(Long Island, NY) As you may have heard an important election is coming up on Tuesday, November 5th that will impact our home community for years to come and that is for Suffolk County Legislator. Who will represent the 9th Legislative District (LD) consisting of Brentwood, Central Islip and North Bay Shore for the next two years.

Legislator Rick Montano, 10 year incumbent, is seeking his final term. Yes, he is term limited after this run. He has fought the County Executives past (Levy) and present (Bellone) over issues that directly effect all the residents of Suffolk County and in the 9th L.D. He votes for his community, asks critical questions on pending legislation and at times does not vote the way they want him to.

Of late the largest soon to be Teir II Homeless Shelter went into a bankrupt hotel on Crooked Hill Road and not a word was mentioned to Legislator Montano or the community. Developers want to bulldoze the beautiful Knolls Farms property on Suffolk Avenue and build a 238 unit garden apartment. Brentwood and Central Islip is dense enough in fact it is the most dense community in Suffolk County. Both issues Legislator Montano is opposed to. Both issues were exposed by Montano and the political machine did not like the negative press that resulted. They are tired of Montano getting in the way and representing his community. They want to shut him up. So how do you politically remove an elected official? This is how: You primary them by secretly giving them the full endorsement at the party convention then come out and support their opponent with a boat load of money and 30-40 full-time Craig’s List $10.00 an hour troops to walk the district for three months.

They found and are running the younger sister of a Babylon Councilman against Legislator Montano. Know one knows who she is. She has never attended or been involved in one community meeting or event in the 8 years. She works as an Assistant Principal in the Brentwood School District earning $117,000. She also wants to be a part-time Legislator collecting an additional $96,570 per year. At a time when both the Central Islip and Brentwood School Districts have laid-off hundreds of Teachers, cut classes and programs. If elected she intents to double dip and be the highest paid elected official in Suffolk County. It gets better! The machine illegally dumped over $180,000 in her campaign to take Montano out. Check out the September 19th article in Newsday.

I could go on about the untrue mailers falsely discrediting Legislator Montano’s record and his offices achievements, but I will not. Rick is running on his record and will not be dragged into the gutter.

Please reach out to every and any one you know who still lives and loves our home community and tell them on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5th and VOTE ROW – D and re-elect County Legislator Rick
Montano. Regardless of your party affiliation, you can all vote for FULL-TIME Suffolk County Legislator Rick Montano. Please see the attached sample ballot and share this note with all your Family and Friends. THIS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5th VOTE ROW – D (WORKING FAMILIES LINE) OR WRITE IN YOUR VOTE FOR LEGISLATOR RICK MONTANO.

Editor Note: This piece was sent in to media@longislandexchange.com on November 4th, 2013 at 8:55 AM signed only as CONCERNED COMMUNITY MEMBER and linked to the e-elect Rick Montano to represent Brentwood & Central Islip Facebook page. As it is our effort to give the community as well as each and every Long Islander a voice, it is being published unsigned as a Letter to the Editor, today, November 4th, 2013 at 9:07 AM.

Statement by Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein and Senate Republican Conference Leader Dean G. Skelos

(Long Island, NY) The following joint statement was released by Senate Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein and Senate Republican Conference Leader Dean G. Skelos:

“As the Governor has said time and again, expanding casino gaming is one of his signature economic programs for New York State. The Senate Majority Coalition agrees with the Governor that expanded gaming has the potential to unlock upstate New York’s vast economic potential and to create thousands of good-paying jobs. In Queens alone, 1,500 workers just saw their salaries double. That’s real economic progress for New York’s middle class.

Since many Senate Democrats voted against this legislation, the Governor only earned a referendum on this key economic program by working with Senate Republicans and the Independent Democratic Conference. Without the leadership of the IDC and Senate Republicans, one the Governor’s biggest economic development programs would have likely been dead on arrival in the Legislature. We were pleased to provide the leadership to get this through the Senate, much like we did with the other key pieces of the Governor’s economic agenda, such as the family tax rebate, tax cuts for the middle class and incentives for small businesses.

It is our hope that passage of this referendum will create jobs, spur economic development, and produce hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax revenue for New York schools — things that every New Yorker can get behind.”

(New York, NY) National Diabetes Awareness Month is the perfect time to support the mother of a type 1 juvenile diabetic, who has acquired the first charter in U.S. history and is incorporated by the University State of New York Board of Regents and The New York State Education Department, to create, The Diabetes Health and Wellness Academy of N.Y.C.

Sabrina Gardner, Founder Diabetes Health and Wellness Academy of N.Y.C.

The Diabetes Health and Wellness Academy of N.Y.C., is hosting its first ever Benefit Gala on December 6, 2013 at The Long Island Uniondale Marriott.

The funds will be used to help support the mission of creating and developing the vision of this academy. The imperative need for daily health and wellness coupled with education and support systems where students spend the vast majority of their day is critical. The Families and the caregivers of children and those who struggle with diabetes and other chronic diseases, can utilize the ongoing daily education and prevention support to help alleviate the depression, stresses, and up and downs chronic disease can bring.

The Diabetes Health and Wellness Academy of N.Y.C. envisions blended relationships between student, parents, caregivers and specialists incorporated with education on a daily basis as a solution to the challenge of consistent chronic disease management. “Our learning environment will provide students with the support to become active participants in disease management and guardians of their own ongoing health,” says Gardner.

The 2013 Annual Gala and Fundraiser will feature live entertainment, beverages and appetizers and noted area speakers and honorees, including:

• Dr. Gerald W. Deas: Professorship In Preventive Medicine, Visionary, Writer, Educator, Poet and Philanthropist
• Angela Banks Jourdain: Critical Care Nursing Education specialist at North Shore Long Island Jewish Health Systems
• Preston King: Chairman of New York Citi Works
• Georgette D. Brown: Adelphi University Assistant Director of Athletics
• Samuel L Dunston: Founder/President of National Allotment Insurance Agency, LTD
• Nancy Davidson: Qivana Health Systems Business Owner and Mortgage Banker at Chase Bank Garden City N.Y.

Tickets, donations and sponsorships or advertising information is log on to our website today online at http://www.diabeteshealthandwellnessacademyofnyccgala.eventbrite.com .

About The Diabetes Health and Wellness Academy of N.Y.C
The Diabetes Health and Wellness Academy of N.Y.C., is the first school/academy in the U.S. to cater to the direct needs of students who struggle with diabetes and other medical health issues. Sabrina Gardner, founder of the Diabetes Health and Wellness Academy of N.Y.C., was inspired by the struggles of managing consistent daily care for her own child who has Type 1 juvenile diabetes. For more information about The Diabetes Health and Wellness Academy of N.Y.C., please visit www.educationanddiseaseprevention.org.

(Brooklyn, NY) Today, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamps Program, will be cut by $5 billion. “I call upon our leaders in Congress to restore funding to SNAP and pass legislation that will create strong middle-class jobs,” said Senator Parker. “People are hurting and instead of promoting policies to guarantee food security and grow the economy, House leaders would rather impede our economic recovery and shut down the government,” continued Parker.

These cuts will directly impact the 47 million Americans who rely on these vital benefits, as well as send a negative ripple effect through our economy. More specifically, here in New York, according to the Food Bank for New York, nearly 1 in 3 New Yorkers (2.6 million) struggle to afford food. About 1.9 million New Yorkers rely on SNAP and 1.4 million New Yorkers rely on assistance from soup kitchens and food pantries.

SNAP is our nation’s most significant investment to prevent hunger. “Our country’s most vulnerable populations: seniors, children, hungry families and the disabled have relied on the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program since the early 1940s. We must not balance the nation’s budget upon the backs of working families, the Greatest Generation, and the less fortunate. That is why I am urging the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker John Boehner, to restore SNAP and pass a jobs growth agenda,” said Parker.

Recently, Congressional Republicans callously passed $39 billion in cuts to SNAP, on top of the cuts slated to take effect today. “Already, thousands of families stand in line for hours in front of food pantries and soup kitchens because their SNAP benefits run out two or three weeks into a month. Cuts during this time of economic adversity are unconscionable. SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net and while our seniors and hungry families are still struggling to climb towards economic independence, losing this vital food nutrition assistance is like purposefully loosening the rungs of the ladder of their success,” continued the five-term state legislator.

Here are a few facts that debunk the myths the public is being sold on:

SNAP helps make ends meet for America’s working poor. More than 40 percent of SNAP recipients live in a household where at least one person is working – but their income is too low to afford enough food for their families. (Source: USDA)

Nearly 80% of SNAP recipients are women and children. Households with children are consistently more likely than average to experience difficulty affording food, and low-income households with children are especially vulnerable. Children alone make up 45% of all SNAP recipients.

SNAP is an economic stimulus. Every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.73 in economic activity. (Source: Moody’s)

About 1 in 5 SNAP recipients are elderly and/or disabled. Most elderly SNAP recipients (80%) live alone. (Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)

About Senator Kevin Parker
Senator Kevin S. Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of his ethnically diverse Brooklyn community that consists of 318,000 constituents in Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, and Park Slope. He is the Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, Assistant Democratic Leader for Intergovernmental Affairs, and Chair of the Democratic Task Force on New Americans.

(Long Island, NY) Long time actor, Tom Hanks, has recently made it public that he was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes. He attributes the disease to family genetics and the rigors of weight gain and loss since his late 30s.

As a whole, Americans have been seeing a major increase of type 2 Diabetes, as a result of poor diet and excess weight. The month of November at the YMCA is dedicated to Diabetes awareness and prevention with FREE food demonstrations, nutrition tips, prevention awareness seminars, and trained lifestyle coaches to introduce topics that encourage participants to explore how healthy eating, physical activity and behavior changes can benefit overall health.

“Community health is at the heart of our mission,” says Tina Graziose, YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program Regional Coordinator “We strive to encourage, inspire and motivate our members to be the best version of themselves every step of the way.” Participating locations include YMCA at Glen Cove, Huntington YMCA, Great South Bay YMCA, YMCA East Hampton ReCenter and the Patchogue Family YMCA.

Diabetes is a serious health condition that can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, high blood pressure, and blindness. The YMCA of Long Island, based on research by the National Institutes of Health, has adopted the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program to help people learn about and living healthier through diet and exercise, and how it has been proven to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Prediabetes is a potentially reversible condition that often leads to Diabetes, and 79 million people in the United States are estimated to have it.

About the YMCA of Long Island
The YMCA of Long Island is a cause-driven, community-based nonprofit organization that works to foster Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. The YMCA of Long Island operates facilities in Glen Cove, Bay Shore, Patchogue, Huntington, Brookhaven, and East Hampton. It also has a number of Family Services counseling sites and operates 27 child care sites across Long Island. In total, the Y offers hundreds of programs and activities to improve the quality of life for more than 60,000 children, families and individuals year-round.

Learn more at www.ymcali.org.

Urge New Yorkers To Vote YES On Tuesday

(NEW YORK) The New York League of Conservation Voters, which works to make the environment a top political priority in New York State, has teamed up with former Gov. George Pataki to urge New Yorkers to vote yes on Proposition 4, which will appear on the ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Gov. Pataki, whose administration helped preserve more than one million acres of land, recorded an automated call that will reach voters across the state on the weekend before Election Day. As Gov. Pataki notes in the call, “If approved, Prop 4. will add three hundred acres of new ‘Forever Wild’ public forest land to the Adirondack Park, at no cost to taxpayers. By voting yes, you will be preserving the environment and supporting New York’s tourist industry.”

Proposition 4 would amend New York State’s Constitution to permit the state to settle property claims and clear local land titles in exchange for funding to purchase open space that the state has long wanted to add to Adirondack Park.

Gov. Pataki’s call is just the latest step in NYLCV’s campaign to support Proposition 4. NYLCV is taking a leading role in supporting this ballot initiative by mobilizing voters across the state through sophisticated targeting and telecommunications. NYLCV’s efforts include voter identification calls, Get-out-the-Vote and Election Day text messaging, and a mobile smartphone site, where New Yorkers can get information and take a poll. Gov. Pataki’s call will reach nearly 300,000 households that are likely to be interested in environmental issues.

NYLCV joins many other organizations in supporting Proposition 4, including the Open Space Institute, the Adirondack Council, the Adirondack Mountain Club, Adirondack Wild and Protect! the Adirondacks!

The New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) was founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, policy-making and political action organization that works to make environmental protection a top priority with elected officials, decision makers, and voters by evaluating incumbent performance and endorsing and electing environmental leaders to office in New York State.

As Temperatures Drop, Consumers Asked To Save Energy and Money

(Albany, NY) The New York State Public Service Commission and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority today urged consumers to take steps to save energy and money as winter approaches and temperatures continue to drop. To reduce energy use consumers are encouraged to take the following energy saving measures:

Insulate, Seal Leaks

• Insulate the attic.  It’s typically the easiest place to insulate and it’s also where the greatest energy savings can be seen.
• Seal air leaks to stop warm air leakage, the source of ice dam problems. After sealing leaks, add additional insulation in your attic.
• Provide adequate attic ventilation so the undersides of the roof and outside air are at the same temperature. Check to make sure attic insulation is not blocking roof ventilation.  Incorrect ventilation can cause mold and mildew problems.
• Insulate and seal heating ducts – poorly sealed ducts can waste 10-30 percent of your energy costs.

Weatherize

• Keep the warm air in by adding insulation, caulking and weather-stripping around doors, attic access, windows, outlets and any area that can let the warm air out.

Keep Heating System Running Efficiently

• For most consumers, the heating system is the single largest energy user in the home and can account for more than 60 percent of your total energy bill. Clean or replace your filter once a month or as needed and have your system checked at least once a year.

Avoid Vampire Usage

• Purchase an advanced power strip to manage the power that your electronics and appliances use. These power strips shut off stand-by or “vampire load” that is consumed when electronics and appliances are turned off. This simple, affordable device is a smarter version of the traditional power strip.
• Plug your televisions, DVD players, home stereos and gaming consoles into an advance power strip, and you can cut the power to all this technology whenever you turn off your TV.

Use Programmable Thermostat

• Installing and properly using a programmable thermostat can save up to $200 on your energy bill. A programmable thermostat offers pre-programmed and customized settings to regulate your home’s temperature when you are home, asleep or away.

Use Oven Wisely

• When using the oven, keep the door closed. Every time the door opens, the temperature goes down 25 degrees, forcing your oven to work harder and use more energy.
• Heat multiple items in the oven together when preparing meals. Turn the oven off 10 to15 minutes early to let residual heat finish the job.

Use Energy Efficient Lighting

• Use ENERGY STAR^® qualified CFLs.  Lighting accounts for approximately 12 percent of the average household’s energy bill.
• ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs can be found for as low as $1.50 and can save about $70 or more in energy cost per bulb over their lifetime.

Get an Energy Audit and Financial Assistance

• Consider having a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR^® comprehensive home energy assessment to learn the best ways to reduce energy waste and improve the comfort of your home. The audit is free for most New Yorkers.
• Call 1-877-NY-SMART or visit www.nyserda.ny.gov/home-performance to get started with an energy audit.
• To help pay for energy improvements, take advantage of NYSERDA’s low-interest loans – including payment through your utility bills – and cash-back incentives.

Manage Energy Bills

• Contact your utility company about bill payment options such as budget billing, and to see if you’re eligible for low-income energy efficiency programs.
• Additional tips on how to save energy can be found on the Commission’s and NYSERDA’s websites at www.AskPSC.com and www.NYSERDA.ny.gov. If you have difficulty understanding English, please call 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.

(Woodbury, NY) Gabriella Ianiro of Woodbury is the newest licensed salesperson at Homes By Mara Realty of Syosset, NY. Currently a senior at Long Island University in Brookville pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Print and Electronic Journalism along with a minor in business, Ianiro says her college studies have proven a great complement for her work within today’s real estate arena.

Gabriella Ianiro of Woodbury is the newest licensed salesperson at Homes By Mara Realty of Syosset, NY.

“In specializing in communications, I am able to best recognize and understand the specific needs and wants of the home buyers and sellers I work with, which allows me to provide effective representation and advocacy on their behalf throughout the entire real estate process,” says Ianiro. “My background in business has provided me with a great perspective about vast industries, including real estate, and has allowed me to hone the skills needed for delivering quality service and attention to my clients.”

Homes By Mara Realty President and Owner Mara Navaretta says Ianiro is an asset to her team. “Gabriella is a talented and determined business professional who understands that the foundation of success is built upon integrity and personal service,” explains Navaretta. “Her keen understanding and skillset in both communication and business are two important attributes needed for successfully serving today’s real estate clients.”

A 2009 Syosset High School graduate who is set to graduate Long Island University in May 2014, Ianiro has made the Deans List and been inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society. She is also actively involved in vast campus clubs and organizations, serving as president of LIU Post’s Society of Professional Journalist Chapter, features editor and staff writer for LIU Post’s “The Pioneer” newspaper, managing editor for LIU Post’s “The Bottom Line” magazine, and newscaster with LIU Post’s WCWP campus radio station.

About Homes By Mara
Homes By Mara is a boutique real estate agency spearheaded by licensed broker and real estate veteran Mara Navaretta. Featuring a team of highly-skilled and trained agents, Homes By Mara specializes in servicing North Shore’s residential market on both the selling and buying sectors. Located at 567 Jericho Turnpike in Syosset, NY, the agency offers convenience and a turn-key solution in accommodating all real estate needs by sharing its office space with the law firm, Navaretta & Howard LLP. Navaretta and Howard, LLP has a special focus in real estate law and provides council and representation for all Homes by Mara agents to assure the homeowner receives quick and accurate answers to legal questions that may arise in the course of today’s real estate transaction. Also available is a concierge service that consists of recommendations for every trade associated with the real estate industry including movers and contractors.

For more information about Homes By Mara, please call 516-364-2500 or visit www.homesbymara.com.

Unprecedented broadcast coverage and over-the-air access gives voters decision-making information before heading to the polls

(Long Island, NY) The only televised debate in the hotly-contested race for Nassau County Executive will air this Sunday, Nov. 3 at 8 a.m. on WLNY 10/55, and again at 1 p.m. on CBS 2, on WCBS Newsradio 880 and streamed on cbsnewyork.com.

This unprecedented multimedia event featuring Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and Nassau County Executive candidate Tom Suozzi is the result of the Fair Media Council and CBS partnering together to shine a spotlight on Long Island and this dramatic moment in its history.

“When CBS acquired WLNY 10/55, it became the largest media outlet on Long Island and, more importantly, gave Long Island a voice beyond our borders,” said Jaci Clement, executive director of the Fair Media Council. “This is an incredibly important election in Long Island’s history, and voters deserve the opportunity to hear the candidates present their views in a true journalistic debate format. And, as this debate is broadcast on over-the-air stations, as opposed to cable, the debate is accessible to everyone in the metro area.”

The Fair Media Council approached the CBS stations in May, 2013, with the request to air a debate in the all-important Nassau County Executive race that held to true debate standards and provided an alternative to Long Island-centric news coverage. “We are extremely grateful for the incredible effort and support WLNY, WCBS, WCBS Newsradio and cbsnewyork.com have provided to Long Island. The debate is of the highest quality and FMC is proud to have played a role in this historic arrangement,” said FMC Executive Director Jaci Clement.

Moderating the debate is CBS 2 News Anchor Kristine Johnson, with CBS 2 Chief Political Correspondent Marcia Kramer and WCBS Newsradio 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs as panelists.

FMC encourages voters to watch the debate in its entirety on Nov. 3 before heading to the polls on Nov. 5.

About FMC
The Fair Media Council is a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization advocating for quality local news as vital to the health and well being of the community. FMC is one of the oldest media watch organizations in the country, and the only organization of its type to provide programming to create a media savvy public.

As Part Of Ongoing Enforcement Efforts, Attorney General Will Operate Hotline To Address Language Access, Polling Place Barriers And Other Civil Rights Problems On Election Day; Schneiderman: Effort Will Help Ensure Equal Access To The Ballot Box

(NEW YORK) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced an Election Day hotline to help ensure that all eligible voters are able to cast an effective ballot in the November 5th General Election. The Attorney General urges voters to call the office’s hotline at 800-771-7755 or email civil.rights@ag.ny.gov at any time between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Election Day to report issues or problems at the polls.

“My office is committed to full enforcement of the Voting Rights Act and other federal and state laws that require equal access to the ballot box,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “Our Election Day hotline will help ensure that all eligible voters across our state are able to exercise their constitutionally protected right to vote on Election Day.”

Since launching the hotline last year, Attorney General Schneiderman’s Civil Rights Bureau has fielded hundreds of complaints from voters and worked with local election officials and others to troubleshoot and resolve many issues faced by voters at the polls. This year’s monitoring efforts come on the heels of recent agreements secured by the Attorney General’s office with Schenectady, Sullivan, Ulster, Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam and Chautauqua counties pursuant to Section 4(e) of the Voting Rights Act, which requires that certain Spanish-speaking voters be provided with bilingual ballots, bilingual election-related materials and language assistance at the polls. In addition, the Attorney General’s Office will be focused on barriers impacting voters with disabilities and other issues faced by minority voters.

The Office will receive and respond to election-related complaints relating to any of the statutes that the Office enforces. Attorneys within the Office’s Civil Rights Bureau will work with election officials across the state to respond to and address problems as they arise. The Election Day hotline is part of Attorney General Schneiderman’s ongoing statewide initiative to ensure that these and other voters have equal access to the political process and do not encounter language barriers on Election Day.

To report a complaint about discriminatory voting practices on Election Day, call the Office of the Attorney General’s Hotline at 800-771-7755 or email civil.rights@ag.ny.gov at any time between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.