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Games Day at the Great Neck Library

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Join us for a fun-filled Games Day weekend celebration at the Great Neck Library at 159 Bayview Ave. in Great Neck for The Evolution of Gaming on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 12:30 p.m. and Games Day on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2 p.m.

Games Day was derived from the American Library Association International Games Month. It is an initiative to reconnect communities through their libraries around the educational, recreational and social value of all types of games.

On Saturday, Nov. 2, at 12:30 p.m., we will learn about The Evolution of Gaming with the film screening of “The Lost Arcade (2015).” It is a documentary film about the final days of The Chinatown Fair Family Fun Center Arcade in New York City that housed dozens of gamers and onlookers. The film also explores the evolution of gaming to e-sports and competitive gaming.

After the film screening, we will have an array of gaming consoles and VR (Virtual Reality) games that are available for patrons/customers to play and check out.

On Sunday, Nov. 3, from 2 to 4:30 p.m., we will have a building-wide Games Day celebration.

Enjoy an afternoon of retro gaming, board games, virtual reality and giant games. There will be games available for all ages, from children through adults. We will also have a video game tournament and prizes.

Registration is not required. All Events are open to all ages. Children under the age of nine must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, please contact Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary.org.

Renovating a home can be challenging

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Philip A Raices
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Whether you have just purchased a home or decided to stay where you are, renovating or modernizing your home takes a lot of preparation.

One must plan months, possibly hiring an architect, if you are going to expand the square footage of your home, create and get plans approved, hire qualified and insured contractors and so much more.

Also, before your closing you should begin to set in motion a plan for your renovation, to minimize the stress and worries as you will be ahead of the game in getting the work started on a timely basis.

Deciding whether or not you will consider living in one part of your home while the other section is renovated will be a huge decision.

Saving money by not renting elsewhere could be money to put into your modernization plan.  Make sure if you are going to stay (my daughter did this) that the area is extremely well sealed off to keep all the dust and fine particles out of your section.

You might want to consider storing all your furniture and whatever you will not need until after the work is completed.

It would help if you planned on a budget for what you are considering doing. If you want to cover yourself for the extras and unknowns, add a 10-15% cushion, to minimize surprises. This would be a very prudent decision to cover yourself while your project is proceeding.

Now you must begin interviewing potential architects or contractors to do the work.  I suggest that you get a referral from someone who has had a successful experience and also check reviews online.

Those reviews can provide insight into the “satisfaction factor” of those who have engaged them.  Make sure whomever you hire that the company has more than adequate insurance that covers the work completed but also provides you a certificate of insurance with you as an additional person of interest.

Depending on the value of your home, you should consider asking your insurance broker, what amount your contractor should carry to cover you and your home while doing the work.  This will cover you on their insurance (and not your policy) in the event of any damage that they may cause.

Another item to consider is if they have worker’s compensation insurance; so if they get hurt while working on your job.

Also, if a lawsuit comes about due to their injuries, you are covered under the contractor’s insurance policy (certificate of insurance for the homeowner).  Lawsuits are a common occurrence today, so better be safe than sorry.

Another consideration to contemplate is who will be purchasing your appliances and materials.  A contractor can do this for you at an additional cost.  However, there are companies, that for a member fee, you can scour their manufacturer’s books to order whatever you may need for your project.

I joined a company many years ago to perform a large renovation on one of the homes. I calculated that we saved approximately 37% (bought below wholesale) including the membership fee. Today, with the cost of materials one must ascertain whether the membership is worth it in savings.

This can be accomplished by asking someone knowledgeable at one of those buying services and breaking down the costs of all the appliances, and fixtures for the kitchen and bathrooms, living and dining rooms.

You should know what those costs are in the big box or major appliance stores.  You need to factor in the time both you and your significant other will take in searching through the books to locate what you need.

The larger the job is, the greater the savings. Taking copious notes will be important in your search.

Make sure whatever is agreed to with your contractor,  is clearly and concisely stated item by item in your contract.  This is most important so that you and he have and precise understanding of the work to be completed.

You want to think about and solve problems as much in advance as possible.  You surely do not want arguments to occur between you and your contractor. Another area to save money is whether you will be responsible for being the GC (general contractor) in hiring the plumber, electrician, or anyone else or will be letting your contractor do the hiring.  Contractors normally receive some money from those who are hired to do the work.

If you have the knowledge, expertise, and experience to perform the hiring, then this will add to your savings and hands-on approach.

Taking your time researching, reading, and learning, will allow you the opportunity to save money.  The big box stores also provide free presentations on plumbing, electrical installations, and other projects to provide you with an excellent education in preparing you for the job.

If you are not able to handle these types of projects, then it would be best to hire a licensed and insured professional.  This will minimize and eliminate headaches and all the stress of doing a major renovation.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. For a free 15-minute consultation, value analysis of your home, or to answer any of your questions or concerns he can be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate.Com or via https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com

November events at the Floral Park Library

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In this season of giving and gratitude, the Floral Park Library is conducting a Warm Drive to benefit Ronald McDonald House. Donations of new scarves, mittens, gloves and caps are welcome. The Library extends warm wishes for a bountiful Thanksgiving to all our patrons and presenters.

In addition, November is also the “Food for Fines” exchange month. Patrons can receive up to a total of $5.00 in fine forgiveness when they bring non-perishable food item(s) to the Library. The donation bin is located next to the Circulation Desk. Neighbors are also welcome to make a donation!

November is a food-tastic month (for obvious reasons) and also because “House” Chef Julie is cooking up a tasty Thanksgiving treat for families, while Chef Rob whips up his chocolate cranberry scones for the Adults.

On Saturday, November 30th, the Friends of the Floral Park Library holds a Book Bag Sale in the lower level meeting room.

Adult programs also include: weekly Wednesdays Hybrid Chair Yoga; Parker Jewish Institute’s Navigating Dementia Together; Achieving Harmony: Practical Solutions for Reducing Parental Stress; Conscious Parenting; Can You Maximize Your Social Security Benefits in Retirement. On a less serious note, Cathy Buckley creates a nature-themed Holiday craft.

The library is host to a four-week English Language Learners program under the tutelage of Vianna Calderon. Registration is open for the 10:00 am classes on November 16, 23, 30 and December 7. Contact the Adult Reference Desk at 516 326-6330 with any questions and for registration information.

Empire Safety Council’s six-hour defensive driving class is scheduled for Thursday, November 14th. In person registration and payment of $35.00 is required in advance.

Ms. Rita’s Little Gardeners for ages 2.5 thru pre-school continues, and the little ones love getting their hands dirty. The series includes foraging in nature (on the library lawn), making a nature craft or other nature-inspired activity, along with a story and music.

P[ART]y Art keeps the pre-K thru first graders and second thru fifth graders busy with two drop-off sessions, along with Play Hooray, A Time For Kids Baby Start and Family Pre-school Hour, Funkytown Playground, and Storytime. The Pom Pom Queen offers a Thanksgiving craft, and Smile Starters Pediatric Dentists takes center chair for a Storytime session.

Teens in 9th and 10th grades –  and parents – can attend a College Prep session. For fun, there’s a Teen Drone Missions and Forensic Sketch Artist program, and an opportunity to participate in a Veterans Community Event.

The Friends of the Library Book Club meets Monday, November 4th at 10:15 am.  “Gilead” by Marilynne Robinson is the selection of The Evening Edition Book Club’s Thursday, November 14th 7:00 pm meeting. Both groups meet in the main level Community Meeting Room.

The regular meeting of the Friends of the Library is Wednesday, November 13th at 1:00 pm. The Library Board of Trustees meets at 7:30 pm on the same day.

The Made with Love Knitting and Crocheting volunteers meet Mondays at 6:30 pm and Wednesdays at 11:00 am. They’re currently knitting up a storm of winter scarves and mittens. The apparel is for sale, with all proceeds to benefit the Friends of the Floral Park Library. No registration necessary; no formal instruction provided. New members always welcome.

One-to-one tech help with Joe for tablets, smartphones, laptops and Kindles is available for our Floral Park patrons by appointment only (floralparktechhelp@gmail.com).

Call the Library (516 326-6330) to check days and times for the Book Nook. All sales of books, DVDs, etc. support the Friends of the Floral Park Library, a 501c3 organization.

For more information on dates and times, events registration and program details, visit the library website, floralparklibrary.org, call 516 326-6330, or visit us at 17 Caroline Place. All events and programs are subject to change and/or cancellation. The Library is closed on Monday, November 11th in honor of Veterans’ Day, and November 28th  in observance of Thanksgiving.

We invite you to follow us on Facebook (floralparklibrary), Twitter (@fplibrary17), or Instagram (fplibrary, 17, floralparkchildrens, fpplteens).

Readers Write: Fear or not to fear the presidential election?

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Ladies and Gentlemen of Sane Mind,  are you worried regarding the outcome of the upcoming presidential election?
Fear not, but it would be nice to put some fear into the mind of the dictator-wannabe by coming up with a plan that might not let him get what he wants. Such plan is defined by the following three words: Impose Martial Law!
 
What is martial law? Martial law refers to instances where a nation’s armed forces step in and assume the governance of an area. Officials most often impose martial law when civilian authority over an area has stopped functioning, like in the case of an insurrection or natural disaster.
Generally speaking, it refers to when the military temporarily substitutes its authority in place of civilian authority. More simply, it occurs when the army takes over a civilian area and imposes its own rules.
Can the president impose martial law? Although it’s unclear whether the president can legally declare martial law, despite this several presidents throughout history have done so.
As stated above, martial law can be imposed in the case of an insurrection or to prevent an insurrection, like the one that occurred after the 2020 presidential election. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says that if he does not win the current election, he will cry fraud and not accept the results – just as he did four years ago when he lost to Democratic President Joe Biden. Once again this could throw the United States into political instability at a time when the country is already deeply divided. Sounds like another insurrection.
With all the current threats, President Biden can impose martial law prior to the election and thus allow the military to take over control of the government and, with their manpower, even take over the independent supervising of counting the votes.
After the election, no matter who initially wins, Biden is still president and, with the threat of insurrection possibly from either side can then impose martial law. The military would again take over control of the government to maintain civility and, with their manpower, could even take over the independent supervising of counting the votes.
Temporarily silencing the Supreme Court would further ensure fairness.
A fair election. That’s what it should be all about.
Alvin Goldberg
Great Neck

Town of Hempstead increases tax levy by 12.1%

By
Ben Fiebert
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Kevan Abrahams, the Democratic candidate for the Town of Hempstead District 5 special election spoke at a rally about the proposed tax hike in the Town of Hempstead. (Photo by Ben Fiebert)

The Hempstead Town Board approved a 12.1% tax levy increase last week, raising the levy from $346.8 million to $389 million in 2025.

The preliminary budget, approved by the town board Oct. 1 increases taxes by $5 a year for homeowners in incorporated areas and $65 a year for unincorporated areas.

The state’s property tax cap limits the annual growth of property taxes levied by local governments and school districts to 2%, or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. The tax levy cannot exceed the cap unless 60% of voters or 6% of the total voting power of the governing body approves such an increase.

In a vote of 6-0, the board approved piercing the state’s 2% tax cap for the first time since it was implemented 13 years ago.

Under the 2025 budget, town spending would increase from $522.5 million to just under $550 million.

Town Comptroller John Mastromarino said Hempstead has been able to postpone tax increases over the past couple of years by using reserve funds. However, he said those funds are running out.

“We could have raised taxes, but instead we decided to use the extent that we could use with the reserves,” Mastromarino said. “The reserves were used, the taxpayers were protected and it’s now at a point where we just can’t do it anymore because of increases that were mandated from the state, pensions, health insurance.  We’re paying more to dispose of our garbage and all these things have piled up.”

At the hearing, community members pointed out that Councilman Christopher Schneider, a Republican running in a town board election in November, was absent for the hearings and votes. Some said he “conveniently” missed the vote to raise taxes to avoid scrutiny when he faces former Nassau County Legislator Kevan Abrahams, Democratic nominee for the Town of Hempstead Town Council, District 5, in the November special election.

Abrahams spoke at a rally outside Town Hall, hosted by Nassau Democrats, contending the board snuck this budget past the public.

“There’s no transparency, there’s no visibility,” Abrahams said. “They’re trying to squeak this past you. It’s called a stinky, weasel tax.”

In a letter included in the budget proposal, Town Supervisor Donald Clavin called the town’s $549.1 million budget “fiscally responsible.”

“I am extremely proud that we have not only been able to take them in stride, but also deliver significant relief to taxpayers,” Clavin said in the letter. “Under my stewardship during this time, the Town has a clear record of either freezing or cutting taxes for four consecutive years, and as residents across the Town continue to tighten their belts during this difficult and volatile national economy, every opportunity to save is more important now than ever before.”

The next step in the budget process is revising and finalizing the preliminary budget. It then must be adopted by Dec. 20.

Readers Write: November 8, 2020

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Nov. 8, 2020. A day I will never forget. Joe Biden had officially been declared the winner of the election.  There were no doubts now, and the clouds had parted.

Literally.

It was a freakishly warm day for November. What a gift. Let’s go out East! After having lunch in Southampton, we were disturbed by the sight of several thuggish characters driving pick-up trucks, angrily circling Job’s Lane and Main Street.

They were apparently unhappy with the election results and because of the media pigpen they’ve locked themselves into, they more than likely believed the election was stolen.

They paused to stop in front of 75 Main, where customers were dining outside, to sit there and glower at them. I thought maybe something violent would occur. It would. But on Jan. 6, at the Capitol.

But think about this. Imagine, upon hearing the results of an election where your candidate didn’t win, you fired up your truck and took the trouble to drive straight to a street that had the kind of people you were taught to detest. “Them.” The “elites.” And sat there in your truck, scowling at them.

Pretty sick behavior.

Sound familiar? Of course it does, but there are plenty of people reading this who will vote for the man who unleashed the White American Male’s inner thug anyway. And the irony is for all the money you lavished on “education,” this is the end result. Maybe it’s time to come to terms with the fact the schools don’t teach your kids anything, but are merely sorting mechanisms.

Someone I know got a good life lesson on this when she noticed the armed forces recruiters chasing the Williston Park kids and leaving the Manhasset Hills kids unmolested. But that’s another story for another day.

You can still see these social misanthropes driving around Long Island with their flags flying on their trucks. Angry and filled with a mindless hate, all against a president who by any measure, has done a pretty good job considering what he inherited, from a predecessor whose reckless neglect during the pandemic caused the needless death of over 160,000 Americans. That’s three Vietnams if you’re counting.

I remain amazed at how we simply compartmentalized the deaths of over a million citizens and promptly forgot about it in order to concentrate on the soaring cost of ketchup. To quote Atlantic columnist Tom Nichols, “reality is no longer dispositive.”

This has been a successful administration on both legislative and managerial levels by any standard. And I’ve been around since Ike, so maybe I have a little more perspective than the palookas.

Speaking of perspective, I think someone driving a $60,000 truck and living on the East End of Long Island has very little to complain about in life. So what drives these people? It ain’t policy or the cost of cucumbers. It’s naked rage.

You think they’re worried about immigration? Buddy, the simple truth is the entire economy of Long Island would collapse without them. No one to mow your lawns, cook your food, get your home improvement projects done at sub-par pay and no benefits, nothing. The party would be over for you. Confess.

And they still worship the ground he walks on, after shafting them on their SALT deduction, which he now says he’ll reverse.

Sure, pal. Along with 200% tariffs, no Federal taxes for the civil service, mass deportation, threatening the political opposition with violence (again) and then there’s the Arnold Palmer business among a thousand other just plain weird things.

And the sight of these “religious” leaders embracing this singularly defective human being with both arms? I never bought into their phony moral certitude myself, but their hypocrisy, as the saying goes, stinks to God’s nostrils.

It’s hard to know what to think of people. How does this guy get ONE vote? Are we this bad?

I guess we are. Congratulations, America. You have, at last, seen your true face.

Donald Davret

Morristown

Our Town: The missing piece

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"The missing piece fuels success" (photo by Tom Ferraro)

Last week I wrote about my encounter with Al Pacino, the famous actor, who seemed to possess the fluid, quirky “As If” personality, which is no personality at all. He shouted the iconic line “Say hello to my little friend!” in the film “Scarface” just before he blew some bad guys away. This film demonstrated his ability to merge with a character so thoroughly that it was impossible to imagine anyone else playing that part.

The “As If” personality also may have been the reason Will Smith crossed the stage and smacked Chris Rock in the face at the Oscars. Will Smith had immersed himself so thoroughly in the character of Richard Williams that he lost complete touch with his real self.

The truly great actors, including Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, Joaquin Phoenix, and Jack Nicholson, all seem to have an odd quirkiness about them, suggesting that something is missing. A recent article in The New York Times about Hugh Grant, the famous British actor, touches on the same fluidity of character. As he grew up one of his teachers would incessantly ask him, “Who is the real Hugh Grant?”

Alfred Adler, was one of the founders of psychoanalysis and his most important contribution was the idea that our motivation to achieve things is an attempt to overcompensate for feelings of shame, smallness and weakness felt during childhood, the time when we were surrounded by much bigger adults and older siblings.

This idea of overcompensation influences success in many fields. Many of our greatest politicians grew up in poverty and hardship and overcompensated for this poverty and shame by seeking power. Bill Clinton’s father died before he was born, his mother was inept and his stepfather was an abusive alcoholic.

Richard Nixon had to witness the early death of two of his siblings, his father was cruel and argumentative and he suffered many early career defeats. These politicians were able to convert their earlier indignities into an impetus to excel at all costs. And it is no surprise that their overzealous overcompensation also led to their impeachments and Nixon’s loss of office.

Great athletes often have experienced severe loss and suffering in childhood and they do their best to convert that pain into a passionate will to win. Tiger Woods suffered extreme discrimination in childhood, entered an all-white sport and dominated it. And here again it is no surprise that his overzealous overcompensation led to huge problems both with drugs and women.

So the moral of this story is that you can take heart if you have suffered losses in childhood. These losses will provide you with the necessary fuel to achieve great things.

Humans have a unique way of converting their suffering into a gift. The quirky fluid “As If” personality of the actor enables them to be chameleons and change themselves into any role.

The weak, lonely, unloved child will have a great need to overcompensate, perhaps become a president and finally get the love he needs.

The shy, glasses-wearing, stuttering child like Tiger Woods can take his anger and become the most dominant, most powerful and the wealthiest athlete on earth.

The missing piece inside of us is the essential and the necessary ingredient to any success we can hope to achieve. It’s not about talent, its not about IQ, it’s not about luck and it’s not about connections. It’s all about proving that our own childhood had it all wrong. We are far more than the way we were treated.

Dr. Tom Ferraro

Ian Bergström

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The Island 360
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Ian Bergström

Ian Bergström is the Nassau County Republican and Nassau County Conservative candidate running for the New York State Assembly’s 22nd District seat.

Bergström is a lifelong resident of the Village of Floral Park. He is a youth basketball coach, community advocate, legal writer, civil litigation attorney and member of various civic organizations.

As a deputy county attorney, Bergström is assigned to the Litigation and Appeals Bureau within the Office of the Nassau County Attorney where he represents Nassau County taxpayers and residents regarding civil lawsuits.

Bergström intends to fight for the financial, educational and public safety interests of his constituents if elected.

Political affiliation: Republican and Conservative

Top 3 issues:

First, I intend to fix the traffic, congestion, and parking surrounding UBS Arena, Belmont Park and Belmont Park Retail Village as the New York State representative.

The traffic, congestion and parking flood the Elmont and Floral Park neighborhoods. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and State Assembly Member Michaelle Solages (D-AD22) steamrolled the commercial development into the heart of Elmont without a plan on how to alleviate the traffic and congestion burdening the local residents as the New York State representatives.

Hempstead Turnpike and Cross Island Park are state roadways under the purview of the state’s Department of Transportation.

The accessibility and parking options must be redesigned to ensure the suburban residents are not affected as a result of the traffic conditions regarding UBS Arena, Belmont Park and Belmont Park Retail Village.

The residents’ complaints about the traffic, congestion and parking have been ignored since UBS Arena became operational. The financial benefit of the commercial properties cannot cause the politicians to disregard the interests of the suburban residents.

The United States Department of Energy determined that the state has the highest average commute time throughout the nation, and the traffic conditions contribute to such statistic.

Second, I intend to advocate for the $239 billion budget to be slashed. The “historic” budget exceeds the gross domestic product of innumerable foreign countries.

The budget contributes to the staggering cost of living and inflation financially burdening the residents of Assembly District 22. The neighborhoods throughout the district are expensive, and the state’s budget further financially burdens the taxpayers.

Third, I intend to advocate for the amendment of the cashless bail legislation that the democratic majority of the New York State Legislature enacted. My opponent, State Assembly Member Michaelle Solages, declared that the cashless bail legislation is “imperfect,” but “necessary.”

The crimes eligible for cashless bail and release from the custody of law enforcement include sex trafficking, felonious sexual offenses, sexual incest, money laundering to finance terrorism, facilitating child pornography involving children by means of alcohol and drugs, use of children performing sexual acts, child molestation, sexual deviance, robbery, domestic violence involving strangulation and violating orders of protection involving family members pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law §510.10.

Generally, the local suburban neighborhoods consist of families and children. I unapologetically intend to protect vulnerable children, residents and taxpayers as the state representative for Assembly District 22.

No Spin Zone: Night Fever

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The Island 360
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By Bill O’Reilly

I had a vision the other night, which was actually a feverish dream.  The vice president of the United States agreed to be interviewed by me. Crazy, I know, but here’s how it went down.

O’R:  Madam Vice President, thank you for doing this.

KH:  I hate you.

O’R:  Wow, any wiggle room there?

KH:  None. You are a pecksniffian and a troglodyte.  I can’t believe I’m here even in a dream.

O’R: Got it.  Let’s proceed.  Are you standing by your statement that you can’t think of anything the Biden administration should have done differently?

KH:  Let me be clear.  I am not Joe Biden. I don’t have a private beach and government-paid servants to set up umbrellas and chairs.  In fact, I was raised by a single mother who could not afford to take us to the beach.  I had to work at McDonalds, which was no day at the beach, I assure you.

O’R: But on policy, anything you would change?  Afghanistan, maybe?

KH: I think that, to be very honest with you, I do believe what we have rightly believed, that some issues are just settled.

O’R: Should I drop this line of questioning?

KH: Doesn’t matter, I’m not going to answer anything directly no matter what you do. Did I mention that I loathe everything about you?

O’R: I believe you did.

KH:  Good. You might even be worse than Trump, who idolizes Hannibal Lecter.

O’R: Polls say 70 % of Americans believe the country is not doing well.  Why do you think that is?

KH:  It’s all about the significance of the passage of time.  So, when you think about it, there is great significance to the passage of time in terms of what we need to do …

O’R: Sorry to interrupt but I’m confused.

KH:  I’m speaking.  Let me finish or is that concept too sophisticated for your minuscule brain to process?  I am talking about the passage of time which has great significance to the lives of our children.

O’R:  Do you think the passage of time has affected President Biden?

KH: In order to contextualize Joe Biden you have to understand where he exists in our history as it relates not only to the past but to the future.

O’R:  How about undocumented migrants? Any thoughts or concerns?

KH: Where are your ancestors from?

O’R: Ireland.

KH:  Let’s hum Danny Boy!

O’R:  Might not have time for that, your advisers are giving me the wrap and one of them just hit me with a rock.

KH: Cause we hate you.

O’R:  I understand.  Last question. Inflation has really hurt working Americans.  How did that happen?

KH: Trump did it.

O’R: But inflation was less than 2 percent on his watch.  It jumped to more than 8 percent in the first year of your administration.

KH:  Inflation was low under Hitler so that’s why Trump kept it down.  We must recognize that the Nazi Party existed in a moment of time, and that moment was embraced by Trump, who wanted to name his Florida estate Third Reich a Lago.

O’R: Did not know that.  Anything you would like to say before we wrap?

KH:  Just that I despise every fiber of your being and when I look at the constellation I am hoping it falls on you.

O’R:  You’re not alone.

Do the right thing for yourself and your country

By
Steven Blank Publisher
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She is a warrior and a peacemaker, and I am proud to endorse Kamala Harris for president, but it may not be without complications.
When my initial endorsement went viral, a photographer taking my picture for a magazine article about the endorsement asked if I was “worried about retaliation?”
By whom? By Donald J. Trump, the once and possibly future president who vows political retribution and the possible use of military force against the “ enemies within.”

When confronted by television’s Dr. Phil about his many menacing statements threatening retaliation, Trump dug in. “Revenge does take time. And sometimes revenge can be justified Phil, I have to be honest, sometimes it can.”

It is like the bad old days of Richard Nixon, when commentators opposed to his Administration were placed on the infamous Enemies List. Those listed were often subjected to abnormal attention from the IRS.

Tax audits were Nixon’s favorite form of retaliation. Trump who feels he was the victim of unfair scrutiny and a weaponized Deep State makes it sound as if he’s going to get the Godfather’s Luca Brasi or the Proud Boys to perpetrate physical muggings.

In addition to his lack of civility, racial stereotyping and sowing division, there are many crucial reasons to choose Harris over Trump.

If you have a daughter, and I have three, it cannot be a close question. Only one candidate for president will honor her right to reproductive freedom, and that is Vice President Kamala Harris.

In contrast, her opponent, former President Donald Trump is the principal architect of the legal regime that stripped American women of what, for half a century, they believed was a right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution the right to choose for herself to have an abortion or use birth control.

By stacking the Supreme Court, President Trump ensured that the long arm of government will be in many of your daughter’s bedrooms forever more.

True, some states have enshrined reproductive freedom in state constitutional amendments, but many women and even their doctors and caregivers remain in jeopardy.

So does Obamacare. The Affordable Care Act, which has helped millions receive necessary care and treatment, remains under assault by Republicans unable to present a reasonable alternative.

Blame Donald Trump who tried unsuccessfully to abolish the ACA, and will try again. Even reduced the. Child Tax Credit is also in continuing peril by conservative think tanks bent on achieving a nation in which compassion is a commodity that has to pay its own way.

Remember back in the 2000 presidential campaign when then-Vice President Al Gore pretended that he didn’t know Bill Clinton? It was a mistake that overlooked impeaching Clinton’s otherwise pretty successful presidency, and it cost Gore the election.

Similarly, if I could advise the Harris campaign in these last two weeks before the nation votes again, it would be to embrace President Joe Biden.

Aside from the melancholy way in which the old timer was involuntarily cast aside, remember, he’s also had a pretty good presidency. “Bidenomics” largely succeeded in wrestling down inflation.

Unemployment and violent crime are also down, China is being confronted, so is Russia, especially in Ukraine, NATO is on sounder footing, and Israel is winning this phase of the unending Holy War.

The border is the biggest mess, but the undocumented aren’t “poisoning the blood of the country.”

And those who are attempting to exploit the relatively few incidents in which undocumented immigrants commit heinous crimes, in the words of a father of a young woman killed by one, are “heartless” and “despicable.”

It is another reason I am voting for her.

Donald Trump has thrived on conflict and confrontation. Kamala Harris, as president would seek to heal our divisions and celebrate our unity and patriotism.

Temple Isaiah honors past President Lloyd Perell

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Past President Lloyd Perell was honored by Temple Isaiah of Great Neck (Photo courtesy of Temple Isaiah)

Temple Isaiah of Great Neck held its annual dinner in honor of its esteemed immediate past President Lloyd Perell on Sunday, Sept. 22 at La Baraka Restaurant in Little Neck.

Perell’s commitment to Temple Isaiah over his 35 years of membership is almost unparalleled. He has been an integral part of programming, fundraising and management teams through holding most leadership positions, including a prior two-year term as president. Most recently, he served as president during a most challenging time and gave his heart, intellect and time to move the Temple forward.

In addition to his work at Temple Isaiah, Perell has taken on the job of revitalizing the Lions Club of Great Neck.

Lions International is the world’s largest service organization, with an 85-year history of service to the Great Neck community. Problems of the blind and visually impaired are the signature issue of the Lions Club.

Over the years, the Great Neck club has collected thousands of pairs of prescription glasses for distribution to people in countries all over the world, and that effort is continuing.

Closer to home, the club has a history of sponsoring guide dogs.

Perell promises you’ll be hearing more about the Lions in the near future!

Perell’s family moved to Great Neck from the Bronx when he was a young boy, and he and his two sons are proud graduates of the Great Neck Public Schools.

He has had a very industrious career, including jobs held with illustrious organizations such as with TWA at LaGuardia Airport, in the corporate training department at Bankers Trust, running a TV studio department for Savin as resident producer, director, scriptwriter and editing supervisor and as a contractor writing a software user manual, running a one-man help desk and installing and repairing equipment with the NYC Department of Correction.

Perell has traveled to 33 countries so far, including Russia during the communist era and Haiti when Papa Doc was in power. He says he feels like he’s just scratched the surface.

Perell expresses that it has been the great honor of his life to have served twice as president of Temple Isaiah, an organization that has come to be a central force and anchor in his life.  He believes he is a better person for his membership at the Temple – thanks to the clergy and the people who’ve become part of his world – and he will always be grateful.

Temple Isaiah is located at 1 Chelsea Place off Cutter Mill Road in Great Neck, and is a member congregation of the Union for Reform Judaism.

For additional information about the Temple please call the Temple office at (516) 487-5373.

Readers Write: Suozzi supports Israel

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Normally an election for a Congress seat doesn’t get a huge turnout. It’s 2024 and the world is falling apart. Both political parties have turned into extremists who care more about their careers and less about what is right and what is needed to bring back basic logic and common sense.

I applaud Congressman Tom Suozzi for standing up to the haters while meeting both parties closer in the middle. By thinking this way, he was able to have the Israel Security Supplemental Act brought to the floor.

Tom was one of only 42 Democrats to vote for the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, which makes clear that the USA will not tolerate the International Criminal Court’s from deliberately targeting Israel.

He was one of only 16 Democrats to vote for the Israeli Security Assistance Support Act, which would compel the delivery of defense weapons to Israel as they fight terrorism and being a partner an American ally.

Few politicians do what they claim and fewer do more. Tom is the latter. Different and meeting others halfway to establish what is needed to safeguard all Americans.

I found it necessary to write this letter because the world is upside down. So much hatred….we need a proven politician that knows how to cooperate, meet in the middle and protect our country.

Jack Britvan

Jericho

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