Valley Stream Herald 08-07-2025

Responding to the civic group block party

Finian Dcunha, left, Lauren Dcunha, Ian Burke, and Danny Guaman of the Valley Stream Fire Department Rescue, gave CPR demonstrations to guests. The Millbrook Civic Association hosted its annual neighborhood block party on Eastwood Lane, filling the day with music, food and family activities. Residents of all ages came together to celebrate community spirit and enjoy a summer afternoon with neighbors. From games to good conversation, it was a day that reflected the strong ties of the Mill Brook neighborhood. Photos, story page 3.

Students join school board as new advisers

By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com

A new era of student engagement has begun in Valley Stream schools as the Central High School District officially introduces ex officio student board members to its Board of Education.

The new state mandate is designed to give students a formal platform within the education system’s local decision-making bodies. It reflects a growing recognition of students and stakeholders in public education and aims to ensure their perspectives are incorporated into shaping policy and practices.

“I’ve realized that there are, there are parents and students alike who really care a lot about both statewide policies, such as the New York phone ban that’s coming to fruition, and also simply school-wide policies like attendance or detention,” Zafar said. “I really, truly want to just be able to give the students a voice.”

I really, truly want to just be able to give the students a voice.

SARA ZAfAR Ex Officio Board Member

The Valley Stream Central High School District appointed three student representatives, one from each of its high schools. Senior Jaskeerat Kaur, 16, of Central High School; senior Sara Zafar, 17, of South High School; and senior Abigail Mathew, 17, of North High School. They will serve as the district’s inaugural student board members for the 2025–26 academic year.

As ex officio members, the students do not have voting rights, but they are expected to play an active role in board discussions. Their involvement centers on bringing forward students input on curriculum decisions, school climate, extracurricular programming, and school-wide policy matters. In doing so, they are helping bridge the gap between board members and the student body.

All three were selected based on their extensive leadership experience and school-wide involvement.

Zafar brings a long list of leadership roles to the table. She serves as secretary of the Continued on page 7

Valley Stream North student joins statewide education policy discussion

By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com

Valley Stream North High School student Olivia Howard has been nominated to take part in a policy discussion with Secretary Hillary Clinton and Governor Kathy Hochul regarding New York State’s proposed ban on cell phones in public schools.

Howard’s selection to participate in this advisory meeting reflects her leadership and active role as a student voice within her school community. She will join a small group of student leaders from across the state, offering input on how the proposed policy could impact areas such as learning, mental health, and overall school culture.

“Olivia represents the very best of our school community—intelligent, engaged and passionate about making a difference,” Robin Small, Principal of Valley Stream North High School. “Her voice will be a valuable contribution to this important conversation about balancing technology use and student wellbeing.”

The meeting is part of a broader initiative aimed at gathering input from various stakeholders as the state considers legislation that would limit or prohibit the use of cell phones during the school day in public schools. The proposal is focused on addressing concerns about the effects of technology use on students’ well-being and academic focus.

Howard’s role in the discussion will be to provide a student perspective, reflect on concerns from her peers and offer potential solutions. The advisory group is intended to ensure that students are represented in conversations about education policy that directly affects them.

Valley Stream North High School recognized Howard’s nomination as a sig-

nificant honor, highlighting her engagement and advocacy on behalf of her fellow students. According to the school, her involvement in this statewide conversation demonstrates her ability to contribute meaningfully to important issues in education.

The state’s effort to explore a possible ban includes input from educators, policymakers and now students. While no

final decisions have been made, the meetings are designed to inform the direction of any future policy by incorporating a wide range of viewpoints.

Valley Stream North congratulated Howard on her nomination and commended her ongoing efforts to lead and represent her school community in broader discussions about student life and education policy.

neighbors

Annual Millbrook Civic Association block party

The Millbrook Civic Association hosted its annual block party on Eastwood Lane on Aug. 2, bringing residents together for an afternoon of music, food and community connection. Running from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., the event offered a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere and a chance for neighbors to spend time together in the heart of their neighborhood.

Set within the historically planned Mill Brook community—originally conceived in the 1930s and developed through the 1940s and post-war years—the block party reflects the neighborhood’s long-standing values of unity and shared space. The area’s unique layout of cul-de-sacs, footpaths and green areas continues to support gatherings like this, where residents can enjoy their surroundings and each other’s company.

— Angelina Zingariello

Protecting

Future

Book Review: “SuperAging”

by David Cravit and Larry Wolf

Subtitled “Getting Older Without Getting Old” this new book starts with the premise “... imagine bringing a whole lifetime of knowledge, experience, skills, talent, relationships, wisdom (and, let’s face it, money) to two or three more decades ahead of you in which to leverage all those assets into an ongoing wonderful experience.” With the Baby Boomer generation far outliving and “outhealthing” any prior generation, we are in the era of the “superager”, founded upon seven pillars.

Attitude: Believing in exciting new possibilities, optimism is a major life extender. Purposes and goals are a result of an active curiosity about the potential for the gift of these years. Practice a positive thinking booster program everyday. Search for “positivity apps” and get daily positive quotes. They work!

Awareness: Whereas older adults previously accepted the advice of professionals as gospel, today’s superagers are avid consumers of information. The challenge today is the approach to information gathering and the curating of the “informational torrent”. Tips and techniques for searching and filing your information are provided.

Activity: Keeping fit, mentally and physically delves into the nine components, arising out of the Blue Zones Project, for extending longevity — move naturally, have a purpose (worth an extra 7 years!), downshift, the 80% rule for eating, plant-based diet, moderate alcohol, faith-based community family, social networks.

Accomplishments: Viewing post-65 as a continued opportunity to grow and achieve goals, this section outlines myriad ways to continue personal growth. As the authors point out, “Accomplishment, promoted by longevity, produces even further longevity.”

Attachment: The health risks of loneliness are well documented. Superagers reach for more connection, often digitally. New adult communities are arising right on college campuses, creating exciting new intergenerational possibilities.

Avoidance: Avoiding ageism, especially against oneself, means challenging your own and society’s outdated views on aging — stereotypes as to what older adults look and act like.

Autonomy: The dazzling new array of living options, and various means for affording them are explored, including using the home as an asset. For more, visit superagingnews.com.

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Mister Softee ice cream truck catches fire at Green Acres Mall

A Mister Softee ice cream truck erupted in flames on Aug. 3 in the parking area near the Honda dealership at Green Acres Mall, creating an unusual scene where frozen treats met fire and smoke.

Local fire department crews responded quickly to the blaze, successfully extinguishing the flames within 30 minutes of arrival. Emergency responders confirmed that no injuries occurred during the incident, and no other vehicles or structures were damaged.

Investigation Ongoing

The cause of the fire remains under investigation as of Aug. 4. Fire officials have not yet determined whether the blaze originated from the truck’s engine, electrical system, or another source. Ice cream trucks typically carry propane tanks for refrigeration systems and have multiple electrical components that could potentially malfunction.

“We’re still gathering information and examining the scene,” said a spokesper-

son for the Valley Stream Fire Department. “The investigation is ongoing, and we hope to determine the cause in the coming days.”

The fire occurred in the parking area and did not impact mall activities or the adjacent Honda dealership’s business operations.

Founded in 1956, the company has become synonymous with neighborhood ice cream service, particularly in the northeastern United States.

The franchise operates as one of the largest soft-serve ice cream distributors in the country, with an extensive network of 350 franchisees operating 625 trucks across 18 states. The company’s distinctive white trucks, adorned with colorful graphics and playing the familiar “Turkey in the Straw” melody, have been a staple of American summers for nearly seven decades.

E-MAIl:

Fax: (516) 569-4643 ■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com

Nassau HOF class of 2025 announced

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

The Nassau County High School Athletics Hall of Fame will hold its 2025 induction ceremony Oct. 7 at the Crest Hollow County Club. For more information and tickets, go to www.sectionviii. org. Here’s a list of local honorees.

Ray Adams (Long Beach)

For the past 28 seasons, the Long Beach wrestling program has achieved remarkable success under the direction of Baldwin alum Adams. During that span, the team has a dual meet record of 328-110-1, winning the New York State Dual-Meet championship in 2016 and 2017. Adams has led Long Beach to an incredible 16 Conference titles and five Nassau County crowns.

Adams’ dedication to developing athletes at a very high level is palpable by the 168 All-County wrestlers he has coached. Of those, 11 went on to become state champions, 48 became Nassau County champions, and 42 were AllState wrestlers. Adams’ impact on wrestling goes beyond wins and championships. A member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (Class of 2022), has been greatly recognized for his contributions, earning him Nassau County Coach of the Year three times.

Steve Costello (MacArthur)

Costello has been one of Nassau County’s elite baseball coaches for more than three decades at MacArthur High School. His teams have consistently won and have experienced deep playoff runs, resulting in three Nassau County championships, two Long Island titles and a New York State Class B title in 1994 with a record of 29-0.

Costello’s incredible success throughout the past 32 seasons has made him one of the premiere baseball coaches in county history. He is in the top five all time in career wins with over 575. He also earned the Michael Kostynick Memorial Award Coach of the Year honors three times. Additionally, Costello would take over the role as MacArthur’s varsity girls soccer coach in 2022. It was no surprise that in his first year at the helm, the Generals would go 15-1-2 and capture Nassau and L.I. Class AA championships.

Gina, Vicky and Rosie DiMartino (Massapequa)

It is a genuine honor to have one member of a family become a high school soccer star.

So what is there to say about a family that produces not one, not two, not three, but an astounding four All-Long Island players. That’s what made the DiMartino sisters so special. Each was a star in her own right. Each led teams to

championships. Each earned multiple individual honors. Gina, Vicky and Rosie DiMartino followed elder sister Christina into soccer stardom. Each proved to be winners while leading Massapequa to Nassau and New York State crowns.

Gina was a sensation at Massapequa. She led the Chiefs to two state soccer titles. She set the school scoring record. She won the Mike Clarke Award as the best player in the county. She was a two-time All-Long Island selection and has been inducted into the Long Island Soccer Players Hall of Fame. Victoria (Vicky) was an All-Long Island firstteam selection as a junior in 2005 and led Massapequa to the county, regional and state titles as a senior. She was chosen for the United States Under-17 World Cup team in New Zealand.

Ronald Gustafson (Wantagh)

A common theme runs throughout

the career of “Gus” Gustafson when competed as a member of Wantagh High School’s cross-country and track & field teams: Unprecedented success. As “leader of the pack”, Gustafson’s running career was impeccable. In cross country, he led the Warriors to two Nassau County Class B team championships and he was a three-time individual champion from 1962-64. Wantagh would win the New York State cross country team title in 1962 and he would win the NYS individual championship in 1963 and 1964. In track, Gustafson was a threetime Nassau County champion in the 3200-meter race.

William ‘Bill’ Hedgecock (Wantagh & Lynbrook)

Hedgecock was a fixture in Nassau County track & field and cross country for 41 years. His former players describe Coach Hedge as more than a coach –he’s a legend, a mentor, and someone

who left a lasting impact on everyone lucky enough to know him. He exhibited an extensive knowledge of both sports at Lynbrook and Wantagh. His career began at Lynbrook for 11 years from 1969-80.

In 1981, Hedgecock moved over to Wantagh, where he was the head coach in cross country and spring track for the next three decades. During his tenure, Bill’s teams amassed a staggering 1,207 wins (819 in XC and 388 in track) with only 102 losses. He led his teams to 50 undefeated seasons, two New York State cross country championships at Wantagh (boys in 1986, girls in 1992) and 37 Nassau titles between the two schools.

Quint Kessenich (Lynbrook)

Aside from being an extraordinary three-sport star at Lynbrook, Kessenich, a 1986 graduate, was also a bit of an introvert. All of which is ironic since he is now a vocal ESPN broadcaster for lacrosse, wrestling, football and other sports. Kessenich was an outstanding athlete in high school. He starred as a soccer player and was a two-time Nassau wrestling champion for the Owls. However, it was on the lacrosse field that he was truly extraordinary.

Kessenich was considered to be the top high school lacrosse goaltender in the country as a junior and senior, and twice was named All-American. He starred at the collegiate level at Johns Hopkins, becoming a rare four-time AllAmerican for the Blue Jays. He also was twice the recipient of the Ensign C. Markland Kelly Award, given to the best goaltender in collegiate lacrosse.

New student liaisons help shape policies

student government, president of the Career and Technical Education Honor Society, secretary of the National English Honor Society and public relations officer of the Science Honor Society. She is a co-founder and co-president of the Chess Club, co-vice president of Heart and Soul—a medicinal service club— and is actively involved in the Muslim Student Association, which she noted connects her with a large demographic of younger students.

She also serves on the executive board of her school’s weekly news show, where she contributes regularly to scripting and production. Through this wideranging involvement, she has built a strong understanding of student concerns across grades and interests. Zafar sees this new position as a way to amplify those voices, restore confidence in the education system and secure additional opportunities for students, such as field trips and access to resources for studentled initiatives.

Mathew currently serves as president of the Class of 2026 at North and was encouraged to apply for the board role by her grade council advisor. The position will allow her to combine her passion for government and public service with the chance to advocate for her peers.

“I know that there are a lot of concerns that my friends and the student body have in North, and I think that this would be a good way to voice them, while also highlighting the great things that are happening at my school,” Mathew said.

Kaur will serve as student council president at Central this year. She is the founder and president of the Sikh Student Association and vice president of Key Club. She is preparing to run for positions in the National Honor Society and additional academic honor societies. She said her motivation for joining

the Board stems from a desire to help others and stay connected to her school community through meaningful service.

To coordinate across campuses, the three students have established communication channels using Microsoft Teams and group chats. They plan to share updates, collaborate on goals, and cover for one another when absences arise—ensuring that all voices are represented at each monthly board meeting. Their collaboration is supported by school principals, district administrators and the superintendent’s office.

The three student board members are scheduled to participate in a student leadership consortium hosted by BOCES in late August. The two-day training program will focus on leadership in action, civic voice, and public service skills.

As they take on these responsibilities for the first time under the new law, the students have expressed a collective interest in setting a lasting precedent. They aim to establish a framework for future student board members and strengthen the relationship between students, staff, and district leadership.

RichnerLive Gala celebrates

By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com

Herald Community Media held its first ever Health & Beauty Awards of Long Island Gala, presented by RichnerLive on July 16, people from across the Island flooded into the ballroom of The Heritage Club at Bethpage to get a glimpse of the beautiful honorees this year’s had to offer.

“This evening we celebrate the people and organizations shaping the future of health and beauty,” said Stuart Richner, CEO of Richner Communications and publisher of Herald Community Media, “Those whose innovation, leadership and dedication are making a lasting difference in our community.”

Regarding launching this new program, RichnerLIVE Executive Director Amy Amato shared, “This is a remarkable group of professionals who do more than just excel at what they do. They uplift, empower, and heal our community every single day. Whether helping someone feel beautiful, recover their strength, or simply feel seen and supported, this work touches lives in profound ways. It’s an honor to recognize that impact here tonight.”

Over 40 honorees were presented with awards in various categories pertaining to the health and beauty industry on Long Island, including Spa 505, Tranquility 3 Spa & Salt Cave and more.

Following the VIP cocktail hour which offered networking and a shopping and vendor experience for attendees, event emcees Krista Bennett DeMaio, founder of Pretty Local and Mae Caime, CEO and transformational architect of aMAEzing Midlife and Beyond kicked off the evening’s program and ceremony with a panel discussion on the industry.

Featured panelists included Dr. Luis Fandos, founder and CEO of Alluring Age Anti-Aging and Wellness Center, Dr. Helen Hsieh, founder and medical director of Vibrance 360, and Catherine Canadeo, CEO and founder of Health and Wellness Corp, who all also received awards later in the evening.

“With the new technology that we now have available, we can identify abnormal cellular processes that are going on,” Fandos said, “And by correcting those, any beauty treatments that you do will have a much longer lasting effect.”

Hsieh discussed common myths within the health and beauty industry. “More is not always better. Just the right amount is better than more. If you eat too much, it’s not good for you,” she said.

Canadeo mentioned the importance of addressing stress for one’s health. “It’s very important to be mindful of ourselves. We get distracted on a day to day basis and our emotional wellbeing is crucial. It is essential to glow from within,” she said.

Atul Bhatara, founder and CEO of Atul Skincare was amongst the honorees for the Achiever category. His skin-

care focuses on using safer ingredients in their products. Being born with cerebral palsy, he’s been able to defy the odds and be a voice for the disabled community.

“Throughout this journey, a lot of people didn’t believe in me. Don’t let somebody else’s opinion of you become your reality,” Bhatara said, “You control your own reality. Fear is false evidence appearing real, fear does not exist. It’s just something that comes up in your mind when you get overwhelmed.”

Constance Korol, CEO of Meta 180, received an award in Holistic Integrative Health. Her business centers around helping individuals dealing with issues from anxiety to physical ailments with a holistic approach both in-person and virtually. “Most of my clients, when I’m with them for some time, they’ll say ‘I just never knew that I could feel this way.’ That’s really the best part is seeing my clients grow,” Korol said.

Honoree, Dr. Linda Harkavy, was a recipient of the Science & Skin award. Harkavy is the president and medical director of Form & Function Aesthetics

and Wellness, which uses different devices and equipment to treat various physical issues. Harkavy said, “It’s a broad based aesthetic and wellness practice. The aesthetics came along with me because looking beautiful is a part of feeling great.”

These honorees were nominated not only by RichnerLive, but by people with-

in their communities as well. To see a complete list of the winners, visit RichnerLive.com/health-beautyawards/2025-honorees.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to The Maurer Foundation. For more information on the event or other events by RichnerLive, visit RichnerLive.com.

Health and Beauty innovators

Solages, Salazar inspect ICE detention cells in EM jail

By JORDAN VALLONE & JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO of the Herald

State Democrats, including Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages and State Sen. Julia Salazar, visited the Nassau County Correctional Center in East Meadow on July 23, in order to inspect the conditions of cells being used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Solages, who represents District 22 which includes Valley Stream and is of Haitian descent, said it was “heartbreaking” to see individuals from her community being rounded up and detained by ICE.

“I know that one day, in those cells, it’s going to be my neighbor, a store owner in Nassau County — it’s going to be someone that I personally know who has contributed to this state, who was a taxpayer, who had working papers, because this federal administration has been cruel to immigrants,” she said.

According to a press briefing sent to the Herald from Salazar’s office on July 22, ICE has detained more than 1,400 New Yorkers at the East Meadow facility over the last five months through an agreement with County Executive Bruce Blakeman. Salazar’s office stated that “none of the people Nassau police has handed over to ICE are violent criminals.”

Salazar, who represents parts of Brooklyn, is chair of the state commission on crime victims, crime, and correction. Solages, who represents her hometown of Elmont and several other communities, is chair of the state’s Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian legislative caucus.

Nassau County has actively cooperated with ICE since February, when Blakeman announced that officers would collaborate with the federal agency in a “targeted” crackdown on undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds. The partnership included allocating 50 local jail cells for the federal agency to hold immigrants.

Initially, Salazar and Solages were denied entry into the jail on Wednesday morning but later permitted to enter. There is a state law that allows elected officials to visit local correctional facilities “at pleasure” and without prior authorization.

Salazar is calling on the state legislature to convene a special section to pass “Dignity not Detention,” which would end ICE’s usage of the Nassau County jail. Her office said, “New York should not be helping ICE abduct or detain New Yorkers.”

At a news conference held after the tour, Salazar noted there are people detained by ICE in the jail “who have not been charged with a crime.” She added that her and Solages’ goal was to “observe the conditions of the facility” and “speak to individuals being detained.”

Salazar said that they did not observe egregious conditions. Detainees were being fed lunch and had access to medical care and to phones to call attorneys but added that some detainees were denied access to showers. Salazar also said she

suspected that the detained immigrants are being held longer than the legal limit of 72 hours, the standard time set in place by federal agencies.

In total, there were 14 people being held in ICE cells on July 23.

One man from Huntington, Salazar said, stated that he is a business owner who has lived on Long Island for about 20 years. He was arrested on July 20, brought to the facility the same day, and when Salazar inquired if he knew when he would be leaving, he said he did not know.

Speaking on their initial denial into the facility, Salazar said she was glad that the state law was “eventually understood,” permitting them to access the jail.

“But once we were inside,” she added, “the administration sought to strictly limit our communication with detainees. Every time we wanted to see something, it was a debate with them, even though our requests were completely reasonable to observe the conditions.”

Blakeman, at a news conference on afternoon of July 23 in Mineola, walked reporters through the timeline of events, stating that Salazar and Solages showed up “unannounced” with staff and members of the media, which is what caused the delay in their entry. After it was advised they could enter the facility, with-

in 40 minutes of their initial arrival, accommodations were set up to allow them to tour the jail safely.

“They got a thorough tour of the correctional facility, and I think they were very satisfied — at least they indicated to our staff that they were satisfied with the accommodations that the sheriff’s office made and the county executive’s office

denied entry but later permitted

made,” he said. “We welcome their visit. We’re happy that they came to come see if there are any misunderstandings or rumors, that those could be set aside by showing them what was going on (in the jail).”

The county, Blakemam said, receives $195 in reimbursements from the federal government per detainee.

Regarding Salazar’s statement that some detainees had not been permitted to shower, Blakeman said upon learning that he directed the sheriff’s department to make sure that each detainee is entitled to shower each day they’re at the facility.

Speaking on the claims that detainees may not have committed crimes, Blakeman said “in the majority of incidents” there has been criminal activity.

“I can’t say all, because ICE does not share that information with us,” he said, “but the target is for people who are here illegally, who have committed a crime in New York state, so that is the criteria that was presented to us by ICE, and we believe that they are adhering to that criteria.”

ICE detention in Nassau County: At a glance

Facility use:

• Nassau County has provided 50 jail cells to ICE since February under a partnership announced by County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

Detention numbers:

• More than 1,400 people have been held at the East Meadow facility in the past five months, according to state officials.

Lawmakers’ visit:

• State Sen. Julia Salazar and Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages toured the jail July 23 after initially being denied entry. They cited concerns about access to showers and potential over detention.

Blakeman’s response:

• Blakeman said the partnership targets undocumented immigrants with criminal records.

Gillen visits air traffic control in Westbury

By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com

Staffing shortages, safety concerns, the need to update equipment and aircraft noise were the topics when U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen met with Federal Aviation Administration officials and air traffic controllers in Westbury last week.

“I think everyone can agree TRACON/N90 and other air traffic control towers are understaffed, have outdated technology, long hours and compulsory overtime, which is contributing to wider spread burnout and fatigue,” Gillen said on July 29 outside the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control facility that is known by its acronym.

TRACON/N90 manages aircraft approaching and departing from the metropolitan area’s airports, generally within a 30- to 50-mile radius.

in Philadelphia.

“I’m so glad the inspector general is finally looking into the impact of moving N90 air traffic controllers, and what this has done to New York airport cancellations and the safety of our passengers,” Gillen said.

I will continue to work with Secretary Duffy in a bipartisan fashion to make sure we are keeping the skies over the busiest airways in the country safe.

LAuRA GILLeN U.S. Representative

Gillen put pressure on the FAA and federal Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that resulted in an audit of a decision last year to relocate a dozen air traffic controllers from TRACON/N90 to an air traffic control center

The FAA relocated air traffic controllers who monitored Newark Liberty Airport, one of the busiest in the country, from TRACON/ N90 to Philadelphia. Controllers overseeing Newark subsequently experienced a roughly 90-second blackout of radar and radio contact with air traffic due to a burned copper wire on April 28. Another 90-second outage followed on May 9, caused by failures of communication infrastructure.

“The FAA’s reckless decision to relocate Newark air traffic controllers from N90 on Long Island to Philadelphia put our safety at risk and made it more difficult for our air traffic controllers to manage the nation’s busiest airspace,” said Gillen.

The incidents raised concerns about system redundancy, controller staffing and training and operational resilience. The audit will also review the FAA’s

planning and risk-assessment process and its operation response to flight delays, safety incidents and cancellations.

Gillen said she was also determined to address the issue of low staffing of air traffic controllers and the risks it poses to passenger safety.

“I will continue to work with Secretary Duffy in a bipartisan fashion to

make sure we are keeping the skies over the busiest airways in the country safe — safe for passengers, and to minimize cancellations and delays,” she said.

During a discussion of air traffic safety at a July 16 hearing of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Duffy said, “Our goal is to make air travel not just safer, but also more efficient.”

Your HealtH and Wellness — with a focus on fitness for life

Exercise: The best prescription for the family Everyone off the couch!

You might think that getting fit means spending hours upon hours at the gym, sweating and getting on machines may seem like tor ture devices. Cer tainly not true. In fact, reaping the benefits of exercise doesn’t have to take a huge time commitment nor does it have to be tor turous. It can actually be quite fun and something for everyone in the family to commit to!

Start with activities you love

If you’ve had problems making exercise a regular par t of your life, then you probably only think of exercise as something you have to do in the gym But that’s just not true! Things like walking, dancing in your living room, bowling and even cleaning the house can count as exercise as long as you’re getting a little out of breath when you’re doing them.

So sit down and make a list of all of the active things you do and find a way to make at least one of them a par t of your day, every day. Then, after a few months of making those activities habits, try new ones or more traditional workouts like a group exercise class. As you get in the habit of being active and start to get more fit, you might just be amazed and what activities you like.

Embrace the power of 10

Think you can’t get heart-health benefits

from just 10-minute bouts of activity? Think again. Ten minutes of walking three times a day has been shown to lower blood pressure more effectively than a longer 30-minute bout of walking. Something as simple as walking before work, over lunch and after dinner is a fabulous way to squeeze in exercise no gym required!

It’s not just about cardio

When people think of heart-healthy exer-

Tcise, they generally think of aerobic or cardio activities like jogging. But did you know that strength training (think lifting weights or doing bodyweight exercises like push-ups and lunges) can improve the health of your ticker, too?

When you lift weights at a moderate intensity, you get your heart rate up. This means that you’re working both your muscular system and your cardiovascular system. And when you make your muscles stronger,

HEALTH MEMO

you make your body stronger, which helps everything. So definitely do some resistance training a few times a week.

Use exercise to de-stress

Stress plays a critical role in heart health, and exercise is great at kicking stress to the curb. Learn to see exercise not as something that you have to do, but instead as something you want to do because it makes you feel good. While most workouts will pump up your feel-good endorphins, workouts like yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi are especially good for de-stressing and improving the mindbody connection. Try ‘em!

Support those efforts with the whole foods

Of course, working out as awesome as it is is only par t of the heart-health equation. Eating a nutritious diet that’s rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats is key to overall health, along with helping to give you the energy you need to power through those workouts and your everyday life.

Photo:You want long-term health — for body and mind? Move, move, move. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 30 minutes of moderate-intensity cardiorespiratory exercise five days a week or 20 minutes of high-intensity exercise three days per week.

Keep Yourself Safe From Ticks Before a Hike, Run, or Round of Golf

icks are on the march and heading for you and your family—unless you take precautions.

The Fordham Tick Index, which assesses the risk of encountering ticks in the New York area, was at its highest level of 10 on a 10-point scale as of mid-July, based on an increase in the tick population and the diseases they carry, most notably Lyme disease.

Over the last three years, New York State has averaged more than 17,500 new cases of Lyme disease each year, with more than 19,000 cases reported in 2023, according to the state’s Department of Health. What is more, Suffolk County reported the highest number of Lyme disease cases in the country between 2019 and 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Long Island’s tick season runs from spring through fall, with peak activity from May to June and again from August to November. Aaron E. Glatt, MD, Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Chief of Infectious Diseases and Chair of the Department of Medicine, recommends the following steps to protect yourself from illnesses spread by ticks (and mosquitoes):

• Apply EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to clothing and exposed parts of your body (be sure to follow the instructions on the product label for safe and effective use).

• When hiking or gardening, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes/sneakers to reduce exposed skin areas. For extra protection, tuck your pants into your socks when in wooded terrain or thick vegetation.

• Wear light- or bright-colored clothing, like white, tan, yellow, or orange, which makes it easier to spot ticks.

• Treat clothing and gear with permethrin insecticiderepellent. Do not apply on the skin.

• Ticks congregate in grassy and wooded areas, so stay in the

Aaron E. Glatt, MD, Chief of Infectious Diseases and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau recommends using fine-tipped tweezers to remove a tick and cleaning the site and your hands thoroughly after removal.

center of trails. Avoid tall grass and leaf litter. Golfers need to be aware of their increased risk when searching for balls in heavy rough and untamed parts of the course.

• After concluding outdoor activities, check your clothing, hair/head and hairline, armpits, between and toes, and entire body for ticks.

• Take a shower as soon as possible, which can help wash off unattached ticks, and consider putting the clothing in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any attached ticks. To remove a tick, Dr. Glatt recommends the following steps:

• Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking the tick. Dispose of the tick by wrapping it in tape or flushing it down the toilet.

• After removing the tick, clean the bite site and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

If you are bitten by a tick, Dr. Glatt says to be on guard for these symptoms of a tick-borne illness: fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, or a rash.

“In 60-80 percent of Lyme disease cases, a rash with a bullseye center will appear around or near the site of the bite,” said Dr. Glatt. “If this rash develops as well as any other symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment will prevent more serious complications, including chronic severe headaches, painful arthritis, swelling of the joints, and heart and central nervous system problems.”

The Long Island flagship hospital of the Mount Sinai Health System, Mount Sinai South Nassau operates 911-receiving emergency departments at its Oceanside and Long Beach campuses and is the only Trauma Center on the South Shore of Nassau County. In a medical emergency, dial 911.

For more information about Mount Sinai South Nassau or a physician referral, call (516) 632-3000 or visit mountsinai. org/southnassau.

mountsinai.org/southnassau

Parker Jewish Institute showcases healing power of music with Sur Sagar ensemble

Amusical ensemble at the Parker Jewish Institute brings harmony and wellness to residents and patients alike.

The ensemble is known as Sur Sagar, which means “Ocean of Melody” in Hindi. It features five women from the Institute’s long-term care residence at Parker’s Indian Cultural Unit. The Indian Cultural Unit is the first of its kind in the region, accommodating the rehabilitation, healthcare and cultural needs of older adults in New York’s growing Indian population.

At Parker, members of Sur Sagar come together in song to create something special. Beyond their enchanting melodies, Sur Sagar represents the therapeutic power of music in elder care. Music therapy can help reduce anxiety, improve cognitive function and provide a powerful outlet for emotional expression for older adults. While Parker’s residents and patients diligently participate in physical, occupational and speech therapies that nurture their bodies, these musical gatherings nourish their spirits, helping

them to feel at ease so that they can heal.

The enthusiasm and unity of Sur Sagar members illuminate the profound impact of culturally meaningful activities. As part of Parker’s Indian Cultural Unit, these sessions incorporate familiar melodies and rhythms that resonate deeply with residents, awakening cherished memories and creating moments of pure joy.

Sur Sagar embodies the essence of Parker’s Indian Cultural Unit. The unit fosters the understanding that healing and

care must address the physical being while also honoring cultural identity and nurturing the soul through art and expression.

About The Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation<

The Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation is headquartered in New Hyde Park, New York. The facility is a leading provider of Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care. At the

Parker Jewish Institute • (718) 289-2212

Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.

forefront of innovation in patient-centered health care and technology, the Institute is a leader in teaching and geriatric research. Parker Jewish Institute features its own medical team, and is nationally renowned as a skilled nursing facility, as well as a provider of community-based health care, encompassing Home Health Care, Medical House Calls, Palliative Care and Hospice. Parker Jewish Institute is also home to Queens-Long Island Renal Institute (QLIRI), providing patients with safe, comfortable Hemodialysis treatments in a relaxed setting, as well as PRINE Health, a Vascular Center offering advanced vascular services. The Center and QLIRI further Parker’s ability to expand access to essential health-care services to adults in the greater New York metropolitan area. For more information, visit parkerinstitute. org or call (877) 727-5373.

Queens-Long Island Renal Institute offers Home Hemodialysis/ Certified Home Health Care available through Parker Jewish Institute

Queens-Long Island Renal Institute (QLIRI), a 2025 Bests of Long Island winner and located at The Parker Jewish Institute, now offers a state-of-the-art Home Hemodialysis Program for people battling kidney disease. Those patients who also require Certified Home Health Care can access it conveniently through QLIRI’s affiliate, Parker Jewish Institute.

With QLIRI’s Home Hemodialysis Program, patients can transition from an in-center setting to receiving hemodialysis from the comfort of their home, using the Tablo Hemodialysis System. Enrolled patients are first trained by a registered nurse. The nurse provides step-by-step guidance four days a week over the course of four weeks, or longer if necessary. With this training, patients learn to use the system before transitioning to the convenience of home hemodialysis.

If needed, patients of Parker’s Certified Home Health Care Agency receive individualized nursing, medical, and rehabilitation services, so they can maintain maximum independence in the comfort of their homes. Home-care services can include skilled-nursing care; physical, occupational and speech therapy; home-health aides; medical social services; medical supplies; and 24-hour telephone availability.

Call (718) 289-2600 with questions.

To learn more about QLIRI’s Home Hemodialysis Program, visit qliri.org.

For more on Parker’s Certified Home Health Care, visit parkerinstitute.org.

Queens Long Island Renal Institute • 271-11 76th Ave., New Hyde Park • (718) 289-2600

Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

AGENDA: VISIT

Clavin resigns as Town of Hempstead supervisor

By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com

Hempstead Town Supervisor Donald X. Clavin Jr. resigned during Tuesday’s town board meeting, and Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti was appointed as the interim supervisor.

After a brief recess, Clavin returned to announce that he was stepping down after holding office since 2020.

“I want to say what an honor and a privilege and a friendship all of you have been. And to the residents, you have always been very kind to me,” said Clavin, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve all of you. Even the critics have been the nicest people in the world to me. And I wish all of you the greatest success, and God bless you and God bless America.”

Clavin, who was in his third two-year term, did not state his reasoning for his resignation. In April, he declined the Republican Party’s nomination for a fourth term and is thought to be considering a run for a judgeship. Ferretti was picked to replace him.

After his final words, he exited the meeting with a standing ovation from attendees and former fellow board members. The meeting continued after he left.

In a statement from Nassau County Republican Committee Chairman Joseph G. Cairo Jr., appointing elected officials has been done by officials in the North Hempstead, Hempstead and Babylon towns, the City of Long Beach and other municipalities.

“The Board’s action ensures continu-

ity of representation for residents of America’s largest township,” Cairo said. “What’s more, both Democrat and Republican majorities in control of local governments have employed this practice. I am confident that Supervisor Ferretti will provide excellent leadership for the town, bringing a solid record of reducing taxes and providing high quality services.”

In June, the Democrats lead by Democratic Supervisor candidate Joseph Scianablo unveiled proposed legislation to ban the practice of appointing town supervisors without a public election.

“This appointment is an insult to every voter in the Town of Hempstead,” Scianablo said in a statement. “Ferretti will now enjoy the perks of office, cars, gas, glossy mailers, and free publicity, all paid for by taxpayers, to run a campaign that was rigged from the start, not to mention a $60,000 raise.”

Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow, the Democratic candidate for county executive, aimed his anger at his Republican opponent, incumbent County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

“Don Clavin just stepped down as Hempstead supervisor — exactly as we predicted last week — so that Blakeman’s chosen crony could gain an advantage in the upcoming election,” Koslow said in a statement. “This is a shameful attempt to circumvent the will of the voters and dismantle the democratic process.”

Ferretti represented Levittown, Bethpage, North Massapequa and parts of Farmingdale. The Republican candidate for the 15th Legislative District Kayla L. Knight and the Democratic candidate is Stephen Richard Hellman.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 14TH | 7:00PM

One lucky member of the audience will WIN 4 TICKETS to watch Long Island Ducks vs Hagerstown Flying Boxcars at Fairfield Properties Ballpark.

Sunday, August 17 at 5:05 p.m.

Contest ends August 10th midnight with the winner chosen on August 11th

Directions for ticket acquisition will be explained when winner is contacted. Scan

STEPPING OUT

Long Islander adds “JOY” Off-Broadway

By Iris Wiener

Jerome Vivona knew from a young age that he was meant to tell stories. From performing at his Bayville elementary school, to “West Side Story” and “Guys and Dolls” at North Shore High School, he found there was a freedom in theater that was especially unique.

An accomplished performer, writer, producer, director, and choreographer, Vivona (Broadway’s “Seussical,” “Kiss Me Kate”) returns to the New York stage, Off-Broadway, in “JOY: A New True Musical.” Running now through Aug. 17, it’s based on entrepreneur Joy Mangano. Vivona plays Judge Jeremiah Abernathy (an integral figure in Mangano’s life), and is also a standby for other roles.

Vivona is right at home with JOY, which is mostly set at Mangano’s childhood residence on Long Island. As a teenager, Vivona was an avid athlete working part-time at an East Norwich ski shop (where he once helped Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley), and initially decided to attend college on a soccer scholarship; however, thanks to the encouragement of his teachers, he found that the calling to be a dancer was stronger.

At age 17 he entered a Sea Cliff studio and said, “I want to be a professional dancer.” He trained privately for six to eight hours each day for six months until he had caught up with the more experienced dancers.

“I worked very hard, and with the studio’s tutelage I ended up at the Joffrey Ballet School,” says Vivona. “[Afterwards,] I was very fortunate to tour with ballet companies.”

His life took another incredible turn when, at 23, he first met Jerome Robbins, for whom he was about to audition for “Jerome Robbins’ Broadway.”

“He took a liking to me and I took private rehearsal sessions with him in which I learned all of the ‘West Side Story’ choreography. Working with him and his believing in me was a seminal part of my career.”

Vivona went on to tour with Robbins’ show nationally and internationally, which was followed by a turn in the Paris production of “West Story,” where he met his wife, performer and dancer Michelle Vivona. It wasn’t long before he made his Broadway debut in “Guys and Dolls.”

“JOY” entered his life through the connections and friends he’s made through the years.

Jerome Vivona’s commanding presence is well suited to his latest project.

“My relationships are what brought me back and my friends having a belief that I would be the right fit. I’m really thrilled that [director] Lorin Latarro and choreographer Joshua Bergasse gave me the opportunity because the show is beautiful, powerful and uplifting.”

As he puts it: ‘JOY’ is about the dynamics of a family and how that can change your trajectory in life if you let it. It’s a powerful story about one woman who found herself in a situation where she had her back up against a wall, and she was able to create this mop that allowed her to change her family’s life and the lives of countless others. It really is ‘joy,’ and I think that what we need right now is a story that makes us feel good about humanity.”

As the only native Long Islander in “JOY,” Vivona helped with the authenticity of the actors’ dialect.

“During rehearsals we had a dialect coach who was going to play a recording for the actors to help with their speech,” Vivona says. “Instead … I was the reference for them. Whenever Betsy [Wolfe, who plays Mangano] said, ‘How do you say this?’ they would look for me and ask how to say ‘mop’ or ‘car door.’ They even asked me to record my mom saying a couple of things.”

Vivona also spoke with the production team about local towns, mascots and street names.

“Any time there was something that didn’t ring true to Long Island, I would mention it,” he says. “It feels like home [on stage], and it feels good to be representing Long Island in a show about Long Island and someone as successful as Joy. I’m proud to be telling her story.”

At 58, Vivona stands by the same values he held true when he was raising his children, who graduated from the East Meadow School District.

“I’ve always taught them that you should follow your dreams and believe in what your impact can be,” he says.“This show has taught me that I can continue to believe in myself and that being on stage telling a story is what I’m all about.

When Vivona is not performing, he and Michelle can be found in Mineola, where they own and operate American Theatre Dance Workshop, an award-winning conservatory-type performing arts school.

With new projects on the horizon, Vivona surely wouldn’t mind seeing “JOY” head to Broadway.

“I don’t think you leave the theater without a smile on your face and maybe a tear in your eye.”

“JOY: A New True Musical” is at the Laura Pels Theatre, 111 West 46th St., New York. Tickets are available at joythemusical.com or by calling (833) 274-8497.

‘My Son The Waiter’

Brad Zimmerman celebrates the 10th anniversary of his hit comedy “My Son The Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy, with a sequel; “My Son The Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy & Still Not Famous! His long journey to follow his show biz dream and his parents who suffered through it continues with plenty of laughter along way. Brad moved to New York and “temporarily” waited tables for 29 years, while pursuing his career as an actor. After many years, he finally got a role on the Sopranos and work as a comedian opening for Joan Rivers, George Carlin and Brad Garrett. He tells of his pursuit, along with stories about his childhood, family, and misbegotten love life with warmth, wit, self-deprecating humor, and wicked charm. Zimmerman also examines the trials and tribulations of waiting on tables — particularly for someone not exactly invested in that career, and with little tolerance for persnickety diners.

Friday, Aug. 1, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 2, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 3, 2 p.m. Through Aug. 24. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org.

‘The Rocketman Show’

Remember when rock was young? You will when you blast off into the stratosphere with this electrifying tribute to the Rocketman himself. With a nostalgic setlist, this is a must-see for Elton John fans — of all generations. Rus Anderson, Elton John’s official body double for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour launch, recreates an early Elton concert complete with flamboyant costumes actually worn by Elton himself. Elton’s greatest hits, wildest outfits and outrageous stage antics come to life again as Anderson brings you the magic and live persona of a young Elton like no other. He storms around the stage with a fun-loving sense of flamboyance; part diva, killer vocalist, fierce piano player, all rock ‘n roller. This is a detailedv version of Elton John’s ‘70s shows that’s not to be missed. Anderson’s painstaking attention to detail includes wearing Elton’s iconic boots, glasses and jumpsuits from 1973, as well as a sparkly Swarovski tuxedo from ‘84.

Friday, Aug 8, 8 p.m. $82, $71.75, $60.25, $49.25, $37.25, $35. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

Aug 7

‘Summer of Love’ Pet Adoption

The Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter welcomes summer with the return of its “Summer of Love” pet adoption program. Now through Sept. 1 all pet adoption fees will be waived, making it easier than ever to adopt a pet. Each adoption includes free spaying/neutering, vaccinations and microchipping. Additionally, there is only a $10 licensing fee for dogs. This summer, spread the love and provide a fur-ever home to these shelter animals. Check out the friendly faces of the dogs and cat before arriving at shelter. Browse photos and profiles at hempsteadny.gov/179/animalshelter or on the shelter’s Facebook page.

•Where: 3320, Beltagh Ave., Wantagh

•Time: Ongoing

•Contact: at hempsteadny. gov/179/animal-shelter or (516) 785-5220

On Exhibit

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 FoliesBergère in Paris. On view until Nov. 9.

•Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

•Time: Ongoing

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

Classic Car Show

Admire vintage and custom cars at this free, weekly Friday night car show.

•Where: Rockaway Blvd.

•Time: 6-9 p.m.

The Midtown Men

Aug

animated adventure “Paddington in Peru.” Paddington returns to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey. Starring Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Ben Whishaw.

•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

• Time: Movie begins at dusk

•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov

Summer sounds

The vibrant sounds of Santana come alive with the tribute band Milagro, bringing Latin rock flair to the Village Green.

•Where: Valley Stream Village Green (Bandshell)

•Time: 8 p.m.

•Contact: Vsvny.org

Summertime

Aug

14

tunes

Eisenhower Park welcomes the neotraditional country music trio The Castellows.

Circle Games

Children in grades K-2 can join in fun interactive games at Henry Waldinger Memorial Library. Enjoy musical chairs, hot potato, Simon Says, and more. Registration required.

•Where: 60 Verona Place

•Time: 11 a.m.-noon

•Contact: valleystreamlibrary.org or call (516) 825-6422

Young Artists workshop

Kids in grades K-2 are invited to Henry Waldinger Memorial Library to listen to a picture book biography about a famous artist. Then create an art project inspired by their work. Registration required.

•Where: 60 Verona Place

•Time: 4-5 p.m.

•Contact: valleystreamlibrary.org or call (516) 825-6422

Rock on at the park

Get in the groove with The Boss Project, the Bruce Springsteen tribute band at Eisenhower Park.

•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

•Time: 7 p.m.

•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov

Aug

9

Community Street Fair

Celebrate community and purpose, in support of Elite Scholarship Foundation. With game truck, VR adventures, carnival games, treats and more.

•Where: Forest Road, between Eastwood Lane and Cloverfield Road

•Time: Noon-5 p.m.

20th Anniversary of Simon’s Valley Stream Jazz Festival

Celebrate two decades of smooth sounds at this free, family-friendly jazz festival featuring local and regional artists.

•Where: Village Green Park

•Time: 5 -11 p.m.

Unbox A-Saurus for Us!

Dr. Patricia Osiris visits with young paleontologists-in-training at Long Island Children’s Museum’s new stage production. This interactive theatrical experience invites visitors to join the eccentric paleontologist (a.k.a. “Dr. Patti”) as she attempts to reveal a never-before-seen dinosaur specimen — if only she can figure out how to open the crate it’s locked in. Along the way, the audience becomes key players in solving

•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow

• Time: 7 p.m.

•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov

Former stars of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning jukebox musical “Jersey Boys,” reunited as The Midtown Men, are back with their ‘60s vibe at Eisenhower Park. During their time in the mega-hit musical, these talented artists — Tony Award winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony Award nominee J. Robert Spencer — shared the stage for over 1,000 performances. The highoctane musical tour de force that took the Jersey Boys phenomenon to Broadway and beyond, is now rocking the stage as a concert. These Broadway veterans, with their powerhouse band, are realizing the dream they brought to life as the iconic Four Seasons. The dynamic foursome now celebrates the music that defined the 1960s. The Midtown Men is the next chapter for these accomplished entertainers, making them the first vocal group ever formed by the principal cast of a high-profile Broadway show. Not only have they continued to win over audiences of all ages in nearly 2,000 live shows, their selftitled debut album, The Midtown Men: Sixties Hits was met with critical acclaim and garnered five star album reviews across iTunes and was followed by their first radio single “All Alone On Christmas” with producer Steven Van Zandt and members of Springsteen’s E Street Band.

problems, sparking laughter and exploring the world of dinosaurs in a lighthearted “scientific” comedy that blends imagination and learning. $5 with museum admission, $10 theater only.

•Where: Museum Row, Garden City

•Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also Aug 20

•Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

Aug

12

Valley Stream Book Club

Join a discussion of “The Art Spy” by Michelle Young, featuring a live virtual appearance by the author via Zoom. Registration required (Zoom link provided after registration).

•Where: Online event hosted by Henry Waldinger Memorial Library

• Time: 7:30-8:45 p.m.

•Contact: valleystreamlibrary. org or call (516) 825-6422

Aug 13

Family movie night

Enjoy a movie under the stars at Eisenhower Park. See 2024’s live-action

•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

•Time: 7 p.m.

•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov

Aug 15

Bubble Magic

Check out Long Island Children’s Museum’s Bubbles exhibit for some extra sudsy fun. Through playful, hands-on experiments explore what makes a bubble form, what makes them pop and discover new creative ways to make bubbles. Stop by anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to participate.

•Where: Museum Row, Garden City

•Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

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

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.

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET

SECURITIES CORPORATION, HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE

ASSET-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-EMX9, -againstKEITH MCNALLY, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on November 1, 2018, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET

SECURITIES CORPORATION, HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE

ASSET-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES

2006-EMX9 is the Plaintiff and KEITH MCNALLY, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on August 14, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 43 WRIGHT AVENUE, LYNBROOK, NY 11563; and the following tax map identification: 37-504-152. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF LYNBROOK, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 010010/2015. Joshua Brookstein, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION

OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 154646

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…

To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

To Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS AS TRUSTEE FOR RALI 2007-QS7

Plaintiff, Against

JEFFREY HARRIS, et al

Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 05/05/2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 8/26/2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 19 Valley Greens Drive, Valley Stream, New York 11581, and described as follows:

ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 39 Block 623 Lot 11

Public Notices Public

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $791,620.29 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 012509/2012 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.

Scott H Siller, Esq., Referee.

MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573

Dated: 6/12/2025 File Number: 401-0282 CA 154759

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

The Bank of New York Mellon FKA The Bank of New York as Trustee for the Certificateholders of the CWABS Inc., AssetBacked Certificates, Series 2005-1, Plaintiff

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

NASSAU COUNTY

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR LEHMAN XS TRUST MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-19, Plaintiff against NORMEL JEAN-PIERRE

A/K/A NORMEL JEAN PIERRE, NORMA JEANPIERRE

A/K/A NORMA JEAN PIERRE, et al

Defendant(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff(s) McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC, 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840, New York, NY 10170.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered October 30, 2023, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on August 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM.

Premises known as 1544 Vista Road, Valley Stream, NY 11580. Sec 37 Block 632 Lot 10.

All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Approximate Amount of Judgment is $797,616.35 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 003287/2017. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and

foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” For sale information, please contact XOME at www.Xome.com or call (844)400-9633. Wayne Henry Wink, Jr., Esq, Referee File # 21-07722NY 154747

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…

To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE CITIGROUP MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST INC. ASSETBACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-OPX1, Plaintiff AGAINST ALINA DODARD AUGUSTE AKA ALINA AUGUSTE, AKA ALINA DODARD, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 3, 2019, 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 August 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 934 Lynn Drive, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Elmont, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37, Block 659, Lot 8. Approximate amount of judgment $458,856.49 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #610102/2017. G eorge P. Esernio, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 17-005179 86468 154705

Free memory screenings available this summer

Long Islanders can receive free, confidential memory screenings this summer at the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s Barbara Rabinowitz Education and Resource Center.

Screenings will take place every Wednesday afternoon and are open to all, with no minimum age or insurance requirements.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America has hosted fundraising walks in East Meadow, usually at Eisenhower Park in September.

The screenings are quick—approximately 10 to 15 minutes—noninvasive, and conducted one-on-one by a qualified professional. Participants are asked a series of questions designed to assess memory, language, thinking skills and other cognitive functions. Much like routine health screenings for blood pressure or cholesterol, memory checks are an important tool for identifying potential issues early. Results are provided immediately and are kept strictly confidential.

While a memory screening is not a diagnosis, it can signal whether someone should follow up with a physician for a full evaluation.

Early detection of memory impairments is critical. A variety of medical conditions can cause memory issues, including many that are treatable or curable — such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disorders, urinary tract infections, sleep apnea, stress, anxiety, and depression.

Even in cases involving a dementiarelated illness such as Alzheimer’s, early detection allows individuals to begin treatments when they may be most effective and explore clinical trials. It also gives them time to take advantage of community resources like support groups and therapeutic programs, and to be more involved in planning legal, financial and healthcare decisions.

Residents interested in getting a free memory screening at AFA’s Barbara Rabinowitz Education and Resource Center can call (631) 223-4000 to schedule an appointment.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Trustee for Securitized Asset Back Receivables LLC 2005-FR5 Mortgage PassThrough Certificates, Series 2005-FR5, Plaintiff AGAINST Anthony J. Graziano, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment

Long Islanders can receive free memory screenings this summer at the Alzheimer’s Foundation of American’s Barbara Rabinowitz Education and Resource Center, seen above, which recently celebrated its grand opening.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, services, and education to individuals, families, and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias nationwide, while also funding research for better treatment and a cure.

AFA’s services include a National Toll-Free Helpline staffed entirely by licensed social workers, caregiver support groups, educational programs and publications, dementia-care training for healthcare professionals, the National Memory Screening Program, and more.

The Barbara Rabinowitz Education and Resource Center is at 149 Schleigel Boulevard in Amityville. For additional information, call (866) 232-8484, visit www.alzfdn.org, or connect with AFA on Facebook, X, Instagram, or LinkedIn. AFA has earned Charity Navigator’s top 4-star rating.

of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 1, 2016, 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 September 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 41 Higbie Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that

certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Valley Stream, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 37., Block: 574, Lot: 5. Approximate amount of judgment $531,155.02 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold

subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #005364/2013. For sale informati on, please contact XOME at www.Xome.com or call (844) 400-9633. Janine T. Lynam, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706

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Is a doorbell camera enough? Part 2.

Spacious Bayside Home!

Q. We have a doorbell camera, and understand that it’s a deterrent to would-be burglars, but as we’re renovating our home, can we “design” in other ways to keep people from robbing it? We keep seeing reports on the neighbor app of our door camera about people checking out houses in the area, and we’re very concerned. Any ideas would be appreciated.

A. Continuing from last week, I recommend hurricane glass windows, which are a costly upgrade that resist high winds, flooding and flying debris from blowing in the window and creating instant havoc. Although fire rescue has to use a special tool to get the windows open, since they’re hard to break, the windows will deter a robber by costing them time, if they’re even successful at doing more than creating a small hole in the reinforced panes.

Remember, anything that can delay a burglar for more than 60 seconds is an advantage, because a robber wants to get in and out quickly. Bars on windows can be avoided by using hurricane glass, and I only advise installing them on basement windows, where they are less seen but useful.

If your area is considered a high-crime vicinity, steel security shutters can also be employed. To keep the appearance of your home from being compromised to look like the county jail, steel roll-down shutters can be designed into overhangs above the windows and doors, to be employed when the home is unoccupied. But I think it adds to the message that you’re away, and only advise installing them if it’s your last resort for protection.

Garages are a great entry point, often neglected. Consider that you increase a burglar’s time frame to enter with an attached garage. They lift the door, spend whatever amount of time they need to break the lock on the interior door, and once the garage door is back down, they now have a staging area to sort your jewelry, medications and expensive computers and appliances before packing up to move out. With a cellphone in hand, their getaway car is at the ready, waiting for the call. Installing security pins or locks by drilling into the garage door track(s), and remembering to use them when you’re away for a prolonged time, is a very important deterrent.

If there are roofs under upper-story windows, install alarm devices there as well when you install alarms on first-floor openings. Even though 80 percent of break-ins occur on ground floors, the other 20 percent are either basements or second floors. Burglars dressed as painters and carrying ladders often go unnoticed. According to the National Center for Policing Innovation, 40 percent of breakins use no force at all.

Clear concealing landscaping from the exterior walls of the home, especially near windows and doorways. Limit greenery to no more than two feet in height, and only install fences of the see-through variety.

There’s still more to be covered next week.

© 2025 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY

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Are you involved, or do you just live here?

Greetings! Anyone paying attention in Valley Stream this year knows it’s our 100thanniversary centennial celebration year. Sept. 27 is the date for our big Centennial Parade and Community Block Party (rain date: Sept. 28). Save the date and make plans to be there. A village-wide event like this is not to be missed!

You have heard me talk about volunteerism and community engagement in the past. That is Valley Stream’s strength. Getting to know your neighbors unites us. Groups, clubs, teams and civic organizations all supplement a meaningful life. We can raise one another up with a greater sense of being included in other ways of life and other schools of thought. We have a saying in the volunteer fire service: “Are you a member, or do you just belong?”

TOur nation was founded on the principle of hard work, and there are countless examples throughout American history of groups from all backgrounds working hard to make it a better place. No one is asking anyone to give up their ethnicity or heritage (think Chinatown, Little Italy and other places of cultural significance). But to become a part of a greater community is truly a worthwhile experience. We are a village of individuals and families coming from different places and experiences, who come together to make Valley Stream better.

I often say that Valley Stream is a “great big small town.” Community events that celebrate all that we love about our hometown, and one another, foster good mental health, sympathy and empathy for our neighbors and other cultures.

he difference between superficial participation and genuine connection.

I often walk around block parties and attend cultural events that are very different from those of my upbringing. I leave feeling fulfilled, with enhanced learning experiences, as if my mind has been enriched by finding a human connection and participating in age-old traditions that I’ve never experienced — neither better nor worse than my own childhood; just new, interesting and, so often, eyeopening.

learn the language and culture of this wonderful land. It was fun and a great learning experience, and it made me a better person, having immersed myself in geography, food, experiences and culture that were very different than my own. It expanded my mind. Now, I’m not saying that a Centennial Parade and Community Block Party is capable of a social-cultural impact at that level, but it’s a start.

Let’s work to improve communication and understanding, in all aspects of our lives. Most arguments result from lack of communication or misunderstandings. We can do better.

We know that the coronavirus pandemic led many folks to loneliness and isolation. Happily, it looks like we are emerging from those years better and stronger.

What does that mean? Well, it’s the difference between superficial participation and genuine connection. Saying you live in Valley Stream is one thing. But are you connected to the community? Are you actively engaged in volunteerism, community activities, local charities, youth sports or other community groups? There’s no substitute for a personal sense of belonging and acceptance. It also fosters and creates a resilient community.

It’s definitely a moment of personal growth for me. Enhancing social cohesion, events like these foster a sense of unity among diverse groups, breaking down barriers and promoting inclusivity. It’s a great feeling.

I recently visited Africa. Even on vacation, I needed a temporary visa, and I was expected to leave the country before my visa expired. I tried hard to

I hope to see everyone at our 100thanniversary celebration. The parade route follows our usual Memorial Day line of march, beginning on Rockaway Parkway. Step-off is at 4 p.m., immediately followed by the block party on the Village Green. For more information on how to take part in the parade, contact valleystream100@vsvny.org.

Our schedule for the block party includes a live DJ, a concert by a cover band, dancing, bounce houses and plenty of other children’s activities, giveaways, beverages, food trucks and, perhaps most important, a sense of pride in your village!

Ed Fare is the mayor of Valley Stream.

Honoring 250 years of the U.S. Postal Service

Most people who are familiar with Independence Hall, in Philadelphia, know — at least — that important decisions were made there during the American Revolution. The beginning of our nation can be traced back to the debates and discussions there of a small group of men risking their lives to start and lead a rebellion against the British crown.

One of the most important meetings of the Second Continental Congress occurred in that hall on July 26, 1775, against a dramatic backdrop of thunderstorms, nearly a year before the Declaration of Independence and just weeks after the Battle of Bunker Hill. The city was hearing shocking reports from Boston, which was being held by British forces attempting to tamp down the American rebellion by force, largely against the will of its citizens. The topic was the urgent need to establish secure and reliable communications

with the Continental Army and among the colonies.

Following debate, the Congress agreed to, among other points:

■ Appoint a postmaster general, with an office in Philadelphia, a $1,000 salary, $340 for a secretary and comptroller and the power to appoint deputies — local postmasters.

■ Establish a line of posts from Maine to Savannah, Georgia, with cross posts as needed.

■ Establish postage rates, to be 20 percent less than charged by the British post.

independence, they had their eyes on the future, methodically creating infrastructure, attuned to the mundane matters of payments and administration. They were intent on transforming their world.

T he first — unanimous — choice for postmaster general? Ben Franklin.

The Congress then elected a postmaster general “for one year, and until another is appointed by a future Congress.” The unanimous choice was Benjamin Franklin.

After creating the Postal Service, the Congress called it a day and adjourned. Despite the personal danger — the first postmasters were risking their lives to enable the flow of information — those leaders of the day were supremely optimistic about building a nation and its institutions. Even amid the stresses and tumult of their war for

When the United States became a nation, a free press and the unhindered flow of ideas and commerce was enabled by a universally accessible Postal Service. In those early, formative years, the service was part of the bedrock of America’s economy and its democracy — and it has been ever since.

In the following decades, as postal roads traversed the country, commerce flourished on a national basis, literacy expanded dramatically and the free press created a highly informed nation. As America industrialized and cities grew and railroads crossed the nation, people became more mobile. The great connector, and sometimes the only connector, was the Postal Service.

The demands of the public evolved as the nation did. Americans in cities began getting mail delivered to their homes and businesses, and then rural

areas — secure, affordable, universal service across a far-flung nation.

The 20th century saw the Postal Service essentially shape America’s airline industry, automate on a massive scale, and connect Americans to one another on a scale unmatched in the world.

With the perspective of 250 years, we can see that the service helped our nation grow economically; it strengthened our democracy by ensuring the uncensored and unrestricted flow of communications and personal expression; and it bound the nation together. Every mail delivery today is a living reminder that our democracy, our commercial success and our unity as a nation were all shaped by the constant presence of the Postal Service in our daily lives.

And so, on the 250th anniversary of the United States Postal Service, perhaps as you visit your mailbox, please give a thought to those far-sighted founders in Philadelphia. They would no doubt be amazed and gratified to know that their ideals and aspirations are carried forward every day by the 630,000 men and women of the service who live, work and serve in every community in America. Stephen Kochersperger is the historian of the United States Postal Service.

opinions

Enough with our obsession with conspiracies

politics has always been marked by conspiracy theories. There was the theory that President Franklin Roosevelt had prior knowledge of the attack on Pearl Harbor, but allowed it to happen to force the United States to enter World War II. In the 1950s, the founder of the John Birch Society wrote a manifesto concluding that President Dwight Eisenhower was a Soviet agent. More recently, there was the Sept. 11 “truther” theory that the administration of President George W. Bush had advanced notice of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and might have actually planned them.

Today, with social media and artificial intelligence, conspiracy theories are more rampant than ever. What allows these theories to thrive is that, by their very nature, they are inherently difficult, if not impossible, to disprove. They are based on assorted often unrelated facts, rumors, conjecture and speculation.

The ongoing furor over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case is a classic example of a conspiracy theory run amok and creating a conspiracy on top of itself. For years the Trump camp peddled rumors that the Biden administration was hiding FBI files to protect prominent Democrats who were involved in the Epstein scandal, and that Epstein’s jail-cell suicide was actually an inside-job murder. Once in office, however, with complete access to all Justice Department and FBI files and records, Trump administration officials had to announce that they could find nothing irregular: There was no secret list of names, and Epstein had in fact committed suicide.

no one was more surprised when Donald Trump was elected than Vladimir Putin.

The illogic of all this was, of course, that if the “files” did incriminate Trump, why didn’t the Biden administration disclose that when it had full access to the Epstein records? If congressional Democrats are so dedicated to transparency and so concerned about full disclosure, why did they do and say nothing when they were in control? And why would candidate Trump have made an issue of Epstein if he thought it would remotely incriminate him? Hopefully the Trump camp will learn that trafficking in unverified conspiracy theories is not only wrong, but it can come back to bite them.

below ground in the Capitol. There wasn’t one bit of evidence connecting the Trump campaign to Russia. There was, of course, the salacious and thoroughly discredited “Steele dossier,” which was in fact a political opposition memo prepared for Hillary Clinton’s campaign and based on false information from a former Russian spy. Yes, Russia had attempted to interfere in the 2016 campaign, as it always has. But Russia’s intention was to weaken Hillary Clinton’s expected presidency.

This caused apocalyptic shrieks of outrage from the fringes of MAGA world, led by the likes of Tucker Carlson. Now Trump officials were being accused by the president’s own supporters of likely collusion with myriad coconspirators such as former President Joe Biden, Israel and Mossad. The Democrats also feigned outrage, insisting that Trump must be covering his own guilt.

Buyer’s remorse

Have you ever heard of the term “buyer’s remorse”? It’s been a while since I’ve heard those words, but lately I’ve been hearing them from some of my friends who are Republican members of Congress when they refer to President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill. He wanted it passed by July Fourth, and he got his way. Now that it is law, some of the Republicans who voted for it are confessing to me that maybe it went a little too far in cutting agencies and programs.

Having served in the State Legislature, I can understand what happens when a member is confronted with having to support a bill that’s nearly a thousand pages long. You may know about some of the provisions, but it’s impossible to know every section when you only have a few hours before the final vote. One of the reasons why these bills are crafted to be so thick is

To me, the most baseless — and insidious — theory was the false narrative that there was Russian collusion with the Trump campaign during the 2016 election. The main propagators of this “Russia hoax” were former CIA Director John Brennan, former FBI Director James Comey and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. I was on the Intelligence Committee during this saga, and sat through endless months of testimony in a secure committee room three floors

No one was more surprised when Donald Trump was elected than Russian President Vladimir Putin. It’s only now, with much of this information declassified, that I can discuss details that I learned at the time. This hoax was a true threat to democracy, undermining a duly elected president and tying down his administration with intrusive investigations for more than half of his first term of office.

It’s time for Americans to ignore the conspiracy nuts on all sides and address the real and serious issues that confront our nation.

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

is no consolation for the losers

because leadership knows that some parts of them couldn’t pass if they were presented as single bills. My friends in Congress aren’t alone in their misgivings about the Big Beautiful Bill. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley agonized for weeks over its deep Medicaid cuts, because hundreds of thousands of his state’s voters rely on Medicaid to survive. Hawley was agonizing on behalf of those hardworking citizens who don’t deserve to lose their benefits. Despite wringing his hands and suffering sleepless nights, he voted for the bill when it reached the Senate.

B ut what happens when all these budget cuts are the hot topic next year?

Hawley must have had buyer’s remorse, because a few weeks after the bill became law, he introduced his own bill, which would restore many of the Medicaid cuts. Obviously Hawley’s upset was hypocritical, because you don’t vote for such far-reaching cuts and then introduce a bill restoring them. This was a good example of the lack of conscience surrounding the actions that were taken.

some parts of the bill that are worthy of support, but mixing the good with the bad results in mostly bad for the needy and good for the people who won’t have any sleepless nights about the tragedies that will happen on the other end of the income spectrum. Few House members who voted for the bill will suffer at the ballot box. Many serve in districts that would elect Attila the Hun if he were nominated for the seat.

Two more cases in point are Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Both went public with their concerns about the cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which provides food assistance to more than 40 million people nationally. For days on end, the two senators expressed their concerns about their constituents losing access to food stamps that are a life-or-death necessity. But when push came to shove, they both voted for the cuts.

The SNAP program has for years been a target of conservatives who maintain that it and other safety-net programs like it are abused and unnecessary. And there is no doubt that some SNAP beneficiaries have used food stamps to buy beer instead of milk and bread. But the vast majority of people who get food stamps are the aged or have disabilities, and who meet the tests for approval. In the months and years ahead, it will be no consolation to those who lose their benefits that their representatives in Congress voted in favor of the Big Beautiful Bill and then had pangs of guilt about its impact.

There is also no doubt that there are

The problem for fair-minded House and Senate members is that the program cuts are not a secret, and will be publicized extensively next year at election time. The latest national polls show that the legislation has high negative numbers, which won’t fade from the minds of the people who are the victims of the cuts, or many other voters.

I was surprised that about a half-dozen members of Congress from New York and surrounding states expressed their unhappiness in the Big Beautiful Bill to me. Sadly, however, their buyer’s remorse may be too little, too late come November 2026.

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

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tSupport your local volunteer firefighters

he Firefighters Association of the State of New York will hold its 153rd annual convention in Hauppauge from Thursday to Saturday. While the event is an opportunity to celebrate the service and sacrifice of New York’s 80,000 volunteer firefighters, it is also a moment for reflection — a chance to confront the urgent challenges facing fire protection services in our communities.

Volunteer fire departments have long been essential to public safety across the state, which has more than 1,600 of them. On Long Island alone there are nearly 180 volunteer departments, which respond to emergencies of every kind, from house fires and highway accidents to natural disasters and medical calls. And they do it all without pay. It’s no exaggeration to say that these volunteers — and the emergency medical technicians and paramedics who work alongside them — are among the most selfless public servants we have.

Yet despite their critical importance, these departments face steep recruitment and retention challenges. The number of active volunteer firefighters in New York state has declined markedly in recent decades, from roughly 120,000 in the early 2000s, even as call volumes have nearly doubled over the past 30 years, from 750,000 to 1.4 million annually, according to state figures, and training demands continue to rise due to expanded safety regulations.

Balancing work, family and extensive training is no small feat, especially for volunteers. The result is that many departments are stretched thin, struggling to maintain robust crews and

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We need more open-minded politicians like

To the Editor:

Tom Suozzi

ensure timely responses to emergencies.

That’s where the state firefighters association steps in — and why its convention deserves more than ceremonial attention. For over 150 years, the organization has served as the voice and support system for volunteer fire service statewide.

FASNY advocates for funding, offers educational resources and legal guidance, provides mental health support, and promotes recruitment campaigns such as Is There a Fire In You?, which encourages everyday New Yorkers to consider joining their local department.

The Hauppauge convention will bring together more than 1,000 firefighters, instructors and leaders. Discussions will focus not just on tactics and technology, but on issues such as firefighters’ mental health, peer support programs and the evolving needs of a modern volunteer force. These conversations matter. They have real-world implications for the safety of firefighters and the resilience of the communities they serve.

Mental health, in particular, is an area that demands greater attention. Of course firefighting is dangerous, but it is also emotionally taxing. Volunteers often respond to traumatic events involving neighbors and loved ones — a severe house fire that kills or injures its occupants, or a disaster like Hurricane Sandy. Without proper support systems in place, these experiences can take a huge toll on emergency responders. FASNY has made great strides in breaking down the stigma around mental health care in the fire service, but continuing community awareness of the

Re U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi’s op-ed, “Why I care about immigration — and why all of us should,” in last week’s issue: Suozzi voiced a clear understanding of the immigration issues and called, once again, for a bipartisan solution to a problem that impacts everyone in this country. He has taken this bipartisan stand on many issues for as long as I’ve been following him, including his previous time in Congress.

I, and many others, are re-energized that Mr. Suozzi returned to Congress. Yes, I would have loved to have him replace Kathy Hochul as our governor, but he can, hopefully, do so much more good if he can generate a following in Congress for more bipartisan solutions to the problems we face.

I consider myself one of those independent voters who try to see both sides of an issue. There are times when I agree with the Democratic platform, such as

challenges these men and women face is crucial as well.

How can you show support for these selfless volunteers?

First, get to know your local department. Attend an open house. Follow its social media accounts. Volunteer departments rely on community awareness to grow their ranks and raise funds.

Second, support the volunteers’ fundraising efforts. Many departments operate on limited budgets, depending heavily on donations and local drives to raise the money to pay for essential equipment. Whether it’s from a resident or a business, a contribution — financial or in-kind — can go a long way toward ensuring their readiness.

Third, talk to young people about the value of volunteerism. FASNY’s Junior Firefighter programs are an excellent way to introduce teens to public service and give them a sense of civic responsibility.

Finally, consider whether you might have “the fire in you.” Even if running into burning buildings isn’t for you, departments have many support roles — from administrative help to public education — for which willing hands are always needed. Simply stop in at a local firehouse or call them to learn more.

Volunteer firefighting is a tradition rooted in community, courage and compassion. As Long Island continues to grow, the need for well-supported fire departments becomes more urgent. The FASNY convention is a timely reminder that while these men and women may serve without pay, they should never serve without appreciation, resources or help.

iThe town supervisor’s seat belongs to the people

magine preparing to vote in an important election. You do your homework, weigh the positions of the candidates, and are set to make your voice heard. But before you can cast your ballot, you find out that the decision has already been made behind closed doors, without your input, without a vote, and without any accountability. That is exactly what is happening right now in the Town of hempstead. Supervisor Donald clavin stepped down early, on Tuesday. That is his decision. But what is unacceptable, and frankly unethical, is the Town Board’s plan to skip over the voters and appoint clavin’s handpicked successor, Nassau county Legislator John Ferretti, to the job just months before an election. That is not leadership; it is manipulation.

The strategy is clear. Ferretti is already running for town supervisor in November. Appointed now, he will get to run as an incumbent. That means the full benefits of the job — the title, taxpayer-funded mailers, public appearances and media coverage — all before he has earned a single vote. It is a political cheat code, and it is rigged against the public.

As this plan moves forward, it won’t be the first time. In fact, it will mark the seventh time in the last 11 successions that a hempstead town supervisor was chosen not by voters, but by party insiders. This is not an isolated incident; it is a pattern. And it should concern anyone who values democracy and transparency. When people say the system is rigged, this is exactly what they’re talking about.

w ay too often in the Town of Hempstead, the party bosses usurp the voters.

supervisor. So why look outside the board to appoint a new supervisor? Because a sitting supervisor controls the town’s messaging, appears on every official mailer and gets to shape the public narrative. Giving that platform to one candidate while denying it to the other is not just unfair, it is anti-democratic.

The truth is, this kind of one-party rule is exactly what brought us the largest tax hike in recent history. While the insiders maneuver for power behind closed doors, the public is left with the bill — literally. The same group that wants to install a supervisor without your vote just passed a property tax increase on your home of over 12 percent. That is the cost of unchecked control, and it is time we said “enough.”

reform to ban these kinds of appointments in the future. Under my proposal, if a supervisor steps down early, the deputy supervisor would serve as the interim replacement, and the voters, not the board, would choose a new leader in the next scheduled election or a special one.

Simple, fair, democratic. It is similar to what former supervisor, now U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen proposed, but was rejected by clavin’s allies on the board. That’s why we need new blood.

When the same party holds power for decades, it gets comfortable and careless. It stops asking for your vote and starts making decisions in the shadows. But democracy demands more than backroom deals and power swaps. It demands accountability. It demands integrity. And most of all, it demands that we trust the voters to decide who leads them.

Let’s be clear. There is already someone in place who should step in: Senior councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, the longest-serving member of the Town Board and the current deputy

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on gun control, where we have absurdly allowed guns to proliferate across our nation into the hands of criminals and, worse, the mentally ill who are the predominant perpetrators of mass shootings.

And there are times I agree with Republican stands, including the recent government spending cuts, which the bipartisan Government Accountability Office has been touting for years. No, I don’t condone all of the cuts, and I’m hopeful that some will be restored as a clearer picture of what is being done comes into focus.

But the overspending that we have allowed our federal government to do for the past 50 years, under both Democratic and Republican presidents, is absurd. We need to get past the anger at President Trump, who can easily infuriate even Republicans with his outlandish rhetoric, and see that much of what he is doing will benefit the majority of people.

We need to look at the math, and whether it adds up or dilutes the benefits to all of us. I’m not convinced that Trump has done that, but shaking things up and making cuts is long overdue.

And last, I would like Suozzi to run for president in 2028. The Democrats do not have a viable candidate right now, so let me be one of the first, for whatever it’s worth, to endorse Suozzi. We need someone like him, with a vision of bringing both sides of the political spectrum to the table.

If you look at the history of our elec-

tions over the past 75 years, you’ll see that fringe candidates don’t win presidential elections, no matter on which side of the aisle they sit. On the other hand, some of our most effective presidents were those like John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan, who fostered bipartisan politics.

RIchARD S. KAhN Glen Cove

How about some new ideas, Jerry?

To the Editor:

Jerry Kremer’s column in the July 24-30 issue, “It’s long past time to shut down the cellphone,” highlighted exactly what is wrong with the Democratic Party today. Mr. Kremer spend the first half of his op-ed bemoaning current politics — in particular, the devastating “One Big Beautiful Bill,” especially for the most vulnerable among us — but offered no hint of a remedy. If he is illequipped to lead or advise the next generation of voters, perhaps he should step aside and allow someone who can. Instead, Kremer spent the second half of his column belittling a dynamic young Democratic candidate, Zohran Mamdani, who has energized voters with policy ideas that address the real needs of New Yorkers — many of whom are the prime targets of the cuts that so distress Kremer. If Mamdani is inexperienced, our veteran Democrats should

This town deserves better than secret deals and insider politics. The supervisor’s office belongs to the people, not the party bosses. That’s why I have proposed straightforward ethics

To every resident in the Town of hempstead: Your vote should never be treated as a formality. It should be the only thing that matters. Let’s make sure it stays that way.

Joe Scianablo is the Democratic candidate for Town of Hempstead supervisor.

Framework by Tim Baker

be throwing their weight behind him and offering support and expertise. I cannot fathom why institutional Democrats such as Kremer would prefer Andrew cuomo, a sexual predator, or Eric Adams, an indicted alleged criminal, over a, yes, young, but moral, galvanizing upstart. Younger Demo-

crats do not want corrupt, lecherous and unrepentant leaders, and we do not want complacency. If Kremer can’t see that, perhaps he should shut down his phone and put down his pen.

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