The red tegu, which recently made an appearance at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, is a lizard native to western Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. Known for its calm temperament and easy care, it is commonly sold in the global pet trade. More photos, Page 10.
By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com
The Uniondale Public Library’s Bookmark Café was filled with the lively sounds of Latin music on Sunday as composer and pianist Matthew Fishteyn performed a mix of jazz, folk and Latin melodies in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Fishteyn, a seasoned performer who has been playing since age 6 and studied at the Special Music School of America — a New York City public school dedicated to music education — guided the audience through an interactive performance that blended cultural history with music.
“Are we in the dancing mood?” Fishteyn asked, encouraging the attendees to stand. “This
is what I call the pre-workout workout — the workout before the workout.” People in the audience clapped, swayed to “El Hombre Divertido” (“The Fun Man”), by Dominican musician Wilfrido Vargas, and joined in as Fishteyn led calland-response sections of the performance.
Although the concert focused on Latin music, which Fishteyn said is his repertoire, he explained that he frequently blends genres, and calls his a variety act.
“I’m actually a blues piano player,” he said. “People ask me all the time, ‘Can you do one style?’ and I say, ‘No, it’s boring for me.’ I do a little Brazil, blues, some Bee Gees, even Ozzy Osbourne.”
Audiences want variety in concerts, Fishteyn said, adding, “Everyone’s tired of the same
By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
Uniondale High School hosted the Uniondale School District Ultimate College and Career Information Night on Oct. 1. Students and their families joined engaging workshops presented by college and career program representatives. The BOCES Adult Education program, Emory University, Hofstra University, Mitchell College, Molloy University, SUNY Farmingdale, the SUNY Welcome Center and Western Connecticut State University were in attendance.
that for some of our students who might be first-generation and may not know how to navigate the process, that we are the ones who are leading them and helping them so they pick the right institution for them.”
W e have such a strong college process. We do workshops during the summer; we do workshops for freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors.
MoNIque DARRISAW-AKIL Superintendent, Uniondale School District
“We have such a strong college process,” district Superintendent Monique DarrisawAkil said. “We do workshops during the summer; we do workshops for freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors. It’s an all-year-long process, because we want to make sure
There were a wide variety of workshops to choose from, including writing college essays, financial aid, college search processes, majors leading to successful careers, admissions, the role of AI, programs for neurodivergent students, and SUNY colleges and universities. With the option of attending up to three workshops, students left the event feeling more confident about their futures than when they entered.
“We’re able to bring in more college partners, more presenters, where they get a sense of our community,” Jessica Kane, the Continued on page 16
By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com
Residents filled the David Mack Center for Training and Intelligence once again on Sept. 28 to learn how to prepare for emergencies through annual New York State’s Citizen Preparedness Training Program.
The initiative, launched by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office and coordinated with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, aims to provide everyday New Yorkers with the tools and resources needed to respond to disasters and protect their families.
Tsgt. Alex Compere, a U.S. Air Force member, has presented the workshop around Long Island since August welcoming attendees and leading a power point presentation. His enthusiasm set the tone for the session, which combined safety instruction with hands-on demonstrations and personal advice.
“I love talking, I wasn’t nervous at all, I enjoy the technical side of things,” he said. “It’s important because you have to collect supplies now, not during disaster.”
Sfc. Wayne Stevens, who serves in the U.S. Army for almost 18 years demonstrated how to use a fire extinguisher, which is meant for small fires, anything large you would need to evacuate. The system as PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep.
“Pull the pin, aim towards the fire,
Stacy Driks/Herald photos
Items from the Citizen Preparedness Training Program’s emergency kit — including flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies and water pouches — were displayed on a table during last week’s session.
squeeze the trigger and you want to sweep at the base of that fire,” Stevens said. “Not up above it or in the middle, but right in the base of it,” Stevens said.
During the session, participants asked questions about disaster preparedness. One attendee shared a personal experience with flooding and the limitations of insurance coverage.
“Homeowners, renters – understand your coverage you need to understand it
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2025 | 8:00 A.M. TO 10:00 A.M. The Heritage Club at Bethpage
For more than 100 years the American Red Cross on Long Island has helped the community prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies.
Luv Michael FIRST RESPONDER
Officers Timothy Deegan and Matthew Walling
The American Red Cross Heroes Celebration is the signature fundraising event for the American Red Cross on Long Island, serving Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Event Co-chairs: James Quent, Greg Lavine, and Jennifer Solomon
For tickets, sponsorships, journal ads and to learn more, please visit redcross.org/LIheroes
before the disaster,” he said. “Don’t understand it after disaster, when they be like, yeah, now we only cover structural damage.”
Most insurance policies cover structural damage such as from a sudden broken pipe, but do not cover floods from natural disasters. The separate policy must be purchased from a provider like the National Flood Insurance Program.
The discussion expanded to practical
skills that can be used during emergencies, such as water storage and navigation. Compere described how some people use bathtubs to store treated water for future use.
Attendees received a disaster preparedness kit containing first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries and water pouches — essentials for sustaining a household during a power outage or storm.
The Citizen Preparedness Training Program began in 2014 and has since trained more than 300,000 New Yorkers statewide. State officials say the Uniondale session is part of a renewed push to reach more communities in Nassau County as the region faces increasingly severe weather patterns.
Speakers encouraged residents to stay informed through NY-ALERT, the state’s emergency notification system, and to share their preparedness plans with neighbors, especially seniors or those with disabilities.
The event was a partnership between the Central Nassau Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs Inc., the NAACP Freeport and Roosevelt Branch, and the Uniondale Police Activity League and Olena Nicks, legislator. Adrian Goodwin coordinated the event.
For more information or to sign up for future sessions, residents can visit dhses.ny.gov or call (518) 242-5000.
By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com
Parents, pediatricians and policy leaders will gather in Uniondale this month for a first-of-its-kind summit to tackle one of Long Island’s toughest challenges: how to better support children from birth to age 5.
The Stronger Together Summit, set for Oct. 17–18 at the Long Island Marriott in Uniondale, brings together over 180 participants, including health professionals, educators, child care providers and parents, for two days of discussion and action around early childhood care.
Uniondale was chosen as the location for its centrality and its role as a hub for many of the organizations already engaged in this work, said Jacob Dixon, chief executive of Choice for All and co-director of the Long Island Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Childhood Education known as LI-RTAC.
“Uniondale is a perfect location,” Dixon said. “It’s accessible and reflects the diversity and energy of the communities we aim to support.”
Organized by a coalition of regional organizations — including Docs for Tots, Choice for All, the Child Care Councils of Nassau and Suffolk, and Help Me Grow NYS — the event combines three former major conferences into one. This is the first time leaders across health, education and child development will convene under one roof for early childhood systemsbuilding on Long Island.
“The Stronger Together Summit creates a huge opportunity to meet families where they are and ask, ‘What can we do better to make sure every child on Long Island can thrive,’” Dixon co-organizer said.
Families with young children from prenatal through age five will have easy access to services they need. By coming together across sectors, the organizers are creating a pathway for the youngest residents of Long Island.
“This summit represents us being able to come across those silos, outside of education, outside of health, outside of social services — and all be in one place together,” said Dr. Liz Isakson a pediatrician by training and co-organizer.
wequity.
• Learn Together Saturday will offer tailored sessions for families and caregivers, with practical tools for navigating early intervention services, developmental milestones and Universal Pre-K.
Families, physicians and educators will be eligible to earn continuing education credits — including CTLE hours, CME credits and OCFS training hours — provided through Northwell Health, Healthfirst, Nassau BOCES and the Child Care Council of Suffolk.
e’re trying to model playing together in a sandbox. And how can we build that sand castle together in the sandbox.
LIz ISAKSon pediatrician and co-organizer
Isakson is founder of small nonprofit called Docs for Tots, and one of the major programs on Long Island, Help Me Grow Long Island a model that tries to improve families access to services through connecting them directly to community-based programs.
The conference is split into two themed days:
• Lead Together Friday will feature interactive panels, visioning sessions and leadership workshops for professionals focused on policy, systems, and
A key issue on the agenda is access to Universal Pre-K. While more than 90 of Long Island’s 126 school districts offer some form of pre-K, many families must enter lotteries or navigate inconsistent application processes.
“From a pediatrician standpoint, if you’re having a practice, you probably see kids from 10 different school districts,” Isakson said. “Even if might want to help guide a family through that process, you’re not going to know all 10 systems.”
“In comparison to New York City, virtually every child has access to a seat,” Dixon explained. “On Long Island we only have 90 school districts that have it.”
Dixon continued to explain that from a push behind advocacy and having conversations about making universal Pre-K achievable in all schools has
increased from under 50 five years ago.
“Now this summit, creating more of an opportunity for us to connect these people together, to say, what else can we do to enhance opportunities with you,” he continued.
Dr. Allen Mendelsohn, a nationally recognized developmental pediatrician, and Pamela Hollingsworth, a family leadership and equity expert from the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade, will headline the event.
“We sent invites to across multiple folks on the local, state and federal levels,” Dixon said. “We’ve extended invitations from our local legislators that are within the area, at Nassau and Suffolk County.
Not a politician, put parent advocate at Choice For All Sara Morrison recieved, the invite as well and says she is excited about those working with early learners.
“Across roles - parents, physicians, childcare providers, educators and more,” Morrison said in a press release.
Coming together to brainstorm, learn with each other how to solve these challenges.”
The weekend will also include a community baby shower and a resource expo featuring dozens of local organizations.
Organizers hope to make the Stronger Together Summit an annual event that expands its reach and builds lasting collaboration between professionals and families.
“We’re building the sandcastle together now,” Isakson said. “We’re trying to model playing together in a sandbox. And how can we build that sand castle together in the sandbox” For more information, visit strongertogetherny.com.
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Candace Holley receives certificate of recognition by the Village of Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. Hempstead Village, presented by village trustee Tanya Carter. Holley also receive a Nassau County Legislative citation for her commitment to make a difference in the lives of the people in Nassau County.
Kennedy Memorial Park marked Hispanic Heritage Month on Oct. 2 with live music, dancing, and community celebration. Residents filled the park to enjoy performances honoring Hispanic culture. During the event, a citation presented recognizing Candance Holley for their contributions to the community.
— Stacy Driks
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
With the federal government currently in shutdown, U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, who representes New York’s Congressional District 4, offered a bipartisan solution.
Gillen shared her perspective on the federal government’s shutdown at the Family and Health Center office in Uniondale on Oct. 2, calling for her Republican colleagues in the house to hear Democrats’ concerns about the budget.
Tvoted to gut Medicaid for millions of children, seniors and people with disabilities.”
The “Big Bad Bill,” according to Gillen, includes cuts that would significantly raise premiums for people who have plans under the Affordable Healthcare Act.
his is really going to hurt people.
L AuRA GiLLEN
Health care spending is at the center of the disagreement in the House. The budget Congress had attempted to pass, up until Oct. 1 at midnight, includes cuts to a selection of programs that Gillen called “the largest cut to health care in America’s history.”
U.S. Representative Congressional District 4
“A middle class family of four could see their health care bills rise by an additional $3,200 next year,” she explained. “This is really going to hurt people. We are already struggling with the cost of living crisis, and Long Islanders cannot afford another increased bill.”
Gillen called for both parties to seek a bipartisan solution before rising health costs contribute to the financial burden of families across her district.
“If House Republicans governed responsibly, they would have met with us,” she said. “Instead, they’ve chosen to throw our health care system into further crisis, just months after they
A shutdown occurs when congress does not pass a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which is Oct. 1 for the federal government. During a shutdown, non-essential departments are halted, while vital institutions must continue working without pay.
The last government shutdown was
in 2019.
Gabriel Pedeira is the legislative and political organizer for the American Federation of Government Employees — the largest federal labor
union in the country with 800,000 members. In the previous shutdown, Pedeira saw federal workers struggle with delayed pay.
“We had people going to food banks,” he said. “We had people who could not pay their utility bills at the time. We had families who couldn’t pay for childcare at the time. We had people who were forced to go to work and literally couldn’t afford the gasoline.
“This is not something that should be happening in a developed nation like the United States of America,” he continued. “I know we can do better.”
Jeffery Reynolds, president and chief executive of Family & Children’s Association, explained that suicides, divorces and other civil disruptions have been on downward treand postcoronavirus pandemic, but that progress could be at risk.
“I worry that the threats to Medicaid, the threats to the ACA to the grants that we hold here at FCA put all of that in jeopardy,” he said.
Vanessa Barid-Streeter, president and chief executive of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, urged for healthcare spending to remain a priority in the federal budget.
“They are lifelines for people, for communities and for individuals,” she said. “If we let these credits expire, we will all feel it deeply, personally and collectively.”
A TWO-WAY LINEMAN for the reigning Nassau and Long Island champions, Anaya completed a rare daily double on the defensive side of the ball for the Seahawks in a 35-14 victory at South Side Sept. 27. His sack in the end zone for a safety put Carey ahead for good in the second quarter. Then, late in the fourth, he scooped up a fumble forced by Justin DePietro and raced 69 yards for the game-sealing touchdown as the team won its 15th straight.
Thursday, Oct. 9
Girls Soccer: Elmont at Sewanhaka 4:30 p.m.
Boys Soccer: Long Beach at Kennedy 4:45 p.m.
Boys Soccer: Mepham at Garden City 5 p.m.
Boys Soccer: Clarke at Carey 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Garden City at South Side 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer: North Shore at Plainedge 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Farmingdale at Baldwin 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Long Beach at Oceanside 6 p.m.
Boys Soccer: South Side at Malverne/ERock 7 p.m.
Girls Soccer: West Hempstead at V.S. South 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 10
Football: Malverne at Seaford 6 p.m.
Football: Oceanside at Syosset 6 p.m.
Football: West Hempstead at Plainedge 6 p.m.
Football: Clarke at V.S. South 7 p.m.
Football: Calhoun at Long Beach 7 p.m.
Football: V.S. Central at Glen Cove 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 11
Football: Mepham at Garden City 1 p.m.
Football: South Side at Wantagh 2 p.m.
Football: East Meadow at Baldwin 2 p.m.
Football: Island Trees at Lynbrook 2 p.m.
Football: Herricks at Freeport 3 p.m.
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a fall sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
By PATRICK MOQUIN sports@liherald.com
When Sarah Chavez was named captain of Uniondale girls’ soccer as a junior last year, the midfielder was concerned that she was not vocal enough to properly lead her teammates. Finding her voice was as important as improving on the field, and her success in both areas has proven integral to the Knights’ strong performance in her time as a senior.
“I was captain last year and I tried my best to uplift people, but I wasn’t really great at speaking,” Chavez said. “And during the summer, during the beginning of this year, I’ve been really loud with what I say to people. I love to uplift the girls, even when they make a mistake, because I know how it feels, having to make a mistake and thinking of what others would think.”
Through 12 games, Uniondale holds a 10-2 record and has successfully scrapped with some of its strongest rivals in Conference AA5. Coach Kevin Daly knew that the Knights were bound for improvement when they took down Roosevelt to kick things off on Sept. 6. Since then, the girls have rallied behind one another in a system that does not rely on a single playmaker.
“They all bring a little bit of something different to the team,” Daly said. “They learn from each other and they’re a really good group in those terms. There’s no superstars on the team. Everyone helps out.”
Junior Brianna Marquez and senior Briana Estrada
lead the Knights in scoring, but Uniondale’s strength lies in its number of threats.
Chavez and Keishara Tulloch lead a supporting cast that can create opportunities and
finish all at once. The captain also described eighth grader Emely Orozco as one to watch moving forward.
“I call her my child because of how close we are,”
Chavez said. “She’s just amazing.”
Uniondale’s defense has been a strength for several years and has again been an asset, with junior goalkeeper Ashley Bonilla locking down many opponents. Effective as a freshman and sophomore as well, Bonilla could prove to be an era-defining player for the Knights before she’s through.
Uniondale’s two defeats came in mid-September against Valley Stream Central and Malverne/East Rockaway. The former opponent simply proved too tough in a 7-1 defeat, and Valley Stream Central has since backed it up to maintain a 10-0 record. The Knights played much closer to Malverne/East Rockaway in a 4-3 loss.
Despite earning a strong record, Uniondale comes from a conference that offers one playoff spot, which could leave the Knights on the outside looking in. In order to have any chance, they must win out, defeat Valley Stream Central, and then hope that their previously undefeated opponent drops another game down the stretch.
Regardless of whether a postseason berth is in the cards, however, Uniondale has done more than enough already to mark the season as a success, if only for its impact on the girls. When Chavez thinks of soccer, she sees it as a steadying force.
“We all have an amazing bond and soccer is for all of us to relax in a place and cut everything out on the field,” Chavez said. “That’s how I see it. I put everything out on the field. It’s shown me a balance.”
music on the radio.”
PHe performed a range of songs, including the folk tune “Chico Chico”; “Quizás, Quizás, Quizás,” by Osvaldo Farrés; “Summer Samba,” translated from its Portuguese roots, “Samba de Verão,” by Marcos Valle; and “Sway,” a 1953 Latin-influenced hit written by Mexican composer Luis Demetrio, widely known thanks to Dean Martin’s version.
eople ask me all the time, ‘Can you do one style?’ and I say, ‘No, it’s boring for me.’ I do a little Brazil, blues, some Bee Gees, even Ozzy Osbourne.
Matthew Fishteyn Composer and pianist
Uniondale resident Carlos Blata couldn’t help but sing along as the rhythms filled the room.
His daughter, Sofia, had a request: “La Cucaracha.”
“I was in a game, playing with friends, the other day, and I was singing it,” Sofia said. “So my dad asked him to play it.”
Originally from Maracaibo, Venezuela, Blata and his wife, Leonor, said the music brought them back home.
“Absolutely, very much I feel like I’m home,” Carlos said. “It was so exciting. We love that.”
Ilgar Guo, the library’s adult services director, said he was pleased with the turnout, especially given the weather: It was a warm, sunny day.
“Some people came in to watch when they heard music and enjoyed the performance from a distance,” Guo said.
Fishteyn offered some musical histo-
and
ry as well. “It’s Hispanic Heritage Month — we’re celebrating history, celebrating musical heritage,” he said.
He introduced the audience to the work of the renowned Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, a founder of bossa nova, a genre rooted in jazz, poetry and unique rhythms. “Musicians were playing in cafes and experimenting with a new style,” Fishteyn said. “It was like the jazz movement — poetry, lit-
erature, everything, with music. A whole new form of identity.”
Fishteyn’s approach to the music was personal and engaging. He encouraged audience participation, explaining the roots of each style and emphasizing how Latin influences shaped global music.
Born in Brooklyn and now living in Staten Island, Fishteyn placed first in the Young Musicians Competition at Wagner College after graduating from the Special Music School. He is known for seamlessly switching genres — from jazz to rock ’n’ roll — and turning concerts into interactive experiences.
By the end of the afternoon, Fishteyn had led a rich celebration of Latin music, engaging the audience and honoring the cultural contributions of the Hispanic and Latino communities.
Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated
new York City’s only K-12 public school dedicated to intensive music education and rigorous academics functions as a public-private partnership between the city Department of Education and the Kaufman Music Center. — Kaufman Music Center
from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, honors the history, culture and lasting contributions of those communities to the United States.
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025 Time: 9:00am-2:00pm
By MOHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
Jean-Baptiste Carelus’s campaign for the District 1 council seat in the Town of Hempstead began not with personal ambition, but with a call from his community.
Carelus, 55, was approached by the members of the West Hempstead Republican Club, and after discussing it with his wife, he decided to step forward.
“She said, ‘Yeah, why not? You have some good ideas,” Carelus recalled in a conversation with the Herald. “And so I said, evidently, this might be the best time, since I was approached.”
Carelus’s roots in the area run deep. His family immigrated to the United States from Haiti in 1977, settling first in Westbury and then in Hempstead. He graduated from Hempstead High School in 1987, and later earned a master’s degree in economics from CUNY Brooklyn College.
His professional career spans over two decades in financial services, including roles in public and structured finance and consulting. Currently, he works with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, focusing on the risks and regulations of the insurance industry.
Beyond Carelus’s professional life is a wealth of community involvement that demonstrates his commitment to public service. For nearly three decades, he has
served as a lector at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Five years ago, at age 50, he became a volunteer firefighter and later an EMT, and has earned the honor of EMT of the Year twice.
He explained that he had the time and ability to give back, and there was a need for volunteers during the day, when most people are working.
“The biggest thing that they want, just like at the fire service, when there’s a call, respond, show up and work with everyone there to make sure that the issues are addressed,” he said of his potential constituents.
Carelus’s campaign is grounded in the issues that he believes matter most to District 1 residents: housing, taxes, education and equitable access to services. He is particularly passionate about increasing the availability and affordability of housing.
He points to innovative models like the Uniondale Community Land Trust, which helps keep homes affordable by retaining ownership of the land while families pay own the homes themselves. He is also interested in exploring programs that prioritize first responders and working families for affordable housing opportunities.
Tax fairness is another central concern for Carelus. He notes that many residents of District 1 are either unaware of their rights to grieve property taxes or are unable to attend semi-
tions — the parks, the services, infrastructure, everything else, senior enrichment, all those things.”
“There are services that are being denied to these communities, (and) all the while the burden of the taxes have increasingly fallen on them,” Carelus added, pointing out that infrastructure in some areas of District 1, such as Roosevelt, is in dire need of improvement.
nars due to inconvenient scheduling. He points out that applications for tax grievances are not only filed less frequently in the district, but are also more likely to be denied.
“The combination over time — not applying at the same rates, being turned down when there is an application at higher rates,” he said, “begins to disproportionately place the burden on those communities of paying for our obliga-
Carelus’s personal story also informs his advocacy for education and family support. When his adopted son, who has special needs, required services that were not available in Hempstead, Carelus moved his family just four blocks, to West Hempstead, so they could have access to better educational opportunities. The experience fuels his commitment to ensuring that all families have access to the resources they need.
As he campaigns, Carelus is determined to raise awareness about the changes facing District 1, including recent redistricting, and to fight for fair investment in infrastructure, services and economic development. With a blend of professional acumen, community service and empathy, he is, he says, deeply focused on residents’ needs and the challenges they face.
By MOHAMMAD RAFIQ
mrafiq@liherald.com
For more than a quarter-century, Dorothy Goosby, 86, councilwoman of District 1, as well as deputy supervisor, has been a pillar of public service and a trailblazer for minority representation in the Town of Hempstead.
She is now running once again for reelection.
Goosby’s journey into public office began with a fight for fair representation. In the late 1980s, she was the lead plaintiff in a landmark lawsuit challenging Hempstead’s at-large voting system, which had long prevented minority communities from electing their own representatives.
“We started in ’88 and it took us to 1999 in order to finally win the suit,” Goosby recalled to the Herald.
The victory led to the creation of councilmanic districts, ensuring that every community had a voice at the table.
Goosby became the first African American woman to serve on the board, representing neighborhoods like Hempstead, Uniondale, Roosevelt, and Freeport.
“I go to all of them, and I check to see what’s going on,” she says.
This year, Goosby’s re-election bid differs from races prior in one notable
way: she does not have Nassau Democratic Party backing.
Rather, the party declined to carry her petitions, citing her alignment with the Republican majority and former Supervisor Don Clavin, as well as calls for younger candidates to step in.
Instead, a grassroots effort was launched by Goosby’s closest supporters to get the necessary signatures of her own accord. In the final analysis, that effort garnered more than twice the 4,000 signatures required to get on the ballot.
In keeping with the theme of not being redirected by resistance, she told the Herald that the most important lesson that she’d learned in her 25-year political career has been “to make sure that whatever it is I need, I get it.”
“And I do,” she added, “because they don’t like to hear from me.”
Whether it’s addressing dumping on vacant lots or advocating for safer public spaces, Goosby’s leadership is rooted in direct engagement with her constituents. Education and youth development are also central to her mission. For over 20 years, she has organized a summer reading program that brings children and parents together, fostering a love of learning and community involvement.
“The kids love this, and it’s helping them,” she explained.
She is an opponent, according to her
attorney, of high-density housing developments that she believes threaten the character and resources of local neighborhoods.
“We’re working with the water,” she said, when asked about whether there is a water crisis on Long Island. “And because we have somebody now that we’re starting with that, we have a big problem in the Village of Hempstead, because we have somebody there not taking care of us with the water.”
“And some places, they do take care of it,” she added. “So we’re still trying to work on that, to get that straight(ened) up. Has to do with the mayor and some people like that.”
Goosby’s approach to governance is defined by bipartisanship and collaboration. As the lone Democrat on the sevenmember Town Board, she has built relationships across the aisle with her fellow council members.
In her wide-ranging conversation with the Herald, she preferred to recount specific anecdotes of constituent service her office provided when district residents approached her in need, rather than to pontificate on the broader issues facing the district. It was unclear at times whether Goosby could recall specific details about the services rendered, and she seemed, understandably, to have difficulty with names of places and people. She depended on the
Dorothy Goosby, longtime Hempstead councilmember and community advocate, says she has learned important lessons in 25 years of public service.
help of her attorney and a longtime friend in answering questions. At 86, what compels Goosby to keep going is her love of service. “I am really helping people,” she said. “They need it, and they don’t want me to leave.”
By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
A judge has declined to temporarily block Nassau County’s Local Law 12124, which restricts sports teams at county-owned facilities based on biological sex — a decision that leaves the controversial measure in effect for now.
In a statement issued Oct. 6, the county said, “The Court has reviewed the Plaintiffs’ arguments and does not find that Local Law 121-24 excludes transgender women and girls from public facilities based on their gender identity. Furthermore, the Plaintiffs have not shown discrimination under the Human Rights Law or the Civil Rights Law.”
County Executive Bruce Blakeman said in a statement, ““We are grateful that the court found our legislation to be valid and legal. We will continue to protect girls and women from unsafe and unfair competition.”
The law, which Blakeman signed in July, requires that sports teams applying to use county-owned facilities align their rosters with each player’s biological sex assigned at birth. That effectively bars transgender women and girls from participating in female-designated sports divisions.
The legislation was immediately challenged by the New York Civil Liberties Union and state Attorney General Letitia James, who argued the law discriminates against transgender athletes.
Parker Schug/Herald
County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed a law restricting sports teams at county facilities based on biological sex in July 2024 alongside co-sponsor of bill, Legislator Samantha Goetz, with others who voted for its passing.
“The purpose of Local Law 121-24 is to protect women and girls, and their physical protection is certainly relevant to the enactment of this law,” the county said in its statement, pushing back against the plaintiffs’ argument that biological distinctions are irrelevant. However, opponents of the ban still
remain hopeful for change, including the NEW Pride Agenda, am LGBTQ+ advocacy organization.
“New York must remain a beacon of hope and safety for transgender and gender nonconforming people — especially as we face a coordinated national effort to erase our existence from public
life,” the organization said in a statement, “Nassau County’s law is a disruptive, bullying policy intended to isolate and demonize those who already live at the margins. It denies transgender youth the simple freedom to play, to belong, and to thrive.”
The battle over the law dates back to 2024, when Blakeman first introduced a similar executive order. That measure was struck down by a state Supreme Court judge in May 2024, following a legal challenge by the NYCLU. A federal court also dismissed a related lawsuit earlier that spring. Blakeman later brought the proposal back as legislation, which was passed by the county Legislature in June.
Despite the earlier court setbacks, the version signed into law in July remains active in the county and still faces legal scrutiny.
“If the freedom to participate is not protected in this state, it will only add to the rollbacks of freedoms seen across the country,” the NEW Pride Agenda said. “The NEW Pride Agenda urges our state’s elected leaders to rigorously enforce New York’s anti-discrimination laws and ensure that transgender New Yorkers can live, play, and exist freely and safely. We will continue to hold the line— because we know what is at stake if we do not.”
As of press time, there are no updates on potential future court hearings or appeals.
Families and reptile enthusiasts filled the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Saturday for the Nassau County Reptile Expo, where vendors and experts showcased over 175 tables of snakes, lizards, turtles and exotic amphibians.
The event offered hands-on learning, photo opportunities and conserva-
tion tips, giving visitors a close-up look at nature’s most fascinating coldblooded creatures. Visitors were able to purchase high quality reptiles and equipment from the top breeders across the East Coast organizers say.
— Stacy Driks
10.29.25
6:00-9:00PM
THE HERITAGE CLUB AT BETHPAGE 99 Quaker Meeting House Road Farmingdale NY
Today, green businesses play a vital role in mitigating environmental challenges and driving economic growth by fostering innovation, reducing carbon emissions, and creating sustainable jobs.
The HERALD GreenBIZ Awards serves as a powerful catalyst for environmental stewardship and sustainable business practices. This inaugural event not only recognizes and honors innovative businesses committed to eco-friendly operations but it exemplifies the idea that responsible business can coexist with profitability.
CONSTRUCTION & SOLAR
Gina Farese CEO
Marcor Construction & Marcor Solar
EDUCATION
Neal Lewis Executive Director
Molloy University Sustainability Institute
Richard Murdocco
Adjunct Professor/CMO SUNation Stony Brook University
ENERGY
Sammy Chu CEO
Edgewise Energy
ENGINEERING
Emtec Consulting Engineers
Billy Haugland CEO Haugland Group
R&M Engineering
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING
Chuck Merrit President/LEED AP
Merrit Environmental Consulting
Environmental Innovation
Marshall Brown Co-Founder and Principal Long Island Conservancy / Spadefoot Ecosystem Solutions
LAW
Todd Kaminsky Shareholder Greenberg Traurig, LLP
NOT-FOR-PROFIT
Adrienne Esposito Executive Director Citizens Campaign for the Environment
Build Green Long Island (USGBC-LI)
ORGANIC ENERGY
Long Island Compost
RECYCLING
Christine Kiourtsis President Renewable Recycling, Inc.
Erik Helgesen President PayMore Stores
RENEWABLE ENERGY
ACE NY / NYOWA
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Brian Herrington Vice President External Affairs & Foundation President Scotts Miracle-Gro
TRANSPORTATION
Marlon Taylor President New York & Atlantic Railway
UTILITIES
Carrie Meek Gallagher CEO LIPA Long Island Power Authority
Paraco Gas
WASTE RECYCLING
Karen Blumer Co-Convenor
TALZ, Taking a Lead on Zero Waste
WASTE SOLUTIONS
The Reworld Team
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
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, October 31, 2025
Grand prize: Winners will have their design printed as wrapping paper in the Herald and will be featured in an article in their local Herald newspaper.
Entry format: Please use an 8 1/2 by 11 inch piece of unlined paper. 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: ekimbrell@liherald.com
(No Photos of Artwork Will Be Accepted).
Winners will be notified by email or phone by November 14
• Must use 8 1/2 x 11” unlined paper, copy paper or construction paper.
• Be creative & original.
• Use bright colors.
• Fill the entire page.
• Choose paint, crayon, chalk, markers, pens, or other creative materials.
• Remember your design will be used to make a real sheet of wrapping paper.
For more information contact Ethan Kimbrell at ekimbrell@liherald.com or 516.569.4000 x 313
By Karen Bloom
Spooky season is casting its spell — and whether you’re ready for a scare or just some seasonal flair, there’s much to check out.
The Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin patches have their moment, but a pumpkin trail is even better. The wooded site of Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts in Wheatley Heights is the evocative setting for a spooky 4,200 foot loop of over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins and illuminated objects (10,000 in all) that light up the grounds all month long.
The Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns is now in its 12th season on Long Island, delighting visitors with all sorts of seasonal delights, from those carved pumpkins — of all sizes — to inflatables and even a space to show off some dance moves, complete with disco lights and music.
You may recall Rise from its first eight seasons at Old Westbury Gardens. Its current home at Usdan accommodates a longer trail that enhances the immersive experience.
“We found this trail to be perfect,” says Mike Pollack, Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns’ executive producer, who proclaims this to be “the spookiest walk on Long Island.”
Spooky, most definitely, but not haunted. You won’t find any frightful creatures popping out along the path. As Pollack puts it: “No scares.”
This family-friendly event is designed to get everyone in the spirit of the season, appealing to all ages.
A team of 100 handpicked artists carve their individual pumpkins with facial expressions ranging from scary to silly.
“The artistry of these pumpkins is spectacular and you will not see anywhere else,” Pollack says enthusiastically.
The 40,000 visitors annually would seem to agree. Rise is open on weekends and select weeknight through Nov. 1. All tickets must be purchased online at jackolanterns. com; no tickets are available on site. Rise is located at 185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights.
Creatures of all kinds inhabit the woods, and ghosts and ghouls come out to play at Tanglewood Preserve, home to the Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL), in Rockville Centre. A seasonal tradition for area families, the spectacle takes over CSTL’s grounds every weekend through Nov. 2.
Each year the festival offers a spirited fun-filled slate of activities on the preserve’s 16 acres — both scary and not so scary — to appeal to all ages and fright levels. The wooded paths are transformed for the season, with eerie lighting, special effects and characters along the way.
Whether you and the kids are looking to be spooked or not, the choice is yours. This time of year the preserve’s woods are definitely haunted, as those who venture along the scary walk will find out. This quarter mile hike through
the woods is not for the faint of heart, it may leave some younger kids clinging to their parents legs. Step into the darkness of the Haunted Woods where you’ll stumble upon a deserted graveyard and more — you never know what is lurking around the next turn. Be scared if you dare!
“Adults will come out crying and the kids will be laughing,” CSTL Educator Michele Anselmo,says, somewhat bemused. “You need to know your fear factor before you enter.”
As always, the not-so-spooky Enchanted Walk is welcoming haunt for the younger set. Friendly Halloween characters — including witches, fairies, aliens, ghosts, butterflies, and scarecrows — greet visitors. This year a pirate ship with a band of pirates has made its way here to get in on the action. Other activities include holiday-themed arts and crafts, and the return of the Mystic Den, with a fortuneteller and face painting. And, of course, the glow tent, is another popular spot where everyone heads to make “slime.” Just be sure to take the goopy stuff home; “sliming” those nearby is frowned upon.
Costumes are always encouraged. And in the spirit of Hallowen season, kids may find some treats to pick up as they wander about.
“There’s always something for everyone here,” Anselmo says.
Find out what’s lurking in the woods at the Center for Science Teaching and Learning, 1 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre. Visit cstl.org for information and tickets.
Anglers — novice and skilled — will be on the scene once again when the Fall Fishing & Children’s Festival returns to Hempstead Lake State Park. Presented by the Department of Environmental Conservation’s “I Fish NY” program, on Oct. 18, the annual event offers an ideal way to make the most of the season with a mix of fishing, fun and family activities.
The day kicks off at 10 a.m., with a fresh stock of trout in the park’s South and MacDonald Ponds to help introduce families to the sport of freshwater fishing. Everyone can take part in fly-fishing instruction, casting practice, fish-cleaning demonstrations, and even borrow rods and bait free of charge.
“All ages are encouraged to attend to enjoy this wonderful fishing experience,” says George Gorman, State Parks’ Long Island regional director. “We hope festival attendees also take the opportunity to explore the beautiful Hempstead Lake State Park and all it has to offer.”
But the fun doesn’t end at the water’s edge. Young visitors can enjoy pumpkin decorating, a magic show, reptile exhibit, and a playful casting contest where the “catch” could be a pumpkin or a prize. Whether you’re an avid angler or just looking for a day outdoors with the kids, the Fall Fishing & Children’s Festival reels in plenty of reasons to drop by.
The fishing license requirement for all anglers over the age of 15 is suspended for this festival, and admission and parking are free. Check out the activities at the park’s MacDonald and South Ponds, also in Rockville Centre. Visit parks.ny.gov for more.
Break out the neon, dust off those leg warmers and tease up your hair — the ultimate ‘80s party returns to the Paramount stage. Jessie’s Girl, a band of New York City’s top rock and pop musicians, returns with their high-energy Back to the Eighties show, guaranteed to turn back the clock. Fronted by powerhouse vocalists who transform into the decade’s biggest icons, Jessie’s Girl delivers the hits that defined an era. Add in bold costumes, playful choreography, audience participation, and plenty of extras — bubbles, confetti, and props galore — and the result is part concert, part theater and all ‘80s spectacle. These talents each have dozens of credits performing with authentic ‘80s icons who made the music famous to begin with. With over-the-top renditions of memorable songs, Jessie’s Girl captures the glitz and sheer energy of the decade like no one else.
Friday, Oct. 10, 8 p.m. $64.75 $52.25, $49.25, $48.50, $37.25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Tilles Center’s Atrium becomes an intimate lounge, showcasing 23-year-old Kate Kortum, one of the jazz world’s most exciting breakout artists. Hailing from Houston, Texas, her warm, distinctive sound blends bebop, blues, the Great American Songbook, and musical theater with captivating, story-driven lyrics. Her artistry bridges tradition and innovation, offering audiences a fresh, contemporary take on the jazz vocal legacy. Critics have praised her ability to revitalize jazz with authenticity and daring. “Wild Woman,” her sophomore album, features reimagined standards and originals that explore a woman’s relationship with complex emotions.
Thursday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $39. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
On Exhibit
9
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “At Play,” surveys artists’ perennial fascination with entertainment in all forms. Framing this topic between the nineteenth century Belle Époque and today, the exhibit includes works by Pablo Picasso, Reginald Marsh, Everett Shinn, and Max Beckmann among many others. The works are gathered to represent a wide range of expressions, from entertainment-related activities to the fascinating personalities involved. It encompasses dance, music, theater, movies, circus, boating, and beach scenes, along with horseracing and various sports, both active and passive Also featured are archival items from The Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic, including costumes by Marc Chagall for Die Zauberflöte, vintage fashion items by such designers as Alfred Shaheen, and iconic costumes from the Folies-Bergère in Paris.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: Ongoing
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
Sculpture Stroll
Visit Nassau County Museum of Art for hour for discovery and conversation. Explore a selection of sculptures sited across the museum property. Each stop on the tour delves into the choices, inspirations and material of the artists and their sculptures. Registration required. $20, $10 members.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: 5-6 p.m.
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
Breast Cancer Screenings Nassau County Legislator Scott M. Davis is partnering with NuHealth to bring the breast cancer screening van for women over 40 to Hempstead. Free mammograms by appointment only.
• Where: Kennedy Memorial Park, 335 Greenwich St., Hempstead
• Time: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 571-6201
Uniondale Community Land Trust Meeting
Join the Uniondale Community Land Trust for a communityfocused event to discuss housing, land use and neighborhood initiatives.
• Where: 933 Goodrich St., Uniondale
• Time: 1-3 p.m.,
• Contact: info@U-CLT.org
Anthony Rodia is back “Laugh Till It Hurts” tour, an all-new stand-up showcase that’s refreshingly genuine and quick witted. Building on the success of his previous outing, this is his biggest and most ambitious yet. A first-generation Italian-American born and raised in Westchester, Rodia came out of the womb making people laugh. In his 20s he tried a few open mics, but ultimately took a different career path as a finance manager of a luxury car dealership. In 2019, Rodia returned to comedy and left his day job to become a full-time stand-up comic. With a background steeped in family traditions, Italian-American culture and the ups and downs of modern life, Anthony’s comedy feels like a conversation with your funniest friend. His blend of observational humor, self-deprecation and witty impressions has led him on his path as one of the most exciting rising stars on the comedy scene. Anthony’s comedic career skyrocketed thanks to his viral social media videos, where he brought his hilarious, larger-than-life characters and relatable commentary to millions of fans. His most iconic characters, including his over-the-top Uncle Vinny persona, quickly became fan favorites, making him a social media sensation and establishing a loyal following. His ability to turn everyday situations — family gatherings, parenting, and even the quirks of his own Italian heritage —into laugh-out-loud moments has earned him widespread recognition and a rapidly growing fanbase. Tickets are $144.75, $108.75, $98.25, $86.50, $76.25, $6475.
Uniondale Fall Clean-up
Nostrand Gardens Civic Association invites neighbors to join a community cleanup to keep the area clean, green, and beautiful. Volunteers can earn community service hours while making a difference. Free snacks and refreshments served.
• Where: 400 Uniondale Ave., Uniondale
• Time: 8-10 a.m.
• Contact: willene.s.jacobs@ gmail.com or heidisanft@gmail.com
Families are invited to Old Westbury Gardens for a wizarding adventure.
It all begins the moment you’re sorted into one of the enchanted Nature Houses. Create your own wand, adding colors and decorations that reflect your style. Step into a magical herbology class, where you’ll discover the plants that inspire fantasy and design your own terrarium herb garden. Join wizard professors on a Wizard Quest through the gardens, solving riddles and uncovering hidden icons along the way. Celebrate the spooky season with games, crafts, and enchanting surprises in the most magical way possible. For ages 5-10. Registration required. $18, $12 children
• Where: The Barn at Orchard Hill, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
Families are invited to Long Island Children’s Museum’s special opening weekend festival to celebrate the launch of Saltwater Stories, the new permanent exhibition celebrating Long Island’s coastal heritage. Meet local fisherfolk, explore hands-on activities for all ages, and dive into the rich traditions of our bays and beaches. Enjoy storytelling, crafts, and demonstrations that bring Long Island’s maritime history to life! All activities included with museum admission.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Art, craft and gift fair
Browse among varied items.
• Where: Eisenhower Park, East Meadow
• Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., also Oct. 12
• Contact: NassauCountyFairs.com
The Stronger Together Summit at the Long Island Marriott unites early childhood experts, families, and leaders for two days focused on improving the health and well-being of Long Island’s youngest residents. Friday’s “Lead Together” sessions offer interactive panels, visioning, and action planning with no registration fee. Saturday’s “Learn Together” program provides professional development, networking, and continuing education for educators, physicians, childcare providers, and families. Keynote speaker Pamela Hollingsworth, a nationally recognized early learning leader, will headline the event. Also, Oct 18.
• Where: Long Island Marriott, 101 James Doolittle Blvd, Uniondale
• Time: Also Oct. 18
• Contact: strongertogetherny. com or Anthony Rivera at (917) 882-4659
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 7 and 9:30 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks partners with the Nassau County Department of Assessment to bring the Homeowner Exemption Liaison Program to Kennedy Memorial Park in Hempstead.
• Where: Kennedy Memorial Park, 335 Greenwich St., Hempstead
• Time: Noon-2 p.m.
• Contact: Nassau County Department of Assessment at (516) 571-1500
Each week in this engaging workshop, participants are introduced to hands-on materials, artmaking, and inspiration from artists and techniques. Young kids, ages 2-5, build critical thinking skills, expand vocabulary, and support imaginations as they play, create and explore. This week create one-of-a-kind wave paintings with a sensory twist. $4 with museum admission.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: 11:30 a.m.-noon
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
Girls Rocket Day
Join the Cradle of Aviation Museum to defy gravity. The museum invites kids 6+ to explore rocket design, then build and launch water bottle rockets soaring up to 35 feet. Each 90-minute session costs $22 and includes museum admission. Two sessions available; space is limited. Register early for this exciting, hands-on science experience.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: 10-11:30 a.m. and noon-1:30 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 572-4111
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.
By REINE BETHANY rbethany@liherald.com
Musket balls whizzing past soldiers’ ears, canons hurling lead balls across muddy fields, the glint of bloody bayonets in the sunlight. These are the sounds and sights of wars fought for American freedom.
War veterans’ burial sites exist all over Long Island. Right here in Hempstead, 25 veterans are interred among the 500 graves in the churchyard of St. George’s Episcopal Church on Front Street.
Wayne Haddock and his brother, Steve Haddock, are making sure that the gravesites — and the bravery — of those veterans won’t be forgotten.
Tidentified.
He further discovered that seven men interred at St. George’s, including the two Revolutionary War veterans, had committed themselves to the Articles of Association of the First Continental Congress in 1774. By doing so, they established their loyalty to the cause of the United States, and were designated Patriots.
he history of St. George’s Church is virtually synonymous with the history of Hempstead.
RE v. SEAN WAll AcE rector, St. George’s Episcopal Church, Hempstead
Wayne, 59, and Steve, 62, are members of the Sons of the American Revolution, Long Island Chapter.
Wayne is also a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Moses A. Baldwin Camp. His passion during his four years with the SAR has been finding veterans’ burial sites on Long island, starting with the American Revolutionary War. It was through his efforts that all 25 of the veterans buried at St. George’s were
A signpost with a plaque carrying the seven Patriot’s names was installed at St. George’s by the Sons of the American Revolution on May 17.
“I used the original military records to find the men,” Wayne said. “Then I researched them on Ancestry.com, on Fold3.com, and historic reference books about Queens County. Also, I ordered their military records from the National Archives.”
Wayne’s mission is to keep the ancient gravesites visible. To this end, he and Steve personally visit the graveyards. When the original markers for the veterans have become too broken or weatherworn to be read, Wayne appeals to the Veterans Administration.
The VA will provide, for free, either an upright marker if the original mon -
Donald Franklin, left, Steve Haddock, second from left, and Bill Johnson, third from left, shoveled soil around the new grave marker for 1812 veteran Joseph Dorlon, while Wayne Haddock kept the marker level, on Sept. 20 St. George’s Episcopal Church on Front Street.
ument is tumbledown, or a flat inground marker if the original monument is standing but illegible.
The markers are white stone, engraved with the soldiers’ names, birth and death years, and regiment.
On Sept. 20, the Haddock brothers brought the last of six white stone
grave markers to St. George’s in Wayne’s truck.
The upright marker was installed on the grave of a War of 1812 soldier named Joseph Dorlon, who was a corporal in the 2nd Regiment of the New York Militia (popularly known as Bedel’s Regiment).
Helping with the installation were Bill Johnson, facilities manager for St. George’s, vestry warden Donald Franklin, and Fr. Sean Wallace, rector.
“I am honored to contribute to the restoration of the grave markers of those who gave their lives for a free America,” said Franklin, who has participated in the installation of three of the markers.
On May 17, a marker for Samuel Clowes of Bedel’s Regiment was installed, and on Sept. 5, new stones for three War of 1812 veterans and one Civil War private who died in action gleamed from the grass.
The installation of Dorlon’s monument on Sept. 20 completed the task that the Haddock brothers had set for themselves at St. George’s.
St. George’s can now guide visitors to the graves of two Revolutionary War veterans, 16 veterans of the War of 1812, five from the Civil War, one from World War I, and one man who served in both World Wars (Lt. Col. Albert Hendrix Stone, a military chaplain).
9,
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANY. NAME: InDwelling Properties, LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 05/15/2025. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as an agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 447 Clarendon Road, Uniondale, NY 11553. Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 156004
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC
HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law
Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Town Hall Plaza, One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York on 10/15/2025 at 9:30
A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:
THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30
A.M.
531/25. UNIONDALE7-Eleven #38405, Renewal of grant to maintain one doublefaced, illuminated, detached ground sign, setback 6’ from Jerusalem Ave. & 15’ from Uniondale Ave. & within the clear sight triangle., S/W cor. Jerusalem Ave. & Uniondale Ave., a/k/a 644 Jerusalem Ave. ALL PAPERS
PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in Uniondale within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals
The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo
Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it.
156110
LEGAL NOTICE CASE NO. 21527 RESOLUTION NO. 959-2025
Adopted: September 30, 2025
Councilmember Dunne offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AND SETTING ASIDE CERTAIN PARKING SPACES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE SOLE USE OF HOLDERS OF SPECIAL PARKING PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COUNTY OF NASSAU TO PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 953-2025, adopted September 16, 2025, a public hearing was duly held on the 30th day of September, 2025, at the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the proposed establishment and setting aside of a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons, in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, all as set forth in said resolution; and WHEREAS, after due consideration, this Town Board finds it to be in the public interest to establish and set aside a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of
Hempstead, the following parking spaces be and the same hereby is set aside for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons:
BELLMORE
MADISON AVENUEwest side, starting at a point 40 feet north of the north curbline of Beltagh Avenue, north for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-420/25)
ELMONT
MARSHALL STREETsouth side, starting at a point 48 feet west of the west curbline of Covert Avenue, west for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-418/25)
LEVITTOWN COTTON LANE - east side, starting at a point opposite the southwest curbline of Surrey Lane, south for a distance of 27 feet.
(TH-417/25)
ROOSEVELT RONALD PLACE - west side, starting at a point 63 feet south of the south curbline of East Fulton Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-425/25)
UNIONDALE
LAWRENCE STREETeast side, starting at a point 95 feet south of a point opposite the southwest curbline of Shady Street, south for a distance of 21 feet.
(TH-436/25) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons:
LEVITTOWN PARKER AVENUEwest side, starting at a point 212 feet south of the south curbline of Coleridge Street, south for a distance of 24 feet.
(TH-466/03 - 11/18/03)
(TH-410/25)
; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk shall enter this resolution in the minutes of the Town Board and shall publish a copy of this resolution once a newspaper having a general circulation in the Town of Hempstead and shall post a copy hereof on the signboard maintained by her, and file in her office affidavits of such publication and posting. The foregoing resolution was seconded by Supervisor Ferretti and adopted upon roll call as
follows:
NOES: NONE (0) 156134
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
Supreme Court County of Nassau Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST Patrick J. Cruz, Gobin Joseph, Indira Cruz, Gumercinda Joseph, et al, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 16, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM premises known as 1276 Menard Street, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 50, BLOCK: 37, LOT: 325. Approximate amount of judgment is $515,219.87 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 614665/2019. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832 . Heather D. Crosley, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-092664-F00 87358 156104
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST ROMUALDO BONILLA, EMMA BONILLA, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 31, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 16, 2025 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 159 Ruxton Street, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Uniondale, Town of
high school’s college and career adviser and school counselor, said, “and then our students really get to have more of a choice in what they want to learn in this process.”
On the subject of financial aid and scholarships, Gene Rogers, senior financial aid counselor at Molloy, discussed the complexities of college finances. “Financial aid isn’t just one thing, it’s many things,” he said. “All these different things make up that financial aid sort of umbrella.”
“Here at Uniondale High School, the guidance office probably has links to different opportunities for scholarships,” Rogers added. So you want to look locally, as well as all over, which is the internet.”
Hofstra admission counselor Andrea Nadler weighed in on searching for the perfect college for you. “You could be happy at a lot of places,” she said.
“There’s not just one — but there are places that you will find that are not right for you, and you’ll have to figure that out. But you can’t figure that out from looking at Instagram.”
On the subject of which college majors lead to the best jobs, specifically in tech and engineering, Synthia Betances, an admissions adviser at SUNY Farmingdale, led the discussion. “We offer a career test to see what your personality matches best,” she said. “At Farmingdale we have job fairs regularly for our students, as well as grad fairs for those students that do want to go on to graduate school. Employer networking events happen throughout the year.”
Along with the workshops, a pizza fundraiser collected money to help support Uniondale’s class of 2026, and students had the opportunity to order caps and gowns for graduation.
For more information, visit District. UniondaleSchools.org.
Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 50 Block: 13 Lot(s): 4, 5, & 6. Approximate amount of judgment $498,740.87 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #604141/2020. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Adrienne Flipse Hausch, Esq., Referee Tromberg, Miller, Morris & Partners, PLLC 39 Broadway, Suite 1250 New York, NY 10006 25-000436 86580 155743
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR ONITY LOAN ACQUISITION TRUST 2024-HB2, Plaintiff AGAINST GAY B. DINGLE BUTLER AS TRUSTEE TO THE THOMAS JAMES WALKER, JR. LIVING TRUST DATED JANUARY 27, 2010, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF NASSAU COUNTY AS ADMINISTRATOR TO
THE ESTATE OF THOMAS J. WALKER, JR. AKA THOMAS JAMES WALKER, JR., ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 23, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 728 Martin Drive, Hempstead, NY 11553. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Uniondale, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, S ection 50 Block 371 and Lot 20. Approximate amount of judgment $495,578.82 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #610757/2021. Tara Mayerhofer, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 17-007420 87159 155865
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Q. I’m buying a sunroom for my breakfast room on the back of my split-level house, about 8 feet off the ground. I’m being told by the contractor that I need an architect and sealed plans. Since it’s basically a kit of parts that will go on my existing deck, why do I need this? It seems like a lot of extra expense the sunroom people didn’t tell me about. If I already have a permit for the deck, it should be allowed, right? I haven’t bought the sunroom yet. I’m just trying to be sure I know the whole story before I do this, probably by spring, when the weather is better for construction. Any advice would be helpful.
A. Do things once, the best way. A deck isn’t habitable, but a sunroom is, and a permit is required. Plans have to show structural support, energy and building code compliance. Rain, moisture and ice are your primary concerns. You need the whole story without the sales part. Just like any purchase, issues you might not expect are still important, like finding out what kind of oil to add to your snow blower before the engine seizes or that windows without factory tinting can allow ultra-violet sunlight rays to fade your carpet. As an architect for a largely popular sunroom manufacturer in the 1980s and ’90s, I experienced many issues with their construction.
Pre-engineered panel systems are designed by the company, hopefully by engineers, and should come with plans, from the manufacturer, that can be sealed and signed by their in-house engineer. If not, plans may need to be drawn from scratch by an architect or engineer that you hire so those plans can be integrated with your house. Integrated means that the company generally just sells you a product and doesn’t necessarily give any indication of how to support the unit or how to attach the unit system to your house so that it won’t leak or move.
This is the general failing of the system, since, as I experienced with most of the installations, the part I could detail was free of leaking or movement, but the units themselves leaked nearly every time. We could detail how the edges of the unit could be sealed and redundantly weather-stripped and flashed, but the frames around the glass and wall edges would unseal and leak. I even met with the corporate president/ owner and identified the specific problems. Promises to correct leak issues were made but not kept, and eventually I gave up.
I looked at a two-year-old system while discussing other work for a home recently. The owner described the back-and-forth misery he and his family were experiencing with their sunroom and the company. Even 25 years after I gave up, the same company is still doing things the same way. You need a detail-oriented architect and installer, even if you think you don’t. The cost of doing things twice is much greater. Good luck.
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What’s wrong with the federal government finally stepping up to track down the millions of people who are overstaying their visas on American soil?
The Trump administration should be applauded for taking this issue seriously. Yet if you look at the ridiculously biased articles on the subject, you’d think the crackdown is designed to quash the free speech of innocent people.
Many have been amazed to discover that there are over 50 million people in the United States on visas. At this point, we don’t know how many of them have illegally overstayed the privilege of being here based on approvals they received for a few weeks for a vacation or a business trip, but we know it’s a substantial number.
In fact, roughly 40 percent of all
those here illegally did not arrive by way of an illegal border crossing, but rather by overstaying visas that were granted to them as a privilege.
Part of the crackdown is to target those fermenting dissension on American soil, as was the case with the Columbia University graduate student who was organizing protests that wound up cutting off access for Jewish students on campus, and, in some cases, harassing them.
Roughly 40 percent of all those here illegally did not cross a border illegally.
But there shouldn’t have to be a predicate beyond the overstay that warrants the deportation of these people. Someone who overstays a visa doesn’t get to say they’re entitled to stay here forever simply because they haven’t committed a crime since they came onto American soil. The mere fact that they’ve overstayed is grounds enough to deport them. Failing to enforce the time limits on visas sends the message that we have an open border, which is why millions come here deliberately on temporary visas with the intent to stay forever.
The articles opposing the crackdown often quote immigration attorneys and far-left advocacy groups that have been known to promote illegal immigration. Nowhere are there quotes from those in American society who are deleteriously impacted by these overstays. There are no quotes from those who have been denied jobs because those here illegally took them. No quotes from those who have had their wages suppressed because of illegal labor. No quotes from those who have had to wait longer for doctor’s appointments, or who saw their rents soar because so many people who overstay their visas are competing for a limited housing supply.
Once again, the media has portrayed those who come to stay here illegally as the good guys — the innocent victims — and those trying to enforce the law as the bad guys who are exploiting the underdog immigrants.
Let’s not forget that the Egyptian national who fire-bombed and killed
Some of my most enduring memories involve libraries. Attending “Story Hour” at the local library with my mother as a child. Working my way through college staffing the Circulation desk and re-shelving books. Viewing the special exhibits at Oxford University’s Bodleian Library while serving as a visiting scholar after retiring from Adelphi. Writing my book on university governance while serving as an Allen Room Scholar at the New York Public Library. Showing the Gutenberg Bible to a grandson while visiting the Morgan Library.
Libraries are precious homes for books and other materials that preserve and interpret the past, stir curiosity and the imagination, and nurture future generations. They are celebrated worldwide on International Literacy Day, Sept. 8.
Andrew Carnegie recognized the importance of libraries over a century ago, when he began supporting free public libraries as places of congregation and education. Carnegie believed that access to information and knowledge
would help those from limited household circumstances advance in careers and civic engagement. That certainly was the case for me.
The heart of a library is the librarian. Librarians are licensed professionals with graduate degrees. They are experts in collecting sources of information and ensuring that valid and valuable knowledge is available. They monitor access to age-appropriate materials and make decisions based on evidence, not emotion.
JJews a few months ago had illegally overstayed his visa, along with his family. The salt in the wound is that the Biden administration gave working papers to this individual who was here illegally.
Then there was the man from India who overstayed his visa and wound up getting a commercial driver’s license in both California and Washington, despite the fact that he was here illegally and didn’t understand the English-language road signs. He got involved in an accident that led to the deaths of three American citizens.
We are committing national suicide by not enforcing our immigration laws. Good for the administration for getting tough, and shame on those in the media who make law-enforcement officials look like the bad guys.
Steve Levy is president of Common Sense Strategies, a political consulting firm. He served as Suffolk County executive, as a state assemblyman and as host of “The Steve Levy Radio Show.” He is also the author of “Solutions to America’s Problems” and “Bias in the Media.”
SteveLevy.info, Twitter @SteveLevyNY, steve@commonsensestrategies.com.
be treated with
targeted books focus on sexual identity and racism, including slavery.
The lone Supreme Court ruling against book bans, from Long Island, no less, was Board of Education, Island Trees Union Free School District No. 26 v. Pico, in 1982. Some think it could be overturned by a new case from Texas focusing on the removal of 17 books deemed “obscene” and “pornographic,” including Maurice Sendak’s childhood classic, “Where the Wild Things Are.”
ust like doctors and scientists, the expertise of librarians is now questioned.
Librarians build collections according to mission and library type. They not only promote literacy, foster education and encourage critical thinking, but also offer free access to technology. They support teachers and effective teaching. Businesspeople and professionals as well as students use libraries, and seek the help of librarians, for research assignments of all kinds.
But these temples to truth are being threatened by initiatives to ban books and dismantle the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. PEN America, a nonprofit literary and freeexpression advocacy group, found 10,046 instances of book bans in the 2023-24 school year. It noted book bans in 29 states and 220 public school districts, including on Long Island. Most of the
Banning books denies freedom of speech. In the past, such efforts were isolated and local. Now these campaigns are national, and simply compile lists of books to be banned whose subjects or authors — especially Black authors — are deemed questionable without any evidence. In years past, books such as Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” and Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn” were banned, until successful lawsuits returned them to library shelves.
On Long Island, there are 120 public libraries and 125 public school districts with 656 schools. Public libraries are governed by boards of trustees and funded by fundraising, tax revenue and government grants. They are essential to high-quality schooling and are vital community resources, especially in
rural and low-income regions.
According to one national report, “the American library . . . is a barometer of where we currently stand as a society when it comes to access to knowledge and information.” Libraries host listings of employment opportunities, provide health care bulletins, are sources of election information, make textbooks available for free, lend audio books for the hearing-impaired, offer citizenship classes, and open their rooms for community gatherings.
It seems that increasing numbers of people question the expertise of librarians, just as they question the expertise of doctors and scientists. None of these professions is infallible, of course. What sets them apart is that they are honorbound by professional codes of ethics, and change their conclusions when new evidence is uncovered. For the librarian, this means curating as well as collecting and storing sources of information, whether on discs, in the cloud or in books.
The Swedish designer Josef Frank said, “The world is a book, and the person who stays at home reads only one page.” The librarian is our travel guide to new vistas through books, and libraries are our vehicles. We should treat them with care.
Robert Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and co-author, with Drew Bogner, of “Letters to Students: What it Means to be a College Graduate.”
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long Island is known for its beaches, its vineyards and its suburban sprawl. But a new report reminds us of something too often overlooked: The arts are one of the region’s most powerful economic engines.
According to the Center for an Urban Future, jobs in arts and culture on Long Island grew by a stunning 21.6 percent between 2014 and 2024. That’s five times faster than the region’s overall economy. The number of independent artists nearly doubled during the same period, fueling downtown revitalization, driving tourism and supporting small businesses. From muralists in Patchogue to theater productions in Huntington, creativity is reshaping the Island’s identity, and its bottom line.
And yet, just as this growth is transforming local communities, warning signs are flashing. The same report shows that the average arts worker on Long Island earns just $46,500 annually — barely half the regional average income. The number of performing-arts jobs remains more than 13 percent below pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, the costs of housing and living have skyrocketed, with housing prices alone climbing more than 60 percent in the past decade.
The math doesn’t add up. We are asking artists to do the impossible: generate enormous economic and cultural value for the region while surviving on wages that barely cover rent.
The problem isn’t talent or ambition. It’s support — or rather, the lack of it. Despite being home to 14.7 percent of New York state’s population, Long Island
But Mamdani is giving people hope, Jerry
To the Editor:
receives just 2.8 percent of grants awarded by the state’s Council on the Arts. Less than 1 percent of federal National Endowment for the Arts funding in New York finds its way here.
And while state economic development councils are investing more than ever in arts projects statewide, only 3.1 percent of Long Island’s recent allocation went to the creative sector.
This chronic underinvestment has created what researchers call a “negative feedback loop.” Because the region has historically been overlooked, its institutions lack the resources to compete effectively for competitive funding, which in turn reinforces low funding rates. It’s a cycle that limits growth and puts Long Island’s creative vitality at risk.
The solutions are clear, and the payoff could be enormous. The Center for an Urban Future’s recommendations should be a wake-up call to policymakers.
Among them: dedicating 1 percent of county budgets to arts programming and operations, expanding the state arts budget, and creating a Long Island Grant Academy to strengthen the capacity of local organizations to win state and federal support.
The report also suggests converting underused commercial properties into cultural spaces, integrating the arts into tourism planning, and even embedding artists directly into government initiatives, as upstate Erie County has done successfully.
These aren’t fringe ideas. They’re pragmatic strategies to sustain a sector that has already proven itself indispensable. Arts and culture are not luxuries to be funded only in good times. They are
infrastructure — just as essential to the region’s economic vitality and community well-being as roads, schools and hospitals.
Consider the ripple effects: thriving downtowns anchored by galleries and theaters. Restaurants and shops boosted by performance-goers and festival crowds. Tourists are drawn to more than just beaches and wineries, while young families choose to stay because their communities feel vibrant and alive. At a time when many Long Island towns struggle with empty storefronts and affordability crises, creativity has been a rare and steady growth engine.
To jeopardize this progress through neglect would be shortsighted. As Jonathan Bowles, the center’s executive director, put it: “Unless county leaders and the state step up, Long Island risks losing the very creativity that is powering its success.”
Leaders in Nassau and Suffolk counties must recognize that a modest investment today could safeguard the region’s cultural and economic future. Allocating just 1 percent of county budgets to the arts —around $80 million annually — would not only stabilize existing organizations but also unlock additional state and federal dollars. That kind of leverage is how Long Island can finally get its fair share.
The arts have already proven what they can do for Long Island. The question now is whether Long Island will do right by the arts. If we want downtowns that hum with life, economies that diversify and communities that feel worth staying in, then investing in creativity is not optional. It’s essential.
Re Jerry Kremer’s column in last week’s issue, “There are many reasons not to embrace Mamdani”: Nassau residents’ concern over Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, is curious, as we have no vote on the matter. Perhaps we sense the specter in our basement.
There are, I think, two reasons people embrace Mamdani — desperation and hope. Consider the central issues: housing, homelessness and “affordability,” increasingly enmeshed and worsening to the point of crisis. That’s desperation.
Housing, specifically urban housing, has been in decline since Ronald Reagan was president. Successive New York state and New York City administrations have failed to address the problem, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s and Mayor Eric Adams’s. Curtis Sliwa has no plan. They all focus on the flip side of
For too many families and small businesses in New York, high energy bills have become a serious threat to their stability and success. But that burden is not shared equally. A recent study by Binghamton University found that Black and brown households spend a disproportionate share of their income on average utility expenses. That same pressure is felt by the restaurants, retailers and other small businesses that anchor our communities, for whom higher bills mean tighter margins and fewer dollars to reinvest in jobs and growth. Rising costs hit our communities twice — once at the kitchen table, and again on Main Street.
Our elected leaders, however, have the opportunity to reorient the state’s energy policies to lower bills and protect our communities. To keep families
rfinancially stable and local businesses thriving, policymakers must support a multi-pronged energy strategy to reduce overall costs, lessen disparities and foster a more reliable grid. If energy affordability and equity are left unaddressed, high costs will continue to threaten household budgets and the survival of the very enterprises that drive opportunity in our neighborhoods. The ripple effects are enormous. When families are forced to spend more on basic energy needs, they have less to spend in local shops, less to save for education and less to invest in their future. When small businesses face higher utility bills, they are forced to cut back on hiring, scale down expansion — or in some cases, shut their doors altogether.
existing inequities. For Long Island, that could mean more families in financial distress and more businesses shutting down.
enewable sources are vital to our future, but they can’t meet the demand alone.
As someone who has dedicated his career to bolstering our local economy, I have great concern about the longterm impact of sky-high utility bills. If households are squeezed and small businesses cannot survive, job creation stalls, local wealth declines and entire communities lose ground. Lawmakers must take this seriously.
impose the steepest costs on those least able to afford them.
For Long Island’s business community, the stakes could not be higher. Rising energy bills risk driving entrepreneurs away and weakening our competitiveness. For families, the burden threatens financial stability and quality of life. For both, the wrong policies could deepen historical disparities.
There is no question that New York must do its part to advance sustainability, but the avenues we take to pursue that mission matter. We need a path forward that considers all factors before making decisions that could limit energy resources and further drive up costs.
This is why energy policy cannot be treated as one-size-fits-all. Communities differ in infrastructure, housing stock and business needs. Policies that ignore those differences risk driving up costs, reducing reliability and exacerbating
housing, speaking of “involuntary commitments” to “treatment” in facilities that don’t exist.
That totally ignores the tens of thousands of shelter-living students who need no treatment beyond a stable home address. The candidates speak of police and clearing the streets, but not of where this refuse would go. Cuomo’s plan is, again, only poetry in future tense while the desperation is now. A “rent freeze” is not “moderate,” but “moderate” has failed. The point is to keep people in their homes, now.
“Socialism” has worked well for the wealthy — maybe it should work a little for the poor as well. For all the obvious obstacles of Mamdani’s proposals, he alone names the problem, addresses its immediacy, acknowledges its multiple entwined factors and sees the human families entangled in those larger forces. That’s where the hope comes from, reflected in votes. It is a hope readily transferable to any other willing leader, but if hope comes only in Muslim garb …
BRIAN KELLY Rockville Centre
To the Editor:
Re Randi Kreiss’s column in the Sept. 25-Oct. 1 issue, “Is our democracy suffering growing pains”: The United States is approaching the 250th anniversary of
this political experiment. Kreiss’s op-ed attempted to place the blame on MAGA for the decline in our country, and I respectfully disagree.
■ Standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance has always been a mainstay of our country, until people on the left attempted to turn any display of national pride into a signal of racism.
■ Many on the left applauded the assassination of Charlie Kirk, who was simply engaging young college students in active, respectful debate.
■ Not knowing who was running our country as Joe Biden was in mental decline was a huge threat to our democracy. Who used the autopen? Who issued the pardons? Who ran our country?
■ The Democrats wrote the book on using the Department of Justice to go after political opponents, and now have the nerve to complain when it is used against them. They weaponized the FBI to arrest political opponents like Gen. Michael Flynn, Peter Navarro, Roger Stone, Steve Bannon and Paul Manafort, to name a few. Now the Republicans have indicted Jim Comey as the tip of the spear, with many more to follow. Thank you, Democrats, for paving the way.
■ Arresting a former president for the first time in our nation’s history and attempting to incarcerate and bankrupt him is more proof that Democrats are more of a threat to our democracy.
■ If they gain control of both chambers of Congress, we can look forward to mak-
That means pursuing a balanced energy strategy — one that lowers costs and ensures reliability while advancing toward a greener future. Renewable energy is vital to our future, and requires sustained investments. But renewables alone cannot meet demand without driving costs higher. Natural gas, nuclear, hydro, wind, solar and emerging technologies all play important roles in powering New York. Phasing out reliable sources prematurely would destabilize the system and
The Empire State has always risen to meet big challenges. By adopting a balanced energy strategy that values every resource, invests in innovation and never loses sight of affordability, we can do so again — and set a national example in the process.
Phil Andrews is president of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, New York state’s largest African American chamber. He is also a member of the Long Island Power Authority’s Community Advisory Board.
Framework by Tim Baker
ing Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., states, packing the Supreme Court, and reopening our borders. Another B.S. impeachment will follow. Sounds undemocratic to me.
■ I could go on, but I will only add one more thing. I challenge you to put on a red “Make America Great Again” hat and walk the streets of Manhattan — especially the Upper West Side — and report back on your First Amend-
ment right of freedom of speech and expression. To all the people on the hard left, if you want to see the real threat to democracy, simply look in the mirror. I enjoy the fact that President Trump lives rent free in the heads of the liberal left. God bless America.
