisco

• Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Contact: For information and registration, email CBTWantaghHolidayShop@ gmail.com

Having an event?

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

Public Notices

Security Holders Owning or Holding 1

Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None.

12 Not applicable.

1. Publication Title:

No. of Issues

6. Annual Subscription Price: $50.

7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 2 ENDO BLVD, GARDEN CITY, NY 11530

8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530.

9 Full Names and Complete Mailing

Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor. Publisher: Richner Communications, Inc., Stuart Richner, 2 ENDO BLVD, GARDEN CITY, NY 11530. Editor: CHARLES SHAW, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530. Managing Editor: JEFF BESSEN, 2 ENDO BLVD, GARDEN CITY, NY 11530.

10. Owner: Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530; Clifford Richner, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530; Stuart Richner, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530. 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other

LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR SG MORTGAGE SECURITIES BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-FRE2, Plaintiffagainst - SUZANNE M. BRADY, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on March 15, 2019. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on the 6th day of November, 2025 at

13. Publication Title: SEAFORD HERALD.

14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: SEPTEMBER 25, 2025

15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: a. Total No. Copies: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 3000; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 2500. b. Paid Circulation (By Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 7 Actual No. Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 8 (2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 320; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 257 (3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mails including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, and Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 931; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 936. (4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published

2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Wantagh, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York.

Premises known as 3677 Smith Street, Wantagh, NY 11793. (SBL#: 57-89-105) Approximate amount of lien $614,197.89 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 010340/2015. John G. Kennedy, Esq., Referee. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue,

Nearest to Filing Date, 0. c. Total Paid Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 1258 Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 1201. d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution( by Mail and Outside the Mail) : (1) Free or Nominal Rate Outside-County as Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 345 Actual No. Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 262(2)Free or Nominal In-County as Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 144; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0 (3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other classes Mailed Through the USPS: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0. (4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 300; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 500 e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 789; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 762. f. Total Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During

Suite 840 New York, NY 10170

Tel. 347/286-7409

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

Dated: September 8, 2025

During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure

Preceding 12 Months, 2047; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue

Published Nearest to Filing Date, 1963 g. Copies Not Distributed: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 953; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 537 h. Total: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 3000; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 2500.

i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 61.46%; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 61.18

16. This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the October 30, 2025 issue of this publication.

17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner: Stuart Richner, Owner; Date: October 1, 2025. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material information requested on the form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).

1322412

Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 156078

LEGAL NOTICE

The following entitled resolution, which constitutes a summary thereof and which is published herewith, has been adopted on August 25, 2025, and approved as a Proposition at the Special Election duly called and held on October 21, 2025. The validity of the obligations authorized by such resolution may be hereafter contested only if such obligations were authorized for an

News brief

Nassau police deliver baby in Seaford

A 35-year-old woman gave birth to a baby girl in Seaford Sunday morning with the assistance of Nassau County Police medics after going into labor while driving.

Seventh Precinct officers responded at 4:45 a.m. on Oct. 19 to 2000 Seamans Neck Road, where the woman had pulled over to the side of the road. Nassau County

Police medics Salvatore Ferro, Michael White, and medic supervisor William Rudnick assisted in delivering the baby in the back of a police ambulance. Both mother and child were transported to a local hospital, where they are reported to be in stable condition and doing well.

— Charles Shaw

Let us Know

News Brief items including awards, honors, promotions and other tidbits about local residents are welcome. Photographs may be emailed as well. Deadline for submissions is noon Thursday, week prior to publication. Send to execeditor@liherald.com

Public Notices

object or purpose for which the Seaford Fire District, in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, is not authorized to expend money or if the provisions of law which should have been complied with as of the date of publication of this Notice were not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the publication of this Notice, or such obligations were authorized in violation of the provisions of the constitution.

MICHAEL FORAN FIRE DISTRICT SECRETARY BOND RESOLUTION OF THE SEAFORD FIRE DISTRICT (“FIRE DISTRICT”), IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK, ADOPTED AUGUST 25, 2025, AUTHORIZING (I) THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FIRE DISTRICT BUILDING, ON LAND CURRENTLY OWNED BY THE FIRE DISTRICT AND LOCATED AT 3844 WAVERLY AVENUE, SEAFORD, NEW YORK (THE “NEW BUILDING PROJECT”), INCLUDING GRADING AND/OR IMPROVEMENT OF THE SITE AND PURCHASE OF THE ORIGINAL FURNISHINGS, EQUIPMENT OR MACHINERY REQUIRED FOR THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH SAID BUILDING IS TO BE USED, AT THE ESTIMATED MAXIMUM COST OF $3,200,000, INCLUDING PRELIMINARY COSTS AND COSTS INCIDENTAL THERETO

AND TO THE FINANCING THEREOF AND (II) ALTERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO FIRE DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS LOCATED AT 2170 SOUTHARD AVENUE, SEAFORD, NEW YORK, (THE “RENOVATION PROJECT”), INCLUDING SITE AND OTHER WORK ANCILLARY OR RELATED THERETO, AT THE ESTIMATED MAXIMUM COST OF $700,000; STATING THAT THE TOTAL COST OF THE NEW BUILDING PROJECT AND THE RENOVATION PROJECT IS $3,900,000; APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT THEREFOR, INCLUDING THE EXPENDITURE OF NOT TO EXCEED $1,000,000 FROM THE FIRE DISTRICT’S EXISTING CAPITAL RESERVE FUND HERETOFORE ESTABLISHED TO PAY AS MUCH OF THE COST OF THE NEW BUILDING PROJECT AS NEEDED AND ALL OF THE COST OF THE RENOVATION PROJECT, WHICH IS HEREBY APPROVED; AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $2,900,000 TO FINANCE A PORTION OF THE COST OF THE NEW BUILDING PROJECT; AND PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF TAXES TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF SAID BONDS AND THE INTEREST THEREON AS THE SAME BECOME DUE AND PAYABLE The object or purpose for which the bonds are authorized is the construction of a new Fire District building on land currently owned

by the Fire District and located at 3844 Waverly Avenue, Seaford, New York and alterations and improvements to Fire District headquarters located at 2170 Southard Avenue, Seaford, New York

The maximum principal amount of bonds authorized to be issued is $2,900,000.

The period of probable usefulness is fifteen (15) years.

A complete copy of the bond resolution summarized above shall be available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the Fire District Secretary, Seaford Fire District, Fire District Headquarters, 2170 Southard Avenue, Seaford, New York. 156498

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the WANTAGH FIRE DISTRICT, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, on the 27th day of January 2025, subject to permissive referendum as provided for by the General Municipal law.

An extract of the resolution is as follows:

The Wantagh Fire District has by appropriate resolution established and maintains a certain capital reserve fund, established pursuant to Section 6(g) of the General Municipal Law, in an account for deposit of said Capital Reserve Fund entitled, “The Wantagh Fire District, Section 6(g)

General Municipal “Firematic Equipment and Apparatus Capital Reserve Fund “ in local banks; in which account is sufficient funds to accomplish the purposes herein after set forth, namely, the SCBA Compressor and Fill Station Replacement Project (labor, material, inspection and delivery), including incidental expenses, advertising, and attorney’s fees, in order to maintain the efficiency of the Wantagh Fire District in the discharge of their duties in preserving the lives and property of the residents of the Community and the said project is deemed in the best interest of the residents of the Wantagh Fire District. The resolution further provides that there be transferred from the present Firematic Equipment and Apparatus Capital Reserve Fund of the Wantagh Fire District a sum not to exceed One Hundred Thousand ($100,000.00) dollars and the District Treasurer is authorized to effect such transfer from time to time as necessary for the project. This resolution is subject to a permissive resolution and shall not take effect until thirty (30) days, as provided by the General Municipal Law. Dated: October 20th 2025 By order of The Board of Fire Commissioner Brendan J. Narell Superintendent 156497

Home Happens Here

Apartments For Rent

GREENPORT: North Fork. Prime Main Street location. Historic Captains' house. Original floors and moldings. Suitable for: retail, gallery, office, tasting room. $3,700/month. Call 516-241-8135.

1-888-704-5670

MERRICK: 1 BR, 2nd Floor, No Pets. $1500/ Monthly. 2 Months Security Plus Electric. By Owner. 516-486-6139

A house makes the scary sounds of the season

Q. Our home seemed very normal when we first moved in, but little by little, things began to happen that we couldn’t explain. Doors would open and close, floors creaked with nobody in the room, a particular wall “sweats” one day a year, and we keep hearing a low moaning sound followed by tapping coming from our den. We’ve had a handyman come and try to assess some of the door squeaks and things, but is any of what I described normal, or could some of it truly be a sign of something unexplainable?

A. When things go bump in the night, you can’t always run to your mummy. It seems we humans have always had a fascination with death, and our minds create endless possible scenarios.

The first two things I was taught in architecture school were that we need to always be concerned about water and movement. How water affects our lives as a gas, liquid or solid is fascinating, and maybe a little spooky. Materials like the center of a tree trunk, when exposed, sanded and coated, become reactive to humidity we can’t easily see, which causes the wood to re-swell. The fibers in wood were once a set of feeding tubes, drawing water from the roots to the leaves, before someone came along and cut the tree down, stripped, sliced and kiln-dried it. Nature is super and natural, so it’s no wonder that it seems supernatural for wood to want to regain its former capability, and creak and moan as it delightfully regains its former life.

Some things can’t be explained easily, like why someone doesn’t check to see that a door is hung correctly, to be plum in the horizontal and vertical, so that the slightest breeze or pressure change makes it seem to move on its own. When heated or cooled water moves through a metal pipe (more so than through a plastic pipe), it expands or contracts it. If the pipe hangers holding it in the floor structure or the holes it snakes through are only the size of the pipe, the materials push and pull against each other, making banging and tapping sounds or, in some cases, squealing sounds.

I’ve often explained that homes are, in many ways, just like other living things, possessing a nervous system (their electric wiring), a skeleton, a skin and the ability to breathe in and out. Even though your home may have “good bones,” it still gets creaky and expands and contracts with the heat and cool cycles, when it’s hit with the hot sun and cool winds. Every day, your home lifts itself out of the ground, expands outward toward the sun and then, as you lie in bed in the darkness, you hear the materials all move past each other as they contract, settling in for the night, just like you.

Just remember, if you don’t pay your exorcism bill when it comes due, you run the risk of being repossessed!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcements

AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-833-323-0160

SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS!

Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS across the world. Let us do the research for you for FREE! Call: 877 988 7277

Antiques/Collectibles

We Buy Antiques, Fine Art, Coins & Jewelry Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 45 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464

Miscellaneous For Sale

PIANO: YAMAHA CLAVINOVA CLP-860 w/stereo sampling. $1,200.00 Negotiable. Pick-up Only. Call 718-986-7336 Leave Message.

Wanted To Buy

Costume Jewelry Wanted Necklaces, Earrings, Bracelets & Rings. Also Buying Gold & Silver. $$ CASH PAID $$ 631-500-0792 Long Island / Will Travel

UNDER $100

Finds Under $100

36 INCH DOG crate $35.00. Call 516-872-8486

CHAMPAGNE & BROWN Color Block Room Darkening Drapes. Bronze Rod w/2 Brackets. 54"X84" $45. 516-320-1906

LONG BLACK LEATHER coat, small, zip out lining, removable fur collar, never worn, $99.00 516-623-6318

SEIKO SCHOOLHOUSE CLOCK: Like New, Excellent condition, Chimes, $80 (516) 486-2363 Jack Taylor.

WOMAN'S REVERSIBLE BLACK shearing coat for $90.00. Pictures upon request. 516-668-7286

SERVICES

Brick/Block/Concrete/Masonry

***MASONRY & CONSTRUCTION*** EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS!

GIUSEPPE MUCCIACCIARO

We Do Pavers, Cultured Stone, Concrete, Bluestone, Blacktop, Fireplace, Patio, Waterproofing, Walkways, Pool Work. Lic#H2204320000 Family Operation Over 40Years. 516-238-6287

Cable/TV/Wiring

Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069

Electricians

E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC.

All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.

Handyman

PAINTING & HANDYMAN SERVICE

Tired of calling a contractor & they don't call back? I will call you back the same day! 917-822-0225 Ricky Specializing in carpentry, bathrooms, kitchens, sheetrock, flooring, electric, plumbing. Over 25 yrs exp.Lic/Ins H3805150000

Home Improvement

BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-833-807-0159

DO YOU KNOW what's in your water? Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as little one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Restrictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today. Call 1-866-247-5728

PREPARE FOR POWER outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-877-516-1160 today to schedule a free quote. It's not just a generator. It's a power move.

PREPARE FOR POWER outages with Briggs & Stratton® PowerProtect(TM) standby generators - the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty - 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-888-605-1496

SAFE STEP. NORTH America's #1 WalkIn Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-855-916-5473

Miscellaneous

GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391

Painting

CHARLIE THE PAINTER: Highly Skilled Professional Painter. All Phases Of The Painting Trade. Interior/ Exterior. Expert Repairs. Commercial. 25 Years Experience. FREE Estimates. Charlie 516-325-6574

Plumbing

PLUMBER! PLUMBER! PLUMBER! FREE ESTIMATES! Heating, Repairs, Installations. $25 OFF New Customers. Family Plumbing. 516-825-3606

Power Washing

POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES: Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516-678-6641

Services

AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-833-880-7679

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-833-323-0318. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider.

Services

PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-833-549-0598 Have zip code of property ready when calling!

Telephone Services

CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682

Tree Services

T&M GREENCARE TREE SERVICE *TREE REMOVAL *STUMP GRINDING *PRUNING. FREE ESTIMATES. 516-223-4525, 631-586-3800 www.tmgreencare.com

Satellite/TV Equipment

DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Direct and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

& Fitness

Health

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-833-661-4172

ATTENTION: VIAGRA AND CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-833-641-6397

Tutoring

READING TUTOR : Certified In Wilson, Fundations, Orton-Gilliham. Will Focus On All Skills Needed To Improve Vocabulary, Phonemic Awareness, Fluency, Comprehension And Phonics. 516-650-5776; mypaltj@yahoo.com

AUTOMOBILE & MARINE

Autos For Sale

FORD FOCUS, 2014,

Trump has written first chapter of a new Mideast history

president Trump’s achievement of reaching an agreement to end the two-year war in Gaza is a truly historic moment. It is a tribute to Trump’s leadership, and to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s determination to stand firm against an amalgam of critics ranging from the simply misinformed to virulent anti-Israel and/or antisemitic voices.

The return of the hostages who are still alive and the enactment of a ceasefire are critical and monumental. Even more significant in the quest for a lasting peace is how the major Arab nations, and a leading nonArab Muslim country like Turkey, have lined up against Hamas. Trump capped off the significance of the moment by delivering a fiery speech to the Israeli Knesset before jetting to Egypt for a Gaza agreement signing ceremony with the Arab leaders and President Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.

Just months ago, all this would have been deemed improbable, if not impossible. But as important as these monumental steps are, they are only first

steps. Much difficult work remains for Trump’s overall plan to succeed.

Who will carry out the weapons inspections to ensure that Hamas has fully disarmed? How and when will a transition government for Gaza, without Hamas, be formed?

Which of the nations will provide the troops for the peacekeeping force that will maintain the agreement? How much will it cost to rebuild Gaza? All of these questions are real, but should not be allowed to derail the agreement, which has provided the greatest opportunity for real peace since Israel’s creation as a nation state in 1948.

But any reluctance to remain fully engaged will incentivize Hamas.

ist organization is fanatical and suicidal, and will take whatever disruptive action it can. If it refuses to show evidence of complete disarmament, the United States must support the Israel Defense Forces going in to forcibly take away Hamas’s weapons. If Arab nations don’t provide the necessary troops for the international peacekeeping force, Trump must do what he does best, and bring to bear whatever pressure is required for them to live up to their obligations.

Trump will have to stand strong behind the agreement that he formulated and brought to fruition. It is clearly in America’s national interest to make it work. The president will have to resist the anti-Israel/antisemitic attacks and the isolationist rants from uninformed elements in his MAGA base. Any reluctance to remain fully engaged will incentivize Hamas and lead to the crumbling of Arab nations’ support for the agreement.

Now that we are so fully engaged, the United States cannot afford to back away. Hamas realizes that if this agreement survives, Hamas won’t. The terror-

As for bringing together a Hamas-free transition entity, the United States must work with Israel and other key regional countries to have our intelligence agencies coordinate an effective vetting process to ensure that Hamas does not infiltrate the transitional governing body that must be created. Trump would be well advised to work with Britain’s former Prime Minister Tony Blair throughout this process, and make use of his proven diplomatic and peacekeeping abilities. Rebuilding Gaza is essential. Gaza is wrecked, much of it reduced to rubble. Rebuilding it seems insurmountable. But so did rebuilding Germany and Japan after World War II. The United States realized that it was in our national and economic interests to have those coun-

Presidents make mistakes, but

Ltries rebuilt and stabilized, and formulated the Marshall Plan to coordinate the rebuilding of Germany. In Japan, Gen. Douglas MacArthur was given the power to create a democratic government and a free economy. With American leadership, these two nations created strong democratic societies while rebuilding their countries with vibrant economies. None of this came easy. President Harry Truman had to fight off resistance from isolationists and remnants of the discredited America First movement, which had kept the United States from being fully prepared for World War II. Truman was able to effectuate this by coordinating efforts with national security-minded Republicans to rebuild Europe and establish NATO, which, over the course of four decades, deterred Soviet aggression, overwhelmed the Russian economy and led to the collapse of the Communist government there, the disintegration of the Iron Curtain and the liberation or Eastern Europe’s captive nations. Today’s isolationists have no sense of history, and naively claim that “nation building” must be disregarded. Trump must stand firm behind his Gaza agreement and solidify his position in history as a true peacemaker.

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

this one was a doozy

ong Island is a populous region. It is estimated to have a combined two-county population of just under 3 million people. The island boasts many famous names, including Billy Joel and Billy Crystal. One name that keeps cropping up, not in the category of highly respected people, is that of former U.S. Rep. George Santos a wellknown regional figure for all the wrong reasons. In August 2024 Santos pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud and identify theft. In April he was sentenced to seven years in a federal prison — and Long Islanders were able to turn their attention to other, more serious matters. That was so until two Fridays ago, when President Trump announced in a Truth Social post that he was issuing a commutation of Santos’s sentence. Sadly, within hours, Santos was freed from prison after having served less than three months.

There aren’t many news items that

can jolt Long Islanders, but that commutation hit many like a ton of bricks. For the better part of 2024, the media had had a field day with Santos. While he had been a member of Congress, representing the Island’s North Shore, friends from as far away as Florida and California flooded my phone with inquiries about whether I knew Santos, and what he was like. Other than being familiar with his name and the allegations, I was glad that our paths never crossed.

During my many years on earth I have heard of hundreds of pardons and commutations, issued by presidents and governors, but very few have stunned me like this one. I can cite name after name of people who have benefited from this variety of kindness. Presidents of both parties have pardoned or commuted the sentences of such famous names as the late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, and Patty Hearst. Any American with a knowledge of history knows of President Gerald Ford’s pardon of the disgraced President Richard Nixon. The first recorded act of American governmental discretion was the amnes-

N ot many news items jolt Long Islanders, but George Santos’s pardon did.

ty issued to participants in the Whiskey Rebellion in the early 1790s. George Washington granted relief to those who were convicted. Bill Clinton pardoned financier Marc Rich and Roger Clinton, his half- brother. President Biden issued a blanket pardon of a number of members of his family. To date, Trump has pardoned or commuted the sentences of more than a dozen present or former public officials.

So what’s the big deal about George Santos? No figure from our region has been the subject of so much public scorn from so many people in both political parties. Republican County Executive Bruce Blakeman and County Chair Joe Cairo both called for Santos’s expulsion from Congress. Wellknown Democrats including Congress members Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen asked for similar action.

Regrettably, Santos has become the poster boy for conduct that we have never experienced in our fairly closeknit community. His exaggerations about his record, when he presented himself to the Island’s voters, are now part of our political folklore. He claimed so many false things about his life that

there are too many to recite in one column. But his mistruths eventually caught up with him, and he wound up being sentenced to federal prison.

Santos’s release following his presidential gift continued to attract political scorn from Republican Congressmen Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota, who were among those who had called for his expulsion from the House. Since he was released, he has claimed that he would consider becoming a “prison reform” advocate. Absent proof in the future, his post-prison remarks very much resemble his original exaggerations.

Those of us who live in the political world are very cognizant of the quality of the people who sign their sworn oath of office and promise to abide by the Constitution of our republic. We ask that they be true to us in order to gain our trust. They sometimes stray from their path, but most of them toe the line and don’t ignore their pledge to America.

Santos was a big disappointment, and all of Long Island regrets the leniency he was given that he didn’t deserve.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.

When disaster strikes, the Red Cross responds

When disaster strikes — from Amityville to Alaska — the American Red Cross answers the call. It’s one of the most recognized humanitarian organizations in the world, yet its reach is often most powerful in our own neighborhoods.

On Long Island, the Red Cross stands as a beacon of compassion and readiness, providing aid when emergencies leave families shattered and communities reeling.

The Red Cross exists to meet human need, fast. Whether it’s a house fire in Baldwin, flooding in Freeport or a snowstorm that knocks out power across Nassau and Suffolk counties, the American Red Cross on Long Island mobilizes within hours to provide food, blankets and shelter. The organization’s volunteers are often the first to arrive and the last to leave. They help displaced families find stability, deliver health services and connect victims with longer-term recovery resources.

Beyond disaster relief, the Red Cross supports hospital networks and local blood drives, trains residents in lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid, and educates communities about home safety. Perhaps its most impactful local program is the Sound the Alarm campaign, in which free smoke alarms are installed in homes

letters

across Long Island. These simple devices have saved hundreds of lives nationwide and dozens here at home — tangible proof that prevention is just as important as emergency response.

The organization’s effectiveness stems from its people. Across Nassau and Suffolk, the Red Cross is powered by volunteers from all walks of life — doctors who lend their expertise in medical emergencies, retired police officers who bring calm to chaos and educators who teach safety preparedness in schools.

Among them is Jennifer Keane, athletic director and trainer in the Wantagh School District. Keane was one of the Long Island chapter’s heroes for helping to save the life of referee Joe Gaskin at a Nassau County boys’ basketball finals game in March. With a medical team administering CPR and Keane using an automated external defibrillator, they revived Gaskin after he collapsed. Keane stayed by his side, reassuring him and helping to calm him as he regained consciousness.

The results speak for themselves. Every year the American Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters nationwide. In the Greater New York region that includes Long Island, the organization responds to roughly 2,300 emergencies each year, from building collapses to home fires to flooding.

The shutdown is ‘malpractice’ by both parties

To the Editor:

Re U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi’s op-ed in last week’s issue, “How does this shutdown finally end?”: The question should be, How was this made to happen from the beginning? We have military personnel serving and not getting paid. We have air traffic controllers and other federal employees working and not getting paid. Yet we have a Congress not working and getting paid.

Are they truly representing the people, or their party affiliations and their own selfish interests?

When leverage is discussed, it isn’t about the people affected, but the perception of which party thinks it has the upper hand. We have politicians who, when they were the majority party, were for continuing resolutions, and now, because they are the minority party, are against them. How much damage of people’s personal lives are they willing to hold out for?

There are issues that should be discussed, but shutting down the government isn’t the way to go about it. This is not only an embarrassment, but a disgraceful malpractice committed by both parties toward the citizens of this country.

TONY GIAMETTA Oceanside

Thanks to those smoke alarm installations, the Red Cross has prevented tragedies before they could happen.

These outcomes ripple far beyond the crises at hand. Each act of service strengthens community resilience, teaching residents how to prepare for the next emergency and ensuring that no one faces it alone. The Red Cross model proves that organized compassion, backed by training and teamwork, can turn heartbreak into hope.

The success of that mission depends on all of us. You don’t need a medical degree or a uniform to make a difference. You can join a disaster response team, train to install smoke alarms, or simply contribute funds to support relief efforts. Every dollar, every hour volunteered helps save lives and restore dignity to those in need.

When a crisis strikes, the Red Cross shows that humanity’s greatest strength lies in our willingness to help. On Long Island, it’s not just an organization; it’s a community of neighbors ready to act. In moments of disaster, the Red Cross doesn’t just respond. It reminds us who we are — a region, and a nation, defined by generosity, courage and the unyielding belief that no one should face tragedy alone.

To learn more or to become a Long Island volunteer, call (516) 747-3500, or go to RedCross.org.

opinions

Authoritarianism is the shadow we choose not to see

election season is a fitting time to take stock — not only of what our leaders have and have not done, but also of what we have tolerated from them, and from ourselves.

Truth be told, there’s an unease in the air — not just about elections or economics, but about something deeper: the slow erosion of trust, the hardening of contempt, the growing sense that truth itself has become negotiable. These aren’t the hallmarks of a confident democracy. They’re the early shadows of something dangerous. When people hear the word “totalitarian,” they imagine parades and police states, not school boards or town councils. But the most enduring form of authoritarianism doesn’t arrive with tanks; it creeps in through the corrosion of truth-telling, respect and shared responsibility. Totalitarianism, in its embryonic stage, works to silence disagreement, to treat opponents as enemies, to bend institutions toward personal or partisan ends. It begins when loyalty to a leader becomes more prized than integrity, and when public life becomes less about dialogue than domination.

That, increasingly, is the shadow stretching across our civic landscape. We are losing the antibodies that protect us from tyranny.

At the federal level, we’ve seen the guardrails of restraint weaken. Laws once thought firm are now bent to accommodate personal power. Agencies created to serve the public are recast as instruments of political loyalty. Facts — about elections, pandemics or climate — are recast as matters of opinion. At the state level, officials redraw district maps to predetermine election outcomes, Boards of Education decide which books and histories may be taught.

iruption scandal fades because “they all do it.” Cynicism replaces vigilance. And soon the line between disappointment and danger blurs.

t begins when loyalty to a leader becomes more prized that integrity.

The civic contract — our shared assumption that good-faith debate is possible — is fraying.

Even in our towns and neighborhoods, the tone has changed. School board meetings devolve into shouting matches. Civic volunteers are harassed. Journalists and teachers second-guess whether candor is worth the backlash. Citizens withdraw, exhausted, convinced that their voices no longer matter.

History teaches that authoritarianism rarely arrives announced. It spreads through small acts of indifference. A lie goes unchallenged because correcting it seems tedious. A cruel remark passes as “just politics.” A cor-

LeTTers

Sharing memories of Woodmere with Randi

To the Editor:

I loved Randi Kreiss’s column last week, “Returning to autumn in New York, 2025.” I grew up in Woodmere myself. We lived off West Broadway, on a little dead-end street called Crestwood Road. The street contains some seven houses. Four guys, including me, who grew up there still get together for lunch now and then.

I graduated from George W. Hewlett High School in 1957, and remember Woodmere Dock and the rowboat rentals. I remember it as Simon’s dock. Thanks for the memories, Randi!

KEN WALKER Amityville

Sharing memories of grandparents with Jordan

To the Editor:

Thanks to Jordan Vallone for her recent column, “My grief for my late grandma is love imploding.” I’m now 79 years young, but still miss my Harry and Nanny, my Bronx maternal grandparents. That bond is unbreakable. Thanks to what they gave me, I now have a similar bond with my youngest grandson, Jackson, 5. One way to honor the departed loved ones is to pass the love on. This makes the days with the little guy very special. So I hope Vallone enjoys and rejoices in the memories of her grandmother. Such wonderful relationships make the world a better place.

RICK HERMAN Lido Beach

The response to this drift isn’t louder slogans or angrier partisanship. It’s reclaiming the daily practices of citizenship. Voting is one, but only one. Equally vital are reading beyond sources that simply echo what we already believe, defending the legitimacy of local journalism and supporting honest education even when it challenges our comfort. It means expecting integrity from leaders — not because they share our ideology, but because they serve the public.

That same principle applies to law enforcement and border security. A nation must protect its citizens, but it must also protect its character. The rule of law loses its legitimacy when it is enforced with cruelty or indifference to human dignity.

We can also reclaim the moral vocabulary that once anchored our public life — words like decency, fairness, humility and truth. These aren’t partisan terms; they are the language of citizenship. They’re the quiet, everyday antidotes to authoritarian temptation.

Some people hear warnings about democracy’s decline and shrug. They prefer to focus on tangible things: business, markets, growth. Yet authoritari-

anism is no friend to those, either. Where power consolidates, corruption follows. Unpredictable governance and politicized law breed instability. Investors and entrepreneurs, like citizens, rely on the predictability of fair rules. When those rules are warped by loyalty or fear, commerce and civic peace both suffer.

The defense of democratic institutions isn’t a liberal or conservative cause; it’s a stability cause. It is in everyone’s self-interest to preserve the conditions in which disagreement remains peaceful, contracts remain reliable and the law applies equally.

Ordinary citizenship takes courage — the courage to insist on truth when it’s inconvenient, to practice civility when it’s unfashionable, to defend fairness even when it costs us something. The survival of democracy has always depended on the willingness of ordinary people to do the unglamorous work of maintaining it.

The future of this country won’t be decided by the loudest voices; it will be decided by those who keep faith with the idea of shared citizenship. The health of our democracy doesn’t depend on who holds office next year; it depends on whether we still believe, collectively, that truth and decency are worth defending.

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

Framework by Tim Baker
Chucky and some of his horror-inducing colleagues — Chestnut Street, Rockville Centre
miCHaeL BLiTZ

mountsinai.org/southnassau

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.