(Queens, NY) State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) commended Mr. Ed Shusterich for his civic pride and the many contributions he has made for the betterment of the neighborhood.

Ed Shusterich (right), past president of the Pullis Historical Landmark organization in Middle Village’s Juniper Valley Park,  with State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (left).

In particular, Mr. Shusterich was congratulated on the upcoming 10th anniversary of the 9-11 Memorial Flagpole and commemorative plaque.

Mr. Shusterich was instrumental in the conception and July 3, 2003, installation of this local WTC memorial near the cemetery (on Juniper Blvd. North and 81st Street) dedicated to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack victims. Shusterich is a former Juniper Valley Park warden and Pullis Historical Landmark maintains the burial grounds.

Financial Report Lacks Credibility 

(Long Island, NY) Former Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman criticized George Maragos for misleading the public with the issuance of the county’s 2012 year-end financial report.

“This year-end financial report is a work of fiction,” said Weitzman, a Certified Public Accountant. “Everyone in Nassau County knows the County’s finances are a mess and it has happened on the watch of George Maragos. He can use misleading accounting to mask the truth, but the rating agencies continue to downgrade the County’s finances because they operate objectively and see through Mr. Maragos’s gimmicks.”

Today’s announcement of the year-end report for fiscal year 2012 by Maragos does not account for the hundreds of millions of dollars owed by the county to taxpayers who successfully challenged property tax assessments. The report also irresponsibly assumes that FEMA will grant 100% of requested reimbursements for Superstorm Sandy expenses.

“Ignoring the expense of unpaid property tax refunds is like putting your credit card bill in a drawer and assuming it no longer needs to be paid,” said Weitzman.

About Howard Weitzman, CPA
In 2001, Howard Weitzman became the only CPA ever elected to the office of Nassau County Comptroller after a 30 year career as a healthcare financial executive. He was subsequently re-elected to a second term in 2005. During his eight years as Comptroller, Howard Weitzman played a central role in the financial rescue of Nassau County. Under Howard’s leadership, the office of Comptroller became a national model for transparency and accountability while at the same time developing a reputation for groundbreaking audits, independence and integrity. A graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School and Queens College, Howard is the former Mayor of Great Neck Estates, where he and his wife resided for 35 years and raised three children. He is currently a resident of North Hills.

(FARMINGDALE, N.Y.) TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, has named Keith J. Grasso the Store Manager of the new Farmingdale store located at 90 Broad Hollow Road in Farmingdale, N.Y. An Assistant Vice President, he is responsible for new business development, consumer and business lending, managing personnel and overseeing the day-to-day operations at the store serving customers throughout the Nassau East and Suffolk county region on Long Island.

A Franklin Square, N.Y., resident, Grasso has 15 years of banking experience with expertise in retail and small business banking and lending, treasury management and merchant services. Prior to joining TD Bank, he served as an Assistant Vice President at Capital One Bank in North Fork in Suffolk County.

TD Bank focuses on delivering legendary customer service by providing seven-day branch banking with extended hours, Penny Arcade coin-counting machines, hassle-free products, free online banking and bill pay at www.tdbank.com, and treats for kids and dogs. Customers also have access to a network of 2,700 ATMs from Maine to Florida.

About TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank^®
TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing nearly 8 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at more than 1,300 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth^®, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.tdbank.com. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US.

TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol “TD.” To learn more, visit www.td.com.

(Huntington Station, NY) Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,WF,I-Huntington Station) recently joined friends and family of Thomas James Battistelli to celebrate his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Battistelli is a member of Troop 309 in Dix Hills.

Pictured Left to Right: Huntington Town Councilman Susan Berland, Half Hollow Hills School District Trustee Betty DeSabato, Exalted Ruler Peter Demidovich of the Huntington Elks Lodge, Eagle Scout Thomas Battistelli and Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci.

“Thomas’ ascent to Eagle Scout is the result of years of hard work, dedication and service to his community,” said Lupinacci. “Thomas serves as a tremendous leader and mentor for the young men who make up Troop 309. The Court of Honor was a chance to celebrate his dedication and to say thank you to his scoutmasters, fellow scouts and family. It was a pleasure joining Thomas, the scouts of Troop 309 and his friends and family for this important occasion; I applaud his achievement.”

(Long Island, NY) For the third year, five talented Long Island music students will receive a unique opportunity to study and perform this summer at Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts. The program was developed by Usdan Center in 2011 and supported with a charitable grant from Bethpage Federal Credit Union.

The Usdan Center/Bethpage Scholars in the Arts program gives accomplished students who otherwise couldn’t attend Usdan, the opportunity to study at the country’s largest not-for-profit summer arts day camp. The students were chosen for their fine musicianship and for their achievements as outstanding representatives of their communities.

Usdan’s Executive Director, Dale Lewis, recently spoke of the program’s track record of success: “We are proud to continue this unique partnership with Bethpage Federal Credit Union, one of our region’s most prominent leaders in corporate philanthropy. Kirk Kordeleski, President and CEO, and his wonderful staff, have given a great opportunity to talented young Long Island musicians, and we are delighted to continue this wonderful collaboration.” Kerry Discioarro, Coordinator of the program, adds “We are particularly excited about this year’s students, who combine amazing qualities of musical talent, academic excellence and fine character.”

The Usdan/Bethpage program is unique in that five Bethpage community branches will, in effect, “adopt” one of the program’s students, with each receiving recognition in their Bethpage community branch for the remainder of the year. The students were introduced to their Bethpage branch sponsors at a June reception at Usdan Center.

“Bethpage is proud supporter of Usdan and its many invaluable initiatives and programs that offer countless benefits to the Long Island community and its many young artists,” said Kirk Kordeleski, President & CEO, Bethpage. “This unique scholarship program provides five deserving art students, who otherwise would not be able to do so, the opportunity to study on the world-class Usdan campus. I am very excited for each of them.”

The winners of the Usdan/Bethpage Scholar in the Arts program are: from Huntington, Jordan Williams, a Junior at Elwood John Glenn High School. He will study Trumpet and Chorus at Usdan, performing this summer with Band IV; from Melville, Cara Jacobson is a Junior at Half Hollow Hills East High School. She comes to Usdan this summer as a Music Staff Intern, and will perform with the Senior Chorus and the Select Chamber Choir. From North Babylon, Abraham Pierre is an Eighth Grade student at Robert Moses Middle School. He will study Tenor Saxophone this summer, and will perform with Band IV and in the Jazz Ensemble as well; from Commack, Joseph Tanay-Noto is a Junior at Commack High School. A cellist, he comes to Usdan this summer as a Music Staff Intern and will perform with Orchestra IV and the Senior Chorus; and from Levittown, Jordi Ariel Lotito is a Senior at WT Clarke High School. A violinist, she comes to Usdan this summer as a Music Staff Intern, and will perform with Orchestra IV and the Senior Chorus.

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 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.

For more information visit www.bethpagefcu.com.

Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts is the nation’s premier not-for-profit summer arts day camp. Usdan, now in its 46th season, has been declared a “Best Of” camp by TimeOutNY/Kids. Usdan is open to all young people from age 6 to 18, and no audition is needed for most programs. The Center is situated on a 200-acre woodland campus in Huntington, Long Island, to which 1,600 students travel each day on buses that depart from  neighborhoods throughout the New York metropolitan area. Although Usdan’s mission is for every child to establish a skill-based relationship with the arts, the unique inspiration of the Center has caused many to go on to professional careers.

For more information visit www.usdan.com.

Bill rescues old landmark from auction block;Transfers building to local fire department

(Patchogue, NY) “At one time, the Patchogue Armory had been a proud addition to a quiet neighborhood,” Assemblyman Hennessey said. “Now it sits empty and abandoned. I can think of no better group to take possession of the property than the North Patchogue Fire Department which has expressed a desire to use the rear building to help house and maintenance their vehicles.”

The Armory building was slated to go to auction as is to the highest bidder on August 1, 2013. However, with the passage of this bill (A.8036), the Commissioner of the Office of General Services would be authorized to transfer what was formerly used as the Patchogue Armory through the Town of Brookhaven to the North Patchogue Fire Department.

The town of Brookhaven has agreed to take the armory from the Office of General Services with the intent of transferring it to the North Patchogue Fire Department on the stipulation that a funding plan for remediation is put in place. What this bill does is creates a three-year window for the funding to be established and remediation to occur.

An environmental site assessment performed on the property in 2012 made it clear that remediation would include minor asbestos abatement in the building and the scouring of septic tanks that evinced elevated concentrations of volatile organic compounds (cleaning agents and mercury). According to a conservative estimate by the environmental consulting firm that reviewed the property, the remediation process could cost between $25,000 and $50,000 before the site can be transferred.

“The old armory needs a little TLC and stewardship,” Assemblyman Hennessey said. “I believe our local volunteers are the right group to fill that need. With their oversight and community involvement, this old landmark will be repurposed in a way that fits into the neighborhood.”

Legislation helps family members pay for crime scene cleanup

“Losing a loved one at the hands of a murderer is one of the most traumatic and devastating experiences someone will go through in their life,” Assemblyman Hennessey said. “The time immediately following such a horrific tragedy is absolutely crucial to their recovery.”

Currently, the law only permits the Office of Victim Services to provide compensation for counseling to the victims of a crime. It doesn’t cover the costs associated with the cleanup after a crime, such as a homicide, leaving the families to pay out-of-pocket to fix the devastation left behind after the loss of a loved one, Assemblyman Hennessey noted.

Under this legislation, the Office of Victim Services will be allowed to make an award for crime scene cleanup to a surviving family member of a homicide who was living with the victim at the time. The bill will award cleanup-related compensation to certain family members, including spouses, children and stepchildren (A.6899).

“This legislation will help the surviving family members when they need it most and allow them to grieve without reliving the tragedy. No one should ever be forced to pay for the damage that was caused during the crime,” Hennessey concluded.

(Huntington Station, NY) Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,WF,I-Huntington Station) is reminding residents of his upcoming Shed the Meds event on Saturday, July 20 with the Suffolk County Police Department.

The event will be held rain or shine and runs from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Huntington Fire Department, 1 Leverich Place, Huntington. Officers from the Suffolk County Police Department will be accepting expired or unwanted prescription medication so they may discard the medication safely.

“Disposing of medication improperly, such as flushing it down the toilet or pouring it down a drain, can lead to pollution of the water we drink,” said Lupinacci. “It is tremendously important that these medications are disposed of correctly so that they cannot do harm to our environment or fall into the wrong hands. Thankfully, the Suffolk County Police Department is able to provide this valuable service for us in an effort to keep our community safe. I strongly encourage anyone who has expired or unwanted prescription medications to drop them off on Saturday.”

(Long Island, NY) The following is a Statement from Assemlyman Camara and Senator Adriano Espaillat on Calling for Civil Rights Charges Against George Zimmerman:

“As the cold blooded and unjustified killing of young Trayvon Martin shocked the nation last year, it left parents in our communities wondering if their own sons could fall victim to such hatred and racism. While Trayvon’s death was mourned in neighborhoods across New York, the news that his killer will face no criminal penalties for this unambiguously heinous crime has, in many ways, inflicted even worse damage on our social fabric.

The spontaneous anger that emerged on city streets this weekend illustrates that Americans from all walks of life are unable to accept this verdict. This growing rift will continue to worsen, and bring pain to our already disillusioned constituents unless the federal government intervenes.

While Florida’s courts have failed Trayvon, the Department of Justice can still bring closure to this egregious chapter in our history by initiating civil rights charges against George Zimmerman. Doing so will validate our belief that government is still a force for social justice and an agent of positive change. And it will prove that in era where the protections of the Voting Rights Act have been eroded, and state legislatures seem more intent on removing safeguards against racial inequality than expanding them, we are still capable of taking brave stands in the face of racism and intolerance.”

Senator Adriano Espaillat is Chair of the Senate Latino Conference and represents parts of Marble Hill, Washington Heights, Hamilton Heights, West Harlem, and the Upper West Side in Manhattan and the Bronx.

Assemblyman Karim Camara is Chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus, and represents Crown Heights and East Flatbush neighborhoods in Brooklyn.

Customers are encouraged to use electricity efficiently during high periods of heat and humidity; Extra crews available to address heat-related outages

(Uniondale, NY) With forecasts calling for hot and humid temperatures exceeding 90 degrees, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) reminds its customers to use electricity efficiently as a way to conserve energy and avoid spiking bills.

“LIPA has enough capacity available to meet the projected service-area peak demand for the forecasted heat which is expected over the next three days,” said LIPA Chief Operating Officer John McMahon. “However, we remind our customers using energy wisely over the next few days will help keep their energy bills down and help avoid heat related local outages.”

LIPA will have extra crews available to address heat-related outages in a quick and safe manner.

While LIPA expects to have sufficient supply of electricity to meet demand, everyone is still urged to use electricity wisely and conserve as much as possible.

To use energy efficiently during periods of high heat and humidity, LIPA customers should:

• Put air conditioners on timers, don’t let them run when not at home;
• Set air conditioners at 78 degrees;
• Use fans to circulate cool air, which helps cut air conditioner use;
• Set refrigerators and freezers at most efficient temperatures; and
• Run major appliances such as clothes and dishwashers in the morning or late evening to avoid the peak demand hours of 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Customers who experience an outage should call 1-800- 490-0025 or can visit LIPA’s storm center online at http://www.lipower.org/stormcenter/heat.html

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 http://www.lipower.org.