South Shore Record 02-19-2026

RecoRD South Shore

How the library saves you money

Using its range of services

How to care for your heart page 5

Hewlett High School’s Theater Company performed “Noises Off” by Michael Frayn on Feb. 5, 6 and 7 in the little theater.

According to Wikipedia. com, Frayn conceived the idea in 1970 while watching from the wings a performance of “The Two of

Us”, a farce that he had written for Lynn Redgrave. He said, “It was funnier from behind than in front, and I thought that one day I must write a farce from behind.

The prototype, a shortlived one-act play called “Exits”, was written and performed in

1977. At the request of his associate, Michael Codron, Frayn expanded this into what would become “Noises Off”.

Nominate a student under 18 for the Sustainability Champion Award to recognize their efforts in driving sustainable change.

Submit a nomination of approximately 100 words or less describing the student’s leadership in promoting sustainability: What motivates them? What impact have they had?

Be sure to include a photo or an example of their work—whether it’s a community garden, an environmental campaign, or a creative solution to a sustainability challenge.

5 Towns libraries save patrons over $27 million

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

Library patrons at the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library and Peninsula Public Library in Lawrence are capitalizing on their library core service, reporting over $27 million in core service savings across District 20 last year.

The report, released by Nassau Libraries System, also includes fellow District 20 libraries in Island Park, Long Beach and Oceanside. Patrons saved $21.4 million by borrowing either a physical book or e-book. Libraries also helped patrons save $2.7 million in enrichment programs for adults or children five and younger.

“It is proof that these institutions don’t just educate,” District 20 Assemblyman Ari Brown wrote in a statement to the Herald. “They deliver real financial relief to families.”

Hewlett-Woodmere offers a variety of services and enrichment programs for children, teens, and adults, including concerts. They have 12 literary formats and a selection of 29 museum passes. Hewlett-Woodmere’s director Michelle Young said it’s about creating habits. “You need to start with your youngest readers,” she said. “When they come to the library, they become accustomed to coming. It’s like their home.”

Young said that libraries are also a place where families can go to enjoy themselves and be true to their passions. “It does not matter where you are coming from,” she said. “Everyone is equal. Everyone is learning.”

Libraries helped save patrons over $27 million in core services last year, through both familiar and new programs, like the Cognitive Film Society. Douglas Hesney, left, Foster Hirsch, and Director Michelle Young celebrated the first showing in June 2025.

Two years ago, Hewlett-Woodmere added a program for young adults ages 18 through 30—an age group that, as Young said, wanted to remain involved.

“There really wasn’t anything for that age group,” she said, noting that people over 18 were often grouped together in

the adult program. “It’s a really nice way to get them to meet in person and socialize.”

Like its neighbor, Peninsula has also changed with the times while maintaining its reading selections. Libby, an app that provides digital book access, gives

patrons the ability to download audiobooks, magazines, and e-books. For seniors, it has a courier service that delivers books to over 100 patrons who can’t make it to the library.

Peninsula’s weekly digital newsletter through the platform, Wowbrary, allows patrons to select reading categories or authors of interest. Patrons also have access to the platform Brainfuse, which provides an online learning environment for learners of all ages. Their approach, as its director, Carolynn Matuelewicz said, is about reaching people beyond the library doors. “Everything is online and digital,” she said. “That’s the way of the world now.”

Both libraries are recipients of Assemblyman Brown’s bullet aid, a type of funding given to libraries and schools. Brown thanked libraries for their service to the community, calling them a vital part of the community.

“I proudly divide every dollar of my bullet aid equally among them because the dedicated people who work in our libraries strengthen our community every single day,” he wrote.

Young said that libraries like Hewlett-Woodmere that have a variety of programs, want to accommodate as many people as possible. She encouraged residents and those outside the district to take advantage of their offerings.

For more information on programs and services at libraries, visit hwpl.org for Hewlett-Woodmere, and peninsulapublic.org for Peninsula.

“Take advantage of everything we offer,” Young said. “It’s free.”

Village of Atlantic Beach unanimously approves several changes

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

The Village of Atlantic Beach Board of Trustees adopted several resolutions at its board meeting.

The board, which met Feb. 9 at Village Hall, voted to adopt an amendment in chapter 210 of the village code, making changes to align with Nassau County’s Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemption. Residents age 65 or older who make less than $58,399 will qualify for the exemption after all state and federal exemptions have been assessed.

“You will make the filing with the county,” Village Trustee Joseph Pierantoni said.

To increase revenue for the village, the board went on to pass three additional resolutions.

Effective immediately, beach clubs will be required to pay $1.95 per square foot as a parking lot fee. Clubs will also have to pay an annual fee to use a lot at their location. The board also passed a resolution on a bill, which is currently in New York State’s Senate Assembly Committee. The bill, if passed, will impose a 3 percent tax on hotels, motels, and beach clubs within the village. It has support from State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitpatrick, and Dis-

trict 20 Assemblyman Ari Brown. Village Mayor Barry Frohlinger said that the changes in the code are in response to the significant vehicle traf-

fic beach clubs attract during the summer, calling it a “safety and security issue.” He noted that administrative functions like code enforcement, the

court system, and maintenance of roadways are all impacted.

“Our current fee structure for nonresidentential properties was established at a time when these costs were significantly lower than today,” Frohlinger said. “For years, the village has absorbed these rising costs. This is no longer a sustainable and responsible practice.”

The village also took steps to modernize its court system, passing a resolution allowing it to partner with FBS Parking Solutions. The firm will assist with a backlog of violations and help transform their current system by handling postage and notices—something the village had to do at its own expense. “This enhances administrative efficiency for the benefit of the community,” Frohlinger said. “It will clean up the problem and generate revenue.”

While the resolutions drew skepticism from the crowd, Frohlinger said that the changes will help “bring the village into the future.” He noted that, like his fellow trustees, he wants the code to “make sense and be fair.”

“We are reading every single word in the village code to make sure that we amend it to bring it up to speed, to where it should be in 2026,” he said.

HERALD EDitoRiAL

Misleading safety data could hurt kids

AFeb. 2 report, “Violent and Disruptive Incidents and Bullying in New york Schools,” from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli should serve as a wake-up call for anyone tempted to declare victory on school safety.

While official data shows that rates of “serious” violent and disruptive incidents are near zero, bullying, cyberbullying and drug-related incidents are rising statewide — in many cases exceeding pre-pandemic levels. That disconnect matters, because it reveals a system that risks measuring safety by definitions rather than by students’ lived experiences.

According to DiNapoli’s analysis of seven years of School Safety and Educational Climate data from the State Education Department, bullying is now the most frequently reported school safety incident.

In the 2023-24 school year, bullying, not including cyberbullying, accounted for nearly twothirds of all reported incidents statewide. Almost 30,000 bullying incidents were reported, translating to 12.4 incidents per 1,000 pupils. In schools that reported at least one incident, the rate was far higher.

Cyberbullying, meanwhile, remains officially “low” in the data, but that is precisely the problem. Anonymity, off-campus activity and the digital lives students have after dismissal make cyberbullying notoriously difficult to detect and report. The report itself acknowledges that many incidents likely go unreported. When nearly 35 percent of public schools report no bullying or

Who’s left to report the truth?

To the Editor:

As a former reporter, I cherish a free press — and with our democracy hanging by a thread, I refuse to sit by while truth tellers are silenced.

I was bothered that Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos caved to President Trump’s demand that the Post stay out of presidential endorsements. But what bothered me more was watching people cancel their subscriptions over it. That’s cutting off your nose to spite your face. Why punish a newspaper already struggling to survive? Did we forget that reporters are stationed around the world, risking their lives to bring us the truth — and that in times of conflict, they’re

RecoRd

cyberbullying incidents, the question is not whether bullying exists, but whether schools are capturing it honestly.

Drug-related incidents tell a similar story. After dropping during the period of remote learning, the number of drug incidents in secondary schools has risen above pre-Covid levels. Statewide rates climbed from 4.2 incidents per 1,000 students in 2017-18 to 6.5 in 2023-24, with especially high rates in upstate districts. These are not abstract numbers. They reflect daily realities that students, teachers and families confront in hallways, bathrooms and social spaces. yet at the same time these troubling trends are rising, reports of serious violent and disruptive incidents — such as assault, sexual offenses and weapons possession — have plummeted. That decline coincides not with a dramatic transformation of school culture, but with changes to reporting definitions implemented in 2021-22. Under the revised rules, incidents are only reportable if the offender is at least 10 years old, the incident meets felony criteria, and it has been referred to law enforcement.

The result is a dataset that may be technically accurate under state rules, but deeply misleading if taken at face value. Schools may still experience serious incidents that never meet the threshold for state reporting, creating a false sense of security for parents and policymakers who rely on these numbers to assess safety.

This is not the intent of New york’s school safety laws. The Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act, enacted in 2000, and the Dignity

L E tt ER to t HE ED ito R

always the first targets, precisely so the truth never reaches us?

The Post loses $100 million a year, yet it remains an essential truth teller. This is the paper that exposed Watergate. Not surprisingly, Trump admired President Richard Nixon. Both detested the press because its job is to investigate corruption and report the truth. And let’s not forget: a Washington Post journalist was murdered at the direction of a Saudi prince while Trump looked the other way.

While Trump manufactured a crisis in Greenland and ICE gunned down American citizens, the final board meeting of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting barely registered. Jimmy Kimmel’s being pulled off the air and the cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” already feel like ancient

for All Students Act, adopted a decade later, were designed to protect young people and ensure transparency in reporting harassment, bullying and violence. After the Sandy Hook tragedy in Connecticut, New york state rightly sought to refine and streamline reporting to focus on prevention. But refinement must not become minimization.

Limiting cellphone use during the school day is a modest step in the right direction. It will reduce in-school distractions. But bullying and cyberbullying don’t stop at the dismissal bell. Students carry their social worlds and their conflicts home in their pockets. Without sustained education, intervention and accountability, phones will simply resume their role as weapons after school hours.

Schools need to be honest with themselves about what these incidents are and properly report them to the State Education Department. That honesty isn’t about protecting reputations or presenting a picture of perfect calm. It’s about identifying real problems so they can be addressed.

Pretending a school or district is blissful may look good on paper, but it does nothing to protect students. Reliable, transparent data is the foundation of meaningful solutions.

If we want safer schools in reality and not just safer statistics, we must confront bullying, cyberbullying and substance use head-on, report them accurately, and commit to prevention that extends beyond the school day. our children deserve nothing less.

history. Even as wars rage in Ukraine and the Middle East, coverage keeps shrinking — and that is no accident.

And now Bezos is laying off a third of the Post’s staff, including a war correspondent in Ukraine. With Secretary of War Pete Hegseth blocking Pentagon reporting, Trump forming a “Board of Peace” with Putin and other authoritarian leaders, and independent news sources collapsing, who is left to deliver the truth?

dr. dheeraj khurana

How to care for your heart

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

Q: Tell me about yourself.

A: I’m honored to lead the cardiology department at EHS. I have more than 25 years of experience in structural heart disease, cardiac catheterization, and interventional cardiology. Before joining EHS as an attending physician in March 2025, I operated a private practice in Hollis, New York, for seven years and served as an attending physician in the Division of Cardiology at Lenox Hill Heart and Vascular Institute. I completed my chief fellowship in interventional cardiology and cardiovascular disease fellowship at Lenox Hill, and

my training has equipped me to manage both routine and complex cardiovascular conditions. My role at EHS involves overseeing patient care, ensuring the highest quality standards, mentoring physicians and students, and driving innovation in cardiovascular services.

Q: What expanded cardiology services are EHS now offering to the community?

A: We’ve significantly enhanced our cardiovascular care capabilities. Our cardiology team provides comprehensive prevention, diagnosis, treatment and long-term management for a broad range of cardiovascular conditions—from heart failure and coronary artery

disease to arrhythmias and valve disorders. We’re supported by advanced diagnostic imaging, including echocardiography, stress testing, and cardiac CT, which enables early detection and more personalized treatment plans.

Q: What are the major risk factors for heart disease that people should be aware of?

A: High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking are the key risk factors for heart disease. About 1 in 20 adults ages 20 and older have coronary artery disease. What’s particularly important to understand is that many of these risk factors are preventable or manageable with lifestyle changes and proper medical care.

Q: What’s your message to the community during American Heart Health Month?

A: Heart disease is largely preventable, but it requires action. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. This month, I encourage everyone to assess their heart health risks, schedule a screening if needed, and commit to at least one positive lifestyle change—whether that’s

Courtesy Episcopal Health Services

Dr. Dheeraj Khurana, chief of cardiology at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital.

quitting smoking, increasing physical activity, or improving your diet. Our team at EHS is here to support you every step of the way, from prevention through treatment and long-term management. Your heart health is in your hands, and we’re here to help you protect it.

Q: Who should consider getting their heart checked?

A: If you have any risk factors—high blood pressure,

high cholesterol, diabetes, family history of heart disease, or if you smoke—you should have regular cardiovascular screenings. Even if you feel healthy, preventive care is key to early detection. Our team is equipped to provide comprehensive diagnostic and consultative services that can identify issues before they become serious.

Q: How can community members access EHS’s cardiology services?

A: We’ve made it easy for patients to connect with our cardiology team. Anyone interested in learning more about our cardiology services or scheduling an appointment can call 718-EHSDOCS (347-3627). Our goal is to bring earlier diagnosis, more precise intervention, and better long-term outcomes together in a single, coordinated program that serves the diverse communities of the Rockaways and Five Towns.

331-hub plan targets 911-operator burnout

By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com

Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks on Monday introduced legislation to create a countywide 311 non-emergency service, a move that she and other Democratic lawmakers say will reduce burnout on 911 operators and improve emergency response times.

County residents often call 911 for nonemergency issues — including potholes, sanitation problems, streetlight outages and noise complaints. Nationwide data suggests nearly 50 percent of 911 calls fall into these categories.

The proposed 311 system would include a centralized call center staffed by trained personnel. It would allow residents to submit service requests via mobile app — including uploading photos — and track their status in real time. Lawmakers say that reducing non-emergency call volume would help address a 20 percent staffing shortage among emergency operators and cut down delays in lifethreatening situations.

“While these calls deserve attention, they shouldn’t compete with someone reporting a fire, a violent crime or a medical emergency when only seconds count,” Nicks said. “Here in Nassau, our operators are handling everything from noise complaints to service requests, and these non-emergencies calls pull resources away from urgent needs.”

“It’s about protecting the people who will protect us, this proposal will help reduce burnout, improve retention and strengthen emergency responses across Nassau County,” said Delia DeRiggi Whitton, a county legislator who represents Glen Cove and Sea Cliff, who serves as the Legislature’s minority leader. This is a commonsense workforce and public safety investment that benefits residents, employees and emergency responders.”

Also, the short staffing concerns have grown since County Executive Bruce Blakeman passed a voluntary buyout program for longtime employees in his $4.4 billion executive budget in January. Possibly saving $30 million annually, concerns were raised about losing experienced staff in public safety.

She pointed to similar systems in New York City, Suffolk County and the Town of North Hempstead. North Hempstead launched its 311-call center in 2005, and has handled more than three million calls, according to Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena. The center acts as a onestop hub for municipal services, with requests tracked through completion.

County Legislator Viviana Russell, who represents parts of Uniondale and North Hempstead, said she was part of the original team that launched North Hempstead’s system. She also took part in the Suffolk operating system as well.

“I can tell you first-hand how it helped

residents of the Town of North Hempstead,” Russell said. “Through tracking the calls, you are able to see where there are needs in different departments as well as where residents need additional help, within the confines of the county.”

The county would also launch a public education campaign to help residents understand when to call 311 versus 911.

Nicks said labor unions would be included in planning for staffing and training.

As of now, the legislators are in close contact with CSEA, one of the largest public service unions in the state, and other labor groups have expressed support for the legislation.

Under the plan, full-time workers with at least 10 years of service would receive a $2,000 lump-sum payment for each year worked. About 3,400 employees are eligible — including 911 operators.

As a former emergency medical service responder and fire captain with Uniondale’s Manor Company 3, Nicks said she knows how critical a fast response can be.

“This is most apropos for her to introduce this legislation,” said County Legislator Scott Davis, who represents North Baldwin and Rockville Centre. “This is an opportunity to provide 21st-century service. Nassau County deservse services that are accessible, convenient and efficient.”

HAFTR names new director of college & academic guidance

The Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway High School has announced the appointment of Oren Iosepovici as its new director of college & academic guidance, effective this summer.

Iosepovici will succeed Joan Parmet, who is retiring in June after many years of service to the HAFTR community, school officials said.

Following a comprehensive search, school leaders said Iosepovici stood out for his experience and student-centered approach, aligning closely with HAFTR’s educational mission.

He joins HAFTR from Scarsdale High School, where he served as Director of Counseling, overseeing programs supporting students academically, socially and emotionally throughout their high school years. In that role, he led a comprehensive college counseling program while also supporting initiatives focused on student wellness, faculty collaboration and departmental development.

Administrators described Iosepovici as a collaborative leader known for building strong relationships among students, families and faculty. Over more than three decades in counseling and student support, he has worked with students across a broad range of academic backgrounds and college aspirations, helping families navigate the increasingly complex admissions process.

He has also remained active in professional organizations, including the National Association for College Admission Counseling and the New York State Association for College Admission Counseling, while maintaining relationships with admissions representatives at colleges nationwide.

Born in Israel and raised on Long Island, Iosepovici said he is excited to

The Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway High School announced the appointment of Oren Iosepovici as its new director of college & academic.

join the HAFTR community and work closely with faculty and counselors to support students as they prepare for college.

School officials said they are confident his leadership and experience will further strengthen the College & Academic Guidance Department and enhance the student experience in the years ahead.

— Melissa Berman

Public Notices

of Nassau on November 17, 2017, wherein WELLS FARGO BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR ASSET BACKED SECURITIES CORPORATION HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST 2003-HE6 ASSET BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES

2003-HE6 is the Plaintiff and RENEE LIPSCHIK, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE

STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 9, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1149 EAST BROADWAY, HEWLETT, NY 11557; and the following tax map identification: 41-1-620. ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN HEWLETT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index

No.: 008022/2015. Avrohom Y. Gefen, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 158240

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