The issues are serious. The differences between the candidates are stark and real, as are the differences between the two major parties, and indeed among the American people. I’m strongly supporting Bruce Blakeman as the leader the state needs at this defining moment.
Up until a few months ago, A.I. was in the news but not dominating it. In July, Geoffrey Hinton, who’s been called “the godfather of A.I.,” warned lawmakers that humanity could lose control of it within a year if proper safeguards were not established. Dario Amodei, the CEO of Anthropic, has been arguing that robust ethical and technical guardrails are needed to prevent misuse or loss of control.
I share this with you because we’re approaching Banned Books Week, which will be observed Oct. 4-10. This year’s theme is “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.” The annual event seeks to bring attention to the issue of censorship, uniting librarians, educators, authors and readers against organized attempts to restrict access to information.
Everyone says the people you meet in school can become lifelong friends. What they don't tell you is that friendship rarely happens overnight.
Learn who's on the ballot in Franklin Square and Elmont for the 2026 Elections.
These are just a few examples of how the county has sought to delay a collision with fiscal reality, and hearings on the administration’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget are proving that the budgetary mirage has just about evaporated.
Can we agree that a flagrant display of indecency should end any candidate’s quest for office, especially the presidency? The president must model moral leadership, compassion, forgiveness and inspiration. How have we spiraled so far away from those American ideals of American excellence?
Think about what actually touches your week. The state legislators you elect decide how much aid flows to your school district, which shapes your property tax bill. They write the laws on housing, transportation and public safety. Your town officials decide whether that pothole gets fixed, how your parks are maintained and what gets built on the empty lot down the street. Judges on your ballot will rule on cases involving your neighbors, and maybe one day, you. These races are often decided by a few hundred votes, sometimes fewer. In a local contest, your single ballot carries real weight.
