_________________ WANTAGH ________________
HERALD
Don’t You Want Your Child To B-SAFE?
Rats rattle the streets of Seaford
Seaford summer program turns 21
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VOL. 74 NO. 32
AUGUST 6 - 12, 2026
Visit Our Showroom help 425 W. SunrToys ise Hwfor y., FrTots eeport
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Jones Beach’s
East Bathhouse
finally reopens ing the historic character of the bathhouse while creating new recreational opportunities After sitting dormant for for future generations. “The rebirth of Jones Beach years, a piece of Jones Beach history is once again filled with started several years ago — the sights and sounds of chil- however, the commitment of dren playing, families swim- $100 million from Gov. [Kathy] Hochul for this ming and visitors project was enjoying the sumextraordinary,” mer sun. said George GorThe newly restored East Bathman Jr., regional house officially director of the reopened on July New York State 24, bringing a Office of Parks, nearly century-old Recreation and landmark back Historic Preservainto use with a tion. “We anticimodern pool, pate more splash pads, improvements as upgraded locker we move forward rooms and to the 100th annirestored historic versary of Jones GEORGE GORMAN JR. Beach State Park details. On a sunny day Regional director, in 2029.” shortly after its State Office of Parks, Odell Reyes, 33, reopening, fami- Recreation and Historic of Howard Beach, lies filled the new Preservation Queens, brought pool area, with his three children young children to see the renovatrunning through the splash ed bathhouse after seeing inforpads and adults exploring a mation about the reopening on facility that had been closed for social media. years. “It’s great because, with the The reopening marks the smaller kids, they can’t really completion of a major restora- swim, so they could play in the tion project aimed at preserv-
By HUNTER FENOLLOL
hfenollol@liherald.com
W
Courtesy Erin Myers
John Myers has spent nearly five decades serving the Wantagh community as a volunteer firefighter, rising through the ranks to chief of department and later fire commissioner. He hopes that a kidney transplant will allow him to return to active firefighting.
After decades of service, Wantagh firefighter needs a lifesaving call By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
For nearly 50 years, John “JJ” Myers has dedicated his life to helping others. Whether responding to fires in Wantagh, investigating crimes as a New York City police officer or mentoring the next generation of volunteer firefighters, Myers has built a career around service. Now, after decades of answering emergency calls, the 66-year-old is doing something that doesn’t come naturally to him: asking the community for help. Myers is searching for a living kidney donor after recently learning that his declining kidney function has progressed to the point where he needs a transplant. “I don’t like to ask for help,” Myers said. “My daughters have kind of taken the ball
and ran with it, and they’re doing a great job.” Born in Brooklyn and raised in Seaford, Myers joined the Wantagh Fire Department in 1978, following in the footsteps of his father, a captain in the New York City Fire Department, and his grandfather, an FDNY lieutenant. As a teenager, he often spent 24-hour shifts at his father’s busy South Jamaica firehouse, where his love for the fire service took root. “I just always liked it,” Myers said. “I grew up around service.” While he originally hoped to join the FDNY, Myers took the NYPD entrance exam while waiting for a Fire Department hiring class. He ultimately spent 20 years with the Police Department, serving on patrol in CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
e anticipate more improvements as we move forward to the 100th anniversary of Jones Beach State Park in 2029.
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