Statement from Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins On The Passing Of Basil Paterson

“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 55^th 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.”

Basil Alexander Paterson, a labor lawyer, is a longtime political leader in New York and Harlem and father of the 55th Governor of New York, David Paterson. Wikipedia

Andrea Stewart-Cousins is a New York State Senator for the 35th district representing Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Elmsford, Greenburgh, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington, Tarrytown, and parts of Yonkers, White Plains, and New Rochelle. New York State Senate

(SAN DIEGO) Seaman Tashera Jones, a logistics specialist and 2011 Amityville Memorial High School graduate from Amityville, N.Y., is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard one of the world’s largest warships, the San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

USS Ronald Reagan is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and one of only ten operational aircraft carriers in the Navy today, protecting and defending America on the world’s oceans. Tens of thousands of America’s finest young men and women are deployed around the world doing just that, and they are there around the clock, far from our shores, defending America at all times. Approximately 3,000 men and women make up the ship’s company, which keeps all parts of the aircraft carrier running smoothly — this includes everything from washing dishes and preparing meals to handling weaponry and maintaining the nuclear reactors. Another 2,500 or so form the air wing, the people who actually fly and maintain the aircraft.

Seaman Tashera Jones, a logistics specialist and 2011 Amityville Memorial High School graduate from Amityville, N.Y. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gary Ward/Released)

“I never cease to be impressed with the type and quality of work that goes on aboard the carrier each day,” said Capt. Christopher E. Bolt, the carrier’s commanding officer. “Our team is filled with highly qualified young adults – in many cases, 19 and 20 years old – and they’re out here launching and recovering aircraft, running a complex propulsion system safely, serving as air traffic controllers, operating sophisticated electronics, and keeping this floating city alive and functioning. Their work ethic, enthusiasm, and esprit de corps are second to none. If you pick up a newspaper in any city and examine what other 19- and 20-year-olds are doing, there is no comparison to the level of responsibility our Sailors hold. That caliber of Sailor is what has earned us the title of AMERICA’S FLAGSHIP.”

The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) transits off the coast of Coronado, Calif. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Hooper/Released)

“Why Being There Matters”

On our planet, more than 70 percent of which is covered by water, being there means having the ability to act from the sea. The Navy is uniquely positioned to be there; the world’s oceans give the Navy the power to protect America’s interests anywhere, and at any time. Your Navy protects and defends America on the world’s oceans. Navy ships, submarines, aircraft and, most importantly, tens of thousands of America’s finest young men and women are deployed around the world doing just that. They are there now. They will be there when we are sleeping tonight. They will be there every Saturday, Sunday and holiday this year. They are there around the clock, far from our shores, defending America at all times.

(Long Island, NY) The Fourth Squad is investigating a Burglary that occurred on April 16, 2014 at 9:30 AM in North Valley Stream.

According to detectives, a 92 year old female victim was eating breakfast in her kitchen located on Carole Court, when a male subject entered the residence through an unlocked side door. Once inside, the subject grabbed the victims’ neck and removed a gold colored necklace. The subject then fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction. There were no reported injuries. The necklace was recovered at the scene. The subject is described as a light skinned male black, mid 20’s, wearing a brown jacket and a baseball cap.

The Fourth Squad is investigating a Burglary that occurred on April 16, 2014 at 9:30 AM in North Valley Stream. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding this crime to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

(New York, NY) New Yorkers Against Gun Violence welcomes yet another ruling upholding the constitutionality of the NY SAFE Act, this time by State Supreme Court Judge Thomas McNamara.

The lawsuit brought against the law claimed that NY SAFE infringes on individual rights and that Governor Cuomo exceeded his authority by issuing a ‘message of necessity’ that allowed a vote on the bill without the required three-day waiting period. Judge McNamara rejected both arguments, saying the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate unconstitutionality “beyond a reasonable doubt” and that the governor included “a recitation of his reasons for urging speedy passage.”

Leah Gunn Barrett, Executive Director of NYAGV, said, “Once again, the NY SAFE Act has been ruled constitutional, this time by a state court. The law is being implemented and enforced and is working to protect people across the state from the scourge of gun violence which is why New Yorkers support the law by a two-to-one majority. Thanks to New York’s strong gun safety laws, our state has the fourth lowest gun death rate in the nation.”

New Yorkers Against Gun Violence is a statewide advocacy group working to reduce gun violence through advocacy and education designed to encourage action, influence public opinion and lead to policy change. With a primary focus on New York State, the organization also advocates at the local and national levels for sensible laws, policies and practices that protect New York State residents from gun violence. www.nyagv.org.

(Long Island, NY) County Executive Steve Bellone will join the Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES) as well as local fire departments and emergency services personnel to announce plans for a major upgrade to Suffolk County’s public safety communications system. The new system will switch from analog to digital, allowing for police, fire and emergency personnel to all connect to the same, secure bandwidth during natural disasters and other times of crises. Emergency response officials state the new communications system will heighten ability to coordinate response to natural disasters, improving response time and keeping residents safer.

Who:

• Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone
• Suffolk County Police Chief Jim Burke
• Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES) Commissioner Joe Williams
• Joint Chief Council
• Brookhaven Town Chiefs

When: April 17, 2014, 11:00am

Location: Patchogue Fire Department, 15 Jennings Avenue, Patchogue

Visuals: Fire, police and emergency service vehicles to be stationed outside Patchogue Fire Department

(Uniondale, NY) April is National Safe Digging Month, and PSEG Long Island is reminding customers, contractors and excavators to take care when digging to avoid hitting underground pipelines, conduits, wires and cables. To make it easy, 811 has been designated as the national dialing code to have underground lines located and marked.

When you call 811, you are automatically connected to the New York one-call center, which collects information about your digging project. The one-call center then provides the information to the utility companies, who will send representatives to mark the locations of underground lines in the immediate vicinity of the planned work location with flags, paint or both. Once lines have been properly marked and your locate request becomes valid, you are free to carefully dig around the marked areas.

Every digging project, even a small project like planting a tree or building a deck, requires a call to 811. The call must be made whether you are hiring a professional or planning to do the job yourself. Striking a single line can cause serious injuries as well as outages, resulting in repair costs and fines.

Here’s important information to consider:

• Underground electric, gas, communications and water lines are everywhere, even on private property. You can easily damage them if you don’t know where they are, with the potential to seriously injure yourself or others. Digging into these lines also can disrupt the vital utility services and result in costly delays, expensive repairs and environmental or property damage.
• Whether planning a major home improvement project or installing something as simple as a fence, mailbox post, For Sale or baby announcement sign, a call must be placed beforehand to know where it’s safe to dig.
• Call 811 at least four business days before each job to have underground pipes, wires and equipment located. Utility workers will respond and place markers where utility lines are buried, free of charge.
• Be sure to wait three full business days after calling before doing any digging. Don’t dig until lines have been marked.
• Property owners must maintain and respect the marks. Always hand dig within two feet of marked lines.
• If you accidentally damage gas piping or smell gas when excavating, please call 911 immediately from a safe area. Call before you dig is more than a good idea — it’s the law.

Additional information, including a damage prevention booklet on safe excavating practices and the protection of underground facilities, can be found online at http://newyork-811.com/.

PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority’s transmission and distribution system under a 12-year contract. PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (NYSE:PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company with annual revenues of $10 billion.

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,WF,I-Huntington Station) is reminding Huntington High School seniors to apply for the Carmen Rivera-Gotay Scholarship. The scholarship honors Huntington High School student Carmen Rivera-Gotay, who was killed in a car accident after completing her junior year.
“The loss of a child is a tremendous burden, and my sympathies go out to the Gotay family,” said Lupinacci. “However, it is a tremendous testament to their love for their daughter and her spirit that they have endowed this scholarship in her name. By all accounts, Carmen was a remarkable young woman whose life was cut short. I know the winner of the Carmen Rivera-Gotay scholarship will exemplify Carmen’s spirit now and for years to come.”

Carmen Rivera-Gotay died in a car accident in June 2013. To honor her memory and remind people of her spirit, the Gotay family established a scholarship to assist a graduating senior at Huntington High School.

According to the application, the scholarship honors Carmen’s memory by recognizing a student who shines not because of athletic or academic excellence, but because of the fullness of his or her heart, brightness of personality and willingness to give of him or herself. The Carmen Rivera-Gotay Scholarship will provide a $500 stipend to a graduating senior. For additional information, or to obtain a copy of the application, please visit www.carmenriveragotay.com or contact Lupinacci’s district office at (631) 271-8025.

(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 a voluntary commitment announced by CTIA-The Wireless Association – which represents the wireless communications industry – regarding the inclusion of anti-theft tools in future cell phones:

“While CTIA’s decision to respond to our call for action by announcing a new voluntary commitment to make theft-deterrent features available on smartphones is a welcome step forward, it falls short of what is needed to effectively end the epidemic of smartphone theft. We strongly urge CTIA and its members to make their anti-theft features enabled by default on all devices, rather than relying on consumers to opt-in. The industry also has a responsibility to protect its consumers now and not wait until next year. Every week that passes means more people are victimized in street crimes that often turn violent, and more families will have to endure the needless loss of a loved one. The epidemic of smartphone theft is a global problem that requires a global solution, these protections should not be limited to consumers here in the United States. Today’s announcement is an important acknowledgment by the smartphone industry that technology to deter theft is not only feasible, but also practical. Accordingly, our work must continue until the standard is that these solutions are enabled by default.”

(Long Island, NY) Fourth squad detectives are investigating a Criminal Mischief (Bias Incident) that occurred on April 15, 2014 between the hours of 12:00 am and 8:00 am in Cedarhurst.

According to detectives, Fourth Precinct officers responded to the report of a swastika that was spray painted on a white PVC fence belonging to a Center Street residence. Along with the swastika, the letters ACABKTP were also spray painted.

Fourth squad detectives are investigating an incident involving racist graffiti that occurred on April 15, 2014 between the hours of 12:00 am and 8:00 am in Cedarhurst. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding this incident to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

(Long Island, NY) Nassau County Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a Robbery that occurred on April 15, 2014 at 6:00 am in Inwood.

According to detectives, while walking to a bus stop on Doughty Boulevard, a 55 year old female victim was approached by a male black who demanded she give him her pocketbook. After refusing his demands the subject forced the bag from her shoulder and during the struggle to retain her pocketbook, the victim suffered several cuts and scratches to her face. The subject, after successfully taking her bag, fled the scene. He was further described as wearing a light colored sweatshirt and blue jeans.

Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a Robbery that occurred on April 15, 2014 at 6:00 am in Inwood. Photo Credit: NCPD.

The victim was transported to an area hospital where she received treatment for her injuries.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding this incident to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.