Calls for SEC investigation of allegations that Nassau County ‘cooked the books’; State Assemblymember Charles Lavine calls for State Comptroller DiNapoli to audit the county

(Long Island, NY) This morning, former Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman announced that he filed a formal complaint with the Securities & Exchange Commission calling for an investigation of misleading and deceptive financial reporting by Nassau County (full letter attached).  Based on mounting evidence of efforts to ‘cook the books,’ Weitzman is asking the SEC to review whether laws were broken.  Weitzman was joined by State Assemblymember Charles Lavine, who called for State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli to audit the county.

“George Maragos and other county leaders have repeatedly issued false and misleading financial statements that have deceived the public and those who purchase Nassau County’s bonds,” said Weitzman.  “It is clear to me that Mr. Maragos is cooking the books to produce the financial results that he wants instead of financial results that are accurate.”

At issue is whether George Maragos and other county leaders have sought to hide or postpone liabilities in order to show a budget surplus when one does not exist.  Earlier this month the Wall Street Journal reported on the county seeking a controversial court order on the last working day of December 2012 to defer $88 million in payments of property tax refunds until 2013 in order to turn a nearly $45 million deficit in 2012 into a $41 million surplus.

In recent years the SEC has brought charges against other state and local governments which have engaged in similar patterns of deception by issuing inaccurate and misleading financial statements.  In similar circumstances government officials have been held to account for misleading statements in a budget report and a State of the City address (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania), hiding projected cost overruns from the public (‘Big Dig’ project in Boston, Massachusetts), failing to disclose pension liabilities (State of New Jersey), transferring revenues to mask deficits (Miami, Florida), or concealing retiree health costs (San Diego, California).

“I am deeply troubled by the mounting evidence that Nassau County has ‘cooked the books’ to mask a budget deficit and other financial woes,” said State Assemblymember Charles Lavine.  “I have called on State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli to audit Nassau County to get to the bottom of these very serious accusations.  Election year politics is not an excuse to engage in Enron-style accounting.”

Over the past four years, Nassau County has undergone three bond downgrades by major rating agencies, the county’s budget outlook has been lowered from ‘stable’ to ‘negative,’ and the county’s debt has reached a new all-time high.

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) is charged with reviewing municipal reports for compliance with Government Accounting Standards.  Nassau County has history of receiving the GFOA award for excellence in financial reporting for over 20 consecutive years, including Weitzman’s 8 years in office.  This year’s CAFR must shamefully end that tradition. The GFOA cannot allow its imprimatur on a document trumpeting a surplus when no surplus could exist without the connivance of County officials manipulating the judicial system to obtain a court order for the sole purpose of changing the public’s view of the County’s year end position.

$5 Million Allows Photovoltaic Incentives to Continue on Long Island

(Long Island, NY) Today the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced that it will provide the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) with $5 million to restart its popular residential Solar Pioneer program, in support of Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative and to help sustain the solar industry on Long Island.

The funding, which will be available beginning September 23rd, is being provided by NYSERDA using Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction proceeds.

“I am pleased that with this funding the State will be able to continue assisting Long Islanders in making solar power an affordable energy option, and will send a signal to the thriving solar industry across the State that we will take steps to reduce the likelihood of market disruptions,” said Richard Kauffman, Chairman of NYSERDA. “Under Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative, the State is committed to investing in this renewable energy resource to not only transform the solar market but to create green jobs and stimulate economic activity throughout New York.”

To further advance the Governor’s NY-Sun initiative, NYSERDA recently submitted a petition to the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) seeking authorization to work with New York State Department of Public Service and LIPA staff to identify the merits and potential for greater efficiencies and success with a more coordinated statewide PV incentive program. Currently, NYSERDA and LIPA each offer separate solar incentive programs.

“Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative is a collaborative effort among public and private entities who are all working toward the common goal of achieving greater acceptance and use of solar power in New York State,” stated Janet Joseph, Vice President, Technology and Strategic Planning, NYSERDA. “The Solar Pioneer program is just one example of the investment being made by the State in diversifying its renewable energy portfolio which will lead to a reduction in greenhouse gases and less strain on the grid.”

Given the declining costs in solar, the increasing number of solar contractors in the region and the strong continued demand for solar systems, LIPA has readjusted the Solar Pioneer program’s rebate structure several times over the past year, including as recently as August 1, to handle the increase in customer demand. However, LIPA suspended the program on Labor Day weekend due to continued high market demand and budget constraints.

LIPA Chief Operating Officer John D. McMahon said: “I would like to thank Governor Cuomo and NYSERDA for securing additional funds to support LIPA’s nationally recognized Solar Pioneer program. These funds will enable LIPA to re-open its residential solar rebate program making solar more affordable to our customers while sustaining a growing clean energy economy on Long Island and helping to further advance our goals under the Governor’s NY-Sun initiative.”

Since 2000, LIPA has provided financial incentives for the installation of more than 6,600 solar systems on Long Island through its customer-sited residential and commercial solar system programs. These systems now produce enough energy to power nearly 11,000 homes, highlighting Long Island’s robust solar industry which has developed the largest concentration of solar installations in the state. LIPA expanded its solar programs last year by establishing the state’s first feed-in tariff for mid-to-large solar installations, and by allowing residential solar leasing.

Under NY-Sun, the solar industry in New York has experienced tremendous growth. A total of 299 MW of PV has been installed or is under development as part of NY-Sun through the combined efforts of NYSERDA, the New York Power Authority and LIPA. More PV systems are being developed since NY-Sun was launched in 2012 than in the entire prior decade combined.

Providing this bridge funding for Long Island’s solar incentive program will help to ensure that Long Island continues the trend towards solar “grid parity” – which will eventually eliminate the need for any rebates – and is another example of New York’s recent efforts to mature its clean energy economy. Last week, NYSERDA filed a petition with the PSC to capitalize the New York Green Bank. The Green Bank will operate on a wholesale basis, partnering with private sector intermediaries by providing credit support, project aggregation mechanisms and other financial products that will unlock the flow of reasonably priced private sector capital into the clean energy sector. NYSERDA expects the Green Bank to work in close coordination with NY-Sun and the best of the State’s other existing clean energy support programs, ultimately leading to efficient and sustainable private sector clean energy markets from Montauk to Buffalo.

For more information on the program, please visit http://www.lipower.org/residential/efficiency/renewables/solar.html.

About NYSERDA
NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975.

For more information, visit http://nyserda.ny.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram.

About LIPA
LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric provider, owns the retail electric Transmission and Distribution System on Long Island and provides electric service to more than 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. LIPA is the 2nd largest municipal electric utility in the nation in terms of electric revenues, 3rd largest in terms of customers served and the 7th largest in terms of electricity delivered. In 2011, LIPA outperformed all other overhead electric utilities in New York State for frequency and duration of service interruptions. LIPA does not provide natural gas service or own any on-island generating assets.

More information about LIPA can be found online at: www.lipower.org.

(Long Island, NY) Bethany House will be holding its 13th Annual Fashion Show & Awards Dinner, Wednesday, October 23rd. The Fundraiser will be held at Rockville Links Country Club in Rockville Centre. Cocktails start at 6PM with dinner following.

Fashions for ladies and men will be supplied by Chico’s of Garden City and Bertalia of Rockville Centre. Casual, business and evening attire will be modeled by Bethany House residents and graduates.

A Chinese auction of over 30 baskets, bursting with gift certificates from local merchants/restaurants, as well as many beautiful gifts, will be raffled. A selection of grand prize baskets, worth over $400.00 each, will also be auctioned. Special tickets will be sold for a week’s stay at the 5-diamond, Orange Lake Resorts (only four miles from Disney World!). The two-bedroom villa sleeps eight.

Tax-deductible tickets are $60 per person (by Oct. 1st) and $70 per person (after Oct. 1st). Tables are available for groups of 10-12 people. Raffle tickets will be sold at the event for all raffle prizes. For tickets, contact Jane Banfield or Linda Wilkonski at (516) 868-6866, or Jane McCabe at 516-678-9465.

About Bethany House
Bethany House is dedicated to improving the lives of homeless women and children on Long Island. Their five residences provide safe, supportive, emergency housing and a comprehensive range of additional programs and resources to support families and return them to self-sufficiency. Of those families who have remained at Bethany House for more than two weeks, 94% have successfully found permanent housing. Bethany ‘s five homes are located in Baldwin, Bellmore, and Roosevelt, and can service up to 85 persons nightly.

Research shows children with active fathers and father figures are more likely to have academic, social success

(RENSSELAER, NY) The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) are encouraging dads and father figures across New York State to attend school with their children on September 17 in celebration of “Dads Take Your Child to School Day.” The goal of the one-day annual event, which began in 2006, is to help fathers engage in their children’s education, which has lasting effects on child development and academic success.

Schools, Head Start centers and community-based organizations use “Dads Take Your Child to School Day” to get to know the fathers or significant male caregivers of their students, and to encourage their continued involvement throughout the school year. Seven years ago, just one school participated in “Dads Take Your Child to School Day.” Today, the program has spread to more than 400 schools, Head Start programs, and community partners. In 2012, more than 4,100 fathers and significant male caregivers participated.

“‘Dads Take Your Child to School Day’ is just one way OCFS is actively working to bring fathers and father figures into the classroom to improve outcomes for all of our students.” said OCFS Commissioner Gladys Carrión. “This important event depends on the involvement of local schools and community organizations, and we are proud to partner with them to improve the educational lives of our youngest New Yorkers.”

“‘Dads Take Your Child to School Day’ is a wonderful way to further engage fathers in their children’s lives, and provide them with additional resources and contacts to better assist them as they strive to ensure their children succeed in school,” said OTDA Commissioner Kristin M. Proud. “We celebrate the participation of these fathers and father figures as their children work toward achievement in school and toward a bright future.”

“When it comes to parents getting involved in their children’s education, more is better,” State Education Department Commissioner John B. King, Jr. said. “‘Dads Take Your Child to School Day’ is a great opportunity for fathers to get more involved and learn what’s happening in their kids’ schools. Seeing their dads sit at little school desks for a day can have a big impact on students’ learning for a lifetime. Every school should participate.”

“The involvement of a father or male role model in a child’s life plays a significant part in their development – emotionally and academically,” said New York City Department of Education Chancellor Dennis M. Walcott. “When parents are involved in a child’s education they are more likely to succeed in school, that is why the DOE is thrilled to once again participate in the annual Dads Take Your Child to School Day.”

“When education matters to fathers, it also matters to their children,” said DYCD Commissioner Jeanne B. Mullgrav. “By walking their children to school and interacting with teachers and staff, dads and father figures teach our young people responsibility through example. It is also a time to learn more about what’s going on in their child’s life, how they are doing in school, who their friends are, and their daily struggles and accomplishments. DYCD and our Fatherhood Initiative strengthen these relationships by supporting high quality programs reconnecting non-custodial dads with their kids, teaching them effective co-parenting skills, and providing a pathway to good jobs and an education to help them support their children emotionally and financially.”

Statistics gathered by the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) show that children whose fathers take an active role in their lives have better academic, behavioral, and social success.

• Children whose fathers are involved in their lives at school are more likely to earn mostly A grades in core subjects.
• Fathers engaged in their children’s education have more self-confidence about their role as a parent, and generally feel more valuable to their children.

The National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse cites statistics that show the presence of a responsible father promotes academic performance, and reduces disciplinary problems among children.

• Very young children with fathers who are actively involved in their lives have stronger verbal skills and have an increased capacity to problem-solve.
• Girls with strong relationships with their fathers do better in mathematics, and boys tend to perform better on achievement tests.

Additionally, the National Survey of Families and Households reports that children are less likely to exhibit problem behavior in grade school when fathers are involved in their lives early on when they are preschoolers.

Schools and childhood learning programs can register at the “Dads Take Your Child to School” New York website.  Click here for a list of participating schools.

Fathers and significant male caregivers can call their children’s school or program to find out whether it is participating in “Dads Take Your Child to School Day.” They are encouraged to arrive with their children 15 to 30 minutes before the start of classes, and will be welcomed guests at their children’s school or program.

OCFS serves New York by promoting the safety, permanency, and well-being of children, families, and communities. For more information, visit ocfs.ny.gov, “like” the New York State Office of Children and Family Services Facebook page, or follow @NYSOCFS on Twitter.

 

(Oceanside, NY) A recent study published in the August 2013 issue of Pediatrics found that more than 17,000 children are treated in U.S. emergency departments each year for a TV-related injury, equaling one child every 30 minutes. The study, “Television-Related Injuries to Children in the United States, 1990-2011,” was led by senior author Gary Smith, MD, president of the Child Injury Prevention Alliance.

According to the study, falling TVs accounted for 12,300 injuries among children under age 18 in 2011, a 125% increase from the number recorded in 1990. Previous research on this topic has shown that pediatric injuries stemming from televisions tipping over have increased, with children ages 4 and younger at highest risk for injury.

“A majority of such injuries is generally caused by TV sets falling off a dresser, armoire, entertainment center or TV stand,” said Clara E. Mayoral, MD, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at South Nassau Communities Hospital.

The study categorized televisions as being 27 inches and larger or 26 inches and smaller.

Injury codes included laceration, contusion, soft tissue injury, fracture, strain, and other — which included shocks, burns, dislocations, and dental injuries. The average patient age was 4.7, and children younger than 5 represented 64.3% of injured patients, while children ages 5 to 10 represented 24.3% and those ages 11 to 17 made up 11.4% of injuries. Nearly 61% of the children injured were male.

The study reported that the most common injuries were to the head and neck (63.3%), followed by the lower extremities (21.5%). Head and neck injuries were associated with a 36% increased likelihood of hospital admission compared with other areas of bodily injury. Children younger than 5 years were 36% more likely to receive a head or neck injury.

To reduce the risk of an injury caused by a falling TV, Dr. Mayoral offers the following tips:

• Keep your TV on low furniture and as far to the back as possible;
• Be sure the piece of furniture you put the TV on is big enough to hold it;
• Make sure furniture is stable on its own; if necessary take extra precautions, such as using anchors, angle braces or straps to anchor furniture to the floor or secure it to the wall;
• If you have a flat-screen TV, make sure it is attached securely to the wall;
• Never allow children to climb or lie on furniture with a television on it;
• Do not place toys or other items on top of the TV or furniture.

South Nassau Communities Hospital is one of the region’s largest hospitals, with 435 beds, more than 900 physicians and 3,000 employees. Located in Oceanside, NY, the hospital is an acute-care, not-for-profit teaching hospital that provides state-of-the-art care in cardiac, oncologic, orthopedic, bariatric, pain management, mental health and emergency services. In addition to its extensive outpatient specialty centers, South Nassau provides emergency and elective angioplasty and is the only hospital on Long Island with the Novalis Tx™ and Gamma Knife® Perfexion radiosurgery technologies. South Nassau is a designated Stroke Center by the New York State Department of Health and Comprehensive Community Cancer Center by the American College of Surgeons and is recognized as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

For more information, visit www.southnassau.org.

Board Announces Executive Search; LIFT Announces Retirement of President & CEO

(Bethpage, NY) The Long Island Forum for Technology (LIFT, www.lift.org), the designated NYSTAR Long Island Regional Technology Development Center and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) for the U.S. Department of Commerce, working on behalf of the region’s 3,200 small and mid-sized manufacturers, announced today that its President of over 3-1/2 years, Frank Otto, is retiring by year’s end. For Otto, who was pulled back from a previous planned retirement, the decision is a family-motivated one which also will have him relocating to Montana to be close to family members. He will, however, remain accessible and in a support role to LIFT.

Long Island Forum for Technology President, Frank Otto, is retiring by year’s end

“LIFT is a great source of pride for me,” said Otto. “I am very proud of the organization we have built, the team I have worked with, and the dedicated manufacturers across Long Island that LIFT serves. I am very optimistic that LIFT will continue to advance manufacturing on Long Island which, in turn, will help secure the region’s future economic growth and stability.”

Otto, a past Chairman and longstanding member of the Board and Executive Committee, became President of LIFT in February 2010 following the untimely passing of LIFT President and inspirational force, Ken Morrelly. LIFT Executive Director Bill Wahlig will serve as Interim President as the Board considers a new president.

During his tenure, Otto, working alongside Wahlig and the LIFT Board of Directors, transformed LIFT into a new organization with a corporate structure and incorporating several new and dynamic entities.

According to LIFT Chairman Joseph Garone, “Frank has served in a vital capacity during LIFT’s major transformative period. He helped guide the organization’s transformation from a small operation focused on economic development to the multifaceted organization LIFT is today – one which is driving the commercialization of technology across diverse sectors and advancing manufacturing and its contributions to the Long Island regional economy and beyond.”

During his tenure, Frank led the organization through several major achievements. Chief among them was the commissioning and tenanting of the Morrelly Center, which is the centerpiece of the Applied Science Foundation for Homeland Security, in 2010. The Foundation is owned and operated as a member of the LIFT Family of Companies. Within the Center are the Foundation’s resident research partners and several local, state and federal government agencies including Nassau County’s Office of Emergency Management; the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, MTA, New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, the Transportation Security Administration, among others. He positioned the Foundation for growth and recognition at the highest levels, helping it to win major contracts including those from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) resulting in the commercialization of two advanced technologies (i.e., RCOP & WildCat) for homeland security applications.

LIFT Secretary of the Board Barry Shorten added, “Frank’s contributions to Long Island manufacturers and the region at large are numerous. He led several strategic initiatives to help manufacturers succeed and the region to prosper. One example was the development of our Advanced Material and Manufacturing Technology Innovation Center – AMMTIC. He secured the funds made possible through the efforts of New York State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos to purchase a 25,000 square foot facility in Plainview, which is slated to be operational later this year. AMMTIC will give area manufacturers access to leading-edge technologies, educational and training programs, and contract opportunities presented by the primes involving manufacturing with advanced composite materials.”

“Frank Otto has been instrumental to LIFT’s success in cultivating Long Island as a technology hub and helping local manufacturing and technology businesses succeed,” said U.S. Representative Steve Israel (3^rd District, New  York). “I thank Frank for his outstanding service and contributions to our community.”

Since assuming the President and CEO role at LIFT, Otto also saw to fruition the development of several other major initiatives — the LIFT Rail Alliance; Project SAFEguard, a program of the Foundation designed to protect schools and other organizations and enhance their emergency management programs through preparedness and sharing of critical information including building floor plans and emergency procedures with first responders; a Cyber Security initiative; and most recently, the Long Island Regional Preparedness Center, which has the support and involvement from key members of the region’s government, utility and emergency response management sectors.

“Equally important, Frank has helped build and strengthen critical relationships with other vital organizations that share our mission of economic growth and development,” continued Garone. “We now have effective, working partnerships with such organizations as the LIA for which Frank serves on the Collaborative Board, the Long Island Regional Economic Council, LISTnet, Accelerate Long Island, the Long Island Regional Planning Council and the Long Island Capital Alliance, as well as Stony Brook University and Farmingdale State College.”

LIFT Executive Director Bill Wahlig noted that all of these achievements also were instrumental in LIFT’s greater role and commitment to the region’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs and related workforce development.

“Frank rolled up his sleeves, taking an active role in STEM and workforce development for Long Island. He served on Suffolk County’s Workforce Investment Board, established the LIFT Scholarship Program with BOCES, and was instrumental in encouraging Stony Brook University to add Composite Curriculum to its Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program,” said Wahlig.

Garone and Shorten noted that making a decision regarding a new President for LIFT is a top priority. While not ruling out a selection from within the organization, they intend no preferential consideration and are seeking candidates from outside of LIFT. A search committee has been formed with the goal of selecting a new president in the near future, so that a smooth transition can take place. Individuals with the requisite skills are requested to send resumes to resumes@alcottgroup.com for consideration.

“The individual will need the leadership skills, strategic vision and relationships to take LIFT through its third generation of growth and development,” said Shorten. “Both our Ken Morrelly and Frank have been visionary leaders who weren’t afraid to think outside of the box in order to advance LIFT’s mission.”

Garone elaborated on the skill-set needed. “Today’s LIFT needs a president with C-level leadership skills, an understanding of manufacturing and product R&D, as well as the political savvy to navigate our local, state and federal governments.” He added, “Additionally, since LIFT is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization, our new president must also be able to lead effective funding and capital campaign efforts.

About LIFT
The Long Island Forum for Technology (LIFT) is a non-profit economic development organization working with the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). LIFT is NYSTAR’s designated Regional Technology Development Center for Long Island and the region’s official MEP. Its role is far reaching, including helping members win government contracts and grants to grow their businesses; aligning companies with synergistic lines and missions; giving members access to critical business improvement and quality management systems across core areas; providing lean product design and development services, innovation engineering, feasibility studies, material analysis services and rapid prototyping; and offering industry-specific education forums. The LIFT Family of Companies reflects several major technology and related initiatives, including: the Applied Science Foundation for Homeland Security, the Rail Alliance, The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technology Innovation Center (AMMTIC), DHS Mantech, Information Technology, Greater Long Island Clean Cities Coalition and Workforce Development. LIFT’s primary mission is to commercialize Long Island’s technology.

For more information, visit: www.lift.org

1,000 Runners Expected to Cover 50 Scenic Miles Though 15 Different Towns Stretching From Jones Beach to Oyster Bay

(Bethpage, NY) Bethpage Federal Credit Union, a dedicated supporter of health and wellness initiatives on Long Island, announces its sponsorship of the Greater Long Island Running Club’s 28th annual Ocean to Sound Relay.  The Bethpage Ocean to Sound Relay, which takes place on Sunday, September 29, 2013, will take runners across both Nassau and Suffolk Counties with 120 teams of eight runners each traversing a 50-mile scenic course stretching from the South Shore to the North Shore of Long Island.  This will be the fourth consecutive year Bethpage has sponsored the event.

Nearly 1,000 runners are expected to participate in the relay, which will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services, money raised from the relay will go directly to support the organization’s Long Island Chapter.  Long Island runner Alan End, who founded the relay back in 1985, is the relay director.

According to Greater Long Island Running Club President Mike Polansky, “The Bethpage Ocean to Sound Relay is an exciting race for both runners and spectators.   We invite you to come down and cheer on your family, friends and neighbors sprinting across Long Island.”

The Bethpage Ocean to Sound Relay starts at Jones Beach State Park and finishes on the grounds of the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay.  120 eight-person teams will navigate their way through 15 different Long Island townships starting in Wantagh, traveling through Seaford, Massapequa Park, Massapequa, Farmingdale, Old Bethpage, Plainview, Woodbury, West Hills, crossing into Huntington and hitting the Long Island Sound in Lloyd Harbor, returning to Nassau County via Cold Spring Harbor and Syosset, reaching Oyster Bay Cove, and finally hitting Oyster Bay.

“The Ocean to Sound Relay is one of the most unique and anticipated events of every year, attracting runners from the entire tri-state area,” said Linda Armyn, Senior Vice President, Bethpage.  “We’re happy to participate again, and witness some amazing athletic abilities, organized impeccably by the Greater Long Island Running Club, and all for a deserving cause.”

There are 15 different categories for runners including men’s, women’s, mixed open, men’s masters, women’s masters, mixed masters, men’s seniors masters, women’s seniors masters, men’s super seniors, women’s super seniors, corporate, law enforcement/firefighter, physically challenged, one person team, and running for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  A gala post race party affectionately called the “Best Post-Race Party in the Northeast” will take place immediately following the relay at the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park on the shoreline of beautiful Oyster Bay Harbor near the finish line, where awards will be presented in each of the individual categories to each member of the top three teams in each category.

“The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is extremely grateful for the generous support of the Greater Long Island Running Club and Bethpage Federal Credit Union,” said Sara Lipsky, Executive Director of the Long Island Chapter.  “It is because of organizations like them, LLS can continue to fulfill its mission – to find cures for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.”

The entry fee for the Bethpage Ocean to Sound Relay is $400 per team ($50 per runner) through September 16, 2013, which covers entry into the race, a special commemorative t-shirt for each runner, and entry into the post-race party.  If received between September 17 and September 28, 2013, the entry fee is $440 per team.  No day of race entries will be accepted.

For more information, or to register, go to www.glirc.org.

Bethpage Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, existing solely to serve its members and has experienced rapid growth in recent years to become a strong alternative to banks.  Bethpage was approved for the largest federal community charter in the U.S. in 2003 and now is New York State’s largest credit union and Long Island’s primary community financial institution with over 212,000 members, 26 branches and 60 shared service center locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. As a financial cooperative, Bethpage offers the best-in-market rates, low fees and world-class service, and a full menu of personal and commercial financial services.

Bethpage maintains branch locations in Bay Shore, Bay Shore King Kullen, Bethpage, Central Islip, Commack King Kullen, Elmont, Farmingdale, Freeport, Glen Cove, Hempstead, Huntington, Levittown King Kullen, Lynbrook, Massapequa, Melville, Mineola, North Babylon, Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Riverhead, Seaford, Smithtown, Roosevelt, West Babylon and Westbury with over 425 surcharge-free ATMs in King Kullen, 7-Eleven, CVS Pharmacy and Costco locations throughout Long Island.

For more information, call 1-800-628-7070 or visit www.bethpagefcu.com.

Family-Run Business Honored For Commitment to Long Island and Expansion of Services to Support LI Businesses

(Hicksville, NY) Accu Data Payroll, Long Island’s leading payroll outsourcing provider, was honored as a finalist for the HIA-LI Small Business Achievement Award at a ceremony held yesterday at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.  HIA-LI, the recognized voice for business on Long Island with member companies representing tens of thousands of business professionals, recognized Accu Data Payroll for its commitment to Long Island after completing the purchase of a new office building this year as part of the company’s vision for the future.

“We’re delighted that HIA-LI has named Accu Data Payroll as a leading small business on Long Island,” said Susan Accardo, Partner, Director of Sales and Marketing, Accu Data Payroll.  “2013 has been an important year for us with the purchase of our new office and the significant expansion of our products and services.  We thank HIA-LI for recognizing our efforts to adapt to customer needs and serve the business community here on Long Island.”

The HIA-LI selection committee selected finalists and winners based on a number of factors including: positive employer/employee relations, commitment to the growth and betterment of Long Island business community, and the three- to five-year vision for the company.

In April 2013, Accu Data Payroll recommitted to Long Island with the purchase of its first commercial property on Old Country Rd. in Hicksville.  The 4,000 sq ft building was designed to foster a strong, positive work environment, including a large bullpen area for all employees to work together seamlessly, a soundproofed logistics area for printing and packaging to minimize disruption, as well as a fun employee lounge.

In this next phase of the family business, Ralph, Connie and Susan Accardo have also expanded on the company’s technology and portfolio of services.  Beyond payroll, tax and compliance, Accu Data Payroll has grown their HR offerings with recruitment, time and attendance, and workers’ compensation; and plans to introduce financing options to offer employees short-term loans that would automatically be deducted from their paychecks.

As a member of the Long Island business community, Accu Data Payroll contributes to the Annual Autism Fundraiser and the LI Heart Association, and processes pro-bono payroll for the Long Island Center for Business and Professional Women.  Accu Data Payroll also offers a variety of free seminars such as one recently held regarding the Affordable Care Act.  Accu Data Payroll is a member of the Long Island Association, HIA-LI, as well as payroll industry associations.

For more information on Accu Data Payroll’s products and services, please visit: http://www.accudatapayroll.com or call 516-935-6767.

Accu Data Payroll is a family-run business focused on providing superior service so that clients can focus less on administrative tasks and more on running their business.  For more than 25 years, Accu Data Payroll has provided a robust portfolio of payroll and HR services custom tailored to fit every client’s needs.  Founded by husband and wife team, Ralph and Connie Accardo have expanded the team to include their daughter, Susan.  Together, they continue to deliver on the company’s founding principals to know each client on a first-name basis, answer every call personally, and provide cost-effective, accurate payroll and tax solutions to provide peace of mind to every client.

(Hauppauge, NY) Due multiple calendar hurdles, lower than normal donor turnout, plus high demand from area hospitals, our community blood supply has been reduced to critical levels – notably less than a one-day supply of O-negative “universal donor” blood, which can be transfused into anyone in trauma situations when there is no time for blood typing. In addition, types B-negative and A-negative are also very low.

“I encourage anyone who is capable of giving blood to please do so as soon as possible,” said County Executive Bellone. “Our are blood supply is extremely low and it is imperative that we do all we can to increase the supply to help save lives. Suffolk County employees are very active in donating blood and I am asking for all Suffolk County residents to consider this life saving opportunity.”

To make up for the shortfall as quickly as possible, New York Blood Center has a wide variety of donor centers and blood drives open this week.

A complete list of available locations is available online at www.nybloodcenter.org

Operators are standing by to help donors with appointments at 1-800-933-BLOOD (2566).

Each and every day there are patients who depend on the transfusion of red blood cells, platelets and plasma to stay alive – including those with cancer, leukemia, and victims of auto crashes and other traumas. But blood and blood products can’t be manufactured. They can only come from volunteer blood donors who take an hour to attend a blood drive or visit a donor center.

Students Kayla Clements and Toniann Cutrone finish first in their age groups

(SMITH POINT, NY) The 13th annual Empire National Bank Smith Point Bridge 5K Run for Literacy took place on Saturday, September 7, 2013 with nearly 400 runners participating. Proceeds of the race go to support the William Floyd High School (WFHS) Scholarship Fund, the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library Family Literacy Project and the Reach Out and Read program at the Marilyn Shellabargar South Brookhaven Family Health Center. Many William Floyd students participated and performed exceptionally well with a number finishing in the top 10 for their age groups.

Pictured are the top three female finishers regardless of age group, from left to right are: Lindsay Lafleur (25-29 age group); and William Floyd High School students Kayla Clements (15-19 age group) and Nicole Ferguson (15-19 age group).

Winning the 15-19 year-old age group and finishing as the second overall female was Kayla Clements (WFHS). Second place in the 15-19 age group and third overall female went to Nicole Ferguson (WFHS). Julia Adamo (WFHS) took third place in the female 15-19 year-old age group. Finishing second and third in the male 15-19 year-old age group were WFHS students Ted Oster and Patrick Moloney.

Toniann Cutrone (left) of William Floyd High School and Allyson Rojas of Tangier Smith Elementary School finished first and second, respectively, in the female 10-14 year-old age group.

In the female 10-14 year-old age group: Toniann Cutrone finished first (WFHS); Allyson Rojas (Tangier Smith Elementary) finished second; Maiya Cotto (4th place, WFHS); Jalena Maynard (7th place, WFHS); Katharine Stirber (9th place, Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary); and Kaitlyn Reilly (10th place, John S. Hobart Elementary).

In the male 10-14 year-old age group: Joseph Rodriguez finished second (WFMS); Danny McDermott (6th place, WFHS); Andrew Passaro (7th place, WFHS); Jagger Warren (9th place, WFMS); and Jack Courtney (10th place, WFHS).