(Long Island, NY) “It is with deep sadness that I extend my condolences to the family, loved ones and friends of Basil Paterson. Basil was a trailblazer, serving as New York’s first African-American Secretary of State, and his strength and leadership was essential in the fight to make New York into a better and more equal state. He was a bold public figure who inspired a generation to follow in his footsteps, most notably our former Senate Democratic leader, and the 55th governor of New York State, Basil’s son David A. Paterson. Basil will be sorely missed but his legacy will live on and continue to make New York a better state for our children and their children.”

(Long Island, NY) Early this morning, I learned of the passing of Basil Paterson, a good and decent man who was committed to public service and giving back to New York.

Basil Paterson served the people of this state in many distinguished ways – in the U.S.Army during World War II, as State Senator, candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Deputy Mayor of New York City, and as New York’s first African American Secretary of State.

Even with these numerous personal accomplishments, I know he was even prouder to watch his son David become New York’s 55th Governor and provide leadership during a difficult time in our state’s history.

I join all New Yorkers in mourning the death of Basil Paterson, and send my thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. His contributions and legacy to our great state will endure.

(Long Island, NY) The First Squad reports the details of two arrests for Criminal Possession of a Weapon that occurred on April 16, 2014 at 11:23 PM in Uniondale.

According to detectives, 911 received a call for a disturbance at 427 Jerusalem Avenue. Upon arrival, police officers observed two male subjects standing in back of a 2004 Honda Odyssey. Subject #1 was observed passing a silver handgun to Subject #2. Subject # 2 then entered the vehicle and fled the scene. Officers followed and conducted a vehicle stop. Subject # 2 exited the automobile and fled on foot. After a short foot pursuit, Roberto C. Velasquez, 19, of 105 Belmont Parkway, Hempstead, was placed under arrest. A loaded .50 caliber silver Israel Military firearm model Desert Eagle was recovered on the front passenger seat. Subject # 1 now known as Allan Ramirez, 20, of 17 Marvin Avenue, Hempstead was arrested a short time later by Hempstead Police. A clear zip lock bag containing one purple, two green pills and two clear zip lock bags containing a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine was recovered in the defendants’ pant pocket.

The First Squad reports the details of two arrests for Criminal Possession of a Weapon that occurred on April 16, 2014 at 11:23 PM in Uniondale. Photo Credit: NCPD.

Defendants Velasquez and Ramirez are being charged with Criminal Possession of a Firearm and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree. Ramirez is additionally charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 5th Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree. They will be arraigned on April 17, 2014 at First District, Hempstead.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

(New York, NY) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a cleanup plan to address contaminated ground water and soil at the Mattiace Petrochemical Co., Inc. Superfund site in Glen Cove, New York. The ground water and soil are contaminated with volatile organic compounds as a result of previous operations at the site by a chemical distribution and drum cleaning business. The plan proposed today amends a prior long-term cleanup plan and is intended to improve the effectiveness of ground water treatment at the site. Ground water from the Mattiace site flows away from the municipal wells that provide nearby residents with their drinking water and does not pose a threat to drinking water. The public water supply is monitored regularly to ensure that the water quality meets federal and state drinking water standards. The estimated cost of this proposed final phase of the cleanup is approximately $11.2 million.

Some volatile organic compounds can cause cancer. The extent and nature of potential health effects depend on many factors, including the contaminant levels and the length of exposure to the pollution. The site is located next to a major redevelopment project in Glen Cove and is near the Nassau County Garvies Point Preserve, an important natural habitat.

“The EPA has been working for years to protect the health of people who live near this contaminated property and the cleanup plan proposed today advances that essential work,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “Ground water is virtually the only source of drinking water for the people of Long Island and EPA is committed to cleaning up Long island ground water.”

The EPA will hold a public meeting on April 28, 2014 to explain the proposed plan and is encouraging public comments. The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. at Glen Cove City Hall, 9 Glen Street, Glen Cove, New York. Comments will be accepted until May 19.

Mattiace Petrochemical Co., Inc. operated at the site from the 1960s until 1987 when it went bankrupt. When the facility was in operation, chemicals and stormwater were discharged into Glen Cove Creek, a tidal creek that leads to Hempstead Harbor. Soil on the site was contaminated and dozens of storage tanks and buried drums were found there. With the support of New York State, the site was added to the Superfund list in 1989.

Through the late 1980s and into the 1990s, the EPA addressed the immediate threats to the surrounding community as part of long-term cleanup plans. The EPA removed over 100,000 gallons of hazardous liquids and excavated and disposed of contaminated soil, drums and storage tanks. The EPA demolished and removed all structures on the site. Contaminated material was also removed from behind a collapsed retaining wall and the wall, which runs along the former property boundary, was reinforced.

In addition, the EPA constructed systems to treat the ground water and vapors from the soil. These systems were initially operated by the EPA and then by a group of parties legally responsible, which EPA identified and pursued to perform the work.

After 15 years of extensive monitoring and after studying many options, the EPA has concluded that while the actions taken have reduced contamination levels in the ground water, the levels are no longer decreasing and additional measures are needed to complete the cleanup.

The new EPA proposed plan calls for using natural processes together with a technique called bioventing that moves air through the soil and ground water to promote the natural breakdown of oily liquid waste and volatile organic compounds. A new system to vent the soil and ground water and capture the vapors will be constructed on the site and on an adjacent property.

In other areas of the site, the EPA proposes applying non-hazardous additives to the ground water to promote the breakdown of contaminants. The specific types of additives to be used will be determined by the EPA as part of the design of the cleanup.

In other areas of more highly contaminated soil and ground water, the plan calls for using heat to treat them. The thermal treatment involves applying heat underground that will destroy harmful chemicals in the soil and ground water and also allow some of the contaminants to move through soil and ground water toward wells where they will be collected and treated using additional treatment methods.

An underground wall will be installed at the boundaries of the property to keep contamination from spreading to areas beyond the site. Trees, whose root systems will help to control ground water levels and further absorb some of the contaminants, will be planted on the property.

The proposed plan requires restrictions on how the site can be used in the future to ensure that activities at the site do not interfere with the cleanup. The EPA will prevent the future use of the ground water as a source of drinking water. Other measures include requiring systems to reduce indoor air contaminants as part of any future building construction on the site. Disturbance of the containment wall would also be prohibited.

The EPA will continue to ensure the periodic collection and analysis of ground water samples to verify that the level and extent of contaminants are declining. The EPA will continue to monitor vapors from the soil as well and will conduct a review every five years to ensure the effectiveness of the cleanup.

The Superfund program operates on the principle that polluters should pay for the cleanups, rather than passing the costs to taxpayers. The EPA searches for parties legally responsible for the contamination at sites that are placed on the Superfund list and it seeks to hold those parties accountable for the costs of investigations and cleanups. The cleanup of the Mattiace Petrochemical Co., Inc. Superfund site is being performed and paid for by certain of the parties legally responsible, with oversight by the EPA.

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,WF,I-Huntington Station) recently met with members of the Parent Leadership Initiative (PLI) at the Huntington YMCA. During the meeting, Lupinacci spoke about state and local governments and their intricacies. Afterward, the assemblyman met with several parents to address various issues which his office will be addressing in the coming days.

“The more residents are involved in their community and in government the better we, as representatives, can meet their needs,” said Lupinacci. “Fortunately, programs like the Parent Leadership Initiative show residents how they can make a difference and help make their communities stronger. I’m working hard every day to make Long Island a better place to live, but I can’t do it alone so I’m thankful for everyone who is willing to take part.”

Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci speaks to members of the Parent Leadership Initiative. Photo Credit:NYS Assembly.

The Parent Leadership Initiative is designed to prepare parents from different ethnic and economic backgrounds to assume leadership roles in their community. Parents come together for a 16 to 20 week program. They explore interests, strengths and ideas, then work together to develop interpersonal and public communication skills. They also gain an understanding about how to work with government, media and civic groups. Additional information regarding PLI is available at http://www.childcaresuffolk.org/ParentLeadershipInitiative.aspx.

Residents who have questions or comments about state government or any other issue are encouraged to contact Lupinacci’s office at 631-271-8025 or visit 1783 New York Avenue in Huntington Station.

(New York, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the appointment of Gail Heatherly to lead the Office of the Attorney General’s Conviction Review Bureau. Created in 2012, the Bureau is responsible for partnering with law enforcement agencies across the state to provide assistance in seeking to prevent innocent people from being penalized for crimes they did not commit. Attorney General Schneiderman also announced the formation of a new Conviction Review Committee within his office to ensure the actions of the Bureau are coordinated across all relevant parts of the Office of the Attorney General.

“Those who are wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for crimes they did not commit deserve to have an advocate who will fight for justice, both for the wrongly accused and for the victims of the original crime,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “The only person who benefits when the wrong person is convicted of a crime is the real criminal, who remains free to commit more crimes. With her experience as a prosecutor, Gail is uniquely suited to work with her counterparts in other law enforcement agencies, however possible, to assist in addressing compelling claims of innocence.”

Heatherly brings decades of experience in criminal prosecutions. In addition to serving as head of the Attorney General’s Criminal Prosecutions Bureau, she spent 14 years as a senior prosecutor in the New York County District Attorney’s Office, where she also served a homicide assistant, domestic violence supervisor and a member of the sex crimes prosecution unit.

In addition to appointing Heatherly to lead the Bureau, Attorney General Schneiderman also announced the creation of a new Conviction Review Committee that will be responsible for coordinating the actions of the Bureau across the different offices within the Attorney General’s office. The Committee, which will meet regularly to review matters being addressed by the Bureau, will include Executive Deputy Attorney General for Social Justice Alvin Bragg, Executive Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice Kelly Donovan, and Chief of Criminal Appeals & Deputy Solicitor General for Criminal Matters Nikki Kowalski.

(New York, NY) New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón today issued the following statement in response to Consumer Reports projections that the number of smartphone thefts nearly doubled from 1.6 million in 2012 to 3.1 million in 2013.

“Today’s report showing smartphone theft nearly doubling over the course of just one year is the latest reminder of the urgent need for the wireless industry to take action now and end this global epidemic. There is no need to put off the implementation of technology that is available right now. Every week that passes, another family falls victim to violent and often deadly smartphone theft. Wireless customers are being targeted for their devices because the industry has failed to deploy existing safeguards in a manner that will end the surge of street crimes that often turn violent. These findings show how critical it is for the industry to fast-track implementation of these solutions on an opt-out basis. These solutions must be enabled by default.”

(Long Island, NY) Leading a coalition of attorneys general from 13 states, New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman sent a letter today to the leaders of the U.S. House of Representative Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy objecting to proposed legislation that would amend the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA) by stripping states of the power to protect their citizens’ health and environment from dangerous chemicals.

The coalition letter is in response to the proposed draft legislation, titled the “Chemicals in Commerce Act,” authored by Representative John Shimkus (R-IL), chairman of the subcommittee. The legislation, which seeks to reform TSCA, includes language that would eliminate much of the authority that states currently have to reduce risks posed by the production or use of toxic chemicals. Currently, federal law allows both the federal government and the states to address toxic chemicals, and states have often taken the lead in acting to reduce toxic risks to citizens and the environment.

“From banning a dangerous chemical formerly used in plastic baby bottles to restricting heavy metals in consumer packaging, New York has led the nation in taking necessary actions to reduce the risks posed by toxic chemicals,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “But now, some members of the U.S. House of Representatives are seeking to bar states from moving to restrict the use of these chemicals. While TSCA needs to be reformed, changes in the law must not eliminate the right of states to protect their citizens.”

The letter, which can be found in its entirety here, states that, “if enacted, the draft bill’s broad preemption language would effectively eliminate the existing federal-state partnership on the regulation of toxic chemicals by preventing states from continuing their successful and ongoing legislative, regulatory and enforcement work that has historically reduced the risks to public health and the environment posed by toxic chemicals.” The letter offers the coalition’s assistance in crafting legislation that helps TSCA meet its goal of regulating dangerous substances, while preserving the traditional and critical role of states in protecting health and welfare within their boundaries.

The central goal of TSCA is to set federal restrictions on the manufacture and use of chemicals that present an unacceptable risk of injury to public health and the environment. In practice, the act has failed to accomplish this, as very few of the tens of thousands of industrial chemicals in commerce have ever been reviewed by the federal government for safety, let alone restricted.

For decades, New York has taken legal action to restrict the sale or use of products containing harmful chemicals in the state. For example, New York has:

• Banned bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogen mimic, in baby bottles, pacifiers, and other child care products;
• Banned the probable human carcinogen tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TRIS) in children’s toys, mattresses, pillows, and other products;
• Restricted the use of the toxic and flammable solvent n-propyl bromide by dry cleaners; • Prohibited the import, sale, or distribution of gasoline containing methyl tertiary butyl either (MTBE), a highly toxic drinking water contaminant; and
• Restricted the levels of dangerous lead, cadmium, mercury, and chromium in inks, dyes, pigments, adhesives, and other additives that product packaging may contain.

Michael Belliveau, senior advisor to the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition, said, “The House bill would grossly violate states’ rights to protect public health from toxic chemicals. We need real reform, not this chemical industry wish list that would roll back federal authority while also preventing states from taking protective action. We applaud these state attorneys general for standing up for public health.”

Ansje Miller, Easter States Director of the Center for Environmental Health, said, “There are dozens of state laws that protect Americans from toxic chemicals. These laws serve as proving grounds where critical reforms take shape for national consideration. The Chemicals in Commerce Act will pre-empt these state laws. Anyone supporting this legislation will have a hard time explaining how they can support states-rights while they take away the authority of individual states to regulate hazardous chemicals at home. We are grateful for the work that the state AG’s have done to protect us from toxic chemicals and applaud their commitment to work with federal legislators on this issue.”

NYPIRG Legislative Counsel Russ Haven said, “The Toxic Substances Control Act has utterly failed to protect the public from exposure to toxic chemicals in our homes, schools and workplaces. Advocates and state lawmakers have filled the void by pressing for state-level laws and regulations that protect the public from dangerous chemicals like Bisphenol A, toxic-flame retardants, lead and cadmium. Any proposal that would pre-empt states from going further than national standards is a step backward and completely unacceptable. NYPIRG applauds Attorney General Schneiderman and his counterparts in other states for sending a clear message to Congress about what a strong public health oriented toxic chemical policy should look like.”

New York League of Conservation Voters President Marcia Bystryn said, “Instead of reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act, the proposed legislation would actually put the health of New York families at risk. With Washington mired in partisan gridlock, it is more important than ever for states like New York to be laboratories of innovation and to protect their residents. We applaud New York Attorney General Schneiderman and attorneys general from around the country for working to stop this bad bill.”

Kathleen Curtis, Executive Director of Clean and Healthy New York, said, “It’s ironic that the very same progressive state laws that drove the chemical industry to the bargaining table are the ones they’re now striving to avoid in the future. This latest cynical attempt to create a safe harbor for toxic chemicals while simultaneously preventing state governments from protecting their own residents is both immoral and unconstitutional, and we’re glad Attorney General Schneiderman is leading this charge to protect state’s rights. Legislators from every state should also work to prevent any measure that removes their ability to appropriately represent their constituents.”

Peter Iwanowicz, executive director of Environmental Advocates of New York, said, “Tying states’ hands on toxic chemical regulation endangers public health. New York has been a national leader in limiting toxic chemical use, as well as ensuring the public’s access to information about health impacts. For decades we’ve moved the conversation forward, creating healthier communities in the process. Congress should not do the industry’s bidding by turning back the clock on state-led protections. Environmental Advocates applauds Attorney General Schneiderman for leading opposition to this dangerous plan.”

Joining Attorney General Schneiderman in today’s letter are the Attorneys General from California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

This matter is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Andrew Frank, Policy Advisor Peter Washburn and Deputy Bureau Chief Monica Wagner, all of the Attorney General’s Environmental Protection Bureau. Environmental Protection Bureau Chief is Lemuel M. Srolovic. Executive Deputy Attorney General for Social Justice is Alvin Bragg. The First Deputy for Affirmative Litigation is Janet Sabel.

This Earth Day, Get Outside and Take a #NatureSelfie

(New York, NY) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and The Nature Conservancy are teaming-up this April to encourage people to reconnect with nature through the Earth Day #NatureSelfie photo project. People around the country are encouraged to go outside, take a photo of themselves in front of a bud, flower, tree or other blooming plant and post it on the “Earth Day NatureSelfies” Flickr page (www.flickr.com/groups/earthdaynatureselfies). People can also share their photos on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #natureselfie.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and The Nature Conservancy are partnering together on the Earth Day #NatureSelfie photo project this April.

“You don’t have to travel great distances to connect with nature,” says EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “Nature can be found in the smallest of green spaces, in the local park or in your backyard. This is a fun and easy way for people to connect with nature, and observe possible impacts of climate change. We are encouraging people of all ages to go outside, take a #natureselfie and share it online.”

“Taking a #natureselfie is a way to rediscover the magic of nature and get back outside after what has been for many a very long winter,” says Stu Gruskin, The Nature Conservancy in New York’s Chief Conservation and External Affairs Officer. “This Earth Day, The Nature Conservancy wants people to spend time in nature with their friends and family, whether that means visiting one of our many preserves across the state or taking a walk around their block or in their local park.”

EPA Region 2, Albany Natureselfie

The EPA will continue the project in future years so that participants can return to the same tree, flower or blooming plant on the same day each year and take a photo that can be compared to photos from other years. Changes in blooming patterns will be examined and may have a connection to climate change.

The planet is getting warmer and we are already feeling the effects. The 12 hottest years in recorded history have all come in the last 15 years. According to the EPA, the timing of natural events – such as the blooming of plants – is influenced by climate change. Scientists have a high degree of confidence that the earlier arrival of spring is linked to recent warming trends in global climate. For more information on leaf and bloom dates, visit http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/indicators/society-eco/leaf-bloom-dates.html.

For more information about this project and other ways you can celebrate Earth Day, visit www.epa.gov/region2/earthday and www.nature.org/nyearthday.

(Long Island, NY) CoDanceCo, the not-for-profit home of Dancing Classrooms Long Island, will present the third annual “Colors of the Rainbow Team Match & Festival” featuring 100+ fourth, fifth, seventh, eighth, and ninth graders from across L.I. in a team ballroom dance competition. This exciting event takes place on Sunday, April 27th at Sachem North High School in Lake Ronkonkoma starting at 1:00 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Members of the press and media can attend student rehearsals by contacting nduncan.dcli@gmail.com.

Colors of the Rainbow Team Match & Festival
Sunday, April 27th, doors open at 12:30 p.m.

Elementary School Competition 1-3 p.m.
Middle School Competition 4-6 p.m.

Sachem North High School
212 Smith Road; Lake Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Admission Free & Public Welcome

The Colors of the Rainbow Team Match & Festival (as seen in the hit documentary “Mad Hot Ballroom”) is a team-based ballroom dance competition for children who have participated in the ten-week, twenty lesson residency program Dancing Classrooms: Transforming Lives One Step At A Time. ™ Elementary school teams will perform the Merengue, Foxtrot, Rumba, Tango, and Swing. Middle school students will perform Merengue, Foxtrot, Salsa, Tango and Swing. Each school must have 5 complete team pairs, or ten students, to compete. The participating students are thrilled to have New York City’s Dancing Classrooms National Network Program Director Rodney Lopez as emcee for Colors of the Rainbow Team Match and Festival.

The following Nassau and Suffolk schools have confirmed participation:

Elementary School Level:

• East Elementary/Long Beach
• Idle Hour Elementary/Oakdale
• Lynwood Elementary/ Farmingdale
• South Salem Elementary/Port Washington
• Willow Road School/Franklin Square

Middle School Level:

• Brentwood Freshman Center’s Community School/Brentwood
• Great Neck North and South Middle Schools/Great Neck
• Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School/Oakdale.

ABOUT DANCING CLASSROOMS: Dancing Classrooms: Transforming Lives One Step at a Time™ is an internationally acclaimed social development artist-led residency program geared for elementary and middle school students, regardless of background or experience. The subject of the hit documentary “Mad Hot Ballroom,” the program uses the vehicle of ballroom dancing to build students’ social and emotional literacy, confidence, self-esteem and respect for others. Dancing Classrooms cultivates the positive feelings that are inherent in every child. The maturity and self-awareness necessary to dance together fosters respect, teamwork, confidence and a sense of joy and accomplishment. For more information about Dancing Classrooms Long Island visit www.dancingclassroomsli.org or call 646-345-5234.

ABOUT CODANCECO, INC. – Founded in 1981, CoDanceCo, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the physical, social, and creative health of youth and adults through dance. In 2007 CoDanceCo, Inc. became the licensed National Network Site on Long Island for Dancing Classrooms: Transforming Lives One Step at a Time™ serving Nassau and Suffolk County schools. For more information on the Dancing Classrooms National Network please visit www.dancingclassrooms.com.