New Hyde Park Memorial High School seniors, center from left, Rachel
Jacob, Clayton Yu and Brice Chiu with Principal Rosemary DeGennaro, right, and school counselors. (Photo courtesy of the Sewanhaka Central High School District)
New Hyde Park Memorial High School seniors Brice Chiu, Rachel Jacob and Clayton
Yu have been selected as semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Students enter the competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Approximately 16,000 students qualify as semifinalists due to their high scores on the test. A semifinalist must fulfill several additional requirements and advance to the finalist level of the competition before being considered for a National Merit Scholarship.
The First Presbyterian Church in Mineola will fight hunger on Oct. 12 with their Rise Against Hunger meal packaging event. (Photos courtesy of Selwyn Lee)
The First Presbyterian Church in Mineola will host a Rise Against Hunger event on Oct. 12.
Attention Long Islanders, you are invited to get “hands-on” at a meal-packing event. Attendees will package meals from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to help end hunger. For a few hours, you can make a difference by feeding hungry children and families overseas.
“Rise Against Hunger works in countries worldwide to fight hunger, targeting communities facing high rates of food insecurity,” stated on RiseAgainstHunger.org. “We provide volunteer-packaged meals and other assistance, often through school feeding programs, to support nutrition, education and health for children and families facing hunger right now.”
The Rise Against Hunger event aims to end hunger in children and families overseas.
Join First Presbyterian Church in packaging over 25,000 meals to help end hunger.
“APAGE” love is caring for others with unconditional love and action. The event’s hosts are kindly asking for help feeding others.
“About 733 million people worldwide do not receive enough nutrition to lead an active, healthy life or provide for themselves and their families,” stated on RiseAgainstHunger.org. “At Rise Against Hunger, we work with Hunger Champions — just like you — to end hunger in remote, last-mile communities.”
The Rise Against Hunger events provide lasting, real-life impact as your group works together for a start-to-finish meal assembly experience to combine rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and a packet of 20 vitamins and minerals into life-changing meal packages. The food stores easily, transports quickly and has a long shelf-life to help meet the immediate nutritional needs of people facing food insecurity.
“Your partnership supports the distribution of nutritious meals and provides sustainable, long-term solutions ensuring food and nutrition security in the communities we serve globally,” stated on RiseAgainstHunger.org.
Linda Sun, a former aide to New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, exits Brooklyn Federal court with Christopher Hu after Sun was charged with acting as an unregistered agent of China's government, in New York City, Sept. 3. (Photo courtesy of REUTERS/Kent J. Edwards)
State Sen. Jack Martins (R–Old Westbury), along with fellow Republican state senators, Saturday called for an investigation into former gubernatorial aide Linda Sun, a Manhasset resident, who was recently charged as a foreign agent of the Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party.
The elected officials asked that the politicians Sun worked with, including in her role as deputy chief of staff to Gov. Kathy Hochul, be interrogated about their relationship with her and that a bipartisan committee be established to examine the case.
“Ms. Sun’s alleged actions as a secret agent acting in the interests of the People’s Republic of China, while serving as a top aide to Gov. Hochul, raise serious questions regarding the influence of Communist China’s government on the state’s administration,” Martins said at a press conference. “We are also deeply concerned that the Chinese Communist Party may have extended its tentacles into the state Legislature by funding local Long Island campaigns.”
The Republicans criticized Hochul for not taking action since she has not publicly announced any plans about investigating her former aide.
“The allegations against former Hochul aide and accused Communist China agent Linda Sun are deeply troubling and Gov. Hochul’s response has been even worse. It amounts to a cover-up,” Martins said. “She has not called for an investigation and has not accepted any responsibility.”
Martins rallied alongside other state senators for the investigation, including Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and Steve Rhoads.
Sun and her husband Christopher Hu were arrested on Sept. 3.
Sun was charged in New York’s Eastern District Court with violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling and money laundering conspiracy.
Hu was indicted on charges of transferring alleged kickback funds amounting to millions of dollars for personal gains.
“As alleged, while appearing to serve the people of New York as deputy chief of staff within the New York State Executive Chamber, the defendant and her husband actually worked to further the interests of the Chinese government and the CCP,” U.S. Attorney Breon Peace, said on Justice.gov. “The illicit scheme enriched the defendant’s family to the tune of millions of dollars. Our office will act decisively to prosecute those who serve as undisclosed agents of a foreign government.”
Sun has been accused of providing unauthorized invitation letters from the offices of high-level New York State officers that were used to facilitate travel by PRC government officials into the United States for meetings with New York State government officials. These accusations also include her alleged blocking of Taiwanese government representatives from meeting with high-ranking state officials.
Sun’s unauthorized invitation letters for the PRC government delegation constituted false statements made in connection with immigration documents and induced the foreign citizens into unlawfully entering the United States, according to the indictment.
Her bail was set at $1.5 million after her arraignment on Sept. 3.
Sun is a former deputy chief of staff for Hochul but has a 15-year-long career working in government.
Her LinkedIn profile outlines a long career in public service, beginning in 2009 as chief of staff for Rep. Grace Meng’s state Assembly office.
Sun has held many other positions, including director of Asian American affairs, Queens regional representative, and deputy chief diversity officer under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Her LinkedIn profile also states that she had the title of chief of staff under Hochul from September 2021 until November 2022 and worked for the state Department of Labor, ending in March 2023.
Citing an unknown source, Politico reported that Sun had been fired from her Department of Labor job in March 2023 due to evidence of misconduct. This evidence was reported to law enforcement, according to multiple publications.
Sun’s $4.1 million North Hills home was raided in a pre-dawn investigation by FBI agents in July. The reason for the raid of the Stone Hill gated community home on Saxony Court was not immediately disclosed.
For her cooperation, Sun was alleged to have received substantial economic and other benefits from representatives of the PRC government and the CCP.
Sun and Hu allegedly laundered the monetary proceeds of this scheme to purchase, among other items, real estate property in Manhasset currently valued at $4.1 million, a condominium in Honolulu, Hawaii currently valued at $2.1 million, and various luxury automobiles, including a 2024 Ferrari.
“It’s time to take bold and decisive action to ensure that our state government does not fall prey to influence by the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party,” Martins said. “We are asking for federal investigators to look into contributions made by this alleged secret agent of the Chinese government. In addition, we are calling for accountability from these individuals to ensure that their campaigns are not influenced by the People’s Republic of China and Chinese Communist Party. New Yorkers deserve better – we deserve answers, not coverups.”
Umberto's of New Hyde Park recently hosted their second-annual Car Show. (Photos courtesy of Umberto's of New Hyde Park)
Umberto’s of New Hyde Park, Long Island’s iconic pizzeria and inventors of the Grandma Pie, recently hosted its second annual car show with the New York Alfa Romeo Owner’s Club.
The event raised funds for Island Harvest Food Bank and collected enough food for over 1,500 meals. Island Harvest Food Bank is the region’s leading hunger relief organization with a mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island. Over 25 classic and modern Alfa Romeo cars participated in the show, attracting over 150 supporters.
“With increased food prices and the region’s high cost of living, food insecurity affects thousands of families across Long Island,” Bena Halloran, food drive coordinator for Island Harvest Food Bank, said. “In our second year partnering with Umberto’s and the New York Alfa Romeo Owner’s Club, we collected enough non-perishable food to help hundreds of people in Nassau and Suffolk counties. With valued partners like Umberto’s, we are making a difference in the lives of our neighbors struggling just to put food on their tables.”
Umberto’s of New Hyde Park worked with Island Harvest for their car show.
“At Umberto’s, we understand many people continue to struggle to put food on the table. We are committed to supporting organizations like Island Harvest Food Bank to raise funds and eradicate hunger here on Long Island,” Umberto Corteo, owner and founder of Umberto’s of New Hyde Park, said. “Our annual car show is a fun way to bring
the community together, raise awareness and collect food.”
The show showcased more than two dozen vintage and modern Alfa Romeo vehicles from the New York Alfa Romeo Owner’s Club. The event also featured prizes and giveaways.
For more information about Umberto’s of New Hyde Park, visit UmbertosFamily.com. To donate or support Island Harvest, visit IslandHarvest.org.
A worker chants during a rally in front of 529 5th Ave., a property owned by Namdar Reality Group (Photo by Cameryn Oakes)
A New York City-based union is fighting back against Great Neck realty company Namdar Realty Group over allegations it violated industry labor standards at a Manhattan office tower after workers’ wages were slashed and benefits revoked.
“This is a very, very substantive attack on our union and our 20,000 members,” 32BJ SEIU Executive Vice President Denis Johnston said. “The expression in the labor movement [is that] an injury to one is an injury to all.”
Namdar Realty Group, with its headquarters based in Great Neck, owns and manages a multitude of properties in the New York Metro area as well as in other states as far away as California and Texas. It is considered one of the largest retail landlords in the country with more than 70 million square feet of commercial real estate.
In its portfolio Namdar owns a 20-story office building at 529 Fifth Avenue that it bought with Empire Capital Holdings in 2023 for $105 million, according to the Commercial Observer, which was the target of a July strike and continued pushback.
The company was founded by Igal Namdar, who has been called a “bottom feeder” in multiple financial news stories.
A representative of Namdar Reality Group said the company declined to comment.
Johnston leads the New York Metro commercial and security divisions for the union 32BJ, which is the largest property service workers union in the country with more than 175,000 members. Members include cleaners, property maintenance workers, doormen, security officers, window cleaners, building engineers, and school and food service workers.
The union is based in the Northeast but stretches as far south as Florida.
The union has nearly a century of history, which Johnston said is highlighted by “fighting to establish the standards that exist for [its] office cleaners that allow them to have a chance at being in the middle class as a result of their hard work as building service workers.”
32BJ received a new four-year contract in December, achieved in tandem through bargaining with building owners, but Johnston said Namdar has not abided by that contract.
At Namdar’s property on 529 Fifth Ave., Johnston said a former contractor who worked with the union was removed by Namdar, who then hired a different one. The new contractor, L&J Janitorial, then cut worker wages in half and revoked medical benefits, Johnston said.
He said the cuts put workers at a poverty level of income.
“This is a very, very serious situation for our union and for our members and it was an assault on a standard that sets the prevailing wage and that establishes the wages and benefits package every four years for these 20,000 people who work in the commercial office sector and in universities and cultural landmarks,” Johnston said.
Union workers rally against cut wages and benefits (Photo by Cameryn Oakes)
Workers had repeatedly struck against Namdar and its contractor, including Thursday afternoon when a dozen marched in front of the 529 Fifth Ave. property.
At two other buildings, Johnston said workers are employed under expired contracts with Namdar.
This includes 345 Seventh Ave., where Namdar directly employs union members. Johnston said this building is facing low occupancy and impending foreclosure within the next two weeks.
William Ramos has worked at 345 Seventh Ave. for three years and detailed the shortcomings and stressors of a limited staff.
“We’re short staffed,” building worker William Ramos said. “Since Namdar took over, a handyman left, then the original super left – so now the other porter has had to become the super, leaving me to pick up new responsibilities. This is a two porter building, but we just have one – me. It’s all a lot of work.
I have to clean two separate 27-floor stairwells, clean the sidewalk where people dump trash, along with everything else. Meanwhile I didn’t get my annual raise or the bonus that I would have gotten if we had our typical contract. We’re working under an expired contract – that’s scary. I feel in limbo here, like I don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow.”
Ramos, who is afraid of losing his paycheck and his health benefits, said: “I saw what happened at 529 Fifth Ave. – it’s scary, because we’re dealing with the same owners.”
Johnston said discussions to reach an agreement with Namdar and L&J Janitorial have been stalled, attributing delays to their unresponsiveness to negotiate.
He said their goals are to get Namdar to hire a “responsible” cleaning contractor at 529 Fifth Ave. that abides by the wages and benefits standard and Namdar itself to abide by those standards at other properties where they directly hire the union workers.
This story has been updated to correct errors. A previous version of this story stated the union was striking on Thursday, but union members were rallying. The story has been updated to reflect this.
The Great Neck Library's Main Branch location (Photo courtesy of the Great Neck Library)
The Great Neck Library’s Board of Trustees were at odds Tuesday night on whether or not an incumbent candidate running for a seat on the nominating committee would violate the the library’s policy since she was appointed to less than a full term.
“On its face, the person has met the requirements of being a candidate,” board President Rory Lancman said. “If there’s a challenge in this person’s candidacy, that has to be made and that has to be established, but at the moment that hasn’t been established.”
Nominating Committee member Sabine Margolis was selected by the nominating committee as the running candidate. She faces independent challenger Joshua Ishal in the race for her seat.
Margolis was appointed in the past year to the nominating committee, Lancman said, and is seeking to be elected to a full term. But Lancman said that bylaws state a committee member is limited to serving a singular three-year term.
Lancman said it is unclear whether a member’s inability to serve two consecutive terms would apply to someone appointed to fill a vacancy for an abbreviated term.
Board Member Mimi Hu said it requires legal interpretation to determine what a term is defined as in the bylaw, whether it’s a full term or just serving at any moment for any period of time.
Lancman said the library’s attorney, who e had been communicating with, said that Margolis seemed able to run in the election but did not give a final answer. He said the attorney would get back to him “shortly” with a response.
Board Member Chayim Mahgerefteh said his interpretation of the bylaw would prevent Margolis from being eligible to run. Lancman disagreed with Mahgerefteh.
Library Director Denise Corcoran said this poses an issue for the library, which faced an impending deadline on the following day to print ballots.
The board was provided a report to vote on by the board’s Secretary Barry Smith naming the candidates who will be featured on the ballot. Smith and Mahgerefteh abstained in voting with the remaining members voting to accept it.
Also to be featured on the Oct. 28 ballot are a series of bylaw changes.
Board Vice President Kathleen Gold questioned how this would be presented to voters so they are informed when voting on the measure. Corcoran said that because the bylaws are lengthy, the library can’t afford to print numerous copies for voters.
Lancman said almost every page of the bylaw has a degree of changes.
Instead, Corcoran said the amendments will be posted online and postcards will be mailed to inform patrons of the proposed changes and where to find additional information.
“To mail out that entire packet would be an astronomical amount of money for us,” Corcoran said.
The ballot will include an abbreviated explanation of what changes are made.
Patron Rebecca Gilliar criticized this method, arguing that some voters come to the polls uninformed on issues and would need the bylaw changes in front of them at the time of voting to make an informed decision. She said this would adhere to the library’s precedence.
The library will be hosting a Meet the Candidate night Oct. 1, which will only feature candidates running in a contested election. This would be Margolis and Ishal, if Margolis is permitted to run, and Matt Klein and Neal Hakimi for a board of trustees seat.
The board voted during the meeting to change that policy and permit all candidates to participate in future events. That policy would not be applied to the forum for this upcoming election.
Ten Herricks High School seniors have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists. In the top row from left, Herricks High School Principal Joan Keegan, Lucy Liu, Pratham Patel, Krish Maheshwari, Shome Chakraborty, Maya Aboutaleb and Herricks Superintendent of Schools Tony Sinanis. In the bottom row from left, Maximilian Peng, Kaitlyn Rams, Afnan Ali, Vidhi Shah and Diane Ma. (Photo courtesy of Herricks Public Schools)
Ten seniors in the Herricks School District were named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.
The 2025 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists from Herricks High School are Maya Aboutaleb, Afnan Ali, Shome Chakraborty, Lucy Liu, Diane Ma, Krish Maheshwari, Pratham Patel, Maximilian Peng, Kaitlyn Rams and Vidhi Shah.
These students are joined by an elite group of approximately 16,000 semifinalists who were selected from over 1.3 million juniors in over 21,000 high schools who applied for the 2025 National Merit Scholarship program. Semifinalists represent the top 1 percent of high school seniors and highest-scoring entrants from each state.
“The outstanding achievements of these ten students highlight the dedication to
excellence and the welcoming and affirming learning environments fostered by the
Herricks High School community, including faculty, staff, and families,” Tony Sinanis, Herricks Superintendent of Schools, said. “These students represent every competency
highlighted in our Portrait of a Graduate — they are critical thinkers, creative innovators,
collaborators, and strong communicators who lead with compassion and confidence. Their
success inspires both present and future generations of students, illustrating the
tremendous potential for success within our educational environment.”
The next steps for semifinalists include completing a scholarship application which
will spotlight their academic record, participation in school and community activities,
leadership experience, employment and honors and awards. Scholarship winners will be
announced beginning in April.
Mineola High School senior Robert Ely has been named a 2025 National Merit Scholarship Competition semifinalist. From left, Mineola High School Principal Rory Parnell, Robert Ely, Robert’s mother Katie Ely and Mineola Superintendent of Schools Michael Nagler.
Mineola High School senior Robert Ely on was named a semifinalist in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Competition.
Robert was selected from over 1.3 million juniors in over 21,000 high schools who
applied for this prestigious scholarship program. Semifinalists represent the top 1 percent of high school seniors and the highest-scoring entrants from each state.
The next steps for semifinalists include completing a scholarship application to spotlight their academic record, participation in school and community activities, leadership experience, employment and honors and awards. Scholarship winners will be announced beginning in April.
Mineola High School Mustangs marching band led the homecoming parade with pep and smiles despite less-than-ideal weather conditions. (Photos courtesy of Mineola School District)
Despite periodic showers during the Sept. 8 celebration, Mineola High School’s
homecoming went on as planned and smiles prevailed throughout the fun-filled event.
Rain was no match for Mineola’s spirit as hundreds of faithful Mustangs fans lined the
streets for the homecoming parade and then jammed the stands at Hampton Stadium for
football and festivities.
The post-parade ceremony began with Mineola High School Principal Rory
Parnell welcoming the crowd before introducing the Mineola High School homecoming
court. This was followed by a soaring acapella performance of the National Anthem by
seniors Isabella Buono and Julia Manevitz.
By the time the Mineola Mustangs took the field to take on the Clarke Rams, the sun
was shining and the crowd was in a festive mood, chanting and dancing along with the
Mustangs Cheerleaders.
At halftime, the cheerleaders took the field for a spirited performance while the
marching band prepared to wow the crowd with their spectacular new show entitled “The
Jitterbug Café.” The band and color guard put on a picture perfect performance with every one of their 135 members hitting every note, every step and every twirl with precision, showing once again why they have brought home the championship cup for two consecutive years.
The Mineola Mustangs Cheerleaders defy gravity during their half-time performance
at homecoming on Sept. 8.
A view from the homecoming sidelines as the Mineola Mustangs take on the Clarke
Rams on Sept. 8.
Mineola Mustangs varsity football heroically takes the field to start the homecoming game on Sept. 8.
Donald Trump held a rally at Nassau Coliseum on Wednesday. Over 16,000 people were watching inside and outside of the venue. (Photos by Ben Fiebert)
Former President Donald Trump arrived in Nassau County to attempt to do something that hasn’t been done in 40 years: win New York in the 2024 presidential election.
“I’m going to make this state incredible,” Trump said during his rally. “Together we will build our roads, bridges, highways and airports. They’re falling apart. We will renovate New York.”
Trump’s rally, which took place at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Wednesday evening and marked the third Long Island rally he had hosted since 2016, drew a crowd of 16,000 in the coliseum and about 2,000 outside of the venue. Dozens of vendors turned the coliseum into a Trump-themed street fair, selling a wide variety of Trump merchandise.
Thousands of people waiting on line to get in to the coliseum on Wednesday.
Two attendees played live, patriotic music to energize the crowd outside.
Dozens of vendors set up shop, selling Trump merchandise.
Trump hats were being sold at the rally.
An American flag over the coliseum hours before former President Donald Trump spoke at his rally.
About 16,000 people were in the venue during the rally.
Attendees holding up signs to show their support for the former president.
Before Trump spoke at 7 p.m., a roster of Who’s Who’s in the Republican Party energized the crowd, including speakers Edward Cox, the current chairman of the New York Republican State Committee; Reps. Nicole Malliotakis, Anthony D’Esposito and Nick LaLota; Republican nominee for the Third Congressional District Mike LiPetri; Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, former New York City Mayor Rudy Guilliani and more.
Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, Republican nominee Michael LiPetri and Congressman Nick LaLota speaking at the rally.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman talking to the crowd.
At the same time, Democratic leaders rallied in the Free Speech Zone outside of the Coliseum in opposition to Trump’s visit
“Donald Trump has been no good for our property taxes, no good for affordability, and let’s not even get into women’s reproductive rights,” said Jay Jacobs, the state Democratic Party chairman, who led the protest.
The sentiment shared at the protest was that Trump’s campaign is one of vitriol and divisiveness.
This was the first rally Trump had hosted since the second assassination attack on his life. He started his speech by thanking law enforcement and the U.S. Secret Service for apprehending the attacker.
Trump then delivered a message to Democratic vice presidental candidate Kamala Harris. He said it’s time to stop the lies, stop the hoaxes, stop the schemes, stop the lawsuits against him, and stop claiming he will turn America into a dictatorship.
“Wages will soar, the cost of living with fall and I will deliver the greatest economy in the history of the world to our country and one of the greatest economies in the history of New York State,” Trump said. “And a key part of restoring safety and saving our economy is stopping the engagement at the border.”
On day one, Trump said he would seal the border and stop the migrant invasion by carrying out the “largest deportation operations of criminals in the world.” Trump said the open border policy has allowed MS-13 gang members to overrun Long Island. If elected into office, he said he would launch a special task force to crush the gang, along with any other foreign gang members in the nation.
Trump said the current border policy contributed to 32,000 illegal immigrants overrunning Springfield, Ohio, and he said he would be visiting Springfield in a few weeks.
Although he did not repeat the same claim he made a few weeks ago that Haitian immigrants are eating cats and dogs, he said they destroyed the economy and he will get them out of the country if elected into office.
Several local advocacy groups, especially those on Long Island, have supported the Haitian American population since Trump and Vance made those claims. State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages and her brother, Carrié Solages — the first Haitian American to be elected to the Nassau County Legislature — spoke out against this rhetoric at a protest outside of the coliseum.
“We demand a formal apology from the Trump campaign as well as a restatement of the true facts,” Legislator Solages, one of the protest organizers, said. “We will not tolerate dehumanizing lies about our community.
Trump said he would scrap a $10,000 cap on deducting state and local taxes, or SALT, that was passed as part of his 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
“All of a sudden, now that he is on Long Island, Donald Trump’s selective amnesia kicks in and he totally reverses himself on SALT,” U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in a statement. “But we know Donald Trump, we know what his MO is. He’s going to do nothing. He’s simply trying to escape the anger of many families he’s upset when he placed those caps, which affect so many middle-class people, particularly in higher-cost areas like Long Island.”
Congressman D’Esposito spoke at the rally, saying Trump would make the economy stronger by restoring SALT and securing the border. But his Democratic opponent, Laura Gillen, warned against another Trump team.
“Here are the facts: in his 2017 tax law, Donald Trump gutted the SALT deduction and forced working families to pay taxes twice on the same income,” Gillen said in a statement. “Trump’s lackey, Anthony D’Esposito, has been in the Republican-held House majority for nearly two years yet has failed to even get SALT restoration up for a vote.
“Nassau County families see right through Trump and D’Esposito’s performative bluff. In Congress, I will do the bipartisan work to bring back SALT and secure tax relief for hardworking Long Island families.”
“Long Island is a battleground island and with your help, we are going to re-elect Andrew Garbarino, Nick LaLota. We are going to elect Michael LiPetri and we are going to make Long Island where the majority in the House of Representatives vote through,” D’Esposito said.
Trump said he would introduce the “Trump Reciprocal Trade Act” under which if another country slapped high tariffs on the U.S., then the U.S. would do the same to them.
“My message is very simple. Make your products right here in Uniondale. Make your product in America and if you do that, you won’t have to pay a tax,” Trump said.
Trump said his economic plan would cut energy prices in half within 12 months and combat inflation by decreasing prices. He said he would cut interest rates, insurance and taxes. He also promised that he would eliminate taxes on tips, overtime, and social security benefits and temporarily cap credit card interest rates.
The former president also vowed to officially make the ground zero site at the World Trade Center a national monument.
“Together, we will deliver low taxes, low regulations, low energy costs, low interest rates, low inflation so that everyone can afford groceries, a car and a home,” Trump said. “We will stop the invasion, the migrant crime, support our police, strengthen our military.”
Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages and local Haitian American organizations gathered at Bethany French Baptist Church to condemn the remarks made by former Trump and U.S. Senators J.D. Vance and Ted Cruz. (Photo by Ben Fiebert)
Haitian community members and leaders protested former President Donald Trump’s visit to Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, following his claims that Haitian immigrants are eating pets in Springfield, Ohio.
Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages, the first Haitian American elected to the Nassau County Legislature, joined a coalition of Haitian Americans on Wednesday to condemn remarks made by Trump, his vice presidential running mate J.D. Vance and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. The protest occurred four hours before Trump took the stage inside the coliseum and addressed over 16,000 people. The protesters raised awareness of the harmful impact of these false claims.
The coalition called for stronger protections for Haitian individuals across the United States and demanded accountability and action from leaders at all levels of government. They also urged President Joseph Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and local, state, and municipal leaders to take all necessary measures to protect Haitians from physical harm.
The group requested that Biden and Congress formally recognize anti-Haitian rhetoric and actions as hate speech, which would grant Haitian Americans civil rights protections under existing hate crime legislation. This would ensure that Haitian communities have access to legal remedies when targeted by racially motivated violence, discrimination, or hate speech.
The coalition is also urging governors of states with significant Haitian populations, such as Ohio, to allocate emergency funding for culturally competent mental health services tailored to Haitian communities.
“We demand a formal apology from the Trump campaign as well as a restatement of the true facts,” Solages said in a press release ahead of the Wednesday protest. “We will not tolerate dehumanizing lies about our community.”
The protest occurred about a week after local Haitian American organizations and Nassau County leaders gathered at Bethany French Baptist Church in Elmont to condemn the remarks made by former Trump and the senators. The gathering called on all elected officials to reject hate speech and stand in solidarity with the Haitian community. The local Haitian community stressed the urgency of condemning these false narratives, which they said fuel dangerous, racially motivated conspiracy theories.
Solages delivered a statement also deploring the silence of many elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY4), who represents more than 32,000 Haitian Americans in Congress.
“These comments are not just lies, they are dangerous and rooted in racism,” Solages said. “Haitian immigrants and Haitian Americans deserve better than to be the target of xenophobic attacks. Continued silence from local Republicans like Rep. D’Esposito is nothing short of a dereliction of duty to the very community he represents.”
Solanges added, “It’s time for him to stop putting his head in the sand for political gain and stand with the people of this district, many of whom are Haitian immigrants. His silence speaks volumes about his priorities, and it’s clear they do not lie with the people of Nassau County.”
D’Esposito has yet to make a statement on the comments by Trump and fellow Republican Sens. Cruz and Vance.
The rally also featured leaders from prominent Haitian American organizations, including the Elmont Cultural Center, Haitian American Family of Long Island and New York Friends of Haiti. Together, they pledged to continue advocating for Haitian immigrants and holding elected officials accountable.
Mac Ogilvie is one of the athletes who will be inducted into the Mineola High School Hall of Fame in October. (Photos courtesy of Dan Guido)
The Mineola High School Athletic Hall of Fame will honor some of the many athletes of Mineola’s past.
The event will take place Oct. 4 at Hampton Stadium during halftime at the Mineola Varsity Football Game. The Hall of Fame will also induct five Mineola graduates for their athletic accomplishments, both in school and after graduating.
Dan Guido, during his 45th year as a wrestling coach in Mineola, started this event in 2017. After a break, Guido formed a committee in 2020 to help make this event bigger. Now the event is going into its fourth year, with three teams and five individuals being inducted.
The first three teams to be honored are nicknamed the “Pioneers of Mineola Girls Athletics.” They are the first three female teams to win championships in Mineola’s history. Many of these athletes played on two or all three of these teams.
The first team to be honored is the Girls 1977 Conference Champion Basketball Team. In only their third year as a varsity program, they went 14-0 and won the first female conference championship ever in Mineola.
The next team to be inducted is the 1978 Girls’ basketball team, which also went 14-0 to win the girls’ second basketball conference championship in a row. They then went on to place third in Nassau County.
The first two teams were both coached by Pete Kuchinsky.
In the following season, the 1978 Girls Softball Team — in the sport’s first year ever as a varsity team — went on to post a 13-3 record that led them all the way to the Nassau County championship finals. The championship game was a heartbreaker as the girls led 1-0 going into the late innings and were defeated 2-1 on a late-inning home run. This team was coached by Mineola science teacher Bob Schmidt.
“I followed that season and in their first year ever being allowed to play, they went to the county finals and they lost 2-1,” Dan Guido, one of the founding committee members of the Mineola High School Athletics Hall of Fame, said. “But to be one of the best teams in the county was hard at that time.”
Paul Popson and Bill Sbarra, both former lacrosse players from the class of 1962, will be the first individuals to be inducted into the 2024 Mineola High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
After graduating from Mineola High School, Sbarra became a defenseman for the University of Maryland during their 1967 national championships.
Popson, in his senior year, was named captain of the Rutgers Lacrosse team and played in the prestigious North-South All Star game. Popson’s record for assists is still in the Rutgers top 10 after 48 years.
Next to be inducted is Mac Ogilvie, a 1964 graduate and a three-time All-American goalie. During his senior year on the Navy Midshipmen men’s lacrosse team in Annapolis, Ogilvie was voted the top goalie in the nation.
“He was named as the most outstanding goalie in the whole country,” Guido said about Ogilvie. “And then he had to go to Vietnam and he finished his service as colonel.”
George Mecerod, Mineola graduate from the class of 1976, will be inducted after Ogilvie. Mecerod was one of the most versatile athletes from Mineola High School. He was an all-star soccer player in both high school and college.
Although he did not play on the Mineola High School Baseball team, Mecerod was a walk-on for Adelphi’s baseball team. In his first year, he was the team ace and after graduation, he became a professional baseball player with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs.
Lastly, 1970 graduate Bob Redmond will be inducted. Redmond served the Mineola community and school district as a volunteer coach for 50 years. He also coached football for the Mineola Police Activity League for 50 years and lacrosse for the league for 31 years, as well as putting in countless hours as the president of the Mineola PAL for 46 years.
Redmond also coached football for the Mineola School District at the Middle School, junior varsity, and varsity levels for 35 years, 18 of which were as a volunteer.
“We get some money from the school, but we have to use a lot of our own money,” Guido said about the event. “So we’re trying to work that out and hopefully eventually get some donation money to help us.”
Guido said people from all over the country, like Florida, Virginia, Georgia and more come to this event. One person is flying from Rome to attend.
“People get pretty excited about it,” Guido said.
Guido said he hopes for a good turnout at this year’s event. After the game, families are invited to Cornerstone in Mineola to celebrate the new inductees.
